davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-04
A MATHEMATICAL PRoD1GY-BLINDB BEN, tn

A MATHEMATICAL PRoDIGY-BLIND BEN, THE
CALCULATOR. Bidder and Barnum's famous
lightning Calculator one for years the
wonder of all England, and the other of America,
are both ecpsed by negro boy in Richmond
The former had sight, instruction. and other ad-
vantages, while the latter is a poor negro boy,
who cannot see wink, has lived two-thirds of his
years in slavery, and never went to school day in
his life.
The name of our prodigy is Ben. Stevens. He
is a native of Caroline, and was formerly slave
of DR.. Morris, of that County. In 1864 he first
showed his skill at figures, but when he learned
the multiplication table, we are informed he soon
astonished the people Of the neighborhood by his
remarkable quickness at adding, subtracting, null
tiplying and dividing, but only lately did the story
reach Richmond.
A day or two ago he was brought to town, and
on Tuesday evening, in presence Of number OF
gentleman, gave an exhibition of his wonderful
powers Upon first sight of the ilycla creatures S
grinning mouth, retreating forehead, and ever
rolling, sightless eye-balls one would be most
likely to put him down as an idiot. But give him
a "sum," as he calls mathematical problem, and
he pricks his ears opens his mouth, and shows that
he is sensible enough.
On the occasion referred to, every example pro-
pounded, Ben worked out quickly and correctly,
without resorting to pencil or pen, Of the use Of
which he is, indeed, as ignorant as Of the use Of
the camera obscure, or oxy-hydrogen blow-pipe.
In several instances he gave the solution before
the bystanders could work it out on paper. Long
rows of figures items, hundreds and thousands)
we're retained upon his mind and in every case
correctly added. In subtraction, though perfectly
ignorant of the common arithmetical nomenclature,
be was equally quick; and the same may be said
of his exercises in multiplication. Finally, he was
tested in square and cube root; and in that too
showed his proficiency. A stranger asked the
cube root of 1859 In a few moments Ben.
promptly gave the answer, to the astonishment OF
the spectators -Ric1tmond Dispatch
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-04

pg- 'Do let me have your photograph" said a
dashing belle to gentleman who had been annoy
ing her with his attentions. The gentleman was
delighted and in short time the lady received
the picture. She gave it to her servant with the
question, "Would you know the original if he
should call?" The servant replied in the afirlna-
tive. "Well, when he comes tell him 1 am en-
gagged"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-04

To YOUNG HoUsEKEEPERs.-Bes satisfied to
commence on small scale. 1t is too common for
young housekeepers to begin where their mothers
ended Buy all that is necessary to work sklfully
with; adorn your house with ali that will render it
comfortable Do not look at richer homes, and
covet their costly furniture. If secret dissatisfac-
ton is ready to spring up, go step further, and
visit the home of the suffering poor; behold dark,
cherries apartments, insufficient clothing, and ab-
sence of all the comforts and refinement of social
life, and then return to your own with joyful
spirit. You will then be prepared to meet your
husband with grateful heart, and be ready to
appreciate the toll Of selfdenial which he has en-
dured in the business world to surround you with
the delights of home and you will cooperate cheer
fully with him in so arranging your expenses that
his mind will not be constantly harrassed lest his
family expenditures may encroach upon public
payments.
Be independent; young house-keeper- never
needed greater moral courage than she does now,
to resist the arrogance of fashion. Do not let the
A. s and B. s decide what you shall have neither
let them hold the strings of your purse. You
know best what you can and ought to afford 1t
matters but little what people think, provided you
are true to yourself, to right and duty, and keep
lyour expenses within your means
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-04

