davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
CHAPTER TX.

Visit CoverPs hoase-.Neet there aOith a
person l kqaoac and don't k'aO,C-7Hc0
political parties illustrated Curiosity
Of Barney F0T.
Covert succeeded in getting the nomina-
ton; and afterwards there were TWO or three
informal gatherings at his house, to take
measures for securing his election. By his
REQUEST, / was present at one Of these; for,
since his nomination, he had Of course grown
very polite--to me among the rest He
wanted Ephraim Fosters vote and influence,
which was not small and, for those meet
ings, it was his object to have them pretty
full.
When l knocked at Coverts door it was
lust after dark found l had anticipated
the time, and the lawyer was not yet home
In answer to my pull at the bell young
woman opened the door and the light of a
street lamp falling on her face, reminded me,
as people are often vaguely and provOkingly
reminded, Of features they have seen before ;
but where or how they cannot tell.
The young woman was neatly dressed in
Quaker style, though with warmer colors
and little more Of the ornamental than is
common in that rigid sect What the lamp
light allowed me to see Of her face, Impress
cd me very agreeably She asked me in,
said that Mr.. Covert would doubtless be
home in a little while, and, il 7 wished to
wait, | could walk in the room. l would
wait; but sat down by g table in the wide
hall, ON which there were books and news
papers
The young women stopped a moment to
raise the light that hung suspended from the
ceiling and as she did SO, and her face was
turned upward, the puzzle of having seen
her somewhere, again bothered me Where
couldit have been? was almost tempted to
say as much to her; but she had arranged
the lamp. and walked quietly down the base
ment stairs.
Probably Covert's daughter, thought
and, if so, could not congratulate her on
her parentage But no; she hadn't any Of
his features. Her eyes we're grey, with @
tender, affectiOnate expression; her face
blooming and healthy; her figure plump al.
most to the point Of being fat; and her Il
gure, hands, neck, and So on, all finely
| formed. Besides, she was very nimble II
her movements, with all her plumpness; as
saw, by her management of the lamp, anc
/ her walk past me, to the head of the stairs
even listened, TO satisfy myself of the light
ness and rapijity of her descent.
You sec | had arrived, Of late, at quite {
degree of interest in all these importan
matters Particularly since my acquaintsnc
with Iuez, found myself worked up to al
astonishing amount Of curiosity that way.
When Covert came, he brought couple 0
friends with him and We adjourned to tn
parlor-more people dropped in, and tn
room was quite full. The two friends wer
Alderman Rye, an opulent wholesale grocer
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

The HOUR PREVIOUS TO THE DECLARA-
TON The following is the Rev j. M.
Creb's vivid description of the hour previous
to the final passage by the Continental Cong
ress of our immortal Declaration of Indepen-
dence. In the moment when the scales of
destiny wavered between despetism and free
dom, the voice of Wetherspoon was heard,
and when fear had almost blinded his COM
patriots, his trumpet voice summoned them
to harness on the amor of courage, and seal
with "their lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor the eternal freedom of our
now glorious land s'Hear me while give
you an incident furnished by another hand.
When the Declaration of Independence was
under debate in the Continental Congress,
doubt and forebodings were whispered thro
the hall The House hesitated, wavered and
for while, the liberty and slavery of the
country appeared to hang in even scale. 1t
was then az aged natrjaEs5b aEs5 leeEssAw afch
the frost Of years Every eye went to him
with the quickness of thought, and remained
with the fxedness of the polar star He cast
on the assembly a look of inexpressible in
terest and unconquerable determination !;
while on his visage, the hue of age was lost
in the fash of burning patriotism that fred
his cheek ''There is, said he, when he saw
the House wavering, ''there is tide in the
affairs of men-a nick Of time. We perceive
it now before us. TO hesitate, is to consent
to our own slavery That noble instrument
upon our table, which insures Immortality
to its author, should be subscribed this very
morning by every pen in the house. He that
will not respond to its accents and strain ev-
cry nerve to carry into effect its provisions,
is unworthy the name of freeman. For
my own part, of property have some-of
reputation more. That reputation is staked,
that property is pledged on the issue of this
contest. And although these grey hairs
must soon descend into the sepulchre, Iwould
infinitely rather they should descend thi.her
by the hands of the public executioner, than
desert, at this crisis, the sacred cause Of my
country" Who was it that uttered that
memorable speech-potent in turning the
scales of nations destiny, and worthy to be
in the same imperishable record in
which is registered the not more eloquent
speech ascribed to John Adams on the same
sublime occasion I ''It was John Wither-
spoon-at that day the most distinguished
Presbyterian minister west of the Atlantic
ocean-the father Of the Presbyterian Church
Ia. U-.it~I ot-t---''
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
PARISEAN CHEVALEERE DE INDUS
TRIE.

