smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Those violate this precept who have a
lawful calling, a proper business, but
are slothful in it. When people are in
business for themselves, they are in
less risk of transgressing this injunc-
ton, though even then it sometimes
happens that the hand is not diligent
enough to make its owner rich. But il
is when engaged in business not for
ourselves, but for others. or for God,
that we are in greatest danger of neg
lecting this rule. The servant who has
no pleasure in his work, who does no
more than wages can buy or legal
agreement enforce; the shopman who
does not enter con dmore into his en-
ployer's interest, and bestir himself to
extend his trade as he would strive
were the concern his own; the scholar
who trifles when his teachers eye is
elsewhere and who is content if he can
only learn enough to escape disgrace;
the teacher who is satisfied if he can
only impart decent quantum of in
struction, and who does not labor for tine
mental expansion and spiritual well-be-
ing of his pupils as he would for those
of his own children; the magistrate or
civic functionary who is only careful to
escape public censure, and who does
not labor to make the community richer,
or happier, or better for his admins
tration; every one, in short, who per-
forms the work which God or his breth-
ren have given him to do in hireling
or perfuncto, manner, is violator of
the divine inj' .tion, "Be not siothful
in business"


There are sc many persons of dull
and languid tui L. They trail sluggishly
through life, as if some painful viscus,
some adhesive slime, were clogging
every movement, and making their
snail path a waste of their very sub
stance. They do nothing with that
healthy alacrity, that gleesome energy
which bespeaks sound mind even more
than a vigorous body; but they drag
themselves to the inevitable task with
demonstrating reluctance, as if every
joint were set i'm a socket of torture, or
as if they expected the quick flesh to
cleave to the next xtimplement of industry
they handled. Having no wholesome
love for work, no joyous delight in duty,
they do everything grudgingly, in the
most superficial manner, and at the last
moment. Others there are who, If you
find them at their post, you will find
them doing at it. They are sort of
perpetual somnambulists, walking
Year: 1876

Light, says Scribner's, is one of the
active agencies in enlivening and beau
tifying a home. We all know the value
of sunlight as health-giving agent to
the physical constitution, and il is not
less so TO our moral and spiritual ma
lures. We are more active under its
influence, can think better and act more
vigorously.


Let us take the airiest, choicest and
sunniest room in the house TOR our liv-
ing room, the workshop where brain
and body are built up and renewed. And
let us there have bay window no mat
ter how plain in structure, through
which the good twin angels of nature
sunlight and pure air-can freely en-
ter.


Dark rooms bring depression of spir-
its, imparting sense of confinement,
of isolation, of powerlessness, which is
chilling to energy and vigor, hnt in
light rooms is good cheer


Even in gloomy house, where walls
and furniture are dingy and brown, you
have but to take down the heavy cur
tains, open wide the window, stand
brackets on either side, set flower pots
on the brackets and let the warm sun
stream freely in, to bring health to our
bodies and joy to our souls.
Year: 1876

The following amusing story concern
ing the tragedian Edwin Booth is pub
lished in an exchange:


Edwin Booth is proverbially opposed
to having his private trumpet blown,
but a little incident of his overland trip
is too good to be lost. 1t seems that i'm
the same car with the tragedian and
his family was lady more remarkable
for the loudness of her style and the
oppressive gorgeOusness of her jewelry
than for her refinement This water
fly" not only conceived the most in
tense passion for the pet of the stage,
but took especial pains to make it mani
fest-an interest that seemed to be only
the more inflamed by the apparent pro-
found Indifference of Mr.. Booth to her
presence. She repeatedly stated, among
other things, that she "wOuld give 800
to kiss that divine Booth just once"
At Omaha a poor emigrant attracted
the attention of the travellers as they
returned to the ear after dinner. He
had started for California, but had been
robbed while asleep, and was without
funds TO go on or even procure food.
Our American Hamlet's generosity in
days OF his golden fortune is proverbial.
Mr.. Booth put his hand I'm his pocket,
through sheer force of habit, and with
out a word handed the poor devil 800
note. AS he did this his eye fell upon
his gorgeous admirer, who was stand
ing near by. With The sweeping stride
of the melancholy Dane he went up alb
ruptly to her and asked, "Did you say
you would give 800 to kiss me?" The
lady was staggered for moment, but
with true Western determination not to
be blufied replied, 81 did," and opened
plethoric purse defiantly. The star
deliberately placed his arm around her
neck and giving her sounding smack
held out his hand for the fee. This was
given him. Booth wheeled around,
and forced it INTO the emigrant's hand,
saying simply, "There's another"
and, without changing his countenance
or taking any further notice of the lady,
passed in the car. Even Mrs. b. fore
bore TO ''wool him" under the eircum-
stances
Year: 1876

