smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

An important opinion was delivered
Wednesday, in the Supreme Court at
Knoxville, by Judge Freeman, upon a
question of the liability of railroads in
class of cases in which there has been
some conflict between American aud
English authorities and decisions.


A shipper delivered to the East Ten
nessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad
for transportation to Atlanta box of
dressed poultry. The proof showed that
the articles were delivered by the said
road in good order to the next connect.
ing line, the Western and Atlantic Road,
at Dalton. Through the negligence of
the agents of the latter road at Dalton,
the poultry was delayed there some thir-
teen days and spoiled. The shippers
sued the East Tennessee Road for the
value of the poultry, on the ground that
their usual shipping receipt bound them
to forward the goods in good order to
the point of destination, even though
that point was beyond the terminus of
their road Judge Freeman, in his
opinion, said there was some conflict in
American States on this point, but that
English decisions were uniform and posi-
tive in holding the roads responsible be
yond their line unless their contract
of shipment clearly limited their respon-
sibility. In this case the contract agreed
TO "forward" to Atlanta and the road was
liable for the default even though it was
through no negligence of its servants.


The court said it had no disposition
to modify the liabilities of railroads
which were daily growing more and more
powerful in this country. The well es
tablished principles of the common law
ought to be rigidIy enforced for the pro
lection of the public. The opinion,
though not in fact defining any new
principles in Tennessee, yet gives new
force to old ones over which there is now
more than ever growing disposition to
contend.
Year: 1871

Cannot we get rid of the sbsurd aud
purely American custom of treating 2"
In any other part of the world an offer
to pay for another man S drink would be
esteemed an insult, while ia this IL is
reckoned a courtesy. This unwise cus-
tom is one great cause OF the abuse OF
liquors with Us. The proper use OF lie
quor is merely to satisfy the natural ap-
petite One should drink when the
natural stomach requires IT, as one should
eat when nature asserts her right TO be
fed. But the custom of treating"
makes demands beyond nature, and viii
ates an appetite which is not in itself a
bad one Why should you pay for your
friends drink any more than for his din-
ner, his ear ride, his gloves, his nectie,
or any other of his cheaper wants? 1t
is said to be convivial custom but
what is there convivial ia meeting in the
street, rushing into a saloon, and swal-
lowing an ounce of liquor which you do
not want, merely because your friend
does want it? If you meet him going
to buy pair Of shoes, or even shoe
lace, would you think it only friendly or
polite if he were to ask you to accept
pair Of shoes if he were to say "what
will you have, Oxfords, Congress gaiters,
highlows, or anything you like y There
is a good deal of conviviality, aud not a
little good sense, in sitting down for an
hour with an agreeable companion over
bottle of good wine, but there is no
conviviality, and very little good sense in
stalking up to bar and swallowing
a drink merely because friend is thirs-
ty. Suppose your friend did not feel
we'll, and was being medicated, would
you like to join him in dose OF pillsy
Or if he were going to take bath,
would you participate with him in bis
Iavation Our counter drinking is
bad affair at best, aud the treating Gus
ton, makes it almost a nuisance.
Year: 1871

When father takes up child to show
him pictures, ten to one he holds the
book at such an. angle as to suit his own
vision, and not that of the little one.
Yet the little ones sight is the one to be
favored. How true it is that the preach
ers and teachers of religious truth too
often hold that up where they can best
see it, and not where those of whom they
have charge can best see it.


You all know some true Christian.
You have never, it is true, seen one who
In everything comes up to the divine
ideal. There is, and always will be, in
some points falling short; yet you
know that the Christian has life within
him which the world has not.
Year: 1871

A CAUTION To SERENADERs.-The
way young lover sung i am lonely to
night, love, without thee, under bis gals
window the other evening was very at
fecting, until the old gentleman let loose
two dogs in the back yard. The seDti-
mental youth had no occasion to complain
after that. His new pants cost fourteen
dollars and he wears "A square foot Of
sticking plaster inside Of them some
where. For the next week or So hs
thinks he will imbibe his hash standing
at a counter. It's healthy to eat that
way, and he doesn't really care about
sitting on the stile, Mary, or anything
else at present.
Year: 1871

