davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
THE LONDONDERRY SITTER.


Mr., SITTER; Don't you think you
was a little rough on the directors of
the Vermont State Agricultural So
ciety in your last paper, for re-elect-
ing Prohibitionist Hooker president !!
If Hooker, drunk, is better man
than any other of the directors, sober,
then they did just right in re-electing
him. But II this is so, it proves that
the directors are pretty poor lot and
the Society can't be too lively in turn
ing them out and getting an entire
new set up of officials, l, for one,
don't believe Vermont is so poor in
men, that any but men of sober
habits and clean character need be
put at the head of any of her impor-
tant institutions. What say you !?
FARMER.
EhaStar w nao 10 ,Qn
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
THURSDAY EVENING. DEC. lS 1900
keeping with the DAVIS festivities IN.

keeping with the days festivities, Ono
plan is to have small boy or girl go to
each ones door early on Christmas morn,
ing bearing letters, The miasives may
be written on fancy paper or cards, and
contain but few words, One may
read:
II - win 70 TO the northeast corner OF the
garrett he win find something OF advantage 10
him,
Another;
A parcel with - name upon Il may be dis
covered under the dining room buffet
If there are many members of the
family and each gives things to all the
rest there will be Quitea good sized mail
to be distributed, Each one should
choose hiding places for what he 10 to
present and write letters to the recipients,
All letters may be dropped into box
prepared for the purpose This is good
way to give large packages, but another
plan for presenting small gifts is to have
them rolled in white cotton to represent
snowballs. They can be marked with
tiny labels, pasted over the last fold of
cotton to keep the balls from unrolling.
The snowballs may be put in pile on
a lot of cotton to represent snow, and
little diamond dust will make the like.
ness more perfect, If possible surgeons
cotton should be used, as it is pure
white. The balls may be handed to each
one, or may be skillfully tossed by per-
sonof ready wit who can invent h funny
and pleasing monoloSue suitable to the
occasion while disposing of the pile.
Some recitations about Christmas and
snow, given by children, may precede
this; also music.
Tho so called "orange groves" now so
popular at fairs, suggest another way
of giving small presents Orange trees
probably hired from some horist) are
hung with false fruit, |. e., different
sized balls covered with orange colored
stuff. When opened they are found to
contain various small articles. The
idea is good one to adopt in arranging
Christmas presents.
Another way to present gifts is to have
them all put in certain place, neatly
wrapped and tied. A bright member
of the family, to whom alone has been
confided the names of those who are
to receive the packages, marks them
with apt quotations, but no riames
When the quotations are read at the dis
tribntion, each person must know from
the description whether the gift belongs
to him or not. No one lse is to indicate
who is meant. If any fail to recognize
themselves the packages are laid aside
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

SOEE>, ohNh
therefore to get up much that Is new for
Christmas, it may be found well to go n
long way back and reproduce the old in
some form or other.
For part of the Christmas evening fun
let the children be dressed to represent
accessories of Christmas time, such
as christmas Green's" "Mnce Pie"
plum Pudding" "Jack Frostr Christ
mas Bells" Christmas Carroll" "Snow
Queen" and christmas" himslf. Some
of these characters We're enacted in En-
glish celebrations of the holiday in eye
olden time" or in Christmas phys. The
children who are too young to ict parts
can be called Christmas sprites ,r fairies,
as the fancy names and costtming are
simply to please the children and make
gayer spectacle of the hous, and its
guests. Copying after Irving'i descrip-
ton, christmas" may have OF, over his
ordinary suit, a short, round cloak, a
ruff and a steeple hat. If preferred he
may be attired in modification of the
Santa Claus costume seen in pictNres.
Snow Queen" must be all in white,
with floating hair, which, with her
dress, is sparkling with diamond dust
"Mince Pie" is described as having q
brocade dress. peaked hat aad high
heeled shoes. This may be changed for
any other suitable costume. christmas
Greens" willappear in green, orramented
with red berries and sprig5 Of. ever
green, and "Plum Pudding" should be
personated by plump girl attFed in
brown. Jack Frost can wear ahy cos
tune he pleases, only it ought to be
flecked with bits of glistening cotton, to
look like frost. Surgeons cotton or
spun glass will be best for this On his
arm should hang paint pot and brush,
to indicate his work on trees and bushes
christmas Bells" may have in umer-
able tiny brass bells on his suit, and
christmas Carol" will of coursebe dec
Grated with limitations of bars Of music
and notes here and there. If preferred
each may recite something in keeping
with his character.
Another modification of an old Christ
mas custom is to have cake baked with
a piece of money in it. When pc cake
is cut, so there shall be piece 6r every
person, the one in whose portion the
coin is found is the king of the evening
and must lead in the sports. TIL, princi-
pal games played on Christmas evening
in times long since gone wers blind,
mans buff, snapdragon, puss inthe cor
ner, dancing and cards. None of these
need be described except snaplragon
In preparing for this place a quantity Of
raisins in a broad, shallow dish, and
pour over them some brandy or my spir-
ituous liquor. This is to be ignIed, the
game consisting of trials of skill in pull
ing out the raisins without being
burned.
All the lights are to be put oft while
this game is played, the room being
illumined only by the flames of the
burning spirits, which make all around
look weird and grotesque.
Gifts have been presented IN time
honored ways for generations back.
First and best is the custom of hanging
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

