smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

Come, let your snowy fingers sweep


Across the wild harE's quivering strings
And give 10 me the soothing sleep


And blissful calm its music brings.
Search out each soft and cheering note,


Aud fling its sweetness on the air;
Let every pulsing echo float


And lie away in beauty there.
That wild, weird harp, in days long past,
Has soothed me with its gentle tone
Entranced me with it, thrilling blast,


And chilled me with its curdling moan.
Life's dreary path had been too long


Ny soul long since had sought its re>t.
Had not its cheering, soothing song


Brought peace and sunshine to this brcas
Its fiery notes in days Of youth,


Have sown ambition in my soul;
In sobcrer years, its light and truth


Were shed upon a nobler goal
But now in age, the fiery notes


Have changed into 4 sobbiug moan;
And every soothing song that floats


Above it has sudden tom.
Still sweep the strings, and let it, song


Float Ger me in surginS wave;
For it has been my comfort long,


Now let it cheer me TO the grave.
Year: 1874

"When a man has been out IN the
world a long time" remarks the Tri-
bune, earning his meat and drink IN
any ether business than that of school
keeping, it is astonishing how ignOr-
ang he soon becomes, and with what
awe he listens to little girls bounding
the principal countries Of Europe,
and stating the latitude and longitude
of principal cities-Perhaps Spelling
with ease and accuracy many Of those
puzzling words which always send us
to our Webster Unabridged. 1t Is as
tOnishing how we shed our learning
as we get older
Year: 1874

Su1c1DE.-Hei Heinrich, a German
living in the edge of Hay Creek, got up
from his bed between eleven and twelve
o'clock Saturday night, and went out in
the storm that was then raging, saying
nothing of where he was going, and did not
return. Search was made for him and on
Monday morning he was found dead He
had gone about two miles from his home
into the town of Featherstone near the head
of Hay Creek, where he was found in lit
tie grove on the side of the hill. He had
thrown rope over a dry limb about FIVE
feet from the ground and tied both ends in
separate slipping moose around his neck and
thrown his weight on the rope until he was
dead His feet rested on the ground, yet
there was very little evidence of his having
made much of any struggle:


One hand hung nearly to the ground and
from the position Of the rope and all. it is
mystery how he could have taken his life.
Coroner's inquest was held and the find
lngs were in accordance with the above
facts. The man was hard-working farm
er' and had been suffering from ill health
for some little time, and over-work and III
health are supposed to have brought on the
mental depression which resulted in self.
destruction. He was about thirtv.five
years Of age, had been married five years.
and leeves wife and four little children.


ZUMBRorA, July 28th, 1874.


Notwithstanding the heat, lack of rain.
and sickness elsewhere, general good health
prevails here.


All about US, as far as the eye can reach,
the fields are whitening, and in some the
gathered shocks have already taken the
place of the waving grain. Indications are
now that we shall have good harvest
though not great one. Great heat, how
ever, may yet materially affect the later
wheat.


Farmers are busy in preparing for and
commencing the seasons great effort
Reapers are being put in order, harvest
hands are gathering, and with good courage
all necessary preparations are vigorously
being made. A general attack upon the
fields must commence in two or three days,


The new NJ. E. Church in our village
will be dedicated next Sabbath.


J. B. L.


With some people cremation is only
question Of time. If it don't come in
this world it is sure to come in the
next.


IT is said that" variety is the spice OF
life." If that is true of other things il
must be of Reapers. And with that in
view, Mccormick & Bro are this year of.
fering several kinds of machines To those
who have large harvests and wish to cut
1S or 20 acres per day, we can furnish ou,
six and half foot New Reliable, which
has the latest improvements for raising
and lowering and for taking up lodged
grain. For those who wish for a light
draft combined machine we offer our well
known Advance which, when changed to 8
mower, is the complete " Mccormick Now.
err more of which are sold and used in
this County and State than of any othe,
style of Mower. These machines are war.
ranted to cut grass and grain in any con
dition and on any kind of ground that q
pair Of horses can be driven over. Farm.
ers are invited to call at my Reaper yard
and see my sample machines.


L. W. BROOKS.
Year: 1874

One of the peculiarities of our Com
mon Council is the passage of ordi-
nances which no one obeys and which
no one takes the trouble to enforce.
We have dog law, which provides
that untagged dogs found in the streets
shall be impounded. There are few
less than a million dogs in the city
without owners, masters or tags, yet
no effort is made to curtail the number
of midnight howlers. The fault is not
the pound-master's, if we happen to
have such ~an officer. The Council
have resolved that such a thing shall
be done, without providing the means
for doing it. They have not provided
dog-pound, and the dogs bark at the
dog ordinance. The plaza is bowling
wilderness. Every night the mongrels,
puppies, whelps, and hounds and ours
of low degree, assemble on that arid
spot and howl defiance at the City
Council from dewy eve to early morn.
These assemblies are cosmopolitan in
character and loud in tone. The lead
ers are apparently selected with a view
to their yelping qualities, and the OBJ
ject Of the meeting seems to be to yell
into the ears of passing Councilmen
the axiom that you must catch your
cur before you can hang him.
Year: 1874

THE Express, either through ignor-
ance or malice aforethought, declines
to avail itself of the opportunity we
offered it of escaping conviction of
falsely and maliciously assailing Mr..


