davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
CURRENT COMMENT
The Sleigh Ride.

In the Vermont and New Hampshire
papers, we see an occasional local note
about a sleighing party to this place or
that, in which a pleasant time was had
by all present. From these notes il APP
pears that in northern New England the
neighhorhod sleigh ride still exists as an
institution In Massachusetts il has for
the most part been killed BY the auto
mobile. The motorist. as everybody
knows, is not to be discouraged, in this
latitude. by any amount Of snow that
we have, tie possesses the road all win
ter. And as the enjoyment of the old
fashioned sleigh ride. such as we all once
knew right here in the suburbs OF Bos.
ton and even in the streets of the city
itself is incompatible with the possession
OF the road by motor vehicles, the insti.
tuition seems to have gone out of fashion
here But where there is from four TO
six feet of snow on the ground on the
level, the difficulties of motoring out
weigh its enioyments and the traverse
and the pnng, the old high backed sleigh
and the natty cutter have an oppor
tunity still TO flourish and to delight.
The old -fashioned sleigh ride was al
ways about the same thing. A big sleigh
body, or sometimes wagon body on
runners; hay or straw spread deep on
the bottom of IL; then an abundance Of
fur robes-"bu traloes." if your memory
goes back to those; people. boys and
girls men and women, sitting in the
straw with their backs to both sides of
the sleigh body; driver on the seat in
front, with the ohaperon, in the unusual
case where there is a ehaperon, sitting by
his side-her eyes straight ahead so that
she secs nothing behind her; four horses,
if possible. but two in any case, and each
horse hung about with string of bells.
ringing out on the sharp night air but
sometimes entirely drowned by the songs
and laughter of the party in the sleigh
that was the invariable organization of
the old-fashioned sleighride. It's destina
ton was generally an inn, dozen miles
or more away. where there was a hilari- |
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Scandinavia's Protest,

] he German emperor appears 10 be
/ strangely mistaken in his reading OF
! identical notes which Norway. Sweden
and Denmark have sent to Berlin in an
swer to the declaration OF the German
government that in an extensive sea area
/ IL Will "forcibly prevent" BY submarine
attack 'all navigation, that Of neutrals
included, and that "all ships met within
that area will be sunk" How il it pos
sible for any one to suppose that neu-
trail nations would give their approval
TO that program OF destructionY Per-
haps all suggestions or Authorizations
are possible with the kaiser in regard
to admiration OF his designs OF fright.
fitness. He has certainly misread the
Scandinavian reply, ii its terms al ca
bled from Copenhagen are correctly re-
ported For these stand forth in direct
contradiction OF his cheerful assertion
that the triple note shows its authors
to be standing firmly with Germany
against the entente allies.
A series OF protests cannot be right
" interposed as an expression of APP
prosal, and the note appears to contain
nothing that is not protest. II begins
by referring to previous formal pro-
tests" and says that the Scandinavian
governments are all the more bound to
maintain on this occasion that "the OBJ
stacies placed in the way Of neutral ma
yigation are now more considerable in
both extent and gravity and are not
in accord with the rules OF international
law Germany il reminded that under
IL.
IL captured 1T must he brought before
a prize court" that "the measures an
nounced will be all the more contrary to
the principles OF international law.
ii they are to be applied without distinc
tion to all ships entering the zones de-
scribed." and that. on the ground OF these
and other considerations. "the govern
ment formally protest against the meas
sHres taken by Germany and Austria
Hungary and make all reservation with
RECORD to the loss of human lives and TO /
damage which may result from !
them. Where il the sanction of the |
German plan!
Denmark Sweden and Norway are in |
such proximity to Germany and so open |
to attack that they cannot afford to fol- |
low the example OF the United States |
N the severance of diplomatic relations. (
But. If we may Judge them by their !
they would il they could. These /
are greatly to be pited. They |
ire in helpless position and are suffer
ng serious losses OF shipping. Even
heir own home waters are lawlessly and /
invaded by German subma-
ines The Scandinavian neutrals can
10 nothing but protest against the
wrongs they have to endure. When
hey have the courage to do as much as
hat, they do the utmost that can fairly
,e expected of them. 1t is ridiculous
ii the kaiser to praise them for support
# the policy which they reprobate.-Bos-
on Herald.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Gus oyster-supper and a little dance,
Sometimes there was party at farm
house, sometimes a spelling school, And
then the return. which took all the rest
Of she night. In Vermont, att least 1t
was expected that the party should be
capsized on the home stretch-a cere-
mony that never did any hurt, because
the place was carefully selected, and all
We're safely dumped in deep snow.
1t is pleasant to know that there is
one part of New England where the old
fashioned sleighing party still flourishes.
1t is a most cheerful and delightful in
stltation. Its existence i'll the country
districts is a fresh reminder OF the fact
that while the cities now "a DAYS possess
the Iuxuries OF life, the country still has
pretty nearly monopoly of the com
forts and innocent enioyments. Boston
Transcript.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
and shift the burden onto the small con