A gentleman who had taken the horse
cars for the Worcester Depot in Boston, IN
numbered with manifold bags and parcels,
reached the bell-rope with an effort when
he wished to get off, and gave vigorous
pull the result was a sharp ring from
both bells. what are you ringing both
ends for ~ was the discourteous and
surly inquiry of the conductor. Because
wish the car to stop at both ends," was
the quiet reply. that left cOnvulsed car
load and discomfitted conductor.
Year: 1871

The Grand Jury of Sonoma, California,
recommend in recent report that, "for
the safety and comfort of bald-headed men.
the loose plastering be removed from the
ceiling, or that the sheriff be instructed to
furnish parties having business in the court
with pillows or suitable shields to cover
their heads with
Year: 1871

A certain caravan orator at fair, after a
long yarn descriptive of what is to be seen
inside, generally winds up by saying,
'Step in, gentlemen, step in. Take nv
word for it, you will be highly delighted
when you get out"
Year: 1871

Koopmsnschap, the famous importer OF
heather Chinee, has been to Tuscaloosa,
Ala, to look after the interests of about
three hundred and fifty Cinnamon who
were taken there to work on railroad and
have received no pay. He found them llv-
ing on bIackberries and crawfish, and
probably deemed the diet healthy for the
Mongolian constitution, as he lett them TO
continue the same regimen.
Year: 1871

In view Of vast mineral resources, of
some agricultural advantages, of beautiful
mountain scenery, of healthful location,
and of promising future, Ducktown and
her inhabitants invite immigration. The
people are mostly Englishmen and perfect
ly free from prejudice on any subject. They
welcome those of all political prejndices
and denominationai preferences, and look
not upon the place of birth as recon-
Year: 1871

Mr.. Green said he had already taken
that ground and hoped very shortly to
be in funds again with which to meet
these claims.


The Commissioner then retired to
Storrs room and after several questions
bad been asked him Storrs explained
that the two million dollars was simply
advanced from other accounts, which in
time would be collected, of course from
the city treasury, but the Controller was
borrowing money to return this two
million and then he would borrow
money to pay this claim or at all events
the August pay roll.


One of the committee stated Mr..
Tweed had told him there was plenty
Of money in the Controllers Office to
the credit Of his draft. Mr.. Howard
said that matter was to be decided by
the courts, not by the Superintendent
Of Public Moneys or the Controller,
and asked Storrs when the pay roll
would be ready. Storrs said in ten
days. At this the committee expressed
their satisfaction, and retired to report
to their meeting.


Meeting OF Directors.


The Directors OF the Excelsior Life
Insurance Company. of New York, at
meeting resolved to allow one years ex-
tension Of time for the payment Of pre-.
miums on all Chicago policies held by
the sufferers by the great fire upon ap-
plication by the insured, the policies to
be held by the company as security.


The Committee OF Seventy.


The Committee of Seventy mad three
hours session last evening, nearly all
the leading members Of the Committee
being present. The question of pre-
venting frauds at the coming election
was freely discussed, and the Com
mittee announced that they have ar
rived at a satisfactory conclusion for
the prevention Of repeating at the polls.
After the transaction Of other business
the Committee adjourned till Tuesday.
Year: 1871

SMOKING UNDER DIFFIcuLTIEs.-On the morning
of the memorable battle of Waterloo, Hennemann
had just handed his master (Blucher) lighted
pipe, when cannon ball struck the ground close
by, scattering earth and gravel in all directions
and causing the white charger on which Blucher
was mounted to spring aside-a man@uvre that
broke the pipe into thousand pieces before
the owner had time even to lift it to his lips.


"Just keep lghthed pipe ready for me /
shall be back again in few moments, after
have driven away the rascally French churls." :"


With these words Blucher gave the command
Forward, boys p and off he galloped with his
cavalry. Instead, however, of a chase of few
minutes, it was rapid march of nearly whole
hot Summer day, as we all know from history.
After the battle was over, Blucher rode back
with Wellington to the place where he first got
glimpse of the combating armies, and nearing
the spot where Blucher had halted in the morn
ing, they saw, to their surprise, solitary man,
his head tied with handkerchief, one arm in a
sling, calmly smoking pipe.


