davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
Christmas Evergreens.

The use of evergreens and flowers as
3 means of decoration seems an instinct
of human nature. Green boughs were
used bv the Jews at the Feast of Tab
srnacles, and the Romans Ornamented
their temples and houses with them,
Surfing the Feast of Saturn. The an
lent Druids hung green branches and
the mistletoe over their doors as a pro-
pitiation to the woodland sprites- A sur
vival of this superstition was found
smong the English peasantry, not two
hundred years ago. They hung up
evergreens in their cottages, in the be-
lief that the sylvan sprites would flock
thereto, and so the boughs would re-
main unnipped by the frosts till mild
er season. The English custom of deck
ing houses and churches with ever
green's at Christmas springs, therefore,
from an ancient practice and human
instinct The favorite plants are holly,
bay, rosemary, laurel and ivy. Objec-
tioG was formerly made to the use of
ivy in church decorations on account of
its associations with the orgies in honor
of Bacchus. The mistletoe was also
excluded because it was the plant most
intimately associated with the heathen-
ish rites of the Druids.
Though accommodated from the
church the mistletoe was the popular
plant for decorating English homes.
When Druidism wa the religion of the
Britons, the mistletoe was held in great
veneration. 1t was gathered with mys-
tic rites from the oak on which it had
grown, and then, divided into small
pieces, distributed among the people.
They hung up the sprays over their
dwellings, rs a Precipitation to and a
shelter for the woodland deities, during
the season of frost Even as late as the
seventeenth century piece of mistletoe
suspended from the neck was supposed
to guard the weaTer from the baleful in
fuence of witches.
In modern times the mistletoe has
tendency to attract men towards
witches of fairer face and a more
amiable nature. A branch of the mys-
tic plant is at Christmas hung from the
ceiling If any man or boy can by
coaxing or cunning induce fair girl to
come under the spray, he is entitled to
kiss her. Gossip does report that maid |
ems have been known to pass on Eu7'-
pose under the salute-provoking branch. |
Among the old Christmas carols may
be found some in praise of the ever
greens used in decorations. OF the |
holly it is said:
" Here comes holly that is no gent,
To please all men in his inte4t.
Allelujahl
The ivy is praised in these lines:
ivy is soft and meek of speech.
Against all bale she is bliss.
Well is he that may her reach"
-YOztth'S Companion.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
THE JOLLY YOUNG KING.

There's eyoung fellow, so blithe and merry,
Who goes by the name of--"January.'
He keeps out Of sight
Till a certain night.
When old Father Defender
Lies low on his bier,
And his crown, you remember,
Awaits the Netr YedT.
This little new hing, rs he steps to his throne,
Makes many promise that he will atone
For the faults of the old year, or many or few,
And no doubt the gay fellow does mean to be
true,
To each and to all.
But the best of us fail;
And so II turns out
That the New Year. you see,
Though he daily grows older,
No tCiSeT' grows he
And so, laden with many a sorrow and tear,
He, too, leaves his throne, and there reigns q
NeiU Year.
But here's to the health of the merry new
To his true. loyal subjects new joys may he
bringi
May the months be so glad
That no heart may be sad
May peace and prosperity walk hand in hand,
And doubt and perpleXity fee from the land.
For "a Happy New Year,
Cries young January,
g I'm coming, I'm here.
Let all hearts be merry"
Mary d. Brine.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.
By Charles Dickens

There seems magic in the very name
Of Christmas.
A Christmas family party! We know
nothing in nature more delightful.
How many old recollections. and how
many dormant sympathies, does Christ
mas time awaken.
This is the season of hospitality, mer-
riment and open -heartedness, and many
are the hearts that are gladdened by its
coming.
The most minute and trivial circum-
stances connected with those happy
meetings crowd upon our mind at each
recurrence OF that season.
Who can be insensible to the out
pourings of good feeling. and the hon
est interchange of afle tionate attach
ment, which abound at this season Of
the year.
Would that Christmas lasted the
whole year through as it ought. and
that the preiudices and pass ons which
deform our better natures were never
called into action among those to whom
they should ever be strangers.
Christmas time That man must be
a misanthrope. indeed, in whose breast
something like OVAL feel ng is not
reused p in whose mind some pleasant
association is not awakened by the re-
currence OF Christmas.
The Christmas tree casts no glowing
shadow. Buf. as sinks into the ground.
l hear n whispering gong ,hr ugh the
leaves: . his, in commemoration OF the
law of love and kindness, mercy and
compassion. Tbs in remembrance of
Me-
On this day reflect upon your present
blessings-of which every man has
many-not on your past IN sfortunes, of
which all men have some Smile again
with a merry face and contenIed heart,
then your Christmas shall be- merry
and your New Year happy one.
This is a kind. forgiving. charitable,
pleasant time; the only time know of,
in the long calendar OF the year, when
men and women seem ty one consent
to open their shut-up hearts Freely, and
to think OF people he ow them rs il they
really were fellow passen GEES to the
grave. and nos another race of creatures
bound on other Journeys
Happy. happy Christmas. that can
win us back to the decisions of our
childish days; that can recall to the old
man the pleasure of his youth; that can
transport the sailor and the traveller
thousand OF miles away. back to his
own friends and his quiet home.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
TIE OHRLsrnAS TREE.

