davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

TAKE CARE OF TIE EYEs.-Persons
having II tendency TO weakness of sight
or those usually experiencing fatigue ol
tile eyes in reading or similar occupations
requiring close vision, should carefully OBJ
serve the following rules:
l. Cease TO use the eyes for the time be-
ing, and look away from the work, when
the sight becomes in the least painful
blurred or indistnct. After perfect rest
for moment or longer, work may be re.
sumed, to be discontinued as before, when
the eyes feel again fatigued.
q See that the light is sufficient. and
that it falls properly upon your work.
Never sit facing it. 1t is best that the
light should fall upon the work from,
above and behind Failing this, it may
fall from the side. Never use the eyes at
twilight. Any artificial light for the eve
ming is good if it is brilliant enough and
steady. When artificial light is ut all
painful, it is safe to read or write only
during the day.
8. Never read in the horse or steam
cars. 1t requires too great an exertion OF
the accommodative power to keep the
ewes fixed on tho letters. Business men
are in the habit of reading the evening pa
pers on their way out of the city, and the
morning paper on their way in. This
dangerous practice is somewhat frequent
cause of weakness of sight. There are
those who can follow il with impunity
year after year, but there are more who
cannot.
T. Never read when lying down; it is
too fatiguing for the accommodative pow
er. Many case of weak sight has been
traced to the pernicious habit of reading
in bed after retiring for the night.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

Two CoURTTNGs.-But it is the story of
Ursua's courtship, as she herself once
told it to II teasing and favorte child. that
the reader shall have rs that of another
/" woman who dared"
1t happened in this wise. Mr.. Matthew
Grswold, tall, shy and awkward, but
scholarly and kind, early in his life wooed
Il lady in n distant town, who had another
string to her bow in the person of vii
lage doctor. For a long time she had kept
her Lyme lover in a state of uncertainty,
in the hope that she might draw out pro-
posal from his professed rival. After some
months of this dallying Mr.. Griswold de-
termined to have the matter settled, and
so one day rode to town, entered her
house, and once more rendered heart and
hand.
"Oh, Mr. Griswold, you must give me
more time" said the lady.
~ give you your lifetime, miss" was
the indignant reply; whereat the youth
bowed himself out flung into the saddle
and galloped away forever, leaving the
maiden, who maiden was forevermore, as
her bird in the bush never WAS caught.
To Matthew, disconsolate at his beauti.
ful home amid that magnificent grove of
elms that still shelter the old Griswold
homestead at Black Hall, on the shore of
the sound, just east of the mouth of the
Connecticut river, appeared soon after his
Cousin Ursula, u little his senior in years,
but inheritng the beauty, pride and ready
wit of her Grandmother Martha. :
She "came, saw, conquered;" but
warned by his past experience. Matthew
was slow to speak, though his looks and
actions betrayed his feelings toward his
pretty consin. Things ran on this way
for space until one stormy day. near the
close of her visit, Ursula, descending the
dark, old oaken staircase. suddenly en-
countered her cousin ascending. Meeting
him more than half way, she. stopping
suddenly, said sweetly:
What did you say. Cousin Matthew"
Oh. didn't speak; I didn' say any
thing"
High time you did, consin; high time
you did"
The future governor was not slow to
take the hint, and speedily found his
tongue; and this is how Ursula Wolcott
became Ursula Grswold, and for twenty
five years always had near relative in
the governors chair in old Connecticut.
Sunday Afternoon.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

SABBATH REST. - 1t is well established
fact that more real work is performed by
those who labor only tor six days than by
those who devote the seven TO unremlttlng
toll. 1t has been proved in the case OF the
overweight statesman and professional
man. who works for sixteen hours day
from one week end to the other. In this
occupation few pass the age OF fitly years.
The celebrated Mr.. William Wlloeriorcet
SO well acquainted with all the grea'
statesmen at the beginning of lhS century
with Pitt, Fox and the other giants OF
those days-nas recorded that he could
name several of his contemporaries IN lne
vortex of political cares whose minds nave
entirely given way under the stress oil IN
iellectual labor SO rs TO bing on prema-
ture DEATH" Sir David Wilkie experl-
ence WAS that /" the artists who wrought
on Sunday were soon disqualified from
working 1T ALL" adding that "he never
knew A man 10 work seven days in ine
week who did not kill himself or ms
mind" Lord Chancellor Bacon. Sir
Matthew Hale and Sir William Blackstone
among our judges contribute the same ne
testimony, and give their experience OF
the moral injury caused by the prsctlce'
The latter saws "that corruption OF NOR
ais usually follows proclamation ol Inc
Sabbath" While the great Roman Ca'a-
olic. Montalembsrt writes, II ny pas ue
relipion sans cutie Ell J ny pas de cu''0
sans Dimanche. ."-Soctat N0te8.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

