smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

There is a God. The herbs ofthe valley, the
cedars OF the mountains bless him-the ele-
phant salutes him with the rising orb of day
the birds sing him in foliage-the thunder pro-
claims him in the heavens-the ocean declares
his lmmensity-man alone has said: There is
no God.


Unite in thought, at the same instant, the
most beautiful objects in nature suppose that
you see at once all the hours of the day, and all
the seasons OF the year, morning in autumn,
night bespangled with stars, and a night
covered with clouds, meadows enameled with
flowers, forests hoary with snow, fields gilded
by the tints ofautumn; then alone you will have
just conception Of the universe. While you
are gazing ON that sun which is plunging under
the vault of the West, another observer admires
him emerging from the gilded gates Of the
East.


By what inconceivable magic does that aged
star, which is sinking fatigued and burning in
the shades OF the evening" reappear at thesa
instant fresh and humid with the rosy dew Of
the morning? At every instant of the day the
glorious orb Is at once rising -resplendent at
monday, and setting in the West; or rather
our senses deceive US, and there is properly
speaking no east, or south, or west in the world.
Everything reduces itself in one slight point,
from whence the King of day sends forth at
once triple light In one single substance The
bright splendor is perhaps that which nature
can present that is most beautiful for while it
gives us an idea of the perpetual magnihcence
and resistless power of God it exhibits at the
same time, shining image of the glorious
Trinity.
Year: 1870

Hon. A. Ell. STEPHENS. have seen
(says the Macon 1etegroph) letter from this
gentleman, dated Charlottesville, 17th Instant,
In which the writer says:


i am now a little better than have been
am able to sit up, read and write little but
cannot walk or even stand without assistance.


Please accept my thanks for the interest
you manifest in my we'll being, both physical
and spiritual. Be assured [ am perfectly re-
signed to the will of God in all my affections
l endeavOr, with the patience of Job, to bear
whatever awaits me under His dspensation
and with full faith In His mercy, through the
atonlng mediation of the Redeemer and also
further, with firm belief that all things work
together for the good of those who love Cod
and put their trust in Him.


"A leading object with me for years, indeed
from early youth, has been so to live-so to
conduct myself in all things-so to discharge,
by the assistance of Divine grace. all the duties
of this probationary term-as to be ready to
leave this sphere of existence for another,
brighter, and better one, whenever the sum-
mons tor my departure may come. This world,
however much may have been engaged in its
active scenes during my Gay, has never had any
real attractions for me. | have, it is true taken
a deep interest in them, but at all times more
from sense of duty than from any other con-
sideration.


Il now feel deep interest in what is going
on in our State, and in reply to your INJURY on
this subject, all can say is, that if utter no
word to the public, and take no part, even
feeble as | am, it is only because do not see
that anything [ could say or do could possibly
effect any good. God, in his infinite mercy,
only knows what is to become of this country
and its institutions. -


Il can say no more now except to repeat my
thanks for your letter, and return to you my
best wishes now and forever


Yours truly,


ALEX. H. STEPHENS. -
Year: 1870

Ali mountains and hills are equally the work
OF God; yet the world presents only here and
there Mount Ararat or Mount St Elias.
SO all Scriptures are alike given by Inspiration
but certain passages have peculiar prominence.
Here is one: For God so loved the world
that He gave His nly-begotten Son, that who
soever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. +" Preaching from these
words, John Flavel related the following -
During famine in Germany, a long time ago,
family was reduced to such straits that the
husband proposed to his wife to sell one of the
children for bread to keep the rest alive Con-
sent was finally given but then came the ques-
ton, which of the four should be sold? The
eldest was mentioned; but he was the first born;
should it be the second? he was the very pic
ture of his father; the third? /? that one stongly
resembled his mother When they came to the
fourth, he was the youngest, the child of their
old age and how could they think of such
thing? So they chose rather to perish togeth-
er than part with either child" God did not
spare HIS Son, His only son, His Son infinitely
beloved. He gave Him as bread from heaven !;
gave Him, not because He Himself had any
need, but because He 80 loved a famishing,
perishing world. Men give as they find it con-
venient, give as they are importuned, throwing
crust to beggar and bidding him begone.-
God, in the selt-moved overflow of eternal love-
gave His ony-begotten Son to this world
Seeds and SheoUes
Year: 1870

