davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
Wonderful Words,

Sadly and despondently, with dropping
heart almost ready to cry out, " Why hast
thou forsaken met" Twas about retiring TO
seek rest in Sleep And only was desirous
OF obtaining rest from physical WEAKNESS,
but with a yearning cry in my heart for the
rest promised by him who "knoweth our
feeble frames, and remembereth that we are
DUST" and in love and sympathy for our
feebleness, has extended the precious invita-
tion, "Come unto me all We who labor and
are heavy laden, and will give you rest"
My hand was directed to open the drawer of
the stand by my bed, and Immediately noti-
cling torn bit Of paper took it up and
read, in the handwriting of young niece
who had of late visited us, these words
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me,
saying, Yea, have loved thee with an ever
lasting love; therefore with loving kindness
have | drawn thee" Jeremiah xxi 81
d" Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ shall tribulation, or distress, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword 2"
" For am persuaded, that neither life, nor
death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ,
our Lord" (Romans viii 35-3S-39. |
read them over and over again, those pre-
cious, familiar words of life, from the dear
old book, and they did my soul good like a
medicine. Not only did they speak to me of
the dear one, now far away, who had early
given her heart to Christ, and learned the
divine connection of faith in Christ and
everlasting love of the father, and who may
have penned them for my consolation or,
perhaps, because the water of life dwelt SC
richly in her own heart, that it must break
forth to refresh the arid pathway of other
travellers. But they spoke of the Divine
Love himself, who no doubt directed the
penning of these precious words for my
comfort. They showed the handwriting Of
him who has not written his law for us on
stone, but upon the fieshly tables of the
heart. Let the words of Scripture dwell
and abide in us, for they ever prove like
apples of gold in pictures OF silver" Scatter
the good seed broadcast. Are we not com.
manded to "sow beside all waters" and thus
break for some weary one the bread of life
Sing them over again to me,
Beautiful words OF life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Beautiful words of life,
| Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful
words Of life" Christian Mirror
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
The yome Gnrle.
If I COULD KEEP HER so.

JUST little baby, lying in my arms,
Would that could keep you with your baby charms;
Helpless, cllngng fingers; downy golden hair,
Where the sunshine fingers, caught from otherwhefe;
Blue eyes asking questions, lips that cannot speak,
Roly-poy shoulders dlmple in your cheek
Dapty little blossom, in world Of woei
Thus fan would keep you, for love you 80.
Rougish little damsel, scarcely six years old
Feet that never weary hair Of deeper god
Restless, busy fingers, all the time at play,
Tongue that talking all the day;
Blue eyes learning wonders Of the world about,
Here you come to tell them-what an eager shout
winsome little damsel, all the neighbors know
Thus long TO keep you, for love You 80.
Sober little schoolgirl, with your strap Of books,
And such grave Importance in your puzzled looks;
Solving weary problems, poring over sans,
Yet with tooth for sponge-cake and for sugar-plums
Reading books Of romance in your bed AT night
Waking up to study In the morning light;
Anxious as to ribbons, def to tie bow.
Full Of Contradictions would keep you 30.
Sweet and thoughtful maiden. sitting by my side.
All the worlds before you, and the world Is wide;
Hearts there for winning, hearts there break,
Has your own, shy maiden, just begun to wake2
Is that rose of dawnng glowing on your cheek,
Telling us in bushes what you will not speak7
Shy and tender maiden, would fain forego
All the golden future, Just to keep you 30.
All the listening angels saw that she was fair,
Ripe for rare unfolding In the upper air;
Now the rose Of dawnlng turns to lily white,
And the close shut eyelids veil the eyes from sight
All the past summon AZ kiss her brow
Babe, and child, and maiden. all with now.
oh my heart Ia breaking; but Gods love know
Safe among the angels, he will keep her 80.
-Louisa C. Aouiion IN The Interior.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
A Brothers. Legacy.

