davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28
A Michigan Decision.

Judge B, plain, and withal very
worthy man, but no lawyer, was once county
judge of Oakland Michigan, under the old
system. A cause came on for trial before him
on one occasion, in which the action was found
ed IN tort" and the plea Of the defendant,
which was special, was such as to give HIM the
affirmative Of the issue, upon the strength OF
which he claimed the right to open and close
the case. This point was denied by the counsel
for the plaintiff, twho never in the who'll
course OF his practice had heard of such al
enormity as the defendants presuming to open
the case" Authorities were brought and cited
however, and the judge, after mature delibera-
ton, determined that such was the defendants
right, and SO pronounced his decision After q
short pause, during which the plaintiff was
grumblng his dissatisfaction, the court ordered
the defendants lawyer to go on.
''Your honor" said he, rising s. am not
quite ready to open this case. When | get
ready, will let the other-side-know ~
This opened, if not the case, at least the
eyes and mouth of the 'sother side,' who
sprang to his feet and beloved forth an awful
denunciation upon the profound stupidity Of
the Judge whose absurd decision had placed
him in such dilemma.
"You see your honor, what you have done;
you have actually placed my case in the hands
of the defendant. He took possession of our
oxen, and when we brought an action to recover
them, he took possession of that also!"
81 can't help it SIR" said che learned judge,
with great sternness; the decision is made.
and it is too late to alter it, and the law must
take its course You must withdraw your ac
tion and sue again
sIf he does, your honor" said the defen-
dant's counsel, 81 shall plead the pendency Of
this action in bar, and beat him
Then" said the Judge, 81 see no other
way for you but to sit down quietly. and wait
till the defendant gets ready to try the cause"
The plaintiff took the judges advice, but the
" time appointed" has never yet ''elapsed,"
and he is still waiting.
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

ATorAL WREcK-On the frstof January, 1854
gentleman doing business in this city, was WORTH
with what he had invested in business, hundred
and ten thousand dollars At the same time be
was blessed with . lovely and intelligent wife,
beautiful and promising children. He was sur
rounded by friends who esteemed and respected
him. His business was lucrative, and promised to
continue so. Indeed his position az well as his
prospects were seemingly all thathe could desire to
render his happiness perfect. How complete the
wreck which the year closed upon! The first mis-
fortune was the transfer Of merchandise to the
amount Of eighteen thousand dollars to California
dealer, for which not one cent was ever received
The next were two successive robberies, by means
of which TWENTY-FIVE thousand dollars were lost
Soon after this, the unfortunate made an invest
ment in real estate to large amount. The next
and crowning misfortune was trip with his family
to Europe. They embarked, on their return, with
thirtyeight thousand dollars in goods, on boa the
steamship Arctic and all shared her luckless fate
In settling up his affairs, his real estate was sold
under the hammer at a sacrifice Of forty thousand
dollars making the aggregate loss to his property
during the year. one hundred and eighteen thou
sand dollars, eight thousand dollars more than his
assets. His friends were obliged to make good the
deficiency Was ever destruction more completes
Father, mother, children, and fortune, al gone
swept from the nee of the earth-nothiDg left to
show that they ever existed! We doubt whether,
among the many wrecks which the past year has
witnea1sd thsge has been. among tber one Moes
nesancAelv than this--N r Cexri1.
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28
CAMELs 10 BE BROUGHT TO ANERIcA.-The

CAMELs TO BE BROUGHT TO ANERIcA.-The
Washington Union says:
1t will be recolected that by recent act Of Con-
gress a certain amount was appropriated to enable
the Secretary of War to try the experiment OF in
PRODUCING camels on this continent as beasts CT
burden and for military purposes. As the Navy
Department have occasion to send stores to our
squadron in the Mediterranean the storeshp Sup
ply, now at the New York yard, has been selected
for this purpose, and on her return voyage will
bring the camels. This vessel will take out Major
Wayne, an officer Of the Quartermasters depart
ment of the army, to purchase the camels, and Oh
her homeward voyage will bring them to the United
States. The vessel will be prepared will al dis
patch for sea.
There is no doubt that the experiment Of intro
ducing camels beasts of burden and for military
purposes, in the southwestern part Of the country,
will prove entirely successful Their great en-
durance, ability to carry large burdens, and the
length of time that they enabled to exist with
out water, will render them valuable adjunct to
the army in the section of country for which they
are intended,
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

