davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

tude ofa cell till Monday morning. On
my renrn to the bank, the night watch,
man lad arrived, and | prepared to go
homs
Why, Lance, you must have suspected
the Ieggar before this! l exclaimed.
I've thought il sometimes, sir, he laugh
cd. Knew / should cop him some day.
Then with frown: Mean, sneaking
sknnt! l believe he meant to put it on to
me OIL the watchman here.
Wdl, all's well that ends well. Lance,
and / was clover catch of yours. We
havea nice story for Mr.. Spoflorth to-
morrow. Good night.
God night.
When | walked into the bank next
moning, l found the story was already
knoVn. Little knots of men were eagerly
disusSing the events, and | rs well as
Lace soon became the center of an ami
meed crowd At eleven o'clock | was
summoned to the board room, to the COM
nittee of directors, who complimented me
| uon the capture, as If | and not Lance,
hid been the hero of the day. In the
Drning newspapers there was graphic
account of the great bank robbery, con-
ccted by some ubiquitous penny-a-liner,
Which my wife read and re-rend with
ringled pleasure and alarm. Bennett
1as sentenced to eighteen months impris-
qment. which we all considered far too
%nientSa Judgment. The ex-policemau
anne ir' for the head messengers berth,
land house rent-free and Il present of fifty
pounds In addition to much unnIerited
praise, received bonus of Il hundred
pounds, which, as my domestic circle was
shortly to be increased, contributed in nc
small degree to the satisfaction of the
household at Wood Green.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

CICERoS CREED.-O glorious day when
| shall enter that divine company and
home Of souls, when | shall leave this
turmoil and confux of impurities for !
shall go not only to these men of whom |
have spoken, but also to my Cato, than
whom no better man was ever born, no
man more eminent in all good works for
whom performed the last sad rites, when
it seemed more fitting that he should
mourn for me: whose soul rot forgetting
me, but often looking back upon me,
departed to that place whittier it percev-
ed that |, too, must come.
While seemed to bear my grief brnvc-
ly, did not endure it with calm mind,
but Fcomforted myself thinking that only
II short time would intervene between our
parting and meeting.
Meditating upon those things find old
age pleasant not only not sad, but even
joyful And if in this, that believe the
souls of men to be immortal | err, | err
willingly. and do not want this error in
which delight to be wrested from me;
and if, after am dead, shall know moth
ing as certain petty philosophers think, |
do not suppose that these philosophers will
laugh at me when they are dead,-Ffom
"Dc ScneCtute.n
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

The chapains had n hard time Of it in
the army. The spiritual harvest was not
large, and there was often n good deal Of
difficulty in the gathering. One Sunday
morning while the grand old Army of the
Potomac lay in the swamps Of the Chcka-
hominy, the chaplain of certain Massa-
chusetts regiment timidly scratched at the
flap of the colonel's tent. lie was invited
to enter and be seated. "What is it, chap
lain" said the colonel, terrible fellow to
fight "you seem to he in trouble"
"Well, colonel" answered the good man,
" I'm almost discouraged about our men,"
Our men, calculated the colonel.
"what's tie matter with the men"
"Well, you see," continued the chaplain,
who felt that he had got the wedge fairly
in, and might as we'll drive it home, " the
fact is that our men don't take as much
interest in religion us | wish they did. |
think you and the other officers might
help me, but instead of that you set them
very bal example by your constant
swearing Now, there's the the Maine,
Just back of the hill yonder; the colonel is
God-fealing man, lie does all he can to
help his chaplain, and the result is that
only last Sunday they baptized twelve
men, while we haven't had a single con-
version since we left home" g. Is that
so?' said the colonel, thoughtfully, and
then raising his voice, told the orderly TO
call the adjutant, "Adjutant," said he,
when that officer appeared. " he chaplain
says that they baptized twelve men in that
Maine regiment last Sunday. Detail
tCc,sty men for immediate baptism. |
won't be outdone by any regiment in the
army Boston Transcript.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

