davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

TIE SUrrLY OF WATEG,-Winter set
in without the usual abundant fills OF
r.ius and the Grouuds freezing 50 hard has
reduced the supply Of water until already
"A scarcity OF is being experienced N man
para o! the country, wells and springs ar.
low and some are dry, which gives u,
grave Npp ehensions of what may b.
ahead. A considerable body Of snow is
already upon the ground, and if the latter
wa, not frozen SO hard would aid sume-
what in the preservation Of water, but
now we can have but little hope in this
direction and must wait as patiently as we
can for thaw. This 10 be of much use
will need to be pro,ractad and general,
other ise the waters will run off upon the
Surrace of the ground and little be re-
ccived. Farmer, with large stocks of ami
mails need Il good supply of water, and
when this cannot be obtained upon the
farm, serious difficulty is experienced.
The present scarcity should i'm mpress upon
all the necessity of providing for such
emergencies, so fur rs possible. by the
way Of reservoirs wells and cisterns, us
IL good supply of water upon the farm Al
all times, is one of its best features, and
its value can hardly be estimated in dol
lars and cents.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24
OUR FIRST GRAY HAIR.
BY WALTER c. HowDEN,

As the first big patterng drops that fall
With splash on our lattice pane
Make us shiyer and start as they warn us all
OF a storm or of coming rain:
SO 1t is with life when we're growing old
Aud ge steals unaware
We shver and start If the truth was told,
At the sight of our first gray hair.
We mark not the light of the MONDAY hours
Like the first streaks the dawn doth bring;
We hail not the birth Of summer flowers
AS we do the first snOw.drop of spring;
On the bleak winter wind We look not with grief,
Though it howl through the branches bare.
But we sigh when we witness the brown autumn lea
And behold Natures first gray hair,
Gray hairs may come when the beaming eye
Has none Of its brightness lost;
When with buoyaDt heart we would fain deny
Youths Rubicon had been crossed;
But the ivy-clad tree looks young and green,
Though sapless trunk is there,
And nauZht of decay on our cheek may be seen
When we witness our first gray hair
0. noble crown to a noble life
Is n head of svery gray,
And tits we'll if, tired with the struggle and strife.
1t finds rest at the close of day.
But gray headed sin is crownless curse,
And the parent of dark despair,
And it gives us paug, o, dOubly worse,
Than the sight of first gray hair.
Como early, come late, like knock at the gate
Is that first soft silvery thread.
And it Joins with its silence the years that wait
With the years forever fled;
1t silently tells us we're jodrneying on;
1t silently questions us-Where?
o, faithful milestone were the truth but known,
Is seen il Our first gray hair.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24
VOL. XXXIV.

davs over the ludicrous ending of the
Bennet May affair. The two idiots did 90
to place in Delaware, and did stand up
before each other ut the blood-lhirsly dis
tance of twelve PAGES and lire pistols into
the mir, and retire Then it was industri-
ously given out that May was mOrtally
wounded, and that Bennett WAS in hiding,
and the papers were filled with the incl
,Ients of the meeting" The truth is
neither was touched. May sneaked off to
Washington, and Bennett Sneaked off To
Europe with his sister, where he will
probably stay. He is the laughing stock
of the city, and as he hasn't the tact Of
his father to turn such things to account,
it is better for him to he away. The re-
suit of the " duel is so ridiculous that
it has done more to put Il final end TO such
nonsense than all the laws. The only
real sufferer in the case is Miss May, who
is really nice girl, even if she was will
ing to marry such IL man us Benne t.
The two principals have hardly sense
enough to feel the absurd position they
have placed themselves in.
Vanderbilt is not to he allowed to sleep
peacefully in his coffin. His daughters,
inspired. doubtless Ivy their husbands, are
not satisfied with the disposition of his es-
Datc, and they will contest the will. They
claim that they can show that the old man
was under undue influence when he made
tire will. and thpt his brquests were con-
>equrnjly unjust The fact is, Vanderbilt
was never clearer in his life, and he did
with his properly exactly what he had al
ways intended to. He desired that the fab.
ric he had built should remain for all time,
as does that of the Rothschilda, and he Sc
Iprled the son who has business ability,
trained him carefully in the management
of his railroads. and then left the control
of them in his hands. lie was amhi inus
that the name should endure in connection
with his enterprises, and that the system
he established should be perpetuatrd. Th"
daughters W II not succeed, FIR the will
was made years ago, and his intentions
were as well known five years ago rs
when the document WAS presented for pro-
bate. Still the fight will he lively one.
md the lawyers will get fal pickings out
of il. William II Vanderbilt is II very
strong husin' IS man, and is worthy success
>or to his father lie i, just us asping and
lust as selfish, and In his hands the estate
will grow rather than waste. PIETRo.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

