davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Christmas Decorations.

The happiest holiday of the year is near
at hand, Christmas Day, when old and
young, rich and poor are brought nearer
together than any other season ofthe year
How cheerful and pretty even the poorest
room looks if decked with evergreen and
holly, with clusters of the vivid red berry
peeping out from among the greenl What
an interest the little ones take in the Christ
mas decorations, and how sad they feel
when other homes make more preparation
for the festival than their oSl.
Every family should make "Christnlas
cheer" in the home. Evergreen rope, a
few wreaths of holly leaves with the berries,
will make pretty decorations. Those of
our readers who live in the country have a
large variety to chose from but our city
friends must take what they can pur-
chase.
The most important feature of Christmas
decorations is the Christmas tree, and not
family in the land should be without
one. If you have not children of your
own, trim your tree and invite few poor
little children to enjoy it, Almost any
bright ornament can be put on the tree
and will show to good advantage. Long
strings of popcorn, both pink and white,
should drape the tree, and little wax can
dies be placed on every twig. Wax and
tin balls of different colors look well,
the tree should be made firm, and bucket
of water kept in readiness when the can
dies are lighted.
A very pretty breakfast table decoration,
would be to have the words "Merry Christ
mas" on the table-cloth in evergreens, and
to place the dishes all about it. Where the
table is not large enough for this, the words
could be placed over the .mantel. The
way to make letters of evergreens, is as
follows: Cut them out of stiff cardboard,
taking care to have them all the same size;
then sew on the evergreen with strong
black cotton and fasten to the wall with
long carpet tacks.
A little bunch of holly leaves and berries
should be placed by the side of each plate,
and wreaths of the same should be placed
in the centre of every window To make the
wreaths, take piece of wire and twist into
a circle-an old hoop-skirt wire will
do very nicely-then cover with holly leaves
or evergreens.
The parlor and hall decorations should be
more elaborate than elsewhere in the house
Under each picture should be placed an
anchor, crown, or cross of evergreen, and
the frames should be twined with evergreen
rope. Vases of holly and other Christmas
greens should be placed on the mantels and
about the room. In the hall the word
welcome and on the wall, "Peace on
Earth and Goodwill to Men" would
make appropriate decoration. The balus-
trade should be twined in the evergreen,
and a bit of mistletoe depend from the
chandelier.
Open fires should be built for Christmas
if no other time of the year, and the chill
dren should be permitted to roast apples and
nuts to their hearts content
Last Christmas lady decorated her
babys crib with holly leaves and berries,
and the effect was very pretty; and
in the evening the whole family wore bou
tonnieres of the same.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

hood SO | thought the best thing could
do was to work harder than ever, and re-
turn to England at the earliest possible
moment and search for you; and thank
heaven! | have found you.
"And how strangely it came about, said
Laurette, smiling. g Do you know l
thought you were going to murder me at one
time p and to his amusement she told him
of the fears that had possessed her.
Il am SO glad now that | came to Bris-
tol, (" returned Herbert. II was knocking
about in London, putting all kinds of ma
chinery in motion, with the object of find
ing you-which, by the way, I must stop
now, when | came across an Australian
friend, who with his wife returned to Eng
land two years ago. He told me he had
bought a house at Stoke Bishop and in
vited me to spend Christmas with them.
A lonely old bachelor, staying at an hotel,
[ was only too glad to accept his invitation
Arrived at Redland, | found there was no
cab to be had on account of the slippery
state of the roads, a2d so left my portman-
teau at the Black Boy, intending to ask
my friend to send his gardner for it. And
glad am that l did SO, or should never
have met with this happy Christmas adj
venture"
On Christmas morning Herbert Lindsay
found out his friends house and explained
the cause of his non-appearance on the
previous evening
A month later there was quiet we'd
ding at Stoke Church, and after few
happy weeks on the Continent Mr.. and
Mrs Lindsay sailed for Australia. In due
course Herbert showed to his dear wife
with infinite pleasure the comfortable, even
luxurious, home that he had worked SO
long and so hard to prepare for her.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Select poetrp.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Ry EDGAR FAwcErT.

