smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

ExPERTNEss OF CHINESE THIEvEs.-Wem make
the following extract, showing the expertness
of the Chinese thieves, from ssLife Among the
Chinese" recent work by Rev. r. S. Maclay
a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal
Church


GA foreign ship captain was once dining at
the table of a foreign merchant in China, when
the conversation turned on this subject, and a
number OF illustrative anecdotes were recited
BY members of the company. Among the in
cidents related was one in which it happened
that the burglar had entered the room where
the occupant was sleeping, and had stolen the
laid off clothing of the sleeper without dis
turbng him. The captain received this story
with staunch incredulity, and dec Jared with
emphasis that he deied any person to enter a
room where he was sleeping without awaking
him.


"Why,'' said the gentleman at whose table
he had been dining, ssThere is a Chinese thief
in this city who can steal the sheet on which
you are sleeping, without awaking you.''


ssImpossible,'' cried the Indignant captain.
Fhe merchant, however, was in earnest about
the matter, and it was finally agreed that the
captain should spend few nights in desig-
mated room of the merchants house, just to
test the matter.


In accordance with the arrangement, the
thief was informed of the circumstances, and
was assured of safety if caught on the premises
during the time specified. The captain occu-
pied the room one or two nights, and nothing
transpired to disturb his repose. The succeed
ing night, about two hours past midnight, the
thief approached the windows of the room in
which he slept, and finding all quiet within,
cautiously made his entrance. 1t was hot
summer night, and the sleeper in his night
cloths lay about the middle of the bed, leaving
his person only partly covered with thin
counterpane. Softly approaching the bed
side, the thief removed the counterpane, and
then addressing himself to the sheet on which
the sleeper was lying, he began in the gentaest
manner to fold it up In narrow piles lengthwise.
In few minutes the last fold of the sheet came
close up against the form of the sleeper.


And now came the most difficult part of the
performance. 1t was comparatively easy to
fold up that part of the sheet not in immediate
contact with the captains person, but how to
remove the part beneath him without disturb
ing his repose. Taking straw in his hand
the expert gently tickled the sleeper till he
rolled over. He then coolly walked of with
his trophy.
Year: 1861

An Improvement has been made in an instrument
called the larynxoscope. BY mt ans of lens and
mirror, the light Of lamp o: candle can be CON
centraed as to show the condition OF the throat
with great accuracy.
Year: 1861

TIE YANKEE NAyY.-An article in the ". York Tribune
gives some of the progress which the enemy
making upon the water. The Richmond Wing submits the
following comment:


they hope be able fit navy of tremendous force
which will enable them to make predatory descents all along
our coast There of doubt but that this is the
sort which they design wsgng against With the
command of the and OF constructed
for shallow water they expect burn cities steal
property and parayze any aggressive movement we
may mediate. Ofcourse, such war would corquer no.
thing would be very little different from piracy; but it
would be annoying and ntoerabe. We must arrest -and
that soon-and the way do it is By bold prompt and
decisive stroke at the heart Of the enemy We can only
other property the old United States partnership and
conquer lasting peace the banks Of the Delaware and
Hudson ThheT We must GO at all hazards and at any cost
Year: 1861

The FRENCH SWORD BAYoNET-One Of the causes
which has demOraized the Austrian soldier s the new
weapon the sword.bayonet, with which hes attacked
by the French soldier and against which neither his
own old bayonet bis superior physical strength are
of no avail Not oUy the sword-bayonet give thrust
for thrust with the old weapon, but while it hruss or
withdra after delivering it, it the tend0ns oi
the leg OF tie opponent thus completely disabling
him prior to the last death blow Moreover the French
soldier is taught to wied bis weapon by posing it like
quarter-staf horizontally high the head Of his
adversary, and by slight movement in the segment Of


circle the sharp blade is swept the neck chest
or face of three men opposed to him il line This novel
mode of attack cannot be met by the old n1sket aud
bayone hence the Austrian soldier has in despair re-
sorted to the butt of his muet in endeaVorng to crush
bis enemy who agile skltul of fence and rendered con-
fdent by the superiority Of bis arm deliver
three wounds with his sword-bayonet while hs antago-
nist is swinging bis club.
Year: 1861

other portions OF the Confederate States, who have
suffered by the abduction of their slaves by the enemy
the waste destruction of their property by them
have been at pains to ascertain the mode of taking
testimony of the fact aud extent of such losses which
be placed the files of the State Department for the
disposition By the Government of the claims they
may present.


