davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
n III Il OLD.
BY MRS. sIGoURNEY.


.s'OLDl' Can you remember how you felt
when that adjective was first coupled with
your name? Perhaps your milliner, in fit-
ling a new hat, chanced to remark, that
was becoming fashion for an Old lady;'
or some coachman, by way of recommend
ing his carriage, might have added, it was
remarkably easy for an old gentleman to
get in and out Of
'Old indted!' How officious and rude
these common people are! Whereupon,
you have consulted your mirror, and been
still more indignant at their stupidity!
But you may have been more gently
helped along to this conclusion, by the cir
cumstance Of paternity. Old Dir. and Mrs.
setiin opposition with young Mr.. and Mrs,
lose much of their discordance, and be-
come familiar household words. The sat
isfaction ofhearing your eldest darling thus
distinguished. had softened the bitterness
-ofyOur own unhattering cognomen. Pos
sibly, you have been moved magnanimous-
ly to exclaim, with the seutentious Ossian,
Let the name of Morni be forgotten among
the people, if they will only say, Behold
the father of Gaul'
Still, tits hard to have quietus sudden
ly put upon long cherished hopes and van
tiles. The baby shall not be named after
me- said young parent Of his first born,
for it will be old John and young John,
while l am yet in my prime i wish my
son had not taken it into his head to marry
80 early said lady ina remarkably fine
state Of preservation; for now, suppose,
it must be old Madam, and young Madam.
The unmarried whose recollections can
disect century, are prone to be annoyed
at the disposition to pry into dates, and are
sure that no well-bred person would be
guilty of such absurd curiosity.
Yet to cover the tracks of time, and put
family records out of theway, are of little
avail. There will be-. here and there, a
memory stubbornly tenacious ofcronologi-
cal matters, and whoever labors to conceal
his proper date, will usually find some Ar
gus to watch over and reveal it.
But, after ALL what is there so frightful
in this little Saxon word oldP This COLO
cation Of three innocent letters, why do they
thrill the hearts of so many fair women and
brave men, with terror and aversion2
Is everything that is old deterioated?
What do you think of old wine2 We can
not, indeed, say quite as much about that,
in these temperance times, as Anacreon
did. But I've always understood, when
physicians recommended its tonic or re-
storative powers in medicine, it was the
old, and notthe near. Ask the epicure to
partake of new cheese. Saith he not, No:
the old is better Does any one question
the correctness of his taste? What do you
say of an old friend, that best cordial ol
life? Blessings on his smile, and on the
hearty grasp Of his hand. What if lie
does come, leaning on his staff? There is
no winter in his heart. He was brought
up in times when friendship was more than
name.
The vine produces more grapes when
it is young, says Bacon, but better grape;
.,tnr. .Rina. ben.itissold. because its Juice:
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

To You've MEN.-We extract the follow
ing beautiful paragraph from the Baccal-
aureate Address lately delivered before the
Graduating Class of Rutgers College, by
the Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen. and COM
mend it to the perusal Of the young;
"Resolve to do something useful, homo
rable. dutifnl, and DO it heartily. Repel
the thought that you can, and therefore
you. may live above labor, and without
work. Among the most pitiful objects Of
society, is the man whose mind has been
trained by education-who has learned
how to think, and with all these noble fac
ulties cultivated and prepared for an hon
orablc activity, ignohly sits down to moth
ing-with no influence over the public
mind-with no interest in the public con
Germs of his neighborhood--to be regard
ed as drone, without object or character
with no effort to put forth to help th'
right or defeat the wrong. Who cal
think with any calmness of such a misera
bic career? And however it may be will
! you in active enterprise never permi
pour influence TO be in hostility to th'
cause of truth and virtue. So live, tha
with the Christian poet, you may truth
fully say that
'lf your country stand not BY four skill,
At least your fOllies have not wrought erfall.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

"Now."-"NoW" is the constant sylia-
ble ticking from the clock oftime. Now
is the watchword of the wise. Now is
the banner of the prudent.
Letus keep this little word always in oui
mind; and whenever anything presents it.
self to us in the shape Of work, whether
mental or physical, we should do it witt
all our might, remembering that no,U is the
only time for us. tits indeed a sorry way
to get through the world by putting it of
till tomorrow, saying, 'Then will doit. >
Mol This will never answer. NoWis ours
then will never be.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
The CHRisT1AN's WoRK.-Dr. Cum
ming beautifully remarks:

