davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18

.,sw -v.y - NoRRoLk, Va, July 81, 1854 !.
In the experience Of even two years, I have found
great difficulty IN obtaining Spectacles that were
exactly adapted to the weakness of my sight This
Inconvenience Mr.. Tobias seems to have removed
for the present by the substitution for me Of better
and more suitable Glasses. They are clear, crystal.
like, and comfort able to my eyes. | would COM
mend him to those who, from age other infirmity,
require artificial aid in this way, I a flr ~
- .slft1ed aif'"3 ]. J. SIxKIss, N, D..
The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18

Sra; The pair of spectacles you furnished me yes
terday particularly satisfactory TO me. They are
very decidedly the best possess and am the owner
of eight nine pairs carefully selected in different
places, and from opticians recommended TO me ON 40
count Of their professional standing in France Eng
land and the United States Ihave been also pleased
with your remarks and directions on the treatment
Of the eyes for the purpose of preserving and improv
ing the sight Il s34 So ios-4e sytEa
/ - Respectfully yours, Gas. CALDwrLI, =.
Efih ,JlW Professor ofM. c., Louisville, Ky.g,ta
The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18

s "A PETERsRYRs,a October n 1850
lsiAbout hte YEARS ago, 6btained from Mr. Tobias,
in. Wasbipgton, pair of Glasses for the Spectaces
which l, used and found them of great assistance
10 my decayihg vision and my opinion of him is
that heisyshiltl n the preparation of gssses for
eyes not too, ,faf goneto be Benefited BY saob aid
i1L' ri'7' II yiio 4di ~ pifW T. r. MAY. :
See for more testimonials the Evening Star 1oh
9aan 10-H .,,,,,,a ,tl 10 s5iSl sD0iRY
The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18

~ Dor h'" WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 1855. !,
Having been for years under the necessity Of hav-
ing 1.-TWO sets Of glasses one for use in the daylight,
and enc for lamp light procured one set from Mr..
Tobias which snswered both purposes Ihave used
Asforsevefal rponths aals and % tnd them eScelIent
.A,,uify gsa 1 gym" EDwAD STUBBs, he
OF Department of State. Z,
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
4{fl 8eaorllg
From the Ncwbcrry Mirror.
A STROLL I'M DUTCH FORK.
BY o. 3. MAYER.

Ir is we'll to ramble, now and then, over the
grounds with which a man was familiar III his
boyhood. Let him be never so confident OF
still possessing the fullness of health and man
hood LET him hook his thumbs in the arlnholcS
of his vest, and twirl his cane never so jauntil-
w: visit to such places will make him pause
in astonisLlnent, is lie reads the record of his
progress towards eternity, written in gullics up
on the face of the carth-characters, which,
unlike all others, instead of being etaced, are
deepened, and made more legible by time.
A few days ago. left the cars at Hopes
Station, for the purpose oil visiting a SICK gell-
tleman in the neighborhood. | took my way
10 the left, on foot through the woods, one
while rehealsing the six cuts OF the broad
sword with my walking stick, to tie great an
novance of the weeds and small shrubs; and,
then again, whistlng some sentimental cavatina.
such as " Nou pu mesta," or =" Al non glu!Ise. >
The unsophisticated oaks scarcely recognized III
me the STRIPPING, who, long time ago, made
them resound with the jolly strains of !Money-
musk" or I" The Devil among the tailorS."
Often turning round to greet some old ac-
on,intance of tree, came to locality where
recollections crowded fast upon me, and | stood
still like one suddenly meeting all almost lol-
GOTTEN face in crowd. 1t was al old roud
Which formerly led from my fathers to my
prandnother's house.-a distance OF one mile
It once separated the woods, had just trayers
ed. from a field. But what u change! There
was now no icnce-no trace of one, except
where the grass, growing ranker in the sol
enriched by the dccayed rails, stretched along
in little zigzag hedge. And could it be pos
sible that the dense pine forest, into which my
vision scarcely peaetl ated fifty yards. is th'
field where, ten years ago, the corn was way
;np with such radiant tasse.S, and such blushins
silks! 1 looked round to ascertain at wha
,o,nt of the road was S snd'ng, and soon
p was conscious OF a broad grin ovcrSprcadint
NV face; for "reminiscences pleasing and ludi
cro,,s arranged itself i'll my ncrorr. 1t wa
m incident that happened away back in m,
i;,a and before continue my ramblc mus
relate it.
One day. in the spring of the year, negr
o;,I NV the name Of Molly, was despatched
elonr this road, on culinary erland from on
house to my grandnother's. She was not yon,
tan minutes before she came running bacl
snsecbless with fright. l confess it Is difficult
at thus time, to reconcile it with truth, but m.
;,nnrcssion las always been that Molly was a
naIe as a corpse, and that her hair was stehdn
70 ~ ~end Wien she recovered her powers q
,,,,e,once. she declared she bad seen, by th
side of the road, ding, which had the bod!
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
EDGEFIELD, S. C., FEBRUARY IS, 1857.
CORRUPTION IN CONGRESS-.

