davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

WHAT Books ARE TO DIFFERENT PEO-
PLE.-1here are some people who have no
sympathy with the inveterate book-buyer: ::
who cannot appreciate the miser-like feel
ing which prompts Il MAN to accumulate
on his shelves hundreds of volumes which
he can never read. There are those to
whom the artificial refinements which have
grown up about the outside of literature
Weld no pleasure-tO whom one of Picker
ing's gorgeous editions. or even one of
Aldus's himself, has no greater charms
than the same work on fiimsv paper and
in shabby sheep. A hook to them is a
storehouse of ideas and facts. or Il mine to
be quarried and worked, after which they
care not what happens to it. The volumes
they have read are to them shells without
kernels, oranges that have been squeezed.
They never acquire love for book, as Il
true smoker does for his pipe, apart from
its uses. No pleasant associations or de-
licious memories cluster about their vol
umes, which the bare sight of them. after
absence, conjures up. No pets or darlings
of the heart have they; their souls never
warm to book. The best book in the
world, after they have sucked out all its
marrow, is to these cold-blooded matter
of-fact readers. nothing but printed paper
between boards; just as, to some persons,
the g1andest old cathedral. with its fret
work and tracery, is only pile of stone
and mortar, and the music of Rubinstein
only the regulated tinkling of piano-wires
! There are persons who will walk dowr
the finest nave in Christendom and Sc,
there no poem in stone, and there are thos'
who can gaze on the superb alcoves o
Trinity college library, Cambridge. with
out an emotion. OF such man we ma,
say, in the language of Wordsworth u
! A primrose by the rivers hrim
| yellow primrose Is 10 him,
| And is nothing more.
| Prof Hftfbe1T.S
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

FITz JOHN PORTER.-The friends of
General Fitz John Porter are endeavoring
to obtain new trial for that officer on
the ground, chiefly, that since his first trial
evidence has been secured whose presenta-
ton is certain to reverse the decision
given at that time 1t is also urged that
General Porter is entitled to a new trial
on merely technical grounds. The new
evidence consists of certain reports which
are said to have been obtained from Con
federate Office as to the position of the
rebel forces on the battlefield of Manassas
in August, 1862. General Porter was
found guilty of not moving his command
into action on that battlefield, and this in
action was thought to be due to the ill-feel
ing existing or supposed to be existing be-
tween him and General Pope. 1t is now
said. however, that the late General Lee
declared after the battle that the Confed-
crate forces tianked the troops of General
Porter, and therefore the inaction of that
officer was the highest kind of strategy
| This opinion is confirmed by the late Gen
eral Longstreet and other officers.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11
Discovery of the Solar PrOminences.

In July, 1912. a great eclipse occurred
and the shadow of the moon described a
wide belt running across Southern France.
Northern Italy. and portion of Austria.
The eclipse was carefully observed by
many of the most noted astronomers of
the world. and so completely had previous
observations of the kind been forgotten.
that the prominences. which appeared then
with great brllllance, Were regarded with
extreme surprise. and became objects OF
warm discussion. not only as 10 their cause
and location. but even rs to their very eX-
iStence. Some thought them mountains
upon the sun, some that they We're solar
flames, and others, clouds floating in the
suns atmosphere. Others referred them
to the moon, and vet others claimed that
they were mere optical illusions. At the
eclipse of 1851 lin Sweden and Norway,
similar observations were repeated, and,
as a result of the discussions and compari-
son Of observations which followed, as
tronomers generally became satisfied that
the prominences are real phenomena of
the solar atmosphere, in many respects
analogous to our terrestrial clouds and
several came more or less confidently to
the conclusion. now known to be true (see
Grants History of Physical Astrono-
my''), that the sun is entirely surrounded
with Il continuous stratum of the same
substance. Many, however, remained un-
convinced. Faye, for instance. still assert
ed them to be mere optical Illusions, OF
mirages.
In the eclipse of 1860. photography was
for the first time employed on such an oc-
casion with any thing like success. The
results of Sechi and De La Rue removed
all remaining doubts as to the real exist
ence and solar character of the objects in
question, by exhibiting them upon their
plates gradually covered on one side and
uncovered on the other side of the sun by
the outward progress of the moon.-Prof
c. a.. You'sg. tas Popular Science Monthly
for February.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

