smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

The camel-breeding industry is prom
ising in Arizona. Three years ago a
herd of those animals was taken to
Yuma, the intention being to make them
serviceable as beasts of burden. The
attempt was failure, the climate SEEM
ing to disagree with them, and it was
found that they were not so useful as the
little mules. The owners turned the
camels loose and they roamed along the
Gila river, apparently enjoying their
liberty and profiting by it. They have
bred literally and appear to have become
acclimated and domesticated to the re-
gion, Thriving as though they had been
in their own native Africa. 1t is thought
the new generation of camels will be
used to the alkaline waters peculiar to
the Southwestern section, and can be
made serviceable in transporting the
mineral products of that country across
the long deserts of sand to places where
they can be profitably worked. At any
rate the owners of the rejected and wan
dering beasts feel that there is money in
their camels, and will hereafter devote
some care to the breeding and rearing of
them.
Year: 1879

The following incident, related by a
San Francisco paper as having occurred
on board Pacific Mail steamship, shows
the stuff that sailors are made of "At
eight A. NJ, while setting the awnings, a
sailor slipped overheard. The ship was
going some twelve miles an hour. They
had boat in the water, manned by
four men and the third mate, in fifty
two seconds after the sailor went over,
and in four minutes they had him in
the boat, a long ways astern. When he
fell in the water he had on boots with
the legs cut off, which he kept on. He
lost his hat and deliberately swan for
it and put it on. When picked up he
had his sheath-knife in his hand, hav-
ing drawn it to be prepared for a stray
shark. On being taken aboard he took
q hand at an oar, and helped. hoist the
boat on returning alongside"
Year: 1879

To the Editor of The Comet


S1R-Foolish indeed is he who essays to
restrain the torrent Of grief; for strong as
Niagara's overwhelming food, it will rush
on despite every obstacle, until spent by
the process of exhaustion and swayed by
tho influence of this everyday truth,
shall not, though my sympathies are deeply
moved, attempt, by one wold, to soothe
the poignant sorrow occasioned your wide
circle of readers by my absence from your
columns during two consecutive numbers
of The CoMtT.


The truth is, l have boen luynriating in
one of those pensive moods that take pos
session of me occasionally, and which,
while continue subject to their exstatic in
walks and interests of men. At such times,
realize that am blessed in having my lot
cast far away from cities, and as l stroll
away in the wild woods, beyond the reach
of interruption by the voice of man, the
vanity of ambition and the pursuit of
wealth appears to me with wonderful clear
ness, and 1 rejoice that did not enter up
on those glittering but thorny paths, in the
days of my youth.


I do not hope to make this understood
by that plodding class of people that are de-
nominated practical, address a higher
grade of minds.


Byron was in the mood have mentioned |
when he wrote:


"There is pleasure in the pathess woods,


There is a rapture on the lonely shore;


There is society where none intrudes


By the deep sea, and music in its roar"


Now, however, that I have come down |
from the clouds, SO to speak, and as have
been brought, by a combination of circum-
stances with which all the world is familiar,
on speaking terms with the public, which,
like a deaf man at public meeting, stands
with his hands at his ear, in an attitude of
eager attention, L proceed to enunciate
few more instructive remarks.


Your candid recognition of the influence
of my letters upon the success of your
newspaper is commendable, but would be
wanting in that courage which every classi>
cal writer should possess, if failed to de-
clare emphatically that the staggering
manner in which you express yourself is



The departure from the rules Of dignifed
which began to crop out in the !
press some thirty years since, and which
Year: 1879

Gen. ]. z. George was was in our city
this week in attendance On the Circuit
Court, and in response to inquiries from
his friends here as to his position on the
Senatorial election, he declared that he was
in no sense candidate, either directly or
indirectly, for United States Senator, and
that he does not wish his name connected
with the position. He does not believe the
public interests would be promoted by his
aspiration for the place, and he has not the
slightest desire TO enter political life.
Those who haYe heretofore looked to Gen.
Georges election to the Senate as "a con-
summation to be wished for we are sure
will carry out his wishes if they will seek
from the many eminent public men of the
State, one for whom they give q er
support as successor TO Senator Bruce.


