davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31

a third, the principal cities referred to in the
lesson, giving location this plan can be
varied indefinitely, at the teachers option,
to suit the requirements of the lesson and
the capabilities of the class. Attention
must always be paid to proper punctuation,
use of capitals and spelling.
This suggests another thought too little
attention is given to the spelling of geo.
graphical names Any postmaster will tes-
tify to the truth of this statement. Nothing
is easier than to interest pupils in learning
to spell aud properly pronounce the "hard
words" of the lesson. An entire review
may be conducted as an exercise in spelling.
Let us take the map of the United States !;
for one lesson we have, perhaps, the names
of the states and territories. Give out the
words as in regular spelling recitation,
and let each scholar bound the state whose
name he spells. Capital and important cities
may form second lesson, the location being
given after spelling the word. Lakes, riv-
ers, mountains, ETC., can be taken in the
same way.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
What Shall Scholars Study q?
BY AN ESQUIRE

The educational department of news
paper is one which is or should be of great
interest to parents and educators of the
young. The highest usefulness and enjoy
meut of mature years depends SO much upon
the proper development of the faculties of
the mind that it becomes aquestion of great
Importance how this result can be best Sc
cured with the means at hand. A great
number of the youth of Vermont depend
mainly, many entirely, upon the district
school as a means of education, certainly
until they arrive at the age of fifteen years,
for no judcious parent would wish to send
child from home at an earlier age Now
the question arises whether the plan which
has been generally adopted for the past few
years of excluding all studies except the
very common English branches such as the
law requires teachers to be competent to
teach, is conducive to the best interests of
the greatest number. 1t has been argued
that the younger scholars are neglected when
the higher branches are introduced into the
schools. Too much time is given to the
older ones. Is there more danger of that,
than that the older ones will become listless
and lose their ambition by remaining too
long upon a level? The law of education is
to climb, and nothing is more important than
to know when to take step higher as well
as farther on. Do not interested and anima.
ted scholars require less of the teachers
time than those who have been rendered
dull by too great monotony of study?
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
SOrrOWing, Yet Rejoicing.

Heine, the famous German peot, wrote in
his confessions "Alas fame, once sweet
as sugared pineapple and fattery, has for a
long time been nauseous to me. 1t tastes
as bitter to me now as wormwood. With
Romeo can say, | am the fool of fortune.
The bowl stands full before me, but lack
the spoon. What does it avail me that at
banquets my health is pledged in the choicest
wines, drunk from golden goblets, if at the
same time |, with all that makes life pleas.
ant denied to me, may only wet my lips
with an inspid, disagreeable, medicinal
drink ? What benefit is it to me that youths
and maidens crown my marble bust with
laurel leaves, if meanwhile the shriveled
fingers of an aged hired nurse press blister
of Spanish flies to the back of my head
What does it avail to me that all the roses
of Sharon tenderly glow and bloom for me ?
Alas Sharon is two thousand miles away
from the Rue d dAmsterdam, where |, in the
dreary solitude of my sick.room, have moth
ing to smell, unless it be the perfume of
warmed over poultices ?" Heine evidently
thought such life as his hardly worth
living. On the other hand, how the many
believers in the Lord Jesus have been
patient, hopeful, cheerful, even when great
sufferers How often have they been sor.
rowing, yet rejoicing
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Inquiries.

We are always glad to receive from cor.
respondents who give their full names and
addresses such questions as are of general
interest to the readers of this department
but do not care for those involving puz
zles" or mere techuicalities. Answers OF
opinions are always acceptable.
b. b. asks: OD "What is the meaning OF
the expression, 'sun crossing the line 20
(2) "Is there any such thing as line
storm ?"
II. C. asks " How can tell when a book
is Svo, 12mo, 16mo, etc. ?"
byron writes Will some one please
state in this department why the 4th OF
March was chosen for Inauguration day p
A. N. w. asks care alternating ami
mails fat or lean on awakening from theiI
season of torpor ?"
f. hands us the following "Two ten.
pound weights are made to balance each
other on a bar. Considering the weight of
the bar zero, the downward pressure on the
fulcrum or point of support will be twenty
pounds. For one of the weights substitute
one-pound weight and again balance the
bar. What will the downward pressure on
the fulcrum then be In other words can
ten pounds and one pound be so arranged
as to weigh more than eleven pounds 7"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
4" Say ii Again."

