davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29
On Deck"
DIVER FIXED By A sHAEK.
From the San Francisco l. iger.

"On Deck had led an eyentful life A
sailor in youth, diver in manhood and
"ne'er-do-well" in old age, he saw more
than falls to the lot of most men. lie came
to California IN early times, and was the
hero OF a shark story, remarkable as the
only one having truth for foundation native
to our harbor born. In 1851 James Carton,
a steyedore, while warping the ship GEN
esee to berth off Market street wharf lost
an anchor. "On Deck" was the only diver
except Bill Matthews than known in the
city, and was sent for to recover the anchor
''On Deck complied, and while 50 en-
gagged noticed a shark lowering few feet
above him, evidently observing his move
ments. The fish was ut least eighteen feet
long and was known as the bottle nose, :"
one of the most voracious of the shark kind.
This discovery naturally alarmed the diver.
He had found the anchor, made cable fast
to it and was about ascending when the ap-
pearance of the shark made him pause.
lie had heard that sharks did not molest
men in armor lie doubted this, and did
not feel now like Iisking the experiment.
lie moved few PAGES from the anchor the
shark moved too. lie returned to his form
er place-the shark followed. He was eyi-
IDENTIFY, 10 use his own words, spotted by
the bottle nose for supper" and, unless
signally favored, would fall victim to its
voracity. He hardly knew how to act, when
he thought of the cnttle fish how that
singular creature often escapes its enemies
by darkening the waters with an inky liquor
elected from its body.
He accordingly stirred up the mud at the
bottom till the water was darkened around
him, cast of his weights and signalled the
man to haul up Immediately, but did not
entirely escape. The shark snapped at him
as he ascended, and three of his toes were
taken off A little more and his foot would
have gone, stout boot only saving it. The
happy thought of muddying the water saved
his life
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29
Insurance Elections.


At the annual meeting of the Vermont
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, held at
their Office, at Montpelier, Wednesday. the
following named persons were elected direc-
tors
Addison county Thurman BrOOkin-; Ben
nington county. Z. L Houghton ChitIen
den county, Charles j. Alger Caledonia
county, n. p. Bowman; Essex county. IL
A. Cutting Franklin county. II ii. Ran
som ; Grand Isle county, IL. Z. Hill La
mobile county, W. fl. IL Bingham; Orange
county, l. q. Hinckey Orleans county,
A. j. Dodge: Rutland county,H W. Porter
Windhsm county. Z. W. Wyman ; Wind
sor county, E. C. Watson "ashing-
ton county, j I. Thur>ton, e. Dewey, ,r.P.
Redfeld, Z 5 Camp, Fred E Smith
Ofcers-James I. ThurstOn, President
W ii. IL. Bingham Nice-Presldent; James
L. Sabln, Secretary U. j Vail, Treasurer.
Quite a contest was made over the dIrec-
tor-hip for Rutland county. over fifty per
sons from the county mostly from Rutland,
being present. The vote was. ii. W Porter,
2S John Cain, %.
FARMERS MUTUAL.
At the annual meeting held Wednesday
afternoon, the following were elected dIrec-
tors
Addison county, Charles D. Lane, Corn
wall /; Bennington county. Elias b. Burton,
Manchester Iarrant Sloley, Bennington
Center; Caledonia county, Georges Sn4w,
St. Johnsbury Cbitteuden county, Iorrey
Z. Wales, Burlington Essex county. Ora
mel Crawford, Guildhall Franklin county.
William C. Robe, Franklin Grand lsc
county, Asa Reynolds. East Aburgh; La
mOille county, {. &. Dodge. Cady's Falls
Orange county, John L. Stearns, Bradford
Orleans county. Joseph BItes. ID. Derby
Rutland county, NJ j. Francisco, Rutland
Washington county, Joseph Poland. sam
uel Wells, Carlos Bancroft. Theron U.
Bailey A. C. Brown, p. p. Pitkin. Mont
pelier Windham county. L. j b. Cad
worth. Brattleboro; Windsor county, p.
II. Robbins. Chester.
Othcers-Perley p Pitkin. President
Torrey Z. Wales. Vice-Presdent; Joseph
Poland, Secretary, Samuel Wells, Treas
urer.
UNION NUTeAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
The first annual meeting Of this
company was held at its office IL MOntpe-
lier, Wednesday. and the following
board of directors were elected for
the ensuing year E. B. Campbell. Wind
am county j. c. Parker. Windsor
county; Charles Jones. Orange county
Gates b. Bullard. Caledonia county; E. T.
Cotton. Orleans county E Henry Rowell.
Franklin county; James A. Shedd, Chit
tenden county; James NJ. Slade, Addison
county; II. W Nye. Rutland county; c.
E. Houghton, Bennington county, Rich
ard f. Wait. LamOille county; NJ d.
Gilman, james W. Brock, Samuel Wells,
W. +. Bramsn, A. Z. Brown. T. "
Bailey, Washington county.
President, F. B. Campbell Niec-Presi-
dent, NJ d. Gilman.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