A body of water said to cover an area of
two acres or more has Just been discovered
on the tip top of one of the mountains in
Glastonbury. Some of the oldest inhabi-
tants say that many years agoit was known
to be there, and was called the ." Lost
Pond" and that one day Stephen Pratt,
ESQ.,, then of Bennington. in company
with two other gentlemen were roaming
about in the then seemingly interminable
forests trapping. Happening't to have hooks
and lines in their pockets they determined
to see if there wasn't some trout in the
small brook which they came across. Af-
ter getting everything in readiness they
threw their hooks into the little brook, and
to their amazement. as they afterward ex-
pressed il themselves: 1t was filled with
trout" They fished along up the stream
a few rods, and to their utter establishment,
came to the pond above mentioned. There,
they said the trout "tOok hold too fast for
sportm They caught more than they could
bring home through the woods, and were
consequently obliged to leave some, but
with a determination that they would visit
the pond the next day. After a long tray
el they finally reached the road to town
where they had left their team. but greatly
fatigued. They travelled all the next day.
but could not find the pond. and it has not
been discovered until now.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

WARM WINTERS.-It is customary to
forget each winters weather before the
next comes, and to consider every season
remarkable An old number of the Hart
ford CO,trant contains some records trans
:ribed from the journal ofthe Rev. Thomas
Smith, of Portland, Maine, kept between
the years 1870 and 1895, which are render
ID especially interesting by the present
mildness. In 1885 January was pleasant
md moderate and February was " sum-
mer month";; in 1873 january came in
like April; in 1740 there were but two
snow storms; February was a summer
month again. and March the same; in
1851, January 15, the frost was entirely
out of the ground. February was like
spring, and the winter ends wonder
through the whole In l756, in January
The fish, as they are reported to have done
this year. struck in " from the sea, the
weather being so warm. February was
delightful, and March clustering but soft
us May. In 1873 Mr.. Smith records II
summer day on January q. wonderful
moderate " the next day, and February 8.
no snow since December 90, wonderful
weather. We saw two robins" In the
year 1775, February q, the New York
O"~Cecc anu L OSC lug - ti'te isSt
Wednesday the weather was so uncommon
warm that many young lads went into the
river to swim" These are records all but
one of them more than a century old.
They notice six remarkably warm winters
within period of forty years. but coming
with no noticeable periodicity. People
who are calling this season strange above
all others, indicative that our planet has
drifted into new influences, and who are
promising Ill sorts of consequences. from
poor crops to Second Advent, may bear in
mind that there is precedent for it all,
and that whether the weather is divinely
dispensed each day or is a grand sequence
under ordained law which prayer cannot
affect, it keeps coming and changing hour
by hour, and the peculiar freaks of CEN
tury and more ago have not resulted in
annihilation yet. Nor has the period be-
tween them and now been one of uninter-
rupted disaster.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11
PURE AIR IN CHURCHEs-The time e

PURE AIR IN CHURCHES--The time to
change air in churches is Immediately
after the congregation has departed. This
is a fact for sections to make a note of in or
,ler to avoid the complaints of those people
who. realizing their right to pure air will
not breathe vitiated element without re-
monstrance. When the services for the day
are concluded, and while the audience
room is still warm. if the windows and
,loors are left open for short time the
cooler air outdoors will rapidly displace
that which has been breathed over and
over again by the throng of worshipers.
The usual custom is to close the church
windows and doors as soon as it can be
lone without rudeness. thus leaving the
bal air 10 cool and concentrate near the
floor. Then the windows and doors are
opened for IN hour or so Saturday evening.
OF Sunday morning before the services be-
gin. being closed again before any large
proportion of the atmosphere has been
changed. How well the OLD plan succeeds
is shown by the murmuring so often heard.
especially in suburban parishes. and by
the pleading for 'purer air y occasionally
made by "a casper" The new plan is
easily tried, and as there is no patent right
to sell in connection with it. trial will
prove as cheap as it will be beneficial.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

