davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20

II we can Judge of the administration of
the criminal law in Scotland by trial which
took place a fortnight back in Glasgow, it is
mighty well for Guiteau that he was not
brought to the bar of Scottish court. On
the 9th ult., Thomas Ferguson was arraign-
ed in the circuit court of Glasgow for the
murder Of his wife four months before. The
prisoner pleaded not guilty, and, in addition,
lodged a special plea that he was insane at
the time of the commission of the crime. 1t
was shown that he had been confined in an
asylum for five weeks in 1874, owing TO an
attack of insanity brought on by intemper-
ance. Since then he had at times been sub
ject to hallucinations, and, on one occasion,
had gone so far astray as to believe that he
saw on the street a man long dead.
The trial showed several features strange
TO an American eye. In the first place. the
presiding justice, Lord Deas, held a very
| tight rein over the counsel on either side in
regard to the examination and cross-examina-
| ton of the medical witnesses He obliged
them TO keep their questions close to the
point at issue and strictly within the limits
contemplated by the law. Here is a speci-
men of the restraint which he placed upon
Mr.. Burnett, the prisoners counsel, during
| the examination Of a practitioner who claim
ed considerable experience of cases of insani-
| ty. Mr. Burnett had asked the witness
!
son of vigorous intellect" The judge broke
in at once, 'That is not question to ask a
doctor. We can all judge less or more Of the
condition of ones intellect. Ask some intel
| lgible question" The counsel trying again.
"Do you think the prisoner is a man of strong
mindY" The judge, "You may put it so, but
the question is very equivocal." The eoun-
sci, tacking a second time, "What opinion
did you form of the mans force of charac-
ter2" The Judge, "Force of character That
will not do" The counsel in despair, 81
may ask him what opinion he formed of the
mans mental qualities ?" The Judge, THAT
is not question for a doctor" The counsel,
getting in line at last, "What opinion did you
form of the prisoners state of mind ?" ''The
judge, ''rhat may be something. Stop lit
tie till get your question down" Thus it
was only on the fifth attempt that the ques-
ton made its way to the witness Obviously
there is wide difference in regard to lati-
tude in examination between Lord Deas and
Judge Cox Yet it must not be imagined
that the Scottish judge was biased against
the prisoner. Far otherwise. His impartial
ity was quite as undeniable as his determine
tion to protect society against legal chicane.
He never sweryed from the true judicial po-
sition.
The charge cut a broad, straight swath
through the weeds Of sophistry and sentimen.
talism. Lord Deas told the jury that the
point upon which the case turned was wheth,
or the prisoner had sense enough to know
tina. murder is contrary TO the law of the land.
If so, then he had wiifully broken the law,
and must take the consequences. The clear.
headed judge declared that the prisoner was
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
WTNDHAM COUNTY SCENERY.

SOUTHEASTERN vERMoNT-THE COUNTRY FOR
CARRIAGE TRAvEL-oLD ERRORS AMONG THE
FATHERs-A ''sMooK" MARBIAoE-THE LAST
WHIPPING POST.
ICor. n. Y. Journal OF Commerce.
We wandered around in New Hampshire
after leaving Charlestown; went to Newport,
Lake Sunapee, Bradford, Henniker, Hillsboro,
PeterboIO, crossed the slope of Monadnock
TO Keene, and entered Vermont again at Brat
tleboro. The soft October weather was de-
lightful. Here we stopped to shoot gray squir-
rels, and there TO hunt for psrtridges. Occa-
sionally bass or piokerel pond tempted us to
rest the horses for half day or whole day
The best pond for both was the Bradford
pond, which hope to know more about in
future years.
Near Brattleboro we found for the first time
faint show of autumnal forest color. The
hard frost of October 9th had passed mildly
over southeastern Vermont and the drive up
West river from Brattleboro to Williamsyille
was exceedingly beautiful If 1 cannot per-
suade you to spend month in carriage trav-
el, let me urge you to give few days next
fall to the country back of Brattleboro, which
we now investigated. 1t will be to you a rev.
elation of beauty and grandeur in American
scenery. Take in your route Newfane, Dover,
Wilmington, Jacksonville, and come down to
OOlerhlno III hAhhbhcuubettb. AIter IOur weeks
along the roads, we thought this the finest
portion of our autumn drive. Don't expect
to go fast. The hills are high, but the views
are grand and the valleys between the hills
are very lovely. We found good clean inns
in every village.
found on the table in the hotel at Will
Evansville history of Newfane township,
containing many interesting items about for
mer generations of Vermont people. In 17s9
at the old Field mansion, ON the 22d of Feb
ruary, Major Moses Joy was married TO Mrs
Hannah Ward, widow of William Ward. This
William Ward had died insolvent, leaving
debts of considerable amount, At the second
marriage Mrs. Ward stood in closet with nc
clothing on, and held out her hand to Majoi
Joy through hole, and the ceremony wal
thus performed. This is the only instance
have ever met with in American history o.
what in England has been variously called 1
BmOok marriage or a marriage en- ohemiSe
The idea was, and in parts of England is still
| prevalent, that If a husband takes wife with
nothing on her, he avoids a legal liability t
pay her debts, or the debts of former hus
band, some Of whose property she might pos
! sibly bring with her to her new alliance. Thi
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20

