davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-05-08
AS rule, England's war veterans

Asa rule, England's war veterans
reach a greater age than our own.
Hancock died at sixty.two, Grant
at sixty.three, and Mcclellan, at
sixty. Lord Stardbroke who served
under Wellington in spain, died
recently at the age of ninety-two
and the Iron Duke himself lived
beyond ~fourscore years.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-05-08

One of the latest notions for
preserving health and beauty is to
drink a glass of hot water before
breakfast, and it is largely practic-
ed. A Baltimore physician. speak
ing of this, related some curious
methods employed Fy his female
patients to preserve tleir good
looks. One drinks a glass Of toast
water before arising in the morning
another uses Tablespoonful of
of tincture Of cincho. in a goblet of
water; still another takes a pincA
of table salt into her mouth before
leaving bed, and a Philadelphia
belle every morning regularly
gargIes her throat with soapsuds
made of white CASTLE soap.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-05-08

The immense quantity Of peanuts
grown in Africa, South America
and in u own Southern States
afford not only an article Of food,
but a very large source of oil
production. The seed contains
from Forty five to fifty per cent, of a
nearly colorless, fixed oil, not
unlike olive oil, and usd for similar
purposes; it is a non-drying oil,
which changes but little by exposure
to the air, and remains fluid even
at several degrees colder than
thirty-two degrees. A very great
quantity of soap is manufactured
from this kind of oil, indeed, some
Of the finest toilet soaps imported
from France of this material.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-05-08
Official Directors.

Official Directory.
District Judge.
CONRAD DEBA1Llos.
District Attorney.
ROBERT G. sMEDp.
Clerk Of District Court,
LAsr1E BRoussAen.
Representative.
GEO. NJ. ELDREDc.I
Sheriff & Tax Collector,
JOSEPH S. NuSn,
DR.. W. D. WHl1r.
Police Jury.
III. n. HoFFpAU1R, President.
NJ. L. ELDREDGE, 1T. BRoussA,,
RoBT. GREEN, L. j. MoRsal
H. Il. BARTELs J. "A. LEBLIs
Clerk Of Police Jury,
LYMAN G. lYouI
Parish Treasurer,
ELIJAH WIss.
Town Council.
J. J. ABAD1E, Mayor.
R. Fl. MILLS, O. BoURou
s. WISE, n. G. Yous.
Constable.
GEORGE E. Lyons
Justices of the Peace, Sd. Ward
L. G. LYONS. G. LABAun
Surveyors,
". w. EDWARDS. +. MoNrAezi
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

learned English while in school. and he
had heard OF the wonderful mill city from
an American tourist who. attracted by the
romantic beauty Of the region. had spent a
summer in GeiSenheim, and had with
Yankee mOdesty. told history of Mime
apOliS that had lured the German from his
home. He endeavored to teach his wife
the new language. and encouraged the
children to learn the noises of their little
friends, which they were not slow in doing,
for only three months had passed when
they began discarding the mother tongue.
All the neiybOrs were Americans, and the
mothers pitied the little German boy and
girl who had evidently been carefully
reared and whose quaint, little polite
nesses were not lost upon their own observ-
ant darlings. And the kind-hearted. hos
pitable neIghborS saw the loneSOmeneSS in
the eyes of the newcomer, and saw the
unanswered longing which stout heart
could not altogether conquer, as she cheerily
talked with odd German accent of her chill
dren and their delight in their found
friends; and then her mind would revert to
the dear home-friends across the sea; she
thought of the vintage which through all
the autumn months had been the one care
of her village. What crude tasting things
these American grapes are, and what a
people this who are willing to pay eight
times the real value for their wines She
had discarded wine since coming to Amer
lea. for here it was a greater luxury than
meat, and she missed sadly the pleasant
afternoons in her summer-hOuse. where,
surrounded by her neighbors or work in
hand. she slipped her wine and looked out
on natures pleasant pictures None of her
neghbors drank wine-they seemed to
think it wrong, they had no afternoon lunch;
they seemed to have a queer way of going
to meetings such as only men attended at
home, and they talked about voting and the
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

