davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25

snow; as delicate, some of them, as
love letter, the mysterious paths down
to the brook or by the old hollow tree,
that we used to wonder over and set
"fgure tours" by, if perchance. we
might catch the makers thereof ?
Have you quite forgotten how sorry
you we're for the snow birds that fnt-
tered among the flakes, and seemed
tossing and lost in the storm =?
And there in the midst of that win
ter Christmas was set, that made the
Thanksgiving last all through the
night Of the year, and what wonder
the stars and the fires burned more
brightly therefor !! Christmas with
its gifts and its cheer! its carol and
charm its evergreen branch aud its
bright morning dreams. Christmas,
when there were prints upon the Chin
ney tops if we were only there 10 see
them, where Santa Claus set his foot
as the clock struck twelve. Christ
mas, when stockings were suspended
by hearth and pillow all over the land ;
stockings silken and white; stockings
homely and blue, and even the little
red sock with hole in the toe. Bles-
sed forever be Bethelam's star
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Genius and Labor.

Alexander Hamilton once said to an
intimate friend:
Men give me some credit for gem
us-All the genius | have lies Just in
this When | have a subject in hand
| study it profoundly Day and night
it is before me. I explore it 10 all its
bearings. My mind becomes perva-
ded with it. Then the effort which |
make is what the people are pleased to
call the fruit of genius. L is the fruit
of labor and a great deal of thought
Mr.. Webster once replied to a gen.
tleman who pressed him to speak on a
subject of great Importance THE
subject interests me deeply, but | have
not time. There, sir pointing to a
huge pile of letters on the table, { is a
pile of unanswered letters, to which
must reply before the close of the ses-
sion, which was then three days off. J
| have not time to master the subject
so as to do it Justice
But, Mr. Webster, few words
from you would do much to awaken
public attention to it,
If there would be so much weight
in my words as you represent, it is be-
cause | do not allow myself to speak
on any subject till | have imbued my
mind with it.
Demosthenes was once urged to
speak on great and sudden emergen.
cy / am not prepared, said be, and
obstinately refused
The law of labor is equally binding
on genius and mediocrity.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25

cut off from the Ocean winds, no rain
ever falls in the American Desert, and
never will, until the whole system Of
nature is changed
The Desert of Cobb, in Asia, is
another great barren The vast
hight Of the Himalayas interpose be-
tween it and tie Indian Ocean. and
the storm winds which are borne on
the southwestern simoons, are dashed
against the sides of these mighty
mountains, where the GOODNESS of the
atmosphere, rapidly condensing the
moisture contained in them producing
on the south side a region Of perpet-
ual storm. and on the north a region
of continued drought. Thus while the
Himalayas cut off the south winds,
and contribute to form this great De-
sert, the Oceans on the north and east
are too far removed for any rain to be
brought from them; therefore the re-
gion of Cobb is a Desert, and so it
must always remain until the great
eteenal laws of Nature cease to oper-
ate. From these facts it is apparent
that was it not for the Ocean, with its
vegetable life giving winds the whole
earth would be a desert, on which no
living creature could exist.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
How to Give a Dinner.

The English public are discussing
with much gnsto the art of dining.
and two volumes on subjects connected
with the table have lately appeared at
London. From one we quote its d.
rections for dinner:
"Let the number of vour guests new
err exceed twelve, so that the CONVEX
Sation may constantly remain general.
Let them be so collected that their oc-
cnnations are different, their tastes
similar, and with such points of con
tact. that it is not necessary to 90
through the odious form of introduce
ton. Let the men he clever without
presumption, the women amiable with
out conceit. Let your dishes be limi-
ted in number, bnt each excellent. and
your wine frst-rate. Let everything
be served quietly, without hurry or
hustle; dinner being the last business
of the day. Let you" guests look up
on themselves as travellers who have
arrived at the end of their journey.
Let the coffee be very hot, and the
liquors first quality. Let your draw
ing-room be spacious enough to allow
a game to be played. if desired, with
out interfering with those addicted to
chatting. Let the guests be retained
by the pleasant company, and cheered
with the hope that before the evening
is over there is something good still in
store for them Let the tea not be
t, strong the hot toast well butter
ed; and the punch carefully mixed.
Let no one leave before eleven, but
let every one be in bed by midnight.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Old Virginia.

