davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14
Wisftlla
A JurYman's Story.

We had been out twenty-fOur
hours, and stood eleven to one.
The case was a very plain one-at
least we eleven thought so.
A murder of peculiar atrocity had
been committed, and though no eye
had witnessed the deed, circum-
stances pointed to the prisoners
guilt with unfailing certainty.
The recusant juror had stood out
from the first. He acknowledged
the cogency of the proofs, confessed
his inability to reconcile the facts
with the prisoners innocence, and
yet, on every vote, went steadily for
acqulttal.
His conduct was ineXplicable. 1t
could not result from lack of intel
lgence; for, while he spoke but lit
tie, his words were well chosen, and
evineed thorough understanding.
Though i'll the prime of manhood,
his locks were prmaturely white,
and his face wore slnGularly sad
and thoughtful expression.
He might be ole OF those who en-
tertained scrupts as to the right to
inflict the dean penalty. But no, it
was not that for, in reply to such a
suggestion. he frankly admitted that
brutal me-, like the vicious brutes
they resemble, must be controlled
through fear, and that dread OF
death. the supreme terror, is, in
mani cases, the only adequate re.
strint.
AT the prospect of another night
of fruitless Imprisonment, we began
to grow impatient, and expostulated
warmly against what seemed an nm
reasonable captiousness, and some
not over kind remarks were indulged
in as to the improperly of tritlin2
with an oath like that under whici
we were acting.
"And yet" the man answered, as
though communing with himself
rather than repe!ling the imputa
ton, ait is conscience that hinders
my concurrence i'll verdict approx
ed by my Judgment"
"Conscience may not always dare
to follow Judgment"
but here she can know no othei
guide"
II once would have said tn,
same"
"And what has changed you
Opion?"
Experienced"
The speakers manner was visibl,
agitated, and we waited in silenc
for the explanation which he seeme'
ready to give.
Mastering his emotion, as if il
answer to our looks of inquiry, h
continued:
"Twenty years ago, | was a youn
man, just beginning life. Few ha
brighter prospects, and none bright
er hopes.
"An attachment dating fror
childhood had ripened with its oil
iect. There had been no verbal d'
claration and acceptance of loye-n
plighting of troth but when | too
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

TERMS-Three Dollars per annum.

GAS little impression was made
by the words of the judge, which
followed; and solemn invocation
that God might have mercy upon
me. which man was too just to
vouchSafe, sounded like the hollow
est of hollow moGkeries.
;. 1t may be hard for the condem-
ned criminal to meet death but it
is still harder for him who is inno-
cent. The one, when the first shock
is over, acquieses in his doom, and
gives himself to repentance; the
heart of the other filled with rebel
/ lion against mans injustice, can
scarce bring itself to ask pardon of
;seIod.
q had gradually overcome this
feeling in spite of the good clergy
mans irritating efforts, which were
mainly directed towards extracting
a confession, without which, he as
sured me, he had no hope to offer.
''On the morning of the day fixed
for my execution, l felt measurably
resigned. | had SO long stood face
to face with death, had so accus-
toned myself to look upon it as a
merely momentary pang, that [ no
! longer felt solicitouS save that my
memory shouldone day be yindicated.
.'She for whom 1 had gone to pre-.
pare home, had already found one
in Heaven. The tidings of my ca
lamity had broken her heart. She
alone of all the world believed me
innocent; and she had died with a
prayer upon her lips, that the truth
might yet be brought to light.
'All this | had heard, and, it had
soothed as with sweet incense My
troubled spirit. Death, however
unwelcome the shape, was now a
portal beyond which l could see one
angel waiting to receive me.
~ heard the sound Of approaching
footsteps, and neryed myself to meet
the expected summons. The doOl
OF my cell opened, and the sheriff and
his attendants entered. He had in
his hand 4 paper. 1t was doubtless
my death warrant. He began to
read it. My thoughts were busy
elsewhere. The words full and fret
pardon were the first to strike my
pre-occupied senses. Yet so it was
| was pardoned for an offence / had
never committed.
"The real culprit was none other
it is needless to say, than he who
had sought and abused my hospital
ty, had been mOrtally wounded in {
recent affray in distant city, but
had lived long enough to make {
disclosure, which had been laid be
fore the Governor barely in time tt
save me from a shameful death, ant
condemn me to cheepless and bur
! densOme life.
This is my experience. My judg
mcnt, as yours, in the case before us
, leads to but one conclusion that O
the prisoners guilt; bNt not les
t confident and apparently unerrin
: was the Judgment pronounced upo1
| my own"
| We no longer inportuned our fe
low juror, but patiently awaited on
} discharge on the ground of inabilit.
t to agree, which came at last.
l The prisoner was tried and convit
: ted at a subsequent term, and, a
/ the last moment confessed his Grim
| on the Scatfold.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14
IN THE MOUNTAINS.
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

