smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

BOGUS GOLD AMALGAM.-A gentleman
connected with a mercantile house of this
city has exhibited to us specimen of bogus
gold Of the most adroit manufacture that we
have ever seen, and one that would defy
detection by any means except by breaking


it, The specimen, about six ounces in
weight is conglomerate of pieces of zinc,
gold and quicksilver. A very smallfquantity
Of fine gold dust had been mixed with the
bits of zinc, and the whole made to adhere
together by means of quicksilver. This
composition was rolled into ball, and com.
pletely coated with clean gold and ama gam,
after which the quicksilver had been evapo-
rated leaving the mass a lump of apparently
pure gold. The party to whom the speci-
men was offered for sale, without any suspi.
clon of its character, broke the ball in two
parts when he discovered the cheat, which
was perfectly transparent after the outer
coating was broken.


From the apparent care and skill with
which this specimen has been manufactured,
1t is possible that the cheat has been practis.
ed systematically and on a considerable scale,
somewhere. Parties purchasing cannot,
therefore, be too cautious in taking quick.
silver gold. When presented in solid Jumps,
the pieces should always be broken up, for
the deception cannot be detected in any other
way, as acids have no effect upon this sample
whatever, the base metal being covered with
thin layer of pure gold. S. F. argus.


The same thing is noticed by The C alaveras
Chronicle, in its issue of the llth inst, as
follows:


BOGUS GoLp Dusr.-We were this week
shown several specimens Of the bogus gold
dust found in the possession of The Chinamen
arrested last week at Vallecto by Constable
| lhayer. Their manner of preparing it is
subs' antially as follows: They file up a half
dollar piece as fine as possible, and then by
means of quicksilver, amalgamate it with
gold dust, making the ratio about one of
silver to three of gold. The quicksilver is
then burned off aud the dust sold 1t is
supposed that the business has been exten,
siveIy carried on in this and the adjoining
county for the past year and halt. This
may account for mint returns falling short,


RErURNING REAsoN.-Senator Colamer,
of Vermont, a strong Republican, is disgust.
ed with the levity and contempt too often
manifested in the Senate by the Abolilionists
for the Constitution. 1t is healthy sign
and shows returning reason, when Republican
Senators rebuke their colleagues for sneering
at the Constitution. He says:


II do not wish to occupy the time Of the
Senate by making any remarks about the
Constitution of the United States think
it a subject almost of derison herewith
many gentlemen it is an object of derision.
AS 1t is so in great measure, and a man is
sneered at for mentioning the Constitution,
and If he has decent respect for it and for
his own oath he is called q 'tmd' man
do not wish to take up much of the attention
of body where such subject is treated in
such manner"
Year: 1864




The misfortune of Mr.. Lincoln is to have
studied craftsmanship where no one else ever
thought of studying tin partisan books
and platforms, on the stump. and in the low
minded and obscure traditions of country
lawyers and politicians. The early scenes
of his life play also an important part in his
judgments of men and things, as it appears
from bis habit of matching the most import
ant events of his administration with the fa'
miIiar and trivial pictures of his youth
Every one is familiar with his consta ant prac-
tice of likening the most complicated ques-
tons to a squabbe between country Judges,
of comparing rout of the Union force to
drove of cattle chased by dogs, and his cabl
met to yoke of oxen tied on opposite sides
of the same plow and bound to pillow the
same field to tn, end. This association Of
ideas which has been so often tritled with is
perhaps the most serious and important
symptom of the utter incapacily Of our Pres
ident to fill the post he occupies. 1t shows
what standard be takes of human affairs,
and by what vulgar and common process he
thinks they may be settled. A seriously
minded man would not certainly seek in the
"reminiscences Of his youth a solution for the
problem of state affairs, nor strive to dis
cover in the way bulls are fighting a scheme
for the suhjugation of his enemies. And
when thin6 that this man is a candidate
for reelection to the most responsible office
of the country, do not know which to de-.
plore most, the blindness and ignorance of
the party who is supporting his claims to
power, or the afiront which such a choice
inticts upon the intelligence and honor of
the American people.


MR.. LINCOLN COMPARATIVELY GREAT MAN.


