smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

Once there was a man whose
house was burned down. He had
plenty ofland and stock, and appli-
ances for work left; but on review
ing the situation he made up his
mind that he was ruined. Now he
was rather an obstinate old chap,
and would listen to no argument
which was opposed to his own con-
vietions. "Why, my friend, you
are not ruined" his many friends
would say; ''you have a bright pros
pect before you; all you have to do
is to quit whining about the past
and look only to the future" But
ruined he would be, and nothing
would insult him more than to say
there was a chance for his reviving
his fortunes; and sure enough he
was ruined; he let go all holds
everything went to the dogs, and he
died a pauper.


That's the con tDn of our coun-
try to day. The Hfhatical persist
ency with which some people cling
to the idea that we are ruined, is
perfectly marvellous. The fashion
is to recur to the past, think over
how many niggers we used 20 have
and sigh 1--WE are ruined" And if
a man attempts to argue against
the suicidal notion he occupies the
position of a strange Irishman at a
fair, he has got to strike hard or
wear q thick skin, or ne suffers pret-
ty badly. The whole press keeps
up the whine from one end Of the
land to the other. In 1855 the
whole world was looking towards
our sunny fields for homes, and
were repelled by the cry "we are
ruined" OF course the world did
not want to 60 to a ruined country,
and 50 the world and his wife staid
st home. Pick up q paper, and
we'll bet you that half you read
goes to show that we are ruined.
Well, SO far as We and our home is
concerned. We don't believe we are
ruined We think the road 70
prosperity is plain. Cease absurd
resistance to an accomplished revo-
lution-abaHdon the sentiments
and methods which are as foreign
to our era as the Vishnu pbilOso-
ply. Get the car On the track
put steam on-cry al aboard, and
down the grooves of time we'll
drive the train into future where
flowers bloom, and birds sing, and
men 60 about with pockets fall of
rocks.
Year: 1871

'AiI that live must die:


Passing through nature to eter-
nifty"


Men seldom think of the great
event of death until the dark shad-
Ow falls across their own path, hi
ding forever from their eyes the IA
ces of loved ones, whose living
smile was the sunlight of their ex-
istence. Death is the great antag-
onism of life, and the cold thought
of the tomb is the skeleton in all
our feasts. We do not want to go
through the dark valley although its
passage may lead to Paradise; and
with Charles Lamb, we do not wish
to lie down in the mouldy grave,
even with kings and princes for
our bedfellows. But the fat of ma
ture is inexorable. There is no
reprieve from the great laws
that dooms us all to the dust. We
flourish and fade like the leaves of
the forest, and the fraiIest flower
that blooms and withers in a day
has not a Trailer hold on life than
the mightiest monarch that has ev-
er shook the earth by his footsteps.
Generation of men appear and van
ish like grass, and the countless
multitude that swGrms the world to
day, will tomorrow disappear like
footprints on the shore.


Soon as the rising tide shall beat,
Each trace will vanish from thcsand
Year: 1871




An old Scotch minister on being
asked to preach a sermon ia favor
of equality, at time OF great ex-
citement on that subject, said at
the close Of a sermon asfollows go
You asked me to preach a sermon
on equality. Since that time J have
ranged in vision through the veges
table world; saw flowers Of uneq's
ual lustre and perfume, trees ofun.
equal height and value, bat the,s
was no equality there.


passed to the animal kingdom
and saw the strained horses and the,
fierce beasts of prey, the linnet and
the hawk, the sparrow and the eEz
gle, the sheep and the horse, each
occupy a relative sphere. E
In the sea were the rulluse and the
whale, dolphin and shark, the timo
id and the fierce, each properly Or
ganized and doing its proper labor,
but I saw no equality.


Lastly / entered the gate OF heav-9
en-, and on a great throne sat the
Judge of the Universe; cherubim
fell before him, angels Of lesser de-
gree done his bidding. l found
seven heavens rising above each

other. but no equality there.


