davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
BY THEMSELVES.

In some of the Northern States, almost
any form or mode of marriage ceremony is
recognised as valid, where the intention of
both parties is understood and expressed.
The Rochester (New York; Union makes
the following hymenial announcements
Married, by themselves, at the family
residence of the bride, on the 3Ist ult., Mr..
Nelson Collins, of this city, and Miss
Isabella Braithwaite.'' The Boston Atlas
says it would like to know what charms,
incantations, declarations, and protestations
were employed, in this mode of union, and
adds: "By themselves''-it has a terrible
lonesome sound. We do not understand
how a woman can feel like a bride under
such isolated circumstances. 1t must have
been painfully dreary. One thing may be
said of these self acting marriages. They
are cheap. Yes, they are cheap. You can
save four-and- -sixpence by them, and that is
something to go to housekeeping upon in
these hard times. But should the "by
themselves idea generally prevail, parents
and guardians" had better keep bright
lookout. Signing lovers will need no Gretna
Green-elopementsw will be scarce; but then
the extemporaneous marriages, fixed in no
time at all, and nowhere in particular-will
they not become unpleasantly frequent?
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
STATISTICS OF MUSCULAR
POWER

Man has the power of initiating every
motion, but that of flight. To effect these
he has in maturity and health, sixty bones
in his head, sixty in his thighs and legs,
sixty two in his arms and hands, sixty-seven
in his trunk. He has, also, 434 muscles.
His heart makes sixty -four pulsations in a
minute, and, therefore, 3,840 in an hour
%, ,160 in day. There are also three COM
plete circulations of his blood in the short
space of an hour. In respect to the COM
parative speed of animated beings, and of
impelled bodies, it may be remarked that
huence, nor has comparative strength,
although one body giving any quantity Of
motion to another is said to lose so much of
his own. The sloth IS by no means a small
animal, and yet it can only travel fifty
PAGES in day; a worm crawls only five
inches in fifty seconds; but a lady bird can
fly twenty million times its own length in
less than an hour. An elk can run mile
in seven minutes. An antelope can run a
mile in a minute; the wild mule of Tartary
has a speed even greater than that; and an
eagle can fly eighteen leagues in an hour
and canary falcon can even reach two
hundred and fifty leagues in the short space
of sixteen hours.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
GEN. CASS ON WALKER.

In the Nicaraguan meeting in New York
on Friday night, letter was read from
Gen. Cass, endorsing the recognition of the
Nicaraguan Government. Mr.. Cass says ::
am free to confress that the heroic effort
of our countrymen in Nicaragua excites
my admiration, while it engages all my So
licitude. l am not to be deferred from the
expression of these feelings by sneers or
reproaches, or hard words. He who doesn't
sympathise with such an enterprise has lit
tie in common with me. The difficulties
which Gen. Walker has encountered and
overcome will place his name high on the
roll of the distinguished men of his age
He has conciliated the people he went to
aid, the government of which he makes part
is performing its functions without oppos1-
ton, and internal tranquility marks the wis
dom of its policy. That magnificent region,
for which God has done so much and man
so little, needs some renOvating process,
some TRANSMISSION by which new life may be
impaired to it. Our countrymen will plant
there the seeds of our institutions, and God
grant that they may grow up in an abun-
dant harvest of industry, enterprise and
prosperity. A new day, hope, is opening
upon the States of Central America. If
we are true to our duty they will soon be
freed from all danger of European interfer-
ence, and will have security in their own
power against the ambitious designs of
England far better than Clayton Bulwer
treaties, or any other diplomatic machinery
by which spirit of aggression is sought to
be concealed till circumstances are ready
for active operation.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
JAIL IN SPARTAN
BURG

