davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
The Perfect Host.

The perfect host is as rare being as
great poet and for much the same reason,
namely, that TO be a perfect host requires
as rare combination of qualities as those
which are needed TO produce great poet
lie should be like the lord in-waiting OF
whom Charles III. said he was "never in
the way and never out OF the way lie
should never degenerate into Snowman,
for there is nothing of which most people
are SO soon weary as OF being shown things,
especially if they are called upon to admire
them. He, the perfect host, should always
recollect that he is in his own home, and
that his guests are not in theirs; conse-
quently those local arrangements which are
familiar to him should be made familiar TO
them. His aim should be TO make his home
home for his guests, with all the advan-
tages of novelty. If he entertains many
guests, he should know enough about them
TO be sure that he has invited those who will
live amicably together and will enjoy each
others society. He should show no tayorit-
ism, il possible and If he is a man who
must indulge in fayoritism, IT should be to
those OF his guests who are more obscure
than the others. lie should be judiciously
despotic as regards all proposals for pleas
ure, for there will be many that are diverse
and much time will be wasted if he does
not take upon himself the responsibility OF
decision, lie should have much regard fol
the comings and goings of his guests, so as
TO provide every convenience for their adit
and their exit. Now am going to insist on
what think to be very great point, lie
should aim at causing that his guests should
hereafter become friends, if they are not SC
at present, so they might, in future days
trace back the beginning of their friend
ship to their having met together at his
house. lie, the perfect host, must have tn,
art to lead conversation without absorbing
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Even So.

There is Persian story on this wise /;
When Jesus was on earth he entered the
cell of a deryish or monk of great reputa-
tion for sanctity. In the same city dwelt a
youth who had given himself up 10 sin,
"whose heart was so black that Satan him.
self shrank back in horror" The young
man, deeply penitent, began 10 lament the
sin and misery of his past life, and pre-
sented himself 10 the monk, implorng
prayers and pardon. The monk Indignantly
interrupted him, demanding how he dared
to appear in his presence, and said that for
him It was in vain to seek forgiveness and
to show how inexorably he considered his
lot fixed for eternity, he exclaimed, " May
God grant me but one thing-that may
stand far from this man in the judgment
day" On this Jesus spoke at shall be
even so; the prayer Of both is granted
This sinner has sought mercy and grace, and
has not sought them in vain. His sins are
forgiven his place shall be in Paradise al
the last day. But this monk has prayed
that he may never stand near this sinner
and his prayer, too, is granted. Hell shall be
his place for there this sinner shall nevel
I come. Trench.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
A Costly Luxury.

It used to be believed that alcohol was
food. 1t is now conclusively demonstrated
that it is not food that it contains not one
single element-whether nitrogenous or hy-
drocarbonic-of food; and that, as one of
the first of modern chemists has said there
is in nine quarts Of alcohol less food than
can be spread on the end of a table-knife.
| Nor is it a source of strength. For alike in
Africa and India, in the Arctic and Antarc-
tic, and by great abor-employers in the tenn
perate zones, and by distinct experiments
with navvies in gangs and soldiers on the
march, it is a matter of proof that those
can labor best, both physically and mentally,
in whom the cold is not intensified by the
weakening reaction from artificial stimu-
| liant, and in whom the suns fierceness has
no alcoholic ally within the brain. Nor is
it a source of health, for the lives of total
abstainers are now known to be more valu-
able in insurance than other lives, and not a
few eminent living physicians have testified
that a daily use of it, even in quantities
conventionally deemed moderate, not only
causes some of the most fearful maladies,
but even endangers the body and diminishes
the mental power to an extent of which
few people are aware. Least OF all, then, is
| it a necessity, seeing that it has been hap
| PLY unknown to whole races, and prohlb-
| tied by powerful religions and in England
alone three millions of total abstainers, OF
whom not one has ever repented, can testify
that since they abandoned it they, like the
Nazarites of old, have been clearer of brain,
and more strong of limb, and more vigor-
Gus in health, and more calm in happiness
| assert, not as dubious theory, but as an
established fact, that to men in ordinary
Il. Ill =, ,l sitx
nor source of health, nor warmth, nor
physical strength, least of all of mental
power; but that, when it is not a potent
medicine it is mere luxury, luxury which
is at the best HARMFUL but which is fire.
quently dangerous, sometimes fatal, always
quite superfluous, never particularly noble
Let us understand then-while alcohol is
luxury, and nothing but a luxury, this
being so, what does this luxury cost At
what expense does the nation as a nation
crafty its likingY 1t costs us in tillage the
waste of millions of acres of soil; in food,
the destruction of millions of tons of grain
in hard cash, the deleterious absorption OF
millions of pounds of money. 1t is beyond
all question the one main, if not the sole
cause of squalid, degrading and dangerous
pauperism, against which some of you will
have to struggle hereafter in the streets oi
London and other great cities.
You have heard what drink costs to this
nation in money what does it cost in dis
ease and accidentP Ask the dreary pages
of statistics, and you will read that in so
called accident, but accident perfectly pre-
ventable, it costs us broken limbs, and ship
wrecked vessels, and burned houses, and
shattered railway trains, and the deaths oi
children overlaid by drunken mothers ol
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Places OF Spiritual Rest.

