davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

PLEBKIAN HrroIsM.-A great inuIda-
ton having taken place in the north OF lta-
", owing to an excessive fall oil snow IN
the Alps, followed BY a speedy thaw, the
river Adige carried off bridge near Vienna,
except the middle par, on which was the
house of the toll-gstlerer or porter, and
who, with his whole family, thus remained
imprisoned by the waves, and in momenta-
nv danger Of destruction. They were dis
covered from the banks stretching forth
their hands, screaming and imPloring sac
cor, while fragments Of the remaining aich
were continually dropping into the water
In this extreme danger, nobleman, who
was present, a Count Pulverini, ! think,
held out a purse OF one hundred sequins as
a reward to any adventurer who would take
a boat and deliver this unhappy family
But the risk was so great Of being borne
down by the rapidly Of the stream, of being
dashed against The fragment Of the bridge,
or of being crushed BY the falling stones,
that not one in the vast number Of specta-
tors had courage enough to attempt such
sn exploit A peasant passing along was
informed of the proposed reward. lmme-
diately Jumping into boat, he, by strength
Of oars, gained the middle of the river,
brought the boat under the pile, and the
whole family safely descended by means of
a rope. Courage" cried he, snow you
are safe" Bya still more strenuous effort,
and great strength Of arm, he brought the
boat and family 70 shore. "Brave fellow
exclaimed the count, handing the purse 70
him, "here is the promised recomPense.
Il shall never expose my life for money"
answered the peasant. my labor is a
sufficient livelihood for myself, my wife, and
children. Give the purse to the poor fami.
ly which have lost all. 1--WE are indebted
to Horace Walpole for the preservation OF
this beautiful incident. He would have
been entitled to much more Of our gratitude
had he evinced the same anxiety to preserve
the name OF the illustrious peasant as he
has shown with regard To that of the noble.
man who offered the reward. But the title
and the gold had fully greater charms for
him than the name Of an obscure laborer.l
My Note Book.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

A BAcHELoR's DEs.-"The breakfast
was good one without being that Of a
Sybarite. 1t was evidently, too, an intel
lectual as well as animal repsst. There
was the egg and the newspaper a plate Of
shrimps, and heap Of notes and letters on
a small salver mullins, marmalade, coffee,
rolls, and small volume in French bind
ing, which Spread took up, and found was
volume Of the Provincial Letters, book
which was favorite Of Barker's. because
it abounded with that sharp, sarcastic logic
which he loved to indulge in himself. The
contents Of the book stand, indeed, were Of
themselves key to the humor and intellect
ual habits Of the bachelor. There were
old Montaigne, Rabelais, Quevedo, Moliere,
Cervantes, Voltaire, Sterne, Swift, Field
ing. Pope, Dryden, Paul Courier, Burton's
Anatomy Of Melancholy, Grimm's Memoirs,
Walpole's Letters, Chaucer, Shakespeare,
Massinger, Jonson; very few modern books,
except Mr.. Twiss's Life Of Lord Eldon,
Lord Campbells Lives Of the Chsncellors,
and one or two odd volumes Of Carlyle and
Dickens evidently none Of Barker's pets.
The lowest shelf was assigned to the folios.
A splendid edition Of Lucian, bound in
vellum, and good copy Of Bayle's Die
tionary, were the most remarkable. While
Spread was glancing over this small library,
several growls were audible from an adjoin-
ing room, and Reynolds was continually
passing and repassing, doing a number oil
petty things with the air Of man who car.
ried monarchy upon his shoulders; at length
he seemed to be near the close Of his du-
ties as gentleman Of the bed-chamber, and
approaching Mr.. Spread. minated to him
in low, deferential tone that he might ex.
pect to see Mr.. Barker in few seconds
Imagine small, well-made man,
with smart, compact figure, excessively
erect, his action somewhat martial, his eye
grey, cold, peevish, critical, and contemp
tuous; a mouth small and sarcastic, a moss
long and vulpine; complexion a pale dry
red; hair stiff and silvery, and evidently un
der the severest discipline to which brush
and comb could subject it, with view u
its impartial distribution on each side Of 4
head, which was carried so high, and witt
such an air, that it was clear the organs o
6rmness, combativeness, and self-esteem
were superbly developed. With the excep
ton Of plain, but rich robe-de-chambre
his morning toilette was complete; trouser
Of shepherds plaid, seemingly made by I
military tailor, and tightly strapped dow
over pair Of manifest Hoby's; a doubl
breasted cashmere waistcoat, Of what mel
GERS call the shawl pattern; the shit-colla
severely starched, and little two exalte,
above cravat Of dark blue silk, carefull
folded, and tied with simple, but an e,
act knot. The Bachelor of the Albany.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

