davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
THE BIBLE.

Sitting alone ia my study, | fell into train
of reflections on the preservation of the Bible
sna It's infaaaue on the history of man. Here
before me lies an uupretending little book
What volume of thought does it suggest -
II is By many centuries the Oldest book 10 the
world More than three thousand years ago
the FIRST word Of it was written IN the desert
of Arabia; more than seventeen hundred, the
last word was written on the rocky isle of Pat
mos 1t has been read By more people than
sll other books in tue world put together
liore Of il is remembered by men than all the
books that were ever written. 1t treats OF
questions of the highest moment TO ali men,
ard proposes to reveal that for which the wi
sest OF al! ages have sought in Vsin-the Sc
cret of true happiness. These very letters
that pass under my eye are the same as those
traced by the finger Of God on tae tablets of
stone amd the thunders and hghtnings OF
Mount Sinai. The language in which the New
Testament was written, is the same IN which
Solon, Plato and Demosthenes wrote and
spoke.
This book has survived the revolutions and
cSances of three thousand years. 1t has seen
Nineveh, Babylon, Memphis, Thebes, Tyre,
SidoD, Carthage, Rome, Athens, aud thous-
and other cities, rise, flourish and fall. 1t has
lived amid wars the most bloody, aWid desola-
tions the most complete, amid tyranny the most
erindiae, amid darkness the most profound,
am,a suparstitiops the most degrading, amid
idolatry the most repulsive, amid blasphemy
the most heaveu-daFiBg, and has been against
all these the great witness of God. This book
has outliyed all the efforts made to shake the
faith of man 10 its revelations and to Danish it
from the world. CELSIUS, Porphyry, Julian aud
"A host of others, fereely attacked 1t in the first
ages of the Church, but 1t still lived; Hume,
Hobbies. Voltaire, Paine, and many others of
the rab5le rout of infdelity, in modern times,
but it still lives, while its enemies sleep in dis-
honorcd graves.
This book has laid hold OF all classes
The warrior has carried it next his heart in
the storm Of battle, and often has the bullet
aimed st his life buried itself in the leaves of
bis Bible 1t has been laid upon the throne
of the monarch as his safest guide book IN the
administration os justice. 1t has been exalted
by the priest in the cathedral, amid solemn
chants and peniteniial confessions of sin. II
has been sought by the world-sick for its heal
iag balm; by the hermit in his cell for its con-
seatioRs; by the poor man for its promise OF
more than earthly riches; by the homeless
w4nderer for It's promises of ''home 10 heav-
en;'' by he guilty for its assurance of par
don, by the living for its guiding principles OF
tra'hi ty the dying for lis password into the
heavenly places"
ibis book has been given TO the world in all
ITS bsebing tongues. In more than two hun
dfei lsnguages and dialects it is read BY a
h'nfai race. Il has long been unclaimed from
'ee blsh sitars of grey old temples, aud sent
out to all the tribes, nations, and people Of
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
Anecdote Of ahe late ce.. Preston.


