davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
For Only A Minute.

A writer in the San Francisco Chronicle
says:
Il fancy most people like to watch children
at Christmas tree. l would have given
something to have been in one house know
when the children rose on Christmas morning.
They had been very particular to know about
Santa Claus the night be ore They had ex-
hausted all the information their parents
could give them.
They had hung up their stockings, and the
eldest boy. still Of very tender years. suggested
scheme to the nursemaid to borrow a pair Of
his fathers trousers for the purpose Of giving
Santa Claus room. 1t was explained that the
presents would all fall through. but he was
wise enough to propose tying them at the feet.
After they had gone to sleep the Christmas
tree was prepared with splendid elaboration,
and carried into the room very quietly
The toys-and there were plenty of them
were displayed on the floor. the stockings
filled with candy, and everything was done to
surprIe them. 1t did not need any bell or
Knocking to wake the house next morning.
The children woke. and in about ten seconds
everybody in the house knew that Santa Claus
had come. 1t was day Of bewildered de-
light All me! l would give an awful lot of
prospective fortune for one minute Of the SEN
sation those children enjoyed.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
The Empty Arms.

To all whose arms ART empty-and oh, they
are so many-mu-t come especial comfort on
Christmas Day. We count the years that they
Cour beloved have speat beyond the shad-
ows" We remember the Chrit-child who by
His coming added additional sanctity 10 ali
child-life who by His life blessed all the chill
dren, large aud small, who would come to
Him-who would learn Of Him HIS meekness
and lowliness Of heart; and who by His death
opened the Gates Of Resurrection 80 that all
men could see and believe and receive. could
have hope for themselves and sweetest comfort
for their loved ones.
A poor woman said, excusing herself for
helping a suffering child; "Sae looked 50 like
my little Susie, could not help it, 1t swaIl
every one don't look so much like our own or
we should ruin ourselves" Nav, tlink we
should in that case do something very differ
emit from running ourselves If ever the time
could come that each could see in every other
human being q likeness TO some one they loved.
seeing that could drown selhshness and ali
its attendant train Of cruelty and injustice
drown them in an overflow Of generous
thought, deed, and affectionate interest-this
life would partake Of the heavenly
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Yuletide Customs in shetland.

The inherent Scandinavianism OF the Shet-
hinder, which leads him 10 repud ate the APP
| pellatiun OF scochman ard to cherish in secret
the old customs and superstit ous OF his ances-
tors, asserts itself yearly in the high jnks
with which he continues TO honor. the old holy
days Of Yule. Until within the last two or
three years he pertinaciously adhered to the
old style in his Observance Of these festivities.
On Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, and
Uphelya-the twenty-fourth day after Yule
and that on which the holy or holidays are
supposed to be Cup the youths Of Lerwick,
attired in fantastic dresses go "guis-
ing about the town In bands, visiting
their friends and acquaintance, and re-
producing in mimi ture the carnival Of
more southern clmes. On one or other
OF these occasions torchlight procession
forms part Of the revelry Formerly blazing
tar barrels were dragged about the town, and
afterward, with the first break of morning
dashed over the Knab into the sea But this
ancient and dangerous custom has very prop
cry been discontinued. The dresses Of the
guisers are often OF the most expensive and
fancltul description. HghlAnders, Spanish
cavaliers, negro Ministries, soldiers In the
peaked caps kerseym re brooches and scarlet
coats turned up with buff, OF the reign Of
George H., Robin Hoods and Maid MArians
are found in the mot ey throng. Some with
boldness worthy Of Artist phanes himself
carcature the dress. the walk or some other
eccentricity Of leading personages in the town;
others-for the 81 irit Of ''the Happy Land"
has reached these hyperboresn regions-mAke
pleasant game OF well-known political
characters. Each band Of euisers has its
fiddler, who walks before 1t playing "sca 10
way Lassies, or The Fonla Reel or ''The
Nippin Gruud, or some other archaic tune.
Thus conducted, and blowing a horn 10 give
notice Of their approach, the mhskers enter
the doors Of al houses which IA find omen.
dance measure with the inmates. partake OF
and offer refreshment, and then part TO re-
peat the same courtesies elsewhere Al day
light the horn Of the Most Worthy Grand
duiser, mysterious parsonage whose person
Atty and functions are enveloped IN the deep
est concealment, IL heard summoning all the
bands 10 end their reveis. and when. in the
cold gray dawn Of the winter morning. the
citizens OF Lerwick awake to pursue their
wonted avocatlons, not trace remains of the
saiurnalIa Of the night before.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Merry Christmas.