SUNNY PERSONS We all know them
and have thanked God that they exist in
this world Of clouds and shadows
They are men of like passions with our
selves, but somehow they seem TO live in
II higher atmosphere than do the most of
mankind. Whenever we meet them. they
have beaming countenance and pleas
ant word for every one. No matter how
dark affairs may be, though mems hearts
are f ling them for fear.. yet these sunny
characters can take cheerful survey of
matters. and endeavor 10 buoy up the
spirits of their fellows. They can find II
bright side to things when to others they
are wholly gloomy and forehoding. If
we are in difficulty and perplexity, we
love to 60 to them and unbosom our sor
rows, assured that at least we shall re.
ceive sympathizing word and bade be of
good cheer; assured that with patience
and firm trust in God, all will be well.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

LIFE IN LIVE HoUsE.-Among sngu-
lar developments of insect life is that shown
by the class known as ichneumons, which
deposit their eggs within those of other
insects, being provided with an ovipositor
which enables them to pierce the eggs of
other insects at the moment they are lay
ing their own. and thus depositing them
inside of the singularly chosen re-
ceptacle. This does not prevent the
original egg from being duly hatched out ;
but in time the unhappy insect that thus
comes into existence finds that it has to
give itself up to the new life that is gradu
ally developing, and calmly yields up the
ghost. The new insect or insects (as some.
times great number of the smaller eggs
are deposited in one OF the others) now
have their own way. and they soon eat
their way out of the living house in which
unconcernedly as If another life had not
been sacrificed to theirs. The accompany
ing sketch is that of n very pretty white
and red caterpillar that found on the leaf
of wistaria. 1t appeared to be alive and
well, as if resting for q moment on the
leaf, holding on TO it with its little feet.
while the wind caused the leaf to sway
backward and forward. Observing what
appeared to be some regular black spots
on its back, examined it more closely.
and found them 10 be little orifices, ar
ranged in regular order dagonaly across
the back; and while observing it I saw a
little pair of eyes peeping through the
holes, and afterward tiny mouths eating
around the edges; gradually little heads
appeared, and then I'M arm was put out,
and by-and-by another arm; and then II
body was drawn up. followed by two hind
legs, and instantly a pair of gossamer
wings developed themselves, and away
flew the creature into the air. counted
no less than fifty of these holes, and one
by one there flew out of each an insect, SO
that this poor caterpillar had been drag
ging out miserable existence with IA
family of fifty for, gners inside of him.
ready in due season to take possession Of
his organization and convert it into a
birthplace and residence for themselves.
On examining the caterpillar alter the
last parasite had taken its flight, found
that its whole structure had been convert
ed into u compact arrangement Of cells,
and nothing was left of the original ami
NAL but its outer covering, holding on with
its little feet firmly fixed to the leaf, while
those fifty microscopic pirates appropriat-
ed its life to hemselves.-EgbeH l.. Vseie,
in Harper's Magazine for AugssSt.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

THE MoRALIrlEs OF CARDS AND CRe-
oUET-One day this summer we rode
fifty miles in Il railway Car, seated behind
four men who were playing with those
awful playthings of the devil-cards. They
played euchre until they were tired of it
They played little of seven-up. pedro
and occasionally trife of poker. We
never heard dispute. Their bursts of
merriment occasionally at some unexpect-
ed play repeatedly drew our eyes from
our books. They never quarreled, and
never called names once. When we got
out at our station we sat at our window
and watched party of young men and
maidens play croquet. In fifteen minutes
we saw two persons cheat successfully
We heard the one player who did not
cheat accused of cheating five times. We
heard four distinct. bitter quarrels. We
heard beautiful young girl tell two lies
and a meek looking young man three, and
finally we saw the young girl throw her
mallet against the fence so hard it fright
ened horse, the other young girl pound
ed her mallet so hard on the ground that
it knocked the buds off an apple tree, they
both banged into the house at different
doors, and the two young men looked
sheepish and went off after u drink. Now.
why is thisp Isn't croquet II good, moral
gamep-Burlington HaWkeye.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

A Boy WITH HEART.-The other day
bit of boy called at the side door of q
good looking Detroit residence, and told
such a sorrowful story that the lady of the
house was not stingy in throwing provis-
ions into his basket. Happening to look
into the front yard after few minutes,
she saw the strange boy mixed up with
her three or four children, and she called
out:
boy, what are you doing there?"
" Feedin these half-starved children"
he promptly replied.
" But those are my children" she indig-
nantly exclaimed.
:" Makes no difference to me-" he said,
as he broke off another piece of cake.
When | find young 'un cryin' for
bread, and ready to swear he hasn't tasted
pie for over year, I'm goin' to stop bus
mess and brace him up. Haven you got
Il clean white waist which l could put on
this dirty little toy?"
She looked up and down to see if any
canvassers for the poor heather were in
sight, and then she grabbed the broom
and ran that sympathetic boy out of the
yard.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11
How pRA1pJE does Grr WATpp

