davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25
Our Washington Letter.

WARRINGTON ID. c., December 81 1878.
Messrs Editors With the Christmas holidays
so close at hand, and the CHEEKY signs and senti-
ment of that impending season meeting the eye
and appealing to the sensibilities at every turn,
1t hardly seems congenial either to think write
OF those political topics ordinarily expected in a
Washington letter, and, possibly, reader as well
as scribe may be willing to give little heed to
some of the more graceful, IL lighter, interests of
childhoods great hour of expectancy. At no
other season perhaps is the opportunity 80 good
as during
THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
to measure the growth of the popular taste for
the beautiful or the progress which American
artisans have made in the artistic world walk
along Pennsylvania Avenue, or up Seventh street,
in this city gives perfect revelation of the art
and culture OF the age Each store in its way is
an art emporium. The old-fashioned clock, antique
in form and numbering in size, its dial crowned
with red-faced moon, has given place to time
pieces surrounded by the most elaborate carvings
with rarely delicate mechanism, and having on
their faces landscapes which would once have
made the fortune OF an ordinary painter Di-
| almonds sparkling in beauty and sending out
| gmpses OF the fire which glowed in mountainous
cayerns; corals flashing with ruddy splt ndor, and
chains and bracelets fashioned by the hand Of
some curious designer, are all to be seen and al
ways to be admired. Artificial flowers initiating
nature so faithfully that they might almost be
expected to unfold their buds at the first kiss OF
the wintry sun, blush from brackets OF quaint de-
sign alongside of FURNISHED vases and transparent
china thrown from the wheel OF the patient pot
ter Sealskins and furs from frozen Arctic seas,
silks from the looms Of France, and marvellous
shawls woven by Hindoo women In the shades OF
India bungalows, which, In their rich colors, look
as II they had caught the gorgeousness OF Eastern
foliage are piled upon shop counters for inspection
and sale, and the resources OF all countries and
climes have been called upon to minister to the
desire OF the people for the beautiful OF course
as Christmas Ii essentially the childrens festival
they have not been neglected nor forgotten Iii
hardly possible to conceive Of time when Their
was no toy merchant. Caesar probably played
marbles, Pharaoh undoubtedly rode velocipede
Cleopatra had doll and Alexander the Great WI
know had rooking-horse called Bucephalus
Nowadays as much inventive skill Isspent in con
irving toy as in making watch. The young
miss can hold high carnival amongst her dolls
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

SOMETHING WRoSG.-Secretary Schurz,
in his testimony before the committee upon
the transfer of the Indian Bureau, said that
he agreed with Generals Sherman, Terry,
Augur and others, that "a great many Off
GERS of the army had excellent ideas about
Indian affairs" but he did not believe I" the
military arm Of the government was gifted
with the patient labor required to place the
hoe in the Indians hand aud show him how
TO use it," Perhaps not, but the peace
people have been in this hoe business a
good many years, and nothing has come Of
it yet but bloody massacres and wars without
number The Secretary cannot blame the
country, since it has had this "patient labor y
SO long without realizing any benefit, that il
now requires change. Some decided steI
must be taken in this matter, which will
promise permanent settlement of affairs.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25
Bayard Taylor.


