davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-09-01
TIE PROCEEDINGS.

Our space ION account OF 50 much being
ing given to the Soldiers ReunionJ permits us
to give only very meager sketch Of the eXer,
ciscs at the springs, emitting all the speeches
and essays Of which otherwise we should have
been glad to furnish copious notes.
The exercises were opened by music by the
Sheridan Brass Band who gave The Bonny
Blue Fiag, very handsomely indeed, consider
inc that the band is but six weeks old,) follow
ed by
PRAYEn--by Rev. G. l.. Taylor, Sheridan.
ORATyoN-by the State Grand Master For.
sythc
The Grafton was purely eXtemporaneous and
nearly an hour and half in length, and
though we have notes Of it, our limited space
will not permit Us to write them out Briefly
he desired his audience TO understand that he
was speaking to farmers, from IA farmers
standpoint, having himself been raised between
plow.handlcs The motto Of the grange was
the greatest good to the greatest number and
until that millennial state is attained there,
Nbull VIC SidllG'S' AZ pltS'hI hc uAN''t ooN
20 say for the farmers and laboring classes that
they did not enjoy equal rights with Others,
else why WIZ their intnrnsfs lnnk od "ftar
congress by less than corporal's guard? But
were the lawyers, the bankers and professional
men to blame for this? Not atall. The hard
listed farmers and laborers had none but them
selves To blame. Thus introducing his sub
.iect, the burden Of the address was an earnest
cXhor;ation TO the farmers so to fit themselves
by study, experiment, travel, interchange of
thought, mutual consultation and advice, and
50 ON, to raise their standard of intelligence
wealth and refinement SO that no other classes
either socially or politically could pretend to
take precedence of them. God had intended
the agricultural to he above all other profeS
sions, and by His assistance the farmers could
make it such.
After the address came
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

VITAL FoRCE.-Iet us consider few Of
the many ways in which we waste the
stuff that life is made of. 1t has Been well
said that the habit of looking on the
bright side of things is worth far more
than a thousand pounds year," and GER
tainly it is habit that must add many
years to the lives of those who acquire it.
Really every fit of dependency and every
rage take so much out of us that any one
who indulges in either without a great
struggle to prevent himself doing so should
be characterized us little less than-to use
an American eXpression-" fearful fool. "
How silly it seems even to ourselves, after
cooling, to have acquired nervous head
ache and to have become generally done
up, standing ronnd the room, and showing
other signs of foolish anger, because the
dinner was five minutes late, or because
some ones respect for us did not qnite rise
to the high standard measured by our
egotism AS if it were not far more i'm
portant that we should save our vital en-
ergy, and not get into rage, than that
the dinner should be served exactly to the
moment. One days friend of Lord Pal
merston asked him when he considered u
man to he in the prime of life; his i'm
mediate reply was 80. But" he added
with a playful smile, as / have just en-
tered my eightieth year, perhaps l am
myself II little past i'll" How is it that
such men work on vigorously 10 the end
Because they treasure their ever-dimniSh-
ing vital force. They studiedly refrain
from making a pull on the constitution
Recalling the borders of 70 years of age
| they us good rs say to themselves: d" We
must now take care what we are about
Of course, they make sacrifices, avoid n
number of treacherous gaieties. and living
simply, they perhaps give some cause o.
otfense, for the world does not approve Of
singularity. But let those laugh who win
They hold the ccnsorious observations oi
critics in dersion, and maintain the even
tenor of their way. In other words they
conserve their vital force, and try to keer
above ground as long as possible. Blus.
tering natures, forgetful to the great truth
that "power itself hath not one-half the
might of genteness," miss the ends for
which they strive just because the force
that is in them is not properly economical
Then as regards temper: any man who
allows that to master him wastes as much
energy as would enable him to remove the
cause of anger or overcome an opponent
The little hoy of eight years old who in
the country is often seen driving team Of
four immense dray-horses, is one of the
innumerable instances of the power Of
reason over mere brute force, which should
induce violent tempers to become calm
from policy, if from no higher MOTIVE
Chambers Journal.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