The Boston Journal seems to think that the
House of Representatives might take more di-
rect way OF getting at corruption if there be
any in its body, than by making great ado
over 4 poor newspaper reporter, and gives the
following suggestions in support of that opinion
GA gentleman who was long a member Of
Congress, and whose vcracity is unimpeachable,
in recent conversation on the progress of cor
ruption at Washington, informed us that he was
told by one of the New York members of Con-
gress, that it cost Mr.. Collins $50 900 for every
visit he made to Washington; and that he was
further told that one member (his informant
pointing over at the same time to the scat where
he was sttng) had demanded of Mr.. Collins
$4,000, failing to receive which he would OPP
pose his mail contract. The friends Of Mr.. Col
linS had actually to run him out Of Washington
to get him clear of the plumbers by whom he
was surrounded.
st was the opinion of the gentleman with
whom we conversed, and who knew something
from extended observation, of the rottcnness
which exists at Washington, that a very large
slice Of the money granted by the government
to Mr.. Collins and his associates, is absorbed i'll
getting these appropriations through Congress.
Now, these statements were made to lis private
ly. Our informant fully believed them to be
true, but he did not communicate them to lis to
be spread before the public, and III thus allu-
ding to them without his express permission,
we should not feel justified in making him per-
sonally responsible. Like Mr.. Raymond, if
summoned before a Committee Of Congress- We
would refuse To divulge the name ofour informant
But we should suggest way which the COM
mittcc probably would not care to take, by
which the accuracy Of the statements could be
verified, and that is by summouing Mr. Collins
to give in his testimony. He g could Il tale un-
told;; which would throw more light on this
subject OF Congressional corruption than dozen
editors could do from information received
through indirect sources.
Exactly. \ gentleman who never was menl-
mcr of Congress, but who was connected with
the Collins Go. us stockholder and was thorough
~ acquainted with all the ropes, told lis that it
cost the Company $450,O00 to secure the ap-
preparation reIerrel to by the Journal that
most Of the members who voted for the appro-
priation were Gribc'l: or bought, or compensa-
ted, or influenced, Or whatever term may be ap-
piled to the operation Of securing votes by pur-
chase. Tic facts were communicated to us
without any injunction as to sccrcSy. but we
would not feel at liberty to divulgc the name of
the author without his consent. We will say
this mucI, however. that if we should name
the gentleman iii thc Gazette, very few men in
or ont Of Congress would loubt the statement
But Mr.. Collins knows nil about it, and we say
with the Journal, that iftl,e Investigating Conn
mittcc is in earnest, it will send for Mr.. Collins
CiaciHndHi Ga-rils.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
BEAUTY EVERYWHERE.

