davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
SPEED OF THE SENSES.

There are thirty-one pairs of CON-
pound nerves in the human body, the
sensory and motor fibres of which are
so commingled as to render it an inn
possible undertaking to separate them
by any means at present known. Now
If, for instance, a needle be struck into
one of the fingers, the sensory fibres
take the impression through the nerve
and the posterior root to the spinal
cord, and thence to the brain. The
command goes out to s'draw the finger
away" The mandate travels down
the spinal to the anterior root, and
thence through the motor fibres of the
nerve 20 the muscles, which Immediate
ly act, and the finger is at once re-
moved. All this takes place with great
rapidity, but yet with nothing like the
celerity once imagined. The researches
OF Helmholtz, a distinguished German
Psychologist, have shown with great ex-
actitude the rate of speed with which
the nerve fluid travels; and other oh
servers have given great deal of time
and patience to this and kindred ques-
tions. AS the result of many delibera-
tions, 1t was ascertained that the ner
veus fluid moves at the rate of about
ninety-seven and one-tenth feet in a
second. Now electricity travels with
a speed exceeding 200, 900 feet in Sc
cond. and light over 900,000,000. A
shooting star moves with the velocity
of 200, 900 feet in SECOND, and the earth
i'm its orbit round the sun, 100000. A
cannon ball has mean velocity of 1,S00
feet in a second, an eagle 130, and To-
comotive 90. We thus perceive the ner-
vous fluid has no very remarkable rate
of speed. A fact, which among many
others, serves toindieate its non-identi-
ty with electricity.
Professor Donders, of Utrecht, Hol-
land, has recently been making some
experiments in regard to rapidity OF
thought, which are likewise interesting,
Bv means of two instruments, which
he calls the noematachograph and the
noematachometer, he promises some
important details. For the present, he
announces that q simple idea requires
the brain to act for sixty-seven one
thousands of second for its elabora-
tion. Doubtless the time required is
not the fame for all brains, and that by
means of these instruments we may OBJ
tain definite indications relative to the
mental calibre of our friends. What in
valuable instruments they would be
for nominating caucuses, for vestries,
for trustees of colleges, for merchants
i'm want of book-keepers /; in short, for
all having appointments of any kind to
make.
For the eye to receive an impression
requires seventy-seven one thousanduhs
of a second, and for the ear to appre-
ciate sound, one hundred and forty
nine one-thousandths of q second are
necessary. The eye, therefore, acts
with nearly twice the rapidity ofthe ear.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
THE BORROWING NUISANCE.

A correspondent of the northeastern
Farmer, whose righteous indignation has
been aroused by those intolerable pests,
interruptions borrowers, writes to that
paper as follows. His complaints, as
the Farmers Almanac says, "will an
swer for all the New England States:"
NV neighbor wanted to borrow my
shovel-would return it in the evening
Evening came but no shovel. The next
evening it was quietly returned to its
accustomed nook in the woodhousc. the
blade covered over one-half its surface
with coating OF dry mortar. pride
myself on my clean shoyels and hoes.
Half All hours use with an old knife
blade and the use of Il sheet of sand-pa-
per, restored it, ~ fsf2
Another time he was building a pig
pen. The postswe too long, and they
were very hard, and his saw very dull.
OF conrse he borrowed mine, and he
sawed off Il nailwith 1.-THE posts had
been used before He sent his little boy
to return the saw with the message
spa, would a sent it and got 1t filed but
he knowed you allus filed your own
saw, and it wouldn't take but few
minutes to sharp it again."
Among honest men borrowing may
be made a eonvenience and a mutually
beneficial. Yet think the question is
worth considering whether it does not
delnoralize n man-weaken his self-re-
lance. We get to relying on our neigh
bors more and more for the things we
ourselves ought to procure. On the
whole MY advice is TO borrow only in
cases of great need. when you cannot
get along without dong so.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
MORAL INFLUENCE OF FARMING.

