davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

pretty German legend Of the Christmas
time is told in many of the cottage homes of
that country, suggestive OF kindly impulse and
unselfishness. It relates how, on one Christmas
Eve, when the night was dark and the snow was
falling fast, Herman, the charcoal burner, drew
his cloak tighter around him and approached
his lonely hut in the woods, while the wind
whistled iercely through the trees of the Black
Forest. He was poor and worked hard to sup
port his little family, and many were his cares
and his trials which did not, however, permit
his kind heart 10 forget the misforhmes Of
others. Before he reached the little hut, where
he had toiled at his work through many a day
he, on this stormy night, heard low, plaintiye
call as Of child in distress Guided by the
sound he CROPPED about and found little one
alone, and shivering in the cold, scantily clad
near the door of his own hut.
In reply to the kind mans tender words Of
sympathy at finding the forsaken child where
it must needs have persisted OF cold and hunger.
the little one could utter no reply, but spoke
with beseeching eyes the gratitude he felt for
his deliverance, Ak the good man wrapped his
cloak around his shivering limbs and carried
him to his cottage home.
When he opened the door, he exclaimed
d" Here, wife, is guest to our Christmas Eve
supper" and no led the newcomer by his tiny
hand TO the blazing hearth-fire, where he soon
regained the needful warmth and comfort
And welcome he ia, said the wife LET
him share with us the gifts which Christmas
Eve has brought; in which children and all
agreed
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

The birth of the little child in the Bethlehem
stable-the greatest event in the history of
modern oivlizaton-will be observed in a
becoming spirit throughout the country The
Christmas tree will be raised in millions Of
homes, the Christmas anthem chanted in tens
of thousands of churches, and the whole world
will bend in reverence as it hears again the
great lesson of son earth peace, good will
toward men," Christmas is the great humanizing
holiday of the year. Il is the one white hour
in the calendar full of friendship and tender
ness, fragrant with the incense and perfume Of
love and affection. We an go TO Bethlehem on
Christmas The churches that quarrel, the
nations that fight, the friends who are severed
all come together again under the holly aud
mistletoe. This is the one great lesson of the
day. 1t is the holiday of the whole Christian
world, when the song and the petition before
every altar are the same-the cantole and the
prayer Of reverence and love and good will
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
Gayest and GladdeSt.

This is the season when the world is gayest
aud gladdest-not that external natures smile
il brightest, but that the very air We breathe is
barring 10 us on its wings the grand old Mes
sage that unto all the world a child is born.
Oh, wondrous Message, that can so enthral the
ages acknowledge thy power. salute thy
source for surely good must have been begotten
of good. strain that has preserved its purity
through eighteen centuries of time and been
the glory and inspiration Of humanity while
dynasties and generations have crumbied TO
nothlngness, asks more than Reasons gauge of
me. The bird sings in my heart to-day, while
cant and bigotry stink mute away. How poor
and mean must that soul be which cannot ex-
pand beyond the narrow region Of scctariansm
when it knows the earth-wide reach of this
compassionate Christmas message / pity all
such souls. To them the season brings little
grace, l fear, and if there be children waiting
on their love with what anguish and disap-
pointment must they see only the cruel stone
where they had asked for bread Unhappy is
the child across whose Christmas sky rolls a
cloud so dark.-SIGNoR MAX
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
CHRLSTlTAS DAP.


What s this hurry, what = this furry,
An throughout the house lo-day7
Ev lywnerc a mcrry scrrry,
Everywhere % sound of play.
Something, TOO, O. tine matter, matter,
Out-of-do1rs as we'll as in,
For the bell goes cattor, clattcr,
Every NH lta ,ich o DIM
Everybody mixing. blinking,
In queer mytadous way;
What on earth can ihoy be thinking,
What ON Garth can BE- to poy2
Bobby pcopiug DER the stairway
Bursts into a iitilo shout;
Kitty, too, is in d fair way,
Whore she hides, 10 gisglo out.
IA the bell goes elng-e-liug-ing
Every minute more and more
And swift feet 90 springing, springing.
Through the hallway to the door,
Whore q glimps. of box and packet
And little rustic rustic,
Makes such sight and sound and racket
Such a jolly hustle, bIstlc.-
That tine youngsters IN their places.
Hiding slyiy ont Of sight,
All at once show shining faccs,
All at once scream with delight
Go and ask N,em what's the matter.
What the fJn 1utsi+a and in
What the meaning of the CHATTER,
What The hustle aud the din.
Hear theLl, hear them laugh and shout thor
All together halr them say.
. Why, what have y1u been about, thcu.
Not 10 know It Christmas dayY
christmas ST. Nicholas
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

