davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

The story Oft the suffering ofthe down trod
den masses of Europe has often been told, but
pen can never describe the hearrending pow
erty which aillicts thcm.-The following,
which we find in an exchange, is copied
from the Limerick and Clare (Irish) Exam
iner.
"A singular instance Of maternal afrec
ton and melancholy misery occurred in this
city few days since. A widow, who un-
fortunately for them, was the mother of six
children, found refuge in a dilapidated dwell
ing in one of the lanes. The youngest of
her children fell i'll and died. The whole
family were in a state of the utmost desti-
tuition and the disease rapidly mastered the
young orphans energies. A coffin was beg
ged. Coffin and corpse would have been
borne, perhaps, without the mothers assist
ance. to some grave yard near.-Bnt she
had lived distance Of many miles from
this city. and in the burial ground of her ma
tive place criHends were inferred. The
distance was far and as few would consent
TO carry a coffin containing n stranger soiar
unnecessarily, The poor mother resolved TO
bear it herself. She actually did so; she
had it placed on her back, and slowly and
YEARLY she bore il away, reached the grave
OF her kindred. sCraped n trench. we have
heard. with her own hands, aud thus con.
signed 10 the earth. where she wished they
should rest. the remains of her offspring.
she returned TO her orphans. a second
took sick, died quickly, like the other: like
the other was placed in a charity coffin and
q "a la hut 4. t1pl ,rtt
nate mother, 90 the same place Of burial.
and buried in ike manner by her own hands.
She returned again. Atlird child tool; sick
died speedily also; was stretched ina coffin
procured from the charitable: borne away
rs before by the sorrowing mother, and in.
TERED near the other two. by the harles>
poor creatures, almost excoriated hands
| Shc'rcturncd a third time. A fourt child
was i'll; fell victim rs quickly as each o
| the others: was coilincd by charity. and
carried of and laid by the mother beside hcl
| three other children. She came back 70
| her wrctrhcd apartment. A fifth ohilj
was seized with the malady: n fifth coifir
was procured: 4 fifth wcariSomc Journey
made alone by the mother and fifth bod
/ V consigned 10 the earth. there. nj all events
/ no longer TO feel the panGS ofditcaSc, or the
wasting progress Of unalleviatcd hunger
/ These facts were told us by a clergyman
who had them from personal knowledge
We state them, heart rendinG and apral
ing as they are, without the slightest exag
Grafton.
There were four corpses lying uninterret
some days past in the parish Of ST. Mary'S
in this city. Life had departed in one ol
two cases some days before; the bodies
were almost pu'rid, certainly incipcnt cor.
ruption had begun. They lay exposed be.
cause collins could not be had the pauper,
died perfectly penniless. One body was re.
moved from the miserable tenement where
death had occurred, and was stretched on a
| frPqnented pathway with sheet for q
Shroud, an object Of horror"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

An auction Of unmarried ladies' used to
take place annua'lyIn Babylon. SIN every
districts" says the historian, "thcy assem-.
blcd on certain day of every year, all the
virgins of manageable age" The most
beautiful were first put up, aud the man who
bid the largest sum of money gained posses
sion of her. The second pcrsonalappc
ancc followed, and the bidders gratiGcd
themselves with handsome wives, accord.
ing to the depth rtheir purses. But alas I!
i, seems there were il Babylon some ladies'
forwhich no money was likely to be offered,
yet those were also disposed Of, so providcnt
were the BabyloniOnS. "Whcn all the
beautiful virgins" says the historian, severe
sold, the crier oredred the most deformed 10
stand up; and after he had openly demand
ed who would marry her with small sum,
she was at length adjudgcd to the man who
would be satisfied with the least in this
manner the money arising from the sale Of
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02
Tin lnhriIIOm,e Yard.

