davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-03-24

HARDWARE and Queen ware, ii ats. Caps, d.. ct
IL No. 8, Msin-st. ia. &. w. McC0RMICK,S.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11
MistelIanp.
Cronstadt.

The New York Tribune, in an article on
the European war, thus desribes Cronstadt,
which is probably to be the grand point of at
tack by the British feet in the Baltic -
" Cronstadt has the form of an irregular
triangle. 1t is strongly fortified. 1t has
three harbors, lying to the south of the town.
The outer or military harbnr is entirely forti-
fed by mole, rectangle stretching out into
the sea, and capable Of holding, besides small
er vessels thirty-fve ships Of the line. 1t is
50 shallow at low water, that many Of the
ships are obliged to anchor in the middle Of
the harbor, which is properly intended for the
fitting out and repairing Of vessels. 1t has
powder magazine, manufactory of pitch, tar,
and so forth. The third west, or innermost
harbor, which has space for six hundred mer-
chant vessels, and runs parallel with the mid
die harbor, admits only merchantmen, for
which there is besides an excellent roadstead
Immediately outside the port, defended also
by the citadel, constructed on rock in the
middle of the sea of Cronstadt The permanent
population is not considerable during the
summer, it amounts, government functionaries,
strangers and sailors, to 100000 After The
Russians, the English are the most numerous.
1t is very lively in the warm season, but the
reverse in the cold Peter the Great, found
ed it in l7IO
Such is the place the English feet must
operate against either by cutting off its trade,
or measuring balls, shells, bombs, and infer
nal ingenuity generally with. If the war con-
tinue in good earnest, it may take precedence
of the Danube even of the stirring horrors of
which it is the theatre"
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

THE Marrow SQgAsH.-Much depends upon
the manner of planting squash seeds, to ensure
good crops. Every mans motto should be,
,cOrk the soil docp.' When have planted my
squash seeds after the following rule, have
never failed Of being well paid for my labor,
viz: Dig the holes l6 or IS inches deep,
three feet broad and seven apart; throw the
top soil on one side, aud the bottom soil on the
other side Of The holes After digging as many
holes as | wish 10 plant hills, return the top
soil 10 The bottom holes, and then take one
bushel or more of well Pulverised manure, one
peck leached ashes, for each bill, and with
shade or shovel mix well together from top TO
bottom. Then plant the seeds, leaving the top
Of the hills level with the surface of the ground
and keep them so during the season. When
they are up, and the bugs have done troubling
them, thin them ont, leaving two or three
stocks in each hill, which will cover the ground
before the summer is ended-Nao EngtGnd
Farmer.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11
Spring Operations,

Spring is now hard upon us. We have
but little time to do a great deal in. Lucky
are those who anticipated some Of their labora
last fall and winter, by ploughing their fields,
hauling out manure, and getting their tools all
in good order.
The great secret of good ploughing consists
in turning the soil soon after the frosts have
left 1t in porous state, while it is not too
wet nor too dry In this case it crumbles up
infnltesimally as it falls, and leaves the whole
furrow like lively powder. Then the air EN-
ters all its parts, animates the whole, keeps it
lively through the season, and enable the fh-
est roots Of plants TO penetrate the entire soil
and obtain the unrestricted supply Of nutri-
ment. Never stir the earth when the soil is
wet and the clod falls heavily like putty. 1t
dries rs you leave it, and becomes brick for
the whole season. Good ploughing depends
upon the earth being turned over just at the
right time A shrewd farmer will not allow
that time to escape unmproved.
The best instrument for turning the soil is
Il e garden spade. This takes up the whole
mass, and by letting it fall some distance,
breaks up the Jumps effectualy. If any lumps
remain unbroken, the operator should give
them blow with the back of his spade and
Pulverize them as finely as possible.
Why is garden better than field Not
altogether because il is better manured, but
because the soil Of the garden is better stirred
/ hxva a. H. ~.
plough Unless ones garden s very large,
to be reckoned by the acre, we advise the
owner always to spade it up, rather than to
plough it. The plants will feel the effects OF
deep spading all the season Of vegetation.
Every housekeeper who has garden, or
farmer who also has one, should construct a
hot bed, even if it is cheap and small one.
BY means of it, he will have many things much
earlier by transplanting the plants, than he
otherwise could and, indeed, secure some
luxuries which our seasons are not long
enough to mature in the open air. A box
not larger than common window, with a
glazed frame covering it, will raise thousands
Of early plants Of cabbages, lettuce, turnips,
tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, &C.,
for transplanting as soon as the frosts are
over and the warm weather comes to set them
growing out Of doors.
FineHesS and depth Of soil are requisite in
order 10 receive the full benefit of the manure
applied. 1t is not fertilizing food in its rude
state which assists tegetation-it must first
become intimately mixed with, or in fact
part of the soil Barnyatd manure, especial
Iy, seems of little worth, while forming visi-
bic layers between the clods of half plOughed
soil-it is often dry and coarse-and rather
Stunned than sought by the roots sent out TO
forage for suitable food IF well prepared
soil has any strength and virtue, it will yield
* readily; fine poor land in good tith is often
more productive than better soils less perfect
" prepared The influences Of air and mois-
ture, have freedom to work, and they are no
laggards in gathering the means to supply
the wants of vegetation.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11
Mortimer's curiosity increased.