Tx MAMMOTH CAvE.--Ibe Gave had
lost none of its attractions, and in wander
ing though the well-known halls IA such
agreeable company, the pleasure 1 felt was
greatly enhanced by the contrast Between
my present situation, and that in which
last beheld them, then, alone, or worse than
alone. unknown, in a crowd OF lrleIlds and
scquaintances, had passed through them,
and whatever were my thoughts, | was forced
to keep them to myself for lack OF an audi
tor--for the gray, old rocks, which, howned
above, were not of kind TO talk to, zibelt,
one could there find sermons in stores In
all their perfection, Now, it was di aerent,
and vel strange as il may seem, oil ell the
MANY fancies which foated through my
mind, not enc found utterance. Yet were
there some solemn thoughts among them,
thoughts had to repress. To be sure these
were but few when ia company, yet even then,
they would sometimes force themselves up
on me. But when clone, for ! was often
alone, they came thick and fast. The 81
lence OF the Gave, and its darkness are aw-
full! There is supernatural depth about il,
unfathomable, but how percePdble! Nor
tality, and things of mortal mould, appear
totally unsuited to place in which time is
not, and vitality seems extinguished. II ev.
or Alastor should revisit earth in search OF
a home, let him wander to the Mammoth
Cave, and blocking up the mouth ofone oil
Its countless branches, seek out sonia hid
den waterfall, FLASHING from its secret source
to its equally unknown bed--and there let
him dwell. Ages might pass away--and
still no sound save that Of the rushing water,
falling momently on the ear, would ever
throb in the pulseltss air;-nations might
rise, pass away, and be forgotten--and the
same solidity Of darkness--the same fading
echo of the ceaseles plssh Of the mysteri'
Gus waters would De heard-and naugh'
beside. Fitting place, indeed, were i; foI
| him, the Spirit Of Solitude, to dwell I'M
Where thought would be his only comPan
ion, and the murmur Of the waters his end
! less lullaby. The faery creations of thou
sand years, growing atom by atom from th'
walls around would increase, and ne know
5 it nor-plants more beautiful than s;ulP
. tors chisel ever Gu. from Parian marble
and purer in their whlteness;--del cat'
5 leaves, and scrolls OF countless exquisite in
, volutions;-tendrils more graceful thar thu
curls OF Cupid's hair would creep out OF tn
= stone around-and the silence still thu
! same-ttle darkness the same-and solitude
E reign and rest suPreme.-FTOm a letter o
: Young Correspondent.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18
ASEcporE OF A PARRor.-Where

ANEcDorE OF A PARRoT.-Where we
stopped next morning, the l4th, the
whole region had been oyeriowed upon our
ascent. Now the waters had fallen three
feet, and the land was high and dry, and
covered by beautiful forest. While at
this place, extraordinary noises from flock
of parrots at little distance attracted our
attention. At one instant all was hushed;
then broke forth perfect Babel Of screams,
suggestive of the Glamour Of a flock Of crows
and Jays about helpless owl. ltmight be
thatthe parrots had beleaguered one of these
sun.blinded enemies, or perhaps the assem-
biy had met to canvass some momentous
point--the overbearing" conduct Of the
araras, or the growing insolence oil the paro-
quets. Guns in hand, we crept silently to-
wards them, and soon discovered the cause oil
the excitement. Conspicuously mounted up
on a tree-top stood large green parrot, while
around him upon ad jacent branches were col
lected host Of his compeers. There was a
pause. ''Oh Jesu--ul" came down from
the tree-top, and burst Of initiative shrieks
and vocilerous applause followed. "Ha,
ha, ha---a!" and Poll rolled his head, and
doubled up his body, quite beside himself
with laughter. Tumultuous applause and
encores. ala, ha, he, Papaguyri--a!
and he spread his wings, and began to
dance on his perch with emphasis. The
effect upon tho auditory was Prodigous
and all sorts of rapturous contortiors were
testfying their intelligence, when some sus
picious eye sPied our hitling-place, and the
afirighted birds hurried of, their borrowed
notes of Joy ludicrously changed to natur
al cries Of alarm. Conplacent Poll he
had escaped from confinement, and with
his stock Of Portuguese was founding new
school among the parrots. -EDwARD'
Voyage up the yiUer Anazon.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18
LITERARY EXAMINER.
HE Wayside Dream
Rr. !. EArARD TAYLOR.

