davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-28
ZOE eALE.

i fire front and CRATE bars Of the Memphis
Wooden Mile, Can be seen at the ruins OF
the mill IN Fort Pickering. For particulars
inquire OF JOHN 81. PETERS, Treas,
90 ~ 2sg Main street,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

II is remarkable how soft our hearts grow
at the approach of the Christmas season. We
get very near to the sweet, innocent realm of
childhood. Insensibly our thoughts go back
to the old, country homestead, where we had
real fire places for Santa Claus to come down
and where we stood at the first faint streak OF
dawn, on the cold hearth-stone, on one bare,
red, little foot-the other drawn up bird-hke
to keep it warm-struggling with the first
big bundle in our stocking, which always
stuck fast, and was SO hard to be gotten out
We look on the golden heads we see in the
street with a pleased, thoughtful glance, re-
membering the silken floss which once swept
over the shoulders of our sisters when they
were little creatures,-so many years ago.
The rosy cheeks of a boy recall the times
when our brothers went with US skating, or
sat in front on our best sled to steer. Dear
little fellows-you are big boys now-gray-
headed vy-hearted, many of youi but the
sunlight of the old, dear Christmas times
shall fill your souls with happy remembrances
when it comes round again. How the world
wags on Out in the fresh, blown, country
roads are just the same coasting places that
we knew The same old elms shudder and
creak with the cold. The little brook muir
murs Just as contentedly to itself as when we
wondered il it were not unhappy, imprisoned
so by the ice. Up in the woods are winter
greens and mosses sturdy and bright as in
the days when we children went to gather
them. Cattle are in the barn, and under
neath the lordly cock crows Justify O. morn
ings. What is changed in all these weary
years We are-strangely changed Let us
never say bitterly, changed for the worse.
Across the spaces of the rolling months, that
so steadily swept us onward from childhood
to youth from youth to man and woman
hood Gods goodness like a star has guided
us, and every Christmas time has proved His
love. That we have lost the light gay heart
of childhood, is not loss. That we miss the
tender faces of our companions is but tenn
porary bereavement. Bewildered, perpleTed
and harassed by a thousand cares. we know
each one is but gaining, Love denied will
but be the sweeter when granted. Ambitions
crossed are not forever TO be withheld. To
stand outside the luxuries and pleasures Of
the world, can never make the true, fine soul
grow dark. Life cannot fail 10 bring its rec
ompense for all that we have suffered. II
life does not, death will for from the towers
of all the world rings out the perfect answer
TO all complaint tho glorious promise of a
better future the sure, true joy which the
dear Christ gave freely to us all, of ''peace
on earth, goodwill 10 men" We have had
moments of deepest feeling and highest ele-
walton. We have had joys that are too sweet
10 be uttered. Life has brought to us a
thousand happy hours 10 oounterbalance the
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

The CUsToM OF GIVING EXPENSIVE PMS.
ENTs al Christmas az matter of form or hab-
it, or from fancied obligation to do so, is
productive Of little good, and often Of much
harm. But the interchange of simple gifts
in the family circle strengthens the bond of
Rye and ss sS Sm6NSng the sG5d6 Ghil
Is OF real value IN their training Inere Is no
need for them to lament over limited sup
ply Of pocket money! infnitesimal gifts are
endeared 10y the loving heart that conceived
and the skillful fingers that execute them.
Then the great mystery preserved as TO the
presents makes a most delightful excitement
among the little ones for weeks before the
festal day. A Christmas tree is always IA
vorite method of distribution, but this often
involves more expense, both as to gifts and
decorations, than is desirable. When there
is Il large family, another method is to have
each gift wrapped in paper and properly ad-
dressed, and arranged ON table in the par
lor Chrstmas-eve, and distributed by the one
who eau make the merriest time in so doing /;
or the presents may be deposited in large
basket, or packed in bundle, which, when
all are assembled, is brought in as if it had
just come by express. Another plan, which
small people appreciate, is to enclose every
thing in bag, or TO deposit them in tub of
bran or sawdust, of course enyeloped in pa
per and addressed or on Christmas morn
ing the packets may be arranged by the side
of each recipients plate at the breakfast table
Stockings hung by the chimney or at the
head of the bed are easily filed, and in Hol-
land the children place their shoes in row
in the kitchen or parlor, with the name of
the owner above each. However limited the
pecuniary resources may be, every family
may have happy time at Christmas provid-
ed there be an abundant supply of kindly
sympathy and genuine love.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

