smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876




What is the cure for gossip? Sim
ply culture. There is a great deal
of gossip that has no maignity in
it. Good-natured people talk about
their neighbors because, and only
because, they have nothing else to
talk about. The confirmed gossip
is always either malicious or igno-
rant. The one variety needs a
change of heart, and the other a
change of pasture. Gossip is al
ways a personal confession either
Of malice or imbecility, and the
young should not only shun it, but,
by the most thorough culture, re-
lieve themselves from all tempta-
ton to indulge in it. 1t is low,
frivolous, and too often dirty
business. There are country neigh
borhoods where it RACES like a pest.
Churches are split in pieces by it.
Neighbors are made enemies by il
for life. In many persons it de-
generates into a chronic disease
which is practically incurable. Let
the young cure it while they may
Year: 1876

We find the following article IN an exchange,
and publish it for the benefit of certain inquis-
tive people, who from morbid curiosity or
some motive good or bad. attempt to pump
printers in regard to Office secrets: "A prop
erly conducted printing Office is as much Sc
cret as Masonic lodge. The printers are not
under oath Of secrecy. but always feel them
selves as truly in honor bound to keep Office
secrets as though triple oathed Any employe
in printing Office who willingly disregards this
rule in regard to printing Office secrets, would
not only lie scorned by his brethren Of the
craft, but would lose his position at once. We
make this statement because it sometimes hap
pens that communication appears under an
assumed signature which excites comment, and
various parties try to find out who is the author,
Let ali be saved the trouble Of questioning the
employees Of the printing Office. They are TO
know nothing on such points as these. For
such matters they have eyes and ears but no
mouths and il they fail to observe this rule
let them be put down as unworthy members OF
the craft. II is the same in job printing. II
anything is to be printed and kept secret, let
proper notice be given OF the desire for secrecy
and you might as well question the Sphinx as
one OK the printers thus the secret books fol
lodges are printed without fear"
Year: 1876

The sturg.s Journal-Times comes out for
Blame for President in a column and a.half
article. il concludes as follows:


- The scope, power, the success of Mr..
Blaine's present leadership OF the Republican
mIuouty the country now scans for itself and
can make up its opinion. With a remarkable
memory OF all salient facts in the political his
tory OK the country with knowledge of men
OF dffereDt sections OF the mon surpassed by
no living American, with personal magnetism
rarely equalled he gathers men quickly around
HIM and holds them with great tenacity. HIS
administrative qualities are Of the highest or
der With an astonishing capacity for work,
all his powers under thorough discipline, with a
complete mastery of all necessary details, few
men can accomplish so much. A born leader
or mon, buoyant, resolute, indefatigable, he al
ways proves equal to any requirement. II
chosen President, his administration would be
one OF the most able, and successful in the his
tory OF the Government His would prove a
practical, comprehensive, .sagacious statesman
ship. thus showing how utterly mistaken have
been the comments OF special class OF critics
that he is n consummate master Of political
tactics, az able parliamentarian, but no states
msu Fortunate il will be for the country and
the Republican party il he becomes the next
National Executive.
Year: 1876

Some wise-acre wrote political leader for
the Courier OF last week in which some figures
are given as to the result CT the elections OF
1872 AMI 1874. These figures are used for the
purpose OK reaching the astute conclusion that
the local OF county ticket was 30 great drag
as to nearly defeat the state ticket. The writer
closes hrs article as follows:


"The people want and will have change in
their Candidates for the higher offices in the
county, ani IN carrying out their purpose, VIII
oftentimes defeat a well known and trusted
candidate as was done In kalamazoo county,
and will cut down, as In our own county, the
usual ms ority for the ticket In view OF these
facts, va urge 1t upon the attention OF the
promlneut party leaders In this county and the
congressonal district that it will be hardly ad-
visabIs to repeat the error OF 1874 IN our cnoice
FOR candidates"


Now, this is a most specious piece OF petit
fogging The conclusion reached by the writer
is more remarkable for Its lack OF facts to sup
port 1t than for anything else, unless 1t be for
its foul and unjustifable charge that our coun-
ty ticket in 1874 was made up OF men whose
Character, business qualities and integrity were
80 low that It was an incubus that came very
near submerging the state ticket under the
waves OF an ignoble defeat.