Color OF THE SKY.-At an altitude of
$4,000 feet the air is indicated by the ba-
rometcr to be only half as dense as at the
surface of the earth. And as the density
of the atmosphere decreases in geomet-
rical progression, the density will be re-
duced to one fourth at the height of $4,000
feet, and one.eighth at $4,000 feet. The
effects of the decreasing density of the at
mosphere are, that the intensity of light
and sound are diminished, and the tenn
perature is lowered. Persons that have
reached a very high elevation state that
the sky above them began to assume the
appearance of darkness, and there can be
no doubt that, if it were possible to reach
an altitude Of some fifty or sixty miles,
there would be perfect blackness, although
the suns rays might be pouring through
the darkened space to illuminate the at
moSphere.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

DON'T TALK TOO LoUp.-I heard a
good bit of gossip about the Versailles
ball the other day. 1t illustrates the
danger of being too critical. Among the
swarms of elegantly uniformed officers
present was one recently returned from
Algeria, who was rather loud in his COM
mcnts on the supper.
I" Humbug, he said, " there's nothing
to eat here. Nothing to be had but ices
and chocolates anl frozen stuffS! Bah!
Give me good plate of cold roast beef
and bottle of Bordeaux rather than all
such rubbish! "
These last remarks were delivered in II
very high and angry voice. About Il
quarter of IN hour later, just as Mr.. Officer
was picking his way through throng
of bewitching ladies, he felt n touch on
his arm, and was amazed to see servant
behind him bearing Il platter containing
cold roast beef and n bottle of Bordeaux
wine. "WLat does this mean9 he cX-
claimed, blushing to his eyebrows.
Please, sir, ~ said the servant, mon
sieur the marshal happened to be passing
when monsieur the officer was asking fol
cold roast beef and Bordeaux wine, and
monsieur the marshal told me to get some
and to find you, and follow you with ii
until you got it. "
The feelings Of c monsieur the officer y
were doubtless various. s.-PariS Letter in
Boston Journal.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

PHYSICAL SUPERIORITY OF THE GREEKS.
The physical superiority of the ante
Alexandrian Greeks to the hardest and
most robust nation Of modern times is
perhaps best illustrated by the military
statistics of Xenophon. According to the
author of the " Anablsis,' the complete
accoutrements of Il Spartan soldier, in
what we would call heavy marching or
der, weighed sevcnty-tivc pounds, cXclu-
sive of the camp, mining and bridge build
inc tools, and the rations issued in weekly
installments, which increased the bur
den of the infantry soldier to ninety,
ninety-five, or even one hundred pounds.
This load was often carried ut the rate OF
four English miles IN hour for twelve
hours per diem, day after day; and only in
the burning deserts Of Southern Syria the
commander of the Grecian auXiiaric,
thought it prudent to shorten the usua
length of days march by one-fourth
The gymnastic tests applied by the syn
MuchUS, or recruiting officer of picked
corps, would appear even more preposter
Gus to the uniformed eXquisites of mod
ern crack regiment" Even tall, we'll
shaped men of the soundest constitution
could not pass the preliminary eXamna'
ton unless they were able to Jump thei
own height vertically, and thrice theil
own length horizontally, and twothirds o
those distances in full armor; pitch
weight equal to one.third of their own to ;
distance of twenty yards, and throw 4;
iavelin with such deXterity that they
would not miss Il mark of the size of ;
man's head more than four out of ter
times ut a distance of fifty yards; besides
other tests referring to their experience il
the use of the bow and the sword.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