Susan did her share of the household work
with feverish haste then, leaving Lydia
Maria to prepare the "stuffng" for the tur-
key, she slipped into the parlor kindled fire
in the stove, and opened the shutters What
she next did would have excited n suspicion of
insanity had it been observed by any Of the
family. But she was certain that her father
and brother had gone again to the barn, and,
as she peered forth from the window of the
upper gable.room, there was nothing in sight
except covered vehicle on the road, half a
mile away.
Susan hung q large towel (or it may have
been sheeD from the window. and let it
slowly wave back and forth against the brick
wall. In few minutes her keen eyes detect
ed something like an answering signal from
the approaching vehicle. Thereupon she
hastened to her room, slipped on her best
dark silk dress, gave the last light quick
touches 10 her hair and ribbons, and went
down stairs.
jeremiah had harnessed the horse, and was
about to drive to the village with his father
but Susan called them both into the house,
and summoned Lydia Maria from the kitchen.
Her appearance, the suppressed excitement
in her face, and something strange in the
tone of her voice, aroused their keenest curl
osity, but, as neither knew what TO say, they
all waited for her TO speak.
"Come into the parlor, please" !" sho STAN
mered leading the way.
The room was warm and sunny the fire
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

The REAL MEANING OF THE DAY.-We
shall go far amiss of the real meaning Of
Christmas day if we forget that all this joy
and merry making, all this exchange of gifts
and display of affection are only symbols
through which shines, with brightness un-
diminished by the centuries, the Star which
arose over Bethlehem. We show our love for
one another because upon the day whose fes-
tival we keep there was shown the matchless
love of God for us. We give gifts to each
other in devout remembrance of the best
Christmas Gift which the world has ever
known. For thousands of years the Jewish
people have held in jubilant eommemoration
the Feast of the Passover, by which they eel
citrate their deliverance from Egyptian bond
age. To the Christian world the advent of
the Christ-child stands for II deliyerance from
a bondage worse than that among the brick
makers of Egypt, and the assurance of an en-
trance into better than the Promised Land.
Let us not drop out of our Christmas oelebra-
tions the highest and holiest element but in
all the Joy of our homes and the innocent
merry making of the children, let us remem-
ber with gratitude Him whose life and love
aud sacrifice have made Christmas the one
day of all the year most joyous aud sacred
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

THE ONE INDISPENSABLE PERsoNAGE.-
can get along without William Tell, we can
spare Pocahontas, we will not complain il II
is proven that George Washington never had
a Ratchet, but we cannot dispense with Santa
Claus, or Kris Kringle, or any other shape in
which the Christmas spirit is embodied in the
legends of different nations. Always the fan
cy of the children will hear the pntter OF his
reindeer hoofs upon the roof as they lie wait
ing for Christmas dawn. Always will pater-
nal and maternal love take delight in conceal
ing its own plans and gifts under the fur
trimmed mantle of the merry and waggish
Christmas sprite. Always will the warning
of his wise discrimination between good chill
dren and bad children have wholesome ef-
feet in making boys and girls more gentle
and less selfish And yet it is surprising that
the little child philosophers in our homes, SO
curious about other things, do not ask more
puzzing questions about this. Why do they
not want to know how Santa Claus makes his
way down the narrow chimneys of our mod
ern houses or what his feelings are when he
finds an air-tight stove at the bottom, or what
becomes of him when there is no opening to
the chimney short of the furnace? 1t is well
that such questions are not agitated. The
Santa Claus legend, to be sure, was meant
for the broad chimneys and big freplaces Of
the old time, but let the little people, none
the less, go on pinning up their stockings
wherever they can find the most convenient
place, and trust that they will be found and
filed
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

As Joseph was a-wslking he heard an angel sing;
This night shall be the birthtime Of Christ the Hea-
venly King;
He neither shall be born in housen or in hall,
Nor in the place Of Paradise, but in an or's stall
He neither shall be clothed in purple nor in pail,
But In the linen white aud fair, that babies all
He neither shall be rocked in silver nor in gold,
But in wooden mauger rude, that resteth on the
mould.
He neither shall be wsshen with white wine nor wit
red
be shed.
As Joseph was a walking thus did the augel sing,
Aud MArys son, at midnight hour, was born to be
our King.
Then be ye glad, good people, this night Of all the
year,
And light ye up your candles, for his star It shineh
clear;
Aud all in earth and heaven joyous carol sing,
For O to us child is born, aud Sll the bells do ring
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26
The coming mnn-santn CLAUS.