The Richmond EDening Neacs says that ''the
| abolition Of slavery has placed us in new rela-


tions towards each other, and it will be well for


us if its extinction would carry along with it


many Of the prejudices and wrong notions which


its presence amongst US produced and cherish


ed. 1t seems to US that in the past, the people


of Virginia had great disinclination to work


because they had entertained the idea that man.


ual labor was degrading. It was but natural


that this should be SO, because there was a.


mongst us an enslayed class of persons, whom we
considered as inferior to ourselves, to do such


work for us. Slavery, also, by rendering it un-
necessary for US to perform manual labor, did
certainly Undue our minds with erroneous views
in regard to the dignity of labor, and if it it did
not make us absolutely lazy, at least it tended
to keep dormant the latent physical energies
which we possessed. ike g


1t behooVes our people now to eradicate from
their minds all such prejudices and notions, and


make efforts to emulate the character of North
ern men in this respect. Eduated to it from
boyhood, they work at all kinds of labor not
spasmod'cally, but persistently, not ignorantly,
but intelligently, and as matter ofcours they
always obtain competency, if not wealth. 1t
has been sproverbial that Yankee would make
a fortune where Virginian would starve," and
really there has been to much truth in the say
ing to make it pleasant to our ears-they are
coming among us, they will bring with them
their energy, their skill, their industry and their
thriftiness-they will cultivate the land, they
will put crops into it that it never heard of be-
fore, they will build manufactures. cut down
the timber and saw it into slaves, develops the
mining and mineral resources of the State, and
do everything which will be productive of dol


lar. We invite them to come, we want them.
but, Virginians, are you going to stand idle, and
see these men get rich out of your dear old
State ? Won't you rather put your shoulder to
the wheel and help them, and as they prosper,
you will prosper, too. Throw off your old pre-
judices, old ideas, all barriers, and come down
to your work, like men. 1t is in you to do it,
and we believe you will. Let our people be
determined to acquire these characteristics of
Northern men, and it will avail them much
1t is folly to grieve over facts. 1t is wisdom SO
to act as to take advantage of them. Slavery
is gone. We must labor. The Yankees will
come amongst US, they will work, they will grow
rich and if we don't strive and keep pace with
them on the road to afauence and position, ere
long they will become the ruling spirits in this
Southern land. What Virginian would like to
see that? Bestir yourselves, then. and put forth
the latent energy and strength that is in you,
and all will be well P'
Year: 1870

A HINT "A young lady once limited to a
out, and asked what reward she would receive
for her industry. He made answer next day
by sending her new one, with the following
lines


/ send thimble for fingers nin.ble,


Which | hope will fit when you try it;


1t will last you long, if its half as strong


AS the hint which you gave me to buy it.
Year: 1870

neA- We are offering our goods at the lowest
CASH PRICES, and we are determined to
give satisfaction to all who may need anything
in our line of business.


We solicit the citizens and Farmers gener-
alv who have not tried US to do So We thank
all our friends for their past liberal patronage,
and respectfully request a continuance of the
same. Do not forget the place. Be sure to
'-''' 0' RICHARDSON & WHEAT.
Year: 1870

The clues given me by English Bill
were sufficient to enable me to trace
his fellow villains: but safe. on unex.
traditionable soil, they live in wealth
and no doubt daily rejoice in the fruits
of their most successful robbery. l visit
ed Bill the other day. and told him Of
their safety. He did not enjoy the
news at all but with many curses COM
pared their fate 10 his, and damned
them for their treatchery. As ! left
he said, II don't know as l forgive you
quite but, if ! ever get out of here and
have chance to shoot you from a
sewer-why won't that's all.
Year: 1870

THE JAMES RIVER IMPRovEMENT.-To the
Editor Of the Dispatch 1t Is whispered
about that the gentlemen having charge Of
the James river improvement are negotia-
ting to have the machinery necessary for
that purpose built by Northern firms. |
hope, sir, for the credit of our city that this
is not so ; for l happen to know. and the
fact has been demonstrated in your columns
within few days past, that the work can
be US well and cheaply done here as else
where, and the money would then be dis
tributed among our own hardworking me-
chanics. Please call attention to this in
your local department, and oblige


