smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

Especially, who have become the Victims OF
Solitary Vice and dreadful and destructive
habits which annually sweep to an untimely
grave thousands Of young men of the most e1-
Allied talents and brilliant intellect who might
otherwise have entranced listening Senates with
the thunders of eloquence,, or walked to extacy
the living lyre, may call with full confidence
Year: 1872

fTA A stanger went to church at Md
dlctown. Connecticut. on q Sunday re-
Gently. and sat down in pew. when. just
rs hc.was getting interested in the ser.
mon. rough looking pious church mcm-
ber came in and took him BY the collar
and threw him in the vestibule. He
thought he would stay there and hear the
rest Of the sermon. when the sexton kick
cd him of the steps. lie went to the side
of the church to listen to the sermon
through the window, when one Of the brcth-
rem said Amen to something the minis-
ter said, and then spit tobacco juice out
of the window into the listeners eyes
He saws man cant enjoy religion much
at Middlctown.
Year: 1872

HARD TO BELIEvE.-The following
Is told by correspondent OF a San
Francisco paper: On the eastern slope
OF the San Francisco range of morn-
talns is a rift in the solid wall about
one hundred and sixty feet deep, thirty
feet long and seventeen fAet wide. For
years it has been selected as sthe home
OF the bees and from the opening they
Issue forth in solid column one foot
In diameter. Here the busy little crea-
lures have improved the shining hours
until they have stored away, it is esti-
mated, nearly ten tons of honey. They
guard their treasure jealously, and
fight for it if any attempt is made by
the vandal man, to help himself there
from. During the last four years thew
have. by actual measurement, added
fifteen feet to their store. As the eli
mate is SO mild that at almost any sea-
son flowers may be found blooming,
they are not compelled to feed upon
their store, but are constantly adding
10 it.
Year: 1872

William Lloyd Garrison, in the In
Dependent, says:


AS native of the Old Bay State, |
confess it would give me special salts
faction if she would do her self the JUS
tice and the honor to be the first State
in the union to make her political
practice conform to her theory, by
ceasing to make sex qualification or
disqualification in the election Of such
as are to make or to administer the
laws. Historically it is her mission to
pioneer the way in the cause of liberty
and equal rights. am encouraged to
believe that in this instance also she
will be true to it. Her Republican
State Convention at Worcester placed
this plank in its platform before the
recent election; and, as that party
represents vast majority of her peo-
pie, it may confidently be expected that
ut the next session of her legislature
an amendment to her constitution will
be proposed, 80 as to obliterate there
from all caste distinctions.
Year: 1872

Addition is the prossesse of uaitia
two numbers so as to make one.


Such fellows could do the State more
service i'll driving oxen or breaking
stones on some turnpike than in at
tempting to teach the young idea how to
shoot. We want such school system
and such public en'iment on the sub
ject that clodhoppers like these will not
dare TO present themselves for examina-
ton.
Year: 1872

THE ROMAN MALARIA. "A French writer about Italy says that he once met a poor family of peasants driven by the malaria to seek at Rome gratuitous death in the hospital. The husband walked first, his head buried in his cloak he had struggled to the last moment against his invisible assailant, but implacable nature had conquered. The young wife followed him, faded by suffering, dying and carrying upon her bosom dying child she went on mechanically, heed less of the way, to deposit her burden in grave and rest by it's side. Man still persists to wiring out harvests from tracts in this fatal soil. During the first au- tr1mnal rains, a peasant army descends the Sabine mountains under the guid- ance of the pifforara. The farmers en- roll these moving columns and send them in battalions to their districts j; these battalions sometimes attach hun dred ploughs, in order to turn up the earth more rapidly. The day ended, they sleep on the ground, and the next morning regain the frontier. Nine months after they come back to the har- vest, but this time it is to veritible field of battle, the corn is reaped more hastily than it was sown, and when they have tied the sheaves the laborers receive their salary and return home. But all do not return there are some who, in the first hours of their labor, totter and drop, turn toward the mountains 8 last look, and wrap their faces in their man. ties, and a few days afterward the pious brotherhoods pass over the plains to bury the dead fallen in the harvest field of battle. le.-Londo,e Examiner.
Year: 1872

