smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Thompson's station, Tennessee, boasts
a phenomenon which Is attracting the
attention of the scientific and alarming
the superstitious. About the first of last
August a great hickory tree on the farm
of one William Harrison was struck by
lightning, and though green, began to
burn. The local paper tells about it.
Mr.. Harrison, wishing to save the wood
of the tree, sent a negro to cut it down.
The man went to work, when live coal
dropped on his coat, and he devoted his
attention to extinguishing the fire in the
garment. His efforts, the darkey says,
were vain. The coat was held under
water but still burned until every ves-
tige of the garment was consumed.
Since that episode no one will go within
hundred yards of the burning tree. 1t
is admitted in the reighborhood that
tree struck by lightning can always be
put out by sweet milk, but they have
not resorted to this plan, and the tree
still burns and is expected to continue
burning. Such is the story of the hick-
ory tree at Thompson's station, Tennes-
see
Year: 1875

A SECREr-William Wirt's letter to
his daughter, on the "small, sweet cour-
tesies of life," contains a passage from
which a great deal of happiness might
be learned:


81 want to tell you secret. The way
to make yourself pleasant to others is to
show them attention. The whole world
is like the miller at Mansfield who car
ed for nobody-no, not he, because no.
body cared for him. And the whole
world would serve you SO if you gave
them the cause. Let people see that you
10 care for them by showing them what
Sterne SO happily called the small court
estes, in which there is no parade, whose
voice is too still to tease, and which
manifest themselves by tender and affec-
tionate looks and little acts of attention
giving others the preference in every Int
tie employment, at the table, in the field
walking, sitting and standing.
Year: 1875

The Toledo Blade tells story of
married pair who set out on their we'd
ding trip from that city, with the un-
derstanding that on their return they
should board n hotel. When they
got back the husband suggested that be-
fore going in the hotel they should call
upon friend Of his. They were accord
il gIy taken to a neat dwelling, where n
servant nshered them into a pleasantly
furnished parlor, with FIRE burning in
the crate, and everything cosy and home
like. The wife Sc; down and the hus-
band said he would 60 into an inner
room to look for the gentleman Of the
house. He came back shortly alone,
and the lady of the house was also not
forthcoming. The young wife wonder
cd at her absence, and thereupon the
husband informed her that the house
was hers. This surprise party is repre-
scented as having been exceedingly
pieasant
Year: 1875

Never abuse small talk; nobody does
unless he be a stranger to its convent
ences. Small talk is the change of life;
there is no getting on without it. There
are times when 'tis folly to be wise; and
when little nonsense is very palatabIe,
and when gravity and sedateness ought
to be kicked down stairs. A Philosopher
cuts a poor figure in ballroom unless
he lsRges his wisdom at home Meta
physics is as intrusive in the midst of
agreeable prattlers as a deaths head on
festal board. We have met with men
who are too lofty for small talk. They
would never cOndescend to play with
ribbon or firt fan. They were above
such triainR; in other words they were
above making themselves agreeable,
above pleasing and above being pleased.
They were all wisdom, all gravity, and
all tedionsness, which they bestowed up
on company with more than Dogberry's s
generosity. A man who cannot talk has
no more business in society than a statue.
The world is made up Of tribes; and he
who can trile elegantly and gracefully
is a valuable addition to mankind. He
is a Corinthian column in the fabric Of
society.
Year: 1875

An Irish lecturer thus endeavored to
prove that the late John Stuart Mill was
not a "human" man: "An unnatural
and laborious child, he took no delight
in the proper amusements of youth,
spending the hours that ought to have
been devoted 10 fairy tales in tho study
of Greek grammar and Euclid; growing
up without the hope of relaxation. in
this world or Of enjoyment hereafter;
WORKING out the knowledge of many
sciences, and yet ignorant of men. and
spending what love his shrivelled heart
might have had for women on the love
of abstract ideas"
Year: 1875

Immoderate pleasure shorten mems
days more than the best indictments
can prolong them. The poor are seld-
omer sick for the want of food than the
rich are by the excess of it. Meats
that are too relishing, and which create
an immoderate appetite, are rather n
poison than nutriment. Medicines in
themselves are really mischievous, and
destructive of nature, and ought only 10
be used on pressing occasions; but the
grand medicine, which is always useful,
is sobriety, temperance and pleasure,
tranquility of mind, and bodily exercipes
in this the blood is sweetened and IN
good temperament, and all suPeFHuous
humors are dissipated
Year: 1875