There is a decided moral tcndancy in
the direct and close dealing, II we may
so speak, between the farmer and his
God. They work together. God has
ground this realm ESQ geologists tellsus
Unto somewhat, hard and thick SOIL
''He has sent the springs among the
valleyswhichr run between the hills, and
caused the grass to grow for the cattle,
and the herb for the service of man. "
These gifts are In the rough. The con-
dition of their true enjoyment is useful
and health giving labor. The gold must
be gathered or mined, the diamond pol
ished, so the soil must be patiently
wrought, and duly enriched the tree,
the clay, the stone, converted into dwell
lings, the air and sunshine into corit
and wine. The annual covering of the
sheep, and the life garment of the kline
into blankets and sandals. In short, Ia
Dor and reward are inscribed on every
gift of God, and none so generally re-
ceived them right from the giver as those
tervention ofvarioloid scrip and poison
ous nick, Is. The vine holds out its
clusters, the rich:purple all undisturbed
the apple, the pear, the peach, bend
their branches to the gathering, as on
ly God can make them. The harvest
field mods to the reaper that it may be-
come sheaves to his bosom and bread
to the hungry. The broad bosom of
the meadow throbs and undulates with
tile breeze until shorn of its trophies.--
Even the forest toss its giant branches
fof shelter and for shade. Is there not
sense of great nearness to God in all
these things? a feeling of satisfaction
and comfort closely allied to thanksgiv-
ing, praise, and love ?-Farm and Fire.
side.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
Buefirar.
WHY DosT THOU WATT


Poor trembling lamb! An, who outside the
Has bid thee stand, all weary as thou art !?
Dangers around thee, and the bitter cold,
Creeping and gnawing to thine inmost
heart;
Who bids thee wait till some mysterious
feeling,
Thou knowest not what--per chance may
never know
Shall find thee where in darkness thou art
knceling, su.=.+ a..sHa.
And fill thee with a.rich and wondrous
glow
of1ove and faith and change to warmth
and light
The chill and darkness thy spirits night?
For miracles like this:who bids thee wait?
Behold, 'the Spirit and the Bride say,
come"
The tender Shepherd opens wide the gate,
And in his love would lead the gently home.
Why shouldst thou waltz Long centuries
ago,
Thou timid lamb, the Shepherd paid for
thee.
Thou art His own. wouldst thou His beau
ty know,
Nor trust the love which yet thou canst
not see?
Thou hast not learned this lesson to receive,
"More blest are they who see not, yet be-
lieve."
Still dost thou wait for feeling7 Dost thou
say,
"Fain would love and trust, but hope is
dead: .sas
have no faith, and without faith who may
Rest in the blessing which is only shed
Upon the faithful? l must stand and walt"
Not so. The Shepherd does not ask of thee
Faith in thy faith, but only faith In Him;
And this he meant in saying, "Come to
me-
In light or darkness seek to do His will,
And leave the work of faith to Jesus still.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
ORANGE COURT HOUSE, FRIDAY MORNING AUGUST 1868
and as l wish it even if choose to

anu us WISH III even IL choose LO
| misspell.
Such knowledge destroys the ro-
nance, it Is true, but it only heightens
the charm of the reality; for it is COM
petent in skilled hands to draw from an
unsophisticated person. answers which
are the property of that one only. Yet
the stronger will would not control.
My conclusions, then, are these:
l. That PlaHceette is sdependent upon
the same principle as the "turning ta-
BILE" for its motion--t. e., on the peculi-
ar power of certain persons. Into this
subject l cannot at present enter. 1t
has been done fully by Count Agenor
de Gasparin, and in DIR. j. Esdaile' 8
work on Mesmerism as applied to Surgery.
2. That after motion is obtained, the
intelligent motion is the result of thought
and toiR, either conscious or unconscious.
3. That the stronger will controls in
all cases.
4. That Planchette answers nothing
which the s'mediums' do not knoto or
guess. This accounts for its wild pre-
dictions and laughable blunders.
5. That left to itself it will naturally
write nothing until there be clear
thought in the mind.
Ireserve my opinions for the present
concerning the source of its motion; the
characteristics of good "mediums;" the
application of this little instrument to
the refutation of certain grave and i'm
portant errors; aid its use in the inves-
tigation OF mesmerism, biology, animal
magnetism and matters kindred there
TO. These are properly the topics for
purely scientific articles; but ii / have
by this PLAIN statement pointed out the
way to such straightforward, intelligent
study, shall be glad.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
HORGS.

