davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

WHAT SIS. MEANs.-A correspondent of
the LdW Journal has been worrying over
the cabalistic letters "ss," so often found
in aliidavits and legal papers. The usual
explanation is that the letters are an abbre-
Walton of the word " ScitiCet," meaning
i" TO w.t." namely" "that is to say"
The writer referred to believes this theory
to be entirely incorrect, and offers the fol-
lowing explanation:
The most binding oath which the Rosi-
crucians could take was that in the name
of the holy spirit-Sanctus Spjritus-and
in writing the oath the name of the holy
spirit was abbreviated to SIS. Doubtless
they were not the first to make use of this
oath. 1t is declared in the Scriptures that
blasphemy against the holy ghost is a
sin which shall not be pardoned either in
this world or in the world to come. The
awful consequences of this sin probably
led to an early adoption of the appeal to
the holy ghost, rs the weightiest obliga.
ton which men could attach to their prom
ises or acts. If this theory be correct. il
is reasonably certain that the name of the
holy ghost would, in writing, be abbrevi-
ated, after the fashion of early times, to
IS. Thus we have |. II. S. for the Latin
IesuS Honlirunt S1luGtor: Ichthus for the
Greek Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior; =
and numerous other Authorizations of Il
like character. 1t is therefore probable
that the Rosicrucians, in using the oath in
the name o. the holy spirit and in abbre
waiting that name to IS. originated
nothing, but merely adopted IN old form
of oath, with its written abbreviation
Certainly the similarity between the IS
of this oath and the IS. of legal using il
striking. And If they may claim an origin
not merely similar, but identical. we shall
then have the reason for the use of S. il
those acts whose execution calls for par
ticular solemnity.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

How A CYCLONE LooKs.-The recent
terrible cyclone in Macoupin county, H.,
is thus described by Engineer Cutter of
the Chicago and Alton express train, which
was running at full speed and met the
tempest near Carlinville Mr.. Cutter saw,
out on the prairie, what he supposed to
be straw or hay stack on fire. As he
approached it, he saw that it moved rap
idly towards the track ,and realized that it
was a cyclone of the most appalling char
acter. 1t was q dark, funnel shaped cloud,
reaching from the ground high in the air,
where it diSsipated into the clouds. 1t
was black and dangerous looking, and
whirled with frightful velocity. Its voice
heard even in the distance above the rum
BILE and roar of the train was frightful in
the extreme. The cyclone seemed to
travel at the rate of twenty miles an hour,
and was so approaching that the moving
train must in n moment inevitably strike
it. Mr.. Cutter shut off his engine and
applied the air brake just in Time, for
despite the precaution the train touched
the cyclones onter edge. Mr.. Cutter
describes the sight rs the most horrible
he ever saw. The air was lurid and
dark and hot. as if from anov en-
Everything in the pathway of the storm
was demolished, crushed, annihilated
Barns, fences. sheds, telegraph poles and
everything at all fragile was swept up. Mr.
Cutter and his fireman couched down in
the tender, and for a moment feared the
whole train would be overturned. The
cars were only held on their trucks by the
safety chains. The passengers, who al
first wondered at the stop, with blanched
cheeks and terrified countenances. viewed
the terrible monster of The air in its work
of annihiation.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

M LATE DISCOVERIES IN NINEvAH.-
Judge DAILY, in his recent annual address
before the American geographical society,
said: "Frcsh discoveries of the cuneiform
inscriptions at Ninevah have revealed the
fact that the ancient Assyrians were ac-
quainted with the existence OF spots on
The sun, which they could only have
known by the aid Of telescopes. These it
is supposed they possessed. Mr.. Layard
found crystalline lens in the ruins Of
Ninevah. The Assyrian Cyclop9dia,
4 imprinted on bricks, was an exhaustive
work. The inscriptions on these bricks,
on being deciphered, disclosed that houses
and lands were sold, leased and mortgag-
ed, that money was loaned at interest, and
that the market gardeners. to use an
American phrase, worked on shares;
that the farmer when plowing with his
oxen. beguiled his labor with short and
homelv songs, two of which have been
found; and to connect this very remote
civilization of 1000 B. G. with the usagei
of to-day. the chief justice, in conclusion
referred to one Of the bricks in this library
in the form of a notice, which was to the
effect that visitors were requested to give
the librarian the number OF the book they
wished to consult, and that it would be
brought to them; at the perusal of whct
his honor said, one was disposed to fal
back upon the exclamation of Solomon
that there was nothing new under thu
su1,''
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

