davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
About the National Debt.
Ke7C Y0fE Sam.

Everybody apparently is of the opin-
ion that the surplus in the national
treasury is bad thing, to be gotten
rid of as soon as possible and never be
allowed to accumulate in future. The on
| ly dispute is as to the method of accom-
plishing the object. The democrats
propose to do it by reforming the tar
| tiff so as to reduce the income from
customs, the republicans by abOlishing
the taxes on whiskey and tobacco, and
there are many in both parties who
would make a surplus impossible by
the simple expedient of spending year
by year the entire revenue, whatever
that may be.
When the war ended in 1865, the to-
tai of the national debt, exclusive of
the legal tender currency, was, in
round numbers, So, $3.50, 200, 600, on
which we were paying $751; ,Op0, 900 in
terest annually. Today the debt has
been reduced to about 5 DOC, OO0, 900,
and our annual interest payment is on
ly about S4I, 100000. The same ma
chinery which accomplished this enOr
nous reduction is now producing the
surplus of which there is 80 much COM
plant, and it deserves credit for its
past achievements, at least. In fact,
the national income from customs and
internal revenue has been, on the
whole, steadily diminishing year by
year, so that last year it was $500, O00,
900 less than it was in 1866. That a
surplus has begun to lately accumu-
late is owing to the want of an outlet
in the shape of payable debt.
We have redeemed all the bonds
that have fallen d ne, and now we have
to buy in advance, at high premiums,
those that are yet to mature. Instead
of being able to pay out $1O0,0OO,000
to $150,000,000 a year for the redemp
ton of the public debt, as we did from
1881 to 1884, we secured last year with
great difficulty only enough to meet
the requirements of the sinking fund,
and for the last five months the treas
ury has succeeded in buying only $685.
100000 at an average premium of
twenty -one per cent. 1t was blunder
to put the national debt odt of our con-
troll, as we did in issuing the long Is
and the 44s, and it has cost us dearly.
If this blunder had not been committed,
there would have been no surplus at
this moment and none would accumu
late for ten years to come.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
VERMONT NEWS.

The Tooth birthday of Mrs. Lucinda
Fletcher was celebrated at North
Springfield last week.
The scheme to bridge the Connecti-
cut river opposite the Waite farm in
Brattleboro is again revived.
Joseph Martin, track walker, was
killed by an extra engine, Aug. 80,
while crossing the track at Chester.
Miss Knapp, aged 81, postmistress at
DummerstOn, was found dead in her
Office on the 29th inst, from heart dis
ease. She was found sitting in her
chair behind the office table, dead.
At Bloomington Centre flag rails
ing last week George r. Richards, aged
ITO years, held one of the guy ropes.
1t is with perfect ease he takes his cane
and walks two or three miles. His
memory is remarkable. He is pen
sioner, British army, 1872 to 1915.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
NelU York Tribune.

1t may almost be said to be a question
whether any people give up more of
their time to recreation than those of
the United States. 1t is true that they
have still much to learn of the virtue
of simple pleasures, but it cannot be
denied that they are making famous
progress in the art of enjoying them
selves.
1t should not be forgotten, either,
that large portion of the cases of
breakd down, of which we hear so much,
are not the result of American over
strenuousness in business, as is curl
onsly supposed, but simply of dissipa-
ton. There are many examples of
this, to which the newspapers are too
charitable to direct the public atten-
ton. 1t is the man who spends his
night in vice and folly who travels the
downward road to general paresis far
oftener than the man who spends the
day in labor, even of a too exacting
kind. The human body can bear a
great weight of honest work, but the
candle that is burned at both ends soon
| goes out.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
A Family of Shams.
RrOOklalTl EnnIs.


The martyrs of old did not suffer
more than some people we have known
for the sake of appearances. A large
family, poor and proud, living in a
good house and fashionable neighbor-
hood, had their reception days, and all
through the cold winter never had a
fire in the furnace excepting on those
days. At other times the family
crowded into small sitting room on
the second floor for warmth and COM
fort, if they were not in the gay world.
The pater- familias of this establish
ment had his chamber in the fourth
story of the house, to which he always
retired after the o'clock dinner, and
there worked till midnight. He once
said that he had earned 500, 900 in his
profession as a lawyer, which his fam
lily had spent. His sons at the time
were doing fairly well. 1t would
answer for them to work and help
maintain the family, but the daughters
would consider it disgrace to earn a
penny, although they were all accom-
plisLed. Said one of these fair maids
"We are family of shams, except
poor papa. We girls expect to marry
rich men. 1t is our only escape from
poverty
And they have married rich!m just
In time, too, for poor old papa is dead
and ambitious, intriguing mamma is In
i'll health, worn out in her battle o.
shams.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
A Toothpick Trust.
Good Holtsekeepi1lQ.

