davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
Elephantine Soil Robbery.

The editor Of the Nep England Farmer
says at seems to us that American agri-
culture has been one continuous chase after
soil that would produce crops without ma
nure that our system of agriculture has
been system of continual robbery, and
that it has been carried on in a manner en-
tirely unworthy the name of agriculture.
The soil of New England was once fertile,
but system of continuous cropping, with
out putting on manure, depleted it, The
sons of New England farmers, finding the
over-cropped soil of her beautiful hills fail
ing to yield as in the past, moved westward.
New York, Ohio, and other states, in their
turn, were overrun and their soils depleted
by that same course of cropping without
manuring till they, too, became exhausted.
And then our capitalists, instead of study
ing and encouraging true and honorable
system of agriculture, by which our land
could be made to support its inhabitants in
comfort and elegance forever, have invested
millions and millions of that capital, which
has certainly been derived Largely from the
soil of these older states, in building rail-
roads to newer fields, where, for a while at
least, crops can be grown without the ap-
plication of manure. The office of the
agricultural journal, as we understand it, is
not to point out the fertile spots where
crops may for while be grown without ma
nure, but to teach how to till a soil so that
it will sustain him who tills it so long as
time and soils endure not to show the
reader where he can live by robbing the soil
at the expense of future generations who
may come after him, but hoW he can live
where he is noW."
A Western correspondent of the Boston
Cultiuator on this topic says The depart
ment of agriculture at Washington, in CIV
ing their monthly report about the pros
pects,' generally ends short-crop statement
with the refrain, But the increase in acre
age will more than make up for this What
is the increase in acreage? 1t is increased
and systematically followed spoliation 1t is
the robbing of our virgin soil of its fertility
1t is the selling of this fertility of our broad
domain, of which we feel so proud, to Europe
not the legitimate product of rational farm
ing If any one doubts that revolution
in farming is taking place, let him come out
to the far West and see for himself how
many acres have to be annually robbed of
their fertility to afford even scanty living
to the farmer. When we hear of or see
these NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. grain fields, the
question rises involuntarily, How long will
they last i? And when it does not pay to
continue robbiug them, what then p"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
DistilIlng and Brewing.

The business Of distiling and brewing in
this country has reached immense proper
tons. Official statistics indicate that 1t is
still increasing. The receipts of the internal
revenue department for the fiscal year end
ing June, 1878, from distilled and fermented
liquors, were, In the aggregate, 360,3j7,-
S675o. For the year ending June Both, 1879,
they were 1858 900, 604.77, an increase Of 49,
9il73719. As long ago as February 9th,
IVY, the first national congress, assembled
in Philadelphia, passed unanimously resolu.
ton declaring "that it be recommended to
the several legislatures in the United States
Immediately to pass laws the most effective
for putting an immediate stop TO the PERM
cious practice of distilling grain, by which
the most extensive evils are likely to be de-
rived il not quickly prevented" The more
modern business of brewing is now also an
added threatening evil. This great destruc-
tion Of wholesome grain and fruit in the
manufacture of intoxicating liquors is a pre-
ventable waste which should claim the in
tervention of Legislators in every state as it
has in Maine, and as was so long ago recon-
mended by the wise craftsmanship and pru-
dent forethought of the first national con-
gress in 177S. 1t is estimated by DIR. HaI-
greaves, from carefully collated official and
JldJ ny lDt
facture of liquors "not less than forty mil
lion bushels of nutritious grain are annually
destroyed" He also computes that the
forty million bushels will give grand total
of food annually destroyed equal to six hun
dred million four-pound loaves of bread, Or
annually more than seventy.nine loaves for
each family in the United States" This
waste of nutritious food, enormous as it has
been by distillers and brewers in the last
hundred years and is now, is of itself suii
Gent to warrant legislative intervention. But
that is only small fraction Of the "exten-
sive evils derived therefrom. The drunken
ness which the wholesale distilling and brew
ing has made possible, the poverty, crime,
disease, and death which this in turn has &C.
casioned in the century completed two years
ago, and each year since, who can compute
and tabulate? What other fountain of
human degradation and sorrow is at all to
be compared with that of strong drink ? Its
CHASTITY victims may be enumerated by many
millions. With righteous indignation and
great fitness, John Wesley many years ago
denounced distillers and all who sell intoxi-
eating liquors ain the common way" as
"poisoners general !" He added "They
murder his majestys subjects by wholesale ;
neither does their eye pity or spare They
drive them to hell like sheep"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
Debauchery and Starvation.

