davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
OBITUARY.
Mrs. DIR. Pratt.


Died-At Albany. n. Y, Sunday morning
March 9th. 1892, Martha lockwood, wife Of
Frederick Pratt, aged 25 years, months ant
II days.
Until the moment of receiving the
positive intelligence of her demise did
the many friends of this estimable lady
believe that she would eventually re-
cover from the malady that had so sud-
denly and seemingly without warning
attacked her. She left home in company
with her husband and other friends,
March 18th, apparently in the full pos
session and enjoyment of the most per
feet health, to hear Patti at Albany, nd
while the same night she was taken with
symptoms resembling Ia Grippe, and was
unable to return home, it was not until
nearly a week had elapsed that her hus-
band, who remained ever faithful at her
side, became seriously alarmed at her
condition. She was attended from the
first by DR.. Boyd of Albany, and her con-
ditien continuing to become more and
more alarming, Drs. Van Dervere and
Ward of the same city, all eminent in
their profession, were called in consul
tation and saw her repeatedly. For
many days preceding her death she was
unconscious, the disease proving to be
eerebr0-SpinGl meningitis. DR.. Della
field was hastily summoned from New
York, but it was not in the powOr of
mortal man to avert what was so plainly
imminent, and Sunday morning at few
moments after two o'clock, she passed
quietly and peacefully away.
Although a member of a family, the
mortality of which has been greater than
that of any other in our community dur
ing the past ten years, yet she seemed,
so apparently rugged and perfect was
her health, to have been absolved from
the sufferings of disease which had so
fatally attended every other member OF
her family, for she was the last of the
household of the late Buel Rockwood
Mrs. Pratt while possessed of greatwealth
was quiet and transformations in her liv-
ing and giving. Always reserved and
quiet in her manner and intercourse with
her chosen associates, yet she was evel
ready at a moments notice to give largely
of her bounty to deserving charities and
many must have been her gifts to those
deserving of her favor, yet gifts UNI
known now save by the recipients. Mar
ried to DR.. Pratt in 1887, he leaving his
profession to manage her interests il
the manufacturing firm of Geo. Rock
wood & Co., seemingly possessed OF
everything requisite for a long anC
happy future, death has taken her from
the midst of her home life and left va
cancy never to be filled therein. Her
husband and little ones were ever neal
and dear to her, and all her life was
spent in the effort to make her nome {
true and happy one. And so it was.
The remains reached Bennington from
Albany Monday morning, and the inter
ment was from her residence Wednes
day afternoon, the Rev. u. Marten, Mrs
Pratt's pastor, officiating. So many
were the gifts of choice and delicate
flowers received from sorrowing friends
here and elsewhere, previous to the IN
terment, that the casket in which she
was enshrined as we'll as the very grave
itself, were mdssed and covered witt
them.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
Another Endeayor Anniversary.

The time for pleading for attendance
at Christian Endeavor rally is past.
These meetings always awaken interest
and bring together a large audience.
The reason why is plain. The pro-
grammes are interesting, and are car
ried through with life and vigOr which
entertains young and old.
The Anniversary to be held next
week, April 9th, at the Baptist church
in this village, for which the programmes
are out, will be presided over by Rev.
Charles r. Seymour, the President of
the County Union. The address of well
come will be spoken by Rev. u. Marten,
who is President of the State Union. 1t
will be remembered that the next an
annual State Convention over which Mr..
Marten will preside comes to Bennington
in the autumn. Four years ago there
was not one EndeavOT in Bennington,
now they number into the hundreds,
and the County has eighteen societies.
Our activity in this matter has attacted
the attention of the State, and the invi-
tation to hold the next convention here
was warmly received at BrattleborO.
At the Anniversary of next week the
new banner is to appear, and is to be
presented by young lady.
Opportunity and Duty and Dicipliue
are assigned to young men, for the most
part, for discussion. The racy question
box will not be omitted, and the pastors
will speak "shOrt."
But the thing which invites very
special mention is the address to be de-
lfvered in the evening by the eloquent
DIR. Phillips of Rutland. As his subject
announces, he is to speak to Older
Church members and Church adherents
quite as mnch as to the youth of the
Endeavor societies.
His theme is, "The Attitude and OPP,
portunity of the Church touching the
Christian EndeavoT movement" For the
preparing and careful arranging of this
programme the societies are largely in
debted as usual, to Rev. G. II. Peck
whose voice will be heard at the conven
ton.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
Graded Sch ooI Meeting

