davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02
Written for tho Free Press
Thirty-Eivo.


And am half way home,
Are half my years already gone,
And that bright day not come.
That always hath SO sweet crcam
Yes, half way home, and sill
eat my mothers bread alone,
Nor heed another's will,
Ny hand and heart are ali my own.
Age, more than half way through,
travel so much faster now,
while deeper grows tho oius;
And sweeter Heavens star-lt noW.
Ny Past has been 8 dream,
Too bright to ever become real
Alas that Things should seem,
So different from our sweet Ideal!
Iwonder IL the hall.
The other half will Re like this,
Or shall fOndly quAf
With other lips, more perfect bliss.
have travelled half Of life,
Paddiing along my own canoe,
ohow me happier pVe,
Search, II you wiIl, the wide world through
feel no cold neglect,
No rudeness chilis my throbblns heart,
No tyrsnt claims respect,
wear no mask " hide the smart
ui words that sung and bite,
Tortufiug the helpless victim out
Of hef her days, and n ght
tntImeIy, sacly bring about.
One half is surely mine.
unsha' ed, il may be, hut / Lave
o~eet memories TO IwIne,
The bitter floating on the wane
VI lane, gone backward lost.
Not worth recalling from the Past,
Like fam by bI,lops rsssd,
Then uelung in the watery world.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

The betting Englishmsn bets on anything.
London despatch tells OF novel wager
which has attracted attention in club cir
cles. An officer OF the Royal Horse Guards
Blue has backed himself against certain
sporting baronet to ride ten miles across
fair hunting country while a snail crawls
ten inches ON creased board. At last ad-
vices the snail was in splendid condition
and taking daily afternoon crawl. Odds,
five to four on the snail.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

a YouxG Danbury boy proposed to bis
father that no 20 fishing; but his father had
other business for him that day. Father. ="
said the young man. do You know what
Solomon said about tishing?' "S0lomon
didn't sey ANYTHING about it," replied the
parent. "Yes, he did. lie said. ifyou
spare the rod you spoil the child. " ~
won't spare it," said the old gentleman,
promptly. And he didn't; but the son
thinks he got hold Of the wrong rod Dan
bury Neics.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

The stallion Alton Boy. of Ethan Allen
stock. recently was being driven by Mr..
Joseph Van Brunt. of New York. accom-
panied by his mother and was not speeding
ing. The calk OF the of hind foot caught
on the near fore foot. on the inside quarter
about two inches from the toe. and remain
ed there until extracted. Had the horse
made an ttfIrt to get up, the whole foot
wocld have been torn of.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02
Arrested for swindIing Vermont Farm

3osTON. Jan. - Loyal &. Smith, E. b.
Stafford, John 5 Ware and Cyrus Ii. Bates
were each held in $40 900 to-day, to answer
the charge OF swindlIng number OF per-
sons in Vermont, of whom they purchased
about $40, 900 worth of hay and produce,
and shipped by rail to Lowell. Meantime
the property WAS brought by them to Boston
and sold to the purchasers, as alleged,
they failing to make any returns and allow
ing drafts msde on Lowell to 60 to protest
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

About four miles from San Buenavon-
tura. Cal. ON the river of that name, there
is grape yiDe of the Mission variety, the
stem Oi which measures forty inches in
circumference 1t covers an area OF about
eighty feet IN diameter. This vine yields
about 900 pounds ot grapes annually
The clusters OF iruIt will measure from
twelve To sixteen inches IN length, and
average three and a half pounds. 1t is On
the rancho of Don Jusc Morapa, and was
planted by thut gentleman seventeen years
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

An Irishman lately landed was hunting
for two OF his brothers, W hon he had had not
heard from since they lett the old country.
One day he stood in front of a large boiler.
on whish was painted, " Patented. 1870"
On this be exclaimed AN sure I've
found thin at last Pat and Ted, 1870.
That's the viry year they came out, and
they're both bilermakers ~
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

A YOUNG PIttsheld merchant, who drove a
lttlo way out OF town to make call the
other night, and carefully banksted his
horse, heard a noise room alter. indicating
that something was wrong. and gong out
found that the blanket had been partly
burned of. the -haits oi the sleigh scorched
and u large patch of the hair burned eff the
horse. lie had held his lighted cigar III his
hand while putting on the blanket
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