MOTtlmer curiosity Increased.
Where did your son 60 at the time YOU
were speaking Off
'Oh to California TO be sure The gold
fever had just broke out then, and he went
away among the first
Mortimer pressed his hand to his forehead
in deep thought The halfconsumed cigar
burnt his fingers as it hung forgotten BY his
side. He was unconscious to everything but
thought. The circumstance-the coincidence
was passing strange. Again he scrutinized
those haggard features. The picture, the re-
semblance grew more and more distinct.
viii you be kind enough to tell me your
name, my good wOman!'
81 have no name now had one once
am not what used to be- She paused, a
change, singular expression oFerspread her
cOuntaasRcc. They call me !" aunt Sally Of
Rotten Row." for that is the place where I
live. That is the name 60 by
She looked inquiringly at him. His emo
tion passed not unobserved, and reflected a
kindred image in her own face. Frederick
moved uneasily in his chair. At length he
spoke with singular earnestness of manner.
| fear / am asking too much, but will
give anything to learn your real name-the
name you bore when your son went to Califor-
mia. Twill give you anything you ask
Speak truly, and for Heavens sake do not de-
ceive, and a. rich reward shall be yours
She could not mistake his earnestness He
trembled with emotion. She hesitated mo
ment, and then with strange calmness pro-
nounced the words
Mary Mortimer"
'And mine is -
Frederick
Frederick Mortimer-yOur lost boy
lis true my SONNY son y
Rags and broadcloih, poverty and riches,
mother and son Joined in one lasting fond
embrace. The scene was novel one, but
filial affection cleaned out like the morning
star, radiant even in the Frightening twilight
of prosperity. Joy and gratitude needed not
the outward covering, but priced more dearly
the priceless pearl that was hidden within
Not long ago did that mother want a home
not long ago, the means of comfort and a hap
py life.
But what Of the fair Helen, now grown to
blooming maidenhood! Alas the same exi-
gencies and necessities that would reduce the
widowed matron to picking rags and garbage
from the public streets, hung wreaths Of dead
ly night shade upon the pillow Of unconscious
innocence, bower Of bewitching beauty, but
whose noxious breath is subtle poison 10 IN
hale. Yet not too late. A timely rescue
snatched the victim from the very Jaws of the
voluptuary and libertlne who had fixed his
fascinating gaze upon her. And Helen graced
princely mansion, cherished by brother S
love.
The old slippers still remained fond re-
membrance Of the joyful restoration of an af-
fectionate family to happiness and home, yet
the sad memento Of the GAMBLER's Doom.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11
An Idea of Europe.

