smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

Mr.. Clark, of Otis, Massa.
chusetts, has given the latest
example of murder in fun. He
was fooling with a gun, as is
usual with idiots of tho invol.
untary-homicide school. He
thought it was not loaded
they always think that, you
know-and, playfully pointing
it at his sister, shot her brains
out. His grief is intense
which is also quite in the usual
order-and he would doubt
less have tried the same joke
on himself if not restrained by
an inner consciousness that he
had no brains to blow out.
Year: 1872

A woman has turned up
who claims that she owns the
United States, having, as she
alleges, bought it. We are
glad to hear it. We have
long desired to see the vacant
piece of property known by
that name owned by a woman.
We shall support the claim of
Mrs. Jane P Thurston, and ask
no other compensation than
that she deed to us the State
of Ohio. We want the
property. We do not see very
well how we can get on with
out it.
Year: 1872

The following literary gem
we believe was not written by
any scholar in this town, nor
do we know exactly to whom
its authorship may be ascribed


"A goat is stronger than q
pig and gives milk. He looks
at you. So does the doctor.
but a goat has four legs. My
goat butted Deacon Tillinghast
in a bad place, and a little cali
wouldn't do so. A boy with
out a father is an orphan, and
if he amt got no mother he is
two orphans. The goat don't
give so much milk as a cow,
but more than an OK. l saw
an OK at a fair one day with q
card tied to his left ear, and he
went in on a family ticket
Mother picks geese in the sum
mer, and the goat eats grass
and jumps on a box. Some
folks don't like goats but as
for me, give me mule with Q
paint brush tail. The goat is
a useful animal, but don't
smell as sweet as nice bears
oil for the hair. If l had toe
much hair I would wear a wig.
as old Cap. Slocum does. J
will sell my goat for three dol
lars, and go to the circus and
see the elephant, which is big
ger than five goats. And that's
all I know about 'em."
Year: 1872




1857 .-S4ss- il


The Scverest Earthquake


Ever Felt Ehere-Inci-
| dents of the Shock.


It is generally conceded that
the shock which took place at
|2:21 a. m. and lasted a little
lover a minute, was one of the
most severe eYerfelt in the city;
still, it was SO even and regular
that property was not damag-
ed as it wouldshaye been if the
undulations otlthe ground had
been more shAry and frequent.


The first shock created great
copsternation among newspa--
fp@men and others who hap
pened to be up, and made a
hasty rush for the street, and
their example wa Is followed as
speedily as possible by hun
dreds of Others who had been
in bed. In a brief period the
streets in the lower portion Of
the city were filed with peo-
pie desirous of ascertaining
whether any dams sge had been
done, and especially anxious to
hear from San Francisco, which
town it was feared d had been
almost ruined.


1t was generally conceded
that the theory of Earthquake
weather" had exploded, as the
sky during the previous night
had been unusually clear, while
the full moon shone as bright
ly as it had ever b been known
to.


A slight quake was expert.
enced yesterday afternoon at
about two o'clock, but was
probably not erceptible be-
low the second story floors.


At Turner Hall, when the
earthquake put in an appear.
ancp, the Purim calico party
was in progress, and every one
present was reveling in enjoy.
ment. Suddenly, while danc>
ing. the ladies looked in an as
tonished manner at the gentle
men, and the gentlemen at the
ladies, each apparently having
a suspicion that the other had
been indulging too frequently
in exhilarating beverage
Then followed a more severe
shock, and the word "earth-
quake" passed from mouth to
mouth. The dance suddenly
many of the ladies
tainted, while others of the oc.
cupants of the ballroom, male
and female, clung to one anoth.
er in terror, not knowing what
to do. One young lady, who
had started to descend the
stairs leading from the gallery
to the main hall, was precipitat,
ed from top to bottom, but es-
capped uninjured. A score or
two started to rush out the
front entrance but were check.
ed.


At the county Jail the pris-
oners begged, and some pray
ed, with tears in their eyes, to
the jailer in charge to let them
out, which proposition he was
unable to concur in. Their
fear was not altogether ground
less, as the building shook and
worked in such a manner as to
give forth a sound similar to
that which would be made by
carriages driven through it.


Joe Harris, who has a room
in the Railroad Exchange
building, Third and X streets,
was awakened from a sound
sleep by the shock, and sprang
from his bed, shouting "Mur.
der |" under the impression that
there was some one under his
bed shaking it. He ran out of
the room, clothed with a brief
linen garment and his right.
eousness, shot down the stairs
to the street, like a bob tailed
comet, and was only brought
to a stop by the voice Of a
friend who suggested, Uoe, it
amt murder--only an earth
quake" !.


