davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
Ekects of Heating the Soil.

Most gardeners in New England are inthe habit of preparing the hills for cucumbers, squashes, and melons by busiing upon them heaps of pea brush, weeds, shayings, and chip dirt. If you " ere to inquire the cause ofthis practice, you wonld probably be told that 1t was to accomplish two very dissiinilar purposes--the destruction of the numerous insects and seeds which lay beneath the burning heap, and the imparting to the soil a consid- erabis degree of warmth. Certainly both pf these objects are accomplished, but ve suggest that the great benefit obimied by this procedure is the softeiing of the silex contained in the soil, whereby it is rendered soluble.
 Eylry farmer who has pnt in crop on lnie that has been recently cleared and burned, as is the practice in all timbaed counties, knows the wonder ful fertility of lands that have been so prepared, and has pleasant recollcc- tioni of the first crops that were pro ducei after the axe and torch had done their work of devastation. Many attribute this marvellous fertility, whicl is exhibited for some years, to the psseuce of the ashes that have been prodtced; but without wishing in any manner to deiract from the value of the wood ashes, we believe the action of the fire on the soil (producing solube silica) was ihe great cause of these heavy crops. This practice would be especially beneficial to lands that a'e 10 be sown to any kind of grain, put more particularly to wheat. For the perfection of either the straw or kernel of this plant soluble silica is absolutely nccessary.--prairie Farmer.
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
THE KsUELAO.

It was clear bright day in the early autumn when the royal tilt-yard, on the Isle de Paris, was prepared for deadly conflict. The tilt-yard was regular, oblong space, enclosed with stoat squared palisades, and galleries for the accommodation of spectators, immedia tely in the vicinity of the royal resi- dencc of the Tonrnelles, a spendid gothic structure, adorned with all the rare and fancifu devices of that rich stye farchitecture-at a short distance thence arose tho tall gray towers of Notre Dame, the bells ofwhich were tolling minuteIy the dirge for passing soul. From one of the windows of the palace a gallery had been constructed, . hung with rich crimson tapesty, lead ing to.a long range of seats, cushioned and decked with arras, and guarded by a strong party of gentlemen in the royal livery with partizans ill their hands and sword and dagger at the belt--at either end of the list was q tent pitched, that at the right of the royal gallery plain marquee of can vass of small size, which had appar- ently seen much service, and been used in real warfare. The curtain which formed the door of this was lowered, so that no part of the interior could be seen from without: but particolored
 
 pennon was pitched into the ground beside it, and shield suspended from the palisades. emblazoned with bear rings, which all men knew to be those ofCharles Baron de La-Hirc, a renown- ed soldier in the late Italian wars, and the challenger in the present conflict. The pavilion at the left. or lower end. was of a widely different kind-of the very largest sort then in use, completly framed of crimson clotl lined with white silk, festooned and tringed with gold, and all the curtains looped up to display range of massive tables covered with snow-white dainask, aud loaded with two hundred coverS of pure silver r!--Vases of flowers and ilasksof crystal were intermixed upon the board with tankards, flagons, and cups and urns of gold, embossed and jewelled-and behind every seat a page was placed, clad in the colors oi the Counts de Laguy--a silken curtain concealed the entrance of an inner tent wherein the Count awaited the signal that should call him to the lists.-- Strange andlindecent as such an accom-. paniment would be deemed now-a- days to a solemn mortal conflict--itwas theI deemed neither singular nor mon strous-and in this gay pavilion Ar mand de Laguy, the challenged in the coming duel had summoned all tn, nobles of the court to feast with him after he should have slain, so confiden was he of victory, his consin ant accuser, Charles Baron de La-Hire The entrances oi the tilt-yard wer' guarded by detachment of the King
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
Two Old Friends.

