davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
MONTPELIER, VT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL "a, 1873

as good as ever they were. I believe they
are. But their manners are indisputably
decaying. They no longer silently exact
that Difference from men which is every wom-
ans natural right, and which no sagacious
woman ever forfeits. She will not long re-
ceive it, even If she bankers after it, from
her "pig" and her beast" The conse-
quence is that men swagger in the pres
ence of women TO degree that even the
women we speak of find offensive. They
have corrupted mems manners; and then
they complain of the corruption. Corvlpfo
optimi pessimd est and there is nothing so
sad as lack of fine manners in gentleman,
except the lack of them in lady.
There is yet another element in modern
life which is radically hostile to the oultiva-
tion or even the retention of fine manners.
This is its extreme hurry and its constant
hustle, Fine manners require calm grace
and calm grace is not easily preserved amid
the hubbub iostling and anxiety of the ex-
istence of to-day. Fine manners require
time; indeed they take no note of time. A
person of fine manners may himself always
be punctual but he can scarcely preserve
his fine manners while laboring to compel
other people to be so. Fine manners are alb.
solutely incompatible with fussiness. Fine
manners take their time over everything.
This is not to say that they are inconsistent
with exertion or even with great energy.
But the exertion must be equable; the en-
ergy must be uniform not spasmodic or hys-
terical.-CornhW Magazine.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Watch and Pray.

No man, young or old, obscure or infa-
nous, is sure of his honesty in days like
these, who has not written over the portals
of his manhood, Watch and prdy" Watch
the coming of the faintest temptation to
your honor from afar Watch your issoci-
ates in busness-their principles of trade,
their habits of dealing, the drift Of your
profession. Young women, watch your so
cial life, your tastes, your ambitions; for,
every day, some family is thrown into em-
barrassment, and started on the road to
financial ruin and disgrace by the thought
lessor willful persistence of some woman in
keeping up an appearance. And, as you
watch, "pray without ceasing." Hold every
bargain, every new plan of life, every sue
cess, up to the light of God. Take, as your
"silent partner" in every transaction, him
who is the infinite truth, in whose presence
all righteousness, however splendid, shriv-
els into the weak aud contemplate thing
it really is. Oh, friends the pride that
keeps our knees stiff and our hearts defiant
before Almighty God is neither manly nor
womanly. 1t is simply our cowardice hat
keeps us hanging about the outskirts of our
life, instead of going up boldly to the noun
tain-top of conservation, and giving cur
selves altogether and forever to the service
of the infinite love we call our God.-Chris-
tan ReQister.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Carlyle on job.

call the Book of Job, apart from all
theories about it, one of the grandest things
ever written with pen. One feels, indeed,
as if it were not Ilebrew-such a noble uni
versatility, different from noble patriotism or
sectarianism, reigns in it, A noble book All
mems book 1t is our first, Oldest statement
OF the never-ending problem, mans destiny,
Gods ways with him here on this earth.
And all in such free, flowing outlines grand
in its simplicity, and its epic melody and its
repose of reconciement There is the see
ing eye, the mildly understanding heart. So
true every way; true eyesight and vision for
all things, material things no less than spir-
itual; the horse" hast thou clothed his
neck with thunder ?''---he laughs at the
shaking of the spearl Such living like
nesses were never since drawn. Sublime
sorrow, sublime reconciliation oldest choral
melody as of the heart of mankind; so soft
and great; as the summer night, as the
world with its seas and stars There is
nothing written, think, in the Bible or out
of it, of equal literary merit
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
!" Sticking Up"

