davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
Toling Ducks.

lhis may not be an inappropriate placa
70 speak of this wonderful mode of drcov;no
ducks, termed toling, so extensively praci,s.S
upon the Chesapeake Bay and its iribu,arie.
where the canvass-backs and red-head. resort
IN such numerous quantities every autumn.
Aspeces of mOngrei water-dog, or often any
common cur, is taught TO run backwards and
forwards after stones, sticks or missiles thrown
from one side to the other nlong the shore.
In his activity and industry in this simple
branch of education, within the comprehen-
lion Of any dog, consist the almost incredible
art OF toling the canvass-back. With'a dog Of
this character. the shooting party, consisting
OF several persons, all prepared with heavy
double-barreled ducks guns, ensconce Them
selves at the break OF day behind some one
of the numerous blinds temporarily erected
along the shore contiguous 10 The feeding
grounds Of these ducks.
Everything being arranged and the morn.
ing mlsls cleared off, the ducks will be seen
securely feeding on the shadows not less than
several hundred yards from be shore. The
dog is now put IN motion by throwing stones
from one side of the blind to the other. This
will soon be Preceived by the ducks, who,
stimulated by an extreme degree Of curiosity,
and feeling anxious to inform themselves rs
10 this sudden and singular phenomenon,
raise their heads high in the water and COM
mence swimming for the shore The dog
being kept in motion, the ducks will NOT
arrest their progress until within few feet Of
the waters edge, and oltentimes will stand
on the shore staring, as il were in mute and
SILLY astonishmeni nj the playful motions of
the animal.
1t well trained, the dog takes no notice
whatever Of the ducks, but continues his
fascination until the quick report ofthe bat
terry announces TO him that his services are
now wanted in another quarter, and he
mmedia rely rusfes into the water to arrest
the flight OF the manned and wounded, who,
struggling on every side, dye The water wi h
their rich bloo1.
The discovery Of this mode OF decoy ing
ducks was quite an accident, being attributed
TO circumstance noticed by a sportsman,
who, concealed behind a blind patiently
awaiting the near approach of the canvass
hacks, observed that they suddenly lifted up
their heads and moved towards the shore.
Wondering at this singular and unusual pro-
cedure on the part of this wary bird, he na-
turully looked round to discover the cause,
and observed a young fox sporting on the
river bank; and the ducks all eagerness 10
gaze upon him, were steering their course
directly for the shore.
These ducks will not only be decoyed by
the dog. but will often come in by waving a
fancy-colored handkerchief attached to the
rainrod. We have seen dog fail to attract
their attention till bound around the loins
with a white handkerchief, and then succeed
perfectly well. Tie toling season continues
J about three weeks from the first appearance
of the ducks-often much shorter time
as these birds became more cautious, and
are no longer deceived in this way.-Hnts
to SportNnen.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
An Apology.

vi all the wares and commodities in ex
change and barter, wherein so mainly consists
the civilization of our modern world, there is
not one so carefully weighed-so accurately
measured-so plumbed and guaged-so doled
and scraped-so poured out in minina and bal
anced with scruples-as that necessary of social
commerce, called an "apologyl" Ifthe chem
lists were half so careful in vending their poi
sons, there would be notable diminution in the
yearly average of victims to arsenic and oxalic
acids But, alas, in the matter of apology, it
is not from the excess of the dose, but the tim
Id, nlggardly, miserly manner in which it is
dispensed, that poor Humanity is hurried off TO
the Styx! How many times does life de-
pend on the exact proportions of an apology |,
Is 1t hairbreadth too short to cover the scratch
Tor which you want il, Make your will-you
are dead man! life do say hecatomb
of lives! How many wars would have been
prevented, how many thrones would have been
standing, dynasties iourishing, commonwealth
brawllng roand ben,a, or fitting out galleys
Tor corn and cotton-if an inch or two more of
apology had been added to the proffered ell
But then that plaguy, jealous, suspicious old
vlnegar-faced Honor, and her partner Pride
as penny-wise and pound-foolish a she-skinfin,
as herself-have the monopoly of the article
And what with the time they lose in adjusting
their spectacles, hunting in the precise shelf
for the precise quantity demanded, then (quali-
ty found) the haggling as to quantum-c5n-
slderlng whether it should be Apothecary
weight or Avoirdupois, or English measure OF
Flemish-and, finally, the hulaboloo they make
If the customer is not perfectly satisfied with
the monstrous little he gets for his money!
don't wonder, for my part, how one loses TEN
per and patience, and sends Pride, Honor an,
Apology, all TO the devil Aristophaues j,
his g COMEDY of Peace,' insiuuates beautiful
allegory by only suffering that goddess, though
In fact she is his heroine, to appear as a mute
one takes care never TO open her lips. Tn,
shrewd Greek knew very well that she woul,
cease to be Peace, if she once began to chatter
Wherefore, reader, if ever you find YOU
pump under the iron heel of another man s boot
heaven grant that you may hold your tongue
and not make things past all endurance and for
giveness by brawling out for an apology M,
N0rel
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
The Reward of Gallantry.