The facts are, and the official figures show it
very emphstcally, that the county ticket ran
Tar ahsad OF the state and all the candidates
on it were elected by quite large majorities'
Notwithstanding most determined and per-
sistent opposition. 1t is pretty well known that
men claiming to be republicans engaged in the
work OF vigorous opposition to the candidates
and a.so made strenuous efforts, not only to
reduce the majorlties to the lowest possible
point, but to bring about defeat; and for mo-
tives not very creditable to themselves. Some
OF these had long held Office at the hands Of the
party. and had been superseded by others, and
others for no better reason than that they
themselves had failed to procure nominations
for positons on the very ticket they were then
covertly opposing. They appeared to be en-
gagged in the task Of showing to the party that
their allegiance must be purchased by the be-
stowal OF place or they would go to the enemy


The motive OF the Courier in making the
sweeping innusndo that the present county off,
csrs were unfit candidates in 1874, is not be.
coming or well timed, in view of the fact that
they are now on the last year OF their second
term. and may be regarded as out of the field.
In view OF this latter fact, we may be permitted
to say. that, leaving all personalities out Of the
case, the retiring incumbents have made excel
leat officers, and have discharged their dute:
to.the entire satisfaction of the people whose
suffrases gave them their places.


This onslaught Of the Courier appears to be
but tho natural out-cropping OF the latent ma
hgnity OF the hair-brained infationist who runs
that concern, because these same officials re
fused to bribe him. when he gave them notice
that he should put his paper where it would
do the most good"
Year: 1876

by the church, and Of such is much Of the
religion Of our day. No wonder Belknapism
ID rampant throughout the country, for it has
NO stronger hold anywhere than within the
walls Of our fashionable churches. The ex


travsgAncs Of our churches h making it every
where harder fer any but milhonsires to live
within their honest income. Thousands in this
city arc kept from church because they do not
with their worn or common clothing feel ct
homo in churches filed with sealskin cloaks."
Year: 1876

And one mans money as good as his neighbor's.


The penny turned quickly is the only success
ful one to the merchant, we believe. The same
saved is the most satisfactory one to the buyer.


1t costs you nothing to call and examing our
goods and prices.


You can buy any article, as cheap as you can
any number OF the same.


We have one price, from the simplest to the
greatest, and 1t sells for that only.
Year: 1876

Since the adjournment of the two ma
tionsl conventions we have heard the merits
of the two candidates discussed from vari-
Gus stand-points. 1t is said, for example,
that Tilden Is a man of positive qualities,
while Hayes is deficient in them. Let us
examine little into the past record of Til
den, and then it may be less difficult to de-
eide which would be best. fitted to guide
the great ship of State, if it unfortunately
should be found in deep and dangerous
waters. With Tilden we will 60 back no
further than 1854, where we find him a
delegate from so great State as New York
to that famous, if not infamous, Chicago
convention. 1t was then the grand oppor-
tunity was given him to make known to
this nation whether he possessed the head
and heart of q patriot and Statesman or only
that Of the demagogue and intriguing poll
tician. That was, indeed, q tide in the af-
fairs of the TammaDy Hall representative
to that body of delegates which, if taken
at its food, would have secured to him
political fortune. But Tilden was not the
man needed by the Northern portion of his
party for an occasion so momentous. 1t
was another event in the history Of the
Democratic party when the sterner spirit
always found in the Southern wing Of it.


would first lead it to the top Of some high
mountain, and not only promise, but COM
mand it to PROSTATE itself before It. and
how humb]y it would have done its bidding.


james Guthrie, of Kentucky, the chairman
of the committee on resolutions, represent
ing, as he did, a State which doubtless fur
nished more men for the destruction of the


