smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

THlG6tilation Of til kllsN Con- Uless
has su aenly been brought ints'iensilerse
ticn. II is but few -xeeks sincs, that for
the fint time the announcement was made
that the members of Congress have been
breathing an atmosphere 80 vitiatsd az to
seriously endanger the lives of number OF
them. 1t seems strange that it has been
reserved for Democratic House to dis
cover the fact Of this Congressional aftiic-
tion, when for many years the health Of
Congressman have undergone serious i'm
pairment from the cause 90 recently dis
covered.


The feeling Of alarm on the part Of the
members of the House is on the increase
in regard to the imperfect ventilation Of
the Congressional chamber. There is no
doubt that the cause of the sickness and
death of 20 many members Of the House
during the last few years may be attributed
to imperfect ventilation, and it is equally
clear that the immense congregation Of
idlers, black and white, that constantly
crowd the galleries have much to do in
creating the nuisance.
Year: 1876

ALTHOUGH New York did not take
Morton up at the Syracuse Convention,
the Indiana Senator does not despond, he
thinks the colored people of the South will
name him as the man, and he will slip in
that way. He has already sent an agent
down to canvass the Southern States.
Year: 1876

During the warm days coming when all
Delaware will be taking steamboat trip
to Philadelphia, to escape the dust of rail.
way travel, could not do better when they
land at the wharves, en- route
Year: 1876

There was one woman a hundred
years ago who is perhaps the most
famous woman of the Revolution, ad-
mirable in every capacity of weman's
peculiar sphere, and equally fitted for
the common sphere of men and women
in human society. This was Abigail
Adams, the wife of one President, and
the mother of another. She at least was
reasonable and logical, whoever is not.
Writing to her husband, who was in his
seat in the Continental Congress, on the
3lst of March, 1776, this typical Ameri-
can matron says: OF "'.i %


''I long to hear that you have de-
clared an independeney. And, blythe
way, in the new code of laws which /
suppose it will be necessary for you to
make, desire you would remember the
ladies, and be more generous AMI favor
able to them than your ancestors. Do
not put such unlimited power into the
hands of the husbands. Remember, all
men would be tyrants if they could. If
partieular care and attention is not paid
to the ladies, we are determined to fo-
ment a rebellion, and will not hold our
selves bound by any laws in which we
have no voice or representation. That
your sex are naturally tyrannical
is truth so thoroughly established as
to admit of no dispute; but such of you
as wish to be happy, willingly give up
the harsh title of master for the more
tender and endearing one of friend.
Why, then, not put it out of the power
of the vicious and the lawless to use US
with cruelty and indignity with i'm
punity ?" 'ot'


Again, in the following May, she says:


81 cannot say that 1 think you are
very generous to the ladies, for while
you are proclaiming peace and good
will to men, emanCipating all nations,
you insist upon retaining an absolute
power over wives"


The tone of affectionate gayety and
feminine dependence does not affect the
deep and sweet seriousness of passages
that show how penetrating was the
glance of this admirable woman. In
deed, she but expresses the Instructive
feeling of most of the nOblest minds and
hearts of her sex. But Mrs. Abigail
Adams would have pleaded in vain be.
fore a committee of the Congress in
which her husband sat. The smiling
and affable chairman would have heard
her courteously, and would then have
ISplcu' ......


"Dear and respected madam, wher
women show that they feel the depriva'
ton of the ballot to be grievance, thi:
Congress will take the subject into seri'
Gus consideration. You must excuse us
if we cannot regard your individual
views and wishes as those of your sex
We are inclined to believe that most o
them would consider the ballot to be ar
oppressive burden imposed upon them
not desirable privilege. Home, no
Congress, is the desirable sphere o
women, dear madam-at least that i!
our opinion, and that seems to have
been the universal opinion and practice
of mankind. You and your fellOw-peti
toner's dear Mrs. Adams, have leave Il
withdraw. ."-Editor's Easy Chair, "a
HarpeT's Magazine for March.
Year: 1876

The Emperor and Empress Of Brazil
will arrive in New York in April.
Their Majesties intend to travel through
out the United States iHeog., and will
give special attention to the common
School system, with view of stirring
up the Brazilians in an educational
sense when they go back home.
Year: 1876

