davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
Care of Window Plants,

No matter how good the soil, how
careful the watering, the plant will not
flourish if its vitality is being constantly
weakened by insects. These not only
live upon the juices of the plant, but
some of them cover it's leaves with web,
which, though almost invisible, closes
the pores through which the plant
breathes. Water, soap, and tobacco, are
the three chief remedies, and they are
readily applied. A bath tub, or large
sink, will allow plant to be laid ON it's
side and thoroughly drenched on both
surfaces, with slightly warm water from
watering pot or syringe. Ivies,
camellias, and other smooth-leaved
plants, can have each leaf sponged with
soap and water, and then with pure
water, and if the bark appears unhealthy,
use strong soap and water with brush
an old toothbrush will answer Tobac-
co infusion is sometimes used, the plant
is dipped in it, and a little while after
rinsed in water. A smoking box can be
easily contrived. A dry goods box, large
enough to allow a smoke to be made and
not heat the plants too much, will
answer. Scale of all kinds can be picked
off, and this is the best way to treat the
mealy bug, when there are but few
plants. Those who love plants will find
little difficulty in keeping them clear OF
insects-those who do not, had better
not keep them.
Camellias and azaleas need more water
as they come into bloom, and care must
be taken not to wet the flowers Keep
cool, to prolong the bloom.
Bring a few pots containing bulbs each
week from the cellar, or wherever they
are stored, and give water as they
develop. When the flower buds begin
to push, weak manure water may be
used. If it is desired to save the bulbs
for planting out, the foliage must be
kept growing after the flowers fade.
Dust is one of the great enemies ol
house plants.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
The First Wine.

A Grecian legend is as follows ::
" When Bacchus was boy he iourneyed
through Hellas to go to Naxia, and, as
the way was very long, he grew tired,
and sat down upon a stone to rest. AS
he sat there, with his eyes upon the
ground, he saw little plant spring up
between his feet, and was SO much
pleased with it that he determined to
take it with him and plant it in Naxia.
He took it up and carried it away with
him; but, as the sun was very hot, he
feared it might wither before he reached
his destination. He found a birds
skeleton, into which he thrust it and
went on. But in his hand the plant
sprouted SO fast that it started out of the
bones above and below. This gave him
fresh fear of its whitening, and he cast
about for remedy. He found lions
bone, which was thicker than the birds
skeleton, and he stuck the skeleton, with
the plant in it, into the bone of the lion.
Ere long, however, the plant grew out
of the lions bone likewise. Then he
found the bone of an ass larger still than
that of the lion. So he put the lions
containing the birds skeleton and the
plant, into the ass's bone, and thus he
made his way to Naxia. When about to
set the plant he found that the roots had
entwined themselves around the bird s
skeleton and the lions bone and the ass
bone; and as he could not take it out
without damaging the roots he planted
it as it was, and it came up speedily and
bore, to his great JOY, the most delicious
grapes, from which he made the first
] wine and gave it to men to drink. But
behold miracle When men drank OF
it they first sang like birds; next, after
drinking little more, they became Wig
orous and gallant like ions but when
they drank more still, they began to be-
have like asses.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
NO. 4.
4 Noted Convict.

