davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
Dead Letters.

Of all the official work done at Wash
ington, none is regarded with more in
terest by the transient visitor than the
Dead Letter Office. Here sit some fif-
teen or twenty gentlemen--for it is fact
disgraceful to humanity that females can
not be employed, so many obscene letters
poison the continually engaged
in opening the four or five millions of let
tiers that annually find their way there.
More than $4,000 letters are daily emp
tied on their desks, asking to be opened.
When the letter is found to have vaua-
bic contents, those contents are endorsed
upon it, and the letter returned to the
envelope. A record is made of all such
letters, and they are at once returned to
their writer's, without return postage.
So perfect are the arrangements that it
is hardly possible that a valuable dead
letter, which has once reached the office
should fail of revisiting the writer, if it
is in the power of the Department to dis
cover him. During the past year 35, 900
letters, inclosing $l42, 234, were receiv-
ed at this office, and nearly $4,000 of
them, containing $3.50. 500 were restored
to their owners. But besides these mon
ey letters, there were $1,000 dead let
tiers, containing bills of exchange and
other valuable matter, appraised at over
$5,OOO,OeO over $4,000 containing
photographs, jewelry, etc. and $4,000
containing stamps and articles of little
value, nearly all of them were returned
to the original writers, and the reason
why any of these letters fail of being re-
turned is not the fault of the Depart
ment, but of the writers, who either send
an unsigned letter, or who will subscribe
herself your loving SUSIE" or "your
affectionate Adie;" and as Government
knows no first names, all such letters are
consigned to the chopping box and then
to the paper mill TO re-appear as white
paper.
Since writing thus far | have once
more visited the Dead Letter Office,
visit that always gives pleasure and graf
ifies curiosity. Here | saw clerks tax
ing about $500 day out of the letters
so profusely scattered over their desks,
and among the various articles recently
taken out Of their envelopes noticed the
following; Slippers, valentines, ducks
head, thermometers, false teeth, pistols,
mittens. fern leaves, false hair, laces, pa
per collars, epaulets, horns, pipes, watch
cases, hoops. albums, dolls. Zone of them
two feet high; it must have required a
monster envelopeD butterflies, mats,
medicines, silver goblets of full size, ear
rings, butterknives, spoons, gold and sill
yer watches VERY little gold or silver
about them, however,, shells, purses,
soap, sugar, tea, coffee, bows and ar
rows, books, pictures. box Of cigars, a
bottle of Jamaica ginger, a squirrels tail,
prisms, boxes, &C., &c.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
What are yQsa Going to Read
BY HENRY WARD BEECHER.

The long winter nights are coming.
Towns and cities are full of young men
whose education has been very limited
young men of good manners, of fair
business capacities, who are seeking their
fortune, but who have not learned that
intelligence and integrity are tie indis-
pensabe conditions of influence, of hap
piness, and of success
What plans have you, my friends, for
this winter ? Business will be attended
to, of course. Perhaps, in addition, the
prospect of several parties, ball or two,
the skating rink, give cheerful prospec-
tive. Or, you may be of sober turn,
and you have winter laid out in which
your leisure time is to be filled with meet
ings and benevolent labors.
In either case, what do you propose in
regard to Reading, or Study I? Are you
educating yourself! Do you regard
books as necessities Of life, or as luxu-
ries
A young man ought to arrange as
Systematically for reading as he does for
eating. Every year there ought to be
the account of books finished and mas.
tered.
Newspapers and magazines have their
own place and indispensable uses-but
they are not substitutes for books. And
books themselves are to be classified and
wisely chosen. Novels and light litera.
ture, taken spariugly. furnish wholesome
recreation, and sound knowledge. But
history, travels, biography, works on sci
ence, criticism, art, mechanics, should be
the staple of your selection.
1t ought to offend the self.respect of a
young man to spend a whole year with
out having mastered single new book.
He may be improving in business tact,
and in that knowled ge which comes from
mingling with men; he may be growing
in wealth and skill to manage riches, but
these things do not reach in far enough.
Thep do not touch the place where man
hood resides.
Now is the time to consider, resolve
and arrange. 1t will require firm pur-
pose and steady hand to carry you every
week through an agreed amount of read
ing. But, if the plan is once arranged,
begun, and carried forward month, the
execution of it will become easier every
week and the interest will increase self
respect in a young man more worthily
than the habit of sound reading.
Books are shields to the young
Temptations are blunted on them which
would otherwise pierce to the quick. A
man who draws sufficient pleasures from
books is independent of the world for
his pleasure. Friends may die; books
never are sick, and do not grow DID,
Riches melt away; books are in danger
of no bankruptcy. Our companions
have their own errands to execute and
their own burdens to bear, and cannot,
therefore, be always at hand when we
need company; but books need never go
out from us. They are not sensitive to
our neglect; they are never busy; they
do not scold us, and they do welcome us
with uniform and genial delight. What
are you going to read this winter
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

