davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
". a farmer. living in the Midland counties.

ly, a farmer, living in the Midland counties,
coming home early one New Years day,
was refused admittance to his own house by
the strong-minded daughter because being
red haired and a widower he unfortunately
failed to fulfill two of the most important
conditions; while some poor old maids who
had no mankind belonging to them were
forced to content themselves with admitting
the old tom-cat who, luckily for them, was
of a right color, if nothing else. 1t is
thought lucky if the first person who enters
the house OH New Years morning brings a
loaf Of bread with him, as this Is regarded
as an emblem OF the plenty to be enjoyed
by the occupants Of the house during the
coming year.
The Christian name of the first person
who enters your house on New Years
morning is also of importance, for the no.
ton is that the first person you see after
this, of the opposite sex, will be the lame
of your future husband or wife. A story is
told of a servant girl in a prominent house
hold who locked the man servant, whose
name was Obadiah, in his room, for fear
all the other maids of the house should be
destined to become Mrs. Obadiahs.-Lotus,
IN Albany ArgNs.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
SANTA CLAUS.
How Bobby Brown Searched and
Found Him.

'Please, sir, be you Santa CLAUSE"
The small voice rang out, shrill and
eager, OF the crisp evening air, and j. p.
Fernald, senior member of the firm of
Fernald & Co., turned and looked down i'll
10 the child's animated face, uplifted with
an anxious inquiry shining through the
large, dark eyes, made larger and seeming
ly darker, by want and poverty.
Santa Claus-I-ha, ha, that is a joke"
said MI. Fernald, good-naturedly, viewing
the immense bundle in his arms, from
which protruded a dolls foot through an
opening i'll the paper that cnvelopcd it, and
whose uneven surface bore a wonderful re-
Selnblance to Santa Claus mysterious pack
age.
"Well. my little man, it does look like it,:
but how did You find me Out:?"
"Oh, sir" cried the child. With an express
sion Of rapt admiration on his small, pinchcd
face. IL knew you in a minute. cause you
looks just like your picture in the toy-shop
windows. There's the long, white whisk-
ers, an the white hair, an the fur cap, am
the great ovcrcoat, an the bundle OF toys
you're a-goin' to give to the rich children
tonight. I've stood on the corner here ever
SO long, a-waitin' for you to come along. l
knew you'd come down this street sure,
cause the rich children live here"
The child talked rapidly, catching his
breath between the sentences, as though
frightened at his boldness in addressing so
great a parsonage as Santa Claus.
'And what did you want to see me for,
my little man. said MI. Fcrna!d, taking
both little bluc-vcined hands in one of his
great, warm ones.
81 wanted to tell you Where we live, sir.
] guess yon don't know, cause you never
find us, an Tom-Tom's my big brother;
he's most twelve years old, an helps ma
lots. He earns much as fifty cents some
days, an ma don't know how she'd ever get
long 'thout Tom. Well. Tom says that you
don't care one bit about the poor little chill
dren; that you'd just as lief they'd starve
on Christmas Day as on any other day; but
you must 'cuse Tom, sir. He works hard
an gets tired, and then he's cross. When
l looked at our picture in the toy-shop
windows, l said to myself: Bobby Brown,
don't you believe it of Santa Claus. He
does care for all the children, only he don't
know where to find you, that's ALL Was ]
right, sir?:'
~ think you We're, my boy. I certainly
do not know where you live,' said MI. Fer.
nald, in an unsteady voice, for the child's
trusting faith in Santa Claus, who had never
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
CHRISTMAS is COMING.

Z" Christmas is coming, > the children cry,
Dear little children who live at home,
And do not guess what it is to roam
From morn till night, with StockingleSS feet,
Up and down through the ice and sieet.
. Christmas is coming.' thinks little Tin.
But what can the Christmas do for him?
His home is n cellar. his daily bread
The crumbs that remain where the rich are
fed.
No mother to kiss him when day is done,
No place to be glad in under the sun
That wonderful fellow. old Santa Claus
( Who never is idle Il moment because
He is kept so busy with piling the toys
Into the stockingof girls and boys
No wonder he sometimes forgets, you know
Into the homes of the poor to go.
But. dear little children, you understand
That the rich and poor all over the land
Have one dear Father who watches you,
And grieVcS and smiles at the things you do
And some of His children are poor and sad
And some are always merry and glad.
Christmas will bring you many Joys
Food and plenty, frolic and toys;
Christmas TO some Will bring nothing at all
i In place of laughter the tears will fall.
Poor little Tim to your door may come,
. Your blessings are many; spare him some
The Christmas bell will sweetly ring
The song that the angels love to sing.
The song that came with the Saviour's birth
" Peace. good will. and love on earth!"
Dear little children. ring, l pray,
Sweet bells in some lonely heart that day.
-Erchange.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26

