davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25
MISTAKE or A BOA CONSTRUCTOR.

II the following story had appeared IN a
paper less veracions than Dickens House
hold Words, we should experience more
difficulty in swallowing it than his snake
ship did with the blanket; but We suppose
it must be true, tough as il is TO digest:
Ono Of The ..CAps' 10 the Household
Words relates to what is called .'zooiogl-
cal problem;" the question being no other
than the probable fate Of Boa Constructor
in the Regents Park Geological Gardens,
which has swallowed large, rough, rail-
way blanket wrapped, iostond Ola pair o.
rabbits. The rabbits were put into bis
case on the evening of October 81, and
the blanket was introduced as conirbu-
ton 10 his personal comfort. Daring the
course Of the night, the watcbman as usual,
entered the serpent house. Walking round
aud holding up bis lantern TO the different
CAGES, be perceived the Boa Constructors
:.supper" TO be hopping about the cage in
4 very unconcesned manner; but on turn
ing from the rabbits TO their proprietor,
what was bis dismav on perceiying that
The serpent had seized upon one corner Of
the thick, rough blanket in preference, and
was drawing il down his distended throat.
Ii was thought vain to endeavor to get the
blanket back after "maiters had gone SO
far" and it wns hoped that the serpent
would disgorge its own accord, if leit g
himself II is the opinion of Mr. Mitchell.
the Secretary Of. The geological Society, that
The serpent has no palate; and that - the
night he had made dart and snap at one
Of the rabbits, bnt, missing il in the dark
ness, caught mouthlul Of blanket, and,
conceiving it to be very gnod rabbit, had
no, troubled himself with any further con
sidera,ions.
On the morning Of the 9TH. when the
head keeper went TO the serpent house, in
very anxious state of mind as to the re-
suit, there he saw the two rabbits sitting
up by the side Of the serpent's water pan.
washing their faces, 10 be nice and tidy for
the lay, and the last two inches Of the rail
way blanket just going down the serpent's
throat.
Since this event. the serpent has never
shown any signs of having discovered hi
blnnder, or any disposition to disgorge his
bedding. The thing is of course, quite In
dicestib'e. Had he swallowed two or three
bullock's hides, his work would have been
On sure ground Of decomposition: but as 10
| this coarse piece OF manufacture, what
hope can his friends have? The serpent
lies torpid, as usual after good meal;
drinks more water than he drinks in gen
eral; and perseveres with full reliance on
his wonderful power and peculiar organi-
zation The blanke, can be seen 10 have
moved several feet down bis body
Will he manage it somehow, or will he die?
This is the problem. The London Leader;
of Nov. ed states that the boa has thrown
up the blanket. after having il in bis body
five weeks and one day. II is conjectured
that the serpent swallowed i in mistake.
supposing The corner Of the blanket to be
rabbit which had been furnished for i's
weekly meal. 1t required MANY hours to
swallow. and many more to get rid OF the
extraordinary Wand.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

During the examination Of a witness, 40
to the locality Of the stairs IN a house, the
counsel asked him:
(Which way did the stairs runr
The witness, who, by-the-way, is noted
wag, replied that
sOne way they ran up, but the other
way they ran down.
The learned counsel wiaked both eyes,
and then took look at the ceiling.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

A STRANGE BEDrELLow.--At q ladies
temperance meeting. not long since, ono
Of the members remarked that the temper
ance cause had been blessing to her;
"ter," added she, 81 slept with barrel Of
rum for ten years; but now she con.inu-
cd, her eyes Frightening, "sincs my hus-
band signed the pledge, have MAN to
sleep wi,h--,hank God!" Then oil tho
spiasters laid their hands ON their hearts
aud said--Amen.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

From the crowd Of people at Kean's fu.
ueral, there was difficulty in getting out OF
the church. A comedian, who had been
intimate with him, whispered, as he went
out, while tear glstened in bis eyes:
"This then is the end Of kean. poor fellow
but he dre,c a crouded house to the last"
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

EeurvoauE. French excel all ma
tons in studied equivoque, but give us a
Yankee for the unntentional kind. A
western New York farmer writes as follows
to distinguished scientific agricul,urist. TO
whom he felt under obligations for intro
ducing new variety Of swine:
"Respected Sir:--I went yesterday TO
the fair al NJ; l found several pigs Of your
species There was great variety of beasts
and was very much astonished at no,
seeing you ,here"!
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