A telegraph messenger ran up the steps OF
No. 10 Place. At his quick ring the
door opened, and young lady took the mes
sage. There was but one line, yet it stood
out in the morning light with terrible dis
tnctness. "Your brother Ralph died this
morning at five o'clock" The color faded
from the girls cheek, and she leaned heavily
against the doorway, gazing at the paper as
if stricken dumb. The boy waited mo-
ment, then softly touched her shoulder, say
ing Please, ma'am, there's ten cents to
pay" Yes, forgot" she said; then me-
chanically drew out her purse, paid him and
entered the house. The boy ran down the
steps, saying: al wonder what was the
matter |" What was the matter Only one
line of writing, yet how much it meant.
Ralph was dead he, the loved and alb
sent brother, would return no more to the
hearts that missed him. Far, far away,
whittier he had gone to win place for him
self with the dew Of youth upon his head,
he had lain him down and died. There was
a sound of great weeping in that home, for
the terrible shadow OF death was there. Two
weeks afterward, the bell rupg again, and an
expressman carried into the house trunk
marked "Ralph Gray" Kind letters had
come telling of the brothers sickness and
uedJn ttlnDB hiso VI HIS illo anu tuo uonoicu
name he had left. Pleasant words were
these to the loved ones but nothing had
made his death so real as the sight of Ralph's
trunk without Ralph. Helen Gray knelt
before her brothers trunk, aud, with trem-
bling hand, raised the cover kind hands
had neatly packed the things within, and as
Helen took out the folded clothes, still bear.
ing the impress of the wearer, each garment
seemed to speak his name. At last, as she
opened his desk and saw few boyish treas
ures within, great wave of grief swept
over her, and, with burst OF tears, she
cried 80, Ralph, come back, come back ~
Then her fearful gaze rested on a worn
little book, half diary and half account
book. Opening it, she saw pasted on the
first page newspaper slip containing these
words "A worthy Quaker thus wrote 6 |
expect to pass through this world but once.
If, therefore, there is any kindness | can
show, or any good thing can do to any
fellow-being, let me do it now. Let me not
defer nor neglect it, for | shall not pass this
way again." This, then, had been the
motto for the last year of Ralph's earthly
life and the record following showed that
it had not been forgotten. The expenses
recorded were comparatively few for himself,
but a long list OF items showed how his
small income had gone. There was written
down "A present for my mother;" A
present for my sister" A donation for the
Sundayschool !" Bought flowers OF poor
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
The New England Society.

The New England Farmer publishes a
long and severe criticism upon the manage
ment of the New England Agricultural So
ciety, from the pen of "a Member" lie
objects TO the method of appointing judges,
as being so arranged that it is practically
under the control OF "ring," and recalls
the fact that petition from twenty-four
leading exhibitors for a change in this re-
spect was contemptuously disregarded by
the management The Member says
II the society has money enough In Its treas
ury for good dinner once year, and also TO
pay the judges OF the horse trots, 1t seems rea-
sonable to suppose that the society could afford
to pay small fee, or at least the expenses OF the
judges In the cattle department The cattle in
terest has never received the attention II deserves
II has always been obliged TO play second fiddle
to the horse. II any sacrifices were to be made,
the cattle men were the ones called upon to make
them. II there was any lack OF space, the cattle
were the ones crowded At times 1t has even
exhibition OF the stock for the reason that some
OF the officers considered 1t useless expense, and
OF no special advantage"
lie complains that the treasurer's accounts,
yearly rendered, are so general in their state
ments that the members get little or no in
formation of the expenses, in detail, and ex-
presses the opinion that thorough examin-
alton Of the treasurers books for the last ten
years would present some interesting facts.
He also calls attention to changes in the con
stitution, by one Of which the choice of Off,
GERS is taken from the members and placed
in the hands of the trustees, making it a
close corporation, while another makes it nc
longer necessary to give any notice of SO
ciety meetings. Even the power to amend
the constitution is taken from the member
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
A New Treatment Of Diphtheria.