Mr. Daniels, the former editor of the Rich
mond Examiner, isquite discouraged about
European travel and society. We have no
doubt that the following will give better idea
of the average state OF the old world, than
much that is written
+" 1t may be strange, but it is nevertheless
true, that have been really and truly home
sick, for the last three months as ever was any
little girl in her first quarter at the boarding
school. If you knew how much pleasanter a
life of real work and study in the United
States is than this nonsensical travel and
idleness, you would not be discontinued. One
will learn by experience, however, and the
best thing | expect to get personally, out Of
this mission is just this-that will be salts
fed when get back, and never again be
haunted by those intolerable lOngings for Eu-
rope which tormented me in the years gone
by
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

The pleasure of actually seeipp celebrated
places is small, The real comforts of E,ro,a
do not compare with those Of The Uni,ed
States. Every thing costs just double what
it does at home. The people are nowhere a.
good as ours. The women are uglier. the
men have fewer ideas / intend to write 4
book about it all, and thought, when | left
the United States, that would have to stretch
the blanket good deal 10 make out our supe.
rlorIty. But there is no need. The mean
ness, the filthy life, the stupidites of all the
countries have seen, surpass all expected,
and all hoped.
Here In Turin, which is the most beautiful
city | have ever seen, / am busy learning to
speak French, ard studying what is popular
ly, but most falsely termed the great world
and polite society," have dined with dukes
Jabberlng bad grammar to cOuntesses, and am
sponged on for seats in my opera box BY counts
who stink of garlic, as does the whole country,
receive visits from other diplomats, with
titles as long as flag staff, and heads as emp
y % lhCll HCdllo3 dilu HHu lllC MHOle concern
more trashy than had ever imagined. |
must however keep up their acquaintance, for
that is the way TO see the elephant of Euro
pean life. So dance the dance of fools, like
the best of them, and return their visits sedu-
lously, carrying about great cards, like that
inelOse for your inspection.
The pictures, the operas, the ballets, of
Europe, are all good things the people, tho
governments, the society, more contemplate
than can be conceived.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

sir, when declining years reminded them OF
other worlds, their intellects still vigorous,
Providence seemed to reserve them to take
part In those great measures of adjustment be-
tween the North and the South high occa-
sion, and most noble actors. If their former
course had been partiZan, they now rose su-
perlOr to party, and it was patriotic. Their
reward was the appreciation of admiring coun-
trymen, and the fond belief that they had aid
ed in founding territorial policy in which
the jarring interests of the North and South
were recOnciled.
Following in their footsteps, and seeking to
maintain 'the bond of peace are the friends
of this measure to be told that they are agitat-
ing the country Sir, it seems to me that it
is the opponents, and not the friends of the
Nebraska bill, who are the agitators. While
the latter regard the measures of adjustment
of 1850 as final, the former are striving to
maintain the abandoned policy of 1910, by
which the Federal Government assumed the
control of the irritating question of slavery.
If to stand by the Legislation Of 1850 is agita-
tlon, then we are agtatOrs if to maintain the
cardinal rights of free Government is agitation,
then we are agitators ; and if to grant to Ne
braska the same immunities which Utah and
New Mexico enjoy, is agitation, then we are
agitators.
Entertaining the views and opinions of the
bill which have so indifferently expressed,
shall most heartily give it my vote, and in do
ing so, shall not only act upon the conyic-
tions of my judgment, but in pursuance of that
spirit of compromise, which has ever been the
harbinger of peace to our beloved country.
Sir, sectional clamOr does not disturb me,
nor will violent denuDciatiOn sWerye me from
my purpose, but shall abide in confidence the
judgment of my constituents. 1t is their right
to reign and rule in political affairs 1t is for
this right which l contend. If, in its exer-
else, my support of this measure is condemned,
/ shall cheerfully submit to their Judgment,
nor once desire to see the overthrow of the
Constitution of my country because my opin-
ions have been regarded. I"
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

PAINTING IMPLEMENTs.-A great saving
may be made by keeping farming implements
constantly under shelter when not in use. But
this is nearly impossible; and besides, many Of
them must Of necessity be exposed during their
employment to many days of hot sun and oc-
casional showers. 1t is therefore very impor-
tant to keep them rOeN painted. As general
average, they will last twice as long by the
protection of coat of paint, renewed as often
as il is worn off.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11
The Brother Of a President.

