davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10
by MATTHEW vYSTON.

My name is Harry Brown. I bcseech
Heavens choicest blessings to rest forever
upon the head Of him or her through
whose kind cranium first flashed the idea
of calling me that precious eognomen. |
am glad my given name is nothing but
Harry--my surname nothing but Brown.
thank my mother that she married the
man she did. Otherwise l might have
been Harry Jones. a Harry Smith. or a
Harry Green. thank my paternal grand
mother, and my great-grandmother, and
the great t-great-grandmothe of all their
grandmothers' great-grandmothers. for
choosing husbands by the name of Brown.
Otherwise l might have been Bill Swig-
gins, possibly, or Bob Plunkett, or Jim
Griffith, instead of Harry Brown. And
l bless with eternal gratitude my grand
fathers. back to the remotest twig of the
ancestral tree Of Browns, for not remain
ing bachelors. In that case, where, alas,
should have been? And yet, swear to
you. reader. on the veracity of an horora-
BILE man, that it would have been better
for me to have stayed nowhere forever,
than to have come into the world and taken
any other name than the one l Dow bear
That cognomen has been the golden hinge
on which has swung open for me the gate
of earthly bliss. But anticipate.
l had been rusticating for a fortnight in
one of the loveliest villages that ever nest
led down among the hills of the Granite
State. had enjoyed to my utmost capac-
ity for enjoyment the different recreations
by which city gentleman bent on an ex.
cursion for health or pleasure, manages
to while away his time. l had fshed
hunted and sailed--sailed, hunted and
fished. until the unvarying routine began
to grow monotonous and to pail upon nay
taste,-until longod to be back once more
in the hustle and activity of my city life
Don't call me barbarian, dear lover o
rural solitudes and country pleasures.
never could endure the country more than
three weeks at time, in my life. The old
love of nature has not quite died out o1
my bosom. l like to go back once In a
while to the green woods, the grassy fields
and the meadow brooks that knew me
when WAS hoy. But the tall. bearded
man, with the worlds care marks in his
heart. is not the joyous lad who walked
barefooted through the brown cow-paths
tore his corduroys while climbing the knot
ty trees. built miniature mill dams across
the brooks, aud stoned squirrels in the
woods. He tries sometimes to think thai
il is so-to relish with the old gusto all the
sights and sounds he loved so well in boy
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10
WHOLE NO. 10

Allow me to add in conclusion--and do
not think nae presuming--that no tempta-
tion on earth could be strong enough (un-
less it be the one Of saving you from your
present unnecessary and undeserved self
reproach.) 10 induce me to have this little
adventure cancelled from my experience.
With much respect, your obedient servant.
HARRY Brown
That evening I saw her at the supper
table. A graceful inclination of the head,
grateful smile, and a blush which made
her whole face and neck crimson, was my
reward
Acquaintances never ripen so fast as un-
der the Sunshine of some such auspicious
adventure. During the ensuing fortnight,
discovered that Miss Bessie Brown would
trust herself in a sailboat with proper pro-
lection, that she could ride horseback with
grace and spirit, was fond of moonlight
promenades, ice ecreams, etc, etc. Before
l LEFT the little village Of Hive were fast
friends, and had paid back those delici
Gus kisses, which could not but acknowl-
edge were obtained uuder false pretences,
and consequently did not belong to me-
If I threw in few extra ones. whose bus
iness is il but Bessie's and mine?
am no longer bachelor. This very
week my pretty little wife and l paid our
annual visit to the Y-hotel, which wit
messed the novel commencement of our
sweet acquaintance. We occupy the room
together now, and only yesterday after
noon Bessie put on an old handkerchief
over her head--she has worn her hair in
braids for nearly two years-buttoned a
dicky about her throat, drew on a vest.
thrust her feet into pair of my slippers.
and after scuffing about the room awhile,
came up behind the sofa where was sit
ting, pat her arms about my meek, her
} white fingers over my eyes. and kissed me
ill | was quite out of breath.--Bless her.
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10
NY Bonnie Wifey.

