davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
SELECTING COWS.

A Vermont stock raiser gives the fol~
lowing rules for selecting cows: First,
| get u broadslde view of the animal, ut
the distance of about two rods, as have
noticed for years that there was a great
similarity in the peneral proportion OF
all first-class mixers, being very small
IN girth just back of their forward legs,
as compared with their girth Just for
ward of their.hips. have never known
a first-rate mixer, of any breed, not
thus proportioned; so that if this form
is wanting in an animal l have reconi-
mended TO me, l do not care TO look at
her more, unless l want TO breed for
some other purpose than the dairy
For breeding oxen should want cow
of reverse proportions, !. e., larger girth
forward. 1 next feel the size of the
milk veins, and trace them to their en-
trance into the chest, which, in superb
or cows, are large, admitting the ball of
the larger finger; If divided, or susdi-
vided, as is sometimes tire case, Judge
of the size OF each oritice, as | care less
for the size of the vein itself than the
orifice. Next, examine by sight or
touch the udder or bag, which must be
capacious in order to hold much milk,
with teats- wide apart and free from
large seed warts or sores of any kind
| then inquire how long she goes dry
before calving, as don't want afamily
cow to give milk less than forty-six
weeks out of every fifty two; also, as to
the quality of the milk; and, to close,
milk her with my own hands,"
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
WILL POLITICS DEMoRALIzE THE wo-
MAN

The Nation discusses the "Woman
Question" at some length, and disposcs
of one objection to the comforting upon
them Of the right of suffrage, as fol-
lows:
Il e probability that their giving their
attention to politics will cause women
to neglect their domestic duties, or any
duties peculiar to them rs swomen, is
only to be used as an argument by peo-
pie who have never made serious eff
fort TO define the limits OF the legisla-
tors province. A legislator has no
right to exclude any class of persons
from the enjoyment OF privileges pos
Sessed by all other classes, from the
mere fear that the concession OF them
would interfere with the proper perfor-
nance of duties of imperfect obligation
that Is, of duties OF which the law does
not aud ought not to enforce the per-
formance. He ought not TO restrain
particular men of their liberty. lest
they should not prove industrious, or
take charge of their affairs, lest they
should no: prove charitable or economi-
cal.
The proper apportionment of his time
and attention between his various du-
ties of imperfect obligation, such as his
duties as husband, father, philanthro-
pis church member and citizen, is left,
and properly lett, to each individual
man. 1t is condition of sound pro-
greSs that it should be so left. There
are social penalties, far more effective
than any legal penalties could be, for
the neglect of any one of them by men
and yet men neglect them, There are
thousands, nay hundreds of thousands,
OF men whose devotion to politics makes
bad fathers. husbands and citizens of
them. The large band ofpersons known
AS professional politicians" are as
worthless a class as ever existed. To
many of them individually it would be
unquestionably boon If they could
neither vote nor hold office, but nobody
dreams for that reason, or any other
reason, OF disfrsnchising them. SO, al
so, the possible effect of female suffrage
in drawing away wOmen's minds from
their duties as wives or mothers or
daughters, is not question for legisla-
tive consideration. There DOUBTLESS
willy be llrge numbers of female voters
on whose character politics will pro-
duce bad effect; but there are women
on whom idleness, wealth, fashionable
society, hot bread, thin shoes, late
hours, pie and novels produce bad eff
feet but then nobody for this Istson
proposes to regulate their lives by act
Of Congress.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
BUILDING A CHEAP IcE-HoUsE.