ter to any ii asked at CnTlStHias liiiio'
THEIRS saws that in France it is thought 10
battle on Christmas Day or Ash "Wednesday
will secure freedom from fevers and tooth
ache. Many of the customs OF the french
people are copied by Americans, and TINS
heaithful practice of taking a bath once Il
wear is probably what has insured us as a
Nation from these maladies. 1t Is unlucky
not to lend anything on New Years Day:
1t is a custom to take twelve grams OF
corns on Christmas Day and to give to each
the name of the twelve months; these are
placed afterward on a shovel Slightly neat
cd. beginning with that which bears the
nalne of the month of January, and conul-
uing to do the same with the rest, and when
there is one that jumps on the shovel to
feel certain that corn will be dear in that
month, but on the contrary it will be cheap
when the grains do not jump.
A sign f%oreboding evil, which is needed
by the English, particularly, is that of re-
| ceiving new shoes or leather into the house
during Christmas week. An old farmer
who firmly believed in this omen once COM
planned that a pair of new shoes had been
unwittingly received into his house o II
Christmas morning, and said it was a bad
| lob. she lost a sight of cattle that year"
If a black cat comes to the house on
| Christmas Day it is thought to be very
lucky; and if it comes into the house it is q
sure sign of money. On no other day OF
the wear will this black visitor bring good
fortune. If the first person who enters a
house on Christmas Day is a woman bad
luck of some sort will come to that house
hold during the year. The threshold OF
the house must be consecrated by the foot
steps of a man before any of the inmate:
can go out of doors without bringing some
evil upon them.
The Irish believe that to quarrel OF
! Christmas day or night will bring bad lucl
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
LUCKY AND UNLUCKY DAYS.
Men and Women Who Are In
clined to be Superstitious.
How Christmas Day and New Years Day
Are Regarded by Many-Curious Signs
and What They Signify-Burning
of tho Yule-log-Odd Stories.
Our Christmas Holidays which come

Our Christmas Holidays which come
while
Z" Full knec-decp lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are YEARLY blowing;"
have as many traditions connected with them
as the long and sunny days of the merry
month of May.
Christmas day is regarded by many as a
particularly lucky day, on which to he born,
and All oft quoted saying is that:
ga child born on Christmas day,
Is fair and wise, and good and gay"
Our forefathers believed that by decorating
their homes at Christmas time with ever
greens would mark the homes of the be-
levers, and preserve them from the intru-
sion and evil influences of fiends. 1t is re-
garded as a very bad sign if any of the
leaves or sprigs are dropped and left behind
in removing these decorations, and they
must never be thrown into the street to be
trodden upon. If a wedding in a family is
very much desired by any member, the
"Christmas greens" must be burned by the
Oldest unmarried member of the household
whether male or female.
The ancient Romans highly priced the
mistletoe, and it was their custom to send a
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26

virtue; and to virtue, knowledge, and to
knowledge, temperance; and to temperance,
patience; and to patience, goodness; and TO
goodness, brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness, charity. The value OF
such adding is well set forth: ''For if these
things be in you and abound they make
you that We shall neither be barren nor I'M
fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ"
Every man ought to be truer, purer, nobler
and better at the close of each year OF LIE
Conscience ought to testify that, notwlth-
standing infirmities and deficiencies, we
have made advance in the Christian li1e
and are richer in the Christian graces.
1t is important to us to know thai we
have gained in love to God, have been more
anxious to know and do His will, have Deea
more patient under His chastisements, ana
more ready to submit to His guidance. ~
the same time we need evidence OF an ~.
creased concern for His glory, the honor
of His nam In His churches, and the coin-
ing ofHis Kingdom throughout the WORLD
Bdptist Weekly.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26

