smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

That is what Harry Day always
said when he was told of any of the
bad habits: 81 can't help it," which
really meant 81 don't wish to help
it," because we know well enough
that we can every one of us "help''
doing wrong if We try in the right
way.


Once Harry came upon an old
story in a worm soiled book which he
routed out of chest in the lumber
closet, and this story set him think
ing, as it may perhaps some other
young folks thinking why it is nee
essary to resist what is bad in its
earliest beginning.


s'Long agezthere lived an old her.
nit who had left the busy world for a
cell in the desert, and was reputed
to be learned and wise.


"Many people used to visit the
lonely man that they might receive
his advice, and once youth came to
him who begged to stay with him for
while for his pupil.


"The hermit consented, and the
first day he led his companion into a
small wood near to their humble
dwelling. Looking round, he point
ed to a very young oak tree just
shooting from the ground.


"'Pull up that sapling from the
root said he to his pupil, who obey
ed without any difficulty. They
went on little farther, and the old
man pointed to another tree, but also
young one whose roots stuck deep
er. This was not so easy to pull up
as the first had been, but with sew
eral efforts it was accomplished.


"The third had grown quite tall
and strong, so that the youth was a
long time before he could tear it up;
but when his master pointed to a
fourth, which was still larger and
stronger, he found that, try as he
might, it was impossible to move it.


"'Now, remember and take heed to
what you have seen,' said the her
NIT. "The bad habits and passions
of men are just like those trees OF
the wood. When young and tender
they may be easily overcome, but let
them once gain firm root in your soul,
and no human strength is sufficient
to get rid of them. Watch over
your heart, and do not wait until
your faults and passions have grown
strong before you try to uproot
| them.'"


That was the end of the story but,
as 1 have said, l set Harry Day
thinking, and when 81 can't help it,
was rising ito his lips, he was
ashamed to utter it. So he set him
self to the work of mastering his
temper, his idleness and all that con-
science told him was amiss. Though
this is work that can not be done
within an hour or a day or even a
year, it will be effected at last (per-
haps after many failures) by prayer
and by perseverance; nay, it must
be done unless we wish to become
the servants and the slaves of sin.
Year: 1876

One hundred dollars reward is Of
fered for the apprehension of the
runaway Democratic candidate for
State Senator in the Twentieth Dis
trict Of Pennsylvania, he being un-
der indictment for embezzlement and
forgery.
Year: 1876

A young lawyer is apt to become
disheartened, hacause briefs and cases
did not crowd upon him while he was
yet redolent OF calf.bound volumes,
and had small use for red tape, con-
cluding he had mistaken his calling,
so, plunged into politics, finally set
Ting down into the character of a
meddllng pettifogger, scrambling for
his daily bread. There is an honest
farmer who has toiled a few years,
got his farm paid for, but does not
grow rich vely rapidly, as much for
lack of contentment mingled with
his industry as anything, though he
is not aware of it. He listens to the
wonderful stories told of California,
and how fortunes may be had for the
trouble of picking them up; mort
cages his farm TO raise money, goes
away to the land of gold, and after
many months of hard toll, comes
home to commence again at the bot
tom of the hill for more weary and
less successful climbing up again
Mark the men in every community
who are notorious for ability and
equally notorious for never getting
ahead, and you will usually find them
to be those who never stick to any
one business long, but are always for
saking their occupation just when it
begins to be profitable. Young man,
stick to your business.
Year: 1876

fulness good deal. True they
could have put pegs in the holes and
used me for hat-rack; but what is
a hat-rack to a man who feels he has
intellectual powers?


l have written this true incident of
my history for one purpose only-to
warn the youth of to-day against the
practice of dueling, and to plead with
them to war against it, l was young
and foolish when I challenged the
gentleman, and thought it very fine
and grand to be duelist and stand
upon the "feld Of honor" But
am older and more experienced now,
and am inflexibly opposed to the
dreadful custom. l am glad, indeed,
to be enabled to lift up my voice
against it. / think it is bad, i'm
moral thing. 1t is every mans duty
to do all he can to discourage duel
ing.


