davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
Farmers, take Notice!

At the ate session Of the Legislature,
an important act was passed in relation TO
obtaining certain statistics connected with
farming interest. ~ the assessors viii
soon be round, we publish the following
extract, - the farmers can see what Is re-
quifed ot them, and 5a ready to give the
information. It Is a highly important
movement, and should be carried out as
accurately a, possible;
"SEcrloN 1 The assessors Of the sew
eral cities, towns and plantations in the
State, on or before the Iirst day Of July
in each year, shall make returns to the
Office Of Secretary Of State Of the num-
Der Of neat stock, sheep and swine in
their respective cities, towns aud planta-
tons on the first day OF April in each
year, classify ing the animals and their va
rious kinds, according To the direction
and intent Of the blank returns furnished
for that purpose, also the facts as they
exist in each city, town or plantation on
the Hfst DAY OF April, IN relation to the
following matters, to wit: Tae number
OF bushels of Indian corn raised in the
year ending on said April, the number of
bushels Of wheat, rye, barley, oats, buck
wheat, potatoes, turnips, bects, carrots,
apples, also the number of tons of upland
hay, aud the number of tons Of interya,e
hay, also the number Of pounds Of but
ter, cheese, honey and maple sugar pro-
duced, anG the number Of gallons Of ma
pie syrup and molasses, also the number
of pounds Of wool anl dressed fax, and
the number of wool skins, also the value
of poultry and eggs produced, also the
number of horses Of four years old aud
upwards owned i'll said city, town or
plantation, and the number of colts un-
der four years Of age, on said first day
of April.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
TIE Dividing Line.

Mr.. Arnold, of Illinois, yesterday iu-
troduced into the House OF Representa-
tiyes bill whose purpose is clearly an
nounced in the preamble, in these words
To thc end that Freedom may be and
remain forever the fundamental law Of
the land in al! places whatever, so far as
it les within the powers and depends upon
the action Of the government of the Unit
cd States to make it So" The bill pro-
hibits slavery forever in the Territories,
in the forts, arsenals, doe! yards, in ships
aud on the high seas in short, " in all
places Whatsoever, where the national
governments Is supreme, or has exclusive
jurisdiction aud power" including Of
course, the District Of Columbia.
Nr. Arnold's bill will, we trust, speedi-
ly be reported by the Committee on Fer
ritories, to which it was referred, and
brought to u vote. 1t is clear assertion
Of the principles On which our government
was founded, and it proposes to carry out
those principles in manner entirely con-
stitutonal and cmineatly wise. 1t has
another good quality, in that it defines
sharply the position OF this nation towards
the rebels. The cornerstone of the
" Southern Contederacy,' according to
Mr. stephens, is sluyery-the corner
stone OF our national government is free
dom. There slavery is the rule, here
freedom IS the rule.
So carefully does the bill guard the
rights and privileges Of the states that,
IN the third paragraph Of section first,
slavery is prohibitet in all vessels on the
high seas and on the national highways,
5ey2ad tke territory and Jurisdiction Of
Ike secera5 states from which or to a1hich
tie sad resseis may be goiay. There is
here no undue assumption Of power, no
troucAing on disputed ground. The more
ardent opponents Of emancipation meas
urcs are such confessedly on the ground
that slavery is local state institution,
with which, where it exists in state, the
national government has no right to in
tericre.
We hope, therefore, to see gathering
Of tAe truc men Of all parties in favor Of
this bill All friends of liberty can here
meet on constitutional ground, and place
the government where the founders of the
Uuion meant it to stand, and where it
stood while Washington, Jefferson Madi-
son and other distinguished Virginians
were at the helm. Moreover, it places
l. f,4rely opposite to the enemies of the
Union They rebel to make slavery ma
tioaal We fight to preserve the Union as
It is with freedom national. They strive
to overthrow tAe constitution because it
docs not make slavery universal ; We fight
to maintain it, and with it the principles
of liberty for which the fathers fought,
and which they made the cornerstone Of
their constitution.
i Ecening Post.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
A Philosophic Darkey.

