davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

wife and went out one evening and bought
our tea-kettl- The fitting of the lid was a
little imperfect, SO that the escape of steam
shook it, and caused peculiar noise, near
ly enough resembling the chirping of some
insect to suggest the name by which it has
now been known in the family for a long
time-our cricket on the hearth" Like
the table and the watch, The kettle has been
adding dividends to its capital every day
since its first purchase, and, though nothing
but iron, it could not be bought fo- its
weight in silver. 1t has sung its song so reg
ularly and cheerfully, that not only the
kitchen, but the whole house would be lone
ly without it. 1t has given us its fragrant
blessing morning and evening, and come al
most to be regarded as living and talking
creature.
1t is never good fortune that sells such
old friends out of family, and takes in new
ones that have no history and no tongue. In
all changes iha; have SO far taken place,
have kept those silver bowls unbroken, and
surely no change in the future shall break
them.-Centmy.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

cans don't appreciate Mr.. Lincoln al his
proper value No monarch of Europe could
carry such colossal war in front while har-
ressed by so many factor AID faulr-fnders
behind. No, yOu don't give him his due"
From European point Of view the merit of
Mr.. Lincoln is, in effect, immense: but in a
republic it is the people and not the Presi-
dent who carry on the war. The personal
compliment paid to Mr. Lincoln in The above
remarks IS, however, none the less valuable,
and on every side / hear people begin to say
that Mr.. Lincoln Will merit more than a b.
Ography-he Will merit history"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

1t may be worth while to glance at a few
suggestions arising from this public demon
stratlom. In the first place it will regulate
Itself. II 1t is too largely the work of mere
politicians, to will pass away unless it gets
on better basis for, it is now at least six
months before the nominating convention
Will meet We have never known an artiG-
clal political movement to run any length of
time. Even if the present popularity of
President Lincoln is real and grounded in
the hearts of the people-as We believe it is
1t is not certain to last. One decided false
step on his part, or general change in the
phase OF public affairs, may bring him under
the shade of popular Indifference long before
July. In this point of view, it rs well that
the movement has begun, for ii is altogether
too early, according to all the traditions of
political life, so that if it does hold out to
the last undated, it will prove beyond all
doubts the extraordinary merits Of MIR. Lin
coin and his entire acceptability to the Amer
lean people as their chief magistrate during
the great crisis of our history. The re.
election of Washington will have been par
alleled
But secon dly, while as matter of ordna-
ry propriety We should have preferred to see
the war finished up, if possible, before the
people again embarked in President-making,
yet We do not see that any decided public
disadvantage will necessarily flow from the
present demonstration. If the President
were shallow man or a scheming politician,
we should expect the remainder of his Off
cial career to be more or less colored and
perverted by the solicitude for his reelection
But all who know Abraham Lincoln are per
suaded that his head will be just as cool, his
heart just as devoted to the great duties of
his office, and all his official appointments
and acts just as disinterested and impartial
as the first days of his administration, when
his responsibilities rested On him mountain
like. Nor will the movement give any (" aid
and comfort to the rebels The idea of a
great political reaction here, Of which they
have been assured by our copperheads, and
with which they have kept up the courage OF
their followers is utterly dispelled by this
evident determination on the part of the
people to reeiect the man whom they have
so covered with their Misrepresentation and
abuse. The development will open the eyes
of the Southern people and bring despair
upon their guilty leaders. All will see that
not only is the war to go on TIL its righteous
ends are reached but that it is to be conduct
ed on the same basis and by the same hand
as heretofore -B0Sto. JOu nal.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
Selling Old Things.

