davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
GhriAfmI.in Iniin.

Dim dawn behind the tamarisks-the sky
IL saffron yellow
A the women in the village grind the
corn.
And the parrots seek the riverside, each
calling his fellow
That the Day. the staring Eastern Day,
IS born
Oh. the white dust on the highway!
Oh, the stenches in the bywayl
Oh, the olammy fog that hovers over
earth
And at Home they're making merry
Meath the white and scarlet berry
What part have India's exiles in their
mirth
Full day behind tho tamarisks-the sky is
blue and staring
As the cattle crawl afeld beneath the
yoke,
And they bear one DER the field path. who
Is past all hope or caring,
To tho CHAT below the curling wreaths OF
smoke.
Call on Rema. going slowly.
A. ye bear brother lowly--
Call on Rama-he may hear, perhaps,
your voice.
With our hymn-books and our psalters
We appeal to other altars.
And to-day We bid good Christian
men reioice!"
Hieh noon behind the tamarisks-the sun
is hot above us-
As at home the ChristInas-day is break
ing wan.
those who toll US how they love us.
And forget US until another year be
gone
Oh, the toll that knows no breakingl
Oh, the H5m,oeh, ceaseless, aching!
Oh. the black dividing sea and alien plain
Youth WAS cheap-wherefore we sold IT.
Gold was good--we hoped to hold II.
And to-day we know the fulness Of our
gain.
GRAY dusk behind the tamsrisks-ths par
rots fly together
As the sun is sinking slowly over Home /
And his last ray seems TO mock US shackled
in lifelong together
That drags US back bowe'er so far we
roam.
Hard her service, poor her payment =
She in ancient tattered raiment--
India. she rs grim Stepmother OF oui
kind.
I If year Of life be lent her. II her tenn
ple's slIrines We enter,
The door Is shut-we may not look
behind.
Black night behind the tamarisks-ths
owls begin their chorus
Az the conohes from the temple scream
and bray.
With the fruitless Year, behind US ana the
hopeless years before us,
Let us honor. o rny brothers, Christmas.
day
Call truce. then, TO our labors;
let us feast with fnmds and neighbors
And DO merry ~ the custom Of oul
caste;
For IL faint and forced thu lsu2hssr.
And II sadness follow after,
Wa Arc richer b. one moe king Christ
mas past. RupYAsp KIrLrso.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
XMASIN MANY LANDS
How The Great Festival Is Celebrated
In Other Countries.
KISSED UNDER THE NyTLETOE.
Difrnront Bus Nearly All Nations Have
an Annual Observance.

To-day throughout Christendom il will
again be illustrated that the "old, cid
story" is never old. and the appearance
of the Light in the msnger at Bethle-
hem nearly nineteen hundred years ago
will be- commemorated wherever there
is Christian family. In different lands,
in different clines. and among different
religious sects belonging to the great
Christian confraternity the forms Of
commemoration will vary, but the one
grand central idea Of oil the observances
will bo the same. and is expressed in the
fplutation "All hail TO the Newborn
King
Whether the day be marked by the
noisy demonstrations that are character
istic Of this country, by the time-honor-
ell merrimeut Of old England and Ire
land by the less effusive customs OF
Scotland, or by the primitive festivals
that obtain among the peasantry OF some
portions Of the continent OF Europe,
the heart-song OF praise is tuned to one
KEY. In camp and IN court, IN palace and
in howell, IN cathedral and in chapel the
strain OF exultation is the same. and the
same influence inspires His followers to
echo in unison the angelic anthem,
"Glory 10 God in the highest, on Garth
peace and good will toward men.
THE DAY HERE.
All the readers of the DISPATCH know
how Christmas will bo observed in Rich
mond and the rest Of the State. In the
Catholic. Episcopal, and Lutheran
churches religious services will he held
end there will be Joint services in one OF
the churches of some of the other denomi-
nations. The day will be one of home
coming and family reunions, of feasting,
Of merry-mskinR, and Of making the
little ones and tue unfortunate happy.
Both IN the cities and in the country it
will be in large measure q repetition of
tho Christmas-day Of years. For tho
Young 1t will throw a rosy light into the
future. For tho old II will be the past
that IL will encircle with n halo of bright
ness. From that which is 10 be will be
waited fragrance TO the one from that
which is gone will come perfume for the
other. Such IL the law Of life. But for
each the present will have its ioys-not
tho least Of which lies in the power of
doing good,
The renders of the DrsPATCH are also
acquainted with the general features Of
Christmas festivities throughout the rest
Of the country, but as regards the sea-
sons observance i'll other parts OF the
world they may not as a rule be go well
posted. Representatives of this paper
have therefore made it point to have
chats on this interesting topic with citi-
2cns who have spent Christmas abroad,
and below is gwen this morning series
of pictures OF christmas in Foreign
Lands
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK.
A Season of Feastins-Evon the Birds Are
PrnxIde ed Eor

