davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

,.. ,,,
Gave luster OF midday 10 obJects below below
Nhcn Whal 10 my "ohucrlhE I! Is 9nouiu aP
pear
But miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver, SO lively and quick,
i knew in a moment ii must be st. NICK.
More RAPID than eagles his coursers they
came.
And he whjstlcl and shouted and called them
by name r,.., .- ,,,,
NOW, BXSher. Ho"' Dancer ho"' Il'licel
~ ana NIAch' n.,,.,.,. 49,, D,,,
w. ' 2en,- On ''p'"' OH i'o"u7' al" D'''
~ 'i'' '0P u INT pof'"' % Tue 'op VI '"' an
" -, -- 49,, -. ,.-, ... NV,
flv,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to
the Sky,
So nm to the bOuse.toD the cOursors they flew
With the sleigh full of toysSand 81. Nicholas,
too
And tbcn in twjnkiipr. I heard on the roof
The prancing and paving Of each littIc hoof
As drew in my head and was turning around
Down the chimney ST Nich0las came with a
bound. ~ ''Ol0''' N'''''0
ro ro. orosso, OIL n ,ur. ,non, Lie ,o., 20
-, his his foot, .,. =, .,.,, ,.,. .,.
And his clothes were all furnished with ashes
ana SCOT ,o., s,,..
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

"rll move, of course" he said, as
he prepared TO go, "but just you
listen to me for 3 minute! When l got
up this morning / swore off from every
evil habit of life. For three hours /
have been as near an angel as human
beings ever got"
"Yes, but move on!'
"Oh. I'll move, but from this hour
look out for me! I'll drink, smoke,
chew. swear. lie. steal, cheat, swindle,
deceive, perjure and turn pirate and
murderer! Yes, I'll move on, but keep
your eye on me! 1t won't be half an
hour before I'll be in the cooler!"
1t wasn't fifteen minutes. He
crossed the street and thumped a COL
ored man, and was ut once taken
down. Detroit Free Press.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
santa CLAUS 1)isit.
was evident that he was thoroughly

was evident that he was thoroughly
saturated with melancholy.
This, l think. would be very pref
ty," lady clerk was saying as the
star man, who recognized an ac-
quaintance, approached. IF it is for
a lady, it is just the thing, think, so
suitable" and she held up the article
to the best advantage and threw her
head on one side, and seemed to be
absorbed in admiration.
The young man gazed in a dazed
sort of a way, and muttering indiS-
tinctly perhaps it amt for lady,"
walked on, and nearly walked over the
Star man. The shock seemed to re-
store him to consciousness, and he was
able to recognize friends. Leading him
gently to the door, in the hopes that
the fresh air might fully restore him,
the Star man asked him what in the
world was the matter, and why he
walked abroad to take his daily nap.
II wish it had been nap" said the
young man, with forlorn expression.
''But l was feeling pretty well and
strong, and thought that | would 60
out and look for some Christmas pres
ents. Of course, didn't know what l
wanted. never do. For this reason
it is necessary for me to be in vigorous
health to stand the strain. have been
training in the gymnasium for the past
month just for this event. But see
that over-estimated my strength. L
am going back and take week more
of trapeze and horizontal bar-work, as
that always steadies your head. You
see, the trouble is, your head is liable
to swim around. / don't know whether
it is the smell of all those new things or
the questions and observations of the
shop girl-some of them are mighty
pretty, by the way-but at any rate
buying Christmas presents makes my
head swim"
WHAT THE sHoP-GIRLs SAY.
"What do the shop-girls say to
youP" asked the listener, his suspicious
aroused.
"Well. they generally say" respond
ed the young man, els it for young
lady? In fact, they always say that.
Now, that is an embarrassing question.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

l generally tell them that it's for
friend. But that is apt to be mislead-
ing, as friend might be either male or
female. There ought to be some kind
of Christmas present invented that is
good for either sex, and then the Shop
Girls Association could adopt a rule
prohibiting these kind of questions.
They are embarrassing, that is fact"
concluded the young man, in a rather
meditative tone of voice.
'Do you divide your friends into the
two classes, denoted by their seX?'
questioned the listener.
mo, not exactly" was the response.
There's your best girl, and then
there's your mere friend and your
casual acquaintance. Then comes
your parents, your relations and the
boys. You have got to get Christmas
presents for all of them, and the vari-
ETY. is enough to make your head swim
all by itself. Then, besides, after you
have laid awake nights planning what
you are going to get for this one and
that one and run your legs off getting
them, you discover that they are not
the things they wanted at all. If they
would only send them back to you,
that might be some consolation, but to
think of them contriving and scheming
to find some place to hide your old
present away in, makes you feel sore
all over"
There ought to be a reform" con-
cluded the young man, sternly. Mis-
takes of this kind ought not to be made,
but every one ought to have the very
things that they have been wanting all
the year and their friends ought to have
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
SANTA CLAUS VISIT.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all
through the house
Not creature was stirring, not even mouse,
The stockings were hung by the chimney with
care.
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be
there.
The children were nestled all snug in their
beds.
While visions OF sugar plums danced in their
heads,
And mamma in her kcrchief. and in my cap,
Had just settled our brains Tor q long winters
nap,
when out on the lawn there arose such a
clattcr,
sprang from my bed TO see what was the
matter.
Away to the window few like a fash,
Tore open the shutters an dthrew up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the ne8-falleu
snow
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
SWEARING OFF.
How a ProspectiveIy Good Man Became
Discouraged.