Says the brooklyn Argus: Sealskin
sacques for pOodcs are coming into fashion.
a lady carr, ng canine pet thus sttlred
called yesterday 10 comfort n poor woman
who had lost two children by starvation.
The saclue was cut Pompadour.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

negro having been brought up before II
magistrate, and convicted OF pilieriug, the
magistrate began to remonstrnte, DO You
know how to read " Yes. massa little,
Well, don't you ever make use OF the
Bible ?" - Yes. massa, ttra? hm razor ON
him bometimes
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02
BENSETT-NAY.

The town has been on 4 broad giin for
days over The ludicrous ending of the Ben
nett May AFFAIR. The two idiots did 20 to u
place in Delaware, and did stand up before
each other at the blood-thirsty distance of
twelve PAGES and fire pistols into the air,
and retire. Then it was industriOusly given
out that May was MORALLY wounded, and
that Bennett was in hiding, and the papers
were filled with incidents Of the " meeting"
The truth is neither was touched. May
;,neaked off to Washington. and Bennett
sneaked of to Europe with his sister, where
he will probably stay. He is the laughing
stock of the city, and as he hasn't the tact
Of his father to turn such things to account,
it is better for him to be away. The result
Of the duel' is 80 ridiculous that it has
done more to put a final end to such nom
sense than all the laws. The only real suf
ferer in the case is Miss May, who is really a
nice girl, even if she was willing to marry
such a man as Bennett. The two principals
have hardly sense enough to feel the absurd
position they have placed themselves in.
Vanderbilt is not to be allowed to sleep
peacefully in his coffin. His daughters will
contest the will. They claim that thev can
show that the old man was under undue in
Huencc when he made the will, and that his
bequests were consequently unjust. The
fact is, Vanderbilt was never clearer in his
life, and he did with his property exactly
what he had always intended to. lie desired
that the fabric he had built should remain
for all time. as docs that of the Rothschilds,
and he selected the son who has bust
ness ability, trained him carefully in the
management of his railroads, and then left
the control of them in his hands. lie was
ambitious that the name should endure in
connection with his enterprises. and that the
system he established should be perpetuateu.
The daughters will not succeed, for the will
was made years ago, and his intentions were
as well known five years ago as when the
document was presented for probate Still
the fight will be lively one, and the lawyers
will get fat pickings out OF it. William II.
Vanderbilt is Il very strong business man,
and is worthy successor to his father. lie
is just as grasping and just as selfish, and in
his hands the estate will grow rather than
waste. Yours, ALTON.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

wonderful evolutionary freak has just
come under our notice. A year ugO one Of
the illustrated papers pictured the New Year
coming IN ms Il com.ly and tripping muid.
This Year the same paper represents tho
same year going ont as gray haired, totter
ing old man. VIII Prof. lluxlcy e&plaIn p,
INorrstown Herald
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

Las; night the midnight Lackness that
prevailed throughout the city was more dense
and more impenetrablc down in the railroad
yards, and the silent cars stood gloomy and
spectral-lihe. dimly discernable by the faint
light reflected from the numerous switch
lights that cleaned like the eyes OF demons
from their places. Back and forth through
the darkness strobe the night watchman, his
FURNISHED lantern swinging from his arm,
its shifting rays chasing the changing shad
ows like sportive spectres as he moved along.
Presently the light of the lantern fell upon II
long, dark object lying upon the ground with
one end resting on the rail. The lantern
stopped its pendulum-hke swing, and by its
steadied light human form WAS dimly des-
cried, prone upon the earth. 1t WAS man
stepped with drink. his head resting upon
the iron rail and touching the flange of the
wheel of car standing upon the track. But
one revolution of the ponderous drive-wheel
of the busy switch-sngine Lut tenth
of 1t, enough to have moved the ear but Il
single little foot would have made the blood
curde in thousand hearts tins morning. 1t
would have been scene CHASTITY III Its horri-
lie realities, and the hsadless trunk OF an
unfortunate victim to beastly appetite would
have been the only evidence OF his dangerous
folly.
The watchman approachedhlm. lie moved
the lethargic limbs and shook the stupor
from the drunken man. "What are you do
ing here ? Do you know whero you have
made your bed p Tine man arose strpidly
and gnzod with n strange vacuity INTO the
face of the interrogator. He gave one look
at the lantern. Mt the place where his head
had so lately rested. and with startled look
up into the silent sky. with its twin&ling
stars, he started toward Mann street. He
was perfectly sober But for his timely dis
coveTy he would have been n corpse to-day
lie was saved but had he been killed, where
would the responsibility have rested p Bur-
lngton Hawkeye.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02
LIFE INSURANCE.