and shift the burden onto the small con
sumner under higher rental.
There is also another thing done to
fool the people. That is the placing OF n
20 per cent sinking fund tax into the
sinking fund instead of placing the Is
per cent, the amount on your tax bill
when presented to you. The question
here is, if the city council can place %
per cent, why can't they place a much
larger sum so that the people, through
the working of the city council, may en-
JOY much larger tax rates
The question for the voters at this
time is, How long are we going to stand
for this kind OF work. Should we not
be careful and elect men of good judg
ment who have the interest of the city
at heart, so that we may reap the reward
of larger and better city through the
working of the city council?
Veritas
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Epitspj, al q Cynic.

John Goodman of Sutton. Surrey
county, England, was cynic. His
own viii convicts him of SO being. He
directed In this document that no wom-
en- be allowed In his funeral cortege.
And on his tombstone he babe thas
the following verse be carved:
Farewell, vain earth. rvs had enough Of
thee,
And now arm careless what thou sayst Of
me
Thy smiles | carst not. nor thy frowns
fear
My care is past. my head lies quiet here.
What faults you see m me take care to
shun
And look at home. enough In to be done.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

A stone team ~ just as much OF men
ace on dark road on dark night as Is
carriage; and the public ought to be
protected from it, The law is intended
to remove danger from all users of the
highways, whether they be occupants of
wagons or automobiles; and, therefore
it will fall short Of the desired result il
any horse-drawn vehicles are exempted
from the requirements.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The official representations made by
the Turkish government OF friendliness
toward the United States, taken in CON
junction with the apparent desire on the
part OF Austria in recent days not to
arouse the anger Of the Washington gov
eminent lead to the conclusion that the
central powers are not in thorough accord
as to the desirability Of driving the Unit
ed States from the position of nominal
neutrality to that of open declaration of
war against the central powers. Ger
many is as yet wholly alone in her posi-
tion although her three allies may be ex-
peeted to lean toward her because of
their utter dependence upon Germany at
this time. Their more friendly attitude
toward the United States may be taken
to mean that they are not war.mad as
the kaiser is.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
In MAssAcHUsErTs ExPERIENcE

THE MASSACHUSETTS EXPERIENCE
II Vermont needed more evidence TO
solidify public sentiment in favor Of leg
islation to require the placing Of lights
on horse drawn vehicles at night, then
the experience Of neighboring state
with such law should be Of some
weight The Springfield Mass Repub1
lican. speaking Of Nermont's lack Of such
law and Of the working out OF law of
that nature in Massachusetts,. says:
IT appears that Vermont does not yet
rsmirc that horse-drawn vehicles carry
lights. and the legislature is called upon
to remedy the deficiency. In more popu-
lous states no farmer or other citizen
thinks Of driving horses at night with
out light, Safety against careless mo
florists j. not thereby insured. but the
minds Of drivers are made a bit easier.
II Is a nuisance 10 keep the old lantern
in order for such use. bat il pays. and
Green mountain law ought TO recognize
the fact
Moreover what j. law Tor some
kinds u harse-dravn vehicles Is also
good for an kinds. There ought To be no
discrimination ia Vermont between the
kinds Of vehicles required TO carry lights.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The raising OF the salary OF the state
Ash and game commissioner from 81 500
to $4,000 places the stipend on a plane
more nearly in accord with the require
ments Of the position and still not above
what the state can afford to pay. II
should be possible TO get a competent
man for the position at the new salary
figure, albeit the new appointee would
not be so well versed in Vermont condi-
tions at the outset as John w Titeomb
is. A man OF adsptability could, how
ever, work into the position and rise to
the full requirements of the position.
The situation is not so gloomy as it has
been pictured in some sources.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
Conduct of Municipal Affairs Criticized.