I gazed on the stars and found
zone star different from any other
star in glory" but there was no e.
quality there.


So you see there is no equality in
all Gods vast kingdom.
Year: 1871

The Polaris, Captain Hall, bound for
the North Pole, left Qua waters on Thurs
day evening last at sevea O'Clock. She Will
stop en- route at st Johns, Newfoundland,
for supply of fresh seal oil. whicl take
the place of salt jnnk in tho Arctic re-
gions. Captain Hall will then push for
ward to his winter quarters in the ice pack
which fringes the unexplored open sea
around the Pole, and with the return of
the sun III May next he will endeavor, by
ship or by sledges to reach the Pole itself
and plant thereon the Stars aud Stripes. 4"
If there is an island aro7nd the Pole he
will annex it if Captain Symmes'
Hole " Is there, leading into the interler
of the earth, he will probably go in
Whatever it may be aud whatever may be
there. we rely upon Captain Hall to reach
the North Pole, and


In one or two years,


Or three ut the most,


we expect he will return in triumph from
his bold and hazardous undertaking.
N. y. Herald.
Year: 1871

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.-A farmer
name not given, residing between
Spring Grove, and Rock Grove Hi


nois, recently sold his farm and re


ceived the money. Last Tuesday
or Wednesday night he left his
home and went to Rock Run. Re
turning from there, as hs neared
homo, he was confronted by man
who demanded his money. The
farmer drew q revolver and shot
the robber dead. Starting for his
house, he encountered two other
men, each of whom he despatched
with his revolver. Entering his
house, he found his wife and dnugh-
ter weltering in their blood, the lat
ter being dead, and his wife, though
badly injured, was not dead,
when last heard from. One OF
the dead men was recognized as
the stranger who had recently
attempted to purchase the farm
from the man whom he proposed
to rob. This story seems to be
improbable, but the details come
from several different sources
and nearly identical in detail.
Year: 1871

HOLD ON.-Hold on to your
tongue when you are Just ready to
swear, lie or speak harshly, or use
an improper word.


Hold on to your hand when you
are about to strike, pinch, or do
an improper act.


Hold on to your temper when
you are angry, excited or imposed
upon, or others are angry about
you.


Hold on to your hearts when
evil associates seek your compa
ny; and invite you to join in
their mirth and revelry.


Hold on to your name at all
times for it is of more value to
you than gold, high places or fash
ionable attire.


Hold on to truth, for it will
serve you well, and do you good
throught eternity.


Hold IN to your virtue, it is
above all prices in all times and
places.
Hold on to your good character
for it is and ever will be your best
wealth.
Year: 1871

first agitated, that ultimately the colored
voters would divide, and many of them go
with the Democratic party; but they
should be careful to see that their rights
are fully protected and established, and that
no opportunity is afforded them to ego
back" on you. Already are they welcomed
into the grand army of Democracy, and are
marched out to receive the congratulations
of their chiefs and subalterns. The sooner
this cruel war upon the colored people
closes, the better 1t will be for all parties,
and for the colored people particlarly.
Each party in the South can then devote
its time to national matters, to State inter-
ests, to education, to enterprise and the de-
velopment of our natural resources. Then
will the political millennium be upon US,
and the fierce antagonism which now mad
dens and infuriates, be buried in the grave
of devotionto our common country. God
speed the day when we will become an uni
ted people, each striving to build up party
whose first principle will be to perpetu-
ate the glorious union of al the States of
America.
Year: 1871

MISTAKEN IN THE MAN.-Quite an in
teresting scene occurred in one of our down
town stores on Saturday last, and as we feel
sure our Democratic neighbors will remain sis
lent upon the subject, we are disposed to give
the facts to the public.


Republican having entered the establsh>
ment where several Democrats were discussing
the election and its results, was unknown to
the gentleman who seemed to be the promi-
nent speaker of the occasion, while the rest
knew his politics.


