davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

SNAKE CHARMING. A gentleman,
named G. F. Wirsen, Swede by
birth, but for several years past a res
ident of California, came to Atlanta a
few days ago, and proposed to the
faculty of the Medical College, that be
would submit to them some facts in
relation to snake charming that must
forever put to rest the idea that such
q thing as charming a snake cannot be
done. Mr.. ". gave one or two pri-
vate exhibitions, aud at length he an
nounced public exhibition for Satnr-
day last A box containing some
twenty five snakes, among which was
a rattlesnake with seven rattles, a large
cotton-mouth moccasin, the copper
head or rattlesnake's pilot, two differ
ent species Of the viper, and several
species of the water noccasin. He
first took the ratflesnake in his hand,
shook his rattles, played with him and
coiled him about his neck. He next
took the cotton mouth moccasin, and
went through with the same maneu-
yres with him, and so on through with
all the Others. He had at one time
the whole twenty five crawling around
his head, shoulders and neck, playing
with him, touching his whiskers with
their tongues, and actually kissing
him.
He put them on the floor and tor
mented them in q manner that we
should call cruel but not one Of them
attempted to bite him, or to show the
slightest anger, no matter what he
did. He picked them all up and put
them into his bosom. They were then
returned to the box, every one salts
fed of one thing that is, bis complete
control over them. A small stout dog
was then brought in, when Mr.. Wir-
sen took out the rattlesnake, aud in
an instant his rattles were in motion,
and the anger of the snake aroused.
Mr.. w. held him in his hand while
he bit the dog twice. he then coiled
the rsttlesnake around his neck, and
took out the cotton.mouth moccasin,
which bit the dog once fercely.
From the moment the dog was first
bitten, aud he seemed in excellent
health before, be looked dull, and
dropped and died in an hour. This
was to all the most satisfactory evil
dence that the snakes were venomons,
but perfectly charmed aud innocent in
the hands Of Mr.. Wirscn. --AtIonto,
(Go. Inteliigencsr, June IL.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

TIE New Workers are gaping at
the Great Eastern-the journals write
longl leaders about the Barnacles on
her keel-while the dollar-men are
figuring out how she will be made to
pay. She was opened on Tuesday to
the public-admittance one dollar,
children half-price. Bishop Hughes
was conducted through it on Satur-
day, The workmeu are now engaged
in painting her up for the inspection
of such of the public as can realize a
dollar. The Shadow Of Death seems
to haunt the Great Eastern, as two
men have already been accidentally
killed since she anchored at her pre-
sent station
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04
B. B. BLACKWELL, EDITOR.

her in ?" roared Tim, "she's rnnnin'
away. What'll we do? Oh, golly
cnss the critter-can't she be brought
tn ?"
A way who eomprehended Tins
predicament, observed
"You are in for it now, my friend,
we don't stop till we get to Orleans. +"
81 told him to keep away from the
blasted varment," screamed Rachel,
"now what will become Of us |"
Tim was in despair. At this mo-
ment the steamers whistle uttered one
of its sharpest notes, and Tins hair
stood on end.
"Hello, she's loose, squealin' and
kickin' !" ahrieked Tim 80 goll,
Rachel, We are lost ~ and in the alb
scnce of the knowledge of any prayer,
he tried to repeat part Of the bles-
sing he had heard Deacon Snively ask
at the table.
By this time the captain had heard
of poor Tins misfortune, and kindly
ordered the boat to land, and Tim and
Rachel once more stood on terra frma
Footing it back with all despatch, they
found old gray still fast to the post !;
and not many minutes elapsed before
his head was turned homeward, with
Tim and Rachel, who were perfectly
satisfied with what they had seen Of
the world in general, and their expe-
rience in ateamboating in particular
Great West.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04
"Tis his" said Ike, ''tor here is his

"Tis his" said Ike, 'for here is his
name on it."
Well, well Heaven be good to us''
replied she, 'for we are none of us
any better than we ought to be, and
some do worse than playing cards"
at is a visiting card" urged Ike,
clearing up the mystery as the sun
clears up a shower, land he's left it
for vou."
"How very kind" said she smiling
II wonder what St. Paul did for cards
when he went visiting. He must
have suffered for Them
She placed the card between the
leaves of her old Bible and Ike threw
his bran new cap at the cat asleep in
the shaving basket.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

