smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

A New York journal raises the ques-
ton "Will the race of American me-
chanics die out ?" 1t is not a new query,
but it loses none OF its importance on
that account. 1t is pregnant with in
terest to the entire country, and we are
pleased to see that the subject is being
more fully discussed than ever before


Twenty years ago such q question
would have provoked ridicule. 1t as
sumes u more serious aspect now IL
comes before the country invested
with the deepest interest and deserving
the most serious consideration, for un-
less there be change in our apprentice
system, and that speedy one, we see
no other alternative than that we shall
in less than score of years be compell-
ed to depend mainly upon foreign
skilled labor. The fact is, very large
proportion of this class of workmen
already occupy positions in our work.
shops ana manufactures, and the num-
ber is daily increasing.


Boys are no longer taken as apprcn-
tices. They are hired-embryo journey
men-claiming all the privileges and
exercising all the spirit of independence
of full grown workmen, and having
these rights as they are termed, as fully
recognized as in the case of the adults.
The tendency of this system, If we can
dignity it by such title, is too clear to
be misunderstood. 1t gives to boys a
spirit of false independence, which ex-
eats the most pernicious influence upon
their conduct, teaches them to be i'm
pudent, and, at the same time, indifier-
ent to their own or the interest OF their
employers. Their stay in shop or at
a particular trade is made to depend
not upon any special advantages it may


afford them for becoming familiar with


the trade or calling, but upon the


amount of pay which they secure. If,


after having received certain amount


of instruction in one shop, they are


offered dollar a week more in another,


in nine cases out of ten they will either
accept or their old employer is Compel
ed to advance their wages. Rarely does


it occur that a boy remains with an
, employer until he is of age, as was
wont to be the case; and as rarely, In


consequence, do we find thoroughly
, skilled young workman whose knowl.


edge of his trade or calling has been
gained in this country, All this sounds
+ strangely, and yet it is mere recital Of
, facts-facts which cannot be poo-pooh


ed. We ask the attention of parents
l.. and guardians to the points to which
= we have referred. They are important
, ones, and we'll entitled to more serious
: and sober thoughts than we fear they
- are likely to receive.
Year: 1871

There are some people-yes, many
people-always looking out for sights.
They cannot carry on the daily inter-
course of the family without some Of
fence is designed. They are as touchy
as hair triggers. If they meet an ac-
quaintance in the street who happens
to be preoccupied with business, they
attribute his abstraction in some mode
personal to themselves, and take um-
bragg accordingly. They lay on others
the fault of their irritability. A fit Of
indigestion makes them see imperti-
nence in everybody they come in con-
tact with. Innocent persons, who never
dreamed of giving offence, al astonish-
ed to find some unfortunate word, or
some momentary taciturnity, mistaken
for an insult. To say the least the habit
is unfortunate. 1t is far wiser to take
the more charitable view of our fellow
beings, and not suppose slight Is in-
tended unless the neglect is open and
direct. After all, too, life takes its use
in great degree from the color of our
own mind. If we are frank and gener-
Gus, the world treats us kindly, If on
the contrary, we are suspicious, men
learn to be cold and cautious to us. Let
a person get the reputation of being
touchy, and every body is under more
or less restraint; and in this way the
chances of an imaginary offence are


vastly increased.
Year: 1871




FIRST. To think tho more q man cats
the iatter and stronger he will become.


SECOND. To believe the more hours
the children study at school, the faster
they learn.


THIRD. To conclude that if exercise
is good for the health, the more violent
and exhausting 1t is the more good is
done.


FOURTH. To imagine that every hour
taken from sleep is an hour gained.


FIFTH. To act on the presumption
that the smallest room in the house is
large enough to sleep in.


SIXTH. To argue that whatever rem
edy causes one to feel Immediately bet.
ter is "good for the system without
regard TO more ulterior effects. The
soothing syrup" for example, does
not stop the cough of children, does ar
rest diarh9a, only to cause, little later,
alarming convulsions, or the more fatal
inflammation on the brain, or water on
the brain; or, at least always protects
the disease.


SEVENTH. To commit an act which
is felt in itself to be prejudicial, that
somehow or other it may be done In
your case with impunity.


EIGHTH. To advise another to take
remedy which you have tried your.
self, without making special inquiry
whether all the conditions are alike.