An Illinois Sucker took a great dis
like to foolish young Virginian who
was fellow passenger with him on
one of the Mississippi steamboats,. I
was on the boat, (said Deacon Doc
little and saw the whole affair. The
Virginian was continually combing
his hair, brushing his clothes, or dust
ing his boots-to all which movements
the Sucker took exception, AS being
what he termed, "a leetle too darned
nice, by half" He finally drew up his
chair beside the Virginian and began
Wharabouts might you be from,
stranger 2"
II am from Virginia, SIR" politely
answered the gent.
From old Varginny, / s,pose p"
said the Sucker.
Yes, sir, from old Virginia." was
the reply.
lyon are pooty high up in the pic
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
lures thar, | s'pose 2"


don't know what you mean by
that remark, sir :"
"Oh, -nnthin," says the Sucker. i" but
that you are desperate rich, and have
been rought up right nice
IF the information will crafty you
in any way" says the gent, patroniz-
ingly, smoothing down his hair, {" | be-
long to one of the first families"
ooh, in course" answered the
Sucker. Well, stranger, bein' as
you bell ng to the furst, I'll just give
You two of the fattest shoats in all
Illinois eff you'll only find me a Teller
that belongs to one Of the second Vir-
ginny families"
You want to quarrel with me, sir 2"
says the Virginian.
No. stranger, not an atom" ans
wered the Sucker, "but I never seed
one of the second family and I'd gin
suthin to git sit at ore of 'em. I
know Won are one Of the furst, cause
yon look Just like John Randolph"
This Modified the Virginian-the
hint of a resemblance to the statesman,
was fattering to his feelings. and he
accordingly acknowledged relationship
to the orator.
He, you know, descended from
the Ingin gal Pocahontas.c
Yon are right, sir" answered the
other. che did"
"Well. stranger" said the Smoker,
do Won know thar is another queer
thing allvs puzzles me-. and it's this
] never seed Virginnvn that didn't
claim to he either descended from an
Tnein. John Randolph or nicgar :"
We need not add that the Smoker
rolled off his chair-snddenlv They
were seperated until the Smoker got
off at a landing, near his home. AS
he stenned ashore, he canght sight of
the Virginian on the upper deck, and
hailed him at once. with:
I say, old Virginnv, remember
two fat shoats for the first Teller YOU
find, belonging to the second class Vir-
ginny family I"
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
could read in large, black, sanded let
" Doctor c.

Doctor u
To j Burling, DR..
For collecting of Richard Roe.
Commission $4,000.
"And all the crowd kept stopping
t. read so that there was all the while
two or three hundred people standing
on the doctors pavement, and readin e
first my bill and then his sign, and
making their jokes. / had hired the
chair for the whole afternoon but he
hadn't stood this more than fifteen
minutes before he comes to the door
and says, Come here, you rascal ;
and I went in, and took thirty dollars
of his money, and left the bill receipt
ed"
"But, my friend, don't your impu-
dent ways often get you into scrapes !;
are Won not afraid that some one vii
some day break your head ?"
Break whose head ?" he thunder
ed. Didn't Col. S., of New Orleans,
a man that's killed seven in duels, when
I went to dun him at the Astor House
didn't he grab me by the slack of
nv hreeches. and hold me out the fifth
story window, and shake me there
above the pavement. and say, Shall
I let Won fall and break your neck on
the stones, or take You in and kick you
down stairs"
Well" said 7, anxiously, "what
did YOU do then ?"
What did do J.? 7 said pay me
that money and didn't he pull me in
and pay everv cent ?"
He took the transcript and limped
ont. Next day I met Bnrling at the
corner of Cortland street, looking mild
and happy and asked him how he sue
ceeded 81 haven't got it vet" was
the reply. " He hasn't fOun0 me out.
but he has just paid me five dollars to
let him dine at the hotel down there,
without my company. We've taken
all our meals together for the past two
days, and he began to find his appetite
fall"
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
The First Family Prayer at a
Tavern.

