davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09
gu 0rigimal Starg.
Written for the Yorkvie Enquirer.
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER.
CHAPTER I.
BY CLAUDE FORESTER.

About mile back from the main road, literally
hid away among immense mossy oaks, and ap-
preached only by dark, narrow lane scarcely dis
cernible to the traveller, rose the greenish moudy
brick walls, of what was known as the 'Clarkson
Mansion A quaint old building it was, too, with
its roof of Dutch tiles, its granite steps, its i'm
mense doors, and narrow, TALL antiquated windows.
But We were in no condition to be choice in our
selection of lodging for the night, for our grey
jackets were perfectly saturated with the rain,
which had been beating mercilessly upon Gus poor
rebs' during the entire afternoon, our haversacks
exhausted of the last bite of corn bread and bacon
and our feet-but partially protected with broken
shoes-perfectly sore from our tramp Of over TWEEN
ty miles, over billy country and rough roads.
We were sitting upon our blankets, which had
been compactly folded and laid upon an old log by
the roadside, wondering what arrangements could
be made for the night, when an old, dilapidated
wagon came down the road, driven by an old ne,
gro, and containing, besides lot Of fodder and
orn-shucks, a remarkably handsome young man,
who, we Immediately concluded, would look re-
markably well behind musket My irrepressible
companion, always ready for fun, called out as the
wagon came rumbing toward us:
"Say, mister what are you doing in there
with our camp-kettle on your headT'
The wagon came to dead halt, and its hand
some occupant bowed politely to u.s. and wished to
know if one of US had not addressed him.
beg pardon" said my companion, getting up
and walking towards the wagon. 'We thought
you had our camp-kettle on your head but now,
when we geta good look at it, we perceive our mis-
take. Ours had small hole in it, and was rather
worn out in the service. Yours is, evidently, but
lust mustered in"
The young man smiled good naturedy; leisurely
surveyed my companion from head to foot, and
then turned and looked upon me.
"Where are you going, boys?" he asked, fumb-
ling among the fodder, as if in search of some
thing; which something, by the way, suddenly
made its appearance, in&he shape Of bottle Of
real blockade gin.
'sWe are going home on furlough," responded
my friend; -, :, Il, .... ,.,,,no tho oork
of the bottle. "And how much farther have you
to walk?"
"About seventy miles-im't it, Forester
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09
FEMALE WRESTLING MATCHES.

An English traveller describes an entertainment
at the Rapp Theatre, in Stockholm, Sweden. 1t
was series of wrestling matches between girls,
and is thus described: 'They were apparently of
the class called extras at theatres and wee dressed
in ong.seeved shirts fastening around the throat
the short loose trousers of the debardeur, yghts,
of course, and boots. They had been instrns4ed;
in certain rules for the strife, (which defined the
space of the adversary's body for the glipe. and
forbade pitching and kcking) all duly set forth in
the play-bills; and with the pay Of rixdolar
night apiece, and prize of four rxdolars for the
winner, were left to fight on the stage. The prin-
cipa dancer picked out four couples one after the
other, and as the fate Of each pair was decided,
the vanquished girl retired to the back ofthe stage,
while the winner stood on the side to wreste with
the others equally fortunate as herself 1t was
thoroughly genuine thing, and really worth seeing
The girls lodged, and gripped, and -'uggled in
good earnest, and many were the mishaps to hair
and garments, and many the strong white hmbsex-
posed; while the everchanging attitudes Of their
lissom FORMS so sounconsciouay significant and grace
full, deserved the lens of tho photographer or the
sculptors chisel to confer undying Immortality on
Herr Rappo, the manager. As theties wereWork-
ed of, the excitement grew very severe and when
the last COUPLE, blown, disheveled and flushed,
stood up for the four rix, the backing Of green
breeches and red breeches was like the clatter of
bettngring when the odds are rising on the favor
ite, and the professionals find themselves on the
gridiron. This extremely aesthetic exhibition, with
tableau ctuants pantomimic ballet, performances
on the trapeze, and presentation Of the immortal
fight Of Sayers and Heenan, between couple of
wretched Whitechapel acrobats, was al to be seen
for the high price of two rxdollars and no srno-
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09
GEN. HANCOCK.