NINTH. To eat without an appetite,
or to continue to after it has been salts.
fed, merely to crafty the taste.


TENTH. To eat a hearty supper fol
the pleasure experienced during the
brief time it is passing down the throat
at the expense of whole night of dis
turbed sleep, and weary waking in
the morning.


ELEVENTH.. To remove portion O.
the clothing Immediately after exercise
when the most stupid drayman in New
York knows that if he does not put 6
cover on his horse the moment he cease:
work in the winter, he will lose him il
few days by pneumonia.
TWELFTH. To contend that becaus,
the dirtiest children on the street O
highway are hearty and healthy, there
fore it is healthy to be dirty forgetting
that continuous daily exposure to tht
pure outdoor air, in joyous, unrestrain
ed activities, is such powerful agenc,
for health that those who live thus ar,
well in spite of dirt and filth.


THIRTEENTH. To presume to repea
later in life, without injury, the indi:
cretions, exposures, and intemperanc
which in the iiush of youth were pra'
ticed with impunity.


FOURTEENTH. To believe that war;
air is necessarily impure, or that pun
cold air is necessarily more health
than the confined air of a crowded v
hicle; the latter at most can only cau
fainting and nausea, while entering
! conveyance, while walking briskl
+ lowering window, thus still expose
to draught, will give cold infallibl.
} or an attack of pleurisv or pneumoni
which will cause weeks or months
: suffering, if not actual death with
I four days.


5 FIFTEENTH. To remember the Sa
bath day" by working harder and lat
on Saturday than any other day in IL
l. week, with view of sleeping late he
=, morning, aud staying home all day
rest, conscience being Quilted by t
plea of not feeling very well.-Hal
Journal Of HedlM.
Year: 1871

1T Is plain enough 70 0SeryOO0ys
that there are virtually bNt two,
parties in this country, and likely to
be but two for years to come. And
these parties have their history.
BY their fruit ye shall know them.
The Ethiopian has not changed his
skin, nor the leopard his spots. 1t
is true that the Democratic party, as
a National organization, has been
stunned into comparative silence.
Its national platforms are made
studiously ambiguous, and its State
platforms especially in Republican
States-very carefully say nothing
in particular. But here and there
over the country may be seen Frank
Blair with his Broadhead letter and
later speeches. Brick ROmer0y with
his repudiation, Virginia with its
Legislative vote on the Lee and
Thomas portraits, South Carolina
with its Kuklux murderers, New
York with its enormous corruption,
Indiana with its political swindling,
and hordes of Copperhead papers
always belching out venom-all
showing that the snake, though
scotched, still lives. Let us remem-
ber the story Of the Farmer and the
viper.


Let but the apathy Of Republicans
90 a little further--let the Democrats
carry first a few Counties here and
there, then a few States, and finally
the nation-and does rot everybody
know the inevitable result? Return
the Democratic party to power, and
in the same measure its old and dis
tinctive party life and spirit return,
to manifest themselves by their
deeds upon occasion. Elect q Demo
cratic President next year, let him
have a Democratic Cabinet and be
supported by Democratic Congress,
and the depreciation of our national
credit, the reputation Of a part or
all of our public debt, the allowance
OF the rebel war debt, the pensioning
of rebel soldiers, the repeal Of the
Reconstruction acts, and the restora-
tion of the Black Codes, would be
but progressive steps in the high
carnival of crimes and calamities,
ending inevitably in all the untold
horrors of another and more despsx.I
ate civil war. Z


But how shall this be avoided?i
Eternal vigilance is the price Of
liberty. Begin at the beginning-in
the Townships. 1t is not necessary
to change votes; the Republicans are
already greatly in the majority, now
rs formerly. 1t is only Necessary to
bring thein.to the polls. Let Samp-
son merely wake up, before Delilah
has shorn and bound him. Who
shall sound the trumpet, that the dry
bones in the valley may be stirred,
and arise and become living hosts to
gain the victory? ). ,5e


Let US begin at home. The few
thousand voters here can influence
the nation but little, indeed; but they
may redeem Marion County. II wa
cannot do everything, let us Mt least
do as much as we can. Let US work
in our own Townships, talk with our
and acquaintance, and
stir them up out Of their apathetic
sleep. Our opponents are willy,
unscrupulous, and always watchful;
but they are not the stongest. If
they were, TO fight gallantly and
then be beaten would be no disgrace
to us. But to lie supinely on our
backs until the enemy have bound
US hand and foot is something that
the Republican party in Marion
County ought to be tired OF by this
Time. Let us get up and go to work.


