davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
News of the Day.
Old Bachelors.

There are noble exceptions to that pitiable
class of men called old bachelors. We do not
join in the general onslaught upon them, but
there are few of them who are not blame
worthy for their misfortunes, to some extent.
The wise and bountiful Dispenser of all good,
in arranging for the proper distribution of
the sexes, has left every man without excuse.
Wherever a man is found, who has not made
himself unworthy of a wife, God has provided
at least one woman, worthy to be a help meet
to him. We believe the law of marriage is
as imperative upon man, as it is to provide
for his household when he has one, and no
man can hope for exemption from the penal
ty due to its violation, unless he is providen-
TALLY excused. Such cases do occur, but
they are rare indeed.
In some instances, necessity compels men
to remain in a state of single blessedness.-
They have made most honest and prudent eff
forts to change their position, but have fail
ed, and then they have settled down in de-
spair. This is to be regretted, for in many
instances they are the most worthy of men
and this they have shown by their tender re-
spect for females; the interest they take in
the welfare of society; their readiness to as
sist the needy and to contribute of their
means to advance the cause of religion and eo-
~ucation. We nave known some such men,
for whom Providence is considerable enough
to provide an avenue for their benevolence, il
not a wife or children of their own, yet a
mother, an aged father or sisters, or the wife
and children of less favored brothers. This
burden they have borne cheerfully.
But how different are those, who remain
bachelors from sheer disregard of the female
sex, or because they have no confidence il
their integrity, or whose hearts are so col,
and drear, that they are never moved witt
female charms, or whose feelings are neve
melted by the ~eloquence of woman's tongue
or woman's tears. Such men are general
sour, selfish and unhappy-drones in societ
or eye-sores to the community. Such ar
old bachelors indeed, who care for nobod
and nobody cares for them.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30

CHEAP 'BRANDY."-Rev. DIR. Ide showed
some ''eight dollar brandy" at a temperance
meeting in Springfield, Mass, on Wednesday
evening, which was manufactured at a cost of
only ten cents per gallon.
And yet this miserable poison is dealt out,
and 'connoiseurs" smack their lips overit and
pronounce it real Otard, or some other cele-
brated brand, all the way from la belle France.
Of all the gullibles, liquor drinkers are the
most easily gulled
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
For the Spirit of the Age.


Il had rather have a drunkard for my hus-
band all my days said an intelligent lady,
whose husband was a Son of Temperance,
than to be troubled SO much about these
temperance meetings. Perhaps she had to
stay at home a few hours alone. sWell, my
dear, come 60 with me- said he. perhaps,
you may do some good" II shall not was
the positive reply; adding, that ssif men have
a mind to drink and degrade themselves, it
was none of her business, nor his ether
Reader, do you think she was acting as an
intelligent christian lady should? Do you
not suppose that, if she had to encounter a
drunken husband, or son, just one time, that
she would change her opinion? Do you
think she had properly considered the evils
of drunkenness /; and the dangers to which
her own husband and children were exposed?
No. The case is plain. Her husband being
a sober man, and her children as yet too
young to be in danger, she was disposed to
~disappfove of the best cause, one only excep-
ted, in which we can engage. Woman!
wife mothert how can you thus disapprove
of a cause SO good, and one so needed? How
do you know that your husband will remain
a sober man.? The past and present tell you
there is danger! Many Of your neighbors
are already sinking beneath its blighting In
fuence. How ~scornfully you spoke of that
young man, who is just out of a ''spree," as
you call it. You say he is degraded forever
besides he will soon kill himself. Yes, he
will, if he does not abandon the cup soon
but what are you doing to reclaim such, and
to prevent the rising generation from becom-
ing so? Anything? Woman, thou art
deaf to the calls of duty and honor" Thou
hast not considered thine own interest
Your little son, that you have cherished and
loved, may, in a short time, lie wallowing
8 in the ditch, and then perhaps all the advice
which you could give him, and ali the agoni-
zing prayers you might offer up in his be-
half, would not be able to save him from a
drunkard's grave and a drunkards hell!-
Think, then, how absurd it is to withdraw
your influence from such a glorious cause
Not that we are afraid that you will become
accustomed to drinking; but we want your
influence. We do not suppose that any pi-
, Gus lady viii be guilty of indulging in a
practice calculated to madden the brain, be-
, numb the senses, ruin the character, impair
the health, and finally bring its devotees tc
), an untimely grave; to be ushered into the
presence of a "sin avenging God" who has
declared that mo drunkard shall inherit his
q kingdom" No; we have a better opinion o
: you. But we fear there are some, who viii
a regret it, when it is too late, that they dir
q not become a Daughter of Temperance. y
Come then, one and all enlist your service
h under 1.-THE banner of Temperance" for | yer
lily believe that, if every woman would TRY
n and would unite their efforts togther, tina
the time would soon come, when Grog shop
o would cease to be, and drinking would nc
;S be known.
A. S. T.
Little Rock, S. C.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
New House in NeWhern.