In many places diphtheria still prevails to
an alarming extent, and has been so malig-
nant the past winter as to baffl the skill OF
the best physicians. There are, of course,
various modes of treatment, some of them
directly opposed to one another but all of
them have repeatedly failed. Any method
which seems reasonable or plausible is worth
trying, and what purports to be new dis
covery appears to be deserving OF consider
alton. A young man in the west, whose
arm had been amput ,ted, was recently at
tackled with the disease before the limb had
healed. To the surprise of his physician,
the matter incident to diphtheria appeared
on the arm where it had been severed, in
place of depositing itself as usual in the
throat, and the case proved to be very mild
one. The doctor profited by this strong in
timation from nature, to whom many of his
profession pay very little heed, and when
next called to visit diphtheretic patient,
blstered his chest. There most of the de-
posits showed themselves, and the patient
speedily recovered. Hence it is inferred
that the disorder generally affects the throat
on account of the thinness of its lining, and
not because it is any part of its morbid law
to do so. When the blister breaks the ep-
idermis, the tenderness of that portion OF
the body draws the virus in the system
thither, instead of to the throat, as ordi-
narily. This may prove to be OF vast ad-
vantage to the medical frateriny. II it
should, it would be only one Of many in
stances in which what we call accident has
revealed more than any amount of science
New York Times.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
The Elder Mrs. Garfield.

The apartment occupied by the presi-
dents mother at The White House is large
square room on the south side of the execu-
tive mansion, about midway in the wide
hall that serves as a sort of sitting and re-
ception room for the presidents family. Its
three windows overlook the flower garden
and lawn in the rear, the unfinished WASH
ington monument and ague-breeding Kid
well Bottoms beyond, and the historic Po-
tomac dividing the district from Virginia
hills. The room is sunny one, made more
cheerful by bright Administer carpet and
window draping to correspond, and wood
fire in wide, old-fashioned CRATE with gilt
tering brass andirons and tenders. There
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23

Our friend Hibbard OF the Ludlow Tri-
bune, who has recently made trip to the west,
writing to his paper of what he saw in Iowa,
says:
"The common schools are decidedly superior to
ours, in this respect, especially. that the pupils
learn all about their own state. found little
twelve ear-old girl In this country school who
told me all about Iowa, its size population col
leges prisons, legislature, etc, such as fear not
half the Vermont men know about their own
state; these things are taught in their common
schools as they should be everywhere. Every
thing here is creamery all northern Iowa has
creamery on the brain and prosperity abounds, as
herd OF cows and creamery are now sure
sources Of wealth, and ! very much question
whether one Vermont dairyman in ten has any
true idea OF the extent and growth OF the dairy
interest Of this state. But OF al this hereafter
only let me say the Iowa farmers are thoroughly
prosperous, and they enjoy 1t too, and what is
more they don't propose to let 1t slip from their
grasp either"
The west understands the attractive power
Of good schools, while too large a part OF
New England is being depopulated by the
repulsive power OF poor schools. New Eng
land usury also has driven, and is still driv-
ing, large number of good dairymen to the
west, building up and strengthening power
full competition there against our only re-
naming agricultural industry which has
been generally profitable. Our moneyed
men have been killing the geese (and geese
they were) who have been laying golden
eggs for them, and now must follow them
towards the setting sun as the fish-hawks
follow the schools of fish upon which they
prey. A little while longer eight and ten
per cent may be squeezed out OF the victims
but utter ruin and serfage will in time teach
American farmers what nothing else seems
able to teach them, that two-per cent trade
cannot stand up under ten percent mort
gage,-and also that |" a small farm paid fol
is better than large farm owed for"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23

