davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
A CONNECTICUT STORY.

Inc followlng Is related aS IacI' naVilB
actually happened some years since in the
State Of Connecticut:
A man in rather Indifferent circum-
stances surrounded by large family, be-
ing entirely out of meat, had recourse to
the sheep fold of his nsighbor, who having
a large flock of sheep did not perceive
that he had lost any, until one Of the flock,
very large and fat was missing-and
counting his sheep found he had lost sew
sral. Unable to account for his extraor-
dinary loss, no resolved a few nights after
to watch. Abou, midnight he observed an
uncommon disturbance among the sheep,
caused by the sudden appearance Of a
man dressed in disguise. Curiosity. as
well as to observe the conduct of the per-
son so as 10 find him out, induced him to
lie still. In the flock there was ram,
with whom it seems, the man was in the
habit of conversing, as if he had been the
owner Of the shsep-"Well, Mr.. RAM"
says the nocturnal sheep stsaler, 81 am
come 10 buy another sheep--have you any
more to sel!" Upon which he replied.
as in person of the ram: "Yes, | have
sheep to sell" By this time the owner
had discovered him to be one Of his neigh
bors. "What will you take for that large
fat wether!" says the purchaser. "Four
dollars" replied Mr.. Ram. That's very
high price," says the man; but as you are
SO good as to wait for tho pay, think |
will take him." swell Mr.. RAM" con-
tinued the honest sheep buyer, "let US see
how many sheep liavs bought of you"
"If | am not mistaken" says the ram,
'sthis makes the fifih," and then went on
to cast up the amount of the whole, and
giving Mr.. Ram a polite invitation to call
on him for pay, and bidding him good
night, the man led the sheep home, while
the owner lay laughing at the novelty of
the scene, as highly gratifed as if he had
received pay for the whole. A few nights
afterwards, whom he supposed his neigh
Dor was nearly out of mutton, he caught
the old ram and tied little bag under his
neck, and placed piece Of paper between
his horns, on which he wrote in large let
tsrs, IL have come for my money" I'm
der this he footed up the whole amount OF
five sheep, exactly as his neighbor had
done, as before related; he then took the
ram to the neighbours house, where he tied
him near tho door, and then went home.
When tho nsighbor arose in the morning,
he was not little surprised to find a sheep
tied to his own door; butitis beyond words
to express his astonishment when he found
it was the old ram with whom he had late
ly been dealing so much in mutton, with
his srrand on his forehead, and the
amount Of five sheep actually made out,
as he had done a few nights before in the
person Of the ram. Suffice it to say. he
obtained the money, and after tying it up
nicely in little bag, and tearing the pa
per from his horns, set the ram At liberty,
who Immediately ran home, jingling his
money, as if proud of having accomplish
ed the object of his srrand-to the no
small qualification of the owner. Thus
ended tho nocturnal mutton trade with the
nsiphbor as. .t sa.4. .,rr II
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

CENsoRIoUsNEss.- He who blamss 9th.
ers the most, is usually the most 10 be
blamed quick eye to detect the faults
Of another, has usually blind side to its
own. sharp tongue is moved by an un-
quiet spirit, and an unqulet spirit wantsth
not words and complanings. To rebuke,
reprove, exhort with all long-suffsring, and
pat.ncs, and prayer. is one thing; 10 re-
prove sharply, and with csnsorious spir-
it is another. "Thou hypocrits, first cast
the beam ou, of thine own eye, then thou
shal, see. clearly to cast the mote our Of
thy brothers. eye"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
Crazy Cogilations.
"Singing birds are seldom sad,
But silent cats are always mad"