There is beauty in the skies,
When noon day suns arc bright,
1t glanccs with ten thousand eyes
Through shadows Of the night;
When morn with rosy blush is seen
TO wake-tlere's beauty there
And evenings golden clouds proclaim
We, too, of beauty share.
Old oceans ever swelling tide,
The placid lake and still,
The rivers rolling in their pride,
The ever sparkling rill;
The mountain top, the verdant plain,
The desert rude and hare,
Attest, by every varied scene,
That beauty dwcllcth there.
The opening buds of joyous spring,
It's choral hymns of praise,
Tic velvet bloom on summers win2,
Its bright and cloudy days;
The autumn clad in russet shroud,
With treasures rich and rare,
Old hoary winter shouts aloud,
There's dazzling beauty here.
There's beauty in the hut and hall,
Where sweet contcntmcnt dwclls,
Should science move or knowledge call,
The voice of beauty swclls:
With childhoods silkcn locks 'tiS bient,
With manhood's proud career;
While age mature in virtue spent,
Both heavenly beauty share.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
Gbeilts 4oettg,
From the Savannah Morning News.
TO THE MEMORY OF PRESTON s. BROOKS

TO THE MEMORY OF PRESTON s. BROOKS.
By NINA.
And must thy chords, my Tyre, be strung
To lays of grief and woe like this p!
Must patriots death by thee be sung,
That fatal knell Of hope and bliss,
Which thro the Southern States hath cast
A grief and gloom that long must last
He's dead-whole ages may decay
Ere one so noble, true and brave,
Shall give to world so bright ray
As sunk with him into the grave!
Then veil your souls with sriefs dark woe'
And wall the loss to world below
Tho noble, valiant, brave and bold,
He vet was gentle, soft and kind
His soul, like Honor's brightest gold,
His mind was polish'd and rein'd-
A son of Freedoms own bright cline,
His deeds will live throughout all timc
Cold now the open heart and hand,
That once to needy succor brought;
Stilrd is the voice thro native land {.
That c'er with patriots zeal was fraught,
Can none the loss of him supply,
So early called to regions high !
Tho other noble SONS may raise
Their voice for truth and freedom hleh'
And crown their brow with glorys blaze'
Yet never will remembrance die
OF Brooks, the true, the noble one'
The patriot brave, Americas son.
Then weep, yc States! his loss deplore,
As slowly tolls his funeral knell;
For nc'cr may Time to life restore
The one remembered, loved so well,
Until VIC meet him face to face
In the eternal realms of grace.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

*This practice is still in vogue in Dutch Fork
To uivc the reader an idea of what it is, will
here describe the manipu!ations, and give tic
words, bv which the Slcar is cured The Slcar
is the name given to an intianatory enlargement
of the giants about the angle OF the jaw OF
child Early in tic morning the child is taken 70
a small stream and tic user dipping up some wa
ter, battles its neck at the same time mllltcrlne
these German words
Der Schlcar und der Drach
Giugcn nit cinandcr ueber'm Bach;
Der Schlcar sich vcrdrank,
Und der Drach verschwand
Gott der Water, Gott der Sohn,
Und Gott der Icilisc Geist. Amen
\ literal translation of this runs thus:
The slcar and the dragon
Went together over tile brook;
The Slcar was drowned,
And the dragon disappeared;
God the Father, God the son,
And God the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

+ These appearances are caused by luminous
yapour rising up from the dccomposing leaves.
They lave startling effect upon any one not rea-
DIV with an explanation.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COLLECTION OF
INTEREST ON JUDGMENTS,

l. Be ii enacted by The Senate and House o.
Representatives., nov met and sitting in Genera
Assembly, and by The authority of the same, That
in all cases where any judgment exclusive o
cost shall bear interest from the date of such
judgment, and that the collection of such inter.
est may be enforced by execution, in the same
manner as now provided by law for the collec,
tion of interest
In the Senate House, the twentieth day o.
December, in the year of our Lord one thou,
sand eight hundred and fifty-.ix, and in the
eighty-first year Of the sovereignty and indie
pendence of the United States of America.
JAMES CHESNUT, Jr,
President of the Senate.
JAMES SIMONS,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

A clergyman asked one of his scripture pu-
pills whether "the leopard could change his
spots?" "To be sure" replied Billy, as prompt
as might be; "whcn he's got tired of one spot
bo pocs to another"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