The Old Elm on Boston Common is
no more. 1t is wonderful how such
Landmark will weave itself into the
memories of childhood and the associa-
tions of life, so that its disappearance is
like the loss of q friend It hardly
seems now to have been an advantage
to be a "Boston boy" ..... -...-- D..
Year: 1876

ID, Why should the beehive be taken as
symbol of industry?' Nota bee is to be
seen all winter long, while the cock
roach is up at five o'clock in the morn
ing, and never goes to. bed until mid
night. Let's change this thing.
Year: 1876

There is no part of a plantwhich may
not become tendril. There is no part
of the character which may not, by ex-
cess or weakness, lose its Independence
and become burden or a snare to the
rest. a3i
Year: 1876

THE ANTIQUE MANIA-A DIP INTO THE FU-
TURE-The error of the last few years has con-
sisted in taking too wide range, spreading
over too much territory, cleaning from all the
centuries at once. and making hctch.potch of
them, instead Of being content with one period
at time, and thus preserving some sort of
unity and congruity of ideas. During the
coming year we shall witness less of this IL
cense, and find more restricted Tone Novel.
ties in design will revive the favorite modes of
the past century. Already we have the long,
slender waist, buttoned down the back instead
of being fastened in front, the restoration of
the sleeve closed at the wrist; and the spring
will see the temperance of the bodice waist
of 40 years ago, consisting of plain pointed
belt IN front and bust part laid full upon the
plain lining, and connected by piping across
the front. A faded dress yellow with age, is
worn with greater pride than the most magniti-
cent new velvet or satin, for it is a badge of
rank, of nobility, and if it does not prove an
ancestry of hundred earls affords pre- Jump.
tive evidence of having sprung from family
entitled to consideration. Earrings fifty years
old, brass candlesticks old andirops, high, stiff
backed chairs, spindle-legged tables, carved
bureaus with brass handles, ancient tes-cad-
dies, and other things which thousands of fam
lilies have sold for song to dealers in second
hand furniture are now worth their weight in
gold, and if the old homesteads scattered
throughout the country could be transported
with their contents to the New York
auction roorns they would bring more than
brown-stone houses and Partisan rosewood and
brocatel This tendency is growing stronger
all the time, and will greatly influence the
fashion in dress of 1876. Already ladies talk of
reviving for house-wear the dress of white mus
lin and dimity, and for the street the cloth pei
isses which covered them. High combs, orna-
ments which have not seen the light for gener-
ations, are disentombed and worn with peculiar
pride and satisfaction. Persons who have not
relics of this kind want something to look like
them. Hence the revival of curious old forms
in dress and fui niture, and the fashionable use
to which the damask silks, the figured vevets,
the matelasse or quilted silks, and other fabrics
which reproduce by-gone times, are put. This
fire is so furious that it will probably burn it.
self out very quickly; it represents new ca
price to the present generation, not a perma-
nent change in the order Of things eshould
therefore advise ladies' of limited incomes to be
careful Of adopting, or cutting up OF handsome
materials into fantastic styles, for in all proba.
bility next year will see a total change 10 the
spirit of our dreams.-Jennie June.
Year: 1876

The Centennial appropriation debate
brought out the following choice bit of elo-
quence from Mr.. Harrison of Illinois: "The
common eagle taking his flight from the ex-
treme limit of eastern civilization, in 1776,
would have made its flight to the western
limit on a single day; but now, the proudest
monarch of the air, dipping himself
in the Atlantic, and then looking
at the setting sun, ever intent, and
sailing on onward, takes days and weeks be.
fore he cools his pinions in the spray of the
grand Pacific. Aud yet we are told that the
people shall not be taxed at the rate of three
and half cents each for the celebration of
the country's birthday" This reminds the
Springfield Republican of Judge Boompoint-
er's address to the prisoner at the bar {:
"Young man, Providence has blessed you
with health and strength, Instead of which
you go around the country stealing sheep"
Year: 1876

The position of hard-Eoney Democrats in
regard to resumption is peculiar and any,
thing but an honorable one. They profess
the desire 10 resume, but are firmly opposed
TO taking the first step-that step which costs.
In order to keep up appearances they frame
bills which are to accomplish resumption
without fixing day, without retiring the
greenbacks. The truth is they are only anx-
ious to pass measure which shall mean
nothing, or one thing to the hard-money and
another to the soft-money men, and so tide
over the presidential campaign without a
quarrel in their own party.
Year: 1876

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The and address of the writer are in
all cases Indispensable, not necessarily tor publication
but as guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1876

Principles of Good Farming.