A Season of Feasting-Even the Birds Are
Provided For.
In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, "
said Mr.. Chris. Evensen, who is native
of Norway, "the Christmas customs are
the same. 1t is season OF feasting for
which ali make preparation. The poor
as well as the rich will have the best
they can obtain TO eat and drink. Two
days are observed as hohdays-Christ-
mas day and the day following. These
are called the hrst and second days and
il is useless to talk business to any one
during that time. All give themselves
up to enjoyment. On Christmas eve
the children have their Christmas-trees
and then the presents Aze distributed.
Church services ass hnld en- beth Of the
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
4" Santa Claus"
James Whitcomb Riley.


Jes' litue bit o feller-I remember
still
Ust TO almost cry fer Christmas. like q
youngster VIII.
Fourth o July's nothin' to it New-Year's
Easter SUNDAY, circus-day. jes' all dead in
the shell
Lordy, though at night. you know, to set
around and hear
The old folks work the story off about the
sledge and deer,
And SANITY" skootin' round the roof all
wrapped in fur and fuz-
Long afore
Iknowed who
SANITY Claus wuz!
Ust 10 wait, and set up late, week or two
ahead:
Couldn't hardly keep awake, nor wouldn't
90 to bed;
Kittle stewini on the fire, and mother
sittIn' here
Dmnin' socks. and rockin' in the skreeky
rockin'- cheer
Pap gap. and wonder where it wuz the
money went
And me a-dreamn' sleigh-bells when the
clock 'ud whir aud buz
Iknowed who
"Santy Claus" wuz !
Size the fireplace up. and fgger how "Old
SANITY could
Manage 10 come down the chimbly, like
they said he would;
Wisht that could hide and see him-wun-
dered what he'd say
RI he ketched q felleT lgyin' fer him that
away
But bot on him, and liked him, same as
ef be had
Turned TO pat me on tho back and say f:
Look here, my had,
Here's my pack-jes' hep yo'sef, like all
good boys doesi"
Iknowed who
SANITY Clus" wuz (!
VISIT that yarn was true about him, as 1t
'peaj ed 10 be-
Truth made ont o lies like that un's good
enough for me! -.
Wisht still wuz so confident / could les'
go Wild
Over hanging up my stockin's, like the
little child
Climbin' in my lap tonight an beggln' me
to tell
Bout them reindeers and "Old SANITY"
that she loves so well,
Pm half sorry for this little girl-sweetheart
of his
Long afore
She knows who
"Santy Claus" isl
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
Old Santa Claus.

