smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

The history and natural history of
the compass plant is presented in the
Naturalist in a manner which offers
some hope that the debate whether it
is compass or not may soon be
brought to close. General Alvord
was the first to bring it to scientific
notice, III 1S42. He asserted the radi-
cal leaves of the plant (SSlg1aiune lociaa-
5dtun1) present their edges north and
south and their faces cast and west.
The stem leaves, however, do not fol-
low the same law. A want of care in
making this plain distinction has led
to contradictory statements, by differ
ent individuals, as to the main facts.
The first attempt at explanation of the
phenomenon, which became too we'll
attested to be set aside, was in a search
tor iron in the tissues of the plant,
which proved fruitless. It's resinous
character was appealed to as perhaps
provoking electrical currents but this
could not stand. Professor Gray, with
his usual clear insight, suggested, in
1849, that, granting the fact it was due
to disposition on the part of the plant
to put the leaves in such position
that they might share equally in the
benefits of sunlight this would incline
them to a virtical position and their
edges to north and south direction.
This suggestion, which is a very simple
one, has been followed up more recent
ly and confirmed. Ordinary leaves
have marked difference in the two
faces, in that the lower one has a much
larger number of stOno0ta or breathing
holes. The two faces of the compass
plant are in appearance quite alike, and
1t remained to examine them micro
scopically as to the prevalence of
breathing holes. The result seems as
suspected. The two sides have the
same number, as nearly as can be de-
termlned, while in other allied species,
which are not compass plants, the or
dlnary rule prevails. AS, then, there is
no proper under side to these leaves,
both seek the light equally; and, under
this tendency, the edges will in north
ern latitudes stand north and south, be-
tween the minimum and maqimum of
illumination.
Year: 1871

GEORGE SrINsoN & Cove take
pleasure in giving prominence to
Messrs. Stinson & Co. S advertisement,
which will be found iii our general
reading matter columns, for the reason
that we are sure our readers will be
benefited by the inducements extended
by them to those who are in need of
permanent, profitable work i'll their
OWE localities. We are well acquainted
with the business conducted by Messrs.
Stinson & Co., and advise those of our
re aders who are out of employment, or
who have spare time which they wish
to improve to advantage, to correspond
with them at once
Year: 1871

A CINCINNATI family have repeatedly
found their milk-can empty in the
morning. The other night they put a
few drops of croton oil in it before
setting it out to be filed Next morn
ing the two policemen on the beat were
dreadfully sick, and have been trans
ferred to another station.
Year: 1871

A BOY Of eight years old couple of
weeks since was sent to prison for
month by three magistrates at Tam
worth, England. The poor little mite
had thrown stone at a bird, and
missing the bird, had broken a glass in
a shopkeeper's window.
Year: 1871

We FADE.-Wo extract the follow
ing beautiful and truthful Illustration
from an exchange: "As the trials Of
life thicken, and the dreams of other
days fade, one by one in the deep vista
of disappointed hope, the heart grows
weary Of the struggle, and we begin
to realize our insignificance. Those
who have climbed to the pinnacle Of
fame, or revcl in luxury and wealth
90 to the grave at last with poor men
dcant who begs by tho wayside, and
like him are soon forgotten. Generation
after generation, said tho eloquent
writer, have felt as we feel, and their
follows were as active as ours are now.
They passed away as yapor, while
nature wears the same aspect of beau
ty as when the Creator commanded
her 10 be. And 90 shall II be when
we are gone. The heavens will be as
bright over our graves as they are
now around our path the world win
have the same attractions for otfsprings
yet unborn that she had once for our
selves, and that she has now for our
children.
Year: 1871

There is negro debating society in
Bainbridge, Ga, whose last meeting
was devoted TO the question whether
education or money is most beneficial
to community The advocates OF
education won the prizc-20 in gold
and then followed row, the un-
successful competitors loudly demand
"what do debbi dem chaps dat thought
money was no count wanted wild de
gold %
Year: 1871

We are not constitutional grum.
bier nor are we given to complain.
ing, even if we are "gouged" pretty
steep, but after patiently submitting
to tho extortionate charges of the
Adams Express Company until for.
bearance has ceased to be virtue
our duty to a suffering and much
abused public forces us to enter this
protest against that which has come
to be an intolerable nuisance. II
the Adams Express Company can
not be content with just and reason
able charges, the public ought to
seek some other mode of convey
ahco when shipping their goods
Athens Messenger.


