davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24
BY s. J. ROW.
THE MERRY GIRLS.

The laughing girls, the happy girls,
ginger, how we love 'emi
Sweet, pretty girls with sunny curIs,
what can be above 'em
We love to see them run and skip,
And hear them laugh and giggIe;
We like to press the nectar lip.
Ha how it makes us giggle.
o, none but hateful, hunchb backed churIs
Can help but love the pretty girls!
The lass, the lass with rosy cheeks.
roaring, fighting Caesar.
We'd Chamber up the Alpine peaks,
To get chance to squeeze her,
She's plump and neat as any doll,
And, glory, how we'd founder-
We'd give our fortune, pipe and all,
To get our arms around her,
For none but hateful, hunchbacked churls
Refuse to squeeze the merry girls
The maid, the maid with laughing eyes.
save US, mighty juno
Who can the pleasing orbs despise?
Oh we can't do it, you know
We'd kiss all the babies now in town,
And try to look some snugger;
Wed always smile and never frown,
If we could only hug her.
For none but hateful, chbacked churls
VIII study long to hug the girls
Croak on. croak on ye baches'' old,
Wen listen to you never,
Well hug the girls till we grow cold
Well love them on forever.
o sing and talk of single bliss,
But we ii not hear your story?
We'd sell ourself for one sweet kiss
o! glory. glory. glory.
For none but hateful, hunch back ed churls
Can help but love the merry girls
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

CONTENTS oP AN OsTRICH's SToMAoH.-The
Lyons Journals state that a few days back some
ruffians succeeded in getting hold of the os-
trich kept in the Pare de la Tete dor, with
view OF stripping it of its feathers. The poor
bird was shortly afterwards found lying on the
ground in dying state, having had its neck
almost dislocated by the miscreants. Alter
its death it was disseoted by NJ. Rey, profess
sor of the veterinary school of the city, who
found the following strange articles in its Sec
ond stomach: three clay tobacco pipes, quite
whole, but having become green knife
with abrass handle, twenty centimeters in
length twenty-five brass buttons of dif1ereut
infantry regiments; ten-sous piece, thirty
two sous and centimes, on most of which the
effigy had been worn off; about fifty bits of
brass, reduced by corrosion to small triangles !,
fragments of watch chains various bits of
other metals; six large whole walnuts, and
several fragments of hawthorn walking stick !;
lastly, piece of iron wire, ten centimeters In
length, which had pierced the sides of the
gizzard, was found imbedded in the abdomen,
and does not seem to have caused the Great ure
any pain.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24
VOL. Ono. II.
ANEcDorE OF A rEAcHER-soLD1ER.

The following anecdote OF teacher soldier,
was related by Prof. Wickersham in his lee
ture on awakening Mind" The incident
narrated occurred at the battle of Fair Oaks.
We would have given it place in our report
at the time had our columns allowed tit is
too good to be lost: O.
rebel battery, handled in mastery man
ner, was moving our men down, and it SEEM
ed impossible to drive ii from its position.
The General, seeing this, rode up to the Cap
tain OF Lancaster county company. Soap
tain, want some one VINO will go out between
these armies and shoot the officer in command
of that battery ssWhy, General, it's GER
tain death to attempt it 20 ssI know it but
you see how that fire is decimating our ranks.
Is there no man willing to sacrifice himself2''
sEI'll see," replied the captain, as he turned
to his company. esBoys, who of you is will
ling to go out between these armies, and shoot
yonder officerl" A young man stepped out
of the ranks-..I'I go.'
He went, seemingly to certain death. Craw-
ling along, he finally reached a slight eleva-
tion behind which he was partially sheltered.
There was a crack of his rife, but the bali mis-
sed its mark. Again-steady alma puff of
smoke The officer is seen to throw up his
arms. His gunners spring to catch him as he
falls. The battery is forced to abandon its
position. The brave soldier returns unharm-
ed. sand" said the Professor in burst of
enthusiasm, 81 would have searched the ar
my through, but 1 would have taken that
young man by the hand and said to him, st
was bravey done!''' He was teacher from
this county. win give you his name-Geo.
X. Swope Lancaster (Pa.) Express.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

