davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08
THE TOAD AT HIS REPAsT.

Few of our readers most probably, have
ever observed the toad at his repast. 1t is
performed with electric rapidty, and with
more than telegrammic precision. The
tongue is doubled back upon itself, and is
tipped with Il glutinous secretion. Tile
moment the beetle comes within range,
the tor que is shot forth with an unnerrinn
aim, and quick as lightning the captive is
withdrawn. They are invaluable in n gar
den. NJ. Jesse, in his gleanings, complains
of gardeners destroying them, of savagely
cutting them in two with their spades.-
We hope not. Horticulturis,s of such
gross ignorance" ought themselves to be
extirpated. The beauty and vigor of our
Howor-5orlcr we have long ascribed, in
measure. to a select family Of toads, which
We tendcrly protect, and some of which
have now reached pa.riarchal age. NJ.
Jesse mentions that Mr.. Knight, tho emf
nent Nurscryman, keeps great number
OF toads in his stoves, for the purpose of
destroying the wood-llce that infect his
plants, aud that they do not seem at all affec.
ted by the heat, even when it reaches l3O
degrees. We are surprised at this latter
statement, which does not agree with our
observation. We have observed that the
toad in very hot weather seeks shelter un-
der foliage, or bnries himself amongst the
soft mould. In the evening he emerges
from his concealmcnt, and no doubt then
employs his protusle tongue Mr.. Buck
land mentions curious use of toads,-
They are employed as insect traps.
A brigade of marauding toads are COIL
Quoted into the garden in the evening"
They make famous supper; but in the
morning their chronological employer, by
gentle squeeze, compeis them to disgorse
their evening meal, sand in this way many
curious aud rare specimens of rare and
minute nocturnal insects have been obtain
ed" " There is just now," says DR.. Buck
land. "a plague of ants in many of the
London houses, which DEFY extermination
| strongly recommend those who are ton
bIcd with those plaques to try whether a
toa't or two won't help them" Most Ger
talnly. They clean melon frames of these
insects, and why should they not perform
The same friendly office in the drawing
rooms of London citizens? Nothing bu,
prejudice can prevent the adoption of the
eSeellcnt suggestion. And yet the prcu.
dice exists, Al! they are Il loathcd Species
loads from time lnmcmorial, have been
prosecuted 10y schoolboys, and you cannot
wander through village on Summer day
without seeing dcfunct and and ilattened
Specimens OF these unofending creatures.
Innocent Of literature, it would be tracinr
the crnel'y Of the urchins to too high a
source to ascribe it TO the "ugIy and We.
n"mous" toad of Shakespeare, or yet the
more obi us Imagery of Milton. And vet
from the erroneous natural history of the
two great national poets the idea may have
originated, and thus been handed down
from one race Of school.Loys to an
othcr.-BlacAmood.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

DiT,iSiny RIicuis-I know Of no rrin
ciple which it is of more Importance to fix
i'll the minis of Young people, than that
OF the most determined resistance to tho
encroachments Of riLicu!o. Give up to the
world, and to the ridicuIe with which EN-.
forces its dominion, every tfiti"g question:
of manner and appearance; it is to toss.
courage and firmncss to The winds, to com.
bat with the mass upon sue! subjects as.-i3, as.-i,
these. But learn from the earliest. .days@
to insure your principles against tire poriIs;
of ridiculc; you e'sn no more exercise your
reason, if you live in the constant dread Of.
laughter than you can enjoy your life, if;
you are in the constant terror off death ,t:-s s.
If you think it right to differ from tty tfness;
and to make stand for any valuable point
of morals, do it, however rustic, howeveYa
antiquated, however pedantici it may,appesr;s Il
do it, not for insolence, but seriously audi
grandy, MS r man who wore p soul Of, Iiislss
own bosom, and did not wait untils Nsas
brealhed iuto him by the breath
ion. Let men call you mean, fsyonfE Ed6Nss
you are just; hypocri.ical, ,.if$ vow
estIy religious; puslani'nou ifsy elsss
you are lrm resistance soon ga
principIed wit into sincere reanstts &
ter.tme can tear frone you those fastl6GS6S
which every man carries With ljfBS lioss
l.. IL T..
n vir.aous cause.--S Siaaey Snsssf s ssas
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08
MOHAMMED.

