davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

San Francisco, Cal, ia comparatively hilly
the grades Of many Of the streets being quite
sharp in places, offering great obstacles 10
street railway traffic as ordinarily conducted.
Hence 1t was 10 be expected that the inven-
tive genius Of the San Franciscans would de-
wise some means Of overcoming the difficult
tics the problem has been solved in a man.
ner 80 simple yet novel that a description
will be of interest. Several wire cable roads
have been built in San Francisco within few
years, the first being the Clay street road and
the last the California street cable road All
these roads are constructed on essentially the
same plan, the cars being propelled by q ca
BILE which runs upon rollers in a tube be-
tween the rails and below the level Of the
street, said tube having vertical slot through
which, from the car above, thin post or
standard passes with peculiar gripping ap-
paratus on its end which lifts the cable from
its supports on which II is running and grips
it firmly, thus propelling the car at a speed
of four to six miles per hour. The cable is
maintained in constant motion by stationary
engines, and the cars ascend and descend the
steep gradients with equal apparent ease. As
the streets on which these cars are laid are
more or less billy throughout, the lines are
constructed as cable roads, regardless of the
level reaches. Indeed it may be doubted IL
horses have any advantage over this system
in large traffic.
The advantages OF this system over either
horses or dummies is specially apparent on
gradient lines. San Francisco's experience
shows the system to be eminently practicable
and profitable. The latest of these lines, the
California street road, has just been opened
to traffic, and no expense has been spared In
obtaining the most enduring construction.
The ribs which serve as cross-ties are made
Of old 7 rail iron bent in the shape of the let
ter U, 80 as to pass under the tube, and they
are placed about four feet apart. The ribs
rest on continuous bed OF concrete, and the
spaces formed by the ribs, the rails and the
tube are also filed in with concrete, upon
which is laid a solid paving of stone blocks,
the interstices of which are run full of liquid
cement Five months were consumed in the
construction of the road bed from Kearney to
Fillmore street, $3.50 feet. In this distance
the line crosses two ranges Of hills, one sum-
init being at Jones street and the other at Oc-
tavia street. The flexible wire cables are of
steel, Ii inches in diameter, of q total weight
of $500 pounds, and length of about 81
miles. The cars are somewhat smaller than
the ordinary street car, and will seat 1G per-
sons comfortably. The gripping cars have
seats for five on each side and four on each
end-1S in all. Each train will have seats
for "a persons, and easy standing room for
20 more.-IHe Engineering Nelos.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
Office Seeker. I'm the white House.

The late President Garfield once said that
be was obliged to see an average of about 80
persons for every Office to be filed. If the
question was one of removal, the number was
much greater, including the friends of the in
cumbent as well as the candidates for the
place. There is an amusing story, not new
one by any means, of the method Mr.. Lin
coin adopted to settle contest over a post
mastership that had greatly annoyed him.
There were two candidates in the field, and
petition after petition had poured in upon
the weary President, and delegation after del
egation had rushed to the White House to
argue the claims Of the rival aspirants. FL
nally, after he had been bored for half an
hour by fresh delegation, Mr.. Lincoln said
to his secretary This matter has got to
end somehow. Bring pair of scales" The
scales were brought. Now put in all the pc
titions and letters in favor of one man and
see how much they weigh, and then weigh
the other candidates papers" 1t was found
that one bundle was three-quarters Of pound
heavier than the other. MAKE out the ap-
pointment at once for the man who has the
heaviest papers," ordered the President, and
it was done.-E. Y. Smdlley in the Century.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
A snotted snotIer.

"Your fare, or off you go!"
The man whined and begged, but when he
found it was one or the other, he produced a
So bill to pay his fare.
handed it back.
why, man, that's as true greenback as
ever was made !"
"Oan't take it, sir Your fare, please !"
"But that's all the money have"
"Then off you go"
But sir-but-"
The train was stopped between stations
aud the passenger backed of with many a
muttered word. When the conductor re een-
tered the car half dozen passengers tackled
him with indignant protests and two or
three almost abused him for his rigid observ-
ance of the rules.
"Gentlemen, he was a spotter !" was the
answer to the storm of indignation, and in
ten seconds everybody in the car was ap.
plaudng. 80 Detroit Free Press.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
Miscellany.



