smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

by R. KELso CARTER


Full often I'm our lives has come day
When, pausing where two paths divergent lay,
We pondered, deep and long, which one 10
Fearful that, either followed, we might lose
The rare enjoyment of a happy hour,
or grateful incense OF a fragrant flower,
Or glimpse OF some fair land Where sni"eS 'iie
on giant groves, and where the rivers run
Through furrowed fields and through the shad-
or cypress trees that weep upon the banks.
We fear to lose SO much but, knowing not
The changeful chances OF our future lot'
We set out boldly ON the chosen track -,
And then-so often, comes the looking Daek
The baffied strife our cherished goal 10 VIII
The mournful, hopeless cry-'It might nave


BEEN"


Sometimes the soul, when with great sorrowing
Recalls a time, long fed, when lightly hung
The course offuture years In Fate's great scale ;
And see how, all unwittingly, an influence
As morning dews that on the grasses CLEAN
Destroyed the even balance Of the beam
Unknown TO us the deep decision made
And turned our path from sunshine into shade
A passing thought; a look a trifiing deed;
word unspoken In an hour OF need,
Or spoken when Z were better left unsaid;
Some written line that we by chance have
All these can shin the scene with subtle hand,
And round our future draw an iron band.
We think that such little thing
Can ever such tremendous sequence bring,
Until too late; and then, we backward turn
The page that we have filled, and dimly burn
The light OF other days, in vain regrets
For opportunities gone by. The spirit frets
Against its destiny, and deep within
Our hearts we mourn for what We might have


been.


All I soul look upward, trusting; kiss the rod;
And know'there is no "might have been" with


God.


From Him, whenever lowly we draw near,
We learn of Love that casteth out all fear;
We find Faith that, in oblivion's sea,
Whelms every dread and doubt eternally;
Hope unfaltering to us is given;
A tender Charity, as broad as heaven;
A perfect Peace "A calm, untroubled Rest;
Through these, all things seem ever right and


best.


We rise triumphant over death and sin,
All pain and sorrow I'm our Joy forgot,
And, looking backward on our "might have


been,"


Thank God that IL was not.
Year: 1876

In my Judgment an amendmenL OF Ihe
Constitution ought to be raised separat-
ing into distinct bills appropriations for
various departments of public service,
and excluding from each bill all appro-
priations for other objects and all indie
pendent legislation. In that way alone
can every power OF each OF the two
Houses Of the Executive be preserved
and exempted from moral duress, which
often compels assent to Objectionable ap-
propriations rather than stop the wheels
of Government
Year: 1876

and all public speakers who have been greatly
embarrassed by their Teeth dropping at the
most inopportune times, can now get a set Of
Teeth which will remain firmly in place under
all circumstances.
Year: 1876

and silver are the real standards Of


value. and our National currency viii


not be perfect medium Of exchange
sure Of the holder. AZ have heretofore
said, no one desires = return TO specie
payments more earnestly than ] do. bat
reached in harmony with the interests Of
the people BY artificial measures for the
contraction Of the currency. any more
than believe that wealth or permanent
can be created BY an imitation
Of currency. Tho laws Of hnanco can
Year: 1876

DUTIES oF AOTHER.-She should
be firm. gentle. kind, always ready TO
attend to her child She should never
laugh at him-at what he does that is
cunning-never allow him to think Of
his looks. except TO be neat and clean
in all his habits. She should teach him
TO obey look--to respect those older
than himself she should never make
command without seeing that it is per-
formed in the right manner. Never
speak Of the child's faults or foIbles, or
repeat his remarks before him. II is a
sure way to spoil child Never re-
prove a child when excited, nor let your
tone of voice be raised when correcting.
Strive 10 inspire love not dread-res-
pect. not fear. Remember you are train
ing and educating a soul for eternity.
Teach your children to wait upon them
selves. to put away thing when done
with. But do not forget that you were
once a child.-Caiiform Farmer.
Year: 1876

This sweet and simple petition is
printed as having been offered up by a
member of the Crow tribe of Indians. 1t
is emineutly suggestive of what civiliza.
ton has done for the red man:


am poor /; that is bad (murmurs the
Crow Indian to his God.) Make me a
chief; give me plenty of horses give
me fne clothing. | ask for good spotted
horses.


Give me large tent give me a great
many horses let ne steal five horses ;
grant it to me.


