davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
Gossip and Its Cure.

The very simple reason why tho world is
full Of gossip is that those who indulge IN i.
having nothing else in them. They must
interest themselves in something. They
know nothing but what they learn IRON day
day, in intercourse with, and observation
of, their neighb0rs What these neighbors
do-what they say. what happens to them
in their social and business affairs. what
they wear-tbese become questions Of su-
preme interest. The personal and social
life around them-this is the book under
constant perusal. ard out Of this comes that
pcstiferous conversation which we call
gossip. The world is full of it, and
IN million houses. all over this cOun-
try nothing is talked OF but the
personal sW4lrs of neighb0rs. AL
personal and social movements and con-
Germ are arranged before the high court of
gossip, rctsiled at every fireside, arc sweet
ened with approval or emblttered by spite.
and arc gathered up rs this common stock of
conversation by tho bankrupt brains that
have nothing else to busy themselves with
but title tatrle. The moral aspects of gos-
sip are bad enough. 1t is a constant inirac
lion OIL tue SOluHl rule IL N luH VI Ill utl-
charitablene-s. No man or woman likes to
have his or her personal concerns hawked
about and talked about and those who
engage in this work are meddlers and busy
bodies who are not only doing damage to
others--are not also engaged IN most I'm
neig hborly ottcc--but are infiicting great
damage on themselves. They SOW the
seeds of anger and animosity and
social discord. Not one good moral
result ever comes out OF it Ii is a thor
Oughly immoral practice, and what Is worst |
and most hopeless about 1t IL, that those |
who are engaged IN it do not soc that it is |
immoral and detostsble. 10 20 into a mans |
house, stealthily when he is away from
home, and overhaul his papers. or into
ladies wardrobe and examine it. wOrld be
deemed very dishOnOrablo thing; but to
take up mans or q wOman's name and
smutch it all over with gOssip-to handle
the private affairs OF q neighbOr around q
hundred firesides-why. this is nothing 1t
makes conversation. Ii furnishes a topic.
II keeps the wheels Of society agoing What
is the cure Tor gossip Simply. culture.
There is great deal Of gossip that has no
nalignity in it. Good natured people talk
about their nei9hbors because they have
to talk about DR.. Holland m
Seribner's Magazine.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
GENERAL DISPATCHES.

y: jacksonville, Florida, {. h. Edmund
son walked up to Joseph T.. Douglas 10 the
posiolhee, Saturday. and shot him dead. Ne
reason is known for the crime.
Close 4 CO.. confectionery at Cambridge,
Mass, and adjoining dwellings were damaged
$50 900 by fire, Monday.
In Prince Edward Island, Monday, the
Catholic Church at Cardigan road. the
Presbyterian Church at SOuris and rail
way coal shed at Summcrside, were blown
down.
Wells &. Shelton. noted as the boy or
eanist,' son of a wealthy New England
merchant, died of consumption in New York
city Monday, aged IS.
Miss Mary Dalton, daughter Of tho late
Police Captain Dalton of New FORK city has
become insane over disappointment in not
o blaming a situation a. TEACHER in the pub
lie schools. She is graduate of Nasssr.
The chamber OF commerce of San Fran
cisco has adopted energetic resolutions ask
ing the President to sign the EUti-Chinese
bill
II. X. Ferguson. chief local agent of the
postoffce of West Philadelphia was arrested
for stealing letters. and poisoned himself in
The methodist and Baptist ministers OF
Philadelphia appeal to the President to veto
the anti Chinese bill.
The governor of Arkansas has approved a
Joint resolution asking Congress to appoint
A committee OF colored men to investigate
the educational status OF the eolOred people
in the south
DFFsAr or THk Mutual LITE.-Thc Mdtual
Life Insurance Company announces its in
tention OF reducing Its rates Is per cont
This il to take the place OF the 80 per cent
rebate plan now to he abandoned. in con
sequence of the widespread opposition OF
the old policy holders ct the company An
qually rash measure was attempted BY the
ulcers of the Mutual Lite in 1872, but was
defeated BY the old policy holders wh1 con-
'idcred the plan unjust to them and danger
rus to the company. 1t Is rumOrcd that tn.
opposition will b, As strong now as it was
hen.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

Ma. BLAINE, in his letter on the Chine c
question, makes the most Of his cause, as
he always does, and on the abstract aues-
ton of the dangers to be apprehended from
the introduction Of a large Mongolan popu-
lation he is probably more than half right
Bat Mr. Blaine overlooks entirely the reversal
OF the traditional policy If our Government
Ii, a the Tribune well says in brief re-
jjpinder to Mr.. Biaines letter, that policy is
to be reversed, it should be done decently
and without undue haste. and then only
when the danger is - clear as to plainly
warrant it. At present the danger from
large Chinese Immigration is very remote, if
it is not, on the other hand, diminishing.
Daring the past six months the number Of
Chinese Immigrants brought hitler by the
steamers Of the Pacific Mail Company was
only 1855. against 1916 Cinnamon who,
having resided here Temporarily, took up
their departure for home.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
Tmr GHrAr LIBRARIES ~ rnE WON .


