davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02
What ID thy HopaH

What is thy hopei Oh II TO the earth,
Like the grOvelng vine, it clings,
Nor shoots one aspiring tendril forth
In search after higher things;
In vain II nurtured with ceaseless toll
Confined to the cold worlds ungenal soil;
Each prop that supports II must perish, and oil
Its buds Of fair promise unopened fall
Alas for the hopes that are nOurished here,
Amidst the storms Of earth's chaDgeful atmosphere
Say. what is thy hOpei Dost thou pursue
Of pleasures the giddy round,
With the phantom Of happinesse ever in view,
Where true happiness was never fOundf
Oh! plunge not in search after bliss supreme,
Midst the whirlpool Of pleasures polluted stream
Amidst her mad orgies thou never canst find,
Joys worth the pursuit Of a rational mind:
Oh! fly her seductiOns, resist her control,
She poisons, debases and ruins the soul.
But what is thy hopei Dost thou pant to find
Ut riches a treasure untold?
Thou never canst purchase peace Of mind,
Nor length Of days with gold.
II prOcures no exemption from worldly woe,
Nor viii death for q brbe his prey fOregO;
Though thou hoard up wealth and add field to field
No advantage in death will thy treasure yield;
Thou must leave thy possessions to other men
And where will thy hope and thy soul be then!
Yet what ia thy hoper Is 1t that which leads
The aspirants to glory forth,
To win for themselves by heroic deeds
. The heetIng applause Of earthf
Thou mayst couple thy name with high renoWn,
And send il to future ages down,
And men yet unborn may applaud the tale
But what will their plaudits to thee avail,
When thy form shall be mOuId'riDg amongst the
dead,
And thy soul to the last great audit HedI
What is thy hope? Will it stand the test
Of natures expiring hourf
Like arnor Of proof will il shield thy breast
Against the grim tyrant's powery
Will it gladden. thy soul and dispel the gloom,
The horror Of darkness that vaifs the tomb,
When the damps Of death 10 thy brow shall start,
And the lfe-blOOd ebbs from the fevered hearth
Away with it else lit 10 worse than vain
To cherish hope that shall fail thee then.
But hope thou in God! To dying hour
This hope sweet assurance brings,
When worldly preferment and wealth and power
Shall ull be forgotten things.
Aye. hope thou in God, though feeble worm;
And thy soul shall be safe, and thy confidence firm;
Thou shall traverse in triumph the gloomy abyss
Which divides the eternal world from this
And consignnR in hope thy fral flesh TO the SOD,
Thy soul shall ascend to thy Saviour and God.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

RELIC OF THE HERNITAGE.-Among the Gu.
riosities Of the Hermitage, once the home Of
General jackson, is q wooden pitcher, remark.
able both on account of the artistic skill die.
played and tho celebrity of the tree from
which the wood was procured. It was made
from the wood of the elm tree under which
William Penn made the celebrated Indian
treaty. The pitcher was presented by the
coopers Of Philadelphia; and, although Il IL
not larger than common cream jug, Il con.
tains seven hundred and fifty slaves. The
hoops, lid, and handle are of silver; the bot
tom is magnifying glass, through which one
is enabled to see the joints, which are invisi.
to the naked eye.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02
Jack Frost and his House.

Jack Frost he lived in fine new house,
White, and light and tall
And what was the name Of Jacks new house?
Oh, he called it Icicle Hall.
Did Jack live all alone in his house!
Oh, no, for you must know
lie had neat little wife with him there,
And her name was Jenny Snow.
You may think they lived upon coOlish terms
Up there in their Icicle Hall;
But Frost and Snow were sure TO agree,
They never fell out ut all.
They gave their parties and saw their friends,
With frequent feast and treat;
There was Young Mr.. Rain and smart Miss Hail,
And rattling old Mrs. Sleet.
Sometimes when dullMr Fog dropped in,
They were not 40 gay us befure;
He would hang about the live-lOng day,
And was voted dismal bore.
One dav Jack Frost and his wife resolved
To- lie grand in Icicle Hall;
For il would have been strange If Jenny Snow
Could not get up tall.
The party was large, and gay, and fine,
And chandeliers Of light
With frosted crystals sparklcd and shOne,
In rainbow cOlUrs bright.
Festoons Of white, and wreaths Of snow,
Hung round each glitteriDg wall;
And c" showed over fnrmed the floor
Or the rooms in Icicle Hall.
But while they waltzed and danced about,
The walls began to stream;
The floor was flooded, the roof fell in,
Dissolvng like II dream.
Who had performed this marvellous feat?
IL was one whom no one saw;
Aided above by the envious sun,
1t was mischievOus old Mother Thdw!!
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

