davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
Mystery OF the American Lakes

Lake Erie, says the Dublin Maga-
zine, is only 60 or 20 feet deep; but the
bottom Of lake Ontario, which is 4J,
feet deep, is 230 feet below the level OF
the ocean, or as low as most parts of the
Gulf Of st. Lawrence; and the bottoms
of Lake Huron, Michigan, and Superior,
although their surface is so much hig her,
are all, from their vast depth, on level
with the bottom of Lake Ontario.
Now, as the discharge through the
river Detroit, after allowing for the full
probable portion carried off by evapora.
tion. does not appear by any means e.
quail TO the quantity of water the three
upper great Lakes receive, il has been
conjectured that subterranean river may
run from Lake Superior to Huron, and
from Lake Huron to Lake Ontario
This conjecture is by no means improb-
able, and viii account for the singular
fac, that salmon and herring are caught
in all the lakes communicating with ST.
Lawrence. but in no others.
As the Falls of Niagara must have al
ways existed, it would puzzle the natur-
allsl to say how these fish got into the
Upper Lakes without some such subter-
ranean river; moreover, any periodical
obstruction ofthe river would furnish not
an improbable solution OF the mysterious
flux and refux of the lakes.-D Detroit
Daily .Adperfiser.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

SA down Easter, who in his youth
had been "calkilated" the best wrestler
i'll all his section of the country, by some
unaceountable freak OF fortune found him
sell in New Orleans during the prevail
ence of the yellow fever. As this dis
ease is known " have particular aver
sion TO strangers. and especially northern
ers. our hero was pretty soon in lis
clutches, and an inmate of the hospital.
His case was desperate. and when med
ical skill had been exhausted, he wa.
formally given up" by tue doctor and
recommended 10 prepare himself for
death. A minister was accordingly sent
for, aad afer sumo conversation 10 which
the dying man averred himself repentant,
he exslorled him TO "wrestle with The
Lord like Jacob of old. yea to wreslle
with him night and day.
What" said the dying man. "wilh
these" glancing at his emaciated limbs.
| ,coni do it. He'd tip me-ihe first
pass. The minister left.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
Gems OF Thought.

Pride is never so eflectually put to the
blush as when il finds itself contrasted
with an easy bu, dignifed humility.
An hours industry will do more TO
produce cheerfulness, suppress evil hu-
mors, and retrieve your affairs, than a
months moaning.
Men and actions. like objects OF sight,
have their points of perspective:--some
must be seen at distance.
"They pass best over the world"
said Queen Elizabeth, .who trip over it
quickly; for it is but bog--if We stop
we sink.
The first step to misery is to nourislr
in ourselves an affection for evil things.
and the height of misfortune is TO be a.
BILE to indulge such affections.
As in letter, if the paper is small and
we have much 10 write, we write closer.
SO let us learn TO economist and improve
the remaining moments OF lite.
Truth cannot be found withou. some
labsr and attention of the mind, anl the
thoughts dwelling considerable time
upon the survey and discussion Of each
particular.
He that lends an easy and credulons
ear to calumny is either man of very
i'll morals, or has no more sense aud un-
derstanding than child.
A great man commonly disappoints
those who visit him. They sre on the
look out for his Numbering and lightning,
and he speaks about common things
much like other people; nay sometimes
he may even be seen laughing.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

ed through many generations, from ia
ther to son. always bestowed upon the
eldest. In accordance with established
usage my father called me, on his death
bed, to his side, gave me his parting
blessing, and handed me the treasure.-
For proof of my assertion, have here
the self-same ring in my possession" -
Al the same time he drew forth the ring
from his bosom, and showed il to the
Judge.
The second son now approached the
Judge, stated the reasons for a decision
in his favor. and concluded by saying
that his father had, with his last words,
bequea,hed to him the Opal ring. At
This, he drew forth the ring, the real one,
of which his brothers. was but the coun-
terfeit.
The Youngest, more impetuous than
the others, grew impatient, and. drawing
forth the ring in his possession. declared
on his oath, that his was the only real
ring, and, waxing wroth, he denounced
them for endeavoring by fraud and de.
ceit, to deprive him of the treasure his
dying father had given him, as token of
the sons obedience and the fathers love.
When they had concluded, the Judge
arose, looked keenly at the brothers, then
al The lhree rings, and then al the broth
ers again. For few moments, he ap-
peared lost in ceep thought. Presently
his counienance frightened, and address
ing the brothers, he said:
"Young men! there is a mystery con-
neeted with these rings that cannot un-
ravel. You all agree tha, there can be
but one true ring--,his one you all claim
to have in your possession. You also
agree in saying that the possessor of the
true ring can do no wrong. Now hear
my decision--it is this:
"Do justly, ioue mercy, calk humbly,
hethat does no wrong, may consider him
self as the possessor of the Real Opal
Ring"
The brothers, satisfied with the cor
rectness of the decision, went away re-
joicing. and ever after lived happily"
swell, proceed said Saladin.
81 have done," replied the Jew.
"Aye! is this the answer to nv ques-
toni"
at is."
"Nathan!" thou hast well answered;
the real ring rightfully belongs to him
who bes, deserves it. Thou shalt have
thy reward
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
NEW YoRK. Ian. I

