smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

Chief Justice Spoford, during the
latter part of his official career, was about
as brusque and biting as man could be,
and in his bitter moods he was apt to
be as ungenerous as he was sarcastic.
When left to his own meditations, with
nothing to ruffie his temper, his decisions
were clear and compact, and his legal
papers patterns of ornate erudition and,
moreover, his decisions were held as good
and sufficient law of precedent.


Once upon time Spofford was at the
head of the bench holding a Court of
Equity, and in the case under trial it
became necessary for an attorney to prove
the death of certain man. This attor-
ney was by name Wallington-a thin
visaged, nervous, buzzing fellow, who
had the reputation of never letting 60
his hold upon case until he had wrung
the last possible dollar from it.


Wellington produced what he consid
cred sufficient proof of the death of the
man in question; but the Judge would
not accept it.


THAT is no proof at ALL was Spot
ford's emphatic remark


The attorney brought forward other
evidences. And still old Spofford shook
his head.


at will not do, sir. We cannot ac-
cept that as proof


"Your Honor" cried Wellington, with
much show of vexation, pardon me if /
deem your decision extremely hard
Why will you not believe me? | knew
the man well to the day of his death
saw him dead with my own eyes and |
attended his funeral. He was my client,
your Honor


"Your client 2" exclaimed Spoford.
"Why in the name of sense and reason
didn't you state that fact in the first
place? No aconder he died! We admit
the proof-Go on, sir.


The Judge probably thought but
lightly of the sarcasm at the time, but
it proved crusher for poor Wallington
so much so that he was forced to seek
another field for the exercise of his pro.
fession-Ledger.
Year: 1872

How TO SLEEP.-We are often asked
for a prescription for preternaturally
wakeful persons. The ''high pressure
principle on which many of our business
men work their brains and abuse their
bodies, begets an irritable condition of
the nerves, and a morbid state of mind,
very antagonistic to quiet and refreshing
sleep. Such persons will often 60 to bed
weary and exhausted, but cannot sleep;
or sleep dreamily and ftfully; or lie
awake for hours, unable to sleep at all.
We have tried many expedients to in
duce sleep with more or less success, and
have read many recipes which proved
better in theory than in practice. The
very best method we have yet discovered
is that of counting. Breathe deeply and
slowly (without any straining effor)
and, with every expiration. count one,
two, three. etc up to hundred. Some
persons will be asleep before they can
count fifty in this manner. Others will
count ten, twenty, or thirty, and then
forget themselves and cease counting.
In such cases always commence again at
once. Very few persons can count a.
hundred and find themselves awake;
but should this happen repeat the dose
until cured.-Scieace of Health.
Year: 1872

A FIRST CLASS RECoMMENDATICN.-
The following recommendation was actu-
ally written by New Hampshire law
yer to Q. S. Senator in favor of
young lady who proposed to teach in the
far West:


Hon., My dear sir:


Miss, New Hampshire lady, and
very accomplished and successful teach
er, full of faith, courage and energy,
who can run a school, lead prayer
meeting, break colt, fight grizzly or
shine in drawing room, wants to try
her hand at her profession in your far
off State of Nevada, and teach the young
idea there how to shoot something be-
sides Indians and sage hens. / know
her we'll and can vouch that she is every
thing that woman ought to be, to wit
plucky. clever, amiable and good.


Signed.
Year: 1872

Sometimes lightning produces COM
plete and instantaneous paralysis. The
suppression of movements in the victim
in these circumstances is SO rapid that
those who have witnessed it might have
thought they suffered from some illusion.
Who would not think he was dreaming
if he saw an unfortunate creature, full
of life and activity, petrifed and motion
less as rock in less time than it requir-
ed to witness the phenomenon? Jerome
Cardan relates that eight reapers, who
were eating their dinner under an oak
tree, were all struck by the same fash
of lightning, the explosion of which was
heard far away. When some people
passing by approached to see what had
happened, they found the reapers to all
appearances continuing their repast;
one still held his glass in his hand, and
another was in the act of putting piece
of bread into his mouth, third had his
hand in the dish. Death had come up
on them suddenly while in these posi-
tions, when the thunder-bolt fell Azrael
had seized upon them with SO much yio-
lence that he had impressed upon the
entire surface of their bodies the mourn
full tint of his black wings. One might
have taken them for statues sculptured
out of black marble. The catastrophe
was so rapid that the faces of the victims
had not had time to take any expression
of pain life was suppressed SO instan-
taneously that the muscles remained un-
moved. The eyes and the mouths were
open as in life and had not the color
of the skin been so much changed the
illusion would have been complete. 1t
has been remarked also that the features
of persons struck by lightning, instead
of being contracted, usually assume
calm, happy expression; and the con-
cfusion has been drawn that they enter
without shock or pain into the presence
of the Infinite Being. 1t has even been
assumed that death by lightning is the
prelude to glory and happiness.-Appte-
! ton S Jduradt.
Year: 1872

