davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

THE HARpERs FERRY PRoPERTY.-It
is now over eight years since the armory
was rendered useless to the government,
and another year has passed since author
ity was given by Congress to sell the
property for the benefit of college in
West Virginia under the special protec-
ton of Senator Wiley. Another sum
mer is fast passing away, and this val
liable property is still useless. What de-
lays the sale of it is unexplained. Pub
lie opinion is coming to the conclusion
that the authorities have no confidence in
the validity of the title, if the property is to
be devoted to any other purpose than that
for which it was purchased by President
Washington-an armory The deed from
the heirs of old Robert Harper states that
the land and appurtenances are conveyed
to George Washington, for the use of the
United States, and no other. 1t is true
an armory is not specifically mentioned in
the decd and Attorney General Stanbery
has declared the title sufficient, but high
legal authority, on the other hand, is as
firm in the conviction that the title is not
clear. Certainly the delay indicates doubt
on the part of the government, and it is
quite probable that some Of the heirs will
interpose at proper time. One thing is
certain-there are provisions of Mr. Har-
per's will which have not been carried out,
such as the erection Of free church and
the walling of a cemetry. These are in
cumbrances which prevent the Wagers
from giving perfect title, and either they
or the government must perform these
stipulations, which appear to have been
made for the benefit Of the public, and in
regard to which we understand the people
of the neigborhood are inclined to take
some action to enforce their claim in
equity -Chdrlesto,on Free Press.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
Selett poetrp.
EVENING SHADOWS.

Surely the day is done
IT'S the set of sun.
Long fall the shadows from the snowy hills;
Not yet have walked the sleepy little rills
But softer air
Floats everywhere
Although the day is done.
All, yes the day is done
And one by one
The ghosts of starlight fit across the sky;
In doors, the fre-evcs on the carpet lie,
Tired of play,
The children say,
Because the day is done.
We know the day is done
Our feet have run
Unresting in the path that Duty make;
Trcading on thorns, of dangers not afraid,
And rest is sweet,
Though night-hours fleet,
And day again comes on.
The day of life is done
And the setting sun
Eyes dim to fuirest sights that earth can show ;
Ears needless, though enhancing music flow;
And marble brow,
Unwrinked now
Indeed the day is done!
But is the day yet done?
And set the SUM-
When seas of amber light transfusc the air,
And Paradisal flowers bloom everywhere?
O'er purple hills
The sunrise thrills,
Heavens day is just begun
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
CASTLE july "A, 1869

"No, doctor, it was q clear night I've
Just made up my mind that fire dropped
down from Heaven and kindled that are
hay. Twas judgement an a warnin' an
Pm afeared sort of forerunner of the
flames of hell. l haint had no peace of
mind sence, nor felt like eatin' good meal
of vittals. At last, thought might
feel little better cf I'd jest own up to
you, an ask your pardon an your pray
ers."
10 the astonishment of the poor peni-
tent, the minister laughed outright mer-
rily. Then he said: Be comforted,
neighbor; your little thieving operation
was hardly of such consequence to Heaven
as all that 1t was who caught you at
it, and set fire to the hay from my lantern /;
and must say you yelled Justify and ran
briskly, for man of your years. Why
didn't you tell me if you wanted hay ?
Now 60 home in peace, get we'll and steal
no more"
Z" You, doctor! You? Be you sartin
sure you sot fire to that arc bundle of
hay?"
!" Yes, quite sure; that was my own
little bonfire. hope it didn't scorch you
much. noticed when you came to meet
ing the next Sunday that your hair was
little singcd. AS for the flames of hell,
neighbor, that's your own lookout. |
trust there is time to escape them yet"
SO, so! twas you did it all The
Lord be praised % exclaimed the farmer,
fervently. I" 1t rally is an amazin' relief,
an my old woman was right, for she
says: I" Go to the minister an confess, :"
says she, San thatll lift the biggest heft
of the sin off your conscience. an be bet
ter than doctor stuff" says she. An SO
you did it! Well, folks say you're mas
ter man for joke; but this ere one was
more solemn than sermon to me, an
more effectuooal, doctor, / do believe"
So saying, the farmer departed in
peace; and the parson kept the secret Of
his name, even in his own family, always
[ think.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

