smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873




@- correspondent of the Ellicott City Times,
writing from Danville, Virginia, under date Of
May Oath, 1873 gives the following Interesting
sketch of the life of John Randolph, of Roanoke,
a name familiar to almost every one:


"Southside, Virginia, is the scene of somv o,
the most remarkable and noteworthy incidtnr,
in the life of John Randolph, OF Roanoke. Among
these green and broad fields he sported with his
friends in the chase of the fox, sport of which he
was peculiarly fond. His famous speech deliver
cd at Halifax Court House, in 1927, upon the
subject of changing the Constitution of the State,
now matter of history, is said to be the best
oration in every respect that ever eminated from
uim. Not far from here is his old homestead,
which stands without any changes, except those
made by time. During visit which made in
persona in January last, was much disappointed
at the rural appearance every thing about the
place presented. II is certainly lesson to the
growing pride of the present day when we view
the simple, and almost might add rude, domi-
cle in which tie noted John Randolph lived
The estate lies we'll and is watered by small
stream called the Roanoke-(not the Roanoke
river)-from which he took the cognomen by
which he is known in history. The whole estate,
which is very large one, is perhaps the most
fertile in Southsde, Virginia, but at present il is
cultivated only by few struggling negroes,
hich gives to it the changed aspect it now bears.
Not far from his mansion under stately tree re-
poses all that is mortal of this once renowned
man. He is buried with his head to the rising
sun, custom peculiar to the Indians. l came
from this spot with reflections upon the utter in
significance of human greatness. The best and
most ennobling attributes of the soul are derived
from practice of true virtue, and good name,
at last is the only legacy that will outlive moral
ityn
Year: 1873

WAC en- describe him. There is no language


sas. 30 justice to Iim-no supernatural
foresight which can predict where his next thrust
will fall, from what unsuspected corner he will
send his next arrow. Like death, he has all sea-
sons for his own his ingenuity is internal.-
Whoever tries to forestall or appease him might
better be at work in Augean stables; because,
after all, we must admit that the facts OF life are
on his side 1t is not intended that we shall be
very comfortable. There is terrible amount of
total depravity in animate and inanimate things.
From morning till night there is not an hour


without its cross to carry. The weather thwarts
US servants landlords, drivers, washcr-women,
and bosom friends misbehave clothes don't fit !;


teeth ache stomach gets out of order newspa-
pers are stupid; snd children make too much
noise. II they arenot big troubles they are lit
tie ones. If they are not in sight, they are hiding


have wondered if the happiest mortal could


point TO one single moment and say, 'At that
moment there was nothing in my life which l
would have changed" | think not. In argu-
men;, therefore, the grumbler has the best of it,


1t is more than probable that things arr, as he
says. But why say it? If the three be already
unbearable, SO much the worse. If he is uncom-
Portable, it is pity; we are sorry, but we can't
change the course of nature. Weshali soon have
our own litde turn of torments, and we do not
want to be worn out before il comes by having
listened to his; probably, too, the very things of
which he complains are pressing just as heavily
on us as on him-are just rs unpleasant to every
body as to him. Suppose everybody did as he
does Imagine, for instance, a chorus of grum-
Bile from ten people at breakfast table, all say
ing set s--Fae, or Immediately after each other,


tThis coffee is not fit to drink" Greatly the at
tendance in this house is insuferably poor" I
have sometimes wished to try this homeopathic
treatment in bad case Of grumble. 1t sounds
as if it might work a cure. If you lose your
temper with grumbler, and turn upon him sud-
denly, saying, "Oh, do otspoil all our pleasure.
Do make the best of things; or, ct least keep
quiet p then how aggrieved he is; b Nv unjust
be thinks you are to make personal matter of
it! "You do not surely suppose an response
BILE for it, do you p he says, with lofty air of
astonishment at your unreasonable seEsiiiveness.
or course, we do not suppose he thlnEs we are
to blame we do not take him to bea '''nl as we'll
as grumbler But he speaks to US, at as, be-
fore as about the cause OF his discomfort, what
ever il may be, precisely as be would il we were
to blame; and that is the one thing which makes
bis grumbling so insufferable. But this he can
never be made to see. And the worst of it is
that grumbling is contagious. If we live with
him, we shall sooner or later, in spite Of our dis
like of his ways, fall into them. There is no help
for this have seen it again and again. have
caught it myself One grumbler in family is
as pestienta thing asa diseased animal in herd !;