do not respect any proposition merely
because it is ancient, or in the mouths of
majorities. But do respect propositions
that have seen honest and protracted battle
but not defeat. The test of the soundness
of scholarship that it is should contend with
scholarship, not once or twice, but century
after century, and come out crowned. But
the intellectual supremacy of Christianity
in the nineteenth century is not a novelty.
There are other battlefelds worth visiting
by those who walk and mediate, on which
Christian trophies stand, more important as
marks of the worlds agencies and advances,
than any that ever Greek erected for victory
at Salamis or Marathon. / lean on church
history. go to its battleiields and lie on
them. They are places of spiritual rest
Gazing on their horizon, see no narrow
prospect, but a breadth of nineteen hundred
victorious years. Looking into the sky as
lie there, hear sometimes the anthem As
it was in the beginning, is now, and evel
shall be, world without end. | obtain
glimpses of heaven opened, and behold &
white horse, and he that sits ON him is called
the Word of God, King of kings, and Lore
of lords. lie is clothed in a vesture dipped
in blood; but his eyes are as a flame of fire
and on his head are many crowns.-Cook.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Faith.

Faith is blind, but it is itself a sense
keener than sight. The eye needs light, but
faith sees in the dark. The understanding
requires reasons in order to give its assertion,
but faith believes without reasons. Reason
requires evidences, but faith is itself an
" "evidence of things unseen" 1t is no SANDER
against the ear to say that it can not see, for
it is enough that it hears, and the ear asks
not the eye to assure it of the delights of
melody. So faith is itself spiritual sense,
and it asks no help from eye or reason to as
sure us of the things that it reveals. In fact,
when we have sight or reason to set truth
before us, there is then no need of faith.
When Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees, if
he could have clearly seen the land towards
which he wandered, could he have seen that
great nation shining forth from it upon all
lands, and that long line of prophets, priests
and kings that were to spread his fame
through the ages, the faith that made him
"father of the faithful " never could have
been born in his heart. Had he clearly seen
that he was to spring from his loins who was
both the "root and the offspring of David, "
| it would have been no task and no virtue to
believe the PROMISE" In thee shall all tine
nations of the earth be blessed" Could
Paul have seen himself as we see him, the
foremost man of that age, and the mightiest
force of modern civilization, he never would
have had the faith that made him Paul. He
simply did the duty of the hour as he wrote
letters to little bands of prosecuted Chris
tians, never thinking that his words woulC
be more precious than diamonds to coming
ages. Faith gives them that quenchless
lustre that shines in the darkness.-Zi ion,
| HeraM
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
The True Christian and the Sham.