The investigation into the affairs of the
defunct " Security" Life Insurance Com
pany-" Security :" think of it t,-discloses
a mass of rottenness that is awful This
company had not the excuse of several that
have failed honestly by depreciation in
securities it was thievingly managed from
the beginning, or at least for many years,
and was rotten. The annual reports were
doctorcd to show prosperity when the COM
pany was insUiler.t, and to these false reports
the officers put their names, and sworc to
their correctness, without blush. 1T
might have gone en- for some time, and
made even a worse smash, but the close
times stopped off receipts, and as there was
no more money to wiring out Of the people,
or rather as the volume coming in was too
small to make the swirdlc profitable, it col
lapsod. The thieves swcre to balances they
never had. TO real estate which they never
owned, and to policies which they never
issued ; and by fraud and perjury they kept
up an appearance of solidity which deceived
even the experts. There are others in the
same way, that will come to grief within
month
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

In Cleveland, not many weeks since. there
was II woman who supported her husband.
who was almost constantly drunk ON lager
beer. Finding him Mt the saloon, she begged
him to come home. but he declared in his
drunken frenzy that he would kill her II she
did not leave him. In fear and despair she
committed suicide Mas the man less II hcud
than il drunk on whiskey'
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

The Murphy Temperance Meetings
hnve continued five weeks IN Pittsburg over
lN,OnO persons hnvo sIHned the pledGe
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02
:-.--5- n x 9. \ -. ..-..l
: Aopr -Ssxs Iari Letter: ::.see q
FxniossgaIsfE. pss gsas.xI =,
E. - =. NETT- Nay, 'FTc. ; ,.-..:S->'
= go Nrw Y0Rx. Jan. 20, 49,;


TO the Editor o! tho Free Press and Times -
The Republicans Of this city are opposed,
as rule, to the phn adopted by the Joint
committee OF the two houses for the settle
ment of the Presidential question, for they
believe it to be surrender rather than
compromise. They il ist that either Hayes
or Tilden was elected that the Constitu-
tion provides the method for determining
the question, and that any other method is
wrong until it is changed by law; and they
protest against dragging the Supreme Court
into the case. 1t is held that if decided in
this way one party is certain to be dissatis-
fed, and that the fact that the Supreme
Court will have something to do with it will
not take away the feeling. They insist that
the counting shall take place as it always
has that the President of the Senate shal
declare the result. and if the losing side
feels aggrieyeG it shall find its remedy as is
done in all other cases. They believe that
Hayes was fairly elected, and they insist
that he shall be inaugurated. The Republi-
cans of this City, who know by bitter ex-
perience what Democracy is, shudder when
they think that Tiljen and his gang have
the slightest possible chance of getting con-
troll of the Federal Government
FASHIONS.
Women return to the appropriate custom
of wearing light and delicate colors for oc
casions of high dress. White hats, pale
gloves and light mantles are donned for
theatre and dress promenade, rule which
should remain in force immutably. White
felt hats of modest shape are the choice.
for the white plush that displaces velvet
looks unmistakably coarse, and can only be
whim of the moment Wide, rich folds
of silk and full plumes are the usual orna-
ment, though freak Of a French milliner is
to cover the faring brim entirely with row,
of gilt galoon, set so closely as TO recall the
halo of dead gold, which in old pictures sur
rounds the beads of saints; but the exam
pie, is only quoted for its hard, bad taste.
Next to white. the finest bonnets are of
palest gray velvet, the brims concealed with
deep crimson trimmings and flowers in ele-
CANT contrast. In dress, basques and over
skirts are popularity seen, but nothing looks
really elegant save the princess dress which
is adopted as the standard costume also by
the dress reformers.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-02-02

