davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
eDcak Easy, Father

Charles ran to his father, who was
busily employed in vexatious piece OF
work, and without thinking Of the press
ure on his fathers mind, asked him what
he was doing The father thoughtless
ly, with loud voice, which had tone
Of passion, replied, 'sNo matter; go away
my son. Charles recoiled from the
excited parent, and with faltering ac-
cents, said; ''speak easy, father and
left his father with tear in his eye.
How often is this rebuke needed in
the domestic circle, where emphatically,
"a soft answer turneth away wrath, but
grieyous words stirreth up angerH'
Not unfrequently are parents morti-
fed and sorrowful because passionate
words and deeds are displayed by chill
dren, and even in maturer life, bring
them to the disgrace of the public Grim
inal, when this development of depravity
was only the fruit of the seeds sown in
young hearts by ';grievous words.
"Speak easy, father . and mother also,
and children too; for your tones ofvoice
shall blend with the music of satisfied
soul, or the discord OF heart unstrung
forever.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
TheDrun kard's Death.

What a spectacle is thisl What a
lesson does it teach! The destruction
of mans corporeal frame is not pleasant
under any circumstances. The taking
down of his stclay tabernacle, even when
he hopes to enter a,s'b1ilding not made
with hands," in the upper skies, has
something melancholy in it. But when
We see mortal stretched upon his dy
ing couch, whose life has been spent in
debauchery and reyelry, what is there
connected with him or his, either past
or present, or futute, that does not pre-
sent the most horrible and forbidding
aspect? Life. is gone-property wasted
hlasted-wife. and children
besgared ne iies sEpuIfs siis ;ssetieef
straw, with parched lips, bloated coun-
8enance, and blood-shot eyes, the very
personifcation of ruin. Tossing upon
his hard and comfortless couch, painting
for breath, and calling for help, but all
in vain. Death marks him for his vic
tim; and now, if for while he isrelieved
from frightful ghosts and demons which
hitherto haunted his disordered imagi-
nation, conscience, the sleepless moni-
tor, with redoubled vigor, assails his still
conscious soul, and brings up before
him every act of his worthless life, to
blast all hope, to plunge him in deeper
agony and to hurry his afrighted spirit
into the presence of his God. How
loudly and bitterly does he complain Of
himself, Of life, of friends, of God.
He prays, but it is the angry impre
cation of doomed spirit, demanding Of
his maker a speedier discharge: The
wild glare of his scorched eyes, his rest
less tossing; his retching hiccough, and
his deep hollow groans, tell Us how hard
it is for drunkard to die. The very
presence of once loved wife and children,
kindle in his bosom in advance, thevery
fires of hell. The soothing voice Of
mercy and the plaintive prayer of the
man of God kneeling by his bedside, but
add fuel to the already raging fame
He calls for water. water! water. now, ere
he takes up his habitation where zone
drop will not be allowed him: but, ah !!
the cool draught only adds force to the
devouring fire. Friends gather around
to take a last farewell, and his tremulous
hand is extended to bid them adieu;-
thoughts OF the past and of the future
send their whitening arrows, barbed with
the poison of death, to his bursting
heart; and with one strong, agonizing
struggle, his ruined soul staggers into
the spirit-land to receive its sentence.
Pity, compassion, humanity, would let
the veil drop here, and cover up till the
great assize the doom of the deluded.
misguided wretch; but Divine truth has
said, ''All drunkards shall have their
portion in the lake that burneth with
fire and birthstone. .'--Spirit Of the
Age
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
A Yankee Outdone.

