davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

notifications of the one course. Hence
we tind arranged the general college
course, the course for honors in classics,
the course for honors in mathematics, the
course for honOrs in modern languages; "A
years art course, 8 years music course,
the scientific course, the teachers course,
and variously modified special courses.
The courses in art and music are of five
years length. for the reason that by de-
voting portion of time to art and music
the general education would be too narrow
in four years course. The new college
of music contains rooms for practice. con
certs, etc. The teachers course is worthy
of special mention. The main idea of
Wellesley college is to fit girls to be thor
ough teachers. Under the teachers course,
any teacher can without examination en-
ter classes for which she is fitted, and enjoy
all the privilege of a post graduate. Stone
hall is built to accommodate those taking
this course. 1t will have rooms for 100
girls.
1t will be clearly seen that Wellesley
college is not a common boarding semin.
airy, nor what is commonly known as a
female college. Is Harvard beyond the
fitting schoolP In like manner Wellesley
looks down on the female colleges. In
every sense of the word it is college, and
more, it is university. Though young
in years it has the strength and vigor of
mature life. In many respects its advant-
ages surpass anything our boys colleges
offer. Its courses of study are fully equal
to those of Harvard or Princeton; its
average scholarship far ahead of that of
these institutions; and while looking at
the other improvements of the present
day, we may compare Wellesley college
with the best girls school of former days,
and exclaim, "What hath God wrought"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

DECENCY TOWARD HORSES. A horse
cannot be screamed at and cursed without
becoming less valuable in every particular.
10 reach the highest degree of value the
animal should be perfectly gentle and al-
ways reliable, but if it expects every mo-
ineII tLat IL Is In the harness to be 'iawed'
at and struck, it will be in constant state
OF nervousness, and in its excitement as
liable through fear to do something which
is not expected, as to 90 along doing what
you started 1t to do. 1t is possible to train
a horse to be governed by the word of
mouth, almost rs completely as it is to
tram child, and in such training the
horse reaches its highest value. When "A
morse is soothed by the gentle words of his
drlVer-and we have seen him calmed
down from great excitement bv no other
means-lt may be very fairly concluded
that he is valuable animal for all practi
cal purposes, and it may he certainly con-
cluded that the man who has such Il power
over hltn, Is humane man and sensible
one But all this simply means that the
man must secure the animals conf lence.
only In exceptional instances is a horse
stubborn or vicious. If he understands
his surroundings, and what is required of
MIN, he gives no trouble. As almost every
reader must know, if the animal when
frightened can be brought up to the object
he will become calm. The reason is that
he understands that there is nothing to
fear. So he must be taught TO have con-
hdence in the man who handles him, and
then this powerful animal, which usually
no man could handle, if it were disposed
to he vicious, will give no trouble. The
very best rule, therefore, which we would
lay down for the management of the horse,
is gentleness and good sense on the part of
the driver. Bad drivers make bad horses,
usually.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

THE PANToMIME OF DEATH.-Some
years ago the performance of the panto-
mime company of the German Lehman
were the chief attraction of the Maslinissa,
the greatest and most thoroughly national
festival of the Russians, which occurs in
the last week of the carnival There was
II perfect rage Tor the pantomimes-
st. Petersburhg focked to see them; and
although they were repeated every two
hours, the temporary theatre in which
they were played upon the Admiralty
square, was continually filled to suffoca-
ton. During one of the morning perfor-
mances, whilst the pit was in full glee and
uproar of delight, the harlequin suddenly
rushed upon the stage. and exclaimed ::
Fire! Saur6 QM peutm The announce
ment was received with burst of laughter
at what was taken for stupid Joke. The
misapprehension was fatal, for it shortened
the brief space during which escape was
possible. In few minutes, the flames
burst out from behind the scenes; the
wooden building was in blaze. The
audience, wild with terror, rushed to the
doors. Unfortunately these opened, in
wards, and the pressure of the frantic,
throng closed them as effectualy as iorn
bars and bolts. Exit was impossible.
Outside, workman, who had assisted
in the building of the theatre, stepped forth
from the crowd and called for an AK,
declaring that he knew every joint of the
boards and beams, and could quickly open
a passage for the imprisoned audience.
But the bunschnk, or policeman, on duty
would not premit this to be done till his
superiors came to decide upon the matter.
At last urgent necessity overcame every
other consideration, the punctilous police
agent was pushed aside, several men
seized axes and soon large opening was
made in the side of the building. A dense
cloud of smoke made the crowd recoi,
and when it cleared away u horrible
spectacle presented itself. In closely
packed masses, sat men, women and
children, apparently still gazing at the
stage, which was sheet of flame. Rescue
had come too late. The sudden smoke,
filling the crowded building, had stiaed the
entire audience. Not one was saved.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

