davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
GOLD PEN MANUFACTUR-
ING

Tho manufacturing of gold pens is business
of very modern origin, and Q Nes its success to
the perseverance and lng7np p'y Of Mr.. John
Hawkins, an American by PFth, but for up
wards of forty years resident of England. He
it was, who first furnished the public pen with
point, or nib, thoroughly ind eStructbe, which
he did about the year 1881
There are now some twenty establishments in
the United States, for the ma puiacture of these
pens, and the number OF penn annually turned
out by them may be guessed at from the fact
that one house, that Of Me'sF8 Bard, Brothers
g. Co, which carries on the Ousnes slmultane.
ously in New York and Boston, makes upwards
of 100000 annually.
The point, or nib of the pen Is Iridium, which
is tho hardest known mineral except the dia-
mond, and IS the only one which at all answers
the purpose required in the delicate manufact-
ure of these pens.
The iridium In most Of the establishments is
from the pnys Of Siberia or South America.--
It's price in gross bulk ranges iromthity to sew
enty.five dollars per ounce An average of two
hundred ounces Of this mineral ls used yearly
in the manufacture of gold pens in this country
alone.
From lengthy and interesting article in the
! N. Y. Tribune, we extract the the following
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
THE DEATH-PLACE OF Pom
THUS PLATE.

A legend is popular among the people of vi.
cnna, concerning the death of Pontius Plate
The story is OF strange character, and throws
a wild and pleasing interest over the locality
which commentaries the event, Not far from
Vienna is situated small Roman tower; lis
walls are built square, and rise to an unusual
height. Its lattice work overIooks the waters
OF the river; and the lofty shadows of its exteri-
or envelope the shining floor winding at its base
ny perpetual gloom, that seems to borrow an
additional feature ofmelanchoy from the charac-
ter of the deed which is presumed to have been
enacted there. The place is called "The Tour
de Manconseul." After the Cruc6xon of Jes
us Christ, PLATE, broke IN spirit, retired to the
-Four to indulge in his grief and to conceal his
lamentations from the eyes Of his unbelieving
people. Here, violently susceptible of the great
wrong and wickedness he felt himself TO have
participated in, in paroxysm of despair he
threw himself from the lorty windows of the
tower, and perished in the waters of the Rhone.
OF the Alpine mountains, called by the name of
Plate, stands small lake its waters are con-
stantIy in disturbed state, and often the scene
Of violent storms. Gloom and solitude are the
leading characteristics ofths unfrequented place
which presents but wild and i'll boding picture
to the eye of The traveller, Enfeebled in body
) and his mind the prey to ceaseless remorse, Pi-
: late is said to have reached the margin Of this
lake, and there tohave seated himself, and drunk
Of its waters. An alien from his country and
his race. without friend or soace, lie resigned
himself to the bitterness Of his reflections, and
finally threw himself, into the waters at his feet.
The tranquility of the scene is said 10 have be-
come charged from that time The waters are
often visited by se"erc and unaccountable agita-
tions, which the legends say are caused by the
writings OF the troubled spirit of PLATE, The
adjacent mountains ale shadowed all the year
through, and the superstitious inhabitants of the
district affirm that appartons are frequently to
: be seen in the neighborhood and lamentations
are heard upon the winds, waking the echoes of
:, The mountain Businesses. The subject has been
before referred to by English travellers, and
particular alluson is made to it in " Hughes
Hineracy"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
THE CONGRESS OF '76

The following picture of the Congress of rs
is extracted from an excellent articlu on early
American EIoquence," in the Albany Knick-
erbocker:
sin the Presidents chairsits Hancock, crown
ed with demeanor graceful and splendid, like
blazing Hyperion on his orbed throne. Promi-
nent in the heroic band, Oldest of their number.
is he who at the same time snatched the inht.
nings from the skies and the oppressor's hand.
There, too, sits Morris, the fnancier of the rev.
oIution, whose generous aid, advanced on his
own credit, paved the way for the victories at
Trenton and Princeton, and in the gloomiest
hour caused the American eagle to soar alofl
towards heaven.
More retired, but not less interested, is that
old puritan, Samuel Adams, ON his front engray.
en- thought and public care. He was omonp
the very first to excite popular rebellion against
wrong. and he is here to aid its progress. and
pray for its accomplishment OF few words
but aboundng in great and beneficent deeds, he
sits in council grave and taciturn, like gray
haired Saturn quiet as stone, his soul firm as
granite, and unbending before the storm. His
more oratorlcal namesake, John Adams, with
watchtui eye and ear, is scanning tho proceed
Iings, while every look and motion betrays hit
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
SURNAMES.