Mohamn,el is sail -, L,,o L,,,, - -
III. st.trro ., h. ,,
s,ronp Lc,,J ,or,d ,,, .Ir, ,
checks Ills l;,,,,,,,,1a.. 49,. ,,
forehead WAS L;gh h;s mnm,,, .;,.I:
nose Iouu an, sn,,.,.,,., - u:
shape : ,ha, h. h,d l,,,,, ,,l,,. ~
vein which extended fr,m lie t,..,o..f
to eyebrows. cul,roJ whnm o,',;,.,, -
Ger; that his s,,l..1,,, ,.,,;,. ,-,,
far a,,,rt. and u,,r H.. ,., ~,
small mole. HI, hair h,,,,;,,, ~:
shoulders. rc,,i,aJ ;,s ,,l. c1,.e =,
Of his death : h. sometimes i,o1 :, 1,-o,.,'
but more frequently ar,;uJ 10 l. od,,;co
ruus oils. Il WAS orly =, l.;s ,,,t .a,..,..,,
.o. that i. L,1 Ills ,nl -
trimmed lis moustacbc and h;s f,,.r nil,
eve Friday before PRAYER IEs ,ecL :, ;s.
said rose ]iL. - silver l,,r ,ro, H..
broad chest Between his shonI1.,s bo'
had Il large mole, which WAS Iool.J uro,t
as the prophetic seal. 4 physician once
Wishing to remove it. M,l,,,,,..d oh
jected, saying, lie who made !. sl,.I also
heal it, His hand, a. Il feet w,.r, t.,y
large, Yet his step wits SO liuht a, I'd
leave no mall on the sand. s.oh.m,ned
spoke but little, yet occasionally permit
ted himself a Joke \ woman nnc,. ca.,e
to him. say ing, My husband IS IL, and
bcgs thee to visit him. upon wl.:..:: !:Y
inquired, Has not lhv husband s.,n.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

Mrs. Portington on 1kes Conduct at
Church-What do you think will become
Of you.!" said Mrs. Parlington TO Ike, as
they were going home from church. The
question related to the young gentleman's
conduct in Church, where he had tipped
over the cricket, peeped over the gallery,
attracting tile attention ola boy in a pew
below by dropping bencil, tied with a
string upon his head, and had drawn hid .
eous picture ola dog upon the snow-white
cover Of the best hymn book. "Where do
you expect to 60 10 2" 1t was question
which the youngster had never before had
put to him quite so closely, and he said he
didn't know, put he'd like to 60 up in a
balloon.
"l'm afraid you'll 60 down if you don't
mind your ways. rather than go up" "You
have been acting very bad in mceting,'
continued she, "and declare could hard
Iy keep from boxing your ears right in the
midst Of the Lethergy. You didn't pay no
interest and I lost all the thread of the ser.
mon through your tricks" II didn't
take your thread," said Ike, who though.
she alluded to the string by which the pen
sill was lowered to the boy; "that was fish,
ing Ine." Oh, Isaac" continued she earn
estly, "what do you want to act SO like the
probable son, for? Why don't you act like
David and Deuteronomy, that we read about
and act in areprensible manner?" The ap-
peal was touching, and Ike was silent think.
of the sling that David killed Goliah with,
and wondering If he couln't make one.
Woman and Patriotism-The fellow
who offered the following toast at the El--
fogton Fourth Of July Celebration, ought
to be hooped in:-
"Woman-The lover of union and the
friend Of annexation. Like our country.
her manifest destiny is to :pread err skirts" !"
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08


Il Father ,0ith Three Dozen ChiMrcn.-
At Markberlenfelt, village situated on
the river Main, in Bavaria, there lives man
GO years Of age, named johannes Schot-
tenbeck. lie is master chimney sweep.
vocation more honorable in Germany
than in this country, and for half cen
tu,y he has given his personal attention to
his business. lie is now living with his
third wife; and on the 10th of June last
bis 36tll child was cliristened Mt the
parish church. By his first consors he had
Z; by his second II, and by h:s third ls-
Of whom half are girls and one half
boys.
When some one WAS lamenting Foote's
unlucky fate in being kicked III Dublin,
johnson said he was glad Of it: "lse is
rising in the werld," !" added he, "when hs
was in England, no one thought it worth
while to Kick him."
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

Wasted LSe.-When his host followed
him out on the staircase with candle,
to light him down the stairs, the day
was coldy looking in through its gtfihy
windows. When lie got out Of the house
the air was cold and raw, the dull sky
overcast, the river dark aud misty, the
whole scene like {; lifcless desert. Dull
wrcaths OF dust we're spinning round aud
round before the morning blast, as If the
desert sand had risen far away, and the first
spray Of ir in its advance had begun tbs
overwhelming Of the city.
Waste forces within him, and n desert
all around, this man stood still en- his
way across a silent terrace, and saw for a
moment, lying i'll the wilderness before him !,
mirage Of honorable ambition, sef-deniai
and perseverance. In the fair city of this
vision there were airy galleries from, Which
the loves AMI graces looked upon LINN, gar
dens in which the fruits Of life hung RI
pening. waters Of hopo that sparkled ir
his sight. moment, and it was gone.
Climbing to high chamber in well of
houses, he threw himself down in his
clothes Oh neglected bed, and its pii-
low was wet with wasted tears.
Sadly, sadly the s,:n rose; and it rose,
upon no saddcr sight ,lian the man 81
good abiIiti's and good emotions, inca:F /
pable Of their directed exercise, incapable.
of his own help AMI his own happines:s
sensible Of the blight on him, aud resigns!
ing himself to let it ea, him aw;y.-DickH,
rns' Tale Of T.co C.Hes. Ii
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

