davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
To the :. sentinel,, and FrIend..

happy Christmas lis a homey cheer.
But offered with feeling most sincere
For Sentinel and Friends we well may pray,
Tha, this may be 10 them happy day.
Where through the past can we more sweetly gaze
Than on the Joys OF our gone Christmas days
From childhood TO old age they haunt our hearts
To memory cling, and many JOY imparts
The day which gave our land It's birth and fame
With joyful souls Americans proclaim
But with more JOY the freeman's breast doth play,
To hail our blest Redeemer's natal day;
7z0f gave us happy homes, prosperity
And made us all that earth could make us--free;
THIS, when we pass from time and hope away,
Opens the portals 10 the brightest day.
What though the year that's gone may be oercast
With clouds Of sorrow, they have fitted past
What though those clouds, with some, may linger-
ing stay,
Joys should surround the Christians holiday.
The Sentinel upon the waichiower stands,
Ready TO lend democracy helping hands,
Ard ready, also, in the deal Of cards,
To beat the softs, = and hurrah for the hards"
Thus lie il with thee whom We now address,
Should blessings wait thee or should ills distress
=" The Printer" cheer the sorrowing--apd q, may
All find in this a happy Christmas day!
A HARD" CHRISTIAN.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
A Hard Cork to Draw.

Avery quiet "sell" was done upon dis
tinguished member Of the press u few days ago,
that we promised to keep profound secret,
and so fulfil the promise on the first opportu-
nifty. The colonel--our friend is a military
man-dwells in region Of the city that was
once up town, and is at irregular intervals
afflicted with rheumatic govt, which confines
him to his house several days at q time. This
Imprisonment is most irksome to him, as he is
OF an active temperament, and generally keeps
moving" But he is one of the most popular
men in the world and when laid up is never
without the company of sympathising friends.
1t IS but natural that the munifcent colonel
should keep for the use of thesefriends bottle
and something good in it, and he always has
the best brands.
1t happened one day last week that his stock
OF Cognac Was out, and the colonel asked q
friend to call at certain hotel Abels Tx
change) as he went down town, and tell Char
ley to send him up bottle OF his old yellow
seal brandy. Half an hour afterward another
friend called bringing the required bottle; he
saia that happening to drop IN at the hotel,
and finding the bottle with the colonels name
endorsed on the label, he had volunteered to
bring it up. The colonel thanked him for the
KIND Office, and proceeded at once to "lnvestl-
gate the document His big woods-knite was
called into active service-the yellow seal was
duly cracked by half dozen taps with the
horse claw" and the cork-screw was applied
vigorously, but it wouldn't enter the cork.
The colonel looked at the cork, then he looked
at the corkscrew, it was all right. He again
attempted to force it into the cork, but it was
no GO. Again the seal was duly hammered
with the horse claw, and again the same result.
"What on earth can be the matter with this
corkscrew n he asked, looking at his friend
lit never served me such trick before Sit
must be devilish tough cork, anyway"
The visitor &c. L. E., the best portrait painter
in the United States,) said nothing, and looked
remarkably innocent. The colonel began to
snuff something, and went to the window to get
a little more light on the subject. The horse
claw was again smartly piled, and as the wax
few off a slight glimpse Of something red was
discovered. The colonel took another peep at
his visitor; he looked as innocent as lamb;
stout wrench with the horse-claw brought off
the seal entirely, and disclosed ne,o hal cent,
which the jokers had nicely fitted in the top Of
the cork, and sealed up. AS it would have
been indecorous to laugh on such an occasion,
the colonel and his friend "smiled audibly''
and buried the joke Gin a horn.n-M J. .Sa,-
day Courier.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
THE OPERA.