This well known writer, and United
States Minister at Berlin, Prussia, died Of
dropsy on the afternoon of the 10th instant.
He had been suffering for some time with
this disease, but when taken with fatal symp-
toms was out of bed and transacting official
business. His death was peaceful and pain.
less. An exchange gives this brief sketch
of him: Bayard Taylor was born January
II, 1926, in Kenneth Square, Chester county,
Pa, and at the age of seventeen entered a
printing Office in West Chester to learn the
art Two years later he crossed the ocean
and made tour of the Continent on foot,
occupying one year in so doing, and another
year in preparing the first of many works
of travel of which he was the author, which
was entitled, Views Afoot, or Europe Seen
with Knapsack and Staff" Entering the
newspaper, field his first venture was the edit
ing of a small paper in Phenixville, Pa, from
whence he went to New York, where he
Joined the editorial staff of the Tribune. He
visited California in 1919, returning by way
of Mexico in 1851. He visited Egypt and
traversed large portions of Asia Minor, Syria
and Europe to London, from whence year
later he continued his travels through Asia
to Calcutta thence to China, where he
joined Commodore Perry's expedition to
Japan and returned with it to the United
States. In 1923 he was Secretary of Lee
cation at st. Petersburgh, part of the time
Charge d'Affaires. In 1874 he revisited
Egypt and attended the milennial celebra-
ton in Iceland, contributing a poem which
was read by him on that occasion in the
years he has appeared as public lecturer,
and was always in demand by lecture bu-
reaus. He was prolific writer, both of
prose and verse, his works comprising
stories of travel, told in a most interesting
manner; novels, TRANSACTIONS and poems,
many of which have been translated into
German, French and Russian. He had
worldwide reputation, and his death will be
greatly regretted by the host of admirers of
his works. Early in the present year he was
appointed Minister to Germany, where he
had resided for many years, receiving most
fiattering attentions on his departure from
his native shores. Since 1872 he has been
engaged upon combined biography of
Goethe and Schiller, which was not com
pleted. His sudden death is great loss,
not only to his native country, but to the
friends and admirers of this truly represent
alive American will deeply mourn the de-
cease of this gentleman in the prime of life.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

BRooKrIELD. -Brookfield Grange met at Union
Hall, December 10Th, and chose the following Of
hcers for the year ensuing Worthy Master,
Cassus Peck, Oyerseer, Orlando Ralph Lecturer,
Marcus C. Peck; Steward, Calvin fullam; Assistant
Steward G. F. Bailey; Treasurer, Marshall Green;
Secretary George Crane Lady Assistant Stew
ard, Mrs II. Bacon; Chaplain, Mrs, William +.
Reed; Sentinel, c. Carpenter; Ceres, Mrs. NJ
Peck; Pomona, Mrs n Wheatleyi Flora, Mrs
A. Hibbard; Agent, Marshall Green. The Ma
sons held their annual leyee and oyster supper on
Thursday, the 18th, and had very pleasant
time-though not many cut as there would
have been had it been good sleighing. The adj
dress by Frank Plumley, Esq, was one we shall
all do well To heed; and the readings by W.
z. Stafford, of Barre, were well rendered-so says
every one that heard him.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

IT is somewhat remarkable coincidence that
the big record book IN which the accounts Of sales
were kept at the Gold Exchange in New York,
ran out on the d " that gold dropped to par. The
clerk began the day on the last page OF the las,
leaf, and II supplementary book had been ordered
for which there will probably now be little use
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25
An Important Inquiry.

The bill to provide for commission of
enquiry concerning the alcoholic liquor
traffic, which has for third time been passed
by the Senate, is pending with the commit
tee on the judiciary of the House of Repres-
entatives. II is Of the utmost Importance
that early action be had upon the bill. As
the session nears its close, many other meas
ures will be pressed vehemently for consid-
Grafton. II would be timely and valuable
aid if all friends of thorough, impartial
investigation and report upon the alcoholic
liquor-trafTic would specially petition the
House of Representatives to promptly pass
the commission bill The reasonableness
and importance of the measure are apparent.
The yellow fever is likely to be made the
subject of thorough investigation by author
ity of Congress, as a means of preventing
future suffering, and very properly. 1t
should, however, be remembered that while
ten thousand lives have within the year
been sacrificed by that dreadful, but, as is al
legged preventable disease, other tens of
thousands have been consigned to untimely
graves by the fearful, but also avoidable,
drink scourge. The board of managers Of
the National Temperance Society have adj
dressed to the House of Representatives the
following petition, which we suggest to our
readers to cut out or copy Substituting for
board of managers of National Temperance
Society the proper name), and have duly
signed by temperance associations, by pas
tors and officers of churches, and by indi-
vidual citizens, and forward at an early day
to their respective members of the House of
Representatives at Washington
"7o The United States House Of Representatives !:
The (boayd Of managers of the Naional Tempe r
ance Society earnestly pray that you will take
early favorable action upon the Senate bill to
provide for a commission of enquiry concerning
the alcoholic lquor-traflc, to the end that said
important commission may be, with the least pos
sible delay, duly authorized and appointed"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