The President, although peculiarly unfortunate
in selecting commanders for the Military Districts
created by Congress, who were disposed TO carry
out generous policy towards the people, seems to
have found in General Hancock, the very man he
has been so long looking for. This man seems to
be the fortunate possessor of both heart and brains
The following account of recent act of his sgven
in the New Orleans Roapae:. =
"On Saturday night a fatherand son, known re-
spectively in this community by the names Of 81
mon NJ. Frank Walleche and Edmund F. Walleche,
who have forseyeral months past been proprie-
tors Of the sshand planning mills, called the Mari
posa Mills, On St Joseph street, were arrested by
the police, under warrant issued by Governor
Flanders, who had received a requisition for them
from the Governor of the State of New York, they
being indicted in the City of New York, it is al
legged, with obtaining goods from merchants there
about eighteen months ago, to the amount of $780,
600, by false pretences =
Saturday night Judge Cotton, counsel for theac-
cused, sued out, before Judge Theard, writ of
ltabeas corpus, .returnable this morning at 10 o.
clock. It appears, however, that Gen. Hancock
learned late last evening Of the simple fact Of the
issuance of the writ by court Of competent juris
diction and of the probability, under peculiar at
tendant circumstances that the writ was not to be
respected. he at once went in person to the Office
of Chief of Police, about g.: 80 O'Clock, and told
Major Williamson thatthe had learned that writ
of habeas corpus had been issued, and that owing
to some ilegality it was probable that it would not
be oDeved. I will hold you responsible in this
matter. Those prisoners must be produced I be-
ieve you will produce them, but myself take the
necessary precaution that they be produced. I
have issued an order that thewrit of habeas corpus
is to be observed and it shall be. j am here to
protect the dignity of the government and therghts
Of the people as to life, liberty, and property must
De preserved. So long as am power here, the
law shallbe respected. know nothing, Mr.. Chief
Of Police, about this case do not know what these
men are charged with but it is sufficient for me
to know, and you to know, that writ of habeas
corpus has been issued, and that writ shall be re-
spected will sink the boat in the middle Of the
river with cannon, that takes these men on board,
and interceptany train of cars that cariesthem If
the law is not observed, who and what is safe?
may be taken away, you may be, any of us maybe.
Justice must be upheld. l hold you, therefore,
Mr. Chief of Police, responsible for the delivery Of
these men before Judge Theard, in obedience to
that writ. -
The General then took hisdeparture, and we felt
as though We had listened truly to the defender of
law and dignity of government. We don't remem-
Der of ever having witnessed more impressive
scene"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09

A ray of sunshine from window, near the bed,
awoke me from profound sleep, and, startingto
my feet ran shivering to the expiring fire, won
dering all the while what had become Of Frank,
or why he should have vacated the room without
awaking me. Turning to look for my jacket q
moment after, I was surprised to find one Of the
trap-doors wide open and my comrades cap lying
near the entrance. Immediately Ihastened to the
head of the stairs and called aloud for Frank and
Charlie. The latter made his appearance soon af
ter, evidently but just aroused from sleep. Him.
self and father had seen nothing of Frank They
had remained awake until the break of day, when,
deeming their services no longer requisite they had
taken short nap. They remembered hearing no
unusual noise nothing to excite the slightest sus-
picion of Frank being in need Of assistance. ,,s,
What had become Of him, then2 IT.,
Very naturally, we both turned to the open trap
door, and lighting pine-knot, then lying beside
the fire, prepared to descend the narrow staircase
of the secret passage Charlie leading the way and
I following eagerly behind him. A few moments
brought US to the terminus of the creaking stairs;
and, as Charlie lifted the, torch high above bis
head and glanced anxiously around the cellar, an
exclamation of horror burst simultaneously from
our lips, as we discovered poor Frank lying npon
his face, and motionless as death itself .is4t.-ay
He was not dead-is even q pliye; but his
mind is irretrievably gone. ~ once brown,
are now as white as snow. The secret Of this Won
derful calamity is known alone to God; and the
terrible experience of Chisolm and my gallant COM
rade, in that antiquated chamber, must forever re-
main shrouded in impenetrsble mystery. Itisin-
possible to attempt an explanation of what, to me,
has ever been profound mystery. Since the de-
rangement Of Franks mind, his lips have main-
TONED perfect silence on the subject, and every at
tempt to wiring from him the secret experiences Of
that eventful night, have been utterly useless Il
1t only remains, therefore, to assure the reader
that Frank was a brave.and gallant soldier-cour-
ageous almost to fault upon the battlefield, and
ever found where danger threatened most &ET
"Clarkson Mansion is probably known to thous-
ands of the unfortunate, but none the less gallant
army of the late Confederate States; and, did I
overstep the bounds of confidence and propriey,
and reveal my comrades real name, many an old
reb would come forward and vouch for the truth Of
our little story of the Haunted Chamber.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09
CHAPTER III.

