davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Distance Of the Stars.

Every star in the sky seems, when seen
from the earth, to describe each year in the
sky an orbit precisely the same as that
of the earth herself seen from the star, an
enormous circle more than one hundred and
eighty millions of miles in diameter, which,
as viewed by the stellar observer, will be
more or less elliptical according to the angle
at which he looks down upon the plane of
our movement. OF course, as the motion of
the star in this apparent orbit is continually
contrary to the real motion of the earth, the
star must always be in that point of its path
just opposite to the earth's position, and
it will take six months for it to go from
one side to the other. The radius or semi
diameter of this apparent annual orbit Of
the star, expressed in seconds of arc, is
called its pdrdlldr, and when this is found it
is perfectly simple thing TO compute its
distance. Now, at first, one would think
there ought to be no difficulty in detecting
a motion of one hundred and eighty mil
lions of miles in six months but such are
the celestial spaces that even this distance,
vast as it is, shrinks almost to nothing. In
the case of our nearest neighbor, a Centduri,
before mentioned, the whole annual dis
placement amounts only to T.S0, and its
parallax is 0".900. The pole star, on the
other hand, has parallax of only 0.046.
OF the minuteness Of this angle, very few
persons have any idea. At distance of
twenty miles, a second would be little less
than six inches, so that at that distance the
pole stars parallax would be but little
more than quarter of an inch (more exactly,
02S of an inch). An ordinary human hair
would subtend the same angle at distance OF
quarter of mile."-Journal Of Chemistry.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Little Duties.

There are people in this world who, were
the opportunity ever theirs, would be capa-
BILE of grand and noble deeds. They would
scale the ladder to rescue the child from the
burning building They would dare con-
tagion or infection while nursing the VIC
Tins of disease. They would dash into the
road to stop runaway horse. But so long
as none of these things are required of them,
they do not shine. They disdain small
duties, and of small, apparently Insignificant
duties life is mainly composed. Trihes
make us happy, or darken us with discour-
agement. 1t would change the aspect of
life TO many were all in the household to be-
think themselves of little, graceful courtesies
every day. II does not cost much effort to
say Good morning." in CHEEKY manner.
When somebody looks tired, it is no great
thing we do if we say, let us do your err
rands. Sit still, and be waited upon" To
read aloud the little newspaper incident, to
drop the postal-card to the friend with the
brief remembrance upon it, when we have
no time for letter-writing to take the child
for walk, to care for the babe while the
mother lies down for needed nap, to do
any one of hundred unnotioed things, is
not much, but in the eyes of the Lord each
little unselfish action does count. 1t is the
cup of cold water to the thirsty soul, and it
shall not lose its reward.-Selected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Uses Of Earthly Trouble and Grief.

This world is full of sorrow ard grief.
But few hearts will escape sore Affections in
some form or other, II they live for many
years. Surely all this sorrow must have its
use and be designed for some good purpose.
We lose dear child and are downcast and
sad, but has this grief no ministry of good
TO us or TO others Sorrow hath pressed
many sweet songs out Of me-" says Luther
Sometimes chastisement which seems alto
gether grievous aud needless, in the end
yields the peaceable fruits Of righteousness
to them that are exercised thereby. Out Of
the Egyptian prison comes Joseph to be the
saviour of his people; through the casting
of the Hebrews into the fiery furnace, comes
the decree that "no man shall speak any
thing amiss against the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego; aud through the
consigning of Daniel 10 the lions den is
given that royal edict that throughout the
kingdom of Darius men should "tremble
and fear before the God of Daniel" We
are indebted to Bedford Jail for Bunyan's
Pilgrims Progress; and it was while walk
ing through shadows dark and cherries, in
the twilight of departing reason, that Cowper
wrote that hymn which has consoled so
many troubled hearts
God moves in mysterious way,
His wonders TO perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful souls. fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head
There is need-be for our "heaviness
through manifold temptations;" it may be
for our own sakes, it may be for the sake of
others. The stroke that breaks our own
hearts may be the binding up of the hearts
of many; and we having been stricken and
made desolate, may be able to comfort
those that are in any trouble, by the COM
fort wherewith we ourselves are comforted
of God. Let us have faith in the wisdom
aud grace of our heavenly Father, let us
bear our burdens and endure our crosses,
and trust that he who hath loved us will
cause all things to work together for good
to them that love God" d."-Seiected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
MONTPELIER, VT, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1870