In many parts of South America, but more particularly where the ant bear ranges, there are industrious honey bees without stings. They usually take pos session of hollow trees, III which they construct rows of wax cups, nearly the size of half an eggshell. When full of honey, they are capped over to exclude air, which preserves the contents in a fluid state. When one pot is finished, they proceed with another, and thus store up an immense amount of delicious food, of which they are invariably robbed without the power of offering resistance.

 At the exact season when ants eggs are deposited nature has so arranged it that the ant bear, which suhsists almost entirely on ants, avoids those hard clay pyramids, the massive homes of those in- genious insects, climbs the bee trees, and thrusting in its long whiplash tongue, feeds suptuously on honey till the new crop of ants are grown large enough for food. Just as the honey is exhausted their wants are amply provided for. Thus alternately animal and vegetable aliment is secured by m unalterable law, so that ants are kept within control ill one direction, never becoming sufficient ly numerous to destroy the scource from whence their own necessary food is de rived.

 Thus the race of ant bears are sus tained during particular period neces. sa1y for the preservation of the race o1 ants-and the poor bees are instrumen, talities for sustaining the law without any apparent compensation for their un ceasing labor, beyond the privilege o1 slipping nectar from the flowers and en' toying unrestrained liberty on the wing

 Who does not discover in the forego ing relation, an exact reference of means to ends ? It is an illustration of the ad mirable adjustment of cause and effect which secures the perpetuity of species and demonstrates beyond question, th' existence of an omniscient Law Maker because such laws do not make. them | selves
Year: 1872

The following inquiry comes to US from writer who furnishes his name and ad- dress

 "I have been married several years to an unamiable woman, and have spent those years very unhappily. want you to tell me what to do. l am only twenty seven years sld, my wife older, and feel it doing 8 moral wrong to live as l am. It is impossible to live in the state of mind have been in. What alterna- tive is left me?"

 It is remarkable how men fail to apply to the marriage contract the principles they find no difficulty in applying to all other contracts. If our unhappy married friend had rented house and become dissatisfied with it, or bought horse on credit which had died before he paid for | it, or sold wheat for future delivery at a price below what wheat was bringing when the purchaser called for 1t, or made any other bad bargain, he would not be- gin to talk about the impossibility of doing what he had agreed to do. But when he finds that his marriage has not turned out as we'll as he expected it would, he wants to back out of his obli- gations! Is this right? Is it honesta

 

 married persons which release their part ners from their contract with them What these acts are is set forth in the laws of the several States, and though they are not in all cases sufficient in the view of a conscientious Christian, yet, as citizens, we are compelled to accept them as justifyine dissolution of the mar riage relation. We do not, however, T c.,o oil khn commission of any such acts by his wife. He only says that he lives unhappily with her, and he gives no reasons for his un- happiness but her unamiability of temper and greater age than his own. What moral wrong there can be in his living as he is living, we cannot conceive, except it be that of his cherishing a feeling of dissatisfaction with his lot It certainly cannot be morally wrong for him to do what he solemnly agreed before God and man to do, and what he is bound tordo as Christian and an honest man.

