davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
CHRISTMAS SAVED.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.1

backward in rayless midnight I suppose
that never, Never, since the destruction of
Jerusalem and the persecution of the early
Christians, was there such a period of
human suffering and measureless, wide
spread misery But this half century of tears
wept itself away "a foOt-note by Evelyn
states positively that this period covered
one hundred years, while note in the APP
pendix Ably Mr.. Barr, who had a great
deal of paper to take up about January /,
asserts that it was the shortest twelve
months he had ever known, but | can not
now stop to reconcile these conflicting
statements), and the Christmas bells were
Ginning again. Here again, l find in this
same excellent history of those days, on
the twenty-fourth page of the chapter on
December, the statement that all holidays
had been forever abolished, and voiceless
gloom and sad-eyed sorrow were to walk
hand in hand on the dates of all such, down
to the end of recorded time and back again.
But it seems that great many ignorant,
common people, with plain, everyday
stomachs, with the digestive apparatus
thereunto appertaining in fair working
ORDER had not heard this decision, which
probably had been imperfectly promul-
gated, so they went right on frolicking
and merry-maklng Just the same as
though the sun shone and payday came
every Saturday
On the streets and in the stores every
where the annual exhibition of Christ
mas frenzy went on, and all the world was
mad world, my masters. Chattering
lunatics crowded and jostled, crushed and
elbowed other lunatics that giggled and
elbowed and crushed and crowded back
again, with no earthly idea of doing any
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

bringer with more eager satisfaction.
Lucy stopped the accounting for period
of ridiculously hearty laughing, in which
she was joined by her companion with such
appreciative vIgor that the Strident black
Jack boughs fairly vibrated in the woods
above them Finally after long period
of accounting, made long by the frequent
Interruptions for intervals of laughing
Lucy said:
"There now. With economy we can live
on this--say about how longn She
looked up for an opinion. Will was looking
at the spread refectively.
''Four whole days. But we've only
quart of milk. And to own the truth, Pm
awfully hungry right now, Lool I'd like
10 eat whole chicken if I could do it with
any regard to prudent economy"
Dear fellow so hungry? Well this is
my Christmas dinner and you shall eat as
much as you want. Begin now. l believe
Pm hungry, too" And Lucy, making a
great pretense of badinage, was neverthe-
less perfectly in earnest.
10, it won't do at all, Loo 1 was joking
about being so hungry" Will said, in a
faint remonstrance.
Never mind. Pm the hostess. Have
some of this chicken. 1 roasted it myself.
And just think of our Christmas dinner
down here in the bottom of this old iron
mine"
This was quite enough to start them both
laughing. In fact almost every thing IS
funny to two young people who love each
other, and are alone together.
After very protracted dinner they fell
to discussing serious subjects of an infinite
variety of type, from the stars, which upon
theory they ought to be able to see from
this subterranean point of observation, to
the vast satisfaction of an unbroken and
perfect friendship between two people for
life. Then again, something of the ludicrous
would come up and the staring oak walls
of the old iron-mine rang again with such
merry peals of laughter as never before nor
since could they hope to respond to.
Then they discussed the question of
whether it was really growing dark; and
finally settled it in the affirmative Then
at the end of paroxysm of unusually loud
laughter, caused by some absurd say
ing Of Lucy's, voices were plainly heard
above them and quite near. In short, the
Tescuing party was at hand.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

whirling mazes of the giddV dance? Laugh
eth he ever at the merry jest for whose re
turn from halls Of mirth and revelry the
sherlH's deputy impatient waits? Indeed
we do, all of US. It seems to me that [
once heard a gifted writer, a profound
thinker and most accurate analyst of hui
man nature remark, in her essay read at
the high school commencement, that all
men and women wear masks, and much
marveled that one so young had discovered
truth that had eluded the search of the
SageS.
Christmas dawned at last, and very few
people observed a singular phenomenon
recorded in the history of the day, to which
allusion has already been made, that large
awnings of sackcloth had been stretched
across the entire heavens, from which
showers of ashes were being sifted upon
the shuddering earth. Many people re-
marked that it was cloudy, and some said
that it was showing. So little note do care
less mOrtalS take of momentouS occur
rences in nature. l knew about the sack
cloth, because l knew the people who put
1t up. They had been up nearly all night
stretching that emblem of woe, carrying
ashes and setting out tear-jugs.
Nobody saw any sackcloth and ashes at
the Barr's. The children could hardly wait
to eat breakfast, and few and short were
the morning prayers they sald for heart
and mind were set on the locked room in
which the Christmas tree bloomed and bore
most rare and radiant fruit. When the
door was opened how they trooped in,
singing like the blackbirds in the royal
pie. What shrieks of delight as every body
selected the wrong things on the tree, and
chose unto themselves the most absurdly
gifts. And when the room
was darkened and the candles lighted.
what fairy land it was. How the tapers
cleaned like little stars! What a chorus of
Obs and Abs as the tree glittered in a
brave spangle of frost-work of gold and
silver. What walls of dismay when the
tree caught fire; what united and vigorous
blowings and puf1ings that blew it out
again in such merry laughter? What sup
pressed excitement when a soft Jingle of
in the next room growing
louder and nearer, until just as every body
was just ready to faint or scream with sus-
pense, a gruf voice shouted: ''Whoa
Prancer2 Whoa, Dancer! Whoa, there,
VHenp The door flew open and Jack
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