Surnnmes were not properly established in
Britain until after the Norman conquest, and
were then chiefly adopted as family denomi
nation from some individual consideration or pc
cuIiar circumstance. Thus the continued pos
session in one family of Office; the hereditary
pursuit OF one particular trade; favorate resi-
donce or renowned ancestor, were frequently
their permanent appropriation by certain fami
lies. Thus haze originated the names Stewart
(steward,) Turner, Joiner, Chandler, Smith
Archdeacon, Parson. Major, Park, Bowerbank
and many more. Mrs. Mooney.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
A STRANGE CRIME.

A frightful crime, which never could have
happened out of France, and which bespeaks
reckless selfishness, mobid feelings, and an ut
ter absence of religion, courage and morals, has
Just Mortified st Lo. A rich proprietor, and a
mare, for several years passonately loved a
young girl The families were, like the parents
in Romeo and juliet" at war; and they could
not agree. But after several years of pressing
solicitations, he obtained the hand of his mis-.
tress' They were married. A grand party
celebrated the wedding, and the reconciliation.
The happy couple retired. At six in the morn
ing pistol shot was heard. The husband was
found dead in an anti chamber, the young wife
asleep. A letter explained the suicide. 1t was
written evidently before the marriage. He said
in it that he had reached the highest point OF
human felicity, and could not descend. He
could not bare to live to be less loved, or to love
less. 81 die from excess of happiness.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

readiness to exemplify his fayorsp maxim, 81
would rather be in the wrong VII Plato than
in the right with Epicurus." LeeWlth lnlmita-
BILE suavity and elaborate grace, DVes III chiv-
alrous majesty on the scene. WherSpoon, the
divine, visibly written in his looksis there, with
the meekness of minister of Jeis Christ, but
with lirmness that never quaile' In the pres-
ence Of his country's foe. In the Tentative be.
tween the sacrifice Of freedom oFhe loss of life,
like the Spartan mother he woul rather have
seen his son brought home cfpse upon his
shield, than dishonorcd by its loS. And Rut-
ledge, the youngest Of the patris, comes for
ward in his own person to illustrse the ancient
apologize of the youthful Herculs in the pride
and strength Of beauty. surrendeing his entire
soul to the worship of exalted vir'e' But it is
needless any further to specify; di as one man
are ready to exclaim-" Oar motler is America
= our battle is for freedom-@ptriy ofpurpose is
our breast plate, as the favor OF heaven is our
shield"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
tried to put out suspicion. You will see more
| by and bv.

by and by.
They concluded finally to adopt the following
scheme for defence. They encamped for the
night near stream of water, which protected
them from behind. A large oak was felIed and
brilliant fire knded Each man cut log of
wood about the size of his body, rolled itup nice
" In blanket and put on his hat on the end Of
1T and laid it before the fire that the enemy might
take it for a man.
Thirteen logs were fitted out in this manner
representing the sergeant and his twelve men.
They then placed themselves, with loaded guns,
behind the fallen tree. BY this time it was
dark but the fire was kept burning till midnight
The sergeant knew that if they ever came, they
would come now.
A tall Indian was seen through the glimmer-
ing OF the fire, which was getting low. lie
moved towards them skulking as an Indian al
ways does. lie seemed to suspect at first that
guard might be watching, but seeing none, he
came forward more boldly, rested OH his toes
Ind was seen to move his finger as he counted
the thirteen men, sleeping as he supposed by the
fire.
Hecounted them again. and retired. Another
c'me up and did the same. Then the whole six
'een in number, came up and glared silently at
he logs, till they seemed satisfied that they were
fast asleep Presently they took aim, fired the
whole number of guns upon the logs, yelled the
var wboop, and rushed forward to murder and
scalp their supposed victims. They were fired
upon by the sergeant and his party and not one
of the Indians was left to tell the story of that
night. The sergeant and his men reached the
army in safety.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
IRON HOUSES.