1t ought to be too late in the season to
require any nudge in regard to putting the
dooryards and home premises in "apple-
pie order" But we have observed that in
many villages and farming communities
this work is never done until the house
wives either do it themselves or press the
men into it. When the weather is such as
we have had this spring, the rakes, hoes,
wheelbarrows, hammers and other utensils
required in "sicking things up" should
leave nothing undone past the middle of
April. There is the dooryard to clear of
leaves and the other debris left by winter (;
the lawn to top-dress or uncover from the
prudent dressing of last fall the stone
walks to straighten up, the plank walks to
mend, or the gravel walks to clean and give
fresh coating; the fences to right up;
the grape-trellises to straighten and repair
the chip-yard to clean up, and the cellar to
empty of all decaying or useless matter
and put in a condition fit for Il Christian
family TO live over.
We have often found that we could tell
the condition of business in village, and
the amount of public spirit that existed
there, by observing the state of the door
yards in spring time. Where the fences are
straight, the walks whole, the little grass
platS clean, the trees and Shrubbery neatly
trimmed the houses well painted, the gates
all hung and no old hats stuck into broken
windows-there we have found thrift, in-
telligence, contentment and prosperity.
The same thing is true of farming com
munity. There is no reason why farm
er's dooryard and household surroundings
should not be as well ordered, cleanly and
attractive as villagers. There isn't a
crop so important to the comfort and health
fitness of his family as his vegetable garden,
and nothing more necessary to the content
ment and pleasure of his wife and daughters
than generous and well-kept flower gar
den, with tasteful and attractive outdoor
surroundings. If you haven't it already,
set out bed of roses, so located that the
summer winds may fill your home with the
sweet odors and give up time enough now
while you can, to carry out any little plan
that your good wife may have for the adorn-
ment OF your homestead.
Nature is setting the example of fresh
ness, order and beauty. Let us take pattern
from her, and remember the wise saying,
that We should take thought for the
beautiful, for the useful will take care OF
elt."-Goiien Rule.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24

"Oh, dear papa" she said through her
tears, chow can ever, ever love you enough2"
" My darling" said |, 81 know you love
me as love you. But now, what is il you
think this little girl would like ?"
" ! think that what she wants is 10 be laid
in her grave in peace"
And so it shall be-" replied and it
shall be done at once"
SO we dug grave in the corner of the
garden where all the departed pets of the
family were laid, and had it carefully lined
with Hat stones like miniature vault, and
therein we two-the puzzled gardener look.
ing on-reverently laid the young Roman
girl, with all her little treasures disposed
around her, filled in the earth, and set up
the stone tablet at the head.
And, toward evening, the great physician
from London made his appearance. lie was
one of those few men who, in addition 10
the skill born of natural sagacity and vast
experience, are imbued with something of
that subtle intuitiveness, which is a gift not
to be acquired; and moreover, he had that
winning charm of manner which makes even
the most sensitive of patients yield their in
most secrets. He listened with much atten-
tion and interest TO the story we had TO tell
him, and had long interview with Lily by
herself before he came to us in the study,
where we were anxiously waiting for his
opinion.
Well" he said, "there is no great harm
done as yet, but your little girl will require
great care-very great care" Aud he then
went into various details, which it is not
necessary here to recapitulate. Before TAX
ing his departure, however, he said
"Just one word more. Let me tell you,
4 4 IL.
when you yielded 10 your little girl's-whim
| don't like to call it, for it seems more of
sacred feeling-about the little Roman girl.
| know well what a sacrifice it must have
been, but frankly own to you that would
not have liked to be responsible for the case
of this child so sensitive as she seems TO be
to certain deep impressions, with such
burthen on her pure, unselfish mind"
Summer had come again The golden
sunlight shed glory on our stately elms,
and cast their flickering shadows on the
grass the birds--we all loved and cherished
them-sang their bithe carols on every side;
all nature around seemed wakened to new
life and loveliness. Within, all was darkness
and desolation for the edict had gone forth
that Lily was to die, and not to live.
Her fair hair, soft and glossy as floss
silk, hung round her in tangled waves, that
told of the restlessness of WEAKNESS and
pain. Her sweet face was drawn in by
hard, cruel lines, till the blue eyes stood out
unnaturslly large and bright her poor little
wasted arms trembled as she stretched them
out to me. The wan little face lighted up
with smiles as | approached, and, taking
her hand in mine, bent over her to listen to
her accents, now scarcely above whisper.
go dear papa" she said, show have
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Full Confession.