Captain Sands of the schooner Pauline
Collins" recently arrived at San Francisco
from the Arctic Ocean, brings shocking
account of debauchery and starvation which
he found at st. Lawrence Island, in the
Behring Sea. 1t appears that Arctic ira
ders go to the island loaded with rum,
which they barter with the fishermen that
the fishermen so long as the liquor lasts,
give themselves up to debauchery, the Sc
quel of which, their food supplies becoming
exhausted, is starvation. Almost the entire
population of the southeastern end of the
island had persisted of starvation. A party
landed from the "Colins" and were hor-
rfied to find "two hundred and fifty corpses
in one field" Everywhere the scene was
frightful. The captain speaks of seeing the
dead in huts, and mentions one little girl,
"stiff in death, with her head resting on her
hand, while the body leaned over the re-
mains of whale" The contraband /" ira
,iers elude the revenue-cutters," and ply
their Infamous business for the sake of gain,
regardless of its horrible and destructive re-
suits with the native population. 1t is an
ighominious greed which characterizes the
business of rumselling the world over. Al
cohol injurious everywhere is, it will be
seen, especially destructive in the cold cline
of the Arctic regions 1t is deadly enemy,
which, for drinking purposes, ought not to
be allowed anywhere to exist.-Selected
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03

The English Primitive Methodists, through
John Bright, have presented to parliament
a petition three-fourths of mile long, and
signed by ten thousand persons, asking for
Sunday closing Of the liquor shops.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
Wew entertainments.
READ THIS !

And improve the opportunity here
offered OF obtaining Great Bargains
at the Dry Goods Store Of
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
A Boys Last Hymn In q Carrot.

A friend of mine, seeking for objects of
charity, got into the upper room OF tene-
ment house. 1t was vacant. He saw lad
der pushed through the ceiling. Thinking
that perhaps some poor creature bad crept
up there, he climbed the ladder, drew him
self through the hole, and found himself
under the rafters. There was no light but
that which came through bulls eye in
place of tile. Soon he saw heap of chips
and shavngs, and on them boy about ten
years old.
Boy, what are you doing here ?"
"Hush don't tell anybody, please, sir"
"What are you doing here y
"Hush please don't tell anybody, SIR
I'm abiding"
"What are you hiding from :"
"Don't tell anybody, please, sir"
Where's your mother y
"Please, sir, mothers dead"
"Where's your father ~
"Hush don't tell him, don't tell him !"
but look here !" He turned himself on his
face, and through the rags OF his jacket and
shirt my friend saw that the boys flesh was
bruised and his skin was broken.
"Why, my boy, who beat you like that p
"Father did, sirl
"What did he beat you like that for ?"
"Father got drunk, sir, and beat me COS
| wouldn't steal p
"Did you ever steal Z"
ayes, sir, was a street thief once"
sand why don't you steal any more :"
"Please, sir, | went to the mission school,
aud they told me there OF God and OF heaven
and of Jesus; and they taught me Thou
shalt not steal, and III never steal again if
my father kills me for it. But, please, sir,
don't tell him."
"My boy, you must not stay here; you'll
die. Now, you wait patiently here for a lit
tie time; Pm going away to see lady. We
will get a better place for you than this"
"Thank you, sir; but please, sir, would
you like to hear me sing little hymn ?"
Bruised, battered, forlorn, friendless, hid.
ing away from an inturiated father, he had
a little hymn TO sing
"Yes, | will hear you sing your little
hymn"
| lie raised himself on his elbow and then
sang
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
| Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to thee
| Fain would to thee be brought,
| Gracious Lord, forbid II not,
In the kingdom OF thy grace
| Give little child place"
"That's the little hymn, sir goodbye"
The gentleman went away, came bach
again in less than two hours, aud climbed
the ladder. There were the chips, and ther,
were the shavings and there was the boy
with one hand by his side, and the othe
tucked in his bosom underneath the LITTLE
ragged shirt-dead.-The Christian, London
-
A coon action is never thrown away, ant
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
.Harirnlfnra1 department.
A SONG OF LABOR.