Another of Mr.. Lincoln's misfortunes is
to have believed in himself in his cabinet,
and in the purity of the radicals. 1t was,
perhaps, excusabe enough tor him to think
a great deal of himself The immense power
with which he was invested having suddenly
raised around him an atmosphere of servility,
meanness, and ncapacity, led him to the
conclusion that be was superior to Others,
and he believed in his greatness because his
creatures were small. His confidence in his
cabinet was produced by another cause 1t
sprang from the fact that each member com
posing it, having more experience and ability
than he had himself had no trouble to con
vince him of their own indispensa5ility.-
Then he was afraid of the self-assumed im
portance of certain men and factions of the
Republican party. He believed in clubs and
barroom influence, in New York kilograms
and in wide awake lanterns He was soon
tossed, however, by the waves of the hungry
factions he had called to his assistance
Radicals and conservatives. themselves sub
divided into clques, soon waged in his pres'
encs ferocious and relentless war. Mr.
Lincoln spent. in adjusting their quarrel, the
time which he ought to have devoted to the
success Of our arms, and to the restoration
Of the Union
Year: 1864

Geo. ID. Prentice recently attacked Parson
BrownlOw in an article in the Louisville Joasrn-
al. BrownlOw responded in sharp letter, of
which the following is the concluding paragraph:


My two sons entered the Federal army, and
one Of them is now at home on crutches, because
of wounds received in leading his regiment of
cavalry in charge upon Wheeler's forces in
Middle Tennessee. My other sOn is in General
Gillem's command and was in the fight when
the great Kentucky horse thief Morgan, was
killed, under whom and with whom your sons
have been fighting against the Government up
on whose bounty their rebel mother and con-
tract hunting father are living. One of your
sons was killed in Kentucky while on horse
stealing expedition under rebel officers. Your
other son is on trial in Virginia for the murder
of brother rebel by the name Of White Your
wife Is an avOwed rebel and ought to be sent
South by the Federal authorities; and you are
but one degree removed from rebel and trait
or, having completely played out. There is not
a true hearted Union man in your Office unless
he be some one Of the employees. Your paper
is no longer Union authority, but is rapidly
sinking into disrepute and meeting with that
contempt its treason merits.


1t is not safe for such vulne rable men as Geo.
d. Pentics TO attack Parson Brownlow. They
are apt to come off second best"
Year: 1864

Sir William Napier was one day taking a
long country walk near Freshford, when he met
a little girl about five years old, sObbing over
broken bowl; she had dropped and broken it in
bringing it back from the field to which she
had taken her fathers dinner in it, and she
said she would be beaten on her return
home for having broken it; then, with sudden
CLEAN of hope, she innocently looked up into
his face and said "But ee can mend it, cant ee7
My father explained that he could not mend tie
bowl, but the trouble he could, by the gift of a
sixpense to buy another. However, on opening
his purse, it was empty of silver, and he had to
make amends by promising to meet his little
friend in the same spot at the same hour next
day.


The child, entirely trusting him, went on her
way comforted On his return home he found
an inyation awaiting him to dine in Bath the
following evening" to meet some one whom he
specially wished to see. He hesitated for some


little time, trying to calculate the possibility Of
giving the meeting to his little friend ofthe bro
ken bowl and of still being in time for the din
ner party in Bath; but finding this could not be
he wrote to decline accepting the invitation OF
the plea of "pre-engagement," saying to us, y
cannot disappOint her, she trusted me eimplicitly,
Year: 1864

Earl Russell was installed as Rector of Aber-
deem University on the 18th instant and in con-
Guiding his addressspoke as follows:


"There is another portion of the globe where
we still have to lament the scenes of bloOdshed
which are to be witnessed; there we still have
TO lament that the bloody arbitrament of war
has not been brought to a close, and if there is
any bright spot in that dark scene it is for the
African race. [Applause.l But cannot but
believe that the civil war in America which ev-
er way it may end, whether the states may
again unite, or whether there is to be a final
seperation-I cannot but believe that out of
these events the African race are to receive
their freedom. am sure need not speak to
you of adherence as strong as we ever had;
but there is one thing which makes it quite inn
possible that the master and the slave should
ever live in harmony together. His lordship
then referred to the progress of religion, the
ciyilizng influences of Christianity, and to the
need for the exercise Of charity in the discus
sions now going on on this subject"
Year: 1864