The annual meeting was held Tuesday
afternoon. The attendance was not UNI
usual as will be seen by the vote below.
We give the reports of the auditors and
trustees in another place, showing the
condition of the school and district. A
tax of 65 cents was voted, so much of
which as is necessary to pay the indebt-
edness to be applied to that purpose and
the balance is for running expenses. The
clerk of the Board of Trustees was pal !
S25, and the auditor S. per day for two
days work. The election of Hon. John
V. Carney moderator, was unanimous
and by reclamation. The balance of the
officers were elected by ballot Two
tickets were in the field. Before the vote
was taken Judge Darling withdrew his
name as candidate for one of the audi
tors. and Ed. l.. Bates announced that
DIR. f. S. Pratt was not candidate for
trustee in the 18th ward, formally with
drawing his name. The ballot as de-
clared, was as follows: Clerk, II. I,
Cushnan, I'd, al votes; Treasurer, Geo.
f. Graves. al; Collector. James B.
Meacham. 141; Auditors, c. H.. Mason,
"a, q. II, Dewey, 1877, Olin Scott, 80;
Trustee Ward ), L. d. Bennett, 1lS; w
D. Newton, 100; Trustee Ward I, Ell
Tiffany 12I
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
Prize Speaking.

The second annual prize contest in
speaking by the pupils in the Graded
schools, came off Friday evening, March
25th. Eight young ladies competed for
the prizes in recitation, and so well did
all render their parts that everyone of
them was named by many in the
audience for prize. Six young men
competed for the prizes in defamation.
The close attention of the audience of
six hundred people, for more than three
hours was the most expressive compll-
ment the sperkers could have received.
The Judges were Prof. Leigh r. Hunt
of Troy. n. Y, o. NJ. Barber, Esq, of
Arlington and Prof. ChGs. II. Howe of
Adams, Mass. They awarded the prizes
as follows: For recitation, first, Hattie
E. Wilcox; second, Flora E. Ball; very
honorable mention, Nellie Patchen. For
defamation. first, Lyman H. Toombs;
second, MyrOn w. Buchanan; very
honorable mention, Charles ii. Bennett
The speaking was strong showing for
what practical training in elocution will
do for young people. The music for the
entire evening was furnished by the
school orchestra. The playing of these
young students will compare favoIably
with that of any musical organization in
the town. The speaking called several
strangers to the town. Among them
were Prof. d. A. Lockwood of Granville,
n. Y, and Prof. J. E. Potter of Cam =
bridge, N. Y. Both the gentlemen
named expressed themselves as delight
ed with the ability and training of our
speakers. We think our school should
challenge the High schools of the State
to meet them in a speaking contest.
Such contests are held in other States,
why not in Vermont? 1t would lend a
wonderful impetus to speaking, and it
would be quite the thing for Bennington
to give it the start.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
Our VILLAGE Fathers.

At a special meeting held March 2Sth,
it was
Voted, That the following committee
be appointed to procure suitable rooms
and such furniture for same as in their
Judgment shall be needed for the use of
the Trustees. John V. Carney, G. c. Kim
ball and c. N. Powers.
The following committees were APP
pointed by the Chair for the ensuing
year: Finance. S. Holden, Joseph
Watson, C. G.. Kimball. Streets-John
V. Carney, G. Mowers Joseph Watson.
N. Powers. Police-H. c. Lindloff, NJ. j.
Nash, Joseph Watson. Fire Depart
G. Lindloff.
JOHN II. KELso, Clerk.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01

Here is a suggestion for those who
are trying to boom our States. Once get
desirable people to visit Vermont and
her attractions will do the rest.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14