A Young man in New York has invented
new mode of constructing iron louses, Of which
New York Tribune gives the following particu-
lars
at embraces rigid frame d cast iron pil.
lars, with other parts of sheet ion. Pillars Of
peculiar construction are placed equul distan
ces, and each nterlocks with the girders and
cross silIs, as well as ntels, door aud window
frames and all the parts whichrequire 10 be firm
or to brace other parts. The panesare Of sheet
iron, as are also the floors, ceilings, and shut
ers for the doors and windows, 10 every part
of the house there is an intel and an exterior
wall, leaving an air chanibT between; this
renders each room fire proof The roof is also
of iron, and couples to the Fals and foors--
The frame may be ornament Jed p the casting as
taste shall dictate, and the 8hOe may be paint
ed to perfection, equal to the finest irescoe work.
The house will resist any khdef atmosphere, in
the most perfect manner, and when put together,
is so strong that it may be tirDsd over and back
again without any injury.
These buildings will be mPe desirable than
any other and may be takd apart in a few
hours, and reput together onIsnother site with
entire facility. Having BEEN taken apart, ore
may be packed away in a sltal space, as the
whole is in small sectional piGes, so as to be
fitted for rebuilding, and for clanging the form,
or extending in either drectiol, Or In the height,
within few hours, without reyenting its use
while being so altered or adda 10, and without
loss ofany ofthe material ofae original build.
inp."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
HONESTY THE BEST POLICY
A TRUE STORY.

About thirty years ago there lived on the
Susquehannah uegro, who had the good for
tune to own COW. But by unforeseen circum-
stances, he had been deprived Of the means of
sustenance for her, How to keep his COW from
starving, was now the exciting question. lie
was honest to fault, and detested the name of
thief but after canvassing the subject in differ
cnt ways he was forced to come to the conclu-
sion that the COW must either die or he must 90
to his neighbours barn and get some hay for her
So accordingly one night he went and began to
pitch off quantity to take home. AT the same
time he was continually talking aloud to him.
self, and saying Honesty is the best policy, bu'
my COW shall not die" At last however bis
honest nature triumphed, and he commenced
pitching the hay back on the NOW, saying
Honesty is the best policy, and my cow shal
die"
But then thoughts of his destitute COW agail
arose in his mind, and he again pitched the ha
off the mow g Honesty is the best policy,
cried he, but my COW shall not die" again dl
the voice of conscience tell him he was doin
wrong and again did he pitch the hay into it
place. Honesty is the best policy and NJ
cow shall die;" saying which he laid down III
fork and went home. "My COW shall die, bl
will not steal for her."
But his COW lived, and had plenty to eat, br
he did not steal it. No. for the very next da
the farmer brought him load of hay, saying t
him honesty is the best policy, but your CO.
shall not die"
The poor negro was overwhelmed and col
fused. 1t was evident that the farmer had hear
his soloquy the night before, and had take
this plan to reward him for his honesty. H
Tallied and thanked The donor very profusel,
telling him he had saved him from becoming
dishonest man. The story has its own moral.-
Farmers .4dpocate.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
N AY Is, 1850.