Young Wagons is one OF the most gallant
fellows in existence. There is nothing we
believe. which he would not do, in the way Of
politeness 10 the ladies'. We have known
him macnanimously TO strain his back, car
rying fat women across sloppy streets, and to
make common footstool, or stepping
stone. of himself, for the accommodation Of
pirI, climbing fences. But sometimes his
eaIIantry is i'll rewarded. II was only few
days ago, that Wagons met with cooler
which he will not soon forget. Promena-
ding Washington street with a fashionable
acquaintance, bowling and smiling to the
ladies', and taking advantage of every oppor.
tunity to pick up handkerchiefs and restore
lost wells 10 their fair owners, his attention
was drawn by the silvery jingle Of shilling,
which fell AT his feet. Discovering the lady
who had dropped the coin, and anxious 10
exercise his gallantry, Wsggins stoop grace
fully, and extended bis fingers for the shil-
ling, but before he could touch il. forward
daried the proprietor thereof and seized II
directly beneath his nose! Fancy the feel
ings of the sensitive gallant, when the female.
drawing herself up before him to her full
heighu, shook the shilling at him with a look
Of triumph, and defiance and exclaimed,
Guess yon ddn't make much this time =
This is my money, if you please strand
vou can't have itn-Oliue Branch.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
The Moral of a pair of Stockings.

The following letter was written by dis
tinguished literary lady, Mrs W., of Troy,
N. Y, and sent to learned Judge, Of New
Haven, on the eve of his MARRIAGE Wash
ingion Republic.
I" Dear Cousin Herewith you will re-
celve present Of pair of woollen stockings,
knit by my own hands and be assured, dear
coz, that my friendship for you is warm as the
material, active as the finger-work, and gener-
Gus as the donation.
But | consider this present as peculiarly
appropriate on the occasion of your marriage
You will remark, in the first place, that there
are two individuals united into one pair, who
are TO walk side by side, guarding against
coldness, and giving comfort as long as they
last. The thread of their texture is mixed :
and so, alas. is the thread of life. In these,
however, the white is made to predominate,
expressing my confidence that thus it will be
with the color Of your existence. No black
is used, for believe your lives will be wholly
free from the black passions of wrath and jeal-
ousy. The darkest color here is blue, which
is excellent, when we do not make it too blue.
Oiher appropriate thoughts rise in my mind
in regarding these stockings. The most in
different subjects, when viewed by the mind
in suitable frame, may furnish instructive
inferences, as saith the poet:
=" The iron dogs. the fuel and tongs,
The bellows that have leathern lungs,
The frewood, the ashes. and the smoke,
Do all to righteousness provoke
But to the subject. You will perceive that
the tops of these stockings (by which sup
pose courtship to be represented) are scanned,
and by means Of scanning are drawn into a
snarl but afterwards comes time when the
whole is made plain, and continues SO to the
end and final toeing off. BY this l wish to
take occasion to congratulate yourself that you
are now through with seeming, and have come
to plain reality. Again as the whole of these
comely stockings were not made at onceybut
by the addition of one little stitch after anoth-
e,. put in with skill and discretion, until the
whole presents the fair ana equa! piece Oh WORK
which you see, so life does not consist of one
great action, but millions Of little ones COM
bined and so it may be with your lives No
stitch dropped when duties are to be per-
formed; no widening made where bad princi-
pies are to be reproved, or economy is to be
preserved; neither seeming nor narro.oing
where truth and generosity are in question.
Thus every stitch Of life made right and set
in the right place; none either too large or
too small, too tight or too loose thus you may
keep on your smooth and even course-making
existence one fair and consistent piece-until
together. having passed the heel. you come to
the very toe Of life and here, in the final mar
rowing of and dropping of the coil Of this
emblematical pair Of companions and comfort
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
Boys.