I believe all knowing anything of our
missionary enterprise are especially in
terested-viz.. the New Yorl. Food and
Shelter and "Slum" brigades.
can say this confidently, becarse
during the past twelve months the Of
fcerS in connection with one Shelter
brigade alone have found employment
for G54 men, have provided beds for Il.
go men, besides providing meals for
nearly Il. 600 men and women.
Turning to those engaged n the very
heart OF slumdom IN this city alone our
women during the past year have Wis
tied no less than 2S.690 families; they
have entered with their War Crys and
consecrated influence 1869 saloons and
1910 places OF diSrepute. and have per-
sonally dealt with SO, 50 persons on the
streets and IN places OF squalor and vice.
These energetic and self-sacrifcing
women have sat UP and stitched 6,4.s
garments and hare received into their
patient care and constant and loving
watchfulreSS I. .SS4 babes that their over
burieDed fathers and mothers might
nave a chance OF gaining some Iyeii-
hood
But figures would leave ny readers
with the tale half told. for no words
within our reach could explain the
heroic and mercifuI efforts of these
women IN sitting up with the sick
through tl3e long hours o. the night, in
washing filthy bodies and il caring for
the weak and diving.
Nor must it - forgotten that many
hundred Of our field officers are engaged
IN similar worh throughout the country
among tne poor and low II coEuectjaa
with their eorns
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14
yer island9 III have ter take it out er

ger islandP I'll have ter take it out er
yer pay"
"Mr. Tanner" protested Cyrus, II
never even seen the feller what sold"
There there" said Tanner, don't
saw no more about it. Yer made mis-
take an that settles it; but II yer can
see any way ter git rid Of the stuff Tn
let yer keep yer place.
Then Cyrus went out into the back
store and kicked himself, and George
was saved the trouble. Moreover, Cy-
rus made a trade with a captain that
was lust sailing for the West Indies
and sold him the -four for little bet
ter than cost. The cook made some
bread off Hatteras and it sunk the
schooner with all hands, 50 that Tanner
never had any more complaint about
the flour.
Tanners store was in double
house and he owned it all, though he
occupied but half The other half was
rented to Abe Willis, who did little
puttering business, selling cofins,
canned CLANS and confectionery. BY
and by Willis died from eating the
CLAIMS and was buried in the only coffin
in the shop-for he made them TO order
and never kept any in stock except one
with a glass top, which he used as
showcase for the confectionery. After
he was gone there was nothing left but
the candy, and no place to put that in,
so his widow ate up what little there
was, in order not to waste it, and then
closed out the business. SO Tanner,
having the property on his hands,
leased it at very low rental for
ninety-nine wears to fellow from the
lower end of Pumpkin island: This
enterprising young man Immediately
opened a grocery and general store
just like Tanners and began to sell a
quarter of cent cheaper the first day.
Things looked pretty bad for Tanner,
and the worst of it was that if he hadn't
rented the shop the man from Pumpkin
Island couldn't have found any other
place in Goose Falls fit to do business in.
II would bounce any man for doing
such fool trick as that" said George;
''yes, sir; I'd bounce him if he had
wife and seven children depending on
him for support"
This naturally led him to remember
that George Blake, who was driving a
wagon for him that summer, had wife
and seven children. He called him in.
George" said he, why in blazes did
yer rent that shop to that clam-diggin'
pirate from Pumpkin Island?"
81 never done it," drawled George.
Didn't yer know" continued Tan
ner, that lantern-jawed son of a sea
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14