like sensible man, lost no time in vain gru1nbng
but set to work to make himself and four compan-
ons in misfortune as comfortable as circumstances
admitted. They built themselves stone house
strong enough to resist wintry weather; made
themselves clothes of sealskins stored up abatross
eggs and potatoes-these last had been planted
LONG before by the captain himself; and their dog
now and then brought in pig as his contribution
to the common larder. 1t was not long, however,
ere the men, impatient Of control, stole away In
boat, leaving their commander alone on the island
and alone he remained for some months, tailoring
and food-colecting, until the runaways, finding
they could not do without him, returned. Iher1
return was no addition to Barnard's comfort; he
only discovered that one Of them intended to muir
der him, lust in time to frustrate the deed. The
vould-be assassin was exiled to small island II
Quaker harbor, where his own company soon work
ed him into penirent frame fmind The caus
ers of this involuntary Crusoeing were not quite SC
bad as they seemed. At their instance, British
man-of-war was despatched from Rio Janelro ex'
pressy to take off the Americans, but, by an un
lucky chance, failed to find them, as they were
away on foraging expedition; and couple Of
years went by before they were able to say good
to New Island from the deck Of an English whaer
| In 1918, as the Queen Charlotte was passing
rock some miles northwest of Novaheevah, in the
South Seas, the attention Of a seaman was attract
ed by the smoke of sea-weed fire, thing to won
der at in such place. Upon the boats crew be-
ing sent to the spot they found the desolate rocE
had an inhabitant, in the person Of an American
sailor, who, with three Others had landed there t.
collect feathers, and been left by their ships Hl
friends he had lost in very short time, but hae
managed to keep life in his body for three years
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Boot and Shoe Grease.

THE SHOE AND LEATHER REPORTER
says hogs lard is admirably adapted to
secure to leather both pliability and i'm
permeability to water; train oil, after it
dries up, renders the leather brittle. Hogs
lard renders the leather perfectly plant,
and no water can penetrate it. It is espe-
cially suitable for greasing boots and shoes,
but in the summer season an eighth part
of tallow should be melted with it. It
should be laid on when in melted state,
but no warmer than ones finger dipped
IN the mass can bear. When 1t is first ap-
piled to boot or shoe, the leather should
be previously soaked in water, that it NAV
swell up, so that the pores can open well
and thoroughly absorb the lard.
The liquid lard should be smeared over.
Ito be water roof) at least three or four
times, and sole leather oftener still After
ward the lard remaining visible on the
outside should be wiped eff with rag.
BY this means you have a water proof
boot Or shoe, without the annoyance
caused by most stuffs of penetrating the
leather and greasing the stockings. An
occasional coating of hogs lard is also to
be recommended for patent leather boots
or shoes, as it prevents the leather from
cracking, and if it be not rubbed in too
strongly, the leather will shine just as well
after the grease has been applied.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28

The soil for potatoes should be plowed
in the fall and laid up in wide ridges or
sets, the deep burrows between which will
carry eff ali surface water, leaving the
soil high and dry, and in good condition
to be worked early in spring.
The planting of potatoes should take
place as soon in spring as the soil is
ready for the sets, and there is 10 danger
from frost When soil has been properly
prepared for the crop, and the after-cul-
ture is all right the potatoes will grow
rapidly and come to perfection in time to
be harvested before there will be the
slightest danger from frost. Another very
important reason why potatoes should be
planted early, is that the product of the
early crop is always of better quality than
that of the late one.
Potatoes stored In cellars or root houses
should be examined for the purpose of re.
moving all those tubers which are showing
symptoms eff decay. The tubers which
have been frozen are now nearly decom.
posed, and such are very injurious to
sound ones. 1t is well to prepare fol
heavy frosts by stopping up every crevice
by which it might enter the cellar or root
house, and by piling additional covering
on pits. Heavy losses are sometimes pre-
vented by a little timely precaution.
Western RaTdL.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Management Of Cows in Winter.

A CORRESPONDENT of the AgricMtmist
inquiries: when COWS are stabbed nights
in winter how long should they be al
lowed to remain in the yard DURING the
day? This depends a good deal on The
weather, and also on the food and whether
the COWS are expected to give milk or not.
When the object is to obtain milk in win
ter, if water is supplied in the stable we
would seldom turn them out at all. And
If necessary to turn them out to water,
we would let them out twice day. saw
for ten or fifteen minutes. Cows like 10
be humored a little in regard to watering.
They will not drink as readily as horse.
They should be allowed plenty of time.
When COWS are not giving milk and it is
desirable to have them eat coarse fodder,
they should be turned out for several
hours during the day. They will eat this
class of fodder much better in the ward
than in the stable. Judgment, however.
should be exercised If the weather is
stormy they will be better in the stable,
and at all times, if they seem cold and are
not enjoying themselves, let them be i'm
mediately tied up. Let the stable be we'll
ventilated and cleaned out twice day,
and made as dry and comfortable as pos
sible. The great defect in most stables is
in not having sufficient ventilation. The
ventilators should be so arranged that
they can easily be adjusted to suit the
weather. Make it arule to visit the stable
before retiring for the night, and see that
everything is right.-4naerican Agrieul-
t2lTist
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Dry Earth as DeOdOrizer for Poultry
Houses.

