davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

DIPHTHERIA.- In spite of the careful study
which has been given to the disease, diphthe-
ria must still be classed as an unexplainable
physical disorder For n long time it was
supposed to be of modern origin, but medi-
cal historical research has shown that there is
good reason for thinking that it prevailed
with deadly effect in India rs long as GOO
B. c., and that the fatal epidemic called in
the Talmud ''askara" was essentially diphthe-
ritic in its character But from this time for
ward to the seventeenth century there is no
disease described with which it can be COM
pared At that time there were many deaths
from this cause but it appears TO have made
a complete leap over the eighteenth century,
aud not to have been taken into professional
account until about twenty years ago. Since
that time, 1858, it has been intermittent in
its severity, when any given locality is con-
sidered, though it has never disappeared, when
this and other large countries are taken into
account. What regulates its coming and 60
ing is, however, an unsolved mystery. OF
the nature of the disease itself the same un-
certainty exists, some physicians chasing it
with the very common disorder known as
Group, while Others of seemingly equal au-
thority, maintain that there is no connection
between the two. Indeed, almost as much is
learned by what it does not do as by what it
does In this way II has been repeatedly
shown that it is governed by family or con-
stitutional attractions since, when one mem
Der of a family has it, other members of the
household are much more liable to be attacked
by it than friends or nurses who are not re-
lated by blood ties, even though the exposure
in the latter case should be greater than in
the former. In view of the number of cases
of sickness from this cause in this city at the
present time, it would be well for all to bear
this last named circumstance in mind, for the
frequency with which two or more members
of a family die within a short time from this
disease is one of its most painful features. 1t
is, at least, satisfactory to know that the num-
Der who recover is now much larger than it
once was, for in ancient times it was styled
an incurable complaint, while the present
rate of mortality from this cause is less than
40 per cent of those who suffer from it. The
fact of its complete absence through term
of years certainly indicates its possible pre-
ventability, and in these days of enlightened
medical research it will be strange if some
way is not discovered Of stamping it out as
efTectually as smallpox has been eradieated.
N y Times
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

However, when such n man as Alfred
makes up his mind to do thing, he is almost
sure to find a way. SO he had quantity of
wax prepared took enough of it to weigh
down seyenty-two silver pennies, and of it
had six candles made, all weighing the same
and each twelve inches long and marked of
into twelve divisions He planned so nicely
that these six would burn twenty -four hours ;
and he always kept one lighted day and night
before some holy relics and images of saints
which he had, and which, being n very pious
man, he carried about with his luggage
wherever he went.
lie would now have had not only tolorable
light but very good way Of marking the
hours, if the candles had always been sure
Of burning given time. But if the wind
blew, the flame would flare, and perhaps go
out and the king made up his mind that
there could be something done to remedy
this, and ho did it, He made a framework
and fixed into it little plates or windows of
horn scrapcd so thin the light could shine
through, set his candle inside. aud shut it in
and the thing was done He had Il lantern,
sure in all weathers. A very small affair it
may seem to yOU, but it was a great one to
linn.
| once saw picture Of u rude Saxon Ian
tern somewhat like his, perhaps though it
was probably an improvement on it, for no
sooner does one man invent thing, than
another finds a way to make it better. This
in shape, made me think of n bird-cage with
out the tray or railing. 1t had kind of Gu
pola-lilsc top, and was much ornamcnted ;
there were bands with bosses on them look
ing like metal, around the bottom, the mid
die and next to the roof; and there was Il
pretty archcd door. Altogether it was Il very
curious, but Il rather clumsy and rather dark
Lantern. st NicHOidS
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