Whose duty is it to take care Of the -four.
i>hng young locust grove in front of the
court house? The trees are now covered
with a heavy foliage and are putting forth
their beautiful white blossoms. Improperly
cultivated and attended TO, it would be a
splendid bower for the entertainment of
public assemblies in summer, and for fash
ionoble resort during the pleasant summer
evenings, aud it would amply reward the
kindness of its beneiactors by the grateful
fragrance, with which it would scent the
whole town, and by the cool, delightful
shade that it would afford the weary labor
cr when exhausted by toll in the broiling
sun. 1t is now shametuly neglected, and
exposed to the depredations Of the cattle
and hogs: the latter have already rooted TO
pieces the beautiful velvet carpet that ma
turc spread over the yard in early spring.
1t would be impossible to keep the gates
shut and in repair, unless a man were en-
ployed to stay constantly on the ground ;
consequently they should be fastened up
and Incorporated with the fence, and in
their places a broad flight of steps should be
built over the fence. This would afford
convenient access to persons and at the
same time keep out the stock. And then a
good man should be empoycdto level down
the ground and sow it with the best kind of
grass seed; and to pruue and dress the trees
every season, and fill up the vacancies
where any have died.
These asc our humble sentiments. What
say the new board of trustees? Don't this
come within their 'jurisdictiou?" We
think it do , At any rate, it would be far
better to spend the corporation money in
something Of THIS kind, for the health aud
comfort Of our gi'izcus. than 10 digging mud.
holrs in Oh. street. for tHy entertainment O.,
... w'..y swine,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

The Kings orHte Earth growing Ciril,-
The kings of the earth are growing vrodigi-
ously civil, polite and yielding. The ac-
commodatlng coon that only wanted to con-
WINGED that it was really Cap, Scott, to come
down from a tree, was n mere caution IN
civility to the mouarchs of Europe. who for
years past have been grinning defiance a.
the people from their exalted eminence.--
The great King Of Austria with his army of
2DO,O)O armed men knocks under to a mere
"mob" of school boys and bloused laborcrs
who thronr the streets Of Vienna, and in
Difference to their wishes sends away by
night that wise old owl, Prince Mc,teInich,
without even change ofnen.
Frederic William Of Prussia, genial,
liberal wen fed old COON, is disturbed over
the tenth bottle of Rudeshcimer by n great
outcry in the streets of Berlin. "Nat does
they want" he hiccupS TO the waiter.
"rhcy want freedom Oft the press, a convo-
cation of the Diet, aud a liberal suffrage"
"Let them have them all" responds the O.
bl&ging monarch, who returns again TO his
ncvcr-,alljng solacc.
Bang! Bang Drum Drm,. RaAlct
rattle! "What'S all that fuss" again ex.
cNimS the gcniel monarch. The soldiers
have fred upon the people and Killed many
Of them. son, very bad; let Us, 20 ont and
she'd some tears over the dcad!" Accord,
mgly the easy King goes forth and walls
hidcou,ly ovcrthe dead budieSNf the SLANT
says his soldiers have made great Wis.
take, and lc will give the people c<5fy--
thing they want But the Pnissian apd
Austrian monarchS can't hold candle IN
point OF civilt'y aud poltcness to Leopold OF
Belgium. When the enlightened king heard
oitls French Revolution, he told his Min
listers to inform the people, in ,lS language
vi Peter Br,h the sccdy statesman, minis.
'eriailcd hv they the Charcoal sketches of
Joseph G. Neal, 'rha, he wasn't nobody"
" L. was clean coner," aud was ready 10
Sisk info his original irsieniicance when
ever the people desired it. Sweet temper,
cd kings! Accommodating monarols'- -
may your shadows never be lcss'
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02
Yankee DecisiOn,