Sweet the whispers of Southern gales are
these lines TO "My Bonnie Wifey." How we I'm
ger over these loving Scotch diminutives:
Thort syne had nae heart to sing;
My heart untuEcd nae mair wad ring;
Moo Pve got back the master string,
An music l make again.
The wearicst night, il ends wi norr.
The Largest lane at last will turn;
An moo sing, nae mair foriorn--
My winsOme wife's back again.
Lang days an nights passed over in 81 loonei
thO't the simmer ernc'e 'er wad come;
But moo at care l snap my thumb,
An canly 1 can crack again.
Moo simmer smiles; blythe sing the birds;
The BARNS o. JOY strike a the chords;
An I-oh what needs wastin' words
My denty do is bach again
o man. without a wifie's care,
BE your house fu' or be it bare
There's something wantin' late air.
To fill your heart an make you fain.
Your selfish lfe's lonesome spilth;
But wifie's smile, in pain health,
Steals Woo fra m want, or blesses wealth
Thank Heaven. my wife's back again.
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10
A Chapter Oh First Things.

The first regular newspaper printed in
the world, was 'Ye English Mercurie,' in
the reign OF good Queen Bess, in A. D.
1888.
The first newspaper published in Amer
lea was the Boston News Letter. print
ed at Boston, Massachusetts, from 1904 TO
1776.
The first book printed in the United
States, was the Bay Psalm Book pub
iished by S-ephen Daye. at Cambridge, IN
1910 1t enjoyed such popularity as to
pass through several editions, and was re-
printed in England where it had respect
able sale.
Gas was first introduced as street IL
laninator. IN 1s4o. in Birmingham, Eng
land
Spec'aeles we're 6rst made by Spina. a
FIorcn inc monk. in the year 1900. May
his eyes never have occasion 10 use any of
them
Potatoes we're first Introduced into Eng
land from South America. in 1886. and
we're cultivated in the garoens of the no
bility as rare plants. In the reign ofKing
James, they were considered such great
luxury as to sell readily at one shilling
pound.
The first sun-disl was made in Greece,
by Pliny.
The Germans have the honor of invent
ing the first watch, the first being made in
Nuremburg, f477.
Gunpowder was srst made by Roger
Bacon.
1t is supposed the first telegraph was
made in Middleburg, in the Netherlands,
but the name of the inventor is unknown.
= Little Pilgrim.
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10
s sleetes Yoetr y.
Look on the Bright Side.

'Old man, prithee. tell me why
You always wear u smile;
Though others oft look wan and sad,
How do you time beguilc?
Though doomed to care and penury,
And bOwing down with age,
Yet still light-he,rted, blithe, and gay,
You tread life's weary stage
1'll tell thee all, my youthful friend,'
The good old man replied
'Whate'er may hap, always look
Upon the brightest side.
Ger all the land there's not man,
How hard soe'er his lot,
But, if he will, can often find
A bright and sunny spot.
I've lived and toiled for many a year
Beneath the summers sun,
And in the winter cold and drear,
My labor still went on;
And in that varied course Of years
Did much of i'll bctide,
But still always strove to look
Upon the brightest side.
When sickness came, and hours of pain
Dragged YEARLY along,
And MORNINGS sad and murmurings vain
Dropped from my feeble tongue,
Kind hearts were there, and kindly words
Fell softly on my ear,
And loving ones were always nigh
My faintink heart to cheer.
And through long and wearied life
I've lea-n'd this lesson we'll
Tbot -, Ali, ,~or1J =, IN m m III otr;Co
There's more of good than i'll;
And cen in poverty and toll,
Peace with us will abide;
Man may be happy,if he will
But see the brightest side
Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-10

A painter who was fond of hearing his
works praised. was one day told that Judge
did not think very favorably of per-
formance of his.
sOh.' said the artist to his informant.
what is his opinion worth? he isn't ajudge
of painting--he is Judge of Probate!
A Washington paper says that the Uni
ted States will make Paraguay see stars.
We may have to make her see stars and
feel stripes.
We may conclude that housekeeper is
a little to prodigal of his clothes when We
see them filling holes in his windows.
Arc you near sighted Miss? said an inn
pertinent fellow to q young lady that dh
not choose to recognize him. Yes at this
distance l can hardly tell whether You are
pig or puppy!
An exchange says that il is just rs SEN
sible move TO undertake to get married
without courting a, to attempt TO succeed
i'm business without advertising. True as
preaching Our business men can stick 8
pm there.
A lady was taken by Surprise in Missis-
sppi the other day, says the Reviele. Al
least we Judge so from the fact that John
A Surprise WAS married to Sallie A Stock.
They will probably have iistle Surprises
occasionally to keep up the Stock.
Self respect is the noblest garment We
can clothe ourselves in.
EgLVs uue is nds!pe poAu.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16
luss.l. Of West 100 Of OATS eco Of Gem, 900 ps
t,,, al, az b..rs ssd three Of peas from sssDty Liss