He that tells all he knows will also tell what
he does not know.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

Ak Athcnian who was lamo i'll one foot, join
ing the army, was laughed at by the soldiery on
account of his lameness. g am here to fight,
said the hero, "not to rum"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

MARRYING FAM1LY-A mother and four
daughters, all of whom reside in Northampton,
have, collectively, approached the altar of Hy-
men seventeen times The mother had four
husbands, one Of her daughters four, and the
others three each.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

Ay'IMposTER.- Petersburg Express no.
ticcs the sudden departure from that city, under
fear of lynch law, OF DR.. ]. J. Stephenson, a
three wears graduate OF The Pennsylvania peni-
tcntiary He had succeeded in getting into
good society,"" but letter from Philadelphia
made his "quietus," and the "doctor' was
forced to leave.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

TIE net amount in the Treasury of the United
States, on the 26th ult, subject to draft was S2l,
49G,SSl,93.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18


when, to my amazcmcnt. heard, little above
my knee, Il buzzing sound, which convinced Inc
that yellow Jacket Lad crawlc'lup my breechcs
leg. / grabbed that part Of my towscrS and
stretching it as far away from my skin as posi-
bic. devoted full minute to crushing the auda-
cous wretch, that could carry its thirst for re-
ycnrc to such reckless extent. Falling i'll with
the boys again, some fifteen words lower down
the column, was getting on very well with
Ring ring,
Stirring string,
B-r-i-n-s bring,
S-t--i-g
when the same sounds reached NY cur, under
notifications plainly showing that my tormci-
tor, in his struggles to resist my attempts upon
hi, lille. had shifted his position Il great deal
higher up. lie had also changed his buzzng to
fierce 1nycriny whine, expressive of the most
imlacahlc vindicativeucsSs; and | knew the
,lespcraio was ttr,lsting his sting i'll every di-
rccliun. to reach nry nervous system. This
time, however succeeded in dcslatchng him,
and stood up and shook his lilcless body out
of my brccchcs' lcg upon the iloOr, and STAMPED
him into nonentity Every man has had his
hai-brcalth eScape-thiS was mine.
But the sun WAS get i.g low 81 fastened on
TO Po,nara There, retired for the night, |
wondered why it was, that, instead Of being
fixed by the freshness of the present, we are
50 prone to Leckoll back the past. | said, per-
llaps in Il dream, that the past was u thunder
cloud that had sped by, and was banked upon
the horizon, So that we could admire the rain
bow contrastcd against its gloom, without fear
of the tightening flashes; while the future was
another, Just bursting into the present, and but
half tliycsted of the dread with which its ap-
proach had inspired us. But voice, perhaps in
reality, chided me, saying: waste not your
thoughts, for no man can really distinguish,
between the world that is gone, and the world
to come-since the grave is equally the gate
wav of the past, and the future
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

An ILL WIND" &c.-The Boston Herald
mentions as one Of the incidents of the late
snow storm that milkman got blinded with the
blowing snow, and failing to find the village
pump, drove into town with several cans of pure
milk
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

"Wn.r's the matter, Uncle Jerry?" said Mr..
-, as old jeremiah X. was passing by, srowl.
ing most ferIciously.
"Matter' said the old man; Give been lug
gin water all the mornin' for DIR. C.s wife to
wash with, and what d'yo spose got for it ?"
"About ninepence."
"Ninepence! She told me that the doctor
would pull o tooth for me sometimew
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18

MONUMENT TO Mr.. TABER.-The amount Of
money raised for ,he purpose of building
monument to The memory of Mr.. Tabor, has,
we learn, reached one thousand dollars, which
has been contributed by the press of the South,
which is thought to be sufficiently encouraging
to Justify The commencement of some initiatory
measures looking towards the commencement Of
the work. 1t is now proposed TO locate it at
Magnolia Cemetary and have it of such mate
rial and proportions as to do honor alike to the
living and the dead-Corresponoence York Dis.
frjrt CIy01licle
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-02-18
FREE SCHOOLS.