"Donner und blitzp cried Blucher, "why
that is my Hennemann. How you look, my boy;
what are you doing alone2'


Waiting for your speedy return" was the
grumbling answer "You have come at last


have waited for you here, pipe in mouth, for
the whole long day. The cursed French have
shot away every pipe from my mouth, have rip
ped the flesh from my head, and shattered my
arms with their accursed bullets. 1t is well
there is an end to the battle, or you would have
been too late for the last pipe"


Saying which he handed Blucher the pipe to
enjoy the remaining fumes of the weed. We'll
lingtou, who had listened attentivevly to the
conversation, here remarked to Bucher


You have just admired the unhinching 10y
atty and bravery of my HIghlanders, what shall
say of this true and devoted soul2'
Year: 1871

A YOUTHFUL hen found an egg, and, yielding
to the vernal instinct sat upon it until the proc
ess of incubation was complete. Her mother,
who had laid the egg and had taken great pains
in shaping and coloring it, came along, and see
ing only the broken SHE'LL burst into tears, and
said "Alas my daughter, who has destroyed
my favorite egg2 The feathered offspring
quickly responded; 81 cannot tell a lie, moth
er did it with my little hatch-n
Year: 1871

A GREAT INDUCEMBNT.-One of the great in
ducements to settle in Carlo ILL.,, is that every
person who dies there is entitled to a railroad
ride after his death. The people have used all
the dirt within four miles of them trying to
make bottom to the city, and there is none to
cover dead men with. The consequence is they
have to go about eleven miles to the hills, and
the only tran sportation is by railroad
Year: 1871

SURE DEATH TO BED BUGs.-Take a teaspoon
lul of quicksilver, beat it up with the white
of two eggs, as for frosting, till the two are
thoroughly and finely united, then apply with a
feather to every crack or crevice in the bed
stead or wall, where a bed bug can hide. Re-
peat it three or four times, and your work is
done for two years at least.
Year: 1871

CHIcAGo, Nov. 9.--ln his address to the
grand jury, Judge Williams touched upon the
killing of Col. GrosvenOr and referred to let
ters published purporting to come from Gov.
Palmer IN relation to the indictment of Lieut..
Gen. Sheridan, Mayor Mason, and others. He
says they should find no bill against any party
except on information oftwO of their members,
who have personal knowledge of the facts.
Neither the prosecuting attorney nor the court
has right to instruct as to whom they shall IN
dict.


1t would be dangerous to private rights, and
an invasion of your prerogatiye, if ever court
should advise whom you should indct, and il
this court may not do it, far less may any per
son who does not sustain to you any official re.
lation. Should any one not of your body seek
to influence you by written, printed or verbal
communications TO any one of you, you VIII in
form the court, that the offender may be dealt
with for contempt.


The prosecuting attorney of this court informs
me that he knew nothing of a letter said TO be
addressed TO him, until he saw it published in
the city papers. If it was written by the gov.
ernor, it was only private letter to the district
attorney, and should have been in his hands be-
fore it was given to the papers 1t would be in
consistent with the high reputation of our chief
magistrate for integrity and legal learning, TO
suppose he designed those letters to be published
in order to influence your action as a grand
iury
Year: 1871

INTELLIGENT CHICEKNs.-A gentleman in Swan
Hill, Massachusetts, has recently imported from
Europe selection of poultry noted not only for
their servceable and game qualities, but also
for their remarkable intelligence. At the sound
of bell they skip up ladder, and while await
ing their meal on the second floor, preserve the
utmost decorum, standing in file, awaiting fur
ther orders. The meal being placed before them
one at time, is considered invoate until all
are seated, and even then they remain abstinent
until the second sound of the bell gives the sig
nal. During the meal there is no interference
with each others portion the utmost proprety
is observed, and, as each finishes his repast, he
stands quietly awaiting the bell which announces
that the meal is over, when in military style, the
fowls proceed in single file down the ladder, to
deport themselves as they please
Year: 1871

