smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

EYERLAsTING FIRE.-In the ncighb bor-
hod Of Baku, on the Caspian sea, there is
ii phen omenon of a very extraordinary ma
ture called the everlasting fire, to which
p sect of Indians and Persians called
Guars pay religious worship. 1t is situa-
tedabout ten miles from the city of Haiku,
in the province Of Shiryan, on a dry, rocky
piece of ground.


On it there are several ancient temples,
built Of stone, and supposed to be all dedi-
Gated to fire, there being one among them
in which fre-worship is carried on.
Near the altar there is large hollow
cane from the end of which issues blue
flame. The @orshipers affirm that this
flame has continued ever since the del
uge, and they believe that if it were sup
pressed in that place it would break out
in another.


AT short distance from this temple
there is horizontal gap, two feet from
the ground, about six feet long and three
broad, out Of which comes a constant
flame Of the color Of that in the temple.
When there is a strong wind il rises to
the height Of eight feet, but it is much
lower in calmer weather.


The earth around, for more than two
miles, has this extraordinary property,
that by taking up two or three inches of
the surface and applying lighted lamp,
the part uncovered Immediately takes
fire, even before the fame touches it.
The flames make :he soil hot, but do not
consume it, nor affect what is near with
any degree Of heat.


1t is said that eight horses were once
consumed by this fire under roof where
the surface Of the ground had been turn
ed up and by some accident had ignited.
Ifa cane or tube Of paper be set about
two inches into the ground, closed with
earth below, and the top of it touched
with live coal, fame will Immediately
issue forth without consuming the tube,
provided the edges be covered with clay.
Three or four ignited tubes will boil wa
ter in pot, and are sometimes used to
cook victuals. The flames have a suph-
urous smell but are inoAensive.
Year: 1876

boy drove into the city, his wagon loaded down
With food to feed the people Of the British-gov
And the little black eyed rebel, SO cunning and SC


ely,
Was watching for his coming from the corner Of


her eye.
His face looked broad and honest, his hands were


brown and tough,
The clothes he wore upon him were homespun,
But one there was who watched him, who long


time fingered nigh,
And cast at him sweet glances from the corner OF


her eye.
He drove up to the market, he waited in the line
His apples and potatoes were fresh and fair and


fine;
But long and long he waited. and no one came to


buy,
Save the little black-eyed rebel watching from the


corner of her eye.
Who will buy my appless" he shouted, long and


loud;
And Who want. my potatoes''' he repeated to


the crowd;
But from all the people round him came no word


of areply.
Save the black-eyed rebel, answering from the


corner OF her eye,
For she knew that meath the lining of the coat he


wore that day
Who were fighting for the freedom that they


meant to gain or die;
And a tear like silver glistened in the corner of


her eye. r
But the treasures to get theme crept the


question through her mind,
Since keen enemies were watching for what prizes


they might find;
And she paused awhile and pondered. with pret


ty little sigh!
Then resolve crept through her features and a


shrewdness fired her eye.
So she resolutely walked up to the wagon old and


red:
May have dozen apples for n kiss:" she sweet


ly said;
And the brown face flushed to scarlet for the boy


was somewhat shy,
And he saw her laughing at him from the corner


of her eye,
"You may have them all, for nothing, and more,


il you want" quoth he;
Il will have them, my good fellow, but can pay


for them said she;
And she clambered on the wagon, mnding not


who all were by.
With laugh Of reckless romping in the corner OF


her eye.
Clnging round his brawny neck, she clnsped her


fingers white and small,
And then whispered: Quick the letters! thrust


them underneath my shawl!
Carry back again this package, and be sure that


you are spryl"
And she sweetly smiled upon him from the corner


Of her eye.
Loud the motley crowd were laughing at the


strange, ungirsh freak
And the boy was scared and painting, and SO dash


ed he could not speak;
And: Miss, have good apples" bolder lad


did cry;
But she answered mo, l thank you" from the


corner OF her eye.
With the news of loved ones absent to the dear


ones they would greet,
Searching them who numbered for them swift she


glided through the street.
There is nothing worth the doing that it does not


pay to try"
Thought the little black eyed rebel, with twinkle


in her eye.
Wal Carleton, in Hdrper's Magazine.
Year: 1876

Remember that appearances are
often deceitful. Many a pale, thin
young lady will cat more corned beef
than a blacksmith. Because you
find her playing the piano IN the par
lor, it is no sign that her mother is
not at the grocery running in debt
for a peck of potatoes.
Year: 1876