Let us encourage ourselves in the Lord
our God encourage ourselves in his char
acter-encourage ourselves in his compass
sion. lie will not shut up his tender mer-
cies in anger, but will shut up anger in his
tender mercies, for his compositions fail not.
Let us say of them, This is my hidingplace
here will nestle from sins, temptations,
falls, and ingratitudes. Feeling his tender
ness to be that of a jealous God, we are too
apt to go to him as to tender friend, jea-
Gus friend, keeping back what is likely to
grieve him. But no Our Jesus is not
like an earthly friend epen in this; there is
no loosening his love by suspicion. He
knows all our baseness, yet loves unto the
end Therefore let us go tell him all +;
even those feelings which we would hide
from ourselves let us drag out before him,
and pour out our complaints of ourselves
into the bosom of our Master.-Lady Poi0-
erscOurt
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
The Adyerb " NOW,v

1t is said that " God respecteth adverbs
more than verbs" lie cares more TO have
man work well than TO have him merely
work. And there is one adverb that it is
Gods will that we should esteem more
highly than it is our custom TO do, and that
is the adverb now. We live in the past, we
live in the future, and the present we allow
to slip through our hands. Yet we are dead
to the past, we are not born to the future,
and the present is our only time for doing,
enjoying, living. We must indeed think OF
the past to profit by the experience it has
given us, to repent of our sins, aud to make
reparation where we have injured anyone,
but we must not let our life be in the past.
We should use the past only to live better,
to live more fully in the present, As regards
the future, there is certain provision for it
that is the duty of the present hour but be-
yond that, we should stile anxiety and fear
as not belonging TO us. We should remember
how often we have allowed ourselves TO be
distracted by dread of future difficulty OF
sorrow, and when the time and place were
reached, 10 the heavy stone was already
rolled away and angels with blessing stood
awaiting us. We may rest assured that il
we do our part in the present, God will tax,
care of the future. With us Christians, tn,
bitterness of past days, whatever it may
have been, should be both dead and buried
For is that bitterness sin After repentanc,
aud all possible reparation for wrong-doing
it is both duty and privilege TO rejoice il
forgiveness Church Journal
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Kindness.

If we could but look down into the hearts
of many people in our city, what sight
would be presented before our eyes how
many hearts dying for one little spark of
sympathy, dying for one kind word spoken,
one act of kindness shown them; but alas
only frown only cold glance which
perces to the very centre of the hear
Many disciple bearing that honored title
"Christian,' is not true disciple, bearing
a cup of cold water "unto the least of
these;" but instead giving cross answer,
showing a selfish disposition, doing an un.
christian act, not needing the Masters words
9" Bear ye one another's burdens" but giving
others many burdens. If every one did well
the part assigned him, what delightful
world would be made out of this now dreary
one. Let us scatter roses where we now
sow thorns, sunshine where we now cast
thick clouds of sorrow and woe, then our
lives will be joyous and standing at the
threshold of brighter and purer world
and looking back over the bright years of
the past, knowing we have done our duty to
our fellow-men in this world, we will be bet
ter prepared to welcome the joys of the next.
-Americdn Wesleyan.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
On the Decay of Manners.