We had occasion to notice a circum-
stance, a few days since, says the Charleston
Standard, which seemed favorable to the
character and morals of our friends of
Spartanburg. 1t was announced that there
was no solitary tenant of the Jail in that
District, and we, as well as many of our
contemporaries, made mention of the fact.
A gentleman from that vicinity, however,
has favored US with version of the story
which gives another face to the affair. He
says that, not long since, man named
Smith was convicted of an offence which
rendered it necessary that he should be
whipped, and among those who commiserated
his condition deeply, was his wife, who set
a woman's wits to work to help him. To
the end of seeing what she could do in that
way, she called at the jail one cold evening
about the 10th of March, and, finding the
jailor absent, gave sad account OF her
afflictions to the jailor's wife. That kind
woman was penetrated by sense OF her
suferings, and as night, cold and bleak,
came on, could not withhold from Mrs.
Smith, the offer of her hospitality until
morning. While she was busy with. pre-
parations for the entertainment of her guest,
and with that object had occasion to visit
the kitchen, the guest took the key, slipped
rapidly to the rooms above, unlocked the
doors, and returning, restored the key to
the place where the jailor's wife had left it,
and was sitting as demure and miserable as
ever when her hostess returned. The es-
cape of the prisoners was not known until
the next morning. when breakfast was sent
to them; and nothing could equal the sur
prise of the jailor's wife, except the surprise
exhibited by the wife of the prisoner, at this
remarkable occurrence.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
VILLAGE DESTROYED.

Every house in the village of Cedar Hill,
Texas, was leyelled to the ground, and
several blown entirely away by tornado,
on the 18th ult. Among the persons killed
were John Hart, wife and child; J. Berry,
wife and child Mrs. Dickinson; Mrs. Allen
and a negro girl. The money chest of
Miller & Berry's store, containing 5000,
was blown off and not found again. The
storm commenced about o'clock in the
afternoon, and was accompanied by thunder
and vivid lightning. The scene the next
morning is described as heart-rending. A
large number of cattle were killed on the
prairie adjoining.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
THE RULE OF THREE.

There are exceptions to every rule but
the rule of three; that is never changed.
AS your income is to your expenditures, so
will the amount Of your debts be to your
cash on hand and consequent ability to meet
them. If you allow your vanity to lead
you into extravaganza, you must rely on
something else to take you out of it; either
a rich relation or the sheriff's writ. Your
furniture may be less snowy than that of
your neighbor, but never mind. Better are
cane bottom chairs and mahogany tables
that are paid for, than spring cushions and
marble mantels on note of six months.
Your coat may be less fashionable than
your neighbours, and while he is driven by
liveried coachman, you may be riding
shank's horse; but, remember there is a
time for balancing the books, and every
purse has got bottom. So ecOnOmise, and
always remember the rule of three.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
SWEET WORDS, THE PEARLS OF
LIFE.

Would it not please you to pick up strings
of pearls, drops of gold, diamonds, and pre-
cious stones, as you pass along the street !
1t would make you feel happy for month
to come. Such happiness you can give to
others. How, do you ask! BY dropping
sweet words, fine remarks, and pleasant
smiles Us you pass along. These are true
pearls and precious stones, which can never
be lost: of which none can deprive you.
Speak to that orphan child; see the diamond
drops from her cheeks. Take the hand of
the friendless boy; bright pearls fash i'll
his eyes. Smile on the sad and detected
Joy sufuses his cheek more brilliant than
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
THE REAL MAN,
cate.

What a man really is, will appear in the
truest light under his. own roof, and by his
own freside. l can believe that he is q
Christian, when know that he faithfully
takes up the daily duties and bears the
crosses that cluster within his own door
1 shall think that the world rightly calls
him philanthropist when, notwithstanding
common faults and infrmities, he receives
the spontaneous award of the good husband
and father, and the Kindness Of nature is
reflected in the very air and light of the
dwelling. And talk of noble deeds! where
will you behold manifestations of a more
beautiful sef-sacrifice, more generous
heroism, than in the labors and in the en-
durances of thousands of men and women
shut out from the worlds observation in
silent hooks and corners of this very city,
amidst the relationship, and cares, and
struggles of home But whether it be in
forms of good or evil, we know that the real
elements of character, the genuine moral
qualities of people, must be expressed here.
t ReU. III. Chupin.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
A CIRCUS RIOT.