 The better to retain important fact in the memory, l am ever fond of reducing the principles of good farming to brief maxiins and rules, compressing into a sim gle short sentence the gist of many a page. Thus 1 carry about me mental pabulum to be digested at the blow or koe. The following are some of these prin- ciples:

 l. The farmer who would sue ceed well, and derive pleasure as well as profit from his calling, must manifest an active and abid- ing interest in his vocation. It takes heart work to make hand work pleasant.

 7. The farmer must study now best to increase and maintain fer tility to his soils. There is no inertia in agriculture. There must be progress either forward or retrograde.

 3. The farmer must strive to increase quality as we'll as the quantity of his crops. It is the quality that determines the price. In this "Excelsior" should be his unvarying motto.

 i. The farmer must seek with a watchful eye to improve his market facilities. It is transpor- tation that eats up the profits.

 ). The art of raising better stock is not as we'll known as it should be. Keep no more ami mals than you have the facilities to feed and care for well.

 6. The farmer must seek to inn prove his social, intellectual, and financial condition.
Year: 1876

One thsnsand shingles laid four inches to the weather will cover one hundred square feet surface, and five pounds of shin gle nails will tasten them on.

 One fifth more siding and floor ing is needed than the number of square feet of surface to be cover- ed, because of the lap in the slid ing and the matching of tie floor.

 One thousands laths will cover seventy rods of surface, and elev- en pounds of lath nails will nail them on.

 Eight bushels of good lime, sixteen bushels of sand, and one bushel of hair will make enough good mortar to plaster one hun dred square yards.

 A cord of stone, three bushels of lime and a cubic yard of sand will lay one hundred cubic feet of wall.

 Five courses of brick will lay one foot in height on chimney, six brick in course will make flue four inches wide and twelve inches long, and eight brick in q course will make q fue eight inches wide and sixteen inches long. The Prairie Farmer.
Year: 1876

Ihe greatest snare that Satan has set
for woman's vanity is tight shoe. Wo-
men for whom real lace is no temptation
and who can turn their backs ON loves of
bonEets from Paris to concoct homemade
ones, out of the treasures ,of the s'patch
bag" will yield to the shoemaker,s fiat
tering but delusive vow that the vice in
to which he had just forced their toes is a
''perfect fit," and 60 home with pair of
.'number twOs" in a small parcel, trying
to believe that they will feel easier to-
morrow, and that they have been very
foolish to wear s'number threes" so long.
You who read this never bought shoe
that was too small, know. Inever did,
either; torture could not force from us
that confession: but now and then we
have been obliged to own that though the
shoe was not too small for the foot, the
foot was too large for the shoe. '.
doubt whether woman lives who
has not once in her life found herself
equipped for some important occasion in
such beautiful pair of shoes-a pair
which it was impossible to take off and
leave at home without endeavoring to
endure the torture. if she had the least
particle of vanity. Not tight pair, only
smaller than ssthose horrible loose ones
she has been wearing; and it was so
wrong to grow used to such immense
things, until one could not wear decent
SHOE" So very wrong.


Each of us have some secret remem-
brance of that time of torture through
which we clung to our vanity for help
and comfort, of the twings that soon Wis
tied the joints, the pains in the ball of the
foot; of the way that slowly, but surely
all the enjoyment of some pleasant even
ing or merry day died out, and we
thought of nothing but our miserable
| feet. While some one spoke to us We
were absorbed in an effort to twist them
into some comfortable sosition. While
were listening to sweet music we were
longing for it to be over, that we might
take off our shoes. While we pretended
to enjoy ourselves we were inwardly
praying for patience, and secretly stand
| ing first on one foot and then on the 9TH


er, to lase ourselves a little.


One whose shoe pinches, thinks of
nothing else for the time being, and
knows also that she shall think of moth
ing, care for nothing else until release
comes. Ask such sufferer for defini-
tion of bliss, and she will speak, or at


least think ofthat Oldest pair of slippers
in her shoe-bag, the trodden down pair
with no pinch in them. In Paradise an
gels wear such shoes, she feels very
sure.