But perhaps one of the most lamentable,
if not the most marked feature in the decay
of fine manners, is TO be observed in the
change which has come over the manner of
men towards women or let me say, Tor fear
| should be misunderstood, of gentlemen
towards ladies. We will not conjure storm
of remonstrance by presuming to decide
who first began it," But we need not be
afraid to say that, even supposing it was
men who first led the decline down the path
of excessive familiarity, women have SO af-
fably followed their lead, that it has become
exceedingly difficult for man TO preserve
with some women that distance which every
well-bred person feels, and, every thoughtful
person must grant, is Indispensable to the
maintenance in society of the due relations
of the sexes. When a woman playfully tells
you you are "plg' and addresses you
with exquisite humor, "Oh, you beast y 1t
is difficult 10 observe towards her that fine
ness OF manner which you imagined was
her due If she may call you by such aiiec-
tionate names, what may you not so call her III
turn What should you trouble yourself
TO be decorous IN the presence of person
to whom decorum is apparently of so little
moments Why should you not swear, loll
expectorate-if you like, 90 TO sleep? Why
should you hand her chair ii she wants onef
She probably tells you, " eau get it my
self" Why should you not take her at mel
word Why rise when she rises You
are tired, or at any rate you find it inoonve
nient. 1t is a "nuisance 10 have 10 "pui
ones self about so " for women; and Ger
tainly when women cease TO thank you fol
doing so, one Of the motives for suffering in
convenience has passed away. This is nt
/ question of morals. | dare say women ART
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Two Sets Of ArmOr.

The armor with which Satan furnishes
his followers is directly the reverse of that
Christian armor described by the apostle
Paul. Instead of girdle of truth, he girds
the sinner with the girdle of error and de-
ceit. Instead of the breastplate of Christ's
righteousness, he furnishes him with breast
plate of his own fancied righteousness. In
stead of the shield of faith, the sinner has
the shield of unbelief and with this he de
tends himself against the curses of the law
and the arrows of conviction. Instead of the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God, he teaches him to WELD the sword Of a
tongue set on fire of hell, aud furnishes him
with "a magazine of cavils, excuses and OBJ
iections with which to attack religion and
defend himself. lie also builds him many
refugees of lies, in which, as in strong cas-
tie, he proudly hopes to shelter himself from
the wrath of God.-Payson.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Why not Give 1t Up!

Once, in my ministry, our prayer-meeting
was startled by this inquiry, "Why not give
up our religion 1t requires time, money,
anxiety and labor; and to go up the noun
tain way requires constant struggle. The
car of salvation does not move upward,
towards heaven, without heavy lifting;
while, on the downward way, everything
moves easily. Why not, then, give it up,
and let the soul aud the world drift as they
please p This strange question broke upon
our drowsy prayer-meeting like thunder
shock, and in less than two minutes the
meeting was all ablaze.
"No' says one, "religion is good to live
by. If ] knew there we're no hereafter,
would wish to have the religion of Jesus in
my heart, and fill my hungry soul"
"No," says another religion is trans
forming the world, elevating the human race,
and saving our fellow-men from the miseres
of degradation. Prayer, faith, and love are
elevators of the human heart, filling the soul
with holy aspirations, and thereby lifting
the fallen up into the likeness of Jesus. To
give up our religion, and live like the in
fidel, only for self aud unholy freedom,
would be letting the world go backward and
downward into all the horrors OF moral
night
"No,' says another, I" | look around me,
and notice those who are drifting on the
tide of the world are unhappy. They are
like the troubled sea, which cannot rest,
casting up mire and dirt But not so with
Gods people. ! know the religion of Jesus
fills the aching void in my SOUL and it makes
me happy in love and the anticipation of
heaven ; and says, bless God for religion. |
cannot give it upp
"No," says another, if we give up our
religion, then we must give up our 'old
family Bible the lamp of the world We
must give up our Sabbath, the ministry, the
sanctuary, the throne of grace and all our
hopes of heaven. TO burn up all our Bibles,
tear down our meeting.houses, blot out the
name of Jesus, and take Tom Paine for our
light and our guide, would be "a calamity
over which the infidel himself might shud-
der, as Paine did when death stared him in
the face"
"No," said another religion brings us
up into harmony with God, and stimulates
the soul with holy endeavors and to blot it
out from our world would be like bottng
out the sun and the moon and the stars"
"No," said every one, we cannot give
up our religion. 70 lift and struggle in
such an enterprise as the gospel contem-
plates will develop our noblest manhood,
confer blessing upon our race, and glorify
God. No, let us struggle on, and double
our diligence. e."-ChriStian Mirror.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Under an Ash-Tree.