Among all the charges that have been
brought by reckless and unscrupulous oppo-
sition against the present administration, that
of nepotism, or favoritism to relations, cannot
certainly be preferred, as will be apparent
from the following incident One day last
week, number of worthy and substantial far
mers and drOvers who had been attending the
Cambridge Cattle Market, congregated in the
temporary depot at Porter's station, and the
conversation turned on politics. Some of the
assembly were either wings or free-soners,
and the way the Nebraska bill, the President,
Judge Douglas, etc., were handled was a eau
tion to the friends Of non-interventiOn. Pres
emily, sturdy looking farmer with clear
pair of eyes and an honest face, put a question
TO the most violent declamer-an out-and-ou
abolitionist-which Immediately attracted the
attention of the whole company TO himself
The conversation then proceeded, but had not
progressed very far before the sophistres of
the abOitionist were exposed and refuted by
the plain common sense arguments of the far
except, of course, by his opponent; and, sat-
isfed with his victory, the farmer modestly re-
tired from the place, leaving the company at
liberty TO scan his arguments and guess about
himself at their leisure. He talked like a
book, said one. Yes-I hardly thought he
was so well posted up remarked another
He looked rough but talked like lawyer, ;
observed third. But who is he1' was the
question now generally put. At this moment,
Murray, the depot master, who had been qui-
etly listening to their specuations, stepped
forward, and in his quiet way, said - Gentle
men, that is Mr.. Henry Pierce, OF Hillsboro'
county, New Hampshire, ,-6rOther of The Pres
ident of the United States
And that was true. We learn that Mr..
Pierce regularly attends the Cambridge Cattle
Market every week, with some of the products
of his fine farm in New Hampshire, and is ev-
intelligent and patriotic American citizen.-
What an interesting spectacle does this pre-
sent! Here was the brother Of the Chief
Magistrate Of one Of the greatest nations on
the face of the globe-a person qualified to fill
many respectable posts, yielding handsome
pecuniary moluments-pursuing the hard and
humble, but ennobling calling OF an American
farmer, while word from his brother in of
fee could place him where his purse might be
easily and lawfully gorged with the glittering
cash of the public treasury. This is one
among the many instances of the single-hear-
tedness and unselfshness of the present Presi-
dent of the United States-FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Boston Times
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

The section Of the bill, now pending before
Congress, for the organization Of the territories
Of Kansas and Nebraska, which has given rise
10 50 much earnest discussion, contains substan-
TALLY, the four following propositions:
lst That the Missouri restrictions shall be
imperative and void
I'd. That the bill shall not have the effect
of legislating slavery into any State or Terri
tory, nor out Of it,
Sd. That it shall not revive any old Span
ish or French laws which established or pro-
tected slavery
4lh. That the people shall be left perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic insli-
tutions in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

The census-takers found great difficulty in
ascertaining the ages of the girls, large ma
jOrity Of them being only sixteen. In one
family in neighboring county, there were
found 10 be twelve girls between sixteen and
eighteen years Of age.
Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-11

jeff, says the first time he kissed country
girl, he thought he was hugging an armtul Of
new mown hay. She had such breath that
Jcf's case calls for salts and senna.
Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03

"'Tis true my shape is somewhat odd,
But blaming me is blaming God;
For, had 1 spoke myself to birth,
I'd please the prettiest lass on earth;
And, could form myself anew,
Iwould not fail of pleasing you
Thy charms have long been dear to fame,
And half the country boasts your name;
But who that dimpling chin supplied,
And lent thy cheeks their rosy pride,
With hair of jet thy temples graced,
And with slender shape thy waist?
Thyself hadst thou thus beauteous made,
To thee the praise were duly paid;
But since the power that fashioned thee,
With the same hand created me,
Who might have touch'd my frame like thine,
And left thee one deformed as mine,-
For what thou art that Power adore,
And sneer at my odd shape no more!
Those eyes that dart destructive rays,
E'en let them sparkle to His praise;
Thy breast the seat of love and snow,
Teach it His praise to pant and glow
Then Heaven inspire thy yielding voice,
To one that's better worthy thy choice.
And if the rest my suit disdain,
The thought shall never give me pain:
But that tempt no greater curse,
Heaven I'll adore I'm made no worse"
Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03


