davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
ROBERT BROWNING.
BY sE- D. CONWAY.

/ Mr. Browning stands, with few rivals in
the past aud none in the present, at the
head OF what, in fault ofa better phrase.
may be called intellectual poetry. There are
poets who rank him IN imaginative lustre.
there are more musical minstrels, there are
though there arc few-wartner and more
delicate colorists; but for clear, vigorous
thinking, perfect sculpture Of forms en-
bodying thoughts Sculptures too tinted with
the hush Of life, WIKI veins of blue and red
Tor the utteranee Of the right physiognomic
al word and phrase, he has no superior since
Shakespeare. Yet intellectual as it Is even
to a Greek severity,-beyoad even Landor
here,-it would by no means express the
charm Of bis writings to style them philo-
sophieal No theory can quote him, nor is
he at all ethical His religious fergor shows
in points o; white FIRE on every page, and
yet no work aims at a moral lesson or object.
lie writes neither fable nor allegory. The
world of iHsp anA Wcmen, with their actual
passions, hopes, and loves. and the vast
arenas for their play opened by these as riv-
ers cut their channels,-tbese are enough
for him His worship.is for man; his faith
must find its joy in divine Man. The
world OF forms, the city of bodies, repre-
sents to him the scattered rays of this mys-
terious humanity; and his art is not to
change them into any moral monotony but
to cultivate and guard them in their various
vitality and meaning, and report their dra
matte interplay. To philosophy aud science
all Is unity, the poet is a creator Of variety
out Of this unity which shows Faraday but
one element, Tyndall one force, Hegel one
idea, underlying all actual or conceivable
combinations How graudly he has treated
his forms may be best learned BIZ consider
ing the fertility Of his invention as displayed
in all his volumes. No poet of his genera
ton has approached Robert Browning IN the
richness and originality Of his plots. While
around him the gods and goddesses of
Greece and Rome have been masqueradinq
in eotemporary cosumes,-while critics
have been often limited for a generation at a
time to the question whether Smiths We
nus or Cupid is finer than Jones 's,-while
every Oriental or scandinavian or italian
legend has been made to DO duty ike the
professional models whose faces and forms,
now bright, now brown, re-appear at every
academy exhibition, this poet has evolved
a series Of the most beautiful frames as well
as portraits, in attestation Of which we need
only, for the reader Of Browning, mention
Ppa, Rassq, R5racel10, The Flight Of the
Duchess, and The Blot on the Scu,cteou. -
AtaHfic Monthly jar FcJruarH
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

Dressing FOR CHURCT.-Very estima-
bic, snl We trust very religious young VIC
men, sometimes enter the house Of God N
a costume which makes the acts Of devotion
in them seem almost a bnaesque. When a
b isk liul. creature coB. .es into pew with
her hair irzzed till it stands on ends in a
most startling manner, rafting strnss OF
beads and bits Of tinsel, she may look ex-
eeedingly pretty and piquant; and if she
came there for a game Of croquet, or tab
leaux party, would be all in very good taste;
but as she came to confess that she is mis-.
erable sinner, and TO reuounce al pomPs and
vanities-that she has done the things she
ought rot to have done, and left undone
the things sheought to have done-as she
takes upon ber lips most solemn and tire
mendous words, whose meaning runs far be-
yond life into a sublime eterniy-there is a
discrepancy which would be ludicrous if It
we're not melancholy.-Nrs H. B. Store.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
VOL. ~: NO. 5
HOWE AFFECTION.


When we think that every house might be
cheered by intelligence, disiBterestedness
and refinement, and then remember in how
many houses the higher powers and affec
tions Of human nature are buried as in
toInbs, what darkness gathers over society,"
Well may the cloud of darkness deepen and
enlarge, especially after SO much boastipg of
ours thai we are in the van of the nations of
the world for intelligence and refinement
and general culture. How many homes are
really cbcered and made perpetually happy
by the Introduction of suitable books. Of
music, or OF interesting social conyersatiou2
ln how many homes might not an almost
miraculous change be wrought by the in
troduetien Of anusements, the presence Of
which gives birth to brood of new thoughts,
awakens distinct class Of domestic associ-
ations. stimulates the higher and warmer
sentiments, opens the social faculties to the
Performance Of good and healthy work.
and inSen.ibly draws sll members Of family
together, making one whole aud harmo
NOUS circle, whore before was, perhaps
only diseord. The influences of these little
things are far more potent and permanent
than people generally have an idea Of; they
work actively, even if they are rot seen, in
the very fact oftheir operation. We greatly
err when We undcrrate these influences; for
they take hold closely and powerfully onour
lives and our happiness. A family in whose
midst no radiance springs from the workings
Of affection, aud the exchange os sweet and
high and tender sentiment, is dweller in
regions Of darkness indeed and will never
know their real capacity for enjoyment until
they have come out of this valley Of gloom
and despair What wonder that our pub
lie affairs are in such a state Of confusion,
when private lives are so many Of them IN
and in darkness.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
THINGS THAT A HAN CAN'T Do.