Music is a mystery. have ever been
puzzled to imagine what there could be in
the scrapiny OF catgut, the clagor OF hol-
low instrument. or the drumming ivory
KEYS, that should move every feeling of the
soul. The fact is inexplicable; and loss
insxplicable than singular--that reason,
passion, kindness may all fail in subduing
rugged man, and vet few harmonious
tones sooths him to complets gentleness.
For how many purposes has music been
used. The religious assembly tune their
songs Of praise BY its aid. and sound loud
anthems intermingled with the notes OF the
pealing organ or the grum base yiol.--
Though the association Of the bellowses
and a ..big fiddle" with heavenly psalms,
may appear somewhat droll, yet to me.
there is nothing inappropriate in it. Mu-
sic is perhaps the most pleasant and ref.
ned favor conferred by art; now ought not
the best things of earth to be made scr
viceabls in rendering thanks to The Crea-
tor?
\ The general, marching 10 the battle-
field takes music for one OF his chief SER
wants. He applies the notes of the fife 10
drown all notes Of the future in. his soldiers
minds--ths tap OF the drum that they may
not dread having their blood tapped by the
enemy-.-ands the blast Of the trumpet TO
blow away their fear end hesitation. Mu-
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
CHAPTER vi.

About year afterwards | was again in
the little village, which had undergone
many changes, some visible and some
only to the heart. Those 1 remarked.
The church was rooted anew, and patched
and painted, the school house was COM
plstsd, and the upper room was masonic
lodge, at the door Of which stood the SEX
ton. The good old deacon was warden
of the lodge, and in tho orient. without his
staff, his long hair and wrinklsd mask,
prssided-the village preacher.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

THE Puzzled DRovER. The Wheel
ing Argus tells'tho following anscdots: 4
A gentleman who has bsen driving
horses for twenty years or more. from the
West TO our Eastern market, cans into
town with drove of fine horses. He
drove his animals to tho livery stable here,
and Oh counting them missed one Of the
number. He counted again, found he was
the loser. sndsrods hastily down 10 tina
boat, but no intelligence could.be Obtained
there of the lost horse. He rode back to
the stable. offered reward for the missing
beast, add almost gave up M despair Of
recovering it But no soon dismountsd
the horse he wasrtding counted again
aud 10! the numbS s. correct. He dc.
clares he will nevsri0ok for lost crittsr
again until he takes crcumspective view
of the one under his saddle. 3T
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

EARTHLY B4s$-The pleasures Of this
world ara so trad iory and fleeing, that it
seems a crime tor man to pass his days
in frivolous pursuits, or to stake, as many
do, their whole mind upon what, before to-
morrow's sun shah 90 down, will become
as mist and vapor. The uncertainty Of
life, that dark vail which cuts the .igno.
rance of what he might bring forth. have a
salu,ary effect upon the thoughtful, and
wean Them from ! too great lovo Of the
world, its pleasures, or OF themselves.
Though there be few who live to tho ago
OF three score years and ten, health and
youth are not to be relied on, for the nip-
ping frost often destroys in m hour the
fairest flower, and the lightning from
Heaven often rends the sturdy oak. five
place our hearts upon the riches Of the
world, they fade away before our sight,
and the hard earning Of years in a day
have been swept away.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
CHAPTER ".

=. C1hI En- ~.
The day following the youthful divine
bid adieu to the field Of his early ministry,
and with his bundle and his cane, afoot
and alone, began his weary pilgrimage
The villagers came out of thsr houses as
he passed, and pressed his hand, and wept,
and said: "Farewell, God bless you!''
And when he was gone, they began to
ask one another, What has this man done
that we should send him away naked?
Has he not lived among us preaching the
gospel, and teaching our little children!
and what do we know of freemasonry, that
we should condemn so good aman9 Alas,
he was faithful shepherd, and we way
ward flock. tsl lgs ysy tl1 s.
During the next Sunday, the door OF the
church was not opened. But when the
hour of service drew nigh, many of the
people congregatsd, and strolled about in
pairs among the tombs, or stood in nots
among maple trees, talking of prejudice
and persecution. When another Sunday
came, the number was greatly diminished,
still there wsrs a few who gathered there
and grieved and prayed. Another Sun
day came and went, but not soul was
there to sigh amid the solitude. .aaaFsa1
Then the grass began to grosN within
the path, and about the steps. F fhs twit.
tsring swallow began to build her nest in
the eve, and tho black wasp, made fast to
the ceiling. The little bat crawlsd into
the crevicss, the owl perchsd upon the
chimney top, the fox made her den be.
meath the floor, and a rumor spread about
throughout the country, that the house Of
the Lord was haunted. 9G fl55.
x The Christian Sabbath was no longer
observed by the young as a day Of wor!
ship, but was remembered only as day
of rest from the labors of the week, when
all might come together and dance, and
make merry in their hearts, And on tina,
sacred daysit was no uncommon thing to
hear the sharp crack Of d hunters rife, o.
the loud howl OF the chaser's hound .ag
But as the young grew wild and ffolic'
some, the old grew sad and serious
Night smsetihes for prayer bsoams fire..
Fqusnt, but the young were never there
Gay as the singing lark they had,
thought for the morrow; but the old were
bound 10 the earth. 1t was apitilul sight
i . r. 3
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
WOODSFIELD, OHIO, WEDNESDAY MARCH s. 1852