DUE To DICKENS. Edmund Yates says:-
The American Christmas is purely due to
Charles Dickens. When he invented or rather
revived Christmas, the Americans took up the
matter warmly. The celebration had long been
made out in the States to be the festival Of
the winter solstice and purely pagan affair
Dickens infused new life into it, and the
Americans have taken Christmas at his estimate.
Before that they had only three festivals-the
Fourth Of July, New Year and Thanksgiving.
Christmas became the fourth and is now very
popular among Americans, who delight in en-
tertaining any Briton who may be among
them"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

nj W. i,en a'y yiins vi sns , 4t 57yi yiiii'
Ana aTigas ,o Nh so G tbc s si r9 mt
.s snor, as 97bc i"ic r,1,I ~ ir 0'' ''''
p,l III, ,,,,.5,,,,or L.d ,,,-,,i,. i;,o,,,,o.-5
-, dr. t,,id 80, H., s,,1 - a.
A., Afi.-ios ,,,,,t,,i,, "
teoh 9765iss,,s Iyo IA anal, e., t,,,,,i,
"A nm ya,, .il, ,,,ls. n" soii H., t,,,t,aa,
,-t tlo,, IA no s';,,i i,,,,t,l ,,,,,,s I'm Ir
Jir,sris- ,yailirl, siJybot an rarfb do ,op
n,con9" '''
UXvos a n c.,u1 t,o il,,, .,.i,.o,a., .,,tit,
fro,l IA ,,,s intt2" said Il. Iinln wildly
5SIyi, ySs 1i1,t w., b,ar i ,,,,, -,
"W,E LIN, cyns and hair ma ,,''' NAV A.
brltsrrnps2 ~ '
ayes. yesf cried Mrs. Nri,-len "V,at
OF itgr'
.T,sn r,a,au ina b,op ti5popr,5 r- s,il
relinia ,giti' i. I,.t. r,',I ,,h',, q Ana t@si
thero crueI. nint,-haartad Zimmerman has aoi
IL in his room u1 stairs In % h0-8-og 90
"yybatY' cried Inc lgUalaly.
"Yrrifv dearl [ saw her mvs3ifr shriotcd
the maid. Come and look, ma.u. if Won
don't believe lify words"
And In five ininut.. pelrg pproor. sittiu.
doline before the kitchen iire. with bis SHAGGY
csu pulled over his eyes. was scil,d by half q
d.zep pairs of hands.
"EhY" he cried. starting DOT of his slalf-
shaped dreams and mechanically putting his
hand on the pocket where, in the woods. ho
usually carried bis revolver
"Yilleiuw roarod Migelas "Wrcichw
screamed Mrs Msgies "Fipnd in human
sIaDpr roared the damsa. while all tho
taytru-hclp Joined u the general huc-and-cry.
"W1,uF5 tho uattrry said p.isr pci,ncr
DWbat has happeuadY
"Bing the Door little innocent down AZ
once" said mrs Mig.les. "She's been
dr1crod. az she'd uoyer he there 80 still and
pcaceame. Confess your crime. and p'raps the
s1uire'u let YOU off ossvi Though what c1nld
have pul such h.udi.h idea into your head.
I'm sure | can't imagiuew
"Canfe,sl" said sister Sorcnica. mildly. "aud
clear your soul of this dark stain"
Pclr. stared around him with eyes OF amaze
r,ant.
"Be in a lunatic agvlumY' be demanded
.. because If | amt. Hn blamed II know what
Won AN maanW
Asr.v &, O-, ..,,v.,,,,,,Iol ,,ti, :, u,..
Araire ,,;jlsr,,a-. Ftti' IA. pp,',ir W.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

CHmsrMAs HNT.-"Oh, Tn real glad to
see you, Cicely dear. I'm puzzled to know what
to give Charles for Christmas present" Has
he proposed yetY "Why, no What's that TO
do with Christmas PRESENT." ooh, nothing.
Only Tn having plaster cast of my hand made
for George. Perhaps he will take hint, You
know"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

When winter nights grow long,
And winds without blow cold,
We sit in a ring round the warm wood FIRE,
And listen 10 stories old
And we try to look grave las maids should boz
When the men bring in bows of the laurel-tree,
Oh the laurel. the evergreen tree
The Poets have laurels, and why not we2
BARRY CORNWALL
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
A Greeting.

