smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

Whatever quips or cranks are in a Phil
brain are sure TO come to light
in his will. We all know the history of
the Rush hequest, in which legacy OF
over Il million Of dollars was left to the
old library established by Franklin, SO
hampered by whimsical conditions that it
was not worth accepting. Whole blocks
of houses in the most valuable part of the
city are built not twenty feet high, the
tenure by which they are held torbidling
forever the erection OF more than one
sloried buildings. The last and oldest
example of posthumous Quaker eccentric
itV, however, comes to US this week. A
certain old friend, a single woman, died
twenty-odd years ago, leaving a large
fortune TO two nephews, then both babies,
and motherless. The will was confided
to another ancient Quaker, to be kept a
profound secret by him until the boys
should be of age. No hint was to be civ
en- to them or to any OF their friends of
the coming good fortune; her motive be-
mo TO give them the advantage of the dis
cpline of poverty and confirmed habits of


industry and self help. The boys disap-
peared with their father in the West, the
old Quaker died, and the will was buried
in some trunk s full of waste paper. A lew
weeks ago, these papers fortunately fell
into the hands of certain eminent law
yer, gifted with the integrity and patience
which belongs to the old race of Phla-
delphia Quakers. He discovered the will


and then set about discovering the young
men, who were unearthed finally in Louis


vile, Ky, hard at work The news o.


their fabulous good fortune was sent or
to them last Saturday. AS we cannot al


have fairy godmother in the shape of a


whimsical dead Quaker aunt, we can a


least hope that the clever young fellows
| deserved theirs.-N. Y. Tribune.
Year: 1872

The way most OF the Western New ork
farmers manage TO kin quack grass, Is as
follows viz: As soon ~ corn planting Is
over, plow the field that you wish to rld "i
the pest, about four or five inches deep, and
then harrow the ground thoroughly three
or tour times over; after which rake the
field with IA steel wire-tooth horse-rake and
Vou will be surprised when you collect the
roots that have been pulled out by the rake.
Where field has been long seeded down,
and there is any quack grass in it, it will
he found matted only about four or five
inches below the surface; this is why do
not advocate blowing any deeper the first
time When the roots are dry, gather them
together and burn them and plow the field
again. going through the same operation
as at first, but one or two inches deeper
every plowing. and my word for it quack
grass will not be as abundant as 1t was be-
lore.
Year: 1872

The Troy Wing tells the following
story: cone of our prominent physicians,
making his daily rounds to see his pa
tients, had occasion to call ut n house
where there We're no facilities to iaSten
his horse. He left it in the care OF a small
boy OF the lsraeltish faith, whom he hap
pened to see in the street On coming out
of the house he naturally enough expect
ed to find his trusty servant treating him
self to II ride but no-Mordicai knew the
use of time and value OF money little
better-he was letting the horse to little
boys in the street, at a cent ride around
the block"
Year: 1872

A young lady has taken M dentistry for
living. All the gentlemen patronze her.
When she puts her arm around the neck of
the patient and caresses his Jaw for the
offending member, the sensation is about
as nice rs they make 'em. One young man
has become hopelessly infatuated with her.
Consequently he hasn't u tooth in his
head She has pulled out every blessed
one of them; and made him two new sets,
and pulled them. She Is now at work
on his fathers jaw by his persuasion. lie
holds the Jaw for the pleasure of looking
at her.
Year: 1872

Give me man with an aim,
Whatever that aim may be,
Whether it's wealth, or whether it,:
fame, e.. .- .-.. -
1t matters not to me.
Let him walk in the path of right,


And keep his aim in sight,
And work and pray in faith Away


With his eye OH the glittering height
Give me man who says,


"I will do something well,
And make the fleeting days


A story of labor tell"
Though the aim lie has be small,


1t is better than none at all
With something to do the whole yeal


through,


He will not stumble or fall.
But Satan weaves snare


For the feet of those who stray,
With never q thought or care


Where the path may lead away.
The man who has no aim,
Not only leaves no name
When this life is done, but ten to one,
He leaves a record of shame.
Give me man whose heart
Is filled with ambitions fire., .
Who sets his mark in the start,


