davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22
linrInl EcceniricIiies.

Some persons have had n singular taste
for providing their cofiins long before
hand, and keeping them as objects pleas
ant TO look at, or morally profitable as
reminders of the fate of ALL or useful
for everyday purposes until the last
and solemn use supcryenes. a slater in
Fifeshire, about forty years ago, made
his own coffin, decorated il with shells,
and displayed IL among other fancy
shell-work in room he called hiss grotto.
Another North Briton, Il cartwright,
made his own coffin, and used il for n
long time 20 hold his working tools; il
was filled with sliding shelves, and the
lid turned upon hinges 10 Is said that
many instances are met with in Scot
land of working men constructing their
own coffins "in leisure hours" Alder
man Jones, of Gloucester, about the
close Of the seventeenth century, had his
coffin and his monument constructed
beforehand not liking the shape of the
nose carved on his clllgy or the latter,
he had n new one cut-just in time, for
he died Immediately after IL was fin
ished. One John Wheatly, Of Noting
ham, bought n coffin, and filed il with
clover cordial but he brought himself
into bad repute by getting drunk too
frequently, for his coffin became 10 him
sort Of dram-shop. A young Navy
surgeon, who accompanied the Duke OF
Clarence (afterward King William w
when he first went 30 sea ~ royal
MILDLY, rose in aftcr-lifc to an important
position at Portsmouth he had favor.
lie boat converted into coffin, with
the stcrn-piece fixed at its head, and
| kept il under his bed for many years
| a married couple in Prussia provided
| themselves with collins beforehand, and
/ kept them in stable, where they were
utilized a. cupboards for the reception
Of various kinds Of food but the ina
/ appropriation Of the collins was marked
/ by n singular cOnfrcfemDs. The man
/ died the widow packed the contents OI
/ both c0flins into one, while the body wa
/ deposited i'm the other. BY some mis-
| hap, the coffin full Of catables was low
cred into the grave Next day IN,
/ widow, opening the lid Of the (supposcd
/ cupboard, was scared at finding the dca1
/ body Of her husband. OF course the in
terment had to be done all over again
with an interchange Of collins. The
custom Of being buried in an erect posi-
tion has been frequently carried out
Ben JOBson was buried upright in West
minister Abby, n circumstance whicl
gave occasion for the following lines il
the " Ingoldsby Legends"
Even rare Ben ,nson, t1ai + m1us wight,
am tod is inferret there holt upright.
IN just such position, bcuca'h bis but,
As Tray used 10 sitin 70 beg for crust"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

PEOPLE learn wisdom by experience.
a man never wakes up his second baby
70 see il laugh.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22
EVERYDAY SPICERIEs.

Sr. LoUIs Journal; OF course YOU like
this windy, boisterous weather, girls; il
brings you plenty of chaps,
CAMEi.'s hair socks are shown for gem
tlcmen.-Ncio York Tribune. Gentle
men always were too modest TO show
their stockings themselves Cincinnati
Gdscttc.
on CRY Derrick: The street cross
ings are so bad nowadays that they
make body cross. But that's what
they're for, therefore we'll say nothing
about IL.
New YoRK Commercial: A Western
genius has patented an artificial tree that
blooms and buds. But isn't this an in
fringment, we would ask, on some other
patent loavcr2
ROME Sentinel: A Roman remarked
the other day: :" try mighty hard to be
honest, but sometimes poor man can
not bc honest, unless he steals the money
TO be honest with"
PoMERoY's Democrat; "Oh, that mine
enemy would write book !" cried job.
This was because lac was Job printer,
and wanted to set on that enemy just
once, and thus prove himself n profit.
ROCHESTER, Democrat: "Have you
inquiries The Graphic. This is strange.
We had the impression that the gentle
man alluded to didn't go fishing any.
where.
NEW York Commercial. "You should
pay that debt" said creditor, you
owe it TO yourself to ply it." " owe IL
to'myself, do IT' said the other. "Wcll,
in that case, I'm willing to let it stand
whiIo lono.r ~
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

THE despairing gambler hurried from
the portals Of the Kursaal, tearing his
hair and crying angrily: so help me
heaven, / will never touch another card
till ! have discovered some system that
loses infallibly all the time" A
losing systemP querie a friend. What
could you want to discover that forP'
To betag ainst IT,"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22
NOTHING.


