smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

There are several reasons, says.


country Gentleman, why the farmer's
Kitchen should be regarded as one of
the most important rooms in the house.
At VIII, perhaps, be correct to say that
It Is decidedly the most important.
Not that we would advise the family 10
make sitting room Of it, and to spend
all their time in this apartment; for un-
less his house is very small the farmer
should provide separate room for the
leisure hours Of evenings, and for read
ing, writing and study; or for converse
ton with his famil ily and for the sewing
and other occupations of its female
members during the day.


Nevertheless, the kitchen should re-
ceive special attention and we now offer
few suggestions on the subject 70
the many who are about to build. and
who look over and digest their plans
during winter, preparatory to commenc-
ing operations in the early spring.


First then, in the list of requirements.
the kitchen should be made pleasant
and respectable. A dark room or badly
ventilated apartment will not favor
good cooking, either by the hired girl
or by the mistress herself. To the for
mer small, dark room will convey the
impression that what is done in it is not
OF much consequence, and that the work
may be slighted, and that cleanliness is
not of vital importance. The mistress
will find it difficult to do ANYTHING so
well in the dark or in the foul air as nm
der the more favorable circumstances.
During the years of long life the writ
er has tested both modes. Better sery-
ants can be secured and retained when
comfortable apartment is provided.
and when all conveniences and appli-
ances have been procured, than when
there is nothing pleasant and attractive.
and where kitchen work is performed
at continued disadvantage. We there
fore provide well oiled floor of hard
wood, which is easily kept clean, cover
the walls with well-varnished wall pa-
per, place green Venetian blinds on the
windows, provide ample lights on both
sides which permit free ventilation.
bring water to the sink by means of two
pumps, place the valve which opens to
the coal bin within step of the cook
ing stove, have the store-room adioin-
ing, and last, not least, add comfort
able bedroom for servants, opening
from the kitchen.


All these conveniences are not expen-
sive. They save money in the long run.
The waste and breakage of poor serv-
ants will more than pay the additional
cost Of better ones, to say nothing about
the satisfaction of cleanliness and we'll
cooked food which the family and the
mistress will enjoy.


The mode for obtaining these conven-
fences will readily suggest itself to
most house owners. But there is one
point to which we wish to invite more
particular attention, and this is the i'm
portance Of. securing ample light from
two opposite sides, besides giving the
apartment good size. We often see
plans of dwellings where neither Of
these requisites are secured. Rural
Press.
Year: 1877

The sagacity Of dogs seems, in some
instances, to amount almost TO kind Of
cLairroyaHce. Another example of the
value OF the keener canine senses to man
is furnished in the following story from
4 New York paper


A gentleman resides uptown in New
York city. in whose family there is owned
black-and-tan terrier dog. It happens
that the household consists Of father.
mother, and three daughters, the dog
being q pet Of the ladies, but always
heretofore an object of dislike to the one
solitary gentleman, which dislike, it is
hardly necessary to state, was mutual.


To such a degree had the animosity
been carried, that the gentleman would
have destroyed the animal long ago had
he not been deferred by fear of feminine
reprisal, while the dog never failed to
show his teeth and growl, whenever his
masculine antipathy presented himself


A few evenings since, the family were
at dinner in the basement, the dog ap-
parently asleep on O chair. Suddenly
he reused himself, assumed an attitude
of listening, then jumped down and ran
towards the door, snufing at the bottom
of it; then standing upright and placing
his paw on the knob, he turned his head
with an expressive look, which said plain
er than words, " Please open this"


One of the ladies opened the door; then
the animal ran to the foot of the stairs.
shifted suspiciously, looked up the stair
way, looked round again paused, seemed
to consider, then darting by the lady,
ran to the gentleman of the house, put
his paw on that persons knee, and
glanced from his face towards the stairs
with sharp, anxious bend of the head,
as much as to say, "You are man; fol-
low me-"


The gentleman took the hint, and the
dog rushed off up the stairs barking vo-
ciferously. Instantly dash of heavy
footsteps, though with muf1ed sound,
was heard on the stairs above, leading
from the parlor floor to the second story,
as if some one was descending in haste,
then hurried fumbling with the chain
bolt, and just as the master appeared at
the head of the basement staircase. he
saw man emerge through the front
doorway, with the black-and-ta tan cling
ing to the calf of one leg.


yelp told Immediately afterward that
the dog had been hurt, the thief striking
him heavy blow to lose his hold. For
tunately the canine was not seriously in
iured, but his display of equal to human
intelligence had won him the everlasting
regard of the gentleman who was for
merly so inimical.