ANEeDoTE OF RATs.-The following
curious anecdote furnishes another in
stance of the occasional confidence of
animals in others which they are sup
posed to regard generally as their natur-
al enemies some years since | lived
in the village of Ickelton, in Cambridge
shire. After my shooting excursions
the dogs were fed in their kennels, the
food being placed in a long trough. To
this duty l generally attended myself
Upon one occasion, after feeding the
dogs, / looked into the kennel through
a hole in the door, and was somewhat
astonished, not at perceiving number
of rats there, but to see them in the
trough, quietly and fearlessly partaking
of bread and milk with the dogs, who
seemed to pay no attention to such small
deer. | doomed the rats to destruction,
and the next day placed the trough in
such a position, that gun pointed
through the hole would rake it from one
end to the other. At the usual hour the
food was placed as a lure-but the dogs
were kept out-in vain. l could see the
head of sagacious old rat peering out
at more than one hole, and from under
the manger, for the purpose of reconnoi-
tering; but none descended. Having
waited half hour to no purpose, I let
in thesdogs, and in a few minutes they
were again feeding cheek by jowl. Had
l not ascertained this, l might have sup.
posed that altering the position of the
trough, or some other trifing disarrange.
ment of the economy of the kennel, had
aroused the suspicious of the little
creatures. They seemed, however, to be
aware that their safety was connected
with the presence of the dogs.
Year: 1872

A DELIGHTFUL LEGEND.-There is a
charming tradition connected with the
site on which the Temple of Solomon
was erected. 1t is said to have been
occupied in common by two brothers,
one of whom had family-the other
had none. On this spot was sown a
Year: 1872

CAUTION TO WOMEN TRAVELLING
ALoNE.-The Congregationaist gives
timely warning to women and especially
to girls, about the acquaintance whom
they make in cars. Speaking of the
pimps, who seem to grow even more nu-
merous and more subtitle, as our civili-
zation grows older, it says: On the
watch for women as bad as themselves,
or for the young and unsophisticated. of
whom a villain might make victim, it
is next to impossible for young woman
to enter a car unattended without their
knowledge. She is fortunate if they
make no more or less cautious approach
es to find out who she. is, where
she is going, and whether she will
tolerate the familiarity of a stranger
So numerous are these men that it is
with some peril that a young woman
undertakes long journey alone. The
peril of those who may be unfortifed by
principle, or unacquainted with the ways
Year: 1872

Towards the end of May or the first
of June, the bees send forth their earli-
er swarms. These colonies consist of
the young progeny, and some old ones,
now grown too numerous for the old
home, and strong and vigorous enough
to provide for themselves. One queen
bee is necessary to form each colony /;
and wherever she flies they follow. Ma
ture directs them to march in body
in quest of new settlement, which. if
left to their choice, would be some hol-
low trunk of tree. But man, who con-
verts the labors and instincts of so many
animals to his own use, provides them
with a dwelling, and repays himself
with their honey. The early swarms
are generally the most valuable, as they
have time enough to lay in plentiful
store of honey for their subsistence
through the winter.


