davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1884-09-25
Il. B. MOBILES VIGOROUS DEFENSE

DEAR CoEvEEsATIos CLUB: Rally round the flag,
boysi The girls have marshaled thsir forces and
marching against Us. but their first movement
shows the weakness Ia their ranks. 1t proves ina.
said TO be true: tat girls have time 10 write
than bOys- have been from home for the last two
months and have had tineto write, but am
here and the girls had better lookout for am
going 10 stand by my colors and Ineyer will strike
them il all the girls ia the universe march against
me with woman's rights on their banner and
The National tribune., 1884-09-25
suSrLowER PExwIPEEs.

IN beginning your Christmas souvenirs DO
not forget Inc sunfower pelwipcr il is both
neat and nice. Make lhe petals Of yellow plush.
Work the edges with bGitOnh0le stitch in yellow
silk For center, add brown plush. Place short
pieces 0. dark cloth beneath petals for USE
The National tribune., 1884-09-25

TELLING THE BRAVE STORY OVER.
Never rode to the wrongs rcdressing
A worthier paladin;
Shall he not hear the blessing,
Good and faithful, enter int"
The National tribune., 1884-09-25
BAKED OYSTERS.

delicious dish, now in season, may be pre-
pared as follows: Crate stale bread into fne
crnmos ano season with salt, pepper, and lit
tle grated nutmeg. Drain your oysters, dry
dry them with cloth very carefully, 50 as not
10 break them. DIP them FIRST In beaten egg,
then IN the crumbs. Place them In the lower
shell, or small patti-pans with piece Of but.
Ter On TOP, and bake . few minutes IN a quick
oven Arrange them on q platter in the shells,
II shells are used, squeezing little lemon on
TOP.
The National tribune., 1884-09-25

Housckcepers often dread broiling fish, be-
csase il sticks SO 10 the gridiron and burns in
spots before the rest is done But let them fol-
low the rule laid down, particularly in cooking
q tender fish, like fresh mackerel, and al
their woes would be ended. And this is how
it is done: Select a large firm fish, cut il
down the back, cleanse it, dry it well, then
rub over the inside little salt. pepper, and
melted butter. Butter piece OF white paper,
fold il over tie fish, fastening each end with a
pin. BroA 20 minutes, over d clear fire, In q
folding wire hrofler
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27

liberty cap. upon the tops OF liberty poles.
On those days the slaves are supposed to
have been allowed to say anything they
chose to their masters Probably, how
ever, they used this liberty with discre-
ton.
The first Christian congregations in
Italy were largely composed of slaves and
of the common people. though amo e
them were found educated and high
gifted persons The early Christian teach
ers had the greatest difficulty to keep
their converts from joining in the pagan
festivals, to which they had been accus
toned. and which were even needful to
ameliorate their hard lot and monotonous
life
When the Saturnalia came round, the
Christian slave or freedman found him.
self struggling between the ha its of his
old life and the claims of his new faith
If he withstood the old. he missed the
only holiday which would be his dur
ing twelve months of labor. If
he yielded, his religious life might be
injured by contact with idolatrous rites.
1t is not strange. therefore. that Chris
iian pastors. seeing the strife of habi
with cor science should seek for the golden
mean between license and prohibition.
They acted upon the principle that though
there must be unity in essentials there
should be liberty in non essentials, and
love in all things They took what was
good in the Roman HOLIDAYS and assaci
aied i, with the birthday festival of Him
who came to bring peace on earth and
good will to men.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Little Harry and the widow.


Little Harry was real good little boy.
and his brothers Tom and George, were
also good boys, only they were very
thoughtless. One day, whils passing the
cottage of a poor widow, Tom and George
began throwing stones at her cat Little
Harry reminded them that this was very,
very wrong, and they stopped throwing
stones at the cat and went home.
Then little Harry went into the poor
widows cottage to ask if there was any.
widow was very much pleased to see such
like her little brother in Chicago. Then
seeing big pile of wood he asked her If
Yes. and Harry got saw and sawed it
and said she hoped he would get his stock
she said she always hung up her stockings
on Christmas. but no one put anything in
it any more.
When Harry went home he told hii
mamma all about it, and his mamma said
ne was a good little boy, and his two
brothers, who did not try to Go any good
in the world, were very naughty This
made Tom and George feel very bad, and
they determined that they would be good
little boys, too So they went to the Chi
cago widow and asked her to please hang
her stocking on the outside of the house
on hristmas Eve. ehe promised she
would. and when Christmas Eve came
Tom and George went around like good
little boys and shoveled ton of coal
int, il
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
The Prosain side.
Il. X. L;ppi colt ii The Current

