davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1853-06-11
To an Printers and PubIlshers

TNVERY member of the craft in the State
"a of Louisiana, is respectfully invited to
of July next. The object Of this convention is to
unite the typographical corps" for mutual benefit
and protection.
10 Every paper published in the State will
please copy-Batos Rouge Cont.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
RELrcyoUs INTOLERANCE IN FRANCE

RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN France
A remarkable case of religious intolerance
has Just occurred within few miles of
Paris. A most respectable person of the
Protestant religion died recently, and was
buried in the public cemetery in portion
of the same which had been purchased by
the family of the deceased for their special
use. The funeral service was publicly per-
formed and was respectfully attended by
many Catholics of the neighbohood; friends
of the deceased and of his family
Some three weeks after the intefment the
Deputy Prefect of the department, accom-
panied by body Of workmeh, proceeded
one morning about day break, and during a
heavy ram, to the burvlng- ground, disin-
tered the body, dragged the coffin through
the mud to distant portion of the cemete-
ry, and there, close to the division set apart
for maefactors and children who die un-
baptized, the coffin was again hastily and
disrespectfully put under the ground. A
few days after the Roman Catholic clergy
of the neighborhood went in great pomp to
the cemetery to perform publication cere-
MONIES, with incense and prayer, to cleanse
and re-bless the ground which had been
polluted by The body of Protestant. Aft.
this bill of ifty-six francs expenses of the
transhumation was presented to the family
of the deceased, with the threat to prose.
cute if it were not promptly paid. The
Protestants have protested against this out
rageous proceeding. and were few day:
since received an audience by the Minis
ter of Public Worship, who has the com
plant under consideration.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

THE SEcREr.-I noticed (said franklin,
mechanic among others at work on hous
erecting but little way from my office
who had kind word and cheerful smile fol
every one he met. Let the day be ever 81
cold, gloomy and sunless, happy smile
danced like sunbeam on his cheerful coun
tenance. Meeting him one morning, ask
ed him to tell me the secret of his cOnstan
flow of happy spirits.
"No secret, doctor," he replied, "Ivt
got one of the best of wives, and when e
to work she always has kind word for me
and when | 60 home she meets me with ;
smile and kiss, and then tea is sure to BIZ
ready, and she has done so many little
things through the day to please me, tha
l cannot find it Is MY heart to speak an un'
kind word to anybody
What an influence, then, hath woman
over the heart of man, to soften it and make
it the fountain of cheerful and pure emo.
tions Speak gently, then; a pleasant
greeting, after the tolls of the day are over
costs nothing, and goes far towards making
home and peaceful.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

A SNAKE SroRY.-A Texan tells a very
good story of snake in that country,
who was caught one night stealing eggs.
The writer and his wife were aroused in the
middle of the night by the crash occasion
ed by the falling of their cups and plates
from the dresser. Springing up to see the
author of this 'attack upon China" the
correspondent found large snake-attract-
ed by number of eggs-had crawled upon
the shelf and swallowed an egg, and in Or
der to get at the next he had put bis head
and portion of his body through the ham
die of a jug which happened to stand be
tween him and the coveted delicacies. The
handle was large enough to let his body, in
its natural shape, slip through but not suffi-
ciently large to let it pass through when
pulled up by the egg. While in this posi-
ton he swallowed the second egg. His
snakeship, unable to advance or retreat, be-
gan general laundering and of course
made much mischief.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
The Ages Of Animals.