If a man were to challenge me, I
would go to that man and take him
by the hand and lead HIM to re-
tired room-and kill him.
Year: 1876

There is a young gentleman in
this town who is looked upon as 4
sort of a woman-hater, and who, it
was believed until recently, would
not marry the handsomest and best
woman Oh earth, if every hair in her
head was Il Koh-i-noor diamond.
On account of leap year some young
ladies concluded to put up Job on
this young man, and arranged it for
one of their number to propose mar
riage to him, while the others watch
ed the fun through holes in parti-
ton. The gentleman was invited to
call at the house of the young lady
who was to do the proposing, and on
the designated evening he was there,
seated in the parlor, while the acces-
sories to the plot were stationed at
their eye-holes. After some desulto-
ry conversation about the weather
and the club party, the young lady
suddenly dropped on her knees be-
fore the gentleman, and in cndearing
terms declared her passion.


"Darling." she said, 81 long have
loved thee, but the cruel convention
alities of society have forced me to
conceal my passion. Leap year,
which gives to oppressed woman one
blessed privilege, is now here, and l
take advantage of it to tell thee that
l adore thee. Look not thus coldly
on me, dearest, spurn me not from
your presence. See me on my bend
ed knees imploring that you will not
say me nay. Grant me but one kiss
from those ruby lips; fold me to thine
arms and say that thou wilt be mine;
NINE, only mine, forever and for
aye"


Contrary to expectations the gentle
man displayed not the least astonish-
ment during the foregoing recital,
and when it was concluded he went
over to the stove, and, folding his
hands under his coattails, thus re-
piled:


"Tm told that your dad owns 100
shares of North Carson, and that
you've got two brindle bulldogs in
your own right and without encumb-
erance; likewise l am informed that
you are good hand at making slap
Jacks and biscuit; that you don't
chaw gum, which, by the way, is
powerful expensive these hard times.
In view of these facts l consent, and
leave it to you to name the day."


Horrified beyond expression, the
lady tried to explain that it was
but joke, but the gentleman would
not accept any such explanation, and
threatens breach of promise suit
unless she fulflls~,6er promise, in
which event he will summon the
peppers as witnesses.
Year: 1876

He was a Partisan. They asked
him what would be the most horrible
thing to him. He said, after a long
reflection: cit would be to be gull
lotined without knowing it, and come
to myself all of sudden and see
myself in a glass, headless."
Year: 1876

| United States does not exceed fifty


per cent Of their carrying capacity;
that passenger cars are rarely full
and probable do not average 25
passengers to car, and it is the
same with freight to some extent.
SO that on the narrow gauge at all
times, no matter whether the bu-
siness be great or small, it can be
accommodated to a nicely by the
small cars, and no dead weight or
loss occur. The railroads in the
United States carry at least four
times as much total weight yearly
as of freight load.


The engines are Of only one half
The weightofthose ofthe wide gauge,
andareinno way affected by reducing
the gauge, and their power and
weight can be increased as desired
by additional driving wheels.


The length Of the train is not in
creased by having to use more cars
for. the same tonnage, as Is wide
gauge cars are of the same total
length as 90 narrow gauge cars
that carry the same load


The difference in the original
cost does not lie so much in the diff. |
ference in the width of the track. as
1t does in the fact that the narrow
gauge permits a closer adaptation
of grade to the natural surface, ad-
hitting of lower banks and less cut |
tings, the use ofsharper curves, and |
lower bridges and trestles.


These are few Of the advanta-
ges the narrow gauge road has over
the wide gauge, and makes that
kind of road so well adapted to
the route in question, where there |
are water transhipments at both |
ends.
Year: 1876