We learn that a dreadful fight occurred
at Pittsborough, Chatham county, about a
fortnight ago, between party of men be-
longing to Robinson s. Eldred's Circus and
some citizens of Chatham, in which some of
the latter were dreadfully beaten, and one
Mr.. Joseph Stone, very respectable citizen
and merchant, SO badly beaten that he is
since dead. One report states that the
Circus men were bailed another that four
of them were in Jail. 1t is said that the
difficulty in this case grew out of the mis-
conduct of a liquor dealor of Chatham, and
that the Circus men were not so much to
blame as they generally are. But we think
it is manifest, from the violence and rowdy-
ism and drunkenness, and dssOluteness,
and disease, and kidnapping, which so often
mark the progress of these people, that the
people should call upon the Legislature to
prohibit them from coming into the State
at all. The price is too great to pay for a
night of vulgar amusement.-[ Fayetteville
IN. c. Observer.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

"SLOSHIN ABOUT."--In Pike county,
Ala, therewas Il trial for general row, and a
witness testified that one Saltonstall Jest
kept slOshin' about. AS this remark re-
garding the chivalrous Saltonstall was fre-
quently repeated, lawyer wished to know
with the affair.
''Why Pve told you several times: the
rest on 'em clinched and paired off, but
Saltonstall-he jest kept sloshin' about"
"My good fellow" exclaimed tho lawyer,
1--WE want to know what this is. Tell us
what you mean by sloshin' about
"Well," answered the witness very de-
Gberately, "I'll try. You sec, John Brewer
and Sykes, they clinched and fout. That's
in legle form, aint it :"
80, yes!" said the lawyer, "Go on"
"Abney and Blackman then pitched into
one another, and Blackman bit off piece
of Abney's lip-that's legle too, aint it!'
"Yes, proceed"
Simpson, and Bill Stone, and Murray
was altogether on the ground, bitin' and
kickin' one another-that's lcgle too, amt
it,"
"Very! but go on.''
"And Saltonstall made it his business to
walk forward through the crowd, with a big
stick in his hand, and knock down every
loose man in the crowd, as fast as he come
to 'em. That's what call sloSJtim' 1bout!"
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

the precious stones. BY the way-side, amid
the city's din, and at the fre-side of the
poor, drop words and smiles to cheer and
bless. You will feel happier when restinE
upon your pillow at the close of the dayS
then if you had picked a score of perishinA
jewels. The latter fade and crumble in
time; the former grow brighter with age,
and promise happier reflections forever.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

Low FARE.-The price of a ticket, for
the round trip, from Washington City to
the Cincinnati Democratic Convention, was
only Sl6.25. Large numbers, of course,
availed themselves of the inducement this
afforded for attending the Convention.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

FATAL ExPLOsION.--The Pyrotechnic
establishment of Dennis McCrossem, in
Schenck street, New York, exploded on
Monday, with fatal result. The report was
heard at the distance Of more than a mile
One of the unfortunate sufferers was thrown
through the roof, and landed considerable
distance from the place. The others were
picked up about tire premises, all blackened
and mutilated so as hardly to be recognized
by their relatives. Samuel Bedell, 10y,
was dreadfully mangled, and of course died
Immediately.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

A MAN ABOUT To BE BURIED ALIVE
In Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, the
funeral services were about being performed
on the body of Daniel Stearns, Esq, who
was supposed TO have been dead three days.
when a slight warmth was perceptible in the
body, restoratives were applied, and he is
now recovering.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

FATAL AFFRAY IN CAHABA, ALABAMA.
The Selma Reporter of the Goth instant,
states that difficulty occurred in Cahaba,
on last Friday evening, in which John r.
Bell and his two sons, John A. and Charles,
and Drs. Troy and Hunter and Judge Bird
were engaged. John r. and John A. Bell
were both instantly killed by Judge Bird
and DR.. Hunter DIR. Troy was slightly in
jured on the arm by stick in the hands of
John A. Bell. A legal investigation was
had on Saturday, but we have not heard
the decision of the court.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

