davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11
The Growing Democracy in the House.

WASHINGTON, March 81, 1871.

WASHINGTON, March 81, 1871.
The first thing to strike a new conner
in Washington this spring, supposing
him to be not unfamiliar with affairs in
the political city during the last ten years,
is the increase in power and dignity, in
numbers and self-respect, OF the repre-.
sentatives of the Democratic party 1t
is, of course, in the house that this is
especially manifest. In the senate the
Democrats have gained in ability but
ability is not manifest at first glance land
in the house their gain in number is ap
parent at once upon the most careless
survey OF the chamber. "The Demo.
cratic side" used to mean a little harrow
segment on the speakers right now the
dividing line has swung away over to the
central aisle, and only few Republicans
are to be found inside of it, One realizes
that there is an opposition party in the
country, when sees Mr. James Brooks
about the middle Of the hall and hun
dred men following his lead and support
ing the valiant bjeyAons Of Mr., Eldridge
in his old neghborhood Such condi.
ton Of things makes the party formidable
in many ways, and especially formidable
in its own estimation. 1t bears itself
grandly. Where it was spiteful it is now
sturdy. Every member of its symmetri-
cal phalanx seems to say, in his bearing
If mot in his words, "Stand out Of the
wayne are coming 1t has gained in
courtesy, too, with the Improvement in
its fortunes, or rather it has exchanged
the old snarling style which has marked
the Democracy in the house since its
southern allies left their seats for loftier
and more graceful insolence When Mr.
Nblack shouted across the chamber, the
other day, his protest against Gen. But
ler's speaking of "his friends on the
other side, F" that they acknowledged no
such friendship, the interruption was
brutal enough, but it came with more i'm.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

l. %. OF o. F.-Crawford Lodge No.
6, Of the Independent Order of Odd Eel
lows, which has been suspended ever
since the war, has agained resumed work
The following officers were elected FOX
the present term: II. PERNoT, N. G. !;
NJ. JACKSON, V. G.; w. b. MOONEY,
Treasurer; VIM BowLIN, Secretary. All
Odd-Fellows in good standing are invit-
ed to meet with them. Lodge Room over
the Store of Geo, Austin, opposite the
Court House.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

e.5- We had the pleasure. Saturday, Of a
call from Capt. W. II. BARRY, Editor and pro-
prietor Of the Dardanelle ChroHicie. 1t is
always gratifying for Us to meet our edito-
rial friends from abroad-more particularly
so, those that have at heart the best intere sts
of the people of the State. Captain Barry
speaks encouragingly of the prospect of sue
cess in his newspaper enterprise, and we trust
that it will more than realize his greatest ex-
pectations.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

Low PosTAoE TO GERMANY The post.
al department at Washington has made
an arrangement with the government of
the German Empire, according to which
postage for single letter to Germany
is reduced to six cents, in case the letter
is mailed via Stettn, Prussia A new
line Of steamers between New York and
that city has been established. and the
first passage by the new line will be made
In short time. -. 81. Louis Rspubiicen.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

r. Rumor from Washington has it,
that the head Of our esteemed friend DR..
J. e. BENNETT, Postmaster At Fort Smith,
will next fall into the basket of defunct
otics holders. Such is life. We are not
Apprissd Of the lucky man.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11
The Late Census.

The United States Marshal for the Eastern
District of Arkansas, General Catterson. has
compiled his returns and forwarded them to
Washington. Since it will be some time be-
fore complete returns will be published, We
reproduce the result of his labors showing
the population Of the State, for the informa-
tiop nf .Nnr r.a1are.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

~ We regret to notice that the name
Of the Hon. john EDWARDS does not ap-
pear among the nays, on the vote in
the House Of Representatives, on the
passage Of Ku-klux bill. The yeas not
being given, we are in fog whether he
voted at all or not.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

cT From the Little Rock papers Of
the Sth, we are pleased to learn that the
old House Of Adams, Cockburn & Pic
ton, which had suspended quite recently,
has resumed again.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

E9 Among the names of the gentle
men, whom the Legislature have removed
the disabilities of, not one appears from
this County or from this section Of the
State.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11
BRINDLE-TAIL POLITICS.

