davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
Ruskin's Mother.

Much l owe to my mother for having NO
exercised me in the Scriptures as te make
me grasp them in what my correspondent
would call their "concrete whole !" and,
above all, tadght me TO reverence them as
transcending all thought, sud adorning all
conduct. This she effected, net by her own
sayings or personal authority. but simply by
compelling me to read the book thoroughly
for myself. As soon as was able to read
with nucncy she began a course Of Bible
work with me. which never ceased till |
went to Oxferd. She read alternate verses
with me, with me, watching at FIRST every ill.,
tonation Of my voice, and correcting the
false ones, till she made me understand the
verse, if within my reach. rightly and ener-
getically. IL might beyond me alto yether;
that she did not care 1t all about, but she
made sure that as soon as got hold Of il,
| should always get hold of it by the right
end.
In this way she began with the first verse
of Genesis and went straight drought to the
last verse Of the Apocalypse hard names,
numbers, Lcvitca! law aud all and began
again at Genesis next day; if name was
hard, the betser the exercise in pronuuca-
ton il chapter was tresone, the better
lesson in patience /; if loathsome, the better
the lesson in faith that there was some use
n its being so outspoken. Alter our chap
tiers ttrom two to three day according to
their length. the FIRST thing after breakfast,
and no interruptions from servants allowed
-nene from visitors, who either Joined 10
the reading or had to remain up stairs-and
none from any visitiugs or excursions, except
real traveling), l had to learn few verses
by heart, or repeat, ia make sure that had
cot lost something Of what was already
known; aud, with the chapters above emu.
merated. had to learn the whole body of
the fine old Scotch paraphrases, which are
good, melodious and forceful verse, and to
which, together with the Bible itself. eve
the the first cultivation Of my ear in sound
1t is strange that, of all the pieces Of tho
Bible which my mother thus taught me,
that watch cost me most to learn, and
which was, to my child mind, chiefly re-
pulsive-tbe one hundred and nineteenth
Psalm-has now become of all the most
precious to me in tits OVERLOOKING and go.
rious passion Of love for tho law lof God.
-RuSkin.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

BACK TO DEMONSTRATORS fifty years
ago, family went into the Maine forest,
north Of Lewiston, and cut themselves off
completely from civilization. Recently they
were discovered by correspondent Of the
Boston Globe. Their novels were scattered
abont in the patches of cleared land which
they had made. The vagraut family had
multiplied into several families, including
over fifty persons, aud was dwelling in pow
erty, ignorance aud slOth. The log houses
we're uuprOvided with anything that could
contribute to human comfort There was no
furniture exceyt blocks and pieces Of log
But ooe person could read, and he wouldn't
Not book or a scrap Of printed paper was
to be found in the place. None Of the
younger genoratiOn had ever been even to
the nearest town. All were profoundly ig.
norant of the work., and devoid Of either
religion or morality. They obtained pre-
carious subsistence from such scanty crops
as their Incidence prompted them to obtain,
and from tho game Of the forest and the fish
Of Dead River In short, the family, under
the influence Of nature and solitude, had re.
apsed into a barbarism more depressing than
that of the saVages who dwelt in those
woods three centuries ago.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

Moscow PrGEoNs,-The pigeons have It
all their own way ia Moscow, for no one
dares kill them. They are looked on as the
incarnAte symbol Of the Holy Ghost, and a
Russian would almost as soon think of be-
coming cannibal as of eating pigeon. Up
near the grain aud -four markets there are
thousands Of them, and toward evening the
roofs are black with them. The gilded
domes aud roof Of the Kremlin seem to be
also particularly dear to these birds aud If
you 60 down TO tho river about an hour be.
fore sunset, aud lean over the parapet Of the
bridge, you will see countless numbers dart
ing and wheeling about the palace spire. 1t
is just what is needed TO flush the beautiful
panorama before you. In the early spring
meet numbers of men selling cages of little
birds. These the people buy and liberAte at
Easter-tide. 1t is a relic Of tho old habit OF
freeing slaves at that time. When no more
slaves were to be had, birds we're substituted
as a symbol by the church, and the custom
still existed in Russia with oil her serls.
without thought as to what it meant, aud
how much better it would be to do the thing
of which il was type Eugene Schuyler
IN SeribNer's Monthly.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
Curran and the Judge.

