davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
From the National Magazine.]
AN OLD MAID S PARLOR.
BY HOME LEE, AUTHOR OF ''GILBERr MAssISGER


In every life-eve the quietest, even
the least disturbed and eventful- there
must surely be some vein of romance,
some golden vein in the earthly ore, if
we might be permitted to trace it in the
sunshine. | do not like to think that any
of the thousand throbbing, hoping, fear
ing hearts | meet, can be all clay, all in
durated selGshness; the hardest, most
unpromising, for aught we know, may
have acted long romances in their own
proper person, and have grown cold and
passive after them to degree that would
lead one to believe they never felt
There was Miss Fernley of the Bank
side, for instance, maiden lady of i'm
mense antiquity, whom we used to visit
when | was little girl She lived in a
large, genteel, red brick house, enclosed
in stiff garden, with great iron gate,
guarded by grim stone lions on either
side Miss Fernley was precision and
neatness personifed but her parlor was
intolerably dull and gloomy; moreover, it
was infested with three of the surliest
cats ever knew, and parrot, the most
vixenish of its race. [ remember with
awe, the solemn tea parties, to which all
the children of her acquaintance were an
nually invited. Depression fell on my
spirits as the gate changed behind me :
by the time my bonnet and cloak were ta-
ken off, | was rigid; and when I was sat
down on stool, at a considerable distance
from the FIRE, but within reach of the
cats, was petrifed into stupidity for the
rest of the night. Miss Fernley delight
ed in me accordingly; she was accustomed
to say to my mother, that Il was such a
quiet, prettily behaved child and in
consequence she often sent for me to
spend the afternoon, on Saturday, giving
as reason that she liked company. She
was kindly, ceremonious old lady, with
no idea whatever of amusing a child
Every time / went she gave me an old
brocaded satin bag filled with ends of tap
estry-work these she babe me sort out
into pockets according to color; and when
she had done that, she let me alone, un-
til tea-time Once I abstracted from its
shelf an illustrated copy of Bunyan' S
Pilgrims Progress, in which Apollyon
was represented as handsome Crusader,
in scale-armor, standing on a PROSTATE
Christian. | did admire Apollyon, he
was so grand, and had such wings; but
an audible romark to that effect caused
me to be Immediately deprived of the
book, and in all subsequent visits at this
period, my attention was divided between
the end-bag and the cats.
Miss Fernley's parlor never underwent
any change. If one Of her pets died, it
was replaced by another of the same sex
and color. All the cats were king-cats,
and gray-and they did spit sometimes !
The wainscot was painted drab; the
straight-backed, slenderlegged chairs al
ways stood primly up by the walls; the
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

The LIFETIME OF MAN.--When the
world was created, and all creatures as
sembled to have their lifetime appointed,
the ass first advanced and asked how long
he would have to live. Thirty years, re-
piled Nature; will that be agreeable to
thee p 'Alas, answered the ass, 'iu is
long while Remember what wearisome
existence will be mine; from morning un-
til night shall have to bear heavy bur-
dens, dragging corn sacks to the mill that
others may eat bread, while shall have
no encouragement, nor be refreshed by
anything but blows and kicks. Give but
portion of that time, I.pray!' Nature
was moved with compassion and presented
but eighteen years. The ass went away
comforted, and the dog came forward
How long dost thou require to live?'
asked Nature. Thirty years were too
many for the ass, but wilt thou be con-
tented with them?' Is it thy will that
| should?' replied the dog. Think how
much | shall have to run about my feet
will not last for SO long time, and when
shall have lost my voice for barking and
my teeth for biting, what else shall l be
fit for but to lie in corner and growl?'
Nature thought he was right, and gave
him twelve years. The ape then appeared.
'Thou wilt, doubtless, willingly live the
thirty years, said Nature; thou wilt not
have to labor as the ass and the dog
Life will be pleasant to thee 'Ah, no.
cried he, $50 it may seem to others, but it
will not be. Should puddings ever rain
down | shall have no spoon. | shall play
merry tricks, excite laughter by my gri-
maces and then be rewarded with sour
apple. How often sorrow lies concealed
behind a jest. | shall not be able to en-
dure for thirty years Nature was gra-
cious and he received but ten. At last
came man, healthy and strong, and asked
the measure of his days. wilt thirty
years content thee?' sHow short time!' =
exclaimed man. when l shall have built
a house and kindled fire on my own
hearth; when the trees shall have planted
are about to bloom and bear fruit; when
life will seem to me most desirable, shall
die! 0, Nature, grant me longer Pc
riod!' Thou shalt have the eighteen
years of the ass beside THAT is not
enough, replied man. Take likewise
the twelve years of the dog 1T is not
yet sufficient reiterated man; give me
more = Il give thee then the ten years
of the ape; in vain wilt thou claim more p
Man departed unsatisfed. Thus man lives
seventy years. The first thirty are his
human years, and pass swiftly by. He is
then healthy and happy-he labors cheer
fully and rejoices in his existence The
eighteen years of the ass come next, and
burden upon burden is heaped upon him;
he carries the corn that is to feed others
blows and kicks are the wages of his faith
full service. The twelve years of the dog
follow, and he loses his teeth, and lies in
the corner and growls. When these are
gone the apes ten years form the conclu-
sion. Then man, weak and silly, becomes
the sport of children Translated from
the German.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
LETTER FROM SAN JOAQUIN.
LIVE OAK RANCH, Teb'y. 10th, 1858

