davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

TIE PoTATC BLiGHr IS iRELASD-ls THERE o
uE A FAMSE ?-Confrmst5 reports Of the ex-
isteuce Of potato blight in Ireland continue to
reach Us. The disease As usual msnifests itself
fss, in the fields by the coast, gradually extend
iDg into the interior Of the country. Speculs-
lions as 70 its cause and origin are generally
vague and unsatisfactory, but 1t has often been
observed that the plague comes in a cloud, the
doomed gardens beng covered with thick fog
at evening, and in the morning exhibiting rows
OF blackenel, shrunken stake, while peculiar
stiAinc odor artes frol them, which may be
recognized st a long distance This phenomenon
may be compared TO the " cholera mist" sud
any theory derived from it only scoepted for
what it is worth but belief in the fact is uni
versal smong toe Munster farmers
Already, It is stated, the blight has shown it-
self in Tippersry and in Cork Once it seizes
on dirtrict there is no hope whatever Tor the
crop. The common practice is TO dig, OF rather
plow out the potatoes Immediately bat then,
as they are unrire, they become unWholesome
fcol in few days Indeed, one great mischief
arising from the disease is caused by the people
esting the po,stoes in an unit condition The
bad potatoes are sold at almos, nominal prices,
ostensibly as food for pigs, but at the risk Of
health ere used by the peassntry for household
consumption. Ii is fortunate that the cereal
crops in Ireland have been heavy above the
average this year.
The best accounts are received from the corn
growing counties, and ireland is not 50 depend
gGt now as formerly upon the potato ss the
staple food OF the poorer inhabitants. Indian
meal is largely purchased by the co;tiers and la
borers, aud is sold at price easily within reach
Of the new tariff Of wages for agricultural en-
ploymeut throughout the country. No fesr
whatever may he, therefore, entertained of s re-
petition Of the Irish famine and its concomita1t
horrors. The farmers will have TO endure &C.
we're losses. especially those who hsve begun to
cultivate their potato gardens with more or less
expensive msnures. They are not unaccustomed
to partial visitations from the blight but there
is an opinion prevalent among them thSt the
present potato failure will lie the most disastrous
and wide spread infiction which they have met
with tince the year lS47.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

am your son. He asked himself, half
/ grieved, half amused; "Where are the
unerring, natural instincts, have read about
| in novels"
His hostess, seeing he did not eat, kindly
asked if he could suggest anything he would
be likely to relish. . thank you, madam. -
be answered, sit does seem to me that [
should like some oatmeal porridge, such as
my mother used TO make, if 90 be vou have
any"
- Porridge?' repeated the widow. "Ah.
he means paritch. Yes we haze little left
fra our dinner. Gle it to him. Marcery. but
mon, guess it es cauld.''
Never mind, know I shall like it" he
relolned, taking the bowl, and beginning to
str the porridge with his spoon. As he did
So Mrs, Anoerson gave 4 start, and bent
eagerly toward him. Then she sank back in
her chair with sigh saying in answer to his
questioning look
. e minded me o my Malcom, then Just
IN that way he used to stir his parltch-gie,
ing 1t whirl and firt. All gin ye were
my poor laddie?''
" Well, then gin | were Malcom," said
the merchant, speaking for the first time in
the Scottish dialect, andEnihis own voice ''or
gin yet Draw. and grey, and bent and as old
as am, could you welcome him to your arms
and love him as in the oald lang syne
Could you, mither.''
All though this touching little suc n. the
widows eyes had been glistening. and her
breath coming fast bet at that word.
" mither, she sprang up with a cry, and
tottering TO her son, fell almost faintinc on
his breast. He kissed her; kissed her brow
and her lips, and her hands. The big tears
slid down his Drowned checks, while she
clung about his neck and called him by all
the dear old pet names, and tried to see in
him The dear young LOOKS. By-and-by they
came back. or the ghosts of them came back
The form in her embrace grew c0melier; love
and joy gave a second youth, stately and
gracious the first she then and there buried
deep in her heart,a sweet, beautiful, peculiar
memory. Ii was a moment Of solemn
remuneration, in which she gave up the fond
material illusion she had cherished so long.
Then, looking up suddenly into the face Of
the middle aged man who had taken fireplace
she asked
3" Where hae ye left the wife and BARNS ?''
- At the inn, mother. Have you room for
US all al the cottage
Indeed have-two good spare rooms
WI large closet, weel stocked wi linen hae
been spinning OF weaving a these long years
for ye bath and the weans."
" Well, mother dear, now you must rest, "
rejoincd the merchant Jendcrly.
" Ma, ma dinua care to rest till ye law
me down to take nv lang rest. There'l be
time enough between that the resurrection TO
iauld my idlencss. Now 'tSould be uncoirk-
some. But 60, my son,and bring me the wife
i hope I shall like her; and the BARNS |
hope they Will like me.
1 have only to say that both the good
woman hopes were realized. \ very happy
family knelt down in prayer that night, and
many nights after. in thc widows cottage
whose climbing roses and woodbiucs were
but outward signs and types of the sweetness
and hlessedness of the love and peace therein.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