Union than for its preservation, possessed
Year: 1876

THE Democrats, party more unprin-
cipled than any party ever existing in this
country, are bowling over the collection Of
money for campaign purposes from persons
who get their living out Of party successes.
Now, the campaign cannot be run with
out expenses, any more than Democratic
rebels could be conquered without cost.
The expenses of elections must be paid by
them who hold or expect to hold the
Offices, or by appropriation from the public
treasury. The offices are sought for the
pay, as rule. What then, can be more
just than that these expenses should be
paid by the party interested. The Demo
crats are spending money, and they expect
to be reimbursed if successful. The candi-
dates and their friends on both sides are
compelled to incur expenses and take their
chances. In this respect the ins have the
advantage. The outs would always be
glad to have the sinews of war taken from
the ms; and when the Democrats disclaim
so Justify 1t is not because they deem it so
wrong, but because they can't do so too.
Just SO long as we run this country in this
way i will be legitimate and right for the
victors to pay the expenses from their sala-
Ties, and especially when it is to prevent
the Government from falling into the hands
Of sworn enemies and traitors in disguise
Year: 1876

IT WOULD have been better for the Sonth-
ern negro had he been allowed to remain
in bondage than that he should have been
manumitted and afterwards remsnded to
the tender mercies of his old owners. Is
it possible that the people of the North
will consent to the direful conspiracy
against human rights which would be con
summated by Democratic success? Alas
for the poor negro. He has had but brief
enjoyment Of the blessings, of freedom.
May he never have cause to regret the day
when he was given his liberty, and told
that lie should thenceforth enjoy the fruits
of his labor. The present time is fraught
with great moment to him.


''Who that midst the deserts heat


Sees the water fade away


Would not rather die than meet


Streams again as false as they !'
Year: 1876

Il seems to be unfair to the people liv-
ing at distance from Philadelphia that
the Centennial Exposition shall he closed
on Sunday. Police force will be re-
quired about the grounds whether open
or not, and it seems to us that a suspen.
sion OF the machinery and necessary
work on Sunday would be all that il
requisite. Admission at half price on
Sunday would be proper recognition OF
the working people who live out of the
city who could not afford to lose tine
and pay the other necessary expenses
which visit will require of their slen
der means.
Year: 1876




The New York Sun persists that relig
ION will form an important issue in the
coming campaign. 1t says If it has
been supposed anywhere that the great
demonstration of hostility to the Catho-
lie Church, Of which President Grant
sounded the keynote in his famous
speech at Des Moines, he's been aband-
oned or relaxed, the suppositiou is en-.
tirely mistaken. 1t is evident that the
attempt to identify the whole Republi-
can party with this hostility is now TO be
urged more vigorously than overland
one OF the conspicuous reasons for so do
ing is to divert public attention from the
almost incredible corruption of the pres
enu government"
Year: 1876

The Commercial says the negroes can
not help the Republican party by max
ing their strength solid in the hands
of men, who without it would be with
out a following" Who are the men it al
ludes to who would get no votes, if they
failed TO get the negro votes? OF the
negroes, it says further:


They can afford to exercise Judgment
they can afford to choose for delegates O
for candidates the men whom they mos
respect or confide in but they canno
afford to give themselves up for a club t,
be used in the hands of those who hay,
no other weapon.


In fact the negroes have always beer
used as a club in the hands Of Republi
cans to strike white voters. In this the
Commercial without intending it speak,
a salient ruth.
Year: 1876

education, and the great aim should be to
counteract it. As with the Roman Catholics
and Chinese, it will be for time slow work
without miracle, but ultimately by patience
and prudence much may be done. At Cam
pinas, in Brazil, most of the Catholics en-
courage our schools, and we hope to see a
host of faithful ministers spriDging up from
them who will be better adapted than we are
to work among their own people. God says,
"Train up child in the way he should 60,
and when he is old he will not depart from
it." But when Gods plan is reversed, it
makes sad work. He created all the angels
adults, and each one was responsible for
himself, but he chose to make man RESPONSE
bic for his offspring with almost an unlimited
power to mould his child in any shape that
he chooses. Good Sabbath Schools are only
a partial substitute for family training, but
they have generally been abuDdantly blessed.
Indeed as majority of our people are not
pious, and some Of the piOus are either in
competent or negligent, it appears to be in /
the providence of God one of the greatest
institutions of modern times for the support
Of religion and the salvation of the world.


SENEX.
Year: 1876

Oh, the comfort of them There is but
one thing like them-that is sunshine. 1t is
the fashion to state the comparison the other
end foremost. e., to Aatter the CHEEKY peo-
pie by comparing them to the sun. l think
it is the best way of praising the sunshine, to
say that it is almost as bright and inspiring
as the presence of CHEEKY people.