Thus the old proverb says:


"A swarm of bees in May,


Is worth q load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June,
Is worth a silver spoon
swarm of bees in July,
Is not worth fly"
Year: 1872

How eloquently does Chataubriand
reply to this inquiry: There is a God
The herb of the valley, the cedar sports
in His beams; the elephant salutes Him
with the rising orb of day; the bird sings
Him in the foliage; the thunder pro-
claims Him in the heavens; the ocean
declares His immensity; man alone has
said, "There is no GodW Unite in
thought at the same instant the most
beautiful objects in nature; suppose that
you see at once all the hours of the day
and all the seasons of the year; a morn
ing of spring and a morning of autumn I;
a night bespangled with stars and a
night covered with clouds; meadows en-
ameled with flowers, and forests hoary
with snow; fields guided by tints of au-
tumn; then you will have q just con-
ception of the universe. While you are
gazing upon the sun which is plunging
under the vault of the west, another OBJ
server admires him emerging from the
gilded gates of the east. BY what in
conceivable magic does that aged star,
which is sinking fatigued and burning
tin he shade ofevening, reappear at the
same instant, fresh aRd hunidwith the
rosy dews of morning? At every in
slant of the day the glorious orb is at
once rising, resplendent at MONDAY,
and setting in the west; or rather our
senses deceive US, and there is, properly
speaking, no east, west or sosth in the
world. Everything reduces itself to a
single point, from whence the king of
day sends forth at once a triple light in
once substance. The bright splendor
is perhaps that which nature can pre-
sent that is most beautiful; for while it
gives us an idea of the perpetual mag
nifieence and restless power of God, it
exhOrts at the same time shining ims
age Of the glorious Trinity.


Starching a husband is novelty in
domestic warfare which is quite refresh
ing. Such an expedient was called in
requisition down East, q day or two
since, and a refractory husband brought
to terms. The "ugly brlten was Just
/ the least bit drunk, and the wife grew
tired of his nonsense in and around the
kitchen. There was no broOmstielS
handy, so she gave him notice to quit.
he didn't seem to heed the notice, so
she uneeremOniOGsly seized pail Of hot
starch, and bespleared hira with it from
head to foot. The starch came of
quickly, taking the skin with it wher-
/ ever II touched. He was sent to the
/ Health officer, and declines to prose-
cute, saying he would take lodgings in
some other quarter, and, like q dutifll
husband, send his wife money to support
the family.
Year: 1872

these last mentioned facts by practice.
He must take our word for them Un-
less lie does So, we shall answer no
more questions in syntax for him or any
one else. Our duty is to conserve the
morals of the community, not to start
people to playing private games OF Co.
nnnhnnpn.
Year: 1872

A boy in country school was read
ing the sentence, 1.-The lighthouse is
landmark by day and beacon by
night" and readered it thus: "The
lighthouse is landlord by day and a
deacon by night"
Year: 1872

The news from the Empire State OF
the South grows every day more and
more gratifying. The majority for Smith
Is now placed as high as forty-five thou
sand, a gain of twenty-five thousand
over the majority Of last election, and Of
tify-one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-eight on Bullock's majority in
1858. Ry this token the South sends
greeting to the North; she sends assur-
ances that her enfranchised people are
for peace and the unity Of the States,
and will cast their votes solid for Gree
ley and Brown, the candidates Of the
party of reconciliation. This immense
majority is the result Of steady.
constant and persistent labor. We had
been led to suppose by the press of
Georgia that the people were apathetic,
that they were indifferent from a fancied
sense Of security. The grand result
proves our contemporaries to have been
at fault The people were working,
silently, it may be, but none the less
working That they were is provshle
from the fact that the white voters num-
Der but few thousand more than the
negro voters, and that there were a few
thousand white Radicals in the State.
Many Of these thousands must
have been won to the Liberal
cause with view to the ul-
timate triumph Of the Greeley
ticket Georgia has done well, she has
done nobly. She sets an example for
al her sisters of the South to follow,
and cheers every Liberal heart with the
hope that hers is but the precursor Of
what Is to come on Tuesday next from
pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana-per-
haps even from Nebraska. Forty-five
[ thousand will do 10 takel
Year: 1872

COLUMBUS, October A-John Barclay
was hung at noon to-day in the county
Jail Of this county Tor the murder Of c.
+. Garner. Barclay when on the scaf-
fold declared he was guilty Of murder
and was prepared to die. He advised all
to beware Of intoxicating liquors, and
said they had placed him on a murder
er's scafiOld. After bidding goodbye TO
the spectators, his arms and legs were
piniOned, the black cap was placed over
bis head, and in a second more his body
was swinging in the air. The body was
almost still for a second after the fall OF
the trap, but soon vibrated slowly back
ward and forward. On being touched
by surgeon in attendance, his whole
body shook as II with violent cold.
After hanging nearly twelve minutes,
he was declared dead, and was delivered
70 the surgeons.
Year: 1872