DIVING FOR AMBER.-The labor requir-
ed is of the sevtrest kind. The " strong
boncd, iracund" peasants described by
CARLYLE, the descendants of the ancient
Cures and Szamates, men often of reckless
and adventurous antecederts,
perchance, on the border land of ancient
Poland, who have pursued their calling
with the Cossack bullets whizzing round
their heads,-thcse are fit material for the
recruits whom the diving adventure of the
amber.reef at Brusterort enlists in its
service.
The costume of the diver is us follows
woolen carmen covers the entire body.
This is again encompassed by an India
rubber dress. made in one piece, but diff
fering in shape from the old-fashioned
diving dress. and allowing the diver to lie
at full length. The helmet also is of novel
construction. Firmly fastened to it, and
resting on the shoulders, is small air.
chest, made of sheet-iron. This chest is
connected with the air-pump in the boat
above by an India-rubber tubing, forty
feet long, and with the Divers lungs by
another India.rubber tube, the mouth
piece of which is held by the diver be-
tween his teeth the whole apparatus being
scientifically arranged so as to admit IL
sufficient supply of pure air from above,
and means of exit for the expired breath.
The helmet is provided with three open
ings, covered with glass, and protected by
wire, for the use OF the eyes and mouth.
When this contrivance has been screwed
on TO the person Of the diver, rope tied
round his waist, and half hundred of
lead attached to his feet, shoulders, and
helmet, he is ready for his plunge. Down,
fathoms deep, he descends into the amber
world. He stays there-maybe for five
hours at time-hooking, dragging, tear
ing the amber from its bed with his heavy
two pronged fork. Often it resists his
his utmost efforts. However cold the
weather may be, these men of iron
strength will come up from their sub
marine labors streaming with perspiration.
The overseer stands in the boat to receive
the amber from their pockets.
In case he should wish TO ascend before
the usual time. the diver has to close his
mouth, and breathe five or six times
through his nostrils, by this means filling
the apparatus with air, which will bring
him to the surface without other assist
ance, The diving boats are manned by
eight men each,--two divers; two pairs ol
men, who work tho air-pumps alternately
with their eyes fixed ON dial-platc, by
which the supply of air is nicely regu
lated; one man to hold the safety rope
attached round the divers body and haul
him up at the slightest sign from below
and the ovcrseer.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

A REMARKABLE FEAT OF MEMORY
One of the most remarkable feats of men,
orv known is not recorded in books, though
it came before the public in n singular
manner in January, 1917. A Sydney,
Australia, prisoner set up rs his defence on
trial an alibi, claiming that at the time the
complainant was robbed he was ut home,
in his own hut, listening to the recital ol
Horace Walpole's novel, The Old Bar
on which man named Lane had, with
other works, committed to memory, the
matter of time being disposed of by the
declaration that Lanes recitation took
two hours and half. The attorney-gen-
clMl declared that this was incredible
whercupon Lane clearing his throat be-
%an: "In the time of King Henry, when
the good Duke Humphrey returned from
the wars in the Holy Land, where he had
been sojourning for Il number OF years
there lived and had recited several
pages, when the Encouragement told him
to stop-he was quite satisfied. But the
counsel for the defence was not, and In
sisted that, since the witness veracity hac
been called in question, he should be al
lowed to set himself right; also to prove
the allegation us to time, by reciting the
whole novel. The judge was aghast a
this proposal, and compromise was Ell
fectec, whereby Lane gave chapter IRON
the middle of the story and its conclusion
-tnd the prisoner was acquitted,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

THE PRIME OF LIFE.-Between the ages
of forty y-five and sixty man who has
properly regulated himself may be con
| sidered in the prime of life. His matureC
strength of constitution renders him almots
| impervious to an attack of disease, anC
experience has given soundness to his
judgment. His mind is resolute, firm and
equal all his function are in the highest
order; he assumes mastery over his busi-
ness; builds up competence on the foun'
dation he has laid up in early manhood,
and passes through Il period of life ATTENDED
by many qualifications. Having grone ovel
II year or two over sixty, he arrives ut II
standstill. But athwart this is the viaduc
called the turn of life, which, if crossed ii
safety, leads to the valley of " old age,
round which the river winds, and then be-
yond, without boat or causeway, to effect
his passage. The bridge is, however,
constructed of fragile material. and il
depends how it is trodden whether it benz
or break. Gout and apoplexy are also IN
the vicinity to waylay the traveller, and
thrust him from the pass; but let him giro
up his loins and provide himself with a
| filter staff, and he may trudge on in safety
and with perfect composure. 10 quit
metaphor, d" the turn of life is II turr
either into prolonged walk or into the
grave. The system and powers having
reached the utmost expansion now beglf
either to close like q flower ut sunset ol
break down ut once. One injudicious
s,imulant, a single fatal excitement. may
force it beyond its strength, while II care
ful supply of props and the withdrawal o
nll that tends to force plant will sustain
it in beauty and vigor until night has en-
tirely set in.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