\ correspondent Of the Cincinnati Ga
-ctte writin. from the Cumberland rlver
ris.s the foi,owin, humorous account ot i
c5l,olay with philo,ophie dar@cy;
noticed upon the hurricane dee, to-
lay an elderly dArAey with very phi.o-
sophc4l aal Retrospective east Of cjlHtc-
nance, s4uat,e! apon his bundle aPPar-
entity plunged into a state OF profound
meditation. Finding upon inquiry that
he belonged to the Ninth Illinois, one OF
the most calamity behaved and heavy
losing regiments al the Fort Dsuessou
battle aud part Of which was aboard, |
began to interroelte him upon the sub
jeai. IL philosophy MS - much in the
Fal-talii1n vein that | will give III, views
in hi, own words as near IS my memory
aeryr, me:
Were You in the fght ."
Had a Iltt.c taste OF II, sa.
Stood your ground, did you?'
" NJ, "a, runs.
" Ron at the first fire, did YOU -
4" Yes, -, aud would hab run soonar
had known 1t war coming.
Why that wasn't very creditable to
your courage
Dat in, in my line, sa-cookin's my
peric,hun."
We'll, but have you no regard for
your reputation =
Regulations muffin to me by de side
ob Fife"
DO you consider your life worth
more than other peoples -
=. It. worth more 10 me, 81.
Then YOU must value livery highly -
Yes sa, does-morc dan all dis
world-morc dan million Oh dollars, sa
for what would dat be wuth to man with
de BRET out ob him ?a' Selt.preserbashun
am de fust law wii me. ."
Bat why should YOU act upon diff
erent rule from other men ?"
Because different men set different
values upon dar liyes--inine is not in de
market
but if you lose it, you would have
the satisfaction of knowing that you died
for your country"
What satisfaction would dat be to
me when dc power ob teelin was gone =
Then patriotism and honor are moth
ing to you p
" Muffin whatever, sal regard dem
as among de vanities." d"
Ii our soldiers were like you, trait
ors might have broken up the Govern
n,ant ,yithout resistance
Yes, "a, dar would hab been no help
.or it. | wouldn't put my life in the
scale 'ginst any Gobernment dat eber ex-
listed, for no Gobernment could replace de
loss TO me-"
&" DO you think any of your company
would have missed you if you had been
killed 2'
May be not, sa--a dead white man
amt much to desc sogers, let alone
dead nigga-but I'd missed myself,
aud dat was de pint wild me"
1t is safe to say that the dusty corpse
of that African will never darken the
field of carnage.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11

Away went Jim over to the contraband
camp, and returning almost Immediately,
brought into our presence two very intelli-
gent looking darkeys.
Are you all ready" inquired the
General.
An ready, sir" the trio responded.
"Well, here Jim, you take my pistol, y
said General Sickles, unbuckllng it from
his belt, and if you are successful, |
will give you 500.
Jim hoped he would be, and bidding
as goodbye, started off for the gunboat
Satellite, Capt. Foster, who landed them
short distance below the Potomac Creek
Batteries. They were to return early in
the morning, but were unable, from the
great distance they went in the interior
Long before daylight on Saturday MORN
ing the gunboat was lying off the appoint
cd place.
As the day dawncd, Capt. Foster dis.
covered a mounted picket guard near the
beach, and almost at the same instant saw
Jim to the left of them, in the woods
Sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry, he
ordered the gig to be manned and rowed
TO the shore. The rebels, moved along
slowly, thinking to intercept the boat,
when Foster gave them a she'll, which
scattered them. } i'm, with emily one of
his original companions, and two fresh
contrabands, came on Board. Jim had
lost the other. He had been challenged
BY a picket when some distance in ad-
vance Of jim, and the negro, instead of
answering the summons, fired the contents
of Sickles' revolver at the picket. 1t
was an unfortunate occurrence, for at that
time the entire picket guard rushed out
OF snail house near the spot, and fred
the contents OF their muskets at Jim.
companion, killing him instantly. Jim
and the other three hid themselves in a
hollow, near a fence, and after the pick
ets gave up pursuit, creepel through the
woods to the shore. From the close proX-
imi,y OF the rebel picaet~ Jim could not
display light, which was the signal for
Foster to >enl boat.
Capt Foster, after hearing jim, story
Of tho shooting Of his companion, deter
mined to avence his death; "a, s,eamut
his vessel c.o,e in to the shore. h sighted
hi, eaus for barn, winch ths rehci cav
sfsy war, hiding beh.ni H. itel two
n ll--4nr went ri1ht tlrou-a the barn,
kiln, .oa- Of the r.bt,s AMI sesen ot
their h,f-es Gapt. Foster, seeing the
eft Of hi, shats, sail 10 jim, wh5 stood
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
The Feeling at Washington.