An old lady residing not far from Exetsr.
was perhaps one of tho most brilliant examples
of conjugal tenderness that the last century
produced Her husband had long been dyinS.
and at length, on the parish clergyman N.
king one of his daily visits, he found him dad.
The disconsolate widow, in giving him IN -
count of her spouse's last moments, told him
her "poor dear man kept groaning and gFoAn-
ing, but nc couldn't die; at lAst," }" Said s6e, II
reeollccted I had got q piece Of tape "a taSo
drawer, so l took some Of that and tied it e
tight as l could around his neck. and then I
stopped his nose with my thumb and Anes,
and poor dear, he went of like . lamb -,
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

SrRAws.-Iti is said that one man supplies
nearly all the drinking saloons in ST. Louis
with straws for sucking julips, who sells them
for one and half or two dollars thousand.
From about two acres of land, on which he
grows rye annually, he sells about twenty.
four hundred dollars worth Of straws. They
are packed also in barrels, containing about
IL, 600 straws, and shipped to New Orleans,
St Paul, and the intermediate places, and the
demand is increasing.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

TIE PICTURE OF LIEE-In youth we sssm
climbing up hill, on whose top etsEnaann.
shine appears to rest. How eagerly, wepaSt
to gain its summit But when We have saii.
ed it how different is the prospect On the eahee
side. We sigh as we contemplate Ne lo
before US; and look back with q WIsl -
upon the flOwery path We have paa. ~
may never more rctrace. Life q nike ah6skAA.
tOus cloud ffaught with rain, storm q !.
der; but religion, like those streamlng seSa e
sunshine, will clOthe It with NgAA "a -
garment, and fringe its shadoWy skifl4 wilA
gold. : y Lax = ~
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02
AdYeP0RNInR.
JOB PRINTING.
PLACERvILLE POST OFFICE.



NAIL Il dispatched from this once daily, Sundays T.
n ceped, to Sacramento San Francisco, and all parts
Of this State, which closes at O'Clock, NJ
special mail Il dispatched daily, Sundays Excepted TO
CoomA ria Gold Springs, which closes At o'clock r. VI.
special mail ia also dispatched daily Sundays except.
ed to Georgetown ria Spanish Fiat; which closes At
O'Clock =. ". H
The malls for the Atlantic States Europe, &c, close
this once about the Sd and 18th Of each month"; except
when those days Saturday, and then they will
eioNe the day previous.
The Mails Tor Oregon and Washington Territories
dsPasched semi.monhy, Immediately amer the arrival
Of the Atlantic malls,
weekly mail will be dispatched from this ONCE to the
Atlantic Rates ria Carson Valley and Salt Lake city to
II Joseph Missouri to be closed every Friday at O'Clock
~ Letters intended TO he sent BY this mail must be-
marked, rtd. Salt lake City. "
weekly mail will be dispatched from this once TO In.
dian DgRngs, ria NeWtown and Cearvlle to be closed
on Sundays at o'clOk p. NJ
OFFICE HOCRS.-T1hs once will ne kept open daily.
Sundays excepted, from O'cloch A. NJ, Till Il? Nj; and
from ~ Till 3h r. n. Box delivery open till :, y ".
On eundays-Hrom gill 10, A. NJ. and from till y, r.
n. A. N. THATCHER, Post Master.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

A SHORT COLLOoUY.--Emma-- dear
friend, that woman has been talking about
you again! She has been telling the awfulest
stories you ever heard; why, she rallied away
at you for one whole hOuri"
Julia--And you heard it all, did your
Emma-Yes, every bit Of it
Julia--Well, after this, just bear in mind
that it takes two to make slander-one tc
tell it, and one to listen to it."
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02
"oUR coUNTRYAlways butt Wrong ouo Country"
FL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,