A RUSSIAN FLEET CoMING.-The "Cou-
rier" (French) says a Russian steam squad
ron now at Cronstadt, was to leave there in
May for North America. under the com
mand of Admiral Warakowitcsh
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

CROPS IN TEXAs.--The Galveston Civilian
of the 10th says: In Texas fine rains have
recently fallen. The young crops of corn
aud cotton are highly promising, the rivers
are up and in condition for steamboat navi-
cation.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF PROMISE
In Bedford (Va.) Circuit Court, at its last
term, VIM. Steen, gentleman "a years of
age, was sued by young lady for damages
for breach of promise, and mulcted in the
sum of $3.50. A new trial has been granted.
The ''young LADY, ought to be made pay
double the amount, for consenting to marry
a gentleman of eighty four.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

DAMAGEs.-1n the Supreme Court o
Massachusetts, sitting in Warren city, Mr.
Taft, of Charleston. South Carolina, ha
obtained verdict of $3.50 against thu
Western Railroad corporation, as damages
for the loss of his arm last September, Will,
riding in the company's cars.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

- Potatoes, which sold in Philadelphia
last year at 2 $3.50 per hushel, are now
bringing only 50 cents a bushel.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

RECOMMENDATION FOR OFFICE.--The
new Mayor of Philadelphia is besieged with
applications for office. One poor fellow
was arrested few nights ago, uproriously
drunk, and upon searching his pockets, a
petition was found, setting forth that he
was sober, steady. man, and one eminent
ly worthy of place on the police. The
drunken candidate for police honors was
taken before an Alderman, and sent below.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

AVOID THEM.-Southern men should not
patronize the Astor House, New York.
Why? Because the proprietor, Mr.. StetsOn.
was one of the Vice Presidents of Black
Republican Mass Meeting lately. Southern
families should not send their daughters to
Miss Dutton's Female Academy, in Hart
ford, Conn. Why! Because she has given
twenty-five dollars to buy Sharpe's rifle,
to shoot southern men with in Kansas. We
must love our enemies and do them good;
from his ways, is to cut loose the bonds of
pecuniary interest, and leave him to reflect
in monetary isolation. If this fails to bring
him to his senses-still let him alone
Raleigh Christian Adrocate.
IMPORTANT DIsCOvERY.-The Norfolk
Argus learns that gold mine has been dis
covered on James river, in Charles City
county, Virginia, about eighty miles from
Norfolk, on the farm of Z. f. Nance, Esq.
Some men being engaged in cutting timber
on the land, one of them, who had worked
in the gold mines in California, observed
soil that reminded him of what he had seen
on the other side of the continent and on
examination, found that the earth contained
gold amounting to nearly twenty FIVE cents
in value to every quart. The quality of the
gold has been tested and found to be of the
very purest kind.
ExPIATION.-The.B Boston Post says that
Mr.. Herbert. NJ. C.. from California, who
killed the waiter, Keating, at Williard's
hotel in Washington, has given to the widow
of the deceased neat house, settled upon
her handsome annuity, and provided for
the education of her children.
| No man has a right to do what he
Dleases. except when he pleases to do right.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
VALUABLE RECIpES.-To nj

VALUABLE RECPEs.-To please the
old folks while you court the daughter, agree
with the father in politics, and keep the
mother in snuff. To please the brother,
lend him your rife and buy him dog
To please your dulcina, keep her in jewelry
and call her an ''angel." To please your
self, be fool. To be unpopular, do what
is right, regardless of consequences. To
please every body and the "rest of mankind"
tell people what you think of them when
occasion calls for it, and be candid in the
expression OF your opinion. If these re-
cipcs are strictly adhered to, they viii
succeed to a charm
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

- No man has right to do what he
pleases, except when he pleases to do right
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
FROM SEBASTOPOL.
FRESH Fluid and Camphine.

