smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875




Editor Jefersonian The following
communication, do not know that it will
entirely be in accordance with the views of
the dear old Jef., but knowing that you
are always alive to any undertaking that is
sure to benefit Stroudsburg and its sur
roundings, submit the following:


| have noticed for years past the system
of business relations between the farmer
and the agencies through which he is
obliged to do business, that is, sacrifice his
hard yearly earnings, and [ assert that it
is all wrong. Now do not wish to say
anything disparaging of our store keepers or
our business community in general, but |
think it is time that the farmer should
realize some Of the profits derived from his
own hard labor and the money he has in
vested i'll his property and not let the trade
have it all or, in other words, the producer
should be governed by fair prices obtained
from New York markets and dictate to the
purchaser what he will take cash for his
product, not trade, that does not pay our
taxes, and we some times want few dol
lars to spend where we please, and not to
be compelled to take groceries when we
have already full supply on hand; but
under existing circumstances we are COM
PEELED in some instances to give our pro
duct at from % to 100 per cent discount
or lose the sale. AS a general rule individu-
ally, we have not enough time to bother with
shipping consequently we let it go, thus by
accumulation the store-keepers derive al
the profit. Not only in these simple trans
actions but to the depreciation in value of
his farm are the farmers of Stroud town
ship and Monroe county generally, suffer
ing from this trade system. | think [ am
safe when L assert that is the cause
alone which retards the advancement of
Stroudsburg and depreciates our farms; a
more positive proof could not be obtained
than by pcrusing your own columns and
read the long list of Sheriff sales Go where
you will you can buy farms at a sacrifice every
body wants to sell, no body wants to buy.
"Why?" because they cannot make it pay.
There is no place blessed with greater
natural advantages for prosperity than
Stroudsburg our fertile lands, numerous
water powers, healthiness and easy access
to three good markets, namely New York,
Philadelphia and Scranton, and just look
at us; the county seat with not more than
$500 inhabitants and at least 75 years ac-
cumulating it! We are behind the age Now
why should we not move along with the
out side world by trying to bring about
some method which will obviate the above
evil. Stir up our sluggish system of home
industry and I'll not only guarantee the
farmer success but the store-keepers also,
who will naturally fall into the tide of
prosperity. Why not call a meeting of far
mers and adopt some method.


Why not start cooperative stores? They
always meet with success and give entire
satisfaction wherever adopted | would
like to hear from some one else on the
subject


| hope you will publish this for I would
like to stir this matter up thoroughly and
get at least even with the times, if not
little ahead "Let us have a cash system"
and fair prices say l.


y SUBSCRIBER AND A FARMER.
Year: 1875

In the range of the mountains in West
ern North Carolina known as the Fox
Range, most singular phenomenon exists,
1t IS a breathing cave Ia the Summer
months current Of air comes from it sn
strongly that person can not walk against,
while in Winter the suction Is just as great.
The cool air from the mountains in SUM
it felt for miles in direct line from the
cave At times Il most unpleasant odor is
emitted upon the current from dead ear
cases OF animals sucked in and killed by
the violence. The loss OF cattle and stock
in that section in Winter is accounted for
in this way. They range too near the
mouth Of the cave, and the current carries
them in. At times, when the change from
inhalation begins, the air is filed with var
ious hair of animals : not uufrcqucntlv bones
and whole carcasSes are found miles from
the place, The air has been known "a
change materially in temperature during
exhalation from quite cool to unpleasant
hot, whitening vegetation within reach, and
accompanied 10y terrible roaring, gurgling
sound, like a pot boiling, 1t is unaccounted
for by scientific men who have examined,
though no exploration can take place It
is feared by many that volcanic eruption
may break forth there sometime, Such
things have occurred in places as little uu-
eX,,evte,l
Year: 1875