The English Cyclopedia gives the follow
Ing modes of determining the age OF anl'
mails :-"Amongst domestic animals the
age may be judged of by the presence, ab'
sence, or change of certain organs in the
body. The age ofthe horse is known princl-
pally by the appearance of the incisionteeth
or, as they are technically called, the nip
pers. In cattle with horns, the age is in
dicated more readily by the growth of these
instruments than by the detrtion and sue
cession of the teeth. The deer kind, which
shed their horns annually, and in which,
with the single exception of the reindeer
they are confined to the male sex. have
them at first in the form of simple pnckets
without any branches or antlers; but each
succeeding year of their lives adds one or
more branches, according to the species, up
to certain fixed period, beyond which the
age of the animal can only be guessed at
from the size of the horns and the thickness
of the burr or knob at. their roots, which
connects them with the skull. The horns
of oxen, sheep, goats, and antelopes, which
are hollow and permanent, are of very
different form, anG grow in different man.
ner from those of the deer kind. These, as
is well known, consists of hollow sheath
of horn, which covers bony core or pro-
cess of the skull, and grows from the root,
where it receives each year an additional
knob or ring, the number of which is sure
indication of the animals age. The growth
of the horns in these animals is by no means
uniform through the whole year; but the
increase, at least in temperate climates,
takes place in Spring, after which there is
no further addition till the following season.
In the COW kind the horns appear to grow
uniformly during the first three years ofthe
animals life consequently, up to that age
they are perfectly smooth and without
wrinkles, but afterwards, each succeeding
year adds a ring to the root OF the horn, so
that the age is determined by allow ing three
years for the point or smooth part of the
horn, and one for each of the rings. In
sheep and goats the smooth or top part
counts but for one year, as the horns oil
these animals show their first knob or ring
in the second year of their age in the an
telopes they probably follow the same rule,
though we have very little knowledge OF
their growth and development in these an
imals. There are very few instances in
which the age of animals belonging to 9TH
er classes, can be determined by any gen.
eral rules. In birds it may be sometimes
done by observing the form and wear ofthe
bill; and some pretend to distinguish the
age of fishes by the appearance of their
scales, but their methods are founded on
mere hypothesis, and entitled to no conf
dence."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
MISC ELL A N Y.
THE LEG.

THE following curious anecdote is from the
Germ,a of Zschokke and is declared to be found
cd on fact.
In the latter part Of the year l1o2, Nj.
Louis Thevenet, surgeon, residing at CALAIS.
received an anonymous letter, requesting
his attendance on the following morning at
a villa situated on the high road to Paris,
and that ne would bring with him all the
instruments necessary for an amPutatlon.
Thevenet was known at that time as one
of the cleverest men in his profession,
and it was no Unusual thing for him to be
summoned across the Channel to give his
opinion in certain important cases. lie
had served long in the army, and was rath-
er snappish in his manner; but his natural
kindness, however, made him to be liked
by young and old.
Tho anonymous note astonlshed Ihevenet'
Time and place, when and where he was
expected, were strictly mentioned, but no
signature was to be seen
Some of our fops would like TO make
ZOO! of me-" he thought, and therefore did
not go.
Three DAYS after, he received similar.
but more urgent, invitation, adding that on
the following morning, at nine O'Clock pre-
cisely, a carriage would be sent to fetch
him.
The next morning, at the appointed time,
handsome vehicle stopped at his door, and
Thevenet, without further hesitation or Ger
emony, stepped into it. When outside the
town he asked the coachman whittier he
was going to take him. Cant say" an
,wered the coachman curtly. "You are
by no means the most civil Of Englishmen, .
replied Thevenet.
Arrived at the mentioned villa, the Car
riage stopped. Thevenet, before leaving
il. however, asked the already mentioned
polite Individual, ,-"Where am | wanted
Who lives here Who is i'll :" As he on
ly received the same answer as above, he
ONLY returned the same thanks.
At the entrance he was received by a
sood-looklng young gentleman, about twen-
weight years of age, who conducted him
npstairs into a we'll furnished apartment.-
His accent was that Of an Englishman.-
Tbeyenet therefore adressed him in Eng
li,b. which seemed to crafty hun much.
You have sent for me sir :" asked the
surgeon.
II am very much obliged toyou for your
trouble in calling replied the young man
pray, sir, take seat. Here is chocolate,
coffee, wine, sc. Sc; perhaps you would
like to refresh yourself before commencing
the operation -
IL should like to see the patient first, if
you please. Imust examine the injury. to-
see il ampu:ation is really necessary"
81 assure you it is necessary, Monsieur
Thevenet. Pray sit down. Iplace all pos
si5le confidence in you. Listen TO me, sir.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR;
The authorized strength Of the Army is stai
ted to be 13,S21-officers and men but its
actual strength is only TO-. Of these
S,378 are employed on the frontiers. The
concentration of force on the Rio Grandc
frontier was required for the protection Of
our citizens against the incursions of lndi-
ans from Mexico, and for the enforcement
of our treaty stipulations with Mexico TO
prevent Indian invasion from our own bor'
ders: This movement has restrained pres.
ent deptedatiohs, but much larger force
is considered necessary to secure perma.
nent peace. 1t is estimated that 1000 re-
cruits will be required for the service Of the
ensuing year, to maintain the full compile
ment of rank and file. The strength Of the
regular army Is generally reduced in the
proportion Of nearly one-hfth, BY desertion,
debility. death, &c., but chiefly by deser.
ton and this may be expected to continue
SO long as the disparity exists between the
pay of the soldier and that Of the labotet in
civil life, and length of service is ehcour-
aged by no reward. The average annual
loss to the army. including discharges by
expiration of service. to be supplied by the
enlistment of new men, is 1885,, more than
one e-third the whole force. To obviate the
embarrassment resulting from this state of
things, the Secretary recommends an in
crease Of pay, with an additional increase
for every successive period of FIVE years
the soldier shall remain IN the army, and
provision for promotion to the lowest grade
of commissioned officers of such non-ccm.
missioned officers as shall merit it. He
proposes to give to the soldier who shall re-
enlist within month after his honorable
discharge, two dollars per month in addi.
ton to the ordinary pay, for the first FIVE
years, and further increase of one dollar
a month for each successive period Of Eve
years service. The Military Academy at
West pointreceived merited commendation.
1t is proposed TO extend the period of in
struction to five years.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

