smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875




The stock market to-day has developed weak
ness in a new and generally unexpected quarter.
While the stocks which had yesterday made
marked a decline have remained comparatively
steady at prices a shade above the lowest of yester
day. Chicago and North Western, and St. Paul have
come to the front and broken away from what had
come to be considered as their safe anchorage
at A and SO respectively. Northwest
opened at 44l and sold at :. but was
very quiet for the first half hour when it
suddenly broke, on transactions to very fair
amount to 43 rallied to AZ, which price was bid by
q prominent broker for one lot of 5000 shares but
the tempting offer failed to sustain the price, and it
again sold down to 49,. closing at 43'. buyer days.
St. Paul opened 36s, and sold steadily down to 81.
closing with rally to only 35! The Preferred
shares of these roads were quite as weak
as were the Common, that Of North
Western having sold at 56, against 81.
at the last sale yesterday and ST. Paul Preferred at
55l against 81 which tine latest sale Yesterday.
each closing shade batter than the lowest price of
the day. The weakness noticed In these stocks
should surprise one. when it is remembered that
the comparatively low price for wheat, which is
again down TO S3I cents at Chicago must very mate
rally effect the volume of the business Of these
roads, to say nothing Of the probability that the
Potter law rates is likely to remain in force for
at least another year. Union Pacific con-
tiuues 10 DO tho strong stock of the
Year: 1875

Would you like to know how | was cngay-
ed to serve my country? 1t was all owing to
resolution l formed when | was ten years
of age. My father was sent down to New
Orleans with the little navy we then had to
look after the treason of Burr accompan-
led him as cabin boy. had some qualities
that thought made a man of me. l could
swear like an old salt; could drink as stiff a
glass of grog as if l had doubled Cape Horn,
and could smoke like locomotive. l was
great at cards and fond of gambling in every
shape. At the close of the dinner one day.
my father turned everybody out of the cabin,
locked the door, and said to me:


''David, what do you mean to be-


II mean to follow the sea-


''Follow the sea! Yes, be poor, miser-
able, drunken sailor before the mast, kicked
and cuffed about the world, and die in some
fever hospital in some foreign Cline


My father left me and went on deck l
was stunned by the rebuke, and overwhelmed
with modification. "a poor, miserable.
drunken sailor before mast, kicked and cuffed
about the world, and to die in some fever
hospital" That's my fate. is it! I'll change
my life and change it at once, will never
utter another oath; will never drink another
drop of intoxicating liquors; Iwillnever gam
ble." And, as God is my witness, have kept
those three vows to this hour.
Year: 1875

The Lice St0ch Journal says that if one
were to judge solely from the attention which
sheep receive in this country from the ma
jority OF men who own them, he would inn
agine that they were among the most rugged
and hardy classes of our domestic animals


This judgment, Of course, would be incorrect;
but they are treated as though they " ere we'll
able to take care of themselves. And to this
fact are due many Of the greatest losses which
sheep owners annually sustain. A great
many men have tried sheep husbandry and
in few years left it in disgust. They say it
is hard business, snd will not pay for the
capital invested and the time required My
experience has been different | have found
sheep husbandry one Of the most profitable
kinds Of farm business. 1t has paid me we'll,
and it will pay others well if they will only
take pains to adopt their means to the end
which they have in view. Sheep and lambs
do not want the same kind Of care and treat
ment that oxen need, and if they are fed and
treated like oxen, they will not be very profit
able to their owner While exposure is in
furious to all kinds of farm stock, some will
endure it better than others. The breeds of
sheep usually kept in this country are not ex-
tremely hardy, and cannot stand great
amount Of neglect and exposure; they need
good food and kind treatment. In the sum-
mer it is very desirable that they should have
shelter at night and from hard storms. II
the pasture is far from the farm there ought
to be a shed built in the lot, to which they
car 60 when the heat is intense, during the
showers, and in which they can stayat night
Last year drove my sheep to the barn and
kept them in their shed every night | also
drove them in when there was likely to be a
hard shower. For many years have taken
a great deal Of care of them, and have had
my reward. While my neighoors have had
sickness in their focks, weak lambs, and
many losses, my sheep have been strong and
well, lambs vigorous and the whole flock in
prime condition; and to keep them so has
cost me but little time and work / pasture
the cows and sheep in the same lot, and drive
them to aud from the barn together. And |
am convinced that it pays to keep them shell
tered from tho storms and dews. For awhile
after shearing they need extra care, and I
take pains to keep thon from the rain sov
eral days. I am we'll aware that such little
things are generally considered beneath the
notice of the average American farmer, but I
am also confident that it would be for his in
terest to give them more attention.
Year: 1875