"sambo, why am do pen dat Gen. Scott
writes wild like aribber in Maine?"
"Well, Ginger, draps de suhlec."
"Weli, den, | tole you why it am. Be
kaise i, am do Pen OBJ Scott" (Penobscot,)
Scotch meby de har, Ginger, I'm gwine
to drap,"
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

Work is mans appointed ,ask-the great
mission he is sent upon.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

AGREEABLE SuRpRrsE.-We can readily
fancy how poor fellow, far from home,
must feel upon receiving gift like the one
recorded below:
A gentlemen of this city while passing
along the street few days since, was ac-
costed by stranger who presented him .
small! pucksge. He found within the par,
eel daguerreotype case which opened
with spring. On touching it the lid flew
up, aud exposed to his astoaished vision a
perfect likeness Of bis two young daugh
tiers, whom he had left more than a year
before in the east. At tho head of the
picture was the inscription, "Here we are
Pa: The delighted father, as might be
expected, was completely overcome by the
affecting acknowledgements News.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

A GOOD HfT.-In the admirable lecture
Of Governor EVERETT, before the Mercan-
tile Library Association, he related the fol-
lowing incident which occurred during his
residence in London as American Minis
ter:
lie received official notice from the au-
,horites Of one Of the inland counties OF
England, that an American was confined
in one of their public institutions. he
wss represented as sailor, half psupef
and BALI rogue, who would be released from
confinement upon condition that he would
be taken in charge, and provided for by
Mr.. Everett. A reply was sent 10 the To-
cal authorities to send along the destitute
American. though he would be Of little use,
in either Of bis capacities Of pauper or
rogue; still, he could be aided and sent
home, BY The American consul, ~ dis
tressed seaman.
Il was proud said Mr.. Everett, so be
the medium Of relieving the British Empire
Of the burden of supporting one OF my
coun,rymen, and could but add 10 my
let,er-in answer to their local authorities
that, were the English Minister resident
at Washington, to take charge OF all the
British subjects who we're in the public IN
stitutions 10 the United States, as rcgues
and paupers, he would have quite an In
crease in his official duties.
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

The LAW MATRIMoNIAL.-We are in
debted for the following to the Editors Ia
BILE of the last Knickerbocker:
spray. may ask" said an English bib
lopole of some distinction, at an Agreeable
party where we had the pleasure to
meet him the other evening, s'May ak
whether in America the law mairimnnill
entities man 10 mary the cousin Of his
widow"
"Oh, yes" answered legal gentlemq n
Of cmincnce present, 'that is admissible
but there has been some doub, in our court
as to The proprietv of .msn's marrying the
sister of his deceased rife"
'.Oh. ay," replied The querist, Sin Eng
land it is somewhat different. There it has
been, and is still held, that no man can
marry the cousin Of his widow; because,
before be has widow, he must die him
self"
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

To COMPUTE iNrERgsT.-A correspon-
dent Of the Baltimore Sun communicates
The following simple plan for computing in
,erest at six per cent per annum for any
number OF days, which he learned, he says,
twelve years ago:
"Divide the number of days by six, and
multiply the dollsts by the dividend, the
result is the interest in decimals; Gu, of
the right hand figure, aud you have it in
dollars aud cents. Thus: what is the in
erest on 500 for twenty-one days? 81
divided by is 81; 100 multiplied by 81 is
$50, or 30 cents. Again: what is the in
teres. on 1878 for ninety three days?--
93--G-l5a; 37Sxl54-5,S5a, or $3.50
$40. Let bookkeepers try this rule, and
they will find that it is no humbug."
The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-03-25

LARGE CoRsFrELDs.-A statement 10
published 10 some Of the Ohio papers that
J. Davis, of Ross county, in that State,
cultiyates 500 acres Of Indian corn, and
that he has this winter ga corn .crib filled,
which is three miles long, ten feet high,
and six fee. widei'
The corn-crb part ofthe above story y
pretty tough, but in the number Of acres
cultivated Mr.. Davis is beaten by . far
mer in North Carolina, who culiivates 81
500 acres Of land, and makes an average
annual crop ofcorn (unless 10 bad seasone,
or less By food or Academy Of one hun
dred and fifty thousand bnshels' The
Plor, ne v agricultural monthly, publish
ed 10 Hew York, youchss for the truth Of
The above statement. and says that the crop
is cultivated mostly with the plough--dis.
pensing slmost entirely with billing, and
using the hoe as little as possible. The
corn is all shelled by horsepower machine
~, but the proprietor has it in serious con.
sideration to use steam.
BIT even this large cornfield is beaten
bv that Of f. Il. Ellsworth, formerly Com
missioner Of Patents, and now OF Indiana.
He cul,ivstes twelve thousand acres OF
corn. Just imagine cornfield ten times
rs large as the territory on which Boston
proper is located - Boston Journal.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

