davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
christmas Homes.

It makes very little difference 10 ~
how We gather our intelligence concern.
ing the Savior's birth; whether Il he
from the archives OF Rome, az the resuls
Of a Pope's order and theologian's in.
vestigaiion, ,sor the return of,he calendar
more easily comprehended by the aver
age mind. Christmas, to US, means bright
homes, sparkling eyes. secret concl aves.
mysterious gatherings OF the heads Of
families, missing slippers, and repeated
demands on fathersfor money.
How often have sweet blue eyes tried
to peep into unforbidden closets and
found them locked! Nothing but the
glory OF Christmas morning can turn
the kew, when the beauties Of thoss
mysterious places will culmiuate around
the Lillirutian candles among the green
branches and red berries OF the Cbrist.
mas tree, while sleep is as much .
stranger to young eyes as stare to noon
day.
Santa Claus reigus by proxy, and
mamma wears the crown; she is queen
Of the evening and the gifts. To her all
eyes are turned.
Here, amid the glad exsIsmations OF
delight. Is the mystery OF the past four
weeks about to be solved Father flnds
his feet, as il by magic, encssed ia new
and gorgeous slippers. Grandma's
shoulders are covered with warm
zephyr shawl. The little ones roll sop
and ball with widest plee; affection
speaks loudly st Christmas; fondness
becomes manifest.
Be the souvenir expensive or simple,
let it be forthcoming. Ye who have Il
IN your power, celebrate by gifts our
hallowed Christmas.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
A Confederate Christmas.

Christmas, 1854, was the Confederate
Christmas par excellence. Outside cup.
plies OF all kinds had disappeared, and
whatever comforts were provided we're
OF home manufacture. The Confederate
dollar was worth just two cents in gold.
and -four was 5000 barrel; sugar vas
$50 pound salt, 81; butter, $40, and
beef, S35'to $40 apnund. Wood sold
at 500 cord, and coal awss not to be
had. save in few OF the cities. owing
to scarcity OF transportation. The da7
was Sunday. which In, itself would have
tempered the, usual merriment. AT .
country residence below Richmond and
not far from the lines Of the contending
armies party of seven--lsdies and gen.
tlemen all-in the strictest Southern sense
OF the term-were assembled at dinner.
The mansion had been proverbial fot its
hospitality before the war. Nov tue
welcome was as cordial as ever, but the
board was spread llaccor dance With the
necessities of the times
At the head OF the, table was placed
large ham. worth $500; at the foot Was
the last turkey the farm could bosst.
worth Sl55. The vegetables consistesi
OF cabbage, potatoes and hominv, worth,
at reasonable calculation, 500 Corn
bread was served, four having been uul
known in this house for mouths. Tht,
neal Of which It was made was worth
$50 hushel, and sslt that seasoned il
81 pound. Dessert there was none,
bat in its place the hostess provided
coarse, black molasses, worth $50 gal.
lon. The same kind lady, as rare trest
for her guests, brought out, with glow
OF pride, a steaming urn OF real tea
not sassa'ras-- worth 800 pound at
the same time warning the company that
they must expect but one cup apiece, as
this was the lsst OF her store. After this
there was coffee made from sweet po-
ta,oes cut into little bits, toasted brown
snd ground TO powder. Such was =
Confederate Christmas dinner In the last
winter OF the war. From this superb
repast the scale descended to army ra-
tions--a bit Of salt pork, corn bread and
sweet potato coffee without sugar.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
NUMBER 4s,
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

wish YOU . Merry Christmas.
Yspoor throughout the land.
Who bravely toll. and sweat ana moiI.
Aweak but worthy band. =.
Ye may not win the rich mans fare
Plum-pudding and roast beet;
But surely at this festive time
Your hearts win know less grief.
Pile on the yule-logs pile them high,
Let mirth and Song 60 round,
And many thousaad cottage homes
With harmony resound.
Oh merry be your Christmas.
Ye poor throughout the land.
Who bravely toll, and sweat. and moil
A weak but worthy band.
wish you Merry Christmas.
Kind readers, great and SMALL
In lordly or in lowly life,
In cottege or in hall.
envy not the rich mans wealth,
Bnt II he use Il wella fsrSa1z
My blessing and the worlds are his,
~- While loud his praises swell. -
Away with maudlin sentiment
Let's give to each his due; r ~
The poor man wins my sympathy
No longer than he's true. fat
Then merry be your Christmas,
Kind readers. great aud small,
In lordly or in lowly life, F3H
In cottage or in hall
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
RING CHRISTMAS.