New York is agitatcd about the cost of
maintaining its three State Prisons, which
do not begin to be self-supporting. With
IN average of from 1900 to 2000 convicts.
these institutions burden the State with
an expense of nearly six hundred thousand
dollars. 1t is noticeable that Sing Sing.
which has the best facilities, makes the
least money, and the conclusion is, that this
result is due to bad management. The
fact that the county penitentiaries, where
criminals are committed for short terms.
are selfsustaining, emphasizes the de-
ticiencies in the conduct of the State Pris-
ons. Experience in Massachusetts teaches
"A similar lesson.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

thereby making mere physical serfs and
drudges of the people, and shutting out
all opportunity for intelligence. sapping
the very foundation of a republican gov
ernment.
The true statesman will never lose sight
of the equal rights of all If tempted by
avarice or luxury to raise his own salary,
even if he has the power, he will compare
his wants and necessities with the wants
and necessities of the great mass of the
people, measuring these reciprocal inter-
ests by the golden rule, and pray ear
nestly, Lead us not into temptation"
But instead of this what do we see? With
a debt of two and half billions upon us.
with thousands of the laboring classes, re-
duced to beggary in land of plenty flow
ing with milk and honey, through our
Credit Mobiliers and other corrupt money
ed monopolies, we are urged to double the
salaries of government officials, fixing the
salary of our President at 100000. This.
with the perquisites of the White House,
as figured up by Mr.. Willard last year.
will make the snug little sum of one hun
dred and seventy-seven thousand dollars.
And this is the remedy proposed to cure the
" fever" produced by excessive taxation !!
Alas for us, if the people are to follow the
lead " of these real " demagogues." Had
President Grant vetoed the salary bill it
would have added a glory to his name
second to no act in his life. If he had any
ambition to live in the heats of the Ameri-
can people, he missed a most glorious
opportunity, AS it is, no amount of equi-
page, no splendid bays at Long Branch,
no amount of salary as obtained under the
circumstances, will fill up the chasm.
We believe the people are disposed to be
Just and even generous to their servants,
but they will insist upon a due respect to
their own acknowledged rights.
! r.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

THE PHILOSOPHY OF ALMS-GIvING.-
An oil Partisan mendicant was recently
noticed to manifest apparent caprice in
selecting the objects for his importantly.
He would allow a number of persons to
pass unheeded, and then attach himself to
others and take no denial, A bribe of half
franc from curious spectator induced
him to give his reason. "a have code
of rules. which 1 invariably follow" he
said. THUS 1 never ask aims of one
who has dined.' As uosby renders man
selfish, nor of stout men, as it bores them
to stop, nor of any one putting on their
gloves. nor of lady alone, but always of
any one manifestly going to dinner. of
people walking together, as their amour
propre makes them generous. of officers in
grand uniforms, and of people apparently
seeking favor from the government-they
think that a gift viii bring them luck
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Some of the country editors and news
paper publishers of Illinois, whose hearts
have been broken by the decision of the
State Railroad Commissioners that the IS
sue of free passes by railroad companies
is illegal. have had their lacerated feelings
partially healed by the receipt ola circular
from the office of the Chicago and Alton
Railroad Company, one clause of which
reads as follows:
''Will you please inform me what Your
terms will be for publishing our advertise
ment, as at present standing IN your col
umus, and the local notices that 1t has
been YOUR custom to insert heretofore, and
whether, as a remuneration for the srme,
Won will accept thousand-mile tickets at
three (3lcents per mile. issued IN the name
of the editor
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

