davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
NUMBER 20.
The Secret of Bret Harte.
re. p, Whipple in the independently

re. P. Whipple in the independently
Bret Harte is thoroughly educated
man, sympathizing with the finest re-
suits of thought and culture, and gift
ed with a delicacy and depth of feel
ing which even Tennyson would not
disown. His best interpretations are
undoubtedly subtle interpretations of
the :" roushs;n but he does his work
all the more powerfully because he is
individually raised above the coarse
creatures whose subteIanean virtue
he detects and depicts. The repul-
sive outside does not conceal from his
sharp eye the presence OF some OF the
noblest qualities of human nature.
Still, he ever looks down on what he
represents. III none of his stories
does he place himself on a moral or
intellectual level with his subjects.
The sentiment of humanity is all that
connects him with his yiyidly con
ceiyed and boldly drawn characters.
The characteristic poems and stories
of Bret Harte bear us III the theory
of his genius and popularity. He has
great sharpness of merely external
observation he has also great depth
of moral insight. Personally fasti
dious in the matter of taste, he has an
eye wide open to the merits of the
people who shock all his notions of
taste. Heinterprets rudepopulationss
which he at the same time condemns.
In short, he is a poet and humol1st,
wildly producing new and fresh forms
of human character, but careful to
throw them into just relations with
their betters. He shows that the
blockguards are not so bad as they
appear but in thus vindicating hui
man nature in the person OF its worst
representatives, he indicates a faith
in humanity which austere moralists
have too often overlooked. Bret
Harte comes forward as the interpret
er of the " roughs,' only on grounds
which will eventually extinguish ruiz
fanism. He touches that vital virtue
in their inmost souls which will in the
end regenerate their coarse natures.
He may be tolerant of their besetting
sins. but his liberation is OF that sort
which tends to lift rather than to JUS
| tify them. In short, he is thoroughly
/ Christian in the sentiment which di-
rects equally his humorand his pathop,
though he is artistically careful to
conceal his end III his means, to teach
morality while seeming to dispense
with it. The real danger to literature
| i'm Bret Harte's success will spring
from his imitators. His subjects are
in themselves vulgar; he redeems
their vulgarity by his genius.
Tempted by his popularity, scores OF
clever writers will rush to the gold
mine he has discovered and try to ap-
propriate its treasures They must
fail, for they viii simply further vul-
garize the vulgarity which Bret Harte
has succeeded i'll ideaizing. Th"
real literature of ruffianism begins,
and we trust, will end in Bret Harte.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
"Reminiscences of Fisk.

1t is now in order to recount anec-
dotes of the early life of the late James
Fisk, Jr., and the Chicago Post pro-
ceeds to relate the following reminis-
cence of the princes sunny hours of
boyhood
When Fisk was about ten years of
age he kept small market stall at
Bennington, Vermont. One day the
eminent steamboatman, Daniel Drew,
came to the market with his basket on
his arm. He asked Young Fisk if his
eggs were fresh. :" You bet" replied
the ingenious boy, "pop pulled them
off the vines this morning." Give
me dozen, sonny replied Mr.. Drew.
The next stall was kept by little
Eliphalet Buckram. Is this pump
kin good, my son 7" asked the vener-
able stock broker. g It is a good
enough Morgan" answered the truth
full child, "but, sir, if you will ex-
anime that portion concealed from
your scrutinizing view, by contract
with the boards forming the counter
of the stall, you will see that there is
bad spot in it, Does not that
seem unbusinesslike, my child, to cry
down your own wares ?" asked the
kind -hearted millionaire. "My sainted
mother said | must never tell lie
with my little hatehet," replied Eli
phalet Buckram. The rich man was
moved to tears; he took out his purse
and gave Eliphalet Bucllram a pat on
the head and said he was good boy.
When he had gone, Eliphalet Buck
ram said to little james, go James,
what made you tell such fib ? You
know those eggs were laid three weeks
ago. You will see that | have gained
customer and you have lost one"
Well, when Eliphalet went home his
stepmother came to the door and said :
8. Here you are, you lazy little sneak,
and YOU havn't sold that pumpkin
yet I'll pumpkin you !" And she took
him in her stepmotherly arms and
famed him with an OK goad until he
said that he would prefer taking his
meals off the mantel piece for. the next
few consecutive days to sitting down
with the rest Of the family and next
day Daniel Drew came into the market
ga rearin' and IL tearin," as old III
habitants say, and said: g Where is
the boy that sold me those eggs, eh =
and jim Fisk pointed to EliPhalet and
said: ''There he is, sir,n and Daniel
Drew reinforced that boys step
mothers OK goad with his cane so eff
fectualiy that-but never mind. Sc
Daniel Drew bought all his garden
sass of jim Fisk. In after life Eli
phalet Buckram set up Il grocery store,
and gave trust to all the poor people
and never sanded his sugar, and
wouldn't qualify his rum with water
SO lie burst up, and the sheriff sole
him out and he went to the poorhouse
But Dariel Drew kept his eye on jim
Fisk, and by-and-by he gave him
partnership in the Erie firm, and jim
beat him out of S4.000,000. This il
not a story for good little boys. W.
fear it is too near the truth.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
Lost i'm a Forest.

lFrom New Philadelphia fOhio) Advocated
One week ago last Wedneday morn
ing the mercury stood at zero, and
although it moderated some, wind
sprung up, and the air was filed with
snow flakes making it very cold. A
German citizen, named Hooprich,
started to the woods to cut a pole to
prepare for butchering. His little
boy, four years old, saw the direction
he took, and after he had gone some
time, slipped out at the gate and fol-
lowed. The father returned at noon,
not having seen the child. He was
missed, but supposed to be at some
neighbor's house, and was not hunted
until towards night. He could not
be found, and the town was aroused,
and squads set out in all directions,
but to no purpose. Next morning
the search was renewed. just before
noon the little fellow was found by
Fred. Moffat, who was out gaming.
His dog discovered him, and attract
ed his attention by barking. The
little fellow had wandered about a
mile and Il half from town, and had
laid, exhausted, on a pile of saw
dust in clearing, not two hundred
wards from the house of Josiah Chase,
on the Sprangler farm. He was lying
OH his face, with his knees under him,
with his left hand under his body,
and the right one on the back of his
head. He was without mittens and
only dressed in his common clothes.
When found, he was entirely uncon-
scious, with the blood oozing from his
mouth and nose. and no pulse pereep-
tible except at the temple. He had
been out in the cold for over twenty
four hours and had he not been very
feshy and full of animal life, he
would have perished. He remained
unconscious for tweenty-fOur hours,
but is rapidly recovering. He may
loose the first joints ofhis fingers on
| his right hand, but will not otherwise
show the effects of his severe freezing
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
A NabOb's Visit to New York.

AS told by Mark Twain in his
new book entitled Roughing It,"
now in press. 1t is a sample of the
good things contained therein.
In Nevada there used to be current
the story and adventure of two of her
nabobs, which may or may not have
occurred. | give it for what it Is
worth.
Colonel Jim had seen somewhat of
the world, and knew more or less OF
its ways; but Colonel Jack was from
the back settlements of the States,
had led life of,arduous toll, and had
never seen Il city.
These two, blessed with sudden
wealth, projected a visit to New York
Colonel Jack to see the sights, and
Colonel Jim to guard his unsophisti-
cation from misfortune. They reach
ed San Francisco i'll the night and
sailed in the morning. Arrived in
New York, Colonel Jack said:
Tye heard tell of carriages all my
life, and now | mean to have a ride in
one | don't care what it costs. Come
along.
They stepped on the sidewalk, and
Colonel Jim called a stylish barouche.
But Colonel Jack said
No, sir! None of your Cheap-John
turn-outs for me. am here to have
good time, and money amt no OBJ
ject. l mean to have the nobbiest rig
that's going. Now, here comes the
very trick. Stop that WALLER one with
the pictures on it-dor't you fret-EI
stand all the expense myself.
So Colonel Jim stopped the empty
omnibus and they got in. Said
Colonel Jack:
Amt it gay, though 7 Oh no,
reckon not. Cushions, and windows
and pictures till you can't rest. What
would the boys say if they could see
us cutting swell like this in New
York 7 BY George, ! wish they coult
see us.
Then he put his head ont of the
window and shouted to the driver:
Say, Johnny, this suits me-suit
yours, truly, yon bet you! wan
this shebang all day. I'm on it, OLE
man Let 'em out Make 'em go
We1l make it all right to you
sonny.
The driver passed his hand through
the strap hole and tapped for his far
it was before the gongs came int
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
The Arkansas Tragedy.

One week from yesterday terrible
tragedy was enacted in this city, by
which an er1ing woman was hurried
into eternity in the space OF five short
minutes, man in the full flush of
young life was prostrated by ball
from deadly weapon, and the prime
motor attempted to take his own life.
Our readers have had daily bulletins
in regard to the condition OF the would
be-suicide, and the second victim of
his frenzy. T1lis one, A. d. Lathrop,
has received eminent medical atten-
dance and care, and it was thought
by his friends that he would eventual
ly get well. The ball which penetra-
ted his bowels, lodged near the spinal
column, and was extracted on the 9th
of this month, three days after the at
fair. Yesterday morning at | o'clock,
Lathrop, who had one or two conges-
tive chills, was observed by Captain
Green, who was watching by his bed
side, TO bound in the bed and turn
over on his left side. The Captain
called assistance from the next room,
but an investigation disclosed the fact
that he was dead. The Coroner's jury
returned verdict that A. d. Lathrop
had come to his death at l o'clock,
Jan. 8, 1872, by It ball from pistol in
the hands of Thomas Newcombe, OF
the morning of Jan. ?, 1872. Lathrop':
remains will be taken by his father tt
Hudson, New York, to-day. He was
about 25years old.-Litle Rock Repub
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27
Highway Robbery.
rom Che Toledo fO.l Commercial. I

From the Toledo tO.I COnllnefelal1
An old gentleman, named Alvin
Briggs, arrived in the city on the train
from Chicago, and put up at the
Whipple House. The hext morning
he started out to visit the various
real estate offices of the city for the
purpose of ascertaining where he
could best invest the sum of $4,000 in
a small house.
The first office visited was that of
George E. Pomeroy & Son, and from
thence to Kelley Bros, the latter max
ing an engagement with him to cross
the river and look at some property
there. From Kelley's office Briggs
went down to the hay market, on
Summit street, below Cherry, where
he. had conversation with some of the
farmers from the country relative to
lands for sale i'll their respective To-
calities. He next went TO the office
of VIM Baker, who directed him to a
piece of property for sale in the vicin-
ity of Manhattan. Taking street
car, he rode down to the city limits,
then walking to the place to which
he had been directed by Mr.. Baker,
saw the person residing there, looked
at the land, and set out upon his re-
turn to the hotel shortly after sun
down.
When he had almost reached the
terminus of the street railroad he met
two men who passed him. In mo-
ment or two afterwards he suddenly
felt Il sack thrown over his head and
shoulders, by some person coming up
from behind, while second party
caught him around the waist, both
robbers crushing him down to the
ground in a most cruel manner. The
old man struggled desperately with
his assailants at first, but when one of
them said, ''D-n him, if he don't lie
still knife him!' Briggs ceased to re-
sist. and suffered them to remove a
belt containing $4,000 which he had
around his waist, and also to take a
purse, which held about so. They
then disappeared, the old gentleman
thinks, in the direction of Manhattan.
During the struggle Briggs had re-
ceived injuries which completely dis
abled him, so that he was compelled
to lie helpless in the ditch by the side
of the rode. He thinks he must have
remained. there half an hour before he
could make any of the persons in the
passing team hear his weak cries and
come to his assistance. At last Il gen
tleman passing in Il buggy heard the
call for help, and, according to his
request, conveyed him to the Whip
pie House, where he was cared for.
In making his statement to our re-
porter, last evening, he says he is a
native of New York, but removed to
near Kansas City, Mo. Having lost
his only remaining child there, a son,
and becoming possessed of a desire to
return Eastward, he came as far as
Chicago some time last August, and
where his family, consisting of a wife
and two grandchildren, now reside.
He is sixty-four years old, with haiI
almost entirely white, and as he lay
upon the bed in the room at the
Whipple House, last evening, moan-
ing with pain, and inquiring what he
should do, as the villains had robbed
him of all the money he possessed in
the world-it was "A scene well calcl-
lated to draw forth the utmost SYM
! natlv
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

Tn France the manufacture of
matches sustains %, 900 workmen, and
seven millions of francs are invested
in the business. The government
proposes to tax it. The manufacturers
say if it does the consumption of
matches will fall off three-fourths, and
that five millions of dollars worth of
property will be rendered valueless,
and over twenty thousand laborers
thrown out of employment.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

Mrs. Fair died on the 30th of De-
cember, in prison, and there are many
rumors concerning her death. One
report is, that she died from the effects
of brutal treatment, on the part OF
her jailor another, that she COM
mitted suicide. However it may be,
the State of California is spared the
painful duty of hanging woman, and
doubtless her cares and auxieties
made the grim destroyer welcome
visitor.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

Here is a lot of nonsense about III.
G, as a farmer: Mr.. Greeley, on his
farm, keeps a running account with
hens, double entry. When hen lays
.in egg she runs around the bases, and
when she strikes the home base,
where the book-keeper is located, she
sings ont, tally one,' or " tally two,"
as the case may be, because some of
them are repeaters, and the hook
keeper gives her credit, and charges
her for her meals. In this way, Hor-
ace can tell what hens are shirlling,
aud how much he makes on each hen.
He says his experience is that roosters
are glaring fraud, putting on style
all around, and never laying an egg
once iii two weeks,
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

The Speaker of the British House
of Commons enjoys a magnificent res
idence, finished and kept in repair at
the public expense, and containing
100 rooms. He receives a salary OF
$25 900, and on retirement is always
created viscount, and has pension
of 100000 which, ON his death passes
to his eldest son.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

The nomination of Tom Scott, of
the Pennsylvania Central, for Presi-
dent looks Il little bilious. If Bob
Virgins, General Superintendent of
the Bungtown Narrow guage Turn
pike, should decline the use OF his
n me for the Vice Presidency on the
ticket, we fear the thing would prove
a failure.-C Courier journal.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

The most recent trapeze accident Isl
that of Mile. Geraldine, young wo-
man whose performances have often
received great applause. The girl
was practicing with Mr.. Leopold the
prodigious flight through the air from
the dress circle to trapeze hanging
from the ceiling near the stage, and
when in mid air she loosened her
grasp and was precipitated with inn
mense force upon the footlights. She
was taken up mangled and bleeding,
and was not expected to survive.
This horrible affair, which occurred at
the Union Park Theatre, New York,
took place at rehearsal.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

On the night of the 14th inst, the
residence of Mr.. John Whitaker, in
Anacco, Sabine parish, caught fire
about II o'clock at night. Every
thing was consumed. One of his
children was burnt in the building,
another SO injured by the flames that
he died; while the mother was badly
burned. Two children only escaped
RHAarmed. Mr.. Whitaker was alb
sent at the time. His agony of mind
on learning the terrible news, sur
passes description. This is one of the
most distressing accidents that has
occurred in this section for many
,years.-Red Rirer NelrS.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

There is now on exhibition, at the
City Hotel, tooth weighing twelve
pounds, which would make an inter-
esting study for antiquarians. 1t no
doubt belonged to one of the huge
species of antedeluvian monsters that
frequented the vast plains and marsh
es of the American Continent long be-
fore man had made it his habitation.
The soil of Texas is fertile in speci-
mems of petrifed reptiles of very
early period in the worlds history,
which would amply repay the anti
quarian for his researches. s.-1yler IN
der.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

Transient advertisements, 81 per square first
insertion; rs cts each subsequent insertion.
All official advertisements 81 per square Zach
insertion.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-27

Communications may be addressed simply
CHIEF, Donaldsonville, La or to the edl-
tor and proprietor personally.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01
RATES OF ADVERTISING.
Sheen Pasturage in the South.

