davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
A Cautious COmmissary.

Unless he has actually seen them, no
one can form any adequate idea OF the
vast numbers of white covered wagons
which followed our armies, carrying
food, forage, and ammunition; nor can
anyone, who has not actually witnessed
a panic among the drivers of these
wagons, form any conception of the ter
ror into which they were sometimes
ttrOwns The drivers of the ammunition
wagons were especially anxious to keep
well out of range of shells, and no Won
der. for if a shot were to fall among a
lot of wagons laden with percussion
shell, the result may perhaps be imag-
ined. 1t was not strange, therefore,
that the driver of an ammunition wagon
with six mules in front of him and sev
eral tons of death behind him, felt
aomewbat nervous when he heard the
whir Of the shells over the tops OF 'he
pines.
In looking for my regiment [ passed
one Of these trains. The commlssafy
was dealing out forage to his men, VINO
were standing round him III circle,
each holding open bag for his oats,
which the commissary WAS alternately
dealing out to them with bucket-a
bucketful to this man, then to the next,
and so on around the, circle. 1t was
clear, however, that he was more con-
cerned about the shells than interested
in the oats, for he ducked his head al
most every time he poured a bucketful
into a bag.
While [ was looking at them, Page, a
Michigan boy, orderly to our brgadler-
general, came up on his horse III search
of our division train, for he wanted oats
for his horses. Stopping a moment to
contemplate the scene [ was admlrlng,
he said to me in low tone:
"You Just keep an eye on my horse,
will YOU? and I'll show you how get
my oats.
1t was well known that Page could get
oats when nobody else could. Though
+he wagon trains were miles and miles
in the rear, and had not been seen for a
week. Page was determined his horses
should not go to bed snpperIess. Oats
for the generals horse Page would have
! by hook or by crook.
''You see that commissary yonder,
said Page, as he dismounted and threw
q BAG over his arm. Hes a coward, h'
is-more interested in the shells THAI
ANYTHING else Don't know whether he
dealing out oats to the right man o
not. Just keep your eye on my horse
will you?"
Pushing his way into the circle o
teamsters. who were too much engaged
in watching for shells to notice the pres
ence of a stranger, Page opened ms bag
while Mr.. Commissary duclzing bis head
at every crack of tile cannon, poured III
four buckets of oats whereupon Page
shouIdered his prize, and returning,
mounted his horse, with a laugh aud q
wink ut me.-.T. Njcholas for A'Qnst.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

breaks into terrific run, takes the eX-
treme left of the valley, and goes tearing
out of sight as if followed by lions.
"Halt -
The grim sergeant sees ''signs" in the
actions of the horse. Every trooper is
looking ahead and to the right. The
green valley runs into the fringe, the
the fringe into dense thicket, the thicket
into rock and pine and mountain slope.
No eve can penetrate that fringe. The
Indians may be in ambush there, or the
horse may have scented wolf or grizzly,
Forward -
No man knows what danger turks in
the fringe, but the order was to scout
beyond the bend. To disobey is igno-
miny and disgrace to ride forward is
wait There is no air stirring in the val
ley. Every limb and bough is as still as
if made of iron. There is a silence which
weighs like a heavy burden, and the
harsh note of hawk or buzzard would he
a relief.
Here is the bend. The valley con-
tinues as before-no wider-nO narrower
level and unbroken. The wild horse
was out of sight long ago, and the six
troopers see nothing but the grass az
their eyes sweep the valley from side
to side.
"Turn the bend and ride down the
valley for mile or so and keep your
eyes open to discover any pass leading
out.
"Haltr'
1t is more than a mile beyond the
bend. No pass has been discovered.
No signs of a trail have been picked
up. The sergeant has raised himself up
for long and careful scrutiny, when an
exclamation CAUSES him to turn his face
up the valley Out from the fringe ride
the demons who have been lurking to
drink blood. Five-ten-twenty-ffty
the line has no end. 1t stretches clear
across the valley before a word has been
spoken. Then it faces to the right and
200 Indians in war paint face the grim
old sergeant and his five troopers.
"IntO lne-right dress.
It is the sergeant who whispers the
order. Six to 300; but he will face the
danger. To retreat down the valley is
&c be overtaken one by one and shot
from the saddle or reserved for torture.
Down the valley there is no hope; up the
valley is the camp and rescue. The two
lines face each other for moment with
out movement
'Now, men, one volley-sling carbines
draw sabers and charge -
A sheet of fame-a roar-a cloud of
smoke, and the six horses spring for
ward. Then there is a general yell, a
rush by every horse and rider, and a
whirlpool begins to circle. Sabers flash
and cIang-arrows whistle-revolvers
pop-voices shout and scream, and then
the whirlpool ceases. 1t is not three
minutes since the first carbine was fred,
but the tragedy has end-d Every
trooper is down and scalped, half a
d.aeu r.1=E1n- ar- dead .r 7ylna 81
dozen horses are struggling or stagger-
ing. and turning the bend at "a mad gal
iop Is the sergeant's riderless horse. He
carries an arrow in his shoulder, and
there is blood on the saddle. In five
minutes he will be in camp, and the
notes of the bugle will prove that the
| lost trail has been found. .-DGtrOH Free
! Press,
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

