davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
CoCK-F1GHrING AND PIeEoN-sHooT1NG


In Valencia, it is eomnie il faut to go to the
cockpit. This is handsome little threatre
on the banks of the Turia, where, on two days
in the week, particularly if they happen to be
saints days, the stranger may be entertained
or disgusted with this very Spanish amuse-
ment. Cock fighting here is second only to
bull-fghting, to which all things are second
It makes the blood run and your Iberian is
lover Of it, even though it be chickens blood.
Attached to the theatre is large pennery,
where clippled roosters are kept to fight
against each other, and all comers. The John
Bulls are esteemed the most pugnacious; be-
ing fed on roast beef and plum pudding, prob
ably. There being no Yankees in the roOst,
the BritiSher is warranted to lick any cocks,
Christian or Infidel, that may presume to crow
at him. He is understood to beat the Gallo
cocks, out and out, except it be in GROWING
His own neck he rarely deigns to use for this
purpose on more than two occasions,-frst,
when he goes into the ring, and last, when,
having struck his antagonist the fatal blow,
he goes out of it.
The process of cock-fghting being feat at
arms which has delighted every boy who has
ever seen a barn-yard, needs no description.
The only difference is, that what at the farm
house is done according to nature, is done in
the pit scientific principles, and after the
rules laid down in the books. The champions
must be duly and shockihgly clipped. Particu-
larly, their tail feathers must be cut of short.
All their beautiful plumage must be sacrificed
on the altar of Mars, before they are deemed
worthy to fight his battles. They are not even
allowed combs, crowns, or top-knots. The
wretched plight they have been reduced to
before entering the arena, takes away WELL
nigh all the beholder's pity for them. Such
hideous-looking brutes might fight till dooms-
day; and all Spanish eyes, at least, would re-
tain their constitutional dryness. Should the
contest last so long as a quarter of an hour, or
more, there will be so much the more time
for betting and at the end of it the durO, will
be tossed across the pit, from loser to winner,
as thick and fast as hailstones. There are
judges present, sitting in seats of authority,
to decide all nice points. But the well-prac-
tised eyes of the audience rarely make mis-
take, and quickly detect any attempt at foul
play. All is done decently and in order. The
birds are either killed outright, or with
drawn when disabled. In drawn game they
are parted and they are hooted out of the
pit when they decline taking part in the per-
formances. This, however, rarely happens.
For cocks in Spain are always as mad as March
hares. They viii fight, and crow, as long as
they can stand, and often much longer than
they see. Poor things! their little life
was not given them to be thus sported away !;
they were made to have their heads cut off at
a single blow. But tits partly their own fault
If they will keep such dreadful tempers!
Whoever may not fancy going to the cock
fight, may go down to the dip of the Turia, to
witness the pigeon-shooting. 'Tis more hu-
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
THE NEW-MOWN HAY.
BY PARK BENJAMIN

III PARK BENJAMIN
Talk not to me of southern bowers.
Of oders breathed from tropic flowers
Or spice-trees after rain
But of these sweets that freely flow
When June's fond breezes stir the low
Grass, heaped along the plain.
This morning stood the vardant spears,
All wet with diamond dew-the tears
By Night serenely shed;
This evening like an army slain,
They number the pacific plain
With their fast fading dead.
And when they fell, and all around
Such perfumes in the air abound
As if long g-hidden hives
or sudden richness were unsealed,
When on the freshly trodden field
They yeielded up their lives.
In idle mood love to pass
These ruins of the crowded grass,
Or listlessly to lie,
Inhaling the delicious scents
Crushed from those downcast verduous tents,
Beneath the sunset sky.
It is pure delight, which they
Who d well in cities, far away
From rural scenes so fair,
Can never know in lighted rooms,
PerYaded by exotic bloom
This taste Of natura! air.
This air, so softened by the breath
Rxhaled and waited from the death
OF herbs that simply bloom,
And scarcely noted, like the best
Dear friends, with whom this world is blest,
Awaits the common doom
And leave behind such sweet regret
As in our heart as living yet;
Though heroes pass away
Talk not to me of southren bowers,
Or odoTs breathed from tropic flowers,
But of the new-mown hay.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18