The report Of the Mexican Border
Commission Is now in possession Of the
State Department. The Commissioners
themselves are on their way to Wash
ington. i is understood that the United
States government viii take the ground
that il is justified in taking the question
Of protecting its own citizens into its
own hands
Year: 1872

California wives who have worthless
men for husbands have just found oui
that the homestead law Of that State il
a nice thing. According 20 that law 9
wife alone can make homestead Of the
property which she and her husband
own, and ON which they reside. The
husbands consent is not requisite, the
law stating that "the homestead land
and house, not exceeding in value five
thousand dollars, can be selected by the
husband and wife, or either Of them.
Year: 1872

He cannot be an unhappy man


who has the love and smiles of wo-


men to accompany him in every
department ef life. The world may
look dark and cherries without
Ienemies may gather in his path
but when he returns to the freside
and feels the tender love of women,
he forgets his cares and his troubles
and is a comparatively happy man.
He is but half prepared for his jour


ney of life who takes not with him,


to soothe and comfort him, that
friend who will forsake him in no
emergency-who viii divide his sor-
lrows-increase his joys-lift the
veil from his heart and throw sun


shine amid the darkest scenes. No
man cannot be miserable who has
a companion, be he ever so poor, de-
spised and troden upon by the world.
Year: 1872

SUPPOSED CASE OF INFASTlClDE.--On Mon
dav night about o'clock colored man by
the name of John Frazier, while on his way
to church. found the dead body of Il c0!orcd
female child with her neck broken, appa-
rcntlv only Il few hours old, at the extreme
end of Ninth on Baker street. Frazier COM
muncated the facts TO the Second Police sta
ton without delay, and Captain Disney used
every effort, up to a late hour, to find some
clue to the person who left the infant there,
without success. Deputy Coroner Trent was
notified, and on Yesterday afternoon, through
the courtesy Of Captain Bigger, an inquest
was held ut the city almShousc. Three wit
nesseS were eXamined-Frlzier, Captain Dis
nev, and Coroner Trent-but no new facts
were elected.


The jury brought IN a verdict that the
child came to her death by violence at the
hands of some person unknown.


In connection with the verdict the Jury
also signed paper setting forth the necessity
for dcad-housc, and stated that in this in-
stance the ends of justice had not been met
from the fact that the body had to be Inferred
SO soon after it was found.


1t is proper to add that this is the second
instance in the past ten days in which dead
bodies have been found, but it was impossi-
bic to inquire particularly into the matter for
the reason that the remains had to be buried
so soon.
Year: 1872

CITY LICENSE AssEssMENT.-All persons
who may be aggrieved at their classification
in the city license taxes can appear before
the Finance Committee of the City Council
on the evenings of Wednesday and Thurs
day. March eth and 18th.
Year: 1872

THE WEED sEWNG-MAc1nNE-Th!si isa sipe-
rior faiiy machIne straight needle and


easily managed and kept In repair and adjusts fsen
TO every variety Of work. We have made careful
INQUIRY of those who have given the machine tho
rough trial In the family aud have for several weeks
Year: 1872

THE RELIGIOUS HERALD of this city has very
large circulation, and read by those whom adrer


tiscrs most desire to reach. Its issue this week Is
TWELVE THOUSAND. The HERALD is the cheapest
and best medium for advertising in the South.
Oilicc, Ills Main street.
Year: 1872

All legal advertisements must be paid for
before the Proof OF Publication can be obtained.
Plaintiffs are required by law TO pay the cost
Of Orders of Publication before the Proof Of
Publication is issued.
Year: 1872

HARTFORD, CONN, August 16.-David
Clark OF this city, makes the following
reply to the telegram OF General Howard
to Secretary Belknap, concerning colored
cadet Smith: 49, .....


HARTFORD, CONN, August 16.-General
Howard in dispatch to the Secretary of
War, wherein he denies the conversations
with me relative to the appointment of a
court martial to try colored cadet Smith.
l solemnly affirm that my report of that
conversation is substantially correct.
Could Inject General Howard and remind
him of the intimations he gave me at
West Point at the time OF the trial,
and which he fully explained at a
house in Hartford, in December
following, then stating to me the position
OF the President and Secretary OF War
in this matter l am sure he would with.
draw his denial and acknowledge his
forgetfulness. l now call upon the Sec.
retary OF War, in the absence from
Washington Of General Howard, to pub.
lish my letter to General Howard, written
by agreement between us soon alter the
conversation in December with the re.
quest that he would send it to the Presi-
dent and Secretary Of War. Copies of
that letter he subsequently informed me
were placed in the hands Of those officials.


