davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The celebrated Astronomer, Mr.. Babinet.
member OF the French Academy OF Science.
gives some very interesting details relative
10 the return OF the great comet, whose pc
riodical course is computed by the most Gel.
ebra,ed observer at three hundred years:
Our cyclical records show that it was Oh.
served in the year l04, 392, G82, 975, again
in 1864, and the next time in 1886, always
descr bed as shining with the most cxtraor-
binary bri!liancy. Most of the European
Astronomers had agreed in announcing tho
return Of this comet in lsi6, but ii has hith.
erto failed 10 appear. In fact, it is not an
easy or simple matter TO compute those vast
cyclical periods as some superficial persons.
who do not look beyond the day Of The year
in which they live, may imagine.
We are, however, assured by Mr.. Babi-
net, that to this IN oment, this brilliant star
is living IN its brilliant rcrutaton;" so that
sir John ucrsche! himself was w.oas whcn
he despalr,a :: =; 80 rc-appoatancc, and put
Grape on his telescope. Wcarc now inform.
cd that a celebrated and accurate computer
Mr., BONNIE fMiddlcborough, with a pa.
tlcnce and dcvotednCss truly German, has
gone over all previous calculations, and mado
anew estimate Of the separate and combined
acton ol all the planets upon this comet Of
three hundred years and he has discovered
that it is not lost to us but only retarded in
its motion. The result Of this severe labor
sives the arrival Of this rare and renowned
visitor in August, 1858, with an uncertainty
OF two years, more Or less; 50 that between
1856 and 90 those who are then living may
hope to see the great luminary which ia
1876 caused Charles Y. to abdicate.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
DISPARITY OF AGE IN SMARR,AGE.-We eli

DISPARITY OF AGE IN MARR,AGE-We cll
the following interesting paragraph aboutth
ages o.! some Of the wives Of distinguishe
personages, from an English paper:
"Mahomet's first wife, kadvab. was at
least forty, when he, at the age Of twenty
five, married her. Shakspearc's Ann Hath
away, vas seven years his senior. Dr. John
sons wife was literally almost double his
age. The wife Of Lord Herbert Of Cher.
burg, was six or seven years older than her
lord Sir Thomas Moorc's wife was also Sc.
ven years older than her husband. How.
ard, the philanthropist, at the age of twenty.
five, married first wife, who was then iif.
ty.two. Mrs. Rowe, the authorcss, was If.
teen years older than Mr. Rowe. Rapcl, tie
German Dc Stacl, vas about as much older.
The Countess D'Ossoli, Miss Fuller was
nearly ten years her husbands senior Jen
ny Lind is said to be eight or ten years older
than Herr Goldschmidt."
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

a TEMPERANCE STORY. Y.---Unc evening latell
we took our place at the supper table of ;
Cincinnati and Louisville packet. Supper
and conversation had progressed some betor'
we were seated. An animated discourse
was going Oh 'twixt an exceedingly sobcr.ta
ced lady, no less than thirty years old, and
u gentleman, ON the subject Of temperance
"Uhm exclaimed she, with horror dcpic
ted on her thin lips, ii do dcspisc the whis
Ky drinkcr."
The gentleman dropped his knife and
fork, seized her hand, and giving it hearty
shake. We thought tears were going to DROP
from his twnkling eyes.
MADAM" said he, "i respect your scnti'
ments and the heart that dictated il. per.
nit no person to go beyond me in despising
the whisky drinker. have been disguised
on this very boat, and say it now before
our worthy captains face. What, l ask
you, can DO more disgusting than to see
well dressed, respectable, aye, virtuons
looking young men. whose mothers arc pro-
badly even now praying that the tender in
struction by which their youth was iliumna.
ted, may bring forth precious fruit in their
maturity. say, to sec such young men
step up to the bar Of this boat, and without
fear OF observing eyes, or the condemnation
of enlightened opinion, braaenly ask for old
Bourbon or Rye, or Monongahcla whisky,
when in that bar they know there is the W.
ry best Of old Cognac Brandy"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

