davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
INFLUENCE OF A NEWSPAPER.

A ol.teacher, who has been engaged
long time in his profession, and witnessed
the influence Of q newspaper upon the
minds Of family of children, writes TO the
editor Of the Ogdensburg Sentinel as fol.
lows:
have found it to be o universal fact,
withoat exception, that those scholars, Of
both sexes and oil ages, who have had &C.
cess to newspapers at home, when compared
with those who have not, are
l. Better readers, cxcelling in pronun.
citation and emphasis, and consequently read
more understandinglv. .y.I
2. They are better spoilers, and define
words with ease and accuracy.
8. They obtain practical knowledge o.
geography, in almost hall the time 1t re-
quires Others, as tho newspaper has made
them familiar with the location oi the i'm
portant places, nations, their government
and doings, on the globe.
4. They arc better grarnmarians, for hav
ing become 30 familiar with every variety
Of style, in the newspaper, from the com,
man.place advertisement TO the finished and
classical oration of the statesman, they
more readily comprehend the meaning OF the
text, and consequently snalyze its construc
ton with accuracy.
S. They wriie better compositions. using
better language, containing moro thoughts
more clearly and connectedly expressed.
90. Those young men who have for year,
been readers Of newspapers, are always
taking the lead in the debating society, OK
hiblting more extensive knowledge upon {
greater variety Of subjects, and expressing
their views with greater fuency clearnes
and correctness in their use Of language.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
Ornamental Planting.

We commend the following extract from
j. w. Ptocioi's Agricultural address, TO
those who have forgotten 10 plant single
tree near their large and cosily farm houses !:
The objects met about the door-yaId Of q
farmers residence, are rs unmisiakable IN
diees Of the character TO be found within, rs
are the expressions Of the human counte-
nance, Of the emotions Of the mind. Where
the rose, the dahiia and the honey-,uekle have
crowded out the pig trough, the goose.pen
and the sink-drain-be sure improvement
has there found habitaiion and home -
A few Towering shrubs in front; a climber
or two by the door, border carefully ar.
ranged by female hands, with female taste,
are luxuries at the command of all. have
often heard an esteemed friend, 10 soon, alas,
removed from these scenes Of anxious soic.
iiude, remark, she should prefer cottage
with only one small room, bedroom and
a kitchen, surrounded by cultivated grounds
and shrubbery, with an elm overshadowing
the yard, TO spacious mansion without
these sppendages. What is more out OF
place, than square three-siory house, in
the country, with no shade trees about il !
Those who have not the benefit Of shade
trees about their residences, are insensible
OF the Inconvenience under which they Ia.
boz, both as 10 comfort and rs to health. have
heard il Is said by one Of the mos, in,elli-
gent physician whose acquaintance have
ever enjoyed, that the best preventive Of
the progress Of cholera, and other malignant
was the multiplication OF shade
trees. To my certain knowledge, The best
security agains, the spreading OF fires in
villages, Is an abundance OF shade trees in
the way, and in the yards between dwell
ings. .. .5 |1al. Cd
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
Maple Sugar.

The season Of the year is Just at hand
when sugaring OFF, will be the order oi
the day. The children are anticipating j,
with eager delight; the good housewife be-
gins 10 think oi the addition which the nice
molasses, better far than S,uart's Syrup"
even, and The sugar with flavor never TO
be ob aimed from the cane, will be 10 her
store Of good things; and the farmer him
self is looking forward TO il as a sort OF hOl.
iday. Real nice maple sugar is Que OF the
most delicious things in the world and poor
mapie sugar Is lioel on ils name. Every
farmer, then, must wish to know The secret
of making that white, melting, luscious ar-
,cle, which is food fit for the gods" II
is a very simple ,hing-so simple that we
can hardly account for the quantity Of black,
hard, almost bitter stuff which is yearly
made and chris,ened maple sugar. The
Massachusetts, State Agricultural Society
explains the secret perfectly:
Ii must be evident 10 every one, that
liquid filiraied through solid maple timber,
cannot be otherwise than pure. II also
mus, be eviden, that sap caught in old, half
decayed. wooden ,roughs, with liberal in-
fusion Of leaves and dirt, imparis a very
grea, impuri,y 10 the sap. Rain water, de.
cayed vegetable matter, &C., add chemical
ingredients 10 the sap, that are troublesome
TO extract, and injurious 10 the qualify il
not removed. Consequently, cleanliness is
The principal secret OF making maple sugar
nice-cleanlines both in vessels, kettles,
and every thing pertaining 10 the business.
My buckets are mostly tin, ,and are cheap
ariicle.-Sugar made from sap caush, in
such vessels canno, be otherwise than clean
and II no dirt of any kind gets into il, the
consequence is have nice sugar. IF ]
wish TO have extra nice, do not boil il so
long bu, that j, will drain consequently
If there is the least impuriiy or dark
color in il, il drains out. Sometimes we,
cloth wrapped around a cake (excepi the
bottom )helps to make il white. The syrup
let stand, and settle though flannel
sirainer, and cleanse with milk and eggs.
Four eggs, well beaten with about four
quarts Of milk, are sufficient TO cleanse
syrup for hundred weight. Sweet does
no, rus, any thing. Tin as well as wood
should be painted on the outside, and when
done using them for the season, serve them
as dairy woman does her milk pans, and
they are sweet and clean for use again"
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
sAaACITY OF A PYRENRAN DOG.

