davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Deerfeld, May I, 1857.

LOVE IN CHNA.-Meadows' history of the
Chinese and their rebellions, lately published in
London, is the most phosophic work which has
yet appeared on the Chinese. A chapter on
love contains the following story:
A Chinese who had been deeply disappointed
in marriage and had grievously suffered through
woihen in many other ways-retired with his
infant son to the peak of mountain range in
Kweiclioo, to a spot quite inaccessible to the
little footed Chinese women. He trained the
boy to worship the gods and stand up in awe
and adherence of the devils, but never men,
toned woman to him, and always descended the
mountain alone to buy food. At length, how
ever, the infrmties OF age compelled him to
take the young man with him to carry the heavy
bag of rice. AS they were leaving the market
town together, the son evidently stopped short,
and pointing to three approaching objects, cried
-"Father, what are these things? Look look
what are they?" The father answered, with
peremptory order-"Turn away your head they
are devilsw The son in some alarm turned a.
way, noticing that the evil things were gazing
at him from behind their pans. He walked to
the mountain top in silence, ate no supper,
and from that day lost his appetite and was af-
flicted with melancholy. For some time his
anxious and puzzled parent could get no satis-
factory answer to his inquiries; but at length
the young man burst out, crying with inexplica-
BILE pain-"Oh, father, that tallest devil-that
tallest devil-father."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

How TO JUMP OFF THE CARs.-Unless you in
tend suicide don't jump from the cars when in
motion but If YOU think you must, and won't
be persuaded to behave like sensible man, this
is probably the way to do it, jump sidewise,
as high as you can, and when in the air screw
your legs up and bend the head forward. You
will strike the ground with that part of the
body that is or should be cushioned by nature
for the purpose, and you will roll away from
the train in the manner of wheel Hands, to
avoid the scratches, had better be in the trousers
pockets. If you survive the operation you will
feel BETTER it is quite likely, than if you had
blundered off without regard to the rules of
science, and broken your neck or cracked the
dome of thought. One experiment will probably
satisfy You as to the convenience and comfort Of
this method of getting off the cars.-SwingfeM
Repu5ican
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
POETRY
The Maiden's Prayer.

The Maiden's Prayer.
BY j. G. WHITTIER.
She rose from her delicious sleep
And put away her soft brown hair,
And in tone as low and deep
As loves first whisper, breathed prayer /;
Her snow white hands together pressed,
Her blue eyes sheltered in the lid,
The folded linen on her breast,
Just swelling with the charms it hid,
And from her long and flowing dress,
Escaped bare and snowy foot,
Whose steps upon the earth did press
Like new snow flake, white and mute;
And then from slumbers soft and warm.
Like young spirit fresh from heaven,
She bowed that light and matchless form
And humbly prayed to be forgiven.
Oh, God if souls unsoiled as these
Need daily mercy from thy throne;
If she upon her bended knees;
Our holiest and purest one;
She with face so clear and bright.
We deem her some stray child OF light;
If she, with those soft eyes in tears,
Day after day in her young years,
Must kneel and pray for grace from Thee,
What far, far deeper need have We
How hardly, if she win not Heaven,
Will our wild errors be forgiven!
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Bodily Carriage.