OUR old friend Ben Woods he of the banjo and song, the gay and festive cuss who always has a kind word and a smile for all good peo- pie, now has charge of Burke's Station, on the Tucson road, and we understand is making that halting place very popular. We knew this would be so when we heard that Ben was stationed at that point, for he is one of the best of good fellows and is awful fond of eating, and therefore is not like ly to starve those who stop with him. And besides this, when SUD- per is over and the long interval has to be passed until bedtime, which at most stations is passed in silence and monotonous gloom, Ben takes down his banjo and en- livens the traveller with such music as makes him forget the tolls of his journey. Commend us to such station keepers.
Year: 1875

The Commercial still harps upon the
same old string Of giving this county
increased representation by "a simple
Legislative enactment" Some Of the
most prominent and learned lawyers Of
the State express the opinion that the
Legislature cannot increase the repre-
sentation Of one county without giving
like increase Of representation to the
other counties also. If this be true, as
it doubtless is, how much better of
would New Castle county, or if you
please WILMINGTON city, be, it the num-
Der Of her representatives should be in
creased to 10 or IL, while those Of
Kent and Sussex are increased to the
same number? Would that be any
nearer to popular representation than
We now haves 70 give representation
according to population would require
. constitutional amendment. Nor can
it be obtained in any other way. The
Commercial and Gazette and their ad-
herents and followers might as veil then
Join in the request for division Of the
county, and let the constitution be
amended 50 that it can be done. Then
WILMINGTON will get her increased rep
resentation and her court house at one
and the same time.
Year: 1875

nation (?) except it be from his own
fertile imagination, we are at q loss to
determine. We have lived in Middle
town several years, and have yet to
have the first resident Of the town or
vicinity declare himself in favor Of Mid
dlelown being made a county seat.
That our people are in favor Of divld-
ing the county is true, but that they
want the county seat brought here is
not true. They believe that division
Of New Castle county into two counties
is the best, if not the only, method by
which more representation in the Cen
eral Assembly Of the State can be OBJ
tanned for the large population Of the
ten hundreds that now compose New
Castle county. To insist on demand
to which vast majority Of the people
are opposed, and which eannet be OBJ
tanned, and refuse a means Of accom-
plishing desired end which may be
secured, is not very wise or prudent,


but looks as though the demandant
sought rather the accomplishment Of
his own purposes than the good Of the
people whose welfare be processes to
seek. We do not believe the people of
the lower counties, aud Of the lower
hundreds Of this county, will ever agree
to give to Wilmington representation
based solely on the numbers Of her
floating population, which will give her
controlling interest in the Legislature,
and if the people Of Wilmington really
desire, what they ought to have. bet
ter representation in the General As
sembly, they should be willing to defer
something to the wishes and opinions
Of the people Of the rest Of the State.
Year: 1875

Dear Transcript A thought has
struck me that, having but little to do,
l might employ the time in writing
you as to what is going on in this tewp
and vicinity.


The latest cause of excitement is
"White Clay Greek en the rampage"
The old stream has overfown its banks
some FIVE feet in depth, covering up
and carrying off the fences and ice at
most fearful rate, and spreading itself
over the meadows for 100 yards or
more, carrying CONSERVATION to the un-
lucky farmers who have wheat within
reach Of the angry rirer, for fear lest
their wheat will 60 along with their
fences.


The next exciting topic is dog Law
which two Of our worthy citizens are
trying to persuade the Legislature to
see the propriety Of blessing our two
school districts. Nos. 80 and Al with,
but which, from the reports Of their
proceedings as published. it would seem
they have no notion Of doing at pres
ent, the bill having been referred back
to the committee after having passed
the House by vote Of l3 yeas to 8
nays. Some of our folks think the OBJ
jections urged against the bill are rath-
er "far-fetched For, 1st. Dogs
which do not belong here we do not
want any how: let them stay away or
come with an owner and they will not
get into trouble. And to the second
objsction-that man canpot be re-
turned as an error who has dog as
sessed to him, they being personal
property, in two school districts and no
Year: 1875