and which overlooked the waters OF Torbay,
in Devonshire, England. Shut in by cliffs
on the north and inclining towards the
south, the land produces flowers almost all
the year round, and the lanes and hedges
are almost always verdant. Miss Elliott
was distinguished for piety and benevoence.
Her time and property were alike devoted
to the alleviation Of the miseries of the poor.
She published collection of devotional
hymns for every day in the week, which is
very popular in England, and died, lamented
by all who knew her, In 1871, al the age of
eighty-one. Such writer has two immor-
talities-one in heaven, another on earth.
Her soul in her sweet lyric steals into myriads
OF other souls, moving them to seek that
Saviour whom she loved and of whose ten
derness she sang | have known of many
instances, and have been informed of more,
of persons who have been turned to Jesus, or
who have been comforted in their last mo-
ments, by the singing of this hymn. will
mention only one: Presenting a scrap of
printed paper 10 a minister one day, poor
boy said to him "My father wants to get
a clean piece like that" 1t was the hymn,
just as / am "For what does your
father want it 2" inquired the minister.
awe found this" replied the boy, Gin sis.
ter's pocket after she died. She used to
sing it all the time when she was sick, and
loved it so much that father wants to get
clean one, put it in a frame and hang it up
Thus embalmed in the hearts Of children
even, will the sweet words of Charlotte
Elliott go down to many generations, and
myriads will rise up TO bless her memory
Conqreqdtiondlia
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
FOR the Vermont watc
Awakened Memories.

Did "Lou Laurel think her "Month of
May" published in the WATcHMAN, would
greet the eyes of one who was Graded in a
home on the hillside so near her own Yes,
through the grounds of that home flowed a
little streamet, bordered with the golden
cowslip blossoms, and down its silent water
gracefully flowed into the old Triphammer
Pond where Mr.. Howe's hammer made mu-
sic early as the song of the lark and late as
the robins and song-sparrow's vespers. A
thousand memories were awakened of my
childhood days in reading the "Month OF
May" In one hour the scenes of those
happy days were lived over when the sounds
Of merry voices were heard here and there,
as we children played by the strea.nlet, fill
ing our hands with the yellow cowslip bios
SONS, wild violets and peppermint buds-so
crisp and so cooling as we ate them.
Could this streamlet tell of the happy little
rovers through the old orchard to pluck the
strawberries hidden in the tall grass, or as
they sat under some pendent boughs of a
favorite apple tree, having filled their aprons
with the red and white juicy apples lying
plentifully around them, telling their child
ish stories with mirthfal glee as one apple
after another vanishes from their aproned
store, it would fill pages of merry prattle.
But these early childish fancies and pictures
vanish not without leaving pleasant memo
ries which come again, when the hair be-
comes silvered with age and the second
childhood is Graded again.
How many pleasing adventures of their
youth the aged live over and over, when the
step becomes feeble and the eye dim; and
yet am sorry to say the feeble years of the
aged ones are often neglected in not being
nursed, cherished and made happy as they
should be. Often in some dark corner or
recess the aged one sits cheerless and hope
less, while the children they have tenderly
cared for, watched their bedside by night,
their footsteps by day, toiled withal that
they may have wherewith to do many pleas
ant things for them, forget them. We can
not love, reverence and cheer the years of
the aged too much. Their little griefs and
pains and wants should be lovingly and
tenderly noticed. God will bless those who
are kind to and thoughtful of the dear aged
ones.
Beautiful, beautiful May is passed, and
leafy June, with her laughing waters and
lucid green leaves, is with us. How many
mothers and pale-faced children in rickety
tenements of cities would feel an unbounded
Joy in their hearts could they roam over the
green hills and drink in the country in
vigorating air.
Farmers often tire of the hoe and spade,
their wives and daughters of the cooking
and dairying, and imagine city life the
happiest one; but the country men and
women are far the happiest, if they only
could believe it, and with the smile of God
upon them, they can live in pure air and
sunshine, common with the soul of nature
thereby lifting up and making more devoted
the mind within their being. G..
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
at Keeps 1t In Mind"