William Hedge, in the KeStern Rural
gives his plan, as follows:
Last Sanuary drew one large load
of saw dust and spread on the ground,
on the north side ofmy horse barn, then
drew the ice Sawed in square cakesb
and built up square pile some eight bo
ten feet and seven or eight feet high,
filling up the space between the cakes
with pounded ice. thcuset'up scant-
ling and built board house around It,
two feet larger each way than the ice
then fill in saw dust around, and TWO or
three feet on top and covered with
boards and slabs. We have used freely
through the season, sold to'picnic par
ties. given away to sick neighbors, and
have plenty yet.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

Her face will not change. Her oil

Her face will not change. Her old
saucy look was there as | spote; but L
noticed that one little hand closed con-
vulsively over her watch-ehain, and that
the other fell upou the keys, making
fer the first time, discord.
"Going away for forever ?'' she said
with a sad tone that made my heart
throb.
"Mlss Susy, / hoped you, at least,
would miss ne and sorrow in iuy abb
scncc ?"
81 ?"
ayes, it might change all my plans if
my absence would gricve you."
"Change all your plans?"
Yes, [ hoped-t iought-."
Oh! that earnest, grave face. My
cheeks burned, my hands and feet seem
ed to swell, and felt cold chilfs all over
me. could not go OH. l broke down
for a third time.
There was an awkward silence. |
glanced at Susy. Her el es were rest
ing Oh my hand, which lay on the arm
of the sofa. The contrast between the
black horse-hair and the flesh seemed to
strike her.
"Nhat pretty little hand!" she
said.
A brilliant idea passed through my
brain.
"You may have it if you will, said,
Offering it.
She took it between her own, and,
toying with the fingers, said:
"May II"
ayes, it-ifyou will give me this one"
and raised her beautiful hand to my
lips.
She looked into my face. What she
saw there | cannot say; but Il ever eyes
tried to talk, mine did then. Her color
rose, the white lids fell over her glOri-
o. eyes, and the tiny hand struggled to
free itself. Was tooi enough to release
it?
What l said l know no.; but | dare
say my betrothed can tell you. Five
minutes later my arms encirclsd blue
silk dress, the brown hair fell upon my
breast, and my lips were in contact with
another pair,
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
BnefitaC.


CHRISTMAS NIGHT OF 80.
|
BY GORDON McABE.
The wintry blast goes wailing by,
The snow is falling overhead,
/ hear the lonely sentry's tread,
| And distant watch-fires light the sky.
Dim forms go fitting through the gloom,
The soldiers cluster round the blaze
To talk of other Christmas days,
And softly speak of home and home.
My sabre swinging overhead
Cleans in the watch-fires fitful glow,
While fiercely drives the binding snow,
And Memory leads me to the dead.
Ny thoughts go wand'ring to and fro,
Vibrating 'twixt the now and then:
see the low-browed home again,
The old hall wreathed with mistietoe.
| And sweetly from the far-off years
Comes borne the laughter faint and low,
The voices of the long ago:
Ny eyes are wet with tender tears.
feel again the mother-ki
see again the sad susprise
Inab llBiltenh up the eyes,
And brimn cd them DER with tears of bliss
As, rushing from the old hall-door,
She fondly clasped her wayward boy,
Her face all radiant with the Joy
She felt to see him home once more.
Ny sabre swinging on the bough
Cleans in the watch-fre's fitful glow,
While fiercely drives the binding snow
Aslant upon my saddened brow.
Those cherished faces all are gone,
Asleep within the quiet graves,
Where lies the snow in drifting waves,
And am sitting here alone.
There's not comrade here tonight
But knows that loved ones far away,
On bending knees, this night will pray:
"God bring my darling from the fight"
But there are none to wish me back,
For me no yearning prayers arise,
The lips are mute and closed the eyes
Ny home is in the bivouac.
NEAR RICHMOND December 1862
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
oLDIN sUPERsrITI0Ns REGARDING
CHRISTMAS.