Give mo guns by cheating give me a
beautiful woman bring the buffalo close
by.


No deep snow little snow is good.


Give me Black. Feet to kill or to die
close by, all together.


Stop the people from dying; it il
good.


Give instruments for amusement
blankets tee and plenty to eat
Give the people altogether plenty o
fine buffalo and plenty to eat
Year: 1876

A New AAusEMENr.-T The latest
amusement is termed the printers De.
light" and is performed in the following
manner Take a sheet of note paper. fold
It up carefully, and enclose bank note
sufficiently large to pay up all arrears
and a year iu advance. And what adds
immensely to the feat is to send along
the name cf new subscriber. with the
cash to balance. Keep your eye on the
printer and if you detect a smile the
trick is a success. Try it,
Year: 1876

At Syracuse is brewery in full view
from the Central railroad and said to be
the largest in the state. We are told
that the wife Of the proprietor is con-
6rmed inebriate. and that to keep her
from intoxicating liquors. she is kept in
close confinement. Sad wages Of bad
business.
Year: 1876

Speaking of this cad affair, the Opelousas
Journal eays


This murder is mystery. We never
heard before that Colonel Offut had sin
gle enemy. He was esteemed by all.
he had kindly disposition, and was not
given to harsh language that stirred up
anger and hatred in others. He was the
last man we ever expected to hear of
being murdered or assassinated. He had
all those habits and qualities that
should have insured him against violent
death. Nothing but devilish disposition
could have prompted his assassin. This
man had not been very long in that
there against him; but since this murder, it
is said he was considered very bad char
acter in the parish Of St. Martin, where he
formerly resided and that two indictments
are pending there against him.


But one theory has been advanced, that
we have heard of, as a solution OF this un-
accountable murder. 1t seems that few
Colonel Offutt loaned him $5 to pay for
license, etc. He failed to return the money,
and Colonel Offutt finally offered to release
him from payment if he would cut Ger
tain lot of wood in his yard for the cook.
ing stove, which labor was not worth the
s.. He promised again and again to
cut the wood, but never complied with his
promise. Finally the stove wood was all
exhausted, and the morning of the murder,
lust before he left for Washington, the cook
informed the colonel that there was no
wood cut to cook dinner; and he was con-
siderably exasperated at the manner in
which he had been treated by the delin-
ouent. 1t is thought by some that the
colonel may have met him on his way to
Washin gton, and given him q scolding; and
that he was murdered in consequence.


It is needless to say that great and pro-
longed efforts have been made by the
officers of the law and citizens generally, to
arrest this assassin, but so far their efforts
have not been successful.


Colonel Offutt, since the war, repre-
sented this district with Senator Anderson,
in the State Senate, in 1868 to 1917. His
death was q great loss to his family, and
the community. He was not only
good man in the private relations OF
life, but he was strictly law-aDid!ng cltl-
zen. In view Of the violence that has pre-
vailed since the war, such cltlzen is
treasure in any community. If he had been
a man of violence himself, or had been an
inciter of others to violence, the commu-
nity might somewhat less deplore his loss;
but it is exceedingly sad that such good
citizen, after such well-spent life; should
have been cut off from life and family and
friends in such a horrible and cruel manner
Year: 1876

If Satan can succeed in fixing his first
wrong impression upon the mind, he is
able in all his subtility and falsehood to
keep up a semblance of reasoning on
Scripture foundation TO carry out his
train of deceit. In this way he does not
Use vicious means, but Transforming
himself into an angel of light, insists
that his course of compromise will re-
suit in the greater good. Thus he keeps
his own end, which is ruin, steadily in
view, though covered with apparent
right. In this way lie affiicts Gods peo
pie and despoils them Of success. In
this manner men are entangled to their
hurt.


We should not depend on mere i'm
pressions; we should test all suggestions
and ascertain their source.


We do no wrong to the Holy Spirit,
when under ordinary circumstances, we
test its promptings.