woman !" "Books for my class !" " A Christ
mas present for my landlady !" "a Christ.
mas present for my washerwoman !" "Fifty
cents to a poor cripple" and so the generous
list went on--a great number of small kind
nesses, giving beautiful evidence Of the
noble life Ralph Gray had tried TO live. As
Helen closed the little book her tears ceased
to flow. Surely, this young life, though
brief, had not been in vain. A glow of
grateful gladness came over her face, and
looking up to heaven, she exclaimed "Dear
Ralph, this is your best legacyr" Sorrow
ful, yet rejoicing" Helen Gray went on her
way, holding very precious the name of
Ralph, and cherishing in her heart the
sacred words from his legacy. al expect To
pass through this world but once If, there
fore, there is any kindness can show, or
any good thing | can do to any fellow-being,
let me do it now. Let me not defer nor
neglect it, for | shall not pass this way
again. York Observer.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
MONTPELIER, VT, WEDNESDAY,, MARCH

ship and reserved to the trustees. He con-
cludes, referring to proposition looking
toward an effort for reform in the manage
ment of the society, that the game is not
worth the CANDLE" and adds
"There are great possibilities for an agricu-
tural society in New England, thoroughly repre-.
sentng the agricultural mot politically interests OF
the whole section, keeping pace with the spirit OF
modern improvements, and alive to the wants
and demands Of its members. The New England
Agricultural Society does not meet these require
ments."
Ten years ago we took great interest in
the New England Society, and attended
every meeting for several years. But as
soon as we got familiar with "the ropes
we found that, even then, il was the closest
kind of "ring," run mainly for the po-
litioal advancement OF DIR. Loring and the
benefit of small circle Of his toadies and
satellites. Subsequent proceedings interested
us no more, and since the Medford fair we
have "staid away" We farmers might
just as well set it down as a settled thing
that the New England Agricultural Society,
the Vermont Agricultural Society, and the
Vermont Dairymen's Association, are really
individual enterprises, and have no Just
title to their names as Indicating territorial
existence. If the individuals who control
these organizations can make the meetings
interesting enough to attract exhibitors and
draw crowd they will be continued, and
serve their personal ends, while doing mor
or less good. But the assumption that they
represent the agriculture or the farmers Of
the territory expressed by their names is ut
terly false. The men who have control Of
them mean to permit no interference in
their management on the part of the So
called " Members" and what anybody wants
to be member" for, under the circum-
stances, is difficult to understand.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
Which Way does Your Example Point

We find the following in one of our daily
papers A little boy for trick, pointed
with his finger to the wrong road when a
man asked him which way the doctor went.
As result, the man missed the doctor and
his little boy died, because the doctor came
too late to take fish-bone from his throat.
At the funeral, the minister said that the
boy was killed by lie, which another boy
told with his finger | suppose that the
boy did not know the mischief he did. OF
course nobody thinks he meant to kill a lit
tie boy when he pointed the wrong way. He
only wanted to have little fun, but it was
fun that cost somebody great deal and if
he ever heard of the results of it, he must
have felt guilty of doing a mean and wicked
thing. Christian, which way does your ex-
ample point? You may not say anything
contrary to Christ, or his gospel; you may
speak no word contrary to his teachings, but
be sure that your silent example does not
point men into the wrong road."-Selected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
A Plea for Simple Weddings.

In all ceremonials there is gree. deal "a
fashion; and it occurs to us that II few
people Of consequence would set the fashion
of simplicity in marriage ceremonies, they
would be doing great service to the com
munity. In many memorable instances the
higher classes have afforded noble exam
pie by leaving instructions that their funerals
should take place without pomp or parade,
and already we see the good results which
have followed, funerals among the middle
classes being as a rule much more simple
than formerly; and consequently, to our
minds, much more solemn. Births, deaths
and marriages are three events in human life
usually classed together, and which the
statistician records, and the politician notes;
but marriage is the only one of the three in
which the chief actors are voluntary and
conscious agents. Surely it is the most
solemn act OF man or woman, and, properly
considered, is little allied to pomp and fes-
tiyity. Think what it is TO assume, in
large measure the responsibility of another's
happiness and future well being And this
is really what in marriage we may be said
to do. Surely a solemn, impressive cere-
mony with simplicity of attire is more in
harmony with the occasion than much pa
geantry and festivity.-Chamber's Journal.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23