The testimony is 10 be taken by deposition, or by
ral proofs reduced to writing, before any of the follow
Dg officers qualified to adminis oaths, viz any Judge
If the Confederate States or Commissioner of any
hereof; or any Noary Public; or, in case OF their
being such ocers n the county corporation where
he proceedings Instituted then before any Justice
Of the Peace Alderman. The affidavit OF the party
himself of the fact Of ownership and OF loss or damage
is under all circumstances necessary.


Richmond Era miner
Year: 1861

the village, and we concluded the deceased
was Alicc's mother.


My mother proposed sending Alice to
the work house, to be taken care of, but
the little creatures helplessness and beauty
had touched NY heart, and formed the
abused idea Of adopting her. My mother
consented to her being kept, although she
joked me great deal about my maternal
dignity, and Alice became installed an
inmate Of our home, and endealcd herself
to every one, by her many winning ways
Alice soon learned to love me--was she
not mine and mine only ? it became her
chief delight to climb into her scat upon
my lap, and gaze upon Il miniature which
never left her neck she would pass her
dimpled hand over the lovely face, and
murmur words OF endearmcnt in low,
sweet voice.
Year: 1861

"What amounts to adhering TO and giving
aid and comfort to our enemies, it is somewhat
difficult in all cases to define but certain it is,
that furnishing them with arms, or munitions
of war, vessels, or other means of transporta.
ton, or any materials which will aid the traitors
in carrying out their traitorous purposes, with q
knowledge that they are intended for such pur-
poses, or melting and encouraging others to
engage in or aid the traitors in any way, does
come within the provisions of that act. And it
is mmaterial whether such acts are induced
by sympathy with the rebellion, hostility to the
Government, or desire for gain.


"Under the second section of the act of 1890,
all who have any knowledge Of any such acts
of treason, and do not, as soon as possible,
make it known in the manner therein pre-.
scribed, are guilty of misprision of treason, and
subject to the punishment therefor"
Year: 1861

at is reported that the Mayor has written a
letter to the War Department, protesting
against the issuing of arms to the various ward
volunteer associations lately formed in this
city"


Though we have no precise information on
the subject, we sincerely trust the statement of
the Star is incorrect, not because of any i'll
will for that paper, but because such an act
would indicate an officious intermeddling that
the Mayor should scorn to engage in.
Year: 1861




When our friend Dr. Crane, the wellknown elec-
trician and curer of nervous diseases and broken
down constitutions, returned to his residence on
st. Joseph street, late night before last he found
the front door open, and upon entering heard un-
mistakabe sounds of intrusion by burglars, in the
rear part of the lower story. They heard him, the
same as he heard them; he, being satisfied that
they were robbers, stepped into the front room
and got loaded revolver which he kept there.


Then, ready to shoot, he went back to take a
peep at his visitors, and found two men trying to
escape by the back door and window, which hap.
pened to be well fastened. They saw him and
made a rush for the hall; he backed up the
hall; they bursted through window opening
on the side alley, and as they did so, the Doc
tor fred at them. As they were scrambling out, he
fired at them second time; as they stampeded
out the alley, he reached out at the window, and
fired at them third time


AS he was thus protruding from the window the
villains turned about at the mouth of the alley and
sent two shots at him; the bullets missed him, as
his bullets had missed them, though an exclamation
from one of them sounded as though his last shot
had taken effect. After firing back at him. the
villains ran down st. Joseph street.


The Doctor ran out at the front door, and gave
chase, shouting for the police, but no police came,
and the rascals were so far ahead of him that they
escaped. The policeman of that beat like Dick
Gray, might have been putting OH "dry socks''
somewhere.