Ire,asc another anecdose. He was speaking g
some person who had made several friends sui
Ter BY endorsing for him. The gens'eman va
man Of ine heart, and had gotten the money
NO, far his own benefit but for that OF some
friend whom be desired to serve. The gensle-
man - lib whom he WINS conyersing said, Il am
,ure he will mol let his endorsers suffer, for he
IS 4 good fellow "True enough, replied Col.
B., he is good fellow. But did you ever know
one Of these good fellows to have any money
in your life"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

rRIDAY, April is.


Mr.. Hubbard. from the Committee on Banks
presented report against the expediency Of
submitting to vote Of the people the question
as TO the propriety ofissuing small notes al
Cd, against repeating the 9Th section vt the
5Bth chapter. and 18th section of chapter l98
az The Code. and against establishing an inde-
pendent Bank at Philippi.
On motion OF Mr.. Price, of Greenbrier, it
Resoired, That on and after Monday next,
the House will meet daily at 10 o'clock until
otherwise ordered.
BILLS PASSED.
A bill concerning property that comes to the
possession of Commissioners Of Wrecks, and
the compensation for saving il. lAllows the
wreckers, instead of 81 per day, u reasonable
sum, to be determined by abitrators If the par
ties interested do not agree as to the amount TO
be paid.
Establishing branch of the Farmers Bank
of Virginia al Lewisburg.
On motion of Mr. Barbour, il was
Resolued, That the use of the Hall of the
House OF Delegates be grantedto MIR. Charles
Spears, of Boston, on Monday evening next,
for the purpose of delivering lecture On the
subjects of prison discipline and private execu-
tons.
A bill providing for the purchase of clock,
for the Hall of the House of Delegates, was in
definitely postponed.
Mr.. Robertson. of Norfolk City, presented
the petition of $50 citizens, praying for the pas
sage of law amending the charter of that
city.
A large number of bills, on their first read
ing, were acted on, after which the House adj
journed.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
Printed by John Reid,
Printer to the Universitie,

When Gen. La Fayette visited the United
States. had occasion, as Secretary of"Frcd-
ericksburg Lodge, No. A. to hunt up and ex-
anime the original archives of the Lodge, and
found that "George Washington entered an
apprentice on the cath day of November,
1885," was "passed, March Sd, 1852" and was
..raised August 4th, 1753," oil in "Fredericks-
burg Lodge, No. A." He is also recorded az
"present'' at subsequent meetings of the Lodge.
When ii is remembered that the old Bible re-
ferred 10. has been from time immemorial used
in this Lodge, it is very unlikely that another
copy should have been used on the occasion of
General Washington's initiation; and still
more so, that it should have been, under any
circumstances, '.alienatsd'' by the Lodge, had
such been the fact.
Yours, respectfully, j. G..
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

WITHOUT cITr RxGIsrxs.-yss Freeman. !
Tree negro youth from Caroline county, was on
Yesterday committed Dyhis Honor to jai Il def.nl,
OF Richmond free papers.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
az A Dangerous Affair.-Tl

~ A Dangerous Affair.-The man who
FORCES weapon furnish further assistance to the
powerful artillery of woman, directed against the
hearts vi unarmed men, must be a terror to bach.
for the hair, and Hebeaiona for the complexion,
renders it, when used by the fair sex the most pow.
ertul ally OF Cupid that is known. Sold by the in.
ventor, at 277 Washington street.
For sale in Richmond by
SE1ABROOK e. REEVE,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
WASHINGTON,S BIBLE.

