davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13

Hon RATES OF INTEREST. Before the
war per cent was the usual rate Of inter
est in this section of the country. Real es-
tate mortgages generally bore that rate,
and though there were fluctuations in the
financial centres, they were due to circum-
stances Of a temporary character. Even at
that rate interest was a burden so serious
that few kinds of business could afford to
pay it for a long term of years. The far
mer who paid interest money was doomed;
the business man who operated on borrow
ed capital had an unequal chance. There
has been great change. Though the min
imum rate of interest hereabouts is per
cent, comparatively small amounts are let
at that rate; g, 10, and - per cent are more
common in New England, II to Is in the
West, and IS to "a in the South. No
body needs to be told that these rates are
ruinous, that no business can stand the
lowest of them in the long run. What is
the cause, and what the remedy? Ben
Butler tells us we need more currency, so
that all can have what they want His
sentiments are echoed by the Jack Cades
of the Labor Reform party, who want to
make quart pots hold three pints. But.
unfortunately for this theory the facts are
against it. We have twice as much curren-
cy.as we had before the war, while the coun-
try cannot need an increase of over fifty
per cent at the outside. Cheapening the
currency does not make cheap capital. We
need to use more because it is worth less
than it was. 1t appears then that cheapen-
ing the currency has stimulated specula-
ton, and speculation will always pay high
er rates of interest than legitimate busi-
ness can afford. The Spectator, holding
merchandise for a rise, will pay two per
cent month for money, and we have been
transformed into nation Of spectators.
The cause Of increased rates of interest
then is speculation, and that in its turn is
caused 10y an irredeemabe currency. The
remedy is to make the currency of fixed
value, by making it always redeemable in
theworld's standard Of value Let us have
all the currency required, but make it
worth its face in gold. That will check
speculation, stimulate production, and give
the legitimate borrower a chance. There
is no other way to get at it. 1t is an old
story to he read in the history Of every
nation Boston Herald.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
TIE BLACK DOLL.

Dot was little girl, five years old, the
only child left to her parents, whose other
children all lay sleeping still sound sleep
under four tiny mounds of green turf
The parents were poor and lived in one
room "over the water" that is, on the Sur
rev side of the Thames. The mother did
what she could with her needle, and her
scissors, and her iron, 10 increase the means
of subsistence earned by her husband, who
piled some mysterious vocation on the riv
er side, aud, when he was not engaged in
that vocation, performed "odd jobs" in all
parts of London. And some OF them were
very odd jobs. lie was one or those men
who are so very useful when you have
something to get rid OF, and are at your
wits end to know what to do; when, for
instance, your little dog has died, aud you
don't know what to do with the body or
when there is a contagious disease abroad,
and it seems advisable to have certain
things disinfected or destroyed. On such
occasions Potten was your man. He would
do anything for next to nothing, or at any
rate for a mere triie; anything, at least,
that was not dishonest, for more honest
man than Palten did not exist. Nor had
the repulsive nature of the work on which
he was frequently employed resulted in
any corresponding repulsivoness in the
man himself He had sallow, gaunt face,
il is true, for the lines had not fallen unto
him in pleasant places; but he smiled,
when he did smile, very brightly, and his
manner, especially towards children, was
gentle, and even winning. No doubt his
heart was under the influence OF double
memory-of Dot and of the tiny graves.
Bnt Potten had one unpleasant. peculiari-
ty; there were times when he looked the
very incarnation of skepticism; disbelief
stoud confessed in the twinkle of his eye,
in the wrnk les round his nose, In the lines
about his mouth, in the sound OF his snig-
ger. Sternly admonish him, tearfully beg
| of him, sOlemnly adjure him TO be very
careful, aud to take The greatest precau-
tions on his own account, and his wife's
and his children's If he had any and he
would answer impatiently: "All right, sir
to he sure | will, ma'am don't you go fol
| to be afraid :" but all the while his man
ner and laugh were IA much 10 say: "Tut
tuti It's all a pack OF rubbish no harm
shall happen to me-" Thus does familiarl
ty breed contempt. Who Is II that light
his pipe over the powder-magazinef Wht
it is that burns a naked candle in the dead
ly atmosphere of the miner And yet Pot
ten Wasscrupulously careful in all that con
cerned his employersi he may have laugh
ed at them in his sleeve, but whether
were from a conscientious sense of duty
or from fear of consequences in case OF de
J tecled neglect, he performed their or
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13