An English ply recently re-
moved y section of patients liver,
placed it on . plabe, scraped it care
fully, sud rctsrned it to its place,
fully restored to its normal action.
This promises to work revolution
in the treatment OF the disease, and
in few years we will have an ad-
dition to domestic literature some
thing like this Husband, wish
you would take Johns right lung
down to the doctor this morning,
and have the middle valve fixed, OF
will you stop into the doctors
Office when you come home at noon,
and see if he has Msry's liver
mended, as she wants to 60 out to
tea this evening"" The practice
will become ST. common in time, we
are sure, that none of the neigh
bors will be in any way startled to
see wife with veil tied around
her head leaning out Of a bedroom
window and shouting to receding
husband Jeremiah Tell DIR.
Scrapen to send mp Willie's right
kidney at once, whether it is done
or not. He has had it there more'n
q week, and the child might as well
be without any kidney and be done
with it.--Danbury News.
Year: 1876

hand to make an attack whenever
they may deem proper, and the only
way is to take every precaution, and
then feel almost as safe as one would
be without any. The hoodlum eie-
ment is also on the rampage about
these times, and altogether one hardly
knows what is to come of it.


CYNTHIA ANN.
Year: 1876

$3.50 O00 that since the failure pay the interest," tolls
and income over and above expenses have come INTO
the hands of the present management and ought 10 have
been but were not applied in payment OF interest and
viii not be so applied unless the Court interferes for
the protection Of the bondholders by the appointment
of proper persons receivers OF the property and It's
tolls and income, and that he (Ketchum)
IA totally remedess 20 enforce the claims
and liens of the boncholders for principal and interest
at law and without the process OF court OF equity
The complaint concludes by asking process OF the
Court 10 compel the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company
10 answer the allegations in the complaint and show II
IL can that he ketchum should not have the relief
asked for 10 answer nerrogaores 10 the execution
OF the trust deed of which plaintiff trustee; also 10
answer whether II did not negotiate the loans alleged
whether the interest does remain unpaid; whether
Palmer Halett not dead, and whether all the
other allegations the complaint not true An in


erocutory decree is asked for TO the effect that the
road shall be and operated until sold and the IN
come applied according TO the terms of the mortgage
and the rules of court OF equity, and that until such
sale Court shall appoint receiver OF all the prop
ery with such powers may DO adequate Tor such pnr
poses Duncan and Elliott are made parties defendant
In this action
Year: 1876

Mr.. Merrill, OF the firm Of Wadlin .N
Merrill, Belfast, calls our attention to an
Interesting fact which explains what has
long been puzzle to him and others in
the tin business In answer to cores
pondent, who asks what kind of wood the
boxes are made of in which tin plate is
imported, the editor Of The Metal Work el
says


We are not surprised that our correspondent
is at a loss to know what kind of wood is used
in making tin plate boxes. So far as we know
it has no name, nor does it grow anywhere at
the present time. 1t is sawed from the butts
and roots of trees found imbedded in the peat
bogs of Wales The trees seem to somewhat
resemble the modern cypress, but we do not
know of any wood now growing which is so
ntractable, tough and contrary generally, or
whose fiber SO closely resembles Il skein of
tangled yam. This wood is curiosity. Its
age would be difficult to determine, but it was
probably growth Of many centuries ago, at
least. Layers OF trees are often found in the
peat bog5 OF Great Britain which look as if
they had been suddenly deposited in their hori-
Hontal POSITIONS and sometimes TO have been
felled by human hands. Some of the largest
peat bogs OF Europe occupy sites once occupied
by great forests. which tradition says We're de-
Stroyed by order OF SevcruS and other Roman
Emperors, and it is not impossible that the tree
from which the wood which has puzzled our
correspondent was sawed and cut down by the
Roman legions during their conquest of Great
Britain-say, about 81 B. G. Possibly the wood
may have been changed somewhat in character
of being water seasoned for so long a time in
the solution of gallic acid and tannin, which is
decidedly antiseptic, and has a great power of
preserving vegetable matter from decay. There
is great temptation to indulge in pleasant
tancies in discussing this subject, but we will
leave them to the reader We have given the
facts, and he can do the specializing whenever
he has time and inclination to let his fancy take
wing. There are thousands of valued relics in
the cabinets of antiquarians far less interesting
than the wood of tin plate boxes, which the
consumer generally utilizes for tirewood
Year: 1876

