smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

THE danger of taking ones own prescrip-
tion has Just received signal illustration in
Chicago. John Otter owned a small lunch
saloon in that city. 1t appears that major
ity of his customers were defective specimens
of humanity, and were subject to epi'eptic
fits. 1t entered into the head of John Otter
one day that there was money in this infirm-
ity of his patrons. So he announced that he
had made great discovery; he had found
out that herrings were sure cure for epilep-
sy. The news of the discovery was soon
noised about, and many of the afflicted
came to his shop to purchase herring
1t does not appear that there was any
decrease in epilepsy, but there was de-
cided increase in the consumption of herring,
and in the bank account of Mr.. John Otter.
In course of time John himself was stricken
with paralysis. Apparently he had come t1
believe in his own remedy, for he fell to eat
ing herring. An insatiate thirst seized him.
The more herrings he ate the more water he
drank. and he soon came to resemble the
Broadboy of the old fairy story who could
drain lake at single draught. In a few
davs he drank himself to death, and passed
into history as melancholy instance of
pbysician who died because he took his own
medicine. Let his memory be cherished by
the faculty as irightful warning.
Year: 1875

With a.solid colamn of the late Confeder-
ate army advancing from the Democratic
South, and the fre-in-the-rear leaders COM
ing back from the Democratic North in the
next Congress, there is every prospect of the
again in very unpleasant and very danger
Gus shape.-PhilddelphiG Press.
Year: 1875

The retirement of Mr.. Gladstone from the
leadership of the Liberal party in England
ought not to have been wholly unexpected,
for he announced his intention TO do so last
March. But his actual resignation appears
to have astonished his followers, and has
struck them with dismay. They did not be-
leve that he would persist in his determina-
ton, and thought his unquestioned devotion
to the principles of progress entertained by


his party, and love of public life born of


custom would combine to induce him to re-


tain the leadership. Their disappointment
and dismay are not without anger, and the
more hasty aud inconsiderate of them are
asking him to resign his seat in parlia-
ment.


II is understood to be Mr.. Gladstone's


wish to devote the remainder of his life to


literary pursuits, wish which men of letters


will hope may be gratified. In that case he


will not desire to retain his. seat in the


House of Commons, for it would be almost
impossible for him to refrain from mingling
in the conflict that would be continually


raging about him. Very likely place in


the peerage may be offered to him, but it is
doubtful if he would accept it. He retires in


good time for his fame. His great
and praiseworthy achievements during his
leadership have given him noble


position in the history of his country. and the


defeat of his party caused by the Irish Uni


versity Bill has been more than atoned for by


the famous anti-Vatican pamphlet which has


infused new life into it and brought it many


recruits from unexpected quarters. He could


not, with any satisfaction, retain the leader


ship, for his convictions, temperament, train


ings and surroundings would impel him to


move forward, and the English people, emil


nently conservative, seem minded TO stop and


look about them for while, and test the re-


forms already made before proceeding to 9TH


ers. He surrenders his power at an oppor-


tune moment for his own reputation.


But into whose hands the leadership will


fall is question which distresses the Liberal
Chiefs. Manifestly Mr.. Lowe, or Mr.. Har-
court or Mr.. Goschen or the Marquis of Har


tington are out of the question. Mr.. Forster


appears to be the only available man for the


position. Although distasteful on some ac-
counts to the radical faction of his party, he


is generally popular, is man of acknowledged
ability, of liberal thought, and of courteous
address, and is well qualified by temperament
and training to lead the opposition in the
House of Commons. His selection will be


particularly gratifying to Americans, for his
friendship for the United States has long been
conspicuous.
Year: 1875

THE method of collecting fares on the
Pennsylvania rail road, seems eminently SEN
sble. The collecting is put into the hands
of special collector, and this leaves the con-
ductor free to devote his whole time and at
tention to the care of the train and the COM
fort of the passengers. 1t is too much to ask
man who is charged with the responsibility
of the lives of several hundred passengers to
bother himself with the duties of ticket
collector and cash boy.
Year: 1875




John f. anderson, Esq, Chief Engineer


Portland and OgdenSburg Railroad:


