davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
A Christmas H)me

\ loui md laughing welc )ne 10 the merry
Christmss bells,
All hail with happy glalncss the we'll.
known chant that swells,
We li,t to the pee,inc anthem chord. we
hear the midnight strain,
Aul love the tiiings that proclaim y
Christmai-tide again
But thcre must he msloly OF purof,
deeper sound.
A rich key note, whose echo runs through
all the music r0nul,
Let kindly voices ring beneath low roo' OF
ptlhce dome,
For these alone, our Christmas chimes
that bless Ch ristmas home
A Llithc and joyous welcome to the vines
aud to the leave.
That hang about cur household walls in
dark and rustlng sheayc'.
Up With the holly AMI the bay, set laurel
on the board,
And let the miStlctHe look down while
pleiging drrughts are 20 ired.
But there must be some haliowed bloom
togarl,ud witn the rest
AL all must hrios tgWard the wrestt
ONE ifcScrs IN the breast,
For, though green Uoughs may thickl,
grace low roof or palace dome,
Kind hearts alone will truly serve TO decl
u Christians home.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
NED WILSON'S TRAMP.
4 ChriStn,aS Sk.tch.
ny JUDGE WHITE

Ned Wilson was printer by
trade, n jplly goo fellow by nature,
but at the time write 4 tramp by
force Of circumstances, Thus one
bright day in May he founl himself
III the waiting room Of an Illinois
depot, with jnst ~ cents in the
pockets Of II respGcteble.looking pair
Of pants, or what could 10 seen of
them below tho long. fashionable
dresscoat, which looked well enough
to Justify tho term. A small hand-
satchcl by bis side also adlc to tho
effect Of his appearance, COR, though
n tramp. Nod, was hiGE-tDned
young fellow, honest, Industrious,
aud OF whom one could iinl nothing
repulsiye, except tho name Of his
present calling. Six months back
he had held cases in iirst~cl .ss
Office IN the central part of tho State,
few miles from tho farm house Of
well to do parents. The general
depression OF business which preced-
ed the winter OF II threw him out
Of sit aud thus it camo that,
after tramping over loSa aud
Wisconsin III Il vain search for work,
we find him again in Illinois, with
just money enough left to take him
home, discouraged, detected and dis
Sustel with his c1untry, bat more,
especially tue people that inhabited
L.
The train was due 10 twenty min.
ntes Being of u social turn ofmind
Ned looked about him, and had Just
commenced n slato-and .poncil cDn-
vorsation with deaf aud dumb gen
ileman when three ladies' came into
tho waitingroom. Something of
novice at the business, Nod made 80
many motions and grinacss in talk,
ing with bis companion that the
ladies' mistook him for the dumb
person. This was all the more ap;
parent as tue deaf gentleman passed
for a moment to tho platform leav.
ing his slate with Nod.
"Mamtha," said the youngest Of
the three ladies', a bright, happy
miss, of some II years. Nam na, do
see this poor, deal, and. dumb boy.
Ask him how be lost his speech, do p
And the impulsise girl looked at
Ned With eyes full of tender pity for
his misfortune. "iush, daughter,
he will hear you" "Why, mamma,
how can he I Say, Aunt Mamie,
turning to the third lady /; ''isu't he
handsome See what large, iutelli-
genteyes,apd handsome Complexion 7
1 could fall in love with such young
fellow, il, he wasn't deaf," Aud the
young miss clappod her hands and
laughed a silvery peal that rosouui-
ed with the echo of tho on coming
train, In came the deaf aud dumb
gent!epan after bis slase, picked il
up and went to the open window. OF
the ticket office for a ticket. Nod
turned to the young lady and soiiled.
She saw her mistake in an instant.
"Why, you are not dumb sfter
all are You y exclaimed the young
lady.
"No miss,o replied Nod. respect
fully my friend here 10 the lone
untsrtpnsts. 80 dsssvsiog your gym
: n2thipy bub : trs1pi''
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
Christmas Times

