davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
Abuse Of American Hospitality.

Our countrymen have received var
ious admcnitions lately, (among them
the sad case of Col. Blount's family, Of
Mobile,) to beware of opening their
doors with too great facility to people
they know nothing about, and VIII o
ostentatiously sport some imposing title
or other, which, instead of winning con-
fidence, ought put everybody on their
guard, just as the conspicuous display
OF massive watch chains and iewelry
makes observing men suspect that the
wearer is either vulgarian or pick
pocket. There is an extraordinary
passion in the United States for lioniz-
ing everything that pretends to be
hon, and many an ass in lion-skin, has
been followed and wcrshipped by mul-
titudes of discerning and admiring re.
publicans. Itwould be well if, in every
case, the impostor only turned out an
ass, an honest scullion, footman or coach
man, in the guise of lord, and not a
designing scoundrcl, running forever
the peace of those who harbor and cher
ish him. -.
Hospitality is virtue, but it has
been carried to excess in this country.
1t is said that in the North it is the
rule to consider man rascal until he
proves himself gentleman, whereas
IN the South he is regarded as q gentle
man until he proves himself a rascal.
We are not sure but our countrymen.
both North and South, may find it wise
hereafter to adopt the Northern rule,
and thus save themselves from the i'm.
posters and scoundrels, who, finding
Europe too hot to hold them, try their
fortunes in America. There is no rea
son why the access to society in Ameri-
ca should be easier to Europeans, than
1T Is in Europe to Americans. Our
countrymen, going abroad, must and
ought to go accredited, and even then
they receive only formal and ceremon-
ious poIteness. But, from a foreign
visitor, we require scarcely letter of
introduction; he has only to make him,
self known, and apo the exterior and
manners of gentleman, and Ameri>
cans at once receive him to their hearts
and homes.
We do not claim for this country
any monopoIy y of virtue, but it is quito
certain that the old world. which has
many more people, must have many
more rascals than the United States,
not only more in number, but superior
IN ingenuity and training, and render
ed desperate by greater want. There
fore, If extra precautions are to be
used on either side of the Atlantic,
they m ust be used here, and new bars
and bolts be put upon our DOORS Rich
mond Dispatch.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
A GOOD ONE.

Bay~ Daniel Webster told an anec-
dote of Father Searl, the minister of
his boyhood which is too good to be lost
1t was customary then to wear buck
skin breeches in cool weather. One
Sunday morning in theautumn, Father
Searl brought his brooches down from
the garret; but the wasps had taken
possession during the summer, and
were having nice time in them. BY
dint of effort he got out the intruders
and dressed for meeting. But while
reading the Scriptures to the congrega,
tion, he felt . dagger from one Of the
enraged small.waisted fellows, and
jumped around the pulpit, slapping his
thighs. But the more he slapped and
danced the moro they stung. The
people thought him crazy, but he ex.
planned the matter by saying: Brethren
don't be alarmed the word of the
Lord IS IN my mouth, but tile devilss II,
my breecbesl" Webster always told
it with great glee to ministers.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

HARD JUDGEMENT. The Rev. Mr..
Elliot, Of the Congregational Church
in Stamford, Conn, has been dismissed,
Tor endeavoring to 'gct work done on
the Sabbath--ungoyernable tcmpor--
visiting improper places of amusement
.--and preaching old sermons" Mr..
Elliot explains these charges-..he call
ed upon a millincr on Sunday evening,
to say his wife must have her bonnet
in season for the early Monday train
for New York; he parted couple of
lighting boys in the street---and when
one used profane language to him, gent
ly boxed his ears that he once Wis.
tied Niblo's to see the Ravel family,
and never preached an old sermon
which he had not been requested to.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