"Now, Lucy, before we move step out
of this-very''- he hesitated.
delightful old iron-mine," suggested
Lucy.
Eyes, this most pleasant of iron-mines, I
want to say that Of all the good, clever,
generous''-here he glanced at the basket
IN remembrance of her magnanimous sur
render of the whole stock of provisions to
him-''courageous, and and altogether
lovely young women of my acquaintance
here Lucy put up her chin and pouted
httle-''you are the best of them ALL And
] won't bulge out of this spot unless you
promise to marry me right away"
Nobody knows what Lucys answer was
since it was drowned in the chorus of hal
loes from the party now gathering round
the mouth of the old mine. But they were
married on New Years Day. And Father
Pin declares that all the girls in the neigh
borhood have been trying to induce young
men to fall into old iron mines-not so deep
as that one, to be sure. But deep enough
in which to eat dinner and get engaged.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

side OF his head, might have felt severely
dignifed, but he didn't look it. 'sTom,''
he said, Sternly, ''don't tell me you and
Evelyn are married!"
''This morning., said Evelyn, speaking
the forbidden fact for him, don't disobey
your father, Tom.''
while the rest of you were at break
fast" added Tom, who hadn't been forbid
den to say when.
"Where?' asked mamma, feebly.
''In the Kitchen" said Tom, sheepishly,
and mamma tainted.
swell, help me up,n said papa, grimly,
sand come to my arms"
But they rushed to his arms without
waiting for him to get up. Every body
did-groom, bride and children-without
knowing just why, and they laughed and
cried and kissed each other, until mamma
being left to herself, recovered all alone,
and joined the riot with as much good-w II
as any one, until enough quiet was re-
stored to tell and to hear all about it. How
the whole plot had been arranged yester-
day afternoon; how the cook and the house
maid had joyously entered into the con-
spiracy, and the cook had engaged her own
pastor, a German Lutheran, who knew just
about enough English to stumble through
the marriage service, and how he had
married them while the family was eating
Christmas breakfast, and then fed with as
precipitate secrecy as he had arrived, while
the house-maid let Tom into Jacks room,
Evelyn having previously instructed him
in the duties of Santa Claus.
But where was Jack all this time? Be
fore Tom, who looked awfully guilty, or
Evelyn, who looked little frightened,
could answer this, one of those little blue
coated Ariels of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company brought teleg am from
Jack. He was away up the country on the
l.. S. & D. railroad, at Lost Creek, and
couldn't get back until noon.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
Good Santa, you've been at my Jacks

Good Santa, you've been at my Jacks
cigars"
And when he fastened on Effie's brace
lets, and kissed her merry Christmas, and
told her every day ought to be Christmas
to her, she said:
Good Christmas Saint, I know whose
mutf your fur cap is made OFF,
Didn't we laugh, and didn't we laugh
more loudly still when Gus shouted: 'sOld
santa, We're on to youp' And the white
bearded old Saint threw beautiful dress
lng-gown on papa's shoulders, and stuck
smoking-cap so rakishly on one side of his
mead that every body screamed again. Oh, it
was Jun, and only poor Evelyns sweet, white
face, paler than ever, and lightened like
SAINTS by her brave smiles, softened the
laughter little at times and made every
BODY feel more tenderly toward her, in
spite of her great wickedness and REBEL
lous conduct. And when it was all over,
and Santa had quit bringing things out of
his invisible sleigh or taking them down
from the tree, Effie said:
why, Ja-Santa, you haven't given
Evelyn any thingP'
And it flashed upon every body then that
Evelyn was in disgrace, and was to have
no Christmas. But she bore her punish
ment so sweetly and bravely. She Just
cleaning with its Christmas jewels, and
took Jack by the hand, and said, oh, so
softly, in such a peaceful, contented voice:
''fll take Santa Claus"
And then Jack. pulled off his fur cap and
Whlte beard, and the very clock on the
Inantel stopped ticking as mamma sank
into chair and family gasped:
"Tom!'
And every body stared and rubbed every
oody's eyes, and stared again, and stared
and stared. And all they could see was
Evelyn with her white face, with new roses
family glowing in her cheeks, lying on
Tom Applegate's breast, just as though it
belonged there, her arms around his neck,
and big fur-clad arm clasping her waist,
and no Jack any where in sight. Some of
the children began to cry.
Father said Santa Claus, quietly.
Then papa dropped into the nearest
cnalr, which happened to be a piano-stool
That upset with him, and the ice was
broken, for papa, sitting on the floor
with piano-stool leaning up against his |
Dack and Smokng-cap hanging on the |
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
OWN nain as these women do at the very