Adolph Lawrence, in the Maryland
penitentiry, whose term Of sentence for
horse stealing expired not long since
and who is now serving an additional
three months for an adroitly planned
and successfully carried ont escape from
the prison in 1870, has proved himself
man of no ordinary talent. When the
keeper came to his cell one morning in
that year, the fgnre of man with out
stretched hands presented the customary
check with which each prisoner is de-
signated, and il was not for some time
after that the prisoner was gone, that he
discovered the figure was a dummy
made of clothing, and that the hand
was an excellent imitation in plaster
paris. He was shortly after recaptured,
and has since been one of the best of
men, and at the same time has turned
his excellent abilities in a direction
which is likely to prove remunerative,
at the same time that an honorable and
useful life in the future is opened to
him. He is employed in the shoe de-
partment and some time since invented
an attachment to shoe-stitching machines
which is very simple and fills want
long felt. Through the board of direc-
tors the invention was patented and
sale of the right for New York made TO
large manufacturing house in New
York City for 5000. The invention has
gained the good opinion of many in the
trade, and it is believed that when the
man is at liberty he will at once secure
competency in the sale of rights to use
and the royalty upon his invention. Ef-
forts TO secure his release are stated to
be strongly seconded by the board Of d.
rectors.
Year: 1875

The Whitehall Times says that as
Dawyer of the Sandy Hill Herald was
standing on the railroad depot platform
at Fort Edward lately, converting with
a friend, he felt something jerking at the
loop Of his congress CATERS. He turned
quickly and discovered the baggage man
trying TO get n check-Strap through his
after loop, which he had mistaken for
the handle Of saratoga trunk.
Year: 1875

A Tramp went TO sleep ON top Of a
lime kiln near Baltimore, the other
night, but soon woke up with his clothes
on tire. In attempting to escape he fell
over an embankment eighteen feet high,
breaking some Of his bones. Then be
crawled along some fifty yards, leaving
bits Of his clothing and burned flesh,
and reaching bank thirty feet high
being by this time about naked-he
Jumped or fell over its brink. The
shock crushed him badly, but
he afterward erawled several yards and
died, before he could reach stream TO =
ward which he was struggling.
Year: 1875

Mr.. Sherman and he continues to harp
upon contracting the currency, by which
he hopes to humbug the people.


If your neighbor owes hundred thou
sand dollars and his expenditures are
such that he can only pay off $1,000
year. his notes will not pass at par with
out strong endorsement. He sees his
condition and resolutely strips himself
of his expenditures until he proves to
you that he means to pay $4,000 year
of his debts. What is the effect9 His
notes go off almost without endorse
ment. and in ten years they are equal 10
those Of his richest ncighbors. So it
will be with tho United States. When
the Democratic party comes into power,
it should cut down the useless army and
the unnecessary navy and the civil list
until the Government can save hun
dred millions annually to appropriate to
paying off the debt which now rests up
on our real estate. When this is done
our greenbacks will gradually rise to par
with gold and silver, and not till then
Year: 1875

Senator Sherman has again been spec
ulating on the resumption of specie pay
ments. In speech at Cincinnati few
days ago he saidt "We are now carrying
out policy that is designed to bring us
soon to a specie standard" It is all
very well for Senator Sherman to try to
keep compact the lines of the Republi-
can party. He has grown rich in its
service and he wants to serve the mas
ter which pays SO well for long time to
come. But Mr.. Sherman's theory, by
which he hopes to arrive at "a specie
standard" is fallacy, and it may lead
the people in jack-o-lantern way until
they find themselves, after years of toll,
still pursuing phantom.