if he is not shut up or killed, the herd is lost.
Year: 1873


Friend, whose smiles have come to be
Very precious unto me-


Though know drank not first
or your loves bright fountain-burst
Yet grieve not of the past,
So you only love me last
Other souls may find their joy
In the blind love of boy
Give me that which years have tried,
Disciplined and purified
Such as Drawing storm and blast,
You will bring to me at last
There are brows more fair than mine,
Eyes of more bewitching shine
Other hearts more fit, in truth,
For the passion of your youth;
But their transient empire past?
You will surely love me last?
Wing away your summer time,
Find love in every cline
Roam to liberty and light
shall never stay your flight;
For know when all is past,
You will come to me at last.
Change and futter as you will,
l shall smile securely still
Patiently trust and wait,
Though you tarry long and late;
Prize your spring till it be past,
Only, only love me lastl
Year: 1873

Mss~"We are born in haste" says writer
"We finish our education on the run; we mar
ry on the wing; we make fortune at stroke,
and lose it in the same manner to make and
lose it again in the twinkling of an eye.-
Our body is locomotive, going at the rate Of
twenty-five miles an hour; our soul is a high
pressure engine; our life is like shooting star,
and death overtakes us at last like flash OF
lightning"
Year: 1873

g~In the course of sermon delivered by
Mr.. Beecher, the other day, ne referred to the
subject of humbling ones self before God. ~
beseech you," he said, "to avoid that kind of
crawling, that prostration that takes the man
hood out of man. l don't think that God
wants to have any man crawl before him like
worm. don't think he is any more pleased
to see that than you would be to see your chill
dren act so. 1 have a little dog at the farm
that when 1 come is so exceedingly glad that
he lies down and squirms and rolls over on his
back, so that want to kick him. That same
dog, although so affectionate, will steal chick
ems. Now, dog don't know any better, but a
man does, and it seems to me as if men think
that if they humble themselves before God, and
say all manner of crouching things, that will
fit them for the work. There is no manliness
in this"
Year: 1873

"A singular wreck occurred near Consho-
hocken, on the Reading railroad, a short time
ago. A heavy rope with hook attached fell
from the tender of freight train, one end of
which was secured to the tender. As the rope
and hook dragged along the track the hook
caught in a switch and turned it, thus caus-
ing the engine and tender to run into coal
train and wreck several of the cars.
Year: 1873

An Ohio postmaster has received letter
wherein the writer proffers a curious request,
as follows off you can will ascertain the
names of some rich old maid or widow worth
from thousand, to $4,000 or more let me know
by return mail and will pitch in and make
it tie the Knot, it is l hundred dollars in your
pocket Keep this profound secret between
us two if it gets out all is spoiled am poor but
want to marry rich"
Year: 1873


railway king is now so reduced in pocket that
bis friends are raising subscriptions to purchase
small annuity for him, that his life may not
close in absolute penury.


The true philosophy is to regard life as thing
to be pushed moderately and be enjoyed as it
passes 1t should never be treated as too many
do-as great game of hazard. Nor should we
fancy that all in which we are interested depends
entirely upon ourselves. Other people, it must
be conceded, can do something. The best busi-
ness results are obtained by finding out trust
worthy people and confding in them. The ex-
pertinent OF entire direction on grand scale was
tried BY the Emperor of the French certainly
one of the strongest men that the world has seen
but even he found at last that one man is not
competent for everything; aud he, we suspect
envied the contented laborer, who has only to do
his daily work and receive his daily wages
There are thousands like him. Their empires are
narrower, but their experience is the same-to-
day, success; tomorrow, disappointment.
Year: 1873