The old-fashioued stories which the unhap-
by boys of the last generation read have been
succeeded by the manly and fascinating GRIM
inal novel In the old story books it was as
sumed that truthfulness, honesty and obedi-
ence to parents were virtues, and that the
Christian religion was not wholly devoid of
merit If these views were not directly taught
in the juvenile literature of our fathers, at all
events they were never directly or indirectly
attacked. Boys could learn nothing from
their story books except preposterous plati-
tudes-nothing that was of any practical use,
or that tended to develop in them manly and
brilliant traits. No such complaint can be
made of the dime and half-dime novels of the
criminal school which are now read by all our
boys, either openly or secretly. In these de-
hghtful stories new forms of profanity and
slang are taught in the most effective way
The pleasures of burglary and highway rob
berry, the manliness of gambling and fighting,
and the heroism of successful lying, are set
forth in what is regarded by youthful readers
as glowing eloquence while the great truths
that all parents are tyrants, that all religious
people are hypocrites, and that disobedience
to fathers and teachers is obedience to the no.
bier instincts of juvenile nature, are sedulous-
ly taught. Such stories as these develop all
that is manly and lawless in our boys, and
teach them lessons that cannot fail to be of
immense service to them In whatever criminal
| career they may adopt.
There are few old-fsshioned people who
denounce the new juvenile literature in un-
| spsring terms but that nearly all fathers ap-
prove Of it is self-evident. They know their
boys are reading novels illustrative of the ex-
cellence of crime, but they make no effort to
suppress such literature, as they certainly
would do did they disapprove of it. Nothing
would be simpler than to drive those novels
out of existence. All that it would be neces-
sary to do would be to Boycott" the news
dealers who keep them for sale. The truth
evidently is that fathers either do not care
what their boys read, or that they have no
fault to find with Jack Harkaway" and The
Boy Burglars" II can not be that respectable
gentlemen who dislike crime, profanity, and
vulgarity, willfully refuse TO know what their
boys are reading, or weakly hope that by
some happy chance their reading will do them
no harm.-W l.. Alden in Harper'S for Feb
/ JsllNI.N
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20

"Baby is dead!" Three little words passed
along the line; copied somewhere and soon
forgotten. But after all was quiet again
leaned my head upon my hand and fell into a
deep reverie over all that those words mean.
Somewhere dainty form, still and cold,
unclasped by mothers arms tonight eyes
that yesterday were bright and blue as skies
Of June dropped tonight beneath white lids
that no voice can ever raise again.
Two soft hands, whose roseleaf fingers were
wont to wander lovingly around mothers neck
and face, loosely holding white buds, quietly
folded in confined rest.
Soft lips, yesterday ripping with laughter
sweet as woodland brook falls, gay as tril of
forest birds; tonight unresponsive to kiss or
call of love.
A silent home-the pRtter of baby feet for
ever hushed-a cradle bed unpressed-little
shoes half worn-dAinty garments shoulder
knots of blue to match those eyes Of yester-
day-folded with aching heart away.
A tiny mound, snow-covered, in some quiet
graveyard.
A mothers cropping touch in uneasy slum-
ber for the fair head that shall never again
rest upon her bosom. The low sob, the bitter
tear, as broken dreams awake TO sad reality.
The hopes of future years wrecked, like fair
ships that suddenly go down in sight Of land.
The watching of other babies, dimpled,
laughing, strong-and this ono gone. The
present agony of grief, the future emptiness
of heart, all held in those three little words
Baby is dead. - Telegraph Operator.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
MoWu(06jsul
Neuralgia, Sprains,


