smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1867

A"O " Odti "
their. pretty .ne. ,g,
to see what they Eer ia Over
den. Aftera they 6se. - "
while, one Of them folio


green fly which he thought 10,


it would be good to eat


The fly flew to the summer-hodHIl
and the bird flew after him. The fly
was tired and Lit on post to rest. The
post was square and hollow, and the
beams of the roof of the summer-house
lay upon the top of it. ~


Near the top there was hole, about
large enough for you to put your little
hand through; and the fly was setting
on the edge of the hole. When he saw
the blue-bird coming to eat him, he
flew into the hole, and the blue-bird
dsrted in after him.
The blue-bird did not know how hard
it would be for him to get out. He
found himself in dark, close place.
His bright blue wings touched both
sides of his prison. There was no
room to fly. He sank down to the bot
tom of the post. f..f.,


The other blue-bird, his little brother,
who had always lain close beside him
in their soft nest had flown after him
in his chase, because he did not ike to
lose sight of him for a moment He
heard his brother bssting his wings
against the inside of the post; he heard
his cry offear and distress, and he went
into the dark hole too.


But this second little blue-bird could
not help his brother; he only fell down
in the dark lonely place, and lay by the
others side on the cold, hard. floor.
They could not fly straight up to the
little spot of light far away at the top
of the post. There was no room for
them to spread their wings. Their
mother looked for themI among the
trees and bushes, but could not find
them. But a little girl, whose name
was Mary, and who bad been picking
violets on the bank near the summer
house, had seen the birds fly into the
hole, and now heard their sad cry for
help.


''How can / help themp thought
Mary. She looked at the bottom ofthe
post; and she thought if she should
take hoe that lay near by on the grass
and dig away the earth from the post
she could make hole in It through
which the birds might fly. -sl b.


So Mary worked and worked; and by
and by she found weak place in the
wood of the post, and here she made a
hole. "Now, little birds" said she,
''you must not be in such hurry IS
not to stop and thank me"


She first took out one little bird, and
kissed it, and let it 90. Then she took
out the other, and kissed that too, and
then let it go. They lighted on rose
bush near by; and their mother came;
and they were all so glad that they
sang sweet song, which Mary thinks
meant "Thank you, thank you, little
girl"


Mary sat down in the shade with her
doll, and rested. She was happy in =.
the thought that she had saved two lit
tie birds from a sad fate. And perhaps
she thought that she would take warn
ing by the misfortune of the little birds
and be careful not to get into bad
place without first seeing how she
should get out of it-7hs Nursery.
Year: 1867

A favorite hound, belonging TO an
old hunter, came to his master one
morning when he was engaged chop
ping. wood in the forest, and by various
intelligible signs persuaded his owner
to follow him to a thicket some little dis
tance off in the woods. The hunter, on
following his dog, found there small
and very feeble fawn, entaBgled in some
vines and brambles, so that it was i'm
possible for it to extricate itself. The
unfortunate fawn was carried to the
house and fed upon milk; but the
hound, who was ever ready to hunt and
pull down the wild deer in the forest
seemed to understand that he had
saved this little animals life, He made
it share his bed at night, and through
the day was ever on the lookout 10 de-
fend or aid it, till the rest of the pack
of hounds learned to know it, and to
understand that they were not to mo-
lest their companions pet.
Year: 1867

THE DAIRY MAIUs
The girl engaged in moulding bread
Shall make some sweetheart f1utter,
With hope to get the dairy maid


To make his bread and butter.
She may not play the game croquet,
Or French and German stutter,
If well she knows the curd from whey,
And makes sweet bread and butter.
In meal or cream she's elbow deep,
And cannot stop to putter
But says if he will stop ard reap,
She'll make his bread and butter.
The dairy main, the farmers wife,
Shall be the toast we utter;
Alone, man leads crusty life,