ing as it did, on the heels Of our little dispute
about the Society. ] remember hearing the
amount Of the collection announced as thirty
two pounds, six shilings and sixpence far.
thing, with some surprise, little dreaming
the unlucky fraction was my own contrlbu'
| ton. would not tell my sisters word, but
determined to have a delightful reconciliation
scene with Flora. pictured tears in her soft
eyes when told Of my past trials. delight In
her countenance at the romance of the thing
and charming confusion when the whole end
cd with declaration of love. / almost felt
her head on my shoulder, and its glossy curls
in my carcssing hand. With these feelings,
went to the vicarage.
mot at hOme," was the only reply to my
Inquiries for the family
Never mind, thought I; a little suspense
will enhance the bliss Of the meeting.
went again. / saw DR.. SnafIles, who was
stcarn and monosyabic. lie was evidently
in the secret; so proceeded to explain.
lie remarked in the most pompous manner,
that my practicable joke was decidedly out
Of place"
was indignant at the insinuation, but ask
cd after the ladies.
-" They were quite we'll; some in the town
making calls, with the exception Of Miss Flo.
ra, who had departed that morning by an
early train to pay long promised visit to an
aunt resident somewhere near the Lands End
And my holiday was just expiring; could
not await her return. | would not say any.
thing to my sisters, being too indignant to
take them into my confidence after their dis
tant behaviour.
So went back to town, resolving to takea
run home again in couple Of mbpths, never
doubling that all would yet be well. Alas
that should have to tell In six weeks from
that date, received, via. my sister Jane, the
wedding cards of Captain and Mrs. Vernon,
nee Flora SnafIles
She is in India now, poor Flora and am
still a bachelor of the Albany.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

The Boston Post says: DR.. Snytax is Of
opinion that in Cuba the heat Of the weather
must be greatly modified after the intrOduc-
ton Of so many coolies.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

----A-oNS%-
A LITERAL JoKE-The Parisians are laugh
ing over the last good story from the German
waterlng-placcs ltappcars that the Princess
N. who resides in sumptuous chateGu, near
the Baths Of Neuwied, sent a dinner invita-
tion, according to her hospitable custom, to
Major p. an officer on service near by. -
The Major CHANGED to be on duty, and was
obliged to decline; but, on sending his ex-
cusc by his faithful sergeant, he told him to
bring him his dinner as he came back-mean-
ing, Of course, that he should go for it to the
neighboring restaurant. The subaltern hap
and he delivered the tscO errGnds at once, to
the servant at the gate Of the chateau.
Very much astonished, at FIRST that her
proposed guest should send for his dinner,
the Princess soon entered into the joke and,
from her kitchen, she despatched it by the
hands Of the sergeant and her own footman.
Astoundcd at the magni6cence OF the 'din-
ncr FOR one, the Major summoncdup his mes
senger and soon came to an explanation but,
quite too spirituel to lose the enjoyment oil
the luxury, he invited in q couple Of brother
officers and they made acapital feast. Only,
before sitting down, he gave the sergeant five
fectioner and procure a splendid castle Of
swcetmcats, taking it with his compliments
to the Princess.
All dutifully donc--but her Highncss, in
consideration of tho subaltcrn's so well per-
forming his duty, sent him out dollar, for
his perquisitc as a messenger.
Excuse me " said the little sergeant, as
he looked at the one dollar, and supposed,
that of course, it was to pay for the confec'
tionary he had bought, Excuse me, but il
cost IRE! Four dollars more il you please y
The Princess by this time understood the
character Of the man, and she gravely sent
out the other four dollars.
Thc Major was still at dinner with his feast
ing brother officers, when the faithful sergeant
entered with the military touch to his cap
and laid down the Ave dollars upon the table
How many Of his military buttons the gal
liant officer burst off, in containing his rage
while the return Of those FIVE dollars was ex'
planned, is not told in the story -a---
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02


A REAL NArIvE.-The ignorance Of this
country among otherwise well informed Eng
lsh folks was curiOusly illustrated in the case
Of General W, Ga good fellow but bo-
gus general, who visited England few years
ago. Having occasion to pass few days in
a provincial town, which boasted its literary
cotcric, he received an invitation through an
acquaintance from Miss blue Stocking to at
tend soiree. The general, Of course, went,
and being fine, handsome, agreeable fellow,
he was quite lion.
In the course of the evening, Miss Blue.
who had managed to secure his undivided at.
tcntion, tapped him playfully with her fan,
and said:
"Do you know that you are a naughty
MANI"
"How so, madam asked the general.
why fer deceiving US all SO; but shan't
tell on you Of course; only every one in the
room has not seen as much as !.
The general became nervous, and thought
of course that he must have committed some
terrible .taur pas, but as the lady seemed kind
and fOrgiving, he determined to probe the mat
ter.
my dear lady, am very sorry if have
been guilty Of any derelictiOn do tell me
thM l may apologize"
"O!" said Miss Blue, Its only pretending
to be an American!"
Pretending to be an Americani But I
am an American, madam.
"Yes, perhaps you live there; but you are
not native, you know"
"On my honor, madam, q real live native
of the great State Of New York"
"That will do for the. company to think,
general" said the literary lady, "and Of
course shall not undeceive them; but you
must know had very distinguished Amer
ican gentleman, who was q native to lunch
with me this morning, and l was sorry
could not have him to meet you tonight ; but
he was not at all like you. His raven hair
curlcd in such beautiful little ringlets all
around his head, and his complexion was dark
very dark-a perfect Othello of fellow. =
"a nigger, By George! =" thought the gen.
eral and begging our lady not to expose this
little ruse, in trying to pass off for an Ameri-
can, he got into . corner and enjoyed his
laugh.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