SOCIAL FoLLIEs IN PARIs.-A French Count
ess, more anxious for eclat than for sound es-
teen, has undertaken to reproduce the fashion
of receiving visitors in bed. Her hour is five
o'clock in the afternoon. In the morning she
dimes out, perhaps, or is engaged in some bit of
frivoty, but returning home and taking bath,
coquettishly attires herself in fashionable toll
et de nuit, and then, after the manner of Mad
ame de Pompadour, lies abed, under magnii-
cent canopy, with a white satin coverlid, and
chats with persons calling The fashion was
one of the worst, of the worst age that ever
was, perhaps and it was it, and similar follies,
that led to the atrocities of the first French
revolution. As yet, we believe, that Countess
is alone in the attempt to reproduce this fashion
But Paris is full of women, with wealth, rank
and position, ready to do anything that will make
them notorious; and, therefore, it is not improb-
able that receptions in bed may yet become all
the rage. Will any of our New York ladies'
venture on so vast departure from decorum
1t is the weakness of our Miss Potphars to i'm
itate everything than is Parisian; but will they
60 quite so far as this? We think not. And
yet, after the Scottish, and some other dances
that we are used to see in society, even the
Pompadour style of reception is not impossible,
but may become as fashionable as Pompadour
pink itself.
Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03

Ice IN LAKE HURoN.-A letter from Port Hu-
ron dated the 18th, informs us that the brig Nc
Bride and schooner Mary had returned to that
place, having been up the lake with view of at
tempting the Straits They report the north
end of the lake full of ice, and from this we are
led to conjecture that the Straits are not yet
passable. The Buckeye State, which returned
to Detroit last Saturday, and saw the vessels
ashore at Presque Isle, reports the ice solid at
the north end Of the lake. [Chi. Dem. Press.
Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03

The following fact fell under the observation
of country minister in Lancashire, known to a
writer in Household Words" A poor man
lay dying, but still perfectly sensible and acute.
woman of his acquaintance came to see him,
who had lately lost her husband. "Bill,' said
she, "where thou art bound to thout may be
see our Tummus; be sure thou tell him we
have getten tn wheel o. the shandry mended,
and its mostly as good as new; and mind thou
say'st we're gettcn on vary weel without him !;
he may as well think so, poor chap!" To
which Bill made answer, Why woman! dust
90 think Pse nought better to do than 90 clump-
ing up and down the sky searching for thy
Tummus!"
Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-03

kee l60 miles; Milwaukee per steamer to Grand
Haven 85 miles; Grand Haven to Port Sarnla
202; Port Sarna to Toronto, 1863; Toronto to
Montreal, 243; Montreal to Portland, 290; or
to Quebec, l80 miles
Mr.. Stanley has so compiled the statement
of the capabilities of the road to remunerate its
projectors, as put US in possession OF facts, in
themselves, of no slight Importance. 1t ap-
pears from them that the Northern Michigan
Railroad is the third parallel road crossing the
Michigan peninsuar-that the two existing
lines, the southern and the CENTRAL run within
a territory of only some thirty-ive miles of lat
itude while the rest Of the State to the north
ward of the latter will of course be wholly
tributary to the northern road, at leas. till other
competing lines are established. Notwithstand-
ing the comparative smallness Of the territory
pierced by the Southern and Central roads, and
the division of the business between the rival
routes, the Central road mas paid dividends of
IA per cent, and never less than g. and the
Southern of IL per cent. Of their revenues,
the largest portion is derived from through traf
6c, 79 per cent of those of the Central llchigan
arising from that source, and that the Northern
will not be behind from the fact that 8 counties
through which the latter must pass have in
creased in population from l4,4lS in 1887, to
65,9O4 in 1850. In the same localities The val
uation of real estate has incresed from 1851, to
1853 by no less a sum than $13,2S3,433.
AS coal, gypsum and pine timber are all to
be found upon the line of the railway, all more
or less as our French friends say erploites it is
not too much to expect that the country will
afford as large revenue per head as the tracts
of the States of New England, New York and
the southern part of Michigan through which
other roads run. The estimate founded on ex-
perience of these roads, SO per head. This in
1853, would give revenue from local traffic of
S7O5OOO. MIR. Shanly assumes that the North
ern will command at least, as considerable
through traffic as the Central Michigan in close
proximity to powerful rival and taking that
as his basis of addition to the local traffic. he
arrives at the annual gross revenue of $l,277,-
500, or net revenue of $662, 1925, or s t per cent
on the outlay of $s,OOO,OOO which will be the
cost of the road at $4,000 per mile.