davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
IL l Had Leisure.

"lf had leisure, would repair that
weak place in my fence" said a farmer.
lie had none, however, and while drinking
cider with a neighbor, the cows broke in
and injured a prime piece Of corn. lie had
leisure then 10 repair his fence, but it did
not bring back his corn.
If | had leisure" said a wheelwright.
last winter, 81 would alter my stoye-pipe,
for know it is not safe" But he did not
find time, and when his shop caught fire, and
burned down, he found leisure to build an
other.
"lf | had leisure" said a mechanic {" |
should have my work done in season." The
man thinks his time has been all occupied,
but he was not at work till after sunrise; he
quit work at five o'clock, smoked cigar af.
ter dinner, and spent two hours on the street
talking nonsense with an idler.
"lf ! had leisure" said merchant 81
would pay more attention to accounts
The chance is, my friend il you had leisure
you would pay less attention 10 the matter
than you do now. The thing lacking with
hundreds of farmers who till the soil is
not more leisure, but more resolution-the
spirit to do--to do now. If the farmer who
sees the fence In poor condition would
only act at once, how much might be saved
II would prevent breechy cattle creating
quarrels among neighbors, that in many
cases terminate in lawsuits, which take
nearly all they are both worth to pay In,
lawyers.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
A Genuine Woman.

\ woman writes in the Boston GioJe
"One day ON the trip up when reading q
magazine my attention was attracted by the
glitter of gold bracelet. which, look where
| would, flashed before my eyes, and further
scrutiny revealed the fact that the Young
lady who wore it was particularly anxious
that | should be attracted by it, and to fur.
ther her design began cutting the leaves of
her magazine with silver frnit-knife. For
the purpose Of showing her that | was not
particularly dazzled, in fact that there was
another such IN the world, took out a gold
pencil from my pocket and marked passage
in my book, for my bracelet was equal to
hers. Observing that fact she drew off her
left glove and carefully arranged her veil.
that ! might not fail 10 sec the heavily
chased ring which encircled her finger /
could 20 her one better here So taking off
my glove, | drew down the blind, flashing a
rare topaz and a solitaire diamond before
her appreciative eyes. She saw. and quickly
pulling off her other glove displayed a splen-
did cluster diamond and a gigantic anne
thyst | was slightly nonpussed, but. as she
wore no earrings, felt that after all was
even with her. At that instant she drew an
elegant little watch from her belt. which
she studied attentively, two whole minutes.
holding it up in full view, then turned to me
as if TO say, Wen, 90 on. had done my
best, and could not answer the challenge,
but thought moumfnly Of nv poor little
locket in a drawer at home with one side all
jammed in. When at last the aggrayatine
creature took a jewecase from her satchel
and held up lovely coral set, turning it
this way and that 10 exhibit all its beauties.
furtirely glancing at me to bo sure that OBJ
served, was utterly vanquished, completely
routed, and so much absorbed in my book
that did not see thing"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

The husband was quick Of temper and
often ineonsiderate. They had been mar
ried not yet year when, one day in a III Of
hasty wrath, he said to his wife
Z" want no correction from you. If yol
are not satisfied with my conduct, you can re
turn to your own home whence took yol
and find happiness with your kind"
"lf leave YOU" returned the unhapp,
wife, "will you give me back that which i
brought to you z"
Every dollar. covet not your wealth
You shall have it back"
"Ahl" she answered, 81 mean not th,
wealth of gold | thought not of dress.
meant my maiden heart-my first and only
love-my buoyant hopes, and the promised
blessing of my womanhood Can you Civ,
these back to me 2"
A moment of thought-of conyulsion-
and then, taking her to his arms
No, no, my wife, | connot do that, but
will do more, | will keep them hencefortl
unsullied and unpained. | will cherish YOU
blessing as my own and never again, Goo
helping me- will forget the pledge ! CAV,
at the holy altar when you gave your peac,
aud happiness into my keeping"
How true it is that "a soft answer turn
eth away wrath !" and how many oh, how
many, of the bitter strifes of domestic lif,
might be avoided by remembering and act
ing in accordance Herewith.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

