davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

lFor the Prairie News
LETTERS FROM A FIRES1DE.

1t is night. The fire on the hearth
glows brightly. 1t flashes and sparkleS
with wild vivacity, vehement and ex'
ulting glee that is akin to living spirl'
And who shall say that it does not live
Who shall say that spirits are not evolv-
cd in its burning? / have met men who
have seen them. They are strange fan
tastic shapes; sometimes, when one sits
lonely at twilight, venturing ont and
dancing over the room, playing IN the
air, climbing the walls like Pickering
shadows. Taking often ghostly forms,
clad in the winding sheet of dead hopes
they gather round like demons, thrustlng
memorials into our faces; strewing around
us remembrances of the lost. In their
weird forms come back sweet smiles for
ever gone, roses that bloomed once in
some glorious hour Of life and love-
All! Memory is the tormenting spirit
that haunts our peace.
But who could fully enjoy being
gloomy, with such chatter going on In
the rooml The children are in perfect
tumult Of play. The unnaturalized bar
barians have already wounded themselves
enough to disable veteran, without ex-
periencing the least Inconvenience. II l
| had my way with those youthful Tartars
but it does not signify. Even If they
were banished into outer darkness, FAC
oompanied doubtless, with weeping and
enashing Of teeth), their elders would
keep up sufficient noise to distract the
cogitations Of Newton.
Alexis and Posey are talking in the
corner opposite to mine; she is seated
with great dignity in a high stralgat'
| backed chair, while he sits, holding a PIC
ture book, on a low stool at her feet
Quite pretty picture they make. She
speaks and listens with earnest, sweet
simplicity, without fear. and without
guile. She has not entirely conquered
her reserve towards him, while to the
rest Of us, her manner is strangely al
tered: instead Of being our sweet child,
she is become quite a adignifed little miss,
and, think Of it, insists on being called
Ada. To me she is quite stately at times
and then again very affectionate. Some
times, she sits thinking. and Q smile
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

Playing Poker Under Disadvantages.
Dan. Ward and Otis Forester are in
Jail at Cincinnati for swindling passen-
ger on the Telegraph and for grand lar
ceny and vagrancy. The history of their
arrest is as follows: They were passen-
gers on the steamer Telegraph from Lou
isvile, aboard of which was rough, un-
sophisticated individual named Linsley.
A game of poker was proposed, but the
latter held back, and the two former pro-
ceeded to bet by themselves. Linsley
looked on for some time, until he came to
the conclusion that they were no great
shakes of pokerplayers and finally consents
to take a hand. The game waxed warm,
until Linsley was burnt to the tune of
SlO2. If he held kings, one of the pair
would exhibit aces if he had "threes' his
opponent was sure to have full" and
so on until the boat arrived at her wharf,
by which time,he came to the conclusion
that he had been acting the part of pig
con whose feathers We're most essentially
plucked-a fact which he lost no time in
communicating to the river police, who
boarded the boat upon her arrival, and
who, before the aforesaid fasbionably
dressed young men were allowed sufficient
time to become non est, had them in cust0-
dy, and as soon after as they were taken
to the station house, searched, when they
took from them $500, together with the
S102 won from Linsley.
Louisville Crarier.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

- Some time in the spring of 81
the steamer st. Nicholas "opened" in
this city with caliope--the first one ev-
er heard in these parts-causing the
greatest CONSERVATION among the SER
wants, most of whom supposed they must
now give an account of their sins sure
enough. But one of them, girl, stood
and listened for some time. and at last
walked into the house and expressed her
opinion thus:
I" Missus, / don't b'lieve dat ar's Ga
briel cause ant 'fraid bit; but if it
is him, he's playin' Wait for the Wag
in surs's you're born!'- Iribnse.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

The Night Of LJe.-There is beau
tiful correspondence between the state of
night and the character of our world.
This world is to the Christian
A NIGHT OF IGNORANCE. Ignorance
may be compared not only to the shades
of evening, but the gloom ofnight. How
limited is the knowledge of the most en-
inent believer of the world. Where is
the individual to whom the challenge
may not be given, "Can'st thou by search
ing find God?' What mysteries veil
the dispensations of his proyidence.-
Clouds and darkness are round about
him. He moves in the whirlwind and
rides upon the storm his way is in the
sea, and he treads not in the track of hu-
man fitness and propriety. DO not his
dealings with US sometimes constitute an
abyss, in which our minds are over
whelmed, and our thoughts drowned 3
Are there no truths in the Bible which
far exceed the grasp of our comprehen-
sion, and transcend the 10 tiest concep-
tion of our minds? 1t is yet night with
us.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

