smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

Some of the Canadian people have a superstition that if, while upon the road, rabbit crosses the path before them it is a sign of bad luck. A crowd of girls and boys were on their way to a country school, when hare, frightened from his burrow, ran across the road in front of the party. The girls instantly, and with one accord, turned quickly around three times on their heels, pulled off their n-bonnets, spat in them, turned them inside out, and, placing them again on their heads, wore them thus to school, congratulating themselves on the way that by these very essential maneuvres they had averted some species of bad luck that was about to befall them. The boys likewise turned on their heels and spat in their hats. One of the boys who had never before witnessed such silly pro- ceeding, was very much amused and laughed heartily at his companions. The girls looked upon him with an ex- pression of holy horror, and with clasped and wringing hands implored him to follow their example. This he refused to do, and they set upon him with violence, pulled his hat from his head, and made him spit in it.
Year: 1873

SHE Cor OFF.-Says the Perry coun- ty (Pa.) Democrat of recent date: A young girl took passage on a train from MilIerstown to go to Newport. When approaching the latter place she was seen to leave her seat, go out on the platform, and before she could be pre- vented leaped therefrom. The train was moving at about ten miles an hour, and of course those who saw her jump expected to find her 8 mangled corpse; but to the surprise of all, when the em- ployes of the road ran back to where she was lying, they found her able to get up, having, escaped with some severe bruises. She alleged that she had never been in the cars before and that lady had told her. that this was the place to get off. Without waiting for the train to stop she had followed the direction of the lady passenger.
Year: 1873

A Michigan butcher takes the bones out of his meat before selling it now. He had dream the other night in which he found himself at the celestial gate, but confronted by mountain of bones, which an attendant spirit said were what he had sold to his customers, and he must climb over them if he would enter heaven.
Year: 1873

The vote at the Democratic Nomination Eleo-
ton, on Saturday, was very light As there was,
however, no contest at all for the Presidency of
Council, and not q very earnest one for the
Treasurership,it WAS natural that there should be
only . small turnout OF voters
Year: 1873

We are glad to see the Elkton Democrat place
an American flag over the let of Democratic
Conservative" candidates for Office, whom it sup
ports. The flag Of our Union is q good banner
to march under, and it is gratifying to find it
displayed by the Democracy Of Maryland.
Year: 1873

The Express Passenger train going South will stop at stations marked with 6 star thus (s) upon signal only. This train will not be signalied to stop at any station marked with star, except for THROUGH passengers.
Year: 1873

That was terrible scare that con-
fronted a Cincinnati cow. She had
accidentally overturned a milk can.
One glance at the contents was enough
for that COW. 1t threw up its tail. gave
a terrified below. aud dashed madly
against a telegraph pole. which neatly
took of one OF the animals horns. The
COW hnd never seen such liquid before
As was In that can, and it gave her the
hi,aI
Year: 1873

A Boy WHO FOUND A HONE
The Hon. A. II. Stephens, of Geor-
gia, in a recent address at q meet
ing at Atlanta, tor the benefit Of
tho orphan asylum and free school
of that city, related the following
anecdote


A poor little boy on cold night.
with no house or roof to shelter
his head, no paternal or maternal
guardian, or guide to protect Or
direct him on his way, reached at
nightfall the home Of o wealthy
planter, who took him in, and fed
and lodged him, and sent him on
his way with his blessing. These
kind attentions checred his heart
and inspired him with fresh cour-
age to battle with the obstacles Of
life. Years rolled on, Providence
led him on and he reached the
legal profession. His host had
died ; the cormorants that prey
on the substance Of man had form
ed q conspiracy to get from the
widow her estates. She sent for
the nearest counsel to commit her
cause to him, and that counsel
proved to be the orphan boy long
before wclc"med and entertained
by her deceased husband. The
stimulous Of q warm and tenacious
gratitude was now added to the
ordinary motive connected with
the profession. lie undertook
her case with I will not easily to
be resisted; he gained it the wild
ow's estate was secured to her in
perpetuity. and Mr.. Stephens ad.
ded with an emphasis Of emotion
that sent an electric thrill through
the house, "That boy stands be.
fore you"
Year: 1873