From the Shreveport {La) Tines


friend yesterday gave US an account of
desperate fight which he recently witnessed
between cotton mouth or highland mocca-
sin snake, about three and half feet long,
and large rat. The fight had evidently
been going on under the picking-room of !.
gin-house, near which our friend and COM


panion were standing. In the struggle the


combatants came from beneath the house and


within few feet of them. The rat was eyi-


IDENTIFY the assailing party, and would rush


upon his antagonist with the fury of small


hyena. The snake would occasionally make


its coil snd strike the rat, knocking him two


feet. Nothing daunted, however, he would


return the assault, biting the snake wherever


he could catch hold, and shake him like a ter


rier killing rat. At times the snake would


get him in its folds, butthe little fellow would


struggle out from the dangerous embrace.


Both contestants seemed totally obliyious of


the presence OF the gentlemen, although they
followed them only five or six feet distant


The snake frequently endeavored to escape


by climbing cotton stalk, but the rat would
seize him by the tail, tearing the flesh away
and finally pulling him down, though several
times the snake lifted him over foot from
the ground. They fought in this manner at
least fifty yards across the patch of cotton.
At length the snake stretched itself out, to all
appearance dead, when the rat took posi-
ton two or three yards off, and quietly sat
down and licked itself, keeping keen eye
on the gentlemen, though apparently without
any fear of them. One of them struck the
snake on the head, which killed it, even if it
were not dead before. The flesh was almost
entirely torn off for at least foot up its tail,
which was done while it was climbing the
cotton stalks. The gentlemen left and were
absent for half an hour. On their return to
see wha: had finally become of the victorious
rat neither rat nor snake was to be seen, and
they were satisfied that the former had drag
ged off his dead enemy, but whether to eat
it or not could not be known.
Year: 1875

The Committee appointed to investigate the alleged job in the bill known as the swamp Land Indemnity Act, have reported that they were unable to find any thing of robbery in it, and they further culogizc our worthy State Land Comm'r, J, N. Smithcc, for his zeal and faithful devotion to the true interests of the state.
Year: 1875

CATTLE BRANDING IN TExAs.-The
ownership of.ca!tle in Texas is decided
by registered marks and brands. To
get mark or brand regis cred, one
must own ten head Anything one
year old and over belongs to the man
who will brand or mark it. 1t is ne
cessary, therefore, for a man owning
cattle, to mark his calves to keep 9th.
ers from appropriating them. A year
ling is called "mavric;" two year
old and over is called a "conscript. "
Cattle branding is trade which gives
room for excellence, as we'll as the
printing business, or any other of the
mechanic ssts. An expert will mount
trained horse, and while running at
full speed by yearling or even two
year old will catch it by the tail and
with jerk, as he passes it, throw it to
the ground, dismount and catch it. be.
fore it can get up; he will then tie it
and build fire and heat n horseshoe,
or any old iron he may have with him
and write the brand very much as you
would mark grainsack with q paint
brush. When many are to be brand
ed, they are taken to a ranch and cor
| rallied.
Year: 1875

We have cut down all the trees in the
land. and then, when we are consequently
scourged with alternate drought and flood
we think we are doing very commenda-
bic thing if we ask Providence to inter
pose in our behalf We build tindcr box
houses and rotton reservoirs, and when
they burn down or burst, as they must,
and we find ourselves destitute, we piously
consent to appoint a day of prayer. We
have killed off all the wild fowl from the
Western prairies, the most effective enemy
that nature provided for grasshoppers and
potato bugs, and when the insects increase,
and we find that we can not do what the
birds did, We begin to talk of the mysteri
Gus dlspensations of Proyi,leuce, or oil
natures inscrutabe ways Let us 90 down
on our knees, by all means we have sins
enough and fcllies enough to repent But
let us not suppose that the stupid careless
ness which has characterized every step OF
civilization on this magnificent continent
can tail to bring is punishment. [Phila-
delPhin Times
Year: 1875