Life has not so many happy moments
that one may waste them. So, my dear,
when Satan, in the shape of shoemaker


assures you that shoe which is too small
for you fits you superbly, turn from him
at once. Remember the aches, the pains,
and the retributive corns of the past, and
be brave. 1t may be trying to ones vani-
ty to take larger pair, but do it, and
put from you, despite all temptation. a


shoe that pinches.
Year: 1876

SOCIAL L1FE.-Any great movement
for good in social life begins at home.
It begins with fathers and mothers
The first and highest social duty is to
make home cheerful and attractive
Husband and wife must do this for each
other. Without this mutual affection
will dry up. If they have children, it
is their duty to make home sweet and
precious to them. Children with good
homes seldom 60 to the bad. Girls
who have learned to trust their mother,
in their whole round of thought seldom
get talked about. Boys who are made
to feel the strength of fathers and the
tenderness of a mothers love, seldom
run wild. Their natural love of fun
and mischief does not bind them over
to the devils service. Pleasant, cheer
full, bright homes. then, are the great
demand. They may be poor, but they
can still be pleasant, attractive and
good. The heart and spirit are more
than furniture and dwelling
Year: 1876

WHITEwAsH FOR SMOKED CEILING.
For the first coat mix to every two
quarts of whitewash one cup Of fine
sifted ashes. This will prevent the
smoke from striking through. After
this another coat may be put on in the
ordinary manner.
Year: 1876

Mullins is entirely bald. with the ex-
ception of single lock, which he combs
carefully over the side of his head. A
short time ago some young ladies asked
him for his photogra ph; and just for fun
he had picture taken Of the top of his
head. About a week afterward he went
past the photographers place and no.
ticed an immense crowd stud ying pic
ture in the window He looked in and
found that that disgusting artist had
printed greatly-enlarged picture of his
bald head, with the black lock running
around the edge, and had labeled it
Eclipse of the moon. The phenome-
non as it appeared at quarter past
eleven" That picture was sent all over
the world, and it is now filed among the
archives of every scientific institution
from Hong Kong to Philadelphia.
Year: 1876

action of Great Britain, formal notice OF
abrogation may be expected from our side' ana
then we shall have, of course, the negotiation
of n new one. 1t ought not to be dlilicuit Ioi
the two countries to come to an agreement
over q matter in which their interests are
identical. Probably the right of asylum needs
TO be more carefully guarded, and there are
many opportunities for abuse in the present
treaty which could be removed. NO country
has been more jealous in asserting the right OF
asylum than the United States, ana none Is
more likely to have occasion for demanding
the pledges which Great Britain has required
in the ease of Winslow Although our Govern
ment has no power to give them by mere
executive act which would not be binding
upon the State to which criminal might be
sent for trial, they can be given OF course by
a treaty which has full force, according to the
Constitution, in all the States.
Year: 1876

should be prohibited by law. According 20
their theory they are right only they shouid
remember that their theory is not that OF the
majority. If it were, all bars beer shops and
cin-mills would be swept from the face OF the
earth, and all the distilleries and brewerics
wonld steam and smell no more. The Expo
sition is not cold-watcr Exposition ana does
NOT pretend to be. 1t might possibly be all
the better if it were; but that is not the
point Now. instead of hungering for better
hreod than ever was baked or will be, we
think the Sons might have gathered some
comfort from facts within their own particular
knowledge. Let us see


There are, it appears, in the United States
.974 Divisions of the Sons of Temperance,
with a membership of S9,319. Here is a very
PROSPEROUS cOd-water society. 1t has on mana
in cash. or invested, $265,044. 1t made net
gam in its membership last year OF o,322' ana
experienced loss of 7,1O5-so. that the bal
once is on the right side. Certainly these fig
ures afford 10 occasion for gloom or apprehen-
sion Think of the number OF Sons VINO nave
visited and will yet visit the Exposition with-
out touching drop even OF the mldest peer
All the facilities for quenching thirst, so far
~ they are concerned, will be confined to the
fountains of water and of sOda-water. Ihls
abstinence is to a certain extent the result OF
labors which are extremely creditable to the
Temperance Societies. Nor must it be forgot
-ten that these have worked mainly by moral
suasion. Prohibitory Laws have effected very
little exhortation, writing, printing, assocla-
ton, have done wonders. The National d.
vision therefore, should not be discouraged,
whatever may be sold or swallowed upon the
Exposition grounds. They may be sure that
whatever the quantity, it will be much less
than it would have been if there had never
been any Temperance Reform.