The gentleman went on to inform his hearers
how they had succeeded in capturing Ben
Scott; how number of them had subscribed
$100; and how reluctant they were to trust
him. During this exposure, the gentlemen,
who were acquainted with the Republican,
took themselves to one corner, and endeavored,
by winks and mods, to inform the talker that
he was entirely mistaken in the individual to
whom he was revealing the political secrets of
his party.


1t was no use he was determined to proceed,
and wound up with sigh of relief that Ben
had kept his word like man, and that the
500 had been pro6tably spent. The surprise
of the gentleman may be better imagined than
described, upon learning after his departure
that he had been talking to political enemy.
Moral-Davy Crocketts motto.
Year: 1871

The rose has many fabulous origins. Some
state it 60 have sprung from the blood of
Venus The Mohommedans say that the
sweat of the prophet was the source from
which it grew; while the ''Ghebers believe
that when Abraham, their great prophet,
was thrown into the FIRE by order of Nimrod,
the flames turned instantly into bed of ro-
ses. upon which the children sweetly re
posed" The Christian legend on the same
subject is given by Sir John Vaudeville. 1t
is to the effect that fair maiden of Beth
lehem wa. slandered, and condemned to be
burned but when the fire began to burn
around her she prayed to our Lord that, as
she was not guilty of that sin, He would
help her and make her innocence manifest
to men. Then was the fire quenched. and
the burning brands became red rose trees
full of roses And these were the first
roses, both white and red, that ever any
man saw.


Roses have always figured largely in Chris
tian tradition from the time when they were
found in the tomb of the Blessed Virgin
until the institution of the rosary by St.
Dominica. in the thirteenth century-the
beads OF the rosary now in use having been
symbolized by red and white roses. OF
their connection with the War Of Roses
it is unnecessary to speak but 1t may be
mentioned that at Towton, in Yorkshire,
where one OF the most disastrous battles OF
that time was fought, there are groups of
rosebushes in the bloody meadows, which
are said to mark the graves of the slain !;
and local tradition states that these roses
will only grow in that field, and that it is
impossible to make them grow if removed
thence 1t is stated, however, that gard
ner at Tadcaster has bad one growing in his
garden for four or five years; so that the
latter part of this tradition is scarcely
founded on fact.
Year: 1871

The Troy Times tells this story Of Colo
mel James IL. Hooker, an eccentric charac-
ter, who died in that city some twenty years
ago:


"A remarkable man was Colonel Hooker,
and very eccentric withal At times he
would fairly boil over with passion, and was
very violent in his speech and action. Yet
he was Just man, and directed his fury
against only what he believed to be wrong
and rascally. 1t is related of him that hav-
ing a dispute with one of his clerks, the
latter would not yield the point in issue to
him, whereupon the Colonel undertook to
put his stubborn employee out of his office.
But the clerk was too much for the irate
Colonel, and in the IN aalee the old man was
laid upon his back, and his countenance
rather unpleasantly tapped. Raising from
his position, he proceeded to wash his bat
tered countenance, brushed his clothes care
fully, and, seating himself, asked the victo-
rious clerk to come to him and report. Said
ne "A pretty thing you We done, sir got
yourself into bad scrape; committed as
sault and battery; licked your employer.
This shows that there some stuff in you,
miserable sinner, and now, you internal
scamp, am going to pay you for it. You
are discharged from the desk you now hold,
and to morrow morning want you to take
place next to me, and hereafter act as my
confidential clerk, with your salary increased
$3.50. That's all now go about your busi-
ness" The clerk thus promoted held the
confidential position assigned him many
years during the remainder of the Colonels 5
lifetime, and never had to whip his employ
eI again to get an advance of salary"
Year: 1871

There a seat in the apple tree,
A most delightful and cosy nook;


And one afternoon about half past three.
Kitty sat there reading book.


Her fair head bare, with no hat to mar,
And her dress just showed one dainty boot
And he saw her as he smoked his cigar,
And he came and stood at the ladders foot.