You have heard, perhaps, of the encounter
between an Englishman and the market wo-
man at fruit stand in New York. The Eng
Iishman had learned of the Yankees habit of
Dragging, and he thought he would cut the
comb of that propensity. He saw some huge
watermelons on the market-woman's stand,
and walking up to her, pointing at them with
a look of disappointment, said ssWhat! don't
you raise bigger apples than these in Ameri-
ca 2" The woman looked at him one mo-
might know you was an Englishman. Them's
hucsieberries
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

A 'Sucker's idea OF soundness aptly illus
trated in the remark of an old beehunter in
one of the Egytian counties. The times were
the topic of conversation, and the soundness
of the various Illinois banks was under dis
cusson. Among these is the Castor Bank,
owned by Smith, popular man among the
copperas breeches there -abouts.
els Smith sound ?'' inquired one of the
party.
Uncle John, an old pioneer, taking his pipe
from hole in his face like sit in a side of
sole leather, broke out:
Sound Smith sound Well, he is. He new
er wur sick in his life, weighs more than 180,
voted for Duglis, and believes in immersion
sure, l call that sound-some.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

CONG TO REsr.-Did you ever know child,
though half dead with play, who was willing
to go,to bed How they will wink, open their
poor eyes, and stare about, and liDger round
the bright lamps, and plead for reprieve,
s.just little longer, just five ten minute ~
Time will cure them of that soon enough,
poor things, SO don't try to teach them the les
son now. Let them sssit up,'' before the evil
days come when sleep is the most coveted boon
on earth when they dread nothing much
as waking to a new day, and its repetition of
weary struggles with wrong and wrong doors,
lighted by glimpses OF sunshine so few and
so transient. Crowd into the children's in
scect-lie all the happiness you can, that they
may have that at least, to look back upon,
when they have no longer the wish or the pow
er to sssit up.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

WAsHINGToNs WILL STOLEN AND Sold
1t appears by statement made at meeting
will of Washington was stolen on the advance
of the amy into Virginia, and has since been
sold to the British Museum. 1t was the last
production of his pen, having been written
exclusively by Washington. 1t was deposited
in the Fairfax courthouse, and was stolen by
a soldier, and has found its way, notwithstan-
into the curiosity shop of the British, where
it will doubtless remain, unless efforts are
made to have it restored.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24
COL M'NE1L AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN.

Col. Hugh Mcneil, of the famous sBuck-
tail'' regiment, who was killed at the battle of
Antietam, was one of the most accomplished
officers in the federal service. A soldier re-
lates an exploit of his at South Mountain
which is worth recording.
During the battle of South Mountain the reb-
els held very strong position. They were
posted in the mountain pass, and had infantry
on the heights on every side. Our men were
compelled to carry the place by storm. The
position seemed impregnable large craggy
rocks protected the enemy on every side,
while our men were exposed to CALLING fire.
A band of rebels occupied ledge on the
extreme right, as the colonel approached with
a few of his men. The unseen force poured
upon them volley. Mcneil, on the instant,
gave the command ssPour your fire upon
those recks.a~--
The Bucktails besitated it was not an or
der that they had been accustomed to receives
they had always picked their men.
s'Fire !''-thundered the colonel, sI tell you
to fire at those rocks''
The men obeyed. For some time an irreg-
nar fire was kept up; the Bucktals sheltering
themselves as best they could behind trees
and rocks. On sudden Mcneil caught sight
of two rebels peering through an opening in
the works to get an aim. The eyes of the men
followed their commander, and half-a dozen
rifles was levelled in that direction
''Wait minute,'' said the Colonel 81 will
try my hand. There is nothing like killing
two birds with one stone.''
The two rebels were not in lire, but one
stood little distance back of the other, while
just IN front of the foremost was a slanting
rock. Col. Mcneil seized rife, raised it.
glanced a moment along the polished barrel ;
report followed, and both the rebels disap
peared. At that moment a loud cheer lit
tie distance beyond rent the air.
''Al is right now,'' cried the Colonel /;
charge the rascals.''
Ihe men sprang up among the rocks in an
instant. The affrighted rebels turned to run.
but encountered another body of the Buck
tails, and were obliged to surrender. Not
man OF them escaped. Every one saw the OBJ
ject of the Colonel's order to fire at random
among the rocks. He had sent the party a.
round to their rear, and meant this to attract
their attention. 1t was perfect success.
The two rebels by the opening in the ledge,
were found lying there stiff and cold. Colo
mel McNeil's bullet had struck the slanting
rock in front of them, glanced, and passed
through both their heads. There it lay be-
tween them fiattened. The Colonel picked it
up and put it in his pocket.-N. Y. Post.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

