davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

"EvERYBoDY BUT BOB. "A very little
boy after giving everybody a. good night kiss,
kneeled down at his mothers side to say his
evening prayer. He repeated Now [ lay mo
down to Sleep, &C., and continued, Good bless
tians; % God bless little jimmie, and make him
good boy" His mamma added, God bless
everybody"
At this last sentence he was silent. His
mother repeated it a second and third time;
when he raised his head, opened his beautiful
eyes, and said:
Everybody but Bob, mamma. Bob drown
ed my cat to- day."
Are there not some older children who can
pray for everybody but Bob?' Remenher
that the Saviour has taught us to pray, For
give US our debts as we forgive our debtors.
-ReLigiouS Herald.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE.-There is a
point in the following anecdote:
A parsOn was making a call upon an old la
dy, who made it an habitual rule never to
speak i'll of another, and had observed it so
closely that she always justified those whom
lady made her appearance in the parlor, one
of her daughters playlully said:
"Mother has such habit of speaking we'll
of everybody, that do believe if Satan him.
self were the subject of conversation, mother
would find out some good quality or virtue ey-
Ell in him."
Of course this remark elected considerable
smiling and merriment at the originality of the
idea, in the midst of which the old lady enter
ed the room, and on being told what had Just
been said, she Immediately and involuntalily
replied:
"Well, my children, l wish we had Satan's
industry and perseverance.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

A CROOKED SToRY.-A Wisconsin paper
tells the following in relation to a popular spec
tacle:
"My DEAR said wife, "the Black Crool.'
is here shall we witness it to-nightP'
"Well," said the husband, 81 had better
go alone tonight, and see if it is proper place
for ladies'.
"Yes-well," !" says the wife, 'I rather guess
Id better 60 and see if it is proper place for
Both went
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

The subscriber, having tried the credit system,
and found il Improbable to both his customsrs and
himself, intends TO sell Exclusively tor :, Cash or
Couutry Produce. AFTER the first day OF February
next, 1868, al which time he will try ana sno"
that money brings better bargains than credit
- - = HENRY @. sPRUANCEss'
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
Profits.
opportunities
MEDICAL TREATMENT.

C7'eua' Ons extensive nd reliable data show
Sec >ed ate Of mortality uuder what Is known as
W make a deduction OF len per from table
lpon each aymeni Of premium by those habiluaIly
dSI' this mode of treatment. ln case Of medical
p'aIce being changed, thereafter full raIes will be
cha sed Ia order that injustice may he done TO
those preiering other schools Of medicine, all appOr-
inBeni Of prOfIs unIer reduced raIes. will be sepa-
-aIely made.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

A LAKE DRIED UP.-A short time ago tho
water from Ottawa lake, in Monroe county,
Michigan, all at once disappeared. The Cold
water Gg:ettc states that the water had begun
to subsidG for some days, and the teamsters
who carried stone from the lake noticed that
the holes at which they watcred cattle were
crowded with fish They increased in num-
bers, both large and small, the former having
their mouths wide open, and SO exhausted that
the people caught them with their hands. The
work Of quarrying and hauling stones was
soon abandoned, and in a short time scores Of
teams and hundreds of men might be seen on
and around the lake. The men, with hand
spikes, crowbars, and axes, were busily en-
gagged in cutting and raising huge pieces of ice
some of which We're dead, some alive, and
some frozen fast i'll the ice, for the water hav-
ing departed from the lake by some subterra-
mean passage, the vast sheet of ice lay ON the
bottom. For three days immense quantities
OF hsh were carried away, prime pally pickerel
and bass, while vast quantities of white fish
were left to rot OH the ice and in the mud-for
mud and Ice are all that is left of Ottawa
lake. Numerous pieces of the ice are left
standing on edge, like so many grave stones.-
The lake, or rather its bed, or graveyard, pre-
sents a novel scene. Some say the water will
soon return by the same source by which it de-
parted, bringing fresh supply of fish with it
-tor Lake Erie is supposed to be its head
quarters. Meantime the farmers in the vicini-
ty greatly feel the loss Of the departed waters.
About seven years ago this lake departed in
the same way, and old men say it departs and
returns periodically.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
PUTTING PREACHERS.
The following is floating around, taken fr

