davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
The Contribution Box.

On Sunday morning Henry Ward
Beecher asked for collection in aid of
the Women's Sewing Society Of the
church. While the baskets were passing
he said: 81 dislike to take collection
for any object, as think it democrat
izing. 1t gives many people an excuse
for evading their duty. Many men of
ample means avoid their full obligation
by putting in a ten cent or a fve-cent
piece. Now, / like to see pennies in
the basket, because I know that they
are put in by children, but when 1 see
the dimes and nickels I say Here come
the army of mean men, We ought
never to take collection here of less
than 81 900, and from that to 5000,
and it is my duty to say that if you
don't do better in this respect than you
have done, shall not permit you to
have collection at ALL" daughter
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
Well Served.

1t is singular how men will lie in order
to shift burden from their own to an
others shoulder. A servant being dis
missed for some grievous fault, asked
for character. His master wrote
him one, which was so commendatory
that the man said, with touch of sar-
casm Don't you think you had better
hire over again servant who has such
character % A church was once
taught similar lesson in yer acity:
The church of Maine town, after
much discussion over tea-cups and the
counters of the country stores, decided
to dismiss Deacon X, from membership.
No especial misdemeanor could be
brought against him, but general
faculty of making himself disagreeable,
of causing gossip and of being uncom-
monty stiff-necked, made the good folks
anxious to be relieved of him.
The matter was brought up before the
church, and as no crime was charged
upon him, Deacon x. insisted upon re-
ceiving letter of recommendation.
Elated, perhaps, by the prospect of
being rid of the troublesome member, the
clerk of the parish wrote very pleas
ant letter, commencing the brother TO
the good fellowship of whatever church
of the faith to which the letter might
come.
Imagine the CONSERVATION of the con-
gregation when at the next church
meeting Deacon x. presented his letter
of recommendation and insisted upon
being received back again And he was.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
Forgetting the Password.

Numberless amusing instances might
be related of the fix officers occasionally
find themselves in by forgetting the
password. Two sentries were mounting
guard inside the walls Of the prison at
F, one ia each angle, with strict or
ders to detain any one attempting to
pass without giving the sign. The Lieu
tenant on his round of inspection passed
tn efirst sentry, giving the word cor
rectly enough. When half way between
the sentries a sound ON the outside of
the wall attracted his attention, and,
while endeavsging to investigate the
matter, the word quite slipped his mem
DRY. Finding his suspicion groundless
he approached the second sentry and
was again challenged, but, in spite of
his utmost endeavors, he could not re-
member the word. Cant pass with
out the word" was all the reply given
him. Returning to the first sentry he
was challenged as before, but, as he
could not give the word, was not allowed
to pass him either. No entreaties could
prevail. The sentries, not knowing but
that he was testing them, and rather en-
joying the joke, ii the truth must be
told, proved obdurate to all persuasion.
Here, then, he was kept all night be-
tween the two, shivering and cold, till
the gray dawn appeared, when he was
relieved by the change of guard.
Chamber Journal.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
Rather Enthusiastic.

The Wilmington (Del Daily Repu6
lican lately contained the following
item of popular interest: DR.. J. F. Speck,
who is connected with the Wilmington
Every Erening, speaks rather enthusi-
astically of st. Jacobs Oil. DIR. Speck
states that he uses the Oil in his family
as a household remedy, a sort of univer-
sal panacea for all aches and pains, and
has always found it to act most happily.
His attention was called to it by the
many testimonials in its favor, and he
one day used it upon himself for sore
throat. Two applications were sufficient
to effect cure. He also used it on his
little girl for sore throat with gratifying
success. The same child had scarlet
fever this winter which left the tendons
of one leg much contracted. The little
prattler couldn Ewalk without assistance
and suffered much inconvenience and
pain. Several applications of st. Jacobs
Oil restored the limb to its normal con-
dition and she has not experienced any
trouble since. DR.. Speck states that
he has also seen the Oil act charmingly
in toothache. He thinks st. Jacobs
Oil is sterling remedy, and does not
hesitate to recommend it for rheuma-
tism, etc.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

RE1Ios.-In their zeal to show the
complete restoration of good feeling the
managers of Soldiers Home fair In
Boston begged for the loan of the Com
federate flag that foated over Fort
Sumter during the war and other "rel-
les" for exhibition, and were refused,
their present custodians, the Washing
ton Light Infantry of Charleston, 8.
c., replying: "These are preserved in
their armory in sad and tender remem-
brance of their comrades, by whose life
blood they are hallowed, and with the
kindest wishes for the success Of the
fair of their Boston friends, the corps
feel that the display Of the relics in
Boston, or anywhere else, North or
South, would be unbecoming."
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
He Explained.

