davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
"Peace be Unto You.v

"Peace be unto you as the Father hath
sent me, 80 send ! you" IL was only an
Easter card, a pretty concet of blue sky,
spring daisies and bright.winged butter
fly. But it brought breath of the spring
time into darkened chamber, where one
waited by the bedside of an invalid. It
was a prophetic vision Of coming delight
when this winter Of our discontents shall
have ended foretaste of the enjoyment of
heavens own canopy of blue, of the song of
the robin, the clear whistle Of the bluebird,
from out the hawthorn thcket, the scent of
apple-blossoms, and the stiffness of the coun-
try Sabbath bushing the soul to heavenly
calm. The vision is past; IL was earth all
earthly things pass away-and there is only
a darkened room, restless invalid, a
troubled soul--and the Easter card. It
brings another message. This is from the
Master himself, and bears his royal sigma
ture. "Peace be unto you" Earthly friends
send messages Of love, and they are very
precious in time of trial but the risen
Lord only can send "peace" which shall
abide. He promised this before he went
away, saying, "Peace leave with you my
peace / give unto you. Not as the world
giveth, give / unto you. Let not your heart
be troubled, neither be afraid" But this is
not all OIL tne message AS Tue iatner na.n
sent me, so send you. Mse quickly, "the
% Master mas mas come ana calleth IN ior tnee. AN
trusts thee. This gift of his peace in the
PIeparatioh lor tne time Oh sTiai ana service
wnicn VIII surely iohow. NO loity errand
Is tRine thls oaopa.n a cay no hignt Win
swi,Cwlngeu Iapliei 70 prlng sklii ana
unusrs'anding s IN the nys.eIies oi ms
Woru' OF WIN QUE Oh tne seraPniln 70 toucn
.ne hps oi .hose VINO m'nis'ei III holy ,n'ngs M
wisn . lve ooai ., rom on 'ae M'aL NO
Eager .urong, WIN eaIhes, :,,: iaoes' hanging
upon yvu. wo,us ol 'u,inins eio1uenoe as
yyoT yJe .en sne s;oay ., 'Ie IsS oousS ~ sa5 ar5
senS'nS t;a missionary i"uo,s, vre ;t.I reoo,u
VI WHICH snail MAKE your naI'e inllor. "a .a.'
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Waiting.

Many know the truth and approve it.
They mean one day to be decided followers
Of Christ; but at present something hinders
them is this your state of soul ? Listen to
me while | press upon your conscience a
simple question. Do not turn away from
it; sit down and answer it if you can. What
are you waiting for? Are you waiting till
you are sick aud unwell? Surely you will
not tell me that is convenient season.
When your body is racked with pain-when
your mind is distracted with all kinds of
anxious thoughts this time to begin the
mighty work of acquaintance with God
Are you waiting till you have leisure Aud
when do you expect to have more time than
you have now Every year you live seems
shorter than the last; you find more to
think Of or to do, and less power and oppor-
tunity to do it. And, after all, you know
not whether you may live to see another year.
Boast not yourself of to-morrow-now is the
time Are you waiting till your heart is fit
and ready? That will never be. 1t will al
ways be corrupt and sinful-a bubbling foun-
tain, full of evil. Delay not better begin
as you are. Are you waiting till the devil
will let you come to Christ without trouble?
That will never be; if you would be saved,
you must fight for it. Are you waiting till
the gate is wide ? That will never be. 1t
will not alter. 1t is wide enough for the
chief of sinners, if he comes in humble
and self-abased spirit. But if there is any
little sin you are resolved not to give up, you
will never, with all your struggling get in.
Aud are you waiting because some few
Christians are inconsistent, and some pro
fessors fall away2 Hear the word of the
Lord Jesus, "What is that to thee? Follow
thou me-" Oh, lingering friend, are not
your excuses broken resds2 Are not your
reasonings and defences Improbable and
vain? Be honest-confess the truth. You
have no good reason for waiting. This day
charge you to throw away indecision-
wait no longer-be decided for Christ, lest
waiting, your soul should be lost--forever
| lost.-BishOD Rule.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Crises.

