davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
ROMANCE IN sHIPWRECK.

Many interesting as well as painful incidents
connected with the explosion and wreck of the
Pulaski steamer, are related BY those who were
saved from destruction. Amongst others, the
following is told of Mr., Ridge, from New Or.
leans, and a Miss Onsow, frorn some of theS
Southern States, two OF the unfortunates who
were picked up on the fifth day, about fifty miles
fIom land. 1t is stated of the gentleman, that he
had been sitting on the deck alone, for half an
hour previous to the accident Another gen.
tleman, who was walking near him at the time
of the explosion, was thrown overheard, and him
self was precipited nearly over the side Of the
boat and stunned. He recovered Immediately,
as he supposed, when he heard some one remark,
Get out of the boat-she is sinking" He was
not acquainted with solitary individual in the
boat. Uuder such circumstances, it was natural
to suppose he would feel quite as much concern
for himself as any one else. He was conse-
quently among the foremost of those who sought
the small boat for safety and was about to step
into it, when he discovered young lady, whom
he recognized as one whose appearance had sun
dry times during the passage arrested his atten-
ton. Her protector was the gentleman who was
walking on deck and blown overheard. He
sprauo towards her to take her into the small
boat but in the crowd and confusion he lost
sight of her. and he supposed she was with some
ether friend. During his iruitless search, the
small boat showed off The night rang with the
PRAYERS and shrieks of the helpless and drown
inc. He turned away in despair, and tumbled
over coil of rope. Hope, like the aspiring spark,
frightened again. He caught up the rope
lashed together couple Of settees-threw them
upon piece of an old sail, and small empty
cask, and, thus equipped, launched upon the el-
ement
1t was all the work Of a moment lie believed
death inevitable. and that effort his last gasp
for life. His vessel bore him up much oetler
than he expected, and he was consollng n'nsel
with his escape such as it was, while others
were perishiug all around him, when he discover
ed female struggling for life almost within Ills
grasp. He left his ark--swaus but twice MS
Ilength-sezed his object, and returned safely TO
his craft again. which proved sufficient to sus-
tain them both, but with their heads and shout'
ders only above the water The female was the
Young lady for whom be had lost passage N
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
WOMAN'S RIGHTS.

Mrs. Nichols of the Windham Co. Democrat,
is engaged in tilt with the Middlebury Regis
ter on the rights of Women The following
from her last paper may show as well the ground
of the controversy as the spirit with which, on
her mart il is conducted. Ed.
The point to which we REFER as rejecting
upon our womanly aspirations is this, Mr., Reg
lister In asserting that "unless we and those
who agree with us, take exception to the pres
ent laws, as refusing them married women) an
equal chance to distinguish themselves in mas
culine pursuits, we could not reasonably ask any
change"-you in effect maintain that the change
we advocate would give married women an e.
oual chance to distinguish themselves in mascu-
line pursuits, and that it could subserve no 9TH
er reasonable end.
Now Mr.. Register, as you have admitted that
we ''ask no more than that the laws should giUe
back to married women all the property rights
they had before marriages" you have no alter
native but to maintain, that the property rights
enjoyed by women before marriage "give them
chance to distinguish themselves in masculine
pursuits" or concede that the enjoyment of the
same property rights would give no such chance
to married women. If you maintain that the
property rights enjoyed by single women give
them a chance to distinguish themselve in fem
mime pursuits, you have no alternative but to ad
nit, that the enjoyment of the same rights
would increase to married women the means for
distinction in feminine pursuits i'm either case
you must admit that he property rights which we
ask for married women, do subserve feminine
pursuits, since you admit that mo considerable
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
ANECDOTE OF GEN. PUT
MAIN.