Speculator to old miner in Leadville
handing him bag of samples, Gold.
quartz or carbonatesp" The honest miner
turned it over in his hand indifferently
took out his knife and picked at it awhile
and then asked. Got much of itp''
" Thousands of tons.n answered the other
eagerly. How much do you suppose
she'll runm Cant tell nuthin without
an assay" But you can guess, can
you? you can guess?' Oh, yes, anybody
kin guess; but guess is liable to be ex
travagant, Now, should say-but mint
ye, may 90 over the mark-I should
s,a-a-y Cunning the specimen over again
and holding it up to the Light. l shou5
s-a-a-a-y that if ye can save the gold ir
this and catch the silver, and not waste
the lead, that it might run about-well
about two dollars to the county,"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

Gum arabic is useful for so many pur.
poses that it should always be kept in the
house; few cents worth of it will make
quite a parcel. Sponging old black alpaca,
that is to be made over, with cold tea, in
which little gum arabic is dissolved
improves its looks wonderfully, if ironed
on the wrong side. Always keep vial o
it dissolved for mucilage, as it is just as
good as that we buy and much cheaper;
should think tablespoonful of gum arabic
would be required for half cup of ho
water, but if that does not make it the
desired consistency (about the thickness O
molasses) add more gum arabic or water
as the case may require. When one gets
accustomed to having mucilage constantly
at hand, they find it very inconvenient tt
do without it, at least we should, for there
is seldom a day but it is wanted for some
thing; to paste papers together, put label'
on articles, do up bundles to send off, tC
mend artificial flowers, and for dozens o
other purposes.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

Butter gathered in the churn always
contains more or less buttermilk, which
would soon spoil the butter if not removed.
There are two ways Of removing it: one
by kneadng in water or brine, and the
other is kneading it without water. One
is called washing; the other working.
The former removes it much more rapid
ly than the latter. The flavor of the
butter which has been washed is different
from that which has not been washed. The
difference between washed and unwashed
butter is analogous to the difference be-
tween clarified sugar and unclarified.
The former consists of pure saccharine
matter; the latter of sugar and some al
luminous and flavoring matters, which
are contained in the juice of the cane
Mingled with it, which give a flavor in
addition to that of sugar. Brown sugar
though less sweet, has more flavor than
clarified sugar. When unwashed there is
always little buttermilk and sugar ad-
herring to the butter that gives it a pecul-
lar flavor in addition to pure butter, which
many people like, when it is new. Wash
ing removes all this foreign matter, and
leaves only the taste of the butter, pure
and simple
THE assertion is often made, and many
people believe, that water washes out the
flavor of the butter; but it only cleanses
the butter of the buttermilk, sugar, and
milk acid which may adhere to it, just as
clarifying sugar removes from it the
foreign matter which may modify its true
flavor. The flavor of butter consists of
fatty matters, which do not combine with
water; therefore, cannot be washed away
by it. The effect of washing upon the
keeping quality of butter depends upon
the purity of the water with which the
washing Is done. If the water contains
no foreign matter that will affect the
butter, it will keep better for washing the
buttermilk out than by kneading it out"
ID. B. Arnold.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