How ProSpectively Good Man Became
Discouraged.
On New Years morning, when an
eminent citizen. worth million dol
lars, entered drugstore on Griswold
street to purchase a piece of court
plaster to cover a sore on his nose, he
found a stranger with his back to the
stove and resolve to lead better life
plainly written on his shirt bosom.
Morning" said the man at the
stove. Il hope you haven't come in
after q nip this morning"
The eminent citizen. worth million
dollars, redeemed up, but made no re-
ply.
Il hope" continued the other, "that
you have resolved with me to lead a
better life from this day out. Beware
of whisky, partner; it biteth like a ser
pent."
The eminent citizen, worth a million
dollars, began to breathe hard, but he
held in his reply.
i Lets break off swearing and cussing
and running out nights" placidly con-
tinued the stranger. I've been there,
anu IcIl you IL Ho SoOu' VI your
hand right thar, partner, and promise
me you'll quit
"Sir!' exclaimed the eminent citizen
worth million dollars.
And look here, my friend" whis-
pered the other, "let's stop lying.
It's bad, bad habit, and the man who
INDUCES in it is sure to lose the respect
of the world"
, "Sir! l feel like knocking you
down. said the e. C. worth a. m. d.
Its outrageous for you to talk that
wayr'
''And l want you to leave the
storer' added the druggist, as he came
from behind the counter with blood in
his eye.
"Well, I'll leave, of course" re-
piled the stranger, "but I don't see
anything to get mad at, Seems to
He was hustled out and the door
banged on him, and policeman came
and ordered him to move on.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
THE OPENING YEAR.

The Old Year, with its record,
Is gone forever more:
The New Year, full of promise,
Stands waiting at the door.
Ali could we live 1t overt
So sigh we of the past,
Live we the new, rs wish we now
That we had lived the last.
Thst past, its lessons teaching.
With guiding light should shine I
To warn from self-dependence
And lead to grace divine.
With high resolve, and holy y. TO-.
With,purpose, firm and true,
Let US 20 forth with mcekncss,
Gods will and work to do.
Then golden moments wasted,
And days all dark with sin,
Shall not so sadly color
The year we now begin.
N. Y. Observer.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31


''Heinrich," said the man to his eld-
est boy, what is Christmas Eve. and
why do we plant the Christmas trcc?'
Because, replied the boy, 1t is the
eve of the birthday Of Christ our Lord,
and to commemorate His love and Sacri-
lice for us we plant the Christmas trees
and ill it with gifts for one another,
Then the young voices rose high and
clear, singing the following words:
"Once in royal David city
Stood lOwly cattle shed.
Where II mother laid her Baby
In Il manager for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little CE:ld.
He came down from Hea"cn 10 earth
Who is God and Lore of all,
And His shelter was stable
And His cradle WAS stall:
With the poor and mcan and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour molly.
And through all His wonGrous childhood,
He would horror and obey,
Love and watch the lOWly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian oh drCn all must be
Mild, ODediCnt, good as He.
For He is our children's pattern,
Day by day like us he grew;
He was little. weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness
And He sharcth in our gladncSS.
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For the Child so dear ard gentle
Is our Lord in Heaven above:
And He leads His children on
To the place whore He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him: but in Heaveu.
Set at Gods right hand on high;
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.
The Saviour was deeply affected-so
says the legend-and, blessing them.
left the good people in state of su-
preme happiness and exaltation. Helm
rich became Bishop, thereby adding
greatly to the honor and dignity of the
family; but the Saviour wept with joy,
and wherever tear fell there sprang
beautiful evergreen, SO that now
there are evergreens enough for Christ
mas trees throughout the land; and
ever since that time, when Christmas
Eve comes, Christ revisits the earth,
and wherever the Christmas tree IS
planted, and the Christmas lights shine.
in cottage or in palace, He looks upon
them and blesses them.-Jeasnie June.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
THE SAVlOUR'S VISIT.
The Blessing Which Rests upon the Christmas Tree
beautiful Legend.