Itwas ascertained that the thief, know
ing the family to be at dinner in the
basement, had entered the lower door by
means of false pass-key, hoping to slip
up stairs undetected. The keen sense of
the dog discovered the intruder, and
equally shrewd observation told him that
man was needed.
Year: 1877

LIFE is WHAT WE MAKE IT.-On dull.
gloomy days, says lady, we women
who are obliged to stay at home are ant
to become low-spirited. But that will
never do. If there is discomfort with
out, let us make it the more CHEEKY
within; and instead of moping in dull
dependency and desha6iile about our
kitchen stoves these gloomy afternoons
bemoaning the weather and the dreari.
ness of life, let us open up our prettiest
apartments, throw wide the shutters.
draw back the curtains, take rosebush
or geranium, a heliotrope or an ivy,
where our eyes may rest upon its beau
tty, attire ourselves in tidy and becom-
ing habiliments, with fresh collar and
pretty bow at the throat, and set our-
selves down with ordinary, if not extra
ordinary, zeal. If this will not suffice
to disPel the clinging gloom, let us 20
to work and count our Joys and bless
ings, to see-not how far they fall short
but how greatly they exceed the ioys
and blessings Of many another whom we
know. Life is much what we make II
after all; far more than most of ms are
willing to admit.
Year: 1877

How TO BUY MEATs.-To the house.
keeper the question how to select meat,
when she is purchasing for table use, is
a puzzling one. Good meat should be
neither of pale rosy nor pink color,
nor of o deep purple. The first de-
notes the diseased condition, the last
proves the animal died q natural
death. Good meat has more of mar
BILE look, in consequence Of the branch
ing of the veins which surround the
adipose cells. The fat, especially of the
inner organs, is always firm and suety,
and never moist, while in general the
fat from diseased cattle is fabby and
watery, and more often resembles Jelly,
or boiled parchment. Wholesome meat
will always show itself firm and elastic
to the touch, and exhibit no dampness,
while bad meat will appear soft and
moist, so that the liquid substance runs
out Of the blood when pressed hard.
Good meat has very little smell, while
the unsound meat has a disagreeable,
cadaverous smell, and diffuses o certain
medicinal odor. Lastly, bad meat has
the popularity that it shrinks consider
ably in the boiling; wholesome meat
rather swells, and does not lose an
ounce in weight.
Year: 1877

Albinos are frequently met with. We
find them says the Turf, Field and
Farm, in the human race as well as in
the animal races of the lower order.
They are always what we call white.
By some defect in their organization
the substance which gives color to hair,
skin and eyes is absent. The eyes are
red, owing to the deficiency of black
or blue hazel pigment which, in nor
NAL cases, conceals the net work of
blood vessels and the intense hue they
diffuse over the surface. In the ranks
Of men the albipo has peculiar harsh
ness of skin which suggests a diseased
organization. The absence of color it
would seem is not hereditary. At least
there is case on record where two al
binos married and had two children
who were not albinos, but of brown
color. An instance is given where
every alternate child of large family
was an albino; but commonly when pa
rents begin producing albinos there is
no departure, in the progeny to the end
OF the line. The defect makes itself ap-
parent to the close of the chapter. We
often hear of albino birds and albino
deer being killed. As we write there is
before us partridge which is half abb
no, and which the taxidermist has made
to assume the outward proportions of
life. In the Eagle Hills of Kentucky
Tom Marshall has an albino squirrel in
cage. He caught it when it was quiet
young, and although he has had it for
more than year, has not succeeded in
tanning it. Its nature is thoroughly
savage. Attempt to caress it and it will
Jump at you with the greatest fury, its
two red eyes glowing like balls of fire.
1t is OF the large-tailed fox tribe, and
Keeps fat and hearty, although sour
tempered in confinement. 1t evidently
was one Of family, as albinos are fire.
quently seen in the woods where the
capture was made. Naturally, Tom
prizes highly his unruly pet. In all
countries the albino is regarded as an
object Of curiosity and interest. In In
ala, the white elephants are venerated
oy the natives. These mammoth abb
nos are believed to be animated by the
souls Of ancient kings. and so it is not
surprising that they should be looked
upon with awe and guarded with the
tenderest care. Humboldt has express
ed the opinion that albinos are more
common among nations Of dark skin and
innaolting hot climates, and doubtless
he is right.
Year: 1877