Opposite Of our hotel was dog Of singu.
lar appearance, q great favorite with the
neighborhood, and, might add, with my
son, who took pains to ascertain oil that
could be learned Of bis race and breeding.-
1t was white wolcdog of the Pyrenees,
soft, silken haired, scenlless, spo'less; in
valuable as guard, aud evincing, not only
the utmost powers Of instinct, but, rs the
owners affirmed, Of judgement and reason =
un ehien de diseernemenf. This clever ami
NAL, named by the familiar English abbre-
Walton "Miss, used to lie ut the booking.
Office door of the Messagcries Rnyales, Rue
do Bee, noticing, with one eye open, every.
body and oil things. She knew why lug.
gage was placed here or there, and whether
certain descriptions Of goods were intended
for this or that conveyance. She would
not permit crowding At the counter she
could discern whether the book.kecper was
being annoyed by too many applicants for
places at once she barked or all those
who seemed to DO de trop; and when
special care was manifested by any Of the
porters in arranging party's personal
effects at the moment OF departure, she
would sit on the property till the owner be.
gan to ask Tor IL. She was almost two sizes
smaller than our common Newfoundland
dog, and would have realized hige price in
England. She was Eve years old, and malgrt
her ultraisnr In discipline, was q perfectly
good.natured creature and however loudly
she might bark, however fcrcely she might
look, SHE was considered by all who under.
stood her good qualities as dog who did
everything for the best, and did it we'll too.
We subsequently fell in with similar dog,
three years younger, on our way from Alb
beville to Boulogne, homeward and am
surprised the breed has not been introduced
In England Parson, Pen, and Pen
ell. '. .....' H
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
The breathing of an inward psalm,
A canticle OF love-"
Cambridyepor, Feb. :, 1854. &C. l..
MRS. HANNAH sEwELI,

Died, at Platterville, Grant Co., Wiscon'
ain. Aug. 20, at the residence of her son
in.law, Hon. B. O. Eastman, Mrs. HASNAn
SrwELL, in the eightieth year other age; fol
nearly fifty years beloved member of The
old South Congregational church in Hal.
lowell, Maine. She was one of the frat
who ioincd under the ministry of Rev.
Eliphalot Gillet. In her release, the church
militant has surrcndereda jewel the church
triumphant receives o gem. While the
jewel was preparing for its setting in glory,
our Lord had his tools often upon It. The
chisel and the hammer Of sorrow had much
to do with IL, and the great furnace Of af.
Fiction often received il. Her husband,
and eleven children passed away before her
and some Of them under circumstances
which to the parental heart, were fraught
with bitter agony. But she endured oil,
"as seeing him who is invisible" with the
frmness, placid resignation, and even cheer.
ful submission, which were the distinguish.
ing traits of her character. Few have
lived with such capacity Of enjoyment, and
adaptation to the allotments Of Providence.
Her cheerful spirit shed light and gludness
upon every circle within its influence. She
loved to see others happy, while her chiel
enjoyment was in God, and her anlicpations
OF heaven were clear and earnest. When
she removed with her only daughter to the
West, ten years since, she entered warmly
into church enterprise there, giving lib.
orally Of her means, and rendering such
valuable services 10 society rs caused her to
be greatly respected, and her departure now
TO be sincerely mourned. But she died in
q good time and way just rs she would
have had her heavenly Father deal with her.
Her health was always firm, her constitu.
ton unbroken. She had been slightly in
disposed for few days, but not so as tc
excite alarm and on the afternoon Of her
death, she rode out, and enjoyed highly the
loveliness OF nature, remarking to those
with her, "Wha, beautiful world God
has given US here !" She returned and
shared as usual in tho evening meal, but
retired early. At half past nine, she be-
came restless and faint. A restorative was
given, and medical attendance Immediately
procured; but after half On hour of suffer
ing, she ceased to breathe, seeming to those
around her to have passed into sweet
sleep. Her mortal remains were followed
TO the grave by long procession OF friends
whom her piety, benevolence, and good
nature had warmly attached to her.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
How to Train Oxen.