Mrs Denson, the accomplished assistant
editor of the Olive Branch, gives The follow
ing excellent exposition Of that queer and
lnexplicabe crealon-a boy -
A boy is the spirit Of mischief EN- bodied;
a perfect leetotum; spinning ronnd like
Jenny or tumbling heels over head. He
must invariably 90 through tine process of
leaping over every chair in his reach, akes
drum-heads OF the doors, turns The tin-pans
into cymbals, takes the best knives out to dig
worms for baif, aud loses them, hunts up the
moasses cask and leaves the molasses run
ming, is boon companion to the sugar barrel
searches up all the pie and preserves left
after supper and eafs them. goes 10 the ap-
piles every ten minutes, hides his old cap in
order to wear his best one, cuts his boots
accidentally if he wants a new pair, tears his
clothes for fun. jumps into the puddles for
fun, and for ditto tracks your carpets and
cuts'your furniture. He is Iomping, shouting,
clustering, and in all but best estate terrible
torment, especially TO his sisters. He don'n
pretend to do much until he is twelve, then
the rage for frock-coats and high dickles
commences. At fourteen he is 10 big 10
split wood or 30 after water, and at the time
these interesting offices ought TO he PERFORM
ed, ,contrives to be invisible; whether conceal
ed in the garrett with some old worm-eaten
novel for companion, ensconced in the
wood-shed, trying to learn legerdemain
tricks, or bound off on some expidiion that
turns out 10 be in most cases more deplorable
than explorabe-to coin word. Al fifiern
he has tolerable experience OF the world
but, from fifteen to twenly-may we be
clear from The track when he is in sight he
knows more then, than Washington and
Benjamin Franklin together in other words,
he knows more then, than he will ever know
again.
Just hail one Of these young specimens
boy al sixteen, and how wrathy he gets
IF he does not answer you precisely as the
little urchin did, who angrily exclaimed,
don't call me boy, I've smoked these two
years. he will give you a wilhering look thar
is meant to annihilale you. turn on his heel,
and with a curl Of the lip mutter disdainfully,
who do you call boy, and o! the emphasis.
But j,sting aside-an honest, blunt, merry,
mischievous boy, is something to be proud
Of whether ms brother or son for in all his
scrapes his good heart gets the better Of h'm,
and leads him soon to repentance ana %
sure he will remember his fault-at least
FIVE minutes.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
other, the tender to leeward and about hun.

other, the tender to leeward and about hun
dred fathoms off, a t naHi aa.np. a
Well, don't you be too free with yer peau-
der, and | will. Aminidab, let 60 that ar jib
sheet
Yes, | will, answered the young REFER /;
and with hearty will he began TO draw it
to the windward. At the same moment the
American officer put his helm hard up, and
the sloop rapidly paid off right towards the
tender A-i'-
Let 60 that jib Sheet shouted the English
officer ''
Yes, Aminidab, you tarnal fool you, let it
go, say! let it go! Don't you see you are
coming right aboard the captains vessel,'
But Aminidab pulled the harder, and fairly
took turn with the sheet around the Delaying
pin.
The English officer was about to pour out
upon him volley of oaths, when seeing that
the sloop would certainly fall afoul Of him he
turned to give orders for the protection of his
own vessel but ere he could utter them, the
siooP . W" Suuck ner near tne lore rigging
and swung round stern with stern. At the
same instant the American officer stamped up
on the deck. and forty men made their appear
ance from the matches, forcastle and cabin,
and leaped after Percival upon the tenders
deck.
The Englishman, taken by surprise, surren-
dered. without scarcely striking blow and
getting both vessels under sail, in the verv
sight of the frigate, the gallant young captor
sailed with his prize back to the harbor, after
an absence of six hours and twenty seven min
utes.
This exploit is doubtless one of the boldest
and most spirited affairs that came off during
the war. The account given is faithful mar
rative Of the transaction, and the chief cir
cumstances will be recognized both BY the
brave officer in question, as we'll as BY his
friencs. "..
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03

day. The Clerk looked as directed, and re-
ported that that day four weeks came on
Thursday. Then, said the Judge, .Mr.
Green, the Court will give you until this day
four weeks The case was prosecuted by
Turney, the Attorney General, who nterpos-
ed and said May it please the Court, on oc-
casions of this sort, it is usual for Courts 10
pronounce formal sentence; to remind the
prisoner of his perilous condition; to reprove
him for his guilt, and to warn him against the
Judgment in the world to come To which
the Judge replied, 'Oh, Mr.. Turney, Mr..
Green understands the whole matter; he
knows he has got to be hung; you understand
1t, Mr. Green, don't you 2 Yes said the
prisoner. Then, Mr.. Sheriff, let the prisoner
be remanded and adjourn Court
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
An accommodating Judge.