1t was Just ABOUT sunset, the street
had been sprinkled, and the residents
Of the neighborhood were grouped
on piazzas aud doorsteps, enjoying
themselves in chat and in watching
the motions of the children playing
on the sidewalk. Along the walk
came man who looked as though
he might be connected with the riv-
er; he had the general indescrlbable
air of a boatman, and, additionally,
it must be confessed he may have
been drinking. AS he approached
the children, they attracted his at
tention, and he stopped to look at
them. Then he began muttering to
himself, and unmindful of the peo-
pie on an adjacent doorstep, who
could hear his words distinctly
"There's pretty children. 1 haven't
any, now. l wonder if they'd be
scared if l should speak to them,"-
He went up to the children and
spoke to one Of them and took one
OF them, a little boy, by the hand
Noting by instinct the rather disrep-
utable appearance of the man, the
boy caught away his hand and ran,
the other children, in terror, imita-
ting his example. Disappointed and
hurt, the man turned away to go,
when a wee, whiteclad bit of baby
girl, not yet big enough to talk, turn.
cd about suddenly from the escaping
covey, and toddled laughingly back
toward the man, holding out her
hands. The disreputable fellow
caught her up in his arms, and then
she laid her chubby pink cheek
against his grimy, unshaven one, and
cuddled and cooed as only baby
knows how to cuddle and COO. The
baby's mother, watching all close by,
did not interfere. The man held the
child for moment, and then put her
down gently and hurried off with
tears in his eyes. There was moth
ing very striking about the incident,
but it did one rough fellow a great
deal of good, and didn't hurt the
baby.
Year: 1876

Reader, never break your promise!
And to this end never make a pro-
mise that you are not sure you can
fulfill. You may think it a trifing
thing to make an appointment with
friend, or agree to do certain
thing, and then fail to "come to
time;" but it is assursdly not a small
affair. If you get into the habit of
neglecting to make good your pro-
misses, how long, do you think, would
your friends and acquaintances re-
tain confidence in you? The nearest
and dearest of them will in time
learn to doubt you, and will put but
little faith in your words.


There is a way of halt meeting
ones obligations, which might be
called d"bending" promise, which is
also very bad practice, and should
be carefully avoided. For instance,
you agree to meet person at cer-
tain time, but, instead of being pune
tual, you "put in an appearance :"
several minutes, perhaps an hour af-
ter time; or you promise to do some
thing for friend, and only partially
perform the duty. You may not
have exactly broken your promise,
but you have certainly bent it, which
is almost if not quite AZ bad. Keep
your promises to tho letter, be
prompt and exact, and it will save
you much trouble and care through
life, and win for you the respect and
trust of your friends.
Year: 1876

managers anu supcTAuLeIueHlS OI IaIrS,
this article is meant for you; and we call
upon the hundreds of thousands that annu-
ally attend, to see that the reform is car
ried out. We believe in fairs-Town, Coun-
ty, State and National tairs, rightly conduct
ed emulation is the workman that builds
us as nation and improves our multiplied
industries; the spirit Of pride that is unwill-
ing to be excelled, is the spur that urges us
On to greater endeavor. These fairs are not
only good enterprise, but it is the duty of
every grower of grain, breeder of stock,
manufacturer of implements, and every one
engaged in any industry or enterprise, to
contribut to their success, by putting them
selves in competition with any and all others
who are rivals. Women and children, even
can add features to these occasions that
would be certain to mutually improve and
benefit.


