smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

The KEY OF DEATH.-The following sin
gular tradition is related of key in col
lection Of curiosities preserved in the arsenal
at Venice


About the year 1900 one Of those danger
Gus men, in whom extraordinary talent ls
only the fearful source of crime and wick
edness beyond that of ordinary men, came
to establish himself as merchant or trader
at Venice. The stranger, whose name was
Tebaldo, became enamoured of the daugh-
ter of an ancient house, already aifianced to
another. lie demanded her hand in mar
riage, and was of course rejected. Enraged
at this, he studied how to be revenged. Pro-
foundly skilled in the mechanical arts, he
allowed himself no rest until he invented the
most formidable weapon that could be mag
ined. This was a key of large size, the han
die OF which was so constructed that 1t
could be turned round with little difficulty.
When turned, it disclosed spring, which,
on pressure, launched from the other end
needle or lancet of such fneness that it en-
tered the flesh and buried itself there with
out leaving any external trace.


Tebaldo waited at the door Of the church
in which the maiden whom he loved was
about to receive the nuptial benedictlon.
The ASSASSIN sent the slender steel unper-
ceiyed into the breast Of the unsuspecting
bridegroom. The wounded man had no sus-
picion Of injury, but, seized with sharp,
sudden pain in the midst Of the ceremony,
he tainted and was carried to bis own house
amid the lamentations of the bridal party.
Vain was all the skill of the physicians, who
I y,F
ness, and in few days he died.


Tebaldo again demanded the hand Of the
young maiden from her parents,and received
a second refusal they, too, perished miser-
ably in few days.


The alarm tf these deaths, which ap-
peared almost miraculous, excited the ut
most vigilance Of the magistrates, and when
on close examination of the bodies, the small
instrument was found in the gangrened
flesh, terror was universal, every one feared
for his own lie The maiden thus cruelty
orphaned had passed the first month Of her
mourning in a convent, when Tebaldo, hop
ing to bend her to his viii, entreated to
speak to her at the gate. Her reply was
most decisively in the negative. Tebaldo,
beside himself with rage, attempted TO wound
her through the gate, and succeeded. The
obsourity Of the place prevented his actions
from being observed. On her return to her
room, hemaiden felt pain in her breast,
and uncoyering it she found it spotted with
a single drop Of blood. The pain increased,
the surgeons who FASTENED to her assistance,
taught by the past, wasted no time in con
lecture, but, cutting deep into the wounded
part, extracted the needle before any mortal
mischief had commenced, and saved the life
Of the lady. The State Inquisition used ey-
cry means to discover the hand which dealt
these iusidious and irresistible blows. The
visit Of Tebaldo to the convent caused suspi-
cion to fall heavily upon him. His house
was carefully searched, the famous inven-
tion discovered, and he perishcd on the glib
bet
Year: 1872

STENCIL PLATES AND MATRMoSY. The
story of the old lady who bought n door
plate with the name Of Thompson on it is
well known, but that old lady did not uti-
lie her acquisition as did fond and Geo
nomical mother in San Francisco lately.
The daughter of the last mentioned lady
had indiscreetly purchased stencil bearing
the Joint initials of herself and young man
TO whom she was aboat to be married, and
with the blackest of indelible ink had
marked her wedding linen herewith
But alas the young man proved unworthy
of the conhding trust so touehingly dis
played. Nothing daunted, however, the
mother ofthe betrayed one started out, and
after diligent search succeeded in finding
a young man bearing the initials OF her
daughters faithless lover. Him she straight
way tooy along, and forthwith married him
to her daughter. Thus were the yearnings
Of the fair one soothed AMI the stencil p!at c
utilized. Chicago Times.
Year: 1872

Look most to your spendings. No
matter what comes in, if more goes
you will always be poor. The art is
not in making money, but in keep
ing it. Little expenses, like mice in q
barn, when they are many make
great waste. Hair by hair heads
grow bald; straw by straw, the
thatch leaves the cottage; and drop
by drop the rain comes II the cham
ber.