---> s>s -
Pulpit -1aecdotcs.- Rev. Mr. Peters,
Of Tennessee, was preaching, aud, having
a large gift of continuation, was somewhat
protracted in his discourse. Several Of his
hearers left in the midst of the sermon
One young man was on his way to the door
when Mr.. Peters pointed his long finger
at him, and said, Brethren, that young
man has just as good right to 60 out as any
one" 1t is needless to say that he was the
last dissclter.
At another time, while Mr.Pctcr, was
preaching, young man started to leave
tho house, and making some noise as he
went, Mr. Peters paused, and said -
81 will finish my discourse when that
young man gets out"
The fellow very coolly took his seat and
said
"I'len it will he some time before you get
through -
The preacher, however, was up to him
and remarking, "A bad pro,n;eis better
broken than kept" went OH with his ser,
mon.
The following is attritated to the ceIe.
brated Rowland Hill {:
"Two strangers passing the church in
wich he was preaching, entered. walked up
the aisle, and ihJing no seat, stood for
while and listened to the sermon Presently
they turned to walk ont. Etcore they reach
ed the door tile preacher sad--"But | will
tell you story"
This arrested the strangers, aud they
paused, TUNED, again an | listened.
Once there was man, said the speaker
who said that If he had all the axes in
the world made into one great axe, and all
the trees in the world made into one great
tree, and he could WELD the axe and Gu,
down the t.ee, he would make it into one
great whip to thrash these ungodly men
who turn their backs upon the Gospel, and
stop to hear story.
The strangers thought they had heard
enough to satisfy their curiosity, and re-
sumed their walk in the street.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

A young lady, few evenings since
said to her caTelier, 'pleaso clasp my
cloak
Certainly said he, c'asping his
arms arouud her, and the conteats toog
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

1t is exceedingly bad husbandry 10
harrow Up the feelings Of your wife.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08

A venerable grandmother, afser return
ing from church one night, asked her
grandson for gourd Of water
"Give me light )" she said, wishing to
know what she whas drinking.
'There amt nothing in it it, granma, "re-
piled the young hopeful.
"How do you know, Johnny'a'
Case felt it!'
The old lady tainted.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-09-08
POWER OF IMAGINATION.

DIR. Noble, in . very able and anafyti:
lecture at Manchester, 'On the Dynamite
Influence Of IDEAS told good anecdole
of MIR. Courthouse, French savant, in il,
lustration of the power of imagination. AS
DIR. Noble says
MIR. Courthouse served in Napoleon S
army and was present at many engage
ments during the carly part of the last cen
tury. At the battle Of Wagra,n, in 1900
he was engaged in tie fray the ranks
around him had been terribly tlinncl hy
shot, and at sunset lie was nearly isolated.
While re loading his musket he was shot
down 10y cannon ball. Ills impression
was that the cannon ball had passed
through his legs below his knees, separa
ting them from the thighs : for Ire suddenly
sank down, shortened, lie believed, 10 the
extent of about foot in measurement
The trunk of the body fell backwards on
the ground, and the senses were completely
parayzcd by the shock. Thus he lay
motionless among the wounded and dead
during the rest of the night, not daring
to move muscle, lest the loss Of blood
should he fatally increased. lie felt no
pain, but this he attributed to the stunning
effect of the shock to the brain and ncr.
vous system. At early dawn he was
aroused by one Of the medical staff who
came round to help the wounded. What's
the matter with you, my good fellow 2
said the surgeon. 'Ah! touch me ten
derly,' replied NJ. Bouliilouse, beseech
you, a cannon ball has carried off my
legs The surgeon examined the limbs
referred to, and then, giving lin good
shake, said, with joyous ugh, Get up
with you; you have ,.,,ning the matter
with YOU NJ. Boutihousc, immediately
sprang up in utter astonislment, and
stood firmly on the legs which he thought
lost forever. l felt more tllankfu,' said
NJ. Courthouse, than lad ever been in
the whole course of my life before. ! had
indeed, been SHOT down by an immense
cannon ball but instead Of passing through
my legs, as l firmly believed it had, the
ball had passed under my feet, and had
ploughed hole in the earth beneath, at
least foot in depth, into which my fec,
suddenly sank, giving me the idea that |
had been thus shortened by the loss of
my legs The truth Of this story i,
voucled for by Dr. Noble
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11