There is a legend that upon certain Christmas Eve
Christ came down from Heaven and walked upon the
earth, and as He walked He strange sights The
weather was bitterly cold yet whstlod and sung
as they passed Him by snatches of sweet home melo-
dies and pious anthems: while indoor lights cleaned
and threw their radiance upon beautiful trees standing
green in the wntry atmosphere and loaded with spark
ling Gifts. What does this mcan?' at last asked the
Saviour of Il passcr-by. The dear Lord help thee
where hast thou lived" replied the man, mot to
know that this is Christmas Eve. and these that thou
seest are Christmas trees?'
And why is Christmas Eve celebrated? and what
is the meaning of the Christmas trccS?'
And for answer the man crossed himself. and led
the way into small house. where the supPcItablcWas
laid and where there several children. Sit down
and eat" said the man, land afterward we viii explain
to Thee the mystery of the Christmas tree.
But the children clamorcd about the Saviour. and one
touched His robe and another strokod His beard and
their father would have robuk"d them but the Saviour
said: NAV suffer little children to come unto Me-"
and the man said more but the mother looked Curl
ously at Him and put the best dishc, before MN.
SO they ate their supper, and were very m"r7I and
when the fragments were all removed the Eadn led
the way to an inner room, where. behind cGrtain
stood beautiful Christmas tree, lighted with candles
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

are appreciated and everybody will be
happy"
"But you must excuse me. Here is
the gymnasium, and l will have to
leave you," and with these words the
young man lightly bounded up the
steps and disappeared through the
doorway. Washington Star.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

would be available for public inspec-
ton. Suppose want to give Brown a
present; l see you laugh" said the
young man, pausing in the middle of
the narrative. "Well, to satisfy your
critical soul 1 will say Miss Brown.
You 60 to this place and look at the in
dex of the book until you find the name;
you then turn to the proper page and
under the name Brown you find list
of things she wants. You make your
selection, as your taste, purse or other
circumstances would suggest and then
make mark to indicate that some one
has decided to make that present. The
next person that comes along will
make selection, and so on until the
entire list is taken. In that way, you
see, Miss Brown will get the things she
wants, her friends will have the salts
faction of knowing that their presents
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31


to watch the old year out together Let's see! How
many years have seen and go9 Forty-exacty
forty with this one. That's long long time
The rocked gently to and fro, and by and
by the clock suddenly called out:
What! Tears in your eyes. Come, now, but that's
way to end the year. We were thinking of the
thing Yes, he was good and loving husband, and I'll
say this for both OF you, that l never heard one
unpleasant word between YOU 1t is twenty wears since
he died. could look into his face as he lay on his
dying bed. and if Heaven its light to lead
soul across the dark valley it given to him |
member your tears and means and sObs and you prayed
that death might come to you we'll
The woman wiped her tears away, and there was 4
feeling of SuffOcaOn she let memory brine up the
events of other years.
-eght-nine- tes!' called the clock after awhile
GLOW time does fly! 1t scarcely a month since
was striking the last hours of last year. Let see
Some one wept with You at that bedside. There a
son and daughter. All! now l recall their faces
their gentle ways-ther loving words Two wears later
there other observation-disclosures walls and obs. and
saw the pa-bearers they carried the daughters boy
out of the house 1t seemed as if the last blow must
crush you. and well remember of saving to
myself that it wouldn't be long before YOU were
called to 60"
The woman held her face in her hands and sobbed.
Come! Gomez chded the clock death is ever
busy, and it must come to each and every The
past past and we must put behind us How happens
it that you are alone tonight? Where is the son of
whom | spoke?
The woman choked back her sobs and her lips moved
as if she were speaking the names of her dead
For many minutes her reverie was unbroken and she
heard not the ckacki tcktack of the steady old CLOCK
Nine - ten-e ercn!" suddenly called the clock
do remember the day with pale face and
frightened eyes opened the door and handed you letter
which bore the insignia of death. You opened it with
trembling fingers, and the next moment you like
one dead There days and days when you lowered
between life and death and for my part gave up all
hopes Died in foreign land-buried among strangers
over the sea. 1t was blow aimed at a heart twice
broken
The woman covered her face and moaned in anguish
and the clock continued:
- Don't greve so the dead at rest forevermore
Lies mistakes may need 70 be washed away with tears
but the dead have reaped their reward. You old
and poor and broken, but who tell what friends
the New Year may raise up for you? | tell
to forget the past, for mothers heart goes out
for her dead, but the New Year may have sunshine
Come. now. | about to strike the Old Year out
and the New Year in. Let greet the New with a
smile OF welcome as | count-ten- observation-disclosures
happy New Year,
The woman did not move
Hegho' called the clock; have left the old
bebind!'
ier hands had dropped beside her and her head had
fallen.
"Dcad. licked the clock the last faint echoes of
his bell died away. ''Veriy, it is so! The Old Year
will lead her soul from earth to eterny!'-DetroU
Free Press
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31

