smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The first mistake which is made by
most men is in making wealth the o0-
ject of their lives. But wealth, as we
know, does not give happiness. Veal
thy men do not, because of their
wealth. get happiness. The Wander
bilts, the Stewards and the AstOrs have
not been our happiest men. They are
not the typical men in the home; they
are rot the typical men in social life !;
they are not the typical men In the de-
lights of life, or in the progression of
learning, which perhaps yields the lin
est lows men can know. We can go
down lower still. and find the men who
have only one million or so. or a half
million. and they do not type the hap
piness of American homes. Go into
their houses. How splendid, how gOr-
geous, how gaudy they are, and yet
thew cannot rival the little homes in
the love of a husband and wife, in the
reverence of children for parents, III
the parents guardianship over chill
dren, In all the sweet happiness that
affection sprea,.s abroad like a fra
GRANGE through the chambers of our
houses. You know that alUIOst every
American gets wealth who chooses 70,
though he loses il again, perhaps; but
he gets it. Ii Is no great proof or
ability nor evidence of success for a
man to get wealth in this country and
this age. Now. then, it seems to US
that if a young man should picture to
himself rather quiet house, sunnily
placed on some hillside, with a stretch
of meadow in front, through which
courses a running stream, shaded by
pleasant trees, with loving wife, a
group of pleasant-faced and virtuOus
children, quietude of days and peace
fulness of nights, health and content
ment of mind, that would be much bet
ter than to set up fictitious standard
and strive necessarily for it as though
you must reach it or be utterly undone,
= Nuy-TUu
Year: 1877

In the beginning of the last century
there was in the menagerie at Cassel a
lion that showed an astonishing degree
of tameness toward the woman who had
the care of him. This went so far that
the woman, In order to amuse the COM
pany which came to see the animal,
would often rashly place not only her
hand, but even her head, between his
tremendous jaws. She had frequently
performed this daring act without suf-
fering injury; but once, having intro
duced her head into the lions mouth, /,
the animal made a sudden snap, and
killed her on the spot. Undoubtedly
this catastrophe was unintentiona, on
the part of the lion; probably at the
fatal moment the hair of the woman's
head irritated the lions throat, and
compelled him to sneeze or cough. This
snpposition seems to be confirmed by
what followed; for, as soon as the lion
perceived that he had killed his atten-
dant, the good-tempered and grateful
animal exhibited signs Of the deepest
melancholy; laid himself down BY the
side of the dead body, which he woulc
not suffer to be taken away from him


refused to take any food, and in few
DAYS pinned himself to death.
Year: 1877

Mid all the glamor that Love throws
over his chosen few, nothing is more
prettily absurd than the way in which
be mikes them appear in parts quite
foreign to their original characters. Ii
is so fine to see the selfish people be-
come generous under his magic spell;
the reserved ones, genial the taciturn,
talkative; the secretive natures, trans
parent; the sad ones, merry; and the
jovial ones just becomingly touched
With an agreeable melancholia! One
natural consequence of this favored con-
dition is that they nearly all become the
most arrant match-makers. They will
sometimes pair of, in fancy, each un-
mated man and woman of their acquain-
tance in moment; so anxious are they
to get every available person into what
the prosaic, cynical and worn world
calls their FOOLS Paradise; and so true
is it that one touch of sweet natural love
makes them feel akin to the whole
world, and ready to say to every man
"My brother." and to every woman
"My sister," "Now, just to think OF
Mortimer Jones. who had not been
known heretofore to take the slightest
interest in anybody or anything outside
of what concerns himself-like great
hulking oyster as he used TO be-all of
a sudden relaxing his shut-up-ed-ness
(since he has enticed Daisy Smith into
promising to share his SHELLY and try
ing to get up match between that soft
young DeVerIon, whose name is the
best thing about him now, and the yell
low-haired and mermaid-like Flossy
Fitzsickles. While at the same time
Daisy Smith not only aids and abets
him, but is trying to get Fred Flyaway
and Finnette Fine Fleur into deep
waters-all on the strength of their hay
ing danced the dancers" together once,
and Of have been seen walking up the
avenue together twice; and because
"she's small and dark and he's tall and
fair-the sweetest contrast, my dear !!
just made for each other you know; and
we must bring them together!" Then
there's Cornelia Katzfinger. Did any
body ever catch her showing as much
feeling as even an oyster might in any
other girls troubles, till she found that
Howard Huggins was her destiny! Yet
can we affirm, most positively, that We
saw tears in her usually cold blue eyes
when she heard that Fan Filagree and
Jack No-accourt had broken of theirs.
Who ever heard Of her meddling be-
fore? Yet she went straight off to that
provoking Fan, to weep over her and
try to make what she shattered, whole
while Huggins did the Pythias to Jack
Daman with a might of sympathy that
nobody ever suspected was in him be-
fore. For, verify, love is the one touch
of nature that makes the whole world
akin.
Year: 1877

