smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Mr.. EDIToR:-If you will spare
me space in your most excellent
paper, 1 will give you a brief ac-
count of a recent visit to the good
neIghborhood of Bethany, which
may prove of interest to some of
your many readers. On Thursday
the 23rd ult. it was the good for
tune of trio of Pulaskians to visit
Bethany, a place renowned in


the annals of our county, no
less for the high intellectual and


moral improvement, than for 5he
pur- and elevated, social character
of its people. While there we
shared the hospitality of MIR. 7. G.
Jones and lady, who did all in their
power to render our sojourn pleas
ant and agreeable. Having arrived
at their house we were invited to
dine, after which our little party
proceeded to the classic shades of
the old Academy, where we were to
witness the closing exercises of that
institution. On entering the build


ing we were conducted into the
large hall, which was very artistic


ally and beautifully decorated with
evergreen; here we had the pleasure
of making the acquaintance of the
handsome and affable Principal,
SIR. Clark, who promptly at 6
O'Clock arose and announced that
the exercises would then commence.
Notwithstanding the inclemencr OF
the weather the house was pretty
well filed. The exercises consisted
of defamation by the boys, and
of music by the young ladies, the
latter of whom especially, acquitted
themselves well, evincing plainly
that careful training received only
at the hands of a kind and excel


lent teacher. Last but not least


came a debate upon the question


Resolved, That facts afford greater


enjoyment than fiction; this PROVED


highly interesting and instructive


each side was ably vindicated b.


a young man and young lady. AT


ter the debate the exercises close,


with music. Pupils having had d,
extra time for preparation, one an,
all acquitted themselves creditably
and in manner that reelected homo
upon their worthy teachers. Whet
the school exercises were over ther
was a general eommingling togetn
! er of friends who were destined. 70
: 4 short time at least, to separate


here it was ours to meet several c
Year: 1876

He was a man of family and a
bald-head. He reached home on
Christmas eve night at q late hour.
with thick tongue and a somewhat
muddled brain. His pockets were
full of Christmas presents for the
little ones. Among the things he
brought were both wax and Roman
candles. Filled with delightful an
ticipations of the joys of the little
ones on the morrow, he essayed to
give his wife, who was in bed. an
idea of how every thing would look
in the dim gray of an early daw n
by the light of the wax candles; so
he went to work to place ana light
the wax candles. But being liz
tie dim of sight and dreadful sober.
he arranged the Roman instead of
the wax candles, and then, with a
lighted torch, he invited his sleepy
wife to behold the illumination. He
waved the torch over about six Of
the Roman candles, and then sat
down in an easy chair, with a wink
to his half awakened wife to enjoy
the effect. In about three seconds
the Romans displayed their metal
sparkling a bit, then Sizing omi-
nously then popping confoundedly,
and then in a blaze of smoke and
fire, and sound scattered things
around lively, and died away with a
growl. When the smoke cleared
away the wife was found under the
bed clawing the carpet with fearful
energy-the husband vainly endeav-
oring to lose his identity in the slop
bucket, while the mother-in-law of
the interesting party made things
lively with a broom and other IN
struments of eloquence. When the
excitement subsidized it was exceed
ingly well for the man that he was
bald headed. No arrests.-Jaekson
San
Year: 1876

Here is the way one of our ex-
changes walls over delinquet sub
scription list: Last year we stop
ped one mans paper who owed six
dollars. He was serving the public,
and we met him while in the dis
charge of his duties. He averred
that as soon as he got through and
received his pay, he would make it
all right, he would indeed. He told
US the same story this Spring, and
we presume he is still assessing
Another came all the way, five miles,
to town to assure US that he was all
right, andathat we need not be afraid.
He would have some money soon,
and would pay-yes, he would
Some time later we "saw" his mon-
ey at a distance He was putting it
in a bank. 1t was the last and only
glimpse we had of it. He never
had a hatchet and ran around hack
ing cherry trees, or they would haze
died without anybody knowing who
killed them. Another would pay
us after sheep shearing. His sheep
are long woods, and it takes a long
while fer the wool to mature An
other would pay after wheat harvest,
but his wheat like the century plant,
is of slow growth and don't ripen
often. Another had poor health
but was improving. He would get
around soon and raise some money
and pay us. He has had a relapse,
for though he eats hearty and works
hard, lac don't get "round" worth a
cent. We would have some hopes
of getting even with such folks
some day, when an administrator is
appointed, if they had anything to
administer on.
Year: 1876