The HAIR OF TIE PREsIDENTs.-In the Pat
ent Office at Washington, there arc many OBJ.
JectS of interest connected with the Govern.
mcnt and those who administered its affairs in
times gone by. While examining some OF
these objects Of curiosity when in Washing
ton, in December last, there was nothing that
struck us SO forcibly as the samples of small
locks of hair taken from the heads of the diff.
icrent Chief Magistrates from President Wash.
ington down to President Pierce, secured in O
frame, covered with glass. Here. il, in fact, O
part and parcel Of what constituted the living
bodies of those illustrOus individuals, whose
names are as familiar as household words, but
who now live only in history and the rcmcm.
brancc of the past.
The hair of Washington is nearly pure
white, fine and smooth in its appearance.
That Of John Adams is nearly the same in
color, though perhaps little coarser.
The hair Of Jefferson is of different char.
acter, being mixture of white and auburn
or sandy brown, and rather coarse. In his
youth, Mr.. Jctfcrson's hair was remarkable fol
its bright color.
The hair Of Madison is coarse, and of 9
mixed white and dark.
The hair of Monroe is handsome, dark au
burn, smooth and free from any admixturt
whatever. lie is the only President, except
ing Pierce, whose hair has undergone nc
change Of color
The hair of John Quincy Adams is peculiar
being conrsc and yellowish grey in color.
The hair of Gen. jackson is almost perfect
white, but coarse in its character, as might bt
supposed by those who have examined the
portraits Of the old hero.
The hair Of Van Buren, is white and smooth
in appearance.
The hair of Gen. Harrison is fine white
with slight ddmixture Of black.
The hair of John Tyler is 8 mixture Of
white and brown.
The hair Of James X. Polk is almost pure
white.
The hair of Gen. Taylor is white, with q
slight admixturc of brown.
The hair of Millard Fillmore is, on the 9TH
cr hand, brown, with slight admixture Of
white.
The hair Of Franklin Pierce is dark brown,
of which he has plentiful crop.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

A drop IN the eye causes o
drop in the head puts out ~ ~ y
derstaDding. - lI's~s
=. ? ., =. .th t,,rlA.an
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

What is that which, when brought to table,
is "cut" but mover tasted? Cards.
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02

DIR. III. w. a. WORTKEEN.
A0FWCE at the faacervle Drug Store, few doors below
" -Ihe Theatre, Main street. 81
Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-02
PLACERVILLE AND COLOMA
Daily Stage Line!

THE undersigned continue to manufacture at tn
i above Establishnlemt, every description Of
New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-07-24
EIsa Crescent.
TJ TAX BILLS

8emsmasasn sN s5le 8assa asaTaasS @lEsee Oh asae
sxanaaS % s3usys
rabE seoslaaes sisb sbe lss Section 81
800 N6 a&are nf gsss. entitled An
Ask gala aing tha Collection Of An-
Easae s caa hg aEAieaaly settled at the 4geas
aarefa ece gesi9gs.ta tiie 18th SAY 81 8qSilst at
which tnss Gay 81 lian1ed over 70 ;hs Assistans
City AtsoFa ID
Ram N Treasurer.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-16

ton The statements that Nu-cnt denied thu deb, at
tempted 10 cvade its mPnt, utterly false The Tn
pune gave cuaton 70 the injurious statement preiu
uice political opponent hut it, Informant, did not tell the
truth Mr.. Ward Is now IN California.
BrRNlNG or THE STEAMER SEA BIRD.
The American steamer Bird left Victoria on the morn
ins 81 september for Fort Langley with forty passcn
gcls ana large quantity Of freight When about sixteen
mics out Il was discovered that she ire, and the
nanes gained such rapid Roadway that her officers aban
oonng al hopes ~ saving her stcered for the nearest
shore. Discovery Island-yirg about eighteen miles dis
'aht from Victoria, IN southeasterly drecton-was
made and IN the greatest hurry and confusion the passen
gers osemharked for by this time the flames were
threatening 70 destroy them and the heat was oppressive
Two passengers injured Ia their attempts To reach
the shore, The steamer burned down TO the water 3
edge The fire broke ont in the forehod, the boilers
About ten O'Clock the Wilson g. Hunt appeared in sight
and the assistance Of the uniortunates the
Shore and took away all but fifteen othem and then
1lued her way Fort langley. The of this lat
ter number reached Victoria towards evening, canoes
managed by Indians The steamer otter sent out
in consequence Of news reaching here that the Hunt had
taken of all the passengers.
The steamer Sea BIRD owned by Capt. J. 7, Wright
Sons, and believe, Is insured her full value.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-16