| Editor, Times--As voter of the city
of Barre and having had some knowledge
of the working of city affairs, it become:
almost duty to myself and to the pub,
lie to expose some of the doings of our
present city government.
| Taking the water department for an
example, hundreds OF dollars might have
| been saved If the work of that depart.
ment had been performed in iudicious
| manner. A large amount OF the work
has been done under contract system
by which the contractor has received 10
per cent OF the cost and the work accom-
pfished under two high-priee bosses.
Pipes have been bought that were not
suitable for the job and exchanged be-
cause they were not strong enough to
hold the pressure. This was all done at
the expense Of the city.
There is job going ON now at the
Bolster reservoir where the money ex-
pended under good management would
be a saving to the city.
What are we TO say about our streets?
The condition of them is disgrace to
ourselves and the community at large.
Washington street and South Main
street remind us when we travel over
them of thoroughfare paved with cob
BILE stone and representing the rough and
rugged path. Next to the Spaulding
school there has been hole in the walk
for two years which has escaped the no
tice of our street superintendent. Snow
has piled up on North Main street so
= hn. ,at,a ssx
fit of the high water when it comes.
Some of the surface sewers have not been
cleaned out for two years Our back
roads are in bad condition for want OF
repair. A job Is being done on Branch
street under the supervision OF two high
price bosses and a steam derrick which
no set of men would do under the present
weather conditions if they were working
for the interest OF the city. In 1913 the
paving job on North Main street was
done under a $3.50 tax rate which paid
the bin without bonding. Besides this a
large amount of surface sewers, perma-
nent walks, and also our streets were
kept in the best condition in the history
of the city. You can look at the records
and see who were the officials at that
time.
The present city government has asked
the voters to bond for $4,000 to pave
South Main street ON recommended ton of
a $3.50 tax rate for the present year.
There is some difference between $3.50
tax under smaller grand list and paw
ing job paid for on North Main street |
and $3.50 tax and a bond issue of $685. !
BOO The distance between the two jobs |
is about the same.
There are other things that are being |
lone that every voter does not have the !
knowledge of and that is the reducing of !
the hydrant rentals so that the water de-
,artment may not have its just reward.
No other reason could be considered for
his but that the man having spring wa
.er may pay less for his fire protection
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Getting a Settlement.

A well-known business man in Law
renee. Mass. once had customer who
contracted a debt that ran along unpaid
for wear or more and even several let
tcrs failed to bring about settlement.
One day. while glaneing over the re-
hgious notices in a local paper, the bust
ness man saw something that gave him
new idea He went to his desk and
wrote the following note to the debtor:
"Mv dear Sir: see in the local press
that YOU arc to deliver an address ON Fri
day evening before the Y. NJ. c. A. on
The Sinners Unbalanced Account. ! in
close yours, as vet unbalanced, and trust
that may have the pleasure OF attend
ing your lecture. Exchange.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The 1873 members Of the Vermont
House who stayed on the job Saturday
felt perhaps that they wanted to give
the state some service for the pay which
they received ON that day. As for the
others-well, ii is certain that they were
paid for doing nothing Some day we
may get time clock arrangement for
legislators to punch JUST as they have in
large manufacturing establishments. The
workmen have to show up and punch the
time clock when they begin and when
they quit work, or there viii be no pay
for them that day.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
JINGLES AND JESTS
Good Advice--But--

One Of the fair passengers OF yacht
ing party noticed that the captain was
anxious about mishap to some of the
machinery of the craft.
whats the trouble. captain?" she
inquired.
"The fact is, madam" was the re-
Spouse, "our rudder's broker"
ooh, dear. don't worry about that, I"
replied the lady. "As it's under the
water nearly all the time no one will
notice that its gone. ladies Home
Journal
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The prospective enlistment Of society
women for the purpose Of driving motor
iambulances in case OF war between the
United States and Germany is one Of the
sidelights to show us how little we really
know about this game of war To some
minds war now means a society circus,
or something along that order In which
people may perform without great dam
age to themselves
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Barre has occasion once again to thank
its good friend in Washington, Vt. Mr..
Calef's new gift to the City hospital, an
nouneed to-day, makes a total of $4,000
which he has given to that institution
alone. to say nothing of the munifcence
which he has bestowed on Goddard sem
mary. The permanency of both those in
stitutions will be largely traceable to
his liberalty.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

sell to the market, In either event they
can contribute quite bit to the neces-
stiles Of life and can command good
price for the first quality product. There
are thousands upon thousands OF maple
trees in Vermont which are not doing
service in this way. They should be
tapped the coming spring in order to
realize fully on our natural resources.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The calm assurance with which Capt.
Polsck of the steamship kronprinzessin
Cecilie testified about his orders to dis
able the great ship interned in Boston
harbor when il became certain that a
break was imminent reveals that the
German plan OF preparedness for the war
was not at all confined to the home terri.
tory of the imperial government; the
seamen on German ships even were
versed as to what to do in case Of emer-
geney Apparently the German mind is
trained in war first OF all and then the
other attributes are added to IT, But
war is the first consideration.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Unless the situation in Washington
changes pretty soon, the head writer's on
the big newspapers win be hard put to II
for variety Of expression about the same
piece of news. Newspapers which use
huge block type for their front page at
traction to catch the eye Of prospective
purchasers are already beginning to slut
ter for lack of new words.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
How About a Good Back View?