RED MEN AHEAD.-A friend, some time ago.
handed US a paper published in the Indian
country, partly in the Choctaw language, in
which we observed that the wise men of the
Teachers at forty dollars per month. In this
enlightened portion of the world, the far-see-
ing people pay as low as twenty dollars per
month, for the performance of this most i'm
portant and responsible labor. May We not
learn wisdom from the sslone red man?"
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18


UsE OF Two EYEs.-To embrace all the OBJ
jects before US, and sec them with dstinctness,
we require two eyes, because one is always
blind to a certain point before it which is seen
by the otEer. To prove that such is the case,
we may perform the following experiment.
On the wall of room, or on sheet of black
paper held up for the purpose, fix three waters
in a row, three inches apart from each other,
and then place yourself directly in front of
them, at the distance OF from one to two feet.
Shut your right eye and look at them ixedly
and steadily for one OF two minutes with the
left. You will now see only two waters, sup
pose the first and second in the row; on alter
ing your position, you will see the third and
the first; altering again, you will see the sec
ond and third; but never by any movement,
will all the three be seen together.
The cause of this phenomenon is, that there
is a certain point in the retina, at the junction
with the optic nerve, which does not receive
impressions-that is, does not picture objects
like other parts of the mirror-and on this
minute point the impression of the unseen
wafer falls. We observe from this experiment
the use of two eyes, for the person who has
only one, can never see at once three objects
placed in the position We have mentioned, nor
all the sorts of one object of the same extent,
without altering the situation Of his eye
Chambers Miscellany.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
Buttru.
FOOTSTEPS OF ANGELS.

BY HENRY W. LoSGFELLow.
When the hours of day are Numbered,
When the voices of the night
Wake the better soul that slumberd
TO a holy, calrn delight;
Ere the evening lamps are lighted
And, like phantoms grim and tall
Shadows from the fitful freight
Dance upon the parlor-wall;
Then the forms of the departed
=, Enter at the open door;
Then beloved ones, the rue-hearted,
Come to visit me once more;
He, the young and strong, who cherish d
Noble longings for the strife,-
By tn road side fell and perish'd,
Weary with the march oflife;
They, the holy ones and weakly,
Who the cross of suffering BORE
Folded their pale hands SO meekly'-
Spake with us on earth no more!
And they with them the Being Beauteous,
Who unto my youth was given,
More than all things else to love me,
And is now saint in heaven.
With slow and noiseless footstep,
Comes the messenger divine.
Takes the vacant chair beside me,
Lays her gentle hand in mine.
And she sits and gazes at me,
With those deep and tender eyes,
Like the stars, so still and sainthke,
Looking downward from the skies.
Utter'dsnot, yet comprehended,
Is the spirits voiceless prayer;
Soft rebukes, in blessings ended,
Breathing from her lips of air.
o, though oft depressed and lonely,
All my fears are laid aside,
If but remember only
Such as these have lived and died
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18

DS A lady being asked what business her
husband followed, said be was engaged in
ss finishing'' Further information was neces-
sary, and after brief hesitation, she contin-
ued, sc finishing his time in the State Prison.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18

GE LeYity of manners and conversation, IA
vors almost every vice. and repulses every vir-
tue.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18

To- Holiness, the most lovely thing that
exists, is sadly unnoticed and unknown upon
earth.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18

U- a lady in Cincinnati has recently had
remarkable experience with new Irish girl.
Biddy,', said she, one evening, &c we must
have some sausages for tea this evening, I
expect company"
ss Yes, ma 'am."
Tea time arrived, and with it the COMPANY
the table was spread, the tea was simmering,
but no sausages appeared.
Where are the sausages, Biddy Q" the lady
inquired.
Sf AM sure they're in the teapot, ma'am.
Didn't you tell me must have 'em for ia ~
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14

CoSTRADIcTIoS The following sentences, it
appear formed par. of the GRAFTON delivered before
the " Aneri Order in this city, the 4th inst
and was inserted in The National lHtegeneer Of the
9Th:
The Popes Nunco Spain beftre the Cabinet OF the
President was known the pubic here. declared Madrid
that me present. Pcf1dste General Cataoiie troHd bs
me CABINET Gener0i Pierce There is other and abun
proof confirm the opinion that th. appointment
secured the Roman Hierarchy before the CdSr rofe
oaf fer the tresenf Incumbent"
Having thus given currency to the statement it is
rroper that We give equal publicity to the contradict
ton Of it by TIE Union Newspaper. That journal of
Yesterday pronounces the statement untrue and
that +" there never and never could b. particle
"of foundation in truth for absurd statement.
ave know of our own knowledge, and from sources
which put the question beyond the possibility Of con
troversy that the above allegation must be false IN
form false in substance, false m general false IN de-
tail" National lntelligencer
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
FEMALE PHYSICIANS.
liror Of Ire \. \. TribKne.

