davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24
LETTER FROM THE COUNTRY
TO the Editor Offhe National Era:

TO the Editor Of the National Era:
SIR: The fable tells us that the hooking
bird had been for some time initiating the pc
cuiar song Of the other birds, when, at length,
the nightingale said to him, "This is all very
well we grant that our songs are defective.
but pray give one of your own"
This is especially a" fable for critics." founded
perhaps upon the assumption, that because
citicise poet claim to be his superior. But
! entirely disclaim such an assumption; and
when / say, :" Homer mods, y do not claim to be
greater poet than Homer Perhapsit would
be correct to say, We leave you, gentlemen
poets, the high field of imagination we would
not dare attempt to follow your eagle flights !;
but, standing upon the level ground Of common
sense, we can watch your gyrations, and dare
to pronounce whether they are harmoniously
graceful"
Thus having endeavored to show that critic
is not of necessity presumptuous, permit me
to go on, and set forth what has for some time
seemed to nue., if not glaring defect in some
writer's, at least an iniudicious custom there
with. 1t is the habit of interspersine an Eng
lish story with various words or phrases bor-
rowed from foreign languages. If we estimate
the population of our country at twenty four
millions, and deduct from this number four
millions who, by law, are not allowed to learn
to read, we have twenty millions left, Perhaps
it would not be too great a deduction to strike
off onehalf Of these, as children or other per-
sons unable to read iuently, so that we should
have ten millions of readers of the English
language. How many of these read French
auently? More than the twentieth part, five
hundred thousand? How many Latin? More
than twohundred and fifty thousandf And of
other foreign languages perhaps a less number,
unless we except German, and our German
population probably read very few works of
fiction in the English language. Now, my
romancing friend, would you rather write a tale
which, like the Vicar Of Wakefield, shall scarce
ly contain word which the ten millions
cannot understand, or adapt your language to
the comprehension of the FIVE hundred thou
sand. If you choose the latter, should say to
you, there is no disputing about tastes, or, if
you prefer it, "de gustibus," &c.
There came out, some years ago, MARIA
tive, claiming to describe Mahometans, or the
sacred regions of the sect, from one who claim
ed peculiar fitness for the task. Ayoung per.
son of my acquaintance was anxious to read
the book but when bought, it proved to be
one which neither interested young nor old.
From a little observation, was Inclined to
pronounce that one of its greatest if not its
principal defect is, not that it contains Arabian
or other foreign words untranslated but that
it introduces q quantity of them--so that if
the book could be rewritten, and all the foreign
words omitted, we should have such an incom-
parably more flowing style. Many Of our most
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24
RATES OF ADVERTISER G..

Ten cents a line for the first insertion, fire
cents a line for each subsequent one. Ten
words constitute line. Payment in advance
is invariably required.
BGr Money may be forwarded by mail at
my risk. Notes on Eastern banks preferred.
Large amounts may be RENTED in drafts or
certificates of deposit.
B6~ Subscribers wishing their papers chang
ed, will give the name of the post olhce changed
from, as well as the post office they wish it
hereafter sent TO-
b6S- All communications to the Era, whether
on business of the paper or for publication,
should be addressed to
g. BAILEY, Washington, ID. C.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

tuition; and, if our community should once be
made aware that you were such and so doing,
you would find your own affairs quite sufficient
for your management, without intermingling
in those of other iudividuals.' bm $3.50
This was significant enough. .iio .a..il.i b
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

The Locofoco editor of the Maine Gazette,
who seems to be a sort of farmer, comp plains of
ga short crop OF corn" Ii justice were done
him, his ears of gristle would exhibit a shorter
crop than his ears of corn.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

We do not mean to call our neighbor of the
Democrat a bad man, but, if you look straight
in his face, you will see one the worst aspects
of human nature,
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

Never hope, into any other of the genus peder1,
puitI, elmer for them inevitable that the
future we should have TO cannibasm and feed
ON bis own species, perhaps his own kn-folk
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