no MoRE'N FAIR OTHERS SID GET BLAME.
cows ghost would set up grocery
store?'
Il didn't know nothin' George be-
gan.
''No. yer didn't know nothin'," said
Tanner, land yer never will That's
what's the matter with yer"
Then he went over the whole transac-
ton, showing George why it was the
most preposterous thing that was ever
done, or even suggested outside a luna
tic asylum. And he wound up by dis
charging George for doing it.
But that didn't help him any, for
Blake, who was really a valuable man.
took service with the enemy, and cut
into Tanners trade very deep Then
Tanner discharged Cyrus Perkins for
discharging Blake. Things got into
bad way in the store Tanner dis
charged the other clerk for not taking
Cyrus place in waiting on customers.
But l did, Mr.. Tanner" said the
young man.
"Then yer must a-left yer own place
vacant" said Tanner. 'I'll bounce ye
for that"
And so It went on. The principal
difficulty with Tanner was that he per-
sisted in experimenting all the work
that was done in the store whether he
understood it or not. He ordered the
boy to build the fire in the egg shaped
coal stove in certain way; and the
final abode of the wicked would be
stone cold before night il it were
treated that way in the morning. Then
Tanner bounced the boy for letting the
fire go out. One night Deacon Hudnut
dropped into the store just as Tanner
was going out. They sat around there
for three or four hours playing old
sledCe for the money in the drawer;
and in the morning Tanner bounced the
bookkeeper (who was also clerk and
bow because his cash was IS. 30 short.
At last Tanner kept shop with the as
sistance of an old and faithful cat, and
he kicked Thomas out of the store
every night because business was bad;
but the patient beast crawled in by a
back window, and was on hand every
morning.
Tanner was sometimes asked why he
acted that way. and he always replied
I'm perfectly just man. When ! was
boy was blamed for the faults OF
others-principally them that took
arter in looks an stupidity. Now. that
I'm 4 man, it's no more'n fair that other
folks should be blamed for what DO
How'm | goin' to get square any other
way?"
1t seems TO me that this argument is
/ logically unanswerable; and. at any
rate. it shows the value of bringing up
children, by precept and example. that
they shall have trained sense OF jas
tice and personal responsibility, as Tan
ner had. Then. too, his doctrine aD-
plies 10 those who, having worked for
seven dollars a week during early man
hood, are employing Others 10 work for
them at SIX and half dollars. would
have every such person consider Tan
ner's argument, and if he : disposed to
/ give an employe the key TO the street
and tell him to 60 out and eat Snow
balls on the edge of hard winter, why.
let him do it by all means Il certainly
is one way Of getting square.
HOWARD FIELDIyG
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14
THE HORSE REPORTER.
How He Prevents n Great Deal of Cheat
ing on Race Tracks

ing on Race Tracks
Thanks to the ubiquitous race writer,
the public is kept pretty thoroughly IN
formed not only as TO the doings of the
kings and queens of the course, their
work and their performances, their out
goings and incomings, but also OF the
personal appearance and peculiaritieso OF
the men who breed, own, train and run
them. They know exactly what man
ner of hoy" rides them. and often n
great deal about those who bet on them
as we'll Much of this information is
obtained with great difficulty; for
horse owners. especially the more aris-
tocratic of them, like Fred Gebhsrd,
Pierre Lorillard, A. J. CaSsatt and John
Hunter, have an idea. derived from the
English most probably, that their
horses are their private property and
that the public has no right to ask for
information about them. The late
August Belmont. who was one of the
shining lights of the American turf,
once, in the hearing OF writer forLip-
pincott's, told man who rashly asked
him if a colt he had in a race had a
chance" 'Sir, you have no right to
ask me such a question. When you see
a horse of mine named as a starter on
a race card your only presumption
should be that | think be has chance
of winning or | would not permit him
him to go TO the post; that all has been
done that is possible TO prepare him for
his task, and that every effort will be
made to land him a winner, ANY other
inference, sir, is an insult, whether in
tended or not" Unfortunately for the
turf, all owners of horses are not as
high minded and as honorable as was
Mr. Belmont. More's the pity.
The opportunities for cheating on a
race track are so many and the rewards
are so large and immediate that II Is a
wonder that there is not more OF it
than there is. There would be but for
the sporting writer He prowls around
the stables, the saddling paddock, the
betting ring and the judges stand. He
circulates freely through the grand
stand and the clubhouse He has n
large and valuable acquaintance with
owners, trainers, rubbers. jockeys. bet
ters and bookmakers. He can tell AT a
glance whether horse looks fit or not,
and by the aid of the most powerful
fieldglasses he follows every movement
in race from start to finish Almost
as good Judge of pace as Jimmy Nc
Laughlin or Isaac Murphy, many times
he can foretell the winner. with won
derful accuracy, before half the dis
tauce has been covered. He often does
even better than this, and tips" him in
the morning issue Of his paper. A
glance suffices 10 tell him if horse has
been 'stiffcned." and clever indeed
must that jockey be who can pull or
misride a horse without his eager eye
detecting him.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14

confidence of slumdon, that rich mems
charity may reach the people who de-
serve it with the waste Of less than one
per cent.
For example, ten dollars given to an
impOstor or an inebriate, who will inn
mediately spend it in drink, or the same
amount spent on new clothing for the
children of parents who will, within
half an hour, have pawned 1t, does
more harm in the increase of vice and
pauperism than would altogether with
holding the amount.
Thousands of dollars are given an
nually in this and other of our large
centers which are productive of results
that amount to little more than baga-
telle so far as efficient benefits are con-
cerned, though often productive of
irremediable harm, and this because
the good such money would have
effected falls short of reaching those in
real poverty and needing help. The
donors Of such large gifts would be
wonderfully enlightened if they would
take the trouble of following up the.
gold and silver they have sent before
them, and finding out how far its in
fiuence had penetrated.
Strange that so many should be per-
fectly satisfied with having given the
money without troubling themselves as
to it's direct purpose or usefulness! 1t
is as though some laid aside certain
percentage and said: This will give
away to aPpease my conscience. The
giving is just as praiseworthy to me,
the glory just as great, so long as 1
give, whether it be carelessly flung
from generous hand or carefully given
from generous heart" Let US then
be careful to what end we give our
money.
1t is not for me to say that $3.50 would
be best spent in the Salvation Army.
That would appear as though / were
undertaking other institutions, and this
is furthest from my intention; but
may, without fear of egotism, state that
there is no organization known to me,
after travelling round the world, that so
actually and Systematically makes as
much of the funds given to it as does
the Salvation Army. Particularly Is
this so in connection with two branches
of work which come most closely into
touch with the greatest need, III which,
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14

frequent and costly. For instance, he
bought lot of -four on the representa-
sion of travelling salesman and it
Surned out to be the worst -four that
had ever been seen in Goose Falls.
Bread made of it couldn't be raised
with derrick. My sour milk biscuit
last night was hard enough to scratch
glass said old Miss Nutter, AN me
that can make biscuits thatu melt IN
yer mouth"
What did George W. Tanner do? Did
he chew his whiskers and kick himself
for buying that -four? Did he, on the
con trary, try to deceive himself into the
belief that no mistake had been made?
Not by jugful He called Cyrus j.
Perkins, his head clerk.
''Cyrus." said he, ''ye made thun-
derin' fool O. yerself when yer bought
that -four"
Mr.. Tanner" said Cyrus, Il never
knew"
It'll cost me many dollar" contin-
ned George, land if you'd had half
wit you'd seen it from the first. Why
didn't ye try some of it? Why didnt
yer order barrel or two?"
Mr.. Tanner" said Cyrus, 81 never
had nothin' ter do"
What possessed yer 70 SO an fl the
store with that stuff that ain't no more
at ter make bread with than SO much
klue clay OF er the north shore er Mig
The Wichita daily eagle., 1892-12-14

A TWILIGHT HOUR.
It Was Only the Stiffness OF the Eventide
Be Broke.

Re Broke.
It was evening.
Softly came the summer zephyr from
the shadows sleeping in the valleys,
cooling as the breath from scented
fans, yet with no touch of chill.
The lowing herds, now silent on the
lea, lay resting in the fragrant fields of
gently waving grass, where daisies
nodded kisses to the red-lipped clover.
The dusly air, low lying on the
shaded hills, rose purpling to the sky
about their tops, and here and there far
off in the Silly distance, twinkled one
or two lone stars, the first to come, and
they stood there blushing near the dark
blue curtains draped above the thres-
hold of the night, uncertain yet if they
should enter now or wait until the gay
and glittering throng in which they
moved had come to bear them company.
The song of birds was stilled in
every bush and tree, and every war
bling throat was tucked away beneath
tired wing.
The hum Of insects, resonant all day,
had hushed itself amid the quiet leaves,
and every tluttering tInsei wing was
restless till the morn.
The lazy stream had seemed TO stop
and now no longer babbled to the
flowers which grew upon its pretty
banks.
Above, below, beyond, the soft de-
licious stiffness of the bedtime of day
pervaded the air and touched the earth
and foated to the sky.
They sat there in the cleaning, he
and she, and watched the silent shad-
ows creep slowly out from those dim
hiding spots in which no man can find
them in the day.
Suddenly they heard crash as if
some one had struck heavy timber
with an ak and shivered it.
whats that man breaking?" he in
quired with a start.
THE stiffness of twilight hour" she
murmured softly, and the man passed
them on his way to the woodshed with
2 stick of kindIing on his shoulder
Detroit Free Press.