That the present system of Free Schools is
productive of but little good, is fact universal
ly conceded and deplored. 1t is therefore in
cumbent upon the Legislature now in session to
take some action upon the subject which will
either remove difficulties in the way Of the pre-
sent plan, or present a new system in lieu of it.
We say the Legislature now in session, because
we regard it as fur too important matter to be
delayed year longer. Besides there is no sub
jcct that can possibly be brought before that
body that should take precedence over mea-
sure designed to further the education of the
people, and certainly out of 50 large number
of intelligent gentlemen as compose the pre-
sent Legislature; there are some who may de-
wise a plan which will bring about so desirable
an end.
The State adopts poor system Of economy
when it withholds its money from an object
like this. Dollars and cents can never have a
relative value attached to them by which the
benefits Of general education of the masses
can be estimated 'Tis already stigma upon
the State that for so long time the practical uu-
tility Of the present Free School System has
been admitted on all hands, and yet no proper
efforts made to improve it.
We believe the great difficulty is that men,
bers fear the cry of "high taxes which they
have themselves put in the mouths of their con-
stiuents, and therefore do nothing requiring an
expenditure of money; but it is very seldom
the people complain of taxation intended for
purposes of this kind. Let them understand
that the money is to be supplied to the educa-
ton of every child in the State who cannot
otherwise receive it, and We are willing to guar
anty not only their acquiesccnce but their hear
ty approval.--Pee Dee Heruu
Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1857-08-11
gpod Mannsrs.

The aceui8tion Of courtly md high
bred and graseful manners is so difficult
and possession sd rare, that they may be-
called a peculiar gift. How. hard to de-
fine, and How much harder To- impart
"a gruff and sslgrllyy person is u~napproach-
Iable;a awkward one continually gives Of
fence without Intending it. The adyai-
tage. almost tie necessity Of grace, ease.
and polishpf manners cannot fail to be
Observation-Disclosures who. associate with
the world. Missa matter of surprise that
the subiect does bot hold eImore- promi.
nent place I'm tHeyeducatjon Of the present
How mtachIis INCLUDED in that simple
word t'MahaeFsl!XY It includes courtesy,
good humor, Kindness. Wellhas It been
Remarked Healntiful behavior gives q
higher pleasure than statues OF pictures;
it is the finest of arts" Its Importance
can hardlySb be estimated. It makes or
mars a destiny, How often have we oc-
casion to ohseYefthe powerful, almost in
effaceable Influence Of a word or a look;
and to note that a single interview has
had effects 1thRt will last a life timel-
Many are ready ID approve a good action,
Or to obey thehictates ofb~enevolence, yet
their appreciation and their charity are So
rudely or roughly expressed that the IA
NOR loses its character and becomes a dis
agreeable obligation. Good manners may
be -said to BE- HieI external semblance or
exponent Of tlis feelings Of kindness and
be~nevolence: andAthese are known to be
by the links which bind society together.
"A pleasing address is allowed to be a
peculiar markIof gehtility, yet It is attain
able by all. Hpefsonfal history were tru-
.ly written, weIshould find that nota few
had risen FROM low estate to rank, dignity
and honor blythe aid5of that all-powerfuf
spell. We maau not the cold hypocriti-
cal, artificial gloss which tends to con
ceal The real feelings. but the frank, gfa-
Icious, unseudled refinement thatsprings
from a cultivated mind and well discip.
lined heart. II Is attainable, but not with
out effort ~andIsacriices, and those who
would possess it must learn both self-dis-
trust and al proper estimate of others
It'd is atglory to The rich, for it wins and
suubdues that bb'yyeFr which wealth can have
no power; 1t il a priceless endowment to
the poor, far i'll preserves them from de-
graduation andI eontempt. How it embel-
eslife! What,indeed, would life be with
out it? I
Beyond I'll lbihnggs tits precious. 70 the
fair sex. 1t Gives irresistible fascination
to beauty, and bestows q charm on plain
features. Phe Young becomes more at
tractive, tile BID more dignifed. Like
.1t biesseth him that giveth, and him that
takes EF