ofief account through which every pen has te
pass before it is ready for the hand of the pur.
chaser.
First'-Tte gold is melted in quantities
ranging from few to many ounces, as the re,
qu'fments OF the establishment may at the time
demand. The Messrs. Bard find it necessary tc
melt three times week-the other mafufactu.
rers undoubtedly vary from this standard. The
victoria sovereigns are generally used in pref.
eFence to all other qualities Of gold-occasion
ally, however, fine Jewelry is employed for the
purpose. Usually the value of one days melting
Is from 300 to 400.
This amonnt generally suffices the wants Of
the workmen for about day OF two. The met
al IS alloyed with silver and copper for twelve
fourteen, or sixteen carats. One day passing
through the factory, we saw 26 ounces in the
ciuclble, which was Immediately moulded into
an ingot worth 800 dollars and we then had the
curiosity 10 follow it itthrough the various process
es, until it came out in the form of finished pens
lhe whole operation is performed with marvel
GUS ceerlty-and in the order which follows
viz:
Second--The gold is rolled into strips
through very powerful machine which thins
and lengthens the ingot of gold at each revolu
ton.
Third--The blocks, or angular morses of gold
tapered to each end, are cut by separate work
man and machine,
Fourth-The tapered ends are filed hall
through the block.
Flfth-In the niche thus formed, the Iridium
point is set. This is very delicate operation
requiring good eye and an experienced work
man.
Slxth-The Diamond Point" is then secur
ed by soldering together the Iridium and the
god. A very small but aten,e heat is applied
at the point, by the agency of minute jet o
flame.
Seventh-'The point of it is then ground to
square.
Eighth-The pen is next rolled and hammer
ed.
Ninth--It is cut to the proper shape in
small, neatly-contrived machine, in which work
steel die.
Tenth-The pen is then turned up, perfect:
semcircular, as it comes to the hand of the pur
chaser.
Eleventh-The point is split--having befor
been guarded from injury by small grooves i
the different machinery through which it ha
passed.
Twelfih--After the nib is first started, anot
er workman then cuts the slit the necessar
length.
Thirteenth The nibs are now cut accurate
ly.
Fourteenth-The points are set together, al
the pens filed into shape.
IiuirIp. ,,
Sxteenth-They are now stoned and polls
ed.
Seventeenth The mbs are finally adjuste
the point smoothed, and the pen is ready f
writing.
Eighteenth, and lastly-Every pen is now tri
with ink. Ift be found to be defective, it
returned to the operatives; if not but writ
readily and smoothly, it is transferred to t
office, and placed in the holder and exposed
sale.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

A Curious Calculation The twenty -four let
tiers of the alphabet may be transposed 623, 1885,
4Ol ,733, ,239, ,43s 100000 times. All the inhabi.
tants Of the globe, on rough calculation, could
not, in thousand million of years, write out all
the trauspo8itIons CT the twenty four letters,
even supposing that each wrote forty pages
daily, each of which pages contained forty diff
ferent tlanspostions of the letters
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
MUSICAL SPIT.

The most singular spit in the world is that Of
the Count de Castel Mario one of the most op-
ulent lords of Treviso. This spit turns one
hundred and thirty different loasts at once, and
plays twenty -four different tunes and whatever
itplays corresponds to a certain degree of cook
ing, which is perfectly understood by the cook
Thus, leg Of mutton, a la .fnglaiSe, will be ex-
cellcnt at the twelfth air--and fowl la Fam
mande, will be full of gravy at the 18th, and SC
on. 1t would be difficult, perhaps, to carry fur.
ther the love of music and gormandizing,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
HELPS TO MEMORY.

GIllez de Retz, Marshalt France-said to
vbo the ertable blue Beard.was sentenced to
44.1a t..sss
to be burned alive at the STAG The day ap-
pointed was the 23d of octobrl44O, ga date"
says the historian, "about With there can be
no doubt, for all the people Of njou and Maine
by common consent, whipped teir children that
morning, so as to impress thqreciso date on
their memory" The nneulop process is still
a favorite with the peasants Of Anou and Brit
tany.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
STRANGE LAW AsTO THEFT.

A singular custom prevalledin Egypt respec-
ting theft and burglary,
Those who followed the pofession of thief
gave In their names to the chf Of the robbers,
and agreed that he should haVewery thing which
they might thencelorward Ppoln. The owner
of the lost goods always apPhd by letter to the
chief for their recovery, and ERvlng stated their
quality, &C., when the goods were identified,
they were restored to the appcant on payment
of one quarter of their value. The license piv.
en- by the government to thieves, arose from the
persuasion that an entire chqci 10 robbery was
lmpracticable, either by thd Tread of punish
ment, or by any method thaq could be adopted
by the most vigont police; hence they consid-
cred it more for the advantage of the community
that certain sacrifice shoulqOe made in order
to secure the restitution OF tp9 remainder, than
that the law by taking upon HseIf to protect the
citizen and discover the oftenler, should be the
eau ,e of greater loss.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
NEW SUBSTITUTE FOR GUN
POWDER.