In the fall of 1856 I was travelling
eastward in a stage coach from Pitts
burg over the mountains. My fel-
low travellers were two gentlemen
and a lady. The oldest gentleman's
appearance interested me exceeding
ly. In years he seemed about fifty
in air and manner he was calm, Dig
nified and polished, and the contour
Of his features was singularly intel
Iectual. He conversed freely on
different topics, until the road be-
came more abrupt and precipitous !;
but on my directing his attention to
the great attitude of precipice,
on the verge of which our coach
wheels were leisurely rolling, there
came a marked change ON his coun-
teuance. His eyes, lately filled with
the light of intelligence became wild,
restless and anxious, and the mouth
! twitched spasmodically, and the
forehead was beaded with cold per
| spiration With a sharp, cOnvulsive
>hudder, he turned his gaze from
from the giddy height, and, clutch
ing my arm tightly with both hands,
he clung to me like a drowning man.
Use this cologne" said the lady,
handing me bottle, with the in
| Stinctive goodneS of her sex.
[ sprinkled little on his face, and
he became more composed; but it
was not unt.! we had entirely
| trlverScd the mountain, and descend
| ed into the country beneath. that
his fac features relaxed from their
ptrtmbed look, and assumed the
ntacid, quiet dignity that l had at
first noticed.
e. owe an apology to the lady,
said he, with Il bland smile and a
gentle inclination Of the head to our
fair companion, "and some explana-
ton. and to my fellow traveller also
and perhaps | cannot better acquit
myself of the double debt than by
recounting the cause OF my recent
agitation"
1t may pain your fcelingS,' deli
catclv urged the lady.
On the contrary. it will relieve
| tiitIIl, w DIS ht1t lCSlSSllul lCHlN.
Having signified our several de.
SircS to hear more, the traveller thus
/ proceeded
cat the age of eighteen, I was
light of foot, and | fear, (he smiled
light of head. a fine property OF
the banks of the Ohio acknowledged
me sole owner. was Fastening
hon,v to enjoy it, and delighted tC
get free from college life. ThC
month was October, the air bracing
and the mode of conveyance, a stag,
liGe this, only more Cumkrous. Tht
: other passengers were few 0nl,
) three in all-on2 old gray headed
: planter of Louisiana, bis daughter
a joyous, bewitching creature, abou
seventeen, and his son about tel
years Of age.
"They were just returning fror
S France, of which country the youn
3, lady diScourSed in terms so eloquen
as to absorb my entire attention.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14
ENTER CHURCH SOFTLY.


Tis bright Sabbath morn, the church bells have
rung,
The organ trills low, the choir all have sung;
Not sound, not whisper, dsturbs the scene
here.
Enter church softly, the pastors at prayer.
Tis day that the Lord has appointed for rest
day that he GRells with those he loves best;
lie hath said, Where yc gather, too will be
there
Enter church softly, the pastors at prayer.
He is pleading for strength from his Jesus above
To lead his fock In the pathway of love,
And to teach them the cross of submission to bear
Enter church softly, the pastors at payer.
He is praying for those who have strayed from the
flock,
Praying for those who yet cling to the rock
He is praying for those who approach but will
fear,
Enter church softly. the pastors at prayer.
Here's one place to he found in this dark world o
sin,
Open to all who will enter herein
There as equals the iich and the poor may repair
Eater church softly. the pastor at prayer.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

