davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Something to Ring For.

The Rev. DIR. Day, in recent sermon at
Plainfield, N. D., told this simple story
In town not far distant, few years since
two Christian young men, brothers, were
doing prosperous business, assisting many
noble enterprises, and each living in beau
tiful home A combination of disasters sud.
denly rendered them insolvent What did
they do? They did not consult the law TO
see how much of their property might be
kept from the creditors, but at once surren,
dered to them homes, factories, assets, all
and promised, if possible the balance should
yet be paid to each creditor in full-re.
suming business, poor in means, but strong
in character, living in cottages in which
their noble wives did the housework, until
by economy and industry, the last dollar OF
the old Indebtedness was paid with interest
The day on which this was completed the
bells of the churches were rung in honor
and the whole town joined in the expires
sion of grateful joy-a triumph of character
such as the bells of any church NIGH
well celebrate, and any community deligh
to honor
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Waste and Want.

Either man must be content with poverty
all his life, or else deny himself some luxu-
ries, and save, to lay the base of independ.
ence in the future. But if man defies the
future, and spends all he earns (whether his
earnings be one or ten dollars day. let
him look for lean and want at some future
time; for it will surely come, no matter
what he thinks. To save is absolutely the
only way to get solid fortune there is no
other certain mode. Those who shut their
eyes and ears to these certain facts will be
forever poor, and, in their obstinate reiec-
tion of truth, mayhap will die in rags and
filth. Let them so die, and thank them.
selves. But no they take sort of recon-
pense in cursing fortune. Great waste of
breath. They might as well curse the noun
tains or the eternal hills for we can tell
them fortune does not give away good and
substantial goods she sells to the highest
bidder, to the hardest and wisest worker for
the boon. Men never make so fatal a mis-
take as when they think themselves creatures
of fate; It's the sheerest folly in the world.
Every man may make or mar himself,
whichever he may choose. Fortune for
those who by diligence, honesty, frugality,
place themselves in position to grasp hold
of fortune when it appears in view. The
best evidence of frugality is the five dollars
or more standing in your name at the saw
ings-bank. The best evidence of honesty
consists in diligence and frugality.-1rue
Citizen.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Here and There a Gem.

On. let me stand gaze upon thee, thou
all-worthy, almighty, ALLOWING Saviour, till
my soul drink in complete assurance that
thy work undertaken for sinners is finished
work.-R. N, McCheyne.
II God had not said, Blessed are those
that hunger" | know not what could keep
weak Christians from sinking in despair.
Many times all | can do is to complain that
| want him, and wish to recover him.
Bishop Hall.
IL you know a man who is willing to kiss
your boots because you are rich you may be
sure that there is some one whom he compels
TO kiss his boots in return. lie who will
cringe before one who is bigger than him
self will play the tyrant over one smaller
than himself.
IT is far better to have the respect of the
community, without its special favor, than
to have all the world pleased with us to-day
for some other reason than that we are
worthy the confidence of all. Leave pop
ularity to the politicians. Let us strive to
deserve respect for our real characters, and
we shall doubtless have all that we deserve.
A CHRISTIANITY that does not affect the
social life must be barren sentiment in
stead of pervading spirit. 1t can neither
renovate the man nor convert the world. A
mummy is very good in a museum, but
quite useless in the street and market-place.
A Christian lady ought to be a very posi-
tive force toward improvement in the region
where her faculties have chief play and
power; and any yielding on her part to the
false methods around her is so far renun-
citation of her Christianity.-HoDdrd Crosby.
IT is said that the pulpit needs broaden.
ing out. This may be; but we think that
in many respects it needs narrowing down,
at least until it confines itself within limits
concerning which it is written, Thus saith
the Lord" We want the faith preached
more, and the opinions of DIR. A, B, and q
preached less we want, in short, bread in.
stead of stones, facts instead of fancies, truth
instead OF guesses. The faith once delivered
never can grow old. Let the pulpit preach
this, and its influence never can wane.--
Churchmdn.
DEPARTURE from evangelical truth il
commonly gradual and almost impercepti-
BILE. One point after another is surrend
cred, until the entire structure is yielded
The truth may at first be corrupted by but
slight mixture of error metaphysical
speculations may be substituted for the sim
plicity of the gospel; rhetorical adornment
may be wrapt around the sword of the spirit
rendering IL utterly powerless or certain
portions of divine truth to which the nat
ural heart is particularly hostile, may be
kept back, referred TO only incidentally, ol
touched so slightly that they no longer pro
duce any marked Impression, and are re
garded as OF very little consequence.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Family Prayers.