A clergyman writing for the American
Messenger says; Several little girls were
in my study seeking counsel to aid them in
becoming Christians. One of them, a dear
child not much more than eleven years old
said Il haven't been TO two or three of the
meetings lately Desiring to test her, /
answered 1t don't make us Christians to
attend meetings, Lizzie l know that she
replied at once, but it keeps it in mind.
Is there not much wisdom in the child's
answer Il keeps it in mind We suffer a
slight excuse to detain us from the house
of God on the Sabbath day Do we have
as much in mind at our house the thought
of God as the one whom we should worship 7?
Are we reminded as much of the great facts
of our immortality and responsibility, re-
naming away from the sanctuary, as If we
had gone there And if we continue in
in such a course for weeks, or even years, is
there not danger that we shall forget almost
entirely that there is even such a being as
the Almighty God 2"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Trusting In the Lord.

l saw parlor clock few days since which
was enclosed in glass case Through that
case all the mechanism and motion of the
clock were clearly visible. Every adjust
ment Of the wheels, every click of the lever,
every stroke of the pendulum was distinctly
seen. But it is not necessary that clock
should have glass case in order that it may
be trusted to tell me the time of day. Or.
dinarily only the hands and face are seen
but these are enough to go by. So an inti
mate knowledge of Gods ways is not neces
sary in order to command our trust in him
need not understand all the relations and
adjustments of divine providence before
can trust the Lord. On the dial-plate Of
Scripture | see the hands pointing to tn,
promises, and the commands, and the re
wards of discipleship, and it is enough.
believe and trust.-Dr. A. j. Gordon.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Peace.

The believers peace is like a river, for
continuance Look at it, rising as a little
brook among the MOSES of the lone green
hill ; by-and-by it leaps as rugged cataract !;
anon it flows along that fair valley, where
the red deer wauders and the children love
to play-with hum of pleasant music the
brook turns the village mill Hearken to
its changeful hum as it ripples DER its peb-
bly, bed, or leaps adown the wheel, or sports
in eddies where the trees bend down their
branches to kiss the current. Anon the
streamlet has become a river, and bears
upon its flood full many craft. Then its
bosom swells, bridges with noble arches span
it, and grown vaster still, it becomes
stream broad enough to be an arm of old
father ocean, pouring its water-floods into
the mighty main. The river abides the
lapse of ages it is no evanescent, moving
cloud or transient rain-flood, but in all its
stages it is permanent.
Men may come, and men may go,
But | flow on forever"
Evermore, throughout all generations, the
river speedeth to its destined place. Such
is the peace of the Christian. lie has al
ways reason for comfort. He has not con-
ISOLATION like a swollen torrent, which is
dried up under the hot sun Of adversely, but
peace is his rightful possession at all times.
Ever is the river in its place. And even
thus, come night, come day, come sickness,
come health, come what will, the peace of
God which passeth all understanding will
keep the Christians heart and mind, through
Jesus Christ.-Sprgeon.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
The King In His Beauty.