THE employment of dry pulverized
earth as the means of deodorizing poultry
houses, appears to be worthy of more at
tention than it has hitherto received. The
fact that from 400 to 500 fowls can by this
aid be kept in one building for months to-
gether, with less smell than is to be found
in any ordinary fowl-house capable of ac-
commodating a dozen chickens, is very
conclusive as to its efficacy. In the build
ing of the National Company, where this
fact has been ascertained, seven or eight
fowls are kept in each compartment, twelve
feet by three feet, and yet there is no smell
or trace of moisture
Mr.. Greyelin informs us that if a much
larger number are put into each run, the
ground becomes moist, ceases to deodorise,
and the birds at once become unhealthy.
1t should be stated that the droppings that
fall from the perches during the night are
removed from the runs each morning, and
that the dry earth only receives the ma
nure that falls during the day; this has it's
moisture absorbed SO speedily by the
earth that it at once becomes pulverized,
mixes with the soil, and ceases to smell
SO powerful is the deodorizing effect of the
earth that it does not require to be re-
newed in the runsfor many weeks together.
London Field -
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
farm ano 6ouseboIo.
Sudden Death of Cattle IN the Cornfield.

A RESIDENT of Davenport, Iowa, writes
To the Prairie Farmer:
In 1S44-5, my father-in- law, a. Hubbard,
after having gathered his corn In fifteen
acre field, allowed twenty head of bis cat
tie and mine to run in it, without limit
The weather had been dry for long time,
and there was no moisture in the fodder
and no water in the field Eleven head
laid down the night after, and died within
two or three days. They became stupid,
swollen and helpless; if forced up, they
would Immediately lie down again. We
knew the disease was caused by the corn
fodder, and dissected enough to fully un-
derstand how they were killed by it. The
manifold, in every case, was full and tight
with perfectly dry corn folder. The cat
tie being let into a new kind Of perfectly
dry food, had gorged them selves Having
no water to aid the gastric juice, the main
fold had become perfectly exhausted, from
incapacity to soften so large quantity OF
dry fodder; Inflammation, stupefaction
and death followed. Many cattle in this
county died that fall from the same cause,
and in the same manner. The preventive
adopted by us was a plain enc, not to
allow cattle to remain long on such large
quantities of dry fodder, and to have them
fully supplied with water, before and after
going into the field. If DR.. Sprague, OF
Des Moines, should happ"n to see another
case, he will find, by dissection, the cause
and seat of the disease and the remedy.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28

| feed the coarse fodder first, afterwards
that which is better, thus tempting their
appetites but it will be found that cattle
are daintiest in the morning, and hartiest
after they have been out to drink.
Watering once day is sufficient in
cold weather, and better than oftener,
for if turned out in the morning in
the cold, cattle will rarely drink, and
at night being dry, will fill themselves
with cold water and go back into the
barn shivering. If watered near the
middle of the day, they have become suf-
ficiently thirsty to drink, and it being the
warmest part of the day, they enjoy it
better than either morning or night This
does not apply to working oxen, which
we have considered as an exception as
regards specific times, though coming un-
der the general rule
To sum up the matter, our rule for
tending the barn is briefly this; feed in
the morning as soon as you can see to do
so, and repeat till all are filled; turn out to
drink before noon, 50 that the stock may
be out from one to three hours, as the
state of the weather may be; tie up after
dinner and feed; begin to feed in after
noon early enough, SO that you may give
the last foddering before dark-Cor.
N1i73e E0r,ne7.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Effects Of Heating the Soil.