A correspondent asks which are the
largest three libraries in the world and
which the largest three in this country.
by Tar the largest in the world
is the National Library at Paris. which in
1874 contained 100000 printed books
and l|u,Unu manuscripts. Which the
next largest is, it is difficult TO say, Tor
the British Museum and the Imperial Lii
brary of st. Petersburg both had in
1874 100000 volumes. After them
comes the Royal Library OF Munich with
its 9uu. 900 books The Vatican Library
At Rome Is sometimes enormously sup
posed 10 be among the largest. while in
pom: oi fact it Is surpassed, So tar rs the
number of volumes goes, by more than
sixty European collections. 1t contains
100000 printed books and -, 800 manu-
scripts. The National Library at Paris is
one ol the very oldest in Europe. having
been founded in 1850. while the British
Museum dates from l7Lj, or 4 time more
than four hundred years later In the
nitrd States the largest i the Library
of Congress at Washington, which in 1874
contained 26l 900 volumes The Boston
Public Library followed very closely after
II with 200, 800 volumes, and the Harvard
University collection came neNt, with
2oo,uh. The ASt1r and Mercantile. of
New York, are next. each having | Is, 900.
Among he colleges after llarvard's Ii
hrary. comes Wales, with lou,OGO. Dart
mouths is next with $4,000, and then
comes in order Cornell with 10000; the
University OF Virginia with 81. 100; Bow
dom with $4,000 the University ol South
Carolina. with 10000; Ann Arbor. 30
900; Amherst 5000; Princeton. -.
900; Wesleyan, $500; and Columbia,
25,U0O
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

The March dividends payable in Boston
aggregate S3,379,979
Waterfowl, New York State, reports 81
snow storms since December . last, in which
10 inches Of snow have fallen.
Lord DuGerin has been appointed British
Minister to Russia and has started for ST.
Petersburg.
The Name House has passed tho cOnstitu-
tional amendment providing for biennial
elections AMI sessions of the Legislature, and
submitting the matter to the people.
Boston bas "palatial" retail grocery
store, accOrdngIto the Psa, and there ism
any word left in the language to describe n
Boston wholesale grocery store.
Bradley Barlow of Vermont rather disap-
points those who turned the scale to secure
his election to Congress, by proclaiming that
he is Greenbacker first, last and all the
while. 1t has been hoped that the Burlng
ton FREE PREss had painted Barlow too black.
Springfield RepuJLoda.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
A Mississippi Tragedy.
THREE AEN FATALLY snOr AND FvURTu
WOUNDED


From tho v.cksburg fMissl Herald
ia the annals of deadly ARRAYS In this
State no occurrence Is recorded so fatal in
its results es that which occurred on board
the steamer SuuhOwer while living at John
sOnyille, the county seat of SlntiOwer
county The particulars are about a. fol-
lows: About ton days ago Colonel ID. A.
Holman. while in JOhnsOhYi.lo. Gu entering
DR. W. J.. LowIy's store, was accosted by
DIR. Lowry. who ordered Holman out, re-
marking that Holman was no gent sman,
and did not keep his word, or something to
that effect Holman departed. saying in
substance he would sec Lowry again. On
the morning Of this hifiir Colonel Holman
engaged passage on the steamer Sun1Dwer
for Ylck-burg, accompanied by his father
in-law, DR.. q &. Walker. The boat ar
rived at Johnsonvillc. and DR.. Lowry a.
was usual with him. came on the boat To
transact his business A he entered tho
cabin he was met by Colonel Holman. who
Put pistol TO his breast and fired Lowry
STATED ..uwn the cabin, but turned, and,
seeing his clerk. John C. Arnold, said,
pointing to Holman, Kill him, John. kill
him. he has shot me" Arnold ran
ont oi tho cabin to attack Holman,
and Lowry, walking to the cabin door cock
ed his pistol and nred at Holman Then
percolvIng DIR. Walker with pistol in hand,
he fired on Walker with deadly effect " alker
falling and expiring almost wIthouts strug-
gle. Lowry thea walked back in tho cabin.
staggering and Tell and IN about two minutes
expired also. In the meantime Arnold and
Holman were lighting outside the cabin, |
Arnold Receiving wound IN tho chest,
and died shortly after beng removed |
from tho boat, Col. llulman being wounded |
in the lett arm and side All the parties |
engaged are very highly respected. DR.. |
Lowry was brother OF General Robert |
Lowry. and leasea widow and six chill
drcn. Arnold was brother of Judge Ar |
mold. OF Columbus. Miss Colonel Holman
being a prominent and talented lawyer, and |
respected in the community IN which he
lives. Dr Walker was one Of the oldest
residents Of the county. Col. Holman, the
only survivor. was Immediately arrested and
held for examination.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
PACIFIC COAST INTELLIGENcE.
TERRIFIC ExPL)sIoN-TwESTY-sIx PERSONS
KILLED AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND
CHASTITY scFSrS