The correspondent Of the Independent,
writing from Washington, gives the fol.
lowing interesting account Of the state OF
feeling in government circles relative to
the present condition of the country. 1t
shows that events are rapidly moving for
ward -
The severe and prolonged contest at
Island No. 10, the fresh armies which the
rebel leaders are rapidly gathering to-
gether, and their disposition, If mcnaced
with overwhelming forces, to retreat to
the Gulf and Cotton states, lead the gov
crnment to the conclusion that the war
against the rebellion is not yet at an end,
and probably hot near It's end. Three
weeks ago there was u strong feeling il
governmental circles that the back Of the
rebellion was broken, and that it would
soon siak with its own weight to final de-
struction. Later events show that the
war is to be prolonged, and that no little
patience will be needed By cur people and
Government. The end IS certain, but it
is a good way off in the distance. If
the war ends now" sail prominent
member Of the Lincoln cabinet, :" We shall
compromise. If it ends next autumn We
shall never again hear OF compromises
with slavery, Tor with the war slavery
viii expire" This Is the sentiment amon@
a large majority OF the persons connected
with the Government At Washington
The conviction is deep and strong that
the rebels will compel the President or
Congress to destroy slavery. In military
circles it IS generally believed that the
rebel forces in Virginia will make L des-
pesate fight before giving up Norfolk and
Richmond, but that While lighting they
wi4 make provision for 4 secure retreat
into the Gu.f states. C4ri SchGrz eX
presses the opinion thata large part OF
the rebel army wi. IA, back by railway
into East Tennessee, au1 that Consequent
ly ten. Fremont should have large
army at Cumberland tap TO eat eff the
Virginia Central Road. All military
meH here agree that when hard pushed
the rebels viii slowly laI. back upon the
extreme Southern States, honiug much
from climate AID the time gained by the
Slow retreat All, the Still slower advance
Aa intelligent ,y~grtet from tircde.icas-
bar. upon beng asked what in his opiu-
ioa the rebels would DO if attacked at
RiGhmdt or Norfolk, re5Ged, .They
will Gght, an.e-, Eou threaten to sursouul
them as you ljl 1t Aai.ass.,s---iu t...t
r.,se thav will retreat But il they
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
Sawdust as q Manurial ABB
sorbent.

+. J. Kinney, of Wayland, Mass,
gives in the New England Farmer, an
interesting account Of his use OF sawdust
for bedding, as a fertilizer and absorbent.
In January, 1859, he commenced hauling
sawdust and fine chips from clothes-pin
manufactory. There were two horses,
seven head of cattle, and several swine
on the farm, and in course of the year he
used 100 cords of this material as bed
ding for these animals. The stable floors
were covered with it about six inches
deep, and as fast as that under the swine
and cattle became saturated with urine.
it was removed with the solid excrement
to the manure cellar. The horse-bedding
and manure was piled under shed. In
both cases it soon began to burn or fire.
fang-this was remedied by running wa
ter upon it, mostly from the caves Of ths
barn and sheds, by wooden troughs FROM
the conductors, and by keeping it as solid
as possible until drawn out for use.
Under u pair of steers kept for two
months in the fall of 1859, at night in .
yard II feet square, he put one-third Of q
cord OF sawdust three times week.
This laid until the next spring, when it
yielded four cords of No. manure
There was but little loss in bulk by de-
composition-an increase in weight--a
good deal of rain having fallen during the
autumn In his opinion, it can not be
kept too moist, up to the point Of lsach-
ing.
The stock which made 10 cords of No.
| manure in 1893, made from 80 to 100
cords of No = manure in 1859. The
average tilae employed per cord was about
three hours-in drawing, distributing,
tFampling and watering. The effect When
applied to the soil, in comparison with
barn manure, was fully equal, though not
quite as lasting, and after the sawdust had
lain two years, SO as to become fully de-
it was considerably increased
IN value.
In closing his communication, Mr.,
K inney remarks - Wherever | have ex-
amincd the roots Of vegetable grown
where sawdust, chip or leaves and stable
manure had been used. found them en-
braclng with their delicate ibres every
atom Of the vegetable matter within their
reach, and drawing their natural susie.
nance from them and there is nothing
have ever tried as an, assistant fertilizer
that holds so much liquid Or retains it so
long, where only the air and sun operate
upon it, as hard wood sawdust and
nothing that yields up this embryo vege-
table 50 readily to the petitions Of the
rootlets."
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
WooL GnowINe.-The Secretary Of Ii

