davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13
First Step to Ruin.

"My first step to ruin" exclaimed a
wretched youth, as he lay tossing from
side to side on the straw bed in the cor
ner of the prison house, my first step
to ruin was gong fishing on the Sab
bath. knew that it was wrong; my
mother taught me better; my minister
taught me better; my bible taught me
better. didn't believe them, but |
didn't think it would come to this. |
ain undone! am lost !"
"Perhaps" he said, sit is too pleasant
to be cooped up in church. What harm
is there in taking strolin the woods 7
What harm in carrying my fishing
tackle and sitting on the banks to fish Z!
What harm +! Why, the harm is that
God is disobeyed, who says "Rernember
the Sabbath day to keep it holy" The
moment a youth determines to have
his own way, choosing his own pleasure
before Gods will, that moment he let's
60 his rudder, his compass, his Chart
nothing but Gods word can guide you
safely over the ocean of life. Give that
up, and you get bewildered; you are
drifting.-ChatPs Paper.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13
WHOLE No $50

WHERE Is SALT RIVER The pol,t-
lcal geography OF this country is very
imperfect. 1t is matter of regret that
no loaf-and-tish are found there. Matte
Brun has settled the topography of one
district, the precise location of which is
important to every person who exerci-
SEES the privileges of freeman. Just
at this time the want of accurate topo.
graphical information is most pressing
ly felt. The result of the late Presi-
dental election has, it is said. rendered
Unnecessary for the entire Wing party
to go "up Salt River" In vain we OK.
anime the map with the weak hope of
ascertaining the situation of this cel4-
brated stream. Our research rs una
vailing The Salt Key of the Mexican
Gulf, the Salt Lake of Mormondon, are
ready to respond, but they will not an
swer the required purpose Who can
describe the fountain from which this
stream arisesl Who can trace its me.
anderings! Who can tell where it de-
bouches! And yet, if report does not
fib, MANY thousand Democrats have re-
turned from this river, and have, du-
ring the last four years, politically en-
listed upon it, or upon its banks. They
are appealed to without success, and
nothing can be gained either by en-.
treaty or threats. There is frpema-
sonry about those who have been TO Salt
River, which forbids them from whs-
pering the secrets OF their aquatic pris-
on Sunday Dispatch.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13
For The Cecil Wing.
"knOyy Then ThySelE''

ny scRAGGs.
To know oneself IS theme for thought,
Throughout the span oflife--
An ocean bark so richly lraught,
With precious wares so rife,
That compass, chart, and spyglass too,
With watchfnl care beside,
Will scarce subserve to bring her thr ough,
In harbor sale to ride.
To know oneself 5 school indeed,
Where we should study hard;
Whence we must spurn some fav'rite creed,
Some fondest home discard--
New schemes dismiss from day to day,
For better schemes in leu
Fer learning something on the way,
For all LIES journey through.
"Know then thyself'-a thought amiss
To some false step may lend
EalIacious hopes TO damn thy bliss
Mayhap thy life to end.
Wrench the foul serpent from thy neck,
Like the infant Hercules,
Ere with its poison it shall! wreck
The peace OF many days.
To know oneself's mine Of wealth,
Better than golden dust:--
'Tis this brings 10 the mind its health,
4 calm, abiding trust.
Seek then to know myself, o, man:
Probe deep thy murky ways:--
Danish thy bosom's dearest plan,
1T end in peace thy days.
"Know then thyself," and e'er detest
Thy hearts deceit and guile:
Look through the window OF thy breast,
On much therein that Is vile.
Thus may'st thou pluck away the sting
That rankles in thy mind,
Acceplably an oh'ring bring,
That leaves no wreck behind.
"Know then myself" if God thou'd'st kno,
For thy firm friend always
Prayertuly ask what thou should st do
Most to insure his praise.
Then like the weaver's shuttle, swift
Thy days shall pass away -
'.The peace OF God" will be thy gift
In realms of eniess day.
Sycamore, .4rkuusay, 1852.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

