davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10
Mrs. George Washington.

Mrs. Washington was now fifty-sever
years Of age. She had been very hand
some woman thirty years before, when sht
married Colonel Washington, and in the
admirable picture Of her by Woolaston
painted about the same time. we see some
thing of that pleasing grace which is said te
have been her distinction. Born OF good
family and heiress of liberal fortune, Mar.
tha Dandridge had troops of sul'ors before
her first marriage, at seventeen and when
few wears alter, as the richest and hand.
soonest widow in Virginia. Mrs Daniel
Parke Custis attracted the tender regard ol
the young soldier of Mount Vernon, there
was, of course, abundant competition; but
only the brave deserve the fair and in this
case only The bravest could win The ialrest'
1t was certainly love match; few, upon
the whole, have tcen happier, and its only
misfortune was doubtless fortunate for the
world, since greatness is rarely transmissi-
bic. and any descendant of Washington,
however respectable, would have seemed
in history but a small satellite, too frequent
ly passing between US and his impressive
and luminous grandeur. During the revo-
luton Mrs. Washington had renamed as
much as possible with the Chief. AT the
close OF each campaign, an de-camp re-.
paired TO Mount Vernon. TO escort her; and
her arrival in camp, in plain chariot, with
her postillions in white and scarlet liverles,
was always an occasion for general happl-
ness, and the signal for the wives of other
principal officers TO join their husbands
With the army, and all the succession oil
eminent and curious strangers who visited
the headquarters at Cambridge, Valley
Forge, Norlistown, New Windsor, New
bursh or elsewhere, she was eminently
popular. The gay Marquis de Chattelux,
grandson OF the great d'Aguessau, de-
scribed her at the end of the contest, as
zone of the best women in the world, and
beloved of all about her." In The six years
from the peace till Washington was chosen
President, she dispensed the ample hospi-
talities of Mount Vernon with tact and
graciousness which won applause OF her nu-
merous guests, many of whom left her
praises in their correspondence. Every
thing about the house," said RrIssot de
Warville, "has an air of simplicity the ta-
bic is good, but not ostentatious, and no de-
Walton is seen from regularity and do
mestic economy she superintends the
whole, and Joins to the qualities of an ex-
cellent housewife the simple dignity which
ought TO characterize woman whose hus-
band has acted the greatest part on the the
atre of human affairs, whilst possessing that
amiability, and manfesting that attention
TO strangers which render hospitality SO
charning.-.American Society in The days Of
Wdshington.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

CHARCOAL FOR TURKIEs.-The German
to,on Telegraph publishes an article in rela-
ton to the alimentary properties OF char
coal. Experiments were made upon eight
Turkies, four of which were fed in the usu-
al manner, and four having charcoal mixed
with their food, as also plentiful supply in
their pen the eight were killed on the same
day, and there was difference OF one and
a half pounds each IN favor of the latter
four. They were also he fattest, and their
meat was superior in point of tenderness
and flavor.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10
Curious DIscoyERY.-.A gentlemi

Curious DIscovERY.--A gentleman
named Charles LIE Maout, residing at ST.
Brieuc, in France, has communicated to
the French Minister of War the discovery
that heavy cannonade like that of the
battle of Balaklava of the 25th OF October
produces so sensible an effect upon the ba.
rometer even at distance of fifteen hun
dred or two thousand miles, as to indicate,
by an extraordinary rise of the mercury
the probable occurrence of such battle
and in much shorter space OF time than
the facts can be communicated in any 9th.
er way than by the electromagnetic tele.
graph.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

A Coop SELL.-A clergyman having, or
a certain occasion, dellSred himself of what
is called fine address, was met by one o
his hearers the next day, when, in the
course of conversation, aliusion was made
to #. the parisbioner remarked that he had
a book containing every word OF it, and had
heard it before. To this the clergyman
holdlv asserted that the address was writ
Ten nv himself the week previous to its de.
l;very and therefore the assertion could no
he correct. The next day he receivet {
soieudid copy of Websier's Dictionary.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10
P0ETR Y

