davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

Like Nero and Caligula, Heliogabalus had
his jocularities generally practical ones
sometimes merely absurd sometimes char
acteristically cruel. His most harmless en- n,
tertainments in this way consisted OF the
suppers which he would give one night TO
light men all of them blind of one eye,
sometimes to eight bald, sometimes to eight
afflicted with gout, then to eight deal men,
eight black men, eight tall, and eight tat
men. He kept lions and leopards, winch
lay at the table with him, in orderto fright
en- his friends. He would get company
filled with drink, and after locking them up
for the night wouldle loose amongst them
lions, leopards, and bears, with their claws
pared, to terrify them; and many, it is SAID.
died of the fright
At other times when daylight would break
in on the company who had been drinking
the night before, they would find them
selves in the arms of ugly black old wo-
men. AT other times he made sham en-
Itertainments, like the Barmacide's feast IN
the Eastern tale, setting his guests down to
dishes made of wax, ivory, or stone, paint
ed after nature. He collected serpents to-
gether, and let them loose to bite his visit
crs He would tie his courtiers to wheel,
and have them whired round in water call
ing them, in alusiou to the NEUROLOGICAL
fable, his Ixionite friends
Fearing violent death from the ven
geance Of the people, Heliogabalus had
made preparations which turned out to be
all in vain, for terminating his existence IN
an elegant manner. He had poison mixed
up with the most precious articles; he had
robes of purple and crimson silk ready tc
strangle himself with and golden swords tc
stab himself with. He had also high tow
er built with rich adorning, where he might
breathe out his last in royal state. The
manner Of his death was just the reverse oi
all that he desired. After being slain, his
body was first thrown into the common
sewer, then dragged through the streets
and into the Tiber. According to Herodi.
an and Dion, the same indignities were in
hicted on the body of his mother, who wa:
killed at the same time. Dion repre-.
sents Heliogabalus as having been slain IN
her arms and states that both their head:
were cut off, and their bodies stripped ma.
ked, and that one was thrown into one par
of the river and the other into another.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
4 dsrassI,onner Roast.

Among the choice delicacies with which
the Digger Indians regale themselves du-
ring The summer season says the Empire
County Argus, is the grasshopper roast.
Having been an eyewitness, to the prePa-
ration and discussion of their feasts of grass
hoppers, we can describe it truthfully.-
There are districts in California, as we'll as
portions of the plains between the Sierra
Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, that lit
orally swarm with grasshoppers, and in such
astonishing numbers, that man cannot
place his foot TO the ground, while walk
ing there, without crushing many. To the
Indians they are a delicacy, and are caught
and cooked in the following manner: A
piece of ground is sought where they most
abound, in the centre of which an excava-
tion is made, large and deep enough to pre-
vent the insects from dropping out when
once in. The entire party of Diggers, old
and young, male and female, then sur
round as much of the adjoining grounds as
they can, and with each green bough in
hand, whipping and thrashlng on every
side, gradually approach the centre. dri-
wing the insects before them iii countless
multitudes, till at last ALL or nearly ALL are
securedin the PIT. In the meantime, small
er excavations are made answering the pur-
pose of ovens, in which fires are kindled,
and kept up tillthe surrounding earth, for a
short distance, becomes sufficiently heated,
together with fat stone large enough TO
cover the oven. The grasshoppers are
now taken in coarse bags, and, after being
thoroughly soaked in salt water for few
moments, are empted into the oven and
closed in. Ten or fifteen minutes suffice
to roast them, when they are taken out and
eaten without further preparation, and with
much apparent relish, or, as is sometimes
the case, reduced to powder and made into
soup. And having from curiosity tasted
not of the soup but of the roast, really, if
one dould divest himself of the idea Of eat
ing an insect as we do an oyster or shrimp,
without other preparation than simple roast
ing, they would not be considered very bad
eating, even by more refined epicures than
the Digger Indians.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

