smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

WHEN Howell Cobb wanted a loan to
help out with the expenses Of the Utah
war in 1860 he was obliged to pay twelve
per cent. per annum for it, although he
had been redeeming the Government Sc
curlties at eighteen per cent. premium the
year before. This was specimen of Demo
cratic financial reform. 1t had Knocked
the national credit down some twenty
eight per ceutum, And yet his party now
has the efrontery to talk about reform
being necessary TO the restoration of the
national credit
Year: 1876

A conventional obituary, altered to suit the
occasion:


ave had a little Sammy once


He was our darling pride


But when It came to income tax,
Our little Sammy-put it lower than he should
have done"
Year: 1876

So accustomed have the reform Democracy
of the South become to shooting as an ele-
ment of the campaign that at their prelim-
mary elections in New Orleans on Saturday,
for want of colored men to shoot at, they CON-
menced shooting at one another. If the shoot
ing is to be done this would seem to be the
better way to exhaust their ammunition.
Year: 1876

The proprietor of hat factory in the town
of Danbury, Conn.,, recently became incensed
because a number of his employees assisted at
the organization of Hayes and Wheeler club,
and posted a notice requesting all that could
not support the Democratic ticket to leave on
the following Saturday. This prescription of
men for political opinions sake, is, it seems,
not to be monopolized by the late slave drivers
of the South, who have adopted 1t in many
places against the colored voters, but they are
to have their imitators at the North. The
difference between the eX- Confederates at the
South and their Northern allies truly is small,
consisting principally in the fact that at the
North there Is too strong public sentiment
to prevent so open display of the cloven foot.
Year: 1876

Again. when taken in by the more
ordinary channel, the stomach, il finds
its way by two routes into the circula-
ton. A certain portion of it the
greater portion of it's absorbed direct
by the veins of the alimentary surface,
finds its way straight into the larger
veins, which lead up TO the heart, and
onward with the course of the blood.
Another portion is picked up by small
structures proceeding from below the
mucous surface of the stomach, and
from which originate series of fine
tubes that reach at last the lower por-
tion of a common tube, termed the
tlloracic duct-a tube which ascends in
front of the spinal column, and termln-
ates at the junction of two large veins
on the left side of the body, at point
where the yenous blood, returning from
the left arm, joins with the returning
blood from the left side of the head on
its wav to the heart. 1t is so greedy for
water that il will pick it up from all the
watery textures of the body, and de-
nriye them of il, until, by its saturafion,
it can take up no more, its power OF re-
ception being exhausted; after when
II diffuses itself into the current OF cir-
cuIating fluid. When we dilute alcohol
with water before drinking It, we
ouicken its absorption: and, If we do
not dilute it sufficiently, it is diluted IN
the stomach by the transudation oi
water in the stomach, until the required
reduction for its absorption is eifected-.
Popular Science Monthly.
Year: 1876

At q recent meeting of the Psychologi-
cal Society of London, the Vice-Presi-
dent, Mr.. G.. Harris, read a paper on
"Caligraphy as Test of character"
After commenting on the various modes
by which character is exhibited, and
upon the infinite diversities of hand
writing, the author proceeded to poi N
out the peculiarities of the latter which
display the distinctive qualities of the
writer. His theory was illustrated by
the exhibition of number of original
including those of Napoleon
L., Wellington, Nelson, Brougham,
Horn Tooke, Southey, Cowper, Sheridan,
Dickens, the contrast between the
writing of the last two being especially
dwelt upon. A lively discussion, we
are told, followed the reading of the
paper. ss4.4 fa