"What Is nothing3" says Joe To his pcrc.
with a smirk on his c0mica phiz.
4" It's word, which we constantly hear,
But yet nobody tells what IL is"
Says tho pere, with hitch, that WIS funny,
" it is yes, IL Is nothing, coniound u
Or more clearly, perhaps, my dear sonny,
'Tis hole without an thing round u "
IL a. a., IN BOSfOn IrdVcier.
PARIS PAPER: Those of our com
patriots whom one encounters outside of
their own country are divided into three
classes: Commercial drummers, mission
aries and convicts. The Frenchman
travels only because of trade, religion
or force.
CONTINENTAL dialogue: Old lady,
leaning out of railroad carriage and
bcckoning To conductor; Tell me, con-
ductor, if smoking is allowed in this
compartment "Ycs, Madame, you
may smoke if the gentlemen inside don't
object"
THAT Toothbrush of Nine" is the
latest novelty. Camden Post. II fairly
bristles with interest.--NciC York Com
mcrciR AdUertiscr. Yes, and the sub
iect is we'll handled, although some may
think il tooth thrilling in its harsh AZ
plicatiOn. Advcrtiser.
MIR. LEWIS, of the Detroit Free Press,
the most bountiful, and perhaps the
most original, paragrapher in the
country, can't get used to the pilfering
Of weak and ill-rcgulated newspapers.
There is only one apparent remedy, and
its rough oRe, says the Cincinnati Com
me,cjot-Be dull.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

GOLD was first discovered in Califor-
mia in 194s
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

UJUIU fnkhoTn The old gentleman
went into the parlor the ether night, at
the witching hour Of II 40, and found
the room unlighted and his daughter
and a dear frieHd occupying tete-a-tete
in the corner by the window Evan
gcline," the old man said sternly, " this
swercd sweetly, cit is candleless because
times arc so hard and lights cost so much
that Ferdinand and / said We should try
and get along with the starlight" And
papa turned about in speechless amaze
ment, and tried TO walk out Of the room
through a panel in the wall paper
GOLD was first discovered in califor-
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

The foolish bud would fain become flower;
And Haunt It's heart out in the fair sunshine,
The ardent blossom, tromuIous on itH vine,
Dreams only Of golden fruitful hour.
Amber and amethyst Of royal dover,
The perfect. purple clusters hang, and pine
10 pour tncir souls forth into perfumed vino
Inpatient leaning from their sheltered bower.
q blind OncEl All your blended stores OF scent
Aud subtle sweets 10 this poor end are SPENT
That man should idly quan from sparkling glass
Your dcw ana nre ana spl9s p, Tso e'f
The bud the bloom, the iruitl Pow sweet they
- susan W. Spaidfng, IN soisu,, fer Dseoncer.
DETROIT Frec Prcg; Boucicault says
there isn't q dramatic critic in the world
who can tell what q comedy IL. is IT
comedy when you go down cellar with
the hired girl 10 see where the leak in
the water-pipe is, and the candle blows
out and your wife stands on the stairs
and wells for match and makes pun
gent remarks at the same time.
ST. LOUIS Journal: "An' zis," re-
marked MacMahon, extending his hand
and smiling ahably, can us is 10 brave
zhoneraI zat unto zc men Of ze grand
United States afmee have sadc: ] will
on zis line il fight out no mattaire if
/ IL consume Nc hole summarize 2" Cen
eral Grants face wore a troubled look.
| lie turned to the Secretary Of the lega-
ton and winkcd. The Secretary whis-
pered something to him, and he ahemmed
once or twice nervously and said " We,
mussecr lc presidoDg"
/ DETROIT Free Press: An old man, hav-
ing an apple-stand on Woodward Ave
nue., was yesterday approached by a
hungry-looking lad, who asked say,
ain't you goin' TO gimme an appicT'
/ "I'll give you to the station irstY' was
the gruH reply. You declare war, do
you? All right, my old buckshotl III
stand right here for the next hour and
tell everybody that you spit on your ap-
pies and then burnish 'em on your greasy
| old coat Ieevel We'll sec who'll come
out ahead in this mad struggleW Tho
l,ov did. lie got his applc in five seconds.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