Without good bread and butter.
Year: 1867

The art of living easily, as to money, is to
pitch your scale of living one degree below
your means. Comfort and enjoyment are
more dependent upon easiness in the dotail
of expenditure than upon any degree i'll the
scale. Guard against false associations of
pleasure with expenditure the notion ID
absurd that because pleasure can be pur-
chased with money, therefore money cannot
be spent without enjoyment. What thing
costs man is no true measure of what it is
worth to him; and yet how often is his ar.
probation governed by no other stdndard,
az if there were pleasure in expenditurs
per Sc. Let yourself feel q want before you
provide against it, You are more assured
that it 10 real want, and it is worth while to
feel little in order to feel relief from IT,.
When you are undecided as to which of the
two courses you would like best, choose
the cheapest. This ruls will not only sava
money, bnt save also good deal Of trihing


ndocision. Too much leisure leads to ex.
pense; because when man is in want Of
objects, It occurs TO him that they can be
had for money, and he invents expenditure
in order TO paGs The time, flt
Year: 1867

Twenty tuns, or, by superficial measure
Inent, forty eight and half square miles, of
postage stamps have been used during the


year; enough to roof large township, with


all it's houses. churches, barns, gardens,
forests, and farms or, if you choose to
make ribbon of them, enough TO reach


nearly from the equator to either pole, or
twice the length Of the Mississippi River.
So that if everybody would be obliging
enough to use the Government stamp on
the envelop itself, the mere omission OF
these little extra bits of paper would tighten
the mail-bags by more than forty thousand
pounds, and save in paper fifteen or twenty
thousand dollars. The Postmaster General
does not impart this information in so many
words, but he assures us that nearly three
hundred and fifty millions OF stamps have
been sold during the year past besides
nearly forty millions Of stamped envelopes;
and a simple calculation reduces the story
to the more tangible form we have given
it.-Scientifc american.
Year: 1867

The RiChmcnd Dispatch says the owner
of the farm known as Dutch Gap, finding
that the island made by The cutting of
Buffers canal could not conveniently be
put to use without some means of commu-
nication with the mainland, is filling up one
end of the canal, in order to create cause
way, and the canal viii soon be among the
things that were, provided the people Of
Richmond do nor take steps to secure the
privileges of shortening the navigation OF
the James river several miles, which object
the proprietor OG the land probably desiyes
to hasten.
Year: 1867

A schoolmaster of our acquaintance Is in
tho habit of giving the following toast: The
fair daughters of America: May they add
virtue to beauty, subtract envy from friend
ship, multiply amable aoeomplishments ,by
sweetness Of temper, divide time by social
ity and economy, aud reduce scandal to its
lowest determination by modest Christian
department
Year: 1867

congregation, who does not require a
salary equal to the average income Of
the families of that congregation. If he
lives among poor people-be would be
unworthy of his office if not willing to
share their poverty. But if among a
rich people, he has no right to be poor !;
and his congregation sin in suffering him
to be poor. 1t is remarkable fact, that
in times of pecuniary pressure or distress,
the congregation is very ready to let
their pastor share that, but when pros
perity comes there is rarely any great
eagerness to have him share in that.
But the rule ought to work both ways
or not work in either. Does the lawyer
work for nothing because his clients have
suffered pecuniary embarrassment? Does
the doctor practise for half price because
his patients have lost their negroes, or
had their barns or fences burnt by the
enemy? Does the farmer ask less for
his corn, or wheat, or butter, or eggs,
because money is scarce ?. Why then
deny the obligation of the contract with
the preacher? Or, why make different
law for him? CRAMER.


To RE CONCLUDED.
Year: 1867

This is the adaptation of it to the par
ticular occasions of each Sabbath. The
regular vicissitudes of this kind are quite
numerous. You will have at least four
communion sabbaths in the year. Each
of these gives three special occasions ;
the Sabbath preceding, the Sabbath of
communion, and the Sabbath succeed
ing. The topics appropriate to each
of these ought to be made respec-
lively, the subject of prayer. Then
there are four meetings of important &C.
clesiastical bodies, four seasons of the
year, the first and the last Sabbath of
the year, with public fasts and thanks
giving, and other distinctive occasions oc
curing annually. Those have men
toned cover nearly half the Sabbaths of
the year.