CONGRESSIONAL. !,
Year: 1871

Porcupine and Stilline forever free, and


open to citizens or subjects of both coun-


tries by providing for the equal use of the


Welland, St. Lawrence, and other canals


in the Dominion, on one hand, and of


Lake Michigan and the St. Clair Flats


and Canal on the other; by providing for


the free transit of merchandise to and fro.


as well in the British Possessions as in the


United States, and abolishing the pro


visional export duty on American lumber


in the river st. John.


All these provisions concerning the fish
cries and commercial transit are, of course,
made contingent upon their being ap-
proved by the Congress of the United


States, the British Parliament, the Parlia-
ment of Canada, and the Legislature of
Prince Edwards Island. BY these va
navigation and transit accorded to the


United States by the treaty of 1854 are
once more obtained, and in better form
and without the burdensome conditions
of that treaty in the matter of reciprocal
Of the pending subjects of
controversy between the governments,
there remains to be considered the ques-
tion of the northwestern boundary line. 1t
Is W OC ICu1CuUCICO llAC AAAC
of the treaty of 1916 runs by the middle
channel, which separates the continent
from Vancouver's Island; but several such
channels exist Great Britain contends
that the channel of that treaty is the
Rosario Straits, and the United States that
it is the Canal De Haro, the two channels
being separated by the island of San Juan.
This question having once been reported
on by a mixed commission, that for the
survey of the line, the United States are
not to refer it. to another such commits
sion; nor has it been deemed convenient,
even though such tribunal be appointed
by friendly sovereign power instead of
this. 1t has been agreed by the present
treaty to submit the question directly to
neutral power, and the Emperor of Ger
many has been selected for that purpose.
The Government of the United States has
in its hands much documentary evidence
in support of its pretentions not hereto
fore made use of, and on that as well as on
other grounds is confident of the better
reason on its side for the cession to the
United States of the possession of the
Island of San Juan.


Such are the outlines of the provisions
Of the present treaty, and such are some of
The considerations which have commend
ed it to the appreciation of the President.
Year: 1871

These checks, it is said, are placed in the
wheel, and we are told "the drawings take
place daily in the large rotunda in the
rear of our office, at three O'Clock p. m, in
the presence of the purchasers of checks.
The laws of New York prohibiting lotter-
les are Iigidly enforced, and if any such
drawing took place everybody concerned
in it would be Immediately prose-
cuted criminally. But this fact is not gen.
orally known, and James I. Barton & Co.
are fiourishing by reason of large sales of
these worthless bits of paper at forty cents
each.


There are scores of such schemes as this,
differing only in the names attached, but
they are unworthy of further description
Out of the more legitimate lotteries has
come another swindle, illustrated by such
fellows as B. G. Travers, IS Nassau street,
who declare in circulars that Fortune
knocks once at every mans door," and
proceed at once to do the knocking on be-
half of Fortune in this most boisterous
fashion: "Having long been connected
with the Royal Havana Lottery, which
draws every Saturday, and knowing that
the true way to increase business is to
have nice prize of $1,000 or $4,000 in
the hands of some good person who will
make it known, have decided to offer
you the chance, and if you will send me
81, the price of the ticket, so that 1 can ac-
count for it as being really sold, 1 will
send you one that will draw handsome
prize in the next drawing after hearing
from you. After its receipt shall expect
you to show the money to all your friends,
telling them where you bought the ticket,
and by that means build up large bust
ness in that section. Answer SOON"


Very many do answer soon, and the
knaves, who of course buy no tickets in
the Havana Lottery or any other, live very
costly on the dollars that flow to them for
that purpose.


l have enumerated only few of the
almost innumerable smaller swindles so
common in New York, every one of which
is operated through the mails or express
companies, but have told enough to JUS
tify this general statement; a circular
promising an inordinately large return on
an investment is pTinG tdcie fraud. That
the primeval law, ain the sweat of thy
face shalt thou eat bread" cannot be evad-
ed by New York sharpers, is truth that
cannot be too soon or too thoroughly
learned by the world. Instead of seeking
these sudden riches, let the rural coveters
of fortune remember that the product of
nothing is always nothing, and profits of
roguery will be vastly lessened. When
ever one of these short cuts to fortune is
opened to them by circular letter from
New York, let them be not like ruined
Wolsey, and remember too late that


corruption wins not more than honesty"


