davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

The SKUNK TRADE.-The Skunk mania
bids fair to eclipse even Pixies Peak. All
over the West skunk skin traders abound
and skunk hunters are on the alert for more
victims. That which heretofore everybody it
seems has been anxious to avoid is now eager
ly sought for. Skunks which have hereto
fore been allowed to flourish and enjoy their
domestic habits in peace and quietness, now
find their homes ruthlessly invaded, their un-
happy progeny Knocked on the head, and in
spite Of their hitherto supposed invinciblc ar
NOR, themselves and their families inhuman-
ly hayed for the purpose of decorating hth-
erto dcspiscd race. The supply seems to in
crease with the demand, and yet prices are
constantly going up. A few weeks since
when the excitement first broke out IL l-2
and 90 cents was cousld red a good price,
but now 80, 90 and even as high as 130 cents
odrifcrous article. The skins are taken to
Germany where they are deodorized and
changed into " Siberian Squirrel" and then
returned to this country to decorate the shou.-
ders of our beaux and bellies, and it is now
well asccrtained that the principal cases of
the most popular Partisan perfumes arc sup
piled from the " essence bags" of the de-
tunct animal.
Here in Buffalo n thriving, and an
exceedingly extensive, business is already be-
ing done. A skunk depot has been cstab-
lished nearly opposite our office, and huge
packages are daily taken through our streets
by express messengers, from the west. 1t is
said that the employees of the express COM
panies suffer "some" from their confinement
in the close car, and that many have been
forced to "lay up in consequence of the
odor; but all these little inconvenicnces mus,
| yield to tie necessities of commerce
Can it he possible, asks scmc one, that such
an extensive mine of wealth has so long re-
maned undiscovered in our midst? Ar,
skunk skins to become a staple article of furs
We see no reason to doubt it. 1t is the com.
mon boast of our statesmen that the resour
ces of this country are but half developed
and we begin to believe it. Skunks from
time immemorial have been an article of dread
and why may they 1T, under this strang,
disguise, have hidden "a precious jewel, lik,
the toad ugly and venomous." The time ha
arrived, however, when skunks must yield tt
the utiltarian spirit of the age, and we Civ,
the movement our unqualified and hearty en-
| dorscment.-BuGaloE ETpress.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

CALIFORNIA HAsH.-A California corrcs-
pondent must be held responsible for the fol-
lowing story, which, he says, is actually
trew." On the night before he wrote, he
happened to drop into one of the hotels on
Pacific wharf, where q number Of Jolly mi
ners were walking into the eatables with
"quick annihlation in their eager eyes. ~
The correspondent felt the influence of the
example, and called for delicate dish of
corned beef and cabbage, by way of improv-
ing his constitution. Scarcely had he tasted
mouthful, however, when he was startled
by stent rian ejaculation Of
Hash ~
Turning quickly in the direction whence
this laconic order proceeded, he beheld a
" butternut-colorcd, lank, thick haired indi-
vidual" seated at table, picking his teeth
with fork. Interested by the refined ap-
pcarance Of the stranger, the correspondent
dropped his weapons, and eyed the " hash
cater" One tremendous plat was out of
sight, and then
- Waiter moro hash ~
a second edition of the first went the way
Of all h ,sh and third time the Unsuitable
stranger thundered out
"Morc hash -
The third plate was generous exnggeration
of the first two and /" Butternuts " pitched
in like a starved cat, until forkful was
stopped in transitu, and the stranger, like Il
dog with pack OF crackers on his wiggler
Waiter"
"Sir-what is ~ asked the attentive
servitor, coming forward.
Buttcrnuts " raised his plate high above
his head and shouted, in tones of d)uble-
barreled thunder
Waiter, take that ar dish O. hash and
get it combcdn'
A great sensation was visible throughout
the institution, and the correspondent made
tracks for the " back kitching"
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25
Of hi: half enclasping arms, and retreated in
the direction she had como.