A JUST vERp1cr-The Quincy TA) Herald
says that the Grand Jury refused to find bill
against Jno. Pigg, lad about fourteen years OF
age, for killing and shooting man named Pile:
The circumstances are, that Pile had quarreled
with his wife, and threatened to kill her-she e.
capped to the boys mother, was followed by Pile,
who made demonstrations to whip her, when Mrs.
Pigg interfered, saying chat no woman should be
whipped by man in her house. Pile then struck
the mother Of the boy several times in the face,
when the lad seized shot gun and shot him down,
from the effects Of which Pile died the next day.
The neighborrs persuaded the boy to 60 to Quincy
and Rsrscde- h;nseN, vh;ch be Gd. scd tie cess
tsirg Investigated, tie yu-v refused 70 -Gcs .!-
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

EXTRAORDINARY With an interesting letter
to the New York Courier and Enquirer Mr.. E,
Merriam, the New York meteorologst, states that
there is in Lockport, N. Y, an artesan well four
hundred feet in depth, from the bottom of which
rises vain of salt water, holding in combination
large per centage Of diliquescing chlorides, which
mngling with waters of other veins produce in
stantaneous crystaizatons of beautiful selenit in
aattened eight-sided prisms of about an inch in
length, an eighth Of an inch in width, and six.
teenth of an inch in thickness. The lamina OF
these are so perfect that single crystal may be
divided by means of heat into two dozen distinct
sheets. This well is peculiar in more respects than
one. 1t is accustomed to spout salt water for but
a few moments at time, and chen subsiding re-
mains quiet for the space Of an hour, at the con-
cluson of which it again beg gins to puff and roar
and shoot forth its saline jets When the work
men were sinking this well, the auger, upon at
tanning depth Of two hundred and thirty feet,
fell suddenly about fourteen feet and reached the
bottom of subterranean river, flowing with SO
strong current as to produce perceptible motion
in the upper part of the stem Of the auger.
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

THE BENEFIT OF CIGAR SmoEIrG.-We find in
our Northern exchanges, the following striking
illustrations of the value of smoking cigars, ss
furnished by an incident said to hare occurred
to Col. Phillips, of Mobile.
Col. Phillips, of Mobile, member of the
late Congress- had narrow escape from death
a few days since while on his way from Weldon
to Charleston. The cars stopped at station
house and Col P. left his seat and went out in
the open air to smoke cigar. Whs thus en-
gagged, another train ran into the one in which
he was q passenger, and the seat which he
occupied few minutes before was completely
demolished, and his coat, which was lying upon
it, perforated by bar of iron and carried cut
through the top of the car!
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

How TO BoRRow-A certain editor weli-knowr
for his bonnie fortune threw his smiles upon
'srat" of the Imperial Academy of Music. The
"rat" experienced natural anxiety to gnaw the
purse.strings of her admirer; but could not ex-
acty see her way. While thinking this matter over,
Bohemian Of her acquaintance came in.
"Do you think" said the young artist "that
V will be willing to lend me 5000 francs"
''More than doubtful. But he might be induced
to do it. Write as l shall dictate"
"Beloved Iexpected some money this morning,
and have been Disappointed
That is very old story" interrupted tfre rat.
Go on. "Bring me, then, l beseech you, 5000
francs, and come and dine with me at the same
time. have splendid pheasant"
"And do you think, !" said Mile Alphonsine, when
the letter was gone, that shall get my money,
or rather VS. money with that?'
"With such letter, my dear friend, you will
not get sou, or know nothing OF the human
heart"
Then, why did you make me write it,"
because it was essential that first note should
precede the one was about to dictate to yo,."
What! write another%
"Only two words.''
"Dear friend Consider my letter as not writ
ten. At the very moment had dispatched it, the
expected remittance made its appearance; am
now richissime. But don't forget, expect you to
dinner; the pheasant is magnificent
The second letter was sent after the first:
"Now," said the Bohemian " this is what will
happen. V will pretend not to have received
your second note, and will show himself the more
eenerous, in that he will believe you are not in
want of money"
1t happened as the Bohemian had anticipated.
v offered the 5000 francs with the idea they
would not be accepted; but to his infinite horror,
they were poc1eted at once. To complete his mis-
fortunes, there was not even pheasant to console
him. The Bohemian ate it the same evening with
the assistance of Mile Alphensine, in cabinet Of
the Maison Doree
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