kusbe, Of West 100 Of OATS eco Of osn, 50s OF pca
tss, ak Of bears AID three Of psss from issnty Liss
.e,,s He die tho work with pair 81 borsss and "a
.x,y.g. Of ole Insl for six nObtfa Hsk.ptsX coss
arc f.tteS ten bogs and yoke Of oI.r vtie my s1-
teen acres rnosty cultivated by h.rdhOsipg and one
cow and one pig has not produced eSough TO arnish
ouy family with the Lecs,ssries Of life.
of the land does rot come into market this year, If
the Homestead bill thoud pss', $500 wOnd put me on
ny feet for ctsDge off my s'eers fer one horse,
and with the money by sIoihsr horse, ssgon, snd
few tbrPs TO relieve our mott pressing wsnts and
could, with horsetean, do resry ell my fsru-~Ork
aore, and sell wood enough in t1wr next Wicter to
buy ell tb.. j. needed for tAe family might, by pre-
eDptirg my claim, and mosasirg the land to soma Of
the Sc ,locts bersaboux get the money by paying 80
per cent. per sDnum for it-$lH q year for 500.
dare rot do il. bsd better give hall my claim for
preGmp;ng the whole, cell toe r.m.irIg half Tor WHIT
can get, and 90 10 Pixies Peak or TIE d. a. once.
eve were very thankful tor the paper ssut with
TIE letter. and should be very glad TO have you send u'
pepper, occasionally, IS am unable 10 take one this
year. ] have been clab subscriber 20 The N. Y.
TRIBUsE for two year, and miss II very much. II
se.ued kind Of eonnec'irg Ink which bound us TO
the rest OF .he human family"
That ia the climax of priv.tion surely. To be
reduced to corn bread and pork fat s hard; TO see
one. little children ragged aud saOele's, is harder;
but 10 be cut off from communication with the rest
Of the human family, to miss the weekly coming of
TIE TRIBUNE, is h,rdes; Of all. The picture Of
,Quatttr life drawn above, without the slightest
idea that it woud ever fDd its way into print il,
we fear too cnrrert a resemblance not of one csse
only, but Of very large number.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

TEsT FOR COP LIVER Om.-Snlphuric acid appears
10 be perfectly reliable test Of the eIc.epcy of cod
liver oil. the lilac hue produced by this acid differ
ent from all other colors. Place small quantity of
he oil to be examined white plate, or clean writ
ng psPeri drop two or three drops Of the sulphurc
acid into tie ceL,er, and Instantly number Of rsdiss
ing currents Of delicate ard beautiful hlsc hue are
.een. The goodness Of the oil in proportion 70 toe
iehress and Iert.sncy Of his color and the rs2dty
with which II is prodaced. TIE eolor produced in al
otLsr oss, - u sssl eli, usiA sl spers o., and
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

and tie IntrLstcnL Ct LorSeB, have aIed ID tanisa
the Conuissit ,ers VITA ihs rqaired data fur vs'us
icp The latter appears 10 have promised compliance,
sra lie sg.rc.s ,re suspended Ill such time IS vsu-
sior 81 ell show Il 10 be in good standing. The New
Bs.ea Company, which has pereup.orily declued TO
face ,u.h music pretty severely handled in the Re-
port 10 Which ano to responsive circular il has is'u'd
10 its polcy-sooers in Massachusetts,, We must refer
cor r, ad.Is who vsh 10 krov more OF Is stsndi'g
I: sppears from the R,port that considersole,
thovsh hitherto unnoersnsble, pant Of tie profits or
sin Of Life In.u1snce Companies has co ne from the
forfeiture Of bfs.polc:es by non payment Of prHniun
do. Oh q specified day. As this may arise frum the
misfortune a. well a. tie carses,ness of insurers, the
Commissioners contend earnestly tina, the Companies
in Their S,ste ,hsl be obliged by ls. in reg ard TO
roc,s hereafter stu.d in case Of the non-psyuent OF
any premium. 10 cortirus tie insUsncs daring such
time they have been already psd for !, by the net
va ne Of th. policy At the time premium wi. due aud
not paid In other words the Company msy be a.
lowed 10 protect itself sgsns any lose from the for
feure of policies but all MOI derive any profit from
th.t,o TIE propriety Of Lesislsive interfer-
cree to this eTot is argued in the Report at consider
abe lrgtb. and Win force thst comnsnds ITSELF to
the attention Of s persons interested in Life Issuance
II TIE plan of REPATRIATION and valuation OF policies
thus adopted By Massachusetts, is carried eut from year
to ear, it will be just how much gain esca Com
parry derives from the forfeiture Of policies and ist
how important il is that the unfortunate and cseess
or rather their Deepen tents should be rejected BY law
from beng sacrificed for the benefit Of the punctuh
and lucky members.
The Report sheds good deal of Ugh. on the su5ec:
of life ce d 'derds and the pact &c Of the var-
Gus Cfic.s in regard 10 them Asevery Company 70 be
safe must net presume always sziDg higa rate
of interest on ts investments securing tae full aver
sse of vsliy or having s~sys good luck, but csarse
premium which will be ,uticieLt Should interest fsll,
snd the insured die fser than the prediction from the
tables it ollows of course, that with high Interest
ard an e1per cree as good the tables asurpus must
rapidly accumulate. THIS surplus is the suojsct OF
dividend. II it be retained too long, the ear
hsr members are defrsuded to enrich the
later ores. II the Company on the other hand
divides mere than it esrns by insurance, the
reverse takes place, and those who die fret
get their insurance too cheap. There are two
methods Of avoiding overpus OF asssts; one
lie TO diminish the sse,s by returning portion of the
premium paid and the othor to increase the Liabilities
by sddug TO the amour; insured. or the fourteen
companies roticed by the Massachusetts Com Mission
Ell. or mske their dividends in whole or in part in
this way These companies and tie revesonary divi-
depds or additional Gums thus insured by them are a.
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

