davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

D/Tahfng Impure l!utcr-The
following deserves the consideration
OF the reader:
Set pitcher of water III room
inhabited, and in few hours it will
have absorbed from the room. nearly
all the respired and perspired gases
OF the room, the air OF Which vii,
have become p1lrer, but the water
utterly filthy. This depends on the
fact that the water has the faculty of
condcnsinS, and thereby absorbing,
all the gases, which it does without
increasing its own bulk. The colder
the water is the greater its capacity
to contain these gases. AT ordinary
temperatures, Il pint of water Will
contain pint OF carbonic gas, and
several pints Of ammonia.
Ihe capacity is nearly doubled by
reducing the temperature to that Of
ice; Hence water kept in room
awhile is always unfit for use and
should often be renewed, whether it
has become warm or not, And for
the same reason, the water in =
pump should be always pumped out in
the morning before any is used. That
which has Stool III a pitcher over
night is not fit for coffee in the morn
ing.
impure water is more Injurious to
the health than impure air and every
nprSnD sbo,,1I nrnr;Jn A.. ,,,,,, T.
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

Il Romuey SkiamisA.-A Rich
mond correspondent Of the Peters
burg Express gives the annexed ac
count Of the skirnish near Romney
Oh the 27th ult.:
l have just had conversation
with a gentleman of this city. He
confirms the report of Captain Ash
by's skirmish mentioned in my let
ter of to-day. The information comes
from a prominent member ofthe State
Convention, who resides at Winches-
ter, and has received a letter written
at the scene of action, near Romney.
Captain Ashby, of the Fauquier
Black Horse Troop, formerly SCOTS
started OH a scouting expedition, ac-
cempanied by six of his men. His
object was to detect aud capture, if
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13
To Measure Round &iste..ns

The following is the most accurate
method for ascertaining the number
of gallons contained in a round els
tern: first take diameter in inches at
the top middle ana bottom; add them
together and divide the sum by 3, to
get the mean diameter; multiply the
square of the diameter by the hight
in inches, which product multiply by
"a; then cut off the four right hand
figures of the product, and the re-
mainder of the figures will be the
number of gallons that the cistern
will contain.
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

i"r professions! and business cards. in-
.'Udlrg the Daily par"r,1 not exceeding
I've lines. for II months, .Sio-Wit!out
paper. :: -.
The r.i.2cge Of yearly advertisers is
strictly limited tn their own Immediate and
regular business: AID the business Of ;u
advertising firm is not considered as iilclu-
ain2 that O. is individual members
Advertisements published ut IRREGULAR
Intervals : per square trr c:.c'I insertion
-'4n"rncim@ candidates FOR Il District or
S,a;v otficc, s,in: for t. Parish office $40:
City office, s53-t" be pad IN advance.
Az advertisements iur strangers OF tran-
si.nt pcrs"yS, to be paid il aGvIn"c
Ady"rt!sercn nnt marked the copy
Tor =. specified time, viii be inserted i'll
forbid. and payment ,&&Gtrd.
Marriages ami deaths will be published
~ n""s obituaries, tributes of respect, and
lru.crll invitations as otAcr advertisements
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13
The Washington correspondent Of

The Washington correspondent Of
the Philadelphia Ledger, gives an
idea what old Fuss and Feathers
thinks of these busy writer's:
General Scott was heard to say
yesterday that he would have cap
tured the rebels at Harrcr's Ferry.
aud all their munitions of war, had
it rot been for the newspaper press
(in their anxiety to give early news
keeping the rebels fully posted up in
evory movement Of the United States
troops. He said she would rather
have one hundred rebel spies in his
camp than one newspaper reporter"
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

possible, a spy, who was known to
be secretrd somewhere tn the vicini-

possible, a spy, who was known to
be secretrd somewhere tn the vicini-
ty.
Captain A. met man, who preten-
ded to be friendly to tho South, and
offered to lead the Captain and his
men to the spot where this spy was
hid. This fellow proved to be a
black hearted traitor, aud conduc-
ted the brave little band of men into
an ambush, where about fifty Yam
kee troops were concealed. ......
Our men found themselves sud
denly surrounded, but not dismaved.
Capt. Ashby has been often heard
to say that he would never be taken
alive, and, good as his word he went
TO work with desperation, clearing
the right. and left with his power
full saber, and using his trusty re-
volver with powerful effect. His gal
liant comrades Were inspired by the
desperation OF their leader, and fought
like heroes. Six others Of Capt.
Ashby's men hearing the firing came
rapidly to their aid, and finally sue
ceeded IN killing seventeen, and cha
sing the remainder of the cowardly
gang entirely across the Potomac.
ssss@o Of our men We're killed, and
Capt. Ashby was shot IN three or
tour places, and had one of his arms
broken. 1t is hoped that he may
survive his injuries. a more sue
cesStul ii. Int against such fearful odds
is without precedent.
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