No TIME TO HEsIrArE.-A clergyman
of one of our eastern states, who, during
his lifetime was as much distinguished
for his talents and for the sincerity and
fervor of his piety, dined, one Thanksgiv-
ing day with the senior deacon; being an
old fashioned man he was in habit Of
asking blessing of most wearisome
length. On this occasion he was particu-
larry prolix, and finally was forced to
pause to gain new supply of breath and
words. The instant he stopped, the pas
tor sat down and commenced rattling his
knife and fork. The worthy deacon,
very much disconnected by the conduct
of his reverend guest, opened one eye,
and, looking down to him. exclaimed -
Doctor! doctor I'm not through yet /:
/ only besitated."
"Hesitatew replied the Doctor; I" it
is no time to hesitate when a turkeys
cooling"
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
Origin of Surprise Parties.

What are now called surprise parties
became quite fashionable in England
about the year 1900, when they were
called Picnic Suppers." The bill of
fare was prepared, each being numbered,
and the subscribers to the entertainment
drew lots, and each was required to fur
nish the dish marked against the number
he drew. This may be useful as hint
to persons getting up surprise parties,
which by the way are tho most sensible
species of entertainment now in vogue,
because the entertainer is required to
furnish only the parlors, and put to no
trouble TO prepare for the guests, while
the visitors furnish their own supper and
music and thus equalfze expenses. In
that way people who live in a pleasant
house but who cannot afford to prepare
an entertainment entirely at their own
cost, may still receive their friends occa-
sionly and enjoy social and festal eve
ming.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
nEOyer the beauty of the Mum and

EEOver the beauty of the plum and
the apricot there grows bloom more
exquisite than the fruit itself-a soft flush
that overspreads its delicate cheek. Now,
if you strike your hand over that. and it
is once gone, it is gone forever, for it
never grows but once. The flower that
hangs in the morning, impearled in dew
-arrayed as no queenly woman ever
was arrayed with jewels; once shake it,
so that the beads roll off, and you may
sprinkle water over it as you please, yet
it can never be made again what it was
when the dew fell silently upon it from
heaven! On frosty morning you may
see the panes of glass colored with land
scapes, mountains, lakes and trees, blend
ing in beautiful, fantastical picture
Now lay you hand upon the glass, and
by the scratch of your finger, or by the
warmth of the palm, all the delicate ira
Gerry will be obiterated. So there is in
youth beauty and purity of character
which, once touched and deiled, can
never be restored; fringe more delicate
than frost-work, and which when torn
and broken, will never be embroidered.
A man who has spotted and soiled his
garments in youth, though he may seek
to make them white again, can never
wholly do it, even though he were to
wash them with tears. When young
man leaves his fathers house, with the
blessing of his mothers tears still wet
upon his forehead, if he once loses that
early purity of character, it is loss that
he never can make whole again. Such
is the consequence of crime. Its effects
cannot be eradicated; it can only be for
given.-Henry Ward Beecher.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

The history of the growth of wool is
very curious. Fifty years ago not a
pound of fine wool was grown in the
United States, in Great Britain or in any
other country except Spain. In 1884 a
small flock was sent to the Elector of
Saxony as present from the King of
Spain, whence the entire product of Sax
ony wool now of such immense value.
In 1909 during the invasion of Spain by
the French some of the valuable crown
flock were sold to raise money. The
American Consul, Jarvis, at Lisbon pnr
chased 400 head and sent them to this
country. A portion of this pure and
unmixed Merino flock is still to be found
in Vermont at this time. Such was the
origin of the immense flock of fine wool
sheep in the United States at the present
time.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