Instead of giving all sorts of rules about turn
ing out the toes, and Strengthening up the body
and holding the shoulders back, all of which ART
impracticable to the many, because soon forgot
ten, or of feeling of awkwardness and discom
fort which procures willing omission, all thai
is necessary to secure the object is to hold up tn
head and Naoce ON letting the shoulders ant
toes take care of themselves. Walk with the
chin but slightly above ahorizontal line, or with
your ewes directed to things little higher than
your head. In this way you walk properly, plea,
suraby. and without any fear or restraint Of
awkwardness. Ifany one wishes to be aided IN
securing this habitual carriage of body, accuS'
tom yourself to carry your hands behind you
one hand grasping the opposite wrist. English,
men are admired the world over for Their full
chests, and broad shoulders, and sturdy frames,
and manly bearing This position of body is q
favorite with them, in the simple promenade in
q garden or gallery, in attending ladies along a
crowded street, in standing on the street or in
public worship.
Many persons spend large part of their wax
ing existence in the sitting position. single
rule, well attended to, iir;his connection, would
be of incalcuable value to multitudes-use chairs
with the old fashioned, straight backs, inclining
backward, and sit with the lower portion of the
body close against the back of the chair at the
seat any one who tries it, will observe in mo.
ment grateful support of the whole spine, and
we see no reason why children should not be
taught from the beginning to write, ,and sew ,and
knit, in position requiring the lower portion OF
the body and shoulders to touch the back OF the
chair all the time.
A very common position in sitting, especially
among men, is with the shoulders against the
chair back, with space of several inches be-
tween the chair back and the lower portion OF
the spine, giving the body the shape of half
hoop; it is the instantaneous, instructive anc al
most universal position assumed by any consump-
tive on sitting down, unless counteracted by an
effort of the will hence parents should regard
such position in their children with apprehen-
sion, and should rectify it at once.
The best position after eating regular meal,
is to have the hands behind the back, the head
erect, in moderate locomotion, and in the open
air, if the weather is not chilly. Half an hour
spent in this way after meals at least after break
fast and dinner, would add health and length of
days to women in early life, and to all sedentary
men. 1t is thought which merits attention.
Halls Journal Of Health.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

TRUE AND TOUCHING INoIDENT.-The Glasgow
Christian News gives the following as mo fiction.
but plain truth
A young man and his wife were preparing to
attend Christmas party, at the house OF
friend, some miles distant. Henry, my dear
husband, don't drink too much at the party to-
day you will promise me won't you 2! said she,
putting her hand upon his brow, and raising her
eyes to his face with q pleading smile. No
Millie, will not; you may trust me- And he
wrapped his infant boy in soft blanket, ana
they descended. The horses were soon pranc
ing over the turf, and a pleasant conversation
begued the way. Now don't forget your
PROMISE whispered the young wife as she pass.
ed up the steps, Poor thing she was the wife
of man who loved to look upon the wine when
red.
The party passed off pleasantly the time fol
departure drew near, and the wife descended
from the upper chamber to join her husband
A pang shot through her trusting heart as she
met him. for he was intoxicated had broken
his promise. Silently they rode homeward save
when the drunken man broke into snatches Of
song or unmeaning laughter. But the wife rode
on, her babe closely pressed to her grleved heart
Give me the baby, ,Mllie ! can't trust you with
him. said he as they approached dark and
swollen stream After some hesitation she re-
sioned her first born, her darling babe, closely
Wrapped in great blanket, to his arms.
Over the dark waters the noble steed safely
bore them, and when they reached the bank the
mother asked for her child. With much care
and tenderness he placed the bundle in her arms
but but when she olasped it to her bosom, no 1ab'
soas there! 1t had slipped from the blanket
and the drunken father knew it not. A wild
Shrek from the mother aroused him, and he
turned m around just in time to see the little ros,
face rise one moment above the dark waters
then sink forever. What spectacle The i
dol of his heart gone-gone forever-and thai
bv his own ntemperance. The anguish of the
mother the remorse of the father, are better
imagined than described.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

To SECURE BACON FROM THE FLY.-A writer
liz the American Farmer recommends as an in.
con is smoked early in the Spring, before the fly
has made its appearance, take quick-lime, slaked
to cry power, and rub the meat thoroughly on
every part with it, leaving it to adhere as much
as possible; hang up your meat and rest secure
from any trouble from insects. We have for
many years rubbed our hams with hickory wood
ashes, and then packed them up in the ashes in
close casks, with fitting tops, and we have vet
TO find the first insect in our bacon. We think
ashes preferable to lime, and are much pleasant
er handling in packing away, or in getting rid
of when the hams are required for use.-Ger-
naantown Telegraph.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

