davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

We have all through gone on the suppositon
that the Missionaries and their spokesman rep
resent the feelings of the Hndoos, and are trust
ed by the race whose cause they are pleading.
But the fact is that no set Of men are viewed
with deeper distrust by the native population
than the indetatigable preachers who are now
demanding justice for the Bengaee. More than
one novelist has carcatured the humanitarian
who endeavors to benefit he object of his sym
pathy by persuading him that be is the vilest
and most abandoned of mankind. This is the
tone of the Bengal missionaries: "Your petit
TONERS have reason 10 believe that there is vast
amount of social disorganzaton and of conse-
quent suffering in the whole country Much Of
this your petitioners can trace to the fearful su-
perstitions of the people, to their ignorance, and
to the debasing effects of a popular mythology
which presents examples of every vice, and which
ascribes sanctity and Divine honor to priest
hood which is the principle curse of India
Hindoo nature must be widely different from
any other if such language as this is not sufh-
cient TO counterbalance all assurances Of sympa.
thy and friendship. We may trace in these few
lines the spirit in which missionary approaches
have been made TO the native mind and can
hardly wonder that, after years of exertion and
expense almost incredible SO few conversions
have been effected.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25
PEANUTS.

Inquiry is made concerning the cultivation of
peanuts, also called earth-nus, pinders, syste-
maticaly, Ardchis hypagea. Ardcos or Ara
cidna is name applied by Pliny, the old Roman
naturalist, to plant both stemless and leafess,
being all root Hence the name of this plant.
Its specific name signifies below ground, given
from the fact of the pods, as they increase in
size growing into the earth, where they rlpen
the seeds, suggesting the common name of earth
nuts. Why called pindar, weather from the ir'
regular odes of Pindar, the old lyric poet of the
Greeks, or some other circumstance, does not
readily appear,
The plant is of the leguminous family, said
to be indigenous in Africa and perhaps in
America, also, where it is cultivated successfully
in the warmer regions of both North and South
America, as well as in Africa. The Seeds OF
nuts, are used in South Carolina, where it is
cultivated as substitute for chocolate in SOME
of the Eastern countries, it is used as almonds,
and in Cochin China, it furnishes a substitute
for olive OIL and is used for lamps. In Paris, i;
is cultivated like the sweet potato, by starting in
hot beds, and subsequently, transplanted to the
open garden, where it natures and rpens, when
it is used other legumes, or pulse, such as peas
and beans. 1t has been similarly produced IN
England, and the Northern States. 1t has been
experimental with in Western New York, with
what success the writer does not recollect.
Its stem atains the height of two feet, with
branches trailing on the ground, Towering in
May or June, single, on long foot stalks, sue
ceeded by pods, as already stated, that bury
themselves in the earth Negro slaves, it is said
knew its burrowing habits long before their
masters, and accordingly helped themselves to
The nuts. 1t is cultivated in Southern Europe
and the Southern States of this country, as in
dicated. It is denominated one of the oleagin
Gus plants of the warm countries, and Is called
by foreigners, American carth-nut.
Mr.. MCaughan of Mississippi, gives the fol-
lowing account of the aground pea,"' as he calls
it, being the peanut, as 1t is known here.
1t was planted FEBRUARY 18th, in rows five
feet apart, and foot apart in the rows. The
weather was cold and wet in March, anc
killed many of the seeds after they had sprouled
so that there was a poor stand these grew
finely, and covered the ground very WELL Or
the 9th of October, commenced digging, fol
fear of frost, by loosening the ground It'll,
round the bunch with-a an iron fork with three
prongs, each about thirteen inches long a mar
follows, lifting up the bunch, most OF the pea
| adhering thereto, shakes off the sand, and lay
il out 10 cure, like beans; when dry, it is tiet
! up in bundles, and housed for winter food fo
horses and cows, it being very nutritious. Th'
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25
THE PRICE OF WOOL.