The Marysville (Cal) Telegraph says :-
 Just now, one of our citizens met on Second Street an old acquaintance, a German resident of Placerville. The citizen had been at Sacramento on bus mess at the time of the great Union meeting, and rememberd having seen his German friend there at the same time, but, in consequence ofthe crowd, had been unable to get near enough to speak to him. He was now glad to see him again, and. after some little con- veasation upon various subjects, sud- denly bethought himself of the politi- cal meeting before mentioned, and ex- claimed.-
 'sWell Jake, what were you doing in Sacramento, the other night?''
 Well, cooms down init der peo- pies von Blazerville." replied Jake. q cooms to zee der sprcken."
 "To see the speaking? thought, you good Democrat?"
 "Yaw; beese CT goot Democrat und 70 vas you; ;aint it?
 "Csrtainly; but then I was down there on business, while you lived in Placerville. Didn't you know that was not a meeting of our party?,,
 "Yaw; cares not for der .bardy. ust travels for mine helt- 1 not bays for der passage, und I goes furder as Sacramento. 1 goes to de San Fancis- co in der vree shteampoat ven cooms der next day.'
 But I saw you in the crowd in front of the speakers stand.'
 "Vell, we'll, dat makes noting differ ent. shtand for rest ion mineself. l nix makes der cheer for der sprccken ]; I bees ein Demograt; I rides nit Gorham, und votes nit Haight : don't it? Yell, let's have some beer drinken init zwei lager, den we goes nit der two drains von Oroville.n
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
How to Make
 Matchcs.

A short time since, at a
 South Carolina, young lg
 that one man in the company selected as president, that this should be duly sworn to keep ena cret all communications that .shau forwarded to him in his official
 that night, that each unmarries man and lady should write his or lss upon piece of paper, aud under '. the name of the person they wislinl ", then hand it to the presi ienfhl spection, and if any gentleman ais' had reciprocally chosen each oa president was to inform each of tl and those who had not been rccipa. their choice were to be kept ents cret- After the appointment of ii ident, communications were accot handed up to the chair, and it was that twelve young ladies and gen had reciprocal. choices, and eleyen'' twelve matches we're solemnized
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
A Ghost Haunting a Chicago
 Church.

Louisville csur;cr-Journal Special
 The people in the northern part of the city are getting excited about q ghost which haunts the Baptist church and other localities in that vicinity, greatly to the terror of fthcTnhabitants, It last appeared in the form of man draped in white. Several citizens who met the spirit tried to catch it, but it would instantly vanish from their sight and then shortly reappear. One man fired al it several times with his revol- yer. bat without effect. One night last week the goblin stopped freight train eoming into the city bY getting on the track ia fsont of the train. The engin- ser supposed ii to be real man. halted the lrais and ran forward-to remove 'fhe object, when it instantly vanished. The ssme process was. repeated three times. Al last the trsis ran over the shest, but ii was apparently unhurt. saeh are the reports from numerous Fesldenis Of that neigborhood aud from 'hs ase@ oa that paFtlealar train. The arlis is crsatine considerable excite msnt
 rs~ Garnet. are feagft bv tbe yard and
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
sa-John Chinaman, in California,

sEJohn Chinaman, in California, is clear at bargain. His ideas of the credit system" are extremely safe, though rather vague. A merchant of unbounded credit in San Francisco re- gently applied to Chinese merchant, through his agent, to purchase cargo of rice on time. The agent duly set forth the opulenee, standing, etc., of his principal, to which Chinaman re- piieds eYes. hin welly good man. Me trustee, him pay one-halp eash-ee. other halPsw hen mo deliber rice-ee."
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
aY GATE.

AZ.
 .4cu-f fOecu by poet and banter, The sunrise fills the sky. When. nights gold urns grow fainter, And in depths of amber die; When the morn-brecze stirs the curtain Bearing an odorous freight, When visions strange, uncertain.
 Pour thick through the Ivory Gate. Then the ears of ithica dip so
 Silently into the sea, That they wake not sad Calypso And the hero wanders free; He breasts the ocean furrows,
 At war with the words of Fate And the blue tides low susurrus
 Comes up to the Ivory Gate. Or, clad in the hide of leopard,
 Mid Ida's freshest dews, Paris, the Teucrian shepnerd.
 His sweet Enone woes; On the thought of her coming bridal Unuttered joy doth wait While the tune of the false one's idyl Rings soft through the Ivory Gate. , Or down from green Helvellyn The roar Of streams near, And the lazy sail is swelling
 To the winds of Windermere; That girl with the rustic boddice,
 Mid the ferry's laughing freight, Is as fair as any goddess .. Who sweeps through the Ivory Gate' Or the sky is cloudless wholly The lark scars high in Heaven. And the trout-stream nipples slowly Through moorland wales of Devon; .e On the lawn my Minna rambles-- Sweet May, in her youth elate, Sends the shout of her childish gambols Right through the Ivory Gate. Ahi the vision of dawn is leisure 4. But the truth of day is toil; And we pass from dreams of pleasure To the worlds unstayed turmoil, Perchance, beyound the river
 Which guards the realms of Fate, Our spirits may dwell forever Mong dreams of the Ivory Gate. Mortimer Collins: Dublin University Mag
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
R1s~ X young fellow was taking