A DiACHINIsT.
Year: 1870

LAW ,ScHooL.-We are pleased to learn
that the prospects of the law school con-
nected with Richmond College are most
encouraging. Quite q number of students
from this and other States have declared
their purpose to be present at the opening
Of the session, The bar geneEsalllEy lE regard regard
as particularly fortunate. Prof. Green, it
is understood, will open the session with
an Introductory lecture. The known learn
ing and ability of this gentleman give assur-
ance of q rare intellectual treat.
Year: 1870

Ut is no fiction that sit down to my desk
Il to chronicle this evening. AS I look
back through the long vista of years, and
review the early days Of my married life,
its perpleXities and cares come up before me
i'll far more vivid colors than it's joys though
the retrospect often provokes n laugh where
the real experience caused bitter tears


was just twenty years old when be-
came the wife of a clergyman, poor coun-
try pastor. 1t was II love-match, and with
the thrftlessncss of lovers, | think it did not
then occur to us that we could not live upon
love, or that it would need such vulgar ap-
pliances as roast beef and palatablc pud-
dings to preserve, in its purity the divine
essence of the grand passion.


Everybody said that was totally unfit
for a minister's wife. was, naturally ex-
ceedingly joyous and mirthful, and without
a particle of the staid dignity expected
from persons in my position while my
husband was grave thoughtful man, en-
dowcd, by nature, with n commanding ap-
pearance and prepossessing manners. do
not wonder now that people could not see
the propriety of his choosing me for his
wife, when so many pattern women stood
but one objection to the match he was
poor and had no idea of practical house
keeping.


All! how well remember the first wash
ing day! Ny husband, after vainly trying
to persuade me to employ wash-woman q
knew he could not afford it, came into the
back kitchen to help me himself Wewere
very merry ut first but after rub bing, off
little patches of skin from every knucllle,
and burning our arms till they looked like
illustrated maps of some unknown country,
we began to find out that there was little
poetry, and no fun, in the wash tub


But the ironing day was worse yet-
Nothing but pride kept me from rolling
those starched shirts into bundle and TAX
ing them across the fields to my mothers
kitchen. | forgot to mention that we had
taken up our abode in parish but one mile
distant from my fathers house.


l had never ironed any starched clothes
OF any description but from my brothers
at home had imbibed very exalted ideas
in regard to the importance of immaculate
shirt bosoms. My husband told me all that
he could remember of his mothers method
and then betook himself to his study. Shall
ever forget my feelings when the flat-iron
heated seven times hotter than it's WON'T
and carefully applied to the glutinous sur
face, suddenly struck up an attachment for
the same, and, when forcibly separated, left
its whole image and superscription behind
Year: 1870

Ga3- An Irish glazier was putting pane
of glass into window, when groom who
was standing by began joking with him,
telling him to mind and put in plenty of
putty. The Irishman bore the banter for
some time, butatlast silenced his tormentor
by-"Arrah, now be off wild ye, or else I'll
put pane in yer head without any putty"
Year: 1870

w
rise in the oven to be sure. Dear me !how
green it looks But it will all come right
in baking, dare say"


&c. without further delay, I placed it in
the oven. l would not, if could, describe
its appearance when it came out. I did
not wait to test its quality, but threw it,
almost Kissing hot into that long suffering
ditch l am afraid it is there now. 1t is
many years since 1 left the place, but l
often fancy half dozen ducks hard at
work upon it.


went back to the house, and, for the
first time sat down to have a hearty crying
SPELL 1t was no genteel sniffle, with lust
tears enough to add lustre to my eyes but
downright sobbing that would have done
credit to any whipped youngester of ten.
was utterly discouraged. In this condition
my husband found me when he came down
to dinner. There was no dinner cooked
and the breakfast-table stood just as we
had left it.


At first he looked much alarmed, at the
state Of affairs. Then he came and sat
down by me, and drew my head from the
hard table, upon which it had rested, to his
shoulder. How soothingly and encourage
ingly he talked to me He seemed to have
quite forgotten my provoking language
TO himself, and to be only anxious to COM
fort me.