 If our friend will take our advice it is simply this Look the situation squarely in the face, and resolve to do your duty. You have promised to treat your wife as your wife keep your promise. You will probably say, as many in similar circum- stances say, "l cannot love her, and It IS useless to try to love her." Very well then do the next best thing. Bear with her infrmity of temper, and when she reviles you, answer her with gentle words Show that you are disposed to do all in your power for her welfare, and above all do not show that you have hankering after some younger and prettier woman, for the sake of marrying whom you want to get rid of her. Comply with her wishes whenever you can, and when you cannot, explain to her why you cannot. Be industrious and attentive to your business, and conscientious in using your earnings for your joint welfare. In g word, let her see that you mean well and fairly by her, and if after all you fail tc make of her an agreeable companion, you will at least have the approval of 6 good conscience and the satisfaction o1 knowing that no fault can be imputed tc you.-N r. Sun.
Year: 1872

READING IN THE CARs.-A distinguish ed oculist says In reference to the hab- it of reading in the cars, the constant motion and oscillations of the cars render it impossible to hold the book in one pc sition-lts distance from the eye is con stantly varying, and no matter how slight this variation may be, it is instantly com pensated for by the eye, thus keeping the organ constantly employed accommoda- ting itself to distance. This becomes fa- tiguing-the eyes have 8 sort of weary heavy feeling, and if the reading is per sisted in, soon become bloodshot and painful. We have often observed young misses intently engaged in the perusal of some romance, while upon rapidly moving railway train, who have only been able to finish their story with perceptible discomfort. We have noticed them rub bing their eyes, shifting their position, and holding their book at various dis tances from the eye, making the greatest effort to see with eyes that have already been fatigued beyond endurance. Such practices lead to serious injury to the eyes, and it is not unfrequently the case that the oculist is called upon to pre- scribe for patient who has paralysis of accommodation of the eyes, produced by reading in a railway car.
Year: 1872

THE DUKES ARTIILERY.-Every one has heard that the Duke of Wellington did not share the common opinion that every corps of the British army at Wa terloo behaved faultlessly, but few knew exactly the parts of the service against which his censure was directed and it's grounds. The following extract from a letter to Lord Mulgrave, Master-General of the Ordinance, just published Ill the fourteenth volume of "The Supplement tary' Dispatches, &c.," of the Duke ot Wellington, places the matter Ill It's proper light 7" To tell you the truth, l was not very well pleased with the artil- lery at Waterloo. The army was formed in squares immediately on the slope of the rising ground, on the summit of which, the artillery was placed, with orders not to engage artillery, but to fire only when bodies of troops came under their fire. It was very difficult to get them to obey this order. The French cavalry charged, and were formed on the same ground with our artillery, in general within few yards of our guns. In some instances they were actually ill possession of them. We could not expect the artillerymen to remain at their guns ill such case. but I had a right to expect that the officers and men of the artillery would do as l did, and as all the staff did, that is, to take shelter in the squares of the infantry till the French cavalry should be driven off the ground either by our cavalry or infantry. But they did no such thing. 1; they ran off the field entirely, taking with them limbers, ammunition and every thing and when. in a few minutes we had driven off the French cavalry and had regained our ground and our guns, and could have made good use of our ar tillery, we had no troops to fire them ; and, in point of fact, I should have had no artillery during the whole of the latter part of the action if had not kept re- serve in the commencement"
Year: 1872

Nearly quarter of a century ago the Legislature of New York enacted law imposing a capitation tax upon immi- grants arriving from Europe and land ing at quarantine. Aquestion was raised in respect to the constitutionality of this law, and the case was ultimately taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Seward made the argument on one side, and John Van Buren on the other. The trial attracted considerable interest, not so much from the import ance of the question involved, as from the reputation and political position of the opposing counsel. MT. Seward was a Senator in Congress, and the great whig leader of the State :; while Van Buren was the most brilliant orator and most popular man on the Democratic side They were rivals al the bar.

 Judge Fancy presided. He was the impersonation of ones idea of the genius of jurisprudence. He was shy, reserved gloomy, forbidding-looking man, resem- bling monk of the middle ages; but un- der this cold and repulsive exterior there beat a warm sympathetic heart. He was literal man, with no idea of joke, was never satirical or ironical, and detested pun or quip as much as Dr. Johnson.