TIE deep and lordly Danube
Goes winding fsr below -
! see the white walled hamlets
Amidst his vineyards glow,
And Southwark, through the ether, SHINE
The Styrian hills Of snow.
Der many a league Of landscape
Sleeps the warm haIe Of noon;
The wooing winds came freighted
With fragrant tales ofJune,
And down amid the corn and flowers
hear the waters tune
The meadow-lark is singing
As if il still were morn;
Sounds through the dark pine forest
The hunters dreamy horn
And the sky cuckoo's planning note
Mocks the maidens in the corn.
Iwatch the cloud armada,
Go sailing up the sky,
Lullsd BY the murmuring mountain grass
Upon whose bed lie,
And the faint sound Of ROon-day chimes
That in the distance die
A warm and drOwsy sweetness
Is stealing Ger my brain;
Isee no mere the Danube
Sweep through its royal plan
/ hear no more the peasant girls
Staging amid the grain!
Soft, silvery wings a moment
Seem resting on my brow:
Again hear the water,
But its voice is deeper now,
Anc the mocking bird and Oriole
Are singing en- the beugh!
The elm and linden branches
DrOOp close and dark DER head,
And the fOaming forest brooklet
Leaps down its rocky bed
Be still, nv heart the seas are Passes-
The paths Of home l tread
The showers of creamy blossoms
Are on the linden spray,
And down the clover meadow
They heap the scented hay,
And glad winds toss the forest leaves
Ali the bright summerdsy.
Old playmates bid me welcome
Amid your brother band
Give me the old Affection
The glowing grasp Of hand
worship no more the realms Of old
Here is my Fatherlsnd
Come hitheT, gentle maiden,
Who weep'st in tender joy
The rapture of thy presence
Der comes the worlds annoy,
And Gains the wild and throbbing heart
Which warns the wandering boy
In many a mountain fastness-
By many a rivers foam,
And through the gorgeous Cities
Twas loneliness TO roam,
For the sweetest music in my heart
Was the olden songs Of home
All glen, and ioaming brOoklet,
And friends, have vanished now!
The balmy Syrian breezes
Are blowing on my brow,
And sounds again the cuckoo's call
From the forests Utmost bough.
Yelled is the hearts glad vision
The wings of fancy fold;
rise and journey onward,
Through valleys green and old,
Where the far, white Alps reveal the mo
And keep the sunsets gold
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

