davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
A Reform Called For.
THE EFFECT OF PAYING SMALL POSTMAs-
TIERS BY PERCENTAGES ON THEIR
STAMP SALES.
[From a Washington letter.

AvOndale, Essex county, n. j., is q
small place on the Erie railroad, neal
Newark, at which there is a post office
Prior to the passage of the act of June,
1874, the pOstmaster's salary was about
$40 per quarter, the compensation be-
ing determined under the old law by
the number of stamps Cancelled. Short
ly after the passage of the act of June,
1874, fixing compensation in accordance
with the value of stamps disposed of,
the salary was increased TO $500 per
annum, and an Investigation showed
that this increase was made without a
single family having been added to the
population of AvOndale. A relative OF
the postmaster, an officer of the Erie
road, purchased all the stamps required
by the company at the Avondale office,
and in this way the government is filch-
ed out of at least $1,000 per annum,
which goes, in accordance with law. to
the AvOndale postmaster.
A patent medicine man at Buffalo,
n. Y, who is an extensive advertiser
and who keeps a number of people con-
stantly employed in folding and mail
ing to all sections of the country his
circulars, ,aimanacs, &C., buys no stamps
from the Buffalo office. In explanation
he unreservedIy acknowledges that he
can obtain all the stamps he can use at
a large discount, and that he is in al
most daily receipt of letters containing
offers to supply postage stamps of any
denomination at large discount upon
their face value. Some of these offers
come direct from country postmasters,
but the great majority come from men
who doubtless act as agents for the
pOstmasters, and with whom the per-
eentage allowed by law is divided. If
the law did not offer pecuniary advan-
tages to the vendor and purchaser of
stamps, they would be purchased in the
instance above stated at the Buffalo
office, and in all such cases the pur-
chases would be made at the offices To-
Gated in cities whose postmasters re-
ceive no commission on the sale of
stamps.
The pOstmasters at New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia and other large cities
say they sell comparatively few postage
stamps to wholesale merchants, because
as they believe, such merchants can OBJ
tain all the stamps they use from cOun-
try postmasters at large discount, or
they can obtain them in exchange for
merchandise.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
He Quit Right There.

Some months since a fond Detroit ia
ther imagined that his only son, a
young man of twenty, was going into
consumption. A doctor was consulted,
and he advised that the son be put
through course of gymnastic training.
The young man seemed to like the idea.
and for two or three months he was in
daily attendance at gymnasium. Then
he began to grow careless, and finally
quit it altogether The father thought
he could see signs of failing health
again, and to induce the son to go back
to rings, bars and gloves once more, he
fitted up a private gymnasium in the
barn and began course of exercise
himself. The other morning he remem-
beTed that he used to be boxer in his
young days, and he remarked that he'd
give the son a few lessons. He was
balancing himself on his heel and feel
ing out with both hands, when some
thing hit him, and half minute after
wards he dimly realized that some one
was bending over him and saying:
''Father, dear father! are you dead ?''
He sat up, looked around, and hoarse-
ly inquired:
Oiin- Nudt Ou OdItu Hdppcucu
''Why, father, got in love-tap on
your nasal just little feeler, to see
if you were solid Oh your pins"
"Didn't you strike as hard as you
could 2"
'''No-not half-not a quarter. 1t
was what the boys call feeling for claret.
Your nose will spring back into posi-
tion in less than half day.n
The father got ap, let the gloves fall
from his hands, and as he caught the
trapeze to steady his legs, he said:
"Jim, your mother and thought you
were going into consumption, and Doc
tor--he backed us up in it, That's
why l sent you to learn gymnastics.
Jim, Pm a fool, your mother is an aw-
full good woman, and if we can get the
doctor up here long enough to let you
feel for his claret don't care how soon
| die !n-DetrOu Free Press.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
A Little Chair.