ing had not commenced. Truly a fair
and merry party, laughing, talking, en-
joying themselves, many Irritation al
ready begun. Many of the ladies were
as fair, as graceful, as gentle as ever did
a "galliard grace" in courtly olden times:
Many face rises before me now the i'm
personatien of youth and happiness.-
Presently their gallant partners lead
them out the dance has begun, the even
ing has commenced, and "all goes mer-
ry as marriage bell"
This is the first time that Ada has been
out, having only lately returned from
school. What a golden radiance hangs
over the scene in her eyes, its faded hues
have all "the glory and the freshness of
dream" Alexis does not seem to feel
safe away from her side. The dance
ceases; Ada and Alexis are standing
near me, her cheek is flushed, her eye
sparkling with pleasure; he, poor fellow,
seems rather dull.
l suppose many interesting conversa-
tions must have been held during the
evening, to judge from the specimens |
happened to overhear Twas sitting near
a window, where Archie Deane was stand
ing with timid, lovelOrn maiden. The
mad-cap was overlooking with sentiment.
"You are the glorious star, Miss Sa-
rah Elizabeth, that has risen on my dark
ened existence, dispelling its gloom"
The shivering damsel who was gazing
out of the open window, said Yes Sir"
under her breath. The rest of the con-
versation | did not hear Some one told
me afterwards, about a desperate flirta-
ton of his with Miss R. He came
up to her a few minutes after, leading
the overcome Sarah Elizabeth to a seat.
A short conversation ensued, into which
the gentleman contrived to introduce this
remark in as deep an undertone as he
could assume:
There is lady here to night, who
might influence me to all good, who
might be my guardian angel, but ! dare
not confess my feelings to her."
He drew down his mouth and looked
quite sad. Her black eyes flashed fun.
Indeed. Mr.. Dcane, she should be
proud of such mission. | quite envy
her. / wonder that you hesitate a mo-
ment."
Poor Archie. l do not know what be-
came of him. believe he spent there
mainder of the evening down stairs in
the passage.
AT about 3 o'clock we were all at home,
and Ada murmured as she sank to sleep,
Z" 1t was so nice"
The prairie news., 1859-01-27
NO SUCH WORD AS FAIL.

The proudcst motto for the young
Write it in lines Of gold.
Upon thy heart and in thy mind
The stirring words enfold
Aud in misfortune's dreary hour,
Or fortunes prosperous gale,
Twill have a holy, cheering power
"Therc is no such word as Fail"
The prairie news., 1859-01-27
Blessed to giire.-The sun in the HEAVIER

Blessed to gice.-The sun 10 the heaven
scatters abroad his beams. The fountain
sends forth lis life-giving waters. The
earth teens with its various productions
The birds sing for our pleasure. Man
should copy the example, and live for the
good of others. He is the happiest who
does most to make others happy. Expe-
rience verifes the words of our Savior,
/" 1t is more blessed to give than to re
ceive."-[ Oriental Bsbtsst.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27
AN ADlEU.

A bloolny lass Of sweet sixteen,
First reused my admiration,
With looks so mild, l thought that she
Loved me-like all creation;
Ny boyish heart at last found words
It's tale Of love to tell her,
And listened when she fondly swore
She loved some other fellow
Nv second was more lovely far
Than oil the girls around her,
With mules and niggers, stocks and lands.
And money too--confound her
I coaxed her with a cunning tongue,
And nought she asked refused her,
But when she bcgg'd me to "excuse,"
1. like o fool excused" her.
The next had charming, golden curls
Around her shoulders floating,
With lip and eye and voice SO sweet
scarce could help from courtng;
So mild, so gentle too was She
So little touched with evil,
But when made my motive known
She proved pcrfect-coquette
/ tried again, with like results
The lower and the higher
Each beauty seemed to dcat on me
Until came to try her;
So here's toast to one and all
The female population;
I'll keep my pictures, books and rings,
And quit the occupation.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