Any land upon which good grass can be sue
cessfully produced is too valuable to be sown in
grain. Alfalfa, it has been pretty well determ-
ined, is the best grass for this country. ANY of
our Sacramento Valley land that can be flooded
once during the year will successfully produce
this grass. On the best land-such as now pro-
duceS 40 bushels of wheat under favorable cir
cumstances-can be made to produce 20 tons of
grass annually and almost any land in the val
ley, with an annual flooding, will produce 10
tons of grass. We do not mean to say that
all this amount of grass can be cut but the land
can be pastured for six months and then three
or four crops of hay cut, averaging from two to
four tons to the acre. Such being the facts
and they are attested to by all those who have
given it a fair trial-how does it happen that no
more of it is sown? The average price of the
hay is about s. per ton of taking care of it So,
the grazing which costs nothing is worth So per
ton-so that the whole product would average
So per ton net. At the lowest estimate of 10
tons per acre we have profit of $50 per acre.
This pays the interest on $500 at ten per cent
per annum Then what is an acre of alfalfa
worth Oh tue smull patches OF III IN l OlO cOun-
ty, watered this year, there have been netted
Sl0O per acre Then one who has a field of it
well set is comparatively free from the dangers
of drouth. 1t is a hardy plant and will live sew
eral years with but little water, although it
grows best when flooded annually. Gophers
prey upon it, and the irrigation of it is necessary
sometimes to drown them out. Any 100 acres
sown to this grass will feed more sheep or stock
of any kind than 1000 acres of wild land of the
same kind One acre of alfalfa will feed at least
twenty-five Spanish merno sheep, with their


increase for a year The fleeces of such sheep
will average ten pounds the WOOL at 25 cents,
is worth $G2 so; the increase would be worth
at least $75. There is $l00 for the acre, allow
ing $37 so for taking care of the sheep Who
can afford to raise wheat on an acre of ground
on which he can do half so well? Our estimate


is not extravagant but divide it by four and
who afford to fool away his time on wheat
-CoiuSd Sun.
Year: 1871

ABOUT year ago street railway company in
a Connecticut town obtained permission from
the Legislature to increase the fare from six to
seven cents. A regular patron of the road, in
dgnant at what he deemed extortion, vowed that
he would walk from his house to his place Of
business-about one me-and back, and de-
posit the fare he would have paid in n little box
at home. Accordingly be has since put seven
cents in the box before starting out, and seven
cents more on returning. His year was up the
other day, and he opened the box lie found
in it $l09 20, which he deposited in a savings
bank, and began on second year in like man
ner. Besides, and here is the true moral of this
true tale, he finds his health aud digestion so
much improved by his exercise, that he says
seven cents is cheap enough for the privilege of
walking mile.
Year: 1871

LITTLE Wilmington lad, eleven years DID,
who was warm sympathizer with the French
cause in the recent war, wrote to the Emperor
Napoleon some time ago, expressing deep sym
pathy for him in his heavy misfortunes. A few
days ago, to the astonsbment of everyone, an
autograph letter was received from the Emperor
in reply. 1t thanked him for the kind and gen.
erous sympathy that had been bestowed, and
hoped that the lot in life of his little friend would
fall in more quiet scenes and more peaceful times
than had fallen to the share of the Emperor of
the French.
Year: 1871

The editor Of the New York Commercial says he
read it as forty-seven times in forty eight hours
that +" Chicago will arise like phoenix from the
ashes" If any writer the phrase again,
the editor hopes " the fre-proof bird will drop
a few hot cinders the head of the man who
does it,
Year: 1871

PASS IN YoUR CHEcKs.-The rumor reaches us
of an amusing incident that happened in an up
town church last Sunday. 1t appears that the
house was crowded to an unusual extent that
day. and one of the deacons was noticeahy hap
py over the thought that the collection would be
very large. The thought worried him very
much, and faint visions Of hcaped plate en-
crossed his mind to such an extent that he heard
but little of the sermon, and moved his ponder
Gus form about in the seat with nervons anxiety
for the time of the collection to approach. At
last the warning came-the organ pealed forth
its rich notes, and the building trembled with
the sound, Every deacon to his feet
promptly with brightly shining silver plates,
and among them was the obese chlrch Off
cial before alluded to- He thought to effect
decoy, and with great difficulty ran his hand
down into his breeches pocket, abstractng there
from what he thought was silver half dollar,
which he placed in the plate and commenced
his rounds of collecting. He noticed that every
one he passed the plate to laughed, and he was
at loss to know what it meant. Finally, an
old brother in the corner, noticed the cause CT
merrlment, ana bringing thelr heaus very close
together, he whispered to the deacon "Brother
-, think you have made mistake as the
decoy you put into the plate The deacon
glanced at the plate, turned red and pale altern-
ately, for he saw there large white faro check,
which his embarrassment magnifed into the size
of a saucer 1t is needless TO say that the OBJ
noxous thing was put out Sf sight in hurry,
and the prevailing opinion is, that Brother -
had been caressing the tiger the Saturday night
previous.
Year: 1871