u. K. Lppi colt il The Current
We need not write F ,ems ON snow, for
snow is itself a poem Yet has snow, so
ustrous and typical. side most prosaic
md disciplinary. What says pinched
poverty about snow? What is the feel
ing of the shoeless child? What the SEN
sations of those who huddle together in
houses where the roof is frail and the CRATE
is bare? Are you, eager readers, mere
contemplatists, gazing dreamily on the
infinite whiteness. and thinking of land
unspotted and unsullied. yea. the very
heaven of pureness? Better turn the
water of contemplation into the wine of
charity, and the dream of heaven into the
service of earth. No cold snow should
choke up the outlets of the human heart.
AS the snow comes to warm the earth, so
all the appeals of winte;, should warm the
human heart into fuller sympathy with
human i'll and need Ask 100 children to
breakfast this Christmas; or 100 cripples
to dinner; or 100 blind people to an even
ing's hospitality. You can have merry
christmas if you like.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
The Poor Babies.

Said the Shade of Christmas with a
wur of tenderness in his voice. and
suspicious damp spot in the corner of one
eye: "t'oor babies! Why are things so
unequal? Why is it some of them get
everything they want and more than they
ought to have while these little half clad.
sad eyed creatures never in their lives get
thing that is bright and wholesome and
glad? If / could only have my own way
once-just once-I'd see that their puny
bodies we warm inside and out, with
turkey and plum pudding for lining
and books and toys, and games
and all sorts of things from airyland to
make them glad for whole year. 1t
takes so little to make poor boy or girl
happy, and there are so many thousands
and thousands of them-and there are so
few people to help me-
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Silent Christmases.

[Hezekiah Butterworth in Wide Awake1
The first "Still Christmas" in Fig
land occurred in 1925. Henry VIII
was king, and he had not yet forfeited the
respect of his sub ,ects; but great political
events were at hand
In December the king was sick. The
nation was filled with anxiety. 1t was
decided that the hristmas should be
silent one; there was no carols. bells or
merry markings.
Silent hristmases were proclaimed in
the protectorate of Cromwell. The fes
tival was altogether abolished, and the
display of the emblems of the Nativity
was held to be seditious The change was
most notable in London. There was ST.
lence on the Strand The church bells
were still. ST. Paul lifted its white roofs
over the Thames. and Westminster abbey
its towers, but the tides of happy people
in holiday attire no more poured in and
out OF those ancient fanes. The holly and
Ivy no more appeare / in the windows of
the rich and the poor The l ule fires
were not kindled. nor the carols sung.
Lells indeed rung ont on the frosty air.
hut how different from the chimes of old !,
They were the hand bells of the heralds il
simple garb passing from street to stree
and shifting the air and crying out:
No Christmas, No Christmasl"
Heads filled the windows and figures the
loors. Crowds stopped on the corners o.
The streets and in the SQUARES. The CRY
went on:
No Christmas! No Christmasl"
1t smote the hearts of those who loyeS
the old ways and customs.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE.
n. W. Riley.l


aCiod bless u.s. every oner' prayed Tiny Tim
Crippled and dwar.ed OF body, yet 80 tall
OF soul we tiptoe earth to look on him,
High towering over all
He loved the loveless world, nor dreamed,
indeed,
That It, at best, could give to him the
while
But pitying chances, when his only need
Was but CHEEKY smile.
And thus he prayed, God bless US, every
one!'
Unfolding all the creeds within the span
OF his hild-heart, and 80, despising none,
Was nearer saint than man.
liKe to fancy God, in Paradise.
Lifting finger Ger the rhythmic swing
OF Ginning harp and song, with eager eyes
Turned earthward, listening.
The anthem stilled-the angels leaning there
Above the golden walls-the morning Fun
OF Christmas bursting fiower-like with the
prayer
God bless us, every onei"
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
30, The Mistletoe Bough."'