The compositors employed
in the Union Office consider
that they can vacate a three
Year: 1872

Miss Martineau truly observes
that of all happy households that is
the happiest where falsehood is
never thought of. All peace is
broken up when once it appears
here is liar in the house. All
comfort is gone when suspicion has
once entered when there must be
reserve in talk and reservation in


belief. Anxious parents, who are
aware of the pains of suspicion, will


place general confidence in their
children, and receive what they say
freely, unless there is a strong reason
to distrust the truth of any one. II
such an occasion should unhappily
arise, they must keep the suspicion
from spreading as long as possible,
and avoid dIsgracing their poor
child, while there is any chance Of
his cure by their confidential assis-
tance. He should have their pity
ane&Assiduous help. as if he were
suffering from some disgusting
bodily disorder. II he can be cured,
g will become duly grateful for the
treatment. If the endeavor fail,
means must, of course, be taken to
prevent his example doing harm.
We fear, that from some cause or
other, there are but few large fami-
lies where every member is alto
gether truthful. Some, who are not
morally guilty, are intellectually IN
capable of accuracy but where all
are so organized and so trained as
to be wholly reliable in act and
word, they are a light to all eyes
and a Joy to all hearts. They are a
public benefit, for they are point of
general reliance; and they are
privately blessed within and with
out. Without, their life is made
easy by universal trust and within
their home and their hearts they
have the security of rectitude and
the gladness of innocence. If we
invoke Wisdom, she will com e, and
multiply such homes in our land.
Year: 1872

Life bears us on like the stream of
a mighty river. Our boat at first
glides down the narrow channel
through tie playful murmurs of the
little brook and the winding of the
grassy borders. The trees shed their
blossoms over our young heads; the
flowers on the brink seem to offer
themselves to our young hands we
are happy in hope, and grasp eager
ly at the beauties around us; but the
stream hurries on, and still our
hands are empty. Our course in
youth and manhood is along a deep
er and wider flood, and has objects
more striking and magnificent. We
are animated at the moving picture
of enjoyment and industry passing
around us-are excited at some
short-Eved disappointment. The
stream bears us on, and our joys and
griefs are not left behind us. We
may be shipwrecked--we cannot be
delayed; whether rough or smooth,
the river hastens to its home, till the
roar of the ocean is in our ears, and
the tossing of the waves beneath oar
feet, and the land lessons from our
eyes, and the floods are lifted up
around us, and we take our leave of
earth and its inhabitants, until of
our farther voyage there is no wit
ness save the Infinite and the Eter-
nal.
Year: 1872

In making the best American
pickles, cider vinegar is rnuch used
The English imported pickles are
in mault vinegar, while the French
use fine white vinegar, made from
wine. But in the cheaper grade of
pickles, no such luxurious waste of
money is permitted. The sc ence of
chemistry has not been developed
without an object, and now, with a
gallon of cheap whiskey and a chem
ical recipe, your shrewd pickel man
ufacturer Will turn out an article of
vinegar which possesses all the pre-
servative qualities of the genuine
article. being acid enough to suit the
most bilious stomach, and possess
ing also certain injurious qualities
which it is perhaps wiset not to
dwell upon The public want pickles,
aud want them cheap; and moreover,
they want them of bright, hand
some green, and crisp and hard to
bite. These results can only be at
tained in cheap way by the use Of
such as we have alluded to above,
and the addition of a small proper
ton of copper, which, while certainly
injurious, produces color so pleas
ing to the eye that to omit its use with
some parties would be to spoil the
sale Of the goods.
Year: 1872

The AUTHOR ofThe Formers Almi-
mar thinks it is nothing but fun to
raise oats. Gall you have to do is
to plow the land deep, then manure
it will, then sprinkle the oats all over
the ground, one in a place, then
up set mites to keep the chickens and
woodchucks out of them, then kradle
them together with a kradle, then
hind them together with a. band,
then stack them up with stack.
then thrash them out with fail,
then clean them up with a mill,
then stow them away in a grainsry,
spend wet days and Sundays and
trapping for rats and mice"
Year: 1872

