davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Seal Fishing off Newfoundland.

A fleet of three or four hundred yes
sells, chiefly brigs, goes out every sprine
about the lst of March, from St. Johns
n. f., to engage in the business of catch
ing seals. The field of operations is the
floating ice that comes down from the
North at that season. The men advance
upon the fields of ice in couples-so that
one may assist the other in case of acci-
dent. They keep to the iceward of the
ship, else they might lose her, as indeed
sometimes happens in the dense fogs.
About the 7th of March the young
seals are found about the size of cats,
mewing ON the ice. They are not yet fit
to be taken, but by lying in the sun and
sucking the ice until about the middle of
March they gain three or four inches of
fat. Then commences the slaughter
The men walk up to the white coats, as
the young seals are then called, and
knock them over by striking them on the
forehead with a long pole, stick them
with a knife, cut them down the breast,
and the carcass rolls out, leaving the skin
and fat which are all the seal-catcher is
after, the carcass being left on the ice.
Usually in about the last week in
March, the seals begin to dip; they take
to the water, and are then only to be cap
tured by shooting from the boats. Old
seals are invulnerable unless shot in the
forehead, and nature has provided them
with means of defence even here, in
the shape of 'hood," which they drop
on occasions-hence their name cold
hoods" So the season of catching them
is but about three weeks in duration.
The men often go five or six miles from
the ship on the floating ice. They get
one-half the catch, sometimes making a
good trip, at other times getting nothing
One spring crew that were out three
weeks and three days, shared S135 "a
piece. A brig of $50 tons will take as a
crew about forty men, who are provided
by the merchant fitting out the vessel
with full supply of provisions, and all
things necessary for the prosecution of
the voyage, in return for which each man
pays a small sum, called "berth money"
and should the voyage prove unfortunate,
the merchant has to stand the loss of the
entire outfit 1t is dangerous occupa-
ton, for the brigs are liable to be crushed
in the ice, though they are strongly built.
The fat of the seal, after being brought
into port, is cut into small pieces, placed
in large vats, and left to drain off to oil,
which is an article of commerce. The
skins are used for various purposes.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

crossed on tree, which had Proyidenti
ally fallen across the stream They tray-
elled by night, through the swamps often
up to their waists in the mud, breaking
through the ice, and torn by briars, un-
til they were nearly naked. They were
obliged to lie still by day, and suffered
terribly from hunger and cold They
received some food, however, from the
ever faithful negroes, who stealthily con-
trived to find them and administer to
their wants, and put them on the right
course to avoid their pursuers. After in
credible hardships, in about week they
came upon company of Union scouts
1t IS impossible to describe their emo
tions when they deserted at distance.
from the thlcket in which they were con,
cealed, the ever glorious Stars and Stripes
approaching. Although they had man
aged to retain some strength-sufficient
to travel-yet the moment the relief
reached them, they sank exhausted and
powerless, unable to walk another step.
After being generously cared for by Gen.
Butler and the soldiers of his command,
the party now numbering several, were
sent on to Washington, where they were
received and warmly welcomed by the
President and authorities.
Nothing daunted by the terrible ordeal
through which he has passed, Capt. Ro-
man intends to give the rebels another
to catch their prisoners if
they can; with enthusiasm he again re-
Joins his comrades, and means to fight on
until this unholy rebellion is subdued,
he Government re-established, and the
Did flag again waves triumph and over every
State of our Union. All honor to such
nero!
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
The Mystery.

Two darkies had bought quantity Of
pork in partnership; but Sam having no
place to put his portion in, concluded to
entrust the whole to julius Keeping
The next morning they met, when Sam
said: "Good morning Julius, anything
happened strange down in your vicinity,
lately?"
'Yass, Sam; most strange thing ham
pened tony house yesterday last fight.
All mystery-all mystery to me-"
"Ah, Julius what was dat?"
"Well, Sam, l tole yer now. Dis morn
in, L went down into de cellar for to get
a piece OBJ hog for dis darkey's breakfast,
and put my hand down into the brine
and felt round, but no pork dare-all
gone, couldn't tell what bewent of it; so
turned up the barl, an, Sam, true as
preachin', de rats eat a hole clar troo de
bottom OBJ de barl, and dragged de pork
all outW
Sam was petriied with astonishment,
but presently said:
''Why didn't de brine run out OBJ de
same hole?'
"Ah, Sam, dat's de mystery-dat's de
mystery"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
"Put that Impudent Rascal Ont"

While congregation were collected a
church on certain occasion, an old, dark
hard featured, skin and bone individual
was seen vending his way up the side
aisle and taking his seat near the pulpit
The minister began his prayer by say
ing
"Father of all, in every age, by saint
and savage adored-"
"Pope" said a low but clear voice
near old hard features
The minister, after casting an indig-
nant look in the direction of the voice
continued
"Whose throne sitteth on the adaman-
tine hills Of Paradise"
"NIiltonp' again interrupted the voice.
The minister's lips quivered for mo-
ment but recovering himself he contin-
ued-
"We thank thee, most gracious Faith
er, that we are permitted once more to
assemble in Thy name, while others, E.
qually meritorious, but less favored, have
been carried beyond that bourne from
whence no traveller returns"
Shakespeare !" interrupted the voice.
This was too much. 'Put that impu-
dent rascal out" shouted the minister.
"Original!" calculated the voice, in
the same calm but provoking manner.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
The School Master Needed.