my conviction, and from that time was
a preacher Of the gospel.
'sIf this bs masonry" cried the old
deacon, "oh, God forgive my ignorance
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
THE LAW OF NEWSPAPERS.

I.'CuUscrIuers VINO 90 NOT give expresB Hotce
10 the contrary, are considered as wishing to con-
tinue their subscription.
4. If subscribers order the discohtinuance Of
their periodicals, the publisher may continue to
ssnd'them until all arrearages are paid
hs8i If Subscribers neglect refuse to take their
periodicals from the offices to which they are di
rected, they are held responsible till they have
settled the bill. and ordered them discontinued.
4. u fsubscribe,s remove to other places without
Informing the publishers, and the papers are sent
10 the former direction, they are held responsible
s. The courts have decided that refusing to take
periodicals from the Office or removing and Ieav-
ing them uncalled for, is prima facie evidence Of
Intentional fraud
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

NJ Fashionable society has but two
faults first being holow-hcaded. And
secondly, hollow.hearted,
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

tween. Here I came few days since,
alike stranger to tho people and tho coun-
try. i found the former frank and friend
ly, and the latter picturesque and beauti-
full, These were enough for me, and | re-
solved to enjoy them for little season.
For three days have wandered over the
hills and through the valleys. gathering
wild flowers, and listening to the sweet
melody Of the birds. My last ramble was
through dark winding ravine, whore !
overheard sermon, containing words
that elsewhere have mystic meaning.
To these made allusion when met the
preacher, and each found in the other, not
q stranger, but a brother" aatt
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03

.0.rLet woman be decked with allthe|
embellishments Of art. and nature. but II
boldness be read in her face,it blots out
all the lines Of beauty.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
aCHApTER, III.

l
The next day Presumed my journey.
But for many days after my departure, the
old dsacon walked apart from mon, pom
dsring my words in his heart. At length
he called together the principal members
Of the church, and revealed TO them the
cause Of his disquietude; and they all
heard the tidings with wonder and pro-
found concern. n, as.s ,.ese "a oyao
Very soon the uninformsd discovered
there was something wrong, for the elders
held 1 long and secret session which was
followed by fasting and and prayer. Then
eamc night Of restlessness, and frightful
dreams, and frequent mutterlngs. In the
morning men were running to and fro,
and women were flying from house to
house, for the deacon in his sleep had call
ed the preacher hypocrits and sinner.
Some thought he was belied, a. hs never
spoke i'll of any one; and some thought he
was crazed as he refused TO speak of this
matter. and muttered and shook his head.
But the birds of the air carried the se-
cret; and in the church were winks and
words, and out of it were hints and sur
misses. The church-goers grew indiffsr-
ent about preaching; and the more they
winksd and nodded, and straysd away. ~
4After while the elders sent herald to
inform the people that meeting Of the
congregation would be held, 10 afford the
preacher suitable opportunity 10 deny
tho infamous rumor then current in the
community. At the appointed time, the
old and young. the rich and the poor, the
grave and the gay. all came together to
see and hear whatever might come to
pass
And the deacon was in their midst, and
prayed: "Grant oh Lord, that this. report
may prove fslse!" and all the people pres
ent cried "Amen."
But when the preacher rose and said,
81 am indeed irsemason,' the deacon
groaned in spirit, and was troubled, and
there was silence in tho church for the
space Of half an hour.
Then again the deacon prayed: :"Forgive
US our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against u.s." And after long dis,
course to prove that fresmssonary was
sin andsa shame, and an abomination to
the Lord. he proposed forgiveness for the
past. if the guilty. man would withdraw
from tine unholy order, and make an open
revelation. But this was Indignantly re-
fused, and here the meeting had an end.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-03