The man that isn't shocked by the Presi-
dents infamous and revolving thirty million
proposition, would hardly be shocked by thun-
derbolt.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

Mr.. Hunter never takes ground that is not
broad, or touches it that is not fertile-Pitts-
bugh Press.
We suppose the editor means that the Vir-
GINA Senator manures every foot OF ground he
walks upon.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

Senator Simmons the other day, speaking of
the Presidents Recommendation OF specific du-
ties, said the utterance Of that one honest senti-
ment had so metamorphosed him that nobody
knew him, and, like Acteon, he was I" set upon
by his own hounds" The simile is anachron-
istic, for the old Buck went to the dogs long
ago.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24
copyright secured according 10 lais.l
For the National Fra
JASPER: A ROMANO E.

BY EDWARD SPENCER.
XIV.
Ho,c Jasper Nursed the Phantoms.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24
CHAPTER XIX-Concluded.

Yer don't mean to assert now, that he told
zs these particulars! "
30. but much the same thing He checked
,.. If and called one of his drivers to an.
.ztr any questions that | chose to ask"
D.. as ,,resence? n
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-24

Our next Sundays issue, and every Sunday
paper from that time forward, will contain an
original story Of from one column ana a half to
two columns.-DenaOcr0t
Our neighbor seems opposed, after all, to pay
some respect to the Lords day. He generally
manages to tell at least score of stones every
day in the week, but hereafter he means to
confine himself Oh Sunday to one.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-03-18
For Sale.
NJ O TT Il .

Tn. person who found the FiTta ylCToR,Ns that was
lost Monday feb 2lSt, VIII cost and exposure
by leaving it American 0ea at A. T. Greeley
shop.
Ellsworth, March II, 1881. 5we
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
Legal Effect of Repeating Hearsay
SANDERS

lu the last volume of Gray's Massachu.
SeIIs Supreme Court Reports there is
noticeable decision. 1t seems that a wo-
man uttered Islander Of ano.her, and,
when sued for il, hes defence was, that
she only repeated what was currently re-
ported; that size had no malice, and there,
fore was not liable to an action. Judge
Thomas gave the decision. The story,
he says, uttered or repeated by tho de:en
daut conLa.ns charge against the plain.
TN, OF nature TO destroy her reputation.
II was a false charge. II is no answer, in
any forum, to say that she only repo, ted
the story AS she heard it. If the story
WAS false and sIanderous, she must repeat
it at her peril. There is safety in no
other rule. Often the origin of slander
cannot be TRACED. lie who gives 1t circu.
lation gives it its power Of mischief 1t
is the successive repetilions that do the
work. a fslsehood often repeated o. Is
TO be believed. A man cannot say there
is story III circulation that A., poisoned
his wife, or b., picked C.'s pocket, and
relate tie story, aud when called upon to
answer, say, There was such report in
circulation i but repeated what heard,
anL had no design to circulate or con
firm it, for two very good ressons-lbat
The repetition Of the s!ory must, in the
nature of things, give it currency; and the
repetition, without the expression of dis
belief, will confirm it. The danger is an
obvious one, and long since pointed out;
and it is, that bad men may give cu'ren
cy to sIanderous reports, and then find in
that currency their own protection from
the just consequences Of a repetition.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
'OLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 9, 1859.
Mail Roberies.

