smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

ANTS That BURY THE DEAD. 1t has
been discovered that there are some
ants which actually bury their dead.
Recently lady had been obliged to
kill some ants, the bodies of which
lay about on the ground. Presently a
single ant found its dead companions,
and examined them and then went off.
Directly it returned with a number of
others aud proceeded to the dead bodies.
Four ants went to each corpse, two
lifting it and the other two following !;
the main body, some two hundred in
number, follo8ing behind. The four
bearers took their office in turns, one
pair relieving the other when they were
tired. They went straight to a sandy
hiIIock, and there the bearers put down
their burdens, and the others immedi
ately began to dig holes. A dead ant
was then placed in each grave, and the
soil filled in. The most curious part OF
the proceeding was that some SIX or
seven ants refused 20 assist in grave
digging; upon which the rest set on
them, killed them, dug one large hole,
and tumbled them unceremOniOusly
into If
Year: 1875

The lives of the mothers Of great
men form en- important branch Of
biographical literature: and it is
usual, even in the paternal line, to
find traces Of hereditary taste or tai
ent tending toward original product
ion. The mute, inglorions Milton
finds a glorious tongue in his great
grandson; the great statesman is the
heir Of the village Hamgden. The
theory, though more than merely
probable, is By its nature incapable
of exhaustive proof; but instances are
notorious enough to found thereon a
reasonable assumption that family
talent precedes individual genius
even if the tendency has never made
itself conspicuous, or, like the gout,
has passed over generation or two
here and there. But, on the other
hand, it is yet more certain than gen
ius, like the blossom with its fruit,
closes while itcrowns the family tree.
The man Of talent is the ancestor Of
the man of genius, but the man Of
genius is the ancestor either of no
bodies or of nobody. Descendants Of
great authors, painters andmusicians
who lived two or three generations
ago, are hardly to be found. While
the families of great soldiers and
statesman swarm, there is scarcely q
man in Europe who can boast of q
great poet or other artistin the direct
line of his pedigree; probably there is
not even one who can boast Of two
such forefathers. The rough stem
runs into the leaf, the leaf to the
flower, and the flower to the fruit Of
good work, or-to seed. To pursue
the analogy to its end, thefull beau
ty and productivencss of;maginative
genius correspond to the effect of de-
caying vitality-P1pnlar Science
! MonthLM
Year: 1875

The world is crazy for show
There is not one perhaps in a thous-
and who dares fall back on his real
simple self for power to get through
the world, andcxact enjoyment as he
goes along. There is no end to the
aping, the mimicry, the false airs,
and the superficial airs. 1t requires
rare courage, We admit, to live up to
ones enlightened convictions in these
days. Unless you consent to join in
the chat, there is no room for you
among the great mob ofpretenders.-
If man desires to live within his
means and is resolute in his purpose
not to appear more than he really is,
let him be applauded. Thereissome-
thing fresh and invigorating in such
an example, and we should honor and
uphold such a plan with all the en-
ergy in our power,
Year: 1875

1t is the sagacious remark ola keen
observer that you can generally tell
a newly married couple at the din
ner table, by the indignation of the
groom when a fly alights on the
brides butter
Year: 1875

There Is no pest in California that
gives the farmer so much troutle and
none half so destructive to growing or
matured crops. 1t is safe to say that
the State is damaged over million Of
dollars each year by these little ami
mails. One man can exterminate
them on twenty acres Of land In one
day at cost of fifty cents to one dol.
lar. We have done this, and speak
what we know to be true. Take a
stick of phosphorus four or five inches
long, dissolve it In hot water, half a
gallon. Stir in corn meal until it Is
as thick as mush or dough; then stir
in one pint of molasses; mix it we'll;
put it in a bucket; hang the bucket on
your arm, and with l0ng-handled
spoon in your hand, go to each hole
and put small spoonful down in the
hole. No birds nor fowls can find 1T
when 1t is dropped in the squirrel hole.
Two days afterwards the atmosphere
will be somewhat offensive and the
buzzards may be attracted, but it is
soon over and everything is quiet for
q few weeks. But If the lands around
you are not treated in the same way,
the squirrels will soon be as thick as
ever. We have no doubt If whole
community would act in concert, that
these pests could all be destroyed in
one or two years, but no one man can
fight them off his place successfully
unless his neighbors all join.