RD A young fellow was taking X ride with pretty girl, when hs Methodist minister. who was sd celebrated for tying matrimonial l' short notice, He stopped him and hurriedly; "Can you tie . knot .fos aYes I guess so, said BrothefB.
 do you want it dones' well, right was the reply.' 'Is it lawfIS il here in the highway" 70, yes, as good place as any, safe as the 4 itself "Well then, l want a knos my horses tail, to keep it out of u shoted the wicked wag, as he dros' idly away, fearing lest the ininisijTs wrath, should fall from grace.
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
What we Begin to Believe.

We begin to believe that nowadays greenbacks make the man, and dress the gentleman.
 We begin to believe that the purse is more potent than the sword and pen together.
 We begin to believe that those who sin most during the week are the most devont on Sundays.
 We begin to believe honesty is the best policy--to speculate with until you gain everybody,s confidence; then line your pockets.
 We begin to believe in humbuging the people out of their dollars. It is neither stealing or begging. and those who are humbuged have only them- selves to blame.
 We begin to believe that man was not made to enjoy life, but keep mis- erable in the pursuit and possession of riches.
 We begin to believe the surcst rem edy for bard times and fight money market is an extravagant expenditure on the part of individuals--to keep the money moving.
 We begin to believe that none but knaves are qualified to hold office un- der the Government--with the excep- ton of few natural born fools and fanatics.
 We begin to believe that pianofortes are more necessary in a family than meat and potatoes.
 We begin to believe that boy who doesn't swear, smoke aud chew tobac- co, may be n good boy, but is naturally stupid.
 We begin 10 believe that if the devil should die, one half os the world wouid be thrown out of employment. We begin to believe that he has most merit who makes the most noise in his own behalf; and that when Gabriel comes-net Co be behind the times--he, too, will blow his own horn pretty lonnd.
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
sALmAGUNpI.


 ss-A PitisficId sign painter has .p. out this new sign: "Seehowqueeryssgsl loskswithoutspaces." 2
 p~Why is stick of candy like a horse? Because the more you lick 1t tha faster it goes.
 pea- When is a stocking like thirteen inches? When it's over foot.
 DE-Does man consider woman po- em when she is a-verse to him2
 serIf toper and 2 quart of whiskey were left alone together, which would be drunk first!
 ED~"What's that picture on?" said ' countryman in our hearing the other day in a print-store to the proprietor, who was turning over some engravings.
 "That, sir, said the dealer,s is Joshua commanding the sun to stand still"
 sDu tell Which is Josh, and which Is his son?'
 sa- Some unedlcated per@ns caa az complish much. Many man wfo can't write has made his mark
 eeA-"O ma" said little girl who ,had been to the show, .1've seen the elephant and he walks backward and eats with his tail.
 seA-An observing individual, in very healthy village, seeing the sexton at work in hole in the ground, inquired what he was about. Digging grave, sir" Digging grave! Why I thougt people didn't die often here; do they?" "Oh, no, sir, they never die but once:"
 B%-An old lady was asked what she thought of one of her neighbors of iHus name of Jones, and, with knowing wink replied; "Why don't like to say anything about my neighbors. As to Mr. Jones, sometimes think, and thenI again don't know after all, rather guess he'll turn out to be good deal such sort man as take him to be-
 UNcLE's SOMA traveller, overtAk- ing small boy, asked him whose son he was.
 Boy.--Why, am Uncle's son. ol
 Man.-How can that be?
 Boy.--Easy enough. You see D died, and ma'am married Uncle. I'm Unclc's son now.
 Man.-Well, think you're from a fool.
 Boy.-Well, I know Pm not, as and I are only about feet apalrt.
 geEA good story is toS to the effect that he designst Using curtain for the musSs sent out an agent to merchants to fill it with their G. The first man the agent applied to ' Helmbold, who Immediately consr mated a bargain for the entire curt The agent returned 10 Barnum, reI cd progress, and was sent back to Helmbold S5000 if he would only. np the contract, but it was no That curtain was paid for and bold's remedies were duly a1 thereon. A few days aftes met Helmbold on the strep ',,Vouare d--d smart, ain't
 hat internal curt9 |" ifSeiiSi n, ,.up,,irnH um or Helriis s,..
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
@The House of Re