How IT FEELS TO De HANGED.-A Paris
newspaper gives this extract from the notes
of young fellow who tried to commit sui
eide and was cut down before sufocation
was complete. He was delighted to return
to life, and it is noted that would-be suicides
who are rescued from their self-sought fate
rarely renew their attempts to shuttle off this
mortal coil. when | stood on the chair
the mirror on the mantlepiece inyoluntarily
attracted me, and looked at myself as |
fastened the slip-knot around my neck.
Blood flowed to my head. for my face was
very red something took place at the same
time in nv optic nerves, for it seemed to me
that my face suddenly began TO make grim
aces My eyes and nose changed places in
cessantly, like the pieces of kaleidoscope.
| kicked the chair from under me and fell
with the sensation that had been struck on
the top of the head with hammer | did
not at first feel the rope around my neck.
The only very clear impression which fo,
lowed the blow with the hammer on my
skull was that OF great heaviness in the head.
1t seemed to me that my head was larger
and heavier on my shoulders than the great
bell of Notre Dame At the same time
felt an immense night falling in and around
me. Then felt extremely cold at my low
er extremities, and at the same time an acute,
terrible pain in my neck. which was pro-
duced by the rope, which cut my skin and
sawed my veins Then | felt nothing
Evidently this was the moment when ny
good aunt Cecil entered my roum aud cut
me down"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29
The Jolly Old Pedagogue. q.

Twas jolly old pedagogus, long ago,
Tall and slender and sallow and dry
II form was bent and his gate wss slow,
HIS long. thin hair was as white as snow,
But wonderful twinkle shone IN his eve,
Aat hc sang every M ght as he went To bed,
Let Us be happy down here below;
The living should 1--we though the dead be dead
SAID tie Jolly Old peHazosue, long ago.
.Ie taught his scholars the rule Of three.
Writing and reading and history too,
!ie took the little eues upon his knee.
For > Kind old heart in his breast had he,
and the wants Of the littlest child he knew
learn when you're young" he often said,
"Ihercs much to enjoy down here telOw,
li.c far the living and rest for the dead"
said the Jolly old pedagosue, long ago.
!. lla The stupiiest hoy he was kind and cool.
speaking Oniy n genllest tones;
iae rod was hardly known in his school
Whipping, 10 him, was a barbarous rule,
Aud too hard work for his poor old bones,
BESIDES, I was painful, he sometimes said.
We must make life pleasant here below,
fae living need charity more than the dead"
81 he jolly old pedasosue, long ago.
,.e lived n tie house bV the hawthorne lane,
W-th the roses and wOOdbine over the door.
ID room was quiet and neat and plain,
hut spirit Oi comfort there held rel -,
Aud made HIN forget he WAS old and poor.
J n5od So little,' he often said,
Aud ny rleuds and relatives here below
N1lt 4tt -atc over me when am dead
sall the Jolly Old pedssoSue, long ago.
lA-u the jolly old pedagOgue's wrnkled face
Melted all over IN sunshiny smiles;
!4s -tlrred his glsss with an old school grace,
huckled and sipped aud prattled apace,
i.4 tie house grew merry from cellar 10 tiles.
'i 'l1 q pretty old man, he gently said
81 have fingered a long time here below.
iut ny heart is fresh il my youth Is dead"
SOLD Tie jolly old pe1a 90 sue, long a 20.
.ic 10 LeI bis p pe IN the balmy air
rFery night when the snu won't down,
"a.s tle -o-t " nd played in his silyery hair,
Towing -is ten1-rest kisses there
pl the lallt pudazogue's Jolly old crown.
.li -ur--uE the kisses, ho smiled and said
lwI. -ur.Qu5 " 0rld down here below
s ~ wa.: ilr happiness ;lll We are dead ;'
-4.i Rae -'.-T old pedaso.uc. long aga.
lle --t % las uuuT o4C midsummer light
Alt, the sun had sunk in tbs west,
Au4 tho lingering beams of golden light
-'aac h.s kindly old lace look warm and hri BIT,
hA .- t.e ulorous MI ght " ind whispered iest.
a-iii 3, -,utly. be bowed his head
lr-.c were angels waiting for him, / kn0r
hs sif sure ul his happiness. living VI dead,
lL 1l.ly old g0gue, long ago.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