A barrel is soon empty il the tap
leaks but a drop n minute. When
you mean to save, begin with your
mouth many thieves pass down
the rcd lane. The ale jug is a great
waste. In all other things keep
within cc mpass. Never stretch your
legs further than the blanket will
reach, or you viii soon be cod. In
ali clothes choose suitable and last
ing stuff, and not tawrdy fneries.-
To be warm is the main thing; never
mind the looks. A fool may make
money, but it needs a wise man 70
spend it. Remember it is easier 70
build two ehimneys than to keep
one a going. II you give all 70
back aud board, there is nothing
left for the savings bank. Fare hard
and work hard while you are young
and you will have chance to resi-
when you are old.
Year: 1872

A contemporary says: "We fell
In with an old gentleman the other
day from one of the neighbOring
counties, and the conversation hap
pening to turn on newspapers, we
asked him if he was taking a paper.
He replied, no--that he had stopped
going TO church, because he could
not pay the preacher, thus intima-
ting most clearly that he was not
able 70 take a newspaper, and that
he did not wish to read it without
paying the editor


You are right friend, said we
man cant save his soul by listenIn
to unpaid for preaching. and It Is
equally evident, that the individual
who subscribes for = paper and does
not pay for it, is on the broad road
to destruction.


We were so impressed with that
mans honesty. that We had half d
mind to send him a copy Of or pa
per for t-.Tlive months.
Year: 1872

Boddlepopster is dead! The
bare announcement will plunge the
city into unspeakable gloom. The
death Of Boddlepopster was most
untimely; he should have died
twenty years ago. Probably no
man Of his day has eXerted so pop
ular an influence upon society as
the deceased. Ever foremost in
every good work out c. which any
thing could be made, and unstinte0
dispenser of every species Of ch6Eity


that paid a commission to the dis


burser. Mr.. Boddlepopster was


model of generosity, and weighed


at the time of his death one hun


dred and ninety odd pounds. Orig


inally born in Massach usetts, but


for nineteen years a native Of Cali


fornia, and partially bald, possess


ing a cosmopolitan nature that


loved a York shilling as well, in


proportion to its value, as q Mexi-


can dollar, the subject of our me


moir was one whom it was an hon


or to know, and whose close friend


ship was a luxury that only the af-
fluent could afford. It shall ever be
the writer's proudest boast that he
enjoyed it at less than half the usual
rates. Mr.. BFwas the founder of
the nov 6amDus Boddlepopster In
stitute, and for many years prece-
ding his death, suffered severely
from a soft corn, which has proba-
bly done as much for agriculture as
any similar concern on the foot
hills of our State. In 1868 he was
elected an honorary member OF the
society for the prevention OF hui
manity to Mongolians, and but for
the loss oR an eye in carrying out
its principles would have been one
of the handsomest whites that ever
resided among as. There is little
doubt that he might have aspired 20
any office in the gift Of the people,
so universal was the esteem IN
which he was held by those he
voted for. In an evil moment he
was induced to associate himself IN
business with the Rev. Albert WI
liams, and though he speedily with
drew from the firm, he was never
able to wholly eradicate the disgrace
from his constitution, and it finally
carried him to his grave. His last
words, as he was snufed out we're
characteristic of the man; he re
marked sFetch me that damn cat
nip tea" The catnip consolation
arrived too late TO be of any use;
he had gone to the devil. Farewell, /,
noble 6eart-I1Gre soul-bright IN
tellect! We shall meet again.
Year: 1872

you don't wish to faIi in love,
keep away from calico. You can
no more play with The girls without
losing your heart than You can Al
roulette without losing your money,
As Dobbin aptly remarks, the heart
strings of woman are like the ten.
drills Of a vine-RlWays feeling
about for something TO cling to-
The consequence is, that before you
have any idea OF going, you are
gone, like one-leggcd stove vt a
street auction.
Year: 1872

We are told that Bismarck Keyes.
of. Madison wrote TO a political
friend in the western part Of our
State that, with the exception of a
few stragglers, the Grant column is
moving on with assured hopes OF
success; to which the political
friend replied: ''rhe column may
be moving on, but yOu ought 70 just
come over here and see the strag-
gleFs.
Year: 1872

A Western paper ayers that the
water is so low in the Mississippi
river that the steamboats, have to
keep whistling to keep the cows out
Of the channel Some of the boats
have to be provided with cow-catchs
ers. .56h9A 81 i''A
Year: 1872

How dangerous TO defer those
1nomentbus Feformations which the
conscience is solemnly preaching to
the heart. If they are neglected
the difficulty and indisposition are
increasing every month, The mind
is receding degree by degree, from
the warm aud hopeful zone; till at
at last it viii enter the arctic circle,
and become fixed in relentless and
eternal ice,
Violins cheaper than ever at the
Book Store.
Year: 1872