HOLD FAST TO CERTAINTIEs.-" is an
awful hour-let him who has passed
through it say how awful-when this life
has lost its meaning and seems shrivelled
into span; when the grave appears to be
the end of all, human goodness nothing
but II name, and the sky above this
universe dead expanse, black with
the void from which God himself has
disappeared. In that fearful loneliness of
spirit, when those who should have been
his friends and counsellors only frown
upon his msgivngs, and profanely bid
him stihe his doubts. know but one way
in which man may come forth from his
agony scathless it is by holding fast those
things which are certain still, the grand,
simp land marks of morality. In the
darkest hour through which human soul
can pass, whatever else is doubtful, that,
at least, is certain. If there be no God
and no future state, yet even then II is
better to be generous than selfish; better
to be chaste than lcentious; better TO be
true than false; better to be brave than to
be IA coward. Blessed beyond all earthly
blessedness is the man who in the tempcs-
tuous darkness of the soul, has dared 10
hold fast these venerable land. marks
Thrice blessed is he who, when all is
cheerless within and without. when the
teachers terrify pim, and his friend shrink
from him. has obstinately clung to moral
good Thrice blessed, because his night
shall pass into clear, bright days. -. W,
Robertson.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

PROVIDING For DAUGHTERS. The way
of happiness and comfort for single mid
dle-aged women would be made much
easier if different method was pursued
by parents toward their daughters while
they are still young. Nothing, of course
can recompense a woman for the loss in
her life of the love of husband and chill.
dren; but there is no reason why, added
to this bitterness, she should always have
the humiliation of dependence. Half the
terrors of single life to woman lie in
the fact that she will never have Il home
of her own but must remain dependent
on fathers and brothers; the one to many
in the household; the beneficiary on suffer
ance in the family, though she actually
works twice as much as the actual mem.
bers. A father naturally sets his boy on
his own feet at coming of age; but as
naturally he keeps his daughter dependent
on himself. 1t is a pleasure, perhaps, to
him to give her her gowns and pin-money
at thirty as when she was three. He does
not reflect that she has the longing, equal
y natural to every man and woman, tc
take her own place in the world; to be II
rooted plant, not a parasite. The diff
Guilty is easily solved. If the father is
wealthy, let him settle absolutely upon
his daughter when she is of marrying
age, the amount he would have given hel
AS dover, instead Of doling out the inter-
est as constant gifts; if he is a poor man,
let him give her some trade or occupation
by which she can earn her own money
This course would obviate the mercenary
necessity of marriage which rises night
and day before the penniless, dependent
woman.-N. Y, Tribune.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

TORPEDO BALLooNs.-A scientific gen,
tleman wiz. ms the country and the govern
ment Of new and terrible engine of wal
that may possibly come into use, against
which New York would be utterly de
fenceless. 1t is the torpedo balloon. A
vessel lying out of range of any of oul
forts could take advantage of favoring
breezes to set adrift, with eronauts, small
balloons, each carrying fifty pounds o
nitro-glycerine, the explosive to be dropped
by y well known and cheap mechanical
contrivance at such time as may be
determined upon after the distance and
velocity of the wind have been estimated
1t will be readily seen that vessel barrel,
in sight of land. and after only the rudest
calculations could not send out any such
fiendish missiles without doing great dam
age TO life and property somewhere within
the great area covered by New York
Brooklyn and Jersey City. 1t is poor
comfort to think that other large cities of
the world are equally exposed to such
terrors. and that even London and Paris
are not far enough from the seaboard to
escape harm. A general agreement be.
tween civilized powers, such as was made
regarding explosive bullets should prompt
ly nip this danger in the bud.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