LOVE Nova writer tells US that Scot
tish mothers used, when their children dis
agreed and were unhappy, to say to them ::
Yen a agree better when ye ha' to gang
in at different kirk doors;" that is, when
this hearthstone is cold and the lamp of n
mothers love is quenched, when you are
scattered far and wide, you'll forget little
differences, and look back lovingly to
those days when you might have been so
happy, and wish them back again. No
love then will be like the love of sisters
and brothers, which you no esteem so
lightly. Let those of US who are sheltered
in happy homes cherish our blessings, for
the days must come when we shall be
scattered, and "go in at different kirk
DOORS" never again to be a united band.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

WHAT ROYAL CHILDREN Do-The edu-
cation of QueenVictoria's grandchildren is
conducted on the principle that the Prince
Consort introduced into her family. Par
ticularly is this true of the children of the
Crown Prince of Germany. They have to
rise early and retire early. During the
day they have punctually to perform their
duties, and to keep strictly the time allotted
to the various branches of study and rec
reation. They breakfast 1T eight with
their parents, and the time between ten
in the morning and five in the afternoon
is devoted to their lessons, with in inter-
ruption of one hour for dinner. Accom-
plishments, such us riding and skating,
receive the same attention us art and sci
cnce. Their meals consist of simple
dishes, of which they have their choice,
without being permitted to ask for a
substitute if what is placed before them
does not suit. Between meals they are
not allowed to eat. Only inexpensive
toys are placed in their hands, and the
princesses dress themselves with the aid
of walling-maids.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

A HORSES SENSE OF SMELL.-An Afri-
can pony, unlike Jobs war horse, " smell
eth " not the battle afar off," but he will
smell poisonous snake ut Il sufficient
distance to avoid him.
An English gentleman was leading his
pony one day in South Africa, when he
saw his Kaflir servant suddenly jump on
one side. Knowing that it was Il snake
that had alarmed him, the gentleman
dropped the reins and went forward to xii,
il. 1t was II pufl-adder, the reptile which
l. is thought. Cleopatra used to commit
suicide. Killing it with n stone, he exam
med its glands and found them filled with
poison.
On returning to the pony and advancing
his hand to take the reins, the horse shiet
hack in great alarm. For several minutes
he would not allow his master to approach
Some of the odor of the adder had attach
ed itself to the gentleman's hands, and the
cautious animal. being warned by his sense
of smell. was afraid that there was DANCE
even in his masters touch.
The horses nose is, rs every boy WHIT
has trained colt knows, one of his mean
of gaining knowledge. If n horse is afraiC
of an object, the best way to remove hi:
fear is to let him smell Of it.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK.-l know
a lovely Girl who embroiders her dresses
most exquisitely, so that they. look like
imported garments. She wor ks in crewels,
and many is the unique article she embel-
fishes in this direction. She paints on
china, she reads, she sings, and yet finds
time to perform her social duties. She is
always cheerful, because she hasn't leisure
TO think of gloomy things or nurse her
imaginary wrongs. Another young lady,
an only daughter, has just moved into her
fathers new house, " You may have for
your room, said the doting father, ''evcry-
thing YOU can convert into use, through
the cunning of your own hand" The
room is beautiful bower. The bedcur-
tains and lambrequins are of the daintest
pink stuff, soft and rich; the little clover
ieafed table is covered with the same
lovely material, the dreSsingtable is fit for
an artists limning, the easy chairs and
ottomans are clearly upholstered, and
everything in the room the work of this
petted daughters fingers. Father said
| couldn't make dress for myself to save
nv life," she said, "but told him to see
if couldn't and l just studied up the
science of dressmaking little bit and
went TO work. AS result, look at this
dress; don't you think it fits nicely and
looks pretty stylish for first attempts
And look nj the way | have finished the
seams. Mamma says Nine, S. couldn't
have done them more neatly" The dress
was warm, brown camels hair. pipet
with jacqueminot satin and trimmed witt
bows of the combined co.ors in satin, very
stylish and n nice fit.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

PERSONNEL OF GENERAL SHERIDAN
Burleigh )" gives in the Boston Journal
this pen picture of Gen Sheridan against
whom suit for destroying southern prop
erty after the war is now in progress in
New York: The hero of Winchester
comes in quietly and unattended. He is
little understood, stocky and compactly
built. His face is bronze, like one recently
in the wars. His hair is iron-gray and
cut close. His eyes are large and protrud'
ing, with fierce glare, like one who
sees right through you. He wears the
nobby overcoat of the serson, patterned
after close fitting dressing gown, single
breasted and coming down to the ankles,
mttoned from the throat to the hem of the
garment. Young lawyers, young clerks
and fast young men consider this garment
the style. The general removes his over
coat reveals the black military frock
coat, takes his seat and pays soldierly
attention to the proceedings. The rca
defendant in the suit is the government
Gen. Sheridan is ostcnsibly the defendant
because the government can't be touched )
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15
PU - AND HER TRICKS.

