davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
The Mimic Rifle.

WHO has not a curiosity to see Mimic
rifle. and to fire Mimic riAe-that destruc.
tive weapon 10 which the Allies own their
dearly bought honors' What an unpre-
tending, what very femme name it is for
weapon that will bring down an enemy
almost out of hearing Of the report, and
that is fitted with graduated sights almost
as complicated as those of Theodlite.-
Then the wounds which they make are SO
ghastly. They add the accuracy of the
rifle TO the murderous force Of the grape
shot. A writer describing the slain in the
battle of Inkermann, says that in the some
cases the whole substance of tn: brain had
escaped through bullet wound in the
head, leaving The skull as empty as co.
Goa nut. Terrible weapons yet, perhaps.
mercfful. If the art oil destruction could
be brought TO such perfection as that the
mortality of battle shall amount 10 total an
nihiIaton, there would seem to be no more
honor IN going into battle, than in leap.
ing from precipice, being run over by
railway train, or walking overheard in the
midst Of tempest.
The editor of the Baltimore Patriot, who
thus speaks, has seen, felt, and fired Mi
ME Rifle, which is thus described:
I'VE accordingly proceeded,on Monday.
to perhaps. the coldest spot upon the shores
of the Patapsco, and there participated in
making a comparison of the capacity OF
two guns, each fitted TO fire The Mimic ball.
The first gun was the MIME rifle, made in
Paris, and used by the Allies with such
execution in the Crimea. This gun resem-
bles the rifle adopted IN the service of the
United States. 1t is, however, lighter.and
furnished with four very broad and deep
grooves, the-spIral curve of which is very
abrupt. The ball is truncated cone it is
an inch long, half an inch in diameter, and
weighs one ounce. The base is fitted with
a conical cup Of iron. This cup is expan-
ded by the charge, and thus forcing the
ball into The grooves of the barrel, prevents
any windage, or escape of explosive force
to the ball, which constitutes the peculari-
ty of the Mimic rifle. The ball was ram.
med down as usual in muskets and rifles
We may add that the Partisan gun was
very handsomely finished, with vanished
stock, and sights graduated for any distance
short of 1000 yards, terminated with
highly polished blade, which could be de-
tached and fitted with handle. 1t might
be thus-in that spirit of politeness which
so eminently distinguishes the French
people-tendered in the shape of an ordi-
nary bayonet or dirk, according to the ex-
lgency of the occasion, or the preference
of the antagonist"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
Curious B.unders.

Columbus, sailing to America, thought he
was discovering passage to China, or Ca
thay. Even after IT became known that a
new continent had been discovered, instead
of an old one revisited, geographers Iabored
under many curious and erroneous impress
sions. America, beyond its sea-coast was
shrouded IN mystery; and what lay beyond
men could only conjecture.
1t was thought that agreai Southern con-
tinent lay Just off Cape Horn, and adventu-
rous mariners for centuries kept up The pur-
suit of it, until, at last, they ran against the
icy boundary at The South pole. The French
Missionaries of Canada, who first explored
the Mississippi, thought it emptied into the
Gulf of California and dreamed Of reaching
China upon its waters This fact is per-
petuated by the name Of La Chine, given
to locality near Montreal, from which
point the good fathers were to start.
The celebrated German traveller, Kohl,
in paper recently read by him, before the
New York Geographical and Statistical So
cety called attention to many of these GU
rious blunders, as laid down on the early
maps.
America was at first presented as great
peninsula of Asia, mixedup and joined with
Japan, China, SC. Maps were shown in
which China is in the closest neighborhood
10 Mexico, on which the Great Rio Colora-
do of California takes its source in Siberia,
and where the Tartars and their horses and
camels are represented about the Rocky
Mountains. A Chinese was also shown
with his yellow shoes and trowsers, and
pointed bonnet t,standing uprightin in the midst
of the Appalachian Mountains, and not far
from him the portrait of an elephant. This
latter feature was not so far wrong, for Ger
tainly 'the elephant has been extensively
seen in this country.
But by degrees, as geographical knowl-
edge improved, America was dl$joined from
Asia, Japan kept on the march 10 the West,
and the Tartars, Chinese and elephants
were dismissed to their several homes.
1t is c2rous fact that Oh maps Of the
world, made before the discovery of Amer
! ica, fabulous island, called AnIilla, is put
down, in which may be seen the first dawn
of America itself On some old maps a
bridge across Behring's Straits is laid down,
upon which Is written-"Over this bridge,
the ten lost tribes marched from Asia 10 a.
merica."
The Arab geographers styled the Allan
tic Ocean the w aters of Darkness" From
this darkness how much light has been G.
volved in the course OF few centuries.-
/ Portland TRANSCRIPT.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
The Factory Girl.

