davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
The Rival Pilots.

The Uncle Sam was the largest boat OF
the day. and had two of the best pilots
on the river. Between these two peu-
whom we will call Smith and Brown
there existed bitter spirit of rivalry
The first engineer sided with Smith, the
first pilot, and the second engineer with
Brown.
One day. when the boat was leaving
Natcbez, Brown, who was steering, ran
her a short distance down the stream in
order to pass the town under full head
of steam. Just as she was abreast the
town, the first engineer, who vas work
ing the boat, shut the steam nearly off;
nor, would be put it on again until they
finally, and very slowly passed the town.
Brown saw the fuger of Smith in his ma
MOWERS, and swore revenge. He got it.
On the next down trip heavy fog a.
rose at sunset; and Smith, who, at that
time, abandoned the boat to Brown; or
dered him to run the boat till nine o.
clock, and then tie her up; to have steam
kept up all night, and if the fog should
lift, to call him.
"Tie the boat upl" said Brown. II
can run her in any soch fog as there is to
night I'll run her till twelve, clock,
and then tie her up, as you are afraid"
~ can run her any night and any
where that you eau" replied Smith, "and
if YOU do move her till twelve, call me
then. That's all.
Brown kept on for time, but the fog
grew heavier, and baving made sure that
bis coadjutor was asleep, he rounded the
boat to wood yard. and tied up. His
friend the second engineer, was on duty,
and according to Browns direction, the
wheel was unshipped and the steam kept
up.
At twelve, Brown went to the wheel a.
gain and sent waiter to call Smith, who
soon made his appearance, rubbing bis
eyes, and anything but pleased at the
prospect before bin.
"Hallo!" said Brown, care you therel
/ have called you according to orders
Now | think you bad better tie up aud
turn in again or you will make smash
before morning"
Smith growled out that be was able te
steer any boat in any fog, and took tht
wbeel-Brown went below.
The wheels which wore uniDjured
turned around with the swift cuerent. ani
the splashes reached his ears; and SO
his bad lusk, Browns obstiBacy and hi
own stupidity, in accepting the banter, b.
turned the wheel now this way and nov
that, expecting every moment to hear to-
boat strike against something. A thou
sand tunes during bis weary watch, di'
hc determine to give up bis desperate un
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
A WelI-Mlxed Race.

There is DOW in Rochester, New York,
a man aged l06 years, ancestry. together
With his own progeny, will exhibit one of
the strangest mixture of races ever heard
Of His name is John Shenandoah
O'Brien, and be was born in Boston,
1855. His father was an Irishman, and
his mother an Indian Of the Oneida tribe.
When twelve years old, he vas sent to
France, and there educated as a pbysi-
clan. He returned to this country and
served in the Revolutionary War; after
wards he went back to France, and there
married the daughter of the Emperor of
Morocco, by whom be bad eight chill
dren; with her be lived in the United
States for some tine. He then married
an American woman, descended from
Teutouie line, and after her desth mar
ried negress, who vas Fifty years young-
er than himself. and By whom be had
four children. In his children are united
the blood of the Celts, the Teutous, the
African, and the North American In.
dians.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
A Truant Husband Put in Limbo.

On the morning of the goth inst, say
the Albany Argus, young man neatl.
dressed and pretty appearing woman
Mrs. Frank j. Thornton. arrived in Al
bany from New York, 10 search of be
husband, who had abandoned her for
dancing girl named Sallie Mason.
Thornton was married about two year
ago. He was employed at a sowing IA
chine mandatory as shipping clerk, auc
earned fair salary, sufficient, his wife
says. to support them and their child
comfortably. But it seems that quie
pleasant and honorable life was not 'la.t
enough for him. One of his resorts was
the Melodeon, in New York, where be
soon became acquainted with the stage
girls, among others Sallie Mason. Theil
intimacy ripened rapidly, but his salary
was not sufficient to keep up two domes.
tic establishments, and SO be resorted to
stealing After while be was detected
and about three months ago be was lock
ed up in the Tombs on charge Of steal
ing nearly 81 600 worth ofproperty from
bis employer. The evidence of his guilt
was conclusive, but through the unremit
ting earstness of his young wife be vas
permitted to turn state 8 evidence agains!
the receiver of the goods, and thus es.
capped punishment.
While 10 prison he was frequently Wis.
tied By Miss Mason, who took upon her
self to act the part Of sister. Since bis
release he has occupied his time in pay.
ing close attention to her, to tho neglect
Of bis family. On Saturday, the 14th
ult., on leaving his home, he generously
gave bis wifes penny, but as if consciepc ce
stricken, be still more generously sough,
some sewing for her. and actually broght
to her dozen shirts to be made at the
starvation price Of six cents piece !
Having thus acquitted biwself according
to bis views Of duty to bis wife and child
be sought out the jig dancer. and the two
repaired to Albany, Miss Mason seeking
an engagement at one of the theatres,
and he more than willing to live on her
earnings.
Justice Parsons issued a warrant for the
arrest of both. Miss Sallie was caught
FIRST, aud soon after Mrs Thornton, meet.
ing her husband on the street, compelled
him to accompany her to the police, where
the warrant vas served upon him. OF
course he had nothing to say in exculpa-
tion, and be aud his companion we're sent
to jail. Among other things found upon
his person was his wife's watch and chain,
which he had borroged from her the day
before be abandoned his house,
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
a Horse Panic.

