davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
A CHUNK OF GOLD.
An Americans Experience in Australia.

One day while was at work, in the drift
one of our party who was bailing in the
shaft said:
''There's something big happened up above
Tom; hear great buzziDg and shouting.
''Perhaps it's fight" l suggested, as
stuck my pick in the soil and unearthed q
nugget as big as walnut.
''Perhaps it's fnd," suggested my mate.
''There's a find here, said, as crawled
out of the drift and exhibited the nugget
had just taken out Then heard the clamo1
also; it was like the murmur of distant
waves. We shook the rope, and received no
answer to our signal. we concluded that some
thing important had happened, as our
mates above had evidently left the windlass.
A moment later shadow appeared above,
and Bills voice was heard shouting:
''Come up, boys, and see the big gnd.''
'Where is it p l asked, on reaching the
surface; but scarcely needed to ask, for it
must be where the crowd was collected some
fifty yards distant from our claim. The
crowd was large and every moment increas-
ing, but being brawny and broad shouldered
l pushed my way through it, and was almost
overwhelmed with astonishment at the sight
that greeted my vision; 1t wasn't nugget,
it wasn't q boulder No wonder that the
miners were excited. The spectacle was
enough to excite the most phlegmatic indivi-
dual that ever breathed.
1t was a solid mass of gold as large or
larger than 4 leg of mutton, and not unlike
one in shape. This was the mass which has
since been widely known as the Welcome
nugget. A fac-simile of it may now be seen
in the mineral department of the Boston
Museum of Natural History, where the
weight is given at 2,166 ounces, and the
value at $41, 822.70; the further information
is impaired that the nugget ls the largest
piece of gold ever found. This is an error.
A larger nugget was found at Bendigo lead
on February 9, 1869; it weighed 189 pounds
/ ounce Troy, or 2,269 ounces.
had been mentally congratulating myself
on the discovery of a nugget as large as
walnut but the sight of this mass of gold
took all the copceit out of me. Nevertheless
I was glad that the nugget had been found,
for the claim from which it was taken was
right in the direction in which we were work.
ing, and our claim was daily growing richer
in ore.
The Welcome nugget, as large as it was,
did not enrich its finders, for there were
twelve shareholders in it, and it brought them
less than a thousands pounds apiece; it
would have been lucky find for couple of
mates. The man who dug it out tainted
dead away before he unearthed it. When his
pick first struck it, he reached out his hand
10 pick up the lump; the light from his can
die shown upon it and revealed its nature.
To his surprise it did not yield to his touch.
Then he began to feel around it with his
hands, and it grew in size under his exploring
lights. he gave it a wrench, but it did not
oudge Seizing his pick he began to dig
around it, and as its proportions grew under
lis eye the spectacle overcame him, and he
tainted for joy.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
The Periods Of Fashionable Mourning
[From Frank Leslie's Journal

! [From Frank Leslie's Journal
We are often asked how long mourning is
to be worn for different relatives and friends
and what depth so we give the following
account:
A widows mourning should last eighteen
| months; during the first nine months the
robes should be of crepe cloth, merino, cash
mere, or widows cloth, covered entirely with
crepe; it is generally train-skirt and CUR
ass-bodice, while others prefer it en- prin-
cesse, collar and cuff of white Grape. Grape
bonnet, with long Grape fall, tied with Grape
string and white apron. Dolman or jacket
of cashmere covered Grape; black silk um-
brella, dull-black kid gloves. The next three
months the Grape on the dress can be taken
off and made to reach the knees, and the
bodice merely having Grape cuffs, plastron
and such-like; the jacket Grape can also be
altered, and trimmed with copeau fringe :;
bonnet of Grape and mourning feathers A.
ter twelve months the widows cap is left off
the bonnet, and the dress can be of silk gre
nadine, tafetas or cashmere trimmed Grape,
jet or copean fringe, with crepe lisse round
neck and sleeves, or linen set bordered black.
Chapeau or straw-trimmed with Grape or jet,
black silk or cashmere mantle, trimmed
Grape, and jet or copean fringe, or sealsKin
would be admissible. After fifteen
months mourning all Grape can be left off
and demi-deuil worn, such as gray toilet
black and white: black or white chapeau
trimmed with white flowers or voilets; white
linen collar and cuffs, and grey gloves; but
jet ornaments should be worn the whole
eighteen months, and even after then it is
as we'll to wear quiet colora and a little jewel
ry until the expiration of the two years.
Mourning for father or mother lasts one
year. During the first six months the dress
should be of cashmere, also the mantle, we'll
trimmed with Grape, and black tulle plated
up to the neck and wrists; chapeau or bon
net of Grape, with tulle fall, edged Grape, jet
ornaments and black stockings and gloves.
During the next three months the Grape can
be lightened, and the dress and Jacket trim
med with jet and fringe; the bonnet can be
of black chip-trimmed Grape, jet and feath-
ers if wished, after which time all Grape
can be dispensed with, and black silk grena-
dine, gray, mauve, black and white toilet
worn cbapeau of black or white trimmed
silk and mourning flowers, crepe lisse round
neck and wrists, gray, white or lavender
gloves worn, although Jet jewelry should still
be worn.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
UP THE CLOUDS.
The Hight Above the Sea Lever at Which
the MammOthites Vegetate.
Mammoth City Herald,l