Ivy says learned professor @was
sacred to j acchus. and was used at tn,
Dionysian love feast Another name 70.
l5acchus was hissos. which also is the
IVY. but whether our custom of kissing
under the mistletoe is relic of hisso,
and the Agapa-doesn't matter in thu
least.
Bird-lime, il is significant to observe,
is made from the Der les of the mistletoe.
whence the same woi DIS signifies in Greek
both mistletoe and bird lime. How man.
luckless human bird has been lined
under niistletoe at Christmas. Some
authorities refer the kissing custom to a
theory that the mistletoe was the forbiddei
rec in Eden. The plant was also used in
religious ceremonies by the Persian Maci
The stately ancestral homes in In.
land are now being richly decorated viii.
holly. and ivy and amber, berried mi tie
Toe, and the hearts of the female inmates
from the fresh faced house maid to tht.
languid Lad Jane. are BEATING faster as
they hang the parasite in the most con
venient hooks and cornprs in which they
will take good care 10 be caught on
hristmas Day It is a good custom
may it flourish. And may the time be long
distant when there shall no longer be one
day in the year on which man ma kiss
the girl he likes, sans peur ct sans re-
pr0chei'
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
The Puritan's Denunciation.


In the Puritan view these festivities of
Christmas had become wholly pagan, or,
what was worse. popish. and it was in the
tide of such fervid fanaticism as that of
Frynne and Stnbies that the innocent
gayeties as well as the excuses of the time
were swept away, and swept away so com
pie ely that it was centuries before many
descendants of the uritans could look
upon an celebration of Christmas as
otherwise than sinful
/" Into what stupendous height of more
than pagan impiety." exclaims Prynne.
whose rhetoric is his only amusing point,
"have we not now degeuerated,n I'VE
can not sanctify Lord day observe a
9th of November. or any ether day of
publcke thanksgiving to our gracious
t.od, or yet celebrate an Easter, ente-
cost. or such like solemn feasts much less
a Christmas. as we phrase it, in plausible
pious sort Gas too many paganizing Chris
ti.ns now conceit) without drinking. roar
ing, health ng, dicing. cardirg. dancing
mosques, and sage-plays. allow doe
we hristians spend Ct celebrate for the
most part the Nativity of our Saviour but
with such heathenish sports as these,
which Turkes and Infdels would abhor
to practice?"
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Till the End of Time.
eo A2A "a AAC'
frank I. Jervis in The Current. !


"Merrie Chr stmas" Is there not some
mistake in the nomenclature? 1t is kind Y
hristmas, perhaps Lappy Christmas, but
merry-Nol 1t is a time when Children
and grandchildren and the grandfathers.
and gfandmothers meet together; when
old memories are revived. old scenes re-
called the hidden household gods brought
forth; when hands which have never
been clasped for ling. long period.
lie EMBODIED in each other marveing how
they came to be separated. Tut it is not
a merry season 1t makes man mediate
on how many hristmas Days he has seen;
how many more he is likely to see
onsense man; look at the chill 'ren. the
bright eyed, rosy faced children. like rays
of God blessed sunshine pouring through
the house. Hear them laugh. see them
loaded down with Toys. the whole world
# lie before them, no regrets behind;
every brt ath they draw pleasure. every
thought they think delight Is not this
to he merry? If it lie not. then there is
no merr.ment on cart J.. How co Id be
so recreant as to try and filch from Christ
mas its provtrbial adjectivey 1t is, it
shall be Merry hristmas!" till the end
of time
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
A German Myth.
m NJ s,epcar in uar,e,,s Mooo,;,

H. III. spencer IN HafperS magazine
Before Christmas was instituted, the
&c mans celebrated the Twelve Nights,
commencing with Dec. 25th 1t was
thoroughly Pagan festival, and the most
important of any they observed The &C
tive forces of nature were to them living
personifcations, some benevolently IN
clined towards man and others maliciously
disposed. They symbolized this endless
strife OF natural forces as the battle Of
gods and giants
In their mythology Winter was the SON.
Der ice giant he contends with Spring:
the North Wind with the South Wind
The battle rages until Thor, the god of
the thunderstorm. destroys the castle of
tie ice giant and releases Freija, the beau
tiful goddess of spring She then rules
instead of Winter. and her liberation is the
signal for the return of lighl and life and
prosperity. After time Thrym, the
prince f the giants, rots Thor, while he
sleeps of his terrible hammer. aud buries
il eight leagues under the earth While
it is lost, Winter reigns undisturbed.
After search of eight months Thor re-
gains the hammer, and, accompanied by
Loki, the spring wind, drives Winter
back to the far north The 25th day of
December. although in the dead of winter,
was celebrated as the time of the return
of the sun
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27

shining path worn to the old house. and
now when the rich mans covetous eyes
watch it. there's no commercial value in
its remodeled walls; he is looking for what
gold cannot buv-the smiling faces of two
happy Christmas children, who love him
lust as much rs if he Was'nt rt.h
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Christmas at Bethlehem.