Steers should be broken 10 the yoke
whilst young, say nine or zen months old.
When first yoked let them run in the yoke
in the yard or small lo,, two or three hours
every day, until they become habituaied 10
the yoke, and 10 being yoked; II they turn
the yoke, which is generally the case, tie
their tabs together, which will soon break
them Of this habit. They should be yoked
up several times during the summer and
fall. Afier they are year old, and prac.
Used in all the evolutions you would wish
performed by oxen, the succeeding WIN
Ter they should be yoked once or twice a
week, and put to drawing light loads. The
third winter they should become thorough
ly broken in, so that they understand the
word, and obey il.
In selecting steers for the yoke, judg-
ment and skill are necessary; in temper,
alike docili,y, mild temper, rather quick
motion, ,igh, and heavy build, and large
size, are the desirable qualities Of work
OK. II the opposite Of any Of these qualities
is found in STEER for the yoke, dismiss him
al once.
The task of breaking steers is commonly,
bu, often improperly, assigned TO the boys.
I, requires no, only much skill and some
science, but a great deal more patience
than is allotted 10 boys in general, and TO
bu, few men. Steers, when under the tu-
forage OF the ,eamsiers', should never be
struck hard blow-should never be treat
ed harshly, either by word or action, but
the reverse. They should never be per.
mi,ied 10 ge, away and run from The dri, er:
bnt should this occur, let him be in no hur-
~ TO catch ,hem-and when caught, treat
them with the utmost genlleness, ,as though
nothing wrong had iTanspired. They should
never be hitched 10 load they cannot draw
easily never should be s,alledn-never
hurried when manifesiing impalience, ard
disnclination TO pull or 60 ahead, but car.
essed till their "pct" subsidies. When
invoked it should be done at the time they
are calm, and appear inclined TO do the be-
hesis Of their master. They should not be
! pu, 10 ,ons,an, hard labor before the age Of
six or seven years, when, If well cared for,
they can perform as many days work in a
year as a man, without injury and continue
10 do so until from fourteen 10 twenty years
old.-E. RowELL, Of athens County, Ohio,
IN Patent Office Report.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
Fraud in Fruit Trees

The Worcester Spy states that during the
past two seasons, various counties have been
visited by pretending travelling agents o.
large and wellknown nurseries. Those
who have been inveigled INTO purchasing
fruit trees Of them, have almost invariably
been disappointed in their trees, some 10
such an extent as to refuse TO set them out.
These trees are said TO be manufactured IN
m obscure part Of the State Of New York,
by the process Of root grating, which is
done by taking the roots Of old trees in the
winter, and cutting them up in small pieces
into each Of which is grailed a scion
These are planted in the Spring, and grow
vigorously for three or four years, bn, soon
come TO a stand, assuming the appearance
and decripiiude Of old trees. Many kinds,
naturally good bearers, when propagaied in
this way, will hardly bear at all. . 4.
The raising and importation Of frui, trees,
has, within few years past, become an i'm.
por'an' branch OF trade. No business is
more open to fraud, and in few is more de-
cePlion praciiced. A hor,iculiurist should
never buy trees Of s'rolling, irresponsible
dealers. ,......,.. =
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
GRICULTURAL
Use of Liquid and other Manures.