,FRoN Rio JAsErRo.-The bark Phantom at
Baltimore, brought dates from Rio to the Sd ult.
The United States ship Savannah had arrived in
port with officers and men all well, and the Balm
bridge and Germantown were supposed to be on
ne coast at other points. News of the attack made
~ sne Water Witch by the authorities of Paraguay
nsd been received at Rio. A rich Brazilian, CON
scted o. wholesale murder and arson, was to be
executed on the Sd ultimo. Quite romantic affair
nad nken place there, caused by the rescue of a
beautiful young lady, fourteen wears Of age. bv her
accepted lover, from the steps Of the alter, where
sne was about to be married to 4 man chosen only
oy her father. The Carnival fstes were in full
oast The Chinese landed from the American bark
Ann we're readily taken up 1t eighty dollars for
passsge, and sixteen cents day with food The
.aled ships Monarch and Virginia had sailed for
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

forsG AMERICA At ScHoor.-A little incl
eent occurred in one Of the schools Il West
Lynn, Mass, on Wednesday, says the News
which IL. perhaps, worth relating. One of ~
classes was rsciting. and the teacher ssEeI .
nstle Y American girl who the first man ras
0ae answered that she did not know. Tha
sssion was put to the next scholar, IN Irish
saAd Who answered: .Adam, SIR" With a.
sene satisfaction. " La said the frst
"yoa nesdn't feel % grand abort II, \.
Dssa's an Et,kmnre" - 3
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

The ORGAN-GRINDERs OF New YoRK.-A large
space in a late number of the New York Tribune
is devoted to the German and Italian street min
strels of that city. We make the following ex-
tract:
1.-THE itinerant musician is social animal; he is
not different from the rest of the great human family
in that respect. If he be bachelor, he has hired
lodgings; if married, he "keeps house" And in
the evening, when he returns from his peregrina-
tons of the day, you can tell by the appearance of
the monkey, whether he has been fortunate or not.
If that animal, more remarkable for its docility
than its beauty exhibits its usual amount Of activity
and receives the Of its owner with pleasure,
you may rest assured that there is no cause to
grumble at the gains Of the day but if on the con-
trary, the monkey returns sober and saddened
monkey, receiving with contriton the nowise DIM
inished expressions of his masters affection, why
then the day has been an unfortunate one, and it
will require prosperous morrow to change him
into well-satisfed Animal We were pleased with
the kind relations which we found existing between
the master and the poor, despised creature which
constitutes the companion of his wanderings Cen
orally speaking the Savoyard has kind heart !;
numerous though his vices may be, he possesses a
degree of humanity unknown to many member
of civilized society,""
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

An INDEPENDENT JuRY.-The jury in the case
of Jones against Lott tried in the City Court, on
Monday, were summoned before Judge Culver,
yesterday,to show cause why they should not be
punished for contempt Itseems that the jury met on
Monday afternoon to deliberate, and not having
agreed upon verdict at the adjournment ofthe Court
were placed in charge Of an officer for the night.
Time seems to have hung wearily upon them and in
some manner the door of the room was forced open
and one juror started out. He soon returned with
bottle, and some tipe after the jury unanimously
agreed to adjourn to their homes and decide the
case some other time. On being brought before
Court of the jurors stated in extenuation that
feeling dry he went out to procure bottle OF soda
water Another juryman stated that from taste
at the bottle he judged that it contained brandy
and that finding i impossible to agree upon YER
dict, they concluded to 60 home. Judge Culver
thereupon made an order requiring them and the
officer in charge to appear before him On Friday
next the 18th inst, to answer the charges against
them.-N Y. Erpresa
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

