davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
The Horse known by his ears.

The size, position, and motion of the
ears OF horse are important points
Those rather small than large, placed not
too far apart, erect and quick in motion, i'll
dictate both breeding aud spirit, and if. Il
horse Is in the frequent habLof carrying one
ear forward and the other backward, and
especially if he does so on a Journey, he
will generally possess both spirit and CON-
tinuance. The stretching of the ear in
contrary directions shows that he is ,attcn-
tive to everything that is passing around
him; aud while he is doing this, he cannot
be much fatigucd, nor likely soon to be-
come so.
1t has been remarked that few horses
sleep without pointing one ear forward, in
order that they may receive notice of the
approach of objects in any direction. When
horses or mules march in company, at night,
those in front direct their ears forward /;
those in the rear direct them backward !;
and those in the middle of the train turn
them laterally or crosswse-the whole
seeming thus to be actuated by one feeling
which watches their general safety.
The ear of the horse is one of the most
beautiful parts about him, and by few things
its motion The ear is more Ineligible
even than the eye, and person accustomed
to the horse can tell, by the expressive mo-
ton of that organ, almost all that he thinks
or means. When horse lays his ears flat
back on his neck, he most assuredly is med
Itating mischief aud the bystander should
beware of his heels or his teeth, In play,
the ears will be laid back, but not so decI-
dedly nor so long. A quick change in their
position, and more particularly the express
sion Of the eye at the time, will distinguish
between playiulness and vice.
The hearing of the horse is remarkable
acute a thousand vibrations of the air,
too slight to make any impression on the
human ear, are readily perceived by him.
1t is well known to every hunter that the
cry of hounds will be recognized by the
horse, and his ears will be erect, and he will
be all spirit and impotence, considerable
time before the rider is conscious Of the
least sound. The Horse and his Rider.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
a Chinese Breakfast.

Let us enter new China street at about
ten O'clock, the time of Chinese break fast,
though they rise and work for four hours
before. We pause in front OF ChonCshing's
variety store, and observe that the shop
doors are put to, indicating that business
must yield to the pleasure of eating, aud
that the inmates have not the slightest idea
of being disturbed at their meals. But for
once, we will violate the rules of etiquette
and go in. Chongshing and his sons are
about sitting down to a circular table, and
do moi seem disposed to pay us much atten-
ton. We hear sound of something his
sing, and presently servant from the back
room brings in half dozen or more bowls
filled with hot boiled rice, or fish prepared
in some'simple way, or vegetables; tea ia
served i'll little cups; the chopsticks are
pulled from their cases. and the battle be-
gins. Chopsticks to a European arc one of
the seventy times seven wonders of the
world. They are from six to eight inches
in length, perfectly round and smooth, and
about the size of rye straws. Held between
the thumb and two forefngers, they would
seem, at first sight, about as useless as knit
ting needles, but one no longer doubts their
efficiency, when he sees the prodigies of de-
vastation performed by their aid. So dex-
ferrous is the Chinaman, that he canpick up
a grain of rice between their rounded ends
as easily as it can be lifted on knife blade;
but he does not usually stop to eat in such
delicate, ady-like style. Chongshug and
party wash down their meal by suchuanum
bered cups of tea, that johnson himself
would be put in the shade. They drink it
without sugar or cream; they would spoil
its flavor. Now the breakfast is almos. over.
each has seized his bowl of rice, and this is
the moment for the painter. Each bowl is
elevated to the mouth, each head thrown
back, each tail hangs straight down, and in
to the distended jaws the nimbe chopsticks
shovel the rice in the most marvellous man
ner. Then, as the bowls are emptied, above
each mouth appears little hill of the white
vegetable, a gurgling sound is heard, and
the rice hills sink out ofsight as if swallow
ed by quicksand. After this feat the par-
ty come to, and setting down the bowls look
into them once more, sigh profoundly and
all at once become aware of our presence,
Jumping up from the table, ask if we too
have had breakfast, and being wide awake
to chatter on every article.-INe Canton
Chinese, Osborn Tiffany.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
LIER, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1910.

