davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09
Lightning Rods-Their Uses and Their De
feets.

This great invention Of Dr. Benjamin Frank
lin was not designed 60 draw lightning from a
great distance. The bolt when discharged takes
III direction, which Is changed somewhat by
good conductors. \ house IA ts path is saved
If it has upon il good metallic conductor OF
ele trcty, because the liuld 70 called, takes
the route which will allow it " reach the earth
10 the shortest possible time, and thus restore
the equilibrium. Inat portion Of a roof which
is regarded as absolutely protected is a circle
whose radius ls equal 70 the height TO which lhe
rod extends above the reol hence D, Is common
practice % have several examinations or branches
Of the main rod projecting IRON the highest
part Of the roof, and from the corners Of the
building.
A defective hghtaing rod is dangerous, be.
cause it draws towards the house a force which
it cannot conduct away from Il. 4 death oc-
CURED 90 the 18th Of last month at Rensselaer,,
Indiana, by lightning m house two and half
stories high, situated IN grove OF tall timber.
The lightning-rod designed 70 protect the bun
ding was made Of two kinds Of metll-the first
three upper sections were Of 0cagonal copper the
remainder was an iron ROD. Copper is "a much
botsaT conductor of e.ectFioity thsn IRON. The
copper rod received more than the iron rod could
instantly carry away. The consequence was
that portion sought ITS path to the ground
through the house. \ human body was the
bridge by which Ii crossed bed and liie was
swept of in It's passage. Of the accidents
from lightning IN cases Of HOUSES provided with
rods, are the result Of imperfect insulation -
The rods are not properly fastened with non
conductors, and do not always enter into the
ground lar enough to reach the moisture. Me-
tallic roofs, with cutters and leaders running to
tie ground, when wet are yeriect conductors.
Hardware stores, althoug filled with metal
are seldom, II ever, injured by lightning. The
current does NOS always descend from ihe sky to
the earth. The earth is generally negative an
the cloud positive but II the earth was positive
and the cloud negative, the direction Ol the eieo
tnc force would be reversed.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

a SPY or THE REvoLUTIoN.-ln the year l776
when Gov. Clinton resided in Albany, there cam,
stranger to his house one cold wintry morning
soon after the family had breakfasted He wa
welcomed by the household and Hospitality enter
talned. A breakfast was ordered, ard The Gov
ernor, with his wife and daughter employed it
knitting, was sitting before the fire. and entered
into conversation with him about the affairs of th
country, which naturally led to the inquiry o
what was his occupation.
The care and hestancy with which the stranger
spoke aroused the keen-sighted Clinton. lie
communicated hissuspicions to his wife and daugh
ter, who closely watched his every word and ac
ton. Unconscious of this, but finding be had
fallen among enemies, the stranger was seen 10
take something from his pocket and swallow it.
Meantime, Madame Clinton, with the ready tact
OF women Of those troublesome times, went quiet
ly into the kitchen, and ordered hot coffee to be
Immediately made, and added to it a strong dose
OF tartar emetic.
The stranger delighted with the smoking bey-
erage, partook freely Of it aud Mrs. Clinton soon
had the satisfaction Of ,eeing it produce the de-
sired result. True to Scripture, "out of bis
mouth was he condemned" A silver bullet APP
peared, which, upon examination, was unscrewed,
and was found to contain an important dispatch
Tor Burgoyne. lie was tried, condemned and
executed, aud the bullet is still preserved in the
family.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

GEN. BUTLER KlTlNG AFTER THE REBEIs.-
Our Ben Butler does not retire to Fortress Mon.
roe, according to late order Of the war depart
ment, but sticks like tick to the army at Ber-
muda Hundred, and is as busy and as often leard
from as any active commander. Recent letters
describe the skill with which he pumps the truth
out of the rebel prisoners and dessrers, and this
occupation he has lately diversified with a sort oi
missionary kite flying, his own invention thus de-
serbed in an admirug letter to the Tribune
Benjamin Franklin sent kite skyward, and
brought down lightning. Benjamin Franklin
Butler sends kites skyward and drops down among
the rebels futterng hundreds OF copies OF the
Presidents amnesty proclamation. The ingenuity
of the device is great in either case, but the lat
terday Benlam has more praiseworthy purpose
to serve. He achieves patriotic end as success
fully as the original Benjamin did philosophical
one. The first fruits we're reaped to day, viz:
A number Of deserters who, on examination, de.
clared that they were induced to come over by,
20 lot o han bills that kim down from o big
kite that scaoted over whar We war"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