BY MRS. MARGARET RYTINGE.
Oh Il the children, happy children,
Smiling everywhere go;
Some as brown as Autumn's berries,
Some as fair as Winter snow.
Some with eyes as blue as morning.
Some with eyes as dark as night,
Some with faces strangely thoughtful.
Some with faces strangely bright.
And the while 1 gayly greet them
Back my heart returneth where,
In my room. amongst the flowers,
Stands baby's little chair.
But, alasl the laughing darling,
That in precious by-gone days
Sat there, never more will cheer me,
With his pretty naughty ways.
Cunning feet placed on the table
e When his noontide meal was DER
Cup of milk poured on the sugar,
Spoon and fork dropped on the floor.
Then when ''mother's' face grew cloudy,
Little arms around me thrown,
Little hands my cheeks caressing,
Sweet lips pressed upon my own
Oh! the children, happy children
Yes, meet them everywhere;
But at home, amongst my flowers,
Stands baby's empty chair.
-Baldaoin's Monthly.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
IMPORTANT VERDICT UNDER THE CIV

IMPORTANT VERDICT UNDER THE CIv-
IL DAMAGE LAw.-BRATTLEBoRo, 2S.-
A very important verdict in the sum of
S2OO8.34 was rendered in the Windham
county court at Newfane, last Thurs
day, against Daniel C. Carpenter and
son, hotel proprietors of Readsboro, in
favor of Ophelia Snow, for permanent
injuries received by being thrown from
a wagon in consequence of her husband,
who was driving, being drunk on liquor
procured from defendants. This was
the second trial of the case, the first
having resulted i'll verdict of 1880
for the plaintiff. The defence denied
responsibility, on the ground that Snow
had only procured one drink of them,
at which time he was sober. Over 40
witnesses had been examined in the
case during the three days trial. It's
Importance as test of the Vermont
liquor law has caused large attend
ance and deep interest.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

CURIOUS INCIDENT.--In one of the
mines of the Crown Point Iron Com
pany, the other day, an explosion oc-
Cured by which man named Burt lost
one hand and one eye and had his skull
fractured. Burt had been deaf and
dumb from infancy, and had married
deaf mute for wife. He survived his
injuries, and, curious to relate, the ac-
cident perfectly restored his hearing
and he is now learning to talk and
making commendable progress. Were
the treatment less heroic, his wife would
undoubtedly undergo it. We get this
from the treasurer of the company-a
gentleman who, like the late George
Washington, carries little hatchet
around with him all the time and con-
sequently cannot tell Burlington
Free Press.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
Freeman or Slave P

A negro, signing himself Sambo, steps
forth in the Richmond (Va.) Herald TO
contradict the oft-repeated assertion
that the slaves have not been improved
by emancipation. He declares that the
physical condition of the colored peo-
pie has been greatly changed for the
better since they were set free. He
says they own, rent, and live in better
houses than when in slavery that their
clothing is more ample and in better
taste: that, if they till the same soil,
they have the comfort very often OF
knowing that they own it; that they
are coming more into the arts and pro-
fessions; and that they are saving
money and making provision for old
age much more than in previous years
He states, what we did not know be-
fore: that they generally belong to mu-
tual benevolent societies, which provide
for them in sickness, and that they are
laying up something still. He asks
''lf unthrift is too frequent, who is to
blame for it Were we trained in a
state of slavery to lay up in store fol
old age and sickness ?" This is peril
nent question, and his conclusion is, as
the Herald confesses, entitled to earnest
consideration
.'Our stock companies, our loss OF
millions of money in the Freedmen's
bank, our benevolent societies, our new
churches on every hand, our little
homes, our improved dress, our ample
supply of plain, healthy foOd-alI attest
the fact that our condition has been re-
markably bettered by emancipation
But, were our condition more deplora-
BILE than formerly, we would not, like
the foolish Israelites of old, long again
for the flesh-pots of Egypt The woes
and ills of a freeman are easier to to be
broOked and much to be preferred to
the Elysium of SLAVE"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
Horace Greeley's Last Letter.

Colonel M. w. Tappan, of Bradford,
N. H., has the following letter from
Horace Greeley, which is thought to be
the last letter of confidential friendship
which he ever wrote
NEW YORK, November 8, 1872.
"My Friend: We may have been
terribly beaten. was the worst beaten
man who ever ran for the office. And
l have been assailed so bitterly that l
hardly know whether l was running for
president or the -penitentiary. In the
darkest hour my long suffering wife left
me, none too soon, for she had suffered
too deeply and too long. 1 laid her in
the ground with hard, dry eyes. Well,
am used up. l cannot see before me.
l have slept little tor weeks, and my
eyes are still hard to close, while they
soon open again. But no more of this.
You, my friend, went into this contest
for me. You knew as 1 did that we
must stop fighting the rebels sometime.
But it is now settled that we never shall.
need not speak of my wife. You
know the whole story of her long ill
ness and painless death. Her sufferings
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
A Reform in the Judiciary Called For

