davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
How Bessie Fardham Saved her Father.

81 can do no more, said Mrs F0rdham
to one OF her friends, have done all that
a wife can do to save her husband, aud after
sixteen years of toll he is nothing better,
but rather worse" The sob with which she
ended her sad tale told of the agony she felt.
Her daughter Bessie, loving girl of twelve,
listened 10 her mothers tale of sorrow, and
as she saw her anguish seemed TO hear
again the text she had learned on the pre-
vious Sunday, Call upon me in the day of
trouble and | will deliver thee" and as the
words passed before her mind they seemed
TO be spoken directly TO her, and with the
simple faith of childhood, she at once re-
ceived them, and determined to try if
prayer could not do what toll and tears had
failed to accomplish.
Mr.. Fordham was a man universally be-
loved. lie occupied a good position in
society and his intelligence aud generosity
made him a general favorite. He had twice
been mayor of his native town, and most of
the religious societies rejoiced to secure him
as their president. His only fault was a
growing passion for strong drink, and often
as he passed down the town You might have
heard the remark "There goes one of the
best men living he is nobody's enemy but
his own This declaration, though we'll
meant, was most untrue, for at home the
nights were scenes of shame and the morn
ings Of sorrow. His wife was sinking under
the burden of anxiety and care which his
drunken habits laid upon her, he had not
only become irritable, but idle, and grad
ually she had been compelled 20 take the
oversight of his large business.
The children were kept, as far as possible,
in ignorance of their fathers intemperance,
and father is poorly" was the explanation
of many a perplexing scene. Bessie, the
eldest, blue-eyed, intelligent girl, had, at
last come to see the terrible position of her
father, and all that child could do to soften
her mothers sorrow was gladly done. Now,
with her text before her, one more effort was
to be made, and in the natural hopefulness
OF her nature she saw her plan crowned with
success, even before she began. know
that God loves me-" she said to herself,
"and | know lie keeps His promise, so |
must succeed" That night Mr. Fordham
came home earlier than usual Tomorrow
was Bessie's thirteenth birthday, and he had
procured as a birthday present an elegant
locket containing his likeness and that of
her mother. Bessie was, as he often called
her, his little queen" No one had so
much power over him as she, aud often her
loving arm aud soft cheek had calmed and
subdued him when all other attempts failed
lie had intended the beautiful present 10 be
q surprise in the morning, but an extra glass
had destroyed his self-control even in this
matter, and hence the gift, meant for the
morning, was produced over night. Bessie
saw his state, and the tears with which she
received his gift, were as much from sorrow
as from gratitude. She knew that TO speak
to him OF his intemperance was to incur his
hottest displeasure. More than once she
had seen the result of q single word OF re
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Sink Your Well.

The easiest time 10 sink your well is in
wet weather but the best time 10 dig one is
ia time Of drouth. Many wells sunk in
times uf spring freshets or autumn rains. in
a little while are dry, and then the well has
to be taken up and sunk deeper The best
time to siul, a well, and the only time when
perpetual supply Of water can be obtained,
is ia q time OF drouth then, as the well
goes deeper and deeper, it passes beyond the
surface water aud strikes those hidden cur
rents which feed il from unfailing fountains.
There are many souls whose only knowledge
of the water of life is gained in times of
ireshets, IN reviyals, when everything seems
ahoat when the windows of heaven seem
opened. aud the earth beneath is saturated
with the abundant showers. Then they
know the blessedness Of living water but
in the time OF drouth, when comforts wither
and JOYS depart when all tokens OF reyiv-
ing have vanished, and when everything
seems like barrenuess and desolatiou, they,
too, feel the blight Of prevailing influences,
and become like fountains that fail. Then
is the time to sink such wells Go deeper
learn something Of the depths OF the love Of
God Go down through all this surface wa
ter, until you strike the divine reservoir,
which cannot fail Then, as from an Arte-
sian fountain, there gushes up n stream
which cannot fail, so in your heart the word
that Christ has given shall be unto you a
well Of water springing up unto everlasting
life. Sink your we'll. DO not wait for a
freshet, DO not wait for a revival; now in
your time Of drouth and desolation, 60 to
your Bible. 60 to your closet, 60 TO your
Saviour, go to your Cod DO not forsake
the living waters do not hew out broken
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Blue.BelIs Of Scotland.