Jennie T. HAGEN, in the Chicagoaa,
says there are some things man can't DO,
as follows;
Some women, in a sudden burst Of in
geniousness, have acknowledged that there
are some things that women can't DO, and
expressed unbouuded admiration for the
men who do these deity.
Well, what if they can do two or three
things better than a woman ? I, for one,
am not going into ecstacies over them, nor
will make a standing exclamation point of
myself because they can do up a bundle
and carry an umbrella
Women can do hundred things that
they can't but they never think of making
great fuss over it.
One thing a man can't do Is to own up
frankly that he can't do everything better
than a woman. Another thing be can't do
is to carry the baby. have tried them,
and know. You just take one-a baby 1
mean-and 90 it up in blankets and shawls,
all snug and nice, and give it to Joseph to
carry while you are putting on your hat aud
saeque, just keep your eye on the baby
and you VIII see ominous squirmings in the
bundle, and hear certain halt-smothered-
but to you well understood sounds. Upon
an investigation you viii find the baby very
red in the face aud It's heels where its head
ought to be. You take it and shake it up a
little, give it a soft pat here and there, and
restore it to him right side up
Win he acknowledge it was his fault {?
Will be confess be don't know how to carry
the baby? Not bit Of it. He will insist
that you gave 1t to him wrong side up, or
that it was the proper mode of carrying the
baby.
Thirdly, as cur parson used to say, about
the time that be ought to have said seven
tscnthly' and lastly-he can't hook up a
lady : dress, at least he couldn' years ago
when ladies wore them hooked up in the
back. There were always three our four
hooks and eyes that 1 couldn't reach, aud
time and again have l called upon my
John" to hook them The good clumsy
fellow would tumble away with hngers that
were all thumbs, while he grew red in the
face with his efforts to make the plagued
things hitch, giving it up at last with
Hang the things Why don't you have
buttons as zee do ?"
Let me think What else is there be
can do? He can make letting OF crochet;
he can wear erinoline or manage two yards
Of trail; he can wear love Of bonnet, or
balmoral boot and last and best of all, he
can say no to an offer of marriage, and
that's the blessedast privilege we women
have
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
Mi5fgllanRnus.
MR. REECHER AT HoME.

A Congregational minister from Canada
writes to one Of the Canadian papers an in
teresting account of a visit recently made
by him to the country home of Mr.. Beecher,
near Peekskill on the Hudson. Before go
ing to the dinner-table, the subject of Ameri-
can politics had been discussed between Mr..
Beecher and his guest, and the conversation
was resumed as soon as grace had been
said, with an interest which bid fair to
supersede the ordinarily important act of
dining
The soup despatched, it was some time
before enough Of the joint was carved to
serve the guest, and then long pause in
the helping came, while my host, with
carving knife and fork in hand, expatiated
upon the pending issues of the coming
election ..
g" Henry, my dear, said Mrs. Beecher,
you're forgetting the dinner. Another was
helped, then more pausing, aud more ear
nest, eloquent discourse about the political
situation; fresh reminders about dinner; a
proposal from me to postpone politics until
after dinner, which elected a Can't be
done; never mind dinner; we've got into
the subject now, and it's better than din
ner. The negro suffrage question, univer-
sal suffrage in the abstract, female suffrage,
the foreign influence in American politics,
and prospects of the Presidential campaign,
were dilated on, and what was said so alb
sorbed me that | couldn't find out bow the
stuffed veal tasted or the eggplant
novelty to me; didn't know whether had
eaten enough or too little, and rose from the
table in sort of bewildering maze, unable
to decide whether had been taking meal
or hearing fascinating lecture. Mr.. Beech
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

CHRISTIAN LIFE is not only principle,
but growth, and the young Christian needs
to be led along the upward path II he be-
gins right, he is most likely, by Gods grace
to keep right. If be is taught to make
complete epnsecration-to follow principles,
and not impulses-he is most likely TO be
steadfast and immovable If he is warned
nov against fashion and worldliness and
greed, he is less likely to fall into the snares
ofthe tempter. Ina word, now at the start
is the time to commence life which shall
grow and abound in all that is necessary for
the honor, the usefulness, and the safety Of
the Christian course; and it may be depen-
ded upon that, in most cases, that course
viii be at the end very much as is DOW
begun.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