We notice that there is more than the usual
excitement in regard to the probable price Of
this years clip Of wool. The opinion is gener-
ally prevalent among the farmers that the price
will be materially affected by the operation of
the new tariff, which makes all wool free that
costs twenty cents or under at the port of en-
barkation. If invoices are honestly made, this
alteration will not materially affect the finer
woods that have heretofore formed the bulk Of
the production in the United States. The COM
peting woods are the Australian, and part of the
South American which correspond to our meri-
nos. Those woods are now comparatively high
er in London than in New York so much so,
indeed that it will be an object for manufactur-
ers to purchase our woods at prices in advance of
last year.
The clip this year will not be equal to that Of
last so that no surplus can be accumulated and
held over to bear down prices, nor is there now
any surplus for dealers or manufacturers to fall
back upon. The only means they have to fright
en- farmers into low prices will be to make them
believe that large stocks Of foreign wool are to
be brought in at low prices under the new tariff.
We hope that no farmer will be duped by any
such story, for, if told it will be sheer faerica-
ton. The present price Of wool in all the for
eign wool markets renders the whole thing NOR
ally impossible.
The price Of the finer grades of wool have ad-
vanced from 10 to 20 per cent, in all the Ger
man markets, over last years prices. The Ger
man woods are so high that the English find it
difficult to get supply there, and are thrown
upon the better grades oil colonial, and have
thereby exchanged the value Of all grades Of
Cape and Australian woods, as the better grades
OF South America. If it were not for the un-
satisfactory condition of the market for woolen
goods, the price of wool, owing 10 the decreased
production, would rule higher in this market
than for many years past. So precarious and
unsatisfactory has been the market ior some two
or three years that the manufacturing has not
increased for, while our own clip has not in
creased, the importations of foreign wool tor the
past year have fallen off nearly five millions Of
pounds as compared with the three past years.
There should be no good reason why the far
mers should dispose of their wool at any les:
price than they obtained last year. The rates
at which it would be sale to sell should be, fol
Saxony, 60 75c
Merino, az a 54c
Fine grades, 38 45c
Low do. and common, 32 38c
1t must be understood. however, that these
prices ara only for wool in prime condition
clean, well put up, and lightly Y. Tribune
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25
BRATTLEBORO, W.: JULY 25, 1857.

leuce and gloom of the cavern of wonders
The fresh sweet air, the distant hills on which
the morning mist still fingered, the springing
grass in the valley, the rusling trees, the notes
of the singing birds in the branches, the voice
Of the rushing stream, the wild flowers at my
feet, the very earth that lay bathed in the bles-
sed light Of Heaven, never seemed so delightful
to my senses as when, emerging from the dark
ness looked upon the face Of Nature, and
thanked God that he had made the heavens and
the earth.
The fantastic wonders hidden in the depths
of the earth seemed TO dwindle when compared
with the boundless gories Of the world on which
the sun rises and sets And yet, day after day,
these glories are unveiled before eyes that see
not, and the voices of nature fail upon ears that
hear not, because we are wilfully blind to the
exceeding beauty of the world, and deaf TO its
harmonies Only when for time we are de-
prved OF what we are too needless to enjoy,
when perhaps we have traversed sea and land
and entered the bowels Of the earth 10 look up
on some subterranean wonder on which little
candle throws its beams and lights into a tran
sent splendor, do we awake even to faint ap-
probation of the lavish beauty with which, from
season to season. the earth and the sky are ar
rayed for our delight
As we rode homeward. the scene, which al
first had seemed so pleasing, wore new beauty
to eyes that had experienced a temporary ban
ishm.nt from the light of the sun and we
reached Staunton well satisfied that the nex
wonder to be seen in Virginia-ihe Natura
Bridge-was to be looked upon in open day.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

A RICH ORAToRICAL CLIMAX.-The Tole-
do Blade says that good story is told Of an as
piring orator who held forth on the 4lh of July,
at one of the many celebrations in the "rural
districts" in Ohio. His maiden speech duly pre-
pared, and the telling portions committed to MEM
Ory, he found himself, in state of thrilling ner-
vousness, before the people. All went on WELL
and he had, in measure, recovered his self
command, when he arrived at the grand climax
of his speech, that portion of it in which he was
TO allude to "The American Eagle" Proudly
he began, and tossed Off almost fippantly.-
The American Eagle, gentlemen, that proud
bird the emblem of our liberties, gentlemen, as
she stands" when suddenly the rest of his la
bored simile faded from his memory. Terrified
at the discovery he gasped-he seized, nervous
ly, a tumbler of water, and turned it by mistake,
inside his cravat. and took fresh start with a
rush of desperation which bid fair to burst the
bonds of his fettered Imagination, and soar ma
jeslcally away on the wings of the aposrophized
"bird." "The American Eagle the American
EAGLE, gentle MEN, that proud bird of our lib
critics, as she understanding she stands
standing with great vigor) "with one foot on
the Alleghanes and the other on the Rocky
Mountains, and stretching her broad wings from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, shall-stretchng her
broad wings-wth one foot on the Rocky Noun
tains, and the other one on the Alleghanies,
shau-shaH HOWL, gentlemen and fellow citl-
zens, in the gaLOrious freedom Other NATIVE
| Air~
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

