davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
GOULD YOU FIND ROOM FOR A
CHRISTMAS STORY?"


The editor, man of kindly heart,
looked quietly up from the work at which
he was engaged and saw by his side a
girl of perhaps nineteen, perhaps twenty.
1t was she who asked the question. It
was not exactly pretty face that looked
so appealingly into that of the gruff,
overworked editor, but there was in it
such look of sweet, womanly purity,
such a pleadingly- wistful expression in
the soft gray eyes, that the editor felt his
heart go out with pity toward the little
miss whose cheeks the ice king had kiss
ed into rosy blossom.
Soyou have written Christmas story
my lass" he said in CHEEKY voice, "and
would like to have it appear in the paper
tomorrow
Yes, sir" replied the girl in voice
whose ripping sweetness only served to
link more strongly together the chains
that were fast encircling the editors
heart, "Papa has been very sick for near
ly three months now, and we are SO poor,
and thought that perhaps if 1 wrote
story you might be good enough to pay
me something for it-not much, but
enough to buy some trinkets for the
children, little Ethel and Reginald, go
that they would not think Santa Claus
had deserted them entirely. If you knew
how hard have tried to get employment
and how l have cried myself to sleep
many and many night because I SEEM
ed SO helpless, SO utterly alone in the
great world, I am sure you would not
think me bold in coming here as I do"
There was 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 nine-year. old
Tom, and fair-haired Grace, with the
rogulsh ways, and sweet little Myrtle
who put her soft, white arms around his
neck SO 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 was found
filed 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 it's
own. And further still his thoughts
went back until they came to the time
when he was little boy, and mother-his
own loved mother, who used to wear out
a trunk strap on him every winter-was
alive, and how she would kiss him good
night tenderly and then heartlessly drag
him out of bed at 8 or 10 o'clock in the
morning on the feeble pretext that the
girl wanted to clear up the room. His
blue eyed sister was alive then, Caramel
Carrie" they used to call her-and it came
back to him this winters day, as he sat
there IN his Office, how madly she loved
him and was 80 solcitous for his health
that she would get the mother to put him
to bed early on the nights her beau was
coming. He might have gone on for
hours with these reveries, had not the |
pleading voice of the girl reused him
with words: "And can you make room for |
my story?"
The editor was on his fes5 in an instant
MAKE room for it, my dear? Why of
course l can. You have made better
man of me" he said to the girl, sand I'm
going to let you ride down in the eleva-
tor" Tribune.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
Good and Bad Luck in Bread Making

When we consider the fact that three
times day, every day in the year, bread
OF some kind is placed upon the table as
an article of food, does it not seem that
every housekeeper should exert herself
to make it as palatable and wholesome as
possible? And yet in many households
heavy, soggy, sour bread is often placed
before the family, and the housekeeper
attributes the failure to "bad luck's
rather than the true cause. When a car
penter has finished poorly made, bad
looking building, in which he has put
bad material and careless work, we MIGHT
with equal propriety say that he had bad
luck" In its erection. If the rules for
making good bread were faithfully com
piled with, there would be no such thing
as bad luck" and heavy, indigestible
bread, which produces disordered stom..
achs and deranRed systems would never
be known. But there are SO many house-
keepers who have no rules for measnre-
ment. With such, the result of bread
making is left to chance; at one time II
will be nice and light, at another alto
gether unfit for use. In order to have,
good bread there are three things abso-
lutely necessary, with which, if care ia
taken in the making, one need never fail
and without which good bread is an i'm.
possibility. These are: first, good mate
rial; second, exact proportions in com
pounding; third, a heat just suited to a
perfect baking of the bread. - Count,a,
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

The above beautiful illustration is from
Natures Hallelujah," by young Chi
cago artist, Miss Irene E. Jerome, which
we are permitted to use in The UNIvERs-
ALIsT by the publishers, Messrs. Lee &
Shepard, Boston. Miss Jerome has
spent the last two summers in New
England, and has gathered into the vol
ume above mentioned, some exquisite
pictures based upon original studies Of
its delightful scenery. This young West
ern artist, as writer in the Advance re-
marks, possesses great fertility of fancy
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

and an exuberant sense of the beauty of
outward objects. Her pictures make one
more in love with nature; more ready TO
perceive
The voice of Deity, on height and on plain,
Whispering those truths in stiffness, which
the word
To the four quarters of the world proclaims.
The poem which accompanies the illus
tration is by Lucy Larcom, and "runs"
as follows:
Run, little riyulet, run!
Summer is fairly begun.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

