davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Lord John Russell.

Anybody who ever saw Lord John
Russell might we'll believe he was des-
tined to reach the age Of Methuselah.
He is little, faced, Githered,
shrunken-up old chap, and in his big
baggy clothes reminds one of hazel
nut shriveled in It's shell. But he is as
full of life as an egg is of meat, and per-
haps one of the most remarkable proofs
of this vitality is the vigor with which
he habitually uses his nasal organ just
before rising to speak. After having
taken several reefs in an enormous ban.
dana handkerchief, he envelopes his
nose in It's folds, applies both hands,
and gives such an unapproachable blast,
accompanied by spasmodic movement
of the whole body, that it seems as if
his little frame would fly apart in all
directions, from the sheer violence of
the CONFUSION. When he sits down he
retires beneath the shadow of broad
brmmed hat, cocks his knees up against
the desk or table in front of him. bures
his head in his breast, and to all appear
ance becomes the very embodiment of
profound resignation.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
The Famine i'm Persia.

A correspondent of London paper,
writing from Shiraz, under date OF June
%, SAYS: 4" The famine in Persia may
now be said 10 have almost come to an
end, but the distress caused by it will
continue yet for long time. The
price of bread has fallen considerably,
but all the property of the poorer
classes, excepting only the most neces-
sary clothes, has long since been sold or
exchanged for bread, and it is but too
evident that starvation will be the fate
of great many more. On the road
from Bushire TO Shiraz, one can see, at
many places, half.interred bodies. At
caravansary, about thirty miles from
Shiraz, many people-it is stated 900
died in about week. Margoon, town
so miles from Shiraz, is half depopu-
lated. Many OF its inhabitants went to
Shiraz, Bushire, and other large towns,
and great numbers died. On all the
roads and highways crowds of beggars,
in the last stages of restitution, waylay
travellers. Sanguinary fights, often re-
sulting in loss of life, take place over
carcasses of mules, donkeys, or horses,
which died on he road, and robberies,
with violence, are very frequent. At
Yezd and Herman the famine ragged
more than anywhere else. In letter
dated from Yezd, in April last, it was
stated that corpses had been resorted to
for food, and eight authentic cases of
children having been killed and de.
voured by their parents were enumer-
ated. Since the Shah has heard of the
result of the late war he feels no more
confidence in his officers, and. in in.
structing his troops, he says Prussan
officer or none, and Prrissian officer
he will have. A Prussian Colonel is
being, or has been, engaged to instil
into the Persian soldiers the strategy OF
Marshal Moltke, and, perhaps, Bis
MARKHAM annexation"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
1t Didn't Hurt Him.

An Irishman suffering severely from
a toothache called upon distinguished
physician and witty dentist of his ma
tive land TO have the tooth extracted :
"Oh, dochter, darlin', I am suffering
terribly; can you see the pain ~ "Sit
down here" said the doctor, "and I'll
fix you all right in jiffy." "Dochter,
dear, will it hurt me much ~ "If it
don't" said the doctor, loosely, 81
won't charge you a cent" The poor
fellow opened his mouth, and in q
twinkling the doctor had hold of the
offending member, and gave such a
witch in drawing that his patient gave
a jump and a scream, as if he thought
his head was off. Did it hurt much p
asked the doctor, as the poor sufferer
was hobbling round, grooming loudly
and holding on to his head and jaws
with all his might. "Not bit, doch-
ter, not a bit" What ~ exclaimed
the astonished doctor ooh, not bit,
doctor, not Bit" The doctor con-
cluded that he was euchred out OF his
fee that time, sure.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Betting on RaindrODS.

The Calcutta merchants have adopted
novel plan for Willing away idle hours.
According to the Pioneer, betting on
drops of rain is just now the fashion in
Calcutta, where even respectable native
merchants bet very large sums about
the rainfall. When thu weather be.
comes cloudy wagers are laid as to the
time within which the downpour may
be expected. The wager being laid, the
crowd wait patiently to see the water
run out of the spouts, for drizzle is not
recognized, and unless the water drips
from the spouts the party who bets that
it will not rain has not lost. Sometimes
the utmost confusion prevails it rains
for few minutes and the crowd look
anxiously at the spouts if the water
does not drip the yell is terrific, losers
attribute it to foul play, and boys are
Immediately sent up to the top Of the
house to see whether the spout has been
tempered with.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Marriage Laws.