BY MRS. MARY A. KIDDER.
She boasts no rich and costly robes
She wears no jewels in her hair;
And yet her pale and comely face,
Seems wanting in no modest grace,
To make her passing fair.
With backward glance of anxious love
She quits the humble cottage door,
And through the wet, or dusty street,
She treads with worn, yet willing feet,
The path oft trod before.
What sudden thought calls up the blood ;
The crimson tide that fain would speak
AS swift the arrowy shuttle flies,
As swifter still her task she plies,
While tears are on her cheek!
That blush wears not tinge of shame
Those tears are not the tears of sin;
Some hope, or fear, with sudden start,
Sends bounding from the busy heart,
The tel-tale blood within.
Those tears bespeak mothers need
A widowed mother thin and pale;
For who will give the orphan foud,
And find the scanty share of wood,
When her weak efforts fail
But Mary's heart is large and free,
And Mary's hands were made 10 soil;
And neuer (says that blushng cheek)
Shall one SO pale. and i'll, and weak
As that dear Mother, toll.
God bless thee, Mary; keep thy vow.
And unto thee shall strength be given,
And when thy noble work is done,
The crosses borne. the victory won,
Thy rest shall be in heaven.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

ARTIFICIAL WHALEBoNE.-Comm horn
is now prepared in European manufactures
to serve all the purposes Of whalebore, and
is quite as elastic. The horns are cleans
ed, split, opened out and aattened. and i'm
mersed for several days in bath compos-
ed of 5 parts of glycerine to 100 parts oil
water. They are then placed in second
bath, consisting of 8 quarts of nitric acid, 2
quarts ofpyroligneous acid, 12a pounds tam
min, 5 pounds bi-tartrate of potash, and 5
pounds sulphate of zinc, with 25 gallons OF
water After leaving this second BATH it
will have acquired suitable degree of aex-
ibiity and elasticity for umbrella ribs and
other purposes.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

LIGHT SUPPRESSION of the great Sc
crets OF health is light supper, and yet it
is a great self f.denial, when one is hungry
and tired at the close of the day, to eat lit
tie or nothing. Let such one take leis-
urely single cup Of tea and cold piece
OF bread with butter, and he will leave the
table as fully pleased with himself and all
the world, as if he had eaten heavy meal,
and be tenfold the better for it the next
morning. Take any two men under slmi-
lar circumstances, strong, hard working
men. of twenty-five years let one take his
bread and butter with cup of tea, and the
other hearty meal of meat, bread, pota-
toes, and the ordinary ct ceteras, as the last
meal of the day, and 1 will venture to af-
firm. that the tea-drnker will outlive tie
other by thirty years.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

WHERE THE INDIA-RUDBER COMES
FRoM.-We were in Menagere on one
occasion looking at the collection of wild
animals, and happening near the cage con-
tanning the Zebra, we over heard the fol-
lowing conversation between white man
and negro:
White man addressing himself 10 the ne
gro, That's mighty pretty jack"
Negro, 'He Is that, but he Amt half as
pretty as horse the Injuns had here"
White man, "He haint; what sort Of a
horse did they have 7"
Negro "Why they had one dat had no
hair on him-he looked jis like Injun-rub,
ber"
White man, "Well never heard the
like; but where does Injun-rubber come
from any how p
Negro turning his face towards the white
man with an expression of countenance in.
dicative of soverei ign contempt for the pcol
fellows ignorance, replied: "Why dar /.
whar it comes from. its dem horses SKINS
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

&C. The bellows Of the great organ in
fremont Temple, Boston, is worked by
steam. So we Yankees are going 10 be re-
ieved of the work of praising God, have
not even 10 turn crank to grind out our
praise, but invoke the aid of steam power.
What would Fulton say could he look into
the Temple, and see that the veritable steam
with which he propelled his boat up the
North river is employed 10 drive an organ
in praise of God The time is not far dis
tant when we shall have miniature organs
attached to tea-kettles, and boil tea 10 the
tune of Yankee Doodle.-Waterbwy Dem.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
POETRY Y
The Deserted Mil.