Wool GRowING-The Secretary of the
Vermont State Agricultural Society,
Daniel Deedhan, in his annual report,
has the following remarks upon the i'm
portant subject Of wool growing
The price Of wool for the next few
years, reasoning from analogy, must be
high. The cotton crop Will not be plant
ed extensively at the South as it has been
in years past and if the blockade is not
raised by the first Of April next, in many
States it viii not be planted at all. Should
the rebellion not be suppressed within
another year, as very likely it may not
be, very little OF the cotton crop Of lS6l
will find its way to market for the next
eighteen months; and when we consider
that the people must be clothed that the
use Of wooden fabrics during the present
high price of cotton goods is much more
economical that the million OF men i'll
the field wear and destroy, in weight, Il
third more of clothing than in the peace
tul ayocations of life; that at the South
all the carpets have been cut u into blank
cts and that very little of the worn out
stock will be supplied until peace is res
torcd-from the fact that the South has
not even the raw material to replenish
with--the whole seeding States not pro-
ducing as much wool as the State of Ohio
alone it can be seen, that not only dur
ING the war, but at its close, when the
million of men in the army return to
their military clothing, and dress as they
were wont in broadcloth and doeskins
the price of wool must continue above
the average price for the last FIVE years
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
Y, APRIL IL. 1862. S'5O A YEAR IN ADVANCE.

In time of war, the quality of wool is a
matter of no small consequence. Yer
mont has limited herself to the produc-
ton of the finest woods. But the wool
most in demand now, and bringing the
highest prices, is a coarser grade. The
query may well be made. whether it will
not be equally profitable for US to turn
our attention to the production of some
what coarser staple and at the same time
furnish richer aAd higher priced mutton
for the market"
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
-[Erening Post.

WHAT BOYS POCKETS CoNrAIN.-Did
you ever examine the contents of boys
pockets? Ii you have son. Just at
tempt it some time, and you will be sur
prised at the collection. We caught our
devil the other day and made him dis.
gorge. We found one eclskiu, piece Of
chalk, stub of . lead pencil, seven mar
bles tone Il china alley,l a steel pen, an
odd mitten, a tougueless iewsharp, chunk
of tatfy candy very dlrty,l an iron screw
a piece of hard putty, four peanuts, lot
of dried orange peel a comic song (very
much worn.l kite tail various colors
and tabrics,) reward Of merit dated
July, 1860, and qrite dilapidated,) stem
of tobacco pipe, portion of a horse shoe,
a leaden ten cent piece Showing marks Of
teeth,) one wooden skewer, lucky bone.
and, TO cover aud protect the whole. an
extraordinarily dirty pocket handkerchief.
the original color of which could not be
exactly determined. Not one of the ar
ticles would he part with except for =
consideration.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
e q t T u.
Little Bessie Nell,


Through the meadow swept brook,
Curling smoothly In each nook
Here the song bird on the spray
Made her forest music gay;
Now and then, low joyous laughter broke the spell,
Twas the simple voice of little Bessie Nell.
'Mong the windings of that place
Hid the rose IFS blushing face
Mignonets and daisies grew
On each bank with crimson hue
Long these banks in search of flowers, as happy
children will
straycd tho childish feet Of little Bessie Nell
Daylight waued, and starlight came,
Yet to Bessie all the same,
Flowers Displayed their tempting hue,
Fast to each her light form few,
while mother from a cottage, round the hill,
Sought through grove and field for little Bessie
Nell.
All that night with bitter pain
Did that mother search in vain
Morning smiled and by tba, brook
Once again she turned to look
There mark she saw, and knew the track full
we'll;
The sand disclosed che path Of little Bessie Nell.
Now her steps numbered fast
As the meadow path she passed
oNeath her foot crushed rose aud vine
Besse's hand did pluc < and tsinc.
On that bank she, trembling, paussd-ah, sad the
spcn
4. her feet. Ia death her little Bessie Nell.
Yes, TINT child dii ccass her play,
Mid the flowers awhile to lay;
Here she thought, Ter weary form
But to rest. aud then 50 hemo
Soon she dreamed of biri-soass gay, aal eesmed
tn, lowery dell.
Oh! alas, for that poor child dear little BESSIE
Nell.
Smiles lit up her dtnplad cAock,
Still the child was sound in sleep
Rolling from side to side,
Fell she ia the streamlets tide.
And the water bore upon it. gen,le swell,
To that mothers feet, her little Bessie Nell.
Close beside that Gow'ry nook
on the marsia OF the brook,
Flowers seem To bend AMI weep
Ger the grave Of one asleep:
There marble white doth o its head to tell
That, She rested then went Aene. Dear Bessie
Nell.
E ". V. sowLE.
GorLDsBoEo', March ?jtb, ls62.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11

I'll not stir step after you "Sir," he
continued, 'the owner is the slave in the
border States. Free white labor is the
best for all concerned"
Upon expressing my surprise at such
sentiments, | was told they were nothing
unusual in this State"
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
How Rev. Mr.. Beecher Lost
His Boots.