MAKE TIE MoSr OF WENTER.-M
farmers look fOrw ,r'l to the winter rs II
season of rest and give themselves up to
idlcneSs. This seems to us all wrong and
we hope young farmers especially will lay
out their plans to make the most of the
opportunity which the long evenings af-
ford for mental culture. Our old friend
Robert B. Thomas, well says:
A spur in the head is worth two in the
heels. Head work is what we want on the
farm. 1t is brain power that makes things
move in this world, and keeps them on the
track. Make and lay out plans for the
year. Map out the fields SO us TO know
just where and when to put in the work
The great secret of luck on the farm is to
do things ut the right time and in the right
way. A note book in the pocket is handy
thing, Strict farm accounts, with each
lot under its own head tell a plain and
true story. Jot down new thought on
the spot, 1t saves IL heap of time. Hire
farm hands early. The best are sure to
be snatched up first, and the hest are the
cheapest in the end even if they do cost u
little more by the month, Keep barns
and sheds clean, the tools under cover and
all in their place. 1t doesn't improve the
carts, the ploughs, the horse rakes or the
sleighs, for the hens to rocst on them.
The butts and stalks of corn ought 10 be
cut short TO be fed out to COWS. 1t saves
n great deal. All stock ought to be kept
clean and in pure air, not TOO cold. Keep
the celaras clean rs wax. Put on good
coat of lime wash-you can do it now rs
well as in the spring. A full ice house is
worth ten times its cost. It is best, also.
to fill it early in the winter, hat is, as
early as it is possible to cut and lay in n
first quality of ice. Massachusetts Plough
man.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

TWHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR DAUGII-
ERS .-Apropus Of what Mrs. Livermore S
ate lee ure on the above important ques-
ton, said, the Davenport Democrat thus
Sensibiy makes answer:
Teach them self reliance.
Teach them TO make bread.
Teach them to make shirts.
Teach them not to wear false hair.
Teach them not to powder and paint.
Teach them to wear thick, warm shoes
Teach them how TO wash and iron
clothes.
Bring them up to do marketing for the
family.
Teach them to make their own dresses.
Teach them how to cook II good meal Of
victuals.
Teach them that dollar is only hun
bred cents,
Teach them to wear calico dresses and
do it like queen.
Teach them to say no, and mean it, or
yes, and stick to it.
Teach them how to darn stockings and
sew on buttons.
Teach them TO regard the morals, not
the money of bcaux.
Give them good, substantial common
school education.
Teach them every day, dry, hard, prac-
ticnl common sense.
Teach them all the mysteries of the
kitchen, the diniug room and parlor.
Teach them that good round rosy
romp is worth fifty delicate cOnsump-
lives.
Teach them to have nothing 10 do with
incorporate and dissoute young men.
Teach them that the more they live
within their income, the more they will
save
Teach them that the further they live
beyond III, If income. the nearer they get
to the toor house.
Rely upon il that upon yolr teaching
depends ina great measure the veal and
woe of tn, IL after life.
Teach them accomplishments music.
painting, drawing-if you have time and
money to dot with.
Teach them to cultivate garden, and
drive II road team or farm wagon.
Teach them that God made them in his
own image, and that no amount of tight
laring will improve the model.
Teach them thata good, steady mechan
ic without Il cent is worth dozen oil
pated loafers in broadcloth
Teach them the essentials of ife-truth,
honesty, uprightness-an and at n suitable
lime let them marry.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

