davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08
Story of an Honest Man.

Years ago, when the now proud city of Bos-
ton was but brisk a-port town. with its houses
struggling to cover its hillsides and barren pas
ture, and not very successful in the attempt there
lived man somewhat celebrated in his way, re-
ioicing in the name of Seth Thornton. His way
of celebrity was and still is peculiar one. hon
esty. Folks used to say that Seth was so inten-
sely honest that he was accustomed to set aside
per centage of his profits in trade for any money
he might by any possibility have become unlaw-
fully possessed of without his becoming aware
of it.
Whether this was so or not, he was celebrated
for his sterling undertaking honesty and without
the reward that would seem to have been his due
Seth was poor, and he was indebted for his com
fort rather to his economy in life that to his sue
cess in business He was thirty years of age
when the story was commenced and was rahe
methodcal to nicely in his transactions, ant
from that had obtained the subriquet ofOld Seth
So much for premises. now for our story :
A dull gloomy day it was without, cold with
in. and cheerless everywhere The trade was
dull as the weather, and Seth was grubbing W
old accounts with severe determination, when hi
was disturbed by the creaking of the low doc
of his shop and entrance of an old bowed-dowe'
figure. who barely placed one foot before th'
other shutfled across the floor through piles
West India and dry goodr, hard ware, erocerle
and notions, for Yankee land was even then ful
of them J, and deposited well filled bag uPo'
the counter, with the ejaculation, use for Bel
Foula and sons" suddenly shulIed away. No
comprehending so unbusiness like transaction
Seth was sometime in muse, before the lde
of examinglng the bag left, occurred to his be
widered brain.
The first touch told him it was gold, and up
on examination it contained the enormous sum Q
five hundred guineas in gold of Spain Havin
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08
NEW SERIES, NO. 20.
TERMS {sl,5o strictly in advance.
1HIONlS, S2.OO at the years end.
Darictp.
The Dead Letter,

The following is contributed by Dave of the
Columbus (Obio) post-office
During my term of service at the general de-
livery of this Office, it was my custom, upon re-
ceiving dead letters from Washington City, to
make out list of the names of persons to whom
they were addressed, and stick it up in the lobby
of the office, with notice, Call for Dead Let
ters'
One day as an elaborate specimea Of Erin a.
sons, whose brawny fist and round shoulders
seemed to denote construction with an eye sin
gle to American railroads lounged into the office,
and up to the board containing the aforesaid list.
He looked at it a moment, and burst into tears
spoke to him through the window, and asked
him what was the matter.
oh Mr.. Postmaster, see ye have a dad
etther for me. spect me sester in lreland's
daid, and it's not a wake since snt her tin
pound note to come to Amerky wild and kin
We tell me how long she's bin daid, Mr.. Post
masferl
| asked him his name, found the letther, and
after request from him to rade it, sir, md rade
ii asy, if you place, opened it, and told him not
to cry; that his sister was not dead, but that 1t
was letter written by himself, and directed to
Michael Flaherty, Boston, Chicago.
And is Michel daid, Mr.. Postmaster =
No. guess not said |.
sWel, who is daid, sir
| explained to him that letters not taken from
the Office to which they were addressed within
certain time, were sent to what was called the
Dead Letter Office at Washington City, and from
thence, if containing anything valuable, to the
persons who wrote them.
God bless You for that, sir, but Michel lives
in Chicago
told him would not dispute that, but Bos-
ton and Chicago were two distinct cities. and the
letter was addressed to both and that Boston be-
inc the first named, it had been retained there,
and his friend had not received it,
sSure and thought Boston was in Chicago,
and that's what ye call dad etther is it,
Faith and thought it was Bridget and not the
etther, was daid. You see, Mr. Postmaster,
Michael he writ home 10 the ould folks that he
'ived in Chicago, that he had married nice
American lady, that she was sea cook on
steamboat, and they call her nager. 80 whln
started for Ameriky, the oud modder, Michel
modder, she gave me these Elegant rings, (the
letter contained a pair of ear rings) to give
Miche's wife fot prisnt. Whin we landed at
Boston, | wrote Michel the letther, tould HIM
was going to Columbus to live, put on his name,
Michael Faherty, Boston, Chicago, and put it
in the post, and sure here it is. and Mchel's sea
cook nager niyer got it. Bad luck to the ship
that fetched me to Boston, Mr.. Postmaster.
Afer offering to trate me for the roube he
had caused me, he left, and ever after when he
mailed a letter, he brought it to me to put on the
address, because he ddn t understand these dad
etthers.'
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

