davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
No Sufficient Iuducement.

As the wealthy classes in America in
crease in number wider market is secured
for choice farm and garden products at re-
munerative prices. Gilt-edge butter, fine
saddles of mutton, winter lettuce, hot-house
grapes, forced fruits and vegetables can
only find satisfactory sale in those coun-
tries where accumulated wealth leads to
luxuriant living" We clip the above from
the editorial columns of the Boston Cutiua-
tor, as a fine illustration of city agricultural
journalism. No doubt the statements of
that paragraph are true. 1t is quite busi-
ness to supply rich men with their luxuries-
But it is much bigger and more profitable
business to supply prosperous, free and
happy people with the products which they
purchase. What made the hard times, now
hardly past, for the farmers of VermontP
Rich men grew richer during those times,
and lived, as they always live, on the fat OF
the land. But what was their trade, even
when they bought butter for dollar a
pound, to the trade we lost when millions be
came too poor to eat any butter at all2 And
look over all the nations where "wealth &C
cumulates and men decay See the rich
men, and the few who purvey for them
prosperous, but the mass Of the people in
rags and poverty. Do farmers prosper
there2 Give US a thousand customers whC
spend ten dollars apiece with us, rather thar
ten customers who spend $500 apiece with
us. We then sell twice as many goods, max
at least as good profit, and have to get Oh
our knees for nobodys custom.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22

Five minutes for reflection and self-exam-
nation, ten for reading the Scriptures, and
fifteen for prayer, daily, is about as little as
most Christians can live upon. Many, it is
true, have no special time or place for secret
prayer, and therefore do not live. 1t can
be spared as easily as the ever-recurring
time for our regular meal, and every consid-
Grafton, temporal and eternal, demands it..
I was once profitably impressed with the
Importance of uniformity in this duty by
that venerated ruling elder, the late John
Alexander of Lexington, Virginia. Soon
after leaving his bed, and before he had
fully dressed, and while others were talking
around him, he took his Bible and sat down
to enjoy the hidden mama. The preach
ing Of Larned and the praying of Payson
were pre-eminent for that JUNCTION which
secret prayer alone can impart, and hence
the peculiar power Of the men. One of the
richest prayers / ever enjoyed was by an
eminent merchant, in the prime of life, and
immersed in business. Nothing but faithful.
ness in private prayer kept his spirit in this
frame. This he intimated in reply to a
question on the subject. The question often
arises as to whether we shall kneel down in
the presence of others or pray mentally and
literally in secret Some feel that the one
savors of ostentation, and some that the
opposite indicates fear of man. 1t is evi
dent that either method is proper, and that
the one is best that most effectually sub
serves the great end for which secret prayer
was enjoined. Any Christian who succeed.
in wrestling an hour day, or possibly half
an-hour, from the world, will experience the
richness of those promises made in the
Apocalypse to him that overcometh.
| Presbyterian.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
VOL. 77.-3932. NO. 20.

out much change some taking on new forms
and some disappearing entirely. Very little
Is known Of this mysterious sun or the spots
that are visible more than ninety millions
OF miles away. Once in about eleven years
the sun takes on his present sun-spot phase,
and we are approaching the maximum Of
disturbance. No one knows the cause.
Some believe that it is planetary attrac-
tion, some that it is the fall of great masses
OF meteorio matter, and some that IL is the
result OF internal commotion and the rush
upward of gaseous explosions in comparison
with which our fiercest volcanic eruptions
are but the flicker Of fame. Besides the
sun-spot agitation, the gaseous outbursts
are marked and vivid. The tongues Of
fame Of rosy protuberances are darting
forth in all directions and bearing their tes-
timony TO the solar commotion. Mr.. Trou.
velot, Of Cambridge, who makes daily OBJ
servation of the suns chromosphere, gives a
graphic description of a remarkable solar
protuberance that he witnessed on the 10th
of November. When first seen it was large
and complicated, extending upward from
the sun about 100000 miles. Three or
four hours after, it had developed into huge
proportions, extending far out into space,
and vanishing gradually to regions where it
could not be perceived. As nearly as It
could be measured, it reached height Of
over a quarter of the suns diameter, or
about two hundred and thirty-fve thousand
miles. Such protuberance hurled upward
from the earth would almost reach the
moon Two hours after, the whole structure
had collapsed and was only about eighteen
thousand miles high. Observations like
this give an idea OF the mighty forces at
work in the solar orb, and make observers
long for the time when satisfactory solu-
tion may be found for this mysterious
periodical solar disturbance, 80 intimately
connected with the meteorological condition
of the earth.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22