Some few days ago young lady, whilst rid
ing in an omnibus to the west end of London,
was s s struek with the appearance of one of her
fellow passengers, who besides being dressed in
the & beigLth Of fashion, wore magnificent dia-
mond rluo ripr In the course of the afternoon the
,odv having occasion for her purse, which con-
tained h3 some e15 discovered that it was gore,
bnt rl in lien lent thereof the identical diamond ring,
worth @ i, sixty guineas, was left. There is no
Gonbt I that the diamond ring was the result
of olson some previous robbery, but being too large
for & the t6jers finger, it slipped off while alb
stractipg the purse from the lays pocket.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
TuE PR1oE or D1AMoNps-A Philadelph

THE PRICE OF DIAMoNDs.-A Philadelphia
letter of the 9th says
A set of diamonds of any thing but extrava-
CANT beauty, displayed in the window of a fash.
ionable eweler in Chestnut street, labeled "price
$50O0," discloses the fact that the value of these
gems has recently been materially advanced. In
fact, just at present, diamonds are diamonds and
those who would possess them must pay their
uttermost value. Various reasons, some of them
seemingly fancful enough, are assigned by deal
ers for this enhancement in value, from all OF
which learn that diamonds and dough.nuts
are subject to like fluctuations in value, and up.
ON similar very remote causes. For instance, il
is stated of diamonds, that the present advance
of % per cent. is brought about by the quies.
cent state of Europe, somewhat aided by the
numerous alliances between titled personages,
whose agents purchase the finest stones in the
various markets. in order to invest the bridal
trousseaux with fitting splendor. Some of the
handsomest fortunes realized during the past
ten years were made by capitalists who bought
up the finer gems offered in this market and Eu-
rope during the Turkish war, and resold them ia
great advantage when public confidence became
restored upon the establishment of peace.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A ouAKER WoMAN's SERMoN.-"My Dear
Friends There are three things l very much
wonder at. The first is, that children should be
so foolish as to throw up stones, ,ciuos,and brick
bats into fruit trees, to knock down fruit; if
they would let it alone,it would tall itself The
second is, that men should be so foolish, and e.
ven so wicked, as to go to war; =, ana a Kill each
other; if let alone they would ale themselves.
And the third and last thing winch wonder at
is that ha11 they go voud 80 %sS s a ms 1
sbe abtsr rouna Sunrg women would come after them"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
ASTONISHING MEMoRY.-Dr Revenslow, G

ASTONISHING MEMoRY-Dr Revenslow, Of
Cincinnati, while on visit to Covington, on
Wednesday evening, gave a remarkable exhibi-
ton of his powers of memory to some friends at
the German Turner's Hall. Ninety-three mum.
bers were written on slip of paper by the by
standers; each number being called as it was
written. The Doctor, without seeing the paper,
Immediately called the numbers of the figures
in rotation, both forward and backward, and af-
terward, when q combination of the figures
were called, gave their relative positions in the
list. Such instances of memory are few.
Seneca was able, by the mere effort Of his
natural memory, to repeat two thousand words
upon once hearing them, each in its order, though
they had no connection with each other.
Cyrus knew every soldier in his army by
name, and Spcio all the people ofRome.-Neao-
port Neus.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

THE FAMINE IN FINLAND.-The latest accounts
from Russian Finland continue to give most
distressing picture of the famine raging in that
country. In the districts of Unleaborg, Wasa,
and Kurpie alone, out of population of 657,0 900
souls, no less than 100000 have no other means
of subsistence than begging, or eating the unpal-
atable bread made from the bark of trees. The
mortality is consequently very great, and it is
daily on the increase, as the famine typus has
broken out with great malignity. The distress
is such that children have been seen who for
want of other food have actually eaten off their
own fingers.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

AMoDEL HUsBAND.-In the Gentlelnan's Mag
azine for 1871, we find the following mental
and personal qualifications of husband :"
Great good nature, good humor and good
sense. Lively by all means. Stupid by no
means. His person agreeable rather than hand
some. No great objection to six feet with an
exact symmetry of parts. Always clean, but
not foppish in his dress. Youth promises a du-
ration of happiness, therefore is agreeable
Well read in the classics, but no pedant. Exper-
mentally acquainted with natural philosophy.
A tolerable ear for music, but no fiddler. l
must repeat it again, no fiddling husband An
easy and unaffected politeness. No bully; just
as much courage as is sufficient to defend his
own and his wife's honor. No traveller no en-
thusiasm for the cirtu. A freethinker in every
thing except in matters of religion.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