An anxious mother in Maine thus writes
to her son in California
"My dea someone home. A rolling
stone gathers no moss. Your affection
ate mother"
To which Young America. with equal
laconism replies:
"My dear mothcr-Come here. Aset-
ting hen never gets fat. Your affection
ate SON.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

cTDaniel Webster married the wo-
man he loved, and the twenty years which
he lived with her brought him to the me-
ridian of his greatness. An anecdote is
current on this subject, which is not re-
corded in the books. Mr.. Webster was
becoming intimate with Miss Grace
Fletcher, when skein of silk, which he
was holding for her to wind, getting into
a knot, Mr.. Webster assisted in unrave-
ling the snarl-then looking up to Miss
Grace, he said, I'VE have united knot
dpnt't you think we could tie onel" Grace
was little embarrassed, said not word,
but in the course of few minutes she
tied knot in piece Of tape and handed
it to MIR. w. This piece of tape, the
thread of his domestic joys, was found
after the death of Mr.. Webster, preserved
as one of his most precious relics.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

Falgar Words.-There is as much
connection between the words and the
thoughts, as there is between the thoughts
and the words--the latter are not only the
expression of the former, but they
have power to react upon the soul and
leave the stain Of corruption there. A
young man who allows himselft to use pro-
fame or vulgar words has not only shown
that there is-a foul spot on bis mind, but
by the uttcrance Of that word extends the
spot and infames it; by indulgence it
will soon pollute and ruin the whole soul.
Be careful of your words as well as your
thoughts. lfyou can control the tounge
so that no improper words be pronounced
by it, you will soon be able to control the
mind and save it from corruption.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27
VOL. vIl....NO -.


A Dutchman's heart-rending soliloquy
is described thus: "Shc lofes Sh0n
Michle so much peter as /, because be
cot koopIe dollars more as l has I"
Husband, have the asthma SO bad
that can't breathe"
We'll, my dear, / wouldn't try; no.
body wants you to-"
An Irish Judge said, when addressing
a prisoner You are to be hanged, and
l hope it will prove warning to you"
A whole military company in Dayton.
Ohio, fell in love with beautiful young
lady, Jewess, and as they couldn't all
have her, they compromised the matter
by selecting her as their captain.
Loquacious mouths are like badly man.
aged banks-they make large issues on
no solid capital.
People are all the summer learning TO
leave door open, and the whole winter
learning to close it.
The young lady who caught cold By
drinking water from . damp tumblsr Is
convalescent.
Whoever is honest, generous. courts-
Gus. and candid, is gentleman, whether
he be learned or unlearned, rich or poor.
Self ContrOl.-To those especially who
are just verging into manhood, self.con.
troll is of the most vital importance. All
young persons Of ambitious or sanguine
temperamentare liable to fierce outbreaks
ofpassion. These ebullitions are no indi.
cation Of vicious or depraved nature.
Yet they often appear so to the world.
With proper restraint this impetuosity
may be made eminently subservient. All
who are afflicted with such temporary 1t.
tacks should carefully guard against say.
ing or doing anything offensive. Many
unwittingly or incautiously lose their best
friends by giving vent to their i'll feelings
in an angry manner. Self-respect event.
ually ceases with loss of offended friends
and relatives. The man who is prone to
anger drives away not only the kindness
of others but his own self-love. This not
unfrequently ends in gloom and misan.
thropy From the indulgence Of Q TEN.
porary passion there is but narrow stride
to cold, sullen, morose, and cynical dis.
position, the possessor of which views ev.
erything through distorted medium.
No eye grows brighter with the pres.
ence of q misanthrope, no kindly voice
bids him good morrow, no earnest heart
throbs for him, no warm hand grasps his
with glad welcome. The sunshine does
not penetrate his soul, the breeze gives
no thrill of pleasure, the gsieties Of life
are mockery, and all music discord.
Control your wayward passion If you
wonld have the love your fellows. Good
nature is always sure of hearty recep.
ton. A pleasant voice gives back q joy
Gus echo, a bright smile lights up the
brow Of beauty, and warm. open, gener-
GUS, genial soul meets with an affectionats
welcome everywhere.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27
The End Of n Prize Fighter.