TWO LITTLE LivEs A THOUSAND YEARS APART.
"Come," my dears," said I, looking in
upon the room where my children were en-
gagged in their various avocations, "come
and see what very interesting addition
have to my collection of antiquities. 1t is
the remains of little Roman girl Just dis
covered close to the place where the founda-
tions of the Roman villa were turned up last
summer and it seems very probable that
this little girl was a daughter of the house.
Here is the glass jar-a more elegant and
beautiful one than | have ever before seen
used for the purpose--which contains her
ashes; here is the lamp to light her on her
last dark journey; here are the little orna-
ments she used to wear-mark especially
this exquisitely enameed fbula; here are
her little shoes all quantity studded with
brass nails"
90 what funny shoes ?" exclaimed one
"there must have been very bad roads in
those days, when even little girls wore shoes
studded with nails like that
"On the contrary" said |, the Romans
were the first road.makers in the world /;
but never mind that now here is the stone
tablet which records her history, and very
interesting one it Isl
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
sMnraI md ReHaiuns.
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY

BEfoBE.
The morning breaks in clouds, the rain IA falling,
U'pon the pillow still sigh for rest.
But yet hear many voices calling
TO work by which my buriened soul is pressed.
That can only pmy.
"strength for the day"
'Ts not prayer Of faith. but weak replnng,
For with the words there comes no hope, no light
In other lives q morning sun is shining,
while mine is but change from night to night.
So while Iweep pray,
strength for the day"
For II IL hard to work in constant shadow
Climbing with tired feet an uphill road
And 40, while my weak heart breads each tomorrow,
And morc III mp my heavy load,
Dcspondiug still pray,
Strength for the day"
AFTER.
Now looking back to the long hours ended
wonder why feared them rs they came;
Each brought the strength which rs task depended
And my prayer answered just the same
Now with new faith pray
Strength for each day"
For the one Just closed I've learned how truly
Gods help Is equal to our every need;
Sufficient for each hour II cometh newly,
II we but follow where is teachings lead
Believing when pray,
"strength for the day"
lie who has felt the load which we are bearing,
who walked each step along the path we tread.
Is ever for his weary children caring,
And keeps the promise made MS when he said
He'd give rs all the way.
Strength for the day." Selected
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
The Difference.

When a church-member commits public
sin, the fact of his membership accompanies
the statement of his crime in every news
paper from Maine to Texas. But when
Christian is found to be a hero, the fact that
he was disciple of Christ is often account
ably forgotten. If the heroic Mr.. Barron,
who recently surrendered his life at Dexter,
Me- rather than swerve from duty, had
stolen the funds of his bank, is there any
been informed that he professed to be a
Christian? As it is, we find but little
prominence given to the fact that he was
the main stay of the Congregational church
in his native town. If the truth were fairly
stated in every such case, would not some
men have more hope for the world than they
now nave ?-Sunddy- y-Schooi Times.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Prayer.

Prayer must be unwearied, 1t is con
tinual service that We are called TO- 1t is a
continual burntoifering that is TO be laid
upon the altar, and continual incense that is
to ascend pfrom our censers. Both because
of the very nature of the service, and be-
cause of the blessings TO be obtained, there
must be holding on, a perseverng, con
tlnuing Instant IN prayer, praying without
ceasing, Many saint has given us pat
tern OF perseverance in prayer, as if their
knees were always bent, and their censers al
ways burning. These are surely examples
for our imitation, instances recorded TO stir
us up from our languor aud sloth. Look into
one of the closets of these holy men, or lis
ten even at their closet door; go and return
cgain, and look and listen-do you not hear
something that at once solemnl1es and re-
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24

A MAN in blouse once said, ." have no
more influence than farthing rushlight."
" Well" was the reply, ga farthing rush
light can do good deal. 1t can set a hay
stack on fire it can burn down "a house
yea, more-it will enable poor creature to
read chapter in Gods book. Go your
way, friend, and let your farthing rushlight
so shine before men that others, seeing
your good works, may glorify your Father
who is in heaven"