Dear Sir,-I have recently had the pleasure
of a visit to the line of your road from Port
land to Crawford Notch in the White Noun
tains, in the company of Gen. Anderson,
President of the Company, and am glad to
express my favorable impressions in regard
to the location, construction, and progress to-
wards completion of your important work.
1 was particularly pleased to find that the
system of gradients which, four years since,
1 had recommended for your approach to the
Notch Summit at the head Of the Saco
Valley, had been found to fit the ground so
WELL notwithstanding its broken precipitous
character. had good opportunity of OBJ
serving this, as the President and myself ex-
amined the graduation upon this part
of the line at a number of different points
where excavations were being made and the
preliminary clearings showed the position oc
cupied throughout by the line upon the slopes.
l could scarcely have hoped from my earlier
views of the ground, that so favorable line
as to curvature and cost of construction
could have been obtained, and which has re-
warded the skill and care of yourself and
your Engineers in stalking it out The loea-
ton at Frankenstein Cliff is deserving of
Year: 1875

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


We cannot undertake to return or reserve COM
nunications that are not used
Year: 1875

No matter how good the soil, how
careful the watering, the plant will not
flourish if its vitality is being constantly
weakened by insects. These not only
live upon the juices of the plant, but
some of them cover it's leaves with web,
which, though almost invisible, closes
the pores through which the plant
breathes. Water, soap, and tobacco, are
the three chief remedies, and they are
readily applied. A bath tub, or large
sink, will allow plant to be laid ON it's
side and thoroughly drenched on both
surfaces, with slightly warm water from
watering pot or syringe. Ivies,
camellias, and other smooth-leaved
plants, can have each leaf sponged with
soap and water, and then with pure
water, and if the bark appears unhealthy,
use strong soap and water with brush
an old toothbrush will answer Tobac-
co infusion is sometimes used, the plant
is dipped in it, and a little while after
rinsed in water. A smoking box can be
easily contrived. A dry goods box, large
enough to allow a smoke to be made and
not heat the plants too much, will
answer. Scale of all kinds can be picked
off, and this is the best way to treat the
mealy bug, when there are but few
plants. Those who love plants will find
little difficulty in keeping them clear OF
insects-those who do not, had better
not keep them.


Camellias and azaleas need more water
as they come into bloom, and care must
be taken not to wet the flowers Keep
cool, to prolong the bloom.


Bring a few pots containing bulbs each
week from the cellar, or wherever they
are stored, and give water as they
develop. When the flower buds begin
to push, weak manure water may be
used. If it is desired to save the bulbs
for planting out, the foliage must be
kept growing after the flowers fade.


Dust is one of the great enemies ol
house plants.
Year: 1875

A Grecian legend is as follows ::
" When Bacchus was boy he iourneyed
through Hellas to go to Naxia, and, as
the way was very long, he grew tired,
and sat down upon a stone to rest. AS
he sat there, with his eyes upon the
ground, he saw little plant spring up
between his feet, and was SO much
pleased with it that he determined to
take it with him and plant it in Naxia.
He took it up and carried it away with
him; but, as the sun was very hot, he
feared it might wither before he reached
his destination. He found a birds
skeleton, into which he thrust it and
went on. But in his hand the plant
sprouted SO fast that it started out of the
bones above and below. This gave him
fresh fear of its whitening, and he cast
about for remedy. He found lions
bone, which was thicker than the birds
skeleton, and he stuck the skeleton, with
the plant in it, into the bone of the lion.
Ere long, however, the plant grew out
of the lions bone likewise. Then he
found the bone of an ass larger still than
that of the lion. So he put the lions
containing the birds skeleton and the
plant, into the ass's bone, and thus he
made his way to Naxia. When about to
set the plant he found that the roots had
entwined themselves around the bird s
skeleton and the lions bone and the ass
bone; and as he could not take it out
without damaging the roots he planted
it as it was, and it came up speedily and
bore, to his great JOY, the most delicious
grapes, from which he made the first
] wine and gave it to men to drink. But
behold miracle When men drank OF
it they first sang like birds; next, after
drinking little more, they became Wig
orous and gallant like ions but when
they drank more still, they began to be-
have like asses.
Year: 1875

Emma Abbott, the American priDlG
donna, a Paris correspondent says, is
putting herself through such training as
1 had no conception was necessary to fit
one for the stage, and which, if it does
not kill her, will make her the rival of
any soprano you may happen to think of.
Miss Abbott is certainly deserving of
success. Many romantic stories are told
of her early career, but the true story is
as follows: She is the daughter of
man well known in Milwaukee as the
leader of little band which played at
balls and public places. Abbott organ
lied travelling company, and his
daughter accompanied him. Her sing
ing was fair for a child, but her father
was one of those men to be found in
every locality--carTied away with his
violin, and with no thought beyond. He
was known among the boys as "good
fellow" and there his description must
end.