The following account is from an eye
witness of the last round fought between
Lilly and Mccoy, in which the latter
was killed:
As time was called at the one hundred
and twentieth round, Mccoy was lifted
from his seconds knee, and stood on his
feet for the last time He was led slow
ly to the mark, and took his position--a
dying man--but as erect, as dignifed, as
game as ever. Lilly rushed in, threw
him hard, fell with his whole weight upon
him, and remained upon the dying man
until lifted off. On approaching him,
(McCoy,) he was found to be perfectly
inanimate, and sank lifeless in his sec
ond's arms. Time was called, but not,
alas |! for him. Poor fellow, he was
doomed never to hear sound again, till
the challenge of the last trumpet shall
pierce the portals of his ears, and sum.
mon him with those who did foul murder
on him, to a mark" from which there
will be no dodging-n0 escape. He had
fought for two hours and forty three min
utes, receiving eighty-one heavy falls,
with his antagonist on him, and bleeding,
certainly, for two and half hours.
AS soon as he had been declared the
victor, Lilly jumped up, slapped his
hands with an explanation of joy, and
amid the cheers of his circle, sprang over
the ropes of the ring. He was but little
marked and not severely hurt. Poor
Mccoy, on being lifted from the ground,
sank as timber as a rag in his seconds
arms. A cry was made for the doctor,
and movement in mass took place to
give him air. ! forced my way into the
crowd, and looked at the dying man.
God grant that ! may never see such an
other sight. He lay upon his back, one
bruised, unseemly, bloated mass of in
cipient corruption, gasping for breath,
and word went in hoarse whisper that
he was dead. Never shall | forget the
talismanic horror of that expression.
The cheeks of old and young, the
Hedging villain and the ruffian stepped in
crime, all blanched to ashes, and exchang-
ing look of vague and underlined fear,
They separated silently and sought their
respective boasts. Not loud sound or
rough expression escaped from the vast
assemblage that collected at the landing.
Solemly each man embarked, and silent
ly cast off and bore away. went in the
dead mans boat and sailed back with
him, lying stark, corrupt and dead, in the
same cabin where he in the morning lay
full Of life, health, hope, strength and
manhood l leave the moral with the
reader.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

~ Governor s., of South Caro-.
lima, was splendid lawyer, and could
talk jury out of their seven senses
He was especially noted for his success
in criminal cases, always clearing bis cli-
ent. He was once counsel for man ac-
cused of horse-stealing. He made long.
eloquent, and touching speech. The ju-
ry retired, but returned in q few mo-
ments, and with tears in their eyes, pro-
claimed the man not guilty. An old &C.
quaintance stepped up to the prisoner
and said: so
"Jem, the danger is past; and now.
honor bright, didn't you steal that horse r.
To which Jem replied:
Well, Tom, I've all along thought
took that horse but since I've heard the
Governors speech, i don't believe did Z"
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

u Poetic old Master Brown brought
his ferals down-bis face was angry and
red" Now Anthony Clair, 60 rest you
there, along with the girls" he said.
Then Anthony Clair, with mortified air.
and his chin down on his breast, crept
slowly away. and sat all day by the girl
that loved him best.
The prairie news., 1859-01-27

A Dutchman's heart-rending soliloquy
is described thus: "Shc lofes Shon
Niche so much peter as i, because be
cot koople dollars more as has :"
The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-24
The REV. Mr.. sPuRsEoN.
DE-. cRlBkD BY An AMERICAN ED.roa.

| Mr.. Fulton, editor Of that able journal, The
Baltimore American, Who has Just returne,
IRON tour IN Europe, thus describes yisi,
he made TO The Park street Chapel, in Lon.
don. TO hear the renowned preacher, the Rev
Mr.. Spurgeoa. Mr.. Fulton SAYS:
In personal appearance, Mr.. Spurgenn has
none Of those characteristics that would i'm.
press you with an idea Of extraordinary ca.
pacity as a public speaker. He is about five
feet five inches in height, rather stout, with
a round, fair smooth face, and low forehead
His hair il black. and il parted 10 the centre,
whilst his eyes are blue aud his complexion
fair. His countenance is mild and pleasing,
and he wears no hair on his face, except 4
small tut under each ear. Indeed, hi, face
looks 50 smooth that you would scarcely sup
pose that he was troubled with any beard al
all. As 10 age, he doe, not look 10 be thirty,
though learn that le i, about fnriy.
The services commenced with reading 4
hymn. showing that he il . beautiful anil in.
pressiyc reader, and that llis voice is attuned
aud capable of the most distinct anil impres.
siye enunciation. After tie hymn was sun.
by the congregation. he opened the Tesla.
ment and commencrtl reading portions u The
22d chapter Of 81. Luke, relative 10 Peters
denial Of Christ. commenting upon them I
ne proceeded in conversational manner.
lie occupied about fifteen minutes IL this
portion u the service. and after the singing
Of another hymn, he took for his text The 62d
verse Of The same chapter: /" And Peter
went cut and wept bitterly"
The subject he proposed 10 expound 10 hi.
hearers was Frue Penitenee, and he would
use the case 81 Peter 20 illustrate, Isl. IL
cause; ID, its object Sd, its nature 4th, its
signs; 5th, the place for repentance, and 9th,
is effect. lie took up each Of these tliyi.
sions Of his subject separately, his manner
being that Of person in careless conversation
with me or two friends. Most Of bis time he
leaned down with bis elbows on the Bible.
but occasionally rose as he fred Up with his
subject with startling energy and thrilling
effect. Still Il appeared 80 entirely natural
that no one could possibly accuse him Of any
studied effort. In TACT, his style and Ian.
guage rather impress one with the feeling
that he speaks without preparation, and with.
put caring whether be pleases or displeases
bis heaters.
His easy aud graceful conversational man.
ner IS undoubtedly the great secret of his
success. whilst his earnest and impressive
style must always carry with II q conviction
Of decptoned piciy. Several times during
his discourse be regulated sectarianisn, de.
tlared that Il had nothing 10 do with true
rellgion--thstmen were wasting theirenergies
and throwing dissentions into the Kingdom
OF Christ on Earth by The discussion and pro.
pagation n views and doctrines that are Of
no importance.
perceived BY a notice On tie wall that bis
The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-24