Among the worthless who figured during the
era of the American revolution, perhaps there
was none possessing more originality OF charac-
ter than Gen. Putnam,--who was eccentric and
fearless--blunt in his manners-the daring SOL
dier, without the polish of the gentleman. He
might well be called the Marion of the north,
though he disliked disguise, probably from the
fact of his lispng, which was very apt to over
throw any trickery he might have in view
The following anecdote was related to us by
an elderly gentleman, who received 1t from the
mouth of his father, who served under the gen.
era -
At the time, stronghold called Horseneck,
some miles above New York, was in possession
of the British, Putnam, with few sturdy patrI-
ots was lurking in in its vicinity, bent on drlv'
ing from the place. Tired of lying in ambush
the men became impatient, and importuned the
General with questions as to when they were
going to have bout with the foe. One morn
ing he made speech something to the follow
ing effect, which convinced them that something
was in the wind.
Fellers-You have been idle too long, and
so have |. I'm going down to Bush's at Horse
neck, in about an hour with an ox-team and
load of corn. If I come back, I'll let you know
all the particulars; if not, let em have it, by the
hokey ="
He shortly mounted his OK cart, dressed as
one of the commonest order Of Yankee farmers
and was soon at Bush's tavern, which was IN
possession of the British troops, No sooner did
the officers espy him, than they began to ques-
ton him of his where -abouts, and finding nm
as they thought, complete simpeton' they oe-
gan to quiz him, and threatened to seize MS
corn and fodder GLOW much do you ask for
your whole consarn?" they inquired.
"For mercy sake, gentlemen" replied the
mock-clod hopper, with the most deplorable look
of entreaty, only let me off, and You shall have
nv Whole team and load for nothing and II
that won't do, I'll give you my word, Ill rel urn
ness oss77GTv end y9H heartily for your kind
"Well" said they, wen raKe y1tr at } Jul
word; leave team and provender with US, and
we won't require any bail for your appoarance'
Putuam gave up his team. and saunIered "a
bout for an hour or SO, gaining all the iniorma
ton that he wished; he then returned to his
men, and told them the disposition of the foe
and his plan of attack.
The morning came and with it sailed out the
gallant band. The British were handled with
rough hands, and when they surrendered to Gem
eral Putnam, the clodhopper, he sarcastlcally re-
marked Gentlemen have only kept my
word. told you woald call and pay you tor
Won kindness and condescension."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
INTEREST OF MONEY.

From brief account in the April number OF
Hunts Merchants Magazine relative to the
opinions and practices of civilized nations IN re-
spect to the loaning of money, we gather the
following facts
Among the Greeks the rates OF interest were
left almost entirely free from legal interiearence'
Tn Rome, on the contrary, public sentiment
seems to have been in favor Of legal enactments
ocoinst usury. Suetonius mentions that Angus
fms stipmatized certain persons who made 1t
practice to borrow money at low rates and loan
it at higher. In the reign OF Tlberus there
was general tumult on account OF the pressure
of usury. In the time of Pliny the Younger
70 per cent. per annum was apparently the uS"-
al demand, Finally the Emperor Justinlah
made six per cent. the ordinary and legal rate,
confined persons OF high rank to 4, allowed
for the convenience of manufacturers and mef' ,
chants. and - to nautical insurance; violations
of these rules being vigorously punished.
The Jewish law prohibited all usury between
Jew AMI Jew, although twas allowed between
Jews aud foreigners. The reason OF this DIS
tncton, according to Father Ambrose, was thar
God designed usury as one OF the ways Oh M"t- E
ing tvar upon the Canaarltes and olher he"Ille"
nations. The canon law, as it is called-that
is. the ecclesiastical aw-pronounces the taxing
of interest, even the least to be moral sin,
and declares those who defend the practice to
he beretics The Jews were noted for usurlous
dealing as early as the sixth century. The
monarch Of Europe when In want OF money,
would practice the EXTREMIST extortion and Cruz
elty against them using the Jews as sPonges
to suck up the money Of their subjects, and then
squeezing them into their own Golfers
Near the beginning of the 18th century, Dr.
Thos. Wilson, Bishop of the Isle OF Man, rec
commended the punishment of usury by death,
aFor my pait" aays he, 81 will wish some pen
nj La,p of death to be made against those usur-
ers, as well as against thieves and murthereFs
for that they deserve death much more than
such men doe. For these usurers destroy ana
devour up not onlie whole families but also
whole countries, and bring all folk to beggary
that have to doe with them"
The laws of England did not countenance the
taking of any interest until the S7th year of
Henry VIII, 1916, when the rate was fixed at
10 per cent. per annum. In the 18th year of
Queen Annes reign it was reduced by statute
to five per cent and this statute is now in force.
The Koran forbids all interest. But extrava-
CANT rates are exacted in Mohammedan coun-
tries in violation of law. Sir ]. Child states
that at the time when he wrote, the close of the
18th century, the rate of interest in Turk
ley 20 per cent. A century later, Mr.. Rentham
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12

