davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03
A Tale about a Head.

Jake, little black negro who be-
longed to DIR. Taliaferro, was said to
have in his little frame a heart as big
as General Jackson's. He didn't fear
even our respectable fellow citizen,
"Old Nick" and as for GOODNESS, he
was as cool as the tip top of the North
Pole.
One day, DR.. Taliaferro upon the
occasion of the commencement of the
Medical College, of which he held the
chair of Fnatomy, gave dinner. A
mong his guests was well known
vantriloquist. Late in the evening,
after the bottle had done its work,
the conversation turned upon courage,
and the Doctor boasted considerably
of his fayorite man Jake. He offered
to bet that nothing could scare him
and this bet the yentriloquist took up,
naming at the same time the test he
wanted imposed. Jake was sent for,
and he came.
"Jake," said the Doctor, 81 hav bet
large sum of money on your head,
and you must win it. Do you think
that you can 7"
"Bcrry well, MASTER" replied Jake,
"just tell dis niger what he's to do,
and he do it sure"
II want you TO 90 to the dissecting
room. You will find two dead bodies
there. Cut off the head of one, with
large knife that you will find there,
and bring it 20 US. You must not take
a light, however, and don't get fright
ened."
"Dat's all, is it," inquired Jake.
"Oh berry VOL I'll do dat sure for
sartin, and as for being frightened, the
debil amt going to frighten me-"
Jake accordingly set off, reached
the dissecting room, and groped about
until he found the knife and the bod
les. lie had just applied the former
to the neck of the latter, when from
the body he was about to decapitate, a
hollow and sepulchral voice exclaimed:
"Let my head alone !"
"Yes, sah," replied Jake 81 amt
particular, and tudder head II do jes
as we'll"
lie accordingly put the knife to the
neck of the other corpse, when anoth-
er voice, equally qnearthly in its tone,
shrieked out;
"Let my head alone J"
Jake was puzzled at first, but an
swered presently
'IAok-azhere Massa TolHyer says
mus bring one OBJ de heads, and you
isn't gwine to fool mo no how ~ and
Jake hacked away until he separated
the head from the body. Thereupon
half-a-dozen voices screamed out
"Pring'it back bring il back ~
Jake had reached the door, but on
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

ly principle of faith and sacrifice in his
bosom, raise him to the dignity of pat
riot while pedlar And here CooI er dis
covers his genius. Many happy con-
ccption has been completely spoiled for
want of this discrimination, or rather
that intuitive perception of the homoge-
neous elements of character, of what can.
not be taken from it, and what cannot
be engrafted upon it without destroying
it. Harvey Birch is pedlar and Coo
per has given him the language and hab-
its of a pedlur; his pack is well filled
with goods that he has carefully chosen
to meet the wants and excite the wishes
Of his customers; he knows how to set
them off to advantage, and to get the
most for them ; you can actually see his
eye twinkle with the pleasure he cxpe-
riences at driving a good bargain. There
is but one touch of poetry in him, and
that is rather brought out by his posi-
ton than from any inward sense of the
poetical. This is the exquisite descrip.
tion of his feelings when led out into the
sunshine. Except for this circumstance
YOU would always most imagine that
like Peter Bell, he has walked through
the most lovely scenes without any ap
probation of their loveliness
Cooper shows the same happy discrim
ination in drawing the character Of The
Leather Stocking, in all that relates ic
his calling He is simple and natura
character, just as Harvey Birch.
The aSpy" was published in ls2l.tht
"Pioneers" in 1923; next came the "Pi
lot" etc, in 1926; he had covered tn,
ground Of his invention by the publica
ton of the "Last of the Mohicans.
Scott had just put out the pirate,
which Cooper admired as romance, bu
was unwilling to accept as an accurat
picture of sea-life; he was by no mean
, inclined to call the literary merit of tn
) Pirate" in question, but felt himsel
fully justified in disputing its seaman
} ship; the only way of doing this was b
writing tale of the sea, and the resu
! was the "Pilot !" everybody knows ho
f successful this was, as well as the Ire
Rover" and all the other stories of til
! ocean which he afterward published
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