Emma Abbott, if she possessed no
musical education, certainly had ambi-
ton. She was very poor, and entered a
church choir expecting to make enough
to pay for instruction. 1t was decided,
after o time, that while her voice was
good, she was so totally deficient in
music that she was obliged to leave, and
did so She went to Chicago, and a
fortnight's experience in a church there
resulted the same. Her treatment was
sufficient to discourage any young girl,
but it did not discourage little Emma.
Her acquaintances laughed at her en-
thusiasm, but the girl must have felt an
inspiration in her work. Learning that
Kellogg was to be in Toledo, Ohio, she
went there determined to sec her, and
ask her advice. She had not money to
buy ticket to the opera, but one day
she went boldly to Kelloggs hotel, met
her and told her story. Miss Kellogg,
with her kind heart, gave her ticket for
the evening, and, when the performance
was over, scattered the performers into
the auditorium, and, setting the little
girl on the stage alone, made her sing to
them as she had been accustomed to do.
This trial decided her fate. There were
admiring comments ON her wonderful
voice from all sides, and Strakosch joined
with Miss Kellogg in urging her to go tC
New York for instruction, where they
would be responsible for all necessary
bills. She gladly went, began lessons
with Ernani, soon got paying employ
ment in church choirs, and joined Ply
mouth church, and about the same time
made permanent engagement to sing IL
DR.. Chapin's church. Her improvement
under instructions, was so rapid and he1
voice developed so stoutly, that her new
friends sent her to Europe, and she i;
there now striving and working to the
end that when poor little girl in Mil
wauzee she laid out for herself. 1t il
believed that she will take the place left
vacant by the lamented Parepa-Rosa.
Year: 1875

The popularity of the Emperor of
Russia among the peasants is well known.
His ukase abolishing serfdom, and his
efforts to improve the condition of the
lower classes have endeared him to the
populace, and whenever he appears in
public he is loudly and heartily cheered.
Not unfrequently peasant will kiss the
ground over which the Emperor has
walked, and by many of the people he is
regarded as more than half divinity.
Alexander's devotion to his subjects is
exhibited in special as well as in general
ways. In several instances where he
has seen a pretty peasant girl and adj
mired her face, he asks her name, and
expresses desire to talk with her. She
is sought and told of the honors that
await her, and before her surprise is
over she is brought to the palace and
ushered into the imperial presence. In
his mild. paternal way the Emperor
greets her, and soon convinces her that
she has nothing to fear from her august
sovereign. From time to time, in the
moments that he can snatch from the
perplexities. of official duty, he talks
with her, and learns how his humber
subjects live. When he wearies of her
face he sends for her brother and says,
Your sister has attracted my attention,
and [ take deep interest in her welfare.
[ learn she is about to be married; ]
hope she will have a good husband, and
should like to be informed of the day
of the wedding, so that can SEND her a
handsome present. The brother goes
away delighted, and breaks the welcome
news to Mary JanG. A soon as the
Emperor's proposal is known, she has
plenty of offers from desirable bachelors
who wish to indulge in matrimony. A
candidate is selected from the crowds of
suitors, the wedding is fixed for an early
date, and the Emperor is duly informed.
On the happy day the bride receives a
liberal dowry from her sovereign, accom-
panied by his blessing, and an injunc-
tion to love, honor, and cherish her hus-
band, and be good and faithful wife
and the money that he thus uses in
making these deserving girls happy, and
enabling them to marry well, comes not
from the treasury of the country, but
from the Emperor's private purse. Ii
this way he is constantly using his per
sonal funds for the advancement of his
subjects, and seems never to weary ot
doing good.
Year: 1875