Ng~A chap who in some mysterious manner
had received bid to large fashionable party,
was somewhat disconnected on finding that he
was not acquainted with single person pres
ent, nor double either. Finally he perceiv-
ed an elderly gentleman of disconsolate mien
looking over a Photographic album. Our hero
made for this party of the second part and said
Il say, you and don't seem to know anybody
here. Let's go home" 1t was the head of the
house.
Year: 1873

"A venerable matron took her afternoon
nap at Berlin, Wisconsin, as usual, and when
she woke up was astonished to learn that a
young man who had been warned not to come
near the house again had called in company
with Justice of the Peace had married and
carried off her daughter.
Year: 1873

! In the battle of life We are bothered to nnd
What becomes OF the girls and the boys,
For they leave the cradle and paythings behind
To share in its sorrows and joys.
When old folks are talking the deepest lore
No matter of how great renown,
Some youngster up and must shove in his oar,
Who don't know enough to sit down.


Sit down.
When your elders may speak, don't give any cheek
But learn what you can and sit down.
,Tis the age of improvements we all must admit,
For the aged as well as the young:
But children should listen and learn for bit,
Before they're glib with the tongue.
If they'd follow advice older people may give,
Success all their efforts would crown;
So youngster remember as long as you live,
When your grandfather speaks, go sit down.


Sit down
Don't argue the case, to your lasting disgrace,
But show him respect and sit down.
He has been through the mill had many hard knocks
Though now he is laid on the shelf;
While time has been thinning his silvery locks,
He has learned how it is with himself.
If he tells where in life he has made mistake,
Don't give him a sneer a frown,
But profit by any remark he may make
Just take it all in and sit down.


Sit down
Advice from the old is like Apples of Gold;
So gather them in and sit down.
How many look back to the days of their youth
And see the mistake they have made
Commands that were given in friendship and truth
why had they not been obeyed
If I'd not been pufed up with such conceit,
I'd never been done up so brown,
md the downhill of life would be ten times sweet
HPd only known when to sit down


Sit down.
If you'd not be fool in adversity's school,
You must learn while yoa're young to sit down!


~ Y. Clipper.
Year: 1873

Mg-An old criminal was once asked what
was the first step that led to his ruin, when he
answered: "The first step was cheating q
printer out of two years scription-when
had done that, the devil got such a grip on me
that / could never shake him off," Moral: pay
nm.
Year: 1873

ton to tie comfort of host and hostess. Be
obliging, but unobtrusively so. Never intrude
yourself into the kitchen, with offers of assis-
tance in the culinary department, unless espe-
cially invited todo so. Never cite any instance
of the superiority of any cooking over that
which is perfected under the auspices of your
hostess. These are the veriest trifes, but in
this world, happiness, oftener than we think,
hinges upon trifes. Again, be pleased, and
show it. About the most pitiable person to be
found is young gentleman or lady who has
become or affected to become blase. 1t is very
discouraging, when one has taken extra pains
to give pleasure, to see it received with serene
indifference, as though it mattered little wheth-
er thanks were expressed or not. Bus there is
delight in doing attentive things to those who
arehonestly and easily delighted. so,wherever
your friends take you, to ride or to walk,
to the top of hill to see the sun set, or
to cascade or concert, let them see that you
are pleased, and appreciate their kindly efforts.
And last-don't stay too long. Go home while
you are still welcome guest, and invite your
entertainers to visit you, that you may renew
the pleasure you have had together.
Year: 1873

That it is quite a possible thing TO "wear out
ones welcome" when invited to partake of q
friends hospitality is fact which needs no
demonstration. Too many guests articular
ly among young ladies-fail to accommodate
themselves to the habits of their entertainers,
thus making the extension of hospitality la
Dor rather than a pleasure. There are guests
who always bring welcome with them, and
are regretted when they go. There are others
who are burdensome, and who never have the
pleasure of feeling that their visits have been
sources Of satisfaction to anybody. To avoid
this calamitous state of feeling is easy enough
if you make point of accommodating your
self to the ways of the household of which you
are temporarily member For instance
young lady, if you find that they have prayers
at half past seven and breakfast at eight, and
that bell is rung early enough for everyone to
be up and dressed, do not come down just as
the last verse of the chapter is being read and
they are about kneeling for prayer. You ascer-
tain that dinner is at one, or that tea is at six;
is it polite to return from your morning shop
ping or your evening walk at half-past one or a
ouarter-pas ~ It is almost certain that, by
doing SO, 1noyance toyour cor
dial hostes 'ot shadow
of it show may
kA
Year: 1873