youths Companion
Not the Bethlehem of Judea, but its
modern namesake. founded by the
Moravinns in the beautiful Lehigh valley
of Pennsylvania At 2 o'clock in the
afternoon of Dec. "a. the smallest
children assemble in the church for a
"Loye Feast, which is chiefly service
of song During its progress buns and
mugs of coffee are served to the little
folks Near the close of the meeting
lighted wax tapers are given to them,
to represent the light which came
into the word with the birth of
Christ During this part of the ceremony
the congregation sings. The ladies of the
choir wear bewitching little caps instead
of bonnets, and look very charming as
they sing to the accompaniment of the
ryan and the MISUNDERSTANDING
.nglish and German hymns
The service over, the children disperse
to their homes, where Santa Claus has
been busy giving finishing touches to the
Putt. which designation is applied to
the whole Christn decorations
1t is not a tree alone which these ia.
vored ones have, but there is given in these
homes whole landscape formed of rocks
and moses, making hills and valleys
where all the animals out of Noahs ark
wander
There is always stable which shelters
the holy family. and the adorin shepherds
may be seen approaching it from distant
hills. There is also fish-poni with real
or toy fish sporting in n. sometimes
fountain plays in the midst OF the scene,
but the pipes which conduct the water are
apt to leak in the most prosaic manner
and stain the housewives carpets, so this
browning glory is rarely seen.
The utz remains for weeks, con-
tinued delight to the children, who ar
range and alter it to suit their own fancy,
till all its beauty and freshness are gone
At 6 o'clock Christmas Eve, the distri-
button of presents being over, the older
children repair to the church. where an.
other service is held similar to that of the
afternoon. with the omission of the buns
and coffee. At its conclusion the taper
bearers wend their way through the vii
lage streets with picturesque effect
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
A Heavy Affair.

A London Christmas Is heavy affair."
In fact. 4 is mostly tradespeople you see
there on the streets at such times TIE
butcher, for example wears bouquet
in his blue bio sc. nd this coarse. greasy
subject has fowers-most by artificial
paper iowers-stuck all up and down the
dead csrcasses -horrible'-which hang
in rows and dozens about his shop doors
( Their decorations, in similar bad taste
meet you all the time and at every turn
And eyerybody's nose IS red.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Christmas and the Lonely Old Bachelor
Cincinnati ENQUIRER


1t is business custom at this time Of
me year to post up the books of the years
business and strike balance. and the Gus
om extends to other things than trade.
TO an old bachelor who posts the books of
ais experience while he drinks his lone
some coffee the exhibit will be distressing.
One by one the boon companions have
been Won away from the large privilege
Of the worlds citizenship and found cor
tentment in the lieutenancies of little
narrow worlds, governed by sweet. fond
women and growing babies One BY one
the golden opportunities. temptingly
near. have faded into unattainable dis
lance. Dozen by dozen, habit has driven
away the good resolves of this time a wear
AGO. One by one the silver hairs have
come. one by one the years have gone.
What but smoke could blur the r cordy
And there he will sit. ore hand resting
On the coffee tray. the other aaholding
lightly the cigar from which he win draw
GREAT clouds of smoke that will dissipate
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
The Orthodox Shape of n Mince Pie.
Pail Mall Gazette

Most people unwittingly commit
dreadful heresy over the ordinary hrist.
mas mince pie Its actual shape at the
present time is round Four centuries
ago to eat round mince pie would be to
stigmatize yourself as jew or hereto.
The orthodox shape is long oval 1t
was doubtless meant to represent the
cradle in Bethlehem. and tradition further
asserts that the strange mixture which
makes the mince represents the fruits and
spice with which the three Kings in the
legend filled the cradle
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Make Them Rejoice.