About three hundred government bor-
ses Kept in an enclosure at St. Louis, be:
came frightened By the breaking down
Of slight fence, and made a stampede
through the streets. They separated in
to two divisions, one rushing up and the
other down the street. The papers give
the following particulars:
"Five large Government wagons en-.
couDtered one division not far from the
spot where the stampede began. The
wagons we're short distance apart, and
all the drivers except the first escaped
The horses attached to the frat wagon
were knocked down and crushed to
death. Two or three of those coming in
sudden contact With the wagon we're
crushed and trampled to death By those
behind them. Some springing with their
full weight on the wagon, brought it to
the ground. crushing the driver in man.
ner such as to occasion his death few
hours afterward. The second wagon was
likewise smashed to pieces, dead horse
being here also found beside the wreek.
Eight or ten horses were found dead at
various short distances from the lumber
yard where they started and two Inside
the yard. The fact that the stampede
was kept up for a great distance, is
proved BY the fact of dead horses being
picked up at distance OF two, three and
four miles away from the yard. Nearly
all the horses were recovered and taken
back to the yard"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03

dertsking. and as often did pride step il
and overtake him; and so finally having
made up bis mind to let the worst come
to the worst come, be gave a tueurlar or
der to the engineer to work very low, and
keep on.
About sunrise, Brown. accompanied
by the captain and other officers, came OF
deck:
Halo, Smith, said Brown, ais that
you
"Yes it is," replied Smith, Grossly G.
nough.
"You have been running all night
reckoD continued Brown.
Don't you see I bavel" answered
Smith. "Don't you know where you
arel" If you don't, you had better get
your eyes scrubbed out"
NO" said Brown, II can't say that
do. Where are vel"
"Just above Natchez," was the reply.
"Well. smarty," said Brown, you hart
done it this time, and | wouldn't be in
your boots for hogshead of niggers."
"Whst have done, and what do you
meant" demanded Smith ferociously.
"Donel Done epough!' roared Brown
81 left the boat tied up to old Jones
plantation, and you've gone and towed
that down to Natchez. They'll have
you up for abduction, and seduction, and
bigger stealing and putting obstruction
in the channel of the river, and the lord
have mercy upon you"
A very moist ray Of the sun peepiug
through the mist at this moment, par
TALLY disclosed the situation of the boat
and shore to the astonisbed Saith, and
darting below, be remained there until
the boat did reach Natcbez. And from
that time ever after neither the Uncle
Sam nor the Mississippi river knew him
more.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
Rich Death.

A very good story is told in the Uni
ted States Journal, OF a sailor on board
vessel laden with Spanish dollars, which
had been wrecked. The crew taken of
the wreck in boats, and just before the
last boat vas pushed off, a man was sent
back to ascertain il there might not still
be some one left. On arriving on the
main deck, where the casks had been
left, be found a fellow who bad broken
open several of the receptacies of base
lacre. and spread the contents thereof on
a table cloth on deck 10 the midst o
which be was seated, weapon in hand
Being told the ship vas fist going to pie
ces, he replied, The ship may GO
have lived poor rascal all my life. END
| am resolved to die rich. Remonstrauce
vas in vain, and poor Jack, who pre-
ferred the death of a rich man to the lif,
OF "poor rascal" was left to die alob'
in bis glory.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
Invention of the Spinning Jenny.