The Fort Dodge tow, whose proud po-
sitior as queen of the city has made her
famous the world over, has been deposed.
A herd law was passed by almost a
unanimous vote of the people at the re-
cent election shutting off all the privi-
leges which that favored animal has en-
joyed with perfect immunity for twenty
years. The result of the election was a
great surprise to the friends Of the cow,
who had supposed her firmly intrenched
in popular favor. The overwhelming
victory of the anti-cow factions is laid
to the tremendous agitation of year
ago, which held up the COW thraldom of
the city to the ridicule of the civilized
world Anti-cow asitators in the coun-
try over will be encouraged in their work
by this famous victory in this hitherto
impregnable stronghold of the bovine
The vote was ten to one against the free
dom of the w.-Cor. Chicago Tribune
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

until all the rest have been presented,
when the quotations are read again.
Many good selections are to be found in
books of quotation, in Shakespeare, and
in miscellaneous birthday books.
Again, a big stocking might be pre-,
pared to hold all gifts of ordinary size.
Let it be family stocking, and Yet
some one member of the circle deliver
its contents, package by package, with
appropriate remarks, The stocking may
be made Of muslin striped in bright col
ors. 1t may be hung from chandelier
or from the mantelpiece.
If a tree is used for gifts the following
recitation, given by as small child as
can learn it, will be an effective intro.
duction to the delights that are con.
cealed by closed doors:
"a fash of light, merry hum,
And peals Of ripping laughter sweet
The pattering Of tiny feet,
And, 10, the little children come
"A stately fir tree rears its head,
With stars and tapers all ablaze;
And quivering in the fairy rays
The gttering, loaded branches spread
And childish hearts with joy o'erfow,
And childish hearts with joy o'erflow,
As on that birthday long ago,
They ponder with q grave delight
Then to their gifts they turn once more,
An in the present sunshine lost
They fear no future tempest tossed
But unto fairy regions soar
NO cares, no fears, happy time
OF laughter: tears that cannot stay;
An April day, a year of May,
Pealed in and ont with Christmas chime"
ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
Wrj tten For the SITTER.
MAKING LAWS.


Was it mind, or was it matter?
Was it argument or clatter
That evolved such brilliant legislation?
One would need a perfect diction,
Free from sentiment or fiction,
And a keen and lucid inspiration,
To deliniate the blunders;
Pardon legislative wonders,
That evoke the critic observation;
But if reason serves us rightly,
For those statutes, so unsightly,
We should, minus mental reservation.
Beard the lion in his den,
Lash the voter now and then,
Placing blame upon the true offenders.
Men, whose morals are elastic,
Want the yielding, docile, plastic
Minds for molding- minds that will surrsnder
Manhood. justice reputation,
That's the kind of deputation;
Trick will crowd upon the unsupported
At the polls we let them beat u.s.
Then, the consequences meet us;
Then too late, commences our Directing.
lis provoking Won't deny it,
And burden keeping quiet;
But, twould need some brains and resolution
To withstand the operations
OF 4 hundred CORPORATIONS.
Or monopolistic invoution.
Who's amenabls for losses?
Who's to blame? The railroad bosses?
Longing for the uttermost creation;
Shall we blame the tools, or motors;
Representatives or voters?
Can we get tho proper mensuration?
Say, what stupid sinners helped to kill
The farmers agricultural bill,
'Gainst fair petition from the masses?
O, I'm mad enough to tell it,
Louder still I'd like to veil it
Nothing Only children, knaves, or asses
Who's to blame? The House or Senate?
One, or twain' I'd like to pen it
For another school law mutilation?
Well, remember two years hence;
Let your guide be common sense;
Then, perhap, we'll have jubilation.
J. T. L.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

