davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
From the Lancaster (Pa.,) Express, May 81.
Extraordinary SuPerstitIOn.-A Corpse
ENhumel.


A case OF superstition in this county
has come to our knowledge, which for
ignorance and moral turpitude exceeds
the darkest pages Of the history of ROor-
backism or even Salem Witchcralt, and
is disgrace to the boasted intelligence OF
the Garden of the Keystone State, with
her college, academies, scminarils, COM
mon schools and churches
On Sunday last, the good people Of
Ephrata and vicinity were startled and
shocked by the intelligence that the re-
mains Of certain Miss Sophia Bauman,
who died about nine years ago, had been
exhumcd.on that day by two mon hired
for the purpose by the friends of the de-
ceased. Curiosity was naturally excited
and speculations started as to the cause Of
such all open dcSccration Of tho ashes Of
the dead On the quiet of the Sabbath and
upon inquiry Of some Of the relatives, our
correspondent learned that the young la
y alluded to had died of consumption,
aud that since her death, two of her sis
terS, ber mother aud two brothers had
died also Of the same disease.
In all these cases hereditary faint was
strongly Marked and no doubt was left
upon the minds of physicians and all SEN
sible persons as u the cause of their
death; but the opinions Of physicians
were set aside by the inrursions Of igno-
rance and superstition, under which the
beliefwas seriously entertained and acted
upon, that by some hocus:pocuS the wind
ing sheet Of the corpse had got into her
mouth, and that by continual suction
(the modus 0pernn1ti Of which was only
known to the "spirits') she had actually
drawn the other five members of the fam
lily after her; and that unless this wind
ing sheet was speedily removed from the
mouth Of tho corpse, she would in like
manner cause the premature death of the
whole connection.
Incredible as a belief in such a mon
strous superstition in this enlightened age
may appear, it is nevertheless true: for
according to previous arrangements, the
hired resurrectionists commenced opera.
tions on Sunday morning. The earth
was removed, the coffin brought to the
surface, and the lid removed under the
direction Of committee of inspection -
but to their establishment no winding
sheet was found there-the poor deluded
creatures having forgotten, in the zeal Of
their superstition, that the last shred ola
piece of bleachcd muslin would rot away
long before the expiration of nine years.
With disappointment depicted in their
countenances, the committee caused the
remains to be quickly and quietly rein.
TERED, and then sought their respective
homes again to mediate upon the doc
trine of spooks, and goblins, and sucking
corpSeS
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
John PhmnIT In the Ladies, Car.