"Jack" Cantor, an old New York
forger, was sentenced to nine years and
six months solitary confinement in prison
at Philadelphia, for completely in the
fraudulent Central Fire Insurance Com
pany's forgeries of that city. W. ID.
Halfman, the president of the company
who has been actively identified with
the insurance and banking interests of
Philadelphia for several years, was SEN
fenced to seven years and six months
imprisonment for the same Offense. Both
were convicted of raising certificates of
stock to large amounts, to furnish a cap
ital with which to start the company.
The swindle was not unlike that of the
sham Palisades Insurance Company of
Jersey City. President Halfman was
the protector of the conspiracy, and j.
Nicholson Elbert, the secretary of the
company and son of a wealthy Philadel-
phian, employed "Jack Cantor to alter
and raise the securities.
When Elbert was arrested, he con
fessed that the company had been started
with single share of Reading railroad
stock, worth $57. This certificate was
raised to two hundred shares, and loan
of $4,000 was secured on it. Other
genuine certificates of stock worth $57 q
share were bought with this sum, and
they were similarly altered to represent
100000. These raised bonds were then
deposited with the State treasurer as Sc
cUlrity for the capital of their company.
The intention of the officers was to do
all the insurance business they could,
and make all the money they could, and
then fail and effect their escape before
the State authorities scrutinizod the
bonds that they had deposited.
Cantor's name is insoparably connect
ed with Sing Sing prison. He served in
that institution fourteen years, and was
made book-keeper by the warden. His
skill and ability won for him many favors
not shown to other convicts. He was
virtually the head of the prison. He
woI ordinary clothes, and could go in
and out of the prison at pleasure. He
kept span of fast horses in Sing Sing
village, and he was on the streets with
them every afternoon. Gov. Hoffman
sent for him while he was visiting Sing
Sing, and promised him good position
if he would reform. Toward the close
of his term Warden Nelson discovered
the secret of Jack Cantor's prison pros
perity. AS book-keeper he had derived
handsome income from q system of
false bookkeeping, under which he re-
duced many convicts' terms of penal SER
vitude.
Cantor speaks French, German, Eng
lish, Spanish, italian, and other Ian
guages He is fifty-seven years old.
He has been Photographic reporter,
engraver, chemist physician, writer on
scientific subjects, rhymester and photo
grapher.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
The Commerce of 1874.

The New York World III q commercial
review of the past year states that in re-
gard to the exports and imports, the
year had an advantage both ways. The
figures show that the exports of the
United States in 1874 exceeded those
of the previous year by $45, 100000 and
our imports decreased 1858, 100000 which
gave us help of $113, 100000. This
happy result alone, it says, saved the
country from the greatest possible com
mercial disaster. In all our COM
munitics large and small commercial
industries whose foundations were i'm
paired or weak have silently disappeared
and the revulsion has not caused the sup
posed crisis, simply because the decay
has been gradual. 1t is not to be sup
posed that such a year could be expert
enced without even the rich feeling
poorer for time. Values have shrunk
enormously in every branch of business,
and for once the awful truth has drawned
upon the country that even the wealthiest
are not sure of their possessions. The
new year finds us, therefore, poorer than
any previous year since the war; but, at
the same time, it finds us in state which
admits, if not of immediate recuperation,
at least of hope that the great crisis
has passed.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
The Story of a Great Singer.

Emma Abbott, the American priDlG
donna, a Paris correspondent says, is
putting herself through such training as
1 had no conception was necessary to fit
one for the stage, and which, if it does
not kill her, will make her the rival of
any soprano you may happen to think of.
Miss Abbott is certainly deserving of
success. Many romantic stories are told
of her early career, but the true story is
as follows: She is the daughter of
man well known in Milwaukee as the
leader of little band which played at
balls and public places. Abbott organ
lied travelling company, and his
daughter accompanied him. Her sing
ing was fair for a child, but her father
was one of those men to be found in
every locality--carTied away with his
violin, and with no thought beyond. He
was known among the boys as "good
fellow" and there his description must
end.
Emma Abbott, if she possessed no
musical education, certainly had ambi-
ton. She was very poor, and entered a
church choir expecting to make enough
to pay for instruction. 1t was decided,
after o time, that while her voice was
good, she was so totally deficient in
music that she was obliged to leave, and
did so She went to Chicago, and a
fortnight's experience in a church there
resulted the same. Her treatment was
sufficient to discourage any young girl,
but it did not discourage little Emma.
Her acquaintances laughed at her en-
thusiasm, but the girl must have felt an
inspiration in her work. Learning that
Kellogg was to be in Toledo, Ohio, she
went there determined to sec her, and
ask her advice. She had not money to
buy ticket to the opera, but one day
she went boldly to Kelloggs hotel, met
her and told her story. Miss Kellogg,
with her kind heart, gave her ticket for
the evening, and, when the performance
was over, scattered the performers into
the auditorium, and, setting the little
girl on the stage alone, made her sing to
them as she had been accustomed to do.
This trial decided her fate. There were
admiring comments ON her wonderful
voice from all sides, and Strakosch joined
with Miss Kellogg in urging her to go tC
New York for instruction, where they
would be responsible for all necessary
bills. She gladly went, began lessons
with Ernani, soon got paying employ
ment in church choirs, and joined Ply
mouth church, and about the same time
made permanent engagement to sing IL
DR.. Chapin's church. Her improvement
under instructions, was so rapid and he1
voice developed so stoutly, that her new
friends sent her to Europe, and she i;
there now striving and working to the
end that when poor little girl in Mil
wauzee she laid out for herself. 1t il
believed that she will take the place left
vacant by the lamented Parepa-Rosa.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
ss Not SteAdy.O