The following is floating around, taken from
some religious paper, originally, we suppose:
1t is a cause of modification to all persons
of good taste, and even middling breeding, to
observe the IndlScrlnlnate putfery which is
lavished upon the clergy by the religious
press. The uniformity in the application of
the adjective " able to the sermons and the
persons of our preachers, is drawing the mer-
riment of the unthnking and the grief of the
judlciOus 1t is very rarely that you find
publicly aIluded-t to sermon that is not publicly
described as liable" And when we consider
how few sermons nowadays 20 without being
publicly alluded to, the number of able SER
mons " will at once arrest attention. The
rouslng extemporaneous outburst which car
rleS the audience captive for the moment and
the elaborate and studied |" set sermon,' are
both pronounced able by the denominations
al organ. The cooling platitudes of ''the Rev.
Lavender Kidds, as well as the searching ap-
peal of a very John Knox both come out
able" discourses under the manipulation of
the newspaper reporter. Now, if you describe
the good, honest preacher at the crossroads
school-hOuse as - able, what will you say of
your genuinely able preacher when you get
round to him? We have known q sermon
which was received with modification on ac-
count of its feebleness by the audience who
heard 1t, to be heralded in the denominational
organ as able, not to say powerful, and
what not. Now, therefore, we take our pen in
hand to say in all good nature, Don't, to those
who are doing this thing. 1t is vulgar 1t is
tinselry. 1t is mortifying. 1t is damaging to
the good cause Of good taste, not to say the
better cause of candor and religion. OF course
these sermons are not all ''able," although all
of their authors may be persons whom we
would gladly patronize, or friends whom we
would delight to see make rapid ascent of the
ladder Of renoun. But this calling a man
''able" will not make him so, and aftera while
the discerning impenitent see through the
sham, retire in disgust from afhliation with the
religious, and take their places in the ranks of
those who see no difference in the matter of
meekness between the children of this world
and the children of light There really ought
to be little Of the let-up in the putting de-
partment of the religious press. We are aware
that this department is largely edited by gaudy
correspondents but there is no excuse in this
fact. The editor is as much responsible for the
tawdriness of his contributors as he is for his
own opinions. Putting is an American disease,
and it is raging with ruinous violence in the
American Church. 1t is time for every editor
who would save his Masters cause from disre-
pute, and the successors of his Master from
reproach, to do whatsoever in him lies to stay
the ravages of this destructive malady, re-
marks writer in an independent exchange.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

Maurice D. Conway, an American now in
England, is said to be one of the hardest work.
ing literary men of the day. Besides being
the pastor Of Unitarian church ne is for on the
Fortnighty Rerie,o, the Atlantic Monthly, and
corresponds for half dozen American papers
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

1t has been stated that all the leading jour-
nails of New York are edited by young men.
The facts are just the other way. On the lie
raLd there are nearly twenty men who have
been there over twenty ycarS.raen OF age, po,.
sition and family. On the Tribune ''Old OFT"
leads long file of elderly men, who have been
there many years. On the Times there are
men who have been there since the starting OF
the paper On the Ecpress and Post it is the
same. Mr.. Bennett, the editor Of the Herald,
is nearly, if not quite, seventy years of age
Mr.. Bryant of the Post, is over seventy; Mr..
Thurlow Weed, of the Commercial AdUertiser,
is not far from the allotted limit of human life;
Mr.. Raymond, of the Times, is not far from
fifty
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

The height of modesty is that of young
lady, who, desiring leg of chicken at table,
sad; : take the part that ought to be dress
ed in drawers"
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

A YOUNG MAN generally gives lock of hair
to his sweetheart before he marries her. Af-
ter marriage, she can help herself-and use no
scissors.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
POLICIES INCONTESTIBLE.
Prompt Payment of Losses.

In addition TO all the advantages herein before sci
forth, the Atlantic Mutusl presents feature looking
10 the perfect security of IFS policy holders. -
BY special epaelment of the Legislature OF new
York. al its recent session, the Atlantic, Mutual Lille
Insurance ,OIE pany permItted and are prepared
TO issue class ofpolicies ered By The perntendent
the Insurance Department, UNDER His OFFICIAL
SEAL as secured by pledge Of public tOck. Thus
as is now given for tho redemption Of Ma
tiOnal Bank CigrencS.s Thus it would appear that
The AIIsntic MufnaI Life insurance Company may
rghlfnIIy claim the confidence and patronage Of this
aud every community. IL has been the endeavor Of
the officers to profit by past experenee and TO give TO
policy holders every possible advantage and The best
For Rates, agencies and other particulars Apply to
Chas. L.. Mahon, M. ID.
General agent for Delaware and Eastern Maryland,
and Lancaster, Chester and Delaware Counnes In
pennsaI.ania d, ap-24 y.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25