A lady called upon young man wasting
away IN consumption. The shadows of
death were already darkening his face. He
was not Christian. Like a poor wanderer,
he was about journeying into eternity with
no house Of refuge for his soul. The lady
sat kindly down by his side and talked of
heaven, the bright, beautiful home beyond.
He felt that he was not fit for that home.
Then she comforted him with the assurance
that though our sins be as scarlet they shall
be as white as snow. "Say it again." he
said. 1t was the cry of the soul in its fever
thirst that eagerly cluthes at the cool, cold
water offered him. The lady repeated Cal
vary's sweet, sweet invitation and assurance.
That night, while the death-shadow was
creeping nearer and nearer, covering him at
last, he repeatedly referred to the subject,
saying, "The lady told me so," dying in
peace and hope. l have thought Of those
words, 81 Say it again ~ They come to me
and stay with me, echoing repeatedly in my
ears as ringing motto of duty, as a stirring
battle-cry, with which Gods hosts may fit
tingly go into the fight against sin. 4" Say
it again in the pulpit. 1t is an old truth
with constantly new power. No doctrine
SO wins men as that of Calvary. No gospel
so comforts and cheers as this gospel of the
cross 1t is the string of harp that rests
the weary with its gentle music, and
yet bugle, whose clear, ringing blast stirs
the tagging columns again to battle Let
it come out clear, distinct, strong, this
blessed truth that Jesus Christ died as the
Saviour of sinners. Say it again in the
Sunday.school. There is nothing that comes
80 close to childrens hearts as that crimson
cross "The man on the cross" as little
one said to me when looking at a picture of
the crucfixion, how he wins the children
How their young hearts go out like tender
vines feeling for the support of a trellis
Say it again "-in your work, on the street,
in the shop, from house to house. Tell it to
that man at the saloon-door trying to break
his chains. Whisper it to the youth waver-
ing before temptation, and stay him up with
the cross behind his back. Let it fall on
the despairing ears of the aged. Say it
| again in that room of sickness, by that
bedside of death. ave have the blood of
Christ" said the dying Schleermacher, and
into the gloom of eternity he went, as into
night radiant with stars. Said an estima-
bic officer of my church during his last sick
ness "My sufferings are now so great
can only lie and trust. have been poor,
| sinful, unworthy servant OF God, and have
nothing to look to but the blood of Christ"
A friend repeated the words, " His blood
can wash us white as snow" lie said :
Yes, If it were not for that what could
do now? 'Tis wonderful, wonderful grace
that saves sinner like me."-Rep. Edioard
A. Rand.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
HumOrsOme Waits.

A FAcETIoUs old lady, describing the
rambling sermons of her minister, said " If
the text had the smallpox, his sermon would
never catch it,"
GovERSEss Now Jack, if / were TO
give twelve pears to Maude, ten to Edith
and three TO YOU, what would il be 2" Jack
| (aged six) -" 1t wouldn't be fair"
FATHER addressing his little boy, who
has brought home a bad mark from school
"Now, Johnnie, what shall do with this
stick p johnnie. "Why, go for walk,
papa"
"No," said the Texas lawyer, as he placed
couple of loaded Derringers on the table
before him, "The fact that the witness is a
desperate man will not deter me from ask.
ing him such questions as / may deem
proper"
A BosToN wife softly attached pedom-
eter TO her husband when, after supper he
started to "go down to the office and bal
ance the books" On his return fifteen
miles OF walking were recorded. He had
been stepping round billiard table all the
evening.
A GENTLEMAN sent his Irish servant up
to his room for pair of boots, and at the
same time told him to be sure and get mates,
as there were two pairs in the closet. Pat
rick returned with two boots, but odd ones.
"Why don't you see that these are not alike
One is long top and the other short
one 2" said the gentleman, out of patience
with the fellow. "Bedad, your honor," said
Pat in apology, I" and it's true for ye; but
thin the other pair was just so, too !"
On one occasion when the late Lord Bishop
of Litchfeld had spoken of the Importance
of diligent painstaking preparation for the
pulpit, verbose young clergyman said
"Why, my lord, often go to the vestry
even without knowing what text l shall
preach upon yet go up and preach an ex-
tempore sermon, and think nothing OF it,"
The bishop replied, "Ah, well, that agrees
hear the sermon, and they also think moth
ing OF it,"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Teaching Geography.