The modern majesty consists in work
mat man can do is his greatest orna
emit, and he always consults his dignity
s. doing it.
Ministers should remember that the
4sather is growing very warm, and the
ne congregation which sits delighted
rough two and one-half hours of u five.
a6t comedy can't possibly endure more
I'm twenty-five minute sermon and Il
Zee minute prayer. There is a limit even
IL human endurAnce.-EG
The larv@ of the potato beetle can make
tile progress on leaves covered with
4lne still when they are abundant,a "a more
aowerful poison is required to keep them
ID check. Nothing better has yet beer
discovered than Paris green, mixed with
1Dnr, at the rate of one pound of the form
af to fifteen of the latter, which is then
dnsted over the leaves while wet with dew
The most open book in the world is hui
nan character. He that runs may read
it, The book cannos be closed Charac
Till is the substance, reputation the shadow
Csomwell had his picture painted, and it
Ahowed all the warts and wrinkles upon
BIG face; and so it was good picture
eociety makes correct photographs of
lose who sit in its gallery.-Rev. NJ. G.,
BnNoc6.
The matter of fraud in Mr.. Hayes's elec-
lion is no longer AN open question, it is
red adjudjcata. Mr. Hayes now (whatever
may have been any of our opinions touch
ing the infamous frauds of the returning
boards of Florida and louisiana holds the
axeculive office by legal tenure that can
nHver be successfully assailed, and which
ought not to be questioned. He holds it
hy q judicial decision rendered by the high
est judicial tribunal ever constituted in this
conntry.-[A Alexander II. Stephens.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

DRESSING A LoBsTER.-A young house.
keeper up town was much surprised the
other day, upon answering ring at the
door bell, to receive from a small boy u
package, which proved to be large red
lobster Gt having been cooked), with n
note pinned around one leg, stating, Your
husband would like to have this brolled
for his dinner"
She knew her husband was partial to
broied meats, but not having seen u lob
ster before, she really couldn't conceive
how such hard, horrid-looking thing
could be cooked in any way, much less
brolled; but he must be pleased if it was
possible to do it, and SO all the cook-books
(she had small library of them) were
taken down and examined, but no recipe
could be found for broiling any thing like
this.
Finally. being at her wits end she dress.
ed it up in dolls clothes. and set it on her
husband chair at the dnnor-table, where
hat man found it when he came home, the
joke being completely turned upon him
self though the woman was seemingly un-
conscious of it, only saying, as she pointed
to the ridiculous object, " You wished me
to dress it for dinner, and that is the only
way knew of doing it."-KIngston Free
mans Journal.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

THE LAST SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR.-The
most memorable, in some respects, of all
the fourteen sieges to which Gibraltar has
been subjected was the last, called the
great siege" one of the mighty strug-
giles of history, which began in the year
1873. The famous General Elliot was
commander Of the fortress. Spain, in al
lance with France and Morocco, endeav-
Ored to surprise Gibraltar; but Swedish
ship gave Elliot the alarm. The garrison
comprised but five companies of artillery,
and the whole force was less than five
thousand, five hundred men. The enemys
force was fourteen thousand. The siege
began by the bockading of the port, and
Il camp was formed at San Rogue with
the design Of starving out the garrison.
When the English Governor resolved to
open fire upon his besiegers, Il lady in the
garrison fired the first shot. Never did n
siege war rage more furiously than this
for nearly three years. The garrison was
often reduced to sore straits for food; "a
goose was worth guinea" and Elliot
tried upon himself the experiment of liv-
ing upon four ounces Of rice day for II
week. Exciting stories are told of the
privateers that ran in amidst terrible dan
gers, with provisions, and of the storms
which threw welcome wood and cork with
in the reach of the beseg0d. The rock at
one time would surely have been taken
had it not been for Admiral Rodney, who,
sailing off the strait, captured a small fleet
Of Spanish war ships and merchantmen,
and clearing the strait of besiegers,
brought his prizes into port. But all dan
ger was not yet ayerted. Gibraltar was
again blockaded; scurvy broke out in the
garrison, and Morocco refused her harbors
10 English ships. The enemy crept closer
to the fortress, but relief coming every
now and then enabled the English still to
hold out. The bombardments were fear
full to endure. The city was almost des-
troyed; scarcely house habitable, and
those left standing pierced with she'll and
shot" At one time the desperate garrison
fell to plundering the town; Elliot shot the
leaders in this outrage. The long agony,
full of terrific combats and frightful priva-
tions. ended by the final abandonment of
the siege early in 1888. If in that year
the Engligh had to make up their minds
that they must let 60 their American colo
nies, they had ut least the consolation that
Gibraltar was still theirs.-HarperS Mag
azine JOr June.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