FROM THE GERMAN OF scHNEzLER'
Translated for the "Spsctator'' by W. r. G.
The waters To the wood doth run
With purling cooling rill-
And can now have come upon
The old deserted mill
Wheels still. decaved, bemOssed all round,
Which whirred once with such merry sound
Roof, works and windows, all
Are threatening soon to fall.
But when went down the evening sun
The branches ruslled loud,
There sneaked along the little run
A queerish-looking crowd
OF many grizzly mannikin,
With mop-head and long beard on chin,
And out did each one drag
From bush and hedge bag.
And now new life begins to stir
Within the old mills walls;
The wheels turn round and loudly whir,
The little meal bell calls;
The little folk run all about,
With bags within and bags without;
Each dwarf on his wee pegs
Looks like suck on legs.
And still more mady swarmed the crowd,
Like bees around their cells;
Above the roar OF waters loud
More loud their shouting sweiIs,
And wilder waxed the bells shrill peal.
Till all had filed their sacks with meal;
When in the cloudlesS night
Up rose the full moon bright.
Then opening small window there
The only-one left now
In the bright beams lady fair
Disclosed snow white brow,
And called with voice 81 sweet aud clear,
That mid the upro ar all could hear:
Good tolk. now stop We may
Enough meal for day !"
Then bowed at once the elfn-pack
Before that lovely face,
And each one stridng on his sack
Rode to the wood apace-
Fair lady then the window closed,
And all in former peace reposed,
The mill wrapped in shrOud
Of mornings early cloud.
And when came the following day
In sad foreboding mood,
The mill all fallen to pieces lay,
Not e'en a fragment stood;
The water rushed on elise at hand
1t seemed my thoughts to understand
But ever shall still
Think on that ruined mill.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

AN IGNORANT MoNARcH.-Tt has been
supposed that quilts were made use Of for
writing as early as the fifth century; but
the conjecture rests mostly on an anecdote
of Theoderic King Of the Ostrogoths, who,
being so lliterate that he could not write
even the initials OF his ma ne, was provided
with plate of gold, through which the let
ters were cut, and this being placed on the
paper, when his signature was required, he
traced The letters with a quill. The ear
liest certain account of the modern writino
pen dates no farther back than 1888.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

OvE OF Ewes DAUGHrERs.-The mar
riage Of Miss Catharine Jones appears in
the New York papers, and appended to ii
(says correspondent is the interesting in
formation, that "the lovely bride was one
of Ewes tairest daughters" But for this
it might have been supposed she was one
of old Mrs. Jones daughters.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

A New NAME.-The London Herald
says-"The district registrars have daily
convincing proof of the popularity of the
war, as great number Of the female chill
dren born during the last three months have
been by theil patriotic parents named cal
ma" To which Punch adds :-Compli-
mentary this, to the spirit Of the war but
unnecessary. For let the girls be christen.
ed what they might, is it not ten to one that
they would become HI Mas in time?
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

CUkIosITIEs FROM CHTNA.-The U. S.
Sloop of War Plymouth arrived few days
ago at Norfolk The editor of the Argus
describes visit on board of heT. She has
three decks, and carries % guns. There
are on board the Plymouth many costly pre-
sents for Presidents and others. These,
however, are securely put UP IN boxes and
packages, and will not be opened till they
arrive in Washington. There are silks OF
various kinds and colors, Japan ware, and
many curiosties of much interest. We no.
ticed sugar cane growing and hourishing,
from the Straits of Malacca, having been
procured for aplanter in Louisiana. There
are also in this sloop, some small and active
dogs with singularly shaped heads and very
large eyes. These are also from Japan
We noticed pair Of japanese quails, which
are third smaller than our partridge, and
less handsome. There is another kind OF
bird, and variety of articles that will be
seen with interest, when exposed 10 view.
There is also handsome stone for the
Washington monument. present from the
japanese government.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