CASE OF HARDEN. The terrible
tragedy in the life Of Jacob S. Harden
is drawing to close. The curtain
will soon drop upon short but Grim
inally eFentful life, and the earth will
receive specimen of as hardened
moral perceptions as ever appeared
upon the public stage.
In the case Of this young man there
is much to astonish mankind Young,
tolerably well gifted, with more than
an ordinary genial nature, carrying in
his exterior o successful religious zeal,
and yet, with ell, most complete
hypocritc, he presents to the world an
enigma which battles the most astute
physiological student, leaving all to
wonder, whether, after all, he is man
Of sound mind for it seems to be in
possible for one born in the quiet of
mountain neighborhood to have grown
to he so monstrously wicked in SO
short time.
We received Intelligence on Gatnr-
day evening, which is reliable, not on
ly confrmatory of the charges made
against Harden during the trial, but
revealing an amount of guilt beyond
these circumstances almost incredi-
BILE.
Our informant states that even now
Harden is writing his confession, and
that he has communicated certain
portions Of it to the jailor, and one or
two others.
The administration Of poison to his
wife commenced on her return to Ram
sey's and was given to her while sit
ting on his knee, even during the en-
dearments of an apparently loving
wife. He kindly invited her to par
take of an apple on which he had
spread arsenic. She unsuspectingly
ate it, remarking that it appeared to
have something on if. He replied
that it was nothing"
There are statements said to have
been made by the prisoner, involving
his criminality with others who shared
his affections, but we do not think it
proper to speak of them until Harden
chooses to make them public himself.
His purchase of the arsenic at East
on, his using that which was about
the house, are all confirmed by Har.
den's own words. What is most as.
tonishing is the statement that in the
preparation of these enormities, HaT-
den does not seem TO have had the
slightest compunctions. He did them
without for once thinking that he was
doing anything dreadful |
At request Of the young mans re-
ligious advisers, Gov. Olden has con-
sented to respite his sentence 50 the
sixth day Of July.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

THE LAST Hours OF De QUINCY.
4 Mr. j. T. Fields furnishes the Boston
Transcript with the following
Il have learned few particulars of
the last days Of the "opium eater'
from those who loved him and who
closed his eyes. When they sent for
the Kind physician who attended him
through his final illness, he received
him with that gracious, winning man.
ner for which be was so remarkable.
and briefly expressed the nature of
his indisposition. Then be conversed
very clearly and eloquently on other
topics, ane seemed cheerfully resigned,
During the next following three or
fonr days he grew better, and those
about him were constantly reminded
of passages in his published writings
wherein he had written of DEATH
Slight and transient febrile attacks,
such as are incid entail to those who
have passed the allotted span of human
life, required at intervals. He read,
however constantly, and always with
out spectacles, although his age had
already carried him to nearly seventy
four. When he became fatigued with
holding the book, one of his daughters
read to him !; but be always NANTES
ted the utmost solicitude lest he should
give trouble to those who ministered
around his bed.
Zone of the last volumes he ever
looked over, was Allibone's Dictionary.
The mention Of himself in its pages
seemed to give him pleasure, and led
him to speak Of the manner in which
his writings had been received in
America. With tranquil composure
and a serene spirit he now began to
set bis house in order for that depar.
ture which be felt vas nigh at hand.
Corteous expressions of gratitude con-
atantly fell from his lips 60 those who
waited on him, as he lay feeble in body
bnt with all his fine intellect undimmed.
Weeks went on, and he grew weaker.
Shortly before be died he seemed filed
with a holy, Calm delight and was Of
ten heard speaking so those who had
gone before him. Always he had
shown through life a great-intereat in
little children, and now with extreme
fondness he TALKED of young people he
had loved il years gena by. On
Wednesday, morning he blessed his
eldest daughter who came TO his bed
side Then turning 10 those who
stood around, he said "fhank you.
and these were his last words on earth.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04
The Great Eastern.