After repeated refusals to sanction
the laws passed in Australia to allow
marriage with wife's sister, the
British Colonial Office has finally
confirmed such an act. The Queen
always refusd her assent on the
ground that the proposition was
Numerically at variance with a funda-
mental principle of English law Five
times the Australian Parliament has
passed such law, and now it is con-
tirmed on the express ground that it
met with little opposition in either
House. and that there is a strong popu-
lar feeling in its favor This, says an
exchange, seems very light matter,
but it is the entering of wedge which
shall yet rive the fabric of English law
on this subject, and legalize practice
which is opposed only by the flimsiest
argument, or by a restriction purely
ecclesiastical. The law of England and
the Colony differ, and soon serious ques.
tons may arse as to the status of the
offspring Of these colonial marriages.
British decisions declare that British
subjects are absolutely incar able of
marrying within the prohibited degrees.
This is fatal to the claim of their chill
dren TO legitimacy, whatever may have
been the liberty allowed by the law in
the countries where such unions were
contracted. The English people and
the English Parliament are yet long
way from favorable marriages like those
allowed in Australia, and the Colonial
office will probably hear the roar of
theological thunder for this kangaroo
leap" But the end cannot be long or
remotely delayed. There will be too
many innocent third parties in few
years to admit of the continuance Of
the ostracism and branding which Eng.
lish law inficts upon them.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Went for Him.

A rough.looking specimen of human
ity was recently promenading up Chat
ham street, New York, when he came
plumply upon Jew, a specimen of his
race, about whom there is no mistake.
Without word Of warning, the
rough knocked him sprawling into the
gutter. Picking himself up, and tax.
ing his bleeding nose between his finger
and thumb, he demanded an explana-
ton.
"Shut up; III bust yer agin y shout
ed the aggresssor, approaching him
again.
II have never done noting NIT you,
and what for you mash me in the nose?''
asked Abraham.
eyes yer have; yer Jews crucified
Jesus Christ, and | have mind to GO
for you agin."
"But, mine Colt, dat wash eighteen
hundred years ago" said the Jew.
"Well, / don't care if it was; | only
heard of it last night" replied the un-
washed, and he went for him again.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
The Price Of Farming Lands i'm Kansas.

A number of Eastern papers have
been publishing statement about Kan
sas. which has called for the following
letter from Gov. Hawley
TOPEKA, Ks, Sept. 8, 1871.
To Alfred Gray, Esq, Secretary of the State
Agricultural Society
SIR-It having been extensively published
in Eastern papers that no good land can be
purchased in Kansas for less than $50 per
acre, take this occasion TO state the facts
within my knowledge, believing that justice
TO the State and to those seeking homes here
requires that the information be published
as widely as possible. There are millions of
acres of good land in Kansas to be had un-
der the provisions of the presumption and
homestead laws, and the Usage trust lands
are sold to actual settlers at Sl.25 per acre.
In portions of the State which have been
longer settled, good, unimproved land can
be purchased by any one for prices ranging
from So to $40 per acre. OF course, near the
larger towns prices range higher.
JAMES NJ. HAwLEY.
The potato bug throws up the sponge
in the presence Of a Pennsylvania fly
bearing the name of thyridopterix
ephemeriformis.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Change In the Gulf Stream.
From the New York Herald