A LARGE eagle put in an appearance the other
day in Pomfret, caught fifteen pound COB
bier and carried him fifty or sixty rods, and
aighted with him on the ground. Ex-Governor
Julius Converse, of Woodstock, is gaining in
health and strength. X. f.. French, of Hart
land, who has been entirely blind for about
thirty years. is considered one of the best cattle
buyers in the state and is well known AS a sue
cessful and honorable dealer. .Diphthera pre-
walls in Bridgewater to an alarming extent
Hosea Moore recently lost two boys aged seven
teen and nine. They were buried in one grave,
without funeral services. At the recent term
of the county court fines were imposed under
the liquor law as follows: Edward Tarbell, Lud-
low, $50; Thomas Corners, Plymouth, So Ira
Whitney, Plymouth, $3.50. L. NJ. Boynton, OF
Ludlow, plead guilty to the charge Of keeping a
nuisance, was fined $50 and costs, and the place
ordered closed. II is rumored that the Rev.
Jarvis Richards will be engaged for year by the
Congregational society at Windsor. John Ham
mond, alias California Jack" has been SEN
fenced to ten years at hard labor in the state
prison for breaking into Robbins & Marsh's store
at Chester depot over year ago.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

EAST BETHEL Edwin Fowler from Nevada, is
visiting his friends in East Bethel and vicinity.
After an absence of sixteen years he returns to
find many vacant seats" yet good number of
his friends are still here to extend to him cordial
welcome. His sister, who has spent the past year
in Nevada and California, returned with him.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

LESLIE THAyER had his skull fractured by fall
ing out of buggy in Brattleboro the other day.
Col. Estey, of Bratteboro was severely in
jured the other evening while trying to stop a
runaway horse. e. Dennis Rafferty, has been ar
rested for attempting to outrage Mrs. Olin Whit
ney, of Bratteboro. Wilmington, with popu-
lation of one thousand and sxty-three, has no
foreign element, with the exception of two
English families
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25
RUTLAND COUNTY

A CUITIsGvILLE man jumped from his bed the
other night to throttle a burglar whom he saw by
the dim moonlight in the dark corner of the
room, and upon getting good grip found he had
captured the old family bass-vol Four Fair
Haven boys each about thirteen years old started
on tramp to New York city the other day. but
when they reached Whitehall, n Y, nine miles
distant, their courage gave out and they turned
back, arriving home before their anxious fathers,
who had gone after them by train. AT West
Rutland, the other day, the new Congregational
chapel partially raised fell, injuring several of
the workmen. Four prisoners of the house of
correction at Rutland, while at work on the barn
connected with the house the other day, " took
to the woods" and at last accounts had not been
recaptured. There are now twenty-eight male
| and two female inmates at this institution.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17
Boston Produce Market.

TUESDAY July 49, ISIS.
EGGsrThe market continued dull during ihe week, will
sales Of Eastern at l2etl3c, Northern at ll6l2lc ana
Western at 0Gtllc " dozen. These prices FOR fresl
lots great many stale eggs are coming in, which are
hard to sell at any price.
CIEEsE-There has been slow market for cheese and
last weeks prices not fully maintained Sales Of
TO choice range at @sc " ~ but only very finest factory
lots will command the outside figure, and 7is@7l,c
most Of the sales Common quality runs down 10 3&5c
u pound.
HAY AND sTRAw--There Is a fair demand for choIc,
hay with sales ut s76s u ton. Poor and medium grade
still In large supply and hard to sell at sOelj n ton
very large crop Of hay expected his season and
prices. Rye straw Is selling at sl2&l3 u ton.
GRAIN-Com is shade easier and has been selling at
i6e1hc for mixed and yellow oats are in fair demand and
l]6c for No. white aud 3363ic for No. white MNeO
oats are selling a 1!6s5c q bgshel In rye the sales ay
u ton.
FLouR-Prices of -four continue to rule quite low with
Of new -four have been received from St Louis selling al
sb15g6 d barrel for choice brands. Some few iavout,
brands are held for an advance on S. but THIS L. about all
the best St Louis brands will now bring Ohio. Indiana
and Michigan have been selling at si75G525 81 barrel
Patents range at sS75G725 n BARREL with sales mostly at
s65O617 n barrel.
wOoL-The market has become considerably excited for
wool and the sales this week have been the largest for
long time. Considerable Ohio and Pennsy lyanla
eeces have been sold at $685. and Michigan at 35c u N
Combng and deane heeces have been In demand at 3s
t2lSc for washed and 2s6s3Oc for unwashed CaorniB
wool in demand at 2O3Oc for spring. considerable
choice spring having been bought at 2seJ3Oc 81 10 Pulled
woods range at 25@iOc q pound.
BUTTER-Owing to the warm weather the market has
passed through very dun week and prices have fnrthe
declined For several days has been hard to get
lsc q n for the finest dairy lots of Vermont and hea
Of some sales at Ike For good to choice dairies 5GIc
full range and receivers they get II
Dl6c for any straight lots Of May and June make Choice
crtlneres command sG2Oc u 10 but they controlled
by two houses who redde them ont in small lots
We quote hne ereamenes, lS!oe ane dairy lots all June
l4Wlsc; dATes, May and June lbGlc; good TO ghOic'
Western, l26ll5c: common, III Toe tl pound.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17
Fire Record.