NEW ORk, Jan. l.
The steamer Cherokee, from Chagres.
with California dates to the 5th of De-
cember, arrived this morning. She
brings 81 ,700,0 900 in gold dust, on freight,
and $4,000 dollars in hands of passen-
gers. The trip from San Francisco
has occupied only twenty six anG half
days, which is the quickest ever made.
On the Colorado and in the vicinity,
the Indians are daily assuming a more
threatening attitude. The enforcement of
the tax laws among The Indians, is said
to be The ostensible cause oil the rebellion,
in which they have been assisted by the
lower class of native Californians, who
cherish the most bitter feelings against
the authorities. The American volun-
,eer companies organized at the south,
have marched against them. The Gov
ernor had ordered General Hitchcock to
dispatch troops for that place forthwith.
to the rescue of the citizens IN the dis
turbed district. The Governor had also
ordered down a detachment OF troops
stationed at Fort Oxford, and would
probably dispatch one or more compan-
les Of volunteers from San Francisco, at
an early date.
Capt. Waterman, of the ship Chal-
lenge, was brought before the Court on
the 4lh, and after examination was COM
milted for trial. upon three warrants for
assaults. and one for murder.
There had been no change in the mar
ket since the Is, ulL but there was ralk-
CT more firmness among holders, from
the belief that there would be bur small
shipments from the Atlantic States, and
the certainty of a very large emigration
in the months of October and November
and the ensuing spring.
AT Stockton, business was very brisk,
consignmenis upon large purchases BY
the miners.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
Capital! (!

A friend of ours from the South, men
toned the other day a funeral sermon
which he heard in North Carolina, moi
long since. that set even our associate
Owl-a winking. Parson s.. "a rath-
er eccentric character, was called upon
10 preach the funeral of hard case
named Ram, which he did in the fol.
lowing unique style:
My beloved brethren and sisters, il
yur dear departed bro,her Ram would
"a wanted somebody TO come here and
tell lies about him, and make him out a
better man than he was, he wouldn't a
chnse me TO preach his funeral No,
my brethren; he wanted to be held up as
a burnln' and shinn' light to warn you
from the error Of your ways. He kept
horses and he run'd 'em; he kept chick
ens and he fought 'em; he kept women,
and--and there sets his widow, who
can prove it. (Fhe widow sat directly
in front of The pulpit, and here gave an
attlrmaiory nod Our dear departed
brother bad many waInin's brelhren.-
The first warnin was when he broke
his leg, but still he went on in the error
of his ways. The second warnin' was
when his son Pete hung himself in jail;
and the last and greatest warnin' of all
was when he died HIMSELF"
The preacher enlarged on these top
les unlll he had sunk Ram so low that
bis hearers began TO doubt whether he
would ever succeed in getting him safely
IN Abrabam's bosom. This was the
object OF the second part of the sermon,
which started off thus:
''My brethren. lhere'll be great mir
acle, great miracle in Heaven. And
the first miracle will be, thar many of
those you expect 10 find there, you won't
see there. The people that go round
with long faces, maxim long prayers,
won't be there; and the second miracle
will be, that many you don't expect 10
lind there, (as perhaps some won't ex-
pec,io find our dear departed brother
Ram lhere.) you'll see there; and the
last and greatest miracle will be, TO find
yourselves there!
The man who can keep a dinner Ia.
bic waiting, must at an early period of
his life, have committed some murder or
other. which he 'thought very little at
the :ime, but which gradually led him
down, through proiane swearing, distur-
binga Methodist meeting, procrastination,
&C.. TO the awful vice of coming TOO
Late 10 Dinner. - -Knicker5ocker.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
MODEL FOR A FAST STEAMBoAr.--
The Washington correspondent Of the
Rostop tlas saye.