AN IRIsuMAN's PLEA.-The Buffalo
Express gives the following among its po-
lice items:
Mr.. O'Farrell, gentleman of the Irish
persuasion, was charged by one White
with assault and battery.
Mr.. Eandcrpool-Well, O'Farrell, what
do you plead?
O'Farrell-Shure he hit me, yer Honor.
Mr.. V.-Do you plead guilty or not
guilty?
OFT was wild shtick yer Honor.
Mr.. V.-Oosing potience.) Are you
guilty or not guilty?
O'F.-Yis surr.
Mr.. V.-(Thoroughly arouscd.) Do
you plead guilty or not guilty?
OF.-Guilty or not guilty? Well yer
Honor l pleads guilty to the ither mans
hittin' me wild shtick
The case was finally settled.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

den, where things come to be sure, if you
wait long enough for them; you have the
satisfaction Of knowing that there are 60
ing to be green peas and corn in the gar
den at some future time, but at present
there is nothing but the promise and the
bare bean-polcs
Then, in the city are all sorts of cheap
nesses and convenienccs, such as come
from the aggregate of human beings, when
they put their forces together: water, gas,
easy access to every trade necessary to
keep house in running order-every
thing, in short, that makes life easy.
In the country, no gas, no water where
you want it-a great deal of Juggling and
lifting and hard and heavy work to bring
it where it is needed.
On the whole, we arc not surprised at
the number of people who prefer city life.
And yet for ourselves, we say, with all its
awkwardncsses and all its disadvantages,
gice as the country
But what we like best of all is just what
we have: little bit of pure, wild wood
land, tackled so close on to the skirt of the
city that you can have the daily visit of
the butcher, and the grocer, and the city
water; while also we have wild-howers
and ferns, and the very deepest tangle of
the original Jungle of the forest. All kinds
of wild birds make it vocal with their diff
ferent sorts of music. Woodthrushcs wa
ken you i'll the morning with their clear,
cheerful notes. The oriolc filings down a
shower of music from the tops of the tall
trees, and robins make the air ring. They
cat up all your peas, to be sure, opening
the pods and picking them out as nicely
as you could wish to see the thing done ;
but they eat besides that great many 9TH
er things which would devour your garden,
if this restless little police did not look af-
ter them.
Our garden is torn out of the very heart
of the wild woods, and all around it there
is still wild wood, where the secret works Of
Nature and her unsophisticated ways and
movements may be seen.
An easy walk brings us into the city,
whence, Of course, we get our early peas,
and corn. and lettuce; for we do not pre-
tend that any private garden can compete
with those of professional vegetable grow
ers. Late in the season our own peas and
corn come limping in, as amateurs always
lag behind professional men.
About the time when our corn begins
to come is the time when we leave all tc
go to the seaside. Such are the beauties
of gardcnkeeping on ones own account
The perfection of life, however, to oui
thinking, is country life in close proximity
to the convencnccs of the city. What
rest--what rcfreshment-whatco coolness tc
the man to come out of the whirl and
hustle and jar of the city, to some snug
little bit Of country greenery, where he
may forget all about the great world and
fancy himself farmer
Our own city of Hartford is famous fol
the beauty Of its rural suburbs. Foi
miles ON every side of it are lovely spots
where country and city are SO amicabl,
united as to give all the charms and agoil
most of the inconyeniences of both
Every rAing is charming, except the cit,
, taxes, concerning which we might sa,
much, but prefer to take refuge in expires
sive silence. Hearth and Home.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

BLACKBERRY WINE.-Thc following is
said to be an excellent receipt for the man.
ufacture Of superior wine from blackber-
ries: Measure your berries and bruise
them, to every gallon adding one quart of
boiling water; let the mixture stand twen-
ty-four hours, stirring occasionally; thon
strain off the liquor into cask, to every
gallon adding two pounds of sugar; cork
tight, and let stand till the following Oc-
tober, and you will have wine ready for
use, without any further straining or
boiling, that will make lips smack as they
never smacked, under similar influence
before
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

PROGRESSION OF TIE AGE.-When the
"good time coming" comes, announce
ments like the following will undoubtedly
be frequent.
Dicd-In the thirty-ffth year of his age
Mr.. John Smith, husband of the Hon.
Jane Smith, at her residence at Nashua,
this morning, at six o'clock. Mr.. Smith
was meek and quiet husband, beloved
for the graces of cultivated and trained
nature He excellcd in the domestic vir-
tues-as a cook, he was surpassed by few,
as nurse he was equalled by none.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