If the whole should be concluded with
the Lords Prayer, it would be agreeable
to many, and not displeasing | think to
any. If you do so use the Lord Prayer,
you are not required to determine what
shall be the form of words with which
you will close. If you do not, then
adopt two or three of the appropriate
formulas, and use no others. And let
me advise you to give the formula perba-
tam, without any expansion. For exam
pie; if you use the Geological form,
render praise simply to the Father, Son
and holy Spirit, and not to The Father,
our Almighty Creator, The Son, our Di-
vine and Compassionate Saviour, and The
blessed Spirit, our gracious Sancti6er and
Comforter. Or if you use the Mediate
rial form, do not say; "for the sake of
Jesus Christ, for whom we praise Thee,
in whom we trust, and in whom wehope,
living and dying, to be found" Will
you think it too petty in me to refer to the
manner in which you pronounce the last
word, Amen? Remember that l have
undertaken at your request, to note very
minute things which more able writer's
would consider unworthy of notice, and
yet they are not unimportant, since they
are connected with the worship of God.
Try and not be peculiar in your utterance
of this last word. Do not mutter it, nor
yet be explosive. Give it its customary
pronunciation and accent; that is, each
of the two syllables should have the same
stress laid on it.


The last prayer differs from the first
mainly in two respects. 1t is much
shorter. Its, nevertheless, areal prayer,
and therefore ought not to be curtailed,
as is sometimes the case, into mere
formula. Undue breyity suggests the
thought, that you feel when your sermon
is done, all is done. 1t also should be
adapted to the sermon which it imme-
diately follows. Let this adaptation con-
sist however rather in continuing the
general sentiment, than in resuming any
ef oric~--.s .sff .yoy, tr-r-e to follow the
sermon of brother minister, do not 90
over the heads of his discourse, nor try
to improve upon it, aud above all, avoid
complimenting him. l think that it is
not often expedient even to make spe-
cial supplication for man before his
face. may add here, though not just
in place, that | do not think it appropri-
ate to repeat poetry, even verse of
hymn, in prayer. 5. l.. G.
Year: 1867

Christian affords few facts for memoir.
"One day telleth another - in the calm
unexcited routine of daily duties. 1t
does not require "some great thing 10
make a saint. The commonest and sim
plest action of every day life, in ones
usual trade or occupation, if done from
the love of God and in his faith and fear,
may assume the value of high virtue.
Gone may sweep the floor to God or to
the devil" One may bargain or buy Or
sell, one may teach school or conduct
law suit, or weave web, or bring up a
family, or carry on domestic concerns,
in such way as may improve or injure
ones own soul according to the motive.
The elect of God have been hallowed in
the most unpromising circumstances, with
apparently every external influence
against them. Men have been damned
in the midst of the highest spiritual priv
ileges, with every outward circumstance
ministcring to their religious necessities.
We have not to 90 out of ourselves, or
beyond our daily circumstances, for the
materials of our probation. We shall be
saved or lost, according as We have
served or neglected God in the common
occupations of everyday life.
Year: 1867

ueSn. DO we are not lar wrong In say
ing tbat the alaya. ,asaaal- al-spansaAian.iaan-
life, to this extent, that in the majority
of cases when man is really obliged to
have anything, he finds or makes the
means of getting it, Notwithstanding his
sad plant of poverty.


In all this the truth is being proved,
"Where there is will there is way"


Now cannot Christians apply this same
rule in the struggle to meet the wants of
the Church? What though it seem a
great and arduous work to sustain her
Will man see his mother starve while
he stops to count the cost Of giving her
nourishment? No more should the child
of the Church see her in her present con-
dition, and allow her to remain thus while
he is debating question upon which
neither God nor natural affection allows
any debate. Our dear mother goes
mourning about the streets; sits wound
ed and faint by the wayside. And will
her children neglect her wants ? Will
they suffer her cry for help to go un-
heard, or if heard, unanswered? Surely
if there is wiH,. there is ecay of help
ing her.


