smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871




A correspondent of the Boston Jour
nal describes Kings balloon voyage over
New Hampshire as follows:


The first thing to attract our attention
was the brilliancy and glorious beauty OF
the autumn foliage. Hill side and noun
tain side were decked with foliage OF
every hue, golden yellow, rnby, flaming
scarlet, and all the tints of green. On
some of the highest eminences the ever
green formed a clearl y defined belt,
while below were all the bright, glowing
colors Of the foliage of decidious growth,
with here and there sprig of emerald,
which set off the other tints more bril-
liantly. The vast forest in our course
became boundless garden of beautiful
flowers, for the highest trees seemed no
more at our altitude than mere stalks or
bushes. The evergreen forests on Comp.
ton mountain could be likened TO
green, grassy slope, while the lower
lines Of birches, naples, oaks, etc.. fur
nished the most beautiful border of vel
low, scarlet and brown. 1t was a most
enchanting picture, and one which we
had with variations of place and scene
throughout our ride.


As we passed over the town
OF Denmark, which lies between Brown
field aud Fryeburg on the one side and
Bridgton on the other, we seemed to be
approaching Pleasant Mountain, a CON
siderable elevation lying in the northern
part of Denmark, but in getting near
the surface We happily found ourselves
drifting towards large village, which
we learned on inquiry to be Brighton.
Mr.. King had thrown out his dragrope,
and this was soon following us along the
ground. although we had been travel
ling at the rate of forty miles an hour or
more in the upper air their was scarcely
a pereeptible breeze below, and lsome
young men who came out and seized our
drag-rope, found no difficulty in hauling
us down to terra firma. Mr.. King had
no occasion to use the anchor even, and
at the suggestion of some of the citizens,
he permitted the balloon and its occu-
pants to be towed an eighth of mile or
so to the little green near the Brighton
House.


A crowd of several hundred persons
had by this time assembled, and Mr..
King and his companions were greeted
with three tremendous cheers as they
we're set down in safety, near the Brigh- |
ton House. The cheers unfortunately
frightened a horse left standing unhitch-
ed near the hotel, and as the animal at
to rush a top buggy along the
piazza ofthe house, general smash-up
Of both the vehicle and the posts Of the
piazza was the result. This was the only
lntoward event connected in any way
with the ascension.
Year: 1871

TnR chief end OF the Radical newspa.
per men just now Is to curse tho Lcgisla-
turc.-GharIestOn Courier.


Which used to be the chief end Of
Democratic newspaper men. "You know
how II is yourself"
Year: 1871

MT. George Fowler, an English min ing engineer, proposes the following modification of the ordinary method of smelting iron ores. As the process is commonly carried on, air is driven in near the base of the furnace, and the oxygen thus introduced unites with the carbon of the fuel, forming carbonic acid. As this rises through the incan- dercent mass it loses a portion of its oxygen, and thus becomes carbonic oxide, gas which in its further upward journey takes oxygen from the o-e and again becomes carbonic acid, thence es- caping from the top of the furnace. Carbonic oxide is therefore the true reducing agent in the process. By the proposed method this gas is generated outside the furnace, by the passage of 8 limited amount of air over ignited fuel

 Thus heated, it is forced into the furnace near the top, whence it descends through the mass of iron ore, which it deoxidizes as the two come in contact That pro- tion of the carbonic, oxide, if any, which remains unaltered, is burned when it en- counters the blast from the tuyeres, and the heat thereby generated sufices to fuse the metal and slag, which then fall into the hearth in molten state.
Year: 1871

You think you love the man who is coming this Sunday night to visit you And he acts as if he loves you Suppose he declares himself" and asks you to become his wife. Are you prepared to say to him, "I love you and will trust you through life with my happiness, and the lives and veal of our children r