SHADY SIDE CHANGED TO SUNNY SIDE.
We learn from the Norwich Examiner,
that the Rev. William Cliff, pastor Of the
church at Stonington,. finding, like not a
few other ministers, his salary insufficient
to meet bis expenses, gave himself to edi.
torial and other pen-labor, to make good the
deficiency in his income. After working
thus assiduously for the benefit of The church
for some years, he received a call to city
church which made more just allowance
for ministerial suppor., and he felt il his
duty to change his field of labor. To the
surprise and sorrow of his people, he pfeacfi-
ed plain, out-spoken sermon to them from
Cor. 9, 14-"Euen so hath God ordaiHeH
that ihey acho preach the Gospel should Lire
Of The Gospel" and concluded by request
ing them to unite with him in calling
council to dissolve their connection. The
church committee, appointed to ascertain
the facts, reported that Mr.. Cliff had incur
red debt of 1900, and had been obliged
to devote time and strength to other means
Of securing support. Thereupoh the
church with great unanimity voted TO pre-
sent the pastor with $1,000 to meet past
arrearages, to raise his salary from $500 to
$500 per annum, and to appropriate 500
a year towards Pastors Library. 1t is
seldom that discourse secures SO speedy
and desirable response from the hearers;
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
Anecdotes OF Fsayens.

The following interesting account OF a
ravens preference for canine companion
is given in the Saturday Magazine The
latter was large otter dog, and was kept
chained in stable-yard, where the raven
began by occasionally snatching a morsel
from the dogs feeding pan, before he had
finished his meal. As this was not resent
ed The raven always attended at meal times,
aud occasionally took away scrap in his
beak, beyond the reach Of the dogs chain,
and then return with it, play about, and
hang it on the dogs nose, and when the
poor beast was in the act of swapping itup,
dart off with it. At other times, he hid the
morsel under stone, beyond the length OF
his chain, and then. with cunning look,
mounted upon the dogs head. He, how
ever, always ended by giving the dog the
largest portion, or the whole Of the scrap
thus played with. The life Of this raven
was saved by the dog, who seeing the poor
bird nearly drowned in a tub of water drag
sed his heavy kennel till he could put his
head over the tub, when he took the raven
up in his mouth, and laid him gently upon
the ground, where he soon recovered.
One day, aparson, travelling through the
forest TO Winchester, was much surprised
at hearing the following exclamation I:
Fair play, gentlemen fair play! For
Gods sake, gentlemen, fair playp' The
traveller looking round to discover from
whence the voice came, TO his astonishment,
beheld no human being near. But hearing
the cry of"Fair play repeated, he thought
it must proceed from some creature in dis
tress. He Immediately rushed into that
part of the forest whence the cries came
when, to his establishment, he beheld two
ravens combating a third with great fury,
while the sufferer which proved to be a
tame one belonging to gentleman III the
neighborhood, kept loudly vociferating fair
play" which 50 interested The traveller,
tha, he instantly rescued the oppressed bird.
@gr a rope Of wonderful strength has
been invented in England. formedby com
position OF wire and hemp. One only an
inch and quarter in circumference, being
attached 10 two engines drew railroad
train OF SOC tons.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
Little Georges Story.

My Aunt Libby patted me on the head
the other day and said George, my boy,
this is the happlest part of your life. /"
guess Aunt Libby don't know much. ]
guess she never worked a week to make a
kite, and the first time she went 10 fly it
got the tail hitched in tall tree, whose
owner would rot let her climb up to olsen
tangle it. guess she never broke one of
the runners of her sled some Saturday af-
temoon, when it was sprlme" coasting. |
guess she never had to give her biggest
marble to great lubberly boy, because he
would thrash herlf She didn't. guess she
never had hockey stick" play round her
ankles in recess, because she got above a
fellow in The class. | guess she never had
him twitch off her best cap and toss it in a
mud puddle. / guess she never had to give
her humming-top to quiet the baby, and
and had the paint all sucked off. guess
she never saved up all her coppers whole
winter to buy trumpet, and then was told
that she must not blow it, because it would
make noise.
No, guess my Aunt Libby don't know
much little boys have troubles as well as
grown people; all the difference is they
dare not complain. Now, l. never had a
''bran new jacket and trowsers IN my life
never and don't believe ever shall ;
for my two brothers have shot up like Jack $
bean stalk, and left all their out-grown
clothes s'to be made over for George )" and
that cross old taloress keeps me from bat
and ball an hour on the stretch, while she
laps over, and nips IN. and tucks up, and
and cuts off their great bagsy clothes for
me. And when she puts me out the door
she's sure to say, Good bye, little Tom
Thumb" Then when | go to my uncle
to dine he always puts the big dictionary
in chair to hoist me up high enough to
reach my knife and fork; and if there is a
dwarf apple or potato on the table it is al
ways laid on my plate. If go to the play
ground to have game of ball the fellows
all say, "Get out of the way, little chap, OF
we shall knock you into cooked hat"
don't think I've grown bit these two oyears
| know | hav'nt by the mark on the wall,
(and stand up to measure every chance
get.) When visiters come to the house and
ask me my age, and tell them that | am
nine years old, they say, Tut, tut little
boys shouldn't tell fibs." My brother Hal
has got his first long-taled coat already;
am really afraid never shall have any thing
but jacket. 60 to bed early, and have
left off eating candy and swectmeats.
hav'nt put my fingers in the sugar-bov'
this many day. l eat meat like my IA
ther, and | stretch up my neck till it aches
still Pm "liAie George" and nothing short
err; - or, farther, I'm shorter than nothing
Oh my Aunt Libby don't know much
How should she? She never was boy !
Fanny Fern.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
Iultun in ParvO.

