smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

DECEMBER THoUGHTs.-'Fires have
fairly gained possession Of their places,
and even greet us on coming down to
breakfast in the morning. OF all the
discomiorts of that most eOmfOrtless
period Of the year, which is neither win
ter nor summer, the most uDequivOcal
is that of its being too cold to be with
out a fire, and not cold enough to have
one. a set OF polished fire-irOns, stand
ing sentry behind a row of glittering
bars, instead OF mending the matter,
makes it worse, inasmuch as il is better
to look into an empty coffin, than to
see the dead face Of friend in it. At
this season, especially in the evening,
one feels in a perpetual perplexity,
whether to go out or stay at home; sit
down or walk about; read, write, cast
accounts, or call for the candle and go
TO bed. But let the fire be lighted, and
all uncertainty is at an end, and we-or
even One-may do any or all Of these
with equal satisfaction. In short, light
but the fire, and you bring winter IN at
once; and what are twenty summers,
with all their sunshine when they are
gone), to one winter, with It's indoor
sunshine Of a sea coal fire ?"
Year: 1878

Joaquin Miller is about to lecture.
taking for his subject "What is Poetry?'i
Judging from much Of the stuff that he
has foisted upon the public under the
name Of poetry, we doubt his being able
to answer the question to the satisfaction
Of anybody but himself.
Year: 1878

In justice to Secretary Sherman, we
must correct the very erroneous impress
sion scattered throughout the press Of
the country, to the effect that he is
about to retire from circulation bills of
the denomination of 81 and 3. The
Secretary intends to do nothing Of the
kind, and even if he were so inclined,
Congress would certainly put a stop to
so suicidal policy. The business con-
veniences of the whole country in re-
mitting small amounts through the
mails would preclude the possibility Of
such project, save in the mind of an
idiot. The statement evidently had its
origin in the fact that the Printing Bu-
reau some time back had a large surplus
OF one aud two dollar notes, enough to
meet promptly all demand for the next
year, and therefore ceased printing bills
of those denominations until the supply
could be, to a more or less extent, re-
duced. No order by the Secretary to
cease printing the bills has, or ever will,
be issued. After the lst Of January, 1879,
the law forbids the National Banks
issuing less than S. bills; this per-
haps would cause a necessity for more
silver, but the United States 81 and S2
notes are not to be withdrawn, and the
people viii not be deprived of the use of
such notes, if they want them, nor will
silver money be forced into circulation
to the exclusion Of more convenient
money
Year: 1878

In the House, in case the Democrats
are in control, will, like the presl-
Dental 1850 race, be almost as
hard to guess, as there is already a
greedy appetite displayed by numerous
and divers aspirants in the Democratic
ranks, although Sam Randall seems to
have the inside track, so far as heard
from, but just how the whole thing will
pan out "nO fellow can find out" Ap-
ropos of the above, there is really some
talk about eleeting a Republican speaker
by a coalition of the Independents with
the Republican side of the chamber, and
it is even very strongly hinted in this
connection that so far as the officers of
the House are concerned, Republicans
will be in the ascendency. We give
versions of the diagnosis as made out by
our political doctors, and as Dan Rice
said, "You pay your money and take
your choice"
Year: 1878

The fierce war which has for two
months past been raging and threaten
ing bloodshed in Colorado between the
Denver and Rio Grande Railroad
Company and the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe Railroad Company, has
been settled by a concurrent decision
rendered in Kansas last Saturday. 1t
grew out of the right of way through
the deep canon of the Arkansas, which
is scarcely wide enough for a single
track. The Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe road is confirmed in its claim
and the contesting corporation quietly
succumbs.
Year: 1878

The Altoona Tribune relates this: Lieu-
tenant Valentine, Of this city, who was at
the Gettysburg encampment, picked up q
relic In the shape Of two bullets which had
met during the battle, one of which was i'm
bedded in the other. This is the second in
stance Of bullets in that shape being found
on the battlefield. Lieutenant Valentine
says he would not take $40 for the curl
Osity.
Year: 1878