Newspapers Of the Gazette type used to try to
excite opposition and stir up prejudice against
SOHO OF our best citizens, simply because they
were not born in Delaware. But the carpet
bsgger cry never had much influence, and Of
late, it il not disadvantage to have been born
in another part of the country, DR.. Shortlidge,
of the Ninth ward can testify. He came, a year
or two ago from Pennsylvania, and is member
of the City Council, member of the Board of
Education, and City Vaccine Physician. Some
Of these days we mean to give few statistics,
showing more fully how the carpot-baggers aie
recognized aud lOnored.
Year: 1872

The Arbitralors at Geneva are understood to
have decided that the indirect claims" are not
subjects for an award Of money damages, and
cannot come before them. 1t is therefore be-
leyed that no further difficulty exists in proceed
ing wi,h business under the treaty.
Year: 1872

JUDGE BLACK The GRANTEES have taken
a good deal of comfort from the anti Greeley
position of Judge jeremiah S. Black, of Pa.
acknowledged to be one of the ablest
statesmen Of the the country. He wanted
Democratic candidate to vote for, but he
says:


The defeat of Grant, and the suppression
of the evils his administration has brought
upon the country would indeed be a glorious
result. "Iis consummation dcvoutly to be
wished" | know nothing of Greeley person.
ally, and must admit that the opinion |
have formed of his character from other
sources is most favorable But one thing all
admit, he is an honest man. The fact that
he will de elevated to power by coalition Of
the good men Of all parties, would alone be
a sufficient guaranty of the purity and
raightiorwardness of his administrations
a party composed Of such elements can have
but little cohesive power and The administra-
ton which depends upon it for support must
tread cautiously in very narrow path. l
would have very little fears of Mr.. Greeley
or any other sensible man going very far
astray on any question under such crcum-
stances.
Year: 1872

A WIDows WMEs.-Ihey tell about a
blooming young widow in Derby who used
to live next door to Mr.. Smith, WHO was q
widower and timid man, whose mild eyes
beamed blandly through his spectacles The
widow had kindness for Smith, and he re-
ciprocated it. but he had hardly enough
courage to carry on the campaign. So at
last the widow pretended to be terribly afraid
Of thunder and lightning, and whenever she
saw gust coming up, she used to smooth
her hair and rush INTO Mr. Smiths house.
Then when she heard u peal of thunder, she
would scream and rash up and throw her
arms around the neck of the mild-eyed Smith
and implorc him to protect her, and Smith
always looked embarrassed and enxious, and
said he would. Then she would faint, and
Smith would feel half glad and half sorry.
About six thunder-storms settled the busi-
ness, and now she is Mrs. Smth--he is only
sorry that her apprehensons Of the lightning
were not realized. He says that if there
ever was woman who ought to have been
torn to pieces by electricity, it is that widow.
She has thunder-siorms now every day in
Smiths house, and it is very lively and Wig
orous for Smith all around her.
Year: 1872

An OBSERVATORY IN THE SIERRAs.-The
famous telescope maker, Alvin Clarke OF
Cambridgeport, Mass, is now engaged in
constructing a 27-inch refracting telescope
for the L. S. Government, at a cost of about
$50 900. 1t is designed that this instrument
shall be set up at some point of high eeva-
ton either on the Rocky Mountains or the
Sierra Nevada, and Prof. Young the well
known astronomer Of Dartmouth College,
and Prof. Davidson of the Pacific Coast
Survey, have been employed to reject the
proper site. After an examination of both
regions, it is understood that a point near
where the Central Pacific Railroad crosses
the summit of the Sierras, the elevation OF
which is about 10, 900 feet above the sea
level, will probably be selected as the site
for the new observatory.


The c!earness of the California atmosphere
and the freedom from obsfructing clouds
at that elevation will render the point
designated most admirably suited for
astronomical purposes. 1t is said that
with such telescope, and the high magni-
fying power of which it will admit the use,
there is not over one or two days or nights
per year on the low Atlantic coast where
it could be used with its highest maguifying
powers, while on the ezra, with our free
dom from clouds, many more favorable op-
portunities must exist for such an important
use of the extensive power of the instrument
in making observations, and we look forward
for marvellous revelations in physical astron-
omy, if the proposed site is finally decided
on. The attention of the astronomical world
has long recognized the Importance of an
observatory on this coast, and we trust that
no misdrected zeal or local jealousy will in
terfere to prevent the early anticipated con-
summation of such a work.
Year: 1872