The following is in Henry Ward Beech
er's best vein:
The difference between ! and s is not
very graat: only a single unit And
yet that difference has power over a man.
whole temper, convenience and dignity
Thus at Buffalo, my boots were sent out
at night to be blacked In the morning
no boots were there, though all the neigh
boring rooms had been served. | rang.
[ rang twice. ~ pretty hotel-eight
O'Clock, going out at niue, breakfast to be
eaten, and no boots yet" The waiter
came, took my somewhat emphatic order
and left. Every minute was an hour
1t always is when you are out Of temper.
\ man in his stocking feet, in a third
story of hotel, finds himself restricted
in locomotion. went to the door look
cd up and down the hall, saw irowzy
chamber maids; saw afar off, the master
o. the coal scuttle; saw gentlemen walk
in bright boots, unconscious OF the prlvIl-
ges they enjoyed, but did not see any one
coming with my boots. \ German SER
want at length came, round aud raddy-
faced, very kind and good natarcd, honest
aud stupid. lie informed me that a gen
tieman had already taken boots No, -
(my number, lie would hunt him up'
thought he was breakEas;ing. Here was
new vexatior, Who was the man who
had taken my number and gone Tor my
boots? Somebody had them on war'a
and nice, aud was enjoying his coffee,
while | was walking up ahd down, with
less and less patience, who had
noac too much at first. No servant re-
turned. rang again, and sent an ener-
eetic ami stoccato messenger to the OF
ice. Some water had been spilled on the
aoor. stepped IN It OF course. In
winter, cold water tcels as ii 1t burned
You. Un2ae&ci my Ta.lso Tor new stock
insS. TiRe was sPee4ia5. 1t was quar-,
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11
General Lander.


Seated at the breakfast table at VIII
ard 5, this morning, and talking ''war-talk
with an impatient and ambitious youn,
officer, in whose character | had taken a,
interest, playtully recommended to hin
to get an appointment to the staff of Gen
eral Lander, | gave as two-lold reasol
for this, in the first place that the Gener
al was one of those bright and bold spirit
who are sure to appreciate and pluck dar
ingly the golden opportunity" and ii
the second place, that he was a poet-sold
ier, born to do everything dashngly bet
ter than other men. As [ spoke thus ad
miringly of him, cast my eye upon tht
morning paper. which lay opened befor,
me -" Death Of Brigadier Genera
Lander" was the startling heading OF {
paragraph! And thus feariully suddet
was our first news from Washington, ever
that he was in danger.
In one Of my previous letters to the
Homc Journal, | alluded to Gen. Lander
as one Of the celebrities whom | had met
at Mr.. Seward's evening "rcception =
according also my surprise at discovering
that we were not altogether new aequaint-
ancc8 He described call which he had
made upon me, as editor OF a literary
journal, years before, with certain man-
u3cript poems which he wished me to pro-
nounce an opinion upon; and which had
handed back to him, after perusal, with
the brief decision - My dear sir, poetry
is not your trade" This, he assured
me, hal been a turning point in his desti-
ny-tor he had abandoned, at that mo-
ment long-cherished literary ambition,
adopting, thereupon, the more active yo-
cation in which ne has since spent his en-
crgies.
Lander, indccl, (as any observer Of
men would understand, by looking on
him was too mach Of some other things,
10 be poet Ii he had been lame, like
Byron-puny. like She!Iy-morbidIy y mel
aneholy, Ike + lgar Poe-then his writ
ings would not have been out-magnitized
by his living. Bat he was an athclete,
conscious Of superiority in strength ami
activity. lie was tall and finely proper
toned, with ia, air and bearing Of bern
chevalier. His features, though clearly
chiseled and Intellectual, were spirtedlv
sensuous and joyous In 80 well balanced
an animal, the brain had but It's place
the Imagination was bat visited ia it,
turn b the circulating Vitality H. had
too much achiciinr to dg-tv0 much en-
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-11

A NOBLE AND GENEROUS AcT.-The
British and Foreign Bible Society has
made an appropriation of two thousand
pounds sterling (about sl0,000) to aid
the American Bible Society in its noble
work, at time when the troubled state
OF the country will be likely to diminish
its receipts.