TUnder the title Of "NIrs. Grum.
ble's Soliloquy," Fanny Fern contrib
utes the following to the Musical World
and Times :]-''There's no calculating
the difference between men and women
boarders. Here's Mr.. Jones, been in
my house these six months, and no
more truble to me than my gray kitten.
IF his bed is shook up once a week,
and his coats, cravats, love-letters, ci-
gars and patensleather boots left un-
disturbed in the middle of the floor,
he is as contented as pedagogue in
vacation time. Take woman to board,
and (if it is perfectly conveniently she
would like drapery, instead Of drop
curtains; she'd like the windows alter
ed to open at the top, and wardrobe
for her Hounccd dresses, and few
more nails and another shelf in her
closet, and bench to put her feet on,
and little rocking chair, and a big
looking glass land peagreen shade for
her gas burner. She would like break
fast about ten minutes later than youl
usual hour, tea ten minutes earlier
and the gong, which shocks her nerves
so, altogether dispensed with. Sh'
can't drink coffee, because it is exhil
arating; broma is too insipid, and cho
colate too heavy. She don't fancy &C
Goa. English breakfast tea is the on
ly beverage which agrees with her de-
icate spinster organization. She can
: digest a roast or a fried dish sh
= might possibly peck at an egg, if
= were boiled with one eye on the watcl
5 Pastry she never ITS, unless sh
l knows from what dalry the butter cam
e which enters into its composition. E.
t cry article of food prepared with bu
J. ter, salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar {
:, oil; or bread that is made with yeas
t soda, milk or saleratus, she decided
c rejects. She is constantly washiu
= out little duds of laces, collars, hant
I. kerchicfs, chemisettes and stocking
, which she festoons up to the front wi
S dows, to dry giving passers-by Il
J, impression that your house is occupit
X by Jlanchisseuse;-then jerks ii
: bell.wire for an hour or more, for rela,
of hot smoothing-irons, to put the fiji
g ishing stroke to her operations. 81
is often afflicted with interesting lit
G colds and inAuenzas, requiring the in
G mediate consolation Of dose Of h
s lemonade or ginger tea, choosing hi
time for these complaints when IL
n kitchen fire has gone out, and the Sc
d wants are on furlough. Oh nobod
Il knows, but those who'ye tried how il
n mensely troublesome women are! ! l
Il rather have a whole regiment of mt
r boardcrs. All you have to do is
; wind them up in the morning with
/. powerful cup Of coffee, give them car
g blanche to smoke, and night-key, ar
!. your work is done.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03
Miss Amanda Mann's Reply.

"This life, VIC know, is but span,
Hence have been afraid
That should still remain A Mann,
And die 4. last--a maid.
And often to myself l say
On looking round | find
There's Mott, a man in every way
just suited to my mind.
l fain would whisper him, apart.
He'd make me blest for life
If he would take me TO his heart
Aud make A Mann his wife.
Love not, my mother often says,
Aud SO too says the song
Ill heed the hint in future days,
And lore NOt well and long.
Then oh LET Hymcn on the spot
Ills chain around me throw
And bind me IN lashing knot
Tied with = single beau !"
And now give myself 10 YOU,
Aud thus unite our lots
Then tie those cords and tSlue into
A dozen little aotts.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

How A MAN FEELS WITH HIS HEAD
oFF.-lt is considered on all sides that
the body does not feel one instant after
dccapitation for the brain being tho
seat of sensation to the whole frame,
through the medium of the spinal mar
row, every part of the body beneath
the joint at which the latter may be
divided, must be deprived Of feeling.
But it by no means follows that the
head is deprived of sensation imme-
diately after decapitation, nor that it
may not retain its consciousness,
like the head Of the Irish knight who
was killed by Saladin in the Holy
War, get up and declare that it was
never cut off by so sweet cimitar be.
fore-nor like that of the assassin LIE.
gare, swear roundly at the executioner
for not keeping leener axe but it is
quite possible that it may be troubled
with very serious reflections upon the
irrevocability of its fate, and the awful
ness of its deprivation. In support of
this unpleasant theory, many facts arc
adduced, with grave vouchers for their
authenticity. Among others is the UNI
fortunate Queen of Scots, whose lips
continued to move in prayer for at
r least quarter Of an hour after the
executioner had performed his duties.
, Windt states that having put his mouth
: to the ear of decapitated criminals
head, and called him by name, the
eyes turned to the side from whence
}. the voice came and this fact is attested
e by Fontenello, MogOr, Guillotine
4 Nauche, and Aldini. On the wore
C murder being called, in the case of ,
5 criminal executed for that crime a
Coblentz, the half-closed eyes opened
e wide with an expression Of reproach OF
e those who stood around.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

I. Subscribers who do not give express no
tice to the contrary, are considered us wishing
to continue their subscription.
III. If subscribers order the dscontnuance
of their papers, the publisher may continue to
send them till all that is due be paid.
III. If subscribers neglect or refuse TO take
their papers from the office to which they are
directed, they arc held responsible till they
have settled their bills and ordered their pa
pcrs discontinued.
". If subscribers move to other places
without informing the publisher, and the pa
per is sent to the former direction, they arc
held responsible.
" The courts have decided that refusing
to take paper from the office, or removing
and leaving it uncalled for, is prima ficic ev
dence of intentional fraud.
VI. A Postmaster neglecting to inform
publisher when his paper is not taken from
the Office, makes himself liable for his sub
cription price
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03