We believe in presents of all sorts
Christmas loxes. New Years G fits. birth
day presents, especially for children and
young PEG de. Make them re, oice because
they were born. and re .oice with
them 1t is well for children not only
to receive presents but to make them.
fits need not lie ccs ly to be very
precious. and if they are chosen with
reference to the tastes or neetls of the
recipient they have a double value
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Tn Poverty,s V.Ia

And what does Oracle darling expect
to find in her stocking after Santa Claus
eomes?' asked fond mother of her little
girl
The baby face looked grave and then
wise, cunning little smile curved the red
lips and dimpled the sweet cheeks. as she
said plaintively:
y know, mamma-holesi"
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Christmas and the Saturnalia.
youths Companion

A custom of the Roman Saturnslia.
which came unchanged 10 our time. is
familiar to us all We mean the three
lays holiday given to the slaves. The
slaves in our southern states. down to the
close OF the war, enjoyed this privilege
Throughout the koman empire slaves
went about bareheaded. excepts on the
three great days OF the Saturnalia, when
ian'aar shape, which stlll figures as the
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
BRING The CHILDREN
Railroads.
LTIMoRE AND OHIO RAILROAD.


BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.
ON and after Sunday Nov. I'd. 1884, ira ms run
as follows: TRAINS GOING EAST.
No. leaves Wheeling 7I0a n ar MartinBburg
10 p m, Wash Z 3d. BALTIC 8 30 M.
No. leaves Wheeling 80 p m, ar Martins
burg 8 80 a m, Wash d %, BALTIC 81 IN.
No. 5 leaves Wheeling / so a m, ar Martins
burg IL IL m, Wash 2 30, BALTIC IS p m.
No. leaves Martinsburg p m, ar Wash 10.
BALTIC 8 20 m.
No. 10 leaves Wheeling l so m. ar Martins.
burg II Ii p m, Wash 81, BALTIC 81 M.
No. ii leaves Cumberland IS III, Mar o.
ar Wash 20, BALTIC $50 a III.
No. l3-except Sunday-leaves Piedmont q. :,
m, Ar Martinsburg 10 O5, BALTIC Is p m.
No. ~ leaves Harpers Ferry 81 IN, ar Balt,
10 l5a m.
TRAINS GOING WEST.
No. leaves Camden station p m, Martins
burg IL "a "A m, Grafton 81 breakfast, ar Wheel
ing ii 55 m.
No. leaves BALTIC m, Wash 90, Martins
burg II W a m, ar Wheeling IL IN.
No. q Ieaves BALTIC II noon, Wash 05, Mar
tinsburg IS p m, ar at Wheeling z 25 m.
No. 10 leaves BALTIC - q m, ar Harper's Fer
ry ii 20 m.
No. u leaves BALTIC 80 m. Wash 40. Mar
tinsburg l0 So p m, ar Cumberland %.
No. l4-except Sunda, Leaves BALTIC As q m,
No 70 leaves BALTIC 20 p m, ar Harpers Fer
ry SOi pm.
No. s6 leaves BALTIC II Is p m, ar Martinsburg
Of a m.
Trains leave Grafton for Parkersburg at 8 IS,
25a m; " and 10 " m. Trains leave Par
kersburg for Grafton at 3, ~ q In % and 5 10
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
Too Exclus. vely Commercial.

The gift bearing Christmas tide has for
some years Leen losing the fragrance of
the sentiment which should dominate it.
There is too m CHI of the mere trading
feature in it. The exchan e of gifts is
too often regarded as compulsory There
Is trading of purchases. tumultuous
crowding to meet Obligations. as if we
had notes at bank to pay. and the time was
nearly up. We act too much as if we
were paying impatient creditors. The
Id Chr issmas sentiment. it is tfle. reigns
in many hearts but the fact that it is actu.
ally waning is depressing. We are be,
coming too exclusively commercial.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27

Charles Dickens Happy, happy
hristmas that wins us back to the deii-
fusion of our childish days; that can recall
to the old man the pleasures of his youth;
that can transport the sailor and the trav-
eler. thousands of miles away. back to his
own fireside and his t,uiet home.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27

Weekly Magazine: Christmas festiv
tiles without Christmas sentiment is a
sham, a hollow mockery. just as is the
celebration of the wedding anniversary
wooden. silver or golden where the
ideal of marriage has never been realized.