davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

The Senate Committee Of Public Lands
have agreed to report to the Senate the bill
which pissed the House two weeks ago. allow.
ing the soldiers who take the benefit Of the
homestead law by settling upon the public
lands, to deduct the time they served in the
army from the time the law requires they
shall live upon the land in order to get
patent for the same.
As the law now stands five years residence
is required before patent can be obtained
but the bill agreed upon by the committee
allows a soldier if be has been in the army
three years to get hi. patent in two years
The bin as passed by the House was mate
rally modified by the Senate Committee
For instance, the section which allowed the
soldiers to locate on lands, and then transfer
their rights was stricken out the committee
believing this would open the door wide to
landsharks who would purchase soldiers claims
for a mere nominal price.
The bill, as amended, will, no doubt, pass
the Senate and 90 back to the House for its
concurrence 1t is somewhat noticeable that
the bill, imperfect as it was in its loose proy-
sions passed the House with only two dis.
senting votes, owing to its being soldiers
measure, and the Democrats, as well as the
Republicans, being too timid to 60 against it.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

The Kensingtou Bank of Philadelphia
was entered on Thursday evening, of last
week, by men disguised as policemen, who
pretended they were detailed to catch rob-
bers who were to attempt to rob the bank
that night On entering, one Of the watch.
men was sent for something to drink, aud in
his absence his companion was oyerpowered
ana secured. On his return, he also was se-
curely bound, and the burglars set to work
They succeeded in opening the safe contain.
ing special deposits only the main safe defy.
ing all their efforts The amount secured
was about $4,000, principally coupon Gov.
eminent bonds, the robbers carefully avoiding
registered bonds, and such securities as could
be traced.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

A would-be school teacher in Alabama re.
Gently replied to question by one of the
examiners, "Do you think the world is round
or fiat " by saying, swell, some people think
one way, and some another, and III teach
round or fiat just as the parents please"
Mrs. Nancy Biggs of Milford county,
o., who was buried fifteen years ago, was
lately dug up for the purpose of removal, and
was found to have turned to stone. When
buried she weighed $50 pounds; when ex.
humed about 700.
The following speech is attributed to a
member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania !;
" l knew wimun, Mr.. Speaker; | say it in
no disrespect have know um | have had
heap to do with UNI. They're useful class,
aud yet with the best Of 'em you may have
trouble"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

The Boston City Missionary Society en-.
ploys twenty missionaries, of whom sixteen
are women.--An old lady in New jersey has
given up snuff and sends the savings to the
American oard.-The new missionary brig
Morning Star was launched in Boston on
Thursday, the 26th ult.--A church-going
man is said to have offered 5000 per annum
for the use Of a certain pulpit for advertising
purposes, agreeing to present no notices.
more " worldly" than some which were read
there every Sabbath.-According to the sta.
tistics of the " ear Book" and Almanac Of
the New York Observer the Metbodists have
$3.50 ministers; the Baptists, S,747 (includ.
ing all the branches the Presbytcrians, 4 =
23s; the Congregatonaists, 3 l6S; the Epis.
copalians, 2,7l0; the United Brethren in
Christ, l,6I7 the Reformed German, 526
the Reformed Dutch, 1913 the United
Brethren, 6S.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

The next day was cold. But we got the wind
on our back, Oar ambulance was covered and
we rode more than fifty miles with comparative
comfort About twenty-five miles out of Fort
Abercrombie we met Gen. Thomas commandant
at Fort Ransom, going out 10 St. Paul to see a
dentist, Four hundred miles to the scientific
treatment for the toothache We reached Aber-
erombie after dark, but routed the ierryman and
got across the Red river to find the hotel full
There was no bed. In triumph, asked 90 If the
floors were all taken2n Not quite" said the
host. laid in my blankets, glad that was so
far out that the Siberian storms of Dakota could
not snow me in, The snow fall there is not heavy,
but it drifts terribly in the long hard and sweep
ing winds. | have heard Of prairie winds a man
could lean up against. No man can lean up
against them in Dakota lie must be anchored
to some fixed object, if he is exposed to them, or
he is driven whittier the wind listeth. H. Ill.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15
The Alabama Claims.