Rev. ID. b. Gum is still at tine good work.
He is a most interesting iaborer in the vine
yard Of the Lord. He can hold three services


a day, and appear as fresh at the close as
those who have listened 10 him. Last Sun.
day night the great audience room of the
church was filled. Mr.. Gums sermon was
more tnan usually able After il closed, the
pastor administered the ordnance of baptism


TO five ladies and four young men. The at
tendance has been good during the week
even when the weather was unfavorable.
These Baptists seem TO believe in continuing
a meeting hose who have attended from
the beginning are still anxious for IL to go on
We hear that the revival spirit is spreading
Year: 1878

The Episcopal Church lunch at Occidental
Hall yesterday was well attended and the la
dies who had the affair in hand have reason
TO be pioud OF their success, the weather
being ln the condia ion IL WIS.
Year: 1878

It is true that for the great number
cf us, married life is the perfect life, it
is equally true that, for others of us,
the single life is. the perfect life. In
the case of men 1t is superfuous either
to illustrate it by instances, or to sup
port it by argument especially when
we remember that the solution of the
question rests usually with themselves.


As for unmarried women, what
dreary wilderness this earth would be
without them In thousands of homes
the maiden sister or aunt is the angel
of the family, the children's idol, the
secret wonder and delight even of those
not too scrupulous to use her; by sick
beds and death beds divine consoler
the depository of the sweet secrets of
blushing hearts, the tender friend of
the old, and the poor, and the lonely.


Old maids, indeed! Why, with GER
tain obvious exceptions, they are the
salt of the earth, the calm and sweet
life of the household that is so blessed
to own them; there distinction, to be
wanted by everybody; their reward. to
be useful to everybody; their home
the snuggest, warmest place in the
hearts that can love. And if they have
a niche to fill on earth, as none can fill
like them, many of them shall have a
crown of snrpassing brightness in heay-
/ en-.


Men, and women, too, sometimes keep
single, not so much because no one cares
for them, but because they themselves
care for Christ, first and most. The
chosen solitariness of an unmarried life
is occasionally the sacrifice of self, Sc
crety, but deliberately, laid at the feet
of him who pleased not himself !; and it
has, and shall have its recompense.
"The unmarried woman careth for the
things of the Lord, that she may be ho-
ly both in body and spirit" Presently
she will find out. and others, also, that
the Lord hath cared for her.-.Sunday
Magazine.
Year: 1878

hand, wherever the circumstances had
been reversed and they had become the
assailants, they had failed. There had
been much sneering against the Russian
soldiers because they had been unable
to carry those works against which they
had dashed themselves on the 18th of
September. He felt certain that the
Turks would never have done that; and
on the memorable occasion when they
attempted to break out of Plevna, al
though there were 10000 Turks, and
not more than between 10000 or H.
900 Russians at the point where that
attempt was made, everybody knew how
it terminated. He did not wish unduly
to disparage the Turks, but when they
were so extravagantly lauded for what
they had done, it was necessary to take
these things into consideration, and not
to be led away by the exaggerated eu-
logies heaped upon them. The Turks
had every possible motive to make them
fight we'll, and yet when they had to at
tack in the open instead of shooting from
behind a wall they were obliged TO sur
render in mass"
Year: 1878

The Great Wall of China was recent
ly measured in many places by Mr..
Unthank, an American engineer engaged
on survey for Chinese railway. His
measurements give the height l5 feet,
and a width on top of Is feet. Every.
few hundred yards there Is tower "a
feet square, and from 20 to 25 feet
high. The foundation of the wall is of
solid granite. Mr.. Unthank brought
with him a brick from the wall, which
is supposed to have been made 200
years before the time of Christ In
building this immense stone fence to
keep out the Tartars, the builders never
attempted to avoid mountains of chasms
to save expense. For 1900 miles the
wall goes over plain and mountain, and
every foot of the foundation is of solid
granite, and the rest of the structure
solid masonry. In some places the
wall is built smooth up against the
bank, or canons, or precipices, where
there is sheer descent of 1000 feet.
Small streams are arched over; ; but on
the larger streams the wall runs to the
waters edge, and tower is built on
each side. On the top of the wall there
are breastworks of defences facing in
and out, SO the defending forces can
pass from one tower to another without
being exposed to any enemy from either
side. To calculate the time of building
or cost of this wall is beyond human
skill. So far as the magnitude Of the
work is concerned, it surpasses every
thing in ancient or monern times Of
which there is any trace. The Prya-
mids of Egypt are nothing compared
| kn II
Year: 1878