MAMMA in the rural districts lately gave her
fve-year-old hopeful an outfit of fishing tackle
She soon heard a shout from Harry, and running
out found one of her best hens fast winding up
the line in her crop, whittier the hook had al
ready preceded it. Harry, observing the troubled
look of his mother, quietly remarked " Don't
worry mother guess she'll stop when she
gets to the pole"
Year: 1871

AN Indiana man has succeed in playing a


thorough confidence game on the potato bugs.
lie planted a grain of corn In each potato hill,
and as the corn came up first, the bugs thought
IL was corn field and started for other quarters.
Year: 1871

DON'T DELAY.-Get your smoked glass ready
for the next eclipse, which is to be total shroud-
ing of the sun, and will be visible throughout
the United States. 1t is to take place in the
month of June, 1854.
Year: 1871

THE AMBITIOUS FATHER.-A gentleman in Iowa
who recently became the father Of fine boy,
child ever born, thought he saw chance to
gain reputation for liberality without the ex.
.penditure of any money SO he offered a pre-
MUM of 500 for the prettiest baby that should
be exhibited at the approaching fair not doubt
ing that the judges must award the prize to his
own. There were nine entries, comprising seven
white and two negroes, and-and one Of the ne
gro babies gained the premium
Year: 1871

Ir is oftentimes difficult to borrow money
but, as a general thing, it is easier to borrow
than to pay. He was clever chap who made
the following rejoinder


" Hawkins, if you will pay down the princi-
pal of what you owe me, will throw off the in
terest or, if you will pay up the interest, the
principal can remain"


"To tell the plain truth, Dobbins, it is against
my principle to pay the interest," and against my
interest to pay the principal"
Year: 1871

IS one of the old Dutch churches in a rural
village on the Hudson a good old man was act
ing in the capacity of master of ceremonies at
the funeral of highly respected citizen. AS is
customary on such occasions, he invited the as
sembled mouruers to view the corpse ftheir de-
parted friend, and in the following language ::
GAN can now have the pleasure of looking at
the last remains Of The Oldest man now living in
the town of s.. Pass up the broad aisle and
down the rght-hand alley"
Year: 1871

GyThe man who can have his coffin
made while alive must look at death
philosophically, We hear of case in
point in Person county Mr. Richard
Hargis, who lives near Bradsher's store,
thirty odd years ago turned out sassa-
fras tree to grow for the purpose Of ma-
king himself, a coffin and about twelve
months ago the old man had it cut down
and got some one in RoxbQroGgh to
make his coffin out of it, The old chap
occasionally gets in it and stretches
himself out by way of showing his
neighbors s'good fit" He paid the
maker of the coffin in wheat, so hesia
one living man who will have no fuse
over his grave about the coffin when
dead. This reminds US of an old coon
in Murfrecsbc ro, North Carolina, who
had collin cast Of iron before the war.
He had his grave dug, also, and walled
up with brick-with a magnificent
tombstone setting forth his name. date
of birth, and fixing his death issSiire-
where about the year 1861" But he
was alive and kicking in 1868. The old
chap kept his castiron coffin in his corn
crib and used to shell corn in it. The
crib needed no lock at night, for you
couldn't-ge. a negro to 60 near II after
dark -Halsboro No. J Leader.
Year: 1871

A slightly intoxicated person was seen
to cast up accounts on the street last eve
ming, and Immediately burst into flood
of tears. A sympathizer asked the cause
of so much grief, when the devotee at
Bacchus' shrine exclaimed: "Here, I've
been spending more than five dollars on
whisky, and that five-cent sandwich ate
has caused me to lose all the benefit of
it,"


Perhaps the most absurd invention
ever patented was the tapeworm trap of
W estern doctor. The trap was little
gold capsule made ia two parts with teeth
When the patient had been starved long
enough to make the worm hungry, this
trap was baited, suspended by asilken
thread, and then swallowed. When there
was bite,the trap was intended to go off
and catch the worm in its teeth, and trap


and worm were to be hauled up by the
| thread.


"Our Major" said soldier, chad very
long feet, and also had horse that threw
every one but the Major. One evening
the Majors servant was out on the pa
rade ground with the horse, and as usual
cot thrown off, when one of the boys
spoke up and said: 81 know why the
horse don't throw the Major" "Why ?''
was asked hya dozen or more. "Well,
you see the Majors got such long feet
that the horse thinks he's in the shafts"