There is no gainsaying the fact that
character may be read from hand
writing, but not by any means from all
In the first place, there
must be character i'm the writer, and
among the millions of mankind who
use the pen there are lamentably few
marked and distinctive indIvidualities.
The multitude of people have no aim
but to be copies of each other, to do and
to be i'm every event of life just like their
fellows. 1t is impossible to expect from
these handwriting that will show any
thing save an absence of character
Hence it is that the idea universally
prevails that mere caligraphy means
nothing. Nevertheless it does convey
a great deal of. meaning. The old saw
that "Straws show which way the wind
blows" finds a just application in this
as in many other things, and masterful
traits assert themselves in the penstrokes
as in every other act of human being.
When you see notably prominent,
vigorous, reckless style of caligraphy
you may be pretty sure that the writer


is a person of bold, dashing, indepen-


dent disposition, that overrides all bar
Year: 1876

riers and thrusts aside all impediments.
A penmanship full of fiourishes indi-
Gates character fond OF ornament and


addicted to vanity. Cramped writing
and crowded lines proclaim that econ
omy, perhaps parsimony, is strong at
tribute of the writer. A distinguished
American scientist whose passion is
study with the microscope forms such
minute letters when writing that there
is almost necessity for using a magni-
fying-glass TO decipher them. Is there
nothing more than fancifitl signi-
ficance in the connection between this
mans writing and his dominant pas
sion? E


1t requires training to interpret hand
writing, and very seldom is any atten-
ton whatever given to the subject. Yet,
when once the mind has been led to it,
there is opened up an Interesting and
prolific source of entertainment. Moth
ing is more delightful, and it might be
added more novel, than to meet with a
consistent, complete, and harmonious
that expresses in all its opera
tions the symmetry and wholeness of
its nature. The chirography. of such
character will be clear, certain COM
mentary, telling its story as plainly as
a perfect picture or piece of sculpture.
Year: 1876

Trains are now run at about the rate
of forty miles an hour, sometimes much
faster, and generally somewhat slower.
The fastest trains in England run at
sixty miles an hour. To run at this
rate, the piston or driving rod of the
locomotive must travel at the speed of
500 feet per minute, or so rapidly that
it cannOtbe seen to move at all. George
Stephenson, the first to claim that the
locomotive could run at twelve miles
an hour, was called insane until he
proved il. 1t was but a few years af-
ter this that prominent engineers said
that railway trains. could be regularly
run at the rate of 100 miles an hour; and
Stephenson was again called insane
because he said that 80 miles an hour
was as fastas trains could be regularly
and safely run. But it is now dis
covered that he was nearly right, and
locomotive makers are no longer build
ing engines to run faster than at this
rate. But they are trying, instead, to
save the time lost in taking coal and
water for supply ing the engines. On
some lines a long open trough, forty
feet long, is laid between the rails.


This is filled with water. As the loco


motive passes at the speed of fifty
miles an hour, pipe or scoop Is low
cred from it into this trough the water
is thus dipped up and placed in the
water box for use by the engine.
Another invention is huge box raised
above the road and filed with coal. As
the locomotive passes, it touches a
spring, the box turns instantly upside
down, and the coal drops into the ten
der, which runs behind the locomotive.
The time which is thus saved will, of
course, make the the trips shorter.
without calling for an increase of
speed. 1t may be that when you are
grown, railway trains will not be run
any faster than they are now but, in
spite of what George Stephenson has
prophesied, lsuspect some future Amer
lean engineer, who is now a boy, will
find means of running them twice as
fast as they are now run, and hope
with greater safety to the passengers.
st. Nicholas for December.
Year: 1876

There was quite an exciting foot race on
Sixth street east yesterday evening, the par
Elephants being well-known literary lady and
a small boy who stole a ounce from her
garden. As runner the lady was not sue
cess, and consequently the boy escaped. From
the time the race commenced, at the corner of
South Carolina avenue, until 1t was aban-
doned, near the corner of G street, It was
tiocked to their windows and doorways, that
the small boy would win. The lady, however,
had the satisfaction of learning the name OF
the boy and making complaint to his parents,
after which she turned her face homeward,
followed by about fifty young urchins of
various ages, who seemed to enjoy the excite
ment caused by this strange piece of pedes-
trianism
Year: 1876