The four of us entered the chamber together
Mr. Matthews, his son, Frank and myself A
diminutive metallic lamp was placed on the mantle
which, of ITSELF would have been of no earthly use
save to render darkness more visible. The bright
fire burning briskly upon the hearth, in some mea
sure dispelled the air of gloom which pervaded tho
quaint old room; but there were dark, shadowJ
hooks and sombre looking corners for all that, ano
into which the general darkness had merely retrea
ted, ever and anon advancing and falling back, ac
cording to the briskness or feebleness of the fire
upon the hearth, Grotesque shadows from the
odashioned furniture fitted across the wainscoteo
walls, ghasty looking portraits frowned from scar
red and dusty frames, and the entire "make up
of the room was calculated to revive every ghost
story that ever had troubled our noddles in nursery
days.
"Mr. Matthew'S" observed Frank, standing
with his back to the fire, and meditatively survey
ing the apartment, 81 propose that you furnish us
with several Candles which shall be posted in such
positions about the room that every part Of it car
be seen. advise also, that bright light be kept
burning all night upon the stairs, thus keeping
open communication between the pickets and the
reserve"
The old gentleman smiled at Frank soldier talk,
but assented to his proposition. The candles were
sent up, arranged according to Franks directions
and, after social glass of Port. Mr. Matthews
and son left us alone in our glory.
"And, now, Claude, said Frank, after placing
a brace of Colts Repeaters upon the table, Sup
pose we reconnoitre little, before we arrange the
watch"
''I was just about to suggest the same thing" !
said; for have no idea or intention Of remaining
here all night without thorough knowledge Of
our whereabouts" Then observing what looked
to be the shadow Of man upon the wall, which l
had certainly not seen moment before, l added,
with tone fvoice, which belied my real feelingA
"Change your position moment, Frank"
Instinctively his eyes followed mine, as we both
stepped asdefrom our original positions; but there
the mysterious object remained-vague and indis-
tinct, it is true but nevertheless as much like the
shadow of man, as our own. Frank invountari-
y seized his pistols and looked around for the sub
stance of this strange shadow but nothing Of the
kind could be discovered. God knows whatit was.
Wherever we went, while examining the room,
three shadows followed us-two accounted for in
our own persons-the third an inexplicable mystic
ry. We raised our arms, and the two shadows
did the same, but the third was motionless; we
ran around the wainscot, but that third shadow
moved slowly after US.
s'Hold on a momcntl" said Frank, as we con-
cuded our SEARCH and were about to seat ourselves
beside table by the fire. ''Let me try little ex-
pertinent" So saying, he snatehed o blanket from
the bed, and requested me to hold up one Of the
corners. We held it up Ikea curtain, between the
mysterious shadow and all the candles, which we
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-09
CARRIERS ADDRESS
TO THE PATRONS OF
The 4urkrille Guqnirer,
JANUARY ], 1868