Near Cambridge picturesque wood
en- house may be seen peeping through
the trees it was formerly inhabited by
Washington, who at the time of the war
established his headquarters there it is
doubly interesting, on account of its be-
ing occupied by LOngfellow, one of the
most eminent poets of the United States
Miss Milford, when discussing the mer-
its of Longfellow, in her @Notes Of Lit
erary Life" relates kind of ghost sto-
ry concerning this samo house. "Onc
night" she writes, "the poet CHANGED to
look out of the window. and saw by the
vague starlight Il figure riding slowly
past the mansion. The face could not
be distinguished but the tall, erect per-
son, the cocked-hat, the traditional cos
tune, the often described white horse
all were present slowly he paced before
the house and then returned, and then
again passed by, after which neither horse
nor rider were seen or heard of Could il
really be Washington" she observes, "or
was il some frolic niasquerader assuming
his honored form ?" Miss Milford her,
self holds firmly to the ghostly side Of
the story, and SO did her informant, also
a poet and an American, and as worthy
to behold tho spectre of the illustriou'
warrior as Professor Longfellow him
self.
Though the Americans were rich il
prose and poetical writers, it was not un
til the appearance of Mr. Longfsllow
that any Of their poets attained any
great European celebrity. His poems
make their way 10 every heart, the tersc
ness Of dietion and force Of though
delight the old !; the grace, melody. ant
tenderness enehant the young tho un
affected and all-peryading pisty satisfies
the serious and certain slight toucl
"of mysticism carries the imaginative
fairey of their feet" 'ln country
says NJ. Ampere. "yhcre men are for th'
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

hearing this turned around and said
"Now-now see yah jes you keep
quiet, you fool, and don't wake up the
women folks. Massa's only gyine to
look at de bumps"
"Bring back my head at once !"
cried the voice.
"Tend to you right away, sab % re-
Piled Jake, as he marched of with the
head, and the next minute deposited
it before the Doctor.
$50 you've got it, I see," said his
master.
"Yes, sab,' replied the unmoved
Jake "but please be done lookin' at
him soon, kaze de gemman told me 10
fotch him back right away"
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

TnE HoNoR OF UGLIYEss,-It is
curious to observe that an ugly face is
generally the Indication Of numerous
aud witty mind ; it suggests innu,ner-
able cxhilerating wittieislas IN the
wearer himself and is the cause Of wit
in others. TheTe IS scarcely merry,
shrowd, witty fellow in fctiious histo-
ny but has the honor Of psliness at
tributed to him, Esop was a very ug-
ly little hpnchback; usliey siill was
Socrates, no less man Of wit and q
man Of humor than Philosopher. The
heroes Of Rahelias wore famous for
their personal deformity ; Sancho Pan
"a, his master, and Rozinante, we're,
in their several conditions, absolutely
patterns Of this interesting qaalihca,
ton, Hudibras and Ralpho we've still
moro consricuously ugly,
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03
Mott to Amanda.

"0h that could prevail, my fair,
That we unite our lot
Oh, take Mann, Amanda Mann,
And tic double knot
Your GOODNESS drives me to despair.
What shall do : ah ichat,
For you I'm growing thin and spare
For you I'm pine Mott.
If should hear that you had died,
It would kill me on the spot
Yet only yesterday, cried
An would that she were Motif
The cords and tendrils of my heart
Around thee fondly 'twinc'-
Amanda heal this aching smart
Amanda, oh be mine!
These very terms, as l opine,
Suggest united lots
Let's tie then, dear. these cords and 'twius
In kymeHeal knots"
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03
lS 53.
SPRING TRADE.
Cabinet
F,U E1 NJ i II u n h
AND
UPHOLSTERY.
JAMES P. HUNTINGTON,
BOOKS & STATIONERY.