"A company OF hunters caught number
OF monkeys in the forests of Brazil in the
following amusing way They had lot of
little boots made, just large enough to be
drawn easily over monkeys foot. and filed
the bottom with pitch. With these they set
out Tor the woods, and soon found them
selves under the trees where the lively little
fellows were leaping about among the
branches hanging by their tails, swinging
themselves easily from one tree TO another.
and chattering noisily together, as if making
observations upon the strange visitors that
had come into their quarters. The hunters
were too wise to attempt to catch them by
climbing the trees; they might as well have
expected to snatch a flying bird as to Law
hands upon one of these nimble little fellows
lhey had an easier way than this, and one
much more effectual. They simply sat down
under the trees, where the little chatterboxes
were rattling on over their heads. but never
for moment removing their ewes from them.
Then they placed the little boots where thew
could be seen, and commenced taking of
their own boots. Having done this. they let
them stand awhile near the little boots. All
tins the monkeys very carefully noticed.
Inc hunters, now taking up their own boots,
having carefully looked over them, drew them
slowly, one after the other, upon their feet.
Not motion escaped the observation of the
monkeys. Having replaced their boots, they
hurried away to the thicket of underground
not far off, where they were hidden from the
sight of the monkeys, but where they could
see everything that happened under the trees.
They left the small boots all standing in n
row. They were no sooner out of sight than
down from the branches dropped the mon
keys. They looked at the boots, took them
up, smelt them, and finally, seating them
selves as the hunters had done, drew them ON
over their feet. As soon as they were fairly
in their boots, out sprang the hunters from
their hiding-place and rushed among them.
The monkeys, affrighted, at once started for
the trees, but only to find that they had des-
troyed their power of climbing by putting
on the boots. So they fell an easy prev to
their cunning enemies"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
What A Clean Apron Did.

Tidy neatness in girls is an attraction quite
equal to pretty face; and it is a better re-
commendation, because safer evidence of
good qualities of character Incidents like
the following are abundant to prove this:
A lady wanted trusty little maid to HELM
her take charge of baby. Nobody could
recommend one, and she hardly knew where
to look for the right kind OF a girl. One day
she was passing by-lane, and saw little
girl with clean apron holding a baby in the
doorway of small house.
"That is the maid for me-" said the lady.
She stopped and asked the girl for her mother.
Mother has gone out to work." was the
reply Father is dead, and now mother has
to do everything"
"Should you like to come and live with
me 2" asked the lady.
should like to help mother somehow"
The lady, more pleased than ever with the
tidy looks of the girl, called to see her
mother and the end Of il was, she took the
maid to live with her, and found-what in
deed she expected to find-that the neat ap-
pearance Of her person showed the neat and
orderly bent Of her mind. She had no care
less habits, sho was no friend TO dirt but
everything she had 10 do with was folded up
and put away, and kept carefully. The lady
finds great comfort in her, and helps her
mother, whose lot is not now SO hard as il
was. She smiles when she says, I" Sally's re
commendatlon was her clean apron"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
Educating the Conscience.

A conscience is TO its owner what com
pass is to an ocean steamer. Some Chris
tains' moral compasses are so constantly de-
flected by the presence of disturbing elements
in the heart that they "steer wild aud Of
ten run on the rocks. A conscience that does
not point squarely and unvaryingly toward
the pole-star of Gods truth is a dangerous
one to steer life by. Bible study is necessary
to keep our consciences well adjusted. A
careful man often sets bis watch BY the sun.
A careful Christian will be constantly set
ting his conscience by the Bible Then he
can go by it without any fear of going astray.
Paul makes much--but not too mueh-of
having a good conscience" The character
istics of a good conscience are quick discern
ment of sin even when it wears white raj
ment, and loud voice TO warn its possessor
when sin is getting too near The Office of
the conscience is to detect sin, and to sound
the alarm-bell; then it becomes the duty of the
will to seize the helm, and steer clear of dan
ger.-ReU. T. L. Cuyier
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