A YANKEE TRICK.-A Yankee while
footing towards the West got very hard
up, and was cudgeling his brains how he
should make raise of little money.
Finally he met Dutchman who was fol-
lowed by great ugly, cowardly dog, and
he entered into conversation with him.
Nice dog you've got there, said he.
Yaw, he pees very fine toy
III bet you dollar can tell what his
name is
What ish dot? An you nefer see dot
tog before
No, Of course not, but I'll bet a dollar
can tell what his name is
'Py tam, l takes dot pet said the
Dutchman eager to make an honest dol
lar.
well, call him here and let me have a
looi.at him, said Yank.
Here, Fritzy, Fritzy. Come here and
make me Won tolar," said the Dutch
man. calling his dog.
The Yankee patted him on the head,
looking down his throat His name is
Fritzy,' said he, with deliberation.
Donder and bltzenn exclaimed the
Dutchman, with open eyes and mouth,
Am not right?'
'Yaw, by tam,' said he handing over the
wager. BY jinks, know now dot my
tog carry his card down his droat. must
choke his tam neck for him. and away he
marched trying to get kick at the poor
dog, whose name he had given away HIM
self.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

THE GENESIS OF MARK TWAIN. y
How many stories does Sam Clemens tel
ahout that nickname OF hisP There was
oHe that accounted for it handsomely by
his delight in the cries of the
'nan with the lead on the Mississippi fiat
hoat, Mark one" etc., but always fol
Two" he substituted twain" and the
anaint Mark twain" selzed the humor-
ists fancy, and he made it his own. This
NJ say, was satisfactory explanation, bu
now we are offered letter from Clemens
ID i San Franciscan, in which he says tha
Tie name was L" the nom de plume of one
Capt Isaiah Sellers, who used to write
I.irer news over it for the New Orleans
lEeayalne," and that he (Clemens) borrow
ad It after the Captains death. This new
iory has the merit of Introducing a posi-
hle suggestion of the great Col. Sellers
iiut it is detraction from Clemens origi
lily which we regret.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

EP.-Sleep, DR.. A. W. Hammond
says, may be defined as general repose.
Almost all the organs rest during sleep.
The heart, popularly supposed TO be in
perpetual motion, is at rest hours out Of
the "a, respiratory organs 8, and the other
organs more or less. The brain alone is
constantly employed during wakefulness
and for it sleep was formed and made
needful to its preservation. 1t is true
that sleep does not give the brain total
recess from labor; imagination and men,
orry are often wildly active during sleep
and unconcious cerebration likewise takes
place, but enough rest is obtained for the
renovation of the brain, and that which
has been torn down during wakefulness i;
to certain extent rebuilt. Sleep is d
most wonderful power-often stronger
than the will, as in the case of the Sleep
ing soldier-and more mighty than pain
as when sick persons and tortured prison
ers sleep in the midst Of their suffering
No torture, it is said, has been found equal
to the prevention of sleep. The amour
of sleep needed differs according to the
constitution and habits. Big brains an(
persons who perform much labor need {
large amount of sleep. Children neeC
more sleep than grown people because
construction is more active than decay il
their brains.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