An agricultural exchange says "There
is strong growth of congressional sentiment
ir favor of reduction of national taxation.
Admitting this to be the finest government
on the globe it is ali the more reason why
future generations should be willing to pay
their share of its cost" But when we con-
slider that this national taxation is almost
exclusively upon things injurious or unnec-
essary, that the national revenue is raised
by taxes upon ardent spirits, tobacco, ma
tional bonds, patent medicines and imports
of foreign merchandise purchased mainly
| by the rich, we can easily see that the rails
| ing of this revenue, and the use Of it to pay
the national debt, is blessing to the peo
pie. This cry for reduction of the ma
tional revenue is solely in the interest OF
men who do not want the national debt
paid They want TO hold the bonds as an
investment (Mr. Vanderbilt holds 100000,
600 of them), or else as basis for banking
and other sorts of money-making. But il
by taxation of such things as now yield the
national revenue we can collect money To
pay off this debt and stop the interest, We
shall force the men who have their money
"salted down" in untaxed bonds to use Il
for the promotion of industrial objects ant
to pay taxes on it. That will both help ant
relieve the farmers and all workers.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22

supposed, to thank him, the old woman
peered into his face with the inquiry, ado
you love JesusY Receiving no answer for
an instant, she repeated, ado you love Je-
sus2" and then hobbled away. The lawyer
went home, but the words followed him.
He tried to read, but could not escape the
trembling, pleading tone. He fought the
impression till evening" then sought the pas
tors study to ask guidance and help. Some
weeks later, after he had found peace and
united himself with the people OF God, the
minister said TO him one day, "Do you
know that expected you that stormy eve
ming when you first came TO me to inquire
concerning the way to eternal life2 / had
prepared my sermon that day especially for
you, and | thought it would bring you TO
conviction" "That sermon p replied the
Judge, "why, could have answered all your
arguments, and it did not move me in the
least. 1t was what the old negro woman
said, Do you love Jesusr that could not
get away from. 1t seemed to me as il
should hear that voice following me as long
as lived" "And So" said the minister
thoughtfully, "out of the mouth of one of
the humblest Of his servants God hath per-
feoted praise. .'-American Messenger
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
Boys In the Sabbath.SchOOl.