The Van Buren Press, several weeks since.
proposed Col. Jordan E. Cravens of johnson
county, for Circuit Judge. to fill the place
made vacant by the cowardy assassination
Of Judge Mecrs. We lave been necessarily
absent from our post for some time and on
that account have not before this noticed the
suggestion of the V. b. Press. With all our
heart we second the same. The Governor
could not in the District find his superior, if
his equal, for the vacant position. Col. Cra-
7ens is not only an able lawyer, but he is, at
all times. honest, upright and impartial,
Should Gov Baxter appoint him and should
he accept. that Judicial District would be for
tunate indeed. We have known Col Cravcns
long and well and to such AS have not enjoyed
that pleasure we can say that he is one


:" Formed in the very prodigality of nature A"
Pine Btgt Press.


True every word OF it. Col. CRAvENs had,
however, ne ambition in that direction.
Year: 1873

A New York dispatch Of the 29th say '''''
Jay Gould being asked for his views concern
ing the financial situation, gave them as fol-
lows:


81 think the panic Is over. have every
faith now In an advance ofprices,and believe
the market will be more buoyant than Tor
long time. Wall street has been cleared OF
great part of worthless stocks and so-ca'ied
securities by the purging process OF the panic
and there are com parltively few stocks now
0uoted except those OF real value In all
csses nrices are now too low, and In that or
good dividend paying stocksa very large ad-
vance is necessary to bring them up to their
actual worth The reasons for an advance
are that the money market VIII become easy
40 soon as the stock exchange is opened. oW-
ing to the very large quantities OF green BACKS
which have been disburscd by government III
its late bond purchases; that an immense
amount Of capital has been put into circula-
ton by the action OF the banks III ISSUING
clearing house certificates which displace the
corresponding quantity OF currency that
England in sending over miiiiohs OF go,u
which will come into active use Immediately
on its arrival. and that speculation has had
such a long sleep that 1t will be all the mere
lively when it wakes up again. The disturbed
state of money has made 1t necessary for some
large firms in this city to discharge many OF
their hands and To give others only three or
four days work in q week. large msnuiac-
turinp iirm has closed up altogether Much
difficulty Is experienced by employees IN get
ting cash for their worknen, and on saturday
last many were paid either In whole or IN part
In checks. In neiglboring cities slInilar
condition of affairs exist"
Year: 1873




It is now the twentieth Of November, the
election is on the second OF December.
There is left but little more time for work.
Is everybody, everyvhere. workingl II
not, up and be doing. The importance Of
the coming election cannot be over esti-
mated. Should there be any falling of in
the Democratic maiOrities, Il will be hailed
IS Radical triumph. Everywhere else,
throughout the country, there has been a
great falling of in The Radical vote, and a
most encouraging gain for the Democracy,
where they have not wholly succeeded. We
must follow suit in Texas. We must not
only maintain our majorities, we must in
crease them This we can easily do il the
people viii all register and vote. Nothing
else is needed. The condemnation Of the
Radical rule is overwhelming the
votes correspond to this sentiment. Be
tween this and the election day, though
near at hand, much work can be
done, and much should be. Let the
State candidates work. Let the district
candidates work Let tho county candi-
dates work Bctcvery body work hard till
the conflict is over. Get mcn talk with their
neighbors and find out If they are regis
tered and how they are going to vote If
they have not registered, urge them by
every possible argument and appeal to go
forward, at once, and perform that impera-
tive duty Of every freeman. Are they con
tented with Radical rulel Have they for
gotten Radical oppressiOnl HAVE they no
regard for the honor and welfare of their
eountryl Are they thinking only Of them
selves and how to make money and increase
their worldly storesl II that be the great
consideration with them, even then they
should arouse and defend their pockets and
their estates. II Radicslism goes on, no
man will be safe in his property or his per
son. Register, then, and vote. Work, work,
work, until the election is over.
Year: 1873