That is the saluta.ion of the day the world
around, and we hope our readers may realize
all the pleasant conditions implied in il; for
to be merry implies the capacity to get away
Tor little from the worry, the apprehension.
the ehagrin and the troubles that make up
the greater part Of life for perhaps the great
er number. May the people be light-hearted
and fancy free in the presence Of this de-
hghtful festival Perhaps it is the greatest
Gay OF the year If we consider the number
and dispersion Of those who celebrate it. and
the common humanity involved in what is
celebrated. For Americans only the festival
OF our national independence, giorifying the
triumph and realization of the crandest OF
all political conceptions, is a day certainly
second to none; but Christmas is a festival OF
such extended human brotherhood that il as
Stimulates the world to a family. taking in
whole nationalities and races of men as the
various members Of it, and is none the less
effective in this way for the fact that IT is
older than Christianity itself, as q festival O!
ope in what is to come.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Christmas in the OIden Time.

Old time Christmas days were given up TO
hosterous sports. The lord Of misrule
reigned supreme. Churches were used to
dance in, boys jumped in sacks, grabbed with
their mouths at apples floating in water,
eaped and tried to bite mouthfuls of trecle-
covered cake, suspended by strings from the
ceiling. The burning OF the big Yue log was
universal, aud it was considered unfortunate
fora squint-eyed person or a lat-footed woman
to enter within its blaze. The brands left
from the burning were sacredly kept as pro-
lection against lightning, and for the kindling
OF the next years log. In Norway. King o af,
the saint, forbade the burning Of the Yule
fire, Furnishing the offenders with manning or
death. 1t was belief, transported to
America, that cattle kneeled in the attitude Of
prayer at midnight on Christmas Eve, bees
sang in thclr hives, and bread baked on that
day would never mold.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
The MistletOe BOugh.

The mistletoe was used by the Romans in
religious ceremonies, says Charles Dudley
Warner, and it may have been the golden
bough' OF tine internal regions The Druids
gathered it against the festival OF the winter
solstioe with great solemnity. the Prince OF
the Druids eating it himself with a golden
sickle. 1t was used as charm against evil
spirits, and excellent medicinal properties are
ascribed to it, 1t was supposed to possess the
power to preserve from poison and the mystic
property OF giving fertility. kissing under
the mistletoe" may have had reference to this
ancient belief. There was a tradition that the
maid who was not kissed under the mistletoe
at Christmas would not be married during the
following year. 1t is an obvious suggestion
that in sections of the country where the stat
istics show falling off in marriages this plant
ought not 10 be let die out.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
The First Christmas in America.

The chronicles of the Pilgrims, describing
their arrival in Cape Cod Bay in December,
1920, refer thus briefly to the first Christmas
spent by them in America:
monday, being Christmas Day. we began
to drink water aboard. But at night the mas
ter caused us to have some beer; and SO on
divers times now and then, some beer, but on
shore none at all"
What was done in Plymouth village the next
Christmas is more fully described in the quaint
language of Gov. Bradford;
"On We day called Christmas-dav. We Goyr
called them out to worke (as was used), but We
most of this new company excused themselves
and said it went against their consciences TO
worke on We day. So We Govr told them that
II they made it mater of conscience, he would
spare them till they were better informed. So
he led away We rest and left them, but when
they came home at noone from their worke he
found them in We streete at play openly; some
pitching We barr, and some at stoole-baIl. and
such like sports. So he went to them and took
away their implements, and told them that
WAS against his conscience, that they should
play and others worke, If they made We keep
ing OF it mater Of devotion, let them kepe their
houses, but Their should be no gaming or reyel-
ling in ye streets"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Where Santa Claul Lives.