to frame, under the laws of our Republic.
Thus closes the Convention aud can
not help saying, with Capt. Suffer that the
day which secs laid the broad and liberal
foundation of Free and Independent State
Oh the shores of the Pacific, is great day
for California. AS an American feel
proud and happy-proud that the Empire of
the West, the commerce of the great Pa
efic, the new way TO the Indies, forming
the last link in that belt of civilized enter
prise which now clasps the world, has been
established under my country's flag; and
happy that in all the extent of California,
from the glittering SHOWS of the Shast to
the burning deserts of the Colorado, no
slave shall ever lift his arm to make the
freedom Of that flag mockery.
The members of the Convention may
have made some blunders in the course of
their deliberations; there may be some OBJ
lectionable clauses in the Constitution they
have framed. Blu; where was there ever
body convened, under such peculiar circum-
stances where was ever such harmony
evolved out of so wonderful so dangerous,
so magnificent chaos The elements of
which the Convention was composed were
no less various, and in some respects antag-
| onislc, than those combined in the mining
population The questions they had to set
tie were often perplcxing, from the remark
able position of the country and the absence
of all precedent Besides, many of them
were men unused to legislation. Some had
for years past known no other life than that
of the camp, others had nearly forgotten
in lo -, 4,
others again were familiar only with that
practiced under the rule Of Il different race
Yet the cour;escs or debate have never
been wantonly violated, and the result of
every conflict Of opinion has been a quiet
acquescence Oh the part of the minority
Now at the conclusion, the only feeling is
that of general joy'and congratuIation.
Thus, we have another splendid example
OF the ease and security with which people
can be educated TO govern Themselves
From that chaos whence, under the rule of
a despotlsm like the Austrian, would spring
the most trlghtful excuses Of anarchy and
crime, population Of frcemen peacefully
and quietly develops the highest form of
civil order-thc broadcst extent of liberty
and security. Governments, bad and cor
'"Pt 40 many ~ lleul are, anu Imperfect dS
they all must necessarily be, nevertheless at
times exhibit scenes of truemoral sublimty.
What have to day witnessed has SO impress
sed me; and were believer in omens,
would augur from the tranquil beauty of
this evening-irom the clear sky and the
lovely sunset hues on the waters of the Bay
more than all, from the joyous express
ion of every face sea glorious and pros
porous career for the STATE OF CALIFoR-
MA
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
Foolish Mistake.

A Ftenchman happened to be on board
steamer going from Pittsburgh to New
Orleans. The boat got OIL a bar, and, after
man9uverng for some time, to get her of,
the Captain said
"Now gentlemen, all run forward at once,
and | think she'll go over just as easy as
falling off log"
According all started off as if they were
running for wager, and our Frenchman,
without exactly knowing why, but having
an indstinct notion that something was
wrong, not only followed their example, but
soon outstripped the rest Just at this mo-
meut, some malicious individual called out,
Jump! JunpW which words the French
man happened to understand. So, instead
of stopping where the others did, to the as
constituent of everybody, he threw himself
headlong into the river! A yawl was i'm
mediately lowered and the poor Frenchman
was rescued from his perilous position,
without having sustained any injury except
a thorough wetting and good fright As
soon as lie could speak, he said, with an OK
preston which, taken in connection with
his words, was rather ludicrous
Vat you mean by saying Jump jump p
You tell me to jump, and your damn boat no
blow up at all, and | get one ducking for
nothing, Ell !"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
Great Dog Story.