A communication has been addressed to the
secretaries of the Literary and Scientific Socle'
ty, from Nh Napier, which announces the DIS
coyery of a new explosive substance, which ne
designatcs white powder. 1t has Ten times the
force of common gunpowder, and is composed
of the following simple ingredients; :,
One mart of yellow prussiate of potash, well
dried; one part sugar, well dried two parts
chlorate of potash. These materials are hneIy
ground separately, and then intimately inter-
mixed,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

S,Ocaing. A pious man was once in compa-
ny with gentleman who frequently used the
words, " devil, duce," &c, and at last took the
name of God in vain. "Stop, Sir" said the old
man. 81 said nothing while you used freedom
with the name of your master, but | insist upon
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

mammoth cave near NJ itison county Wis.
consin, has been explored BY party who re-
mained therein five days, ad emerged by an
opening several miles from tIp by which they
entered. They found IN Aelr underground
journey 100000 tons Of fine fld ore, eleven lbs.
of silver, specimens Of coppet crystals, stalac-
tites and St0Iagmites, water and lake 81
feet deep.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

A ToAsr.-fhe following to7st was given at
the late Medical Supper at Columbus, Ohio:
The Ladtes-Ihe only successful Homuo.
pathists. They cure mans greatest malady.-.of
the heartily leete" of the same sort,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
y
THE UNION TO THE SOUTH.

BY J. C. WHITTIER,
Vainly shall your sand-wrought rope
Bind the starry cluster up.
Shattered over heavens blue cope
Give us bright though broken rays
Rather than eternal haze,
Clouding Ger the full-orbed blaze.
Take your slavery blackened Wales:
Leave lis but our ownfree gales,
Blowing on our thousand sails.
With your bondman's right arm bare,
With his heart of blank despair,
Stand alone, if stand ye dare
And when vengeance clouds your skies,
Hither shall ye turn your eyes,
AS the lost on Paradise.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
Gbe freeman


TrRns-sl so in advance LIS after three mO''s' u
n An aftsr six months. 1r5 Village subscribers, 2.oO
m Transportation must, in all cases. be pod Oy 'ne SUI
csrbers.@G
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

A man wao had lived much in the world, said
that his acquaintance would fill cathedral, but
that pulpit would hold his friends
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
it that YOU shall use no such freedom with the
name of my master.

On Suicide
When all the Establishments OF life are gone,
The coward creeps to death; the brave live on.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
VOLUME VII. NO. 90.

We don't know when we have come across
more Crusoe-like adventure, OR one written in
more Crusoc-like vein of simplicity and good hui
NOR than the following En-.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-23

Notwithstanding the large reduction Of the rates Of
coll upon various articles, and the numerous breaks
which have occurred during the the tolls reee
we'd already S25 90 ahead Of last year They
will probably be slOoOo better than last year tho
slose of navigation.
The Camden and Amboy Railroad Company are
relayipg their road, between Amboy aud Csmden with
very heavy rails The work Of reisyng this road
begun a year two ago. The first rails for the
track made at the works Of the Trenton Iron
Company, for SIS ton That company had a contract
for SEQ tons bu. they rsliuquished 1t after making
about goo tons The railroad company then despatched
an agent to England, and he succeeded In buying the
rails there such terms, that they cost when de-
hvsred at Amboy, only s42 ton. 800 tens
unloading there. This line, when completed through
out with rail, will in ell probability, be the main
line Of travel between New York and Philadelphia as
is now decidedly the most agreeable. When i'm
proved, as the company intends, there win exist
reason why the time between the two cities may not
be recueed to ga hours and II probably will be- The
Is miles by water from Amboy may, by proper boats,
be reduced to ~ hours, aud the railroad time to
Camden 80 miles. to two hours. The railroad psss.n
ger line frequently Tor miles together at
min utes 10 the mile, and much Of the way at two mi
nutes to the mile.