John Phoenix, the inimitable wit, thus
tells an incident connected with ride on
the New York Central Railroad. lie re-
latcs it in letter to the Rnicker6OckeF
Magasine, and puts it on record to serve
as caution to future innocent travellers.
lie says:
81 had observed that ut each change
Of cars, and they were frequent, when the
general scramble took place, one car was
defended from the assault by stalwart
man usually of stalwart persuasion, who,
deaf to menaces, unsoftencd by entrcaty,
and uncorrupted by bribes, maintained
his post for the benefit Of the 'leddies."
Lcddics car, sir, av you please torrid
car for gintlemen without leddicS." Need
| say that this car SO reserved was by far
the most comfortable Of the train, and
that with that stern resolve which ever
distinguishes me in the discharge Of my
duty towards myself determined to get
into it, cOute qui c0ute. So when We
changed cars at Utica, rushed forth, and
seeing nice young person, with pretty
face, bonnet and shawl, and u large port
mantcau, urging her way through the
crowd, stepped up by her side, and with
my native grace and gallantry, offered my
arm and assistance. They were grateful
ly accepted; and proud Of my success, |
ushered my fair charge up to the platform
of the ladies' car. My old enemy was
holding the door. as that your lady,
sirr" said he. With an inward apology
to Mrs. Phoenix for the great injustice
done to fer charms by the admission, l
replied Eyes" Judge Of my horror when
this low employee of a monopolizing and
unaccommodating Railroad company, ad-
dressing my companion with the tone and
manner of an old acquaintance, said
"Well, Sal, l guess you've done well, but
don't believe his family will think much
of the matchl"
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Getting 10 Uedrem by aoaS of Neso Or.
leanS-The PhiladeIphia correspondent
of the New York Dispatch gives the fol-
lowing:
We have a Methodist preacher hero
who is q jolly wag. A few days since, Q
young man who had long been attached
to his church, and who was about to leave
for New Orleans, came to bid his pastor
farewell. " And so you are going to that
degenerate place, New Orleans, are yout''
"Yes, sir; but l don't expect to be influ-
enced by any extraneous pressure of anv
kind, responded the young man, with
considerable carnestness. swell, I am
glad to see you 80 confident. / hope tho
Lord will guide you. But do you know
the temptations which exist therep" "Not
particularly, SIR" "Well do. You'll find
wanton women in the guise of Pcris,
tempting the very elect; and rare wines
and ardent drinks; and you'll find CAV
company, and night brawling, and gam
bling, and dissipation, and running after
the lusts Of the old man Adam" "Still,
sir, l hope to combat these successfully"
Il hope you will my dear Christian broth
cr, was the reply. II hope you will :;
and let mo give you this much for your
consolation in case you fall from grace.
The tcmptcr is worse than the sin, and
the crater the temptation, the more merit
there is i'll resisting it. The man who
goes to heaven BY nay Of Ncw Orleans,
is sure to have twice as high a place in
eternal glory, as he who reaches Paradise
through the quiet portals Of Connecticut
or Pennsylvania. .... ,,
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Unseen tears are like river,
SprihgiBg from the mountain high,
Gliding n0iseless-ilOwing ever
Hidden from the gazing eye:
None may mark the tear-drOp starting
From Affections bitter smart
Nome may heed the hope departing,
From the broken, bleeding heart.
When alone, in silent sadness,
Comes the heartfelt, gushing tear,
Qucnchihg every ray ot gladness--
Quickening every anxious fear;
Then, indeed, VIC feel the sorrow
bursting from soul Of Voc
Shadow Of the gloomy morrow,
Growing darker as we go.
Heartfelt anguish is retiring
From the worlds unhallowed eye;
Solitude to gricf's inspiring,
Freeing every struggling sigh.
Thus the spirit bears the wringing
Sorrow brings in drcary tone,
While our ceuselcss cares are bringing
Countless fears, because alone.
'Tis within the souls recesscp,
Deep and hidden from the view,
Where the hcartpang closely presses,
Shifting every vital through.
When the raging flame Of sOrrow
Boils the cnuldron Of the heart,
Scalding tears will reach the inrrow
And the eyelids feel the smart.
Could We see the inner weeping
Of the dark, despairing soul,
Think you we d neglect the keeping
- Or unhced our brothers cali .---.--.-
But, alas the world is telling
Startling things of human woe,
While ten thousand hearts are dwelling
tin the grTefs hut tine can know.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
JewelrI establishments!

Jhtn Street, First Door BeI0,O Seligmdn'A.
@ THES RSCRIBER RESPECTFULLY
{E:AaO {E:fA informs his friends and the public gcIl-
dSu "A orally. that he has just received large
assortment OF GOLD and SILVER WATCHES
and .IEWELRY, all Of which he offers for sale
on the most reasonable terms.
California JcVvelry and DIa ma Ond Work
manufactured to order, with ncatness and dis
patch, wholesale and retail.
W atchcs Repaired By an experienced
workman.
siy- Billiard Turning done to order. -Eti
COLTS REYOLVERs for sale.
v. b. All work entrusted to ME shall be done
satisfactorily and warranted. -
a. c. ARVIDSSON.
o. tf
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
AIIuiIdr.d Years Hence.

A hundred years hence!
What change will be made,
In politics, morals,
Religion and trade!
In statesmen who wranglc,
Or ride eli the fence -
How things will be altered
A hundred years hence! \
The heads of the ladies
Such changes may find
We dc not speak now
Of mutation Of mind
From three bushel bOnncts
To snug little hats,
The scoops, NavarinoS,
The uypsics and flats.
With furs md with ribbons.
With feathers and flowers
Some fashioned by artists,
Some plucked from the bowers.
But heads will be changed, too,
In science aud sense,
For men will be wiser
A hundI ed years hence.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
ways Right, but Right or Wrong, Our Country"