His friends, and they are numbered by
thousands in Mississippi, will, no doubt,
read this statement with regret, as they be-
lieve his noble and patriotic action in the
campaign of 1873, and since, entitle him
to any position in the gift Of the people or
the State They believe that be has done
more to overthrow and disband the
Radical party than any man in the State,
by his wise and judicious management of
the various political campaigns he has con-
Quoted as Chairman Of the State Executive
Committee.
Year: 1879

Startling stories are told in selec
circles up town Of recent cases of mis-


taken identity in clothing that many


ladies' think, appear like downright steal


ing on t he part of certain women whc


move in good society. 1t is said that


Il lady cannot leave valuable outer


garment in the dressing room, when


she attends an evening party, or "tea


at the house Of friend, with any GER


tainty of finding it on her return from


the drawing room. In its place she


very often finds IL garment of the same


general texture and pattern, but shah


by and unpleasantly venerable with


wear and age. This general resemb-


lance, however, in the event Of the per-


son who made the substitution being
/ discovered, is made the excuse for the


substitution, and the lady gets her own
again with many apologies. So fire.
quent are these cases that it has become
positively unsafe to leave valuable
shawls or sacques even under the sur
vellance of merely the maid stationed
to aid ladies in their toilet.


An instance is known of q lady, whose
name nearly every reader would recOg-
nize were it printed, who left a $4,000
camel's hair shawl in the dressing room
of u handsome house on fashionable
thoroughfare, where tea was given by
hostess also well known in the social
world. On retiring, the lady found, |
in place of her new expensive shawl, |
one faded and worn, with the fringe |
torn in places. On discovering the |
the guest sought the hos
tess, and, with emphasis, declared that,
as the shawl had been lost in the lat
ters house, she would hold her respon-
sible, Nerved to desperation by the
the hostess called upon
one of her guests whom she be-
Iieyed, from the description furnished
by the maid in attendance in the dress
ing room, had exchanged her old shawl
for Mrs. KS new.


She explained her errand, and, while
to assume that the exchange
lad not been voluntary one, spoke with
IN assurance that argued entire knowl-
,dge as to the identity of the perpetra- s
or. The accused woman at once ad-
nitted the possibility of mistake
having heen made, one Of her daugh-
ers coming to the rescue with the as
ertion that, on leaving the tea, she had
wondered what made her mothers
hGwl look so much newer and fre3her
han usual Mrs. Y. is the pos3essor Of
ler $4,000 shawl.


Another story is that a young lady,
Who is the very opposite of Mrs. Y.
IS regards decision of character, found :
hat, during her absence from the
Iressing room, an Old and dingy
acque had been substituted for her
handsome fur lined cloak. Being un- l
Ike Mrs. X, she submitted to the sit
ation in silence, and meekly and mild +.
Y went homo in the old sacque. The
erson who took her fur lined cloak |
as not yet discovered the mistake. L
Year: 1879

caused NE to abandon the reading of th,
newspapers, has borne its appropriate fruit
as is exemplifed by both of your para
graphs which refer to me.
Such phrases as ga screw loose are
simply shocking to the educated ear.


As it will crafty you to have me point
out the origin of the defect, i'll order that
you may speak more elegantly in future, 1
have no hesitancy in saying it results from
an affectation of the humorous.


Amongst my varied accomplishments, is
an intimate acquaintance with the natural
history of the literary, and though fore
see that when tell you the funny man is
the monkey among learned animals, you
will retort whimsically something to the
effect that if the wit is the monkey, the
philosopher, is the ass among learned BIZ
peds, yet am sure you will not be able to
satisfy your conscience by such trifinq + G.
ply to a just criticism.


This article, argumentative from the be~
ginning, as any one acquainted with the
rules Of logic must perceive, having now
reached correct conclusion, should be
closed.