Another is to square the mean di-
ameter of the cistem in inches, and
multiply by the diameter the same
as above, then divide the product by
294.For instance, how many gallons
will a cistern hold, measuring l4O
inches at bottom, 13o in the centre,
and 13o at top, by $50 in hight?
Diameter at top 120 - s.
I" g bottom $50
60 ''lniddle 14O
Sum of diameters, 800. which
divided by 3, gives 13O as the mean
diameter. @
13O,
10000
$50
2535OOO
"a
s619,oOoO
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13
The Aucieut Stuge.-The stage il

The A~cient Stagc.-The stage in
other days presented many contrasts
to the stage i'll ours. 1t consisted
Of three platforms. On the upper
most the Supreme Being was repre-
scented seated on his throne. On the
second platform appears angels and
the "spirits Of just men made per
feet" The third was set apart for
mortal men and women; and at the
side of this lowest platform yawned
= huge cavern called the ''lnouth OF
He'll" From this cavern issued the
flames and smoke, yelis ard groans.
Into its depths sinners We're precipi-
tated. In and out Of its recesses the
arch ticnd and his imps were con-
stantly capering and exciting by tiIcir
.jeSts and pantomimic gestures the up
rorious laughter OF the audience.
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

4 .udicioses hqui1y.-A home cor
respondent Of the Cincinnati Enqui-
rer asks:
| own some real estate in this city
which has heretofore brought me q
comfortable rent, but which now does
not bring enough to pay my taxes.
What | want to know Is, whether, if
the State take my property and sell
it for the taxes, and the proceeds will
not pay the bill. it can come on my
furniture, and other personal proper
ty to make Up the deficit! If so,
want 10 pack up my duds and leave
the city, and go north, where the war
has built MP a tiorlrishing trade, and
a man can make something to pay
taxes with.
Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-13

A sailor on board the Harriet Lane,
writing to his father at Hartford. pays
the following complement to the pro-
fessional skill Of Gen. Huger:
] have no doubt but that u move
ment will soon be made agains Nor
folk; and | may as well own up that
whoever has the command at Norfolk
is a tip-top defender. The beach on
both sides the bay is bristling with
guns, in sand bag batteries, some are
i'll single position, others in battery.
Our shots take no effect on them,
while theirs tell with great etiect.up-
on any attacking ship.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
A Celestial Reverie.

There comes, to the thoughtful and con-
templa.ive man, peculiar sense of serene
majesty, when twilight falls upon the Garth
in spring time. The heart is then devout
worshipper in the great cathedral Of nature.
Low, deep toned harmoniss seem to vibrate
in the still and solemn air, and faint mellow
beams fading every moment, steal from the
stained window Of the west, as one by one
the evening lights "go upon the watch. -
But when twilight deepens into night, the
wide o'erchanging Grmament-"the maesti-
cal roof fretted with golden fres," in its
bright and countless hosts of worlds over
whslms the wrapt gazer with awe, at the
power and majesty Of the Great Architect.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19

care these bright orbs," he exclaims, "inhab-
table worlds like this of ours p Lei even
when we gaze, one falls far down the dark
blue vault, and vanishes away. Was a
world in the inscrutable providence of the
Supreme. then blotted from being! Is our
universe but star, to the dwellers of thess
suspended spheres, and will be seen ages
hence, from yon cleaning orb, suddenly to
fall and fade, like transient meteor in the
SKYE He alone knoweth, who spreadeth out
the heavens like curtain, and hangeth the
earth on nothing. Faint glmpses are indeed
afforded to the searcher after the unseen
dim perceptions Of Natures sublime myste-
ries. We wonder and admire, when at a
moment OF years foretold, one celestial sys-
tenn clips with its mighty shadow fellow
system, as far in space they sweep their aw-
ful circles. We marvel, when, commissioned
by the all powerful, a wan and misty orb,
predicted for a century, streams its horrid
flare upon the mighty sky. But of even
these phenomena how limited is our knowl-
edge ! Our best philosophical system is
none other than dream-the- netquo-
tient, confidently given out, where divisor
and dividend arc both unknown.-Knicker-
booker.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
A Daring Exploit.