A Colored Magnetist.-Thc New
Orleans correspondent of tho Mobile
Tribune gives the following notice of a
remarkable colored man in the former
place. BE his pretensions what they
may, the unlettered African appears to
exercise considerable influence over
bis superiors 49,
We have actually real, simon pure,
live prophet in our midst-none Of
your humbug Joe Smith sort, who is
after the dimes, but poor, unpre ten.
ding, plous old blacksmith of the cozoyed
persuasion, who makes no money, but
works at his trade for living, in an
unpretending way. AT present he con.
fines himself entirely to the cure Of
diseases, by miraculous power and |
Will give you my word that he seems
to have just as much as he can attend
to on the days that he deyotes to the
public, which are Mondays, Wednes,
days, and Fridays, the rest of the week
being devoted by him to labor for the
support of his family. Men are said
to have gone to him suffering from
chronic rheumatism, unable to walk and
few passes made at them, and a few
prayers offered up in their behalf,
have rose from their bed, and s0alkcd
home as well as ever. Children who
had been epileptic from birth are said
to have been entirely cured; women
suffering with diseases peculiar to their
sex relieved permanently. In fact,
there are persons who assert that he
has cured all descriptions of disease in
the same miraculous manner.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
ID netifal.
From the Memphis (Tenn. Bulletin.
A SONG---'sSTARS AND STRIPES"


The flag ofour country, how proudly it waves
DER the patriots land, o'er their green mossy
graves
Our country our country long may il abide
Our hope and our glory, our boast and our pride.
Tho stare and the stripes of patriot band,
Still float in tho breeze, o'er a glorious land;
Our country our country tho homo OF the
unfarled be thy hagI long, long may it wave.
From the crystal gates ofthe frozen North,
The stars Of our country are cleaning forth,
unfurled by the noble and daring Kane,
Thoy sparkle and glance o'er the icy plain.
The flag of our country 10 floating on high,
O'or the orange groves meath a summer sky-
The song birds' home, with it's fairy-like bowers,
In wealth of melody, Of frsgance and flowers.
Oar Flag 1t is waving o'er treasures untold,
Where streamlets are gliding o'er sands OF gold;
Where the deep rayine and mountain side,
Bs,oken rich treasures that in them hide.
O'erthc darksome forest, and bright sunny valo
The Flag or our country still floats on the ale;
The stars and the stipes May they wave, ever
wave,
o'erthe Patriots land, o'er the homo ofthe brave
CHORUS.
The American Flag ! How proudly it waves
O'er the Patriots land, DER their green mossJ
graves;
Still floating in triumph, wherever il goes,
The stars for its heroes, the sripcs for its foes.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
A Child In search of lis Father.

Ono evening lately, just as the bell
of the Sing Sing Prison was ringing
call right" and most of the officers
were about taking their departure from
the Institution, little girl about sew
en- years of age, entered the Warden's s
Office. On being questioned as to her
name and errand, she said that her
name was Agnes W, and that she
had como all the way from New York
to see her father, whom her mother
had TOLD her was in prison at Sing
Sing The intelligence and mourn
ful looks Of the child soon enlisted the
sympathy Of the Warden and other of.
ficers, and it was at once decided to
crafty the wishes Of the little heroine.
But a difficulty at once arose-thcre
being no less than four convicts bear.
ing the same name as her father; but
this difficulty was soon overcome by
the little girl herself.
She said that her father was a COOP
er by trade, and it became at once ap.
parent that the j W employ.
ed in the "Shook Shop, was the look
ed for father. lie was brought from
the cell to the office, and the scene
which took place between the convict
father and his child will not be soon
forgotten by those who witnessed it.
Accustomed as were the officers to af-
fecting scenes between tho convicts
and their relatives, this one was too
much for their feeling, and teur stood
in the eye Of many Of the stout-heart.
cd men.
The story of little Agnes to her faith
er was "that her mother was very poor,
lived out at service, and could not come
to see him, so she thought she would
come herself; that she left New York
that morning without one cent of mon
ey--walked through the city till she
came to the railroad that some bows
had told her passed through Sing Sing;
that she crept into one of the cars and
hid herself away, and when found by
the conductor, he allowed her to ride
all the way up for nothing, and that
some boys in the village told her the
way to tho Prison" .....
After spending some time with her
father, she was kindly taken care of
for the night by one of our citizens,
and the next morning lady of our
village accompanied her to New York
and had her placed in an asylum devo.
ted as q home to the children of the
destitute, where she will be taken care
Of and properly and kindly treated.
The story of little Agnes search for
her unfortunate and guilty father, al
though a simple one, is under all cir
cumstances, remarkable one also, and
shows in glowing colors the. strength
Of iillal affection, and what even child
can accomplish under the most trying
difficulties, if it makes the trial with a
right purpose and determined rcsolu-
tlon.-'Sing Sing Chronicle.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