EcoSoNY Enter subscriber, with a cigar
in his mouth. Takes it lcisurcly and pull,
the smoke from his mouth, aud Us, ia,
times are so hard, he is obliged to economic,
and wants his paper stopped.
Clerk makes the entry. Subscriber re.
places his cigar, and turns to 6, out, saying
he should have called sooner, but hi, wife
and family objected to his doing so, as they
did not know how to get along without Ia.
paper.
"All right says the Clerk; but what a
beautiful cigar you smoke"
Subscriber. is beauty. | pay 900
by the thousand for these cigars. They arc
the only llayanas in the city.
Clerk. Where do you buy them?
Subscribcr.-l hayca friend in Iew York
who buys them for me direct from the man.
uiacturrr
Clerk should think it must cost you
something pretty handsome in the course oi
the year.
Subscriber, That's so. | only smoke
three or four day, however.
MogAL.--.lcre is an uconomizer who de-
prives his family of weekly newspaper,
which costs carried to his door but three
cents per week, aud smokes out two shillings
per day or fourteen shlllings per week in dc.
lightiul llavanas.-PLaindedter.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
An Incident Ia 4 Railroad Car.

The parties are lady of uncertain age,
with decided expression Of pain on her Tea.
tures, otherwise quite pretty--her face tied
up with white handkercbief--and little
man in a snuil'coorcd coat, and decidedly Y
woolly style Of coUntenance. Little ma.
idgels awhile, and then turns to the dame
''Be you ailin' anything, ma'am!"
ayes, sir, have u tco,hache."
so, toothache, have yey Well, know
something thatll do yc good
"What i. it, sirt am suffering very
much, and should like to know
"Well, iorgit the name OF il, but mos,
ssxk9aAN xl ID 7ka0ws. BE ye going to New
5ls III II goins q New York
40, woll! BE- yer Well, you know
Broadway"
"Yes." ....
"Well, 80 up Broadway till you come to q
cross-street-l forget the name of the street
but you'll know when you git there there,
lots Of people going up and down it. Well
you turn up this street, and forgit which
side, but you'll see. You'll see 'potheca
ry's shop--you'll know it when you see il
There's good many shops about there, bu,
this is large one. Then you must ask for
well, forget the nane-but it's pomier.
The 'pothicary, he'U know. It's dreadful
strong--strong as ginger You must mix
the powder--they'll mix it for you; then
you must take-wel', forgt how much
about tablespoon, or tea.cup, or small
bucket full, and put it On here, (aying hi,
hand Oh the pit Of his stomach,) JUS. as ho,
as you can possibly bear it,"
But, sir, said the lady, II don't see how
that is to help u toothachc ~
so toothache you've gots Well, dear
me, forgot To be sure-yes, wrl,--but
thought you said stomdchaehe Nsw Bed
ford Mercury.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
Nice Members Congress.

The senior editor Of the Louisville Jour
nal was in Washington for some weeks pre-.
vious to the recent adjournment Of Congress.
lie gives the following:
A couple Of merry fellows, one Of them .
A;-ain .h4S -.>asA.l e GA.e~ers from q
Sontiicrn Stite, and tho 'other distinxnishs
cd cx. editor from Kentucky, concocted let
tHr purpor,ing to b. addressed by young
lady, to avery Ht,.-(eekirs gentleman. II
was got up in iirst-rate style. The pretend
ell lady set forth therein that she had sever
al times seen the gentleman she was ad-
dressing, that she was captivatcd by his line
face and manly form, that her heart was
deeply touched by all she saw and heard Of
him, and that she must make his acquain-
tance before his departure from the city I;
that she hoped and prayed he would forgive
her seeming boldness, as i was the first i'm.
prudent act Of her life, that she had always
moved and was still moving in the highest
circles Of the capital, that she would be upon
certain square Ola certain street at precise.
ly IL o'clock on the following day, in drcs,
which she described with great particularly
and that she hoped and trusted lac would
meet her and thus afford her an opportuni.
ty of q brei personal intercourse with the
idol Of her heart The two wags had be-
tween thirty and forty copies Of this letter
written by a female friend Of theirs, and
they sent these copies to between 80 and 40
members Of Cong css, selecting those Of
course who were known to entertain very
exalted opinion Of their own personal fascin.
ations. Everything being thus arranged
the two jokerS called upon us and another
young gentleman, explained what they had
done and invited us to get into their carriage
ride with them to the point Of assignation
and see the sights. We unhcsitatingly con-
sent,d, and VIC saw sights sure enough
Riding upon the designated square, we be-
held the whole Of the thirty or forty mem.
bers, Northern men and southern men,
Wings, Democrats and Know Nothings,
walking to and fro, all gazing in every direc.
ton aud at every female figure to discover
the object ofthcir anxious search. We con
cluded that ifa few more copies Of the letter
had been sent to members Of the House Of
Representatives, the House would have had
to adjourn for want Of quorum.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