MIR. Dut1ey of Oakland, Cal, went to a
masquerade ball recently in the character
of giraffe. His costume created much
amusement, especially at the supper table,
where he remarked that he must drink
three bottles of champagne in order to wet
his throat all the way down. On his way
home at an early hour in the morning he
was extremely fatigued. and lying down
under tree-box fell fast asleep A tim
orous policeman seeing the strange figure
from Il distance, and concluding rather
hastily that tiger OF some other wild an
imal had escaped from the menagere that
was exhibiting in the next block, fired
four shots at the recumbent giraffe, one of
which perforated the padding, and is now
embedded in Mr. Dut1ey. The News Let
ter, speaking on the authority OF the woun-
ded Duffey, announces that in the future
he will be sent home from fancy balls in a
pnsl-cart or a furniture wagon.
Year: 1876

Seven Chiamen are partners in business
in San francisco. a creditor finding it
hard work to collect 2 debt, learned that
the money was in the safe. the safe had
seven different locks, each partner had one
key, and they had to be unanimous before
the money could be got at.
Year: 1876

in the County of Waldo, deceased, by giving bond
the law directs she therefore requests all persons
who are indebted to said deceased's estate TO make
immediate payment and those who have any de
mands thereon, to exhibit the same for settlement
TO her. HANNAH COLCORD.
Year: 1876

They tell good story Of an old business
man who recently found himself "cornered''
financially, and desired to 90 into bankrupt
acy. He applied to a lawyer to know how
much it would cost to have the papars made
out and the business put through. He was
told that the expenses would amount to
about one hundred dollars, and appearing
to be satisfied with the price, he told the
lawyer to 90 ahead. The lawyer followed
his Instructions, and when the work was
done he called for his little one hundred
dollars. "All right" said the bankrupt,
"you can put your claim right in with the
Others"
Year: 1876

At last the Republicans, and
Independents have a candidate
for Governor that they can vote
for. That gentleman is Gen.
George Nancy, Of Nashville. He
is now undoubtedly candidate
and is stumping the State. We
will lay before our people his list
of appointments as soon as they
are published. Gen. Nancy has
plenty of nerve, and if Governor
Porter draws a pistol on him, it
will be his last draw. Nancy has
tn: "grit" to show up the corrupt
Democracy from one end Of the
State to the 0 her, and he will do
it. He is a fine speaker and will
make a fine impression wherever
he goes. If the Republicans and
Independents will stand to him
he car be elected.
Year: 1876

A gentleman who attended the
speaking at Charleston last Thurs
day says he conversed with the
laboring people through that sec
ton, and they will not support
any man for the Legislature who
is in favor Of convict labor or the
dog law. lie says a large major
ity Of the Democrats up there are
for Thomas, and the Republicans
both white and black are for
Nancy. lie says dog-law Porter
Will not set 20 votes iii the
Charleston district.
Year: 1876

The unexpected action of the Board of Can
vassers in South Carolina raises several diff
cult questions. PartIsans will be in haste to
answer them, on one side or the other accord
ing to their bearing upon party interests, but
those who are independent and mean to be
candid and fair will find some difficulty in
giving answer until the facts are more fully
known.


On the face of the returns, there was n ma
iority for Republican electors. for Democratic
minor State officers, and for Democratic mem
bers of the Legislature by whom the votes for
Governor and Lieutenant-GOvernor are can
vassed. The Supreme Court, having elected
this information, manifested its intention to
order, in most extraordinary disregard Of legal
rules or common sense, that the Canvassing
Board had no power whatever to go behind
the returns rs to members of the Legislature
and State officers, but must go behind the re-
turns rs to electors. If the board possesses
judicial powers at all, ~ the law of South
Carolina and the practice for years lead us to
suppose, it possesses those powers alike as to
members of the Legislature and Presidential
electors. 1t was the belief of the board,
based upon evidence officially brought before
it according to law, that there had been no
legal election in two counties, and it had so
reported to the court OmittiGg returns from
those counties gave majority to the Republic
cans not only for electors but for State officers
and members of the Legislature. The court
therefore could serve Democratic purposes in
one way only-by denying to the board any
judicial power hitherto exercised in respect to
returns for legislators and at the same time
asserting that the board had power and that
it was its duty, in respect to electors, TO
examine the correctness of the county returns,
but not to consider whether there had been a
legal election in any county. This position,
all fair men must admit, seems on its face not
only inconsistent and untenable, but so flag
rantly unreasonable as to afford strong proof
of partisan purpose.