We Judge of sovereign by his subjects,
of husbandman by his farm, and of a
father by the state of his family. 1t may
be, it were, indeed, unfair to apply this rule
to our faith and its founders. Yet men
have done, and will do so and thus the
cause of God and of religion has had to suf.
fer grievous injury at the hands of its nom
inal friends. BY their coldness, their world
liness, their mean selfshness, their open sin
fuluess, the little apparent difference be-
tween them and those who make no profes.
sion at all-nay, sometimes by their glaring
inferiority to the latter in the bloom and
fruit of the natural virtues, protesting Chris
tians, like yenders OF bad coinage, have ex
posed genuine piety to suspicion. Theil
hands have inflicted its deepest wounds in
the cause of Christ. In true kindness oi
heart, sweetness of temper, open-handeo
generosity, the common charities of life
many mere men OF the world lose nothing
by comparison with such professors anc
how are you to keep the world from saying
"Ah your man of religion is no bette
than others; nay, he is sometimes worse 7
With what frightful prominence does thi
stand out in the yer-to-be-forgotten answe
of an Indian chief to the missionary wh'
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Don't Fret.

Some people are fretting from early morn
ing to dewy eve. 1t does no good either to
themselves or Others Such persons simply
make themselves and those around them
uncomfortable. There is great deal in the
cultivation of an agreeable temper with re-
spect to trivial events. A certain degree OF
indifference is essential to comfort. We may
safely say of many things, Well, it will
not make much difference after ALL" when,
if we gave way to natural feeling OF dis
appointment and irritation-perhaps of in
dignation would keep us awake. There
are few things about which sensible, re
ilecting person need be unhappy or over
concerned. People make themselves unnec
essarily uncomfortable, and their own vol
untary discomfort extends 10 others.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Eat Apples.

Apples, in addition 10 being delicious
fruit, make pleasant medicine. A raw,
mellow apple is digested in an hour and a
half, while boiled cabbage requires five
hours. The most healthy dessert that can
oe placed on table is baked apple. If
eaten frequently at breakfast, with coarse
bread and butter, without meat flesh of any
kind it has an admirable effect on the gen
eral system, often removing constipation, cor
recting acidities, and cooling off iebrile condi-
tions more effectually than the most approved
medicines. If families could be induced to
substitute apples, ripe and sound, for pies,
cakes and sweatmeats, with which their chill
dren are frequently stuffed, there would be
diminution in the total sum of doctors
bills, in single year, sufficient to lay in a
stock of this delicious fruit for the whole
seasons use.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18

it himself so that he may develop the best
qualities of his guests. His expense in en-
tertainment should not be devoted to what
is luxurious, but to what is comfortable and
ennobling. The first of all things is that
he should be affectionate, indeed loving
host, so that every one of his guests should
feel that he is really welcome. He should
press them TO stay but should be careful
that this pressing does not interfere with
their convenience, so that they stay merely
to oblige him, and not to please themselves.
In considering who should be his guests,
he should always have thought as to those
to whom he would render most service by
having them his guests; hispoorer brethren,
his sickly brethren. Those who he feels
would gain most advantage by being his
guests should have the first place in his in
vitations; and for this considerateness, he
will be amply rewarded by the benefits he
will have onferred.-ArthW Helps.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Ghe yomf Grrle.
MOTHERS, wAToH THE LITTLE FEET.

