davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

A MINERALOGIsT'S LABOR LosT.-There
is one science the value of which it is verv
difficult to make Highlander comprehend
and that is mineralogy. He connects
botany with the art of healing; astronomy
with guidance from the stars, or navica-
ton; chemistry with dyeing, brewing etc,
but chopping "off bits of rocks!" as he
calls it-this has always been mystery.
A shepherd, while smoking his cutty at
q small Highland inn, was communicating
to another in Gaelic his experiences Of
1" mad Englishmen,' as he called them.
" There was one" said the narrator, "who
once gave me his bag to carry to the inn
by short cut across the hills, while he
walked by another road. l was wonder
ing to myself why it was so dreadfully
heavy, and when got out of his sight 1
was determined to see what was in it. l
opened it, and what do you think it was?
But | need not ask you to guess, for you
would never find out. "It was stones.n
Stones" exclaimed his companion,
opening bis eyes, stonesw Well, we'll
that beats all ever knew or heard of
" And did you carry itP"
Garry it! Do you think | was as mad
as HIMSELF No. emptied them all ont
but | filled the bag again from tho cairn
near the house, and gave him good meas d.
ure for the money.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

THE MATCH LINCOLN MADE.-IL WIS
about year before the fall of Richmond,
when both north and south seemed totter-
ing to ruin, that young lady who had
known Mr.. and Mrs Lincoln for years
visited Washington She was an excep-
tionally sensible, rm-hearted, refined
woman, gifted with marvellous voice
and graceful figure, but she was very
homely. She called at the White House.
and when she had gone with his wife into
n private room, Mr.. Lincoln expressed
his surprise to friend that "some good
man had not been luckily enough to marry
her." Adding;
L-herself would be much happier if
she were wife and mother"
A few months later Major c., Il vol
untcer officer, thoroughly respected by the
president, and II bachelor, came into the
study Mr.. Lincoln looked at him thought
fully.
What are you going to do when the
war is over, C-?' he asked suddenly
" Seek my fortune, suppose" was the
startled reply.
" There it is in that room" A frank,
glrllsh laugh was heard at that moment.
No' yOu Cln 20 10 seek III now business
first. But there it is"
That evening there was II reception at
the White House. The president beckon-
ed to Major c..
" Listenr' he said.
a lady whom they could not see on ac-
count of the crowd, was singing, in voice
of great beauty and sweetness, some gay
song. The major would have moved for
ward, but Mr. Lincoln detained him, his
eyes twinkiny with shrewd fun.
" Wait bit" he said. " Don't look at
her face yet
Presently she sung ballad with such
pathos that the majors eyes grew dim.
" Now 90. She is rs good and true as
her song"
The good word of Mr.. Lincoln probably
influenced both parties. In II few months
they were married, and the union has
proved most happy one.
" | did one wise thing in '64," Mr.. Lin
coin said, rubbing his chin, us WIS his
wont when pleased. Il made that match.n
-YoHh'S Companion.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

PRAISE.--A true man will not take kind
ly TO the overbearing praise of q we'll
meaning but ignorant patron. This sort
of eulogy affords little encouragement,
although there may be times when it is
prudent to accept it for lack of better. But,
if the condescending approval of the igno-
rant patron be unwclcome, that of the
parasite is, or ought to be, very much
more so. That man must have n gross
craving for bad food who can accept the
fulsome batteries of the sycophant and
persuade himself that he is taking whole
some nourishment. To abstain from
indignant protest at the first offer of sucl
stuff argues either weakness of character
or dullness of perception; but to swallow
it and then evincc READINGS to accept more
is to confess to utter depravity of taste.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