RY EDGAR FAwcETT.
With sonw N pale volumes by savage winds hurled,
The night before Christmas has wrapt the wild
world:
And now to its noises the little ones hark
Where the nursery windows look forth on the dark
While weirdy against the black blank of the sky
Those phantoms of snow cloud pass huTrying by,
The brains of the children shape form after form
From out the wan yapory whirl of the ssorm;
Huge lions that ramp; mighty horses that prance;
White wallowing whales of prodigions eXpanse-
Till now they discern strange figure, whose back,
Is bent by the weight of ponderous pack,
And streaming in front of him, palmer thar day.
The beard Of Kris Kringle like white ocean spray?
All, happy young dreamers, dream on as ye will
See merry St. Nicholas trudging to fill,
Through harsh wintry gusts, with benevolent tread
The stockings you hang beside mantle or bed
Hug fast your delusion, soft dimpled arms,
And gain while you can its illusory charms
Too soon will realtys hand tear aside
The sweet vail of fancy whose filaments hide,
Like the blemish deep-sunk in the roses red youth
That stern disappointment, lifes actual truth
And yet, darling zealots content in your creed
How blest were your fate through the future, in
deed
If each disenohantment on earth left behind
Such precious result as awakening 10 find
That in place of your Santa Claus, wrought from a
cloud,
Was the love that engirds you, fond, vgant proud
Love eager to bring, ere the morrow shall rise,
New uirth to your laughter, new light to your eyes!
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
christmas Stories.
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.

1t was Christmas Eve, and bitterly cold,
The down train from London, due at Bris-
toll at $50, had Just come in crowded with
passea gers, and the arrival platform was
scene OF undesirable confusion. Excited
passengers rushed hither and thither seek
ing their own special property amid the
piles Of luggage lay scattered around; and
wearied and worried ladies sought yainly
among the crowd for disengaged EoyteR
to convey their bags and boxes safely to
cab. Active youths and stalwart men
who could carry their own impediments
we're best off; and among those who did
so was a tall, bronzed, brown-bearded man,
who wore his coat collar buttoned up closely
round his throat, and his deer-stI ker
pressed down over his eyes. His avel-
worn portmanteau was large and heavy,
but he seemed to think nOthSg Of its
weight, and, swinging in his h I'd, strobe
out of the station. =
sCab, sir?" cried an urchi ger for
penny
aNo: an omnibus will do for me, return
ed the gentleman, passing ON to where the
Redland omnibus was drawn up, and, cold
4hough it was, he at once mounted to the
box. and took his seat beside the driver.
All this time a lady was waiting patiently
at the farther end of the platform. Seeing
the hustle and confusion that reigped
around, she had managed, by dint of a
E.tae exertion, to drag her modest tin trunk
ont Of the melee; but having done so she
could do no more. and now stood beside it
waiting until one of the porters should be
able to attend to her. She was plainly
dressed gentlewoman, with fine gray eyes
and pale tired face, apparently about 80
years of age. she had been pretty once
but time and trouble had stolen away the
bloom of youth, and though her features
were good, she could scarcely be described
as pretty row. Tonight she was cold and
weary, and stood passively waiting until
.some one should come to her assistance.
Presently porter approached her
tsBN ant cab, Miss r he asked.
Yes. VIII you please to carry This
box
The man picked it up and walked off,
followed by the lady.
Sosgreat had been the demand for cabs
that evening that BY this time there was
bat one to be seen outside the station and
that one had just arrived with fare The
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

NITRo-GLYcERINE.- Nitro -glyoeElae is,
made by adding, drop by drop, nitric acid
of certain specific gravity to glycerine
immersed in a freezing mixture. AA
amount of sulphuric acid is then added to
the mixture, it being still kept at very low
temperature. The oily nitro,glycerine that
floats on the top of the acid liquid is then
taken off, and is ready for use. Giant
powder or dynamite is made by mixing
nitro~glycerine with infusorial porus earth.
Gun cotton is made by sleeping cotton fiber
for forty-eight hours in mixture of one
part of sulphuric acid with three of nitric
acid. 1t is then washed in running water
and dried,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Concerning Housekeepers.