Therefore, with profound regard, remain


Your friend, JOHN SMITH, A. G.
Year: 1879

! sit and gaze in that blue yonder,


Until my sDul
Is filed with awe: ami yet I wonder


When Time unrolls
Its mystic page and BIDS me trace,
Through al! the years,
The lines I've wr!tten-lf His grace
Wnl cain my fears.
High up in the space the shadows gather;
And yet they sccm
So fragile that the downiest feather
Might make !ny dream
\ vision, by floating through its mystic beauty
TIL ] could look,
Beyond this earthly path Of duty,
In that great book
He holds within His righteous keeping
Until that day
When We shall wake from our last sleeping,
And soar away,
Above the night and mornings splcndor,


TO that bright sphere
Where we shall see that Shepherd tender


Who leads Us here.
Then we shall know how we have written;


And grant, dear Lord,
Our soul may not with grief be smittcn,


Judged by thy word.
On! guide aGd guard Thy erring children


BY day and night,
And let US in this maze bewildering


Behold the light!
Oh! teach Us how Thy trusts to treasure
Till we shall grow
Until our lives shall fill the measure


And overflow.
Year: 1879

No man can do a good Job of work,
preach good sermon, try law suit
we'll, doctor a patient, or write good
article when he feels miserable and dull,
with sluggish brain and unsteady nerves,
and none should make the attempt in
such condition when it can be SO easily
and cheaply removed by little Hop
Bitters. See other column,
Year: 1879

"Why does lightning so rarely strike
twice in the same place" asked g Board
examiner of the new boy in the class of
natural philosophy. "Oh," said the boy
'because it never needs to.
Year: 1879

Court RULEs.-The following rules
are marked as new. or as changed from
the old Supreme Court rules:


kule lV.-1 All transcripts Of record
in c.y.l cases shall be printed on unrul-d
white writing paper, ten inches long by
seven inches wide. with n margin on the
outer edge, of not less than two inches
wide. The printed page. exclusive OF
any marginal note or reference shall be
seven inches long and three and one half
inches wide. The folios embracing ten
lines each, shall be numbered from the
commencement to the end. and the num-
b ring OF the folio shall be printed on
the left margin Of the page. Small plea
solid is the smallest letter. and most
compact mode Of composition allowed.


4. No record which fails to conform to
these rules shall be received or filed by
the Clerk or the Court.


Rule KILN all cases whore paper
or document is required by these rules
to be printed, it shall be printed upon
similar paper, and in the same style and
form Except the numbering Of the folios
in the margin) as is prescribed for the
printing Of transcripts.
Year: 1879

If we add to any dry matter, as hay,
litter, etc, sufficient water to just moist
ten the mass, and place it under pressure,
heat is evolved more or less intense ac-
cording to the circumstances connected
Herewith. Thus the gardener produces
heat by means of litter manure, to keep
plants growing, in connection with out
side covering, during our coldest winters


Thus hay in barns often gets quite hot,
and if access by the oxygen of the air be
had it would at length break out into
flame. Stacks are much more likely to
ignite on account of contact with air than
when hay is in barn. For this, as one
reason, hay may, in fact, be saved in a
more moist state IN a barn than in stack


In England spontaneous combustion of
stacks and ricks is not extremely unusu-
al. On the contrary, such combustion is
almost unknown in this country, and fol
the simple reason that the climate here is
altogether favorable to the curing of hay


Since hay is more apt to ignite from being
put into the stack moist than from leak
age of rain into the stack after it is built.
In respect to spontaneous ignition. the
Boston Journal Of Chemistry says:


"Combustion is an oxidiZing process
and when the carbon and hydrogen o.
the hay are in condition to attract oxyger
rapidly, the temperature may reach the
point where flames must spring up, anc
then the work of destruction goes on rap


idly. 1t is precisely the same process:
which occurs in strong horse manure, anc
which results in sire fanging,'' so called
Year: 1879

stanley's company in his African ex-
plorations found some most difficult re-
gions to march through, and the men


were all heavily loaded down with bag
gage of various kinds. Among other ar
ticles they carried a big boat, the Lady
Alice. 1t was made so that it could be
taken apart, different men thus carrying a
section. In one case they had to travel
for day or more through soil Of stiff,
clayey paste, splashing through the wa
ter at almost every step. There was a
very thick undergrowth, and every few
minutes they found themselves descend
ing into bitches from which they must
climb or crawl out. They were thorough
ly soaked through by the dew dropping
Year: 1879

1t is stated on very excellent authority
that ''the poor have we with you always"
The remark was true when uttered. and
has been true ever since, and from aD-
pearance, always will be.