The expense of government in the
state of Vermont has been $685. 200 the
past year, about third of which is for
the courts, and expenses of litigation
and prosecution, to say nothing of the
cost of sustaining jails and court-houses,
which falls on the counties. The sala-
ries of judges and other officers are as
low as they can we'll be in decency, and
the bulk OF this expense is in the temp
tation to use the jury system to fight
out small quarrels at the public ex-
pense. The Montpelier Watchman
says that half the cases appealed to the
county courts have no business there,
and advocates some system of arbitra-
ton for small cases. We suggest that
if litigants are compelled to pay some
what more of the proportion of their
costs there will not be so much fun i'm
it. A recent case at Montpelier shows
with what impunity the state is impos-
ed upon. Some three years ago man
bought large quantity of hull-less oats
at the preposterOus price of SO per
bushel, and leased land around Of farm
ers at equally fancy prices on which to
raise the next crop. The enterprise
turned out to be the shallOwest quack-
cry in farming, but the investor found
an insurance agent who was ready to
insure some of the grain stored in an
old building at not over SIS bushel !!
This was i'll western and southern COM
panies. When the oats were burned
up three of the insuring companies had
failed, but the fourth has how been ad-
jured liable to the amount of $1629.
This grotesque instance of fooling with
business will be carried to the supreme
court on exceptions, and slander suits
are also promised. We have noticed
other instances in which the patience
of judges with the Stiffness of cases was
marvelous.-Sprinqfeld Republican.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
Mother shipton's Prophecy.
[From the PENN Montblrl

.
The famous prophecy of Mother Sbinton in Fn,
and-hrst printed in 14ss, and republished in 164
mas at last been accomplished in MANY respeet,
Steamboats,, teegraphs iIon-clads, tunnels the col
discoveries, the admission of the Jews into En-.
iand have been accomplished in our century. J
.ne nre OF London, the execution of Charles /. tb
death OF Cardinal Woolsey and the reigns of Eliz,
oeth and James, prophesied long before, came I
pass each in their own time. Her doggerel verse;
which are powerful influence in parts of Yorksb;,
to this day, are as follows:
Carriages without horses shall 90.
AND accidents fill the world with wo
Around the world thoughts shall fy
In the twinkling of an eye.
Water shall yet more wonders do.
NOW strange shall yet be true
The world upside down shall be-
And gold be found at root of tree.
Through hills men shall ride
And no horse or be at his side.
Under water men shall walk;
shall ride shall sleep shall talk
In the air men shall be seen,
In white, in black, in green
Iron in the water shall float
As easy as a wooden boat
Gold shall be found and found
In land that's not now known
Fire and water shall wonders do.
England shall at last admit Jew.
The world to an end shall come
In eighteen hundred and eighty-one.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
To Builders and Lumber Dealers

v;iIe me subscriber has completed his new mill in
.nS nSS'oiry' and is now prepared to furnish lumber
anu anu dimension timber of almost all kinds. His
- are large, and he furnish long and heavy
@Mh9er @ for especial purposes. The subscriber hav-
~, ~ oeen IN the business more than thirty years,
,ters nrs himself he understands what builders
rly. ~ III DiiiS sp19oiS pa SSrET pIA S0T nv
81 Johnsbury May 4, 1875. tiff
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

ploying vagrants; trying to form habits
OF industry among them and paying
any excess they may have earned over
their maintenance when their term of
sentence expires.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