The following advertisement was re-
Gently posted at roadcrossing in Kent
Co., Del. 1t was copied literally by a
curious collector of gems who was delud-
ed into journey of observation through
that region:
"REwARD.-Lost or strade from the
Premuse of the sub Scriberr, sheepe all
over white, one Leg was blakk and half
his body. All persons shall receive five
dolls to bring him back. He was she
goat"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

the last gasps of Counselor Ketcham and
the gentleman who was walking with him
and the perfect safety of the Milesian anc
stone
This time Peter would trust to no pass
! ing of time. Without an instants delay
more than to satisfy himself that life was
extinct, he hailed passing hack. and
then sped to the mansion of the widowed
Mrs. Counselor Ketcham. In words of
the most delicate and endearing Peter
communicated his intelligence to the wild
ow, and waited the result and then, be-
tween her sobs and tears, claimed her
hand for the next set.
ooh, Mr.. Robinson" sobbed the wild
ow, how can you ask me such a thing p
How could | know that you would be the
first to bring me the news of my dear
Keteham's decease You know how I
esteem and respect you, butt am already
engaged p
Engaged" !" shrieked Peter, ito whom?'
~ promised" responded the widow,
between her sobs, 81 promised month
ago-that if anything happened-I would
marry Col. Snapper"
"You did p shouted Peter, his whole
appearance changing in an istant from
that of fiend to a look of unbridled Joy,
"and who are you engaged to after that p
"No one, sighed the widow,
"Will you swear this ?" said Peter.
"I swear it, responded the widow, SOL
emnly.
"And will you marry me after Snap
per is gomez"
81 will,' said the widow.
DO you swear it?" asked Peter fierce
y.
81 swear it, said the widow, earnest
y.
"Then you are mine, charming Lucy,
or the stone that ushered the Counselor {
nto the next world also took the Colonel.
saw it with my own eyes"
The next moment the widow was in
'eter's arms, and they were married in {
1onth. t
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Too much for his Mouev.

A native of the green isle of Erin
called at one of our drug stores, the other
day, with prescription, the putting up
of which he watched with great curiosii-
ty.
"What is that, any way?" asked the
customer.
''This," SAID the obliging apothecary,
''is tincture cermifuga raccomsa and lini-
ment of sapOnis, cantharides and opii."
A look of bewilderment changed to
one OF grave concern as the Irishman in
quired "And what is the pricew
'Thirty seven cents" was the reply.
"Oeh, by jabers," said Patrick, ''I
thought two such names as that would
cost me at least dollar and half"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
q Second Uiysres.

An old man Of very acute physiogomy
answering to the name of Jacob Wilmot
was brought before the police court
His clothes looked as if they might have
been bought second handed in his youth
full prime, for they had suffered more
from the rubs of the world than the pro
prietor himself
"What business?"
"None; am traveller"
GA vagabond, perhaps"
"YOu are not far from wrcng. Trave-
lers and vagabonds are about the same
thing. The difference is that the latter
travel without money, the former with
out brains
"Where have you travelled?"
GAIL over the continent"
"For what purpose?
"Ohsarvation
"What have you observed?"
ga little to commend, much to CEN
sure, and much to laugh at
"Humph what do you commend?"
"a handsome woman who will stay at
home; an eloquent preacher who will
preach good sermons; good writer that
will not write too much; and fool that
has sense enough to hold his tongue"
'What do you censureW
GA man who marries girl for her fine
a youth who studies law or med
icine while he has the use of his hands;
and the people who elect drunkard to
office"
"What do you laugh as?"
81 laugh at man who expects his po-
sition to command that respect which his
personal qualities and qualifications do
not merit"
He was dismissed.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
HAST THOU A TALENT Z?