There is quite commotion among the
Arkansas politicians here at the Presi-
dents recognition of what is known as
the brindlctail wing Of the party in that
State which is opposed to Senator Clay.
ton. The President yesterday appointed
ex-Congressman Roots United States
marshal Of Arkansas against Clsyton's
recommendations.
This appointment is understood as
made for this District, TO take the place
of Capt w. A. BRIrToN, the present
Marshal.
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11

New U. S. MARsuAL.-The Washing.
ton correspondent of the St. Louis Re
publican, writing under date Of the 3lst
ult., says:
The Van Buren press., 1871-04-11
REMOVED.

The Office Of the VAN BUREN PREss has
been removed to rooms OVER THE
POST OFFICE.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19

suls have got weak minded before now
in the vain attempt to understand it,
and Henry Clay's son, who was Minis
ter there for a good while, was threat
ened with softening of the brain, and
had to come home. / doubt If they un-
derstand it themselves.
Just now Lima is full of excitement
Some State official, far in advance of his
colleagues, has just heard of the great
expositions of industry held abroad at
various times, and has actually stirred
up the Government to undertake simi-
lar exhibition for the products of Peru
I suppose it will comprise specimens oi
guano. silver ore, few grass hats, and
some feeces of mountain sheep. The
skeleton of Pizaaro will probably be ex-
hibited under the head of works of art
and a special earthquake or two may be
gotten up to crafty visitors. All this
is advertised to take place next Decem-
Der, and, unless revolution or two takes
place in the mean time and upsets the
arrangement, 1 have no doubt it will
come off. The Peruvians will come and
look at the new plows, and then care
fully avoid any such improvements in
the future.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
Cheap Clothing In London.

Mr.. Morris Phillips write to the Home
Journal:
Many American ladies go to Europe
with the main idea of replenishing their
wardrobe, and in this they are sensible,
for almost everything that a lady desires
to wear, or gentleman, for that matter,
can be bought at half price or less, on
the other side. The soft and rich-look-
ing sealskin basques, for instance, that
will be all the rage in this country dur
ing the coming winter, and which in
New York cost $l00 or more, can be
bought in fashionable London shops for
about $40. Black and fancy silks in
London are little more than half the
New York rate, and so with dressmak-
ers' charges. Gentlemen's finest kid
gloves are sold for 81 superior quail
ity of silk hat from the most stylish
maker, costs but a sovereign, and winter
trousers are made by "swell tailor
for 22s. $3.50 the same Us a Broadway
house would turn out for $l5; and SC
with other articles of male and female
attire. Paris merchants feel the effects
of the past war and present taxes, and
every commodity is high there. People
if we'll advised, will make their pur.
chases in London, Berlin, or Vienna
There has been no war in England
and labor there is poorly remunerated
So far as style is concerned, none is dis.
played in England, but if lady carries
along her own patterns, she may have 6
chance of getting made something thai
will be fit to wear. For fashion, style
and good taste In ornamentation, one
must, after all, go to Paris.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
Sketches in Peru.

A lively correspondent of the SPRING
field Republican writes from Lima:
If there is any one thing dearer than
another to a Lima woman, it is fine
assortment of diamonds. have seen
many an old woman, of partly negro
blood, and as ugly as sin, with only one
garment and an old blanket for dress,
who had the blanket fastened with a
diamond pin which even Boss Tweed
might not disdain. The sole ambition
of pretty woman is to outshine her
neighbor's diamonds. Poverty, hunger,
old clothes, and all the other ills of life,
are nothing, if they can be offset by fine
diamonds. The luxury of silks and vel
vets is well appreciated, too, by the
wealthier class, but poor indeed is the
man, and below caste indeed the family,
who have no diamonds, 40 matter what
treasures of real estate or fiocks and
herds they have.
Goats flesh Ito change the subject),
forms considerable staple with the Pc
ruvian butchers. Roasted it can hardly
be distinguished from mutton, but is
somewhat cheaper, being, although SO
like it in taste, a very tritie coarser.
Owing to this difference in price, small
patches of fleece are left in the meat OF
the sheep when killed, and when Your
hindquarter of lambj comes here, you
can verify the fact that you are not pay
ing lamb price for kid meat, by bit OF
the innocent's original fleece. Some un-
principled butchers are said to glue bits
of fleece on kids flesh to deceive their
patrons, but can hardly think that OF
them, though they do sometimes put
meat on the market which never came
to a violent death.
As to politics, defy any other than q
native Peruvian to make anything oi
them. We can get pretty good idea oi
their foreign relations, because those are
tolerably public, but the inside work
who goes in and who goes out, and why
they go, and why every little while there
is q fierce confusion, brawl, an extend.
ed fight and finally upset and an over
throw, retreat of insurgents or au.
thorities to the mountains, a general al
teration of the coin, new levy of sol
diers, and considerable osnnonadine
from the fort in the roadstead, is pas
| the comprehension of an outsider. Con
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
Remnants-By Josh Billings.

Customs are like grease-they make
ennything slip easy.
Thare IL sum things that kant be
counterftted-a blush is one ov them.
Goodness il jist az mutch ov study
az mathumaticks is.
If a man expeckts tew be very virte-
wous he musn't mix too mutch with the
world nor too mutch with himself nei-
ther.
The people who acktually deserve tew
live their lives over agin are the very
ones who don't want to do it.
The richest man ov all IL he who has
got but little, but haz got all he wants
Natur makes all the noblemen-
wealth, edukashun, nor pedigree never
made one yet.
When q man duz me favour alwus
| try tew remember it, and when he du7
me an injury [ Alwas try tew forget it
if don't, ought to.
If man il honest he may not alwus
be in the right, but he kan never be in
wrong.
Crate takers are generally CRATE liars
for them who talk 80 mutch must soonel
or later run out ov the truth, and tel
what they don't kno.
I don't bet thare il emmy sich thing al
a perfektly good man, or perfektly
bad man.
1 kno ov emmy quantity ov peopl,
whose virtews are at the mercy ov othel
folks, who are good simply for the repu
tashun ov it, who hav'nt got emmy NOR
real appetite tew their conscience thai
a klam haz.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
Thomas Jefferson.

From an article on Jefferson in Har-
per's for August, we take 4" Recollections
by Three of his Granddaughters:"
Jefferson loved farming and garden
ing, the fields, the orchards, and his
asparagus beds. Of flowers, too, he was
very fond. remember the planting of
the first hyaoinths and tulips. The
precious roots were committed to the
earth under his own eye, with crowd
of happy young faces of his grand child
rem clustering around to see the process,
and inquire anxiously the name of each
separate deposit In the morning, i'm
mediately after breakfast, he used to
visit his hower-beds and gardens. In
the summer, as the day grew warmer,
he retired to his own apartments, where
he remained until about one o'clock.
My mother would sometimes send me on
message to him. A gentle knock, a
call, "Come in," and / would enter,
with mixed feeling of love and rever-
ence, and some pride in being the bearer
Of communication to one whom l ap-
preached with all the affection of a
child and something of the loyalty OF a
subject.
My grandfather's manners to us, his
grandchildren, were delightful; can
characterize them by no other word
He talked with us freely, affectionately
never lost an opportunity of giving q
pleasure or a good lesson. He reproved
without wounding us, and cominended
without making Us vain. He tool
pains to correct our errors, and false
ideas, checked the bold, encouraged the
timid, and tried to teach us to reason
soundly and feel rightly. Our smallest
follies he treated with good-humored
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
French Railway Travelling.

We might copy with advantage many
of the customs in vogue on French rail
ways, especially that one in regard to
meals. Instead of the hurried exit from
the cars, to grab and swallow half mas
ticated lot of indigestible food, and
finish the hasty bite in the cars, we
might initiate the French plan with
much advantage to our comfort as well
as health. Just before the usual time
for meals, an agent goes through the
cars, takes your orders, telegraphs them
ahead, and on reaching the station,
what you have asked for is handed in, to
be consumed at your leisure on the
journey; or, descending into the refresh
ment-rooms, you find small baskets upon
the "buffet," containing, with such re-
freshments as are most called for, knife
and fork, napkin, plate and glass. On
each basket is label stating the c1n-
tents and price. The passenger buys
the basket, takes it into his carriage
dimes or lunches at his leisure, and al
the next station at which the train stops
hands back the basket, ETC., to waiter
and receives for it fixed price, which
is also set down on the label. This sys
tenn has just been begun in England or
the Midland express. The correspond.
ent of a London paper on a recent jour.
nry says that at one of the stopping.
places he obtained neat basket, con.
tanning half fowl, salad, bread, butter
cheese, pint of stout Tor claret-optionsl,
napkin, plate, knife, and fork, and cork
screw-all compactly arranged, the eat.
ables excellent. No deposit was asked
merely a civil request to hand the bss
ket out at the next station; 80, instead
of rushing frantically about and insane
ly swallowing the traditional sandwich
he quietly spread an impromptu table
and lunched as comfortably as could b.
desired. Which of our railroads will b.
the first to introduce this sensible Gus
tom?
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
POTTLETOP'S PIPE.

"That is a pipe, Sarah" said Mr.. Pot
tletop, severely. "It is my opinion that
no human being on the face of this ex-
tensive globe but yourself would require
the assurance that that is a pipe. 1t
certainly looks like pipe, it unques,
tionably smells like pipe. and it un-
doubtedly as pipe"
"But, sir, begging your parding,
didn't know as misses would allow you
to have a pipe" said Sarah, taking up
her brush.
"She does, Sarah in fact, it was she
herself who gave it me yesterday as
birthday present. Before we were mar
ried, I was q great smoker; but immed-
lately after that happy event Mrs. P.
cut off my tobacco absolutely. Yester-
day my privileges were again restored"
"Had she any objeck in it, sir?"
"Object! What do you mean by OBJ
ject ? I insist upon an instantaneous
elucidation of that suspicious remark y
Mr.. Pottletop replaced his meerschaum
on the mantlepiece, folded his arms, and
assumed most indignant expression OF
countenance.
"Nothink, sir. Only ladies do some
times have objecks with their husbands,
returned Sarah, innoceutly. "Are you
sure misses didn't ask any favor or prom
Use of you, sir?"
Mr.. Pottletop gasped, and turned pale.
Recovering himself Immediately, how
ever, he rejoined, in faint voice:
Nothing at all, Sarah. You may go
about your business, Sarah"
She moved to the door.
"Stop a minute, Sarah; want to ask
you a question. What does your mis-
tress chiefly do while am downtown I"
"Well, sir" answered the housemaid,
"misses is always in her room by her
self, and l never sees her, SIR" With
which she went out.
Mr.. Pottletop dropped into chair,
and put his hand to his head.
81 see it all False Sophronista, you
have deceived mep he exclaimed.
"Your restoration of my privileges was
delusion, your pipe was a snare
Tobacco yes. You allow me plenty of
it-cigars and cheroots, too-and even
try to throw snuff in my eyes But it
won't dol No, madame! When I, con-
fiding and deluded victim, yesterday
gave you my promise not to come to din
ner any day before two, little did 1
dream there was anything at the bottom
of it! l took your pipe and lit it, and
smoked it in peace to-day, I find I was
only putting out my own pipe of hap
piness for ever! However. l shall see.
/ shall place myself on the watch, and
discover all. Beware of me, deceitful
female! The lamb has become lion,
and will have his vengeance%
Mr.. Pottletop started up, clapped on
his hat, and made his way to the street
Was he going downtown? Not bit
of it. Mr.. Pottletop merely walked to
the corner, slipped around it, stole to
his back gate, sneaked into his garden
and hid himself behind the gooseberry-
bush. Here he remained, horribly
cramped, a quarter of an hour. But
his patience was rewarded. Glancine
upward, he beheld a pair of long legs
dangling over his roof, endeavoring to
clasp the rain-spoutl Next the body
and head of a man appeared, who lei
himself down, and entered at the win
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
MY BIRTHDAY.
By JOHN G. WHITTIER.