The delicious fish, the pompenau,
which the gourmands of New Orleans
and the Gulf coast delight in and feast
upon, has appeared on our coast and in
our market. This is the first season,
we believe, this fish has been caught on
our coast, at least in such numbers as
to be marketable, common as it is along
the Gulf Of Mexico. The same remark
would have applied to Spanish mackerel
a few years ago. This last named fish
was stranger, like the pompenau, ex-
cept a stray one occasionally on the
shores of the Northern States, up to a
recent period, though abundant now.
The question is, what brings these fish
of the warm ATTITUDES so near to US |?
Intelligent old fishermen say it is the
unusual proximity Of the Gulf Stream
to our coast; and, to fortify their Opin-
ion, they call attention to the fact of
the peculiar Gulf Stream weather, with
southeasterly winds, which we have had
for some time past. Then, again, sea
captains who have sailed along the
southern coast for long time, remark
that the Gulf Stream is coming much
nearer the coast than formerly-that
in fact, it almost invades the land at
Cape Hatteras. Here is an exceedingly
interesting subject, and one that may
prove useful for both the weather
bureau and naturalists to investigate
The recent appearance of Spanish
mackerel and the coming now of the
pompeneau may promote scientific
knowledge Who will enter upon the
investigation of this piscatory immigra-
ton to our coast and the causes Of it.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Female SWindlers.

A new thieving dodge has come up.
1t is practiced on railroads, with con-
siderable success, by lady. She en-
ters car, and finding a gentleman
sitting alone, asks if the other seat is
occupied. The gentleman, of course,
motions her to be seated, when she po-
litely asks him if he won't allow her to
sit by the window. Of course, this re-
quest is also granted, and she becomes
seated. Presently she finds that there
is not air enough in the car, and
requests the gentleman to raise the
window. He at once rises to do So and
as he bends over her she picks his
pocket or removes his watch, which she
passes to male confederate in the
next seat behind her.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
COunterfeitS.

The notes of the New York city
banks, it is stated, are most generally
used by the counterfeiters, probably be-
cause they pass readily throughout the
country. The United States Treasury
notes, it is also said, have always been
favorites with the counterfeiters. The
designs of these notes are so intricate
that imitation is difficult, and is only
attempted by the most expert engrav-
ers. A good counterfeit of treasury
note, when once produced, will, it is
stated, circulate more freely than any
other description of notes. Most of
the issues of the Treasury notes have
been initiated, but the most prominent
counterfeit is the twenty dollar note of
the issue of March 10, 1862, the work
manship being admirable and the Ell.
craving and printing being in many
respects equal to the original. In
reference to the ten-dollar Treasury
notes, it is stated that counterteits of
two issues have been in circulation for
some time, and that recently a third
plate which is considered very danger
Gus, has been detected. This later plate
is said to be a fac smile of the genuine,
and experts, it is reported, have been
deceived by the impressions, which are
very perfect. There are also counter
feits of the fifty -dollar Treasury notes,
and of twenty-dollar notes of the issue
of March =, 1868. The above are the
most dangerous counterfeits in circula-
ton, but denominations of ones, twos,
fives and tens of the legal tender notes
have also been initiated, but the coun-
terfeits have been executed by inditfer-
ent engravers, and are readily detected.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Mr.. b. FREEMAN SCHERMERmoRN, aged

Mr.. B. FREEMAN SCHERMERmoRN, aged
seventy years, attended the evening
prayer meeting at the First Reformed
Church, Schenectady, on Friday last,
and made the closing. prayer of the
meeting. As soon as he had concluded
his prayer the congregation rose and
sang hymn. When the singing was
done and the people began to leave the
house some one noticed that Mr.. Scher-
merhorn did not rise from his seat.
Upon examination it was found that he
was in swooning condition, and suffer.
ing under a severe attack of some dis.
order. Several parties were at his side
in moment, but he was in dying con.
dition when first observed to be ailing.
and died before he could be removed
from the pew.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
4 Novel Dance.

They have singular kind of dance
on the greens of country villages in
Russia. The dancers stand apart-a
knot of young men here knot of
maidens there-each sex by itself, and
silent as crowd Of mutes. When the
piper breaks into tune a youth pulls
off his cap, and challenges girl with a
wave and bow. If the girl is willing
she waves her handkerchief in token of
assent; the youth advances, takes a
corner of the kerchief in his hand, and
leads his lassie round and round. No
word is spoken and no laugh is heard.
Stiff with cords and rich with braids,
the girl moves heavily by herself, going
round and round, and never allowing
her partner TO touch her hand. The
pipe goes ON droning for hours in the
same sad key and measure; and the
prize of merit in this circling," as the
dance is called, is given by spectators
to the lassie who, in all that summer
revelry, has never spoken and never
smiled
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Our Foreign Commerce.