Such was Colonel O'Neil-possessinga
fund of humor that no misfortune could
ever exhaust, and a flow of animal spirits
which would have enabled him to dance
on the grave of all his dearest friends, or
to have sung Yankee Doodle at his own
execution!
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Decoase Of Eminent american Stdtes-
mCM.-In recording the death Of cx-Sec-
retary Marcy the Philadelphia Times re-
marks:
1t seems as If death had found ban
quot among our master spirits in the last
decade. Almost all the great and illuStri-
ous men who came into public life during
the first twenty-five years of the present
century have been snntched away within
that time. The list which memory calls
at the moment is formidable in numbers;
and the persons whose names are upon it
were conspicuous for vast and varied abil-
ity. First, in point Of time, is that of
John Quincy Adams, who died in 1s47 !;
then follows those of Kent, Polk, Taylor,
Calhoun, Clay, McDuftie, Story, Webster,
King, Woodbury., Sergeant, Berrien, Clay
ton, Hill, Burgess, Cheeves and Marcy.
Whet immense powers, what political and
legal research, what oratorical skill and
diplomatic erudition, what wise foresight
and wonderful experience have been lost
by their deaths, to the nationl When
will it, if ever, be restored in the persons
and minds Of others?
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

An OUTRAGE-The editor Of the Labs
non Herald perpetrates the following:
"Why are the young ladies of1Sbanon.
when they try to make 'conQdSas sss u 8
gentleman, like band Of uutimsa m
dians about to engage in mortal combaG''
''D'ye give II upt" s---sHs-~
'.Bccause they ehteF upon thseC1QaGst
with a(w]hOOp." + tsts .,a;a.l
He deserves to bO pinrhed tp dsssA BY
old maida
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Questions and Answers. is dou-
bic entry? Charging the same thing
twice.
What is single entry? Charging a
man with goods, but not crediting the
cash he pays for them.
What is book keeping? Forgetting to
return borrowed volumes.
What is a ledger? A counting-housc
companion upon which people often spend
their entire fortune.
What is an inland drafts An easterly
wind. a.,
What is foreign draft? A glass o
cOgnac.
What is a promissory note! Accep
lance of an invitation.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Nothing can be more absurd than tho
idea that looking guilty" proves guilt.
An honest man charged with crime is
much more likely to blush at the accusa-
ton than the real offender, who is gener-
ally prepared for the event, and has his
face "ready made" for the occasion. The
very thought Of being suspected of any
thing criminal will bring the blood to an
innocent mans cheek, in nine cases out
Of ten. The most "guilty looking" per.
son VIC ever saw, was man arrested for
stealing horse-which turned out to DO
his own property.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
Cease Railing ut Fortune.

Cease railing at Fortune,
Meet life with kiss,
Nor needlcssly wish it
One cycle OF bliss;
For cares but cinbellish
Our season ot joy,
Like featherly cl0udlcts
That sprinkle the sky.
-
Cease railing at Fortune,
Take life as it comes; Z
If wanting its dainties,
BE glad Ger the crumbs
Each little is sweet, if
A smile the lip wears,
But bitter the morsel
When moistcncd with tears.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

A schoolmaster, after giving one Of his
pupils sound drubbing for speaking bad
grammer, sent him to the other end Of
the room to inform another boy that be
wished to speak to him, and at the same
time promising to repeat the dose If no
spoke to him ungramaticalIy. The young
ster, being quite satisfied with what he
had got, determined to be exact and thus
addressed his fellow-pupil: "a common
substantive, Of the masculine gender, sim
gular number, nominative case, and In
an angry mood, that sits perched upon
the cminence at tho other end of the room,
wishes to articulatc few sentences to
you in the present tense."
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
1. O. q. +.

NORN1NG STAR Lodge, No. 90, organ
4V-A ized Feb. 9th, 1854, meets every Satur-
day evening at their Hall in Whites new
brick building Main street few doors below
the plaza.
Brothers Of the Order. in good standing are
fraternally invited t0 attend
W. NJ. HOLLOWAY, n. G.
J. VI. ANDERSON, X. 8.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