Like all other businesses, the tooth
pick business has its combination, but
Maine inventor has set out to break
it with machine that makes 5000, 000
picks a day, and he is making a new
machine that will produce 72,O0O,O00 a
day. Green, clear, straight grained
birch aud maple wood is used, and af-
tel steaming for several hours it is
easily cut into veneers, or thin strips
of wood with the grain running across
These veneers are pliable and wound
up on large spools, hundred feet ON
each, and from the spoOls they are fed
into the pick machine, which cuts them
into picks with wonderful rapidity.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
Exactly So.

We find the following in an exchange
and if it does not reflect the exact
truth then there is no truth in the
world:
The advertising columns of a news
paper represent cash value. Too
many people forget this. No newspa-
per can afford to give advertising or
''DOtices" free, any more than a mer-
chant can toss over his free gifts of
dry goods or shoes. A newspaper is a
legitimate business institution ; it's ad-
vertising columns are its stock in
trade, and announcements should be
paid for, no matter in what part of the
paper they appear. 1t is no doubt
policy for newspaper to reciprocate
literally when cOurtesies, printing,
etc, are extended, but beyond that the
rule should be absolute: no pay, no
advertising.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
seKeep Sheep Anyhow
I'D. Curtis in Country Gentleman.

I'D. Curtis IN Country Gentleman.
Those who have f1ocks of sheep
should keep their best blood, but do
not be dazed or crazed with the expec-
tation of high prices. Do not sacrifice
your focks, but cut them down to the
best. We should eat more lamb and
mutton, and it may be great blessing
that it is necessary to push this side of
the sheep interest, which should result
in the rearing of better mutton, more
of it, and its presentation to the pub
lie in more attractive forms and every
where. Now beef is in the front, and
the consumer sees little else, unless in
the time of sausages, when pigs divide
the space, but taking only a small
part. Mutton can easily be grown
cheaper than any other meat, as the
fleece will go far to make up the cost
of raising. No animal will grow fast
er in proportion to the food consumed
than lamb. The per cent. of gain as
to coat is the highest. Here is good
basis for the skill of the breeder. The
word "skill" is the key to the whole
thing. One man will grasp it, and
win, another will not work up to it,
and he will fail. Begin with few and
enlarge as your skill is developed.
Keep some sheep anyhow.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
SOUTH WALDEN.

j. w. ThurstOn was in town over
Sunday. Miss Hattie Mann has re-
turned to Bradford.
Miss Gilbert of Bridgeport, Conn, is
spending few days with Rev. j
Thurston's people.
Florence Thurston, Emily Stevens
and Harvey Burbank of this place are
attending school at Hardwick academy
this fall.
G.. D. Lane while at work in the
woods recently met with an accident
caused by falling limb striking him
on the head, infiicting wound about
three inches in length.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13

Although Harper's Magazine for Sep
TENDER is fall number, there are no
signs about it of turning in the scar
and yellow leaf. On the contrary, all
the leaves retain the vigor and fresh
ness of summer to a degree that is
simply fascinating. The fancies of all
classes of readers are catered tO-peo-
pie of sentiment, practical, common
sense people, lovers of fun, lovers of
fiction, and lovers of fair women and
brave men. These, and more too, will
find articles to interest them in this
number. Artistically, the September
Harper's is of marked excellence.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13

Onefourth mile outside the village limits of St
JOhnsbury, at the head of Pleasant St, within the
village school district, containing one hundred and
very productive for wheat, oats, and all crops
grown in northern Vermont. a thrifty wood lot
OF fifteen acres. Well watered, with good water
at house and barns. Buildings pleasantly situat
ed, and in all respects desirable place for resi-
denee and for profitable farming. portion Of
the purchase money can remain if desired.
RICHARD w. PEABODY.
june % 1887 4tf
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13

There is in the United States a dog
for every three Inhabitants. The cost
of keeping twenty million dogs is at
least $20O,O00,OOO per annum. The
food given to an average dog every
year if fed to chickens would yield a
return of more than $40. High toned
dogs are very expensive, their food
costing a good deal more than that of
some persons.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
For Sale or EXCHANGE.