| 1900 miles of half the eog.l enmference.-
Our territory stretches from atlantic TO the
Pacific, and from the latluae q New York to
North Pole, and covers an afsa Iarger than the
United States. But though zen on their own
continent, we have more acres nan they, their
superiority in soil and climate Conspicuous;
and in population, the essentlsA Strength of en-
pire, they outnumber British aperica, seven
fold.
The population of the Hudssss Bay Territory
is mainly Indian. Much hastaen said Of their
valor, snblime sentiments, ard Worship of the
Great Spirit A gentleman 9ho has resided
many years in Canada once sng, in my hearing,
"a great deal ofnonsense bag 8een written on
that subject, which is, unfortunately true ofmost
subjects. Their character is iarfrom sustaining
the dignity with which it hasbeen invested
They are idle, voracious, cruz to their women,
and savagely revengeful; ever their courage is
not so great in the sight of those who know them,
as it is in books. They have, however, physi-
cal and mental elements ofnO6ility, which when
acted upon bya pure religion, will raise them
into fine e.-Engish Paper.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
THE BODY.

Among the strange compliments which super
Stition pays the Creator, is a scorn and coetempt
for the Aeshly inyestiture which he has bestowed
OIL us, at least among Christians, for the Pagans
were far more pous in this respect, and Moham-
ed agreed with them in doing justice to the
beauty of the human frame. 1t is quite edifying
in the Arabian Nights, to read the thanks that
are so often and so rapturously given to the Su.
preme Being for his bestowal of such charms on
his creatures. Nor was greater than Mahomet
of nature to undervalue the earthly temples of
gentle and loving spirits. Ascettc mistakes
have ever originated in want of heartiness or of
heart; in consciousness of defect, or vulgarity
of nature, or in spiritual pride. A well balanc-
ed body and soul never, we may be sure, gave
way to it. What an extraordinary flattery Of
the Deity to say, =" Lord thank thee for this
jewel of soul which | possess but what mis-
erable casket thou hast given me to put it in--
Leigh Hunt.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
SUPERSTITION 1N FRANCE.

The Courier de la Meuse says =" Witchcraft
is still an object of beliefin our Provinces
On Saturday, in village belonging to the ar
rondlssement of Verdun, the keeper Of the par
sh bull forgot to lay before the poor animal at
The usual hour its accustomed allowance ofprov-
ender. The bull, impatient at the delay, made
a variety of efforts TO gain bis liberty, and at
last succeeded.
The first use he made of his freedom was to
demolish rabit- -hntch which was in the stable.
The keepers wife hearing noise, ran TO the
place, and as soon as she saw the bull treading
mraculously upon the rabbits with his large
hoofs, seized a cudgel, and showered down u
volley Of blows on the crupper of the devastator.
But, not being accustomed to this rough treat
ment the bull grew angry, and fell upon his
neighbors, the oxen. ansl.ss what with horns and
noaisss surned the stable lntoss sse Of terror and
confusion. 80 80
The woman began to cry for help. Her cries
were heard, and with some trouble the bull was
ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to
butt at everything in his path. The mayor and
tie ad oint of the commune were attra cted to the
scene of this riot and, on Witnessing the animals
violence, declared after short deliberaton, that
the bull was a sorcerer, or. at any rate, that he
was possessed with devil, and that he ought to
be conducted to the presbysery in order to be
exercised.
The authorities were accordingly obeyed, and
the bull was dragged or driven into the presence
of the curate who was requested to subject him
to the formatics prescribed in the ritual. The
GOOD priest found no little difficulty in escaping
the pressing solicitations of his parishoners. At
last, however, he succeeded; but, though the
bull escaped eyorcism, he could not eludc the
shambles. Condemned to death by the mayor
as sorcerer, his sentence was Immediately ex-
ecuted.- Eng. Paper
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
THOTS FOR THE THOUGHT
Full,