WILLIAM MARwooD, THE QUEENS ExEcU-
T1oNEB, was born near Horncastle, and has
resided there all bis life. He is l3 years of
age, stands > feet inches high and weighs
$50 pounds He is man Of powerful frame,
and comes under the designation of 'wiry"
in build. With iron-gray hair, benevolent
countenance and pleasing manners, he is by
no means the type Of man the popular idea
would mold of an eXeCutiOuer. Well but
plainly dressed in garments of country fash
ion, with ample collar and the old style neck
stock of our fathers, he looks more like a
Methodist icdt-i. G., lay preacher-than
anything else. He is, in fact devout mem
Der of the Methodist church, and is regarded
by his fellOw-townsnen in Horncastle as a
most estimable and worthy citizen. His ac-
count of how he became an executioner is in
teresting. He had all his life been careful
student of anatomy, and when he heard of
Calcratt- intended retirement it was, as the
Puritans used to say borne in upon his
mind" that under Providence he could accom-
plish work of public usefulness by conduct
ing executions in scientific manner with a
minimum of suffering to the unfortunate
criminal. Marwood is man of religious
mind, who believes that he'is doing his duty
to both God and man. He has done his best
TO divest executions of odious features. In
Calcrafts time the rope used was only two or
three feet long, and when Calcraft had drawn
the fatal bolt he used to descend the scaffold
and seizing the victims legs, swing on by
them until death was certain fact. This
seems incredible. and yet it is true. Mar
woods rope is always eight or nine feet long,
and he asserts that by his process death is in
Simultaneous and that there has never been a
mshap. Marwood appears to have studied
every process of decapitation and hanging
with view of arriving at that which is least
painful, and he afiirms that by his system the
victim suffers far Less agony than by the gull
lotine, the AK or the short rope" In sup
port of these views he furnishes abundant
anatomical and other reasons and states that
he has satisfied the government medical de
partmont thereon. Mr.. Marwood, in uarrat-
ing lis varied experiences with the great
criminals Of the day, says that there are three
principal causes Of deadly crime: First
drink; second, jealousy, aud, third, bad
training. He says that he has oftcu felt as
he was discharging his duty that the parents
of the criminals were the real executiourrs Of
their son or daughter as the case might be-
He says that the worst Of criminals are those
who were badly brought up. They are gen
orally the most hardened and unrepentaut -
Correspondence Of Philddelphid Times.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07
Miscellany.
U,nuhf

who shall Go First TO the shadow
LUndf
who shall go first to the shadowy land,
Ny love orI2
Whose will Il DO in grief to stand,
And press the cold, unantwerng hand
Wipe from tho brow the dew Of death,
And catch the softly huttCring breath,
Breathe the loved name, nor hear reply,
In anguish watch the glazing eye;
His or mine?
Which shall bend over the wounded sod,
My love or ?.
Commenting the precious soul to God,
Till the duleful fall Of the muficd clud
Startles the mind to a CONSEQUENCES
or it, bitter anguish and life Distress
Dropping the pail DER the loye-lit past
With mOurnful murmur, "the last-thc last
My love orI ?
which shall return to the desoate home,
My love or
And list for step that shall never come,
Aud bark for voice that must still be dumb,
while the halfstunued senses wander back
To the cheerless life and the thorny track,
Where the silent room and the vacant char
Have memories sweet, but hard to bear;
My love or
All then, perchance to that mourner there,
My love or ],
Wrestling with anguishcd aud deep despair,
An angel shall come through the gates of prayer,
And the burning eyes shall cease TO weeI,
And the sobs melt down to a sea Of sleep,
while fancy, freed from the chains Of day,
Through the shadowy dreamland floats away;
My love or ?
And then mcthinhs on that boundary land,
Ny love and I,
The mourn'd and the mourner, together shall stand
or walk hy those rivers Of shining sand,
Tin the dreamer awakened at dawn II day
Finds the stone Of the strulChrr rolled away,
And over the cold, dull waste of Death,
Tie warm, bright sunlight Of holy Faith
My love and I.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07
The ECONOMICAL USE OF CoAL.-In