FRUIT Growers are invited to read
an article on our fourth page on the
"New Jersey Peach Crop" and the
manner Of marketing it. Perhaps the
example Of the Jersey shippers, in sup
erintending the transmission to market
and sale Of their own fruit, might be
followed with considerable advantage
by our Delaware and Maryland grow
srs. One thing is certain, nobody can
expect another to attend to bis business
as we'll as be will do it himself. or
take as much interest in it as the owner
will. If ever we have another peach
crop it might be found Of great benefit
to the farmers to adopt some such plan
as that pursued by our neighbors across
the river.
Year: 1875

During the recent election campaign
the Republicans Of this State declared
most positively that they were not in
favor Of, but most bitterly opposed to
the passage Of the Civil Rights bill.
If they were honest in those declara-
tions they should now allow their voices
be heard in denunciation Of the attempts
Of Ben. Butler and his Radical cor
freres in Congress to pass it through
the House. Thus far none Of their pa
pers have said word in opposition to
the rascally proceedings in the adoption
Of new rules for the express purpose Of
getting at that Civil Rights bill to pass
it this session. Unless they repeat
their last summer denunciations now
when they may be Of some avail we
shall be compelled to adopt the conclu-
sion that they were not telling the
truth then.
Year: 1875

The PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE
CouNrY. The Wilmington CONNER
cial and Gazette oppose the division Of
this county, the one on the ground
that it will not give to Wilmington all
that she asks. 1t wants representation
according to population and nothing
else. The other opposes it on general
grounds and for no special reason, sx-
cept that "it might result 10 giving the
State to the Republicans" The Euery
Eoening thinks it "the part Of wise
men to accept things as they are, and
to obtain the best result possible, even
if it be not all that is desired" The
advertiser also thinks that division
Of the county is the most feasible if not
the best plan for settling the vexed
question.
Year: 1875

5 All customers whose bills have been
presented must make settlement at
once. either with cash or Negotiable
Note with approved endorser.


In order to sell goods cheap I must
buy for cash, and have to depend upon
the collection Of debts due me to raise
funds with which to buy.
Year: 1875




How well I remember that dismal
November night. Some vague present
iment of evil weighed upon my heart,
as I sat alone in the twilight. And yet
there was nothing apparently to make
me gloomy. On the contrary, / ought
to have been more than usually cheer
full 4; had I not received a delicious
promise from Katie Nelson that very
afternoon


1t seemed to be odd, to be sure, that a
gray haired widOwer like myself was to
marry this girl of eighteen. Her mother
had been a hOusekeeper in our family,
but died soon after Katie's birth. So it
happened that she was adopted by US,
as we had no children of our own. My
wife treated her kindly, but without
much warmth of feeling. Anastasia was
of such a peculiar disposition that [
actually believed she was jealous of this
infant.


Poor Anastasia she warned me SOL
emnIy on her death-bed never to marry
again, and threatened to rise from her
grave in case of such an event.
Katie was In her tenth year when my
wife died. sent her away to a board
ing school and, as business called me
abroad, did not see her again until my
TCbuIu, 6lRuI years dIGCIWdEuSs L WIS
somewhat bewildered to find a lovely
woman, instead of the little girl 1 had
left in short dresses. OF course you can
guess the sequel. I fell in love with
this charming adopted daughter. There
was something in the frank tenderness
of her manner that completely won my
heart.


It was evident that she was deeply
attached to me. I could not help see
ing how much higher she valued my
society than that of my nephew, Charles
RAYMOND, who had accompanied me
from abroad. She never addressed him
except in mOnosyllables, and would
flush all over with embarrassment If he
but entered the room. But with me,
she was always self-possessed, and so
taIkative and sOciable that I could not
help pitying Charlie. He was really
quite good-lOOking, and I used to won
! der sOmeti mes at her antlpathy. Poor
fellow: how dreaded to tell him Of my
approaching happiness. 1t would be a
! great blow to his hopes, for he had eX-
pected to inherit my fortune.


