davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
The Dining. Room.

By far the most important room in the
house Is the dining-roon. II should be
bright cheerful apartment, not located iu
the basement, as it too often is. and whore il
can only he reached by cropping down dark
and narrow stairway. but OF the first floor,
where plenty Of sunlight enters, and an air
OF comfort prevails It's appointments should
partake Of the substantial rather than the
snowy The table itself should have the
appearance Of great respectability, and
seeming consciousness Of having sustained
loads of good cheer for generations past.
The chairs, too, should look invitingly hos
pitable not stiff, straightbacked affairs,
which are fonpd IN 50 mpry dining rooms Of
today, bnt chairs W which you can lear
back toward the close Of your dinner. sip
ping your drink aud cracking your nuts in
an easy. leisurely way. Appropriate pic
tures-fruit, flowers and game pieces
should decorate its walls, which should be-
stained a quiet, neutral tint. \ cheerful
dining-room, "A table covered with spotless
damask, bright silver and cleaning china
and glass, add greatly to ones enjoyment OF
a dinner aud give zest to the appetite (;
whereas gloomy apartment soiled table
linen, and greasy half-washed goblets aud
plates are abominable, aud destructive to
anything ike an appreciation of the meal
itself.-Bary Gray in Home Journal
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01

Three years ago he went 10 heaven. With
Us they have been long, long years il is so
long since we heard the sound OF his sweet
voice, and the merry laugh that burst from
his glad heart. He was the youngest of our
flock. Three summers he had been with
US, and he was brighter and SUMMER than
any summer day of them all But he died
as the third year of his life was closing.
Our hearts have been yearning for the child
that is gone. Three years in he0ucai They
do not measure time IN that world. There
are no weeks, months, years in heaven. But
all the time we have been mourning his alb
sence here, he has been happy there. And
when we think Of what he has been enjoy
ing all that time and the wonderful progress
he has made, we feel that it is hlessedness
for him. however hard for us. that he was
called away. Three years tcM the angels :
They have been his companions and his
teachers. What lessons OF knowledge and
love our dear child has learned The cher
ubim are said to excel in knowledge; and
love grows more brightly in the breasts of
seraphlm. Three years with both. and with
powers to know and to love, as few other
children ever had he must ere this have be-
come very like to those who have taken him
into their society. II would be wrong, yes,
very wrong, to call him back 10 US. 1hree
mars ,r1l he ReJ,emer i, bsore, They
have told linn of the saviour in vhose
hlood tbev bave washed tb.ir rol,oe and
whose rigGteonsness ia tb.ir salvatio, rhs
dear clild wbils With ns bare lney ma ot
.Iss,,s a,,d bis d,ino, iove r., heLas haard
The story Of the Saviour +ba Tanh That was
slain fron the Inns of anostlas and the har,s
of rnartyrs and nerhanI ,he hissssd ,rJ
uims'.lf has soon him and saiJ sntfa.
the littlo cbildren IN come INTO mn. - And
snon,, The radae,nad il, ,,lot,, ara .,r,o ,,ho.
80 S-'J NO VIZ"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
The Home.

Ii an accident happens TO a man il any
unusual event overtakes him. by which tn
ordinary current of his life il interrupted.
MS first thought ia of his home, 1t is hi
asylum. his retreat. his place of refuge, his
hospital. Travellers think of il. parents aud
children turn towards 1t as the local centre
of their life. We all often speak Of it. We
contribute to its wealth and comfort our
tastes are fashioned by it; we have full.
ness aud compass of life that we should not
have without it; the bend OF our being, the
outflow of our hearts, on cares, our ankle
ties, our affections cluster around it, 1t
gives birth to our plans and purposes new
ideas start in its soil the door by which we
enter the world is there, and across its
threshold we expect at last TO depart. 1t is
our world. and to it we bring our hopes and
fears. We cannot prize IL too highly, nor
love it too we'll Our children are born
there, it is the paternal nest; the garden of
budding. blossoming, fruiting life. We
weave its influence with the slken cord of
affection, and guard its interests with sin
ews OF steel. No matter what may be our
toibles or weakness outside, we eudeavor to
keep the serpent and despoiler from enter
ing there. Ii is sanctuary Whatever is
rough or coarse in trade, whatever is rude
on the street, we environ its altars with
sanctity, and keep its virtues intact and
spotless. No picture can be drawn that
will exceed in height of ooloring, or por-
traiture. our sentiments and feelings of re-
gard for home. If such is the character of
onr New England homes, if have not over
drawn the representation of them, how
white should be the hands, and how pure
the life of those who claim them as their
own Rer. j i IlooNeu
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
Dining Comfortably.