b. l.. PEEL.
P. S.-Be careful in handling the
phophorus; 1t is deadly poison.
Year: 1875

On Wednesday evening the Literary
Society was held in the Methodist
Episcopal church, south of the school
house, was not large enough for that
purpose. We are sorry to say that our
friends and patrons could not be COM
fortably accommodated, and we sim
cerely wished that our building had
been two or three times larger, so as
to accommodate all and more too, If
necessary. The meeting was called to
order by the President, Mr.. s. S. Skid
more, of Los Nietos, the opening ad-
address was delivered by Col. Thorn,
of Los Angeles. His speech was lis
tened to very attentively, and was
very interesting, receiving the reward
Of hearty cheers. Other speeches were
made, and few compositions read
that was worthy of much praise.


THE LITERARY GEM.


Finally came the interesting paper
which Is called the Literary Gem"
1t was whitten by Miss Charlie Tarver,
and fine paper it was. The contri-
buttons which filled It's Interesting col
umns were composed chiefly by the
members of the Society. Many laugh
able articles were read by our worthy
editress, for which she deserves much
praise.


TUESDAY EVENING EXERCISES.


On Tuesday evening the exercises of
the school were held In the same
building. The house was we'll filled by
the time it was fairly dark, and spec
tators continued to come until there
was scarcely room enough out of doors.
Speeches and compositions too numer-
GUS to mention were spoke and read
by the pupils until our patience was
getting somewhat wearied, when it
was cheered up by some excellent mu-
sic by our young ladies. We call it ex-
cellent because it was first rate for new
beginners. 1t is true they could not
make as good music as some who have
made it lifetime practice, but their
proficiency was surprising.


THE INDEPENDENT.


Then came our school paper, called
the Independent, edited by Miss
Sallie Ardis. We are sorry to say
that the audience was in such confu-
sion that the editress got SO confused
that it was impossible for her to read
it any further, so she took her seat and
the paper was handed to the editress
of the Literary Gem, and she took the
paper and finished it. Miss s. A. was
not to blame for her failing, for she
had not read the paper over often
enough to get thoroughly acquainted
with 1t, and another thing, 1t was not
her penmanship, and the worst Of all
was, that she did not have self-conf-
dence Ia sufficient qualities. We wish
her better luck the next time, and q
long life to the Independent.


8. 8. G.
Year: 1875

ished, and it is oftener the dupe than the real
criminal who is convicted. Police Headquar-
ters is practically AN exchange Office for
thieves. Eminent gentlemen whose watches
have been taken obtain them again, and
the telonies are compounded to save trouble.
There is rottenness everywhere, and only the
base and the powerful escape. Virtuous people
are shocked at the terrible revelations which
from time to time are brought to their notice,
but they fold their hands idly and say. "We
can do nothing" The churches are too busy
fighting the mystical devil to contend with
the actual one. There is no hope unless it shall
come out of the aroused conscience of great
people who have too long submitted to so
much that is brutal and unworthy. We can
hope for the day when all these wretches shall
be swept from the paths of honest men, even
though as yet we fail to see its down.


There is some hope for the future in the in
vestigation that is now going forward. The
city is full of men familiar with the history of
police crime. Some of these have already ap-
peared before the Assembly Committee. and,
startling as their testimony is, in the majority
of cases it is entitled to the fullest credence.
An effort will be made-indeed, is now MAX
ing-to break it down and destroy it. This
must not be permitted In this matter
the press and the public have
high and solemn duty to perform-a duty
that is not second in importance to the war
on the Ring which relieved us from the rob-
berries Of Tweed and his associates. These
police thieves are even more dangerous than
the thieves of old Tammany. The Tweed
gang were only public plunderers. The po-
lice thieves and partners of thieves are not
only public plunderers, but private dealers in
vice-men who enrich themselves with the
wages OF sin and swear away virtuous inno-
cence to cloak their own crimes At this
time police faith is less worthy than Punic
faith in the days of old, and poiceman's
oath is a thing of derision and reproach.
Until the Assembly Committee began its work
few men had the courage to tell what they
knew of these abuses. Now that the truth is
in part revealed they must be sustained and
upheld by public opinion, and every officer
who is shown to have participated in the
abuses now laid to his door must be sternly
and severely punished.
Year: 1875