Ch tis'mss time again is here,
with its memories ever dear.
With its holly green aul fair,
WaS sdornings bright anl rrrs,
wi its lovely books aud toys
For the merry girls and boys.
Nov the stockings will be hunt
lIy the chimney Tor The young
There for SANTA Claus to sll
with such presents "a he will.
| Down the chimney broad and black
With n hrrtl, gu bis bsck,
SO "a, least the story goes.
! Wonder that he ian, frofo
But Lis clothes II rur are warm,
lie can bretst the widest storm
I From his palace in the North
with his rein-deers comes bc fnith.
Comes with songs OF bliss and cheer
\ Ger the country far aud near.
Many ycar' have passed away
Since that holy Christmas day,
Whep the blessed Mary SAILED
On the sweet face Of her ch,ld
70 soft couch In white arrayej,
tic was in n manger luil.
No rich drsprry AMI lace
Deckcd that rddc aud humble plhe,,
Aud the wise men from afar
Watched their guide, the shining star
lie was seut to pray and preach,
And the way of truth 10 teach,
That that worll might better be
For the lamb of Calvary.
This il why throughout the earth
Christm,s day il bailed with mirth.
lIurrab IA n for Christmas tine,
Ring the bell. with hnppy chims
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

their prayers were filed with the
words Wounded for our trans
gressions. bruised for our iniquitics
uutil, Just before the departure, her
moment Of her face lighted up,
showing tho pardon of God had
dropped upon ber soul. And there
she slept away on tho bosom of a
psrdOniug JoMs. 80 the Lord
took back tho one whom world
rejected --Rlc. 4. n. Tai ~ tse.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
MlrrX. MerrY. Christmas

"For t"hold, bring you glad
tiIinSs Of srea. Joy, which shall be
to all people for unto YOU il Uorn
this dly, 10 tba city Of David, a
S,viJnr. wbicl is t,ri,C tho Lord "
rh,s was tho promise aud the fair
beginning Of tim, which was hertld.
cd by tho birth Of oar Saviour.
AMI ever sinca ,he spirit Of kiHI-
ness, charity, (prbhlrnnc., friend
SHIP, lpva AMI happiness, seems TO
walk nbrla | in tn, wprl on Clcist-
ma. day y, hJlilAy or festival Of
mireiy humm institution ~ 40
slrtet TO j1y anl j,l.l.y. IL is a
day for reHuit,lng tho sunlered ties
Of friendship, t,r raGa,AorinS the
scitDcrod inuHyrs OF homo. II il Il
day for IN king new resolutions aud
confirming DID ones. 1t is II day Of
plenty for the hungry, Of welcome
for the stranger, Of hospitality for
all. 1t is II day for happy greetings
Of old comrades, for cheerful antici.
patton aud holy remenbgauccs It
~ the day Of dlys, the brightest in
tho ctlcnlir, for children. They
celebrate it with clelr faith aul
delightful uan;ion. H. is very meet
tat Clrists birthlty should be
chillron's day, for they brought
young children unto Him that Ito
should touch thom, and His dis.
ciples rebuk Il those that brought
them but when Jesns say it IIs
was much displeasod, aul sail unto
then. Suifir tho littlo children to
come unto me and forbid them not
for Of such is the kingdom of God.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
And Ned laughed recklessly, whic,,


Aud Ned laughed recklessly. which
seemed to Impress the young lady
unisvorably, bu. sho dil not roply.
While they were speaking the
train ran into tho sidius. the cld,t
lidy gave the miss an annoyed jork
toward the western bound train, bit
not till the young lady had smiled
on Media putting glance, at the ssno
tune dropping at bis feet solitary
fprget-nc not IL was not the thing
tyr her TO 90. hut, yonig and
romantic, Just from boarding SCHOOL,
she never thou, ,ht, dear reader that
she was doing wrong, mud poor Ned
could not b1 blamed for picking NJ
the of,riny a1d putting it g. his
lips, ~ she was whlrle | out Of sight.
Nj hal just tino TO catch up his
satchol and stap onto the train,
which in few a IirJ Iva Is! hit" e.
his fathers door, ending his tramp'
! ing days forever. Such reiIiGlug
thore vas amorg his friends ,tr his
return. Mother cried little over
him father hum-hummed, auI RIBS
bed his gltasas, while nun II )us littlb
brothers aud sisters anl sisters,
climbed all over him into pockets
wont def; fingers. AMI the home.
coming wns mutually rci>icoi ovor.
Think Of it--.over a tramp ....
or course. Ned never pontionej
the dark daya when, hungry, worn
aud fpotsore, he had trampod thro'
tho dust of Iowa roads, wishing
III his freullossness and despair
that he had the courage 70 ep 1 it all
in the dark. muddy waters Of some
swift. flowing stroam ; but he ex-
pressed such sympathy for tho
tramp that daring the months that
foil )wel his home 'cOming not even
tho worst Of tho name wero over
turned from that door empty hands
ei.
Good fortune had lately anil, d
upOu his parents, and they hal q.
uough and to spare. Nod was help-
oi into business, pronpored, and
was happy, '"
A year had passed by. Nol.
still hard at work, mtt,ey M ,ney ~
His office is in tho busy town Of T..
a place renowHtdt Tor the euil,sl NJ
li it's citizens and tho number ofits
handsome young hlies. Among
the first Ned is clnaye reckoned,
but in speaking Of tho latter they
leave hftu out eutirely,as he will have
nothing to DO with any Of them.
Why, they cannot guess. But shall
| tell you bis secret
In II bright cprner Of his truuk ut
home is II t., lei f,rgot-,n ,.rot. rhi.
is the one dropped on the platform,
u. the depot, that day, long ago.
Nod has not forgotten it, nor tho
giyor, And often tho Saturday
evening train, going into Chicago.
over thn g Il y, W, c,rries Il
young anl happy fell w into tho
presence Ola certain pert miss, whose
whereabouts hai been discovered.
acquaintance cultivated, and, il ID
whispered, affection won, by u Ger.
tain young tramp, whom she thought
she coull love II ho was not deaf.
Now ihave told you OF tho tramp,
the coming Christmas must tell you
what ccmo Of 1t.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
Ths Visit Of an Angel
A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE.
Br william Il. 1UytS.L.