CHARCOAL NOT ASTIsrPrIc'-h commonly %
Eeved, and it lie stated in many chemcA "oiA', nA'
charcoal is sntiseptic. This, according 10 III
HOUSE, is the very reverse Of the fact IS ,n0.n "
the condition of the bodies Of animals whoa nsVe 'een
long buried in charcoal, which are usually 70 90
vanced stage of decay. The opinion hiss ao0pI''''
sri,en from the fac. that ohsrcos sbsoros ths ss~
and thss prevents any Gsagreesbh saiuus-
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

IL the assumed msrtality is sufficiently high and the
assumed rate Of inte,et sufficiently low to represent
the facts that are be anticipated the excess OF cash
oompsnies net sssets the net value of its policies
pls My what it has earned rather its surplus &C
cumuls,op, which it may and must in justice divide
smorg its members in proportion as they have con-
trbuted TO produce it, 1t viii be seen inst these con-
paries vhils esch has more less surplus, differ very
much in the re'aive amount OF It. This is partly
owing 70 their different distances from their times OF
declaring dividends. For example, the Nsw-Eoslsnd
Conp.ry soon after the lst Of November divided
ssa5 763 in cssb, which redu, I'D It's Assets 10 slCH,
Ss 20, and their ratio to the value of policies to liO
per cent. Ticking into account this dividend the M.s-
sscb u.etts Coupsns. 10 the aggregate have $42 ~
for e.ch 500 Of their ret liability to policy holders
The difference of surplus IS also very much owing 10
the different ratio of expense to receipts, which IL
also shown in the comparison above.
Only two Life Companies dong burmese IN hs'ss
ehs,ets. tie American MatuN Lie Of Esv-Hsvss
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

Tbis sb ows TIE very sensble net decrease OF 1871
per cert Of marine oss ard 50 % per cent of fire loss
in favor Of the las year. illustrating the great uncer-
taipty of these branches of IL sursnce.
The present report is remarkable for containing the
result Of the first vslastion Of life nsuracce policies
n ade under the authority OF the Safe. Previous to
TIE sst year the law required each Life Insurance
Company doing business in the State TO return the So
gate net value of its existing policies on the let CT
Noveu Der; but each company adopted IFS own rule
of vslusop and returned only rough or oopJec'
tursl estimates very little could be known as to the
actual or comparative standing Of the companies. BY
en- act Of 1853 the companies required to Furnish
the Commissioners the date necessary for vsuing each
policy in force They have accordingly returned the
Data Of ~ 500 policies which the Commissioners have
valued Cd what is termed the Acoustics R.to OF
" Mortality" assuming interest at 4 per cent. This
vaue of the policies is in effect Whist upon the aore-
said pons of mortality and interest, the COM
par have not yet earned of the moneys paid them
as premiums Consequently the ratio Of actual asses
to this and her liabilities will chow their present
standing. De6uctiDg all other disabilities, including
guarantee capital from the ssses and calling the bal
spce the net assets the Commissioners arrive, by their
valuation end the returns for the year at the follow
ing synopsis of the standing Of fourteen Life Insurance
Companies on the let OF November, 1853:
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