There are minutes of more Importance
than hours because they determine the char
actsr Of the hours. There are single days
Of more Importance than whole years be-
cause they settle what the years shall be in
their character and results. Iu fact, the is
sues of lifetime, all that is most impor-
tant, rest upon few very sharp points in
time. large majority OF the business men
of Boston are in the business and position
in which they are, because Of what took
place in day or week, or possibly in
single five minutes, away in their youth.
Here is a preacher. In boyhood he deter
mined to be Christian, and all his succeed
ing years and the present balanced upon
that decision. 1t was suggested to the boy
to get an education, and another sharr point
comes to the support Of his future. lie de
cides in college to enter the ministry, and
another sharp point comes up. AS OF the
preacher, so OF others. 1t is important not
to forget that those decisive points in a life
time or in destiny may be passed uncon-
sciously. One cannot unconsciously decide
to be Christian, but even in consciously
settling that point he may unconsciously
settle, or at least make possible of settle
ment, great many other issues Of hardly
less Importance. But one may unconsciously
decide that he will not be Christian. The
surest method of settling many questions is
by not meeting them. Not settling is often
the most effective kind of settling, indeci-
sion the most positive decision. No young
man conscientiously decides to become m.
temperate, but failing to decide conscien-
tiously to be temperate, he does uncon-
sciously, but most effectively, settle it that
he will be Incorporate. Few decide con-
sciously to wait till they are thirty, forty, or
fifty years of age before settling the ques-
tion whether they will be Christians or not,
but our congregations are full of men and
women who are of that age and not Chris
tians. A whole lifetime is often settled in
the same way. The crises pass and are not
met. They are none the less crises, none
the less decisive points on that account
| There are times when not to decide upon a
certain course of action is to decide against
| it.-Golden Rule.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
A Spring Opening.

The bluebird arrives but little later than
the robin, If, indeed, he does not come by
the same train. All, the bluebird's warble
II any bird is specially commissioned by
heaven to spread the spring evangel, 1t is he.
Yet, like the Ariel spirit that he is, there is,
at first, a touch Of ventriloquism in his voice.
To fix his whereabouts, we look not only
" before and AFTER" but overhead and in
tharbushes, and along the grass, and see him
not-at first. If he bears the sky on his
back" as Thoreau thought, it must be the
sky of Italy the heavens are never so blue
over this region of the earth. There ia red
enough on his breast to have distinguished
him as a red-breast, had it not been for the
more pronounced azure of his wings. Cold
as the morning was yesterday could hear
the song sparrow practiciug his first mathis
for the year. No wonder his song has been
compared to the tinkling of bells A more
vibrating, resonant quality there is not in
the whole choir of native-bird voices. His
dtty consists of three short Introductory
notes (embodying the theme or motive, per-
haps); these three notes translating them
selves, to my ear, in the syllables "sweet,
sweet, sweet" with drawing in of the
breath each time, followed by bewildering
succession of delicious tintiunabulations
From the song-sparrow's manner Of perch
ing and addressing himself as to the audi
torium, cannot help thinking that he has
been in training for the lyric stage. Not
long since, was present at musical duel
not between the poet and nightingale, but
between two song-sparrows, both distin-
guished professionals. They were exchang-
ing "alternate strains" after the style Of
Tityrus and Melibeus. Tityrus was close
by, on the low branch of a willow; Meliboeus
at some distance in a wild-cherry tree. The
former could both see and hear to good ad-
vantage. When he had sung through his
part, he stopped, and, with head cunningly
askance, listened to his rivals performance !;
paying the most jealous attention, and, mean
while, revolving some new felicity of his
own. Each time he slightly varied the ca
dence, winding up with a piquant little
crotchet, as who should say, Can you outdo
that, wonder ?" The duel grew more an
imated with every bout, until the perform
ers, forgetting the etiquette of competition,
sung the "rests," Intellectually trying to put
each other out. A third voice could then be
distinguished, probably that of the moder-
ator, or judge, who held the wager.-June
| Atlantic,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
An Easy Way to Make a Rag Carpet.

We often hear the remark, 81 would like
new rag carpet, if it was not so much
work to make one" Now the purpose of
this little article is to tell how such one
may be made with very little expense and
labor. As nearly every housewife has
sewing-machine nowadays, there is no
place where it can be of better service than
in sewing the rags for a carpet. l always
became discouraged whenever l began TO
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
What Is a Home ?