LAWS OFTHE UNITED STATES,
Fassed at the First Session ofths 7Hirty-Ninth Con-
PreSS.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
WHOLE NO. 684

A GRAVEsTONE Widow Maria Spoor, Of
Belllngsville, has recently sent the following
eplstle to one Of our prominent EOrtuary
sculptors: You was pointed out to me the
other day as the man who makes gravestOnes.
| want stone for my late husband HeZckiah
SSpoor; l want large stone, as he was very
large man, say feet wide and high. His
age was GO years, 9 months, and II days, had
he lived till % clock in the morning, but as he
died at II think you better put it down lG
days. want you to be particular-git it right
Ills disease was bilious colick, and was sick
only = days and nights. ] want you to put
it In, especially the disease he was sick with
he was most awful sick. The first day he was
afraid he would die, and the next day he was
afraid he wouldn't, but he died. yes, he's
Dead but shall never forget the expression
that lit up his courtonancG in his latter mo-
ments [ understood that you sometimes carve
images on graycstOnes and hkenesscs. Now,
If you can do so, | wish you would chisel out
pictur of my Hezekiah (ate Hezekiah |
mean, for he did not look like another Heze-
klall that l met Yesterday | Will try to de-
scribe his looks. lie was really fne-looking
man, had whiskers which was red, short
neck and very large head and foot-but don't
SUPPOSE you could chisel out his foot in the
pictur, but you might get his hand in. lie had
a large mouth and two large gray eyes. His
eyes were very peculiar, and | want you to
catch this popularity on the gravestone. 1
will try to describe this pecu.iarity: One eye
you want looking right at you, and the other
you want turned as though it was looking up
the chimney all the time. Now ! want this
done by next week. as think Of marrying
another Hezakiah the week AFTER and | want
the gravestone up before, for fear this other
Iezakiah would think it was designed for Lin
| don suppose YOU could picture him hav-
ing the bilious cOck could YOU? | want TO
pay you part in some of the clothes he had on
when he died with the bilious colck, and the
rest | will pay you in money as soon as | get
married, which will be in about , weeks, [
think, though l only spoke to him for the first
time yesterday. Tell me by return OF post
what will be the price of the gravestone with
him having the bilious colick."
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
Non-forfeitures OF Policies.

Common lfe aud endowment policies nOniOr-
Iei aDe the amount of premium paid. after three
annual premiums have been paid.
The TeH-greHlium life and endowment policies
are nOn-iOrleIIabIe after two annual premiums have
been paid To The amount Of many tenIhs Of the val
ue Of policy the number Of annual premiums paid
POLICIES SINCONTESTIBLE
Au policies issued by this Company, are. by their
iacoHtesiiHe the expiration Of seven years
against any the application, Thus
guarding against The possibility OF loss by litigation
after death, as is frequently the case.
Prompt Payment of Losses.
All losses are by the terms Of the policy made pay
able Immediately upon satisfactory proof OF loss and
not as IS usually he case at the expiration Of saTty or
ninety days
Policies Secured by pledge OF
Public Stocks.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
Peculiar Advantages.
Rates
ALBANY, N. ".

Except the TERN" " table, The rates are all NTH
PROFITS. and calculated al low a figure as past
experiences has demonstrated To be ample, based upon
Ihe highes rate of mortality any lowest rate OF ner
est Here arises
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
CASH SYSTEM!

To the Citizens of Smyrna and Vicinity.
Smyrna times., 1868-03-25
M l S G f LII Al NEOUS.
Written for the "Times."
MIR. DABBLEROY

RELATES THE SCENE THAT OCCURRED ON HIS
RETURN FROM HIS TRIP-HOW sARY JANE
PROVED THE TRUE WOMAN-WHATS SHE SAID
AND WHAT Ills NEIGHBORS SAID.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1868-12-12
The Tax Question.
From tie Shreveport Southwestern !