TIE CARLIsTs appear to be still in retreat,
but they have relreated and advanced so
often that these retrograde movements do not
Indicate a speedy ending Of the war. There
would be more importance attached to the
recent victories of Jovellar ana Quesada ii the
government at Madrid had the confidence of
Spain and the respect of foreign nations. But
who places faith in monarchy nominolly
governed by boy, yet really under the con-
troll OF a dictator?
Year: 1875

The GERMAN GOVERNMENT, it is said, guar
antees to keep secret the submission of
Catholic priests to German laws, in order
to secure them from ultramontane per-
secution. Certainly Bismarck is shrewd
in this flank movement upon Rome
but Rome is match for him in strategy of
that kind, or history has grossly mis-
represented her. BismarcS should un-
derstand that the priests who submit
are likely to profit by the opportu-
mites they obtain, and for this reason we
are disposed to think that the rumor OF the
Pal lioH Gazette is merely one of those
London sensations which are published
on one day to be denied the next But
whether the report be true or false the policy
can have no important result
Year: 1875

WIMBLEDON is famous name in modern
rife shooting annals. IL is likely 10 become
even more illustrious because Of the part the
American rihomen are taking in the contests
this year Tie St. Leger Sweepstakes were
shot for yesterday. The range in this
celebrated match is two hundred yards.
The highest score was made by Major Fulton,
who made thirty-fye out of possible thirty
five, and those who know his remarkable
scores at Creedmoor at short range shooting
will hardly be surprised at this
total. Colonel Gildersleeve followed him
with thirty-four, and Mr. Yale with thirty
three, SO that even if Major Fulton's score
should be tied the American rifle team has
fully sustained the reputation which it won at
Creedmoor last year and maintained SO nobly
as Dollymount
Year: 1875

The AMREIcAN CELEBRATION IN ENGLAND
The celebration of the Fourth Of July in
London was an event which moved the STAN
ddrd OF that city to wrath and lamentation.
The English people, however, did not regret
the commemoration OF the proclamation of
American Independence even in their own
capital, and the description in our correspond
ence OF the banquet at the Crystal Palace
shows tha, the best of feeling prevailed. The
English might with just as much reason
mourn over the Wars OF the Roses as over the
Revolution Of the American colonies, almost
one hundred years ago.
Year: 1875

The DnFIcULT QUEsTIoN Of what happens
when an irresistible force meets an i'm
movable body win be recalled TO many
persons By the recent collision of
whale with the Cunnrd steamer Scythia
The conditions in this encounter
were not very unlike those of the
celebrated hypothesis, and this morning we
are able to announce that the irresistible
force, the steamer, put back 10 Liverpool for
repairs to her propeller, and that the immov-
able body Of the whale was towed mo the
port OF Bailycotion-dead
Year: 1875

OUR SUMMER RESORTS. The letter we pub
lish in another column from Long Branch
presents an interesting picture of life at the
seaside. The arrival Of the "youug prince
is the chief feature Of comment There seem
to be very large additions to the number of
stay-at-homes in the metropolis this summer,
as the watering places are by no means pa
tronized to the extent of former seasons. New
York has so many elements Of attraction
during the dogdays IN its beautiful Park and
picturesque environs that it is not surprising
to find persons who prefer it to the manifold
discomforts OF fashionable summer rAsorta~
Year: 1875

THE CRoToN WATER. No point is of greater
interest to the people at any time nor at this


season of more importance to public health
than the condition of our water supply, and
it is bad news tc hear that the Croton Lake is
in state more like what we might look for
in some little stagnant dam behind an aban-
doned mill, or some ill-cared-for pool in the
corner OF stable yard, than that in which
we should expect to find the source from
which is quenched the thirst of million of
well taxed people. On every body of water
not in such rapid movement as constantly to
change its volume at short intervals the
green deposit at the surface. is found in sum-
mer, just as it is now described to exist in
the Croton Lake, and whether that deposit be
dead vegetable matter or vegetable matter in
which there is vitality and growth, it is an
unpleasant feature. Ii it is dead vegetable
matter its presence in such quantity turns
the clear fluid we desire into an unpleasant
solution, and if there be living plants in the
mass il is because they find in the state of the
water and in the matter accumulated near
the surface such basis of support as renders
the use OF the fluid unsafe. Evidently the
Croton supply and its sources need attention.
Year: 1875

