smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

afternoon at the houses Of the members,
are called "ladies clubs, gentlemen
are not excluded. A ticket to the Scuf-
fers or to the Jolly Dogs those are
the names Of two of the most fashiona-
ble-is reckoned great favor, and
can only be obtained by those
who are in very high favor with the
presiding authorities, among whom more
than one duchess occupies a prominent
position. The amusements consist Of
conversation and smoking-the ladies
doing their part maniully with their
cigarettes. To give you some idea Of
the freedom of manners WHICH these re-
unions are intended to promote, may
state that the "Scuffiers are so called
because at their gatherings chairs and
tables are banished from the room, and
the members sit or lounge on the floor or
on low divans. Without saying for a
moment that there is anything wrong in
these things | cannot conceal from my
self that they tend to encourage loud
ness of manner, to use an expressive
slang phrase-which is now becoming
very conspicuous among our upper teni


An example of this was afforded very
conspicuously the other night at one OF
the West End theatres, where the curtain
was actually dropped because a very
aristocratic party in private box near
the stage could not be induced to mod
crate the conversation they were carry
ing on. The curtain was not drawn up
again until the said party had left.
Year: 1866

Physically less muscular, and, gener-
ally speaking less powerfully built than
men, we are accustomed to speak OF wo-
men as belonging to the weaker sex. 1t
is very easy so to speak of them, though
not quite so easy to see how, except in
the physical view of the question, they
generally deserve the distinction. Pass
in review before you batch ofyour mar
ried friends, and ask yourself candidy :
Are the wives in the majority of the cases
to be looked upon as weaker characters
than their husbands2 If you want a
weak thing done, an Improbable but
pleasant thing, to which would you
90 for assistance in the carrying out
your scheme-to the husband or the wife?
Which of the two would be the most ca
pable of saying MOP" a monosyllable
often requiring for its utterance, at the
proper moment, the very greatest amount
of moral force. That expression the
weaker SCI" seems to me, just now, to be
more than ever inappropriate when ap-
piled to the young ladies dancing in our
ball rooms, promenading all our Hover
shows, endangering our lives when we
would cross Rotten row, or bidding us
to stand and deliver in the bazaar room
or tents in which they hold their fancy
fairs. OF whatever else we may accuse
those fair and exemplary creatures, we
must by no means charge them with un-
due timidty or irrational shyness and
reserve - Chesterfield Junior, in all the
Year Round
Year: 1866

AT medical examination young as
pirant for a doctor diploma was asked /:
"When does modification ensuey Think
OF the amazemeut his questioner must
have felt when he gave the following an
swer. When you propose TO lovely
GIRL and are refused.
Year: 1866

RAILROAD CoSyESTIoS.-The enterprising
people OF Red Bluff are agi,atiDg the question
OF railroad from their important little town.
across the mountains to Idaho and Montana
A meeting was held there on the 26th ult,
which the Independent is sorry to say was Dot
numereusly attended. The meeting was Or
ganized however, and adjourned subject TO the
future call of the President. The idea of a
railroad winding its way through and over the
mountains that environ the little town at the
head of navigation Oh the Sacramento is q
grand one, and the people of Red Bluff will
approach the almost insurmountable barriers
with indomitabe will. Bot it is a huge task.
The route must first be found TO be the short
est and most prac,ible for the purposes. before
capital can be found to undertake its con
struction. The fact that Red Bluff is at the
head Of navigation, is no inducement for capi-
tai to overturn mountains to reach it with a
railroad neither does capital consult the in-
terest of towns and localities in lsying out
such routes. Places of sufficient wealth to
build railroads for their own accommodation,
can OF course do SO il they choose. II is
not probable, however, that any of the towns 10
the Sacramento Valley will be able to secure
the Capital necessary TO construct q railroad
through the mountains 10 Idaho and Montana
Should the stupendous thought ever be realized
it will result from the railroad system OF the
country, the general necessities OF commerce,
and but little attention will be paid to the
fact that stern wheel craft can make this or that
point at all seasons Of the year.