The most direct road to specie pay
ments Is through economy of the public
expenditures. But this does not suit
Year: 1875

NEITHER BRIGHT NOR BEAUTIFUL
The Every Evening makes queer dash
at some member Of the Council, but it
is neither bright nor beautiful, and only
shows the fondness Of that sheet for
personalities. It says:


"a bull with a ring in its nose is not
an uncommon sight, but till last night,
in Council, Ring with bull in its nose
was unheard Of"


Three months ago that paper would
not have hesitated to state exactly who
it alluded to.
Year: 1875

Don't be in too great hurry;


Hurries never pay.
Take your time a wary general
Always feels his way.
Do not pull your line too quickly;
Rather give itplay.
Take her sometimes to a concert
Sometimes to a ball;
Sometimes spend pleasant evening
Sometimes only call;
Sometimes twill be far the wisest


Not to go at all! 81
Do not meet your would-be rivals


With a Jealous frown;
Show her that you don't care twopenct
For any man in town.
Praise her other beaux; then surely
She will run them down.
Send her presents-not too costly,


Trifles light as air;
Dainty fruits to please her palate;


Flowers for her hair
Something that will show you chose it


Fairest for the fair.
Yex her sometimes constant sunshine
Is so very tame);
Just little dash of water


Brightens up flame;
Love that doesn't fizz and splutter


Isn't worth the name.
Then, at last, some quiet evening


(Moonlight nights are stalel,
Drop into her cosy parlor,


Looking rather pale.
Strive to hide your woe unuttered,


But be sure to tail.
Just hint a distant journey


As a secret half-confessed,
Darkly speak Of hidden sorrow,


That forbids you rest
Whisper that tits hard to leave her,


But perhaps it's best.
Then IL she should blush and tremble


With shy surprise a.
If there Is no roguish sparkle


Twinkling in her eyes
Then-then tell the old, old story


Told first meath Eden's skies.
Year: 1875

FLucTUATIoN IN MoNEY.-To show how
the fluctuations in gold affect business
operations it is but necessary to state
that an article of merchandise at Liver.
pool, obtainable at tho same price in gold
at that port now as it was year ago, the
currency price to New York merchant
will now be about six per cent. more than
1T was last year. solely on account Of the
advance in the gold premium. On the
other hand, an article Of export at New
York selling at the same currency price
now as year ago, that article can now
be obtained by the Liverpool merchant
for five per cent. less than it could have
been year ago. solely on account of the
rise in the gold premium. 1t ia not ne
cessary to stop to inquire whether the
United States are likely to gain or lose
by such changes. All fluctuations of this
kind are evils, and in the long run most
injurious to business. Still, he.e and
there, all around, we find those who ad-
vocate debased and cheap currency and
wide and frequent fluctuations in prices
OF gold. A further six per cent. on the
currency price in the home market, and
another five per cent. less in the foreign,
is quite within the range of possibilities.
1t is only necessary that the gold fiuc-
tuations shall be in a direction fayoring
such results.-Ledger.
Year: 1875

REMovED.-This morning Esquire Fra.
ger occupied his new Office, second story
front in the Telegraph building, where
all who wish to transact business with


can him find him during business hours
Year: 1875

The National Rife Association, at
New York City, adopted resolutions
providing for a series Of rife matches
during the summer and fall Of 1876, on
the occasion Of the Centennial, extend
ing a general invitation to rhemen Of all
countries to participate.
Year: 1875

A NEWSPAPER is to he started in Con-
stantinople devoted exclusively to the
cdifcation OF the women Of the harems.
II will contain nothing but notices Of
marriages and deaths, and will be in
charge of an experienced journalist re-
Gently connected with celebrated Phila-
dclphia paper. Think Of the joy of a
woman with whole newspaper filled
every day with the intelligence her soul
most Graves, And the exact age Of each
of the female dead will be given, too.
Year: 1875

Ir is something to preach three or four
times every day in the week, as Brother
Moody does II would be impossible for
him TO do 80 IL his sermons were in the
grand oratorical style. But his preach
ing is of the very simplest and planest


kind he merely talks on some religious
doctrine or passage Of scripture. Yet he
produces effects such As the highest elo-
quence and greatest intellectual power
have rarely ever produced; AMI he at
tracts multitudes such a. never before
listened to any preacher in this country.
Year: 1875

In the theatres, hotels and


other public places of Boston,


a man is often seen whose odd


demeanor is the subject of much


comment. He wears good


clothes, has an intelligent ap-


pearance, and the speech of an


educated man, but his eyes have


the unmistakable gleam of in


sanity. He was always in a


hurry, and always inquiring for


Charles Garner. This man is


Frank A. Smith, and his mania
was strangely developed. A


bout five years ago he was in


Kansas. In the bar-room Of a


tavern in which he was staying
for a few days he got into a
quarrel with a bullying from
tiersman, and was finally struck
by his aggressive opponent