FEMALE CoURAGE.-There is branch
of general education which is not thought
at all necessary for women; as regards
which, indeed, it is we'll if they arc not
brought up to cultivate the opposite. Wo-
men are not taught TO be courageous. In
deed, TO some persons. courage may seem
as unnecessary as Latin or Greek. Yet
there are few things that would tend to
make women happier in themselves, and
more acceptable TO those with whom they
live than courage. There are many wo-
men of the present day, sensible women in
other things, whose panic te.rors are fire.
ouent source Of discomfort to themselves
and those around them. Now ii is great
mistake TO imagine that hardness must &c
with courage; and that the bloom OF gen.
tleness and sympathy must all be rubbed
off by that vigor of mind which gives pres
ence of mind, enables person to be useful
in peril, and makes the desire TO assist O.
vercome that sickness of senslbIllty which
can only contemplate distress and Difficult
ty. So far from courage being uniemlnine,
there is a peculiar grace ana dignity IN
those beings who have little active power
of attack or defence, passing through dan
ger with moral courage which is equal to
that of the strongest. We see this in great
things. We perfectly appreciate the sweet
and noble dignity Of an Anne Boleyn, a
Mary Queen of Scots or Marie Antoi-
nette. We see that it is grand for these
deIicately-bred, high-nurtured, helpless per-
sonages, TO meet death with silence and
confidence like his own. But there would
be similar dignity in woman's bearing
small terrors with iortiude. There is no
beauty in fear. 1t is a mean, ugly. diShev-
eiled creature. No statue Of 1t can be
made that woman would wish TO see her
self like.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
SrAUNrON SPECTATOR.
BYJ. A. 4 L. WADDELL, Jr.
TERMS,

6,- Tie "SPECTATOR'' is published once 'ceek
at Tso Dolars year, if paid in adoanee or ltco Dol,
lar, and Ffty Ceats If delayed beyond the expiration o.
e ysar No subscription ipu be discontinued but at TIE
option of the Edors until all arreareges are po,d'
Drs- Al comnIgicdtions 10 the Editors by ma'I mus
be post paid, they ,cM not be attended TO-
1DVERTTSEH HENTS of thirteen lines Tor less, }
inserted three times for dollar, and t,oenytre cent?
for esch subsequent continuance Larger advertisements
inserted in tte same proportion.
liberal discost made TO those lcho adcertise By tn
year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

Men OF TAsTE.-When General Whit
field, Indian Agent visited the Cheyennes
and few other wild tribes of Indians, to
pay their annuties. this Fall, they inform
ed him that the next year he must bring
them one thousand white squaws, and the
balance they would take in money. They
prefer white squaw to blanket. Scnsi.
bIe fellows
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

PEARL BUTToNs.-These useful little ar
ticles are made from the pearly interior Of
certain large oysters, found in various parts
Of the world. The blanks of the buttons
are cut out of the shell by means of small
revolving steel tube, the edge of which is
too;hed like saw. They are then aatted
or reduced in thickness by splitting, which
process is assisted by the laminated struc-
ture of the shell. Being held by spring
chuck, both sides Of the button are finished
and smoothed by small revolving tool, and
the holes are then made with small steel
drill, which revolves with great rapidty.-
The cuttings or figures on ornamental pearl
buttons are produced by means of series
of small sharp cutters; and the final polish
is given with rotten stone and soft soap
while the buttons are kept in continual mo-
ton.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

SHAMS.-The number of shams in this
world is beyond computation. Nothing is
what it seems to be. A free stone looking
front is nothing but broken brick pastered
with mortar. Port wine owes its body 10
the presence of logwood, while large per.
centage of the champagne in market finds
its birth right short distance back of New
ark. Adulteration appears to be the order
of the day. Nearly all The "old cider" vim
esar we meet with is little less than oil of
vlriol, diluted with burnt sugar, and a
small quantity of the real article added, TO
give it the proper color. Nearly all the low
priced sugars contain five per cent. Of sand.
unless the buyer likes lively grain, in
which case gravel is made use of. Flour
is also considerably mlxed-plaster of Par.
is paying an excellent profit at eleven dol
lars barrel. Gin is now made Of whisky,
while whisky has its profits advanced by
the proximity of the cistern, soft water i'm
parting the mellow flavor which imbibers
suppose comes from age. In Paris rats take
the place of squirrels, while steak, "irom
the fat OK" Is very frequently obtained
from sorreI geldng, that did business yes
terday in ali omnibus. Wicked world, this
well. il is.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