NrwspApER LAws.--We would call the special
,.,a,tisn If Pest Masters and subscribers to the
TSgrirEu to the following synopsis Of the News
paper laws:
l. A Postmaster Ia required 70 give notice 5g
ssts- treturniais paper does not answer the Law
when q subscriber does not take bis paper cut Of
the Office and state the reasons TOR It's not being
takeu and a neglect To de SO makes the Postmas-
ter rspsaasi5ls = the publishers tor the payment
., Any person who takes paper from the Post
Office, whether directed 70 his name or aR0ther or
whether be has subscribed OF not is responsible
tar the pay.
g. liza person orders his paper discontinued, he
must pay all arreaIases. or the publisher may
continue to send it until payment Is made, and
a.ect ,he whole amount. e5etier q Be taken j-9a,
tts g55es or rot. There ezn be nn gal d5sc9ntn-
aguee until the pnyueat Is made.
a. lt the subscriber orders his paper 10 be
stopped @, certsin time, and the publisher con
rGue7 90 send. the subscriber is bound 20 pay for
&C., & Re tates it oct u rae Post once The law
proceeds upon he ground that man must pay
t5- what he uses.
.. The courts have decided chat refusing TO take
newspapers and periodicals from the Post Office,
lz removing and having them uncalled for, is
r-.,a tigcia evidence Of Intentional fraud.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

THE putting into the hands of the work
ing man imaginative literature is even a
more important advantage than the cheap
ening of scientific books The tendency of
mechanical employments is to exercise the
understanding alone; they afford no diet for
the fancy or the feelings They leave unfed
no small portion of the intellect They do
not enlarge the world of observation or e1-
perience They do not open any one of the
doors of history or biography The artisan,
ike the student, requires the hours Of leis
ure to stand in contrast with his daily en-
ployment a few will find recreation even
in severer studies, and will resort to it by
natural instinct to consider the many who
are used to be led rather than the few who
can guide themselves. And, for the many,
narrative, sometimes historical, but more
frequently imaginative, holds out greater
attractions than all the publications OF the
Useful knowledge Society, or than all the
excellent manuals of more recent date Of
mathematics, chemistry or natural history
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

A WRITER ia the Boston Medical and
Surgical journal, in speaking OF the adult.
Grafton of varioss articles of food, speaks of
a reputable deacon who kept grocery store
aud who diseoursed daily to his apprentice,
somewhat after the following fashion
John, have you sanded the sugar? -
Yes, sir
Have you watered the rum and molaE-
ses?"
YES, sir.
Then come to prayer
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

In the dark there is no animal so invisi-
bic as lion. Almost every hunter has told
a similar story-of the lions approach at
night, of the terror displayed by dogs and
cattle as he drew near, and of the utter ina
bility to see him, though he was so close
that he could hear his breathing Some
times, when he has crept near an eneamp-
meut, or close to a cattle enclosure. be does
not proceed any further, lest he should ven
ture within the radius illumined BY the rays
of the fire. So he crouches closely to the
ground. and, in the semi-darkuess, looks so
ike large stone or little hilloek, that any
one might pass close to it without perceiving
its real nature This gives the opportunity
for which the lion has been watching, and in
a moment he strikes down the careless strag-
eler, and carries off his prey to the den.
Sometimes, when very much excited, he aca
companies the charge with roar, bnt as a
general fact, he secures his prey in silence.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

THE Cornell University paper says that a
few days ago a gentleman from Ithaca saw
farmer boy standing by the roadside hold
ing horse, which he recognized. He asked
the boy who was the owner of the horse, and
the boy replied, "It belongs TO crazy
Dutchman looking for birds nests over yon-
der in the woods. The crazy Dutchman"
was Prof Louis AgassiE
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

BEFORE an afaiction is digested eouso-
latiou ever comes too soon, aud. after it is
digested, it comes too late; but there is n
mark between these two, as fine almost as a
bair, for Comforter to take aim at.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

THERE are those who know not how to
judge of merit but by success, and who
therefore blame the leader of an enterprise
for defeat, when the fault was not in him,
but IN themselves, the instruments he
worked with.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05


ANEcDoTE OF DANIEL WEBsTER. In
the somewhat famous case Of Bodgen' 5 will,
which was tried in the Supreme Court some
years ago, Mr.. Webster appeared as coun-
sci for the appellant Mrs Greenough,
wife of the Rev William GFcenough, late
of Weston-a tall, straight, quecnly looking
woman, with a keen, black eye-a woman
of great self possession and decision Of char
aeter-was called to the stand as witness on
the opposite side Mr. Webster, at glance,
hal the sagacity to foresee that her testimo-
ny, if it contained anything of importance,
would have great weight with the court and
jury. He. therefore, resolved, if possible,
to break her up. And when she answered
to the first question put to her, Il believe,
Mr. Webster roared out, "We don't want
to hear what you believe; We want to hear
what you know J" Mrs. Greenough re-
Piled That's Just what | was about to
say, sir, and went on with her testimony.
And, notwithstanding his repeated efforts to
disconcert her, she pursued the even tenor
OF neI WAY Till w tDsteF, 40lte leAIAu4 Va tnS
result, arose, apparently in great agitation,
and drawing out his large snuff box, thrust
his finger to the very botsom, and carrying
the deep pinch to both nosirils, drew it up
with a gusto; and then extracting from his
pocket very large handkerchief he blew
his nose with a report that rang through the
hall, and asked Mrs. Greenough, was
Mrs. Bodgen a neat woman" Mrs. G.
Il cannot give you very full information as
to that, sir; she had one very dirty uick. .
Mr. W.-''What was that, ma'am?' Mrs.
G.-''She took snuff The roar IN the
court house was such that the defender Of
the Constitution subsided, and neither rose
nor spoke again till Mrs. Greenough had
vacated her chair for another witness, hay-
ing ample time to reflect on the inglorious
fate Of the man who had a stone thrown
upon his head by a woman.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