There are those who have no DISPOSE
ton to save; who "live from hand to
mouth, SO to speak; who take no thought
for tomorrow. Having enough for the
present hour, they are content, and leave
the future to take care of itself.


IT property were to be equally divided
among the people Monday morning, be
fore Saturday night the majority would
be in destitute circumstances, dead broke,
while the prudent and saving would be on
the road to pecuuiary independence
One class of people spend whatever
money they get hold of, and as fast as
they get it, while others save means that
come into their hands, .judiciously invest
the same, and become rich.


There are those who not only do not
know how to save, but they do not know
how to spend # they get anything it
goes for what they do not need; for
articles that could be dispensed with.
A laborer in New York city, who had
been out of work two years, and during
that time had occupied tenement with
out paying cent Of rent, met his land
lord lately and told him ne had got
good job at last, and now he thought he'd
buy piano for his daughter" child
seven years old!


In another locality a Methodist preacher
reported himself and his numerous family
to be in condition bordering on destitu


ton. His people made up a purse of
5000, with which he at once bought a
gold watch for his wife and a gold chain


for himself, and kid gloves for the
children all round.


A woman in q small village had $40
given her by benevolent ladies to feed
and cloth her naked and destitute children.
She forthwith expended the whole SUM


in a baby carriage.


And that is the way the thing runs


Those who are destitute of the comforts
of life, as rule, may blame themselves


therefor. IF they have anythingl they


don't take care of it. They buy articles
that people in better circumstances would
think they could not afford.
So they are always poor. Relieve their
wants to-day, and they are no better off
tomorrow. They are bound not to save
to have nothing, and are generally
bound to be in debt if they can find any
body to trust them.


OF course, we understand that people
are sometimes unfortunate. They get
sick, or those dependent on them become
so. We know that people are sometimes


oyertaken by misfortune; but where there


is one case Of this KIND there are fifty in
which the entire trouble may be found in
| the indisposition to save.
Year: 1879

During recent high wind, the large
lantern on the top Of the elephant-house
in the Geological Garden of Philadelphia
was demolished Pieces of the thick
glass fell into the cage occupied by the
elephants, and the female, treading on
one Of the fragments, received painful
wound.


Instead of displaying the heroic pa
tience under suffering that might have
been looked for in creature of her di-
mensions, she set up a howl that made
the roar of the storm seem the sighing of
a zephyr by contrast.


The keeper, attracted by the din, hast
ened to the scene, and found her rolling
about the cage, believing the while in
cessantly.


Her companion was found to be COM
forting her as we'll as he could by trying
to roar louder than she did, and by letting
half-pint tear of sympathy now and
then roll down his trunk, which was
wound tenderly about the wounded leg of
the PROSTATE beast.


DR.. Henry G. Chapman, surgeon to the
Geological Society, was summoned. He
directed that the sufferer should be made
fast, so that she could not interfere with
his operations in her agitation.
She was secured by ropes, and thrown
on her side on bed of straw, treatment
which evoked from her some extra efforts
in the roaring line.


When Dr. Chapman began to probe
softly around the wound with lancet,
however, she showed an elephants in
stinctive respect for a friend by ceasing
her believing, and holding the injured
foot perfectly still.


| The operation occupied but few min
utes in its performance. DR.. Chapman
successfully removed the fragments Of
glass, stopped the flow of blood from the
! wound, and in few minutes the huge
beastwas again on her feet, looking as
| amiable as lamb
Year: 1879

Not few of the pedestrians who pass
the aberdeen, remarks Madame Vera in
the New York Times, in the fashionable
hours of promenade, have assumed
spring toilette. They look somewhat
chilled, but doubtless arc comforted by
the consciousness that they ''walk in gay
attire" Of these ultra fashionables. one
is plump, partridge-like little women,
with dark eyes and hair. who comes trip
ping down the street every afternoon,
dressed in a light cloth suit, which fits
like glove. She is very pretty and
graceful and as proud as Lucifer. Under
an expression of great serenity and sweet
ness she is sly and artful: and, while
bearing an honorable name, and belong
ing to what IS termed good society, is ac-
cused OF playing cards for money. In
short she is gambler, and what is worse,
is remarkably clever at it. This pretty
little woman has charming little en-
tertainments at her house; and by and by
after some conversation, music and sup
per, she proposes cards. Seating herself
at the least conspicuous table, and con-
triving to play always with gentlemen,
she proposes as a bit of fun to play for
money. OF course her companions are
pleased to humor her, and later discover
she has not only beaten them but won
nice little sum.