There was a fair-faced young lady in
certain Sabbath-school, whose class of boys
had arrived at the dangerous age yet she
held them steadily; not only were they at
tendants, but they were noticeably regular
in attendance; not only that, but they were
prompt. | studied over it good deal. l
knew the young lady; she did not seem to
be more learned than the others, or more
apt to teach she had no better advantages
for preparation, and, so far as | could learn,
she did not study harder than some of the
rest yet, apparently, she succeeded better.
| was quite well acquainted with one OF her
class; | cross-questioned him. "Is Miss
Marvyn very superior teacher, Charlie ?"
She's tip top" Spoken with the air of
prompt heartiness that means so much in a
frank-hearted boy. "How did she manage
last Sundays lesson ?" "Oh, dunno;" in
that off.hand tone, which may mean /" |
know all about it, but I'm not going to tell
you; it's matter of confidence between
her and u.s." "The boys all like her, don't
they ?" "Of course they do; they would
be great simpletons if they didn't" "But,
Charlie, what makes her any better than
the other 2" "Dunno, I'm sure; all know
about it is, we don't want to exchange her
for anybody that we know" was still in
the dark as to Miss Marvyns success but
that evening as Charlie was coming in at
his fathers side gate in his shirt-sleeves
and with dusty hands which had been help
ing to build wood-pile, /, standing in the
door, saw him suddenly halt and lift his cap
and at the same heard CHEEKY voice say
" How do you do, Charlie / was just think
ing of you hope we shall see you Out
this evening" we are depending on you.
| Then-as he protested that his hands were
too dusty to accept her offered glove
"Never mind the dust, Charlie; good, hon
est dust never hurt anybody's hands. May
heartily. Then he came in. "Charlie,"
with her, hasn't she like to see people
shake hands with their friends" "She'c
shake hands with one of her boys If he hat
lust tumbled out of a tar kettle,' said Char
lie, emerging from the basin into which h
had dipped his curly head, and speaking il
tone OF grim satisfaction. "Where is sh
80 anxious to have you come this evening !?
ats to prayer-meeting," he said, under hi
breath. "She wants some OF us to hel
along the singing" "Charlie, are you &c
ing 2" "Yes'm, l am | kind Of like +
please her, and, beside" with roguis
glance at me, she had us to her house +
eat strawberries and cream last night;
fellow would feel rather fat not to do whs
she asked him after that" Aud |, as
went upstairs, mused as to whether | ha
found q clew to Miss Marvyn's inhuenc
over those great boys of hers. the chi
dren of this world are IN their generatlo
wiser than the children of light" 1t wa
infinite wisdom that said that are not w
as a people, at work proving the truth of it
There is only here and there Miss Marry
who has any consecrated straw berries an
cream, or pair of gloves that honest du'
: will not hurt.-Selecfed.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
Gods Time for Giving Comfort.

CANCELS came and ministered unto him."
Yes, but when2 At the end of the forty
days of loneliness aud temptation. Not
while he was in conflict with the tempter,
but after he had endured the onslaught Of
the powers of darkness, and Satan, discom-
fited, had left him--not till then came the
angels to give comfort. But through weary
hours Of suffering and trial he trusted the
Father, who by the Spirit had led him into
the wilderness would take care of him, and
provide for him, and lead him out, and re-
fusing TO take his case out of Gods hands
into his own, he patiently waited the send
ing of the angels to minister unto him. Aud
in the Fathers own good time they came.
" The disciple shall not be above his Lord"
Jesus came TO his storm-tossed disciples on
the Sea Of Galilee. But when2 Not till the
fourth watch Of the night. Not till they
had wearied themselves toiling all the night
against wind and wave. With the rosy glow
OF dawn came Jesus, walking on the sea,
bringing deliverance. But through the long
hours of the night he left them to pit their
/ own brawny arms against the sea that
threatened to engulf them. Had Jesus for
gotten them2 Did he not care that he put
off the hour of coming to their deliverance2
| Ah he knew their fears as the angry waves
| JOSheu lldb llbtle DOdb IFS saw uOW udfu
they were toiling at the row-locks all that
night He was restraining the power of the
sea that they should not be overwhelmed in
its waves. And at last he came, and filled
the sea and their own troubled hearts with
great peace. He learned obedience by
the things he suffered" 1t is Gods training
school. The Captain of our salvation was
"made " perfect through suffering" The
many sons whom he is bringing to glory
need not wonder if they have companionshiI
with him in suffering. Neither need the,
wonder it, like him, they be put to the proof
and the angels of comfort do not appea
when the trial is the sorest but be assured
you are not forgotten. He never forgets no
forsakes. He may delay his coming to yot
through the weary hours of a long night o
trial, but he will come to you by the fourtl
watch of the night and his presence will b'
peace.-Presbyterian
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
I" Not II 1t was My Boy"