The CHRisTrAN's WoRK,-Dr. Cum
ming beautifully remarks:
"The builder builds for a century-we fol
eternity. The painter paints for ageneratior
we for ever. The poet sings for an age
we for ever. The statuary cuts out the
marble that soon perishes--let us try tc
cut out the likeness of Christ to endure fol
ever and ever.
"a hundred thousand men were en-
ployed in Egypt to construct Pyramida
tomb for dead king; let us feel tl,at We
are engaged in far nobler work in con
structing temples for the living God. lr
my humble Judgment, the poorest par
ish school in our land with no other orna
ments than the dew-drops of the morning
to gild it. and the sun beams to shine up
on it, is nobler spectacle than the lofties
European cathedral with its spires glisten
ing in the setting and rising suns OF a thou
sand years."
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
The Mother.

1t has been truly said: "The first being
that rushes to the recollection of soldier
or a sailor, IN his hearts difficulty, is his
mother. She clings to his memory and
affection, in the midst Of all the forgetful-
ness and hardihood induced bya rowing
life. The last message is for her-his last
whisper breathes her name. The mother
as she instils the lessons Of piety and filial
obligation in the heart of her infant son,
should always feel that her labor is not in
vain. She may drop into the grave, but
she has left behind her an influence that
will work for her. The bow is broken but
the arrow is sped, and will do its office y
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

To PRESERVE IRoN AND STEEL KNIVES
From RUsr.-Procure some melted virgin
wax-the purer the better-and rub 1t
thoroughly over the blades of the knives.
After It has dried, warm the knives and
having carefully removed the wax from
the surface, rub them briskly with dry
cloth, until the original polish is fully re-
stored. This will fill all the pores with
the unctuous and minute particles of wax,
which will adhere firmly, and prevent the
intrusion of water or moisture, which is
the cause of rust. They will retain their
brilIiahcy for weeks, if used.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
EIoquence Of the IIa nds.

The hands are by the very instinct of
humanity RI ised in prayer, clasped in af-
fection, wrung in despair on the forehead
when the soul is 'perplexed in the ex-
tremeS drawn inward to invite, thrustforth
objectionately to- repel; the fingers point
to Indicate and are snapped in disdain; the
palm is laid upon the heart in invocation
of subdued feeling and on the brow Of
the compassion in benediction. The i'm
presive capacity of the hands was never
more strkingly displayed than in the prisons
of the deaf and dumb. Their teacher
stood with closed eyes and addressed the
Deity by those signs made with the fin
gers, which constitute language for the
speechless.
Around him were grouped more than 4
hundred mutes who followed with rever
ent glances every motion. 1t was visit
BILE, but an inaudible worship.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

DEsPisING HousEHoLD DUTIEs.-From
variety ofcauses, nothing is more common
than to find American women who have
not the slightest idea Of household duties.
A writer thus alludes 10 this subject: In
this neglect ofhousehold cares, American
females stand alone. A German lady, no
matter how high her rank, never forgets
that domestic labors conduce to the health
of the body and mind alike An English
lady, whether she be only gentleman's S
wife or dukes, does not despise the
household, and even though she has a
house-keeper, detotes portion Of hertime
to this, her happiest sphere. 1t is reserv-
ed for our Republican ine ladies to be more
choice than even their monarchical and ar
istocratic sisters. The result is lassiiude
of mind, often as fataltohealth as neglect OF
bodily exercise. Tie wife who leaves her
household cares to the servants, pays the
penalty which has becn affixed to idleness
since the foundation of the world, and ell
ther willis away from EMU. or is driven to
all sorts Of fashionable follies to find en-
tloyment forthe mind
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