THE ECONOMICAL USE or CoAI.-In mild
weather much coal may be saved in large
stoves, or furnaces, or CRATES 10y covering a
part of the grating with brick or fiat stones
or clay even, or by covering part of the
coal with fine ashes, so that the draft of air
can only pass through part of it. 4 little
skill and care in this will effect II great saving
of fuel, and supply an amount of heat adapt
ed to the weather, or to the rooms to be
warmed. We prefer a pretty large tire-box
III stove or furnace, aud in the cook stove
even, the burning portion or surface to be
contracted or regulatedas above We then have
ample room for a large fire when it is wanted
in extreme cold weather, or for an eIncrgen-
cy. The brick or clay can be readily re-
moved from any part of the grating rs de-
sired. The smallest coal that will not drop
through the grating Is usually the most eco
nOmiCal for all fires even for large heating
furnaces. Large lump, or egg coal even, re-
quires a considerable depth of mass to burn
well, or indeed to keep ignited at all. Fine
coal, two or three inches in depth, will keep
on fire, and its rapidity of burning can be ea-
silly regulated by the dampers or opening the
upper door, or by covering a part or the
whole with ashes to be raked of or shaken
out ms necessary. For the cooking-stove or
range, with three tons of moderately small
'stoyo-coal' size, We buy one ton of Chest
nut or nut size. to be used in kndling,
in starting up afresh quickly, and when only
II small fire is wanted for short time For
the largest heating furnace we use "egg"
size mot lump. and with each four or five
tons, one ton of stove size, and half u ton of
chestnut si2r-the smaller sizes for kimdling
and renewing, and when but little fire is re-
quircd regulating consumption by hampers
or ash covering, or stopping part of the graf
ing. imericdH Agriculturist
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07
Games for winter Evenings.

The game of proverbs is excellent for draw
ing out thought and wit When it is played.
one member of the company leaves the room,
and the rest tiN upon we'll known proverb
The banishcd guest returns, aud asks each
person II question, who in reply is bound tu
bring in one word OF the prov,rb in its prop
cr order, and the questiuner tries to find out
by these answers what the proverb Is. A
very amusing variety of this game is called
shooting proverbs The guests each APP
propriatc one word of the provcrb rs before.
The one who is trying to guess the proyerb
comes in. steps into the middle of the room
and calls out in u commanding voice Make
ready Present Fire" At the word fire"
all the company shout their own words ut
once, and the proyerb is to be guessed from
the sound, which is a very confusing one.
Nouns is another very amusing game, and
can be played 10y the old as well rs the young.
In this, one of the company thinks of one
particular person or thing, and the others ply
HIM with questions, and endcayor to fiud out
his secret from the answers 1t is astonish-
ing how judicious questioning can draw the
most out-of-the-way object out of mystery in
to the light of day. Trades is also pmus-
ing. In this game each person chooses GER
tain trade, and one member of the company,
who Is named 10y the rest, makes up story,
in the course Of which he introduces an ac-
count of his shopping excursions. and calls
hap hazard upon the representative Of each
business to name some noun which belongs
to his trade. Thus "A butcher is to name
certain joint of meat grocer some article Of
grocery, aud so on. No item is to be men,
toned twice; and if there is any hesitation
i'll naming something suitable. "A forfeit must
be paid. Another good game is called dumb
crmbo.' When playing it, half the party
leave the room, and those who remain choose
a verb which the others are to guess. When
the absent ones return, they nre told of a
word which will rhyme with the word fixed
upon, and they consult together to find ont
what it is. Instead of speaking their guess
they act it. If they guess right they are ap-
plaudcd; if they fail, they are hisscd A
word spoken on either side excepting by the
actors for the purpose of private consultation,
entails a forfeit. None of these games are
particularly new, but they are amusing, new
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

If there is one pervasve habit of minor
morals in our country which calls for special
efforts at reform it is that of living up to and
exceeding income. 1t is notorious how, in
our great cities especially, this habit has
grown until it has become perlousy formida-
BILE. Almost everybody spends too much.
Economy is too much looked down upon. A
trick of hating to take care of the pennies and
of disliking those of an opposite practice, is
painfully common. 1t is easy, to be sure, to
understand why nothing is 30 displeasing to n
prodigal rs the sight Of conscientious self de-
nial. The man who lives within his income
and pays his debts is always a "screw" and
chunks" in the eyes of those dashing blades
of the old comedies whose prime delight was
upon it, to cheat-N. T. EDHihg Post.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