Christmas stories have the right of way.
The best kind of Christmas slipper-sliP
FIVE dollar bill in your needy neighbor's
hand.
Tonight is stocking night. 1t is the only
night in the year when girl takes any satis-
faction in big feet.
The wise man now takes a piece Of chalk
and marks out q map of his foot on the piano
cover, wnketh, and goes his way.
This is the time for the young man with a
girl. The papers are filed with advertise
ments of genuine diamond rings for one dol
lar.
If man only possessed the unlimited
wealth accredited TO him by his children, in
their wishes for Christmas presents, he could
bid defiance TO a Rothschild
"Charity begins at home" Young man,
before you think of giving your girl a TWEEN
ty-fve cent ring for Christmas present,
think how many paper collars can be bought
for the same amount
About this time the young lady Of the cOun-
try learns through a series of deep, dark plot
tings that her young man wears number four
boots. The same young man will be sorry
that he prevaricated, when he tries to thrust
his number seven feet into a beautifully work
cd pair Of number four Christmas clippers.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26
NO. 50.

sad ones. Looking forward, then, with
brave, firm courage TO endure, and sweet ac-
acknowledgement of His blessings as they come,
let us make the coming holiday express to
others the best within ourselves. II thcro
have come to us any joys in the past, let us
cypress them in COY, lght-hearted greetings
to our friends. II to us have been given
sweet gifts, let us show our appreciation Of
them by giving some little token of Kindness
to others. Let US concentrate all our past
happiness in the coming day, and make it in
deed "Merry Christmas" to all.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

May the dear Lord bless and pity those
children to whom Christmas means nothing
and brings nothing. Can any one fathOm the
disappointment of those hapless little folks
who pin up their stockings in a fAltering
hope that Santa Claus may see them, and
crawl out of bed in the cold gray morning
only to find them empty? The joy of this
glad Christmas -tide-the gladdest time of all
the year-is tinged with sadness and pathOs
as we think of these. Good people all, let
us do our utmost to diminish their numbers.
If we can give but little, let us give to the
little ones. And let us pray and believe that
the Christ-child will come with some special
benediction to those of His little brothers and
sisters who have been forgotten and passed
by in the giving of gifts.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

EVER NEW AND NEVER OLD.-Christmas is
again at hand, with its mirth, its family re-
unions, its divine lessons of goodwill and
charity. 1t seems strange, when we think
about it, that festival SO old should be ever
fresh and new to us. But so it is Every
year We all, young and old, enter into the
spirit of Christmas just as earnestly as if it
were the first We had ever enjoyed. The old
legends concerning Santa Claus, the ancient
Christmas carols, the Christmas tree, the
stockings hung by the chimney, the garlands
and fancful decorations, the gifts and the
traditional plum-pudding, never lose the pc
culiar charm with which they are invested.
So that now, as at Ohristmas-time long ago,
is heard the merry ring of children's voices,
the old grow young in feeling, hearts that
sordid business had made hard and cold,
open and glow under the genial influences of
this festive season, the shops sparkle with
Christmas gifts of every conceivable kind,
and the whole city is magnificent in its holi-
day dress. Seldom does any unsympathetic
Scrooge fling gloomy shadow over Christ
mas-day The happy spirit of the time is
contagious and there is no need for any one
to stand outside the charmed circle. 1t will
do the busy and care-worn good to forget
work for a little while. Those who have lit
tie to spend can find genuine enjoyment in
dependent of mere money, and those who
have an abundance will surely realize their
greatest happiness in Frightening the homes
of the poor with gleam of the Christ
child dispensing gifts by human hands.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