How long has that bell been ringing its
fragrant music, and swinging forth its un-
heard melodies among brackens and briers
and primroses and woodroof and that world
of poetic wild scents and forms-so many
so beautiful which a tangled bank over a
trotting burn among the leafy wood disclosedt
Spirits more beautiful than fairies behold
those scenes, or they would be waste. That
bell was ringing merily when Adam and
Eve were married. 1t ohimed its dirge over
Abel, apd has died and sprung up again,
while Nineyeh and Babylon have come and
gone, and empires have lived and died for
ever solomon in all his glory was not
like one Of these. What an evidence have
IN this blue dropping flower Of the regular
ity and endurance of Gods will since crea-
tion's dawn Amidst all the revolutions of
heaven and earth; hurricanes and earth
quakes floods and fires; invasions aud dis
persions; signs in the sun, moon aud stars
perplexity and distress of nations; nothing
has happened TO injure this fragile blue
bell The buebell swung in breezes tenn
pered to its strength centuries before the
children of Japheth spied the chalky cliffs of
Dover, It has been called by many name
from the days Of the painted warrior 20 the
DAYS Of Burns; but it has ever been the
same. 1t will sing on with its spirit song
until time shall be no more. The blue bell
may sing the funeral knell of the human
race.-Norman Macleod.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Self-Conquest.

The tue test of strength is not in what
man does, but in what man restrains him
self from doing, And Notwithstanding all
the false maxims Of this false world he is
not the strong man who can lit himself up
with giant, might, and grind ava enemy
beneath the heel uf hate he ia a strong man
who iu the face of insult i'm the face Of open
autlronism. and that which is hardcrstill TO
bear iu the face of secret persecution. with
the thuuderbolt already forged and in his
grasp can with closed teeth say, " will not
hurl it," Like God. he is slow 20 anger not
because he is feeble, and dare not show his
wrath. but because he is strong, and will not
IL is always harder Tor MS TO wait than it
is to strike. All of ms are more or less ami
mails down OF the base We each have our
horns, Just as much as the OK, and We are by
nature Just as fond of guling people. But is
that test of power, worthy of men in the
image of GodY Ii takes only the lowest
brute in the field TO kick. Ah but it often
takes a soul filed with the spirit of q holy
Christ not to do it.
oh to have the power to crush some bit
ter prosecutor to hurl to the dust some cruel
foe 10 have the power to do all this, and
still be able TO say, No, my Father, if it be
thy will that | should carry this woe, | will
neither munmur, nor lay it down, nor shrink
from IT," Gods heaven lies all about such
an one. Gods angels come to sing their
songs TO him. And as Christ stood in the
midst Of that council-chamber, smitten and
degraded, aud yet the only calm and peace
full one among them all, so in this world doth
he stand who hath learned to conquer him
self smitten it may be, Knocked and reyiled
and misinterpreted, and yet in the midst Of
all his heart-aches he stands king, though
his only crown may be a wreath OF thons
Now here is Just where lies our greatest
difficulty in leading a Christian life. If it
were merely to perform some single act, why,
think | could rush upon a hundred bayon-
cts. ! too could stand as Latimer did,
praising God while the flames gathered
about me, if | knew that by the time the
day went out ! should have seen the Sun of
Righteousness in His glory. | envy the
martrys, every one of them. | think you or
| could have had their physical courage.
All but this moral bravery, which is harder
than mere brute endurance in the same
proportion as it is nobler and more heay-
enly-this bravery which must last not an
hour only, while the flames are burning and
the soul is spreading its wings to mount 10
God, but a month, year, lifetime--that,
nat is the truest test Of manly strength
Rsr. r.. I. U0ipiing.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Sincerity.


Give me sincere friends or none This
hollow glitter of smiles and words-compli-
ments that mean nothing -protestations of
affection as solid as the froth upon cham
REORGANIZATION that are but pretty SEN
tences, uttered because such things are Gus
tomary-are worthless 10 me there is no
need of them. 1t is proper to be civil and
courteous TO the most indifferent stranger
but why assume friendships outward show
when no reality underles it When one
feels friendship the object of that sentiment
cannot snffer and leave our hearts untroubled
cannot he slandered leaving us unharmed.
To see our friend successful, even beyond
our own power of success, is a great JOY to
us to hear that friend applauded is pleas
ure. Yet, every day, men who fancy them
selves friends show mean envy OF each 9th
er's lucky hits and women who kiss on
both cheeks, when they meet, will whisper
treacherous little stories of each other-yes,
and whisper them TO men. So that, when
most women say to me, ave were talking
of you Just now !" | wonder only--for one
is not sincere enough to say it out-whether
ii has been possible 10 squeeze one drop of
scandal into the humdrum story
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
To Mothers.