It used to be asserted that at Christ
mas time not only was the cock merry,
but the owl for twelve days was happy
and conducted itself alter fashion
singularly at variance with its usually
exclusive habits. AT twelve o'clock on
Christmas eve all water was said to
blush. and for moment turn to wine
the bees in their hives were heard to
sing dumb animals were gifted with
speech, and tnat oxen knelt down in
adoratlon ; the dead trees put forth ten
der buds of hope, and subtsranean
bells were heard ringing sweetly and
softly for the birth OF the Lord These
quaint superstitions were held with te-
nacity by many honest country folks
after they had been banished from the
public mind. 1t was asserted that af
ter the alteration of the style, the oxen
still persisted in adhefing to the old
Christmas eve. and one good man went
to far as to state that he had witnessed
the two oldest oxen fall upon their
knees ut twelve o'clock and make a
cruel moan, like Christian creatures.--
Perhaps ifthe good man had watched
every night, he might have seen the
same thing bred oxen will rest them
selves and are not always silent.
The Christian supcrstitions already
mentioned we're not expressive OF any
baneful influence but 1t was supposed
that, in revenge for the restraint put
upon item on Chris mas day. ..sthe pow
ers OF darkness became afterwards the
more rampant. Oans, Magnus, Me-
ropolitan of Sweden, declared that
about that time there was strange
mutation of men into animals, in the
cold mort fern parts ofthe country; that
in certain place, and on certain
night, there was gathering Of huge
multitude of wolfs that were changed
from men--men who made beasts of
themselves at Christmas--and who, du-
ring that night, ragged with such fierce
ness against mankind, that the people
suffered more hurt from them than they
ever cid from natural true wolfs."
The winter season in the north is We
nv we'll known to be severe enough to
render the --wolfs so bold in their dep
relations as to bring them near, and
even into the towns in search of food
and this no doubt originated the fable
At Christmas time or on the eve OF the
New Year, 1t was supposed possible for
a maiden to summon by certain charms
not her own personal charms which are
allowable witchery--her future husband
to hel side and dismal stories were
told, with trxdgical endings, as to what
became of these prcsunptious wench-
es. who thus sought out before the time
who was GOING to WOO them. Another
superstition took the form of requiring
every SINISTER TO rnish the work upon
her wheel before Christmas, lest at her
foilow hsr ~ chnrcb AMI .wit her for
her idleness, She mi0bt. however. tom
;nre down the snrioht of the wheel by
: SSnrinrI;ng IittIe Salt over it. for salt
in ali snnerstitious practices, was held
to tr;umph over eyervthing evil.
II is c,irious to trace these supersti-
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
NEGLECT OF WORSHIP.

The great mass of the people attend
no church. There are $1,000 places of
worship in this country, but not 100
persons Oh an average, are found in each
on the Sabbath. OF our population OF
10000, 900, not more than 5,O00,00 at
tend any place of worship. Thirty-five
million of our people have no church
accommodations, or do not improve
them. These are startling facts.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
Youa FIRST SWEETHEART.

You can never forget her. She was
so young and innocent and pretty. She
had such q way of looking at you over
her hymn book In church. She alone
of all the world did not think you boy
of eighteen, but wondered ut your size
and learning, and your faint foreshad
owing ola sandy monstache, and be-
lieved you very inch a man. When at
those Stupid evening parties, where
boys and girls who should have been
eating suppers of bread and milk, and
gone to sleep hours before, waltzed and
flirsed, and made themselves sick on oy-
sters and champagne, you were favor
ed with \ glance of her eye or a whis-
per from her lip, YOU ascended to the
seventh heaven Immediately. Whence
once upon memorable eve she polked
with the druggists clerk, and never ev-
err looked at you, how miserable you
were. 1t is funny to think of now. but
it was not then you were aNfully in
earnest.
Once at a picnic she wore white
dress and had roses twined in her black
hair. and she looked so much like a
bride you fairly tire mbled; sometimes
you thought in just such snowy costume
with Just such blossoms in her hair. she
might stand before the altar, and you
most blessed of mortals, might place
ring upon her finger !; and when you
were left with her for moment, some
of your thoughts were formed into
words, and though she blushed aud ran
away, and would not let you kiss her.
she did not seem to be angry. And
then when you were somehow parted
for little while, and when you met
again she was walking with gen le-
nan, large, full-grown, whiskerS 3
man, oftwenty-eight or thirty. and had
neither word nor smile tor you, and
some well-meaning gossip informed
you shortly alter that she was engaged
to the tall gentleman with black whis-
kers. and that it was splendid match.
1t was terrible news to you then, and
sent you off to some great city far from
your native home, where, after great
deal ofyouthful grief, and many resolu-
tions to die and haunt her, you recOv-
cred your equanimity and began to
make money and to call love stuff and
nonsense.
You have rich wife of your own now
and grown up children-ay, even two
or three toddling grand childrsn-about
your hearth; your hair is grey and you
Ioch your hcaTt up III thc HrcprooI sate
at your counting house when you go
home at night. And you thought You
had forgotten that little episode Of your
nineteenth year, until the other day
you read her death in the papers. You
know she was stout lady who wore
glasses, and has died older than she
was in that olden time, but your heart
went back and you saw her smiling and
blushing, with her golden hair about
her face, and yourself boy again.
dreaming OF Wedding robes and rings,
and you laid your grey old head upon
your office desk and wcpt for the men,
ory OF your first sweetheart.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
A CURIOUS HYBRID.