WHO OUR SOLDIERS ARE.-The standing army
of the United States, as organized by law, NUN
bers or should number 12,69S men, of whom
1O40 are commissioned officers. By the act Of
1850, the President was authorized to increase
the number of privates in the 1Sl companies last
year serving on the frontier, to "a men each
which addition, if duly made, would give an ag.
gregate of II 1862 men in the American army
1t is probable, however, that considering the
constant losses of men by death, expiration o
service, &C., our military force is rarely greater
than that first mentioned.
The whole number of recruits during the siz
years ending September 80, 1855, was 30066,ol
an annual average of soil. They are principal.
ly from our large cities, New York furnishing hel
full proportion. The difficulties of this service
may be imagined, from the fact, that of the &c..
O64 enlisted in that city during the year 1862
| 1888 were rejected for various causes.
During peace, the greater number of recruits
are foreigners but in time of war this is rever
sed. In the last war with Great Britain, nearly
! the entire army was composed of Americans
The same may be said OF the Mexican war. O
5000 enlistments during the year 1910, 363(
were native born citizens of the United States
Generally these men were far nobler than the
usual recruits of our peace establishment, taller
more intelligent and less likely to succumb tc
sickness and fatigue
The average height of native born soldiers
gives the State of Georgia the preference The
lowest is that of New York. Of 241 men, six
feet and upwards, Georgia sends 30; North Car
olina "a; Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, Is
each Alabama and Illinois, II each; South Car.
oina, Virginia and Ohio, 10; Maine II; Mary
land 9, Missouri s; New Jersey and Vermont,
6; Massachusetts and Pennsylvania 5, and New
York 4. The tallest man is from Georgia, 6 feet
1-2 inches. Close by him stands one from S.
Carona,6 feet 4 10 inches. The average weight
of American soldiers is 148 % lbs.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A capital story is told in the Yarmouth Reg
ister, of grave divine on the Cape, not long
since, who awoke from comfortable nap in his
chair, and discovered his amiable helpmate in
the performance of an act for which Gov. Marcy
once made charge of fifty cents to his State
in other words mendng his pantaloops. Tn.
spired with love of fun which seldom affected
him, he inquired-'Why are you, my dear. ike
the evil adversary spoken of in ScriptureN OF
course she was unable to discover any resem-
blance. Because said he, while the husband
man slept, you sO~ed the tares" The reverend
gentlemans unfortunate prediction for iocu-
larity is kept profound secret from his parish.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

THROWING COLD WATER UPON SENTIMENT
sport Gibson is beautiful little town on tbe
Mississippi River" writes Western correspon
dent OF paper, where | attended wedding
few days since. Wishing to say something be-
coming the occasion, approached the fair young
bride in the course of the evening, and after
congratulating her on her departure from the
state of sing le blessedness, wished her pleas
ant voyage down the river of life. She said she
hoped so, but she heard there was great deal
of fever on the river now-she hoped they
wouldn't ketch it on the way down."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Horrors of Chinese Opium.