own pain as these women do at the very
times when men think most of themselves.
at will be lonesome mockery for both of
US, but you mustn't be alone. You must
go out with your friends and be happy. |
will be less miserable if I know you are en-
joying YOURSELF
Evelyn, you know what papa will say"
interjected Effie, land there's a floor
walker looking right at you"
II can't go out" said Tom, more bitterly
than before. II don't want to see people.
l hate people,"
'But you mustn't shut yourself up,n she
pleaded 'sIt is hard for me, too.
have no heart for gayety. l will think
of you and love you all day, and you
must carry me in your heart wherever you
are. Some time''-
Evelyn, papa is looking for US in the
next aisle.r
A little hand caught Toms in the crowd
the brown eyes looked goodbye at him
through a mist of tears, the quivering lips
smiled bravely for his sake, and he wills
pered at last CHEEKY and cheering word
to her, and then he was alone in the multi
tude, with heart so heavy and full of love
for her it was like to break. That is, he
thought it was like to break. He gulped
down sob, and drifting into the terrible
cogs of the coming and going crowds, he
was ground and crushed out into the street
amid a wreck of Christmas matter and a
crash of fragile holiday wares.
How can we sing when the heart is sad?
When we sit down by the rivers of far-awav
Babylon, and hang our voiceless harps. all
tuned in minor keys, upon the dropping
branches of the sorrowing willows, how
can we echo the mirth of the stranger, or
sing the old songs that we sang when our
hearts rang with music? Hath the man
with neuralgia in the face any place at the
feast? He that is smitten of the rheuma-
tism in his knees, doth he drift through the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
His Christmas Presents.

Arabella Topcrust and Cholly Weakpate
were engaged Cholly works as clerk in a
dry-goOds house and sells tape cut on the
bias, and Arabella's father is a pork-packer
who has higher aspirations for his daugh-
ter than to have her marry Cholly.
On Christmas morning Softop met a
chum, who displayed an embroidered hat
tip his lady had sent him for Christmas
present.
"What did Arabella give you, Cholly?'
he asked.
"She gave me the shake, and her old man
gave me d boot.n
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

Rocked the Turkey Asleep.

go, you good for nothing wretchp ex-
claimed Big Williams wife, as she reached
her hand out of bed and felt in the cradle
to see if the baby was covered up.
''Whash 'er matter?" murmured BIG. as
he turned in his sleep.
"Matter enough! Ough you! Wake up
and go downstairs and bring baby up here
this mlnuten
'Did bring him up. He'sh in the cradIe.n
'No such thing You've drank too
mucn nard cider. You wrapped the Christ
Eaas turkey in baby's blankets and rocked
it to sleep in the cradle, you wretchl and
baby is downstairs on the sofa catching
cold -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
The Rnarder,s Sock

sock,
And the boardin'- house missis put in it rock;
Then the serving maid thought she would not
be outdone,
So she stole to the sock and thrust in bun
Now, the boarder, awazng, dressed up in the
night,
And expectant slipped slyly downstairs with a
light;
Then he boldly walked in with the air of lord
And there pinned to his sock was bill for his
board
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

thing else, while they apologized to each
other just for the sake of being cordial
Mild imbeciles bought utterly impossible
things to send to feeble ones who had no
earthly use for them, while other mad men
and women, after fighting their way
through impossible crowds into the stores,
loaded themselves down with fragile wares,
remorselessly doomed to everlasting smash
in the hopeless struggle to get out again.
A few stranger maniacs, so far away from
their home asylums they could not get back
to them by Christmas, bought hetero-
generously, and then madly gave their pur-
chases to gamins in the street, who CRATE
fully jeered them, and called them ''Reu-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
Dead Stuck on uimso1e

ST do like pig" said Mr.. O'Greedy, as
he helped himself for the fourth time to a
liberal plate-full Of the viands at the
Christmas dinner.
''You should be dead stuck on yourself
at that rate,n said his landlady, with a
smile, but in rather cutting tone
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

bens" for their pains, as is the manner of
the street Arab when he receives benefit
Any place in the maelstrom was a solitude,
and so it was that Tom and Evelyn met,
right in her own papa's big store. And
they talked in low tones, while Efie,
touched with pity, unbent as she stood
guard, and frigidly recognized poor Tom,
much as a compassionate icicle might drop
a tear upon the traveller whom it is assist
ing to freeze.
"What will Christmas be without you?n
said Tom, modify. There will be no more
Christmas"
"And what will it be without you, dear
Tom2' she said, with quivering lip, and
then went on, bravely trying to hide her
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

