davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26
The expertness of Chinese Thieves

We make the following extract, showing
the exper,ness of Chinese thieves, from Life
Among the Chinese q recent work by Rev.
r. S. Maclay, a missionary of the Methodist
Episcopal Church:
"A foreign ship captain was once dining
at the table Of foreign merchant in China
when the conversation turned on this sub.
ject, and number of illustrative anecdotes
were rec,ed by the members of the com
pany. Among the incidents related was
one in which it happened that the burg lar
had entered the room where the occupant
was sleeping, and had stolen the laid off
clothing of the sleeper without disturbing
his slumbers. The Captain received this
story with staunch increduility, and declared
with emphasis tha, he defied any person to
enter room where he was sleeping without
awaking him.
Why said the gentleman at whose table
he was dining, there is Chinese thief in
this city who can steal the sheet on which
You are sleeping, without awakng you
'Impossbe!' cried the indignant captain.
The merchant, however, was in earnest
about the matter, and it was finally agreed
that the captain should spend few nights
in designated room of the merchants
house, inst TO test the matter.
In accordance with the arrangement, the
thief was informed of the circumstances
and was assured of safety if caught on the
premises during the time specified. The
captain occupied the 70 IN one or two nights
and nothing ,ranspired to disturb his repose
The succeeding night about two hours pas
| 1, ;..h, ,I. a. had bo ~
of the room in which the captain slept, an'
finding all quiet within, cautiously mad
his entrance. 1t was hot summer night
and the sleeper in his night clothes lay
about the middle of the bed, having his
person only partially covered with thlr
counterpane. Softly approaching the bed
side the 'hief removed the counterpane and
then addressed himself to the sheet on
which the sleeper was lying, he began in the
gentlest manner to fold it up in narrow plies
Ienglhwise. In a few minutes the last fold
of the sheet came close to the form of the
sleeper. And now came the most difficull
part of the performance. 1t was compare
tivel easy to fold up that part of the sheet
not in immediate contact with the captain
person bat he must remove that part beneath
him ,lthout disturbing his repose. Taking
II straw in his hand. the thief passes round
to the other side of the bed, and softly un.
covering the sIeeper's side proceeded gently
to tickle him with the straw. instantly the
sleeper begins to squirm and shrink and af
ter few seconds roll heavily over away
from the prosecuting straw, and quite Oft the
coveted sheet, thus leaving the prize to be
gathered up and carried off in triumph by
the thief. Next morning the captain awok
from his refreshing sleep, to his utter sur
prise and amaz ment, behold the sheet was
gone.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

A lady Of Columbus inquired of the spir-
it rappers how many children she had.
-Four replied the spirit. The husband,
started at the accuracy Of the reply, step
red up and inquired, How many children
have |! "rwo answered the rapping medi'
um. The husband and wife looked at each
other with an odd smile for moment, and
then retired, n-belevers.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

"Sir my party has quick way Of using
up rascals." mo doubt of it, sir. A par
ty that makes such habitual use of rascals
must expect to use some of them up; its
tools cant last always"
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

SEVERE AccIDEN..-On Sunday afternoon
Mr. j. T. Mathewson, Constable of this place,
met with severe and painful accident,
which occurred, as near AS we could learn AS
follows: lie had been been cleaning his ps.
tol, which is a small five shooter, aud after
loading the cylinder attempted to put ON
tn. barrel when the cock slipping from his
finger of the left, the palm Of the right be
ing over the muzze of the barrel, exploded
the cap and shooting him through the hand.
The ball entered between the third and
fourth fingers. striking, in its course the
bone of the third finger. DR.. Nelson was
Immediately called and rendered surgical aid
as the case required.
Dutch Flat Enquirer, Oct. 18th
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

BREvEr is commission which gives An
officer title and rank in the army above his
pay, bu, if he exercises a command accord
ing to his brevet he receives the pay attach
ed to his brevet ranks.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The report that Qneen Victoria was about
to cast herself upon the bosom of the Ro-
man Catholic Church, and the story of her
mothers conversion to the same faith before
her death, turns out to be heartlest hoax.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