MODEL FOR A FAST STEAMBoAr.--
The Washington correspondent of the
Boston Atlas, says:
There is drawing in The Navy De.
partment of new steamboat, which is
about to be built in New York for the
Hudson River, and which is 10 make
the trip from New York to Albany in
five hours. She is intended to compete
with the New York and Albany Rail-
road. By the kindness of Commodore
Skinner, we obtained her proportions,
which are as follows: Length of keel,
500 feet; length of deck, $50 feet. She
looks like sword fish. There is rs
feet of keel at each end, extending Oh,
from the deck, which shows itself above
water, and which is sharp and pointed
like the sword OF sword fish. Boli
ends of the boat are alike, and her en-
gines are to work both ways. She il
not intended TO tuin round, but to work
like ferry boat. She is to be called
the George Washington, and to have ac
commodations for three thousand pas
sengers. She will make the passage o
one hundred and fifty miles in five hours
She has been designed and modelled b,
Mr.. Davidson. Of New York.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
The Folly of Fret,ing.

Two gardeners, who were neighbors,
had their crops of early peas killed by
the frost. One Of them came to console
with the other.
"Ah!" cried he, 'how unfortunate!-
Do you know neighbor, ! have done
nothing but iret since. But, bless me,
you seem to have fine crop coming up;
what sort are they! H
"Why these are those sowed imme-
diately after my loss"
"What coming up already!" said the
fretter. @
"Yes. replied the other, .while you
were fretsing was working"
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 81.

The loss by fire at Barnum's Museum
was very heavy, about 100000. The
building originally cost $4,000, and il
was insured for $4,000 by Mr.. Spoon
er. be having recently purchased the es-
'ablishment. Barnum's loss is esiimai-
ed at $4,000, on which there is an in
surance of 100000. G. G. Henderson
& Co. lost considerable portion Of their
stock. Most of the pianos aud other
valuable goods in the music store OF F.
L. Walker 6S Lee were removed; their
loss. however, amounts 10 several thous-
and dollars. Mr.. Henderson's loss is a.
bout $4,000. Several buildings adjoin-
ing were considerably injured.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

A BAD SPELL.--At recent Educa-
tional Convention, DR.. Barstow said that
a young lady, candidate for teacher,
spelled ,lie word money four different
ways, and all wrong. A young man
whose name was Moses, wrote it s.Mos-
ses. In the phrase Unted States;i. e.
the first word of the phrase, "Eunited. -
A young lady came to him and wanted
TO study bigotry. He afterwards found
that she meant botany.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

E The whale universe is yoGr Libra
rv. Study, then, the Volume Of Ma
ture; for Nature and Reason never split
upon the same text. The globe on
which you tread, and the wide expan Sc
you l.ehold. make but small edge OF
It's lille page. Its contents are bound in
imperial folio, letlered with the stars, and
given to each subscriber gratis.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
W The Knickerbocker. for Anpn.

" The Knickerbocker. for August.
gives good remark of an Indian. apro-
pos of Imprisonment for debt. One of
his tribe, acquainted with civilization,
was showing him through Jail. "What
him do!" asked the savage, pointing to
debtor. HE no pay his SKINS" said
the other. alluding 10 the Indian curren-
cy. WELL" said the questioner, show
hlm ge. skins, locked up in grea, house?''
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
THE TRUE RING.