Hail, season Of gladnessl .dispelling all sad
King Christmas we'll hail with delight
Well crown him with laurel, and berries Of
coral,
And make him our hero tonight
And we shall be jolly beneath the red holly.
And claim, too our mistletoe's right!
A song to King Christmas. to merry King
Christmas,
For he is our hero tonight
Beside beef and turkeys, there plenty Of work
For those who enjoy Christmas fare;
Jokes. poultry. and laughter, aud pium-pud-
ding after,
SO smoking. and fruity, and rarel
But while we remember our own loved De-
cember,
Well aid those whose cups ,ards are b,re.
Hurrah for King Christmas! toast to King
Christ mas!
May all thus enjoy Christmas fare!
Our old friends amongst US, and lovers and
youngsters, ti
Shall join us to keep Christmas sport;
Well have brimming aagons. and blazing snap.
dragons.
And cobwebd old sherry and port
And something that's stronger for those who've
lived longer;
Let each of them choose his own sort;
A health to King Christmas, to jolly King
Christmas!
Who bids us keep up Christmas sportl
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
The Christmas Tree.

The custom of decoration by green
plants and A ,wfrs in all sorts Of festi-
walls, says Charles Dudley Warner 10
Harper's Magaziae, is as old as history,
and OF course the use OF evergreens at
Christmas needs no explanation, nor is
the custom any less Christian because il
is Of immemoral use among pagan ma
tions. The mistletoe, however, had a
UNIQUE place. The Celtic people andthe
Druids held it in the same veneration
that the Romans did. 1t was used by
the Romans in religious ceremonies, and
it may have been the "golden bough" OF
the internal regions. The Druids gath.
cred il against the festival Of the wiuter
solstice with great soleemuity, the prince
of the Druids cutting it himself withas
golden sickle. 1t was used as charm
against evil spirits, and eycellect medical
properties are ascrfbed to it. 1t was
supposed to possess the power to pre-
serve from poison, and the mysticprop-
erty of giving fertility. kissing under
the mistIetoe" may have bad reference to
this ancient belief There was. trsdi.
tion that the maid who vas not kissed
under bough of mistletos at Christmas
would not he married during the follow
ing year. There was once anotion that
its heather origin should exclude 1t from
the Chris mas decorations; bit this found
no favor with the young people at any
period. On the contrary, they took
good care thatit should be hung, and tha,
It should have plenty OF berries, for the
ceremony under it was.not duly perform.
ed if berry wss not plucked of with
each kiss, and consequently the supply
of berries deter mined the number of
kisses. 1t did not need the Roman use
OF the plant 10 recommend such a pre-
ventive Of the state Of oldmaidism. Some
trace the use OF green bush decoration
to the original branches OF vervain
among the Romans. With r ,msns and
Druids the vervain was q psnacea for
every i'll, and they believed, above all,
that it "conciIlated hearts whish we're a.
variance" - mother good Office or any
plant in the Christmas season The Dru-l
ids only venerated the mistlctoe that
grew on the oak. but the common mis-.
tletos (viscus sloum). with its psarly
berries, is gathered from the hawthorn,
the old apple tree, the lime and the flr.
and from other trees. or late years THE
parasite has been scarcer than formerly,
aad efforts have been made to propagate
lit. This is done ny cleaning of the
bark under any joint OF. . young tree
with the m oistened thumb, aud then pres
sing the elutinous berry on the cleaned
place till it adheres to The bark; It will
begin to show growth in about fifteen
months. 1t is an obvious suggestion that
in sections OF the country where the sta
tistlcs show falling of in marriages
this plant ought not to be let die out
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

w The recomme mendstion of Presi-
dent Arthur that the coinage of silver
dollars be stopped and that issuance o.
silver certificates be suspended will not
meet With "responsive chord" 10 the
public mind. Silver 10 the money OF the
people, and the citizens of this country
will never consent that there be an
abridgement OF ,ts volume. There can
not be too much good, honest money In
circulation n.--Pork. Nmtiael.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
CHRISTMAS MORNING.