The two young men, b. W Duncan
and John +. Wilkeson, arrested on the
charge Of committing depredstioua on the
United States Mail between Robeson's
Z. O., on the Wilmington and Manches.
ter Rail Road aud Eizabe:htown, Bladen
county, were brought Up for examination
before I. w. Brown, Jr, Esq, United
States Commissioner, in the United States
Court Room.
At the special request OF Robert p. D:ck
Esq, United States District Attorney,
who was unable to attend, Eli w Hall,
Esq, appeared for the Government. A
NJ Waddell and Adam Empic Esq, APP.
peared for the prisoner Duncan. NJ b
Smith, Esq, and Messrs. Miller and Ba.
ker appeared for the prisoner WiIkeson.
Duncan, who was the mail carrier on
the route, is quite youth, not more than
sixteen years old apparently, and appears
like soft, innocent so., Of a boy-says
he cannot read or write. WiIEeson is
quitea likely Young man, apparently
"O'"N 81 VI q y (cdin VI aye.
The testimony adGuced oons.sls Of the
confession Of Duncan, who says that
Wilkcson got into his sulky with him,
and suggested the robbing, telling him
that they could make raise WiikeSou
abstracted the letters and took on, their
contents. they then buried them near
Hammonds Creek. This thing had been
done three times. The boy stated that
his confession finally made was voluntari
Iv offered. John A. Richardson, Esq, of
Elizcbethtown, testified to the fact of this
confession having been made, and to its
substance.
Other witnesses testified to the arrest
OF Duncan, etc.-to the fact Of WiIkeson's
having IN his possession large sums of
money, which gave rise to snspicion.--
Also to his anxiety to change OH bills for
gold, and to get small notes for $50
bill. requesting the gentleman from whom
he was to get the change 10 say nothing
about it,
After II full hearing, Mr.. Brown ccm
m!,tcd the prisoners to jail, to wait their
trial before the United States Circuit
Court in June next, in default of bail to
to the smoun, Of $4,000 each. Mr.. Brown
conducted the examination with much
credit 10 himself
There was evidently sufficient testimo.
/ ny TO justify the binding over Of the pr,s
oners for trial, or their committai in de-
fault of Eail. OF the merits Of the case
before jury, We do not think proper ,c
express any opinion a, this time. The
younger boy, Duncan, is said to have
borne very excellent character hereto
fore. OF the other prisoner we know
nothing. llls father bears the reputation
OF being worthy man.- Wilmington
JourRdi.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
How an Ohio Farmer was Captivated.

The Lowell (Mass.) News reIa,es the
following circumstances, connected ~iri.
the marriage Of MISS Anna I. v ilbur, an
accomplished New England authosess,
with = substantial fn.mer:
Miss Ann. I. Wilbur, Of Newbuyy,
port, by her contribution TO periodicals.
attracted the attention Of an educated
farmer Of OHIO, who opened a correspon,
dence with her. At length they agreed
TO meet alta half way point, apd if their
impressions, on seeing each other for the
first time, were not agreeable, they would
separate aga'n nthsrgiss, Yby--we'l,
let her tell the story herself
Il need not tell how an Ohio farmer
fi'st lad bis attention attracted TO An
occasional contributor 10 the Eastern peri.
officials, or what motives frst prompted
hIm to address note Of Interrogation TO
said writer, TO he followed by mutual
questions and replies, till the parties DC,
came desroUs OF meeting /; met and
wer" married. The apDals Of romance
narrate few briefsr coaslsbips, ard may
say few more sensible ones. No meet
ings' 10y moonlight alone : no frowns of
opposing relatives no jealoosies Of rivals
or lovers quarrels. Past the day dreams
81 yonth-by the world around termed
old bachelor aud old maid--- we had aos
vet reIinqoished our fait in hamsn good.
ness, or lost the fsrvor Of feeling. which
intercourse with the world too often cAills.
So having fully made up our minds that
we were congeniaI, and we ought TO love
each other, we mel, aud did love each
other. The heexperience Of three yesrs ef
married lie has satisfied US that ibe ma
Jorlty OF mankind are IN The wrong, ana
we IN the right. mean TO say that We
should learn to love mentally and mossl.
" aysi, and personally aleysafdss
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
Europe and Napoleon.