Lend not beyond thy ability, nor refuse to lend
out fthy ability; especially, when it will help
Others more than it can hurt thee. If thy debt
or be honest and capable, thou hast thy money
a gain, if not with increase, with praise. IT he
prove insolyent, do not ruin him to get that which
it will not ruin thee to lose.'--Penn,
Were the superauities of nation valued and
made perpetual tax for benevolence, there
would be more alms.houses than poor, schools
than scholars, and enough TO spare for govern
ment besides.-Ib.
If thou hast done an injury to another, rather
own it than defend it. One way thou gainest
forgiveness the other, thou doublest the wrong
and reckoning. Some oppose honor to submis-
sion; but it can be no honor to maintain what it
is dishonorable to do. True honor will pay tre-
BILE damages, rather than justify one wrong by
another.--h
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
HUDsoNs BAY TERRITORY.

Charles II. granted to Company charter,
vesting in them the exclusive privilege to trade
in furs, in the regions lying adjacent to Hudsons
Bay. This company retains its character, and
now holds the unmeasured tracts designated as
the Hudson's Bay Territory.
The precise extent Of this region is not ascer-
tained; but it stretches from the northern from
tier of Canada to the pole, and from the shores
of the Atlantic to the boundary of Russian A.
morica. This latter is in breadth twice as great
as that Of the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland to
Labradore.
Were right line drawn from London to the
western limit of our possessions, it would cross
no land but what is oursi and would travel in
ats course over 14oe of Oflongitude, or within
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
THE POOR WIDOWS SON.

Considerably more than half century ago,
there dwelt in small borough in Forfarshire, a
poor widow, who earned an humble but respec-
table livelihood for herself and only son, by
keeping a stall, principally for the sale ofcrock-
ery-wure, in the market place. 1t was time
when gentlemen lived harder than they do now
and although the word Woterfordizing" had
not been invented, the thing implied by it was
generally in vogue. The towns people were
not unaccustomed to the occasional freaks and
rough practical jokes of neighboring gentle
man who had lately succeeded to enormous prop
erty and peerage and there was no partlcu-
lar surprise manifested when, late one evening,
the humble stall OF the widow was upset in an
after dinner frolic, and the little it contained,
smashed IN the street. The aggressor was Lord
Panmure, father of the Right Hon. Mr.. Fox
Maule. Next morning the proprietoress of the
stall waited upon his lordship, and the claim for
damages was soon settled to the satisfaction of
the parties.
And now, my good woman" said the over
thrower of the crockery-ware, IS there anything
else can do for you?"
The widow replied that she had an only son,
sharp little fellow, whom she would wish to
see receiving better education than her limit
ed means would enable her to bestow upon him.
Lord Panmure at once promised the necessary
aid. He was as good as his word. Little Joey
was sent for. The intelligence and sharpness
Of the boy were readily recognized and highly
commended, and he was at once placed at an
excellent school,
Such was the cuiously. caused commencement
Of long career ofindustry and honor. The lit
tic boy--the poor widows son--was no other
than Joseph Hume, member of Parliament
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
Che Gamtlp Gtrt)e.
STORY OF A PARROT.

STORY OE' "A EAEAhO1.
We copy the following story about parrot,
from the Boston Transcript:
An incident touchingly illustrative of the pow
er of attachment in the lower animals, Is related
in the Portsmouth, N. H., Journal, of a recent
date. In small family in the south part of the
city, there was parrot which had found home
there for years, and had become pet Of the fam
lily.
A child was taken sick last spring, and was
not seen by the parrot for some days. The bird
had been used to repeat her name, and in the
chld's absence kept repeating the name so in
cessanty as to annoy the family. The child
died; the repetition Of the name was kept up,
until one of the family took the parrot to the
room where the corpse lay. The parrot turned
first one side of its head then the other towards
the corpse, apparently cycling it, and was then
taken back. He never repeated the name again.
was at once silent, and in short time died.
This incident is more poetical even than that on
which Campbell has founded his graceful little
poem "The Parrot" Of this story, he says
alt is not fiction, heard it many years ago
in the island of Null, from the family to whom
it belonged" We quote few Of the stanzas,
containing ihe substance of the story;
GA parrot from the Spanish main,
Full young and early Gagged, came o'er,
With bright wings, to the bleak domain,
Of Mulla's shore.
To spicy groves, where he had won
His plnmage of resplendent hue,
His native fruits, and sky, and sun,
He bade adieu.
At last, when old, and seeming dumb,
He scolded, laughed, and spoke no more;
A Spanish stranger Glanced to come
To Mulla's shore.
He hailed the bird in Spanish speech:
In spanish speech the bird replied;
Flapped round his cage with joyous screech
Dropped down and died."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
Select nltstellanp.
LOUIS BLANC AND HIS PRO
GRAMNTE.

