davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

pushing mass Somehow God only knows
how-we reached the lobby and then the
street But where was her father? Where
was the prodigal son? Not n strong man at
best Gideon Mason, as we came afterward
to know, had been borne down by the panic
stricken crowd, aud finding himself separat-
cd from his daughter, he had turned and
rushed madly toward the stage. Here, he
believed some means Of escape might be
found The flames were still pouring out
through one side Of the wings, but the other
was still free from smoke. He climbed to the
stage and ran back in the desperate hope Of
reaching either door or window. Wholly ig-
norant of the surroundings, be came at last
upon a narrow hallway which must lead-he
knew not where, but anywhere would be bet
ter than to remain-for already the flames
were gaining fast upon him and the smoke
was fast filing the air So, through the
dark, narrow hallway, he groped his way un-
til he came to door He tried it, 1t was
locked lie put his shoulder to it-he threw
his whole strength against TIT would not
yield. The smoke grew dense and denser,
He cried out in the agony of despair. And
then it was, when hope had died in his breast,
that he heard a voice at the other end of the
hall and a moment later found himself fairly
lifted from the floor and borne along by stout
arms consciousness left him then. When
he revived he was in the open street, lying on
the sidewalk under a gaslight, with his head
resting on the breast of a stranger. This
stranger bent over him with an expression of
tenderest sympathy in his face. Gideon Ma
son opened his eyes, and gazed long and
searchingly into the countenance of his res
cuer. 1t was the actor who had played the
part of the prodigal son. He held out his
hand and spoke the word Daniel" And
the prodigal answered in one word, also;
Father"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
NO. g..

ed the roads with deep, polished grooves, the
Indian boys are out, following the sleigh
tracks in small parties, throwing the hd iohdnt
along the deep ruts, which il follows through
every curve, skipping over the humps Of ice
and other inequalities, more like living crea-
turo than plain hickory stick, and suggest
ing the very appropriate name of "snow-
snake" Although the beaten roadway is u.s.
ually preferred, the snow snake may be thrown
in almost any situation where the snow is
firm.
The game, as generally played, is merely
trial of skill between the players. A line be-
ing drawn to mark the starting-point, the
players step back few PAGES. Each grasps
his snow-snake runs forward in his turn to
the mark, and, with a vigorous sweep of his
arm, sends it sliding and dancing over the
snow with the swiftness Of an arrow. Each
snow. snake bears its owners mark IAN arrow,
cross or starr, so that he readily recognizes it,
and he whose missile is farthest in advance is
declared the winner. In this way a regular
champion is chosen. The distance that these
contrivances are thrown is almost incredible
skillful players sometimes making casts of
nearly quarter of mile.
Should any of the readers of ST. Nicholas
attempt this game, they must not be surpris-
ed or discouraged if, in the first few trials
their snowsnakes stick their heads through
the crust and disappear in the powdery snow
beneath, instead Of sliding along the surface
in the proper way. By digging along for a
distance of from 20 to 80 feet, the sticks may
usually be recovered, and the slight Difficult.
ties of the art can soon be overcome by lit
tie practice and experience. e.-St. Nicholas.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
Tho Approaching solar Eclipse.

On the sixth of May next two little islands
in the South Pacific, lying quite out of the
pathways of commerce and known only to
faithful geographers become to the interests
of science the most important points on the
globe. The total eclipse of the sun occurring
on that day can only be seen to advantage
upon those islands, one of which, Caroline, is
but ten miles in circumference and has for its
inhabitants score or so of Malays, while the
other, Flint is only half as large and is unin-
habited But, great as is the distance to be
traversed to reach these tiny isles, and serious
RS are the inconvenience to be encountered
during even brsf residence upon them, Am
ercan, English and French astronomers are
preparing expeditions of observation, and
these specks on the earth's surface may fur
nish anchorage for instruments which shall
disclose important facts concerning the solar
system. French, English and American as
tronomers will cooperate in the work and COM
pare notes of their observations The eclipse
is of special interest because of the unusual
duration of the period of totality-55 minutes.
As the eclipse observed with SO much pains in
Egypt last year lasted but little over a minute,
it is not strange that the coming event is await
ed with unusual expectancy. There are three
points in particular upon which it is hoped
light may be thrown-if that expression be
proper concerning an event of which the
prime element is darkness by this eclipse and
the observations made of it. One relates to
the solar corona and the question whether its
appendages are dependencies of the coronal
atmosphere or swsrms of meteors the second
is the zodiacal light and its relation to the
suns surroundings; and the third is the ex-
istence of small intra- -Mercurial planets 1t
is to be hoped that clear weather and success
full observations may reward the astronomers
who undertake this long voyage in order to
add to the general store of knowledge. The
American party sailed last Wednesday.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
Miscellany,
Non,an'a Love.