lSMESDoS. The Westinghouse, with contents,
Of Florence McCarty was burned on Sunday last
Loss $500. Insured
In RICHFoRD.-An incendary fire destroyed
the barn Of James Mudgett, in Richford, together
with quantity Of farming tools, on the morning
Of the 10th.
IN BRowSiNGTos.-Th entire set Of buildings
belonging to Il. Mcdonald were burned the other
morning The hay she had in her barn, grain,
dairy tools and other things were burned, but her
household goods were nearly all removed. Loss
estimated at $1,000; insured for $1,000. Cause
OF the fire unknown
In BARRE.--Monday night between nine and
ten o clock the barns belonging to John Kelley,
Of this place, were burned. lie had finished his
haying and his barns were full Of hay, all Of
which was burnt lie saved all his stock except
some poultry. There was but about $500 insur-
ance. The cause Of the fire Is not known, though
there are the usual surmises Of tramps, ncendi-
| aries, etc
In WATERBURY about three o'clock last
Thursday morning the barn and house Of Heman
S. Winters were destroyed by fire. including all Of
his household furniture, forty-seven hens, one
three hundred and fifty pound hog, two wagons,
one silver plated harness, one work harness, buf-
falo robes, etc TIE fire originated in the barn.
Mr. Winters and wife were not awakened until
the flames from the barn had reached the house
they barely escaping, not having time to dress
themselves Supposed to be the work Of tramp.
Insured In the Windsor County Mutual for 500
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17

WEST RANDoLPH.-Iiavey you any potatoes2,
The West Randolph Comet Band will furnish
music at the Caledonia county fair at st. Johns
state We wish they would furnish us with more
music at home. Why not play twice week in
stead of only once?, The Christian church has
Just been slated We expect 10 have a street
sprinkler in this place shortly. Next in order will
be street lamps, Many much smaller villages in
this state have long enjoyed these Improvements
Why should an Incorporated village like this be
40 dilatory In these matters? Some Of the old
foges grumble about their taxes, but we think
higher taxes would not injure them. Those
who have formerly ished in Ben Chase's body Of
words staring them in the face, "No fishing al
lowed here" This is poor town to fish in,
nearly all the water, from river down to water
ing-trough, being posted, 81. The walls and ceiling
of the bank have been frescoed recently, Mr. n
O. Snow doing the work. Milo Wilson, OF the
livery stable, has had the misfortune to lose two
good horses withina week. Summer visitors are
quite plenty here at the present time. Dan b.
Smith ESD, of New York city, brother OF Mrs. l.
Bugbee and Mrs W S. Wood OF this place, sailed
for Europe ON the 9TH instant, in company with
his wife and Rev Dr. and Mrs G, II, iIepworth
Mr.. Smiths health isquite poor, and his physician
advised him To change climate. A large mum
Der OF our citizens are out camping this week
some in the " bowling wilderness Of Braintre'
and Granville, and some near Silver lake In Barn
ard. West Randolph is getting noted for al
kinds Of scandal
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17
Orangemen In Montreal.