with wreaths Of shining laurel
The hero's brow Is bright;
Deep In the costly marble
His battle names we write;
who sings the patient thousands
That won for him each figbt2
The world rings with their praises
who conquer land and sea,
BY lines Of speech electric
or roads where ships sail free;
Who sings the patient thousands
That wrought each bolt and key?
with reverent love we rescue,
Though centuries despon,
The statues and the pictures
OF artists sacred toll
Who sings the patient thousands
That ground their stone and OLE
o men Of sturdy muscle
BY them the world grows fair;
The nameless patient thousands
who In no glory share
But unto toll and danger
Daily their bosoms bare;
The noble, patient thousands
o careless world and blithel
Be grateful and unloosen
Each needless chain and withe,
And give them Of your triumphs
Their Just and honest tithei Selected
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03

REV. Mr.. Cook has written letter in
support of woman's temperance movement
in Boston. "lf there is anything" he says,
(which rumselers fear more than the di-
rect inhence of women in determining tenn
perance legislation, it is combination OF
woman's influence with that of the pulpit
rejoice in any practicable union between
the ministry and woman's movement for
home protection against intemperance. .
Massachusetts has already given women the
ballot on education, and thus Endorsed prin.
cipes which will lead ultimately to giving
her vote on temperance. Not woman
suffragist myself, | am yet in favor of try
ing the experiment of both the temperance
and educational ballot in the hands of
women"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03

DIR. CHARLES A. STORY of Chicago says ;
The building of asylums, the furnishing
of medicines and comforts for four thousand
insane people, who die after three years OF
insanity, and at an average cost Of 81 900
each per year, amounts TO sl200O,O0O a
year. Aud at the same time rate for eight
thousand lunatics, who do not die, but are
cured after three years treatment in the
asylum, s2i 100000, making total of $780,
100000 as the triennial cost OF insanity
caused by drunkenness.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
Genprranrq.
DON'T SELL MY FATHER RUM /

Don't sell him another drink, please,
He's reeling already you see;
And fear when he comes home tonight,
He'll beat my mother and me.
She's waiting In darkness and cold
And dreadlng 10 hear him come home,
lie treats us 80 bad when he's drunk;
Oh don't sell him any more rum
heard mother praying last night,
tshe thought was quite sound asleep,
saw in my mind the look she bore.
She prayed God her husband to keep.
She cried like her poor heart would break
SO trying to comfort her some,
told her I'd beg you to-day
Not TO sell my father any more rum.
why don't you have something 10 sell
That will not make people 40 sad,
That will not make dear mother grieve,
And kind father cruel and bad2
All. me II Ia hard, and see
You're angry because have come;
Forgive poor, sad little girl.
And don't sell her dear father rum.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03

A coon action is never thrown away, and
perhaps that is the reason why we find 10
few OF them.
The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-30
GENERAL SPORTING MATTERS.