"Auntie Liz had hard time having
her picture taken to-day" said her neph-
ew, who had just opened a Photographic
studio and had very courteously asked
his aunt to come and pose for new pic
ture.
"Why, what was the trouble p asked
his brother.
swell. you see, when told her to look
pleasant she didn't look natural, and
when told her to look natural she didn't
look pleasant. Ladies Home Journal.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The rising cost Of commodities. To-
gether with the curtailing Of shipments
from several causes should serve a. an
incentive TO Vermont people 10 produce
more. to bring greater areas Of land into
cultivation The same thing applies 70
the maple sugar crop during the 1917
season about to begin The farmers can
help to beat the high cost Of living hy
producing = bumper crop of maple sugar,
vhah they may use for their own house
holfs a. substitute for white sugar ar
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Why He Could Not Leave.

At large evening party one OF the
guests stood in a corner yawning.
Are you very much bored, siry" asked
bystander.
Yes, dreadfully," was the answer.
And your
@0h. I'm bored to DEATH too.
"How would it do to clear out to-
gether3 r.
Il am sorry ! can't. ! am the host -"
Ladies' Home journal.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Arrested for sending out false IS. O.
s" signal, Brooklyn youth ought to be
given a good stiff punishment as an ex-
ample to others who may try to play the
same miserable game Of deeeiying those
who would be likely to respond to a call
for assistance at sea. 1t is the cheapest
kind of an individual who win do that,
about like the person who rings in
false fire alarm.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Even though it should cost the United
States government $4,000 to repair the
kronprinzessin Cecile in order to make
her seaworthy the expenditure would be
well worth while ii it comes to war with
Germany for the great vessel is worth
many times that amount.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Limitino Liability,

A daily paper In one Of our large
cities contained the following unique
notice.
After this date will not be response.
BILE for any bills except those contract
ed by any other than myself. John r.
M.-Case and Comment.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

It was more than two weeks ago that
the United States broke off relations
with Germany, and yet there is no war.
The longer we remain in this odd posi-
ton, the more we develop the hope that
it will not be necessary to declare war.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The snowstorm which the weather bu-
reau has been predicting on several oc-
casions lately still remains in the snow
banks of the sky Perhaps kind nature
realizes we have enough snow already
without further burdenimg us.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Friend What il your baby going 10
be when he grows up?'
Finaneier- A blackmailer. I'm afraid"
Friend -"Impossiblel What makes
YOU think SO 7"
Financier have to give him
something every little while to keep him
quiet Irish World.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Connecticut is showing the right kind
of preparedness by taking a census Of all
males over Is years Of age, together with
facts about each person, in order to be
ready for war Connecticut thereby
leads tho way for the other states Of the
union
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
Wild Bees.

Wild bees gather the nectar most
frequently In the buckwheat. They
also will attack blossoms that the tame
bees ignore. The bee from the woods
doesn't seem TO care for propagated
flowers, nor with it enter any hive that
has been placed for 1t, no matter how
enticing the food there. 1t is far more
vicious than its cultured brothers.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The steady pressure being exerted by
the British on the western front betokens
something strenuous just ahead for the
Germans. The 1917 spring drive will
make the 1916 effort look like piker.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
A Method Of pivision.

L., who was full Of pranks, was
taken I'LL. I'VE must be careful" said
his doctor. Il viii send you a nurse of
not less than fifty years Of age
Rather" replied L., send me two
each twenty-five years old. ''--Gaieties
de la Medicine
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Those steel nets spread across various
harbors to keep out the enemy may be
used next summer to protect various
pleasure resorts from the sharks.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19
On His Birthday.

what are you going to give your
steady on his birthday, Mabel
If he doesn't say anything by that
time, III give him away. Richmond
Times Dispatch.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The editor Of Vierecks New World
lerstwhile Fatherland1 has not yet re-
ceived the iron cross, but doubtless is
expecting it by any submarine.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Little things are little things. but to
do little things faithfully is great
thing.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

Are your men ambitious?"
"Oh. very. Every man around the
place is willing to do anybody's work
but bis own" - Louisville Courier
Journal
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-19

The dove Of peace couldn't find a perch
anywhere.
Evening star., 1917-01-14
A Difficult Reform.

A PRoPoS Of President Wilson's de.
~ sire to simplify laws and legal
processes. Senator Henry F. Hollis of
New Hampshire said in Concord:
ut is true. as the President pofnts
out. that all other countries of arst
rank have simplifed their laws. Wa
too. will come to it in time. But IL IN
a difficult proposition.
Its a proposition that gets the kind
of reception everywhere that the law
yer's demand got This lawyer said To
a witness:
Now. my man. tell us only what
you know. Don't tell us what soma
other person knows. or what you heard.
or what you think. or anything of that
kind. Tell us what you know only.
Only what you know
The witness gave a solemn nod of
"I know he said. with emphasis on
every word, L know. sir. that Bill Sloan
said that Jim Alden told him that he
heerd Joe Schemm's wife tell Joe Ad-
ans daughter that her man said Tom
Bailey wasn't fur on when the scrap
took place, and he heerd say they at
each other all round that barroom
right considerable