LINCOLN, of thee the bards win sing
When my pOer muse may chant no more,
Some little flower too would bring,
A fit and lasting offering


To drop at Virtues door,
No worldly gain will tempt aside
Thy footsteps from the path of right
While honest truth thy acts shall guide,
We will in steadfast hope abide


The issue of the fight --
Whatever cares ON thee descend
While sitting at the head of state,
The cause of Freedom still Defend
And fame's proud laurels in the end
Thy honest tolls await.
This simple tribute let me pay,
Now clouds obscure thy rising sun; ~
Gods hands will sweep those clouds away,
And friend and foe will one day say, H


Thy truth the victory won.


w. MARSH, u. S. Consul, Altoona.
Year: 1864

READING, Pa, April IS, 1864.


DR. WIsHARr--DeGr Sir: One year ago the
Examining Surgeon of this district told me
had Consumption of the Lungs and that could
not be cared; and Judging from all my symptoms
at that time, myself supposed this to be true
was for more than one year troubled with a
hacking cough, which gradually grew SO bad
that could not have severe fit of coughing
without splitting up blood in large quantities.


For months could not work at anything,
and was obliged to keep my bed most of the
time. While in this condition | was in Mr..
Rowbothams store in this city, and he seeing
how low was, recommended me to try your
Pine Tree Tar Cordial. He said he had sold a
great deal of it, and that as it had cured many
others, he believed it would do some good l
bought bottle and commenced using it. In a
yery short time l saw that | was getting better
ysry fast, and after taking several bottles was
entirely restored to health, SO that could work
every day at my business, which is. very heavy
work, in an iron foundry. When commenced
to use your Pine Tree Tar Cordial, my weight
was only one hundred and thirty five pounds
since the use of it have weighed on an average
one hundred and fifty-five l shall be glad tc
have you publish this, as believe should moi
have been living at this time if l had not used
your great medicine, and wish all who suffer
to receive its benefit
Very truly yours


Capt. SAMUEL HARNER.
Year: 1864

clergyman in Canada has been sentenced
to the penitentiary for five years. He supplied
the place of the vigar in YOrkshire, and dressing
himself in a drab wideawake hat with blue rib
'sSns, engaged in breaking colts for farmers
HIS nlinistrstions in that parish were consequen


tly brought to a close, but not before be had Sc
cured good quantity of wearing apparel, and
had run up score at every tavern. He obtain
ed money and goods, pretending they were for
distribution among the poor. He procured a
small organ for his village church, and sold it.
He got a harmonium for another church and
pocketed the proceeds. Heprocured mourning
goods, and large quantity of black silk, selling
the same and paying his beer bill. Finally he
was caught at his tricks and sent to prison.
Year: 1864

II you want a suit Of COOL clothes the
place 70 get them is at Sam Perrys, oppo-
site the Pest Office. lie las large stock
OF ready made clothing on hand, and also
makes to order. He keeps an immense
stock of everything pertaining to gents
furnishing goods, and when you cannot suit
yourself by looking over his extensive as
sortment, there is no use going to any fur
ther troabc-it is not in the city.
Year: 1864

LARGE Sroc Ks-Several of our leading
merchants are now in New York city laying
in heavy stocks of goods for the fall trade
which will soon open. Thus undoubtedly
find the market very still, but most of them
know how to meet that emergency. Goods
of the Fall stock have already commenced
coming, and at an early day the ladies' will
have an opportunity to revel among the very
latest STYLES.
Year: 1864

RAIs.-Anotiler refreshing shower is
among the late arrivals, and the fall trade
Will flourish accordingly on our prairie fields
and pastures. This vicinity has much to be
thankful for in the way of prosperous sea
son this year
Year: 1864

E- We saw letter yesterday stating
that the First Iowa Cavalry had re.enlist-
ed and were on their way home. We do
not suppose that any but company 4 will
come to this city, that being the company
made up in this city and vicinity by the
ate Col. florence.
Year: 1864

EF A small drove of cattle passed
through our streets yesterday. We un-
derstand that there was considerable diff
Guilty in getting them across the ice.-
The creatures were very timi9 and hud-
died close together, and there was some
apprehension lest the foundation should
give way and let them down to drink.
Year: 1864