BAPTISM OF THE PRINCESS OF AUsTRIA.-The
Journal de Frankfort gives the following details
from Vienna of the baptism Of the young Princess
of Austria
The baptism took place in the church Of the
Hofburg. All the court, in grand costume and
the members Of the corps diplomatique, assembled
in the apartments of the palace, and having formed
cortege, proceeded to the church. First marched
the imperial pages; then the chamberlains, privy
councillor, and other dgnitaries; next, the arch
dukes with their grand masters OF the court; then
the Emperor with his principal chamberlain and
his first aide-de-camp his Majesty was followed by
the first grand master Of court, bearing the august
princess on cushion embroidered with pearls, and
covered with siver embroidered drapery-the
nurse of the young archdukes and the females in
her service following; finally, there came the Arch.
grand mistress of her household. The guard of
the Trabans and the gendermie Of the guard formed
lines to the church. The Emperor on his entrance
was greeted by flourish of trumpets. The first
grand master of the court having approached with
the young Archduchess the step of the high alter;
by the side of which stood the Archduchess Sophia
as first godmother, the Emperor and archdukes
took their places. The officiating bishop then ad-
dressed to the august godmother the usual ques-
tons, after which the of baptism was proceeded to.
After this solemn act the young pricess was con-
veyed to the apartments of the Empress. A TIE
Deum was then chanted; and after it the ofhciat-
ing bishop, with his crosier and mitre, approached
the Emperor aud congratulated him. The En-
peror then left the church amidst the sound Of
trumpets and drums, and proceeded to the apart
ments of the Empress. The Emperor returned in
few minutes to the Hall of Ceremonies where he
received the congratulations Of the dgnitaries of
the court of the Empire, of members of the corps
diplomatque Of the generals and officers of the
garrison
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

A NOVEL CAsE.-The Louisville Democrat
says female named Madelaine Fsmbaug has
bsen held to hail, in that city, to answer .
charge cf .educt;o, preferred By se:det e.c.k
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

1--WE do wish whskey brandy to be brought to this
party and desire that who invited here should
and get it; this done win consider it an insult
This total abstinence party that is the totsl abstinence
Of al spirituous liquors. We viii introduce the cold water
The room where you in is the anteroom gentlemen
and perfe harmony, that the angels who sent to ad
minister to u.s. and connection with whom hold the
keys may well pleased with and touch US all with the
power Of God that We may well parts and that
musicians may touched with holy touch, that their
instruments may inspire and exalt feelings We win
dedicate this pay ourselves and the music to the Lord
Dancing was then commence and continued
until half-past eight, when Dinner was an
nounced after which Speeches were made, and
then Dancing was resumed, and kept up until
half-past twelve. After partaking of Supper,
the Company were dismissed at quarter past
one, Brother Mabin previously singing '' The
Merry Mormons," with musical accompaniment,
nearly the whole Company joining in the chorus.
THeatncal Peformances.-The Deseret ORA
matte Association performed the comedy Of
"An is not gold that glitters," on the End
December, before the Governor, Counseilors,
&c., and large audience. No "thumping Of
canes-stamping Of feet, clapping Of hands" or
other uneouth noises were permitted. ses-
sral psrformanoes ware given, the entertain
merits bsiag varied by singing dancing, &e.
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

GREAT FlsH1NG.-The Burlington Free Press re-
lates new and unique mode of fishing, which has
been successfully tried in trout stream Of North
ern Vermont. The discovery was made few days
since by wood-chopper in Hydepark. Being
thirsty with labor, be chopped hole in the ice Of
mountain stream and laid himself down to drink.
While in the act Of imbibing the refreshing fluid
his nose was suddenly and unexpectedly seized by
hungry leviatbm Of the brook, who buried bis
teeth deeply in the rosy protuberance, which be
evidently thought was q savory morsel. The as
tonished wood-cutter, whose alarm endowed him
with superhuman strength, threw up his head with
jerk, and pulled out upon the ice splendid trout
which weighed tho and half pounds! The
editor Of the Free Press has talked with man
who ssw tho lscsrated and swollen rose, and
touches Ay tie authenticity cs tie ssery
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

Ferae 12.) "Whom have sent again." 2 Q3)
"Wham would have retained with me- that in thy stead
he might hdue nliRistersd Snto 1pen = (l4) but
scitkoat thy mind ac0nId lido nothino"s Q5.l "For
perhaps he, therefore, departed for season, 0t thou
shouldest receiUe him Joreuer," /" de-, dc.
Thibodaux minerva., 1855-04-28