LIVE OAK RANCH, Feb'y. 10th, 1858.
Mr.. Editor This morning is just
like California, and unlike morning any
where else. To say it is very pretty or
beautiful, don't express half we mean.
The sky is clear, without cloud; the
atmosphere is so transparent that you can
see the white of mans eye quarter of
a mile; and there are birds in all these
live-oaks, making the air vocal with their
melody. About twenty children are ear
ly at school this morning, and they are
like the children every where in Califor-
nia-full Of health and hilarity. Oh,
how pleasant! Oh, that the wickedness
of the people would have an end Then
indeed, would California become the gar
den of the world
This valley between the Calaveras and
Mokelumne rivers is rapidly advancing in
every phase of desirable progress. The
whole country is being fenced aud cult
waited. This year there is more wheat
sown than usual, and about the same
amount Of barley. In consequence of the
early fall rains, the grain has at least one
month the start of the last two years
crops, and promises fair for heavy har-
vest. In 1858 there was not one school
house in this valley-there are now nine,
with an average of about 80 children of
proper age to go to school-and these
people realize that if they do not educate
their children, it is tantamount to making
them hewers of wood and drawers of wa
ter for life
There is preaching here every Sabbath,
within five miles of every mans ranch
by some one or other of our Christian de-
nominations, and Camp-meetings in the
proper season proportion. These things
bring about permanency of settlement,
and kind of old home contentment, so
desirable in farming community
[ spent two weeks not long since, in
the mountains of Calaveras, and found
several families anxious to move to the
valley to find society more like home. In
little while we will have fruit enough
and to spare; milk and butter; hog and
hominy; chicken-fxens and four-doin's s !;
buckwheat-cakes and honey-every thing
in fine, to crafty the taste of eastern ep-
lcures or western yeomen.
In my next | will tell the old bache-
lors what the prospect is here of getting
good claim, either by pre-emption or
second-handed, but entirely clear of Grea-
ser or Spanish grants.
Ever yours, LlvE-OAK.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
Written for the San Andreas INDEPENDENT
THE BIG TREES

Old monarch of the forest-trees,
Through thy green breast the evening breeze
Has often swept.
To thee at even the birds have fed,
And in thy cool and leavy bed
Have sweetly slept
Proud treel how many years have passed,
Since first DER thee the wintry blast
Came cold and chill;
And Boreas, his mantel spread,
Of. virgin snow upon thy head,
When all was still?
Race after rrce, the red-men brave,
Upon thy hills have found grave,
And calm repose;
Yet thou art still in health and bloom,
While they are sleeping in the tomb,
Beneath the rose.
Upon how many scenes of woe,
And savage conflicts far below,
With war-whoop fell,
Hast thou, in thy long years looked down,
Where slept the leaves of Autumn brown,
Within the dell?
Canst thou tell of volcanic fires,
Of dark blue lakes and funeral pyres,
And hoary braves
OF falling rock and sliding hill,
And storm, and tempest bleak and chill,
And lava waves?
Upon thy heaven-reaching brow,
My wayward fancy, even now,
Recalls the past,
While phantoms of each by-gone year,
From out thy shadows dimly peer,
Too faint to last
In silent eloquence dost thou stand,
A sentinel of the golden land
A guardian old.
Thy subjects come as shines the sun,
The Goth, the Vandal, Britton, Hun,
And Saxon bold.
From oceans fairest sunny isle,
That sleeps meath heavens softest smile,
And brightest sky,
They come with hope and golden dreams,
To delve beneath Soils burning beams,
LanguiSh and die.
Within thy lofty emerald crest,
Joves warrior bird has built her nest,
Secure and warm;
And proudly from his lofty home,
He scans the star -bespangled DOME
And bowling storm.
Amid thine ever-rustling leaves
The golden sunset brightly weaves
A crown of light;
And down the distant star-lit aisles,
The pensive moon in sweetness smiles,
On thee, at night
Pride of our western hemisphere,
Freedoms hill-born sons revere,
And sacred hold
Thy memory, and thou shalt be,
The boast and glory of the free,
For years untold.
Murphys' Feb. goth, 1853. DIDO.
*WIitten before the Big Tree was cut down.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
e. ". Ii @ " n TON.
WATCH MAKER AND JEWELER.
ST., OPPOSITE ODD FELLOWS HALL,
CAN tNnpEA G