TnAr SSEAKING MR. JAsKrss.-"Can
yesterday as she entered the Office the Chief
Of Police
"Yes'm"
Can my family-my innocent children
also he protected ?n she demanded, striking
the floor with her umbrella.
"Yes'm
IF there is any law | want it, she went
on dropping into a big armchair. III
there isn't propose to take n club 10 him.
My dear woman, the world Is full OF sor-
row, said the captain, as he looked up from
his writing leach one of US has his own
separate and distinct grief to grie7e over
Tell me yours"
do you know Jaskins? ?" she asked.
"Jaskins? Jaskins? Seems as i'll had
heard the name some time 80
MAN with limp-one eve gone-red
neek-sandy hair-got a skulking, sneak
ing way with him" she said.
And he has stolen your poultry, Ell ?
Poultry Nav It's worse than poultry
its next to arson or murder ="
Go on, madam-go into the particulars
Nv ell, he boards next to me. I'm a wild
ow. Been alone these fourteen wears and,
if | do say it myself, I've always had the
respectabest kind of a name. I've a daugh-
ter, Jane. She's seventeen She's good
girl"
"Yes. madam"
And that sneaking, skulkiug Jaskins is
after her - she exclaimed.
Possible 90
He Just is Wa after me first For
weeks and weeks he'd hang around our gate
and smile at me and inquire if | wasn't lone
some, and send mp Strawberries, and look
his lovingest out Of that one eye. So
"And then ?''
And then, when he found / would t
marry him to save his neck, and he couldn't
get my property to run through with, what
dye pose he done?''
"Cut his throat?'
Nav He turned right round and went
to loving Jane He has sent notes to her in
those long, pink envelopes; he has sent her
bouquets and eocoanuts, and perfume and
cherries, and he's skulkin' around yet. I've
talked and talked, but it don't do no good.
If fsunthin' amt done believe Jane'll mar
~ him ~
"llow does she act ?''
"She'sa GRIMM around, and looking
soft and loyin-like, and she won't mind
half | say, and is gettin' notes and writin
answers, and-and"-
And she broke down. She wiped her eyes,
softly rubbed her nose, and after time
jumped up and demanded
As there any law?''
Lots of law-dead loads, madam
"And you'll put the law to him?''
81 will, madam. I'll make this town a
volcano for him before he's a week older -
"And you'll break up the match?'
Either that or break his back -
''Good The police are worth sunthin'
after all If you say you'll wait on him and
tell him he's got to back right down or 60
to Jail, III chain Jane to the table-leg and
sit by her for four weeks, but what III make
her forget him"
an do it. madam -
think of my Jane marrying man with
one eye And red neck And limp
0-h-h when think of that skulkin' JAS
kins sneakin' around my innocent Jane TO
make her his wife could tear this house
down.
She sat down and they fixed up plan,
and Mr.. Jaskins had better leave for the
West this very dsy.-DetrOt Free Press.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

] met my love n the Summer
The breeze blow from the south.
sweet y th ihe breath uf the clover,
ssei hsr Lite mouth
But | told nv pct a. plainly,
As ! -ave her hand a squeeze
Ve lots %. love i'r you. darling,
But not much bread and cneese "
But then she showed her iimples
The blue eyes seemed 10 shine
Her head was On my shoulder;
The little lips sought mine.
Sle said. Il an uej hungry,
And summer time IS here.
Who cares ior bread aud cheese, love,
waui the kIsses. dea-"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

Rare and dainty stocking are worn to cor
respond to other costly details of the toilet
Black silk stockings are worn which are
covered with flowers embroidered in the
brightest of silks. Cream-color stockings
have soles and side pointed cores of crimson !;
pale blue with rose celor. black with scarlet.
This latter style has small polka spots en-
broidered with flowers following the pat
tern. Pale blue silk stockings have the feet
and extending above the ankle covered with
deep blue. Similar styles are worn having
q Hesh-col0r and faint blue. pink and white,
amber and white. all exquisi.ely embroider-
ed with foss.-Neap York Tribune
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