BY the new postal law which came
into operation on the lst of July, a
great benefit has been conferred up
on the general public and a severe
blow struck ct the monopoly of the
express companies. According to
the new regulations, packages Of dry
goods, hardware, drugs except
liquid drugs, and other merchan-
disc not exceeding twelve ounces in
weight, can be mailed to any part of
the Uuited States at charge Of two
cents for each two ounces or fraction
of two ounces. Much time and
money will be saved by this arrange
ment. The express companies de-
mand at least forty cents for the
transportation of a package, however
small, for any distance. The post
office authorities, on the other hand,
will forward twelve ounce package
to San Francisco flr twelve cents.
For instance, a pair of boots, if
neither boot weighs more than the
specified twelve ounces, may be
wrapped up in two separate parcels,
and sent across the continent for
twenty-four cents; whereas, under
the old plan, the transportation of
goods of this description would
have cost almost more money than
thev q worth.


Up to the present time thu post
Office has lost money by the new sys-
TEN, simply owing to the fact that
the general public has not taken aid
vantage Of it to such an extent as
VIII make it remunerative. But it is
confidently expected that when the
advan ages of the system are thor
oughly appreciated the scheme will
prove as profitable to the Govern
ment as it is beneficial to the public.
1t is, in fact, nothing more nor less
than an adaptation of the English
parcel post, and although the charges
in England are somewhat less than
the rate adopted here, yet when it is
remembered that the distances are
as nothing compared with those In
this country, it VIII be seen that
there is no cause for dissatisfaction.
Year: 1872

How sad it is to contemplate
aimless and purposeless exisie
golden youth gliding by, vast
precious opportunities-with no {
iect in view, just like a ship unc
a full sail and well manned, but
rndder, only drifting. going vi
the tide, or perhaps with good woi
ing rudder, but no port IN we
only sailing you know not whoi
Have an aim in life, and a mol
one. Aim high and you will
something. Are you a student!
not satisfied to get through 20
studies or recitations without GO
sure from your teacher, but stu
hard to acquit yourself with homo
be not content to creep along on I
level, but walk, yes, run even, uP
rugged hill where honor stitch
the peak. Are you mechanic Z
so learn your trade well, not conte'
ing Yourself with being an avera
workman, but strive TO become nj
ter of your art, always bearing
mind the old adage, "What IS wo1
doing at all, is worth doing we
Strive to be leader, not a folio"
First have an object, aim high a
then zealously labor to accomPi,I
your object ; success rs sure TO ioi'
earnest unceasing toll. The q
testants in the Isthmian races a
an object in view, aud every sinl
and nerve were bent to Obtain


object. 1t was the crown at the enn
the race. Life is a race. ana ~
are on the course. You must e''.'
run or be trodden under ioo'


multitude is moving on; yon
look behind, or defeat ls
Lead of in the train, and 3o
cain the crown in the end NV. oi|
Who daily win never reach
iect but win fail at leat
have q noble object


ana an then with all your p p


forward until you reach 7


yours ...---..
Year: 1872

William w. Hawtholn died at his residence
" Millsbora, Washington county. Penn, ON
the 18th ult., aged about seventy five years
rheumatism, which deprived HIM Of the use Of
both legs and also his right arm. His feet
were drawn up against his thighs and his
right arm and hand cOntOrted into everything
but natural position. The flesh on these
limbs gradually shrveled away, while his head
and .,y body continued to grow into all tho pro-
purposes of locomOtiOn he was placed in q box
in which, constantly lying on his back, he at
tended to all kinds Of business for sixty years.


He acquired a common English education. and
taught school number of years. and at the
time Or his death he was serving his seventh
term as a justice OF the peace, having acted
IN that capacity for half q century. He used
the pen with his left hand and wrote very
accurate hand. In 1868 he was awarded a con.
tract for carrying the United States mail on
the route between Pittsburg and Waynesburg,
and also on another route lie was awarded the
contract second term. He superintended
the whole business himself, frequently driving
IN one-horse spring wagon to RttshurG,
Washington, and Wayneshurg, with only q
small boy for company: At the age Of twenty
three or twenty-five, he elOped with Miss
Wilson,, and WAS married without the con-
sent OF her friends; but she being Of suitable
age for matrimony no trouble ensued. His
wife proved to be valuable helpmate for q
man In his peculiar situation, and as time spe.I
away she bore him twelve orthirteeH children
He possessed an iron will, and almost an Iron


constitution, and by dint Of indomitable en-
ergy and economy he accumulated quite q
| respectable amount Of property. Compelled


as he was, to remain continually in a recum


bent posture. he wrote with his paper on q


small board placed across his breast, and b,
the necessary habit Of keeping his head raisel


upward and forward the muscles Of his mech


acquired sufficient strength to enable him t,


hold his head in that situation for hours WITH


out apparent fatigge.-AacAah9e. y
Year: 1872

That you car. receive one dollar a
day, spend two and get rich.