while roaming in the woods one day.
! asked the question, half In play,
WHO can tell when Spring began 2u
Straightway the answer came, "I can't
And Robin Redbreast cooked his head
"All right Then pray proceed" said.
~ must, - said he, "oxpress surprise
That any one with two good eyes,
or even one, should fail TO see
Springs coming mus, depend on me.
When come, then will come the Sprinp,
And that's the gist OF the whole thing"
"Ho, hol He, hel Well, declare ~
A Squirrel chuckled, high in air.
THAT is too droll-that you should bring,
Instead Of being brought by, Spring.
had MT meant to boast, but now
The cause of truth will not allow
My silence; so I'll merely state
That Spring for me must dliedys wait.
The thing admits not Of doubt:
Spring can't begin till come out"
.'Wel, bless my starsi For pure concelt,n
Began the Brook, "you two do beat
All have heard. As II I were true
Spring mover came at all till you
We're born, and can't come when you're dead,
I'm sorry, sir, you've been misled,
But can set you right. / know
Spring comes when begin to flow.
When my ice melts, and not till thon,
spring dares to venture forth again"
"whew!" sneored the Breeze, in high disdain.
You re wrong as they are, It is plain.
When first came, not long ago,
found you naught but ice and snow.
~ was my warm breath, you thankless thing,
Ihat broke your bands and brought the Sprinl
The Robins and the Squirrels ali
Come only when they hear me call.
In fact may assert with truth
am the Spring itself, in sooth.
Springs here because Pm here, and when
leave, you'll have no Spring again.
II. j. Wheeler in april 81. Nicholas.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
WENDELL phillips.

Phillipss life was one of the most inspir
ing in our history. II was a consecratod de.
votion to humanity, to succor the oppressed,
defending the defenseess, and pleading for
the dumb. Eyes was he to the blind feet to
the lame. BY genius and taste and tempera.
ment he was singularly fitted for the most
brilliant success, political social, or profes.
sional. To whatever was beautiful, sumptu.
Gus, refined, luxurious, even all the delights
Of scholarship and lettered ease, this urbane
and graceful spirit was adapted. But, like
the old apostle who preached only Christ and
him crucifed, he renounced all 'delight OF
battle with his peers," all the prizes and lau-
rels Of pleasure and ambition, and with in
finite sweetness, and with no air Of sacrifice
or OF reluctance, he turned TO know only the
wrongs OF his fellow men. The lines Of
Boyle O'Reilly when he died tell only the
truth in fervid music
"For his life a ceaseless protest, and his voice
was a prophets cry,
To he true to the truth and faithful though the world
were arrayed for the le."
His modest house, tho strict domestic sim
plicity, shared only by her whose heart and
hope and aim were one with his, and to
whose prolonged illness his homo life was the
most fond aud devoted ministry of cheer and
intellectual sympathy, we're all harmonious
with his chosen career. But to no house in
tnat community OF famous houses was the
foot of the hapless wayfarer or every kind
or of the most enlightened and respectable
inquiry and interest from all parts of his
own country, and from foreign lands, turned
more hopefully than to his So great and
unsullied conservation, so signal an illustra.
tion of the moral sublime, explains the pro-
found feeling that attended the death of a
man of no official position, OF no literary or
scientific or social distinction, and publicly
known only as an orator from whose opin.
ions there was often general and strong dis
sent.
But that oratory was one Of the forces of
national and moral regeneration. The dis
sent will pass like clouds of the morning. It
is not the Samuel Adams who was doubtful
of Washington aud opposed to the constitu.
ton that we recall it is the tribune of Amer.
ican independence. So in Lowelrs phrase,
Of which the orator was very fond, time will
gather up into "historys golden urn" only
the memory of the unquailing youth who,
loyalty cooperating with the great leader Gar
rison, passed into full maturity pleading with
the hardened conscience Of his country against
the deadliest wrong to human nature that
history records, and whose unselfsh and re-
sistlcss appeal at last drew from it the word
that freed race, az the sunrise drew music
from the stony lips of Memnon. Editors
EdSy CHAR IN 1pri Hdrper'S.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