"OTIUa Cum DIGNITATz. THE
Washington States thus describes the
remarkably agreeable sort of life which
the nations representatives are now
leading 0...... ..'.-". -..
The life of member Of Congress is
getting to be one of gentlemanly ease
and elegant leisure. Even petty com.
mittees, nowadays, must have their
clerks, and these functionaries are
generally entrusted with drawing up
the bids which are reported for legisla-
tive consideration. The members seem
to have but little other care than to
look after their salaries. The system
OF clerk committees is all wrong, and
cannot be to soon abolished The men
of the early days Of this rcpublic--thc
men who thought it an honor to work
for their country would have felt hu-
inflated if 4 proposition had been made
to furnish them with clerks to 10 their
writing and thinking, and thus make
the laws imperfect to keep dozen At
torney Generals employed to give them
anything of 4 correct construction. a
Congressman of the 3jth Congress is
no more like a Congressman of the 1st,
10th, or Goth Congress, as concerns
usefulness TO their constituents and to
the nation, than a cod fish aristocrat is
like his sturdy ancestor, who under
went all hardShips incident to the camp
of the Revolution. The signs of the
times, as indicated f. OH u Washington
point Of view, are anything but encour-
aging for an honest observance Of
fundamental principles. If things grow
worse, God knows what is to become
Of thc country.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
FE,Es I! EsTs, rlTs !,

Persons laboring under this distressing rnsia
sy will find Dr.. Iiancc's Epilcplic Pills 70 be H.
only remedy ever discovered for curing epilsp.y
failngtit These Pills possess specific tc.!o.
on Tic nervous system; and although prcparc.
especially for tic purpose of curing fits, they ~
be found of csPceial benefit to ull persons aiIlc,
ed with weak nerves, or whose nervous sysl.r
has bccn Frustrated or shattered from any eau
whatever, The dysPcplic pa,ien. whose stor
nell has lost the power Of daily converting TO-.
into life sustaining element, is relieved by
single course of the extraordinary Pills. II,
gastric H,id fc.ocquires its solycnt power. 81.
tho crude nutrimcn. which was q load and b.
den 10 tic sufferer, While hi, digestive orgsniz.
ton was paralAch and unslrupg, becomes und,
the wholesome revolution created in the 81 sl.a
the b sis of strength, activity and health.
Sent 10 any Part OF tic country by msil, f,c
ofpostngc Address SETH s, HANCE, 10
baltimore St. Baltimore Nd. Prcc-ono b.
So ,wo, s.; twelve, S2i. Feb II I'm
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 5.-The Republican

ST.. LOUIS, Feb. 5.-The Republican
publishes letter from Salt Lake of
the l4th stating that Judges Sinclair
and Cradbaugh will leave the territory
In the spring, satisfied that their pre-
sence as federal officers, in administer
ing the law is merely farcial, the letter
adds that there is no loyalty to the
government among the Mormons; that
while TO certain extent, they respect
forms of law, they neither recognise nor
respect 1t spirit, neither murder or any
crime has been or can be punished.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11

Making a Distinction. A Richmond
writer to one Of our country papers
says -
Our hotel proprietors arc making
extra preparations to accommodate the
good old Wings on the 10TH" ... F..
Now, what is to be done for the good
for. nothing " Know Nothirgs" who
attend? Verify, unless some of the ma.
the citizens make preparations to ac-
comnodate them they will decidedly
90 back with an attack Of the bolts ~
R'chmosd Enquirer.
EA- Not so fast, genie. They arc
merely goiag to deposit the eggs that
will bring out the Bots in due season;
and if some Of your racing stock don't
then get the stomach ache dreadfully,
we mistake the nature Of the crittcr!
mo moro at present. Yours, &C.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
JOHN HARTMAN.