Come, bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log 10 the firing
While my good dame she
Bids ye all be free,
And eat 10 your hearts desiring.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

On Christmas day, in the morning,
My dear, thought Of you,
And | said, have no better gift
Than a friend 30 dear and true;
A love that is mine to the end Of time,
And will last my whole life through.
SARAH ORNE JEWEr
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
Once a Year.

The old colored people of Virginia welcome
Christmas time with the following song
Apple cider, 'simmon beer,
Christmas comes but once year"
The holiday season is always jolly one for
them.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

IAN Old Fable Revised)
One Christmas Eve some foolish frogs
Thought kings for thom should not be logs
So they assembled IN the town
And urged King 5tork to wear the crown.
Alas too soon these frog weru sic4l,
When down the chimney came St. Nick
And, for the little pallywogs,
He filed their Stork-King full Of -frogs
MORAL.
Those who'd escape these frogs sad fate,
should hang thor stork killings ere too late,
Or else thcre1l be in some abodes,
The stockings only full Of too-ads
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

fairfield WIS inauguratl Z
stmaster- General, invest
the star-route service. 7,
lost everybody, Dorsey's
the alleged conspirators.
rtihed all honest Republi-
,,,,,.I.. s.....-4-1
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

ing relative to the secret
d the crime, or the Of
murdered man was con-
hings are still undiscov-
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

ielutth W ruooAuluotGH III tiAo hDNtlul uophlb-
ments Of the government at Washington and
to those in all postoilices and custom houses
where there are fifty clerks aud upwards,
covering aboAt ten thousand subordinatos. 1t
requires that they shall enter the service
through competitive examinations h"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

MOOuyB HcnOOI. INC HBnl OF IIBUI U7HV
wood is embeished with the figure OF n
rabbit, and bears the words "Doolittles Tay-
ern. surmounted by the date "17e4.' The
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

ncsday evening presented a lively appearance.
The numerous company Of old and young
evidently enjoyed the evening. The special
feature Of the occasion was the display OF ex-
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

hNuIUCky 0COIOnuNu Only Gun WUUu nc 7IIl-
ulates indignation, -Edmunds took his twirl-
ing thumbs of his stomach and slowly rose.
The power of the Vermont Senator over the
Senate and the galleries was instantly
Senators sionned -v~'''--
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

---------~--, : -, 80, lave LSs -. Ioss,a
terror in that neighborhood by stealing hors-
es and shooting people at night. Monday
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

This year VI. T. Van Doom Son Will give their
annual Calendar to all adults calling for them at their
store, and will send them to those in neghboring
towns Il they will send address on postal. tSO
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

The executive committee of the Oonnecti-
cut River Valley Masonic union met here
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

the asylum hiil, the Uanal.street hill near Col
Fuller's, Washington-stree hill leading to
CAnnl slreat. mud l.shnann hill laaAinn nnsL
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

they can have the reading Of the Century,
Harper's Monthly, Harpers Bazaar, the Allan
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22

SENATOR EDMUNDs' Power AND INFLUENCE
in the SanaIa haya lnnn hnan nnnnasLinnad
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29
prospsotivs Prices Of Grain and PorE.

A loud cry is heard through all the
great produce markets that we have
enormous crops. II we are to believe
the statements of the papers and the
dealers interested, the country. yea, the
whole world never before raised such
oats, corn and other cereals; and, as q
necessary consequence, prices must be
far lower than they are, and perhaps
lower than for many years before.
But we would warn farmers not to ac-
cept these conclusions. We have heard
such stories before There seems to be.
each year. something like conspiracy
to bear down prices by concerted howl
Of great crops and small demand, until
the grain passes out of the farmers
hands, when there is sudden discovery
that mistake has been made; the sup
ply is much less or the demand much
greater than was anticipated. Prices
are forced up, the dealer getting the
benefit and the consumer losing it.
TO our view. there is q prospect for
high prices before another harvest. and
farmers should have the benefit Of them.
The worlds stock of wheat was we'll
nigh exhausted by the general deficiency
in last years crops; and one large crop
is not enough to bring it up to the usual
average. The same is true of corn; and
the deficiency from that cause is increas-
ed by the fact that new uses are con-
stantly being discovered for corn, and
the demand for glucose, whisky, corn
starch, ETC., is unlimited. The stock Of
hogs has been run down to the lowest
possible point by the scarcity Of corn
and the ravages of cholera, and it can
not be brought around in one year. We
look for good prices, quite above the
average, for this years crop. and we
hope to see those who produce these
crops receive the benefit of the good
prices.-Sycamorc (Iu.) True Rep'Si-
can.
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29
Learn to Swim.