There is a pleasant little tale about
Sir Allen McNab. lie was once tray
cling by steamer, and, as luck would
have it, was obliged to occupy a state
room with certain full blooded Yam
kee. Both gentlemen arose early in the
morning; and, when Sir Allen was dress
ing, he was astonished to behold his in
qpisitive companion make thorough re-
searches into his (Sir Aliens well fur
nished dressing case. Having compile
ted his examination, he proceeded, while
the chieftain remained in petriied as
tonishment, coolly to select the tooth
brush, and Herewith to bestow on his
long, yellow fangs an industrious and
energetic scrubbing, Sir Allen said not
a word, but ''kept up deal of thinking.
When Jonathan had concluded, the old
Scotchman gravely finished washing him
self, silently set the basin on the floor
soaped one foot we'll, and taking the
tooth brush, applied it vigorously to his
toes and toe-nail5.
You dirty fellow!' exclaimed the as
tonished Yankee, who had watched every
motion, what the mischief are you doing
that for?
'O,' said Sir Allen, coolly, That's tht
brmsh I oE,oays do that e0ith.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

from his loving heart, and tinted his
checks with tell-tale blush; and he
cherished the pleasing thought that her
iook was beaming with hope.
A little more than a year had passed
from the time George had left the home
of those he loved.
1t was the eve of another election; ex-
citement ran high, and Judge s. was
again candidate for Congress. For sew
eral weeks serious of ably written arti-
cles had appeared in the Judges paper.
They were addressed to all elasses-tar-
mers, mechanics, and laborers. The
original and vigorous style, clear and
convincing arguments, deep and pro-
eouaa rsaseniina a psssaEsiieasseia5afis
whom they were addressed All the
newspapers of the party in that Con
gressional District copied them, and GU
riosity was on tiptoe to discover the au-
thor, as they were simply signed by two
little stars. The election passed off, and
Judge s. was elected by large ma
jority.
Late one night, while Ida and her
father were returning from party given
in honor of his election, they observed a
light in the printing Office. As the es-
tablishment was usually closed at twl-
light, it appeared strange that 1t should
be lit up at that hour, SO the judge de-
termined to learn the cause. Request
ing his daughter to accompany him,
they assembled the stairs and entered the
Office quietly. A sight met their view
which caused the heart of one of them
to beat violently. At the desk, short
distance from the door, sat George, fast
asleep, with his head resting on his arm.
As Ida's father stepped forward to waken
the sleeper, he observed several political
articles living on the desk, and q freshly
written article with the mysterious stars
attached. The truth flashed upon the
Judge ina moment-he was indebted to
George for his success! He beckoned
to Ida, who came trembling to his side.
Just then they saw by the light of the
Pickering lamp a smile pass over the
slumberer's face, and he muttcred the
words, ''dear Ida, " in tender tone.
"Oh, father" exclaimed the loving
girl, afectionately throwing her arms
around her parents neck, ''do let George
come home again; it's surely no sin for
him to love me"
Awakened by the sound Of Ida's voice,
George looked around confused, and as
he saw Ida and h2r father, he endeay-
to hide the manuscript. But the Judge
stopped him by saying laughingly:
1T won't do, you young rascal; you
are fairly caught, found out-talk in
your sleep, will ye-ha! ha! haF'
George was bewildered and transpor-
had been awakened from q
pleasant dream to bright reality
Matters were soon explained, and the
warm hearted Judge, after blessing them
both, promised to see them married be-
fore he started for Washington.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
Eind Acts.

\ kind word or act is never spoken
or performed in vain. Good deeds
never die; they have an immortal exis-
tence, and their effects may tell in the
symphonies ofheaven, were all goodness
receives its ultimate reward. An en-
couraging word, spoken in kindness, has
often revived hope in desponding breasts,
and incided to new exertions and con-
quests. A. feeling expression Of sympa-
thy has often been as balm to wounded
spirits-has often lifted up the bowed
head and dried the falling tear, when
nothing else could have reached the af-
flicted heart. Despair has been driven
from many mind enshrouded in dark
ness, doubt and gloom, and the light OF
hope given new charms to life where all
had been rayless before, simply by a
word of kindness, spoken in season.
Never let an opportunity Of speaking
kindly pass unimproved.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
Gone to Dinner.