1t is strictly and philosophically true in
nature and in reason that there is no such
thing as chance or accident it being evil
dent that these words do not signify any,
thing really existing, anything that is tru-
ly an agent or the cause Of an event, but
they signify, merely, mems ignorance Of
the real and immediate eause.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
The Boston Herald draws n comparis

The Boston Herald draws a comparison
between the expense of running the Legis-
lature and the State Prison. The former
has two hundred and eighty members,
and costs the State between three and -four
hundred thousand year; while the latter
institution contains six hundred inmates,
who bring in net profit of twenty thous-
and year How would it answer next
year to send the prisoners to the Legisla.
ture, and put the members of the Legisla
ture into prison.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

A lady who was about to give party
to convention Of clergymen, sent for a
caterer, to assist in preparations. He asked
if she intended to give dancing party.
She replied that it was to be mainly COM
posed of elergymen. SIN that case, mad
am" said he, 81 would advise you to pro-
vide bountifully. Them pious people cat
dreadfully."
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

A Paris correspondent writes g that
the marriage season has set in with ex-
treme severity. The English keep one
chaplain constantly in his robes and as
for American young ladies, they are mar-
ried by scores, and, indeed, do not think
that one Will be left single by the end Of
July"
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Tell me, Hattie, why that sadness, tell
me why that look of care why has flown
that look of gladness, that thy face was
wont to wear? 'Tis useless, Charley, to
disscmble; we'll my face may wear frown;
l have lost my largest hair pin, and my
chignon's coming down.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

CRATES WITH SPRINGS. From the West
comes to US first knowledge of ruit-
crate with springs in the bottom. 1t
seems simple, effective, and cheap, and
would apdear to be an affair that would
warrant advertising at the East.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

To DESTROY CocKRoAoHEs.-Sprinkle
powdered borax on the tables and dresser
and floor of the kitchen. In two or three
evenings they all disappear. Green Ell
der leaves will have the same effect.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Many dental infelicities occur from the
too free use of candies. This is because,
perhaps, the candies are made from sore
gum (sorghum) sugar,
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Glass is not certain insulator against
electrical charges. An electrical coil has
lately been made in London which sends
the lightning spark through FIVE inches of
solid glass.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

An old author quantity remarks: "Avoid
arguments with ladies. In spinning yarns
among silks and satins man is sure to be
,corsted and t,cisted; and when man is
worsted and twisted he may consider him
self wound up"
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

A little boy, disputing with his sister,
exclaimed: ''It's true, for ma says so.
and if ma says SO, it is SO, if it amt So"
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Why should we never sleep in a railway
carriage? Because the train always runs
over sleepers.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
PEACHES Il!

HNHE subscriber has made arrangements to buy
i PEACHES at the Middletown Station, dur
ing the season. and will furnish Baskets for ship
ing of same thus saving the Growers who have
no Baskets the expense of purchasing at present
high prices. Give him call before disposing of
your fruit elsewhere. E. T. EVANS,
Agent for w. II. Wauser,
June 26-tf Of New York.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Plant few kernels of Buckwheas in
each hill of cucumbers or melons and
striped bugs will not trouble the vines
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

A California theatre has adopted the
plan Of furnishing a room where babies
can ho checked during the performance.
In case any are left uncalled for, they are
sold at auction next day.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

Why are balloons in the air like vag-
rants Because they have no visible means
of support.
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24

sfHow is the. cheese market, neighbor ?
Anything going2" "Not mite"
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
BOQUET BASE, and
THE BRILLIANT.

filled for any kind Of Stove that may be
desired.
Prompt attention to business, moderate
prices, competent workmen, and deter
mination to please, mpy at all times be ex-
pected by those who may favor him with
their cuitom.
May lily
Middletown transcript., 1869-07-24
AND
THE PRIZE.