II has lately been stated that the bible used
on the occasion Of the admission ofWashing-
ton as Mason, is in England. A writer in
the New York journal of Commerce, who
dates from Fredericksburg, denies the fact
He says
/ presume that our friends across the water
have been imposed upon by spurious copy
the original being now, as il always has
been, the property Of, and in possession Of
Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4. Ii is a small
quar,o volume, engraved title page, having the
inscrintion---
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

REsIcEArIoE.--Th Raw. Dr.. K;ne.f;,ra -.
gwen in his resignation as pastor Of the Third
Baptist Church, in this CITY |; be WIN cop,;nue.
% supply the pulpit. however, until he lst St
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

Il To the Citizens of Richmond,
W>A and Strangers Visiting the City.
1t you wish to have your hair cut end dressed in
the most fashionable and tasty manner, an your
wbiskers changed to beautiful black or brown,
then call at the American Hair Dressing Shaving
and shampooing Saloon, under the American He
tel.
N. Blot, cold and shower BATHS at all
hours. Price 25 cents, or five tickets for 81.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

A MoEsTER LAKE FisH.-The Maumee
Times gives the most astonishing ..fresh rater
fish story that We have ever heard. The
monster was caught IN the Maumee river. with
seine. and look two horses and thirty Usher
men to draw il in. The Times saws Il vas
the largest 6sh ever taken Ia those writer's. II
measured, from the tip Of its nose, or mouth.
10 the end Of its tail, % feet inches and n
circumference, in the largest place Of its body.
= wss4 feet inches. On opening il. i. va
fonnd t0contain II Id stomach two good sixed
muscalonge. about half barrel Of pickerel.
together with very respectable Complement
q the smaller members Of the fnny trihe.-
There wsre also found ia ii two ioinis 81 s,av.
pipe, pair Of old boots, and the reInnsr Il g
an Indiarubber overcOua. -
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

go &'NnEAE N0TYoY 77. 60.
~ ~ s. fu eesmoe q Nh. MAk1A DoYnI We
I'M - = 1Ais eity, 81 10 - inse,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

The EXHIBITIONS OF Mr.. MACALLIsTLR.
These exhibitions are certainly the most
wonderful that have ever been made here. MIR.
Macallister is true wizard, and had he lived
two hundred years ago would, beyond doubt,
have been burned as such. Many man, we
suspect, persisted at the stake for demonstra-
tons of diabolical intelligence, not half SO
strong as his.
Every body ought to go to see Macallister.
We have never had his like here before, and il,
may be that we never may again.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
Nh WIN. II. FAR

DIR. VIM. F. FARRAR offers hia
W>A Professional services to the citizens Of
Richmond and its vicinity. Office over A. Bode
kers Apothecary Store, on Market bridge Main st
an 1C--d1u1
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
ap l4-6t

t9 1t would hardly do tor any one to have the
teuierity nowadays to question the excellence of
DR.. Hoohand's German Bitters, which are prepared
by DIR. c. NJ. jackson. In cases OF dyspepsia, liver
compla int, and arrangement of the digestive or.
gans, their many virtues have long since been made
plainly apparent They purge from the system the
morbid humors which retard the natural functions
and bring paeness to the cheek and suffering to the
brow. They Danish those clogs upon happiness
and restore the system TO high health. an i4-6t
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

RULES OF ETIQUETTE.-The IntelIigencer
promugates the following additional Rules of
Etiquette:
]. Before you bow to a lady in the street,
permit her to decide whether you may do SO or
not, by at least look of recognition.
2. Excuse my glove" is an unnecessary
apology; for the glove should not be withdrawn
to shake hands.
8. When your companion bows to lady,
you should do so also. When gentleman
bows 10 lady in your company, always bow
to him I'D RETURN
DIEp.-Dr NC. Barrabino, Surgeon in the
U. s. Navy, died ut the Naval Hospital at Ports
mouth--to which he was attached as principal
Surgeon-after a short illness, at o'clock,
last Tuesday morning. In the death of this ac-
compiished physician the service has been de-
prived of one of its most skiIful and efficient
offlcers, and the community of enc of its most
worthy and respectable members.
An INSPIRED CHICKEN.-A portion of the
citizens Of Memphis have been very much as.
founded recently by the operations of an
circular chicken. In Mrs. Chandeliers nest
Tor three successive mornings was found an
egg, with the mysterious words inscribed upon
IT, watch and pray" The consequence was
that high degree of excitement was CREATED.
and hundreds visited the chosen spot where
dwelt the feaihered oracle from whence pro.
ceeded these remarkable revelations. Some
declared It to be new miracle, others one Of
the "signs and wonders of prophecy" We
await further advices with GREATNESS suspense
A curious old custom was revived at Ham.
Durg on fhell0th Of the last month. A mer-
cnant having Jailed in business, and run away
rom nss creditors with all his assets, bis name
- sMxed 70 black board over the gateway
OF the Bourse. Two civic drummers hen, he
rogues march, and the sekamd eIorke ~ 81 !. ~
bell OF the Exchange was rune for ~ hours
Ihls ceremony would not trouble The Wall
street deianlters very much.
A new sympathy 10 developing itself IN Eng.
land a society called the A6o,ig;nes Pc.
lection Sociefys 10 in full blast. one az the n.
Jects OF which 10 10 secure 70 American Ind;. ne
their political and social rights! There Il nm.
luckily deficiency in the treasury OF ahont
$5tV, 80 that not much can be done al presenf.
The CuLTURE OF TEA III JApAr.-The Ia
panese tea 10 highly praised; bur their rnode
OF drinking II il peculiar. The leaves are re-
dnced to q very fine powder, which q pur into
Z box. The cups ofthe company. when IN
beyeragejs 10 be served, ara flied with hat
vetef, The box Ii then 0Ifared 10 Tie ri,esin. |
sb0 iake out ~ much a. will lie On the poinfs
81 p.etly large knife, stir i Up ill L bans.
ind drink L bot.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