WHEN Rothschild heard that the head Of
the Aguade family was dead, How much
does he leave T. he asked Twenty mil
lions. ''You mean eighty" mo twenty"
Dear me l thought he was in easy circum-
stances.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

BOY, didn't you let off that gun r. ex.
claimed an euraged schoolmaster.
Yes, master
well, what do you think 1 will do to
you p
why, let me of,
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

No TORCH, 10 appareliDg, no glory Of
art, ever 50 made the house beauteous, or
so made the household happy. as the simple
presence, morning and evening, of the bles-
sed King OF Glory
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

GoD requires that We should work out
our own salvation. He saves US by showing
US how TO save ourselves. 1t is true saliva
ton depends on his grace, but his grace is
proportioDed to our efforts.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
: Then come to prayer!

A YOUNG Cincinnati dentist was intro
duced to a fashionable beauty the other
evening, and gracefully opened the CONVEX
sation by saying, Mis-, hope I
may consider that we are not entirely unao-
quain,ed bad the pleasure of pulling
tooth for your father onlya short time
AGO.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

4 WHITE garment appears worse with
slight s"iing than do coored garments
much sUil,d; SO lite fault in good man
attracts more attention than great offences
in bad men.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

Two rival bells met at a hop. "How
well you look under caadls-hght p exclaim-
ed one, with srsss on, the candles. "And
how charming you are in the dark - an
svve,ed the other
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

FAITH is as necessary to the soul as the
sun is TO the world; were it not for thess
bright, prolific lights, both the one and the
other must remain dark aud fruitless.--
Charles Howe.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

Il WISH l had your head, said lady
one day to a gentleman who had solved for
her knotty point. And wish | had
your heart, was the reply Well. said
she, since your head and my heart can
agree. 1 do not see why they should not go
into partnership And they did.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

PAST ExPERIENCE-We cannot see By
the light of yesterday, nor subsist upon
yesterday food. We need supplies every
moment. So long as we feel our weakness,
and lean upon an almighty arm, we are safe,
but no longer.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

By THE SPIRIT OF GoD men are in
structed 50 that it is not extravagant to say
that every thought that tends to struggle
away from the bondage of the flesh, every
heart-hunger, is a witness that the world
does not feed to satisfaction: that it does not
nourish the soul. 1t needs the bread that
comes from the hand Of God TO do that,
Every single yearning of the heart is in an
swer to some silent influence of God.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

THAT domestic discipline Of children may
not end in disappointment, three things are
needed frmness of purpose, gentleness of
manner, and consistency of example
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

In is better to have strength of principle
rhan OF mere muscle, but better yet to have
both, A man " ho is strong in intellect aud
instep is on the best terms with nature aud
the world
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

JOHN MILTON well said: Wherefore did
God create passions within us, pleasures
around US, but that these, rightly tempered
are the yers ingredients of virtue p
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

AT Malvern Hill, when the shot and
shell were singing lively tunes around
our ears, Minnie ball chanced TO bit an
lrishnan, inficting slight wound in the
arm. Pat roared out Justify: I'm kilt !
I'm kilt
'Hould your whist said a brother
Mick, don't say yer kilt till yer dead "
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

GREAT men often do small acts, and with
no excuse for them. Small men, per CONTRA
do great acts, and are never excused Tor
them
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

a COUNTRY schoolmaster began one morn
ing the duties of the day with prayer, as
usual but after prayer he went up and ask
ed little boy why he had not shut his eyes
during prayer, when the boy sharply res
poR6ed
I've are instructed By the Bible to watch
as well as pray.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

AT Plicot, 10 Hampshire, England, n
tomtit has built nestin the post Office letter
box. 1t laid twelve eggs in less than fort
night, and hatched nine of them.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05

ALL mankind are happier for having
been happy; so that if you make them
happy now, you make them happy twenty
years hence By the memory Of it.
Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-02-05
RATEs OF ApYERTIsING.

All advertisements Tor less than months 10
cents per line for each insertion. Special notices
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