Of his halfenclasping arms, and retreated in
the direction she had come.
"Alfred now saw he must have made a
mistake and. as no ono appeared, no went
to the senior proprietor, to explain the awk.
ward position in which he had been placed
having no desire to be compelled to be shot
Mt, or be shot by, some genuine brother.
"Thc Colonel, who was we'll acquainted
with Alfred, informed him that he had mis-
taken Piccolomini for his sister.
"For the first time the brother learned
that the dimnutive divinity was in tho city
and Immediately wrote her an apology, say.
ing he could not regret what had occurred
on his own account, but he would, if she dc
sired it. on hers. He had no idea he was
pressing the Psychean lips of the lovelicst
and most fascinating songstress in the world
and that the mistake had only taken place
because she was as beautiful as his sister. She
had his most humble apology for what had
occurred, and if she would not be satisfied
he would return her what he had taken.
'W hen this note was translated to the be-
witching Marie. and she was assured of its
sincerity, she laughed immoderatelv, and
said she had supposed perhaps kissing a
pretty girl (here she looked very archly), on
meeting her, was an American custom. It
had frightened her at first. but now she did
not care. for. said she. in her attractive Eng
lish Tuscan 10 kiss did me no 'aarm-in-
deed it was not so decs-vat YOU say ect is ?
-decs-a-gr gra-blc ="
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION "A correspond
ent of the Boston Jonrnal gives an instance
of spontaneous ignition Of iron dust. In
the rivet factory at Plymouth is n revolving
cylinder, in which rivets are put to clean
and polish them, the dust falling on the floor
below where the drppings from a shaft above
can reach it. Some years ago one Of the
workmen discovered that the whole mass of
deposits from the cylinder was enveloped in
a blush semi-transparent flame, rising some
four or five inches in height. The woodwork
of the wall with which portion of it came
in contact, though not actually charred, was
50 deeply discolored as to show that few
hours longer delay in the discovery would
have produced ignition.
The same thing occurred again afterwards,
when measures were Immediately taken to
prevent its recurrence.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

A CouRr ScENE.-They had pretty rich
court scene in a ncighborlng town few days
ago. We are indebted to n correspondent
for the full particulars; but as they are
lengthy, we will only state the cause of the
court, and give the testimony of one wit
ness.
1t seems that one or two men were dssat-
isfcd (without Just cause, as it proved)
with the teacher Ct their winter school, and
procured his arrest for assault and battery
upon one of his scholars The day for his
examination arrived. and legal gentlemen,
and the usual attendants of such scenes, as
scmhlcd in the town hall, and the counsel in
behalf of the state called on the stand wit
ness number one, who gave in his testimony
nearly as follows
"Wc came in from recess and stood ar und
the stove. took out plug of tobacco and
took n cnd-gaye some t. B. The
teacher saw it and told us to spit it out.
didn't spit mine out. and he asked me if I
intended to obey the rules Of the school ? |
did not answer him. lie took me by the col
lar-threw me down-smashcd bench-we
went into closet, door and all-tore my
coat-bruiscd my head, and then asked me
if | could obey the rules? told him
could so far rs thought they were right
NNbthSei IVA 'NishNS)' ~ Nou uoO topaN-
co? p Yes sir. 'llow long have you used
it." Two years. Chew and smoke both,
don't you? Yes sir Was you hurt
much by the tcacher?' lie bruised my
knee, back of my neck, and drew blood on
my face WAS you confined to the house
any?' yes sir 'liow long,? "A day or
two when did you inform your folks
that you was hurt 2 Next morning. They
| didn't know it that evening"? NO sir
Didn't see the blood on yonr face?' No sir
Where did you go that night? TO Mr..
T-'s.' what for?' 10 sec him. -
About serenade, wasn't it 2 Something
was said about one Yes where did you
go from there?' Went to Mr.. VS..
what did you get 2 A tin horn Then
you went back to Mr.. T-'s, didn't you p
Yes sir TO geta company to go ana SER
enade some eY 'Yes sir you say you
didn't throw out the tobacco when he told
you to? NO sir. Didn't till you got
ready?' NO sir"
1t is perhaps unnecessary to say that after
little more such testimony as this the
school teacher was acquitted, and public SEN
tment run out of the hands and feet of
those present, till the old hall shook from
ridgcpole to foundation. A purse was made
up for the teacher to deiray his part of the
expense. and the crowd dispersed well sat
isfed Caledonian,
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25
20 r T r Y
SI.EEpING UpoNROsE rs.