That the CHEEKY people are brighter and
better even than sunshine is very easily
proved; for who has net seen CHEEKY per-
SON make room and day bright in spite
of the suns not shining at all-in spite of
clouds and rain and cold, all doing their very
best to make it dismal? Therefore, l say,
the fair way is to compare the sun to CHEEKY
people. However, whichever way we may
state the comparison, it is true and good
one, and neither the CHEEKY people nor the
sun ueed take offence. In fact, believe
they will always be such good friends, and
work so steadily together for the same ends,
that there is no danger of either's grudging
the other the credit of what has been done.


If there were only sure and certain rec
ipe for making CHEEKY person, how glad we
would be to try it How thankful we would
all be to do good like sunshine To cheer
everybody up, and help everybody along !
to have everybody's face brighten the min.
ute we came in Sight Why, it seems to me
that there cannot be in this life any pleasure
half SO great as this would be. If we looked
at life only from selfish point of view, it
would be worth while to be CHEEKY person,
merely because it would be such satisfac-
ton to have everybody so glad to live with
us, to see us, even to meet US on the street.


81 list likes to let her in at the door,
said an Irish servant one day, of woman
knew whose face was always CHEEKY and
bright, "the face of her does one good
shurel"


Somebody once asked great painter
whose pictures were remarkable for their ex
quisite and beautiful colOring, "Pray, Mr.
-, how do you mix your cOlOr8 ?"


"With brains, madam, with brains,
grOwled the painter. His i'll nature spoke
truth. All men had or might have the col
ors he used but no man produced the color
he produced.


So 1 would say of cheerines8. Patience
sympathy, and humor, are the cOlOrs bu
patience may be mere doggedness and reti
cence, sympathy may be wordy and shallo'
, and selfish, and huuOr may be only shar
perception of the ridiculous. Only when the
are mixed with love-loVe, three times loV
r do we have the true good cheer of genuin
f CHEEKY people.
Year: 1876

Have you dear friend out of Christi
Have you prayed till almost ready to despair
of the result sought? Remember the Sa-
vour's word about two or three agreeing as
to anything they should ask, and take heart
again. Go to some Christian who will ap.
preciate the case, and make its particulars
known, engaging that you both shall make
the conversion of your friend special SUBJ
iect prayer. God has honored such united
requests in many instances, and we have the
Lords assurance that they shall be granted! !
Could anything be more encouraging? The
only wonder is that Christians seem to make
so little account of this blessed privilege. A
weak faith may thus be stimulated by the
stronger faith Of Others. doubt may be put
to rest by the word of assurance from
more experienced believer; and thus the
union, having reflex influence of blessing
on the hearts and minds Of the pleaders,
makes them able to exercise the faith which
realizes the promises. So, instead of meas
ure calculated to make the Father willing to
bestow, as some might argue, it is but an &C.
commodatioa Of our weakness to His perfect
laws; means by which we may rise from
our prone state, and take the gifts He holds
out to us.
Year: 1876

Among the multitude of suggestions for
spending Sunday in a.proftable- way, l beg
leave to say that Saturday night has close
connection with it.


Saturday night is one of the resting-places
in the journey of life, when it becomes every
man to settle his accounts.


1. Settle with the world. The business
of single week is easily renewed-its mis-
takes may be easily rectifed, its experience
turned to good account. The man of bust
ness should sometime on Saturday look over
his books, examine his outstanding debts,
and see that all is straight and safe. This
is all the more important if his accounts are
numerous. Great watchfulness is required,
if he would escape embarrassment and trou-
Bile. He who knows exactly how he stands
every Saturday night, will not be likely to live
q very poor man; or if he does, he will hard
ly ever be found in debt OF 10 want.


2. Settle with cOnsciense. Let him re-
view his words and his actions, his motives
and feelings during the past week. If any
thing is seen to be wrong or defective, tand
who is he that sinneth not , let the remem
brance of it be carried into the next week
that repetition of it may be avoided. LIE
him in prayer seek not only forgiveness fol
what has been amiSs through the past, bu
grace to do better the coming week.