Some time between the years Of 1912 and
IA, when considerable animo>ity existed
between the people Of Canada and the
States, aud when some of the British sub
ieCts, who were "dreSScd with little brief
authority" looked upon the Yankees as lit
tie better than brutcS-the following is said
to have taken place at the custom house at
St. Johns.
A Yankee Of considerable dimensions en-
tered the office and informed the officer that
he wished 10 enter his load and receive n
passport. The officer cast a sarcastic look
at him. and said it was customary for peo-
pie when they entered his Office to receive
passports, TO take off their hats, and rcques.
him TO do the same instantly.
"No, thank you," said the Yankee, 81
paid four dollars for that hat, to keep my
head and cars warm
"louimpertincnt puppy" said the officer,
working himself into a considerable Of a pas
sion, show dare you insult me? OF with
your hat Immediately"
"No, sir, can't do it, keeps my head pro-
per warm
After several orders of similar nature,
accompanied with curses and threats. which
met with no better success. he stepped mn
TO him and gave his hat blow that sent it
TO the adjacent corner Of the room. The
Yankee paid no attention to this. but wait
ed patiently until he had received his pass
port, folded and deposited safely within his
wallet, and was ready to pursue his Jour
ney, when, turning 10 the officer he requeS.
ted him to pick up his hat and put il on his
head.
The officer, who was wroth. ordered him
TO leave the Office, or he might get into
trouble-for he did not make words with a
man Of his description.
81 say, mister says the Yankee, "you
must pick up my hat, and that Just in one
minutes time, or feel the weight of these
m0uis," shaking his fist rather nearer his
lordship'S face than was agreeable.
The officer ravcd and Swore all to no &c.
feet, and finally threatened to cane him il
he did not depart.
"MiSter," said the Yankee. slime flies
considerable kinder fast" and at the same
time beginning to unbuton his coat, s'and
you had better he going after that hat"
After several more threats, which had
the desired effect upon hiSopponent, and the
time being nearly expired. he sueaked on
and picked up the hat and offered it 10 its
owner; but he was not satisfied with that,
and he ordered him TO put it ON his head
precisely as he had found it. The officer
hcsitated but seeing the determination OF
the Yankee, he set it on his head and was
about to depart, when he was collarcd and
ordered TO place il as nc had found il.
"llere,' says the Yankee, "tuck this ear
under, now the other, pull it down little
IN ~ 60 .F ,,.ht gl, al. ,,..
the officer reluctantly performed. "Thrrc,
sir, that's about right" says the Yankee.
Sand now. friend. before leave, | will give
You a word Of good advice-never NEEDLE
with Yankees hat, unless YOU are prcpar-
ed TO take peep into futuHty. Good day,
SIR Oldpopcr
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

N0uiagc: The gate through which the
happy lover leaves his enchanted regions
and returns TO earth.
Death: An ill-brcd fellow who visits peo-
pie at all seasons, and insists on their i'm
mediatcly returning the call.
Author: \ dealer in words who gets
paid in his own coin.
bargains: a ludicrouS Transaction in
which each party thinks that he has cheat,
cd the other.
Critic: \ large dog that goes unclaimed
and barks at everything that he does not
comprehend.
Representatives,: Dinner at a hotel without
mince pies or bread pudding, and breakfast
on steamboat without sausageS.
Jury; Twelve prisoners in box to try
one or more at the bar
Grare An ugly hole in the ground,
which lovers and poets wish they were in,
but take uncommon pains to keep out Of it.
Larger: \ learned gentleman who res
your estate from yourencmy and keeps
it himself.
Policeman \ man employed in the cor.
poration TO sleep in the open air.
Tongue: \ little horse which is coutinu.
all running away.
Honesty; An excellcntjollc.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

Course Of an hour or two returned without
the handkerchief, locking as crestialltn ns
though he had been caught III nciehbors
shecp.fold. The master cnlitd his cars
sharply, aud told him to 90 aud try again,
and not come back until he found Il. he
dog started of again with apparent ielhc'
taucc, while the master flowed ~ n di>-
lance behind, and unpcrceivcd. he
dog went towards the field where the
child had picked the berries aud sat down
on his haunchcS--.held down his hcad--and
appeared TO be in deep brown study.
He sat in this attitude for perhaps halt
an hour, when he Suddenly jumped mp with
peculiar yell Of exultation, and started for
one corner Of the field. Here he stopped
for a moment, aud then commenced trotiinS
around the field, going about three feet
from the fence the first time, about six the
second, and thus continuing To- near the
middle at each succeeding circle. He went
around the field about twenty times, when
/ he jumped up into the air with a loud ytll
of triumph, picked up the 'kerche', and
started for home.
/ The veracity Of this narrative may be re-
/ lied upon. We received it from MIR. +,
a Baptist clergyman Of great respectabilltv.
/ Now, did the dog reason mathemaiically
! Does this 20 to add proof that instinct IL
another name for Family FISHER.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02
4 Mothers Voice,