There was celebrated painter once, who
was making picture of Jesus in the midst
of his twelve apostles. In arranging the
picture he concluded to paint the apostles
first, and not begin with their Master till he
had finished them. As he went on with the
picture he tried to do the very best he could
with each of the apostles lie took the
greatest pains with their figures, their posi-
tions, their dress and their faces. As he
went on with his work he was very well
pleased with it. After finishing the apostles
he began with the person of Jesus. He got
on very well with this till he came to
the head and face of the blessed Lord
Then he laid down his brush and paused
He felt that the face of Jesus ought to be
made to appear as much more beautiful
than his disciples as the sun is more glo-
rious than the stars. But how could he
do this He had tried so hard to make the
disciples look WELL that he felt he had no
power left to make their Master appear as
much superior to them as he ought TO ap-
pear. And so he finished the person of
Jesus all but the head, and then painted
him with white mantle thrown over his
head. He thought that when persons came
to look at his painting they would imagine
what the face of Jesus ought to be better
than he could represent it by painting. And
feel very much as that painter did, when
come to speak about the person and pres.
ence of Jesus in heaven. All who love
Jesus here on earth agree in saying that
from what they know of him now, he is
"the chief among ten thousand, and alto
gether lovely" Then how will he appear
when our eyes come to see the king in his
beauty" in heaven.-Richard Nepton, d. ID.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
HumOrsOme Waits.

The foundation for the meanest man is
laid when small boy turns the worm-hole
in an apple for his companion to bite from.
An ambitious young writer having asked,
"What magazine will give me the highest
position quickest 2" was told, "a powder
magazine If you contribute fiery article"
"ARE you building air-castles in Spain,
Mr. Jones ?" said landlady to boarder,
who was thoughtfully regarding his coffee
cup. "No, madam only looking over my
grounds in java" replied Jones.
A Goop-NATuRED traveller fell asleep in
train and was carried far beyond his desti-
nation. "Pretty good joke this is, isn't it ?"
said he to fellow-passenger. Yes, but q
little too far-fetched," as the rejoinder.
"DoN'r you think that good likeness of
me :" said pretty wife to the small frac-
tion of herself called her husband. "Very
good" was the reply, "except that there is
little too much repose about the mouth
An infidel said sarcastically to clergy
man, al always spend Sunday in settling
my accounts" The reverend gentleman did
not wither as expected, but simply replied,
And you will probably spend the day of
judgment in the same way"
aJoHS, did you take the note to Mr..
Jones 2" " Yes but l don't think he can
read it." "Why 80, John ?" Because he
is so blind, sir. While | was in the room
he axed me twice where my hat was, and 1t
was on my head all the time"
A BRIGHT little fellow of four, the son of
a former pastor of a fourishing church, who
attends the infant class in Sunday-school,
received last Sunday morning q card on
which were the words, Pray without ceas-
ing" After the mother had explained the
text, he said, 81 guess won't show this to
the minister; he prays long enough now."
DURING debate in the United States
Senate few years ago, while Charles Sum-
ner was speaking, Mr.. Carpenter left his
seat aud went to that of Mr.. Conkling, with
whom he was chatting, when Mr.. Sumner
stopped speaking paused for moment,
and then, pointing TO the senators from New
York aud Wisconsin, said in an angry tone !:
"When the conference committee before me
has agreed, will it please make its report
that [ NAV proceed Z" There was roar OF
laughter in the galleries, and Mr.. Carpenter
returned to his seat
On the door of the Greek classroom,
Professor Blackie of Edinburgh had occa-
sion few weeks ago to put up this notice !;
Professor Blackie regrets he is unable to-
day to meet his classes" A waggish student,
spying this, scraped out the initial letter of
the last word Of the sentence, and made it
appear as if the professor was regretful at
his inability TO meet those fair specimens OF
humanity familiarly known outside the col
lege quadrangle as the classes" But who
can Joke with Blackie? The keen-eyed old
man, noticing the prank that had been
| nlaved on him ouietiy erased another letter.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Many Ways OF Denying Christ.

It is d fatal mistake to suppose that there
can be no apostasy from Christ where we
are not absolutely called on to deny his
name, OF to burn incense TO an idol. We
deny our Lord whenever, like that Demas,
we, through love Of this present world, for
sake the course of duty which Christ has
plainly pointed out to us. We deny our
Lord whenever we lend the sanction of our
countenance, our praise, or even our silence,
to measures or opinions which may be pop
ular and fashionable, but which we our
selves believe to be sinful in themselves OF
tending to sin. We deny our Lord when,
ever we forsake good man in aflliction and
refuse to give countenance, encouragement
and support to those who, for Gods cake
and for the faithful discharge Of their duty
are exposed to persecution and SANDER
Bishop Heber.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
lGhe yomf Girrle.
NO TIME LIKE THE OLD TIME.