In a recent discussion before the Ply
steal Society, London, one of the speak
ers remarked that, though the eye has
been considered to be achromatic because
it practically is so. it is easy to cite evil
dence of the defects of the organ in
this respect. For instance, TO short
sighted persons the moon appears to
have blue fringe; and, in using the
spectroseope, the red and blue ends OF
the spectrum cannot be seen with equal
without adjusting the focus
ing glass. Again. black patch of pa
per, on blue ground, appears to have
a fringed edge if viewed from even a
short distance, while black patch on a
red ground, when observed under simi-
lar conditions. has a perfectly distinct
margin. In the opinion of the speaker
referred to, it is the overlapping of i'm
ages in the eye which produces the men,
tai impression that there is no want of
Year: 1876

through their sleep; moving in a con-
stant mystery; looking for their tools,
and forgetting what they are looking
for; not able to find their work, and
when they have found their work not
able to find their hands; doing every
thing dreami,y, and therefore every
thing confusedly and imcompletely |;
their work dream, their sleep dream,
not repose, not refreshment, but a
slumbrous vision of rest, a dreamy query
concerning sleep; too late for every
thing; taking their passage when the
ship has sailed, insuring their property
when the house is burned, locking the
door when the goods are stolen.


Such slothful dreamers are each and
all of them unfaithful to their trust
"slothful in business" They betray
the interests of all who have any con-
nection with them, sacrifice the pros
poets of those who should be most dear
TO them, and frequently involve them
selves i'm disgrace and ruin,
Year: 1876

There is, no doubt. reflex influence
In dress. One of the best ways Of in
spring the degraded with self-respeet
is to supply them with decent and suit
able clothing. We are wholly unable
at any stage of cultivation, to with
stand this influence. No lady is the
same in a careless and untasteful MORN
ing wrapper. and an elegant evening
costume.


Every one must have n>ticed the ef-
feet Of dress upon the character and
condition of servants. Those who have
grown up in houses where slatternly
personal habits are allowed, never be-
come really respectable, even although
they may have many good qualities.
They do not respect themselves, and
their sympathy with their employers
is blunted by the great difference in
outward appearance. 1t is true that
domestics sometimes act so earnestly
upon this principle. that they end in
erring on the side of too much attention
to costume. We remember once and
once only, finding at foreign hotel a
chambermaid dressed in silk, with ar
tificial roses in her hair; the feeling
that she would not be of much use to
us flashing across the mind at once.
English servants hit the happy medium
oftener than any other; their tidiness
suggests alacrity, and we have a COM
Portable assurance of being we'll served
as soon as we look upon them. Ii is
odd what difference one feels i'm offer
ing gratuity to well or addressed
servant in travelling. Shabbiness favors
our penuriousness most remarkably.
The eye scans the expectaDt instinc-
lively and instead of the generous I'M
pulse to give most literally to those
who need, we graduate our donation
by the probable expectation of one who
has evidently not found the world very
generous If the servant be well
enough dressed to bespeak indepen-
dence, and especially if she be gifted
with the modest assurance which is
often both cause and consequence of
good fortune, pride whispers US at once
not to disgust so genteel a person by
shabby gift, and we bestow on success
what We should grudge to necessity.
Much depends, therefore on the study
of character by dress.
Year: 1876