Among the many instances where the
bravery of our officers and mon has shown
! conspicuous, the one we are about to relate
is almost unequalled
Captain Spencer, Aid to General Wool, re-
ceived information from two ladies who went
from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe with flag
of truce, ehat near midnight six-oared boat
was to leave Norfolk for Richmond with
money for the payment of the rebel soldiers.
He requested permission of General Wool to
attempt their capture, and was told not to
place too much confidence in the information
received. Nevertheless, permission was
given, and selecting two good oarsmen on
whom he could rely, with their oars mufIled,
he started at dark, and awaited the coming
OF the enemy's boat. He had previously
given direction to his men to pull directly
for the boat, and on the moment of striking
to 'back water" instantly.
About midnight the boat was heard ap-
preaching, and taking his station in tho
bows, with nine-inch shell in his hands, he
gave the order to "give way" The moment
his bows struck the rebel boat he threw the
shell into the middle of it, and was himself
drawn back, luckily receiving no injury from
the explosion. Not so tho boat and occu-
pants, however, the former of which was
broken in two, and the latter were scattered
in all directions in the water, not, however,
before discharging their pistols at him, two
balls going through his cap and three per-
forating his coat The men wero then told
that if they submitted quietly they would be
saved, otherwise ho would leave them to their
fate.
They preferred the former, and arming
himself with his pistol in one hand and
dirk taken by him at the battle of Bull Run
from "secesh'') in the other, he took them
in his boat one by one, Handwriting them as
they were pulled in. In addition to which,
from the stern Of the enemy's boat which
floated, he took eleven hundred dollars in
gold, aud five thousand dollars in their worth
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
Histtllaneuns.
For the Civilian & Telegraph.
What Is Life ?

1t is even as vapor, says the Good
Book, and poet Keat says,
Stop and consider Life is but day,
A fragile dew-drop on its perilous way;
From trees summit poor Indian 8 sleep,
AS his boat hastens to the monstrous steep
What is life faye what is Life is sadly
echoed back upon my anxious car-but
bark my heart spcaks-let me hear what
answer it gives. Life is smile, laugh,
aud again smile "a sigh, tear, groan,
and all is over. Lifc in its different aspects
has been presented to my view, and as Oh.
picture after another of the shadows varied
past arises before my minds eye, and per-
ceive reality, stern, painful reality. impressed
upon each, my heart is compelled to admit
that all is not fancy. The end of life with
some is as the beginning-bright, glad, joyful
and hopeful, even until the solemn hour
when the things Of Time are exchanged for
those Of Eternity. But how far from the
beginning is the end of such? Truly, the
length Of such lives is but span but O,
what a long, delightful eternity awaits their
happy spirits.
Some see the end of these glad days, not
when they are about to enter into the land
Of bliss, but when the dark clouds which
hover about most of Earth's children arc
creeping towards thcm-when the sorrows
of this world steal into their hearts, then
shadows are cast over those sunny days, and
the joys Of earth are blighted. But an end
cometh to all these shadows, which is the
beginning of Eternal light, and joys that
never pass away. Oh who would not bear
all these things patiently, for the sake of
the rich reward provided above.
Again, there are these upon whom it NAV
be said the bright sun has never shone-
whose spirits have been crushed, whose lows
have been blighted from the earliest period
Of the comprehension Of the things which
produce joy and sorrow. But for these too,
a happy issue is in store, and if faithful in
performing their duty, patient in enduring
Aft ction, will most certainly reach that long
wished for goal.
Take courage, then, thou child of grief
and sorrow, and forget not that thy path is
strewn by the hand of Wisdom. Be not af-
frighted at the apparent ruggedness of the
way, for all these difficulties arc necessary,
and though you may now be "seeing through |
\ glass darkly" day is drawing near when
light will take the place of darkness, and the
mysteries which now surround you will be
perfectly understood
Truly it has been said, "Life is a strange
venue of various trees and flowers, lightsome
It commencement but darkening to its end
n distant massy portal" r.
Cumberland, Dec. 9th.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
Sleigh-Riding.