"Now, then, Mr.. Cashmere, are you
ever going to get those trowsers done p
exclaimed the promising youth hurriedly.
entering the establishment of his
favorite tailor.
They'll be done tomorrow, sir"
replied the gentleman of fits quietly.
"That's what you said yesterday"
"Exactly!"
"Well, isn't this tomorrow ?"
Certainly not !'
"Well, wasn't to-day tomorrow
yesterday ?"
at was, but it isn't tomorrow 70.
day."
"Well, when in creation will to.
morrow be, then ?"
"Don't you know2"
ono"
"Do you remember the last suit
made you?"
eyes"
"You remember when 1 called for NV
money you always said you would paw
tomorrow. 1 discovered then that to-
morrow never comes. Do you under
stand ?"
The youth sought the street, and nv
the gentle slam he gave the front door
it was quite evident that he did.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
A Model Mother.

A Brooklyn lady was recently fol-
lowed home by man she had never seen
before, she naturally was frightened
and left the fellow to her mother, who
had opened the door. Under such cir
cumstances the ordinary mother usually
slams the door in a frightened sort of
way and hurries to the parlor window to
peer cautiously through the curtains or
blinds to see what sort of an animal it is
that has broken loose. But what the
Brooklyn mother did was to invite the
nuisance into the house and pretended
to send for her daughter, to whom the
fellow had asked to be introduced.
First, however, she rang her burglar
alarm. Results-A policeman, an ar
rest, a night in the station house and a
ten-dollar fine, but no introduction to
the lady. If there were more of such
women there would be fewer complaints
about insolent men. Women should re-
member that it is perfectly safe to take
such cases in their own hands, for
man who in any way annoys lady is
sure to be sneak and a coward.
York Herald.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
SO YOu Pay Me -

The Chinese have been called the
Yankees of the East. They learn rapid
ly Yankee methods of doing business,
and use such as promise them any ad-
vantages. When Chinese merchants
first arrived in San Francisco, they
made their purchases for cash. Learn
ing, however, that cash sales meant, ac-
cording to San Francisco usage, pay
ment on the day steamer sailed, which
was semi-monthly, they availed them
selves of this credit. Subsequently they
bought on sixty days time.
But while they were willing to SO far
adopt an American custom as to buy on
credit, they declined to sell on time.
They were so cautious as to regard as
safe only such transactions as resembled
a jug-the handle on one side and that
side turned towards them. An anec-
dote, told in the s'Recollections of an
Old Pioneer" illustrates this excessive
caution.
A San Francisco merchant thought he
would buy up all the rice in the city.
Going to a Chinese rice-house, he said
to the merchant:
Suppose should wish to purchase
two thousand bags of rice, could you
supply me with that number ?"
''Yes, me sell you that number"
"Could you sell me four thousand p
''Yes, me sell you four thousand.
''If I should conclude to take six
Thousand, could you supply that num-
ber?"
"Yes, me sell you SIX thousand.
"Wouid you give me any time %
''Me know you one very rich Mclean
merchant. Me give you time. You
pay me one-haH when the rice is weighed,
and the other half when it is on the
dray."
THE new fashion of short dresses is
very pretty, but hard on the Main
street clerks. They have to sweep off
the sidewalks every morning now, and
one very fashionable dry goods house
was compelled to buy broom this
week, thing they hadn't done in years.
Evansville Argus.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
A WeIl-SeIected Jury.
THE sHREwDNEss OF AN ARKANSAS LAW
Vera STOLEN HOG.