Most gardeners in New England are in
the habit of preparing the hills for cucum-
bers, squashes and melons by burning
upon them heaps of old peal brush, shay
ings, weeds and chip-dirt. If you were to
inquire the cause of this practice, you
would probably be told that it was to &C
complish two very dissimilar purposes
the destruction of the numerous insects
and seeds which lie beneath the burning
heap, and the imparting to the soil con-
siderable degree of warmth. Certainly
both of these objects are accomplished,
but we suggest that the great benefit OBJ
tanned by this procedure is the softening
OF the slick contained in the soil, whereby
it is rendered soluble.
Every farmer, who has put in a crop on
land that has been recently cleared and
burned, as is the practice in all timbered
countries, knows the wonderful fertility
OF lands that have been so prepared, and
has pleasant recollections of the first
crops that were produced after the ak and
torch had done their work of devastation.
Many attribute this marvellous fertility,
which Is exhibited for some years, to the
presence Of the ashes that have been pro-
duced; but without wishing, in any man.
,, ner, to detract from the value of the
wood ashes, we believe the action of the
tire on the soil was the great cause of these
heavy crops, that grew upon land fourth
part of which was occupied by stumps
Nearly every grape grower knows the
great value of soft burned bricks when
placed in the holes in which vines are
| planted.
Now, on our prairies, we have no tim
Der to be wasted in this manner, but we
are of the opinion that great good would
result by placing such waste vegetable
materials as we have on our freshly plowed-
up clayey lands, and burning them. This
| practice would be especially beneficial to
lands that are to be sown to any kind OF
grain, but more particularly to wheat.
For the perfection of either the straw OF
kernel of this plant soluble silica is abso
| lutely necessary.
If piece Of hazel brush is to be broken
| up, let one gang of men cut the brushes
| and throw them on the burrows that anoth
er gang is turning up. Let muck, corn
| stalks and rejected straw be placed with
! them and after they are sufficiently dry sci
them on fire. If the field were cleared in
this manner the pillow would do much bet
ter work, the fields would present much
more clearly appearance, and, above all,
the land would be rendered much more
rOductive-Pralpie Farmer.
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Surface Manuring.

The best English farmers concede that,
in very few cases, manure acts better for
being plowed in. In case OF long, that
is, strawy manure, it must be covered, that
it may decay; and when yard-manure has
not been composted, as it should De, the
ammonia will escape unless it is covered
with earth. The reason why top dressing
ia best can easily be understood. No ma
nure can act on the roots of growing crops
till it is dissolved. When dissolved, the
water holding plant food in solution should
be brought in contact with the greatest
number of roots. When the water thus
charged passes by gravity through foot
of soil, from the surface downward, it
visits greater number of rootlets than
when it passes down from depth of four
or five inches below the surface. Millions
of acres Of grass-la land have been broken
up simply for the sake of enriching the
field with manures. All this is misapplied
toll. Meadows can be brought up by top
dressing just IS effectively, and at much
legs cost,
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
The Proposed Confederate Seal.

IN our day the extraordinary spectacle
has been seen of the efforts of an oligarchy,
smallin numbers but powerful in influence,
to establish another nation within the
bounds Of the Republic-amper5un IN I'M
perio-and to give to it the symbol of
sovereignty in the form of Great Seal.
The youngest of us old enough to reflect
and reason have seen that nation" So
| called, spring I'D from the late slave labor
States which formed the northern portion
of the Great Golden Circle of empire de-
vised by conspirators. 1t was Caliban IN
features; barbarie in its proclivities !;
awfully potential in mlschievous works
protesting with fire, sword, and torture
against the civilization of the age; and
yet impudently insisting upon its recogni-
tiCn as one of the family of legitimate and
respectable sovereignties. Its titular mi
tials were &C. S. A." Its fathers re-
solved that it, like the nation it was
attempting to overthrow by internal
convulsions, should have a Great Seal,
spring of 1868, that it should bear "a
device representing an equestrian statue
of Washington (after the statue which
surmounts his monument in the Capitol
Square at Richmond), surrounded with a
wreath composed of the principal pro-
ducts of the Confaderacy, and having
around its margin the words Confaderate
States Of Anaeric0, Feb. %, 1862, with the
following motto: Dec Vindice" God,
the protector, defender, deliverer, or ruler
indicative of the expected longevity of
the nation" because of Divine protection
and sustenance. Alas! that "nation," so
notably conceived in sin and born in
iniquity," died of political and moral
marasmus in its infancy, unhonored by
any recognition of its existence ex-
Gcepting by Latin ghost of sovereignty.
1t had repeated history by delay in pro-
viding itself with the usual symbol OF ma
tionality. Antiquaries, in the future, will
search in vain for any impression of an
emblem of Sovereignty of the &C. S. A"
None was ever made,-Beason j. LOSING,
IN Harpers Ndqazine
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
Points of a Good Fowl.