wealth. A woman's life consistcth not in
the things that she posscsscth.
Never marry a fop, or one who struts
about, dandy.likc, in his silk gloves, and
ruffics, with silvered cane, and rings OH
his fingers. Beware, there is u trap.
Never marry niggard, close-tistcd,
mean sordid wretch, who saves I've. y pen
ny and spends it grudgingly. Take care
lest he stint you to death.
Never marry stranger, or one whose
character is not known or tested. Some
females jump right into tho fire with their
eyes wide open.
Never marry nope or drone, one
who drawls or drags through life, one foot
after another, and let things take their
own course.
Never marry man who treats his sis
ter or mother unkindly or indiffcrently.
Such treatment is sure indication of q
mean and wicked man.
Never, on any account, marry a gamb-
Ter, a profane p rson, one who in the
least speaks lightly of God or religion
Such man can never make good hus-
band.
Never marry a sloven, a man who is
negligent of his person or dress, and is
filthy in his habits. The external ap-
pcarance is an index to the heart.
Shun the rake as a snake, viper, a
very demon.
Finally, never marry man, who is ad-
dicted to the use of ardent spirits. De
pend upon it, you are better of alone than
YOU would be were you tied to a man
whose breath is polluted, and whose vi
tails are being gnawed out by alcohol. A
filthy tobacco chewer is not fit compan-
ion.
Young ladies, don't get married in a
hurry, nor until you are fully satisfied
that you are well acquainted with the
character of the ono who tries to win you;
and furthermore, don't get married clan
dcstincly, if you wish to be respected by
the good and true.
Young men, in the choice ofa wife, take
the obedient daughter Of a yOOd mother.
Yankee Homespun.-"When lived in
Maine," said uncle Ezra, 81 helped to
break up new piece Of ground; we got
the wood off in the winter, and early in
the spring we begun ploughing ont. 1t
was so consarncd rocky that We had to
get forty yoke Of oxen to one plough, we
did that, and I held that plough morc'n
aweek-I thought should die. 1t cen
almost killed me, vow. Why, one day
Twas holdin' and the plough hit a stump
which measured just nine feet and a-half
through it-hard and sound white oak
The plough split it, and was goin' strait
through the stump, when | happened to
think it might snap together again; so
threw my feet out, and had no sooner
done so than it snapped together, taking
a smart hold ofthe seat of my pantaloons.
OF course | was tight, but | held on to
the plough handles, and though the team
stcrs did all they could, that of eighty
oxen couldn't tear my pantaloons, nor
cause me toilet 60 my grip. At last, tho,
after letting the cattle breathe, they gave
another strong pull all together, and the
old stump came out about the quickest
1t had monstrous long roots, too, let me
tell you. My wife made the cloth for
them pantaloons, and l haint worn any
other kind slnce."
The only reply made to this was-'T
should have thought it would have come
hard upon your suspendcrs."
Powerful hard!"
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
NUMBER 26.
EGeots Of Eutrcuao CnVtI.
'ayard Taylor, in one of his letters

Bayard Taylor, in one Of his lettera
from the North of Europe, Gays: :l---
" l was at first little surprise to find
the natives of the North so slow, indolent
and improvident We have an idea that
a cold climate is bracing and stimulating
ergo, the further north you 20, the more
active and energetic you will lind the
people. But the touch Of ice is like that
OF fire. The Tropics relax, the Pole be-
numbs, and the practical result is the
same in both cases. In the long, long,
long winter, when there are only four
hours OF twilight to twenty Of darkness
when the cows are housed, the wood cut.
the hay gathered, and the barley, bran
and fir bark slowed away for bread, and
the Summers catch of fish salted-what
can man do, when his load Of hay or wood
IL hauled home, but cat, gossip and sleepr
10 bed at nine, and out of it at eight in
the morning, smoking and doing between
the slow performance Of his few daily du-
ties, he becomes at last as listless and dull
as alternating bear. In the summer
he has perpetual daylight, and need rot
hurry. Besides, why should he give
himself special trouble to produce an un-
usually largo crop of fax and barley,
when single night may make his Iabors
utterly profitless Even in midsummer
tho blighting frost may fall. Nature
scoms to take cruel pleasure In thwart-
ing him-he is fortunate through chance;
and thus sort Of Arab fatalism and ac-
-quiesccnce- in whatever -happens- takes
possession Of him. His improvidence il
also to be ascribed to the same causc.-
Such fearful famine and suffering as ox.
lists this Winter in Finland and Lapland
might, no doubt, have been partially pre-
vented, but no human power could have
wholly forestalled it.
The Polar Zone was mover designed
for the abode Of man. / cannot for the
life of me see what ever induced beings
endowed with human reason to transplant
themselves hither aud here take root,
while such vast space lies waste in more
genial climes. A man may be pardoned
for remaining where the providences of
birth and education have thrown him.
but cannot excuse the first colonists for
intiicting such home upon centuries Of
descendcnta Compare even their phys
ical life-the pure animal satisfaction in
existence, for that is not a trilling matter
after all-with that of the Nubians. or tho
Malays, or the Polynesians! It is the
difference between poor hare, hunted
and worried year after year by hounds
and visions Of bounds, and the familiar.
contiding wren, happiest of creatures, bc-
cause secure of protection everywhere.n. 20.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

The barbeFywho dressed the head Of .
barrel, has been engaged to shas~ the
face Of nature.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
- -
JOR PRINTING.