A Brazilian BREAKFAST AND HONE
srEAD.-"At six in the morning coffee
was brought in our room, and the day was
considered as fairly commenced. We
then took our guns, and found amusement
in the woods until nearly eleven, which
was the hour for breakfast. At this meal
we never had coffee or tea, and rarely any
vegetable except rice; but rich soups, and
dishes Of turtle, meat, fish, and peix boi,
in several forms Of preparation. loaded the
table. The Brazilian method Of cooking
becomes very agreeable when one has con-
quered his repugnance to a slight flavor Of
garlic and the turtle-oil used in every dish.
The desert consisted Of oranges, pacovas,
and preserves. Pudding, unless Of taPi-
oca, are seldom seen, and pastry never, out
of the city Water was brought if we ask
ed for il but the usual drink was a light
Lisbon wine. The first movement upon
taking Our places at the table, was for
each to make a pile Of salt and peppers
upon his plate, which, mashed and liquehed
by little caldo or gravy, was in a condi-
ton to receive the meat. A bowl OF cal
do in the centre, filled with farinha, whence
every one could help himself with his own
spoon, was always present. The remain
der of the day was spent in preserving our
birds, or, if convenient, in again visiting
the forest. The dinner hour was between
six and seven, and that meal was substan-
tally the same as breakfast" The follow
ing picture of a country house, in which
much entertainment is to be had by all
corners, is interesting. "This was the
first decidedly Brazilian country-house that
we had visited, and description Of it may
not be uninteresting. 1t was Of one story,
covering large area, and distinguished in
front by deep veranda. The frame OF
the house was Of upright beams, crossed by
small poles, well fastened together by
withes of sepaw. A thick coat Of clay
entirely covered this both within and with
out, hardened by exposure into stone
The floors were of the same hard material I;
and in front OF the hammocks were spread
broad reed mats, answering well the pur-
pose Of carpets. Few and small windows
are necessary, as the inmates Of the house
pass most Of the day in the open air, or in
the vefanda, where hammocks were sus-
pended for lounging, or for the daily siesta.
The roof was Of palm thatch, beautifully
made, like basket-work in neatness, and
enduring for years. The dining-table stood
in the back veranda, and long benches were
placed by its sides as seats. Back Of the
house, and entirely distinct, was covered
shed used for the kitchen and other purposes
Any number of little negroes, of all age.
and sizes, and all naked, were running
about, clustering around the table as We
ate, watching every motion with eyes e1
pressive Of fun and frolic. and as comfoIta
ably at home as could well be imagined
Pigs. dogs, chickens. and ducks assumed
the same privilege, Notwithstanding the zeal
Gus efforts Of one little negro, who seemed
to have them in his especial charge. "-ED
WARDS Voyage up the riper Amazon.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18
From the Dublin University Magazine.
The Wake Of the Absent.

The dismal yew and cypress tall
Wave Ger the churchyard lone,
Where rest our FRIENDS and fathers all
Beneath the funeral stone.
In holy ground our kindred sleep
Oh, early lost! Ger thee
No sorrowing friend shall ever weep,
No stranger bend the knee.
Mo chuma, lorn am |!
Hoarse dashing rolls the salt sea-wave
Over our persisted darling's grave.
The winds, the sullsn deep that tore,
Hit death-song chanted loud
The weeds that line the Gifted shore
Were all his burial shroud.
Nor friendly wall aud holy dirge,
And long lament Of love;
Around him rosred the agry surge,
The curlew SCREAMED above;
Mo chuma, lorn am /!
My grief would turn to rapture now,
Could but touch that pallid brow.
The stream borne bubbles soonest burst
That earliest left the source
The earliest buds are faded first
In natures wonteo course.
With guarded pace her seasons creep,
BY Blow decay expire;
The young alone the aged weep,
The son alone the sire.
Mo chuma, lorn am /.
That death backward course should holC
To smts the young, and spare the old
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

THE SWEETEST PLEAsUREs.--As eriesof
little services are commonly more pleasur.
in the aggregate than solitary act Of con
siderable benehcence. A fortune Of small
gains, slowly but surely accommodating, IN.
doubleday affords incomParably greater de-
Light than sudden riches, and wiies ten.
der expressions heard two or three times a
day, amount at the end Of the year to Vastly
more and sweeter happiness than election to
some high Office by the united sufrages Of
the whole paIish.-Marturia.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

must run over what we've got, Now,
there's polianthuses. I'm sure you couldn't
have anything much nicer or quieter than
that, num- Polly who | inquired.
.Anthus, num- he replied. We'll, what's
that one like! asked. oh the sort
is common enough, lnum, ne continued
mot very tall, and rather delicate, and will
generally have five or six flowers in clus-
ter at the head-wants glass, though, if
the weather sets in very cold, mum
and There, that's enough, inter
rupted, Pm sick and tired of those common
kind Of things-they wouldn't have glass
here, can tell them. Maybe, then,
num- he went on, 'as it don't seem as we
can suit you with any Of those I've men,
toned, perhaps you don't want such thing
as an old man. odd man 7 cried. mo,
what ON earth should ever do with any
old man here, should like TO know? oil
course little dreaming that he was alluding
all the while to the plant of that name.
oh / beg your pardon, mum, he replied
but thought yours was Just the place ioI
a very fine and remarkable handsome one
that we've got, and it struck me that you
might have spare bed that you would like
to fill, especially as it would be little or nc
extra expense for you No, no, no J
answered; Il tell you once for all, I've nc
room for any old man here; and. besides,
if had, nice thing it would be to have
him dying directly the cold weather set in.
oh, bless you, mum. he replied, "a good
healthy old man will never die, and look
quite lively all the winter through. How
ever, mum, perhaps you'd be kind enough
10 step round some day to our place, anC
then we could show you what we've got
and you could choose for yourself, mum.
Yes answered; perhaps that would b
best, and then can please myself. "-Th'
greatest Plague of Life.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