The curiosity of child OF five had been
aroused by seeing a magnifying glass. "How
many times does it magnify ?" asked gentle
man, thinking TO puzzle him. "As many
times as you look through it, was the quick
reply.
"What is lake ?" asked the teacher. A
bright little Irish boy raised his hand. "Well,
Mike, what is it Z" Sure, it's hole in the
kittle num-"
When it got out in Oil City that the Repub-
licans intended to nominate "the best man in
the party" the editor of the Blizzard took to
the woods and hid himself. He intends to
keep out of politics, having some reputation
and a family depending upon him.
Diminutive dude: why do you make me
wait till the last dance ?" Young lady: "Oh,
to give you time to grow"
Don't be afraid, said snob to a German
laborer. "Sit down and make yourself my
equal" ~ would haf to blow my brains
out" was the Teutons reply.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

THE BARTHoLDI STATUE PEDESTAL COMMIT
TEE have had serious setback. They had
estimated the whole cost Of the pedestal at
$3.50, 600, and have been mourning because
they have received but S14O,O 600 of that sum.
Now they find that the granite alone will
cost at least $40, 1000 That is, the whole
pedestal will cost not less than $34O, 900, for
they have thus far spent so, 900 upon the
concrete foundation, and it is but little more
than two-thirds finished. The outlook is
certainly not very bright, and the chances are
that there will be long delay when the con-
crete is ready for its granite superstructure.
The funds come in very slowly, and though
great efforts have been made to interest the
rest of the country and committees have
been appointed in the chief cities, not more
than $500 has been received from them. The
feeling doubtless is that the statue Is to be
New York's and New York should pay for it.
The quarter of a million French people who
paid for the statue itself, however meant it
as gift TO the whole American people.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

THE SPEAKERs DESK" writes a Cleveland
Leader correspondent, sis sort of marble
pulpit behind which Mr.. Carlisle sits in a
great armchair and holds in his right hand
the ebony handle of an ivory y-hesded gavel.
This, in case of disorder, which very often
occurs, he brings down with laundering
rap upon the board top of the marble pulpit.
It sounds, when used with vigor, like the
shot of a pistol, and is the terror of long.
winded speakers. Mr.. Carlisle uses the gav-
el lightly, but little Sam Cox, when he gets
in the chair, brings it down with all his
might aud the other day when he was rails
ing it for mighty stroke the head came of,
and it few to the floor. Often the gavel
breaks and then new one is procured.
Sam Randall was very hard on gavels, and
broke great many during his term as speak
er. He has the remains of these in a cabinet
at home, which he shows to visitors as a sign
of his former power. One of these is a
beautiful one, which he got during his last
term as Speaker. 1t was made by Georgia
mechanic of 10 pieces of hickory wood"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

The peremptory American method of max
ing telephone calls-"Hello !" "Hello I"
''Give me 1893 !" etc.-would never do in
the polished Castilian tongue. Courtesy Of
intercourse must be preserved even between
invisible communicates. and the unseeming
vexstiousness and petulance which the tele-
phone seems TO provoke in Saxon moods is
never allowed to obtain utterance here. The
regular response from the central Office to q
telephone call is "Mande usted !" which is
equivalent to "At your command !" Then
preliminaries are gone through something as
follows; "Good morning, senorita how do
you do2" Every WE'LL thank you; what
service may render your" "Will you kind-
ly do me the favor of enabling me to speak
with Don So-and-So, No. TIP" with much
pleasure p etc., ETC., and when the oonneo-
ton is made, the usual polite introduotories
are gone through before proceeding to the
business in hand
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

He was treasurer of a county in Indiana.
The other night about o'clock he made a
call at the house of an honest old farmer,
who was on his bond for $4,000, and after
the first greetings were over he began:
Mr.. Thomas, have some bad news for
you"
"Great Scott but are any of my relashuns
over in Indianapolis dead?'
'I don't know about that but you remem-
ber that You signed my bond?'
"Yes, did,"
81 am sorry to inform you that am $14,-
900 short in my account"
mo"
ALAS it is true"
"And where did the money go tor"
Lost in Wall street."
"Ohl that's it. Well, wouldn't worry
over that. My son Bill will take the lantern
and go back to town with you, and if you'll
show him Wall street he'll find the money if
it takes him all night Probably lost it out Of
hole in your pocket, eh ?"-WdH Street
NelrR
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