Some Knight of the quill furnishes the fol.
lowing sketch of The different classes of
themes in Paris, and their modes Of opera
ton: The 'sIireurs7 are the pickpockets
proper. Some Of them are adroit to g degree
almost incredible One has Just been ar
rested who daily executed the following dar-
ing feat: Being appareled like a gentleman
it was his habit to accost richly dressed in
dividuals, and politely beg pinch of snuff.
If the tobacco box offered seemed worth the
risk and the effort, he dropped into it q small
lump of lead, to which was attached a silken
thread, almost invisible for its tenuity.-
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
CHAPTER vi.

The dGncing. girl on benefit might: /
Introduce the reader to the 0GLuG6Je dc-
quaintance of J. FitzmOre Smytthe.
Upon the stage she looked really fascina-
ting, and her pale silk dress, with those great
folds which the dog spoiled, had given place
to the short gauzy oostome of dancing girl.
Her legs and feet were beautiful, and her
gestures and attitudes easy and graceful, to
adegree hardly ever seen among the mechan-
icel performers Of the ballet.
When this fine looking girl-this Inez-
came forward in her part, heard specially
clattering applause, over in corner OF the
house, where, upon examination, discovered
Master Nathaniel, and his friends, each
armed with big sticks, which they piled Wig
Orously upon all the wooden work in their
neighborhood.
New York is progressive city, Of vast
resources; but in nothing is it's energy more
perceptible than in It's Juvenile population
proper-their culture and their beginning
early.
From Nathaniel and his friends, my atten-
tion was now attracted nearer by.
" Um-m-m; devilish lovely girl Um--
nm. Ah~
Such was the remark of a fashioDably at-
tired gentleman by my side, who nodded ap-
quaintance with him, and had fallen foul of
him, that evening, just on entering the the
atre, where we happened to take seats to-
gether. He was clerk in bank not far from
CoverSs office, and the name on his very
genteel little enamelled card, was g ] Fitz-
more Smytthe"
Really beg pardon alL round for not in
Producing, with specific description, long be-
fore, this same Fillmore Smytthe Our
acquaintance was, in fact, one that dated
back some seasons beforehand. He was only
four or five years my elder; and first knew
him as the assistant Of small dry goods
store, in the neighbOrhood Of our house.
Young Mr.. Smytthe even then, although but
? boy, was very, very genteel. Conversa-
tional powers ne had acquired only on a SOL
itary theme, that Of selling dry goods to the
ladles--he on one side Of the counter, they
on the other. These powers we're, however,
somewhat brilliant in that way. They might
be illustrated or summed up in the followlng
phrases, varied to suit any difference Of the
rank, age, or temperament, Of purchasers.
Shall show you any thing else to- day,
No ma'am, we bavn't any Of that arti-
Gle It's not worn at ALL now
Where will you have these things sent,
This is real French goods, ma'am, and is
very much worm will put it to you low d
AN, that would be lower than cost price
Indeed, am sure you will be pleased
"''" III warrant it to wash like rock"
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
THE AUTOGRAPH OF GOD.
BY GEORGE W. BUNGAY.

The thirsty earth, with lips apart,
Looked up where rolled an orb of flame
AS though prayer came from its heart
For rain to come and 10 it came.
The Indian corn, with silken plume.
And flowers with tiny pitchers filed,
Send up their praise of sweet perfume,
For silver drops the clouds distilled
The modest grass is fresh and green
The fountain swells its song again;
An angels radiant wing is seen
In every cloud that brings Us rain.
There is rainbow in the sky,
It spans the arch where tempests trod;
God wrote it ere he world was dry
It is the AUTOGRAPH OF GOD.
Up where the heavy thunders rolled,
Where clouds on fire were swept along,
The sun rides in car of gold, .-
And soaring larks dissolve in song
The rilIs that gush from mountains rude,
Flow trickling to the verdant bas -
Just lise the tears of gratitude
That often steel adown the face.
Great King of peace, deign now to bless
The windows of the sky unbar;
Shower down the rain of righteousness,
And wash away the stain of war;
Though we deserve the reeking rod,
Smile from thy throne of light on high
That we may read the name Of God,
In lines of beauty on the sky.
lGrahan's Magazine for Ap,7I
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
THE MAYO OF TNE CHINESE.