Iisked a glad and happy ehiid, as
Whose hancs were filled with flowers,
Whose silvery laugh rang free and wild
Among the vine-wreathed bowers;
G crossed her sunny path and cried,
When is the time to die :
Not yet. not yet the child replied,
And swiftly bouadsd by.
Issked maiden back she threw
The tresses Of her hair
Griefs tresses DER her cheeks knew,
Like pearls that glistened there;
A flush passed Ger her lilly brow,
heard her spirit sigh;
Net now she cried Oh no not now.
Youth is no time to die.
L asked mother a. she pressed
Her frst-born in her arms,
As gently on her tender breast
She laid those infant charms;
In quivering tones her accents came
Her eyes were dim with tears;
MY boy his mothers life must claim
Tor many, many years.
questioned one in maIlhood's prime I;
OF proud anc fearless air;
His brow was fiirrowed not by time,
OR dimncd by woe or care.
In angry accents he replied,
And flashed with scorn his eye;
Talk not to ME Of death he cried,
For only age should die.
Questioned age from him the tomb
Had long been all prepared;
But death that withers youth and bloom,
This man Of years had spared.
Once more his natures dying fire
Flashed high, and then he cried;
Life, only life is my desire
Then gasped, and groansd, and died.
Iaslsed a Christian-Answer thou
When is the hour of death .
A holy calm was on his brow,
And peaceful was his breath:
And sweetly DER his features stole,
A smile, a light divine
He spske the language Of his soul,
My Masters time is mine.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

ToLERArIoE OF FoLLY.-I have ob.
served one ingredient somewhat necessary
in mans composition towards happiness,
which people of feeling would do well to
acquires certain respect for the follies Of
mankind for there are so many fools whom
the opinion of the world entities to regard,
whom accident has placed in heights Of
which they are unworthy, that he who can
not restrain bis contempt or Indignation a;
the sight, will be too often quarrelling with
the disposal OF things to relish that share
which is allotted to himself.-Man 81
FEELING. @
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

HAPPINESS is like mama; il Is to be
gathered in grains, and enjoyed every day
1t will not keep; it cannot be accUmula
ted; nor have We to go out of ourselves, Or
into remote places to gather il, since it IS
rained down from heaven, at our very doors,
or rather within side them.-Marttrid
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

Certainly there is somewhat divine in
the silence Of the fields, and in that which
is experienced on the tops of high hills,
with the stars in sight. Such silence feels like
the solemnity which the prophet Moses
must have known when he was on the
mount--a mortal waiting for the Lord God
10 speak. -.Marturia
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

SEsosTRls, SEMIRxMIs, MINUS, &c.-
These mighty names remain now only as
small points, emerging little above that
ocean under which all their actions are
buried We can Just descry, by the dying
glimmer Of ancient history, that that ocean is
Of blood. ...a. saal
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

An ungateful man is detested by all;
every one feels hurt by his conduct, because
it operates to throw damp upon generosi-
ty, and he is regarded as the common injur-
er Of all those who stand in need Of assis-
lance.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

In this world. there is nothing Of such
value as affection and the most trifing eI.
preston Of it, even though it be but q sin
gle word Of endesrment, is in the best ears
a Pleasanter sound than that Of sold pieces.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

UNwisE CHoIcE.-A very fool is he
that chooses for beauty principally; his eyes
are witty, but his soul is sensual; it is an i'll
band Of affection to tie two hearts together
by a little thread Of red and white.-.Jere-
mn Tdulor.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

The prohibition agsinst being "lovers Of
pleasure is itself a provisions for pleasure,
9 security, TO keep the fine sense Of enjoy
ment from bluntilie.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

Wherever there is Aattery. there is al
ways fool in the case; if the parasite be
detected, ii falls to his share; if he b. not,
to bis whom he dsludss.
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

The successes of intellectual effort are
never 50 great as when aided by the sfiec.
tons that animate social converse,
The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

Confront improper conduct not by rstalia.
tion, but example.