CAUTION IN REGARD TO THE Sulphur
CURE FOR DPHTHERIA.-A correspondent
sends word of timely caution to the Boston
journal about the use of that part of that pa
per's "Sulphur cure" for diphtheria which
recommends sprinkling the birthstone on a
live coal and letting the patient inhale the
fumes. THAT quantity (two spoonfuls) of
burning sulphur" the writer says "held per
force under the nose of strong horse ought
to kill him in two minutes. dying child
needs the purest air possible, and could not
survive the sudden application of sulphuric
acid-simon pure-to the lungs, in such a
manner and in such a dose. We think well
of sulphur directly applied in reasonable
quantity to any fungus growth, animal or
vegetable but the instant asphyxia, caused
by the powerful grip of sulphuric acid in such
a dose, kindly but ignorantly administered to
a feeble child, is certainly not to be doubted.
This part of the cure, to my mind, should
never be meddled with, except under the
watchful eye of common sense physician"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

considered How often that troublesome one
Of the family grows up the brightest and
brayest and most noteworthy of the flock
The energies which in the crude amorphous
state were so ugly and so disturbing, now,
when ccntered in the nobler objects of Il
mans life, have become like divine powers
lifting him higher than his fellows, and doing
more good than others can accomplish The
restless boyhood has developed into the un-
firing and laborious manhood defiance of
authority is determination to overthrow OBJ
stacles disobedicnce to orders is the courage
to be himself and the rebel of the nursery is
the patriot in the Senate. II we would go
deeper into the springs Of action than we do
in our dealings with children, we should make
more successes and fewer failures in our men
and women but while we persist in regard
ing a childs goodness or naughtiness accord
to the smaller or larger amount Of trouble
that it causes ms ourselves, we shall never
come to the real knowledge of causes, or to
the best method of dealing with results
THE LOHdOn queen.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

"Oh beam my life, my Awl to met"
lie cried, his fame addressing
al 'AdEe such love as yours,
ia ask no other blessing!"
81 am rejoist to hear you speak"
The maiden said with laughter
"For though hammer guileless girl,
It's plane what you are rafter.
Now, II file love you Just bit,
What further will you axe met
CAu-will you be content with that,
or will you further tacks met"
He looked hAndsaW her words were square
''NO rival can displAce me
Yes, one more favor implOre,
Aud that is, Dear En-, brace mel"
st LOuiA TiUies-.T0uTndI
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07
POETsCRIPT.

Aud thus he found the maiden wood;
OF course She wOod-whO blAmes herr
His lips to hers still nrmly glued,
This knohby young man claims her.
Locked in each others arms" be cried,
"Whateyer fate Getide us,
Death may, perhaps, butt knot beside
on earth shall e'er diyiders."
To joiner fate to his due steps
At once were taken by them,
To engage the half-blind PErson Gates
TO come aud firmly tie them,
They're spliced, and may the God who rules
Deal kindly from above us,
And may His blessed mantelpiece
Fall on these sAppy lovers.
-BOstOn Post.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07

She came full chisel to bis arms;
1t really made him stair
To have her make a bolt for him
Before he could prepare.
He tried TO screw his courage up,
Aud did his level beet
To nail the matter then aud there,
while clasped unto her breast.
Says he: ut augurs well for me,
All seems to hinge on this;
And what is mortise plane to see
The porch child wants kiss"
lie kissed her lip, he kissed her cheek,
And called her his EdOored-
He duns his claw-hammer next week,
Aud she will share his board.
-Iatrr1b Strai
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-02-07
BR1TTLEBORO
Business Directory.

CUDwORTII n CIIILDS,
GcHcrdI Insurance dIid Real ES-
tUtc IgeHtS.
Representing the FARMERS' and UNION MUTUAL,
ne well ~ many of the largest STOCK COMPANIES,
together with the largest and st unGest LIFE lNSlh
ANCE COMPANY in the world, ana the most ecuut ~
icnl ACCIDENT INSU RANCE COMPANY.
DEALERS Is BANK STOCK.
10 Crnsby Bluck. BrattleborO, VI.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-03-19
GENERALS BARLOW AND
GORDON.