Where grows the Christmas tree
ne green, deep-rOOted Christmas tree?
By what brave toll. in what rich soil,
Can Spring the blooming Christmas tree2
is il from prairies broad and deep.
Where future harvests softly sleep,
And hocks of acres. far and free,
Lie level az a Waveless scar
Or1s 1t where breeze-skein tWines
Between the lofty-plumaged pines?
" where sweet Gtealthy IanguOr rOves
Among the Southland orange groves?
OF blooms il best mid city homes,
WIN wealth $ unnumbcred spires and domes7
Ut is IL where, through changeful day,
The mountain shadows creep and play.
ana swift q cleaning sun-fiOOd rides
Along the tall cliffs dappled sides?
High grows the Christmas tree.
- The sweet, lOYe-planted ChistInas tree
Where er extends the hand Of friends;
Wherever heart-caressings be.
What bears the Christmas tree
- The bright rfch-fruitcd Christmas tree?
What gather they, expectant-gay,
Who throng around the Christmas treo?
Leaves picked by lOve-instructed art
Prom oil the branches of the heart:
FRUITS cullcd from every tree and vine
w here zephyTs fiy and sunbcams shine
w nate or can brighten to our gaze
Ihe trembling dawn of childhood days;
Mhate' er can feed more clear and high
Inc lame of youths expectant eye;
w hate'er can make more richly good
The blood Of man or wOmanhood.
Or bid old age look smiling round
AT gems OF earth-1oy newly found:
W hate er can say: " hile strength endures
My life has love and help for yours
Rich glOws the Christmas tree
The heart-prOtected Christmas tree
with tokens dear TINT bring more near
GODS earth-lent love to you and me
-ViU Carleton
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
Christmas I'm 1869.

On Christmas Day, 1862. when Con-
federate money had begun to depreci-
ate, turkeys in Virginia were worth
81 apiece. salt thirty-three cents q
pound, while 1.-THE yule log" was Sl5
a cord: fire-crackers were 50 a pack
In 1868 turkeys had risen to $50 apiece;
whisky and rum for egg nog cost S45 q
gallon; sugar was fro IS to SO q
pound; flour 1925 barrel Gold was
at n premium OF -. 200. and a plain
Christmas dinner cost about $500. In
1864 four was $500 a barrel; butter
$40 pound. and sugar 3 an ounce.
At Christmas dinner at a country
house near Richmond, they had for din
Ger a $500 ham. and the last turkey on
the plantation. value. $40. with 500
worth Of cabbage. potatoes and hon.
my. Corn bread was served made of
meal AZ SO bushel. and salt at 81 a
pound. The desert was black molasses
81 500 gallon, aud after one cup Of
tea-real tea. worth 500 a pound.
treasured for the occasion as a surprise.
and not sassafras there was coffee a
discretion, made from sweet potatoes
cut into little squares. toasted and
around.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
Christmas as We Grow Older.