in friendship, love and money, but good
luck will come if you kiss the Oldest person
in the house first on Christmas morning, and
the youngest on New Years morning.
A writer in 'sNotes and Queries remarks
that the old superstition of ill-luck if any
other than a male person crossed the thresh-
old Of a house on New Years morning, is
still rife in Worcestershire, where a band
of boys go out early to peoples houses,
waking up some of the inmates, and then
entering the dwellings. For this service
they receive a drifting consideration from the
believers i'll luck. A farmers daughter
mentioned that the orthodox plan was for a
man or boy to enter at the back door, 20
through the rooms on the ground floor, and
go out by the front door. If it should hap
pen that the family were out at any merry
making on New Years eve, and did not re-
turn home until the morning, then it would
be necessary to ensure good luck in the
ensuing year that a strange man or
boy (not one of the family should
open the front door and let him in,
and as an example of the superstition
that is connected with this practice, a
story is told of a poor old bedridden woman
who positively refused to allow'aher neigh
Dor, who usually looked after her, to come
in on New Years day, but lay breakfastless
and hrelesS until the middle Of the day,
when fortunately the clergyman came to see
her, who being dark haired brought, as she
thought, good luck. 1t is said that in the
north of Scotland to ensure that a male
should be the first to enter the house, it was
customary to give boys a small g~ratuity for
placing sand OH the doorsteps and in the
passage, and bands of boys would go from
house to house collecting their 'fees for
sanding your steps for good luck"
In some localities it is considered lucky
for a fair-haired man to be first to enter the
house on New Years day, while in others
the dark haired ina is given the prefer
ence; while still others prefer that the first
conner Shall be a bachelor; this is particu-
larly desired if any of the inmates are dam
sells of twenty-five summers and five or six
winters.
In 'Notes and Queries an amusing anec-
dote is related Of how the father VI a fami.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26


companied by Hans Trapp, the indispensable
bugbear, wrapped in bearskins, the black
ened face hidden under a SLOUGH hat, and in
his hands a birch rod. Anxious to conciliate
even the donkey, the children place a bundle
of hay behind the door for its accommoda-
ton, and a glass filled with wine as welcome
for the lady and her attendant, singing a
quaint old German rhyme:
Chrischtkindelc. Chrischtkindele,
Kun du Zue uns eryn!
Merr ham a frisch's Heubindele,
I'm au e Gicsele Wyn.
f Bindele
FRS Essele,
f Glasele,
I'm bette kenne mer au.
the explanation of which may serve as an
amusement for a holiday afternoon. The
proceedings of Hans Trap are about the
same as those of knecht Ruprecht; but the
Lady Bountiful intercedes for the naughty
children on their promise of amendment, and
places her gifts under the Christmas tree
The Queen.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
You won't forget the doll

with her dolly: You won't forget the doll
No" said Mr.. Fernald, writing some
thing in a little book. "Step into the store
with me, my boy. 1t will be more COM
Portable for you. l see your clothes are
thin
Yes, sir, they wear out EASTERN ma can
mend 'em. Little Paul's only four, sir, an
l guess he'd like some candy best of any
thing, an may be, if 'tisn't too much. an
orange, too. You'll member little Paul,
sir?g"
Eyes, yes, I've got him down. Now who
else?'
"There's Tom, sir. Tom is such a good
brother. an has to be out in the cold all
day. / do wish Tom could have some
warm mittens: an his shoes are most gone,
but | guess the mittens will do. He'll be
awtully glad to get 'em. Is Toms name
down?'
YES, Toms name is down. Mr.. Fer
Maid looked up, waiting for the child to
continue his requests.
That's all, sir, 'ceptin' ma, an ma needs
most cverythin', but l guess she needs a
shawl most"
"But you, my little man, is there nothing
you wish for?:'
"No, sir, l don't need anything. I'll be
so glad to see the rest, am I'll have my Sc
cret bout meetin' you for my Christmas.
Oh, it'll be the %jolliest Christmas ever was;
an won't ma wonder, an won't Tom be
s'prised, an won't Nelly dance about!
guess Tom III change his mind bout you,
pretty quick, SIR
Bobby nodded his head emphatically, and
his eyes twinkled like stars.
''Now tell me where you live, Bobby
said Mr.. Fernald, with a warm glow at his
heart.
hechild gave the directions very minute
ly. Then MI. Fcrnald sent him home, and
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
branch of it to their friends as conveying
their pOod wishes