The Farm belonging to the estate of the late
Samuel F. Shattuck, Jr., in South Wheelock.
About IS acres well divided into Tillage, Past
ure and Woodland. Easy place for to
cultivate. Land in good condition. Buildings and
fences in good repair. House newly painted. Will
be sold on easy terms will exchange for improv-
ed property in st. Johnsbury.
Apply to j. W. NJ. SHATTUCK, Administrator, or
SIAS RANDALL. Oct
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
He Is a Nice Little Boy.

1t is pleasant privilege to support
a straight republican ticket. The edi-
tor never supported any other, and
probably never will.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13
Farm For Sale
AT a Baruain.

Very pleasantly located in Peacham. One mile
from village, churches Academy, Town Library,
stores, carriage shops, mills, g. C. Contains 100
acres. Excellent apple orchard of grated fruit.
Two good barns with cellars. Silo of 100 tons.
Cuts from so to 60 tons of hay.
Modern, two-story house, very convenient for
farm work summer boarders. Reason for sell
ing, old age and failing health. For particulars
address V. ID. MOULTON,
63tf Peaeham Vermont
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-09-13

The daily consumption of needles in
this country is said to be 1900, 900,
most of which come from Redditch,
England.
Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1888-1899, 1888-11-08
THE BowsER FAMILY.
Ms. nswssr Chats Nest Pleasantly Ahou
Hrr PrasaktnE tfushana.

Ms. nawssr Chats Nest Piss.aptiv Ahaut
n~r prasaking tfashand.
| suppose every husband 3. subject
90 vhat might b. called Sudden ats,
and hop, every wife tries 20 bgar up
under them with philosophical pa
tivnre The other sunday morning
Eve minutes after M Bov.rr bad
gone to his ro.n ~ Fct r,ady fnr
church. be reared 81 me- over thr BAN
istrr.
MIR Bow-cr. are You tho woman
~ the hoa-c or only lady huard,r
why dcarF'
"nont why dear me, Mr. Bowser'
II pretended to h,s a hou-skerp.r Ia
look after thing- once in awhile
Any thing wrong
Any thing wrong no waste my
breath IN talking when every thing is
ell rightP'
what T. itP" asked a. ryaehed
The bead - The stairs.
He held a clean shirt In one hand.
and with the either De pointed to IL
with dramatic flourish and whis-
per,d
'Buttonsr'
"Ruttons how
Not a solitary button on this shirt.
and yot you end timo to gad down
town every dayl That's the Kind Ui a
wifc you are
Mr. BoWscr. do you mean shirt
buttonsP'
''ilo q You don't suppose I'm look-
ing for oycrcoat buttons on my shirts,
do youg"
We'll. then. you haven't had shirt
button on yonr shirts ior ten yoars.
You and all others use collar buttons.
Your collar-buttons are In the shirt
you have on.
II struck him all In a heap. ~ saw
how he had trapped himself. hut he
w@nt 10 his room muttering:
That's it' She always has an ex-
cu~s ready Cor every thing"
tine awful hot day In July he spoke
about changing bis socks after ~.
bath. and ! told him In the plainest 81
Engiish that be woald hna elesn once
In his lower bureau drawer That
night he came home and hegnn.
'tan you tell me what day during
the neat month you will have twe
mlnuies 90 spareg"
WHY
Because, n you ever get them. per-
haPs yea can devote a fcw second. 10
darning the holes In my socks. I've
had ~ limp around all the afternoon
on that account"
1T can't be-
Oh. no' You ere such q model
hoasekeeper that Il cant he.of courss'
Look here!"
lie pulled 81 his shoes and To- he
sd Ca his heavy wiat~F socks. every
thread wooll There were teo ~ ihree
boles. bal thes weee npt - ~ dsra.d
nniil iaii ~ ooarra.
"Mr nowser. y here did yea gel those
socksi'' asked.
Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1888-1899, 1888-11-08
"A LITrLE NONSENSE. I"