Among the many anecdotes related of Cur.
ran, we cannot help thinking the following,
bearing upon the impertinence aud assump-
tion of Judge Robinson, as among the most
telling aud characteristic attacks Of unpre.
meditated satire upon "boated empiric" and
"puffed pretence," that ever even Curran af-
forjed to the world. This same Judge Rob-
inson, according to Lord Brougham, "was
the author Of many stupid, savish, aud sour
rilous political pamphlets; and, by his de.
merits, raised to the emneuce which he thus
disgraced." Curran, very soon after being
called to the Bar, on some statement made
by Judge Robinson (before whom he was
pleadng), observed that "he had never met
the law, as laid down by his Lordship, in any
book in his library" THAT may be, SIR"
said the Judge "but | suspect that your
library is very small" Curran replied, al
find it more instructive, my Lord, to study
good works than to compose bad ones. My
books may be few, but the title-pages give
me the writer's names, and my shelf is not
disgraced by any such rank absurdities that
their very authors are ashamed to own them"
Sir" said the Judge, "you are forgetting
the respect which you owe to the dignity of
the judicial character" I'D gnity!" ex-
claimed Mr.. Ourran; "my lord, upon that
point | shall cite you case from book Of
some authority, with which you are, perhaps,
not unacquainted." He then briefly recited
the story Of Strap in "Roderick Random"
who, having stripped off his coat to fight,
entrusted it to bystander. When the bat
tie was over, aud he was well beaten. be
turned to resume it, but the man had carried
it off. Mr.. Curran thus applied the tale -
80, my lord. when the person entrusted with
the dignity of the judgment.seat lays it aside
for n moment to enter into a disgracefu per-
sona contest, it is in vain, when be has been
worsted in the encounter, that he seeks to
resume 1t it is in vain that he tries to shelter
himself behind an authority which he has
abandoned" "lf you say another word I'll
commit you" replied the angry Judge; to
which Mr. q. retorted. "If your lordship
will do so, we shall both Of US have the
ConsoIating of rejecting, that l am not the
worst thing your lOrdship has committed"
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

Mrs. MYRA CLARK GAINES now about
20 years old, is picturesque figure in the
United States courtroom at New Orleans,
where her historic case has been on trial for
some weeks, The Democrat OF that city
says; "She may DO seen every day in the
United States court, Judge Billings presid.
ing, sitting by her lawyers, enveoped by
mounds of old, worn and begrimed records,
inteutly and earnestly absorbed in hunting
up papers and whispering suggestions to the
counsel engaged 10 the argument of the de-
murrcr in her prolonged litigation. This ar.
gument has been going on now for weeks,
and has been confined to the various demur.
rers aud motions, with very dim prospect
OF an carly APPROACH to the merits of the
case. 1t is certainly the most extraordinary
litigation which has ever been conducted in
this country, and II nobody else INDUCES the
hope OF its termination within this or the
next century, the lady plaintiff mauifests no
exhaustion Of patience or vigor 10 the pur-
suit Of her claims under the will Of her
father, tho late Samuel Clark, who died, we
believe, in 1873"
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
The Rsprieve of John P. phalr.