1t is cpll enough 10 freeze th,
holrt ont Of 'n.s9. aut ntxs tas
white be,r dlnce for joy," ggnm
hlad. fnn az .r. as ha Idol .n'
OF win low upon the show.c3YGre
Streets. "loV I Wish / cJl,l st.y
ut home niJh, anr ttka ct;o 0.
yon snl the b sbi's, JeIuy. Anl /
would only for
ile thought Of how mnch pow,
erIy was plucuins them, and would
not 81 lion the he,rts OF than be
loved by mentioning it.
Only for what, Tom p asked
his wife from the he'd, where, i'll
herself, she was taking care Of their
two sick ciillren.
Only that they'll be wanting me,
he replied. You kaow it is Christ,
mas eve. ani we've gotten up au
extra entertainment
"fes, Tom, aud a sorry day for
ms, nov that I am sick, and the
children wanting medicine an d.
she would have said food" bu.
could not bear t. add feather 5
weight to his load -"and SO much
depends npon you"
IL know" he replied, hastily
brushing the moisture from his eyes
and striving to conceal his anxiety /;
but | an wsll aud strong, Jenny,
and tho winter is nearly over and
~onll all be well again"
"nytbing should happen to
toned. with q heavy
much dan.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

AN energetic temperance man met.
n neig on tho street badly under
the iuaaence of liquor, Ha deter ~.
ined to assist the neighbor homo.
With mnch trouble tho two started,
and the abstainer was put to it TO
keep himself aud his wabbling com.
pauion from falling !uto the gutter.
In his drunken snjoymunt the in- :
ebriate sang anl yelled until his
home was reached, when he npisily
persisted in being accompanied into
the house by bis friend, who stoutly
refused TO so. Tho noise ,.6nally,
awakened the uoishbors, and in a
few moments heads were out of the
windows in all directions. whats
tho troble = asked one. "Nussing. /.
missing, ash al" yelled the. drunker
mau, "'cept MIR, S---aod mes on .
thunderin big DRINK. and I'm try.
ing to get iln home -.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
LS IT, -..o you do.
lany chances for acci-

fear, I'll take care OF my
"on't run any extra risk, aud
ave nothing to do in the latter
:, will be home early"
Ho stopped to the bedside, drew
Ehs cover more closely about bis
sife and children, kissed them. put
re coal in tho stove, though ev.
lump was as a golden ducat to a
ock in his then situation, at
led to everything possible for
; comfort, and prepared to face
cold and 60 to his nightly EN-
yment. Yet an uncommon spell
med to chain him. He fingered
setsd, glanced uneasily at the
bck.
"Isn't It timo you we're of, Tom -
Restionod his wife. "You know II
quite Q walk"
"Yes, Jenny, but somehow | don I
bel like leaving you Alone
"Oh, ! am used TO staying alono y
5o she was, poor thing "And
ron said you would be home early"
.fes, yes,"
4 An active. sober man was he. and
: skilled performer. He had boep
isinsd y ~ profession FROM child,
neod knew no olhar. end, undor
y. |
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
Concessions TO Christmas.