The GALAXY.
Year: 1871

A GREEN hand in the milk business, who
brought out dealer in Springfield, Mass,
found he did not have milk enough to go
round to all the old circle of customers,
and applied to the seller for relief, who
gave him the following recipe for making
milk, ;" and assuring him that with this he
would be " all right" "Tske three table
spoonfuls of molasses, one and a half tea
spoonfuls of saleratus, and three quarts of
milk TO twenty-five quarts of water; add
three pints of this mixture to each twelve
quart can of milk"
Year: 1871

BIZ PHeBE CARY.
A LITTLE downy chicken one day


Asked leave TO go on the water;
Where she saw d duck with her brood at play
Swimming and splashiDg about her.
Indeed, she began to peep and cry,
When her mother wouldn't let her,
II the ducks can swim there, why cantIi
Are they any bigger or better!n
Then the old hen answered: Listen to me,
And hush your foolish talking,
just look at your feet, and you will see
They were only made for walking"
But chicky wishfully eyed the brook,
And didn't half believe her,
For she seemed 70 say, by knowing look,
"Such stories couldn't deceive her."
And as her mother was scratching the ground,
She muttered, lower and lower,
" know can go there and not be drowned,
And so think I'll show her,"
Then she made plunge, where the stream was


deep,


And saw too late her blunder;
For she hadn't hardly time to peep
Till her foolish head went under.
And now hope her fate viii show
The child my story reading,
That those who are older sometimes know,
What you will do well in needing.
That each content in his place should dwell,
And envy not his brother;
And any part that Is acted well
Is just as good as another.
For we all have our proper sphere below,
And this is truth worth knowing.
You will come to grief if you try to go
Where you never were made for goingi
Year: 1871

The press and public have passed judg-
ment upon the Blondes, and that our citi-
zens may be prepared TO receive the Weber
Troupe as they deserve, we witnessed their
performance a. Davenport last evening.
The Opera House was filed with the best
people of Davenport. The members Of the
Supreme Court now in session 10 the city.
and nearly all Of the legal fraternity Of the
city were present, ,sud in spite of the dignity
OF their position, their faces were no longer
than hundreds Of others in the house. The
performance throughout was such IS TO
command favorable criticism from all.
There was none of that broad burlesque 80
Objectionable 10 people of refined taste, bat
every set was such as none need hesitate TO
see and hear. Miss Weber, the star per-
former, is fair English girl Of sbout %
perfect in form, graceful in person, pjquante
in style OF acting, and sweet singer and is
blonde most certainly, not artificial by
eny means known TO the dressing room.
She is not what may be called beautiful, but
with her regular features and countenance
Illuminated BY saucy smile, and bewi.ch-
ing eyes, may be called exceedingly fascin-
sting. Her open, free and ingenious style
of performance is well calculated to make
her a favorite.


Then there is ketchum, a trump, and
probably the most erpreSsire man of talent
and native wit on the American stage.
There is another Crosbie By name, whose
way are not Ketchum's ways any more than
Miss Weber is like the petite, but interest
ing Cassie. This troupe open here on Mon
day, and from ell that we have seen we can
say there was nothing in the programme to
mar the strietess decorum in the field Of
burlesque.
Year: 1871

REMovAL.-The extensive dry goods
stock of Levi Wolf has been removed to the
store formerly occupied by the Guettels, two
doors west of the Rock Island House. Mr.
Wolf has been to considerable expense in
rearranging and reftting his new store, in
order to have q place of business that would
suit all tastes, and has put in new SET
of shelves and drawers, which he has filed
with just such goods as the popular taste
demands. Everything in the line of dry
goods and notions can be found at his store
Don't take our WORD for it, but call and see
for yourself
Year: 1871

That bet menti ioued the other day seems
to be a little mixed. One party brings an
affidavit to prove the saying Of the candid
ate, and the other party brings the affidavit
of the candidate that he did not max, use
of the expression named. If this be the
case there is no sneaking Oh the part of the
one refusing to give up the money. We
suggest the money be drawn as the best
way of settlement, instead Of this kind of
perjury on the part of one or the other.
Year: 1871

LET the German merchants consider the
request made at the public meeting of their
countrymen that they close their places OF
business after P. NJ. and grant 1t if con
sistent with their business and views
Year: 1871

shippers. Yes there in the corner, with a
tear stained face, was his own loved wife.
How grandly came the storm psalm from
the sea Lord, have mercy on us :"
rang from the choir.