BEAUDRY, and last evening, in the
wild frenzy which always overcomes a
Spanish bull at the sight of red


shirt, reiterates series of charges
which the records of the Council show
to be false in every particular Well,
whom the gods wish to destroy, they
first make mad, and from the present
delirium of the Erpress, we conclude
that the gods, or the gentleman who
presides over the domain where they
give away birthstone and throw in
fire to burn it, have decided to make
the concern break its own neck in a
time so short that there will be no
opportunity to pray forgiveness for its
many wicked falsehoods. t.,sl
Year: 1874

Mr.. THOMAS PERKINS, an old resi-
dent of Virginia, but now living at
Azusa, in this county, called at the
HERALD office the other day and gave
us some valuable information relative
to the tobacco interest of Los Angeles
valley. Mr.. PERKINS has spent the
greater portion of his life in the grow
ing and curing of tobacco, and as he
has experimental to q considerable
extent in the growth and cultivation
of the weed here, his opinions and
suggestions are both timely and val
liable. He is of the opinion that this
portion of the State is capable of
growing an article of tobacco equal to
the best Virginia, and that It, will
produce such an article when men of
experience and capital turn their at
tention to the business. Our, soil and
climate is well adapted to the growth
of this great commercial commodity,
and in few years the tobacco product
of this valley will be one of its sta
Piles. The old curing process will ulti-
mately prove the best. Experienced
producers will avoid the royalty on
patent processes and at the same time
throw superior article on the mar
ket. Mr.. PERKINS is confident that a
factory which will manufacture the
product of this valley into smoking
and chewing tobacco will prove pro-
fitable investment and believes we
shall have such factory here within
q short time
Year: 1874

The correspondent who writes for
information on the validity of con-
tracts in general, and that between the
City and Water Company in particu-
lar, submits series of questions which
to answer correctly would fill small
volume. The validity of a contract is
strengthened or impaired by the action
of the parties to it. The exact per-
formance of its conditions are as essen
tial to its existence as the good faith
of the persons pledging themselves to
obey its stipulations. In the particu-
lar case referred to, there exists not
the slightest contract, and in making
this assertion, we have no reference
whatever to the recent decision of the
Supreme Court that the Constitution
especially prohibited the granting of
exclusive franchises, but to the fact
that failures-many and repeated
on the part of the Los Angeles Water
Company to redeem its pledges to the
city, have long since nullifed the
agreement and released the city from
all obligations and conditions
specified in that contract. The
correctness of this position may
be sustained without resort to
theoretical illustration or going out
side of the case under consideration.
The Water Company claim that the
city cannot grant the right to others
to convey water within the corporate
limits, because she gave them the ex-
elusive water right for given number
of years. One of the considerations
on which this right was granted was
the payment to the city by the Water
Company of s., 800 per annum. But
very soon after the completion of the
contract the Water Company procured
reduction of that consideration from
$1,000 to $780, No matter what
amount of specious argument may be
urged in justification of this reduction,
it cannot change the result-the con-
tract is broken and the Water Com
pany have broken 1t. It'll urged that
the city government consented to this
change in the original contract. Very
true; and the city government also
consented to the agreement which
gave a gentleman not member of the
Water Company the right to convey
water over the hill lands of the city.
There are a number of other instances
wherein the Water Company has
failed to comply with the
agreement, but the single charge
by which the company avoided
the redemption of pledge to pay the
city $500 per annum as effectually
destroyed the original contract as If it
had never existed. Happily the Su-
preme Court has rendered settlement
OF the question on this issue entirely
unnecessary by deciding that an ex-
elusive franchise is thing that can
exist only in name. But it is a fact
we'll understood by all legal minds
that the assumed contract between
the city and the Water Company was
annulled long ago by the individual
act of the Water Company which
failed not one but several times to per-
form some portion of their part of the
compact.
Year: 1874

"OCCIDENTn and "Purdy " are to
go again; this time for purse of $5,-
900. Naturally and to those on the
outside it will seem that Purdy" {"
ought to win the race. Men who bet
on their judgment based on the past
will bet about two to one on ''Purdy,p
and for this very reason we are In
clined to the opinion that +" Occident"
will win this time. White man is
very uncertain, and the uninitiated
who bets on white mans horse-race
has just little over an even chance
to lose his money.
Year: 1874