A writer in the Steele (Paris) Journal
says that the Chinese who appear to have had
more or less knowledge Of all the various
science and so-called modern discoveries,
have for q long period made use Of an anes-
thetic agent, which produces the same effects
as schloroform-that is to say, causing imme-
diate insensibility, and allowing surgical op-
erations to be performed without causing
pain to the patient This preparation is
nothing more than Indian hemp (CGnGbis
badicG) which has hitherto been only known
to Europeans as narcotic drug, producing
a condition of drunken stupidity 1t is
called mayo by the Chinese, and is spoken of
in their history as having been used in sur
gical operations as long ago as the year 200
of the Christian era. Its qualities are thus
described in the Koq- TIM 5-tOng, q Chinese
medical work in 80 volumes, a copy Of which
is in the French National Library at Paris.
"There is given to the patient prepara-
ton of hemp called mayo, and in few mo-
ments he becomes go insensibly drunk that
incisions may be made in his flesh, or his
limbs may be amputated; and means that
would, under other circumstances, be toe
painful to employ, may de used to restore
the sick to health. He is kept constantly in
this lsthargic state until the wounds are
healed, and the sick man is then restored tC
his senses without having experienced the
slightest pain"
The writer of the festileton, in which this
fact Ia mentioned, adds This settles the
question pending between NJ. Louberan anC
NJ. Simpson; between France and England
as to who was the first discoverer of an an
esthetic agent-M. Louberan, claiming tina
he discovered in 1841 the peculiar properties
of ether, which M. Simpson first practically
applied in 1847, for it is now satisfactorily
proved that the Chinese physicians had tn
start of both Of them by at least sixteel
hundred years.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

LAUcHrER.-A faculty bestowed exclu-
sively upon man, aYd one which there ls'
therefore, sort Of impiety in not exercising
az freouently as we can. We may say with
Titus, that We have lost day, fit has passed
without laughing. The pilgrims at Mecca
consider il SO essential part Of their devo-
tion. that they call upon their prophet to
preserve them from sad faces. "AhP p cried
Rabelais, with an honest pride, as his friends
were weeping over his death-bed, "lf ! were
To die ten times over, never should make
YOU cry half SO much as make you laugh"
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

AeE.-By the common law of England,
a youth at fourteen is admitted to have ar
rived at the age Of discretion At ttoenty-
one he is arrived at full age, and IS supposed
to be qualified for all the duties of manhood.
By the same common law of England, the fair
sex are permitted to marry at twelve years
of age, provided the consent of parents OF
guardians can be obtained; yet by the same
statute they are not women, and possess nc
personal or property rights, till the age o.
twenty -one.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

A BRISK PLAcE-There is good anec-
dote told about the little town of Portland,
Indiana. While certain steamboat was
about putting out from here recently, for N
Orleans, the mate, an old boatman, turned
to some passengers and remarked;
"This little town, gentlemen, looks dull,
but tell you it is, perhaps, mighty brisk
place. About fifteen years ago, as was 60
ing down with fat boat to New Orleans,
we stopped here to procure some provisions.
| went up into town, and seeing a coat hang
ing out Of shop door, just took it. The
owner came after me-caught me-took me
before msgistrate--I was tried-convicted
took thirty-nin lashes-and was back to
the boat in fifteen minutes tell you, gen
tlemen, mighty brisk little place is that
same Portland.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