Sell that old table No; III not sell it It's
only pine table, that's true and it cost but
eighteen shillings, - years ago, but your ten
dollar bill is no temptation. And III not
swap it, either. for the prettiest mahogany
or cherry table that you bring me. II it has
plain turned legs, instead of pillar in the
middle, with lions claws, and if the marble
top is only vanished paper, still, will not
sell or swap it. 1t has been to me a very
profitable investment. From the dav it came
home it has been earning dividends and in
creasing its own capital. Ny children made
a playhouse and drank tea In their toy cups
under it, for which | Thank the four legs,
and when they got tired of it that way, they
turned it upside down, and made four-post
bedstead with curtains, or pulled it round
the carpet for sleigh. Then they climbed
on it for an observatory and never count
ed the glorious romps they had round it,
And also all along for twenty-five years it
has paid its dividends of happiness to my
family circle These dividends could never
be separated from it until its value is not
told in money. 1t has had its quiet use, al
so; for nobody could tell it from round ia
BILE of agate and rnelian, with its salmon
| bordereG green cover.
I Nothing lasts forever. The top of the ia
BILE was loosened by hard use it got, SO |
took a punch, drove in the eight-penny
nails below the surface, added few screws,
puttied them over, and pasted handicapped
checkers over the TOP. Then it was really a
handsome table. 1t has had hard usage since.
but bears it all and the checkers want
renewing, which will make it worth more
yet.
My watch is thirty years old. 1t is one
those thick silver levers which some poor
wits call "turni s." 1t has been several
times suggested TO me that might exchange
it for thin modern gold watch, which wears
easier in the pocket. When | dc, you may
set me down for barbara IAN Not the best
gold and jew led hunter in existence
would tempt me to swap. The watch mark
ed the time when my children were born,
and the record is set down in the family BIZ
BILE; it has licked on their ears when they
could only speak by laughing at it, and kick
ing up their heels. 1t has marked the hours
when the doctors medicines were to be Civ
en-, and counted their pulses when they beat
low at midnight, and when the heart ached.
1t has made many records that are fast sealed
up, to be opened only when another time
cones.
Twenty-seven years have passed since my
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
Presidential.

Mr. Speaker Colfax takes good stand
"Ael. he says that, while replying frankly
20 those who asked me, that the popular
feeling is manifes,ing itself in favor of Pres
dent Lincoln's re- election, have always
stated that it would afford me qualification to
I've during the next four years under the
administration of any Of the distinguished
gentlemen named in connection with the
Onlon nomination." In the case of the
Speaker IN the House of Representatives
this reference might well be imposed by the
proprIetles OF his official position-a qualif.
cation which does not apply, at least so fully
70 members of legislatures, members of DO.
.;,icaI conventions called for other purposes
eI.tors and private persons of all classes
VINO now seem disposed to pronounce thei,
preferences for the next Presidency. Are
ihese, then, pursuing right and expedert
OF doubtful or impoiilic course There i
no great need Of trying to settle the ques
Non. for all that We might say would not va
Ey the public tendencies hairs t'eadth.-
It IS undoubted that, on the Republican side
ana lar beyond the limits of that party, tn
puoI'c feeling" as Mr. Colfax says, " is mani
le>t'ng itself strongly in favor of Presiden
A'ncoIn's reelection" That is so apparen
nat we.need not recall the evidences abount
,Is from New Hampshire and Maryland oil
'Ne east to Kansas on the west.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