OUR LITTLE SISTER.-Such TO us she
has always been, though years had come
and gone, until she had reached the merid-
ian of life. The childhood voice had
been lost in youthful tones-womanhood,
wfehood and motherhood had been hers
hut to us she had always seemed our little
sister. Though we turned to her for judg-
rent and counsel, she had kept in our
hearts the warm nesting place of early
days With active mind ard deepened
thought her life was touching ours, on
many sides for joy and happiness. Her
eur was ever ready to listen, and her heart
to sympathize with all our plans in life.
And to the needs and wants Of all, her
generous nature gave quick response
and helping hand.
But just as bird flower, insect and all
nature was chanting Summer is almost
gone the angel of death bore her away.
Her voice was hushed SO suddenly-her
hands folded so quickly, we could not be-
lieve it was death. But the deep shadow
of sorrow, lowering over the desolate
home-the angushed heart of the stricken
husband the circle of mourning friends
made it all too real. Yes, our little sister
was dead. The room was filled with
shaded sunbeams-chocest flowers were
on her casket, with bud and bloom on
every side. There she lay with her babe
upon her arm, each folded in the drapery
of DEATH 1t was a sadly beautiful pic
tme; but helped to soothe our hearts,
when we thought of her deep yearnings
for motherhood. and the happy realiza-
~. l.; ;,I 1n
bore her away TO the spot, cherished and
tended by her own hands. The day was
wrapped in sunshine-nature, seemed put
ting her pictures into Il framework Of mas
sive beauty, rs we committed to the earth
her remains that had left on our hearts
the impress of mournfully beautifully
picture-the sleeping mother and hel
babe.
Thus we left her, and the sunshine of
summers latter days, with lengthening
shadows stretching tho sacred spot. We
knew she had gone where sickness and sor-
row, p;tin and death are felt and feared nc
more; but we should belle our own ma
lures, and human nature. if we did not
. sorrow that we should see her face nc
moren on earth.
From some lines on "ReslSnatlon pen
ned in her little book of Bible texts, read
day by day, and placed behind her last
reading on that beautiful Sabbath day
August 18th, we take the words:
&C Let nothing make thee too regrelul, be STILL"
What God hath ordered must be right
Deeply impressive are these words now
rs time S invisible finger has turned leai
=, +h, ,ool, of proviInnnn and ,ua rnoI
" she sleeps in DEATH
Precious sister, us we watched thee
sleeping in thy childhood days, SO now
our thoughts turn to thy resting place-or
thy grave is placed by loving hands the
flowers thou cherished but few days
since. We know thou are not there, bu
gone TO realms of peace and joy, where
bloom eternal now is thine, with "pleas-
ure, ever more. .n-N. B. d., In Rura
Honlc.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

ECoNoMY-Is one of the least-under-
stood words in our language. 1t is not
economy to starve the mind ard stuff the
stomach. 1t is not economy to " scrimp" !"
and pinch and save to keep up the style of
dress or living to deceive other peoples
eyes. 1t is not economy to put halt the
cost of womens and children's garments
into style" and trimming at the sacri-
flee of good. honest, lasting material. 1t
is not economy to go without flannels to
wear laces. nor give up comforts and pos
siblc health for the sake of fashion. 1t is
not economy to save money on necessities
to spend on " tomfoolery;" always rem
that necessities, to soul that
lives over six feet above the earth in its
aspirations, means good many things be-
sides what we cat, drink and wear.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

No man, having plenty of wood, refuses
TO build him a house because he would
prefer stone or marble; no woman, with
due provision of muslin and merino, goes
unclothed because she cannot afford silk
and satin; each wisely makes the best OF
the materials within reach.
The principle applies to far higher and
subtlcr things. Have you u gift for musicP P
Do not bury it in a napkin because you
cannot have Il piano and teacher; play a
melodeon, flute, an accordion, either is
better than nothing, either will serve for
u stepping stone TO II more perfect instru-
ment. Do you feel the soul of an artist
stirring within you? Waste no time in
pining for colors, palette, brushes, and
instruction, but take pencil and paper and
draw the stone fence Mt the front of the
garden the shan!y over the way, the beg
gar girl at the crossing, the trees strug-
Cling painfully upto the sunshine between
close city walls; anything will answer for
present training of eye and hand, and pre-
pare you to make good use of better ad-
yantages when you can get them.
Would you like to be an author? Accustom
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