Hast thou talent improve 1t,
Guard it with precious care
Never hide that precious gift,
Or droop in dark despair,
But up, arouse, prove to the world,
That by rich talent given,
Thou may'st not here reach thy reward,
But it will bloom in Heaven.
Hast thou failing despise it
Pluck from thy heart the weed,
That chokes the good that there would flow,
A bloom of plant indeed.
Cast all aside that would degrade,
Ne'er let it grow with thee.
But be thou circumspect in life,
AS all men ought to be.
Hast thou virtue foster-it,
With others letit grow,
And walk the path of honesty,
As all men ought to do.
1t may be hard and painful too,
But do not look behind
Live thou on earth goodly life,
And die in peace of mind
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
"Say, Mr.. Clerk, have YOU a poc

saS "Say, Mr.. Clerk, have you a good
strong porter about the hotel?"
eyes, sir, we have the strongest one in
the State"
"Is he Intelligent"
"Quite Intelligent for porter"
"Do you consider him fearless-that
is bold, courageous2"
II know he is,-he wouldn't be afraid
of Satin himself"
"Nov, Mr.. Clerk, if your porter is in
telligent enough to find room No. 1,O07,
fearless enough to enter, and strong E.
nough to get my trunk away from the
bedbugs, | would like to have him bring
it down"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Deserters in Canada,

Friends of the Union cause from Canada
have recently represented TO the War De-
partment that there are at least ten thous-
and deserters from the Union army now in
Canada. willing and anxious to return to
their regiments, and who do not ask nor ex-
pect bounties, but simply ask pardon
Most of them represent that they were in
duced to desert while at home on furlough
by Copperhead politicians.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Diptheria.

An English physician, who says he has
cured 1000 cases of diptheria, recommends
his treatment which consists in thoroughly
swabbing the back of the mouth and throat
with wash made thus: Table salt two
drachms; black pepper, golden seal. nitrate
of potash, alum, one drachm each. Mix and
pulverize, put into a teacuD, which half fill
with boiling water, stir well, and then fill
up with good vinegar Use every half hour,
one, two or four hours, as recayery progress
es. The patient will swallow a little each
time. Apply one ounce each Of spirits of
turpentine, sweet oil and aqua ammonia,
mixed every four hours to the whole of the
throat, and to the breast-bone, keeping fam
mel TO the part
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

The Chicago Journal tells the following
"a couple were married at a hotel in this
city yesterday, and left for Milwaukee in a
state of bliss. Marriages are not rare e.
vents in Chicago we know very well but
in this case the parties had been married be-
fore. They were discovered, lived sepa-
rately for some months, and finally concluded
the best thing they could do would be to re-
turn to each others arms.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
The Reported interview between Gen. ;!
Lee and Mcclellan.
Gen. Mead's Health.

Washington, Sat. March II, 1864.
The Republican of yesterday regrets to
learn that Major-Gen. Meade has not sufi-
ciently recovered from his late attack of
pneumonia to warrant his entering upon an
ether campaign with the army of the Poto-
mac His physician advises him not to at
tempt such thing, and there is little doubt
he will yield to medical advice, and retire
for while from active service.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
A Nice Question.

The question has been asked why is it
considered impolite for gentlemen to go
in the presence of ladies in their shirt
sleeves, while it is in every way correct
for the ladies themselves to appear be-
fore gentlemen without any sleeves?
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

Bg If you are desirous of making a
noise and raising rapidly in the world,
engage to work in powder mill, and
never think of entering without cigar
in your mouth and hob nailed shoes on
your feet. You will be astonished at the
result.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Good Farrer.

"Sambo, is your master good farm
err"
90 yes, massa fuss rate farmer-he
make two crops in one year."
GLOW is that, Sambo ?"
"Why, he sell all his hay in the fall,
and makes money once; den in de spring
he sell de hides of de cattle dat die for
de want of de hay, and dat makes money
twice"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
s&- The Scientific american saws

sH- The Scientific american says
"Stoves made of soapstone have been in
troduced at Quebec. They are said to
throw out mellower and more uniform
heat than iron. The material of which
they are made is very abundant in the
mineral region south of the St. Law
renee"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

A half famished fellow in the Southern
States tells of a baker, whose loaves had
been growing smaller by degrees and beau
tifully less" who when going his rounds to
serve customers stopped at the door of one
and knocked, when the lady within exclaim-
ed, ''Whos there!" and was answered,
'The baker" "What do you want !" ITO
leave your bread" swell, you need not
make such fuss about it-put i. through
the keyhole !"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

Sg~ An Irishman recently said: "Ire-
land gave me a birth place, which was
all she could give; England gave my
father a dungeon; but America gave
good home, ard be jabers, I'm Union
man from the ground up-all the time"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

Bg- "Have the jury agreed?" asked
judge of Court attachee, whom he met
upon the stairs with bucket in his hand
"Yis," replied Patrick, "they have agreed
to send out for half gallon!"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
sr A good Joke is perpetrated by &

Bg~ A good joke is perpetrated by a
rebel prisoner captured at Chickamauga
The rebel was looking at one of our guns,
and remarked that he "didn't think that
the Yanks would use them big guns
much longer" "Why not?" inquired
the Feds, Because" said he, "the Con-
federacy is getting so narrow that you'll
fire clear over it, and hit your men on
the other side"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
Arrest on a Charge of Forgery.