Christmas morning Christmas morning
Wake up. little one:
Icicles the trees adorning
Sparkle in the sun;
All the happy fields are shining
Where the snow-dritts lio;
Every cloud its silver lining
Shows against the sky:
And the morning star seems hymning
The melodious word
Which the bells repeat in ringing
Which the shepherds heard
In q country far aud holy,
When the night was clear.
And the heavenly planets slowly
Trembled over Judea.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

itself ~ But at length morning broke
and a din, pale hight began 10 steal in at
the window, showing first one object and
then another, until all parts of the room
became visible. In expec' ion OF trouble
with The disappointed childrn Mr.. and
EMis Lamberton left their bed and CON-
menced dressing themselves hurriedly in
Eorder to be prepared to meet and offer
tthe lille comfort that it was in their
tpower to give. Soon there was sound
tin the room above where the children all
Slept With the nurse. Their psttering
Iteet were next heard upon the stairs;
isnon the door Of the adjoining room was
fhurst open. All was then stil for few
moments; Mr.. and Mrs L,mberton list
lened with oppressed feelings. There
was low exclamation from one OF the
children that sounded like sob. Fol-
lowing this was sudden burst OF joy,
and loud, wild shouts Of:
! "Kciss has come! KISS has come
Oh! Mother! Moiherl Father! Kriss
has come!"
Mr.. Lamberton sprung to the door and
threw it quickly open. His surprise aud
delight we're scarcely less than that felt
bv the Ca.,iren. Sure enough! Kriss
Kringle Was there, sitting close within the
fireplace, we'll loaded with toys, his pipe
in bis mouth, and his merry face turned
toward the shouting children. The fa-
ther and mother paused in wonder. Day.
light came in, still but family through
the half.closed shutters, and gave to the
figure OF Kriss the very air and expires.
sion OF life. Some moments passed be-
fore they could really convince them.
selves that it was not breathing figure,
but one cunningly wrought by the hand
OF man, which was before them Soon
the children. at 6rst disposed to look on
from q distance. began graduallyto ap-
prosch. Harry laid violent hands upon
q wagon, and Anna seized upon beau
liful wax doll; Charley, last TO overcome
bic doubts as TO whether Kriss we're
really alive or not. came up cautiously,
and while bis eyes we're fixed upon the
laughing face Of the figure, he withdrew
from its hand stocking crowded to
overdo wing with toys.
The good genius had forgotten no
one in the house. There was beautiful
scarf slowed awav in his pocket for ia
ther, and handsome card case Tor mDib-
er Uncle Joseph and Aunt Rachel, too,
were remembered. Even Betty and Mar.
garet had something, and there was no
end to the toys and sugar-plums contain
ed in pack and pockets for the children.
But the mystery was as to who had
prepared this delightful surprise, coming
as it did opportuuely. and correcting in
such a good-natured way the error OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberton II was Un-
Gle Joseph and Aunt Rachel, OF course,
who had been up nearly all night in or
der to have everything ready; though
they never clearly owned to the fact.
That vas indeed a merry Christmas
for all and Mr Lambertou was as much
pleased with his handsome scarf as any
child in the house with his or her pres
ent from Kriss K ingle. As to the trouble
taken in sivance on account OF broken
dolls heads. wagon-wheels and all that,
none appeared through the day and when
night came. and the tired little ones went
off ~illingly to bed, they slept with their
treasures around them.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
"wonderful Efficacy

Some people are slow in telling what
good thiogs have been done tor them
hut Mr.. John ?. DAILY, Of GilisonviI.e
s C, says be takes great pleasure In
tes'ifying to the wonderful efficacy oil
Browns iron Bitters in dyspepsia, fever
and ague, and general debility Of the
system. He has personally experienced
the most satisfactory results frosl the
use OF this valuable mediriac. Make .
memorandum OF this, all We whose sys.
tens are run down. Browns Iron Bit.
ters will cure you.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

It cures fever and aeue. This will be
glad news t. the thousands OF sufferers
from these distressing maladies, opera
ting with greater certainty than qninine
Mishler's Herb Bltters does not leave
behini it any Of the unpleasant and even
dangerous consequences which frequent
" follow the use Of that long considered
sneciic for diseases OF the malarial or
der. Dr.. W. H. Frank, of Coesterville,
No., used it with great success In the
case of a patient who was thought to be
beyond cure.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

Labouchere SAYS: II own 10 feel
ing OF refreshment when IN the society
of person of originality. Modern
society is like shinely beach. One
man or woman Is Just like another
Every one has srnoothness and nobody
ixity. After lot or human shingles
the clear, bold originality that stsnis
out from the mass like q seaside rock
is delightful.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
CHRISTMAS Is COME.