Ayres company at Fort Taylor II will leave $50 men to
take the field not counting the thirty Nez Perces and Their
three chiefs The howtzers 10 be under the charge OF
Lieut. Jas l.. White, Of Third artillery.
For supplies each company has SIX mules, and each ON
Besides these, the QartermaSter has 80 mle
in his train so that the entire supply train Will consist Of
400 mules.
For nights before fires could be seen from the
camp showing the Indians were busy IA burning the
grass 10 impede march OF the column Fortunately,
on the 22d there was heavy rain, which put out the
fires on the plains.
When the command has crossed the river shall not
hear from them until decisive blow is struck, IL
will be dangerous 10 send out an express We expect,
however the next news from them 10 be OF a decisive
cha ractor.
Extract from private letter.
ENGINEERS CAMP, EsouMArr,
VANCOUVER ISLAND, Sept o, 1855.
leave here at A. Nj for Fort Hope per steamer The
Indians on the Fraser digging have rebeed and killed
forty whites. / understand that the Governor wishes
fourteen-haf the remainder to join the Satellites
and TO protect the dggcrs and keep the peace There
was an indignation meeting he at Victoria last night.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-16

CORPORATION NOTfCE-TfIE COMMITTEE on
" Wbnfycs rrrs aui Slips ~ The BOARD Aldermen will
meet n No CITY ial an Monday, the 18th inst Al 2
O'Clock H. n. All parties Interested IN applications pend
respectfully
uunctuaL ". H. HOFFMfEE, \ Committee on
' THoMksw ADAMS. lwhsryes, Piers
GkO. STARR, and Slips.
as
OFFICE or RECEIVER or TAXES, NEW YORK oc.
W loler TO- s5sNoce 10 Taxpayers i have tus day
eeived enabling ~ collect tie ~ l5- long
delay having occurred woud respectfully upon
yers Necessity ~ early call ~ this uice The law
.ume add per cent all taxes remaining mp all
on the lsi uf December. - - -
WILSON SMALL. Receiver Of Tarss
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-16

SAN FRANCISCO. Monday evening, Sept 90 1855.
fiovR-Saics at 81 30 a $40.
WHEAT Slcs Of 600 bags and 900 do IT s. 20 800 do
choice nj SO ~: $50 do. at 80 Is.
BARlKy-Salcs Of 500 bags at 81 05; 800 do 81 02H.
OA1sacs Of 600 bags at 81 So 800 do extra al 81 CO.
pCrATofs..-Sales NJ 1c &c per pound.
Br-1T1--Salc of 80 firkins, At 45c.
srGAR-l $50 bales No. China sold at II =. cash.
TsAl50 chests black tea, half pound papers, sold on
private terms.
RicE-550 mats Siam sold on private terms
C,srIE--2s0 boxes ordinary aiamaniines sold on pr
vatc terms.
FrRk CRAcr,1ss-Sale Of 900 boxes al 81 30.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-16
PERSONAL.

PERSONAL.
nAvIDFERRGrSON, PLaSTERER AND MASON. WHO
~ formerly lived IN seventh viii please call
D.. ". Me.lsager, SIS Iii nth avenue.
~ W. BF SURE AND STOP Ar THE OCEAN HOUSE,
VI. Portsmouth By baltimore BRAT sun
dny morning by Jamestown night The fare aud
accommodations gnescepinnable.
JAMI.s, EFAD TIE GREAT TEMPERANCE STORY
81 Of Hone Eyermore." Something 10 Do pub
lshinQ Ia The York The No al Centre
street No other paper publishes ~
HfR. BOTAR, RECENTLY FROM ENGLAND, Is ne
wi cuesed send his address Cornelius F0rnet As1r
Honse New York.
ITO ADbPT-AN AMERICAN FEMALE CHILD TWO
i months Old finely formed and perfs-tly healthy Any
respectable person wishing adopt The address
A. H.. Brooklyn Post Ofloe