A REMARKABLE ExEcuTNoER.-We have
observed several wonderful stories of late, re-
pecting the skill of the Chinese ezecutoners,
who, it is said, can strike off the heads of their
victims so sklfully that the poor fellows them
selves never discover their loss until moment
or two after they are dead. We recall to mind,
however, the story of a German eXecutioaer,
who far surpassed the Chinese in professional
dexterity. Upon one occasion, it happened that
criminal who was condemned to dealh had a
singular itching to play at ninepins; and he i'm
pored permission to play once more at his IA
vorite game before he died. Then, he said, he
would submit to his fate without a murm1r.-
The Judge, thinking there could be no harm in
humoring him, granted his last prayer; and upon
arriving at the place of execution he found eve
ry.thing prepared for the gama-'he pins being
set up and the bowls being all ready. lie COM
penced his favorite sport with enthusiasm. AT
ter a while, the sheriff, observing that he showed
no inclination 10 desist, made sign to the exc
cutoner to strike the fatal blow while he stopped
for a bowl. The executioner did so, but with
such exquisite dexterity that the culprit did not
notice or feel it, He thought, indeed, that
cold breath of air was blowing upon his neck
and drawing himself back with a shrug, his head
dropped forward into his hands. He naturally
supposed that it was bowl which he had grasp
ed, and sezing it firmly, rolled it at the pins
All of them fell and the head was heard to ex'
claim as it rebounded from the wall, "Hurrah
I've won the game !''-PoryoHo.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

Curious GEOLOGICAL Discovery The new
dock at West Hartlepool, which is approaching
rapidly towards completion, has, in its progress,
revealed several facts Of great geological inter-
est. Beneath the mud, sand, and silt of the
:" pool " or slake-which has extended consid-
erably beyond its present boundary--there ex-
lists the remains of an ancient forest, with its
timber, trees, and other plants, as they grew
and decayed on the spot forming an accumula-
ton Of vegetable matter Of considerable thick
ness, In this, besides the hazel nuts in great
number and perfection, we are not surprised to
find the antlers and harder portions of the stag
the hart of olden time portions of the skull
of an OK have also been found Tie level Of
this forest is now nearly that of low water
consequently below the present sea drainage
Beneath the forest is the blue clay 1.-THE earth in
which trees grow, there is thick bed of clay.
sand, silt and gravel-having numerous embed
ded boulders of water-worn stones, many of
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

SLEIGH RIDE,-A friend of ours gives the
following as his experience in sleigh riding during
the past winter: First, he drove out four miles
to Burt SCOTS, tied his horse went in to warm
himself, horse got loose and started for buffalo
started after him-horse got in ten minutes
ahead with a couple of splinters attached to him,
representing the rest of the cutter. Expense
eghty-fve dollars. Second, had two-horse sleigh
got two miles from the cty-off horse com
meme d feeling his cereals manifested his de-
light by kicking out the front of the sleigh des-
uoying in his man'pulations both of the geese
necks. he finally broke loose from the harness,
and disappeared in the direction of Lower Cana.
da-drove the other horse to town tandem -
Expense twentyeight dollars Thirdly, took a
gentle horse--six miles out he got not only gen.
lie hut tame-he laid down, and professed an en-
tire dsinclination to 60 any further. Laid the
buffalo skin over him, and walked home and gave
the alarm-livery stable man went-every,hing
gone. Damages not ASSESSED. Have concluded
to give up sleigh riding in toto. Good conclu-
sion. Buffalo Republic.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