o mothers are your boys all in the ark ?
Mothers, are your daughters all in the ark
If they are not, what are you living for ?
What is your aim in life Is that the up
permost thought in your hearts at all hours
how you can get them into the ark
Are you in the ark yourselves II you are
not, why not come in to-day? Why not
come in, and then try to bring them I'M II
seems to me that parents are asleep, and
while we are asleep our children are wander
ing on down to death. We hear of their
dying every day; we hear of their being
suddenly taken away, snatohed away uneX-
pectedly, dying outside of the ark, while we,
as parents, sleep on, with our children ex-
posed 10 the wrath and the Judgment If
there seems to be a dark mountain between
you aud the ark, press through the mountain,
Though it is mountain, it is at the same
time but the devils mountain, and the DEVILS
mountains are all mountains of smoke and
fog Say to yourselves, This day ! must
go into the ark this day | will call my
children in. will not stay out and let them
perish. ID. l.. Moody.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Centaur LinimentS!
Uhifr, Jor Me Human Iau,fg! ieiio'o. ior
Horses and iHifnGIsf

uese Lnuuentt .umlly tus wonder of ue uorl
Their effort. htr i,ss than nargelUua, Yf thefr
s.me things whieh iley wA notdo. They will 300 cuo
cancer or uend broken huucs Dot they viii always alal
iin They have stu yienei fingers enre chronic rheu-
Haism o. many year- standing and taken thc pain fom
terrible burns and ssi. whel hls been dome uy
ANY other article.
The White Liniment 5. for ihe human family. %
win drive Rheumatism, soauoa aud Neuralgia iiou Che
system, Lumhago, ChHIbiain' ral1 ioh. and mo-f
tuianeous fruptous frost fruu frozen hands
and io, and ihg poison of bites and ,tngs of
nous reptiles 10 sntdas swens'. and aieyaise pain Of
every Kind.
For spraus or bruises t the most potent remeiy
discovered The Cenhur Lmnent is used with great
fhacy for Sore Throat Toothache, Caked Breasts,
ttriole, and Weak haot, The following h bot sample
af numerous Testimonials
INptANA IoNE.
JiFrHnaoA COUSIN lnd.. Mas %, ls73.i
" iHnk my duty to Inform you that have suffered
much with swollen feet and chords. have not been
free from these swellugs In eight years. NOW am
perfectly well. thanks 20 The centam Llnment The
llnlment ought 70 De- applied warm.
BENJAMIN BROWN"
The proof the TRIAL. Il Is reliable, d Is handy IL b.
cheap, and every family should have it.
To the siok aud bel-udden the halt and lame. 10 ihe
wounded and sore, we say, Come and he healed"
To the poor and distressed who have spent trir money
Tor worthless mssnoues bottle Of Centaur Lniment
nil be given without change.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
sabbath Night in the Adlrondacks.

The day was over. Night spread her sable
wings over the camp, and the lake darkened
under the shadow. On the sky and highest
peaks few moments an aureole fingered
around the head of Blue Mountain. The
pines which adorn its crest cleaned like the
rich plume of king when he rideth at noon
day 20 battle. One instant the beams lin
gefed lovingly about the summit, and then,
obedient 10 a summons from the west, flew
10 ioin their companions in another henri
spbere. And now began the marvellous
Transformations from day to night. The
clonds we're rolled together and lifted from
sieht. Unseen hands flung out new tapestry
for the skies, and lighted lamps innumerabe
around the circling galleries, as though the
sabbath had passed from earth and the
heavens were being made ready for service.
If the day had been suggestive, much more
go had been the night To the north the
Dinner hung suspended royalty against the
blne sky, journeying in silent revolution
around the polar star. Farther eastward
and higher up the mounful Pleiades began
their NIGHTLY search for their lost sister. In
,he zeniih a meteor wavered aud trembled
far n moment, then fell and faded away
The balsams felt the dew, and from their
nendant spears dropped odors. A thousand
recoIleetions thronged upon MS, a thousand
homes rose up within us. The heavens elic,
ited confidence, and unto them we breathed
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Give Your Girls an Allowance.