The importation Of Yankee soldiers by
the Khedive of Egypt to lead his troops,
mt ans to some observers oforiental events
the ultimate freedom of Egypt from the
Turkish yoke. There are already a con-
siderable number of United States officers
in his army. and Col. Dyr.. who has been
selected for Ave years. service, IL to rank
as chief Of staff TO the Khedive. The na-
tives have been formed into . well-disr
ciplined and efficient army. and it looks -
if the Introduction Of raihoads and tefe-
graphs into the country had suggested to
the Egyptian ruler the idea of making il
uncomfortable for that sleepiest and most
conservative of all monarchies, the Sub
lime Porte,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Notwithstanding the presence of the
pestiferous Celestial. which the papers of
San Francisco have assured was slowly
working the ruin of the Pacific ports, that
CITY shows Il record of prosperity, during
the past year, not exceeded by any other
city in the Union The population has
advanced from lSO,000 to 2OO 0n0, while
buildings have been erected at a cost OF
over s., 900 900. The exports of the port,
exclusive of specie, have increased $1,000
900 over those of 1872. now aggregatlng
$50, 200. .OUU. The exports by rail during
eleven months of the year were $23,UO0 :
90. During 1878, San Francisco doubled
her trade with Great Britain.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

This CURIOUS WINTER.-The Middle
bury Register says: BY letter we receiv-
ed from California from our old friend S.
z. Pond. Esq, of Woodland, we learn they
have lately had over a foot of snow in the
valley of the Sacramento, where they have
had none for years, and never before, since
the country was settled, so much. In
Texas there was over foot reported last
week. while here in Addison county, last
week, the snow was all gone, ploughs run
ming, and many spring birds making an
appearance
Grace Greenwood says that Congress
man Harris, who told his colored associate
= to sit down " the other day, is himself a
frightful example of the indiscriminate
mixing of white and black children on the
plantation and on the nurses laps in the
old pre-emancipation times-for he says
pore" for poor, thar " - har " and
"Sar.h
Louis Napoleon finally rests in sarcop-
| hagus in smlll mortuary chapel Il,
Chslehurst The sole inscription is
Napoleon Ill. K. |. P'' In front OF
the sarcophagus a small brass plate is
placed, setting forth that 5 this sslrcopha
| gus vas olSiO ~ Eli PRESS fLu0tQlo
us "A mark of affection;ite sympathy, by
| Victoria r., 1872"
| They have a mud-hole in Bennington Sc
| deep that small children are frequen:l,
| lost in it. and the Gtzette says: " W,
don't care anything about it, cause oul
folks are just out of children. but for tht
sake of our suffering neighbors, we call at
| tentiOn to the matter"
| \ wealthy pIrUeou lately gave the
church which he attends two tables. witt
the ten commandments engraved upor
/ them; whereupon, a member of the church
remarked that his reason for giving ava,
| the commandments was that he could n
keep them.
The Arkansas bandit;i stopped stage
near Hot Springs and went through all th.
passengers in II most approved style. Mr.
Taylor of Lowell, Mass, was despoiled O.
$3.50, and the brigansd, not content will
robbing him of his money, tried to tax,
away his character by insisting that b,
was reporter of Il st. Louis paper.
The late John P. Hale once remarked tha
:. of all sorts of essence, the devil like
acquieseence the best.''
Mr.. Jtdfstis a gentleman quite promi
nent in Cleveland commercial circles. an
vet, says an exchange, his name is seldom
heard.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Here is a touchingly beautiful illustra-
ton of the power of music: A New York
clergyman, who is a fine singer, on h re-
cent visit to y mad-housc. approached the
cell of maniac, who rushed for him as
far AS his chains would allow, shouting.
:. I'll kill you! I'll beat your brains out
Clear out!'' Instead of moving the preach
er began to sing !. Our Home in Heaven. '
First the madman listened; then be
stretched himself out the length Of bis
chain. First one arm relaxed and ther
tho other. Tears moistened his eyes
Then he coiled up in his bed Of rags a
quiet as child. And when the hymn wa
ended, he looked out saying: I" More
more" The preacher sang till his strength
gave way and then left. -. h.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Little story from Cincinnati, apropos of
Col. Tom Scott's modest proposition that
government shall guarantee his liabilities ::
:" Mr.. Mclean said Gen. Dix to Wash
ington Mclean, who had provided himself
with an immense demijohn of whiskey.
which he wanted sent to Gen Roger A
Pryor in Fort Lafayette" Mr.. Mclean
why should you expect me to send jug of
whiskey to Gen. Pryor, should like to
know" Because. was the reply. Gen.
Pryor likes whiskev." Dix hadn't thought
of that. The reason was perfect novelty
to him. So he smiled and passed the Jug
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Among the demands of the working men
who lately held "a mass meeting in Chlcag1,
was one that railways, canals ami tele
graphs be managed and operat d by the
STATE or community, and another that
savings banks and the business of insur-
ance be managed by the state. These are
t4e same people who are complaining con
tinually OF unjust laws and corruption in
office 1t is curious that they have So little
faith in public officials, and still wish tU
entrust more of their interests i'll them.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11
We fear Judge Davis of New York ht