y correspondent of ths Washington
States, writing from Turin, Sardinia, is
evidently under the influence OF the war
fever. He shows, moreover. that he fos
tcrs some Of the malice which We should
expect to tiud in the breast of almost
every Frehchman when lie remembers
the shameful imprisonment OF the Euro
pean couqueror. Whether or not the
present Emperor really enteitsins such
feelings as are ascrihed to him, we can
not know heretofore his alliances and
treaties would not so impress us; bu, sucl.
may, nevertheless, he the case, and we
may yet have our eyes opened to the fact
that he has been skilifuIly preparing for
the terrible reckoning to which We would
cal! more than one Of the European pow.
ers.
"Sardana is anxious for war with
Austria, and will provoke it if she CAN
An old Italian told me YESTERDAY, If
Austria does not attack us we shall at
tack her-depeud upon it, This is the
popular opinion. Bu, Napoleon holds the
reins ia this case. He will have war when.
ever he wants it-not teiore. Whenever
Sardinia goes to war with Austria, the
declaration will be written at the Tulle
ries. He who raised this storm by the
mere waving OF his hand, can AS easiv
aIlay Il. Napoleon's power is beginning
TO be understood and felt in Europe. He
is either very great man, or he has very
great men about him. Deep and still,
like the current Of a mighty river, he has
been preparing his empire FOR great events
ever since he came to the throne and if
within the next five years he progresses
with as much successful rap;dity rs has
characterized the beginning Of his admin
istra:ion, he will command and control
the destinies Of Europe. While he has
greatly strengthened his army and navy,
augmented his available forces, and dc,
yeIoped the resources Of the empire, he
has won the affection and the confidence
Of his people.
Do you suppose he has forgotten or for
given the wrongs which were done to bis
uncle. DO you suppose that be has not
a private ledger in which every European
Power is charged with every offence com
mitted against that great chieftain And
do you suppose there is not to be settle
meut Of accounts Ay--ay; and this is
assuredly one Of the eventuali,ies OF the
future. ~ GaFotina Buttetia.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
The Conjuror And The Yankee.

Anderson. the wizard. met wiih a YAM
kee W h" stole march on him one dav
after the following pattern Enter Y an.
kee
i say! you, Professor Anderson 4
Yes, Sir, at your service
Wa'al, you're n tarnaliou smart man.
and I'm ,sumtAin' Il: trick too, kinder
cute, deu YOU know
'Ah, indeed, and what tricks are You
mp to, sir' asked the professor, amused
At the simple fellow.
'Wa'al, ! can take a red cent and
change it into ten dollar gold piece
%, that's mere sleight of.hxnd trick.
! can do that, too
No YOU cant. I'D like to see YOU try
We'll, hold out your hand with = cent
in it,
Yankee stretched out his paw with q
cent lying on it.
This is your cent is il, sure?'
It's aoIhin' else
Hold on to it tight-Presioi J change.
Now onsu your hand
Yankee opened his fist. and there VAS
a goII eagle shining ON his palm.
'WRai, you did it, 4 declare much
obeeged tew yeou,' and Jonathan turned
TO go out.
Stay said the professor. you may
leave me my ten dollars
Vonrn warn't il my cent and didn't
you turn it into this ere yaIler thing, ELI !
Good byeH and as he left the room
he was heard to say, Il guess there ain.
anything green abont this chid'
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
Newspapers In Olden Times.

WnEs newspapers were first establish
ed, they were quite destitute O. advertise
men,s, and nothing was more common
than for papers to be issued with blank
page. The tirst newspaper printed in
America had only three pages Of reading
matter, rs there was not foreign or do.
mestic news enough to fill out all the
columns In England, after while, a
new method was adopted to fill up the
space not required for the current news,
by publishing selections from the sacred
scriptures, and many an old newspaper
is now extsnt with a whole page copied
from the Bible. Chapters from the New
Testament were placed at the head Of The
column, and the space below was filled
on, with psalm Of the required length.
In the period which this, to Us novel,
proceeding was restored to, to fill out the
newspaper the Bible wss not so common
or 60 cheap as at present. and doubtless
much good resulted from the prsctice.--
What woaid some OF the subscribers to
our popular journals say, IL their favori,e
sheet was TO appear with seven or eight
columns selected from the scriptures D.
Doubtless in some quarters, even 10 our
day, extracts rom The Bible would be
new indeedp N&
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
Never tell a Lie.