FIsHEy.-They catch large quantities
of fish called Siskawit in Lake Supe-
rior. The Siskawit is, without doubt,
the fattest fish that swims either in fresh
or salt water. The fishermen say that
these fish, when hung up by the tail
in the hot sun of summer day, will
melt and entirely disappear, except the
bones. In putting up about fifty bar
rels this season, one of the fishermen
made two and half barrels of oil from
the heads and "leaf-fat" alone, without
the least injury to the marketabeness of
the fish. Beside this leaf-fat, the fat or
oil is disseminated Gin layer OF fat and
layer of lean' throughout the fish
They are too tat TO be eat fresh and are
put up for market like white fish and
trout
You SEE GRANDMA, we perforate an
aperture in the apex, and a correspond
ing aperture in the base, and by apply.
ing the egg to the lips and forcibly in
haling the breath, the she'll is entirely
discharged of its contents.
BLESS my soul" exclaimed the old
lady, "what wonderful improvements
they do make. Now in my young days
they just made hole in both ends and
suckcd.'
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

Nix. WEBsTER's OFFICIAL CArEER.-
Mr.. Webster is the second Secretary of
State who has died in office; Mr.. Up
shur, ofVirginia, was the first, he having
been killed by an accident on board the
U. S. steam frigate Princeton, February
%, 1914. The following is list of
the Secretaries of State since the organ
ization of the Government in 1889:
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

In Freediey's "Practical Treatise on
Business" we find the following under
the head of "How to get Customers."
sin the progressive stages of civiliza :
ton men have held many erroneous
IDEAS, and have been chargeable with
much folly, but | am not aware that at
any time or IN any age, they consider it
sufficient to place themselves in one of
the main grooves of human affairs and
wait for fortune. Mercantile men have
certalnly never entertained the idea that
all that is necessary, in order to do bust
ness, is to open shop or store and stock
1t with merchandise. To take some
means to inform the public of the nature
OF their business, and solicit their pat.
ronage, has ever been a matter of pri.
mary Importance. In the middle of the
seventeenth century, the Shopkeepers OF
! London made known their business uira
roce. The masters or proprletors would
take turn before their doors. crying
out What dye lack, sir; what dye lack,
madam!' and then run over list of the
commodities they dealt in, and when
tired, the task was assumed by the APP
prentice, thus making the city Babel
OF strange sounds.
This democratic era was succeeded by
the age Of signs, which genius soon i'm
proved and ornamented by all magma
Bile devices. Painting, gliding, .boars'
heads, flying dragons, and flying swans,
/ were conspicuous embems. AS the
capabilities of the printing press were
developed, shrewd men saw in it a
chance to unlversalze their sign board
They saw they could place upon it not
only their name and number, but full
! account of their stock and their range OF
prices; they saw that they could chal-
lenge the attention not onl y of those
who passed by their store, but of men in
all places and at all times. The present
is the era of advertising. Advertising
is the best mode of drawing buyers that
can suggest. By means OF it men can
sell their articles that are valueess,
and make fortunes By it.! Why should
not those who have valuable articles to
dispose of An extensive system Of adj
vertislng is invariably resorted to by
those who have trash to dispose of, and
it succeeds; how much easier, then, to
sell useful and valuable article! i'd
uertis,ng and politeness are the main
levers to get customers. Advertising
will draw them, ability to fill their
orders will satisfy them, and politeness
will induce them to buy.
A FRENcHMAN thinks the English Ian
guage is very tough-"Dare is look out, "
he says, (Which is TO put out your head
and see; and look out, which is to haul
in your head and not for to see-just
contrarie."
" bn ,o,,,l,, &c Tor, az
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

QUITE lRREslsTIBLE.-Asa an induce.
ment to their clients, the Circlpvile
Journal says that all subscribers paying
in advance, will be entitled to first.
rate obituary notice in case OF death.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

The cornerstone Of the present Cap
itoi al Washington was laid in l72o.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

THE GREATEST truths are the simplest;
so are the greatest men and women.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

Lay bya good store of patience. but
be sare and put it where you can find it.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

A burden which was thoughlessly 60.
must be patiently born.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