The Farmers Alliance, at its Ma
tlonal convention, unanimously adopt
ed these resolutions: Demanding the
abolition of national banks and the
substitution of legal tender treasury
notes in lieu of national bank notes.
in sufficient volume to carry on the
business of the country on cash svs-
tenn; that Congress prevent by law
the dealing in Cultures" of all agri-
cultural and mechanical productions :;
free and unlimited coinage of silver !;
prohibition of alien ownership of land
and adoption of some just plan by
which the government may acquire
ownership in such lands, and also in
lands held by railroad companies in
excess OF the actual needs that tax
alton, both State and national, shall
not be used TO build up one interest
or class at the expense of another;
that all revenues, national, State and
county, should be limited to the ac-
tual necessary expenditures of the
government economically and honest
ly administered that Congress issue
sufficient fractional paper currency
to facilitate exchange through the
United States mills; that all means
OF communication and transportation
shall be controlled by the United
States government that the liability
to control and operate all roads and
telegraph lines shall vest in the gov
eminent; if, after fair trial of this
system, 1t is found that it does not
afford the relief demanded or effect
reforms in the management of them,
the governments ownership shall be
complete that every alliance lecturer
and all newspaper organizations of
the alliance shall support this plat
form or suffer suspension from the
order and that no candidate for anv
national political office shall be sup
ported by the alliance members unless
he indorses this platform.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

The Rutland Herald of last Fri.
day contained the following editorial;
"Who ever saw Vermont news
papers, taken altogether, as lively as
they are now p? They are speaking
their minds out, right and left, in a
way that is truly refreshing. The
chief subject of remark at the mo-
ment is of course the Legislature, but
men and measures generally are han
died with great freedom compared
with the practice in years gone by.
Go ahead, brethren. 1t is not nee
essary for you to agree, but so long
as you are honest you will find that
the outspoken course is the best, and
the only right one. Say what you
think, always be straightforward and
fair, keep your temper, "let the other
fellow walk the floor" and you will
be happy and prosperous.
The SITTER was the pioneer of out
spoken journalism in Vermont, and
the change that has taken place in
the last seven years is indeed wonder
full. When the SITTER commenced
seven years ago to call a spade a
spade and to tell the people the truth
about the politicians and how they
manipulated the caucuses and con-
ventions, the entire press of the State
with, possibly, one or two exceptions
dared not say their souls were their
own. But presto, many of them now
fairly out Herod the SITTER and do
not hesitate to tell the people the
plain truth about men and measures
even if it hits their own party. This
is true journalism and raises the
power of the press immensely. By
the way conspicuous among the fear
less journals of Vermont stands our
Rutland contemporary above quoted.
The Herald is coming to the front as
the ablest and most outspoken jour-
nal in the State and is winning the
favor of men everywhere who believe
in manly, fearless independence. 1t
may not always be right, it certainly
isn't upon the liquor question, but
that matters not, it is entitled to it's
opinions and deserves credit for fear
lessly expressing them. In this con-
nection it is amusing to notice the lit
tie fellows scattered over the State
that are continuously barking at it's
heels. 1t is amusing to these fellows,
we suppose, in the same way that it
Is lots of fun for the puppy to bark
at the moon.
Fearless, independent journalism
is what is coming, and is what the
people demand and these little fell
lows, who are wrapped up in their
own self-importance or dangle a. the
tail of some small politicians little
kite, had better get in out of the cold,
and p. d. q. at that.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
STATE OF VERMONT.

