smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The returns from Onlo anu iHuh'ht h"''
come in so slowly and are so meager in re-
suits that at the hour of this writing we are
not only witaOut any absolutely decisive
figures i'm either state, but are without suflclent
data upon which to base any positive statement.
We can only give the probabilities III the
most general terms. The losses and gains on
either side follow no general rule, but vary
flom one side to the other i'll different local.
ties in such manner as to furnish no
satisfactory basis for calculations upon
the general result. The one feature OF the
news in which all good citizens OF both par
ties NAV find cause for cOngratulatlon Is the
absence. so far as we hear, Of any riOtous or
violent demonstration, or any serious DIS
turbance of the peace In view OF the
opprehensions that were felt on this
score, and the excited state of public feeling
the fact that the elections passed off quietly
j. something to rejoice over. The gentlemen
of both parties who took the necessary steps
to preserve the peace deserve much credit for
their sensible and judicious conduct III the
matter.


From the meager returns received, II Is
manifest that the paTtisans on either side VINO
predicted sweeping victory for themselves so
confidently were oyer-sanguine. Only they
who shook their heads grayely and said
both States were close end the result doubt
full have been as yet sustained in their
forocasting of the event. Our dispatches
ND to this hour leave the result in both States
in doubt rs to the general tickets, so much Ill
doubt that so far as State officers are CON
cerned, neither party can, with any safety,
claim a victory. Enough is known, however,
TO furnish evidence satisfactory and conclusive
that there is no such general desire for
change az has been claimed by the Democrats,
and that their reliance upon that is mistake.
1t seems certain that the Republicans have made
considerable gains in Congressman, and that the
tidal wave upon which the Democratic majority
in the present Congress was carried III has
been not only arrested but turned back to
some purpose. The contest has been fierce
and bitter, and the result seems from the
present outlook to be so near drawn
battle that the effect will only be
to spur both sides to greater effort
for the November struggle. Should later
returns be more favorable to the Republicans,
showing that they have carried both States by
even the most trilng majority, we believe 1t
will be decisive of the result Ill the
November election, for the Demo
Gratis have obviously risked all on a
desperate attempt to save one of them,
and the loss will thoroughly discourage
them. On the other hand, if they have car
ried one or even both States by small majorl-
ties-and it seems certain the majontleS
either way must he small-we believe the
Republicans, although necessarily disheartencd,
will rally with increased energy and dctcImi-
nation for the final encounter. 1t will hardly
be possible to get decisive returns from hoth
States before this afternoon, and possibly "A
day or two may elapSe before the question
will be finally settled.
Year: 1876

The New York pool room proprietors
announce that they will pay no bets
until the result is absolutely known,
probably not until the 4th of March.
Meantime something like four millions
Of money will be locked up.
Year: 1876

THE political situation in Alabama is a
peculiar one. There seems to be little doubt
that the Democrats will carry the state at the
state election in August, but the feeling is
that the electoral vote in November will be
cast for the Republican presidential nominee.
One of the leading planters thus expresses
himself 70 correspondent: 1--WE are all
anxious to secure control of the state govern
ment, because we do not think the negroes
are capable Of ruling. Regarding the presi-
dency, however, many of us are Indifferent.
This is particularly the case with our old
Wings, not few of whom would rather vote
for an honest and independent Republican
like Brstow than fora Democrat of the Ben
Hill school. My own opinion is that it would
be better for the material prospects and for
the general welfare of Alabama if the Re-
publicans were to elect their President, pro-
vided, always, that the property-owners, who
are all with the Democrats, can carry the
state. The one influence would counteract
the other and beth parties would be on their
good behavior"
Year: 1876

GEN. PLEAsANToN, since his retirement
from political life, has devoted his attention
to the influence OF violet light upon animal
and vegetable life. He put violet panes into
his grapery, and the cuttings grew torty-ive
feet in five months. He tried the experiment
on calf, and though the statement is not
directly made we are led to infer that the
next day fine OK was believing round in
the place. where that calf had been. 1t would
be well, in view of these astonishing results,
for farmers to turn their attention to the
matter. They might light their pig-pens
with violet glass and so raise porkers of as
founding size. At present, if one may Judge
by the big stories sent to the papers every fall'
they look at those interesting creatures
through magnifying glasses.
Year: 1876