Far away among the snow clad mountains,
says one who writes pleasant things for the
little ones, not far from the North Pole, stands
quaint little gabled house; on one end /,
has a long, low wing, built out as it were into
space so long does it appear in the uncertain
Light or an Arctic winter. The wing has no
windows. 1t is blank mystery. but the house
itself looks like some huge lamp. as the lights
from the windows glimmer and shine for miles
away.
This is Santa Claus home. Here he lives
all the year round sleeping in the summer.
but working hard through the long winter
months. On this Christmas eve 1885 the
dear old man is sitting in large chair bv the
hre, and what do you think his fire is made
Of? Why the love and faith OF little chill
drsn, and the brighter the fire burns the
iollier grows old Santa. His queer old chair
is made Of little boys broken toys. which are
carefully fastened together with magic glue
and the bowl on his comlcal pipe is the head of
discarded doll. The walls OF his rooms are
covered with m ottoes composed of loving
words which have fallen from the lips of the
little ones all over the world, and in every
language. Santa Claus caught them as thew
fell, and bringing them tenderly home
framed them in eyergreens and bright memory
berries
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25

One of the pleasantest events of Christmas
time is the advent of our dear, though nv
theological, friend, Santa Claus. 1t is the uni
versal wonderment Of childhood how the old
gentleman, who does not seem to grow stingy
with the passing years, manages TO visit so
many homes at about the same hour, and to
crawl down small and sootY iues with so large
pack on his shoulders without soiling his
beard. It Is rather sad experience when
poyhood and girlhood discover that he is an
imaginary parsonage, and that-but let the
myth remain, untouched by the stern and
grinding facts of later life. Rich and poor
are under the spell Of expectation, and num-
berless stockings will be hung up in the hope
that If Santa Claus does not come to fill them
some one else will. Rare gifts will pass from
hand TO hand among the wealthy, and even
the pinehed and poor will be made glad by
Solne little token Of love or friendship.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
They We're Both Happy.

word of advice to those who have plenty.
You remember Scrooge IN Dickens Christ
mas Carol? On the morning of Christmas
he determined TO make himself merry and
happy. There was big turkey hanging in
the poulterers window, a turkey that was
twice the size Of Tiny Tim. He bought it
and sent it as a surprise to poor Bob Cratohet.
1t was glorious joke, a very practical joke,
and he chuckled TO himself and rubbed his
hands in glee as he thought OF the consterna-
ton Of the household on its arrival. And the
next morning, when Bob come to business
eighteen minutes and a half behind time.
scrooge took him into his Office and said,
Nov, I'll tell you what, my friend l am not
going 10 stand this sort of thing any longer,
and, therefore" Chere he gave Bob 1ch dig
in the waistcoat that he staggered back, land,
therefore, l am about to raise your salary"
1t was, perhaps, an odd way Of celebrating
Christmas, but it is doubtful whether scrooge
or Bob Cratchet was the happier man that
day.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25

Desolate hearts viii find their best comfor.
during the Christmas season. in giving some
child now living some benefit. del rht. or
plea sure for the sake OF those who have gone
beyond their reach and beyond tho power Of
their ministratous. For the sake Of our loved
little ones we can strive 70 make some other
little one happy. For the sake Of our own
loved ones, whose lives are eternallv bright
ened. We might strive to brighten as far as we
can those Of the loved Of Others. For our own
sakes We should Try TO learn the deep and holy
JOY OF covering the hnrial-p.ace Of our sor-
rows with the Ugh, and blossoms Of outgoing
love, charity-ths kind that seeketh not the
eyll-consideration, helpfulness for those who
are our fellow-voyagers, through sunshine
and through storms. whose hearts. homes. dis
appointments, and sorrows are vet in some re-
spect similar to our own, although we may
know II not. For the sake OF the Lord whom
We profess TO follow we should consecrate our
selves anew each anniversary Of His birth to
becoming disciples Of the love Of which He
taught us full Of charity tenderness. unsrlf-
ishness. and crowned by humility. Each year
we should con-ecrAte ourselves anew 70 the
effort to do our little but uufaiiing best To-
ward increasing the knowledge OF, and max
ing more real the advent OF peace or earth.
goodwill to men,"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
On the Safe SIDE.

well 2" lie queried, as he turned around in
chair.
Yes, sah--I wanted 70 spoke to you a
mint replied the old man az he hung in the
door
IAN right, come in All Won are Mosesrr
''Ies, sab. Las var. de dav befo' Christ
mas, you-you presented dis ole man wild
turkey"
so I did--so did. / remember the cir
cumstHnce nOg
Zacty. sab. ! called 10 ray dat in case-"
"Iou want 10 know II an going to present
you with another turkey this vlarY'
"Dats bout de size OF It, sab a."
'Yes-um. Well, perhaps"
Oats what / reckoned on. sab an was
gwine % remark dat las var YOU forgot de
oysters an crackers 70 stuff IL Wild. an had
to go an sell dat bird fur fo'ty cents an put
dc money ito pork"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Evergreens at Christmas.