ing good time all the way my companion a
little in advance and wondering what made
me SO iaggard. We were not long in reach
ing thirty-seven Grove street. My friend
had the night-key in his hand, and was on
the point of entering when l proceeded to
dispel his illusion by exhibiting nv star and
demanding an unconditional surrender He
was belligerent; tussle ensued, and for a
time it seemed doubtful which would win,
Polly or the bear. But the disturbance soon
brought several watchmen to my aid, and my
late associate was taken of to the lookup.
Hearing commotion indoors | thought it
best to proceed at once to make an examina-
ton. So We turned the key, which was still
in the lock, and walked in without saving
'by your leave, madam
Madam met US in the hall and demanded
our business. We blandly informed her that
we knew something of her beautiful mansion
by reputation and were anxious tie examine
1t for ourselves by gas light if she would be
40 good as TO show us around. She protest
ed they were honest people, that her husband
was out, the hour was late, We were no gen.
tlemen, and finally that she would thank us
to leave, just as any honest woman would.
But l cannot go into details. Suffice it is to
say, we went up stairs, down stairs and
In the ladies' chamber; and wherever We
went We found more goods than the most
thrifty housekeeper could heed. Down stairs
especially there waS perfect store of valua-
bles, enough to stock two or three variety
shops of moderate pretensions, besides one
Jewelry store. In the morning / sent TO
Smith X Go. TO come and identify their prop
erty. In course of the next two days, not
only Smith, but the representatives of doz-
en- other stores which had been robbed were
there. Smith found nearly all his lost silks,
many others identified the whole or part of
theirs, while much remained that was not
claimed by any one.
There we're more than a dozen taken at
the saloon, most of whom were known to
the police; the matter was vigorously prose
cuted and believe more than half were du-
ly convicted and sentenced in New York
But what became of my twin brother Joe
who had unconsciously got these his partic-
ular friends, into trouble?
The conclusion of the whole matter can be
told briefly. Joe was induced to accompany
me as far as Buffalo Oh my return home,
where | introduced him to my friend Crane,
who Immediately escorted him to the CITY
Hotel with which had once made slight
acquaintance. Smith and company and the
clerks recognized him at once, and volun-
teered to see that he had Justice. Deputy
Crane, Smith Jones and all my persistent
acquaintances of a month before, begged
thousand pardons for their stupidity in think
ing resembled the thief. But more acceptable
was Smiths check for the promised reward,
/ and was more than willing to forgive Depu-
~ Crane. Fer it was owing TO his blunder
that much valuable property was returned to
, the rlghtful owners, many rascals were made
to suffer the penalty Of their crimes, and one
honest man was handsomely paid for looking
like rogue.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
French Opinion of President Lincoln

The Paris correspondent Of the New York
Times says:
The popularity of Mr.. Lincoln has been
as much advanced abroad il his late acls as
in the United States. His maintenance OF
the act of emancipation in his annual mes
sage has given immense satisfaction to all
those not prejudiced by special reasons for
the rebellion, and bis sagacity, straightfor-
wardness and honesty in the midst of such
confusion and excitement called from VI
Laboulaye the Other day at the College de
France before an immense audience of the
elite of the intellectual world, the exclama-
ton that Mr.. Lincoln was "a greater man
than Cesar" So, too, / heard leading
French politician say lately: "You Ameri-
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
I Legal AnecdOte.

The Round Table Of last week has some
thing over column of pleasant gossip
about Washington Irving, in the course of
which occurs the following anecdote related
to Mr. Irving by the late Ex-President Van
Buren of the celebrated legal orator Elisha
Williams:
"He was most graceful speaker, and his
voice, particularly in its pathetic tones, was
melody itself All who remember Ogden
Hotfman's S voice, Che was called The Flute
by his fellow members of the bar of New
York; can appreciate the melliterous organ
of Mr. Williams. His power over the jury
was astonishing. He swayed them as with
the wand Of an enchanter; and it was very
seldom he failed to get verdict for his eli
ent but on one occasion he did, in such a
perfectly ridiculous manner, that a crowded
court and grave judges on the bench were
convuIsed with laughter at the burlesque of
the result. He was completely discomtitted
by an ignorent, impudent, untetered petit
logger who knew no law, bat somehow or
other had obtained the credit of shrewdness S
and the reputation among his farmer neigh
bors of being hard to beat.
! The case, if we remember rightly, was an
act of murder. Mr. Williams, of course, on
the ground Of his power over the jury, was
for the defense. His peroration was exceed
ingly touching and beautiful:
Gentlemen of the jury said he, if you
can find this unhappy prisoner at the bar
guilty of the crime with which he is charged
after the adverse and irrefragable arguments
which | have laid before you, pronounce
your fatal verdict. Send him to liz in chains
upon the dungeon floor, waiting the death
which he is 20 receive from your hands then
60 to the busom OF your families-go lay
your heads on Your pillows-Qad sleep, j
gOu can.
The effect Of these closing words Of the
great legal orator was at first thrlllng but
by-and-by the pet,ifogger, who had volun
teered to follow the prosecuting attorney
arose and said
Gentlemen of the jury: should despair
after the weeping speech which has bee:
!. made to you by Mr.. Williams of saying any
thing to do away with his eloquence. nev
, er heerd Mr.. Williams speak that piece oi
hisn better than he spoke ii Just now
Onct heerl him speak it in case o
stealing, down to Schagticoke; then he spok'
it again in case of rape up to .E>opus +; ane
the last tine heerd it before just now wa
. when them niggers were tried-and convict
ed, too, they was-for robbing Van Pelt'
hen house, over beyond Kingston. But
6 never Anow'd him to speak it so elegant ant
: effectin' as what he spoke it just now"
This was poser. The jury looked at ont
= another, whispered together, and our petit
), logger saw at once that he had got them
e He stopped at once; closing with the slngl
= remark: If you can't see, gentlemen of tt
t Jury, that this one speech don't answer al
t cases, then there's no use of my saying any
thing more
D And there wasn't he had made his case
and they awarded him the verdict"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
THE SUPERFLUOUS MAN.
BY JOHN &. SAKE.