Rowland Hill was once driven BIZ a
storm into village inn. and compelled
to spend the night. When it grew
late, the landlord sert request BIZ the
waiter that the guest would 60 to he'd.
Mr.. Hill replied II have been wait
ing long time expecting to be called
to family prayer
Family prayer don't know what
you mean, sir; we never have such
things here "
Indeed then tell your master I
cannot go to bed until we have family
PRAYER"
The waiter informed his master, who.
in cons ernation, bounced into the room
occupied by the faithful minister, and
said " Sir, I wish you would go to
bed | cannot go until l have seen all
the lights out, an so afraid of fire. -
So am T." was the reply, but |
have been expecting to be summoned
to family prayer
4" All very well, sir; but it cannot
be done at an inn
"Indeed then pray get my horse
I cannot sleep in house where there
is no family prayer"
The host preferred to dismiss his
prejudice rather than his guest and
said, :" have no objection to have a
prayer, but | do NOT know how"
Well then, summon your people.
and let rs see what can be done. "
The landlord obeyed and in few
moments the astonished domestics were
upon their knees aud the landlord call
ed upon to pray.
Sir, | never prayed in my life +;
don't know how to pray"
Ask God to teach you,'' was the
gentle reply.
The landlord said, folding his hands,
God teach US how 10 pray
"That is prayer, my friend, cried
Mr. Hill, Joyfully, go on"
am sure | don't know what 10
say now, SIR"
Yes you do; Cod has taught YOU
how to pray, now thank him for it,
Thank yon, God Almighty, for let
ting us pray to you /"
Amen Amen exclaimed Mr..
Hill, and then prayed himself
Two years afterward, Mr.. Hin found
in that same village a chapel and 4
chool, as the result Of the first effort
4 fsmily prayer st the Black Lion y
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
gabbath 8ea1ing>
Effect of Sacred Music.

The Rev, Henry Ward Beecher,
who visited England a few years since,
in one of his letter, gives the following
graphic description Of the enhancing
effect upon himself in listening to the
choral service of the Church of Eng
land:
"The service began. You know
my mother was until her marriage in
the communion ofthe Episcopal Church
this thought hardly left me as I sat,
grateful for the privilege of worshiping
God through service that had so often
expressed her devotions | had never
had such trance of worship, and I
shall never have such another view un-
til gain the gate.
am so ignorant of the church
service, that | cannot tell the parts
by their right names, but the portions
which most affected me, were the pray
ers and responses which the choir sang.
I had never heard any part of sup
plication-a direct prayer-sung by
the choir, and it seemed as though [
heard not with my ears but with nv
soul. Twas desolved-my whole being
seemed to be waited gratefully toward
God.
The divine presence rose before me
in wondrous majesty, but ineffable
gentleness and goodness, and l could
not stay away from a mere familiar
approach, but seemed irresistably, yet
gently drawn toward God. My soul,
then thou didst magnify the Lord, and
rejoice in the God of thy salvation!
And then came to my mind the many
Civilizations of the Psalms of David,
and never before were the expressions
aud figures so noble and so necessary
to express ochat I felt had risen, it
seemed to me, so high, that I was
where David was when he conceived
the things which he wrote. Through
ont the seryice-and it was an hour
and quarter long-whenever an
Amen" occurred, it was given by
the choir accompanied by the organ
and the congregation.
ooh that swell and common ca
dence still ring in my ear. Not once,
not single time did it occur in that
service, from beginning to end, with
out bringing tears-to my eyes. I
stood like a shrub in a spring morning
every leaf covered with dew, and
every breeze shook down some drops.
| trembled so much at times, that
was obliged to sit down. Oh! when
in the prayers breathed forth in the
strains of sweet, simple, solemn music.
the lore Of Christ was recognized,
how then lOnged to give utterance
to what that love seemed to me !
There was a moment in which the
heavens seemed open to me, and saw
the glory of God! Allthe earth seem
ed to me store house of images,
made to set forth the Redeemer, andI
could scarcely keep from crying out.
I never knew, I never dreamed before,
Of what heart there was in the word,
Amen. Every time it sNelTed forth
and died away solemnly, not my lips,
not my mind, but my whole being said;
Saviour, so let it be.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Affected Deafness.