George Macdonald writes: "Who-
ever thinks of life as a something that
could be without religion, is in deathly
ignorance of both. Life and religion are
one, or neither is anything. Re
igion is no way of life, no show of life,
no observance of any sort. 1t is neither
the food nor the medicine OF being. tits
life essential"
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

The church bells of innumerable
sects are all chime-bells tod ayringing
in sweet accordance throughout many
lands, and awakening a great joy in the
heart Of our common humanity.-Chapio
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

Bear to the meadows the hymn of the pines,
And the echo that rings where the waterfall
shines;
Run, little rivulet, run!
Run, little rivulet, run!
Garry the perfume you won
From the lily that woke when the morning
was gray,
To the white waiting moonbeam asleep. on
the bay;
Run, little rivulet, run!
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

Christmas is the only holiday of
the year that brings the whole human
family into common communion. -
Charles Dickens.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
Eartm, Ann1e aud Garden.
CHRISTMAS GREENS.

Brand, the author of popular Anti
quities," remarks: II am of opinion, al
though Gay mentions the mistletoe
among those evergreens that we're put up
in churches, it never entered those sacred
edifices but by mistake or ignorance of
the sections; for it was the heathenish or
profane plant, as having been of such
distinction in the pagan rites of Druid
ism, and it therefore had it's place as
signed it in the kitchens, where it was
hung up in great state, with it's white
berries; and whatever female CHANGED to
stand under it, the young man present
either had right or claimed one of sa-
luting her, and of plucking off berry ct
each kiss"
Several well authenticated instances
are on record of the mistletoe being put
out of church after having been brought
there for the purpose OF decoration. At
home, however, the mistletoe WAS held in
high repute among the young people as
it is to this time
Stow, an old English writer, in the lat
ter part OF the sixteenth century, thus de-
scrlbes the custom of decorating for
churches in his time against the feast
OF Christmas every mans house, as also
their parish churches, were decked with
holme, ivy, bayes, and whatsoever the
season of the year affords to be green"
The holme here mentioned is thought
by some to be the evergreen oak, and by
others the holly.
The last clause in the above quotation
makes it apparent that no particular plant
was specially devoted to this season, but
whatever the season" affords to be green
is employed. 1t follows that the evergreen
plants most generally prevalent would be-
come closely associated with the festival;
such were the holly and the ivy, which
grow most abundantly in the British ISL
ands, but their use for ages there,has given
them no claim to priority, except as they
servlceable. As an instance, we may
i, quote the following note published in a
gardening journal in 1878: "While at the
Magple Hotel a few days ago, my atten-
ton was directed to what I consider to
be charming novelty in Christmas dec
orations. At the end of the large dining
hall the greater part of the wall was Gov
cred with a fine bough of cedar of Leb-
anon with about thirty cones scatter ed
over it. The effect produced was far SUI
perior to the ordinary display of ever
green's one usually Sees"
But the holly, with its bright crims on
berries, is a most beautiful object, and
when it can be had there is no fear that
it will ever be displaced for any other.
AS an evidence of the estimation in
which the holly and ivy were held was
the fact that carols used to be chanted at
Christmas in their praise. The follow
ing examples are quite ancient and Of
unknown origin:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

- Christmas is the festival o. the
bright side Of the Gospel. Let us r. joice
and be glad in it.-Dean Vaughan.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
Holly.

