davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

former home of the great granddaughter
of Martha Washington. who became the
wife Of the confederate chieftain, Gen.
Robert Lee. The estate embraces about
eleven hundred acres, two of which have
been set apart rs national cemetery
Arlington House was built by George
Washington Parko Gusts, tho father of
Mrs. Lee, but only life interest in the
property was devised to her by her father.
The mansion is imposing in appearance,
and has a frontage of one hundred and
forty feet. The portico is sixty feet long
and twenty-five feet deep. and Is orna-
mented with eight Doric columns. 1t was
long regarded as one of the palalial homes
of the south. The situation is fine, and
the view from the portico extensive, and
for beauty can scarcely be excelled. The
cemetery west of the house is devoted to
white and that lying north to colored dead
soldiers. South of the house is the "Un-
known Tomb" in which are the remains of
two thousand one hundred and eleven
unknown soldiers gathered from the battle
fields of Bnll Run and the route to the
Rappahannock. Near this tomb is an
ampitheatre erected in 1873, designed for
use on Decoration day, capable of accom-
modating five thousand persons.
Fort Whipple is only short distance
from Arlington. 1t is the only one of the
many forts built near Washington during
the late war that has not been dismantled.
1t is now station for instruction in sig-
mailing.
Of the various asylums, one, the gov
ernment hospital for the insane, known rs
the "St. Elizabeth Hospital" is the most
important. 1t is situated on high ground,
on the south side of the Anicostia river.
In the distance it looks like large feudal
castle. There is attached to it an estate
of foar hundred and nineteen acres.
Nearly one thousand persons are accom-
modated within its walls. The institution
was opened in 1866. The cost of the
building was S0SS,846 50. Towering
shrubs in large variety ornament the
grounds. ELIZABETH.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

A REMARKABLE FAMILY.-Tae little
village of Norton, Pa, contains remark
able family. In the doorway of small,
low-roofed dwelling stood tall, we'll
preserved woman II am looking fov Il
woman 81 years old, who has raised
twenty-four children and Is still in vigor.
Gus health" was the first query. II
suppose you refer to me-" she said;I am
OF that age
She was apparently enjoying the best of
health. In all her long life she said she
had never been sick but one day.
Brought up on the farm and Injured to the
rough work incident to farm life this
woman had reared the extraordinarily
large family of twenty -four children,
twenty of whom are alive. The oldest is
65 and resides on u closely kept farm Il
mile or so distant from the homestead. The
youngest is 30, and is engaged in the
grape culture at Hammondport, New
York. The entire twenty children are in
splendid health. OF the four who are dead
three met their death by accident, while
the fourth died of yellow fever in Memphis
two years ago. The mother still does the
house work, mlks four COWS daily and
takes the produce TO market. She is the
financier of the family and declares that
she needs no lawyer to keep her affairs in
order Every Sabbath finds all quiet about
the farm, and every member of the ci Gle
is required to attend the quaint old Meth
odist church morning and evening.
as your husband livingp" was asked
mo, sir; he died five years ago"
"Who is the man then Of whom it is
reported that he is 81 years old and yet
cuts two cords of wood every day?"
"Oh, said she as Il smile lit up her face,
"lhat must be brother Jake He's out
yonder chopping away for dear life"
lhe visitor went "out yonder," and sure
enough II tall, strongly built man with
white locks streaming over his shoulleres,
was bending over wood pile and WELD
ing an AK in a manner betokening no lack
of vigor. His four-score years have ali
been spent within radius of twenty-five
miles. He had never been outside Of
Hunterdon county.
Il care nuthin about seoin the world,
sir. My own little village here and my
small gathering Of true friends is all |
desire. read the papers regularly. and
find that there is IL heap of pickering
and strife outside which we avoid in our
quiet home. | remember Il good ways
back, and have watched many chan ges
since was boy, but all my affections
and associations are here. do not have
to chop wood; oh, no, sir; but like the
exercise, and it keeps me movin' I've
never been married, and I've laid aside
tolerable neat sum in the Frenchtown
bank for old age;" at the words "old age
the sturdy farmer chuckled, rs though 81
years did not bring him into the period of
hoary hairs and declining days.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28