The blight that is destroying the other
wise good effect that might result from fairs
Is the loose management of them. In every
competition merit should win; it matters
not if the real victor is unknown, having
won the prize he should receive it. Kissing
goes by favor is an old adage, and tonguy
exhibitor when he can see a judge outside
of the show, usually has won the day. 1t
matters not how simple or unimportant the
articles competing may be, if permitted to
enter they are entitled to test and impair
tial verdict.


Another viper that is destroying the fair
as an institution, is the clap-trap resorted to
by the management to call out the people,
foolishly imagining that unless side-shows
and outside attractions are offered the people
will not come. Under the guise OF patents,
peddlers, and prize plunder, the people are
preyed upon, and many son and daughter
have reason to remember the day Of the fair.


But over and above all, when one day or
part of day is set apart for gambling it IS
time for reform, or a mark Of displeasure by
remaining away-we refer to the trotting OF
running of horses for money, both in prizes
and, bets the former contributed by the le-
gitimate patrons and friends to be offered to
superior skill or enterprise, or industry, the
latter by the 'ssports - that are drawn to-
gether by a "horse-race; and the dupes
that they can hoodwink into offering a
stake. ~. ~ ..t5. 81


Its a good thing to improve the breed OF
horses and cattle, but not at the expense OF
the good breeding and morals of our boys
and girls, our husbands and fathers and for
the board of management to offer and adyer-
tise the racing as the great feature of the
fair, is slur ON enterprise and an insult to
the community where made. The object OF
the fair is not to make money tor any other
purpose than tho legitimate payment OF
prizes and as the s'purses " for the races
are usually the lions share of the entire
fund, if the money thus diverted be diverted
in the direction That good morals would di-
Year: 1876

At the meeting Of the Agricultural Con-
gress at Philadelphia, noticed in another
column. Prof. G. v. Riley, of Missouri, in
troduced the following resolutions, and they
were unanimously adopted:


WHEREAS, The people of some of the
Western and Northwestern States have
again been afflicted by the Rocky Mountain
locust scourge; and


WHEREAS, The devastations of this insect
form the most serious obstacle to the settle
ment and welfare Of much Of the country
between the Mississippi and the mountains,
and have now become national calamity
and


WHEREAS, There is yet much to learn of
the native breeding places of the pest, and
some hope that by more thorough knowledge
Of those native breeding places, and the,
causes of migration therefrom, we may be
able to prevent invasion into the more fer
tile country to which the species is not indi-
genous; therefore,


Resolued, That it is the emphatic opinion
OF this congress that some action should be
taken by the National Government that will
have for its object the palliation or extinc-
ton of this crying evil.


Resolved, That we consider that Congress
owes it to the people of the West to take
this matter into consideration, and we call
upon the next National Legislature to follow
the example of other nations under like cir
cnmstances and appoint special commits
sion for the thorough investigation of the
iect. @


Resolved, That the passage of some such
bill as that introduced during the last Con-
gress by Senator ingalls,, of Kansas, Is. 43s)
while contemplating the investigation of a
few other insects of national Importance,
lsuch as the cotton-worm of the South,
would have been of vast moment to the peo-
lple of the South and West, and would have
brought about the needed investigation into
the locust question.


Y os,,+
Year: 1876

than by any other way known to us, and in
the most economical manner, saving all the.
grain and cutting ten acres day with the
labor Of one man who does the driving and
from two to three horses. Its construction
is of the simplest kind, which renders it as
durable as the well-known McCormack's
machines have been heretofore, with less
draft on the horses, all things considered
than most other reaping and moving ma
chimes. They, therefore, recommend the
combined harvester and binder.
Year: 1876

THE NEwspAPER.-A newspaper is q
window through which men look out
on all that IL going on in the world ;
without q newspaper, man is shut In
small room, and knows little or nothing
OF what is happening outside Of himself.
In our day, the newspapers keep pace
with history and record il. A news
paper will keep sensible man In sym
pathy with the worlds current history.
It is an entOlding encyclopedia, an un.
bound book forever issuing and never
finished.
Year: 1876