RED SHAWL8 AND FRENCH INVADERS
Those conversant with English history will
remember the descent made by body Of
French, numbering, according to Alison,
400, at Fishguard, in South Wales, on the
22d of February, 1877 Whatever the OBJ
ject-whether, as suggestedby contemporary
historians, for the purpose of distracting the
attention of the British government from
ireland, the real point of attack; or, a. is
more probable, there existed a groundless
expectation that the same powerful assist
ance as that rendered on Bosworth field to
the founder of the Tudor line of monarchs,
would be extended by the ancient Britons
to foreign invader safe landing was
effected.
To meet the enemy, there being no troops
in the vicinity, the militia and volunteers,
under the command of the Earl of Cawdor,
were mustered. It being observed that the
red "whottle" formed the pervading costume
of the women, who came out in great num-
bers to see the French, the circumstance was
turned to great advantage. The red-olad
Welshwomen were requested to walk around
neighboring hill of a somewhat comic form
an occupation, though of long continuance.
which, es it did not deprive them of the in
dulgenco Of their curiosity, was any thing
pNp AA~ouAtCN AOI tuO OOlu Dldcto VI L CuIudlJ
The invaders, on landing, were attacked BY
three thousand countrymen and miners,
armed with scythes, forks, and other ready
weapons. A few fell victims to the fierce
vengeance Of this ill-dsciplined but deter
mined force, and the remainder, seeing the
strength of the little fort at Fishguard, and
the other selected positions, and mistakiDg
the seemingly interminable ranks of the wo-
men for armed troops, surrendered on the
arrival of the militia and volunteers, and were
made prisoners of war Thus did the Welch
whottle, being no other than the red shawl
now 80 fashionablein in our city, contribute, in
no small degree, to the capture of those rash
invaders.
An anecdote is related of the Earl of Cav
dor, characteristic of his countrymen, When
the landing was announced, he was at dinner
with his brother officers In the excitement
Of the moment, they simultaneously asked,
Sc What is to be done 7" "Wc fight them, to
be sure" he replied; and throwing down his
knife and fork, he walked out, followed by
his gallant guests.-Reptbljc.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

BUSINESS IN 30 During the paper
age" of 1886, goods were not unfrequently
sold on what would at present be deemed
anything but satisfactory security. We have
heard Of western dealer, who, entering
store in Market street, announced himself as
coming from the town of Waconda' Rails
County, Missouri, with a desire to mako
bill in the store aforesaid.
HAPPY to sss gSa SoSn O his his
clerk, look at the map,-Do you find Mis-
souri,"
eyes, sir
"And Rails County ?"
eyes, sir p
"And the town of,-what dye call it =
eyes, sir,-there is a toton there
(Aferchont, to the tcestern nlan) " eir,
your references are most satisfactory, and
shall be happy to sell you, to any amount"
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

SINGULAR DIscovARY OF A TREASURE.
On the grand route Of Pouille, in the King
dom of Naples, there wes statue Of marble
bearing tbisinscription in the Neapolitan di-
alect :Is' The first day of May, at the rising
of The sun, / shall have golden head" The
statue had already stood there two hundred
wears, and no one had yet discovered the
meaning of this mysterious inscription. A
stranger-a saracen, says Oastelsni in his
memoirs, passing through the country, read
the inscription, and thought that he had d.
vined its sense, but did not communicate to
anv one his suspicious. Tho first day of May
having already passed, he departed, but the
succeeding year he arrived in the country
on the last day of April The next day he
resorted to the spot before sunrise, and hav-
ing remarked the spot on which fell the sha-
dow of the head Of the statue, at the precise
moment when the sun rose above the horixon,
be dug up the earth there, and found an i'm
mpnse treasure.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

REcocN1rIoN.-Mr Webster is the sub
iect of an anecdote, which we find in the
Washington correspondence Of New Orleans
paper 1t is said that when Mons. Sartlge'
the new Minister from France, asked webster
whether the United States would recognize
the new Government in France, the secretary
replied, ''Why not The United states mas
recognized the Bourbons, the kepuDlc, tne
Directory, the Council of Five Hunorea, Sne
First Consul, the Emperor, Louis ANlli. ,
Charles x, Louis Philippe the enough >
enough !" cried the French Minister, perlece.s
ly satisfied by such a formidable citation OF
consistent precedents.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