Most people are aware. even without any
scientific knowledge, that the mind has a
most direct influence on the stomach, that
the stomach reacts upon the mind, aud that
the two, linked mysterously together, act
and react one upon each other with unfailing
certainty. Digestion thus obviously to a
great extent will depend on the state of
mind IN which we sit down 10 a meal. is
not sufficient always merely TO set the bread
winner down to a good dinner. If he has
been hard at work, battling during the day
with the perplexities aud difficulties insepa-
rable from daily life, in whatever calling,
his meal. if it is to do him all the good it
should, must be cheerful one and it is a.
much u part of loving wife's duty to meet
him with smiles and pleasant words as it i.
To give him his soup hot and his meat cooked
to turn. Nay. although disappointment
in the quality of the viands-a tough steak,
q tepid solc--will check much more than is
thought the process of digestion, even when
spirits are good and appetite keen, il will
not be so preiudicial TO the healthlul assimi-
lation of food as will be dolorous tales of
domestic cares or the announcement of bad
news. Whatever trials and sorrows have to
be faced, dinner time aud the time immedi-
ately succeeding it is not the time to crap
pie with them, or dwell upon the means by
which they are to be surmounted. Again,
highly animated discussions, lapsing often
into virulent arguments, are distinctly pre-
judicial at meal time for temper, ii ruitied
will retard digestion as fatally as damped
spirits will. In a word, there is no byway
to health more directly useful and generally
worth sticking to than that by which we can
have our meals in peace and comfort, If not
in absolute gayety.-I Imsiey's MagasiDe.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
Autumnal Days.


Hasten, ye laborers in the field of daily
care. and be ready to go forth to a harvest
of golden and scarlet leaves and reddening
berries go with a Joyous heart and reap
the beauties of nature. Lay up for winter
memories the gorgeous scarf of autumn's
wearing, that, when the SHOWS are over your
dwelling, you may penetrate beyond the
glories of autumn, and keep beam OF
brightness and joy in your heart. Life is
not all winter; there are gorgeous days in it,
there are bright afternoons of repose and
evenings of departed WEAKNESS; flowers are
here and there, friends are many and true
fruits are golden for us, occupation, the de
coyer of time is for us and as life advances,
the strains OF music waited over US are III
softened tones OF contentment and peace.
Hasten to the fields aud hedges, and behold
the farewell offering of nature, and gather
in its beauties Soon, too soon, its glories
are gone, but the last wind that passeth over
its decay gives promise OF return to spring
time, summer and the golden autumn. Ma
ture is ripe and lies down from her work
for reuose; so with our mortal nature; We
shall lie down as peacefully as the autumn
leaf, and sleep aud awaken again TO days
more golden in the city of our God.-f'rori
depce inurnal.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
The Poets Promise.


Some autumn leaves, dressed in the
brightest shades Of crimson and of gold, Law
at the foot of the tree from which they had
fallen. All their gayly-clad companions had
auttered to the ground the week before, but
the tree had worn these as a fiery crown un-
til the rude storm wind tore them from her
head and scattered them upon the dying
grass "And is this the end of our merry
days 2" said they to each other. And are
these beautiful robes given us only to die
in Better the plain, green dress of our
spring when the birds sang to us, and the
sunshine kissed u.s. and the rain-drops said,
Come dance, dear leaves And have we
bestowed our all upon the world-beanty.
fragrance and shade-to be left to perish
alone Is there no one to bid us tender
farewell no one to remember us when we
are dead 2" 81 will remember YOU, o au-
tumn leaves and 10 poet stood among
them. 81 will set you in a song SO beauti-
ful that ali the world will sing it. | will
tell how, clad in royal robes. you made the
autumn woodlands gay; and how, still in
your queenly garments dressed, YOU died be-
meath your parent tree. And in the very
sweetest verse I'll say, And from their dust
when spring returns to earth, new life and
beauty shall arise again And so, through
me, shall you remembered be-not for day,
a week, year, but evermore
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
BE Your Own Right-Hand Man.