Bellini's tragic opera Of Norma was pre-.
scented on Friday evening, at the Variete, before
a yet larger audience than patronized either Of
its predecessors, Lucrezia Borgia and Lucia di
Lammermoor. Madame Rosa de Vries, the
talented Prima Donna Of the company, was vel
coined upon this her third appearance for the
season, with enthusiastic and repeated cheers
She received, during the performance OF the
opera the most fattering tokens of approba
ton. The applause bestowed, however, is not
always sure index of the interest of an audi
ences OF of the success Of the rendition. There
are passages in this opera of the deepest
pathos and highest dramatic power: at the
conclusion, especially where Norma accuses
herself Of PROCLAMATION in tempting her husband,
PolIione within the sacred precincts, and is
covered with the black veil for the funeral
pyre, the whole house was held in breathless
and mute attention.
Signors Arnold and Coletti as Polio and
Oroccso, were sgnally successful, as also Sig
norma, Siedenburg as Adelgisa.
The public will be gratifed to learn the fact
of the arrangement Of this popular operate
Troupe for few evenings more. On Monday
night Bellinis fascinating Opera, La Sonnam.
bula is to be presented.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

The season of gifts--of social pleasures, and
of merry meetings, has come. One year brings
forth many things Amongst other things OF
more consequence, it has given birth to the
enterprise in which we are engaged, and for
which we have labored with a zeal that has
known no abatcment-with an energy that has
known no diminution.
Twelve months ago this enterprise was not
conceived. For three months after its COM
mencement, foes predicted, and friends feared
its failure. But fortune has favored us-friends
have been kind-our own efforts have been
crowned with success. We avail ourselves Of
this, the first Christmas that the Sentinel has
known, to present to our friends and our
readers our sincere congratulations. We wish
them health and happiness. May they enjoy
the present jocund season, and may they live
TO enjoy many more like it. The good heart
can delight in no picture more than in that of a
family collected before the Christmas fire, pre-
paratory to partaking of the Christmas dinner
Those who were scattered by diverse pursuit:
are now gathered under the same roof anc
seated at the same table. This sacred season
is bond of union between them. The occur
rences Of the past are talked over The games
of childhood-the recolections of its innocent
days--all steal over the memory with irresisti.
BILE power.
What though old Christmas be ushered in
with stiff frost or showering snow? What
though the wind blows stout and freezing
gale? All is merry, jocund, joyous. The blaz-
ing FIRE and the social glass possess warmth
enough.
May the rich man, when he sips his cob
webbed wine, and partakes with epicurean
daiutiness Of his sumptuous feast, remember
that the poor are without food and without
fuel. Out Of his abundance he can spare
something for his suffering neighbors If he
be good man, he will.
1t is to be lamented that season looked fol
with such pleasure by all should bring distress
and bereavement to any. It is, however, una
yoidable. While some are feasting, others are
fasting; while some are rejoicing, Others are
smitten with grief, affection, death.
Nav the same Providence that smote them
with grief, crown them with blessings. We
wish health, happiness, and merry Christmas
TO all
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
Christmas.
DELTA.