TANNING A LAMBSKIN WITH THE Wool
ON.-Alake II strong soap suds, using hot
water; when it is co d, wash the skin in
it, careful ly squeezing it between the
hands to get the dirt out Of the wool; then
wash The soap out with clean cold waIer {;
next, dissolve alum and salt, Of each half
II pound in II little hot water, which pu
into tub of cold water sufficient to cover
the skin. and let it $ ak in it over night or
twelve hours; now hang the skin over II
pole to drain; when well drained, spread
or stretch carefully on board to dry. 1t
need not be tucked if drawn out several
times with the hand while drying. When
yet little damp sprinkle pulverzcd salt
peter and alum Gan ounce each mixed to-
gelheI) on the flesh side, rubbing it in
well 1t is now to hang in the shade for
two or three days, the flesh side in until
perfectly dry. When entirely dry, sorape
the flesh side with blunt knife to remove
any scraps Of flesh. Trim off all project
ing points, and rub the flesh side with
pumuce or rotten stone, and with the
hands, Prepared In this way it is white
and beautiful, suitable for door-mat, and
also nice for the feet in sleigh or wagon
in cold weather.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

1t often happens that black calico and
printed goods which have n white pattern
on black ground will not bear washing,
unless some p' 'ecautions are taken to pre-
vent running" or in other words the
white spots acquire reddish color and
the black ground becomes dull and foxy.
This can be avoided by the following
method Dissolve two ounces of red chro.
mate of potash, three ounces oi common
salt, and two and half ounces of sal soda
in wash-boiler full of water heated TO
boiling point. Put the dress into this hot
bath for five minutes, and frequently turn
and stir it. Then wash it thoroughly in
clean water. There will be no further
danger of discoloration, and the white
portions of the goods will appear perfect
ly bright and clear.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

COMFORT FOR SHoRT FoLKs,-Tbose
tiresome people, the statisticians-who,
nevertheless, find out so many things that
the world is very glad to know-tell us
that ON all long MAJ ches, or undertakings
requiring GREAT strength and endurance,
it is the tall men who fail first. In Arctic,
or in African explorations, and in armies
and navies the world over, it has been
founl that short men are the longest
workers. So. if any Of my boys think
that they are not growing tall fast enough,
let them remember that what they lose in
height they may gain in powers OF endur-
ance; and in the long run these are worth
more than any other personal possession,
saving always nm honest, open heart and
conscience. - " Jack-ia-th6- Pulpit" 81.
Nicholas for February.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

GREAT CAPITALIsTs.-We al secretly
feel that it is fortunate thing for human
lily that but half dozen men in forty
millions possess that peculiar ability
which enables them to begin with cap
ita Of nothing and end with hundred
million, more or less; and still more for.
tunate flat these mighty aggregations of
wealth in this country, invaribly melt
away rapidly after the death of their first
owners and return in generation or two
into the usual currents. Exceptional and
dazzling success of this kind, too, is apt to
he mistaken, especially by young men
Just beginning life. Every farm hand or
shop clerk or cabin boy sees no reason
why with thrift, honesty and zeal. he may
not become Stewart or Vanderbilt;
it is the golden light of these high bea-
cons which draws into the ciles ambi.
tiouS youth, and crowds our byways aud
alleys with miserable wrecked lives.
Thrift, zeal and honesty will always con-
quer liveivrlhood for any man, with
more Gel tainty, however, in small town
than in II great thoroughlare; but it needs
sOmethin. more than these to accumulate
a large fortune. 1t requires a certain in.
sight akin to prescience and as distinctive
apower as the artists eye or the musicians
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