The first and most feasible of the railroad
projects of the State not now under way, is
the road leading into Oregon from Oroville
That is of more practical importance than any
other project of the kind That will accom-
modate Red Bluff and the entire State and
Oregon. Then, if a road into Idaho and Mon
tana from the Sacramento Valley, shall be
built, the point Of its junction with the
California and Oregon road will be settled BY
population and business interests. The true
policy of Red Bluff now is to secure to itself
railroad connection with Oroville, and not to
attempt to carry the trade Of the East Indies
and China, from San Francisco to Red Bluff
by stern wheel navigation, and from thence to
New York by rail.
Year: 1866

BUTTE AND CoLUsA.-The introduction into
the Legislature of bill for an act to attach
that portion of Colusa County lying east OF the
Sacramento river to Butte county, ls an act of
such simple and plain justice, and OF geograph-
ical fitness, that it has excited bat little COM
nent. and in its passage through the Senate
with the opposition OF but six members. Our
neighbor over the river, of the Sun, however,
in noticing it, falls into some errors which it


might be beneficial TO correct: In the first
place then Butte county has not now popu


lation Sufficient to entiile her 10 two Senators:
or, if We have the Necessary population, We
have not that representation. The two Sen
ators represent Butte and PIamas counties


We do not think it would increase the travel
Of residents Of that section much, if they are
good citizens, and we think they are, or We
would resolve ourselves into Congressional
body and keep them out until they were. Be-
sides We intend 10 build them good road aud
bridge Feather river, so that they can find a
market for their products. The Senate is not
corrupt body. Mccarthy couldn't prove il;
The investigating committee could uot find it.
There was DO cash used to pass it in the Sen
ate, Ne guess. II commended itself to the "a
vorable consideration OF that body as a simple
act of justice and right. 1t was unnecessary
IN al hur civ af in
der to pass it. Such lavish expenditure of
money is unheard Of. If, as you say, General
Bidwell has set his heart on the division of
Butte county. and that this was but step to
wards it, the General is indeed an extraordina-
~ man. We supposed his heart was really in
the Eighth Division of the Fifth Brigade
The Sun call the proposition infamous"
and we are not quite sure but that Cousa is
better judge OF the degree of turpitude TO be
attached to such an act than Butte. The
strip IN question originally belonged 10 Butte,
and the act Of Colusa in obtaining it may have
been Infamous" and hence its estimate of the
attempt of Butte county to recover its own.
Money may have been used by Colusa to pro.
cure the strip from Butte, and hence the
charge that money is now used by Butte in
recovering it. We do not know We are
only shocked at the depravity of the age, if so.
But Butte must have her own again eventu
ally. Moreover, it is said that the wickeduess
of Cousa has caused the rains to cease falling
in that county, and we should suppose that the
farmers on the section in question, would pre-
fer coming into Butte, where "the rains fall
alike upon the just and the unjust"-f they
happen to be out in a Storm
Year: 1866

DURING the war against rebellion, which re-
snlted in the preservation of our glorious Union
a Yorktown correspondent of New York
paper related the following. If peace hath
her victories no less renowned than war;" stern
visaged war occasionally gives birth to joke,
quite as good as those that emanate from the
high privates on the stump in mimic cam
paign:


"A good joke occurred about Congress.
men this afternoon. A Michigan Colonel was
in command of the guard. Citizens we're pro-
hibited admttance. Several came up and
asked the corporal TO pass them, saying that
they were Congressmen. The corporal stated
the case to the Colonel. They are Congress
men, are they ?" asked the Colonel. so they
say "Weel, let them pass and 60 where
they please said the Colonel. Let them
tramp on torpedoes, so into the magazines and
where there is any prospect of their beng
blown to devil, for that is the quickest way to
eud the war;
Year: 1866

SECESSION seems to be "a hard Road to
travel" Referring to the difficulties that have
beset the path of the Southern States, since
they attempted to secede. The Charlottesville
(Virginia,) Chroniele, good na,uredIy says:


1T seems to us as hard to get IN the Union
as it is to get out The South respectfully
asks to go one way or the other. We are like
the fellow who was forced to go the show, and
then not allowed to 90 any farther than where
be paid for his ticket. We have been dragged
into the doorway to the Federal tent. and are
not allowed to see any of the performance ex-
cept to settle with the tax collectors. We
can hear the animals growing inside, and the
cracking of the ringmaster's whip, but we can't
see the show unless we pay for two and take in
colored lady. And the worst of it is. they
keep great eagle perched over the entrance,
which, if you attempt to go back, swoops down
upon you and picks hole in your head. We
justly think this is unreasonable they ought
to either let Us pass in, or refund our money and
tie up the eagle"
Year: 1866

An English exchange informs us that man
once Lord Mayor of London is DOW pauper
it that city. Many of our Mayors have been
little above paupers when elected to the Office.
but We never heard Of any that were poor
afterward.
Year: 1866

WHICH-THE KNIFE OR FoRK ?-Ex-
tract from an unpublished work on Nam
ners, by Professor OSgool:


Very often in both French and English
literature of the higher sort, you meet
with a vast deal OF affected horror Mt the
idea Of eating with the knife instead of tho
fork. \ Frcnchman landed on a first Wis
it to the United States, was so shocked at
seeing Western man conveying his food
to his mouth with his knife. at the Astor
House dinner table in New York, that he
rushed from the house and rc-cmbarkcd
for dear France" without delay We
say much Of this horror must be affected,
for the reason that We have known huns
dreds as worthy and wel-bred gentleman
as are to be found in London or Paris, who
have been using their knives in that ''lIor-
id" way all their lives, without inficting a
single scratch. Besides, is there not quito
as much danger in using the fork aS the
knife! Is there not as much danger Of
sticking the Cork in the tongue, on the
gums, or the lips, as of cutting the same
with the knife


The Miss Nancyl>h horror oil using the
knife at the table is about on par with
the marvellous squcami>hness of that fine old
Virginia gentleman who forced his daugh-
ter to discard her plighted lover, after Civ
ing his own consent, too, because ut freak
fast one morning. the poor fellow inad>
vcrtently cut his muffin open with a knife
instead of tearing it in two with his fingers,
as prescribed in the aristocratic old gem
tleman's "code of good behavior"


Unquestionably the fork is as dangerous
as the knife, in the hands of careless
feeder, particularly if the fork be steel
pronged fork. instead Of silver, which is
too often the case in our hardy Western
world
Year: 1866

Nobly has the political campaign of 1866
ropened, The first trial of strength between


the friends and enemies of the President


policy has resulted in an overwhelming vic


tory for the former. kentucky has started


the Democratic ball with great spirit and


momentum 1t must be taken up and


rolled over the north and northwest. Last
year the State was nearly equally divided


III the political contest between the Democ>
racy and Radicals. This year the Dcmoc-
racy have majority that runs high up in
to the tens of thousands. We have every
reason to believe that this gratifying change
in political sentiment in our sister State is
but its share of the political revolution
that is to sweep over the whole country
1t is, therefore, an indication of coming
events that is we'll calculated to inspire
general qualification and JOY. This bril-
liant result in Kentucky throws a reful-
gent light upon the dark political gloom in
which We have been for long years cnvel-
oped. 1t brightly breaks the Democratic
morn The days of bayonets, of martial
law, of military tyranny. are rassng away,
and with them fade the hopes and pros
poets of that party which can only thrive
upon violence and arbitrary force. With
free elections the Democracy will again re-
turn to power everywhere, and once more
assert its we'll known and time honored as
scendcncy. This is a very different cons
menccmcnt Of the fall elections from that
to which the Radicals have been for some
years accustomed. They can discern in it
the handwriting upon the wall


Kentucky leads the van, but i'll her rear
are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and New York, which will,
ere long, open upon them in still heavier
Democratic thunder The fatal delusions
which have prevailed among large classes
Of people are being dispelled by the pro-
grcss of events. There is gathering in the
political horizon whirlwind Of popular in
dignation that will sweep them from the
power they have so unworthllr used, and
from the positions thoy have disgraced.-
The sober second thought is now asserting
itself and once more giving earnest of the
capacity Of the people for self govern
meIt.


