davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
"All owing to the hoop bursting off the
wash tub to-day r

HAll owing to the hoop bursting of the
wash tub to-day ?"
"Yes that was the last feather that broke
the camels back; that and the new horse
rake came too near together | could not
avoid comparing your conveniences with
mine, aud you can see yourself how It
stood. You have every new machine that
is intended to make farm work easy, and
| have nothing at all "
Mr. Alden said no more, but ate his
dinner 10 silence, and the hired men ex-
changed significant glanees with each 9TH
ers. They had thought and spoken Of the
patience which the little woman had shown
in working at such disadvantage, and
always trying to make the best Of what
she had, and they were heartily glad that
she had at last made protest against the
injustice.
After the days work was done, Mr. Al
den drove his team down to the village,
aud when he came back be broughta new
stove for the kitchen, and new pump for
the cistsrn, and butter worker for the
dairy, and the little wife has found, since
that day, that her rough places have been
smoothed in n most satisfactory manner.
Her good man had never thought about IT,.
He did not mean to be unjust, but-he
didn't think.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

Flat-has come to wish you a merry
Christmas, aud to offer you these few tok
ings Of our respeck an esteem
Having thus delivered himself the old
gentleman deposited the bundles on the
table, and stood benmiDg serenely on all
his companions The strange lady, com
pletely overcome by this unexpected kind
ness, could not fud words to reply for u
moment. Then, 10 broken voice, she
said
"rhis is a glad moment of my sorowful
life. You are good, kind men, aud |
know God will repay your generosity to
the widow and fatherless r.
She stopped suddenly, and stood, with
bluncbed checks and distendcd eyes, star
ing toward the door. The miners turned
and behcld the stranger, who, with great
stride forward, and cry expressing the
widest joy, caught the woman in his arms.
They stood thus, heart pressed to heart,
and lips to lips, for an instant Then the
stranger turned his eyes devoutly toward
the ceiling.
"Thank God, he murmured gently,
"the wife | had supposed dead is restored
to me.
The miners stole softly away, and left
the stranger standing thus, with his arms
tendcrly twined about the woman of his
love, and the little child cioging fondly TO
his knees.
The air was balmy outside; the sun
shOne with ineifable sweetness upon the
scenei bluejay screamed his delight from
neighboring tree, and the wind played a
joyful tune among the rocks.
Christmas had come to Mud Flat,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
Tho Use. Of Cork.

The lightness Of cork makes il superior
to all other substances for life preseryers,
for insuring the buoyancy Of lifeboats. II
is also employed as buoys to float nets and
the making Of waterproof shoes. 1t has
also been converted into and used as gun
wadding. Cork, as is well known, is a
non conductor Of heat and Is porous.
These peculiarities have been taken ad-
vantage Of in the manufacture Of water
coolers, which are much used in Spain.
They are made Of slabs Of the wood, bent
round circular heads Of the same, aud
bound with hoops The porosity Of the
cork allows the water to percolaie slowly
to the surface and there TO cool 10 eyapor.
ating, while It's non-conducting nature pre-.
vents the heat Of the sun warming the
water within. In ancient times tho Span.
iards lined the walls Of their houses with
cork because il kept them warm and pre-
vented dampness. The Roman ladies used
ii as soles 10 their shoes to make them ap-
pear tall--there we're no high heels 10
those days. Camillus swan the Tiber with
the aid of cork jacket and Pliny tells Us
that it was employed as stoppers to vessels
ofall kinds The Egyptians manufactured
cofhns with Il, which, being filed wish a
resinous composition, preserved their dead
from decay. About thirty years ago an
ingenious Frenchman introduced mattres.
ses and cushions in which cork, reduced
TO dust or shreds, was d substitute for
feathers, hair or wool It might be used
alone or combined with the above men
toned materials. Il was claimed that
these would make easy beds, smooth, light
aud elastic, and especially well adapted foi
use at sea, where, in cases Of emergency
they might be available as life.preservcrs
But It is evident that cork mattresses die
not become popular. A variety Of walk
ing sticks are manufactured from young
cork trees 10 Airiea; aud Spanish black, !
superior pigment, Is made Of calcined cork
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
Select poetrg,
BUDD BIS CHRISTMAS STOCKING.