STATISTICS OF THE GRAvE.-A recent
number of the Merchants Ledger estimates
that since the birth of our Saviour, 1853
years ago, thitty-two thousand millions of
human beings have lived upon this earth !;
and Of these all but nine hundred and sixty
millions have gone down to the grave. Of
this great army Of the dead nine thousand
millions have died by war eight thousand
millions by famine and pesiilence five
hundred millions by martyrdom nearly six
hundred millions by intoxicating drinks
and the remaining thirteen thousand mil
lions naturally or otherwise.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

THE CoLD REALITY OF PRArRIES.-The
mass of our Eastern people, as they esteem
desert waste, shrubless dead-level OF
glitterng sand. generally picture to them.
selves prairie as lovely velvet floor ot
mingled grass and flowers level, dry and
delightful, with silvery brooks dancing and
laughing across the landscape. The "cold
reality Is somewhat different from this. The
actual praires have decided tendency tc
the marshy, and (though many of them are
wholly, and others partly dry enough) will
turn out as much black mud to the country
as any other land we ever saw. Their sur
face is often ''rolling" or undulating-but
not sufficiently so to ensure an abundance
of springs or an adequate flow to the brooks,
which are too few, too scanty and too slug
gi>h. A ceanly bred duck would fight shy
of most of them, and might run his bill
down, owing to the dry grass in the very
centre of many of them, without finding
anything but muddy, oozy dampness,-
Rich as the soil is, the scarcity of water
through most of The summer and fall, must
prove serious drawback on its value un-
til reservoirs can be formed and irrigation
resorted to. Beautiful as the praries doubt
less are in June, in the young freshness of
their herbage and innumerable flowers they
are anything but fascinating IN October,
when their edible grass has been cropped
by cattle, their flowers have vanished, leav-
ing only rank growth Of course weeds and
sour, harsh grasses, all stiffened and EN-.
Drowned by age and frost The contrast
between this and the bright, vari-coloured
foliage of the adjacent forests and belts,
spurs and clumps Of timber, is very strik-
ing, and not at all to the prairies' advan-
tage.-Horace Greeley.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