We think there are other things still
in the way Of oounteraction against bar.
rooms and liquor.saloons, which it lies on
mothers and sisters to bring into use. A
beautiful, bright, cheerful homo atmos-
phere is great safeguard to a son or
brother. Believe us, dear women, even
though you are tired, though your heads
ache, though you feel of all things in the
world like slippers and easy chairs, it is
worth while to cast off your fatigue and
entertain the young men Of the household,
as you would entertain guests whom you
cared to honor. Have extra lights, and
let the parlor look glowing and inviting.
Play your new pieces, sing your new
songs, ask in the pretty little daug hter Of
your next door neighbor, or the merry
girls from over the way, and have good
times at home. Then, too We have often
thought that every woman who is a mo.
ther ought to have a mothers feeling for
other women's sons. They come to our
city in scores, BOYS from farm houses aud
from fishing villages, and what sort of
homes do they find Their salaries are
small, they want to save something to
send to the old folks, or to lay by for flu
ture use, and the price Of board is high.
They are obliged to seek the shelter Of
most unhomelike boarding places, from
which in the evening they are glad to
escape any where, so that the dulness
and monotony of their lives shall dnd
relief. Now. why can not cur homes be
made to open wider doors than they do to
Just this class2 We once knew lady
who, every Thanksgiving aud Christmas,
was accustomed to gather about her din
ner table all the young men and women
she could hear Of who had no home to 90
to on these festival days; and we thought
it lovely thing to do because SO full OF
the inspiration and essence Of Christian
kindness. How many times might =
motberly hand upon his shoulder, a wo.
manly hold upon his heart, save young
man from drifting into temptations that
be cares little for 10 themselves, but
which attract him because he is lonely
and depressed
Year: 1876

lose. Go for the doctor. Go yourself.
Tell him he must come dead or alive"


1 dragged that poor sick man from his
bed and brought him. He looked at the
child and said she was not dying. This
was joy unspeakable to me, but it made
my wife as mad as if he had offered a
personal affront. Then he said the child's
cough was only caused by some trifing
irritation or other in the throat At this
| thought my wife had mind to show
him the door. Now the doctor said he
would make the child cough harder and
dislodge the trouble. So he gave her
something that sent her into a spasm of
coughing, and presently up came little
wood splinter or SO.


This child has no membranous
Group" said he. "She has been chewing
bit Of pine shingle or something Of the
kind, and got some little slivers in her
throat. They won't do her any hurt"


NO." said |. II can we'll believe
that. Indeed, the turpentine that is in
them is very good for certain sorts OF
diseases that are peculiar to children.
My wife will tell you So"


But she did not. She turned away il
disdain, and left the room and since
that time there is one episode in our life
which we never refer to. Hence the
tide of ou- days flows by in deep and un
troubled serenity.
Year: 1876

A LRdEND OF THE VINE--In a very
ancient Florentine manuscript appears the
following curious legendary description of
drunkenness "When Adam 6rst plant
ed the vine, Satan came and watered it
first with the blood Of peacock, then
with that of a monkey, that Of lion, and
finally with that of q pig. This is why
the vines fruits bear ell the characters.
tics Of these four animals. When a man
takes his first glass of wine he is exalted,
and his vanity (the peacock) comes to
the surface at his second the fumes of
the liquor mount still higher, aud he is
so gay and at the same time SO silly that
he at once reminds people Of a monkey
then he quaffs still more deeply, loses his
temper, aAd is lion 10 his rage; lastly
he falls on the ground and wallows in tie
mire, like pig.
Year: 1876

A man who WAS hung for murder in
the state of New York, last year, in an
interview with his family the day before
his execution, made his wife promise to
abandon gay dress, go to church and live
o Christian life. From his boy he exact
ed a promise never to drink liquors, play
cards, swear or break the Sabbath day.
The man in addressing his boy, said
" II you will do as ask, you will never
be brought to where your poor papa now
is" From the little girl he exacted a
similar promise.
Year: 1876