|oh exquisite and soothing thought
Roses, "a bri .ht aud countless numbers,
Roses. with bamy odors fraught.
Spreh forth to wop us to our slumbers
Yet fatal /, their balmy breath
| The page or history discoscs
How oft the STILL cold bands Of Death
Stole Ger the slcepcrs upon roscs
NV ficn1, the lot can ne'r bo ours
To meet n snlir temptation;
Fn modern days the Queen of Flowers
Boasts aot such willy fascination;
yet, il we court the wonld's sweet spell.
And own the thrnldom it imposes.
Mctbinks It's easy to forctell
Our peaceful suubcrs upon roses
when sloth invites our wcnricd feet
To trrn | the velvet paths of Leisure
" hen lu'ling lays our senses greet
Brcathed from the pcrfumcd bowers of pleasure
1Vhen Luxury. with subtle sway,
The soul to selfish disposcs,
p wise observer longs to say
beware of sleeping upon the roses !"
Nay, Life's best gifts a snare may bc;
Calm study, cheerful recreation,
Fhe hearth Of social amity,
. Thc voice of kindly conmendation,
,)vo's tender and cndearng tics
| On these, too oft, the soul rcposcs;
Fondly on human props relies,
And roets vOuttnteG amid roscs.
Eot such shoull be our pilgrim life;
No, We should seek our path of trial.
Prepared to meet its daily strife
| With firm and patient sei-de1ial;
o nptatiOn waits us on our road,
And oft our progress it opposes,
To matter-Llfe was not bestowed
To waste in sleeping upon roses.
However lurcd, however tried,
Still may We brtvcly look before US,
isting the fragrant flowers aside,
| Tnnt strive to weave soft fettcrs o or u.s.
Ia We, vita ftrvency o. heart.
Pursue our course, and when it closes,
Lct not our summons to depart
Reach us while sleeping upon roses
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

ARMY CHApLAINs.-The American army is
to great extent, destitute of religious in,
struction. An officer, not a professor of re-
ligion, writing to the National Inteligencer,
says
with an Army of near twenty thousand
men, occupying more than fifty garrisons, for
the most part beyond the reach of churches
or any other established means of securing to
our officers and men the rites OF marriage, of
baptism, and of burial
The National Recorder (Washington) fur
nishes this statement
"More than two-thirds of the United
States Army have for the last year or more
been employed in tedious marches among the
Indians, through all our frontier regions,
from Florida to Texas To Minnesota, and
thence through New Mexico TO Oregon and
Washington Territories, as well as crushing
the rebellion in Utah, accompanied by no
Christian teacher, none to speak of Jesus
and the resurrection to those that were dy-
ing
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

A USEFUL INVENTION Mitchell's Patent
Metallic Tip Shoes in family are great sa-
wing. Some idea may be formed of their
economy when we add that every part of the
snoc gives way and leaves the toe as good as
new. There appears to be no end to the wear
of the tips, which is n thin piece of copper
inserted between the soles, secured there, and
turned neatly over the toe Tlis is II simple
plan, but still a most ingenious one. and we
think none but smart Yankee would ever
have thought Of so bright an idea wherever
the invention is seen in use ,itat,racts attention
and receives warm praise. Mcssrs. a. NJ.
Smith Il Co., who hold the exclusive rights
for New Hampshire and Vermont, find it diff
cult to meet their orders, which are attended
to by their agents Mcssrs. c. Packer & Co.,
ll9 Pearl street See advertisement in ano-
ther column .-Boston Atlas.
Prouty & Co.. have such Shoes for sale
sec their advertisement.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

The Gettysburgh (Pa.) Compiler gives an
account of the loss of IL little boy. fur years
of age, son of Mrs. OYLER, of Cumberland
County. lie strayed ircm home, and the
whole neighborhood started out on the search,
securing the surrounding mountain through
the day, and displaying lighted torches after
night. After two days and nights, the dead
body of the little fellow was discovered nearly
nine miles from his home. The Compiler then
adds;-" The little dog, which had been tho
child's playmate, and which had nccompa-
nicd him in his long and fatal journey, was
found nestled in the clild's bosom, with his
head reclining on his cold and liiclcss form
The faithful dog had tramped quite path
around the lifcless body of the sleeping inno-
cent thus betraying the afsction that it had for
the youth, and in its fond carcsses had licked
back the hair upon the child's forehead The
corpse was conveyed home to its weeping mo-
thcr, who, under the peculiarly affecting cir
cnmstances, was almost frantic with grief. :"
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