We understand that several houses in that neigh
borhood have lately been burgariously visited, but
without profit to the burglars.
Year: 1861

One OF our banks, in expectation Of re-
celVing supply of Demand Treasury
Notes, in the way Of business, offers to ex-
change them at a moderate premium, for
gold. Paper that is Werth more than coin
is good but the Government must be pre-
pared to see all notes sent here "go straight
to New York for redemption" Using, az
We are here, q deprecated paper currency
at its nominal value, it must be expected
that the patriotism Of eur dealers in money
will be oFerborne by their necessities, and
that when currency, at par in New York
city, comes into their hands, they will
make the most Of it, We regret to say
this; but IN matter Of so great Import
ance we Should be unHise to excite ex-
Pecsaions that will not he realized. The
people are well disposed. If the circula-
tion Of the notes depended upon them, not
one in hundred would be returned; they
would be glad to see them push every In
diana, Ohio and New Esglaad bank nste
out Of the State; but their business is done
with bankers whose interest is not their
interest, and they must accept the business
arrangements that the bankers make. So
Let Mr. Chase be locking after his suppGez
OF coin. The Western money-dealers will
be after him, unless the indignation of the
people shall compel them to do what they
ought-their utmost to aid the Govern
ment in this crisis.
Year: 1861

"oulo contribute her quota Of soldiers,
II YOU'D not be necessary to strip Ere
mont OF the Western legions which he
was preparing for his march to New Or
ieans' nor would her beloved Secretary be
IN peril Of being driven from the capital,
Or made q prisoner within sight Of his
own State.


The following table shows the number Of
males in the loyal States, fit to bear arms,
between the ages Of IS and As years,
together with the population Of each Stats.
and the number OF men each should send
to the army to make up the half million
ordered into service by act Of Congress
Year: 1861

@The Nashville onion says that At
meeting Of the Typographical Association OF
that city, on the night Of the Oh inst, N or
dlnsnce diseolving al connection with the Ma
tional Union was adopted By unanimous
vote,
Year: 1861




The privilege Of custom permits me rieHy
TO state, in entering upon my new duties. the
course shall aim to pursue editor Of this
paper


The DEMOCRAT, while under my charge
will be, as it ever has been. steadmst in th"
support Of the cause Of the Union, and of
National Democratic principles. 1t will give
utterance TO no views intended to be ohiec-
tionable TO the true Union men of California,
or acceptable to the enemies or lukewarm
friends Of the Union. 1t will echo 10 cant
of secession sympathizers who support the
usurpations Of the JEFF Davis government,
aud applaud the hottie movements Of the
Cotton States authorities, while they deprc-
cate ordinary acts of self-preservation on the
part of the Federal Government under which
California lives aud thrives. 1t will persist
emily deny the right of secession, and will
treat those who favora Pacific Republic, now
or at any future time, either under existing
circumstances or possible contingencies, as
conspirators and traitors.


Believing the regular Democratic State
organization Of California to be the legitimate
and most powerful one, around which the
Union men of the State can rally in the com
ing campaign, this paper will strive to aid in
promoting an amicable feeling among all, Of
whatever political antecedents, who agree
with us in attachment to the Union, and in
opposition to all those, at the South or at the
North who seek TO prevent "A settlement of
the present woful disorders in manner
honorable to, and befttng the dignity Of our
government and humane rs the appalling
circumstances of the hour will permit


have stated these points that there may
be no erroneous impressions with regard to
the future course of the DEMOCRAT ! trust
| have made myself understood. and that ]
may succeed in making the DEMOCRAT of some
service TO the cause of the Democratic Union |
garin Fully sensible of the disadvantage
under which | shall aborin my new position,
by reason of the fact that am the successor
of gentleman of rare literary abilities, | am,
notwithstanding, less embarrassed by that,
here in Marysville, where my home has real
ly been for eleven years, than | could be were |
| coming among strangers.
If fail to make the DEMOCRAT a readable
newspapers, it will not be for lack Of industry
and good intentions.
Year: 1861

LARGE D1rcu ENrGRrnIsE.-A ditch COM
pany has been organized in Placer with a
capital of 500 900, says the Auburn signal,
to continue in existence forty-nne years, for
the purpose of conducting the water of the
North Fork of the American river to the
mioing region lying between that stream and
the Middle Fork Of the American. The wa
ter is to be taken out of the river at the
mouth of Sailors Canon, and will reach the
top of the divide near the Forks House
Should the company succeed in completing
the ditch, the large supply water thus fur
nished for mining and agricultural purposes
upon the divide will make that large district
of Placer county the most productive of any
part of the State. 1t is even now perhaps,
producing more gold than any other district
of mines of the same extent of territory, and
if furnished with a full supply of water,
would support ten times the population that
it now contains.
Year: 1861