totally blind. Again, persons who are
not needy seek ali and it frequently
happens that those who have lived in
New York only a few weeks try to get
share of this money. The law limits
he distribution to those who have lived
in the city twoyears. Trouble is caused
bv the carelessness of citizens who sign
the certificates vouching for the good
moral character OF the applicants. We
have received a mans statement, over
his signature, that he has known the
applicant for three years, only to find
upon investigation, that the Acquaintance
was confined to the interview at which
the signature was solicited. When 1
want you, I'll send You postal, Mr..
Oatfield.
The last sentence was addressed to
middle aged ncgra, who was accom-
panied by a youn >eolored woman.
81 heerd that the others was coming,
an [ thought I'd come" exclaimed Mr..
Oatfeld.
81 am not ready for you to-day.
That man." continued Mr.. Blake, as the
disappointed African moved of, sis a
local preacher in the Methodist Church,
who is believed to Iiveat East New York.
I have distributed $l7,7O8. Some of
the applicants are still to be investigated.
never had so good class of blind peo-
pie as this year.
1t sometimes happened that persons
entitled to money were i'll. Their postal
cards were presented by friends, but no
money can be paid to any one except the
bin themselves.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
A Beautiful Girl.

A lady correspondent OF MerlWcther 5
CMemphis) Weekly saw in the asylum
for the insane at Sacramento, Cal,
very handsome girl, with whom she be-
came well acquainted: 81 used to take
walks with her, and would almost forget
nv surroundings and circumstances I'M
til my companion would release my arm
with the remark, Il must go now, my
spell is coming on This beautiful glrl
was really two beings, now sensible
modest. amiable, companion to me-
suddenly, by some wonderful process
she was transformed to writhing, con-
torted Iunatic. She always new when
this change was approaching, and re-
tired to her room to remain until the
paroxysm had passed. When my visit
was over, and was taking my leave OF
the asylum, this little friend shook
hands with tears in her eyes. If you
think of me at all, she said, only re-
member me as we walked together
friends and happy. Please don t, don't
think of me as that other girl, raVlng
and crazy.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
SHE DIED OF MORTGAGES

We worked through spring and winter, through
summer and through fall.
But the mortgage worked the hardest and the
steadiest of them all;
1t worked on nights and Sundavs: If worked
each holiday;
1t settled down among us, and it never went
away.
Whatever we kept from it seemed almost as
bad theft;
It watched us every minute, and it ruled us
right and left.
The rust and blight were with us sometimes,
and sometimes not:
The dark-browned scowling mortgage was for
ever on the spot.
The weevil and the cut-worm, they went as well
as came;
The mortgage stayed forever, eating hearty all
the same.
1t nailed up every window, stood guard at every
door,
And happiness and sunshine made their home
with rs no more,
Till with failing crops and sickness we got
stalled upon the grade.
And there came a dark day on us when the in
terest wasn't paid:
And there came a sharp foreclosure and kind
o. lost my hold,
And grew weary and discouraged, and the farm
was cheaply sold.
The children left and scattered, when they
hardly yet were grown:
My wife she pinned and perished, an found
myself alone.
What she died of was ''a mystery" an the doc
tors never knew,
But I knew she died of mortgage-just as well
as I wanted TO.
If to trace hidden sorrow were within the
doctors art,
They'd ha' found a mortgage lying on that
wOman's broken heart.
Worm or beetle drought or tempest, on farm
er's land may fall,
But for first class ruination trust mortgage
'gainst them all.
WILL NJ. CARLTON.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
THE NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.
Two Cents Postage eRate-PrcparatiOns for
thT Change.