SPRING FLOWERS The first wild flower of
the spring is like land after sea. The two which
throughout the northern Atlantic States di-
vide this interest are the Epigea repens May
flower or trailing arbutus) and the Hepaticd
trtbOld 0:verwort or blue anemone) The last
has an inexpressibly fresh and earthly scent. that
seems to bring all the promise of the blessed
season with it. Its healthy sweetness belongs
to the opening year, like Chaucer's poetry,
and one thinks that anything more potent
and voluptuous would be less enchanting,
until one turns TO the Mayiower Then comes
a richer fascination for the senses. To pick
the Mayfower is like following in the foot
steps of some spendthrit army, which has
scattered tho contents of its treasure chest
among beds of scented moss. The fiogers sink
into the soft moist verdure and make at each
instant some superb discovery unawares; again
and again straying carelessly, they clutch some
new treasure; and indeed, all is linked together
in bright necklaces by secret threads beneath
the surface, and where you grasp at one, you
hold many. The hands go wandering over the
the moss as over the keys of piano and bring
forth odors for melodies-T W. Higginson.
Year: 1876

THE Democratic House has recently
passed three bills of considerable importance
without once having them read. The pro
ceeding is not only contrary to the rules Of
the House but is conducive to hasty and bad
legislation. 1t is one of the evils against
which Democratic papers were fiercely de.
claiming a year ago.
Year: 1876

A REDUCTION of nearly three millions of
dollars in the public debt is a very good
showing for the month of April. Since
June Both, 1875, the reduction has been over
twenty millions, and will reach twenty-five
millions by the end of the fiscal year.
Year: 1876

EVERY regular attache Of the PRESS is furnished
with Card certificate countersigned by Stanley T.
Pullen, Editor. All railway, steamboat and hotel
managers will confer favor upon us by demanding
credentials of every person claiming to represent our
journal
Year: 1876

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty Ct good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1876

81 love you mother" said little John,
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went


on,


And he was off to the garden swing,
And left her the wafer and the wood to


bring.
~ love you MOTHER said rosy Nell,
81 love you better than tongue can tell"
Then she teased and pouted full half the


day,
Till her mother rcjoced when she Went


to play.
81 love you, mother" said little Fan,
"To-day I'll help you all L can;
How glad L am school doesn't keep"
So she rocked the babe till it fell asleep.
Then, stepping softly, she fetched the


broom,
And swept the floor and tidied the ro IN
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and happy as child could be.
81 love you mother" again they said
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?
Year: 1876

The San Francisco Bulletin of October
26 says: GAS the Weaverville stage was
coming down the mountain about thirteen
miles north of Shasta yesterday afternoon
a highwayman suddenly jumped from be-
hind bush, covering Wells, Fargo & Co.'S
messenger, John McNemer, with shot
gun before he could make any resistance,
and demanded the treasure box, which he
was forced to hand over. The robber
started for the brush with his booty and
ordered the driver to drive on. AS soon
as they were out of sight of the robber
McNemer jumped from the stage, ran
back, got on the robbers track, followed
him short distance, where he found him
taking the treasure from the box, which
he had already broken open with a pick.
McNemer fired at him, knocking him
over. The robber jumped up and ran
short distance, when McNemer gave him
the contents Of the other barrel, killing
him instantly. He then recovered all the
treasure and brought it safely here"
Year: 1876

Yesterday the provision trade decided not to abolish
OF the calls, the proprety oil which had been dis
cussed for time. Tho committee the elevation
grain had another meeting but yet have COM
plcted their report; but this may be expected At
early day.
Year: 1876