All the children have calculated the weeks
and days and hours toathe oath of December,
IL o'clock, p. NJ, the time when st, Nicholas
is supposed to bid defiance to narrow-throated
chimneys, iron-gratings, and stove-pipes. Ask
the first boy you meet show long before
Christmas" and if he doesn't tell you "lke q
book" then we are no conjuror-that is, if he's
not an orphan and homeless, without Christ
mas or new year, or any thing else, bright and
beautiful in his Almanac.
How the top-shops populate and multiply and
replenish! What wonders fill the windows;
what maryels nestle in the drawers; what trea-
sures load the shelves. Are you bachelor?
Exactly fve-shillings will buy two hearts, full
of happiness. for the two little children, that
stand with faces SO blue fingers so red, and
eyes so wishful, on the sidewalk before your
door, as you leave your comfortable-per-
haps MISUNDERSTANDING these cool m ornings.
| They are waiting to share the breakfast with
your favorits dog, that never growls at them,
but gives what they wish, and takes up con-
tentedly with the rest. The fact is, your dog
has gotten the start Of you, in at least one
| Christian grace; one, too that if we may be-
lieve queer old book, is the greatest OF all.
A pair of little mttens, blue and white, or
red and white, .tringed if you can find them,
thing-the one for the girl, the other for the
flush of funds, for they are tough as sole
leather, and when the ground grows snowy
you'll see him foundesing along in pair Of
old boots, world too big--a man mp to his
knees
Then buy the boy dog with glass eyes
dog that banks; tell him it's Tray, Blanche, o.
Sweetheart; and the girl, doll with faxen
curls-a doll that pinks-mind that. 1t will be
no great outlay, after all. Let us see one pain
of shoes, IS, one ditto mittens, %; dog, Is;
doll, 75--fourteen shillings and sixpencs. Less
than two dollars, and invested in two hearts at
that. Two shares Of human happiness, Now's
the time to take stock
What world of little stockings will be sus.
pended by cook-stoves and CRATES, in chimney
corners, and by old-fashioned fre-places, on
that memorable twenty-fnnrth Red, blue,
black, and clouded; new, old, darned, and tat
tered ventilation stockings, every hole care
fully tied up with tow-strings by the provident
little owner, lest something should spill out Of
the expected treasures. Some hang by the
frail tenure Of pin; others secured to a big
nail, for who knows how much they NAV get n
And others again fastened to the backs of
chairs, or swing from the bed-posts. And what
peepings and markings there win be, from un.
der the bed-clothes, that they may catch Santa
Claus Eat itp
By the way, never tell your children, or any
body's children, there is no such being as Santa
Claus, Let them think so, as long as they can
They'll find things out fast enough, by-andby
just as you did, we did, everybody does.
But how about the stock A few more shares
left in this great gift concert! How many'll
YOU take p Tribune.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

The REVOLT ON BOARD THE SHIP JAMES
WRIGHT-DEATu OF Mr.. SIMPSON, THE FIRST
MATE-It will be recollected that Joseph Mat
thews and four others, of the crew of the ship
James Wright, were arrested some short time
since, and indicted by the grand jury of the
United States circuit court for revolt and as.
sault on Mr.. Shadrick Simpson, the first mate
of that vessel, while lying at quarantine. Simp.
son died at his residence, No. lob H9mmersley
street, on Sunday morn:as, and the four prison
ers will now probably be held for homicide !;
but as the afray occurred within the iurisdic.
ton OF this State, the case viii not come with
IN the United States court, but the law of this
State. The facts Of the case are, simply, that
the ship was at quarantine, ready for sea, on
the 4th of November, and the crew coming on
board under the influence Of liquor, were not
exactly fitted to receive the orders of the mate,
who directed them TO weigh anchor. They re-
fused to comply, and melee ensued, and Nr.
Simpson received severe beating, and also a
stab in the back Of the head, inflicted with a
large knife, as alleged, by the sailor Mathews,
aided and abetted by several others. The pilot
of the ship witnessed the ARRAY, and is, we UNI
derstand, the only person who did, except those
who were party concerned. Mathews and his
four shipmates were arrested for the revolt and
assault, and have since that time been kept in
Jail. Yesterday Coroner O'Donnel was called
to hold an inquest on the body of the deceased.
A post norton examination was made, and
the evidence adduced by the physicians went
TO show conclusively that death was produced
by the injury inflicted with the knife. A jury
was sworn, but in consequence of the want Of
witnesses the case was postponed until to-day,
IN order to procure the presence of the pilot
who witnessed the assault. The inquest will
be held at the coroner's office---N y. Herald
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

LIcENTIorsNEss OF PoMpEn-The discovery
OF Pompeii has been worth thousands of SER
mons as vindication of the reforms worked
by Christianity, Had it not been for the paint
ings that still survive on the walls of exhumed
dwellings, the moderns would have had no ade.
quate conception of the immortality of the
ancients, All that Tacitus has written Of the
licentiousness Of the Roman emperors, fail to
make an impression equal to that produced by
these indecencies. For that an idle luxurious
and despotic pic.monarch should violate every
law, human and divine, seems not impossible |;
but that private citizens should initiate their
example, surpasses belief, which is proved by
the walls Of Pompeii. On these walls-the
walls Of dwellings-the walls Of the common
sitting room--the walls which husband and
wife, mother and daughter, gazed in company,
are seen paintings which would disgrace the
,vilest bagnio. The universally of these pic.
lures prove that it was not a few dissoiute
young men who thus covered the walls of their
rooms, but that fathers Of families, citizens of
highest rank, and even grave senators, were
equally guilty. How gross and corrupt must
that state Of society have been in which licen.
tionsness not only shook off all decorum, but
sat IN the very domestic circle ITSELF
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25
gS-No paper will be issued from this Office
until Wednesday morning.