The recent correspondence between the
British Minister at Washington and Sccreta-
ry Fish, will be read with satisfaction by all
who desire speedy and Just settlement of
the questions that have endangered the friend
ly relations that have existed, aud ought to
exist, between Great Britain and the United
States, An agreement has been entered into
by which high commission will be appoint.
ed to discuss all the questions between the
United States and the British possessions in
North America and to consider the claims
known as the Alabama claims. The first
proposition came from the British Minister.
and related only to the fisheries and kindred
questions pertaining to the Dominion of Can
ada. In response, Mr.. Fish suggested that
1t would be advisable to have the Alabama
claims referred to the same high commission.
and Sir Edward Thornton, in behalf of the
British government, heartily assented to that
suggestion, and the agreement for the appoint.
meut Of commissioners was made on that
basis.
The President has nominated and the Sem
ate confirmed as commissioners. Secretary
Fish, Gen. Schenck, Judge Nelson of the L.
5. Supreme Court, Hon L. h. IIoar, and
Senator Williams of Oregon,
The English members of the joint commits
sion are reported to be Earls De Grey and
Rpon, Sir Edward Thornton, John A. Mac.
Donald, Sir John Rose aud Mr. Barnard,
Professor of international Law at Oxford,
with Lord Tcnterdon as Secretary. Sir
John Rose and Mr.. Macdonald are citizens
Of Canada.
The proposed mode of settlement is one
that is likely to prove satisfactory and eiIec-
tive. The representatives of the British gov.
ernment are men of acknowledged ability,
aud the gentlemen nominated by President
Grant will command the confidence of the
people of the country
1t is understood the commission will or.
ganize about the first of March, aud enter
upon its important labors.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

The new Morning Star was launched
Jan 10Th, at East Boston. She is little
larger than the vessel which was lost, being
100 feet long on deck, aud 26l feet wide and
is admirably fitted and rugged for her mission.
Wheo ready for sea, she will cost about s27,.
600.
The Senate of Missouri, on the 3D., passed
concurrent resolution instructing Senators
aud Representatives to Congress to vote
against further appropriations to the National
Capitol at Washington, and also requesting
them to urge the removal Of the capitol to
Some more central aud convenient poiut.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

" DO you like this work ?" said to my com
panion, Lowden. " No, do not,n he replied
" Why do you do it then? can't you get rid Of
III" "No, tried to get out Of it when was
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15
Religious Intelligence.



An increase Of interest has been manifest
in the church at Sharon during the past year
The Sabbath School and Prayer meeting,
have doubled both 10 numbers and .n interest
and seventeen have been added to The church.
There is a good religious interest in Hard
wick extending into 90 parts of the Gown,
and embracing all classes Park street church,
Boston, gave the American Board si,0sO %
week ago last Sunday.
The annual collection for the American
Board, takcu at the PARK street church, Bos-
ton, on a recent Sabbath morning amounted
to s40S0.-Thc Rev. f. II Byington late
Of Windsor, has accepted The call from the
Congregation church in Brunswick, Maine
and will be installed in few weeks Rev
l.. 5. Watts Of Barnet, is invited to take
charge of the Presbyterian church OF Month
cello, H.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15
closing session

Rsiotd That tho thanks Of this Convention he ten.
dered 20 Col H. ID. HOPKINS, and Mr.. II. C. Enpr for
the earnest impartial and wedreoed efforts they have
Individually put forth for our Improvement In the study
and proper Interpretation of classical music and rem
derng our stay at pleasant aud profitable and We
beg leave 10 assure these gentlemen that .hal ever
cherish pleasant rocuect0ns 81 them aud Of this the
sixth and hest festival Of the Central Vermont Musicni
Association.
The following are the officers for the year f:
Presiiem-G II. CRASE, Mortified.
Vice Pyesdeat-.D. A. FRNcm, Mont.
palier
Secretary and Treaswr-M. G. KixsoN,
Montpelier.
Committee-P. =. Pitkin, Montpelier; n.
l.. Phillips, Barre; W. H. Tucker, West
Hartford Daniel Hopkins, Waterburyi c.
II. Biglow, Brookfeld.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