CLERGYMEN IN TIE BALL Room
A correspondent of the Chicago Press
and Tribune, writing from Atlanta,
Logan county, ILL.,, thus describes the
singular termination of the Fourth of
July ball in that town: 1t Itappears that
the managers, several days since, sent
special invitations to the ministers of
the various churches in town, to attend
the dance, thinking to have good
laugh to themselves over it; but to
the surprise of those present, after the
ball had got under full headway, four
of the aforesaid ministers made their
appearance in the ball, and soon were
mingling with the bystanders. The
"set" being through, the announcement
was made that the ministers having
been solicited to attend, desired that o
portion of the time should be set apart
for them, which was acceded. Then
commenced the religious eaercises of
the ball.! One preached, another pray
ed, and another struck up good old
religious hymn, when the dancers, see
ing what turn matters were like
ly to take, ordered the musicians to
proceed, and began the dance again,
leaving the ministers to do their sing.
ing, and make their exit the best way
they could.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
Correspondence Of the So. Louis Demo erat.l
Hunting nt Gen. IIarney's Hend.
QunrterS--Pcri ril of an OHiccr.
BEYOND FT. KEARNEY. Julv g.

DEfOND fT. hEARNEY, July 3.
Wolves were seen frequently during
the day, and just as we came on the
camping ground large one was start,
ed. Gen. Harney's greyhound caught
sight of him, pursued him, overlook
him, and never touched hair. Whether
he was afraid Of the wolf or merely
friendly to the wolf l am unable to say.
This chase was hardly over when a
herd (seven or eight of buffalo were
dlscerned about two miles off. Capt.
Pleasanton, Gen. Harney's aid, set out
in pursuit, by himself, armed only with
a Colts pistol, and had dangerous
adventure. His purpose was to run
the game toward the camp.
Capt. Pleasanton succeeded in driy-
ing them in the direction intended,
when body of teamsters, desiring to
see the sport, came in sight. The buf.
falo took fright and made for the hills.
The hunter pursued them, but he rode
horse which had never seen buffalo
and which was hard to manage besides.
The hunter singled out bull, and shot
him twice, wounding him both times.
BY this time he was quite close to him
on the verge Of one of those clayey pre-,
clplces with which the place abounds.
The hunted animal suddenly stopped,
stretched out his fore legs, and wheel
ing upon them as on a pivot, bringing
himself face to face with his pursuers.
The horse was unmanagable and
rushed on the bull, who set his horns
to meet the onset. The collision was
fearful. Pleasanton, conscious of his
situation, had disengaged his feet from
the stlrrups, and just as the shock took
place, or perhaps q moment sooner.
sprung upon the back of the bull, from
which he rolled down the precipice,
The horse having been gored in the
breast and belly died instantly. The
bull next charged on the dismounted
rider, but two bullets from the revolver
persuaded him to alter his course
Capt. Pleasanton, am rejoiced to say,
suffered no personal injury.
He took the affair very coolly, un.
buckled all the girths of the slaughter.
ed stced, slung the saddle and accou
trements across his shoulder, and car.
ried them to the camp. No orreado,
or matador in tho Spanish circus could
have a more formidable antagonist O,
narrower escape. The sport of buf.
talor hunting is now fairly initiated. -
Capt. Hitchcock, with the guide, chased
another herd for miles. The Captain
succeeded in lodging bullet from the
new burnside in one them, and tho
guide hit another, but it was so late
they had to turn from the pursuit before
running thcm down. The buffalo has
such great vitality that he runs fo,
miles after being mortally wounded
NO shot, unless it penotratcs the heart
brings him to the ground at once.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13


THE BATTLE AT BAREILLY.-De-
sperate Charge Of tie Mussu1man Ea-
nattcs.-We Gull from the interesting
letters of the India correspondent Of
the London Times the following ac.
count of the fight of She 5th of May !:
"Sir Colin Campbell was fortunate.
~ close up with the 42d; his keen,
quick eye detected the case at once.
STEADY, men-steady; close up the
ranks; bayonet them as they come"
was just in time; for these madmcn.
furious with bang, were already among
land body them, sweeping around
the left of the right wing, got in the
rear of the regiment. The struggle
was sanguinary but short. Three of
them dashed so suddenly at Col. Gamer.
on that they pulled him off his horse
ere he could defend himself, and he
would have been hacked to pieces but
for the gallant promptitude of Color
Sergeant Gardiner, who drove his bayo.
net through two Of them in the twink.
ing, OF an eye Brigadicr Walpole
made similar escape. In a few minu-
tes the dead bodies Of 1873 of these Cha.
zcec and some 1S or 20 wounded men
OF ours were oil the tokens of the
struggle. ~ Nh
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
The Rest Of the Grave,