That Ia do man IL favor and then
refuse another won't make him twice
as mad as if you bad refused him the
first.


rhat when a man presents you a
hound pup that the gift will cost you
nothing.


That when you buy on credit, know.
ing very we'll YOU cat be able to pay,
it IL not stealing.


That next year the taxes are to be
lighter.


That every other man is bound to
die except you.


That If you have a good cause in
love, war or uw-pitch in-you are
bound to win.


That when you buy horse he will
be certain to turn out as represented.


That if you always say what you
think, you win the regard Of the entire
community.
Year: 1872

A few days ago commercial gen
tleman was sojuurning at "A certain inn


IN Hereford, where be CHANGED to fall
in company with a respectable trades.
man of the place, who, by the by, is
celebrated as a practical joker. Over
the discussion Of a glass of grog, the
conversation turned upon hOrseman-
ship, and it was evident that the com.
nercial gentleman thought himself no
mean equestrian. A bet was proposed
by our fellow citizen, that he had a
horse at home which the Traveller could
not ride mile between that time and
Xix o'clock in tie evening, it being
then about 8 p. NJ. The bet was rea,
div accepted, aud the tradesman pro-
ceeded home to bride and saddle this
"unmanageable brute" and to prepare
him for a start and while he was So
doing, the cpmmercial gentleman was
to prepare himself for what the other
had led him to expect would prove q
great undertaking Ho was soon boot
ed aDd spurred,an with heavy whip
in his hand, looked IL. equestrian all
over, when he proceeded to the door o
the tradesman, which was TO be his
starting point" While wondtrin,
within himself what kind Of Rosnant,
| he was going to mount that could no


he made To travel mile in three
hours, aud thinking that, perhaps, l.,
might he such another as John A.
Ducks mare" who would not suftI
any person to ride her but John A
Duck behold ! the horse was brougb


forth. The gentleman's chagrin ma,
he easily imagined when be behelt
brought into tie street, not horse u
flesh and blood, but wooden horse
such as housewives aud laundresse
use to dry their clothes ON, all saddle
and bridled. We need not say tha
TO ride such "horse," even a mile il
three hours, was more than the hest o
1rqueStrlams could be expected to per
form. Oar hero did not attempt it
and consequently he lost his bet.
Year: 1872

After awhile we feel for our hat and
depart inwardly foil of wrath and
vowiug never to return. Bat, as sure
ly as the cycle of time brings round
the next Sabbath night, We are back
again. And 50 it will be with the
sons of men while the world goes
round.
Year: 1872

The Ncwsboy Cadet ON Tor Annapolis.


The little lad O'Keefe who so nobly Won the
naval cadetship from the Fifth Congressional dis
trict leaves this city for his future home
Mt Annapois Tie carries with him the good
wishes of the entire CITY, inasmuch as his appoint
mept and advancement will be regarded as u
test between democracy and aristocracy. He will
he accompanied by Mr.. Michael J. Kelly, who acted
as chiefOf the examining committee in this city and
his course will be watched by the press and public
OF the metropolis. lie IL bright and active young
ad and no doubt has brilliant future before him.
Year: 1872

70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:--


1t needs but the light OF reason, Illuminated by
revelation from the Lord to enable us TO see why
we should not seek open intercourse with spirits
and why 1t was prohibited in the Bible 'If
they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither Will
they be persuaded though one rose from the deadn
Persuaded Of wnat Why. TO shun that which ia
Year: 1872


Weary watcher! sad and lone thy vigls
While the stars of night illume the silence.
Sorrows spell hath long eclipsed thy spirit
Prone thy pale lips oft to murmur, "Oh earth
Hath no thorny path like this" Hush
The rebollious thought, for Ono whose voice
rings


Ever from the infinite far DER the
Finite waves of being, and across the lapse
OF ages past and years to come hath said
In tones of solemn sweetness, "Cast thy brea'
Upon the waters and thou'lt surely find
1t after many days.


Mother! does thy
Patient toll and striving seem endeavor
Wasted and the broad reach of future days
OF all fruition void? Work on! The seed
Thou'rt sowing falls not on unfruitful soil
Precious hearts of genial mold are shrining
All thy faithful teachings, tenderness, and
Care, and into glowing fruit they'll ripen
Bye and bye.