Discovery OF THE BODY OF Thur TON THE
LOST ERoNAUT.-The body of Thurston,
who was carried up in his balloon, in Sep
temher last, has been found. The Adrian
Evening Expositor Extra of the Sth inst.
has the following:
The facts of the discovery, as near as we
can ascertain, are these: Last Sunday, as
the son Of Micheal lIoag was searching for
some sheep in the woods, on the farm OF Mr.
5. Minor, about miles southeast OF the vii
lagc of Silvanii, he discovered the remains of
the BODY of n man. lie Immediately ran to
his father, who in company with Mr.. Miner
repaired to the spot, and there found abund-
ant evidence that he remains were those of
Mr. Thurston, who must have fallen from
his position on the valve of the balloon. where
he was seated when carried off 50 snsularly
last summer. These gentlemen Immediately
proceeded to collect what could be found. but
only succeeded in finding the skull, and one
foot in "a boot, and few other small bones
The rest of the body has been carried off by
wild beasts. They found, however, the coat
pants, vest and shirt, and with them Mr.
Thurston & cards upon which he took his min
utes on his balloon trip from Adrian to the
place of landing, near Sylvania. The pencil
marks on the cards were so ter-soak d the
writing could not be made out.
They found however in a memorandum book
a tier directed to Mr.. Thurston, from firm
in Philadelphia, which was reply to iuquir-
les about balloon silk.
They also found Mr.. Thurstons watch and
knife, both of which are fully identified by
many of our citizens as his property. The
watch is unhurt, and stopped at 20 minutes
to l2 O'Clock, which shows the time he fell.
Mr.. Thurston's case was singular and n
sad one. and excited much interest. On the
10th of Sept last, he made successful ascen-
sion with Mr.. Banister, and while securing
the balloon after descending, and after rcmov-
ing the car, it suddenly rose with Mr.. Thur
ston who was on it, and rapidly disappeared.
As it rose up Mr., L. clung to the portion on
which he was seated, and remarked to Mr.. b
that he would soon come down again The
balloon was after seen at great height, and
some persons fancied they discovered an OBJ
ject still clinging to it. Some days after
wares the balloon was discovered in the VIC
nifty of St. Clair river, but though extensive
isearch was made for many weeks, the body
of the acronaut could not De found.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25


WHEAT AND CoRN.-An interesting fac t
was developed at the late reeting Of the
Agricultural Society. DR.. Elwin called the
attention OF the members to the fact that the
wheat crops of this country were fast dimin-
ishne, SO far as the number of bushels
raised to the acre was concerned. He stated
that in Ohio, State of but little over fifty
years old, the crop had fallen on from forty
bushels to the acre to about sixteen, while in
the best PORTIONS of New York, where thirty
bushels used to be considered n fair crop,
only twelve bushels are now raised. The
falling off in other States had been equally
marked but while this was the fact with
the wheat crops, he was glad to know that
the amount Of corn produced to the acre had
largely increased, and was still increasing
enormously Press.
Clergyman in Florida recently undertook
to prove in sermon that Africans had no
souls. Prentice says he had better be careful
for he can't expect his disciples to consent to
60 to heaven il they are not allowed any mig
gers there,
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

