davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
HeartleSS Transaction.

One of the meanest, most contemplate
and heartless confidence games that it has
been our lot to chronicle for some time
occurred in the city yesterday An old
man, 81 years of age, with dimmed sight
and crippled hands, arrived in the city
yesterday, with a large and almost help
less family, from Schuyler county, iii. This
family were on the way to some part of
Arkansas, where they intend to settle.
and engaged passage ON the steamer
City of Cairo to Memphis. The old man,
having procured tickets, congratulated
himself on having small sum left to
carry them through to their destination.
He promenaded the boat in anxious ex-
pectation of the steamer soon getting un-
der way. While sauntering about the
deck he was accosted by well-dressed
stranger, who made his acquaintance, ex-
pressed himself interested in his behalf,
and who represented that he was a mer-
chant of Memphis, going down on the
same boat. He pointed to stacks Of freight
on the boat that he had purchased. In
order to pass the time more agreeably, the
stranger invited the old gentleman to ac-
company him, and see very fine boat, which
was tied up at a short distance They went,
and on the way the old gentleman was
more than ever agreeably entertained by
his new companion. On arriving at the
boat designated, its fine model, sea a-going
qualities, and beautiful workmanship were
duly pointed out. About this time
another chap came up, and accosting
stranger number one, presented a bill
which he wanted cashed. As usual, num-
ber one fumbled about his pockets, and
not finding the amount he required, he
turned to his friend, the old man, with a
modest request that he would loan the
funds required, as he, not expecting to
have such bill to settle, had left his
money on the boat. Of course the old
man, unsuspectingly, believing that all
things were on the square, drew his wal
let and loaned his friend $92, being all
the money he had, except 81 80. Having
obtained the money, the two confidence
men readily got rid of the old man, and
left him to ponder on the evil ways of
mankind. He reported to police officer,
and person was arrested but, on arriv-
ing at the police station, the old gentleman
was unable to identify the man arrested,
and he was released. He went back to
the boat, when the extent of his loss was
more forcibly impressed upon his mind.
He was in deplorable situation. With
only 81 80 in his pocket, he saw his help
less family before him. His two sons
men grown-were sick. They had their
wives along, and some children. His old
lady was also member of the party. The
poor old gentleman became almost dis
tracted. He attempted to jump overheard
and end his miseries at once, but he was
held back, and finally, we presume, be-
came reconciled to his hard fate.-& Louis
Ii1nRa Annnst u
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
A Remarkable School. Mistress.

DIR. N. I. True, School Superintendent
of Oxford county, Maine, has made q
| special report concerning school-mistres.
in that State and her work. Her name is
Vesta Howard, and she teaches in the
town of Bethel. She is fifty-five years old
and has taught seventy terms of private
and public school. Yet, says DR.. True,
she is far in advance of most young teach
ers instead of being antiquated. The fol-
lowing are extracts from the account OF
the school:
"She commenced her afternoon session
by saying that she did not think it best to
set the children Immediately to work upon
their studies, because they had been at
their play and were not in the best condi-
ton for close application. She therefore
took second Progressive Reader, and
read story as badly as she could and let
them correct her faults. She then read it
correctly, and as one would talk, and all
eyes were fixed on her. She tLen called a
register of scholars by their names and
ages Among them was Winfield Scott,
General Fremont, and other prominent
names; and as they were announced she
had word to say about their history, with
out scarcely stopping her register She
then made them all take their books out of
their seats together, without noise No
states were to hit the desks, or books to be
shuff1ed. She selects captain for each of
the smaller classes, who steps out and calls
the class out by numbers Books are all
held alike. This makes them executive
scholars.
"In reading, small children repeat the
same word until they can command it in
the sentence, and then read it in concert.
In spelling they all fold their arms, with
the book under the left arm. Sometimes
she spells the words and they pronounce
them. This was a fine exercise She
made them pronounce correctly, COW, how,
now, bow, row. They made graceful
bow in leaving for their seats. Each class
has definite time for studying their les
son, and the teacher calls their attention
to it at the moment.
"They came out to read with folded
arms, read with strong emphasis, and nat
urally. She makes them look at her lips,
and she pronounces words round and full
and makes them do the same after her.
While hearing the class reading, if class
is studying geography, she will suddenly
call their attention to some point in the
lesson, and then go right on with the read
ing. She will call upon scholar by sur
prise to rise and tell something about the
lesson she is studying This was done
with great promptness. This kept them
on the alert.
She has bouquets all around the room,
and maps and pictures on the walls, to
make the room look pleasant. Her order
is perfect. Not book or pencil is heard
prominently.
"She questions them on what they have
read. In spelling, they give familiar def
nitions in their own language, and are re-
quired to pronounce each letter fully and
forcibly."
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
Spectrum Analysis.

