smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

Would you know whether the tendency
of a book is good or evil. examine in what
state of mind you lay it down. Has it
Induced you to suspect that what you
have been accustomed to think unlawful
may, after all, be innocent, and that may
be harmless which you have hitherto been
taught to think dangerous? Has it tend
ed to make you dissatisfied and impatient
under the control OF others; and disposed
you to relax in that self government
without which both the laws of God and
man tell US there can be no virtue, and
consequently no happiness? Has it at
tempted to abate your admiration and
reverence for what is great and good, d
to diminish il you the love of yo II
country and your fellow creatures? Has
il addressed itself to your vanity, your
selishness, or any other Of your evil
propensitiess Has 1t defiled the imagina-
ton with what is loathsome, or shocked
the heart with what is monstrous? Has
IL tiolui oCi ehC cClsC Vi iiS HI oiiu WlOuS
which the Creator has implanted in the
human soul? If soft you are conscious
of all or any of these effects-or if, having
escaped from them all, you have felt that
such were the effects it was intended to
produce-throw the book into the fire,
whatever name it may bear on the title
page! Throw it into the fire young man.
though it be the gift of friend; young
lady, away with the whole set, though il
should be the prominent furniture of 6
rosewood bookcase.


I believe in colleges and academies, ant
select and high schools; but 1 would
rather see all of them perish than to SCI
the common school perish. 1 would fair
have the common school made so stron;
and 50 good, so large and SO luminous, SC
full of the marrow of good things, thai
fthey who dwell in the neighborhood of it
no matter how rich they may be, can no
afford to send their children any wher
else. Make that which you do for com
mon people better than that which can b
done by select classes in the communit


for themselves.


Make such provision for the education
Year: 1873

MIR. MILLIKAN.


DEAR SIR:-I notice in some paper
the inquiry, 'how is the corn husk this
year," at the same time it says, 1.-The husk
was very heavy last year, and that was
sign of hard winter" The husk is
heavy and close around the point of the
ear this year VIII the inquirer please
tell what that has to 10 with the winters
Has the grown crop anything to do with
it? In my opinion it would not take
much proof to make that man believe that
wheat would turn to chess. In the same
article | noticed the assertion that the in
sects in the ground did the farmer more
harm than the railroad monopoly, and
that the farmers had better make war
against them, and let the railroads alone:
To that would say, that the farmer has
a friend in the large black bird, which
will take care of the cut worm and the
grub worm; while the small red-wing
black-bird, represents the middle man
and the railroad monopoly. When the
farmers corn is in the milk, they come in
fiocks and pick the ear, and let the water
in and damage it; while the large black
bird, commonly called "the corn planter"
is the first to begin its work in the spring.
making war upon the cut-worms and 9TH
er insects as they are exposed by the plow,
and stays with the plowboy till the crops
is made, and cheers him with his song all
the day long.


There is no bird to which the farmer is
so much indebted as his faithful friend
the large black birds and it needs the
protection of law if any bird does.
Year: 1873

EDITOR OF REPUBLICAN:-AllOw US
through your columns to tender our
thanks to the friends who gave US the
kindly welcome, on last Tuesday evening,
December I'd, on our return home.


We would say the surprise to us was d
most complete and happy one, notwith-
standing the inclement weather.


Believing it to have been true express
sion of friendship and love, not only for
Office of the christian ministry, but an ex-
preston ofappreciation of the lives and
and services of those who are gi ven for
the benefit of others, and of hose whose
home must of necessity be mostly among
strangers. and therefore deprived in a
great measure of local interest.


We shall long cherish this deed of kind
ness after our separation from these friends.
which in the economy of the church, must
soon be, and we will most devoutly wish
ard pray for their prosperity, in temporal
and spiritual things; also, for those who
were not privileged to be present on the
happy occasion.


Our house has been entered before in
our absence; but for felonious purposes.
We once having had nearly all of our
earthly possessions stolen from us, while
attending an Annual Conference. But
when we we find it as it was on Tuesday
evening, "broken into," but well filled
with our happiest and warmest friends, in
and outside of the church, among whom
we found was the night-watch and his
good lady guarding well our interests, we
have no words of censue, and our vocabu-
larry of praise becomes exhausted. We
simply subscribe ourselves as theirs IN the
Gospel. j. L. & EVA BOYD.
Year: 1873

| 1t is not necessary to report the trite
statement that the teacher should be what
he would have his pupils be- Most teach
ers theoretically acknowledge this, and
yet their bearing in the presence of the
There is an unconscious teaching which
teachers do. that has much to do in form
ing the characters of children. If the
teacher is always refined, always polite,
always courteous, the pupils will of ne
cessity, imbibe the same spirit and their
manners will be modified accordingly. 1t
is worth great deal to any child to be
brought into daily contact with true
gentleman or lady. Good manners should
be taught by both example and precept
\ great many teachers fail in this regard


