davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15

PROBABLY A FATAL ILLUSION. DIR. Will
hams is at this time treating case, which
he says Is nothing more than an illusion of
the mind. The patient is lady who is
somewhat advanced in years, and positively
asserts that she has swallowed a pin, and il
has lodged crosswlse in her throat. Under
this belief she refuses to receive food or nour.
ishment, saying that it is impossible for her
10 swallow. Previous 10 the time when she
said she had swallowed it, about three weeks
ago, she was woman of stout constitution
and robust habit, but has ROW dwinded al
most TO a complete skeleton, and was yester-
day lying without the power To speak. Her
throat has several times been examined, not
only by DIR. Williams, but other physicians,
and they all agree IN the opinion that there
Is no pm there. There is u complete ab-
sence OF inflammation in the throat exter-
nally, or internally as far as can be seen, and
she does not complain of pain from the pres
sure OF the parts. For the first two days af-
ter this idea became fixed in her mind, she
rarIook of her meals as usual, bur since that
time has refused any nourlshment whatever
There is an absence Of fever, and the pulse
is slow and weak.
After the Doctor had told her repeat edly,
that there was no rim in her throat and that
he could do nothing for her, she continued
TO send for him. He thought of a plan at
last by which she might be cured of this
strange fancy. So he takes with him several
surgical instruments, providing himself with
rus'y pin which lac crooked for The pur-
pose. He inserted in her throat several
times, one or more OF these instruments,
having a crooked point, and, as bis last and
greatest effort, pretended TO draw out ilIe
very pin which had given her so much pain
and trouble. and produced it in his hand
This satisfied her. She knew it was then
out. and thanked the Doctor with the warm
est expressions for the preservation of her
life. In few hours her Imagination was
aeain at work, and she positively declares
that there is another one there, aud under
that belief she is now proslraIe from Lebil
~, and unless this plantasm is in some way
removed from her mind, she will probably
die within few days.-Mobile Herald.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
Terrible Steamboat Disaster.

BY telegraphic despatch TO the Boston
Post, dated Vicksburg, May g. we learn that
the steamboat Webster, Capt. Samuel Reno,
took fire Friday p. Nj. and was burnt TO ths
waters edge. at The head Of Island Sc, 100
mites above Vicksburg. The FIRE was dis
covered and The alarm gwen about 3 o'clock,
anu almost Instantly afterwards the boat was
ense'oped in flames. The pilot, 10 whom
s.ea' % credit in due, having charge OF the
""eo' immediately endeavored 10 run the
poat ashore lie was in part surcesstul.
out the ffaines finally drove him trom M.
post, and The boat, being un,nanapeable
1oaed again IN deep water, TINS de6,,y;ns
the passengers and crew of the fir.t ma ,a.,
hope OF safety. At the 6rs, alarm n scens
ensued which il is impossible 10 descr;hs
and mingled as it was with the burning bo,,
from which the flames were spouting in MI
directions, became terrible. Many rushed
INTO the flames while others crowded TO tbs
side OF the boat, clnging convulsively 10 tlis
guards, until driven away by the fire, and
compelled 10 throw themselves into the cur
rent. 1t was with difficulty that anv of the
females could be saved, many of them being
separated from their husbands and females.
About IL or Is Of the passengers Jumped
from the boat, with difficulty saved their lives
oy ciinging 10 snags until released by the yawl
and skIffs from shore. As soon as the fear
lul truth was known by the inhabitants Of
The shore, three or four boats were quickly
rowed 10 the scene of disaster, and .uccee.
ded Is saving the lives Of several persons who
were clnsing 10 The sides of the boat and to
snngs IN the river. They were taken OH
board of the store-boat Gray Eagle, Cant. J.
l.. Case, who did all that could he done To-
afford an asylum TO the few women and chill.
dren who were saved. The number Of pas
sengers and hands on board the Webster
was about 100, of whom only about 60 can
be found. The rest are supposed 10 have
perlshed with the boat. The steamer New
Orleans, bound for New Orleans from St.
Louis, hove il, sight about fn hour after the
accident, and stopped and took on board aIl
the survivors, aud rendered all other assis-
lance that could be desired.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
A few Words about Poultry,

As this is the season when The rearing of
poultry commences il may be we'll to have
short chapter on the subject. There are a
vast number of chicks brought out that new
er come TO maturity, and this loss, mainly
grows out Of the neglect of a few simple
rules which, if observed, would save four
tilihs OF all that die.
II is difficult to say what kind of fowl is
the best; whether il be our own native
breeds, or the Cochin China, Shanghai,
Dorkng. or some of the other numerous
kinds which are growing and cackling so
loud IA these days OF folrl excitement. Nv
experience with the foreign breeds has nol
been long enough to say whether they are
better than ours or not-but it has been long
enough lC say that there is profit in Keeping
our own domestic fowls, provided they are
kepl well. | think the cost of feeding the
Cochns and Shanghas is much larger in
the same number of fowls, than it would be
for our common breeds This seems 10 be
natural, as they are very much Larger. But
they are docile. good layers, and easily man
aged in every way. Their eggs are large,
rich, and OF a cinnamon color. | have never
allowed any to sit, aud have no experience
whether they are gentle and assiduous
mothers-bul the hooks say they are.
In order 10 prevent added eggs, the hen
should be placed in some secure place, and
suffered 10 90 off and on un,i she get accus-
toned 10 the spot, aud where the laying hens
will not come 10 distrub her. When she
has come off and quietly returned TO her nest
two or thee times, The eggs may be placed
under her; ia large fowl l3 are enough, if
small, 10 or l. Many persons are exceed
ingly desirous 10 feed The young chicks as
soon as they have escaped from their prison.
house; but they are better off with nothing
to eat for at last twenty. four hours. All
they require is quiet and the warmth Of the
hen, and in days time they will make
wonderful progress. When taken from the
nest, they should he gently removed to
warm. dry place, and fed, a itie at a time,
with corn meal, mixed with boiling wafer,
rnd this should be given as dry as it can be
well mixed. There is nothing the young
chicks like better than coarsely cracked corn
or the coarSe hominv which is sold at the
shops. Their natural food is dry, and they
greatly prefer cracked corn, a little barley or
wheat, to any wet food. Every body knows
that fowls are subject to vernin, and OF
course will he on their guard. If found IN
fected, a little oilng, and Two or three meals
of softly boiled onions mixed with meal will
exterrninate them. They always need sand
and ashes 10 roll in.
But the great destruction in young poul
try is occasioned by cold and damp. A slight
exposure 10 wet aud cold brings on infam.
nation and other diseases, and in all my ex-
perience. Ihave scarcely known an instance
Of recovery. You may as well throw your
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
A Faithful Old Horse.

A friend relates the following, which has
struck US, rightly considered, as possessing
an element Of the pathetic in no ordinary de.
gree:
An old horse that had served his master
faithfully Tor some twenty-five years, was
sold TO drover from one of The little Long
Island Sound villages near New Haven,
and taken 10 that pleasant town for ship
n:eui TO the West Indies. AS the old lelow
went away, in new hands, he seemed TO have
a kind oil instinctire presentment TINT he was
TO return no more. He cast many a long
ing, lingering look behind, and whinnied his
apprehensions so afieclingIy, that bis old
owner almost reented, and but tor seeming
childish he would have followed and reyok-
ed the bargaln-a course which his children
who were watching the old horse depart,
strenuousI y urged him to adopt. He disap>
peared, however, with his new master. and
seon after, in company with n large drove of
oaher horses, he was placed on board ves-
sci, whcn, one afternoon in March. set sail
from New llaven for the West Indies, The
vessel had hardly reached the open Sound,
al nlSht-tall, before u storm began 10 brew
| which by nine O'Clock became so violent
that ihe safety OF the ship, captain and crew
was placed IN imminent jeopardy. The
craft laDoreu so hedViy that II was found
necessary TO throw over much of the live
freight, which greatly encountered the deck
| The oldest and least valuable horses were
selected, and among them was our four leg
ged nero The stormy waters of the Sound
received the poor old fellow; but his 'dest-
ny was pot yet fulfilled. The shore, which
the vessel had 'hugged in the tempest, was
only three miles distant, and this, with more
| than Superhumdn effort, he was enabled 10
| reach. That very night his old master was
awakened by the familiar 'whinnving of bis
faithful beast, over The long-accustomed door
yard gate, saying, like the old 'gaberIunze-
man in the Scottish song,
''Get up, good man, and let me in -
The familiar sound came like the voice Of
Nat Lees splrit-horse,' as described 10y Da-
ma in the BUCCANEERS to that remorseiul
master. He did get up, and led the old
steed into his wonted stall, which he there
after occupied until his death. With an un-
erring instinct. that animal had travelled
twenty-five miles, after reaching the shore,
before he arrived al the door Of his old mas.
ter Il shall never sell another old horse,
said the original narrator of this story to our
friend, the longest day live "-Kmckerbock-
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15

DAME NATURE. Some people think old
Dame Nature does all things well; but we
think she is blind as Madame Fortune her
sell, and as stupid as Congress on private
bill day, else she would have placed The VII
Ial organs of ladies of the present day, in
their arms, down near their wrists, where
the ornamental sleeve, and balloon puffings
would have given them room 10 move. IL
she comprehended the fitness of things, and
was not obstinate as mule. she would not
cling TO her old plans, regardless Of all mod
ern improvements in this great age of dis
covery! What business has she to crowd
her stomachs, and hearts, and lvers, and
lungs into peoples trunks, without regard
10 how much they may be in the way Of
their wardrobe? If she had eyes and COM
mon sense, she could see that the chest, of
oil other parts of the body, is just where a
lady has no room for internal machinery;
and what is the reason she does not move
her workshop ou, Of the establishment that
will be less inconvenent to the mistress Of
the mansion7 We would just like some Of
the admirers Of Nature to answer these ques-
tons, and we pause for reply.-Mrs.
Stoisshelm.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
A Man of Business,

Atthe Greene County, New York, Agricuh
tural Fair, an address was made by Col.
Zadock Pratt, from which we take the
following passage =
And now | will show 10 you the advan.
tage more dreary hemlocks have been 10 the
farmers OF our mountain towns. Since |
hrst engaged in farming, it has been my lot
10 employ over fifteen thousand years OF
meu's lnbor-an army of thirty thousand
men have employed, and have paid those
men for their labor alone, over two million
five hundred thousand dollars. have cleared
over ten thousand acres of tnd, used over
two hundred thousand cords of hemlock
bark, and paid over half a million Of dollars
for it. Used and worn out five hundred
horses and one thousand yoke of oxen.-
Used two hundred and twenty thousand
tons OF hay; thirty thousand barrels OF beef
and pork, and nearly one hundred thousand
barrels OF flour, and potatoes without num-
Der or measure.
have tanned one million two hundred
and fifty sides of lea ther; my usual dishurse-
;nenI is over five thousand dollars per day
and have used 10 my business here over
ten millions. Every laboreI received his
money, yea, every man his penny, in peace
and 10 the credit Of this community be il
said, that never had side of leather stolen,
and never was chosen defendant in law on
account of my business transactions during
my residence among you. The great ohjecr
OF my living is 10 he useful. Live with
your neighbor, and not on him. Allow me
gentlemen and ladies', TO conclude by con-
graduating you upon the rich blessings of
health, power and prosperity which surround
you, and may succeeding generations do
as much as you have towards national
wealth and industry which are the safeguards
10 our independence.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
Nehemiah Flufkins Visit to the
City of Notions.

Nehemiah Flufkns was one of those unfor-
tunate specimens of the genius homo that seem
by some accident to have barely escaped shoot
ing out of the ground in the form of a cabbage,
and to have been born with all the outward
semblance of humanity. Spite of his awful
greenness, F'lufkins was an observant chap,
anxious to look about the world, and, to use
his own words, be some pumpkins He came
to Boston one day to see the elephant, and in
nocently suffered all manner of tricks 10 be
played upon him, such as paying twenty-five
cents to go inside of the Common, charge
made by cunning boy, who discovered that
Flufklns had just come down. Another OF
the b'hoys' who had received his cue from the
lad who had charged the entrance fee to the
public Common, stopped Nehemiah as he came
out and passed down fremont street, and po-
litely tapping him on the arm, said g.
Fifty cents fine, sir, at the same time hold
ing out his hand for the money.
Fifty cents! creation, what fur,'
The mayors house, sir
Wot Of thatp asked Flufkins, looking at
the house designated by the other.
You have passed it just now, ,cithom takin g
off your hatr
How yer talk. S'posin did.'
why, that's fifty cents fine in Boston
'Nor
Certainly; and unless you pay il forthwith.
| shall be obliged to take you to the police Of
fce.'
'W-h-e-w Well, here's half. Let's see
which house it is, said Nehemiah, taking off
his hat. ...r r..r
That's it, sir, the next but one to where we
stand ... ..-t
Wall, | won't get caught again, anyhow,
said the innocent Flufkins, as he walked back
and forth before the house of green grocer,
and fixed the spot in his mind.
Scarcely had Nehemiah Flufkins turned an
other corner before he was stopped by third
person, who had got the hint from the other
two operators. a
'What's the matter no,cr asked Nehemiah,
+. haven't passed another Mayors house, have
II
No, but you forgot your landing fee.'
Landin' fee-what's thatp nj iu fir
Why, head money. w.
Head money! Do yer have tn pay for
keepin' yer head on = asked Nehemiah, inno-
Gently. a H
No-you don't understand, my friend.
perceive that you must be a stranger in the
city, aa,
Wall, guess | am bw4G it rs
You see the law is, that any person arri-
wing in town for the first time, shall pay seven-
ty-fve cents head money. d elaT 9aea
|Du tell.'Taa9f l'fo arr h1lai
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15

physic to the winds and put the bird out of
his sutfering-he will rarely recover. They
should not be let out even INTO the dews. nm
I'll they are pretty well feathered Keen
them clean, dry and warm, give them plenty
of water and dry food, and you may raise as
many as you will care to dress and prepare
Tor market; and if ready in all the month of
July you will realize as much profit as in any
other branch of your farming where the same
amount of capital is invested.
nave thrown out these few hints from my
own observations and experience, thinking
they may be of service to some of The rhous.
ands who take an interest in Poultry
There are plenty of bonks on the subject af.
fordng many valuable suggestions Middle
ser Freeman.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15

Fltchburg Railroad
That's it, exclaimed his prosecutor, as
though ne had made discovery.
What's it!' asked Nehemiah.
Why-you are the fellow the police are af.
ter
"a fier me, what furl'
For slipping away without paying your
head money!
Well, look a here nabor, its purity expen-
slve bizness, pears to me but there's three
quarters, will that fix it,'
Yes, that's all right, you are free now to
look about the town. said he, walking away
with suppressed chuckle
Thank YER, said Flufkins; only to think
of the perlece after me- Well, that ,ras an
escape
! II there was one thing above another for
which Nehemiah had weakness, it was smok-
ing. AT home, his pipe was in his mouth half
the time, and seeing some cigars in the win
dow, he felt the desire come over him, and so
he walked in, purchased long-nine, lit it and
walked out into the street, smoking as he went
along, looking into the shop windows in Wash
Ington street. The fact was, Nehemiah was
now breaking city ordinance, and laying him
sell liable to fine. 1t was not long before a
policeman, with his badge of Office on his hat,
accosted him.
'Slr, you must put out that cigar and follow
me, said the officer, with an air of decision
that staggered Nehemiah.
! What fur! stammered Flufkins.
! Smoking in the street.
| Is there fine for that tew .
yes, sir
How much 2
! Five dollars
Creation Five dollars. Ihavn't got but
siA left
Can't help it, you must 60 with me-
| Look here, hold on, said Nehemiah 8
don't want 10 go no whar.'
You must, said The officer, at the same
time looking around about him slyly, and see
ing no one very near, he added, if you choose
TO pay me- why it will save you from being
locked up
'Locked up! Creation; here, there's five
dollars, said Nehemiah, handing the officer
the money, who pocketed the change and walk
ed away-leaving Mr.. Nehemiah Flufkins
standing alone, seemingly afraid to move back
wards or forwards, for fear he should incur an
other fine.
And this was the case, Flufkins was afraid
to move lest he should break some other ur-
known law of the city. He thought the mat
ter over as well as he could in his confused
state of mind, and remembering that he had
Just one dollar left, enough to carry him home
in the cars, he looked all about him for a mo
ment, To see that there was no one by to stop
him, and then scratched gravel like a new
one, back towards the depot As he approach
ed the grocer's house, that had been pointed
out TO him as the Mayors, he pulled off his hat
and only run the faster until he was out of sight
of it.
AT the head of Hanover street. he was par
tally stopped by some one who wished to ask
the way to some other part of the city, being,
like himself, a stranger, but he had eyes and
ears for only one thing, and misunderstanding
the question, haloed out
Cant help it if tbs fine to run; | havn't
got money! and he dashed on like mad to
the railroad station.
Nehemiah did not let out much about his
visit to Boston, but merely said he didn't STAY
long, it was SO pesky erpenSre.-F2ag Of our
| Union.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
MISCELLANY Y.
From Arthur's Home Gazette ..
"reminiscences of WASHINGTON
MY FIRST SIGHT OF WASHINGTON.

My own first sight of him seems like re-
mote VISION; it was only from a distance, and
In my early childhood. had been walking ND
Market street Ohen not more than half its pres
ent lengthy when saw approaching from the
south great cavalcade, attended and surround
ed by floods of people, all whose looks seemed
bent on one object. On dark sorrel horse,
which he rode with military grace and ease,
was an officer of large size, wearing the tri-
angular cooked hat, which appears in all paint
lngs of the battle scenes of the revolution. and
attended on either hand by officers of his staff.
They were all so heavily loaded with dust as
10 be entirely of one color. Hats, coats, boots,
hands, saddles, holsters, horses, seemed all of
one uniform drab, as if they had been riding for
hours along highway, without stopping 10 re-
move the dust as it accumulated upon them
They told me that was General Washington
and afterwards heard my father read from the
papers of the day, an account of his having
been crowned, as he passed the bridge at Grav's
Ferry, with chaplet of flowers, and greeted
by band of beautiful young ladies', chanting
song of welcome 10 the hero who had closed
the eventful struggle for freedom by the recent
victory Of Yorktown. was too far off TO re-
cognize his features but the mounted figure
is even now distinctly before my minds eve
and instantly recognized it again, when saw,
for the first time, Trumbull's picture of the
surrender at Yorktown, that occupies one of
the panels in the Rotunda of the Capital The
Washington there drawn is precisely what
saw coming into the city by the road from
Grays Ferry.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
BATH MAINE, THURSDAY MORNING, 1851

iifeless forms was the traveller, insensible.
though alive, and grasping in his hand the
friendly knife.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15

To discover how many idle men there srs
in place, all thai il necessary is to ses Two
dogs fighting.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
s E L ECT TALE.
The Fatal Trick.

" Bounds with Ia>hins spring the mighty brute,
de and
Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-07-03
TPhnanfRnPc.

The New Orleans Delta gives glowing descrip-
ton of the productions of the Ishmus of Tehuantepec
the extreme fertility of the SOIL and the peculiar
adaptation of the climate 10 all articles of Southern
growth. The editor ventures comparison between
that part of the country it is and what it must be-
come in the hands of energetic and enterprising
countrymen. He speaks of Cotton of wild growth,
the whteness and strength of which remarkable;
some ears of Corn, above twelve inches long, that
are said to be ofthe fourth the year The Sugar
Cane IS said to attain height of from II to Is feet
and article called Pia grows there, which equals
In quality, strength, and length of fibre, any Manila.
This of course will become valuable article of com
merce for the manulature of cordage,' &C.; Vanilla
Of high flavor, the same which are accustomed to
receive through the neighboring port of Vera Cruz
hne specimen of Indigo; Tobacco, which is fully
equal to the most fragrant production OF Cuba Cigars
which are greatly admired by connoisseurs; and,
finally, will mention the specimens of Marine She'll
the old Wanted Tyre puple dpe, which is a rarity
that has almost disappeared and is chiefly preserved
IN history; its existence is discovered anew in
the rocks of the Pacific coast. There is also said
TO be upon the Isthmus great variety of the most
valuable kinds of wood. Pittsburgh Post.
Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-07-03
The Boy on the Gate.

ny JOHN J. ORION,
The rosy checked urchin that swings on the gate.
Is right merry monarch in all but estate;
But treasure brings trouble. What title is free2
Thus better without one thus happy is he,
For the ring of his laugh is mirtlrmoving strain.
Which choir Of young creatures respond to again
The birds all singing, each heart is elate.
With the rosy checked urchn that swings the gate
The rosy checked urchin that swings on the gate,
Hath Natures own pages upon him 10 wait
His joyous companions eber1bm crew.
With poses of daisies and buttercups too.
He boasts not Of jewels on forehead or breast.
But his heart is all gladness-hs mind is at rest.
o. what the honors-the glories Of state,
To the rosy checked urchin that swings the gate2
The rosy checked urchin that swings on the gate,
Waves proudly on high his satchel and slate;
The sky is all brigtness-the fields all gay,
Green branches are waving-the lambs are at play;
And where is the bosom that pines not to be
Thus bsthed in the sunlight as happy as he!
For the hearts purest pleasures find them too late.
And sigh TO he swinging again on the gate