BEYOND all comparison, the most bril-
liant and startling conquest which the
human mind has yet made over the domain
of nature, consists of that group of dis
coyeries which is described by the term
Spectrum analysis. 1t provokes amaze
ment in every aspect. In the first place
the Developments have been made with q
rapidity that is almost astounding; the
whole thing has been done in ten years
DR.. Wollaston discovered, in the year 1902
that by looking carefully at the solar spec.
trum with spy-glass, dark lines could be
seen crossing it. In 1915, Fraunhofer, a
German optician, rediscovered and made
a map of several hundreds of them, and
from that time they were called, after him.
FraunAofer's lines. But few supposed that
there was the slightest possible signifi-
canoe in them; they were regarded as
mere optical curiosities, having no higher
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03

The reason why the 18th OF February
recurs regularly, and all the other days ir-
regularly, is that every period of four
years contains the same number of days
&, ,46D; but the separate years are equal
in length.
The reasons why every seventh 10Th of
February recurs on the same day of the
week, are:
1st Because each term of four years is
equal
ID. Becauseit is not an equal number of
weeks.
Sd. Because seven is a prime number,
for, if this term of !, ,461 days were divided
into weeks Of six days each, for instance,
it would contain 2431S weeks, and there
fore two terms would contain an exact
number of weeks; consequently the 29th
Of February would recur on the same day
Of the week once in eight years.
If every year contained 365 days, any
day in the year would recur on the same
day of the week once in seven years.
If year had exactly SO weeks, it is evi-
dent that any day Of the year would al
ways recur on the same day of the week.
If year had 382 days and week had
six days each day would recur on the same
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
What Makes the Heart Beat.

THE beating of the heart does not. de-
pend on the general nervous system, either
cerebro- o-spinal or sympathetic, as may be
shown by the fact that the heart of tor
tOise continues to beat for many hours
after it has been cut out In fact, it may
be cut into parts, and these parts will con-
tinue to beat. The fact is explained by
Prof Foster, of London, in lecture re-
ported in Aprleton's Journal, as depend
ing on the character of the nerve of the
heart. The ordinary nerves consist SIM
ply of fibers, and can only convey impress
sions made upon it by nerve cells, such as
are found in the brain, or ganglia, or in
the Pacinian corpuscles at the extremities
of the nerves Now the nerves of the
heart combine both fibers and cells, and it
is the action of these cells that affects
the nerve fibers, originating nerve force,
and thus governs the muscular movement
of the heart
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
A Woman of Nerve.

WE learn fronf Mont Anderson, that
Mrs. Eliza Colyer, q widow lady living
about three and half miles south of this
village, q week from last Saturday night,
killed an immense wildcat.
The circumstances as we get them are
as follows: For two Or three nights pre-
ceding Saturday the family noticed that
the house dog had kept up a great noise
just back of the garden, but no particular
attention was paid to him until the night
in question, when, from the dogs excess
i've demonstrations, the lady determined
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03

day of the week once in three years. If
year had 1853 days, and week six days,
the recurrent would come once in two
years, etc.
As Inauguration Day comes only once
in four years, it follows the same rule as
the Goth of February, and recurs on the
same day Of the week once in twenty
eight years; and in that time it occurs on
every day in the week 1t comes on Sun
day in 1877.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
POETRY.
A TWILIGHT MEMORY