Rev. u. Druon, pastor Of the Catholic So
ciety at st. Adams, has under his charge a
total of 4s9 families within a radius of one
and half miles Of the church, of which 2S2
are of French nativity, l75 Irish and Amer.
lean, and 2G of mixed natonaities. OF these
lsi are landed PROJECTORS, divided as fol-
lows, l03 Irish and II French, American
and mixed.-On New Years Day the Pope
had reigned "A years, 6 months, and Is days
just one day longer than Plus VI Ills
pontiieate has been longer than that Of any
other Pope, and bids far toreach the years oil
st. Peter--Von Muller, the Prussion min.
ister of education, has been displaced from
office Tor his subserviency to the papal bish,
ops, whom he supported in their opposition
to the professors in the Catholic universities
who repudiate the inialibiity dogma The
Prussian government insists that no Arch
bishop of Cologne has the right to remove
the professors at Bonn or deprive them oil
their salary.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15


The Protestant Episcopal Church ia Eng
land have organized iioccsqn temperance
societies, aud have just held "a conference
tea meeting at Bradford, which wa- attended
by upwards Of GOO Sunday School teachers
and supcrntcudonts, and about twenty clergy
men.
There is deep feeling in Church circles
throughout Great Britain in consequence OF
the announcement that the Princess Louise is
to be married in the midst Of Lcnt-thc law
Of the Church lorbidding weddings in Lent -
The sacrament service Of the Episcopal Church
Of st. James the Less, in Philadelphia, is Of
solid silver, and adorned with gold, diamonds,
opals, garnets, emeralds, and pearls
Liberal Christian.
The Uniyersalist church in Mortified not
only cleared of its debt but paid the round
sum OF $1,000 the last yearior denomination.
al purposes Rev c. w. Emerson leaves
the first of April next for a more enlarged |
field Of labor "A Uniyersalst church Of y |
members has been organized at Walden, and
another Of 90 members in MarshGed Rev. I
Alden Ballou takes the ground in the Uuirer.
salist that the Uniyersalist denomination as
an organized ecclesiastical body, was original.
ly Restoratonist in faith, and SO remained in
doctrinal exposition, without innovation, tin
after the year 1915.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

A court at Akron, o., has given Mrs.
Mary Pomeroy $500 award against a groe.
shop keeper, who has sold her husband liquor
for the last ten years.
A wedding 10 Indiana has been postpon.
ed on the frivolous ground that the groom had
two or three other wives living. Some girls
are so particular.
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26
A VERY REMARKABLE RAT.

We often hear stories related of the
wonderful cunning and knowledge of the
rat, but one is told-says the OgdeDburg
(N. " Journal-of recent occurrence
in which an old gray rat was the hero, and
the incident whereof took place in that
city, which is equal to the best a lady
who has a number Of fine hens, to which
she has devoted a good deal of care and
attention during the winter, in hope to
obtain an early and fair crop of fresh
eggs, was surprised at the meagre result
actually reached The hens mads a
noise, in singing and cackllng. enough for
every day layers, and yet only occasion
ally did she get an egg.
The lady at length determined to
watch operations and ascertain if posi-
BILE the cause Of failure She saw the
hens go upon the nest, but if she was not
present when they came off no egg was
found. At length constant watching and
waiting solved the mystery. A day or
two since, while on the watch, a hen
came off the nest and commenced cack-
ling. Almost instantly an old rat came
ont of hole, and running into barrel,
which was thrown upon its side, and in
which the hens nest was, at once nosed
the egg out upon the ground, then laid
down upon its back and getting the egg
between its fore paws and nose, com
menced squealing when two orther rats
came ont and taking the rat with the egg
by the hind legs, dragged it, egg and all,
into the hole. The lady affirms that she
can substantate the foregoing fact by at
least three living witnesses. If any one
can tell a more remarkable rat story
than this one, we would like to hear it.
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26
How Baggage Smasher Was Served.