.r b. t.
Perhaps the briefes! personal memoirs
ever written were the memoirs of Count
Rosiopchin," written in minutes. We sub
Join few paragraphs, each OF which con-
stitutes ''chapter -
"MY BIRTH: On the 18th day ofMarob'
1865, emerged from darkness into the
light of day. Twas measured, | was weigh
ed, + was baptized. | was born without
knowing wherefore, and my parents thank-
ed Heaven without knowing for what. =
"MY EDUCATION / was taught all sorts
of things, and learned all sorts OF langua-
ges. BY dnt of impudence and qnackery
/ sometimes passed for sardni. My head
had become library of odd volumes of
OF which keep the key. e" n .
'MY SUFFERlNGs | was tormented oy
masters by tailors who made tight dresses
for me by women; by ambition; by SELL
love by useless regrets, and by remem-
brances. a7. iaes at4l gl .aas2els
"MEMoRABLE EPocHs: AT the age OF
thirty gave up dancing; at forty my en-
deavors 70 please the fair sex; at fifty my
regard of public opinion at sixty, the trou-
bic of thinking; and have now become a
true sage, or egotist-which is the same
thing.
"RESpEcTABLE PRINCIPLES: have new
er meddled in any marriages or scandal
have never recommended cook or
physician and consequently have never
attempted the life Of any one.
"MY DIsLIKEs / had a dislike to sots
and fops, and 10 intriguing women, who
make game of virtue a disgust for aftec,
tation, pity for made-up men and painted
women; an aversion to liquors, me.aphys-
les and rhubarb and terror OF justice and
wild beasts. ~
"ANALYsIs OF MY LIFE: | await death
without fear and without impatlence. MY
life has been bad melodrama on grand
stage, where I have played the hero, the
tyrant, the lover, the nobleman, but never
the valet.
"MY EpITApH Here lies. in hope ofre-
pose, an old deceased man, with worn-out
spirit, an exhausted heart, and used-uP
body. Ladies and gentlemen, pass on =
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
VIM. CHAPMAN,

ANRADUATE of the Baltimore COllege otDen-
W tai Surgery, having returned to Augusta re-
snmes his profession Any person wishing lniof'
nation as to his qualifications are respectfully re-
ferred to the faculty, viz
Chaplin A. Harris. NJ. d. d. D. s., Professof
of Principles and Practice OF Dental Surgery.
Affed A. Blandy, Nj. ID. ID. ID. s., Professor o
Operative Dentistry
WIN. R. Right, M. D., Prof. of Chemistry:
Washington r. Handy, NJ. ID. Professor OF A
natomy and Physiology
Thomas E. Bond, NJ d. Professor Of Pathology
and Therapeutics.
Philip III. Austin, A. NJ. NJ. d. ID. ID. ). Pro
fessor of Mechanical Dentistry.
Post Office address, Cline's Mill or Mt. Sidney.
March s, lS54.-ly.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

THE CHINESE ENpERoR'S REASON FOR
TAKINGA WIFE.--"Absorbed day and night
by the vast occupation Heaven has entrust-
ed to me-" says the Emperor IN public
document, Il have need of an assistance
actuated by the same spirit as fhyself."
Min -lou-rod, the lady he proposes TO raise
to this high position, is lady of honorable
extraction, who is highly esteemed in the
palace where her exemplary character is
shown by the exactness with which she per-
fotms her domestic duties, not even shrink
ing from ,cashing either fine or course linen
wiih her olcn hands. She is therefore 10 be
in the Imperial costume, and to be at the
head Of the ladies Of the six pavlllions.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