There is an old saying that poets are
born, not made, and we beliye the same is
true of housekeepers. Some women fit into
the position perfectly. They assume the
directorship of the household so quietly,
and rule it so easily that we quite forget
the labor in the results, or perhaps imagine
there is no labor at all. We all look on
admiringly when we get a glimpse of such
a household, or of such a residing genius,
and wonder why we cannot do as well. For
we are not all born housekeepers, and to
some of US the post brings care, yexation,
and weariness of soul and body. But let
us console ourselves if we fail, or correct
our pride if We succeed, by remembering
that to be perfect bousekeeper demands
nearly all the known virtues and qualities.
One must be wise, dignifed, prudent, firm,
methodical, skillful and gentle; possessing
also tact courage in emergencies, inventive
faculty and teachableness There if that
is not enough to make q perfect wonian,
what more would you have. Yet there
are many women among us who are scarce
ly known outside of the family circle, who
have never written line or painted pic
ture, who have never been directors ef
hospital or managers of charity, bGt who
are entitled to claim all the just mentioned
attributes for their own. And they go on
quietly from day to day, never knowing
their worth, content with scant praise or
none at all, well satisfied if only they can
harmonic their cares and duties, and thus
avoid friction These are domestic hero
ines, whose praises should be sung approe
priately. Their less gifted sisters shOald
crown them with garlands, while they sit
at their feet and strive to learn something
of their ways. And their husbands and
children should count themselves especially
blessed that the guiding spirits of their
homes are so near perfection. Christian
hsteRigeace.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
To SAVE THE HANDS FROM CHAPLIN,

ToSAvE THE HANDS FROM CHAPPING.
-Soapsuds will not chap or injure the hands
even if kept long time in it, if on taking
them from the suds they are thoroughly
sponged, or dipped in lemon juice or vine
gar The acid destroys the corrosive efiee$
of the alkali and makes the hands soft and
white Indian meal and lemon juice used
when washing the hands, when rOughed
with cold or hard work, will heal and
soften them Vinegar will answer if lem
ons are not easily obtained. Rub the hands
in this, then wash thoroughly, and if you
have it, after drying, rub on a few drops of
glycerine. Those who suffer from chapped
hands in the winter will find this comfort
ing, and will make sewing much easier
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
THE CHILDREN's WEEK.
BY JOHN BANvARD.

Don't be alarmed at all the noise
You hear from laughing girls and boys;
From Christmas until New Years day
Let children have their fullest sway
Let them ronp, and let them run,
Do anything to have some fun.
Let them healthy pleasures seek,
OF all the year It's children week.
Let them halloo, let them call,
And scamper up and down the hall;
Let them blow their whistles shrill,
And toot their trumpets when they will.
And let them run the parlors DER,
Spread all their play things on the floor;
Be, parents, to their failings meek,
Of all the year, It's children's week.
Yes parents, mingle in their joys
Return again to girls and boys,
Leave, fathers, business cares behind,
Enjoyment in the family find,
FoFget the cares of business strife,
With mother join the children's life,
And with your darlings pleasure seek
Of all the year, It's children's week.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Santa Claus.

The history of Santa olaaa-a curious
mixture of truth and fable-goes far
back into the ancient time. Centuries
ago child was borne in Asia Minor who
received the name of Nicholas His par
ents were wealthy and of high rank, and de-
string to express their gratitude to God for
the birth Of their son, they resolved to ed
ucate him for the Christian priesthood.
The child was sober and thoughtful, and
while yet young both his parents died, and
he inherited their great wealth, he con:
sidered the riches a sacred trust he Ted
the hungry, he clothed the destitute and
performed all kinds of good deeds as Sc
cretly as possible As priest he was
greatly beloved as a bishop he continued
his benevolence after his death the church
canonized him, and he became one OF the
greatest of patron saints, being revered as
the helper of the poor, the protector OF the
week, and as the especial patron saint OF
little children, who were taught to believe
that their good gifts came from hlm.
Saint Nicholas was the name given him
by the monks, and this was famlllarly
changed to Santa Nic'laus, and finally
clipped down to Santa Claus, who Is still
represented as retaining his old habits OF
secret beneYolence and coming dOER the
chimney at nights, laden with Christmas
presents for children, A pleasant fiction
it is to them, under the cover Of which
that charming secrecy concerning the donors
of gifts is kept up, though little eyes aud
ears and minds are keen, and Santa Claus
is usually very well known to them as
much more modern parsonage than old St'
Nicholas. But the children enjoy the
harmless pretense, the mysterious filling OF
stockings and the heavily laden Christmas
tree
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