The use Of the Christmas tree, with its fruit
OF presents, is recent in England, and was in
troduced few years ago. There is great dis
pute about its origin, whether in India. or
whether it does not represent the tree Yggdra-
sli or world tree-the ash tree of existence of
Scandinavian mythology. But the use of ever
greens in England is as old as the DAYS when
the Druids brought the mistletoe from the
woods with solemn ceremony. In Stoves
time every mans house, and also the parish
churches were decked with holm. ivy. bavs
and whatever the season Of the year afforded
to be green, and the conduits and standards
In the streets "a hint for the present telegraph
compames), were likewise garnished. In the
year l444, he says there was on the 1st Of
February, great tempest Of thunder and
lightning which set st. Pauls steeple on fire;
and at Leadenhal in Cornhil, standard Of
wood which was set up in the pavement and
nailed full of holm and ivy was torn up and
cast down by the alignant spirit las thourbD
On Christmas Eve, at the time the Yule-lor
was brought in and lighted with the last years
brand, it was customary to decorate the win
dows Of every house, in cottage and hail, with
bay, laurel, ivy, and holly leaves. An English
gypsy told Mr.. Charles G. Leland the reason
for using evergreens on Christmas. 1t is this:
1.-The ivy, and holly and pine-tree never told a
word where our Saviour was Inning Himself
and 80 they keep alive all winter, and look
green all the year. But the ash, like the oak
told OF Him when He was hiding, so they
have to remain dead through the winter. And
30 we gypsies always burn an ash fire every
Great Day" CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
lVnrrn9tc mr. Illicit
Christmas in Germany.

Christmas is far more sacredIi n the Father
land than the Sabbath, and the succeeding
days are scarcely less So On the Sabbath
preceding the great festival the shops are open
and many good housewife goes piously to
church in the morning. does Christmas shop
ping in the afternoon, and finishes her fancy
WORK in the evening while the younger people
are enjoying social dance. But on Christ
mas day all work and business are put aside.
The tatted calf has been killed, the festal gar
ments made ready, and for once sweet leisure
hovers over the German home. On New
Years Eve the Christmas tree is lighted for
the last time-then bids farewell to its glory.
Wherever the child Of Germany finds him
self ON Christmas Eve, his thoughts turn
fondly homeward No glow Of tropical lands
no glitter OF Arctic seas no dazzle Of West
ern wealth. no dream Of military fame then
looks so bright as the fr-tree in the window
fer away, whose lights shine upon the faces
he loves.
"They are singing now the Christmas songs
at home, " he says, land wishing for the alb
sent ones"
He listens for the echo of the blithe old
bells, he sees the radiant windows, and hears
the children's shouts, aud the mothers gentle
voice. The fountains of his heart are broken
up. All Christmas day he is a child again.
In fancy he joins in the glad anthems that
III the parish church or the old Cathedral
aisles:
Green with fresh holly. every pew 4 perch
In which the hnnet or Sirush might sing
ELLEN SouI.E CARHART
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
No Stocking Big Enough.

II all the round, round globe was enc great
ball Of striped yarn, and the north and south
poles knitting needles, and fall the grand
mothers in the universe should have begun to
knit B. C. 70, and bad never ceased knitting
from then until now, the stocking filed over
flowing wouldn't be more than one-tenth big
enough 10 satisfy the imagination of the little
blue-eyed boys and girls Of the land, who lie
awake half the nights waiting for the reindeer
hoofs Of old sauta Claus to patter on the
roofs and for him to dump the entire con
tents of his pack for their especial benefit.
And YET, not one or Us but would be child
again, just for night, if we could Hartford
Post.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
THE MERRIEST DAY.