"What shall do with this2" holding
the amount in her jewelled hands, ooh! I'll
give it for sweet charity


This little game is understood by many
DeODle-Dnt Str2NOnrc l,,pal }xr1f
| On expressing surprise that respectable
| woman would make money in this man
ner, Aunt knickerbocker laughed, and
told me that it is common in certain
fashionable set in this city for the ladies
to gamble; and they have a card club;
meet in each others houses one evening
In each week, and the women as we'll as
the men, play for high stakes. One lady,
belonging to this club said not very long
ago, while admiring very elegant cos
tune she had on before mirror:


"This dress cost me the winning at
cards of single evening.


| A Wall-street broker says that he does
not see why women may not gamble with
with cards as well as in railway shares;
that he is acquainted with some ladies
who are experts at that, and have made a
great deal of money by watching the
market, and so forth. It lis only revival
OF oldtime customs for women of high
station in life to gamble. Lady Mary


Montague was fortunate at cards, and
many other noted women of her day, who
never dreamed Of concealing the fact It
may be the Puritan element in our educa-
ton that makes respectable people sur
prised to hear at the present time that
women of good reputation gamble. It
is fortunate, perhaps, that something of


Puritanism fingers, and that good breed
ing does not require a knowledge of gam
bling, at least, for women.
Year: 1879

There are some very level plains on
the surface of the moon, surrounded by
mountains. These are 5000 feet high,
some of the rocky mountains being over
1000 feet high. AS many as thirty six
small white spots have been seen during
the last three years, ten ofwhich are be-
lieved to be volcanoes. As anything
must be about a square mile in extent to
be seen, it is doubtful if we shall ever be
able to know positively whether the moon
be inhabited.
Year: 1879

1t is not possible, however, for the heat
to become intense enough to produce ig
milton in the manure heap. Whilst the
danger of spontaneous combustion of hay
is not great, still it is possible, and hence
care should be observed in curing and
storing it."
Year: 1879

from the leaves, and altogether they had
fearful time, and not very much Of what
boys would call fun The six men who
carried the boat sections were an entire
day in travelling six miles in this in
stance
Year: 1879

of law and politics. He deals IN the
old style of denunciation, and although
Southern man, talks about rife.
clubs, intimidation and outrages as
glibly as if he came from New
England, and believed part
of what he says. The Republicans
may laugh and cheer, bat they will
soon be tired of HOuk in congress.
He is irrepressible, and will wave the
bloody shirt until they will be sick Of
the sight. Houk belongs to that class
of Radicals who grew up spontaneous
ly just after the war He got into the
legislature and prepared speech
against the funding bill in 1873, but
changed his mind one night, and the
next day spoke two hours in favor Of
it. Owing to the inability, or disincli-
nation of the Democrats in the Second
congressional district to harmonize
and work together for success, Houk
was permitted to win the race for con
gress. He is not man that his party
at home, or in congress, will be proud
of, as they were, very properly, of
Horace Maynard. However, we are
satisfied with him, for he will produce
hearty reaction and disgust in favor
of the Democratic party.
Year: 1879

A child at Fort Wayne, Ind, lad
the misfortune to suck a kernel OF
corn into its windpipe. The doctor
was sent for in haste, and announced
that it would be necessary to perform
the operation of tracheotomy to save
the child's life. The Hoosier mother,
familiar with a practice of domestic
surgery of a different sort, and not
pleased with the idea of having the
child's windpipe cut open, seized the
sufferer by one leg, and holding him
up, head downward, administered
sundry resounding spanks. There
was a sound not unlike the report
of popgun, and the kernel
Of corn was elected with great force.
The child was at once relieved, and
recovered, Of course.