We do not like to grumblo either,
but we are worry much dissatisfied
with the extortionato charges OF the
Express Company. The Messenger
editor has a right to complain CIV.
erybody having the least business
with these legally organized robbers
ought to complain. A law should
be enacted by tho Legislature to
regulate tho charges Of Express
Companies in Ohio. 1t is often
necessary to transport small goods
by Express, but those receiving
them do not like to pay for trans.
portatlonmorc than thcy are worth.
Year: 1871

out of the comparison. Not
only has our expenditures in.
creased at q rate far beyond
that Of any nation named, but
it is oppressive far beyond its
proportion because of the
shameful bungIfng our legisla.
tors make in levying taxes for
it. Great Britain is q free
trade nation, and her states.
statesmen have reason to con.
graduate themselves, as they
do, that the slight increase of
taxation is a real decrease,
since the tax.paying power is
multiplied and the burden
scientifically adjusted, while
here we are taxed professedly
not for revenue, and every dol
lar brought into the treasury
to help defray our vast ex
penditure amount, in the way
of meddle and waste, to ten
dollars out of the pockets of
the people.
Year: 1871

had been working gradually
towards the water, and now the
survivor was, almost at the
edge.


/ 0ncein' the lagoon and lis
enemies would be powerless.
The panthers seemed to be sem
sible ofthis, and by an artful
movement both succeeded in
getting at his throat while his
mouth was full. A few sec
onds Of vigorous tuggihg and
tearing at the tenderer flesh
made the alligator's death
wounds, and he slid hopelessly
into the water.
Year: 1871




We propose to, tell our
young readers a story. Are
you reldy to hear it2' Well,
then sit down on your stools
round about it and we will be-
gin it,.


There was once a cat-an
old cat, and what they call a
Maltese cat. WE'LL. this cat,
on, a certain occasion, had. four
beautiful little kittens---all
Maltese just like their mother.
But the owner of this cat was
a sour, Grabbed old man.. and
when he discovered the four
beautiful Maltese kittens, snug.
ly slowed away in his hay loft,
he took them and threw them
into a pond not far off. What
a cruel old man he was, we
think you will all say; but let
us go on with the story, and re-
late what the old cat did, when
she discovered that her kittens
were all gone. She went to a
nebghboring wood, and brought
home two young squirrels,
which she placed in her warm
bed, and she took the same care
of them that she did of her kit
tens, and they grew up to be
large squirrels, and they fol-
lowed her into the house, and
when they had become full
grown, they used to run off to
the woods, and gather nuts,
and bring them home to their
mother--the old cat-as they
supposed she was; and she
would 60 out into the fields to
catch mice, and bring them
home, and throw them down
before her kittens, as she sup.
posed the squirrels to be; and
they took no more notice of
her mice, than she did of their
nuts. 1t was amusing to see
her try every art she possessed,
to make the squirrels take her
mice, as well as to see the
squirrels try to persuade the
old cat to crack nuts as they
did. Sometimes she seemed
much perplexed with the way
the squirrels treated her; and
at last, after having done ev-
erything in her power to turn
the minds of the two squirrels
into her way of thinking and
acting, without the least sue.
cess, she one morning after a
long effort to induce them to
eat a mouse, gave upin despair,
and rushed out Of the house,
and was never seen afterwards.
Year: 1871

The other day we received
a letter from a furnace man in
this county, The card on the
envelope and letter.head were
printed some place not I'm
jackson county. We rather
think the letter head must
have been printed in Europe,
as we do not think any printer
in America would do such a
job. Yet this gentleman is in
favor Of protection to home in
dustry-when pig iron is con.
cerned.- jackson Standard. !,
Year: 1871

lar brought into the treasury
to help defray our vast ex.
penditure amount, in the way
of meddle and waste, to ten
dollars out of the pockets OF
the people.


Getting Accomplished too
Soon.