Many Of our readers remember tie stately
presence, the digniGed bearing and imposing
manner of Col. w. c. Preston, of South Car,
oliua. 1t was when all these qualities we're in
their prime, and Preston represented his State
in the Senate of the United States, that basi-
ness or pleasure called him 10 the West, and
to take passage dows the Mississippi river
In those flush times the steamers swarmed
with boosters, greeuhorns and gamblers, the
latter politely designated sporting gentlemen, :
the term 'blackleg or gambler entailing on the
speaker pistol shot or wipe from bowie
knife.
The boat was on the eve of departure, and
our Senator, stardiug on the deck, aud holding
small mahogany box, was observing With
great interest and pleasure the busy scene on
the wharf, when an individual, luxuriating in
rather ornate style of dress, approached him,
and in subdued tones demanded:
q say, old feller, when are you going to
commenced
'Commeuce what, sir.' asked the astonishad
Souator.
'Pshaw none of that CANNON with me -
The fact is, few of us boys on board want a
little fun, and we won't pile it o. 100 strong
for you; SO come aud open al ouoe,'
'RealIy, SIR said Preston, i am totally at
a loss to guess your meaning; open what!'
'0pen whall Why, the bank, of course
Maybe you think our pile isE't largo enough to
make it an object. But we're not so poor a.
all that, anyhow
The Senator meditatsd gloomily, but all vas
dark to him; he was plunged 10 a sea OF doubt
and he had never met any problem, not even a
political one SO hard to solve
| Perhaps, broke 10 his pertinacious friend
again, after considerable pause, perhaps yoa
will say directly that you are not sporting
mani
4 eertaialy am nothing Of the kind, SIR re-
joined Preston, rather aogrily, 'and can't
imagine what put the idea uto your head
sNot sporting man Whew-wi | never
heard Of such piece of impudence Well,
if you're not sporting man, Will yaa please
to tell me Why you carry the tools sboat With
you?' and be pointed 70 the mahogany boz
whah he still carried.
A light broke on Prestoa's mind. The
mahogany box . he cried sAh, yes ht, ho .
Very natural mistake, indeed, mY good sir,
very natural indeed. Well, VII show you
the contents Aud laughing heartily, be
opened the box iu question, which vas, 10 fact,
his dressing case, and displayed tie asaai pa
rade of brushes, combs, razors, soap, etc,
which usually FL tbat article of iraveiug COM
fort.
Our friend looked at The case, then at Pres
ton again. Then be beaved long sigh, aud
theo be pondefed
'Well,' he broke oui at length, Il dii take
you to be sporting geutlemen-I did, but
nov see you arc barber, and if Ia known
it, hang me if I'D spoke TO sou and SO say
ing, be vamosed.
Fancy the feelings of our honorable Senator
as he assumed these various characters in the
eyes of an anxious stranger.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
TalIeyrand and Arnold.

There was day when Taleyrand arrived il
Hayre on loot from Paris. il was the dsrkeet
| boar Of the Revolution. Pursued BY The blood,
hounds Of the reign Of terror, stripped o
every wreck Of property, TelleyraDd secured s
| passage to America Id a. ship about to sail. He
! was begger and wanderer to strange land
20 earn bis daily bread By labor.
1 u there an American stopping al your house
he asked the landlord of the hotel, am going
across the water, and would like letter to a
/ person of influence 10 America.
The landlord hesitated moment and then
replied;
There is gentleman upstairs, bat it ia more
taan eau tell whether be is from America or
England.
Il 10 pointed the way, aud Tailoyrand-- who,
n MS life, was bishop, prince and minister
assembled the stairs miserable snppliant stood
before lhe strangers door, knocked and was
admitted.
Ia Ear ceraer Of the dimly lighted room,
sas man Of some fifty years, bis arms foIded
AMI his head bowed upon bis breast. From a
wiedow ditectly opposite, food Of light poured
upon his forehead. his eyes looked from be-
noatb the dowaeast brows, upon TalleyrsnG' 5
faee, With a peculiar and searching expression.
flia face was striking 10 outline, tue mouth and
ctSu Indicative of an iron will. His form, Wig
orous evsu With the soows of Gfty, was clad
10 dark bat rich and distinguished costume
Taileyraad adVaneed-staied that he was a
fagitivs-and the impression that the gentleman
before bim was an American, solicited bis kind
feelings and Offices
Hs poured forth his history in eloquent French
aud broken English.
am wanderer and an exile. / am forced
io AZ to the New World without friend or shell
ter. GiFe me then, beseech you, letter Of
Yolgs, SO that may be able to earn my bread.
| aEa willing to toll 10 any mauner--a life of
labar would be q paradise to career of luxury
IN France. You viii give me letter to four
friSndss a gentleman ike you has doubtless
many friends.
Tie strange gentleman arose. With look
shss Talleyf never forgot, be re,reated 10
the d0aT Of the next chamber, his eyes sat
sooAiug fToln teaealh his dsfkeBed crow
an the only nan ofthe pew world who can
raise his hand to God and say: | have cot .
friend-not one in all America.
Tslleyrand never forgot the overwhelming
sadness Of lock which accompanied these
words
Who are youl he cried, as the strange man
retreated into the next room--your uamel
by name, be replied, with smile that had
more of nockery than joy 10 the eonyulsive
expression, roy name is Benedict Arnold.
lie was gone. Talleyrand sank into the chair,
gasping the words:
ARNOLD the traitor
Thus be wandered over the earth, another
Cain, with the nnrdarer's mark upon his
brow.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
/ Commercial View Of Secession.