PUSs AND HER TRICKS.
The sly old cat
Came pit-a-pat
Stealing up TO the bowl of cream,
When at the door,
Rat tat-a-tatl
Came knock that woke cook from her dream.
"What are you at?
Get out of thatl
tell you, scat you wicked thief,
Or with this stick l. knock you fat
If you rouse me, you'll come to grief"
Puss stood and purrcd,
But never stirred,
She knew old cook too well for that,
And then she winkcd
Her eyes, and blinked,
And went and stretched out on the mat.
And pretty soon
Cook got spoon
And dipped as much as dish would holl,
Puss stood and Tapped,
And then she mapped,
While old cook snoozed till her stove got cold.
-EriSs KyosS
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

The Detroit Free Press, in its lecture on
Natural History, has taken up "The Baby''
and one peculiar fact is thus stated "They
are always grazing, paying not the least
heed to the hour. When not actually cat
ing they generally give utterance to a
peculiar cry. Strong men often jump out
Of bed at midnight in the coolest weather
when hearing this cry.
Ah," groancd young Mr.. Lethered,
sinking wearily into an office chair, " All.
my head aches fearfully." Possible?"
asked his employer, Mr.. Hardfax, with u
look of curious interest and sympathy,
" Possiblee Something must have got
into it," And then for long time nobody
said anything, and the room seemed to
grow about fifteen degrees colder.-Bur-
Hngt1n HtWkeye.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

CHANGES OF LIFE.-Change is the COM
mon feature of society-of life.
Ten years convert the population of
schools into men and women, the young
into fathers and matrons, make and mar
fortunes, and bury the last generation but
one.
Twenty years converts infants into low
ers, fathers and mothers. decide mems
fortunes aud distinctions, convert active
men and women into crawling drivlers,
and bury all preceding generations.
Thirty years raise IN active generation
from nonentity, change fascinating beau
ties into bearable old women, convert low
ers into grandfathers, and bury the active
generation or reduce them to decreptitude
or imbecility. ..
Forty wears, alas change the face of all
society. Infants are growing old, the
bloom of youth and beauty has passed
away, two active generations have been
swept from the stage of life, names once
cherished are forgotten, unsuspected can
didates for fame have started up from the
exhaustless womb of nature.
And in fifty years, mature, ripe fifty
years-half century what tremendous
changes occur! How time writes her sub
lime wrinkles everywhere, in rock, river
forest, and cities. hamlets, villages, in the
nature of men, and the destinies and as
poets of ali civilized society.
Let us pass on to eighty years-and
what do we desire to see to comfort us in
the worldp Our parents are gone; ouI
children have passed away from us into
all parts of the world, to fight the grim
o,,J ,losnnrntn h,tEln Of life. Our old
friends-where are thcyP We behold Il
world of which we know nothing and to
which we are unknown. We weep fol
generations long gone by-for lovers, fol
parents, for children, for friends in the
grave. We see everything turned upside
down by the tickle hand of fortune and the
absolute destiny of time. In word, we
behold the vanity of life, and are quite
ready to lay down the poor burden and be
gone.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

Rochester has Il policeman who has been
quite unfortunate in losing prisoners. and
recently he decided to turn over new leaf.
Being in pursuit of three culprits, he cap
tured one and Immediately handcuffed
him to Il lamp post; then on going he
succeeded in serving all of them in the
same manner. when he obtained n truck
cart aud gathered them into the station
house.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15

What a difference there is in the manner
of giving advice! Some people give it as
il it were IL dose of nauseous pbysic and 1t
has the same effect upon the recipient
Others do it in the way of suggestion
with such grace and address that the per-
son advised feels that he has received a
favor.