Mr.. Blaine. OF Maine, spoke against the
measure. He didn't believe Congress pos
sessei the powers which it was proposed to
transfer to the commission, and urged
upon Congress to prepare, at the pres
cnt session, and submit to an expcctant
people. constitutional amendment which
would relieve the country in the future
from similar difficulties.
Evening star., 1877-09-20
rHE PRESIDENT IN TENNEsSEB
En- Route for Shatt.uoeya


WARTRCE, TENN y .pt. 20. -Tle PreSdcl-
lial party left Nashville for Chattanooga a.
O'Clock this morning, in the car Of Dr. Van
'iford. the president OF The Louisville and
Nashville railroad, which will take the plr-
10 Wash nSion. The day opened with
ieht showers, out otherwise was very pleas
ant.
THE PRESIDENT AND MRS. HAYES
occupied seals Oh the rear platform, ant goOk
a deep interest in the memorable places con-
nectsd with the great rebellion, which were
pointed out by gentlemen who were in each
OF the opposing armies, that made historic
the country from n ashv lille 10 Murfrees 0oro'.
The battle field OF StoIe river, the Nall GEM
eteTy, and the scenes or many skirmi sizes
ana incidents and aneciotes coDuect,,d with
the war were recalled. The reception CON
mitfee from Chattanooga are accompanying
the party.
SPEECHES AT MURFREesBoRo.
When the ira N arrived al Murfree>boro, 8
large crowd greeted il with cheers. Toe
President made speech ailulilg to his
qualification at his reception in the south,
and hoping that the time would som come
when, in our country, there woald be no
north Or south. Secretary Evarts, Judge
Key and Gov. Hampton were introIuc 4,
and made u few remarks. Toe latter ihen
presented Mrs. Hayes, who was gre eJet with
hearty applause, and bowed TO the Assem-
biage as the train moved Of.
COl0red People on the shake.
DECHkRD, Tenn, Sept. 2l-Oue fe aura Of
has been the anxiety manifested by the co..
ored people TO see The President, fos watch
purpose they have fiJckel 10 the various
railroad stations and expressed their grati-
ncation Al seeing aim aud grasp ng his haad,
which feeling has been recog oguizad by the
President, who on al occasions has taken
pains 10 crafty them. The greatest delight
was manilos ell by those who were so fortu-
male as To shake hands with The President,
and il has been source OF infinite amuse-
m 9nt TO those who witnessed it.
Evening star., 1877-09-20

BsLT-Noas, seT.. 1J.-sst. .u4is aNys. old g'-
DO 0-irtc-t eEs U.. lral I4 70 -.. it --..suG
seIl,s- a. k,tiu tar,i siAas ,lI, - .tt ~ iay
sugar cell ara h-A lHA
bALrISoaF, sear .. i'rt1n -.rruE ..I quiet
mir,i. ug. - f...r taIIt a.. .F-. 4r.. al uu
changed. Nurst- southern doll t-l --as .. " sst.rn
slrnt and l.-'..I---.4 4lhrrt red Er.. prtma >,
ftal -, Do. amber, hEHtl eI. Wssrs-u. ztea nrr,
-. o. NJ. lHfsE rsIr - 10. =. -. Hfu Ea .
-, Cctoter. s. - 3D., t1ErmaHr. y al. 81 \. .
Noru, rrUthrrn -fraiF nsaf. s.-fs~n lu.a'-
saGthetn ~hlt', r,tiu, g.. yei'rE =tri,. stern
mixed psi sos --Ff mp--. 81. .rH. r, 90. NH-sm
h-r, 90, seam has Irs-I al .raaff f4rurn-
eT. SlsE western wrIIe. 81, ir. HtfN- d. a-s4 Re
qslvt ara stead 81, a1s. -trsis nHI lI-laH gsi.
oUtter chuiC" gr-d.- ect - sut u-n other - 81
tul and non insi-ch Dl," wet 1Ut1s pafrrl-gm
uLt g-d. COTE .u.-t-Rlo cs'gr-- Ij Al. job
tNE- La Nh'skb gnl" sHI ne a.. Be
oeipts-f flJCr. 2S.;, wf=ai, sstau EaI B. oats,
80, rye, itU. ShiPmrHus-A " Lesl, D. 0Ol, cora,
NEW YORK, SEPT ~ --ctDcss nr.n q slyances
NNEey vo'd, iDi-Er Ezlhsssts .uGs. 50, snOu,
e.. Gov sfRuioUIs fIrm
NEW isL-. SEP. - -Fl8rr p -Iat hrmer,
whest and cent b tier. Corn a a q a7i -tsaay
LONDON, sept. .. i2.s1 o. m-E is II.-. New
YORK C-sUtral, itSss. Illinois Central. -U-s Ne<
Jersey Central, ls4 R-adIns Rail 1ad .aar.s, ~
LONDON, Sept 2. >. -Aris, Al II.
IARIs, sept -, 4 q. n.-liye pr cent. Tyut-s
ltS francs for the account
LONDON. Sept -. i. " @. Illinois Ce afral, "a
PtnLsy lNanis C-utTai. 29s.
Evening star., 1877-09-20