A stranger dismounted at the door
Of the-Hotel, and gave his horse
to the oficious waiter. The barkeep-
err opened the register to take his
name.
"You are right" said he, "a sin
gle room would be more agreeable"
and he walked into the supper room
to which the crowd of boarders were
pressing. The bar keeper ran after
him screaming in his ear.
"What name did you say 2"
"Thank You" replied the traveller,
I can find the way-don't put your
self to any trouble"
On his return into the bar room a
waiter took up his saddle bags, and
told the deaf stranger he would show
him to his chamber
"My friend who will spend the
evening with me prefers pale sherry"
said he "you may send up a bottle
and few segars."
81 did not" said the barkeeper,
exactly understand your name"
II tt ink little ice would improve
the wine" was the answer; "and now
I think of it, you may put the bottle
in a wine cooler"
His friend now joined him, and they
walked to his room together. The
deaf ledger patrohized the house to
the extent of another bottle before he
slept The waiter who brought it up
ventured once more to inquire his
name.
Nothing more" said the deaf man
"except slice of cold ham, pickle,
and little bread and cheese"
The next morning after breakfast,
when the strangers horse was at the
door, he asked for his bill. He was
told it was six dollars and three quar-
tiers.
You are very kind" said he. "I
had expected to pay you; but if this
is your custom, not to charge for the
first visit, you shall lose nothing by
it-all my friends in Spongeville will
certainly give you at least one call
when they come into the city. Good
morning"
II would thank you to pay your bill
before you CO." screamed the barkeep-
err
II am obliged to yon," said the
deaf gentlemen Il can put them on;'
and he took up his saddlebags and de-
parted. AS he mounted, the bvstand-
ers began to laugh immoderateIy at the
awkward embarrassment which afflict-
ed the barkeeper, who was in despair
while he bawled after the delinquent,
who continued bowling and repeating
his assurances that he would certainly
remember the Accommodations and civil
ity of the house and recommend it to
all his friends who might pass through
the city. The gentleman who so wen
affected deafness won the wager he had
staked on the success of his scheme,
and paid bis bill the next time he visit
ed the city.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25

The steamer s., commanded by
Captain S.. exploded several years
ago with terrible effect and burned to
the waters eGge. Capt. S-was
blown into the air, alighting near a
floating bale of cotton, upon which he
foated uninjured, but much blackened
and muddied. Arrived at a village
several miles below, to which the news
of the disaster had preceded him, he
was accosted by the editor of the vii
lage paper, with whom he was we'll ac-
quainted, and eager for an item.
II say, boy ! is the S-blowed
up?"
eyes,"
"Was Captain S killed ?"
No; I am Captain s."
"The thunder you are How high
was you blowed ?"
High enough to think of every
mean thing I ever did in my life before
| came down"
The editor started on a run for his
office; the paper about going to press,
and not wishing to omit the item of
intelligence for tho next issue, two
weeks off, wrote as follows:
"The Steamer S-has burst her
boiler, we learn from Captain S.,
who says he was up long enough to
think of every mean thing he ever did
in his life before he lit.-We suppose
he was up about three months +"
The next issue apologized for the
above thus:
We meant to say the boat was
three months old, and not the Captain
who is of course, worse nor what we
said in our last paper"
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Winter Scenes.

THE following from the Chicago
journal is worthy of being placed be-
side the winter sketches of Jacob Alb
bolt and n P Willis:
"That old red sleigh with its long
hox that never was fnll, for down in
the straw, wrapped in the robes, or on
one or another of the four seats it con-
tanned, there was always room for
one more. What grouping of bright
young faces there used to be in it
Faces in hoods, in caps and in blankets;
hearts that have loved since; hearts
that have mouldered. And away we
went over the hill, and through the
vale, under the moonlight. and under
the cloud; when the stars were looking
down; when the sun kindled the world
into great white jewel; but those
days have gone forever away, and the
sweet old necklace of bells, big in the
middle of the string, and growing
small by degrees, has lost its power
over the pulses.
In the old sleigh, brides have gone
away before now-those that were
married to manhood, those that were
married unto death'
Great ships have gone over the wa
tiers with less of hope and happiness,
than that rude craft has borne, over
the pillows of winter; swanlike shapes
now glance along the arrowy way, but
give us, for its sweet memories of Yes
teaday, the old red sleigh.
Then, the days when we were "coas-
ters;" and down the big hill. by the
maple wood, through the little bitches,
far into the valley we come with merry
shout, each the solitary Palinurous of
his own small craft. How like a flock
of swallows we were, dashing down the
declivity, in among a group Of sleds
side with a rival, shooting by like an
arrow. steering in gallently ahead, like
a jockey, and on our way up with
sled in tow, ere the party had reached
the valley below.
And then it was, when the wind had
swept away the snow from pond and
stream and the ice was CLAIR, that we
put on the rockers" and darted hith-
err and thither, and cut SKIES and
eighths, and curves without number,
and drew girls that we loved, and
whirled them like leaves over the
highway of crystal
And the schools where we spelt
each other down, and the schools where
we sung Windham and Near, and the
schools where we cyphered and wrote,
and event up;" gone, all gone,
teacher and taught, like the melting
SHOWS under the rainbows of April.
Ard when, sometimes after the great
snow, the winds come out of the north
for frolc, what wreathingS and carv-
ings Of the cold Alabaster there were.
What Corinthian adornings surmount-
ed the fence posts; what mouldings
were fashioned beside the way; what
falry-like caves in the drifts; what
flowers OF rare finish and pendants of
pearls on the trees.
Have you quite forgotten the foot
prints we used to find 10 the damp
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Answers.