GENTLY fell the twilight shadows
Der the sunsets mellow light,
And we saw the angels lighting.
One by one, the lamps OF night.
al am tired. my darling whispered.
And long 90 much to sleep;"
1could hear the robins calling,
From the shadows dun and deep.
Hold me on your bosom, mother"
rant and low her whispered words,
But tomk they held the music
Cfa q thousand singing birds.
And held her to my bosom,
Close against my aching breast,
But the mother-arms about her
Could not sooth her into rest
"Sing the dear old cradle ballad
That you used to sing to me
When You hushed me into sinmosr
And | sat upon your knee.
Then sang the simple ditty
To its old familiar sr, ,Y,
While INV ewes were dim and blinded
By the tears that gathered there:
uu,sh my child. lie still and slumber,
HOLY angels guard thy Ded-
Heavenly blessings without number
Gently falling on thy head"
Then a light shone-oh 80 softly =
From the shadows of the west.
And il touched my darling's eyelidsl
With the blessed balm Of rest.
Oh. that light 80 mild and tenderi
have often thought since then
That an daoei touched my darling, Z
And he charmed away her pain;
For she slept the last sweet slumber,
That weary mortal knows,
And her face grew strangely quietl
In adeep and calm repose.
Yes. she slept, to wake at morning
On the calm, Eternal Shore
To new and strange existence,
Full of rest for evermore.
Once q Month.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03

Mrs. Eleanor r. Campbell, of Kansas
City, Missouri, gives notice in the papers
there, that she will release all her interest
in large amount of property, sold recent
ly by her deceased husband, and conveyed
by deeds which omitted to convey her
dover. She proposes to do this without
fee or reward, mot wishing to make
money at the expense, or by the mistake
of others, but to do unto all as she
would have them do unto her.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03
A Popular Error Corrected.

To the Editor of the Detroit Tribune:
Some years since, saw it stated in q
public Journal that the 4th of March was
selected for Inauguration Day because il
never recurs on Sunday, and have late.
ly seen it in print that the 4th of July will
not again occur on Sunday for twenty
eight years.
These are errors. The Goth of February
is the only day that recurs on the same day
of the week only once in twenty eight
years. All other days of the year recur on
the same day of the week four times in
twenty-eight years, averaging once in
seven years.
Subjoined is statement of years in
which the Fourth of July occurs on Sun
day, and underneath is a list of the order
IF differences whose sum is twenty-eight
years:
1859 1875 1880 1886 I, 1897
The order Of differences always consists
of these numbers; but it commences diff
ferently according to circumstances.
There may be four cases, viz: 1st- Where
the starting point is in the year (of 365
days. following the Goth February I'd,
where it is in the next year after; Sd,
where it is in the second year after; 4th,
where it is in the third year AFTER
In case The order of difference is Sum
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03

There is a project at indianapolis to
buy forty or fifty acres near the city and
build up large manufacturing town de-
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-03

Dlt tD OW II dppCtltC dAl udttuS, oiiNf
halving this meagre dish with the pen
knife which he used at table, would ironi-
cally bid her fall to" on a portion that,
while it was ample enough to serve for his
necessities, would not make her decent
mouthful. 1t was the same with the food
of the mind she had taste for the beau
ties Of our literature, and was accustomed
to enjoy the classics in folios, but he in
sisted on her reading them in diamond
editions.
These were the main points of the story
she told me, with many tears, and IN
manner that would have touched heart
of stone. When she paused she drew out
handkerchief to wipe her eyes and IN
doing so she accidentally brought out OF
her pocket garment which turned out to
be the dwarf's great-coat, and which had
found its way there in manner she could
not account for, except that she had taken
it ND unknowingly in one of those period
ical fits of mental distraction caused by
her husbands brutal behavior 1t often
bannened. she informed me, that she fell
into little mistakes of this kind in tidying
up the place; but Minnikin made no al
lowance for them; on the contrary, they
served him as excuses for further ill-treat-
ment: and he had once INDUCED in horrid
excuses of violence because she had mad
vertently made an apron-strins Of his
dress -crayat
took my leave Of her without waiting
to see the dwarf, and told her in all sin
cerity how sorry felt to see her thus
placed in the power of tyrant. felt that
whatever my own misfortunes were IN
losing her services, they were as nothing
compared with her own surrendering her
freedom and happiness to wretch who
did not know the value of his position and
Twas so anxious to be of service to her
that / made up my mind to open my own
poor show at the other end of the town, in
order that might have an opportunity of
seeing her from time to time. l did so,
and made several calls, paying for admis-
sion each time, for was determined to be
in no way beholden to man / detested.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30
"a MEcnA.Ns;1cs' ExcHg,A,lSseE,-An g,,ls interes