Monthly report No. II OF the Bureau
Of Statistics, just sent to press, contains
the statistics of our foreign commerce
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1871,
compared with the corresponding period
of 1870. The following comparative
table shows the mixed value of the
principal domestic products exported
during these respective wears:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
-" POtatO.R Race" i'm New Hampshire.

A correspondent of the Boston i'd
vertiSer writes from East Wilton, y. h.,
that outdoor athletic exercises are the
fashion, and one of the novelties is the
potato.race, which is thus described:
A verv curious trial of speed and
strength it is. Three lines OF potatoes
were laid. Each line is of tifty-each a
yard from each other. Of course each
line is forty-nine yards long. AT the
end of each line is basket, by which
at the start a contestant stands. In
this case there are three competitors.
At the word "go." each or begins
where he chooses on his line to pick up
potatoes that he may bring them to the
basket. He must pick up but one on
each trip aud turn TO bring 1T back to
the basket. Your mathematical readers
will see that this involves seven thou
sand three hundred and fifty feet of
running, with such deductions as may
be made for an outstretched arm, when
one comes to his basket; and, with the
serious addition of two turns for
every potato, or one hundred turns
in all.
Three spirited contestants entered,
and one of them named "Thrasher,"
distinguished here as having won tub
race in the last sports, which were aqua
tic, performed the feat in little more
than nine minutes. The other two
were close behind him. IF you have
ever any occasion to try, let me tell you
that the scientific performance is to
take your long runs first when your
wind is good. When you want to re-
gain your breath, take your short runs,
which involve the delay of turning, but
are easier for breathing. You see how
good the time was for a distance of q
mile and half
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

BLAcKBERRIEs.-Do not allow the new
canes to grow over four or five feet high,
and pinch the laterals when foot or
eighteen inches long.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

DWARF TREEs.-Thin out all poor
fruit, and if the crop is too large, re.
move part of it. Control the shape of
the tree by pinching.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

Mr.. PosT-oFFIcE-MAN, | want to pay
the postage on this letter. "Single or
double, miss?" Double, SIR with a
courtesy 81 was married last week"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Sentence of the English Child Muir.
derpSS.
From the London Daily News, Aug. ID

From the London Daily News, Aug. 10.
Agnes Norman was yesterday sen
fenced to ten years penal servitude for
having attempted to strangle little
boy named Parfitt and so ends one of
the strangcst stories of crime which has
ever found their way into our criminal
records. 1t will be remembered that
this girl was accused of having MUIR
dered children in various houses in
which she had been maid servant; and
it was also stated that her mania for
killing extended itself to parrots, dogs,
and other animals. What is definitely
known is that certain young children
whom she had under her care died sud-
denly and without apparent cause and
that the mothers suspected her of hav-
ing smothered them while in bed.
The jury however, acquitted her on
all charges except one, not deemlng the
evidence sufficient in the others; and
she is now reaping the penalty Of hav-
ing attempted to murder a child who
was fortunately rescued. 1t is obvious,
however, that this girl presents one Of
those curious phenomena with which
our jurisprudence finds it so difficult to
deal. None of the ordinary motives Of
cupidity or revenge would seem to have
Influenced her, and one is naturally led
to ask how mania of this kind is to be
distinguished from that insanity which
relieves its victims from responsibility.
In other directions, it is true, Agnes
Norman would seem to be sane enough.
There is something horrible, however,
very horrible, in the notion of an APP
parently quiet and gentle girl going
about the house in the character of a
domestic, with her thoughts perpetually
turning on the possibility of killing
something, Will ten years penal servi-
tude cause the leopard to change its
30
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

THE Weatherford Texas. Times emu.
merates the reserve Indians as follows
Comanches, 4,741; Kiowas, 1896
Apaches, 300; Quanadoes, 1000; Cad
does, Asa; Wichitas, 299; Delawares,
II; Reaches, l26; Wacoes, l24 Towan.
GAMES, 227; Hawanies, IS. Total, 1858.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

THE habit of snuft-dipping is becom.
ing prevalent with the mill girls of
Providence.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

DOES il prove that liquor is conducive
to good health because most jolly drum
kards have good happy tights2
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22
Ready.Made Houses.