A home is place where character is
formed, where education goes on, and where
people are impressed for time and for eter-
nifty. 1t is place to be happy in, aud to
start out from, for all good, honest, and
earnest living Very great is her responsi-
bility who is queen of this kingdom. To a
very important extent she makes or mars its
completeness. A fretful, fault-fnding, mar
row, incapable woman, in the position of a
wife and mother, can cloud home with
misery while still she keeps house well, and
scrubs floors till they are white as snow.
But the recording angel, surveying her per-
formances, will surely say, This ought you
to have done, and should not left the other
undone." In home there should be liberty
without license, time for family intercourse,
and space for personal solitude, room for the
entertainment of guests, and the mainte-
nance Of social life, aud over all, tender,
trustful, daily atmosphere of true devotion
and communion with God. Ali this is not
wholly, but largely in the hands of her who
is the central thought and the well-spring of
pleasure in every comfortable Christian
home, the dear, honored, and gracious
mother Let nobody who is a housekeeper
fear to magnify her office. 1t is very sa-
cred one, and if she perform its duties faith
fully she is worthy of no stinted praise
Christian Weekiy,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
The Fear Of God,

We are not of that number who believe
that thoughtless and lethargic man has
been greatly damaged by his moral fears.
1t is the lack of bold and distinct impress
sion from the solemn objects of another
world that is running man from generation
to generation. II we were at liberty, and
had the power to induce into the thousands
and millions of our race who are running
the rounds of sin and vice some one particu.
lar motion that should be medicinal and
salutary to the soul, we would select that
very one which our Lord had in view when
he said, al will forewarn you whom ye shall
fear; fear him which, after he hath killed.
hath power to cast into hell yea, say unto
you, Fear him." If we had the power and
were at liberty, We would instantaneously
stop those human souls that are crowding
our avenues, intent only upon pleasure and
earth, and would fill them the emotions of
the day of doom. We would deluge them
with the fear of God, that they might flee
from their sins and the wrath TO come.-W.
G. 4. Shedd, DID,.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Bear With The Boys.

Dear young mothers, bear with the noisy
boys; better few headaches now than the
dreadful heartaches that will come in after
years. Make home pleasant for them. No
matter II the work is not all done to your
satisfaction the eternal welfare of the child
is of more Importance. Lay aside your work
sometimes, and enter into their sports and
games. Question them about their doings
at school rejoice with them when they are
happy; sympathize with them when they are
in trouble. Let them see that mother is a
true friend 10 them. At the same time be
firm and insist upon implicit obedience.
They will respect you all the more for that.
Make bed time happy hour for them, that
the memory may linger with them in after
years, and that hour shall ever be sacred
one, causing deep tenderness to spring up
in the heart, and strong yearning to bow
the head again on mothers knee, aud say
the evening prayer, even when they have
become men.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
VOL. 76.-3S93. NO. 33.

that i could take the breadth Of dress, and
close the two ends and sew across twice TO
make 1t strong, letting one edge slip by half
an inch TO begin tearing with, and then
tear around, cutting the seam ss before, and
to my surprise l measured the continuous
strip, and found it forty yards long | found
this to be great saving Of time, perfect
success. / even used gored pieces and
breadths, by first sewing the small part on
the larger and then close as before, and
learned that could join several pieces Of
various shapes into one pieces Of various
shapes into one piece and cut and tear as
before. | wanted a bright stripe for my
carpet, and bought five yards of orange
print and closed it, letting one edge jut over
the other half an inch. 1 tore it all into one
continuous strip. Some persons put great
deal Of labor and expense into coloring, but
very pretty carpet may be made by assort-
ing the rags into similar colors and by buy
ing colored warp, and coloriug one or two
colors, say blue and orange to use the white
rags, or with few ounces of black tea one
can color a good shade for ground, and for
a whole carpet incur but trifiing expense.
-Advdnce.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
The Lords PRAYER,

In one of Carlyle's letters to an old-time
Scottish friend, a few years ago, he said :;
"'Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed
by thy name; thy will be done What
else can we say The other night in my
sleepless tossings about, which were grow
ing more aud more miserable, these words,
that brief and grand prayer, came strangely
into my mind, with an altogether new en-
phasis as If written and shining for me in
mild, pure splendor, on the black bosom of
the night there; when |, as it We're, read
them word by word,-with sudden check
to my imperfect wanderings, with sudden
softness of composure which was much un-
expected. Not for perhaps thirty or forty
years had | once formally repeated that
prayer. Nay, never felt before how in
tensely the voice of mans soul it is the in
most aspiration of all that is high and pious
in poor human nature right worthy TO be
recommended with an After this manner
pray ye.'"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Good and Poor Seeds.