We were weeping round her pillow,
For We kncw tha: she must die;
1t was night within our bosoms-
1t MAS night npon the sky.
There were seven Of US children,


/, the eldest one Of all
So tried to whisper comfort,


But the binding tears would fall.
On my knees my little brother


Leaned his aching brow and wept;
And my sisters long black trcs>cS
Ger my hcav;ng bosom swept.
The shadow Of an awful fear


Came Ger me as I trod,
TO lay the burden Of our grief


Before tie throne Of God.
"Oh be kind to one another"
Was the mothers pleading prayer,
As her hand lay like snowflake,
On the baby's golden hair.
Then glory round her forehead,
Like the glory Of g crown,
And in the silent sea Of death


The star OF life went down.
Her last breath WAS borne away,


Upon that loving prayer;
And the hlnd grew heavicr-paler,
In the baby'S golden hair.
Year: 1873

A THRILLING EPISODE IN THE
LIFE OF RUFEALo HILL.-Butalo
Bill was at Hartford, Conn, the
other day, and while visiting Colt's
armory the large number Of spec
tators who had assembled to see the
famous scout desired him to favor
them with an exhibition Of his
skill as marksman. Bill gave
the chow of tobacco in his mouth
to q small boy to keep warm, a
small piece Of white paper was
put up on q barn door fifty rods
distant, B. William seized q fGe,
new rifle, spit on his hands, and
in the manner so often described
by Ned Buntline raised the rife
until his nose rested on the stock,
fired, and a picket was knocked
off from q fence ten feet to the left
of the barn. "This rifle barrel is
crooked" said Bill. So saying he
hit it over stone to straighten it,
then shot again, this time barking
the shin of an ldpie-woman on his
right flank. A third trial, and he
hit the barn fair in the centre, and
the shout that arose from the as
scmblagc attestcd the joy of the
spectators at his success. Bill is
Just as good an actor as he is q
marksman, which is very remark


able in these days Of corruption
and ry.-Danbury Ne1cs.
Year: 1873

VIRTUous An exchange says: "The
most virtuous man, SIS related to the back
pay business. was Farnsworth of Him
ois, who drew the money and divided it
among the counties of his district, and
who declares that Grant deserves i'm
peachment for signing the law"


1t shows sad stare Of public morals
when official virtue is measured by the
manner in which public stealings are
applied. If the act authorizing this
back pay was such fraud upon the
people, that, ia the view of General
Farnsworth, the President deserves im-
peachment for approving it. upon what
principle of honesty and fair ,iealing
does he justify his own uss of the mon
ey fraudulently obtained in the corrup-
ton of his own constituents? Every man
who drew this money from the treasury
for any purpose, fully endorsed the act;
and by all the fair rules of constituting
motives, the man who drew the money,
acknowledging it to be fraudulent, and
then applied it to such purposes as
would magnify his own popularity. added
neanness and corruption 20 his crime.


He who took the money aud applied
it to his own use, could reasonably
plead in justification that he was entl-
tied to it according to law. We can
hardly expect Official standard Of virtue
to be higher than its source-the virtue
of the people.
Year: 1873

COUNTY REvENCE.-Tt is estimated
that the revenue accruing to this county
from liqnor licenses during the present
year will exceed $1,000, and that the
current expenses of the county will not
much exceed $4,000; leaving only
about $4,000 to be raised bv direct taxa
tion TO pay the expenses Of the county
government for the year.


We never believed in or advocated the
license system, and never conld under
stand upon what recognized principle Of
morality or social economy it can be
sustained. But We do believe, from the
best means Of information we have had
access to, that it is preferable. in NOR
al and social aspect, to prohibitory Ii
quor laws, which establish in every
community where they have been tried.
two classes about equally repngnant to
peace and good order, the one engaged
in clandestine violations of the law, and
the other acting in the degrading capa-
city of spies and inforAers upon their
neighbors, thus largely increasing the
records of crime without materially di-
minlshing the evils resulting from the
use of intoxicating drinks. Men cannot
be reformed by law, or made better
members Of society by outlawing them.
Until public opinion IS educated to ac-
cept ss dogma the proposition that the
manufacture, sale or use of intoxicating
liquors is crime, the best thing that
ally community can do with persons
engaged in this traffic, is TO hold them
amenabIe to the laws for their lawless
acts, the same as all other citizens are
held. When they turn their places of
business into dens of infamy and crime,
deal with them under thc laws which all
good citizens recognize as necessary to
for the protection of society; and see to
it that such peace and police officers are
elected whowIll enforce the laws without
fear or favor.
Year: 1873