at has become so common to write the beginning
OF an article in an elegant, interesting manner,
"Then run it into some advertisement, that we
avoid all such,
"And simply call attention to the merits Of Hop Bit
tiers in plain, honest terms possible,
"To induce people
"To give them trial. which proves their value
that they will never use anything else"
''The remedy favoraby noticed in all the papers,
"Religious and secular is
"Haying large sale, and is supplanting all other
medicines.
"There Is no denying the virtues Of the Hop plant,
and the propretors Of Hop Btters have shown great
shrewdness
"Aud ability
ain compoundlnga medicine whose virtues are SO
palpable to everybody's observation"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

Lppincotts Magazine for April opens with an en-
tertaining article on "New Germantown and Chest
nut HILL" with illustrations from original designs
"In the Kauri Forests Of New Zealand, ," by Miss f. G
Gordon Cumming, the well-known traveller, is a sim
pie but graphic narrative repee with information ia
regard to the peculiar industries of the country tC
which 1t relates. "How tue Roman Spent His Year
Is the first Of two papers by Prof. VIM Il. Allen, whC
gives the result Of his researches in popular aud in
teresting style 'Glimpses Of the Queens Negroes,
by Arthur f. j. Orandal, has the merit of being not
only amusing but fresh and instructive. "a German
Novel," by Horace NJ. Kennedy, aud "some New An
ecdotes OF Heine" by VIM r. Thayer, the literary
articles Of this number. Fiction, poetry and the edi
toria departments hnd due representation in this
number.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
"DIcken.'. Du,cbmano Dead.

"Dickens's Dutchman" is dead. The man
whom the great English author made famous
in his American Notes" died in the Eastern
penitentiary few days ago, and his bones
found resting place in the Potter's field.
His name was Charles LaDgheimer, and he
was about II years of age. When quite
young be came to this city from Germany.
The man was naturally of a confidential dis
position, and possessed the faculty of ingra.
tiating himself into the good grsces of every
person he met. Although he spent some 32
years in prison he has never committed a
crime of any account. His forte was sneak
thieving and he had peculiar penchant for
other peoples good Clothes especially over
coats. He told plaintive story to Dickens
of his suferings in the jail, and so worked
upon the feelings Of the EnglishmRn that the
latter believed poor Lsngheimer a much
abused man. The Dutchman was cute and
always used the notoriety be gained in that
connection for all it was worth. During the
period of his last confinement in the peniten-
tiary he had a box into which visitors drop
ped pittance. English tourists always ask
ed for Langheimer's cell, and seldom it was
that they left without slipping a piece of
gold into his hand. He had been in the pen
itentiary but few weeks and was not pris-
oner. The courtesy of an official afforded
the old man place to die.-Phild. Record.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

Fanny Davenport claims that she has re-
duced her weight from 180 pounds to 1888.
Her method described by herself is as fol-
lows: 81 walked twelve miles every day aud
dieted myself; no candy-that broke my
heart; no sugar in anything and nothing
with sugar in 1t no vegetables of any kind
except sliced tomatoes and others on which
vinegar can be used, and not q particle OF
bread. Now l eat only dry toast, few
fee in the morning, although ought not 10
take it, l exercise. That is what has made
me what l am. 1 determined to do it, and
have done it. never felt better in my life.
feel strong and we'll, equal to any task.
believe that heshiness Is q disease anyhow,
and that very fat people are never well"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

our labor and our peace, and to describe their
habits. We feel a consciousness Of superior
ity in this knowledge. Thore is an excite
ment in taking up again the life arrested for
so many months There is q perennial
charm in the colored Easter eggs, although
VIC know by experience that they will not
hatch. II does not matter. Hope is a thous-
and times better than fruition In the spring
everybody requests his mother to wake and
call him early. -Ha1per'S Jor AprH
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