So Mr.. B. remarked regarding Tom
Grindley, when recommending Mrs. b.
to discourage his visits and to "tell
Louisa that he was not the kind of fell
low he liked to see hanging about her.
Giles not steady" " said he. "I don't
mean that he drinks, or the like; but he
does not keep to thing. He changed
schools again and again. He changed
about in college. He meant to be q
lawyer-now he is in for medicine, and
1 think heard him romancing the other
night about the delight of being an ar
tist, and living in the Yosemite, or in
the polar regions, picking up bits for
great pictures. The fact is, fellows OF
that sort never do more than pick up
bits. They are never thorough. They
can't be relied upon. | wouldn't take
him into my office, and don't want him
in my family-that's all. "
Mr.. b. is quick-witted observer,
and he is generally right. Men who are
to do anything well must stick to it.
Honorary members of all religions, dab
blers in all sciences, devotocs in turn Of
all arts, students in succession for all
the professions, are the least successful
and useful men in life. Gentlemen !
steady |" as the drill-sergeant, says.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23

she surveyed it, very much like st.
Simeon Stylites on his column in the
wilderness.
eff they shouldn't come!" she thought.
But at the same instant welcome
rumbling Of wheels broke the hushed
stiffness of the seldom travelled noun
tain road, and Mrs. Dewsford's strained
eyes caught sight of Mr. Everett's spiri-
ted gray, dashing round the curve of the
hill.
"Well p she cried, CT never was
more thankful for anything in my life
I'm tired to death, waiting"
care you?" said Charles Everett, as
he checked the horse in the middle of
the road.
eyes. Why don't you drive closer 2"
sharply demanded Mrs. Dewsford.
"Oh, did you want to drive home with
us 2"
"Why, of course did I'd have been
home long ago if 1 could have got off
this place"
"Well, ma'am," said Charley, in ac-
cents of the coolest delberation, while
Lizzie chung, frightened and yet smil-
ing, to his side, 81 shall be very happy
to help you off the cliff on one condi-
tion."
Condition ! Charles Everett p ex-
claimed the astonished and indignant
matron; "what do you mean9"
"Simply this, Mrs. Dewsford. L
want to marry your daughter. But Liz
zy, like too dutiful child, will not be-
come my wife without your consent"
(Which she shall never have!" said
Mrs. Dewsford, emphatically.
every well, ma'am Gee up,
Whitley J" and he shook the reins.
You're not going to leave me here 2"
shrieked Mrs. Dewsford, in panic of
terror.
"Unless you comply with my con-
dition, ma'am, most certainly shall"
And that condition is
"Your consent to my marriage with
your daughter %
Elizabeth I" cried Mrs Dewsford,
"will you be witness to this-this afro
cious conduct, and not interfere?"
." Charley won't let me have voice in
the matter, mamma, at all, " said Lizzy,
demurely. "He says he don't believe
in women's rights ''
Mrs. Dewsford gave hollow groan.
Mr.. Everett touched his horse slightly
with the whip.
"Stop ~ cried Mrs. Dewsford. 81
consent-but it is under protest %
f" You can protest all you like" said
Mr.. Everett, driving closer to the rock,
and standing up to assist his mother-in-
law elect into the phaeton.
Silently Mrs. Dewsford entered the
vehicle-silently she rode silently
she crossed the threshold of her house,
as became q conquered party.
"To think" she said, in hollow
voice, as she sat down to dinner, "that
after all my precepts and example, Eliza
beth should end her career by getting
! married !"
" Mamma" said Lizzy, timidly, 81
don't think it's SO very terrible, after
all I"
ITO think" sighed Mrs. Dewsford
paying no attention to her daughters
reply, " that you should meet the fate Of
, any ordinary woman !''
" But mamma, I never had any am
bition to be an extraordinary woman ?
And so was brought to termination
the plots and plans for "model exist
ence which had been formed for Mrs
Dewsford's daughter.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
The Crops of 1874.