Let me not be misunderstood. Fhay
prayers are not family religion. have ktswn
houses in which, with scrupulous regularity,
prayers were offered, the household always
assembled at the time set apart. And vet
in vain could one look for any trace through.
out the day, of the spirit and power of god.
illness. The atmosphere of the circle was
worldly. Frivolity and mere self-pleasing
reigned. The worship of the early hour
was only the witness against the levity of
the rest of the day. Therefore, speak of
the family worship merely as a symbol of
fellowship. But if the symbol is rightly
used, if it is loved and kept as a help to the
reality, it is full of profit. 1t promotes the
sympathy which should animate the men,
bers of the home-circe. 1t is visible sign
of their oneness. 1t provides an opportunity
for instruction in the contents of Scripture,
all the more valuable that the divine teach
ing steals into the soul "precept upon pre-
cept, line upon line" 1t keeps alive in all
the obligation of duties as more than any
claim of rights cements the ties of affection
bestows on all relationships " the beautie.
of holiness" 1t is monitor to those who
command, reminding them of what they owe
to the children and household a monitor
equally to those who are ruled, reminding
them of the honor and obedience that are
due in the Lord. 1t serves as an edge and
border to preserve the web of life from un
raveing; it tends to keep everything in its
proper place and time it naturally intro
duces a similar regularity into other employ
ments" Let none plead want of ability foi
conducting an exercise so blessed. Rev. DR.
j. ". Lana.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22

you ask as women2 Then (confidentially)
it will do you good. To see how others live
and suffer and toll to be forced to try TO
help them; even TO find out that you cannot
all sew, will do you incalcuable good.
DO you ask as Christians He whose
name you bear, whose example you follow,
went about doing good, as men would re-
ceive it-physical good and when they
would receive it, spiritual. Justify your
names, ladies.
DO you inquire as Americans What is
the meaning of this communistic cry heard
over the land, now by ruined railroad shops,
now in meeting and mischievous paper, that
property is the common foe, that what the
rich man has the poor man must take
Let better laws, let honest rulers, let Chris
tian churches do all they can in addition,
let good women thus blend the inevitable
classes together, not only showing but feel
ing pity for the suffering, and showing it
thus will make them feel it more and as
the heroic British Queen sucked the poison
from the arrow-wound in her husbands
flesh, and saved his life, they will neutralize
the noxious elements that threaten our in
stitutions. r E.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Judge Pitman's Pet Lamb.

Judge Pitman short time ago bought
pet lamb for his little children to play with.
1t was a good-sized lamb, and strong and
vigorous, but the Judge said he preferred
that kind, because the children would be
less likely to hurt it, On the day it came
home they turned it into the front yard,
where it strayed about nibbling the grass,
while the Judge tied up his geraniums.
Mrs. Judge had the children in the house
and she was reading to them from a book a
description of the characteristics of lambs
The account said I" The lamb is one of the
most playful and innocent of animals. So
kind and meek is it that its name has for
centuries been. the synonym of gentleness
and sweetness of disposition. 1t never in
jures any one, and when it is attacked it al.
ways suffers humbly and in silence. There
is something so beautiful about the gentle
little animal that" Just at this point
Mrs. Pitman was interrupted by the voice of
the Judge coming from the front yard. 1t
sounded as if he was in distress of some
kind. The whole family flew out upon the
porch. and there they saw that pet lamb
whose name was the synonym of gentleness,
engaged butting the Judge. 1t would butt
him in the rear and knock him over, and
then it would butt him on his legs, and bat
ter him in the ribs, and plunge its head into
his stomach and jam its skull against his
chest; when he rose it butted his shins, and
when he stopped over to rub them it butted
his head. Then it butted him generally
wherever chance presented itself, and when
it had doubled the Judge all up under the
Norway maple it butted down three rose
bushes, butted plaster garden vase to frag-
ments, butted two palings off the fence, and
danced off down the street, butting at the
tree boxes, the hitching posts, and the north
west wind. Mr. Potter finally knocked it
ON the head with club and brought it home
to the Judge, and subsequently, when they
had the hind leg for dinner, the Judge OBJ
served to Mrs. Pitman that from the manner
in which that lamb cut he should believe
that it was born during the war of 1872
and that it was, in fact, terrific old ram.
Then he said he should go down and see the
man who sold it to him for lamb, and bang
him with club.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
HumOrsOme Waits.