A ! MECHANICS ExCHASGE.-An interest.
ing item to our many worthy mechanics is
the statement that q room in the basement Of
Thomas r. Price s. Co.'s building, corner Of
Main and Eleventh streets, is to be fitted up
as an Exchange and Reading Room fo1
their accommodation and benefit. As on
Exchange it will be o place where persons
can hear of mechanics who will do their
work, and where mechanics can learn Of
jobs to be done, and of anything else of in
terest to the various trades represented in
Richmond. The Reading Room will be an
interesting feature of the institution. It
will be supplied with all the leading news
papers and such other reading matter as
will be most appreciated by the class of
persons for whose accommodation it is
established. 1t will also be supplied with
writing materials, &c., for the use of sub
scribers and visitors. = .,.
We wish this enterprise all success, as we
do all movements looking to the mental i'm
provement or the ameliorstion of the condi-
ton Of the working classes-the " bone and
sineW" Of the country.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30

PRESENTATION OF TEsTIMoNIAL.-At
Union Station Methodist church on Sunday
morning an interesting scene was Wit
messed. The occasion was the presentation
of a handsome and costly cane to Mr.. Ro-
bert L. Richardson by MIR. Robert j Chris
tian on behalf of the Sunday school. Mr..
Christians remarks were neat, brief, and
appropriate, and the recipient Of the testi-
monial was 30 surprised and affected that
he was for time unable to express his
qualification at the compliment. There was
hardly dry eye in the house when the
venerable pastor of the church, Rev. DR..
Lee, laid his hands upon his head and
blessed him.
Although Mr.. Richardson is q young man,
we know of few of our citizens who are
more widely or fayorably known, and
the news Of his early departure for
New York will be received with sin
cere regret. He was for five years clerk
for the Virginia Fire and Marine In
surance Company, and for some time after
the war was employed at the office of the
Times newspaper. More recently he has
been connected with the Danville railroad
He now goes to New York because he has
promise OF better things than Richmond
can afford.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PoLICEMEN.-The new
Chief of Police has issued the following in,
structions to his men:
"General Orders No. 2:
81. No officer or patrol1nan will be per-
mitted to enter any barroom or other place
where liquors are yended except in the
strict discharge Of his duties.
"2. No smoking will be permitted by
any member Of the force while on duty.
"3. Patrolmep, while on duty, are posi-
lively prohibited from lounging around the
street-corners, and from holding any unne-
cessary conversation unless it be upon mat
ters pertaining to police duties.
"4. All questions propounded by citi-
zens seeking information will be answered
in polite, respectful manner, and in order
to do this, each patrolnan must make fa-
miliar with the beat and the place of resi-
dence of each citizen thereon.
"GEoRGE T. EGBERT,
"Chief Of Police"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30

A FoUNDLING IN THE ALMsHoUsE GENE.
rERT.-Late Saturday evening DR.. Allen.
one Of the resident physicians to the city
almshouse, while walking in the cemetery
contiguous to that institution, found in one
Of the avenues basket containing white
male child about two months old. The lit
lie fellow was alive, if not kicking, and
seemed to be very comfortable under the
circumstances. 1t was wrapped in infants
clothing Of the finest quality, a few extra
garments we're thrown in, and bottle Of
milk was lying at its lips. A note in the
basket said, "Please call him Sheridan.
BE is accustomed to sleeping in flannel as
we'll as night-goWn." The babe was taken
to the almshouse, and will be we'll cared
for
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30