The teachers of our common schools often
think themselves capable of sympathizing
With the children of Israel in that they are
expected to achieve results quite as miracu.
ous as the making Of bricks without straw.
Particularly in the teaching of geography a
teacher needs material with which to work.
Country school-rooms, outside of villages
md village school-rooms cannot always be
excepted-are, for the most part, quite in
nocent of globe, atlas or map OF any descrip.
ton, except those furnished by the text
books used. Without such helps, it is quite
impossible to obtain the best results still,
good work has been, and is accomplished
tor the way TO do it follows the will. An ap
pie or orange often answers in place of a
globe, and dinner pals, even, have been made
TO serve the same purpose, for the ilustra
tion Of latitude aud longitude. This, how
ever, requires so great play of imagiua
tion on the pupils part that his mind il
likely to be diverted from the subject di
rectly under consideration.
Map-drawing is an Indispensable exercise
In drawing upon the blackboard, use the
fewest possible construction lines, COMPEL
ing pupils to rely wholly upon memory. A
very imperfect map, drawn wholly without
construction lines or measurements, is a fal
better discipline for hand, eye and brain
than an absolutely faultless one where the
ruler is used.
If there is plenty Of blackboard room
many exercises besides drawing may b,
given. If the recitation is topical, request
one pupil to write, in a list, the topics OF the
lesson. Another may write a list of state,
or countries mentioned, giving boundaries
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Security OF Christianity,

The real security of Christianity is to be
found in its benevolent morality, in its ex
quisite adaptation to the human heart, in
the facility with which its scheme accom-
modates itself to the capacity of every hu
man intellect, in the consolation which it
bears TO the house of mourning, in the light
with which it brightens the great mystery
OF the grave. To such a system it can bring
no addition of dignity and strength, that is
part and parcel of the common law. 1t il
not now for the first time left to rely on the
force of its own evidence and the attrac
tions of its own beauty. Its sublime the
ology confounded the Grecian schools in the
fair conflict of reason. The bravest aud
wisest of the Caesars found their arms and
their policy unavailing when opposed to the
weapons that were not carnal, and the king.
dom that was not of this world. The vic
tory which Porphyry and Diocletian failed
to gain is not, to appearance, reserved for
any OF those who have, in this age, directed
their attacks against the last hope of the
wretched. The whole history Of Christian
ity shows that it is in far greater danger OF
being corrupted by the alliance of power
than of being crushed by its opposition
Those who thrust the temporal sovereignty
upon her, treat her as their prototypes
treated her author. They bow the knee and
spit upon her, then cry =" Hail |" and smite
her on the cheek (; they put scepter in heI
hand, but it is fragile reed they crown
her, but it is with thorns they cover with
purple the wounds which their own hands
have inflicted upon her and inscribe mag
nificent titles over the cross on which they
have fixed her to perish in ignominy and
pain.-Mdcauldy
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
CrOQuet and Religion.

We have read lately of minister who
greatly injured his usefulness by too much
croquet playing" We know one who made
that game the means of leading young
lady to live Christian life. The minister
called upon one of his parishioners and
found party playing croquet. He joined
them; aud, after an hour spent in the game,
the minister walked home with one of the
young people and talked with her of the
value of religion in pleasure as well as in
sorrow. When the young lady gave to the
church committee her Christian experience,
she said her pastor, after playing croquet
with her, talked to her of her spiritual in
terests and she felt that religion that was
at home everywhere was desirable. The
point of all this is, that anything innocent
in itself may be abused and when it is, it
is the abuse that is wrong, not the thing
abused. II minister should be seen out
on lawn every afternoon, for weeks, pray
ing or singing, he might destroy his Chris
tian influence, for the people would think
him crazy; aud If playing, they would think
him, as he is, foolish.-Goiden Rule.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
DiscOmilted.

The skeptical Mr.. Bradaugh was once
lecturing in village in the north of Eng
land, and at the close challenged discussion
Who should accept the challenge but an old
bent woman, in the most antiquated attire
who went up to the lecturer and said, " Sir
have question TO put to you" "Well
my good woman, what is it ?" "Ten years
ago." she said, 81 was left a widow, with
eight children utterly unprovided for, and
nothing to call my own but this Bible BY
its direction, and looking to God for strength
have been enabled to feed myself and my
family. am now tottering to the grave
but | am perfectly happy, because look
forward to life OF immortality with Jesus
in heaven. That's what my religion has
done for me. What has your way OF think
ing done for you ?" "Well, my good lady,
rejoined the lecturer, " / don't want to dis
turb your comfort; but" 80 but that's
not the question:" interposed the woman
keep to the point, sir. What has your
way of thinking done for you Z" The infi
del endeavored TO shirk the matter again,
the feeling OF the meeting gave vent in up.
roarious applause, and Mr.. Bradlaugh had
to go away discounted by an old woman.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Duration OF Eternity,