The Little Rock Gazette says: Down
in an extremely rural district of Arkan-
has. an old man was arrested for steal
ing a hog. The proof was positive, and
the Court was surprised when the plea
of not guilty was introduced. The
lawyer for the defense, man we'll
known for his trickery rather than his
ability, seemed particularly DESTROYS of
selecting a jury that would not show
partiality in its decision. The prose-
cutting attorney, young and inexperi-
enced man, agreed to every iuryman
selected by the defense, and the Judge,
although he might have thought the
defense stepped over the bounds of
judicial courtesy, said nothing. The
arguments were concluded, leaving in
the minds of the people no doubt as to
the verdict, for one of the witnesses, a
man whose word no one could dispute,
swore that he saw the defendant when
he stole the animal. The jury retired,
and, after few moments, returned q
verdict of not guilty, in exact opposi-
ton to the charge of the Court.
When the Court adjourned, the Judge
approached the lawyer for the defense
and remarked:
''Look here, my friend, never heard
of such verdict. 1 cannot, as an i'm
partial dissemination of justice, allow o
fragrant an outrage to be perpetrated on
this community. That man is as guilty
as Judas, but if you villa tell me the Sc
cret of the acquittal, I'll allow the ver-
dict to pass"
"You see, judge, some of the jury
men were rather young and some rather
Older"
''Yes, but what does that signify?"
t'It signifies that L run in the old
mans twelve sons on the jury"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
SMALL BITS OF SCIENCE.

A GERMAN chemist, DR.. Schal, has
established the useful fact that wood
parafine is preserved from rot.
ACCORDING to French medical Jour-
nal whooping cough has been successful
ly treated by DIR. Barely, of Nice, by
turpentine vapor.
IT Is said that benzine may be freed
from all offensive odor by shaking it up
well with quieklime, about three ounces
to the gallon.
In preparing phosphor brass, about
one-tenth of one per cent. of dry phos-
phorus is introduced into the melted
metal (good red brass) in a covered cru
chile.
A Swiss loom-maker, Hennegger, has
invented loom in which the shuttle is
not thrown, but is handed over from
side to side by hook, much in the same
manner as the silk-loom handles.
To UTILIZE old rubber the pieces are
heated in contact with steam, when the
sulphur is volatilized and the caoutchouc
melts, and is collected as a liquid, used
in preparing waterproof covers, etc.
SEVERAL years ago Ericsson predicted
that the Nile and the Ganges would be
lined with cotton and other factories
driven by solar heat. A French engi-
neer in Algiers is already contributing
to the fulfillment of this prediction by
pumping water and making it boil by
solar force alone.
BRAME recommends the use of baryts
in place of sodium carbonate and char.
coal in the ordinary dry test for arsenic
If arsenious oxide is heated with bartys
mirror is obtained existing partly o.
metallic arsenic and partly of barium
arsenata- The test does RSlu
well with arsenious sulphide.
EVERY one knows that the very feeblest
currents produce audible sounds in the
telephone, which is more sensitive
than any galvanometer to feeble cur
rents. NJ. Pellat lately declared thai
the heat necessary to warm a kilogrammt
of water one degree would, if converted
properly into the energy of electric cur
rents, suffice to produce in telephone
an audible sound for 10000 years con
tinually,
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