The Herald and Home very truthfully
and significantly remarks that stock
breeding must go OH III the direction
where it can be most profitably pursued,
and then adds
The rigors of the winter season, reQuir-
ing expensive preparations for shelter and
large accumulation of forage for winter
supply for stock, together with the short
ness of the pasturing season, are sad
drawback upon the available sources of
profit to the Northern farmer. The fod-
dering season north of the Potomac can
not be regarded less than seven months,
say from the middle of November to the
middle of May. There is, therefore, COM
paratively small space Of time that far
mers are not compelled to be engaged in
preparing and housing food, or feeding it
out to domestic animals. If we have to
hire help in doing either, the expense is
seriously enhanced.
When the sheep is properly handled it
pays for this outlay much more rapidly
than the larger animals, unless they are
more available in the dairy. Stall feeding
Is more or less expensive, and furnishes
but a precarious return, by reason of the
greater amount of food consumed in cold
than in a warm season to fatten the ami
NAL t---.t
1t is, therefore, evident that the South
and Southwest, with more genial eli
mate and increased facilities for cheap and
rapid transit, must soon become the great
stock-breeding center of the Union.
In no section can animals be kept go
cheaply, and as the people begin to diver.
sify their agriculture, and comprehend the
great importance of more domestic ami.
mails, they will find no competitors in that
branch of husbandry.
We have but one drawback to our be.
coming the wool producing section of the
United States-and that Is the internal
dog. Let our authorities, by an enactment
rid us of this nuisance, and sheep viii
soon cover our mountain sides, and make
their owners rich.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01
Care Of the Feet,

Concerning this subject the Scientific
american very truely says;
Many are careless in the keeping of the
feet. If they wash them once week they
think they are doing well. They do not
consider that the largest pores are located
in the bottom Of the foot, and that the
most offensive matter is discharged
through the pores. They wear stockings
from the beginning to the end of the
week without change, which become per-
fectly saturated with offensive matter. III
health is generated by such treatment of
the feet. The pores are not repellants but
absorbents, and this fetid matter, to a
greater or less extent, is taken back into
the system. The feet should be washed
every day with pure water only, as well as
the armpits, from which an offensive odor
is also emitted, untess daily ablution is
practiced. Stockings should not be worn
more than day or two at a time. They
may be worn one day and then aired and
summed and worn another day, if neces-
Sary.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01
Can Farmer Afford TO Keep a Clean
BARNARD

A correspondent of the Ohio Farmer
gives the following as his plan for saving
manure, which we think will be found
profitable wherever adopted;
1.-THE way manage is this: My barn.
yard has the barn on the north, cattle
sheds on the west, close board fence
boards set on ends) on the south, and a
wagon shed, crib, etc., on tho east. My
yard is the proper size for the cattle keep
and is hollow in the middle, in order to re-
tain the liquids from both horse and cattle
stables. bed this yard two or three feet
deep with wheat straw. This is better
way to use old wheat straw than to have
it lying in unsightly heaps in three or four
places over the farm. .
feed my corn fodder from the barn on
this straw; in wet or stormy weather,
hay In the sheds. Should the yard become
very foul with cattle droppings, spread
on more straw, and perhaps scatter some
of the horse stable manure over it. In the
fall have fine lot of well rotted manure,
corn butts and all, just ready to be hauled
into the stubble fields to be turned under
for wheat; and this barnyard is clean
enough for me-"
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01

STOCK FARM IN CAMPBELL COUNTY.
About 1000 acres of land, nine mile, from
Jacksboro, in Campbell county, Tenn; about
60 acres cleared and fenced good new log
house, stable and crib, Well watered, Fine
place for raising stock Price g, 500. half cash,
balance in u months with interest
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01
LAND REGISTER"

1t contains descriptions Of large list Of property 70
sale and much general information about East Tenns
see Mailed to any address receipt of stamp for
turn postage.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-01

BLOODY MILK.-This difficulty is caus-
ed by rupture Of one or more of the milk
veins. Good care Of the COW, and washing
the udder in warm water, will probably
effect cure. Rubbing the affected part
with mild iodine ointment is also recon-
mended. If there is tendency to hemor
rhage, or blood in the urine (which some
times occasions bloody milk a drachm Of
oxide or sulphate of iron given daily in the
animals food, will be useful. ~.