HorELDoM IN ARKANsAs.-A gentleman way
off in Arkansas who had been stopping at cross
country tavern about two weeks, writes to
friend about the manner in which hotel affairs
are conducted. He says:
The regulations of the house are written IN
bold round hand, and tackled on the door OF
each bedroom. The rules are rigidly enforced,
and the slightest deviation is met with the penal
ty. Here they are,
|. Gentlemen will black their boots before
leaving their rooms, or they will not BE- admitted
to the table without an extra charge of bit
meal
2. Gentlemen going to bed with their boots
on, will be fined quarter for the first offence,
four bits tor the second, aud turned out and sued
for the board for the third, the landlord holding
on to the plundel
3. No person allowed to call twice for The
same dsh without paying an extra bit
4. Gentlemen not on hand at meal times, can
not come to the table without paying an extra
bit.
5. All travellers are expected to treat before
leaving the house-the landlord holding on to The
plunder until he comes out."-Ger Iei
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

satisfied himself as to the amount, he turned to
his day book and made entry" Received this
day $500, to be used for Benz amin Foula &
Sons" and opened his account accordingly.
Years passed on, and year to year the prop
erty invested in the name of Benjamin Foula &
Sons seemed cherished by fortunes self. Their
ventures were successful by sea and by land
when all other were ruinous; their ships rode
safely through the storms that sunk the stoutest
merchantmen, and their cargoes arrived in safety
when privateers had taken or driven away others.
So immense was this increase that soon old Seth
was known only as agent for Foulas and his own
propertys increase was Of but little account COM
mission on their investment His warehouse be-
came the largest in the colony, and his ships
passed in and out from every port of usual trade
on The line, ladened with the property of the un-
known, Still was the same account of his ledgers
preserved, and receipt and expediture always
kept waiting the coming of his principal or his
sons and their examination.
So time went on, prosperity to the mysterious
person and misfortune to the agent A new
market was then sought for on the coast of the
Mediterranean, vessel was dispatched to Algiers
with the right consienments. The captain upon
his arrival, waited upon the principle merchants
of the place, and all of the Foula manifest was
in demand, while Old Seth procured but nomi-
nal profit.
A sale was finally effacted of the whole cargo,
and the merchant and the captain discussed the
subject of a new trade together The merchant
expressed desire to see the new country, and
by invitation of the other, took passage in his
ship for America.
The day succeeding his arrival, Seth was
seated in his counting room, engaged in his rs.
ual examination of ledgers and papers, when a
movement attracted his attention. and he saw be-
fore him the same bowed down figure, and the
same shutting step approaching.
Where is the money for Ben Foula % With
out hesitation and almost without surprise the ac-
count of the investments was read over, ard deeds
of estates aud evidences of property in The name
of Benjamin Foua were produced. Houses,
ships aud cargoes were placed over to the right
ful owner, and rigid account of expenses
and commissions were rendered, and with no
comment or inquiry, the poor man was left alone.
The day passed on, and old Seth was again
toiing in business, when captain arrived from
the Mediterranean, entered and placed in bis
hand package. 1t was will, besowing upor
him all the property of this mysterious oI,
man, accumulatedby himself as agent,
The true story of the mysterious visitor wa
never told, but, long afterwards 1t was recalled
to mind that Mahommedan merchant name,
Hamet Ben Foua had been in America whel
the first incident occurred, and the passenge
who came and returned in the Yankee ship wa
called by the same name. This merchant con
tinued his business with Old Seth long after
wards, and the latter surmised that the tall Ara
was the old decripit man who was his benefactor
and that he held property by the will of one
who still lived.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