That was saucy question Of topper, 10
a discussion with temperance lecturer, who
asked, If water rots your boots, what. Of.
feet it must have on the coats Of your siorn-
ach9"
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

An lrishman, in speaking of u relative who
was hanged, said 'he died during a tight
rope performance
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

Red noses are lighthouses to warn voyai
gers off the coast of Malaga, jamaica Santa
Cruz, and Holland
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

RISE IN LAND.-The Stockton Independ.
ent speaks OF the sale Of piece OF land
near that city for 500 per acre, which cou'd
not have been sold twelve months ago for
10 per acre,
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The thousandth ar of the existence of
the Russian Empire is to be celebrated next
year. In Novogorod monument has al
ready been commenced to commemorate the
occasion.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The following is a good recipe for making
hens lay: Take some OATS and boil them
till soft; then fry them in hot fat, and you
will have any quantity of eggs.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The world is Gods volume in which every
creature is letter, and every day new
page.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The Georgetown CD. C) correspondent
of the Boston journal relates an adventure
of wounded Zouave, flying from the battle
Of Bull Run:
After receiving his wound, it bIed to such
a degree as to excite The pity of mounted
officer, who offered the soldier his horse
The retreat had not then begun, and the
soldier rode rom the battlefield in this direc
ton. Soon after he noticed the stampede
and putting spurs to his horse, flew along
in advance of the rest. But loss of blood
soon persuaded him to try the charity of the
first farm house he came TO- Dismounting
lady came to meet him. The si4ht Of his
bloody face and clothes excited her sympa
thv. and with fearful eyes she asked him to
enter the house He did so, and she bathed
his face and dressed his wounds. When
she had done all she could for him, she
asked him if "e was not sorry he had come
TO fight the South, and if he would engage
in another baltIe?" Most certainly, ma'lam,
if live through this" was the reply
"How can you be so infatuated!" said she.
But you must not stay longer or you will
he taken. | have lost a son by the war.-
am the mother of jackson the landlord Of
the Marshall House" Here WAS a w"nian's
heart larger than her resentment of wrong.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

THEIR AGEs.-Gen. Mcclellan is not vet
36; Gen. Fremont is under 49; Gen Lyon
was about a.; Gen. Butler is 43; Gen.
Banks is A, and Gen. Mcdowell is about
40
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

BEAUTIFUL GIRLs.-Dr. Beeswax, in his
Essay on woman" remarks, with some
truth, that "beauties generally die old maids
They set such value on themselves" he says,
"that they don't find a purchaser until the
market is closed. Out Of a dozen beauties
who came out within the last eighteen years,
eleven are still single They spend their
days in working green dogs on yellow wool,
while their evenings are devoted to low spir
it's and French novels"
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

OF all the monarchs, Nature is the most
Just in the enactment of laws, and the most
rigorous it Furnishing the violation Of them.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

PLAYING PossuM--A KNowING ANIMAL
A correspondent Of the american Agricul
turist, at Union Springs, Indiana, relates a
touching story of dog at that place. A
large number of sheep had been killed in
the neighborhood, and an apparently wo;th.
less eur, kept at a grocery was suspected of
The crime, though for long time no proof
could be brought against him. But "mur-
der will out" and one day farmer and his
neighbor saw the dog besmeared with blood,
in the act of tearing sheep which was still
alive. As soon as the dog saw he was dis
covered, he ran to wood lot about fifty
yards north of the spot, and the man at
once proceeded to the grocery, which stood
half mile distant in southwest direction,
to inform the owner. To their surprise, on
entering the store, they saw there the very
animal they came to complain of, lying on
the floor apparent y asleep, as though moth
ing had happened, and as clean as though
Just washed. But on examination they
found h IN very warm and very wet, he hav
ing undoubtedly washed himself in hur-
ry, and run for life to his master. But the
evidence was too strong against him.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