Children, and older persons AS well
ought always TO speak the truth from a
love OF doing right, and loathiny OF
wrong. But II sometimes strengthens
upright aims to know that honesty is also
the best policy, and that one who uniform.
Iy adhercS To- the tru,h is certain in the
end to prosper. The following story from
the New York Chronicle has a moral for
our young readers:
Two country lads came AT an early
hour to market town, and after arrang
ing their little stands, sat Gown TO wait
Tor customers. One was furnished with
fruits and vegetables of the boys own
raising, and the other supplied with CLANS
and fish. The marke, hours passed
long. and each little merchant saw with
pleasure his stores steadily decreasing.
and an equivalent, in silver pieces, shining
IN his little money cup. The last melon
lay on Harry's stand, when II gentleman
came by, and placing his hand upon it.,
said. What fine large melon. ! think
must have this for my dinner. What
do you ask ior il. my bog q
The melon is the last have, sir and
though it looks very fair, there is an un =.
sonnd spot on the other side said the
boy, turning il over.
80 there is, said the man; 4 think
| will not take it. But he added, look
ing into the boys fine open countenance,
Is It very business like to point out the
defects Of yoar fruits to customers 2
1T is better than being dishonest, sir, ;
said the boy, modest!y.
You are right, my little fellow al.
ways remembe. that principle, and you
will find favor with God and man also.
You have nothing else | wish for this
morning, but shall remember your little
stand IN future. Are those CLAIMS fresh T.
lie continued, turning TO Ben Wilson's
stand.
Yes, sir fresh this morning.. / caught
them myself was the reply and a pur
chase being made, the gentleman went
on his way.
2, Harry, what fool you WAS to show
The gentleman that spot in the melon
Nowyou can take Il home for your pains
or throw it away. How much wiser is
he about those CLAIMS caught yesterday.
Sold them at the same price | did the
fresh ones. He would never have looked
at the melon until he had gone away
Ben, would not tell lie, or act one
either, for twice what have earned this
morning. Beside, / shall be better off in
the end, for | have gained customer aud
YOU have lost one
And so it proved, for the next day the
gentleman bought nearly all his fruit aud
vegetables Of Harry, but never invested
another penny 1T the stand Of his neigh
Dor. Thus the season passed; the gen
:leman finding he could always ge,
good article from Harry, continually pat
rcnized him, and sometimes talked a few
minutes with biEa about lis future hopes
and prospects. To become a merchant
was bis great ambition. And when the
winter come on, the gentleman. wanting
9 trosy boy for bis store, decided on civ.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-09
srlrrtra Sturu.
The Reward of Courtesy.
4 rRus AccauSI,

few years since, on n ra,liant spring
afternoon, two men, who, from Their con
versa,iop, sPpeare] tp hs foreigners, stop
ped before the gate of one Of our large
workshops in Phi!adelplia, for the manu-.
facture of locomotive engines. Entering
smal! office the elder Of tue two men
inquired Of the superintendent in atten
dance II he would permit them TO inspect
The works.
You can pass IN and look about if you
please. said the superintendent, vexed APP
pa'en,ly AT being interrupted in The peru.
sal Of his newspapers. lie then scanned
the two strangers more closely. They
were respectfully but plainly clad, and
evidently made no preteusions to official
dignity of any kind.
is there any one who can show us over
the establishment, and explain matters to
usf asked Mr.. Wolfe, the elder Of the
strangers.
You must pick your own way, gentle
men,, replied the superintendent, we are
ala soo busy to attend 10 every party that
comes along. III thank you not to in.
terrupt the worknen by asking questions.
IL was not so much the matter as the
manner Of his reply, that WAS offensive to
MI. Wolfe and his companion. II was
spoken with certain official assumption
OF authority, mingled with contempt for
The visitors. indicating haughiy and sci,
hsh temper on the part Of the speaker
Il think We will not trouble yon,' said
Mr. Wolfe, bowling: and taking b;s com