D&The House or Rcl@. has voted to grant to the s cific Railroad the light of VI the public domain. ThI course, right, but yet it u'a we're resistance. What ki1 sentatiyes of the people who give millions on milii and millions upon milli' land for the construction railroad to tho Pacific, deny even the simpkS Southern one {?
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16
Does it Fay to Make a Rag Car
 neil

JENNIE 4. HAzRS, in the Western Rural, says mo, and,speeifies as follows ::
 In the first place, if you reckon your time as worth anything, it don't pay.
 In the second place, if you cut, or teN up garments which might be worn longer as they are, or cut over for some other purpose, it don't pay.
 If you bay new cloth, red or green as have known women to do-it don't pay.
 Il you devote all your time to it. to utter exclusion of other duties 1t don't pay.
 Ifyou hire it woven and pay fifteen cepts per yard, it don't pay.
 If you weave it tyourself, upstairs in d cold room, or in the wood house, aud take a cold which may terminte in something very serions, if not fatal, it don't pay
 Ifyou buy your dye stuffs at the pres ent prices it don't pay.
 Ifyou can do any other kind ofwork, and earn carpet. it don't pay.
 -Ifitis made for the "other room, and is to be kept immaculate from the tread of profane feet, except on com pany dave, il don't pay.
 If it involves the sitting up of half the night, when nature demands repose, 1t don't pay.
 If it makes you nervous and cress, andyou scold your husband, and spank the children! don. pay.
 FALLING IN LosE.--if you don't want to fall in love with girl, don't commence flirting with her. This eourting for fun is like boxing fos fun. You put on the gloves in perfect good humor, with the most friendly inten- tions of. exchanging a few amiable blows, you find yourself insensibiy warmed with the enthusiasm ct the conflict, until some nnlucky punch in the "veskit'' decides the matter, and r the whole affair ends in a downright light Don't you sse the similarity
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16

brn~@ N-waiter, get me h-heef steak, co.eooked rraFe-" '' i'-wc have no b beef steak" ~as the reply The eeaasry ger- sIcnaan gls'ing angry ai'he idea ef getting mimickcd, rose and vas about leye'ling a hIew upon the impa'cnt fellow. Haen a second fellow rushed ap sad sselasmsd Done s-slriks that msa; he s-stasa>e the, sssme ss w.vs d-doT
Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-16

ns- c.rpst. ere taasst by the yard and . 6rn hy iAs fsos.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-22
The Presbytery of Savannah

Held its regular fall meeting at Bainbridge, Ca,
commencing on Friday, November 18th, at III
o'clock, A. M. The Rev. r. @. Way. preached
the opening sermon, from Zech. iv g. " Not by
might. nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the
Lord of hosts"
All the ministers we're present except one Rev.
w. K. Hamilton who was dismissed to the Pres
bytery of Elizabeth New Jersey. There were also
present six ruling elders, representing eight OF the
sixteen churches
The Rev. Fl. B. Cunningham was chosen Mod
orator. The Rev. Fl. +. Hoyt, of the Presbytery
of Macon, and A. j. Deane, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, sat as corresponding
members.
The pastoral relation of Rev. j. H. Alexander
to the church of Quitman was dissolved.
The amended New Book of Church Government
and Discipline was referred to two committees to
report at the next regular meeting; to wit,son the
Form of Observation-Disclosures Clisby, Arson,
and Porter, with ruling elders Harden, of Savan-.
nah, and Cassels of Remington; on the Canons OF
Discipline ministers Comfort and Alexander.
with ruling elders Patterson, of cambridge. and
Moore. Of Quitman.
In connection with the subject of SUPPLIES these
resolutions were passed l. That the vacant church
es ought always at least to pay the travelling ex-
penses of ministers sent to them by Presbytery.
g. That the Stated Clerks notify them of these
supplies and this order 3. That the ministers APP
pointed to visit vacant churches ascertain early
as practicable what such churches can do toward
the support of Presbyterial missionary, to be en-
ployed if possible, to serve them regularly. This
information is to be forwarded to Rev. g. b. King,
Chairman of the Presbyterial Committee of Susten-
tation at Savannah, that the Committee may take
any steps to this end for which the way is opened,
as speedily as possible
1t was ordered that the assessment on the church
es for the Presbyterial Fund be increased twenty.
five per cent. over the last.
Ministers were requested to search out and send
to the Stated Clerk information relative to the date
of organisation of their respective churches and
their connexon with this Presbytery, that our roll
may be formed in historical order.
Bethany church, at Boston, Thomas Co., Ca,
was chosen as the place of next regular meeting,
and the time fixed for Thursday before the second
Sabbath of April next at half-past o clock, P NJ.
Presbytery was very Hospitality and kindly enter.
tanned by the church and citizens of cambridge,
and on Monday sent by them to Quincy, Fla, on
the way to Synod. 1t is hoped that the meeting
will have favorable effect on the state and pros
poets of the church of cambridge AT Quincy,
the brethren had the pleasure of sitting one day
with the Presbytery of Florida in session there.
The final adjournment was to meet at the call of
the Moderator, during the sessions of Synod at
Tallahassee, Fla. A. w. CLIsBY S. Clerk.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-22
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
To the Ministry, Church Sessions, and Con-
gregations of Roanoke Presbytery.