NEGRO WIT.-Judge Burke of South Car
olina rode on horseback from circuit to circuit,
accompanied by servant, who was directed to
keep close behind him, while he medtated as
pleased himself by the way. jogging along in
this way, on one occasion, the servant pressed
up too near 10 the horse which he rode, and
which happened 10 be an ill-natured brute, and
the consequence was that the horse kicked the
negro on the leg, who, observing that j, had not
interrupted his masters study, sprang off his
horse, and picking up stone threw it at the
horse, which it unluckily missed, and took effect
between the Judges shoulders. The instant the
negro saw what had been done, he fell in the
road with his hands clasped about his leg, and
crying out in apparent agony as soon as the
Judge could straighten himself, he turned around
and says to the PROSTATE negro, "Stephen, child,
what ais you ?"
Lord MASTER" was the reply, "your horse
just now kicked me on the leg, and almost broke
it,"
"Wel child" said the Judge, "he Just now
kicked me between the shoulders, and almost
broke my back, too"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

"BRANDY STRAIaHT."- Sol. Jones was a
stage driver for many years before the railroads
had become plentiful, ,laud he has followed vari-
GUS occupations since. His principal employ
ment now is drinking strong liquors, and his nose
reflects constantly the everlasting bonfire"
One day last week Sol stepped into one of our
fashionable restaurants, aud called for brandy.
The decanter was handed to him, and he pour
ed out tumbler nearly full. With a look Of
aversion at the water pitcher, which was stand
ing near, he tossed off the brandy, and set down
his glass with strong expression of disgust up.
on his humorous countenance. "Anyhing the
matter with that brandy " inquired the bar ten
der, "Yes," was The gruf reply. "What alb
il ?" asked Bonisace. "Why, confound i" saic
Sol, ~ kin .asts the water in il I"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25


A PIONEER AND MIGHTY HUNTER.-Sam-
uel Askey was born in Northumberland county,
served under Gen. Harrison, and after the war
visited the wilds of the Snowshoe country, Penn
sylvania He settled about one mile from the
little or Black Moshannon, and II miles from
the Bald Eagle Valley the then nearest settle
ment. He was one of the two first settlers that
followed in the trail of the Indians, they having
left but a short time previous, leaving their hunt
ing grounds to be occupied by white men. The
life OF Mr. Askey as pioneer and hunter would
compare with that of Daniel Boon or Col. Crock
EFT. Many of the most thrilling adventures with
hair-breadth escapes from the wild denizens of
the forest, have been heard from the lips of the
deceased by the writer. He carried with him to
the grave, scars, the result of wounds received
in several contacts with panthers, in which his
life depended on his own presence of mind, and
the faithfulness of his dog Much of his time
was spent in hunting, which proved the most lu-
cratiye business in which he could engage in his
new home. He killed during the time he lived
in Snowshoe, 60 panthers, SO wolves, Ito this
the records of Centre County will bear testmo-
ny } about 500 deer, and large number of bears,
the precise number could not be ascertained, but
in statement given by himself to the writer, he
sold in one season, 2700 weight of bears meat.
THIS veteran of the woods has just died at Snow
shoe, at the advanced age of 81 years.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25
INTERESTING INVENTION.