Various illustrations have been suggested
to convey to the mind some idea of illimit-
able duration. 1t has been said, suppose
one drop of the ocean should be dried up
every thousand years, how long would it be
ere the last drop would disappear, and the
oceans bed be left dry and rusty f.? Far
onward as that would be in coming ages,
eternity would have but commenced. 1t
has been said, suppose this vast globe upon
which we tread were composed of particles
of the finest sand, and that one particle
should disappear at the termination of each
million of years, oh, how nconceivably i'm
mense must be the period which must
elapse before the last particle would be
gone And yet, eternity would then be in
its morning twilight. 1t has been said, sup.
pose some little insect, so small as to be i'm
perceptible to the naked eye, were to carry
this world by its tiny mouthfuls to the most
distant star the hand of God has placed in
the heavens. Hundreds of millions of years
would be required for the single journey.
The insect commences on the leaf Of tree,
and takes its little load, so small that even
the microscope cannot discover that it is
gone, and sets out on its almost endless
journey. After millions Of years have rolled
away, it arrives back for its second load.
Oh, what interminable ages would elapse
before the whole tree would be removed |
When would the forest be gone ? And the
globe Even then, eternity would not have
commenced
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Dying Faith.

The Rev. DIR. A. Bonar, in presiding at
the ordinance of the Lords Supper at Mild
may conference, said f" 1t was when the
Lords Supper was spread, as it is before us
now, shat one who afterwards long served
the Lord got vivid sight of him. min
lister had word brought him that an old
saint, fast approaching the age of ninety,
was about TO die, and that if he wished to
see him he must hasten TO his bedside. He
Immediately went, and found that the aged
saint lived in cottage quite alone. When
he reached the door he saw it open and
walked in. lie seated himself by the bed.
side of the old man, whose eyes were din,
and who, not being able TO see his visitor,
went on speaking as If no one were present.
The words he murmured were these, Re
member my death till come. DO this in
remembrance of me- The minister said to
him, Whose death is it that you wish to re-
member = The old saint replied, . | am think
ing of the death OF him by whose death
got life, and 80 shall be enabled to go through
the valley of the shadow of death, and have
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Selerf ,MisreHanv.
THE DEATH OF THE OLD YEAR.

Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are weary signing
Toll ye the church-beil sad and slow,
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying.
Old year, you must not die;
You came to us 40 readily,
You lived with us 10 steadily,
Old year, you shall not die.
lie lieth still he doth not move
lie will not see the dawn Of day.
He hath no other life above
lie gave me friend. and a true, true-love,
And the New-year will take 'en away.
Old year, you must not 60;
80 long as you have been with us.
Such Joy as you have seen with US,
Old year, you shall not go.
lie froth'd his bumpers to the brlm;
A joler year we shall not see.
But tho his eyes are waxing din.
And tho his foes speak III Of him,
He was friend to me.
Old year you shall not die
We did so laugh and cry with you,
I've half mind to die with you,
Old year, II you must die
He was full Of Joke and Jest.
But all his merry qulps are DER.
To see him die across the waste
His son and heir doth ride post-haste,
But he'll be dead before.
Every one for his own.
The night is starry and cold, my friend,
And the New-year blthe and bold, my friend.
Comes up to take his own.
How hard he breathes over the snow
heard Just now the growing cock.
The shadows flicker to and fro
The cricket chirps the light burns low
It's nearly twelve o'clock.
Shake hands, before you die.
Old year, Wen dearly rue for you
What ia 1t we can do for you2
Speak out before you die.
His face is growing sharp and thin.
Alack our friend is gone,
Close up his eyes tie up his chin
Step from the corpse, and let him In
That standeth there alone,
And waiteth at the door.
There's new foot on the floor. my friend.
And new face at the door. my friend,
new face at the door.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31

no fear Is it long since you knew him p
inquired the minister Forty years ago,
was the reply. 'It was when / was looking
on at some people partaking of the Lords
Supper and just as the minister lifted the
bread and broke it said, This is my body
broken for you. Do this in remembrance
OF me- got sight of my Saviour which
never had before, and | saw the meaning of
Christ dying for sinners. 1t was then
knew the Lord When you came in just
now | was thinking of that communion
scene, and was repeating the words, DO
this in remembrance of me- The dying
mans voice then fatered and he ceased
speaking Shall | pray with you 2 asked
the minister. The aged saint said he would
be glad, and suggested one of the petitions
which should be offered The minister had
not long engaged in prayer when there was
deep silence in the room. At the close Of
his prayer he looked towards the old man,
and found that his soul had fled. He had
passed through the valley and without fear"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31

house involuntarily looked into her face for
the keynote of the day, and it always rang
clear. From the rosebud or clover leaf
which, in spite of her hard house-work, she
always found time to put by our plates at
breakfast, down to the story she had on
hand to read in the evening, there was no
intermisson of her influence. She has
always been and always will be my ideal of
mother, wife and home-maker. II to
her quick brain, loving heart and exquisite
face had been added the appliances of wealth
and the engagements of wider culture, hers
would have been absolutely the ideal home.
As it was, it was the best have ever seen.
Helen Hunt