Business on the Cleveland X Pitts
burgh railroad is not what it used
to be, when the freight cars ran full
Of ore from Cleveland to Pittsburgh,
S,eubenvillc, and Wheeling, and full OF
coal from the mines along the road
back again to Cleveland. 1t is said that
the company is still able to earn its quar-
terly dividend OF one and three.quarters
per cent, but nothing more worth speak
ing Of. This dividend is guaranteed by
the Pennsylvania Railroad, and has that
additional security for payment. Notwith'
standing this guaranty, however, the
stock is selling below 90, while the fourth
mortgage bonds OF the road, paying only
per cent interest, are selling at lO4
Investors prefer to pay a premium Of
per cent for per cent mortgage OF the
road, rather than risk the per cen'
stock at per cent under par. Recently
the stock advanced to 0s and fell back
again to 99i without apparent cause
other than speculative manipulatiOns
1t is said that foreigners are buying The
stock in the New York market, ant
that it is gradually growing scarce OF
this side Of the water. There is no doub
that it passing INTO the handsof invest
ors. Most people who deal in such Sc
curities have more than ordinary conf
dencG in the c. 4 P. stock. And while il
does not rate in price with its yoke.fcl
low, the Fort Wayne road, also a I per
tent stock, which sells at lOS, yet it is
considered safe security and quite likely
to maintain its dividends without aid
from the Pennsylvania road.
Year: 1876

CoNslDERlNo the depression in business
throughout the country and the competi-
ton going on with It's rival, the Western
Union Telegraph Company makes a
handsome showing in this mornings eH'
l.ti,
Year: 1876

VIZ Observe that the Wctzel county
Democracy are quite anxious to have the
Convention called at New Martinsyille
this year-their county seat. We fear
that Wetzel has rendered herself OBJ
noxious to the young lawyers here-(or
that at least a portion Of her Democracy
have)-by passing resolution in the
Magnolia district such as Col. O'Brien ot'
fered at the Court House hero and such a.
Boring, the machine President, crushed
out. Our young lawyers wantto hold thai
Convention somewhere where they car
set up job for the Hon. John Hanson
Good, whom they are all anxious to sec
nominated for Congress and either elected
or squelched, they don't care much which
anything to make room for themselves.


Wetzel county ought to insist on The
Convention coming there. She is the
banner Democratic county, and has from
time immemoriaI been the main reliance
of the party in this district. To ignore
her claims simply because her primitive
and unsophisticated yeomanry can alway'
be relied on, even when snubbed, to vote
the Democratic ticket, is, to say the least
ungenerOus treatment.
Year: 1876

THERE are said to be those who advocate
the reduction of the pay of the men employed
to drive the city teams. These men now
receive 50 per day. Is it too muchp ''But,"
urges the economist, 'plenty of men can be
hired for two-thirds that price and isn't it the
duty of the city council to hire men as cheap
as it can." So there are scores of men-yes,
hundreds-who would undertake to perform
the duties of the office of city treasurer, and
engineer, solicitor, clerk and other offices for
two-thirds the present salaries. Because this
can be done, would it be good policy, Mr..
Economist, to turn out the present officials
or cut down their salaries to the figure for
which others would offer to serve? We don't
think that So a day is too much for faithful
man competent to care for pair of valuable
horses. If however, the necessities of the
city are such that salaries must be reduced,
begin at the head of the list-with the highest
and take off given per cent from ALL And
in this connection, let us beg to suggest that
while the council is voting $500 to a military
company, it will look little strange to cut
down the pay of laboring man. We do not
object to the former, but if the city cannot
afford to pay teamster 50 day, can it afford
$500 for a military organization? 1t don't
strike one as entirely sensible to give one
man short allowance of bread and lavish
ice-cream an another.