One sunny morning in summer. down
this pathway, still sparkling with the dewy
moisture, came stealthily moving the
long, 1.-THE form of mink. Her fur look
ed worn and rusty when the sunlight struck
her as she skulked between the tussocks of
grass. Occasionally she halted to look
about her alert tor anything eye could see,
or ear could hear; but hearing nothing but
the sweet notes of a song sparrow, and
complaining cry of a cat-bird among the
aiders, she again moved on. AS she
reached the muddy edge of the brook.
she trod more dainty; then, winding
among the pickerel-weeds, swan down
stream. hardly disturbing the water, only
making a long, wedge-shaped wake as
she stole into the shadowy edge of the
brook Suddenly she disappeared under
water, but soon came up struggling with
something that swayed and pulled her
about, disturbing the quiet of the stream,
and sending muddiness down with the
current. But she bore the almost unman-
aSeable, wriggle eel (for this it was) to
the stone wall, and. drawing herself and
burden up out of the water on the large
stone, readjusted her hold and seized the
creature back OF the head. Then bracing
herself to suck the blood, the threshing,
struggling eel grew gradually weaker and
weaker, until it looked perfectly limp and


itciess. Then she jumped from the wall,
dragging this eel, longer than herself, up
Though the grass, taking different and
more concealed way than the one by
which She came, and soon disappeard al
together. In the thick banked wall of
this barn on the hillside she had her
young ard. after they grew large enough
TO require something more substantial
than nature 5 first provision, the mother
used to bring them fish of different kinds
-cels, ducks, and like prey. So sly and
>tealtiiIly did she keep herself that she
was not seen until the young were half
grown and looked like little fawn-colored
Weaseis. when she BETRAYED herself bv
bringing this food, winch impeded her
movements. BY travelling the same way
50 many times she grew bold.


These mnks are very destructive to
fish; and, when the brook is low, they can
often be tracked for long distance by
the dead eels, pickerel, sinners. and some
times trout, left lying along the bank
the mink only sucking the blood, and
leaving the fish unmutilated. One au-
tumn some small sinners, meant for bait
in pickerel fishing through the ice, were
kept in an old tub set in spring near the
brook, and in one night all these fish were
killed by mink, who left them laid in
row on the ground. They looked pre-
cisely as if some person had so arranged
them. But through the back of each fish,
near the head, were four tooth-marks,
that told who had been there, this being
frequently the only mark the mink makes
on his victim.
Year: 1873




Mr.. EDITOR: I wish to know what
about the Democracy of South Caro-
lima? Has It ceased to exist? Have
anhahdsfallen into the Radical ranks,
and if 80, why? Is it because they
feel too weak to make any farther eff
fort for its deliverance? lido believe
that there isa way if there is will
among the. people,-that is to act
conscientiously and not place the love
of money before Liberty. If we wish
TO- be successful we must cease to fur
nish money and votes for our foe, as
we have done. Let, us:frst cease to
furnish the votes, then we will not
be obliged to furnish the money. That
seems to me to be'the first and only
thing that will effect any good. Why
should we worksso bard for our own
degradation? Itsseems to me TO be
folly for a rational man TO place the
weapon in his enemy'ss hand for his
own destruction, when there is no
compulsion for him to do SO. Why
is it that we move so carelessly along
with the current of time? Let us
stop and ask ourselves if we are not
sinking day by day, degra-
dation, and knowing at the same time
that our foe has no power only as we
give it, Then ip the future, for Gods
sake, let Us furnish no more votes for
our own degradation, even if we have
to make a great sacrifice.