Katie wasn't bit like other girls that
I had ever known anything about. In
| stead of bIushing at my confession that
! afternoon she turned pale, and shivered
as if struck by a sudden chill. L no
ticed, too, that there was a strange
! culver in her voice when she finally
| consented to be nv wife. l was appre-
/ hensive that Charlie had told her what
| Anastzsia had ssid on her death bed


And yet I couldn't believe her ghost
| would be so incODsiderate. Somehow


I couldn't forget that warning. Anas a.


sia was remarkable woman, and would


surely keep her word, If ghosts are per


mitted to walk the earth. Thinking


thus, ! began to grow frightened at too
shadows in my room, and hastily rang
| the bell for lights.


! "Why are you so late, Bridget"
Year: 1875

BoYs WILL BE BoYs.-SO thought the
occupants of a Boston horse car, who
listened to the story of a mischievOus
Young lad, who was telling an old gen
tleman why he liked the new master OF
one of our schools. The master, he
said, was a frst-rate fellow, and then he
had dismissed the scholars lately at
$50 o'clock in the morning. q" Why,
what did he do that for ?" asked the
elderly gentleman. After the youth had
had a good laugh, he managed to ex-
plain that one of the boys had put a
piece of ice under the thermometer, and
sent the mercury down to forty, and the
master thought the room was not warm
enough to remain in. And the way the
old gentleman laughed and shook told
plainly enough that he had once been
one of that kind of boys.
Year: 1875

The Georgia papers report that one
hundred and five persOne were killed and one
hundred and twenty-three wounded by the
terrible tornado which passed over portions of
that state a few days ago.


The new tax bill before the Virginia
legislature, providing for the funding of the
state debt by means of tax OF fifty cents on
every hundred dollars of assessed value of real
estate, to be discharged by the payment of
forty cents lawful money, mas been defeated
by large majority.
Year: 1875

A writer In Scribner's says "There
is no greater delusiOn than that of sup
posing that the best music can be en-
joyed only by the musical Ordinary
people can derive keen pleasure from a
Sympathetic listening to great music if
they Will but believe that they can, and
so attend to it accordingly. There is
no need of being baffled by won't of
knowledge concering keys; nor by an
ignorance of mOdulatiOn. Your next
neighbor may know that the air began
in G major, and then passed into B
minor, but you can get your own sim
pier pleasure out of it. What Is 1t to
me what Titan's secret of color might
have been? He had it, and that is
enough for one who cannot even draw.
The first rule in listening to music is
to listen. We do not want to arouse
ourselves to a frenzy of delight, but
we do want to hear what the music IS
like. A very simple and very good rule
for those who are perpieXed by an or
chestra, and who fancy they are puz-
zeld to know where the tune comes in,
is to listen to one instrument, the
ViOIins, for instance, alone for O time.
These win probably take up the melody
and sing it plainly enough, then the
movement may become more compli-
Gated, and the air seems to have grown
more fOrid, to be broken perhaps into
brilliant fragments, but hearken THE
viClOncelli have taken it up, and over
it floats this new and lovely strain of
pioIins, then the flutes catch the melody,
the comets and the bassOon swell the
harmony, the drum makes it rhythmic
beats, the whole orchestra is alive with





are in the very center of the music,
and what was before involved and in
tricate now becomes plain and beauti-
fu1 -
Year: 1875

APPREHENsIOEs OF DROUTH.-Says
the Sugar Planter: Our planting friends
have serious fears of a long drOUth so
soon as the pre-ent rains pass away,
and with some show of reason. As we
have stated in previous issues of this
paper, the rains have been almost inces-
SAINT since December last, giving our
farmers and planters but little OppOr
tunity TO geJ their fields in order for
cultivation. Now, it seems to follow,
as a rule, that long rainy spells produce
drouths of an almost equal duration,
and should the rule hold good IN the
present instance, 1t would be wise to
make preparations to meet it. While
every one will use his own judgment III
the premises, we desire to offer one
word Of advice, and that is to plant as
deep as possible and hill up well when
the shoots are above ground the proper
height. Plenty Of soil around young
plants hold the moisture, and should
the anticipatiOns Of drOuth be not
realized, little labor will remove any
superhaous soil from cane, cotton and
corn.
Year: 1875