A NOVEL ExPERIMENT.-A traveller
entered tavern, anil seeeing no one
present but the landlord and negro, seat
ed himself, and entered into conversation
with the negro. Shortly afterwards he
asked Sambo if he was dry. Sambo
said he was. Stranger told him to 60 to
the bar and take something at his ex-
pense. Negro did SO and soon left i.
Landlord says to the stranger: +" Are you
acquainted with that nigger?' mo,
never saw him before; but why do you
ask?" Il supposed SO, from your con-
versing with him, and asking him to
drink" "Oh," said the stranger, l
was only experimenting. The fact IS l
wass gnyself, and thought that if
your ,uor didn't kill the negro in fifteen
minuteAsI would venture to take drink
myself"
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

have very well expressed itself {: "Thus
bodily, I bequeath you my commission"
Grants might have said at is thrice
solemnized, coming thus from your
band"
Soon afterward the old General fold
Ell his eyes. without the assistance of
wife or child, lonely yeteron on the
immemor:al camping ground of soldiers,
who lived past his generation, lived only
for fame, and that fame his country
gratefully divides.
Now Grant has been accorded the
civil magistracy we unwisely declined to
Scott; for eIecting Frank Pierce, the
Iatter's desire to be re-nominated led him
to re open the questions that made the
war. Many Northern men, now with
out son, would have saved him by vo-
ting against Frank Pierce in 1852. We
have saved, perhaps, some sons of ours,
by voting for Gen. SCOTS successor in
1868.
GRANT THROUGH SMOKED GLASS.
Having elected Gen. Grant, we may
blow out the blue-lights that we have
burned around him, and see him against
the solid back ground of responsibilities
that he must assume. The President
elect is getting ions of political advice,
chiefly as to whom he shall appoint
aud whom he must not hearken to. The
cunning of doves and serpents is in the
periods that are written TO him.
1t is chiefly our business, having sup
ported him stiff1y thus far, to tell him
that the first pillar of his administration
is himself.
Gen. Grant is sagacious aud decided
personality when he watches himself
and works under strict self-denial. He
knows his worst enemy, and how totally
it reverses both his good fortune and his
discretion. apprehend that his ap-
pointments will be in the main Endorsed
by time, for he is an acute searcher-out
of character, and l have no doubt that
lie will answer all reasonable expectations
up to the end of the first or second year
Of his term. The fear is that Gen /.
Grant will grow careless before the end
of his term, trusting too much to his
good star, and seduced at last by amiable
people TO their worthless ways. The so
ciety of professional politicians is debauch,
ing. Gen. Grant enunciated the " force
of attrlion " in his military report, as
the power that would wear out the re-
belion. Let him beware of political at
triton, which will be used toward him
down 10 the last days of his administra-
ton. The politicians will never give
him up. Johnson is beset nearly as much
now, for the little lease of his term left,
as he was when its four years, in their
entirety, stretched before him.
To save Gen. Grant in the love of his
children and the gratitude of the coun-
try, he must mover look back, never sluln-
Der; for to be President and truly great,
a man must have some higher sense of
obligation than even patriotism, and lof.
tier far than his "policy" moral code,
severe convictions, and consciousness of
God in the State. The voices and pens
that raised him up like bucklers into the
full halo of his victories, are dipped in
the other bottle now, or do not speak in
the key of hurrah. His supporters are
still his friends, but also bis critics. We
clapped hands and shouted to bring the
speaker out--now he is on trial with his
speech.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
A Beautiful Woman.
THE ART OF LOOKING HANDSOME.


There has lately been going the rounds
Of the press extracts from an article on
the above subject, copied from Harper's
Magazine. From that article we gath
or the following facts
A modern woman to be beautiful
should wear good clothes,-and have
them well starched.
The neck should never be carried in a
basket, or done up in bundle. 1t is
carried with the least trouble upon the
shoulders, and looks we'll there. That's
where Marie Antoinette carried hers till
the nec(k)romantic Frenchman cut off
a slice.
1t is not the mark of beautiful wo.
man to have her heels get to high
higher than her head.
AS general thing the heels should
be kept midd'ing low, somewhere near
the floor or walk.
A woman's arm is beautiful when it is
just the right size and shape, and has a
good toggle joint at the elbow.
The hands generally make their ap
pearance on one end or the other of the
arms, and look really handy. The
thumb should not be as long as the fin
gers, unless it's a Tom Thumb" A
we'll made hand should be somewhat long
and very little short A hand looks
pretty around broomstick or a naugh-
ty mans ears. A woman can't be re
ally handsome without some hand.
To have perfect foot is considered
big feat.
A first class foot requires an instep.-
Women without an instep can't very well
''step into neighbours for a NJ 1ment."
The women of ancient Greece cad feet
which lasted them lifetime. Some
women of the present day have good
deal of "ancient grease" about their feet
Toe best way to have a No. look well,
is to jam it into No. 2. Walking is
good exercise for the feet. Some wo
men foot it so much that they cannot
foot their bills.
If woman wears wooden shoes they
won't wrinkle, but her feet will.
GENERAL BEAKING AND ADDRESS.
Women don't make bears of them
selves so generally as men do. Some
men are bearing around the most of the
time. The bare ing of women's arms
| on washing dav looks business.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
VOL. XII.
THE U.N.RE..rsHED PRAYER.