PRAISE CHILDREN is an old super
stiton that praise is too good thing to be
given to children, that it is too rich for their
mental and moral digestion. Some parents
are so afraid that child will grow proud
that they never praise him, and this course
is often disastrous. 1t is apt to produce
either too much seli-asserion- sef-asser-
ton is Legitimate outgrowth Of the with
holding of commentator to which one is
entitled-or to engender a self-distrust or
melancholy hopelessness ofdisposition. Praise
is sunshine to a child, and there is no child
that does not need it. 1t is tie high reward
of ones struggle TO do right. Hughes says
that you never get mans best out of him
without praise. Many a sensitive child, we
believe, dies of hunger for kind commenda-
fion Manga child starving for the praise
that parent should give it runs off eagerly
after the designing Hattery of others. To
withhold praise where it is due is dishonest,
and in the case of child such a course often
leaves stnging sense of injustice. Motives
of common justice as well as II regard
for the .hild should influence the parent
to give generous praise for all that deserves
it. Or course there is a difference in the
constitution of children. Some cannot bear
so much praise as others, and some need a
great deal. 1t should never be indiscrim-
mate. We remember a wonderful woman
who Taught school in one village till she bad
educated a part of three generations. She
was one of the most successful Of teachers.
But her success lay in her Gift for praising
with discrimination. A bad boy who was a
good scholor got praise for his briIliancy sand,
wiched between her admonilions for his bad
behavior, and so was won to better life,
and we recall good girl who had no gift OF
learning rapidly, but who was saved from
utter despair by the praise she got for herun-
firing industry. Into the discouraged hearts
of the children the praises of the teacher
came like sunlight. And the virtues, like
other good fruits, can only ripen in the sun
shine
Year: 1872

cEVEN-I HIKI1 OOLD DONDs'


The Northern Pacific 7-30 Gold Bonds are issued in
denominations of 800 to 81 900 Coupon and 800
$4,000 Registered have 80 years to run, bear inter-
est 80 per cent in gold and exempt from United
States tax to the holder.


They are secured by first and only Mortgage upon
the Railroad, its franchises earnings, and all tho
lands and property possessed by the Company.


These bonds are selling at par and accrued in
terest in currency, and with their ample security
and high rate of interest we believe there Is no in
yestment accessible to the people which is more
profitable or SAFE They furnish to the public an in
yestment security which combines the ready nego-
liability the convenience and high credit Of first
class Railroad Bond with the soidity and safety Of
of Real Estate Mortgage on Land worth at least
twice the amount loaned.
Year: 1872

How OLD JOHN HARPER FLANK
ED THE New YORK SpoRTs.-The
New York Sun says that when
old man Harper brought his stud
of horses North he had a white
jockey. The boy soon became
intimate with many patrons the
turf: and drank and smoked with
them. He was a general favorite.
As soon as the old man found out
that the sports and knowing ones
knew the boy, he telegraphed for
his colored jockey, John Sample,
who rode Longfellow at Lexing-
ton. When the bell rang for the
riders to mount the white boy
came out. Apparently not noti-
cing him, Uncle John told the dark.
ey to step on the scales. Finding he
weighed one pound too much, he
made him rRn round the track
and sweatsthe extra pound away.
The experiment was successful and
the darkey won the race. 1t is
siad that while the white boy is
richer by several hundred dollars,
some politicians are'of the opinion
that they threw some money
away carelessly. Fhey think IN
Gle John Harper is too smart Tor
the New York boys.
Year: 1872

! Few farmers do neglect to make


L turnip patch Of some kind, but


they too often neglect to properly
prepare the soil, neglect to give
! it sufficient manure, and neglect
: the proper after cultivation, and


they lose money by neglect.
Bad farming does not pay, even
in the turnip patch. From six hun
dred to eight hundred-under the
most favorable condition, one
thouSand-bushels Of lurnirs can
be grown on an acre Of land.
Why should we be content with
one hundred? We can, it is true,
make the one hundred with less
labor and less attention. We have
but to cow-pen our Enclosure till
it shall be trodden rs hard as the
public road, scratch it with a
"Scooter" and SOW the seed broad
cast. That's not much trouble,
and we don't get "much turnips r'
4 little more labor, plenty Of
manure, and six hundred bushels
of turnips to the acre (to put it
low will pay a great deal bet
ter.