Some times a little common sense and
plain reasoning will unmask the enemy
and show him to be the author of what
we had mistakenly thought was from
God.
Year: 1876

The Republicans of Connecticut have
held their Convention, adopted a plat
form, put full ticket in the field, and
have fairly entered upon their State
campaign. The Convention was in the
highest degree enthusiastic and earnest,
and its work was done with wisdom and
rapidity. The platform demands reform
and retrenehment, a return to simplicity
and economy, a persistent prosecution of
officers guilty of defraudiDg government
the eencouragemento of public schools, the
execution of the resumption act, and
the payment of the government obliga-
tions in gold. 1t opposes third term.
The Convention presented no candidate
for the Presidency, as it was deemed un-
just to express a preference for either
General Hawley or Governor Jewell as
the choice of the Convention for the
Presidency, bat, after full and frank
discussion, the subject was dropped,
without a vote. Both Jewell and Haw-
ley were highly spoken of, but it was
agreed that a vote for either would be
but an idle compliment, which neither
needed. The platform commits the Re-
publicans of Connecticut to distinct
policy on all great public questions, and
they march forward for victory without
any of those shuffling evasions or pussil-
luminous subterfuges upon which stand
the Democrats of that State.


There has been for some time past a
bitter feud between the Republicans of
New Haven and Hartford, but this was
quickly extripated in the convention by
the nomination for Governor, by New
Haven man, of the Hon. Henry C. Rob-
inson, of Hartford. The nomination by
the unanimous vote of the convention
proved that the long feud was ended,
and that the Republican party of that
State Is united. Mr.. Robinson is a lead
ing Republican, an able lawyer, and a
powerful speaker. Frederick ]. Kings
bury, of Waterbury, the candidate for
Lieutenant Governor. is gentleman of
wealth and remarkable scholarly attain
ments, and very popular throughout the
State. The other candidates are men
well known IN Connecticut for their
ability and unimpeachable integrity
C1eveland Leader.
Year: 1876

OF all the questions raised by teachers
relative 10 the right mode of teaching
the common branches, those which con-
Germ spelling seem to us the least per-
picking The whole matter is so simple,
and stands out so plainly ON the very
face of things, that to venture a word of
explanation looks like carrying Goals to
Newcastle. Spelling. as an art, is purely
practical; there is certainly about Eng
lish spelling precious little of systematic
theory. As a practical art, its canons of
acquisition are simple and inevitable.
First, it must be learned for SCtdt it is
used. Secondly, it must be learned for
that as IL is used. And so ends the cate
chism. Now, just apply the first. You
want spelling wholly for written Eng
lish. Any other Use is secondary or ac-
cidental. Hence, the dominant method
of teaching the art must be through die
tated, written exercises. The appeal
for the right letter is altogether to the
eye and tl,e hand, and the practice
which ''makes perfect" must be the
practice which habituates the eye and
the hand to an infallibIe right use. Be
yond such written exercises, careful
reading and frequent composition are
the prime aids. Carried far enough,
they alone will prove sufficient Oral
exercises are now, as a matter of course,
arbitrary, abnormal, and inapt. They
may have place merely as a temporary
substitute, or make-shift, or as EN-
ployed for purposes quite aside from the
mere orthography.


Secondly, you want to learn to spell
the word as it must be spelled That,
except in the accidental occurrence of
division at the end of the line, requires
it to be an anGrOken word. Hence, a
marked separation of the syllables, and
more, that unqualified abomination-
the insertion of a hyphen between the
several syllables. we know a spelling
book made monstrous by this cOnceit,
are wholly false art. The assumed aid
given in the dividing of a word at the
end of line, is more than counterbal-
anced by the confusing of the eye and
hand in writing, through the cultivated
false perception. Besides, the specific
object sought belongs to the art of com.
position, not spelling. As for that oral
monstrosity, the cumulative repetition
of the discovered syllables, our second
canon takes from it its very rdison d'etre,
and suggests museum of morbid anat-
omy, as the proper resting-place for the
brain of its deviser, and its perpetrators
as well.
Year: 1876

Do THE RIGHT THING.-Whenever
you are in doubt which of two things to
do, let your decision be for that which
is right. Do not waver, do not parley !;
but square UP to the mark and do the
right thing Boy! when you divide that
apple with your little sister, be careful
not to keep the largest half yourself.
Young mani don't sneak out the base
ment door because you want to escape
your fathers eye. Madam. let not the
most trit!ing deceit pass current in those
little acts which make the sum of your
life. No matter who you are, what your
lot, or where you live, you cannot afford
to DO that which is wrong. The only
way to obtain happiness and pleasure
yourself is TO do the right thing. You
may not always hit the mark, but you
should nevertheless ann at It, and with
every trial your skill will increase.
Whether you are to be praised or blamed
for it by others; whether it will seem-
ingly make you richer or poorer, or
whether no other person than yourself
knows of your action, still, always, and
i'm all cases, do the right thing. Your
first lesson in this will grow easier, until
finally doing the right thing will become
a habit, and to dc wrong thing will
seem ar absolute impossibility.
Year: 1876