A VALUABLE DISCOvERY.-A rich find
is that of the United States steamer Getlys-
burg, of reef of coral off the coast of
Spain. The existence of the reef had
hitherto been entirely unsuSpected but
this is not strange when it is considered
that soundings ut Il point twenty miles to
the westward are only found to the great
depth of l6 800 feet, and ut 1900 feet be-
tween the eastern border OF the reef and
Cape Vincent off the southern coast Of
Portugal. The coral beds of the Medter-
ranean have given employment and lucra-
tive profits to the Italians for centuries,
and are carefully protected by the govern
ment, being divided into ten patches, only
one Of which is permitted to be worked
each decade, so us to give the remainder
the necessary length of years to regain
their growth. Coral is worth more than
its weight in gold. The coral of commerce
resembles II leaflcss shrub, with stout
branches, or an exaggerated lichen, and is
usually sought at depths of from 60 to 100
feet. OF the coast of Sardinia fine speci-
mems are found, of ycllowish Or saffron
color, while the coral of the African or
Barbary coast is almost invariably of II
deep red or crimson shade. The white
and rose-pink tints are most valued in
Europe and America while in the Orient
and deeper shades are preferred. The
coral imported INFO the United States ex-
ceeds in value 100000 per annum. but us
it is almost invariably brought here in II
finished shape, it appears in the list of inn
ports rs .jewelry or precious stones. The
chief seats of manufacture are Naples,
Marseiles and Paris. A few years since
IN cnterprsng American discovered Il pro
cess by which coral could be closely imi-
tated and ut II cost far below the real arli-
Gle. The imitation consists in combining
collodion and camphor gum under certain
conditions Of heat and pressure. and the
resulting compound, properly Hinged with
the requisite color, form an artificial coral
known to the trade as ceIuloil, which has
become qIile popular in the lorn of jewel
ry, beads, trimmings, etc. The real coral,
however. is not affected in price and must
continue to command II re dy sale. As IN
evidence of American enterprise it is given
out that a company is already organizing
to work the reef discovered by the Gettys-
burg, and an ingenious Yankee has al
ready perfected machinery and apparatus
to lit The submarine wealth to the surface
An approximate idea of the prospective
profits may be formed when it is known
that single ton of pure pink coral of the
finest grade, at its present value, would be
worth 5l,000,0O0. From the reports re-
ceived it is not likely that the wonderful
reef will yield many tons of pure coral.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

BIRTHDAY VERSES.


WRITTEN IN oHILDs ALBUM.
Twas sung of old in hut and hall
How once king in evil hour
Hung musing U'el his castle wall,
And, lost in idle dreams, let fall
Into the sea his ling of power.
Then, lei him sorrow MS he might,
And pledge his daughter and his throne
To who restored the Jewel bright,
The broken spell would ne'erunite;
The grim old ocean held liz own.
Those awful powers on man that wait,
On man, the beggar OF the king,
To howell bare orhall of state
A magic ring that masters fate
With each succeeding birthday bring.
Therein are set lour jewels rare;
Pearl Winter, summers ruby blaze,
Springs emerald, and, than all more fair,
Fails pensive opal, doomed to bear
a heart Of dle bcdreamed with haze,
To him the simple spell who knows
The spirits of the ring to sway,
Flesh power with every sunrise flows,
And royal pursuivants are those
I hat NY his mandates to obey.
But he that with slackenel will
Dreams OF things past or things to be,
From him the charm is slipping still,
And drops, ere he suspects The ill.,
Into the ineXOrable sea.
James Russell Lo,OeH, in Atlant,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