Near to Colombo, in India, a snake
seeing parrot in cage, had made its
way to a place where it could make an
attack upon the parrot. A child observ-
ing this, and, not knowing the danger,
grasped the snake by the tail, while the
snake and parrot attacked each other.
Just then an elder sister, observing the
little one in danger, snatched the child
away, and in so doing pulled the snake
out of the cage. At this moment a dog
came up and among them all they dis
patched the snake. The dog, the snake
and the parrot all died from the effects
of the encounter, but neither of the girls
received any injury.
Year: 1875

Nor VERY GooD.-A life assurance
company of the United States, notwith-
standing its name, evidently likes law
better than equity. 1t appears in the
legal reports that it sold a widows prop
eriy to satisfy mortgage, and bought
the property in at such figure as to
leave the widow still few thousand dol
lars in debt. 1t then sold the property
at an advance Of $4,000, and now has
applied to the court for leave to sue the
widow and children for the small
balance.
Year: 1875

DoEs Nor LIKE IT.-A resident of
Hudson, N. Y, sought an injunction re-
Gently against daily newspaper of that
place on the ground that by the printing
of the paper in the morning his family
are deprived of sleep, his house is racked
by the working of the press, which he
claims jars the whole building, and other
damages are sustained, The injunction
was refused.
Year: 1875

The clash in the fashionable world just
now between the girls with pretty feet
who want to wear short dresses and those
with ugly feet who insist upon having
long ones is described by the fashionable
dressmakers as something fearful.
Year: 1875

Commodore Vanderbilt thus dis
coursed to Tribune reporter the 9TH
er day:


"When you nave lived, sir, to carry
as many gray hairs as L do you will
have learned that there is little SYM
pathy with or appreciation OF your
efforts. It matters little what may be
the circumstances. II you are sue
cessful in accommodating a fortune you
will be called a speculatOr and a mon
opolist, while, il you should fail to
amass riches, 1t will be about the same,
as you will be talked OF in that case
as one who does not amount to much
anyhow. / have never speculated on
the market, and regard it as nothing
less than gambling operation. When
I was thirty years old 1 had been
working for several years for my en-
plOyer at 81 600 a year, anu when l
left him had not more than 81, 900,
all told"


"After long and very successful
life, Commodore, what in your opin-
ion Is the true secret of success in
making mOney%


"Save what YOU have and live with
IN your INCOME. ANOil all spcCuld-
ton. No matter what was making,
always made il a rule tn save some
thing, and that course If persisted In, 4,
is sure to succeed. The money will
pile up in time. When L was work
ing for the gentleman referred to a
moment ago, L persuaded him TO let
me use the profits should realize in
the business in further extending it.
This 1 did until it had grown 81 large
that in his eyes the amount was too
large to risk, and he refused to let me
go ahead any longer, although he had
such confidence in me as to offer me q
partnership, which / declined. Since
then have been operating for n.y.
self. l did not accept the partnership
because i knew his other partners and
1 could not agree, and never could
quarrel where was one Of the inter-
ested persons. / did not object to in
sisting upon the rights OF my employ
er as long as was not directly inter-
estsd, but to enter into a partnership
where I knew / should have TO main
tain my own rights by repeated
quarreIing was more than 1 could
iagree to do"
Year: 1875

The Herald of Heath, an excellent
authority on many things concern
ing health, does not recommend the
use OF marble top tables. It says:


They are cold, aud rapidly absorb
the heat and vitality Of the body, rob
bing it Of its life. We nave heard Of
one invalid whom the doctor could
not cure, until one day he noticed she
used a marble stand, and suspected 10
had something to do with her III
health. So he forbade her 70 use 1t.
Soon she was well. We know healthy
people who feel the twiuges Of pain in
the shoulders by setting near one.
They are handsome, out unhealthy
for all that.
Year: 1875

A hard, close man was Solomon Ray.
Nothing OF value he gave away;


He boarded and saved


Re pinched and shaved
And the more he had the more he eraved
The hard-earned dollars he tolIed TO gain
Brought him little but care and pain;


For little he spent,


And all he lent
He made IT bring him twenty per cent.
such was the life OF Solomon Ray,
The years went BY, and his hairs grew gray


His cheeks grew thin,


And his soul within
Grew hard as the dollars he worked TO win.
But he died one day, as all men must,
For life is fieeting and man but dust.