Patter. patter, all day long,
What an eager, restless throngi
out among the birds and bees
Out among the flowers and trees;
In among the toys and books,
Spying out the quiet hooks,
Hther, yon, and everywhere
who shall guide each busy pair2
who shall curb the sports and plays.
Teach the laddies gentle ways,
Help them, as with noble viii
On they strive mp lcarnnga hill2
Teach them their brave strength to share
For the weak, the old, TO care,
Lead them, TIL. in turn, they stand
Leaders in a royal band2
who shall on the lassles wait,
Knocking at youth's morning gate2
Guide their hands 10 deels Of love,
Keep their hearts all wrong above,
Teach them kindly words and ways
How to help and when to praise;
Guide them, TIL they make of home
The brightest spot meath heavens blue dome7
Mothers, who could wish or ask
Fer a swecter, holier task
Yours It IA to guide youths feet
Through life's meadows, pure and sweet
Yours TO make fair, bright, and good,
Gentle, tender womanhood.
And remember while you plan,
As the boy so Is the man.
Mothers, lest their feet may stray,
Walk beside them while you may.
Sports and plays are wiser far
Under loves pure guiding star.
Books will sweeter meaning take
When they're read " For mothers sakel"
" IIither. yon, and everywhere"
Mothers, watch with prayerful care. Selected
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
To Comfort Others.

Take an aged mother seventy years OF age,
and she is almost omnipotent 10 comfort.
Why2 She has been through il all. At
seven o'clock in the morning she goes over
to comfort young mother who has Just lost
her babe. Grandmother knows all about
that trouble. Fifty years ago she felt it.
At twelve o'clock of that day she goes over
to comfort a widowed soul. She knows all
about that. She has been walking in that
dark valley twenty years. At four o'cock
in the afternoon some one knocks at the
door wanting bread. She knows all about
that. Two or three times in her life she
came to her last loaf At ten o'clock that
night she goes over to sit up with some one
severely sick. She knows all about it. She
knows all about fevers and pleurisies and
broken bones. She had been doctoring all
her life-spreading plasters and pouring ont
bitter drops and shaking up hot pillows, and
contriving things to tempt a poor appetite.
Drs. Abernethy and Rush and Hosack and
Harvey were great doctors but the greatest
doctor the world ever saw is an old Chris
tian woman. Dear me do we not remem-
ber her about the room when we were sick
in our boyhood? Was there any one who
could ever so touch sore without hurting
it =? And when she lifted her spectacles
against her wrinkled forehead so she could
look close at the wound, it was three-fourths
healed. And when the Lord took her home,
although you may have been men and wo-
men, thirty, forty, fifty years of age, you lay
on the coffin lid and sobbed as though you
were only five or ten years of age. o man,
praise God it, instead of looking back to one
of these berouged and bespangled old peo-
pie, fixed up Of the devil to look young, you
have in your memory the picture of an hon.
est, sympathetic, kind, sef-sacriticing, Christ
like mother. OH it takes these people
who have had trouble to comfort others in
trouble.-Tdlmaqe.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18

urged him to become Christian. The plumed
and painted savage drew himself up in the
consciousness Of superior rectitude, and with
indignation quivering on bis lip and flashing
in his eye, he replied Christian lie Chris
tian cheat Christian steal, drink, murder !
Christian has robbed me of my lands, and
slain my tribe" !" Adding, as he haigbtily
turned away" The devil, Christian l
will be no Christian l' May such reflections
teach us to be careful how we make re-
ligious profession And having made the
profession, cost what it may cost, by the
grace of God let us live up to it, and act it
out 1t is better not to vow, than, having
vowed, not to pay.--Dr. Guthrie.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Influence.