I
! We may as we'll have word about seces-
sion as about any other inprobability, so long
as people make it topic Of talk Without
tonehiug the political aspects Of the case iu
| this financial column, three or four plain mat
sers, which, in a business point of view, will
be likely to interfere somewhat seriously With
the South Carolina frolic.
| l. If South Carolina has right TO secede,
any other State has similar right, or any
number of other States. Suppose, then, that
OF the present Thirty Three 10 the Union.
thirty two should secele, leaving only one IN
the Republic. TO whom would the creditors
of the Government look to for the payment of
the National Debt And if that single State,
for instance, were New Jersey, how much
money would the creditors be likely ever to
get
2. II South Carolina secsdes, she aDuuls tae
right Of tie National Government TO send its
mail bags through her postofises. What will
business men say to this, who wish TO hint oc-
| casionaliy to their Southern customers, By
friendly reminders through the mail, thatcer-
tain notes for last springs goods are falling
due
3. If South Carolina secedes she will cease
to pay her custom-house duties. But If one
State may claim this exemption every other
may. What then becomes OF the natipnal
revenue The Goyeramsnt will end, and
trade will eud With il.
4. Ii South Carolina has Fight.to secede,
she has 3 right to secede at one time as veil
as at another. so has any other State. Sup
pose, then, tue Federal Government we're 10
pay $l5u,000, 900 for Guba, aud where to ad-
nit The Island as State. Tho new State
would hs7e right like South Carolina to so-
cede at any time, and might secede the very
next day alter she was paid for, and thuseheAt
the Government, by gamblers trick, out pf
$I50. .000, 900.
D. Ii South Carolina secedcs, she
ly carries With her the public WORKS
stand upon her own soil. Now, what III, @deh
the Pacific Railroad shaIl be built-s1e MI
the whole conutry uncoanted suns ofsais neys
--slie States through whose borders 1t VIII run
were to sacede and carry out of the Uaion as
! tsses handsome prlze-uE ibair eeeeszsaa, sAA.
whole ine OF the railroad, taus ro5bing tbs
rest of the nation Of tdat which they gave 10
build it!
No; South Caroliua hiss 40 right 10 socede.
She viii amase herself awhile By waving
Palmetto flags, and by wearing disunioL cock
ades, but sae has not forgotten that Gen
Jackson once sont Winfield Scott TO fire gun
frcm Fort Moultre, and that a single cannon
ball stopped the Secession. We think The
present Secession will not need even blank
eaitriase to kill it.-.N Y. Independent.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
The Little Quakeress who was Des.
peFately in Love.

An amusing matrimonial story is told of the
olden time 10 New England. 1t so foil ont
that two young people became very much
smitten with each other as young people do.
The young woman's father was wealthy
Quaker-the young man was respectable
The father could stand no such union, and re-
Solutely opposed it, and the daughter dare not
disobey openly. She ssmst him by moonlight, -
when she pretended never to see him, aad she
pined and wasted away. She was really in
love state of sghs and tears, which woman
oftner reach in imagination than reality. Still
the father remained inexoratle.
Time passed 0D, and the rose oD Mary's
damask cheek passed off. She let no conceal
ment, like worm IN the bud, prey on that
danask cheek, however, but when the father
asked her why she pined, che always told him.
The old gentleman was widoSer, and loved
his daughter dearly. Had it been widowed
mother who bad Mary in charge, widow s
pride would have given way before tho impor-
tnnities of daughter. Men are not, how
ever. stubborn in such matters, and when the
father saw that his daughters heart was really
set upon the match, he surprised her one day
by breathing out
"Mary, rather than nope to death, thee had
better. marry soon as thee chooses, and whom
thee pleases."
And then what did Mary Wait till the
birds of the air had told her swain OF the
change, or until her father had time TO alter
bis mind again Not BIT of it. She clap
ped her neat, plain bonnet on ber head and
walked directly to the house of her intended,
as the street would carry her. She walked
into the house without knockiug--for kuock-
ing was not then fashionable--an she found
the family just sitting down to dinner.
Some little c0mmotion was exhibited at 30
unex pected and so unusual an apparition as
the heiress 10 the widows cottage, but che
needed it not John looked up iuquiringly.-
She walked directly up TO him aud took both
his hands into hers.
'sJohn,' said she, ''fa.her says ! may have
thee.''
And John got directly up from tie dinner
table, and went TO the PARSONS. In just
twenty five minutes they we're man and wife.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
How Sal e'disgraced the Family. "