When II is necessary TO study economy in
every way, and fathers complain of the fire.
quent demands made upon their purses by
their daughters, it is best for both parties
that an allowance should be agreed ON, and
regularly paid every quarter. A girl is thus
taught the value OF money, and she learns
TO be careful how To spend il she is thus
led To exercise her Judgment and taste, and
to restrict herself in one respect in order TO
indulge herself in another. Without an al
lowance, young persons cannot know the
pleasure of denying themselves what might
seem very reasonable and proper, for the
sake of bestowing the sum thus saved in
charity. There is no generosity in making
presents 10 our friends, no beneyolence in
giving TO the poor, II we are merely the dis
tributers Of another persons bounty, and
have not one qualification the less ourselves.
A feeling OF Responsiveness grows out of
the disbursement Of certain sum which
we regard as our -Honsekeeper.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
"AImost AlI."

A court preacher was once delivering a
brilliant discourse before that pleasure-seek-
ing old king, Louis XIV, or Louis the Great.
Of France.
The old king seemed interested, aud the
vanity of the preacher, who was merely a
court 1atterer at that corrupt period in relig-
ion and politics, was doubtless much ex-
cited by gaining the attentive ear Of so
splendid king.
o. We must an de-" al last said the
preacher, solemnly, as the discourse was
drawing 10 a close.
The king moved ueasily.
The preacher noticed the last tite seu-
tence had offended the king lie hestated
moment, aud added
almost all"
"Ahnost all." We smile at the irsuccrity
aud vanity OF the French court preacher,
yet how many make one exception when
steals into the mind the unwelcome subject
Of death. The last sun will shine for almost
all. The hills OF spring will be lighted up
with flowers, the summer viii bring its full
ness Of life and beauty. and fade, the mel
lowing autumn will crown the bills and
fields with gold--all for the last time for
others-ior almost all. The day OF sickness
will come-to almost all. Almost all will
need iu lhe., solemn hours a hope and com
fort that this world cannot bestow.
Christ d, coming ia the hour of death, ia
ihc day of iudgment-to almost ALL
Others shall feel the condemnation Of their
,ius Others shall have paugs of regret for
neglected opportunities and wasted hours ,
these things happen 10 those who neglect
Gods Jaw and the service OF His loye-to
almost al
There is d world of darkness and love and
sorrow. II is the end OF sin. Those who
are living without God are rdangcr they
walk in perilous paces-almost all.
There is danger that life may suddenly
end and without space for repentance We
may look urou the clock and tell the hour
OF the day. but We eau NOT tell the hour Of
opr life whether il be with us morning,
noon. or even. Some die early and without
warming. Others may, not ~e--almost all
Lost chances do not return. The purple
swallow will come back again with Gods
sunshine ON her wing, but wasted year,
or day or hour, will not return. We must
reap as we sow, and share the consequences
alike Of what we DO and what We fail 20 do
almost an.
Almost an 2" The selfdeception is an
idle dream. The exceptions will not stand.
Time dies and the laws Of God are all full
filed. His promises all become realities
bis neglected warnings, judgments, and eter-
nal losses The human tide rises and falls.
and no Canute eau stay it; the green leaves
Withcr aud fall the autumn follows the
summer the Elusive dreams Of life dissolve
and vanish, and men die-the king, the
beggar, you and l-all.
And death will be followed hy the iudg-
meut Others viii there appear, and You
and all- Christian Wcets.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Sin Put Away.

"Blessed is that man 10 whom the Lord
will not impute SIM" Our sins cannot him
der us, nor withdraw us from prayer; for
they are gone, they are no sins, they cannot
be hurtful 10 us--Christ dying for us-as all
the Scripture, both of the Old and New 1es-
lament, witnesseth-" lie that taketh away
our sorrows." Like as when | owe unto a
man an hundred pounds the day is expired,
he will have his money; ! have il not, and
for lack of It am laid in prison, In such
distress comes good friend, and saith "Sir,
be of good cheer, will pay thy debts" and
forthwith payeth the whole sum and setteth
me at liberty Therefore, though our sins
condemn us, "we have an advocate with God
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" "
We have one advocate, not many neither
saints, nor anybody else, but only Him and
no other, neither by the way Of mediation,
nor by the way of redemption. lie only is
sufficient for lie only is " the door" let
Him have all the praise. "Behold the Lamb
of God, which taketh away the sin Of the
world."- Selected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
Srlrff MisfrHanv.
rnr WAY o. rnr wiNp.