L. W. CLARK takes pleasure in annonn-
cling 10 the public, that in connexion with his
large assortment Of Books and Stationery,
may be found a beautiful assortment Of pic
ture Frames, manufactured to order at short
notice, Of Gilt, Rose Wood, Black Walnut, and
Mahogany Glass OF various sizes from 10,
by IA TO 2s by SO. All which will be furnish.
cd as reasonable as can be obtained in any Of
our cities.
Middcbury june, 1858. 10
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

MARRIED on the 10th ult., in Kenpebunk-
port, Maine, by Rev. C. w. Haywood, Miss
AMANDA MANN, and sIr. A. r. Norr, all of
Kennebunkport. The following poetical cor
rcspondence is said to have actually passed
between the above named couple, and to have
been the bona tide proposal and "rcply."
The fact that they were known TO be inveters
ate punsteis makes the statement more prob.
able. The last stanza, we presume. was ads
ded by our corrcspondent.-BOs Poa.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

the time of every one ofits inhabitants.
Old-very old news-but news that
will keep coming every day, after we
are all dead and buried.
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03

EZ-sMy German friend, how long
have You been marriodfp "Vel, dis is a
ting vat | seldom don't like to tink A.
pout put ven does it seems to be 50
long AS IL never vas
The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-03
al istrllanp /
American Literary Celebrities.

FROM BENrLEY's MISCELLANY.
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29
Gclcrtc0.
HERBERT MANDEVILL;
OR,
He is nothing but n Mechanic

Is it possible, Emma, that you are
receiving the attentions of that Mande-
will, as | hear it reported Z"
q know nothing concerning the re-
ports you have heard, such things usually
becoming wonderfully large in the
smallest possible time but as regards
Mr.. MandeviIl, l am happy to number
him among my friends"
/" Happy friend you, the only heir
of one Of the wealthiest men in the city
to talk in that manner !"
"Why not :"
"Why not' Bless my life Why,
he's nothing but a mechanic 20
"Suppose he is mechanic.-or even
as you say, nothing but mechanic, is
he therefore to be despised and looked
upon with contempt :"
Not by any means he is not of suf-
ficient importance to be despised, and
as for looking upon him in any manner,
| should never think of doing such a
thing !"
81 am really sorry to hear such sem
timents from one usually so discriminate
ing as yourself. had not, until now,
supposed you to entertain such one-sided
and erroneous views Of caste and condi-
ton. cannot see how it is, that per-
son protesting a good understanding,
common intelligence, and common op-
portunitics of observation, can possibly
come to the conclusion that there is no
merit without wealth. Such conclu-
sion speaks badly both for the head and
the heart. Wealth can neither add to
nor take from the individual it is sim
ply the means to do good or evil, ac-
cording to the natural bent Of the incli-
nation Of its possessor The mind,
therefore, may be said TO DO the man,
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29
VOLUME III-NUMBER 80.
l)oetrp.
For the Literary Echo.
A Happy New Year!

A happy New Year happy New Year!
Again the glad echo saluteth the ear
The young and the old, the grave and the
gay,
Join in the chorus which welcomes the day.
A happy New Year! says the laughing boy,
To win from his parent some gift Of joy;
And he hurries on triumphant and gay,
For to him It's u darling holiday.
A happy New Year! says the maiden fair,
With heart as light as the viewless air;
While close by her side is lover young,
Culling sweet words from her eloquent
tongue.
And to-day how many young hearts will
hear
The welcome salute-A happy New Year!
In joy they will. meet, and ere they depart
Fond gifts of affection will gladden. the heart
And those who have seen more years pass
away
The middle 'aged-are happy to-day:
Fond parents are glad on day like this,
To join, with delight, in their children's
bliss.
Yet another glance on lifes busy stage,
Reveals the tottering form Of old age;
While in trembling accents, falls on the ear,
From its feeble tongue-a happy New Year
Let the young rejoice, and the old be glad ID,
'Tis happy New Year, none should be sad, g,
Let the rich and the poor together combine
To welcome with JOY the new offspring of
time.
1t comes with its hopes, its pleasures and
fears,
Another addition to feeting years;
Its tokens of hope are lovely and bright
May it prove to all year of delight
c. W. GREENE.
Providence, Dec. %, 1853.
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29

I Pn N ano
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29

William II. Gov

Is prepared to have Books bound in neat
and desirable styles Mt short notice
N. B. Books ready for delivery in two weeks
from the time they are left. lO6tf
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29

DRAPER AND TAILOR,
Dealer in Broadcloths, Cassimeres, Satin
etts, Plain and Fancy vestings, &c.
Gentlemsn's and Boys Clothing cut and
made at short notice 1877
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29

N. MIrStOn,
WESTERLY, Il. |.

N. MarstOn,
Makes to order, Walking Shoes, Caters,
Slippers, and every description Of La
dies work; also, Gentlemen's Boots,
Caters, &c, ola superOrqual-
ity and workmanship.
Constantly on hand, a large Stock of Goods
in the Boot and Shoe line.
Store under c.. Leonards Hotel. 137tf
The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29
George G. Wells,

Dealer.in Boots and Shoes Of all descrip.
tions. Gentlemen's fine Calf Boots,
Caters of all descriptions, Rubbers
and rubber Boots. Thick Boots,
Brogans, Shoes, &c.
Ladies Gaiters, Walking Shoes, Slippers, &c
Main Street, Westerly, r. |. 134tf
The weekly Placer herald., 1853-12-31
STLE BROT III Il IL 5
SAN FRANCISCO.
RlspD y G7iCe!!