A TRIBUTE TO HIS WIFE.-General
Garfield, in recent conversation with
George Alfred Townsend. paid fine
tribute TO his wife. who in early life was a
pupil OF his at school. lis taught her Latin,
he said, land she was AS good Il pupil as
had. She is now teaching the same
Latin to my two boys, to get them ready
for the academy at Concord, Mass" When
speaking of the matrimonial infelicites VI
public men, he said: A" | have been won.
derfully blessed in the discretion of my
wife. She is one of the coolest and best
balanced women | ever saw. She was
unstampedeable. There has not been one
solitary instance of my public career when
| have suffered in the smallest degree for
any remark she ever made"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATIoN.-The public
hardly needs to learn that the result of the
indispositon and inability to learn trades
among American boys is about as disas,
trous as can be imagined. 1t is found that
in the prisons, almost universally, the
number of criminals who never learned q
trade to those who are skilled workmen is
six to one. The army of tramps who
have infested the country for the last few
years is largely composed of men who
have had no industrial education
whatever. These men, who beg at our
doors, are mainly men who never learned
a trade and who can handle nothing but a
shovel. A New York clergyman, possess
ing large family of boys, recently de-
clared from his pulpit that he intended
that every lad of his family should learn
some mechanical employment, by which,
in an emergency, he could get living.
He was right 1t is in the emergencies of
life,-it is when men find themselves
helpless and without the power of earning
money,-that they slip into crime, and be-
come the tenants of prisons and peniten-
tiaries.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

ALEXANDER ii. STEVENS ON WEBSTER
i think Webster was the worst SANDER
ed man ever knew. 1t is the general
impression in the country to-day that
Webster was great drunkard. You hear
it spoken of even now whenever his name
is mentioned, but it is nm outrageous SLAM
der. will tell you what know myself.
For six years, while we were both here in
congress, lived next door to him. His
house was as familiar to me as was my
own garden. | was in there great deal,
and he was rs often in mine, and in all the
time of my acquaintance with him |
never saw Webster when he was in the
least affected by liquor Or under the in
tluence of it in any way. | have dincd
with him at his house and at mine; have
met him at dinners and affairs outside,
and never saw him in the least inebriated.
| never heard of his being intoxicated but
twice, and on one of these occasions-a
dinner-he was said to have made speech
that was grandly eloquent. He was, us |
say, one of the worst slandered men | ever
knew Why, friend told me once that
he had known Webster for twenty years,
and in all that time he never saw him
intoxicated Washington Letter 10 Chicago
NewS.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09
AMERICAN WOMEN MEAsURABLY Con-

AMERICAN WOMEN MEAsURABLY Con-
sIDEREp.-The New York Times claims a
patent on the question of two years ago:
"Are not American women losing their
thinness?" 1t now makes a answer
"Observation shows that it is so, especial
ly in large cities, where there is more
ease and material comfort, more freedom
from anxiety and petty cares, than there
can be in the country. Our women do
not look rs they used TO Is, or even 15,
years since. Their proportions have Wis.
idly increased, rs almost any one may see
who will use his eyes. New York will
serve rs an example. Formerly really
stout women here was pretty apt to be a
foreigner. Now stout native women are
very common. well nigh too common to be
Ango.Saxon blood and origin are con-
spiciously plenty. They are numerous on
the promenade. at places of amusement
at private entertainments. Fullness OF
contour is no longer the dividing line
between other nationalities and our own
We are getting more and more like the
rest of the civilized world. The last char.
ity ball --as fair representation as any
public assembly can be Of the average
condition of the leisurely prosperous class
certainly denoted that leanness has
ceased to be a trait of our women, many
Of whom were physically affluent beyond
the need of becomingness. The pallid
compilations, narrow chests, fiat hosoms,
angular figures, of which we were won,
to hear so much from old world resources
were hardly perceptible. They diminish
every year, proving that the general
health of the country Is far better than il
has been, and that we more clearly un
derstand nature and natures laws. The
present danger is that American womer
may acquire, in II few years, more adipost
matter than may be attractive. The ten
dency is obviously in that direction. II
may not he great while before they shall
compete in corpulency with their Eng
lish. French and German sisters, not t
name those of other lands 1t appears t.
be the rule that women, in and after mid
die life, grow stout when they are com
fortably circumstanced and mentally n
rest, and there is no manifest reason VIII.
Americans should be an exception. w
hope that they will stop short of Euro
pean rehundance-any degree OF thinnes
Is preferable to obeslty-but whether the.
do or not, the meagerness of the daugh
ters Of the republic is, unquestionably,
thing of the past
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