II is ascertained by inspection of the registe
+ many countries that the uniform proportion
ulle 70 female births is as 81 to 20; according
Il respect to marriage every 2lst man is naturs
y superhuOus.
SMITHS Treatise on Population J
long have been puzzled to guess,
And so | have frequently said,
What the reason could really be
That never have happened to wee;
But now it is perfectly clear
am under a natural ban;
The girls IRE already assigned
And I'm superiuous man!
These clever statistical chaps
Declare the numerical run
or women and men in the world,
Is twenty to twenty and one;
And hence in the pairing, you see,
Since wooing and wedding began,
For every cGnnuoial score,
They've got superhuous man
By twenties and twenties they go,
And giddily rush to their fate,
For none of the number, Of course,
Can fail of a conjugal mate;
But while they are yielding IN scores
To natur,'s inheXible plan,
There's never woman for me-
For I'm a superhuous man
II ism that am a churl,
TO solitude overwhelmed;
II isn't that | am at fault
In morals, or manners, or mind;
Then what is the reason, you ask,
| am still with the bachelor clan
merely was numbered amisS-
And I'm supertuous man
1t isn't that am in want
Of personal beauty or grace,
For many a man with wife
Is ugler far in the face;
Indeed among elegant men
fancy my self in the van,
But what is the value of that,
When m supertous man
Although am fond of the girls,
For ought could ever discern,
The tender emotion | feel
Is one that they never return;
lis idle to qnarrel with fate,
For struggle as hard as can,
They're mated already, you know
And I'm a superhuouS man
No wonder grumbe at times,
With women so pretty and plenty,
To know that never wa born
To figure as one of the Twenty;
But vet, when the average lot
With critical vision | scan,
think it may be for the best
That | m superhuous man
". Y. Ledger.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

" Here lies the body Of Alexander Macpherson,
Who was very extraordinary person
He was slew
At the battle Of Waterloo.
He was shot BY bullet
Plum through the gullet,
1t went in al his throat
And came out At the back of his coat"
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

When you cut Indian rubber, keep the
blade OF your knife vel, aud yoa can then
cut II without difficulty.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
Death i'm Infancy.

Gathered around the little coffin behold
the weeping mother-the father-his heai'
swollen with grief-the sister, the brother in
tears, each taking the last look at the dear
object so soon to be consigned to the tomb
Verify, it is sight well calculated to cal
forth sympathy from the coolest hearts-to
elicit tear from the most unconcerned OBJ
server Slowly and mournfully the funeral
train now moves towards the burial ground
the last sad ceremonies OF committing
" dust unto dust )" are performed-the afiiict.
ed and their friends return 10 their homes
and the scene closes.
Go TO that house of mourning and ask
why such sadness, such feeling of loneli-
ness and desolation, simply for the loss oi
a child-a little innoce ut, less than two years
OF age?" Say you
lis it sad for the gay and sportive child,
To pass from earth 20 Heaven,
As fades the dew from summer flowers,
Or. the twilight rays of evening:
For them to dwell, so happy and pure,
Where the waters Of JOY flow free,
Ere the souows Of life have cast one shade
To cloud the hearts light glee: -
is it possible" you enquire, " for attach
ment so strong. for love so ardent and devot-
ed, to spring up in the space of few short
months .
Yes, it is possible. Ask the afflicted IA
ther-he will tell you,as one whose experience
enables him to assure you, that there is a
vacancy in home. and heaviness in his
heart;" that "there is a chain of associa-
tions that at set times comes round with IFS
broken link there are memories of endear-
meni, keen sense of loss, a wee ping over
crushed hopes, and pain of wounded afec-
ton"
Ask the weeping mother; she will not
answer-she has not told you" 1t is hard
to part thus early with her fhir-haired inno-
cent-to break off all the delightful ties OF
prattling tenderness that had bound her,
even in few months, TO that gentle form
toreyer-that
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