As we grow older, let rs be more
thankful that the circle of our Christmas
associations and of the LESSONS that they
bring expanpsi Let us welcome every
one of them and summon them to take
their places by the Christmas hearth.
Welcome, old aspirat, ons, Offering
| creatures of al ardent fancy, to your
places underneath the holly We know
| you, and have not out ived you yet.
! We come, old projects and cd loves,
however fieetiny, TO your nooks among
| the steadier lights that burn around us.
! Welcome. al that was ever real to cur
/ hearts; and for the earnestness that
made YOU reai thanks tt Heaven, Do
we build no Chris mas castles in the
clouds now? Let our thoughts. futter-
ing like butterflies am NC these flowers
of chi dren, bear witness.
Before this boy there retches out a
future higher than we eve oDked II n
our romantic time. bIt b light with hon T
and with truth. Ar und this lit head
on which the sunny urls lie heaped,
the graces sport prettilv, as airily as
when there wa no ythe wit lin the
reach of Time to shear away the GUS Of
our first love. Up an thec girls face
near tip acider but smi ing brght-a
quiet but contented lit face, we see
h me fairy wr ten.
shin NC f'Gm he word as rays shine
from a tar. we see how. w en- our raves
are cd, other h pes than ours Il vcunS;
other he RS han ours are moved; how
other waves a~e smothered: how other
happiness b ooms ripens and de avs
no, not deca S, Tor uthe' homes and
other bands of ch dren not yet in being,
nor fer ages vet TO be. arise and DOM
and ripen the end of all
Wei ONE everything, Welcome alike
what has been and what never was and
what we hope may be to Your shelter
underneath the holly. to your places
round the Christmas fire, where what is
sits open-hearted! In yonder shadow do
we see, obtruding furtively upon the
blaze, an enemy's face. BY { hristmas
day. we do forgive him. If the in ury
he has done us may admit of such com
paniOnship, let him come here and take |
his place. II otherwise, unhappily, let |
him 90 hence. assured that we will new |
er injure or accuse him.
The winter sun goes down over
town and village; on the sea it makes a
rosy path, as If the sacred tread W re
and it sinks and n; ght comes
Jhs oA4h ~ 2iAio W III bIO
On the hillside beyond the
diilusel town, and The
quiet keeping Of the trees that girdle
he village steeple, remembrances are
tut in stone, planted in common flow
IFS, growing in grass, entwined with
owly brambles around many mound
If earth.
In towns and villages there are doors
md windows closed against the wealth
II, there are flaming logs heaped high,
here are joyful faces, there j. healthy
music of voices. Be all ungentleness
md harms excluded from The temples
# the household gods. but be those re-
mem RANGES admitted with tender en-
ouragemeat. They are Of the time
nd all its comforting and peaceful re-
and of history that reunited !
ven upon earth the living and the
cad; and of the broad beneficence and J
GOODNESS that too many men have tried 2
D tear to narrow shreds. Charles Dick !
u.s. ,
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

Esrsrs. p
The above I1 good likeness Of Mrs. lydia z Pink
ham. or yiu- Miss. who above all other human beings
may be t1.lfuily cauedthe "Dcar Friend Of woman
ssome Of Ter correspondents loSc 60 call her. She
g. zauouv -Cvotcc TO her work. which f. tho outcome
OF n lie -tudy, and il obliged TO keep six lady
assistants % help hcr Gnswcrth large correspondents
which daily nor I'm upon her each bearing its special
burden CT ruTcrng, or joy at release from Ct. Her
Yerctablc -empound IS a medicine FOR good and not
evil purposes. have personally Investigated It and
am satsnlo OF the truth OF this
on account OF is proven merits, &c e. recommended
and proscr bod b. the best physicians in the country
one says. 10 works Ike charm sud saves much
pain itwrl euro entirely tho worst foam Of falling
81 thc u-.ius, Loucorrhosa, irregular and painful
Menstrual a. all Ovarian Troubles, Inflammation and
liberation Weddings, all Dsplacemcnts and the con-
soqucnt SD al weakness and IS especially adapted 20
the Change u life"
upcrmoaics every portion OF tho system, and gives
new lie ard vigor. Il faptnss. hatuicncy,
destroys O., craving for stmulants. and relieves weak
mes 81 tn stomach. r. Floating. Headaches
Nervous rosf5ation, General Debility slccpcssness,
nspfysirr ana Indigestion. That feeling OF bearing
down. c1usln- rain weight and backache, Is always
permanently cured by its usc Z. wiz az all tiinos md
under all circumstances, net in harmony with the law
tant rovosrs She female system.
Itcosts o 81 per bottle or six for S.. and is sold by
Druggist ANY advice required as 90 special cases, aud
the name % many who have becn restored to perfect
health by the OF The Vegetable Compound, can be
obtained ~ addressing Mrs. P With stamp for reply,
a. her home in l. mn, MasL
For Eidrry Complaint % either this compound Ia
unsurrasi5 a as abundant testimonials show.
Mrs fnishans Liver rills.' lays one writer, oro
TIE best in fhc t7orld Tor tho OF Constipation,
Buiousness and Torpidity OF tho liver. Her Blood
I.ridrr works wonders in its special lime and bids fair
70 equal tho Compound IN its popularity.
An mus r.pect her as an Angel Of Mercy whose sole
ambition Is TO good TO others
Thnaaeiphia. Pa % Nrs.A NJ D
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
What to Bur.