the descent. Finally the emIgrant reaches FOR
Vancouver. $50 miles from WaIla Wala, lbs from
the Pacific coast, below the mouth Of the VIII
lamette and 1000 miles from the point Of depaT
tnre nuon the Missouri. A company Of three
men can outfit complete with one wagon and
four woke of oxen anywhere on the Missouri or
Iowa frontier for $500. They start Isl May or
seon after az possible, and reach Oregon by LIST
TO l5.h August. Last Spring Mr.. Fisher Of Iowa,
in company with fourteen others and four OK
teams. left ST Joseph on the 23d April and ar
rived at the settlements on the 9th July, with
all their stock. They found the grass pretty
good along the route except for 200 miles upon
the Snake River. The emigration for the last
year did not exceed 600 teams.
The reasons of preference assigned for the
land route are its healh and safety, although
there is always some apprehension from the
treachey OF the Indians The emigran. arrives
at once in the farming districts, with his teams
and wagons, and Injured to hardships. II ne
goes by sea he must make outfits at California
prices; and in the best regulated lines OF travel
when so thronged as the California lines now
are. there must always be instances OF imposl-
ton and extorlion. If the emigrant concludes to
90 across the Plains, he should buy light two
horse wagons, widetread and we'll seasoned.
Oxen are plenty at st. Joseph at S45 to $50 the
yoke mules $50 TO $50. proposition is now
agitating in Congress that the War Department
shall provide an armed escort for the protection
OF the Oregon emigrants
We hope these statements will give our cor
respondent some of the knowledge he requests
The Emigrant will see that this is rugged pro-
mise, but, like all new countries, Oregon offers
him the chance of an independent career He
must rough it, and rough it again. There is no
Californian halo to allure him. The earth is his
mine and the ore is the grain and roots he takes
from it. We commend to every man meditating
emigration thther the following Judici0us re-
marks from letter to The Boston Traveller, dated
Oregon City, Dec. 10, 1851:
"Were the industry and economy OF New Eng.
land transpanted to Oregon, golden fruits wou d
be rapidly realized. Yet to secure property would
not advise men 10 leave the comforts of That good
land and encounter all the difficulties OF a new
country. But if they will come 10 help us in plant.
ing ana sustaining such CONSTITUTIONS as are now the
glory of New. Ems land, we say with neart and
voice, come: come speedily, anu we will give you
our light hand and glad welcome"
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-03


u 1t appears frem Quincy's History o.
Boston, tha.,he frs. FIRE engine used there vi" IN
ported from England in 1878 Two more were ~
ported In l702. In early times, every innaoi'>s'
the town was required to have hogshsad OF W.
Standing near his door, with the head OPEN an'"'
penalty OF five sinlimgs.
r. The North-West Territory belong
ing to the United states, and now without "hi~ -
habitants, if as censely peopled as Belgium 80
support over one hundred and ninety seven m,A
of souls Ireland has a population OF seven m''''
Plenty o. room for them all at the West. :
u The baggage car Of the night va
On the Pennsylvania Railroad, on THURSDAY "
cauah. fire near McveytowD, and vas enufe' -.
,umed, with its contents. Including the DsnS
loss Of the Company will be serious
e The following knotty question c'sD
the attention Of one or all of our debating so'',
III amsn has tiger BY the tail, which ~oss a
the best for his personal safe,y-to hold on CT :"
Co." ,al,a
U About three ffths Of the cn'u'
In New.Jemey do not attend school. Co ~
schools in that State cost annually about -
and they are KEEP. open, on an average, s0'S'
months In the year.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-10-20