IHE H1ClA IL.
The first named is guaranteed
to give perfect satisfaction, and
it is believed the others will also.
The following Parlor Stoves are
offered to the Public, and believ-
ed to be equal to any other
Stoves in the market:
THE UNION AIR-TIGHT,
THE GEM,
THE DIAL,
ELM BASE,
BOQUET BASE, and
The Union and journal., 1869-09-24

the new political party makes IS IN not
allowing for the real disloyalty OF the de-
mocracy which is as evident as anything
proved, and which crops out in almost
everything they do. Take, for Instance
An article in the New York World de-
nouncing the mixed jury which acquitted
Mile Gaines of murder In Washington;
hi. notorious that in Washington and through
out the South negroes are imPanneled to deter
mine upon the grayest questions OF property,
personal rights, and human life, who cannot
read or write, and to whom the first elements OF
morals, and OF the binding obligation Of oaths,
are As foreign as the contents Of the Greek Tes-
lament. AT the same time, whites Of learning
and recti,udc are excluded from lthe jury-box
because they did their duty TO their natfre
States rAsa hsy ,rers piiiaged and inraded.
The leading. and in fact, the chief organ
of the democracy asserts at this late day.
when time enough has elapsed to cool
down the fierce passion Of treason which
welled up into the bosom of the party
when they first saw power gong from
them, that the southern rebels did their
duty to their native State when they shot
down the soldiers who carried the national
flag. and who pronounces those soldiers
pillaSers and invaders.
The abble lei by such rebel captains
may not change their banners and then
say they have changed their hearts. The
people will not believe them. The democ-
racy of Maine to-day. though somewhat
thinncd out. are the same sham democrats
they were during the war. New combi,
nations will not save them. II they would
float their ark on loyal waters, let then,
show fruits meet for repentance; but until
then let remain where they are, under the
ban of public apProbrium.
The Union and journal., 1869-09-24
POLITICdL.
PRENrIss.

Secretary Boutwell, said, at the Union League
dinner in New York. that there were two things
necessary to give our country the strongest and
most cnviablc position in the world. These
were, first, to secure the payment Of the nation
al debt in gold, without qualification or equivo-
cation and, secondly, to secure the adoption Of
the Fifteenth Amendment, neither Of which
events was he dsporcd to consider in doubt.
The Secretary said that he had reason to believe
that IL he had the authority good share Of our
debt could now be funded at four and one-half,
perhaps four per cent. and when our interest
account was reduced to 800. 900 900 VIC should
have surplus from our present resources Of
from s6O,OOo,OOo to SIC, ,OOO, 900, which would
make II very easy to take care Of the demand
debt. And that at our present rate Of taxation
he believed our whole debt could be paid of in
twelve years.
The Mauch Chunk Gazette says that Il has
good authority for saying that Mr.. Packer,
democratic candidate for Governor Of Pennsyl-
vania, regards his chances as poor.
Secretary Boutwell, reports much difficulty in
asccrtaining the condition Of financial affairs In
New York city. lie was approached by parties
Of respectable standing, who gave information
Of most contradictory character. He has de-
tcrmined upon the general outlines Of his report,
and intends to make Il quite short. The expect
alton at the Treasury now Is that the Secretary
will show reduction Of the debt Of about sixty
nillious In December. ...
The dissatisfaction Of the Democracy at their
local ticket is not confined to Philadelpha alone.
All over the State the respectable portion Of the
Democracy repudiatc the tickets which have
been forced upon them by the Rings.
Cuba Is not to be conquered by frenzy. II
bafilcd now, she would only plot to rise again.
II Spain chooses to make herself warm In such
. phcniI's nest as this, she Is welcome. It
will be her own body that will be burned, her
own means that will be consumed, her own
lives that will pay the forfeit for her terrible
treak Of iunacy. Al time when England
stands ready to give matronly bcncdiction to
her colonies should they decide to leave her
household and erect establishments Of their own.
Spain with bloody mind Is bent upon repeat
ing . performance Of the middle ages, when
conquerurs became murierers, because they
were stupid In the 6rst place, AMI svaricious In
the second.
The Union and journal., 1869-09-24
Western Increase.