At Toledo James Gregg Is credited with
walking 100 miles In eighteen hours.
Hutchins, the famous English short dis
lance runner, offers to run any man In the
world 900 yards for G5OO side
Arrangements are being made for another
prize fight between Mike Coburn and Dick
Goodwin.
James Mckee, of Brooklyn, and Robert
A. HaswelI, Of this city, are to walk ten miles
for 5000 side at Brooklyn Driving Park, on
April 4.
Mike Scully, the Chicago pedestrian, is to
attempt to walk 1000 miles In 1000 periods OF
ten minutes, at Chicago, on April 4, for a
wager of $500 against $1,000.
On April James Watkins is to attempt to
walk from Jersey City to New Brunswick, N.
j., and return Ia distance OF sixty eight
miles, in thirteen hours. for wager of $4,000.
Mcmahon OF Rutland, vt, has challenged
Bauer to wrestIe one fall, Greco Roman, one
catch as catch can and one collar and elbow,
for $1,000 side
Owens, of st. Adams, and Dufur, OF MARI
boro, Mass, met at Boston to arrange a coli
lar and elbow wrestling match for $1,000 and
the (Owens) champion belt.
Rowell looks upon Weston as the best
twenty day walker In the world. He thinks
that he can handily defeat E. P. W. in con-
test of 142 consecutive hours
VIM. Howse and VIM. Perkins, the famous
English walkers, have been matched for
three-hour walking match for e10O a side, to
take place April s.
sOapt BogarduS Will go to. England In June
20 arrange an international pigeon-shooting
match with ThOrnten, the English ex-cham-
plon, Shaw, of Manchester, Sir Dudley Ward,
and other notable shots.
Daniel OLeary, OF Chicago, still holds the
Iohg-elstance walking championship of the
world. and his time made fer six days has not
yet been beaten 5l934 miles 265 yards In al
hours oo seconds-the best on record.
- Inc seVenty-f1ye yard foot race at Toronto,
OiL., lor t400 and the short distance cham
pAohshlp o. Canada, between James S. Barnes
by 81 inches: Time % seconds.
MeSsfs. Celrichs of the Westehestar Polo
Ciub nave gone to San Antonio with a view of
purchaslng one hundred mustang ponies for
the international polo match to take nlace Ills
summer at jerome Park. '---S'
George Guyon, of Chicago, Ill. has deoidad
to enter for the next contest for the Astlev
champion belt. G9yon has covered 40 miIas
in six days, when he won the internationaI
6ix-day tournament at Chicago, Nav 1sTG
April the fifth is the day fixed for the fif-
teen-ball pool match between Wahlstrom tho
SWede, and Samuel Knight, Of Providence
The conditions will be the best of forty-ona
games, for $500 and the championship of
America.
Capt. Barclay Allardice walked 1000 miles
in 1000 consecutive hours lone mile in each
The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-30
THE TURF.
FAST DOUBLE TEA

FAST DOUBLE TEAMS IN NEW YORK.
There is no end Of gossip in New York as to
who Is the fortunate possessor OF the fastest
double team for road driving; and the Turf
Field and Fdrs says: eve are authorized to
make plain proposition to those who pre-
tend to speak for Mr.. Vanderbilt. We Will
produce man, who is in the habit OF match
Ing horses, that will bet them s250O even that
Small Hopes and Lady Mack, double, caEnot
trot a mile over Prospect Park any day se-
tween July / and July Is, 1879, in 2:1s1i;
$500 even that they cannot tfet in Q 20 or
better; $500 even that they cannot trot 10
2:lS or better; $500 or 5000 even that pair
Aof horses owned by one man, and up 20 TINS
|33day never hooked together, can beat Mr. VAN
Gerbilt team in a race OF mile heats, three in
I'VE, or in trial of speed. 1t is stipulated
mat all q these propositions shall be accept,
~ and that Mr. Vanderbilt shall drive Small
e saes and Lady Mack, and that the trials or
: Ter e. take place at Prospect Irotting
The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-30
roles OF King Lear and Macbeth to his already