\ DuTcHNaS's SCEFIICisM A Dutch widow
er out West, whose better half departed On the
long journey 10 the Spirit Land some twelve
months ago. determined the other Day 20 consult
the " Rappers," and eulea7or to obtain q
spiritual communication, feeling anxious res
pecting the future state o. his wife. After the
usual ceremonies, the spirit Of ''lirs. Hauutz,
manifested by raps its willingness 70 converse
with her discons0.ate spouse.
'' Ish dat you, Ms Haunize" Inquired the
Du'chman
YES. dearest, il Is your OWE vie, Who
"lou lie, you iesil Of a ghost" interrupted
HaGntz, starting from his seat my vToW speak
noting but Ouch, sud she never ssy tarest'
in aerif .ltvas Haunt you jief, or HAu1tz,
you iirty schamp.'
And the Dutchmsa ho5bled from the room,
vel saiisfed that the ''rspping sprits., were all
= humbug, ard thst be vas safe from any
further Communication With he shrewsh vroF
on this esrth
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

ASNGuIAR FACr.-A Lower California cor
respondent ofthe Siglo XIX, Of Mexico City
gives the following interesting particulars Of a
vessel found upon dry lands miles away from
the ses, it being mystery worthy of solution by
Swans, how snd when she got into he- present
location :-'Il the bed Of a dry and ancient lake,
some one hundred and twenty miles from the
mouth Of the Colorado RIVER and niGety-three
from the Pacific coast, at point Of the desert
equi-iistsut from Los Pslmas and Martinez, ,sud
lying up0n what mus- once have been the sea
coast. on level sixty feet lower than thAt Of the
Pacific ocean, was recently discovered 8 vessel Of
large dimensions $50 tons approx mately), coz
stfucted Of timber u the East lndies, called by
the English teak. This vessel is an eloquent
witness Of terrestrial convulsiohF. Was her
present site once part Of the Pacific coast, or
did there once exist some bay or inlet that
reached what is ROW dry, burning desert
Persons who have seen the vessel calculate she
has tee1 in her present situation three hundred
or more years. Scientific mem here having
failed TO account for her location, let the ar
chives Of Mexico be searched to see whether they
will not give some light on the sut ject. The
state Of preservation Of the vessel is perfect as
the mystery connected with her is absolute
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06
Hannah Jane.
: .-..Enr ELaa