from the hospital to the tope; but as
he came in sight of the camp he lay
down with his face to the ground, and
covering himself with his cloth, lay for
some time like little corpse. | told
him kindly that we should be happy to
have him back when he could come
with the doctors permission. Then he
was comforted, and allowed himself to
be carried back. Poor boy he was not
long in following his mother beyond the
reach of famine.


One little boy from southern village
states that his mother some time ago
went off with the two youngest children
into the jungle and destroyed both the
children and herself, that his father and
he were for some little time In the camp
at Pattacottah, and when that was closed
they wondered about begging. One
night they strayed into our compound
at Melnattam, and lay down in the
chapel verandah. The father died dur
ing the night, and his only surviving
child was left alone in the world YES
leyan Missionary Notices.
Year: 1878

Unon the death of certain noble
man in Krain, his earnest neighbor,
Baron Apf-took possession of the de-
ceased's favorite dog. Fidele was not a
willing captive, but affectionate treat
ment finally won him over. The dog
learned to do without his former mas
ter. though not to forget him.


One year passed before Fidele again
saw his old home; it then occurred to
Baron Apf-to revisit the house of
his late friend, in order that he might
see if the property in the meantime had
been carefully administered.


He took the dog with him. Before
the end of the journey, Fidele gave signs
of great uneasiness. 1t became impos-
sible to hold him, he sprang from the
carriage and ran across the fields, soon
disappearing from the Baron's sight.
When the latter arrived at the house
his first enquiry was for the dog, an old
servant of the family, now acting as
steward, related as follows: Hearing q
great scraping and scratching on the
outer door, he opened it and immediate.
ly recognized Fidele.


The dog rushed past him and up
stairs into his dead masters chamber
which had been left open. The stew
ard hurriedly followed. and hearing hin
whine, found him sitting at the foot Of
his masters bed, which had not beer
moved from its original place. The dog
ran round the chamber several times
and not finding what he SO anxiously
sought, laid himself down in his ole
place on the bed. Here the Baror
found him, and the animal formerly 81
friendly, gave him no greeting. Ii
vain they offered him drink; he woult
touch nothing, and his eyes remained
constantly fixed upon the spot where h
had last seen his master alive. Afte
some days it was found necessary to US
force to get him away, and it was onl,
by degrees, and after the lapse of CON
siderable time, that he regained his for
mer cheerfulness.
Year: 1878

Once poor crippled sparrow fell to
the ground, and futtered about in
vain attemp to regain place Of safety.
Some of Its mates gathered around it,
and seemed eager to help it; but they
did not know what to do. Their chirp-
ing drew together good many of the
sparrow tribe. One thought this
thing ought to be done. another that.
Some tried to lift the helpless bird by
catching its wings in their beak; but
this failed, and such chattering and
scolding as took place!


Presently two of the birds flew away,
but soon came back with twig six or
seven inches long and an eighth Of an
inch thick. This was dropped before
the poor cripple and at each end was
picked up by sparrow, and held SO
that the lame bird was able to catch the
middle of the twig in his beak.