Good horses and mules for farm use are
Indispensable TO successful farming. Did
you ever think Of the difference in the re-
suit OF a days work between horse that
would walk in the plough three miles an
hour, and one that only goes two or two
and Il half II You have not, try it, and
You will be astonshed to see how much
valuable time the hand that followed the
slow horse has been losing.
Year: 1875

STRIPED OR CUCUMBER Bug. After try
ing many methods, | find nothing so cheap
and effective as TO keep 4 close watch, and
as soon as the bugs appear, scatter wood
ashes over the vines, either by hand or
with n dredging box made for the purpose
TO the Hubbard and other winter squashes
it should be applied both on the upper and
under surface of the leaves. 1t is import
ant to begin hostilities as soon Us the bugs
seem to determine upon a point OF attack
and IN order to confuse thcm-and it does
assist greatly to distract their attention,
and sometimes they quit in dlSmay even
at this. Whenever crossing the field if |
find they have begun operations, at once
scatter oyer them fine ashes and n drrdg-
INC box can be brought to the front. En-
ploylng these means with promptncss, |
have rarely lost an acre OF vines from
their ravages, though I can boast OF as
many billions Of bugs to the acre rs any
.man on this continent Roots Garden
Mammal
Year: 1875

When a man feels disposed to overestimate
his own Importance, let him remember tTat
mankind got along very well before his birth,
and in all probability they will get along very
well after his death.
Year: 1875

DIDN'T SAY.-A Ninth avenue boy stop
ped catchinghies all at once yesterday and
turned to his mother and inquired


Ma, amt Mrs. Parson nice woman
though"


Il guess so-whyf" size answered.


"Becaue, when | was over there this
morning she put her hand on my head like
this and she almost cried as she said :
Poor. dear boy how could your father
ever think of marrying that sharp-nosed,
vinegarfaced old maid for second wife "
She took Henry into the shed, and while
she held iast to his ear she informed him
that it would be nothing short Of death If
he ever entered Mrs. Parson' mouse again.
Year: 1875

Some say the mission of the Republican
party is ended. You might as well say that
the mission of the church is ended because
the Bible is printed as to say that the mis-
sion of the Republican party is ended.-Matt
Carpenter.


We should extremely regret to see the pow
er of suspending the habeas corpus given in.
to the Presidents hands, because it is too
hazardous measure for any but belligerent
times, and because we believe there is no
earthly need of it if the present Republican
Congress does its duty.-BOston Journal.


In one of the hotels in this city, especially
patroDized by Democrats, and at which they
hold many of their political meetings and
Publications, colored citizens are admitted as
guests. The jubilee singers took their meals
there in the public dining-room, at the same
hour as the white guests, and no one was
offended. The colored guests were well be-
haved, their table manners appeared to be
quite as good as those of the average traveller,
and better than those of some Democratic
politicians whom it would be discourteous TO
name. The social structure at that hotel ana
in New Haven still survives the shock.-Neo
HdUen Palladium.
Year: 1875

We do not read anonymous letters and cemmuni-
cations. The name and address of the writer are in
all cases indispensable, not necessarily for publication
but as a guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
ncations that are not used.
Year: 1875

THE star system has just lost one of its
strongest supporters. Mr.. Max Strakosch
has been obliged to cancel his engagements
with Albani as he found he was losing
money. He paid her $3.50 night, and
found that the increased expense was not met
by a corresponding increase in the receipts.
Indeed at her first night in Cincinnati only
81, ,450 were taken, and on the succeeding night
when she did not sing there were $4,000 in
the house. The truth is the second opera
was the more popular. So Mr.. Strakosch
wisely comes to the conclusion that it is the
opera and not the singer that draws, and that
the public are guided by the general excel
lence of presentation rather than the in
dividual brlliancy of single singer.
Year: 1875

To he Senate and House Of Representatives.