The rubber rings used to assist in keep
ing the air from canned fruits sometimes
become so dry and brittle as to be almost
useless, They can be restored to a nor
NAL condition, usually, by letting them
lie in water in which you have put little
ammonia. Sometimes they do not need
to lie in this more than five minutes, but
frequently half hour is needed to restore
their elasticity.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

a BIG FIELD.-Congressman Lanham S
district, in Texas, is composed of eighty-sev-
en- counties, some of them which are as
large as Massachusetts,. Just think Of a
man stumping territory large enough to
make eightysseven ordinary States like
Rhode Island and Delaware for Congress
1t is quite enough to appall the heart of any
one but a Texan.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

Scarcely more than 80 per cent. of the
population of Chicago was born in the
United States Not less than $4,000 of
the present inhabitants of that city have
poured in from the various States of the
German empire The Bohemians number
10000; the Canadians, 10000; Danes. g.
100; French, nearly 1000; Irish, nearly
80 900; Hollanders, nearly 3,300; Italians,
/ 400; Norwegians, 800; Swedes, 10000;
Poles, 800; and Swiss, 1000, with
sprinkling Of Russians, Hungarians, span7
iards. Portuguese, and men of almostevery
other race and nationality under the sun.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

"Papa, please tell me the story Of the
new comet, said Mary to her fathee last
q ening. u cannot, my dear replied
Mr. BattIer, 'sthere is no tail 70 It Jet.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
"We praise Thee, Q Godl'
Wherennon Augustine replied

Whereupop Augustine replied
''We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
And so the grand hymn to the Trinity
which we now call the "Te Deum" was an
tiphonally extemporized by these two
Such is the beautiful tradition of the
origin of the ''Te Deum;" but, alas it is
based upon very slight foundation. The
authorities which set forth this view of the
authorship have been impeached, and the
stronger opinion is that the "Te Deum
antedates Ambrose and Augustine There
is Greek morning hymn in the Alexan-
drine Ms. of the Bible. This morning
hymn is made up of parts of the ''Te Deum''
and the ''Gloria in Excelsis, and is still in
daily use in the Greek Church. st. Cyp-
rian, in his treatise "On the Mortality
etc., then { A. D. 352) affecting Carthage,
refers to quotations strikingly familiar to the
language of the 'Te Deum." Blunt, in his
Annotated Prayer Book, concludes that
it represents the ancient Greek morning
hymn in the Alexandrine manuscript and
that in its present form it is a composition
of the fourth or fifth century; while Dr.
Hersh, in his "Church Dictionary, gives
it Gallican origin 1t has been variously
assigned to Abondius, Nicetrius, the Bish-
op of Triers, Hilary of Poictiers and Hilary
of Aries But whether ita composition be
assigned to Ambrose and Augustine, or to
any of the foregoing, or whether it be
founded on the Greek morning hymn, or
whether its origin be Anti-Nicene or Post
Nicene, it accords exactly with the Niceo-
Constantinopolitan creed. The same spirit
is breathed forth from both, and the "Te
Deum'' is as truly hymn to the Holy
Trinity as the creed is dogmatic state
ment of belief in that same Trinity.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

Snow, pure snow. 1t comes unheralded
and silently down without boast. 1t comes
to spread a rich mantle of white over the
dust and refuse of earth Its glitterlng
whiteness brightens all that it touches, and
though it hits everyone, it hurts nobody
1t laughs and springs and sparkles the
more when trodden on. It deadens the
babel Of noises, and Is an antidoteto earth's
chaos. 1t is jolly. We ike it. Snow,
pure snow.-N T. Commercial Adrertiser.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Origin of the "Te Deum. u

From Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine.
When Augustine, he who was afterward
bishop of Hippo, and who is known alike
among Protestants and Catholics as st. Au-
gustine, was in the Baptisry of Milan, in
the year 336, and Ambrose, Bishop of
Milan, was pouring over him the purifying
water in the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, Ambrose, in his great
Joy over the conversion of such notable
sinner as was Augustine, broke forth into
the inhilant cry
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

The man who stands by himself, the
universe stands by him also.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

Charity gives itself riches, but coyetous-
ness boards itself poor.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

To be happy is not to possess much, but
to hope and to love much.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Cur 0lio.
A Word About Christmas.