roles OF King Lear and Macbeth 10 MS already
"fhe Black brook" Is still deIighting large
audiences at Nlblo's, and this fortunate state
OF prosperity will undoubtedly prevail mere
for many weeks to come. Those who ENJOY,
lavish pectaeles-eonfused mingiements OF
music color, the poetry OF motion and airy
performances on the flying trapeze- may thus
crafty their taste.
Faure. the French baritone is said to have
received J000f. for three songs sung by him
Mt soiree given by the Baroness De Hirseh
In Paris.
The supply OF concerts In London appears
tn no es great as In New York. Among the
artists known to the American public who are
constantly appearing Nine. Antolnette Ster-
ling liz conspicuous.
Ibe Count Joannes gets back" on Sothern
for making no like him In "fhe crushed Ira
pedan." nv playing Dundreary made up like
Sothern at the St. James Theatre New York,
this week.
"Pinhfore'' at the Court Square Theatre,
BROOKLYN, this week. finding that 1t pays bet
ter than the legitimate drama. II is said that
John u Owens Is about TO appear as Sir
Joseph Porter.
Laura Don has been engaged TO support
Charles Fechter during his engagement Mt
| the Boston Howard hthsneum, beginning as
Mercedes In Monte Christie"
"LAssommoir." which stephen Fiske Calls
| "the French dramatic brutality" has been
secured by Augustln DAILY, who will probably
bring 1t to New York. MIR. DAILY Is now on
his way to this country.
| The leading actress OF France is thus crtti-
| cised. Sarah Bernhardt is slight but not
| too thin, diaphanous but not bony, and we
| doubt not that her favorlte and only beverage
! (champagne} has had not a little 10 do with
the phenomenon which she represents-that
of q healthy, well-fed ghost"
The San Francisco Grand Opera House
| management ls said to be $1,000 out OF pocket
as the result Of their religious venture, "The
Passion Play" with the prospect OF the house
being closed for the remainder Of the season
The London Theatres have discontinued
their pantomimes, with exception Of the Pa
yIion, which was on tho point Of doing so
Murtaeb ? . new drama, First Love y $50
Miss Clara Louise Kellogg has signed .
contract with Col. Mapleson, and will proba
bly, sail for London with ths rest Of the com
pany on April B, appearing there MS Fillna II
"Mignon" and other characters:
At Atkins Lawrence,s benefit In Philadel
phia Romeo and juliet Will be presented
with live Roneos and five Juliets, as ye
never presented In that city.
Berlloz's "Benveuuto CelllniD has been g
successful at Hanover that DR.. Won Bulow ha
determined to mount the same composer
Shakespearean opera, "Beatrice ct Bendict.
Lolita goes to Australia in the fall, 1T Ia said
and will play there during the lnternationa
Exhibition.
Brlgnoll is making tour Of the cities !
Ireland and Scotland.
The Vokes have leased O London theatre 10
five years.
The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-30

Park between July / and July IS. The party
In question also will w0 ger $4,000 even that he
can take one Of the y,air which he offers TO
trot against Mr.. VapIerbilt's team, and with
mile heats, three IN five. The gentleman a,i-
thorizing these propositions does not seek 70
be offensive toward Mr.. Vanderbilt. he
simply Wishes to see whether or not the boad-
les mean business.
HORSE MOTIFS
The Publisher of the TSuJ, Field AMI farns
has issued o pamphlet containing Iise !"
horses on the American turn Whloh nave Jaw
| ted In 2 80 or better.
| Among the recent sales In THIS Guy was
| that nv George A. Aver or the fine-stepping
| Drew stallion Buchanan, RECORD 1--we 81 ID
| intended to send tho horse to the west.
| Rian. Buford "A about TO quit the turf. Az
| his property I'm land and stock, Including ms
l.racrra Ia to be disposed of 81 auctloh llls !
/ month. The old hero having lost All Ihat
was dear to him. his only son ana MS a VIZ En-
/ will now part with Bosque. Bonita ana Ell
| uuirer and the other beauties OF MS stable,
| Charles Morley has been secured as hrs'
| Jockey for Mr.. Lorlllard's stable IN England
He Ia a clever lad, and has shown some excel pc
| lent riding while he has been on the turf
| Morbey's lowest riding weight ls JOB pounns
al that he can be used for all the weight foi
age races, and It is hardly likely that any q
tho team besides Parole will be entered Il
handbags for some time yet, 30 ne can 90 al
the riding for the stable.
The racing horse Duke of Magenta, now II
England is slowly recovering from his GO
| we're attack, and gets walking exercise on tht
| naddpcx outside his box In instruments 81
ton minutes Mt tho time, 30 as to not fatigue
him too much. for he is dreadfully weak stlll
| As might be expected, he has fallen away
| almost to skeleton but, as he is on the memo
and Is feeding well, he will rapidly make Host
and pick up his spirits with the return OF TN
pleasant spring weather. From this the al
mirers OF tho Duke can form their own eEtl