While had charge Of an academy in
Springfield, GA, from 1929 to 1896, devo-
Ted lew hours, occasionally, to angling. |
went on horseback, and took with me a
large dog, which had taught almost as a
child, to guard my horse while | engaged
in the sport. had accustomed my talk to
him slowly but distinctly, and show him how
| had done this and that. | found that he
understood me. If said, "The weather
will be uniavorable, there will be no fishing
to-day he would go off and lie down in
apparent sorrow; but if | said, " 1t is fine
day, we shall have sport enough" he would
jump around i'll the highest excitement.
One evening, at the old Of the moon, the
fish biting keenly, | had remained an hour
after dark, and as | had left the horse unit
ed to Craze, and did not see him, asked
the dog, "Tiger, where is the horse :" He
conducted me to him, and began to bark at
the horse. The horse became alarmed, and
ran home. / then said to the dog, "Tiger,
do you see that You have frightened Sala-
din, and that now, tired aud latigued
have to 90 home on foot! Now mark me
if you ever do it again, will certainly
shoot you, as did Tie squirrel on the tree,
or the bird in the air Do you hear .
Mind as you see my eye on the horse, do
you 60 behind Il pine tree or bush, and when
am mounted, then you may do as you
please"
Ga the third evening went again, and
had forgotten the instructions | had given
Tiger, was again delayed. On my wills
tie, he came ONE, watched my eye, as he
conducted me to the horse, feeding in d
small savannah, and assoon as saw him
went back and hid behind Il large pine tree
As soon as | had caught the horse ana
mounted, he came with the strongest posi-,
bic demonstration aud gave me the evidence
of his scll-compacency and joy, He ever
after followed that instruction once given
The same dog toiled three hours to bring
back my horse, which had escaped with hal
ter, and struck off for his former home, anc
finally seizlng him by the halter, actually
led him two miles back to the stable a.
soon as the horse was secured, the dog In,
down, exhausted by the long and persever
ing effort,
Here was reason. He heard, understood
obeyed, in the exercise of memory, iudg
meul, reflection, and determination. In the
last instance, there was evidently deeper re-
Election, thought, and longer and more per
seyering effort, than many Il child of tel
years OF age would have exercised or IN lde.
Investigator
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
Reasons for learning to Sing.

The celebrated William Byrd, the author
of Non nobis Domino" gave the follow
ing very torcible reasons for learning to sing,
in a scarce work, published in 1893, EMIT
led Psalms, sonhets, and songs of sadness
and piety"
lst-It is knowledge easily taught and
quickly learned, where there is a good mas
ter and apt scholar.
2nd-The exercise of singing is delight
ful to nature, and good to preserve the
health of man,
3rd-It doth strengthen all parts Of the
heart, and doth open the pipes.
4th-It is singular good remedy for a
suffering and s.ammering in speech.
5th--lt is the very best means to preserve
a perfect pronunciation, and to make a
good orator.
6th-It is the only way to know when ma
ture hath bestowed good voice, which gift
is so rare that there is not one among u
thousand that hath it; and in many that ex-
cellent gift is lost because they want an art
to express nature.
7th-There is not any music of instru-
ments whatever comparable TO that which
is made of mems voices, when the voices
are good, and the same well sorted, and or
dered
Sth-The better the voice is, the meeier
il is to honor and serve God Herewith; and
the voice of man is chiefly to be employed
to that end
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
The Wife's Wooden Leg.

A man in town adjoining Boston, who
is addicted to habits of intemperance, want
ed 10 90 a spree in company with "A number
of boon companions. But to effect his oh.
ject he must raise some money. Now it sc
happened that his wife had, by dnt of in.
dustry and close economy, saved five dol.
lars, which she had successfully concealed
from her husbond Early in the morning
of the day when he was to meet his com
rades, he said to his wife
Where's that five dollars you've got hic
away
"Why?" replied his wife.
81 want it,"
"You can't have it,"
What for 2"
Because Pm going away 10 spend the
day aud want some money"
His wife continued to refuse, telling hin
that he would spend it for rum. After us
ing various persuasives and threatenings
without success, he adopted another method
with different results.
His wife had lost limb, and was conse.
quently obliged to wear wooden leg, As
she had not yet arisen, aud her unresisting
leg was lying on the floor, the miserable
man picked 1t up, carried to pawn-broker'
shop, and pawned it there for five dollars,
lust the amount which she had at home, but
which she must part with in order to regain
this indispensable article With the pro-
ceeds of his wiic's wooden leg he sported
through the day aud enjoyed the luxury OF
a drunken night.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20

dant proof that, as long as the Union en-
dures, there is to be no peace for the slave
holder. An eternal warfare against his
rights of person aud property, under the as
sociated influence Of the people and the
States of the North, and the central power,
has been solemnly and deliberately decreed.
For this reason it is essential that the com
munty of which he is member should be
prepared, at any moment, for every emer-
gency."
Gov S. therefore recommends measures
to be taken for the reorganization of the
military the appropriation of $4,000 to
purchase arms and munitions of war, sc.
National Iatcligoncer.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
Keeping Hens.