A Gun FIRED BY ELECTRICIrY.-At Edin.
burg, wire has been srelched between Ed
nburg Castle and the Gallon Hill, 1000 feet
long, which fires gun at the Castle daily a!
one o'rlork The objection to fireing n
gun At the observatory at Calton Hill was,
that it would derange the instruments there.
Accordingly a wire was stretched across the
cty without q rest The electric current
passing on it carries clock at the Castle,
which at one o'clock drops weight that
discharges a gun.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

EPIrApH.-The following epi,aph may Be
found upon q tombstone in Connecticut:
Here lies cut down like unripe fruit,
The wife Of Deacon Amos Shute.
She died of drinking too much coffee,
Amy Dominy eighteen fortyn
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

IKE GOES FOR SoLDIER-MRs. PARTING
TON MAKES FAREWELL ADDREss.-"lke,
my son, stand up while dress you hold
my bonnet and specks." Fellow soldiers
1t is the abandoned duty of all to be patr
archa in these times, and to hand down un.
repaired the glorious flag to all sereding
generations. Here Ike commenced count
ing off the new fashioned cheer, swinging
the old bonnet up and down as he went in,
one, two, three-tger.] march hesi,ating
into the contented field, and if rebel de.
mands your quarters, tell him you had but
three, and the last one is spent; then, If he
won't quit and leave, quit yourself like &
man, and may you have a glorious cam
paign of it," Here Ike commenced Zou
aving in French and breaking into double
quick time, was soon out Of sight, bonnet
specks and all.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

The "RELIABLE GENTLEMAN.'-The Phil
adelphia Bulletin makes the following char
ges against the "reiabIe gentleman who
has, during the war; been of such immense
service to the reporters:
He has reported negro Instructions that
never took place. lie killed hundreds Of
men at Fort M"uIre who are still in the land
of the living. He slew at Manassas the
General Johnston who is now leading an
army threatening Washington. He killed
Ben McCuIIoch at Springfield. lie murdered
Jeff. Davis at Richmond. He killed Beau
regard once at Charleston. and now Says
him once more at New Orleans.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

HoRsEs FIGur-Some persons perhaps
are not aware, that in charge of cavalry,
the horses fight more bitterly than the men;
tramping down footmen, tearing them with
their teeth and making fierce battle. One
can easily fancy what terrible slaughter a
body of these horses make, when the dash
into the ranks of an enemy, mad and wild
with excitement, and reckless of danger.
The worst Of it is, they necessarily main
rather than kill, and their victims are torn
crushed, and broken, and made to suffer in
tense agony.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26
Dutch Flat Enquirer, Oct. 18th

AN INTERESTING FUNERAL CoRrEG E.-The
San Juan Press says that the remains of
David Lewis, a Welchman, were escorted to
the grave in that place, on Tuesday last by
procession of nearly hundred and fifty
persons, including many ladies, who, on the
way chanted, in full chorus, a melancholy
dirge, such as is Gus omary on like occasions
in Wales, of which country he was native
The effect was solemn and impressive. The
Press aIds-it seemed to US, who were un
used to the scene, that nothing could be more
beautifully appropriate.
A gentleman is sitting at our elbow AS we
write, who once accompanied Funeral
procession for three miles-all on foot
with double choir, relieving each other
alternately and chanting in full chorus the
entire distance.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

Ex-senator Gwin sailed for New YORK OF
Monday last.
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

NEIN, pronounced nine, is the German 70
"NO"
The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-10-26

A Judge and counsellor being upon in
different terms, a client of the counseTs
making bis appearance at the bar with his
jaw terribly swelled, the judge remarked:
'Mr-, this client of yours would make
an excellent counsellor, he's all jaw which
set the court in a roar of laughter against
the counsellor.
MAY it please your honor. think he
would make better a Judge, for his jaw is
all on one side
The retort turned the laugh against the
Judge, and from that day they were on the
best terms of friendship.
A patriotic lady in Palmer, Massachusetts,,
when she ;eard of the new and loud call
made by the Government for additional reg
iments of artillery, cavalry and infantry,
remarked:
"Sbe had no doubt the cavalry and artil
lery could be had in abundance but if the
Government wanted further supply of In
fantry they had better send some of the
volunteers home"
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27
LATEST FROM THE SOUTH
The Selected Prisoners.