II was Christmas time. as all the world knew,
II stormed without. and the cold wind blew
But within all was cheerful, snug, and bright
with glowing fires and many light
Budd Il. was sent quite early to bed
Ills stocking was hung up close TO his head
And he said TO himself, when all grows still
/ will find a big stocking for SANITY TO all'
Now good honest Hans. who worked at the
house,
Had gone to his bed as still a. a mouse;
The room where he slept was one story higher
Than Budd's little room, with gaslight aud fre.
Now Hans loved "ihe poy, aud peltcd him too,
And often at night when his task was all
through,
lie would tell him strange stories Of over the sea,
While Budd listened graycy or laughed out in
glee.
This night Hans had promised TO wake Budd at
four
lie would come softly down and open his door !:
9u, suddenly Bud bounded out OF his bed,
Aud stole softly up to the room overhead.
ON his hands and his knees he crept sonly in:
IN borrow Hans stocking he said with a
grin;
"old SANITY will nll ii up to the top,
And Hans-oh, such fun-will be mad Rs hop"
Ho moved very slowly, aud felt near the bed
No stocking was there, but down on his head
Came deiugc ofwater, well sprInklcd with ice,
Whilst honest Hans held him as II ia wise.
Vat ish dat 2" he cried out, won robbcr hud.
ben pound him. and shake him so much as
mlnd,'
at Is me-" called out Budd "stop, Hans oh !
please do;
/ am only boy could not rob you"
But Hans did not pause; his temper was hot
And he dragged the young robbor at once from
the spot
when he reached the light hall great was his
surprise
To find his young master with tears in his eyes.
Il wanted your stocking" mutlerod Budd D.;
"ll is bigger than mine; boo hoo, can't see.
And I'm all wet and coldr thus Budd cried
aloud,
Until guests aud his parents ran up in crowd,
lie was wrapped mp with care and taken to bed.
But strangcst ofall, not harsh word was said,
lie aattercd himself as he fell fast aslccp
That Hans and his friends the secret would keep.
Next morning when Christmas songs filed all
the air,
Dudd found, to his grief and boyish despair,
That his neck was 10 stif he could not turn his
head
And must spend the whole day alone in his bed.
What was worsc, his own stocking hung limp
on chair.
And on It these words In writing mos, fair:
10 him rho IA greedy ioarc less than dR'
Tho snorid s 20 iargs. aud myrrindocrs 70 mail.
No pack is siastic uA1, children arc lind,
BHia shuis uih a saap and isdtcs nothing beARd
Hhn boy or dgiri Il ssbah aRd moan,
Good-bye liie Bsid, Tan Of irith my tonm.
SANTA CLAUS"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

A NEw ZEALAND GEYsER. The cald-
ron.in-ehicf Is a terrible affair. Al first.
tho yawnips pit (lt is about 40 yards across
was Glled with tiercely. steam.
which bulIeted the sides and escaped with
a rush. Then, with diabolical roar. which
made Us draw back 10 haste from the cor.
alline edging, the veil was rent, and for a
lew moments Tho fury Of this demons
Kettles boiling was visible. The waters
sufged upward 10 appalling volume. madly
charging right and Iefs, snddenly. wish
vicious foam and thunder uphcavi6e, q If
g oserwhelm US aud then as sudaealv
sinking OUT Of sighs, and iilling Inc nAs.
saees and easerns with dying shrIeksl
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

IL is related by the Rev. DIR. Dabney, a
Southern officer in the late war, that when
preaching he denounced the soldiers habit
Of dodging bullets and cannon balls, and
advanced the doctrine that each one was
directed in its mission by the hand Of
Providence, and was sped with unerring
certainty where il was destined 10 90.
Next day, when the battle began 10 rage
airesh, young aide, riding up for orders
Tor his division general, found Colonel
Dabney writing his papers while &c sat
with his back against heavy gate-post
near the Generals tent. The aide got
his orders and as he rode off touched bis
hat and remarked: IL see, Colonel, YOU
have got gate-post between you and
Providence"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