These are the days when one hears
complaints on every hand regarding the
purchase Of Christmas presents. The
ladies' are almost in despair as to what
they can buy for their gentlemen
friends. aud the men don't know what
the ladies want We take it upon our
selves to make some suggestions, first
to the lady. Suppose you buy him a
boot-iack. They all have EN-? Oh,
no they don't. and they are rs novel as
they are useful. or course, wooden
boot Jack is not very ornamental
thing. but YOU can decorate it with
roses and bugs and such things, and
make il look quite antique and striking.
We Just know he would like it, and If
he does not use it to draw off his boots
he can shy il at the festive cat from the
second-story window. If you will not
give him that, how would some cigars
and a case OF champagne answer? BE
don't drink? Is that so? Well, then
suppose YOU give him the slippers you
have been working for the minister?
He has pair? Lucky nan. Then go
buy him a pair of gloves, two sizes too
large, stove-pipe hat rat-and-tan,
boXing-gloveS, or an easy chair that
wiz fall TO pieces in week. Now, il
among all those articles YOU cannot find
one that will answer, il is because
every thing we have mentioned is too
expensive Ii YOU want TO make your
husband present of something more
valuable than anything else, and At the
same time something that will not cost
YOU a single cent we will tell YOU what
it is Stake him a solemn promise not
to give I'm curtAin lecture in whole
wear any he viii think himself the
happiest man in the land. To the
gentlemen fewer words will be neces-
sarv. Buy her an unusually large opera
hat, two dollars worth of mixed candy,
a poodle, a white crow, don't leave
out the ..r." oh! gentle compositor),
a sewing that runs by cleo
tricity. patent mop that wrings itself,
new kind of dish water. or any simi-
;ar thing equally 1stheticaL II you
don't think she would be suited with
any of these things. suppose you insure
your life for one hundred thousand dol
lars and sink yourself in the canal.
How do YOU think that sort Of thing
would suit her for a Christmas presently
--Rochcs' cypress.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
Christmas Observance,


In our country at present Christmas
is generally observed wisely and well
by Christians Our churches are open
for prayer and praise on that day, and
of old Gus oms, we continue to follow
only those that are symbolic, innocent
or beautiful as gift-giving. the
Christmas tree. decking our homes with
evcrgreens and holly and the like. We
preserve, also, the time honored custom
of serving up an abundant and rich din
ner on that day, which is well and COM
mendable, so long as we remember that
this is only a part, and by no means
very important part, of our Christmas
rejoicing.
Let us eat heartily and give God
thanks for the excellent food and the
good appetite and digestion that enables
US 20 enjoy it; but let US not eat so
much as 10 hurt our health or our tenn
per-so may our thanks be sincere and
heartfelt II may be that the sight Of
our own abundance VIII move us to call
in TO share our meal some neighbor
whom God has blessed much less boun-
tifully than us in material things-that
would be a part, and very good part,
of giving thanks. The proper obserF-
ance of Christmas should be a part of
our Christian duty as wei as anything
else. Church and Home.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
4 CHRISTMAS ByafN

The air was still DER Beth!ehem's plain.
AS if the great night held its breath,
When life eternal came to reign
over q world of death.
All nature felt thrill divine
When burst that meteor on the night
Which. pointing 70 the SaviOr's shrine,
Proclaimed the newborn light.
Light to the shepherds and the star
Gilded their silent midnight fold;
Light to the wise men from afar,
Bearing their gifts of gold.
Light to a realm of sin and grief;
Light to world in all its needs;
The light of life-a new belief
Rising DER fallen Creeds.
Light on a tangled path OF thOrns,
Though lead ng To martyrs throne;
A light to guide till Christ returns
In glory TO His own
There still it shines. while far abroad
The Christmas choir sings now, and ther
"Glory, glory unto our Godi
Peace and goodwill to nen!
II Buchanan Read.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

Edmund Yates says that 1.-THE Anne
tican Christmas is purely due to Charles
Dickens. When he invented or rather
revived Christina, the Americans took
lp the matter warmly. Before that
hey had only three fesfivals-the
Fourth of July, New Year and Thanks
irving"
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

Having been afflicted for ten years, ct IN D.
terVRl with that distressing malady, the
piles. and after many Intellectual trials of the
remedies in common use, commenced a
short t-i1e ago to use your Pile Ointment
expeIier ce2 immediste relief From the re-
lief experienced in my case, as VOL . from
the reF. tation so rapidly scquiled by your
Ointmsut ia this vicinity, J have 10 hesita
ton IN expressing the opinion that Il * the
most eff cent remedy for piles ever invented
o. A. BULL,
LRGrange, Ga.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
New Years.
..Ripg out, wild bells, to the vild sky
The flying cloud, the frosty light
The wear is diving in the night.
Ring out, wild bells, and let him dle!