DREss.-The honorable Miss Murray
sister of a Scotch Duke, a maid of honor
to Queen Victoria, has been staying for
some days past in New York. Miss Muir
ray is lady of fine person, robust health,
and uncommon energy ofcharacter-aged
about 25 years. She has visited several of
the public institutions, and been entertain
ed by many citizens at their own houses,
where her frank and cordial manners, her
singular intelligence and great kindness Of
heart have secured her many friends. Miss
Murray, we understand, has keenly enjoy
ed her extended tour in this country. She
appears, however, to have been struck
with amazement at the expenditure, the
helplessness, and the i'll health of that un-
fortunate class of beings, the fashionable
women of our cities. Miss Murray Ike all
the fashionable women Of Europe, dresses so
plainly that it probably costs herless to dress
for whole year, than many a N. York lady
expends for half-a-dozen handkerchiefs.
1t is settled thing in Europe, that extrav,
agance in dress is tie very ertreme Of vulgdr,
ity, and is never indulgedin except by those
whose only claim to distinction is the length
of purse.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
LANCASTER, OHIO THURSDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 49, 1855

The LoRD's PRAYER.-What shall one
feel in the presence Of this blessed pray
er? 1t is the Lords prayer. 1t has been
the prayer of his universal Church, 1t
was this that our mother taughtus. TWAS
the sacred sentences Of this prayer that
first opened our infant lips with the Ian
guage of devotion. It's dear to our men,
ory; it is full of the mists and budding de-
sires of childhood; it is perfumed with pa
rents love;it is full ofsuggestions ofbome,
brother, and sister, and mother. 1t was
the evening prayer. When the sun had
gone down, when shadows stretched
them forth more widely, when the eve
ming star hung silent over the horizon,
when evening insects were full OF chirpings
& the belated bat flung himself noselessly
about for his food; then, in the hush Of the
day, bended before mothers knees, with
little hands innocently put together, held
in hers, with stammering repetition, We
echo with our child's voice, the soft low
voice of mother, as she uttered with love
and awe this divine prayer.
1ti is, therefore, as sacred as use, as love
as memory, as devotion, as the hope of
heaven, and the love Of goodness can make
it. No using will wear it away; it is like
the atmosphere. Stones crumble under
continual footsteps, the hardest wood will
wear under the softest hands that do ply
it for years, but one may rush through the
| air forever, and it cannot be cbaied or
worn. Ii has recovering force,like tabled
spiritual natures, when wounded, with in
slant power to heal itself. And like that
ethereal sunlit atmosphere in this divise
prayer, that remains fresh in everlasting
youth; no u.tering can make it trite, no
frequency can wear it out no repetitions
cantire the soul oft. 1t begins life with us,
it goes through life dearer at every period,
and when age begins to shivcr & tremble a
mongour decayed boughs, this is tbatwhich
like the damsel sought out for David, lies
in our bosom, and lends us warmth, and
breathes another life into our decaying
life!
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

WHAT UNCLE SAM HAS BONE IN II Years.
Uncle Sam was born nation seventy
seven years ago-since then be has whip
ped his mother and one of his. brothers;
tErashed his Barbary cousin, threatened
France and made her pay up, and cleared
decks for battle with Austria. He has sset
an example ofliberty and popular power,
that has thoroughly frightened the des-
pots of the earth and perilled their ancient
thrones, He has grasped continent and
is fast covering it with free, educated
and thriving people. He has built more
ships than any other nation in The same
time, and his flag is now seen on every sea
and ocean. and in every harbOr and river.
He has buiItmore steamboats,, more rail,
WAYS, more telegraph lines, more school
houses more churches, more cities, big-
GER babies in that seventy-seven years.
than any other nation in Eve hundred
years. And has printed more neTspa.
pers, made more speeches, done more birag-
eing than any other nation has done In q
thousand years.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

CoRN CAKts.-A lady, in the Ohio cal
hvator, recommends the following receipt,
for Corn Cake; and Breakfast Cake:
To one pint Of sour butter-milk add
three eggs, one teaspoonfull of saleratus,
enc quarter pound Of butter, thicken with
fine meal, do not make it too stiff, spread
on buttered pan and bake quickly.
The following makes very nice break
fast cake:-To one pint of butter. milk
or sour cream add two tablespoonfuls OF
molasses, salt ahd spice or nutmeg to suit
the taste, and thicken with the Indian
meal; mix over night and bake quickly for
breakfast.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