A firm of johnson & Co. recently started
the busines of issuing shinplasters in Elmira !;
but for some mysterious reason they could
not keep them issued, They came back so
rapidly that the responsible member of the
firm, DIR. Golden by name, found it necessary
to change his base, and, curiously enough, for
got to pay his board bill. The Press says |:
.sIt is quite often we hear of srun on the
bank Things have changed. Yesterday
our citizens witnessed the anamaly of bank
on the run. The last seen of the bank of
Johnson < Co., it was making straight coat
tail through the Erie Railroad woodshed to-
ward the woods.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

AN OLD A0oUAINTAYoE.-Lord Chief JUS
tice Holt, when young man was worry dissi-
pated, and belonged to club of wild fellows,
most of whom took an infamous course of life
When his lordship was engaged at the old
Bailey man was convicted OF highway rob-
berry, whom the Judge remembered to have
been one OF his old companions. Moved by
curiosity Holt thinking the man did not
know him; ; asked what had become Of his old
associates. The culprit making low bow,
and fetching deep sigh. replied-ssAh my
lord, they are all hanged but you- lordship
and I.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

A MOTHERS KIss.-A day or two since, a
ragged and dirty looking boy, fourteen years
of age. pleaded guilty in the superior criminal
court to having fired a building. For two
years past, since the death of his mother, he
had wandered around the streets vagrant,
without home or human being to care for
him, and he had become in every respect a
bad boy.'' A gentleman and lady interested
themselves in his behalf, and the latter took
him one side to question him. She talk ed
with him kindly, but without making the
slightest impression upon his feelings. and to
all she had said he manifest the greatest lndif-
ference, until she asked him if no one ever
kissed him. This simple inquiry proved too
much for HIM, and bursting into tears replied
ssNo one since my mother kissed me-" That
one thought of his poor, dead mother, the
only being, perhaps, who had ever spoken to
him kindly before, touched him to his heart,
a hardened young criminal as he was. This
little incident caused other tears than his
Boston Recorder.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

A good story is told of one of our country
constables, who was drec ted to serve an ex-
ecution. He was told that the property to be
levied consisted of three heifers, and after
taking charge of them he must endorse re-
turn describing the property. With view
to be entirely correct, aud not finding '.aul
heffers, be specified as follows GO went to
level on heffers, but they warnt aul heffers
only won wars shee heffer, and the other
wars a moely bull and the other wars bully
moul'
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

WET THE PowDER.-Two Irishmen in a re-
cent engagement were galantly standing by
their gun, firing in quick succession. when
one touching the piece, noticed that it was
very hot.
ssArrah Mike, the cannon is gettin' hot; (;
we'd better stop firm little.''
ssDivil bit,'' replied Mike; s:jist dip the
cartridges in the river afore yees load an kape
it cool.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24
A SHORT cArEcH1sM FOR DEMOCRATS

SHORT CATECHISM FOR DEMOCRATS
Question. Who was the General to receive
negroes within his lines, and to refuse to re-
mand them to their rebel owners?
.dnswer. Gen. Butler Democrat.
Question. Who was among the first men to
take ground in favor of confscating rebel
purposes?
.answer. John Cochrane, Democatic Con-
gresham from New York, now in service Of
his country.
@. Who was the first military Commander,
under the war power, to issue proclamation
for the unconditional freedom of the slaves
Il. Gen. Hunter, in South Carolina, an
old Democrat.
Q. Who first gave orders to shoot on the
spot the first man who would attempt to tear
down the American flag2
fl. Gen. John A. Dix, Democrat.
Q. Who hung the first offender for thus
tearing down the flag
II. Gen. BENZ. F. Butler, Democrat
He hung Mumford in New Orleans, for tear
ing down the flag on the U. S. Mint.
Q. Who hung the rebels in Arkansas for
treachery towards his troops?
n. Gen. G. N. Fitch, recently Demo-
cratic Senator.
@. Who were among the most Jealous ad-
vocates in the Senate of using the negroes for
military purposes
II. Senator Rice, of Minnesota, and Wright
of Indiana, both Democrats. The former
quoted English precedent for raising colored
regiments.
Q. When Cumberland Senator last win
ter at Augusta, in the Senate Chamber, exul-
tingly asked, Where is the officer who will
lead regiment of coored troops, who was
the man to respond by rising
Il. Col. Frank S. Nickerson, of the Maine
Fourteenth-a Democrat.
@. Who are among the foremost men in
the Empire State, to urge the use of slaves as
we would use other property, in putting down
the rebellion-by putting them to any use
that can be made available?
n. Daniel S. Dickinson. and Richard Bus
teed, two of the most prominent Democrats of
the State.
Q. Who was the first actually to raise a
colored regiment?
a. General Hunter, Southerner by birth,
and Democrat.
@. Who was the first who proposed to lead
colored regiment to the field, and share
Il. Gen. Sprague, the richest young man
in New England, and the Democratic Govern
or of Rhode Island.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