Leave Montpelier at 9l5A A. NJ. Q Is P NJ and 9S0 D. &
NAIL IRAN leaves st Adams 100 A. NJ. MOntpfff1.
40 NJ, Tor Boston, New London, Springfield Tz=
YORK and intermediate points.
EXPRESS leaves ROuses Point at $50 M. Montreal Hf
A M 81; AlDans at IL 10 2. M, Bun la ptOn l2lb p
montpelier 10 M, for Boston via Lowell.
Montpelier $40 p. ea
NIGHT EXPRESS from 0gdensburg Montreal. st. AZ
phLe ana burlington, lie We Montpelier al go p 81
I2r Boston VIA Lowell Or FitchbuIY sprinpfeid Ne
YORK, and int ermediate points -
TRAINS GOING NORTH AND WEST.
leave dontpeliera t3.S5 6lOA.M AVOp.
and GIVE. ~
DAYLNPREss leaves Boston via Fitchburgl at7 III I
n VIA LOwellsOO A. NJ. New London 500 NJ Sprii,
neIu oOOA M Montpelier W p. NJ for BurlinVfoT
Adams, montreal, ana OEdehsl uir L.
ACCOMMODATION leaves White RiVerJunctiOul 30 p n
montpelier ~ P NJ Tor burlington al d st Albals &
MUTATION IRAN leaves NoTthteld ai5 81 h
hontbelerb, lO NJ, for Burlington ST. AIbart RicI
tnrd, 81. johns, Rouses Point and Montreal A
NIGHT EXPRESS leaves Boston via LowelIutb au D y
wa fltchDurgl 30 P. M New York 300 r. M ri ~, s
leld, SOO P n, Montpelier 3 30 A. NJ fo1 Burlnefof
ST. Aloans' montreal and ORdensburRl and Tie eff
Trains leave Montpelier for Barre at $50 A. NJ. ana
" % NJ; and 4.25 p. NJ. " ' 80 :
Returning leave Barre at7 10 A. M. and 20 and bfi
NJ. "' NNN A.
sleeping cars are attached to Night Express train
running between Montreal and Boston, and Montren
in "a Sprlhgneld, and st. Adams and Troy. II
drawing room cars nDay Express ira in 4 betwees
Montreal and Boston '"~N
Through tickets for Chicagoan dthewest forsale s
Tue principal stations
o.. An Nv HOBART, General Superintendent
st. Adams. vt. November g. 1870 X
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

Cane seated chairs are very npt TO wear
out, and then, if their owners are far from
the upholsters, they are thrown aside II,
! useless. Any woman with little ingenu.
ity can repair them so they will be good
us new. Take any piece Of bagging OF
buraps-no matter how courso-and fiji
them to the chairs. Gu ting them large
enough to wrap about the ronnds and hole
the splinls or canes. Now sew ii on with
the darning needle and Irvine twice donh-
led, and turn up II hem rs you sew ON the
bnrlaps. When half fitted stuff il with
excelsior shavings of poplar wood; or il
you have them cut off layers from old
quilts and spread them smoothly over the
chairs under the burlaps. The layers OF
cotton can be tackled together before they
are put in. and then they can be lai
more smoothly upon the old canes. Fine
hay will answer also for stuflGng, when
nothing better can be procured. Now
sew down the other two sides. and take
pieces Of carpet ting, or of enamelled cloth
or colored rep, or all-wool dress goods, ami
lack hem closely down with large silver
cd or brass-headed nails, which come for
that purpose, and behold your chairs are
far handsomer and more comfortable than
before. The materials lave, possibly, cost
you but little, for many an attic would fur
nisl them all but the nails, which must be
procured at the upbolstcr's Gimp to
match the ground color of the cushion, or
even worsted braid. is desirable to place
along the edges Of the covering, and drive
the nails directly through it This makes
II handsome finish to the cushion.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