An ASTOUNDING FAcr-We are informed
on good authority, that tho following cir.
cumstances really transpired on Sunday
night in Low street near Exeter.
A card party played for various stakes un.
til ono Of thcm--a mountaineering In her
language "dead broke" offered TO stake her
infant child against dollar upon the issue
Of another game. Tho proposition was
agreed to by her opponent, who was child
less mother, aud, being favored by fortune
or misfortune, the conclusion OF tho game
iound.her the winner Of the babe, bright
healthy, male infant. Tho child We learl,,
was delivered without murmur, to tho win.
ner, and We Judge from tho hcartless con.
duct of the unnatural parent, that her OF.
spring will find In It's new custodian better
home than the one from which Il was so ruth.
le.sly Nukcd and lost --'a''Imore Rcrpeh.
sor
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

IMrARrIALIry OF NAruRE.-Ycs, yes, ma
ture balances all things admirably, and has
put the sexes and every individual Of each
on n par Them that have more than their
share Of one thing, commonly have less oil
another. Where there is great strength
there amt apt to be much gumption. A
handsome man. generally, amt much of Il
man. A beautiful bird seldom sings. Them
that has genius have no common sense. A
fellow with one idea rows rich, while he
who calls him fool dies poor The world
is like baked veal pic, the upper crust is
heavy, doughy and undcrdone; the middle
is not bad generally, but the smallest part OF
all is that which ilavors tho whole. San,
Slick.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

1loRnro TEAGGDy-A YouNG FIESD-A
gentleman from kiskator, in the town Of
Catskii', has given Us the following particu.
lars OF u mos, appalling tragedy. On Satur-
day last, John II. Edwards u lad aged fifteen,
living in the family OF his uncle John W.
iungcrtord, requested permission Of tho
wife OF Mr.. II. to use a Gouble-barrellcd gun
which was in the house. for the purpose Of
seeking game. Permission being granted,
they both shortly after left the premises in
different directions, when Edwards soon re-
turnc and commenced breaking open all
the drawers and chests, in which lac suppos-
ell there was two hundred dollars, which
Mr. liungcrIord had received u few days pre-.
vlons Not finding the money, he loaded
the gun with slugs and shot and deliberately
fired the contents Of one OF the barrels into
the breast of his uncle, who, by this time,
had reached the house ilungerlori fell,
pleading ior life, when the little ticnd again
presented the gun and snapped it, Mr.. H.
partially recovered and fed, pursued by Ed.
wards, who again fired with fatal effect IIs
then turned to the house, placed the gun in
its usual place, and escaped from the bloody
scene. Little hopes are entertained Of Hun.
gcrford's recovery.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

A SHREwD DocToR The Philadrlphi,
Mercury tells story to the effect that man
named Jennings undertook, a few nights
since, to give u colored physician from ST.
Domingo, named DR.. Charles IL Brun, ic.
siding in that city, severe drutbing fo'
malpractice. 1t seems that Jennings had
been troubled with dyspeps'., and had mp
piled to DR.. lie Brun for a cure; but after
taking the doctors physic for month, he
found himself much worse, told the doctor
so, and then h quarrel and the assault just
spoken Of followed
Monsieur IL Mayor" said L., II no p,t.
tend to be 20 wizard. but cure any body
datdo vat gay, tell dis man he must take
two Of my pill to-morrow, four ~ mex day,
shd den 90 on double 70 dose forty day, and
if he M cure ded, tell him he come 10 me
will give him back his money tout suite.
Sare, dar Is dc bargane vat | make wit him,
and he no do dat, SO it is no vunder dat you
be vorsc."
Jennings replied 10 this-'I took the pills,
sir, according to directions, for five days
doubling every day, as he told me, and
found, on the fifth day, that the dose
amounted to thirty two pills, and then be.
gan to figure up what it would coae to in
forty days and found that should have to
take at least half peck
NO matter if it vas a Lushcl" said DR..
lie Brnn "ze pill is vegitabec', Just same a.
Won turneep. and he might live on ZEN all
&c time and zey no hurt. But If he no give
ze pill fair trial, vot for give him back
his money!"
1t was plain enough that Jennings did not
go according to control, and so he had nc
pretence for asking DR.. Lc Brun to refund
The doctor promised to say nothing abou,
the assault and battery, if Jennings would
perseycre in the purchase and use Of the
medicine, but Jennings, in this ex,rcr,e case,
preferred the operation Of the law to that Of
physc, and was accordingly bound over ,o
answer ior the outrage hc had committed.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

How CTciNNATI BECAME 4 CTY-ln the
settlement Of new counties, it often hap.
pens that the most trivial circumstances pro.
ducc important results. According 10 Judge
Brirnctt's Notes on the North Western Ter.
ritory," the question whether North Bend
or Cincinnati should be the great CONNER
cial town Of the Miami country, was decided
by the fact that the coinmandant of the mil.
iiary station at r,h Bend became strongly
attached 10 a ack.cyed lady" who iv,d
with her hu-band at the Bend where he was
stationed and the husband becoming some .
what alarmed at the attentions which the
commandant paid to his wifi, removed to
Cincinnati, Finding his lady love had fed,
the officer thought North Bend unfit for n
commercial town, and moved with hi
troops 10 Cincinnati, and from that day the
glory Of the Bend departed, aud that Of
Cincinnati arose. Judge Burnett remarks !:
tpagc 56) "The Incompatible beauty OF a
Spartan dame produced ten years war,
which terminated in the destruction oi
Troy and the irresistible charms Of auo;h
or female transferred the commercial empo.
rum Of Ohio to he placs where it now is
II this captivating Amer an Helen had con
tinucd Il the Bend, the garrison would have
been erected thcre-papulai Oh, capital and
business would have been conferred there,
md thence IT would have been the Queen
'Eity of the West" Who after this will say
that ss~..S,s SO ~ -sss.-~"'~~ns ,r ,hc dr..
crces of fortune - Gicinnati Ga:eth,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The most agreeable companion is sin
pie frank man, without any high prcten
sions to an oppressive greatness, onc who
lives aud understands tho use of it; oblig.
ing alike at all hours; above all of golden
temper, and stcadlast as an anchor. For
such one we would gladly ,xchang the
greatest genius, the most brilliant wit, the
proioundest thinker
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

ARIsrocEAcy DEFINED. An additional and
more profound reflection on the subject Of
arstocracy, we have arrived at the following
dchntion Of that term, which We apprchend
is as near the mark as possible:
Aristocracy--A class OF persons who dc.
spise the public, aud are yencratcd by tho
public for that reason. --Punch.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

4 young man and female oncc upon q
time stopped ut n country tavern. Their
awkward appearance excited the attention Of
one OF the family, who commenced conversa.
ton with the female, BY inquiring how inr
she had travelled that day, "lravoled"
exclaimed tho stranger, somewhat indignant.
~, tive didn't trxve! Vc rii,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The Mobile Tribune says that gentleman
living in the ncghborhood of Mobile has a
six-year old Devon COW, which last year
gave 1890 gallons Of milk, the products Of
which were sold for $500.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

Pliny Cody, in Palmer, Mass, has been
fined $l7,46, for kissing Mrs. Mary N. Clark
against her WILL Upon this the Springfield
Republican impudcntly says, --"Wo know
damscs over there who wouldn't mako fuss
about such little matter"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

A Pat--an old joker-and Yankee more sly,
Once riding togethng q gallows passed by (;
Said the Yankee TO Pat, "lf | don't make
too free,
Give that gallows its due, where then would
you bey'
"Why, honcy?' said Pat, "fath that's easily
known,
Id be riding to town--by myself a!one.'
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The Boston Post retcrts upon some
"smart" fell w IN the following manner -
"Thc fellow who sent us copy Of the Bos.
ton Post, with Jack ASS" written upon tho
margin, Is requested to inform US At what
.tAhlo bN e,n 10 found
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The three foundations OF genius arc--thc
gifts Of God, human exertion, and events ct
life. The three things that enable genius
,isor discretion and knowledge
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

The young lady who was "buried in grief"
is now alive and doing well 1t was only
case of Premature intcrmcnt
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
Imi.TatiOu 10 TcX0s. q

From all accounts it is evident that nc
state in the Union is growing in population
faster than Texas. It's area is only seven
times a. large as Pennsylvania, and most oi
its soil is good and ri h. Its lids fair to be.
come one Of the weithiest agricultural rc.
gions oi tnc globe. A large portion Of the
imm. grants aie from France and Germany,
and some from the northern states. But the
majority of the new settlers are from the
,outhnn states.
At Linwool, on the Nechcs river, Texas,
there is bril5e which the bulk of the cin
grafton passes over, and though the toll Ia.
kcr keeps 10 record Of the persons, he do, $
Of the wagons and these form pretty good
criterion tor Judgment. During the month
of December of the year 1854, no less than
800 cInigrant wagons passed over this
bridge, bound west; while in January,
lojj, tie number was 700. IL is thought
that, from the beginning Of December to the
end Of April, III: average will be coo wag.
onS and $4,000 emigrants. Senator Rusk is
sad u estimate the emigration to Texas this
season at 100000, an the Gonzales Enqui-
rcr thinks this account accurate.
Suppo>ing Texas ever to become as thckly
peoped as belg um, it will contain popu.
la,ion Of over eighty millions. But the cha.
ractcr Of the country does not give promise
OF so dense a population. 1t has not the ia.
cilitics for manufactures, and must ever be
main'y an agricultural state. But that ii
may yet, and at no very distant day, count
a poi u'ation Of twenty or thirty millions is
not ut all improbable. Cotton, sugar,
hemp, and all kinds of grains and fruits can
DC produced in abundance and its products
are annually swelling our exports, and the
national weal,h.--Pittsburgh Post.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

There are, it is said, between fifly and
sixty cotton factories in the State of Geor.
gia.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21

FAors ABOUT CArrLE--It is a fact that all
domestic animals can be improved in size and
value On hundred and fifty years ago, the
average weight Of cattle at the Smlth,icld
Market was not over $40 poun Island that OF
the sheep Us pounds. Now, the average
weight OF the former is over 500 pounds, aud
Of the latter 50 pounds.
The average wei hit OF cattle, properly ter.
med b,evcs, in the New York market, is
about 700 pounds, and sheep 80 pounds.
The average live weight Of the heaviest
drove of bc,yes Of 100 in number ever bro't
to this market, was 2,0G7 pounds, weighed
from dry feeding in Illinois, last spring.
The mode of selling cattle in New York,
is Mt so much per pound for the estimated
weight OF meat contained in the four quar-.
tiers. The estimation is made upon the live
weight Of cattle as follows;
y drover in buying lot Of grass.fcd,
common stock in Illinois, should never cal.
culatc to get an estimate Of over onc.half
here Of the live weight there. That is, il
the drove average l2 cwt., they will make &
cwt. Uf meat each.
Medium becvcs may be estimated at 81 or
50 pounds per cwt. Good beeves at 90 or
81 pounds Extra good, large and fat, from
5S TO 62 pounds per cwt.
In the Boston market, the weight is gen.
orally estimate. upon 1--we quarters" that
is, the product Of meat. fat and skin.
There the cattle are generally weighed, and
the product estimated upon an average, u
pounds per cwt.
In New York not one bullock in ten thou.
sand goes upon the scales to determine his
price TO the butchcr.-N J. Tribune.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
TOTHE PUBLIC,

ECOT.- AMI HOES Oh ALL KlNCS
- IF you want to cave your time, money and
health. then come and huy your
BOOTS AND SHOES,
Al the sign Of h- mammoth boot. in tiossack ne "
block where you will find the best boots and shoes
in the ci y Of Otnw., Of our own manufacture
and also eastern made work al the very beat kind
50 tia, the economical buyer cnnno. help buying
Please call nnd examine tor yourselves. Onr
motto is, "small profits aulck sales, nndnocred.
IT," NJ. II. PRscorT H. Co.
n B.-IVork M lie q ordrron the mos, renson.
able terms, in the mort fashionable style by the
very b,t, workmen. Long-xprrience and know.
edge ofihe business. enables the subscribers TO
Guido Ih"se who know nothing nhou, 'ea.her.
July I5-ly MIL z l. Co
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
1856, N. B. BRISTOL, 1855.
Forwarding and Commission
OTTAWA, ILLINOIS.

Cash paid for all kinds Of Produce Al the Cu.h
man Ware House, Main Canal.
Nav ! 1894
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-21
TAILORING.
WILLIAM CONNOLLY

TAILORING.
WILLIAM CONNOLLY
ID SPECTFUl.L Uniforms the citizens o fOt.
IL tnwa andthe surrounding couutry, that he
has Just r-c-iv-da new stock ot
Broadeioths, CdSsimcrrS and Hsstings
Of the la,eststyle, and all kinds of tai!ors trim.
n,ngs all of which hr willseli cheap iOrcash.
Also. all kindsof Ready Made Clothing OF his
NV u manufacture.
R-ingnn ol resdirntin Ot,awn he wonld wish
TOR his old iutances to give him cal allbefoIe
purchasing elsewhere.
TAILORING n CUTTING
Done on the shortest notice ri his 0 Id sta nd orpo.
site the old City Hotel on Madisonst. next door
u Dnnl LrnhY's Boot and Shoe Shop.