What would be thought of farmer,
or manufacturer, who should employ a
gang of laborers, set them to work, ap
point over them no foreman, and sell
dom, if ever, go near them himself to
see thar his work had been faithfully
performedl Yet this is just what is being
done in our uugraded schools. How
many teachers in these schools are ever
oheered by the presence of parent or
directorl In our town schools IL comDe-
tent and skillful Superintendent is EN-
every school, and see that the methods
OF instruction are of that character
that shall advance the pupils therein.
We are glad TO learn that School
Commissioner Smart has matured an
amendment to our present school law,
which provides for the supervision
of our country schools, with little, if
any. additional expense. Such an
amendment will meet the hearty con-
Cai it--tN VI tNCs- VI Jul
schools. Teachers iu the counties will
then be directly responsible for the work
they perform. They will be visited in
their school roons by an experienced
and capable educator, who will advise
with and assist them in the performance
Of their duties. Nothing that could be
done would add more to the efficiency
az our present school system.
Year: 1876

ANY woman in Minnesota who is twen-
ty one years old is eligible to any school
Office and can vote for school-officers o
on any measure relating to public edu-
cation. These privileges have been con-
ferred by the adoption of constitution
al amendment at the late election.
Year: 1876

THE secret mysteries If a divine life
Of a new nature-Of Christ formed in
our hearts, they cannot be written or
spoken. A painter that wodId draw
rose, though lie may furnish some like
Less of it in figure or color, yet he can
never paint the scent aud fragrancy, or
if he would draw flame, he canhot put
a constant heat into his coiorS; lie cac-
not make his pencil drop a sound. Neith-
er are We able to enclose in words and
letters the life, soul, and essence of any
spiritual truths, and, as it were. TO IT,
corporate it in them -CudCGTth.
Year: 1876

How often do We try, and perseyere in
trying to make good show of outer good
qualities, without anything within to
correspond, just as children will plant
blossoms without any roots in the
ground, to make pretty show for the
hour We find fault in our lives and we
cut off the weed, but We dc not root it
up; we find something wanting in our
selves and We supply it, not by sowing
the divine seed of heavenly principles,
but by copying the deed that the prinei-
pie ought TO produce.
Year: 1876

NAPoLEoN'S HAPPIEsT DAY.-When
Napoleon was in the height of his pros
perity, and surrounded by q brilliant
company of the marshals and courtiers
OF the empire, he was asked what day
he considered to have been the happiest
of his life. When all expected that be
would name the occasion of some glori-
Gus victory, or some great political
triumph, or some august celebration, or
other signal recognition OF his genius
and power, he answered without a mo-
ment's hesitation, The happiest day OF
my life was the day of my first com
munion." At reply SO unforeseen
there was a general silence; when lie
added, as if to himself. ''I was th-u an
innocent child"
Year: 1876

TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY i claim for


Christianity more than sufficient evi-


dence to prove its truth and divine or


lgin. Its light increases at every step of


honest inquiry. Proof after proof adds
its radiance, till tine mind is filed with
the light of truth, just as, at the close of
a summers evening twilight, star after
star flashes out from its hiding in the
sky, until the whole broad arch of
heaven is lighted up in one blaze of
glory. 1t just here that modern doubt
makes one of its damaging mistakes.
Some one argument of Christianity is
criticized by an able mind, and at once
it is assumed that, this argument being
broken, the whole structure must fall.
Skepticism forgets that there was IA hun
dred others which hold, whatever be the
fate of this, and that all united make
the strength of the Christian argument.
1t forgets that the slender thread which
the silkworm spins, though you might
break it with your little finger, yet may
be twisted into cable strong enough to
bear the strain of locomotive or to
hold at anchor all the shipping in New
York harbor. Just so with the evidences
of Christianity. You do not fairly test
their strength till you see them in their
united force. Yet there are many sepa-
rate, infallible proofs, each one of which,
standing alone, is sufficient to satisfy
any doubling Thomas if he is honest and
fair-minded.-Reo. S. A. W. Je,oett, cf
Chicago.
Year: 1876