When we have manured, and plowed, and
narrowed, and perhaps raked our ground, in
the best and most careful manner, we have
not then done all that in us lies to insure
good and paying crop if we have been care
less or neglectful in the selection of the seed
we are to plant. The farmer or the gardener
who does not know the difference between
good and poor seed, or who is thoughtess in
regard TO it, is far from understanding his
business as he ought to do, or as he must
do if he desires to profit to the full extent
from his labors. There are many crops in
which the quality of the seed alone decides
whether profit or loss will follow from
them. There are not a few in which the
difference between good and poor seed
makes all the difference between yield that
will pay handsome profit and one that will
not pay for harvesting.
1t is in garden crops, where large yield
is expected from small area of land, that the
failures resulting from the use of poor seed
are most startlingly conspicuous. Last
spring even good onion seed was cheap, the
best selling at from Sl.50 TO $500 pound,
while poor seed might be bought for almost
any price. good many onions are grown
in our neighborhood, and three of the most
extensive growers were induced 10 plant this
cheap seed, sold at thirty-fve cents a pound.
| None of them made even fair crop, and
one of them told us, few days ago, that he
| saved Just $3.50 in his seed, and lost not less
than 5000 in his crop. This spring the price
of good onion seed is more than double what
it sold for last year, but we are sure that no
other kind will be planted on Indian Point.
We had talk with several Of these econo-
misers in seed before planting time last year,
and took the trouble to tell them why good
seed could not be afforded at the lowest
price. There is a set of so.oalled seedsmen
who make business of growing cheap seeds
In the fall these men select their thick
rows and set them out there, covering them
deeply with the plow In the spring these
onions come up and usually bear heavy
crop of seed. Ga the other hand, an honest
and careful seed-grower selects his finest and
ripest onions, and keeps them with the ut
most care in proper cellar or other build
ing during the winter. To winter seed on
ions successfully is difficult task, and, with
the best care, it often happens that not more
than half the stock comes through in con
dition fit to set for seed These fine, Z" thor
ough-bred" onions do not produce SO much
seed, and often not so handsome looking
seeds, as the scallions planted in the fall.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
IarirnlfnraI Deparf,penf.
t. II. HOsKINs. Agricultural Editor.
FLORAL ALPHABET

Here is an Aster formed like a star,
And tall Blttersweet climbing afar.
G Ia our Gala which some call lily
Small az am, I would not he 40 silly.
Now comes Delphlnum, deepest Of blue,
with sweet Evening primrose, Of rich yellow hue.
stands for Ferns Of most exquisite FORM
Aud q for the Grass Meadow waving in storm.
II ia the Hoya, or wax plant, street vine;
The dull English Ivy DER ruins will twine
X Ia the Keniworth ivy more neat,
And L all the Lilies o'erpoweringly sweet.
NJ Ia sweet Mgnonette, cherished by all,
And N the Nasturtlum, the dwarf and the tall.
o the 0thonna that droops DER the pot,
And ls the Palm that must grow where It's hot.
Quamoclit, hard name for old cypress-vne,
And X the sweet Rose, choicest favorite OF mine.
$ Is the smilax 80 graceful and bright
And T is our Tuberose fragant and white.
See the queer Unicorn plant called Martynia.
And here Ia the creeper named after Virginia.
wistaria gladdens our houses outside,
And Xeranthemum flowers abide.
ia the Yucca or needle and thread,
And with the old znnai our verse is ended.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Is Slavery Truly Abolished ?

1t is a sad thought TO think it may be true
that more than half the men and women in
the world are willing, if they could, to live
in idleness, supported by the labor of others.
Not that such really are all so supported, for
fortunately it is impossible. But when we
consider how many of these who now earn
their living are filed with discomfort and
envy Of those who, in this worlds language,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
Railroad !Gime gable.
CENTRAL VERMONT RAILROAD LINEi
Commencing on Monday, February "A, 1881.

