davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19
Copyright, 1891.

friend turned out into the storm in this
heartleSs manner, so l followed him out
toward his cart and whispered;
Uncle Fedia, the barn at the grist-mill is
open, you know. at the other end of the
pond; you'll find shelter there"
Thank you, little one" he replied, "but
l think I shall be able to reach town before
''But, Uncle Feda," l urged, Suppose
the storm should overtake you before you
get there"
A strange look OF des pair came into the
pedder's face as he made grimace OF III
difference.
Wei, what harm. little one?" said he,
sadly. who cares for Uncle Fedia? He
doesn't fill the smallest corner in Gods
world, and if he shonld perish in the storm
no one would miss him"
Never had the old peddler used such lam
guage TO NE. 1t touched me 10 the very
heart and l had great difficulty in keeping
the tears back as | made my way into the
house. Now more than ever was L con-
WINGED that Uncle Fedia did not deserve the
bad name people had given him.
Imagine then what a blow was dealt my
conhdlng nature when early the next morn
ing my father entered my room eXcltedly
AMI Informed me Of the heavy misfortune
which had come upon the owner of neigh
boring estate
Thank heaven, my son." he cried, "that
| didn't permit You to swerve me from my
own judgment. Well, well. what have you
10 say of your prOtege nOw?"
He then proceeded to relate how the in
cendiary'S torch had in the night been APP
piled t. the residence of an intimate friend
of our fanlIly-a nobeman, known far and
near as harsh taskmaster and a man who
lived on bad terms with the peasantry. My
father hadn't the slightest doubt that it was
the act of the wretch whom he had turned
away from his door, and sure enough Uncle
Fedia was arrested the next day in the for
est of Dombrovna. not far distant from the
scene of the cries. An examination fol-
lowed. but in spite of the most vigorous eff
forts the crowns attorneys failed TO make
a case cut against my old friend. My heart
bounded with joy at the news, but l was
careful not to eXult over my fathers mOrti-
hcatinn at what he called a shameful fail
ure Of justice" The result of the prelmi-
nary investigation was the arrest Of a wO-
man named Akoulina, servant in the house
mold of our unfortunate neighbor. She had
been discharged on the eve of the con-
tiagration, after a scene of great Vio-
lence, during which her mistress, an
geTed by her iasolence, had struck
her a blow on tue Ease. She had not
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

people Uncle Fedia had not single
friend. But this made no difference
To nie. ! liked him, and he was part and
parcel of the joys OF my childhood. was
sure to hear the sound Of his horses bells
tinklng il the distance on the morning of
every fete day. My little heart bounded as
he entered the vestibHle, clad in his rude
sheepskin. and bringing with him that
strange odor, which I've since learned be-
longs TO wretchedness and misery Then
v it'll what eager eyes would l watch the
opening of Uncle Eedia's pack, with its
contained and with what skill did the ped
der spread them out before the c0yetouS
eyes Of the maids of our household. The
lower compartment was the one which in
terested me most. for in it were stored the
playthings, TOYS, penkniyeS and the like.
1t often happened that my pocket money
would be Iowa fact which Uncle Fedia
was able to divine by a single glance at my
face. Then, with a kind look in his eyes,
which he was careful to conceal from the
others. he fastened to give NE credit for
any little trinket | chose to select from his
stock.
But my father didn't like the man. and,
when present, never failed to make sign
to our old major-dOmo, which meant: Hurry
him cut as soon rs he finishes his business,
and watch him till he is gonel
As watched the old man lifting his heavy
bundles into his cart, while sturdy peasants
stood idls by, the blood would rush into my
cheeks, and l would break out into violent
condemnation of the treatment put upon my
old friend, but DO one would ever do me the
favor 10 attack him openly. One must have
an antagonist to make contention possible.
Nothing was left me but silence. l could
not defend man against whom every hand
was lifted.
The last time Uncle Feda came to our
house was rather late in the afternoon one
Sunday in mid-lent. There had been fur
Ties of snow several times during the day,
and it was plain to be seen that the clouds
were gathering for settled storm. When
the old man was ready to go he glanced
solicitously at the leaden sky, and asked me
almost in whisper if he might sleep in the
barn and put his horse under the shed
My mothers quick ear heard the ped
dIers request, and she turned to my father
with n startled look in her eyes. He, how
ever, did not deign TO give the request
moments consideration bat uttered stern
"NoW and walked away.
But was determined not to see my old
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19
CHAPTER l.