Pain i'm the Back and Side.
There Is nothing more painful than these
diseases; but the poin can be removed and
the disease cured BY use OF Perry Davis
Pain Killer.
This remedy is not cheap Benzine
or Petroleum product that must be kept
away from fire or heat to avoid danger
of explosion, nor Is IL an untriGd experl-
ment that may do more harm than good.
Pain Killer has been in constant use
for forty years, and the universal testimony
from all parts OF the world Is, II never
rails. It not only effects permanent cure,
but 1t relieves pain almost instantaneously.
Being purely vegetable remedy, It Is safe
In the hands Of the most inexperienced.
The record OF cures by the use OF PAIN
KILLER would MI volumes. The following
extracts from letters received show what
those who have tried It think:
Edgar cady, owatOnna, MINI, says:
About year since my wife became subject
to severe suffering from rheumatism. Our
resort was 70 the PAIN KILLER. which speedily
Charles Powell writes from the Sailors
Home, London:
had been AFFLICTED three years with neuralgia
and violent spasIns Of the stomach. The doctors
at ;StIninster Hospital gave up my case in
me Immediate relief / have rasained my
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G.H. Walworth, saco, Me-, writes:
experienced immediate relief from pain In
. the side by the use Of your PAIN KILLER.
Z. York says:
Ihaye used your PAIN KuLFR for rheumatism,
and have received great benefit
Barton Seaman says:
Have used PAIF KILLER for thirty years,
and have found 1t a nererJ JailiHg remedy Cor
rheumatism and lamenesa
Mr.. Burditt writes:
tHsver Ia'is 10 give relief in Of rheumatism.
Phi. GILBERT, Somerset, Pa, writes:
From actual use, know your PAIN KILLER
Is the best medicine can get
All druggists keep PAIN KILLER. It's price
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and 1t Will save many times its cost In doctors
bills 25c., soc. and SI.OO bottle. {
PERRY DAVIS & SON, Pvpdeturs
Providence, r. !.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
NO. B..

me, but came alonei Then 1 realized how
weak was; how had been hoping TO see
him, though 1 had told myself we should
meet as the veriest strangers,
'My brother will join us at the church."
said Mrs Gray. "He was obliged TO 90 first
to visit sick friend, but he will not be de-
tanned long"
We reached the church just as the service
was beginning, and the first strains Of the
magnificent 'Stabat Mater" Of Pergholese
already issued from the grand organ. The
aisles we're very crowded; but as we ap-
preached Mrs. Gray's pew, she whispered in
a tone Of relief, "How fortunatel l see that
my brother has arrived before me and kept
our seats; but l must defer the introduction
till after the services"
The gentleman stepped from the pew TO
allow us to pass in, evidently listening in
tently all the while, that note of the music
should not be lost. He cast careless glance
on his sisters companion-our eyes met.
All 1 saw was look of joy, of thankfulness,
of content In my face l believe he could
read absolutely nothing. Ah, what hours
those we're TO mel But for the music I could
never have sat there-so near to him, yet 80
infinitely far away! The music, now wailing,
now beseeching, now triumphant, rolled
through the church like a voice from heaven,
banishing, for the time, all thoughts of
earthly trials and temptations. But Il ended
at last-the vesper service was over
As the crowd slowly dispersed, we sat lis
tening to the really beautiful march of Bee
thoven. Then Mrs. Gray begged us to wait
one moment as she wished to speak to some
poor women who were assisted and employed
by her, and were now waiting for her. She
simply named us TO each other, and left us.
The lone moment" heightened into a half
hour; the last notes Of the organ died away;
only a solitary worshiper knelt here and there
in the lonely aisles
And was listening to ''the old, old story !"
how, from the first day we met he had cared
for me, and me only; but, fettered by that
uncongenial marriage, into which he had en-
tered thoughtlessly when a mere boy, il was
impossible for him to say one word. Yes!
he had loved me from the first; and now he
was free, and had come to seek me out, to
ask whether 1 remembered him. And this
time had no need to tell a falsehood.
When Mrs. Gray rejoined us, she looked
from one to the other with bright, loving
smile. and whispered to me, 81 never knew,
until just as l was coming for you this after
noon, that you and Henry were old friends.
May l be your friend, also, Nellie, for his
sake?"
Then we all walked slowly home in the
twilight to Alice, who looked up inquiringly
as we entered the parlor together. She must
have seen at glance that my sorrow was
suddenly lifted from my heart; and when
presented Mr.. West as an ''old friend from
Boston," the truth flashed upon her in a mo-
ment.
When he left me that evening, he said, II
cannot wait long for you, Nellie. Say all the
| good you can of me to your dear sister, and
persuade her to give you to me very soon.
Alice was neither obdurate nor selfish, and
4
myself in happy wandering over Switzer-
land
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
BRATTLEBORo VT, FRIDAY JANUARY 90 1882