Con, dear" exclaimed a young school
girl, when she first beheld cucumber; al
always thought they grew in slices !"
CATS cant live at greater elevation than
thirteen thousand feet above the level of
the sea; but they thrive splendidly on a
ridge-pole.
class of small girls. A bright-eyed little
creature arose and answered Information
of the brain"
Mr.. Edison, the inventor Of the phono-
graph, telephone, erophone, metric system
and the keely motor, is now working on a
boot-jack which will kill two cats at one
throw.
"CAN any one in the school tell me why a
ship is called she ?" asked a teacher in a
suburban school the other day. Because
she is rugged up" answered a smart boy in
the back row.
"WHY didn't you put on clean collar
before you left home ?" called out an i'm
pertinent young fop to an omnibus driver.
Cause your mother hadn't sent home my
Washing was the extinguishing reply.
JASPER, the colored preacher of Rich
mond, who proves from the Bible to his own
satisfaction, that de sun do move" can
further iortify his position by quoting from
Revelation xxi. 10" And the first founda-
tion shall be Jasper"
A DETROIT boy stood an umbrella with a
cord tied to it in a public doorway. Eleven
persons thought that the umbrella was theirs,
and carried it with them the length of the
string. They then dropped it, and went off
without once looking back, or stopping 10
pick it up again.-Detroa Free Press.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Too Much Overlooked.

There is class of persons in all our con
gregations whose moral and spiritual ne
cessities are both peculiar and serious, anC
who are too often overlooked in the minis
trations Of the pulpit, and particularly a
subjects of the pastoral offices of the preacher
We refer to the young people-the class tha
has Just perhaps prematurely) graduated
out of boyhood and girlhood, and entered
upon that enchanted ground that skirt
young manhood and womanhood !
Many of them are children of religious par
entage, but have become restive under the
restraints of Christian culture. They are
thoroughly worldly in their affections, and
quite unsettled in religious opinions. They
are very much opposed to Puritanism, as
they call it, and to rigid views upon ques
tions of amusement. They read only light
literature, or if anything more solid, it is
speculative and "liberal," directly or indi
rectly sapping the foundations of faith in re-
vealed religion, and inculcating senti.
mental Ieliduue upO" tl,e opsertoJ love of
God for all his creatures, and the impossl.
bility that any child of his should finally be
lost. In some way. however, every
pastor should weigh these solemn questions
What shall | do for my young people How
shall | break this chain of worldliness that
now binds them What hope is there for
them if they persist few years more in the
course they are now taking? Such ques-
tions carefully propounded, in hours of deep
and devout meditation, will certainly bring
some hopeful and divine answers.-Zion's
Heroh
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
The Tow Line.