Then the cripple bird, with the aid of
the other two, flew off. till they came to
the wall covered with ivy, where it had
its home There it chirped, to show
glad it was. All the other sparrows
followed, as if to share in the pleasure
of the rescue. This is true story.
Year: 1878

We would rather be poor and merry,
than inherit the wealth of the Indies
with discontented spirit A merry
heart, cheerful spirit from which
laughter wells up naturally as bubbles
in the spring of Saratoga, are worth all
the money bags, stocks and mortgages
in the city. The man who laughs is a
doctor with a diploma, endorsed by the
school of nature; his face does more
good in sick room than pound of
powders OF gallen of bitter draughts.
If things 60 right, he laughs because he
is pleased; if they go wrong be laughs
because it is cheaper, and better than
crying. People are always glad to see
him, their hands instinctively 60 half
way out to meet his grasp. while they
turn involuntarily from the clammy
touch of the dyspeptic who speaks on
the groaning key. He laughs you out
your faults, while you never dream of
being offended with him. 1t seems as
if sunshine came into the room with
him, and you never know what a pleas
ant world you are living in until he
points out the sunny streaks on its path
way. Who can help loving the whole
souled. genial laughter? Not the buffoon
nor the man who classes noise with the
mirth-but the CHEEKY. contented man
of sense and mind ! A good -humored
laugh is the key to all breasts. The
truth is, that people like to be laughed
at in a pleasant manner. not sneered at.
And it is astonishing how frankly the
laughing population can talk without
treading on the sensitive toes of their
neighbors. Why will people put OIL
long faces, when it is so much easier
and more comfortable to laugh ? Tears
come to US unsought and unbidden. The
wisest art in life is to cultivate smiles
and to find the smiles where Others
shrink away for fear of thorns.
Year: 1878

Look on the bright side. 1t is the
right side. The times may be hard,
but it will make them no easier to wear
a gloomy and sad countenance. 1t is
the sunshine and not the cloud that
gives beauty to the flower. There is
always before or around us that which
should cheer and fill the heart with
wamth and gladness. The sky is blue
ten times where it is black once. You
have troubles, it may be. So have
others. None are free from them; and
perhaps it is as well that none shold be-.
They give sinew and tone to life, forti-
tude and courage to man. That would
be dull sea, and the sailor. would
never acquire skill where there is moth
ing to disturb its surface. It is the du-
ty of every one to extract all the happi-
ness and enjoyment he can within and
without him and above all, he should
look on the bright side. What though
things do look little dark ? The lane
will turn, and the night will end in
in broad day. In the long run the
great balance rights itself. What ap-
pears i'll becomes well-that which ap-
pears wrong, right Men are not able
to hang down their heads or lips, and
those who do only show that they are
departing from the paths of true com
mon sense and right. There is more
virtue in one sunbeam than whole
hemisphere of clouds and gloom. There


fore we repeat, look on the bright side.
Cultivate all that is warm and genial
not the cold and repulsive, the darl
| and morose.-THe Interior,
Year: 1878

Much has been said during the pres
ent war in praise of the Turks as a
military people and of their fighting
qualities, but the matter was set in its
true light by Sir Henry Havelock, a
member of the British Parliament, in a
recent speech to his constituents. He
said:


"We were experiencing great fuc-
tuation of opinion with regard to the
character of the Turks. Not long ago
they excited general disgust, but the
tide had since turned, and many people
now sought to make heroes of them.
And why Because they had conducted
what certainly was a very memorable,
remarkable, and In some respects, credit
able defence of the position at Plevna.
He would not deny them the benefit of
that; but when we heard people making
heroes of the Turks it should be remem-
bered that they were admirable in the
same way that the bulldog was. They
had great courage and disregard of
death: but when we had said that in
their favor we had said all that could
be said. 1t must be borne in mind that
they were race devoid of all civiliza-
ing elements and if they went out of
that country which they had occupied
for the last 400 years they would not
leave one trace to show that the provinc-
es they had governed SO long were in
any degree the better for their presence.
Looking at their military performances
with strictly professional eye, he con-
fessed he could not see that they had
done anything so very wonderful after
all. They had, at Plevna, held earth.
works which from their strength were
almost unassailable; in these works
they had lived, as it were, in holes, and
! had shot out of them. On the other
Year: 1878

A hungry owl on the belrry tower
Sat blinking grave at the rising sun;
"It's shame" he said, "at this early hour
For the sun to get up and nothing done