Horgs are generally quadrupid.
The extreme length of their antiquity
has never been fully discovered; they
existed long time before the flood. and
| hev existed a su II time since.
There is great deal Wv internal reve-
| nue. in hog; there amt much more
waste in them than in a oyster.
Even their tales can be worked intew
whissels.
Hogs are. good, quiet boarders; they
always eat what is set before 'em and
don't ask any foolish questions.
They never hev any diseaze but the
| measles. and they never hev that but
once; once seems to satisfy 'em.
There is a great menny breeds amongst
| them.
Some are close corporashun breed,
and agin some are built more apart, like
hemlock slab.
| They used to hav a breed in New
England a few years ago which they
called the striped hog breed; this breed
was in high repute with the landlords;
| almost ev'ry tavern keeper had one
which he used to show travellers, and
brag on him.
| clock, and some are as long and lean as
"" N"DShSi, WIN d ct-polnteu HOSc
onto them.
They kan all rute well; a hog which
| can't rute well hez been made IN vain.
They are a short lived animal, and
generally die as soon as they get fat.
The hog can be learned great men,
ny cunning things, such as histing the
front gate off from its hinges, tipping
over the swill barrel, and finding hole
in the fence tew git into a corn field;
but thar amt emmy length TO their men,
ory, it is awful hard work for them to
find the same hole tew get out, espesh-
ally if you are any ways anxious they
should.
Hogs are very contrary, and seldom
drive well the way you are going; they
drive most the contrary way. This has
never been fully explained, but speaks
volumes for the hog.
JOSH BILLINGS.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
NUMBER 80.
FASHIONS FOR AUGUST.

ColorS in costumes are more gay and
altogether more diversified than for-
merly but there is still preference
for black or white, and also for the buff,
which looks like dead gold.
ERack has survived even The heat
of Che summer weather, and appears
In all the. thin materials-grenad:n
crepe, barege--with persistence that
shows how an idea sticks in the mind,
even in fashions, when it once obtains
hold. Ha
1t is not, however, so fashionably
trimmed with colors as last season.
The rutf1es of the material are edged
with narrow fringe, or they are made of
silk into ruchings, notched out upon
the edge.
Straw trimmings, straw fringe, or
straw braids are not a novelty upon
thin black suits, but they are consider
ed very distinguished.
Straw fringe is used as border to
the upper skirts and paletots. Ii it is
very narrow it may also be employed
for edging rufiles. The braid forms a
heading, or it is very effectively run
through the centre of ruches made of
silk or of the same material as the dress.
Almost all the fashionable summer
costumes are made with rlffies and puff
ed out behind, the sash or ends OF the
Marie Antoinette .fcha passing under
the pouf, and sustaining It in its place.
Magnificent white dresses, one mass
of putting and tucking, are tied up in
this way, with wide ends of the mate
rial edged with rutiles of the same with
out lace or colors, with exceedingly
good effect.
SO much depends, however, upon the
skill of the dressmaker in properly ar
ranging the drapery, that it is not safe
for an inexperienced person to even TO
try to do it. aa
One thing must be remembered a
large quantity of material is required
for ruffles, train and poafs, but 1t may
be made up in scant measure for an or
binary walking-dress.
So entirely does the short dress for
walk wear meet the common-sense and
we'll as at home, that we hope there
will be no difficulty in erecting it into
q permanent institution.
The one great advantage of it is, that
it forms for every woman a neat and
uniform dress. LIZ she cannot afford
trimming or costly material, it is no
matter. A short dress and cloak of the
same, even of cheap material Though
we do not consider this most economi-
cal,) and without trimming, is always
convenient and lady-like.
[ ertainly,.if the present fashions con-
tinuc cloaks and shawls will soon be
among the lost arts. A great deal of
money has been lost in them at any
rate, during the past eighteen months.
Cloaks are are superfluty /; suits have
almost altogether taken their place,
and all that is necessary is to devise
method of making them warm enough
for winter to render them the popular
street style all the year round. Demo
rests Magazine.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS.

Jones was, or believed he was near
his death, and the doctor calling, he
held long and earnest conversation
with him about his chances of life.-
"Why, man." said the physician, "you
are likely to Gle any hour. You have
been living for the past fifteen years
without constitution, lungs gone. liv-
er diseased, and all that sort of a thing y
"You don't mean to say,p replied
Jones, questioningly, "that man can
live for fifteen years without consti-
tuition ?''
Eyes, | do" retorted the doctor,
sand you are an example,"
"Then, DOCTOR" and bright smile
Illuminated the pallidIface of the DOOM
ed man, "then, doctor, I'll go it ten
years more on the bylaws" and he
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
HOW TO RAISE FRUIT EVERY YEAR.