"Oftentimes l have seen," says Oliver
Wendell Holmes, ga tall ship glide by
against the tide as if drawn by some invis-
ible tow line, with hundred strong arms
pulling it. Her sails untitled, her streamers
were dropping, she had neither side wheel
nor stern wheel still she moved on very
stately, in serene triumph, as if with her
own life. But | knew that on the other
side of the ship, hidden beneath the great
hulk that swan so majestically, there was
little toiling steam-tug with heart of fire
and arms of iron, that was tugging it bravely
on; and knew that if the little steam-tug
untwined her arms and left the ship, it would
wallow and roll about, and drift hither and
thither and go off with the rehuent tide nc
man knows whittier. And so have known
more than one genius high-decked, full
freighted, wide-sailed, gay pennoned, that
but for the bare, toiling arms and brave
warm beating heart of the faithful little
wife that nestled close in his shadow anC
chung to him so that no wind or wave coulC
part them, would soon have gone down with
the stream and been heard of no more"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Relgning with Christ.

"If we suffer we shall also reign with
him." says Paul in one of his letters, /. e.,
reign with Christ. When we talk of reign
ing with Christ we think of something away
in the future, when we shall fully have en-
tered into the Joy of our Lord" But don't
you know that this reigning with Christ be-
gins here, and just where we begin to suffer
with him Z Don't you see that in the pecu-
liar experience of suffering by which, for ex-
ample, we become Christians, we begin To
take on the kingly qualities that we check
the seryile and sordid elements OF our ma.
ture, the low, base habits aud appetites by
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
A Christian Mans Influence.

| III KEW j. H. JAMES
In q town in Eastern Connecticut, not
many months ago, sermon was preached
in which the reverend clergyman denounced
drunkenness, but took the ground that it
might not be very wrong to indulge in an
occasional glass of wine. Among his hear
ers was one who had property, lovely
family and talent and might have been a
| very successful man but had come very
near TO ruin through drink. For a year he
had abstained, but in an evil hour, had
yielded to temptation. Seeing his peril, he
had put himself under bonds oiM a money
forfeit, not TO drink again After hearing
that sermon, he went home and said to his
wife, "That's the doctrine for me-" In less
than fortnight he boasted that he had, in
single day, taken seventeen glasses of gin.
From that time his career has been rapidly
downward.
Another man in another place, who had
been wellnigh destroyed, but had broken
away from his foe, had his scruples over
come by learning that Christian minister
had accepted with thanks and appreciation
the gift of some choice wines. He said,
"If Rev. DIR. III. can drink, can" He did,
and soon fell from high social position to
drunkards grave.
Is it said, Such men are very weak p
Both these men were mentally stronger than
the average. The lack was not in intellect,
but in wW. In these, as in many cases,
appetite had clamored, but they had re-
sisted They could do so, for conscience,
sustained by divinity, had held the will
firm and kept back the powers of darkness.
But in the supreme crisis, a recognized
authority had captured conscience, and
thrown all its power on the side of inclina-
ton. Is it any WONDER that with such odds
against it, the will should yield and pas
sion triumph2
Right here is the cruel power for mischief
of a Christian who takes The position of the
clergymen alluded to. Their influence is
felt at the moment of the souls greatest peril
and greatest WedkneSS. To say that one
should be "man enough not to be governed
by Others, but to decide as to his own best
course and act accordingly, is simply to de-
mand of that man an imposSbday. If he
could calmly Weigh the arguments he would
reach right tconclusions and might act rightly.
But passion is sweeping over his soul like
tornado. He can't reason. If the moorings
of conscience hold all will be well. If they
are torn loose, that man is ruined. If wine
drinking Christians and especially ministers,
could know the use that is made of their ex-
ample Dy those VINO seek 10 drag down the
unwary, if they could know how ten thou
sand demons seem to echo their sentiments
in the struggling soul of those to whom
single glass means ruin, they would drink no
more while the world stands" 1t may be
" manly " to take an occasional glass and
sneer at the weakness of those who can
not and those who do not, but is it Christian ?
Reader, let us not judge others, but for our
selves decide and act with reference to such
words as are written, Romans XIV: L. xiv
81, and Matthew xviii 6-9.-Iemperanc
Gem,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
Raihoad T;mr gable.
NENTRAL VERMONT RAILROAD LINEi
Commencing on Monday, April 22d, 1878.
Trains Goino south and East.