An Irishman, being a little fuddled, was
asked what was his religious belief. s.Is it
me belafe ye'd re askin' about It's the same
as the wildly Brady's. l owe her twelve shil-
lings for whisky, and she behaves I'll niyer
pay her-and faith, that's my bslafe too ~
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

Some music teacher once wrote that the
art OF playing on violin requires the nj
cest perception, and the most sensibilily OF
any art in the known world" Upon which
&c The art of publishing newspaper, and ma
king it pay, and at the same time have 1t
please everybody, beats fddlin' higher than
a kite
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

WELL S4D.--One of the best things the.
President ever said was when he met M'Clel-
Ian, after the Army got back into its old tren-
ches: Wen, General, have heard of peo-
pie being knocked into the middle of next
week. but we are the first people l ever knew
who were knocked into the middle of last
year.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

An old maid, who has her eyes little side
ways on matrimony, says: ssThe curse OF
this war is, that it will make many widows,
who will be fierce to get married, and who
will know how to do it. Modest girls will
stand no chance at a II. -
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

would prefer the 1.30 three year bonds, con-
vertible into .fve-twentes' (6 per cent? at
maturity and of smaller notes being 3.65 per
cent. interest, as formerly recommended by
him. Through one or the other of these meas
ures, all easy OF execution, he is confident of
raising the s216, ,9l2 ,5l7 required for the cur
rent fiscal year, and also the greater sum of
S627 1888, 1873 required for the fiscal year fol-
lowing 1854, in case the war shall continue.
The dark side OF the picture is the public
debt, though the increasing wealth and strength
of the country render il far less discouraging
as the Secretary thinks, than it would be to
any other Power of the earth. The estimated
expenditures for 1884 if year of war, are
SS45, ,4l3, ,183. The actnal debt, July 1862,
timatcd that it will reach 81 ,l22, ,297 ,403, and
on JnIy l, 1865, 81, ,744 ,6S5, $50. OF course
this is calculating the war to continue on the
present gigantic scale--a calculat which is
obviously greatly in error. Either the rebels
will be beaten, we shall be, long before Ju-
Inmates the expenditures of 1863. A as follows ::
War and Navy, S55, ,835, ,S34; Other Depart
ments, S2I ,5lI ,f76; Interest sc, ,000, 900; Pen
sions and bounties, $40, ,00O.0 900; Total, 140,-
351 $40; Or not to exceed Sl60, 900 900 under
any contingencies. The British annual bud
get is more than twice this sum-S364, ,435 ,6S2
for the year ending March 81, 1862, and that
of France nearly three times as much, or for
1862, S42l 1928, 900.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

BREAD has just been made from corn eigh-
teen hundred years old, found at Pompeii.
Moreover, it is said that bitch of eighty -one
loaves from Pompeiian oven, oddly preserv-
ed from the heat of the lava by thick coat
ing of ashes, has also been discovered in the
recent explorations of the ruins.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

ssCan you tell me how the word sssaloop' is
spelt ?'' was asked Of cockney by a ouizzi-
cal fellow. ssCertainly,'' said the Londoner,
with look of triumph, ssthere's hess, and a
hay, and hell. and two hoes, and hen.''
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