An intelligent correspondent of the
"Rural Gentleman, says ifrightly un-
derstood, few trees, unless absolutely
dead or rotten, need occupy ground
without yleldinga plentcous crop. Af-
ter n long and varied series of expert
ments, ] gradually adopted the follow
fng As soon as the winter had suffi-
ciently disappeared, and before the sap
ascends examine my trees :every dead
boughis chopped of: when sap has ri
sen sufficiently to show where the blos-
sons will be, | cut away all the other
branches having none on. and also the
extremity of ever y limb, the lower part
of which bears considerable number
OF buds, thus concentrating the sap of
the tree upon the maturbation of first
sweeds of fruit. You may think this in
jures the trees laden with fruit, which
formerly yielded nothing. OF course
all other we'll known precautions mus
be attended to; such as cutting out
worms from the roots, placing old iron
on the limbs, which act as tonic to the
sap, etc.. Try it ye who have tailed in
raising fruit.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
Rarti. att6 GarSett.
WHAT BERRIES 6 VEGETABLES WILL DO.

A friend of ours on a late trip to tho
| city of New YORK., happened to be near
gentleman at a hotel reading the pa
pers. lie came upon an article extract
| ed from the Journal of the 2lst instant,
sour Truck Farms" which gave an ac-
count of their prosperity. After read
ing it he exclaimed aDid YOU ever
hear such bo3h 7. It's all put down here
to impose upon the public, and to draw
people to, that country g,,,.-.....
Our friend here corrected him, and
told MIN that he could rely upon the
statement of the Journal, but lie did not
succeed in convincing him. fI.-.
We admit that the facts we detailed
were enough to astonish the ordinary
reader-bIt they were FACTS neverthe-
less. 1t is true = gentleman of South
ampton county did sell ten thousand
dollars worth of strawberries off OF ten
acres--the buyer furnishing the boxes
and transportation. 1t is true that an
other gentleman did make eight thou-
sand aud fifty dollars off of eight acres.
1t is true that another gentleman did
purchase and improve a splendid farm
on the produce of the first two years.
We could add another instance of
money made in this country. Which
the New York gentleman would have
derided as more Incredible than any
we have given. A small place about
five miles from this city was jointly con-
Quoted by two gentlemen as a truck
farm. Last year they cleared forty Jtiue
thousand dollars by tile sale of vegetables
and berries. - atf8Ffah = ~
These statements are true, and we
could give as many more such ii we had
time to go round and ask the truckers
III this neighborhood. There is no coun-
TRIP in america, the cuitivation..of which
produces such wonderful return as
this about Norfolk. Its climate, soil
and nearness to the great cities, are
such that it has no equal for trick far
ming OIL this continent. --NoJoM Jour.
aol -
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
TIE POWER OF RAGING WATER.

Il correspondent of the New York
Journal of Commerce, writing from
near Ellicott City, Md, on Saturday
evening, gives graphic account of the
flood. We quote as follows: 8
at Ellicott City and vicinity the de-
struction of immense Hour mills, built
of granite was almost complete-of some
not vestage remained. An entire range
of brick. stone, and frame stores and
dwelling houses, compriZing some thir-
ty or forty seperate dwellings In one
line, were swept away with no trace OF
foundation lett. In some places the
tops of huge boilers and steam engines
could be seen projecting from masses
of stone in the bed of the river. Pond
erous iron rails were floated on the top
of huge rocks, In many places the rail-
road is covered with some six or eight
feet of stone and rocks, while in others
the railway Is entirely swept off, in some
places hanging oyer.precipices. The
Western bound train had to be sudden
ly abandoned by its passengers two
miles west of this place, and ina few
moments after the train with its heavy
engine was borne along by the current
until arrested by a tree. The engine
had been reversed TO: an attempted re-
turn to Ellicott City, but the rush of
waters compelled the passengers to
rush for the hills over bridge hastily
thrown from a platform of the cars,
abandoning their baggage which was
soon submerged. THIS afternoon an
effort was being made by large force
to remove the train to Ellicott city, two
miles distant. Between this and Eli
colt City not one telegraph post is stan
ding.
cannot attempt to give details os
losses, found my own beautiful place
| almost ruined. Hundreds of magnifi-
cent trees which fringed the banks of
the river were swept wildly away
Where ON Monday left thriving gar
den was a vast bed of white sand, with
immense forest trees lying here and
there, which had been brought down
by the flood. An immense oak had sped
between large weeping willow and To-
Gust tree, and tore down the supports
of my plaza, and lies amid the ruin it
occassioned. My family had scarcely
left the house amid terrific thunder and
lightning and furious rain before the
water was several feet deep in the Sec
ond story. Heaps of sand high as the
fence surrounded the dwelling to the
destruction of everything attractive
My fences, many thousand feet of lum-
ber, my most valuable trees, and ten
tons of bone dust have been carried to
tide-water. My pecuniary loss is in
significant compared With that of others.
Numerous attractions are gone forever.
| My house is q century old and was new
er before surrounded by water. 1t
stood twelve feet in water yesterday
The fine residence of Mr.. Gray, at the
Alberton mills, one mile above Inc is
nearly ruined, and the family were for
an hour in iminent danger, his loss will
exceed $150,000. Heavier losses oc-
CURED below, but they are generally of
companies of stockholders.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
AN EDITORS CERTIFICATE.