SAN ANDREAS,
NTHERE may be found large assortment
w of good Brass Clocks, such as snQ
Eight Day. and Thirty Hour Striking EIA
and Marine Alarm Clocks. Also beau a.. e
tiful Parlor and Bedroom Clocks, all of which
will be warrantad to keep good time one gear
Also, fine magnifying Glasses, with double
power, expressly for examining Quartz Rock
Also, Spy Glasses, Spectacles, Thermometers,
Pocket Compasses, American Pocket Knives,
Steel Tweezers, Watch Guards, Keys, first
quality Italian string, fnger-boards, tail
pieces, bridges, rosin, bows, &C.
Also, large assortment of fine Gold Pens,
Gold Fob Chains, Fob Buckles, Seals, Slides,
Ladies Gold Curb Chains, Belt Buckles, Pen
ellis, Silver thimbles, Coral Beads, &C. Also.
fine Gold Rings, EARRINGS, Breast Pins, Lock-
cts, Snaps, Infants Coral and Gold Armlets.
Necklaces, &c.
Special attention will be given to all work,
such as repairing Clocks and Watches, manu-
featuring Rings Earrings, Specimen Pins, &c.
\. B. All work warranted if well used.
would also embrace this opportunity of
thanking the public for past favors, and hope.
by trying to please them, to still merit their
appreciation. iv ll-tf:y2:l5
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

GoLD.-A man who is furnished with
arguments from the mint will convince
his antagonist much sooner than one who
draws them from reason and philosophy.
Gold is wonderful clearer of the under.
standing; it dissipates every doubt and
scruple in an instant; accommodates itself
to the meanest capacities; silences the
loud and clamorous, and brings over the
most obstinate and infexible. Philip of
Macedon was a man of most invincible
reason this way. He refuted by it all
the wisdom of Athens, confounded their
statesmen, struck their orators dumb, and
at length argued them out Of all their
liberties. es.-Addison.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

SHUN THE INTOXICATING Bowl
The fate of the gifted Haskell of Tonnes
see should be a warning to all young men,
He recently passed through Louisville in
charge of friends, on his way to the Lu-
matte Asylum at Lexington. While on
the Frankfort cars he arose, and in the
most eloquent and pathetic terms appealed
to the gallant Kentuckians among whom
he was, to protect him from the relentless
enemies he imagined were pursuing him.
He became so excited and violent that his
friends were forced to conine him. The
career of this unfortunate son of genius
should be known fer the lessons which it
teaches. From his earliest boyhood, says
the Nashville Banner, he has shown him
self possessed of the highest order of tai
ent. While at college he distinguished
himself as poet and an orator. His
graduating speech is spoken of by those
who heard it as worthy theimmortal Prem
tiss in his palmiest days He served his
country on the battle field and in the halls
of Congress. 1t was his residence at
Washington that confirmed upon him
those unfortunate habits which finally
blasted his intellect.
He at one time broke the fiery serpent
from his hands and dashed it to the earth.
To make his reformation complete, and
aid in lifting up others who had fallen,
like himself, he went through the State
lecturing on temperance. The tour was
an eminently successful and brilliant one
his lectures being fully equal to those of
Cough, whose eloquence has electrified
thousands In this country and in England.
But his old habits gained the mastery of
him again, and his subsequent life has
been but fearful struggle between his
appetites and his ambition struggle in
which it must be confessed, his appetites
have generally triumphed So great, in
deed, was his craving for artificial stimu-
lants that even while delivering his tenn
perance lectures, he made use of drugs,
sufficient in quantity and potency to burn
out the vitals of an ordinary man. There
was no subject whether ancient or mod
ern, grave or gay, upon which he did not
converse with fuency and eloquence. He
passed, with the utmost careless ease,
from the profoundest disquisition upon
the doctrines of the Bible, the religion of
Confucius, or the Baconian philosophy,
to the lightest literature of the day
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