There has been some question raised
among tree buyers in this State whether
the cions cut from trees in the nursery
rows were as good a. those cut from
bearing trees. Some failures in good
fruiting have been attributed 10 this
cause. The question was asked Of Mr..
Bateman through the CoNHfry GcAfie-
man, and he replied as follows:


The propounder Of this inquiry de-
precates the practice Of nurserymen re-
terred to, as he has adopted the common
belief that the habits Of the parent tree,
as well as the variety Of fruit, are con.
tinued or reproduced by the cion. This.
however, is not the opinion Of the ma
Iority OF those who have given much
attention to such matters. In nv own
experience as q nurseryman, years ago.
used annually many thousands of
cions OF both the classes mentioned,
and on noticing the result the only diff
ference perceived was that, as a rule,
the cions from bearing trees did not
make as good growth the first season,
owing to the shoots on bearing trees be-
ing generally less thrifty than those on
the nursery trees; and hence the latter
were preferred when they could as we'll
be had of the desired kinds, and the
wood well ripened.


l saw afterwards thousands of these
trees set in orchards and come to bear
ing age, but could discover no differ
ence or fault in regard to fruiting. In
deed some of the kinds were disposed to
begin to bear quite too early-even
while standing in the nursery; while
others, like the Northern Spy, require
10 years or more te-arrive at bearing
age. This habit, like that of the usual
form OF the trees, is, of~ceHrse, a pecu-
liarity of the variety, and is continued
through successive generations by graft
ing; but not so the condition of an indi-
Vidual tree as to thrift or fruit-bearing,
which IS consequent upon age or acci-
dental circumstances. If this were so,
the, using OF the cions from old trees,
as IS sometimes done, would tend to pro-
duce premature age and decay in the
young trees on which the cions were
grated. But no such result is seen.
Again, we may reverse the case, as is
done in taking the cions from seeding
pears, only one or two years old, and
grating those upon bearing trees, for
the sake of speedily testing the variety.
Here we see that the stock, and not the
cion, has the most to do in the matter of
inducing fruit-bearing. The same is
true where a cion from an old tree is
grated on a young stock. 1t seems at
once to assimilate with the stock in its
usefulness and disposition to grow in
stead of to bear fruit. Why this is SO,
is like the why and wherefore of O good
many other things pertaining to the
influence of stocks and gratis upon each
other: we can only say that as yet we do
not know. 1t is right for us to leave
many of these problems for posterity to
solve. They will have better advant-
ages at the start than we had, and ought
to make greater progress in discoveries.
Year: 1877

Just after the last heavy fall Of snow a man
in West Sparta n, Y, while in bis barn-yard,
feeding cattle, heard q noise among bis geese,
close ly. lie tdrned around and saw fox take
one Of them by the neck, sling itoyer bis back,
and start across the fields with 1t toward tie
Hartman gully, quarter Of a milo away
The man chased with a pilchfork, but the
snow was 50 deep that the fox gained on him.
50 he called his shepherd Jog, and showed him
the game.


The dog quickly caught up with the foz
but the fox dropped lis goose, turned around,
whipped tic dog, and then took up the goose
aud trotied on again. The dog was induced
10 tackle the fox three or four times, aud each
tine The result was the sane the goose was
dropped. the dog whipped, and then forward
movement with the goose. The fox Goally
got safely into a gully with bis goose, aud
probably never had better opinion Of himself
than be had while be was satisfying bis hunger
on The choice meat that be had secured With 80
much risk and courage.
Year: 1877

The war between Russia and Turkey
has begun in earnest. In the first en-
counter the Turks repulsed the Russians
with considerable loss. What will be
the final result no one knows. All Eu-
rope may be drawn into the war before
it is over.
Year: 1877

Judge John E. King has been ap-
pointed by the president, collector of
customs for the port of New Orleans
the most lucrative appointment within
the gift of the president, in the South.
Year: 1877

secrete its precious fruits, and the burg
lars were frightened from completing
their plunder. 1t was no material loss,
though l should liked to have kept the
tree for exhibition.