If this policy meets with the ap-
proval Of the party, move that there
be County Convention at the Court
Honss,' at an. early date, to devise the
best and most practicable plan forhe
guidance of the party hereafter. The
past has proven to lis what the future
will be if we do not mend our ways.
AS for reasoning and persuading the
negro, it does no good, and has had
an evil effect. . They are a different
peogle to ths papeasan their poll
d IS So are also Sofeurs.--~Se4
let them have their way, and we will
lave, ours, f'r it is our duty to throw
off the yoke which low makes us bow
our heads in humble submission to
this negro government and if we
will sacrifice no principle God will
help us to accomplish much even in
this evil day. Let thewisdom Of the
State examine for itself, and if it finds
that this isnot the proper course, then
lay IT aside; and fol. heavens sake
let's have something pure and good,
and do not procrastinate, for weshould
not be at ease whilst there is SO much
work of Importance to be done.


MARr1NrowN.
Year: 1873

SxALL-Pox.-We were at Clipper Gap Monday
morning when the emigrant train from the East
stopped there The news at once spread that
the smallpox was aboard. The Conductor said
it was only the measles. When we got on the
express train. also from the East, four or five
passengers told us that the news along the whole
route was that the smallpox ,oas on the train.
Before reaching Sacramento the train was stop
ped and the passengers examined P5 physicians
who affirmed the disease to be only the measles.
We hope il may only be measles as we want no
smallpox in this county until we get clear Of tn,
ring and monopoly disease. which is enough for
any people to have at one time
Year: 1873

The STRopFL MUhDtK.-Iw Greeks have
been undergoing an examination before Judge
itch for three days some so witnesses being in


attendance. charged with or completely in the
murder of Chas. Strobel Mt Michigan Bluff, on
he night of the 23d ult ana the examination
was not over when we went to press. The lib
rty or lives of these men are at stake, and we
hink it not best to give any of the evidence;
It least not now. The chances are that one. if
not both will be held to appear before the next
irand Jury. The testimony is voluminous and
Il being written ont
Year: 1873

THE RITE OF CoNrIRMATIoN.-O tomorrow
week, June 22d, Archbishop Alemany will visit
Auburn, preach and confer the sacrament o.
confirmation on all those prepared for it in Au-
burn and the surrounding district. The sermon
will be an able and instructive discourse, and
the rite OF confirmation solemn aud impress
sive. 1t is in contemplation to have musical
choir from below to accompany the services
The church will be open to all, and doubtless
large attendance will be present
Year: 1873

In view of the many accidents resulting
either through carelessness or ignorance, in the
use of kerosene, we give the following rules
and suggestions as furnished by a correspon-
dent of the Savannah Advertiser:


1. Do not buy kerosene below the govern
ment standard, which is 40 degrees.


2. Do not use wick that is too narrow tor
the burner.


3. Never turn down the burning wick when
you want to extipguish the light, but blow it
out without disturbing the wick, blowing di'
agonally into the top of the chimney, or use
a palm leaf fan at the arms length.


A. Do not use your lamp as night-lamp
by turning down the wick to lessen the flame.


The reasons for the foregoing rules: ..-


1. The government has fixed the standard
at which kerosene may be sold at 10 degrees
because there is danger of its vaporizing in an
ordinary lamp if it is below that standard.
The inducements to sell it below that is, that
it can be produced for less money.


2. There are four sizes of fiat wick burners
in general use, their numbers are 0, A, B
and D, or Mammoth. The wicks measure
three-eights, fve-eights, one, and one and halt
inches, respectively. This measurement may
not be mathematically exact, but it is the
size given to them by the manufactures, and
is near enough for practical purposes. II
you use wick that is too small, space is
left between the edge of the wick and the
wick tube which serves as a passage way tor
the fame to communicate with the oil in the
lamp.


8 The nearer lamp is to being empty the
greater the necessity of observing rule, 3, be-
cause the nearer lamp is to being empty the
more room there is for vapor, and ifthe burn
ing wick is turned down, ever so slightly, the
danger is increased of communicating the
fame to any gas that might have been form
ed in the lamp, while if the flame is blown
out without disturbing the wick the crust
that has formed on the top of the wick e6ec-
tually closes any little opening between the
wick and tube, thus preventing the communi'
cation of the flame to the gas when you blow
down the chimney. .~ ".