lie who loyeth Ayeth. runneth, and is glad !;
he is free, and not lindered. lie giveth all
things for all things, and hath all things in
all things, because he resteth in One who is
high above all, from whom every good flow
eth and proceedeth. lie looketh not for
gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above
all good things Love oftentimes knoweth
no measure, but breaketh out above all
measure love feeleth no burden, reckoneth
not labors, striyeth after more than it is able
to do, pleadeth not impossibility, because it
judgeth all things which are lawful for it to
be possible. Love is swift, sincere.
pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faith
ful, prudent, long-suffering manly, and never
seeking her own; for wheresoever a man
seeketh his own, there he falleth from love.
Love is circumspect, humble, and upright !,
not weak nor tickle not intent on vain things (;
sober, chaste, steadfast, quiet, and guarded
in all the senses. Love is subject and obe-
dent 10 all that are in authority, vile and
lowly in its own sight, deyout and grateful
toward God, faithful and always trusting in
Him, even when God hideth His face, for
without sorrow we cannot live in loye.-"De
Imiati0ne Christi"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
Che Donr Circle.
HAUNTED HOUSES.

VI ANhNNhAluMs
All houses wherein men have lived and died
Afe haunted houses Through the open doors
~, ~, uafmlc-s phantoms ON theirornnds glide
WIN rect thai make no sound upon the floors.
We meet them at the doorway ON the stair.
Al9hg the passages they come and go,
lmpalpahlc impressions on the air.
sense Of something moving 10 aud no
There are moro guests at table than the host
Invited the illuminated hall
Is ihronged with quiet noifcnsiyo ghosts,
AS silent as the pictures on the wall
The stranger at my freside can not see
he forms see, nor hear the sounds hear
lie put pcrcciycs what is, while unto me
All that has been is visible and clear
We have no ttlo-dccds to house or lands.
owners and occupants of earlier date.
IRON graves forgotten stretch their dusty hands
ANA hold 100 mortuain still their old estates
Tie sprit-word around this world Of sense
Floats llhc nn atmosphere and everywhere
warts through these earthly mists and ,apor. deus,
vital breath Of more ethereal air.
our litilc lives are kept Ia cqupoisc
hN opposite attractions and desires
lht struggle Of the instinct that enjoys
AMI the more noble in~tiuc, & at a.pnet
These pcrtmbatious, this perpetual Jar
VI clrthly wants and aspirations high,
Tome FROM the influence Of an unseen star.
An undiscovered planet boz our sky
And as the moon from some dark gate Of cloud
Throws o er the sea a floating bridge Of light.
A,foss whose trembling plank, our iancies crowd
into the realm Of mystery and night
So FROM the world Of spirits there descend.
\ bridge Of light connecting 10 with this.
o er whose unsteady floor that .ways and bends.
Wander our thoughts above the dark ahvss
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

When cloud of mercy breaks over city,
and hundreds and thousands are saved. as
in Glasgow and Belfast, the man who does
not acknowledge the especial presence of
God must be a stupid migrate But there
are places where there needs delicate watch
ing Of symptoms in order 10 discover the gra-
cious working. There are two or three un-
failing tests.
When God is unusually present. tits man
ifest In the praying circles. The dullest
thing ON earth is a duh prayer meeting
long prayers, long exhortatiohs, long chap
ters, long hymns. ! notice that men are pro-
tracted in their prayers just in proportion as
their hearts are cold, and they have really
nothing TO say. What our public prayers
most need is 10 be cut off at both ends and
set on fire in the middle When the church
is full Of GOODNESS, three prayers will take up
the whole meeting but when the Spirit Of
God nightly appears, you can have fifteen
prayers and fifteen eXh0rtatiOns IN Am hour
and half and not be crowded
When Gods Spirit is unusually present, it
Is seen in the Sabbath congregations. There
may be no larger audience; but there is
tenderness Of feeling all through the house
1t is as much as to say. b" am bereaved; give
me some comfort. / am awfully tempted
help me OUT And the minister of Christ,
instead Of addressing the people in per-
functory way, and talking because he is ex-
pected 20 talk speaks "a, a brother addresses
a brother in some time of peril and anxiety.
Oh, what a scene "a congregation buoded
over by the Spirit Penitents weeping
backsliders bowing the head imploring re-
coyery hearers pale with emotion; deep Sic
lence broken only by sigh and sob. and out
cry Of anxiety the spirit calling the devil
Christ inviting; Sinai beating
with all its thunders Calvary proclaming
its love; angels Of light contending for the |
souls redemption spirits of darkness fight |
ing for its oyerthrow.-T. De IVW 7dimGge |
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
Night in the Moon.