BY SUSAN ANNA BROWN.
The Daily telegraph., 1883-10-09
Latest Markets by Telegraph.
LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL. Oct, S.-Noon. Cotton firm,
Uplands, 15-16 Orleans l-l6; sales ~,
speculation ~, receipts $3.50, American
1850, Oct, ) 60-64, 6l-64, 62-64; Oct. and Nov
5.59-64, 6O-64; Nov and Dec 59-64, 5S-64, 5964;
Dec and Jan 59-64, 1864, 59-64; Jan and
Feb 6O-64, 6l-64, Feb and Mar 6, 5 63-64
8 Mar and April Is 2-64; May and June 6
S-6i. Futures steady. Cheese 81, lard IL
and g. long clear middling 80 and s, short
clear 36.
1880 p. m.-Sales II, American ., Oct and
Nov 6l-64, Dec and Jan 6064.
3p. m.-Oct 63-6i, Nov and Dec 60-64,
Jan and Feb 62-54, March 64-64 April
and May 67-64, May and June 69-64.
NEW YORK.
NEW YORK, Oct. s. II a. m.-Stocts opened
comparatively quiet, declined 4 to q.
Weakness was of short duration and ad-
vance Of Il to lis followed. Northern
Pacific and Oregon continental led
upward movement, Jersey Central and
Northern Pacific preferred, and Reading
Central at 1-64. New Central and Union
Pacific flat to 1-64, Louisville Il Nashville
& Lockawanna flat, and West shore first
one per cent for use.
NEW YORK, Oct S.-The Posts Conn
mercial cotton report says future. deliveries
opened to 3-100 high and showed further
advance; second call to 3-lO0. Finally
prices rose before third call S to 6l-lO0 above
last Saturdays qu otations, of which 2-lOO
lost again for a short time. but third call
displayed more tirmness. Oct brought
1910, Jan II, April 11-42, may I1-53 and 81.
Shipments to Liverpool being very small
that market will have to advance, how far
will depend upon Manchester futures.
Closed steady, Oct 16-1O0, balance l0-l0o to
1l-100 higher than last Saturday. Net
blank gross 1886, futures closed firm, sales
l5s 900; Oct lo-73@5, SO-77@s, Dec 10-s0G9o,
Jan ll-03M4, Feb lilo, March 1l-3304,
April ll-4406, May 1l-55@7, June 1l-G6Gs,
July ll-77@9, Aug 11-s6'
The Daily telegraph., 1883-10-09
MONROE ADVERTISEMENTS.
CINCINNATI.

CINCINNATI o. Oct, S.-Flour dull, tami-
ly 4.75a5.50, fancy 5.25d75, Wheat dull,
No red winter 3spot 3Ma25 nov. Corn
dull and lower Ha1G' Oats easier 294a3O.
Pork dull, ll-50o75. Lard weaker 7-65.
Bulk meat dull, shoulders 6-25, clear rib
$50, Bacon, fair demand, shoulders 6-25,
clear rib ~, clear 7-75, Whskey steady
Is. Sugar steady and firm, hards 91so9M,
New Orleans 6HoSM' Hogs firm, common
and light 4o5-25, packing and butchers
4-65a5-25
The Daily telegraph., 1883-10-09
DIED.,
At the residence Of her inothe +, i'll the CITY
OF Monroe, on Sunday, Sept. 80 1888,
CaIiie Marie Rres.
G. w. MCCRANIE.
Iii the twentie til year of her age.


III the twentie til year of her age.
Heaven never sends Il sharper blow on
this wicked world, than when a bright
young girl, just entering into womanhood.
with all her wealth of innocence, grace.
beauty and loveliness, is snatched away by
the cruel hand of death, in spite of all the
tears, prayers and agonizing efforts of her
sorrowing friends and relatives!
Such blow we have had in the death of
charming little Callie Bres. Pure as the
fragrance of the flowers she loved
beautuous as the dream of her innocent,
happy life. gay and joyous as the sunbeams
that danced IN gladness around her, she is
suddenly strilen down. Her home is left
desolate. Her mothers, her sisters and
her brothers heal IS are crushed to the
earth, and those who loved and priced her
as passing fair and beautiful, are lei to
mourn for one, a loss TO all time, a price
less gain to the infinite ages of Eternity,
and
Thus her memory, like some lofty height,
Kept alive IN our hearts, will improve
them.
For worth shall look fairer, and truth more
bright.
When we think how she lived, but to love
them - y. +.