Name, Business and Location of the lead
ina Business Houses IN st. JOhnSburg.
Agricultural Tools and Hardware.
HASKELL s. SONS, Hoyt's Block, r. R. st
ApOthecaries.
c. C. BINGHAM, No. ), Bank Block, Main st.
Attorneys at Law.
NJ. MONTGOMERY, Jewett's Building r. R. St
ELISHA MAY. over Hall & Fletchers Store
EGLDEN & IDE, No. 3 Caledonian Blk. up stairs
Books and Stationery.
HOWARD & ROWELL, Caledonian Blk, Main st
Book Binders.
c. VI. STONE & CO., Agt's, Monument SQUARE
Blanl<s--Legal and Business.
C. NJ. STONE & CO., Monument Square.
Bakers and Confectioners.
CROSS & BRADLEY, Main Street.
Clothing for Men and Boys.
+. & L. FAIRBANKS 81 Co. Fairbanks Village
Crockery, Glass and Stone Ware.
L. Il 7. FAIRBANKS & co. Fairbanks Village.
Carpeting, Paper-Hangings, Window shades.
E. & I. FAIRBANKS & CO. Fairbanks Village.
Dentists.
j. l.. PERKINS, CaledOnan Block, Main Street
w. L. Goods, Groceries and Fruits,
MATHEWS & PETTENGILL, Eastern Avenue
Dry Goods, and Ladies' Fancy Goods.
o. II. HALE, Avenue Block, X. r. Street.
E. s. 7. FAIRBANKS & CO., Fairbanks Village
Furniture and Caskets.
HALL & SwITSER, Main Street.
CALDERWOOD, & SEVERANCE, IO.O.F. Blk,
File Manufacturer.
St. Johnsbury File Works, opp. Passenger Depot.
Groceries and se-Keeping Goods.
E. & I. FAIRBANKS & CO., Fairbanks Village.
Insurance, U4ife.)
u. L. SARGENT, (Etna,) Railroad Street.
Iron Founder and Machinist.
LUKE BUZZELL, North end, r. R. Street
photographs.
ID. \. CLIFFORD, Caledonian Block Main Street.
Printers and Publishers.
c. NJ. STONE & CO., CaledOnian Block, Main st.
Stoves and Tin Ware.
F. +. FLETCHER Eastern Avenue.
II. Z. & ID. Q. WOODRUFF Railroad Street.
II. COWDERY, Eastern Avenue.
Watches, JeweIry and Toys.
HOWARD & ROWELL, Caledonian Blk Main St.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
INSURE
Against Accidents

IA am authorized to provide protection for the
eple against the casualties which happen to them
r SSp DAY. Come and see me. EDWARD P,
InaI.t, Agent for Travellers Life and Accident
ovsu suIance Company of Hartford, Conn. Office
er blngham's Drug Store, st. Johnsbury, VT.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
VOLUME 41---NUMBER 2O97.

have been SO great that rejoice that
they were ended. Remember me kind
ly to Mrs. Tappan.
am faithfully yours,
HORACE GREELEY
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
ComnIainfs-

40 Sot old Complaint" but a new compaint
in ia ~ as all Justices, States Attorneys etc.. neet
~ o neir business-just printed and for sale at this
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

amused and astonised by Dicks vocifer-
ations, and by his evident attempt to
make speeches.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

Mr.. Beecher's lectures are better attend
ed than ever, and there is no diminution
in the attendance at his church. He is
very far from dead.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

Terms.-One copy per annum- 80. so
II paid strictly in advance 81. 90
Each Subscriber will find on his paper in con-
nection with his name, the date to which he has
Maid. No other receipt is necessary.
Postage-Free in Caledonia County. Subserib
ers out of this County will remit with their snb
criptions ten cents in addition for postage as the
law now requires all postage on the Caledonian to
be paid in advance at the St Johnsbury Post Office
Job Printing of all kinds done at living prices
With new and modern machinery and skillfni work
men nearly all kinds of Job Printing can be done
as well and as cheap as in the cities.
Legal Blanks, Card and Paper stock constantly
on hand.
Rates of Advertising.
One square Q2 lines, one inch space week 81 90
Each continuance. ce.-----.......2 25
Half square (6 lines) one week 75
Each continuance Observation-Disclosures. IL
one square Zone inch of space) per year g. 90
Business Cards per year leach line) e)-..... L 90
Liberations Estrays Notices to Legislature etc so
Special Notices, per square, one week L. .25
Each continuance ce.--.---- 20
Advertisements illustrated SOih Cuts, tqcenta
6ge per cent GdUGnce OUer scale rates No objectionG
be advertisements receiUed and nothing but qitiate
business advertising solicited.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05
PATEN rs.
F. A. LEHMANN, Solicitor of Patent

Washington, d. C. No patent no pay Send for
Circular. tapr7e
N. F. BURNHAM's a1sz4.v
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