CAPABILITIES or THE NEGRo.-ln the schools
for freedmen established in Virginia and the Caro-
lInas, within the past two years. and also in the
Liberia schools, and whenever he has had an OPP
portunity to leain, he has proved himself Oh apt,
eager and successful scholar. Teachers affirm
lat the progress made by "colored pupils is at
least equl to that of pupils in Northern schools. .
The Conra0and is sympathetic, sfeclionate, CRATE
fol and faithful. This is fully shown in the daily
department of The slave, and in the fact that few
Instructions, Of any importance, have ever taken
place. He cannot imbrue his hands 10 the blood
OF those from whom ne has received eyel the small.
est fyors. For the young, especially, his hear!
oyerii-ws with affection and hence the negress
is steemed as the most faithful of nurses. With
her, the white baby is ever perfectly safe. He is
naturally active lie loves TO travel and see what
Is going on. After long days work he is still
ready for amusement. lie readily learns to plow
pani hoe, reap, pick and gin cotton, shoe, harness.
and drive a team and 10 fine, do any kind Of work
on farm, in the mechanics shop, or about the
house. He sings, prays and breaches with feryor
that shames our cold Teutonio phlegm. Thoughts
Of the land where all are Tee and happy, kindie
bis devotion into glowing flame. lie loves the
VS""t"uii 1"uii'te bng aPPaIei e'JVle kVVu muaiV
anu learns to appreciate the fine arts lie possess
the three best qualifications for a solder,-har-
dihood, obedience and enthusiasm. He can bear
almost any amount of fatigue and exposure, es-
peciaily in warm climate he obcys the commands
OF bis leader without inquirng the reason for the
orders and when excited, be thinks not Of conse-
qagnees and fears no danger His heroism at
Port Hudson, Morris Island, in Florida, and else.
where, leaves no room for doubt on this point.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09
The Little Chair.

There is a lite chair that occupies silent
nook in corner OF a lonely room 1t is never
moved out Of its place, and only occasionally
t0ue ed with reyerent hands, which softly wipe
from is arms aud iittle oAne-seat, the atoms ol
dust, tears dropping fast meanwhile, but wholly
unhueded The lilIle chair has not always oo-
Gu uple III corner 80 still and solemnly only a
few short weeks, and il was the constant COM
pauion the sharer IN all the restless lances Of a
bIlgA aud busy child. Untringly up and down
the little feet IattcIed all day lo0g and only at
night the blue eyes dropped wearily, and the
loving hands rested from their eager work or
play
But, alas the blue eyes are closed now the
aahes lie tenderly upon the white check, the
sunny hair curls lightly over smooth, placid
brow and the little hands lie peacefully al rest
Owes the heart whose quick pulsations have been
sudd My and ruthessy checked IN the very be-
ginning OF its sweet young lie Death has
been there that fearful unrelenting destroyer,
VINO shows no mercy, who annlhllates even hope
with one 10y glance, and leaves to tender pity
only the poor consolation Of tears.
Has the reader known the anguish OF watch
Ing day after day, and hour after hour, the fe-
yer throes and pless agony Of little child
---ol waiting, with sharpened nerve and quick
eued senses Tor the least sign which could revive
hope ia the almost lalnting heart l-ot catching
eagerly at SONS blessed indication of returning
iie, only to see the last dreadful struggle before
it dies out iOreYerl q to hear once more the
sound Of patteriDg feet, the broken utterances
oi tbs tiny voice, more musical than music itself
Ito see again the gentle ook from the pleading
eyes, ana be able to yield a willing assent to the
baby lips
But, no, no heavy eyes may rain down tears
enough to enshroud the little form, the throb-
blng heart may break with its weight OF sorrow
--.butit will not bring back the idol OF The house
hold, or fiji, with its accustomed occupant, the
small vacant chair Mother thou shalt 20 to
him, but he cannot return to you. There IS no
remedy, no consolation, for such grief as yours,
only The thought that the separation Is not fnali
that there exists OF the strongest OF all links,
between your soul and Heaven
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