We fear Judge Davis of New York has
become eiateL Dy The reputation that nc
has made lor gravity and Severity, SO tnssU
efeels like induignIS Inc opposite QUALITIES
lie made ii good Johe III curt, Tic otner
dav. and did not check the laughter thaL
easued. One ColOn~l Price had scparateu
.rom one VILE, Deen divorced from d sec-
ond, and WIS tDandoned by Il tnlrd, ala
somehow got INTO court through these
arious enLang dement's. Wlie No. Was
seeking for .,ilnlony, and the Judge, III
stating how matt Is stood, Remarked that
- the tnlrd wife Went OuC OF her own mo-
ton. without none, and without Price. !"
Order in the eCo-o-o-rt!-BOStOn Globe.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

DR.. Sunderland's prayer for Congress,
which, according to the report in paper
of this city, represented that body as being
like the sacred ram to the jew, has sug-
gested to a Burlington, Vt, paper that the
Chaplain was praying that Congress might
become the Scape goat of the nations
needless petition. The substitution OF
Sanhedrim for sacred ram is needed tc
make the sentence Ineligible Boston
Globe.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

An official statement, which claims TO
be literally correct, Says that from Ihe pas
sage vi the present bankrupt law up 10 Inc
ginning Ol Inls year, oo,u.o persons ahu
firms have taken advantage Vi Its proVis-
.unS. Ihe eApcnSeS vi the proceedings lii
,nuse cases that nave been adj .uiCuCeu,
some forty thousand IN number, We're
uostrly I'VE million dollars. DuI Int S[tVo-
mcuL laIlo To SNOW one exceedingly IntefeS.-
,ug IacC how mucn Inc q, euitofS Oi Inc
u..ukruptS realized alter the ustnSerS-o al
me DtnhrupL Court We're S'lIisneu.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

The Empress Eugene and son, who in
herited five million francs from the En-
peror. are to be enriched by the allowance
of the French G we nment, which has
decided that the Chinese Museum at Fon-
tainebleau and the collection of arms and
armor at Pierrefond belonged to the priv
ate estate of Napoleon Ill, and must tn ere
fore be paid for by France.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

The value of the wheat crop of Cali
fornia for 1878 was not less than $50, ,00O,-
900. I his staple was worth at least S10,-
600, 900 more tnan all the g Id and silver
produced in this state. The latter items
did not quite come up to $50, ,OoO,OO0 for
last wear Then we had in round num-
bers 3O.O00,00O pounds of wool, which
were worth nearly six and half million
of dollars, at the low rates which prevailed
during the year.-[San Francisco Bulletin.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

Princess Bismarck has filled her house.
with knitted quilts and curtains-the off.
spring of her own hands. This is the on
ly way her illusuious husband ever gets
worsted,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11
TERMS FOR ADVERTISING.

For one square OF IL lines or less Of Agate type,
one insertion co. for each subsequent insertion IS
cent. Unless the number of Insertions are marked
on the advertisement il Will be continued until
ordered out. Liher al discount made 10 merchants
and others advertising by the year.
Probate and Commissioners Notices 42.0o each.
Fornotices of Liberations, Estrays, the Formation
and Dissolution of CopaFtnerships &C 81 d each
for three Insertions. Ii sent by Mail the money must
accompany the letter.
Notices in news columns, 10 cents per line each
insertion but charge made Of less than 80 cents.
Notices of Deaths and Marriages inserted gratis,
but extended Obituary Notices Poetry will be
charged at the rate of dive cents per line.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-11

That should he sheriff, and keep the jail,
And that yonder stately old fellow you see
Marching across the yard should be
My prisoner-wcll tits a curious tale,
AS you'll agree.