responsible if sane enough TO know that it
was crime to kill his wife. "A man could
not, said Lord Deas, "go and kill as many
people as he liked, and claim that he was not
liable to any punishment because at one time
he had been insane. II that view Of the law
wero taken, hardly anybody's life would be
safe" Then, tempering justice with faint
dash of mercy, the charge threw open a mar
row loop.hole for q reduction Of the capital
sentence. "Tho prisoner, though not 50 in
sane as to excuse him, might, perhaps, have
been in such a weak state Of mind as TO JUS
tify the jury in returning O verdict of culpa-
BILE homicide instead of one of murder. That,
however, was a matter which they must de-
termine for themselves. They were quite en-
titled to find the prisoner guilty of murder il
they chose" The jury did choose, and in
short order. After deliberating for half an
hour, they brought in a verdict of murder
against the prisoner, coupled with recon-
mendation 10 mercy on account of the weak
ness of his mind Then came into view a
yet wider difference in criminal procedure
between Glasgow and Washington. After
stating that the recommendation of the jury
would be brought to the notice Of the crown,
Lord Deas assumed the black cap, and pro-
ceeded to pass sentence Of death. And this
is the ignominious doom which follows a con-
victon for murder in Scotland; ''The SEN
tence of the court adjudges the said Thomas
Ferguson, panel, TO be carried from tbs bar
to the prison of Glasgow, therein to be de-
tanned and fed on bread and water, until the
18th day of January next, and then, within
the walls Of the said prison, to oe hanged by
the neck, by the hands of the common ex-
ecutoner, till he be dead. And ordains his
body to be thereafter buried within the walls
Of that prison, and his whole movable goods
aud gear to be escheat and hnbrouEht TO her
majesty's use. And this is hereby pronounced
for doom" Assuredly GuiteaG may thank
his stars that in this country justice assumes
milder mien than the dour, grim aspect
which she shows to murderous "cranks" in
Scotland. ~ Boston Herald.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20

Dr. Sayre sends to the New York Herald
some very conclusive proofs of the efficacy of
vaccination as preventive Of smallpox. AT
the Nursery Hospital in New York during the
years 1S54-55.56 there were admitted 1856
children, and yet no case of smallpox occur
red during this period except the four cases
that we're brought there suffering from the
disease at the time of admission, and it new
or spread to the other inmates in a single in.
stance. During these three years every child
was vacoinated on admission, but in the sub
sequent FIVE years, when less rigor was used
in vaccinating the children, there were "A
cases of smallpox out of 6S67 admissions. In
the Refuge Hospital, where vaccination was
imperative, the disease was exterminated fol
seven years, although children suffering with
smallpox were admitted during the time
thus exposing the inmates to contagion. Such
facts may be deemed conclusive.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
Miscellany.
Aner AN none.