The circumstances attending the reprievo
Of Phair form page Of q romance Of real
life almost as strange and exciting as any
thing in fiction. The raurder Of Mrs. Anna
Frieze, for which Phair was condemned to
die, took place, It is supposed. on the morn.
ing Of the 9th Of October. Her house 10 the
outskirts OF Rutland, was discovered to be
on fire about seven o'clock that morning.
Those who were FIRST at the Ere found the 70.
mains OF the owner inside, who had evidently
been murdered, aud the house fred over her
head. AT balf.past four, the same morning,
Phair took the train for Boston. The next
Afternoon, he was arrested near Bellows
Falls, on his way back to Rutland. His
own story was that he had been down TO
Providence, II. l., In search of work. But
he utterly failed to produce any evidence
that he had gone beyond Boston. On the
other hand, tho prosecution proved to the
satisfaction Of the jury that he spent the
night Of the 9th at the Adams House, in
Boston, in room in which the oext day was
found half shawl, fully Unidentified as hav-
ing belonged to Mrs. Frieze; and that he
he spent the next forenoon in disposing of
the watch and opera.glass aud jewelry Of
Mrs. Frieze in several pawn-brokers' shops.
The pawn-brokers identified Phar as the
man who pawned the article; and in con-
junction with other suspicious circumstances
their evidence was sufficient to convict him.
For over two years he has lain 10 prison.
The legislature met, aud his friends found
no flaw in the chain Of evidence against Phair
sufficient to warrant their moving in the leg
islature Tor the Communication Of his sentence,
The Governor felt obliged TO refuse petit.
tion for his reprieve, aud he aud all concern.
ed prepared for his execution. The chap
lain of the prison, his mother, and a very
lew friends, believed his constant assertions
OF his innocence but all others believed
him justly doomed to die. In his prepare.
ton for death, he drew up statement, which
was obtained by an agent of the Boston
Globe, and was published by that paper on
the morning of Friday, the day set Tor the
execution. Tho statement caught the eye Of
Mr. Downing, business mar OF Boston, who
distinctly remembered, as he believes, riding
from Providence 10 Boston, with man like
Phair. Visiting the Office Of the Boston
chief OF police. Mr.. Downing was shown
Phair's photograph, and after examining it,
Was certain it was the picture of the man he
met on the Providence train. The story Of
his teegraphing to Governor Fairbanks, aud
Of the reprieve received but few minutes
before the hour set for the execution, is else
where told. II Mr.. Downing's impressions
are confirmed when he is brought face to
face with Phair, he will be able to furnish
existence, which will substantiate the most
important part Of Phair's story, will doubt
less save him from an ignomnious death, and
will save the state from hanging an innocent
man.-Free Press.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
Magpies.

A wagpie was in the habit Of hiding bits
Of food, not Immediately wanted. in some
long grass at tho bottom Of a row of iron
hurdles. This hoard was discovered, aud
often robbed, by a favorite terrier. One
morning Mag was observed in great excite
ment, hopping aud chattering necessarily,
rapidly repeating every word 10 his vocabu.
larry at the dog, who was busily engaged in
riding the storehouse. In his search, how.
ever, he passed over tuft Of grass in which
piece OF beef was concealed Mag was at
the spot in an instant, drew forth the treas
ure, aud securely fixed it on the highest bar
Of the hurdles far above the dogs reach.
He then, at little distance, began pluming
his feathers, ohattering to himself with a
very self-satis6ed air, find occasionally hop
ping back TO take another look ut his recov.
cred meal, evidently pridiug himself in his
skill. The conduct Of this magpie is quite
10 keeping with the old adage Of "set thief
to catch u thief" His pilfering habits are
notorious. He is also a sad poacher. Not
only the eggs, but the young of phoasants,
partridges, aud other game, are destroyed by
the maybe nor are the unaedged chickens
or ducklings Of the farm yard safe from his
mischievous attacks. In captivity he is
very amusing, and Notwithstanding his thiev-
ing propensities, NJ one can contemplate
his dark. arch eye, his inquistiveness, his
familiarity, and hear his efforts at mmicry,
without interest. That no is not wholly de-
void OF grateful feeling the following auec-
dote shows A favorlte magpio had been
accustomed is receive dainty bits from the
mouth of its mistress One day it perched
as usual upon her shoulder, and it inserted
Its beak between her lips, not as it proved to
receive, but las one good turn deserves an.
Other) the grateful bird dropped an immense
green fat caterpillar into the ladys mouth.
Leisure Hours.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

FRIDAY, APRIL 1s, 1877.



Last Friday, at two o'clock p. M, John
2. Phair was to meet his death At the hands
Of the law. Great efforts had been made to
secure reprievO from Governor Fairbanks,
BY bis many friends, but without avail. He
had made n last statement in which he
stOutly maintained his innocence. The gal
lows had been erected, the minister Of the
gospel was spending last hour with the
condemned man, all the witnesses Of the
coming execution had been admitted, and
everything seemed to say that the last hope
of John 2. Phair was gone. But about
twenty minutes before two o'clock q reprievc
arrived from Governor Fairbanks. postpon.
ing the execution until May 4. The pris-
oner received the reprisve as an interposi-
ton from God and expressed the hope that
the coming month would find him proven an
innocent man. The case of Phair's being
thus reprieved at the last moment is related
in another column.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
TV.atersOrUm CattIe .yTnrkef.