WOMAN AND TIE HOME.-Dangcrs to
society thicken in these days. Life is even
threatened. Property at times is imperill-
ed by the torch of the communist Trade
has lost its ancient integrity, and patriot
ism and craftsmanship have parted with
much of their former purity and spirit of
selt-sacrifce. Crime abounds, and justice
has soiled its erminc. Widely we feel
the throes of uphcaval. Where shall we
look for permanent cure? Some would
find it in military force. But the sword
only represses the evil; it docs not heal
it. 1t only delays the trouble; it cannot
remove it. The character of society must
be reached and changed by moral influ-
ences at the centre. Ignorance, pervcrsi-
ty, error, false theories, wrong motives
and corrupt habits of life, all these things
which bring forth bitter fruit, must be
destroyed in the seed. The gospel alone
has this silent, gentle, leavening power.
Wrongs may be best righted and souls
made better by the light of Christian SYM
pathy and love, and through the exercise
of righteousness and justice and truth, in
the fountain head of society-the Chris
tian home. 1t is, in. IL large sense, the
work of woman.-ReU. c. l.. GoodSclL
D. d., 50, Louis.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

\ correspondent in the Erening POSI-
gives the following recipe for Il paste for
use in making scrap books: 81 dissolve
Il piece of alum the size of Il walnut in
u pint Of boiling water; to this add
couple of tablespoonfuls Of flour, made
smooth in u little cold water, and few
drops of oil of cloves, letting the whole
come to boil. This paste will keep
months. put it in glass jars used for
canning, or well cleaned blacking bottles.
| use II half inch bristle brush which costs
but u few pennies. This paste is handy,
too, for domestic purposes. My children
have many toys that come in wooden
boxes, but these will break ut the corners
and soon come to pieces. When box
begins to give out, take IL piece of CAM
brio or calico, and with the brush and
paste cover the box so that it will! bear
constant usage for months. Then if the
cover gives but pull it off and put on
another one. Again, Il dolls arm or leg
will come oil; put piece of muslin and
a bit of paste restores the article, 50 that
it is as good as it was before"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

nest and suSpending them in bottle coy
cred with muslin. Those in the nest took
no notice of them, but when strangers
were put in they were indignant and never
stopped until they cut through the muslin
and attacked them. lie marked some ants
in Il nest with paint and found that their
friends removed it, but stranger going
into the nest was restless and got out as
quickly us possible. 1t would be interest
ing to know how they recognized their
friends. 1t might be by smell or some
sign, or by actual recognition.
In order to try whether they could rec
ognize them when inscnsible, he first used
chloroform; but that practically killed
them, and he then made them intoxicated.
lie did so by putting them into whiskey,
not whiskey into them, for they were too
sensible to take it even on week days. lie
tried an experiment with twenty-five
friends and thirty strangers. The sober
ants coming out of their nests and finding
the intoxicated ants lying helpless on their
bucks in ludicrous attitudes, proceeded to
take them up and carry them off. OF
the twenty-five they brought twenty into
the nest, where, probably, they soon slept
off the effects. The other five they drop
ped into the moat of water which then
surrounded the nest Why they did so he
could not tell. Perhaps they fell into the
hands of stern teetotalers. As to the thirty
strangers, twenty-eight were thrown into
the moat ana the other two were taken no
notice of. lie took some pupm out of
nest, and on putting them back after some
months, fonnd that they were received rs
friends while some that were put into II
different nest were attacked. 1t was gen.
orally stated that all the eggs in nest of
ants or bees were laid by queens. That
was not strictly so, for some were laid by
workers, though the cases were exception
al. He had some nests in which there
were no queens, and yet there were eggs
in them, but the eggs laid by workers al
ways produced males. He had made some
experiments to test the senses of ants. He
found that they were capable of distin-
gushing between different colors, and
avoided violet. Their sense of smell was
also delicate, but he had seen no proof that
they were capable of hearing, and he had
proved by an experiment, which he de-
scribed, that they were not capable of
communicating with each other by sound.
There were thirty species of ants in these
countries, and seven hundred in other
countries, and there were many interest
inc problems to be solved in relation to
them.
Sir Walter Elliott asked how ants COM
municated with each other, and mentioned
that on one occasion in India, when max
ing preparation of spider, an ant ap-
preached and attempted to carry off the
specimen. He drove it away, and then
five others came, and having occasion to
leave the room he found on his return that
the specimen was gone. The president
observed that perhaps in tropical regions
the ants were more civilized, and possess
ed power of communicating with each
other which was not enjoyed by ants else
where.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