The following beautiful anecdote is re-
lated of Hargraves, the inventor of the
Spinning Jenny:
The invention had long engaged his at
tention, when oue day be was observed to
drop suddenly upon his knees, and roll
on the stone floor at full length. He lag
with his face toward the floor, aud made
lines and circles with the end of burnt
stick. Then he sat upon a chair placed
his head between his bands, his elbows
on his knees. and gazed intently on the
floor; then be sprang to his feet, and re-
piled to some feeble question of bis wife
who bad not risen since the day she
gave birth to little stranger-by a loud
assurance that he had it; aud taking her
in bis sturdy arms in the blankets, the
baby 10 her arms, be lifted her out and
held her over the black drawings on the
floor. These he explained, and she join.
ed small, hopeful, happy laugh, With
his high toned assurance that she should
never again toll at the spinning wheel
that he would never again "play,' and
have bis loom standing for want of weft
She asked some questions, which be an.
swered, after seating her in the arm chair
by laying her spinning wheel on its back
the horizontal spindle vertically, while be
made the wheel revolve, and drew ro.
wing of cotton from the spindle into an
attenusted thread "OuI fortune is made,
he said, speaking of his drawings on the
foor.-"What will you call it'll" asked
his wife. "Call It'll What an we cal! il
after thyself, Jenny' They called thee
Spinning Jenny afore l had thee, because
thou beat every lass in Stanchill Moor a
the wheel. What if We call it Spinning
Jenny I"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
Spiritual,

At the Breesort House, N. Y, one
evening. tbero was a dispute about the
reality of Spiritualism. when wag came
forward, and said he had no doubt there
was something in it, as he himself vas a
sort of medium. How mediuml' in
quired the landlord. Why replied, tie
wag. 4 can do good many mysterious
things for instance, | can make bell
ring without touching it, The landlord
offered to bet he could not. The wag
PERSISTED, and said that be would lay
twenty dollars that be could make at
least dozen of the bells in that room
ring within two minutes, without moving
from where he sat. .Donen. exclaimed
the landlord, and the money was put up.
The wog turned round in bis sest, opeOed
a closet, doer, and turned of The gas from
the UPPER part Of the building. Iu less
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
How an old Gentleman was Swindled out
Of $780,

An elderly gentleman of Newark vas
sRiBdlrd out of $500 10 the following
manner a dag or two since -
lie was a,eosted by two persons, one
representing bimself as well-to- do farm
er, the other as a respectable gentleman
and appearing as such. who said the for
mer had recently sold the latter farm,
and vas nov desirous to cell some cattle;
that the latter would buy, but the far
per did not leel willing to sell them di-
rect to the latter, as an uncle whose good
will be vas dcsiroas to keep, dee ut ed be
had been cverreached in the farm bar
gain, and would not lika to have him sell
tbs cattle to the same man.
However, they proposed to the gentle
nan to act as an agent, to purchase the
catsle from the former. and then sell them
to the latter, thus accomplishing the de-
sired object. The latter unsuspeetingl y
fell ipto the trap, and the three walk
ed Of together to one of our city banks +,
where the Old gentleman drew bis check
for $500 and paid it to the farmer. The
latter returned him his thanks. saying he
Eantcd to see the Bauk President miu.
ute, asked his friend to go With the ac-
coumodating old gentleman aud show
bin the cattle aud also pay him the mon
ey. Both then went out together, the
farmer leaving them, and had proceeded
short distance when the other man said
He did not tell ne wbicb ones | vas to
take. l will go and ask bin. You wait
here a minute and | will return" 80
saying be disappeared, and of eourse did
not return, leaving the old gentleman to
wait for Lin in vain.
The transaction was the work of few
minutes; it appeared so plausible aud SC
natural, that the old gentleman felt that
he was doing kindness to both the par
ties-ss indeed be was, bat at his cost iu
the sun of three hundred dollars l-Nea0'
ark AdUertiSer.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1861.
Another Reconnaissance.