The st. Louis Democrat has procured
from J. r. Dodge, the sanitarian of tho
bureau of agriculture, the footings of his
forthcoming statement of the crops of
1874, as follows:
On the 1st of January, 1874, the num-
ber of swine of all ages in the United
States aggregated nearly 1000, 900, as
deduced from returns of county cores
pondents, of which fully 1900, 900 were
in the eight States of the Ohio and Mis-
souri, valleys. In September last returns
were received showing the comparative
numbers and condition of fattening hogs.
A decline from the amount of stock fat
tening in September of the previous year
was reported in every Western State,
amounting to twenty-four per cent In
Kentucky, thirteen in Ohio, eight In
Michigan, seventeen in Indiana, fifteen
in Illinois, fifteen in Iowa, seventeen in
Missouri, and twenty in Kansas lii
these eight States the average decline
from last year being seventeen per cent
Their condition at that date was also low,
the depreciation below fair average be-
ing eleven per cent. The returns were
very full, and these deductions doubtless
represent with reasonable accuracy the
status of swine fattening. In September
last preliminary estimate of crops
makes the principal aggregates as fol
lows: Corn, S12,0OO,OOO bushels !;
wheat, 900, 900, 900 bushels oats, 27O,-
100000 bushels barley, 100000
bushels !; potatoes, los, ,000,O 600 bushels
hay, 25, 100000 tons.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
In the Civil Service.

There are good many funny things
ON the files of the civil service examiners
at Washington. For instance, two candi-
dates for 81, 600 year in the Treasury,
recently said that George Washington
discovered America; another to the
question, "Who were the two noted
Polish generals in the American revolu-
tion2" answered promptly, Cromwell
and Lafayette. A young lady modestly
replied, when asked what clerical expert
ence she had had, every little, as she
joined the church only last week" A
letter came from q widow delightfully."-
original on the points of punctuation and
spelling, asking for two places-one for
herself, one for her daughter. Her hus-
band had been "fag carrier for his
regiment. Sometimes he wore belt
with socket in it, she said, and some
times he didn't. And the times he didn't t
brought on inflammation of the pit of his
stomach, in consequence of which he
died.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
An EmperOr's Goodness.

The popularity of the Emperor of
Russia among the peasants is well known.
His ukase abolishing serfdom, and his
efforts to improve the condition of the
lower classes have endeared him to the
populace, and whenever he appears in
public he is loudly and heartily cheered.
Not unfrequently peasant will kiss the
ground over which the Emperor has
walked, and by many of the people he is
regarded as more than half divinity.
Alexander's devotion to his subjects is
exhibited in special as well as in general
ways. In several instances where he
has seen a pretty peasant girl and adj
mired her face, he asks her name, and
expresses desire to talk with her. She
is sought and told of the honors that
await her, and before her surprise is
over she is brought to the palace and
ushered into the imperial presence. In
his mild. paternal way the Emperor
greets her, and soon convinces her that
she has nothing to fear from her august
sovereign. From time to time, in the
moments that he can snatch from the
perplexities. of official duty, he talks
with her, and learns how his humber
subjects live. When he wearies of her
face he sends for her brother and says,
Your sister has attracted my attention,
and [ take deep interest in her welfare.
[ learn she is about to be married; ]
hope she will have a good husband, and
should like to be informed of the day
of the wedding, so that can SEND her a
handsome present. The brother goes
away delighted, and breaks the welcome
news to Mary JanG. A soon as the
Emperor's proposal is known, she has
plenty of offers from desirable bachelors
who wish to indulge in matrimony. A
candidate is selected from the crowds of
suitors, the wedding is fixed for an early
date, and the Emperor is duly informed.
On the happy day the bride receives a
liberal dowry from her sovereign, accom-
panied by his blessing, and an injunc-
tion to love, honor, and cherish her hus-
band, and be good and faithful wife
and the money that he thus uses in
making these deserving girls happy, and
enabling them to marry well, comes not
from the treasury of the country, but
from the Emperor's private purse. Ii
this way he is constantly using his per
sonal funds for the advancement of his
subjects, and seems never to weary ot
doing good.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
About a Snake, Etc.