An exchange combats with con
slider able vigor the argument that
the city weeklies are cheaper and
better than the country papers, be-
cause they give more columns Of
reading for the money. Do the
city papers, it asks, ever give you
any home news? Do they ever say
anything in regard to your own
country Nothing. Do they con-
tain notices for your schools,
churhes, meetings, improvements,
and hundreds Of other local mat
ters Of interest, which your county
paper publish, without paYg Not
an item. Do they ever say a word
calculated to draw attention 10 your
county and its numerous thriving
towns and aid in their progress and
enterprise2 Not q word. And yet
there are men who take such con
tracted views OF this matter that
unless they are getting as many
square inches of reading matter in
their own paperas they do in a city
paper, they think they are not get
ting the worth OF .heir money. It
reminds as Of the person who took
thelargest pair of boots IN the box,
because they cost the same as =
pair much smaller, that Ct him.
Year: 1876

WAKEFULNEss-When persons
who do not otherwise appear to be
sick suffer from continued wakeful-
ness, this is a sure sign of mental
exhaustion. When any part Of tho
body is specially eXerted, the blood
flows in increased quantity to that
part. So when there is any stress
laid on the brain, the head becomes
surcharged with blood as is shown
by the flushing of the face. If
this condition is long continued, the
blood vessels lose the power Of con-
tracing. Then the brain remains
in an excited state, even when the
mind has no longer any desire to
work, and it cannot take its proper
rest in sleep. In order to enjoy re-
freshing sleep it is necessity that the
blood be not concentrated in the
head, but diffused equally through
all parts of the body. This is prob
ably the reason why the warm bath
just before going to bed is so con-
ducive to a good nights repose. It
is, however, the best way not to al
low the mind to get excited near tho
hour of rest, but To let it ran down
gradually. like clock in the even
ing. There have been sosase won
derful cases OF sleeplessness caused
by undue mental exertion. Boer-
have. the Dutch philosopher, tells
us that at one time he was so absorb
ed in a particular study that he did
not close his eyes in sleep for six
weeks. This seems incredible.
Year: 1876

instead of going, though we are
sure he INDUCED il nothing more
Intoxicating that day, than the so
ciety of some of the most charming
ladies, of which our, or any other
neighborhood can boast. Speaking
of our ladies, l must tell you that
the fame of their attractions has
gone abroad, and several young
gentlemen from Columbia, Waynes-
boro, Pulaski, and other places, are
prospecting in our midst, and viii
each find bozanza of female love
illness and enter claims, of which
will apprise you, as soon as we
shall have a chance to consult the
village Squire.


The irrepressible young Ameri-
cans of the village had their share
Of mischievous fun, and amongst
other things suspended a rope over
the road, which had the effect of
frightening away a young gentle
man from about Pulaski, who had
been seen lurking about the village
for several days, who was suspected
of having designs upon one of the
richest gems in our exquisite coIlec-
tion. The boys were only in fun
though


As voracious chronicler we must
tell you that we have a colored de
batting society in our midst, and on
Wednesday, the club, with its
snowy regalia, consisting of a red
belt and yellow sash, variously
striped to indicate the grade of
Office, took the train for Prospect
to attend a festival, and a debating
tilt upon Che very interesting ques-
tion, of (which is the most neces-
sary money or MOTHER" we need
not tell you that the festival was a
success, and that the question de
bated was after a very able and an
imated discussion, decided in favor
of money.


On Friday evening a large and
gay party assembled at DR.. Buffers
and the closing scene of our Christ
mas programme, was one of the
most beautiful and animated of the
merry round. All! there was a sound
of revelry that night, and to the in
spring strains of Will Rodes'
band, beautiful lasses and merry
lads, danced the delightful hours
away. Bewitching ladies in beauti-
ful and appropriate costumes, still
float airily before our charmed Wis
sion, and suggesting sweet possibil-
tiles, and giving to our recollechons
of this delightful party, the rosey
hues,, that colored so warmly our
spring time experiences. More than
one stricken swain whispered into
willing ears, the sweet old story,
and several pairs of rosy lips utter
ed softly the eagerly hoped for re
sponse that alone could assuage the
pleasing pain that filled true end
manly hearts. We have seldom
been more interested locker on in
so gay throng, or speculated with
more pleasing expectations, on the
number of white ribboned cards
that would fall to our share.