And keeps moving it higher and high


er. .. ..... ....
Better to die in the strife,


The hands of labor rife,
Than to glide with the stream in an idle


dream,


And live purposeless life.
Better to strive and climb


And never reach the goal,
Than to drift along with time


An aimless, worthless soul. "
Ay, better to elm b and fall,


Or sow, though the yield be small,
Than to throw away day after day,
And never strive at all.
Year: 1872

During the war Northern papers
published the following excellent and
characteristic private letter from
Generel Lee to- his son Custis, the
original of which was found among
the papers which were purloined
from Arlington. It is interesting, and
although written many years ago
will we'll repay perusal: ~


ARLINGTON HOUSE, April 5, 1852.


Ny, Dear Son: l am in the act of
leaving home for New Mexico. My
fine old regiment has been ordered to
that distant region, and Imust hasten
to see that they are properly taken
care of. I have but little to add in
reply to yours of March 26, 81 and 20.
Your letters breathe spirit of frank
ness. They have given myself and
your mother great pleasure. You
must study to be frank with the
world; frankness is the child;of hon
csty and true courage. Say what
you mean to do on every occasion,
and take it for granted you mean to
do right If a. friend asks favor
you should grant it if reasonable if
not, tell him plainly why you cannot
you will wrong him and you will
wrong yourself by equivocation Of
any Kind, Never do a wrong thing
to make friend or to keep one; the
man who requires you to do SO is dear.
ly purchased at sacrifice, Deal
kindly but firmly with your class
:~::atcs; you will find itthc policy that
wears best. Above all, do not appear
to others what you arc not. Ii you
have any fault TO find with any ore
tell him, not others, Of what you
complain; there is no more danger
Gus experiment than that of under
taking to be>one: thing before a.man's
face and another behind his back


We should live, act, and say nothing
to the injury Of any one. It is not
only best as matter Of principle, but
is the path TO truth and honor. In
regard TO duty, let me, in conclusion
Of this hasty letter, inform you that
nearly one hundred years ago there
was day OF remarkable gloom and
darkness, still known as the dark
day; day wien the light of the sun
was slowly extinguishcd as if by an
eclipse. The Legislature of Connec-
ticut was in session, and, as it's men,
bcrs saw the unexpected and unac-
countabIe darkness coming on they
shared in the. general awe and terror.
It was supposed by many that the
last day-the day Of judgment-had
come. Some one, in the consterna,
tion of the hour, moved an adjourn
mcnt. Then there arose an old Puri-
tan legislator, Davenport Stanford
who said that. if the last day had
como he desired to be found at his
place doing his duty, and therefore
moved that candles be brought so
the house could proceed with its duty.
There was quictncss in the old mans
mind-tho qnictness Of heavenly
wisdom-an inllcxiblc willingness to
obey present duty. Duty, then, is
the sublimcst word in our language.
Do your duty in all things, like, tho
old Puritan. You can do more; you
should never wish to do less. Never
let mo and your mother wear one
gray hair for any lack of duty on
your part 'sit i.'. -'


Your affectionato father.


r, L. LEE.


TO G. w. Gusts Lee.
Year: 1872

Going from the region of frost and snow
on the Kennebec, and finding the country
to the very verge of the State of Maine
wearing its winter garments, as soon as
we crossed the New Hampshire line the
snow began to disappear, and when we
reached Massachusetts the ground was As
bare as in summer. In Boston and the
vicinity, the roads were muddy. and not
withstanding chilly wind. we realized
the change from our Northern cline to
''ten degrees of more indulgent skies"
Year: 1872

Those who take the express train from
Portland to Boston, if they wish to stop
on the way. will find themselves in FIX,
unless their stopping place is at one Of the
larger villages or cities. Our party was
to stay over at a rural village. In order
to do that, we had to get out at Ports
mouth. and wait in the depot half an
hour tor the accommodation train. On
the whole, we rather liked it, as it gave
US an opportunity to rest and recruit, and
have a sociable chat by comfortable stove
before completing our Journey.
Year: 1872