OUR NATIONAL PmDE.-As nation,
we have been accused of vanity and self
glorilication, MS all nations have been, and
are, that abound with vitality and posses,
great resources. If America is more proud
of herself than England or France, we fai
to see it, The pride Of the Englishninn
has been such that he can hardly recog
nize America as Il nation at all, or MS IL nj
tion that holds equal importance with his
own. A Frenclman's national pride is
almost unique in its intensity. To a
there is nothing outside Of
France that is worth notice. The nation
is content With itself and its home; and
comparatively few Frenchmen emigrate or
wander. The Germans Vaterland is
the theme of his most inspiring song The
Swiss, the Swede, the Norwegian, all pet
themselves. If Americans possess national
pride. and are somew hat ahounding in it.
manifestations, they are not peculiar; and
Il survey Of the subjects of their pride will
show their sin, ifsin it he, to he venial.-
Dr. j. g. HoLand; ScriJner for Feb.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

A TRnTTING TEAM OF OXEN.-DeXter,
the tanner OF bovines, created u great sem
saton on the streets yesterday by appear
ing in IL carriage drawn by four milk white
oxen. all in harness and driven tandem.
Tie gay and festive looking beasts pranced
along in fine style" heads up and tails
risin'," as our John would say. Governor
rhayer was invited TO take a ride, and was
driven about for sometime by Dexter.
Other gentlemen also enjoyed the novelty.
Dexter says that either of his oxen can
trot II mile in 3:47. He offers to bet any
amount of money that he can load wagon
with $500 pounds Of freight, attach his
four oxen, and make better time to Dead
wood than any four-horsc or mule team
with the same load can possibly do
Cheyenne Leader.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

A MODERN AMERCAN,-John Quincy
Adams was in his nineipth year when
Charles Mackay first visited this country
lie was in excellent health, the cause Of
which he explained to DR.. Mnckay. " Men
and women" he said, " scarcely allow tn,
fresh mir of heaven TO touch any part o
their bodies except the hands and face
and even to these the ladies are systemaii.
caIly unjust by wearing gloves and wallis
The surface of the beautiful human form
require, to be for II certain period every
tlay exposed to the action of ofalmosphere.
take my air-bath regularly every morning
and walk in my bedroom in puriS naturd-
HbuS, with ali the windows open Ior u full
half hour, / also take water-bath daily.
read and write for eight hours day.
sleep eight hours, and devote another
eight to exercise, conversation and meals.
leel within myself II reserve of bodily
strength which think, will carry me to II
hundred years unless | die by accident or
am shot or hanged"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EAR.-Small ears
arc invariably under great disadvantage.
Large ears are usually indicative Of n
more comprehensive taste A narrow
harp or harp-lke opening always denotes
a good ear for music. If the harp is yery
regular, you may safely prognosticate a
correct intonalion. For u singer the rim
must bo very even and the circle unbrok.
en-. Any protuberance on the rim of the
ear will occasion 4 slight discrepancy of
intonation-the singer will not be Mt all
times alike. Some have double harp; /;
This is dangerous to the success of the
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24


THE DEM )NGAC FERoClrY or THE Oc
rOPUs.-A lobster and octopus battle is
certainly novelty in the way of animal
5ombats, but such Il fact actually occnrrpd
IN the Naples arena. A lobster Giant who
had previously exhibited his prowess IN
crushing with his great pincer- -rlavs th.
skull of turtle rs easily as if the renriI,, i
head had brcn II nut, WIS introduced iptn
The happy family circle in the octorus
tank ut London Immediately. the l,rrest
octopus gave battlt to the cr, stacoan. tte
lobster, early in the fobt, soi,ino onn NJ
he soft, plant arms of his oppop7n, in his
claws; the octopus manarinc. hoy,svD,.
>fler IL time to Withdraw the c1nhreJ
member. Day by day the COMBAT dru rgn,,
rut its weary length, sometimes one sid,
being temporarily vic,or;ous--as when th.
obs'er lost large claw-anA sometimes
The other. II last The comJatnnts wrrr
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