Thomas Story, Clerk in the Fifth Auditors
Office, has been arrested forging drafts of
consuls for the relief of seamen in foreign
ports, to the extent of about $4,000.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

H1~ How came such greasy mess
in the oven?" said fdgety spinister to
her maid of all work "Why," replied
she, s'the candles fell into some water
and | put them into the oven to dry"
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

0TTwenty-fye thousand, of the thirty
thousand veterans of the army Of the Poto-
mac, whose term expires within nine months,
have re.enlistGd.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

The Washington correspondent of the =.
Y. Tribune, under date of last Monday,
"a written communication was sent to
the Secretary of War OH Saturday last by a
former member of the Maryland Legislature
and cousin of the Rebel General Lee, sta
ting that during the battle of Antietam Gen.
eral Lee had his headquarters at his house !;
that on the night after the battle he sent a
messenger into our lines to General McClel-
Ian, requesting an interview at his headquar-
tiers; that General Mcclellan, accompanied
by some of his STAFF, rode that night through
the Rebel lines, and had long interview
with General Lee, who, among other things,
informed Mcclellan that his army was cross
ing the Potomac The writer has been sub
poenaed before the Committee on the Con-
duct OF the War"
A rumor Of this interview was current
shortly after the battle of Antietam. 1t
went so far as to charge that Lee submitted
to Mcclellan a proposition to join armies,
march on Washington, depose Lincoln, and
install Mcclellan as Dictator. This propo-
sition, it was represented, Mcclellan consid-
cred six hours, hestating what he would do
These reports emanated from such sources as
to impart to them higher degree of credi-
bility. If the statement above is correct, the
matter is likely to be sifted.
The Reported interview between Gems
Lee and Mcclellan.
1t is stated that the detectives who have
had Waldron in charge have got from him
confession in writing, that he was drunk
when he told the story of the interview be-
tween Mcclellan and Lee, and that he puts
on John Barleycorn the entire blameof trou-
bling the War Department and the War
Committee t. investigate the charge
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17

By Of all the dust thrown in rss1's
eyes, gold dust is the most bllndin1.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
VOL. %.
Published by Theodore Sck0ch.

TERMS-Two dollars year in advance and ifno'
said before the end ofthe year, dollars andtwen
iy-6ve cts WILDE charged. .
No paper discontinued until all arreaIages arep pad'
arcept at the option Of the Editor.
U Advertisements of one square of den llnesl or
less one or three insertions S 90. Each addhlohai
a sc rtion, 25 cents. Longer ones in proportion
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-17
JOB PRINTING,

OF ALL KINDS,
Sxecuted in the highest style Of the Art and on tt
most reasonable terms.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-07-20

Is lsa : !; &c: - =
gus 1t AlbeDyxtsl6 Nh ~ halIy work.
ing themselves into The sams scheme; sd,
uslee the b1noe sef ths eosppin1qps,
come forty or 6fty rebel politicians. With
Sanders . their 'hsad, and few Copper
heads Of III North, mat 4 Wialeoss aSost
the 9th Of this month, and perfected their
arrangements for operations = 0hieaen.
a split ID the Convention u tie firsk
move; then instruction. riot and rebel
lion-thus using the sah6eJ iaes1s chat
were resortld to in 1860 10 fores the
South to commence the rebellion 10 in-
augurate revolution in the North, Id the
hope Of BY that means diverting attention
and bringing shout division sbaE WI
enable them to delay their 6nal overthrow
and open I f0sd for tho sucoessg Of the
Confederacy. That JEFF. Davis ard the
rebel chiefs have been driven to thu = !
last resort is now apparent. It ID their
LAST hope for the success of tbs tboRus
Southern Confsderacy. Nha rsvdlation
at the North Or death 70 their canse.-
Hence the determination and the despss.
ate chances that they are taking.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-07-20

KILLED 81 IsDIAHss-We have lust
been Informed BY COL Wilson, lsts Of the
Iowa cavalry, that Capt. Pfeilner, natur.
alist, appointed by the Government to
accompany Gea. Suliy 3 expedition agains,
the Sioux Indians. was killed by the Indi.
ans q fsr weeks ago. When the exped',
ton had reached . point shout loo miles
above Fort Sally. Capt. r. rode SEINE
three miles in advance of the column to
make some observations awhSn he VA
surrounded BY . party Of Indians and
shot. A squad of soldiers were sent IN
pursuit Of the murderers, who succeeded
in dispatching three Of them and brought
their heads into camp = trophies[ Du.
buque Herald.