USE OF WORDS.-This world is great
school house, in which through life we al
learn. Here we must study to find ouJ
what is good, and what is bad, and what is
true, and what is false, and thus get ready
To act in some other sphere. What we are
at the end Of this life we shall be when the
next begins. We must spare no pains
then, when we teach others or ourselves
We teach ourselves by what we hear and
read and think, Others by our words
We must take care that we think and
speak in way so clear that we do moi
cheat ourselves, or mislead others by vain
or misty ideas. We must put our thoughts
into words, and we must get in n way OF
using these in thought with the same care
we use when we speak or write to others
Words give body or form to our ideas,
without which they are apt to be so foggy
that we do not see where they are weak OF
false. When we put them into body OF
words we will, as rule. learn how much
of truth there is in them, for in that form
we can turn them over in our minds.
We must not only think in words, but
we must also try to use the best words
and those which in spe ech will put what
is in our minds into the minds of others
This is the great art which those must
gain who wish to teach in the school, the
church, at the bar, or through the press
To do this in the right way they should
use the short words which we learn in
early life, and which have the same sense
to all classes of men. They are the best
for the teacher, the orator, and the poet
Robert CoIlyer.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

COMMON SENSE FOR MINISTERS We
have urged before, and now repeat, the
suggestion just made in the columns of Il
contemporary, that ministers often make
IA sad mistake in not securing Il true rest
day once a week. Monday is the day
when most ministers do least work, we
suppose, but many minister seldom or
never spends the day in II manner thor
oughly different from that of his other
days. Whenever it be taken it should
be, if possible, an open air day. Boating,
riding, gardening, fishing, or ten mile
walk into the country to call upon some
brother in another parish-only don talk
much about your churches-'any of these
set man up for week to como. lie will
read more, study more, think more, write
more, make more parish calls, and also do
everything in more efficient fashion,
besides keeping in better frame of mind,
than if he tries, mistakenly, to economize
| time by plodding away rs usual on what
ought to be his rest day. Now that YOU
are just beginning new year of work,
brother ministers, it is a good time to
think on these things. We have friend,
however, who insists that there is no day
like Saturday for minister's rest day.
Let him finish his weeks work on Friday
night-he says-and then come thorough
ly rested to his Sabbath labor, and he will
not only preach better than he ever could
on any other plan, but will not feel Mon
dayish' the next day.-CongregGtionGIiSt.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

ORIGIN OF THE HORSESHOE SUPERsTI-
writer in BGtdWin'S Monthly, among the
Celtic race an effigy of the patron saint,
50 common i'll churches and temples, was
much used in the dwellings and workshops
of the people, rs so-called protection
against ill-fortune. The GLORY" above
the head Of these figures-which later
was often rudely carved in wood and
painted was represented by Il circular
piece of polished metal, to convey the
effect of the shining halo Or nimbus, fire.
quentlv seen in illustrations of the Virgin
and other Scripture subjects. Often this
metal nimbus was of semi-circular form,
and after the figure itself had disappeared
by reason of decay, the nimbus remained
and was suspended in some prominent
place at the entrance door, or other point
commanding view. The efligies in ques.
tion were not uncommonly seen by the
side of the doorway. In course of time
the nimbus was much used as u substitute
| for the latter, and was sold in shops for
this purpose. The tradition of good luck,
as embodied in the horseshoe theory may
thus be easily traced, since it became a
common occurrence for the faithful adher-
ent in the belief in the charms and
symbols to adopt the horseshoe. worn to
brightness, in the absence of any other,
which he nailed over the cottage door.
| Hence piece of metal of this same shape
became associated in the common miud
with supernatural presence and care, in
keeping with the belief attaching to the
original tiuurp Of the uatrOn saint
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