ooh, this iswoman's love, its joy, its pain
To gaze on him, the loved one, and TO trace
His Image (Which no time can e'er eilace)
On thy hearts tablets; then, when he is gone,
Mem'ry of bin may cheer thee When alone;
To see him smile, TO watch bis speaking eye
Gazing on thine, as ~ 1t asked reply;
To know his voice among % hundred round,
And feel thy beating heart respond the sound.
To lean couGding on his arm, aud know
IL danger threatens twill avert the blow;
To listen for his footsteps, and TO hear
Thy own heart beat with love aud doubt and fear
To hear at last his step, and rise 60 greet
The one thy heart yoarns fondly thus to meet;
To think OF him when absent and to pray
For grace to guide him on his perilous way.
To hear him praised for deeds Of goodness done
To see him cuyiod, and to know thuu'st won
His purl, fond love, and that whate'er betidc,
In veal or woe, thy place is by his side;
To love him better ina misiOrtuue's hour
Than in bis youthful prime, his day Of power;
To feel, though fortune truwn and friends tursakC
Though sorroWs uNerwhelm, thou for his sake
Cdusi smile at fate, and cheer aud bless bis lot
"Ihe world forgetting, by the world forgot
Though sickness bows the form, and dims the ey
Whose glance controlled thy youthful destiny; o.
Though pain may chafe thy spirit e'cn to vent
ON thee o. murmur Ut its discomfort,
Yet uer lis couch wilt thou uuwcaried bend,
Aud .uuthu aud bless, tho paugs thy bosom rcud
10 ser him suffer, and to feel and know
That cen hY love cannot avert the blow.
10 watch the liyel7ng night, and weep and pray
For him, tine loved one, til The dawn Of day;
no see tue wasted form, the sunken eye
NuIl gazing 90 thee, though implorlngly;
II press tiny lips upon the pallid brow,
And try tr smile, lest grief thy fears ayow;
I1 catch FROM lips so loved the last faint breath,
rbun, shrinking, own the bitterness Of death!
--Chambars's JyUnui.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

A detailed estimate places the flood loss
in Indiana at Si4iS OO6
TI, stat. NJ N,.I,,a.l, j. about IN ,vr.,d
ten thousnrd dollars in drilling for coal
,rf.. ,,..,,. .or ,,or,s o., Eircs,or IN,
bsss,,s,, Ia,,,,,..r ,I,i,,, co,, .tril,a n IIo,y
nfiI rCn ,,onr5s
..;,l;-,.. 80 e r,,...,;.,. u...,
81 ''',t'''9 H., VI ~
~ .in7 "'''l'u -, 90, W, al
''''', - '''
me ~, huHi'n' al lorh'C%n' a., l7 10
DC ou'i' % nam h''-''7 "5 -i''H'
ny "i' ~ 'os' '-''''-'
Ne" orleans ana Han ranc'aco DelhB
/ 40" coune'lsd oy rill' tue urs' 'LrouBu SNIP
| melt Oh louisiana sugar ana Oh CA4torula
| wine are reported
-Llst year WAS one Of unusual prosperity
for European steamers, some OF the leading
! ones cleaning from S4u,"oo 10 S"o'uoo on
each round voyage oi four or hVe weeks.
Cam of the chewing variety brings Maine
an income OF over Sl25,0oO year Ban
| gor firm sell 10000 pounds year and Port-
land man does business of $4,000 month
There were $50 persons killed by railroad
accidents in this country in 1882 against 4I4
in 1851, and 80 in 1850. The number of in
jured in lSs2 was ljSS against, respectively,
! 1897 and 1852
A military company composed of colored
men, in Jacksonville Florida. has paid nearly
seven hundred dollars in cash for their uni
forms. Negro capitalists are more numerous
than a few years ago.
Possibly the climax of default has now
been reached. The treasurer Of the Young
! Mems Christian Association at Altoona is re-
ported to have run away with the Young mems
funds and thirty or forty thousand dollars be-
! longing to persons outside the pale OF the As
soclation.
The racsnt cold snovy. storm caused oreat
suffering AMONG cettls tbroupbout the north
western RANGES aud tbe losses of stockmen
will doubtless RON into the millions The an.
imals were in unusually good condition when
the storm came, but of course all lost flesh,
and thousands have died from cold and star.
walton.
A Nsv York sproeon tba other 5oy s,,-
cessfulIv tried TRANSMISSION of blood for as.
nbvvia A man named Okeburg blew ont the
Tas IN his room at a hotel was almost dsad
ygben discovarad and as be ugas not reviyed
by ordinary remedies, several ounces Of blood
taken from a healthy negro was pumped into
a vein in his arm and he soon regained CON
sciousness.
-Kalloeb the preacher who was once
mavor of San Francisco and who then cast a
yery dark shadow. is in further trouble His
CONGREGATION has decided to give him years
vacation yithout nav because he LET the ciurcb
for a Spudav.eyaEing snarrino match tbat
was attended bv a crowd of 6oodlnms for
whom, the regular orpanist nlaved sacred
music before the sparrinp began
M .,a.,l,. ,,.o,r.,, - ~, ~,
nil ii,i,SS 49, .to9u,. VI oe M ~
I rast ;''9 i',, 81 tne
ter WiIisr, N Ryors In ISsS nEer I1'',,,I ~ ,,T
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