HUMAN LEATHER-The question is
whether, in this age Of utilization, we are
going to allow the bodies of the dead to
remain unutilized. Although the majority
of mankind will doubtless promptly dis
pose of this no over agreeable considera-
ton by in unequivocal affirmative, two
shoemascrs in this city think otherwise :;
and they exhibit u handsome pair of boots
made from human leather, in support of
their views. The skin was fiji nished
from the front and back of dssectinp
room subject, who had died sudden from
accident, and upon whom decay had not
yet begun to act. 1t was placed in II so.
luton of hemlock and white oak banks.
and after the tanning, which lasted three
weeks, emerged in the shape of soft.
pliable. light brown leather, like fine calf
skin. but more porous. The available
skin on ii good-sized man. say these pro-
gressive Crispens, will make the legs and
uppers of two pairs of boots, after allow
ing for reasonable waste. This is the
second utilization that has been proposed.
The other was to cremate the bodies in gas
I'torts, nm to convert the volatile matter
into illuminating gas, and the bones into
phosphates.-6ctentlfc american.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

In the construction of old houses, and
in too many instances new ones also, Il
great defect is to be found in the absence
of any mode of ventilation for the cup.
boards. This omission is serious one in
all eases, but especially in those which are
devoted to the reception of food or dirty
linen. In such cases these closets. with
their contents become laboratories for the
manuafacture of polluted air, which from
time to time escape into the living rooms
and makes itself unpleasantly apparent.
The remedy for this is not difficult; Il few
perlnratlons in the doors will be found SER
vicoablc, but ifpractiCablc the wall of the
cupboard should also be perforated, so that
u thorough draft could be obtained. y
Sanitary Record.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

WHAT TO DO WITH THE STRAW. When
farmer Can dispose ola load OF straw ia
n livery stable for loads of manure in ex-
change. he wants no better way Of using
his straw. But few farmers are so Elyora-
BILE situated as this. There should be no
trouble about using the straw, if one has
roots to iced with it, and sufficient capital
to buy u few head of cattle to winter over
Then haIfa dozen thin cattle, which are
easily picked up for the cash anywhere
nav 10 purchased, and put loose into box
stalls, and each one fed with bushel Of
root, aud two or three pounds Of meal dai-
", ana al the stray they will cat. The
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17
The Best Evidence.

The following letter from Rev E. s. Best, Pastor of
the NJ H. Church, NatCk, Mass will be read with in-
terest by many pn9 sulans also those suffering from
tne same disease afflicted the son OF the hev. f.
BEST No person can doubt TINS testl my, US there is
uo doubt aOOut the curative power OF VEGEIINE.
$50, -. . . NATIcK, MASS, JAN. list, 1873.
MR.. II. Il. STEVENS:
Dear Strive have good reason for regarding your
NLGEIlSE medicine OF the greatest value We feel
assured tndt 1t mas D5en the means O saving our sons
NE. He ID now years Of age tor the last
Two years he has suffered from necrosis OF his Icy
aused ny scrOtuous affection and so Tar reduced
that nearly all VINO saw nln Thought his recovery IN
possible Acouncll OF a0le physicians could give US
Out the taltest nope OF his ever rdyng Two VI the
nuDer declaring that he was beyond the reach OF hu
man remedies, That even amputAtlun could not save
MIN US he uad not viBOr enough to endure the opera
tlJn. Just then We commenced giving him VEGErlNE
aud from that time to the present he been Coutu
lJusly improving. He has lately resumed studies,
thrown away his Crutches and cane, aud walks ABOUT
cneertully and strong.
Though there Is stl some dischare from the opening
where his limb was auced, nave the fullest conn
delce that III little time ne Will be perfectly cured
he mas taken ABOUT three dozen bottles OF VEGE TINE
Uut lately uses but little declares lie too well to
Oe taking medicine.
Respectfully yours,
e. >. BEST,
Mrs L. +. BEST.