TERRIFIC ExPL)sIoS-TwEsTY-sM PERSONS
KILLED AND voUSDED--TERRIBLE AND
CHASTITY SCENES.
SAN FRANCISCO. Cal. Feb. GA Stock
ton despatch says terrific explosion oc3uT-
red yesterday at tho head Of Stockton
slough, OF FL Dorado street. More than
two hundred people assembled to witness
the trial Of new propeller pump, sat in
the slough ard run bv a threshing engine
which exploded. Those who stood near
were Frustrated. The body of the engine
was blown a hundred and fifty feet through
the crowd, and the dead lay prostrI.e in
every direction, some falling into the
slough from the bridge. Ten or twelve
dead bodies lay in one heap at the north
west corner of tho bridge other Law strewn
dead and dying on the street, blown fifty to
one hundred feet. The heads Of soma were
blown to pieces. Others were blown to the
ground with such force as to break every
bone in their bodies. the faces, hands and
whole persons were stained in dirt, and
smoke and einders The wounded were
promptly cared for AMI the dead left undis-
turbed until the excitement had subsided,
when they were removed to the eoroner's
offie.. The explosion was the result. of the
recklessness OF the engineer. The steam
gauge refused to work, and after the en-
gineer had attempted to FIX it and failed, be
screwed down the safety valve and went on
with the work. The explosion occurred
fifteen MINUTES afterwards The killed and
wounded number twenty-five, three or four
of whom are likely to recover Many were
blown considerable distance snd escaped
unibjared. The body Of the engine, weigh
ing 500 pounds, was blown over the tele-
graph wires and landed on piazza Men
are still engaged in dragging the slough in
hopes to recover bodies supposed TO have
b.en thrown in BY the explosion Flags
thrown TO the breoze in houor OF Washing
tons birthday, were lowered alter the ex-
plosinn.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
AGRICULTURAL.
THE WHEAT OF THE WORLD.

1
The bread crop ofcivilization is mainly
grown in Europe, North America and
Australia. The United States leads the
world in quantity, which in recent years
| exceeds 800 900. 900 busl.e Is, France com
ing within 10000, 900 of that figure, fol-
lowed by Russian, and at 4 greater dis
lance by Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria
Hungary and Great Britain. These
eight are the only countries that produce
luO,OOO,OOO bushels, and some of these in
bad years fall short Oft, says The Tribune.
The average production of Europe is
nearly l,2O0. 100000 bushels. America
and Australia usually Approximate 400
JoO.0 bushels, and have come well up
TO jOU,0OU.00O the past year. Great
Britain usually imports halt her supply
Russia always exports. France imports
largely only in bad seasons. Germany,
spain and Italy produce an average
about rs much rs they consume Norway
and Switzerland always import Euro
pean countries that have 4 climate suit.
able for wheat culture make an eflors to
produce 4 iull supply, with the excep-
tion of Great Britain, and export or
import only Is the fluctuations of pro-
ductionl render it desirable.
The French Bulletin dies IIalles estl-
mates deficits amounting TO las, 53j, 200
bushels in eight countries in Europe, and
gives to four combined surplus of 6S,-
100000 leaving mainly to the United
States To supply the remaining lOi.1s5,-
o0Ibushels. TheIleiicitS are,ireat Britain.
$3.50 600; France. $1,000, 900; Italy, |
500, 900; Switzerland, $500 600 Bel |
GUM, 2,7j0,000; Portugal, l,37j5,00O; |
Norway, l,1lO,0Oo; Sweden, 550, 900. |
Russia is credited with >urplusiof. #, 0O0.-
600; Au>tria-llungary with Il .s7j, 200; |
Roumania with 1000. 900. and Denmark |
with l,j1j, COO. The estimated produc- /
ton of 1873 is thus given:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
THE POTTER REPORT.
WESTERN NEWS.