The Radicals may invent what excuses
they please for this Waterloo defeat, but
they will not satisfy themselves-mu
less the community. They may say it was
a victory of the gray over the blue-of the
over the Unionists; but OPP
posed to this is the fact that of majority
Of 10000 in Il State that used to give 40,
900 against secession and for the retention
of the State in the l'nion.


W. say hurrah . for old Kentucky. 1t
has been your good fortune to be first among
the States that have thrown off the tram
mels of Jacobinisin, and AGAIN to stand
forth in the plentude of your ancient dig
nifty and renown.-Tin. Fng.
Year: 1866

The Memphis Aralonchc. in an article


upon the report of the Congressional


smelling committee into the late riots in


that city, says:


1--WE have read part of the published


testimony accompanying the report. and


we are of the opinion that there never were


so many falsehoods crammmed in the same
space The testimony Of Gen. Stoneman


is perverted and garbled. This able and
accomplished officer did say TO the commit


tee that there was not as much loyalty in


Memphis at present as there was twelve
months ago; but he said more. He told
the committee that this change was occa-
stoned by the course of the radical Legis-
lature of Tennessee; but this part of his
testimony is carefully and dishonesty
omitted Mr.. John Oldridge, another
witness before the committee, in his letter
published in the ArdlaRche on Saturday
last, exposes another fraud. Washburnc
in his report represents Oldridge as saying
that a certain prominent citizen was drunk;
and Oldridge, over his signature, exposes
the fraud, and brands the brow of Wash>
burnc with falsehood, for he says 'he made
no such statement before the committee,
as has been attributed 10 him in the report
An old hag by the name of Frances Thomp-
son figured extensively in the report as a
witness. Her testimony and loving name
are sweet morsels in radical mouths. Even
the northern people will blush for shame
when they learn that this siattern is a
notorious procuress and strumpct, and a
hideous monstrosity i'll appearance. She
can be seen hobbling along on crutches at
almost every hour of the night, plying her
vocation. < Base and degraded is
the man who would use the evidence of
such creature to accomplish party pur
poses, and the cause that resorts to such
bascness is indeed hard run for material.
Judge Hunter was another important wits
ness, and since Tade has run away we
suggest that the fugglemen of the criminal
Court hunt up Frances Thompson and
pour out his hcart-stricken soul into her
sympathizing bosom. Woulnd't they make
a beautiful tableau p
Year: 1866

The following extract from letter writ
ten by Maj. Gen. Rousseau, in response
to an invitation TO address the democratic
citizens OF Bowling Green, Indiana, on the
3Oth Of August, is replete with patriotic
advice to the citizens and soldiers of the
republic In concluding his letter the
General says:


"There never was a time in our history
so pregnant with evil and danger to the
Republic as at present, and III which the
necessity was SO great that men should be
true and brave in standing by their govern
ncnt.


The armed force Of the rebellion was in
fnitely less dangerous to the liberties of
the people than are the efforts of the radi>
cal c0nspiratOrs, in and out Of Congress,
by insidious legislation and in the name of
the Union and the Constitution, to sap the
foundation of our Government and over
turn it. The firm resolve on the part of
these men to rule or ruin, is doubted by
nobody who is coSnizant Of their action fer
the last eight months, and their motives
prompting it.


As an humble man I am against these
men. because they are against the governs
ment, and without regard to past diIiercn>
ces of opinion, will join and act with those
who patriotically oppose them. If the
American people would save their gov>
crnmcnt and preserve their liberties, they
must oppose and suppress radicaiism north
and south. equally pernicious and equally
dangerous to the people
Year: 1866

From the indianapolis Herald.