A writer in the advocate says: In the
laundry borax is economical, us it saves
labor aDl soap. and is really cheaper than
the latter. For blankets and other large
articles it is especially valuable, and in all
cases the use of little borax will save
half the labor when articles are much
soiled. 1t is perfectly effectual in driving
away red ants, cockroaches, etc., if sprink.
led around on shelves, or put in small
quantities on paper and placed in the run.
ways of insects. Borax is also of great
value for toilet uses. For removing dand.
ruff and cleansing the hair it is unequaled.
1t is also good remedy for rough face
and chapped hands Its application to
wounds, sores, bruises, sprains, etc proves
very salutary, and is often the only RENE.
dy required, even in severe cases.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

INDIAN WIT.-You would hardly ex-
pect to find wit among the Indians, and
yet they are just as hu man as the rest oI
us, and in spite of their stoicism indulge
in Joke now and then which has flavor
of its own. During a banquet which was
given by the pale faces to several red men
one of the Indians took Il spoonful OF
mustard, supposing it to be some delicacy.
The tears came into his eyes. He could
die without flinching, but II spoonful of
mustard was something which even his
heroic soul could not endure, so he wepl
profusely. even as white men do some
times. The chief who sat opposite
asked why he cried. He Daturally re.
Piled that he was thinking of his old
father, who died horrible death. A few
minutes after, the chief himself fell upon
the mustard. box, and swallowed more
than was necessary.
The tears came into his eyes. too. A
thousand tomahawks were nothing. but
the pungent quality of the mustard made
him weep like child. And why do yor
cry?" asked the first victim, with savage
delight in his tones. "Well," was the
quick reply. Il am crying because yor
were not killed when your father was.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

RECoLLECTIoNS OF THE CARAVAN
"When | was II youngster," remarked
Mr. Smiley, rs he stood gazing at the bill
board, "lhey used to have caravans.
Them were to some purpose. | remem-
Der old Bets the first elephant that ever
crossed the Atlantic. They used to travel
with her in the night and show her next
day in the tavern barn. She was sensible
old critter. She didn't try to make an
acrobat of herself and balance on the top
of a cider barrel. Not much. She took
all the peanuts and cookies and wiped the
fellows across the face who gave her plug
tobacco. She tended strictly to business.
But was speaking of caravans They
always had their show in the tents and not
on the fences with colored pictures. Lions
and tigers and monkeys and rhinoceroses
used to interest the boys then without any
perversion of the Scripture quotations such
rs they have nowadays. I'd give a nine.
pence to see such show again, but
never shall" and turning away from the
deceitfu pictures with II sigh, just as the
head of the circus procession came in
sight, the old gentleman hobbled after the
- massive golden car of Melpomene "
three quarters of . mile, bought ticket
to the big show and paid seven little boys
into the side show.-NeO Hauen Register.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

A house made of paper and containing
household articles and wearing apparel
all made of paper can now be seen ut the
Sydney exhibition. The house rises one
story high and has framework of wood.
The doors, cupboards and shelves are
made of carton pierre, which material is
also used on the floor. and on the walls is
wrought into beautiful arabesques, and on
the ceilings is made to resemble plaster.
The chandeliers, the stove, the carpets,
the curtains, large bed, blankets. sheets,
quilts, female Undertaking, fashionable
dresses and bonnets, are all made out of
PAPER in The form either of papier- -naache
or carton pate. There has been some
talk OF having guests assemble in the
house to partlke of vian Is served on
paper pla es. and dishes eaten with the
aid of paper knives and forks, while wa
ter would be drank from paper glasses.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