SENATOR MoDouGALL-We are perfectly
satisfied says the Shasta Courier, with Gen
McDougall. We have the utmost confidence
in his honesty. We bell eve, without the
shadow of doubt lingering upon our mind,
that he will adhere to the Democracy as long
as the vital spark fingers in his proverbia!ly
generous heart We believe that no man
has right to doubt his fealty to the party
sn which he has been reared from his boy
hood, whose battles he has helped to fight
since early manhoo} to whom he is indebted
for the proud bays which encircle his honor
ed brow. And we also believe that, in these
expressions of confidence, we give utterance
to the feelings Of a large majority of the
Democracy of Shasta county,
Year: 1861

SOUND. The Democratic State Central
Committee is to meet in San Francisco on the
18th May Some people talk Of fusion with
the Lindlcyites. The Democracy of the State
win not endorse the Lindley rignarole. The
Democracy of the State to day hold in ab-
horrence the reasonable language by which
public men few weeks ago encouraged an
lmhecile administration in tamely succumbing
to lncipient treason which has since attained
such stal vart proportions.


IT Is the duty OF the Committee to issue an
address reviewing the questions now agita-
ting the public mind, and expressive. TO some
degree of the loyal sentiments of trne Coli-
fornians Then invite the co-opero,ion of
all who are in favor of preserving and for,i
flying something of the former material great
ness Of the Republic; and all who are in
favor of maint ming at all hazards, Union
that shall bind the Pacific with the Atlantic
States, and with the States of the great
Eorth-wcst -Hiefrd U>m0crm.
Year: 1861

TIE THEArER.-By reference to the adver-
tisement elsewhere it will be seen that new
attractions are to be presented TO the patrons
OF the theater this evening. The continued
success of this establishment is proof that
ated by our people.
Year: 1861

It appears that five of the North CaroIins
regiments who were enrolled for the war
ment gave them neither pay, food nor cloth
ing, and the Standard fears that the "other
regiments will do likewise unless their de-
mands are promptly met" Truly this is a
sad state of things for this new Government,
which is unable to pay or clothe its soldiers
What fellows the North Caroliniaus must
bs-how ungrateful, to ask for food, CLOTH G
and pay, in cause so glorious as theirs is
said to be,
Year: 1861

THE THREE CAMP DIsElsEs.-Soldiers in
camp suffer from three diseases: diarrhea,
rheumatism and fever. The cOmmonest
cause ofdisrrhes is bad water; its cure, com
p'ete rest, and abstinence from every kind
Of food except boiled rice. All ordinary
cases will yield to this treatment in twenty
four hours or less Rheumatism is usually
brought on, not by getting wet but by re-
naming in wet clothes. Hard drinkers are
particularly liable TO bad attacks. To avoid
rheumatism, keep dry, wear flannel aud keep
the digestion sound. Fevers are generally
caught after dark in the open air. A man
going out on night duty should never go
hungry, and never stand still longer than
necessary. Good food and active exercise
will generally keep man well, unless the
air is uncommoDly deleterious. To cure a
case Of not very severe fever, nothing
seemsso efficacious as change of air. 1t
is said that the removal of patient only a
few miles, often works an immediate i'm
provement in his condition. In scouting
along the edge OF swamp at night, there
is no danger so long as the party keeps on
the windward side of it These doctrines
are laid down in the writings of army sur
geons and physicians who have given much
attention to the subjects discussed, and ought
therefore to be trustworthy.
Year: 1861

Mahomet undoubtedly understood how to
raise troops for his wars, and to make them
fight. He ordained that the soldier who
performed any signal exploit in battle should
not be refused during the whole expedition,
whatever his age or deformity, kiss from
any woman that he chose to ask for it,
Year: 1861