As the period approaches for the an
= n1lal visit of the tax collector. we think
If becomes a matter of the first impor-
lance to the people Of the State that some
concert of action should be adopted, not
only in this parish, but indeed. through
out the entire State, relative to the pay
mept of taxes which have been levied by
the recent so-called State Legislature.
The question to be determined is, wheth
or these taxes shall be paid by the people
or not 1t would not only be unwlse, but
would also fail to produce the desired
effect. for one, two or dozen persons in
each parish to refuse to pay .taxes-all
should refuse to pay. For one, we say
let all refuse to pay and thereby force
the tax gatherer to resort to his remedies
provided by law. The reasons for this
are two-fold First, tits the means which
we have in our power to cut off the sup
plies of the army of plunderers, calling
themselves a State Government, which
now Illegally controls the State of Lou
isiana.> This so-called State government
has been repudiated by the taxpayers
of the State with a unanimity unprece-
dented in political elections. If these
men insist upon holding on to the State
government, notwithstanding tllisialmost
unanimous popular verdict against them.
there is but one course left for the people,
and that is to cut off the source OF their
supplies. The second reason why these
taxes should not be paid is, that they
have been made intolerably onerous by
the reckless character OF recent leglsla-
hn co an a
as to operate gradual, but certain pro
cess of eonfscation. The danger that
this result may follow is by no means i'm
probable, when we remember that taxa
ton is imposed in this State by men who
bear no portion of it's burdens. .-
There is nothing revolutionary in the
course we suggest. because, while the
people are without any legal remedy to
rid themselves Of an illegal and oppres-
siye State government. yet we do not
propose any resort TO force to resist the
collection of these taxes. The charae-
ter of the resistance which, we think,
should be adopted is legal and peacea-
BILE. and certain and effective. Ii the
people will agree among themselves,
there never can be sale ofany property
for taxes, because there will be no bid
deFs. IL the people will unite and act in
concert, a ulere song from each will pay
the expenses of legal obstacles thrown in
the way of the tax gatherer, which will
postpone collection until legal relief can
be had. In the meantime. the plunder-
ers and adventures who now control the
State government of Louisiana will be
compelled to seek other and more prom
Using fields for their adventures.
We think the press of the State should
agitate this subject. As far as this par
ish is concerned, we suggest that a mass
meeting of the people assemble in this
city on Saturday, the 9Th. of December
next. for the purpose of calmly and dis
passionately considering this question OF
the payment of taxes, so as at least to
secure entire uniformity of action among
the people of Caddo. ..-..s->
s4e- .@ E 2
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1868-12-12
THE OPELOUsAs COURIER

Published on Saturday by JOEL II. SANDCA
CoNDTTIO ONs:
sabsertption.-Four Dollars per year payable
in advance, or Five Dollars payable at The efd
of the year. ..
A subscriber wishing TO discontinue must give
written notice to that effect and settle up all
arrearages; and no subscription will BE- stopped
until all arrearages paid, unless al the option
of the publisher.
Adrsrtising-F Y cents per sqnaro for
each insertion. Eight lines or less constitute
square.
| All advertisements sent in for publication will
be Inserted in English and French {unless o',er-
wise ordered,) until the editor shall Judge it con-
venieEt to discontinue.
I Candidates to public favors will pay Fifteen
! Dollars each, in advance, if they w:eh to he an
nouueed.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1868-12-12