For good turnip crop, the soil
must have deep and thorough
preparation. Cow.-penning land
for turnips is good on loose sandy
soils, but tits rot to be recommend
ed for those which are heavy and
stiff. In any case, make the soil
deep and mellow. Plough and
subsoil your patch where the lot
has not been cow-penned, spread
your stable manure broadcast, and
don't be afraid of getting on too
much; turn ia the manure at
once by cross-ploughing, running
deeply, as before. If this be done
Gas it should be) several weeks
before planting time, plough once
moro when ready to plant, apply
top dressing Of guano or super
phosphate, at the rate Of from
three to four hundred pounds to
the acre, and harrow in both d.
rections till the ground is thorough
ly pulverized, and the fertilizer
we'll mixed with the soil. Throw
up low beds if the soil be liable
to hold too much moisture other
wise plant on the level, making
the rows, in either case, about two
feet apart, and SOW from two to
two and a half pounds Of seed to
the acre. Pass roller over the
ground after sowing. Thin out to
about foot apart, and keep the
soil light and free from grass and
weeds by frequent cultivation.


This plan will make a heavy
crop with any kind OF a season.
It may not, however, be the best
plan ever devised. Adopt G bet
ter one if you can find it, but do
not, we beg, neglect the turnip
patch. and do not cheat yourself


with the idea that you can make
a good crop without manure and
labor, and no stlnted measure Of
either.


The Ruta Baga is the best keep
er, and more profitable for the
main crop We think, than any
rough leaved variety but it IS
slower growth, and other kinds
should be planted, in addition, to
come into use earlier. The Amer
lean Red Top, the White Globe,
the Norfolk, and the Yellow Aber-
deem, are good varieties


: The Ruta Bagas should be sown
from the middle Of July to the


middle of August, Cor q little later
in the Low Country.) The others


may be sown from August 18th to


October 1st. 1t is best, if practi-
cable: to SOW just before a rain.
Year: 1872

!. New York politician in wri-
ting a letter Of coincidence to the
widow of deceased country
member of the Legislature, says:
II cannot tell you how panied |
was to hear that your husband has
gone to heaven. We were bosom
friends, but now We shall never
meet again"
Year: 1872

LITTLE ROCK.


II was on the morning Of the


FOURTH OF JULY.


The boom of the morning gun
awoke us from our dreary slum-
Der, and as we turned over we
could not help from cxclalming
with Whittier,


Go ring the bells and fire the guns,


And fling the starry banner out;
Shout Freedom, till your lisping ones


Give back their cradle shout.


While we know that there are
many who entertain no friendly
feeling toward the celebration Of
this day, and to whom we are
willing to allow the privilege OF
exercising their own opinions, be
they what they may, yet we claim
this privilege and right to our
selves and are compelled to say,
that we believe that the 4th OF
July is a day that should be cele-
Year: 1872

Our best friends are at home. Those
who love US best, who would do
most for us, who are most interest
ed in our lives, and would weep the
bitterest tears were we to die
dwell under our own roof, eat at our
own table, and sleep under the shad-
ew of our own protection. How,
then, should we feel towards them
and treat them? If they are our
best friends we should be theirs, and
If we are their friends we should
show it. Concealed friendship does
dot do US much good.


If a mine of gold is on our farm
and we know il not, we are not
much better of for it. Many people
have a strange way of showing
their friendship to the members OF
their own home circle. They are
exacting, cross, surly, fretful and
hateful IN many ways, and all this
to the friends they really love. They
mean no harm; they mean not to
break the cord Of friendship, or mar
its sweet symphonies-but somehow
forget that home friendship should
be treated more delicately and kind
- NAeA ~hy ONAlSAs LLSht4ec ~ - Ott-
ter, and more Immediately affects
our happiness. It should be one OF
the constant objects for which we
should hvs-tO respect and improve,
deepen and strengthen the home
friendship. In this we live. 1t is
the fountain OF our sweetest pleas
ure, our best life. Into this foun-
tain no bitter drugs, no poisonous
drops should be put. We should
keep it clear and pure. We should
cherish it as the apple of our eye.
No word or act of ours should dis
turb it, What is so dear to us and
so essential TO our happiness should
be preserved at all expense. Home
friendship is our richest treasure
below the skies. 1t is better than
gold, rubies, lands, fortune, fame OF
| power. Nothing of an earthly ma
ture can compare with it. Then we
should treat it as our best treasure,
and be true TO it il we are false to
everything else. Every member OF
the home circle should be a faithful
friend Of all the rest, and should
show his friendship by friendly
words and acts