Nobody knows the world but me.
When they're all in bed sit up to see;
I'm better student than students all,
For never read till the darkness fall:
And never read without nv glasses,
And that is how my wisdom passes.
can see the wind. Now who can do that.
| see the dreams that he has in his hat:
l see HIM snorting them out as he goes
Out of his stupid old trumpet nose.
Ten Thousand things that YOU couldn't think,
] write them down with pen and ink
Nou may call it lesrning-I call it wit
Who else can watch the lady-meon sit
HstchIng the boats and the leng-legeed fowl.
On her nest the sea all night but the owl?
When the oysters cape to sing by rote
She Grams pearl down each stupid throat.
So you see know-you may pull of your hat
Whether round or lofty, square and fiat
You can never do better than trust to me
You may shut your eyes as long as see.
While you live l Will lead you, and then-rm


the owl.


III bury you nicely with my spade and showL


George Mcdonald
Year: 1876

The London Telegraph says: ''In the
neighborhood of Newbury, not a hun
dred miles from the very place where
John Hampton was born and bred,
sturdy yeoman has given us specimen
of what can be done even late in the
autumn of life by those who 'scorn de-
lights and live laboriOus days Mr..
CharlwoOd, farmer and miller near
Newbury, and some years past the
prime of his strength, made small bet
that he would, singly and unassisted,
cart twenty acres of wheat between the
earliest moment at which he could see
in the morning and the last moment at
which he could see at night. He began
his work on Friday morning last at
3 As on the farm of Mr.. n. G.. Hutchin-
son, at Crookham, near Newbury, and
BY go at night he had carted the whole
contents of the twenty acres. The
ricks built from his carting were five in
number, three of which were ten yards
BY five, one ten yards by six, and one
more which was-as the clown says in
the pantomime-'a little one in.' 1t is
calculated that while Mr.. Charlwood
was at work he lifted from two hundred
to two hundred and fifty sacks Of wheat
and fifty or sixty tons of straw; and it
is said that it would take three ordinary
agricultural laborers an entire day to
get through such a job. The physical
power of the British farmer has always
been exceptionally above the average.
But at the same time it Is seldom that
we come across a man who IL able In
the course of one days daylight to
pitchfork into the wagon twenty acres
Of wheat. IL Is too much the fashion
az present to utter mournful prophesies
of national decadence, and to declare
sadly and solmnly that the nstion is
going to the dogs. As far, however, as
can be made out, the ordinary physique
of Englishman was never higher than
it is now. and when one man swims the
channel, and another single handed
carts twenty acres Of wheat In seventeen
hours and three-quarters continuous
work, there Is not much reason to COM
plain Of national degeneracy."
Year: 1876

MoEE RICH STEIKEs.-For the past
few davs We have heard of several rich
finds in the mines of Prospect Mountain.
Each day more conclusively proves the
great wealth and abundance OF hidden
treasure concealed in the mountain, and
old Prospect threatens to contest the
honors with Ruby Hill as bullion pro-
ducing sminence. The Fourth OF July,
Matamoras, Banner and many other
claims, will soon DO yielding large
amounts of rich ore. and the indications
are that when once at work in good
earnest more furnaces will have to be
erected to reduce the rock extracted
from the many claims in this locality
Eureka Sentinel.
Year: 1876

In pursuance of the plan adopted by the Con.
servative Committee, primary election will be
held in this city on the 18th instant to nominate
such Corporation and State officers as are to be
voted for on the 25ta instant, and on the night
the 18th Conservative ward meetings will be
| held in the various wards of the city for the pur-
pose of nominating delegate from each ward
| to attend the State Conservative Convention, to
| be hold in Richmond on the 3lst, three dele
gates to attend the County Convention, to be
| held at the Court House on the I'D, to nomi-
nate candidate for the House OF Delegates,
and to nominate candidates for the Board of Al
dermen and Common Council.
The voting places.at the primary election Will
| be those designated by the Mayor Tor the late
election, as follows:


lst ward No. "a Prince street.
I'd ward: No. az north Fairfax street.
Sd ward: Room in S. Z. corner of old Court
House (up stairs.)


4th ward Perpener's house, on Duke street,
between Columbus and Alfred.
The commissioners and clerks to hold
said election will be designated by the candidates
who are to meet the committee on the evening
of the 1lth, al the room formerly occupied by
the late Board of Public Works, in the Market
Building, and whose names will be published
hereafter.


The ward meetings will be held at the usual
places.


The County Superintcndents are hereby re-
quostcd to hold meetings u the county at such
time and places as may be most convenient for
the purpose of selecting delegates and making
nomination for such officers as are to be elected
on the 18th.


In giving this notice the committee beg leave
tc urge upon the Conservative voters the neces-
sity for prompt and decided action, and express
the hope that each and every man will show his
interest in the future welfare of the city by an
active participation in the election, SO that the
will Of the majority of the party may be fully
and fairly expressed, and the candidates chosen
be such as to meet the cordial appreciation of
the party and the citizens generally. In the
primary election, Of course, none but Conservs-
tves-such rs feel in honor bound to support
the nomnees-are expected to participate, and
as at this election an exhibit of tho strength Of
the party will be- indicated, it is hoped that thCre
will be such decided vote as will show the op
ponents of true Conservatism that our nominees
will be triumphantly elected on the 25th at the
polls. That such result is easily to be achieved
none who know the strength Of the party Can
doubt, and the committee, therefore, hope th'
no dissention or lukewarmness will be found n
the ranks of the party, and that each and eve'y
Conservative will make it a point to go to Il
polls and participate in making such good al
able nominations rs will attract and secure tie
support not only of the party but of all wi o
have the good of the City and State at heart.


By order Of the Committee


EDGAR SNOWDEN, Jr.,


Chairman County Committee.


GEO. r. SuIEN, Secretary.
Year: 1876

The nickel cent is no longer coined,
and the two cent bronze piece, which.
by the way was very convenient, was
abolished in the act Of 1873. The
fact that large quantities of two cent
bronze pieces are in circulation mis-
lead many business men. They NAV
be sent to the mint at Philadelphia for
redemption, but when they are so sent
they are sent to the melting pot. The
bronze one-cent piece is also subject
to redemption at the mint, but unless
mutilated or otherwise unfit for circu-
lation it is cleansed and reissued
The nickel one cent piece goes to the
melting pot when sent for redemption.
It proved too clumsy.
Year: 1876

SOME three years ago a young girl
working in mill at Oshkosh, was
scalped by having her hair caught in
a revolving shaft. The scalp was en-
tirely removed, and the skull deprived
of its natural covering. Skillful sur
geons undertook to replace it by what
is known as the grating process, but
without success. She is still alive
but in most deplorable condition.
1t is impossible by any artificial meana
to supply the proper secretions to the
skull and the bone is gradually but
surely decaying.
Year: 1876

The Boston sexton, Piper, of bel
fry murder notoriety, finding himself
convicted of murder, and sentenced to
be hanged, comes out with the state.
ment that the girl, Mabel Young, was
killed by the belfry trap door falling
upon her head, and that, in his sur.
prise and alarm at the accident, he
locked the door and ran away from
the scene, leaving the child in the
church garret. The story is probably
made up to influence . mitigation Of
sentence.
Year: 1876

A YOUNG lady stopping in .Kenosha
county went to sleep one night in
January and has not woke up yet.
She looks as we'll as she did four
months ago, and the beat of toe heart
and pulse are as distinct as ever.
Year: 1876

Have the courage to discharge debt when you have the money in your pocket.

 Have the courage to speak your mind when it is necessary that you should do SO and held your tongue when its prudent that you should do so. 1ftss. ssif'f sss sA
Year: 1876

proceed Tompkins square improved remodeed
and cemplted speedily possible and tor that purpo.s
authority hereby given said department. 80 prosecute


said work by days labor and they hereby TO
the provided however, shat the authority
hereby given shall interfere with impair snnu any
contract nov in existence for Regulating grAdns Ae SAID
until the lst day Of October next.


Only sixteen votes could be procured for the ordi
nance and again lost, Alderman Wade being
corded In the negative.


Alderman Shells also called up his resolution au-
thorzipg the Commissioner Of Public WORKS tn lay n
forty -eight-inch Croton main from Seventy ninth
through First Fourteenth street. also
thirty six-inch Croton main from First avenue aud
Fourteenth street, through First avenue to Houston,
Orchard Division and Pike streets and East Broadway
The ordinance was put 70 q vote and lost


After ransacting some unimportant routine business
tho Board adjourned to Thursday next
Year: 1876

Street Railroad Company the object OF such suit being
snnul tho franchise granted 10 the railroad
pany and to restrain the recsiver from dsposns OF
such franchise pending the suit the Attor-
ney General had brought such 4 suit himself and he
sought in the present application for the entry OF
order pro tune In the case Judge Donohue gave
his decision yesterday, stating that the merits as
shown by tho papers the motion Is denied both 70
order nunc pro tune otherwise. The original
motion, he says, will be disposed OF the
counsel for the people hand In their argument
Year: 1876

WAsHISGToN, August 27.-It is men,
toned as q sad coincidence that the
journey of Hon. T. W. Ferry, President
pro TEN. of the Senate, to Washington
last fall, just previous to the opening OF
the session, was to attend the obsequies
of Vice President Wilson, presiding OFF,
Ger of the Senate, and that his jour
ney home at the close of the seS-
sion was with the remains Of
Speaker Kerr, presiding officer of the
House of Representatives. The action
of Terry in delaying his departure from
Washington when he received intelli-
gence of the death of Mr.. Kerr, in order
that he might pay his tribute of
respect TO the dead statesman,
and accompany his remains to their
final resting place, is spoken
of as appropriate, and the many friends Of
the deceased express their appreciation
of the thoughtful course OF the presiding
officer of the Senate.


Secretary Cameron will return here
this week, but will leave again early in
September, in company with General
Sherman, for tour OF inspection OF the
Fort Lesvenworth military prison and
the various military posts in the west.
Year: 1876

Washington never made a speech.


In the zenith of his fame he once at


tempted it, failed, and gave it up, con-


fused and abashed. In framing the
Constitution of the United States the
labor was almost wholly performed
in Committee of the Whole, of which
George Washington was the Chairman.
He spoke twice during the convention;
but his words were so few that they
could not fifty be termed speeches.
The convention, however, acknowl-
edged the master spirit, and historians
affirm that, had it not been for his
personal popularity and the sincerity
with which he spoke, the constitution
would have been rejected by the peo-
pie. Thomas Jefferson never made a
He couldn't do it. Napoleon,
whose executive ability was almost
without a parallel, said that his great
est trouble was in finding men of deeds
rather, than words. When asked how
he maintained his influence over his
superiors in age and experience, when
COMMANDMENT. Chief Of the army in
Year: 1876

Gen. Sherman wants More Troops.


= Gen. Sherman and the secretary of
war were in attendance day before the house
committee on military affairs, in reference to
: the senate bill before that committee for the
increase Of the cavalry regiments for opera
. tions against the Sioux. The general favor
ed the bill, and expressed the opinion that
the present force is allie to whip the Indians
; if the latter are kept together, but in case
- they are separated the soldiers will be COM
PEELED to do the same, and there might be
danger of some out detachments being over
come by superior force of Indians concen-
trating against them. He then detailed the
strength Of the army and the present situa-
ton OF the various regiments. In answer to
inquiry whether the troops could be spared
to reinforce the army Of the Indian country,
Sherman said: am compelled to answer
that they cannot be spared. because those
who are entrusted with power Judge their
presence there unnecessary. That decision
TO Ne Is sacred and final and governs me.


He said ~ think they are scattering now.
Crook and Terry are both extremely careful.
prudent, cautious men, and will not attack
these Indians in their position until they can
give them tremendous whipping.