"Now lay"-ss say il darling;"
s.Iav me-" lisped the tiny lips
OF nv daughter, kneeling, bending,
Ger her folded hnger-tips.
"Down to sleep"-"to sleep, she Murmureo
And the curly head dropped lOws
81 pray the Lord" gently added,
You can say it all, know"
"Prav the Lord THE words came family,
Fainter still MY soul to keep;
Then the child's head fairly nodded,
And my babe was fast asleep
But the dewy eyes half opened,
When clasped her to my breast,
And the dear voice softly whispered,
Mamma, God knows all the rest"
O. the trusting. sweet confding,
OF the child-heart! Would that
Tins might trust my Heavenly Father
He who hears my feeblest cry
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

~ Guizot asserts that after the rev.
olution of '48, and the downfall of the
French Republic, he put himself to the
hardest kind of mental work. in the hope
&c dying, but so far from it be recuper-
ated under the process, and is now bet
tor able than ever to endure the scverest
strain upon his powers of thought.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
GENERAL BEAKING AND ADDRESS.

Women don't make bears of them
selves so generally as men do. Some
men are bearing around the most of the
time. The bare ing of women's arms
on washing day looks business.
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

w WHEN man dies, people gener-
ally inquire what property he has left be-
bind him. The angels will ask, What
good deeds has he sent before him!
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27
Rates of .fdrcrLiSfng /:

square will he counted the space of one inch.
Business cards, lines or less $500 year.
Legals charged at the rates prescribed by Statute.
Special notices Is cents per line tor first insertioD
and 10 cents for each subsequent insercion.
Transient advertisements must be paid for in ad-
vance all others quarterly.
Advertisements not otherwise ordered, will ,"
tinued until ordered out. and charged accordingly
Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-11-27

EF He who tells all he knows will
also tell what he does not know.
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10

-Menn bic 2u aludlen einntal int Staate
austreden pprbanocn iiao idon 9enus, icsar
5000 mebr, als Seymuur unb 8!air @timmen
brau9en, nm bier erua9lt gu trerben, penn
piel 5SQenseifer iasen mir, einn,al wie in1eras
etnen Haub3us unternebmen unb mad ct. In>
tbonY unb Minneapplis fomnnen, 10 tperben tie
pbae ;3meifel f@ suerf att ben Sture Bon y.
Sgpnnpr modem. te,n bier sisbts nod pas
Srbenti9es gu nebmen teicnbers ieitbem bic
neuen, BON ibm fritii9 a%usseiu6ten, briQianten
0prr1tben scn Org @rpbs aQer Mrt BON Calico
pub @trinpfen binauf bis CUR feinfenS eite II.
feinfen @bauls a%nsefcmmen fnb. Da nun
aber bic Gu 9ludien in Minneiuta nod INNER
bic semiitbldfen (most convivial) 2eute bon
Der @elt iunb unb nod nidt bic @epcgeabftf
batten, ben ~blutisen &eisen gu erUfuen, ~ionbern
pielmebr 1T filler 5Gusli9tsit babel fnb, tbre
Jamilien nit aleibunesporratben fir ben Wtn'
tel aus3uriien 70 bat 5err p. O'Gonn0r 1etne
preiie aufs alernieoria,e berunterselest 10 oaB
man fur fein Wslp 70 siel ais mDslld nabpaule
brirsen tanu. 9err 9. S'Gonnot bat einen
Gry GOODS Stprre III Minnearolis unb aud
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10