Teachers should not only be courteous
toward their pupils but toward persons
that visit their schools. A few years ago.
when visiting the several schools of a
certain township, in company with the
township Trustee, could not but notice
the different ways in which we were re-
ceived. One teacher barely nodded the
head and pointed to seat Another
greeted us with cordial shake of the hand
and made us feel that we were welcome
One went directly on with the recitation
without offering us book or making any
explanation as to what was being done !;
anot her stopped the regular work of the
school and spent the time in singing and
marching. one received us kindly, called
up his pupils to their feet, gave us an
introduction TO them, handed us book
and explained in few words how long
the class had been upon that branch of
study and what they were now doing, and
then proceeded with the lesson as though
no interruption had taken place. One left
us stand. hat in hand in the middle of the
floor ut least five minutes, before he made
any inquiry as to our business.


1t is not necessary to say which of these
teachers pleased us most. As a rule teach.
ers should welcome strangers with hear,
ty shake of the hand and make them feel
that they are not intruders; and as a rule
the regular school work should not be
varied on account Of visitors. If the
teachers that read these suggestions will
make personaLapplication of them, the
example will spread ike a contagious
disease, and in short time pupils and
teachers will be more courteous than at
present.


Who can tell the value of smile9 1t
costs the giver nothing; it is beyond price
10 the erring and relenting, the sad and
cheerless, the lost and forsaken. 1t disarms
malice, subdues TEMPER turns malice to
love. revenge to kindness, and paves the
darkest paths with gems of sunlight. A
smile on the brow betrays kind heart,
a pleasant friend, an atfectionate brother,
a dLtitul son, am: a happy wife and hus-
band. 1t adds charm to beauty, it deco
rates the face of the deformed and makes
lovely woman resemble an angel of para
disc.
Year: 1873

A groom and bride entered the sleep
ing car at Baltimore. says the Louis
vile Ledger, the groom glaring at eve,
rybodv as though he wanted to fight
on the spot. His little wife, however,
seemed to be very happy and good ma
turcd After the train got out OF the city
the newly married man became eX.
tremelv disagrGcable. He picked 4
quarrel with the negro porter on the car
and knocked him down. The sleeping
car conductor then interfering, he walk
ed into him, and after brief struggle
laid Kim on the floor, bleeding at every
pore. Having made way with these in
dividuals, the rest Of the passengers
carefully kept out Of his way, and he
sat on his seat boiling and simmerine
with wrath and ready to engage in a
fresh conflict.


Alter a while his wife expressed a
desire to retire, and he had berth
made up at the point of the bayonet.
and the bride, letting her hoops and
other useless adjuncts fall on the floor,
crcpt into the berth, followed by her
giant licge lord. Thinking that ali
was quiet and safe, the gentleman who
had the berth above that Of the
pair, attempted to reach it by rising
first one foot Oh the champion fighter
berth. No sooner had he taken his
first step than his leg was seized by the
monster below, and he found himself
dragged down with violence to the
floor, suffering considerable injury
Then he received a blow from the fist
of the wa.l;ke groom. He, however
leapcd }, and regardless CT the pre-
sence of the bride in the berth, gave
The groom good thraShlng as he lay
cramped up. This quoted him and
the car at last had rest.


When the conductor came around
for tickets, MIR. Groom, reaching down
to the floor, picked up his wiFe's draw
crs, and mistaking them for his panta-
loons felt for his tickets for about TWEEN
ty minutes, but not finding any rccep-
taclc in this garment for tickets, he
gave it up in disgust, when, at the Sug'
gestion Of the conductor, he looked up
his breecheS aud found them. The
fellow was we'll dressed, apparently
had plenty Of money, and was not in
tcxicarcl. 1t is supposed that the no.
velty ofhis situation overcame his rea'
son.
Year: 1873

To restore the civil year to cor
respondenee with the astronoml al,


Gregory XII. ordered that the 9th OF
October, 1852, should be called the
18th. To prevent the intrusion OF the
same errors in the measurement OF time
in future ages, and to secure the re-
crrrence Of the festivals of the church


at the same period of the year, he
further decreed that every number is
not divisible by four should consist of
three hundred and sixty-tive days ;
every year which is so divisible, but
not divisible by one hundred, OF three
hundred and sixty-fve days; ever year
divisible by one hundred, but not by
four hundred. of three hundred and
sixty-five; and every year divlslble by
four hundred, of three hundred and


sixty-six. A more perfect correspond
ence of the civil and astronomical years
will probably never be obtained. After
the lapse of four thousand two hundred
and thirty-seven years the error will less
than one day In the preparation oi
this rule every source of disagreement
is estimated. and as far as possible cor
rected. The allowance of an extra day
every fourth year is indeed small ex-
cess but this is not allowed to accu-
mulate, for at the commencement at
every century the centennial year is not
to consist of three hundred and sixty
six days, or in other words, is not to be
counted a leap-year, unless its number
can be divided by four hundred. Thus
the year 1900 was a leap-year, and the
year 20O0 will he the same; but the
years 100 and 1900 contained, and the
wear 1900 will contain, only 800 days.
Year: 1873