Near to Colombo, in India, a snake
seeing parrot in cage, had made its
way to a place where it could make an
attack upon the parrot. A child observ-
ing this, and, not knowing the danger,
grasped the snake by the tail, while the
snake and parrot attacked each other.
Just then an elder sister, observing the
little one in danger, snatched the child
away, and in so doing pulled the snake
out of the cage. At this moment a dog
came up and among them all they dis
patched the snake. The dog, the snake
and the parrot all died from the effects
of the encounter, but neither of the girls
received any injury.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
" The Game Of Hearts,"

We were only playing game of hearts
To beguile the summer hours,
As butterflies idle the livelong day
Killing the sweet-lipped flowers.
tossed my heart at her tiny feet
And she tossed it back to me,
While the smiles that danced in her sunny eyei
We're merry as smiles could be.
But what cared she for my homage light?
And what for her smiles cared 1?
"We are only playing game" we Thought
g 70 forget it by-and-by.' ..tr..
How could we know that those summer days
Were weaving a+web for each
How could we dream the lessons of woe
Those idle hours would teach?
For all too soon with sudden pain
My heart grew weary of play,
And laid itself at her feet once more
Pleading with tears to stay.
And she--ah me but the summer is dead,
And we've are far apart;
Another her promised hand has won,
But hold her breaking heart
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23

Nor VERY GooD.-A life assurance
company of the United States, notwith-
standing its name, evidently likes law
better than equity. 1t appears in the
legal reports that it sold a widows prop
eriy to satisfy mortgage, and bought
the property in at such figure as to
leave the widow still few thousand dol
lars in debt. 1t then sold the property
at an advance Of $4,000, and now has
applied to the court for leave to sue the
widow and children for the small
balance.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23

DoEs Nor LIKE IT.-A resident of
Hudson, N. Y, sought an injunction re-
Gently against daily newspaper of that
place on the ground that by the printing
of the paper in the morning his family
are deprived of sleep, his house is racked
by the working of the press, which he
claims jars the whole building, and other
damages are sustained, The injunction
was refused.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23

The clash in the fashionable world just
now between the girls with pretty feet
who want to wear short dresses and those
with ugly feet who insist upon having
long ones is described by the fashionable
dressmakers as something fearful.
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-03

NorIc- is hereby given that l have been
appointed Agent for the Wilson Sewing Machine
for the State Of Nevada vice +. Hardy removed.
Parties holding leased machines are requested
to pay promptly at the Office l6l c Street. Viz
ginia City. or send to NE through Wells, Fargo
i Cos Express.
noy3-lw M. .. fERAf.
Nor1cE.-All persons having bills against the
Virginia Relief Committee will present the
same Immediately, A. HELM. Secretary,
Jos PILGRR, Of the San Francisco Shirt Fac
tory, will arrive here again to-day to take orders
and measures for first class fitting shirts, en-
quire at the Ov,nsby House, Carson City.
A SUNDAY MAIL TO EMPIRF.-Hon. l.
A. zimmerman, General Superintendent
of the mail service for the Pacific States
and Territories who has been in Virginia
City for some days back trying to fix up
the shattered remains of Deacon Adki-
son and his post office, was at the
Ormsby House last night. We are
happy to state, that his attention having
been called to the fact that the Empire
people were without a Sunday post; as
also that they we're very anxious to have
one, he declared that he would leave
such directions at the Carson and Empire
offices as would insure the transmission,
receipt and delivery OF such mail.
Good.
NEw MUsIc.-Frcm F. W. Helmick,
No. 27S West Sixth street, Cincinnati,
We have copy of two new songs just
issued by him. These are Heaven
Bless Mamma ballad and chorus.
Words BY II. Saloman, music by P.
Arnold de Thier. Price 40 cents; and
"Only in Fun ladies' serio-comic
song With waltz chorus. Words by
Arthur w. French and music by L. s.
Crandall. Address as above.
We HOPE the weather will get bright
again before Thursday, the time set for
the opening Of the new Carson Theater
by tho Jack Dramatic Company. We
can't afford to have the re-OpeniDg OF
the drama dashed with rain storm.
GEoRGB WHITE expected to have tbs
railroad tunnel at Virginia City quite
repaired yesterday. We hope the
weather did not prevent that result.
The RRLIEF CoNx1rrEE want the bills
which are still outstanding sent in. See
Alfred Helms notice.