Beneath the moonlight and the snow
Lies dead my latest year;
The winter winds are wailing low
Its dlrges in my ear
grieve not with the moaning wind
AS If 3 loss befel
Before me, even as behind,
God is, and all is WE'LL
His light shines on me from above,
His low voice speaks within
The patience of immortal love
Outwearlng mortal sin.
Not mindless of the growing years
OF care and loss and pain,
Ny eyes are wet with thankful tears
For blessings which remain.
If dim the gold of life has grown,
/ will not count 1t dross,
Nor turn from treasures still my own
To sigh for lack and loss.
The years no charm from Nature take;
AS ssweet her voices call,
AS beautiful her mornings break,
As fair her evenings fall.
Love watches DER my quiet ways,
Kind voices speak my name,
And lips that find it hard to praise
Are slow, at least, to blame.
How softly ebb the tides of will
How fields, once lost or won,
Now lie behind me green and still
Beneath level sun!
How hushed the kiss of party hate,
The clamor of the throng!
How old, harsh voices of debate
Flow into rythmic song!
Methinks the spirits temper grows
Too soft in this still air,
Somewhat the restful heart foregoes
Ofneeded watch and prayer.
The bark by tempest vainly tossed
May founder in the calm,
And he who braved the polar frost
Faint by the isles of balm.
Better than selfindulgent years
The outflung heart of youth,
piSooohe cOhSo III auiN S%AS
The tumult of the truth.
Rest for the weary hands is good,
And love for hearts that pine,
But let the manly habitude
upright souls be mine.
Let winds that blow from heaven afresh
Dear Lord, the languid air;
And let the weakness of the flesh
Thy strength of spirit share.
And, if the eye must fail of light,
The ear forget to hear,
Make clearer still the spirits sight,
More fine the inward ear.
Be near me in mine hours of need
To soothe, or cheer, or warn,
And down these slopes of sunset lead
AS up the hills of morn!
Atlantic Monthl!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-27
THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTENTION

EIGHTH DAY-THE REDUCTION OF MORTALITY
RATES.
The National Insurance Convention held its
eighth days session in Underwriters Hall yesterday,
considerable being manifested on the question OF
reducing the mortality rates Of Insurance companies
An agent Of the Home Insurance Company ofEewHaven
requested the opinion of the Convention as to whether
the unearned premiums existing policies should be
allowed full for une1pired periods pro rata, or be com
pucd for short rates Referred to the Committee on
InsOlvent Companies.
Mr. Caldwell of Indiana addressed the Convention on
the subject of the Reduction OF the Mortality Tables Of
Life Insurance Companies" He thought that six per
cent was the lowest that should under crcu-
stances taken the basis for calculating net pre-
mums and the net value OF life insurance policies. Inc
cent, and II money was not worth that amount then
surely could be Torh nothing There more D danses
now at lew-water mark. H. A. Newcomo Of Nebraska
that might be incurred.
Mr.. Pllsbry of New-Hampshire said that the Lie In
surance business was growing rapidly In importance
and bid fair in tho utnret have the handling Of more
being inevitable there much need Of most judclOus
management on the part OF It's officers The American
Convention subjected the Cevere tests
by the Of England and has been decided upon
per cent standard about good any that could
be adopted, and should the Convention agree upon It,
the matter would be settled for the coming Is years
President Miller sad that 1t gave him much pleasure
to hear able remarks OF the gentlemen who
of their reduction himself but had made up his mind
that per cent would be the safest rate and should the
Convention agree with him. the matter would be decided
for least ten years to come Gen Smith read
from the report after which vote taken
place of the per cent rate resulting follows Ayes
g. Nays TO- After the vote had been cast general and
port and was zeaousy participated In by Mcssrs Smith,
Miller, Harvey, Caldwell, and others.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-27
u1sFoRrUNEs OF A COLORADO MINER

John Livingston Vernon, Eirginian, mas
been mining In Breckenridge, Summit County CoiorSoS
for two years. in company with Alexander Dickson ana
John ". Russell, also Virginians lie owned "U'niiN
., the mine. few weeks ago the mine sold and
the former owners to Baltimore, where they ook
rooms at the Rlyes House. Vernon says that hs hAa
aoo worth of gold and the others $50 worth Vernon
he was 10 como 20 the Asor HOUSE In
ifv che others promsng him aud bring the gold
dst with them Vernon arrived Oct 40 and has thus
far heard nothing Of his frends or his gold although
for their apprehension, and description Of the alleged
thieves has been sent 70 the police OF all the principal
cities of the UnlOn
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-27
INCREASED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE DOCK
DEPARTMENT.

The Dock Commissioners gave permission
to the Union Ferry Company, yesterday, to cut OF
feet nom the end Of Pier o. E. r. to give suincien'
room for the ferry boats The Knckeroocker Ice ooH-
pany was directed to repair pier at the loot Oh
enths, T. r Repairs were also ordered on Piers =.
onS r The Auditing Committee reported mat ~
had audited 81 bills amounting TO 5000 a. tne prn
ran stone a. M s for granite ls6 so for work upon
ostng derrick Ss lSs So There were other ois; an;
d that the unpaid bills Of the Department were thus
hn IN amount TO alsSi S. The report Of the Audi
in Committee laid upon the table unI the DeRAkS
ment should have funds