Senator Edmunds of Vermont is said by
a correspondent of the Philadelphia Times
to strongly resemble portraits of St. Je-
rome; and he adds; "If there are any
but facial similarities between him and the
old saint, however, Mr.. Edmunds does not
show them. He may be pious, but he GER
tainly is not humble. He seldom fails to
get the better of an opponent, and is
equally ready to knock him down with a
quotation from weighty authority, thurst
him through with lance Of his sarcasm,
or cross words with him in fair discussion.
His hair is white, and what little skin his
thick beard and mustache reveals is Of
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

singer. A perfect double rim is, on tn,
Ilher hand, highly advantageous This is
owever, open To the weakness of being
asily satisfied with sweet sounds of an,
Kind. The ear without rim is the mosI
ainty and difficult to please. 1t appear,
20 receive, almost as it were by selection
'nly the best sounds ordinary sounds
bivc no attraction for it. These are -
lew of the leading features of the car
Seeing that we have casts Of piaaist-'
hands, would it not be as instructive 10
nave casts of composers ears? Surely ,h.
1ne is as'important to the musical st1der.
Is the her.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

ElERoIsM.--" Oh. dear" said Willie
Grey lis he sat down on the saw horse and
looked at The kindling-wood wi ich he
ought to have been splitting for his moth
rr, " do wish coud do something for
the world some great action that every
one could admire-that would make the
country and the whole world better and
happier. | wish could be hero Ike
Washington, or famous visionary like
Jndson; but | can't do any thing or BE-
any hing"
Why do you want to be hcro?'
asked his cousin, john Maynard who,
coming up just then, happened TO over
hear his soiloquy.
"Oh. said Willie, coloring. "every one
admires hero, and talks about him and
praises him after he is dead"
THAT'S the idea, is it?" said John.
Z" You want to be Il hero for the sake of
being ttlked about
Willie did not exactly like that way of
putting it.
Not only that, but want to dol good to
people convert the heathan-or-or save
Il sinking ship, Or save tile country, or
something like that"
" That sounds better but believe me,
Willie, the greatest heroes have
been men who have thought least
about themselves and more a5out their
work, and so far as | can rcrolIect now,
the great--I mean according to the Chris
lian Stan,lard-have always Oegun by do
ing the nearest duty, however small -
And here John took up the axe aud began
TO split the kindling-woo,l.
Willie jumped off the saw horse, and
began to pick up the sticks without saying
n word; but though he said nothing, he
thought the more.
I've wasted lots of time thinking what
great things | might do, if only hqd the
chance" he thought; land I've neglected
the things | could and ought 10 dc.
and made II lot of trouble for mother.
guess Id better begin my heroism by fight
ins my own laziness. ."-ScIcctcd.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

A VARIETY OF NAMES What do we
call moneyP"-7rtbune. Well, by sever
al or more names. Some describe it as
" spondulux," some as 1.-THE stuff some
as "the sugar." some as "rhino," some
as spoons" some as 1.-THE ready" others
as "brads." The French call it "rargen',"
the English 1.-THE needful,' in Mexico,
" castings In the South it is "rocks."
in the East " tin" +" in Canada it goes by
the name Of "spelter." Hereabouts it is
" short. ."-HudSon RiUer Chronicle.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

UNUSED TALENT.-Did you ever find
lying in some neglected spot, buried
among the grass, perhaps, some old tool,
which you remember sharp and bright
and useful. but now covered with rust, and
useless? The rust and the dull edge have
come of its long rest Had it been con-
Sinntly used it might have been broken
but it never would have been that dull
useless thing while it lasted. 1t is just so
with human beings. Inaction is worse
for them than hard work. Unused talents
rust. The mind that is never sharp"ned
grows dull. One who has not done what
he might finds his power gone ut last.
Sometimes, when mind lies useless, and
hands ale folded, the soul rusts also. | do
not know st. Simon's history, but | doubt
if he was rs worthy II saint as many an.
other, Just because he lived at the top of n
pillar, and, to quote Miss Braddon, " had
his meals sent up to him in basket "
Had he come down for his food he might
have found some chance of being useful.
Thele e is work in the world for every mind
and heart and body.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

Gen. James Shields, the new Adiutant.
General of Missouri, was shot through the
body with II grape shot Mt the battle of
Cerro Gnrlo. during the Mexican war,
and large silk handkerchief was drawn
through the body to clean the wound. He
afterwards served term as United States
Senator from Illinois, and then MS Major.
General during the civil war in the Union
army.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

parchment color. lie wears spectacles,
and stoops a good deal. Only his eyes are
Young. His face is of the Jewish patri-
lrch type, and if he should go into a syn
tgogue on Sunday the assembly would
nc sure to take him for rabbi learned in
he Scriptures and the 1almud."
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