Mr.. J. NJ. Mason, of Orwell, VT, usually
winters two hundred hens. His practice is,
to buy pulels in the winter. They cost a.
bout twelve and half cents each. They
are fed in a great degree on mutton. Mr..
NJ. buys sheep in the fall at low prces-a-
bout what their pelts and tallow are worth.
The carcasses are boiled, the tallow saved,
and the flesh and bones, after being allowed
to freeze, are kept till spring,-a suitable
portion being fed to the hens daily. They
are allowed, in addition to the meat, little
corn, oats, or buckwheat. They lay well
through the Understandable quarters
being provided for them--and continue to
produce eggs in abundance till June. 1t is
found most profitable to sell the whole stock
at this period, as they are generally fat, and
will bring from twenty to twenty-five cents
apiece. If kept through the summer, they
lay but little in warm months, the eggs will
keep but short time, the fowls grow poor
in moulting, and if kept another year will
not lay as well as young ones. Mr.. M.
keeps hens only, and is inclined to think he
obtains as many eggs, and that they keep
better. As to varieties, he has tried sever
al, and he thinks the top-knOts will general
ly lay rather more eggs the first season |;
but their carcasses are of less value than
most other kinds.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
South Carolina.

Gov. Seabrook, in his message to the
South Carolina Legislature, approves highly
of the plan of Southern Convention, in
case of the passage by Congress oflhe Will
mot Proviso, or any kindred measure, and
recommends that the Governor be empower
ed, in such contingency, either to conyoke
the Legislature, if not in session, or to is
sue wrlts of election for convention of the
people.
The following passage of the message,
after South Carolina fashion, goes far beyond
the length which the most strenuous sup
porter Of Southern rights need demand. 1t
in effect proclaims the Union to be posi-
tiye evil, the sooner ended the better.
1t is, perhaps, unnecessary to assure
you that South Carolina must, hereafter, ex-
list as a military people. The history ofour
country for the last ten years affords abun.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
3)oliiitol.
" Chelsea Redeemed!w

We publish the annexed as apparently
very iorcible commentary upon the Patriots
boast of "Chelsea redeemed" Since the
boast was made in this quarter, it is proper
that the answer should also be promulgated
here. We copy what purports to be the
facts, emitting all the reflections Of the
writer. II such are the facts, the reader
will need no guide-board to find just infer
enrPe
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
From the Vermont Journal.


CHELSEA, Dec. 5, 1919.
Mn EDIroR The alb owe caption heads
an article in the last Montpelier Patriot,
and is so full Of Inconsistencies, that
statement of few facts may not be Deem
ed improper:
After the box was turned, Cat the recent
election in this town, for delegate to the
Constitutional Conventon,) and the votes
sorted l72, or as others say who saw the
count, l73, were counted for Levi b. Villas
During this count, 4 scattering votes were
= AT one end of the table and > at the other.
The above votes for Mr. Villas and these six
scattering votes are all that we're gven a.
gainst the Wing candidate, Burnham Mar
tin.
The Constable, after having sorted, pro.
ceeded to count the votes for Mr.. Martin,
, and made them Just l67-this number was
also made by two of the civil authority, and
by two of the spectators. The votes were
then counted by Mr.. Villas, (who perceived
that an election must be made by cOantiRg,
as none had been made by the freemen,)
and having counted his opponents, declar-
ed that Martin had but l64 votes This
would elect Mr. Villas by 3 or majority Vi
las then standing at the elbow of the Con-
But the Constable refused and said he
should count Mr.. Martins votes again.
This Mr.. Villas vehemently opposed, declar-
ing the count to be right Mr.. Villas see
ing the constable determined on another
count, publicly proclaimed, that if the votes
were agaih counted, more would be found
for Martin than he had made by his own
count-that he had seen person on put 9
or 3 votes for Martin, &, he would expose the
one who did it. Upon this charge Of fraud
one Of the civil authority called upon Mr.
Villas to know if he meant to implcate him
He replied that he did not. The Constable
then proceeded to count the votes for Mr..
Martin again, and arrived at precisely the
same result as before, when he first count
ed them, making l67. Mr.. Villas was now
called upon by one of the freemen present
during the whole affair, to count his own
votes, as, having seen the votes counted, he
believed there were but i12 This Villas
refused to do-standing by the Constable
and crying, " declare the election declare
the election !" The constable then pro-
ceeded to figure the votes and made the fol-
lowing result:
Villas, I73
Martin, 1877
Scattering, Size
Thus giving one majority for Villas, he de.
clared his election. Immediately after this
Judge Villas made a grab at the votes and
mixed them all together, This having ex.
cited suspicion of his fairness, inquiry was
made, and it was soon ascertained that Il
vote had been deposited in the box for Levi
Dodge, which had not been counted
Search was Immediately made among the
votes thus mixed by Judge Villas, aud be-
hold the vote was found. This unsealed
the mystery, and opened the eyes Of all
This vote, added to those for Marlin and
scattering, would make l73 against i73 or
liz for Villas Call it l13 for Villas, and
there was but tie vote, according to the
present known rules Of arithmetic
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
Entertainments.
The Planetary System as tits un-
derstOod.