How TO READ.-It is better TO begin with
poor novel and end with Macaulay, than to
begin with Matthew Arnold and never get be-
yond him. Most people exhaust themselves
on plan which indicates as many books as
good library Rollin aud Gibbon have slain
regiments of possible readers 1t is an i'm
mense advantage to row with the current II
ID easy enough to read when ths book inter-
ests you. II novels hold your attention, by
all means begin with novels, but be careful
that you move upwards and not in circle
Improve the quality of your selections. Try
historical romance, and you will be an ex-
ceptional person If "Ivanhoe," or "Hypa-
tia, or 'Romols," or THE Cloister and the
Hearth" do not beget in you desire to read
history for its own sake, and sufficient iuter-
est in reading to carry you along. II you
have taste for biography, read j. S. G. Alb
bolts lives and you will find yourself ready
to enjoy Trevelyan's "Macaulay," Irving's
columbus" Carlyle's Sterling" Louns-
bury's Cooper" or Stanley's Arnold" Ifa
narrative interests you, do not attack great
histories but begin with Votaires "Char les
XII, Macaulay's historical essays, Green's
Short History of the English People" 1t
is only the trained reader who can face Grote
or Bancroft without a cowardly sinking of
the heart. II you find 1t easy to read about
the habits, manners and peeuliarities of peo-
Pile, there are plenty of gossipy books that
will lead you up to Bosworth's johnson"
and Lockharts Scott" IN a word, begin
reading by selecting books that are easy for
you to read. Christian Union
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

GEN. GRANT says he has never made any
conoealment of the fact that he should pre-
fer John Logan to any other candidate and
sees no reason to change his mind now. He
believes that on the first ballot Blaine, Ar
thur and Logan will lead in the order named.
He would hate to see either Blaine or John
Sherman nominated, but thinks highly of
Edmunds, who has faultless record, is a very
able man and would make a strong candi-
date. He notes a very cool feeling in New
York toward Arthur. Five months ago he
believed the Republicans were facing certain
defeat but the Democrats by their course on
the tariff have Temedied all that. Senator
Payne of Ohio would be the most formidable
Democratic candidate because strong with
the business interests.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

GOES RIGHT TO THE SPoT.-It is said by
some person-O'Dynamite Rosa, perhaps
that chunk of dynamite carried about the
person will cure rheumatism. This seems
plausible. If violent kick is administered
to the patient on that part of the person
where the remedy is concealed, it will also
cure lumbago ingrowing nails, and consump-
tion, and poverty, and Brights disease, and
melancholia, and small pox, and unreciprooat
ed love, and catarrh of twenty years stand
ing, and Indigestion aud salt rheum, and
and all the rest of 'em. 1t goes right to
the spot. Beware of counterfeits. Mention
this paper when purchasing. -NoTtstO'On
Herald
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04
ADaughter,s NIIserr.

eleven years our daughter suffered on a bed Of
misery
"From a complication of kidney, liver, rheumatic
trouble and Nervous debility.
'Under the care Of the best physicians,
"Who gave her disease various names,
"But no relief,
"And now she is returned to us in good health by
as simple a remedy Hop Bitters, that we had shun
ned for years before using 1.-THE PARENTS.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

Mr.. Beeeher preached on q recent Sunday
from the text: ''Take, therefore, no thought
for the morrow" That, he thought, did not
mean that man should not show foresight,
but that he should not fret and worry. Fret
ting and worry" said Mr.. Beeoher, "don't
promote prosperity. They actually hinder 1t.
l suppose that the whole Of one-half of the
suffering of humanity is for things that never
happened"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

"No!
"she fingered and suffered along, pining away all
the time for years."
''The doctors doing her no good"
"And at last cured by this Hop Bltters the pa
pers say so much about"
"Indeedl Indeed!"
CHOW Thankful we should be for that medeIne.n
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

Why He WENT IN They we're standing
at the front gate.
Wont you come into the parlor and sit a
little while, George, dear 2"
''N-no, guess not" replied George, hoai-
tatingly.
81 wish you would" the girl went on.
ut is awfuly lonesome. Mother has gone
out and father is up stairs groaning with
rheumatism in the legs"
"Both legs ?" asked George.
Eyes both legs"
''rhen I'll come little while. ."-PhiladeL
Dhia Call.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-04

Some idea of the extent of this branch of business
as now carried in Boston be obtained by visit
ing the wareroOms Of Paines mandatory on Canal
street. Boston. This is Of the largest factories In
the country with Ehowrooms covering acres Of floor,
stocked with every variety of house furniture, at i'm
porters and mAnufaeturers' prices which about
one-third the retail price to customers