II is not n little interesting tc
note how time and increase OF that
liberality which softeus reli Iiuus
differences bring man very close
together in matters in which they
once stood far apart apparently
separated hopelessiy One of the
most striking Illustrations of this
tendency OF men toward fellowship
in thinis which wero abhorrel anl
hated by somc, is given in the fact
that Christians OF almost all do.
nominations in the present time
celebrate in son, ninner tho dIy
that is accepted as tho anniversary
of the birth OF Christ. Whothsr the
25th of December really is tho day
of the year upon which Christ was
born is not known the chances ara
that it is not. Among tho early
Christians there was wide diversity
OF opinion respecting the subject,
and very many different days. ex-
tending from September 10 March,
wore honorel as tho birthday. 1t
was not until tho fourth century
that an ecclesiastical authority fixed
upon December 18th a. tho day that
should be- accepted by all Chrlstiaus.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
II . q { II y.
OLD CHRISTMAS.
NJ THOMAS JoHx ocsgLxv.

p,.,. IL. ,h.., ~, f.,,,,.,h..r
OH Cs.,.,,,,. "a, /, Jr,,,,n, 49,.
M. L.. 49,. .ho,, h;s nj, 80, ,rs Ian.
Va, ,nv,. ,hs hnr,l.n AZ h;s sn,,
wiz boi, 18th hi. h,o,v d, h,,,t
win h.rr,s. rad nj, hail I. cro,o,i.
AMI ,h,,h bs hair /. ,bi,e his syes
T,,;nLi. wi,h n,.a.nra a, h. ,,,s.
Thu gobls, GIlei with ruhv wine.
lie h'eds not fos. nor frost without,
Bat laughs with many achssriul shou'.
Dear, hale oil 0rsndpt. In pat time
We ballcI the with a merry chine,
The pretty books. til nntioiny toys,
The shri.ly laugh Of girls AL boys;
The large plum pull ling. sn,w 'clal cake,
Plump raisins in the hery lake;
Snap. lraeon. game VI hide aud seek
Ntii,s', o1ntairun'. n's'a tales,
Of tsiries' SHIPS Win silver s,lis
IN wery. sleepy eyes attest
ahe night Tar sponi, t~A' TIN, Tor rsN'
Tho blsz'n9 hro. the cart,ins drawn,
The rough wind bowling Ger tn. Lawn
GrotesQne, laAlnt satioss tnJss aal fall
Upon the crimson pspsred wall.
My father filed the old arm-chair.
My hio,ber's face knew not ctre
10 was q boy ou Christmas day.
Anl sha inoka Iiks ,,,Il In M.o
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
MAKING ChfisiH'ss Presents.

Begin paying your little bills. II
you owe a nall account mt the little
shop round tho coruer,or the washer.
vo uin hns boon kept waiting fot
nor wages /; or tho nilkm bill IL
overdue, or there's litty ceuts owing
At tho cObOlhr's anl the seamstress
mas been told lp call again, 500 to il.
These are sich ltiio tbings tha'
they slip the memory perhaps. Bills
of this class 10 not come in with
printed heads ani ornamental On.
yclpOes they are not put on the
mantel-picce like those the postnan
brings I they are little scraps Of
paper, with fow tigul os scratched
IN the corner or q boy or little girl
calls to ask if it is convenient y
which IL always ought 10 he. Some
people ssem To have an idea that tho
settling Of these small accounts Is
cInferring favor--rather mer
itorious act indeed because. it is to
bo supposed, they might have boon
put of longer still. Especially is
this trae when the money is pail for
services dJno, which passes quickly
ont OF sight, while tho new carpet
aud vases, the nov coat and hat aro
reminders in Themselves All th,
more theu, shoull there b. reckon
ing whom people are starting out
with fu.l purses to buy CAristmas
presents, aud tho question bs asked,
How much OF tins money belongs
to me 2 1t depends on tho answer
whethor to go fest to tho purchase
OF expensive things or whethsr this,
that aud tho other forgotten dues
are set aside aud carried to their rc-
speclivc owners.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
The Christmas Stocking,

Mttlroi rroIl. h th, rsalir-
lion Of your b shtcst hopo Of man :.
hood over exoclIcd, or even 90 ,sled.
tho ioy experiancsd at Gu ing your
by hoods Ciristnas stocking?
low wclcume hat wel-k ,it,ei,
wcIl-filloif'cs anl log, the ku ,bhy
projcc,irns made by tho cooccale !
treasure within, as you to Il it from
the nill IN he gray of the cold Clrist-
ms m,rning. Cpulh to-d,y fat
esacy from dccca.ei rich uncla
given you an more pleasure 7 Isn't
II little queer that while as wo
grow from YOU b In mluh,od tho
OBJECTS chanao VIII ch briuS Us pl,as-
urr, lac am u It Of happiness realized
varies but httIo : Thcre seem, I, bs
\ certain amount of tho article im.
planted IN vs. no u re . % less.
fhe boys slei gives place to ths
richly c,piri'Onei scigh. the toy
house to the inpOs!og ro'Iienc', ths
toy watch 10 u r,al Que, the toy
boat tpan ce'n yatch but the 6t.s
yiol led quite as much pleasure ~
| ho lust
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
Christmas Carol.