nv ckrL srrscrn.
"why doe. the Fast Wind aiway. complain
Hccauss be- Is married 10 The Rain.
"why b. fhe Sorih wind. breath so Strong
lie has wrestled with iceberHs fierce and long
why j. tho south winds step ,o light
ont Of a sleeping land In night
"why D. the west winds touch aaamee-
out oil sunset cloud he came"
Lying under a summer tree,
This is what zcphyr sens 10 me.
Zephyr. with hattring words aud low
Tells but half Of the truth know.
fom great boys in AN ancient hall
They grew mp thinking their will was ali.
sweet Mother Stature. the dearest dams
fear ber softncs- 3. much 20 blanw
Lovely and quiet. year ont. ycarin.
Tier soft white blankets she .ts to spin.
Ro.e-imed curtain. and carpets afean,
nroidered cnshions of satin sheen.
Tier guests are hi,lien, her house ls ian
Pour Wild ro,crs have entrance There.
Nc,cr.an hour 20 .il and sweet
Hut may be hrokcn by funipliug feet,
lNi MWW ifNill ilN run AIlfN INfN NMNNH
uu, who so gentle and blthe o. they
They rook the cradles in tall treo-tois
They run with The tripping waier-drup.
naintiy eouHIna. they sigh and pine
Eound the nowef-iades 40 pure aud hne
Wen they love pleasure, but mischief bet
Too swift and subtle and strong for n,.i.
~ and down In the world tiey go,
And mock us with every voiae We know.
They pile To The dreamers st eveu--ongi
They monm 10 fhe watchers ali night long
Then down The chimney they shout aud rulr
shriek ~ NE iatiice and shake The door.
The OH man. sighting, fepeateih SIN,
" Tie will o. the wind IL boyhooi's wills"
The boy. with wondering, sileni lips.
Thinks NJ the sea and the waited ,hips
Aud each In bis dim heart longs to fnd
Out OF his world the way Of the wind.
Harper'a Aagd-nefar S,piaai
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16

our aspirations. We felt that lie who took
number Of the stars took note of MS. The
Spirit which garnshed the heavens would
grant us audience. We approached Him
reverently, and yet with confidence, for we
remembered that il is written "The heavens
shall vanish away like smoke, aud the earth
shall wax old like garment, but my saliva
ton shall be forever, and my righteousness
shall not he abolished" Then, with the
help Of book or spoken word, we committed
ourselves TO Him in whose sight the night is
as the day and there in the vast wilderness,
far from home and friends, we closed our
eyes and slept as those who sleep on guarded
beds s-- G0iieu Ruie
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16
The yellow Centaur Liniment

adapted to Tie tough muscles, cords and hes OF horses
and animals. II has performed more wonderful cures
OF SPAWN Strain, Wlnd gals Scratches, sweeny. and gene
e lameness than an other remedies in existence Read
what the great fsprcssmen say Of h
NEw YoRK, January lslt,
Every of horses should give the CESrAtR LINZ
Mfsr trial. We consider il the best article usei in
our stables.
II. MARSH, supt Adams Express Stables, y. Y.
B.. rULTz. supt. 4. S. Express stables, N.N.
ALBERr s. oLtN. supt Nat TX. Stables, y. ""
Mo.rGoNrRY, Ala. August H. lsii.
" Neatiraen - have used over one gross of Csntaur
Liniment, yellow wrapper the mules OF my panta-
uon besides dozens Of the family nisnt Tor my negroes
wan, 10 purchase at the wholoseprce and viii thank
You 10 ship by Savannah gross of each
Hnd' Mcsrs. A. 2. stewart q CO.. will pay your hl ON
presentation "Respetfuly,
JAMES DARRow."
The best patrons of ihs Lninent farfiers and Nri'f
mary Surgeons. u heals Calls, Wounds and foievl re-
moves swelngs, and is worth MILLIONS or DOLLARS
10 Farmers, Livery men, Stock growers, Sheep ases and
those having horses or cattle.
What Farer cannot do for twenty dollars the Centanr
Animent will 40 AZ trfIng cost.
These nimenis warranted by the propfielor' and
ne viii be- given 10 any farrer or Physician who dr'r
" lost them. sold every who're.
Laboratory Of j. II. Rose a Co.,
aiUa ls DET sf Nav YORK.