In submitting my seventh annual mes
sage to Congress, in this Centennial year
ofour national existence as "a free and
independent people, it affords me great
Year: 1875

it is well to look back upon the past and
study what will be best to preserve and
advance our future greatness. From the
fall of Adam for his transgressionto to the
present day, no nation has ever been
free from threatened danger toits pros
perity and happiness. - We should look
to the dangers which threaten US, and
remedy them so far as lies in our power
We are a Republic, whereof one man, is
as good as another before the law. I'M
der such "a form Of government it is of
the greatest Importance. that all should
be possessed of tflNefRV\
Year: 1875

A writer in Scribner's says "There
is no greater delusion than that OF sup
posing that the best music can be en-
loved only by the musical Ordinary
people can derive keen pleasure from a
sympathetic listening TO great music if
they Will but believe that they can, and
50 attend TO it accordingly. There is
no need Of being bsffied by a wsnt OF
knowledge concering keys nor by an
Ignorance of moduiation. Your next
neighbor may know that the air began
In G major, and then passed into B
minor, but you can get your own sim
pier pleasure out OF it. What is it to
me what TitaD's secret of color might
have been? He had it, and that is
enough for one who cannot even draw.
The first rule in listening TO music is
10 listen. We 90 not want to arouse
ourselves to a { ~ Of delight, but
we DO want to hea what the music is
ike. A very simple and very good rule
for those who are perplexed by an or
chestrR, and who fancy they are puz-
zeld TO know where the time comes IN,
is to listen TO one instrument, the
violins, for instance, alone for a time.
These win probably take mp the melody
and sing it plainly enough. then the
movement may become more compli-
Gated, and the air seems to have grown
more fiorid, to be broken perhaps into
brilliant fragments, but bearken 1.-The
vi lonceli have taken it up, and over
is floats this new and lovely strain Of
violins, then the flutes catch the melody,
the comets and the bassoOn swell the
harmony, the drum makes it rhythmic
beats, the whole orchestra Is alive with
the theme, and before you know it yOu
are in the very center of the music,
and what was before involved aud in
tricate now becomes plain and beauti-
fsI Z"
Year: 1875

New CALEDONIA is not a good prison
house for communists. A Melbourne
dispatch states that twenty more of
these willy fellows have built themselves
boats and escaped. Some of them will
doubtless turn up in this country.
Year: 1875

A SLIGHT MISTAKE. A we'll
known tragedian was some years
ago announced to play Hamlet in a
town tout West," where the mana
ger of the theatre was also the man
ager of a circus. This manager had
a son who was cast for Osric; and
great was his care in seeing to the
costume for the part. Counselling
his offspring to take "a leaf out OF
the book" of the great "star" that he
had secured, "Watch him, my boy"
said the manager -"Watch his


business and his byplay. Above
all watch him in the clOset-scene.
He is immense in that. I've put up
an order to keep the wings clear
He insists on it. But Pll let you
set a chair outside the door In the
closet.scene. There's a hole in it ;
you can watch him through that
only take care he doesn't see you.
he might strangle you and knock
my head against the wall. He's
awful wien the steam's upw The
house was hot, the night was sultry
and before the closet.scene had been
reached. friend had invited Osrlc
to ''liquor up" The clown of the
circus, i'm an interval Of his turns,
had FASTENED across to the theatre
Year: 1875

had been absent, in Europe
some five years. When l returned
as was natural, I found some of my
bachelor friends married, some of my
married ones widowed (alas one Of
two divorces,) other friends dead
and still others wandered away be-
yOnd my reach. With the fortunes
of most Of them ] have nothing tC
do in thepresent instance, though in
succeeding numbers of this publica
ton l may have occasion to embody
them for the instruction and pleas.
ure of my readers. There was one,
however, among the newly married
about whom there is present occa-
sion to say something in this i'm.
mediate connection.


had left Tom Enderly, a conf.
dental clerk, in one of the largest
mercantile establishments in New
York City, honored and trusted in
that position and probably drawing
salary of three to four thousand
dollars per year, but without much
more prospect Of ever filling any
place other than a mercantile one,
or becoming anything else than a
merchant if he rose beyond being a
clerk, than the man condemned to
the treadmill has of taking walk
on level ground before the expiration
Of his term. l found him a man of
wealth and easy leisure, and appar.
emily as much at home in the new
field as he had been in the old.