FRIENDS BALEHAM & HARRIS. John Fos-
.yer's account OF his farming, in the CaltirG-
tor Of the 18th Of October, ought TO slimu.
late every man who lives by the plow.--
$4,653, one years clear profit hIom 275
cleared acres in the interior OF Ohio, il not
proved by figures, would be almost incredi-
bic. That three tons Of hay 10 the acre was
doubtless due TO the dilchins and draining.
Such a crop must not be expected every
year without compromising The soil with a
ION dressing of ltquiu, or sirvusiy .-a,;saA
manure. should ike 10 know how Mr..
F. makes, saves, and applies his manures.
take |, that all long continued success in
farming, depends on the true system Of
making, saving, and applying manures. 1t
is painful TO see the diudgery, call it no,
labor, Of some farmers in the spring Of the
year, hauling out stable dung whose organ-
lied nitrogen has been washed away and
evapora,ed, or turned up. There is no doubt
but that one load Of stable manure COM
posted with swamp muck, or kept under
cover until applied 20 the soil, is richer in
ammonia than three loads OF ordinary farm
ward manure The late lamen,ed Della
field was so fully impressed with this fact,
that he took as much pains in forming his
stable, as he would in making hay stack:
all refuse vegetable or animal matter, dead
animals, &C., were all buried in the tall
pile, which, if likely to heat from too nc.
tive fermentation, was we.ied with the
DRAWINGS from the pile, or rain water con-
Quoted from the stable roof. He said that
when hauled to the fields in the spring, the
entire pile was as homogeneous as a " Still
ton Cheese" Joseph Wrighs, who has
sold 81, 500 worth Of seed.leaf tobacco, the
product OF four acres, says he cannot de-
pend on large growth IL he omits TO
tieat the growing plants with liquid manure;
10 this end he has his stable floors made
tight, and descending TO trough below,
this is drained through pump logs TO large
cisiern, together with the waller from the
stable roof, liz needs much dilutionl from
this cis,ern the liquid is pumped into a
cask OH wheels by which it is distributed
TO the growing plants. Liebig says ,ha, the
"liquid manure Of animals contains nearly
all the nitrogen present in the food con-
sumed." MIR. w. says his experimen. full
iy confirms this theory. There Is little
doubt but that the quickening effect Of su.
per-bhosphaie af lime and guano, is main.
ly due 10 the ammoniacal salts added ,c
the one, and found in the other. In proof
Of it, The Peruvian guano, from rainles.
region, is more than twice as effective ar
amendment TO the soil, rs the guano frou
the humid and rainy region Of Patagonia
when the inorganic matter sulpha,es anc
phospha,es are nearly identical in both
kinds Ohio Cuitirator.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
ANEcDoTE OF THE LATE DIR. oIrN

DR.. Stephen Olin, one OF the greatest
minds OF New England rearing, was, while
at Middlebury College, Of which ho was q
graduate, alike noted for his love of dispu-
tation, und his ingenious and practical way
Of disarming his opponents in argument.S
One severe cold day In March, a. he stood
with classmate as firm as himself, looking
out OF his college room window. down upon
the Otter Creek which few days before
had been broken up by . winter food, that
had lett the current clear, but strewed the
banks with massive cakes of leo, tho latter
advanced an argument 10 show that bathing
was as equally safe In winter rs 10 summer.
Olin, rs was his wont, advanced another 10
show the falsiIy and folly Of the position
This brought out rejoinder. and the dis
pute was carried on with much earnestness,
Tor some time, when Olin, suddenly paus.
ing, said, perhaps you arc right and sin.
cerc, but the thing can bo 80 easily tested,
that It Is hardly worth the while TO pro-
long the discussion. You SEQ that large
cake Of Ice jutting out over the Creek down
there! Now lot US both proceed TO tho
spot, strip. and dive of What, hosita.
ting !" . ..".t-pdnr .G. : afr
mo SIR - .U ..... ... .fL.H.I
".Come on them" .,....t
" And they both seized their hats and start.
ed for the crock, each fully expecting,
every rod Of tho way, that the other would
back out. But neither showed the least
sign Of misgiving, and they reached and
mounted the cake Of ice.
"Now strip" said Olin, throwing OF
his coat by way Of example. o'
Il was done. .g..... ..
SHOW dive" ......st
And souse they both went into tho turpid
ice waier beneath, but probably no two
fellows were ever moro thankful than they
TO reach the surface, climb up the bank. and
reach their clothes on the Ice. They dress
cd as quickly as possible, and ran Cor the
College, on reaching which they were both
90 hoarse that they could scarcely speak.
"Ah what oils your voice n. cried Ofin
triumphantly. "Where is your argument
as to the safety Of the thing now! And as
TO your own sinoerity, II was all CANNON,
but III admit you have as much pride q.
most Of folks. So hero ends the frst and
last lesson I'll ever have with you on prac-
teal argument" ' f.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24

A Nrw LEVER AND FuLcRux. Judge
Thomas of Worcester, Mass, in. a recent
lecture Before The Young Mems Association
IL this city, said The Newspaper Press is
destined to be the chief instrument Of popu.
lar culture. It is, intellectually, tho daily
bread of tho people. The power Of The
press, gre i as it Is, Is continually increas.
ing, and will draw 10 itself and demand for
its service moro and more of the learning
and talent Of the country. The eosueuce Of
Tie bar. Of tue assembly and Of the, stump,
creaie a stronger immediate impression, but
their sphere is too limited TO compete with
the wide spread influence Of the eloquence
Of tho pen. As an instrument for swaying
the popular mind they all yield to it. The
pen Is the true lever Of Arcbimedes, and in
the newspaper press has been found the
place for the falcrnm. ."--[Ss. Louis paper.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24
POETRY.
THE OLD cH1MNEY.PLACB.
From the N. Y, Evening POst.l