THE IYUNDATIoNs IN FRANCE Further ex-
tracts from our files add some details to the
full accounts hitherto published by us of the
unparalleled calamity in the south of France
One of the admirable points in the case is the
readiness and spirit with which the whole ma
ton enters into sympathy with the afflicted
district, and the efficient way in which the
President has given the alienation Of the mis-
cries of the people his personal attention.
Present personally on the spot, seeing and
knowing the necessities Of the case, and di-
recting the organized national force to such
purposes as burying the dead, caring for the
injured and clearing away the wreck. the old
Marshal gives an effective example Of his SIM
pie and practical ideas of the duties of the
Chief Of State that will long avail him with
the nation against many party theories and
many adverse votes in the Assembly.
Year: 1875

The man that laughs heartily is the
doctor without diploma. His face does
more good in a sick room than q bushel
Of powdesor or gallon Of bitter draught<.
People are always glad to see him. Their
hands instinctively go half way out to
meet his grasp, while they turn involun-
tarily from the clammy touch Of the dys-
peptic who speaks In the groaning hey.
Such enc laughs you out Of your faults.
while YOU never think Of being offended
with him; and you never know what q
pleasant world you live in till he points
out the sunny streaks on its pathway.
Year: 1875

IT may perhaps be interesting to the
friends of. Mr.. Keyser to learn that his
family will be compelled to buy all their
sausages and mince-meat this winter.
Mrs. keyser made sausage and mince-
meat on the same day, and by some mis-.
take her hired girl put cider and the
sugar into the sausages and the sweet
msrjoram and pepper into the mince-
meat. Consequently they had one meal
Of sweet and succulent sausage and q
single dessert of hot and herby mince-
pies after which Keyser magnanimously
gave the whole stock Of pie stuff and
sausages to the poor There are probably
more sick and demoralized psupers
around New Castle than in any othe'
neighborhood in the known world, and
Keysr is no longer bothered with beg
gars.-.Mar Adeisr.
Year: 1875




Against all chambermaids Of whatso-
ever age or nationality, I launch the curse
Of bachelordom.


Because:


They always put the pillows at the op-
posite end of the bed from the gas
burner, 10 that while you read and smoke
before sleeping (ss is the ancient and
honored custom Of bachelors), you have
to hold your book aloft, in an uncomfort-
able position, to keep the light fcm
dazzling your eyes
If they cannot get the light in an ua-
comfortable position any other way, they
move the bed.


II you pull your trunk out SIX inches
from the wall, 50 that the lid will stay up
when you open it, they always shove
that trunk back again. They do II on
purpose.


They also put your boots into mac.
cessible places. They chiefly enjoy de
posting them as far under the bed - the
wall will permit.


1t is because this compels you to get
down in an undigni6ed attitude aud
make wild sweeps for them In the dari
with the bootjack, and swear.


They always put the matchbox in
some other place. They hunt up new
place for itevery day, and put q bottle OF
other perishable glass thing where the
box stood before.


This is to cause you to break that glass
thing cropping about in the dark, and gel
yourself into trouble.


They are forever movirs the furniture,
When you come in in the night, you can
calculate on finding the bsreau where the
wardrobe was in the morning.


And when you come in at midnight,
or thereabout, you will fall over the rock
ing-chair, and you proceed toward the
window and set down In the slop-tub.


This will disgust you.


They like that.


No matter where you put anything
they won't let il stay there.


They will take il and move il the first
chance they get.


They always save up the old scraps ol
printed rubbish you throw on the floor
and stack them up carefully ON the table
and then start the FIRE with your valu
able manuscripts.


And they Use more hsiroil than an,
six men.


They keep always coming to make
your bed before you get uP. thus destroy
ing your rest and inhicting agony uPor
you, but after you get up they dom
come any more till the next day.
Year: 1875

unequal contest, the result of which n,


man can doubt. We do know that every


man is more nearly related to every 9th


er man even by birth and blood than h.


is to any other organization of anima
life, or to any other living existence. II
all the essential points of our nature, We
find similarity and agreement and not
withstanding some differences in non
essentials. we come to the conclusion
that all men are of one race, bound to-
gether and cemented by the ties of birtf
and blood, united by the characteristics
of common brotherhood, and related
by common consanguinity.
Year: 1875

Contributed to the Grand Eisteddfod, at Oak


Hill, October 81, 1875.