From The Southern Veekly Post
The Mountaineer's Song.
Removed from the land of my birth,
No azure-robed mountains IN view,
/ deem it the fairest of earth,
And still the fond image renew,
No time the sweet sentiment chlliS;
| feel it, wherever ram,
That am a child of the hills,
And cherish the thought Of my home.
The eagle may stoop from his nest
To grapple his prey on the plain;
The magnet of love IN his breast
Draws him back to his eyrie again.
too. in this preference share;
Still proving the strength OF the tie,
| soar to my dear native air,
Or think of it lost with sigh.
Nv fortune it never may be
Again in that Eden to stray;
The tide of life's troublesome sea
May bear me yet further away;
But oh from fond memory's eye
Those mountains can never depart,
And their love printed image shall lie
Sill fresh on the leaves Of my heart.
w.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10
AMERICANS AT THE TABLE.-Robe

AMERICANS AT THE TABLE.-Robert
Chambers, in his recent volume OIL Things
in America, remarks, that person accus-
toned to visit among the middle classes in
Great Britain, is astonshed at the profuslon
at table in all quarters of America. There
u.s." he says, "no stinting as to food" He
adds at was often pressed to my notice in
the United States, that the hired laborers
IN the field are provided with better fare
than falls to the lot ofthousands Of the gen.
teeP classes in England"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

VEGETABLE DIEr.-A lad who had late.
" gone out TO service having had sallad
served up for dinner every day for week
ran away, and when he was asked why he
left his place, replied, "they made me ca,
grass i the summer, and | wur AFRAID
they'd make me eat hay i the winter, and
7 would not stand that; so wur oil
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

house, furnished him with clothes anu ss,'
him some money. He was thas enaoieu 10
reach Banjalouka. where he obtained s'.-
uaton in shop. Here it was his soou ,of- 4
tune to meet with favorable turn IN 'he
current of his history. His employer nau
a charming daughter. Omer was not IN,
sensible to her attractions. The young si'i
could not without emotion see this eXlie
pursued by msfortune-this brave ana gai'
liant engineer reduced to the position OF
clerk-that hand so elegant and white ye'
50 energetic and manly, doomed to the IL,
glorious occupation of holding pen instead
of welding a sword.
The two young people understand each
other without speaking together ana Tue Id
ther clearly saw what was going on between
them without being admitted to the coEtl-
dence of either. One morning he sent "
mer two presents, one consisting OF mar
riage ring with an inventory OF his effects.
and the other of purse full OF gold with a
beautiful sabre. Omer at once understood
the choice that was offered him, the fortune
of the trader and the hand OF his daughter,
or departure and military life, with the
means of getting to the nearest camp. He
hesitated a while. but at length decided to
keep the ring aud the inventory, and return
the sabre and the purse.
On the following day the two young peo-
pie were betrothed amid great family re-
ioicings. But the day after, the young la
dy, overpowered by her good fortune, was
taken ill, never to recover. For week or
more her father and pighted lover watched
over her with the tendere>t solicitude, and
received her last sigh with tears. Then
the merchant once more presented the sa-
bre aud the purse TO the young man, with
these words cit is the will of God 1t
was so decreed May glory be moIe true
to you than happiness !" Omer now ac-
cepted the weapon, and, kissing the icy
hand of his departed angel, set out for Wld-
din, where he became Hussein's ald-de'
camp, as we have already stated. After
the death of the pasha of WiddIn. Omer
went to Constantinople, and there rose rap
;dly from rank 10 rank, TIL he reached that
of mushir, and was appointed, IN 1892 to
the chief command of the Ottoman forces
in consequence of his distinguished merit
aud eminent success.
Such is what can be accomplished by
pair of gloves-in good hands.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

~ A gentleman. at late fashionable
assembly, being asked which of the ladies of
the company he thought the most beautl-
fuI replied, "Why, madam, they are ell
beautiful but that lady, think, (polniing
to Miss Bunce, who was dressed in the
extreme of fashlon) outstrips them ALL
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