Mr.. Webster's Congressional career
embraced eight years in the House of
Representatives and about nineteen in
the Senate-in all about p years.
Aljuny Register.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13
-"thickly spread

CHINA.-The following extract from
DR.. Gutzlaf's work exhibits the Chinese
in somewhat new light. Foreigners
who know nothing about the internal
state ofthe country, are apt to imagine
that there reigns lasting peace. Moth
ing Is, however, more erroneous; insu-.
rectlons of villages, cities and districts
are OF frequent occurrence. The re-.
fractory spirit OF the people, the oppres-
sion and embezzlement of the mandar.
ms, and other causes, such as dearth
and demagogues, frequently cause an
une expected revolt.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

A city editor is giving boots" to
rival town, and among other saucy
things, says that it "takes several Of
their pigs TO pull blade of grass; and
they are so poor that the foremost spizes
the spear in his mouth, the balance hay.
ing taken each other by the tail, when
they all give long pull, strong ul', ,
and pull! altogether, and If 1t break =.
the whole tumble to the ground for
want of sufficient strength to support
them. 1t takes three or four to make a
shadow"
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

AT cheap boarding house, where
board was at two dollars and a half a
week, there was huge feeder, who
learned" the price of weeks board in
three days out of th- seven. Butter
was extravagantly high, and Of this h.
was especially fond, preferring it
-",hickly spread
On corresponding chunks OF bread"
One day the landlady, whose patience
had become exhausted, said 20 him..
"That butter, Mr., that YOU are
eating, and appear to like so much, cost
two shillings and sixpence a pound"
"Dad it, though p asked tide gour.
mand; then reaching out his knife, hr
took up big lump, and putting it upon
little piece of bread, he rolled it
round IN his mouth appreeiatingly, say.
ing:
"Wel, now, should say that butter
was really worth it %
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

Johns wife and John were tete q tete.
She witty was, industrious he. Says
John 81 have earned the bread we've
ate" "And l." says she, "have urn'd
the tea.'
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

An auctloneer was selling a lot of
land for agricultural purposes. Gen
tlemen," said he, this is the most de-
lIghtful land. 1t is the easiest land to
cultivate in Observation-Disclosures so light
So very light. Mr. Parker, here, will
corroborate my statement-he owns the
next patch, and he will tell YOU how
easy it is worked" yes gentIemen,'
said Mr.. Parker, sit is very easy to
work it, but ITS plagury sight easier
10 gather the crops.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-11-13

A FRENcHMAN thinks the English Ian
guage is very tough-"Dare is look out, "
he says, (Which is to put out your head
and see; and look out, which is to haul
in your head and not for to see-just
contrarie."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02

and efficient government. But even she has
not, at all fines, been entirely free from that
spirit which would trample upon all law, and SCI
illumination at defiance. The experience of all
past ages proves conclusivcly that government
cannot stand when spirit of mobocracy is tole-
rated. How that we, amid revolutions on every
side, shall preserve our independence, is a ques
lion of vast Importance to every patriot. There
is no one but what is interested in its solution
Upon the rising generation depends the fate OF
America. This thought should be deeply i'm
pressed upon every mind, in order that right
principles may be cherished, and these great
responsibilities felt. To preserve our liberties we
must feel their Importance. IF they are lightly
esteemed, if reckless disregard for law is tole-
rated, then the time is not far distant when, like
Greece or Rome, we shall fall to rise no more.
The principles of Christianity and Religion must
To widely difFused, if we would witness the pros.
perity of our land. The condition of Mexico
may teach us the fate of land where the pure
rays fthe light of the. Gospel never SHINE
With the hand Of the Lord as safeguard we
need never fear. Though thrones may tottcr
and fall, and revolution follow revolution, they
will only assure us of continued prosperity.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02
Our Forefathers.