In the main landed property is still in
the same condition as it was Immediately
after the Norman conquest. The foreign
invaders at that time divided the laud
among a small number of mobiles and
brigand captains OF the point OF the
sword. and in che Doomsday Book it was
then Laid down that their right to the
possession of these lands was as high a.
heaven aud as deep as hell, and that the
hand of him should wither who would
dare to. touch it. In course Of time
number OF free proprietors crept in be-
tween the landholdfDg aristocraey, but
subsequent! Parliamentary acts, known as
the . Enclosure acts" restricted once
more the number of free proprietors by
forcible appropriation. With the excep-
ton of q lev localities, England possesses
no peasantry in the sense of France and
OF Southern and Western Germany.
There is only the aristocratic proprietor,
the steward or the farming tenant and the
farming laborer. The condition Of the
laborer is worse than anywhere in Cen
tral or Western Europe. The political
power British fcudslism wields is i'm
mense. A statistical table before me
shows that, with regard to the represen-
tation of the people in the so-called House
Of Commons, there are about thirty pep
ular constituencies one hundred consii-
tuencies slightly influenced by personal
or family control, and most of them BY
money; two hundred and forty constitu-
encies almost wholly under such family
and aristocratic influence, and thirty con.
stituencies which may be regarded as
mere family property.


w Wilkes's Spirit says We are
ready, under the warrant of several
Americans of wealth, to back Heenan
against King, FIVE thousand dollars down
on the let OF March, for forfeit, provided
the match be openly regarded as an in
terna.ional one. and further provided it
be fought ID ireland, Canada, or on any
neutral ground.
Year: 1864

MORE THIEvIEG.-On Monday eve
ming valuable overcoat, fur cape and
two shawls, were taken from the residence
of MIR. Shaw, on Seventh street, while the
family were at supper. This should be a
warning to all people to keep their front
doors locked, or be on their guard for the
light-fDgered fraternity.
Year: 1864

FALsE.-A report was circulated on
the streets yesterday that one of the SOL
dler who were stabbed on Monday eve.
ming died last...night. The rumor was
false. The foundation for the report was
that one of the soldiers in the hospital
died very suddenly yesterday morning
from some disease. Those that were
stabbed are getting along well.
Year: 1864

PEACHES kILLED.-Our exchanges
throughout the country are all bemoaning
the loss Of the peach crop Of the coming
season. They say that not only is all
prospect of peach crop for this year
gone, but that the trees themselves arc
also killed by the excessive cold. If this
is the case we may make up our minds to
do without peaches for the coming season,
at least.
Year: 1864

sg~ The magnificent series Of Santa
ry Fairs begun several months ago at
Chicago is now nearly closed. The move
meut was one of the most beautiful and
gigantic exhibitions of patriotism ever
witnessed on the earth Its substantial
results have been in the highest degree
satisfactory. The following is tolerably
accurate statement of the net proceeds of
Year: 1864

6TA Yankee editor lately closed lea
der in this unhappy strain-"The Sheriff's
officer is waiting for US in the other room, so
we have no opportunity to be pathetic; we
are wanted and must GO. Delinquent sub
scribcrs-you have much to answer for!-
Heaven may forgive you, but we never can,
Year: 1864

Two Irishmen were walking through


the menagerie the other day, when they
stopped to look at the bear. Surely
said one of them, Il should not ike to
meet a half dozen Of them running af-
ter me" A
Year: 1864

tails Of producers-the whole number
of men who have been detailed as farm
ers on this side of the Mississippi river
being .t0as1' thousand Jour hundred and
ejghty.fre.


The only objection to this order is
that portion of it which says Three
days are allowed for the execution of
this order after its reception at any post
or station Of the different departments. :"
This time will be too short to prevent
inconvenience to the public service from
the sudden cessation of labor and the
inability of contractors to wind up their
affairs.
Year: 1864

A late order, issued from the Office of
the Adjutant and Inspector General, or
ders the chiefs of the Bureau of Ordnance
and of the Nitre Bureau to turn over,
without delay, one:ftth of all the force
employed in their respective bureaux,
including contractors and other en-
ployees.