No negro ever worried SC hard 4 servants pay to
sss made hsTsalf aoss willingly zAsus-aold drudge
Whist Ti11s- 5aa. sac never -,sd p ,a.sazins CT
c.a-' 'aiasa,sao dii . ca. nlfs-, house maid,
seams-rsss, COOK
Naa uoato- ta,t the beauty asd tia: on e so Ad-
Ha5 6saut fal mp sIon ny aeroo kitchen fire de-
rer elunp, son, rounded arm wa' once too fair to
a-d work Tor me that sofuess into snewy strength
cJngeAloi.
I was her altar, a1d her love the sacrfcial fAme
All with wha. pure devotion she to that altar
AID tca1fll, flung tlareoa-alas I did not know it
All tha5 she was, and more thaa that, all that she
might have been
A. Iss. l w7u. success. All then cur lives were
Twas f,r a. tie rising road she, poor gin where
Lad t..sd my speed and mettle ard gained
I-isir g. lie eIshts Of iifs--she dradsinsat the
hls-.
sfeHlda no take each fall the stump; she said
'taas uy career
T.sui.l applause o: Ilst'nins crowds was music to
vl't ...a1s bad She to cheer her dreary solitude!
F-.ae size lived en- gladly il unnatural widoEhood.
sBssa.l tread my speech, but when the papers
lisa. ..e sc.t one Of the session, those comments
,-5r.. -a.a ol p1ido lersa;. which have
s,. .s,. tea. '- 20 u in note, with half the words
Lp-
r..s.L. a-e geat, anl ,a!d that she should
r.-.. Will ms. a.d what the world was
r...---a.c O. ss Size answered, No! eour dollars
-7.il.s. --e rates for board for one is Just that
.-l ra--aal,
Ats-r.y git tia State house, on the bench at
.. .--g, every cate in il q was opened wide to me.
i1l--.s .ls p'sers. AID grew and made my point
r .e nlU -I3-
-.l-a. .a.- pac.harse worry loads, vha. could
H--l .e.
Blataal aets. oh, Shame ! blush to think
Tho ast l-sslash o. all wives to tho sslashest Of
rs.' plain and aa;aely now she is; she's ignorant,
f.- l-5 .he rubbed herself quite out. I represent
tl- two
EI. suppose .li .4; i0 as other mon have dome
-t areia her haart with cold ne siecs, then shove
Heruu- alone.
The world would sly Twas wei, and moro, would
give reat % also go me,
rr having hl-nc with such q wife SO unc0m-
plau-.y.
AMI -l4II No TIE contract 'twixt Harr-h,
D.l. ans mc
W.- uot iar one or twenty years but Tor eternity.
MASTER villa: the world may think / know down
a -y heart
Tll.. g e.t.ea I'm delinquent size has brayely
done ler part
Taa-. alo-l5r aor.d beyond tbs, aai on tie anal
lll-
W. intellect and iel-nins 'sairst such devotion
weigh
When tl- s-5-. eae made of US two is torn apart
H-lu-
r 81. tho beam, g5r God is Just, and lie Knows
H.laah Jane.
R4rpr's M1gqsiae
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

MARRIAGES EZTEAoEDNAEY.-Ihe New
York correspondent of the Chicago Journal
s,vs two rather novel marriages nave been
brought to his attention. Nos long ago -he
head IF a very old business firm in the me
tropoli- died-soon after the wife Of the other
member Of the firm was taken away by death
Tne surviving wilower with nine unmarried
children has now married the surviving
widow with seven unmarried children. The
firm is thus perpctuat-i in the family. and
sixteen children are brought into the family
fold. Not long ago a rich widower border
ing on sixty. without children, married "a
widow few miles up the Hudson River hay-
ing thirteen children, some of the older ones
beng married. lis wife died over thirty
years ago. and during that time be kept aiooi
from society. deyoting himself entirely %
business. When, therefore, be was married
into the bosom of a family all Of whose mem
bers endeavored 10 make it as agreeable and
pleasant as possible for him, be experienced
the most agreeable emotions, and became a
decidedly happy man The other day one Of
his old acouaintauces in New York Jokingly
asked him how it seemed, to be surrounded
with thirteen children. all drawing support
from him. wish the Lord there we're thir-
teen more Of them, was the immediate Tc-
ply.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