a. JOHN q. WHITTIER.
.... Lining IS an attempt Il versiay lIterar
..a -.- ..- U. poem 10y tie uiud0J writer, T
i -t.--l Wtu lived. * ls supposed, in the thil
.tu-, ,f gag era lie was remarkable for b
Reed ft tut4try and caste. and for his almO
.riau U...t-s n ~ u. God and human duty
i-lu gives what others may not see.
Nu- cInut, uu .dyur, tame or praise,
:t4Ll Lad iis smallest gift outsei sAs
iIa tGtlcu u- The IA shty sea.
-a. as O. whom hath nlu sht been given,
H-- .s-t iu need though small indeed
z- loo the -rass-blsde's wlnd-bl0Wn seed.
i. large a. earth and rich a. heaven
forget Oh % uYt, . nan o. whom
-- lal- l8Il, while yet on eArIA.
cd, even o. Ills scyen-tJ'd birth.
B. +le ., la tls lives o. come
H.". h-s.ig- keeps wrong "a thought
Us much. rut greater sin is his
h YH, te1 3ld clothed with kindness,
Lal- c.lut thr holy aims as naught
tr iH who breaks an laws may siill
lu swans mcrcy Dee forgiven
lu- .ue can save a earth ur heaven
t-s Nszicl who answers good with il
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

A romance of Cape Cod She was a
fsherman's widow. His smack had gone
down in darkness and tempest and so had he
Morning, noon, and night, she paced the
beach for some memepto OF him She saw
the shining sands fur away. She watched
the see-birds come and 90. She heard the
legend of the waves, and that was all. And
yet it wasn't. One golden eve, with heav-
ing breast and starting eye-balls. she espied
a bottle dancing toward her on the pillows.
1t came within her reach. She clutched it
eagerly, chewed out the cork, put the muz-
zle to her mouth, found not a drop OF whis-
key in it, and dropped it like lifeless lump
upon the shore And so they found her,
working the sand with her toes. Finis.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29
Address to q WIFE.

THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY WAS in tbs ssr,v pav<
y sne present century a successful song writer HI
,veins ,y we're Greatly esteemed. Destined for ths
,nuIcn, &c studied for some time at Oxford. bat
,,.. gaine :" depend chiefly on literature for
uppolt- HIS attur years were marked hy mIsfor.
unes under the pressure OF which he Addressed ths
DiiOwins bcautitIi verses 10 his wife
vh hsdsts sthou never shared my fate.
More dark that fate would proys
hy heart were truly desolate
without thy soothing love.
But thou hast suffered for my sake.
While this relief found
Like fearless lips that strive TO take
The poison from a wound.
NV fond affection thou hast seen.
Then judge OF my regret,
10 think more happy thou hadst been
II we had never met
And has that thou sht been shared by thee
All, no! that smiling cheek
fIoves more unchan.ing love for me
Ihan labored words could speak.
But there are true hearts which the sight
OF sorrow summons ferth;
though known in days OF past delight,
We know not half their worth.
How unlike some who have professed
So much IN FriendshD's name,
Yet calmly pause TO see how best
They may evade her claim.
But ali from them to thee turn,
They'd make me loath mankind
Far better lessons may learn
From thy more holy mind.
The love that gives a charm to home
feel they cannot take.
Wen pray for happier years u come
Fox one an0thsr's sake.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

\ TRACICAL EXECUTION Galveston
-NelcS contains details Of the hanging of Mel
son Mitchell for the murder ot two men
namedj jrruitt, in Hood county, and the death
of JEFF Mitchell, who was trying to convey
poison to his father in Jail. Although every
effort was made To secure the Communication
of the sentence, Governor Coke was firm in
his refusal, and on Friday last the officers
proceeded To put the sentence into execution.
Mitchell, who is man of eighty years of
age, made several attempts to commit sui
eide Wednesday night by hanging himself
with cham he had wrenched from the door,
but his heart failed him. He spent the
night in carsing the Sheriff and officers, aud
on Thursday night guard was placed in his
cell TO prevent self-destruction. On Thurs
day night the guard about the Jail discovered
an armed man crawling toward the Jail, and
not knowing how many others there might
be, fired. In the morning the liteless body
OF JEFF Mitchell, youngest son Of the doomed
man, aged abont twenty-one, was found on
the ground, the whole top of his head blown
off. lie was armed with double-barrelled
gun and had brace Of Colt 5 reyolyers buck
led around him. and all heavily loaded. In
his pocket was found large vial of lauda-
mum, wrapped with rags, which he was
evidently conveying to his father. The old
man asked that the body be brought into
the jail, that he might see his son. and was
much affected. Near by, his horse was hitch
ed, his hat and shoes tied to the saddle. The
execution was attended by 5000 people. A
little after O'Clock the wagon containing
the doomed man, seated on his coffin, pro-
ceeded to the gallows the rope was tied and
the execution gone through with
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29
Too Late

tlare g. q. c-y 10 the bitter earth
b ttcr go tL- .us which strives 10 vain
O.. pierce grave IS tn its remOrse and pain:
.u-Ir .le- AZ last know thy precious worth
Nas uglu brought o. my love it travail birth
fLe itr A1r zln 0l the lOnl est plain
] s.-A. t-i .lutless tu.tnI- -ht on the main,
lrl s..r.rss nJ.llly the desert 5 dearth,
It. call tly name. ! know thou liyest. Wait,
Do 80 .te -1r Gods sake walt one moment near
! haaW t-aa lay =r me still. II canno, be
l.4 lllr ! 2 Ilc 90 speak and thee 10 hear 20
MAJ q sound. ua token Wereth NE.
. N.-Hr'tas coilJs ~ Iny wOrds-"To0 late -
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