ing and watering the hospital at Match
ez, two thousand dollars
For draining hospital site, and heating
and watering the hospital at St. Louis,
two thousand dollars
For draining hospital site, and heating
and watering the hospital at Cleveland,
two thousand dollars.
To meet outstanding claims incurred
in finishing the hospital at Pittsburgh
and grading and draining the site, fifteen
hundred and sixty-thrce dollars and for
ty-cight-ccnts.
For completing the construction Of
the marine hospital at San Francisco,
California, and for arranging the grounds
fencing, furnishing warming apparatus
and superintendent thereof, one hun
bred and thirty thousand dollars.
That the Secretary of the Treasury
be and he is hereby authorized and di-
rcctcd to purchase suitable site in
Portland, in the State Of Maine, or in
such place in the immediate vicinity
thereof as he shall deem proper, and to
cause to be erected thereon. under his
direction, marine hospital for relief of
sick and disabled seamen: and for that
purpose the sum of thirty thousand dol
lars be and the same is hereby appropri-
ated out of any money in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Conclusion next week.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-10-20
Arrival of California Steamers.

The steamers Illinois and Sierra Ne
vada arrived at New York on Wcdnes-
day morning. The Illinois brings the
California mails of the 10th Sept, ST.
GOO, 900 in gold dust on freight, and 2Si
passengers.
The California news has been antici-
pated by the FL Dorado at New Orleans
Passengers by the Golden Gate re-
port that on the LIST inst. there were on
~ two steamers at Panama, the Golden
Gate and the Winfield Scott. The Pa
cifc, from San Juan, arrived at San
Francisco Sept Is. The cholera has
rc-appcared in California, and the NOR
tally on the plains, and in some cases
on shipboard has been appalling Blu
siness generally animated, and trade Of
all kinds in healthy condition.
The following deaths of individuals
of Massachusetts are reported
Patrick Ryley, John Fisk, L. Good
win, j. Williams and William Brown ;
Abel Wheelock of Boston; Daniel S.
Halet of Barnstable A McClusky of
Boston Jack Straitinger of Roxbury
Wm. 4. Davis of Ncwburyport Frank
Bishop of Roxbury; Thos. r. Porter of
Taunton Chas. T. Reed and Chas.
Il. Reed and Chas, Lawrence.
The overland immigration was com
ing in very rapidly and generally in good
health. Great complaint was made re-
specting the manner in which the agents
of the relief train were acting towards
them They would give no relief except
in certain cases, and charged exorbitant
prices for everything, such as ten cents
for drink of water, or dollar for a
pailfull. They were also purchasing the
immigrants horses and stock for nothing
An inquiry was to be instituted in the
matter.
There is the usual report of murders
and outrages, whose details have no in
terest to us, and, we hope, none to our
readers.
A large party of Apaches were at the
copper mines, endeavoring to make a
treaty with the United States troops at
that place Some Mexican troops have
entered the Apache country, and the In.
dams find it rather inconvenient to car
ry on war with both countries, and
they desire peace with the Americans.
The Boundary Commissioners were
at I'll Passo, and in good health.
A party of sixty Frenchmen are a
bout forming company on the ella
River. The Government of Sonora will
grant them lands, furnish them with
beasts of burden, aud provisions to last
six months. The place where they de
sign settling is considered the richest il
the country. The only drawback being
Indians, who, are numerous in that region
but the Indians will not make much o
the French, as it was well tested in al
engagement few days previous, whel
the French defeated the Indians, killeC
four, and took so horses and one prisoner
who, in the absence of lead, had used sill
yer bullets.