STEALING SUNDRIEs.-Ann, slave to r. II.
Barns, was brought before his Honor, on yester-
day, charged by her master with stealing from him
other things, duringthe past several months Miss.
ing handkerchief day or two since, Mr.. Barns,
having good reason to suspect Ann OF being the
thief, searched her room and found the handker.
chief and a variety OF other stolen articles. She
was ordered by the Mayor 80 lashes Masters
should not place too much confdeIce in their SER
wants, but keep strict and constant watch over
them.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

A HANDSOME PREsENT.-We return thanks to
Messrs. Van Lew & Taylor for beautiful knife,
which they were SO kind as to make us present
of, few days ago. We have heard il. said that .
knife is dangerous present, since it apt to
cut love in two, according to the ideas of supers
tious persons. Wehope it will not be the case in
this instance.
By the bye, we would call attention to the ad
vertisement of these gentlemen, and to their store
They certainly have splendid collection of goods
in their line. There is nothing made of iron or
steel which they cannot furnish.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17

STEALING SHoEs,-A slave, named Sharper,
stole from his master, Alexander Hill on Thursday,
four pair of shoes, valued at So. He confessed the
theft to his master, and also stated that since
Christmas he had been in the habit of taxing boots
and shoes out Of the store and selling them early in
the morning TO countrymen at the Lower Market
After hearing the evidence in the CASE on yester.
day, his Honor ordered Sharper strapping of 80
lashes to take off some of the edge of his knavery
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-17
THE BATTLE OF SANTOS LUGAREs.

The Spanish and Portuguese colonsts in
America, present striking contrast to those
from England. They seem to be ererlas,ingly
at war with each other. No sooner do we hear
of one revolution having been put down, than
we learn that another has sprung up. They
appear TO live upon the system of eternal war,
all the time.
There was great battle fought in Buenos
Ayres, in great revolution 1.-THE last that has
occurred) during the month of February. The
reports with regard TO it have been most vari-
Gus. The slaughter was at first represented to
have been equivalent to or 5000 good men,
all laid out in the prime of life. Since that
time, however, it appears that not more than
1000 men we're killed. They are wonderful
republicans, certainly, these Spanish colo
nists.
METAIRIE RACES AT NEW ORLEANs.-We
annex the returns of the first days races, four
mile runs, upon the Metairie course, New Or
leans. The Belle Key had wen upwards of a
dozen races, previously and it was confidently
expected that she would be the winner. The
bay horse Louis d Or won the second and third
heats the mare La Vraie Refine the first heat
There was great deal of excitement and
much betting:
| FRIDAY, April 9, lS52.-Jockey Club Purse
| $500 four mile heats-$200 to second horse.
ID. F. Kenner's III Louis d'Or, by imp.
| Sarpedon out of Picayune-5y l 1
T.J. Wells's ch Hiddlestone, BY imp
! Trustee, dam by Muckle johns
20 3 3 9
H. L. French's b Belle Key, by imp
| Sovereign. out of the dam of Ann
| Huys-3yo 9 2 dis
Captain ]. w. Minors br + La Vraie
| Refine, by imp. Sovereign, out Of Ve-
racity-3yo a DIR