George W. W. Hudson c,.n In
Philander C. Betterly September Term,
and wife. 1890.
Whereas at the September terni of the
court of chancery, for the county of
Wlndham, A, D., 1890, George w. Hud-
son of Brattleboro brought his petition
against Philander C. Betterly and his
wife, Agnes J.. Betterly, of the same
Brattleboro, to foreclose mortgage
given to the said petitioner by the said
Philahter G. aid wife August IA. 1855,
to secure the promis 'ary note of said
Philander c. of same date for $245.00 on
demand with interest annually, on certain
land in Newfane in said county, bounded
east and south by lands of Ocean Attridge,
West by lands of Geo. B. Williams, and
north by the Branch Brook, with the
building thereon. And it appearing that
the said Phlander c. Betterly has not had
personal notice of said petition ii is or
dered that the same be continued to the
next term of this court, to be held on the
second Tuesday of March, 1891, and that
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
Iowa's First White Child,

The first white child born in Iowa ter
ritory is still living at the age of 81,
healthy, fairly active and not at all bad
looking. Sheis Mrs. Malvina Bankhead,
and recently celebrated her birthday by
a horseback ride to Humboldt, thirteen
miles from her farm, resting but an hour
on the way She has twelve children
living in the same county with herself,
the Oldest daughter of 70. She also
has seventy-two grandchildren, fifty-fve
great grandchildren ard seven great
great grandchildren. She smilingly says
that Iowa was considered mighty
sickly country when was gal"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

Metallurgists have lately sought for
evidence as to the origin of silver ores
by examining volcanic ashes, and have
found in the ashes of Cotopaxi one part
of silver in $4,000 parts of ashes, and in
those of Tunguragua, Ecuador, one in
los, 200. This is not much, but as the
theory is now pretty generally adopted
that the silver we find in lodes rose in
sublimated vapor and condensed upon
the wall rock, we may conclude that
solfataric action originally brought it
from the lowest depths.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

Grew Over 100 Feet in Nineteen Years
Monday morning the tall blue gum
tree standing at the northeast corner of
German Senters house was cut down.
A careful measurement of the tree
showed it to be about rs feet high from
the ground to the topmost branch. It
was feet in diameter and about 10 feet
in circumference at the ground We
are informed by a Portuguese that he
set the tree out nineteen years ago.
Think of It'll A tree only nineteen years
old. ll5 feet high and showing a diam
eter in proportion The residents of that
quarter watched the fall Of the monarch
with genuine regret, but its great height
made the cutting of it down a necessity,
as it was liable to break and fall on some
of the residences around. Santa Clara
Cali Journal
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

them on Christmas trees, plan which
ought to be followed out. if possible,
wherever there are children. The Christ
mas tree is of German origin, the ancient
people of that country placing green
bush over the door of each hut at the mid
winter festival When Christian mis-
sionarles went to Germany they added
various merrymakings and carols, and
adopted the custom of having Christmas
trees with them.
When trees are not used gifts are
sometimes put under plates or in pack
ages on a table or on the chairs placed
around the Christmas dinner table. But
some novel way of presenting gifts is il
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

The Model Home is the latest ven
ture in Vermont periodical literature.
1t halls from Rutland and is pub
lished by the Model Home Publish
ing Co. The initial number is well
filled and contains a portrait and
brief biography of Col. j. j. Estey.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
ESTATE OF IRA FARNUM.

STATE OF VERMONT, Westminster, SIS:
The Probate Court for said district, to all per-
sons interested in the estate of IRA FARNUM
late of Londonderry, deceased, greeting
You are hereby notified that this court will
decide upon the account of J. W. Melendy
trustee under the will Of said deeeas6d, OF the
estate bequeathed thereby to Electa Farnuih, at
the session thereof to be held at the Probate
Office in Bellows Falls on the Sd day of Jan.
A. d. 1891 when and where you may be heard
in the premises, If you see cause.
CHAs. B, EDDY, Register.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

b. II. Allbee, late of the Spring
field Republican, has taken position
on the Bellows Falls Times staff.
Mr.. Allbee is worker in the literary
field, and doubtless the Times will be
the gamer in securing his service.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

Prof. Barrett of st. Lawrence
county, N. Y, speaking of pulmona-
ry diseases, says: not one death oc-
ours now where twenty died before
Downs Elixir was known. Over
fifty years of constant success places
Downs Elixir at the head of the
long list of cough remedies.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

Demorests Family Magazine for
January lies upon our table and is a
charming number. Full from begin
ing to end of finely illustrated and
interesting articles appropriate to the
season. Subscriptions received at
this office in connection with the SIF-
TER, at Sl.60, or $500 for both.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
THU
Londonderry Sitter,
So. Londonderry, Vermont.
THE
Sitter John. Editor.