THE STRIFE IN THE EAST.-The Rouma-
mans assaulted stroag Turkish raJout on
Tuesday, but were repuls. d. Gen. Sko6 ,lef,
though suffering from fever, has left Bucha-
rest 10 command the 16.h division beiore
Plevna. Thirty thousand Turkish troops TO
reinforce Osman FAsba havs arrived at Or
chanie. desperate ensAg gsmens vas fought
In The valley Of the Lom on the lih instant.
Thirty two bauaiions Of infantry and eight
under the command Of the Czarsvitch, at
lacked Asssf Pachas division at Siran keny
The forks were st-onsly reinforced at onoe,
and the Russians were driv ven back with
great slaughter. The Fl inances OF Turkey are
at such q low ebb that the payment OF the
foreign debt Is left In abey ance, the oti ical.
are unpaid, and famine 10 Impending to add
10 the sufferfuGs OF the lover class. The
Turkish garrison Of Bilek have besn permit
ted to depart, and the Aontenezrins are
marching against the Turkish f0r;s In the
Duga Pass.
Evening star., 1877-09-20
\ SEVERE CYCLONE has been in the Gulf

\ SEVERE CYCLONE has been In the Gulf
OF Mexico since Sunday, attended by very
high winds and heavy rains, causing grea
damage In the Gulf States near the cast. Ii
is now moving slowly north OF east It il
in many respects milar to the great storm
Of September, 1T 5. that caused 50 great DAD,
age In Texas. These cyclones frequently
lose much of their force by the time they
reach the North Carolina coast. At parish
ST. Jehn Baptist, La, several residences
have been destroy ed. Barns have been car
red of, and sugar houses on several plauta
tions seriously damaged. The parish court
house lost It's roof, and states were driven
half a mile with such force as To bury them
selves in the ground as they fell. The dam
age 70 the rice crop on the lower coast Is estI-
ma led at 80 per ceEt.
Evening star., 1877-09-20
THE EQUINOCTIAL CYCLONE.
Damage I'm Texas

HOUSTON, TsNAs, Sep. 2O-Tne following
is the estimated damage by the late cyclone
N Bolivia; the channel, including portion
Of the fleet, $1,000; the Galveston, Houston
and Henderson railroad, loss OF track aud
and Santa Fe railroad, loss OF track AMI
bridge, $40 COO; cotton presses s1s 500; incom
plete buildings In the city, s2,5Oo bath
houses Oh the beach, $3.50; twenty small
schooners capsized, loss 5000; private
buildings and property, $40 900
I'm the Vicfnlty Of New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. l9.-For the last three
DAYS the stor "a has Continued, unprec edentef
In It's fury. The damage has been consider
able. The town Of Muneburg, on Lake Poot-
chartrain, was four feet under water, aud
the loss 10 the railroad and citizens will
reach $50 600. Throughout the city the drain
age canals overfowed, and considerable
damage was done to trees and frame build
ings. The whole OF the rear OF the city was
overfiowed, aud the losses there ID market
gardens, orange trees. &c, will reach e5,o0o