The old north breeze through the skeleton
trees
Is chanting the year out dreariiyi
But loud let it blow, for at hons we know
The dry logs cracklc cheerilyi
And the frossn ground is in fetter boundi
But pile up the wood. we can burn it.
For Christmas has c,me, and in every home
To summer our hearts can turn 1t.
Wassail! Wassail
Here's happiness to all. abrosd and at home;
Wassaill WassaiI!
Here's happiness to all. foe Christmas il
oomel (ALBERf SMITH.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
THE OHRIsTM AS STOCKING.

"Dear Santa Claus" wrot,
little Will 10 letters truly
shocking, I'se heen a good
boy, &c please oil a heapen
MP this stocking I want
o drum to make pa sick
and drive my mamma era.
~. I want a doggie l can
kick so he will not get
sa,: l want q powdsr
gun 20 shoot right at my
sister Annie and q hig
trumpet | can toot just
awfal loud at granny.
want q dre1ie hig false
face to scare in fits our ba.
bv. / want q pony I can,
race around the parlor,
maybe. 1 want a little
ha'chct, too. so | can do
some chopping upon our
grand piano new when
msmrna goes ashopping
want o nice hard rub
ber bali to. sm ash all
into flinders the
great big mirror
in the hall an
lots an lots of
winders. An
candy that'll
m k e ne
sick go ma
all night will
bOld me an
make pa get the
docto, quick an new
er try to scold me. An
Santa Claus, iii. pa says l
am naughty it's q story.
JUS say il he whips me
II die and 60 to king
dom glory.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

Beware, D men, of whiskies mixed.
Such as on Christmas days are fired,
Mishaps ofttimes befall the merry.
So drink not too much Tom and Jerry
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

For 20 years Henry =. Bslcon. Of
Shirley. Mass, suffered with rheumatism
He found no relief till he took Hoods
Safsaparula.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

One copy, one yoar, -: 81 SO
I One copy, six months; Z: IS
One eapy, three months, 50
NnQle copy. {:
Outside of Monroe County, after
September 1st, 1882, postage paid
by the Publisher--$2 In advance
@Subscriptions can be commenced 1T any
hme. @t
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
PHYSICIANS.

d R :. b. ID f. N n / e
PHYSIOIANt : AND SURGEON,
BEALLSvILLE, OE TO-
Once in the Armstrong property.
apr3O,'7sf
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
nnehw.
THREE CHRISTMAS Ewes.

- Il z E-1, -S-s,t.. - =
He gave her ring and a holly wreath.
On Christmas Eve as the sun went down.
Never was lover more true than l."
The moon climbed into the frozen sky;
4 great star abone in the darkening west;
A red fox. shiyering. sought his nest;
The wild wind shouted and laughed with 0lee
Though his breast was as cold as the Northern
Sea; ~.
But the FIRE was bright, aud hearts were light
And irolic and feasting filled the night,
Till loud rang the bells, the merry, merry
bells,
For Joy on Christmas morning,
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY.
PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY.
HENRY R. WEST,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TERMS:

eEoFFICE West Side of Main Street, two
doors North of the Public Square.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
Advertising Rates:

"a Legal advertisements charged at the rate
OF one dollar per square for first insertion. and
Afty cents for each Subsequent insertion.
Administrators or Executors, Attachment
aud Road Notices., $2 90.
Local Notices, Per line, first insertion. 10
cents. and five cents per line for each additional
week.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

Christmas Eve. and maiden's heart
Throbbed with pain ss the sun went down.
ship had sailed on a summers day;
A wreck in the oceans depths it lay;
Phsntoms gathered about the door.
Weird were the shadows en- wall and foor;
The wind sang dirge in the chimney old
Fog the brave young lover whose heart was
cold;
Sad were the eyes that watched ths stars
Till dawn erept in at the window bars.
And loud rang the bells, the pitiless bells,
On cheerless Christmas morning.
Hearts wee happy and eyes were bright
On Christmas Eye. as the sun went down.
For the sea had given up its dead,
And the captain bravs to his wife is wed.
Phantoms fed from the lighted hall;
There was only mirth in the night winds call
Warmth and fragrance and silken sheen;
Laughter rippled bright lips between;
Music and revelry filled the night;
Till the stars had set aud tie east was bright;
Then loud rang the bells. the happy b,lls,
For joy en- Christmas morning.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23
ATTORNEYS.