SINGULAR ARITHMETIcAL FApr.-Any
number of figures you may wish to multi
ply by 5 will give the same result If d.
vlded by ga much quicker operation
but you must remember to annex to
the answer when there Is is no remainder,
aud whenever there is a remainder, what
ever 1t may be, annex to the answer.
Multiply 404 by 8, and the answer will be
2,S2O; divide the same by 2, and you will
have 2S2, and as there is no remainder you
add cypher. Now take 359-multply by
s, the answer is l, 1896; aud dividing this by
2 there is l79 aud remalnderi you there
fore place 8 at the end of the line, and the
result is again 1875.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
BRATTLEBORO VT, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1874

dream. lie did not return that night and
Mrs. Potten was alarmed. lie did not re-
turn the next day or night; and the neigh
bors were alarmed. They thought, truly,
that the poor man had gone distracted, was
mad with grief and his sense Of having
been the canse of the death Of his child.
In this belief, they naturally expected 10
find him on the riverside. And there on
the third day, they found him-at low
water-drowned.- Chambers JouRal
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
Song Of the Seasons.

,
n-1r,,,,.s''.i. as,I, Shu,.
r,,.' a.. ~ - ,...,,n,,,,'.
,-I,,r-,., -,.,
-.
And still they change Till all IL done.
y,,....
'..-' - -. -,
'. -" ''o'-
ioi wv NV
'" ouuuils nov "hen "ihu 'o"'H'
Anu s""' 'ue "'As'ns .''.ii"s '""
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
Literary Department.
La Dame aux CameIia,


think that was the play;
The house was packed from pit to dome
wbob,d .or,o % So ,ho r,.,,d,
Ana whi,o ,ho Ao,r.
There was the ruined rpendthrit,
And beauty In her prime;
There W" the grave Historian,
A,d tho surIv critio front 10 front.
To soc the p,,v ~ Grim.
And there was pompous Ignorance,
And Vice in flowers and lace;
Sir Cr1sus and Sir Pandarus,
,,,-,-s,
,.,n,,. 1T. 80,
That ofa girl whom had Known
In the Summers long ago,
When hor breath was like tho nSw-mown hay,
r,., ~. -,
Is,ha ui,,a,,. 49,.
And there she sat with her greA, brown eyes,
They wore troubled look:
And read the history Of her life
IL, -,
,Is,,s 80, -, I''''' '"'"B
There she sat In her rustling silk,
with diamonds on her wrist.
Aud on her brow cleaning thread
v. po,f' '"u a",o'n'' '
e' e
' -N
I could not sec the players play;
theard the muaic moan;
II moAned like dismal Autumn wind,
That dies in the woods alone;
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13

Had he been of age double that term Of
confinement would have been given him.
In all its aspects this is one Of the most
remarkable cases upon the record Of mod
ern criminal iurisprudence.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
R1TTLEBORO
Business Dtrettorp.