GOOD DISCIPL1NE.--1ne Eastern wal
has revived an old story of dispute
between Turkish and Russian officer
as to the superiority in discipline OF
their respective soldiers. 'I can prove
to you ON the spot" said the Russian,
show perfectly our men are trained, >
and he called his orderly. "Ivan p
"Sir." $50 to Mehemet's buy me a
pound of tobacco, and come back at
once" The soldier saluted, turned on
his heel, and went out. 'sNow," said
the Russian officer, taking out his watch,
''my orderly is walking straight to the
next corner, where he must turn-now
he is turning--now he is opposite the
white mOsque-now he is crossing the
maydan-now he is at Mehemet's-now
he is buying the tObacco-now he is
coming back-now he is Oh the block
below us-now he is at the door-now''
and the Russian called out: 'Ivan ~
'Sir." "Where's thestobacco 'cHere,
SIR" The Turkish officer, showing no
sign of surprise at the precision of this
Russo-tobacco movement, promptly
broke out: ''Ho no my soldier can
called: "Muhctar !" ESir." "Go to Ali
Effendi's and see that you bring me a
pound of tobacco. My pipe is empty"
'Instantly, SIR" Following the tactics
of the Russian officer, the Turk pulled
out his watch and went on: "Muhctar
is in the street now he is passing the
palpooch bazar; now it is noon and he
is saying his prayers; now he is drinking
at the stone fountain now Ali Effendi
halls him and asks about my health i;
now Muhctar is paying for the tobacco /;
now he is coming back by another way
now he is on our street now he is al
the door now" "Mubctar % shouted
the officer. "Sir.n "Where is nv to-
bacco ?" "Ihauen't found my shoes yet!''
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-10-05

BEECHER's BooKs.-The Springfield
Republican and other papers that hate
Beecher are laying great stress upon
the fact that at the last book trade sale,
Beecher's books sold for six cents per
copy, arguing therefrom that the great
scandal destroyed his popularity. i
don't see it in that light. All the books
offered were old ones, that in the course
of nature had become valuless. There
is no sale for book that has once pass
ed its popularity, no matter who is the
author. Doubtless the great scandal
would deter many people from buying
a book from Mr.. Beecher's pen, but
were he to write fresh one the Curl
osity to see what it was would give it a
larger sale than ever. Certain It is that
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-19
GTLMORE IND sHOOs
Why the Oaicer- OF the brewers nnd Groccrs'
Bank were Inioinrd.

The order obtained 10y Mr.. Patrick S. Gill
moro enjolning Mr.. sheridan Shook from draw
ing. or in any way using. certain moneys de-
posted in the Brewers and Grorcrs' Bank. oc-
cusioncl considerable talk yesterday in theatre
circles.
Mr.. L. 5. Gilmore said: Il do not wish just
yet to say very much ahout the matter. hut the
fnots arc simply these: The first year Of the
Garden was partner in the management Al
theelu-r ~ the season | was given check for
my share II the profits which WIS hardly as
large as had anticipated. thought We ought
Co. have made moro money remembering tho
large audiences W. had hut took no par; in
the nianlgrmeut Of the finances and had no
one e. represent me. | trusted all that to my
parin r. satisfied that they would conduct
their part ~ the enterprise and give me what
nli right. ana uhd 'r5tood tha that y osed nl the
accounts lur tNat YEAR The second year IL was
the same. took what was given me- without
IA ston or rNUminail9n ana thnt closed the
uflnil= for ihn' wear.
List year thai is, for tho season Just closed
/ ensased tie band and performed ny oihrr
duties Tho last W,.sk of III" s"as n hir 'd the
Enr,ien at "A rent N 1900. hut Mr.. shook em-
ployo,'s remained IN tho box Office and sold
O. kDt- ana received the money. IN" people
suuporicd. m, hands2mc'y; and ! lad very
Mr.. Gough. VINO il Mr.. Shook cashier, 10 ark
Mr.. Shook O., give me- check for Ia" amount
du' me: | had 10 Uay ms musicians ana meet
other ,Npens"-. The matter was delayed ior
Fly ra d4ss ana nn9iiiy, wh"r ion rath'T
n..l,.l tilo m noy. IreDciycd letter, signed
iv Mr. IA Glli Iure AMI ia !gc Ditteuhocfer. say
llx ihat n1 money could bee paid me until the
| ~. rs.i,a. COULD NOT eNacty understand
fG,@. lut know % meant ut least delay. If noh-
iu. it.'e.: and a. snrwtAe money ,was. gralr,
! atty iHsiu., Drawn olf Of the lHfk. did what
,n.0r, ~ C.n.. l.rah'y in1ro NAV i. re-
/ . be-. ffIf -. D. lIflf 4f is "a