BETRAYED BY THE TRUTH.-The very
amiable and worthy occupant of the
position of British vice-cons at port in
the far east had often expressed to his
American fellow residents his great desire
to visit their country and make himself
familiar with some of its institutions.
His ideas of the west had been formed
from perusal of the works of Cooper,
and it is to be feared that his interlocu-
tors had purposely abstained from dis
turbing his somewhat highly colored
expectations. Finally furlough came to
him, and he made ready to carry out his
cherished plan of trip home by the way
OF the Pacific Ocean and the United States
lntroductions were given him to :rusty
practical jokers in San Francisco, which
he presented on arrival, with expressions
of vehement desire to encounter Indians,
and hunt buffiloes. This, he was told,
would be easy, as both abounded in the
neig hborhood of the Cliff House, and
prosiac suburb of Oakland. An ex-
petition WAS planned and carried out, and
the British brother. armed to the teeth
performed great deeds in the encounter
with practicable" Indians and buffioes
furnished, it was whispered, by a
theatre and a circus or menagerie. Ex-
ulting in the praise of his American
friends and covered with glory, he de-
parted for New York and England, His
fame stood him in good stead at dinners
and other social gatherings during his
entire vacation, preceded him on his
return to his post, and made him quite
hero among his fellow exiles. No Ameri-
can could find it In his heart to disturb it,
and all might have gone we'll to this day
if he only confined himself to his charac-
ter of amateur Leather stocking. One
day, however, a countryman of his came
to Yankee" and denounced this hero.
Just think of that M" said he, try
ing to sell us. By Jove! 1 never heard
in all my life, you know, such atrocious
stories as he has been telling us. What
do you think he tried to make US believe?
1t is all very fine to have shot no end of
Indians and buffaloes. OF course, YOU
know, where there are so many as there
are in San Francisco and Niagara, and
all those places, plucky fellow might do
that. But he has actually tried to make
us believe the most extraordinary story
that you have ever heard about your
country. you know. He says that he
went to place called Chicago, and he
went to draw some money from bank
and found that they had raised it up and
were moving it, with all the fellows.
inside, you know, going on with their
work! l say! Just fancy the cheek of
the fellow, supposng he could make us
believe that!' Alas! The one true story
which the poor consul told had proved
his undoing,-Harper's MagaSjne for
October.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

| KILLING THEIR "NERyE.n-A man
talks as easily at the rate of sixty miles an
ur as he does at an ordinary afternoon
pace, and a veteran railroad man who sat
with his feet cooked on an adjoining chair
on the ONO and Mississippi fast train, let
MS recollectlons and gossip flow entertain
lngly to Courier Journal reporter.
Ever in a smash-up?" asked the veteran
laconically.
"Neverr
That accounts for your lack of nervous.
ness: A child never breads the fire until
he Is burned, and so it is with the
engineers, who are known on the road ,s
good runners and bad runners A GOOD
runner Is always sent out with special
trains, and in other cases where fast time is
TO be made. He is an engineer who knows
the road and his engine, and will gauge
the speed by the quality of the track.
taking good many chances on safety.
knew one of these fellows, who was
regarded as the coolest and brayest man
IN the business. He would take "A lioht-
ming special as safely through as another
would freight One dark night he was
hauling the night express around a curve
ike a meteor. A tree had been blown
across the track by storm, and. he ran
upon it before it could be seen. The train
was smashed and he was badly hurt He
got well IN time and took his place at
work. but lost it, and couldn't oct a
passenger train on any road. The accident
Killed his nerve, and he couldn't ret
passenger train through on even schedule
tilne. lie was always tagging behind
tlme. That is the fate Df great many.
A pad accident to u fast train nearly
always spolls good engineer"
"Ihey are always in danger,n said the
reporter 0'' WV
Yes; if there is an accident they are
almost always sure to be killed They 90
through life on faith and by GOOD luck.
One day several years ago. / went for n
day hunting in the country, and made
arrangements for an engine to be sent out
Tor me at O'Clock 1t came, and with
three of us aboard, started to make the %
mlles an hour ahead of the regular train.
we got out mile or two, and the head
'ight fllckered and went down. The
engine was stopped and the lantern was
tlnkered with, and we started again. We
ran few miles, and had to stop and tinker
with the confounded lamp again. This
time 1t went our clear, and to our horror
we discovered that the regular train was
within tlVe minutes of us, and there was
not side track near. 1t was as dark as
original chaos, not star out. The engin-
eer started carefully, worked the throttle
out gradually, and all of us clinging to the
cab for dear life, the race began. For all
we could see it was plunge into space.
The engine snorted and rolled, and finally
heW along the track, until the welcome
lights OF the home yard fell upon US. We
had run thirteen miles on pure faith in
nine minutes, and the regular train was an
hour and forty minutes behind timer
That was close shave on luck!"
Yes; | don't want to ride under pres
sure again"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