Our letter, Mr.. Editor, has grown
long, but we don't know a place
more worthy of a whole column in
your popular paper than Aspen Hill,
and so have no apology to offer,
except that we love to write about
our village. Wishing you a happy
and prosperous year, we are.


RUSTIC.
Year: 1876

Z LOOK x


The pencil marks you see around this
paragraph (thus) mean thai your sub
seription is out or unpaid, and tiIat you
are requested 60 pay up at once. We
would take great pleasure In extending
credit to our friends and patrons. but
cash alone win Yay our expenses. and
we are forced to adhere TO a strict cash
rule. We hope you viii comprehend
and appreciate the necessity Of such a
course, and renew your subscription
without delay. We solicit Jour favor.


- We enter no new names on our
books without the money in advance.
Year: 1876

INVESTIGATING THE CONDUCT OF
THE WAR.-The Confederates are
about to enter upon an investigation
into the conduct of the war, in the
hope Of demonstrating to an astound-
ed nation that the horses in the Army
Of the Potomac were not properly fed,
and that the uniforms of the boys in
blue were abandoned to the ravages
of the moth which corrupts. In
short, the vanquished Confederates
expect to show that the victorious
Union armies were badly managed as
regards horse fodder and clothing,
and that some of the quartermasters
were not as honest as they should
have been. Incidental to the investi-
CATION it will be necessary to show
that the quartermasters, horses and
moths were all Republicans, else why
investigated
Year: 1876

of Education that t'nine-tenths of the
people of the territory "speak for
eign tongue" that most Of them are
illiterate, and that there is very lit
tie comprehension as yet among
them of American institutions. And
this is the promising population to
which the United States Senate
would give an equal voice and vote
in its chamber with the people of
Massachusetts,. 1.-THE Springfield
Republican.
Year: 1876

Gen. Garibaldi has written a letter to Prime
Minister Depreris accepting the donation OF looooo
lire $2O OOO) offered him by tho nation and the King
acme time ago lie says the gift will enable him TO
eoiperate in the works Toy the improvement OF the
Tber and lie has decided to accept it because OF tho
fidelity to the Constitution displayed by the King in re-
Gently changing his ministers
Year: 1876

DENUNCIATIoN OF DELAWARE AND


WHITE MEN.
The great feature of Gen. Woodford's
speech before the Republicans of this city.
last night, was the terrible denuncation
which the eloquent speaker and accom-
plished orator hurled at the white people
of Delaware. There was not one word
OF praise uttered to our credit. So pre-
judiced did the fluent gentleman become
that the stream Of sarcasm was actually
captivating, although the old gentlemen
who sat upon the stand knew it was
so erroneous as to be almost entirely false.
If Gen. Woodfords speech were true, and
not uttered for political effect, for the
want Of ability or correct data on which
to make a solid political argument against
our people, We might treat it much as We
do the eloquent lecture sermons that stir
up the feelings on each recurring Sabbath.


Gen. Woodford's assertions were not
true, in fact Delaware does not deserve
the abuse heaped upon her. Her people
have made as much progress in the last
decade as any other people similarly situ-
ated. And it is only Just to say that the
progress in the lower section of the State
in morality, temperance, thrift and indus
try has quite outstrpped in some respects,
especially in avoidance of crime, our own
county. And this has been accomplished
almost entirely under Democratic lecisla-
tion, in hard times and under greatly ad-
verse circumstances. When the Demo
cratic party came into power in Delaware
it found very different condition OF
affairs. Only yesterday a gentleman
WHOM We casually met and who was
boln and raised in Sussex county, who
had removed to Baltimore, told us thai
lie Lad been on a visit to the lower sec
ton nf the State, and he was utterly sur
prised to witness the change which twenty
years had made in the people. He saw
none Of the evidences Of intemperapct
that formerly existed, and their farms anf
residences were not wantin. in evidence,
Of thrift and enterprise.