The SLATE BUSINESS. S.--The New En-
gland slate industry is destined to become
Il source of vast Importance and of i'm
mense wealth. AS yet it is in its infancy.
Far-sighted men and capitalists are, how
ever, turning a good deal OF attention to
it of late, and the more the business is
looked into the more promising it be-
comes. The important elements which
are the foundation for the opinion above
expressed may be briefly enumerated
thus:
First, the supply is inexhaustible.
Second, the qnality of New England
slate is superior to any elsewhere TO bs
found.
Third, the demand for it is constantly
increasing, and exceeds the marketable
supply. 1t is wanted all over the world.
and even at home is cheaper and better
than good shingles.
Fourth, our slate formations are such
rs to render its production ready for mar
ket so cheap rs to defy competition.
Fifth, the faculties for marketing are
good and constantly improving.
Sixth, the product always commands
cash.
oCNChbbS 90 ihFltihS luNOSllu6uIS IL HAS
an advantage over all other mining in
dusres in the fact that the slate quarries
can be seen at once, and no uncertainty
or hazard attends prospecting, Like n
pine forest, visible to the eye. it is simply
a question of administration.
Eighth, it requires less skill to prepare
it for use than any other mining product.
There is no crushing of rock TO find tho
gold which it will always command. no
expensive works to be constructed for
manufacturing the genuine article sought.
and no expensive engineer, miners and
skilled workmen to get the staple ready
for use.
Ninth, there is much less risk in in
vestments In the slate business than in
ordinary mining companies, because every
stockholdsr can see the mine with his own
eyes, and is not obliged to take any thing
on trust He can in short, walk by sight,
and not by faith, or the testimony of ex-
perts whether Interested or otherwise,
Such are some of the obvious advantaoes
of this new industry, and the time ia not
far distant when the New England slate
business will take front rank in the field
of American wealth and enterprise.
In a general commercial view. as n
means of giving employment to our people
and opening up new avenues to local
wealth and independence. this Is field
we'll worthy Of attention on the part of all
who desire to see New England maintain
ing and snlarging her productive industry
especially as our pine forests are past re-
covery, and the capital needful for sue
cess in this is much less than that re
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

STOPPING A CANNON BALL.--A rather
singular charge Of malicious woundine
has been brought before the magistrate
at Leeds against an acrobat named Hol
tum. Herr Holtum's specially was the
catching of n ball fired from cannon
and as the genuineness of the feat was
| doubted, he offered $3.50 to any one who
could do the trick. This offer was ac.
cepted by three men. One was man
named Fenton. Not being professional
base ball catcher, he allowed the ball to
strike him on the head with such force
| that he had to be carried TO the hospital,
! where he lies at the point Of death. The
other competitors for the $3.50 were
anxious, in spite of the accident to their
predecessor, to " seek the bubble reputa-
tion," at the cannon's mouth; but the
audience showed such evident signs of
disproval that Herr Holtum refused to
allow them TO run the risk In conse
quence of Fenton's injuries Herr Holtum
now finds himself in the hands of the
law. He will probably be convicted.
The whole trick consists in aiming the
cannon at the right place, the ball being
projected by q spring, which is freed ut
the same moment that some loose powder
is flashed in the gun; the smoke and noise
delude the spectators as to the speed at
which the ball travels, and, if the cannon
is pointed directly at the hands. which arc
protected by thick leather gloves. the trick
is comparatively easy one. 1t is alleged
that Herr Holtum, in order to save his
$3.50, deliberately aimed at the young
mans head, for which piece of practical
jocularity he is likely, should Fenton die,
to be severely punished.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