Silent night, holiest night!
All Asleep-lonely Light!
Where adoring watch the pair,
Watch, as in his Fathers care
Sleeps the infant Christ.
Silent night, holicst night
Shepherds saw angels bright,
Heard from heaven the white-robci throug
Bearing down to earth the song:
Christ the SAyior's come!
Silent night, holiest night!
Son OF God! Oh, how bright
Beams the ray Of heavenly grace
In the infant Savior's face
Savior born for us!
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

Williams beaming, happy face seemed to
double the sunshine in the pAror. Gideon Lane
also was happy, for of late years he had not
been at all easy in his mind in regard to his
treatment of his youngest son and daughter.
Evan Powell and Susan were lovers, and as
faithfully betrothed to each other as was pos
sible, while one of the families was determin-
ed to prevent it. jeremiah had never said
much, one way or the other, but Gideon had
despotically forbidden all intercourse and
Lydia Maria, beginning with the declaration ::
Not while ! live" had exerted all, and
more than all, of the authority which had
come to her by inheritance from their dead
mother. Evan was farmer also, but his
father was poor, and he was one of many
children. Both he and Susan felt that it
might be better to wait a few years than to
begin married life with double cloud hang
ing over them.
7'Sit down, Lydia Maria Sit down, Jere-
miah !" cried William taking chair himself
Father. there's no use in keeping things
hidden when the telling will do no harm.
We make trouble whore We shouldn't and
keep it longer than We need to-"
maybe So" murmured Gideon Lane, lean
ing back in his cushioned seat.
when you wouldn't let me have the mon
ey," William continued II had to do what
would have been wicked if l had failed in my
plans. l borrowed from Susan her share Of
Aunt Ruth's estate-with several years in
terest and all her little savings added, eighteen
hundred dollars.
80 that was the mystery about managing
her own affairs, and looking for better securi-
ty :" cried Lydia Maria.
Then turned to Evan Powell. He was
working hard, and laying up-you all know
the reason of it-and he sent me about as
much more. had hard work to pull through
and save my chances but it's done, now
we'll done, and safely. Why, they call me a
rich man, out in Colorado !"
II suppose you can well afford to make
such famous Christmas gifts, said his father,
but why didn't you bring something for
Susan ?"
Il don't want"-Susan began to protest,
but William stopped her. He was about to
speak, but suddenly turned, went to the west
cru window of the room, pulled aside the
muslin curtain which hung before it, and
waved his hand as if beokoning to some one
outside. The others were too preoeoupied to
take much notice of this movement. Susan,
however, grew quite pale.
II haze brought something for Susan, faith
er, William went on to say II have it in
my pocket" IIo took out heavy, folded
paper, which had an official look about it.
"Oh, | see her money"
"This is an agreement with John Perkins
TO sell me his farm, at a hundred and twenty
dollars an acre"
"why, William" Gideon cried out "are
you able to buy it? 2"
"Oh, yes" said William, with hearty,
careless air of independence which made a
profound impression upon the family; 81
could buy three or four like it. But don't
want it for myself; have bought it for Su-
san"
Now it was Susan's turn to be surprised.
She caught her breath, and trembled so that
she seemed TO be on the point Of falling.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

The Angel Song.
To-day in Bethlehem heArI
Sweet angel-voices singing:
All glory be to God on high,
Who peace to earth is bringing.
Him born Of Mary we adore
As Son Of God most holy;
Light shines on what was dark before,
And liftcth up the lowly.
God wills that peace should be 10 earth,
And holy eIutation;
Sweet babe, greet thy spotless birth
And wondrous incarnation.
To-day in bethlehem hearI
Even the lowly singing;
With angel-wOrds they pierce the shy;
All earth with JOY is ringing.
John Of DdndsrUs.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

Look out for the girl who throws her whole
sole into pair of slippers for the parson.
After next week the Sunday schools will
return to their usual studies, and the round
ers" will betake themselves to the streets
again.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

The first broad, rosy flush of mild and
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26
MoODT " HowE's
General Insurance Agency,

Oilers RELIABLE indemnity in FIRsT-oLAss stoeh
Companies, such as the
ET.r.I, H.ERTFORD, PHRyVIX y
..r.ITIO.TsIL, Of hartford,
HO.uR Of .VsIg Fork,
SPRI.VGFiRLD FIRB $ .H.fRI.FB,
HOIyAL Of L1perDOOI, sc.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-15

Rather than join vita the foes of the
Union in former days, thousands of
them forsook home and friends and
cast their lots with the nations de-
tenders. Their record in that re-
spect has been made up, and is one
of which they may well feel proud.
1t is one to which they and their
children after them may point to in
years to come with satisfaction.
And they DO not intend now to mar
their past honorable record by en-
gaging in lawless practices. Again,
we congratulate the people and the
courts upon what has been accom-
plished, and trust that in the near
future We may have the pleasure of
announcing the disappearance of
the last of these revenue cases from
the dockets of our Federal Court.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-15
VA RIE9EES.