Here comes the Holly that's SO great,
To please all men is his intent,
AllelujahI
Whosoever against Holly do cry,
In rope shall be hung full high,
Allelujahl
Whosoever against Holly do sing,
He may weep and his hands wiring.
Allelujah.
Ivy.
Ivy is soft and meek of speech.
Against all bale she is bliss,
Well is he that may her reach.
Ivy is green with colors bright,
Of all trees best she is
And that prove will now be right.
Ivy beareth berries black,
God grant us all his bliss,
For there shall be nothing lack.
In this country the Christmas decora-
lions consists of whatever plants the sea-
son "atfords to be green" in the different
localities, and thus many kinds have
been employed. In the Atlantic coast
States the native holly which grows there
Is used when it can be procured, but else
where dependence is made upon branch
es of hemlock and spruce, red cedar and
arbor vitae. The Kalmia. or American
laurel, is used in localities where it grows
and in the South variety of other plants
with evergreen foliage is employed. The
SO called smilax is cultivated in large
quantities for Christmas and other deco
rations of the winter season.
The Christmas tree set up in many
houses in this country bearing presents
for the children, is custom of German
origin. For this purpose the spruce is
preferred and sometimes the hemlock:
when these can be obtained, no others
will be used.-Vich's Magazine.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25

OF bacon, some boiled corn and sassafras
tea, without sugar or milk.
Mr.. Armitage had been an old cam
paigner in the way of travel, and though
not much past forty, had larger ex-
perience in that line than most men who
have reached their half century. The
horses had been watered at a spring not
far from the house, the only natural ad.
vantage spared to the owner of the place.
If it hadn't been for that, we would
have died during the fever" Mrs. Barnett
told her guest. Mr.. Armitage left the
animals tethered and munching their
corn which he had brought, and taking
out mysterious box from the buggy.
proceeded to open it and draw forth it's
contents, including a modern apparatus
for making coffee. In four minutes, I'M
der his skillful manipulations, aided by
an alcoholic lamp, three steaming cups
OF coffee of triple strength filed the room
with their delicious aroma. These dilut-
ed with boiling water from the black tea
kettle by the fire we're sufficient for the
group collected about the table. Armi-
tage looked with surprise upon the snowy
cloth, the few valuable china dishes and
other evidences of refinement in the set
ting out of this meal. The father asked
a blessing; and it did the stranger good
to see how the provision he had brought
was relished by these halt-famished peo-
pie. And yet, even the youngest child
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
PORT TOBACCO MARYLAND, DECEMBER a 1856
Eew York Doctors.

There ae at present, it is estimated,
almost 5000 physicians in this city, or
one for every 800 Of its inhabitants,
which is certainly a bountiful supply.
If the satirical saw, "The more doctors
the more Illness" be true, New York
should be oyerrunning with patients.
But it is not; indeed, it is quite health
full town, which may account for the al
legged fac l1hat the majority Of our
doctors harlly earn a decent livelihood
by their practice, being often obliged to
depend of credit. Many are constantly
forced out Of their profession in order
to get living; but their places arc
regularly aud rapidly supplied. Nearly
9, 600 maxi, it is said, from 81, 500 to
So, 600 year, and some 1900 make
from $1,000 to $4,000; only a few
hundreds saching the last figures, and
then wheg they have passed middle age.
Forty or 4 y perhaps have incomes from
$50, 600 Upwards, and these are so con-
stantly heard Of that one might infer
that the -lount is rather the rule than
the rare. exception. Most of the
physicians who are pecuniarily pros
porous as5 what are called fashionable
physicians that is, they are in at
tendance on rich families of social
position. Not few Of these get $50,
900 to SGo 900 a year, and occasionally
a handsome present from a millionaire
whose life they have saved, though il
may not have been worth saving. DR..
Jared LpslA who was with old Cor
nelius Vanderbilt during his last illness,
received S25, 600 for his services, and
DR.. McLane, who went abroad with Mr..
William Il. Vanderbilt, towards the
close Of his life, and was called in aftel
the railway magnate had his last attack
of apoplexy, is understood to have re
ceived somethir like $50, 900. -Nea
York Commercially
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
Peasant Schools of Russia.