Some years ago the late Horace Mann,
the eminent educator, delivered an address
at the opening of some reformatory institu-
ton for boys, during which he remarked that
if only one boy was saved from ruin, it pays
for all the cost and care and labor of estab-
fishing such an institution as that. After
the exercises had closed, in private conver-
sation a gentleman rallied Mr.. Mann upon
his statement, and said to him, " Did you
not color that little, when you said that
all expense and labor would be repaid if 1t
only saved one boy 2" "Not II it was my
boy," was the solemn and convictiug reply.
All there is wonderful value about my
boy" Other boys may be rude and rough /;
other boys may be reckless and wild; other
boys may seem TO require more pains and
labor than they ever will repay; other boys
may be left TO drift uncared for TO the ruin
which is so near at hand; but "my boy -
it were worth the toll of lifetime and the
lavish wealth of world to save him from
ruin. We would go the world round to
save him from peril, and would bless every
hand that was stretched out to give him
help or welcome. And yet every poor
wandering, outcast, homeless man is one
whom some fond mother called "my boy"
Every lost woman, sunken in the depths of
sin, was somebody's daughter in her days of
childish innocence. To-day somebody's 8
son ia weary helpless wanderer, driven by
cruel want into paths Of error. Shall we
shrink from labor, shall we hesitate at any
cost to do what we can to bring back the
sunshine of happiness to such as these p
Cottage Hearth.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
A Word In Season.

As the pastor sat in his study that Monday
morning, there was look of earnest thought
upon his countenance Sabbath after Sab
bath Judge Leyman had sat before him
with grave, attentive face; early education,
respect for the feelings of his family and
strong personal friendship for his college
classmste, the minister, had combined to
preserve this habit in the infdel lawyer
Yet for all change that prayer or sermon
had made in his views, one might as we'll
have beaten his hands against the fiinty
rock. Suddenly the pastors face bright
ened his resolution was taken, he would
devote the whole week TO preparing a ser.
mon against infdelity; every argument
that could be brought forward should be
carefully handled, and the wandering one
convicted of his error. A moment later he
was busily at work. Sunday came, and with
it cold, icy storm, but Judge Leyman sat
in his accustomed place. Not word OF the
sermon escaped him. After the benediction
he walked quietly down the aisle. On the
icy steps stood an old colored woman, lame
and poor. As she attempted 10 go down she
slipped, and would have fallen, but the
| Judge, with the dignified courtesy that al.
ways distinguished him, assisted her till she
had gained the sidewalk. Turning, AZ he
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
Where the Profits Go.

From an interesting article detailing the
elaborate decoration lavished upon the
houses Of the millionaires Of New York, we
make the following extract. II should be
understood that "a speculator in grain
simply means gambler in the crops OF far
mers. To make a million in this way Is
just to take million out or the hands OF
the grower or consumer, or both, without
rendering penny Of service in return
Read, and learn, "where the money goes"
The style Of the design in embroideries
must necessarily conform TO the taste and
wishes of the purchaser, and often some
queer effects are produced. As an illustra-
tion, a resident of this city made large
fortune speculating in grain, and having
children who were ambitious TO shine in
society he recently built large and ele-
giant house. One room therein he reserved
10 his own private use, and hunting up one
Of the most competent Of decorative artists,
bade him make the apartment emblemst-
ical of the means by which his fortune had
been acquired. He wanted the decoration
done in embroidered tapestries, and cared
nothing for the expense. The artist went
to work, and under the jealous coaching OF
his employer soon transformed the room into
breezy and inviting grain field. On one
panel was faithfully depicted growing corn,
on another panel was section Of wheat
field 80 true 10 nature that the beholder
could almost feel the gentle breeze that
stirred the golden-tipped stalks. Rye, oats
and barley, in as realistic forms as artistic
ally woven silk could make them, were ar
ranged around the room, and the ceiling
was completely covered with ears of corr
and kernels of the other grains. The painted
wood work which bordered the tapestry
panels was in imitation of corn stalks ant
grasses. The window draperies were of {
ripe grain tint and were perfectly plain
with the exception Of delicately wrough
border of field daisies. This unique, bu
charming, room the rich man callsed hi
"study," and whenever he revealed it
beauties to friends he had the satisfaction
of telling them that the decoration of tha
one room alone cost him $4,000.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
Phenomena OF the Sun.