ONE of the prominent candidates for
Governor on the Democratic side is
Senator PHILIP A. ROACH, of the E'r-
aminer. The party is never in want
of candidates for any Office, bat it has
not better or more honest man in its
ranks than PHIL. ROACH, and If he
should receive the nomination for
Governor, he will poll as many votes
as any one whom the Democracy
could select.
Year: 1874

The Visalia Delta says: Large bands
of cattle are ranging between Elko
bayou and Lower Tule river. New
settlers are fast coming in down near
the railroad, and large tracts will be
sowed to grain the coming season.
These have been rated as among the
best grazing lands in the county, and
are about being turned to other pur-
poses.
Year: 1874

In accordance with previous notice. small
assembly, composed of ladies, men and BOYS,
gathered ut the Court House. Wednesday
evening, to hear the great 1900 lbs.) man, the
so-caled peoples candidate. ii. F.Thoma-
son. edfy the people with that still small
yoice"-to discuss the political issues of the
day. II he ever touched upon them we
failed to see It. His speech of over an hour
was made of abuse of the Van Burcn Press.
and the gentlemen who had seen tit to oppose
him IN the County Convention. loud roaring
icsticulatons and grimmaccs. We wish Peirce
of the defunct Patriot had been there to see
how far this modern Sampson could surpass
him in this respect. He took the position that
he was the Democratic nominee and all Dem
crafts were bound to support him or be read
out the party. That he was the peoples can
didate" and had advocated in the township
Convention here and elsewhere (when he saw
he could not get the nomination otherWhe)
that Republicans were bound to support MN
AS he was thereby their candidate. That he
wanted no man to vote for him who did not
want TO do so. act they were Dound 10 90
so. lie then appealed to the ladies' to see that
their husbands and swecthearts did vote Tor
him.


Ifany man had a doubt before as to whcth-
er he was bound by Thomason's so-called
convention. we think that doubt is now dis
PEELED. you are Democrat he says he Is
the Democratic nominee. and you are bound
to support him. But if you are Republican
then he is not Democratic nominee p"ta a
"peoples candidate, and you must support
him.


lie was quite sarcastic on Judge Sang'ter
and his country friends who dared to put out
man against him. IL he VIII make that
Year: 1874

The "ofllce seekers ring" just go for
every Farmer that comes in their reach,
and if they do not fall in with their views
of things in support of Thomson, they
are highly mdignat and go 50 far as to
insult some, who think that Farmers
have rights that should be respected
We are willing the ring" should resort
to all such means to get votes for their
candidate. Farmers are sensitive enough
to know when they are well used, and
all brow beating efforts, will only have
the contrary effect these men desired.
Year: 1874

EE- A Picnic will be given under the
auspices Of the Masons OF Van Buren,
Lodge, at the Foster Ford on Lees
Creek, on Wednesday, June oath. A
general invitation is extended to all. 1t
is safe to say that it will be a pleasant
affair. Let everybody go and take full
baskets
Year: 1874

1t is with extreme regret that We me1n-
tion the deceasc of Gusts W. Wright,
Esq, late Sect'y Of State of the State of
Del, which took place at his residence
in Georgetown on Sunday night. Mr..
Wright had been suffering from pain
full disease for long time. But his
death was not anticipated SO soon. He
was gentleman Of fine mind and high
culture; and will be greatly missed by a
large circle of friends. He ranked high
as q member Of the Bar Of his county,
and no doubt would have been re-nomi-
mated and elected to Congress during
the last campaign had his health not
prevented his taking any active part in
politics. He was about forty years oi
age. We sincerely sympathize in the
loss which his family and friends have
sustained in his early death.
Year: 1874

A New England newspaper shows its
appreciation OF the trials Of the woman
who adoes her own house-work" in the
following paragraph: The long suffering
house wife hears the door.bell ring, washes
the dough from her hands, pulls down her
sleeves, removes An old calico apron, and
with hasty look in the mirror goes out
in the hall to find patent medicine bill
on the floor. A woman who can 60
through this experience, and resume her
work without making a few casual remarks
concerning Job and his patience, deserves
niche in the temple Of Fame"
Year: 1874

1t is reported that General Banning
has issued orders for our military
company to hold themselves ready for
active service in contemplation of law
less demonstrations against a criminal
now in the city jail. Such an order is
useless and nonsensical as there has
not been the first threat of exercising
mob violence against the culprit in
question.


A saddle-horse broke loose from his
moorings last evening and went down
Spring street at a lively rate, dragging
hitching-post after him. The post
acted good deal as a tin car does at
tached to a dogs tail. The more it
beat upon the ground, the more the
horse was scared and the harder he
ran, making as good time probably as
a horse could under the circumstances.