The consanguinity of the human race,
is topic that cannot fail to interest
every individual man, involving as it
does, his origin, his history, his relation
ship, his surroundings, and his eternal
destiny.


The idea of more than one human
race, is not mooted in our topic. We are
not considering races, but a race, one
race, the human race. What we some
times improperly call different races, are
but grand divisions, or branches of the
same race. Assuming that every human
individual belongs to the race of man, or
the human race, it follows not only that
each division of that race is related to
every other division, but that every indi-
vidual of any one division is related to
every other individual of the same di, l.
sion, and also to every other individual
of every other division. If we admit the
theory of different races of men, we yet
have the relationship of one man to an
other man; SO that whether on the the
ory of different races. or of different di-
visions of the same race, we still have
the relation of man to man, of one indi-
vidual to another.


Our topic then is the consanguinity of
the human race, or of the individuals
composing that race. If this race is one,
its unity implies its consanguinity In
dividuals of the same race, must have
certain relationships, however remote, or
however differing in degree These re-
lationships may be near or remote; di-
rect or indirect; perceptible or impercep-
tible; manifest or hidden If men are
not related to one another, to what are
they related? There are either relation
ships among men, or there are not; if
not, then every man is sui generiS, of a
separate race, an isolated being, having
nothing in common with any other man,
stranger to his parents, an alien to his
brethren, having no affinity for his kind,
no bond of sympathy for any other man,
no kinship with his children, nor any
ties of birth, blood, or otherwise.


For history of our origin, we natu-
rally turn to Holy Writ, as being the on
ly his orcal source from which we derive
any positive statement of our creation
aud Introduction into life. We learn
Year: 1875

If fthere is any one thing more beau
tIful than another in flower garden,
that thing Is a beautiful girl, with a
sun bonnet on her head 50 wide and
so capaciOus that you have to get right
square before her and pretty near her,
to see The glowing cheeks thatare sure
to be there if she Is at all accustomed
to garden walks and works. Physi-
rally, there can be nothing better for
daughters. and indeed for wives, than
10 take sole charge of o small flower
garden The benefit of early rising.
stirring the soil, snui1lng the pure
morning air. are freshness and glow of
check and brightness of eye, cheerful
hess of temper, yig0r of mind, and
purity of heart. Consequently she
must be more cheerful aud lovely IS u
daughter, more dignified and woman
ly as a sister, and more attractive and
contiding as q wife, If you have not
the dooryard ground. then get dozen
pots and plant the seeds Of flowers to
your taste.
Year: 1875

A LETTER written by John Mitchell two
weeks before his death appears in the New
York Herald. In it the statement is made
that he never expected to make an appear
ance in the House of Commons. He wished
to get TipperaIy practically disfranchised by
the seating of minority candidate, then 10
stand for another county, and still another,
and so on. eve have stirred up the pride of
more than one county," wrote he, "and have
shown the English ministers that the Irish,
if they like, can always drive them to more
and more lawless precedents and practises.
and, at the worst, can do without them and
their Parliament"
Year: 1875

As indicated in our last issue, the Eastern
hallroad interest triumphed at the Maine
Central STOCKHOLDERS meeting at Watervile,
yesterday. For many reasons we wish the
result had been different. #. however, the
gentlemen who have been selected to manage
the affairs of that corporation, preserve the
present harmony, and labor to bring about
reforms which will promote the business in
terests of all parts of the state without dis
elimination, they will find none more ready
to recognize their efforts in that direction.
and assist them to the utmost than the Press.
1t is not question of men which interests
us, but the interests of the people of Maine.
But two of the old friends of the road are
given a place IN the new board, Messrs. Co.
burn and Alden. Having labored to bring
about the present peaceful relations with the
Boston roads, and being advocates of the In
dependence of the Maine Central, they will
resist any encroachments upon the present
policy. The name of Gov Coburn at the
head of the new management, is guarantee
of an honorable policy so far as it is in his
power to promote it.