(. Few people, even among those who have
visited this wonderful region, realize the
magnitude of our mountains and the altitude
of one or two isolated spots in Colorado, min.
been carried on at such height above the
sea as in Lake District. Virginia city was
for long time the lofties: mining camp of
prominence on this coast. When the Com
stock began to Winter at $500 feet they
thought they were up in the world sure
enough. Finally came Bodie with its $500
feet, and that threw Virginia in the shade
It was reserved for Lake to walk off with the
persimmon in the form of altitude. The Of
flee in which the Herald is printed is 10000
feet above the level of the sea. The immense
groupings of the Mammoth mine are II 900
feet, while the summit of Mineral Hill, near
the Headlight and Monte Christie shafts, is
II, 700 feet above the sea level. The latter is
1900 feet above the surface of Lake Mary by
actual survey. When we think of these enor-
nous heights, and compare them for instance
with the famous Mount Washington of New
England. the latter seems little more than
mole hill. And what difference too in the
temperature. Here, though we have plenty
of snow in winter, at 10000 feet elevation
we live oil the year round in frail board
houses lined with muslin only and papered,
while on Mount Washington, 6, 900 feet high,
no one ever lives in winter but United States
Meteorologists and they are quartered in a
stone hut, with walls three feet thick, lined
with felt and heated with massive stoves In
this den they stay without even poking their
noses out of doors until the coming of spring
relieves them. Though within the region of
perpetual snow, we spend our winters COM
fortably, and, for instance, last winter work
was hardly suspended for day.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
Slang.
rBoetOn Herald.l

What is usually denominated ''slang" is
the use of sharp. short, epigrammatic words
or sentences, invented and used by the
masses, the best of which become current In
common parlance, and end BY being incor'
porated into the language and recorded in the
dictionary. It Is notable fact that most OF
these strong. incisive phrases are thrown up
from the so-called lower classes, instead of
originating among the wealthy and educated,
much that is terse and strong In our vocab-
ulary.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
MY MARINER.

Larcom in Harper's Magazine for Septeml
Oh. he goes away, singing,
Singing over the sea!
Oh, he comes again, bringing
Joy and himself to me!
Down through the rosemary hollow
And up the wet beach ran,
Ny heart in a flutter to follow
The flight of my sallor-man.
Fie on husband sitting
Still in the house at home!
Give me mariner, fitting
And flashing over the foam!
Give me q voice resOunding
The songs of the breezy main!
Give me free heart bounding
Evermore hither again!
Coming is better than going;
But never was queen so grand
As !, while watch him blowing
Away from the lazy land.
/ haye welded an ocean-rover,
And with him own the SEA;
Yet over the waves come over,
And anchor, my lad, by me.
Hark to his billowy laughter,
Blithe on the homeward tide!
Hark to 1t, hear! up and after;
OFF to the harbOr-side;
Down through the rosemary hollow
And over the sand-hills, light
And swift as a-bird follow;
And no! for sail in sight!
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28
THE POOR MANS SUNDAY WALK.

The morning of our rest has come,
The sun is shining clear;
! see it on the steeplc-top;
Put on your shawl, my dear,
And let us leave the smoky town,
The dense and stagnant lane,
And take our children by the hand
To see the fields again.
I've pined for air the life long week;
For the smell of new-mown hay;
For pleasant, quiet country walk,
On sunny Sabbath day.
Our parish church is cold and damp;
/ need the air and sun;
Well sit together on the grass,
And see the children run,
Wen watch them gathering buttercups,
Or cowslips in the dell,
Or listen to the cheerful sounds,
Of the far-Off village bell;
And thank our God with grateful hearts,
Though in the fields we pray;
And bless the heathful breeze of heaven,
On a sunny Sabbath day.
I'm weary of the sitting room,
Where all the week we're pent:
OF the alleys filled with wretched life,
And odOrs pestilent
And long once more to see the flds,
And the grazing sheep and beeves;
To hear the lark amid the clouds,
And the wind among the leaves:
And all the sounds that glad the air
On green hills far away;
The sounds that breathe of Peace and Love,
On sunny Sabbath day.
For somehow, though they call it wrong,
In church cannot kneel
With half the natural thankfulness
And piety l feel,
When ont, on such day as this,
lie upon the sod,
And think that every leaf and flower
Is grateful to its God;
That l, who feel the blessing more,
Should thank him more than they
That can elevate my soul
On sunny Sabbath day.
Put on your shawl, and let us 60;
For one day let US think
Of something else than daily care,
OF toll. and meat, and drink:
For one day let our children sport
And feel their limbs their own,
And basking in the healthful ray,
Thank God that we can still enjoy
A sunny Sabbath day.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-08-28

lucy Larcom in Harpers Magazine for September
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09
For the Smyrna Tines.
Smyrna Thirty Years Ago.

Mr.. EDITOR About thirty years ago, !
left my native town to enter the then we'll
known mercantile house OF VIM. G. ElaSon,
Esq. who at that time was considered one
of the best business men in the place
shall ever remember the day when first
made the acquaintance Of Smyrna ami
many OF its citizens. AT that time Geo.
w. Cummins, Esq, was looked upon as the
Merchant Prince Of the place. In those
days Smyrna could boast OF having some OF
the best business men in the State. VIM.
Temple, Esq, one of natures noblemen,
vino, combined with business, politics,
and succeeded in both, always had time to
extend a helping hand with kind words OF
advice to the young. The two Brwleys,
John and james, both rock ed in the cradso of
Democracy, shrewd and clear. headed, ana
always ready to take hand in the political
excitement of the day. Presly Spruance
and his brother James-two better men
never lived than those boys.
In looking over your paper | miss many
familiar names. They may be dead or they
may have retired from business. ] often
wonder what has become OF the boys who
used to have such good times, especially at
night after business hours. Many, yes
many suppers have found their way under
! LllG counters NuSll Jiic SuUOen rap OF lOGl-
step announced the approach OF the Pro.
prietor, who would sometimes come in on
the boys while in the midst of their dissi pa
| tlon.
John Cats with William Temple, Esq
Hobson and }. Ennis Jones with w. c
Eliason Bob Reynolds and w. II. Thomp
son with Geo. w. Cummins, Esq. Thos. B
| Megear and others whose names | canno
recollect were boon companions in thos,
days. Many changes have occurred since
then. Many Of the young men | have NJ
doubt have gone to that Bourne from
which no traveller returns" while other
are filing their place in society with homo
and ability.
Memory can only recall few NOR
names that may at this time be living witt
you and playing their parts on the theatr
of life. Charlie Temple, one of the best O
fellows; George II. Raymond, E-q., ger
tleman all over, and my friend Henry
SpruancP, Esq, who had as much manhoo
in his composition as any man that | hav
met with. Two other good fellows. Rob
Denny, ESQ.,, and our genial friend GOote'
although not resident of the place at tbs
time, yet at the many parties that were give
at that time, they were not complete will
out Ben. Gootee. Good fellows all of thea
often wonder whether they are living
dead. / truly hope they are all living All
prospering. Should you meet with any
those boys, say to them that | am living
I Nottaway c. H., Va, on the Atlantic, Mis-
& Ohio Rail Road, forty-two miles west
Petersburg, and about fifty miles frc
!, Richmond, and should any of them COZ
10 this way, that will be glad to see them
n my Virginia home. They will always fl
the latch string on the outside. And M
ID Mr.. Editor should YOU or any Of your frien
st happen this way, | shall be glad to see y
and extend to all true Virginia hospitals
Yours respectfully,
- EDw S. DEAN.
NoTTAwAY, Va, March 3lst, 1879.
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09
The Gathering War Clouds,


Wars and rumOrs of wars are increasing.
England has on hand the Afghan and Zulu
wars, and an other is on the cards with Bur-
nah. A lull in bostlities in the first.
named struggle has given rise to hope of
peace; but there was a fierce battle on the
oath Of March near Peshbolak, in which
the Bengal Lancers made a brilliant
charge" and from the locality of this en-
gagement it is likely to be the forerunner
of others. The hOstilities in South Africa
promise to be long and bitter, and the de
bate on Tuesday in the House of Commons
shows that it bids fair to produce serious
lissension at home. On our own continent
new war is promised with Sitting Bull,
who, it is positively stated, only waits for
the opening of spring to begin fresh at.
tack. Meanwhile we are threatened with
lesser struggle in Alaska. In South
America war is on the point of breaking
out between Chilli and Bolivia, and the
movement of the Peruvian ironclads, which
| have been ordered to proceed at once ia
! Iquique, one of the most southerly ports oil
! Peru, is very ominOus. 1t is said by advi
ces Just received that Chill has given point
blank refusal to discuss disputed questions
with the Peruvian Envoy. The result
seems to be that Chilli will have to fight
single handed both Bolivia and Peru. In
this event is thought that the Argentine
Republic will seize the opportunity tC
strike at Chill also. Should this prove tru,
the Southwestern Republic will be heavily
overmatchpd
While Asia, Africa and America are thu
embroiled there are dark looking cloud
gathering over Europe. The nihilst move
ment in Russia is undoubtedly spreading
if we may trust various concurrent events
and the news from Moscow is far from en-
couraging. 1t is said that a hundred al
rests have been made in that city in censG
quence of the assassination of govern
ment spy. There are likewise reports of
violent rupture between the Car and hi
eldest son, it being even alleged that tn
. Czarewitch has been put under arrest
Last week the General Of the Gendarmeri
E at St. Petersburg, Won Drentelen, was fire
at as he was driving in his carriage by
man on horseback who, after dischargin
8 two shots without effect, escaped in
sleigh. There are disqueting rumors meal
: : while from Berlin, where the Socialists al
:, credited with being on the eve of a critic
= movement, and the splendid condition
: the French army is dwelt upon by I'll
! European press with foreboding emphasi
. The storm has either burst or threatens
" hurst over all four quarters Of the glob
. but we can congratulate ourselves that
the United States it will in any case
limited to very small area, and can infli
only comparatively moderate amount
damage.-N Y. Post
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09
VERA CRUZ.
a BALLAD OF THE MEXICAN wAH.

The night is wild and bitter the prarie lies in srow
ana marx the wolves are bowling, as round the fort
Close i'll therguarded stable the horses snort h fear
Fle on me logs still higher, we'll give the night to
While some the haunch are broiIing and others sice
the wine.
And deck out the table with torches of the pine
Ana some bring i'll the red game. or pastry crisply
done,
I'll tell the story comrades how Vera Cruz was won
You should have seen our transports hundred in a
Like stately swans they oated majestically and slow
Two Gays weheaded southwark, out on the bo'Ind.ess
Two days gray Orizaba lowered upon our lea
Al last the distant city flashed the seab0ard dim
Ana crouched before it, watching, the lion castle!
grim.
Close by the beach we anchored, and with mighty
The boats were launched, the were down and the
long line shot out.
moment i'll the breakers: God help the gallant
band
The creamy foam is DER them huzza! they gain the
The starry flag is planted, a beacon blazing wide;
hundred guns exulted, ten thousand men replied.
That night we slept untcnted, and often walked to
hear
The jackal snarlins near us, the foeman scouting
With day the battle opened; a dread incessant roar
FROM Geet and fort and castle, beloved and
And while We dug the trenches, still blew tie fiery
And still above, aboutus, pattered the iron hail
Sudden a trumpet sounded; we looked. and o er the
crest
Galoped thousand lancers their lances laid in rest
NOW az them mem cried our leader; we mounted quick
One charge upon the cravens :! and in the dust they
rolled.
Again" and riding down upon them, we crushed
the rabble rOut
As with his hounds the hunter the harvest trample,
out.
The norther next assailed Us; the sand in cloud,
As When across the desert the deadly simeon blows
The tents went down like rushes when empests hurtlt
by;
The whiz1ing bombs ncesant hssed viewless through
the sky;
And thu great sum- in anger broke redly through the
haze.
Like some fierce god of battle, his armor all ablAze!
Till night the conflict deepened; and when the dark
hess tCL,
Death iercer rode the whirlwind of raging shot anG
shell;
From trench and feet we thundered the league
walls replied.
The stout old castle answered flaming Oh every side
The hum of shells enormous filled all the hollow air
And the sky blazed with comets, shaking heii ier!
hair.
We heard the plung of round shot, embrasures crumb
ling down,
The shrieks and walls of women from out the fatcC
The bells in ringing the crash Of falling dc mes
We saw the rcd fire leapng high happy he mes
1t played ON root and seepe, il flashed from ocean
SWELL
Til! and town shone lurid like the red mouth
| hell!
Four days the battle lasted four haplcss nights an,
| days;
Days black with smoke of Tophct nights lit will
suph rOus blaze.
The fifth beheld u ruin. Where once had stood til
town
Were wall and church and dwelling, in chaos tun BILE
down.
The foe implored our mercy; and the set of SUI
Our flag was ON the ranpartS. Thus Vera Cruz wa
| won
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09