Business Dfrettorp.
Ndme, business and Location ofthe Icdding
business Houses IN BrdtUeborO.
~ cur rHIs REVERENCE.
Agricultural implements.
G. .F.rHoMPsoS L CO., willistons stono Bcek.
WOOD MARSHALL Exchange Block, Main street.
D. A. CLARK, Tyler's Block.
RIac smiths.
ISAAC D. BAILEY, Elliot st.
BookssIIers and StatiOners.
CHENEY l. cLAPP 9 Crosby Block.
JsTEES, Fishers Block, Main st.
v. Z. EDWARDS, door north Amtrics House.
Bosk nnd lob Printing.
UNION PRINTING CO., Market square.
Boots and shoes.
AFROYNTON, MARSHALL 4 Esterbrook' block, NJ. 1t.
r A. STEVENS Fisk's block, Main street, M stairs.
boot and Shoe Repairing.
a. p. srgyESsoN, Rays block Main street.
CIothIers.
rs BRAcKETT CO., AZ Granite Row.
WATT, WRIGHT 4 CO., Granite Row, Main street.
hooT MoKEAND, corner Main and High SITS.
H.E TAYLOR, Union Bio h.
C. L. BROWN, Marshall Esterbrook's block Main-st.
J. BETTING, Hieh-st, adjoining Brooks House.
o. s. PRATT, Granite Block.
ChnHabsr Sets.
81 BRowE, Marshall 4 Esterbrook's block STan-st.
J. .RRTr1Eo, High-st., adjoining Brooks House.
Coal.
HK BARROws once with p. Bsrrows.
Comna and CaHkeIA
c. l.. BROWN, Marshall Il Esterbrooks BIN, Main ST.
Contractors and Builder.
HIoLRY CHURCH, Elliot Street.
Crockery and Glass Ware.
NJ. T. VAN DOORN, Crosby Block.
Dining Rooms.
Z. l.. COOPER Brooks House.
DOOrs, Sash and Blinds.
CT. THOMPSON CO., WillistonH Stone Biock'
Il. A. CLARK, Hyler's Block.
HIaLRY CHURCH, (danufacturer-) Elliot street.
liz THORN L CO, Crosby Block.
H. e. WILLARD co, Brooks House.
NEWTON & ROSE, Main ST., opposite High ST.
Dry Goods.
P, BARRows, Main Street, opposite Brooks House
o. !. PRATT, Granite Block.
RertiIizera.
q. p. THOMPSON CO., willison Stone Block.
C. D. MOVES, Thompson 4 Rangers Block
Flour and Grain.
FSTEY, FROST CO., Bridge st.
BUDDIEGTON WARNER, So. Main st. L ntrey'
Furniture.
]. BETTING, Highest, adjoining Brooks Honse
e. L. BROWN, Marshall EsterbrooSa Block Main st.
Granite Works.
.. BAILEY, Oak street
Groceries.
a. O. DAVENPORT, Crosby Block.
wv. FROST co. Crosby Block
FRANK o. HOWE, Marshall EsterbrooE. Main-st'
g. .. MOVES, rhomps n Rangers BLOCK
c. L. PIPER, corner Can = and south Main sts.
J. @. TAYLOR, Brooks House.
c. F. THOMPSON q CO., Willistons stone biock'
Guns, Pistols and AninIuniIiOn.
@. D. MOVES, Thompson Rangers Block.
Hair Work.
MRs. 8. Z. BARRoWs, nearly opposite Brooks House
Hardware, Iron and steel
B. A. CLARK, Tyler's Block.
CT. THOMPSON CO., willston's Stone Block
Harness MaLers.
HEUBTIs BURNAP, Main Street.
Hats, C0Ps and Rurs.
81 4
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
The Indians.
experienced

Sufficient vigor has not been shown by the
government in It's efforts to bring the Kicka-
poo tribe of Indians again under the restraint
of the United States law. At present they
may be looked upon as privileged band of
brigands, who rob and plunder at their good
WILL Unfortunately for the Texans exposed
to the depredations of these savages their dis
trict is too remote to exercise much influence
on the men in power at Washington. Nor is
there prospect of plunder to edge on the
politicians to interest themselves in the affairs
of the border. Probably the next administra-
ton will be more disposed to assert the ma
tional dignity and protect the frontiers from
marauders. The active measures taken to
suppress the outrages of the Naconees, Kiowas,
Comanches and other savage tribes were con-
ceived in the right spirit and, as will be seen
by our dispatches, General Sheridan tele-
graphs to General Sherman that he believes
the Indian war is over for the winter In con-
nection with this important news we present
letters from the Washita Agency and Fort
Sill, which review the present weak and cor
rupt Indian policy and prove the necessity of
an immediate reform.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
jerome Park Races To-Day.

To-day the extra fall meeting at Jerome
Park will present attractions enough to draw
thousands Of our citizens to the splendid race
course and the lovely scenes which surround
it. The five events, including hack race for
gentlemen riders and two grand steeple-
chases, will certainly afford unusually excit-
ing amusement, especially at this season of
the year. For much of this agreeable pros
pect the public is indebted to Mr.. Leonard w.
Jerome, who has been untiring in his efforts
to make the park which bears his celebrated
name the fashionable resort of the metropolis.
Though Mr.. jerome does not himself own
any racing horses he keeps his colors, and
will no doubt defend them when they are
challenged. Any one can own racing horses,
but few persons can display colors as famous
and brilliant as those which Mr.. Jerome has
made the symbols of the morality and the
ambition Of the turf. In this particular re-
spect Mr.. Jerome stands at the head of all
who sustain and honor this beautiful amhse-
ment, and when he chooses to enter horses to
bear upon the course the colors which now
hang like banners on the wall it may be safely
predicted they will not be far from the front.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
Recorder Hackett.