Dear Brethren,-In view of the annual collec-
ton for the cause of SuStentaton, now close at
hand, let me call your attention to the importance
Of making our contributions as large as possible,
and within the time appointed
Our Presbytery has received from the Commit
tee of Sustentation during the year 1869, $4S7.oo
for missionary purposes and to aid feeble churches
and 5000 to aid in completing one church building
and in repairing another; in all, $6S7.5Q. Our
contributions to their treasury have amounted to
only about $500; every congregation but one or
two contributing. We have noted but 1851 &C
knowledged by the Treasurer of Sustentation; but
the contributions known to have been made by two
of our strong churches have not yet reached the
central treasury. Including these, the amount
probably reaches $780, This is $40 less than we
contributed to this cause last year. 1t should be
observed also, that it averages only about 25 cents
for each uhite member of our churches These
figures, dear Christian brethren are too low, I'M
doubtedly, even for these times If all would give
something as they certainly might; and if each
one would give according to the ability which God
gives him, which he of course ought to do-not
according to the standard of entire convenience,
but up to the measure of some selfdenial to meet
the present emergency-our contributions to this
and all our other benevolent schemes might easily
be doubled
Our calls upon the Central Committee for the
coming year will be heavier than ever, even though
we make no attempt to rise above the minimum Of
last year. viz: salary of $500 to every minister
who devotes his whole time to ministerial duties.
Consequently our duty is imperative to do all that
we can in the approaching collections. The Pres
bytery of Roanoke should not, if it can possibly be
avoided, be so heavy debtor 10 the Assemby's
Committee.
Both for the guidance of the Committee of Sus-
tentation in making their appropriations, which
will be made early in the year, and to leave the
way clear for the other collections which are to
follow in succession through the year. let this col
lection by all means be made at the time allotted
to it, viz: on the first Sabbath IN January, or as
soon thereafter as practicable, where but one col
lection is made; or during the months Of January
and February, if the plan Of weekly collections is
followed. And let the money be RENTED, with as
little delay as possible, to Rev. James Woodrow,
Columbia, S. G. 1t can be sent safely by letter,
in the form of a draft on a Richmond, Lynchburg,
or Danville Bank, or Commission House.
| HUGH A. Brown,
Chairman of Committee of Missions.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-22
Of being independent.

Our Next Contribution was in our mind
to say something in behalf OF the cause Of SIS.
teatatoa, in connection with the approaching day
set apart for it. But if the letter Of DIR. Wilson
does not reach and move the hearts Of our people,
what can we write that would? May we be per-
mitted to suggest to brethren of the ministry the
advantage of doing more than seeing that a con-
tribution is taken up. That is indeed all-impor-
tant, and if We can only secure that point IN erey
church oithoot erceptop, the result viii be exceed
ingly valuable. But if, in addition to this they
will present the subject earnestly from the pulpit
it will be much more so. When we think how
much depends upon this eORtI6Utioa-the bare
support, not to say the comfort of so many minis
tiers and their iamihes-the continued preaching
Of the gospel in so many feeble congregations, as
well as extending it to new and destitute places,
the responsibility Of us all-pastors and people,
in relation to it, becomes deep and solemn. 1t
will be good sign for our churches if it is found
that they meet it in a way that will show they love
the precious gospel more than they love any earthly
good.