What other day from year 10 year
30 fills the souls OF men with c1eer
What memories are half so sweet
AS those that in devotion meet
On Christmas morning?
The dawn upon the worlds long night
or him God sent TO give it light
Hath spring Of Joy and bles einoss,
That faileth not nor groweth less,
On Christmas morning.
cannot hear the Christmas chimes,
Or list to Christmas singers rhymes,
But tenderer my spirit grows,
And gladness all my speech o'erfows,
On Christmas morning.
cannot greet our young or old
But merry wishes manifold
Return to me for like my own.
All hearts appear wide open thrown
On Christmas morning.
Our Christmas days on earth may be
How few God knoweth-only He;
Yet may our lives SO Christike grow
Each day our hearts shall feel the glow
or Christmas morning.
With Christmas cheer for all the year
A heart set free from care and fear
Our souls may ripe for Advent grow.
And thus each year more gladness know
On Christmas morning.
BUXTON WEST.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Christmas In Russia.
BUXTON WEST.

To wind up a Christmas evenings fun, in
Russia, sleepy hen and rooster would be
brought in and put ia the middle Of the room.
while all around them would be put small piles
Of corn and barley, all the grains in each par
ticular pile having been counted Def orchard
II the hen approaches young mans pile aud
picks at it some time before being tempted to
try her luck at another pile, tina; young man
Is going to get married IN rs many years a.
grains are eaten ty the hen ont OF his rarticu-
lar pile. II the roost.r approaches a Young
mans pile Of grain, the youth has but as few
years to live as the rooster chooses to eat OF
his grain. The reverse is the indication for
girls. The number Of grains eaten by hen
out OF girls pie means death in as many
years, and the number Of grains eaten out of
the same by the rooster means marriage after
certain lapse Of time.
Again, BASIN would be filed with water
tickets with mems names would be fastened
al around the borders Of it boat con-
structed OF a Lutshell and a lighted taper
would be placed in it. The CIR who sends the
tiny craft on its travels watches it with the
utmost anxiety until the flame Of the taper
sets fire to one Of the tickets at the border.
The name on that ticket is TO be the Christian
name Of the girls future husband. Tickets
bearing feminine names are fastened TO the
basin whenever the young men want 10 in
quire into their future, aud much laughter
and fun there are at sach noisy winter gather
ings oil the happy unrestrAined young people
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
FOR TIE HOLIDAY SEASON
THE MERRY CHRISTMAS CHEER.
$3.50.

Dainty little stockings hanging in row.
Blue and gray and scarlet, in the fireligdts
glow;
Curly-pated sleepers safely tucked in bed
Dreams Of wondrous toy-shoPs dancing
through each head
Mother, STEPPING lightly, plans with tender
care,
How to give each dreamer just an equal share.
Funny little stockings hanging in a row,
Stuffed with sweet surprises, down from tip to
toe:
Skates and balls and trumpets, dishes, tops
and drums
Books and dolls and candies, NUS and sugar
plums.
Little sleepers waking Bless me what a noise!
Wish you merry Christmas Happy girls
and boys!
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Kris Krlngle's Joke.

just a. the moon was fading amid her misty
rings,
And every stocking wns stuffed with child
hoods precious things,
Old Kris Kringle looked round, and saw on the
elm tree b0ugh,
High-hung al orioles nest, lonely aud empty
now.
"Quite like q stocking" he laughed pinned
up there on the tree.
didn't suppose the birds expected a present
from me 90
Then old Kris Kringle, who loves q joke as
well a. the hest,
Dropped handful Of flakes in the orioles
empty nest.
THOMAS BAILEY ALDBIcH.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
SANTA Ola US AND THE GOOD
CHILDREN.

If could picture of Santa Claus paint,
'Twould astonish you, children, his form is 10
quaint;
His benevolent face, lighted up with good
cheer,
And his pack full of presents, the same as last
year.
1t Is wonderful how he goes peeping around,
Down the chimneys, till all the good children
are found;
Where the stockings are hung there on tiptoe
he goes;
But tits only good children that Santa Claus
knows.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
Wanted to Know.

The little folks are getting very excited
about their Christmas presents A little three
year-old thus cornered his mamma the other
day;
"Wiil I get any Christmas gift this year
mamma ?"
''Yes, my dear" said the kind parent, ,ff
You are very good"
''Wel what will get ?"
you will find out when Christmas comes. +"
'No, mamma, he said, impetuously, "ter
me now, so can see whether it's worth while
to be very good or not"