A revengeful traveller on certain rail-
road in this State packed carpet bag
full of loaded reyolvers and handed it
to gentlemanly baggage smasher, who
had ruined three or four trunks for him
already. The smasher flung the bag up
against the wall savagely, and then
threw it on the floor and stamped on it
as usual. At about the fourth jump,
firing began along the whole line. Forty
six revolvers went off in rapid succession
distributing bullets around the car with
disgusting carelessness of the legs of the
smasher, who was shot in six places be-
fore he could get out of the car. ~
He rode upon the platform during the
whole of that trip, and when he did en-
ter the car he encased his legs in stove
pipe, and ran an iron-clad snow plow in
front of him to push the baggage ont
with He smashes, perhaps, fewer car
pet bags. now than he once did in the
blissful past much fewer; and he is fill
ed with gloom. The only boon he Graves
is that he may be present when the car
pet bag owner calls with his check. He
SAYS there will then be confi which
will make the European war appear per-
fectly ridiculous.-Erchange.
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26
4 YANKEE TRICK.

One of our peculiar, slab sided. gaunt
Yankees lately emigrated and settled
down in the West. He was the picture
of mean man, but as he put himself to
work in good earnest to get his house to
rights. the neighbors lent him hand
After he had got everything fixed to his
notion, thought struck him that he had
no chickens, and he was powerfully fond
of sucking raw eggs He was too hon
est to steal them, and too mean to buy
them.
AT last thought struck bim-he
could borrow. He went to neighbor
and thus accosted him /:
Wal, l reckon you hain't got an old
hen, nothin you'd lend me for few
weeks, have you, neighbor p
Il will lend you one with pleasure,
replied the gentleman, picking out the
very finest in the coop.
The Yankee took the hen home, and
then went to another neighbor and bor-
rowed dozen eggs. He then set the
hen. and in due course of time she hatch
ed out dozen chickens.
The Yankee was again puzzled; he
could return the hen, but how was he to
return the eggs ? Another idea and who
ever saw live Yankee without one-he
would keep the hen until she had laid a
dozen eggs.
This he did and then returned the hen
and eggs to their respective owners, re
as be did So
"Wall, | reckon I've got as fine
dozen of chickens as you ever laid your
eyes on, and they didn't cost me cent
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26
A GHOST STORY.
Crushed to Death in Cathedral Clock.


The hell-rnger in the Cathedral o.
I Wurtzburg has perished under very sin
gular circumstances. The church posses
ses splendid clock, with ponderous and
complicated works, while a pendulum oi
proportionate length vibrates to and frc
with dall and monotonous thud. Re
Gently the clock needed cleaning, and
the ringer was deputed to superintend
the work, though he ruefully endeavored
/ to be excused from the task 1t seems
that he had never willingly approached
the belfry. from certain unpleasant asso.
Citations. About twenty years ago he
had killed his predecessor in office, ac-
cusing him of carrying on a criminal in
trigue with his wife, When brought I'd
trial he escaped the gallows owing to a
deficiency of legal proof -'' e-'t'
o. The patronage of one of the Canons
then procured him the appointment va
cant through the death of his victim.-
Hence, it is said, arose his supers,itious
dread in connection with the belfry.
which was supposed to be haunted by
the ghost of the murdered ringer. On
the morning when the clock was to be
cleaned it was suddenly stopped, and the
bell-ringer was nowhere to be found. A
workman from the town was sent for,
and ascended the tower, when he was
mortified to find the pendulum and lower
works dripping with blood. Upon search
ing further, the body of the bell ringer
was found entangled in the works, fright
fully mangled and crushed One sup
position is, that he committed suicide by
climbing up the pendulum and then
pitching himsef into the middle of the
machinery of the clock.
But the wonder-loving gossips of the
place, with thoroughly German propen
sity for the horrible, declare that the
guilty man. upon reaching the gloomy
chamber wherein the works revolved,
was horor-struck by the apparition of
his murdered predecessor sitting astride
the great balance wheel of the clock. and
had then been drawn into the works by
a species Of horrible and irresistible faci-
nation similar to that which the rattle
snake IS said to exercise over its prey
There sat tie specter, rubbing its CORY
hands with hileous glee as the victim
was slowly drawn in among the cogged
wheels and ratchets Of the machinery
An agonized ycll, crushing of bones,
and all was stll ! Such, according to the
Hulie, is the newest legend of the bel
fry of Wurtzburg.
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26
4ott's Gorntr.
THE CURSE OF WINE.