RACE FOR A HUSBAND.-There lived in
Gloucester county, New Jersey, an old wld-
over, named Peter, who was an odd COM
pound of whim and caprice; his crcum'
stances were not afiluent; nor yet INDECENT,
but was considered comfortable AT no
GREAT distance from his farm resided buX-
ON widow. about four feet in height, andi
was said that her attitude was nearly the
true guage of the circumference OF her
waist. In the same direction, though fur
ther from the residence OF Peter, lived an
other widow. named Amey. These ladies
were competitors for the favorable regard
Of the widower. Peters mind was long un.
decided which of the two widows should
have the preference Amey was beyond "A
doubt the most beautiful, but then Christina
was corpulent, and Of course was "more oil
her"
He at last hit upon an expedient 10 bring
the affair to a concluSion-he wrote billet
to each, purportlng that he had also sent
for her competitor, and was resolved 10
marry the one who should first arrive ct his
house; lad was dispatched with the pair
of bll.ts, and first delivered the one adj
dressed to Amey, whose residence was most
remote from that of the lovesick swain
She Immediately ordered her feetest horse
to be sadded, while she arrayed herself in
her best attire. By lucky chance horse
stood saddled at the gate of Christina who
was ready dressed to pay visit to neigh
bor when the messenger delivered Peters
billet; she quickly mounted her courser,
but no sooner had she got into the road that
lead to Peters house, and cast her eyes in
d,rectiou towards Amey's residence, than
she saw her rival rushing after her with the
swiftne>s of the wind; and away went
Christina and Amey whipping for dear life,
with their bonnets gracefully hanging on
their backs. Both ladies being equally well
mounted, Christina preserved the lead, and
after race of quarter Of mile, she
bounced into Peters door, exclaiming-
well, here am, Peter-I got here first :"
The old gentleman expressed his happiness
by phegmatic "alas day y
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

NOVEL USE OF THE DAGUERREoTYPE
Akr.-More than four hundred daguerreo'
type pictures have been already sent from
the seat of war to Paris, representing the
acts and deeds of the army both on land
and sea, under all aspects and circumstan'
ces, and with most mathematical precision
So far has this been carried, that all the re,
ports to the Minister Of War are accompanl'
ed by daguerreotype illustrations Of most re-
markable precision.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

AN EXCESS OF HApPINESs.-An old la
DIV while lrdulgng, few evenings since
in "reminiscences of her girlhood, when she
had lots of beaux, exclaimed, "Why the
truth is. that at one time | was so happy
that was fairly uncomfortable"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

az Washington Irving we'll described
our Government as logOcracy, or a gov
ernmeut of words, in which it seems to be
the business of every human being to mUke
speech,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

REMEMBER THis.-There is no greater
obstacle in the way Of success in life, than
trusting for something TO tuIn up, instead
Of going to work and turning up something.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

THE AMERICAN IDEA.-When one idea
predominates strongly above all Others IT Is
kew to nations history. The great idea
of Rome, that which the child drank IN
with his mothers milk, was Dominion
The great idea Of France is Glory. In des'
potisms, the idea of the king or the church
possesses itself OF the minds of the people
and superstitious loyalty Or plety becomes
the badge of the Inhabitants. The most IN
terestng view of this country is the gran
deur of the idea which has determined Its
history, and which is expressed in all ITS
institutions. Take away this, and we have
nothing to distinguish US. In the refined
arts, in manners, in works Of genius, we are
as yet surpassed From our youth and IN
sulated position, our history has no dazzling
briliancy. But one distinction belongs to
us. A great idea. from the beginning, has
been working in the minds of this people,
and it broke forth with peculiar energy in
our revolution. This is the idea OF human
rights.-Chdnning.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

VALUE OF MANUscRIPT.-The orlel'
nal manuscript of Gray's elegy was lately
sold al auction in London. There was re-
ally a.'scene" in the auction room. I'm
agine a stranger entering in the midst OF a
sale of some rusty looking old books. The
auctioner produces taco small half sheets o.
paper, written over, torn and mutilated.-
He calls it "a most interesting article" and
apologizes for its condition. Pickering bids
g1O Rodds, Foss. Thorpe, Bohn, Hol'
way, and some few amateurs quietly re-
mark, twelve, twenty, twenty-five, thirty
and so on, ill there is pause at s'rfy'
three pounds. The hammer strikes.
"Hold !" says Mr.. Foss.
at is mine," says the amateur.
"No, I bid sixty.ive in time"
Then bid seventy"
"Seventy- says Mr.. Foss; and flves
are repeated again, until the two bits ol
paper are knocked down, amidst general
cheer, to Payen and Foss, for one hundred
pounds srring' On these bits OF paper
are written the first drafts of the elegy in
country church yard, by Thomas Gray, IN
cluding five verses which were omitted IN
publication, and with the poets lnterlIneaI
corrections and aterations-certainly an
'interesting article - several persons sup
os,d il would call forth ten pound note,
perhgps even twenty.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10
STAUNTON SPECTATOR
RYJ. A, &L. WADDELL, Jr.
TER MS.

~. The "sPECT4TOR'' is published once 'gsek'
at Tso Dollars year. paid in adOanee' or TOO DOT
i.,, and Ftu Cents delayed beyond the expiration o.
t, vrar No subscription ioN be discontinued 6ut at me
s,iion of the Editors, until all arredragss are pad
10 Al COMMUNICATIONS 10 the Efitors 6y ma" must
Be post paid or uey tciH not be attended TO- :
ADVERTISEMENTS Of thirteen lines (or Isss,)
IN serted ree times for one dollar, and cent nee cents
for each subsequent continuance Larger advertisements
tnserted IN the same proportion ,
Iiberal discount made 10 those ,oho advertise By the
gear.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

A DROP OF OIL.-Every man who lives
in a house, especially if the house be bis
own, should oil all the various parts oil 1t
once in two or three months. The house
will last much longer, and will be much
more quiet to live in. Oil the locks, bolts
and hinges of the street door. and it will
shut gently with luxurious ea>e, and with
the use of little amount of force. neg
ected lock requires great force to cause 1t
to shut, and with so much violence that the
whole house, its doors, its windows, It's very
floors aud joists are much shaken, and IN
time they get out of repairs IN all sorts OF
ways, TO say nothing Of the dust that is dis
placed every time the place is so shaken
The incessant banging of doors, scroopins
of locks, creaking and screaming OF hinges
is a great discomfort. Even the bell-wlre
cranks should sometimes be oiled, and they
will act more certainly and with such gen
tie force that there will be little danger OF
breaking any part of them. The castors OF
tables and chairs should be sometimes Oil
ed, and they will move with such gentle I'M
pulse and so quietly that a sleeping child or
an old man is not awakened. A well oiled
door-lock opens and shuts with hardly
whisper. Three pennywortE's of oil used
in large house once year, will save ma.
ny shilings in locks and other material, and
IN the end will save many pounds in even
the substantial repairs of house and an
old wife living and sleeping in quiet repose
will enjoy many more years of even tenn
per and active usefulness. Housekeepers,
pray do not forget the oil. A stitch in time
saves nine, and drop in time saves pounds.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

tastes DIFFER.-In lecture on whal
he has seen abroad, Wendell Phillips oo-
serves:
In Italy you will see man breaking uF
his land wth two cows and the root OF
tree for plough, while he is dressed IN
skins with the hair on. In Rome, Vienna
and Dresden, if you hire man TO saw wood
he does not bring horse along. He new
er had one or his father before him. he
puts one end of the saw on the ground, and
The other in his breast, and taking the wood
in his hand, rubs against the saw. 1t Is a
solemn fact that in Florence, city fllled
with the triumph Of art, there is not SIN
gle auger, and if carpenter would bore
hole, he does it with red hot poker. This
results not from the want Of industry, bu
of sagaciiy OF thought. The people are by
no means idle. They toll early and late
men, women and children, with an industry
that shames labor-saving Yankees. Thus
he makes labor, that the poor must I've
In Rome charcoal is principally used for fu'
ell, and you will see string of twenty mules
bringing little sacks of 1t upon their backs
when one mule could draw all OF it IN
cart. But the charcoal vender never had
cart. and so he keeps his mules and feeds
them. This is from no want OF industry
but there is no competition.
A Yankee always looks haggard and ner,
vous, as if he were chasing dollar. With
US money is everything; and when we &c
abroad, We are surprised to find that the
dollar has ceased to be almighty. If a Yam
kee refuses to do JOB for fifty cents, he
will probably do it for a dollar, and will GER
tainly do ii for five. But one of the lazaro'
nj of Naples, when he has earned two cents
and eaten them, will work no more that day
if YOU offer him ever so large sum. He
has earned enough for the day, and wants
no more. So there is no eagerness Tor ma
king money, no motive Tor it, and every
body moves slowly.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

POWER OF WOMEN IN TURKEY.-A man
meeting a woman in the street, turns has
head from her. as if it were forbidden to
look at her: they seem to detest an lmpu-
dent woman, to shun and avoid her. Any
one, therefore, among the Christians, who
NAV have discussions or alterations with
Turks, if he has woman of spirit, or vi
rago for his wife, sets her to reVIle and
browbea al them, and by these means not un-
frequently gains his point. The highest
DISGRACE and shame would attend Turk
who should rasbly lit his hand against a
woman: {: all he can venture to do is to treat
her with harsh and contemptuous words, or
to march off. The sex lay such stress on
this privilege. that they are frequently apt
to indulge their passions TO excess to be
most unreasonable in their claims, and vio-
lent and irregular in the pursuit of them
They will importune' tease and insult a
;udGe on the bench, or even the vizier al
his diyan. The officers of justice do not
know how to resent their turbulence; and
# is n general observation that, to get rid
of them, they often let them gain their
cause.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-10

enioyed matrimonial experience-was him
self parent-and was well qualified to
svmpathize with the young widow. They
sought mutual consolation in marriage
But scarce was the honeymoon over, when
that mutual consolation was followed by
mutual surprise. Fanny learned to her sor-
row that all husbands are not equally fond
and ndulgent; and the bridegroom discov.
cred that Mrs. F.. No. 2 wasn't the exact
counterpart of Mrs. F. No. l. The contrast
was, in fact, so vast and amazing that il
seemed 10 require solitude and quiet, 10 con-
slider it in ali its bearings. Accordingly
Mr.. Harrington resorted to travel and change
of scene, journeyed westward, and has not
since been seen on the down-east slope OF
the continent. The slender tie Of affection
between the happy pair. thus long drawn
out, like thread of India rubber finally
snapped. From, the auction mart Of one OF
our Western courts. it is said that Mr. F.
gave out three warnings; -cr;ed-' Going
going !-gone !" and knocked down his
wife with the hammer OF oivorce. Fanny
was regularly sold. So the story goes. It
is also rumored that she was at one time
connuhially advertised IN the papers. We
state these items as mere reports. although
we have them from seeming y authentic
sources. Should there be mistake any
where, it will be cheerfuly corrected.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-29
TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.

The annual meeting of the Vermont State
Temperance Society will be holden at Ludlow,
on "Wednesday the 10Th day Of January next,
commencing at o'clock, afternoon and will
continue through that and the next day.
Owing to the cars both from the east and west
arriving at Ludlow little after one O'Clock, p.
NJ, we have thought it advisable to delay the
hour of meeting 10 that time. The meeting in
the afternoon Of that day will therefore BE- very
much Of business character, and we hope gem
tlemen will cUme prepared to present, at this
session, all matters of business, that the Society
may have time to consider and act upon the
same.
The report Of the Executive Committee will
he made in the evening, at which time the choir
ate invited to be present. Ladies are also invi-
ted to attend our meetings Al arrangements
relative to the sessions on Thursday will be made
by the Society.
We hope friends Of temperance will adopt
measures to secure liberal representation from
all paris Of State
ALpAcE WALKER,
ZiMRI Howe, r.
CHESTER SPENCER, : G r-'''"'"'
JosEPH PERKINS, NON""'''''
II. +. LEAvlrr,
Castlelon, December 10, 1855
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-29

FREScH EVACUATION OF THE CRIMEA. The
Paris correspondent of the New York Even
ing Post writes "Marshal Pelssier, the French
general, demands permission to evacuate the
Crimea forthwith He declares that il is i'm
possible to continue operations there on accoun,
Of the wan, Of water for tho horses Of the ar
my, as the Russians have poisoned the wells,
and he asks what is the use Of keeping an ar
my of 100000 men shut up in their intrench-
men,s. 1t will be sufficient TO leave garrisons
at four OF five points. But there is much fear
here in regard to the moral effect of an evac-
uaiion of The Crimea The matter is still IN
decided. 1t is probable, however, that the ad-
vice of Marshall Pelissier will be adopted. II
is also said that England wishes next spring,
TO undertake alone the maritime expedition
against Cronstadt, reserying TO herself however
the privilege of demanding the aid of French
army for Decentralization, in case ofnecessity.'