"Shall we ever forget that night, Paul ~
Florence says to me sometimes, as We sit to-
gether in our cosy parlor
Il think we never shall, l answer. Your
strategy proved desperate one, but it did
not fail its purpose"
No, it had not failed Although Gideon
Mason had given no outward sign to betray
the fact, he had still recognized his wayward
boy, as Florence foretold he would. Wheth-
er he would have been willing to receive him
back but for the events which followed, it is
needless now to question Enough that the
events did folow-that the son rescued the
father when at the very point of death, and
for that heroic act was taken back with open
arms, even as he had been in the mimic scene
on the stage. That Daniel Mason was fully
worthy of his fathers forgiveness he abun-
dainty proved by his subsequent life. He is
to- day prosperous, respected and happy. He
gave up the stage, which he had followed
only q brief time, and entered the more con-
genial field of business Once he said to
me:
DO you know, Paul, have had some
hard experiences in my life, and l owe it all
to Florence and you that am what am to-
day. Why, do you know that once l was
driven to such desperation, when l was in
Laadvlle-I had lost every dollar in gam
bling, hadn't a friend in the world and was
actually starving-that l attempted to rob a
man in a hotel, whom l knew had big sum
of money about him. l might-God only
knows-I might have been led on to murder
itself if"
Never mind, Dan" I interrupted. "The
man you attempted to rob has forgiven you
long ago ~ Y. Clipper.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

The pension list of the United States is ten
times greater than that of France and eight
times greater than that of England nations
that have made war business.
The young man who went TO butchers
shop for liver pad was brother of the fell
low who went to a grain elevator to have his
corns removed.
miller, trying to be witty at the expense
of a youth of weak intellect, said John,
people say that you are a fool" On this John
replied: 81 don't know as am, sir; l know
some things, and some things don't know,
sir. "Well, John, what do you know p II
know millers always have fat hogs" And
what don't you know" 81 don't know whose
corn they eat, sir.
The late Professor Pond was once demol-
ishing Darwin and his theories-a task which
he frequently engaged in-when he triumph
auty wound up with the question ''If we
are monkeys, where are our tails?" The Pro
fessor, who had been speaking for two hours
at a stretch, was startled to hear tired audi
tor answer audbly: "We have sat on them
so long that they are worn off"
The best epigram ever written, according
to Boileau, runs
"Ci-gt ma femme; ali qu'ele est bien
Pour son repos, ct pour lie mienW
As an epitaph and an epigram it cannot be
equalled. 1t has been pretty Well rendered IN
English
"Here lies my wife; what better could she do
For her repose, aud for her husbands too"
Miss Matilda Snowfall, who is blacker
than the ace of spades has been filling an ap-
pointment as "cook lady" in the family Of
Colonel Yerger. A few evenings ago, Matilda
came into the parlor where Mrs Yerger was
sewing by the fire. Matilda had a very sly
expression on her face, and something hid
under her apron. "What have you got
there ?" asked Mrs Yerger. "a young gem
man belongin' to one OBJ dc fust families oh
Austin has been paying me tensions, and l
lowed ter s'prise him wild my picture tuken
fur tur sprise him wild" Mrs. Younger look
ed at the picture, and nearly fell out of her
chair with amazement. why, this can't be
you, Matilda. 1t is the picture Of white
women with red hair and blue eyes. "Daf'l
whar de s'prise comes in. / paid dc 1910
graphic man two bits fur dat ar picture. -
| Tepas SiftinQs
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
Hop Bitters are the Purest and Hest
IRiItera ever VI nde.