We understand that a movement is
ON foot among some of the young
men of this city to organize social
club for the purpose of giving parties
and balls during the coming Winter
months. Such an organizat would
furnish many pleasant evenings, not
only for its members but for all in our
city who wish social entertainment.
The movement ought to receive hearty
encouragement.


Through an unintentional over
sight, we omitted to mention the
name of Miss Jessie Gavitt, in our re-
port of Prof. Snyder's entertainment
Friday evening. Miss Gavitt per-
formed piano solo-"The Return of
Spring"-which called forth hearty
applause from the audience. We have
heard numerous compliments passed
since the entertainment on the effort
and we thus award the justice due the
young lady in the hope that it is bet
ter late than never.


The attention of our readers is di-
rected to the advertisement of the
Southern District Agricultural Asso-
citation, which appears this morning.
Nearly one half of the company's
stock is offered for sale, the payment
required on each share being $40, and
subject to further assessments of $50.
1t is the desire of the Directors to scat
ter the stock among different parties
as far as possible, thus securing a
greater popularity and general favor
throughout the county. All stock re-
naming unsold on the 7th of Novem-
ber will be divided among the present
holders. This stock is very desirable,
the quantity of land which each share
covers being worth nearly its par
value
Year: 1874

Miss Fannie Marston, assisted by
four competent artists, will give three
entertainments next week at Turner
Hall, the first to take place on Tues
day evening, October 9th. Miss Mars
ton will, among other ballads, sing
"Comin' thro' the Rye" and " The
Last Rose of Summer" The pro-
gramme will consist of fourteen selec-
tions of popular music. Miss Mars
toms singing is perfectly natural and
seems as unstudied and spontaneous
as the warbling of bird upon limb.
Of course there is wonderful art in it,
but all the art is conceded One would
say that she sang merely for the love
of song, simply to express the emo
tions of her soul. No further training
can ever add in this respect to the un-
rivalled beauty of her style of execu-
tion. She seems to sing wholly with
out effort and to range from the high
est to the lowest notes as if she were
sporting with them for mere pastime.
In this delightful ease and very law
ishness of power, we doubt whether
the world has seen her equal. # II
We have never heard voice in which
power and sweetness were Sc wonder
fully combined. In compass and pur-
ity of tone it excells any to which
we have ever listened, and we have
heard many Of the most eminent
singers that ever visited this country.
Whether in the highest or lowest notes
it retains the same unbroken smooth
ness-clear, distinct and sweet as the
tones of silver bell. Another most
rare peculiar ity of Miss Marston's
singing is her perfect articulation.
The ear catches every word that rolls
along in the pure stream of glorious
melody that flows from her lips, dis
tinctly as the eye beholds the shining
pebbles in the pure running brook.
Every lover of music should hear her,
if it were only to appreciate the won
derful gift of a perfect voice - one OF
the rarest ever given to man or wom-
an. She is complete mistress of the
hidden world of song, and tears ol
SMILES come at her bidding. There is
something magnetic in her presence
as we'll as her style of singing thai
brings every heart in sympathy with
her theme, whatever it may be.
Year: 1874

Andthis is the end of 1t all! 1t rounds the


years completeness:
only a walk to the stile, through fields afoam
ONLY the sunset-iight, purple and red on the


river.
And a lingering, low goodnight, that means


good-by forever!
So be iti-and God be with you! II had, per-
haps, been more kind
Had you sooner pardon the word been sure
of knowing your mind.
We can bear so much in youth-who cares for
"a swift, sharp pain


though 1t leaves no stain!
shall Just go back to my work--to my little
household cares,
That never make any show. BY time, per-
NAV think of you! For the rest, on this
way we've trodden together
Ny foot shall fall as lightly as If my heart
were a feather
And not a woman's heart strong TO have and
Patient when children cry, soft to lull them
Hiding its secret close, glad when another's
Finds for itself gem where hers found only
sand.
Good-by! The year has been bright. AS oft
as the blossoms come
The peach with its waXen pink, the waving
snow of the plum
| shall think how l used 10 watch, so happy
to see you pass
| could almost kiss the print of your foot on
the dewy grass.
| am not ashamed of my love! Yet would
not have yours now,
Though you laid it down at my feet. | could
not stoop SO low.
A love is but half a love that contents itself
with less
Than loves utmost faith and truth and un-
wavering tenderness.
Only this walk to the stile-this parting word
by the river,
That flows so quiet and cod-ebbing and
flowing forever.
Good-byp' Let me wait to hear the last, last
sound of his feet!
All, me! but think in this life of ours the
bitter outweighs the sweet!


The Argosy.