The slegh-riding timo may soon be expect.
ed in this quarter (if sleigh-riding is to be a.
all vouchsafed us this year;) and though mon.
ney is not so abundant as it is sometimes, who
will not indulge, to small extent, in tho en-
joyment? TO be sure we relish sleigh-ridine
pretty much as we do oysters-not so much
for the thing itself as for the trimmings. -
To be packed in box; to be trotted, half
frozen. up and down the streets to have the
sharp wind taking all manner of liberty with
your nose and ears; to have your feet as
numb as dead mans, and be asked to chris
ten the whole thing fun, is not so delightful.
But then the trimmings are something; for,
to have plenty Of feminine dry-goods to lean
against to have two little bonnets squeezed
up against your cap, or two rosy cheeks press
cd like three-plie velvet against your own is
capital.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19

Pluck OF the HOOSler Girl.

The young ladies of Logansport, Ind, at
meeting held on the Seth Of September,
passed the following resolutions:
Resolved, That we deem it to be the duty
Of every young unmarried man to enlist and
fight for the honor of his country, his flag,
and his own reputation. -
Resolced, That the young men, in this time
Of our country's peril, have but one good sx .
cuse for not being a soldier, and that is cow
ardce.
Resolred, That the young man who now
fails to respond to the call Of his country, is
not worthy the kind regards of the smiles Of
the young ladies Of our native Hoosier State.
and that none but ladies Of doubtful age
will smile on such men.
Resolved, That we will have nothing to do
with young men Who refuse to 60 to the war,
and that "Homs Guards" must keep their
distance.
Resolved, That the young man who has not
pluck enough to fight for his country, has not
got the manliness to make good husband.
Resolved, Phat we will marry no man who
has not been soldier.
Resolved, That we will not marry till after
the war is over ; and then "Home Guards!"
no never!!
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
Gen. McCleIlan's Selection OF Win
ter Quarters.

A letter from member of the Rhode Is.
land Second to the Phoenix Journal, contains
the following expressive passage, after describ.
ing Gen. Mcclellan, and related the pointed
compli ment paid by him to the regiment a,
the close Of a review:
just as the General was about to mount
his horse to leave, Col. Wheaton asked him
when we were to return to our old quarters
at Camp Sprague. He modestly replied
"Do you know Of place called -, be-
tween Mobile and Richmond ?" II have now
forgotten the name of the place he men,
tioned.l
"Yes," replied the Colonel.
well, that is the place intend having
your regiment quartered this Winter"
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
The Romance of War.
How Capt. Wilkes got E'uen ,cith John
SiideU.

The Brooklyn Times is responsible for the
following:
Capt. Wilkes, the bold and responsibility
assuming commander of the San Jacinto
who caused gun to be fired across the bows
OF the British steamer Trent, brought her to
to and relieved her of Messrs. Mason and
Slidcll, and their Secretaries, is now about
Sc years of age. Consequently, as Jack
BunSby would say, he was once younger
than he is now. Though every inch sailor
and not often given to the melting mood the
blind god once succeeded in sending one Of
his shafts clear through his rough sou wester
which found lodgment in his honest heart
The bow from which the shaft was spec
hung in the eyes of fair girl, and straight.
way the jolly tar fell head over ears in love
lie prosecuted his suit with vigor. The girl
was "a lass who loved sailor" and SC
smiled upon him, and consented to become
bis wife. But the young sailor had a riva
IN the son of respectable talow chandler
well'to-do, called Slidell, and young Sli,lelj
feeling considerably cut up by being cut out
refused to accept "the mitten, but not hay
ing spunk enough to throw down the glove
to his sailor rival, contented himself With
poisoning the mind Of the "stern parent,
OF the fair one, until he refused his consent
to his daughters marriage with the bold
Charlie Wilkes, and insisted upon her giving
her hand to young Slidell, which after many
protestations and the customary amount Of
tears and Mysteries, she did, and became Mrs.
John Slidell. The bold Charlie Wilkes did
not peak and pine, or let his melancholy feed
on his weather-beaten cheeks, but went to
sea and smothered his grief in attending to
his duty and sustaining the honor of his ma
tons flag, never seeing his "lady lass" again,
or meeting his successful rival for her hand
and heart, until he saw him standing pris-
oner on board his ship, traitor to his coun-
try and a rebel against the flag the honest
tar had spent his life liz defending. Such is
the romance of war. We congratulate the
bold Charles upon having at last "got more
than even"
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19