After time told him the sad experience
OF the morning, the long, fatiguing walk,
the attempt to obtain instruction, and the
hoPeless result. 1t was anything but
funny story to me, but felt him trembling
as | proceeded; and when I concluded
with this amiable wish, that those ducks
might be choked to death if they ever
brought that bread up to the light of day
he broke out into a fit of laughter such as
had never seen him indulge in. 1t was
a long time before he was sober enough to
speak.


81 think, Hattie" he said at last, "that
you have at least taken one step in the right
direction.''


"How?'


"Why, after confding in old Mrs. Lee,





your failure, and to ask for the privilege of
fixing few loaves under her direction.
You will easily get the art in this way, and
she is too kind to care for the trouble"


"To be sure Frank. wonder did not
think of that. | shall try very hard, and
you will have a housekeeper yet''


"And you will not sigh for convent,
Hattie?"


"Ah, Frank it is fortunate that have
a considcrate husband. Every body would
not forgive such temper as l exhibited
this morning."


We eXtemporized a lunch to serve for a
dinner and then l again set off to visit
Mrs. Lee. At last learned to make bread.


Icould fill many pages with such doleful
"reminiscences, and should be willing to do
so, if | could convince one young girl the
Importance ofpractical housekeeping knowl-
edge or mako her understand how much
of the grace and comfort of home de-
pends upon the domestic habits of its mis-
tress.


But will only indulge my vanity by
Stating, what is really true, that can now
cook dinner, clear-starch and iron, pre-
serve and pickle, knit stockings and darn
them. all in unexceptionable style. If any
one doubts it, let him Or her come and pass
week at the pretty parsonage in the rural
village of Lanswood.
Year: 1870

We congratulate our citizens on the
very satisfactory progress OF the work on
THE road, the grading on the frst three
or four miles form Hannibal & st. Joe
road southwark being 80 near completed
that the contractors will move a portion
of their force this week to a section be-.
tween New London and Pike county
II second subdivision reaching to Salt
River is being rapidly advanced, and a
strong force is at work between Salt
River and Now London. The culverts
and smaller bridges are in process Of con
struction. The contractor for the bridge
at Salt River has been preparing material
at the quarries for the bridge, and will
this week be on tho ground with his
derricks and other machinery to push
this important part of the work, which is
under contract to DO completed by the
lst Of October next. This bridge we
understand, is to be Of the most substaa
,ial and permanent character, with first
class heavy bridge rnasonry, having two
spans Of $50 feet each. Of .he charnc
ter Of the work being done, those who
ave competent to judge say, that it is first
class in every particular, while the road
itself, in as regards grade and curves,
Will DC secouD ~ uoue ia tits ctatv. -.-


We understand that in few days the
survey of the south branch will be
made, and We most heartily congratulate
the people Of the west and south west
part Of the county upon the probable
realization Of their expectations rcspect-
ing this branch road, SO highly impors
taut to the interests of the county a.
large.


With this railroad, Lincoln county
will compare in railroad facilities With any
county in the State, and the inevitable
result will be large increase in popula.
ton and production, growth of towns,
iute-ual Improvement, individual wealth,
rul general prosperity.


Immediately after the survey Of the
branch road the engineers will proceed
to the south eud Of the road, and work
will commence at that point as soon as
the location has been made through Lin
cola county.


In this connection we may remark tha.
good opportuny for investment presents
itself to our citizens by the purchase Of
our own County Bonds issued in aid OF
this road, and thus accomplish the two
fold benefit Of securing q FIRST class in.
vestmcut and individually contributing
to the success of the road. These bonds
have ten years to run, and bear interest at
ten per cent, payable semi. annually.
Parties desirous to purchase these bonds,
or obtain information thereon, are ro-
ferred to b. G. Cake, Troy. who is au-
thorizcd to receive applications for the
purchase thereof.
Year: 1870

provide means for it. The emigrants,
too, it is said, really enter themselves to
90 to Cuba with this intent, or
in order to serve the insurrec-
tionists; and that Jordan's scheme
il device that persons here
should assist the emigrants to go to the
island 80 that they can embark in the
military enterprise. Senators and mem
bers of Congress familiar with the facts
say that Jordan's plan is repetition oi
the Champion device of recruiting men
for the British army in the Crimea by
inviting and inducing them to 60 to
Canada on the payment Of board