At last, however, night sets i'm. Gratefully
| 1t comes after the sun has gathered up his
smiling beams and gone down TO his rest.
All at once we are plunged into comparative
obscuuty, for again there is no twilight TO
stay the steps departing day. At one stride
comes the dark. But looking mp into the
sky, We behold a vast orb, which pours down
a miller and more benefcent splondor than
the great lord of the system. 1t is such a
moon as we terrestrials cannot boast for it is
not less than thirteen times as large and lu-
minous as our own. There it hangs in the
tirmament, without apparent change of place
as If fixed in its everlasting seat" But
not without change of surface For this
great globe is painted panorama, and turn
ing round majestically on its axis. presents
ITS oceans and continents in grand succession.
As Europe and Africa, locking the Mediter-
anean IN their embrace, roll away to the
right, the stormy Atlantic offers its waters
to view, and then the two Americas. with
their huge forests and vast prairies pass un-
der inspection. Then the grand basin Of
of the Pacific, lit up with island fires. meets
the ga2er's eye, and as this glides over the
scene, the eastern rim of Asia and the upper
portion Of Australia sail into sight The
Indian Ocean, and afterwards the Arabian
Sea, spread themselves out in their subdued
splendor. and thus, in four and twenty hours,
the great rotundity we tread" turns its
pictured c0untenance to the moon and
grandly repays the listening luuarians by re-
peating TO the best of its ability, the story
of its birth, Nor is the sky less marvellous
in another respect. For the absence of any
atmospheric diffusion permits the constella-
tions to shine out with distinctness which
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

THE COMMON Lor.-We are prone to i'm
agine that our temptations are peculiar
that other hearts are free from secret bur
dens that oppress our energies and cast a
cloud upon our joy; that life has for others
freer movement and less embarrassed
way. But the more we know of what passes
in the mind of others, the more our friends
disclose to us their secret consciousness, the
more do we learn that no man is peculiar in
his moral experience-that beneath the
smoothest surface of outward life lie deep
cares of the heart-and that, If we fall I'M
der our burdens, we fall beneath the tempta-
tions that are common to man, the existence
of which Others as little suspect in US as we
do in them. We have but the trials that are
incident to humanity-there is nothing pc
culiar in our case-and we must take up
our burdens in faith of heart that, II we are
earnest, and triile not with temptation, God
will support us, as, in the past fidelity of His
providence, he has supported Others as heay-
lily laden as ourselves.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
for he ponna.


ny MARY y. PRESCOTT.
Sweet wind, fair wind, where have you been?
" I've been sweeping the cobwehs ont Of the sky
We been grinding the grist in the mill hard by
I've been laughing at work, while others sigh
Let those laugh who win"
Sweet rain, soft rain, what are you doing2
" I'm urging the corn 10 fll ont IT, cells
m helping the lily 10 fashion its bells,
I'm swelling the torrent and brimming tho wells
Is that worth pursuing?'
Redbfeast, redbreast, what have you done7
i've been watching the nest whore my hedging
lie.
W sung them 10 sleep with lullaby;
By aud by shall teach them 70 hy,
Up and away, every oneH
lIoney-bce honey-bee, where are Won roinrp
y, To iill my basket with precious pef;
To toll for my ncighbor as well a. myself.
To find out the sweetest flower that grows
BE II thistle, OF be Il a rose
A secret worth the knowing
Zach content with the work 10 be done.
Ever the same from sun TO sun:
shall you and be taught to work
by the bee and the bird that soorn 10 shirkq
Wind and rain fulfilling his word
lell me was ever a legend heard
Where the wind, commanded To blow. deferred.
or the rain, that was hidden to fall dcmurred?
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
His Experience.