The Socialist, LOUIS BLANC, an able and
well.meaning man, we believe, has lately pub
shed his political pre- gramme, of which the
following are some of the principal features
If socialism, he says, should ever come into
power, this is what it would do
1t would abolish the Presidency, land abolish
President Bonaparte.
1t would have annual Pariaments.
It would require justice to be gratuitously ad-
ministcred, without which, equality before the taW,
is lie.
1t would abolish the death penalty for crimin-
al, as well as political offences.
1t would revise the penal code, taking, as
starting point, that offenders are diseased per-
sons, against whom we should be on our guard,
but not revenge ourselves.
Education should be common, gratuitous, and
obligatory,
There should be but one tar, in place Of the
present financial system; and the public bur-
dens should be in proportion to the means of the
taxpayer.
To prevent conflicts between the soldiers and
the people, the former should be sent to the fion-
tier, and kept there, and to employ troops in the
interior should be crime on the part of the Ex-
ecutive.
The State should own and have the direction
of all banks, railroads, mines, and insurance of
fees.
There should be social warehouses and bazars
for goods or any produce delivered, In which re-
ceipts should be given, which receipts should
circulate, when Endorsed, as paper money.
With regard to foreign relations Socialism
would take for its motto; Conquest, never prop
qga,,dism, forever. Pacific by principle, it would
still be warlike (gaerrier) whilst there remained
in Europe either king or aristocrats,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
D. P. THOMPSON, EDITOR & PROPRIETOR.

The very trimming of the vain world would
clothe all the naked One If thou art clean and
warm, it is sufficient for more doth but rob the
poor and please the wanton.-D.
Love labor; for if thou dost not want it for
food, thou mayest for physc. 1t is wholesome
for thy body, and good for thy mind,-B.
Ofall the dispositions and habits which lead
to political prosperity religion and morality are
indispensable supporters. In vain would
that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who
should labor to subvert those great pillars of hui
man happiness frmest props OF the duties
Of men aud citizens. The mere politician, equal
y with the pions man, ought to respect and cher
ish them. A volume could not trace all their
connections with private and public felicity
Washington
The sword of steel is not so sharp as the sword
of mildness it vanquishes even invincble ar.
miles, Pdpdy
10 be able to bear provocation is an argument
of great reason, and to forgive it, of great mind.
-ITllotsoa.
Every man has just as much vanity as he wants
understandng-Pope.
In all bodies, those who will lead, must also
in considerable degree, follow.-Burke.
Sweet mercy is nobiity's true badge.-Shake-
spedre.
If a smile engender smiling,
Ifa frown produce frown,
If our lip the truth defiling,
Can tie rose of life cast down.
Let us learn, ere grief hath bound US,
Useless anger to torego,
And bring smiles like flowers around us
From which other smiles may grow.
Moderation is the silken string running thro'
the pearl chain of all virtues.
Let woman be decked with all the embel-
lishments of art and nature-yet if bodness is
10 be read in her face, it blots out all the lines
Of beauty.
He who hates his reighbor is miserable him
self, and makes all around him feel so.
Ayear of pleasure passes like floating breeze
but moment Of misfortune seems an age of
pain.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-12
LOFTY TREES.

Lieut. Wise says that many of the trees that
fringe what Humbot terms the Maritime Alps
of California, are Of enormous magnitude. A
German naturalist assured hin that he had meas
ured pines in the Santa Cruz mountains, 81 feet
in grth at the base, and carrying the lofty top
up C ear shaft for go feet without branch
1t is HumboIt, we believe, vino mentions spe-
cies of mature pines only threb-tenths of au inch
high! He also mentions pines in California, 800
feet high, if measured to the very top Some
what of contrast !-Ohue Hanch.