The Republican, the onfy news
paper published in Tennessee by
colored men, announces it's intention
to support Senter, the Conservative
Republican candidate. The sub
Joined article from that paper ought
to be read by our colored friends
everywhere;
COtorca Voters
You who have so molly earned
your birthright of freedom. remem-
ber that passion and prejudice never
brought about your enfranchisement,
Some of the same Republicans who
Voted to remove your disabilities,
are now actively engaged in advo-
eating their removal from the dis
| franchised whites. A prosGFiptive
policy and retaliation measures will
inevitably revert upon your own de-
voted heads with overwhelming force.
This is not your fight; it is fight be-
between the whites, and to bring you
into it is both unwise and dangerous
to your well-heing as citizens. You
are the balance of power, and
whether all men vote or not, your
rights are settled beyond question.
1t is not the aim of any party to
wrest from you the rights of citizen
ship. On the contrary, You stand in
a much better position than any
other party. This question of uniYer-
sal suffrage will be settled whether
you go for it or against II, and
bold and manly stand for the reSto-
ration of these dear privileges that
you now enjoy, to the DISTINGUISHED,
will endear yen to every American
citizen who desires peace and pros
perity. There is no further practical
use of keeping any one out IN the
cold No State can debar her citi-
zens from exercising the Inherent
right of citizenship for any longer
period than we have. Your rights
are made secure by Congressional
legislation, SO that you have no ex-
cuse to offer that you are protecting
yourself in opposing universal suf-
frage. We warn you not to be led
as slaves by designing white men,
who int1ame your passions for the
purpose of being elected by your
votes to some Office that could not
be reached by calm and peaceful
means. Allay all excitement Peace
is what you need, as well as liberty.
For as you derived your liberty from
war, so would it pass away by the
same measure. 1t is to your interest
to cultivate peace and friendship
with all mankind-it is to the inter
est of all to live in unity with each
other, We can have our preference
for this man or that man. this meas
IRE or that measure, but if you de.
sire to rise to full and perfect man.
hood, to become an educated ana re
ligious people, to grow prosperous
and happy, yOu must accord the
same rights to others that You en-
joy yourself. You have enemies
who would pretend to lead yen On in
the path of greatness and glory, who
when they can do without your aid
in securing office, will baseiy desert
you. Let your voices, then, swell
with that OF the noble band who are
battling for the great and good cause
of human liberty. Let your VOICE he
cast for peace, and we assure you
that in one year hence YOU VIII 'nnt
regret it,
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

HAs if the mark of Cain was
not sufficiently put upon 3. Butler,
of Massachusetts, by his previous
acts, he demands, in letter, that
no Virginian, elected by the people,
shall take a seat in the Virginia
Legislature who cannot take the te>5
oath which the President repudiated
in Georgia, Cauby i'll South Carolina,
and the people of Virginia 10y thy
ballot. The majority vote, he says.
in all such eases, should be disrc-
garded, and the places given to
those set aside hs the people. Wha6
is the just estimate of a man OF so
much injustice and viuGictivenes'
v. Y. Express.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14
prospettus,
ness that made her draw back and

ness that made her draw back and
blush.
"'She was saved, sir; by the means.
that saved yOu-a friendly tree.'
GO And her father and brother IL
L impatiently demanded.
I'VE found both crushed to death.
at the bottom of the precipice, and
we buried them in one grave by the
clover patch down IL. the meadow
"' Poor Louise | poor orphan ! God
pity you3 l muttaed in. l,roken
tones, utterly unconscious thai L had
listener.
"' God pity her Indeed, sir said
she with gush of heartfelt sympa-
thy Would you like tc. see her 2
she added.
Il found her bathed' IN tears for
her kindred, and she received me
with sOrrowful sweetness of manner.
l need not detain you by describing
the efforts l made to sooth her grief,
but briefly acquaint you that at last
l succeeded, and twelve months after
the dreadful occurrence which have.
related we stood at the altar as man.
and wife. She still lives to me, with
her smiles. bnt on the anniversary
of that terrible night she secludes
herself in her room, and devotes the
hour of darkness solitary PRAYER.
/" AS for me-" added the traveller,
while faint blush tipGed his noble
brow, " that accident has reduced
nae to the position of physical
coward at the sight Of mountain
precipice."
But the driyert" askad the lady
passenger, who had listened to the.
story with much attention, what
became of the driver, andIdid you
eyer learn the reason of his desert
ing his post ~
"His body was found on the road,
within Il few steps of the place where
the coach went over. He had been
struck dead by the same flash of
lightning that blinded the restiye
horses'
And thus ended tbs thrilling and
remarkable story of life.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

Druggists throughout the South and West can b'
supple through the arrangements made by DR.
B. W. Hepserdam. of Pekin, China. with J. B. Was
son l. Co.. of the Wholesale Drug Emporium. %
Memphis, Tennessee. to whom all orders must b'
ddreseed. -lY
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14
Light Breaking upon the Freedmsg's
Mind.