His wife asked where was the pain. GARFIELD a
yerod, Darling, even to live is pain"
To live was pain--to die In peace;
Falling asleep in tender arms;
Ending vain hopes, more vain alarms,
Blind struggles for impossible ease.
Yes, life was loss, aud death Is gain;
The martyrs blood the church'g seed.
o Christian, 70 Christs world-arge creed
Faithful I'LL death--die, rise and reigni
Reign, hng-like, DER the souls OF men;
Shame them from paltry lust Of gold,
From public honor bought and sold,
From venal lie Of tongue or pen.
Reign in the hearts Of women brave,
Fit mothers OF the men TO be;
Like that true woman loved by thee,
Whom God so loved he could not save.
But thou art saved-her herol Thine
The glorious rest Of battle won,
setting Of the midday sun,
And loi the stars burst out and shine.
No long, dull twilight Of weak age,
Morn's glow forgot in misty night;
Thy record waa full writ in light,
And then-thine angel closed the page.
Ans done. all's said. The tale is told,
Across the ocean hands clasp hands
One voice OF weeping from ell lands
Binds the new world unto the old;
Then--silence; and we go our ways,
Work our small work for good or III;
But thou, through whom the Masters Will
Was done, and didst It, 70 bis.praisei
Go straightway into eternal lighi
On earth among the immortal deadi
In heayen--that mystery none hath read;
We walk by faith, and not by sight.
But this we know, or feel, half-known:
He who from evil brings forth good,
His message, although writ in blood,
Has left upon the funeral stone.
Me- af,,1oeL CyofE
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20
The Growth Of the Country

The revised census tables, which have re-
Gently been issued, show that the increase Of
the population Of the United States during
the last decade was II 597, 412-a gain of so
per cent. In no state has there been a loss,
but in many the gain has been very small.
Vermont has made the smallest gain, one
half of per cent. Maine comes next, with
80 per cent. New Hampshire follows, with
gain Of per cent. Connecticut and New
York show 10 per cent. Delaware shows IL
per cent. Maryland 20 per cent. Massachu-
sets and Pennsylvania, % per cent Virgin
ia, 20 per cent New Jersey, 20 per cent /;
Rhode Island, p per celt. West Virginia,
for which those who assume TO know predict
future greatness, shows the greatest gain
among the Eastern and Middle Atlantic states
namely, 40 per cent, or 10 per cent. over the
average of the country. The District of Col
umbia shows a gain Of 35 per cent, due pos
sibly to the office-seekiDg tendencies of our
people. Six of the Southern states show an
increase of population equal to or greater
than the average Of the country, namely /.
Georgia. 80 per cent. North Carolina, 81 !;
Mississippi, 81; South Carolina, Al Florida,
a Arkansas &C. The growth of some Of
the above states is probably rather apparent
than real from the fact that the census OF
1870 was not carefully taken aud fell below
the actual population at that time. Strange
as it may seem, the Central states, with the
exception of Minnesota, do not show that
great increase which is generally claimed by
them, two.thrds of the number falling below
the average OF the country. Indianas gain
is only Is per cent. Ohio's, 20; Illinois's,
81 Kentucky's and wisconsin's, 25 Mis-
souri's, 26. Iova's gain is 36 per cent (;
Michigan's, IS; and Minnesota's 7s The
Pacific states, the Western territories and the
Western plateau show the most remarkable
gains. Dakota territory heads the list with 4
gain OF s53 per cent. Colorado comes next
with an increase Of 3ss per cent. The gains
Of the others are as follows: Arizona 3l9 per
cent Nebraska 2Gs Washington territory,
PA; Kansas, 173; Wyoming territory, 128
Idaho territory, III; Texas, "a Oregon, % /;
Montana territory, 90; Utah, &C; California,
q NeYAda AZ New Mexico 30
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-20

OZ.IyER WENDELL HOLMES not very long
ago wrote this of the true wife Oftentimes
have seen tall ship glide by against the
tide as if drawn by some invisible bowline,
with hundred strong arms pulling it. Her
sails are untitled, her streamers are dropping,
she had neither side wheel nor stern wheel,
still she moved ON stately in serene triumph
as with her own life. But knew that on the
other side of the great ship, hidden beneath
the great bulk that swan 80 majestically,
there was little toilsome steam tug, with q
heart of FIRE and arms of iron, that was tug
ging IL bravely on and knew that If the
little steam tug untwined her arms and left
the ship, II would wallow and roll about, and
drift hithsr and thither, and 20 of with the
rehuent tide, no man knows whittier. And
so have known more than one genius, high
decked, full-freighted, idle-sailed, gay-pen-
noned that but for the bare, toiling arms
and warm beating heart Of the faithful little
wife that nestled close 10 him, 80 that no
wind or wave could part them, would have
gone down with the stream and have been
heard of no more.