On this the Commissioners remark: " Here is al
Aggregate of more than - 100000 Of insurance, for
which the companies have been paid in full, every
"dollsr Of which liable to be forfeited by the non
payment of premium on other insurance." Thee
are ell mutual COMPARES, every policy holder being
supposed TO be ss much member and proprietor as
another They ought to know best whether it per-
f.c,ly prudent for them to stake 90 much money
money which belongs to those they are to leave behind
them-on their strict punctuai'y. The additional In
.urarce or "bonus" lie the reverson Of cum belong
ing to the insured in the hands Of the company Wny
should be consent 10 make the reversion contingent
upon bis being solvent and vide awake all his life
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16
INSURANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

TIE law i Massachusetts, qutre nirutsly -oetsled
sprual statements Of their sf.js from s1 lEsusEe9
Companies dorg bnsiness within tba. Stats; and 10
,uch eel psIy cssrtsIed elsewhere s sllosedto 60
busne,s publ ely there, without fist appointing sad
duy Authorizing some either of that State a. s gensrs
agent OF attorney, upon whom ali lssfGl processes
",gsr,t the company msy be served, in Ike mstter
'as IL the company b.1 existed and been daily
"ierved with process IL the Commonwealth. Ihs
eyer. or attorney il obliged 10 give bonds 70 the
Treasurer 70 accept servios Of all lawful proces'e'
b. this Arrangement, citizens Of h.sscsuset:a, n
surirg in companies ont OF that State, are not Obliged
to 30 ont OF tie State TO prosecute their claims The
foreign COMPARES" as trey de,ignste al beyond
their owD limit ere slso required to report Annually,
the ssme as the domestic companies.
TIE blsIst Of seei, 20 the execution Of thsss sF
e1,uiLI the affairs Of the companies chartered 10
the State and reporting to the Legislature Is confiei
20 two Insurance Commissioner who are p,ii by the
State Cd sIrusl salary Of 500 esch. In sidiion 20
he above dules, they are required 20 make or esls'
10 be ode, IN snnus! VALUATION Of ell the policies on
de outstanding on TIE lat day Of November OF eaeh
yer, against the Life Insuacee Companies doing
business in the S,ste ADD by w.y Of compensation for
,hb service each Life In,ursnce Company is required
W Poy sbbO lDc Ai'a0u4y VIZ NEAS ~. N'N@s
dollars Insured.
The Rspor. Ct the Insurance Commissioners Tor the
yesr ending on the lst Of November, 1853, is doe
um.nt Of 240 pages, credtably printed, and contar'
ug very foil and generally satisfactory returns from
OF hun dled and sx 'y.fve companies, Of which one
IdIed ard seventeen chartered IN the State Oh
the latter five Ne Life Insurance Companies and the
rest ere devoted TO fire ard marine insurance. The
report gives tie following mary comparison otthe
FIRE and marine business in the III Massachusetts CON-
psnies for the lac, two years:
Marine Ri,k. 1857. 1855.
In ptock Compsnits 10 <of2os " s'Ve1o W
IL kmusl bsriIe and Mutual ~ mamma ~
Fire and hsrine.........s 400 w f'of''i'o y"
Total Marine lh,7959 10 Sl@nfss'lll w
In s,oet slss,I42s go 20 sIs2s4sn a
In Mutual rbe and Maine. go O6i4 90 .9Sl'g+ o w
In Mutual Fire Conn saiss.. zoo $50 7of % ~L'S'H
ro,.I Five ...... eSIs O65 6ss 10 S347 $50 662 IS
Total Ri,i, Fir, and Marine S41i7S 100 20 6s rs IS
In ,oe n1, c"m I sslDsis q sal.3SS 90
In Mutual Marine and Mutual .-o .,
Fire and kNiIe.......... 2ooldo -i0h''V Oh
To.sl Marine Lo......... IS @2,eS ss s4SFtT IL
II SCI ct%n,ni., s55s6g7s si22s52 So
I aJo,n,i ~ y and M,rir. SS5 81 lflS7 7s
Ia Mutual FHe'............... flISoi o. <VA-'' -
ro,., y,,s In,,...... sg78 gsl 20 ssi5sz1 ts
got,i To-, gire ana Aati.e IS $40 50 S496 02i "a
-
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16

v.e,t.sl. o,, entirely iree from Pa'Pis or wees
tire