opened quickly by the little woman
in black, the seamstress, as supposed.
"Ohl' I said, rather confusedly, 81
suppose her mother has not come home
yet; came over to see if could borrow
the little girl p
'Come in" said the little woman;
''you have been very kind to notice her
so much, and she has grown really fond
of you; come here, Mabel"
''But-but," I stammered, "are you
her naturalization"
"Washwoman Yes; do not be afraid
to say it; you see I am not, and she
laughed, rather sadly, I thought.
hid my confused face over Mabel,
who was easily persuaded to sit in my
lap. She was lovely child, but so
delicate, SO frail, that the. blue veins
could be traced on her temples and
hands with threatening distinctness,
and she was as light as bird. So this
was the woman, whose society / had
disdained, this gentle, patient, lady
like, almost girlish woman but then,
how could she wash such hard, dis
agreeable work. Later, she told me
that it was all she could do.
81 dare say our minister has told
you," she said, "that was the young
est child of Southern clergyman, and
brought up to do nothing and know
nothing useful. Look at these hands
almost parboiled, amt they? Well,
they've been fortune to me"
Poor little wrinkled hands am
naturally impulsive, and took them
both and pressed my lips to them, he
roic hands and the next moment we
were sobbing in each others arms.
Shades of the Knickerbockers and
Van Rensselaers We went into part
nership that very winter, and -
the fine starching and irorAts
hired boy to carry the clothes home.
Mabel stayed with mother, who gave
her lessons, and took her out walking
every day for her health; Mrs. Simp-
Virginia, as we soon learned to
call her thrived on companionship,
and that winter of servitude was
the happiest of my life. In the spring
I was offered position as organist, not
a pecuniary emolument, but better than
ironing, but would not dissolve part
nership with my washlady, and one day
we were both in the suds when brother
Tom came hurrahing in, having left his
own drudgery and travelled night and
day to bring the good news that We had
won the estate And how we laughed
over the rest of the wash, and made the
handsome Tom hang out the clothes.
But it was the last we did, and to-day
virginia-that is she practicing Beeth-
ovens Sonatas in the next room-is my
sister; and come here, you blessed little
romp of Mabel till your auntie hugs
you.-Detrot Free Press
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
THENTeHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
III CLEMENT Q. MOORE.

N-@-@-AN 49,
Twas the night before Christmas, when al through
the house
Net creature was stirring, not even q mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with
care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions Of sugar-plums danced in their heads,
And mamma in her kerchief, and in my cap,
Had Just settled our brains for a long winters
nap
When out on the lawn there arose such q clatter,
sprang from my bed to see what vas the matter.
Away to the window I few Ike fash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon, on the breast of the neNF-faIlen snow,
Gave luster of midday to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyss should appear.
But miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver, so lively and quick,
knew in a moment it must be st. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his eoursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by
name
" Now, Dasherl now, Dancer! now, Praneer and
vixenl
On, Cometl on, Cupid on, Donder and Bitten
To the top Of the porch, to the top Of the wall
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So, up to the hoase-top the courseri they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys-and st Nicholas too
And then in thinking 1 heard on the roof
The prancing and paving of each little hOof
As drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with bound,
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnishel with ashes and
SCOT
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like peddler Just opening his pack.
His eyes how they twinkledl his dimples how
merry!
His cheeks were ike roses, his nose like a cherry
His droH little mouth was drawn up like bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the
snow.
The stump of pipe he held tight IA his teeth,
And the smoke, ii encircled his head like wreath.
He had broad face and little round belly
4 ~. nook, when he laughed, Ike bowl full OF
Jelly.
He was chubby and plump-a right jolly old elf
And laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself,
A wink of his eye, and twist of his head,
Soon gave me TO know had nothing to dread
He spoke not word, but went straight to his work,
And filed all the stockngs-then turned with o
jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving nod, up the chimney he rose.
he sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave whistle
and away they all flew like the down of a thistle
But heard him exclaim, ere he DRIVE out of sight
"Happy Christmas to all. and to all good-night!'
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
Get Ready for the Holidays.

Sheppard Knapp, the great Carpet
man, cor. 9th ave. and 18th street, New
York, has been w1de-awake enough to
capture an enormous importation of
Lace Curtains, comprising all grades,
for less than half the cost of importa~
ton, and is selling at correspondingly
low rates. Such an opportunity may
never occur again. The bargains he Of
fers seem to be appreciated for his mann
moth establishment is crowded from
morn till night. His advertisement
reads, 5000 pairs Lace Curtains from
81 per pair upward, at less than cost Of
Importation"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
A Happy Home.
[Erom the German. I