A NOVEL PLAZA Judge relates the follow
ING incident that occurred 10 his practice II C
was trying petty case, in which one Of the par
ties was not able to pay counsel fees, and under
took to plead his own cause. But he found IN
the course Of the trial, that the keen and adroit
attorney who managed the case for the other
party was too much for him 10 legal strategy, .,
evidently making the worse appear the better
cause. The poor man, Mr. A., was in a state Of
mind bordering upon desperation, when the
opposing counsel cIoaed his plea, and the case
was ABOUT to BE- submitted TO the justice for
decision. May it please your honor, said the
man, may ] pray" The Judge was taken
somewhat by SURPRISE and could only say that he
saw no objection Whereupon Mr. A. went
do"n upon his knees, and made feryent prayer
II "hlcn he laid the merits Of his case before the
Lotu IN very clear and methodcal statement Of
all the particulars, pleading that right and justice
might prevail. 80 Lord. thou knowest that
thl' lawyer has misrepresented the flcts and thou
kno"est that it is so and so"-to the end Of the
cnapter. Arguments which he could not present
10 iosical array to the un ierstanding OF men, he
had no difficulty undressing to the Lord being
evidently better vers9d in praying than petuiog
glng When he rose from his knees, Esquire
W. The opposing counsel, very much exasperated
9y TIE turn which the case had taken, said Mr.
justice, does not the closing argument belong to
me q 10 which the Judge replied " You can
close with prayer il you please" Esquire W
was IN The habit OF praying at home, but not
seelng the proprety Of ofconnecling bis prayer with
bis practice, wisely forbore, leaving poor Mr.. A.
to win his cIse, as he did, by this novel mode Of
presenting il.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

ton OF Poolesyille and reached that place
Thursday night, Marching through the fertile
fields oil Maryland is much more pleasant
affair than marching through the desolate re.
gions Of Virginia Everything mas a look Of
thrift and prosperity IN Maryland, while III
Virginia On every hand one sees nothing but
evidences Of decay and desoale abandonment
The inhabitants treat US cordially us il grateful
for Che toll and sacrifice we were making for
our country. Anything it was in heir power
tc DO for us, they were willing to do, and seemed
to account it pleasure, although it can BE- nc
desirable thing for a man to have his fields the
highway for an army, whether that army il
trend or foe, The citizens here have suffered
greatly from this raid Ooa man that had a
large farm and much team work TO do had all
bis oxen aud herds taken from him, leaving hin
without the means to gather his crops or to Dc
any other necessary work Hls neighbors were
ia the same plight, and there was no remedy.
Friday We remained quietly in camp near
Poolesyllc. The cavalry were out securing thC
country anl harassng the enemy all they could
while We were waiting to give them battle
whenever We could get fair opportunity. We
witnessed the execution Of rebel spy there
that day. liz formerly belonged to the G7ti
New York regiment, and bad deserted and join
cd the enemy lie had added the double dis
grace Of desertlng to the enemy aud then turn
lng spy against US. The miserable man wa.
caught IN one oi his attaupts against US, ant
here paid the penalty Of nls crimes on the gal
lows.
fuo next day we marched ou, and crossed lh,
Potomac at W hItas Ford between Edwards anc
Conrad Ferry There were some Of the enemy
visible on the opposite bank, but after short
and vigorous shelllng from our batteries, they
were much less So. They skedaddled out o
our way into the woods and we crossed over
The river was about two feet deep aud We hac
to ford it. The boys stripped to their waists
anu calling j. iun, we waled iu As room az
we crossed we started for this place, marching
to Leesburg, then turning to the right and fol.
lowing close to the enemy all the way " go,
here just after dark, and were pretty thorough
ly tired out, for we had marched rapidly all
day, and had bad but little rest Tomorrow we
shall probably follow on after the enemy
through Smokers Gap where if they make a
stand W shall give tA.m al The battle hey
want \ citizen a, Leesburs last night tod me
THAI the enemy had LETT the placa but a hall an
hour before arrived, that they were 10000
strong, aui told him that they should fight US
near here. We hope .hey will. AMI REBEL
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09
Jackson on Spectators.