To ne Editor Of Tire u TribEHe'
SIR 1 notice in recent number Of your paper an
article on Female Physicians" in which you give
al outline of the NOV emen in favor of female Medical
Education in this country. With your permission
would add to that history few items which were
probably not known to you at the time you prepared
the above mentioned article
Professor A. Curtis publicly advocated the rights of
woman to Il Medical Education as early as the year
1887 both writing and addressing numerous audiences
on tie subject. la 1896 he delivered a course OF
lectures TO ladies liz this City discoursng to them
uIon Anatomy, Physiology, Midwifery, and Medical
Sees &c IL general One hundred and twenty ladies
listened to nearly all these leciurcs. This so Car as
am aware was the first class of the kind formed in
America; and from that date until the present time
trof Curtis has lecurcd TO ladies medical subjects
every Year both alone and in connection with other
teachers. he spoke before the Society of Ladies
when took so active part in establishing the Boston
female Medlca College, and delivered one of the in
sroductory addresses at the opening OF the similar
Institution in Philadelphia.
In tie Fall Of lsf9 the Eclectic Medical College at
Syracuse, New-fork admitted woman 20 It's halls aud
gave her all the privileges of collegiate medical iu-
tuueton Seven lady students attended at that course
= lectures, among whom was Mrs. L. T. Fowler NJ
a., aierwsrd a teacher in the female department of
,ne sane Institution. Tois the first time that
~onSn was welcomed TO the lore of Medical College,
CIV mat pioneer school Of Female Medical Educa-
l,S;.. ats had the regular attendance of number Of
''qts Of all Its sessions
. . oe Spring Of 1881 the Physio-Medic College Of
NY opened its dooEs 10 woman, admitting her to
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14

Tie Boston Herald is responsible for the following.
The vel erabe and vouble old female snui-taker is
perfect character, in her way. She is a feminine
"brick" Hear her upon question of Morals and
Wag- But we have not e0me to that yet. Read on:
"Now. there's them boys-young men they're
called-boys | call them. There they are-Abner
and Dan'el-smart boys-good famy-very respect
able foks-very-v-ery Known EN- ever so long
live down in Springfeld-folks well to do in the
word-pious folks, too. And there's them boys Alb
ner ard Daniel. Both of em-Abner twenty-five,
Daniel twenty two. There they are. Folks church
goin people Orthodox. There's them boys. OPP
posed TO the liquor law-both of EN-. Bad as in nd
dies Suppose they don't beeve in no Hell. 1t aw-
full. Perfectly awful Awful Both of EN-
Here The venerable matron took an alarming
pinch of snuff-mind, she had been punctuating the
above remarks with constant pinches, but here she
came to a full stop with one that really wonder
full. She survived it, however, and then went on.
Both them boys took notion to ride. Sunday, too.
Sabbath. breakn'. What d they care ? All days one
to Than 'spose Perhaps don't b'leeve in no Sab
bath. Don't b'eeve in no nOthin. Took notion to
90 out on rice. Down they went to the stables.
Livery stables. They went 10 a livery stable. And
there they hired a-ttey hired a-let me see what
tcas it they hiredl
"'Ceniage suggested my friend
NO, no. wait minute; what ras 1T They
hired e-a-'
"'Claise buggy l-carryal The limited in rapid
succession.
"'No, no. no; wait minute. I'll think ont in a
minu'e. They hired a--they hired a--rh0t was it
they hired =
80 Cart l-tilbury l-phaton gig he again sug-
gested, really growing curious to know what 1t tcas
they hired.
No no. no. Lorda-massy, what was it Let
Inc see. 1t was at was a Here she ,ookanother
alarming pinch
Hardcart l-wheelbarrow donkey cart dirt
cart 7-dray furniture wagon
"'No, no, no, Sir; | tell you no. 7 warnt any of
EN-. 1t was ait a-sake's alive, what was the
name of il p
60 Fire-eDgine locomotive p go-cart l-Jugger-
maui 1-balloon 2watering cart broke out my friend
in desperation.
"'No no, no. DO wait minute Lord-a-massy,
it's strange forget it. They hired a-they hiced "a
Here she came to dead pause, meditated, and
took snuf largely
The yoluble old lady got hold of it at last. They
had hired rehicle "a species of Wagon she had
not heard of before
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14