A quack having produced wonder
full hair invigorating fluid, applied to an
editor for a testimonial. He gave it in
these terms, calculated, We think, to
convince the most skeptical:
"a little applied to the inkstand has
given it splendid coat of bristles, max
inga splendid pen wiper at little cost.
We applied the lather to the head of a
ten-penny nail, and the nail now the
handsomest latlier brush you ever saw,
with beautiful soft hair growing from
the end of it, some five or six feet in
length. applied to the door stones. it
does away with the use of mat. Ap-
piled to floor it will cause to grow
therefrom hair sufficient for brussels
carpet. a little weak lather sprinkled
over barn makes it impervious to the
wind, rain or cold. 1t is good TO put
inside of children's cradles, sprinkle on
the roadside, or anywhere luxurious
grass is wanted for use or ornament
It produces the effect in ten minutes ~
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07
PENDLEToN's ANEcDoTE.

In his speech at Milwaukee, Mr.. PEN
dleton told the following anecdote.
In 1865, after the surrender of the
Confederate troops, after the war had
been brought to close, we had an In
dian war in the West. l do not know
whether you ever heard of it here in
Wisconsin, and yet it cost you $35 5,0O0,-
900. A Republican member of Congress
and quote from Republican authori-
ty, my friends--a Republican member
of Congress had occasion to investigate
that subject, and his report is published
in the Congressional Globe. He details
some of the circumstances of this war.
He tells us how the money was expend-
ed. lie tells us that the death of each
Indian cost the people of the U. s.
o. 100000. Laughter and cheers.l He
tells us of an expedition of certain va
liant colonel from his own State, | be-
lieve, who was burning with military
ardor. He enlisted Thousand men,
He obtained from the Government OF
the United States Thousand horses. -
He obtained excellent and abundan.
arms. He loaded his ample train with
Commissary stores, which cost the Gov
ernment $6,000,000. He went upon his
expedition; he returned; he made his
report. He reported chat he had lost
all his horses, that he had lost all his
wagons; that he had expended all his
ammunition; that he had eaten up all
his provisions, and that he had killed
one Indian. tUproarions laughter and
cheers.l sf
A rider who was employed by the
overland Express Company, whose
soul was also fired with martial ardor,
when he came into the settlement, re-
ported that this colonel lied-under a
mistake, suppose--for he himselfkilled
that one Indian. [Renewed laughter
The war between this express rider and
the valiant Colonel waxed warm, until
some hunters in the neighborhood came
to hear of it, and brought the contest to
an untimely end by declaring that they
knew the Indian to be still alive. [Bois-
ferrous laughter and cheers.I
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-08-07

GP During the battle of dntietam, a
Confederate battery, stationed on hill
near a blacksmith shop, ran out of met
al. While some was being brought, the
gunners went into the shop, took ham,
mers and iron, wrapped them in bag
ging. rammed them into their guns, and
let fly at Federal battery stationed on
an opposite hill. A German artilleris5
in the battery, seeing the tools and iron
flying so profusely, exclaimed: "Mien
Gotti vc shall have te blackshmid
shop te next time"