No one can read the following brief ex-
tract from an account given By the Editor
OF the Cincinnati Atlas, of visit which lac
paid to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at CO.
lumbus, Ohio, without a deep aud peculiar
thrill OF melancholy pleasure. mothers
voice It Is the first sweet sound that touch
eS the human ear, and the last that lngcr>
there, Ia our later years, it comes with
the innocent feelings of childhood, and
draws the spirit hevenward.-
:'Of one" says the Editor, "an intelligent
aud modest lady, who had become deaf and
dumb from sickness, when two and a halt
years old, we cnquired whether she could
recollect anything Of sounds or words. She
answered that she could not. Itoccurred to
US that there might have been at least one
sound which might be remembered even
from that tender age, and We vcutlrcd tC
Inquire whether she had no recollection Of
her mothers voice 1t will We long, before
we forget the sweet, peculiar smile which
Shoue upon her features, as by quick in.
ciination Of her head, she answered YES
What world of thought and feeling chs.
tiers around such fact In all her memory
. there is but one sound, and that is her moth.
er's voice! For years she has dwelt in ST.
lence unbroken from without. and those gen
lie tones OF love still linger in her heart
mere they can never die: and ifher If,
should be prolonged TO three score year,
and ten, DER the long. silent track Of he
life the memory Of that voice will come. il
loneliness and beauty, reviving the soul O
weary old age with the fresh, lovely sound
/ o! her cradle hours
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

Oh Sal.iu hsd.Hu| m.r.s. s..rs. u..
ar.ua Mr,r nu., ...oar Gm. ..
uN,u a.s golden ayN Wo ..a..m.u.a
U, crystal bosom ~ our own romantic hi.
no's,"..toygI..na ow,ng hpoauaur Gn'.-
,r of ur n.naU.l nau.s. n.. very
-uoHns..u#ora,isu.mml.ru.ry.r nr..
u.'. aya..w w.nga,.. uy u. g.
."u., n, .'H Ioly, or the fairy landscape,
oitho sunny East.
In dreamy mood, with the creative eye
OF Imagination, we have surveyed the COR.
ccouS scene at the tranquil hour of sunset,
whcnthc tall groves, iultapcStrcd with fresh
foliage and fragrant blossoms, were wrapt
in deep silence, undSturbcd save by the
vcSpcr songs of the caroling birds. Ger
the velvet lawns, the Ottawa ladies'. noun.
ted upon their noble courSerS. gaily capar.
Sonca with flowers, were gambling wild
and free theirSlkcn curlS streaming in the
soft breeze, aud the trailing skirts Of their
graceful robes brushing the recent shower
from the tall lilies. Upon the cool bosom
of the crystal river, fancy sail-boats, filled
with beauty and eollantry, were gliding
softly along the low granite banks. which
were beautifully draperied with over.hang.
ing roses; their gay pcnnons streaming il,
the breeze, and the Orphoon notes of the
Ottawa band floating swcc,ly forth upon the
fragrant air, enchanting all nature with
soul.s,irring melody.
Old Sol, reluctant TO withdraw his gol.
den light from the beautiful scene, had slow.
! ly sunk behind III, far of hills Of Ninawah.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

NCiJiGgc-I> 10 woman. at once. fhe
manifest and the SadGc,t event of her lfe;
il is the promise Of future bliss raised on the
death of all present enjoyment. She quits
her home. her companions, her occupations.
her amuscmcut>-CvCJv thing on which she
has hitherto depended for ccmlor,,f for alice
ton, for kindness, fox pleasure. The pa
rents. by whose advice she has been guided,
the sister to whom Sic los dared to imrart
every cnshrvo or thcucIt and feeling; the
brother who has played with her, hy turns
the counsellor and the counscllcd; and the
Younger children. 70 whom she has hitherto
been the mother and the playmate, all are
to be Gur>akcn at ouctCll Shol,c; every for
mcr tic il to be looSCnCd. the spring of ev-
cry hone and action is to be changed /; and
vet she flies with joy into the untrodden path
b. fore her. Buoyed mp by The confidence
Of rcGui'cd love. she bids fond and CRATE
fIl aaicu TO the life that is past and turns
with excited hopes and Joyous an'icipations
to the happincSSto come. Then woe 10 the
man who can blight such fair hopes-who
can trcacherou>ly luTc such heart from its
peacefll enjoyment, and the watthful pro-
lection at hume-who can, coward-like.
break the Illusions that have won her. and
destroy the confidence which love had inspi.
red.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