RETAIL cigar dealers are to be afflicted
with a patent cigar-box, which the
commissioners of internal revenue has
invented in order to keep them from
swindhuF The box has perforated
coupons on the inside edge, correspond
ing with the number of cigars in the
Year: 1875

THERE is still a live law in Mas
sachuSetts which fines 4 young man
girl after sundown. Those old law
makers didn't know beans about the
best time 10 talk love and eat ice
cream and buy peanuts.
Year: 1875

He builded better than he knew
remarked a shomaker's wife about
two o'clock in the morning, as she
nervously grabbed one Of his pegged-
sole boots in her right hand and patient
ly waited for the sound of his football
on the stairs.
Year: 1875

Never 60 to masquerade ball un-
less you know who is not going. y
man may dance with and say soft
things 10 his servant girl, and when
afterwards she asks him for An increase
of wages be does not feel quite inde-
pendent in the premises.
Year: 1875

HE THIRD TERM.-General Grant has
written letter to the President Of the
Lancaster Republican Convention, in
which he says:


'Now for the third term do not
want it any more than I did the first. l
would not write or utter word to change
the will of the people in expressing and
having their choice"


He takes occasion, however. to argue
in favor Of tho propriety of third term
in general way, and even thinks situa-
tions will arise where it Will be a neces-
sity. Few would lie surprised if he
should consider the fall of 1876 one OF
these very situations.
Year: 1875

There is q general complaint among
the stockholders of the Wilmington and
Reading Railroad Company, resident
here, that the management called a
meeting at an inconvenient place arc
did not so much as even run train by
which the meeting could be attended
other than 6:30 a. IN. train, which arrives
at Coatesville, the place of meeting,
three hours before the time.
Year: 1875

Tmr first and only legal wife Of Brig.
ham Young is kept in an old house ut
the back portion OF his sernglio, where.
wrinkled. poor and half-star'ed, she Is
waiting release from a life and state
wherein there IA no strong arm, no Kind
smile, no soothing voice. NO love. for
such an old worn-out thing ~ she.
Year: 1875

will require larger stages.

 Looking at every interest as far as developed, and the real bases of our permanent prosperity, there is about all the encouragement for our people that they could reason ably desire. The difference in feeling, in labor, and in develop ment now and one year ago, is immense. Let all well posted residents then and now, make a true comparison and the conclu' sion can only be very satisfactory.
Year: 1875

The aggregate white vote of tbr
Stat-4 by the same census is shown to
De l4l .435, so that the white vote of
the negro counties constitutes near
one eighth of the entire white vote Of
the State. With these figures before
them, and reInem beriDg the results OF
former general elections. can gentle
mrn escape the conclusion that any
policy that tends to dispirit the white
votes of th.- negro counties Is a policy
fr,ught with danger to the Democratic
party in North Carolina? Can the
Democratic party reasonably count on
success in the next general election If
there shall be disaffectiou or even apa
thy in its ranks in the negro counties
Are not people who constitute ONE
eighth of the party entitled to some
consideration. and if not, why not? Is
it because they are powerless. helpless
voiceIess Are not their votes worth
as mcch IL an election for a Judge,
for Congressman or for a Governor
as the votes of any other eighth of this
party? Are they to be forever dis
| franchised? ?


But let us look at these disfran-
chsed people fiom another point of
view. Ii :hey do not receive their full
Il
Year: 1875

Order of True Reformprs, will be instituted
at Fidelity Hail next Thursday night By the
State Deputy Grand Master Of the Order.
This Order is greatly increasing in the State.
lis membership in the United States and
Canada amounts to 10000. In a few days
another new lodge will be organized in
Manchester
Year: 1875

tennial the whole process of manufacturing
tobacco from the leaf to the plug, and thou
sands will at the same time and place prac-
tically illustrate what is done with the plugs
afterward.