To reach home by the night train, v
had to take local train to Newburypor
and there wait in the depot an hour and
half. The night was coming on cold, IN
the depot was not very warm. But wi


lcoNcLUpEp ON FOURTH PAGE.l
Year: 1872

EF Tue "killn' ways" Of the vo-
men were never 50 demonstrative as they
are just now, all over the country; and
then they have such happy faculty Of
Matching out the insanity dodge.
Year: 1872

Ar Ohio journalist read in tn- other paper statement tn the ef- feet that Miss Kellogg has larg- CT repertoire than any other living prima donna" and be considered it his duty as B champion Of truth to sit down and write An article on the subject, in which he said:

 "We do not, of course, know how Miss Kellogg was dressed in other cities, but upon the occasion of her last performance here we are positively certain that her re- pertoire did not seem to eXterd out So far as either Nilsson or Patti's. It may have been that her overskirts were cut too narrow toipermit ofits being gathered into such large lump behind, or it may have been that it had been crushed down accidentally; but the fact remains that both of Miss Kellogg's rivals wore repertoires of Q much more extravagant size-very much to their discredit. we think"
Year: 1872

The Fnglishmea in India arc in great trouble because they have no mode of punishment sufficiently severe to efiectuaiiy terrify the hearts of the natives. Blowing from the mouths of cannon has been found too mild a measure to create an adequate degree of con- sternation; while as for hanging, that operation is looked upon by the dindoos as merely g speedy dispatch to paradise. The Delhi Gazette, in this emergency, makes several suggestions in relation to & suitable mode ef treatment to he adopted with the East Indian sub-

 gc.s of Britain. It proposes that any native of India who murders 6 European hall,upon conviction, be branded in the forehead with a large M to denote his crime.

 Then both of his arms are to be amputated above the elbow. Af- ter this he should be transported to England for twenty-one years. sent round the Cape confined in an iron cage, whipped once month, and at the hour of the day on which he committed the murder, exhibited with the wild beasts in the Tower of London, during the whole period of his transportation.

 If the man survives ali this when the q years have expired. instead of releasing the poor wretch he is 10 be put to death by decapitation, his body given for dissection, and burned if the felon be & Mussulnan, or buried if a Hindoo. This disposition of the victim's remains is 70 be made in order to destroy his hopes of sal yat;on in future state. Whether the method proposed by the Ga- zctte will be adopted or not re- mains to be seen. It would be in full keeping with many Of the measures adopted by the British in India in their treatment 1.-the
Year: 1872

4 NOTABLE CAsE.-There is a suit in progress at the Cork assizes in Ireland that attracts considera- ble attention, and will doubtless win s place for itself among the causes celebres of that country.

 The parties are step-brothers, and the property in dispute is the valuable estate of Leitrim. The elder brother is the plaintiff, al- leges that his father, Jeremiah Campion, married his mother,after which they both went to India and lived there together for ten years, when the mother died. Soon after Campion married again, and the defendant is the eldest son of the second wife. When Campion re- turned to Ireland & few years ago, he declared that the plaintiff was an ilIegitimate child, ,and made an affidavit to the effect, upon which evidence the son by his second marriage succeeded to the estate as his heir. The plaintiff claims that this affidavit was procured while the affiant was under the in- fiuenoe of liquor. To furnish an additional element of romance to the case, the register of the church where it is alleged that the first marriage was celebrated, has been stolen. The prosecution of this suit is carried on by the issu~ of debontures, as in the Tichborne case.
Year: 1872