A window in Heaven was just ajar,. str
When all unseen by the sentinel star,
An angel slipped out from her Jasper throne
And wairaering down to the world alone,
for fashion and fame, rfor power and place.
/ She saw how the miser could hoard up his gold
! And leave his own kindred to die in the cold
! Sac saw how the scholar bent over his books
Till the seal of DEATHS angel was seen in his
| looks: seHg4r- 4.
She saw how warrior. in hope Of renown,
The lives of the people like clover moved
i-m u $50 o. lya.10I4 Il y'rra2 9II
/ She saw how the maiden by selfshness cursad
yhqugh by fatterers blessed, by her victims
was cursed;
She saw crime stained eulprits in pulpit and
pew.
And the falseness of those who had sworn TO
he frue f sH. g. Efnga1 9d u
In tac ships on the sea, in the houses on land,
The touch Of The tempter was ever at hand.
In the links of the chain where life's phases
are told. r. IT 10 f.r.nH 2,'t
Bot;a the good and the true, with the base and
the bod: --.Ff.,-.
And ihe shadows of sin like a armament hung
Ger tae crutches OF ages and the steps of the
young,
Ana tie fears Of the sotrowng flowed like a
wsyc .lttG GfnT rf..
Ger shrines fiat were brokcu, that love could
net save. a- & ..-Ht
Rata sorrow far desper more fearful Than all
The acgci had viewed. through novel and hall
Had get t. be seen. where the victims Of rum
IB the shes OF grief and in sorrow were dumb.
No; ;oag did She wait, ere the trail of the, cup
Was seen III its march over faith, love and
hope
And never came tide. thqt in ehb or flow.
Covered over such love. or revealed such woe.
.-0. children Of men. said the angel to ne
The s0rrcw of sorrows this sorrow must be :"
BeFaa.i AL the sorrows that'nriser can make,
Rcyouj all the lives that ambition can take.
The greatest is this, where allKope is bereft,
An the curse of in'empcrauce only is left.
@ nan. made immor;al fer loss or for gain.
Why. why touch the wine cup: Why take to
yoUr hearts p, -t GO.
Thai viper which enters but seldom departs
Why call down the shadow TO fold You in wrath
Instead of the sunshine to brighten your path:
Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-04-26


A LONELY ACT oR AFFECTION AND
DuTy.-We see it stated that about a
year since the wife and three children of
Elijah Munsell, of the Western part of
Monson, No, died of small pox, and
were buried in a pasture near his
house. Mr.. Munsell himself had the
disease, but recovered, and has since
lived alone in the home where his family
died. He could not bear the idea of
having his loved ones buried in pas
fure. and finding it impossible to obtain
any one to assist in removing them to
the common burial place, he undertook
the task alone. On one of the moon
light nights af the pastwinter he opened
the graves of his family. and by means
of ropes and levers raised the four coffins.
and loaded them into wagon. He car
ried them to the burrying ground, where
he had previously dug graves for their
reception, and buried them. This sad
and lonely act occupied nearly all night.
Few men would have had the courage
to perform such an act, but the husband
and father who had tended his family in
their fatal sickness, and had dressed
them all for the grave, shrunk not in the
performance of his, last token of affec
tion.rY f,7-a1 bra.-S tsrf -ut