A LoCOMTIvE IN THE SULKs.-" He's
been in the dumps because TIE locomotive
has been off for three or four days." said
Il railroad man to Il companion the other
day, rs he pointed to IN engineer.
"How off ?"
"Go and ask him."
1t took II quarter of an hour and cigar
to clear the cloud from the engineers face,
and then in reply 10 the query he said:
1T is queer thing. There's my en-
gine, one OF The best on the road, in per-
lect order, only twelve years old, and able
10 run OF pull with the best of them. A
month ago hadn't the least bit of trouble
in making time, no matter how the track
was or the weight of the train. She WAS
ready at the word, held her steam beauti-
fully, ami she seemed to understand every
word said. To-day she is down in the
round house. growing and sputtering,an
acting MS if she wanted to pick u fuss with
| u gravel pit.
Anything out of gearp'
Not II thing. She 5 been looked over
twice, and we cant find the least excuse
for her conduct. She'll getuver IL in day
OF two, perhaps. II she don't wen puni,l,
her."
"How?'
"Put her before freight or stock trainl
I've seen it tried a dozen times and it mos
always works well. Here she is now
bright as new dollar and as handsome
as picture. and III bet fifty dollars there
isn't the least thing out of order. She's
simply sulking. the same as child or
woman, and l know what started it.
Three weeks ago while on my run in the
night express, she just wanted to light out
for all she was worth. She took the bit
like II running horse, and if hadn't chok-
ed her she'd have beaten schedule time by
twenty minutes. She acted mad right
away, and in running twenty miles she
gave me more trouble than | ever had
with her in II run of three hundred. She
lost steam, tried to foam over, choked her
pipes, and when | wanted more steam
she'd slide on her drivers. She went right
back on me that night and has been sulk-
ing ever since"
DO all engines do this?"
Not all, but many of them. Some
folks laugh at us and call it superstition,
but they never lived in AN engine cab."-
New York Graphic.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

SAGACITY OF WOLVES Whenever
wolves associate togather for mischief there
is numerous train of smaller ones to
follow in the rear and act as auXiliaries in
the work of destruction. Two large
wolves are sufficient TO destroy the most
powerful horse, and seldom more than
two ever begin the assault, although there
may bo a score in the gang. 1t is not
less curious than amusing to witness their
ingenious mode of attack. If there is nc
snow or little on the ground, two wolves
approach in the most playful and caress'
ing manner, lying, rolling and frisking
about until the too credulous and unsus'
pecting victim is completely put off hi'
guard by curiosoty and familiarity
During this time the gang, squatling, are
looking on at distance. After some
time spent in this way, the two assailants
separate, when one approaches the horses
head, the other his tail, with n shyness
an cunning peculiar to Themselves.
At this stage OF the attack their frolic.
some approach becomes very interesting
the former is II mere decoy, the latter i,
the real assailaut. and keeps his eyes
steadily fixed on the hamstrings or flank
of the horse. The critical moment is then
watched, and the attack is simultaneous
both wolves spring at their victim the
same instant-onc at the throat, the other
at the flank-and, if successful, which
they generally are, the hind one never
lets 90 his hold till the horse is com,
pletely disabled. Instead of springing
forward or kicking to disengage himself,
the horse turns round and round, without
attempting II defence. The wolf then
springs behind to assist the other. The
sinews are then cut, and in half the time
the writer has been describing it the horse
is on his side. His struggles are fruitless
the victory won. At this signal the look,
ers-on close in a gallop. but the small fry
of followers keep at a respectful distance
until their superiors are gorged. and then
they take their turn unmolested.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

MORE LIGHT AND LESS IsE.-One of
the members of the bar in Saratoga, who
thoroughly enjoys n good joke, relates the
following and applies the moral to him
self: Not long since he was counsel in Il
case before Judge Pratt, referee, and during
the progress of the trial became a little
bit noisy, as he sometimes does, when the
Judge looked up and said to him. "Mr.
-, did you ever hear of the man who
was lost in the woods during a thunder
storm?' On being answered in the mega
tive, the judge continued: "A man, in
attempting to pass thorough piece of
woods, lost his way. and while he was in
that predcament fearful thunder storm
came up. The woods grew awfully dark.
The roaring of the wind and the crashing
of the thunder was terrific. The man
was frightened and started to pray, but
not being used to that business. said: o.,
Lord, give us little more light and n
little less neiser don't mean you. Mr.
-" added the Judge The audience
supposed all the time the judge did mean
him, and now that he thinks of it himself,
he nclines to that opinion also.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