The following anecdotes are told In Govern
or Fords History of Illinois SIN those days
(from 1918 to lS30) justice was administered
in the courts without much show, parade or
ceremony. The judges were gentlemen of
sense and learning; who held their courts
mostly in log houses, or in the bar rooms of
taverns fitted up for the purpose, with a tenn
porary Bench for the Judge, and chairs for the
lawyers and jurors. At the first Circuit Court
in Washington county, by Judge John Rey-
nolds, on the opening Of the Conrt, the Sher-
if went out into the court yard and said to the
people, Boys come in, our John is going 10
hold court This was the proclamation for
opening the court. In general the Judges
were averse TO deciding questions of law
They did not like the responsibility of offend
ing one or the other parties. They preferred
TO submit every thing they could to be decided
by the jury. | knew one who, when asked
for instructions to the jury OH points of law,
would rub his head and the sides of his face
with his hands, and say to the lawyers, why,
gentlemen, the jury understand it; they need
no instruction no doubt they will do justice
in the case This same Judge presided at a
court in which man named Green was con-
victed for murder, and it became his unpleas-
ant duty to pronounce sentence upon the cnl-
prit He called the prisoner before him and
said to him, 'Mr. Green, the jury say you are
guilty of murder and the law says you are
to be hung. Iwant you and all your friends
down on Indian creek to know, that it is not l
who condemn you. 1t is the jury and the law.
Mr.. G. what time would you like to be hung !
the law allows no time for preparation Mr.
Green said, May it please your Honor, am
ready at any time; those who kill the body
have no power to kill the soul. My prepara-
ton is made, and am ready at any time the
court pleases.' The Judge replied, Mr..
Green, it is a very serious matter to be hung ;
il can't happen to man but once in his life /;
and YOU had better take all the time you can
get. Mr. Clerk, look at the almanac and see
whether this day four weeks comes on Sun
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
? @ E Z R Y
FROM the journal IF Commerce.
ON THE UNION,

yin Id6 ON1ONs
FROM UNIT.
Giant aggregate of nations,
Glorious Whole of glorious parts,
Unto endless generations
Live United, hands and hearts
BE il storm, or summer. weather,
Peaceful calm, or battle-jar,
Stand in beautious strength together.
Sister States, as Now ye are!
Every petty lass-disscntion,
Heal it up as quick as thought;
Every Paltry place pretension,
Crush it, as a thing of nought;
Let no narrow private treason
Your great onward progress bar,
Yet remain, in right and reason,
Sister States, as Now ye are ..
Fling away absurd ambition
People. leave that toy to kings;
Envy. jealoasly, suspicion.
Be above such grovelling things!
In each others joys delighted,
All your hate be-joys of war,
And by all means keep United
Sister States, as now We are
Were but some scornful stranger,
Still ms counsel would be just;
Break the band, and all is danger,
Mutual fear and dark distrust:
But, you know me for brother.
And friend who speaks from far,
Be at one then with each other.
Sister States, as Now ye are
1t seems a thing unholy
Freedoms soil by slaves TO till,
Yet. be just and sagely. slowly.
Nobly. cure that ancient i'll:
Sowly-haste is fatal ever;
Nobly-lest good faith We mar;
Sagely-not in wrath to sever
Sister States, as Now We are;
Charmed with your comminsled beauty,
England sends the signal round,
every man must do his duty"
To redeem from bonds the bound
Then indeed your banners brightness
Shining clear from every star,
Shall proclaim your joint uprightness,
Sister States, as Now We are!
So, peerless constellation
May those stars forever blaze
Three and ten n-times-three-f fold nation,
Go-ahead in power and praise!
Like the many breasted goddess
Throned on her Ephe>ian car,
Be-one heart in many bodies
Sister States, as Now ye are!
MARrIN F. TuPPER.
Albry, Jan. Is. 1851.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03

ing associates, nothing appears but white, tho
token of innocence and peace. of purity and
light. May you, like these stockings. the f.
nal stitch being dropped, and the work COM
Ple'ed, go together from the place where you
were formed to happier state of existence, q
present from earth to Heaven. Hoping that
'nese stockings and admonitions NAV meet q
c'vh reception, remain in the true-blue friend
sn'P' seemiy, yet without seeming.
Yours, from top 10 toe.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
VOL. v.