OFFICE-SEEKING,-How true is this, from
recent essay by Montalembert . The craving
for public Office is one of the worst of social
maadies. 1t spreads through the entire nation
venal and a servie humor, which by no means
excludes the spirit of faction and the love of
anarchy. 1t creates crowd of hungry beings
capable of the utmost fury to assuage their ap-
pctites, and ready for any baseness when the
appetites have been appeased. A people of
place hunters is the most worthless of all popu-
tions.'
No comment is needed on passage which
appeals at once to the experience of every Amer
ican
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

The subject of impressions at first sight was
being talked over at the supper table, when the
lady who presided Ger the cups and tea said
she always formed an idea of person at first
sight, and generally found it to be correct.
Mamma said her youngest son, in shrill
voice that attracted the attention of all present.
'Well, my DEAR" said the fond mother, what
is itl'
Il want to know said Young America,
what was your opinion of me '0hen you first
sa,o me Z"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

A NIGHT WITH WILD BEASTS Interior Penn
sylvana is still, in very many sections, as rude
and unsettled as the remote frontier regions of
the West An adventure which occurred this
winter to Mr.. Arvine Clark, in Potter county,
will serve to illustrate this. Mr.. G. lost his
way, and after travelling for hours, found HIM
self overtaken by night, eight miles from any
settlement, and surrounded by bears and wolves.
One of the former he killed as the animal was
rushing upon him. in attempting to light II
fire by discharging his gun, he frightened away
another huge bear, only twenty feet distant from
him. He did not dare to 60 to sleep, and there
fore remained awake on the watch all night, in
the dark, without light or fire, suffering from
the severity of the cold, and the greater part
of the time with the fierce glare of a panther's
eyes full in his face. When this animal first
approached, he was warned by its YELL but be-
ing without shot or bullets he loaded his gun
with three cent pieces and steel pens. The ami
NAL seemed to be awed by his gun, but hovered
about him till daybreak, when he disappeared.
About noon the next day Mr.. Clark reached the
settlement, hungry and weary,-Philadelphia
North American.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

AN IMMENSE FISH SToRY.-The National In.
teMgencer publishes, under the head of "Patent
Ofice-Natural Observation-Disclosures
es, the following story:
" Connected with this subject-somewha re-
motely it may be-is the experience of Mr.. R
L. Pell, of Pelham Farm, near Saugerties,
New York, gentleman well known as an extern
sive orchardist, and who has sold as the produce
of his orchards in one year $66,O00 worth Of
tailed in London at shilling each. Having
prepared suitable harness, Mr.. Pel obtained
from the Hudson living sturgeon, some seven
feet long, which he harnessed and put in a pond
on his farm, attached line and cork float to
to the traces. Whenever he desired to sail
about the pond, VIII ch was about fourth of a
mile in circumference, he would 60 out in a
boat usually containing two persons, and attach
the cord to it, when the sturgeon would invari-
ably dart off at its utmost speed and make sew
eral circuits around the pond, keeping near the
shore all the way. 1t would then suddenly
stop; rise to the surface of the water, and turn
upon its back, thus indicating its exhausted con-
dition. Having seen and conversed with an
intelligent and entirely reliable gentleman who
has accompanied Mr. Pell upon some of these
excurtions, we can assure the reader that we
have no doubt of the practicability and safety
of this mode of navigation, especially in shallow
WA tnrs :,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

proud boy boasted that his father had
horse, when his companion, of poorer parentage,
replied exultiugly Sand my father has horse
and saw too."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08

NIAGARA FALLS IN WINrER.-The spray,
drifting over the adjacent shores, has transform
ed the commonest objects into shades of such
fairy-Iike beauty as is elsewhere only conceived
olin dreams. All things are enveloped in gleam-
ing ice. The islands are inlaid with pavement
as sure and solid as Parian. The rocks that
shoot up from the far depths of the precipice are
hooded and wrapped up in vast breadths of ice,
like monks doing homage to the genius of peace.
The trees are bowed down to the earth with their
snowy vesiments, like worshipping choir of
white robed nuns Everywhere but in the i'm
mediate channel of the swollen and surging river
the ice king reigns supreme Under his magic
touch nature is visibly idealized Stalactite
groves, and towers of crystal, and forests glitter
ing with brilliants and pearls, seem no longer a
pigment of genius, but beamng reality.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08
0therhands may grasp the field or forest,
Proud proprietors in pomp may shine;
Thou art wealthier-all the world Ia thine "

