davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

A PLANT SrAND.-The lack of u desira-
bic place to keep plants often prevents the
pleasure of raising them. They must
have light, and air and sunshine, ard it is
not always convenient to devote the bright
est windows to their occupancy. If kept
on the ledgos, they are in danger Of being
chilled on frosty night; and it is II task to
be compelled to move the heavy pots every
time the thermometer drops. A flower
stand of some sort that can be readily NOV
ed from window to window is, therefore Il
necessity. The modern wire frames are
pretty and light, but one of moderate size
costs ten or twelve dollars, which is great
deal to put in the stand viii ween wish to
put in the flowers,
We saw something the other day, that
seemed to serve both economy and con
venience. A box three feet long, II foot
and half wide across the bottom, and
eighteen inches deep, is made of common
pine. The sides flare outward, so that at
the top, they measure six or eight inches
more, from edge to edge, than nj the bot
tom. This box stands on four legs with
castors, and under the bottom of the box
Il piece OF wood, !ancifully put on the edge,
ca sort of pine vaance) holds the legs
firmly and symmetrically together.
The top of the box is nearly even
with the window sill, and when the whole
is constructed, it may either be painted in
c1lors or stained dark brown, to match the
furniture wood. The inside Of tie box is
better preserved from decay if lined with
zinc or tin; but it will last one, possibly
two seasons without any lining at all.
Over the bottom is ssITead II three-inch lay
er of bits of broken flower pots. and on
this is set double row of pots, or" as
many as will stand evenly ON the surface.
Then a thick layer of sand is poured over
the broken pieces and the rest of the space
filled up with earth till it is even with the
top of the flower pots
In the bed thus formed, bulbs and slips
are planted between the pots, and vines
are started at the corners. When the lat
ter are well underway, wires on which the
vines twist are fastened dia9onaly from
corner to corner, forming u beautiful green
arch over what seems to be bed taken
bodily from the garden. Sometimes tiny
hanging basket, or an ivy growing in
water, is hung from where the wires cross
in the arch, but even without it, there is
no appearance of baroness. A carpenter
will make the box for two dollars and Il
half, and the rest, painting and all, can
readily be done ut home.-ScriJRcr'S.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

How TO DETECT SPURIOUS CoINs.-W,
+. Du Bois, the assayer of the United
States mint at Philadelphia, in u letter to
the Ledger of that city, speaking of spu-
rious coins and how they may be detected,
says
Counterfeiters generally content them
selves with the cheap and quiet process Of
casting from moulds, though sometimes
they strike the pieces from dies. The
mould is made from the genuine coin and
Yields a fac simile. They use II type metal
somewhat hard and sonorous by the addi-
ton of copper, and the whole being slight
" slvered over in Il battery and the gate
neatly rubbed out on the edge. Such pieces
may pass while fresh and new. They are,
however, rather too white and too thick,
or if of the right thickness, too light.
There is something about the genuine coin
that ordinarily puts it above suspicion,
particularly after the new white surface
has given place to the inimtable and per-
manCnt nine-tenths tint. 1t may be abus-
ed by heating or staining or by contact
with gum-elaslic bands, 1t has been dis
figured with tin foil for the small purpose
of provoking Il bet. In rare cases it may
have flaw ut the edge, or shut in, which
destroys the ring. But generally it speaks
well for itself as to color and sound
"The genuineness of y half dollar is
something worth looking after, to any OF
us, and especially to the storekeepers, tax
ing them often through the day, 1t is,
therefore, worth the trouble TO have on the
counter one or two witnesses easy to be
had.
-" First-A balance, which need be nc
more than a thin strip of wood eight or ten
inches long neatly poised. Place good
piece on one end and the suspected one on
the other, and have n weight of three grains
at hand. If the difference is more than
that, decline taking the piece.
" Second-A liquid test composed as
follows; Twenty-tour grains of nitrate ol
silver in crystals; Que grammc (say II
grains) of nitric acid and one ounce oI
water. Any druggist can put this up, in
Il small bottle with Il pointed glass stopper
made for lifting drops, taking care to ust
lure ingredients. Remove little of the
surface of the coin by knife, and ther
touch the place with u drop from the stop
per. If good there will be no action; il
bad, it backens at once.
at should be observed that this is no
the compound we use for examining golC
counterleits and jewelry. And, further
some persons use nitric acid alone, which
will discolor gold coin as well as a bat
one.
"As for the pieces struck from dies
they are generally such poor limitations
that the taker almost deserves to lose BY
them. Such piece, dated 1876, is nov
before me; good color, feeble and fault.
devices, right weight, but quite too thick
1t would be caught by the guage alroad,
mentioned. 1t is whitish brass, will
silver plating, more substantial than TIN
electro silvering"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