he fo.i0dlnE exquisite poem, says the Port
land EuCiHg Commercial, was written by the
late Etwari Pollock, the gifted Caifornia Poet
on the 9th OF January, 1867, a1d has never BE-
fore been published. II vas given by the poet tc
q friend ho was sbou, 10 depart on steamer
for Oregon, Pollock saying. - Take this you
may perhaps, read and appreciate the sentiment
long after | have ceased TO be sm1ng the living
There's something in the parting " hour"
viii chlll the Warmest heart
Yet kindred. clmracs. lovers trends.
Are lated ali % part;
But this I've sssu-ant many pn1-
las pressed 10 Cn ny mind
The one who -Ucs is happier
Than these he leaves behind.
No matter whet the journey be-
Adventurous, dinEeroIs far
To tie Wild deep or ple2k ifUater
TO solitude OF war
e III something cheers the heart tlat fGrss,
IN all oi human slrc,
Ard they who 20 are happier
Than hose tAsy leave uehild
The bride goes 20 the hridezroon1s home
WIKI d1uutIu - uld WiJh tears,
But, does not hope her rainbow spread
Across her cloudy fears
Alas the mother who Temlius,
Wha- c0Iz OFT can she find.
Eut this-the gone is happier
Than c-e she leaves 1-hiu-
Have you friend-a com-ads Cears
An Ola and valued friend:
Re sure your term 0 sweet corcou-5e
At length vii have an end
and when you ra1t-as plEt you ail IL
% -ase 70 not uLkI1d,
That he who goes IS happier
Than ycu lie l-svs- heallt.
God wills 10 s0-aud 60 i- Is.
The pilzrIms on fhei- way,
Though Esak and worn, more cheerful are
Than all the rest sho stay
Ard when, az last, poor man, sul-u-t,
Les down % death, resigned,
May he Lot still be happier far
Inan those he leaves behind
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

1i,r Wendell Hoimes, thus relates, in very
,sl.as vere, tie opposite &.es Of two early
r.-lt The tale has e ct moral
Ul- -Col paper, and his lie
Was ha pier thala hinge,
.Is children all could read and write,
AND TAX 80 iLcn anu talngs
IteotHcr took 10 paper, and,
While s.rolu- throuE Eh a wood,
tree fell down upon lis crown
And allied D Mas 10 should.
Ill Ae been 1eaiiu- Of tho news
at home. llke nti4ltor jim,
.'ll bet "a cent that ac .luent
~.li1 l1- havs happened him
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

starts them at will. His eye is literally on the
entire line continually, making collisions next to
an impossibility, and its immense single track
quite equivalent, so far as safety is concerned,
to the best double track roads Its twelve and
sixteen wheel coaches. admitting of the breaking
OF almost any one Of the wheels without disa-
bling the truck, constitutes one also no small
item in this aggregate of immunity fIom peril.
TERRIBLE DEATH-CUT IL Two BY CIR
cULAR SAw.-Ye esterday afternoon, one Of the
most frightful casualties that has been recorded
in this city occurred in the rear of the Antisdel
House, on Michigan Avenue Four men were
engaged with one of Peacock's wood-sswing
machines in cutting quantity of wood, and IN
doing 50 had placed the saw few feet from
high board fence, over which the wood was to
be thrown as fast as cut. Two Of the men were
engaged in handing up the cord-wood. third
was running the saw, and the fourth was taking
the wood from off the table as fast as cut, and
throwing it over the fence into the hack yard.
About half past four O'Clock this fence sud
denly gave way from the weight Of the wood
that had been thrown over, and falling upon
the fourth man, prGcipiiated him upon the saw.
The other men stopped the saw az soon as pos
sible, and. crowding the fence back, drew out
the body of their fellow wO-kmsn, but he must
have been instantly killed. for the raw hsd cut
through his body below the arms. entirely sew
ering the trunk, excepting mere shell st the
back, and cutting Of both arms below the e
how. The deceased was a oolored man, namel
Daniel Sanders - Detroit Post
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