"0h, dearl' said Lily, beginning to cry,
they're all marching strnight 70 my stock.
ing; they'll fill il up vita those dreadful
things and there won't be any room for
Santa Claus to put in anything
"Crying Christmas moruiog?" said a
gentle voice very close beside her. "Mer-
ry Christmas, Lilyl Wake up, aud sec
what Santa Claus has put 10 your stock
ing. Fanny got hers 40 hour ago.p
II don't want to see my stocking, said
Lily "Iye seen enough Of what's in it =
but thinking better Of il, she rubbed her
eyes, aud, seeing no ghosts, sprang out Of
bed, and seizing the very fat stocking,
found il contained all the beautiful things
she most wanted-the very counterpart Of
those which bad just come out Of Fanny's;
for Santa Claus aud parents are, in this
respect, very much like that good Father
above, who maketh His rain to fall on the
just and unjust Perhaps the ghosts were
part OF the rain, too, and il fell with good
elect into Lily's heart, as her mother aud
friends eau bear testimony
IL she did not make so many good reso.
lntions this Christmas she certainly kept
those she did make better. 0ne by one
unfinished pieces of work were looked up
aud completed, the new set Of school books
were kept 10 such a condition as to be pre-.
sentable before respectable teacher, and
best Of all, Lily learned TO ask the dear
Lord Jesus, who is the friend aud helper
OF all children that want 10 be good, to
enable her to be truthful and obedient, to
speak only kind words and do only kind
actions, so that in her next Christmas
dream she might not see ghosts Of her past
failures, but the shining angels who came to
tell the shepherds Of Bethlehem that the
BABY Christ was born.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
0ait and 9umor.
A Father Who Matted.

mi
The other evening citizen Of Detroit
Deckoned to his twelve-year old sou 10
follow him to the woodshed, and when
they had arrived there be began:
Now, young man, you have been fight
Inc again How many times have / told
you that II Is disgraeeful to feht?p
"Oh, father, this wasn't about marbles
or anything Of the kind, ? replied The bov
Il cant help il. AS Christian man Il
Is my duty 70 bring up my children o fear
the lord. Take Of your coat r
but, ather, the boy l was fighting
with called me. names"
Cant help IL. Calling names don't
hurt any any one. of with that coat p
" He said was the son Of wire-pulIer. J"
What what that 2"
Aud he said you was an ofiice-hupterl''
Z" What what loafer dared make that
assertion Y
IL MADE me awful mad, but | didn't
say anything. Then he called you hire
lug. =
Called me hirelingl Why I'd like to
get my hands on him + pulled the old
gent.
Eyes and ho said you was political
iek-spittle r
''Land o gracious but wouldn't l like
to have the training Of that boy for about
live minutes !" wheezed the old man as he
hopped around.
q put up with that, continued tho boy
"and then he said you laid your pipes for
Office aud got left BY large majority. /
couldn't stand that, and 50 ! sailed over
the fence and licked him bald-headed n
less'n two minutes Thrash me Il YOU
must, father, but l couldn't stand L 10
hear you abused in that way
Ny son, said the father as he felt for
half a dollar with one hand and wiped his
eyes with the other, ayou may 20 out and
buy you two pounds Of candy. The Bible
says 1t is wrong to fight, but we must make
allowances for political campaigns and the
vile ISLANDERS Of the other party. / only
brought you out here to talk to YOU, and
now you can put on your coat and run
along. Detroit Free Press.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

'LOOk here, Matilda, " said a Galveston
lady to the colorcd cook, ''you sleep close
to the ehicken-house, and you must have
heard those thieves stealing the chickens. .
"Yes, mama; heerd de chickens holler.
and heerd de voices Of de men," aWhy
didn't you go out, then ?" Cease, ma'am.
bursting into tears, case, ma am, know
cd my old fadder was out dar, and /
wouldn't hab him know Use los confidence
10 him foah all de chickens 10 de world.
II had gone out dar and kotched him, il
would hab broke his old heart, and he
would hab made me tote dc chickens home
foah him besides"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
A Prevailing Misfortune.

Nothing presents sadder commentary
upon the present condition Of society than
the larger number of families both in town
aud country. but more especially the latter,
that subscribe to no paper Of any kind.
Hundreds aud thousands Of families are
growing up utterly ignorant of what is
transpiring in the world around thcm--ig.
norant of the mighty events of the day.
But who can tell the vast amount Of injury
that is being inflicted upon the rising gen
eralion-those who are to take our places
in the world at no distant day--growiug
up without any knowledge of the present
or the past this ignorance, too, being i'm.
bucd into them by the sanction Of those
who should, and doubtless do know better,
did they only think of the injurious effect
OF their insane course. Let the bead Of
every family think Of this, and place in the
hands Of those to whom he is responsible
the means Of acquiring some knowledge Of
the moving panorama in which we act our
different parts.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