FRIED APpLEs.-A dish of fried apples
is quickly prepared for the table, which is
often consideration of no small impor-
tance. Wash them-cut them in too, take
out the stem, core and calyx land unpeeled,
put them into a tin pan with butter, or the
gravy of baked pork, with some water in
proportion to the quantity TO be fried
cover them with lid, set them on the
stove, stir them occasionally until they be-
come soft-and be careful not TO burn
them. Romantics, which are often almost
worth less, baked or raw, disappear with
good gusto when fried" We may truth
fully pronounce despicable Penics, when
fried, good; but the Porters, Bell6owers,
Tallman sweets, and long list which we
might name, when fried, are really lux
ury. Sour apples do not fry well-they
fry to pieces too much Country Gentle
man.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
AFFECTION,

There is in rfs no blessing like affection;
Itsoothes, 1t hallows, elevates, subdues,
And bringeth down to earth its native heaven;
1t sits beside the cradle patient hours,
Whose sole cOntentment is TO watch and love;
II bendeth o'er the death bed, and conceals,
Its own despair with words offaith and hope.
Life hath nought else that may supply Its place;
Void is ambition, cold is vanity,
And wealth an empty glitter withoutlove.
Miss LAEDoS.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15
[Prom the Kniekerboeker Galle3.l
THE EMPERORS BIRVS NEST.

u. W. tONoTELtoW.
Once the Emperor cHARLEs Of spain,
With his swarthy, grave commanders. ~.
forget In what campaign,
Long beseiged in mud and rain
Some old frontier town Of Flanders-
Up aud down the dreary camp,
In greatboots Of Spanish leather,
striding with a measured tramp,
These Hidslgos, dull and damp,
cursed the Frsbehmen, cursed the weather.
ThOA, as to and fro they went,
Over upland and through hollow.
Giving their impatienee vent,
Perchdd upon The Emperor's tent,
inner nest they spIed a swallow.
Yes,l It was q swallows neat,
Built Of clay and hair ofhoFsel'
Name or tail. or dragons crest,
Found on bedgerows, east orwesi.
After erskirmiAh OF the forces
Then an old Hidalgo said,
As he twirled his grey mustachio,
s4sure, this swallow overhead
Thinks our Emperors tent shed.
And our EmperoEbut maeho.'"
Hearing his imperial name
Coupled with these words Of malice,
Half in anger, halfi in shame,
When the great campaigner came
Slowly from his canvass palace,
Let no hand the bird molest,'
Said he solemnly, NOR burt her!'
Adding then, by way OF Jest:
'Golondrino IS my guest
'Tis the wife or some deserter.'t
Swift aSbow string speed shan,
Through the camp was spread the rum0I
And the soldiers. as they quEfed
Flemish beer, at dinner, laughed
At the Emperor's pleasant humor.
So uDharmed and unafraid,
There the swallow sat and brooded,
Till the constant cannonade
Through the walls breach had made,
And the siege was TINS concluded.
Then the army, else where bent,
Struck the tents as IL disbanding;
Only on the Emperor's lent
For he ordered, ere he went,
Very eurtly: Ieave II standiner
And it stood there all alone.
Losely tapping. torn and tattered,
Till the brood was fedged and fowp,
Singing o'er those walls Of stone, i2
That the cannon shot and shattered - -
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

1t is stated that there is merchant in
Boston who, during fourteen years, has
always had his name on the docket of
some court. either as plaintiff or defend
ant. The lawyers Tip their beavers" to
this gentleman almost instantly.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

AN EMErtc.-Many lives might be
saved by a knowledge ofthis receipt: A
large teaspoonful of mustard mixed in a
tumbler of warm water and swallowed as
soon as possible acts as an instant emetic,
sufficient to remove all that's lodged in the
stomach.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

EyLet every man look well to his hab-
its. A reputation which it has taken him
years to acquire, may be lostin day or
an hour. A man should keep himself not
only honest and correct in his character,
but should beware of his department, that
no taint of suspicion may be likely to be
thrown upon it.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

Ey The spiri. Of liberty is not as multi
tudes imagine. a jealousy Of our particular
rights, but respect for the rights Of eth
ers, and an unwillingnsss that any man.
whether high OF low, should be wrOneed
sad trampeled under foot
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