The political news from every part of the
State is cheering The people are becoming
aroused, and registration is progressing and
the candidates of the Democracy are gener-
ally doing their duty. Let there be no
stop to these good dOings until the fight is
over, the battle won and thevictory COM
plete. Stand up to tho regular tickets.
Down with the Independents, no matter
what they call themselves. We have no use
forcandidates or officials who are indc-
pendent" of the Democratic party. Next
to themselves they are for the Radicals in
preference to the Democrats This is evil
dent or they would not run against the reg
ular candidates Of the Democratic party.
Charge this upon them-pEess them to the
Wallet not one be elected. We must
make clean sweep. IT
Year: 1873




It is a little difficult to understand the
true state of political affairs in France. A
majority of the present General Assembly
seem to be opposed to the continuation of
the Republic, but they are not united on.
the question of who shall be the monarch
of France. One portion favor the Bona
partists and return to the empire under
the reign of the son Of Louis Napoleon.
Another portion are for the restoration of
the monarchy under king frem- the younger
branch of the BouTbons descendant of
Louis Philip; and a third portion prefer
sovereign from the old Bourbon stock of
Henry ~ and Louis XVI. All these to-.
gether overmatch the honest friends of a
Republic in the Assembly, but they find
great difficulty in combining their interests.
Lately it was supposed that they had ar
rived at an understandingand had comprO-
missed and agreed upon the Count de
Chambord, the representative of the
old Bourbon line of kings, but that young
sprout of the old tree has ruined all by his
obstinacy, showing himself a true descend
ant Of the old stock. With a return to the
throne of his fathers, he viii have the old
flag, the white lilies of France, which
foated over the chivalrous Henry of Ma
varre at the battle of Ivry, or he will have
nothing. He Ignores the tri-color of the
first great revolution, which took off the
head of his ancestor, Louis XVI, the flag of
Marengo, of Jena and AusteFlitz, the flag of
the Empire, covered all over with glory,
which Louis Philip was very willing to re-
tain, and which is now SO well known and
honored throughout the world. This, at
first thought, would seem very silly
thing in the Count de Chambord, but it
means more than appears upon the face of
it. It means that the Count will be ''every
inch q king" or no king at all. He will be
''the State,n like his ancestor, Louis XIV,
and rule without regard to the feelings and
will of the people.


The friends of constitutional monarchy
in the Assembly have naturally been thrown
into confusion and perplexity by this un-
looked for disposition and determination Of
the Count They dare not comply with his
wishes. They fear the action of the masses
of France, the common people and the army,
who are evidently for republic or the res
toration of the empire. The tri-color has
become endeared to Frenchmen. 1t is asso-
ciated with the Marseilles and the glory Of
France. True it has lately suffered an
eclipse, but what of that What are its
defeats when compared with its victories
They are but as dust in the balance.
Alarmed at the present aspect of things, tho
majority of the Assembly have voted McMa
hon lease of the Presidency for seven
years, according to the telegraphic dis
patches. But thereis no certainty Of things
remaining as they are in France for any
length of time. A week, day, might change
the whole aspect of affairs. That France
win finally settle down into monarchy ol
empire, we have little doubt; but, before
that takes place, there may be years of wal
and carnage. .......g-..~
Year: 1873

THE COUNTY CANvAss.-Our county is
being well canvassed by the Democratic
speakers If the same is done in other
counties, all will go well. On Thursday
last Messrs. oatman and shepherd spoke at
Webberville, and they represent the situation
of things in that precinct as cheering. All
have registered, and all, if living. willvote;
and nearly every white man will vote the
Democratic ticket without any scratching
To-day Messrs. sheeks and Denton win adj
dress the people at Manor. As this place
is of easy access by the railroad, we would
advise all our friends who can spare the
time, to go down and hear the speeches,
which we know will be worth the trouble.
Besides, the railroad trip will be a pleasant
one. The Democracy of Travis are all right.
Roll on the ball.