@5e We heard an amusing story told as
occurring on the last arrival of the Mexico
at Galveston. 1t appears that among the
list of passengers on the manifest the name
of the Earl of Durham" was legibly re-
corded. The news soon spread and was
promptly communicated to the English
Consul, who, IN the generosity his nature
at once engaged two rooms for his distin-
gulshed countryman, at the fremont, and
then proceeded with carriage to the steam
er to convey him to his quarters, when one
"grand mistake" was discovered. The Earl
of Durham on the Mexico proved to be
large Durham Bull, from Kentucky The
Consul was dong well at last accounts
Mdtaaola Bulletin, TeraS.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

A TORRENT OF ELooUENcE.-Duri
the pendency of the Nebraska- Kansas bills
In the Senate and Hodse, upwards Of one
hundred aud twenty eight set speeches have
been made, of which number % were de-
ivered in The Senate and 100in the House.
Speeches for the bill in The Senate, II; in
the House, Az; total 60. Speeches a
gainst the bill IN the Senate, IL; in the
House. So; total &C. Besides The speech
es actually delivered some dozen gentle
men obtained leave to print speeches.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
Letters Of Mnraue.

Y This TERN is derived from the old Saron
word mearc signifyIng a boundary. It "a
used on the border counties between Eng.
land and Scotland to denote the private re-
prlsals that were frequently made where
property bad been stolen. IF, for example;
private foray from Scotland had been sue
cessiul in carrying off spoil in the time Of
general peace, and the authors Of the in
road were not known, The aggrieved party
would apply TO the Warden of the Borders
for .Letters of Marque"-that is permis-
sion TO cross the boundary and make re.
prlsals This liberty was not considered as
amounting to declaration oc war, though
it frequently led to contest between two
of the border families. It meant, then, a
liberty of reprisal.
In modern times, the term has been ex-
tended to permission granted 10 private in
dlvduals on the seas to make reprisals,
where property has been illegally seized
and no other mode of reparation exists.
1t was IN this sense that the issue of letters
of Mafque against Spanish commerce was
talked of in the congress after the Black
Warrior affair. This issue does not amount
to declaration Of war, but would inevita-
bly, lead to 1t.
In time of war, the Term is applied TO the
legal permission given to privateers or mer-
chant vessels to capture the property of the
enemy. There has been much talk of late
years ofpersuading all nations engaged in
war not to issue them, but without much
success. 1t has been said that England
and France have refused to grant them du-
ring the present war, but that Russia is
ready to give them to any privateers. The
morality of such plundering has been ques-
toned, but it probably stands upon the
same basis as the morality Of war, gener-
ally.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

POETRY.
BY ELIZA COOK.
God Hath a voic

By ELIZA tooA'H. fl.l-
God hath voice that ever is heard ..s.-
In the peal of the thunder, the chlrp OF the bird
Ii comes in the torrent, all rapid and strong,
In the streamet's soft gush as it ripPles along;
1t breathes in the zephyr, just kissing the bloom
1t lives in the rush of the sweeping smoon
Let the hurricane whistle, or warbles reJolce,
What do they tell thee but God hath voice
God hath presence, and that ye may see
In the fold Of the flower, the leaf OF the tree
In the sun Of the uoouday, the star of The night;
In the storm-cloud of darkness, the rainbow o.
light;
In the waves of the ocean, the furrows of land
In the mountain of granite, the atom of sand;
Turn where We may, from the sky to the sod,
Where can We gaze that ye see not goa
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