CaeSum total Of cattle that put In an appearance
at this market during the week 1871 head these 500 head
from the West aud driven to Brighton mark
The Northern yardei, consisting OF the usual variety
oxen steers, stays and The sold rather
Northern cattle In demand at ic Y advance Sales Of
Northern catteJ Nation sold to dress 1925 lbs
eachi at SIC v b d w. DnW & Mouton soil oxen that
weigh 5000 lbs at $l55 Clark sold yearling bulls
S24 EACH twOyear-od bull at Sl0 stays weighing 5000
lbs for $40.
sheep-Old sheep and yearling lambs sold quicker than
last week and at full prices. Farewell has bunch Of 10
sheep that weighed $500 ibsi they lott sold to
Hollis The range sheep is "a &c v ID and year
lngs "a Sc v ID. Taylor sold II lambs, average rs
bs at tic v ID; As sheep and Lambs average 10 h. at Ole
ID. Morrn sold - lambs average II lbs at 7e " h.
II Hubbard sold 1873 sheep and lambs, average e5 rs SC
y b.
POultry-Prces range live poultry Is "a lie 10 for
mix ed lots suppy light
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

The French are complaining that the
United States do not take sufficient interest
in their coming Worlds Fair, to be held in
Paris 10 1878, and that this country is likely
to be very inadequately represented there.
They should not trouble themselves about
that. Though we may be slow at FIRST. we
are sure to como on with rush 10 time to
astonish the world, as we did last year.
Even If the government makes no appropri.
alton for the purpose Of advancing the Amer
lean interests there there wi be sufficient
private enterprise to warrant good appear
ance. Our Yankee spirit will not overlook
the immense advantage to be obtained from
the mere advertising, to say nothing of a
feeling Of national pride which will not fail
to come forth at the proper time. No, our
French cousins need not worry but that the
United States will be on hand. France
should needs trouble herself more about her
own laurels or she will find them suatched
away and transferred to the brow OF her
younger rival.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

A REMARKABLE and terrible crime was
committed in New York last week Tuesday,
the facts Of which are not entirely brought
to light The Office Of Jewett Il Sons on
Front Street was destroyed by the explosion
of hand grenade and George w. Jewett
was killed, Orville d. Jewett fatally wound
ed, and Joseph Dean severely injured. The
affair was at first great mystery, but soon
the main facts leaked out. though q part
still remains untold. 1t seems that Orville,
the youngest member of the firm, had pro.
posed to withdraw from the copartnership.
In securing this end he had several disputes
with his partners, who strongly opposed the
withdrawal but Orvile remained firm and
this led to several disputes, in the last of
which the tragedy took place. At this last
interview Orville who had the grenade in
his pocket, for what purpose has not been
satisfactorily settled, got very angry and is
supposed to have thrown the shell upon the
floor, with the above result. Upon exami.
nation il was found that Orville had several
bullet wounds in his body and it is now sup
posed that these we're caused by Mr.. Dean
in self-defence after receiving the injuries
from the explosion Of the hand grenade. Mr..
Dean is very reticent about the affair, re.
fusing to give any account that will throw
light upon tue real cause Of the tragedy.
However, it docs not seem as though he will
keep silence much longer. 1t is supposed
that Orville was crazy with liquor at the
time. The firm was quite wealthy and we'll.
known throughout the country as the largest
whitehead manufacturers 10 the is.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

The Phair case is Of course the cugross-
ing topic in Vermont just now. The almost
universal conviction Of his guilt does not
seem to have been seriously shaken by the
Downing development, especially since it is
claimed that the abb theory is not estab.
lshed by the latteF's story. as Phair might
have Travelled with him from Providence to
Boston at the timo he says and still have
pawned the murdered womans articles in
Boston on the day testified to. There is no
probability however, that he will be hung
when his four-weeks' repreve is up, aud 10.
deed there seems to be good deal Of trou-
BILE about disposiug of tho case 10 any way.
IL is even doubted whether the governor of
Vermont has the right to reprieve, but, as
he exercises the power, this question is not
Of much practical consequence. The stat
utes provide that new trial shall Rot be
granted upon the ground of new evidence
unless asked within two years after the orig
inal Judgment, which in the Phair case was
rendered two years aud two months ago.
The courts therefore couldn't possibly grant
a new trial, aud the only way out Of the
difficulty seems to be for the governor to ex-
ercise his disputed right Of reprioving the
maa till the Legislature meets again, which
will not be until October, l87S.-Spring-
field Republican, April 10.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