There 6. no duty on vegetables In
their natural state. whether that state
be- Massachusetts, or Texas. - Tsnas
Suiiaga
a man dird In Connecticut Who
smoked over two thousand herring. a
hay Worse than the tobacco habit.
No wonder be died - BsSiiagtoa Fres
Press.
a Western village boasts ~ q
woman who "gos- cut aud chops
wood uilh her husband n IL cus-
lomary % use an axe. bat he may be
an unusually sharp man.
cavalry Cnlunel-"You saw the
Ind Ians. You sayP Colorcd boy
Yes. Boss. cavalry Colonel--
Hostile. we're theyF Colorcd boy
No, Bos-, dey was CA foot"
Professor In Physics Nov, Mr..
A. what waA the first phenomenon
noted in connection with the force of
gravityr (Mr A. hcsltatos aud a
Biblical student prompts him)'
Adam fell
Jumping as a means ~ earning q
living appcars Ia b. increasing. some
Jump from balloons. others from
bridges. bat the most successful ara
the fellows Who jump their board bills.
= hotel Gatef's.
First Old Party Ton hotel piazEal
What has that young man got THAI
big sash around his wrist forF" See.
aad Old Party Dunno. ualoss he
has got pane In his stomach. ."--Hos.
'oH Commercial Bsiisfia.
Teacher Try TO remember this,
Milton. the poet. was blind. do yon
thlnk you can remember ltF' "Yes,
ma'Aln. Now, what was Mllton's
great mlsfortaneg'' "iIe was a poet V
ksafsctg STATE yoHrnal
--"say. Jim. what's foFtiacatlonP'' p
said one hoy to another. Whats a
fortihcation9 echoed the other, who
had iust begun to learn arithmetic.
We'll, guess lt's two twenty-aca.
tions, y Harpcr's foaAg People.
-"Helloa. bub' Who are youPa
"J0hnny Blake. "Oid Bill nlnkesa
hoy, ehf Nov. you don't look a Nj,
like your father. You take after YOUR
mother, ! suPposeF'' "No. she's al
ways after me. That's her coming uu
the lane now. with stick"
-Ada-''what vas your arss meal
alone with ycnr husband when YOU
leit for the honeymoong" Elsie (aeed
slKiesnl Oh. Charley. let me make
a out We had chocolate ioe-crsarn,
kisses, lemonade. blane-manga. char.
l0tie russe. Strawberries. vanilla Ice.
cream. coeoanas drops. Neapollsan
les-ercaFn. vine belly, bananas. rainlns,
tntti-iruiii. milk punch. rAzpbsrrles.
aoaling island, and plstaeha lcs,.
sF~nm. " Ada ANY tAlnu elssF'
Elsie tsloosnlly) Yes; a long M
lass. - IsMe.
Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1888-1899, 1888-11-08
The Fun of Dictionaries.


There l. uo end 10 the involuntary
humor 81 dictionaries. The Boston
(Eng and) corporation records - 1875
contain the entry That a dictionaryo
shall b. hoaght for the -rollcrs 81 tho
Free S,uole. and tho same hoko io 10
tyod Ia "a cheyne. and set upon a desko
In the schoolo. whcrcunto any scollor
may have acccsse a. orassion shall
serve Possibly they obtained Rich
ard tlulote's "AhcccdaFiumH which
tells ~ that a ''coekatryee" is a SER
pcnt called the kynge Of serponics.
whose nature l. "a kyll with hys-inge
only But even nsilcy's famous die
tionary. which {. the foundation ~
Johnson's. tells us that tho loriot or
golden aurioie l. "a bird that being
looked upon. by one who has the yell
low jaundiee. cures the person. and
dies himself Edward Phillips. though
nephew of John Mllton. defines Ia
Ne dictionary Of is5s = gallon a. "a
measure containing two quarts. " and
again. a quavcr Il stated 10 b. "a
measure ~ tlmc Ia muslck. being the
half oi cruichcf. - q crotehet tho
haif 81 q quayer. And Webster. in
his ursi issuc. has some curious mis-
takes in crleketing terms. The wick
et-koepcr. he says. h "a player IN
cricket who stands wiih a bat 10 pro-
tsct the wicket from the ball. and 4
iong-stop h "one sent 10 stop balls
sent long distance. An synonymous
lexicographeF 81 ies9 derives ha.sogk
"from the feutonle Hare, an hare. and
Socks. because hane-skiBs are some
times wore iustead Of socks. 10 keep
the feet warm ia later. - Boston Boa-
aam
Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1888-1899, 1888-11-08