outside, think shall be able to show John
Bull Yankee trick he viii not be likely to
forget very soon; but all will depend on our
good management Of the affair. Now you see
what would be at, Frank Will you join
met "'''ot I'-i.e- f.. 81.
Heart and hand, sir !! responded Frank
Talbot with enthusiasm will you allow
me to be the hand on deck to help work the
sloopr "'
Yes, if you can talk Weathersheld Yam
kee' ~ .t-.u y
well, | ray,her guess ken, tho l haint
been daown to Connecticut among 'em since
last grass -I..., -.,.i. ..-,-.-.,
This reply was pronounced in such an mimi
table Yankee, that ahe lieutenant burst into q
hearty laugh.
you will do. Frank Now we want to
proceed at once to action. want yon to pro-
ceed to the Anchor rendezvonz in Pearl street,
and drum up about thirty-ive men. Take on
ly those that are daring and ready for any
thing. Let none of them know your object,
lest we be betrayed by information being con-
veyed to the tender. You will find men
enough in these times who will ask no ques-
tions. Meet me at twelve o'clock, at the Ex-
change Reading Rooms, and report to me-
The midshipman then took his leave and
hastened up the battery. The lieutenant re-
turned to the group, and taking aside the mas
ter's mate, whom he knew, laid briefly before
him his project. The old tar entered into ii
with zeal. Together they went to the docks,
where. on account of the blockade, lay idle a
large number of vessels of every description
They were not long in indiscovering such craft
as suited them: Hudson sloop of fifty tons.
She was Immediately put in trim for sailing
by the masters mate and three or four men
whom they employed, while the officer pro-
ceeded to buy up and send aboard his live
stock.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03

The reason why rain water feels soft ana
smooth in washing. is because it is not im-
pregnated with minerals and eartl's hSe
spring water; the latter receives its hard ana
rough properties from the various mineral
strata through which il penetrates before II
issues from its subterranean recesses as sui
pbates. carbonates, &c. Hence 1t Is easier
10 vssh with soft or rain water, because il
unites freely with the soap. which il dissolves
instead Of decomposipg. a. hard or spring
water does.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03

BANKING IN PENEsYLvANIA.-TheL Legisla-
ture have passed the bill for 4 system Of free
Banking; the bill repeating the law which
now prohibits tina circulation of small notes
for other Ststes has been reported against.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-03
s E L ECT TALE.
The Frigate's Tender.

rA,x OF THE LAST WAR, FOUNDED on FACT
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-08

Mn. WYLDs MODEL OF THE EARrH-This extraordi.
nary undertaking is now completed, and will be opened
the public next week in the building which has been
erected for il IN Leicester Square. MIR. Wyd has figured
the earhs surface the interior OF globe, which is
attended by the great advantage OF enabling the spectator
TO extend his range OF vision almost indefinitely the
and wondrous distributions OF land and water brought
at once within his view The scale is ten miles TO
inch horizontal and mile TO inch verical the di-
ameer is not less than sixty feet the employed 10
convey the various effects of mountain and valley.
and rver some thousands OF raised blocks, cast
ings in plaster from models originally made in clay and
by easy and gradual ascents TO successive stages the mi.
nuies details may be examined from moderate dis
tances Arrived at the frs, landing the viser stands in
The midst of the South Pacific arrived at the last, he
views Immediately above him the regions Of the North
Pole, (very hot the day OF the private view. may
remark, in consequence OF imperfect ventilation which
is undergoing remedy and he is startled TO find that
Great Britain lies those icy soliludes There has
been no individual achievement more remarkable than
this al any time exhibited in London. We cannot bring
ourselves 10 refer to simply among the entertaining
sights OF the metropolis IL is tba-bnt IL is also much
more The idea OF making noble and complete les
in physca geography accessible at view TO great
OF the people magnificent one and has been
carried out by Mr. Wyd the spirit OF the conception
II worthy supplement, 10 the Great Exhibition, and in
itself triumph OF industry and art which iranscends the
greatest mafvels now on view IN Hyde Park.
London Examiner.