FACING DEATH.-Brother Gardner was
yesterday whitewashing the back of an old
house on Catherine street when the stag
ing gave way and he had fall of about
fifteen feet He was senseless when pick
ed up, but man poured about gallon of
water down his back and brought him to.
Mr.. Gardner thus explains matters to the
reporters:
Waal, was up dar, an dar was de
house, an dar was de scatfold, and dar
we all was. was jess drawin' dat brush
aroun' to kill when | felt u goneness.
Seemed was prancin' aroun' on the air,
wild no chance to dig in my toes
why didn't you fall at once, and have
the affair off your mind? asked n police
man.
why didn't I fall9 Why, sab, l was
falling all the time. I went down bout
| fifty feet head fust, and den changed and
went sideways, and den struck on one
foot and boat ears. All dis time was do
ing some powerful thinking, was
Did you think of oysters fried with
crumbs? asked reporter.
'Doan be talking that way, boy. Imem-
pCl 'tll III Dlu uCOuo WllllC L WAS SWluG
down, an l called oul that l would live
better life if de shock didn't kill me-
In the group was II colored man whose
face frightened at these words, and he
softly asked:
'Brudder Gardner, doan' you member
de 81 you borrowed O. me?'
L do
'Drnn pay it-han' it over. De shock
didn't kill you, and begin on that dat bet
ter life.'
Brudder Jones, solemnly replied Gard
ner, de shock didt kill me dead, but befo
pays out any money, lie gwine to wait
de result on my nervous system. l pears
to be all right, but possomly l may be fat
ally injured in some of the corners and not
know it tor months, G'lang, Brudder
Jones, an doan rob de cradle an dc
crave! !-Detroit Free Press.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

WHEN Garrick was in Paris, Preville,
tile celebrated French actor invited him
lo his villa, and, being in gay humor, he
to 90 in ono of the hired coaches
that regularly piled between Paris and
Versailles, on which road Preville's
villa was situated. When they got in
Garrick ordered the coachman to drive
on; but the driver answered that he
could not until he had got his compile
ment of four passengers. A caprice i'm
mediately seized Garrick. lie determined
to give his brother player specimen Of
his art. While the coachman was atten-
ligely looking out for passengers, Garrlek
tipped out ut the opposite door, went
Fonnd the coach, and, by his wonderful
eummand of facial expression, palmed
himself off upon the coachman as a sran-
eef. This he did twice, and was admit
iea each time as fresh passenger, to the
sslonishment and admiration of Preville,
Gsrrick slipped out third time, and ad-
dlessed himself to the coachman, who
sald, in a surly tone, that he had got his
eompement." He would have driven off
Nithout Garrick, had not Preville called
a|lt that as the stranger appeared to be a
Fery little man, they would accommodate
tlse gentleman and make room for him.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

Don't ROE THE NEsTs.-While farmer.
i'd complaining of bugs and cut-worms
sAterpIlars and curculios, it may be ex.
5saient for their boys to reflect upon the
mage they do by robbing bird s nest.
In the course of u recent lecture in
iris, regarding the uses of birds, an es
mate was formed of the damage to crops
ii the robbery of II nest containing five
Iggs. During the first month each young
llrd eats, on an average, about SO flies OF
ether insects in day. The aggregate
.snltipled by 80, for the month, makes
300 insects to every nest. Every insect
ITS daily, from blossoms and leaves an
mount equaling its weight until itreache'
4hlurity. 1t was calculated that, in 30
lays. each insect would damage 80 bios
|ams, and thereby destroy 80 fruits, anc
hat 800 insects would kill 255,000 fruits
I0Hth'S Companion.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

HOME BEAUTY.-A tasteful woman can
make garret beautiful and homelike al
little cost; for the beauty of home depends
more on education and refined taste than
upon mere wealth. If there is no artist
In house it matters little that there is =
large balance at the bank. There is usual.
ly no better excuse for barren home thar
ignorance or carelessness. A little mecban.
ioAl skill can make brackets and shelves
for the walls. A thoughtful walk in the
woods can gather leaves and lnchens ant
ferns for adorning the unpictured rooms
A trife saved from daily expenses can now
and then put new book upon the table Oh
shelf. The expenditure of few shilling.
can convert the plain window into con
servatory. In these and fifty other wsy,
can plain, bare room be converted into ,
scene Of beauty.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27
A CLEVER DoG.-Lawson TAFT, in a let