I'm going to tell this storysju just as if were
still lad on my fathers estate, near the
village Michalowka, on the Dniester, under
the very shadow of the great forest of Dom
brovna. l was only 10 years old, but large
for my age, wild and wilslul, and prone to
strange attachments. and when once inter
ested none could be more tender and stead
fast than /. But no matter how misplaced
my affection might be. TO oppose it only
meant to strengthen it, so, as a rule, my
parents usually contented themselves with
little good-natured ridicule at my expense.
One of my chums, aud one to whom L was
particularly attached, and he to me as well,
was an old peddler whom everybody called
Uncle Fedia. Who he was, where he came
from, whose estate he belonged to, whether
he had any family, or had ever followed
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19
Some clever Conundrums.

Why is a crow like a lawyer? He likes
to have his caws heard.
What are the many wrinkles in mer-
chants forehead? Trade marks.
What is the proper length of ladies' Grim
dimes? A little above two feet.
Do you know the soldiers definition to
kiss? A report at headquarters.
Which travels fastest heat or cold? Heat;
because you can easily catch cold.
Why is dead hen better than live one
She will lay wherever you put her.
Why was Blackstone like an Irish yege
tablep Because he was a commentator
Why don't they charge policemen on the
horse-cars? Because they can't get nickel
out of a copper.
what's the difference between n mouse
and young ladya One wishes to harm the
cheese, the other to charm the he's.
What's the difference between homicide
and pig stiekinge One ID assault with intent
to kill. the other kill with intent TO salt.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

was abandoned. The name OF Fedia was SO
common, and the criminal records were so
defective, that no trace of the innocent man
could be found.
When Akoulina learned of the failure of
of Uncle Fedia, she carried a basket of eggs
to the village pfiest and begged that mass
might be said for the repose Of the ped
dler's soul My father and / were deeply
touched BIZ this action of the widow, and in
company with many of our friends and
upon the spectacle of the old peddier hunted
from the village by street urchins, followed
Akoulina and her children to the sacred
edifice.
The story for Sunday, April 26th, will
be ..Anna Canosa; A Tale of the Mafia,"
by Mrs. NJ. Il. Braddon.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

cocks tail. so incrusted with all kinds
OF Jewels that Tavernier considered SOP,
100000 to be a modest estimate OF It's
value. The private rooms of the palace
have also been preserved, and are marvel
of richness, their ceilings consisting OF
marble inlaid with precious stones and the
partitions between the rooms being screens
of marble and alabaster lace work.
But the imperial palace is not the only
wonder of Delhi An the Moslem world OF
India looks upon the Jumna Mnsjid as the
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

significant as ratification, it made the
great Emperor secure In the midst of a
turbulent capital, and more than once, by
its strength, prevented outbreaks, by show
ing at the outset their futility.
The splendor of the scene when the En-
perorS held here their court was almost
fabulous. Several hundred years ago Ia
vernier. a French jeweler visiting the East
partly on business and partly out of curios-
ity, made a stay of some length at Delhi,
and in a pleasant, chatty way, and with an
artlessness which renders his account all
the more probable, told what he saw. On
state occasions the outer walls of the citadel
were hidden by the silk draperies of gaudy
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