The long expected Great Eastern
has arrived at last. Thursday morn
ing the city Of New York was thrown
into a terrible state of excitement by
the announcement that the big steam
er was coming up the bay. The crowd
pushed towards the battery, and in a
few minutes many hundreds Of people
were assembled at that place. The
bay~was soon filed with steamers and
yachts, all turning their way towards
the Hook. At ii o'clock, A. NJ,
she reached Sandy Hook, where she
was obliged to wait till O'Clock for
the tide. At haIfpast four o'clock
she passed the Battery, attended by
an immense feet of small craft loaded
with spectators. The United States
steamship Niagara, which is anchored
in the bay, seemed perfectly insignif-
cant along side the Leviathan. Un-
less some satisfactory explanation can
be given Of the great length of timesit
took her to cross, we shall consider her
great humbug. Twelve days is the
average time made nv the second class
steamers, and most of the crack boats
make the passage in nine and half
days 1t will be remembered that 100
to 40 hours was the time which the
Great Eastern was at first advertised
to make II, however, the telegraph
reports are correct, she must be a very
comfortable boat for travelling, as she
is free from the unsteady motion which
accompanies most vessels
Nothing more beautiful than her in
terror arrangements has ever been
achieved in naval architecture. She
has ten saloons, altogether-fve on
the upper and FIVE on the lower decks
the length varying from sixty to
seventy feet. These saloons have more
the appearance OF grand public hall
than the cabin Of a vessel, They are
finished with all the elegance of the
most sumptuons hotel, and want no
appliances for bodily comfort.
She is more than twice as long as
the steamer Niagara-being eight nun
dred feet from stem to stern-and in
bulk is over four times as large. Her
capacity Is IS, 975 tons, or, by build
er's measurement, Hpon which esti
mates are generally based, %. 500 tons.
Her width is SO feet, and from paddle
box to paddle-box 800 feet. She has
six masts, which carry not less than
six Thousand five hundred yards of
canvas, almost enough to drive half
dozen of the ordinary packet ships,
which were once the chief mode of con-
veyance between the Old and New
Worlds. In case of accident there are
numerous life boats ready for immedi-
ate use, and two steam screw propel-
Tors which could be made available at
q few moments notice. Her construc-
ton required thirty thousand iron
plates, weighing in the aggregate ten
thousand tons, and to fasten these to
gether not less than three millions Of
bolts were required. The aggregate
weight of these bolts is about twenty
millions of pounds.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

BURNING OF A CATHOLIC CHrEcH.-
The Roman Catholic German Church.
" Holy Trinity" corner of Sixth and
Spruce streets, Philadelphia. was de.
stroyed b. IRE on Saturday afternoon,
and completely Quilted The valuable
altar painting of the Crueif1ion alone
was saved. Loss about S25. 600; in
surance, $4,000. The fire was caus-
ed by a " chaser" or "double-header."
This serves as another. warning to
those who use or allow fireworks on
the Fourth.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

A NARROW EscAPE-A CHURCH
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, During a
violent thunderstorm which passed
over Bloomfield n. J., on Tuesday,
June 18th, between Z and 8 O'Clock,
the Methodist Church, where a straw
berry festival was in progress, was
struck by lightning. Happily the
rain had made the attendance at the
festival thin, so that there were but
about one hundred and fifty persons
in the building at the time. Five or
six of these were assisting in transfer
ring the contents of tables which had
been spread out doors during the af-
ternoon, to the interior of the Church.
Of this number hardly one escaped
without receiving a shock more or
less severe. Mr.. Joseph Osborn was
the most seriously injured. The cleo
tricity apparently glanced from the
tin water-leader, near which he stood,
to his arm. He was knocked senseless
and it required the free use of cold
water and other restoratives for nearly
an hour to revive him. A young man
inside the building received so severe
a shock as to need medical assistance,
and lady who was near on open win
dow, had a hole burned in her dress.
Others were slightly injured, but the
majority were only startled. Many
who were not sensible of having re-
ceived any of the electricity at the
time, complaint next day of a numb
ness in their limbs. Strange to say
the Church itself, which was of brick,
was not injured in the least. It had
no lighsning.rod, and the only reason
able explanation of the miraculous es-
cape of the building and its inmates,
wpicll was offered, was, that the cleo
tricity must have been dissipated, aud
that a portion of it passed down the
water-leader to the ground, The
tearing up Of the soil in one or two
places sustained this theory.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

TIE three days later advices from
Europe come to Us by the Adriatic,
which arrived at New York yesterday
morning. She brings 800 passengers,
coo tons cargo, and reports success
sion Of unrulY westerly winds since she
left IlaTre and CoHes. Among her
passengers are NJ Henry Marcier,
new French ambassador at Washing
ton, and family Fl De V. Glen
hoorsh, our consul at Rome, who
comes home the bearer Of dispatches.
The enlistment of the Irish peasantry
in the service of the Pope had excited
comment in Parliament. Means viii
be taken for its suppression.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04
guRt's SNupk.
From the Gloucester County Times
SANDER.
Ely MRS. J. q. A.