helpless so utterly alone in the great world am sure
YOU would not think me bold in coming here as dc"
There was a suspicious moisture in the editors eyes
when the little maiden had finished her story and he
sat for an instant in silence, thinking how his nneyear-
old Tom and fair-haired Grace with the rogush WAYS
and sweet little Myrtle who put her soft white arms
around his neck lovingly every evening, were
waiting at home for his coming and of how their merry
shouts would ring through the house when the morrow
came and each tiny stocking found filled with
candies and toys And then he thought of the beautiful
Young wife the love of his early manhood whom two
years before he had laid away in the cold cruel grave
that claimed her for its own. And further still his
thoughts went back until they came to q time when he
was little boy and moher-his own loved mother,
who used to wear out trunk-srap on him every
winter-was alive, and how she would kiss him
good night cndcry and then hcartlessy drag him out
of bed at nine or ten o'clock in the morning, the
feeble prctcxt that the girl wanted to clear up the
room. His bluc-eyed sister alive thcn-"Caramel
Carrie" they used to call her-and it came back to
him this winters day, he sat there in his Office,
how madly she loved him, and was so soiicltouS for
his health that she would get mother to put him 10
bed early ON the nights her beau coming. He
might have gone for hours with these rcverieS had
not the pleading voice of the girl reused him with the
words And can you make room for my story
The editor was his feet in Instant. " Make
room for it. my dear? Why of course | can. You
have made better man of me, he said to the girl,
''and am going to let you ride down in the elevator
". Y. Tribune.
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
the pleasure of giving them. l know
how it could be done
THE SCHEME I-NFoI DFD

Suppose" he continued. there
should be established in convenient To-
calitics kind of clearinghouse for
Christmas presents. At these places a
large book could be kept where people
could enter their names and the things
they wanted most After certain date
have the books closed. Then the books
The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1885-12-31
LITTLE GIRL AND EDITOR
"Could You Find Room for C,r,.,,..
storyY"

"Could You Find Room for = C,ris,,,.,
story"
The editor, man of kindly hear,
looked quietly up from The work at
which he was engaged and saw by his
side girl of perhaps nineteen, Der.
haps twenty. 1t was she who asked
the question. 1t was not exactly a
pretty face that looked so appealinrlv
into that of the gruff, overworked ed.
itor, but there was in it such look os
sweet womanly spirit, such PLEADING.
ly-wistful expression in the soft erav
eyes, that the editor felt his heart %
out in pity toward the little miss whose
cheeks the Ice King had kissed into
rosy blossom.
$50 you have written Christmas
story, my lass" he said, in cheerv
voice, land would like to have it an.
pear in the paper tomorrow"
Yes, sir,' replied the girl, in a
voice whose ripping sweetness only
served to link more strongly together
the chains that were fast encirclino
the editors heart Papa has been
very sick for nearly three months now,
and we are SO poor, and thought per.
haps if wrote story you might be
good enough to pay me something for
it-not much, but enough to buy soma
trinkets for the children, little Ethel
and Reginald. SO that they would not
think Santa Claus had deserted them
entirely If you knew how hard I
have tried to get employment, and how
have cried myself to sleep many and
Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-04-11
Charity 0lI

A charity ball will be given in the
aud itorlnm of the Opera Houss on
Wednesday evening next for the benefit
of the Associated Charities. The list
of patrouesses Of the fair includes a
large mum Der of the best known society
ladies Of tbe city and the affair will fs
One Of the most pjoyable SOFIA, events
of the season. Tickets can only be
procured of the patronesses: Music
will be furnished by the Germania
orchestra of Philadelphia, and supper
will be served by Robert Graves. The
holders of tickets TO the floor are
requests ed to be at the Opsra House at
| 8 O'Clock; dancing to begin at 30.
ISpectators' tickets may be procured at
| g. r. Thomas s. Co.'S.
Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-04-11
The situation In China.

PARIS, April 10.--It is semi-officially
stated here that as soon AS decree
shall have been issued by China order.
ing the execution of theTien-Tsin treaty
and the evacuation Of Tonquin the
French military operation will be stop.
ped, the blockade of Formosa and
Pakkoi will be raised and NJ. Pateno-
ire, the Minister to China, will go to
Tien-Tsin or Pekin for the purpose of
ex ecuting definite treaty of peace.
The Temps says Admiral Courbet, who
was previously ordered to evacuate
FOrmosa has now received lor'
ders to maintain his position
before Keiung. 1t Is the opinion
of the Temps that hostilities may con.
tinue on the Song-Koi in Tonquin.