Among the subjects of Importance
which form the burden of my message
unto the people of God, as minister
of God commissioned to speak to them
of things pertaining to eternity, there
is not one more important in its own
self, more pregnant with interest in it's
bearing upon society, and upon the
soul of man than the great virtue of
temperance. And why? Because, in
whatever light we look upon a man !;
whether we look upon him as citizen
of State; whether we look upon him
as father of family; whether we
look upon him as Christian, profess
ing to believe in God, to fear Him, to
obey Him and to love Him, the greatest
curse that can fall upon man is the
curse of drunkenness. The greatest
curse, if we consider him in his posi-
ton as acitizen Of aState-consequent-
ly and prominently the social evil
The greatest curse, if we look upon him
in his family relations-consequently
the domestic evil. The greatest curse,
if we look upon him as one who pro-
fesses any fixed religion-consequent-
ly the religious evil. Behold the bur-
den of my argument; behold the three
points by which [ desire to put this
subject before you.


And, first of all, [ assert the obliga-
tions of the man as citizen of the
State-as a member of society govern
ed by laws. His first obligation is to
obey the laws, and yield to them an in
tellectual and manly obedience; to as
sert the dominion and the omnipotence
of the laws as the very quintessence of
freedom, and to uphold his rights as a
citizen, and to maintain them within
all lawful limits, and to help preserve
the State that protects him in life and
property, and to edify his fellow-citi-
zens by the example of a manly, intel
lectual life in obedience to laws.


Now, my friends, these are the real
primary obligations that the State puts
upon us. And remember that next to
the religion that sets a man right with
his God, and keeps him right with
God, the very highest blessing that
God can give to any man is to place
him in free, liberal, and considerate
government and order of State policy
ITO place him in State where the
governing powers will pay tribute te
The intellect of every citizen as to con.
Year: 1872

twas the night before Christmas, when all


through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with


care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas would soon be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions OF sugar-plums danced through


their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief and in nv cap,
Had just settled our brains for long winter 5


nap
When out in the lawn there arose such clatter,
Isprang from my bed to see what was the matter;
Away to the window few like fash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the SASH
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below;
When, whattomy wondering eyes should appear
But miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver so lively and quick,
knew in a moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his courserssthey came,
And he whipped and he shouted and he called


them by name:
'sNow Dasher now Dancer now Prancer now


Vixen;
On Cometl on Cupid on Donder on Blixen
To the top of the porch to the top of thewall
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all ?''
As the leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the


sky,
So up to the house-top, the coursers they flew,
With sleigh full of toys-and St. Nicholas too;
And then, in twinkling, l heard on the roof,
The prancing and paving of each little hoof,
So drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with a


bound
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his


foot


And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes


and SCOT,
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like pcddler just opening his


pack;
His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples, how


merry
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like cherry,
His droll little mouth was drawn up like bow,
And the beard ON his chin was as white as the


snow.
The stump of pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a


wreath.
He had broad face, and q little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like bowl full


ofjelly;
He was chubby and plump, right jolly old elf,
And laughed when saw him in spite of ofmysef.
A wink of his eve and a twist of his head.
Soon gave me to know had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his


work,
And filled all the stockings-then turned with


a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave q


whistle,
And away they all few like the down of thistle,
But heard him excaim, ere he drove out of


sight,
IA MERRy CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A


Coop NIGHTr'
Year: 1872

If child had been born, and spent
all his life in the Mammoth Cave, how
impossible would it be for him to COM
prehend the upper world! Parents
might tell him Of it's life, it's light, it's
beauty, and it's sounds of joy; they
might heap up the sands into mounds,
and try to show him by stalactites how
grass, flowers, and trees grow out of the
ground; till at length, with laborious
thinking, the child would fancy he had
gained a true idea of the unknown
land. H.


And yet, though he longed to behold
it, when it came that he was to 60 forth,
it would be with regret for the famil-
lar crystals and rock-hewn rooms, and
the quiet that reigned therein. But,
when he came up, some May morning,
with ten thousand birds singing in the
trees, and the heaven bright and blue
and full of sunlight, and the wind blow
ing softly through the young leaves,
all aglitter with dew, and the land
scape stretching away green and beau
tilul to the horizon, with what rapture
would he gaze about him, and see how
poor were all the fancyings and inter
pretations which were made within
the cave of things which grew and liv-
ed without; and how he would won
der that he could ever have regretted
to leave the silence and dreary dark
ness of his abode.