-Die ant 0ienlae Mbenb I'M Spernbaus
eebaltene bentofratii9e Madenserlammluug mar
bic Bette pplitil9e Concentration Der Champagne,
bic 9rS6fe, bic je il, ct. Yaul amiiden 4 @an-
hen i%tattfanb. Ntdt prlittide anirple unb 80
tcnreieer bier fibrten has @prt, mie es auf
Der anbern Seite beS 9auies Der Sal it. Cine
flare, b,rdsreifenbe unb praftiiGe 8eerinbune
Der teuapfratii9en Gp9men mar es, tpelde bic
unsebeure &rbiers int parterre, parquet uno
ber @aQsrie 1npiafirli@ sur bSdien 8eseite>
run9 binriB. Der Geiammteinbrud Der Ser
%ian1mluns erfiQte ieoen Demofraten nit frober
9pfnung, ia nit 5ieesgepibbeit, tpofIr bas
tbatfraftige, einbeitlide @irfcn Der partei unb
Der lhirn1ilde geifaQ> ZEN bic Steiner ~ernteten>
Der befs8iree ii. Gs betartte uas AUDI ferner
lit Der 3urerlidt bab Guseue 81. @iion, troy
ber Madtbebel tsr &abifalen, einfaG bur& oas
Ssrbienf tes &idtisen unb @abren, tas unle>
re Yartet jebt in jebem Gin;elnen tennsei9net
aab bur@ ieinen rer10nliden, sepiesenen Gbar<
after int Iriumpbe erwablt pirb.
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10

user eu9 bic gerbaltni0e ~spir1gen, eure
S9ritte gu einem 8udfpre 81 lenfen, uni Bill
Der, Bidder, 3ir9eniaden, S9retb5eug II. 7. ~.
su faufen, 70 tebret bel Sdwar3 ait Der Sine
Strabe, bel Der beutfden fatb. 8irde Gin. Cine
iapnere unb ssidmadspllere Muspabl BON Bill
bern, G'etettii9err, @dultii9eru, be1uubers fir
teutide S&ulen, fabet SIR u~irsenbs anbers.
Die 6irma puiet inglew gorf it jeBt bic belieb>
te1te gerlassbano!uns uao er bat beien @erlass-
tptrfe fortwabreno auf Eager reer teleQt lie.
MuBertem babt ibr Is bier NIT einem noblen, IL
beraIen @e1haftsmanne su tbun.
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10
= 0as Netter serlGaft bod Der i9werae.

0as @etter serlGaFt bod Der i9wer9e'
priiteu Ginisfeit nne @tatradt eiae 3ufunfts-
}atts. 9lQe ubne Iusnobn1e poren f@ bieler
@p9e tabin eiris, bab ber oerbf cine melau~
dolifd=attumpfenoe, tabfalte, fur5pes cine ia,
bitale 1enoen; ansenummen babe. Sein yrc~
tctyp, Der &abifolismus, bat AUDI iiber basQanb
cine undergraduate Shneeeede aussetreitst &C.
balten in @e1alt rcn @6uloen. Man aebrtc an.
!aapital tca9antes uno amgermSsen II. Mrbeits>
serbiente Der jesisen unb t~inftisen Generation,
meldss tpie cine ssoiertur (unter elmer na6en
Dede) cine wpbltbdtiseW arme erseuste-ueber~
FLUFF an NQent, am @uten unb @dle9ten iprpb
auf-j ebt ater einen eri9laTten, ie&snS taats>
tSrrsr suridlabt Der NIT @@nupfen, poeaera,
Melan9olic unb aufreseueeu Giebern bebaftet
tabinlttrbt.
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10

inemunberl9Une @cene.- Die
temaleeten Siisel um bic Statt baben has rit>
terlids Staatasemanb bes Serties %ansslest u.
Der maunisfaltise Garbeni9mud Der saneitaft
semGbrt cinsn gublid, marei9 hes ewisen
@dSpfunssnalers. pradtrcQ in ieinerS 9Sn-
belt, it Is ni6tsbs ltcmeniger bas Geierfleio, pel<
DIES ZEN @ussans pes Sabres b%eheutet, eas
Olatten tes &uaseuses> ,reldeS Der @uloat
ibm siett, eb er abSiebt gum NisIeni9la9tsn~
gauge, sum Gterben.
Der wanderer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1867-1957, 1868-10-10
~~

-Dcm @taetratbe liest cine s%iellettie tetrie-
tene unb fraftie uatertiste prupoltion DOR, 3D.
bin sebenb> bab ct. paul ber Gbicaeo unb ct.
gaul Giientabn etnsn BONUS BON 100000 tit
8pnts fir ben 8au Der 8abn bis Rebpins BE-
nin,n,en urb Der GaleY uab@entral &cat $780,
600 fir eineGiientabntri;de sete, meldes in Ser
naditen Sibnns sur uaberen Spra@e fummeu
wirb. Cine teue 8euerpshr unter tcm Mamen
Trout brook Hose No, 2 bat ll9 prsanilrt II.
1T in ber lssten Sisun9 anertannt unb gu alien
gprre@tcn etnsr Teuerepmra9nie saeelaTen tupr=
BEN.