There Is no time like the old time
when you and were young,
When the buds Of April blossomed
And birds Of spring-ime sung
The gardens brightest glories
by summer sun are nursed;
But, o the sweet, sweet violets,
The flowers that opened nrst
There is no place like the old place,
Where you and were born.
Where we lifted up our eyelds
On the splondors Of the mornl
From the mllk-whlie breast that warmed us;
From the cllnging arms that bore,
Where the dear eyes glistened o'er us
That will look on us no more.
There Ia no friend like the old friend,
Who has shared our morning days
No greeting like hs welcome.
No homage like his praise
Fame Ia the scentless flower,
with gaudy crown OF gold;
But friendship is the breathing rose,
with sweets in every fold.
There Ia no love like the old,
That we courted in our pride.
Though our leaves are failing. falling.
And we're fading side by side;
There are blossoms all around us
with the colors Of the dawn,
And we live on borrowed sunshine
when the light Of day Ia gone.
There are no times like the old times
They shall never be forgot
There Ia no place like the old place
Keep green the dear old spot
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Mura1 and Religiuns.
AT THE LAST.

The stream Ia caimest when II nears the tide,
And flowers are sweetest at the eventde,
And birds most musical at close Of day.
And saints di vnest when they pass away.
Morning Is holy; but holler charm
Lies folded close In evenings robe Of balm;
And weary man must ever love her best,
For morning calls TO toll, but night TO rest.
She comes from heaven, and on her wings doth bear
holy fragrance. like tho breath Of prayer;
Footsteps Of angels follow in her trace,
To shut the weary eyes OF day in peace.
All things are hushed before her as she throws
Der earth and sky her mantle Of repose;
There is n calmer beauty and power
That morning knows not, to the evening hour.
Until the evening we must weep and toll,
Plow lifes stern furrow, dig the weedy soil.
Tread with sad feet our rough and iborny way,
And bear the heat and burden Of the day.
OH when our sun Is setting. may we glide
Like summer evening down the golden tide
And leave behind us. "a we pass away,
Sweet, starry twilight round our sleeping clay.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
"Just as 1 Am, without One PIea.~

This beautiful hymn, written by Miss
Charlotte Elliott in 1886, expresses the SEN
timent of a heart overladen with SORROW, and
casting itself, with all its burdens, into the
arms of its Redeemer. In him il finds par
don, publication, peace, The words, we'll
chosen, Scriptural find an echo in every
penitent breast, and hence they are now
treasured and sung wherever our English
tongue is known. Miss Elliott, the author
Of this exquisite lyric, was born in 1888,
and spent most of her life in cottage, over
which the ivy and honeysuckle clambered,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16
Faith...Its Illuminating Power.

You have seen, it may be, an antique
Italian painted window, with the bright
Italian sunshine glowing through it. II is
the special excellence of pictured glass that
light, which falls merely upon the outside
of other pictures, is here interfused through
out the work, illuminating the design and
tian faith is grand cathedral with divinely-
pictured windows. Standing without, you
see no glory, nor can possibly imagine any.
Nothing is visible but the merest outline Of
dusky shapes. Standing within, all is clear
and defined, every ray Of light reveals an
array of unspeakable plendors.-Ruskin.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16

ABOVE THE WoRLD.-If you will 60 to
the banks of little stream and watch the
flies that come to bathe in it you will notice
that while they plunge their bodies in the
water they keep their wings high out of the
water, and after swimming about a little
while they fly away with their wings unwet
through the sunny air. Now that is lesson
for u.s. Here we are immersed in the cares
and business of the world, but let us keep
the wings of our soul, our faith and our love
out of the world, that, with these unclogged
we may be ready to take our fight to heaven
Rev. James Ingis.