A WIFR's PowER-A good wife is to
man, wisdom, strength and courage;
a bad one is confusion, weakness and
despair. No condition is hopeless to a
man where the wife possesses firmness,
decision and economy There is no
outward propriety which can counteract
incidence, extravaganza and folly at
home. No spirit can long endure bad
influence. Man is strong; but his heart
is not adamant. He needs a tranquil
mind; and especially if he is an intelli
gent man, with a whole head, lie needs
its moral force in the conflict of life.
To recover this composure, home must
be place of peace and comfort There
his soul renews its strength, and goes
forth with renewed vigor TO encounter
the labor and troubles OF life. But if ut
home he finds no rest, and there is met
with bad temper, jealousy and gloom, or
assailed with complaints or censure, hope
vanishes, and he sinks into despair.
Year: 1876

A correspondent Of the Journal of Horti-
culture gives the following directions for kill
ing the red spider either in greenhouse or
hot-beds


One of the best means of eradicating this
pest and one which have successfully prac-
tlced for many years, is by creating fumes Of
sulphur with the aid of heated furnace SHOW
els. If the operation is performed with due
care every spider will be killed. and not a
leaf of either vines or cucumbers will be in.
jured. If, however, the work is loosely or
carelessly done injury will inevitably be COM
mitted. But Of this there is no real danger,
for safety valve is always present, which if
regarded will lead to satisfactory results.
My mode is as follows


On the evening of a still day, and after
the house containing the spider had been
closed, l secure the aid OF two assistants.
One heats a shovel at the FIRE, and runs with
it to the door of the winery. Here is placed
a careful man with pot of sulphur, which
he sprinkles very slightly on the shovel, and
the sulphur at first burns with flame. This
is the danger signal. In a few moments,
uOWeNeEi tue SuON6l COOlb auu tn0 sulphur
shoulders, showing no incandescence what
ever-that is the salty valve. At that stage
he hands it to me inside the house, and
sprinkle it freely, and continue to do as long
as fumes are emitted. In tho meantime
other shOvels are being prepared outside. In
a quarter of an hour have light blue at
mOsphere, and as soon as my eyes commenc,
smarting l leave the house.


In the morning | have invariably found
every red spider dead, and every leaf aliv,
and uninjured. The slightest incandescencC
of the lphur inside the house will cause in.
jury to the foliage but have never found
the slightest harm to result if the precautions
named bave been duly carried out. 1t is q
matter on which none need err, for it is easl
to perceive when the sulphur does not show
a flame outside, and as easy to know wheI
ones eyes smart inside the house. l hav
practiced the plan for more than twentl
years, and always with the same result o
killing the spider and not iujuring the foliage
of vines, cucumbers, or melons.
Year: 1876

An American farmer Of note, after visit
ing England and examining, with the critical
eye Of practical and experienced agricul-
list the system pursued there says


81 am thoroughly confirmed in my old
faith that the only good farmer Of our future
is to be the high farmer There is a widely
prevailing antipathy among the common
farmers Of our country against not only the
practice of high farming, but against the use
Of the phrase by agricultural writer's. This
is all wrong and should be at once corrected.
Through some misconception Of the meaning
of the phrase, and of its application, they
have come to believe it synonymous with
theoretical book farming, new.fangled no.
tions, boasted progress followed by disap-
pOintment and final failure. This is all an
error. High farming simply means thor.
rough cultivation, liberal manuriug, beauti-
ful crops good feed, and paying profits there.
from. 1t is not strange that misconceptions
have arisen in the minds Of doubling farmers
who have been eye-witnessessto some of the
the spread eagle experiments of enthusiastic
farmers, better supplied with money in o
business they knew how to manage, than with
practical experience on the farm BOuntilu
crops and paying profits, Of course, are whal
all farmers who are depending on the farm
for an income, are striving to obtain anc
every year as it passes is recon6rming the
opinion that profits are small and will grow
beautifully less where high farming is mo-
praotieed.
Year: 1876

Among the few southern men who have
urged the raising Of stock in place Of cotton
growing, is Ex-Governor Aiken Of South
Carolina. He is earnest in the advice to
keep sheep and says the soil and climate are
we'll adapted to the Merino. The German
town Telegraph in discussing the subject,
says