INTERESTING DoINGs IN UTAH.-We learn
from the Salt Lake City News, Of the 11th
January, that a Legislative party was given on
New Years Day, by the Government Legislative
Assembly, in compliment to Judge Kenney, his
associates, other United States Officers Of the
Territory. and Aieut. Col Steptoe Of the United
States Army, with the other officers in his
command. FL
The House was called to order at P. NJ,
and the President among other things said:
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08

few exceptions her has been subordinate and Ell
cient under the old and bsrbaoas system lash
that the recent higher pay allowed our sailors and
msrines will with proper on the part Of the recruit
ing officers enable the selection Of the very best
work and fight ships-owar and that all doubts will
vanish the safety and praetieaby Of having good
war ships with whip held IL those who
them There be doubt however, that the Law
should establish defnitye and specific mode Of
ward and punishment This required in the bssrcgu
lated community shore and is equally aud
tia shpboard, where much depends upon good
der and discipline.
To give idea Of how much Of the Union is
board OF yesses-ofwar, the following Is list
Of The officers Of the Portsmouth with the States from
which they hail Commsnder-Thomas A. Dornin, Vir-
GINA William A. Parker, New Hampshire
James n. Spots, Kentucky Thomas Partington, New
York Thomas Roney, Maryland Purser--Levi ID. Slamm,
New York Surgeon--lsaae Brinkerhof New York. Act
ing naster-william NJ Gamble New York Lieutenant
marines-Freeman Norvell Michigan Assistant surgeon
Samuel Cones, New Hampshire. Midshpmen--Robett
Bowen Mississippi Charles O. Carpenter Massachusetts;
Andrew ]. Mccartney, Pennsylvania; and John G. Walk
err Iowa. Bostswain-Miehael Hall, Virginia. Gunner
George IL Baker, New York. Carpsnter--John Rainbow
District of Columbia Saimaker--Davd Bruce Massa-
chuseits Captains eerk-ChaTles r. Benton, New York
la few days II Is understood that the Secretary of the
Navy will detaeh the officers and direct the discharge and
pay ment OF the crew They have best wishes for
happy meeting with their friends and families and long
and pleasant leave Of absence
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08
CRUISE or TBE poRTsMoUTH.

The Of the reader il particularly invited 20 The
hghyinerestng and admirably sketch which APP
pears another column the cruise OF the United States
ship Portsmouth whose arrival at Norfolk after abb
sence Of nearly three and half years was briefly noticed
10 the Union Of yesterday Apart from the intrinsic merit
OF the letter of talented correspondent the reader cam
not fail to notice The valuable and orporsune services
dered by The Portsmouth during her long and arduous
cruise The admirable condition Of the ship well Of
the ships crew. after such longconunued and faithful
service are fitting attesaions Of the qualities Of her gal
ant commander Thomas A. Dornn, whose previous bright
record in the history OF navy had fully prepared US
for the high encomiums literally bestowed upon him by
those under his late command.
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08
W ASIIINGTON CITY
SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL ., 1853.

n-NlsKsKL E. Jsas-, No. a south Team rnade
pba - our general travelling assisted VIZ. H.
JAsxs DsExss A. EsAas, THosAs u. NIcs
Josgrn nAssIIr JosIrs Bufros Rosssr w MosaIss. IN
~. lLsr, ~tllAa L. wArsssAs. II. hIsDtox, y.
w. MAcKKs, and ~ =. PEAKoE.
o. hshRr ~ Lewis at Montgomery, Alabama, ID
erassavrife Alabama asd Teunssee
sisted b D. Lawns, JAsxs q. LswIs. d. LEWIS
90 Mr. q. W Jssss No Harrison street, CINCINNATI ONO
gpsral travelling Western and Texas
ass'stea By a. J. TsasAs 4. Dssr, VIZ II. Taosas, r.
YEIsEH &. H. q. WssaAs A. l.. Csps and DR.. WIS. lawns
Receipts Of either win be 9osd.
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08

ETrscTs o. Tue NAME LeuoR Law IN new Yoax--A
New York correspondent writes The Maine law 10 some
respects has begun to operate practically already know
Of several disers who have taken stores on the Jersey
side OF the river where they intend 10 carry on their BUSH
ness as usual The keepers o. two Of the arges, saloons
IN broadway are fitting up splendid n o
ooken, and they viii there on the LIST Of May
Thus they say when door shuts another opens Great
country
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08

lapse has taken place in the health Of Mrs Daniel Webster
her nervous system having generally sustained severe
shock the effects Of her late accident As yet she ia not
entirely free from danger She At the residence Of Mrs
Curtis, in New York
The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-08
THE EUROPEAN NEWS by rHE BALTIC

The European mails by the steamship Baltic reached this
city yesterday morning The English papers contain much
interesting Il not mporSan. intelligence from which We
make the following extracts