When the Orangemen decided to give up their
procession in Montreal on the 10Th Of July they
threatened to have one on the 10th Of July the
anniversary OF Hacketts death. This, however,
they concluded to forego. Public sentiment is
greatly against the partisan and inefficient course
taken by the mayor.
The publication of correspondence between
Mayor Beaudry and Hon. A. Mackenzie, prior to
the 18TH has caused sensation. The Premier
writing June 18th, says he feels great anxiety
about the preparations for the celebration on the
18th Of July. Hewould prefer to have the Orange
mems procession dispensed with, but as they are
disposed to exercise their right of appearing this
way in public, he considers 1t wise for the city al-
thorites to announce that the Orangemen shall be
protected. Such course would prevent the irrup-
ton Of strangers into the city and alay the inten-
tensity Of public feeling.
The Mayor replies June 2ist, acknowledging
the imminent danger to the peace of the city, but
says il will proceed from large number Of persons
who declared the intention of coming from other
provinces to impose disturbing celebration upon
the citizens Of Montreal He asks federal pro
lection against attacks from without He says Il
the Orange society is legal it is entitled to the full
NS' PiNtoeN'h pue hN uuOecS ihMs W shoM ehs'
the society is illegal, and asks the opinion Of the
law officers Of the crown.
The Premier replies that it makes no difference
in regard to the legal or moral obligations i'm
posed on the authorities, If there should be any
rioting, where the rioters may come from, the fed
eral government has no right to interfere to pre-
serve the peace in the provinces. lie tells tn,
| mayor that the law officers Of the provincial gov
| eminent must be applied to for an opinion; ever
in case the Orange society is illegal, that does no
relieve the city authorities from protecting Orange
men Individually as citizens.
The mere fact that every person in a collection
Of persons walking together happens to belong t.
an Illegal association does not render unlawful hi
act of walking the public street alone or in com
pany, and there is no act prohibiting such pro
cession. lie urges the mayor to make vigorou
| preparation for the preservation of peace an
offers the use of the military for that purpose.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-17
Planets In July.

The Providence Journal has the following inter-
esting account Of what may be seen among the
planets during the present month: Jupiter will
be a conspicuous object in the eastern sky during
the month"; rising now about nine o'clock and
shining with wondrous beauty in the constellation
Capricornus. On the 25th this planet comes into
opposition with the sun, and will at that time
shine with his greatest brilliancy for he is at his
nearest approach to us, the sum- the earth and the
planet being in line, with the earth in the centre
lie is then more than one hundred and eighty
million miles nearer than when, in the opposite
portion Of his orbit, he comes into conjunction
with the sun. The opposition of planet means
that its position is opposite to the sum- and that it
will rise when the sun sets. Therefore, the spark
ling gem that in the latter part of the month will
rise above the southern horizon, as the sun sinks
below the western, may be easily recognized as
Jupiter. The evening after she has passed her
full on the 18th, she will be in conjunction with
the bright evening star, and a charming picture
will be painted on the dark azure of the sky.
Mars is also evening star but is of little account;
he is so far away and shines with Insignificant
lustre after the glorious display he made last
year, when his glowing aspect turned all the
world into star-gazers. Venus remains unrivaled
among the morning stars. She passed her great
est western elongation on the I'd of June, and is
now speeding far away from us to her superior
conjunction OF the 9th of December. She rises
| during the month not very far from two o'clock
and early risers commanding view of the eastern
horizon will be well rewarded by the sight of her
charming face and the soft, delicate coloring that
| distinguishes the most beautiful star among the
myriads that make up the starry host. The in
constant as usual plays off her airs and grace
to win the favor her brother and sister planets
| She gded as slender thread OF silver light nea
the path Of Mars on the I'd, will beam with nearl,
full-orbed splendor in conjunction with Jupi
| ter on the 18th, and pass near Saturn on thu
| Goth, having then nearly reached her last quar-
ter But she will be seen in her most fascinating
phase on the morning of the 9th, when in waning
| glory she hangs near the bright morning star
while moon, star and breaking dawn will form I
picture of celestial loneliness fair 70 behold Thu
with the waxing and waning phases of the Jul.
| moon, the rising, setting and conjunction OF tn
planets, the midsummer nocturnal sky will form
a succession of pictures of unendng variety, ful
of beautiful combinations OF starry glory, delight
ful to aesthetic taste rich in arousng emotions O
reyerential awe and fruitful in the best kind G
instruction-that which lifts the soul from the al
sorbng pursuits of time and sense to the conteu
plation of the wonders of immensely"