A circular was issued from the office
of the Third Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral officially notifying postmasters
throughout the United States of the re-
duction in the postage rates which is to
take effect on the first of October, and
directing them to make preparation for
it. epostmasters are notified through
this circular that it is desirable to have
as small stock of the present three
cent postage stamps and stamped en7el-
oDes as possible on hand when the re-
duction of rates goes into effect, and
they are accordingly directed to limit
the irrequisitiOns for stamps and envel
opes of this denomination to such guam
titles as upon careful estimate they may
deem sufficient to last until the first OF
October. They are also instructed to
take all Embellishments, withoutincurring
any expense, to call public attention to
the reduction so that purchasers may
not accumulate IN unnecessary supply
of three cent stamps and envelopes.
The circular also directs that as no ar
raneements have yet been made for the
redemption of the three cent stamps and
| envelopes in the hands of pOstmasters,
or for the exchange hY poStmasters OF
| those stamps and envelopes III the hands
| of private holders, until further notice
postmasters will not make exchanges for
| the public nor return to the department
! the stock that remains on their hands
after October /. The pO8tmasters are,
however. notified that as the two and
three cent stamps and envelopes OF the
present issue will continue to be valid
after that date they must be accepted III
payment of postage when offeredin proper
amounts, and that the three cent stamps
can be used in combination with other
denominations on letters requiring more
than one rate Of postage and ON parcels
of third and fourth class matter.
The circular also announces that the
department will be ready to issue the
two cent stamps of the new design on
the 18th of September, but that these
stamps and envelopes must not be
placed on sale or used by postmasters
before October /; also that no three
cent stamps will be issued after Septem-
Der il unless the requisition therefor is
accompanied by a statement that they
are needed for immediate use and that
the full supply called for will become
exhausted by October l, and further
that no three cent stamped envelopes
will be issued after August l unless the
requisition for them is accompanied by
a similer statement. The circular fur
ther instructs the postmasters as to the
design for the new two cent and four
cent stamps and stamped envelopes, and
notifies them that the prices OF the en-
velopes exclusive of postage) Will re-
main the same as at present; that nc
change will be made i'll the postage
due" stamps, and that the rates on droE
letters will remain the same as al
| 1,raCaOt
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
A Satisfactory Fence.