The term of the Court Of General Sessions,
which expired yesterday, was remarkable for
the vast amount of work that was DONE and
Recorder Hackett was, no doubt, justified when
addressing the Grand Jury in saying that ''no
Grand Jury or criminal court in this or any
other State in the Union has ever transacted
so much great and important business in SO
brief period" The compliment which the
Recorder paid to the Grand Jury for their
zecl and energy we may properly take occasion
to bestow upon him also. He deserves the
thanks of the community for the impartiality
with which he has rendered justice and the
fearlessness with which he has punished
crime. The contrast between his administra-
ton of justice and that which at one time
made the New York Bench notorious for
incapacity is like that Of night and day. He
has made his court terror to evil-doers and
has filed the State Prison with rogues who
are unfit to be at liberty. If crime has
decreased in New York within the past two
years no man is more to be thanked than
Recorder Hackett for the benefit society has
experienced.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
The Louisiana Election.

We print this morning letter from New
Orleans in which the abuses practised under
the Kellogg usurpation are depicted in vivid
colors, and perhaps with more feeling and
passion than belong to an impartial observer.
But we have no doubt that our correspondent
faithfully reflects the sentiment of the respect
able part of that community, nor that the facts
are truly given from their point Of view. But
we wish TO refer only to that part Of his letter
which relates to the approaching election.
The Louisiana election takes place on Mon
day, one day earlier than in the other States
which choose their officers in November. 1t
would naturally be supposed that the result
could not be doubtful after the complaints
which have been SO constantly made of
the hideous effects of the Kellogg misrule,
and in perfectly fair election it
is probable that the anti Kellogg
party would easily succeed. But the
conservatives expect no fairness. The regis
tration is infected with wholesale frauds.
which are apparent on bare statement OF
the results. The registration of white voters
in the city Of New Orleans is in the proper
ton of about one in five of the white inhab-
itants, whereas the registration of negroes is
in the proportion Of one to three. Of course
the number of voters never in any CON-
munity, bore SO large ratio to the popu-
lation. Negro voting is bad enough, even
when it is honest, but it is intolerable when
large proportion of the votes are fraudulent.
If the Kellogg party carries the State by
means of such baretaced frauds, it will
only intensity the spirit Of discomfort. We
are glad to be assured that the white citizens
are determined that the peace of the State
shall not be disturbed by their agency during
the election, and that they will afterwards
have recourse only to legal means Of redress.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
Senator conklinx at Lest.

Our distinguished Senator, Mr.. Roscoe
has been the cause of 80 much anxiety to the
friends of Governor Dix, made his appearance
at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last even-
ing in an address which we print elsewhere
Senator Conkling will always be read with at
tention, and his speech has many effective
points. He explains his silence by the pres
sure of "many occupations" although we can
not understand how a statesman at the head
of party, and in the exigencies OF ON extraor-
dinary campaign, could hesitate about his
duty for so long time as the Senator
has hesitated. His speech cannot be re-
garded as a cheerful effort. He says
very little about Governor Dix, nothing
at all about the third term, although called
upon by the audience, q great deal about
the purity of congressman and the increase
in the tone Of public life during his fifteen
years Of service. These are, we admit, in
teresting themes, and the Senator treats them
with his accustomed eloquence; but, for all
the purposes of the canvass, he might have
delivered his address before Young Mems
Christian Association or Social Science
Congress- as an essay on political morals. The
Senator may ignore the question or denounce
it with that scornful eloquence Of which he is
master; but it lives. The people will dis
cuss 1t. Statesman as able as Vice President
Wilson regard it as the burden Of the canvass
and distress to the party, and it will live
until destroyed by the President or the ver-
dict of an indignant public opinion.
The Senator, we think, missed great op-
portunity as candidate for the Presidency
when he failed to assert himself on this ques-
ton. He shows how far the spirit of Cesar
ism has grown when he permits his COM
plaisance to the President to interfere with his
independence as Senator. The people do
not wish to hear Mr.. Conkling's views about
Tweed or the rebellion. These are dead
themes. But they do wish to hear about a
question that menaces the liberties of the
country, one SO vital that every one discusses
it with the exception Of the Senator himself.
The Senator would have made a much more
available candidate for the Presidency had he
taken the third term bull by the horns, just as
Centennial Dix did the other day. He seems
to be afraid of the President. A public man
never does SO well as when he defes q
President and trusts the people.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
Good Men for tho Assembly.