The prnprir,ora Of the Democrat take pleasure In
,nnouucinS 10 tlc bGincs5 Of n Dorado county
lint they have malr extensive additions TO their Job
DNlcc (which il nov the best in the interior Of Cali
tuia-Ani ARE prepared to do all kind. Of job Print
ins In tho very beat lnauier and at the most reason
able pric"p.
der. with neathe4s AMI dispatch.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

"Did any Of yon ever Soe anS SlSphsngs
skiDw asked the master E0fhaA u nt
school IN . fast neisA sAaDshdodsoI .sal
" ! have!" shontOd Q SIX year ola e. tha,
foot of the classl i aif ff~..T ~, !. I
20 WhspOis inquired
aEnOseAby histsaEnsslnsSL .oZ .osg.kE
"0n the elephant L MeA tAe
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
L. O. O. Il.

ZETA ENCAMPMENT, No. 8, meets on the
II evenings Of the second and fourth Tues
days Of each month, at Odd Fellows Hall,
Whites tireproof building, few doors below
the Plaza. AL Patriarchs are cordially invited
u attend. w. M. HOLLOWAY, G. P.
J. NJ. GRANTHAM, II. p.
A. T TTAYLOR. .-----
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

It was q maxim of Gen.. Jackson's, to
take time TO deliberate; but when the
time for action arrived, to stop thinking.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12
THE DEMOCRAT
"a published every Saturday, at the cilicc on
Coloma street. Placeft ilc. by
GELWIClIS T. JANUARY,
- " 0rLwicS3, WN A. JANrAhY
Advertising.

Oae sdn1rc 10 linc--Ers. insertion, S3-each sub.
,,4,ut insertion, n ~ Burmese Cards-ten lines
,.t le44--one year, 81 three months, &lO.
liberal dicount will he made OH the above rutcs,
tr all yearly and qua tcrly advertisements which en-
,,,.e ri ,.klV
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-12

Rults, for Sell: Gorermment.-Thc pru-
dent "Old Gentleman" it is said, appears
to be no other than the veritablc London
Punch himself, who, in his matchless mer-
rimcnt and jocosc style, layeth down his
"prudcnt" directions MS follows:
Always sit next to the carver, if you
can, 0t dinner.
Ask no woman her age
BE civil to all rich uncles and aunts.
Never joke with a policeman.
Take no notes or gold with you to
fancy bazaar-nothing but silver.
Wear your Oldest hat Of course, to an
evening party.
Don't play at chess with widow.
Never contradict man who shutters.
Make friends with the steward on board
steamer, there's no knowing how soon
you may be placed in his power.
In every strange house it is well to in-
quire where the brandy is kept-only
think if you were taken i'll in the middle
of the night.
Keep your own secrets Tell no human
being you dye your whiskers
w ASo hOb OAC uiOiC lcItSA thdu yOu NAb
help. The man who keeps up large C
correspondence is a martyr tied, not to
the stake, but to the post.
Wind up your conduct like your watch,
once a day, examining minutely whether
you are fast" or "slow."
|
A Real Kentucky Girt-When the
steamer AlidG was sinking from her col
lision with the Fashion some time since,
and the passengers in confusion, some
preparing to secure safe retreat from the
sinking craft, and some in the water ma
king their way to land, young girl of
about seventeen summers was standing
on the guard intently contemplating the
scene, and looking anxiously towards the
shore ; young man, in the rush of gal
lantry, stepped up to her and remarked,
Miss, If you will put yourself under my
protection l will convey you safely to
shore" "Thank you, ;" replied the young
heroine; "but you need not trouble your
self; l am only waiting for the crowd to
get out of the way, when can take care
Of myself and reach the bank" Soon
the crowd cleared the space and the young
lady plunged into the water and swan to
the opposite bank with apparent case and
without tho least percCptible fear.-Pa.
6vcoh Times.