If the reader can offer an explanation
of its strange production. | should be
happy to know it, as have long since
given it up as an inexplicable mystery.


All Kin died shortly after / opened
the CHARITY Mine -as call the mag
ni6cent property which his information
placed me in possession of-and after
steadfastly refusing any compensation
for the favors he had conferred, but
leaving a request that would embalm
his remains and have them sent back to
his friends in China, which of course |
did.


My children are all grown now, and
we seldom spend the holidays together
without recalling to mind the gratitude
of the poor Chinaman as evinced in All
Kin's wonderful Christmas tree.
Year: 1877

There are people who only take one
paper and believe every word they read
in it. They think everything in print
must be true. This makes it more i'm
portant what we print. We have right
to demand, as Christians and citizens,
that nothing shall be put before the peo-
pie for information in such a shape that
it can possibly de6le the household.
There are exceptions; but there are ma
ny newspapers which it is not safe to
leave within the reach of our daughters
or of our sons, for know not why we
should make distinctions here-lt is as
important that the minds of our sons
should be kept pure as that the minds
of our daughters should be kept pure
We have right to demand that nothing
should be printed which conflicts with
the interests of sound morality and true
religion and this demand will be re-
! sponded to when we act upon this prin-
ciple, that is, never to subscribe for,
never to read, never to borrow, never to
vouch, newspaper which is not as pure
as the Gospel itself.
Year: 1877

CHOOSE WELL.-Never marry a man
who has only his love for you to recon-
mend him. That is very fascinating
but it does not make the man. If he is
not otherwise what he should be you
will never be happy. The most perfect
man who does not love you should never
be your husband /; but though marriage
without love is terrible, love only will
not do. If this man is dishonorable to
other men, or mean, or given to any
vice, the time will come when you will
either loathe him or sink to his level.
1t is hard to remember, midst kisses and
praises, that there Is anything else in
the world to be done or thought of but
love-making but the days of life are
many; and the husband must be "a guide
to be trusted companion, friend. as
we'll as lover. Many girl has mar
ried man whom she knew to be any,
thing but good, "because he loved her
so" And the fame has died out on the
hearthstone of home before long, and be-
side it she has seen sitting one that she
could never hope would lead her heav-
enward-one who, if she followed him
as wife should, would guide her steps
to perdition. Marriage is a solemn
thing choice for life; be careful in
the choosing.
Year: 1877

The mean small boy is different from
the mean big boy, because all of his
tricks are calculated to make other
hearts ache He now takes a silver
quarter and makes it fast to a string,
and to see him hang about the post
Office one would set him down as boy
who had never had an evil thought. He
selects victim and drops the quarter
where it will do the most good. The
ring of the metal commands attention
at once, and the programme was carried
out in case recently. The victim was
a short man with a very red neck, and
when he heard the quarter drop he
clapped his hand on his pocket and
looked around.


did you drop quarter ?" mildly
asked the mean small boy. pointing to
one on the stone floor.


"Ah must be hole in my pocket.
replied the fat man. as he pulled up
the knees of his pants and bent over to
pick it up.


He had his, fingers on the money
when it slid away, and as he straighten-
ed up he was greeted with 6endish
chuckles from half a dozen mean big
and small boys. one of whom inquired


(Which pocket has hole in it %


The man didn't say. For some mex
plicable reason he refused to enter into
any explanations, but fastened away.
Year: 1877

Gold is the most common metal found
in nature it is more or less diffused in
the primary rocks in all parts of the
world. The question has not been
where gold is to be found, but where it
can be obtained in sufficient quantities
to pay for the labor of extracting it.
Gold is found in the tin streams of
Cornwall and is frequently associated
with the oxides of this mental, in the
schorlaceous states and GRANTEES. and
very common in the grossans of iron
and copper; it is detected also in the
ferrofeIspathic and slaty rocks of Scot
Year: 1877

Two little shOes-a curl OF golden hair.
childish toy-a tiny vacant chair;


What memories they bringi
feel again bis kisses warm add sweet
hear once more the noise Of little feet.