4. All kerosene burners are made to pro-
duce perfect combustion as prerequisite tor
a good light If the wick is turned down to
lessen the fame materially, the combustion
is not perfect, and the burner becomes over
heated, which communicates heat to the lamp
causing the air to vaporize more rapidly than
it can be consumed by reason Of the imperfect
combustion, and (under certain circumstan'
ces) causing the lamp to explode.


If lamps that are intended for illuminating
purposes are used as night.lamps by turning
down tho -Aan,o to LAnor, tn .;.A &c owe
ky atmosphere is produced that is is positive
ly injurious.


If these rules are followed, accidents resul.
ting from exploding kerosene lamps will be
far less numerous, and the end will have been
attained for which this article was written.
Year: 1873

During the financial revulsion which has
swep. over the country, people have become
convinced that the repeal of the present bank
rupt law would be of great benefit, for during
this crisis they have realized the embarrass-
ment it may occasion. Capitalists who have
ample property with which. to satisfy all de-
mands against them, have been compelled to
pay twenty or twenty-five per cent for money,
lest if they suspend they would be forced into
bankruptcy, and what property they have be
swallowed up by its costly machinery. Such
heavy rates Of interest are of no benefit to the
debtor or creditor, and in the end only re-
duces the amount of assets if continued for
long time. The present bankrupt law works
only in favor of the obdurate creditor deman-
ding his pound of flesh, by giving the oppor-
tunity of crushing out solvent houses, which,
by the stringency Of the money market, are
temporarily embarrassed.


When a house has assets more than suff-
cient to pay all its liabilities, it does not seem
just and equitable to put it into bankruptcy
because ofsome unforeseen financial emergen-
cy. The law which makes the suspension Of
payment of commercial paper, for fourteen
days, an act of bankruptcy, on account Of
which the debtor may be compelled to 60 into
insolvency regardless of the causes that ope-
rated to produce the embarrassment, ought
not longer to remain in effect. The experience
of the last thirty days proves the greatest ar
gument in favor of the repeal of a law so ut
terly antagonistic with commercial security.
By the old method of attachment the creditor
was secured, and the debtor had time to ar
range his affairs without selling his property
for song, and the utter ruin of solvent houses
was prevented. In the present rotten state
of our currency those houses doing legti-
mate business should be protected and not
crippled by our laws. The present bankrupt
law is one of the causes Of our financial woes,
and the best thing Congress can do, at its next
session, is to repeal it.-1poonsocket (R. ~
Patriot.
Year: 1873

WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE PooR-Cream is
allowed to mould and spoil. Silver spoons
are used to scrape kettles. The scrubbing
brush is left in the water. White handled
knives are thrown into hot water. Brooms
are never hung up, and are soon spoiled.
Dish-cloths are hung where mice can destroy.
Tubs are left in the sun to dry and fall apart.
Clothes are left on the line to whip to pieces
in the wind. The pie-crust is allowed to sour,
instead of making few tarts for tea. Dried
fruit is not taken care of in season and be-
comes wormy. Vegetables are thrown away
that would do to warm for breakfast. The
cork is left out of the sugar jar, and the flies
take possession. Bits of meat are thrown out
that would make hashed meat or hash. Cof-
fee, tea, pepper and spices are left to stand
open and lose their strength Pork spoils for
the want of salt, and beef because the brine
wants scalding.
Year: 1873

EDUCATION OF WoMEN.-Commenting up
on the fact that not one woman was saved on
the fatal Atlantic, although many had the
same chance Of life as the men, an exchange
says: "The strength of women at the crisis Of
their life depends on their physical culture
while children. Let parents be no more
ashamed of their girls brown faces and fists
than Of their boys Let them train and ciothe
them so that they can run and climb and care
for and protect themselves. Let them take
them with their brothers into the harvest
field. A boy is not ashamed of work; no
more should be girl. The refinement that
shuts a girl out of Gods sunshine, and allows
her no rougher work indoors than to em-
broider worsteds, or tap ivory keys, or dust
marble mantle, is refining her off the face of
the earth to give place to the daughters Of
the servants of the kitchen.