They are compounded from Hops, Malt, Bughu,
Mandrake and Daudeon-the oldest, best and most
valuable medicines IN the world-aud contain all the
best and most curative properties of all other rome
dies, hc.us the greatest blood purifier, liver regulator
and life and health restoring agent earth. No dis
ease or i'll health possibly exist long where these
bers used varied and perfect are their opera
ti0us.
They give new life and veor To- the aged and firm.
To all whose cmpoyneuts cause irrcgularity oi the
bowels or urinary organs, who require appetz-
er, tonic or mld stimuant Hop BItters invalua-
ble being h-hly curative, tonic and stmuliius with
out Intoxicating.
No matter what your feelings and symrt are, or
what the disease or ailmen, Hop Bitters. Don't
wait until yuu are sick hut If you only feel bad aud
miserable use Hop Bttors at once. II may your
life. Hundreds have been saved by doing. $500
will be paid for case they will not or help.
Do not suffer or let your friends suffer, hut and
urge them 10 use Hon Bttcrs.
Remember. Hop BItters s no vile, druGrcd, drunk
en- nostrum, but the purest and best medicine ever
made: theiuyaid, friend and hope No family should
be without them.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

King as ye journey sweetly sing, Dea. Ira
Goodhue, the senior deacon at DR.. Stevens's
ordination and his life long companion and
trusted helper, responded. Space will not al
low any description of his address, which in
its interest and heartiness was fitting com
plement to the words of the aged pastor. At
ter "reminiscences, reaching back nearly seven
ty years, Dea. Goodhue took DR.. Stevens by
the hand and expressed in warmest words the
feelings of his heart, to which the pastor IA,
feelingly replied After an anthem by tho
choir, the exercises in the church were hero
interrupted by the invitation to the dinner in
readiness in the vestry below. The tables,
seating $50, were filled the first time with
guests from outside the parish and a second
time with those living near The only thing
that need be said about this repast is, that
it was as choice and abundant rs the feast Of
reason and flow of soul which preceded and
followed it.
At O'CLOCK in the afternoon, the literary
exercises were resumed, and consisted Of re-
marks by friends who were present, and the
reading of letters from friends necessarily aJ-
sent The speeches needed to be brief and
were actually so by reason of the bell used to
cut short any who over-ran their time, by
Dea. Homer Goodhue, the chairman Of the
afternoon Rev. J. L. Sewall responded for
the mother church in the East parish Rev.
A. b. Dascomb followed in some remarks
which were much more appropriate than he
himself would admit them to be. Rev. A. ID.
Barber, editor of the Vermont Chronicle,
spoke Of tribute paid to Dr. Stevens legal
ability by Judge Royce Rev. c. H. Merrill
and Rev. G.. L. Martin each spoke briefly, and
Rev. Lewis Grout made eloquent alusiol to
the companions who have successiyey made
the home of DIR. Stevens what it has been in
the parish. Rev Othne Edwards Of Athens
gave "reminiscences Of early acquaintance with
the Doctor The next speaker was l.. ".
Bancroft, Esq, Of Bellows Falls who brought
his remarks most practical close by pro-
posing to raise on the spot the amount by
which DR.. Stevens was ont OF pocket because
of the litigation sustained in behalf, really, of
every association Of ministers in our state
This proposal was most enthusiastically re-
! ceiyed, especially rs its maker backed it up
10y pledge Of $50. Rev. A. b. Dascomb
seconded the proposal, treasurer was ap-
pointed, recess taken, and in ten minutes
the sum Of S23j was raised. Dea. Ira Good
hue then made some remarks experimenting
those Of the morning, and Rev. 2. +. Bar.
nlrd Of Ashburnham, Mass, one Of the l3
ministers who have preached at the East par
sh dur.ug the last forty years spoke a few
words of congratulations The speeches Of
the afternoon were pleasantly in.erspersed by
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
UP TO MARCH IST, PRICES
WILL BE NO OBJECT!
NOTHING : CARRIED OVER !
OVERCOATS from S2.5O to $14.OO
Former prices " 400" 20.00


lu' anus w no are re-
covering Nital stamina
ut'lale g III 3 T u Vel u
terms their apprecia-
tIoh OF tht merits as a
l q ulc OF Hostettcr d
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