Every human being has a mission to
perform. Every man has part to act
in the worlds great drama-one of un-
speakable importance. But how few
are there who come fully up to its STAN
dard, and endeavor by divine assistance
to fulfil it. Man was created for noble
purpose, endowed with an immortal
mind, and is capable Of performing a
good work. Consider how great may
be the influence of a single individual,
either for good or evil. If we have been
influential in reforming one, a being
made in the image of God, but sadly
misled by the communicating influence
of vice, we have performed a good work.


There are various ways In which good
may be accomplished, but when good
resolution is formed, the work is too Of
ten begun with lack OF confidence and
perseverance, and impatient to accom-
plisk the undertaking, we despair at the
first difficulty. This should not be, but
with more faith, the more distant the
day of reward, the harder we should
labor and not let our arms become pal
sled because we do not meet with imme-
diate and large results of our labor, but
In time or eternity we shall receive the
reward.


Much good may be done with the pen,
and how much good has been done In
this way, by which the influence of
many still live while they have long
since gone TO their final resting place.
But we would not have you vainly am
bilious to render your name immortal, ,
thinking to make speck in the world
by figuring in the papers, or assume the
importance of fly that imagined itself
turning the wheel upon which it was
only turning round. But whatever
you do let it be done TO the glory OF
God, and remember that ''He that con-
verteth the sinner from the error of his
way, shall save soul from death, and
shall hide multitude of sins"
Year: 1877

Wherever it is grown, and indeed IN
regions where it cannot be raised, when
once introduced morbid craving foI
it is engendered so imperative that per-
sons once under it's influence will go
without food sooner :han be deprived
of tobacco. Ii is dreadful suffering to
which those addicted to ar immOderate
use of it aresubjected in prisons, where,
as felons, they cannot have it. Sailors
at sea without tobacco become reckless,
and are Indifferent as to their fate. SO
universal is Its use at the present day,
that interpretation need be entertained
OF limiting its consumption, or driving
it out of any country. Ii accompanies
civilization as some other customs OF
savage life follow the retinements of
society. Thus ear-rings-millions of
dollars being thus suspended to the
ears of Christian women-is sanctioned
barbarian. But they could not be per
suaded to abandon them; nor will men
of intellect ever relinquish tobacco,
even if by doing SO their lives would
be heightened to one hundred years.
Year: 1877

The San Francisco Groniclc has been
put in possession of curious story by
Captain Reis, of the British steamer
Fleur lie Lis, which recently arrived ut
that port from Androssan. The captain
says that when off Staten island, which
lies eastward from Cape Horn, the ship
encountered school of whales, which
seems to have resolved itself into an
escort to attend her on the remainder of
her passage. The whales kept in close
company with the slip through this long
stretch of thousands of miles, and did
not leave her until she arrived off San
Francisco and put in for the shore, when
they took their leave with series of
lively founders and an occasional spout
to assure the master they were taking III
bumpers to his health. AS the passage
around Cape Horn and through the Pa
cific was q good one, it is fair to presume
that the escort was auspicious.
Year: 1877

The San francisco Post has the fol-
lowing: A most horrible and sichening
death occurred in Kernan's saloon, in
the back yard of the city hall, being no
less than the spontaneous combustion OF
human body. The victim was a man
who had not been more than a month in
the city, but during that time had been
frequently arrested for drunkenness. He
wandered about alone, seemingly de-
mented, occupying his whole time in
drinking the vile poison of the city front
and Barbary Coast dens. He has twice
been treated for delirium trelncns, and
on the morning of his death was dis
charged after longer time than usual.
With a seemingly insane desire for
drink he continued from half past seven
o'clock drinking steadily at various bars,
and the large size of each potation prom
ised to speedily send him back to the
hospital.