It is favorite argument" of radical
speakers that the Democracy are in favor
of paying the rebel debt, paying for the
enIancipated slaves, and paving for South>
ern property destroyed during the war.
These radicals strangely underratc the
intelligence of the people when they seek
TO palm such stuff upon them. The Demo
cracy own property and pay taxes like
other men, They find the taxes heavy
enough, God knows, without seeking to
increase item; and if there were no other
reason, self interest alone would deter them
from assuming the rebel debt or paying
for emancipatcd slaves. If it was possible
to make the New England fanatics, who
were largely instrumental in bringing on
the war, pay for the slaves, then. as meas
ure of retributive justice, the Democracy
might entertain the proposition. But un>
fortunately this is not practicable. and the
Democracy have no desire to be taxed for
that purpose themselves So far from de-
string an increase of taxation, the Democ-
racy would be glad to get rid of some Of
the taxes with which the country is now
saddled, say, for instance, the tax for feed
ing, clothing and educating negroes. The
Democracy would also be glad to have the
wealthy bondholders of New England pay
tax on their wealth, which would have the
effect of materially easing the burden which
now rests on the shoulders of the common
people So far as we know, people in
general are not in haste to assume the our
dcns of useless taxation. Men do not ike
to pay taxes when they can avoid it, and
Democrats are not different, in this res>
pect, from other men. When blather,
skitc gets up and rants about the danger
of an assumption of the rebel debt, in ease
the Democracy get in power, he is either
a fool or else thinks his audience is largely
composed Of fools.
Year: 1866

ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE IF you
want business, advertise. If you arc
halter, make your name SO familiar with
the public, that when man looks at his
old hat, and says to himself, IL must have
a new hat" he will think Of you If YOU
are tailor, make yourself so conspicuous
that man will think of You every time he
brushes his coat When man looks at
his boots this dusty weather, and says to
himself, al must 90 and buy pair of pat-
ent feathers" have our name so familiar
to him, that he will think of your business
just as soon as he does of his boarding
house when he is hungry. 1t is the same
with everything and everybody who ad-
vertises extensively. Their names become
familiar with their goods and merchandise,
and all who want what they sell are drawn
as if by instinct. to their shops and stores.
There is nothing like advertising. fyou
do not believe it, try it and be convinced.
Year: 1866




terest amounted toeight hundred dollars
Nv brother went to his table, and after
examining the forgiven list attentively, a
sudden smile lighted up his countenaneer
and told me the truth at glance-the
old mans name was there


My brother quietly took a chair at his
side, and a conversation ensued between
them.


Your note is outlawed it was dated
twelve years ago, payable ia two years
there is no witness, and no interest has
ever been paid you are not bound to
pay this note-we cannot recover the
amount


Sir said the old man, 7 wish to pay
it. It is the only heavy debt l have, in
the world. should like to pay it, and
be laid the bank notes before the admin
istrator, and requested him to countthem
over.


Il cannot take this money, was the
reply.


The old man became confused Il have
cast simple interest for twelve years and
little over, said he, I will pay you
compound interest, if you say so. That
debt ought to have been paid leng ago,
but your father, sir, was very indulgent /;
he knew I have been very unfortunate
and told me not to worry about it.


Ny brother then set the whole matter
plainly before him, and taking the bills
returned them to the old man. telling
him, that although our father left no
formal will, he had recommended to his
children to destroy certain notes, due
bills, and other evidence Of debt, and re-
lease those who might be legally bound
to pay them. For moment the worthy
old man seemed stupefed. After he had
collected himself, wiped few tears from
his eyes he stated, that from the time
he had heard of our fathers death, he
had rlked and scraped, and pinched and
spared, to get money to pay the debt
About the days ago, said he, Il had
made up the sum within twenty dollars.
Ny wife knew how much the payment
of this debt lay upon my spirits, and ad-
vised me to sell COW, and make up the
difference. and get the heavy burden off
my mind I did so, and now what will
my old woman say? I must get back to
the Cape, and tell her this good news
She'll probably say over the very words
sFe sai7 when she put her hands on my
shoulder when we parted 4 have
never seen the righteous forsaken, nor
HE Saad horrino, for LrosJ TV;fb
hearty shake Of tho hand, and a blessing
nron our fathers memory. he went mp
his wav rejoicing.


After a short silence. seizinghis pencil
and casting a few figures, There ex-
claimed nv brother. your share would
he so much contrive to convey tn me
your share of the pleasure derived from
the operation, and the money is at your
service. u Commercial anecdotes.