branch of it to their friends as conveying
their good wishes.
The burning of the Christmas or yule-log
has all sorts of superstitions connected with
it. In some parts of England the last bit of
the yule-log was for good luck taken from
the fire, and the next day hung close to the
ceiling in the kitchen to be kept to light the
next Christmas Eve fire, or else it was put
upon the fire before the new yule-log was
brought in. This was a sort Of fire insur-
ance policy-with low premiums-for it was
thought that the house and all property be-
longing thereto would be kept from the
ravages of flames if this little blackened
stick was carefully treasured; so care was
always talked not to let the log burn en-
tirely away. Before this could take place
the remnant would be taken from the fire
and put on the hob while the fire died out.
1t was desirable to have a good-sized log,
for if it burned out early in the evening the
company was obliged to 60 to bed or sit
shivering over the black and empty fire.
place.
In the Ceremonies of Candlemas Day"
Herrick writes:
"Kindle the Christmas brand and then
Till sunset let 1t burn;
Which quenched, then lay it up again
I'LL Christmas next returns.
Part must be kept wherewith to tend
AAS SAAA StAAA AO6 AAAAL yVot3
And where it is safely kept, the fend
Can do no mischief there"
In certain parts of Europe the yule log
must be Of a certain kind of wood. In
Devonshire it consists of sticks of ash
fastened together, and every time the burn
ing wood cracks each guest is allowed an
other glass. The yule-log must be large
enough to burn from Christmas Eve to sun
set the next day, and to bring extra good
luck to the house the Christmas candles are
lighted from the yule-log. 1t is thought
very bad to snuff the candles. The oldest
person of the company must %extinguish
them, but a small piece of each one is kept
to light the fire on New Years Eve. In
order to make friends during the coming
year, IN even number should sit down to
supper, and none should leave the table un-
til all are through. Bad luck will surely
com to any n who refuses food and shell
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26

ClruSU Ill, anu DeIore Tile OOOr could be
closed, more bundles followed.
By this time the little ones were capering
about the room III the widest delight. Tom
stood with the stove-handle in one hand,
and ali expression of blank amazement on
his face, a perfect statue of surprise. Mrs.
Brown had sank into a chair, and with
elapsed hands and fearful eyes, was view
ing the presents which seemed literally to
shower down upon them, and which meant
so much of comfort and happiness to her
little family. Bobby was the only one who
did not seem to be at all surprised at the
generous display. Nor did he cease IL re-
gard the door with anxiety until the doll
and the candy, together with other surprises
and toys not mentioned by him in his coli
lversation with Santa Claus, had made theil
appearance.
'Where did they all come from?" gasped
Mrs. Brown in perplexity. There must be
some mistake"
mo, there ain'tw cried Bobby enthu-
siastically; Santa Claus sent 'em."
"But there isn't such a person, Bobby"
eyes, there is. / saw him last night
said Bobby, trying a jack-knife which had
his name on a card attached to the handle.
There's good stuff in it," he added, send
ing along shaving off from a piece of pine
tstick. 81 told him where we lived, an he
said he'd try to find us this year."
"Who could it have been?'' murmured
Mrs. Brown.
"Santa Claus, of course" said Bobby,
emphatically. He's a jolly old man
looks just like his picture, too"
And Mr.. Fernald, as he placed a dia-
mond ring on the finger Of his grand
daughter, thought of the humble home his
bounty had blest, and how much more that
gift was priced than the II which 10Y
sparkled on the hand of her who had never
had a wish unsatistied.
''It pays to be Santa Claus" he solilo-
quized. at pays in here" laying his hand
over the place where a warm heart
throbbed beneath, 'and l believe I'll make
a general Santa Claus of myself next year,
for the benefit of poor little children whom
the usual Santa Claus fails to find. "-Cht-
cago Interior.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
THE GRAY AND THE GOLD