Mr.. VIM. Sullivan of Stafford county
has left at our office very curious hy-
bril, part rat and part ground mole.--
The fail and claws are those of rat,
whilst the body is that of the mole. The
mouth is also that of the latter, though
it had originally, on the upper jaw, a
curious formation, with, the points of q
star. - FfeiSicks6trg Herald.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
CURE FOR FOOT ROT IN SHEEP,

Pare all of the hoof OF that SELECTED,
tbe particular in this, y then. apply q
wash made of nitric acid, one ounce and
an old fashioned penny dissolved in IL.
One or two applications will surely af-
feet a cure,
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
CONDITION OF THE STATE TREASURY.

There remained in the Virginia State
Treasury, December 3lst, after paving
the interest on the foreign bonds, s520,-
900. This sum, IL is stated, will be aug
mented considerably when all the sher-
ifs shall have made their returns, which
they will be apt to do promptly under
the existing state OF things.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
The Lynchhnrg News is informed bY

The Lynchburg News is informed by
a gentleman of Wythe county, that a
negro woman in that county, gave birth
q few days ago to male child perfectly
developed in all It's parts, but having
head and face the complete resemblance
of those of dog. The body and limbs
in all respects were those of human
being. The child-dog lived but few
hours after birth.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
WARTS ON cows.

Noah Whlpple Jr., says IN the Boston
C'tltivGtor, that warts ON cows teats may
be readily removed by washing freq quent-
ly with alum water made by dissnlying
two ounces OF alum in pint of sefs wa.
ter,
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
,P There is another dlluvial lunatic

~ IHtIt Is hHVVfTOI UrI' ,o tut
in Tennessee. A man ir Triune, Will
hanson county, is expecting another
flood, nd has determined to expend his
fortune in the construction of an im-
mense ark. He has already prepared q
model of the affair, assisted by an archi-
tect AID carpenter. 1t is to be 200
feet long, 100 feet wide. and six stories
high. Ingenious arrangements are
made for the accommodation of animals.
Snakes are to be lett ous,
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
SURE CURE EoR FOULS IN CATTLE.

When all other remedies have failed.
have seen this troublesome disease
cured Immediately by the application
OF coal oil, the same as we burnEin our
lamps-re fined oil. One application is
usually sufficient.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

De A certain political speaker clos
ed an address in behalfo of his party with
the following fluid peroration.
"Build worm fence around win
ter's supply of Summer weather, skim
the clouds from the sky with spoon;
catch thunderbo.t in bladder; break
a hurricance to harness; ground-slce
on earthquake; bake hill in an ice
house; lasso an avalanche; pin diaper
on the crater of an active volcaDoe; hive
all the stars in nail keg; hang the the
ocean on grapevil to dry; put the
belly band of eternity, and paste $40
Let" on the sun and moon, but never.
sir,-never for moment, delude your
self with the idea that any ticket or par
ty can beat our candidate.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

Up A poultry riddle-maker asks.
"W hy'is a hen immortal 3"aud answers.
''Because her son never sets"
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

,P- The hetel-keepers of Harr g.
burg, Pennsylvania, are notorious for
their eXtortionate prices. The follow
ing instance more than supports their
previous reputation. A gentleman
from New York stopping at the State
Capitol hotel committed suicide there
while laboring under temporary insani-
ty. He had been some two days at the
house, but the proprietor put in claim
of $3.50 as the amount OF his bill against
the deceased. The family refused to
pay, the landlord raised his claim $500,
aud has entered suit against the estate,
IL the man had lived his bill would have
been some eight or ten dollars; but the
landlord claims the rest on the ground
that his death will injure the reputation
OF his house.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