At sixteen, a girls education
is often considered finished. AT
the very age when, if a right
system of physical and mental
discipline had been pursued,
she would have been prepared
with a strong mind in a strong
body, to commence serious
study, her education is pro-
nounced finished, and she will,
ingly lays aside her task to
enter society more fully than
was possible during the period
ofschooling. Henceforth, pleas.
ure is the chief object-for the
plans that were formed, per-
haps, on leaving school, for
reading and study, are never
executed, the mind is not pre-
pared to exert its power alone.
The knowledge already acquir-
ed has no connection with her
present life; her social nature
needs companionship; and the
temptations of society are too
strong to be long resisted.


And what has been gained
during these long years of
school, at such q sacrifice of
physical strength !? The logic
has not taught her to reason
well on any subject; the men
tai and moral philosophy will
furnish her no guide to good
ness or happiness 4; the chemis-
try will never aid her in the
preparation of wholesome food,
or taking stains out of her fur
niture the botany will not
render more interesting the
country rambles that she does
not care to take. She will
never use her natural philoso-
ply to make the fire burn, or
ventilate her house. Those
studies will be completely
dropped and soon forgotten
for they were learned too soon;
the mind could not retain them;
they were acquired too super
fcially, too unpractically, to
be of any use in strengthening
the understanding or aiding in
daily life. =


The music may be useful in
society, if there is any natural
taste for it; if it is simply ac-
quired with much drudgery, it
will be at once dropped. The
French will be Of doubtful
service the young lady is too
shy to speak it, if the occasion
should present itself; if natural
taste or circumstances induce
her to persevere in it's study,
it may prove an elegant accom-
plishment-buti in general that,
too, is dropped.


What, then, is made service.
able out. of the long list of
studies ? A little reading and
writing (for il is very rare to
find an elegant writer--still
rarer one who can read well
aloud), some arithmetic, and
the general outlines of history
and geography-this may be
retained for life, and this is
about all I! Little real knowl-
edge, has been gained {; but an
evil habit Of mind has been ac-
quired "a habit of careless,
superficial thought, and inabili.
'ty to apply the mind closely
to any subject; and this habit,
unfortunately, cannot be drop.
ped with the superficial ac-
quirements which produced it.


What q result is this fol
years of time spent and much
money! Surely we may call
it a criminal waste of life.
Year: 1871

SC' ohSO OlCdtu' OoJ was OnSV
WITNESS to a singular battle on
1.-THE banks Of a lonely lagoOnin
the forest.


lie had killed. a Black pan.
ther at this place-more in
self defence than for game, for
he was chasing wild cattle that
day-and leaving the carcass,
to return, possibly, by.and-by
for its skin, hurried forward on
a trail which he expected would
Head to the object of his hunt.


He came back before night
with the trophy of a wild bull
hide, and passed the lagoon
where he had encountered and
killed his dangerous assailant
in the morning. Savage cries
and sounds of Brutal struggle
informed him, before he came
to the place that some deadly
battle was going on among the
beasts of the forest. -.


He soon came in full view Of
the scene, and sanguinary
one it was. Four black pan.
theirs were ferociousIy dispu.
ting the possession of the car,
cass of the dead panther with
two enormous alligators~ The
object of the combatants on
both sides appeared to be the
same, viz, to eat the carcass !;
and for this both" fought with
bloody tenacity, tugging at the
bone of contention by way of
seeing how much had been
gained.


The panthers were superior
in numbers, two to one; but
the alligators had much the
thicker armor, and could fight
with their tails as well as their
heads, so that the battle was
pretty nearly equal. One of
the big reptiles had a panther
on his back, plying his flank
furiously with his hind claws,
and another was holding him
by the foreleg with jaws like a
tiger. When he succeeded in
shaking off his savage assailants
his foreleg was broken, and a
slit was made in his side nearly
through the flesh into his en-
trails.


Meantime the other alligator
was making frantic efforts to
get the third panther into his
mouth. He had nearly sue
ceeded, when a tremendous
swing of the huge tail of his
fellow.saurian Knocked out the
panther and weighed itself firm
ly between his jaws. The teeth
snapped together like a pair of
copper-mill shears, and one of
the tail.thrashing combatants
was minus his weapon.