About ten o'clock he staggered into
the room nearly insensible, and feebly
asked for a drink. This was refused
him, and he staggered toward the gas
Jet to light the stump of cigar he car
ried, while the barkeeper turned away to
attend to his duties. A moment after
ward he heard low moan and noticed a
fash of fire, and turning around he saw
Harley falling to the floor, his head en-
veloped in black, thick smoke, while
flames issued from his mouth and cars.
A horrible smell of burned flesh filled
the mir. Not moment was lost i'll at
tending to the sufferer He was beyond
relief, however. His face was perfectly
black, partly charrcd and partly covered
with moist SCOT His eyes were open.
His mouth was completely roasted on the
inside, but, with the exception of his
head and hands, no part of his body bore
marks of his horrible death. A letter
found in his pccact, addressed to NJ.
Harley or<Hartley, furnished the only
cleH,te his identity.
Year: 1877

The will of the late r. II. Macy,
founder of one OF the largest retail dry
goods and notion houses in New York,
swas offered for probate in the slrro-
gates office, and one clause in it proved
of special interest as showing that the
sons of wealthy self-made men do not
always follow in the footsteps of their
fathers. After leaving the bulk OF bis
property to his wife and daughter, who
are named as executresses, the will con-
tinues:


I am grieved to say in this solemn
manner that my experience has been
such with my son, Rowland H. Macy,
jr., that I. cannot intrust him with the
care or management of any property.
He has never succeeded in supporting
himself. On the contrary, though he is
now twenty-nine years Of age, he has
been entirely supported and maintained
by Inc, and although have done every
thing in my power to aid him in estab-
fishing habits of Temperance and 80
briefly, yet I am compelled to acknowl-
edge the failure of every effort made by
me and others to that end. His passion
for strong drink has not hitherto been
controlled by him. In view OF these
facts T have deemed it wise to make tie
following provision for his support and
maintenance during his natural life: l
direct that my said executresses, or the
survivors of them or their successors,
do, as soon after my decease as conve-
niently may be, invest in United States
government bonds sum the annual in
terest or income of which shall amount
to $1,000, and that they pay to my said
son the said interest or income when and
as collected, unless my said son shall
contest this will or undertake to defeat
it's provisions, in which case I direct that
be have no part or portion of my estate.


The estate is valued at between $780,
900 and 81, 100000.
Year: 1877

John B. Young, Of Cincinnati, Ohio,
while transacting some business in law
office in New York, happened to lean too
far out of the window and before he could
recover his balance he fell out. In front
of the building stands a gas lamp, and
the unfortunate man struck upon this in
his descent, the sharp iron fixtures at the
top impaling him and passing through
his body. Several people who were pass
ing assisted policeman to remove him,
but it was with extreme difficulty that
they succeeded in lifting him free of the
pointed metal, which had passed into his
bowels.
Year: 1877

Altar tho burning Of tho Southern Hotel ut
st. Louis. there was good deal OF talk about
tbs safety OF tho inns Of this country, and Soc
rotary scHuRz has gono 80 far as to examine tho
most Of those In his Department.
Year: 1877

The Inter- Oceans Washington special says:
The reason why MIR. McCrary was transferred
to the War Department from the Department
of Justice, to which he was first assigned,
and for which he was more peculiarly quail
fed, was that General Devens would not con-
sent to leave the position he held on the
Massachusetts bench for any other position
than that which he was given. He was first
rendered the Navy Department, but he de-
clined it. stating that while he desired posi-
ton in the Cabinet, he did not feel himself
qualified for anything but the Department of
Justice. President Hays was anxious to take
him into his official family, and he decided to
send McCrary to the Interior Department and
Schurz to the War Office, but General Sher-
man objected to having Schurz put over him,
Schurz having been volunteer officer during
the war, and General Sherman's opinion of
his military abilities is on record in bis me-
moirs. Then McCrary was assigned to the
War Department, not being Objectionable to
Sherman, but McCrary did not like this. and
would have declined Cabinet position al
together had not President Hayes and Vice
President Wheeler made his remaining SUBJ
ject of earnest solicitation. He feels out of
place in the War Office, but his duties there
are purely ministerial, and require no particu-
lar knowledge of military science.
Year: 1877