The New York Journal Of Commerce of
Friday says;
We learn from surgeon recently re-
turned from Richmond, that tne appre'
tensions of the PEOPLE in regard to the
horrible i'll treatment of Col. Coggswell
and other officers selected by lot TO meet
the fate awarded to privateers is not reals
led. The field officers have been remov &.
ed 10 large loom, well ventilated, and
are well taken care Of, while the inferior
officers are also confined in one room, but
not to their personal discomfort On the
whole, it is stated. the officers find them.
selves mo.e comfortable than they we're
when in the public quarters of all the
prisoners, and do not complain Of the
change.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

A HreH COMPLIMENT - At the grand rec
view near Washington last Wednesday
the First, tCol. Biddle't,l and the Fifth,
tCol. Simmon's,) regiments of the Penn
sylv0nia Reserve Corps, were assigned the
post ofhonor, occupying the extreme right
during the review of the troops by Gen.
Mcclellan and his Staff. The letter wri-
ters from Washington all agree tina: these
two regiments are the best drilled, and
mako the best appearance, of any in that
neighborhood. The Rartmen Rangers be-
long to the former, and the Cadets to the
latter regiment. The review took place
at Baily's Cross Roads, about s miles from
the city. About 10000 soldiers were in
ranks, and from 10000 to 10000 citizens
witnessed the grand display.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27
AS AMERICAN SAILOR KlL,.p ny , Su,n,

Az AMsaICAS SAILOR KILLED ny A SHARK
-IiorriJls Sight, The Singapore Times OF
August oath has the following account of
the killing of one of the crew of the
American slip, 7. W. Sears, by a shark,
and the narrow escape OF two others:
On Saturday last, three soamen belong
ing to the American ship, y. w. Sears,
were bathing alongside the vessel whe:.
one Of them was seized by n shark. The
monster first seized him by the shoulder
but the forco with which he rushed on hip
victim caused him TO lose his hold, driv-
ing the unfortunate man several feet out
of the water. The shark again seized hin,
by the back and finally by the neck, and
disappeared with his prey. All this kap-
pened within plain view Of his shipmates,
who Immediately lowered boat, and after
taking on board the other two men, pro-
ceeded to drag for the body. They had
been occupied in this way for some time,
when the shsrk was observed 10 rise some
distance fom them. still with the body Of
the helpless man in his mouth. shaking
it, as is described. as a dog would rat.
The mate of the vessel armed himself
wiik a bnarding pike, and roweG towards
the spot, and the shark was 80 much oo.
cupied with his victim that he allowed
himself to be stabbed several times before
again disappearing. Thinking the animal
had received his death wound. the boat
returned to the ship. but scarcely had she
arrived alongside when the shark reap.
peared as before. a hnrpoon was now
taken into the boat. and the shark again
allowed himself to be approached suffic.
iently near to be struck, when he again
disappeared. Line was now paid out and
the boat was towed some distance, till
assistance arriving, the monster was
killed by repeated stsbs of the lance.
Most of the contents OF his NAV were
disgorged while being hauled on board,
aud on being opened, some fragments.
which were unrecognizable. and an eight
pound tin of preserved meat, were all that
was found. The shark was of the species
known MS the ground shark, and about ten
feet in length. The girth Of the bod, was
immense, and is stated TO have been eight
or nine feet. ... ..l ..
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