"Gone to dinner Back. in fifteen
minutes. ~ That notice stands at your
Office door. % ~ - E1s
: Ny gobbling friend, eating is not
process whose operations and results are
wholly confined within the stomach as
flesh is put to seethe or soak within an
iron pot. 1t tells upon muscles and vi
tails, and brain and nerves--upon mind
minutes is enough to eat one cracker
and to drink a glass of water; and see
the mass of yictuals that you are pitch
forking intoyo eountenanee, as you
thought harpy was watching to snatch
it from you -a.
How dare you bolt those chunks of
meat all soaked With 'tsgravey,' and sisat
greasy, sodden pie, and hot cakes, and
Kissing mud colored coffee, and then
while your miserable, -overworked old
stomach is calling for all the disposable
nervous energy of your system to help
it drudge into its tyrant's task, jump
headlong back into your dark, close
counting room and demand that same
nervous energy from the same source to
engineer your brains. and eyes in the
absorbing exertions of making money?
Well, poor fellow, it's of no use to
scold at you, after all. Pity is much
more appropriate to your sad case. Who
would be such a juiceless, dirty-com-
plexioned, dried up husk for all your
money, or all everybody's else!
It is but a MANNED soul and de-
formed body that you have acquired
under such regimen. And when your
old, cracked, shaky constitution quite
breaks up, and you die permaturely-
wretched man, who knows what miser-
able fate you will have incurred by your
years of sit-still, money-grubbing, and
this intensified course of mad aggrava-
tions, with unchewed meat chunks, hot
grease and drink all ablaze?
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
Things I Should Like to See.

A fashionable boot maker who was
not 'from Paris"
A gentleman who was not self-con-
stituted inspector of ladies' bonnet Ii
nings.
4 business man, how great soever his
hurry, who would not stop to watch
feminine ancles climb out Of omnibusses.
A man who could ho!d an umbrella
properly over lady's bonnet; or put on
her cloak or shawl without crushing her
bonnet or hair; or be good natured when
he was sick, or had cut his chin when
shaving, or had to wait ten minutes for
his dinner or breakfast, or who was ever
refused by lady. .E-.
A bachelor whose carpet did not wear
out first in front of the looking glass.
An author who did not feel nervous
at the idea of examining trunk Innings
and parcel wrappers.
A handsome child who did not grow
up to be homely.
A woman who was not at heart mimi
cal to her own sex.
A married man who could not give
the right hand of fellowship to a wife S
old lover; OF take a hint from the toe of
her slipper, under the table, before COM
pany.
A milliner who could be bribed to
make bonnet to cover the head.
A husbands relatives who could speak
we'll of his wife.
A doctor who had not more patients
than he could attend to.
A school teacher whose interest in his
pupils was not graduated by the stand
ing of their parents or the length of their
purse.
A washerwoman who ever lost an ar
ticle of clothing.
An old maid who was not SO from
choice.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
NUMBER TT.
Charity.


Night kissed the young rose, and it
bent softly to sleep. Stars shone, and
pure dew-drops hung upon its bosom,
and watched its sweet slumbers. Morn
ing came with its dancing breezes, and
they whispered to the young rose, and
it awoke joyous and smiling. Lightly
it swung to and fro in all the. loveliness
of health and youthful innocence
Then came the ardent sun god, sweeping
from the East, and smote the young
rose with its scorching rays, andit faint
ed. Deserted and almost heart broken,
it dropped to the dust in its loveliness
and despair. Now the gentle, breeze;
which had been gamboling over the sea,
pushing on the home bound bark, sweep
ling ozer hiill and dale-bF the neat cot
tage and still brookIturning the oid.
mill, tanning the brow of disease, and
frisking the curls of innocentchildhood
came tripping along on her errand of
mercy and love; and when she saw the
young rose she fastened to kiss it, and
fondly bathed its head in cool refresh
ing showers, and the young rose revived,
and looked and smiled in gratitude to
the kind breeze; but she hurried quickly
away, for she soon perceived that de-
licious fragrance had been poured upon
her wings by the grateful rose; and the
kind breeze was glad in heart, and went
away singing through the trees. Thus
charity, like the breeze, gathers fragrance
from the dropping flowers it refreshes,
and unconsciously reaps reward in the
performance of its Office of kindness
which steals on the heart like a rich per-
fume, to bless and to cheer.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
Trusting to Providence.