People who have been holstered up all
their lives are seldom good for anything in
q crisis. When misfortune comes, they look
around for somebody to cling to or lean
upon. If the prop is not there, down they
90. Once down. they are helpless as a cap
sized turtle, aud they cannot find their feet
again without assistance. Such persons no
more resemble men who have fought their
way to position. making difficulties stepping
stones and deriving determination from their
defeat. than vines resemble oaks, or splinter
ing rush lights the stars of heaven Efforts
persisted into achievements train man TO
self-relance and then he has proven that the
world can trust him. One Of the best les
sons a father can give his son is this Work ;
strengthen your moral faculties as you would
strengthen your muscle by vigorous exercise.
Learn to conquer circumstances you are
then independent of fortune. The men of
athletic minds, who left their mark on the
years in which they lived, were all trained
in rough school. They did not mount to
their position by the help of leverage; they
leaped the chasm, grapped with the oppos-
ing rocks, avoided avalanches, and when the
goal was reached felt that, but for the toll
that had strengthened them as they stroye,
it could never have been obtained.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
" Cling Close 10 the Rock"

long train of cars, fourteen or fifteen.
were passing over the mountains, on their
way westward. They were crowded with
passengers. As the iron horse snorted and
rushed on, they began TO feel that they had
begun to descend, and needed nothing but
the invisible power of gravitation to send
them down with terrific swiftness Just as
the passengers began to realize their situa-
tion, they came to a short curve, cut out OF
the solid rock. Suddenly the steam whistle
screamed as If in agony. Put on the
brakes, put on the brakes" Up pressed the
brake, but with no apparent slackening Of
the cars. Every window flew open, and ev-
cry head that could be was thrust out 10 see
what the danger was and every one rose up
in his place, fearing sudden destruction.
What was the trouble Just as the engine
began TO turn the curve, the engineer saw a
little girl and her baby brother playing on
the track. In moment the cars would be
on them the shrek of the whistle startled
the little girl, and every eye looking over
could see them. Close to the rail in the up
right rock was little niche, out of which a
piece of rock had been blasted. Ia an in-
stant the baby was thrust into this niche,
and as the cars came laundering by, the pas
sengers, holding their breath, heard the
clear voice of the little sister, on the other
side OF the cars, ring out, Cling close To
the rock, Johnny-clng close to the rock -
And the little creature snuggled in, and put
his head as close TO the corner of the rock
as possible, while the heavy cars whirred
past him. And many were the moist eyes
that gazed and many silent thanksgiving
went up to heaven. In few hours more
the cars stopped at station, where an old
man and his son got out OF the cars. ii,
had come so far to part with his child, who
was going to the city to live, while the ageC
father was TO turn back to his home. Al
the dangers that would harass the soI
seemed TO crowd into the heart of the fathe
as he stood holding the hand of his boy
just now to part with him. He choked
aud the tears filled his eyes, and all HI
could say was selling close to the rock
nv son Z"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
Transient Religions Professions.