Let Christians consider this well. Let
them remember that every want of the
Church is want of Christ; that every
call from the Church is call from
Christ, who died that they might live. II
seems scarcely possible that there can be
neglect of the Church in which there
is not denial of Christ, for Christ and
His Church are one. Therefore, when
the Church is made to stand knocking
and waiting at our doors until her Clocks
are wet with the dews of the night, .
there stands Christ, enduring such treat
ment. When we see the Church lying
weak and suffering by the way, and YET
pass by on the other side, this is as if We
were passing unheeded, the cruci6eC
body of Christ, but for whom our soul:
would forever dwell in the flames of hell
And when in the feverish race after the
things of this world, we trample the
Church under foot, we are trampling tn,
body of Christ under foot also. Is it no
so, brethren Here then are the two
great struggles-one, that we may sup
ply the wants of the body; the other, tina
we may not dishonor Him who died t.
redeem us. If the gaining of world.
ease is worthy of sacrifices and self-de
malls, is not Christ much more worthy


To the world we owe nothing; it is bu
the servant which our Father has pro
vided to supply our wants through tn
pilgrimage to our blessed home. Blu
what do we not owe to Christ-what hav
, we that Christ did not purchase for u
by His precious blood? Il beseec
you, therefore brethren, by the mercie
of God, that ye present your bodies
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unit
God, which is your reasonable service,
II. II. H.
Year: 1867

Why is n sailor never "A sailor. Be-
cause he is always aboard or a. shore.


What kind of a ship has two mates
and no captain A courtship.


Why is proIix clergyman like an aged
man! Because they both dilate.


What is the difference between a
church organist and the infuenzal One
knows the stops and the other stops the
nose.
Year: 1867

"In the Municipal Court Yesterday aft er
noon, a one-armed soldier, leaning on crutch,
named Thomas Plant, was fined FIVE DOLLARS
without cost, for allowing his hand organ to
remain on the side walk, in front of the Old
South Church for a period of time exceeding
five minutes by the Old South Clock Thorn
as paid the money and thanked the prosecu.
ting officer for introducing him to the court,
and departed to recommence his grinding in
another location.-Boston Her old.
This is the way that heroes are paid


Men who have slept with the dead
Who fought to defend your honor and flag


When accusers and judges had fed
In the storm and glory Of battle


In the vim and passion of fight
His organ, the musket, won freedom,


And he held up your stars shining bright
But the battle is over, and limbless


The hero is limping about;
He has fought TO the music he plays you,


Though no longer he's stalwart and stout
Now the armless, weary and broken,


Yc drag from the front of the church.
Ye pull the brave soldier to prison,


The hero ye've left in the lurch
America knows not true glory,


Else its soldiers brave never would beg,
Or be prisoned for grinding an organ


Poor Devil. oh, where Is your leg'
Year: 1867

lands and the revenues of half a continent.
Keep up taxes after equalizing the burden
by the exercise of common sagacity in that
particular, and discriminate carefully in ia
vor of those whose little property is the
immediate result of their industry and
thrift. Frown Indignantly, as Washington
would say, upon the appearance of repudi-
alton, in whatever disguise. Devote the
surplus revenue to the payment of the na-
tonal debt. See to it that every month it
is reduced some millions. Iti vain to talk
of turning the debt over to remote gener.
atoms to pay. They will have wars and
debts enough of their own, unless we learn
to govern ourselves better, and teach our
children higher order of wisdom than
thus far We have exhibited competence to
do. We must reduce the bulk of this
debt very materially, and fund the rest of
it in long bonds at low interest if it is to
be paid. Make the greenback worth its
face in gold by practicing economy in the
administration of the Government, and in
dicating in our conduct the presence of
public virtue and national integrity and
then the laboring man, instead of being
robbed by issues of paper money, will be
enriched by the increased purchasing pow
er of his money. and the increased demand
for labor that will grow out Of an assured
financial condition.
Year: 1867

the chamber of the Secretary in the foul
form of the assassin. Murder, arson and
robbery, afflict the people who did hot care
what wrongs were done to their neighbors.
Ii we would avert God just judgment, let
us all now try to bring back reverence for
the Laws which our fathers left US as her
itage, and which we have wasted


twas not courage but cowardica, which
made the administration trample upon
laws, courts, aud home rights, and made
judges trail their ermines in the dust.