A Chicago builder, as we learn from
the illustrated price.list, offers for sale
twenty-nine different sizes and styles of
ready.made buildings. This list includes
three styles of stores, three of railway
stations, and two of churches, the prices
raging from Sl75 to $1,000 EACH The
$l75 dwelling consists of single room,
l0xl2 feet on the floor with walls eight
teeth high. 1t rests on 6x6inch pine stills,
and is foored with 2x6 flooring .joists
and 2x4 pine studding rafters and cell
ing joists. The outside walls are covered
with one-inch surfaced pine, the joints
being protected by perpendicular mold.
ed battens. The inside walls and ceiling
are covered with half-inch boards,
dressed, with tongue and groove. The
floor is of inch pine, dressed and
matched. The roof may be of shingles
or double flooring. The chimney is a ce-
ment pipe, made in sections, and Joined
together, and resting upon a bracket
near the ceiling. There are two doors
and two doortrames, and two windows
and windowfram Sufficient hardware
is furnished to complete the house. The
larger and more expensive buildings are
of a similar description, varying as to
details according to their size and pur-
pose. No plastering and no bricks and
mortar are used except when specially
ordered. The buildings are shipped by
railroads, making from half car load
to five full car loads, and an immense
number of them have been erected on
the prairies where timber is scarce and
mechanics not to be had.-Hearh and
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

A CLIENT remarked to his solicitor,
You are writing my bill on very rough
paper, sir" "Never mind" was the
reply of the latter, " 1t has to be filed
before it comes into court.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

SECOND CROP STRAwBERRIEs.-A cult
vator of strawberries near Hanover,
Anne Arundel county, Md, has recent
ly been sending to his friends fresh and
luscious strawberries just gathered from
the vines, having within the last two
weeks picked thirty-two quarts. As
soon as the spring crop was gathered the
ground was again worked over and cul-
tivated, and with favorable showers this
second crop of Agriculturst" straw.
berries was raised. It's believed by this
cultivator that with irrigation a regular
and paying second crop of strawberries
can be raised every year in Maryland.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-22

WHEN person declares that his
brain is on fire, it is etiquette to blow it
out?
The New York herald., 1871-01-20

schr Delydere, Pendleton, Belfast for Baltimore
lumber 10 Simpson Clapp.
schr Craig Maxwell Portland for WashingtOp, DO.
Schr Rela pishops Rockend for Norfolk.
schr Rtehard Buwnkls, French RocklAnd for New York
sctr israel Snow, Peace, nocklAnd for New YORK.
Ecbr Geo kimbali Jr Hall, Roekiand FOR New York
with sinn ns ns;s,s - ro:es 9Reoa fo New York.
sseSSr seSr Ss1::,G Ss1ssr: GE.Es, . Bs:tsH y Hs% FORK.
sSnr en hs,l, Powell providence for Baitimors
schr AN ,....n, Stewart, New Haxen for Virginia.;
s. xsn Jameson, Candnge, New Haven for New York.
sssEss 7 kipE, swift New Haven for New York
scSr George TAssnst0R SsE fQr Esw York
schr Thos Jefferson Fox, Cold Sprdg for New York
sehr White Rock Huoboll, Southport lor New York;
BOUND IAsr. '%tt... ~. - -
stsamsspp NNessapeak sohnson New r Portland.
spo SshrF Iio. Bcarse. New York for Boston
sehr assnsl.s Burnett. Virginia for Boston;
So yrafes Atwood, Burrows, Virginia tor Boston
esdf Barsie Pierce, Howse, Virginia for Boston.
sctr = w Alton, Doane, Maryland for Boston.
Schr Mansfield. Achorp, Hoboken for Boston.
schr Panthea, HILL Hoboken Tor New Haven