As the long winter evenings come on
the farmers should lay i'll supply OF
good reading, whether it be dir tlyy re-
lating to their own business or OF hlsto-
nv, travel, or science. And to the resi-
dent of the country, unaccustomed to
strain upon the eye, the primary consld-
Grafton should be having bright, clear
unfickering light. 1t has long ago been
demonstrated that the flame derived
from pure petroleum oils is the best OF
all others for reading or study, from ITS
peculiarity in containing the rays which
accord more harmoniously with the
structure of the human eye, but so many
have been the accidents from careless
ness that even those who felt almost
compelled to use it did so with most ex-
treme caution. However as now science
has produced these oils of high gravity
and entire safety, even many persons in
the city who study and write by night
have adopted them instead of gas. The
farmer can thus provide himself with
that light which experience of our first
scholars has proven to be the best for
the eyes, and really have in his home as
safe, and far more reliable and cheap
er light than any we get from our city
gas.
Year: 1873

The ecombustibilityo of iron has recently
been demonstrated in a remarkable man
ner by Professor Magnus, of Berlin.
He takes a straight bar magnet of con-
siderable power, and sprinkles iron
filings on one of its poles. These filings
of course arrange themselves in ac-
cordance with the lines of magnetic
force, and however close they may ap-
pear to be packed, of course no two OF
the metallic filaments are parallel, and
consequently certain portion of air is
inclosed as in metallic sponge. The
flame of a spirit lamp or gas burner
readily ignites thefnely divided particles
of iron. and it continues to burn for
it considerable time Ifthe experimenter
stands ON little elevation, and moves
the magnet to and fro while burning, a
magnificent rain of fire is produced.
This phenomenon of the combustibility
or infammability of iron may also be
produced by dusting iron filings through
a large copper covering with lamp cot
ton soked in alcohol and set fire to.
The effect of this is very large flame,
though by daylight not very visible;
The effect produced when the filings fall
into it is very fine; the whole flame be-
comes intensely luminous as each
particle of iron burns with those bril-
liant scintillations which are charac-
teristic of it combustion.
Year: 1873

SIGNS OF Spring-When you see n
bareheaded man following a COW
through the front gate, and filling the
mir with garden implements aud pro-
family, You may know that his cabbage
plants have been set out.
Year: 1873

force, and we can say that for his honorable,
fair, and manly conduct as an editor he was an
ornament of the profession.


In the spring of 1868 he was nominated for
the ohice Of Governor, and canvassed the State
against the Radical party and the then pending
Underwood Constitution. He so aroused pub
lie opinion against the Constitution that the
military authority General Candy, fearing its
rejection, postponed the vote upon 1t.


Before the campaign was over, the Liberal
movement" as it was then called. was set on
foot. 1t contemplated union of Liberal Re-
publicans and Democrats, and Colonel Withers
being rather ultra, it was thought, for that
time, the State being still out of the Union
he yielded to the wishes of many friends and
withdrew Gov. Walker was then nominated
upon the fusion ticket, and the grand triumph of
that ticket followed. For Colonel Withers's
magnanimity at that time it has been generally
thought that he should have been honored with
some prominent position, and his friends
thought the present a good opportunity to dis
charge this public obligation to this deserving
gentleman. General Kemper was nominated
over him by the Conservative Convention, and
all parties combined to bestow upon him the
second place, which he accepted under sense
of duty, in spite of his pride and self-respect


In every relation in life Colonel Withers has
proved his loyalty, valor, truth, and virtue;
and as Lieutenant Governor will honor the Of
fee he will be placed in.
Year: 1873

poet toiled over the song for the maid
Who had plighted her troth for him,
And he leaned and wrote in the gathering shade


Till his eyes were dim.
But the maiden strollcd on the distant beach,
And listed another's tender speech.
The poet sang of her love- lit eve
So softly and deeply blue;
How its soulful gaze, half arch, half shy,


He only knew.
But the maids blue eyes were shedding their


light
On the face of tall, dark man that night
He sang of the hand so white and fair,
And as soft as a hand could be;
And the ring" he sang, that is cleaning there