The Republican, the oniy news
paper published in Tennessee by
colored men, announces its intention
to support Senter, the Conservative
Republican candidate. The sub
joined article from that paper ought
to be read by our colored friends
everywhere:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

"At the end of some months, my
trial came. 1t could have but one
result. Circumstances too plainly
declared my guilt. | alone knew
they lied.
The absence of the jury was
brief. To their verdict | paid but
little heed. 1t was a single hideouS
word but had long anticipated it.
and 1t made no impression.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-08-14

The Chicago Times says Grant IS
hest known as the present Ie''ion''
He certainly likes persons present.
presents.
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

North, with is biIIoT cold. had been Fis
hearts mother; tho South, with its warm
luSOrionce had been mine, We were
totally unlike, and though this fact had
been the chief attraction which had
drawn me towards him at the first, it
was growing 10 be tha wall of separation
between US, ias, enough nov.
His Observation-Disclosures made me
suspicious. l could not believe in an
affection which gave no palpabc signs of
Its existence. hungered for the touch
Of his lips. for the pressure of his hand,
for anything which woul make believe
that his heart, il be had one, was mine.
Such tokens did not come, and at last,
after waiting until hope had died a nat.
ural death, the longing in my heart tur-
ned TO dislike If not to hate.
At this time my husbands youngest
brother returned from forOigD tour OF
sOvercl years duration, and made his
home with US. With his entrance came
also the devil, clothed like an angel Of
light, to whisper enticing words in my
too willing ear,
looked into this mans face, and
without either of intending to be more
than friend 10 the othor, that invisible
something that binds souls past sOpara
tion, flashed from his inner heart TO
minc, and our fato was revealed, We
were friends truly, iu that wo Sopt
intact the honor, tho outward honor Of
each, but we had better baen the most
cruel foes,
For weeks we were together, he know
ing we'll what was in my heart, and !
equally sure of his though not for lack
of opportunity, My husband seemed to
10 blind or Indifferent to us both. Ibid
not try TO SEQ where | was going, l
hardly cared. Ionly knew that some
thing like peace was broodiug over my
heart; and thut tho smiling Of Henry
Vernon's OyOs wus like the sweetness Of
heaven to my restless soul.
There arc quiet homes upon the vol
cuno's eide, you know, and what seems
like Grm footing upon the cratCr's brink
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

4, A rnmorLs Ma 1iomOnd stnrp hae hecn
= "'"O'D I'v,' 100 Wv"
so' auo"''n lNe eastern part o' 'N's s'a'e'
which is briefly as follows:
Near century ago, an old gentleman
in tbs lower part ofyrfinia picked up
q sLOno to throw at rabbit; the stone
glilietad ia tho sun. nul the old mon
concluded to take it home TO his child.
ren to play with. Shortly afterwards
the Ismily physician happened to sec the
atone, and offered six dollars for it, but
tho family would not sell. Subsequently
c trpsty friend about to visit Europe,
5 was given the stone. aud on his reach
ing London ha consulted an old lOpila.
y named Nox, who, after careful oxom-
inaton, declared that AN AInericn is
Tstable 10 boy that s,oneitSA Jew,
whom The rusty friend afterwards con,
suited, informed him not to como out
with tho stone again without guard, MS
he would be robbed we're it known he
had IL The friend returned home and
delivered up the precious gem. Some
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11
MY HUSBANDS DAUGHTER.
NJ /, yELOvA srocKwELl.


Just three weeks before Steele Vcrn'
on's daughter ard only child was mar
ned entered his home as his wife.
Every woman has her dreams, and
dare say mine had been as bright a0d
fair as any, but l was as glad to centre
them in the hear! Of my husband, us the
roses arc TO smile in the month of June
| meanLlo be a brave loving, loyal vile;
to make up in earnest enaeayor what |
lacked in years and experience, and L,
above all, not to be chilled by coldness,
or di'heortcned by first fai!uree,
, Our bridal tour was simply from the
South to The North, from my home TO
bis; and then cana the dreadful meeting
with his daughter.
was prepared for anything but the
greeting received, Onh never was moro
surprised N my jile' tb9n when che
came out Of the house and without
T0inng Tor n formal Introduction put
her nEms about my neck and welcomed
me home.
Il know you ezPoc! 40 enemy III me-
she whispered in my ear, but you ere
mistal ken am plsl IN SEQ VOil
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