A Washington letter writer, TO the
Boston Herald, thus alludes to these
two brave commanders:
You may not be aware that it was
General Gordon's command which
struck the flank of the Eleventh corps
on the afternoon of the first day at
Gettysburg, and after a short but des-
perate conflict broke its line and swept
II from the field.
In that fight General Barlow, of
New York, commander Of the First
division, fell dangerously and, it was
thought mortally wounded. He was
shot directly through the body. Two
of his men attempted to bear him
through that shower of lead from the
field but one was instantly killed, and
General Barlow magnanimously said
to the other: "You can do me no good ;
save yourself if you can.' Gordon's
brigade Of Georglans in its wild charge
swept over him, and he was found by
General Gordon himself lying with up
turned face in the hot July sun, nearly
paralyzed and apparently dying. Gen.
Gordon dismounted from his horse,
gave him drink of water from his
canteen, and inquired Of General Bar.
low his name and wishes.
General Barlow said "l shall pro
badly live but a short time. Please
take from my breast pocket the packet
of my wife's letters and read one Of
them to me !" which was done. He
then asked that the others be torn up
as he did not wish them to fall into
other hands. This General Gordon
did, and then asked "Can / do any.
thing else for you, General p "Yes,
replied General Barlow, earnestly
"My wife is behind our army. Car
you send a message through the lines p
"Certainly l will" said Gordon, and he
did. Then directing General Barlow
to be borne to the shade of tree at the
rear, he rode on with his command
The wife received the message and
came harmlessly through both lines o.
battle and found her husband, whc
eventually recovered
Since General Gordon's election tc
the United States Senate both he and
General Barlow were invited to din,
ner party in Washington, and occupi
cd opposite seats at the table. Aitei
introduetions, General Gordon said
General Barlow, are you related tC
the officer Of your name who was kill
cd at Gettysburgf' "l am the man,
said Barlow. "Are you related TO the
Gordon who is supposed TO have killed
meg" al am the man. said Genera
Gordon. The hearty greeting which
followed the touching story, as rclatet
to- the interested guests by Genera
Barlow, and the thrilling effect upor
the company, can better be imagined
than described.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-03-19

also wore a necklace and bracelets OF
entwined flowers and pearls, and car
ried in her hand a beautiful bouquet.
She was led to seat in the middle
chair, her mother and aunt sitting on
either side of her. AS the music ceas-
cd, Rabbi Wise stepped forward, and
lifting his hands above the brides bow.
ed head, pronounced in German the
marriage blessing Of Rebecca. Another
moment Of silence ensued, and the
groom, a young man about twenty
seven years of age, entered with his
father and prospective father-in-law.
He was attired in full dress, wore q
nosegay in the lapel Of his coat, and a
new and shining beaver on his head.
He walked slowly 10 the bride, and as
she arose she took his right arm, and
then both walked to the altar, where,
after chant by the Reader, Rabbi
Wise took up one Of The silver goblcts
Of wine, knowii as tte Cup Of joys"
and, stepping to the bride, gently lifted
heryeil and allowed her to sip a draught
OF the liquid, and then held the cup TO
the lips Of the groom, who also par
took of it.
AT the close of this ceremony the
Rabbi delivered an address, taken from
a Bible description Of the building of a
Holy Temple in the desert. The groom,
he said, had now built Tor himself a
holy temple, in which his bride was to
be alike the Goddess and High Prestess.
When tho altar lights went out, then
should they illuminate the darkened
temple with the holy light of their love.
They had together drunk from the cup
OF joys and future happiness, and were
TO complete that happiness with their
union. As the Rabbi spoke thus, the
bride removed her glove, and the groom
placed upon her finger plain gold
ring, saying "Thou mayest be my
wife according to the law Of Moses and
of Israel" The bride made a simple
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-03-19
/ WISH HE HAD LIVED.

The other day, when burly big
driver Of coal cart backed his vehicle
up 10 the alley.gate Of an old house in
Detroit, to dump a half ton Of coal,
some children came out Of the side
door, and the driver beckoned them
near and said
"Last time was here, one Of tho
wheels crushed bit Of a dog belong
ing to one of you. | heard great
crying out, but | can't bc stopping to
look out for dogs on the street."
The children made no reply, but as
they watched him unload the coal,
they wondered If he had little children
of his own, and if he ever spoke kind
ly to them. lie may have felt the
burden of their thoughts, for suddenly
he looked up and said
"Well, I own I'm bit sorry, and
being as l know | was coming up,
brought along an orange to give TO The
child who owned the dog. Which O
you is IL 2"
"The dog belonged TO little lam,
Billy in that house there" answered I
girl. "lt was all the dog no ever had
and when you killed It be cried him
self almost to death He didn't nevel
have any plaything but that liitl'
dog"
SAnd will you take him this OF
anger
y can't, sir, cos he's dead, AM
they're coming 10 take him TO tn
graveyard pretty soon."
The driver looked up and down