Trains doing South and East.
Leave Montpelier at 9O7 4. NJ, LAT p. NJ, 925 p
NJ, and ii.00P.M
Mail-Ieayes st. Abans at 100 A. Montpelier at 9V7 A
NJ, for Boston, New London, Springfield New York ant
intermediate points.
Day Express Leaves Rouses Point lOaO A. NJ, Mon
treal AZ 900 A. Nj, st. Albans at 1900 NJ, Burlington Al
l220P. Montpelier at i47 for Boston Lowell
Mixed Train n-1eaves St. Albans at 500 ", burlington
Mt 7.05 r. NJ Montpelier at g25 P. NJ. for NOrthned.
for Boston via Lowell Fitchburg Springfield, New
York and intermediate points
Trains Going North aud West.
Leave Montpelier at 8. 10 A. NJ, 61O A. M, II 90 A.
NJ, 3.45 ?. M, and 555 +. NJ.
Express MailLeaves Boston via Ftchburg at 7sO A. M
Springfield at 500 A. NJ, Montpelier at 3.45 p. M, for
Huntington, st. Albans, Montreal and ogdensbure
4 Accommodation Train-Leaves Norhneld at 500 A.
M Montpelier M $40 4. NJ, for Burlington, st. Albans,
1t. Johns and Montreal
MixedLeaves w II. junction at 500 A. NJ, Northaed at
lOf5 A. NJ. Arrive at Montpelier at ll25 A. NJ.
Accomn cd nj oD-Leaves Montpelier at II 90 A. M for
Burlington, St. Albans Rouses Point and Rlohford
Accommodation Train-Leaves White River June
ton at 80 Pm Montpelier at 555 M, for Burng
ton and St. Albans.
Night Express-Leayes Boston via Lowell at $50 NJ,
via Fttchburg at 800 NJ, New York at 800 P. NJ,
Springfield at 800 =. NJ, Montpelier at 3l5 for Bur
lngton, st. Albans. Montreal and Ogdbg and the West
Trains leave Montpelier for Barre at $50 A. NJ and l2I5
andi25 NJ Returning, leave Barre at 7.l0A Nand 90
P.Mr and $40 0P.
Sleeping attached Night Express trains running
between Montreal and Boston, and Montreal and Spring
hea, and New York via Troy and paflOr Day
press between Boston and Montreal.
Through tickets for Chicago and the West for sale at the
principal stations J. W W H9BART General sup't.
st. Aibans Vt. April 20, 1873 wa 9'
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22

TROUBLES. - There are many troubles
which must be endured by the sustaining
help of patient fortitude. They come sooner
or later, in one or another shape, to all
Among them are such things as loss OF
fortune, untoward circumstances, blighted
hopes, defeated plans, bereavement, the mar
rowing interests, and the loneliness of later
years. These mingle with and are inter
woven with the brighter, more joyous ex.
periences of humanity, and together the
darkness and light are blended in the per
sonal history Of every member of the race
But there is set of annoying and yexatious
things, which most people make merit OF
bearing serenely, yet which should simply be
set aside and lifted out of the way. There
is no credit due to anybody for exercising
patience where firmness and strength of will
would have made it unnecessary, Scrap
bOOL
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-22
air Dame GirrIe.
SEPARATION.


wall grown mp between the two,-
A strong, thick wall, though all unseen;
None knew when the nrst stones were laid
Nor how the wall was built, ween;
And 80 their lives were quite apart,
Although they shared one board, one bed;
A careless eye saw nought amias,
Yet each was to the other dead.
IIe much absorbed In work and gain,
Grew soon unmlndfu Of his loss;
hard Indifference worse than hate
Changed loves ilne gold to worthless dross
She suffered tortures all untold;
Too proud to mourn, too strong to dlei
The wall pressed heavy on her heart;
Her white face showed her misery.
Such walls arc growing day by day
'Twixt man and wife, 'twxt friend and friend;
Would they could know, who lightly build,
How sad and bitter IA the end
careless word, an unkind thought,
slight neglect, q haunting tone-
Such things as these, before we know,
Have laid the wall's foundation-stone
--Sprinqfeld Republican