But, look the clouds are breaking. ." Fair
weather cometh out of the north.'' The wind
has blown away the mists on the glded spire
of John street glimmers beam of sunshine.--
And there is the sky again, hard, blue and cold
in its eternal purity, not whit the worse for
the storm. In the beautiful Present. the Past
is no longer needed. Reverently and gratefully
let its volume be laid aside and when again the
shadows of the outward world fall upon the
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08
MAY 8, 1856.

them of several tons weight The whole bed is
the well-known" " alluvium, or drift spread
over the bountry, beneath the soil and above the
stone. In cutting the timber pond at the
northwest angle of the new dock, which is en-
tirely in this " drift" portion of the tusk of
an elephant was discovered some days ago The
fragment, which is about eighteen inches long,
is Of that end which has been embedded in the
jaw, and exhibits all the ordinary characters
tics of such a specimin. This is the first in
stance within our knowledge of the remains of
elephants being found in the county of Durham,
but, curious as it is, it should not, as a matter
Of scientifie investigation, excite in us any feel
ings of surprise, inasmuch as this same "drift"
has, in various localities on the Yorkshire coast,
produced portions of the tusks and grinders of
elephants, which are now preserved in the mus
Gums of York, Whitby and Scarborough and
in the wel-known cave of Kirkdale, near Kirby
Moorside, were discovered the bones of elephants
and those of various other quadrupeds in great
abundance.
The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-12-18
Value of Corn and Cobs Ground Togethe

Value of Corn and Cobs Ground Together
We shall take great credit to ourselves if we
we can induce stock-growers, agriculturists,
and indeed, farmers generally, to give more
attention to the use of corn and cobs
ground together for feeding farm. stock
There is scarcely an agricultural journal of
any prominence in the country which fails to
concur in the general belief Of the economy
and excellence OF this kind Of food when prop
erly prepared, nor is there an extensive
stock raiser or fattener in the West who has
tried corn ami cobs ground together and
corn alone, that does not declare most en-
phatically in favor of the former. The fact
is, Maine or Indian Corn is the great staple
Of the Mississippi Valley, and every year by
extending the area of its cultivation, gives it
agrowing importance among The products OF
the world. The time was, not long ago, eth.
er, when Cincinnati was the pork empori-
um Of the country, and when men who furn-
fshed Ohio cattle to the New York markets,
did deeds to be talked of and remembered -
Matters are changed in these railroad days,
and bullocks and porkers fatten ID with the
maize of this noble valley now perambulate
the streets of the cities of the East. 1t is
therefore important that all the light possible
should be poured upon the subject of select
ing healthful and economic food for stock
Corn being the great staple, must of course
form the basis OF our calculations
We have the assurance ofmen engaged for
years in k-growipg, that savr IN time
Of full one-third is gained by using ground
feed, corn and cob meal especially. We know
from positive experience that as large por-
tion in amount OF food given working animals,
is also saved by administering in the above
manner Believi G, therefore, as We do, that
there is economy, both of amount Of food re-
quired and in time necessary to put animals
in good condition by the use of cob meal, We
would strongly urge upon our farmers its use
wherever corn is grown or stock f4ttened for
market. The fertility of our great western
country, and the facility with which the grain
is produced, has led our growers into great
wastefulness aud extravaganza We look
forward to the time when this shall be cor
rected, as it must and will be when farmers
pursue their avocations with greater regard to
this teachings of experience AMI science. A :,
riculture has made giant strid during the
last few years towards assuming the station
it deserves among the callings of the earth,
viz: the mostindependent and noblest of the
and.-IoaOd Farmer.