Gov. Seymour devoted much of his
speech to the financial question He OF
posed reputation. Do not, he said, the
reports of the Secretary of the Treasury
show We could swiftly wipe out our debt if
our income was not devoted to partizan
purposes 1t is said i: is reputation tc
force our legal tenders upon the bondhold-
ers. What makes it so? The low cred
it of the country. Build that up, and
make your paper as good as gold and this
question car not come up. He appealed
to the bondholders to keep faith, and not to
add three-fold to these burdens by upholi-
ing policy which distracts our country,
endanger: roclety, corrupts our govern.
ment, and oppresscs labor.


After alluding to the immense amount
drawn from the people in the tax on alco-
hol, one hundred aud fifty millions of which
is corruptly divided among the officers Of
law and the violators of law he said Give
US back our commerce, lessen taxation at
the north, shorten the hours of labor for
our mechanics, raise the price of our secu-
rites, give us back our Union. Let US
light for our ireside rights for freedom
of opinion, and for an honest management
of public affairs. Above all, let us do
battle for the salvation of the Union, and
may God defend the right
Year: 1867

If but half the leisure moments


That are squsndered day by day
Were employed In friendly missions
To the needy By the way,
What a burden Of affliction,


What weie hit of bitter woe,
From the children Of misfortune


Might be lifted as We go.
Very much we might be doing,


While we sit with folded hands,
Thoughtless of the call of duty


And phi!anthropy's demands;
Needless of the walls of anguish


That we hear on every side
Hugging only to our bosofris


Our own selfish lust and pride.
Precious moments We are wasting,


When we might be doing good
Moments freighted with rich blessings,
If we'd spend them as We should;
Moments that we might be using


For the sowing Of good seed,
That tn starving hearts of others


Would bring luscious fruit indeed.
Year: 1867

A jury OF One MAN-Joe IL is
one of the characters in Lafayette Town
ship. Recently he was summoned to act
as juryman in a case being tried before a
magistrate lie proposed to the parties to
the suit that they allow him alone to act as
jury and decide the case. They agreed,
the evidence was heard, and Joe retired TO
make up his verdict. He soon procured a
bottle of whiskey, some crackers, box of
sardines and can of cove oyeters from
the defendant in the suit lie helped him
self to as much as he wanted Of the provis-
ions and liquor, quietly laid down in the
room in which he was locked and took nap.
He awoke toward evening, and reported
TINT "the jury have not agreed upon ver-
dict" and sent the Constable after the
plaintiff, demanded more oysters, crackers,
sardines and whisky. With these he spent
the night and had a good supply over for
breakfast. lie was again interrogated as
to the verdict, and again answered, "the
jury have not agreed" Toward noon get
ting very thirsty, and unable to get further
supplies, Joe called in the Constable, had
himself conducted before the Squire, re-
ported that it was impossible for the jury
to agree, and was discharged. He said
that where the eating and drinking was as
good as in this case, he don't mind sitting
Oh the Jury.
Year: 1867

An industrious tradesman having new
apprentice. awoke him at very early
hour on the first morning, by calling out
that the family were sitting down to the
table Thank you" said the boy, as he
turned over in the bed to adjust himself
for new nap, "thauk You; never ea.
anything during the night"
Year: 1867

An Act relating to Highways.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Renre- sentatives in General Assembly convened:

 Sec: 1. That where any highway has been laid out within the limits of any town in this otate un- upon by such town or the selectmen thereof, such lay out shall be, and shall be held to have been good and valid, notwithstand such highway may be located in whole Tor in part within the limits of

 Sec. ?. Whenever any town, or the selectmen thereof have laid out, altered or graded or have begun to lay out, alter grade any highway with in the limits of any city borough in said town, such action of such town and of such selectmen is hereby validated and confirmed, and such town and the seiectmen thereof are hereby authorized and empowered to proceed with and complete such laying out, altering or grading, in the same man. her as if such highway or any part thereof were not within the limits of any city or borough, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.

 Approved, July, 18th 1867.