1t is with feelings akin to reverence that we are
wont to regard the founders Of our country. The
reason Of tbs is obvious; the mind cannot con
template such virtues as they possessed, without
deep feeling of regard. AS we glance back
through the long vista of years, they appear to
be men who possessed more than human great
ness-bengs superior, in all that is great and no
Bile, to those of our own age. Cold and hard
indeed must be that heart which can contemplate
their characters without love which can listen
to n rehearsal of their deeds, and yet feel his
bosom swell with no emotion of gratitude, But
while America, the precious boon which they
have left us, shall remain they will not be for
gotten. As we look around upon our beloved
land and observe her prosperity, the greatest
ever enjoyed by any nation as we view her
commerce reaching every portion Of the globe,
and her sails whitening every sea-carrying to
every land the blessings of civilization and chris
tianity as we behold her in every relation com,
mandng the respect and admiration of the
world as we behold her people intelligent anc
enlightened before all others, and presenting q
model for the admiration of the world as we see
all this, and then remember that, under Provi
dence, it is the result of their toll and labor, car
we avoid feeling reverence for their virtues l
true that the American cannot look back upor
long line of titled ancestry. No royal blooC
courses through his veins. Our fathers nobility
consisted not in that which kings can create, bu
it was such as God alone can give
A nobler band than the founders of our coun
try have never lived Although, like other men
they sometimes erred still they were the iru
noblemen of nature. They were not actuated b.
the selfish motives which so often influence man
kind At the call of stern duty they shrunk no
from death itself, if by the sacrifice they nigh
secure the prosperity of their country. Nor wer
thev unmindnI Of the future welfare of thos
who should come after them, as the schools AM
colleges which they founded will testify Will
their memories are revered by their children, lie
their virtues be emuIated That country whic
they cherished, that liberty which they purchased
they have left to us. May we not be unmindft
of the high trust they have imposed upon us
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02
Our Revolutionary Tendency.

Never, perhaps, in any period of the worlds
history, have so many exciting events occurred,
as in the last century. Change has followed
change in quick and rapid succession, and king
doms and thrones which have stood finn and
powerful for ages. have fallen, or now stand tot,
tering upon their foundations. The tendency of
he age is revolutionary. The deep feeling of
reverence for royalty and kiOgly power, which
was felt in years past, has departed. Men have
begun to think and act for themselves ; to in.
quire why it is that one nan, whatever may be
MS character or talents, should rule the dsst-
MES Of nation. The effect of this spirit of
inquiry is felt throughout the world DespOts
trembe on their thrones, and rouse their expir-
ing energies for final struggle ; but 1t can be
If no avail the rule OF tyranny must soon cense
and the cause of liberty be triumphant. Men
are ever disposed to run into extremes-having
learned to despse monarchy the tendency is to
hate all government. The case of unhappy
France furnishes an illustration, and warning.
It shows the danger all nations are liable to fall
nto, and into what cxcesses the unrestrained
passions of men will lead them. Bettor, ten
thousand times better to suffer the most Calling
bondage, than to be without even the semblance
Of restraint. Our land has shown the world that
here can be liberty and, at the same time, fine
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02
The Pen.

The pen is mightier than the sword, stronger
than the steam-engine, and swilter than the light
ming 1t combines the powers of not only one
but all of these, for it is expressive Of thought.
1t is Reasons Ganymede lmagination's Mercu-
Try. 1t is always attendant upon the great mind,
and is ever ready to serve as Il medium through
which it may act. The stream of influence which
is constantly flowing from it, under the guidance
of able inellects, is great it surpasses compre-
hension. 1t is not confined by circumstance or
rule it is of a spontaneous flow, and, as the
waters of a rapid river when bursting its barriers
inundate the meadows and then rehow, leaving
vegetation verdant and beautiful, thus this in
strument when welded operates upon the fertile
fields of life spread out before us. If we consider
for a moment what has been accomplished through
the insrumentality of books, we shall have some
idea of what the pen has wrought. But by many
perhaps the Press is considered to be the greatest
instrument, and one of more practical utility than
any now in action. True it is a monster in size,
vast with its intricate machinery, when under the
influence of such an agent as steam. 1t is great
also in what it accomplishes great in bringing
light out of heather darkness great in the dlfu-
sion of books freighted with Knowledge great
in scattering intelligence broad cast throughout
the world But still we are forced to admit that
the Pen surpasses, because it precedes. 1t is OF
necessity required first The difference between
tAs Psa and he Press j. 9yi4aHtSs As M 8 t94
under the immediate supervision of the author
the other under the control of Tom, Dick anc
Harry. If ever the character of the human race
is to be changed, it will be through the influence
of the Pen. Like the magician's wand it calls
forth mysterious wonder like the rod of Moses
it seems to be imbued with divine influence - il
strikes upon rock pregnant with the springs o
human action, causing to gush forth streams tha
course their way, permeating every avenue o
life, and distilng healthy influences, or exhalinl
noxous vapors, as well or i'll directed. Let the
pen then always be welded by hands steady from
sound mind and generous heart, and what i
accomplishes will be fell for good as long as there
are beings upon the earth capable of reading anC
UNDERSTANDING w.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02