with autumn's varied Origh flowers, were
wondered at, and the extravaganza
of a wasteful people in thus per-
hitting good land to go untitled
was duly commented upon. They could
not understand it. From birth until their
own home was frightened by the presence
of two little children they had dwelt in
Geisenheim. The broad and sweeping
Rhine bordered their garden, and far up its
mighty banks was the vineyard where. for
longer years than Herr Fischer knew, his
ancestry had cultivated the grape. The
wife could sit in her own arbOr and gaze al
ternately on the colossal Germania that,
browning the Neiderwald, speaks to all be-
holders of her nations proves and French
defeat, or across the rapid waters to old
Bingen, lying close beneath the castle
walls. A farer picture ne'er was painted
by the Great Artist. and time had deity
touched mans handiwOrk until it seemed a
part of Gods great plan; the messy retain
ing walls that filigree the long high slope
appearing in the tender twilight like vast
web, and each bounding a small vine
yard: the narrow paths winding to the
TOP; the beech trees on the summit, whose
mighty trunks were all covered with cling
ing ivy: the deep moss, than which no
Persian warp is softer. And the finished
Germany that greeted their eyes as they
crossed the land from Frankfort to Bremen;
the beautiful valley of the Upper Weiser,
where it seemed. in contrast to reckless.
wastefnI America, every inch of land was
used. where the slopes of the railroad tracks
are planted with grass that makes hay for
the peasants cow; where. passing through
the well kept woods, the women were seen
making fuel of the small dead twigs; where
waste places are filled with carefully calti-
waited pine trees. and above Hanover city
the little farms stretch out like market
gardens, each defined by surface drain at
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

mothers and fathers. too. all curious
to see this German festival, begin
to arrive. They are received in the
sitting-room. and quickly the happy
sound of child-laughter is heard for little
Adolph feels none of the restraints of his
position as host-and his elder sister is
full of quaint ways that make her the
more loveable-so all the little people laugh
and talk, and with eyes filled with expec-
tation await the coming of the last guest.
when the parlor doors shall be opened and
they shall know the secret their German
friends have planned for them so quietly.
When the last guest had arrived, Mr.. and
Mrs. Fischer and their children left their
guests to their own devices for a while, and
soon the doors of the parlor opened, and
scene of beauty. strange to the Americans,
but fraught with holy significance which
even the youngest was quick to grasp, pre-
scented itself. The Fischer family stood on
either side of the Illuminated picture of
the Christ-child. with faces turned rev.
erently toward it. while they sang joyous
Christmas carol in their own language.
The sweet voices, whose tones made
clear the words that were unintelligible,
the brilliant tree, whose fairy lights alone
made the room brilliant, and above al! the
lovely picture around which this little
family had gathered. formed picture
that inspired in the little folks feeling
of wonder, and touched the hearts
of their parents, bringing tears
to many eyes. This it is which
Americans have yet to learn in the celebra-
ton of Christ's natal day-to bring the sig
nifcance of the time before the children in
way at once prominent and pleasing.
After the song had been repeated the
picture was set aside and the children called
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

of things wonderful to the eyes OF Yankee
boys and girls. These cookey toys
she made in advance. for in Ger
many they are seldom eaten, being
used for playthings or kept for souvenirs.
And later peculiar kind of fruit candy
was prepared, the like of which was never
seen in all America before, for it was sort
OF plastic jelly of clear amber color and
as elastic as rubber. and as gOod-but
nothing ever eaten was better; GeIsenheim'S
children had learned not to taste it until
Christmas night. for if once it reached the
teeth that mouth was as securely sealed,
until the portion was sucked" all away,
as though big hand were over it.
And now the Christmas cards were
bought-luckily for Mrs. Fischer Ameri-
cans have quite adopted the Christmas card,
and she had no trouble in finding pretty
little things-for in Germany Christmas
was not Christmas without the simple
cards which are universally sent, but she
missed those little German epigralnS which
make such suggestive notices, and which
loose their charm when interpreted into
English. The children during these days
of preparation went about among their
little neghbors with a consequential air
Quite comical to see-they had been told Of
the Christmas party, and they were very
busy preparing their own gifts-for both
had attended Kindergarten in the old home.
and their nimble fingers brought
forth the marvellous forms which
childish imaginations beforehand
ON each work thus completed they wrote
in their choicest German its name and their
own-'Olga' and 'Adolph' were scarcely
recognizable words to Yankee eyes when
written in childish German script-but it
was to be foreign Christmas, so the for
eign language must appear. And the little
folks hearts were indeed glad when they
were permitted to aid in decorating a
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25
Christmas tree-it had been bought early in
the week. and had been planted in a box