This order will put into the field al
most as many men, if not more, than
were procured by the revocation Of de-
Year: 1864

Quiet reigncd on the lines below Rich
mond yesterday. The day was both
foggy and cloudy, and from our works
nearest the Yankee lines scarcely any
thing could be seen Of the Yankees but
their pickets and their camp-tires-the
latter indicating their line from Deep
Bottom northwest to the Darbytown
road. For several days the enemy have
shown some restlessneSs in front OF the
extreme left Of our line, which runs
northeast from the Darbytown towards
the Charles City road, crossing the lat
ter about six miles from the southeast
ern suburbs Of the city; and on We'd
nesday night there was great rumbling
of Yankee wagons and artillery, and a
galloping to and fro Of their cavalry, in
this quarter. They are either preparing
for another reconnaissance or they
apprehend an attack from Us. 1t Is Ger
tain they have massed several divisions
along the Charles City road. There was
report, about eleven o'clock yesterday
morning, that they had attacked us at
this point, and that battle was going
on; but the story was without founda-
tion-thc heavy firing of our batteries
at Dutch gap no doubt gave rise to it; a;
the closeness OF the atmosphere render
ing every sound of the cannon distinctly
audable in the city.


THE BATTLE LAST THURSDAY.


The Yankees have very little to say
about this affair, and seek to dispose of
it by calling it reconnaissance. We
are not surprised at their wishing to put
it away. 1t must bs most unpleasant
Year: 1864

MoRsE is the first to introduce this
new style of Pictures. Every body that
see them are delighted with them


Call at the Gallery Of the Cumber-
land" and judge for yourself ol4,tE
Year: 1864

No event of importance has occurred
on the north side since General Long
streets reconnaissance Of last Saturday.
The troops thrown over by Grant to
meet Longstreets movement have been
withdrawn 10 the south side. Every
thing indicates protracted quiet on this
side of the river
Year: 1864

kepOFted mutinF near Mobile.


A correspondent of the Boston Journal,
on board the gunboat Jackson at Ship
Island, writes as follows on the 18th ult:


LAST night about 10 o'clock, 3 small
sail.bOat came down bound with some
verv important intelligence. The rebels
in Fort Morgan revolted, and during the
difficulty the rebel boats in Mobile Bay
attempted arrest the garrison Of the fort
the whole fort being in revolt, and with
the American flag firing they opened on
the rebel gunboats with 3 Ewing gun.
They succeeded in driving tie gunbOats
of, but not being on their guard largo
force was drawn from Mobile, capturing
the whole garrison except four men, who
escaped in darkness in . small boat and
came TO Ship Island. Since then we
heard more of the revolt from some other
deserters. Seventy of the revolters are
condemned to be shot to-day in Mobile.
We also learn from these deserters that
at Horn Island, up the sound, Is more
deserters arrived from TIE vicinity of
Mobile and Round Island. These de-
sertsrs bring the very important intelli-
gence that the rebel forces in and around
Mobile have organized secret societies
determined to ight no longer. It is stated
that the movement started among the
soldiers is daily growing stronger, and
many officers are comprised in it. think
this the most important movement of the
war am confident the news is true.


We are acquainted with the Gulf cor
respondent of the Journal, and know him
10 be E reliable man, 30 far as the facts
he narrates are concerned. That the
statements given above, we have no
doubt, were received from deserters, as
recorded; but whether bis final conclusions
are true, or not, of course none can, at
this time, say. Rebel kilograms have re-
ferred to disturbance" at Fort Nor
gan, but they refrain from given particu-
lars.


or the discomfort in the ranks, we have
had sufficient evidence to satisfy any
one; we were not prepared, however for
the organized resistance to the Richmend
authorities spoken of above; but it is to be
sincerely hoped that such is the case.


Our forces are preparing for an attack
upon Mobile IS the rebels are now full
ly aware of this, it is unnecessary for US
TO longer keep silent. The latest intel
ligence from New Orleans i5 to the effect
that troops are being hurried across the
lake to MadisOnville, which is to be the
starting point Ofone of the three expedi-
ticns fitting out against the doomed city.
The iron clsds in addition will not be
idle; aud the result Of the siege will be
decided evidence as to whether the mas
ses of the rebel army have determined 70
lay down their arms, or no. The pace
will be taken under any circumstances (;
but viii the surrender be a tame one, or
will the rebel flag only be lowered after
long and bloody siege