See card of Messrs. Fisher & Foard in an
other column. They have united to carry on
a Grocery House and General Commission
business in Newbern; and from an intimate
personal acquaintance with both members
of the Firm, we take very great pleasure
in commencing them to all having business
in that line, to transact in Newbern. as men
in every way worthy the confidence and
support of the people. Give them a trial
and you will find our word verified.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
For the Spirit of the Age.
Edith Lane.

Twas m~idnight-not a sound was heard,
excepting the rain as it battered against my
window, and the low tread of the policeman
at his duty. Suddenly, this almost sacred
stiffness was broken by a shrek, which |
shall never forget, ana turning my eyes in
the direction from whence the sound seemed
to proceed, / saw in the house opposite where
] was, several figures passing between me and
the light. A feeling that my services might
be Of some use, prompted me to enter the
house, and, O., my God may never witness
such another s~cene-there, on the floor, lay
the crisped form of a darling boy, writing
in pain-his mother bending over him try
ing in vain to soothe the idol of her heart
beside her stood the man who had promised
to cherish and protect her as his own life,
breathing curses, and vowing to take that
life which God alone can give. Yes, that
brute, for he deserves not the name of man,
in a fit of intoxication had thrown his cher
ished boy into the blazing fire, and, alas
had destroyed the life of his oaca child!
L rendered all the assistance in my power
to the broken-hearted wife, whom | recog-
nized as an old friend. Gentle Reader, let
me, as it were, lead you back to her history.
In the brightly illuminated parlor of Mr..
Lane, we see congregated the youthful
friends of Edith, his daughter, to celebrate
her eighteenth birth day. Edith, tall and
graceful, with every accomplishment both of
mind and person, moved among the crowd
as too bright to be of earth-she was indeed
the queen of all hearts. When the hour for
refreshments had arrived, the sparkling wine
was sent on its mission, Its mission of what ?
All, many q Borrowing wife and beggared
child can answer. Among the assembly Of
beauty, wealth and fashion, there were seve-
raj who had taken upon themselves the VOWS
of total abstinence of that number was
Edith. But look she is proffering a glass
of the liquid poison to the one whom she soon
expects to lead her to the altar-he refuses
speaks ofhis pledge and hers. 1t will not do
he must drink it is fashionable, and unless
he does, he must forget her. The noble, gen
erous, truth-loving Eversdale drank with hi
betrothed. 1t is useless to tell hew, step b,
step, he went the road from wealth and posi-
ton, to the place we found him,-and far
Their yes, for his hands were dyed in the life
blood of my friend, his soiffs, ere the Ally Wis
saw fit to remove him from earth-his bod,
fills a drunkard's grave, his soul, OIL wher
is it?
His bright, Promisiag chtsasva aoto wan
der the strset-beggors. Ladies. beware j; 70,
may DO sowing seed the fruits Of which ma
cause your death and you who have cspouse
the cause of Temperance never forsake it, ;
it isnt fashionable. Let your influence b
exerted for the noble cause, and though som
may look with contempt upon you, when 20
refuse the social glass, remember at 6itet
IKE a serpent and stingeM like an adder"
Charlotte. LAURA.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
The Live Giraffe.