John Phoenix, of the California Plo-
neer, is T. c. He gets up some ofthe
best things of the day. Here is one of
his last efforts: :le a
"Down in the old plantation" writes
an esteemed friend, ga planter and his
favorite slave Zip stood upon the piazza
of the Mansion House, gazing at the wea-
ther A furious storm of rain was rag
ing, accompanied by thunder and light
ming. ..--. q d.
.Massa,' said Zip, hadn't I better go
and drive in de cattle?'
'Oh, no, they'll do we'll enough; Il 9
storm will soon be over, and little rain
won't hurt them, any way
But, Massa, dose fine horses under de
tress; too bad to leab dem out in de rain.
l go dribe dem in ..-- sl.......
You need not trouble yourself, Zip;
they are all right; well trust them to
Providence But you'd better come cut
of the rain yourself
So saying, his master turned and went
into the house. Zip, protesting against
such trustee, and extremely anxious for
the fate of the horses, followed his exam
pie; but as soon as the storm was over,
he took a stroll over the farm, to esti-
mate the extent of the damages; and there
directly under the trees, where they had
been standing, he found both the horses
dead; they had been struck by lightning:
Half in triumph, half in dole, he ran to
the house, and exclaimed: s..
Dare, Massa, what tell you?
whats the matter, Zip? .-.
Didn't I tell you SOP
Yes, but what's the matter?
sDare's both de horses dead as stones
struck by lightnin'. Youtrus to Pro
vidence! You'd better a trusted old
Zipr"
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

AN INDIANA STRAw.--A country
Democrat lately riding on the cars in
Indiana, determined to test the fashion
reports. took the vote on the train him
self. lie hurried through the cars with
paper and pencil asking this one and
that for whom they voted, some said Bu-
chanan, some said Fremont and some
said Fillmore. At last he came to
white cravatted, black coated, demure
looking individual. ;,
"Sir," said he, ''who do you go for. !"
"My friend" answered the sanity
parsonage, II go for Jesus Christ
The Democrat looked over his paper,
Sir" said he, -''there is no such can,
didate running. If there is, | will bel
you hundred dollars he don't get fifty
votes in Indiana!'
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

na-A Dutchman in Albany, some
time back, went out to his milkman on
the street, with a dish in each hand in
stead of one as usual. The dispenser of
attenuated milk asked if he wished him
to fill both vessels. The Dutchman re-
piled, suiting the action to the word,
"Dis ish for the mitE,sAc, and dis for the
rater, and will mix them SO as to shute
mineself"
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
kindness.

na. How do you like the character of
St. Paul? asked parson of his landlady
one DAY, during a conversation about
the old saints and the apostles. 'Ah, he
was a good, clever old soul, know-for
he once said, you know, that we must
eat what is set before US. and ask no
questions for conscious sake. 1 always
thought 1 should like him for boarder.
Posi-
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

A lady, disbeliever in the science,
asked learned phrenologist, with aview
of puzzling him:
aWhat kind of people are those who
have destructiveness and benevolence
equally developed?"
"These, madam, are those who kill with
kindness"
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

g%There was point in the quaint
remark of plain farmer to somewhat
transcendental preacher:
"Take care, sir, lest you should put
the hay so high in the rack that the lambs
cannot reach it !"
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

u.s. It is confidently asserted that a
poor young man has buttwo alternatives,
either to go to work or go to ruin. A
great number choose the latter. 1t is a
singular choice; but those who make it
may be seen any fine day lounging in
squads about the corners of the streets,
with stumps of cigars in their mouths, or
with tumblers of villainous spirits in
their hands. ..... -
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

na"I wish you would pay little
more attention sir" said carpenter to
his careless apprentice. "Well, so L am
paying as little attention as can" said
the other quito coolly.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

m-It has often been remarked that
children will frequently ask questions,
which even the wisest are puzzled to
answer. "Mother,'' exclaimed Charley,
chow big was I when you was a little
grip" Wasn't that poser.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

nm-W Without sorrow, life would be no
better than dream; grief is reality,
and though bitter as wormwood, mortals
love it, for it makes them feel themselves,
and know the value of each other.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

pA wood sawyer becoming vexed
with his saw thus-exclaimed: "Of all the
saws 1 ever saw, saw never saw saw
as this saw saws
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