the week. and had been planted in box
which was covered all with green. so that
when it stood between the windows of the
cosy parlOr it actually seemed to be grow
ing out of Its messy bank.
The candy cakes were brought forth and
fastened with strings about neck. or legs or
arms among the green branches. Sticks of
the fruit candy were wrapped in all colors
of tissue and suspended from tine twigs,
Bright colored little horns, filled with sweet
meats, were also the fruit it was made to
bear. The petty cards were set among
the dark green middle leaves, their bright
faces all outward. And the kindergarten
works of art looked beautiful to their child
makers when displayed with the rest. The
mother had gone to the toy stores and
brought away trophies dear to little folk
nothing elegant was among them-for Mrs.
Fischer had learned long ago that little
folks are different from children of larger
grOwth-their pleasure in gift does not
depend on its price. There were tiny
dolls, and Jacks-in-the-boX, and tops and
balls and many another simple toy,
every one of which found Judgment on the
tree or at its base. And finally, when the
afternoon of the great day arrived, diamond
dust was Sprinkled on the branches and
OiOOpCu llOlu buCil GlpS--
every limb bore shining globes, and tiny
candles of yellow, green. blue and red wax
showed when white stars would tighten all
in the evening. Then in the center of the
parlor table was spread with fine white
linen. and queer plates, filled with all kinds
of goodies were placed for the guests-whiie
in between the tree and the table. facing
the folding doors, was placed a stand
decked all in white, on which was placed
beautiful oiled picture of the infant Christ
in the manager, with Mary, the mother, and
Joseph and the wise men laying their pres
ents before Him. And behind this shaded
lamp was set. so that the light shone
through the canvas and made radiant
glory all about the babe whose birthday the
little ones still love, though 1880 years
have passed.
And now the young guests. and several
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

its borders and surface stone at its cor
ners-this precious fatherland, where the
farmers live in little villages, their moss
grown tiled roofs forming straight rows
close to the clean highway, and on every
hand the frugal German mind is greeted by
its own first maXinl-econOmy. After a
few days with old ocean they see
another civilization, where waste is
rampant and the one element
OF space, to these people who have
never realized what the word means. has
aroused in them an idea of resources at
once pitiful and grotesque. They see in it
alone-in the broad fields, in the shiftleSs
cultivation, so wonderfully rewarded. in
funny wooden houses, and especially in
the great barns. past which the train
quickly speeds-more than realization of
their dreams of America. Surely. with
German thrift and German economy,
wealth can be quickly acquired in this
extravagant land. And then began life in
this most wonderful city in the world.
Why, Geisenheim was hundreds OF years
old before these falls were seen by civilized
eyes. and Frankfort, the gem and the pride
of South Germany, the fastest-growing city
in Central Europe. is mere snail compared
with this rapidly moving young giant.
Alu OuI 0cl WI POCbiS tSmt Oi6-
ment and sluggish disposition, was daZed
by the swift whirl of his surroundings.
and for time could not grasp the bust
ness methods of the office in which he
had found work. He had taken
one of the strange wooden houses
to live in, after many misgivings
its warmth and comfort. He had
economically bought strange American fur
nture. and his wife had arranged the many
little knick-knacks which were her Penates.
And every night he carried home to the
dear wife strange stories of the new life.
and listened to the impressions that had
found Judgment in bis lady's mind. And
every night his children told marvellous
tales of the oddly dressed little folks next
door who made strange noises, and seemed
to understand each other. but they could
not have been talking. for the noises did
not mean anything" Mr.. Fischer had
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