Every man, woman and child should
learn to swim. 1t is not 4 difficult art
surely we can learn to do what all ami
mails accomplished without teaching?
Paddle gently with hands and feet. the
head being erect, wherever it is desired
to 60. This direction being carried out,
is absolutely all that is needful under
ordinary conditions to preserve life.
Children ought to be made to tread wa
ter from their earliest age. say in shall
low slate baths, with blood-warm water,
or when convenient and suitable, some
river, pond, or in the open sea. A leath-
er belt with rin~. and stout rod with
line and hook, are employed by the Por-
tuguese mothers to instruct their chill
dren. The mother. rod in hand, stands
on the brink. The child learns in the
water. In Paris swimming schools the
same procedure is resortcd to. The
business cannot be begun too soon. l
saw mere infants sustaining themselves
perfectly in the tepid waters of Africa.
Treading water is far safer than swim
ming in a broken sea. Every adult,
man or woman, who has not practiced
it, should begin. Once the conviction
instilled that the body is lighter than
water, the risk of drowning is reduced
to zero. The process involves no uncer-
tainty. no delay. Very different from
swimming, it can be acquired at once.
This is not the first time we have men-
toned this subject, and We hope its i'm
portance may be appreciated by our
readers.
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29
Husband Hunting.

The seasons husband fishery at the
summer resorts, says the Philadelphia
Times. is generally reported a failure
One reason why the fishery failed was
because the bait was too gorgeous.
While it compelled admiration, it daz-
zled those who admired it. Its glitter
was too beautiful, but glance at it was
enough to drive the poor fellows away
with feelings Of thankfulness for their
escape. While palmer and less expensive
girls meet their mates, the elegantly
Overdressed lady remains solitary.
II the girl who is fishing for husband
makes any mistake it is that of thinking
that the young man who is looking for
wife wants costly piece of goods for
show. Some young men want this, but
there are few who can afford it, and
even those who can are in many in
stances afraid to yoke themselves to it.
They know that a too snowy young
woman. even if she has wealthy parents,
is apt to be full Of troublesome whims
and notions very difficult to satisfy.
Even if they be so sordid that they
would like to marry for money. these
yOuhS hiCu hhOW cuOuSu W TeucCL tuit
riches sometimes take wings and 90 out
OF sight. They stop and consider that
If there be wealth and whims, when the
wealth flies away and leaves nothing
but whims, the residue is an exceeding
ly undesirable piece of tinery.
Every summer there is complaint OF
the lack of young men at the watering
places. This year the complaint is louder
than ever. One of the reasons is that
the extravagant display made by some
OF the girls frightens them away. They
cannot afford such expensive luxuries as
these girls appear to be. They 60 fish
ing, or hunting, or boating by them
selves, or take long pedestrian tours out |
Of the reach of the girls. The girls
sit on the fashionable hotel
porticos with their papas and mammas,
and lament and wonder.
The girl who lets nature take its
course; who avoids putting herself on
as if for sale; who makes no
more display than is consistent with
5racefulness, beauty and good common
sense, is reasonably sure of one of two
.hlngs. Either she will make delight
ul wife for some sensible and worthy
nan, or she will turn out happy and
ovely old maid. Better be nice spin
ter than an unloved wife, married fo1
money or show.
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29
THE POET WHITTIER.

Sunday, Dec. 18th, was the seventy
fifth birth day of one of Americas
sweetest poets-John G. Whittier
He was the recipient Of many congrat
ulaticns, and said to reporter, "rath.
er queer thing to congratulate a mar
upon, that he is seventy-fve years old, ,
and smllingly adding perhaps it i:
something to have lived so long IN this
wicked world.
Mr.. Whittier was born at Haverhill
Mass, in 1903. His parents were
Quakers, or friends, and he was reared
in the religious tenets of that sect, and
hence never received classical educa-
ton. AT an early age he identified
himself with literary pursuits and in
1890 was editor Of the New England
Weekly Revieay. Eight years later he
was editor of the Pennsylvania E,se-
man a prominent anti-slavery organ; af
terward he was connected with the
Washington MatioualE,a.
Through his poems and other writ
ings, but principally the first, he con.
trlbuted greatly to the building up Of
the anti-slavery sentiment Of the coun.
try. They touched the public con-
science and famed the spark of indig-
nation against wrong and oppression
in high places and under specious plea,
of usage and custom. Mr.. Whittier's
later works which are "Snow Bound"
Tent on the Beach, 'etc are among the
most popular of his writings and show
a sympathy and acquaintance with the
varying moods of nature and the hu-
man heart, that gives them an enduring
While Mr.. Whittier talks
of quitting work, We hope he may live
to give us many more gems from his
kind and gentle heart. Such men do
not grow old with the years.
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29
A Tough Witness.