The man Who paid Lord Lana
lowne a quarter of mllllon for three
plcture. IL Sir Edward Guinness ~
brown stout famn
Mr. William Pool. II Iimesions
iiili. W. Va. has a powder horn mas
General Washington gave 10 hts grand
father over hundred years ago.
Lord wolscloy tells of soldier
who was the bravest man he ever
knsw. lie Was 20 laEy that In haitls
he would expose himself 10 the most
lsaminent danger rather than move
ten PAGES 10 a plaes Of safety.
la writing 10 a friend Ia Pennsyi-
vania who had named a glrl-haby after
her. Mr. Cleveland said II oaaght.
perhaps, 10 tell you thai am nayqF
eallesi frankie. though my iniimAtn
friends sometimes cali ms frank.
--vsaeran Statesman IInnnibal Ham
lin. In a public addruaa reeently. re-
Ioiced that his lie had covered ths
fiii development ~ the age of steam.
Nov the age of electricity is a. hand,
and one mans llie-spah may extend
over this new era, too.
Mrs. Captain Tom Is the name OF
the richest Indian woman In Alaska
She II worth about e9O.00 and sup.
| ported two husbands until lately. hav-
Ing to give up ono when she Joined the
Presbyterian mission. Mrs. Tom ls
ugly, Tat. over forty, and a shrowd
trader
Ons ~ the largest plantations In
the south IL that of Major H. W.
Brllamy, In Jefferson County. Florida.
u comprises ;. .Op arrc-. and nearly all
~ IL j. In cultivation. More than
l.Sn negroes are employed on the
plantation, and the Major knows them
all BY namo.
There i young lady school
fearher In Harlem y ho writes verbatim
reports of DR.. Howard Croshy's ser
mons entirely from memory. The
Critic New York; is - assured by
Dr crosby himself and adds that IL
knows another young lady who can ~
pcat tn 1.Oon lines ~ Tcnny ''lp
MomoFiam" without prompting.
Chief Justice Fuller l. the smallest
man on the supreme Court Bench, lie
is Eve feet six inches In height and
weighs rs pounds. Justice Gray u q
giant compared to Fuller. being slx
icot I've inches In height and weighing
nearly 3nO pounds. Justica Harlan ls
also a large man. brinR two inches
over six feet iu height and weighing
25n pounds
Commodore Vanderbilt mad. his
great fortune oi tl-a. Osn, OsO after ha
had reached the age Of siKty-hve. AZ
that age his wealth vas sl5.UO. 60.
and by the. purchase ~ the liar.
lem road his wealth was doubted.
Then he bought the Hudson Riyes
roah aud doubled his fortune again.
Finally he acquired the Lake shore 4
Michigan southern and his western
properties. and tor third time hi. -
tate was doubled
Tho late Charles Croker. 81 San
Francisco. who left AN estate ~ e25.
WDssi was never 80 happy, u Il
said, ~ when enjoying the fun his
wealth enabled him 10 get out oI
his fellow millionairc-. II l. told Of
him that be enjoyed with tho keenno-a
Of a boy tho sport oi running up tho
price Of a picture or biz Of bric-a-5ra
that some other millionaire was bid.
ding on. and that he was equally we'll
pleased u the other had 10 pay a blg.
round sum for IL. oF u Il was Knocked
down % himself
Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1888-1899, 1888-11-08
A MILLION YEARS.
Tws WAYS ef TarmisM aa Idea sf sash .
Nast rsttod "a ftuse.

Nast rwFtod "a ftme.
Astronomers and gcologists habltu-
ally deal In large numbers. u IL ut
terly impossible 10 conceive oi = bill
lion miles. and even the familiar Illus
tration oi railroad train going 80
many miles an hour FOR 70 many year,
conveys a very vague Idea
u l. equally diaicul, 10 form an
idea Of The vast pcriods Of time with
which acologisss deal What idna can
man. who Il limited 10 hundrcd
years. form Of a million years.
Prot Croll tells us how striking Inn
precision oi such a lapse Of time may
bc partially conveyed to the mind
stretch pieco ot paper eighty
throa feet four inches long around the
walls % room somewhat over twenty
feet square. recall the events Of life 10
give .oine conception Of a hundred
years. and thea consider that a mark
one-tenth u an inch broad al one end
of the paper represents tha century
while the whole strip gives place for
only a million years"
THIS Illustration u worth irving.
An even more striking illustration
may b. seen In the works of nature.
Coald wc stand upon The edge Of q
gorge a mile and half In depth. tha,
had beeu cat out of the solid rock by
tiny stream scarcely visible At the
bottom ol thls terrible abyss. and were
we informed thai this little streamlel
was ahie 30 wear OF annually ouly
one-tenth of an inch from lts rocky
bed. what would our conception be ol
The prodiglons length of ,lms that shi'
stream must have taken 20 exeayass
lhe gorgsf W. shoald eertsiuiy ts@
startled GA hudiag that the ssresm
had performed this enormous amaunl
~ work IN something ices than . tali
lion VI years -boistsas lAsga