 The day the argument was closed, Van Buren contrived to fall in company with the Chief Justice in coming down the avenue from the Capital. John had degree of coolness and self-possession under all circumstances, that nothing ever disturbed. With an airy, jaunty manner, that would have been offensive in anybody else, but which he made winning and attractive, he addressed the aged jurist:

 "I was much fattered, MT. Chief Justice, at the gracious attention with which you have listened to my poor eff fort in behalf of the suffering immigrants at Quarantine. MT. Fancy made 9 fit ting response, and Van Buren coolly pro- ceeded: "Far be it from me to say anything respecting the decision of the court" The judge started with gesture of deprecation, as if he apprehended an indiscretion on the part of the lawyer. "I am quite aware of the apparent in- delicacy of saying anything that should look like an attempt to influence the ac- tion of the court" Here the chief jus tice gave 8 dissatisfied shrug of the shoulders, intended as rebuke of what he regarded as an impertinence. But John was wholly unmoved, and went on with his remark as though he was saying the most natural and appropriate thing imaginable. "Nor would I presume to intimate that an early decision of the case is desirable" The Judge opened his eyes in amazement, but remained silent. "But the truth IS, your honor, :" continued John, ''the poor devils at Quarantine are perishing daily, and it is of the utmost importance that they should learn whether they are dying con- stitutionally."

 Approaching Johns waggery at last, the chief justice, much relieved, gave way to hearty laugh, and the conver- satlon came to an end.
Year: 1872

THE MUsKRAr.-Muskrats have Q Icu- rious method of travelling long distances under the ice. In their winter excur- sions to their feeding grounds, which are frequently at great distance from their abodes, they take in breath at starting and remain under the water as long as they can. Then they rise up to the ice, and breathe out the air in their lungs, winch remains in bubbles against the lower surface of the ice. They wait till this air recovers oxygen from the water and the ice, and then take it in again and go on till the operation has to be repeated. In this way they can travel almost any distance, and live any length of time under the ice.
Year: 1872

An Indiana paper tells about an alder man who compels his grocer to swear to the correct measurement of the coal-oil sold to his honor; The magistrate then charges the regular fee for administer ing an oath, and it always amounts to precisely the cost of the oil,
Year: 1872

Just previous to the opening of the court for the trial of Stokes says the New York Herald quite a sensation was created among the audience by the ap- pearance of ex-Judge Beach, accompan- jed by two ladies dressed in full mourn ing. They wore thick black veils, which effectually hid their faces from view, and as they were conducted within the railing whisper went round the room that one was Mrs. Fisk and the other Josie Marsfel The idea of the association of the widow of the dead man and the woman who had been so prominent in the disaster which brought Fisk to his death was so atrocious that but very few people put any faith in it. Speculation was rife, however, as to who the ladies were, and for time consider able confusion ensued in the court, by reason of the people in the back part of the room crowding forward to get a glimpse at them. It fnallybecame br1it- ed about that one was really Mrs. Fisk and the other Col Fisk's sister. When this fact became generally known quite a change seemed to come over the audi ence.

 When the two ladies entered the court first, and few of that kind of court hangers-on who think they know every thing had led others to believe that one of the two was Mansfield, there was an evident disposition all around to hoot or hiss. One could feel the inclination to disorder in the air, as it were. Once, however, it was made certain that the two were the mourning widow and the sister of the dead Colonel, hush seem ed to creep over the whole room as the ladies took their seats, and instead of scowls that might have been there was naught but looks of sympathy and com miseration among the audience. The ladies had taken their. seats but short time when the prisoners counsel and finally Stokes himself entered the court, attired with his usual neatness. He took his seat immediately behind Mr. Tremain and MT. McKeon, and threw himself back in his chair in nonchalant manner, apparently quite oblivious of observers, and that every eye in the court room was upon him. He looked rather flushed and excited, but the only sign of nervousness he gave while his counsel were fixing their papers preparatory to the open1ng of the trial was an occasion al biting of his finger nails, and every now and then running his hand through his hair with quick, jerky movement. The table at which his counsel sat, alone separated him from where Mrs. Fisk was seated.