Believing that his life was in
danger he drew a revolver, at


which the scared desperate ran
out of the room. Smith fol-
lowed and fired ; but the bullet
probably did no damage, as
the man was not seen that
night, nor afterward in that
neighborhood. 1t is supposed
that he dared not return to the
tavern at once. The excitement
seriously affected Smith, who
was not in good health, and his
morbid fancy made him think |
that he had killed his assailant. |
He returned to his home in Bos-
ton, firmly impressed that he
was a murderer. His friends
have sought for the missing man
in vain, only learning that his
name was Charles Garner, and
that he was a dissolute vaga-
bond. Smith refuses to be con-
that his delusion is not
fact, yet is always looking for
Garner, whom he says he is GER
tain he must have "shot entirely
out of existence" " In other re-
spects he is sane.
Year: 1875

The Minneapolis (Minn.) J Trib


une has been sued for libel under


rather singular circumstances


About ten days ago a respectable


looking young girl called at the


editorial rooms of The Tribune


Office, apparently in much distress,
and desired the publication of an
article in vindication of her dead
sister, who had been cruelty
wronged. The article represent
ed that her sister, a Miss O'Neil,
working in the city, had been
ruined, and that in the effort to
conceal her shame death had fol-
lowed. No doubt was enter
tanned of the authenticity of the
statement, and it was published,
the name of the supposed unhap-
py victim being given in full.
The day after its publication the
paper learned that it was a fab
rication and that the girl alleged
to 30 dead was alive and well,
and enjoyed an excellent reputa.
ton. The next day a correction
was made, the facts stated, and
the matter commented on editori-
ally. But, Notwithstanding this,
suit was brought for $4,000.
Subsequent Investigation showed
that the author of the libel, who
lived in neighboring family, had
a lover, whom she was about to
marry. The day of the wedding
had several times been fixed and
as often postponed. After much
patient waiting she learned that
she had arrival in the O'Neil girl,
and therupOn sought revenge. It
was easily suggested in a news.
paper account of a seduction case
of the requisite particularly, and,
with a substitution of names and
places, she took it to the Tribune
office. That comes very near be-
ing d case of pure female cussed-
ness.
Year: 1875


A libel suit in Lowell involv-
es the question of how much
publicity is given, in the eyes
Of the law, to matter written
on a postal card and sent
through the mail. The defen-
dant wrote letter to the plaiL-
tiff ON a postal card accusing
him Of forgery, and his defence
is, that as the Post Office clerks
are enjoined to secrecy, there
was no more of publication
than if the matter had been sent
in sealed letter.
Year: 1875

In certain town in Rhode
Island the parents of two chill
dren, a boy and a girl, died,
leaving them to the cold chari-
ties Of the world. A meeting
of the local authorities was held
to decide upon some action that
would relieve the town of sup
porting the children. The mat
ter was discussed freely, and at
an adjourned meeting held at
private residence the children
were required to be present, land
this was the way in which the
case was managed. The boy
was told to go into an adjoin-
ing room, where he would find
a man asleep, in a certain pock-
ct Of whose clothing was a five
cent piece, which he was to
bring to the committee. The
boy obeyed the order. The girl
was sent to another room where
a woman was sleeping, from
whose pocket piece of money
or script was to be taken. She
also obeyed the instructions
given her, and the children were
afterwards arrested upon a
charge of petty larceny, tried,
found guilty, and sentenced to
the State reformatOry school
during their minority.-COr.
Providence Journal.
Year: 1875

A moonlight wedding was re-
Gently celebrated on the banks of
of the Mantle River, in Con.
necticut, under peculiar circum.
stances. The bride and groom,
with their friends, called on the
dominic of Mantle village late
in the evening aud d sired him to
unite them. When be looked at
their certificate of putlishment be
discovered that it bad been made
out iD the neigh6oring town of
Waterford, and was valueless in
Mantle. There was futter of
CONSERVATION for a moment, and
then the bride pluckily suggested
that they should walk over to
Waterford, a mile distant by the
railroad track, as it was too late
for a train. In that town no suit.
able place could be found for a
wedding ceremony except the ho-
tel, which was vetoed at once, as
the party were Good Templars.
Again the bride came to the res
cue, and declared that an open
airwedding would be decidedly 70.
mantle. And by the edge of the
quiet stream, with the bridal
company standing around in the
moonlight, the couple were made
one.
Year: 1875