The DIFFERENCE BETwEKS PRsscH AND
AMERICAN BRAsDY.-The Chester County
Times, Pa, is responsible for the follow
ing:
gentleman Of our acquaintance wished
10 purchase some good brandy to be used in
sickness. and called on an nld German H.
quor dealer in Philadelphia, when the follow
ing dialogue eRsued:
Have you any imported brandy, gem
inc stuff
very goot prandy. Come and trink
some claret punch dat isl goot, too, ven de
yedder ISL hot"
No, thank you, ! want a little brandy
for sick man"
Come and try de punch. One vriend
from Germany peen here. see him not pc.
fore for many years. We peen Thinking de
punch"
Some and tell me about The brandy. |
want little Of the best in the market"
The old gentleman vas a little mellow
just enough to make bin laxative; and the
visit Of his friend had so warmed his svmpa-
thies as to make him communicative.
Now, my yriend. you wants gDot prandy,
and sells you goot praniy. Dare isl some
prandy ! makes myself, aud dat ISL goot.
Dare ish some pought in New York, and
dat is sheap prandy. Dare ish some dat !
imported from yrsnee, and dat ish vera
goot, too"
/" Did you say you made that lot your.
SELF
dat makes myself, and uarrqnJ dat.
II ish made of de vera best whisky
Whisky! don't want any Of ysur in.
fernal cOneoctions Of whisky asd 1IIed
brandy"
COld gentleman, soemnly, J 1T is all made
81 whisky. my vriend,. and dat ish de reason
why de Wrench prasdy ISL not so goot as
american prandy. No prsndy ish now dis
TILED from wine any more il is not possible
TO make il sheap enough for this market fran
wine, and de American people do not like
Dc real Prsndy because dsy are not used to
" DID you say that French brandy is not
50 good as our own manufactured We i'm.
port some brandy from France, do We not ="
20, we import blshtS II prsndy % please
de rich peoples, but II ish not good. In
France de prandy ish made q potato whisky,
The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-24
WANDER MAURY. OF THE U. s. NAVY.
From the Paris Montepr Of Julv "a.

At Washington il is. they say, in agitation
to place Lieut.. Maury. the illustrious direc-
tor Of the National Observatory, in active
service, as without doing SO his promotion
would, according TO the regulations Of the
service, be impossible. 10 withdraw such
a man from his scientific labors in the pres
ent epoch seems more than fault. During
the many years he has passed on shore Lieut..
siaury has rendered to bis country services
which he could not have performed in dis.
tant places or in the most famous naval com.
bats. His labors, now known TO the whole
world, have made an immense step in naval
science; nor is there either sailor or a sa.
want Who, If he were consulted, would not
award to him the highest grades Of his corps.
Maury. like Humboldt. is one Of those men
whose leisure ought 10 be respected, because
II Is important as well TO science as human
ity. Let Us hope, then, that the American
Government. which counts so many good
captains in its navy. shall not fnd il neces
sary to take this Industrious man from his no.
Bile labors TO cover him with honors which,
whatever they may be. mast be always infe.
rior to the great services which he has al
ready rendered.