given more than double that rate, till very
recently. The whole secret of the recent
fall in interest-rates is that the borrowers
have been ruined, and comparatively lew
now want TO borrow who can give the re-
quired security. If IL were not for national,
municipal aud corporate indebtedness, the
vast amount of money capital that has been
raked together by few, under the throat
cutting financial system hitherto prevalent,
could not now be loaned at even one per
cent interest. If the nation, the states,
counties and towns, would go on steadily
paying off their debts, and contracting no
new ones-adopting the principle of "pay
as you go,"-money, instead Of being, as
now, the most profitable, would become the
least profitable kind of property in the coun-
try. 1t ought to- be, since it is the least
productive of any.
Now, while we can see that this policy
ought to prevail, yet we cannot, as individ-
uals, do much to bring it about. 1t will
come in time, but not in our time. Yet we
need not suffer by it ourselves. As those
of us who do not drink whiskey or chew
tobacco escape great part of the national
taxation, so those Of us who will have the
nerve, sense and courage to get out of debt,
and keep out, will escape the ruinous bur-
den of interest. Every one of us who re-
fuses to be yoked to that car makes it easier
for the rest. By ceasing to become Gus
toners to the money lenders we lessen their
business and compel them to reduce their
rates. Every man who votes against any
kind of public Indebtedness, or church in
debtedness, helps in the same direction. If
the younger generation could be taught in
the schools the truth about the devouring
energy of six per cent, and the folly of debt,
money would in twenty years cease to rule
the world, as it does now. This will not
happen. But each one of us may, as an
individual draw out from the crowd OF
slaves to debt. We might even associate in
"No Debt Societies." spreading abroad the
truths of finance, and working for general
emancipation which would be no less glori
GUS than that proclaimed by Abraham Lin
coin. We should probably be called " com
munists.' That is the stock epithet flung
out at every man who has awakened to the
curse of debt-slavery. There need be nc
political agitation. A stern determination
to pay all debts. public and private, as fast
as possible, and contract no more, is all thai
is necessary. When shall we see this anti
debt movement begin ? 'Tis the last great
movement for human freedom.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23

one generation TO make us lose all grace Of
manner. The short skirt deserves 10 be
commended for the street, but in the house
1t has neither beauty nor elegance. Even to
shorten a long skirt in front for the better
display Of pretty foot is great mistake.
It is neither becoming to the foot nor the
figure. II gives an intentional look of dis
play, which is unrefned and surely the
dress that leaves something TO the imagina-
ton is more coquettish and more dignifed.
The scarf for married woman is fashion
that should never die. To wear IL well is
proof Of grace, and it imparts an elegance,
especially to tall woman, that is very de-
sirable. | think that it would only require
half a dozen ladies, whose reputation for
good dress is high, TO persistently adopt the
scarf, for others 10 recognize its grace and
elegance'-Hdrper's Magazine for March.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-23
ShOrtness of Life,


Life is very critical. Any word may be
our last. Any farewell, even amid glee and
merriment, may be forever. Ii this truth
were but burned into our consciousness, and
if it ruled as deep conviction and real
power in our lives. would it not give new
meaning to our relationships Would it
not make us far more tender than we some
times are? Would it not oftentimes put a
rein upon our rash and impetuous speech
Would we carry in our hearts the miserable
suspicious and jealousies that now so often
embitter the fountains of our lives Would
we be so impatient of the faults of others
Would we allow the trivial misunderstood
ings to build up wall between us and those
who ought to stand very close to us ? Would
we keep alive petty quarrels year after year,
which many word any day would oor,,
neighbors on the street without recognition,
because of some real or fancied slight some
wounding of pride, or ancient grudge? Or
would be so chary of kind words, our COM
mendation, our sympathy, our comfort, when
weary hearts all about us are breaking for
just such expressions of interest or appre-
citation as we have in our power to give p
Christian al Work.