"Pbnnix's Feline Attachment" to a sewing
machine with an illustrationl is the best thing
out He saws
"Like most great inventions. the attachment
is of great SIMPLICITY. An UPRIGHT shaft is con-
nected with the macb,ne bv cogwbeel and min
ion. and sunnor,ed below bv n suitable Frame
work. Two proiectino arms are attached TO the
shaft to one of which large cat is connected by
light harness. and from the other a living
mouse is suspended bv the tail. within few
inches of the nose of the motor. As the cat
springs toward the mouse. the latter is removed.
and Keeping constantly at the original distance
the machine reyolyes with great rapdity. The
prodipious velocity produced by the rapacity of
,ho ca, IN ;,s G,,;io 'o,,,oa,,o-s q, ovar,aLo tho
mouse mn c,n oniv bo ;mao;oo5 Nv one who has
seen The a,tachmen, IN r,il onsra;;on
/, = ~ ia, - " -. 10 ~'',,.,o,. o,or
% mus 'na' man SHOWS n'S suP'euiao! o'e'
c;o,s ;ns,;no,s s,,N,an,;a,,, 90 b;s ,,so
,ha ,n"'I;. d,.oI;ar - ~ sn o,.ou ,t,o
,no,,sn .nd ,ha oa, -, ,ao r,,,'.as d;sa.,od
Ra., H. ."S 20, PuIs
forrv,rJ viii ranoSvaJ - IT, vr;,ar hss
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

Power OF ENDURING CoLD.-The follow
ing paragraph is taken from DR.. Kane's Jour-
nal 1.-THE mysterious capacities by which we
adapt ourselves to the climate are more striking
here than in the tropics In the polar zone the
assault is immediate and sudden, and unlike the
insidious fatality of hot countries, produces its
result rapidly. 1t requires hardly single win
ter to tell who are to be Matchmaking and ac-
climatized men. Peterson, for instance, who
resided for two years at Uppernavich, seldom
enters room with fire. Another of our
party, George Riley, with vigorous constitu-
ton, established habits of free exposure, and
active, cheerful temperament, has so Injured
himself to the cold that he sleeps on our sledge-
journeys without blanket, or any other cover
ing than his walking-suit, while the outsid 8
temperature is 800 below zero"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

BIG BANK NoTEs.-We have seen 1t stated
somewhere that TWO notes of one hundred thou
sand pounds sterling each, had been issued by
the Bank of England, but we find no mention
made of it either in Francis History of the
Bank of England or in Lawson's History of
Banking, or in 'Gilbarts Practical Treatise on
Banking As to the issue OF note for one
million sterling, Gas the communication suggests)
we cannot find any one who has heard OF such
issue.
1t was said that some yearsSince that Rogers
the poet, had one Of the above mentioned notes
of 6 100, 900 enclosed in case and kept on his
mantle piece but even of this there is some
doubt. The only authentic anecdote Of large
notes by the Bank, is Of the issue Of one for
10000, mentioned in Lawson's History Of Bank
ing, in which il is said that extraordinary affairs
happened about the year 1740. One of the d.
rectors a very rich man, had occasion for $780,
900, which he was TO pay as the price Of an es-
tate he had Just bought. To facilitate the mat
ter, he carried the sum with him to the bank
and obtained for it bank note On his return
home he was suddenly called out upon partcu-
lar business he threw the note carelessly on the
chimney; but when he came back few minutes
afterwards 10 look it up, it was not to be found.
No one had entered the room he could not
therefore, suspect any person. AT last after
Uucn lneHeciual search, ne was persudueu that
it had fallen from the chimney into the fire.
The director went to acquaint his colleagues with
the misfortune that had happened to him /; and
as he was known to be perfectly honorable
man he was readily believed. 1t was only about
four-and-twenty hours from the time that he had
deposited his money they thought it would be
hard to refuse his request for a second bill. He
received it upon giving an obligation to restore
the first bill, if il should ever be found, or to
pay the money himself, if it should be presented
by any stranger. About thirty years afterwards
(the director having been long dead and his
heirs in possession of his fortune) an unknown
person presented the lost bill at the Bank and
demanded payment. 1t was in vain that they
mentioned to this person the transaction by
which that bill was annulled he would not lis
ten to it; he maintained that It had come 10 him
from abroad and insisted upon immediate pay
ment. The note was payable to bearer and the
thirty thousand pounds were paid him. The
heirs of the director would not listen to anv de-
mands for restitution, and the Bank was obliged
TO sustain the loss. 1t was discovered afterwards
that an architect having purchased the directors
house and taken it down ia order to build anoth.
er upon the same spot had found the note in a
crevice of the chimney, and made his discovery
an engine for robbing the Bank-Courier 8
Enquirer.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

The following anecdote by Brown shows how
easily some young ladies repress any of that
"undue familiarity" which is agreeable from GER
tain persons only;-
ave gather from 'Phiges' who writes us from
Port Chester, that there are curious noiablies
about that place. Among them is Brown Of
whom this little anecdote is related He had
been for some time very much in love with a
young lady, and wishing to be little partlcu-
lar, asked permission, on taking his leave one
night, to call her by the name of some auimal,
which request was granted, on condition that she
should have the same privilege. On leaving,
Brown said: Good night, Dear Good night
Bore ? SAID she Brown has since foresworn
the company of young ladies'"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25
f. IL. FEssENDEN.
GENERAL INSURANCE AGENCY.
III Once WuIisten's Stone Block.