The game of chess, it has been decided,
is of purely Oriental origin. The Hindoos
claim to have originated it-or rather. say
that silva, the third person of their trinity
(Siva, the destroyer-alas of time), gave it
10 them. Professor Forbes has shown that
it has been among them five thousand
wears; but words tell no myths, and the
Bengaee name for chess, shathorunch.
casts its ballot for Persia and Shatreuschnr
though India may almost claim that, on
account of the greater perfection to which
it has brought the game, and the lead it
has always taken in chess-culture. India
reinices in flourishing chess-school. The
India problem rs known MS the perfection
of enigmatical chess.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

There are several things shat injurc Il
man more than to cut his throat. An hon
orablc daughter dead is mourned less than
Il daughter dishonored, | know a school
OF superb culture, II temple of sanclity,
where 800 young woman are gathered
under the very best religious, influences
and the loftiest educational Indictments.
have wandered up and down the halls of
the palatial building in which their in
struction is given; have admired the
works of art there; and had occasion to
study minutely the enthusiasm for art and
social improvement and religious useful.
ness which fill that school, and viyify its
lofty regard for intellectual culture. But
this institution publishes no catalogue
WhyP Go to the New York society for
the suppression of vice, to the Boston So
clety, or TO the committee which have
been organized to suppress vice at Provi-
dence and New Haven and Cincinnati and
st. Louis and Chicago, and you will find
that school catalogues are madethe lattice
work through which moral lepers and as
sassins, secretly at night, under the cover
of the mails, throw their poison into SEM
inaries Of all grades. 1t is Il terrific sign of
the times when shrewd men of affairs
a great school, dare not pub.
lish catalogue. | show you the caution
i'll actual exercise. Within twenty miles
of Boston the resplcndent school | have
described stands in its stately park
Joseph Coos.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

Beware of the women or the men who
are always borrowing. The police ale Il
protection from highway robbers; the
locksmilh can furnish protection against
the common pillerer, but there is no safety
in the presence Of the steady borrowers.
If they are not Stunned, our umbrellas 90
off in storm just as ancient Elijah diSap-
peared in cloud of fire, and the quest is
as fruitless as the search of the young
prophets for the body of their chief. They
wheedlc us out Of books, and gloves, and
knives, they rob us of our small coin, they
add largely to oar expenses for car tick
cts, and not in the least in the catalogue
of the evils they inflict, they cause us the
loss of time and temper. They are lit
tie less offensive afiliction than their cou-
sins the bores, but they have an audacty
and II persistencE that indicate their near
relationship to that most aggravating
tribe
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

TIE POWER OF GENTLENEss. There is
little girl six years of age, a daughter Of
Mr.. David Thomas, who lives on the bor-
dcrs of pond which supplies water for
the furnace works ut Weare River, who
has most wonderful control over class
of animals hitherto thought to be untama-
BILE. For n year or two past the little girl
has been in the habit of playing about the
pond, and throwing crumbs into the water
for the fishes. BY degrees these timid
creatures have become so tame us TO come
at her call, follow her about the pond, and
eat from her hand. A gentleman went
down there few days since with his
daughter, to see the little creatures and
their mistress. At first the fishes were de-
ceived, and came up to the surface of the
water as the gentleman's daughter APP
preached; but in n moment they discover
ed their mistake, and whislled away from
the stranger in high dudgeon.
Their own mistress came up and called,
and they crowded up. clustering about her
hands to receive the crumbs. She has, be-
sides, turtle or tortoise, which has been
manned in the leg. This creature lives in
the pond, and seems to be entirely under
the control of the little girl, obeying her
voice and feeding from her hand. We
have Just returned from visit to the pond
and have seen the little BRIGHT eyed girl
sporting with her obedient swarms of
pickerel, pout, and sinners, patting them
on the head stroking their sides, and let,
ting them slip through her hands. She
has her favories among them. a pout
which boc hnnn UOorl,n1 ON tho hand in
some way, and the turtle we spoke of, are
remarkably intelligent. A more beautiful
instance of the influence of kindness and
gentleness can hardly be found.-EG-
chdnge.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