We have not seen this good hundred
Animal for some weeks, till recently. For
some reason he had discontinued his visits to
our stall. In his absence, we discover he
has been reaching for tall litter(ature) to
sprinkle around hin, q Ia Bonner, the Led
ger man. He has the promise of articles
from Miller, Winslow, Lewis, Hefin, Rogers,
and others, and promises if his subscription
is increased 1000, to give $500 to the Mount
Vernon Fund. Liberal-generous-patriot-
ic! Long may he wave, and his trough be
filled with the shining grain.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
The Partially of Public Opinion

The structure of human society demands
the most ready acquiescence and unquestion-
ing obedience to the mandate of public opin-
ion. Whether right or wrong it must be sub
mitted to promptly, or we hazard the conse-
quences. And yet it is manifest, that public
sentiment is so often hastily formed or made
up under the influence of prejudice or from
partial facts, that 1t has mo proper claim to
universal assent. Moreover, it is arbitrary
in its judgments, and too often bases its decis-
ions not upon what is right or what is crong,
but upon what men choose to determine to
be best or safest for society. Hence it is, the
innocent often suffer instead of the guilty,
and those who are least guilty, suffer most.
Perhaps, in no case, is this SO fully exem-
piled, as in the decisions Of society upon the
merits of male and female virtue. Men
and women are judged of by different rules,
and their conduct weighed in scales of quite a
different character. A higher Jtandard of
moral excellence is erected for females than
males. Of this we do not complain, because
while women naturally are no better than
men, their peculiar position, their immunity
from vicious temptation, and the high esti-
, mate placed upon female character by the
gterner sex, give them a decided superiority
r over men, III personal purity and refinement.
Consequently, a slight misdemeanor in a man
may be overlooked more readily than in a
woman, but a gross departure from the path
] of virtue in either case deserves equal pun
: ishment.
How different is the fact. Men may in
!. dulge to the greatest excess, in a licentious
. life, may, by their wiles, entrap and seduce
the unwary,-may bring to utter ruin num-
d bers of thoughtless, weak females, and yet be
regarded as gentlemen,-will meet with the
o recognition of respectable society, be admitted
into the most refined circles. But let a fee
], Bile, erring woman, once compromise her vir
tue, and she becomes an o%utcast, an unpitiet
If wretch, who can never hope by any amount
10 of repentance to wipe out the stain, and agair
re be recognized by the respectable and the vir
Il, tuous. Now, where is the justice or human
t. ity in this? By universal consent woman i
i'd ''the weaker vessel frail, helpless being
of who naturally leans to man as her p~rotecto
nd and friend. Often, her confidence in mar
her look of dependence, her claims upon hi
e. protection, are charged to the account of in
ur pure feelings and base designs, and under thi
ur p~retense, the vile seducer begins to emplo
tie his Vaccinations. Is it strange that he i
Ill alas, too often successful? The wonder
- that this misplaced confidence in man, so ma
ia ural tc females, docs not oftener terminate
ar their ruin.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
Always Harping on the same String.

A gentleman asked us not long since, if we
were not tired of always harping on that
old string of I~ntemperance % "Tiredm said
we, Eyes, we are tired Tired of having to
be continually ringing into the ears of our
fellow-men what fools and blackguards they
are making of themselves by the use of nasty,
mean whiskeyi Tired of seeing men sacri-
fcing family, honor, reputation, health and
even life ITSELF, upon the base altar of a de-
graded appetite-tired of seeing the youth
of the land inundated and destroyed-of see
ing genius Keeling in wild delirium-ofseein
so-called respectable and honorable men en-
gagged in perpetuating this God-defying and
soul-destroying curse upon society and es-
pecially are we tired of seeing protesting
Christians, like yourself, endeayoring to dis
parage and discourage the few true-hearted,
brave men, who in this day Of whiskey cor
ruption and degradation are barring their
breasts to the fiery storm and endeavoring to
beat back the devastating flames which are
only excelled by those of the nethermost hell,
and Of which they are the exact counterpart.
Three !'-Yes, we are tired of seeing and
hearing these things; but we are not tired Of
warning our fellow-meri againt these evils, and
pointing themfo the haven of .safety-the
glorious old Order of the Sons of Temperance
Sometimes we feel almost discouraged our
hands hang down for a moment, and oul
heads are bowed, when we think how little
we are able to accomplish-how men wl
rush on greedy of their own destruction. :
But then we remember the VOW we have ia
ken, to wage a bitter and interminable wa
against this vile destroyer of our race, and on
arms are nerved anew for the conflict. w
remember that we have been the honored in
struments of saving some from his vile cor
tagion, and with the fond hope and belief W
may benefit others, our hearts are cheere(
our souls rising above the gloom and despos
dcncy of the present, we seize the good oil
weapons Of yore, and with a shout for Go
andsHumanity we. rush into the conflict again
and with the glorious banner of Love, Purit
and Fidelity floating DER us, resolve to fgf
till we-die.l
No, no! We are not tired of fighting
preaching and writing for Temperance.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
Spirdoft ge9ge
RALgIGH C.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 80, 1859.
Special Notice.