The national constitution requires that
n census Of the inhabitants of the United
States shall be taken every ten years
therefore the work will be- accomplished
next year. BY ii n new basis Of repre-
sentation will be made which will change
the political power Of the different sections
Of the country, and we of the New Eng
land States might rs well make up our
minds that we are TO lose in representation
rs we lost in 1860.
The new status of things in the South
Is to us Of the stationary States, numeri-
cally source of weakness. Where the
negroes are allowed TO vote the represen-
tation will increase. The basis of repre-
sentation is now l26.s23 Increasing the
representative population Of the South by,
say, 100000 Of the negro population,
and the southern gain in Congress (the
white representation remaining station
ary) is Is; or, making an allowance for
fractional losses for distribution in the
several States, and the rejection of the ne
gro vote in Missouri, Maryland and Ken
tucky, say. 10.
The greatest representation ever held
by New England was in 1910 when twas
Al. Since then il has been reduced to so
-3S-3l-29-27. which latter figure is
the present representation. The ratio of
representation in 1893 was $4,000; then
$4,000 to 1918; then 50, 900, 40, COO, 200,
7O,6sO, 93,i23, 126,S23. just rs the ratio
increases our representation falls of, this
ratio being obtained by dividing the whole
number of population by the number of
members of the lower house of Congress
rs fixed by law. In 1900 the territory
embraced by the now States of Ohio, IL
linois, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Wiscon-
sin and Michigan had only one roprcsen-
tative, while New England had 80. But
ten years later and they had eight; twcn-
ty years later, eighteen; thirty years later,
thirty; forty years later. forty-four; fifty
years later, fifty-two, while the apportion-
ment Of 1860 gave them sixty-four, our
numerical strength decreasing. Nor has
the loss been alone in the House. In 1900
New England had IL senators, or nearly
half of the whole Senate. Now she has
the same number while the body consists
of -, and the western States, having only
two then, have now fourteen. At the be-
ginning Of the century New England had
one fourth of the national representation,
and the western States had but the one
hundred and forty-first part. Now the re-
lations of the west to the east are rs sixty
four to twcnty>sevon. And If the census
devclopcs population of i0,00O,0 900, the
ratio of representation will he $4,000, on
the supposition that the number of men,
bcrs of Congress remains, rs now, ut 2l3.
How true it is that Westward the star
of empire takes its way" the above SIM
pie figures of proportion show. What
shall New England and all the older States
do to retain their influence in the national
government Let them try to increase
their influence in the western States, still
continue to be the home of the arts and
sciences on this continent, at least for
years to come. until their children have
the age the elder States now have. and
keep in the halls Of legislation their most
commanding talent.
The Union and journal., 1869-09-24
The Fifteenth Amendment.

Considerable solicitudc has been mani
tested over the country of late in relation
to the ratification of the Fifteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution Of the United
States, which reads rs follows:
..The right Of the citizens Of the United State.
to vote shall not be denied or abriged by thu
Uaitcd States or by any State, on account o.
race, color, or previous condition Of servitude.'
Thrcc-fourths of all the States, by their
Legislatures, must ratify In or,ler to give
1t validity. This will require twenty-eight
Ten States resolving negatively and per-
sisting in the course can prevent the adop-
ton of the amendment. Nineteen State.
have ratified, but of these, three Missouri
Kansas and Nevada) have done SO inn
perfectly. The presumption is, the action
of those named will be confirmed. Sc
far, Ohio, Delaware and Georgia have re-
fused plumply. but Ohio and Georgia
may possibly take the back track on their
action. Ofthe States which have not yet
acted. Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode
Island, Vermont and Virginia are abso-
lutely certain, and this will swell the
number to twenty-five. II Mississippi and
Texas expect to be recognized rs States
they are obliged to follow suit. Califor-
mia and Oregon arc doubtful on account
of their absurd view af the Chinese ques-
ton, they have discussed the matter u,
though the Celestials were citizens, when
they are not and do not even propose to
be. The Legislature of Tennessee Is
pledged to ratify and most likely will do
so, unless some turn is given to matters
ut Nashville adversely. by the rebel and
piebald concern. the result of the late
fraudulent election. Tennessee will not
ratify willingly, but only because Of the
fear of interference Of Congress to upset
their rascalty. The States most inclined
to remain obstinatcly in the position of
continued refusal are Delaware, New Jcr-
sey, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mary
land, Texas and California. In all the
rest, twenty-nine in number. the probable
tiles are, that sooner or later, assent will
be given to the Amendment. Considera-
bic delay may occur, and the time post
poned when Kentucky and Maryland and
Delaware shall be put in proper position,
bnt the wheels Of progress arc not revers-
ed. and will not be, rs we look at affairs,
before this great question is settled.