Total Tor fract1n Of actuaIlOsses oflife, 20 49,
1t may be cunsolng to know that Burke
estimates these slain in battle. and by
other means Of civilization" since The
world began to be, in round numbers, 35.-
0O0,0U0 while another authority computes
the number with greater liberality at g.
100000 600. Evidently disease and old
age are the least responsible for deaths.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

RECEIVING A CHALLENGE.-Thcre is no
way to receive challenge but with scorn
and contempt. When the old Napoleon
was lighting in Egypt he received II
challenge from Sir S dney Smith to fight II
duel, and so settle all the wars. Napoleon
sent back word TO Smith that if he would
come ashore he would send out II tn grrn
adler TO run II fool.race with him. Smiths
offer was llIe most reasonable Tor any case
of duGling, because it WAS to save other
lives. But it was felt to be II by-play.
General Shields of Illinois once chal-
lrnged Mr.. Lincoln 10 mortal combat
Lincoln accepted. and chose broad-swordS,
and fixed upon Bloody Island. in the Mis-
issippi River, beween Illinois and Mis-
souri,, us the place. At the hour ap, onl-
ed, sunrise, General Shields and his
friends went to the place, and found Mr.
Lincoln with II huge broad sword in his
hand, and with his coat off; he was cut
ing down the brush, clearing upa place
for the battle. Shields looked on mo
ment or two, and declined to take the
place of the hazel brush Mr.. Lincoln
knew his man.
Peter Carright was once challenged by
II smart young major He accepted the
challenge. and selected corn.salks for the
weapons, saying, "Mai,r, | think can
finish you with one" The major clinched
his fist and said, IF thought | could
whip you would smite you in IL mo-
mrnt." The old preacher said, YES,
yes; but, thank God, you can't whip me !
But don't you attempt TO strike me, for ii
you do ana the devil gets out of you into
me, | shall give you the worst whipping
that you ever got in all your life" We
recommend this case to the consideration
of men who are about to violate the law
and become criminals.
There never was but one duel fought on
The soil Of Illinois by her citizens That
was in 1920. One Stewart and one Ben
nett arranged to vlndicate their honor
The ST conds agreed to make it sham,
and left out the balls. Stewart was in the
secret Bennett miStrusted something. and
Slipped Iulle into his gun, and killed
Stewart. He fled, was pursued two years,
caught, tried, convicted, sentenced to be
hung, and, in spite Of all his friends. and
all political influence, he aus hung. We
commend this cue to the attention of the
authorities. When Il man tries 10 kill an
other, and is prevented the law has IL way
of using him hat makes an example of
him. There is nothing that this country
so much needs us IL few prominent exam
pies Of the value and dignity and aulhori-
tv Of the law.-NGW York AdUOcUte.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-24

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ANGOLA DIS.
ASTER, DEC, Is, 1868. The recent disaster
at Ashtabuln is in many respects similar
to that which occurred ut Angola. point
on the same road, on Dec. lS. 1868. The
Angola accident occurred also on the Dor.
der OF "a slleam The train was behind
time, and coming rapidly down grade to
make up the needed moments. When ii
reached the bridge one of the cars Jumped
tine track and was dr. gged along the stl uc-
ture. Just before reaching the opposite
bank it was precipitated forty feet down
an ice covered slope, where it WAS dashed
TO pieces and burned. Only three Of its
occupants escaped with their lives. all the
rest being crushed or burned to death.
Another passenger car went down the
embankment, distance Of twenty-five
feet and was completely wrecked. 1t
caught lire twice, but the passengers sue
cetded in eXtinguishing the flames. The
catastrophe was not quite aS terrible as
that ut AshIabula, because the inmates ol
the cars did not fall into the water. Twen-
ly.six lives were lost Twenty three per-
sons were so badly burned as be unrecog-
nizahe Forty-six of the passengers were
woulded. The scene Of the accident was
not far from Buffalo, and the injured were
care lor in thai CITY.