With rcnd'ring ave.
The wise men raw
The star In heaven sprInging.
Aud With ieligh,
In peaceful night.
They heard The angels singing,
Hcsanna. hosqnni.
liosnnna 10 his name
Hy light Of star
They Travelled far
To seek the lowly mauger
a humble bed
Wherein was laid
The noud'rons little stranger.
l'osiuna. hossnn,.
Ilcsanna ~ His namo
And siill is found,
The world ercund,
The ol and bsllowed eiory
And sti|l Is suug
In every tongue.
The sugsl'' song of glory ;
Ilosanha, ho.lrna,
llosrnna to His name
The heavenly star
Its rays afar
On every l1nl f.. throwing.
And shall not cease
TIL holy peace
In all the ear,h il glowing,
Hcsannn. bo'nnna,
liostnna TO His name
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

The CoUSrRY's NEEp,--A cctcm-
porary wisely says ; "What our
country needs to-day more than the
manufacturer, tho merchant or the
lawyer, is the farmer. 1t seems,
however, next to impossible to get
people to realize this fact, or to act
on it when they do. Ia spite Of the
hard times young men continue to
lounge around largo cities, where is
no possible hope Of employment,
waiting for something to turn up
and utterly noglecting the oppor~
tnnities that are presented .ip, the
country. The truth is, people now :
a-days arc too much afraid Of hard
work, and decidedly object to that
sort Of living which has to bs earn.
ed by the sweat Of tue brow. They
had much rather live by the sweat
Of ssmsbody slso's bfos, Y. .ihey
eau ,..,aS k.s,s \ ~, n d, 4 ]. NJ. / (. "a.
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

A Boston pro 'eher said The lit,
tle good any of ns can do must be
done with our hearts thumping
sgairat our fellow map.' And every
young woman in church looked VI
every othsr young woman and s,al.
ed approyiugly.,- ...-......- M
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

Iowa boasts OF . Il mst xlbo a.
thirtssn months past bss drsuh ~
Rallous Of water daily. m &.
goes 10 bsd thirsty svsry ~ & y
p ttonght The cause Of the ~ /. y {
traeted dseatk has sev ~ 't'SN y
soysfsd. kxSzF
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25
II HE pOST.
-----ss.a---
Published every Thc'~iav Evenine
JEREMIAH CRouSk, Prop's
Tprtna of Snbssitbt,o.r

Terms OF SubsoNpLon
rWo DOLLARS FER ANNUM Pay.
able within Elk months, or t2,b0ifnot
paid within ,i.s year. No paper dis
continued until all arrearagcS ars
paid nnlcss at the option Of the pub.
Usher.
subscriptions pu,side Of the county
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
fTPersons lifting and using papers
addressed % 9th ,rs become subscribers
and are liable forthe price ofthe paper
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25

- & l q ct II "a q =
The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-12-25


block had been traversed the horses
had been made to realize that he was
their master, and the sharp curb
cutting deeply into their mouths
brought them to stand-still.
The crowd cheered lustiIY-the
police assisted the woman aud ehil
drsn out, AMI carrie them into q
neighboring store, aud, as soon MS
the former had in a measure resov.
cred her senses, she asked for her
preserver, that she might thank ani
reward him. But he was not to be
found. All that could bs learned
was, that us soon as the trembling
steeds had been taken change of BY
others he had disappe ared.
who could he have been ?" qnes-
toned tho lady, with stlll-ghastly
face aud blooilcss lips.
"Cso't say" answered a policeman
constituting himself spokesman f;
"but he was a brave fellow, anyhow.
1 wouldn'L have taken the risk hs
did for thousanis.'
"A brave fellow, JUDGED" was the
response. "and would have given
very much TO know his name and
where he is TO bs found"
8, would the policeman, that
something Of the glory might attach
to himself. But the lady departed
homewsrd without obtsiuiog the
desired information. and the Aensi-
livsasss al Ton 0rton oaased' hin,
q ~ NJ on opP1rtuyIiJ u biz