The fourth panther, that had
been viciously busy with teeth
and claws at the eyes and
throat of the curtailed reptile,
now redoubled his attacks, and
with the aid of two others, in
front and rear, soon disabled
him. The third panther, ow-
ing to his entrance and exit
through his enemy's jaws, was
"hors du combat" with broken
back.


The fight was now between
a single alligator and the three
remaining cat-savages. One of
the three, however, was by
this time badly damaged
Some terrible stroke or bite
had completely scalped him,
and the skin hung down the
side of his neck, tapping as he
fought. Another, apparently,
had a rib or two broken, but
did not seem to mind it. The
odds in the battle were still
not so very great.


+, Only the advantage Of ce.
lenty was vastly on the side of
the panthers, and when the al
ligator, with much difficulty,
succeeded in seizing one of
them, he was SO slow about
crushing his prey, and made so
much awkward mouthing of it,
that ne put himself almost at
the mercy of his antagonists.


Still his powerful tail was
free, and the cat-like creatures,
in springing about to find his
Year: 1871

The Classification Act Wrong In Principle
Rights Of Stockholders to the Management
of Their Property-The spendthriits Of Erie
Wasting Their Earnings-Increasc of the
Funded Debt of the Road.


Mr.. Smith NJ. Weed presents minority report whose
recommendations Messrs Liejohn and Baker concur.
This report recommends the passage OF the bill repeating
the Classification that this act expert
menL 1t passed upon the assumption that 1t would
give greater stability to railroad management the
ascendancy Of better men and do away with ciquss
This assumption has been proved experience be faa
Under the operation Of this the control the Ere
road, the only which avaied itself provisions has
taken out Of the hands Of the real who
sgisa.ed into control without yearly accountability ignore
whether The principle be right wrong the this
particular case that number Of bold reckless and
road The repor. then enters Into an examination Of the
Of the road the issuing Of ponds their
version into stock without warrant and the TO which the
s has a rs Sss1
" sS amount Of tho funded debt ' the close
have adopted the System Of classification is not in point for
they not parallel Nor does the Of similar
Sos S plan M
tenn was in operation in England 1t is not important to de-
eide this question


:p en- ss
than iSI cSns:Iaction, sothe receipt.
the road was run a. q loss q Sasl ,o2i:





Se
avas Of the sale Of have into houses
report proceeds argue If present directors
have d%saIy Issscsi1s ssscs s .!
this and This IN n
question as to whether the road managed SO as to accom-
odate the public has nohing In the opinion OF the minor
lily, to do with the subject.
Year: 1871

philadelphia Following the Lead OF New York


In the Path Of Progress-A Committee of


Inspection.


The citizens of the 'City OF Brotherly Love-
having grown tired at the lack OF interest displayed
by the members Of the volunteer Fire Department
In that CITY, have determined to follow the example
OF New YORK aud other cities by aDollshing the old
department and organizing paid one Ia Its
stead. A committee OF twenty-five gentleman ar
rived in this city on Monday evening nom Phla-
delphia consisting OF q delegation IRON the Board
OF Common Council, tho Fire Commissioners
and the Chief Engineer of the new Paid
Fire Department Tor the purpose of exam
ming into the working OF The Department
aud of ayaiing themselves OF the experience
OF those persons who are at its head Yesterday
they visited and inspected headquarters, III Mercer
street, and under the guidance OF Chiei sullivan
paid visit to the engine houses OF Nos "l3r and
''26,r alter which they went out riding
in Central Park. They propose remaining
here until the end or the week and Will
devote tleir time and attention 10 acquiring
a thorough knowledge OF the manner Of conducting
aud governing the Fire Department in this ciiy.
During their STAY they viii pay particular attention
TO the new system Of fire alarm teiegrapns lateY
established here. Every facility to ACQUIRE !hlollt
will be afforded them by the Fire commissioners
and others connected with the Metropolitan DEPART
ment
Year: 1871