A traveller 10 the State of Illinois, some years
ago, came to lone, log hut, ON tha prairios,
near Cairo, and there halted. He went into
the house. 1t was wretehed affair, with au
empty packing box for table. while two or
three old chairs and disabled stools graced the
reception room, the dark walls of which were
further ornamentcd BY display Of dirty tn>
ware aud broken shelf article or two. The
woman was crying in one corner, aud the man,
With tears in his eyes aud a pipe in his mouth
sat on stool, With his dirty arms resting on
bis knees, and his soIrowful-Iooking head sup
ported bg the palm of bis hands. Not word
greeted the interloPer.
WELL he said, 'yoH seem to be in an awful
trouble here, what's upP
f0h, we are almost csazei. peighbor,' said
the woman; 'and we amt goi no patience to see
folks, now.'
That's al right said the visitor, not much
taken aback by his polite rebuff; 'but can | be
of any service to you in all this troublep
well, we've lost our gal; our SAILS gone of
and left as said the mao, in tones of despair
cab, do you know what india sed her to leave
youl' remarked the new arrival.
'Well, We can't say, stranger, as how she's
80 far lost as to be induced, but then sle's gone
and disgraoed u.s. remarked the afflicted
father.
Yes, neighbor and-not as | should say it,
as is her motber-but there warn't pooder
gal in the West than our Sal. She's gone and
brought ruin 90 us and on her own head, now,
followed the stricken mother.
'WhO has she gone withp asked the vis-
itor.
well, there's the trouble. The gal conld
have done well, aud might have married Maitin
Kehoe, capital shoemaker, who, although be
has got but one eye, plays the flute in lively
manner, aud earns good living. Then, look!
what home and what life she has deserted
she was here sorrounded by all the luxury in
the country said the father.
yes, who knows what poor Sal will have to
eat, drink or wear, nowf groaned the old Wo-
man.
And who is the fsller that has taken her into
such miserya'
why, she's gons off and got married to a
critter called an editor, lives in the village,
and the devil only knows bow they are to arm
living
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21

I The world, and yet it cannot be supplied fast
enough, though Bible is printed every minute
in the day.
This book has marched al the head of civi-
lization in all ages. 1t went with the Jews
into Palestine; ii invaded Greece, Rome, and
all the States of the ancient world under the
preaching of the first heralds of the truth
Its principles have been at the base of all rev.
olutions that have pushed forward the human
race. 1t was so in Germany, England, France
and Scotland, aud in our own country.
The Pilgrims fed to American wilds that
they might enjoy the blessings of Bible truth
! and Bible tcschings unmolested and unoppres-
ed by the laws of tyrants. Ii was devoutly
| recognized as book especially needful for a
people struggling for freedom by the fathers
Of our Republic. Iu tue darkest and sturmi
est hour of the Revolution, when money could
hardly be fouod to pay the starving, naked,
and bleeding soldiers of liberty, Congress in
l777 appointed a committee to confer With a
printer, with the view Of striking off thirty
Thousand Bibles at the expense of the Con-
gress; but it being difficult 10 obtain paper and
type, tbs Committee of Commerce were order
ed to import twenty thousand from Holland,
Scotland and elsewhere. They gave as the
reason that it's use is so universal and its inl-
portanee 50 great.
In 1850 Congress appointed committee to
attend to printing au edition of the Bible 10
Philadelphia, and voted that they highly ap-
proved the pious aud laudable undertaking as
subseryient to the interests of religion, and re-
| commended this edition of the Bible to the
people of the United States. Ia eight success
i've years Congress voted aud kept sixteen ma
tional teasts and thanksgiviugs. On the com-
! mittee which reported these bills were such
men as General Livingston, of New York, r..
Ii. Lee, of Virginia, Roger Sherman, of Con-
| necticut, Elias Boadinot, and James Madison.
Some of these signed the Declaration of lnde-
pendenee, and most of them we're engaged in
procuring the Constitution, aud knew It's true
spirit
Thus vas the Bible honored by these apos-
ties of freedom. When these children, who
enjoy the fruits of their labors, shall cease to
cherish it as tae palladium of civil and reli-
gious liberty, that moment will the nation be-
gin It's Gownsard march 70 ruin.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
ppRtrq.
SPEAK TO THAT YOUNG MAN.
BY R. JOHNSON.