1t is neither President or man, that oc.
cupies the White House at Washington.
He respects neither the wishes of the peo-
pie, nor the country. The heat was too
great for his precious body to be exposed
on the Fourth at Philadelphia, but if it
had been horse race or champagne
dinner he would have been on hand. We
cannot express it in any other way than
that the President has made an ass ofhim.
self. The bible records an incident o1
Balaams ass speaking, but the United
States has one doing something more won
derful, he is running the government.
Give us change from this, the whole
country sighs for it.
Year: 1876

The case of Yaryan is one that should
not give us surprise. We know Grants
vindictive disposition. We know of other
heads that have had to come off to satisfy
this autocrats ill temper. We know how
he has driven Bristow out of his Cabinet


because of his unrelenting war upon the
ablest supporters of his administration, the
crooked whisky thieves. We know how
he has deposed every one that had any
connection with prosecuting the whisky
frauds and we know very we'll how he
reduced the rank Of Custer because he
dared to give in damaging testimony
against the private secretary Of the Presi


dent, General O. E. Babcock. After all
this there is no reason why we should not
be ready to accept anything. Yaryan is
an honest man, and that is the reason the
President did not wish him where he
WAS. He is the most faithful worker in
the whole Revenue service, and this is an
other reason the President does OF wish
him in that department of the Govern ment
service. The excuse for this action upon
the part Of the chief executive is weak, :,
and offers no covering for the unmanly


motives at the back of it. In the face of
the great shout for reform that is going up
from the Republican camps, this action of
Grants stamps the lie upon all of them.
Because man dares to do his duty, he. is


summarily dismissed by the chief execu-
tive Of the nation. o! virtue, thy reward


is certainly thine own within the Republi-
can party. ,s,sta q ss}sn III, siea
Year: 1876

terms II any such communications were sent by
officers Of tho Pennsylvania militia they would have
been transmitted through the Governor or the Adu-
tant General and not directly TO the Secretary OF War;
who has no more to do with the militia Of any State
than any other officer OF the general government
would have. The Adjutant General knows for
tainty that such tenders have been made would
they be permitted


POLICY GOVERNOR HARrRASrr.


So far from encouraging any such policy is Gov
srnor Har.ranf that the Colonel OF the Filth Penn
iylvania regiment at Hollidaysburg, . young onicsr
who was rash enough few days ago
to issue an order to his command 10
hold themselves in readiness for M
emergency was Immediately dismissed the service.
Governor Hartranft in Washington, but his visit
could have borne reference TO the matter contained
In the false despatch, especially neither the Pres
dent OF the United States the Governor order
she National Guard Of the State
Year: 1876




The above among tho many pleasant and pro1ta-
Bile ways and places IN which national Thanksgiv
ing will be observed, all who should avail them
selves OF more OF the opportunities 10 express
their grateful thanks TO God Tor the years. blessing
And rcmomber above all things II takes but very little
to mako children happy. SO give the little wallis OF
the city from your store and the day will never
be forgotten by tho giver receiver
Year: 1876


Under loud pillows the waters are rolling
Calmly and silently on to their end
While the deep roar OF the crest-wavos ia sound


ing,


Family the voices Of under-waves blend.
Racket and roar, and the foam OF their fury
These the elements wild bilows show;
Empty! so empty beneath lies the ocean,
The ocean, whose waters 80 silently flow;
Take the still waters where then arc the bilows !!
Take the mad pillows, yet ocean is there
Crest-waves are reckless and full of deception;
The ill they have wrought they may never repair,
Be not deceived when thou lookest at ocean;
BE not deceived when thou judgest mankind;
Though below noisy crost-waves at times may be


running


As steady sea us thou ever shalt find
Yet under the many thors's naught to discover
That showeth the flow Of the life that is best
And the false from the true may bo quickly distin-


guished,


If eyes that see clearly apply but this test.
Year: 1876

The Ne,o City Officers Terms, Gc.-The
term Of all OF the new municipal officers
commenced on the 1st, but as there will be
no meeting of the City Council until Friday
next, the new officers will not enter upon
the duties of their offices until after that
time, when all Of the officers to be chosen
by that body will be elected. As matter
OF course the city fathers are much sought
after at this season.
Year: 1876