Slander, thou vile perfdioua one,
Thou Demon dark, with venom'd tongue ;
Some evil spirit gave the birth,
Then sent thee here to this bright earth.
Would'st thou had kept thy hideous face.
Forever in its native place
For Untold mischief thou hast done,
Ten thousand hearts with anguish wrung.
Through thee, fair youth has lost its bloom,
And droop'd, and fell within the tomb
Made aged hearts to throb with pain,
And sever'd love sweet bonds in tAain.
Asundsr cut warm friendships ties,
And crush d fond hopes no more to rise
In kindred hearts, bred discord, strife,
And set at variance man and wife.
Filch'd from the virtuous their good name,
And atamp'd it with disgrace and shame
Rohb'd homes of their domestic peace,
Bid joy and love forever cease
But oh, thou evil trsaeheTous one,
When sill thy work on earth is done
With spirits foul, where darkness rsigns,
VIII be thy place, on HADEs PLAINS.
f1ylsonyfHs. N ] 1860
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

HARDEN's CONFESSION. The con-
fession of the Rev. Mr. Harden viii
not be made public until the day of
his execution, or perhaps after, when
it will be published, together with
history of his life written by himself,
in book form, the copyrights of which
will be secured for the benefit Of bis
father. There are many ramors as to
the details Of the confession. none of
which are reliable.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

A printer, not long since, hsviDE
been flung By bis sweetheart, went to
the Office to commit suicide With the
shooting stick. !" The devil wish.
ing to pacify, told him TO 60 into the
sanct1n where the editor vas writing
duns to delinquent Subscribers. He
says that picture Of dispair reconciled
Dim to bis fate.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04
gIt(istellany,
A Wedding Excursion.

In the evening the ceremony was
performed which made Tim and Ra-
chel an unit, and after the company
had 1iquored ali round, Tim, who had
talked it up with Rachel, boldly an
nounced the desperate resolution of
starting the next morning on a grand
tour Of observation.
"He had always been to hum" he
said, land never seen nuthin, and now
he was goin' straight to c., and
afore he came back he would see a
steamboat, if there was such thing
anyhow"
The village of c. was about
fifty miles distant, lying on the Ohio
river, and a journey there from Tins
residence in those days was deemed a
great undertaking Some Of them
thought Tim had taken leave Of his
senses, or certainly he was not in earn
est, but he assured them he was, and
the next morning, tackiing up old
gray and putting in a supply Of pork
and beans for the Journey, Tim and she
now Mrs. Higgings started on their
bridal tour. The second day the
hopeful psir, without accident arrived
at c. Just as they were entering
the town, it So happened that the
steamer Pennsylvania was rounding
il to make a landing Tim caught
sight of her smoke pipes, and in an
ecstacy Of wonder and delight, cried
out:
There she comes now. by hoky !
Lock at her Rach ! Je-ru- salem !
Jest as Squire stokelY said-smokes
ike burniu' foller She's comm to
shore III, BY gravy l awou Je-mi-
ma what creek i-furder across than
from our house to Shadows mill =
amt it Rach (? See they are tyin' up
the varment with halter Wonder
if it's skeery and pulls Here's a post
let's tie old gray and 60 down TO
the critter
Thunder what's that how it
snorts =
lyon better keep away from it, Tim
it might swaller you down like wink
H." said Rachel.
I Amt afeared, said Tim, folks are
comm of now. She's good natured
reckon, only spirited
BY this time gray was made fast
aud Tim and Rachel were moving
cautiously in the direction of tht
boat.
"No balkip', Rach, Tn goin' on Ii
her"
The plank was out, and Tim, fol
lowed slowly by Rachel, boldly walked
up and stood alongside the engine.
"See how she sweats-they must
have put her through" said Tim.
II say old boss, said Tim address
ing the engineer, ''moye her jest &
little-I want to see how she travels. ;
"she'll move sdirectly," replied The
man of steam, "better keep out of hel
way"
Tim and Rachel now wendell thei
way to the main deck, and SO com
pietely absorbed were they in wha
they saw, that they did not obserV,
the preparations made for her depar
ture. At the last tap of the bell, Tin
thought there must be o meetin' some
where, but had no idea it was any
thing that concerned him. At length
as Tim afterwards expressed it, "sh,
began TO breathe hard, and the water
began to splash, and Tim for the first
time observed that they were in til,
middle Of the river.
Hello here, old boss p screamed
Tim, Il say cap'n, what in thunder
are you 'bont?-where you goin' tu2'
They were now under full headway
and Tim saw the town and odd gray
disappearing like magic.
Thunder i--why don't you hole
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