GRACEFULLY ACCEPTED. .-''I assure you
gentlemen" said the convict upon enter
ing the prison, 'that the place has sought
me and not | the place. My own affairs
really demand all my time and attention,
and | may truly say that my selection to
Oil this position was an entire surprise
Had | consulted my own interest, 1 should
have peremptorily declined TO serve, but
as | am In the hands Of my friends, I see
90 other course but to submit
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

WITHOUT AN E.-It is we'll known thai
the letter is used more than any Other
letter 10 the English alphabet. Each oI
the following verses contains every lcttei
OF the alphabet except the letter c:
"A iovial swain should not complain
Ofany bnxom fair
Who mecks his pain aud thinks il gain
To quiz his awkward air.
"Quixotic boys who look for Joys,
Qaixolic hazards run;
A lass annoys with trivial toys,
Opposing man for fan.
"a iovial swain may rick bis brain,
Aud tax his fancy's might;
10 quiz Is vain, for lis most pIain
That what | say is right
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

The agricultural editor Of tho New
Haven Rsgistef rises 10 remark that sit
isn't the yellowcst pumpkin that snakes the
best pie. Il Is the rosy checked, dimple-
elbowed farmers girl iha, does thai" buf
don't 60 too fast, young man Her an
suers are sometimes as short "A her pie
crusts.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

Into one Of our largest dry goods stores
entered gentleman tho other day, and
with the air of one who had been used 10
this sort Of thing all his life, you know,
he said to the asionished ealeswoman:
"Giyc me yard Of maroon-colored flannel
to match baby, please" Correcting
himself, he began again; 81 beg pardon;
| mean a yard Of flannel TO match ma
roon-culorcd baby-herc producing bit
Of flannel from his vest pocket, I want a
yard Of that.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

What images do / associate with the
Christmas music as see them set forth
on the Christmas tree. Al angel speak
ing to a group Of shepherds 10 Geld q
baby 10 a Inanger; a solemn figure, with 4
beautiful face, raising dead girl BY the
hand the same In tempest, walking on
The water to ship again, with child
upon his knee and other children around;
again, restoring sight % the blind, hearing
70 the deaf, health to tho sick, strength %
The lame, knowledge to the ignorant, again,
lying upon cross, watched BY armed sol-
disrs, thick darkness coming on, tie
earth beginning to shake, and only one
voice heard Forgive them, ior they know
not what they do - Otafles Dickeas.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

A Western man having lost bis wife,
symPathizing friend remarked upon his
woe-begone appearance. "Well, / guess
you would look thin too, was the melan-
choly rejoinder, eff you had 10 ret
up before daylight, make the fircs, draw
water, split wood, and feed the cattle be-
fore breakfast ! tell you what Ii Is, if /
don't get some one to GIL poor, dear, saint
ed Marias place, shall be resting BY her
side before many weeks.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

"Don't waste your time clipping of the
branches, said a woodman to bis son, s'but
lay your sxe at the root of the tree" Aud
the young man went out and laid his axe
At the root Of the tree, like guod and
faithful boy-and then went fishing.
Truly, there ianothing like ilial obedisnee.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

aAny letter for me2p asked q young
lady Of the female postmaster, 10 a ceun-
try town. "No, was the reply. aStranee,D
said the young girl aloud to herself as she
turned away. Nothing strange aboutit.
cried the female postmaster, through the
delivery window, "you hain's answered the
last letter be sent youl'
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

Man i not bundle.carfying animal.
He can tuck few stray parcels Ii his
pocket, TO be sure, and lug package nu.
der his arm perhaps: but on the whoIS ns
common carrier be = failure. But D
woman we'll We should hhls 70 say nny-
thing that wasn't absoIgSdy sfne: II tho
same time; woman can carry parcels
enough into boFss oas 70 GU Ap ons aide
Of Il, and pick them I'll Up 10 oa6 arm
when she gets oif a. crossing, aid lead !
pair Of twins. carry 40 u.abtella nnd h5Ia
up her skirts With IN >e!hey hand
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

A certain English eeneral, being AZ the
poiut Of death, opened hiseyes, and soeine
d consultation Of four phgsieiana, Who
were standing close By bis hcdsida. ftiEt|y
exclaimed, otienilemch, II sea Hfr ty
plaioons he all over with nze.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