STRUGGLE on TO NIcroEY.-Nev-
ergive up when you are right. \ frown
is only a muscular contraction, and
can't last long. A laugh Of derision is
but the modified barking Of a cur. If
you can be laughed out Of the good, or
the good out ofyou, you are weaker in
intellect than the fool whose logic is a
sneer. Are you a drunkard? Do
you feel in your sober moments that
you are degraded? Good thoughts
these-cherish them. Ponder on your
disgrace though your heart feels cold
and you would sooner die than live
were you not afraid-but here infinite
goodness has drawn the veil but
struggle on, upwards and out of these
despairing thoughts; assert your man.
hood, and then the demon will enter
into the human swine who have taught
you to wallow in the filth of drunken
ness, and you Will be saved. Struggle
on to victory. Are You a thief? Steal
no more; strive courageously to break
down the barriers of prejudice you
yourselfhave constructed. BE honest,
not forpolicy but fJrrighteousness sake,
and neither earth nor hell can prevent
your victory. Have you been huns
bugged or swindled by your partner in
business, and have lost all? Don't de-
spair and forswear all human compan-
ionship. Struggle on--you will at
last meet the right man, and victory
will be yours, Struggle on, all men,
for the right, for life is but one contin>
uous struggle from the first infantle
cry to that last sigh, which is the rush
ing Of the soul to escape from the last
struggle with death. Struggle above
all things-agonize if it must be-to
ascend; let your progress ever be up
hill, until you reach the summit, from
which to endless life, ever serene and
happy, there is but one step.
Year: 1871

the Son Of Man; bright rs the morning,
radiant as light, they came minister
ing to the risen Saviour; they linger
on the spot where His sacred body
had lain; they roll away the stone; and
with fulness fjoy they tell His disci-
pies the joyful news; not in hasty
words ana with quick departure, but
they delight to tarry anl talk with the
women Of these things. Their very
words have triumphant sound: Gle
is not here, lie is risen; come see the
place where the Lord lay"


"The Sabbath was past and with
it passed away for ever the seventh :
day Sabbath. Helceforth the day of
the resurrection of the Lord is the day
Of rest for His people. As He rose
from the dead on the frs. day, so the
first day is the Lords day, evermore
consecrated to His worship till He
come again.


''The Sabbath was past" Soon will
all our earthly SAb5ltAs be past; and,
If we be followers Of the Lord Jesus,
we shall sleep with Him resting from
our earthly labors in the grave which
He has hallowed for His people; there
the weary are at rest; anl this Sabbath
will be followed by joyful waking on
the morning Of the resurrection. "In
the third day He will raise US up, and
we shall live in His sight" That glo-
rious Sabbath shall begin which will
know no end; "there remlineth rest
for the people of God" As Jesus
rose from the dead, so must all His
people. He the frst-fruits, afler-
wards they that are His. Are we
His? 1t is to those who are His that
the promise of Sabatic rest, is given.
They who are sharers now in His
death, will hereafter be in His resur-
rection. Amen.
Year: 1871

BONE FELoN.-Of all painful things
can there be any so excruciatingly
painful as d bone felon? We know of
none that flesh is heir to. As this
malady is quite frequent, aud the SUBJ
ject of much earnest consideration, we
give the last recipe for its cure, which
is given by that high authority, the
London Lancet:


AS soon as the disease is felt put di-
rectly over the spot fly blister about
the size ofyour thumb nail, and let 1t
remain for six hours, at the expiration
of which time, directly under the SUR
face ofthe blister, can be seen the felon,
which can instantly be taken out with
tbe point of a needle or lancet.
Year: 1871

OcCUPATGoN.--What a glorious
thing it is for the human heart? Those
who work hard seldom yield to fancied
or real sorrow. When grief sits down.
folds its hands, and mournfully feeds
upon its own tears weaving the dim
shadows, that little exertion might
sweep away into a funeral pail, the
strong spirit is shorn of its might, and
sorrow becomes our master. When
troubles flow upon you dark and heavy,
toll not with the waves, and wrestlo
not with the torrent; rather seek by
ocupation to divert the dark waters,
that threaten to ovewhelm you, with a
thousand channels which the duties of
life always present. Before you dream
Of it, those waters will fettilize the
present, end give birth to fresh flowers
that will become pure and holy in the
sunshine which penetrates to the path
of duty, in spite of every obstacle.
Grief, after all, is but d selfish feeling,
and most selfish is the man who yields
himself to the indulgence of any pas
sion which brings no joy TO his fellow
men.