.-s
vrIaAx oKEr WILLIAM ? oKsr
Notary Public.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-14
London Streets at Night.

From o'clock in the evening the finest
part of London is given up to debauchery.
Respectable Englshmen do not walk about
in the evening. The men you meet in Re-
gent street are mostly foreigners or provin-
Gals who have come up to town for a round
of dissipation. Several years ago the pub
lie ball rooms were closed, and the market,
which used to be held within four walls. is
now transferred to the open street. The
police dee moeurs does not exist in London,
and the capital of this country, so moral and
so Christian. exhibits sights too heart-rend-
ing to imagine. Girls of Ia or 10, with dyed
hsir. and wan-lookipg faces Gaubed with
paint, stand about drunk and in rags. solicit
ing the psssers-by for vile wage. Worn
out with fatigue, they drop in the gutter a,
dsybreak. They have been up and down
the street six mortal hours Ii is horrible
The inhabitants of London are beginning to
take the matter UP; petitions are being pre-
pared. 1t is high time. The drunkenness
in the street is INDISPENSABLE. On Saturday
nights it is a general witches sabbath. The
women drink to almost as great extent as the
men. In Scotland. they equal them. In
Ireland they surpass them. NV authority is
an official report made to the English Gov
eminent in 1877.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-14

dishes in which it was served, as when
man is served with slice of beef, tor in
stance, and only takes portion of it on
his own plate. What remains on the dish
is not touched until it becomes my prop
erty. Then. too, in carving. the bone of
the meat and frame of the fowl becomes
NINE
And the bread and vegetables"
well, the bread and rolls and cake you
see here were all baked to-day" said the
German, land are as fresh "a nv custom
ers could get at the bakeries for five times
the price | sell it for. l get in slices, ends.
and quite often in whole lOaves. | get. in
addition to what you see here. stewed
fruit and cold tea and coffee. | get a
great deal more than you suppose. Just
now the hotels are not full, on account of
the holiday times. but when they are get
from 800 to 1000 pounds of meat alone.
Fifteen barrels of bread a day is the aver
age amount collect
''And how do you measure this out to
your customers ?"
"Well, calculate to give enough for
% cents to keep family of four or five a
whole dav | sell as little as 10 cents
worth. charge about four cents pound
for the meat. Is cents gallon for the veg
etables, and sell as much bread for three
cents as | can buy in the bakery for 25.
For % cents l give meat enough for
three meals for four people, with half a
gallon of mashed potatoes and half gal
Ion of some other vegetables. and then
bread and cake enough for all day. Some
of my customers are very particular and
want things nice. I pick them out nice
things. Some want more cake and pud
didg. some want only meat, and so it goes.
For a quarter they not only get as much
weight of food as a dollar will buy. but
they get the best that can be bought. quail
ity as well as quantity. 1t is also cooked
in the best manner. | have nothing left
over. | don't open this place until fin
ish collecting and drive up with my load.
1t is always after eight O'Clock at night.
In little while have sold it all"
Ibid YOU invent this business ?"
"Oh, no." SAID the German. .'but have
been at it over II years, here and in STAN
ton street. The business has been in ex-
istence nearly % years"
my father had it 10 years." said the
woman, without halting in her work OF
pouring the bread into the baskets and of
taking in the silver.
The man said that it took little time
to make people understand that the food
is clean and wholesome. but for years
many families have lived entirely upon
purchases from this stock.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-14
Rules of the House.

At an Oil City hotel boards father and
son. The latter has been in the habit of
staying out later than his father liked. and
one day the latter said
My son. the rule of this room hereafter
is. that everv person must be in before ten
O'Clock. or else remain outside"
Yes. sir" replied the obedient son.
A night or two afterwards the father was
detained by his business until nearly eleven
O'Clock. and on reaching his room found the
inside bolt drawn. He knocked and was
soon answered with, who's there?"
Your father; get up and let me in
''See here the rule of the room is that
everv person must be before ten O'Clock, or
stay outside. Now don't make any more dis
turbance about here"
The fsther slept in another room that
night.