The RECEPTION AND CARE OF IMMI-
GRANTS AT NEwYoRK.-As there are many
times more immigrants arriving in New
York city in the course of a year than at
any other poIt in the world it is satlsfac-
tory to know that the arrangements in
force there for receiving them are more
complete than at any other place. At
Castle Garden there is a well-arranged
system by which the mishaps which
would commonly fall to the lot of poor and
ignorant persons landing in strange
country are pretty fairly overcome. When
passenger steamer arrives in New York,
the steerage passengers are carried as
quickly as possible 10 Castle Garden, the
great circular building near the Battery.
Into this they enter by four gangways
Here at the entrance, the new corners are
obliged to give their names, the number
of their families, their occupation nd
their destination. Although these ques-
tions are sufficiently simple, it is often ex-
ceedingly hard work to get them correctly
answered, even though the registrars
carry on their inquiries in the language of
the immigrant. After passing through
this ordeal, the new arrival has to 90 to
the general clerk of the railroads, if he
intends going west, and he is here sup
piled with the tickets to take the place Of
his through orders purchased in Europe,
and is also told the time at which his
train will leave, and has his name entered
upon the list of passengers. If he wishes
to change his foreign money for American
notes or gold, there is IN exchange Office
handy in the garden, with the rates of ex
change between all of the countries of
the world boldly placarded in dozen
different languages. His money is ex-
changed and he is given guarantee, in
brief, that the amount paid to him is
correct At about in the afternoon
the emigrant trains on the roads usually
leave, and care is taken to see that every
passenger whose name has been taken by
the clerk gets on board the train. If the
emigrant intends to stay in the city or its
vicinity, m opportunity is afforded him
or her of notifying friends or relatives.
1t is easy TO see that in this thorough
arrangement II great deal of rascality is
avoided. The emigrants get as much for
their money rs they would if they were
exchanging thousands of dollars, which
they would certainly fail TO do if they
were obliged to 90 to small brokers' shops
But the money consideration is by no
means the greatest one. Fancy what the
fate would be of many young women,
landing without friends or relatives on a
foreign shore, and, in many instances,
having no knowledge Of the English
language, Even with the safeguards of
Castle Garden there have been cases of
mysterious disappearance; but no one
needs to be told that these would be far
more frequent if it were not for the sys-
tematic watchfulness of those who carry
on this great institution.-Boston Herald.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-06

SEA CRAFT IN MINIATURE.-An old
gentleman living a short distance out of
Portland recently had on exhibition two
ingenious pieces of mechanism. One was
steam barkentine and one a steam bark,
built on a scale of one,eighth of an inch
TO the foot. They were framed, planked
and bolted exactly like large ship.
Each plank was bolted and riveted with
bolts made from pin. hammered out to
about the size of a horse hair. They had
wooden blocks, rope strapped, the rigging
was twisted silk, made in ex ,ct imitation
of hemp rope, and everything about them
was made after the same style. The gen.
tleman who made them said he had taken
four hundred and sixty-four working days
to complete them,-Bangor (Me.) Whig.