Peter Hathaway contributes to the Ohio
Farmer an account Of the practice Of Mr..
Benjamin Wilcox of Erie county, Ohio, n
successful cultivator of osage orange hedges.
The land where the hedge is to be planted
is plowed in the fall aud cultivated in the
spring as for corn. Then the plants, which
cost three dollars per thousand, are set four
to six inches apart. A man and team will
in day fit 200 rods for planting, and man
will plant 40 rods. The land should be cul-
tivated and hoed, kept FREQ from weeds three
years, at the end of which time it is an effec-
tive fence, and will need no more cultivation.
When it has grown two years it is trimmed
to six inches in thickness and laid. which
consists Of cutting the plants, except one in
two and one-half or three feet, half of at or
just below the surface of the ground. The
top Of the standing plants are cut three and
onc-half feet from the ground, and those cut
half off are bent down all one way, and
woven in to the standards. When plants
for standards are missing, drive stakes for
support. In weaving, aim to make a close
bottom for small animals aud strong top.
After that the hedge requires no care except
trimming. This should be done twice a
year, about the first of june and September,
cutting down to four feet in hight and six
inches thick. AS the hedge grows older in
crease thickness to eight inches but no more.
The implement for trimming is q blade 20
inches long, about as wide as a scythe, with a
straight handle four feet long. Balancing
this on one hand, with an upward stroke, a
man will trim 100 rods day. In blowing
turn the furrows away from the hedge often
enough to give downward tendency to the
roots. Hedges managed in this way do not
sap the land aPpreciably. Corn and other
crops can be grown and will thrive as close
to it as to board fence.


A luxuriant hedge not kept trimmed close
as above directed will sap the land II feet
on each side, and it is six times the labor to
trim it.
Year: 1876

To tcash or not TO scash This depends
somewhat on the weather in May and early
june which cannot be foretold. II tho spring
weather is moist with frequent showers,
sheep with heavy Aeeces suffer extreme de.
bility and loss Of flesh, while those which
have been shorn, shake themselves after q
shower and resume feeding, and como up at
shearing time fat and strong. But Aeeces
Tin the dirt" no matter what their ooudi-
tion, must suffer a shrinkage OF quarter or
a third, which is frequently an entire loss to
the farmer, and usually quite too much.
Fleeces washed we'll in June, and running
ten to fourteen days in hot weather, will
often shrink as much in cleansing as if they
had been taken off in the dirt in the cool
days Of early May. If shorn at the barn
and kept up for week, they will then need
no further housing except in case Of storms
or very cold weather.


On the whole it would seem that medium
course between the two extremes in common
practice is preferable. If the sheep are
washed early as possible in May aud shOru
soon after, the results are good
Year: 1876

Lizzie b. Cotton contributes to the Scien.
t6c American the results of her experience
in bee keeping. She says


can confidently recommend bee culture
as we'll adapted to women, both in city and
country. speak from experience, having
been engaged in this pursuit for over twelve
years. In my first attempts at bee culture,
used the old.fashioned box hive. These
hives were readily constructed with little or
no reference to giving a profit in surplus
honey obtained from them. Tho losses III
such hives, from various causes, especially IN
winter, was very great, and profits were
small at the best-Sl0 to Sl2 profit from
the sale of surplus honey from such hives in
one season was considered an extraordinary
yield. have for several years used hive OF
my own invention. 1t is constructed with
special reference to securing a good yield oil
honey, in the most convenient marketablelorm
My hive is so arranged and constructed that
| am able to prevent or contriVe the natural
swarming of bees, and, when desired, to turn
their whole force to storing surplus honey in
the parent stock, instead Of swarming out, as
they often do Ito their great damage) under
ordinary management. 1t is surprising to
noto how much more honey will be stored by
stock that does not swarm (yet has the
same increase of bees) than by one that
casts more swArms. often obtain from two
hundred to three hundred pounds Of honey
in small glass boxes in a season.