y
other things that she could not comprehend.
But they were very kind to her, and their
sympathy was expressed in many delicate
little ways which made it dOubly precious.
They were interested in her children and
made the little ones happy and contented.
and what mothers heart is not moved by
kindness to her darlings? In talking over
these things during the longer evenings that
December brought. Mr.. and Mrs. Fischer
determined to invite all children of the
neighborhood to spend Christmas Eve with
them, and thus, in measure, show their
appreciation of the un-lOOked-fOr courtesy
which they had experienced. True. it
would be different from the home Christ
mas, for in Geisenheim each family hearth
is sacred to its own at Christmas tide-the
cousins and uncleS and auntS. and the dear
grandparents come, but no stranger is
found within the gates. for every mans
thought turns to his own hreside and there
he is found. But here they had no friends,
the little cousins were far away, and their
merry laughter could be heard only in
memory. The children must have
their tree-ths was one institution which
America could not ask them to give up
the Christmas tree would thrive as happily
on American soil as in the fatherland, and
Christmas cheer would ABOUND ana simple
giadness in the birth of the beloved Christ
child just the same in Minneapolis as in
Geisenheim-O
Frau Fischer determined tFat. in so far
as American stores would permit, the fes-
tival should be counterpart of the Ger
man one. Two weeks before Christmas
came she began the culinary preparations
which were to delight her little guests. She
had brought moulds for the cakes from her
old home, and soon from out the oven
came beasts and birds and tiny men and
women-cats and lions, elephants and rab-
bits. rooSters and ducks, all came out Of the
same dough. and when baked were all of
the same white color. These were beauti-
fully decorated with colored sugar-cara-
way seed were used for eyes and bits of rice
grain made good teeth-and with careful
art the good housewife made great tray
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25


The commission is now engaged in very
important work of surrounding the lakes
with handsome bOulevards, and in that di-
rection most of its money and energy will
be expended during the coming year.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The work of the engineering department
shows the relative increase over the preced-
ing year. but also shows that next years
work will be correspondingly much greater.
The summary is as follows:
Number miles sidewalk laid. GOT
Number miles sidewalk ordered. .......59. 8
Number miles pavement laid. .......... ]. 151
Number miles pavement ordered 80. 5.0SS
Number miles curb and gutter set...... 9.5
Number miles curb and gutter ordered .27.2
Number miles streets graded. 81. 2
Number miles sewers constructed. SIS
Number miles sewers ordered. .... 7.54
The total cost for sidewalks and grading
falls upon the city. and laying of sidewalks
and paving of streets fall upon property
owners. For grading sidewalks the city
paid SLY. 105.S Sc, and for laying the walks
the cost was run up to 1888, 229. 10. The
paving was the lightest for four years and
cost but S44, 474.0 OF. Over five miles of
new work for 1887 have been ordered and
the estimated cost is S144,61 Of this
years work but two blocks were paved with
granite and the rest with cedar block. The
cost of curb and gutter was SAT. S67.6S, but
for 1887 the estimated cost of work will be
S165 256.S 81. Sewer work has progressed
steadily, and $40, SS1. 55 was expended in
that direction during the year. The North
Minneapolis sewer tunnel cost S4S, S55. 10
more. Street grading. the last item under
this head, cost S1O2. 345. SO. The total ex
pense of the engineering department was
S745 1865
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

Taken by those whose desire is to unduly
swell the total to these figures could be
added varying amounts to represent the in
crease OF the actual over the estimated cost.
1t is not done here. However, to secure
the amount of building of the year. $500 600
must be added for unfinished buildings car
ried over from last year.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
The biggest record of the year has been
made by the water department, which has
expended 1888, 229. 70, and laid little over
twenty-siX miles of mains. This is double
the amount laid last year. and is more pipe
than the entire amount the city had in 1882.
The following shows the work of the year
in detail:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