A pretty story about German family
discloses the secret of happy home,
wherein Joy aboundeth, though there
are many to feed and clothe.
A teacher once lived in Strassburg
who had hard work to support his family.
His chief Joy in life, however, was IN
his nine children, thought was no light
task to feed them all.
His brain would have reeled and his
heart sunk had he not trusted in his
heavenly Father when he thought OF
the number of jackets, shoes, stockings
and dresses they would use in the course
of year, and the quantity of bread and
potatoes they would eat.
His home, too, was very close quar-
tiers for the many beds and cribs, to say
nothing of the room required for the
noise and fun which the merry nine
made.
But father and mother managed very
well, and the house was pattern OF
neatness and order.
One day there came guest to the
house. As they sat at dinner the
stranger, looking at the hungry chill
dren about the table, said compassion
ately:
"Poor man, what cross you have to
bear %
"I? I cross to bear p asked the
father, wonderingly "what do you
mean ?"
"Nine children, and seven boys at
that r. replied the stranger, adding
bitterly: ct have but two, and each
one of them is a nail in my coffin"
4" Mine are not" said the teacher,
with decision.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
A Story of Paris.

A stranger enters the shop of an
obliging grocer:
Stranger-Owing to the extortions o.
the gas companies I have about de
termined to light my premises with can.
dies, only, you see, am at loss tc
decide what to select. I want some.
thing really good, you know.
Grocer-Certainly, sir! Step this way
moment, sirl You can see for your
self, sir! lights fifteen different sorts
OF candles and places them on the
counter.)
Stranger (after having walked up and
down before them for five minutes, with
his chin in his hand, immersed in deer
refiection)-Well, guess on the whole
| prefer the gasl Good aftern DON
exit hurriedlyD
Grocer-Hurling bar of soap after
hlm-Oh,
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

In MIoHIGAN.-An incident related
by the Rev. William Herbert Smyth.
OF Port Austen, Michigan, home mis-.
slonary whose circuit embraces a part
OF the burnt district, forcibly illustrates
the restitution which exists there
Writing of the case of woman to whom
he gave SIS, he adds: "In moment she
fell on her knees, held up the bill in her
hand, saying: % God, this is too good
OF you; ) then begged me to take half
the amount and give it to a poor neigh.
SIS for her, too"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
Didn't Appreciate Home Comforts.

L.,
A young man advertised for " private
boarding house where he mouiu NC
treated as one of the family. ne got IT,
But after he had stayed home fourteen
nights in succession, to take care Oh the
baby, had been utilized cold mornings
to build the fire, found himsaIt minus
towels eight or nine times, Oh winch oc-
casions he wiped his hands ana race on
his night shirt, and seversl o'n'r 'ilings
not worth mentioning, be became as
couraged and left, while the rest OF the
family sagely agreed that some people
so deteriorate by contact VIII !ne world
that they are unable to appre0i'''e nome
comforts. city Derfc"'
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

DIDN'T CARE.-In the examination
before Coroner Herman into the fall of
the tenements at Grand street and
South Fifth avenue, New York. it was
shown that the owner had ample warn
ing OF the peril in which the occupants
were, and that he said he Didn't care.
as he "didn't have to sleep in the build
ings."
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

A MANIAC. In an Erie, Pa, school,
little boy, being locked in an unused
room as punishment for some slight
fault, was attacked by sewer-rats, over
powered and nearly killed before as
sistance arrived, summoned by his
cries. The terror aud pain have made
him a maniac, and it is feared that he
will never recover.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

The editor wishes to know if there is one OF
his readers suffering with fheum atism. If SO
let him try a bottle of Durangs Rheumatic
Remedy, 1t is taken internally; never has
failed, and never can fail to cure in the short
est time. 1t can be had at all drug stores.
Send for free pamphlet to r. X. HalpenstiDe,
drugTlst. Washington. d. c.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29
A Record of Theatre Disasters,

The loss of life by the burning of the
Ring Theatre in Vienna will probably
be found to be as great as that at any
similar catastrophe. The following is a
record of the most disastrous theatre
fires of modern times:
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1881-12-29

LORD BYRON, in reference to beautiful lady,
wrote to a friend" Lady - has been dam
gerously ill, but now she is dangerously well
again" American bellies, when attacked by
any Of the ills that flesh is heir to, may be kept
killing and avoid being killed by taking DR.. L.
V. PIerce's Favorite Prescription which
banshes feminine weaknesses, and restores the
bloom of health. BY all druggists.