 He is jolly, gay and handsome, and all the darts of Cupid are twinkling and sparkling in his eyes but will those eyes always find expression from the love of true soul? Tonight he says many pleasant things and draws pretty pictures for the future. Does he go to- morrow to work which gives promise to the fulfllment of your desire Tn life 1? Do his ambitions and achievements satisfy you ? Does his everyday life shine with the noble endeavor of trust worthy man ? If you think and desire a companion in your thinking who can unlock the deepest depths of your mind, to what strata of humanity does he belong in the scale of excellence and morality Is he doing all he can to build future usefulness and happiness in which you can share and feel blessed 1? These are questions which the experience of after years make many women weep in the bitterness of soul that they were not thought of before they answered "Yes."
Year: 1871

A few days since some of the employees in a brewery at West Dubuque, were directed by one of the proprietors to pump and clean out cistern situated under the first floor of the building. They went to work and pumped out all the water with the exception of small quantity that lay in pools at the bottom. A boy, aged fifteen years, step-brother of one of the proprietors, who was learn- ing the business of brewing, volunteered to go down and drain out the remaining water. His offer was accepted, and he was let down. No sooner had he reach ed the bottom than he fell and remained perfectly quiet. Notwithstanding that the cistern was but six feet deep the foul air was dense and overcame him.

 A rope was immediat"ly tied around one of the laborers and he was sent down to rescue the boy. He too, was over come by the foul air, and was hauled up. He remained insensible for ten minutes afterward. The boys body was finally brought to the floor by means of grap- bling hooks. The face was black and blue, and it was evident that the child had died a minute or two after going down. The mother of the child lives near Eagle Point, and this blow has been particularly severe upon her.
Year: 1871

In an English Magazine for July is MT. Leakey's account of the " Tas. manian Devil" This is little beast about the size of large bulldog, but marsupial, still found in the wilds of Van Diemen's Land. It differs in. temper radically from every known beast, and is thus described

 ''His natural propensities are those of the gluttonous or sluggish kind, and he will be quiet enough when gorged with flesh and left to undisturbed repose, but the slightest provocation, the merest and most unintentioual observation, will turn him at once into veritable fend. He then becomes instantly the very type of senseless fury, attacking all before him, dead or living, and flying with equal ferceness at mastiff or barn door. Nor is there, while life is left to him, either truce or quarter as long as 8 shred of flesh remains to tear, or last bone to scatter, he fights on, regardless of the numbers that surround him, or of his own subsiding strength, until at length his jaws snap faintly, and his life goes gradually out with an internal snarl. Though taken young, and brought up in captivity, his nature un- dergoes not the slightest modification. He lives to the last the same surly life, and usually dies in some mad struggle with the bars ofshis cage. After years of experience he repeats the same acts of proftless and exhausted frenzy. Without apparent motive he rushes at the wall, beating the air like a rabid lunatic, uttering long growls that seem to choke him, till they break out sud- dently into piercing bark. He shows not the smallest attachment to his guard ians or keepers, whom he menaces and swears at from the moment they ap- proach him till they pass completely out of sight. When tired out or overfed he becomes stupid and sleepy, rolls himself up in a corner, and falls into leaden slumber from which it is not always easy to rouse him. Nothing can be cheaper than to feed him. He will be satisfied for days together with huge bones, which he cracks up like biscuit, and usually swallows entirely"

 No animal can fight him, and he has been known to beat off 8 whole troop of dogs, and his insane fury gives him an inextinguishable courage MT. Leakey attacked one with five dogs, who would have been defeated, but that one of them wore an armed collar.
Year: 1871

Upon the occasion of bathing, after having stripped and entered the steam ingroom, we always took the precaution of wetting our head with cold water be- fore the heated water was thrown into the oven to generate steam this pre- vents headache, which is very apt to succeed the operation. Water was then thrown into the heated oven, and in an instant the atmosphere of the room was almost scalding, particularly at the up per platform, where for a while the heat was stifing, and we could with difficulty breathe. This sensation was followed by very heavy precipitation, that seemed to flow in streams from every pore, dur ing which we lay upon the platform, and our attendants taking punches of switch es switched us from head to feet, produc- ing tingling but not unpleasant feeling

 When this operation was finished, the attendants took large basins of suds, and with bundles of tow, scrubbed us un- mercifuly, with utter disregard of our feelings, fairly rasping the skin off After this we were stationed upon the floor and soused with a basin of hot water, and then large dish of snow water was produced and dashed upon us, the Jumps of wet snow lodging upon our heads and shoulders this apparently disagreeable feature was by far the most pleasant part of the process. Our sys- tems had become so thoroughly heated that instead of feeling disagreeably cold, it only cooled the skin and checked the precipitation. We would then retire to the anteroom and make vigorous use of coarse towels after which, bundling up in our furs to avoid catching cold, we would adjourn to our quarters, where the Cossack usually had an abundance of hot coffee and tea. Half a dozen cups were nothing after one of these baths. This operation usually leaves a feeling of drowsiness, which suggests a "nap" and of all times, that is the time par ercellence to enjoy one. j,ae |,
Year: 1871

SINGULAR SUN SrRoKE.-The Holley &andard relates singular case of sun stroke which occurred in that town While Daniel s. Waite was riding his moving machine on his place between that village and the Ridge, load of furniture passed along the road, on which was man holdinga large mirror. The suns rays glancing on the mirror were reflected so that they struck MT. Waite, who fell senseless from his machine on the outside. He afterwards compared the effect to that of blow powerful enough to knock him from his seat The lines were passed around his his neck, and the team stopped when he fell After time he came to himself and climbed partially upon the machine and the team started and carried him to the road, where he again fell of and re- lasped into a state of insensibility. He was discovered in that condition shortly after and conveyed to his home: His life was for some time despaired of, but he is now slowly recovering, ~
Year: 1871

There is a man out in Oregon who
who has mule. A few days. ago he
was driving the animal across the
prairie, when it suddenly stopped.
The man left his wagon and tried to in
duce the mule to move on. He beat
it. He coaxed it. He threatened it.
He cursed it, but it refused to go. He
tied fire-crackers to its tail and explod-
ed them, but the mula merely turned
his head in languid sort Of way, ex-
amined the fireworks, and calmly
winked at the man. Then the man
thought perhaps the mule had forgot
ten something and wanted to go back !;
so he turned him around, but the mule
expressed firm determination not to
go home. Then the man became des-
perate, and thought he would build a
fire under the mule, but as fast as he
could kindle it the mule, standing on
three legs, reached over the other leg
and kicked out the fire. Then he tore
his hair and swore-the man did-and
he rushed to the wagon and got twelve
pounds of powder, and he dug a hole
under the mule and built o mine.
Then he covered up the charge and
laid slow match, and stood off a little
piece and lit it. There was a rumble,
roar, then terrific explosion, and
amid the cloud of dust and upheaved
rocks that mule was observed to fling
its legs into the air and support itself on
Its fore feet until the blast was over,
when it quickly assumed its old atti.
tude, and a gentle smile passed over
its features rs it saw its master lying
down and groaning aud cursing the
day on which he was born. 1t was of
no use.


The man went home and brought
out two yoke of oxen. He hitched
them to his mule and they pulled, but
the mule dug his boots into the prairie,
and there it stood as firm as Casabianca
on the burning deck. Then the man,
in furious rage went and got three
movable steam engines and chained
them to the mule. Three two-inch Ca
bles snapped asunder and the mule
still maintalned its defiant attitude.


1t Is there yet. Fhe man has made
a contract with builder to go out
there and erect mill over the mule,
because he regards him now as one OF
the permanent fixtures Of the place,
and he thinks he can apply the power
for his mill by arranging to have the
mules tail twisted right hard every
few minutes by the machinery.
Year: 1871

A great many men would be real
forces of goodness in the world; IL they
did not let all their principle and en-
thuslasm escape in words. They are
like locomotives which let off so much
steam through the escape valves that,
though they fall the air with noise, they
have not power enough left to move
the train. If you have got any prlnci-
pie, any faith, any enthusiasm, any fire
In your soul, keep the tongue-valve
close, and let your spiritual forces
move your hands to noble deeds, and
make your feet run on errands of
mercy.
Year: 1871

BLUsHEs.- was in company
with mother and daughter, when the
latter being reproved for something,
blushed and burst into tears. He said
to the mother: "How beautiful your
reproach has made your daughter.
That crimson hue and those silvery
tears become her much better than any
ornament of gold or pearls; those may
be hung on the neck Of any woman;
these are never seen disconnected with
moral purity. A blush is the sign
which nature hangs out to show where
chastity and honor dwell.
Year: 1871

d. IHH.


How TO COMMIT SUICIDE.-An iron
ieal writer, speaking upon the suicide
mania, says that great deal has been
written upon the subject of the easiest
manner we can deliberately, and with
forethought, bring to an end this earth
life of ours. Some have favored hang
in sJme drowning; some advocate q
bullet through the head or heart; while
Others recommend burning charcoal
and a close room. Rutall these means,
though sure to the end sought, are
shocking to the sense. They lack re-
finement. They are not elegant. He,
therefore, suggests plan against
which none of thsse objections can lie.
The result may not be so speedy, but it
will be effectual; he has seen it tried In
thousands Of cases, and never knew it
to fail. His suggestion Is as follows I:
Take several cords and fasten them
around the waist, drawing them as
tightly as you can bear. AT the end of
g few days you can tighten them again,
and so continue until the body has as
sumed the share of an hour glass.
Your energies will gradually decline;
dyspepsia will set in, iver-eomplaint
will follow, and the nerves will proba-
bly, rebel--hut never mind-the work Is
going surely on, and the end is not far.
Consumption Is at hand, and viii very
soon lead you so gently down the dark
valley that your final breath win be
hardly perceptible. Should you, how
ever, wish to hasten this consumption,
you can do so by wearing low necked
dresses of cool evenings, and OCCASION
ally throwing in a hearty meal of rich
food before retiring. Those who are
tired of life, will find this unfaillng as
well as making themselves so useless
and complaining and sickly previous
to their departure, that the mourning
for them will not be narrowing, and
their friends viii, on the contrary, be
glad to see them go.
Year: 1871

is there any actual indication that
China will be able to exhibit, for in
stance, craftsmanship, a financial
ability, an unbending integrity, q su-
preme regards for the rights and well
fare of others approximating these
which illustrate the government of our
own commercial metropolis ? p.
Year: 1871

the causes of his ruin. People blamed
his passion for speculatior-but I don't
know. / am sure James was one of the
most discreet men iving--and business
OF that kind is something of which wo-
men know nothing. aldolq asad3i. q


Wherever was the fault, it was but a
poor remnant of our wealth which James
left to our only boy, the father of Nelly
and Agnes, and the dear lad John, / had
no share in it. Ny dover was gone long
ago; and my husband in his viii gave to
his "son, as the most precious of all leg
acies, the care Of his mother; preferring
to leave her dependent upon him. that in
her old age, as in her youth, she might
occupy the most beautiful position for .
loved and loving woman" People said
it would have been better If James had
settled q few hundred pounds upon me,
instead of bit of sentiment; but that
sentence was worth more than wealth to
both my boy and me. We were very
happy together; and when he married,
Mary made much of me, and put me, in
n manner, in the center of their home, as
though, I had, indeed, been gift in
which she was proud to own her share.
Still, there is no denying that if I had
had any legal right to maintenance
from my sons property, some of it would
have been saved. Unfortunately it was
not. I'm sure / do not understand how it
went. No one was in fault My son was
fond of specializing, like his father; and,
as I said, that seems very proper line
of business to ME; but I suppose there
were sharpers about. I am very certain
neither James nor his boy were to blame.


Then came hard days and nights. My
son and Mary kept it secret from me as
best they could-but 1 SOW, though I said
nothing; only the old harp stood silent
then for many day. We came to this
manufacturing town of the west, my son
going before to prepare home for US,
comfortable % was in his power. Much
Of the old furniture was saved; and that,
with Mary's skillful hands and plotting
head, gave to our new dwelling an mir of
luxury. which the pinched fare in the
kitchen and pantry did not sustain. But
we worked together to keep up my boys
heart-his losses told on him. From q
ruddy, portly man, he grew in one winter
sallow, stopped, dyspetic; then came the
morning. Had I not learned the signs
long ago? He did what he could for us;
bought scholarship for John in 4 neigh
boring college, and insured his life for
Jary's benefit.


"You will educate the girls" he said to
her, make them fit to support themselves.
if needs must; and as for mother, I will
leave her to you and the children, rs she
was left to me. / think Gods blessing
goes with her. In the worst days her old,
cheerful face has been like sunshine to
me-" a.


Mary told this to me, long after he was
gone. very tenderly. ut was true
mother" she said. That touched me
more than even my boys words, for Mary
not naturally tender. Shewas quick-eyed,
kind, hard-sensed woman. 1t needed all
her quickness and capacity to keep us
aAoat during the few years that followed.
The insurance effected was but small
and the rates of living increased year by
year. ...-... ID. ..v A
~ ~ n IN IT u N II
Year: 1871

The remarkable storm, which cX-
pended its fury over Il large area of the
West, all of the lakes and nearly the
entire length of the Atlantic coast, has
elected comparatively little public at
tentiOn, evidently for the reason that
it was not distinguished by-,ny extra
ordinary loss of property or life. Ma
ny storms indeed of less force and cX


tent have fallen upon our coasts with
far more terrible results. The mystery,
however, if mystery it may he titled,
finds ready solution in the admirable
system of storm Signals which OH
this occasion literally headed the
wIntS and furnished conspicuous testi-
mOny of its utility. Every section of
the country threatened 10y the storm
was duly warned of its approach, the
effect of which was to keep in port
many vessels which would otherwise
have been involved in its perils. The
storm began far out on the Western
plains, and was of vast north and
south extent, presenting front of
at least two thousand miles, But it
was headed and forcsecn i'm Kansas
and Nebraska, and the swift mcssen-
ger ran ahead of its mighty march to
tell of its fierce coming. 1t occupied
the whole space from the lakes to the
gulf, but this side of the Alleghanies,
as If designing to foil science by stratc-
gy, played the trick of dividing so as
to strike farther north than il had pre-
tended. Caught at that, the north was
forewarned and ready for it. How
much of loss of life and property was
thus spared the country 10 man can
say. The march of the great storm,
and its complete anticipation at every
point shows how far from mere guess
work the predictions of the signal ser
vice are, and the great.value of the tele-
graph as an aid To science i'm thus de
vcloping into practical fact what had
hitherto been merely Il theory con-
ccruing the procession of stOrms,-
Now the signal bureau is constantly
in possession of all the facts, not only
the direction hut the force of the
winds, the pressure of the barometer,
the temperature, the relative humidity
of the air and the amount of rainfall,
taken by tlain@l observers with in
struments which work exactly TO one
standard. It caf throw all its stations
into circuit and in moment, as it
were, map the weather of the whole
country, by system of mapping
which is as beautifully simple rs it is
practical. ,S,tR.
Year: 1871

seemed bat Il small element anyhow.
The love of woman might lie denied
him, but there still remained what was
infinitely more precious and holy, the
love of God. There still remained the
possibility of heroic living. Working,
suffering, and enduring still remained.
And be who can work for God and en-
dure for God, surely has yet the best
of life left. And, like the knights
who could only find the Holy Grail
in losing themselves, Hartsook, in
throwing his happiness out of the
count, found the purest happiness, a
sense of the victory of the soul over
the tribulations of life. The man
who knows this victory scarcely needs
the encouragement Of the hope of fu-
turc happiness. There is real heaven
in bravcIy Fitting the load of ones
own SORROW and work.


And ii was good thing for Ralph
that the danger hanging over ShOclly
made immediate action necessary.