demand for labor is uninterrupted, aud
the opening for enterprise are,iar more
numerous in branches Of manual indus.
try than 10 any other. Material wants
rouse tho world to activity. Labor
shows forth its true dignity when thoOghI
is united with it-whcn tho mind keeps
pace with the hand. When the farmer
ulilizes The principal Of chemistry, and
tho mechanic studies the lsws of.naIter
and motion, and hclh cultivate the per.
cepions of beauty and tasle, the best
specimens Of drawing mechanical pur'
suits cannot ba too highly priced.
ltis not tho quantity but the quality
Of knowledge that determine Ito value,
A man of great Information, ,githout
comprehensive iloos, may bp vQstlg n-
Terior in intellect TO the luborer WHO with
the energy ofO strong nature, has seized
on important truths. HC who, in cboos.
ing OF in changing an occupation, throws
out those that include manual toll eth.
or from desire 10 escape hardships, or
from mistaken hope OF thus dcvolopiog
his mental powers, he's made tho great
est error ofhis life. 70 fight ngainsl la.
Dor is to oppose tho condition Of oil out.
ward comforts and improvements, and to
resist the highest means of ministeriug
to tho vigOr and growth Of tho SOUL
Body and miHd both need vigorous OK
Crtion, and viii best succeed when work.
ing harmoniously.
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

A job printer in lide town among
the forests Of MOne, advohises us fol
lows: My new and highly polished
Excelsior press has printed, in tho las.
three months, hand bills of all colors.
sufficient, il pasted together. to form a
paper ribbon seven inches wide and of a
length 10 OnCirCIe tie whole globe
The whole amount Of paper used in my
office, on various presses, since it started.
would be sufficient to completely cover
the earth in an envelope ofpupor machc
three ghts Of an inch 10 thickness. =.
My Excelsior press will run off more
bills in five minutes thou any other four
presses 10 tie State will in an hour --
There are but two presses or,bat kind ia
the world-one is in my Office aud tie
other have slowed away in the cellar
The inventor is dead, so that no new one
can bo built.
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

A woman in very reduced circumstan-
ces was recently admitted TO the Pough.
kcCpsio Aims house, Shortly after a
male vsgrnnl was also tnkon in, who
manifested such an attachment, for The
woman that his affection was rnciprocated
and an elopement planned md carried
out. 1t now appears that the woman had
fallen heir o some $50 900, and that her
romantic suilor had learned OF it, procur.
ed a commitment to tho aims house and
won The prize.
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

CURrosTrY.--Tho Lexington OJsc,vsr
and Reporter says: "a day or two since
il occurred to several gentlemen that
they would, as matter of curiosity, 10
spoot the pocket of tho first boy they
came across, and SEQ what he bad 10 il.
We give only partial list OF the con-
tents, for. not knowing the nomes OF
many oftbe articles, the gentlemen found
it impossible TO take n full list Of Their.
A top, q walnut, knife handle, screw
several nails and tacks, n shoe string,
two hair pins, an old cravot, broken
gimIct, rag, valentine. come marked
posl'stomps, piece of glass, button,
three watch keys, q cork. a.IoL OF India
rubber, wooden pill box. q gum ball, a
piece of boiled egg, six peanuts, a pie
crust. type, lead pencil a slate pom
Gil, a sponge, n song book, turkey
bone, some chewing wax, fiIe, an iron
ring, Jews harp, FIVE marbles, and q
quantity Of shot and bullets
The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-03-11

A San Francisco letter gives an alarm,
ing account of tho rayagos Of email pox
throughout the State Itaays thestroets
ave 'yitIraegeais /. 3
digger has his hands fall. Despite sv-
ery'pTeoaution lhc,cohtSgion romans as
deadly as ever and though il con scarce
ly be said to be increasing, It's decline is
hardly peicophble. All the pest houses
are full, In soma cases vaccination
seems TO have entirely lost its power, and
men, women and children with vaccine
sears on their arms Os large as a twpnty.
shilling piece, have fallen victims to the
epedemic. Whole families have died,
but The plague spot Of the State thus far
has been tho town Of San Juan, in Mon.
teroy county, 100 miles from San Fran
cisco. Out of q population OF ono thous.
aud, four hundred were taken down with
email pox, aUd Of these four hundred per
sons, one hundred and sixty died.