Among other things presented to
Rev. N. y. Allan, Of Jewett City, at
a donation party, was q log eoeighiog
two hundred end twenfy pounds. j.
was suspended upon stout hickory
pole, and borne through the house up
on the shoulders Of two stalwart men,
much to the amusement Of the Assem-.
bled company. Upon each side Of The
animal was 6xeda card, with tho signi-
ficont, if not classic sentence, whole
beg Or nothing
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
MoRoANTowN:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY II. 1s5!
, ADyERTIzING AGENCIES,

Ihs following gentlemen are authorised to re-
s<iro Advertisements, SC. for this paper, viz.
New Works.. NJ. Pcttengill & Co. No. ll9
Nassau street. - . &. 81. 81.
Visscher, Owen & Co., 346 and as Broadway
n. $. Schell's Advertising agency, No. S35,
Broadway. We have a good deal OF confidence
IN This concern. ..t
Phiiadclphia-E. w. Cam, Northwest cor
vrr OF Third and Walnut streets, opposite the
Merchants Exchange.
PittsbHrg Samuel Mcdonald, Office OF the
Irsn City newspaper.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11

= Scd'.dalous NeWs. Washing.
ton correspondent Of the New York
Times, telegrsphs the following tit bits
to that paper of yesterday:
Gen. Cass has received, by the mail
just arrived, exceedingly unpleasant
information in relation to the personal
habits of Gen. Lamar, our Minister to
Central America. 1t is evident that
the facilitating influences Of the climate
have betrayed him into the use of II
much greater amount Of stimulus than
is creditable to himself or the country
he represents. ''.....
lfthese complaints were based upon
the single instance Of the ministers
senseless intoxication in IA public. ware.
house at the port Of Reslejo, in the
presence of officials both of the United
States and Nicaragua, charity might
demand that the veil be drawn over the
affair; but, unfortunately 1T il too well
known to :he officers of our Pacific fleet
that the cause is frequent, if not con-
slant. ......... .....
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11

It's understand that Secretary Cobb
is opposed to the proposition of the
House Committee of Ways and Means
tor the increase of the Tariff. He has
received assurances which he considers
reliable, that the revenue from imports
will reach sixty.thrce millions-which
sum he considers sufficient for all con.
tingencies. .r. ..... .
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11

Elr- A well-informed Philadelphia
politician, writing to the N. Y. Times,
confirms the statement of the States,
concerning the breaking up of the De
mocratlc party. He says: 81 .0. a
8 At present order reigns in our city.
Politics are at stand still-that is, SO
far as they are viewed on the surface,
but underneath, the different leaders,
aspirsnts, cliqucs and factions are in
dustriously operating to forward their
own separate ends. In the Democratic
party, nov sorsly disorganized, there
is the utmost variety of opinion az to
who shall be the fortunate or unfortu-
nate nominee Of the Charleston Con-
yention. .... ..H .. ...... ....
The same writer, after stating that
number of political organs have pas
scd into ncT hands, and new ones put
in operation, says: ... -..H.,.....
Your readers will see that the Dem
ocracy is all at skies and scvena, hard
ly any active man knowing where lie
stands. .,...... ...'. .I...
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
washington News.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.

A caucus Of tho Democratic members
OF the House who are opposed to Pro-
tectiye Tariff was held last night
About fifty members were present.
Mr.. Millson, of Va, said that he was
unwilling to be bound by the action of
the caucus. lie offered series of re-
solutions, declaring it to be inexpedient
to disturb the Tariff.
Mr. Phelps, of Mo-, was opposed to
specific duties and protection in any
form, but was in favor Of modification
of the Tariff for revenue purposes, to
meet the demands of the Treasury.
Mr.. Barksdale was opposed to all
duties. He said he was in favor of
free trade and direct taxation.
Mr.. Miles, of S. c., spoke to the
same effect.
Mr.. Carrot opposed the modification
of the Tariff. He alluded to the fact
that the present expenses Of the Gov.
eminent were more than necessary
Flo considered it the duty of the De.
mocratic party to inaugurate system
of retrenchment and reform. lie Of
fered q resolution for the appointment
Of committee of five to report on the
means by which the expenses of the
government may be reduced.
American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-02-11
nSy- The New York corresnopdeni

HJ- The New York correspondent
Of the Richmond Enquirer writes, un-
der date of February 1st:
"Foreign goods arc pouring into
New York with rush. The imports
of last week were in excess for the
same period of the two previous years.
The Arago, on Saturday, brought n
large and valuable cargo of French
goods. The list of consignees fills up
nearly half a column of one of the
morning papers" 9gagr astRN NV
ESQ we 60! While Congress is pre-
tending to devise tariff by which the
country may be saved from bankrupt
cy, foreign goods are being rushed in
to tune thatwil drain out all the gold
that can be mined for the next five or
ten years. But who cares j ,..
From Cuba we learn that the excite
ment regarding the proposed thirty
millions loan had subsidized. The slave
trade continued to flourish. A large
gang of fresh negroes from Africa had
been marched by Governor General
Concha' 5 plantation, of course unknown
and unseen by his Excellsncy. .a.