SrABLING Cows.-To prevent COWS from
ying in their manure when in the Stable,
says correspondent OF the Albany Culli-
vator, have gutter drop Immediately be-
hind the cows, 6 inches deep and l6 inches
wide. II COWS are fastened with yokes,
they need about feet 6 inches 10 stand
upon. By having the stalls long enough
you have walk back of the drop, which
is convenient for walking on, setting pals,
sc.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

Qa- Where twenty persons have stom-
achs, but one has brains; hence brewers
grow rich, while printers remain poor.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

G7e A counterfeit article of buckwheat Is
said bv the Western papers. to be abroad.
1t is made from the seed of broom-corn. and
meets with an extensive sale in Pttsburg
and northern Ohio at four cents per pound.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

WHAT Is THE BGsT PAPER TO ADvER.
rrsE lY3-The Daily .Airerilser answer
this question thus: That journal is the
best advertising sheet which is the best in
other respects. The journal which gives
the most accurate summary of the news,
and con aims the best editorial articles, viii
be likely to fall in the hands OF those to
whose notice it Is most desirable to bring
advertisements.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07
Domd,ss Of the olden Timos.

Old fashions, they say come new every
seven years; somehow or other, knee
breeChes don't come round any more
They say when Governor Bowdoln review
ed the troops of Massachusetts, in 1888, he
was dressed in gray wig, cooked hat, a
white 6roadcloth coat and waistccat, red
small clothes, and black silk stockings.
In 1852, Governor Hancock received
his guests in a red velvet cap, within
which was one of fine linen, turned up o.
YER the velvet one or two or three inches.
He wore blue damask gown lined with
silk. white satin embroidered vest, black
satin small clothes, white stockings and red
morocco slippers.
The Judges of the Supreme Court OF
Massachusetts, as late as ITS wore robes
of scarlet, faced with black velvet; and in
summer, black silk gowns. Gentlemen
wore coats of every color, generally the
cap and collar Of velvet, of different col
or from the coat
In 1871. General Washington arrived in
New York, from Mount Vernon, to assume
the duties of the Presidency. He was
dressed in full suit of Virginia homespun.
On his visit to New England, soon after,
he wore the old continental uniform,eXcept
on the Sabbath, when he appeared in
biack
John Adams when Vice President, wore
a sword, and walked the streets with his
hat under his arm.
Al his levees in Phiadel phia President
Washington was clad in black velvet, hi,
hair was powdered, or gathered up behind
in a silk bag, yellow gloves, knee and shoe
buckles. he held in his hand a cooked hat,
ornamented with a cockade, frInged abou;
an inch deep with black feathers, long
sword in white Scab Lard, with polished
steel hilt, hung at his side.
- The following little incident was re-
lated to Us by friend who vouches for its
truthfuineSs:
A teacher in eishborng Sunday School
was examining a class of little boys from
Scripture Ca'echi>m. The first question
was, "Who stoned StephcnY Aas The
Jews" Second question, Where did they
stone him :" Ans. Beyond the limits of
the city" The third question, "Why did
they take hun beyond The limits OF the city,
was not in the book aud proved poser to
the whole class. 1t passed from head TO
foo Without an answer being altempted.-
At length little fellow who had been
scratching his head all the while, looked up
and said +: We'll don't know uness it
was to gU a fair fling at him.'
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

CHINESE M.RRIAGE.-.An interior paper
in California publishes the marriage of Mr..
Aug Yo and Miss Aug Yu, and adds "Chi-
nese papers please copy"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

S5J- No man can avoid his own company
so he had better make it as good as pos
sible,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

G- A man caught in railroad collision
remarked that presence OF mind is good
but absence of bod was better.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

BAKED HAMs,-Most persons boil hams.
1t is much better baked right. Soak it for
an hour in clean water and then wipe it
dry, next spread 1t all over with thin bat
ter, and then put it into deep dish with
sticks under it, to keep 1t out OF the gravy.
When it is fully done, take off the skin aad
matter crusted upon the flesh side, and set
it away to cool. You will ind it very de-
licious. but too rich for dyspeptics.