BarWe have before MS many articles taken
from our exchanges, and many communIcaa
tons addressed to us referring to political mat
ters but we feel constrained to withhold
them for The present at least. This day is q
holyday celebrated with reverence throughout
christendom. We feel, therefore, that it might
be considered almost like a proclamation to
thrust before the people animosities of poll.
ticians or the strifes Of party organizations.
For this reason our editorial columns contain
no political matter.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

NEWS FRoM INDIA IN TES DAYs.--Within a
twelvemonths of the present date railway will
be completed from Ostend to Trieste, distance
of 1900 miles, in which there are even now
only two considerable breaks. Letters, pas
sengers, and parcels will then occupy little
more than two days from the shores of the
channel to those ofthe Adriatic; four days more
will take them to Egypt and by the aid Of the
railway from Alexandria to Cairo, now rapidly
advancing, they may within SO hours be afoat
on the Red sea, and in twelve days thereafter
be safe in Bombay, or within three weeks Of
their leaving London. Within this date the
electric telegraph, now preparing to be laid
across the Mediterranean; will have reached
Suez, and the 1000 miles Of wire, which have
already reached Calcutta, will connect every
great town in India with the port Of Bombay;
so that, before the year 1856, expires we shall
have communication by electric telegraph in
10 or ii days time with every part Of India,
and by steamer and railroad from Bombay in
2l.-London Morning Chronicle.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

AN AFFECTING SCENE.--Lieutenant Parsons,
in his "Nelsonian "reminiscences" relates the
following:
Orchard Bennett, when mortally wounded
in one of Nelson's great battles, had requested
that miniature and lock Of his hair, should
be given by Lieutenant p. to his sweetheart
Susette, in Scotland. The gallant lieutenant
thus describes the interview
"It was at the close of day, when a bright
July sun was setting, that arrived at the pretty
cottage Of Susette's mother TREMENDOUSLY
stated who was to the most respectable look
ing matron ! ever saw of French extraction
Tn broken, bitter accents of heartfelt grief, she
told me her daughters death was daily expect
ed, and requested time to prepare her to see
me.
CAT last she expressed wish to see the
friend of Richard Bennett, and ! was admitted
to the fairest daughter of Eve, and found the
world unequal to her in charms. She was
propped up with pillows near the open lattice
of her bedroom, that was clustered with roses.
Her white dress and the drapery of the room
accorded with the angelic vision, who now turn
ed her lustrous eyes upon me, yelled in long
fringed eyelids. She held out her transparent
hand, and gently pressed mine as stopped to
kiss it; and as she felt my tears fall on it
softly mur,nursd: u wish could cry; 1t would
relieve my poor heart She gasped for breath
and respired with difficulty. The lock Of hair
quickly, let me see it. She caught at it wildly
pressed 1t to her heart and fell back. Her
mother and i thought she had tainted, but the
pure and innocent soul had returned TO God"
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

A HERMIT Arrested Saturday 9th af
ternoon, Deputy Sheriff Porter, Of Woburn
Mass, arrested in the woods in the town Of
Burlington, an old man between sixty and
seventy years Of age who for the last two or three
months has occupied q hut or cabin which he
had constructed Of dried leaves and sticks; the
materials were curiously arranged, and the
work was made with as much care and labor
as that of the famed Robinson Crusoe. In the
interior was large quantity of dried leaves,
which served the purpose Of bed there WINS
no article Of furniture in or about the place,
but the entrance was protected by a curtain,
which was also formed of dried leaves. AT the
time the lonely occupant was arrested, he was
upon the point Of r retiring to bed, having di
vested himself of his hat, boots, and coat. He
did not seem to feel very much pleased with
the prospect Of being taken away from his
home; but as he is a German, and could not
speak word of English, the officer did not at.
tempt to explain the cause of his intrusion.
Who he is no one knows, but that he is intelli-
gent and well educated Is believed by those
whom he has visited during his residence there,
for the purpose of begging food and clothing.
He is quiet man, and the cause Of his arrest
was only to render him more comfortable. He
has been sent to the almshopse .---Bosf, Chron.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