SECRETARY BRIsrow's rightful mill.
tary title is Colonel, and in mentioning
this fact the Louisville Commercial tells
this story: On the occasion of small
and informal dinner party in Washing
ton, year or so ago, several gentlemen
constantly used the title General In
addressing the Secretary, whereupon he
said, half in earnest, snow, gentlemen,
if you must have a military handle for
my name use the right one. / earned
the Colonel, / trust, in defending my
country; but never was q General, and
can't see why my friends who know
better persist in calling me General
One of the gentlemen present defended
the practice of applying the title '.gen-
eral'' to the Secretary by remarking that
he had been known to the country
as solicitor general. and triumphantIy
asked the Colonel what he had to say 10
thatl WELL" replied Bristow, with
the peculiar expression of good humor
which is quite at home on his face, '.if
that argument holds, then we must be
careful to accost as general every gen.
eral freight agent or general manager of
circus in the country" This remark
seemed to satisfy the company, and we
know of one of the number who has
adhered 70 the proper title since that
time
Year: 1876

Mr. Randolph Tucker, of Virginia, in
his speech on the Centennial bill made
the statement that in 1860 the annual
taxes paid by the people in this country
amounted to S154, 900, 900, and in 1870
to $3.50, 900, 900, but forgot to mention
thst the chief part OF the increase was
caused by the operations headed by one
Robert E. Lee, who lived in "a little
town" of the district represented by him,
and upon whose grave mo implication
can be cast that / will not rise and re-
pei it," Had Mr.. Tucker and Mr.. Lee
been as economical and constitutionally
inclined in 1861 as Mr.. Tucker is now,
NJ. Lee would probably have lived to
dispense generous hospitality at Airing
ton to this day, and the lamentations of
his representative over the great burden
of taxation would not have become
necessary.


This burden of taxation is a great
misfortune, we know, but not much
greater than the ridiculous condition of
things which makes any allusion to the
cause of it breach of politeness, as the
leaders in the present House seem to
think it. They will never tire of be-
moaning the calamity; but all who hint
that the authors of the calamity are
known are at once reminded how iIn-
proper it is to call in question the con-
duct of such eminent and patriotic gen.
tlemen, and are told that it would be ex-
tremely becoming to pay the bills and
ask no questions about the way they
were incurred. The delightful youth
vino set fire to his fathers granary, burn
ed up his entire crop of wheat, and then
found fault with his mother for not pro-
viding enough to eat, and twitted the old
gentleman for grumbling at tineendiariss,
was a fair sample of reconstructed states
manship as it manifests itself under the
regime of Democracy. The bearing and
manner OF these pleasant gentlemen,
Messrs. Hill and Tucker, in defense of
the cause which they love is as graceful
as can be imagined, under the ei-eum-
stances. We have not word of fault
to find with it; and then it is well sup
plemented by the conduct of General
Banks, who pours oil upon the waters,
and is as careful not to intiict an injury
upon ''our side" as he was when he
sported the stars of a ma for general, and
sacrificed Immortality to safety in the
Valley of the Shenandoah.-7h Re
p1slIie.
Year: 1876

A young man of excellant reputation
in the city of New York, clerk in re
sponsible position. recently was promo
ted and asked by his employers to pro-
vide a substitute for the place vacated.
1t was requisite that the person should
be a man of strictly total abstinence
HABITS.


He knew of such a young man in
Cleveland, and asked permission to 90
out and see if he could be obtained
Mr. was sure of his man, but to his
dismay, upon arriving at Cleveland, lac
found his young friend had gone down
in dissipation, a wreck, the victim of
strong drink


He then thought OF another friend in
Chicago, and went on for him. What
was his distress to find that this second
friend of his earlier days, also had be
come within three years a victim to
strong drink, and was altogether dis
qualified for the place, though greatly
in need of assistance. Pondering
while over these strange revelations, our
friend in search of an occupant for lu-
crative position, recollected that little
farther west there lived comrade of
former days, whom he was sure would
respond to his application. So taking
the train he proceeded to the city aud
found the young man. Imagine his
horror on discovering in this friend an
other victim to intemperance.