CLASSIFICATION OF HIDEs.-The Ma
tional Convention for the classification of
hides, lately held in Philadelphia, adopt
ed rules which may be of interest to per-
sons raising live stock mainly for the
hides and talow: Rule ALI hides hav-
ing one or more grubs shall be thrown
out, and clasSed as damaged. Rule .
All hides and skins cut and scored on the
flesh shall be thrown out and classed as
damaged Rule 3-All hides for curry
ing purposes having one or more brands
shall be thrown out and classed as No. 2
hides. Rule An hides sold for sole
leather, having more than one brand shall
be thrown out and classcd us No. 9 hides,
Rule 5-All harness hides visibly damag-
ed by hook or horn marks on the grain
shall be classed as No. 2 harness hides.
Rule Gin the vocabulary of this trade
one letter. figure or mark constitutes :,
brand on the hide. The cattle raisers, in
their own interest, arc requested to make
their brands of one letter, or mark MS
small as possible, and SO locate upon and
down the leg as to produce the least pos
sible injury to the hide. Rule 7-'The
above rules, concerning cuts, scores, grubs
and brands shall be applied to all transac.
tions in dried hides, us we'll us those tina,
are fresh or salted; also to imported rs
well rs domestic hides.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

You may be able to Judge what flow
cry" Vermont minister thinks of Ver-
mont scenery by the following sentence in
a prayer. He prayed that the declining
years of brother might be as beautiful
as a sunset on Lake Champlain."
1t may be worth knowing that, by
plunging sheet of paper into an ammo
nical solution of copper for an instant, and
then passing it between cylinders and dry
ing it. it is rendered entirely impermeable
to water, and may be even boiled in water
without disiutegrating. Sheets so prepar-
cd, if rolled together, become permanent.
ly ndherent, and acquire the strength ol
wood.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

They are mighty polite down in Boston,
and carry ceremony little too far in a
good many cases. For instance, the Tran
scrtpt says that "no gentleman will puff
smoke in the face Of u lady he may suppose
tobacco-smoke to be offensive to-" This
is getting entirely too nice. Still, if he
don't suppose " anything about it, of
course he can puff her eyes and ears full
with perfect impunity. Up here we don't
go to extremes in this way; but we insist
nevertheless that no gentleman will ox-
pectorate tobacco juice in woman's face
without first asking her if it is ageeable to
her. You can tell the real gentlemen on
the street,cars by marking their conduct
in this particular, - Chicago Inter- Ocean.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

MONEY ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
One hundred years ago the students at
Harvard College paid their tuition with
live stock and provisions. The currency
of the Pilgrims was the first issue of paper
money in the country. During the war of
Queene Anne " paper currency was cs-
tablished, known as "Queene Anne's war
currency" which soon became worthless.
In 1775 Virginia issued II paper currency
previous to which the clergy were paid
in tobacco. In 17l5 John Coleman estab.
lished bank in Massachusetts, with land
for capital, and began the issue of loans.
Other colonies followed, and the amount of
loans by the colonies finally reached to
millions which the mother country paid
off at reduced rates, to save the credit of
the colonies. In l775 Congress issued pa
per money to the amount OF three hundred
thousand dollars, to be redeemed in coin
in three years. The colonies or states
also issued paper money, and soon the
whole volume Of state and national cur
rency amounted TO twelve million dollars
This currency was taken without much
question at first, and those who refused it
were sligmatized us unpatriotic, but in the
following year it began to decline, and in
1880 it was worth almost nothing. A bar
bershop in this city was plastered all over
with Continental money and dogs were
tarred, stuck over with shin-plasters, and
let run the streets for public amusement.
To Robert Morris is due the salvation of
the Revolutionary army. lie lent his pri-
vate fortune and credit to the Government;
and when bis money was gone and his
credit had to be literally used, Washing
ton said he must raise more money to car
ry out IL war measure the perfection OF
which only waited for the money. Nor.
ris, therefore, issued his own notes for
Sl,400000. Washington gained the bat
tie of Yorktown, and CORVALLIS surren-
dered. Every one of these Morris notes
were subsequently redeemed. In 1882
the Bank of North America was establish
ed, with capital of $4,000. This was the
first bank Of the National Government.
The date of the first silver coinage was
1874, and of the first gold coinage l794.-
NeaU York Post.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