The throne-room, however, is still preserved,
and from it an idea may be gained of the
palace in its perfection. Exteriorly it is a
kiosk of white alabaster, but the interior is
marvel Of richness. Tavernler describes
the ceiling as tissue of gold and silver, in
terspersed with precious stones. The gold
and silver have disappeared, but the mosaics
remain, and the sun lights up the bits OF
agate aud topaz, of carnelian and Of gar
donyx, until the whole is in blaze. Here
was the peacock throne. large chair.
whose back spread In the form of psa-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

pear black marble blocks or which are in
laid in precious stones sentences and max
inns from the Koran. 1t is a triumph Of
Mohammedan sacred architecture.
not allowed to enter the precincts of this
sacred building, but since that event its
courts have been open to them, and priest,
for consideration, shows visitors over
every part of the building, and even dis
plays, with much apparent show of rever-
ence. the holy relics which are here col
lected. The most sacred OF these objects is a
hair, stiff and red, from the beard of Mo-
manned: while next in sanctity comes his
sandals, fragments of his clothing and one
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

lutions. Standing with his back to this, the
observer faces the facade of the mosque.
Above rises central dome; two smaller
structures of the same kind are on the
wings, and mlnaret at each END OF the
White marble forms the basis. and those
who remember the mosque pictures painted
by Verestchagin will gain some idea of the
richness of effect produced by marble
carved into thousand delicate forms of
beauty. The mosque. however, does not
depend on the richness of its tracery for its
architectural effect, for wealth of eolored
stone is employed here and there in the
walls. Both exteriorly and inteTiorly ap-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19
TIE COUNTRY MAIL LEAVING DELHI

trees grew here and there, while fountains
fed by aqueducts which brought the waters
of distant stream to the doors of the Shah,
at once cooled the air and delighted the eye.
On every side were marble palaces, whose
walls were decorated with gold and precious
stones, and the whole scene was like pict-
ure from fairyland. Most of the palace has
perished its splendor is thing of the
past, for the English artillery spared no
part of the city when the palace was made
q citadel by the mutinous Sepoys. and much
Of the space once occupied by the gorgeous
buildings which Tayerner describes
are now filled with barracks for the
English regiments quartered in the city.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

colors with which they were hung Within
the courts of the palaces crowds of
gayly dressed attendants passed to and fro;
caparisoned elephants awaited the coming
of their riders; horses decked out with
plumes and embroidered saddle-cloths bore
to and fro riders whose splendor eclipsed
that of their steeds; regiments of native
troops attired in rich uniforms stood IN
order, while banners, gold-cOvered UNI
brelas and parasols, and the gllttering
trappiugs and arms. and the brilliant hues
in which the Or1entals delighted, rendered
the scene one of gaudy magnificence.
The courts which abonuded in the citadel
were marble paved, and groves of orange
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

of bis weapons. There was formerly val
liable library, but during the two plumber
ings to which the city was subjected, first
by the Sepoys, then by the English, the
library disappeared. Several of the most
precious manuscripts, however, were pre-
served, and by the Jealous care of the priests
were hidden away in secure places. After
the restoration of peace these we're again
restored to their accustomed boxes. and
among them is a copy of the Koran made by
one of the first Caliphs.
The Jumna Musjid is but one of hun
bred mosques and temples which render
Delhi as holy to the Hindoo as to the Mus
sulman, for Delhi is almost as much a
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

shrine as Benares or Medina. The neighbor-
hood is as interesting as the city. for there
are ruins in every direction. just outside the
gates are the remains Of the metropolis built
by Feroze, most enlightened Prince, and
escaped, the citadel, a mass of domes
and arches, surmounted by singular
needle-like pillar, which, when placed in
position, was covered with gold from top to
bottom Tameriane stripped 1t OF its
precious covering. but otherwise left II in
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

the wonders of the world. 1t is built on
vast terrace. assembled by three great flights
of stairs. An arched gateway, exceeding
100 feet in height, fianked by towers and
minarets on each side. opens into a court
provided in the center with a fountain and
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19

morning after the fire, and so was unable
to account for her absence. Justice sullenly
let 90 its grip upon my peddler, and, vent
ing its spite in a string of harsh words, or
dered him to quit the country.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-19
MY PEDDLER,
BY 11ELCHIoR DIE VOGUE.

THE NEWLY FAMOUS SEMsv OF The FRENCH ACADEMY
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21
WOOdfOrd.