INTELLECTUAL FLY.-Au intellectual fly in
habiting bsr-room in Omaha. is credited with
such wonderful abilities that nothing is thought
OF a mans going to sec his performance. The
account given by the bar-keeper is, that his at
tentlon was first attracted to the prodigy from
the fact that all the other flies flew away when
this fly saw fit to regale himself at the cheese
dish, which is to be found at one end of every
well regulated bar. Waiting humbly until this
superior being had dined. the other flies woult
then dart vorsciously on the dish from which
they had before reverently abs,ained. Having
caught his phenomenon, the bar keeper trained
him an hour each day. Once he fueitived, but
next day returned. Having been interviewed
by reporter, this is what the fly did Being
ordered to brush his head, he rubbed it yiror7
ously with his fore-egs, and then waited the
next commsnd- Shoulder arms, cried the bar
keeper, and Mr.. Fly raisei his len fore-leg
straight up in the air. Then he walked lame on
his left fOre-leg, then on sill legs, then stepped
up on coffee grain and stood there on bis hind
legs, and so on and so on.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06
The Strange Guest.

The Strange Guest.
la little post town among the Highlands
uf Scotland, far away from any great city,
there lived. lew years ago. a woman much
respected and well beloved. though OF lowly
and humble iartunc-Nrs. Jean Anderson.
She had been left widow. with one son. the
youngest aud last of several children.
She was poor, and lcr industry was taxed
TO the utmost o. keep herself and son. who
was a fine clever lad, and she gave him the
oluct ou De arIcnalv desired At the early
age Of sixteen. Malcolm Anderson resolved 10
seek his fortune in the wide world, aqd be-
came q sailor. tie made several voyages to
India and China. ard always, ike tie good
boy be was. brought some useful present
home to his mother TO whom be gave a large
portion of bis earnings.
But he never liked q scaiarng life, though
lie grew strong ard sttiwart 10 it ; and when
about nineteen. be obtained a humble posit-
iouIn q large mercantile house in Calcutta,
where. being lrevd, cnterprisiug and hon
est. like most .s bis clunuymen he gradual
lvr0se f.a place of trust ard importance,
and finally o. o partner. As his fortune i'm
proved, bis mothers circumstances were
made easier lie remmi,ted money 10 secure
her tbe old cottage home, repaired and enlarg-
eI with garden ard lawn; and placed at
her clumaad annually, a sum sufficient 10
stall lar wants, and to pay the wages Of
''-'-. ,.'-- 80 i'l'
cd % d, served by any one.
r.--.l - -. g. -.
-. IN u. r,;I5-t77
- - -, ',r -. Li5
- ~, -. - - ~,
- ...f -, e, e...tl,,d m, ~
-. '.-,. 60 In, -.
I,,. - .l'..,ri,,-, IN ~. ,snaI
-.r..-.r.l... - - - - H.
- I..Il - 49,, ~
- - 5,-l, -,
- .l-- - I;..la - -
- .- ;r-.--,-:..i f,lI IL
t.il -, IN - .-'5 -
s.I--t.i. - - -.
ir, i1' IN M. ~ ''''''' ''' ''''
n. I'd ,,-s-ris5 81 country ,rop,,r the
,'. ,'.'',s -. ~ - VA ad to ,r
- d, -, dat7.-f.,- ~, IA ~.
80 - 49,. ,,.,.f..- - , ,-as ,,,,;r,,
-, ~ d., ,,;-l-.l ~. s,,-r,r;s.. L.- ,,5 80
l..-,.,,-....., ~ l,.- s,il,r L,, M 80
-. = ..r..-
~ .,,.,.,..,- .f-cr.oo, Mr. N.lclr,
Anderson arrived with bis family at his native
town. Putin. up at a little inn, he proceed
ed % dress himself in sait of sailor clothes.
and then walked out alone, by a by-path be
,-,u Lros a,,I .to, tbro,,.b sbsdv lane
- - 81 ,.-,-'-. t,g,I ,,,i,,in., 49, an
ueAI I'd H's 5o'"- i''@5 5'-iiu'''n7 uH9s an
mothers cottage. lie stopped for moment
on the lawn outside to curb down the heart
that was bounding TO meet that mother, and
clear his eyes Of a sudden mist Of tears.
Through the open window be caught
glimrse Of her sittin, alone at the spinning
wheel. a, in the Old time. But. alas how
.bar,cj P'vyed WAS The dear ol5 form
once 30 erect. and siivered the locks 50 brown,
and diumcd the cves once SO full of tender
brightness, like dew-stained yiolets. But
tte voice. with which she was grooming soft
r., herself was stiIl s,veet. and there was
On her ,boek the same lovely ueacbblo1m Of
twenty wear. og,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