1t is common belief that the improved
breeds of cattle will not thrive in warm eli
mates, and that this has been thought so in
disputable that it has stood very much in
the way Of improving stock.raising in the
South. The southern people are anxious to
buy, and northern breeders are anxious to
sell F.; but the business is at standstill be.
cause of this belief. A few years ago q
party Of agricultural editors aud correspou.
dents made visit to the Southern states, in
which party the Germantown Telegraph had
a representative, and, as we learned from
him, nothing seemed to give the party more
astonshment than that the southern people
seemed satisfied with such comparatively
poor stock and this was remarked by some
of the party in little speeches which now aud
then some semi.public occasion seemed to
to call for. But these suggestions were al
ways met with the objection that attempts had
frequently been made to introduce these i'm
proved breeds, but they were all failures,
the climate seeming to render them more
subject TO disease than native stock, and that
all or most all of them died very soon after
their introduction to the South.


This seems to have been founded on facts.
Valuable cattle have been taken South and
they have succumbed, while the ordinary
long horned animals Of that section do very
we'll


But recent experimenters, and notably
among them, Col. Withers Of Mississippi
fnd that il the cattle are taken there very
young, or if the parents can be kept there
long enough TO raise calves on the spot, the
young SO raised do remarkably we'll as we'll
indeed, as the old stock, native to the spot
All this seems reasonable. 1t is about
the same with human beings, The northern
man, full of restless activity, the product o
his conflict with the harsher northern ele
ments, finds the climate Of the Southern
states too much for him, aud in unfavorble
seasons suffers much more than the maj
bred and born there. The principle ism,
doubt the same with cattle-breeding. II
seems so plain indeed, that it is only won
der that it has not been recognized before
There is little doubt that, UNDERSTANDING,
pursued, the introduction Of improved cattl
can be made as successful South as North.
Year: 1876




There must be good deal of ofmisunderstand-
ing and some ignorance about the handling
of colts. have seen hundreds Of Welsh
colts brought into England which we're
foaled on the mountains, and never touched
in the way Of breaking, and they are hal
tered in the fairs by drovers, hauled out Of
the drove and pulled about by main force,
and there is no danger apprehended from
falling.


In England, the nag colts, sired by thor.
oughbred horses, which farmers breed to sell
as carriage or lighter horses, and also those
intended for saddle exclusively, are gener-
ally broken by men who make living at
the work, and these men, who are termed
"colt breakers" will all say they can get on
much better and bring a colt TO a good
mouth and to his PAGES much better when
he has never been handled by inexperienced
people.


Colts with good blood, that is, Of the "nag"
species, as it is termed in the Middling coun-
ties, are always broken to the saddle first,
for riding on horseback is universal there,
and nice moath is Of much Importance in
every horse as "good hands" are in every
rider. There was no intention of saying
the correct method was to let all colts run
till three or four years old, the most meant
was to show there was no necessity to halter
them where it was not always convenient TO
do so before they we're required for work.
Year: 1876

GROWING FLAX FOR EXPORT. Some state
ments about the growth of fax for export,
that are calculated to mslead, have recently
been widely published. 1t would be costly
mistake if farmers should be led to raise fax
with the expectation Of finding foreign
market for the fiber that should be profitable
at once, both because we cannot expect to
compete with those producers who are nearer
to the manufactures, and because it is Ger.
tain that to raise raw material here to send
abroad, and to buy manufactured linens
abroad for use here, is losing business.
By-and-by we shall manufacture all the fax
we can produce, but before that time comes
we must have the fiber, else manufacturers
will not be induced to build mills to spin and
weave it. Farmers may therefore grow fax
fiber for shipment to foreign countries if they
will but the returns will be small at first
This is inevitable. To commence the busi-
ness will lead to loss at first, but doubtless
the comparatively small loss for a few years
would be an ultimate gain, not only for far
mers, but for the artizans who would work
in the mills, and for all who would use the
linel goods, both fine and coarse, which would
be manufactured. As it has been with the
cotton business, so it is likely to be with the
fax and linen business. Ag'icul.
turiSt.