Binds her to me-"
But the maid to her tall companion said,
This ring? tits the gift of friend that's dead"
He sang of her ripe and dewy lips;
''They are roses before they blow;
And the taste OF the nectar that from them drips


l, only, KNOW"
But the maid as she walked in the moonlights


mist,
Lifted her head and was lovingly kissed.
He sang of her voice, 1T is sweet and clear
AS the voice of the gentle dove
So tender that 1 alone can hear


Her words of love-"
But the maiden whispered to one by the sea,
II love thee, darling, and only thee"
All, poet finish your last nights strain;
All, maid shall we give you praise or blame?
You are wringing heart with bitter pain,
Yet helping to laurel brow with fame.
For out of the depths of a master woe,
And through the valley of dark despair
The soul of singer must grope and go
Ere he wear the purple true poets wear.
Year: 1873

It is your secret and mine level


All me! how the dreary rain,
With slow persistence all day long,


Dripped OH the window pane!
The chamber was weird with shadows,


Aud dark with the deepening gloom,
Where you in your royal womanhood


Lay waiting for the tomb!
They robed you all in white, love,


In your hair was a single rose,
A marble rose it might we'll have been,
In its cold and still repose.
o, paler than yonder carven saint,


And calm as the angels are,
You seem so near me my beloved,


Yet were, alas, so far! ..
do not know if I wept, love, .,.


But my soul rose up and said: ...
''My heart shall speak unto her heart,


Though here she is lying-dead! D.,
I will give her last love token


That shall be to her sign ...'t
In the dark grave-or beyond it'll


OF this deathless love of mine."
80 I sought me little scroll, love,


And thereon in eager haste,
Lest another's eye should read them,


Some mystic words traced. :"
Then close in your clasped fingers,


Close in your waxen hand, ..
placed the scroll as an amulet,


Sure you would understand! ...
The secret is yours and mine, love!


Only as we two may know
What words shown clear in the darkness
Of your grave so green and low,
But if, when we meet hereafter,


In the dawn of fairer day,
You whisper those mystical words, love,
It is all L would have you say!


The Aldine.
Year: 1873

EYEsIGHT OF ANIMALs.-Horses and
cattle have excellent eyesight even to
o very advanced age. Dogs in q wild
state preserve their vision unimpair-
ed to the extreme period of their life
Limitation, while domerticated dogs
see very,imperfectly in the course OF
ten years, if they live so long. The
reason seems to be, owing to looking
at fires IN the house, exposed to 'can-
die or gas lights, and being about
dwellings where the sphere Of vision
is limited by the intervention OF fences,
edifces, etc. A free range always in
open air also tends to the preservation
of the vision Of wild animals and
birds. Another circumstance con-
tributes to the preservation ofthe vls=
ion in wild auiimals Perpetual vigil
lance contributes to free circulation
in the optic apparatus and Inform
convexity of the cornea'


Were it not for white writing pa
per, artificial light, stimulating drlnks
which quicken the circulation to the
enforcement of minute vessels in the
interior or the organs, and passing
much of our time in the midst OF re-
fecting lights, from surrounding %.
iects, our eyes would be about as


good at threescore and ten as IN tne
early days Of childhood.
Year: 1873

the craft, and after waiting there for
q few moments his ten men came up
they were at least half an hour ahead
of time. After a time tho first stroke
of the distant church clock was heard
it was striking twelve-and twenty
men, like huge monsters, crept out
from the dark. waters and stoodfo an
instant upon the levee. Then, with
tightening speedsthey darted on board
the steamer, and ran into the cabin


In an instant all was confusion. Wild
shrieks burst from the female throats


ard strong men shouted the alarm


Many Of the women tainted, and not
a few Of those to, whom nature gave
the form Of heroes sprapg for shore
or into the water, thoroughly panic


stricken. But there were those on
board who were not easily intimi


dated, and they began the lite 4nd
death struggle, Drawing their pis


tolls, they fought coolly but determin


edly; and for a time the confic'
seemed to favor them. The weapons
Of the twenty robbers were useless


for the powder had become saturated
with water, but they fought like
demons with their knives. But more
than half their number had fallen


either dead or very badly wounded
| The alarm had been sounded, ant
the tramp of the military could b.
heard rapidly approaching. Wher'
were the other thirty men? If they
had failed or been captured then al
was lost. But no. The boat begar
to move out into the river, and twenty
more robbers rushed into the cabin
Using the pistols freely, the work o
blood was soon comnlated The 20 ~
Year: 1873

serving. And God Is the arbiter. Go on
then. wife and mother in tho faithful dis
charge Of duty. Go on young and hap
py maiden; guard carefully thy footsteps
that thy line OF life may fall in pleasant
places. Ever striving to adorn thy mind
with knowledge aud beautiIy thy soul
with wisdom. that thou may'st gather
unto thyself only gems OF the beautiful
These alone. with unfading laurels will
crown thy pathway in the ever new and
ever beautiful present and future Lille
Lesson.