A chap was told that the best cure for the
paIpitation of the heart was to quit hugging
and kissing the girls. He replied that If that
was the only remedy that could be proposed,
he was in favor of palpitation.
Year: 1861

to convey all the urinous liquid, outside the
barn, and deposit it in a large, cheap recep-
tacle purposely made for the reception of
tie liquid, by excavating the .earth at tho
end of the barn, and forming an impervious.
clay bottom in the hollow thus made. into
this the farmer, at his leisure, casts muck
from the swamp, head-lands from the garden
and fields, coarse CHI ip manure, and all re-
fuse matter about his premises thus Great
ing mine Of wealth" and improving tho
appearance of his farm. In constructing
barns, the farmer should always have an
eye to the saving Of the manure, both solid
and liquid, voided therein


FACTS FOR PooR FARMERS. = 'Thosn
farmers who have most difficulty to make
ends meet, always plough most and keep
most stock. Now these men take the true
plan to keep themselves always poor. be-
cause their crops and stock are always poor
and little" So writes John johnson, in
a letter to the secretary of our State Society;
and he thus illustrates his statement: ''It
is good profit to raise three hundred bushels
of wheat from ten acres, but when it takes
thirty acres to raise that amount it is raised
at loss So it is with cattle and sheep


you will see the thinking farmer making
four year old steers worth from sixty to,
eighty dollars each, and his neighbor's ut
the same age not worth over twenty-five to
forty dollars" His advice to the latter is,


elf his land is exhausted he should plough


no more than be can thoroughly manure.


Seed with clover and grass and let it rest.


and that field will not only pay we'll for til
lage, but it will furnish manure (if rightly


managed) to make another field Of the same


size rich Also" And then keep it rich, do


not run it with grain until again exhausted.


or ''the latter end Of that land will be worse


than the first" Country Gentleman.
Year: 1861

the anatomist wishes to preserve human
brain for any length of time, he effects that
object by keeping that organ in a vessel Of
alcohol From soft, pulpy substance, it
becomes comparatively hard but the inebri-
ate, anticipating the anatomist. begins the
indurating process before death-begins it
while the brain remains the consecrated
temple of the soul. while its delicate and
gossamer-like tissues still throb with the
pulse of a heaven-born life. Strange in
fatuation, thus to desecrate the god-like -
Terrible enchantment, that dries up all the
fountains of generous feelings. petri6es all


the tender humanities and sweet charities of
lie, leaving only brain Of lead and heart
of stone.
Year: 1861

duoeI vi Huseta, tudt Ills peISoudl CudrdcItf
was equivalent to constitution. During
the wars of the Fronde, Montague was the
only man among the French gentry who
kept his castle gate unbarred; and it is said
of him that his personal character was worth
more to him than regiment Of horse
That character is power, is true in much
higher sense than that knowledg ge is power
Mind without heart, intelligence without
conduct, cleverness without goodness, are
powers, in their way. but they may be pow
ers only for mischief. We may be instruc-
ted or amused by them but is sometimes
as difficult to admire them as it would be to
admire the dexterity of a pick pocket. or the
horsemanship of a highwayman. Truth
fulness, integrity, and goodness--qualities
that hang out on any mans breath-form
the essence of manly character, or, as one
Of our writer's has it, THAT inbred loyalty
unto virtue that can serve her without liv-
cry" When Stephen Of Collonna fell into
the hands of his base assailants. and they
asked him in derison "Where is your
fortress % Here 2 was his bold reply,
placing his hand upon his heart It is in
misfortune that the character of the upright
man shines forth with the greatest lustre,
and when all else fails he takes stand upon
his integrity and courage
Year: 1861

A DRuNKARD's BRAIN.--Hyrti, by far
the greatest anatomist Of the age. used to
say that he could distinguish in the darkest
room by one stroke of the scalpel, the brain
of the inebriate from that Of the person who
lived soberly. Now and then he would con-
gratulate his class upon the possession of a
drunkard's brain, admirably fitted, from its
hardness and more complete preservation,
for the purpose Of demonstration When
Year: 1861

~ Many persons spend so much time
c-iticising and disputing about the gospel,
tiat they have none left for practicing it
AS if two men should quarrel about the
phraseology of their physicians prescription,
and forget to take the medicine.