Speak to that youth thy timely warning
May save him many years of pain;
Though he appears all counsel scorning,
one gentle word may him restrain.
Check that young man, but do it mildly,
Nor pass aim by with TOOL neglect
For though he seems to rush on wildly,
Thy voice may wake his self respect.
Speak kindly, sister, he's thy brother,
Throw round love's fettezs where he'd roam,
Thy veice and smile. so like none other,
May win the wayward to his home.
Frown not, bat smile wheIe'er you meet him,
For sorrows cloud NAV dim his day,
Sweet words of kindness, when you greet him.
Nay cheer him on life's gloomy way.
Stop that~youug man; thy Friendship profer,
Let confidence his feet restrain;
Should be, in haste, reject thy Offer,
Forsake him not, but try again.
Speak to that youth with prospects blighted,
And saul deblsed by boarded store
Thou, parent, art the cause he's tlighted,
And should'st thou turn him from thy door
Speak to that boy, ere sloth has given
It's giant power to chain the soul,
Or fashion Folly's ear has driven,
Beyond the power of seIf-control.
Teach him respect for good behavior,
Show hln low vice engeaders scrifo,
And, most Of an make the worlds Saviour,
a pattern Cor his future life.
Move oil. keep trying, never falter,
Do good every way you can,
For, though you may not wholly alter,
You may improve the state of man.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
THE HEART.

Few people hold close communion with their
own hearts. 1t is terrible thing to question
it continually ly--severely- feel the truth OF
its replies, wFuBa out fraction by fraction till
the questoner sees himself revealed aud hum
6led as the revelation. There is far more of
profound and far reaching knowledge than most
men are willing to perceive in the exclamation
Of the Hebrew poet-sThe heart is deceitful
above all things aud desperately wicked And
yet men need not be. thus deceived. Il ia be-
cause they dare not learn the ttuth-they fear
TO know themselves. share 10 this fear
Once or twice have torn the mask away, and
looked on the nakedness of the heart, but
shut nav eyes aud tried to cheat myself INTO
the belief that there was no devil there.
will coufeas ii now. 1t is not difficult mat
ter to know mora of our neighbGr than oursolf
for We do not fear to study him We read
him IN an open book, and though we cannot
pry closely into every page, we can peruse the
table of contents aud learn more than he would
be willing to tell. / thank God for the re-
straining influence which be throws around
men, for his nohitions without aud within to
keep apd cherish the spirit Of good in the hu-
man heart, that it may not wholly die. But
for these, how soon would the light Of the iu-
ner temple 60 out in darkness, and midnight
of despair and horror wrap the soul.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-21
VOL. 33, NO. 81.
The Future Lady Of the white
House.

Mrs. Lincoln Is, perforce, a parsonage to
whom just now the ligeIiest interest attaches
That she will adorn and grace even the exalted
position to which she bids fair TO Bucceed,
none who bave Lad the fcrtBns to see her
can doubt She is yet apparently upon the
advantageous side of forty, face upon which
dignity aad sweetness are blended, and an air
ot cultivation and refinement 10 which famili-
arity with the courily drawing room of Lon
don or the aristocratic saloons of Paris, would
hardly lend an added grace. She il sdulirably
calculated 10 preside oyer our republicans
court If one were pefmittedsto describe Der
personal appearance as to meet half way tue
respectful curiosity which is generally felt
upon the subject, the descriPsion would be
that she is slightly above the medium stoture,
with brown eyes, clearly cut features, delicate,
mobile, expressive rather distinguished in
appearance than beautiful, conveging to the
mind generally an impression Of self posses-
sion, stateliness and elegance. | disttust my
own opinion upon subjects OF the kind, but /
concur in the belief prevalent hereabonts, that
she will make as admirable leader of the
stately DANES and lovely demoiseiles of the
national capital as the most fastidious social
marsaet could desire Correspondeaceof the
N. X World.