base of two hundred or three hundred feet
there shot up jet of clear liquid lava to III.
height of from four to eight hundred feet, com
bining in its ascent and descent. all the beautie.
Of the finest water-fcuntains. Jet after Jet as
cended in constant and regular succession, da,
alter day dcccnding, it mostly fell back into
me crater, but times it fell scattering on
ITS sdes, and flowed down, uniting with the
main stream The outer portions cooled to o
6IackeBed mass while in the air the upper and
lighter portions were carried by the propellins
force to The regions of the clouds, and fell in
showers over the surrounding country.
The intense heat Of the fountain and streams
OF lava caused an influx of cool air from every
quarter this created terrific whirlwinds, which.
constantly stalking about, like so many sentineIs
bode defiance to the daring visitor. These were
the most dangerous of anytheg about ths@olca
no Sometimes we were compelled TO PROSTATE
ourselves for safety. Once we venturcd within
about quarter of a mile of the great jet soon
one Of the most terrific whirlwinds formed a t
the crater, and advanced straight towards us,
threatening us with instant ruin but, for
tunaey for us, it spent its force and turned to
the right, leaving us to make rapid retreat
We saw similar one whirllng round the Jet,
and conccaing it with dense cloud Of ashes,
as if engaged in furious combat.-The two
contending elements presented most wonder
full spectacle. When the strife ceased, the
fountain appeared in contant action, as though
nothing had occurred. d.-CIouds approaching the
the volcano we're driven back, and set moving
in wild confusion.
The glare of the liquid fountain was very
great, even when the sun was shining but al
night it was vastly more SO, casting the light OF
nearly full moon in the shade, and turning
night into day. II. KINNEY.
WOoohiuu Kau, April 10, 1852.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-09-02
miscellaneous.
Stories of the Olden Time.


We cannot but be pleased to see with what
facility our fathers could rebuke the spirit Of
persecution and how they could bring wit and
sarcasm TO bear down on tho evil and drive it
away. We have met with not few instances
of this kind, and shall now refer 10 three, all Of
them, singularly enough, referring to Connect,
cut.
We find the first Of these in Hayward's .Ne.o
England GazeLieer, and it refers to period
about century age. A concourse of people
were ass embed on The bill IN front Of the meet
ing house, to witness the punishment of man
who had been convicted of negleciing to 90 to
meeting on the Sabbath for period of three
months. According tn the existing law for such
delinquency, the cnlprit was to be publicly whip.
ped at the post. Just as the whip was about tc
be employed, stranger on horseback sppeared
rode up TO the crowd ol spectators, and inquired
for what purpose they were assembled. Being
Informed of the acts of the case, he rose up
right in his siirrups, and with emphasis, whlct
made no small impression. addressed The aston
jshed multitude as follows -: You men q
Ashford serve God as il the devil was in you
Do you think you can whip the grace of Got
into men? Christ will have only volunteers
The people we're startled, and the stranger
probably not wishing to be arraigned for con
tempt of court, put spurs to his horse, and wa
soon out of sight nor was he ever again seer
by the good people OF Ashford.
A curious incident aIso occurred in the village
of Stamford, in the days Of the old charter
when all persons were born CongregaLionallsl"
and we're taxed TO support the ministry. A MI
scohold refused to pay his tax, and the collecto