RUN THE NEXT MILL BY WATER.-The
other day L. &. met an old friend who
was formerly prosperous young lumber
man up north, but whose habits of drink
ing resulted as they often do, though he
has since reformed and is trying to do
better.
"IIow are you?! said I. G.
Pretty well, thank you, but I've just
been to doctor to have him look at my
throat"
Whats the matter?"
"Well, the doctor, couldn't give any
encouragement. At least he coulden't
find what wanted him to find.
"What did you expect him to tnd?'
Il asked him to look down my throat
for the saw mill and farm that had gone
down there"
And did he see any thing of it?"
mo, but he advised me if | ever got
another mill TO run it by water"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

AG GHESSIvE CHRISTIANITY Aggressive
Christianity is not II crusade in which EN-
balted hosts decide cause by the fortune
of single fight. 1t is an individual mat
ter. 1t is the good fight of faith that must
be fought daily by every one who would
be good soldier of Jesus Christ. Agres
sive Christianity goes into the pulpit witt
the preacher. who, with heart of love
and tongue of fire, assails the stronghold:
of Satan with the weapons that are mighty
through God. 1t goes into the busires:
mart with the merchant, who does all in
the name of the Lord Jesus. 1t goes into
the home where the spirit of Christ is ex'
hibited in the love that warns, the patience
that endures, and the courage that con
ouers. 1t goes into prisons, asylums, sick
rooms, and the abodes of poverty and
want, with heart to pity, and a hand to
help. 1t goes into Sunday schools with
the Christ-ike men and women who are
leading the little ones to the Savior. 1t
goes across the seas and into the dark
places of the earth with Christ's consecrat-
ed ones, who love lost souls more than
thev love ease or comfort, or houses OF
lands. Aggressive Christianity is that
which does its work with simple fidelity,
making no ado about it, 1t is the earnest
impulse, the constant activity, and the
steady progress Of genuine religion-noth-
ing more or less. Aggression is the law
of Christian life. .--NaShujile AdUocate.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

WARNING TO CHILDREN WHO "JUMp
tute recently performed surgical opera
ton on the leg of young girl by the
name of Jordan, from Illinois, sent here
for treatment. The bones of both her legs
will have to be partially removed, and the
little sufferer will have to submit TO two
painful operations. The cause of her af-
fectisn is from jumping the rope a
pastime engaged in generally by young
girls, resulting in necrosis, or death of
the bone. The doctor stated to reporter
in this connection that similar cases were
constantly occurring from this same cause,
but more frequently resulting in necrosis
of the spine, and that there has not been II
month passed but more or less cases of
this character come to the institute for
treatment. HE says that rope jumping
produces continuous conclusions on the
joints which impinge upon the bone, caus-
ing at the first stage periostetis, and final
ly resulting in the death of the bone. He
thinks that parents and teachers should
be warned of this dangerous sport and
eradicate it entirely from the Fairgrounds
OF children, rs it is runous in its effects,
and is the prime cause of more cripples
among the female portion of the commu-
nifty than probably any one cause. He
also added that, during the practice of his
profession, deaths had been occurring.
coming under his observation, which were
the result of this perncious paslime. In
conclusion, he said: ~ would warn chill
dren against rope jumping, and would
advise parents and teachers to prohibit it
under all circumstances. .'-IudjanapoliS
Sentinel.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