Ii must be remembered that two of the three
judges of this court had thoroughly identified
themselves with the Democratic party during
the recent campaign by published letters
Both hat strong personal hostility to Gov
Chamberlain, and the name of Moses has be-
come notorious in South Carolina politics. 1t
is scarcely necessary to refer to the manly and
honorable refusal of the Governor to give a
commission as judge TO the infamous person
who happens to be son of the Chief-Justice of
the Supreme Court. Hatred of the Governor
brought majority of the court over to. the
Democrats, and it must be confessed that there
Year: 1876

Tomorrow the statue of the ExpOunder of
the Constitution Gas his admirers have rev.
erently named him) will be formally delivered
to the Municipality by the gentleman to whose
munifcence the Central Park will owe this
historical decoration. The occasion is one of
an interesting character, nor could the adj
dresses which will be made have been con-
fded to speakers more trustworthy than
Messrs. Evarts and Winthrop. The repre-
sentative of Massachusetts was the constant
friend and warrS admirer of the great orator.
while the City of New-York, the scene of
several of his forensic triumphs, will speak
through one of her own most accomplished
public characters.


An event like this enforces the comfortable
truth that republics are not always, and in
deed, are seldom, wanting in gratitude. When
Mr.. Webster died, it was confidently declared
by those to whom his political course had been
distasteful that he had left no permanent rec
ord, or at least that his name and fame had
reached their apex, and that hereafter they
were doomed to inevitable and mortifying de-
cadence. The event thus far has not justified
these assumptions. The world is always char
liable in its dealing with intellectual
power, and upon the point that the
Year: 1876

| was little reason to expect strict justice from
such court. But the question is not whether
! the court deserved confidence, but whether the
action of the board was according to law, and
in conformity with the real will OF the people


Respectng the electors, there is little room
to doubt. first. that majority of all those
who voted in South Carolina voted for Hayes,
os the returns show, and second, that IN at
least two counties great wrongs. were commit
| ted by the Democrats, by which the votes of
many men from Georgia were admitted, and
the votes of many c0lOred Republicans were
excluded. If the board had no power to go
behind the returns, it was bound to give GER
tiicates to Republican electors. IL it pos
sessed judicial power at all, it was bound to
consider the legality of the election in these
counties, and, being the only body en-
| powered to decide upon such n question, its
decision is final. In either case we are forced
! to the conclusion that the State court had
neither the legal power nor the moral right,
by any arbitrary and inconsistent ruling, to
force the Returning Board to give certificates
| to electors whom the board believed not to
have been chosen.


Respecting members of the Legislature,
however, the case il not quite as clear. 1t in
wolves two questions Had the court any au-
thority TO restrain the board in its action
had its authority been so exercised as to be
legally binding7 In Louisiana, rs in some
other States, it has been judicially decided
that the Returning Board is itself the court of
last resort in regard to election returns, and
that there is 10 appeal from its action to any
other tribunal. Whether the laws of South
Carolina give the same power to the board OF
that State is disputed, eminent lawyers hold
ing either opinion. But if the court pos
sessed any authority, was 1t exercised ! The
board was required to report the facts to the
court, and did so. No later order of court, 1T
is claimed, had been served upon the board.
The time to which its sessions are limited, at
least by the customary construction. OF the
law, had expired. The Constitution required
it TO perform certain duties, and it performed
them, apparently without any formal authority
of the court restraining it. This seems to be
the fact, if the reports thus far are sustained.
I'm that case the decision of the board is final.
The court had opportunity to use any authority it
possessed, and had neglected to do so until the
time arrived at which the board was bound,
at least in its own Judgment and in custom, to
end its sessions. Later information may give
the facts different face. But if the facts are
as now reported, we do not see how the dis
charge of ITS duty by the board can be blamed
or disputed


As to the electors, it certainly cannot be.
The face of the returns gave majority to
Republicans; the board gave them certificates;
and there is no doubt, even in the minds OF
intelligent Democrats, that the electoral votes
they will cast express the will of majority OF
tbe DeODle