..i am JeM." said Nathan to the Sui
tan.p n
"Ard am a Mussulman," replied
Saladiu. The Christian is between us.
Whicii of these three is right? Take
your own time to consider, then answer
me; if correctly, il is well--the first Of
fee in my gift is yours; if wrong. your
head shall pay the peua',y."
The Jew saw at once The snare ,ha,
was laid for hin; for should he decide
tha, the religion of the Jew was right, i,
would reflect upon the Sultan, ii in favor
al isiamism, he condemned himself; if in
favor Of the Christian, he condemned
both. e
Therefore he begged permission, be.
fore deciding important question, TO
relate an Eastern tale that he had read in
bis youth. by way of preface. Permis-
sion was granted, and the Jew proceed
ed:
IT here lived in olden lime, man in
the t.as, whn had three sons, each of
whun lie loved renderly and in turn was
loved and respected by them. In the
family was ring, which had been hand
ed down from father to son from time
immemorial.
This ring was OF great value. aud con
tanned an Opal OF surprising beauty, thar
reflected hundred colors from its SUI
face. Il also possessed that peculiar
charm. that whoever was lis possessor
could do no wrong.
No difficulty had been heretofore ex
perienced in the bestowment OF The ines.
unable treasnre, as there had never been
but one male heir in the regular line of
descent, and the ring had passed from
sire 10 son. without any misgiyings, with
out any hear,burnings. But now the
circumstances were altered. The father
had niree sons. and must choose between
them. For long time be anxiously
watched their moyements. their manners,
conversation, habits and dulles; but no
decision in favor of either could he ar
rive al; each was Find and respectful as
the others, each sought 10 do his fathers
will.
The faiher finally sent for distin
guished goldsmith, and after showing
him the Opal ring, inquired i he could
make an exact copy. so that no one should
be able TO detect the counserei,! Upon
being assured in The affirmative. the fa-
ither ordered the two TO be made. The
rings we're forthwith made, and so good
was tile imitation. ihat The most expert
ehced eye cUald not tell the counterfeit
from the OripinaI ~
..a.ne 'asns., poon a.h sis s;s mI
me,sn. ~ ea's oea. Ds 'lo apuh "a I - a h;a
".,n aooa. a,,sJ ~ pei a,aeS, y s r a.s 1
'a.ls' N...' eaN'o - n's 's'' ~" y "'"' A"'
"Mv SON ,bou hast ALWAYS bsen a kind
,;,, su,'' .h;Id ,Js - na. U'shes - nn,,
a"u aa uu s u.;s.,a,sa = a y. ran,s rs -
nsa ,,iaa a ,I,;. g, a !, .nds u, nhsnsa ~ bave
s ra,',,h y. ]. - ~, ,hsss. 49, III. r;na IN
~ aasn. as ,s.a ,hr f.,bsrs,o, S .nd hs
S"SSAS's'! " - -, &
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

B~ Handel was such miser, that at
the very time he was in receipt of fifty
pounds night from the opera. he was
frequently known to wear shirt for a
month, to save the expense Of washing.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

B mo man." said Mrs. Partington.
.was better calculated to judge of pork,
than my poor. dear husband was; when
he was living. poor man. he knew what
good hogs were, for he had been brought
up among 'em from his childhood.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
~ A Neapolitan nobleman fous

u A Neapolitan nobleman fought
fourteen dnels to prove that Dante was
greater poet than Ariosto. At h,s death
bed, confessor. who was great admi-
rer of Ariosto, desired him to acknowl-
edge the superiority of this poet. "Fa-
ther.' said The dying nobleman, .to tell
YOU the truth. | never read Dante or
Ariosto."
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

u Leta man DO treated as brule,
and he will become more british than a
brute; but as rational being, and he
will show that he is so.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

H Il will not Go to hoe great field
for little crops, nor to NOW twenty acres
for FIVE loads Of hay. Enrich The land;
II will pay you for il. Better farm twen-
~ acres well. than fifty acres by halves.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

ssts People who have the rashness to
intrude into stations without proper au-
thority, not only involve others in loss
but subject themselves to ridicale.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

u Girls who rise early and walk "a
pace. steal roses from Aurora's face; bur
when they yawn in bed till ten, Aurora
steals them back again.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

0y The worst education which teach
es seif-denial is better than the best
which teaches every thing but that.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
FRANCE.