By WILLIAM ELLKRY CHASSiNG.
Darkness now hath overspacsd
Lies swift dance, and curtainet awe
teebiy Lifts a sullen eve.
Wunted in this marble war.
lis lips are still that sweetly spoke,
Silent space the charm hath broke.
For him mourn not. parents dear
Measures largest h has taken,
Nov he threads the suns dominion.
Our low pastime all iorsaken.
And his eyes have purer sght
From that calm, reelected light.
Let your Woes Dissolve N peace.
For he leads great company.
And he seeks " IL famous men
Stateller lines ui ancestry,
He might shame the bravest one,
In his garments Of tie Sun.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

Coop SmKKP.-The flock Of R. G. Hill. /.
of Elmore, is home again, bringing not only
their tails behind 'cm, but one hundred and
ninety seven dollars in premiums. These
sheep have beeu exhibited at four fairs this
Fall, and the ewner has been beaten on two
entries only, though judges are generally
supposed to give home aocks the preference. :.
Mr. Hill has put his sheep in their present
condition with no other feed than grass, and
he saws with no more care than any farmer
should give his flock" Vermont, with her
splendid pastures-grounis. ought 70 Do just
what she has been doing this year-and
that Is, take the lead Of the country 10 Aocks
and herds.-Freeman.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

The RIFLE MArcH.-SEcOSD DAY.-The
second days rifle match under the auspices
OF the Burlington Rifle Club commenced at
10 O'Clock. Thursday morning. for purse
of S5O-$25 to first. $l2 to second, s. to
third and S. to fourth. The conditions
were Distance. 200 yards position stand
ing and off the shoulder; target, new VIM
bledon. The result was a. follows:
First Prize-J. ID. Wilkinson Platts-
burgh. Is.
Second and Third Prizes-Divided between
g. c. Wilkinson and j. L. Purple. Reese
VILE, II each.
Fourth Prize-Diviied between Gen. Geo.
P. Foster, Burlington, and s. A Tattie,
Vsrgepnes, Is each.
A subscription or consolation match came
of in the afternoon and resulted as follows;
Number Of competitors. II; number OF ofsight-
ing shots, Q; number Of scoring shots, D I;
distance. 500 yards position. any without
artificial rest; entrance fec, g.. $l2 to hrst;
xs to second IS to third. n: q. Board.
man. of Milton. and g. q. Wilkinson. OF
Kssssville, tied at 81 points and took lss
and ID prizes. G. B. Babcock. Of Burling-
ton, scorsd 10 points and took Sd prize
This sssminstsd ths match, which was
srend suoosss shroughout The members oil
the Burlit gton Rias Club are to be con-
srstulatsd on the result.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

The term " grass widow" is corruption
of the term - grace widow" applied to wo-
men who had obtained divorces in times
when divorces were infrequent and granted
wholly by the Catholic Church. In the de-
cree the woman was always styled - Vducd
de qratia" or d" widow Of grace"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-29

BETTER THAN NoTHISG - \ good old
Methodist lady, very particular and very
pious, once kept boarding house in Bos
ton S,aneh to her principles, she would
take 10 one to board who did not hold to
the eternal punishment Of large portion OF
the race. But the people were more intent
on carnal comforts than spiritual health, SO
that in time her house became empty, much
to her grief and alarm
After some time, bluff old sea captain
knocked at the door, and the old lady anwer
ed the call
"Seryant, ma am. Can YOU give me
board for two or three days? Got my ship
here, and shall be off soon as load
"Wa-al, don t know" said the old lady
"Oh, house full, eh p
mo, but -"
But what, ma 'am?"
Il don't take any unclean or carnal peo-
pie in my house. What do -you believe ?''
About what ~
"Why, do YOU believe that any one will
be condemned ?''
"Oh. thunder yes"
"Do YOU? ?' said the good woman brighten
ing up. well, how many souls do you
think will be in fire eternally?'
Don't know, ma am, really-neyer cal
culated that
"Can't you guess p
Cant say-perhaps fifty THOUSAND
"Wa'al, hem." mused the good woman
Il guess III take you; fifty thousand is
better than nothing"