THE VULGARITY OF EXTRAvAGANCE.-
Extravaganza is always vulgarizing. The
tendency of the time in which sensuous
pleasures dominate is inevitably down.
ward in respect to manners, morals and
real refinement. The painted, gilded,
art-decorated, and notwithstanding social
extravaganza of the present time has
nothing to commend it but the poor plea
that at makes business for somebody, and
keeps money in circulation" But the
evil influence of such an unnatural con-
dition of things far outweighs this doubt
full good Example leads TO universal
imitation. The millionaire who ostenta-
tiously orders priceless Johnnisberger at
his club will be infallibly, though remote
y, initiated by somebody who is very far
from being a millionaire. lie was we'll
intentioned CrGsus, who. hearing one of
the jeunesse dorce propose great piece
of extravaganza, promptly said: II cannot
afford to Join in it y" But aside from the
malign influence Of example, the vulgar
prodigality Of the time is destroying all
the finer graces of life. Ostentalion and
display are fatal to the social virtues.
There can be no sweet home life, no
sacred domesticity, no rational comfort,
in family which has once been invaded
by the desire to shine, and outshine in
society. When the demon of social dis
content comes in at the door of brown
stone front, all the better angels of onr
nature fly out of the attic windows. The
grace and beauty of life are gone for.
ever.-New York Times.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

Ocean waves and currents exert an ag.
gregate power of which we can form but
a faint conception. In the west of Scot.
land Stevenson found the average force of
the waves striking the coast to be Gil
pounds per square foot during the summer
and 2,086 pounds in the winter. A ground
swell beating against the Bell Rock light
house he estimated to give pressure OF
nearly three tons per square foot. Several
instances have been recorded of the mov-
ing of huge masses of rock by the waves,
in one case block of concrete weighing
1875 tons having been pushed more than
three feet from its bed.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

AN INCIDENT.-The late Henry Vincent,
the English lecturer. once related to II
newspaper correspondent that he was
driving with John Bright when the news
of Abraham Lincoln's death was told them
by man who stopped their carriage by
the wayside for that purpose. Neither OF
the two Englishmen spoke II word in
response. They drove on in utter silence
and by-and.by, when each looked up at
the others face, tho eyes of both were full
of tears.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

To return good for good is civil court
esy; evil for evil, malicious policy; evil
for good, hateful ingratitude; good for
evil, true Christian charity,-Schlatter.
John, said clergyman to his man, you
should become teetotaler; you have
been drinking again to-day. Do you ever
take a drop yourself, ministerP Yes. John
but you must look at your circumstances
and mine. Very true, sir. says John; but
tell me how the streets of Jerusalem we're
kept clean' No. John, cannot tell you
that. Well, sir, it was just because every
one kept his ain door clean.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09
CANADIAN PERIOD.

1st. The calciferous, or that of the cal.
ciferons sand rock of Northern New York
etc; I'd. The Quebec, or that of the
Quebec group of Canada; Sd. The Chazy
or that of the Chazy limestone.
The rocks of the extensive Quebec group
were first distinguished and described in
Canada by Canadian geologists, and all
the subdivisions are well represented there
and hence the period is named the Cana.
dian.
The calciferous are calcareous sane
stone and magnetism lime in Canada ant
Northern New York, adjoining the region
of the Potsdam sand stone mt Norfolk and
Ogdensburg. This rock has Il thickness o.
about sixty feet.
A. N. TUPPER.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

A popularity of the climate of South
America is that the same wind from the
Soute Pole blows throughout the year,
fresh and keen, all along the coasts; so
fresh and keen that on the sea or close to
it the vertical sun of the tropics loses all
its power even at noon, and the long
equatorial night has chill which renders
il unsafe as we'll as uncomfortable 10 sleep
in the open air, and unwise and almost
impossible t, dispense with heavy blan-
kets.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

A young man out west started a maga-
zine recently of highly sensational char
acter. 1t was powder magazine and it
gave the young man large local circula-
ton 1t created some excitement for IL
time, but eventually ended in smoke.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

For some time past the money changers
at Castle Garden, New York, have ex.
changed an average of Sl5O,000 day for
newly arrived immigrants. besides which
very many of them are provided, before
leaving Europe, with drafts upon CONNER
cial firms in this country. On some days
t e average amount of money brought by
each immigrant has been as much as $500.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09

"If you graspa rattlesnake firmly about
the neck he cannot strike YOU" says a
western paper. 70 be perfectly SAFE"
remarks the Elmira Free Press, ait will
be we'll 10 let the hired man do the grasp
ing" .: