davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
The Defiant Tomato.

at has happened to me several
times in my Hfe," says Thomas e.
Watson in Bethany, ito be arrested,
convicted and sentenced to dine with
other well dressed convicts, male and
female, at a swell dinner-one Of those
formal functions where solemn fun
kies bring you one thing only to eat at
time. When you have pecked awhile
at that one thing, whatever 1t may be,
solemn funkies take it away and bring
you another plate and some other thing
to peck at awhile.
Sometimes it happens that this one
thing Is a big, defiant looking tomato.
To sit In ones chair, gazing at the
last course which the funky has just
put on; to realize that this entire
course consists Of solitary tomato,
looking fercely red and raw; to glance
along the table and to realize that all
the convicts, male and female, have
one tomato apiece and are trying to
look cheerfuIIy at the convict boss
the host-has overwhelmed me every
time it got the chance. The scene Is
heartrending."
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Importing Sheep from England.

When L. B. Harris, cashier of the
Lvndonville National Bank, returned
from Europe about a month ago he
brought back with him a fine flock of
Shropshire sheep. Of the 81 head Mr..
Harris kept Il for his own farm and sold
nine to John L. Bacon of White River
Junction, our state treasurer, and IL to
Frank 81. Brooks OF St. Johnsbury. The
sheep were bought from four focks in the
neighborhood of Shrewsbury in the
county of Shropshire by one of the best
judges Of sheep in England and were re-
Gently released from quarantine and de-
liyered to their owners in excellent con-
dition. They came over in the big White
Star freighter Victorian and Mr.. Harris,
who was on the same boat, said the
steamer was in one of the severest storms
ever known by old seamen. The waves
were so high that for 20 hours it was i'm
possible for sailor to get to the crows
nest. The passengers and horses and
cattle were terribly frightened by the
storm, but the sheep contentedly chewed
their cud throughout all the violent pitch
ing and rolling of the big ship. Mr..
Harris was the first to introduce the
Shropshire sheep into this section of the
country. and judges of sheep who saw
the flock have pronounced it the best i'm
ported stock they ever saw.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28

In st. Petersburg nearly everybody
lives in a fiat, and in the Easements of
these fiat buildings are shops. If you
live at the top Of a fiat building you
go down an endless stone staircase
elevators are as yet almost unknown
out of the double doors into the street,
and at your feet in the basement be-
hold a shop. Say you enter it, in nine
cases out of ten you will find yourself
In provision shop, probably a bakers
"a German bakers. But, although
there are many German bakers shops,
there are also dozens Of itinerant Rus
sian bread sellers, who carry about on
their heads in baskets and trays their
wares-large fat cakes, the size of
pudding plate, that often form a days
sustenance for the moujik, costing 10
kopecks about cents and requiring
ten sets Of teeth to get through them.
These men do brisk trade. Before
the peasant makes his dinner off the
frozen cake you may see him slowing
1t away in the breast Of his kaftan,
where 1t undergoes the process of a
gentle thaw.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
An Introduction to Napoleon.

In December, 1912, when Napoleon,
after his disastrous Russian expedition,
made his secret and hurried journey
from Smorgoni to Paris, the following
incident occurred: At Gragom the snow
lay too thick for the emperor's carriage
to proceed, and Count Wonsowicz was
Informed by the postmaster that
Pole, NJ. Wibeski, living near, had
lately ordered a most convenient trav-
cling carriage mounted on runners for
his newly married daughter.
At first the Pole refused the most
pressing offers for its purchase, but
when he learned that the carriage was
required for the emperor's use he not
only yielded, but asked as its price
that he might be presented to the en-
peror. Napoleon complied; but, unwill-
ing to accept the carriage as a gift, he
gave orders that 1000 ducats $4,000
should be handed to the owner.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
East st. JohnSbury.

Miss Carrie Griswold of Montpelier
and Miss Grace from ST. Adams are
spending the holidays with their parents
in this village.
Mr.. and Mrs. 6. w. Dodge went to
Lunenburg, Saturday, to visit Mrs. A. c..
Powers, who is critically ill.
Misses Abbie and Annie Smith of
Morristown, N. J., are spending a few
days with their parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Ira 6. Smith.
Edith Rudd. who is employed as stem
ographer for a firm in Morrisville, is at
homs for visit.
There was Christmas tree and exer-
cises by the children at the church Satur-
day evening. The Rotations and songs
by the little ones were very good and
much enjoyed by those present. Four
little girls, Dora and Eliza Shasteny ,Freda
Russell and Edna Wood, sang a good
night song in night gowns and caps,
which was heartily encored by the
audience. All were made happy by gifts
and the evening was very enjoyable to
old and young.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
The Distance to the Sun.

If the water in the Atlantic ocean
were made to I'LL a circular pipe reach
ing from the earth to the sun, dis
lance Of 100000 miles, the diameter
of the pipe would be 1887 yards, or,
rather, over a mile, while a pipe Of
similar length to contain the Pacific
would be over one and three-quarter
miles across. Yet the distance to the
sun is SO great that If a child were
born with an arm long enough to reach
to the sun it would not live long
enough to know that it had touched it,
for sensation passes along our nerves
at the rate Of 100 feet second, and to
travel from the sun to the earth at
that rate would take one and half
centuries, and such an abnormal In
FAINT is an unlikely centenarian.-
Longman's Magazine.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
A visit From Dean swift.

The Irish reformer, Father Mathew,
used to tell of a remarkable visit made
to his grandfather by Dean Swift. Mr..
Mathew lived near Dublin and invited
the eccentric dean to dine and spend
the night at his house. A large party
of the neighboring gentry were hidden
to meet him.
The dean drove up to the house and,
summoning the butler, asked the names
Of the guests.
'Tell your MASTER" he shouted, II
will meet no such people," and drove
away in fury. Before he reached the
lodge gates, however, he changed his
mind, returned, alighted and demand
ed to be shown to his room.
When his host came to him Swift
said, II am willing to accept your hos
pitality, but I will not meet your
guests"
He was told that his meals should
be served in his room, as If he were
at home. He remained thus isolated
for two days, then came down in high
good humor, Joined the party and ex-
tended his visit for four months.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
GROTON.

David Hall of this place and William
Davidson OF South Ryegate started last
Wednesday on a trip to Aberdeen. Scot
land, where they will spend a couple of
months. That city is Mr.. Halls old
home and he will visit his mother and
other relatives. A number of Mr. Halls
friends called on him Saturday evening
at the home of John D. Hall, his brother,
where a very enjoyable evening was
passed. AS token of their esteem, the
stone cutters left with Mr.. Hall a gold
chain and the Knights of Pythias a
travelling bag. c. L. Booth made a
happy presentation speech and Mr.. Hall
feelingly responded. A good time fol-
lowed, supper was served and dancing
INDUCED in during the evening. Mrs.
Davidson accompanied her husband as
far as Quincy, Mass, where she will
remain during his absence.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
University of Vermont Notes.

The registrati ton of the medical depart
ment has closed with total of about
200 names.
The sophomore class has appointed a
committee of FIVE to arrange for the
sophomore hop in January-Frank H.
Holcomb (chairman), Keesville, N. Y,
Harry W. Steel, Lyndonville, Miss Cert,
rude E. Thompson, N. Brook6eld. Mass
William F. Nye, Burlington, and John J..
Murphy, OF Burlington.
The Delta Delta Delta Sorority gave a
very charming reception and dance Tues
day evening at Masonic Temple. The
hall was very tastefully decorated in the
sorority colors, silver, gold and blue, to-
gether with profusion of potted plants.
The reception committee consisted OF
Prof. and Mrs. Stetson, Mrs. DR.. Forbes,
Burlington, class of 1891. and Miss
Ethel Chapman, Sutton, class of 1905.
c. G. Pringle has returned to the Uni
versity with 1000 specimens of plants
in about 600 species which he collected in
the past eight months in Mexico.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Church Notes.

CI1urcn NOTES.
First Church of Christ. Scientist, Odd
Fellows block. Sunday morning SER
vice at 1915. Subject, Life. -
Children's Sunday school at 1O.45.
Wednesday evening meeting at $50.
The reading room is open every day
except Monday, from 2 to 5.
The prayer meeting at Grace Method
list church tonight will be preparatory
one for the communion service next Sum-
day, and all who have notified the pas
tor of their intention to unite with the
church at that time, with others who
desire to do so, are asked to be present.
Letters connected with the work OF Evan
gelist Gale will be read. Plans for union
services during the week of prayer will
be discussed.
Next Sunday evening Rev. J. M. Frost
plans to speak upon why should / be
concerned about the salvation of my
Soul?" and at eight O'Clock a fifteen
minute after service will be held for those
desiring to begin the new year with a
new life.
The Wheelock Association of Free Bap-
fist churches will meet with the Free
Baptist church here January 1919.
Rev. A. Francis Walch will preach a
New Years sermon at the Church of the
Messiah Sunday morning. In the even
ing the topic will be. "a resolution good
to make"
St. Andrews church, Circumcision,
January 1. At 80 a. M, Holy Com
munion; sermon, 1.-THE Law and Life of
Baptism; !" II m, Sunday school and
Bible class; 5 p. m, vespers; sermon.
AS this Sunday is an octave OF Christ
mas, the Christmas music will in part be
repeated. December %, Holy Innocents'
Day. Evening Prayer at 7.3O, address,
"Child Likeness, Heavenly Greatness. .
Friday, January 6. Epiphany. Holy
Communion, 10 a. M, evening service at
100, instead of on Wednesday evening
of that week.
The North and South churches will
unite in the service preparatory to the
communion at the North Church en-
Wednesday evening. DR.. Barnes will
preach. On Sunday evening the North
and South churches will unite at a
service in the South Church. Mr.. Chap
man will preach. By special request
portions of the Christmas music will be
repeated at the morning service of the
North church next Sunday.
The second outing of the choir boys of
St. Andrews church will be in the form
OF tramp to Passumpsic, Saturday.
The pastor of the Free Baptist church
will preach Sunday morning, and ad-
minister the communion a the close of
the sermon. Gospel meeting in the even
ing with a general praise service, and
address upon whence" and width her"
The annual business meeting of the
church will occur at the close of the
covenant meeting this evening.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28

Since more boys than girls are born
In the countries of western Europe, the
proportion being 1,040 to 1000 boys to
every 1000 girls, how can we account
for the fact that there are more women
than men in these countries? To this
question NJ. de Varigny, French sci
enlist, replies at length in a leading
Paris paper. "Since there are more
women, although more men are born"
he says. 1--WE must conclude that more
men die than women because they are
not as healthy. There is no other So
luton, and, moreover, all the obtafna-
BILE facts point in the same direction.
More boys are born than girls, yet
there are almost always more girls
alive than boys. Many persons think
thai the principal reason why more
men die than women Is because they
lead Incorporate lives; but, though
there may be some truth in this, it can
not be the sole solution Of the prob
lem, as the mortality among males Is
greatest during their early years, be-
fore they know what vice or intemper
ance means"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Blue Beard.

: Blue Beard was real man, and
the so called fairy story is true in all
its essential details. Blue Beard was
Baron GILES de Rails, an enormously
rich Breton nobleman, who fought with
distinction under the banner Of Jeanne
dare and was marshal Of France at
the age of twenty-five. After the war
he plunged into the widest dissipation.
His great fortune was largely increas-
ed by the dover Of his first wife, Cath
crime de Thouars. His favorite diver
sion was numbering babies and dab
bling in their blood. The church caus-
ed his arrest and trial. He was con-
demned and was hanged at Nantes, but
was converted in prison, and his last
words were to implore the forgiveness
Of those whose families he had deci-
mated by murder.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Yeast of the Ancfents.

The yeast employed by the ancients
in making bread was probably of the
same kind as the Israelites Of the days
of the great Pharaoh the oppressor
used, calling it "leaven." This was
what is known nowadays as a wild
yeast, it's germs or spores being af1oat
anywhere in the air. A bit Of dough
was preserved out Of each batch pre-
pared for the ovens, and when this
was added to the next dough the yeast
contained in it quickly spread through
the whole, only a little being required
to 'leaven the whole lump"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
A Mathematical Puzzle.

Here is a strange little puzzle, which
has the same answer, Independent Of
the fact that no two people solving the
puzzle were born the same year and
consequently use the same figures.
Write down the figures of the year you
were born and from this take away
four. Add your age at next birth
day If it comes before January, other
wise your age at your last birthday.
Multiply the result by 1000 and from
this deduct 695, 423. Substitute for the
figures corresponding letters Of the al
phabet, as A for 1, B for 2, etc. The
result Is Chinese table delicacy
which is used in this country for cleo
pioneering purposes. Strike out the
first letter and transpose those that re-
main to form a word.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Undressing Made Easy.

A gentleman who near the close of
the eighteenth century accompanied
Baron Won Swieten on visit to the
old Duke Of Sachsen-Hildburgha
relates the following In his memoirs
''The duke regularly goes to bed ev-
cry night at o'clock. When leaving
the sitting room to proceed to his
rather distant sleeping apartment he
has a number Of his Wallets posted all
along the line Of route. One Of them
takes possession Of his wig, the Sec
ond divests him Of his coat, and so
on, until by the time he has reached
the goal he is ready to slip into bed
without more ado"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
ST. JonNsBuRY CENTER.

Miss Lizzie Beane. who spent Christ
mas at home, returned to her work at
Barton, Monday.
Lester Berry from Dartmouth is spend
ing his vacation at home.
MIR. Brooks has gone to AlIston, Mass. 1,
to spend the remainder OF the winter
with bis daughter, Mrs Fred Winch.
Mrs. Nelson Roberts is quite feeble at
present.
The following officers were elected in
the Sunday school at the Methodist
church, Sunday; Supt., Mrs. Herbert
sect. ard treas. Mrs. M. R. Dickerson.
At the Congregational church they were
as follows: Supt., Mrs. P. B. Fisk !;
asst. supt.. Mrs. A. N. Drew; Sec, Miss
Gertrude Franklin; treas. Miss Ella Nc
laugh n organist, Miss Lucy Hutchin-
son asst. organist, Miss Nina. Campbell !;
librarian, Miss Ida Learned.
The Christmas exercises Saturday
evening were well attended and enjoyed
by all. The first part of the evening was
given to the children and later cantata
was given by the older ones. Mr.. Camp
OCD gave d GOIuCC SOlO WulCu WAS dH"
preciated by all. Miss Mclaughlin
wishes to thank all who so kindly assist
ed her in helping to make the occasion a
pleasant and successful one.
Mrs. Hattie Hulburt of South Ryegate
is visiting her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
James Learned.
Rev. Mr.. Chase of Barton Landing has
been visiting at Rev. Mr.. Worthen's.
The Christmas service Sunday
evening at the Methodist church was
enjoyed by all.
Miss Mabel Drew and her aunt and
children from Springfield, Mass, are Wis
itidg at Mrs. A. N. Drew's.
The Ladies Aid of the Universa1ist
church will meet with Mrs. Jane Hill.
There will be a supper and sociol at
the Universalist church Monday ev ening,
Jan. 2. Admission ten cents.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Passumpsic Congregational Club.

The annual meeting OF the Passumpsic
Congregational Club was held with the
Congregational church at Barton Tues
day Dec. 20 in celebration of Forefathers'
Day. A short post-prandial program
followed the dinner, provided by the
ladies of the Congregational society, and
remarks were made by Rev. 81. J. Kilbourn
of Bradford, Col. c. w. Scarf of Burling-
ton, Rev. DIR. S. G.Barnes of St. Johnsbury,
and Rev. w. A. Warner of Barton.
The address of welcome at the business
session was made by Rev.W "A Warner. A
brief address was made by the retiring
president, Mr.. Kilbourn, and the newly
elected president, Mr.. Baldwin. Gov. c.
]. Bell was guest of the club and made
a half-hour address on "Vermont's
Present Opportunity" F. w. Baldwin
of Barton gave an interesting paper on
Laws of the Puritans."
Two new members were admitted,
Mrs. Rebecca P. Fair banks, and w. 81.
Gilpin of Barton.
These officers were elected:
President. =. w. Baldwin, Barton.
Vice-presidents. Rev. E. NJ. Chapman,
ST. Johusbury, William Richmond, New
port.
Secretary and treasurer, Miss Helen L.
Graves, St. Johnsbury Ceuter.
Membership committee, c. T. Walter
St. Johnsbury, Rev. W. A. Warner, Bar.
ton, Rev. G. 81. Cummings, Danville, J. B
Sargent, Lisbon, n. H., G. Ell. Cross, St
Johnsbury.
Executive committee, Rev. c. Fl. Mer
ril, st. Johnsbury, Rev. 6. P. Rowell
West Glover, Rev. 7. &. Kilbourn, Barnet
Auditor, D. M. Camp, Newport.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Aesthetic Italian LabOrers.

With the exception of the silent ST.
cilians, the Italian immigrants are gen.
orally fluent takers and extremely in
telligent. I have known Neapolitan
who could neither read nor write quote
from Dante, Petrarch and Tasso. 1t
surprises you to hear group made up
Of an asphalt mixer, a sailor turned
waiter and a barber and baker who
had stuck to their trades discuss the
sculpture on a new court building or
when upon another night the same
men wrangle over the merits of Verdi
or Mascagni and end by humming and
singing in chorus 'Parig, o Cara" -
Worlds Work
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Dear Mrs. MaIaprop.

There is generally somebody's lady
as a rule-in each district on whom
its finest Malaprops are fathered, some
times quite unfairly. 1t is she who is
reported to have made that speech
about the glories of her fathers house,
up to the door Of which there ran a
revenue Of popular Trees" she who
asked her daughter to play that little
"malady" she had learned at the Gem
etery" and she again who pronounced
Mr. Brown as proud as Luther"
while the tuft hunting Mr.. Smith was
such "toby" he deserved to be "tat-
tooed" at his club. Dear Mrs. Mala-
prop, what should we do without her?
London Globe
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
savases First to Wear Mustaches.


In Greece and Rome no mustaches
were worn without boards, but in the
conquering days Of the Roman empire
several half civilized races who had
come partially under the influence of
the Romans and who wished to be rid
Of the name Of barbara, or weavers Of
boards, attempted to shave in imitation
Of their conquerors, but as they had
very imperfect implements for the pur
pose and as the upper lip is notorious
ly the hardest part Of the face to shave
in the case Of any one poorly skilled
In the art they were unable to make
clean job Of it and left a quantity Of
hair on the upper lip. This mark was
characteristic Of several nations on the
confines Of Roman civilization, Of the
Gauls in particular, of the Dacians and
some others. The Latin language has
no word for mustache.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
siame.e Love For Games of Chance.

siamese Love For Games of Chance.
The Siamese are devoted to the holi-
day making and ceremonies and pro-
cessions which accompany the most
important anniversaries or incidents Of
life, death and religion and which
cause an infinite amount Of money to
be squandered and time lost.
They love games kitefying, a sort
of shuttlecock football and fighting
with cocks, crickets, beetles and fish,
though it is to be surmised that the
main attraction of these pursuits con-
sists in the scope thereby afforded for
betting and gambling, which are the
cardinal national vices.
A Siamese will stake money on any
thing. Licensed gambling houses ex-
list In the cities and are a large source
of income to the government, which
farms out the monopoly. A. royal lot
terry is extensively patronized in Bang
kOk.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
N. e. o. p. Election.

At the last meeting of Green Mountain
Lodge. No. 40, N. E. o. P, these officers
were elected:
Past Warden, Fl. R. Albee.
Warden, Mrs. Isabel Sargent.
Vice Warden, Mrs. Mary E. Heath.
Sec, II. c. Bond.
Fin. Sec, E. E. Sargent.
Treas, J. H. Thompson.
Chaplain, Mrs. J. N. Gale.
Guard, Miss Mabel Longmore.
Inside Guardian, Elbridge Hastings.
Sentinel, Peter Parks.
Trustee for three years. E. L. Spencer.
The officers will be installed on Satur-
day evening, Feb. s.