Just before President jackson retired from the
presidency he told Hon jaues Guthrie OF his
characteristic method Of dealing with men who
undertook 10 deal improperly Win the eXigencIes
Of their country, Contractors followed Gen.
Jacksons army far into the Indian country, and
when the army begat to suffer for PROVISIONS,
some of these dealers bgau % sSk fabulous prices
for their provisions. Jc<5on was at length in
formed Of their eXtortmate demands, and he
summoned them before him and attempted an
appeal to their patriotism. lie found ihat soil
perfectly sterile. 4 length be- ordered body
ol officers to appraIse The goods, and Gll0w the
owners liberal profit, ami then he showed these
owners the appraisemeD. lie offered to take
their provisions at this appuisemsnL They
refused TO sell, and jackson determined that his
soldiers should not staIve ordered tie rations to
be distributed, and faithiulacc0unl TO be kept.
As soon as the owners say their provisions dis
appearing, they wait upon Gen. Jackson and
agreed to accep! his terms Everything went on
until he offered IN payment United States Treas
ury notes. They refused to Ake them, aud
demanded gold. Jackson reasoned with them
until be found they were ineXOmbie ~ their
demand He then ordered afe soldiers TO be
detailed, two Of them with axes to place the un.
patriotic owners on The flitboas on which their
goods had been stored. Gen. Jackson said that
ailcr he had placed them on tie boats, he made
what be told them was bis astuppea and at The
last moment they consented To take the treasury
notes. lie paused at Ibis pant OF the statement
until Mr. Guthrie asked MN What he intended
ia case OF & persistent refusal. Toe OLD patriot
replied that he would have ordered the Two sol
diers armed with axts to cut he cables, aud the
fellows on board might have Aated to hell OF
Texas, he would hot have cared which," Ii,
said, a man who would not trlst his country
when engaged in war was not tl to i've" We
heartily say amen to Od Hickorys patriotic
sentiment. We regret that he Is not here now
to pack unpatrlolic currency gamblers on tlitbJats
and float them of to unknown shores. Louis
UiLe Press.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09
Items of All Sorts,

An apotheclry clerk in Chicago was called
up at o'clock the other morning, by the ring
ing oi the night bell. On opening the door he
found damse who told him she was going
o1 picnic that morning and was out of rouge.
The druggist turned her off with the assurance
that he hadn't the stock to cover cheek like
hers.
A brother of Gen Grant who recently visited
the general at his headquarters, ask him Ulys-
ses, how many men have you !" al have a
good many replied the wlse man.
" Stockings can do without SO long as
wear fashionable dresses. said village belle
somewhat straitened in her financial resources,
but bosom pin and kid gloves must have"
A country girl, coming from the field, told by
her poetic cousin that she looked as fresh as a
daisy kissed with dew, said Well, it wasn't
any fellow by that name. but it was Steve Jones
that kissed me. told him that every one in
town would find it out"
PAT's lSTERPRgTATIo. An Irish bssear 70.
Gently made his appearance at the United States
Hotel, when the landlord said to him
"Why don't you 90 to work? A large
healthy man like you should not be seen beg
ging"
lie said he could not find any work.
Well, theo, enter the army. There you can
get four hundred dollars bounty, besides thur
teen dollars u month and ionnd {"
" Found replied Pat, "yes, be jsbers.
found dead ON the battlefield.
A Model certificate Ii the following "Dear
Doctor, wall be one hundred and seyenty-hvs
years old next October. For over eighty four
years have been an invalid unable to step, ex-
cept when moved with lever But year ago
| hoard OF your Granloular Syrup bought a
bottle, smelt the cork, and found myself man.
| can now ran twelve miles and half in an
hour and throw nineteen somersauts without
stopping No family should be an hour with
out the Grauicular Syrup"
A wit has just discovered tho true cause of
the bravery in negro troops they are the color
bearers ol the human race.
The following is rather shocking than other
wise "Why Is the present lnourslon OF the
rebels into Maryland like a lily2 Because Solo.
mon in all his glory, was not raid like one
OF these"
was married sighed bloomtg dame, .but
alas | know not ol my husband be no dead or
alive heard that he was accdently killed q
lew weeks ago, and am going to ascertain
whether the repOi be true or lalse." " Well,
I've got dead sure thing onsmy husband" re-
marked another lady, " ior ! saw him buried
six weeks ago"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