The Philadelphia Press comments upon the
support given to Hamilton Fish. Jr., and Fred
erick w. Seward for the Assembly, and re-
grets the absence of men Of the same stamp
from the Pennsylvania canvass We accept
candidates like Mr.. Seward, Mr. Fish, Mr..
Lane and Mr.. Schieffelin as evidences of the
tendency of respectable young men to enter
into legislative life. The trouble has been,
both in Albany and Harrisburg, that proper
men found no congeniality, no sympathy, no
opportunity for efficient public service. Leg
islation became degraded Men were bought
and sold like cattle in the shambles. Tam
many conventions as general thing, nom-
mated bullet-headed, whiskey drinking, GIN
peddling adventurers, who went to Albany to
make money. The republicans nominated
revenue inspectors, officers of customs and
men who voted at the beck Of the Collector of
the Port. We do not see much improve
ment in the present nominations. Three
fourths Of the men on the Legislative tickets
of all parties are utterly unfit, and their
appearance in Albany will disgrace New York.
The only way to cure this is to encourage
yOuuk ACA VI CuhAoCvoAy COuCuUAOA oAO oOAAlty
to go into public careers. We can best en-
courage them by singing them out for COM
mendation and support, without regard to
party, as the HERALD has singled out Mr..
Fish, Mr.. Seward and other gentlemen of
equal character. 1t is Of very little conse-
quence comparatively what the political COM
plexion of the Assembly, may be, but it is Of
every importance that honest and able men
should be elected. We want men who will go
there as representatives of New York, and not
as mere machines to vote for Mr.. Seymour or
Mr. Morgan for the Senate.
II the people will only carefully vote for the
good men on the Assembly tickets and defeat
the bad men the leaders of the political par
ties will learn the lesson. But 80 long as the
people calmly accept Tammany "rounders'
and Custom House s'bummers' as representa-
tives such characters will be nominated, and,
we regret to think, in many cases elected.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31

is the grandfather who is responsible, and il
is he whom we should punish if we could
But this grandfather had grandfather too,
and SO we follow that endless chain Of cause
and effect which finally passes out OF human
view in the mystery which surrounds the orr
gin of evil. Yet it must be conceded that il
men like Kullman are to have their crimes pal
lated by inherited taint then the firm foun-
dations of all human responsibility become
frail and shadowy. Men are only what the
iates have made them. The world, however,
cannot be governed upon such theory.
Excepting in cases of absolute and
extreme insanity it assumes that men have
the power to do right or wrong, as they
please, and it would avail nothing to the
prisoner who is brought before Recorder
Hackett to plead that he inherited murder
from his father or that his mother bequeathed
him an irresistible desire to steal Earthly
tribunals cannot make these delicate subtleties
elements of justice, yet every year science is
more clearly displaying the awful truth that
hereditary tendencies accidents of birth and
physical structureare mysteriously interviewer
with the moral nature of man. It is the old
problem over which the world, from the ear
liest ages, hos puzzled and pondered in vain.
The New York herald., 1874-10-31
Imperial Dignity.

The Euening Post in an admirable article
which we print elsewhere, republishes letter
written by the President to the Convention
which nominated him in 1872. In this letter
he says:-"When relieved from the response
bilities Of my present trust by the election Of
q successor, whether it be at the end of this
term or the next, hope to leave to
him, as Executive, country at
peace within its own borders, at
peace with outside nations, with q credit at
home and abroad, and without embarrassing
questions to threaten its future prosperity"
This the Post regards as virtual declaration
that the President does not mean to be q can
didate for third election. But, as the editor
clearly shows, all its value is destroyed by
'.his toleration without disapproval, and even
in his personal presence, by his own Office
holders, Of sentiments frequently expressed
within his knowledge" in favor of third
term. This the Post thinks sis injuring the
republican party; but most of all is injuring
his own reputation.
Nor can the President escape from this by
pleading his dignity" He once said that his
highest purpose was to obey the will Of the
people. Now here is question about which
the people are deeply concerned. Why does
he not solve it? 1t was not beneath the dig
nifty of Washington or Jefferson or Jackson to
do SO; why beneath that Of Grant ?
Why should any Executive fold him
self in the robes of his imperial reserve2 Why
chon1d ha ha so sensitiva at th;a 1ata honr .
He has not been an especially dignifed Presi-
dent when he had personal ambitions to serve,
or personal friends to reward, or personal
hopes to crafty. He would show the dignity
of Washington if he were to take up the
third term and settle it, before it is settled to
his own discontinue and the destruction of
his party by an indignant public opinion.