ARCHBISHOP PURCELL's FINANCIAL TROUBLES
CINCINNATI. February 23-The financial
troubles oil Archbishop Purcell appear 10
increase by later developments The trus-
tees appointed to audit the Claims deelns
to make public any statement of tbs assets
already filed but at a recent meeting of clergy
at which the archbishop presided. he stated
that claims had already been filed smount-
ing to 50, 800, 900 All schemes for MS re-
lief having apparently failed, an effort is
now to be made by committee of Catholic
clergy to have the state claims modified 30
a clergy scheme may be inaugura;ed for his
benefit Their success, however, il c1nsi-
dered doubtful. The Irish Catholics also
complain that no help has been rendered
the archbishop from the German churches.
while the latter ask that full statement of
his wants be made public first.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

HARVARD ColLrGE has heretofore stoutly
resisted the admission Of women to the col
lege course. But now, it is announced, the
officers Of Harvard have arranged sort of
back door entrance fer the gentler sex. They
will allow young women to pass through
the different stages Of instruction under the
tuition Of the various professors. bat with a
distinct organization to he controlled by a
board Of seven Cambridge ladies. They are
not to be considered students Of the college,
but more properly private pupils Of the pro
lessons, with all the various branches of the
college course open to them. The Young
ladies will study the same books, and have
the same opportunities in the laboratories,
and at the end they will receive certificates
showing that they have satisfactorily passed
the same course as that which brings the
boys their degrees. Harvard. it is safe to
predict, will not stop here, but having taken
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28
AIuosr . F.rn EurIsN At Pal,

ALposT a fATAL BAPTISM At PALMYRA,
Penn, on a recent Sunday Mrs Martin Bow
man, an invalid. aged 80 years. and unable
to walk. was taken to Spring creek ard
there baptized according to the rites of the
German Baptist church. whose mode OF
baptism is to immerse three times. Beng
unable TO walk from extreme weakness,
Mrs Bowman WAS placed on q chair and
carried into tho stream by the Rev Mr.
llertzle and an attendant. after which she
was plunged under the icy cold water three
times. After the third plunge, the pallit
countenancc and limp form OF the woman
seemed like death When brought
out OF the water her husband and children,
surprising her to be dead, wept bitterly.
The supposed corpse was wrapped in blank
cts and taken to the house VI u ueishhor,
where hot bricks and irons were applied to
her feet, hot stimulants administered. and
after much eycrtiOn she was brought back
to CONSEQUENCE. Her first words were,
God. am | with your am so cold, Sd
cold" Ii was some time before the ice in
her hair was thawei out. just before she
revived she SAYS she could hear her friends
around her, but was unable to speak or
move. Several other persons who we're to
be baptized have concluded to wait until
warmer weather. At last account the
woman was improving rapidly.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

Is commenting on the Presidents letter
to Collector Merritt, telling him that
"neither hi the Presidents reconmenda-
ton, nor that of Secretary Sherman, nor of
any IN a,her Of Congress or other influential
person, is to be specially regarded, the
New l0Ik Nation says, pertinenily ut
would seem as if the best way Of preventing
the recommendations Of the President or of
Secretary Sherman from having any influence
would be the steady refusal OF these gentle
men to give any recommendations. 1t would
be very hard fer Mr. Merritt not to heed
letters coming from his superiors, and he
ought not to be called on for any such
displays Of virtue. In civil service reform,
a. in many other good things, each officer,
from the President down, must do his own
share Of the work. A temperance apostle
who took an occasional dram himself, and
warned his neophytes not to mind him when
be invited them to take a drink would
meet with but limited success"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