Answer to last weeks Enigma.-A
Happy New Year.
Answers to last weeks Puzzles-The
letter r.
The Sun.
Answer to last weeks Anagram, No.
l.
l. The
2. Young
3. Mems
4. Literary
5. Society
6. of
7. LamhertvilIe,
8. New jersey.
Answer to last weeks Anaeram
No. q
|. Milford,
9 Hunter
g. don
County,
5. New
s. Jersey.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
Nunth department.
FOR THE PRESS.
Enigma, No. 1.
[ am comnosed of % letters,

am composed of % letters.
My l, 7, IA, IL, 4, is used in print
ing.
" 8, Is, %, is an article.
" 5, II, 20, l, 6, 2, II, Is, all per-
sons try to possess.
" 25. %, Is, 16, but few possess.
D." %, 8, 81, 6. was an inhabitant
of Noah's ark.
" 7, 10, IA, is a kind of grain.
d" "a. 8, Is. Is. is number.
i" 10, 26, 81, %, is an EDITORS nick
name.
My whole is a saying of Shake
speare.
Answer next week
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25

GOOD ADvIcE.-If the poor house
has any terror for you, never buy what
you don't need. Before you pay three
cents for jews-harp, see if you can't
make Just as pleasant noise by whist
ling, for such, nature furnishes the
machinery. And before You pay sew
en- dollars for figured vest, young
man fud out whether your lady love
would not be just as glad to see you
in plain one that cost half the money.
If she wouldn't let her crack her own
walnuts and buy her own clothes.
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
goet' sgaok.
FOR THE PRESS.
My Dream.
BY KATE ".

] saw thee, dear sister, last night, in my dreams
And DER thy brown tresses shone bright golden
beams,
Like flashes oflight, from thy bright home above,
Where the angels are singing Redeevemg loUe. +"
Thy fingers touched lightly the harpin thy hand
And sweet was thy song of the heavenly land,
A crown of bright glory pressed thy fair brow,
Is there aught else in Heaven so beauteous as
thou?
As looked on thee, sister, I felt it would be,
Such bliss to kneel lowly before Jesus with thee,
To mingle with angels, and sweetly to sing
The praises of God, my Father, and King.
gazed on thee long, in thy robe of pure white
My darling, my treasure, so fair and so bright,
reached out my arms, to embrace thee once
more,
But the light faded out, and my bright dream
was DER.
Oh, come again, sister. come bless me again,
yearn for thy presence shall call thee in vain
Come brighten my Dreams till my short life be
DER,
And I meet thee in Heaven tie part never more
Pam, Illinois
The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-25
It's all Habit.

AS an illustration Of this fact we
heard a good story the other day, Of
an eminent railroad man as well as
political manager, who is rather ad-
dicted to profanity on any and all oc-
casions, whether in buying or selling
cargo of grain, or in a convention of
railroad managers or political wire
pullers Our railroad friend, in walk
ing down Wall street the other day,
in company venerable and devoted
member of the board Of broke"s-one
who kept his large pew in Trinity, at
tended the stated preachings OF the
gospel regularly, and who, on the
whole was religiously inclined, but not
so much so that he could not drive
good bargain among the bulls and
bears on week days when the CONVEX
sation took heavenward turn
Lecturing our railroad official on
the immortality of the habit of swear
ing-its influence on the young when
coming from one holding so prominent
a position, begged of him to try leave
it off. Good-natnred. jolly railroad
man, listened attentively to the good
advice, and acknowledging its force,
turned to his venerable lecturer and
said:
ooh, yes. You pray good deal,
and I swear some; but we don't either
Of us mean anything by it.