A fall of red snow has astonish-
ed the people of Kansas.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

FA, radical measure-a quart of
root, 6eer.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15

.--- Grants hobby-a horse.
The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
gkf Hstirf Tirgiuisu,
By BAGBY q sToFER

uas,s OF ApvERTIsING.--The following
eur terms OF Advertising. which will, in
lnafauCa he departed from:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-02
Chesapeake d ohio EGttr0tsd.
60
SCHEDULE

WINTER SCHEDULE.-On and after
wv the First of October, 1868, the passenger
trains will run as follows:
Mail train between Richmond and Staunton
daily Except Sunday and between Staunton and
Covington tri weekly, Wig; Leave Richmond at
715 a. M, and arrive at Stauhton at 8. % p. M.
Leave Staunton at g. IS a. m. and arrive at Rich
mond 5.25 p. nj.
On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday leave
Coyington at 5; 10 q. M and arrivss At ssaunto99
at 9. 10 a: %. Leave SfauntQn at S5S p: m and
arrive at Coyington at 7:55 p. N.
Accommodation Train between Richmond and
Charlottesville on Mondays Wednesdays and
Saturdays. Leave Charlottesville at a. M and
arrive at Richmond at $50 a. m. Leave Rich
mond at 8. 80 p M, and arrive at Charlottesville
at 9 p. m.
The Mail Train connects at Gordonsvlle and
Charlottesville with trains on Orange. Alexan
dria, and Manassas railroads for Alexandria,
Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Iyiich-
burg knoxtihe, Chattanooga Memphis New
Orleans, Montgomery, Mobile. sc. At Stapn-
ton, with stages for Harfisonburg, Winchester
&c. At Goshen with stages for Hexjsgten Vat:
ufal Bf::1ags, &l. at Miffbofo with Stages for
Bath Alum, Warm, Hot, and Healing Strings:
At Co9ington, with stages for White Snlphur
Springs, Lewisburg, Charleston &c.
JAMES p. NETHERLAND,
oct6 General Ticket Agent.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-02
POETRY.
Going to Sleep.

Come hither, my baby, my darling,
My lilly, my wonderful rose
The ite-bosomed flowers in the garden
Begin their soft petals to close;
The bees have gone home from the clover,
The swallows are under the caves,
And down in the orchard the robin
Broods O er her nest in the leaves.
Come, baby, my beauty, my darlingl
Your eyes are heavy with sleep,
Your little red mouth has grown silent,
And scarcely its laughter can keep;
Lay off the white robes from your shoulders
Unclasp the small shoes from your feet
On, daintest blossom of Eden,
! kiss you, my lily, my sweet.
Do you feel the cool wind coming softly,
And see the young moon in the sky?
The clouds sailing over the sunset
The bats fitting silently by?
Do you hear how the cattle are lowing
Along the green lane by the hill
And the brook running oyer the pebbles,
With MUSIC that never is stlll2 q
Now hush while sing to you, baby.
A song of the angels above,
That come on invisible pinions,
To watch O. er the children. they love; s.
So all through your beautiful dreaming
The voice Of your mother shall creep,
Lest, hearing the harpings celestial,
g Your soul shall fly homeward in sleep.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-02
One Hour with Thee.


One hour with theel When earliest day
Dapples with gold the eastern gray;
Oh, what can frame my mind to bear
The toll and turmoil, cark and care.
New griefs which coming hours unfold,
And sad remembrances Of the old a.
saH One hour with theel
ODe hour with theel When burning June
Waves his red flag at pitch of noon,
What shall repay the faithful swain
His labor on the sultry plain;
And, more than cave or sheltering hough,
Cool feverish blood and throbbing brow?-
One hour with thee
One hour with theel When sun is set,
oh, what can teach me to forget
The thankless labors of the day;
The hopes the wishes flung away;
The inereaalng wants and lessening gains,
The masters pride who scorns my pains p
One hour with thee!