DON'T WRITE THERE.-eDon't write thcre,'
said one to lad who was writing with dia-
mond pen on pane of glass in the window
of hotel. ssWhy not 2" was the reply. ssBe-
cause you can't rub it out" There are other
things which men should not do, because they
cannot rub them out. A heart is aching for
and cold, perhaps heartIess
word is spoken. The impression may be more
durable than the diamond upon the glass.
The inscription on the glass may be destroyed
by the fracture of the glass, but the impress
sion on the heart may last forever. On many
mind and many heart there are sad inscrip-
tons, deeply engraved, which no effort can
on the minds of others.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

If Humphrey Marshall wants to crush the
Union cause in Kentucky, he had better si
down upon it.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

Coon PLACES TO LIvE.-Cedarburg, in
Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, gives SAG DEM
ocratic votes to3 Republican, but is beaten
by Marsh6eld, in Fon du Lac, county, which
gives 307 Democratic votes, with ssnary one
for the Opposition" A man could have some
peace of mind in Marshield.-Democrati
Exchanges.
1t was in this same delightful reg ion, cal
led Ozaukee county, that the recent anti-draft
riot took place. These Democratic masses
wouldn't make up their quota by volunteer
ing, and determined to resist the efforts of the
authorities to complete it by draft! What
delightful place this would be for genuine
Vallandghamer! Will our Vallandigham CO.
temporaaes still complain that their party has
furnished majority of the volunteers
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

Many who dress extravagantly should be as
much ashamed of their clothes as Adam and
Eve were not having any.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

Why is man dead drunk like a piece of
artillery ready for action because hos all
limbcred up
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

The Rebel papers speak of Gen. Bntler as
ssButler the beast.'' They no doubt think
him the big beast of the Apocalypse. They
must be awfuIly scared.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

The bride elect of Prince of Wales is named
Alexandria Caroline Maria Charlotte Louisa
Julia.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

GEN. RosECRANs' GALLANTRY-W. d. B.,
Provost Marshal General at General Rose
GRAMS headquarters, and has charge of the
female department. Occasionally refractory
female breaks away from Capt. B., and insists
on seeing the General. One of these yester-
day rushed up to Gen. Rosecrans, intruding
herself between Gen. R. and Gen. Hamilton,
saying
s;Is this Gen. Rosecraus ga
eyes, madam
s.Well, General, can't have pass 2"
ssMadam - with low bow, , ssit is not my
business to give you pass; it is my duty to
refuse it,
Another lady approached on another occa-
sion, and began with pitiful story in regard
TO her spoor, dear. sick uucle.''
.sI conclude with you, madam" said the
General, in that quiet way OF bis, 'sIt is un-
fortunate that the uucles will sometimes get
seriously indisposed. i, too, have dear, af-
flicted uncle.''
s:Then, you can sympathize with me, "she
said.
ssYes, madam, L do, and when my Uncle
Sam gets over his present serious indiSposi-
tion will give you pass"
1t would OF course be an anti-climax which
would ruin the story to relate what the lady
did.
Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-24

--- ------
TIE NEW METAL, THALLIUM.-Mr. Crookes,
the discoverer of this new metal, gives the
following description of it in the Proceeding
of the Royal Society :-ssThallium in the pure
state is heavy metal, bearing a remarkable
| resemblance to lead in its physical properties.
Its specific gravity is, however, higher-about
II. The freshly scraped surface has brill
liant metallic lust.r not quite SO blue in color
as lead, and If furnishes more rapidly than this
latter metal. 1t is very soft, being readily cut
with knife and indented with the nail it
may also be hammered out and drawn into
wire, but has not much tenacity in this form.
II easily marks paper. The fusipg point is
below redness, and with care several pieces
may be melted together and cast into one
lump. There is, however, generally a loss in
this operation, owing to its rapid oxydatiou.
The metal itself does not appear to be sensibly
volatile below red heat. l have made no
special attempts at present to determine the
atomic weight, although from two estimations
OF the amount OF sulphur in the sulphide it
appears TO be very heavy. The figures OBJ
tanned did not, however, agree well enough to
enable me to speak more definitely on this
point than that be lieve it to be above 100.
may mention that | obtained this element
in the pure metallic state and exhibited it to
several friends as early as January last, and
should then have published account of il,
had it not been for the reasons already men,
toned. Thalium is soluble in nitric, hydro
chioric, and sulphuric acids, the former at
tacking it with greatest energy with evolution
of red yaDors''