An old man sits ut the big arm chair
IN the evening taking ease,
HIS palsled hand in the golden hair
Ut the midget on his knees. ~
" Tell me a pa"-as she nestles close
Wuth 90 one little. like me?
Did ole Sanity tum id his 'eindeers EN-
Wuth 90 as Jung 'en as me?
" An 'en did 90 'av tum tockins. too.
An hung'd en- over de tair.
An peek out from 90 cadil an boob
An make ole Sanity Tlaw stare?
Did 90 papa tell 90 all EN- tings-
Bout S~anty-ns 90 tole me
Bout tum angels an u baby on dair fncs
Take down 90 han's-'ct me tee"
She took away from his eyes his hand,
An laughed, the ruby-lipped spy.
And stopping said: EEL, / do detiare.
COS dot q dim'n in 90 eye"
Two heads nestle in the big arm chair
The gray and gold interiace.
The christmas OF childhood nestles there
Asleep In the OLE mans face.
-EIchan0e.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

The Peculiar Ideas the Various Continent
al Nations Have of Christmas Day-The
Children's Festival.
In the North of Germany and on the
Rhine it is st. Nicholas on his donkey, ac-
companied by his servant Ruprecht, who
makes his rounds on Christmas eve. The
little ones expect the mysterious visitor to
fill the dishes which they place on the win
dow sills, or the shoes and stockings which
they thrust up the chimney, with the gifts,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
TAKING STOCK.

Why Christians Should at This Season
Make q Careful investigation of Their
Spiritual Condition.
At this season of the year it is usual for
business men to take stock, and make a
careful investigation of their affairs. IT
they can figure out a financial advance for
the year it gives them satisfaction and an
added sense of security.
1t is well for Christians to take stock.
They are called to ''add' to their faith,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26

They go to bed with the
determination not to fall
asleep and miss hearing
the donkey's bray which
is to announce the arrival
of the bountiful pair.
However they are not
allowed to leave their beds
until early dawn, when a
general scramble takes
place. With shouts of de-
light or sobs of disappoint-
ment the various recep-
tacles for the expected
presents are examined,
and the several papers
undone in which the gifts
are tied up to prolong the
suspense. Some reveal
the coveted sweets, the
long-desired picture book,
the prayed-for fairy doll;
Others contain palpable
hints of the parents dis
pleasure in the shape of a
birch rod. a written rem
rimand, ETC., or are empty
altogether. The lucky
recipients are congratu-
lated; those under a cloud
laughed at, and harmless
fun reigns supreme
throughout the house.
In a similar way ST.
Nicholas day is celebrated
in France on the 9th of
December, and in Lorraine
the role of Ruprecht is
played by Pere Fouettard,
preceding st. Nicholas,
who is seated on the in
evitable donkey, in his
official robe, with mitre,
cross and long beard. In
the south of Germany st.
Nicholas appears in per-
son OH Christmas eve, or
sends his bearded servant
Ruprecht, wrapped in furs
or blankets - the more
ogre-like the better-with
a birch rod in his hand
and a well-filled bag or
basket on his back. Be-
fore distributing his gifts,
which consist of apples,
walnuts, oranges, penny
dolls and similar tritles,
he examines the children
about their behavior since
last Christmas, rewarding
the good ones and ex-
pressing his displeasure by
the character Of his pres
ents-bits of wood, stones
OF raw potatoes.-to the
naughty ones. Ruprecht
is appealed to by the
parents many weeks
previous to Christmas for
keeping in order the
Youngest members of the
family.
In sAlsace the Christ
mas messenger appears
as Lady Bountiful, clad in
white, her face powdered
with flour. On her long
auburn hair, made of tow,
she wears a crown of gold
paper, surrounded with
lighted wax tapers, holding
in one hand a. silver bell
and in the other a basket
filled with presents. She,
too, is supposed to arrive
on a donkey and ia On
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-12-26
Christmas Decorations.

The decoration Of a church, says s. y
D., in the Country Gentleman, should =.
in keeping with its architecture. ricb,n
carved woodwork being left unadorned, hvt
blank spaces covered with wreaths. r,r
lands, shields or stars. Plain column.
should have garlands of evergreen aro,ns