ATHLETICIsM AND CRCELTY.-The Phila-
delphia doctors have called the attention of
the police authorities to the spectacle of a
woman show " now before the public in
that city. BY the terms of the match in
which the women are there engaged they
must make four thousand quarter miles in
four thousand consecutive quarter hours.
Four thousand quarter hours run through
forty.one days and sixteen hours, and for
that extended period these women can
never get good sleep--since even with the
best strategy on the part of their attendants
they can never be off the course for n!ore
than twenty minutes at any one time. The
physicians very properly suggest that the
| police put stop to this cruel exhibition.
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09

And on page COZ of the census report OF
1870, | find for that year the orchard
products Of Delaware were Isl ,223, ,000,) one
million two hundred and twenty.three
thousand dollars.
Delaware has only population of 1885,
600. | think M " will admit this good
showing for that number Of people.
The late Bayard Taylor, minister to Ger
many at the time of his death, a man who
had travelled a great deal, says of Della.
ware: "The rich, level lands of Lombarly
are no finer and have not.a more au>picious
climate. 1t is one Of the most admirable
fruit growing regions in the world. The
lands of Italy are worth a thousand dollars
per acre, and rent annually for what will
buy land in Delaware"
Kiln burned lime is as cheap in Delaware
as at Berryshurg and shell much cheaper.
She'll fish and all other kind of fish are
plenty.
The soil is alluvial bottoms. and fine
sandy loan, with clay subsoil, easily worked
Keeps manure, well, and the land grows
fine timothy, clover, red top and other
grasses. wheat, corn and potatoes, and i,
fine garden and fruit land. The climate i,
fine and the health of the people is good
Farmers are near to railroad stations oil
steamboat landing and only few hour:
from Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore
and WashingtOn-the best markets in TIE
country. People who moved from Lyllen,
Valley to Delaware are only a days travs
from their home. find all who hav,
moved to that country are very wei
! pleased, they are not much afraid of thu
wild animals M" talks about.
II. B. HOFFMAN.
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09

New York CLUE GOssIP.-According to
the New York GrQphic's " club gossip" a
decided expression Of opinion has been Gre
ated in society in that city by the issue of a
circular appealing to certain fashionable
ladies to refrain from having champagne OF
any other kind Of wine at luncheon parties.
Also, that the distribution of cards for
Easter weddings has begun, and that the
probabilities are that the weddings will sur
pass in elegance and grandeur any that have
occurred in that city within the last ten
years. Among the distinguished visitors
at the Knckerbocker and Union Clubs i:
Lord Gordon Lenox, of England, who is the
the recipient of many attentions also from
private citizens.
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09

AN INGENIOUS GAMBLING INSTRUMENT
An exceedingly ingenious apparatus, design
ed to facilitate cheating at cards, was re-
Gently captured in gambling room in San
Francisco. 1t consists of springs in a frame
which passes around the players arm
beneath his coat sleeve, and contains the
cards designed to be used in cheating.
Attached to the apparatus is a string which
passes around the players body to his left
hand. BY means of the string the player
can throw out the cards so as to" stock >
his haud and withdraw those that he does
not consider strong enough to play against
his opponent. The machine bore evidence
of long service, and has doubtles emptied
the pockets Of many greenhorn.
Smyrna times., 1879-04-09

The Naturalization of Cinnamon in New
York courts is becoming so common now as
to scarcely excite remark. The newest case
is that of Charles Wing, who answered the
usual questions in the Common Pleas Court
Of that city Saturday, and was admitted to
the rights and privileges Of American citi
zenship. Mr.. Wing proposes to exercise
the right of suffrage at the next election
AS there are conflicting decisions as to
whether Cinnamon can be legally naturali
zed, Mr.. Wings proposition to vote may
lead to legal issue,