our great charities and is now dependent
on it for his support; and here is this Grip
pie, without the right use of legs, or arms,
or hands, or voice, supporting himself and
wife, happy as a king" and asking char
ity of no one and said, will leave the
thread unspun on the editorial distaf till
| have written down this lesson for hard
times. Christian Union
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

" A leffalent and baby leffalentl'
." And where is Kathrina goneP'
"Gone to Frank-an isco'-pulling out
for freedom.
"Stop. Tell me what is the japanese
Embassador's name?"
81, hack-u-ral!' tugging nightly away.
4" How much do you love me? Then you
shall 60"
Tin-dollar."
"That's all?"
"And gold locket!'
Bless the baby, with or without his
troublesome disguses, which, after all
rather emphasize than disguise his boy
hood
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16
CHARITY.

OAAhA
Only drop in the bucket,
But every drop will tell;
The bucket would soon be empty
Without the drops in the we'll.
Only a poor little penny,
1t was all had to give;
But as pennies make the guineas,
1t may help some cause to live.
A few little bits of ribbon
And some toys-they were not new;
But they made the sick child happy.
Which has made me happy, too.
Only some outgrown garments
They were all had to spare;
But they'll help to clothe the needy,
And the poor are everywhere.
A word now and then o. comfort.
That costs me nothing to say;
But the poor old man died happy,
And it helped him on the way.
God loveth the cheerful giver,
Though the gift be poor and small;
What doth he think of His children
When they never give at all?
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

To fasten labels to tin cans put tea
spoonful ofbrown sugar in quart of paste,
and it will fasten labels as securely to the
can as wood. Housekeepers may save
themselves much annoyance in the loss of
labels from their fruit cans when putting
up their own fruit, by remembering this
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16

Max Adeler's works have been transIat-
ed into German, and now the Heidelburg
professor puts down the books in astonish-
ment to calculate, Mein Gott,vat eoun-
try, vat beebles ~
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-16
TERMS FOR ADVERTISING.

For one square of12 lines orless Of Agate type one
insertion $lOO for eaeh cent?
Unless the number of insertions marked on the ad
vertisement it will be continued until ordered out.
Liberal discount madet etomerchantsandothersa
tising by the year.
Probateand Commissioners Notices,S2 OOeach.
Fornotlcesof Liberations Estrays the Formation
and Dissolution of Copartnerships &c 8l2b eaclhor
threeinsertiOns If sent by mailthe money must ac-
company theletter.
Noticesin news columns, 10 cents per line each in
sertion but no charge made of lessthan 6Ocents.
Noticesof Deathsand estnsertedgratis, / ut
extended Obituary Notices Poetry WILDE charged at
the rate of fvecents perline.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22
Magazine Notices.