How still and peaceful is tho grave
Where life's vain tumult past,
Tho appointed house, by Heavens decree,
Receives us all at last.
The wicked there from troubling cease,
Their passions rage no more;
And there the weary pilgrin rests
Frow all the tolls no bore.
There rest the prisoners. now released
From slavery's sad abode;
No more they hear the oppressor's voice.
Or breads the tyrant's rod.
There servants, masters, small and great,
Partakc the Same reposc
And there in peace the oshcs mix s., .
ofthoso who once were foes.
All lovcled by the hand of Death,
Lie slceping in the tomb;
Till God in judgment calls them forth,
To meet their final doom.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
MONKEY yESaEAsor Tt f,,. 1,,,

MONKEY VENGEANCE.-Tt for Tat.
On Thursday night week, an organ
grinder, with q mischieyous looking
monkey in tow, stopped in front of a
house in Mulberry ST., New York, near
Grand, and delighted large rabble of
dirty urchins, with music and the comic
pranks of his "Pongo." While mon
key and "grinder" were thus engaged,
some one in the crowd threw, with great
force, a large stone, which, striking
the monkey on the head, knocked that
sintelligcnt" gentleman on his back.
lie laid quiet for about FIVE minutes,
apparently stunned by the blow, but
at the expiration of that time got up,
looked around, and perceiying the stone
which was thrown at him, picked it up,
and deliberately hurled it back in the
crowd, and, as it afterwards appeared,
with good effect, hitting the Identical
person who originally threw it inhict-
ing aseyere wound on his right check
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
ENGLISH GRAMMAR.

ENGLlSH GRAMMAR.
Just remember, though box
In The plural makes boxes,
Tho plural Of OK "
Should bo OXEN, not oxes.
Comic Grammar.
And remember, though fleece
In the plural is heeces,
That the plural OF goose
Isn't coosEs nor oEEsEs.
Exchange Paper.
And remember, though house
In The plural is houses,
The plural Of mouse
Should be NICE, and not MousEs.
Phiiada. GdscHs.
All OF which goes to prove
That Grammar farce is;
For where is the plural
Or rum and molasses
New York Gazette.
The plural--Gaze.te--
Of rum don't US trouble
lake but one glass too much
And you're sure TO SEE DOUBLE.
Brookiyn Adperti,ey.
But remember. though ak
In the plural is axes,
There's no plural OF FAX,
'Tis flax only, not rtAxsEs.
lhn Exchange.
And remember, though dash
In the plurol is doshes,
There is nothing like Ash
For the singular Of ashes.
Berkeley Amsrieon.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

Drunk, J,hsta Little.---A Pacerville
ioafer mistook globe lamp, with let
'efs on it, for the queen Of night, and
exclaimed; I'm stumped if somebody
naln't stuck an advertisement on tho
moon
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

Happiness consists mott having sucl
and such possessions, but in being fit.
ted to enjoy what we have.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13

Can't Stand ia 'culled pusson, ;
one of the original +. L. VS., now a
resident of a aourisbing village in 10.
wa, and a barber and hairdresser by
profession, was asked by customer rs
to his place Of natiyity--wby he camc
here to the West.
Why says he, you see / hears a
great deal bout dis new country, and
like other gem'men, como out here to
better myself; but I find dere's too
many abolitionists out here, and Is
8 wine back--I can't stand it---too
many abolitionists-- can't stand it sar.
Little boy, can I go through this
gate to the river2 politely inquired a
fashionably dressed lady. p'rhaps
SO; q load Of hay went through this
morDin, was the horrid reply.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
New England EEoathcn.