have a better style of fencing than
any [ have seen described. Our soil is
such that it is almost impossible to
make posts stand in it, hence barbed
fencing and pretty nearly every thing
else except the old Virginia rail fence
soon goes to ruin. To obviate this diff
Guilty | build all my fence above ground.
Its perfection has cost me much time,
labor and expense, but | have got a
thing which meets my idea Of a cOnven-
lent, economical, safe and efficient fence.
1t may be briefly described as q barhed
fence with rail in it. The rail is 2X4
sawed hemlock, of such lengths as we
buy at the mills and lumber yards, gen.
orally about 49, feet. They cost ten
cents each. These are framed to two
posts of 3x4 timber feet inches long,
which cost Line cents. The adjacent
end-pieces or posts of two lengths set
into one removable foot, made OF two
pieces of timber and two pieces OF board
which cost six cents, and two, three or
more strands of barbed fencing are used.
Before prices of barbed fencing became
demoralized under the recent decision
of the United States courts it cost me
! from fourteen to twenty-seyen cents a
| length for three strands of different kinds
of fencing. Prices are now less. Nails
and staples cost less than two cents.
Total cost of material about fifty cents q
length of 13! feet.
A fair mechanic can make thirty OF
forty lengths a day. A good farm hand
can make half as many on a barn floor
any rainy day One man can take a
length and the post to support it and
carry it anywhere, though on account OF
its peculiar shape and the prominence
of the barbs, it is Il good dea
better thot one should take hold
at each end. No post-holes art
are required, and no preparation OF the
ground is necessary except to see that
it is level. No mailing or tieing together
is required. 1t is simply set down, anc
it is there and stays there till it is taker
up and carried away. 1t has the advan
tage over all-wire fences that the rail il
not only visible, but it serves as four
inch guard to keep the animals from
running "side on" against the barhs
One wire above and one below the raj
makes good fence against all cattle an'
horses. One above and two below, o
two above and one below, makes goo'
fence against sheep and grown swine
When built of the Buckthom solid stee
barbed fencing, with the rail place
next the top strand and neatly painted
it is much the finest looking fence mt
which the barbed fencing enters aS
part, and with appropriate surrounding
is really the most ornamental OF 3"
5 cheap f,nces.-O. S. BLISS, Georgia. VI
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
Not Fleeced.

He was a lamb from the country and
fell into the clutches of Il couple OF Bal
tjmore wolves, but they didn't fleece hun
bv "a large majority" George Ander-
son was his name, farming his occupa
tion and Anne Arundel county hiN
home. 1t was the old story of a friend
of your fathers, my dear sir" and he
consented to take lunch and play game
of cards 'iust for fun" But when he
had lost SS5 and saw that he was swim
died, the lamb was instantaneously trans
formed into a lion of the most forbid
ding aspect He arose, grasped one
swmdler with each brown paw, and
shook them until their teeth ratified like
castanets and his money fairly jumped
ont of his pockets. When they had tied
! he discovered that they had disgorged
S5 more than he had lost, which was
Just about enough to take him to the
green pastures of Anne Arundel
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
An Editor who Could Shoot.

Senator Kellogg, of Louisiana, re-
lating some amusing incidents to the
Washington correspondent of the Boston
TraUeUer, said: Il remember that
shortly after the war was over tall, raw
boned Yankee came down into the State
from New England, and asked my advice
about starting a Republican newspaper
in one of the parishes above New
Orleans. I told him that he would be
very likely to have quite lively time of
it in the then state of public feeling, but
he said he was going ahead, and l be-
came interested in him. He started his
paper, which was small concern, and
began by makinga a bitter attack on one
of his political enemies, who was a
creole and very hot-blooded He fol-
lowed up this with similar attacks on
the same person, and, as | expected, he
was challenged. The editor paid no at
tention to the challenge, until one day
some one came i'll and told him that the
creole had publicly asserted that he was
a coward. He then loaded up his double
barrel shotgun with buckshot, put on
his hat and coat, and, holding an open
umbrella with one hand, and his shot
gun in the other, he made tour of the
town in search of his enemy. The friends
of the creole notified him that the editor
was out on the war path, and managed
to smu5gle him away. Soon afterwards
the editor came down to New Orleans to
see me, and, after transacting his bust
ness, he took the steamboat to go home.
Now, during his absence, some OF the
citizens of the town met together and
agreed to assemble on the wharf and pre-
vent his landing. When the steamboat
arrived the wharf was covered with men,
and, upon the editors appearance, they
shouted to him, in many different keys,
that he would not be permitted to come
ashore. The editor calmly looked the
crowd over, and then drew out his shot
gun and loaded it in their presence. Then
he mounted the gang plank and walked
| ashore, remarlNing as he did so: IF there
is going to he any disturbance over my
landing, | want to he present and take {
hand il it. The simple fcarlessness O
the man Overawed the crowd, and he
went to his office mmolcsted. Thi.
editor is now ont in Colorado, where
understand he has made large fortun,
III mining"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16
Mrs. Brigadier Angel Gabriel.