JANUARY j, lSoS.
In duty bound, the Carriers here
To hail the advent of new year,
And give the greetings Of the season,
As best he can, in rhyme or reason;
For the old year has passed away,
And "Sixty-Eight' begins to-day.
The leading topic of his rhymes
Will be- of course "hard times, hard times -
For that's the only theme of talk
In private room or public walk.
There's lots to sell, but few to buy;
For peoples pockets now are dry,
And credit, too, is out of date
Where merchants most do congregate.
From Adickes' up to Colonel Stowe,
The song is "Pay up what you owe";
The sign is up in every store,
"Credit is given here no more"
So, while the prospect is so blue,
What shall q "busted" rebel do?
He can't afford to pine and sicken;
For then his troubles only thicken.
The Doctors medicines cost money
To pay for them is never funny;
And even if they make him worse,
The bill is sure to ease his purse.
Nor will it do to be so rash
AS give the ghost up without cash;
For if his assets, or his will, .
Furnish no funds to pay Hare's bill,
Dick can't afford on slabs to paint
The "dear departed" as a saint
Whose virtues never had been known,
Till they were craven on the stone.
For Dick himself politely ''axes"
His debtors to pay up his taxes.
Such is the present situation
Of rebels in this mighty nation;
Money is scarce, and credit scarcer;
Profits on cotton, too, are rare, sirs.
With such picture of finance,
On politics we fear to glance.
The prospect there is just as bad,
With Congress crazy, people sad,
Wildcat Conventions everywhere,
And thoughtful statesmen in despair.
One thing alone requires remark
We're still outside the Union Ark,
Where penitential rebels banker
To enter soon and cast their anchor.
Perhaps our new Convention may
Arrange to climb its sides some day,
And we may be on board conducted,
AS loyal rebels, reconstructed.
Pehaps we may get in this year
CWho knows?) and yet there's room to fear.
"Carolina'' never will be slapt in,
Until the ark has changed her captain.
For Andy can't control his crew,
Who do Just what they choose to do.
They lately had him almost 1oored,
And swore to pitch him overheard;
But came, at last, to the conclusion
It might create too much confusion.
The Carriers greeting must be brief,
And close by calling for "relief."
He has claim on each admirer,
Reader, or patron of the ENQUIRER,
And trusts that when it has been stated,
It viii not be repudiated.
Specie or greenbacks, either one,
Will be received for what he's done;
His terms are cash, as is the fashion,
And ought to put none in passion.
So, don't forget the Carriers claim;
But search your purse to pay the same.
He wishes you happy year,
Exempt from sorrow, want, or fear;
And hereunto he sticks his fist,
AS yours sincerely, THOMAS GRIsT.
The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02

summer vacation. The watering places are adj
vertising plenty Of room. which Is something
strange for this time n the season. although SUM
~mer resortsn have become 30 plenty this season
that II would require almost all OF New YORK to
fill them up.
Amusements are rather scarce, and not very
attractive either. The :" Flash OF Lightning"
after seven weeks run at the Broadway theater,
gives way on Monday next to Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
Watkins In "Trodden Down."
1.-The Lottery of Life' at wsllaek's is now run
ming its seventh week, but viii give way soon to
Lolita.
AT Niblo's we have no longer short clothes and
a hundred variOusly shaped understandings, but
Bateman's French opera troupe In "Barbe Beue. !"
with q ballet under the managership of Mr..
Whestley.
"Humpty Dumpty" lain its twentieth week at
the Olympic, and the Bowery IL entertaining its
summer patrons with variety performance.
Bryant's is the only regular troupe Of minstres
who are playing here all through the season, the
many others having shut up shop till fall. These,
with Blind Toms concerts and show or two,
comprise the amusements OF New York at present.
Not very select bill even If people were inclined
TO go ever so much. EYES AND EARS.
The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02
A HEAD AND TWO THUMBS.

For the New Orleans SUNDAY Crsseentl
Z went TO see two thumbs the other night
Mister Tom Thumb and Mrs. Tom. There was
also two smaller thumbs, called Commodoor Mutt
and Minnie Warren. They was all somewhat small
for their size. having been born SO at an early
period of their existence.
This INIT ia not cracked, and never has been
otauy. He 10 not a chiss-nut, q walnut, nor
mucb of a butter-nut-nut that am aware OF. He
il a "brick,n on his fathers side. Although he
acts small with every body he comes in contact
with. or does business with, he is not mean. His
mean weight is only about so pounds. He Is "a
wears old and has been for some years. he
escaped the draft during our late little unpleas'
aptness, on account of being exempt. He Is now
in training to fight McCoole, the great pugilist OF
St. Louis, who is out on bail for the purpose
Tom Thumb, Q breyet general, and brevet
man, is 80 years old exactly, and has been, 10 my
certain knowledge, ever since knew MN, 70
years ago. He Is a married man, all there IS OF
him and is happy all over. He and his wife never
ouarrel cause II they should get into regular
family fight, there wouldn't be any thing LETT OF
either one Of 'em to make up again: rom
doesn't have much weight or much standing IN
the community where he resides, although his IDEAS
on the finance question are sound. he mas never
been known 10 drink over quarts OF rum day'
and his other habits are good. FOR TINS reason,
he has never been considered qualified for being
a member of Congress. | must say, that II was
a baby over again, and | couldn't grow 10 De
bigger than he and Mutt, Pd-well Ia qnt, that
ali But they save a good deal by 1t. II don't
take much cloth to make 'em clothes, nor much
pbysic to make 'em sick; but when they are
sick they're sick all over.
Mrs Tom Thumb and Miss Minnie warren are
some women. They stopped growing some years
ago ON account of bill bein' introduced INTO
Congress to levy a tax on females that evergreen
Themselves. Women are the only luxury 10 this
countTy that have escaped the internal revenue
laws. Although Miss Minnie Warren is stated to
be only 20 inches high, am ready to bet 1900
dollars that she stands over feet Money TO be
in bank at 4 past IL tomorrow and stay there y
Ii is said that Mrs. Thomas Thumb is the mother
of child, but l don't know. l am sure, how
ever that she is the child of mother She eats
her hash like other women but does not live high.
If she don't behave well, Tom needn't get a
divorce, for she is so little that he could drown
her in a small tub. But she is mighty good, what
there is of her, which goes TO prove the ancient
adage that "good things are done up in little
lunches"
The future of these little folks is uncertain, like
that of large people, but their several ages will
probably remain about the same as they have,
until they die. They will not die of fevers. as
there isn't enough of 'em for good sized fever
to work on.
This little article about little people Is for little
folks. If they had been bigger, there would
have been more to write about.
Piecgudy theirn, A. HEAD.
The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02