The heirs were gay


That laid him away,
And that was the end ofSolomon Ray.
They quarrelIed now who had little cared
For Solomon Ray while his life was spared.


His lands were sold,


And his hard-earned gold,
All went to the lawyers, L am told.
Yet men will chsat and pinch and save.
Nor carry their treasures beyond the grave;


All their gold some day


VIII melt away
Like the selfish savings OF Solomon Ray.
Year: 1875

have roamed through the world in


wild search for peace,
To find from my hearts grief some happy


relief:
I have sought it aflr on the banks OF the


Rhine,
Where the Iegendei towers in the soft sun


light shine
L have wandered away from the soft-dowinz
And have eaten the Lotus that feeds on its


smile,
But have found not the bliss which my


heart once did MI,
When rode our old Roam 10 the OvershOt


Mil.
All coatless and hatless, my hardened feet


bare,
1 felt like bird that is eleaving the air
The spirit Of freedom that dEells In the


hills ~
am sure always hovers about those old
mills;
The dash OF the water, unchecked on its


way,


day.
0ANG u NAAdlAA AAhr A0AAA lOA OAA hsAAAEg


or hill.
Since rambIeI in childhood around the
Old mill.
When grew up to manhood my spirit still


clung
To the rocks and :he waters around It that


sprung.
Though riches had fallen upon my young


head,
Aid my fondly loved parents had long since


been dead
As 1 came to the bridge had loved in my


youth
It seemed like the road to the garden OF


truth;
And the sight of the wheel made my loving
As thought Ofsweet Alice, the maid of the


mill
On that very old bridge We had tod of our


love,
While the moon and the stars had looked


down from above;
And We vowed that our hearts should be


steady and true
As the busy old wheel that so sturdily flew.
In its strength and its eonstancy, morning


and night,
Unceasing and sure as the stream in its


flight.
But, alas for the light OF that flIr, golden


head
When asked for my darling they said she


was dead!
o Alice, the world Is turbulent waste
Not ajoy or delight can this widowed heart


taste.
There are bright forms OF beauty and scenes


OF delight,
But they touch not my soul and they pail ON


my sight,
And turn to the days when your soft beam-


ing smile
Every thought, every hope of my life did be-


guile;
When we sat by the stream as the evening


grew still
All the world to each other. beside the old


mill.
Year: 1875

mo- BOmeJnlng carrier YET tnc
early stage, for q journey was going
to make; otherwise, / beg you to be-
Iieve that 1 should not have placed
myself in any such absurd position.
However, there was, and thought
might as well have a companion in
misery so woke Vance, and direct
ed his attention to q gaudy kind of
sunrise that weak-headed people
might think it worth while losing
their beauty sleep for. How was to
know but he was one of them +? But
what does he do? No sooner are his
eyes open than he glared at me, and
wants to know what the d"


'STom 90 struck in q note CT warn
/ ing from his wife


MADAM, I blush for your friend
Mr.. Vance's bad language, but truth
obliges me 70 insist that he demand
ed what the dickens was going on
Year: 1875

The Cleveland City Council is COM
posed of the handsomest men in Cleve-
land. They are all married, and when
the sessions are protracted until after
dark, their wives afford beautiful exam
pie Of female devotion. by waiting out
side the Chamber to escort them safely
home. t
Year: 1875

SAVING SEED Corn In gathering corn.
take such cars only as are finest and from
the most prolific stalks Never take from
"a stalk having but one ear, if large and
thrifty stalks can be found with two Or
more good-sized ears. Generally but one
of them is fill for seed, and that usually the
second from the ground but if the low est
is the best, take that. Always take the
ears that are filed out 10 the end, and that
run beyond the husk, If such can be found
When you come to plant. before shelling,
break every ear, and see if the pith of the
cob is dried up, Ton, il il is not, the corn
is not ripe
Year: 1875

How TO GET RID or SrUMPs Gen
Colquitt of Georgia, in a recent address,
said to remove stumps from a field, all
that is necessary is to have one or more
sheet iron chimnavs, some four or five
teet high. Set fire to the stump and place
the chimney over it so as to give the re-
quiste draft 1T the bottom 1t will draw
like stove. The stump will soon be con
samed. With several such chimneys, OF
different sizes. the removal OF stumps may
be accomplished at merely nominal labor
and expense Maryland Farmer