A writer in the Philadelphia Times
thus describes the peasant schools OF
Russia as they existed fifteen or twenty
years ago: Imagine a small, gloomy
and oppressive room, with low windows,
damp walls and without ventilation, in
short room in which, as the Russian
saying goes, humane master would
hesitate to keep his dog, and that will
be the improyised school where twenty or
twenty-five poor little fellows were des-
tined to suffer. II was a very common
thing IN those days to see such pupils
working like slaves about their teachers
house, in his field, experiencing all the
hmdships and deprivations imaginable.
At ) O'Clock in the morning, after a
scanty breakfast, they would set out to
fulfil various domestic duties, while
thelf master, or teacher and moral in
struetor, would still enjoy the land of
dreams. Any disobedience would be
promptly and severely punished. The
commandment, Obey thy instructors,
implied such duties as cleaning pig
sheds and stables, feeding the cattle and
50 forth" 1t is gratifying to know that
the present generation Of peasant chill
dfen receive instruction under an i'm
proved system, even if there is much to
be accomplished yet in this direction.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
A Scientists Kite.

The interesting experiment of flying a
kite Of sufficient size to carry a man was
not long ago made by N. MaiIlot, and
has been described to the French society
Of aerial navigate IN. The kite was of
octagonal shape with superficial area
OF 90 square yards, a frame weighing
100 pounds, and canvas and cords
weighing 80 pounds. The huge ap-
paratus lifted one hundred and fifty
pounds Of ballast to the height Of thirty
two feet. The cord by which it was
held back was eight hundred and twen-
ty feet long and was securely fastened
to the earth. The kite was kept at the
proper misunderstanding with the
force OF the windy means Of cords
fastened to four sides and maneuvered
oy three operators standing on tho
ground. 1t was originally planned to
nave these cords manipulated by man
suspended from the kite in place of the
ballast, but this dangerous part Of the
experiment was not carried out,
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24

Gov. Porter Of Indiana is noted for his
childIike and bland methods when he
goes to speak during an electioneering
tour. He always assumes the familiar
ity Of knowing all people. On one oc.
casion he went down to Franklin,
twenty miles below indianapolis He
arose to speak with his face wreathed in
smiles, and began:
"Ladies and gentIemen, it affords me
a great pleasure to meet my old friends
whom have known so long"
At this point some shrill voice in the
audience shouted:
"Name EN-; name 'em, Governor"
This SO disconnected the Governor
that he did not recover from it all tee
evening. --Kaasas city Star.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
HUMOROUS.

The most striking yiewof mule is
rear view.
The wings of house ought to aecoler-
ate a flight Of stairs.
A person gets in some telling work
when giving away a secret.
Night keys, as a rule, have their hard
est work to do in the morning.
An exchange has an article on "Why
Bees Make Honey" They make it to
cell.
Has a poor show in this world-.the
dime museum manager who doesn't fire.
quently change his attractions.
"A fair exchange is no robbery" was
the remark of the young man who left
one girl to take up with another.
"Pa, why is girl called a belief
asked Clara. "ob, | guess it's because
of her tongue, unfeefngly replied Pa.
A scientist says.AS. man who has
been struck by lightning cannot swim.
He might have added that he never tries
to.
'Pitch your voice in low key" says
a writer on etiquette. We presume eti-
quette can be temporarily dispensed with
when trying to wake the boys in the
morning.
Among the ''hundred best books" the
pocketbook ranks first. If it is suffi-
cientIy robust there will be no difficulty
in selecting the other ninety-nine.
'Maria,o said her father, civilian
asked me for your hand last night and |
consented" 'fWell, pa, that's the first
bill of mine you haven't objected TO-"
"Can you use this9" timidly inquired
the poet, as he laid a bundle on the
desk. "Ithink can, said the editor
affably. "Iem just about to start a
fire in the office stove.
Some one has discovered that "a mule
cannot bray if brick be tied to his tail. "
1t is extremely doubtful if the man who
undertakes to make the combination can
Do asicb braying--or breathing either
a65ut ten minutes later.
Professor "Next time, ladies, | vii
BRING 70 your TcTrr----r-r-- =.
: great men Of the past" Delightful
!, young lady Go her nc glboD-'I shoulc
prefer to make the acquaintance of on,
Of the young men who haven't passec
} yet"
'Tis Hope that lights the way through
troub e's night
IT'S Hope that's cheered the world sine,
time began
IT'S soap that max our clothing clean and
white,
'Tis soap that eiv.lizes savage MN.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24