Too Much ENTHUsIAsM.-An amusing
little scene is said to have occurred u few
days since in the lobby of the Senate at
Washington. Senator Baldwin was en-
gagged in conversation with W. Living
stone, Jr., when Senator Blaine was seen
approaching them, and Baldwin remarked +:
"Here's Blaine do you know hms No?
III Introduce" Turning then to Blaine,
he said: Senator. allow me to present
you to one of my fellow citizens. Mr.. Liv-
ingstone, of Detroit Livingstone, with
enthusiasm: Delighted to meet you,
senator. and glad to shake hands with the
man who, by good rights, ought to-day to
be in the White House, and would have
been, too, if it had not been for the jackass
delegation from Michigan" 1t then
dswned suddenly upon Livingstone that
Baldwin, at that time governor, had been
rather prominent member of the afore.
said delegation and the fact caused some
incoherency in the subsequent eonversa'
tion.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

Elderly gentleman to a freshman on the
train: you don't have any ticket" mo.
| travel on my good looks" Then, :"
after looking him over, probably you
ain't going very far"
John Hawkins once said. II fell asleep
to-day. and woke up crying. could not
help it for l dreamed of all drunkards
being reformed" That was certainly a
glorious dream-still God has promised,
that all the ends of the world shall re-
member and turn unto the Lord; and all
the kindreds of the nations shall worship
before Him." yet men say it Is too good to
be true. But is it not better than dream.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

Cultured, courteous, experienced conduc-
tors, special arrangements for entertain.
ments and sightseeing, little night travel.
ing. relief from care of baggage, and
strict observance of the Sabbath are
among the superior advantages offered by
this party. Those who travel know the
value of these.
There are many in Vermon: who intend
to take vacations. Why not do as the
writer of this article intends to do-join
the Tourjee excursion party? What could
be more interesting, what more valuable,
what better and more practical recroa-
tionP +. B. BANCROFT.
Boston, April 90, 1880.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

A MOTHERS ENDURING LovE.-A yery
touching story Of the endurance of human
love is that of u mother in West Virginia
village, whose son nent out one evening,
thirty years ago, asking her to have supper
ready for him when he should come back.
Whether he was murdered or ran away
to sea, nobody knows. lie has never re.
turned. His mother, now feeble and
white haired, makes ready for him every
night, places his chair at the table and
wal S.
lie VIII come some day." sne says,
"and then he will see that | have never
forgotten him."
One cannot but hope that the loving
patience of the poor waiting heart may
yet be rewarded.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28

The enormous consumption of timber
for railway ties gives to any method for
preventing decay II special interest. Ii
was stated, in paper lately read before
the engineers club of Philadelphia, thai
ties permeated with creosote which had
been in use in England for twenty-five
years were still in as good condition as
when first laid down. Creosoted piles
driven at Portsmouth, England, forty-two
wears ago, were now ms good above as
below the waterline, and have outlasted
sixteen sets of unprepared wood cut from
the same timber and used in the same
work. These facts would seem to establish
economy of creosoting railway ties beyond
all question.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28
WHO KILLED TOM ROPER


Whe killed Tom Roper?
NOt said New Cider,
couldn't kill spider,
didn't kill Tom Roper.
Noti said Strong Ale,
make men tough and hale,
didn't kill Tom Roper.
Not slid Lager Beer,
don'tintoxicate Dye hear?
didn't kill Tom Roper.
Not said Bourbon Whiskey,
make sick folks spry and frisky,
The doctors say SO; don't they know
What quickens blood that runs too slow?
didn't kill Tom Roper
Not said sparkling Champagne,
No poor man e'er by me was slain;
chter the rich iu lordly halls,
Andscorn the place where the drunkard falls
didn't kill Tom Roper.
Not We, said various other wines;
Wha' Juice of grape, product of vines,
Kill Sman! The Bible tells
Thatwine all other drink excels;
Wedidn't kill Tom Roper
Not said Holland Gin,
To charge such crime to mo is sin,
Ididu'tkill Tom Roper.
Not |, spoke up the Brandy strong,
lie grew too poor to buy me long,
didn't kill Tom Roper.
NotI said Medford Rum,
lie was almost goue before | come,
didn't kill Tom Roper.
Ha ! ha laughed old King Alcohol,
Each struck the blow that made him fall;
And all that helped to make him topper,
My agents were to kill Tom Roper.