M CoNTAoIoUsNEss OF CRIME Bulwer,
in one of his novels, makes the following just
observation on the contagiousneas Of crime
e It may be observed that there are certain
years in which, in a civilized country, some
particular crime comes into vogue. 1t glarss
its season, and then burns out. Thus at one
time We have burking, at another, swingism
now suicide is in v0gue-noW poisoning
VI avIvp pvUPIe III appIo uumP1lug1- -hvW nUUiS
bows cut each other with pen knives-now
common soldiers shoot at their sergeants
Almost every year there is one crime pecu-
liar to it; sort of annual, which overruns the
country, but does not bloom again. Unques-
tiouable, the press has great deal to do
with these epidemics. Let newspaper give
an account Of some out-of-the-wsy atrocity,
that has the charm of being novel, and GER
tain depraved minds fasten to it like leeches.
They brood over and revolve it; the idea
grows up horrid phantasmalian monomania;
and all of q sudden, in hundred different
places, the one seed sown by the leaden types
springs up into foul Towering, But if the
first reported aboriginal crime has been at
tended with impunity, how much more does
the initiative faculty cling to it. ll-judged
mercy falls, not like the dew, but like great
heap of manure, on the rank deed"
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

One of the most impudent things we
A fellow passing the shop Of shoe dealer,
sn: tehed up pair Of sboss which hung at the
door, boldly walked in. and offered to sell them
on easy terms to the dealer himself. The latter
had completed the bargain and vas about to pay
for them, when he recognized his own private
mark on the articles. He collared the thief anC
handed him over to the police.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
THE POOR CHILDREN.

A Plan to decrease Taxes, Crime and
Paupsrism, and make respectable
men and women of the poor friend
less Children of our City who are
now grow ing up as Thieves and Fros-
tltuteS
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

FATE OF A CAPTURED VEssEL.-As it is
well known in the annals of our naval his,
tory, Commodore Jones, while in command
of the sloop. of-war "Wasp,' after short
but hard fought action, captured the British
sloop "Frolic," his superior in force, as ac-
knowledged by the enemy themselves =
captured by the seventy four ''Poictiers," /"
Commodore Jones being unable to escape in
consequence of injuries sustained in his late
encounter. The Wasp" and "Frolic" were
both taken as prizes to Bermuda, from which
place the American officers were sent home
and exchanged. The Wasp" was repaired
and fitted out as British cruiser, and at
tachcd to the equadron at that time engaged
in the blockade of New. York Harbor, of
which the "Poictiers" was the flag ship
While attending to these new duties the ship
and crew met with an awful fate. In The
midst of an awful thunder storm at night,
the crew of a ship few miles distant we're
startled by tremendous explosion, immedi-
ately succeeding buret of thunder and
lightning, when the whole heavens were il
Illuminated in the direction of the ssWasp,"
for a few moments, until night again spread
her sable mantle over the troubled waters
The ill-fated "Wasp" was never again seen,
and not until the deep shall yield up its trea-
sures will all the secrets Of that fatal night
DO revealed. The ocean was dotted with
fragments, but not soul survived to tell
the tale.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

DON'T BURY YOUR FRIENDS ALIVE
Pliny mentions the case of young man of
high rank, who having expired some time, as
it was thought, was placed upon the funeral
pile. The heat Of the flames revived him,
but he persisted before his friends could res
cue him. The great anatomist, Vesalius, had
the unspeakable misfortune to commence the
dissection of living body, apparently dead.
Less unhappy was the fate of the Able Pro-
vost, who fell in an apoplectic fit, but he re-
covered his consciousness-too late-under
the scalpel. Preparations were made to en-
balm the body of Cardinal Somaglia. The
operator had scarcely penetrated into the
chest when the heart was seen to beat. Re-
turning partially to his senses, he had sufi-
cent strength to push away the knife, but
the lung was mortally wounded. In one of
our journals is recorded the strangely inter
esting case of the Rev. Mr.. Tennent, of New
Jersey, who lay three days in his shroud,
and was saved from interment almost by a
miracle. We find collection by Bruhier Of
no less than ffty-two cases of persons buried
alive; four dissected prematurely; +; fifty three
who recovered after being confined; and
seventy two falsely considered dead City
Item.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

Inez-she never went by any other name,
except in legal documents, when the term,
"a Spanish dancing girl, was added; Inez be-
longed to that class of professional people,
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21

THE RICH AND THE PooR.-The rich
have the most meat; the poor have the best
appetite The rich lay the softest; the poor
sleep the soundest The poor have health
the rich have delicacies. The rich hang
themselves thr ough fear of poverty; the
poor (such as have always been poor) laugh
and sing, and love their wives TOO we'll to
put their necks into the moose.
Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
CHAPTER VIII.

The character and home Of the Dancing
GlrI-.a delightful eUening for three
7 almost fail IN lone, If jealousy is apy