That | was nervous that night | will not
pretend to deny. / remember when the cali
boy left me alone in my room that l exam.
iucd the lock on the door, made sure that
the bolt was sound aud even took a precau-
tionary look under the bed and into the clos
Ct Then / took of my vest, folded it care
fully, and, together with my revolver, placed
il under my pillow The truth of it was
that in the inner poke. was a stout envelope
containing ~, 200 in bank notes. This
amount | had collected for the house Of Bran
ley H Brother and WAS taking with me to
Chicago. where the firm did business. On
the night in question l was obliged to stop
over in Leadvie-and Leadyile at that time
was not a locality where man with - zoo
about his person and no particular faith in
his skill as a shot could afford to be careless.
Well, | went to bed, and, in spite Of my alx.
iety. very soon fell asleep. How long it was
before awOke had no means Of determiu-
| ing but l suddenly became conscious of the
fact that somebody beside myself was in the
room. In an instant was sitting upright in
the bed, with the revolver in my hand All
that followed came 80 quickly, so uneXp Ct
edy, that it tended, in measure, to daz=
my mind, while memory OF it is even now
confused, like memory of a dream. | was
seized about the neck by an iron grasp and
a struggle eusued which would certainly have
proved disastrous to me had not the excite
ment Of the moment given me far more than
ordinary strength As it was, my unknown
as-ailant seemed TO give up the idea of cap
turing his booty, and fought only to make
his escape In the midst OF the silent con
test there shot suddenly forth flood Of Eht,
from what source | could not at first imLg.
inc. But quickly saw that I had knocked
from Ais grasp dark lantern, the shade OF
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02

-A
But, oh, it must have been 50 terrible
and lust to think. if he had killed you,
Paul"
sweet rei mouth received the ki.s it de
s.rv.d for inns IittIa snp.ch and two of in,
bri,,Lte.t vi,l.t ev,s IN tho world looked
ui,tfllIy up into mine as I answered;
.,Rrt ne didn't kill me NV net and il WAS
a Iory U,s, aco Won know-eyrn befor, [
knry vou--so we wcu'tsbudder over II now. "
Eighteen months had passed since my ad-
venture in the Ieadyile hotel. The one i'm.
nortaut chanpe which these months had
hron,,b, IN ,,,,'' ,ys. the chance which is ant
In come to every man. sooner or lat-r-I bad
folIsr In 1--we How strange IL seemed that
shorid nave Gvsd the M wear. Of nv life
,yithopt Florence, So thoight after had
bnogy, ber tbrea davs Our love ran aloug
in tba .pootL.st of channels and We had
now heen ennauad three months and had
Lro,sr eacb otbsr mora than a wear Flor
o,,,.. y,as all tbai anv ua, coild ask far
yife-bcautifnI ACCOMPLISHED. OF GOOD fam.
liz and true as steel She had a Younger
sister and a broth4r-the latter "A Young Ter
of ten who cave ma the only discomfort
which attended nv courtship. Gideon Ma.
.on Florenco's father was a kindly. cnlti.
! waited gentleman. who had amassed cousid.
cradle fortune through his profession at the
the household Was presided over by Mr.. Ma
sons widowed sister, as charming matron
as one often meets. Ispeak thus particular
| ly Of the Mason family, because the discov-
cry that there was any other member than
those | have mentioned was first made by
me under somewhat singular circumstances.
| chanced to be turning the pages of pho
tograph album one evening in the cozy par
| lor of the Mason house, when came upon
| picture which strangely attracted me. 1t was
the face of a boy IA or 10 years old-bright,
| handsome, but with a peculiar expression Of
| defiance about the clear-cut mouth. Now,
although the face in no way recalled any face
l had ever seen or could remember Of seeing,
still it impressed me with vague sense of
| having at some remote time come before me
and been known by me. think we are all
subject to some such delusions as this. The
! picture showed signs OF age and had evident
! ly been taken some years before 1t was in
n little old album which had discovered un-
der the musie-stand aud proceeded to exam
inc on my own responsibility. Both MIR.
| Mason and his sister, Mrs. Marshall, were IN
the room at the time, as was was also Tom,
the boy, Florence was in her own room,
| preparing to accompany me out for the even
| ing
''Who is this, Tom ?" said l, as the boy
came over to see what 1 was doing and
pointing to the photograph have mention
| ed
.,Wbv don't Won know That's DAM"
,vronmv " interrnnted Mrs Marshall with
-, ,1lJar,,,s5s 81 ar,,hos;, frat ratber start
led me ,1rnn riebt mn to Florenee's room and
III tl,at L ,,,,st mt ~, La. baavv cloak
to'r;obt >,