To-day the Rebels had an opportunity
to fight. which they didn't Improve. Gen.
eral Smiths soldiers bad second lesson
10 war, and showed themselves apt schol.
ars. Five thousand men under command
Of General Smith, moved toward Lewins.
vile, on the road where the first recon
noisssnce was made, with one hundred
wagons to be filed with forage taken,
supports being left at various points as
the column proceeded. The advance
corps consisted of 5000 men, with six
pieces of artillery, They halted at the
house of physician, on an eminence,
bout mile and half FROM LsSinsville
Two guns were planted to the light OF
the road, and four to the left, Infantry
supporting, and bkirmiShers thrown out
on each flank.
From 81 o'clock a. q. till clock p.
m, our forces rested, the enemy making
no sign, and our men busily loading the
wagons with hay and corn belonging to
LeSipsvllo Rebels.
Shortly after o'clock, movements we're
discovered in the woods About a regi.
ment appeared on cur flank, and heavy
column in froDt-at least four regiments
of iufautry, one of cavalry, and six pieces
OF artillery.
Notice vas given to the supports, and
Generals Mccall aud Porter were tele.
sraphed TO hold themselves in readiness.
Presently the enemy opened with shot
and she'll. The first and second fell short.
The third burst behind our line, wound
ing private Of Col Bakers regiment Sc
verely in the arm. The artillery OF both
Mott and Grifio opened FIRE. The FIRST
she'll dropped among the bushes where a
Rebel battery was planted.
After He had thrown twenty six shot
and she'll the Rebels disappc ared, both
Gu the front and flank They had de-
Glued to accept the gage Of battle they
have been so long affecting to desire,
At o'clock cur forces returned to
their positions with ninety odd wagon,
loads Of hay, sad one prisoner-Burke-
an Ifi-huan of Winchester, wbo nistook
our pickets for theirs He represents
himself as an aid Of Col Stewart. No
Information was obtained from him.
Our men behaved admirably, and kept
their positions undisturbed By the rebels
shells, eager to have them come CD.
The expedition was ostensibly for for
aEe, tut really to see If the enemy meant
fsht, and also to try our men.
Gen. Mcclellan was not present during
the affair. but vas represented by Col.
keSes Of bis staff.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
Grindstnnes at Retail

Tradesnen are go often seriously an
noyed by tedious customers, that they are
not apt to enjoy any imposition of fan.
One day wsg entered hardware
store, and, inquiriDg for griDdstones, was
taken to the back yard, where there were
rows of the desired article ranged on Ell
ther side. The day was drilzy, the rain
pouring down silently but steadily. He
examined q number. bot none seemed to
suit bis purposes. One was too course
in grain, another the opposite. AT last,
when be saw the salesman was getting
somewhat damp and uncoDfortable from
exposure to the weather, be thought tb at
be would bring matters to J'naIe; and
laying bis hands on pretty fair specl'
men, he inquired - How much do you
charge pound for this one !" "Well,
replied the clerk. Il guess we can let Jon
have that one at four cents pound -
'Well, retarDed Sam, knock ne OBJ
pound and halfl'
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03

On the 18th inst, Vice President Dali
LAS addressed meeting in Philadelphia.
Hear what he said.--
"Iu this war, then, there is really no
alternative for loyal constitutioualists.-
In the explicit language of the unaDi-
mously adopted resolutions OF Mr.. Crit
tenden, it was forced upon the govern
mcnt Retrospective narrative, there
fore, would be alike tedious and useless.
1t is on our hands. We see it, bear it,
feel it, Our fathers, brothers. and sons
are falling in hecatombs, sacrificed to Its
fury. Every breeze comes laden with its
changing incidents, its alarms, its hopes,
its gloom, its taunts, its cheers. its covert
staying and its open struggles. The
gates of Janus sro expanded wide. No
room now left for diplomacy of any sort;
Doue for soothing words Of remonstranse
Fight we must; fight a u outra'ce, those
whom We have heretofore fostered aud
taught how to fight. drive them from their
infuriated and parricidaI purpose of de-
stroyiDg their own country; end pause
only when that country. its Union and
Constitution are inaccessible to outrage"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03

UPA peasant who had a miserable
hack borse who was absolutely of old
age. resolved to destroy him. AS be was
riding him along the road. he met jock
ey riding superb full blooded Arabian
horse.
"My friend" said the owner of the an.
tiqusted anina al, 'I'll bet you ten dollars
| can do with my horse what you can''
with yours"
"Done" said the jockey.
The peasant quietly led bis horse tc
the brink Of the river and pushed hin
10.
"Now let's see you do that with your
hore," be said.
The jockey preferred paying the tel
dollars.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
MOST
Commodore Percival 0verhauling a Pr
rate