Sir ]. Herschel has lately expressed his
opinion, that it is impossible any longer to
attempt explanation of the movements of all
the heavenly bodies by simple attraction, as
understood in the Newtonian thcory-these
comets, with their trains perversely turned
from the sun deranging sadly our systemat-
ic views. Nor are there writes Humboldi)
any constant relations between the dstan-
ccs of the planets from the central body
round which they revove, and their abso-
Lutte magnitudes, densites, times of rota-
ton, eccenricties and incIinalions of or
bit and of axis. We find Mars, though
more distant from the sun than either the
earth or Venus, inferior to them in mngni-
tude Saturn is less than JUPITER and yet
much larger than Uranus. The zone OF
the telescope planets, which are so incon.
siderable in paint Of volume, viewed in the
series of distances commencing from the
sun, comes next before Jupiter, the greatest
in size of all the planetary bodies Rcmar-
kable as is the small density of all the col
lossal planets which are furthcst from the
sun, yet neither in this respect can we re-
cognize any regular succession. Uranus
appears to be denser than Saturn, and
(thongh the inner group of planets differ
but lttlc from each other in this PARTICULAR
we find both Venus and Mars less dense
than the earth, which is situated between
them. The time of rotation increases On
the WHOLE with increasing solar distance,
but yet it is greater in Mars than in the
earth, aud in Saturn than in Jupiter. AZ
ter other remarks of the same character he
adds g. Nhn planetary system in its rpla.
ton of absolute magnitude, relative position
of the axes, density, time of rotation, and
different degrees of eccentricity of the or
bits, has, to our apprehension, nothing more
of natural necessity than the relative distri-
button of land and water on the surface of
our globe, the conhguration of continents,
or the elevation of mountain chains. No
general law, IN these respects, is dlscovera-
bic either in the regions of space or in the
Irregularities of the crust of the earth"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
3)octrp.
The Plow and the Sickle.

ny HON rRIsrRAM BURGESS,
with tho Pioneer ANe, what conquest is made;
What a fold from the forest is won!
What regions reduced from the wilderness shade,
Arc now warmed in the beams Of the
From the rock where fathers in exile first landed,
THOR clearing, fom river TO river has spend,
And mountains, aud plains, by their commanded
TIL now on tho beach of Pacific they tread.
Whaih farm for a nation to cultivate nowl
Ana gather the wonderful harvest il yields
lii Empire, reduced TO the Sickle and Flow,
An empire vi gatdens, and orchards. and fields.
Hail, Nation of Farmers, rejoice in your toll,
And shout when your harvest it DER;
Receive the oppressed TO your Ia nd with smile,
But Gown every fee from your ircn bound shore.
And lie who, ly Deeds has reached high station
Aud is calod to preside DER tho Commonwealth now
Must reliuqui,h his farm to our young milton,
rs, for Rome, Cincinnltus rolinquishod his Plow.
The rlow aud The Sickle shall shine bright in glory,
When the Sword and the sceptrc shall cumb in rust
And the farmer shall 1.-Two both in song and in story,
When warriors and kings forgotten in dust.