MAYORS CoURT-M1yor Chahoon preSi-
ding.-Joe Wilson alias Henry Smith
(negro), charged with stealing two bales of
cotton from Thalhimer s. Sen, vas sent on to
answer Indictment.
Tom Mchlahan, for being drunk and dis
orderly, was committed in default of surety.
Sally Cooper, for the same offence, was
similarly disposed Of.
Richard Bush, Ledley Woodward, and
Ella Wilson, we're severslly arraigned for
being drunk and disorderly, and were each
fined five dollars.
William Roberts (negro), charged with
being drunk and disorderly and cutting
Henry Thomas with knife, was fined FIVE
dollars for the first offence, but was dis
missed of the other one.
William Dabney (negro) and Jeff. Chill
drey, charged with being suspicious charac-
ters, were committed in default of surety.
Martha Bradley (negro) and Ann Ed
wards (whitc), charged with creating dis
turbance, we're fined $3.50 each.
Henrietta Page (negress), charged with
stealing $40 from the person Of Frederick
Freeman, was discharged.
Joseph Small (negro), slick headed and
as black as charcoal, charged with assault
ing and beating William Daniel, was fined
$3.50.
Maggie Williams (negress), charged with
being drunk and disorderly and using in
decent language on the streets, was fined
$3.50.
William Johnson, charged with stealing
bag Of coal from ]. NJ. Pitcher, was held
for indictment.
Jefferson Johnson (negro) was arraigned
for feloniously breaking into the house Of
H. W. Hey, in Manchester, and stealing
5000 worth of goods. His case was ccnti-
nued until Wednesday.
Nelly Johnson (uegress), charged with
stealing s44. 95 from the person Of George
WnrmleV WAS sent ON.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30
PORT OF RICHMOND. MARCH %, 1869.


ARRIVED.
Steamer Petersburg, Geoghegan, Baltimore,
merchandise, &C., Harveys & Williams.
Steamer Isaac Bell, Bourne, New York,
merchandise and passengers, W. q. Dunham
& Co.
Schooner J Peterson, English, Boston, mer-
chandise a. Y Stokes Go.
Schooner Blue jacket, Grant, Halifax, plas-
ter to master.
Schooner Hope, Booth James river, lumber,
Johnson, Howard Ests.
SAILED.
Steamer Niagara, Brakeman, New ork,
merchandise and passengers W. G. Durham s.
Co.
Steamer Eliza Hancox, Clifford, Norfolk,
merchandise and passengers, l.: B. Tatum.
Schooner J. H. Gallaher, Gallaher, down
the river, light.
Schooner Yankee Doodle, Malmsbury, Os-
borne's, to load with coal for New York.
Schooner Alice Curtis, -, Baltimore, ria
Chickahominy river, to load timber.
MEMORANDA.
WEST POINT, March 29.-Arriyed, steamer
Admiral, Kirwin, Baltimore, merchandise and
passengers, York River Railroad Company.
LIVERPOOL, March 10.-Sailed, Nesta, Tel
lefsen, for City Point.
PH1LApgLpHIA, March 27.-Cleared, schooner
Sea Lion, Jones, for Richmond.
Schooner George II. Squires, Timmons,
hence, arrived at New York on the 9th.
Schooner Modesty, Weaver, from Fort
ROYAL, Va, arrived at Providence on the 26th.
Schooner Lucy D., Higgins, hence, arrived
at Boston on the 9Th.
Schooners II. T. Wood, with wood, for New
York and b. F. Woolsey, light, were at the
White House landing, Pamunky river, on the
oSth the latter bound up the river to load
for New York.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30
LOCAL MATTERS.

POWERS OF REMOVED SHERIFFs.-The
following order has been issued from head.
quarters:
:" HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT,
"RIcHMoSD, VA, March 30, 1869. 5
/" General Orders No. 38.
"All sherifs who have been removed
from Office by orders from these headquar.
ters are hereby authorized to exercise al
the powers conferred by chapter xxxvi. Of
the Code of Virginia on sheriffs, after the
expiration of their terms Of office.
"By command Of MajorG General Stone
man. S. F. CHALFIN,
"Assistant Adjutant- General"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-30

DURYEA'S IMPROVED CORN STARCH, for pud
dings, cakes. cream', custards, pies, blanc mango
sauces, soups, &C., &C., is made from the choicest
Indian corn, and by greatly improved process
1s sn article Of dessert 1t is largely used In p'i.
vate families and IN many OF the best hotels In this
and other countries 1t being fully equal in nicely
Of relish to the richest pastry, while 1t Is thou
sand fold m1re digestible and healthful. 1t is
especially adapted to the Of invalids and chill
dren, being an excellent substitute for the best
Bermuda arrowroot, using 1t in the same way.
AS an article OF food 1t IL Invaluable. The recipe.
for making the different articles are en- ea ,h pack
ase-pound papers.