SENTENCE CoMMurEp.--The New
Jersey Court of Pardons during their
last session COMMITTED the sentence of
David Stewart, the colored boy, con.
victed Of murder in Gloucester county
and condemned to bS hung, from desth
to imprisonment for life, On the ground
u his imbecility
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

DEATH or A JAPAEESE.--The latest
California mails received at n Orleans
announce that one Of the japanese,
left sick in San Francisco Hospital BY
the Cdndfaaaa7ysth, has since died
and been buried.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

COLLEGE STATIsTlcs.--In The col
leges of our land, containing last year
about 5000 students, 2l6Q0 ara mem
bers Of the church. Of whom nearly
1000 were added the previous yeag.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

He that takes away reason to make
way for revelation, puts out the life
of both, and is as if be would persuade
. man to put ont his eyes the better
to receive the remote light Of an in-
visible star By telescope.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

TIE POPULATION OF JAfAx. -AThe-
number of the inhabitants of japan is
to great extent matter Of coniec-
ture. Some writers place it as low as
100000, while others have estima-
ted it as high as 4005O,0e0. From
a calculation based upon the revenues
and their equivalent in rice, there seems
good reason for assuming that the es-
innate of $4,000 900 is not too great.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

THE following occurred in q school
near London.
Teacher-"What part o. speech Is
the word egg ~
Boy (hesitatingly Noun. sir"
Teacher.-"What is ms gender 7"
Boy (perplexed) -"Can't tel SIR"
Teacher-Is It masculine, feminine,
or neuter 7"
Boy Cooking shsrp)-"Cah't say.
sir, till it's Matched"
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

We should make the same use of
book, that bee does of a flower; she
steals the sweets from it but does not
injure it.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

POVERTY sticks to man after all
bis friends and the rest of mankind
have deserted him.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

THE best way to humble proud
man is to take no notice of him.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

~VsF1 tIo uut IOYE.
" What then, oh say {"
7" Well, then, we dine on GOOSE TO.
day, the onions hare been peeling. Z
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-07-04

SAY, maiden, fair, why dost thou
weep Some secret sorrow. hidden
deep within thy heart, is bringing into
thine eyes those pearly tears, sweet
memory of by-gone years, thus foun.
tain like of unrequited love dream
wakes from its hidden source, tbt
stream that down thy cheek is steal.
ing?n
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-10
Boarb anD Rcoms.

BOARD in WESTMINSTER COUNTY.-A
I'D Lady occupying with one child her In Mount
Vernon near ksoad Depot about hours distance from
the City small niy With welliu'pished
suit. al ROOMS plain substantial BU ARD Terms
able good opportunity for DESTROYS Of eiuciug
pepse No other boerdeTt In the house arrange
nept preferred Ben references exchanged Address M G.
p Mount Vernon, Wes,cbester County, N. Y.
WILLIAMSBURG BOARD.-A pleasant
w weurn sbed front ROOM the second floor may
be had In private family here the comforts Of no bs
lad for gentleman and wife single gentlemen By
flying No 4s South within three minutes walk Of the
ferries
New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-10

FOR sALE--In Brooklyn, TO close an Es aae,
tie ns,g three story basement and sub ooar bhoWN'
sToNE-FRoST HoUsEs' Nos is, 10 and 81 Second place
iots 20 inches ls3 feet 81 incbes Parties on
purchasing wb find desirable both on account OF oA
noe and being aniAed In thorough manner With sss"Soa
nste Dsah rooms marble basins speaking tubes range 'u
mace &c large proportion Of tho purchase can re-
ut0T, No 80 Besysr-t, NswYcrE'