/ DR.. Luke 7. Blackburn aeeu4s t. be
the coming man for Governor in Ken
lucky.
1t is asserted that there are 100, 600
Catholic church members in Cipcin-
natl aud only 90, 900 mcmb eTs Of Pro-
testsnt chuiches.
Mrs. JnO. 4. Logan, is wi Tin her hus.
band at the state capital of Illinois,
and rendering him valuable assistance
in his c Intest for the Senate.
Indiana has a school fund amount
ing to 50 600, 600, and the school prop
erty OF the State Is valued at Sl2 000,>
900 and the State spends S34 600, 900 a
year for Puiic school instruction.
Gov. Hampton, of South Carolina,
on Friday last was transferred TO an
easy chair, and sat for two hours i'll
the open air on his porch. He also
wrote several letters during the day,
and is reported as being in excellent
spirits.
When Dom Pistt was in New York
he was enticed into the Opera-house,
when her Msjesty's troupe was per
forming. The good man was e Iently
shocked, for he wrote home: " l saw
enough nakedness 10 make the loose.
jointed Talmage howl with anguish.
Women appeared in a style OF dress
or undress-that would have made
our grandmnthers blush to use ss a
night-gOWn."
According to the Lutheran Almanac
for 1879 that denomination numbers
bers in this country 81 synods, 3,040
ministers, 1901 churches and 676 500
communicates. 1t comprises four
general bodies, viz: The General
Synod, the General synod (South).
the General Council aud the SynOdI-
cal Conference. 1t has II periodical
publications, viz n in English, 80 in
German, 9 in Norwegian, = in Swedish,
in Danish aud l in Ieelandic. II has
II theological seminaries, II colleges,
% academies and 10 female seminsries.
Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-15
JUDGES SALARIES.

The Memphis Appeal says of the
proposed reduction of Judges sala-
rice:
"No department of our State Gov
eminent II so important Is the Su-
preme Judiciary. Upon it depeuus the
protection of the life, liberty aud prop
erty of the citizen. 1t is position that
should be filled by the best legal talent
of the State. That talent can only he
secured by salary commensurate
with the importance OF the position.
The legal ability that fits man for the
position of Supreme Court Judge can,
in the ordinary practice OF the profess
sion, with less labor, make from 90 OOO
to SO, coo year, and men can not az
ford TO give up their practice 10 accept
seat upon the Supreme Bench, at
salary which penny-wise and
pound-foOlish legislature would fix for
our Supreme Court Judges, who spend
several hundred dollars of their salary
in travelling expenses and hotel bile,
leaving but little for the support of
their families. The State of Illinois
has seven Supreme Court Judges, aud
pays each a salary OF seven thOus and
dollars. IfTeunessee would have an
able and pure Supreme Court. she
must pay salary that will com mand
the services OF eminent jurists The
tendency OF the pre- sent Legislature is
to reduce fees and salaries. This may
be well enough in some directions, but
the theory of lower salaries for our
Judges is not wise economy. There are
some positions so important to the pres
ervatiOn ;'f the rights and liberties of
the people "a to require such high or
der of talent aud integrity as can only
be secured by fair compensation.
The manager of a great bank, of
railroad com pany, or All Insurance as
sociatlOn, of Sny one Of msny private
business houses, would emile at an
offer of tue salary paid our judges.
who nov constitute the Supreme
Court OF Tennessee have received for
the conduct of siugle case, or for
att opinion on impOrtsnt points, more
money than they Itcrive for years
hard labor r. j. 10 be hoped that the
Legislature 81 Tennessee will not
make the salari: Of cur judr - =" beg
carly and pitifnIis' wal, ~ la make
the position unAlIrAc.iVe 10 real merit"