- Tis hard TO lay her darling
Deep in the cold damp earth
HIS empty crib, TO see
His silent nursery,
Once gladsOme with his mirth,
To meet again III slumber
His small mouths ROSY kiss;
Then, awakened with a start
By her own throbbing heart.
His twining arms TO miss.
These are father 's-these are mothers
feelings-who mourn the loss Of dear child
" Onder not then that JOY, and mirth, and
gladness seem no longer to find dwelling.
place in the house of your friends, and when
you point 70 the slow moving procession, and
the Response is heard, at is only a child,
do no, turn unfeelingly away. Be assured
there is mourning in that company-feelins,
of sadness there that many, many days vii
not suffice 10 remove. Tomorrow" writes
a parent, distinguished as q historian and
statesman, having just lost a sweet hltls
child" tomorrow we intrust her 10 h.l
resting place, and the next day We must take
up our solitary journey on the paths of life.
Yes, with those who mourn tn. death o.
children, their progress through the world j,
indeed a solitary Journey the main sup
port of which is derived from the consolin.
reflection that, in thS language of another
:" the sinless soul Of the churub child thai
dies on its mothers breast, wings lis way iC
Heaven, unconscious of the joys it might
share here, as well as of the many, man,
miseries of which it might be partaker that
I" it is but the removal of fair creature, 'tuc
pure for earthly stay to make one of thai
bright band Of cherubim which encompassea
in glory and in JOY the throne of the living
God" 1t is, also, a sOul-cheering though
(delusion, it may be harmless) 10 reflect iha
these lit e ones, on their admission int
Heaven, are taken BY angel mothers, whom
they love as their own mother, and are b,
them instructed in wisdom and successivell
introduced into an angel state.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

rFy,. II psid strictly In advance, per annum. $50
l. MT paid in advance. 200
l. 10, paid with in the year ar........... 25"
,...,., copi,. ! cents each.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

1t is ascertained by inspection of the registers
+ many countries that the uniform proportion OF
male 70 female births is as2l to 20; accordingly
in respect to marriage every 2lst man is natural
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
Sr JnrI>,ErRY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

l. ID. KILBOURNE ID. ID. 5.
DENTAL SURGEON,
Ot!ce, Corner Main and Central streets.
The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05

A. ]. w l. l. A X ID,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
~uLDIERS' BACK PAY, BOUNrIES AND PENSIONS
nhlainel. n claryeS nuIesS slcC es .inl
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-26
Gold Hill Tnnnelinz. Gold and sil.

Gold Hill TnnneIinz, Gold ana al.
yer Mining Company. Location, Gold Hill
Mining District, Storey county, Nevada.-Notice
Is hereby given. that at meeting of the Board of
Trustees Of said company, held on the Twenty.
fifth day Of November, 1864, an assessrneDt Of
One Dollar per share was levied upon the cani,aI
stock Of said company, payable on the 9Th day of
November, 1864. in United States gold coin. 10
the Secretary, 240 Montgomery steeet San Fran.
CISCO California, or to the Superintendent, MIR =.
CHAPPELLET, Gold Hill. Nevada. ANY stock
upon which said assessments shall remain unnaid
on SATURDAY, the Thirty. first day of Deeem.
ber 1854, will be advertised on that day an delin
quent. and unless payment shall I've made before.
will be sold on Saturday, the 18th day Of Janrl.
ary, 1865, to pay the delinquent asseanert, 10.
gefher with costs Of advertising and expenSes Of
sale By order Of the Board Of trustees. ~
I., --.' r. rWEGENER, Secretary.
Ofice-240 Montgomery street, San Francisco,
California. ...s.t -r oil I'd