The fire was all out DER the table were strewed
The bills and the notes for which he was sued;
With sock in his hand, he had fallen asleep
While mice through its holes played "hide
and go peep
But people that morn, who laughedin high glee
Ger jokes from his pen till they scarcely could
see,
Knew little the hardships the writer went
through,
new.
BURT ARNOLD.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

creduity Master Gus scoffed and said,
stoutly: "Hoh, it's Jackr' and was grave
ly rebuked for his skepticism by Trudie,
while baby Annie cried outright And when
Santa Claus put the new scarf around
mammals neck, and kissed her, and wished
her many a merry Christmas like this one,
what clapping of hands when mamma
said:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

81 SEE by the society advertisements
that Madame Highfyer will receive callers
on New Years. said cold-blooded dry
goods dealer. 81 shall instruct my collector
to call on her with the little bill she has been
owing here since she purchased the outfit
for her watering place trip last summer"
-GOOd1lES Sun
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

CHRISTMAS REvERIE.-'i What are you go
ing to buy your wife for Christmas pres
ent!' asked Gus de Smith of Judge Peter
by. ''I'm thinking of getting her piano. y
Z" Can she play?' "No, of course not Do
you think I'd be such fool as to buy her
piano if she could play?'-TeraS Sifti,.qs.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
He Was insignificant.

"Arabella," said Cholly Softop to Miss
McFlopley, Ibid you ever notice that some
people are amused with very little and in
significant things?''
Are theya Well, you must feel amused
continually, then.n
''How so?''
"Why, you are with yourself so much of
the time
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
If He Had Luck.

"What will we have for dinner on Christ
mas, DEAR" said Jem Pincbem's wife on
ris5nls We.
"a pair of chickens, if l have luck and
old Herman don't lock his coop tonight -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

You've man, if you are going to get mar
r1ed soon, get married before Christmas
You can talk economy much better as a
husband than you can as a lover, and may
delude her into thinking that in not max
ing her Christmas present you are doing
Aoble PHILADELPHIA Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
ssThaSh ALL

fWhere did you get that turkey you have
in your hand, Sim!n said Mrs Shrinkem
as he entered the house at midnight with a
sixteen-pound gobbler whose skin was
hanging from its carcass in shreds.
'sWon him at er Chrishmush rattle. m,
dear. Nishe t-tur-tur-hici- ky. Coshr
me four-hic-teen-dolla
swell, what is the matter with it? What
makes it look so queer?n
"Thash nuthin'. I led
few p-p-pi-hic lets off er tensile wiz
him coming home. Thash all.n
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

Kind Providence truly had come to his aid,
And brought the success for which he had
prayed;
No more would he wander around for the news,
While his feet met the paVes through the soles
of his shoes.
The bank-bills would buy him new suit of
Clothes
And next year he'd hang up whole pair of
hose;
His faith in the public again he'd renew,
And give them paper both novel and new.
Alas his air-castles were bubbles that broke
When he turned in his chair, and, in turning,
= awoke;
The room and the table all vanished in air
Gone, gone to the dickens-he never knew
where.
The bell of ST. Nicholas pealed forth its chime,
AS oft it had done before in it's time;
And gray streaks of dawn shone in his cold lair,
Proclaiming that Christmas in earnest was
there,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

The man who lays down the law to his
wife and tells her that under oath to his
lodge he is forbidden to receive Christmas
presents may miss getting token of his
wife's affection, but he will save money by
the loss.-FdH Riuer Adyaaace.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
dashed in, dressed ND like Santa Claus, and

dashed in, dressed up like Santa Claus, and
began to distribute gifts amid a chorus of
screams Of delight, some of them a little
timid Why, even some of the older chill
dren were half afraid of him, he looked so
real, even with Jacks voice, which he
tried to disguise and make so gruff; Robbie
and Irma firmly believed it was really
Santa Claus, and so did Claude, at which
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

The season OF swapping presents is draw
ing near The old-time custom of giving to
those who could give naught but thanks
and gratitude in return had much to com.
mend it.-BoSton Herald
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

His coat and his hat he hung on nail,
And then tried to read by his candle-light pales
A feeling of drowsiness soon DER HIM came,
And, tired out, he slumbered and dreamed him
of fame.
He seemed to be sitting in sumptuous room
Where bright chandeliers made the walls to
illume;
Where tables were loaded with all they could
hold
Of presents and gifts as in good days of old
A Christmas tree standing upright in a blocki
The sight gave his brain most terrible shock;
Subscriptions and contracts were there by tbs
score,
And bank notes as wel-some thousands or
more.
What could it all meant His head must be
wrong;
His eyes must deceive or surely weren't strong;
The lamp of Aladdin ne'er could have done
more
To add to the tables most bounteous store.