ton Of chemical science that organic chemistry
was owing entirely to French intellect; that In
the mathematics she has led the way; that to her
we owe the impulse given to logic. physics aud
metaphysics; that Descartes has revolutonized
modern philosophy, and Napoleon modern war
fare. He took review Of his opponents argu.
ments and then closed in a most eloquent manner.
Mr.. stnbbs was long and loudly applauded at the
close of his speech.
The decision was then rendered. A committee
of three of the most prominent citizens having
been, at the request Of the boys, chosento de-
eide.
The chairman of the committee rose and gave
his decision as follows al have been appointed
BY my colleagues to give the decision. We can.
didly admit that being of English extraction, all
our prejudees are English and that up to the
time of the last speaker, we were decidedly in IA
vOr of England but we were unable TO Withstand
the arguments and the eloquence Of Mr.. Stubbs.
We decide in favor of France" The decision wa:
loudly applauded. All in the audience were well
pleased with the exercises. Yours, mo.
The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02

The BANKRUPT BILL.-The following is the text
of the bill 10 establish an uniform system OF bank
ruptcy throughout the United States, which
passed both houses of Congress:
'Be Il enacted, etc., That the provisions of the
secord clause of the hirty.third section Of said act
shall not apply to cases OF proceedings ia bank
ruptcy commenced prior TO the first day of jan
nary, 1863, and the time during which the opera.
ton OF the provision of said clause is postponed
shall be extended until the said first day Of JAM
nary, 1869; and said clause is so amended as to
read as follows: In all proceedings 10 bankruptcy
commenced after January, 1869, no discharge
shall be granted 10 debtor whose assets shall
not be equal 10 fifty per centum of the claims
proved against bis estate, upon which he shall be
liable the principal debtor, unless the assent in
writing Of majority in number and value of his
creditors, to whom be shall have become liable as
principal debtor, and who shall have proved their
Claims be filed in the case at or before the time
Of the hearing of the application for discharge.
" SIC. q That said act be further amended as
follows: The phrase presented or defended in
the fourteenth section of said act, shall read,
prosecuted or defended; the phrase non-resi,
dent Debtors in line five, section twenty-five OF
the act printed in the Statutes at Large, shall
read non resident creditors; that the word or
in the next TO the last line of the thrty-ninth sec.
ton of the act shall read and , and that the
phrase section thirteen in the forty-second sec
ton of said act shall read section eleven; and
the phrase or spends any part thereof in gaming
IN the forty second section Of said act shall read
or shall spend any part thereof in gaming : and
that the words with the senior register or and
the phrase to be delivered to the register. in the
forty-seventh section of said act be stricken out.
" SIC. 3. That the registers IN bankruptcy shall
have power TO administer oaths in all cases and in
relation TO all matters in which oaths may be sd
miDistered by commissioners or circuit courts OF
the United states, and such commissioners may
take proof Of debts in bankruptcy in all cases sub
Ject TO revision of such proofs by registers by
court, according TO the provisions OF said act"