The editor of the Printers Miscellany
writes: Editing paper like the Mssceuany is
nice business. If we publish jokes, people
say we are rattle-headed. If We omit jokes,
they say we are an old fossil. If we publish
original matter, they blame US for not giving
selections If we publish selections, folks
say we are lazy for not wiring something
they have not read in some other paper. 1t
we give complimentary notice we are Gen.
sured for being partial. If we do not give
complimentary notices, folks will say we are
Jealous. 1t we do not cater to the wishes of
the ladies, the paper is not fit to tie up par
eel or make into hustle. If we remain in
our Office and attend to our business, folks
say we are too proud to mingle with our fel-
lows. If we 60 out, they say we never at
tend to our business. If we wear poor clothes
folks say business is bad. If we wear good
clothes, they say we never paid for them.
Now what are we to do?
Year: 1877

New York Correspondent of Boston Journal


While William NJ. Tweed occupies his
stone quarters in Ludlow-street jail his
family dwell in ali elegant mansion at Green
wich. The place is superb in its appoint
ments and location. The estate lies on the
Sound, on slope of land, with about three
acres of land closely shaved and walled in
with handsome stone fence. The entrance
is through massive iron gates, on which are
embossed the monogram T. The house is
castellated, and the tall tower is conspicuous
on the land and on the sea. The house is
occupied by Mrs. Tweed, married daughter
and her husband, and two unmarried girls.
The family maintain no special retirement.
They live like any well-to-do household. The
girls are very popular in the neighborhood,
and are spoken Of IS being talented and very
noble young women. They generally attend
the Episcopal service, although they are
often seen in the Congregational Church.
The famed Americas Club House is now q
hotel.
Year: 1877

Concerning the curious superstition about
thirteen at dinner, we have just come across
this singular incident in a recent English book:
Some years since, poor Albert Smith gave
supper of thirteen that discredited the super
stition in remarkable manner. Himself on
the point of starting for China, he entertain
ed twelve friends who were bound for the
Crimea, to encounter the perils of war as
military officers or journalists reporting the
incidents of the conflict Deeming it in the
highest degree improbable that they would
meet again on English ground when they had
once started for the scene of danger, the
twelve guests met their host with light hearts,
and laughed about the fate which some of
them would of course encounter in a few
months. Strange enough. all twelve returned
from the war in perfect health, and supped
again at table of thirteen with the humor
Gus lecturer.
Year: 1877

[Reddeld's Letter to the Cincinnati Commercial]


Those who have occasion to 60 to the
White House now are treated with politeness
and respect. There is delicious change
The snobs who snubbed visitors under Grant
are disposed of. Visitors are treated with
marked politeness by the President and his
Secretaries. MIR. Rogers, Captain Corbin and
young Mr.. Webb Hayes are gentlemen, and
the visitor is not made to feel that he is in
truding. In this city there are numbers who
never but once went to the White House un-
der Grant AS one of them said to me yes
terday: Il never was so snubbed in my
my life as by the set Grant kept around him,
and they never had second opportunity to
do it," The visitor at the White House now,
either for business or to pay respects, may be
The rush to see the President is very great.
on account Of postofices and the like, but he
and his secretaries find time to treat all with
respectful politeness.
Year: 1877

montreal Letter In the CnlcagO I1mesJ


1t hasn't often happened since the days of
Brutus that father has sat in judgment and
passed sentence on one of his sons. The
mention of All old Canadian Judges name in
newspaper recalls to me this incident in his
life The son was addicted to liquor, and
for drunkenness was sent home from Upper
Canada College. At home he continued his
career of worthlessness, and one night, out
of sheer drunken folly, picked a friends
pocket Of his handkerchief, and thought it
would be rare piece of fun to take also his
watch. Accordingly he knocked him down,
tied his hands, and deprived him of his watch.
Thp friend had the humorist arrested for
highway robbery, and in due course the young
fellow came before his own father, who sent
him to the Penitentiary for five years and cut
his name out of the family Bible. would
like to be able to say that the young man re-
formed. Historical accuracy, however COM
pels me to declare that he married, was sus-
pected of railroad robbery, started livery
stable, and drank himself to death.
Year: 1877