THE Washington correspondent of the
Boston Herald thus describes the night
session of the Senate, Monday Mr. Harris,
OF Tennessee. moved to take up his bill to
establish board of health anent the intro
duction Of contagious and infectious diseases,
the latter term having reference chiefly to
yellow fever. Mr. Allison wanted to take
up the deficiency bill. Mr.. lIamin said be
would not allow anything but appropriation
bills to interfere with the Geneva award
bill. Mr.. Edmunds said be should press his
constitutional amendment, prohibiting in
the future any payment Of rebel claims,
while Mr.. Cameron Of the election commit
tee said he should move to take up the con-
tested case of COrbin vs.. Butler A vote to
settle these conflicting claims to priority
resulted in taking up the yellow fever bill,
with the understanding that it should not
consume any time In violation of this
agreement debate sprang Up, which
lasted for several hours. As the hours wore
on the debate languished. and not more than
dozen Senators kept their seats in the hall
At | | O'Clock vote was taken on an impOr-
tant amendment, when it was discovered that
no quorum was present. Mr.. Harris. who
throughout the evening has been more or
less excited, arose and said gravely: "Mr
President, II nOn-actiOn shall result from |
want Of quorum. am not responsible. |
move call Of the Senate At this point |
it became apparent that the "cold tea" had |
begun to circulate. The roll-call disclosing |
the lack Of quorum, Mr.. Harris made the
usual motion to direct the sergeant-at-arms
to bring in the sbsentees. A Senator made
the point that Senator couldn't be ordered,
he must be requested 6rst, that was the rule.
A Western Senator started up fiercely and
shouted "Show w your rule, show us your
rule. Mr.. Thurman was disposed to stand
upon his dignity as a Senator, and asked
sharply who was to determine
whether it might be necessary to arrest a
should it be tho hackman? The
hour from II to II O'Clock was taken up in
! discussion of the propriety Of sending for
Senator'S. Mr.. Thurman said in 20 years no
,uch thing had ever been heard ol lie
would sit here until morning for absentees,
,ut he wouldn't compel them Mr.
Voorhees, said he would bring them, "nilly,
Willy hours before that time. Mr. DAVIS,
It the conclusion Of a lengthy speech by Mr..
Thurman on the subject, said that the absent
senator's would, in all likelihood, have time
o finish their breakfasts before the point
vas settled. Several Senators were abnur-
nally funny, and the scene, where top-heavy
lignity struggled with broad farce, was
ndescribably amusing. The lounges were
occupied by lounging Senators, some Of them
sleep, lew were writing letters or reading
newspapers, and half dozen sustained the
burden Of the parliamentary debate
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

Al extra session is not probable, now.
The passage OF the sundry appropriation bill
by the house, leaves only one. appropriation
bill, the legislative, which is pending, for
the house 70 dispose Of. The senate has dis
posed Of the army appropriation bill, and
will be ready to 90 to work on the legisla-
tive bill as soon a. it comes from the house.
The differences between the two houses on
the internal revenue bill will probably be re-
conciled without difficulty in conference
committee. And there is no question. there
fore, but all the appropriation bills can be
disposed Of in time, unless there Is dead
lock over the political amendments to the
legislative AMI army bills. There is said to
be no probability Of any Of the railroad
schemes being acted upon, and the Texas
Pacific subsidy and the Brazilian mail sub
siiy have NJ chance of passage.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

SENAToE MORRILL, recent speech on the
tobacco tax. will be found in another column.
Its facts ard argument seem absolutely
conclusive, and though they did not carry
with thea. the majority of the Senate,
sound ard sensible people Of both parties
will appreciate the Senator's efforts to keep
the national Income equal to the outgo.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

TnE Senate has passed the army bill.
striking out the provision recognizing the
army and tie clause providing that troops
shall not be used at the polls. The provis-
ion that arms belonging to the war depart
ment may be loaned to institutions of learn
ing and the Butler telegraph amendment
authorizing railroads to construct and oper-
ate their own lines-were adopted. The
House passed the internal revenue bill, nom
concurring in the Senate amendments,
striking out the repeal Of the tax On matches,
making classes of rectifers, and the savings
bank clause. The bill now goes to the
conference committee.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-28

THOSE present at the meeting of Green
hackers IN Washington, last week, were
De In M4tyr, of Indiana; Murch and Laid,
of Maine. Barlow, of Vermont; Ford, Of
Missouri, Russell, of North Carolina !;
Weaver and Gillett. of Iowa and Forsyth,
of Illinois. Their programme is the aboli-
ton Of bank money and the issue of all
paper money by the Government, the pro-
vision by Congress of money adequate to
the full employment of labor "bOnd tax
aud iLeome tax, and other like foolish or
visionary measures. To what extent they
will succeed in depriving the country of the
benefits Of resumption remains to be seen.