OF all years this should be one of harmony
and good will. 1t would be melancholy to
find us celebrating the Union without agreeing
upon anything except disagreement. We sus-
pect that the greatness of the arrangements
occasions little instability; and it is natural
for men to think that matters would have
been better managed if con6ded entirely to
themselves There is nothing more becoming
the occasion than good humor, and we really
think that little more of it even in Phlla-
delphia City of Brotherly Love- would not be
amiss.
Year: 1876

The release N the forger Winslow places
the British Government in an unenviable stu
alton. 1t seems to be admitted in London,
even by the journals which originally sustained
the action Of the Ministry, that Mr.. Fisi's able
dispatches have proved the position of the
United States in the dispute. 1t has been
shown that law and precedent alike require
that the accused should be given up without
demanding OF us stipulation which the treaty
does not call for, and which would be worth
less even if we gave it. Nevertheless, choos-
ing 10 follow doubtful Interpretation OF a
recent Act of Parliament, in direct contraven-
tion Of the treaty, the British Government
does what the public opinion OF England de-
cIares TO be wrong, and gains by 30 doing the
advantage Of the society Of Mcssrs. Winslow,
Brent, Gray, and other gentlemen, whom
any respectable country ought to be glad to
got rid of as quickly as possible.


The treaty having thus been broken by the
Year: 1876

The movement TO legalize gambling in this city
and State ought to be vigorously opposed for it is
finding strength in unexpected quarters The only
argument in favor of it which we have heard ad-
vanced ishat IL egalized. the large gambling houses
like those of Morrsscy and Chamberlin. will natur-
ally suppress in their interests the smaller or
"skin" games This is based on the wild assumption
that the large establishments are fairly conducted,
which is assuming altogether too much. The police
should raid upon all alike
Year: 1876

Gansborough's portrait of the Duchess Of Devon
shire has not yet been found although the most skill
full London detectives have been Mt work for three
weeks This fact goes to confirm the opinion that
the robbery was perpetrated by some socalled re
spectacle" person. The Spectator offers explana-
ton of the crime which it considers "by no means
unreasonable" 1t is that. assuming the painting to
have been stolen for the sake of gain, the thief


lied upon the speedy announcement of the extradi-
ton treaty with the United States, after which he
would be at complete liberty to bring the picture
here and exhibit it publicly! IL this surmise be
rect, the criminal should lose time in mending his
ways: the diplomatic service is tho true place for a
man of his peculiar talent.
Year: 1876

At last there is n chance that cremation will be
practically tested in this country philanthro-
pic citizen of Washington, Penn, has built a large
stone house on one of the hills surrounding that quiet
little town, for the reception of dead bodies. and
furnace scientifically constructed in which they arc
to be burned. How many dead bodies VIII oher
themselves it is not easy to decide. The Doctors
fellow. citizens tof whom, by the way, James G
Blaine long was one) belong, as n rule, to ancient
Scotch Irish clans, who make a god of precedent
and walk in the narrow but excellent path OF their
fathers from the cradle to their deatb-bed. They
will not be likely to fling themselves out of that bed
into q heterodox furnace. DIR. lie Moyne himself
will be remembered by members of the old Abolition
Society rs a lifelong radica-one Of the leaders of
the forlorn hope OF the lie has given during
late years large sums for the endowment OF col
lege for freedmen in the South. and agricultural
schools public Libraries. &o.. in his own ncighbor-
hood. He is well known in the West and South rs a
man Of exceptional force high culture and broad hu-
manty. His aqe and failing health have prompted
him to this final attack upon conservatism. We
understand that his executors are strictly bound To
make of himself the first offering to reform upon the
funeral pile which lie has built after which 1t IL to
offer to his native town ready, cheap and decent
mode of disposal Of the dead
Year: 1876

Tho frequency of cases of brutality by policemen
deserves the serious attention Of the Police Board


Dismissal from the force is not sufficient punishment
for some Of tho ohenses lately committed, and the