In education they are not behind an,
people situated upon similar soil wber,
the population is no greater and as sparse
ly settled. The difficulties they encoun
ter are great in this particular, and rathe
greater than in localities further from til
ocean where there is a richer soil. Du
if General Woodford will compare til
exposed points of land in other States w


elieYe he will find that Delaware is i


advance in all he has accused her @
being deficient i'll, while the records {
her courts il Kent and Sussex prove tha
crime has been So diminished that he
prisons might almost be abolished. if
Were not unwise to do so.


II General Woodford referred IN tbi
county, his remarks upon education wer
unwmTanted. As We have as good. ifno
better public schools in Wilmington an
New Castle county Us there are . b
Year: 1876

Yes, this Is leap year, but You
won't see young ladies who have any
Tcspest for themselves standing on
the street corners, watching the boys
bold up their pants as they wade
over the crossing
Year: 1876

WoRTH RENENBERISG.-Do not
laugh at that drunken man rceling
through the streets. However ludi


cious the sight may be, Just pause
aud think lie is going home To
some tender heart that will throb
with intense agony; some doting
mother perhaps who will grieye over
the downfall other once slnless child,
or il may be fond wife whose heart
almost burst with greet, as she views
the destruction of her idol or il may
be loving sister, who will shed bii


ter tears over the degradation OF her
brother, shorn Of his manlinoSs and
sclfrcspect. Rather drop tear In
silent sympathy with those hearts
50 keenly sensible and tender. yet
40 proud and loyal that they cannot
accept sympathy rendered either by
word, look, or act, although il night
fall upon their crushed and wounded
hearts as rofreshnngly as the sum
mer dew upon DE whitening plant.
Year: 1876

A LAD, narrating tlght in which he
hal been engaged. said "l'll tell You
how il was. You see. Bill and me went
down TO the wharf to iish and felt in
my pocket AMI found my knife, and it
was gone AMI said. Bill. you stole my
knife ani he said was another and
I said. 70 there yourself and he said Il
was no such thing and said he was n
liar. and could whip him IL ! was bigger'n
him anil he said he'd rock ms TO sleep,
moother and l said he was bigger
one: AMI he said l never had the
measles aud | said for him to fork over
that knife. or Id fix him for tombstone
at Cypress Hills; AMI he said my grand
mother was NO gentleman and | said he
dersn't take il up: but he did. you bet
you nover-wsll. you never did then l
got up again. and said he was too much
afraid TO do It again and he tried TO,
tut he didn't and l grabbed him and
throwed him down ON the TOP Of me like
several bricks and tell you IL beat
all-and so did he and my little dog
got behind Bill aud BIT him AMI Bill
Kicked at the dog. and the dos ran. and
I ran after the dog TO fetch him back.
and I didn't Catch him till ! got clear
home and I'll whip him more yet. Is
my eye very black p
Year: 1876

As some OF the competitors appear not to have re-
turned their firing cards to Mr.. Weston assistant Sec
having thar names 60 on the record, the score
above gwen s not quite complete


This was the twelfth match tor the Turf Field and
Farm gold challenge badge. Open to all members or
the National Rifle Association; distance, 200 yards
position standing weapon, any breecn- loading rife
the rules ten rounds with the privilege Of two
sighting shots Entrance fee, fifty cents The prize
be won three times before becoming property Of
Nha win
Year: 1876

A great deal of fun has been poked at the
class of men known as HanCy" farmers
persons with large fortunes who farm for
pleasure All their mistakes and shortcom-
ings are aeld up to ridlcule by the opposing
class who call themselves practical farmers.
We are glad to find the Chicago Times say
ing good word for the ma.igned amateurs,
as follows: "What we want to develop the
agriculture and horticulture of The country
10 their fullest extent is a large number Of
fancy farmers, men who work for pleasure
rather than private gain. These are the men
who will perform experiments and give the
world the benefit Of them These are the
men who will carry on Investigations for the
sake Of investigating. These are the men
who will bring in new grams, new fruits,
vegetables, and new varieties of animals.
These are the men who will devote their
time and money to the Improvement of old
varieties and the creation of new ones. The
country is sadly ia need Of more fancy far.
merSN
Year: 1876