The following statement was made
in report on Home Missions recent.
ly submitted at tho Massachusetts, Gen
eral Association
From reliable statistics, it appears
that in Maine, New Hampshire, Yer.
mont and Massachusetts, not more than
one quarter are in the habit of attend.
ing church There are one million
three hundred thousand people in New
England who so far as attending church
IS concerned, are practically like the
heathen. There are twcnty-sx towns
in this state, Mass which have no c.
vangellcal preaching"
The New York "Obsorvcr" remarks
that if the above statements are cor.
rect they ought to produce q more
startling effect than an earthquake I.
butit is inclined to think there is some
mistake in the matter. After some
pertinent observations on the subject,
the "Obscrver' concludes by saying;
cit occurs to US to suggest, though
1t may not be well received, that with
such q proof as this before the church.
cs OF massachusetts,, it is far more i'm
portant to consider the destitute md
suffering condition Of these perisbine
hundreds of thousands at their own
door than to be inordinately disturbed
by the neglect Of the American Tract
Society to publish on the subject Of
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
Va) Friday, August l3, 1865.
MARRIAGES OF CoysANGUInITY.

In the National Medical Associa-
tion, which adjourned recently at Wash.
lngton city, District of Columbia, a
very able Report was submitted by
DIR. s. NJ. Bemis, of Kentucky, upon
the influence of marriages of consan.
guinity upon offspring. DR.. Bemis
says:
My researches give me authority to
say that over ten per cent of the deaf
and dumb, and over five per cent of
the blind, and nearly fifteen per cent
of the idiotic in our State institutions,
for subjects of these effects, are the
offspring of kindred parents.
Aside from the facts which 1 have
gained by corresponding with gentle
men who have given close attention to
these points, a curious but perfectly le-
gltlmate process of computation con-
firms me in the opinion that these es-
Inmates are very nearly correct. Five
classes in the schedules prepared, give
7S7 marriages of cousins, 246 of which
have given issue to deaf and dumb,
blind, idiotic, or insane children. Ad-
mltting the same ratio to prevail, the
Ohio report, which contains 157 mar
riages of cousins, followed by deaf and
dumb, blind, idiotic, or insane off.
spring, would indicate the existence of
332 other marriages of cousins in the
same populations, not followed by such
detects. The counties which furnish
these Isl marriages, as above, and are
supposed to comprise in their limits
392 unreported marriages, making q
total of 4S3, contained in 1850 l.
2o,23o. If the same ratio be suppo-
sed to exist throughout tho Union,
there would be found to the twenty
million of white inhabitants, six thou
sand three hundred and twenty one
marriages of cousins, giving birth to
$500 deaf and dumb, blind, idiotic, ard
insane children, distributed as follows:
Deaf and dumb, 1116
Blind, 648
1diotic, 1854
Insane, 299
Total, 3917
Then, if the figures Of tho last Uni
ted States census still applied to our
population there would now be found
in the Union, 9136 deaf and dumb, of
whom 1116, or 1913 per cent are chill
dren of cousins; 1918 blind, of whom
GAL, or O8.1 per cent are children of
cousins; 14,257 idiotic of whom 1914
or l2.9 per cent are children of cous.
ins; 1872 insane, of whom 299, or
0.l9 per cent, are children Of cousins.
Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-03-23

DIED.
AT Kanawha Saliaes, at stlie resisiepes 81
hetmather, Mrs. Racsfel Radclsfles on FRI
dry, The 18th lust of Dsopsy Of tie chest,
Ann E,5 Wifeof Mr. ] ohm W. os s. aged about
3Ctyeafs.
y Mach might d. sid m praise of The nanny
sift,ies Of the Dsreased,were not tie writer
Opposed ID eulogy DC The dead In all the re-
iaiions of lifes she did her lllLg. iii an exem-
Iptary manner and those who knew her best
loved her most, They do NOT sorrow, howev-
81. as tlf.se who hase 40 ID, early inlife,
SHE gave her he irt 70 Tie Saviour. anil ID rel
pepied congersati ms with het christian
friend during bet last lines i. said she was
not asraid to die xtAat she knew III whom she
trusted; and, when her last hour came, size
setlinsd notonly willing but anxious, 10 go.
Although blessed with 90 affsctionate Illus.
band, Mother and Son, lie was .snabled, By
grace Divine, to give them all nh when the
Stsnmons came aud, supported BY. be@ever
fasting ARMS of the Father. descended 10 the
grave calmly and peaaefufly.
!. .is There, sweet le hsrrest, Jill He bid her
arise,
70 hail Him N triumph, descending, the
sA ETH Skfes ~ i#sY