1 JoCa,aI liat,rtal
sa,;ns II NV s;stnr hn, T H. o'SNc hhI 10
~ ,7,ro,,,s 80, 80. ,, NV Always .no
.o,,ars .mm, p onJ ''o'' !" on,uhc ,or tne oat
ch;d ron a a, I',o,,i tS,s I;,, outbreaks OF thel
""u .n's '.'''o 'roupie with Johr
u! un. Snma % m' J.. ,J ."J ol'naoh' say IL kindly
. T'I,n -, i" tov, w.. 'o,o' DC NOT hurt then
ho,,.;G,, o, H. '".' ,oi VIC sake ol your bright
bo"e, =, ''S' III! w my "orus IN you'
~. >,
-. mo '.J'no, so' sopcr ana thougnt'ui, iiei
o,s.o, ''' no. sPohen III VAN. iruth had
"No'1u eo..'c'.on' ouuaenly r's'ng' ana
Kissing her sister IN token OF forgiveness, she
,u.s .v .,,,i 'To"' ".u w'.t 70 '"o 'y 'onl,
was sun lying upon tnc toor wherc he had
.I .nr1Wh n',nsel'' Du. ne nav ceaScu crying.
io n'''' rnn; n,s nin.n' L,I ou' u,u io'
80 80 :. 'h. hn ';st ai taS' .,n' ,l'a, re-
nro9i IL ",s1. " pun,s'inI'.' WAS IN store
ionno r m' e. rha,cvar % o -" nmiaos., ~ no,orn 81,
icncr, ioi "'a'e'er ""p'easan' consequence
'n,s"t Io'ie' 1.,
oon,. N was iow' sou, tender, al
Ios, olso 80 saI h;s so,os' "a .ne Moiu was spoken
80 w III Us ~: " tou II, oue,'c'' sur
pi,sI' ama 'J'svu % !, ms rI iace lr'm .ne noor.
d, "omJ' '.ai in1 'olce was even Ten
@ Grn, rrossurs nmS warm ''''" s''SP'o MS WIN a
hrm nd,i pressure. -, M, ,,, ,
IN lhotncr me cn''u started up
mn,n 'u's , en'n',,,o" hi ANU 'tt,u IN passion Oh
Ia IL ,." G m'h "'ins "po"1 nt, necN anu
;u i; 1,s ,h ,"'' , 1t, Icr posI.n en.y held
hno,ond .m'' "''' 'o''"5iy 'io A'''e' "'S pure
T H.. .,.,
Al, u'ui 'ieah " w w,ons' mo'her sa,d
wv ~ 'o'e W o.r'u 'iouses' anu 'ath-
81 tH s.iu yes:elu's ,'lat IL l dluh nurt inc
0oyHs' Tha l. n,sn' .ike some: some Oh .nem.
INC ihother only Kissed MN again, and
n..m i ner "i;"s' w .oken OF love' moro tlght-
n'ounu .''r'. " .."' cou'u src say 10 "oros
t''i'ao o''''' - ''c' e'iS VII" sucn cutting re-
''.I ", .,
od ,t H." i,n in,e n''' '"o''ier' ooh you' ask
..Vos n"'u i,,, os, p.. A.. N
,s' ~ u'ar, yes better than all the
WHY Tds .'o a,'"os' sooo'ng answer ;
b. ~ .u i ! iJ'o p,y you' Wctner' ana l II trv
W W b bu s'oa "ia"Ss. on : you ask fatner
,ny 70 puy me some pu'laihg oiocks and then
III not want MS oooks
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25
Henry WARD BrEcuER ON NEWSPAPER

Henry WARD BEEcnER on NEWSPAPERS
Consider how universal are newspapers in
America. They penetrate every nook and
corner of society. No other element of power
has such sphere. The pulpit, the court,
the lectur', compared with the newspaper,
touch society in but few places. The news
paper in America is universal. 1t reaches
within and without from surface to core it
travels everywhere, is bough, by everybody,
read by all classes, and is wholly or nearly
only reading of more than half our pop
ulation. Its service to good morals and in
telligence among the people is incalcuable.
All the Libraries OF Europe are not of as much
of as much service to the nations of Europe
as the newspaper is to this American nation
Its power is growing. Who would, twenty
years ago, have dreamed of such a growth
and power as have been developed? But the
next twenty years will witness a greater.
The editor is t, be the schoolmaster. The
best talent will find its highest sphere in the
editorial room. Already the Chair is more
influential than the Il nch or the Platform
No brain can act upon 80 many as that which
speaks by the printing press Of the daily pa
per. Ink heats like blood in the veins of the
nation, ,--IndependeM
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25
AccIpISrs,-In Brandon, on the 10th, as

AccIDENTs,-ln Brandon, on the 10th, as
a young man named Rano, of Leicester,
was driving with two ladies, his horse be-
came frightened. and threw both ladies from
the buggy, hurting one quite seriously On
the 9th, a span of horses took fright. and
in attempting to run through gateway one
of the horses was crowded upon picket
fence, and so badly hurt that he died soon
after. The team belonged lto. Col. Tillotson,
and was valuable one,
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

to remove one. all gave way at once, immet
diately crushing him beneath their weigh
and forcing his head with great force against
q heavy block of wood. lie was instantly
killed, his brains being scattered in all dlrcc-
tions. Deceased was about 35 years of age,
and leaves wife and two children. A gem
tleman Of this city who was in Albany yes
terday afternoon kindly furnished us with
the above iacts.-Troy Wing.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

SupNEN DEArH.-A man named Patrick
Donahue, q blacksmith of Rutland, was
found dead in Centre Rutland March 18th
lie was seen the night previous decidedly
drunk, and had evidently slipped on piece
of ice, and struck his head with such force
as to kill him.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-25

PRovIpENriAL EscAPE.-As Henry Floyd
with his son-in-law and their families, Of
Westminster, were crossing the Connecticut
on the ice to Walpole, on the 9th, the ice
gave way, letting all but Mr., Floyd who was
on foot, into the river. The sleigh struck on
a rock and the females clung to it, holding
the children out of water. They were speed
lily rescued by the help of the workmen on
the new bridge, without injury.