Old snnta Claus.
fFrom Rhymss and Tales" by Alma L. Brege'l
Old Santa Claus sat all alone In his den,
With his leg crossed over his knee;
While cornical look peeped out at his eyes,
For a funny old fellow is ne.
His queer little cap was tumbled and torn,
And his wig, II was all avry;
But be sat aud mused the whole day long,
While the hours went flying By.
He had been ne busy g. busy could be,
In filing his pack with toys;
He had gathered bis nuts aud baked his pies,
To give 30 the girls and boys.
There were dolls for the girls and whips for
the boys.
With wheelbsrrows, horses, and drays;
And bureaus and trunks for dolly's new
clothes:
All these in his pack he displays.
OF candy. too. both twisted and striped,
He had furnished plentiful store; d.
While raisins and figs, and prunes and
grapes,
Hung up on peg by the door.
lam almost ready" quoth he, quoth he,
And Christmas is almost here;
But one thing more; | must write book
And give TO each one this year"
so he clapped his specs on his little round
nose.
And seizing the stump Of his pen
He wrote more lines in one little hour
Than you ever could write in ten.
He told them stories, all pretty and new,
And wrote them all out in rhyme;
Then packed them away. with his box OF
toys.
To distribute one at q time.
And Christmas eve, when oil were in bed.
Right down the chimney he flew;
And, stretching the stocking-le leg out at the
top,
He clapped in a book for you.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
AROUND TIE BONFIRE.
The Observance Of ~. NichoinsDay by the
Hearty HoHand-rs.

Hearty HoHaniers.
"Describe Dutch Christmas-day for
me, " said the DIsPATcH man to Mr.. c.
w. Volkman. who is one of the few gen.
uine Hollanders in the city.
"Oh," said Mr.. VOlkman, "Christ-
mas-day. the 25th of December. is no
more in Holland than an ordinary Sun
day. The people go to church, and
that's about sll. The great Christmas
festival in my country is or the llth OF
December, which is st. Nicholas day,
and is the time for gathering under the
roof.tree, for exchanging presents,
greetings, and good wishes, for
Christmas-trees and for general merry
making 1t is essentially children's-
day. st. Nicholas. is yon know, the pa
tron saint Of Holland. He was Bishop
of Tours and is Catholic. saint, and
although Holland is Protestant his mem
ory IS revered and the day observed
alike by Protestants and Catholics.
| The Holanders are intensely conserva-
tive, sticking as they do to the customs
kof their foreiathers of four or five hun
fdred years ago, and the St Nicholas
day celebration is an illustration oil this
as it is relic OF the time when Catholic
rule obtained IN The Netherlands.
GOOD BISHOP.
"Many are the stories told OF the
kindness and charity of st. Nicholas.
One remember is thst on certain oc-
casion meeting beggar in the road who
was suffering from cold he tore his cloak
in two and gave the beggar hall OF 1t.
On st. Nicholas day there is in every
house Christmes-tree which is orra-
mented with presents, gilded figures,
&C., Just abont as Chrstmas-trees are
! her&, and services are held in both
! Catholic and Protestant churches morn
! ing and evening. The children gen.
erally have a dance around their Christ
mas-tree.
DANCE AND SONG.
"a great feature OF tho celebration is
the bonfire festival. In every town and
village, in some public place, huge
bonfire is built, around which the chill
dren dance, and sing the following:
WV stoken daar. bet weer wordt guur.
| AL lulclGuQ net. Ci. NtCupldtS Nuuis
! Die VIVID beroemed door mild tigeven.
Dus blyft by laatste nakroost leven."
The translation of the song is about
this
"The weather becoming dread and cold
We light the fire OF st. Nicholas,
] Who. far famed by his great benefactions,
Thus is immortallzed by grateful posteri-
ty.'
VERY PICTURESQUE.
"At the villages" resumed Mr..
Volkmsn, "where the peasantry assem-
bic In their quaint costumes these dances
are exceedingly picturesque, as the
maidens and women have on their iron
head -plates-we call them iron head
plates, but they are made OF gold, and
every woman wears one. Over the
head-plate is cap pinned on with gold
pins, the heads of the pins being jewell
ed. The styles of the caps vary in the
different provinces In conclusion,
said Ar. Volkmsn, 4" / wish to remark
that great deal of nonsense is talked
about the condition OF woman in Holland.
Her condition there so far from being
degraded is elevated and she is re-
| yered."
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
FIGHTING DAYS IN MEXICO.
Major Poe Gives Xmas Experiences of
Nearly Half Century Ago.