HS- Occasional" says that President
Lincoln has quaint way Of avoiding long
speeches, and that he has now taken to
Throwing all his arguments into aphor.
isms." cold Abe" seems to be q rail Jolly
old fellow. We wonder why he does not
employ Occasional to fiddle" for him
while there is so much fun all over the
country.
By the way. Mr.. Occasional, what has
become Of those other "aphorisms" spok'
en- by Abraham, when or his memorable
trip from Springfield to Washington, such
rs "there is nothing going wrong" "there
is nobody hurt" and that he "yould run
the machine as he found itW II his new
"aphorisms" are not better fulfilled than
his old ones wo fear his chance of out ri-
valling Hippocrates is but slim.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

@-Why are the political prisoners con
fined in the several forts about New York
and Boston denied the right awarded TO
murderers, thieves and robbers, 10 wit /:
counsel and a speedy trial? The idea of
arresting and imprisoning respectable and
loyal American citizens, on American
free soil," upon telegraphic despatch,
or an anonymous letter written by some
personal or political enemy, to some head
of Department at Washington, is blast
ing disgrace to the American character
and a reproach to our boosted civilization.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

r@sAccording to the message OF the
Governor Of South Carolina, that State has
more than one-third Of her male popula-
ton in The army, between fifteen and six
ty years of age. A similar proportion for
Pennsylvania would he ever 100000.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

Fremont for President The American
Baptist, paper devoted to the proraga,
iion Of anti slavery religion, closes a long
article in relation to the removal Of Gen
Fremont with this language 1t is Not
y day too cOily for the lovers Of impartial
liberty TO inscrihe on their banners, fni
the coming Presidential contest, the name
of John G. Fremont "
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

plrA sale of rundown Government
horses took place at Washington on the
Goth inst. About l6o were sold, yielding 6
to the government from 25 cents TO $50 a
head-avsraging about $50 head. These
horses cost the government from SllS to
$3.50 head,
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27
The slidell and Mason Affair-Lort
Lyons Expresses no Opinion on th'
Subject

Washington, Nor. 22.--Much speculation
continues to be INDUCED relative TO the
Mason and Slidell question. So far MS
can be ascertained. the Minister of her
Britannia Majesty's government has ta-
ken no action whatever upon the subject,
but will probably await instructions, Nor
has there been an informal CONVEX saiion
between him and the proper department
concerning ii. Those who are intimately
acquainted with Lord Lyo:s believe that
IN this as in other matters he has observed
his usual discretion in rcHrairing from
premature expressions of opinion.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

g1-The Philadelphia Press states that
President Lincoln has issued an order di.
rec,ing the military authorities in Virgin
ia to suspend the civil authorities wherev-
or they claim to hold such authority from
Gov Letcher, and TO place all State otii-
GERS under arrest who attempt to inter
fere with their functions.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

PRENATrRE,--We understand that one
OF the nominees OF the Black Republican
party for the Legislature. in the western
part OF the State, was so sure of being
sent to Harrisburg 10 spend The winter
that he actually re- enoved his family into
other quarters the week before the cleo
ton, and has made numerous business
arrangements preparatory to leaving iot
the new scene of his labors, in the capac. d.
iiy Of a Legislator.
But sad to relate the story 10 which
haLgs tale when the votes were count
ed out The expectant Of goiien honors and
army contracts was elected 10 stay at
home with his wife and acU baby by over
200 majority. in district which last fall
elected two Abolilionisls bl over 400 ma.
jority. We advise our friend 10 return
to his first love, and support the party
that supports the country the party
through whose principles we have been
blessed for half a century and forsake The
Abolition crew with whom he is now act
ing.-ISmbury Dem.
Friend purdy you had better "drv up"
You would like to have people believe
that the above incident occurred in the
"Wid Cat" district.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-27

rsR.Gen. Hunter has relinquisbed his
command of the army in Missouri, and
Major General IIallecx has taken full
command of the Department Of the West.
This western end of the machine" has
been source of much trouble to the ad
ministration. First Harncy, thea Ere.
mont d Co., then Hunter, and now Hal.
leck. The two former, having won their
laurels, are about ready TO retire to private
life and enjoy the caresses Of their friends.