On the old turnpike that runs from
Hartwe,lville to Bennington, near the
Clough place, so-called, is a little ancient
graveyard with a half dozen graves.
The other day it was discovered by one
who CHANGED to be strolling by that outl
of-the-way place, that the grave
Oliver Perry, who was buried there
seventy years ago last December, had
been opened, the skeleton eXhumed and
the bones strewn carelessly around,
which is the ghoulish part of the tran
saction. A party of strangers, contain
ing students from a well-known college
in the Bay State, were known to be in
that vicinity a day or two before. The
general belief is that the grave robbers
were searching for money after so
many misty decades. Mr.. Perry was
the possessor of several thousand dollars,
and no one ever knew what became of
it. He was an eccentric man, dug his
own grave, and tradition has it that his
money was in his grave. After digging
open the grave last week, a large rock
was turned over in the cellar of the old
house, and excavations made, which is
pretty good evidence that buried treas
ure was sought for. ooh, money,
money. how many crimes are commit
ted in thy name -
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21

HrlVaUe y y George, 20 r.
Private w H Muzzey, Co G.
Private H Butterfly, Co H.
Sergt U NJ Hadley, COZ.
Sergt g F Root, Co F.
Sergt w S Pine, Co F.
Corp H R Knight, Co F.
Private c F Bingham, COZ.
Lieut. Grin w Davis, Co K.
Sergt Chilson.
Private B E Stevens.
Private H F Reed.
After the presentation of the veteran
badges Capt G G Bates was requested to
step forward, and Gov. Page in a few
appropriate remarks presented to. him
for his company the trophy that they
won last Monday at the range. Follow
ing this the names of Lieut. w B Locklin
of Company NJ of Richford, Private w
B Springer of Company G of Mortified
and Private r H Whitman of Company
NJ of Richford were called, they
and they stepped forward and re-
ceived the Webb badges from the Gov
ernor.
At three came the skirmish drill and
firing, or ''sham battle" which was wit
messed by large number of interested
spectators. Coils. Estey and Kinsman
led the opposing forces.
A CONGRATULATIONS ORDER.
Gen. Greenleaf issued the following
order: "The general commanding de-
sires to congratulate the command on
the success of this encampment; excep-
tionally good weather. combined with
an improved interest on the part of every
member of the command, has resulted
in the best and most interesting encamp-
ment in the history of the Vermont Ma
tional guard, and it is believed that it
will always be treasured as one of the
pleasantest events of lifetime"
Camp was broken on Friday morning.
The visiting militia had left during
Thursday; Cushing's Battery B and Full
ler's Light Battery marched over the
mountain via Wilmington, the former
proceeding along the valley of the Deer
field and Connecticut rivers, to Rhode
Island.
By an early hour of Friday forenoon
the militia had all left town and Camp
Vermont was a thing of the past.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21

on carriages were systematized and
managed in way to elicit universal sat
isfaction. 1t was prodigious task to
see that the multitude of State guests
were placed in carriages in proper rank
and place in the great procession.
The banquet, where $500 people sat
down to dine with President Harrison,
was a grand success. In accordance with
the wishes of Gov. Page the popular
features of the banquet were fully main
tanned and the large company were
quietly and expeditiously seated. and
pleasantly served.
The music, both at the monument and
at the arch, was exceptionally fine.
All in all this event will go down in
history as creditable to the commission
and as one in which there was no break
in any of its appointments from Brig
Gen. Greenleaf, Chief Marshal, Adjt.-
Gen. Peck and others, down.
Col. L. F. Abbott, the resident mem
Der of the Governors staff, has ably
seconded all our efforts and we give him
an illustration. He needs no introduce
ton to our people.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21
CENTENNIAL TELEGRAPHIC SER
VICE.