He had heard that sudden Joy may
kill. He stood behind buttress and
plucked neighbor's sleeve-a cross old
man-"Leave me alone ?" he snarled =
He touched another; she knew him
with little stare, and went in and pre-
pared the wife and mother. He could
see the sudden CLEAN the hurried upward
glance. In moment they were in each
others arms.


In another half hour all three were
kneeliug in the good pastors study in
devout tlankfulness; and that day was
kept by the whole family as a thanks
giving day in the little church over the
sea, on the Breton coast.


The milk can is their drawing room 5
pride. .-.. i.
Year: 1871

! A strange story, quite as horrible in
its dramatic details as any Mrs. Anna
Radcfif ever devised from the coinage of
her Imagination, comes to us from the re-
gion Of Fort Sally. In that neighborhood
lived a somewhat noted Indian, Yellow
Hawk by name, who had abandoned his
nomadic life and had taken to farming
By industry and economy he had become
possessed of horse and cart. and it was
his custom to go to the different posts
within accessible distance and dispose of
the products of his farm. On these ex-
petitions he always carried with him a
canvas tent, which he would pitch on the
approach of storm.


About three weeks ago Yellow Hawk
went upon his last journey. He was ac-
companied by his wife and dog. While
he was in the neighborhood of Fort Sully
terrible storm, attended with thunder
and lightning, passed over the vicinity
On the day following a party of men
happened to come across a little canvas
tent pitched upon the river bank. 1t
bore a neglected appearance, and one of
the party stepped up to it and looked in
What he saw there paralyzed him with
terror. for he gazed upon sight the like
of which he shall probably never look
upon again At the end of the tent were
Yellow Hawk, his wife, and the dog
grouped together. Yellow Hawk sat up.
right, with his hand firmly grasping the
neck of the dog, who was sitting on his
launches; on the other side of the dog
reclined Yellow Hawks wife, leaning on
her elbow. All three were stark, rigid,
and of all three the eyes were wide open,
staring with look of fear. The shock
of this dreadful sight rendered the OBJ
server incapable of motion, and it was
only when his friends came to him that
his sense of movement returned to him
The three we're dead but wherefore !?
1t is said that the lightning killed them,
but neither on the tent nor about the
bodies was the slightest evidence of the
electric destroyer.
Year: 1871

CoURTIN6 IN CHURCH.-A young gen
tleman happening to sit at church in a
pew adjoining one in which was young
lady for whom he conceived sudden
and violent passion, he felt desirous of
entering into courtship on the spot, but
the place not suiting formal declaration,
the exigency suggested the following
plan He politely handed his neighbor a
Bible, open, with a pin stuck in the fol-
lowing verse: Second Epistle of John
verse 7th-"And now | beseech thee
lady, not as though | wrote new COM
mandment unto you, but which he had
from the beginning, that we love one an
other" She returned it with the follow
ing: Second chapter of Ruth, tenth
verse-"Then she fell on her face, and
bowed herself to the ground, and said
unto him. why have grace in thine eyes
that thou shouldst take notice of me
seeing that | am s,rangeri' He turn
ed the book pointing to the twelfth verse
of the Third Epistle of John-''Having
many things to write with paper and ink,
but l trust to come unto you, and speak
face to face" From the above inter
view the marriage took place the follow
ing week. f-...
Year: 1871

How TO BE NOBODY 1t is easy to


be nobody and we will tell you how to
do it. Go to the drinking saloon to spend


your leisure time. You need not drink
much now just a little beer or some
other drink In the meantime play dom
inoes, checkers, or something to kill the


time, so that you will be sure not to read
any useful book. If you do read. let it
be the dime novels of the day. Thus go
on. keeping your stomach full and head
empty, and yourself playing time-killing
games, and in few years you'll be no.
body, unless. as is quite likely, you
should turn out drunkard or profess
sional gambler. either of which is worse
than nobody. ...I.