How PRAIRIE Docs GET WATER.-It
has always been a subject of curiosity
and inquiry as to where prairie dogs, liv-
ing on the prairie far away from any river
or stream. obtained their water. Mr.. F.
Leech, formerly of Mercer county, Pa,
and 'front.' .rsman of experience, asserts
that the dogs dig their own wells. each
village having one with concealed open
ing. 1t matters not how far DOWN the
water may be. dogs will keep on digging
until they reach it. He knows of one
such well two hundred feet deep, and
having q circular staircase leading down
to the water. Every time dog wants to
drink he descends the staircase, which,
considering the distance, is no mean task.
In digging for the water the animals dis
play as much pluck as in resisting the
efforts of settlers to expel them from the
land of their progenitors. P
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

The TRUE STORY OF JOHN Brown
There has been great deal of violent ex-
preston indulged in regarding an hon
est and trustworthy servant of Queen Vic
toria's known the world over rs John
Brown. This man is quiet, sober. mid
dle-aged and conscientious body servant of
the queen. He goes where she goes, and
where few, if any, of her other servants
are permitted to 90. Whyp The majority
of English servants, from the palace to
the plain residence in England, are great
sticklers about their proper duties. The
butler would see the kitchen on fire, the
cook see the pantry flooded. before inter-
fering in saving the property of their en-
ployer, simply because it was not in their
department John Brown is above such
narrow preiudices. If her majesty has to
60 anywhere, have anything done, from a
cup OF tea to the packing of trunk. fl ON
the selection of horse TO the purchasing
of book. John Brown is always on hand,
ready. able and willing to bound over all
the barriers of red tape and formal depart
ments. and get and do things or see that
they are done promptly and properly. In
this readiness and untiring attendance he
has ingratiated himself with the good
queen, who fully values his honest energy
and integrity, and who has thus made him
her favorite gillie. He knows his place
and keeps it. He earns his pay and pock-
cts it.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

SOUND ADVICE We advise all young
people to acquire early in life the habit ol
using good language. both in speaking
and writing, and also to abandon the use
of slang words and phrases. The longer
they live. the more difficult the acquisition
of good language will be ;and if the golden
age of youth. the proper time for acquisi-
tion of language, be passed in abuse. the
unfortunate victim of neglected educa-
tion is very probably doomed to talk slang
for life. Money is not necessary TO pro-
cure this education. Every man has it in
his power. He has to use the language
which he reads, instead of the slang
which he hears; to form taste from the
best speakers and poets of the country; to
treasure up choice phrases in his memory,
and habiuate himself to their use, avoid,
ing, at the same time, that pedantic pre-
cision and bombast which show rather the
weakness of vain ambition than the polish
of an educated mind.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

Tennessee paper, recounting some of
the experiences of southern soldiers during
the civil war, narrates that Edward Coop
er, IN artillery man belonging to the arm. Y
of northern Virginia. received letter
from his wife saying that provisions were
SO scarce in her neighborhood that unless
he came home, she and her children should
all starve to death. He tried in vain to
get Il furlough, and finally went to his
suffering family without leave. His wife.
who rejoiced in his loyalty to the south,
was so shocked when she had learned how
he had come to her, that she begged him
to rejoin his command. He did 50 rs soon
rs he had relieved his family, but was duly
arrested and tried for deserlion. He de-
clined counsel and produced no witnesses;
he merely handed his wife's letter to the
president of the court, who read it, and in
common with his fellow officers was NOV
e to tears. Nevertheless. the court-it
couldnot do otherwise-found him guilty
of desertion, and sentenced him to death.
Gen. Lee reviewed the case, and approved
the sentence but pardoned the prisoner
ana ordered him to report Mt once to bis
battery. \ better soldier than Cooper,
Lees army did not contain. He went
through the war safely, and is said to be
still living, industrious and contented, in
the bosom of his family.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