A correspondent of the CHtir0tor says:
1t seems 10 be the common belief that there
is no limit TO the natural age of apple trees
But this is certainly a mistake. We all know
that the peach tree usually fails to be proilta.
bic at twelve to fifteen years of age, and Tie
cherry and plum average only twenty TO THU
ty years; the pear, in favorable clrcum-
stances, forty to fifty years-in rare cases a
much longer time; So also, the apple tree
has Its natural limit, and, although like
mans life, the duration of the period OF
health and vigor varies greatly, according to
constitution, nurture, climate, &c, It's ap-
proaching termination is clearly indicated
by signs Of debility and disease. On very
deep and favorable soils, and where the trees
are not damaged by severity Of climate apple
orchards are occasionally found bearing fair
crops of fruit at eighty TO one hundred years
Of age, but these are nearly as rare as for
their owners TO live so long. Very few lis
are of the best kind for an orchard, and
everywhere our climate is either too warm or
at times too cold for the best health OF TIE
trees. Injury by severe cold blackening all
the wood, | am convinced is q very common
cause Of the failure of orchards; but s,arva.
ton, in consequence OF exhaustion Of The
soil. is still more common, and this is a more
difficult matter 20 remedy than most people
suppose. especially when trees have attained
fulLbcarinC size
Year: 1876

MEETING OF DEPosIroRs LAST EVENING.


meeting of the depostors OF the Peoples Savings
Bank held meeting last evening, in Germania Hail.
Of Third and Eighteenth street. for the
purpose OF hearing tho report OF their counsel ex.
Judge WHITE There about fifty depositors pres
ing he had been Albany for the purpose OF see
ing the Attorney General with regard 10 obtaining
change OF venue for the from Albany county to
New York county. The Attorney General was absen.
in Buffalo trying the Lord case, but Judge White saw
his assistant Mr. Page who that he was satisfied
Mr.. Fairchld would readily accede to the request
Tho Bank Department was also conferred with,
and stated that no objection to the proposed
action would come from that quarter. on Judge
whites return he met Mr. French, the receiver
of the bank and he stated that he was
willing TO have the transferred 10 this county, and
added that be would give the depostors five days no.
hce Of any proposed motion his part tending TO the
sale OF any tho assets OF the bank This would afford
the depositors through their counsel opportunity
TO protect their interests TO the fullest extent


At the conclusion OF Judge Whites remarks the sec.
rotary Of the meeting stated that he together with
several other gentlemen. had made pretty thorough
examination the assets of the deunct bank and was
confident that the depositors would eventually got
sixty-fve per cent OF their deposits They could get
twenty-five per the LIST or March and another
twenty-five per cent thirty days later Mr. Warren
the expert accountant who is examining the accounts
tho bank had stated TO the secretary that there was
apparent deficiency OF 81 OOO but real deficiency
OF SIS, 00O.


AMER the appointing OF a committee Of eleven to re.
present the interest OF the doDostors and TO assist
counsel tho meeting adjourned
Year: 1876

Between FIVE and six O'Clock on the evening Of tho
4th inst Mrs Christina halusk, aged 6fy, native Of
Bohemia, while returning TO her home IN Morrisana
became confused and lost her way. She was seen by
Mr John Chrossel Of No ia Sheriff street. 10 leave
horse car sxtythird street. after which no trace OF
her could be found AS she known TO have had
over $500 in gold in her possession her husband sus-
pected violence and advertised for information OF her
Whereabouts. II transpres that the poor woman,
being unable 10 speak English, wandered about the
streets in a helpless coalition and finally taken TO
q station house by q policeman, where she remained
two nights and was then turned into the streets
again on the 18th she conveyed to the examine
.ion once Bellevue Hospital where Dr. Bricks city
physician ascertained that she the missing
woman. Her husband sent for and last night had
her removed 10 their residence The money which
was IN bag, has disappeared and the woman Is un-
able TO account for its loss, but thinks must have
been taken from her at the police station, whose
locality she cannot point out