EcoNoMY.-There is considerable signlfi-
canoe in an experiment said to have been
made by a Washington butcher. He had
heard SO much about the demand for lower
prices that he advertised to sell prime cuts
at 10 cents pound and good cuts at 10
cents. His calculation was that be would
have such an extra sale of the latter as to
pay his way on the former quality. AT the
end Of four months, however, he found he
had lost $4,000. Everybody wanted the
10 cent beef, nobody was poor enough to
take up with the second rate kind. No won
der he began to have doubts about the sin.
cerity OF the cry of "hard times" The
truth is, the cry is well enough, and there is
occasion enough for it, but then we all want
to retain our Injuries and frst.class commOd-
ities We want to get down in expenses
without coming down in retrenchmeDt. 1t
Is hard TO learn that economy must begin in
moderating our desires, instead of waiting
for lower prices while we are graspiug all
we can get. The way to the hard pan is in
deed hard, but perhaps it is best reached by
not scoOPing up quite so much in the pan
Boston Journal.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

HIRED GIRLs.-It is to be hoped that one
good effect OF the present economical age will
DO to break down the barrier which now pre-.
vents American girls from accepting house,
hold service. There is much room for adj
vance in public sentiment 10 this particular.
Women who may have the good luck to be
ut the head OF house must learn to divest
themselves OF their ridiculous snobbishness
and treat their hired girls as human beings
and sister women, and American girls must
bring themselves to feel that it Is precisely
as honorable and refined for them to make
Mrs. Smiths beds and wash her dishes, as il
is for their brothers to keep Mr.. Smiths
books, and weigh out his sugar and tea-
Waterman.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

The revival in Boston. under the off orts
Of Mr.. Moody, is increasing in interest aud
power. The distrctiug of the city, and the
systematic visitation suggested by Mr..
Moody, is resulting in reaching many per.
sons who would never of their own motion
visit the Tabernacle. That great building
was twice filled, on Thursday, on the coca.
sion of the delivery of Mr.. Moody's sermon
on "The Precious Blood, the two audiences
numbering over $4,000 souls.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
Richmond Market.

MONDAY, April ..
Butter frOm 20 % 27c; few very i7c most
OF the dairy.
No Cheese ut market.
Potatoes 90 "a Toe " bush.
Maple Sugar 40 LEI Syrup SOC y gal
Veal "a Sc, |. W.
Dairy Dslves Toe.
Dairy skins SO 20 65c.
Hay $40 % II ton.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13
SO. JOhIssbssrU Market.

THURSDAY, April 8.
Prices Paid by Dealers.
Butter, new, tube or balls, p ID 25c
Eggs, l5c v slna
Beans. common white, 81 T5i hand picked, 81 so.
Oats, 30 " bush
Maple Sugar stirred, extra, loo W fb; tub Sc.
Potatoes, so 40 15c v bush,
Beef. dressed weights % SC v b.
Prices Asked by Dealers.
Dried apples IL % lie, as to quality.
Molasses 75c v gallon
Syrup, silver drip, 81 90.
Sugar. refined @, l2lc; graduated, $780,
Maple Sugar "a l0c.
Kerosene, 40 10 J0c
Corn new, soc v bushel.
India Wheat Csc y bush.
Meal, Toe v bush, new.
Feed, 81 40 v 100 ID.
Bran, 81 IS u 100 ID.
Flour, 50 90 "a so.
Rye Meal. unsifted 3c v ID.
Shorts, S2T v ton.
Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-13

Now that the South Carolina business is
disposed Of the president turns his attention
to the Louisiana question. He has recourse
to his favorite method, that Of appointing .
committee of Eve gentlemen TO examine into
the question and report Ooe Of this com.
mission is a strong democrat and The others
are known to be fair and unprejudiced. 1t
is not so easy to predict the decision in this
state as 10 South Carolina. Both parties
are determined in their stand, though Nich-
OILS has without doubt the largest and most
influential constituency. Kellogg has writ.
ten an open letter to the president in which
he maintains that if he was not legally
elected, Hayes was not, and warns him
against disturbing his claim to the governor
ship. The presidents fnal plan is that the
legislature shall combine aud settle itself the
vital question; but this does not meet with
much favor. In fact il is going 10 be some
time before we hear the last of tho Louis
lana question.