A FRENCH PARADIsE.-Itr requires hut
little more than forty eight hours from
London to reach Tours, and vet the differ.
ences OF all kinds-moral. mental. climatic
are vast enough to make one feel ns if
ne ne mao gone thousand miles southwark
ihe place where l have the happiness to
oe guest Is about mile out of the CITY,
ana II almost realizes ones dream of Eden.
The beautiful chateau, fronted with ter
races, ornamented with carved stone rail-
lngs and urns filled with flowers, look out
upon garden of several acres whereof
every square foot has made its contribu
lions to the general glory of summer.
lhe trees are so laden with fruit-pears.
apricots, purple and golden plums-that
tneir branches must needs be buttressed
Grape vines festoon every wall, rs ivy does
IN England, and the clusters of various
shades in tint are suspended like tasses to
lovely tapestry; one feels almost orien-
tai enough to have to compare an occa
sional cluster TO the Pleaides. The gold
and silver fishes glitter in their flower
fringed marble basin where the fountain
plays. Nearly every tree of which one
ever heard is growing in this garden, and
their interlacing branches frame an end
less arch over every pathway These
trees. flowers and fruits which might be
harmed during the winter-which it is
said visits even Tours-yet flourish Clio.
riously in huge boxes, and Mgnon might
have found here the land where the citron
grows. Beneath my window are the fra
grant oranges and lemons, and no end of
figs and aloes; and it is but for a little
ime in the year that these need to be
transferred to the conservatory. A hun
dred yards in front of the garden flows
the Loire, whose beauty is congenial with
the scene. Amid banks covered with
grape vines as far rs the eye can reach the
crystal river runs over a bed of sand-no
trace of slime or mud in all its neighbor-
hood-and on its side we pitch our bath
ing tent each morning, and enjoy it,
sparkling flood beneath overhanging will.
lows. Yet the sum my friend pays per
annum for his paradise-house elegantly
furnished, large enough for his numerous
family. stables, out-houses, orchards and
all, even including wine press-is Just
$500. Fair still wine (white) costs about
3 cents the quart, in any considerable |
quantity; the finest red costs II cents tht
quart. Champagne ranges from 80 cents
the (quarD bottle and AZ l-2 cents to TO
highest price. The villas are
with the city by omnibuses and
tramways. The city has superb opera
of the finest in France-a mag
nificent library and perfect market.-M
d. Conway, an Cincinnati Commercial.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

GRANT AS A BoTANIsT.-Some years
ago Mr.. A. G. Lewis, florist, of Yonngs
town, was anxious to obtain very rare
plant, and wrote 10 a number of the lead
ing nursery-men of the country to obtain
it, receiving uniformly the reply that it
could not be had. He then wrote to the
agricultural department at Washington for
the plant, but his letter was not answered.
Not discouraged by his failures he adj
dressed Gen. Grant himself, then president.
and received from private secretary a
letter in which it was stated that the plant
could not be procured in the United States
This was some years ago. Last winter
Mr.. Lewis received from Europe the very
plant he had been seeking, with the COM
pliments of U. S. Grant" 1t is really
wonderful that these things should remain
in the memory of man perplexed with
countless public cares and beseged with
requests for favors of one sort or another
Youngstown co., Register.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

Mrs. FAwCETT ON PROFESSIONAL LA
DIES.-Mrs Fawcett, the wife of the blind
member of parliament, makes a spirited
reply to paper in the June number of
the Nineteenth Century, on 1.-The Future
of English Women by Mrs. Sutherland
Orr, who discharged shot into the camp
of the woman's movement Mis-.
Fawcett scouts the idea that if all profes
sons and occupations are open to women
they will rush into work for which they
are unfit. "God AL lightly made 'em to
match the men," as Mrs. Poyser saws
and blunders will occasionally result from
the new freedom when we have got it.
But on the whole, there is no more reason.
for fearing that women will as a body be-
set those professions for which they are
manfestly and physically unfit, more than
that free trade would cause Lanca hire ag-
riculturists TO cultivate the vine, or
Scotch farmers to cultivate the olive in
stead of the larch.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-11

MRS. LINcoLN's QUEER PETs.-Rarely
does one hear of Il lady attaching herself
to such strange pets as the writer saw at
Mrs. Lincoln's, 81 Howard street, day
or two ago. Living in the family arc a
couple of lions twenty-one months old,
brought up by the hand of Mrs. Lincoln.
They arc African lions,a species not easily
reared in this country, but Mrs. Lincoln
has succeeded, by the exercise of great
care, rearing them to their present age and
size. The male weighs about 250 pounds,
and the fenials perhaps fifty pounds less.
They have been ut the house on Howard
street since last September, and until
within u month have had the run of the
place, going about the rooms with con
siderable freedom. AS measure of eau
tion the police thought the creatures
should be- restrained and their quarters
are now more limited than formerly, al
though they have safe outdoor run and
room adjoining the kitchen. with only q
strong wire door separating the apart
ments. Mrs. Lincoln is as free with her
pets AS ladies are with their poodles. She
pIays with them, feeds them from her
hands, and has taught them various tricks
They will kiss her at her bidding, jump
through a hoop, etc. Before tine police
s,rictions were placed upon them, the
animals were accustomed to walk into the
kitehen or parlor among guests, and go
back to their quarters without Offering Ito