(signed) DAVID CLARK.
Year: 1872

We publish in another column Mr..
CriswelPs withdrawal as a candidate for
Congress in this district We believe
that we speak the unanimous Republican
sentiment OF this section when we say
that Mr.. Criswell's withdrawal meets
with the hearty appreciation Of every Re
publican in this vicinity. We believe
that Republicans hereabouts care more to
defeat the Vaccinations Of the "Ring" that
is scheming to grasp and control every in
terest OF the State, than they do even for
a temporary Republican victory.-Par-
kerSbuTy journal.
Year: 1872

at were wrong to deny that the party
most confident ola triumphant issue from
the next Presidential contest Is that which
uses the name Of Democracy to cover and
advance the most ianatical devotion TO hu.
man inequality and the interminable de.
gradatian Of the wretched and helpless


Tribune, March 81, 1856.
Year: 1872

SARATOGA, August 16-The Court sat
in secret session from five until quarter
past eight this evening, and then ad.
journed TO meet in secret session at ten
o'clock tomorrow morning. The esecret is
well kept, but it is understood that after a
good deal OF discussion verdict ofguilty
was given on several articles. A final
verdict will probably be published TO-.
Year: 1872

"Tho Council of sachems Of the Tam
many Society are the masters, for the time
being Of Tsmmany Hall. They close 1t
peremptorily against any party or fac
tion which they pronounce heterodox;
they open 1t TO that committee or faction
on which they deign to smile which
there upon becoms clothed with all the
Year: 1872

"This election disclosed what elections
elsewhere in the North demonstrate, that
the old Democratic, party is reduced to a
skeleton, and can nowhere stand against
the Opposition, il the elements Of the Op.
position will combine. This party, so
long invincible through the charm OF its
name and the drill OF its organization, is
stripped OF its power and trembles upon
the verge of dissolution. II the 0pposi.
ton will only be wise, it has the power to
extinguish it at blow. The great trai.
torous combination which, in the name of
Democracy, has dared to strike a parrici.
dal blow at the cause of Freedom and
progress on this Continent, may itself be
cloven down in the act. It is time when
minor differences should be forgotten, and
when all should unite 10 complete the
overthrow ofthose arch.traitorsIwho, pro-
lessipg, in their own language, TO believe
this to be niger era, have instituted
their atrocious experiment upon the
public credulity and the public sense OF
right" Tribune, March Is, 1855.
Year: 1872

From this gospel of JOY, preached md
practised, nobody derived so much bone.
fit as little Peggy. Her nature which was
fast growing crooked and knotty, under
the malign influence of restraint and fear.
Strengthened up. budded and blossomed
in the genial atmosphere OF cheerful
Kindness. Her affections and faculties
were kept in snch pleasant exercise, that
constant lightness of heart made her al.
most handsome. The young music teach
er thought her more than almost hand
some, for her affectionatc soul shone more
beamingly on him than on others; and
love makes oil things beautiful.


When the orphan removed to her pleas
ant little cottage on her wedding day. she
threw her arms around the blessed mis-
siouary of sunshine, and said: "Ah, thou
dear, good aunt, it is thou who hast
made my life Fairweather ~
Year: 1872

Our MILK MEN.-But few places can
boast Of such pure, rich milk as is sup
piled by the milkmen of this city; There
is supposition that milk is generally
watered. This may arise from the fact
that in too many cities and towns this is
the case. The milkmen of Bridge ton are
reliable as far as our acquaintance goes,
and we know most of them. Some per-
sons complained, few days ago, when
the price advanced from eight to ten
cents per quart, but they have nothing to
say when the price declines two cents, as
it does every spring. If a pure article is
furnished, ten cents per quart during the
fall and winter, is quite reasonable. II
there were no losses and everybody took
quart or two, without keeping the milk
men waiting in the inclement weather a
cent or two less, per quart would not be
objected to, but there is dark side to
the milk business, which those who try
will find out. The milk men of this city
earn all they get, but in many instances
they don't get all they earn.