There is, in my opinion, no other pursuit
which offers greater inducements to women
than bee culture. There are very many
whose occupation confines them indoor:
nearly the whole time, excluding them from
the air aud sunshine, to the great injury ol
their health, while at the same time, after
this great sacrifice, they barely succeed il
making a livelihood. To such, bee culture
offers special Inducements, such as health,
aud greater recompense for labor per
formed. hope that ere long bee culture
will receive from my sex the attention it de-
serves 1 am acquainted with many who
have lately commenced in the business who
are meeting with great success.
Year: 1876

AT the low prices for which farm products
must be sold, the farmer has less surplus
cash TO pay for corn. He must raise IL or
go without


The reasonable rates of wages for farm
help make it possible to hire help to raise
grain where it was out of the question before.


Then, again, the moderate wages will re.
suit in better quality of farm help. The
farm laborer has for few years been the
lord Of the soil, and the owner of the farm o
pitiful slave.


The farmer whose farm is productive and
who has plenty Of manure can raise corn to
better advantage than for a long time past
The corn crop requires liberal manuring. 1t
is gross feeder. 1t pays for abundant ma.
nure and good culture IL land is not deeply
plowed, say six inches, and stimulus is
applied in the hill to give it a start, il is best
to plow in the manure. The crop grows
fairly until the roots are we'll distributed
among the manure, aud "when the ears are





being put on the manure does good lifting"
There is no doubt that more bushels Of
corn can be raised to the acre by the use Of
the corn planter than by hand planting. The
seeds are scattered along somewhat, SO that
each stalk has better chance to grow, has
more room, light and air and ears better.
There is great saving of labor in planting
aud in hOeing. The rows are such that the
cultivator can be run very close, and but
little work with the hoe is needed


The price of corn next season depends on
the crop at the West, of course. That it has
been abundant aud low the last year is no
reason that it will be this. I....


To those whose farms are producing light
crops of grass, it is hardly necessary to re-
peat the advice that n liberal portion of the
manure should be devoted to that. If we
have large crops Of grass we can raise any,
thing desired. |t..
Year: 1876

1t is well.known that we have advised
farmers who are obliged to hire extra help
to raise grain, and those whose farms show
the too common tending toward an exhausted
fertility, to give especial attention to the
grass crop. The soil of many farms has
been depleted by raising grain where the
high cost Of labor has absorbed all the profit
which might otherwise have been realized.


For the belief that the grass crop is the
paying one, and the most important to which
Vermont farmers can give special culture,
there is still good reason. No one who has
made grass 4 speciality on the farm or on
single field doubts this. At the same time
it is proper to remember that the circum-
stances affecting the raising of corn in Yer
mont are more favorable than for ten or
twelve years.


The ebbing tide, which was inevitable ai-
ter the food of business expansion, reckless
expenditure and undue haste to become rich,
which were the sad legacies Of the war, has
come upon us. In the general wreck of bus
iness and reduction of values, bringing so
many from afiuence to beggary, there are
many compensations The overstocked trades
and professions are restoring to the soil the
surplus workers who ought never to have left
the farm. We all come down to more sober
and earnest ideas Of business aud of life.
The indications of these changes are nowhere
more conspicuous than in the price of labor.
Farm help which has commanded s25 to $50
per month and board for the season or 8
months is plenty at Sl5 to $50. Farmers
rejoice at this reduction, for it was absolutely
necessary. While it may seem hard to the
laborer, it must be remembered that it is
possibly better for him. The extravagant
prices Of labor have been very demoralzing
to the laboring man. The abundance Of
money has extinguished the good sentiment
of frugality instlled by the faithful mother
lie has irittered away for nothing his rap.
idly earned wages. The farm laborers Of
Vermont have not saved as much per head
the last ten years as they did at Sl3 to Sl5
per month before the war. When we all
become restored to the old, simple, frugal
habits it will be better for the labOrer as
we'll as the farmer. These facts affecting
subjects SO remote, have bearing on the
corn question.