ERAL.
The Adjutant General of the Army has
made his annual report to the Secretary
of War; The actual strength of the regi-
ments in the service ON the 30th of Sep
tember was 43, ,741 men, and beside these
there were 4.340 men in the engineer,
ordnance, and other special branches OF
the service. An unusually large number
of discharges have been granted during
the year on individual applications, and
these, with ordinary discharges and cas-
ualties, are rapidly diminishing the regl-
ments, except of cavalry, which are ne
acessarily kept in force, because of the
Indian depredations. 1t is reported that
4,50O men are to be discharged before
New Years, by reason of the expiration
of their term of enIistme ent. The number
OF desertions last year was 2.700 less than
in the previous year, and the number OF
deserters arrested was nearly a thousand
greater, and the proportion of losses by
desertion to the strength OF the army Is
considerably less than last year. Re-
eruiting was carried on for all branches
of the service until November 70, 1867,
when orders were issued to reduce all
regiments of infantry and artillery, ex-
cept the ten light batteries, to the num-
ber of fifty privates per company. and to
reduce the recruiting service by breaking
up all rendezvous, except fo1r for cav
airy and four for infantry. Recruiting
for infantry and artillery was suspended
April 3, 1868, except in cases of old sol
diers desiring to enlist; and on the gath
ofJuly, 1865, instructions were issued
prohibiting all enlistments or reenHst-
ments except as musicians, OF any men
In either of these two branches. lt is
added, that to still further reduce the ex-
penses and strength of the military es-
tablishment, the detachments at the re-
eruiting depots have been reduced as
much as possible, and the schools OF in
struetion have been suspended. No re-
crriting of any kind but for cavalry has
been going on since the end of last July
and there are only five stations for re-
cruitinG in this arm of the service. The
regiments on the Pacific coast have, as
TAR as possible, to avoid expense OF trans
portation, been supplied with recruits
obtained in California. The strength OF
all the colored regiments in the service
& nearly up to the required standard
The Adjutant General reneWs the recon-
nlendation which he made last year
namely, that men be enlisted for five
instead OF three years. He further re-
coInmends that Congress authorize the
enlistment of boys over twelve years, a
musicians. with the consent of their pa,
rents. They must now be sixteen, and
are too old to begin training, especially
for drummers. To Tneett contingency
which he regrets has of Iateseveral time.
arisen, he. recommends that the Presi
aent be empowered to drop from the roll
af the army any officer who deserts amt
cannot be arrested far. court martial with
% three months OF the tiaesof aeseTtion
It's also recommended that the superin
tendents Of the national cemeteries b
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1868-12-12
State Of Louisiana.

Probate Court. Parise Of St. Landry No 227l.
Estate Joseph Victor and Marie L.
Richard.
: A LEXANDREt VICTOR RICHARD,
N of the Parish of St. Landry, Admin
istrator of the Estate of Joseph Victor
and Marie L. Richard, deceased, having
fled a Final Tableau of Distribution OF
said Estate, accompanied by a petition
praying for the homologation of the
same And whereas the prayer OF said
petition has been granted by an order OF
Court dated November 18th, 1868;
Therefore, notice is hereby given to all
interested to make opposition, if any
they have, in writing, at my office, IN
the town of Opelousas, within thirty days
from the date Of the present notice, why
said Final Tableau should net be ap-
proved and homologated, the Admins
tor discharged from all further liability
and his bond cancelled. s,..as
JOS. y. RICHARD, Clerk.
Opelousas, November 81, 1868.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1868-12-12
Judging by Appearances.

Some years ago there arrived at the
Cataract House, Niagara Falls, an odd.
looking man, whose appearance and de-
pertinent was quite in contrast with the
crowds of we'll dressed and pohshedsfi-
cures which adorned that celebrated re-
sort. He seemed to have just sprung
from the woods. His dress, which was
made of leather, stood dreadfully in need
of repair. apparently not having felt the
touch OF the needle for many q long
month Aworn- out blanket. that might
have served for bed, was buekled to
his shoulder; a large knife hung on one
side, balanced by a long, rusty tin box
on the other, and his beard uneropped,
tangled, and coarse, fell down upon his
bosom, as ifto eounterpoise the weight
of the thick dark locks that supported
themselves on his back and shoulders.
This being, strange to the spectators,
seemingly half-civilized, half savage,
pushed his steps into the sitting room,
unstrapped his little burden, quietly
| looked around for the landlord, and then
modestly asked for breakfast. The host
| at first drew back with evident repug-
nance to receive this uncouth form among
| his genteel visitors, but a few words
whispered in his ear satisfied him. and
the stranger took his place ia the COM
pany, some struggling their shoulders,
some staring. some laughing outright.
Yet there was more in that one man than
in the whole company. He had been
entertained with distinction at the tables
of princes: learned societies, to which
the like of Cuvier belonged, had bowed
down to welcome his presence; kings had
been complimented when he spoke to
/ them; in short, he was one whose fame
will be growing brighter when the fash
ionables who laughed at him, and many
much greater than they, shall have been
/ forgotten. From every hilltop and deep
shady grove the birds, those blossoms OF
the air, will sing his name. The little
wren will pipe it with her matin hymn
the oriole, earolit from the slender grass
es OF the meadows; the turtle-dove roll
/ it through the secret forests; the many
!. voiced moeking- bird pour it along the
4 air; and the imperial eagle, the bird Of
Washington, as lie sits far up on the blue
mountains. will screami it to thestempes1
and the stars. He was John j. Audubon
]. the ornithologist.