ES- The Steamship City Of Manchester ar.
rived At Philadelphia at four o'clock on Thursday
afternoon, from Liverpool, bringing $50 passen-
gers, and large and valuable cargo Of freight.
She lef Liverpool on the 9TH inst, The same day
on which the Hermann left Southampton and has
made comparatively better passage than that
ship,
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

Professor Charles Anthem, of Columbia
College, most of whose numerous works have
been issued from the press Of the Harpers, for
warded those gentlemen fifty dollars, to be
appropriated for the benefit Of the necessitous
female operatives who were thrown out Of
employment by the late FIRE,
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

n6s~ Married, in Pine Grove, Alabama, Mr..
Jonas Pillow to Miss Sarah Scripture, both of
that place.
Some keep the Scriptures for show,
Lettered and gilt on their bureau,
And some 10 dust and moth degrade iis
But Jonas took the wiser part
He pressed the Scripture TO his heart,
And even on his Pillow laid il
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

TELEGRAPHs OF THE WoRLD.-The first
American magnetic telegraph line-the inven-
ton of Professor Morse--was established in
1874, between Washington city and Baltimore,
some thirty-six or forty miles in extent. One
wire was put up, and the usefulness and value
OF the invention were at once practically estab-
lished Private enterprise has since carried
this line to New York, and it is now the most
perfect and reliable line Of telegraph in the
country, or in the world. The company h..ve
two separate and distinct lines fron.. New YorL
to Washington city, one with FIVE wires from
New York to a....,adelphia and four wires from
".siphia to Baltimore and Washington,
and the other with two wires, the entire dis.
lance from New York to Washington City. In
nine years, the brief period since its invention,
there have been 1850 miles of telegraph put
up, and in working order, the Morse patent
alone. This amount is about two-thirds of the
total number of miles of telegraph in operation
in the United States.
The aggregate number of main and branch
lines in the United States is stated at about one
hundred. There are completed and in opera
ton, n 900 miles, and 1000 more are in pro-
gress OF construction. The route selected for
telegraphic communication to the Pacific by
the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads,
90 oPPoiuocu Wy SonSIcSS III the SESSION OI 1901 /,
commences at the city of Natchez, Mississippi,
and extends through Texas, crosses at the head
of the Gulf of California to San Diego, and
then passes along the coast to Monterey and
San Francisco. The entire distance is 1,400
miles.
The extent of Geographic lines completed
and in operation throughout the world, at the
commencement of the present year, is estimated
at 40 600 miles OF thia amount tbara xvora
1000 miles in Great Britain and $1,000 in
America. Russia has commenced system of
telegraphs between St. Petersburgh, Moscow,
Cracow, and the ports Of the Baltic and Black
Seas, and about 1000 miles are shortly to be
constructed in India. A line Of telegraph is
now in operation between Vera Cruz and the
city of Mexico, with stations at all the inferno
date cities and towns. Al line is contemplated
to extend from the city of Mexico to Acapulco
on the Pacific, distance of 800 miles. There
are now in the course of construction on the
Island of Cuba telegraphic lines to the extent
of ZOO miles. Scientific american.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

s@-Ihere are now l4,09s persons in the
several States and Territories receiving pensions
from the United States under the various acts
passed since 1918.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

n1y-Canedo late captain general Of the
islana Of Cuba, sailed from Havana for Spain,
on the lth inst, in the steamship Condo de
Regla.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

-GnThe Great Western Railroad, from the
Niagara river TO Detroit, is expected to be
opened by the LIST Of January.