The subscriber has the agency Of the VI MUTUAL FIRE
aNsuhAkcE COMPANY, with Capital exceeding q So0-
900 Also the sPhlNGFIELD FIRE AND MARINE INSUR-
ANCE (stock) with Capital Of $3.50 900 large
surl'hisi aud the CONWAY FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Sstock with Capital Of 800 900 He Is also prepared to e
fet insurance, desired, in the KTNA INSURANCE COM
PANi, Hartford, and ATLANTIC FIRE AND MARINE CO.,
Providence Persons wishing 10 insure property will do
Heu call him before efeetlng the Insurance
LlPE may be effected with him In the NATIONAL LIRR
lNsURAECE COMPANY, 'r any term and 70 any amount
not exceeding $4,000 at one risk. Y. H. FEsSENDEN.
Brauleboro, January 9Th, 1861
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

The art of visiting is we'll worth special tres-
tise Whom to visit-when to visit-how long
to visit those would form the staple of a useful
essay, if anybody would take the trouble to
write it, and would write it ceverly. Some peo-
pie visit nearly all the time, and so waste their
own lives and their friends substance some
rarely visit at all, and so deny themselves and
their neighbors one of the greatest pleasures Of
social existence. Some people make their visits
so short that they are not worth the trouble they
cost others stay so long that the visit becomes
a visitation" like fever, or famine. As use
is always essential 10 excellence in any art. only
those who have certain amount Of practice
know how to visit well; while those who visit
too much, sin another way, and become bad vis-
itors from impudence and carelessness.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

AN ANEcDoTE OF WAsHNeToN.-Not in
his Lye.-Whie the American army, under the
command of Washington lay encamped at Nor
ristown, n. j., it occurred that the service of the
Communion (then observed semi-annually ,only)
was to be administered in the Presbyterian
Church of that village. One morning, in the
previous week, the General, after his accustom-
ed inspection of the camp, visited the house Of
Rev. Dr. Jones, then pastor of the church, and
after the usual preliminaries, thus accosted him;
doctor, understand that the Lords Supper
is to be celebrated with you next Sunday 1
would learn If il accords with the canon of our
church to admit communicates of another de-
nomination ?" The Doctor replied, "Most GER
tainly; ours is not the Presbyterian table, Gen.
eral, but the Lords table; and we hence give
invitation to all his followers, of whatsoever
name" The General replied, 81 am glad oft;
thought would asc ertain it from YOURSELF as
propose TO join with you on that OCCASION
Though a member of the Church of England,
have no exclusive partalites." The Doctor re-
assured him Of a cordial welcome and the Cen
eral was found seated with the communicates
the next Sabbath.-M Y. Express.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

MINISTER NoNpLusED. The Rev. Mat
thew Wilkes was once passing through one of the
crowded streets of London, when he heard car
man, who found great difficulty in getting his
vehicle along, owing to the numerous obstruc-
,ions he met with, cursing and swearing at tre-
mendousratc He quietly went up to the Offend
er, and tapping him gently on the shoulder, said
to him:
"Ah for that cursing and swearing, OF which
Won have been guilty, will appear witness
against YOU on that great day Of judg nent p
"Oh, yes, said the carmap to his clerical re-
buker, 1.-The biggest rogue always lurns kings
evidence"
The minister in relating this aneedote to his
fiiends owned that this answer so completely
nonplussed him. that he was obliged to walk oil
withou, saying a word in reply.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-25

peanuts remaining in the ground can be easily
gathered after rain, or hogs may be turned in
to CLEAN and fatten thereon, as on corn. The
poorest land yields from fifty to eighty bushels
per acre, besides ton of forage, altogether rem
dering it one of the finest crops of the South
- -Conore0ationdlia