WHITE CRAvATs AND VEsTs.--In New
York, white cravats and vests are out OF
date in fashionable circles. They are now
the distinguishing badge of servants in at
tendance. However, as New York is not
the centre of fashion, the full evening cos
tune still prevails elsewhere. The editor
of the New York Sunday Times,in alluding
to the present fashion in that city, says !:
"a dandy friend of ours, who had for few
seasons given up parties, attended one re-
Gently, and wishing to honor the occasion
IN full dress, arrayed himself in his we'd
ding suit,carefully preserved, and was much
chagrined on finding that he was the only
man present besides the walters who sport.
ed white vest and cravat.'
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
By J.. A. q l.. Il. WADDELL.
TERMS.

m- The SPECTATOR" is published OneeG
week, at Tpo Dollars gear, gpaid i" adcc"ee,
or Too Dollars and Fyly CentsV delayed beyond
tis expiration Of the year. No subscription 'r''
be discontinued bit at the option Of the Editors,
aata all arrearGges are pad.
n% .4u contradictions 10 the Editors By MAJ
mi,t be post paid or they ,ri not be attended to-
s- ADVERTISEMENTS Of thirteen hHe'
Tor less Inserted three times for one dollar, ana
nosn.y-fvs centstor each subsequent continuance
Larger advertisements inserted Ia the same proper
t;on. A liberal discount made TO those 'cho adrer-
hse BY Che year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

CHINESE HUMANrTY.-The Chinese I'm.
perial general offered to hrs soldiers two dol
lars head-the head duly cut of-of the
enemy. Well. the enemy not forthcoming
the gallant soldiers took off the heads of
their friends. The heads becoming cum
brous from their number, the general de.
cIared that he would be sufficiently satisfied
with the instalment OF ears.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

I've often thought, it were asked
Whose lot euvied most
What one thought most lightly tasked,
OF mans unnumbered host
I'd say I'D be mountain boy,
And drive a noble team-wo hoy
Wo hoy I'd cry,
And lightly fly
Into my saddle.se
My rein I'D slack.
Ny whip I'd crack
What music is 50 sweetl
Six blacks I'd drive of ample chest,
All carrying high the head
All haruess'd tight. and ga:ly drest,
In winkers tipped with red.
Oh YES, I'D be mountain boy,
And such team I'D drive-wo hoy,
Wo hoy I'D cry
The lint should fly
Wo hoy ! Dobbin-Ball! I!
Their feet should ring,
And would sing
I'd sing my fal-de-ral.
NV bells would tingle, tingle-ling,
Beneath each Oear-sHln cap
And as saw them swing and swing,
I'd be the merriest chap;
Yes, then I'D be mountain boy,
And drive jingling team-wo hoy,
Wo hoy I'd cry
NV words should fly
Each horse would prick his ear!
With frightened chain,
My numbering vain
Wluld move in its career.
The golden sparls-you'd see them spring
Beneath my horses tread;
Each tail-Pd braid it up with string
OF blue, or Haunting red;
So does YOU know, the mountain boy
Who drives the dashing tean-wo hoy
Wo hoy I'D cry
Each horses eye
With fire would seem to burn;
With lifted head,
And nostrils spread,
They'd seem the earth to spurn:
They'd champ the bit aud fling the foam,
As they dragged on my load
Aud would think OF distant home,
And whistle on the road,
Oh, would were mountain boy
I'd drive a six-hOrse team-wo hoy;
Wo hoy! I'D cry,
Now, by yon sky,
I'd sooner drive those steeds,
Than win renown,
Or wear crown
Won by victorious deeds:
For crowns oft press the languid head,
And health the wearer shuns-
And victory, trampling on the dead,
May do tor Goths and Huns:
Seek them who will-they have no joys
For mountain lads and wagon boys.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

REMARKABLE.-You may see thousand
excellent things in paper and never hear
a word of appreciation from the readers, but
just let paragraph slip in of one or two
lines, that is not in good taste, and you may
be sure of hearing about that
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

a5= DR.. Bethuhe, IN his lecture on Lee.
lures, recommended his hearers never 10
dispute with woman; never challenge A
hotel.keeper's charges; and never to guar.
rel with an editor.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