Ii it is true that too many lay down their
Christian profession with fatal facility, may
it not be because they took it without any
duly pungent sense Of sin and i'll desert
They had no such conviction az left per-
manent impress on their minds of the essen-
tial evil and hatefulness OF sin. In nat
ural reaction from that style of teaching
that made such and such exercises and so
much conviction sine qua non to admission
TO the church, is there no danger of over
looking that reasoning of righteousness, tenn
pefance and judgment to come, in which
Paul engaged We can not, indeed, too
eagerly or too frequently cry, "Come to
Jesus" But to make this call intelligent
and emphatic we must needs assign Script
ural reasons. We must not scruple to say,
" Come for you have sinned. You are
guilty. If you do not, you will die for the
wages OF sin is DEATH This carries the
step of processing religion out Of the
region OF mere sentiment; it rests it on con-
yiction. Il really felt" said one of no
common acuteness, that when joined the
church | had done most gracious thing,
and laid the church under great obligations
to me, SO eagerly had been entreated to
take this step" They who Join in this
temper are likely enough to require "humor-
ing" indulgence and attentions innumera-
bic. Have they not obliged the minister,
elders aud deacons by conseuting to "join?"
Obliged men by taking deliverance from
guilt and hell at the hand Of a compassion
ate Redeemer, who bought the deliverance
with His life Let US not be afraid 10 put
the facts as they are let us be true to the
truth of things. We are not "of the
schools " this or that. We are teachers of
Bible truth. Let us be pre-Ral alhaelite,
showing men sin, guilt, danger, loss, ruin, as
they are. We may draw fewer on this plan
than others seem to do, but our net will not
50 often break. The quantity is less irnpor-
taut here than the quality. The stream Of
Christian profession may seem narrow on
this plan, but it will be deeper. Church
members will know where they stand; will
have positive convictions, aud instead OF ie.
qulring perpetual incense from the church
AS from community they have patronized
they will rather feel like the returned prodi.
gal" am no more worthy to be called thy
son make me as one OF thy hired servants.
Aud when the ring, and robe, and shoes
and kiss, and feast are given them-such
gifts as no slave could receive, and be a slave
they viii know that they are not of debt
hut OF grace.-DT John Hall.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01

powers Of darkness. without murmur But
when it came TO this, that the face OF His
Father was turned away from Him, and that
1t pleased the Lord TO bruise Him, il was
Zoo much. As it penetratos our ears aud
thrills our souls, let us not forget that the
bleeding victim was wounded Tor onr trans
gtessions and that lie was bruised Tor our
iniquities Let us not forget that be yolun.
taiily took our place. and that II was ~ our
Substitute that lie endured such agunies.
Listen, now, 10 the other loud cry OF the
Saviour on the cross Matthew. Mark and
Luke all make allusion 10 IL; but JOhn aluue
indicates what 1t was. Luke says Aud
when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, lie
said, Father, into thy hands ! commend my
spirit; and having said this, lie gave up the
ghost" lie tells us what the last utterance
of the Saviour was, viz. Into thy hands
| commend my spirit" But he does not
tell US what that loud cry was that immedl-
ately preceded il. But John says "Nhen
Jesus had received the vinegar, be said, II
n finished and bowed His head, aud gave
ap the ghost" That expression" II Is hic
ided'--was unquestionably the loud cry tu
which the other evangelists refer a joyou,
moment was that in the history Of the
Saviour. Long had He looked forward to
that hour, which lie had been accustomed
to designate as the hour" 1t was the
great hour not only in the history Of time,
but Of eternity momentous interests being
upon it. But the Saviour eourageously met
it, and was eqnal TO it. lie there drank to
its dregs the loHg-dreaded cup. The great
atouement was made. The great transaction
was done. The great debt Of justice was
paid The redemption of "a lost world was
purchased. The last drop in the cupof woe
had been tasted, aud the suilerings OF the
Son Of God were over toreuer. For the joy
that was set before Him, lie had endured
the cross aud despised the shame. And
now, in that glad moment, the cup of bitter
ness had forever passed from His lips, aud
the cup Of joy had taken its place. Who
can comprehend all the meaning OF that
brief, exultant exclamation " II l. foisLei 20
--Neic York Obsercer.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01

II there be one thing which can conquer
the ills OF lile--which will make all thing
pleasant, and all difficulties easy--it is in
dustry the great opponent aud couqueror of
that rust of mind, incidence Ii is the
philosophers stone. and turns all metals,
aud even stones, into gold. As indolence
makes all things difficult, and gives man
pain even 10 walk 10 his door aud loll in his
carriage, so industry makes all things easy.
4" lie who rises late" writes old Fuller, as
wisely rs quantity, "must trot all day, and
shall scarcely overtake his business at night"
Laziness, on the other hand, travels so slowly
that poverty soon oyertakes her. This law
is universal 1t may seem all very pleasant
TO be able 10 indulge in idle dreams-to fold
the arms--to loll about and do nothing but
the man who does so, does il at his own
cost aud peril, and soon sorely rues il. His
body cannot be so healthy, his mind must
stagnate, his soul become corrupt. ldleness
is truly the mother of all the vices, and a
very prolific mother she is, too.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01