3. Settle with the Lords Treasury
Every man owes constant returns of graft
tude to the Giver of all good. Is it no
meet to fnish the settlement Of Saturda,
night by reviewing all the mercieS of tn
week, and setting apart portion of its pro
fits to serve some good cause that will pro
mote the glory of Him "who gave Himsel
for us p


How much better, happier might life b
with downright honest settlement ever.
Saturday night! How much brighter wOul
Sunday morning be; how much more profit
able the whole day
Year: 1876

{" Ye are dead" The life which is extin.
guished in US by the death here referred to
is not that happy, holy life given in Para
disc, but the life infected with sin and under
the curse. This life Christ destroys in all
his people. Sentence of death against it is
given in the judgment and counsel of God ;
mortal blow is given by the quickening and
renewing power of divine grace.


But then, while dead to the life of sin, we
are risen with Christ to the immortal life
that is in Him. The first life was natural
and earthly, this is spiritual and heavenly.


1t is "hia." 1t is not yet fully manifest
ed The world sees it not in us. The full
display of it is future. 1t is obscured by
many inArmities and sins. "Now are we
the sons of God, but it doth not yet appear
what we shall be-.


"Hid with Christ an God" This means
that our life is properly and directly in
Christ; he is its source and its cause. He
merited it for US by his own life and DEATH
He produced and formed it in ua by his
Spirit. 1t fully and wholly depends upon
him. Separate from him we have not a
spark of life, but perish. 1t is he who pre-
serves the falness of it in his treasury on
high. The beginning and the perfection Of
it are in him.


Let this be the rich treasury, the living,
inexhaustible spring of our consolation
What manner of persons ought we to be who
have so high and divine hope that when
Christ who is our life shall appear, we also
shall appear with him in glory" Let this
divine life, and this glory with which it will
one day crown US in the sight of heaven and
earth be kept constantly in view. Let us
begin to live here as we shall live eternally.


OLD PASTOR.
Year: 1876

The late Beriah Green wrote this beauti.
ful thing:


OF all the love affairs in the world none
can surpass the true love Of big boy for his
mother. 1t is love pure and noble, honor
able in the highest degree to both. l do not
mean merely dutifui affection. | mean a
love which makes boy gallant to his mother,
saying plainly to everybody that he is fairly
in love with her. Next to the love of her
husband, nothing SO crowns voman's life
with honor as this second love, this devotion
of the son to her. And never knew boy
to turn out badly who began by falling
in love with his mother. Any man may fall
in love with fresh faced girl, and the man
who is gallant to the girl may cruelty ne.
elect the worn and weary wife. But the big
boy who is a lover of his mother at middle
age is true knight, who will love his wife
in the sere-leaf of autumn as in the daisied
spring. There is nothing SO beautifully
chivaIrous as the love of big boy for his
mother.
Year: 1876


Only a while to work,


And long, long time to rest,
Then drive the cloud from theaching brow,


The sigh from the troubled breast.
Up! with strong and hopeful heart;


Up with a sunny face;
Shoulder your trouble cheerfUlly-


Bear it with patient grace.
Only while the feet must bleed


And the burdened back must bend;
Suffer in silence, and silently


Help others, who suffer, friend.
Only a while our tears must drip,


Drop after drop like rain
And our lips grow white with the pain OF the


heart,


The very god of pain.
Only very little while;


As short as the going down
Of the setting sun, to meekly bear
The cross and the thorny crown.
Only while to watch and pray,
And long, long time to praise;
Our God, the Father, knoweth best,
Then question not BIS ways.
Only little while to SOW,


And long, long time TO reap,
Let's SOW in faith with an open hand,
And tares from good seed keep.
Only little while to lose,


But all Eternity to fad
The Jewels death has robbed US Of
The friends we viii leave behind.
Only while to trim our lamps
Ere the Bridegroom passeth by;
Then eli them well with the oil Of Love;
Let the flames rise pure and high.
Only a while-what matters it
If our life be short or long?
If we only sing few faint notes
Or the whole of the changing song?
The missing notes viii all be found,
And the song be wholly sung
In Heaven, where God's s own hand will tune
The harp BE has Unstruug.