Kitty half blushed and smiled and said
Won't you come up and sit here now 2''


And Kittys brother a boy to dread,
Saw and determined to raise row;


So he crept softly under the tree,
Listening to all they had to say,


Did the impish brother, and, sly coald be,
Seized The ladder and bore it away.


Then they saw him-and She with frown,
Said, ~ hat will tn at awful boy do next ,''
And she called him the ,,eatest scamp in town,
Yet don't believe she was very much vexed-
For her lip half smiled, though her eyes half


cried


AS sE0 the position Of matters now,


And he came over md sat by her side,
Leaving his place On the opposite bough-
What could they 90 ? They were captives there
Held as if by iron band;


Kitty tossed back her golden hair,
And reaectiSeiy leaned her chin on her hand.
If" said she, I've for help should call,
They'd laugh to IN such plight,


50 we'd better stay here till the shadows fall.
Or till some other comes in sight


And some one did come. 1t was kitty's papa.
Who past the tree his footsteps traced,


And saw through the leaves lighted cigar,
And asculine am around feminine waist
Kitty looked down and blushed a one,
And then looked up and blushed at the other
Said her father, These nice goings on 20
Said she, 1T was all the fault of my brother -
What was the end I'll tell you that.
Some months after, mid silks and lace


And ribbons and ruches some ladies sat
Who were all discussing the time and place
A. to when-so the debate
And where certain wedding should be;
And that impish brother was heard to state,
1T had better come eff on the apple tree
Year: 1871

4 young man wants to know what bust
ness he had better go into that will enable
him to occupy high position in society.
Let him go into the roofing business. In
that trade a smart man will soon get to the
top of the ladder.
Year: 1871

Fashion gossip has it that in passing a
lady on the street the hat should be raised
during the present season with the lett hand,
the little finger and thumb to be placed un-
der the rim
Year: 1871

Some enterprising young man has invent
ed a pocket in the sleeves of gentlemen S
overcoats, so that a lady can slip her hand
in when she takes a gentleman arm, in
case her hand should happen to be cold.
Year: 1871

And it was Lorette Tip toeing noise
lessly up to the door, she hastily turned
the button, then darted away through the
garden into the house.


1t is needless to add that the good turn
(turn of the button) was fully appreciated,
and that we made ourselves scarce forth
with
Year: 1871

A young man, poor and detected, stood
watching some anglers on the bank of a
stream. Atlength, approaching basket
we'll filled with fine fish. no sighed, "If
now l had these, l would be happy. l
could sell them at fair price, and buy
NE food and lodging"


II will give you good fish, said the
owner, who CHANGED to overhear hi 8
words, "if you will do me trifling favor"


"Aud what is that" asked tho other,
eagerly.


"Only tend this line till come back ;
wish to 80 on short erraud."


Tho proposal was gladly accepted.
The old fisherman was gone so long that
the young man began to DO inpatient.
Meanwhile, however, tho hungry fish
snapped greedily at the baited hook, and
tho young man lost his depression in the
excitement Of pulling them in, and when
tho owner Of the line returned, he had
caught q largo number. Counting out
from them as many as were in tho basket
and presenting them to the young man
tho old fisherman said:


IL fulfil my promise for the fish you
have cought, to teach you that whenever
you see Others earning what you need,
to waste no time in fruitless wishes, but
to cast line for yoarself."
Year: 1871

GOOD LANGUAGE Young people
sbould acquire the habis Of correct speak.
ing and writing, and abandon as early as
possible any use Of slang words or phra
ses. The longer you put this off, the
more difficult the requirement of correct
language will DO u; and if the golden age
Of youth, the proper season fos the &C.
QUESTION Of language, be passed 10 its
abuse, the unfortunate victim will most
probably be doomed to talk slang for
life. You have merely 10 use the Gan
guage which you read, instead Of the
slang you hear, to form taste in agrees
nent with the speakers and poets in the
country.
Year: 1871

The following is copied from the jackson
Pilot:


We learn from Messrs. G, w. Cochran
and l.. Trager, the president and treasurer
of the Meridian, Red river and Texas rail-
road, that, at recent informal meeting
held III Meridian on the fifteenth instant, q
report was made to the board that the early
completion of the road rested entirely with
the counties through which the line is pro-
posed TO pass. Parties in New York have
been recently conferred with. who agree to
build the road within eighteen months
time, provided the funds now intended to
be subscribed by the different counties shall
be thus In fact subscribed, the contracting
parties to take security upon the road for
the remainder of their expenditure. We
are authorized to state that these contrac-
tors have the money ready, beyond doubt,
and are men who will do what thew agree
to do. Thus the whole matter now rests
with the counties and the people of the
State of Mississippi. The engineer corps
will be put in the field next month to
definitely locate the line. Another meeting
OF the board of directors of the Meridian,
Red River and Texas railroad will take
place on Tuesday, the twenty first proximo,
at the Ragsdale House, in Meridian.
Year: 1871

GROVER & BAKER SEWING MACHINE
II anything more was wanting in the way
of evidence to prove that the above named
celebrated sewing machines were worthy
of the extraordinary high reputation they
enjoy, the testimonial which we publish this
morning should suffice in all conscience.
Here is q lady who, perhaps, has had, in
her experience, a better opportunity to
form a correct Judgment as to the merits of
the different sewing machines than almost
any other one person in the whole South
west-a lady whose veracity is like Holy
Writ, and who can possibly have no pur-
pose to serve, gives decided preference to
the Grover & Baker machine-in fact,
most unequivocal Endorsement. 1t has the
appearance of settling the question forever,
and we congratulate the popular agent,
Mr.. Gardner, upon it. o..
Year: 1871

New ORLEANS BUILDING ASSOCIATION
We bespeak a careful perusal for the adver-
tisement of this association, which will be
found in our issue of this morning No more
worthy enterprise could be desired than
this building association, as it offers to the
poor working man the easy means to be-
come the possesser OF his own house and
enables him at the same time to be the bene-
factor OF others as deserving as himself
Wherever building associations have been
organized on wise principles, such as this
one, they have proved of immense advan-
tage to their subscribers, and we are eredita-
bly, informed. that in Charleston, South
Carolina, and Baltimore, Maryland, many
very wealthy men owe their first start in
life to them. Ours, we are satisfied. will 90
as much good here.
Year: 1871

NEW YORK, August 22.-The mails bring
details of the second fight in Corea


1t appears that on the morning of June
10 the expedition started from the feet. II
consisted of nine hundred men, of which
seven hundred, including one hundred and
five marines, were to operate on land-four
hundred and TWENTY-FIVE from the Colo
RADIO and one hundred and twenty-five each
from the Alaska and Benicia-all the crews
OF the MOnocacy and Palos being required
to work the guns on board.


The Monocacy took the lead followed bv
the Palos, with all the smaller boats in tow
except the steam launches. The main OBJ
ject of the attack is built on TOP of a small
conical hill, on tongue of land that pro-
jects from the right and west bank of the
river, and extending out into the water
about half mile. Its average width, from
north to south is about four hundred wards


The river makes sharp bend around the
points OF this peninsula, and during the
rise and fall of the tide the water rushes
past 1t with fearful rapidity. About three
hundred yards from the extreme point of
this small conical hill rises about three
hundred feet high. The Coreans have for
titled this in such q manner that, looking
from the water, the walls of the fort appear
but a continuation of the extension up
ward of the steep sides, only approach
ing more nearly to perpendicular,
the sides of the hill forming an angle OF
about forty-five or fifty degrees with the
horizon, and the fort so built on top as to
occ'1py a whole level space of about eighty
feet in diameter, leaving no level ground.
Outside of the parapet wall the ground be-
tween this and the waters edge is very
rough, steep and rocky, and difficult for
military operations. The Coreans had a
water battery of twenty-four and thirty
two-pounders and small old brass piece.