The increase in the estimates for 1887
lead to the belief that So. 200, 900 will not
more than cover the expenses of that year.
PUBLIC PARKS.
The work of the park commission for
the year has been largely confined to main
tanning the parks now constructed and
planning comprehensive boulevard system
to include and inclose the urban lakes. The
current expenses ameauted to only aborst
S32. 900, though the payment of appraise-
ments hitherto made run the total ex-
penditures of the year to S92. 900. The
following table shows the entire cost of the
park system to date. as well as the amounts
and directions of the expenses of 1886:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

had left the deck of the North German
Lloyd ship Fulda on the dock at Hoboken,
And throughout the long journey to his new
home in Minneapolis. wonder tales of
whose opportunities for wealth had reached
far-diStant Geisenheim. he was continually
drawing contrasts between the great Amer
lea and the dear fatherland. ''HOw rich
all must beI' said his wife on the Journey
across country. The fields of the little New
York farms were vast to eyes accustomed to
garden patches; the mighty stretches OF
prairie with the houses SO far apart. sug-
gested unheard-of wealth to these simple
folk, whose parents were counted rich in
the possession of three acre farmstead on
the vine-clad slopes of the Rhine-and even
the broad paths of the railroad, gorgeous
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

various methods in vogue for computing the
value of years building. and there are.
out side of all methods. the simple figures
which speak for themselves. The books OF
the building inspector show there were
4,50S building permits issued, and the esti-
mated cost OF the proposed structures was
50, O99,O52. These buildings are classified
as follows:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

An old pun states that Eve was created
for Adams Express Company, but an In
spection Of tho business done at the express
offices this week will warrant the assertion
that the Eve referred to is Christmas Eve.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25
THAT TERRIBLE TRUMPET.

Empty is his stocking
On this Christmas morn;
Happy is the urchin
W it'll his blatant horn.
Which is why the neigbors
Wish the boy would go
Where the bowling breezes
o. old ocean blow.
He should take that trumpet
(Of all toys the worst),
To some desert island,
And blow until he burst.
MERRY. CHRISTMAS.
Be We merry,
Be ye merry,
On this Christmas day:
Do not borrow
Care or SORROW
Drive them far away.
Let not trouble
Like bubble
To the surface rise;
Love well founded,
Faith well grounded
Look, then, toward the skiesi
Joy is springing,
Hope is singing
In our home to-day;
Christmas cheering
Now is nearing
Hail thee, happy dayl
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25
FROM OVER THE OCEAN.
Kris Kringle Welcomed In German
Style in Home in Min
neapolis.
The Christ Child Festival Which Re-
calls Memories From Father
land.
From the Vine-Clad Hills of Gefsen-
helm to the Wintry Splendor
of Minneapolis.
The Eve of an Event That Speaks to
Hearts in the Language of
All Nations.
FROM OVER THE OCEAN.

HAT a strange
country is t h i s
America % Herr
Fischer had made
the rem ark a
thousand t i'm e s
S i II C e. f gu I
months ago. he
and his wife and
his little family
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

"How curious it Isl said Santa Claus early
Christmas morning, as he headed his team for
the North Pole, "that try so many chimneys
in night and am never sooted,"
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25
Showing the Great Strides
Forward Made Within
the Year.
The City Flourishing in
Every Stratum of
Society
And Looking Hopefully To
the Future Of Eighty
Seven.

RIDAY next. at mid
night. when the bells of
Minneapolis sound, a
year W | close upon a
prosperous and happy
city. Eighty-six has
been an exceptionally
fruitful and prosperous
year with the Flour
City, and its people will
feel renewed conf lence
in their future enter
prises from the results
of the past, and will
draw bright auguries
from comparisons with
the records carried by
wear after wear in the
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

Totals. .140, 4S0 &c, 600
Total number of hydrants 1886
Total number of gates pig
Total miles of main now in use. .S0.4
For 1887 the board propose to eclipse all
former records. The greatest scheme will
be the new pumping station on the North
side, the plans and details of which are now
under consideration. The pipe already
ordered for next year is summarized as fol-
lows:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25
Total length in miles.

Total length in miles. SO a., 600
This will make total Of 116 miles of
main now in use.
CITY FINANCES.
The assessed valuation of the city for
1886 was, in round numbers, 500. 0OO 900.
The year closes upon a bonded indebted
ness of So. 629, 900, of which So, 319. 600 is
now outstanding. and the sale has been
authorized of $500 600 for bridges and
S130, 900 Tor parks, making the total given.
The gross expense of maintaining the
municipal life. in its several departments,
was as follows:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-25

Continued on Eleventh Page.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-22

Doctors. +. HAssELL, M. ID. Office
at Stone & Hasselrs Drugstore. Lancaster wis