FRANCE.
The balloting closed in Paris on Sun
day evening, the 2lst., amid complete
tranquility. and without any undue ex-
cliement of any kind. The result of
the balloiing in twelve of the Arondise-
ments Of Paris was as follows:
For the proposition, 1927
Against S0,l6I
Al 6 O'Clock on Sunday the returns
from the departments received at Paris,
gives the following results:
Yeas 100000
Nays 207.O
Numerous deputations representing
trades and manufactures Of Paris, head
ed by M. I.emoureux, presented on Sat.
urday All address TO the President, ex.
pressive of their deep gratitude for the
measures he had adopted.
At Rouen, the votes were, affirmative.
2s,095; at Lisle, affirmative 5O,272.
nays 9,l52; at Anglers, affirmative o.
S97. nays ,625; a: Amiens the Bishop,
Clergy and religious denominations vo-
ted openly in the affirmative.
The Paris correspondent of the Lon
don Times, says, that in the arondise-
men,s Of Paris, the inhabitants, more
particularly The working men, are for the
President, while in other quarters the
mobiles, &c., neutrality has been strongly
manifested. The working classes gen.
orally manifest strong trust in Louis
Napoleon, believing that he is Socialist
in the proper sense of the word; that he
is already contemplating. and that he
will soon execute orders testiIying his
solicitude for them, and that he will ap-
ply doctrines that have their sy mpathies,
and will give them material well being
and cheap existence.
The Burgeoise believe that the advan.
tages to them for the prolongalion of the
power of Napoleon will be equally
great.
The Bishop of Slrasburg, addressed
a letter to the clergy of his diocese, ur-
ging their vote in the affirmative. nj.
de Moriny; Minister of the Interior,
commanded the attendance of the Prin.
ters Of Paris, and informed them tha,
the intention of the government was, to
prohibit the publication. unless previ-
ously approved, OF any pamphlets less
than three sheets.
Victor Hugo made his escape out of
France by means of false passport.
PARIS, MonGay, p. M.
The result of the election gives p
900. 200 votes for, and 100000 against
Louis Napoleon; definite majority of
100000 is expected for the President.
Gen. Cavaignac arrived in Paris on
Saturday night, having been liberated
that afternoon. AS the election is now
over the President thinks the time has
arrived, with safety to himself, TO Sc,
free the other generals. The report was
current that they will be liberated.
The latest accounts represent the
President as continuing in his determi-
nation 10 propose his abolition of the oc-
troi duties. He is also determined to
make some experiments in the protec-
tive system.
AUSTRIA.
VIENNA.--Notes complaining Of the
dangerous support given politically in
England. were presented to the English
Foreign office, by the representatives Of
Russia.
AUSTRIA AND THE GERMAN CoNFEp-
ERATIoN.-On the 18th, similar note
was handed in to Lord Cowley. at
Frankfort e
M0nRI Rnp A EAsr Srr AMnoAr
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
ARRIVAL OF THE
A f RIGA


The steamer Africa. from Liverpool,
with dates to 20,h December, arrived
this morning abou, Ii o'clock.
FRANCE.
Accounts from Paris are peacefni.--
The President has distributed an inn
mense number of crosses of the Legion
of Honor, and has decreed large sum
of money to be distributed among disa-
bled soldiers
Gen. Cavagnac had been released from
prison unconditionally, and was abou, to
leave France for Holland; the other Gen.
erals would be liberated, on agreeing to
become voluntary exiles.
The President held grand leyee on
the l7th, which was attended by all tie
corps Diplomatique, except the Amerl-
can Minister.
The President ,akec an active part IN
drawing up the new constitution. The
consultive commission have disagreed up
on many principal points.
The Duke de Guische, son Of the
Duke de Gransmont, has been appointed
Minister to ilesse Cassel.
The Department, of Police has beer
raised 10 The rank of the Ministry. NJ.
G.. Aslnr is the new Minister.
The latest accounts from Paris states
that General Cavaignac refuses his re-
lease, unless The same favor be extended
to all his fellow prisoners. e2
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

a Bustle is not industry, any more
than impudence is courage.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

VIRGIL was SO fond Of salt, tha, he sell
dom went without a boxtull in his
POCKET.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

B The Hungarian Fund in New
York has reached the sum OF $4,000.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
Ey'A Yankee chap, speaking of his

sweetheart, says:- "
Her hair is of rich dark brown,
Cerulean is her eye,
Her cheeks are soft as sygnet's down,
Her lips like pumpkin-pie.
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15
AUSTRIA.

VIENNA.--Notes complaining Of the
dangerous support given politically in
England. were presented to the English
Foreign office, by the representatives oil
Russia.
AUSTRIA AND THE GERMAN CoNFED.
ERATIoN.-On the 18th, similar note
was handed in to Lord Cowley. a,
Frankfort 80
Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-01-15

The Madrid Gazette copies an impor-
tant document from the Minister of For
eign Affairs in reply to Mr.. Webster's
note on the late insurrection in Cuba
The Minister expresses The highest Sat
isfac.ion at the note of Mr.. Webster. be-
cause ha considered it an act of justice,
which satisfies Spain as much as i, ex-
alts the Government of the United States,
of which her Majesty never ceased to
expect that it would disapproge such
painful events, and that The loyalty of its
conduct would offer new guarantees aud
greater securities for the maintainance OF
the friendly relations, which will in.
crease the reciprocal advantages which
have constantly existed between the two
Governments.
The Gazette concludes by announcing
the pardon of all prisoners of the late
expedition against Cuba, who may abe
citizens of the United States, whether IN
chains, fulfilling their sentences, or re-
naming in Cuba.