1t was at the club that 1 met
Tom, only IL night or two after my
return, the club of which had been
a member before my departure, but
to which he would no more have
thou ght of going, at that time, than
to Alaska or Geelong. We recog-
nized each other at once, however;
and on invitation, l Joined him in
tritie of supper and bottle of wine,
in the club restaurant. An hour of
chat, over the viands and the wine
and fancy that l had told him,
under mild inquiry, about as much
with reference to myself, and my
late travels and adventures, as he
cared to know (no uncommon thing,
with me, by the way y while 1 had
literally learned nothing about him
or his Surroundings. When the
supper was over, he rose, and said,
as he dealt with the attendant af.
ter manner which showed him to
be a habitue Uf the place, "Come-
the evening is early, yet-come
with me to my house. 1t is not
very far away"


"Ah, then you have q 'house,
which l suppose means that you
Year: 1875

New ORLEANS June 11.--A quarantine OF
ten days has been proclaimed by Governor
Kellogg against The ports Of Havana an d
Vera Cruz from the 10Th of June, but under
a new regulation of heBoard Of Health the
ten daysin the case Of all yesses-bripginS
clean bill of health will begin to count from
their leaving infected ports for New Orleans
Year: 1875

1t is seldom easy to see the hidden
benefaction in that which is an appa-
rent affliction. A boy who was "con-
founding the mosquito was told by
his pastor that 'doubtless the insects
were made with good end in view,"
when the young scamp replied: III
can't see it, whether it is in view or
not. At any rate don't like the end
I feel.v
Year: 1875

NEW YORK, December ia tele-
gram from Washington says the Demo-
Gratis are generally accepting the idea
that they should fall in with the Presi-
DENTS suggestion of a constitutional
amendment prohibiting support of Sec
tartan schools out of public moneys, and
at a meeting of the Democratic associa-
ton Of the District of Columbia,
Friday night, the first step to-
ward such g movement was taken,
by the introduction of resolutions
stating that the free school system of
the United States is the brightest star in
tbs galaxy Of the republic, and that on
its maintenance and perpetuity de-
pend the present and the future of the
American people. That the Democratic
party always has, and all times here
after, will resist all attempts looking to
division of the school fund, no matter
for what purpose; that the Democratic
party has been, Is now, and always will
be in favor of free schools, free press,
free speech, free trade, and gold and sill
yer as the only constitutional money of
the nRtiOn-paper money being the ille-
gttimRte offspring Of the Republican
party. 1t is well known to the nation
ct large that the only fatal blow Ever at
tempted to be struck at the free schools
OF this country was by the Republican
party in congress, when it endeavIrac; 10
mix white and black children in the sams
schools; no State shall make any law re-
specting an establishment Of any reIi.
gion or prohibiting free exercise there.
OF, and no money raised ty taxation for
the support Of public schools, or derived
from any public fuuG therefor shall ever
be under the control Of any religious
sect, nor any money so raised ever be
divided between religious seets or de.
nominations.
Year: 1875

THE delegates who represented Ithe
chamber Of commerce in the st. Louis
convention will make their report to
the meeting Of the chamber tomorrow
afternoon, at three O'Clock. A full at
tendance of the members is earnestly
desired; and no. only Of members Of the
chamber, but also Of all persons who
feel an interest in the subject and in the
welfare OF Memphis. The delegates
representing tie cotton exchange, and
the city Of Memphis and the State are
requested and expected TO be present and
participate 10 the meeting. The subject
is Of vital interest to the city, and de-
mauds full attendance Of our citizens.
Year: 1875

TENNESSEE, it is said, is disgfsced
because she cannot and does
not pay the interest on her
debt. Well, it cannot be heIped.
Why, then keep bowling about it. The
legislature does not meet until III, and
our creditors must wait that event before
they can hope for relief. All this talk
about nOn-psyment Of interest on our
State debt is, therefore, so much time
and words wasted.
Year: 1875

The Western Union telegraph is, By
its own admission, rich and well-to-do
corporation. It owns nine tenths Of all
the telegraph lines in the United States,
aDd has made SO much money that only
q few days ago it declared two per
per cent. quarterly dividend. Upon
this condition We congratulate the giant
monopoly. Eight per cent on any in
Vestment is, in these hard times, -
bonnie 6OUche. and with it the stock
holders ought 10 be content. But ii
seems from the action Of the directors
IN ordering q curtailment Of the salaries
from five 10 twenty-five per cent that
they are not. AT the expense Of the men


and women who do the work they would