A stack Of stones, dingy wall
Ger which the brambles cling anc creep,
A pa,h on which no shadows fsll,
A door step where long dock,leaves sleep
A broken rslter in the grass,
, A suuken hearth-stone, stained and cold,
Naught len but these, fair home, alas
Ard the dear memories OF old.
Around this hearth, this sacred place,
AN humble household virtues crew.
The grandsire's love, the maiden's grace,
The matron's instincts deep and true.
Here first sweet words were lisped. here broke
Life's morning dream, and yet more dear,
The love that LIES hes, impulse woke,
Grew warmer, gentier, year BY year.
How cheerful, while the storm without
MuiIied the earth aud iced the night,
The ruddy glow gushed laughing out
Ga merry groups and faces h'ish,,,
How chlmed the cracking, ireakish lame
With rosy mirth or thoughtful ease,
Or, may be, syllabled the name
OF one rocked DER the shiverng seas.
Wha, fairy scenes, what golden lands,
wha, paeents OF romantic PRIDE.
In the weird deep OF glowing brands,
Saw the fair boy, the drcamy-eyed,
TIL musing here, his spirit drew
Strong inspiration, and his years,
By Beauty's subtle nature knew
The paths Of Natures inner spheres.
Here, Us the swooning embers sent
A faint flush through the quiet gloom.
In the warm hush have lovers blent
The fragrance OF their hearts fresh bloom;
And, yelling in soft-droopins eyes
Her tremulous Joy, here blushed the bride
Here, DER pale forms in funeral guise,
Farewslls from broken hearts were sighed.
This spot the pilgrim, meath strange skies,
Saw In his waysidB dream here stood
Old friends with gladness in their eyes;
Here grew the beautiful and good
Sweet friendships-ia,h serene and sure
Manhood's strong purpose, warm and bold
Courage TO labor and endure,
The household feelings never cold.
Here, leaning in the twihgh, dim,
All round me seems haunted air;
hear the old familiar hymn,
My heart goes upward in the prayer
That made the night 30 full Of peace;
Kind lips are on my brow-my ear
HUNS with sweet sounds - they faint = the!
cease
And night DER all broods calm and clear.
II. N PowERs.
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24

SLEEPING ON SUNDAY. A minister Of
the "Kirk, ;" in good old Scotland, once dis.
covered his wife asleep In the midst of his
homily on the Sabbath. So, paasing ia the
steady, and possibly menotonous 6ow OF his
ora,ofy, he broke forth with his personal nd.
dress, sharp and clsaI but very delibes.
ate "1
: q susan!n l..sf.u 5s1'i HslE
Susan opened her eyes in atwinkiing. ~
did all other dreamers in the house, whether
asleep or awake.
i" Susan, I dinna marry 70 for your wealth,
sin ye hae'd none Andi dinna marry
va for your beauty, that The bail oongfega.
lion can sec. And il ye haze no grace, I
have made bot sair bargain" I"
Susan's slumbers were efectually broken
up for that dsy.-Rsv. A. L. Stone. 3"
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24

1r The Ohio State Journal tells story
Of an Irishman Of the better class, who
though, he must conform 70 the fashionable
mania, paying a. visit 10 The Falls Of Mag
ara. Paddy arrives nj tho Falls, and taxing
look al the surrounding wonders, address
cs himself 10 gentleman. l.
lHAnd il this Niagara Falls" '- ~ %.
aYes' was the reply. 'n'.rou % EaIg ~
"And what is there here 10 make such q
bother about!n ,.,........,.,
aWhy," said the gentleman, ado you
no, sec the mighty river, the deep abyss
and the great sheet Of water pouring down.Y y
Pat looking ai the water, replies hssita,
''eg' Ind rlaf, to hinder a,".eai sialo :"
The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-24

MORE KUsEBsc SrKrRs. Mr.. Daniel Saw.
, age sold pair Of steers, last week four years
old that giFted. seven feet and four inches.
The purchaser gave him $l70 Tor them.
Mr.. I. G. Gi6ord, Of vassalboro, also ssld
pair Of three years old steers that girted
seven feet and two inches. The price OBJ
tanned was 500. Old Kennebec has few
more ofthe sort left.-[hains Fdm<r.