but simple, careless bunch Of brilliant
geraniums fragrant helotropes, and sweet
mignonettes from our own little country
garden bed, destined 10 gladden. the heart
Of city friend. A childish voice at length
fell upon my ear, and, turning, ! beheld a
bare-headed, bare-footed, dirty little creature,
of some five or six years. "Alissis. please
give me a flower" asked the little voice
again, this time more earnestly, for the car
was approaching and she feared lest il should
carry me beyond the reach Of her entreaties.
Poor little mite; how my heart went out TO
her beneath all the rags and dirt was
heart glowing with love for the beautiful
Her Please give me a flower" topched me
as no petition for food could have done.
speaking as 1t did of hungry soul. Alas !
We are all too apt TO forget that the Ioor
have any higher needs than hose Of the
body. Perhaps in all her little life the poor
child bad never had so much as singh
Hover for her own--her every own"
as the children say Perhaps she bad never
seen or even dreamed OF the free, open conn
try, with the grass aud the trees aud the
flowers, all growing for rich and poor alike
Her home, If home she had. was PEI haps q
corner IN some crowded. filthy, reeking tene-
ment where, throughout the long, scorch-
ing summer, her life had been but little bet
ter than a living death. To such one the
odor Of my flowers must have been like a
breath from Paradise. (which will YOU
take" asked smihngly holding my flowers
toward her, "you can have whichever you
like best" | watched her rather curiously
to see which she would choose, expected
her choice would fail apon one of the bright
blossoms spread before her ia every cunceiv-
able shade of pink and red But no; with.
out the slightest hesitation she pointed 10 a
spray of deep purple heliotrope nesting back
amid its green leaves, and said, an take
that one loosened it from its place, aud
disengaging also leaf OF fragrant rose ge-
raniuu, put them into her little hand aud
away she skipped with her treasure, as
happy As queen. There was vacant space
in my bouquet "a ! stepped into the ear, but
it seemed more full of brightness aud per
furne aud beauty to me than all my flowers
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
The RubbIe that Bursts.

Did You ever blow soap-bubbles, when you
were child You were never child II
yon did not and having blown them, you
know that 1t was the largest and brightest
that burst first just when il shone most
brilliantly, and grew balloon-like in its pro
portions, it was gone. Duh, leaden things
rolled about ON the carpet Tor seconds to-
gether. but that vision OF splendor flashed on
us but to vanish So it is all through life.
We blow bubbles forever, and some OF them
last good while but the glorious ones, the
bubbles into which are put our hearts as we
see them, rosy aud beautiful rising into loves
sunlight. these are the bubbles that burst
soonest, and leave no trace of brightness be
hind them. Now aud then, as we stretched
out our tiny hands to grasp those bubbles
that we blew ia childhood, they would wet
them, as the splendid phantom vanished be-
meath our touch. So now, often and often,
nur bubbles leave nothing but tears behind
them. They were nothing they are moth
ing but oh, how bright they seemed And
it was the brightest and the sweetest that
vanished first.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-01
No ArmOr for the Back.

Let Inc advise you to wear no armor for
your back when you have determined to
follow the track OF truth. Receive upon
your breastplate of righteousness the sword
cuts of your adversaries the stern metal
shall turn the edges of your foeman' :
weapon. Let the right be your lord para
mount, and for the rest be free and your
own master still Follow the truth for her
own sake follow her in her evil report let
not many waters quench your love 10 her.
Yield To no established rules if they involve
lie. DO not evil that good should come of
1t. Consequences "-this is the DEVILS
argument. Leave consequences TO God, but
do right. III friends fail thee, do the right.
II foemen surround thee, do the right. egell-
uine, real, sincere, true, upright, godlike The
worlds maxim is, trim your sails, aud yield
10 circumstances But if you would do any
good in your generation, you must be made
of sterner stuff, and help make your times
rather than be made by them. You must
not yield TO customs but like the anvil, en-
dure all the blows until the hammers break
themselves. When misrepresented, use no
crooked means TO clear yourself. Clouds do
not last long. II in the course of duty you
are tried by the distrust of friends gird up
your loins and say in your heart, | was not
driven TO virtue by the encouragement of
friends, nor will be repelled from il by
their coldness. Finally, be just and fear
not corruption wins not more than hon
esty;' truth lives and reigns when falsehood
dies and rots.--SPugeon.