Influence is one of the most powerful
levers that moves or ever has moved the
actions of mankind. All persons have been
under its magical power at some period Of
their lives, and have been guided by its
dictations TO greater or less extent. In
fluence may be divided into two classes-the
seen and the unseen-the former being con-
fined mostly to mankind. Unseen influence
affects almost everything, and often objects
which we deem of little consequence, and
appear to be most insignificant, possess it
in the highest degree. Nature unfolds many
lessons and imparts much influence. Go
where you will, how many beautiful illus
trations can she show of real life The
grand old trees, with their massive trunks,
stand like monarchs seeming to await the
wishes of their divine maker There is a
world of music in their presence, and in
liuence in their motion, yet so silent, so hid
den, that it is impaired as gently as the dews
of heaven. The glossy leaves, as they bend
gracefully downward to receive the refresh
ing breezes of heaven, pay homage to the
power that sends them blessings they ap-
peal to the heart of man in their voiceless
eloquence to worship at the same shrine.
What is more sublime than the early morn
in some quiet country place 2 To rise just
as light begins breaking, and notice what a
hallowed, sacred peace abounds, is pleasant
indeed; and as the sun first peeps over the
crest of the HILL to see how soon all nature is
stirring, the birds sing their morning hymns
of thanksgiving to the Almighty. The
| calming, softening influence of such scene,
once witnessed, is one never to be forgotten
A little keepsake given to us by one we
love, whose path has diverged from ours
will arouse thoughts and feelings when the
little treasure is looked upon that has lain
dormant perhaps for years. And often how
how great its influenced Youths impetuosity
and ambition inspire older hearts to greater
works, while the silvery voice of old age
chimes in and teaches those who have only
started in life that the voyage may be rough
and wreck seem inevitable, but there is a
strong arm at the helm which will guide the
frail bark safely through
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
MuraI and ReHgions.
THE SONG OF THE SUMMER.

ys
"''"
THESE ALL WAIT uroS rHEE."
,.,..,.... ,, .,,. .,,-,,.ar ,o,
,.,saa 49,, ,a.aonds.
80, ,,,a.o ,,.or,,s ,,o ali ,iogod with iove
And Lord, u ascends to thee.
And for the hosts OF singersl
ON the hills and the wales they throng'
And they sing TIL the echoes rlng'
For they love their song
., ,,.o oo.,,. aa,yn
r,'', -, -. g., ,,,s,,,ai ras,,
,.,,a,, ,,a ,,,nor,n, co,nnapies
~ ~. ',.s,..,,. ~, S...,.
When the noon Is in great glory
Or the evening shades appear
Father, God, from the fragrant sod
Thy hosts draw near
,--.
i"'S s"is ''i'. '''' 'N'' = e
Naa '''n ~ " we'e' s ,r,. .,.
LUZ" .ne 'a.'ess o'o'7oi"' "''' '''''' '''''o''
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
" He Died for Me I"

The following touching story was once
told in my hearing: At the beginning of
the late war a poor but industrious man,
with large family of little ones dependent
upon him for their daily bread, was drafted
into the Union army. A few days before
his departure for scenes from which he
might never return, friend came to him
and told him that he would go in his stead.
He said he had no wife or friends to mourn
his loss, should he be killed, and that he
could not see this man taken from his loved
ones-and they left to struggle alone--to
starve in his absence. This noble man left
soon after with his regiment for Tennessee,
and nothing was heard from him until after
the close of the war, when his friend in the
North received word that his substitute had
fallen while leading gallant charge in one
of the greatest battles of the rebellion. On
learning this the man was much grieved,
and at once started South in search of his
remains After many months he at last
succeeded in finding the grave where he had
been buried. The grave was neglected and
overgrown with weeds, marked only by a
rough board on which some comrade had
rudely carved his name. Having found the
great object of his search, he had neat
white slab of marble placed at each end of
the grave, and caused to be inscribed upon
the headstone the simple words
"HR DIED FOR ME-"
Greater love no this that he lay down his
life for his friend"
Oh that each one. of us might be as
grateful as this man, and erect in our hearts
tablet to the memory of our Saviour, and
inscribe upon it these simple words " He
died for me-
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
FOR SALE.

The very desirable residence belonging to the estate OF
the late susan NJ situated in of the best locations
in MONTPELIER village, will he sold low price. Terms
made known application to n. 7, Brooks MonTeer, OF
the suhscriher nj Wnterbury l.. H. HAlNES.
w tton,,aiiar 'iniy is7s eft
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
FOR SALE.

ONE FIVE HORSE POWER PORTABLE
ENGINE. with capacity Of eight horse power; manuac-
tnred Shepley 4 Wells, Bnghanpton N " said engine
ia in perfect running order and will he sold cheap Parties
wishing to purchase will do well TO call and examine
FISHER 4 GOLION.