FoR.sgeneral use hen should be good
layer, sitter, and mother. She must be a
good feeder, too, bright, clear-eyed, quick
In her motions, but not scary, and with
these points, she will pay to keep. Be-
sides, she should be large, well feathered,
with small, short legs, with small head,
broad shoulders, and deep body. The
cock should be thicker in the leg, broader
across the shoulders, fully a third heavier.
He should have a gallant strut, be first out
in the morning, first to go to roost, in
cnned to take on flesh easily, generous in
picking out titbits for the hens, and not
quarrelsome. We do not associate large
eyes with great hardness. They are a
great beauty, and indicate high breeding /;
hence, with perfection in feather and other
points, they are desirable in fancy fowls.
In very large breeds quick growth is de-
sirable, while early maturity is not. Each
of the different breeds has it's character
lstlc points, and the fowl should, in addi-
ton to the above general marks, show
them distinctly.-American Agr5cuzturist
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28

The most singular fact in the h1story
OF me crab Is that of its breaking its own
nmns, which it occasionally does The
creature Is able to do this in any position !.
put the most advantageous way of max,
ing the experiment is to lay it on its hack
then, with pair of pincers. break the
Shell and bruise the flesh of one Of tbe
outer joints of small leg. The wonnd
will bleed, and the creature vii, T show
signs Of pain by moving it about. Alter.
wards it holds it quite still, in direct and
natural position, without touchinp anv
part Of its body or legs with it; then on .
sudden, with gentle crack, the wounded
part OF the leg drops of. If hole he
pierced In the great claw or legs, and An
iron be put in to lacerate the muscle the
effect is the same, and this large limb ia
thrown off in the same manner, only with
more violence. When the leg is off. a
mucous overspreads the wound, and stops
the bleeding, and small leg is BY de-
grees produced, which afterwards attains
the size of the former Nature seems to
have given this singular power to this
creature for the preservation of its lie, in
the mutual quarrels with others of its own
species- In these, one crab lays hold of
III" "ia r nf another and brushes it SO that
The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-01-28
/" A Little Bilious. >

How often this is the response to the enquiry
after a friends health; as if TO be bilious was 81
trifing matter, hardly worth thinking about. Bua
let it be rene nbered that, as tall oaks from
little acorns grow so formidable diseases arise
from being SIS little bilious
Severe bilious attacks are more common in
Spring, Summer and Autumn than in Winter, but
the serious disorders of the liver which so often
occur at those seasons, might be traced, in hun
dreds of instances, TO Winter indulgences and
their neglected consequences. More highly-sea-
soned food is eaten, fiery drinks imbibed, in
cold than in warm weather, and thus the bilious
ness is produced which, under warmer tempera-
ture, eliminates in remittent and intermittent
fevers.
The very best medicine for persons who are
TIERS STOMACH BITTERS. No blue-pil or
calomel is required in such cases. Those power
full mineral medicines cut two ways like DOUBLE
edged sword. They act, it is true, upon the liTeN
but react most deleteriously other parts of the
| system. They stick there and cannot be got
| rid of. The Bitters contain vegetable agents of
| an anti-bilious tendency, that produce specific
! and most genial effect upon the hillary organ,
without entailing any evil consequences whatever.
They are altogether wholesome, and act favorably
and simultaneously upon the stomach, the liver,
| the bowels. the nervous system and the brain