Chicago holds up its hands
in horror at the antics of a
wealthy woman who went to
church drunk, and was so un-
ruly In her responses in the
Episcopal service that she had
to be led out. 1t was afterward
explained that sshe had taken
brandy medically, but the doubt
ers will scoff,
Year: 1875

RISING IN LIFE-Those persons who
have attained to eminence in any vocation of
life have followed one uniform course-that
of hard, earnest work and unwearied appli-
cation. None are truly happy but those
who are busy for the only real happiness


lies in useful work of some kind, either of
the hand or head, so long as over-exertion
of either is avoided. 1t should be the aim
of every one to be constantly employed. If
all men and women were kept at some useful
employment there would be less trouble and
wickedness in the world and if sO-caled
"reiormers' would spend their time in efforts
to make people more industrious, they would
have less leisure to conceive and agitate
those yeXatious questions and impracticable
theories which are constantly causing trouble
and confusion without any actual benefit to
the human race.
Year: 1875




The workings Of the human mind have,
from the earliest agcs, been one of the deep
est mysteries of creation. No man can tell
for an instant, the thought of another man
mind. The learned Of all ages have made
the mental powers subject Of profound
study and research, yet are baflled at every
turn by some new revelation of the workings
of human intellect and the eccentrcities OF
human talent


The most reliable and accurate conclu-
sion to be reached, regarding mental power
is a rigid and frequent self-examination
weighing our motives for action, our powers
OF mental endurance, our control over con.
conscience, and our capacity to choose good
and resist evil.


1t has been we'll said that "The proper
study of mankind is man. and in no way
can we 81 justly judge of other men, as in
studying well our own hearts and minds
Power may be obtained by a knowledge
of the human mind, not to be obtained by
any study Of written language.
TO bring sorrow home to our own heart:
is to realize its effects upon others. We
cannot sympathize with, or comfort those
who are in distress, unless we conceive our.
selves to be in the position of the sufferer
We may obtain power to impart cheerful
ness by understanding the workings of the
human nina.


Great and good men of all ages have Civ
en- much time to self-cxamination, and we
have Divine authority for such habits The
Psalmist says: II will commune with my
own heart.


a habit of rigid self-examination, made
conscicntiouSly and prayerfully, must tend
to elevate the heart and mind. The com.
parison of our own lives with those of good
vrtuous men, awakcns within Us the desire
| to emulate their virtues.


The habit of truly, unhinchingly examin
ing the heart is not easily acquired 1t is
not easy to take the outward act that the
| world applauds, into the secret chamber O
our own hearts, and lay bare the selfish oil
| worldly motives that prompt it.
1t is not easy to tear the mantle from the
life Of outward morality, and probe the hid
den sin that the world suspects not.
He who finds delightin true selt-eyamina
| tiOn, who courts the voice OF conscience
| who brings to bear upon every action of hi
life the hours Of solemn prayerful though
preceding it, is good man. lie may err il
Judgment; he may make grave errors il
worldly wisdom; he may never attain grea
honor OF great power; he may die poor, OBJ
scure and unknown; but when he comes be
fore the Great Tribunal that awaits u, all
where moise, not action, is judged, he vii
meet his reward.


1t would be well for the young if the,
could acquire n constant habit of selt-exami
nation, if they gave one hour every mornin.
to the task before entering upon the dali.
| duties of life, or spent one hour at nigh
in reviewing the events of the day, and rig
idly scanning the motive of every action
| kneeing, at the close of such scruti
ny, to ask pardon for what is wrong, hell
and support in what is right, and the hu
mility of a Chstian to continue in the self
appointed task. No one can aid in the duty
no parent or guardian can enforce it, To IL
second hand may man come in the revela
tions Of his own heart, his powers of sell
examination. &c. Y.
Year: 1875

THE REASON WHY.--A great many little
ones often wonder why cat always washes
her face after eating. The reason of it is
given in an old legend: A cat caught SPAR
row, and waS about to deyour il, hut tho
sparrow said "No gentleman eats until no
washes his face" The cat, struck with this
remark, set the sparrow down, and began to
wash his face with his paw, but the sparrow
flew away. This vexed puss extremely, and
he said, "as long as live will eat first and
wash my face afterwards" which all cats do
even to this day.