 At first he did not seem to be aware of her presence, but after while his eyes fell upon the form in black before him, and for moment or so he stared vacantly at her with look of blank amazement or wonder on his face, as if he was not quite certain who the person was. He, however, soon became con- vinced of her identity If he had any doubt about it any time) when she turn ed full round in her seat to speak to ex- Judge Beach. As she turned about, he himself turned round to speak with his brother, who sat behind him. From that moment he apparently never allow ed his eyes to wander in the direction of the widow of his victim.
Year: 1872

Said Q gentleman the other day to an old farmer who is known as a chanepion growler," Well, you probably can't find fault this year about not being wet enough for hay. There must be good crop" Yes, but what does it amount to to have such 8 crop as this looks hke2 You can't sell it for five dollars ton if | it keeps on this way." sEssss
Year: 1872

THE NEWSPAPER. Very few of our journalists write for the magazines and the magazines lose by it. Fifty years hence there will be fewer books publish ed than there were fifty years ago. Bayard Taylor put his best books into the Newspapers. The press is swallow ing everything. The tyranny of the fourth estate is beginning. The best newspaper of the future is that which does not represent any one mans dogma tism and power, but the ideas of the Deonle
Year: 1872

As the Pennsylvania Central ferry boat New York was entering the Courtlandt street slip, she ran into the tugboat H. G.. Lapham. The piston rod of the lat ters engine hung on the center, and the engineer could not start the machinery. The New York had reversed her engine, and the tug lay with her broadside to- ward the entrance to the slip. The ferry boat struck her forward of the larboard side, crushing in the pilot house tearing her smoke stack off, and strip ping the deck house so as to expose her boiler. The fireman was slightly scalded. The engineer and deck hand fearing an explosion, jumped overheard, and the cook jumped on the New York's deck. Several row boats put off from the shore and rescued the men in the water. The ferry boat sustained no damage, and the wrecked tugboat was lowed into the Staten Island Ferry Con- pany's dock.
Year: 1872

Some twelve or fifteen years ago, says the Pittsburg Commercial, when land in the now outer wards of the city was re- garded as of little value, beautiful tract of fifty acres, overlooking the Mononga- hela, opposite the City Farm, was owned by man whose chief characteristic was the unyielding determination never to submit to what he might deem a wrong or an imposition. He had on one occa- sion to employ physician, as most men have; and the doctor, like most other doctors, expected pay for his services. He sent in his bill to the farmer and the farmer refused to pay. He had made up his mind not to pay the bill and that was enough. The doctor brought suit. The case was finally submitted to arbi- traitors, who cut down the bill, fixiug the amount justly due at $5. The farmer still refused to pay-declared he never would yield. The doctor got stubborn too and vowed he would have his money. The magistrate gave judgment against the farmer; but, nevertheless, he adhered to his purpose not to pay.

 An execution was issued, the property was seized by the Sheriff and advertised for sale. The farmers mind was made up and was not to be changed either by Sheriff's writs or the advice or entreaties of friends. The property was actually sold on the execution, based on the five dollar judgment, and of course was ''knocked down" at a mere trifie. The farmer was thus divested of his title, and was eventually compelled to surrender possession. After the sale he was offered his property back if he would pay the judgment and costs, but he refused to do so. In few years after the farm sold for $3, 400 to a gentleman who kept it eight or nine years. Then consolidation came, and it changed hands again at an enormous advance. These purchasers held the property until last year, when they sold it to the Homestead Bank fo1 the sum of $60, ,OOO. This company, within the last few days, disposed of over $100,- GOO of this same land, and still have over one-third of their purchase unsold. Had the farmer been as determined on hold

 fast to his property as he was on throw. ing it away, he would have made him

 self rich, or left a handsome fortune fol

 his heirs.