"No, sir, never regretted marrying Mol
lie here She's been the making OF me.
was an idle dog when met her, and thought
nothing but spending my money at saloons
just as fast as | earned It, She was only a
poor seamstress, that was industrious, honest,
and frugal in habits for she'd had hard
row to hoe, poor girl Well, for her sake |
grew saving and careful, and soon had lit
tie money in the bank. Finally we were
married and after furnishing two rooms had
just a hundred dollars left. 1t was not
much, but it was our own. That was four.
teen months back. Now We have this little
house We have carpets on the floor of two
rooms, nine pictures on the walls and nearly
fifty books in that case of shelves up there
which ! made Our house is small, but
there is no envy; no fear of the future,
fault.fnding or selhshness in 1t, We have
nearly hundred dollars saved, besides
these things in the house Our rent is
paid for the entire year till next spring,
We 60 to church regularly, attend concerts
and lectures aud amusements when the price
is not too high. Sometimes the prices are
so high we cannot afford TO go. Then we
stay at home, read to each other, have visi.
tors, or 90 out a little while to visit few
friends close by. ] haven't been in saloon
since was married, sir, and will never enter
one again. had rather these books, pic.
lures, carpets, and that organ should be in
our house than in the house of the man
who makes his saloon attractive so as to
entice men there 10 spend their earnings
We find that this life is as we make it. W.
are helping each other and the more we dc
for each other, the better we love each other
and thus my wife is leading me to heaven
And from the bottom Of my heart, wish
that all young men who are now travelling
the road travelled two years ago, would fol
low my example, for, sir, they would never
regret IT,"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
Moral pd Reiiaions.
Tof the Watohmaf
STANDING AT TuE DOOR.

"Ah, yes, hear you knocking, but have no room
10 spare;
10, I will come and tell YOU when have vacant
chair"
Indeed, hear You calling and lain would let
You In,
But am very busy now--soy you must come again.
H.
" have music, mifth and dancing. I've wealth
aud much good vine
And II open unto you, what profit shall find?
Good Friend, am so wicked. Icaunot let you In
Go, find worthicr host than Ia home more free
from sin.
" Hush hush, my heart, the voice was low, a
traveller Is about
lfits decrecd he should come in fatcvill not keep
him out
NL
My home is poor, uo vacant chair lm fun OF
care and SIM
II you can sup with sucl a. come in, Good Friend
come in.'
vi.
Tie fire shines brightly on the hearth love truth
and peace st hy,
lor every need is soon supplied and can sou tell
me why?
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

$4,000. COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, nper cent
school District Bonds. Coupons payable January l. Il
New York, or at our office $500 each, also other
eight and ten per cent Municipal securities These repre-
sei the rsi claim the entire property and the combined
wealth OF cities towns counties and school districts; wei
selected no loss security absolute bought aud sold bl
GEORGE WM. BALLOr, Banker, Y Devonshle Street
boston. Write for particulars. 6l-79
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
A tRLINGToN moUsE.

Corner Causeway and Canal streets, Boston.
Entirely new and furnished with all moteru improve
lnens Clerks in attendance at all hours It's
The Lowell Eastern, fchburg and Boston & Maine rail-
road depos Offers special advantages those arriving nie
night taking early morning trains board. g 50 day
5. n. DUMAS, proprietor.
Late Of phmnN Hotel Concord y. H., and proprietor
Bears Head Hotel Hampton Beach 6l-73
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

Agents wanted An classes II working people Of both
sexes young and Old make more money al work for
than any thing else We offer employment that will
pay handsomely for every hours work ful particulars.
terms &c. sent free send yonr adress once. bonn
delay, Now the time Doni look FOR work or business
elsewhere until you have learned what offer.
Ella g. srINsON co, Portland, Me-
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24
[1AnM roR SALEM ADDISON COUNTY

i contains twohundred acres located In Ferrisburgh
bst Agricultural township IN said county two ailes
o the city Of Nergennes and railroad station, convenient to
schools and churches and In good neghborhood. II Is
good grazing farm under good state OF cultyatoni has
variety Of soil, good wood lot and timber; Is we'll
Maiered and upon the premises houses three harms
ad young orchard Just coming into bearing Price low
for particulars, address
ba6s D. ". BARNES Vereennes VI
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-24

THE TREASURE HUNTERS, by George Manville
Fem, is a somewhat overdrawn sketch OF Califor-
nian life and manners, as viewed by party Of
English adventures, who had left their old home
to retrieve broken fortune In the search for
wealth they are, OF course, most miraculously re-
warded, and hair breadth escapes from danger are
numerous in the extreme. Altogether. the story
is very well written, and entertaining New York !;
Harper Brothers, and for sale at Phinney's.