No better telegraphic service could
have been asked for by the large corps of
newspaper correspondents in attendance
at the Centennial this week, than was
given by Electrician j. M. Motfatt of New
York and his assistants, and "the boys,
of the fraternity were not slow to eX-
press their appreciation of the facilities
afforded. General Superintendent G
A. Tinker of New York is a Vermonter,
and for that reason, as well as from a
business point of view, he was interested
in having the Western Union make a
success in meeting the demands of this
occasion. A portion of the BANNER office
was devoted to this feature of the celebra-
ton. Two sets of .quadruplex system
were put in, besides other instruments,
giving the operators control of ten trans
mission lines. The capacity of the
office was 10000 words an hour, which
rather exceeded the demand. The COM
pany were at considerable expense in To-
eating this temporary Office; 800 cells of
battery were sent here and put up at the
BANNER office branch and at the depot.
Every possible precaution was taken to
prevent any break in the lines; Sup't
n. G. Humstone of this division detailed
Assistant Superintendent G. II. Erwin
of New York to come here and look the
ground over carefully, preparatory to
the locating of the office, and the result
shows that the plans were well laid and
carried out. Aside from Electrician
Moffatt, the working force at the BAN
NER office branch consisted of H. V.
Shelley, night manager at Albany; j.
Mckenzie, w. L. Brandt, E. H. Sim
mons, l.. w. Windgate and A. P.
Kranshaar of New York and Miss
Morrison of Troy. Miss Root of the
local office at Bennington, also rendered
material assistance during the week, be-
sides handling the commercial and mis-
cellaneous dispatches. The force
handled 100000 words on this occasion.
Lineman Miller was on duty all the time
also. and on the watch for breakers"
which, however, did not show up.
1t was splendid service, and we all
knew it.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21
POwnal in 1891.

In the year 1871. Pownal had popu.
lation of 1146. In 1865 the est.
mated population of Bennington was
1000 inhabitants. There were at that
time one-half as many in Pownal. In
the controversies with New York, his.
tory mentions only one man from Pow
nal who participated publicly in those
disputes. In 1869 Benjamin Gardner
signed petition addressed to the Gov
ernor of New Hampshire. praying that
he might use his influence with New
York and Massachusetts, in settling these
unpleasant disputes. A few days after
the admission of Vermont into the
Union, Pownal held town meeting,
but nothing appears of record that any
thing was known of that event. There
was no regular postoffice nearer than
Bennington, and the Vermont Gazette
was the only newspaper taken, and COM
pared with our present facilities for
transmitting the news of the country,
events travelled very slowly, even for
| short distances. Mail couriers were
| only allowed to convey letters from one
| person to another on their routes, it
| being a miSdemeanor in anyone else, and
subjected the offenders to $40 fine. At
this town meeting one hundred years
ago, Thomas Jewett was moderator and
he was also elected first selectman.
Blackman Brownell was elected Fin
spector of leather" This office in those
days was an important office, and
leather for shoes, ETC., had to be made
at home. 1t was necessary that some
standard be followed in the manufac-
ture of this article, and this officer had
the keeping of this standard. Tanneries
in those days did mostly custom work.
Every farmer carried his cow-hides and
cllf-skins to one of these tanneries,
where it was expected that the process
of tanning would consume at least one
or more years, and the seal of the leather
inspector was their only assurance that
the leather had been given its proper
time in the watts"
In those early days, most of the in
habitants of POwnal were farmers. They
had come from Rhode Island and Con-
necticut, and were men and women who
had become accustomed to hardship and
deprivation. They were not afraid of
hard work, and very soon afterwards
for agricultural purposes Pownal took
the lead in this part of the State. The
early records Of the town were not care
fully kept. Evidently the settlers of
that day were not especially renowned
for their educational accomplishments.
The records of Stamford indicate that its
first settlers had seen more DAYS in
school than had their neighbors who
came to Pownal. One town meeting a
year was not enough for the people of
that day, as almost every year town
meeting was called in October or No
vember, following the one called in
March. After all, those old records re-
veal much that will interest the curious.
There was little political strife, and the
inhabitants had not thus outgrown the
dependence which every person felt
upon his neighbors on account of the
hardship and dangers that surrounded
our first settlers.