D@He who combats his own evil
passions and desires, enters into the
severest battles of life; and he who COM
bats successfully, obtair4 the greatest
victory
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

B~A married man who was out at a
whist party, when he proposed going
home, was urged to stay little longer:
WELL he replied, perhaps I may as
we'll, my wife, probably, is already as
mad as she can be- --.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

aaA California lover writes to his
sweetheart thus:
eleven years is rather long tn kort
gal, but lie hev yew yet Cate"
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

n@A writer says, lady's beau is an
animal met with in every social circle,
and describes the thing as compound
of whiskers, lavender and pomatum.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

paWhen daughter remarks, Moth
er, I would not hire help, for / can as
sist you to do all the work in the kitch-
en-, set it down that she will make a
good wife.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

HSChoose the plan of the best con-
duct, and thy ways will be rendered more
agreeable to thyself and mankindin gen
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

nAThe young man who "once: saw.
the day" when he wouldn't associate
with mechanics, is now acting as book
keeper to a manure wagon.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
W. The death of printer is Il

ma- The death ofa printer is thus de-
scribed in an english paper:
"George Woodcock, the : OF his pro-
fession, the type of honesty, the OF all;
and although the nea- of death has put
a to his existence, every Of his life
was without
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22

I@A clergyman lecturing one after
noon to his female parishioners, said;
BE not proud that our Lord paid your
sex the distinguished honor of appearing
first to female after the resurrection, Tor
it was only done that the news might
snread the sooner.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
Touch it Through.

1t would be we'll if this spirit were
more common among all classes, old and
young. Here is schoolboy with hard
lesson; don't be discouraged lutte fellow,
tough it through - Here is a young
clerk in a store, he has to rise early,
wait and tend all day, and be servant
to the whole establishment; never mind
'.tough it through" be faithful and dill
igent, and you will soon be in better
circumstances, and have some one to
open shop and wait on you. The me-
chanic often gets hold of a hard job,
which he has half a mind to throw up.
But take good advice, and tough it
through" and do it thoroughly and
faithfully, it Will be no loss to you in. the
end. A man in business often gets in
to spot from whence he can see no
light-no land ahead-and he is just
ready to give up in dependency and
despair. But we advise him to try and
tough it through" Light will appear
when you least expect it; if faithful and
honest, and pcrscvering, you will finally
escape the billows and reach the land.
Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-22
na- \ tall. Green sort of a we'll dress.


n|A tall, green sort of a well dress
ed fellow, walked into Broadway sa-
loon the other day, where they were
talking politics upon high key, and
stretching himself up to his full height
exclaimed, in a loud voice:
where are the Democrats? Show me
a Democrat, and TIL show you liar J
In an instant man stood before the
noisy enquirer, in warlike attitude,
and exclaimed:
II am Democrat, sir!
You are?' ~
Yes, sir, I am!
well, Just you step round the corner
with me, and I'll shoeo you fellow who
said couldn't find Democrat in the
ward! Amt lie liar, / should like to
know?
r@The other day young lady asked
a green CD young clerk of a dry goods
store if he had hose.
yes, some pretty garden hoes:
20. Pshawr said the maiden, Il mean
stockings for ladies'.
sAh,' said the counter hopper, 'yes
ma'am here they are-very fine.
whats the price"
Seventy five cents.
Rather high
Yes said the clerk, they reach above
the knees
The maiden vamoused and the re-
porter took out his Balaam book.