How CIGARS ARE MADE.-In the Lancet
report of the analysis OF cigars is given.
The general mass of cigars examined had
"no adulteration," but some samples are
thus described :-"Made up in the centre
with sweepngs, probably Of the warehouse
1t contains dust, dirt, fragments of mortar,
pieces of apple pairing, and much broken
and refuse tobacco-leaf Purchased of a
hawker in Whitechapel-road-These che
roots were made up of two twisted wrappers
or layers of thin brown paper, while the
interior consisted entrely Of hay, not a
particle Of tobacco entering into their COM
positions"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

THE DEAD OF THE MEDITERRANEAN.-
The whole channel of the Mediterranean
must be strewed with human bones. Car
thaginians, Syrians, Sidonians, Egyptians,
Persians, Greeks, and Romans-there they
lie, side by side, beneath the eternal wa
ters; and the modern ship that fetches
freight from Alexandria, sails in its whole
course over buried nations. 1t may be the
corruption Of the dead that now adds bright
ness to the phosphorsscence of the waves.
Ali told me that in the East they have a
superstition on this subject, which repre-
sents the spirit Of the departed as lowering
whether on land or water, over the spots
where the RUNS of their earthly tabernacles
are found; so that in ploughing the Medi.
terranean we sail through armies of ghosts
more multitudious than the waves. These
patient spirits sometimes ride on the foam,
and at other times repose in those delicious
little hoIIows which look like eXcavated en-
eralds between the crests of the waves. II
is their union and thronglng together, say
the Orientals, that constitute The phospho-
rescence of the sea for wherever there IS
spirit there is light, and the pillows flash
with luminousness Of vanished generations,
that concentrate, as it were, the starlight on
their wings.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
"Trush stranger than Fiction"

A very interesting and romantic inti.
dent was related by Rev. Mr.. Fontane, in
one of his recent Iectares at the Richmond
Athehaum. Speaking ST the early history
of Texas he gave an account of Gen. Long :
effort to revoIutjonize that country in 1919.
Gen. Long served under Gen. Jackson, IN
the Seminole war, and at the battle OF n
Orleans He married when twenty-five
years of age a celebrated beauty and heir
ess Of Nashville, only sixteen years old
When he formed the design to invade Tex
asj Mrs. Long entered fully into bis plans,
and placed at his disposal her immense
wealth. With this he armed and equipped
three hundred men. entered the country,
and was everywhere successful. Near the
Gulf coast he formed fortifcation where
he established his headquarters. He was
elected President of the Republic--a full
Cabinet was appointed,and areguIar govern
ment organized. At that time Itmbide was
overrunning Mexico with the design Of ma
king himself supreme ruler Of that State
Beng jealous of the success and power of
Gen. Long, he proposed to him, through an
agent, that they should unite their forces
which would enable them to strengthen and
confirm their authority-the one over Mex
ico, the other over Texas. Gen. Long un-
wisely needed the traitorous proposition
Before leaving the fort he assigned to his
wife seventy-fve men, with directions to
hold the place until his return. He soon
after, with the remainder of his small army,
reached the headquarters of Gen. Iturblde,
who, as soon as he got possession OF his RI
VAL caused him to be assassinated. Time
passed on: Mrs. Long heard nothing of the
sad fate of her husband. The seventy-fve
men under her charge became dissatisfied
provisions were we'll nigh exhausted, land
they became clamorous to return to the
Estates" She told them that Gen. Long
had directed her to remain until his return,
and that she should do so-"dead or alive" :"
Every man deserted her to retrace their
steps to their homes, leaving her with an
infant and nurse, young negro girl OF
twelve or fourteen years of age, the sole oc-
cupants OF the fortifcation. She kept the
flag of the stars and stripes floating from
the wals-fred the morning and evening
salute, and beat the daily reveille. The
Mexicans and Indians thought the place
was still garrlsoned, and kept at respect
full distance. Time sped. A year elapsed,
and still no tdings Of her gallant husband
reached her lonely abode. During all this
space she subslsted by gathering oysters
from the beach and shooting birds which
flew about the fort. In 1921, Gen. Austin
invaded Texas, and seeing flag floating
from fotifcation near the Gulf. supposed
the noted Laftte had established himself
there. He sent in a flag of truce, and what
was his surprise TO find this place, in the
midst of inimica Mexicans and savage In
dians manned by solitary woman