The majority of our State exchan-
yes are still drawing the late legisla-
ture over the coals-poor devils, they
have been roasted alive long enough,
Let them alone, brethren.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18
FUN FOR CHRISTMAS.
ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS HAS PRE-
PARED A TAKING PROGRAMME.

Points offered Readers of This Paper for
the Getting Up OF Very Pretty and
Interesting Holiday Entertainment.
Pictures showing A appropriate Costumes.
In search for fresh kinds of Christ.
mas enjoyment very little can be found
which is an Improvement on the good
old customs inaugurated years and years
ago, and have come down in modified
form to be observed first in England and
then in America. As it is impossible
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-12-18

The best five cent cigar sold in this state
is branded in plain letters on each cigar.
1.-The Avenue
Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1890-03-01

Charley Lincoln, an old timer in
Carson, and for Gfteen years en-
ployed by the V. & I. Railroad Co.
in the carpenter shop, died yester-
day in San Francisco. He will be
buried in Sacramento by the Odd
Fellows. He had no relatives on
this Coast. He was greatly re-
spected, and left a large circle Of
friends.
Dir. F. L. Tickner is confined at
his home in Carson, with q ssrained
ankle. John Murphy will cover the
road between Wabuska and Candsl-
aria, until Mr.. Tickner RECEIVERS.
Live stock in stables at Wells
New. froze to death last night. The
thermometer was 40 degrees below
zere this morning at 6 o'clock, and
was A below last evening and still
sinking.
Members of the Grand Jury are
requested to meet at the Court
House on Tuesday the 4th day o.
March, at 10 o'clock An.
A. HELM, Foreman.
WANTED-A furnished house oil
not less than Eve rooms. Fer
further particulars, apply at this
Office. NIL
Mr.. J. s. Gregory and Harry
Pfaff arrived yesterday. Chavalisr
and Co. are we'll represented.
George Tufy and his daughter
Mrs. PARROT, will not leave for st
Helena until next week.
Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1890-03-01

Language is hardly strong enough
to express my admiration of the
merits of ChamberlaIn's Cough
Remedy. 1t is the best remedy for
Group and whooping cough | have
ever used. During the past eigh-
teen years have tried nearly all
the prominent cough medicines on
the market but say, and with
pleasure too, that Chamberlain
Cough Remedy Is the best of all.
THOMAS RHODES, Bakersfield, Cali
fornia, For sale by G. G. Thaxter.
SCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENTION.
"Johonont's Stories of Heroic
Deeds" is a new text hook inst re-
ceived at Cagwin & Noteware's in
quantity to supply all pupils who
may DO instructed by their teachers
to purchase 1t.
Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1890-03-01
IN THE
DISTRICT COURT
OF THE
STATE OF NEVADA.
IN AND FOR TIE
County of Ormsby.

In the Matter of A. S. Bryant Notice from
an court
Pursuant to an order of the Honorable
T. II. Wells, Judge of the said District
Court, notice is hereby given to oil the
creditors of the said Insolvent, A. 5. Bry-
ant to be and appear before the Honorable
Judge Rising, Judge ofsaid Court, in open
Court, at the Court room, of said Court in
Carson City, Ormsby County, Nevada, on
the 3lst day of March, 1870 at 10 O'Clock a.
m. of that day then and there to show
cause. il any they can, why the prayer of
said insolvent should not be granted and
an assignment of his estate be made and
he be discharged from his debts and liza
bilities in pursuance of the Statute, in
such case made and provided, and in the
meantime all proceedings against said In
solvent be stayed.
witness my hand and the
fsEAL) seal of said Court this 18th
day of Feb, A. D., 1890.
wN HY DoASE, Clerk. I'd