Trains Going South and East.
Leave Montpelier at $50 and IL. 30 A. M, 6.55P,
M, and 11.00 p. NJ.
Mal-From ogdensburg ST. Albans and Burlington, leaves
Montpelier at 800 A. NJ, for Boston, New YORK, etc
Express-From Montreal, 81. Albans Burlington, Rut-
land etc. leaves Montpelier at ll35 A. NJ for Boston,
via Lowell and intermediate points.
Mixed Train-Leaves st. Abans at 800 NJ Burlington
at4i0 P. M, Montpelier at 65s p. NJ, for Northheid
Night Express-From ogdensbury, Montreal. St. Al
bans and Burlington, leaves Montpelier ~ li.w ?; M,
for Boston via Lowell fitchburg, Springfield new
York and intermediate points
Trains Going North aud West.
Leave Montpelier at 3.2J A. M, 710A. NJ, 040 A.
NJ, 3.55 P. M and $50 =. NJ.
Day Express-Leaves Boston via Fitchbug at 500 A. h
via Lowell at $50 A. NJ, New london at 800 A. NJ
Springfield at 500 A. Montpelier at 3.55 NJ for
Burlington Rutland st. Albans, Montreal, ogdensburs
and the west.
Accommodation Train-Leaves Northned at 100 A.
Montpelier at I.l0 A. NJ. for Burlington, Rutland
st. Albans and 81. Johns
MIxed-Ieavee W. r. Junction at $50 A. NJ, Northneld at
1920 A. NJ Montpelier at 1910 A NJ for Burlington. st.
Adams, Rchford, Rouses Point, etc.
ton at $50 Pm, Montpelier at $40 p NJ, for Burlington
and st. Albans.
Night Express-Ieaves Boston via Lowell at 100 NJ,
via Fitchburg at 500 p M, New York at 400 P. NJ,
llnston, st. Albans, Montreal and ogdbg and the West
Trains leave Montpelier for Barre at 7J0 and Las
Pm. and $50 p. NJ. Returning leave Barre at s25 A.
NJ, 24O p. NJ. and $50. p. NJ.
Sleeping attached Night Express trains running
between Montreal and Boston and Montreal and Spring
field and New York via Troy, and paror to Day Ex
press between Boston and Montreal.
Through tickets for Chicago and the West for sale at e
W. Y. SMITH, General Passenger Agent.
1T. AlbanH, Vt, February IA, 1881.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25

IT is far from being enough that Chris
tian man can look back over years OF sensi-
BILE darkness to day Of conscious light, He
should be able to read the record of his
growing years in the clear testimony of a
growing light. The soul should always be
preparing for the largest service, and seek
through self,denying communion, holy hab-
its Of thoughts and selt-denying Christian
work, which will vindicate its personal
Christian life before the skepticism of an
ungodly world.--Pacifc Christian Aduocaie.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25

The true rendering is, If any wills to
do his will" has the spirit of obedience
which leads him to do Gods will as far as
it is made known to him, and is, there
fore, ready to do all that will when re-
revealed to him. Christ assumes that all
men have some knowledge of duty in
the primal convictions Of conscience and
teaches that II they are loyal to those con-
victions aud do what they know they ought,
they shall be led on into the full truth as it
is in Jesus Western Christian Adpocate.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25

ALL truly consecrated men learn, little by
little, that what they are consecrated to is
not JOY or sorrow, but divine idea and
profound obedience, which can fad their
full outward expression, not in joy and not
in sorrow, but in the mysterious and insep'
arabic mingling of the two.--Phaiips Brooks.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
For Sale or to Rent!

farm Of and e-half in vineand New Jer
situated little than half mile from the post
office In the desirable location in mostly frnsd
with all varieties Of large and small fruits and supplied
with shade and ornamental and good buildings The
house contains rooms and will be sold rented fur
nished II desired. Terms low. For particulars
address y. A, ,VANDERBURGH,
Ninelaud, New Jersey,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25
New e7drrrfisrmenfs.

EA NICE WHITE OR TINTED BRISTOL
CO CARDS. with your name neatly printed on them
will be sent postpaid for only -four Scent stamps; six
packs for sixty cents. Address
UNION CARD CO., state ST., Montpelier, Vt.