EFThe Springfield (Mass.) Repuni-
can contains, at times, articles which, for
true poetry and noble thought, are unex-
celled in the world of daily journalism
This thought upon the New Year is so ex-
quisito that we must be permitted to quote
these paragraphs
Time, kneeling upon the shores of Eter-
nifty and murmuring prayer TO the Great
Unknown has counted another bead upon
his frosty rosary. Standing at his side,
the angel ofthe bright New Year looks
celmly out on the far flashing sea, while
lying upon the shore, swathed in the un-
plying heavens, the Old Year ebbs his
life away.
Theannual recurrence Of this day brings
tears to memory, while it wreaths with
smiles the lips of Hope. Who among us
can look back upon the path of the vanish
ed year, and behold no dear friend, who,
"weary with the march oflife," has fallen
by the wayside?-By the side of the path
lies husband, the mound above whose
motionless breasthas been stepped in tears.
A wife, whose bosom, for many long years,
pillowed weary brow, lies cold and stony
there. A child, the first born, the best,
the only,-he who seemed so like
an angel that your heart misgave you
when you called him yours, and the mem
ory of whose sweet prattle and caresses is
locked as your choicest treasure in youl
heart of hearts, lies by that silent path
The wealth with which many began the
lastyear's journey has taken to itself wings
and left them naked and hotiseless. AL
look back upon some dear hope crushed
some loved one among the dead; and my
riads of dreams that seemed born in heav'
en- have been dissipated before they de-
scended to the grave.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

UNHEALTHY PLAsTERING. commtni-
cation in the Journal of Commerce asserts
that the hair used in plaster for new houses
is, very often SO dirty as to emit unpleas-
ant effluvia, which are quite sickening and
calculated to keep room unhealthy for
years afterwards. The writer says:
"Hair used for mixing in mortar should
be thoroughly washed-re-w washed, and
dried, and thus deprived of the putrid mat
ter that often adheres to it. The lime in
mortar is not sufficient to cleanse the hair.
1t will generate an unpleasant sickly efflu-
via whenever the room is heated, until
nitrate cf lime, or.so mnch of it as is mixed
with the animal matter is incorporated in
the mortar"
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

EgA spare and simple diet contributes
to the prolongation Of life.
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

sMAcHo--The Spanish for mule. t.
TGoLoSDRIso, in spanish means q swallow ard de-
sc rtcr. ~
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

observation-disclosures has the following
beautiful thoughts in his "Nicholas Nick
leby."
at is an exquisite and beautiful thingin
our nature, that when the heart is touched
and softenedby some tranquil happiness,
or affectionate feeling, the memory of the
dead comes over it most powerfully and
irresistbly. 1t would almost seem as
though our better thoughts and sympa-
thies were charms, in. virtue of which the
soul is enabled to hold some vague and
mysterious intercourse with the spirit OF
those whom we dearly loved in life. Alas
how long and how often may those pa
tient angels hover above us watching for
the spell which is SO seldom uttered, and
so soon forgotten
American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-15

sed SO fondly, shall renew the love-ties,
which death for moment sundered? that
those voices which have never ceased 10
linger in our hearts as treasured melody,
shall be the first to welcome us TO the soci-
ETY. ofan 'innumerable company of angels,
and TO the spirits of the just made perlect?'
Whoever persists in complaining of this
mortal life, virtually admits that he desires
another. Are we ready for an untried ex-
istence? ready at moments warning to
launch away, and return no more? ready
for its atmosphere and service of love?
If any preparation for this change of
cline is complete, let us address ourselves
fervently 10 the work, without loss of time
or energy in murmuring. We might, in
deed, in our loneliness and morbidness,
multiply complaints without end. The
habitwould grow withindulgence, till every
breath became claim for sympathy, or an
abjurgation if 1T were withheld.
But cai bono? have not others infrmities
and troubles, as well as ourselves? Why
add to their load? Would itnot be better
to takea part of theirs? Bear ye one anoth-
er's burdens, aud so fulfil the law of Christ.
II hath been well said that 'murmuring is
black garment, and becometh none SO i'll
as saints
Oh, friends! let us Tot lose our interest
in life's blessings, because we have so long
enjoyed our share of them. Rather, as an
eloquent writer of our own has said, will
we 'alise and throw open a window in oui
hearts, and let in the tone of the bird, and
the breath of the violet We will mo-
permit that bright heart-window to be seal
ed, nor the hand, through our own inert
ness, to become paralysed. while genia
nature still spreads her charms around us
and invites us to rejoice in them, and il
God who gave them.