SWEARING CHINAMEN.-AJ Justice of
the Peace at Mud Springs, has found out
how to make Cinnamon comprehend the
solemnity of an oath. He recently admin
istered the following to one of the yellow
idolators -
You do solemnly sacar, in the presence
of God Almighty, that you will tell the
truth IN the case now on hearing, and if
you don't you hope to be drowned on your
way to Canton, and go to hell and be
damned
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

MATCHES What has brought you
here J" said lone widow, who was quite
illustrated the other morning by an early
call from bachelor neighbor, who lived
opposite, and whom she regarded with
peculiar favor. g [ came to borrow match
es." Matches that's likely story |!
Why don't you make match yourself? !?
| know what you come for" cried she of
the Weeds as she backed the bachelor
into corner; you came here to kiss me
almost to death! but you shan't, without
you are the strongest, and the Lord knows
you are p
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
D. ID. VEZEY.
Carpenter, J oiner and Undertaken

"a Shop on St Charles street, oppositeN
W. the Willow Greek Lumber Yard, y,
III san ANDRE4S, M
Where Miners can be furnished with Pumps,
Toms, Patent Rifles, Water wheels, Horse
powers, and all other machinery for mining
purposes on short notice.
Constantly on hand, Sash and Panel
Doors, Window and Window Blinds, Door and
Window Trimmings, Chest, Drawer, Closet and
wardrobe Trimmings, Bedsteads, Dining, Cen
IRE. Gard and Toilet Tables, Wash-stands, and
all other articles of Furniture made to order.
my 23-5m-4 y, y. VElEf'
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
SADDEsr SIGHTS. The Springfield

SADDEST SIGHTS. The Springfield
Republican walls in this way:
"There are some sad sights in this
world city sacked and burnt, battle
field after great slaughter, London in
the midst of a plague, ship burned at
sea, family pining in starvation, a jug
of n,olasses wrecked upon the pavement,
a pair of irrevocably damaged pantaloons !;
but the saddest sight to us of all is an old
bachelor, stolidly walking toward his end,
his great duties undone, his shirt-buttons
off, his stockings out at the toes. and no.
body to leave his money to. Were we
such man, the mild reproving eve of a
widow or maiden lady would drive us
mad. But there is still hope. Uglier
and older men than all our friends have
married beautiful wives, who trained
them admirably and spent their money
elegantly"
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

SELFISH SoRRow.-A little boy, at his
fathers funeral, observed a neighbor's
child crying bitterly. The little fellow
became indignant, and exclaimed, sYou
needn't cry-this amt none of your fu-
nerals.'
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27

JOHN PHOENIX ON BRAHMA.-John
Phoenix is out on " Brahma." He is con-
ident that he has discovered the kew of
the mystery. Read his letter to the Mo-
bile Register: a
ED. REGISTER The following lines,
published in the Atlantic Monthly by r.
w. Emerson, Esq, have attracted much
attention, not SO much in consequence of
their beauty, or other intrinsic merits, as
from the fact that nobody can understand,
for the life of him, what the man means:
BRAHMA.
If the red slayer thinks he slavs,
Or if the slain thinks he is slain,
They know not we'll the subtle WAYS
| keep, and pass, and turn again.
The fact is, that Emerson has lately
learned the game of Euchre, and being fas-
cinated Herewith, wished to express his
feelings on the subject, but being quite
unable to do so in ordinary English, un-
fortunately got off the above extremely
mystifying stanza. A little careful con-
slderation of the terms used convinces one
of this at once. Thus {" the red SLAYER"
refers to the Right Bower (probably the
Jack of Hearts;) 'the slain" is, undoubt-
edly, the Left Bower, not guarded, and
you perceive that Emerson probably eu-
chered his adversary by passing" keep
ing the Ace and some strong cards, and
coming again after the Bowers were out.
Now all this might have been much more
simply expressed, as for instance:
If the Right Bower is in one hand,
And the " Left" holds another place.
Ye little know why did stand.
held three trumps-the King and Acel
This explanation is made to save Emer-
sons reputation in the matter; he was an
old school mate of mine in former wears
and we were afterwards engaged in the
tin business together-he was always a
well-meaning man, and it is a pity he
should be considered fool on account of
some eccentricities of expression.
Very truly yours, J.P.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
THE INDEPENDENT
Is PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
D Y AR NOR s. & o.