A correspondent of the Sen Francisco
Chronicle, who had suffered from chronic
rheumatism for many years, placed blue glass
in the windows of his bath room and filled
the tub with water. He was suddenly called
out of town on urgent business, and did not
return for several days. When he opened
the door of the bath room he was impressed
with the efficacy of blue glass. These are
his own words: II found the room filled
with nasty
Year: 1877

A HUNGARIAN officer recently experimental
at Pesth, with an apparatus designed to en-
able horse to cross q river without sinking.
The officer mounted his steed on the Buda
side of the Danube, and actually accomplished
the feat of swimming the river on horseback
at its broadest part, with rapid current run
ming. He kept the horses head up splendidly
while crossing, which occupied about twenty
minutes. The military men present were
pleased with the invention.
Year: 1877

Tie Nichols people in New Orleans are
evidently somewhat unsettled in their con-
victions as to Packard's ability to take care of
himself, and do with them as he thinks best


one Gay they assert that he has no following
outside OF the State House, and the next they
lranIically appeal to General Augur to pro-
Iect tnem from the armed minions of the
GOVERNOR gathering from city and country.
Year: 1877

Hope is the last thing that dies in man, and
though it be exceedingly deceitful, yet it is
of this good use to US, that while we are trav-
cling through life, it conducts US in an easier
and more pleasant way to our journeys end.
-ROchefOucauld.
Year: 1877

Boil small potful of potatoes and bathe
the part affected with the water in which the
potatoes were boiled, as hot as can be ap-
piled, Immediately before going to bed. The
pains will be removed, or at least alleviated,
by the next morning. Some of the most OBJ:
stinate rheumatic pains have lately been cured
by one application of this novel and simple
remedy.
Year: 1877

MIR. II. r. STEVENS:


Dear Sir Though a stranger, / want to in
form you what VEGETINE has done for me.


Last Christmas Scrofula made its appearance
in my system-large running ulcers appearing
on me, as follows: One on each of my arms,
one on my thigh, which extended to the seat,
one on my head which eat into the skull bone,
one on my. left leg, which became so bad that
two physicians came to amputate the limb,
though upon consultation concluded not to do
so, as my whole body was so full of Scrofula;
they deemed it advisable to cut the sore, which
was painful beyond description, and there was
quart of matter run from this one sore.


The physicians all gave Inc up to die, and
said they could do no more for me. Both of my
legs were drawn up to my seat, and it was
thought il did get up again l would be Grip
pie for life.


When in this condition saw VEGETINE
advertised, and commenced taking it in March,
and followed on with it until had used six
teen bottles, and this morning l am going to
plough corn, a we'll man. All my townsnen
say it is miracle to see me round walking and
working


In conclusion will add, when was endur-
ing such great suffering, from that dreadful
disease, ScrofUla, prayed to the Lord above to
take me out of this world, but as VEGET1NE has
restored to me the blessings of health, desire
more than ever to live, that may be of some
service to my fellow-men, and l know of no
better way to aid suffering humanity, than to
inclose you this statement of my case, with an
earnest hope that you will publish it, and it
will afford me pleasure to reply to any COM
munication which may receive therefron.


lam, sir, very respectfully,


Avery, Berrien Co., Mich, July 10, 1872.
Year: 1877




A SONG.
know not if moonlight or starlight
Be soft on the land and the sea-
catch but the near light, the far light,
Of eyes that are burning for me;
The scent of the night, of the roses,
May burden the air for thee, Sweet,
'Tis only the breath of thy signing
know, as lie at thy feet.
The winds may be sobbing or singing,
D Their touch may be fervent or cold,
The night bells may toll or be ringing,
I care not, while thee I enfold!
The feast may go on, and the music
Be scattered in ecstacy round
The whisper Il love thee! love theen'
Hath flooded my soul with the sound.
I think not Of time that is flying,
How short is the hour have won,
How near is this living to dying,
How the shadow still follows the sun:
There is naught upon earth, no desire,
Worth thought though 'twere heard by


sign!
love thee! love thee bring higher
Thy spirit. thy kisses, to mine!


E: G. STEDMAN.