Major roc uitts
Nearly Half Century Ago.
verv few people who know OF our
Chief OF Police, Major John Poe, Jr.,
and observe his erect and soldierly car
riape. would ever imagine that he was
one Of the Virginia boys who shonl-
dered a musket and went to fight the
Mexicans when the troubles between
that country and the United States cuimi-
nsted in war in lSi7 bat such is never
theless the csss. II is true the MAJOR
wasthen only ighteen yearsold but when
the DIsrArca reporter entered his oiiice
yesterday and said, Wont you please =.
tell me something about - Snlissmns .sn - ~
Mexico 2" it was evident that the mem
ory OF those days was shl viv'd IN MS
mind.
now THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS SPENT
CHRISTMAS IN CAMP.
"Lst me ses." said the MAJOR, III l
did saAnd . CAristmas there. lsh !
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
(For tho Dlspatch.l
Wish a Merry Christmas.

by JOHN A. WHITMAN,
Author Of Santa Clau.n
wish a merry Christmas
To one and 10 all
The rich and the poor,
The large and the small:
The white and the black.
The young and the gray,
hope they'll be merry
On this Christmas-day.
] wish q merry Christmas.
Which | NAV not live to see,
To my little children,
Which only number three.
Ihope they'll be merry.
Although they are poor.
And | hope that Santa Clan
VIII stop at our door.
Iwish merry Christmas
And a happy New-Year
To all OF my family
Which hold so dear.
And 10 all Of the people,
NV friends or my foes,
hope them all good luck,
Which God" in Heaven knows
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
At Christmas Time.

In olden TYNE ye hayden faire.
Did droope and blushe with modest
Shove
WIN courtlie beau en- powdered hair
Led her beneath We mistletoe.
Our modern maids. though Just as sweet,
Make no display of shrinking fear.
They look Just good enough to eat
And hang around the chandelier.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
CUSTOMS df THE fArHEaLANo.

The Home of M 10 Chrisimas-Trss. whsrs
Three ID ys Are ob.srs'd.
81 never wrote IN article for news
paper IN my lifsl exclaimed Professor
4. Y. Unkel the \medsst young Iaesle-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
VERY PICTURESQUE.
ON The EMERALD ISLE.
ON ITS E"S''N~D 'O'
Pretty Much rs 1t Is in Nirginia-A
yaxons Time.

Pretty uuch as It Is In NirginIa-A
Joyous Time.
"How is Christmss-day spent in Ire
land ?" repeated Mr.. Edward Cummins
after the Dfspatch reporter. I" Why,
pretty much as it is in Virginia. 1t is a
JOYOUS happy time with all. The chill
drsn have their Christmas-tree-ther
are family reunions, services are held in
the churches, and merriment and good
fellowship prevail. / left Ireland when
/ was about twelve years old. but my
recollections of the Christmas time are
among the bsppiest Of my life."
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
holidays and the children go from hou>
to house masquerading.
THE BIRDS PROVIDED FOR.

THE birds FHUNIDhU TUE
"So prominent is the feature OF feast
ing that even the birds are provided Tor,
and on the outside Of every house BIRD
food is hung, and extra provision is made
for the inmates Of the prisons and chart
table institutions"
"ln Norway skating is great pas,
time during the Christmas holidays, and
the disappointment is very great II the
rivers are not frozen over"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
Christmas Comes.