On the authority of two persons of veracity,
correspondent Of the Albany Journal tells
this : " They ssw wasp riding on q green
worm one snd half inches long. How far he
had ridden they did not know but after they
tav him, they watched him until he hsd ridden
all Of twenty-five feet. Occasionally the worm
would stop, lie mo;ionless as though he Was
dead, when the wasp. after a little, would spur
him up, and then the wasp would keep the worm
in as direct course as he could. After while
the worm stopped, and the wasp dismounted and
quickly ian aud removed little stone or piece
OF ground about two inches from where the
worm lay, and then seizing the worm by the
head drew il into the hole. Presently the
wasp came out, put on the gravel top over the
hole. covered the stone over, and seemed to be
getting ready to fly. when they killed him, and
then dug down about Two inches and dug out
TIE worm, which wss dead''
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

American cheese is rapidly supplanring
English cheese in the English market itself.
During the four weeks ending September !.
263, 600 boxes CT it were imported into England.
amounting in weight TO something over 5000
tons. Itsell there at Id per pound for the
fine qualities, which is l l-2i less than English
cheese can be sold for while it is said to be
quite equal to English cheese in quslity, favor
and condition. Even the famous Dutch cheese
suffer by the American competition Six years
ago the difference was the other way. and the
change is owing entirely to the skill and pains Of
American dsirymen in improving the manage
ment Of their dairies
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

The DEATH OF SocRATEs.-SOcrates alone
retained his calmness. What is this strange
outcry? he said. | seat away the women
mainly in order that they might not offend
in this way, for have heard that 4 man
should die in peace. Be quiet then, and
have patience. When we heard that, we
were ashamed, and refrained our tears and
he walked about until, as he said, his legs
began to fail, and then he lay on his back,
according to the directions, and the man who
gave hi the poison now and then looked at
bis feet and legs and after a while he press
ed his foot hard, and asked him if he could
feel, and be said. No and then his leg, and
so upwards and showed us that he was cold
and stiff And he felt them himself and
said, When the poison reaches the heart,
that will be the end. He was beginning to
grow cold about the groin, when he uncover
ed his face for be had covered himself up,
and said (they were his last wOrds)-he said
Crito, owe a cock to Asclepius, Will you
remember to pay the debt? The debt shall
he paid, said Critic; is there anything else
no answer to this question but in minute
or two q movement was heard, and the at
tcndants uncovered him; his eyes were set
and Critic closed his eyes and mouth.-Piafo-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-06

FARNINc As \ BUsNEss.-A man who Is
not smart enough to run a store is not smart
enough 70 1un farm. Farmers are not to
be made out of what is left after lawyers,
doctors. ministers and merchants are sorted
and picked ont: and if man fails on
farm it is not likely he will succeed in store,
for it requires more talent to be thriving
farmer than to be an average merchant. The
one cause of great failure is the disIroportion
between a man s farm and his capital 4
farmers capital is skill, laborand his money.
II he has little cash, he must have no more
land than he can throughly manage by his
personal labor Every acre beyond that is
an incumbrance One acre well wrked IS
more profitable than twenty acres skinned
over. 1t is this greed Of land, by farmers
that have not the capital to work it, that
keeps so many poor. small farms are better
than large ones, simply because they are bet
ter suited to the capital Of common farmers.
Large farmers with large capital, are better
than smaller ones. Farming Is good busi-
ness for all men who conduct 1t on proper
principles, and have capital according to the
size Of their farms Farmer and Artisan.