Watching all night


And never a bite"
A Thomas cat on that break of day,
Hungry as ever a cat could be-
Prowlng around in a gingerly way,
Came to the foot of that tall bellfree-


Prowling all night,


But never bite.
whats up there on the top of the house?
1t looks like a blrd," said the Thomas cat
Something below move like mouse"
Said the owl. ats breakfast; hurrah for that;


Waiting all night,


But at last bite"
"Il go for that bird" said the Tom cat soft.
"I'm after that mouse" said the owl, "down there
The owl went down and the cat aloft
And they met half way on the belfry stair


Waiting all night


Now surely bite.
As both were blind in that morning sun.
Neither the other could plainly see;
"Pst, pst," Kissed the cat. "Kihoot" said the owl
As they cawed for each other quite savagelee,


And with all their might


Tried each other to bite.
Frantic and fierce was the conflict, too,
Fearful the scratches and boots of pain,
Till the owl to lofty beam suddenly few,
Leaving the Tom cat scratching In vain


A terrible fight.


But both got bite.
"This seems" said the owl, "some horrid mistake.
"You misunderstood" said the cat with frown,
"Lets both apology formally make"
Then the owl he wentup, and the cat went down.


Each got bite,


But the kind wasn't right
Year: 1878

)
the total number of vessels driven ashore
was one hundred ard thirty-four, hav-
ing one thousand FIVE hundred persons
on board, thirty-nine, or about two and
half per cent, of whom were lost.
The total amount of property saved was
over one million seven hundred thousand
dollars, and the total amount of that
lost, over one million five hundred thou
sand dollars. A brief summary of the
operations of the service since Mr.. S. J.
Kimball took charge of it in 1871 will
better show its usefulness, however.
Four hundred weeks occurred, imper-
illing over eleven million one hundred
thousand dollars worth of property !;
nearly seven million dollars worth of
this was saved, and of four thousand
seven hundred and thirty imperilled
only eight were lost. Two thousand
eight hundred and sixty-seven days of
shelter were afforded at the stations to
nine hundred and forty-nine persons.
During lS7l.72 the operations of the
service were confined to the coast of
Long Island and New Jersey; in 1872
"A they were extended to Cape Cod and
Rhode Island, and in the next year they
were further extended to the limits of
the present districts.


The stations are nearly all alike
simple wooden houses, with steep gable
roofs, the only projection about them be-
ing the lightning-rod, and the only
ornament coat of red-brown paint.
From May until November they are un-
occupied, though all the apparatus is
ready for use; and the rest of the year
each becomes the home of keeper and
six surf-men, who are paid. forty dollars
month, and are chosen for their ex.
perience on the beach. Their duties
are concisely stated in the instructions
of the Treasury Department, to which
branch of the government the Life-sav.
ing Service belongs. During the win.
ter months the beach will be patrolled
by the surf-men every night. The pa
troll will consist of two men from each
station, one following the beach toward
the next station to the right, and the
other preceding toward the next sta
tion to the left, and each continuing his
walk until the patrol from the adjacen
station is met Each patrolman will
carry beach lantern, also red CostoI
hand-light and when an inlet separates
the station, he will exchange signals
with the patrolman on the opposite
shore. On those parts of the coas
where the two adjacent houses can no
be seen from each other, the beach will
be patrolled sufficiently to bring then
in sight three times between sunrls
and sunset. On the discovery of
wreck or vessel in distress, the patrol
man will Immediately burn his red Cos
ton hand-light, both to alarm the station
and give notice to the wreck that succo
is near. then returning to the station
and assisting in the preparation of tn
apparatus. Boats, etc., will be prepal
ed for immediate service. . Wsusam Il
Rideing, IN Harpers Magazine fir Eel
rat0TY.
Year: 1878

We need to learn the lesson that this
life is given up only that we may attain
to eternal life. For lack of remember
ing this, we fix our affections on the
things of this feeting world, and when
the time comes that we must quit it,
we are all aghast and terrl6ed.-FulLer.