Raspberry JCIiceM
blackberry do; red currnnt jelly; apple
ID and ounce do; plum and dnmoon do.
OO0 LbS Of pepper. in grain; 3U0O lbs
CUU cream tartar, in lb papers,
400 chest~ tea Young Tyson. Gunpowder
imperial and Oolong
rs cases Thomas Grape tobacco; 200 gros'
eluw Bank
100 Kegs pickles, gals; 70 cases gal do
~ cases qt do.
$4,000 Lbs extra clear Bacon, in cases
Iuu nu )
$50 cases Falkirk ale; SO cases English d.;
IS do champagne cider;
100 ito assorted syrupS;
12j do >touguton bltters;
Is do essence Peppermint.
$50 doz Ballwin's oysters; 100 doz E. c
fholnnss do
300 half bbls No. Mackercl; 21O do lnrg
\o. , do; 2j0 qr do No do 40 whole bhls do
90 900 bs green Manila cofee; 100 case,
400 boxes French candles, A., 5s, and 6s;
$40 oxee adamantine do.
$1,000 lbs Vanilla sugar 25 Id mats
Loo % lb bags hill beans
$50 do2 three hoop pals
10000 Ibs superior goldfish;
SO lbs Oregon salmon.
400 ;loz snrdines, half boxes.
400 kegs East Boston syrup.
1000 reams wrapping paper, assorted.
$50 hlf bhls dried apples; 6o kegs do do
100 barrels Chicago mess beef;
100 do Rice clear pork;
$50 terces sugar cured hams.
800 cases Olive oil.
1000 cases preserved meats, fruits, oys
ters lob ters. pickles, &c,
Dec 3. I'm CASTLE BROTHERS
The weekly Placer herald., 1853-12-31

Nor so DANGEROUS AFTER ALL.-The
danger Of steamboat travelling is much
much overrateh, and the same may be
said of railroads, let alarmiStS say what
they will For the truth Of this assertion
we appeal to the Report ot the Secretary
of the Treasury. The Secretary says: :
"Our whole number Of ~tennhoat< amount
70 1890; tonnage, 417,236 tons; manned
% cit men; and carrying, besides freight
40 10000 passengers in the year 1852 !"
In this v>t travel only $50 lives were lost
If this he true, and we hive no reason TO
doubt it, then the risk of steanbnat travel
lug amounts to one traveller blown up in
So ,205. s. F.. Courier.
The weekly Placer herald., 1853-12-31
state Of California, County o
PEaCnr.

Court Of Sessions, Decem5er Term, 1853
A T Term OF the Court aforesaid and on
n the h day Of December thereof, the fol-
low hg orders were entered upon the record
# stid curt and the same ordered to he
ubi4hed;-
IL is Or9ered. That out Of No s, n rown-
sh be orgonz4d with the following describ
houndlres:
Com encing ut point on the emfgra Mt
road, lone mile above the Forks House ="
thence N f. on said road to the county line,
thence south on said line 10 the Middle Fork,
thence down the Nildle Fork to point south
# the Junct on of the II Dorado Canon with
the North Branch o the Middle Fork thence
crossing the dge directly to a point 900
yards east rly of the mouth of the Ell Dorado
Canon on a line 600 yards easterly of its bed
20 the Forks of the same. the zee up its North
Fork to it source, thence to the point of
commencement And that said township be
known as" ovnship No s." of Placer coun
ty.
His Orderrd, That rownsh p No. 2, DO di-
vded rs follows:
Beginning Mt u point where the line divid-
ing Townships No 2 an 3 crosses Du cn IA
vine, thence down sand ravine to the road
leading from Auburn to sacramento thence
nlong the newly surveyed rond to the head OF
Antelope rnvne, thence down spd rnvinc to
'ownship No And that the southern por-
ton OF said division be distinguished as rown-
ship No. 8.
1t is Ordered That an election be held in
townships No. s and 8, on the 3lst day OF
December, A 1853, to elect two Justices
If the eace and two Nonstahcs for each
Fownship and that the places of election be
Ut the precincts formerly establ shed in said
townships.
BY order of the court,
".."i': .:si :: %S :,s s'?% $;s 's' ~ %'s;' 5ssS
~ WM A. JOHNSON.
nl43t Clerk.