i Curious irbitrdiOr.-ln olden tines
community of monks, occupying half de-
caycd mountain castle. found 1t necessary
to erect a new convent, but could not agree
together upon the spot where il should stand.
They finally resolved to leave the matterto
the determination Of an animal in great Ia
vOr among them, the ass. The following
spicy account of the proceedings OF the ar
bitralor is given:
Given so did the MONKS of.iIicrJnrs now
resolve 10 dcvolvc upon the ass the business
which had proved too woighty for them
selves. The highly honored Neddy was
conducted accordingly TO the gate Of the
castle laden with the money TO be expcnd-
cd for the building. end with the insignia Of
the convent, and then left TO take whatever
way might in his wisdom seem good TO him.
Slowly and deliberately did he pace down
towards the valley the monks following at
reyerential distance. Now and then the
Sagacjous animal stopped and cropped II
thistle, doubtless 10 give himself time lorre-
Election, aud occasionly he stood still and
looked around, as ifto consider the capabil-
tiles Of the place, lie went on ill he en-
tered a shadowy glove. that afforded de-
i,cious refuge from the burning rays Of the
afternoon sun, and stored where bright
riv,let. tricliliug from Spoch;shard & ma
king It's course by n strip oG the lovelicSt
green, fell into the beautiful nhun. The
monks watched him in breathleSs expeota-
ton. for here, they thought. would be a de-
lghtful spot and they dreaded lest he shenld
60 further. The respectable animal after
due consideration. slowly stopped and tast-
ed the water: and that he might omit no
means of forming a correct judgment. be-
gan TO try little Of the fragrant grass that
grew IN rich abundance on the banks. Al
length he lay down, and having apparently
quite made up his mind, rolled over, "heelS
upward" and gave vent to his feelings in n
loud and joyful bray. His sonorous voice
was drowned in the cxultinG psalms Of the
monks-and on this, the lovclicst spot ofthe
whole valley, the sacred ctiicc " as erect
cd
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

Never ridiculc, or point the finger discern
at person because he is less wealthy than
yourself. Many great man and brilliant
genius have been the victims Of poverty.
while accident has raised Simplctons and
even idiots to stations of aillucncc aud pow.
en- The true religion is to treat every per-
son with respect, 10 matter whether lac be
rich or poor
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02
TIE HOLY LAND.

TIE HOLY LAND.
have not felt DER seas of sand
The rocking of the desert bark
Nor laved at llcbron's lount my hand,
BY Hebron'S palm-trceS cool and dark
Nor pitched my tent, AT even fall,
On dust where job of old has lain,
Nor dreamed beneath its canvass wal
The dream of Jacob o'cr again.
One vast world paccrcmainS unread;
How shine the stars in Chaldea'S sky i!
How sounds the reverent pilgrims tread !!
How beats the heart with God 50 might
How round grey arch and column lone
The spirit Of The old time bIoods,
And signs on all the winds which moan
Along the sandy soitudcs!
In thy tall ccdars, Lebanon,
have not heard the nations cries,
Nor seen thy eagles STOPPING down
Where buried Tyre IN ruin lies.
The Christians prayer | have un. said
IN Iadmor', temples of decay;
Nor startled with my lroary tread
The waste where Momnon', empire lay.
Nor have from thy hallowcd tide,
Oh. jordan, heard the low lament,
Like that sad vail along thy side.
Which I,racl's moumiul prophet sent!
Nor thrilled within that grotlo lone.
Where. dropIn night, the bard Of kings
Felt hands OF fire direct hi, own,
Aud sweep iorGol the conscious strings,
hav" not climbed to Oiive'.
Nor laid me where my Saviour lay,
Aud left His trace Of tears, as yet
By angel eyes uuwcpt away;
Nor watched a midnight's solemn time,
The garden whcrcllis prayer aud groan,
WTung by His sorrow and our crime,
Rose To- one listening ear alone!
have not kissed the rock-hcwn grot
Where in Ills mothers arm he lay,
Nor knclt upon the sacred spot
Where last his footsteps pres>'d tie clay;
Nor looked on that rad mountain head,
Nor SInote my sinful breast, where wide
His arms to fold the world He spread.
And bowed his head TO bless the dead
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

4 little boy, not over ten years Of age,
v,s seen the other day examining his mouth
full Of fine cut" when gentleman stand
ing by. somewhat amused at the spectacle,
asked him what he chawcd tobacco for
"What do chaw tobacco for" replied the
boy. "why, sir, chaw it to get the strength
ont oft, to be sure, what d'yethnk chaw-
ed it for?"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-06-02

Reasonable RequeSi-A petition has been
presented to the legislature ofAIabama that
Charles Frederick Won Poniatowski LePog-
geattDeLa Ferassee De La pooquellairlee
Nommene Pavilion may he permitted to
change his name TO Francis Duncan.