1t is pitful to witness the condition Of
the sun. The great fire-ball is in intense
commotion. His surface is scanned and
SCARED in every direction, with black spots
that indicate the disturbing elements at
work in his chaotic mass. Occasionally for
a day or two the blemishes disappear, and
the glorious king of day shows face like a
shield OF glowing gold. But the aspect
quickly changes spots come rushing in all
directions and assuming all forms. They
appear singly and in pairs, and again in
groups and rows. Immense groups break
up into small ones, and small ones unite TO
form great chasms, into which half dozen
worlds might be dropped and there would
still be room for more. Sometimes the
spots are visible to the naked eye, and at
that time good opera-glass or spy.glass will
make them easily perceptible. Hundreds
of observers all over the world watch the
suns face every clear day, and keep a record
of the number of spots, their size and the
direction in which they move. for as the
sun turns on his axis they turn with him
some Of them remaining for months with
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
The Fitness Of Ones Own Place.

On the dry shingly sides OF little brack-
ish lake by the seashore, the writer once
found a flower with lustrous bell-like bios
SONS. 1t was unlike any flower he had
ever seen before, and 80, some time later,
when the seed-vessels were completely ri
pened, the seeds were gathered and carefully
kept for cultivation elsewhere. But al
though those seeds were planted at various
times and in places three thousand miles
apart, no green blade ever rewarded the
watchers care. 1t seemed as though, in all
the wide world, there was but one place
where these lustrous blossoms could grow
Is there not something like this in human
life everywhere2 Have you never met with
some wiusome and sanity character, diff
ferent from all others, with strength and
sweetness and beauty all its own2 You
have tried to snalyzs such character and
have failed. You have tabled off its virtues
aud neutrality-suspicious., purity, sen
sitiveness, fidelity, unselfshness, and tn,
rest and yet, when you have finished YOU
analysis, you have been forced TO the con
clusion that there was something more there
something that is not to be found in an,
catalogue OF virtues and graces. SO, in de
spair Of finding name for this nameles
grace, you have called it at last, simply ant
reverently, the grace of God.-Selected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-22
Later Years the Best Years.

To man of middle life existence is no
longer dream, but reality. He has not
much more new to look forward to, for the
character of his life is generally fixed by that
time. His profession, his home his occu-
pations, will be for the most part what they
are now. He will make few new acquaint-
ances-no new friends. 1t is the solemn
thought connected with middle age that
life's last business is begun in earnest; and
it is then, midway between the cradle and
the grave, that man begins to look back
aud marvel with kind of remorsefu feel
ing that he let the days of youth go by so
half enjoyed. 1t is the pensive autumn feel
ing-it is the sensation of half sadness that
we experience when the longest day of the
year is past, and every day that follows is
shorter, and the lights fainter, and the fee
bier shadows tell that nature is fastening
with gigantic footsteps to her winter grave.
| So does man look back upon his youth.
When the first gray hairs become visible
when the unwelcome truth fastens itself
upon the mind that man is no longer 60
ing up the hill, but down, and that the sun
is always westering, he looks back on the
things behind. Now, this is a natural feel
ing, but is it the high Christian tone of feel
ing2 We may assuredly answer, No. We
who have an Inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away what
have we to do with things past When we
were children we thought as children. But
now there lies before us manhood, with its
earnest work and then old age, and then
the grave, and then home. And so manhood
in the Christian life is better thing than
boyhood, because it is a ripper thing and old
age ought to be brighter and calmer and
more serene thing than manhood. There
is second youth for man better and holiel
than his first, if he will look ON and moi
back. There is a peculiar simplicity oi
heart and touching singleness of purpose
in Christian old age, which has ripened
gradually and not fitfully. 1t is then thai
to the wisdom Of the serpent is added th'
| harmlessness of the dove; it is then that tt
the frmness of manhood is joined almos
: the gentleness of womauhood it is ther
| that the somewhat austere and sour charac
. ter of growing strength, moral and intellec
, tual, mellows into the rich ripeness of an oil
age made sweet aud tolerant by experience
, it is then that man returns TO first principles
There comes love more pure and deep thai
, the boy could ever feel there comes con
viction, with strength beyond that whicl
the boy could ever know, that the earlies
! lesson of life is infinite, Christ is all.-F
' w. Robertson.