a PRITCHARD'S Drug Store. You will
- get these articles pure. Fluid at 81 per
gaLl"n--Camphine 80 cents, cash
April :, 1856.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

.-y~ There is q Yankee down east who has
invented a jack-plane to shave the beard
off. He is the brother of the individual
who uses fat-iron to smooth the ruffied
temper of his wife.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03

r George c. Fields, one of the wound
ed in the late brutal assault on the passen-
gers at Panama, died at the hospital IN N.
York on Tuesday, from the effects of his
wounds. He had received two sabreswounds
in the face, each of which was about six
inches in length, and penetrated through the
bones and check, knocking out most of
his teeth. Besides these wounds, the con-
tents of musket loaded with buckshot and
slugs were poured into his forehead, and
penetrated the flesh and scalp. John Fields,
an elder brother of the deceased, also lost
his life in the Panama riot. The deceased
was robbed of all the money he had ON his
person ($25O) at the time of the riot, and
nearly all his clothes were torn from his bo-
dy.
The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
General EntelliQtnte.

SLAVERY IN THE METHODIST GENERAL
CONFERENCE.-THE the General Conference
of the Methodist church, at indianapolis,
Indiana, the committees on slavery have
made report, in which one article declares
slavery sin, but ''inasmuch as persons
may be brought into the legal relation of
shareholders involuntarily by purchasing
slaves in order to free them, therefore, the
merely legal relation Shall not be considered
of itself sufficient to exclude person who
may thus sustain it from the fellowship of
the church
''Article 2.-Whenever member of our
church, by any means, becomes the owner
of a slave, it shall be the duty of the preach
er i'll charge to call together committee of
at least three members, who shall investi-
gate the case, and determine the time in
which said slave shall be freed; and on this
refusal or neglect to abide by the decision
of said committee, he shall be dealt with as
in case of immortality.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-16

About O'Clock +. NJ yesterday Capt Eaton, of tho
BOARD Of Underwriters, Mr. Richard Deafeld civil
9neer ana other gentlemen connected with shipping
interests repaired to the river for the purpose making
test experiment Of blasting the ice By means OF gdu
powder.
Upon this experiment to depend In grea measure
the future operations OF the Bard OF Underwriters and
bcatnep, IN efforts prevent, far possible the
great amount OF dsmageto which the boats will be liable
in the event Of movement Of the Zee, which In the
common coarse OF things, must take place before msny
deys. The locality chosen for the experiment was that
portion Of the river opposite the foot 2f Spruce street.
The affair wna placed er The direction Of Nj Deafed
who hadvountaered his services for the occasion.
The parties selected spot about three hundred yards
from the shore and opening cut in the ico suf
Gent to admit gallon jug. jug OF this description
charged with five pounds sder and made water
tight by cork stopper Through this stopper passed
fuse one eighth OF inch in diameter connecting with
the powder In the Jug and four five feet ia length
This fuse composed Of cotton, wrapped with water
proof CLOTH and additional covering Of pitched twtne
The powder not being sufficient in quantity 10 fill the Jug
IL still contained enough ar to aoet 1t under the Ice
out upon the surface lighted The party repaired TO
eorrc distance, and awaited the result.
II explosion which followed was not louder than the
ttp,tt OF pistol but consideycbe jar on the ice
Was noticed, which WAS 'e d,s OF two or three
hundred yards. The cncuSi caused perceptibe rise
and fhl Ia the whole a, ths ;cS wi'hia that limit
On repairing to the SPOT il ioend nst spucs neac
~ circular, about twelve .sot in ciameer hsd been
blown up this the only result peg eoiFatie Va
ice being covered by heavy bed OF snow aeepg sess
however, stated that he had doubt the Ice hsa Jeea
cracked through in lines rsdsoR from this open space
toa dfs'arce Of hundred and fifty or two hundred
iees, as be observed frou previous experiment which
be made when the clear OF Four success
sfve blasts made VITA like results which pr 0ved
satisfactory 70 tbs operator Y. Lovu ReppbS0n F B..