passage money, expenses or like. there
to decide whether they will enlist
for the Crimea. 1t is understood that
some interesting developments will be
made in a few days in regard to the
manner in which General Gordon and
his associates obtained money and men


for the Cuban cause


A new German steamship line has
been organized from New York tc
Stetlin, port on the Oder river, south
| of the Baltic and two and half hours
from Berlin BY rail. Two new steam


ers will at once be put on the route.
Year: 1870

Germany deserves our respect for many
things, but chiefly because when her war
with Austria in 1866 was ended, she made
her enemy pay the expenses of the war,
and dealt without mercy with all who
sympathized with her Suppose we had
done so with the enemies of our cause in
1865 -T'hiadclIhi0 Press.
Year: 1870

The Midland Railroad has penetrated


a section where the locomotive is still


a novelty to the old settlers. A day


or two since, an old inhabitant Of one


of the secluded wales through which


the Midland winds its course, clad in


homespun, with his MONDAY lunch


deposited in one of his capacious pock-


cts, got aboard a train at one of the
small stations. The air of innocent


wonderment with which he surveyed
the interior before venturing to az
range himself in a seat, indicated that
an excursion by rail was an event in
his experience. Presently 'toot, toot"
sounded the signal to be off, and the
train gradually gathered its way
again. The venerable countryman
exhibited evident signs of uneasiness
as the speed increased, glancing from
one end of the car to the other, up to
the roof, and then out of the window,
at the same time drawing himself
nervously to the inside extremity of
the seat. Finally the door at the for
ward end of the car opened to admit
the conductor on his round after the
way-fare. The sudden clatter of the
wheels over the iron rails that reached
the ears of the astonished traveller,
completely overcame his self-pOssess-
ion. Springing from his seat he
grasped the conductor by both arms,
and with an implOring expression and
agonized tone that sounded above the
din, exclaimed: "For Heavens sake
Captain, whoa up, and stop the wag-
on. guess I'll get out and walk over
to Squire JohnsOn's; it's shorter cross
lots.n The conductor pacified the
terrified passenger with kindly assur-
ances, declining to receive double or
treble fare, which was generously
until the train reached the
next station, when the old gentleman
went over one side of the platform,
as soon as the cars had come to a stand,
with an alacrity that was surprising
in one of his years. When safely
landed again on terra tTH1d, he took
a glance from the rear of the train to
the locomotive, end drew long breath
and remarked that riding didn'tagree
with him much, and brought on the
Year: 1870

The habit of following a circuit


makes a different, and in many re-


speets a better lawyer, than city


practice. The circuit lawyer in a


new country, should be well versed


in every branch of his profession.


There is no chance for division of


labor. He must be ready for the


'' occasion sudden - for he will often


learn for the first time the leading


facts of his case while it is on trial.


He will seldom have access to any


but the most meagre libraries, and he


must carry his books in his brain.


With a supreme court above him that
passes no mistakes, and baekwoOds
jury that would be wearied and dis
gusted with a display of technical
learning, and would tolerate no
nonsense" he must be so grounded
in elementary law as to be able to try
his case closely without his books,
and adhere to the Ier scriptd while
arguing to the jury as a man rather
than as lawyer. In the early days
of Indiana, lawyers in good prac-
tice would ride hundreds of miles
on horseback. In the small country
towns the people would flock to the
court house as to a show, and in every
case, the whole neighbor-
hood would take sides. There was
not often any assumption or dignity
in judicial manners and bearing.
Sometimes the court would adjourn
to allow the bar, jury and witnesses
to a horse race, where "his Honor
would preside with the same impair
tiality that distinguished his rulings
on Kent and Blackstone. On one
occasion, a judge whose decisions
usually stood fire, is reported to have
said to a lawyer who afterward ac-
quired national reputation, Ned,
you can go to the jury, but those
horses are to start in thirty minutes,
and l advise you to be brief" Ned
was brief, and the judge remembered
it in his charge. In the evenings,
Judge and the lawyers would meet at
the village tavern in a social game of
old sledge, and discuss with the same
old freedom a false play, and any
that had been committed,
or absurdity that had been uttered
in the court room. 1t was q rough
school, but thorough, and those who
passed through it fairly, learned their
degrees.-OrerLdRd Monthly.