The Atlantic for April has for its opening pa
per the Diary of British Officer, stationed In
Boston during the siege of the city in 1775
which gives an interesting glimpse of the state
of things at that time, the alterations between
the inhabitaa(s and soldiery, the excitement
caused by Wa&en's Grafton of the 5th of March
in the Old South Church, etc., and concludes
with avery clear and graphic description of
the march to Lexington and Concord, the fights
there, and the deadly fire which assailed the
retreating troops all the way to Charlestown.
John Fiske contributes an able historical paper
on The Races of the Danube, which makes it
easy to understand why the Eastern question is
o complicated one and difficult of solution. Mr..
Longfellows Ballad of the French Fleet, Octo-
ber, 1746, is very quaint, and has a touch of Au.
NOR not often found in his verses. Mr.. How
ellis gives the two concluding chapters of his
bright comedy romance, Out of the Question.
ending it in what will be deemed an eminently
satisfactory manner. The South Carollnian
who gave such graphic description of the Do
litical condition of his state in the February
number, contributes another chapter on South
Carolina Morals, which is sure of careful Pc
rusal from the readers of his former article, and
helps one to realize the grave difficulties of the
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

A NEW light that promises in large meas
ure to supersede gas in the streets has of late
been successfully applied in several places in
Germany and France. Sticks of charcoal
surmounted by an isolating matter, which
slowly mets away, are consumed by electri-
city. With two of these electric candles, it
is claimed, light equal to that of 100 gas
jets may be thrown on street. The cost is
about halt that of gas, and the light is of the
best quality. 1t also has the recommended
ton that there is no danger whatever of fire
from the electric candles. The new light has
been introduced in forty large establishments
in France, and is destined, many believe, to
be soon the only light that will be used in
large rooms, public place, and manufactures.
Outdoor work can be carried on as well by
night as by day by means of the new light,
since it has almost sunlike clearness and
intensity. A German paper, speaking of the
invention, says: "We are evidently on the
eve of as great revolution n lighting as
when gas superseded oil lamps and tallow
candles"
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22
The Cabinet Meeting.

The Washington correspondent of the Boston
Advertiser gives the following account of the
Cabinet meeting Tuesday: The Cabinet met
at ten o'clock this morning, took lunch with
the President and continued their session until
after two o'clock. The Southern question was
under consideration and was discussed at great
length, nearly all the members expressing
themselves upon the different points that were
brought up. Although there was a marked
difference of opinion, the utmost harmony pre-
vailed, and this first meeting of the Hayes Cab
met to discuss matters of public policy, the
members say, will be remembered with great
deal Of pleasure. The President laid before
them quantity of papers and documents bear
ing on the Southern question, being correspond
ence he has had with parties in the South, and
statements of facts and law that have been sub
mtted to him in support of the rival govern
ments in South Carolina and Louisiana. The
proposition for new election was not regarded
with great favor, and was laid aside as imprac-
ticable because it required the acquiescence of
all parties, which it was known to be impossi-
BILE to obtain. The question of the removal of
troops occupied nearly the entire day, and the
discussion was broken off at 2 o'clock to be re-
sumed tomorrow, it being necessary for sew
OAoA VI tl1O ucAluOAo W ~ W UuciE u6pdIbu6uLS
before the close of business hours. The Presi-
dent gave no direct expression of opinion up
on the matter, joining in the discussion only to
suggest causes and consequences, and to en-
courage his Cabinet in submitting their views
Secretary Sherman. McCrary and Thompson
were decidedly opposed to the removal of troops,
and Messrs Schurz and Evarts were equally
positive in favor of their removal. Attorney
General Devens cid not commit himself fully,
but is said to have expressed doubt whether,
as the Packard government stood on the
same basis as President Hayes himself, it
would not be confessing that there was ques-
tion as to his own election should the President
deny Packard's right to the governorsbip. In
regard to removing the troops General Devens
was not satisfied as to the consequences, and
appeared to favor an adjustment OF the dispute
before any such action was taken. Postmaster
General Key took very little part in the DIS
cussion, speaking only in reply to questions put
to him by the President and other members of
the Cabinet. He is of opinion that if the troops
were withdrawn the government, which ma
jority of the Taxpayers preferred, would sur
vive, and the other would not This seemed to
him the easiest way of settling the matter. At
times the debate was quite warm and spirited,
but there was the best of feeling, and, as the
President invited free interchange of views
on this very important subject the Cabinet took
him at his word.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22
IT will be no fault of ours it the people of