The Spirit or THE AGE is conducted strict
~ upon the c-AsH-system. All papers are
discontinued at theexpiration of the time for
which they have been paid Subscribers
will be notified FOUR WEEKS before their time
is out, by a CROSS MARK on their papers and
unless the subscription is renewedthe papers
will be discontinued. This is. a rule from
which there viii be no departure. Watch
for the CROSS MARK, andrenew your subserip.
ton.
~ Subscribers desiring their papers
changed, must mention the Post Office, from
as well as the one to, which they desire ths
change to be made.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30

A DRUNKAKD EATEN UP BY R~ATTLEsNAKE..
We have heard Of drunkards being killed by
all kinds of accidents and coming to their
deaths from all sorts of causes; but the fol-
lowing is the first instance we have seen, in
which one was attacked by rattlesnakes.
The body of a vagrant Scotchman was
found a few days since, on Flat Rock, near
West Chazy, Clinton county, New York
Near the spot where the remains lay, is a
large chasm OF ledge OF rocks, that has so long
been known as the den of a great number of
rattlesnakes, and from the trails leading be-
tween the corps and rocks, it is evident that
the unfortunate man was killed by the SER
penis. The flesh was literally picked from
the bones. 1t is supposed thai the poor fel-
low wandered to the spot, and falling down
in a state of Inconsistencies, became an easy
prey to the reptiles.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30

INTERESTING TRlAL.-Obadiah Christmas,
of Granville, was convicted at tie recentterm
of Orange Superior Court, for the murder of a
slave belonging to a Mr.. Taylor, of Granville.
The trial lasted two days, immense crowds
being present all the time to witness it, and
hear the arguments of the eminent counsel
engaged in it. The following gentlemen ap-
peared for the State, viz: Thomas Ruffin,
Solicitor, T.B. Venahle, and Hon. E. G.. Reade.
For the prisoner, Hon. VIM A. Graham, NJ.
w. Ransom, Josiah Turner, and Henry. w.
Miller, Esqrs. The main plea set up by the
defence was insanity while under the infu-
ence of liquor. An appeal was taken to the
Supreme Court for a new trial. A Cores
pendent says
This trial caused as much interest, and elici-
ted as fine a display of ability and eloquence,
as any that has taken place in the State for
many years. The Judge declared in opening
his charge, that he had never heard ADLER ar
guments, and a fairer display of skill and ell
ton and the defence. mo North CAROLYN
ian" said he. could have heard the argu-
ments without feeling proud of his State"
[ heard a gentleman Of intelligence de-
clare that had such a conflict of illegal minds
such a display of argument, learning and elo-
qucnce been displayed in one Of the cities of
the North, it would have been heralded by
all the papers, to the utmost extremitiss Of
the Republic! But We people of the South
especially of North Carolina-caR do justice
to all creation but to our own home.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30

The ORATOR FROM n. C.-Mr. S. A. Web
er, of North Carolina, was the orator appoin-
ted for the anniversary celebration ofthe Cal
houn society of Woofford College, Spartans-
burg, S. G.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30
$19,40.
Amount,