The year is dying in the night
-Tennvson.
Harkl the death-knell of the year is
tolling. Hush it's solemn moment:
step softly; listenl That old, old year
brought many sorrows, many joys, to
this strange world of ours. Into the
heart OF youth it poured loves golden
treasure; it parted friends whose hearts
were linked in bonds of true affections
it kissed. perhaps, with kiss of silver
the dark, rich tresses upon some PEN
sive brow.
In that short space of time many q
weary pilgrim Ii d down his burden and
went to his reward; many youthful
knight, with spotless shield, entered
the lists of life great tournament.
Old friends have lett us and new ones
filled their places; we have all changed
for better or for worse-and if the old
year has been kind to MS, we lament his
fate; if harsh, we bend in worship to
the king who claims the vacant throne.
Rushi the bells are tolling family; it
is almost over; the end is near.
"His face is growing sharp and thin,
Alackl our friend is gone.
Close up mis- eyes, tie up his chin;
step from the corpse, and let him ia,
That standeth there alone,
And waiteth at the door
There's new foot on the iloor my friend,
And a new face at the door, my friend
A new face at the door
Let us cherish the last words of the
old, dead year:
II am fading from you,
But one draweth near,
Called the angel guardian
OF the coming year.
MAY you hold this angel
Dearer than the last;
So bless his Future,
While he crowns my Past"
Standing on the shining threshold of
the coming days, while old joys and
sorrows fade slowly in the distance, we
may repeat the solemn wish of the
poet:
LET the dead past bury its dead"
The old year with its suferings has
purified our strength; its misfortunes
have given US experience; and we 60
onward down the pathway of the COM
ing years with bright hopes for the
future, and no vain wishes for the past.
- Youths Companion.
"A man who don't buy q Christmas
present for his wife now and hide it VIII
miss much of the romance cOnnectA6
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

This is the season Of the year when
all dear. good wives go down town and
buy a handsome Christmas present for
their husbands The gift is hidden
away and reaches hubby day or two
before the bill of il does. = Detroit Ciafs
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28
VCpTNTMENT

srEEDY ASD SURE CURE FoR
Bleo1ing Piles. Hemorrhoids. Sores,
Ulcers. Tumors, Itching Of the PARIS,
FistUlGs and ell kindye9 disease;
also of Burns, Corns, Felons,
Fever Sores, ScaId Head,
letter, Sore EiPplos.oJc.
ATLANTA, GA Aug. Is, 1877.
After an experience oftwenty- five years in
selling his ointrent and duriCg that lime
having closely watched its effects, aud hav-
ing the testimony Of my frien Is aud neigh
bors 70 coufrm my confidence in its merits,
became fuils satisfied OF its value, end have
bought the exclusive right 10 mske and sell
t., and offer it 10 you the best remedy il
theworid, especially for all FORMS Of Piles.
READ THE TEST III ONTALS:
This IS to certify that have tried Pryor's
Pile Ointment in core of piles, and state
that it gave more relief than anything have
eyer tried. further state that as e remedy
for burns 1t is unparalleled I also used il
for a case Of letter in my feet, Of twenty
years rtanding, and say that IL j. he fret
thing that / have ever tired that gave me
moro t1an momsntary relief ! consider
nov THAT ! am entirely relieved from that
distres ng disease.
JOHN y. NEWSOM,
Troup County, Ca.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

Jeremy Taylor said that the first
chrlstmas carol was the song of the
angels on the birth of the Savior.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

This 10 certify that used Pryor's ONT
ment in o case Of severe burn, and that IN
very e. days IL was entirely relieved of all
inflammation, ard healed rapidly. After
the frs- application of tho ointment. tho pa
tient so Tered no pain whatever
FL MORGAN. LaGranre. Ga.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

Christmas toys. Little boys. House
hold joys y P'cGyHHe.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

BY tic advice Of Mr. Wynn, used your
Pile Ointment on a servant girl who had
beer suffering for eight years with most
aggravated case Of piles She improved from
the very first day = use your Ointment, and
before ing the box she was entirely Tecov
cred. q ". FOSTER Cusseta, Ala.
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-12-28

"A man who don't buy Q Christmas
present for his wife now and hide it VIII
miss much of the romance connected
with the legendary day.