Give in his description of China and the Chi
nese customs, states that one of the streets Of
Canton is occupied entirely by shops for the
sale of this deadly drug:
"One of the objects in this place, that I had
the curiosity to visit, was the opium smoker in
his heaven and certainly it is fearful sight, al
though not SO degrading in the eye as the drunk
ard from spirits, lowered to the level of brute
and wallowing in his filth. The idiot smile and
death like stupor however, of the opium de.
bauchee, has something far more awful to the
gaze than the beastly insanity Of the latter. The
rooms where they sit and smoke are surrounded
by wooden couches with places for the head to
rest upon, and generally side room is devoted
to gambling. The pipe is reed of about al
inch in diameter and the aperture in the bowl
for the admission of the opium is not larger than
pins head
The drug is prepared with some kind of con-
serve, and very small portion of it is sufficient
to charge it, one or two whiffs being the utmost
that can be inhaled from single pipe and the
smoke is taken into the lungs as from the hooks
lin India On beginner, one or two pipes will
have an effect, but an cid stager will continue
smoking for hours. At the head of each couch
is placed small lamp, the fire must be held to
the drug during the process of inhaling, and
from the difficulty of filling and properly light
lug the pipe, there is generally person who
waits upon the smoker to perform the Office
A few days of this fearful luxury, when taken to
excess, gives pallid and haggard look to the
face and few months, or even weeks, will
change the strong, healthy man into little better
than an idiot skeleton. The pain they suffer
when deprived of the drug, after long habit, no
language can explain, and it is only when to q
certain degree under its influence that their fac
ulties are alive.
In the houses devoted to their ruin, these in
fatuated people may be seen at nine o'clock in
the evening, in all the different stages some en-
tering half distracted to feed the craving appe-
tite they had been compelled to subdue during
the day, and others laughing and talking wildly
under the effects of first pipe while the couch
es around are filled with their different occu-
pants who lie languid with an idiot smile upon
their countenances, too much under the nfu-
ence of the drug to care for passing events, and
fast emerging to the wished for consummation.
The last scene in this tragic play is generally
room in the rear of the building, a species Of
dead house, where lie stretched those who have
passed into state of bliss the opium smoker
madly seeks-an emblem of the long sleep to
which he is blndly hurrying.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

"How changeable the wind isl" said Mrs.
Partington, upon her return from a walk in
Boston; "it is the changeabest thing ever did
see. When went up Washington street it was
blowin' in my face, and when turned to go
down, don't you think it went blowing on my
back!n
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

THE LONDON PoIIoE.-The total expenses O.
the London Police, for the year 1856, amounted
to e434, 900. The police force constitutes or
army of 5,S47 men-1S superintendent, will
salaries of e44O down to 92O0; 142 inspectors
with salaries of 5000 to eSl 1ss. 631 sergeants
with salaries of 9109 to 963; and 5,056 consta
bles whose salaries range from 97s to 940 {
wear. with Goals and clothing.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A wife in Kentucky, says Prentice, has shown
how wives may run away without rendering
themselves liable to be advertised, as having
left their husbands 'bed and board" She emf
up all she provisions on hand, and took the bed
with her.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

MoCRAcKEN's HOTEL AT VIcKsBURG, Miss
On landing, we went to the Hotel of Gen. Nc
Cracken, who has the reputation of being the
politest man in the Union. When we went
down to breakfast was much amused by the
novel mode the General has of informing his
guests what has been provided for them. In
one corner of the spacious dining hall there is a
counter on which the products of the kitchen
are spread. There stands "mine host" knife and
fork in hand, and in tones peculiar to himselfhe
cries-'nice turkey-hash- cold ham-fresh sau,
sages-beefsteak, the best in the world"-and
then addressing the walters he will say, "hand
round the rolls-hurry up the hot cakes" and
all his various directions worked into sort o.
song, and were it not that the tune is a monde
script one might imagine that the old Roman
fashion of combining musica and feasting had beer
revived on the banks of the Mississippi. This
plan is substitute for the printed bills of fare
now common in all the best city hotels. Hesays
understand, the reason he adopted this unique
method was that some years ago he kept pub
lie house in Jackson, and many of his boarder:
were members of the Legislature and could moi
read-so he had to call out for their informa
ton. Finding it cheap and easy he had continu
ed it.-Bishop Piercs's Letters from the South.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A FAIR TAKE OFF-Col. Benton was asked
the other day to take cracker and glass Of
wine, at the house of q friend
"Unleavened bread, sir" said the Colonel
"Sir, unleavened bread, sir-the word cracker
is not to be found either in the Scriptures or in
any of my works. 1t is unleavened bread, sir,
from Lero lscare, Latin to lift or raise, and un
not, and Saxon bread, baked meal, sir-signify-
ing species of bread that has not been raised,
sir. Yes, sir, thank you, sir. will have one
or two pieces, sir, of unleavened bread sir, and,
sir, glass of wine, sir, and shall be honored il
you and this woman here, will take a glass Of
wine with me-"