A CLEVER DoG.-Lawson TAFT, in let
er to the London Spectator, tells the fol-
owing story of very intelligent dog:
Some time ago | sent you my recollec-
tions of n dog who knew half penny from
penny, and who could count up rs far as
Two | have been able 10 obtain authentic
information of dog whose mental powers
we're still more advanced, and who, in his
lay, besides being celebrated for his abili-
lies, was of substantial benefit to charita-
bic institution in his town. The dog re-
fer to was little white fox terrier, Prin,
by name, who lived at the Lion Hotel, ut
kidderminster, for three or four Years;
nut now, alas he is dead, and nothing re-
mains of him but his head in glass case.
l had heard of this dog some months
lgo, but on Saturday last having to make
! visit to Kdderminster,I went to see him.
The facts give about him are based on
the statements of Mr.. Lloyd, his master,
and they are fully subsantiated by the ev-
idence of many others, have before me
= statement of the proceeds of "dog
Prin's box, Lion Hotel; subscriptions to
the Infirmary." The contributions began
III OOPlOiHoOl' AO|t' anu cHuell on April
%, 1876, and during that period the sum
of 9l3 14s. cd. was contributed through
Prin's instrumentality.
He began by displaying fancy for coins,
not unusual among terriers, and he adj
vanced to Il discovery that he could ex-
change the coins for biscuits He learned
that for hafpenny he could get two bis
cults, for a penny, three; and having be-
come able to distinguish between the two
coins, it was found impossible to cheat
him. If he had contributed penny, he
would not leave the bar till he had had his
third biscuit; and if there was nobody to
attend to his wants, he kept the coin in his
mouth till he could be served. Indeed, il
was this persistence which ultimately caus-
ed poor Prin's death, for there is every
reasen to fear that he fell a victim to cop
per poisoning.
By little training he was taught to
place the coins, after he had got the bis
cults, upon the top of II small box fixed on
the wall, and they were dropped for him
through slot. He never objected to part
with them in this way, and having receiv-
ed the Quid p'o quo, he gave complete ap-
probation of the honorable understanding
which is so absolutely necessary for all
commercial transactions.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

CAPTURE OF MISUNDERSTANDING Of
&cily reminds me of the capture of the
Miami brothers, two famous brigands, who
we're arrested in Palermo on Easter Sun
Gay. The two brothers, who have been
for long time the terror of Sicilian prov
noes, and on whose heads was set price
81 one thousand dollars each, ventured in
% the city to pass the day with some COM
AIDES and friends. Although perfectly
disguised and surrounded by trusty friends,
BE police, in some mysterious way, dis
covered that the brigands were in Paler-
no and an ingenious plan was laid to cap
lnre them. Two police agents disguised
themselves rs peasants out for II holiday,
md strolled about the city until they
4ot near the house in which the brig
Hnds were feasting with their friends
When within ear-shot the pretended peas
ants feigned quarrel. Words ran high
And the two made such noise that the
hrigands came to the window to see what
Fas the matter. They SAW as they sup
pcSed, two peasants quarreling, and, en-
DYING the sight, they remained to look on
% length the pretended row reached such
= pitch that one of the disputants drew Il
zevolver, upon which the other ran away,
md the brigands' house being the nearest
e(uge he ran directly into the doorway,
Dis adversary with the revolver following
"a hot Eu suit. Meantime another part ol
she plan was being carried out. While
he noise outside was going on the house
Had been quietly and gradually surround.
q by the police, all in plain dress, how.
yer, and all more or less concealed, ex-
eept two, who, at given signal. suddenly
appeared on the scene, us if attracted by
BE dispute. Seeing one man, revolver in
band, pursuing another, what more natural
ban that they should give chaseP The
sirSt two rushed into the brigand's house
he others followed, whistle was heard
Rnd still other men appeared, and before
ehe brigands comprehended the situation
ghe room where they were was filled with
armed men.
Then, but TOO late, it flashed upon them
and although both brothers attempted 4
desperate resistance, the odds were toe
great for them and they were soon over
powered.
Pinioned and handcuffed to each other
they were brought out into the streets o.
Palermo. where the report that the Allan
brothers had at last been taken spread like
wildfire, and the people crowded into tht
Streets, cheering the police as they march
ed along with their prizes. Boston TraV
Bier
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

A deserter from the United States army
went into business as barber In Oakland,
Cal, and prospered. A former comrade
recognized him, and extorted blackmail
by threatening to expose him to the au.
t6orities. The barber paid regularly s.
week for silence. Then the blackmail'
er took into the plot a friend, who, by
similar threats, got S3 a week. At length
a third rascal Joined in the attack, and the
barber, seeing that his payroll was likely
to increase beyond his resources, resolved
to kill off the recipients of his money. He
shot one of them, was caught in the act
and is now in jail, where, awaiting pros
ecution, he is at least free from persecu
tion.