SILK SPINNING SPIDERS A spider is found on
on the island of 1t. Helena which s handsome
ly marked, banded, ami colored, the 6oers Of
the egg-bag of which might be used as silk and
the ladies Of the Bermud IS actually use the silk
OF spiders for sewing purposes. The silk OF d
spider common in the Bermudas, Eperia clavipes
If SO strong that it can be wound from che In
sect itself like cotton iron reel. The webs Of
this spider stretch ten feet across between the
ced0r-trees, catching large insects and small
birds certain proof that their threads rival
cotton threads in strength. In reference to the
practical, industrial, and commercial question
OF the utility OF spider silk, it Is an important
TACT that their webs are strong enough to hold
small birds. When Madam Merriam first pub.
liabed this fact, it was sloutly denied BY the
stay'at.home naturlists, the regular critics OF
travellers home
Here is a specimen of the sort of experiment
upon the results Of which the testimony OF OBJ.
servers IS of'en ganslyed, and even their yerac-
ity and good faith called in quetion Madame
Merriam having said there were spiders which
shared and devoured birds, a naturalist wounded
humming bird and offered it to a mygae.
Bul the mYgale, instead Of attacking the bird,
retreated from II with fear or aversion. Conf
dent IN the result OF his experiment the natu-
ralst secuted the story of the birdeating spider
Yet ii has been repeatedly confirmed since, and
never was improbable. NJ. Moreau de Jonnes
says that the South. American mygale climbs
trees, to devour the young hummlng birds
and Mr.. II. W Bates saw in Brazil two little
fnches entauged in the web OF q gray-brown
mygalc The hnches he Judged to be male and
female one was dead and the other was un-
der the body Of the hideous spider. Threads
strong enough to hold birds may well be used
for sewing purposes by ladies resident in hot
countries Astounding in such spi1ers.-AH The
| Year Round
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

BLUCHER AND HIS PlPE.--here is an incident
Of 1885, which the English journals are relating.
On the morning OF the memorable battle oil
Waterloo, Henneman had Just handed bis master
| (Bucher) lighted pipe. when cannon.blll
struck the ground close by, scattering earth and
gravel in all directions and causing the white
charger on which Blucher was mounted to spring
aside-a maneuvre that broke the pipe into thou
sand pieces before the owner had time even to lift
It to his lips
"Just keep lighted pipe ready for me; !
shall be back in few moments, after have driven
away the rasc4ly French churls"
With these words Blucher gave the command
/" Forward boys and off he galloped with his
cavalry. Instead, however, OF a chase Of a few
minutes, il was rapid march Of nearly whole
hot summer day, as we all know from history
After the battle was over Bucher rode back with
Wellington to the place where be first got a
glimpse Of the combating armies, and nearing
the spot where Blucher had halted in the morn
ing, they saw to their surprise solitary man, his
head tied with handkerchief, one arm in a sling
and calmly smoking a pipe.
"Donner and Blllzl" cried Butcher, "why,
that is my Henneman. Howyou look, boy what
are you doing here alone y
Waiting for your speedy RETURN" was The
grumbliDg answer. " lou have come at last
have waited for you here, pipe in mouth, for the
whole long day. This Is the last pipe in the box,
The cursed French have shot away every pipe
from my mouth, have ripped the flesh from my
head, and shattered my arm with their deuced
bullets. 1t is well there is an end to the battle,
VI you would have been too late even for the last
pipe"
Saying which he handed to Biucher the pipe
to enJ y the remaining fumes Of The weed Wei
ingon, who had listened attenliyely to the con-
versatlon, here remarked to Bucher, "You have
just admired the unhinching loyalty and bravery
Of my Highlanders, Whist shall say to this tru'
and devoted soul? b" But your Aighlanders hac
no pipe to regale themselves with
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-09

A TREE llgwN BY BULLETS. Most people
have doubted the literal accuracy Of the dispatch
concerning the battle OF Spottsy lyania, fought on
the 18th inst, which alleged that trees were cut
down under the concentrated FIRE Of Minnie balls.
We doubted the literal facts ourselves and would
doubt ii still but for the indisputable testimony
Of Dr. Charles MoGill, an eyewitness OF the
battle. The tree stood IN the rear Of our breast
works al point upon which at one time, the
most murderous musketry FIRE that ever was
heard OF was directed The tree fell inside our
works and injured several OF our men. After the
battle DR.. McGil measured the trunk, and found
il tventy.tao inches through and sixty.one inches
In circumference, actually hacked through by the
aufu avalanche Of bullets packing against It.
The foliage Of The ices was trimmed away as
elIeslaall as though an army VI loousu had
swllmed in IL branches. A grasshopper could
no. have lived through tie peltng Of that lgaden
storm, aud but for the fact that our troops were
protected by breastworks they would have been
swept away to man Richmond Enquirer.