And merry laughter ring
Through this still room. just as 1t did OF old,
Until almost fancy l behold


Him just about to spring
To my embrace forgetting. in my joy.
That In fairer home beyond the sky


Our pet boy now doth sing
Heavens ways are mine-yet on his vacant chair
Whene'er look and see he s not there,


Ny sad heart win rebel.
Oh. Patheri with thy peace my spirit all
Teach me TO bow submissive TO Thy WILL


Thou doest all things well.
Year: 1877

Washington, Dec. 5.-The Commits
sioner of the General Land Office is
preparing bill for sale of disposal of
timber and timber lands in accordance
with recommendations of the Secretary
of the Interior and himself in their an
nual reports, which will provide for
withdrawal of all lands chiefly valuable
for timber and not suitable for agricul-
tural purposes from operation of home
stead and pre-emption laws and from
liability to be taken by any of various
kinds of land scrip heretofore provided
for by law. The bill will also provide
for the sale of timber of certain kinds
reserving soil with view TO renewal of
forests.
Year: 1877

Washington, Dec. ga Democratic
caucus was held in the House
to-day Immediately after adjourn
ment, for the purpose of taking action
upon the proposed endorsement of a
new Democratic paper, to be issued
daily in this city. After hearing state
ments concerning the matter, about
two-thirds of the members present
voted in favor of giving the journal
their party Endorsement and individual
support.


The caucus also appointed commit
tee of five to assist in arranging pairs
for the Representatives who are un-
avoidably absent. There was very
slim attendance.


The new Democratic journal, called
the Post will appear tomorrow.
Year: 1877

JuoBS humphrey 0eCiSlou.


Washington, Dec. 5.-Judge Hum
phrey has delivered his opinion in the
habeas corpus case of Senator Patter-
son. He denies the power Of South
Carolina to vacate Senator Patterson's
commission, which must continue until
constitutionaily revoked in pursuance
Of organic authority. 1t could not be
said that Senator Patterson was fugi-
tive from justice, as he was here in the
discharge of official duties, like all other
members Of Congress, and besides, he
had acted in the capacity of Senator
years before the present indictment
was brought against him in South
Carolina court.


The Judge concluded his opinion as
follows: 81 think am bound to take
judicial cognizance that party organiza-
tion is one thing and faction to destroy
it another. Most cruel tyranny would
be the application of civil forms of law
to dominance and triumph of passions
of faction. I cannot reconcile it to my
sense of duty to give aid in placing
manacles and handouts around and
about an individual citizen for the pur-
pose of surrendering him, bound, into
the hands Of those who may not be dis
passionate enough to vindicate the true
right of the individual, or those who
might be led by impassioned appeals te
Year: 1877

Condition of the National Trust Company.


New York, Dec. 5.-The Evening
Post says an examination of the affairs
of the National Trust company was be-
gun yesterday and has since been in ac-
tive progress. The Superintendent of
the Banking Department was led to
take this step by observing that three
shares of the company's stock of S106
each were sold at auction last Saturday
at S63. so each. The examiner has got
through with the regular securities,


and is now examining the collateral


securities on loans. He will submit a
statement tomorrow. The posting of
a notice this morning requiring ten
days. notice followed the signs of run.
Year: 1877

THE decision given by Judge Hum
phreys yesterday, in Washington, that
Senator Patterson is not liable to arrest
upon a requisition of the South Caro-
lima authorities while in Washington
attending session of the Senate is
generally acknowledged as legally sound,
and, it is understood, will furnish Pat
terson's newly made Democratic friends
in that State convenient reason for
refraining from any further proceed
ings against him. The action of the
Republican caucus to-day in retaining
him as chairman Of the committee on
Territories is also significant of the sat-
isfactory nature Of his assurances that
he intends hereafter to act with his old
party friends and remain steadfast in
the Senatorial fold.
Year: 1877

Washington, Dec. 5.-The Secretary
ct the Interior and Attorney General,
by reason of the reference of the sub
ject to them at the last Cabinet meet
ing, have now under consideration for
investigation and to report to the Presi-
dent a resolution recently passed by the
House of Representatives, concerning
alleged violations of law by the Union
Pacific Railroad and its branches, in
refusing to operate their roads with
out discrimination against each other.