He had travelled more than n thou
sand miles in search of a man for fine
clerkship without success. But even
this was not to be the end of wonder TO
him. While he tarried in this western
city, friend took him to see an elegant
opera house, just built by body of
professed Christians of the place. Com
ing out, our friend caught sight of
modest looking door, and inquired where
that led. After some hesitation the door
was opened and he entered a magnifi-
Gently appointed bar room! With a sad
heart our friend turned his steps towards
home, and on arriving i'm New York he
at once consecrated himself to the work
of temperance reform, and is now an
earnest advocate, not of consistent and
intelligent temperance, but total absti
nence and legal prohibition.
Year: 1876

AN unconscious Milwaukee reporter
thus describes the hero Of seduction
case: "At one tiIae be was at the head
Of one of the most celebrated brass
bands in this State, but the institution
which his genius had built np was de-
stroyed and scattered on account of his
vices and reputation He at
one time enjoyed a fine commercial stand
ing, but his credit and business were dis
sipa:ed, like his brass band, with his rep
utation."
Year: 1876


Self needing 50 much, we may not deny
Our neiehlo who asks it to-day;
His motives are pure as our own if we try
To see them in that sort of way.
Though there be no great evil. perhaps if


We should


Think our own way the wisest and lest,
There is nothing of justice-nO, nothing of


good


In condemning as false all the r,st
These motives are things that are hard TO


find out,


Though it is now so easy 10 blame;
And wherefOres, of which we nothing about,
We Judge as if all We're the same.
But the why's and the wherefores We hold


quite too cheap:
In the current of Life they deep flow;
And acts that come bubbling up from that


deep


Are all of them oft that we know
And, while friendship fails often to find out


by them


The true secret cause of their birth,
The bitterest hatred should never condemn
That cause as without any worth.
There are many good traits in a foe, as a


friend,


Would we read upon both sides the tale;
And the better way is over both to extend
With equality, Charity's veil.
Cleveland, o., March 3, 1876.
Year: 1876

THE University of Wisconsin has petit
toned the Legislature to levy for its
benefit a tax of oEe-tenth of mill on
tue dollar for the taxable property in
that State, instead of the appropriation
that is made annually.
Year: 1876

There is one thing that hurts parties
worse than the detection and exposure
Of their rogues. That is, any appear
ance of desire to screen them or to
palliate their offsnses.-Sprinqfeld Re
publican.
Year: 1876

NEARNEss of life towards the Lamb
will necessarily involve greatness of love
towards him. AS nearness to the sun
increases the temperature of the various
planets. SO close communion with Jesus
raiseth the heat of the affections toward
him,
Year: 1876

THE Divine eye looks upon high and
low differently from that of man. He
looks upon those as highest who nearest
approach its Divinity. and npon those
as lowest who are farthest from it.
Year: 1876

A Demand for Work in New York.
By Associated Press.


NEW YORK, July 3l.-A mass meeting of
unemployed workingmen was held in Tomp-
kins Square to-day. The situation was
stated, that.the stoppage of work upon the
public improvements just at this time fall
heavily upon the workingmen, and that it
was the result of secret political causes. A
procession then formed in line to wait upon
the Mayor. When the procession reached
the City Hall the committee had an inter-
view with the Acting Mayor, Lewis, to
whom their grievances, and he said he
would lay the whole matter before Mayor
Wickham on his return. The body then
waited on the Commissioner of Public
Works aod Comptroller Green, and the as
semblage then dispersed.
Year: 1876

An old preacher, who had several
calls to make parish, asked his servant
where he should go, and the servant girl
said go where there is the most sin,
sir" And the preacher concluded that
was good advice, and went where there
was most money.
Year: 1876

WE HAVE had two bright summer
days this week, Thanksgiving day was
balmy ms May. There was terrible COM
motion among the hen roosts the even.
ing before. Many noble rooster lost
his head The death shrek of many an
ancient biddy rent the evening air on
being torn from the bosom of her family
and ruthessly consigned to the murder
ous block. The light Of the bright
evening moon was clouded by thick fly
ing feathers But the carnage ceased
before Thanksgiving morn. All was
quiet then. Impatient stomachs were all
that indicated the previous nights
slaughter.