A curious little story was told me il
Illustrative Of the snobbishncss Of London
society and of the real kindness Of heart
in the family Of the Prince Of Wales.
There is in London an American dentist
who is very skillful in his profession, and
among other people has attended the
Princess Of Wales. He was invited to
one of the annual garden parties at
Marlborough House, and met there
nearly so Of his patients. They cut him
to a man. Soon after he found himself
face to face with the Prince and Prin-
cess, and they at once gave him the most
cordial reception, and shook him warm
ly by the hand. At once every one Of
so patients pressed up to the lucky den
tist and shook hands with equal warth.
London Letter.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
Collecting Po,tagc Stnmns

Tic mania for collecting postage
stamps seems to be gaining more ground
than ever in Trance, writes the Paris
correspondent OF the London 7slsgraBb.
Among the most famous collectors in
France is man who has over a million
postage stamps preserved in 1870 richly
bound vo umes, and another who keeps
two clerks employed in clas assifying and
arranging his enormous collection.
Added to this, there are in Paris about
$50 wholesale firms employed in the
trade, and one Of the best known Of
these has lately offered from e20 to $40
for certain stamps Tuscan postage
stamps dated before 1850 will be pa d
for at the rate Of s. each, while stamps
from Naurtius for the year ls47 fetch
$50, aud Fren h stamps Of 1919 are
quoted at G each.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
Regaining a Lost Memory.

TIa loss a m----- - --- -''.I = .
familiar ovonolo sars n NJ I'll
brook and con onI,, ~ .l,,,t.d -. :, f -lg. w.
detcrioration Of tbo 6rai, oranoe,,ts ~ o,I ~
dimirntioo Of Mood .,,,,,t;,t - - tls,,
One Of the vorst foo,,,.a,' r. s,,el, aaaa ,
is tbe foct tbon on ol1 ,.yso. isaot 'CS 20
lona timo ort.r doo.,. H.. ,,,.,., o.,...' 49,
Of II lam now tre.tin,, e,'a' '' ~ w., ,1.,
Of memory in ncrsoa adaanoad - l',o =;
voors wbodid NOT li,,l,., ,,,at -. =,
- bod foilod ,,,oa. .,,,., ~ - 80,
him ofit Ia oisnaI.1r'.,,i,:-e,, r,5 -. trt Jo.st
...l......:4l.-.,...
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
NO. H.
On LIES Yorage.

As on the stream Of life you float,
Let Truth be helmsman Of your boat,
Lei naught but Du.y fill its saus,
Take Hope as ballast in all gales;
Though tempest oar ami billows roll
II Fa th be anchor Of youi soll,
Ifit to God in prayer you cas-,
His Love viii hold 'gainst every blast;
And when you reach the port above
Youth find the Rock Of Ages, Love.
-A. G. III ar, ia Current
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
Disnosed OF.

Bobby was evidently very much per-
picked. Il want to ask you, Mr..
featherly," " he finally said during a lull
IN the conversation, ''about your house
and lot"
! have no house aud lot, Bobby, ;"
replied Featherly, trife uneas.ly. Il
sold them some time ago.
Sold EN-" repeated Bobby,
Then pa must have made mis-
take, TAKE. | heard him say that you drank
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
Time Makes Changes.

Does trouble rise, and life appear
A prison with no open gate,
And fsttered circumstance and fear
Attend thy ways f-In silence wais
And 10 K to God; it well viii he,
For time makes changes pleasantly
Let no corroding passions rise
To vent hot words to add to pain;
Warm lies the light iu Southern skies
To chase the clouds o. winter rain
And heart-content awaits for thee,
For time makes changes pleasantly.
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-12-24
A Living Illustration.

yes" said passenger in street
car, who was arguing with a friend,
''somo men are born great, others
achieve greatness, and some-'just then
lurch of the car landed fat woman in
his lap-"and somen he concluded,
have greatness thrust upon them
Life,