TOMATOES AND LIMA BEANs.-During
the early part of the growth of either OF
these crops, the surface OF the soil should
frequently be disturbed. When tomatoes
have set their fruit, they should be short
ened in, and it may be deferred until the
largest Of the fruit is of half size, when it
may be readily observed that 80 per cent.
of the fruit is within 1S inches of the ground,
while 60 per cent. Of the vine or bush is
beyond that distance. The vine, therefore,
should be trim ned in within half an inch
of the tomato nearest the end of each -
this will admit sun and air freely and al
though 80 per cent. of the tomatoes that
might have grown will be taken away, still
the remaining portion will be greater in
weight and measure, than the vine had
not been shortened in. Tomatoes are also
several days earlier by this treatment, and
therefore bring much higher price in the
market. 1a" $50 Ia ti
Lima Bean vines are usualy suffered to
wind themselves around a pole II or 10
feet high, and before the vine reaches the
top of the pole, some beans are already OF
size TO be pulied, near iss oOtto'i hii'a
Beans should be pinched off when 81 feet
high, and they will readily throw out side
shoots well filled with pods, which will RI
pen before frost whereas, when not short
ened in, the beans on the upperends OF the
vine cannot perfect themselves in time 10
be saved. 1t is unfair to expect gill OF
sap to travel through 40 feet ofvlne, wrap
ped around pole, and make perfect bean
at the extreme end of it. The immense a
mount ofimperfect and half formed vine
through which it has to travel, causes toe
great an evaporation Of moisture before ar
irving a. its point Of destination. The Ii
ma Bean with us is an exotic, and its beha-
vlour during growth is very different from
its habit where native, and therefore the
mode of cultivation, as with the tomato
peach, &c., must compensate for these dli-
ferences. Working Farmer. tsm
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07
VOL. XXI.
STAUNTON SPECTATOR,
nYI.A. & L. WADDELL, Jr.
TERM $.

N,- The "SPECTAToR" is published once
a geek. al Dollars gear, if paid IN adranee,
" Too B1ncr5Sad Fgty Cents if delayed beyond
The expiration of the gear. No subscription ecaS
be discoatinued bu! al The option Of the Editors,
NALL all GrrearGges are paid.
o. All contradictions to the Editors by ma''
NJ tst be pos! paid, or they wN not be attended TO-
NJE .ADVER TISE.NE.NTS ofthtrtssn hneS
(or less inserted three times for one dollar, ana
tvcaty-fve cents for each subsequent continuance
Larger advertisements asserted IN the same proper
ton. a liberal discount made 10 those 'oho adrer
tise by The year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

MAKING THE MosT OF HIS NoToRIrrT.
The Louisville Democrat publishes at the
head of It's columns each day the names of
thejur who tried Matt Ward III Hardin
county, Kentucky. One of them has writ
Ten TO the editor, requesting him 10 attach
to his name, "storekeepef at The Cross
Roads, where all descriptions of goods may
be obtained cheap for cash, or in exchange
for country produce"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

WHAT is aARlsTocRAcY I'm reply TO
this question Gen. Foy, distinguished Or
ator nthe French Chambers gave the fol-
loving answer. -,' y. ,-....'2
b aATlstocracy in, The 18th century is the
league, the condition OF those who would
consume without producing, live without
working, know. without learning, carry all
the shoners without deserving them, and
ccuPy all tie places Of gcverniiientwithont
beng able to flt them. 'at 2 isssiaess 1siaal
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

A BAcKsLIDER.-MarrIed, on THURSDAY, /,
the % ult,, by the Rev. Clay Boulder, Mr..
Andrew Horn to Miss julia Parker, Presi-
dent of the Young Ladies' Temperance So
ciety.
Fair Julia lived a temperate maid,
90 Preached temperance ditties night and morn :;
But still her wicked neighbors said
She broke her pledge and took A horn.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

ANOTHER SCHEME OF ANNEXATION
According TO the New York Post, the old
SCENE of Mr.. Calhoun to get the Domlcan
C oveynment under American control. with
view to annex the whole island of Hayti
and put down the negro empire established
by Soulouque. is revived under the present
Administration. A special commissioner,
or commissioners, Mrs. Cazneau, formerly
Miss Storms, and known as writer for the
newspaper by the name of Cora Mont
gomery," has been appointed to undertake
the task and inquire into its feasibility
Her husband is ostensibly the commission
er, but the lady has left him in Texas and
core on the mission herself. Under such
auspices the scheme, if it De seriously in
tended is likely TO flourish Better than
some of the recent missions from the UNI
ted States. Pettlcoat diplomacy has not
vet been tried in this country, and young
America" is the proper individual to in-
tiate the experimeat.-Phiia. Ledger.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

Would that some Stephens or Layard
would arise TO explore the wonders that
lie concealed within this great Basin, and
bring ytoJight the history of that strange
people that once inhabited it.-.San Fran.
cisco HeraM.s
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-07

@ The best cough mixture That has vet
been made consists of a pair of thick boots
mixed with lots of air and plenty of exer.
cise. People who hug the stove and sIow
.lean will please notice. Boston Posi-