IT will be no fault of ours it the people OF
the Old World are not provided with weap-
ons for the settlement of their quarrels.
Within the last ten years the United States
has sold forty-three millions of arms and mu-
nitions of war to Europe. With every new
war the demand increases. The ship Fanny
sailed recently from New York for Crcnstadt
with four hundred tons of ammunition, and
contract has been made with Russia for 3OO,-
900 pounds of powder and 1900 tons of sheet
copper for the manufacture of metallic car
tridges. Purchases have since been made by
the same government of 100000 cavalry
pistols and other small arms to the amount
of two millions of dollars. This branch of
American manufacture, at least, is in -four
ishing condition.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

THE return of Peter 'Brains" Sweeny to
New York is doubtless in accordance with an
arrangement by which he is to secure immu-
nifty from punishment upon returning his
share of the Ring plunder. This event, oc-
curing nearly six years after the overthrow
of the combination and the flight of of the
fugitives, shows the Nemesis which remorse-
lessly pursued the members of the Ring.
Sweeny was the intellect of the corrupt COM
bination as Tweed was its right arm and
Connolly its sleek treasurer. When he vol
unfairly returns to surrender and compro-
mise with the law, it indicates how much of
punishment there was in the disgrace and
exile.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

The original Gwendolen of George Eliot's
"Daniel Deronda" is. according to the Lon
don correspondent of the Cleveland Leader,
a London woman. She was formerly worth
about 81 900, 900, but went to the Continent,
became addicted to gambling and lost most OF
her money, even parting with her necklace,
as the book states. During her infataation
the was narrowly watched by George Eliot,
and by wealthy gentleman living to-day in
Manchester, and so interested did be become
in "Gwendolen" that he offered to make
good her losses If she would cease to play.
but was refused. The lady now lives in Lon
don on an income of about $1,000 year, all
that is saved from the wreck. She is twenty
five, unmarried and said to be very hand
some, and what adds interest to the tale is
the fact that she is the granddaughter of one
of England's greatest poets.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

AMONG the growing industries of our
country is the manufacture of butter and
cheese. While home consumption is large,
both articles are yearly exported in increased
quantities. The New York Commercial Ad-
rertiser estimates that the amount of butter
produced in the past year was 1928 $50, 900
pounds, which was valued at s124,OOO, 900,
Of this amount 12,7S9,952 pounds were ex.
ported, and during the same time ia, ,9e6, ,O23
pounds of cheese. The dairy farms of Penn
sylvania, of New England and New York,
Ohio and Illinois, yield handsome returns for
the labor and capital employed. Cheese has
indeed become an important item in the cata-
logue OF our exports. More of that commod-
ity is sent abroad than butter, for the reason
that it does not suffer by the voyage. Butter
becomes heated and necessarily deteriorates
in price. This evil may be remedied by the
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

Two Scotch clergymen-one a member of
the Established Church, and the other of the
Scottish Episcopal Church-have taken the
stand that the theatre, if right for their peo-
pie, cannot be wrong for themselves. They
attended banquet given in Edinburgh about
the 1st of March in honor of theatrical man.
ager, and one of them made pleasant re-
sponse to toast to the clergy. He argued
that if the theatre had lost favor in the eyes
of good people it was simply because good
people had deserted its walls. The people
would have amusements of some sort, and it
was for the clergy, by their presence, 10 keep
those amusements pure.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

APPOINTMENTS of subordinates in the Eng
lish civil service are nearly all regulated by
competitive examination and promotion.
Even at the Foreign Office an appointment is
gievn to the person who passes the best ex-
animation out Of ten candidates. Those who
enter the diplomatic service must be versed
in English, Latin, mathematics and French,
and be able to read, write and speak the last
named; also, in Blackstone's commentaries
political economy, and the history of Europe
and the United States. Novices serve for
two years without pay.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-22

A LAW has been passed in Indiana requir-
ing the doors of theatres, opera-houses, pub
lie halls, museums, churches, colleges, semi
naries, and school-houses to be hung so as to
swing outward. By its provisions all the
doors to the buildings indicated above must
be changed within sixty days, and penalty
for noncompliance of $1,000 is part of the
act. The responsible manager of church,
college, or school-house may in some cases be
hard to find.