"What is this?" With an infallibility te
which there is no exception, save when Lel
imperfect knowledge of English prevents
her catching tho question, she answers
promptly, and the audience corroborates her
by applause. She tells the time by any
given gentlemans watch in the room--she
astounds the same person by knowing his
exact age, only whispered to her husband,
and asked by "the aged" himsclf-and them
she informs him of the exact card he has
mentioned to Hermann, again on the gentle
mans own inquiry. Madame Hermann is
perhaps the most wonderful of all the Dia-
bolists wonders.
A. As a "stirrup cup" to be drunk by the
audience in parting from him, Hermann pre-
sents his final marvel, "The Inexhaustible
Bottle" This bottle is one Of the kind usll-
ally destined to the accommodation of q
quart of champagne. Hermann turns it
upside down--rnses it out with water-and
proves its contents similar to that of Sir
Charles Coldstream' idea of st. Peters dome
"nothing in it," He then produces one hun
dred and fifty glasses, and without leaving
his position on the gang-plank, fills them
from this bottle with every cordial and wine
which is to be had in the "capes" of Paris.
Sherry. Anisette, Champagne, Parfait, A
mour, Whiskey Punch, A6sinths, Port,
Grand Chartreuse, Maraschino, Madeira, Gin,
Cuacora, Hook, Stoughton, Jamaica Rum
the whole catalogue Of sweets and strengths,
come out of that diabolic flagon on demand
till the thirst and curiosity of the par
quette are satisfied. After which the as
tonished two thousand with their hair on
end, go home to dream that they have been
turned into wine cellars, and Hermann is a
vineyard, diabolically made personal, filling
them to overfowing.--Nev York Ecening
Post.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
A Cheerful Heart.

l once heard a young lady say to an indi-
vidual: "Your countcnance to Inc is Ike the
rising sun, for it always gladdens me with a
cheerful look" A merry, cheerful counte-
nance was one of the things which Jeremy
Taylor said his enemies and prosecutors
could not take away from him. There are
some persons who spend their lives in this
world, as they would spend their lives if shut
up in dungeon. Everything is made
gloomy and forbidding. They 60 mourning
and complaining from day to day, that they
have so little, and are constantly anxious,
lest what they have should escape from their
hands. They always look upon the dark
side, and can never enjoy the good. That
is not relision-religion makes the heart
cheerful, and when its large and benevolent
principles are exercised, man will be happy
in spite OF himself.
The industrious bee does not stop to CON-
plain that there are SO many poisonous
flowers and thorny branches on its road,
but buzzes on. selecting his honey where he
can find it, and passes quietly by places
where it is not. There is enough in this
world to contend about and find fault with
if men have the disposition.
We often travel on a lard and uneven
road, but with cheerful spirit, and a heart
to praise God for his mercies, we may walk
therein with comfort and come to the end
Of our Journey with peaca.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
Yuttital.
The Star Of the Union.
BY GEORGE W. WILSON.

The sky is dark: save one fair star,
All take their flight in still despair;
But one still lives and burns afar,
'Tis cherished by nations prayer;
1t dwells serenely midst the night,
More brightly burns with danger nist
Loved emblem of nations might
The Star of Union cannot die.
Though storms assail, they can but scar !;
The lightning's flash moment quells;
Columbia in her fiery car
Above each conflict safely dwells.
Forever sparkle in thy sphere,
Unharmed by passing meteor's glare;
Thou art the star that all revere
The brightest gem of earth and air.
Shine on forever, silver star!
Shed lustre DER each soldiers grave
And nations watch thee from afar-
The hope and beacon of the brave:
A moments war thy face may cloud,
But brighter, dearer shalt thou be
When bursting from the sable shroud
We hail thee-star Of rictory.
Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-19
Black Eyes and Blue.

Black eyes most dazzle at a ball;
Blue eyes most please at evening fall.
Black conquest soonest gain;
The blue conquest most retain;
The black bespeak lively heart,
Whose soft emotions soon depart:
The blue steader fame betray,
That burns and lives beyond day;
The black may features best disclose
In blue may feelings all repose,
Then let each reign without control,
The black all mind-the blue all soul