Christian soldiers mid the foes
That meet but to assail thee in thy path,
Look never backward, but with armor bright
And spirit valiant march thou bravely on
Thy sure reward will peace and victory be.
Oh how we grope amid the ills Of life,
Oft baifled in our highest aims and hopes,
Forcetful of this beacon promise for
The soul, hung high above the wrecks of tim'
Cast thou thy bread upon the waters and
Thoult find it after many days
Year: 1872

subject to drouth than any other western
state.


is Deep rich black loan largely inter-
mixed with Vegetable mold, from two to
ten feet deep. In the river bottoms it is
more sandy. 1t equals if not excels, the
soil Of any other state. With deep
ploughing so as to enable it Is hold the
quick but copious showers of summer,
there need be no fear of drought.


PRODUCTIONS,


| cannot over estimate the capacity of
Kansas for the successful growing of any
thing that can be raised in any state
cast in the same latitude or farther north.
AS to fruit culture need only say that
the prize medal for the largest and finest
fruits was awarded to Kansas at the
national exhibition held at Philadelphia
in 1862 advance the opinion that this
state will yet beat any other state in this
latitude in the raising of fruit, AS
dairy country | believe northwest Kansas
has no superior. The Republican and
Solomon rivers with the numerous creeks
that empty into them from either side
furnish abundance of water for stock.
The prairie grass is sweet and nutritious
and produces as good butter as the most
fastidious could desire,


1t has been said that stock need no
feeding through the winter, and it is true
that no provision is made for most the
cattle especially and they are obliged to
"root or die J" but farmers who adhere
to this custom are "penny wise and pound
foolish" Stock may live though, accord.
ing to the literal meaning of the term,
but they came out "spring poor" and re-
quirc half of the summer to regain flesh.


COST OF LIVING.


Many desire to know the cost of living
here. To such l would say that the
prices Of general merchandise are about
the same here as east. The price Of


lumber are as follows Pine 40 to 70
dollars per IN. Cottonwood 80 dollars
Shingles, pine 1855 to $500. Shingles
Cottonwood $3.50.


TIE PEOPLE.


Here we have representations from every
state in the Union with "right smart
sprinkling" of Sweeds and Germans
OF coarse what j. j. Ingalls, in the


last number of the Kansas Magazine
terms "Catfsh Arstocracy" is largely
represented here, but the present immi
grafton brings with it far more refnemen
and advanced ideas.


Finally l will say to those who con
template emigrating to Kansas, that they
$ may expect to be disappointed at almos
{, every turn. To describe a western coun
try so that it will be appreciated by thos'
$ who have never been west is next to i'm
possible.


: There is only now and then one, how
ever, that such disappointment will dis


courage and such one after homesicl
sojourn of few days will shake the dus
: Of Kansas from his feet and HE himsel
G away to the sunny wales Of his boyhood
Il But | never knew one who had live,
& here year or more to show any incina
: tion to return east.


Bring with you pluck, muscle and en-
II ergy if you have such, land if you hav
,, not dent Gomez, expect to tackle tn
4 prairie sod and carve you home an
. | hesitate not to predict you never wi
e rogret the step. w. J. DEAN.
Year: 1872

There is prevailing opinion abroad that
Kansas is more subject to drouth than


any other state in the Union. My first
season here, 1870, proved to be the dry


est that Kansas ever had to complain Of,
yet with this experience in mind l am
fully convinced that this state is no more
Year: 1872

GooD.BYE.-Iti is a hard word to speak.
Some may laugh that it should be; but let
them laugh. Icy hearts are never kind. It
is word that has choked many an utterance,
and started many a tear. The hand is clasped,
the word spoken, we part, and weare out upon
the ocean of time-we 60 to meet again, God
only knows where. It may be soon; it may
be never. Take care that your "good bye"
be not cold one-it may be the last one that
you can give. Ere you meet your friends
again deaths cold hand may have closed his
eyes and hushed his lips forever. All! he
may have died thinking you loved him not.
Again, it may be long separation. Friends
crowd onward and give their hand. How do
you detect in each goodbye the love that lin.
gers there and how do you bear away with
you the memory of these parting words many,
many days. We must often separate. Tear
not yourself away with careless boldness
that de6es all love, but make your last words
the heart its full utterance-
if tears fall, what Of it? Tears are not un.
manly.