ooh. he was a fine old Spartan, was
Col. Tompkins, for a time depot quarter
master at New York during the war.
He had one particular notion, III effect
that women had no business with the
army. either as nurses or negro MISSION
aries or visitors. Nurses might be al
rowabIe but there was absolutely no eX-
cuse for the others. | remember once L
was in his Office when the wife OF Brig
Gen. Meallie swept in, gorgeous III silks
and satins and diamonds and Iaces.
'CoI. Tompkins, she said in queenIy
way. | want a permit to go to such
a place in South Carolina, where my
husband is stationed, on the troop-shlp
soiIino Tomorrow Can't have 1t,
erowled Old Cerberus, scratching away
at his piled up papers. why not, !
would like to know 2 asked the mag
nifccnt Mrs. Mcallie Ships full, re-
sponded Old Tompkins full OF men.
But [ must go, said Madame; besides
here is my pass from the Secretary OF
War Can't help it, said the CoIohel
You cart 60; besides, that's no place
for women Perhaps you don't kno"
who I am 2 said Mrs. Meallie, brldlmS
up with Indignation. No, ] don't, ana
[ don't want to-, said the frank quarter
master. We'll, said Madame, almost
beside herself with rage, i am Mrs.
Brighten. MeaIlie, 4 don't care II
you're Mrs. Brigadicr Angel Gabriel,
snapped Old Tompkins 'you can't go.
And she didn't -Philadclphia Rrc0r"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

The Lumber Wagons arc
of MIR. LILLEY'S own
manufacture and are well
and fayOrably known
throughout this vicinity
as being thoroughly and
honestly made.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

"WERE you in the late war?' asked a
veteran of badly demoralized citizen,
who came hobbling down the street on
crutch Il don't know how late You
mean. was the sad reply. "She gave
me this one last night before ten, -
} BuIiHgtoR Free Press.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

AFTER CONDENSED MILK and canned
meats and dcssicated vegetables, kerO-
sene is now to be solidified for greater
ease of transportation. The inventor is
NJ. Ditmar, a Russian, and his process as
described is simplicity itself. The kero-
sene is boiled in huge caldrous together
with a certain quantity of soap, until as
much IA possible of the liquid portion
has evaporated. The rcsidunm Is than
poured into iron tanks to cool down,
and when solid is easily cut in pieces of
desired size. Thus prepared it can he
packed into boxes or sewn up III sacks
and transported without fear Of leakage
or explosion. 1t is easily Hquiiied by
heat when required for use.
The WEIGHT. Hartford insurance
clerks took to guessing how many dollar
bills were required to weigh as much rs
a $40 gold piece. The lowest guess was
$50 aud the h"hest ] 600, while the real
number was "a
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

SMOKERS WHO EXPECTED to pay less
for their cigars when the reduction OF
the tax on cigars went into efect are
very sadly disappointed. Their smoke
after dinner is Just as expensive as when
the old tax was levied. The reductlou
Of the tax to SO a Thousand has only al
fected retail prices. but is divided mp Ill
-ome way between the manufactures
and the dealer. so that the purchaser
rets left out in the wet.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

CITY angler to old resident" How is
if? haven't caught fish to-day, while
Won have basket full" "Well, You
see. these are mighty bashfnl tishn this
pond they're afraid of strangers. Nou
STAY here an fish every day for six
months an they'll get 10 know you an
stick their heads ont Of the water at
about your hour to see if you're comm. .
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

MEMBERS OF THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT
are not by reason Of their office neceS-
sariIv recognized by the British court.
One of them complains in print that
when he begged the Lord Chamberlain
TO invite him to a court ball, the reply
was an insulting refusal. Il, he eX-
claims, 'who have spent money and
time on my party am denied what any
of the professional beauties, or any
American adventmer can get for tn"
asking"
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

THE other day an author went to Du-
mas to read to him two plays. After he
read one of them he asked Dumas:
''What do You think of it?' 81 like
the other better" was the reply, after
moment of rehection.-DchoH F'ff
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-08-16

TIE most popular club IN New YORK
Is "rhr Locust. It is supported by
! ohcemeu-nt 81 200 Il year,