II. Strain ut Il gnat and swallow Il
camel; chastise severely for Il foible, and
laugh at a vice.
IS. Let him run about from church TO
church. Electicism in religion is the or
der of the day.
II. Whatever burdens of virtuous re-
quiremcnts you lay on his shoulders touch
not with your fingers.
These rules are not untricd. Many par
ents have proved them, with substantial
uniformity of results. If Il faithful OBJ
servance of them docs not spoil your child
you will at least have the comfortable re
Election that you have done what You
could.-Prcs6Wcrian.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25


Orcr The mosscs and grasses
The white cloud passes,
Silent anl soft as a dream;
And the earth, in her shy embraces,
COnceals the traces
OF the secret birth of the stream;
Till my threads are braided and woven
And spread through the cl0ven
Channel-, and gather, aud sink,
And wind, anl spllklc, and daily
With song in the valley,
And shout from the terrible brink
Then the whrl of the wind drives me,
And the rainbow hides me,
As midway scatter in air;
And / Gathe in endless showers
The feet of The flowers,
Aul the locks of the forests hair
Til proudly with waters welded
My strength is bcdded
BY meadow, and.slope, and lea,
And the lands at last deliver
Their tribute liver
To the un versal Seal
Prom Bdyard Tly,or's Prince DJukdlio,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

CuRIsTMAs.-The sweetest, tendercst
season in the whole year is the Christmas
time.
The spirit of the blessed Savior who,
when on this earth, went about doing and
spending His life for others, seems cspcci-
ally to pervade these days, commcmora-
tive of the time when we received from
Heaven our best and most precious gift.
Surely we may take it rs an evidence of
His favor and presence, that at this season
the very atmosphere seems rcdolCnt with
" peace and goodwill" and that our
hearts seem instinclively to overflow with
kindlincss towards all our fellow creatures.
We wish all our readers merry Christ
mas. May it be Il happy and auspicious
day fer you all. Happy those Of you who
will gather about you an unbrokcn family.
TO some hearts, these days will bring sor-
rowful rcmcmbranccs. The vacant chair,
whether made 50 by death. or by the
absence of some prodigal, stands ont in
mournlul distinctness against the general
happiness. We cannot help feeling that
the tender sympathy and love which
Christ ever showed for His disciples will
be extended in II peculiar degree ut this
time towards those who are in allliction,
that He will have special comfort for those
who mourn the loss of their loved ones by
death, and will be more easily enlrcatcd
in behalf Of the weak and crring.
Dear friends, whether you are in advers-
ity or prosperity, may you have II truly
happy day. --ChrjStjan hteiigeHccr.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

THE ARIrHMETICAL FLEND'S LATEST
No, my dear, there are not many people
in the world There arc only 1,H0,0O0.-
900, including rs. This is not great
many. There are 1880, ,0OO,O 900 square
feet of land on Long Islands and each man,
woman and child would have nine square
feet of land without any other occupant.
If they lived on Long Island in that way,
the human family would live scarcely
near enough together to shake hands.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25

TIE BIGGEST IIOG.-Deacon Thompson.
who lived in Ohio, owned snug little
farm, and was IL pretty good sort of Il man
as the world goes lie was awful close
fisted, though. A venerable and much
loved divine came TO his house once 10
hold meeting. After meeting was over
the deacon took the minister over his
farm, which is pretty tidy, tell you
and he showed him Il great OK he had, and
Il swinging big pig, that weighed some
six or seven hundred weight. that he was
plaguy proud of; but he never offered the
minister anything to eat or drink. The
preacher was pretty tired of all this, and
seeing no prospect Of being asked to par
take with the family, and tolerably sharp
set, he asked one of the boys to fetch him
his horse out Of the barn. When he was
taking leave of the deacon Qhcre were
several folks by at the timc), says he
" Deacon Thompson, you have Il fine farm
here, very fine farm indeed; you have a
large OK too, II very large OK; and |
think" says he, I've seen to day" (turn.
ing and looking him full in the face, for
he intended to hit him pretty hard), g
think have seen to-day the biggest hog
ever saw in my life" The neighbors
snickcred u good deal, and the deacon felt
pretty streaked. He would have given
his great pig, or his great OK either, if that
story hadn't got wind.