JONI RANDOLPH "HEADED."-Of the many
amusing anecdotes Of this eccentric Of Roanoke,
we do not believe the following ever in print.
he travelling through part Of Virginia in
which he unaequainted; meantime he stopped
during the night an inn near the forks of the road.
The nnk eeper fine gentleman and doubt of one
OF the first families in the Old Dominion. knowing
who his distinguished guest wac be endeayored during
the evening to draw him into conversation bat failed
in al his efforts. But in the morning. when dr. Ran
doph ready TO start, be called for his bill which
on being presented, was paid. The landlord, still
anxious to have conversation with him, began es
follows:
(Which way are you travelling Mr.. Randolph"
SSH said Mr.. Randolph, with look of dis
pleasure: "Have paid my bill ?"
"Yes."
"DO owe you anything morel"
"No.r
"WeIl, I'm going just where please-do you I'M
derstaIdl"
"Yes.'
The landlord by this time got somewhat excited,
and Mr.. Randolph drove of. But TO the landlords
surprise in few minutes the servant came to inquire
for his master which Of the forks Of the road to take
Mr. Randolph, not being out of hearing distance, be
spoke at the top Of his voice: Mr.. Randolph, you
don't owe me one cent; just take which road you
please"
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
STRANGE ACTIVITY OF AN INSANE
WOMAN.
Eron The Rnnaor Mercnrv. JnIu II.

WHITNEY, Thursday, June 81, 1855.
There ia woman in this town who for the past ten
wears hes been insane II is not fully kno yn what the
cause was that led to this very peculiar state of her
mind About eiyheen years she lost her husband,
but since that time she has performed the duties OF
her household with as much care as Is common
cooks washes does all the household work without as
sistance or guidance. But unlike most women she
SPENDS 10 useless time indoors engaged on he nicer
Kinds of lace work, or even at the toilet. She has
ork to do and all her energies are given TO it. As
soon as the dishes washed, furniture set in order
she lights her pipe and starts for the field.
About six rods from her house are two small hills
which she is at work in leveling They about IL
feet high, and the top contain nearly quarter OF an
acre During the past ten years all her leisure mo-
nents lave been thus occupied. Early in the morn
ing with her hoe and crowbar, which are the only
tools she uses che starts for these hitops and there
works till night She carries the small stones TO the
foot of the Ill., rolls the large ones and the dirt hoes
down. In this way she has lowered ole hill more than
feet the other Al.
The work she has performed is said to be more than
any one in this town could have done in the same
time with the same tools. The stones alone she has
carried to the foot of the hill would require the Ia
Dor of five men and four two months to remove.
Notwithstanding this immense and continuous labor,
she enjoys at this time the very best of health.
When in the house about her work she Is perfectly
rational, never destroys anything and Is guilty OF no
cunning tricks, such as crazy people generally are
She her sons wood TO heat up large rocks, which
she cannot remove without breaking, then pours water
upon hem Smelling them into small pieces to enable
her TO carry them into the valley.
Upon almost every subject Of the day she ex-
presses herself having IDEAS peculiar to herself
alone In Scriptures she is well versed The
word Sun is not properly speled-she contends it is
Nus because it nourishes the earth. The wonderful
Aurora Bereals is the Devils fire; and stars the
sparks that rise up when the Devil stirs it. She has
had occasional encounters with this parsonage while
at her work on the hills. Once he attempted TO take
her crorJar from her. 1t was badly bent in the strug
gle and her face scratched but she Ovepowered him.
She has great faith in charms, or what she calls
poweI-stones her bed accordingly filed with these
stones which she takes from the hills-also the win
dows corners and various other parts of the house.
She puts them also around her corn which she plants
atty, though all the soil is removed Theee stones
size ASSURES people keep off the witches and make the
corn grow.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
SCHOOLS FOR THE POOR.