: IdI6.
/ When PerciVal commanded the United
States brig Dolphin, many years ago, be
one day overhauicd pirate brig at the
east end of the Island of Teneriffe. He
had chased tbi. vessel steadily for more
than fifty hours, and was much exsspera-
ted when be fually came along side
His men lesped aboard the pirate with
great alacrity when led by their comman-
der With cutfasses flashing over their
heads, they were about to pIuuge like de-
mons into crowd of villainous- looking
scoundreis, when the shrill voice of Capt
Percival yelled out:
"a vast there, men! don't strike
blow"
He then began: "Wbo commands
this briel" when low -browed, villain
Gus looking mulatto stepped forward and
replied, in broken English, "Him 90
shore wid mate in dat boat dare" Then,
as bis eyes flashed FIRE, be balanced
cooked pistol iu his hand, with a very
wicked and nervous finger oD the trigger,
and looked him in the face, saying, in a
low, precise tone: Nov, my man, at the
first lie I'll blow your brains out. Tell
me where you came from"
The villain quailed as be stood beneath
the gaze of the old white headed skipper,
and trem blingly replied, "From de Span
ish Main-Laguayra.
"YOur papersl"
"Goue shore wild cappen."
"And the name of the brigl" rejoined
Percival, as be still moved the pistol up
and down, aud added, "cuidado, amigo,
have a carcl' as the scoundrol hegsn TO
falter.
Brig namee!"
eyes"
"She nauee-Juniata
This was the last word and lie the mu-
lstto uttered Percival's arm moved
slowly up until the barrel of ths weapon
was level with bis forehead, aud the man
was stretched dead on the deck. He then
pulled out another pistol from bis belt,
and without changing a mu.cle of bis de-
termiDed face, beekoned to another of the
gang, and in the same cold, sardonic,
los, though audible tone, said in Span
ish:i
"a ball for every lie. Now, what is
the true name Of this craftlr
The nan looked around to see if there
were any way of eseding the question BY
escape, while the click of the captains
pistol assailed his ears, and he hesitated
no longer, but fell on bis knees, and,
crossing his breast, said:
"She is a SLAYER, called the Clara"
"Ah!" sighed Percival, "eveu the truth
won't save such rascals, and you have on
ly swspped the devil for witch-an
ounce of lead for fsthom of hemp
Then, speaking to the boats crew, be
said: Throw this yellow carcass over
bosrd;" and. leaning oser the briggs rail,
be shouted to the first lieutenant of his
own ship to send dozen marines and
half hundred handouts and as many
feet irons an board, for the pirates.
In few moments the entire band we're
msnacled The following day the cap
tain communicated with the Spanish au-
tborities OF Santa Cruz, as the vessel had
anchored at the moment she was coptur
ed. Representations were also made to
the English consul to procure the evil
dence necessary to the conviction OF the
crew. One of the miscresDts coDtrived
to jump overheard On the passage to Glib
ralter; but the remainder, after fair
trial, were hanged by the necks until they
were dead.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03

s@~"Sal," exclaimed EbeDezer to bis
dearly beloved, when be arrived 10 BOs-
ton with his bride on wedding tour,
"Ssl get on your Sunday 60 to-meetings
and things, and let's take perPendicu'
lar promenade round the prejunets ofthis
principality." "Well. Zeb," replied the
fair bride, "I'll do nothing shorter. But
can't you say your grammar and college
edifcstioD! Ii you want ue to slatheI
reouud, and take trot with sou Why il
the sslted Jerusalem dou't yOu cay sol"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
s@ The California Christian Aduoco,

p% The California Christian AdUOcate
states that a seoessioDist recently entered
an eating house at Martinez, and called
for FIRST rate Jeff. Davis meal" In
due course Of time the waiter placed be-
fore bin large covered dish-"only
that and nothing more" On removing
the cover, SeOesb found snugly coied up
a hempeo rope, sith slip moose at ole
end. He left,-had no appetite.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-03
The following story i. told of Col. Fa

The following story is told of Col. Fa-
vor, and as the Colonel bas told it him
seif, it must be true
A Presbyterian clergyman, while walk
ing the deck of steamer at st. ohns'
N. B.. where secessionsu bad considera-
BILE footing, potisiug the American flag
fyiug from the masthead of ship. taun
tinuly said to Col Favor: why don't yoG
take slice of that flag, since you have
lost portion of your country y
Yankee like, the Colonel quickly re-
piled "wby don't you tear leaf froE
your Bible because part of your eburei
has fallen from grace y The slergymal
had no more to say 90 that subject.