Nineteen dollars and forty cents is a pref
ty considerable sum, to pay as tribute to
your own despotic tyrants, your artificial ap-
petites. When you are solicited to subscribe
for a newspaper, you say, Il would like to
have the paper, but my income and expenses
being so nearly balanced, I can't afford to
pay for it." Behold the above amount! Is
it not for unnecessary expenses? And if you
persist in the qualification of your appetites,
the probability is that the expenditure will
be augmented. But if it remains the same
for ten years, the amount at the end Of that
time would be one hundred and ninety -foar
dollars. A snug sum to have in the "rhino;"
and you may have it, if you give up your Ii
quor and tobacco. Think oft, young man!
and the comforts the sum would purchase
for a poor man. Yours, Respectfully,
TYRO.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-30

CANE-An ebony cane. mounted with a
richly chased gold head, was presented to Ex-
Governor Reid of North Carolina. at the close
of bis Senatorial term, by a number of North
Carolinians in Washington, ID. C.
The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-12-22

Mr.. Editor: In a short article in
the Farmer about toads, it says: "He
rolls up his old coat in pile and swal-
lows it."
Now, as / have seen him pull off his
coat and pants, and friend has seen
another do the same thing, in precisely
the same way, it may be interesting to
others to know the process.
About the middle of July, ! found a
toad on hill of melons, and not want
ing him to leave, hoed around him.
He appeared sluggish and not inclined
to move. Presently / observed him
pressing his elbows against his sides,
rubbing downwaras. He appeared so
singular that / watched to see what he
was up to. After few smart rubs,
his skin began TO burst open straight
along his back. Now, said 1, old fell
low, you have done it; but he appeared
to be unconeerned, and kept on rub
bing until he had worked down all his
skin into folds on his sides and hips
then grasping one hind leg with his
hands, he hauled off one leg of his
pants the same as anybody would, then
stripped the other in the same way
He then took his cast-of' cuticle for
ward, between his fore-legs and swal-
lowed it; then, by raising and lower
ing his head, swallowing as his head
come down, he stripped off the skin
underneath until it came to his fore
legs, and then grasping one of these
with the opposite hand, by considera-
bic pulling stripped off the skin !;
changing hands, he stripped the other.
and by slight motion of the head he
drew it from the throat and swallowed
the whole, and occupied but short
tine.-X T.. Farmer.
The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-12-22
An Infant Baboon.

The following curious account of a
baboon family is translated from re-
cent French work, by NJ. Boitard, for
GoodricHs Illustrated Natural HIS
tory: rfg7rr
"There have been and still are in
the Menagerie of the Garden Of Plants,
Paris, number of balloons, and four
yeasr ago female who had young
one furnished one of the most amusing
and singular spectacles ever wit
messed. She was placed with it in a
cage, near the one she formerly occu-
pied with several other of the ami
mails of the same species. The infant
baboon was hideously ugly, but she
lavished upon it the most tender car
esses. When it was eight days old,
she doorof communication was opened,
and her male entered. The mother,
seated in the middle of the cage, held
the young heir in her arms precisely
as nurse would do under similar cir
cumstances. The happy father APP
preached and embraced his mate with
French gallantry upon each side of the
face; he then kissed the little one, and
sat down opposite the mother, so that
their knees touched each other. They
then both began to move their lips
with rapidity, taking the young one
from each others arms, as if. they were
having most animated conversations
concerning it. aE.H 7ief1
"The door was again opened and
the baboon friends entered one after
another, each embracing the mother.
who, however, would not allow them
to touch the yonug one. They seated
themselves in circle and moved their
lips, as if facilitating the happy couple
on the arrival of the son and heir. and
perhaps finding in it a marvellous re-
semblance to either the father or the
mother. The scene was very much
like that which often takes place il the
human family on similar occasions, ex-
cept that we suspect the Fluctuations
were more heartfelt and genuine on the
part of the brntes than on that of their
more favored prototypes.
:" All the balloons wished to caress
the young one; but no sooner did one
put forward his hand than a good slap
from the mother warned him of his in
discretion. Those who were placed
behind her stretched their hand out
silly, slid it under her arm, and succeed
ed sometimes, to their great Joy, in
touching the little one without the
mother preceiving it, particularly when
she was engaged in conversation. But
smart correction soon taught them
that their indiscretion was observed,
and they quickly retreated. 1t was
evident that the monkey mother, thor
oughly acquainted with the require
ments of her position, knew perfectly
well how to divide her attention be-
tween her guests and her infant
charge"