To the Editor Of The " " Tribune.
SIR: Every one interested in the Schools for the
'Poor" will be glad to see the question of your Cor
respondent yesterday "A Friend of Children" None
has any personal interest in these Schools, desires
them carried on if their necessity be avoided But
when our Superintendent Of Common Schools, Mr..
Randall reports the number of children in New-iork
City destitute of public instruction 50, 0O0 when
the Police of one Ward, the Eleventh returns 5000
children as the number of non-attendants of Public
Schools il is rather evident that something needs TO
he done for the instruction of the children of the poor
And when the commitments to the Iombs for single
wear show 1000 boys and girls and 200 arrests
of minors, il would appear that something also was
needed for the elevation and moral education OF tins
class.
liza "Friend of Children" can suggest any better
mode than the Industrial School for structng this
class we wish earn, silly he would. The hint recently
made in your columns Is excelent-of compelling by
lac every streeichd TO attend some schools but who
that knows the City doubt that II never could be
executed There are probably 10000 street-ehildren
at the least now-thieves and beggars and vagabonds
many of them employed by parents-all cunning,
artful and quick 10 cvade police and Law. They used
TO sir0yaa over some parts of the City. The police
would be ncessanty occupied in arresting and dis
patching 10 school such thrOng. IL r0Htd Rerer be
done, unless most wisely the City Government should
employ distinct officers TO look up from house TO house
the ignorant and vagrant children.
The parents make proht of such chdren-that Is
the great secret of it alland they sent out on
tie streets This is met in the Industrial Schools by
teaching the children some industrial branch and by
giving them the clothes they The ladies too 80
IRON house 10 house and persuade the most vicious to
educate their children.
OF thee schools as a religious and moral influence
on vicious and abandoned class we will not speak
here though as mere economical matter, that Is
worth con sideIng for every child sentenced for crimes
to our House of Refuge for the usual two years costs
alone some $500 or s4O0.
Your correspondent is mistaken about the expenses
of the Industrial Schools and the income of collectors,
&c. Not one School that we know Of pays any one
ANYTHING but the salar'ed teacher ane her assistant,
who Get from $500 10 $500 each per annum, which Is
little enough The other labor collecting and teach
ing &C. all voluntary far as the School is con-
cerned and . with much trouble. Most OF the
schools uies, rent, food and clothing for $50
TO 2oC cost only some u, zoo per ahnul, OF
an ave 81 of ss to sc year for each child.
NJ, Isyi Inly H. ishs COMMON SENSE.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14

Southern journal gives an amusing instance Of
the Dependencies If Society in the following domestic
dialogue. The father is reading the newspaper and
mutters:
No rise in the rvers-never going to rise, be-
ieve, wife"
LI11LE DAUGHTER. 81 wish the rivers could rise
FATHER. "Why, what have yoa got to do with the
rivers rising ~
LITTLE DAUGHTER. "A great deal, father for
then the beats would rum"
FATHER. And what have You to do with the boats
running my child, eh }"
LI1TIE DAUGHTER. "They would bring the cotton
down, father
FATuER looking over his spectacles). And what
have you to do, darling, with cotton bales
LITTLE DAUGHTER. "Why, if the cotton was down
you would be able to sell it, you know, dear father"
smilingly.
FATnin. "And what then 2"
LITTLE DAUGHTER. "You would have plenty of
money"
FAIHYR "Wenl"
LITTLE DAUGHTER laying her little hand on his
shoulder and looking up ioto his face - Then you
could pay mother that twenty dollar gold piece you
borrowed of her. you know, father.
FATHER. "And what then, child ~
LITTLE DAUGHTER "Then mother could pay Aunt
Sarah the ten dollars she owes her.
FATHER. "Ay-indetd. And what then :"
LITTLE DAUGHTER. " And Aunt Sarah would pay
Sister Jane the dollar she promised TO give her on
New-Year's, but didn't because she didn't have any
cotton-any money | mean, father"
FATHER. well and what eLsei" He lays down
the N wspaper and looks her cautiously with half
a SMILE.
Little DAUGHTER. SISTER Jane would pay
brother John his fifty cents back and he said, when
lie got it he would give the slf dime he owes me,
want the rivor to for and the big boats TO run
And | owe nurse the other dime and must pay my
debis, "
"Pa looked at Ma There it is he said
eve are all big and little like a row of bricks
touch one and away all go even down to little
Carrie here. She has, a child, great interest
in the rise of the river have. We all, old and
Young, waiting for money TO buy marbles"
good lesson for debtor and creditor too and well
enforced.