So, when we emerge from this cave
of earth into that land where spring
growths are, and wherei is eternal sum
mer, how shall we wonder that we
could have clung so fondly to this
dark and barren life.
Year: 1872

BarA gentleman, who at breakfast
the other morning broke an egg, and
disturbed the repose of a sentimental
looking biddy, called the waiter, and
insinuated that he did not like to have
a bill presented "till he had done eat
ing"
Year: 1872

sa~A woman in love is very poor
Judge Of character. She can see moth
ing but excellence where others see
nothing but shallowness and rotten
ness. Ditto on the other side with
man in love-only more so. ....
Year: 1872

A SURPRISE PARTY THAT WAS NOT A
SUccEss.-one night last week ten Stearns-
vile couples, with heads full of fun and bas-
kets full of fodder, went to Richmond to
surprise friend. They hadn't the least
donbt OF cordial welcome, and they ex-
pected to while away n good many hours.
with the help of a fiddle or two, at the hos.
pitable mansion of the Richmonder. They
arrived there in good time and burst in
upon the peaceful family, laughingand shout
ing in the greatest glee. The provisions
were Dumped upon the table; oyercoats and
shawls and furs and gloves were thrown off
at random and without hesitation the fid-
dlers unlocked their instruments and began
to tune up. BY this time the party began to
give some attention to the master of the
house. He was completely surprised, but on
ly for very few moments, and then he was
ready for 'em. He inquired if they hadn't
made mistake and got into the wrong pew
he was answered that the cheerful occasion
was intended for his benefit, and that the
party expected to stay while with him.
They said this snilingly, expecting to win
over the old gent into welcoming them. He
didn't win worth a cent. He called out to
one of his sons to ''put four-finger charges
into his double-barre!ed gun and fetch it to
him, and let the dog in out o. the woodshed
when git ready to shoot.' The old mans
ire was up and there was business in his
eye. The lady of house reached the mop
from behind the cellar door, and ominously
asked the iiddlers if they ''hishly valued
them instruments" The party began to
think they were getting too warm a well
welcome, and slid into their coaks and over
coats as nimbly as if the house was on fire.
The genial farmer told them not to hurry, as
"he'd have the other barrel loaded in min
ute and then he'd help 'em off,, They did
MT wait. They said they had decided not to
have their party there, and might Just as
well leave then as to stay longer, aud so they
rushed away. Our reporter says they didn't
talk much on the way home. The ladies said
lit was mean," and the men said ''dammim''
which is foreign language for the same thing.


Berkshire County Eaqle.
Year: 1872

MRS. FAIR has been snubbed by fearless
man, and he horse-car conductor. She was
in car and wanted to get out, but the con-
ductor did not see her at frs and she had to
ride by: She was very indignant and augri-
~ asked him if a lady had to carry and blow
a po!eeman's whistle to make the conductor
hear her. He bravely answered, mo neces-
sity for whistle, madam; just fire off that
little memento you are in the habit of carry
ing and I'll hear you." His friends cannot
get him insured and are disconsolate.
Year: 1872

A deaf man was hunting for game, when
grouse flew up and Lit ON tree on the hill
side; at the same moment traveller ap.
preached and inquired the distance to the
station. Deaf man (pointing)-He few right
up there. Traveller-How far is it to the
next station? Deaf man-He lit right up
there. Traveller-You must be id fool.
Deaf man-Yes, there is great many around
this time of year,
Year: 1872

On the night of the Boston fire, dealer in
boots and shoes, finding that the fire had
reached his rear store, said to a few strangers
who had assisted him: "You might as well
help yourself to boots" One fellow took a
pair the merchant handed him, and, after
glancing at them said: ''You haven't got a
pair of slim sevens have you?" An explo-
sion next door prevented response.