Y A clergyman who aid il ota If a,S
disenufses that every bla1e Of eft> W.
4 af6fman, wae next day amusing iIns<
h} clipping his hNn. ekza ts<'s1fe<f
said 's@sThsi's sisAl. 1eele< f'at >a1t
HqfmpnA shari
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

What madness il is for man d starrs
himself 70 enrich his heir, and 20 tnrn a
friend into On enemy for bis 10y At your
death win be proporsioned 70 what you
leave him.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
SeIett Aoetrg.
Song Of the stooEingu on ohristmas Eve.

ong Of the Stockings on Christmas Eve
Welcome, Christmas. heel and toe
Here we walt thee In a row,
Come, good Santa Claus. we bog
FIJI ; tightly, foot and leg.
PHI rs quickly ere you 60.
filln til we overflow
That's the way aud leave ~ more
Heaped IN piles upon the floor
Little feot that ran all day,
Twiteh In dreams ofmerry pay;
Little feet that jumped at Will
Lie all pink, aud warm, aud still.
See u.s. how weiighuy swing;
Hear us how we try TO sing.
Welcome. Christmas, heel and toe,
Come and hil s ere you got
Here we hang til some one nimbly.
Jumps with treasure down the chimney,
Bless us How he'll tickle US,
Funny old 81 Nicholas.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
Thia Ohristmas Eye and Lnst.

Auls OuIihtndS I've ana Last.
/.
Last Christmas Eve, three lille socks.
We're pinned against the wall,
Three little heads were tucked IN bed
That could not rest at all;
And as the morning sun arose
And Hooded floor and pane,
Three pairs Of feet went scampcrlng out,
Then scampercd back again.
But Santa Claus be caught them up
Aud kisses fell like rain.
II.
This Christmas Eve httlc grave
Lies buried in the snow;
Two little socks instead Of three
Are hanging In a row
Sweet Christmas bells at morning light
Ring out glad refrain
But sorrow for that little one
lne'er shall zee again
Bids father clasp his other two
And tears they fall Ike rain.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25

Poverty often aepfiFes i man 6f alI
spirit aud virtue. Il i hard Iof su tn.pI,
bag to staad upriShi
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-19
Edwin AIden's Advertisements.

A ish NTs WANTED for the best and
n 6Eti-selling pictorial Books and BIZ
bles fasices reduced 80 per cent National
Publ Prng Co, Philadelphia, Pa.
Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-19
Shanghai.

We met friend "Rugby" few
days ago. He Is travelling the
district officially and says he is
getting along smoothly. We have
been called TO correction several
times for saying that we could
enumerate this district In twelve
days on foot. We did say so and
repeat it now. We could do the
work one-third quicker on foot
than on horseback.
We have always admired those
free and easy sort OF people-we
mean those who can accommodate
themselves to circumstances, that
is to say. If there is no vacant seat
in the street-car they can stand
up; If they haven't money to pay
their fare on the railroad train
they can walk; IL they have no
shoes they can 60 bare-footed, but
when we find a man who can
stand just outside the church-door
and swear, and then 60 inside and
lead in prayer, we conclude that
he is ''leetle" too accommodate
ing. OF course we don't say that
we know Of any such.
To the old chief we will say,
don't put on that bloody war
paint. Take up the calumet and
stay thy mighty arm; let thy hot
displeasure cool ere ii is too late;
remember that thy little haJds
were never made to tear any
body's eyes out. Now, come, be
calm.for a minute, and let us rea-
son together. Would it not be
well for you to go a little slow on
your Wellington until you have
him secured? You remember
Hannibal said 10 his soldiers, "Be-
yond the Alps lies Italy," We
would say to you that beyond the
Allegheny lies a vast amount of
brain, money and ambition, to
which is attached a large CORPS of
professional wire pullers urged ON
by determined aspirants. In view
of all these things it looks to us
that If your Wellington gets the
nomination, 1t will be like the old
Miller going to heaven-"by a
id tight squeeze" AS for Ma
poleon B. French he has the nom
ination. What he, Tor the green
horn party. as you term it, may
do we will not arrogate to ourseli
the right ito say. We, like some
others, do not know where the
haw-eating and the ginseng dig
ging may come; but this we can
say, and know whereof we speak
that Napoleon will find seventy.
five volunteers at this precinct to
help him over the Alps. C.