During recent trial, it was thought
important by counsel to determine the
length OF time that certain quarter Of
beef remained in an express-wagon in
front of plaintiffs store before It va.
taken by the defendant. The witness
under examination was . German,
whose knowledge of English was limit
ed; but he testified in a very plain,
straightforward way to having weighed
the meat, and to having afterward car
ried it out and put it into the wagon.
Then the following ensued:
Estate to the jury how long it was
after you took the meat from the store
and put it in the wagon before it was
taken away"
''Now l shoost cand dell dat
thinks bout dwelve feet. 1 say no near
er as dat
''You don't understand me. How
long was it from the time the meat left
the store and was put into the wagon
before it was taken away by the de-
fendant?'
Now 1 know not what you AZ dat
for. Der wagon he was back up nit
dat sidewalk, and dat's shoost as long
as it was. You dell me how long DEF
sidewalk was. Den feet? Dwelve feet?
Den dells you how long it was"
II don't want to find out how wide
the sidewalk was, but want to know"
speaking very slowly, show long-this
-meat-was-in-t -the-wagon- before
-it-was-taken-awayw
30, dat! Veil. now, 1 not sold my
meat SO. I all time weigh him; neve1
measure meat, not yet. But dinks
about dree feet. l know not, shentle-
mems, how is dis. dell you all l can,
shoost SO good as know
''Look here. 1 want TO know how
long it was before the meat was taken
away after it was put in the wagon?"
"Now you dry and get me in some
scrapes. Dat meat was shoost so lone
in der wagon as he was in der shop.
OATS vot l told you. Dat meat vas
dead meat. He don't got no longer in
den dousen year. not mooch."
"That will do"
Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-29

A man never loses anything by being
polite. A Buffalo gentleman, waiting
for train, saw woman slip upor
something and nearly fall. He hurrieC
to assist her and helped her to rise, and
IS ne did so she dropped valise which
proved to be his own, which he had left
in the depot few minutes before, and
which she was attempting to steal.
A notorious scamp, much affected in
q revival, once went to Jonathan Ed
wards. and said to him, in the religious
parlance of the time: Il realize that ]
am the chief of sinners.'' Glad to hear
it." replied the dominic; "your neigh.
bors have long realized it." 81 feeI.n
persisted the whining penitent, .that ]
am willing to be damned for the glory
OF God" WELL" replied the hard
hearted preacher, II don't know anv.
body around here that would have the
slightest objection"
Rector (whose curate has lately left
the parish). visiting old woman
We'll, Betty, l expect you will miss
"Oh, yes, sir! He were a beautiful
young man, sir!" Rector-"Well. he
was very good man, Betty; but Idon'I
know about his being exactly ..beauti.
full: Betty-"Oh, he weren't much
to look at in the face, 1 know, but, lor'
Sir, his innards was lovely."-Judy.
During the rebuilding of an orthodo,
church in a Massachusetts town the so.
ciety worshiped morning and evening
in the Unitarian church, the buildine
being occupied in the afternoon by tbs
unitarians. A visiting clergyman al
the evening service, having called upor
the Lord to bless the evening and morn.
ing service, added: "And will thou bles,
as much Of the afternoon service n
thou approvest."
The gentleman stepped on the coal
Dealers platform scales and ssked to be
weighed. The dealer said: ..Why, GER
'ainly," and called to the man inside to
AXE the weight. And the man thought
t was coal he was weighing and shout
"a back the weight six hundred pounds.
"To-morrow's Sunday, isn't it, NAM
na?" Yes. dear" ..Mayn't 1 play
NTH the cards and build castles with
hem" Certainly not. dearr' "But,
mamma, mightn't I play with the pray
r.books, you know, If build church
nth themn'