n. P. KoosER, ,......o. N. cLAYEs, ......cEo ARMoR
Office in the INDEPENDENT Building, St Charles
street, above Main.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS One year
invariably in advance, 50; six months, So
three months, 50.
TERMS OF ADVERTISING: One square
of twelve lines, first insertion, $3.50; each
subsequent insertion, $l.25. A liberal dis
count will be allowed to yearly advertisers
Business Cards, not exceeding four lines, g.
per month.
San Andreas independent., 1858-02-27
Gotrls, Restaurants, ST.
kiRadcrilOok Exchange!
E$: M. CALLAHAN, >. Proprietor. E4
Corner Of Broadscay 4 Main sts., San lAndreas.

Corner Of Broadscay i Main sts, San Andreas
HNHlS POPULAR AND COMMODIOUS
IL Hotel, situated in one Of the most pleas
ant and convenient localities in the town, is
constantly open for the reception of Tran
sient and Permanent Boarders. The
rooms are spacious, thoroughly ventilated, and
furnished with view to comfort. The dining
hall is the best in the place, where the patrons
of the house may depend upon finding the ta-
bles spread with the choicest edibles the mar
ket affords
The Bar is furnished with the choicest brands
of Wines, Liquors and Cigars.
Board and Lodging:
Per Week, single rooms.
Per Week, double rooms, ,............... 500
Without Lodging, ....................... 100
Single Meal, ,............................. rs
Meals at regular hours.
EsE Payment to be made invariably in ad-
vance. sep. 26-mtf:l3
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-21
SHOCKING CALAMITY IN ST. LOUIS.

Burning OF the Pacific Hotel-Twenty-nine
Persons Killesi-Six Seriously Injured. and
Between Forty and FIFTY Missing.
ST. LOUIS Feb. 2o-A. N.
The Pacific Hotel, In this place, burned at three
O'Clock this morning Eight or ten persons killed
and many others seriously injured by jumping from tho
windows 1t is at present impossible to ascertain the
names Of the killed and wounded
EIGHT O'CLOCK, P. M.
The burning OF the Pacific Hotel proves much more
terrible calamity than reported this morning. About
hundred persons were in the house when the fire
broke out, forty or fifty OF whom missing.
The following the OF the persons known 10 be
killed, so far
Messrs Bruce, McKnte, Burkheart, wurs Paul, Sssr-
re.t, Mrs. Jenny Jones and chi.d-al OF 81. Louis.
Mr.. johnson, OF Chicago.
Henry Rochester and J. n Hart Strong, OF Rochester,
Ny.
Mr.. William Saunders M Taylor, Geo Crane, and Mizu
Jones--residence unknown.
Charles Davis.
road.
Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard
Also nine persons in room, whose names are IN
known, and a negro boy.
The following are seriously pjured-
james +. Gcary, reporter OF the s., Louis Leader.
Elhew Hayes of New YORK.
Jonathan Jones, Mr. Towns, VIM. Turner and
Mr. Sharpe, watohman of the house.
The fire caught in the drug under the hotel sud
spread so rapidly that the sarways euvcoped in
flames before the inmates could be reused. All egrees
was thus cut off except through the windows Nsny
lesped from the third story and horribly mangcd or
instantly killed, and many unable even 70
reach the windows, and burned death in Their
Several more bodies are suppcscd 10 be IN
tho ruins, and hundreds Of excited are energecay
engaged In removing the rubbish and searching for
them.
The wounded were promptly tssen charge OF by their
friends or sent to the hospital where their injuries wcre
immediately attended TO. Several CT the wounded can
not possibly recover The less Of property upwards Of
&5OyoO
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-21

burglaries Increase frightfully; assaults abound
every night; almost every law is broken the
police seem to be asleep. There is every reason
to believe that they are not only inattentive %
their duties, and unfit for the station they ell,
but also that in many instances as, for instance,
in the case OF the gambling houses and the
model artist clubs-that they are actually in
league with the law breakers.
A pretty change we have made IN getting rid
Of the old force, and substituting the Metropo-
litansl The journals which reported the scene
in Broome street must congratulate themselves
on their handiwork.