Christmas comesl He comes, hc conss.
Ushered with Q rain Of psums;
HoIlies in the windows greet him.
SCHOOLS como driving past 70 meet him
Gifts precede han, balls proclaim him,
Eyery mouth delights 70 name him,
Wet and cold, and wind and dark
Make hun but the warmer mark;
Curtains. those snug roOrn- -enfoldefS,
Hang upon his million shoulders
And he has million eyes
Of are. aud eats million pies,
And IA very merry and wise
Very wise and very merry,
And loves kiss beneath the besyI.
Lnaz avSr.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
Hosxasx Refieetions.

Now the maiden gathers worsted,
Slippers her best beau she'll send; /;
But the man that gets the slippers,
Will get worstsd in the end.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25

did; il was in 1S4S, / think, but we
were in camp at Buena Vista then and
saw very little Of the Mexican customs.
''How did you celebrate the occasion
in camp?" qucried the reporter.
"Oh, we just observed it by getting
the very best we could eat and drink
that could be purchased in the neighbor-
hood, otherwise I don't think wo cele-
brsted il at all.
THREE DRINKS oP MEXICAN LIQUOR MADE
THEM DRUNK.
Among the Nexicans," continued he.
"there Was liquor made from prickly
pears. It was called muscal, think, and
three drinks whl make fellow as crazy
as a bed-bug. This is what We drank,
and Charles Bodeker, who is dead now.
and myself took three drinks OF it and
we didn't know anything for thirty
eight hours.
"The convent BELLS" added Major
Poe. "rung at intervals throughout the
whole OF Christmas-day, and it was re-
markable TO note the devotion Of the
Mexicans, for every time the bells COM
menced ringing they would lift their
hats aud bow their heads no matter what
they were doing. While their heads
were bowed it was supposed that they
were praying. although these same fell
lows would fight cocks ell day Sunday,
and the priests would be ringleaders in
this sport.
BEAUTIFUL sPRTNG-LIKE WEATHER CHRIST
MAS.
Speaking Of the climate OF Mexico
during Christmas, Major Poe said that
he had never seen more beautiful wea-
ther, and that the temperature seemed
Just like that in the spring-time here.
The scenery, too, was grand, and snow
capped mountains lowered up in the dis
tance.
Major Poe went to Mexico with the
First Virginia regiment, which was at
that time commanded by Colonel John
i. Ham;ranck. General Jubal A. Early
was then major of tho regiment and
Governor James l.. Kemper its quarter
master.
Major Robert G.. Scott. who is still
living in this city and ever ready TO dis
cuss American reciprocity, was captain
of tire company in which Major Poe
enlisted.
A BLOODY INDIAN MASSACRE.
The Chief OF Police in recalling the
days Of the Mexican war said that he
saw very little fighting, end that the
most bloody sight that met his eyes in the
campaign were the remains of detach-
ment of American troops, who had been
attacked by Comanche Indians and mas
sacred without mercy. Every wagon in
tho line had been robbed and then
burned, and not one of the soldiers sur
vived TO tell Che tale of the horrible
slaughter Tho bodies Of the soldiers
were muitilhted beyond description, por-
tons of their limbs having been cut OIL
and stuck In their months.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
Thackersy's Christmas Carol for " Men of
Gentle wnl."


amen! whatever fate be sent,
Pray God the heart may kindly glow,
Although the head with cares be bent
And whitened with the winter snow.
Come wealth or want come good or III,
Let young and old accept their part
And bow before the awful will,
And bear IL with an honest heart.
Who misses or who wins the prize,
Gro lose or conquer as you can,
But II you fail, OF If you rise,
Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
A gentleman, or old or young.
Bear kindly with my humble laysO
The sacred chorus first was sung
Upon the first OF Christmas days.
The shepherds heard it overhead
The joyful angels raised it then;
Glory TO Heaven on high, 1t said,
And peace on earth 10 gentle men.
NY song. save this. is little worth;
lay the weary pen aside
And wish you health, and love, and mirth,
As flts the solemn Christmas tide,
As fits the holy Christmas birth,
Be this, good friends, our carol still
BE peace on earth. be peace on earth
To men OF gentle will"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
4 MORAVlAN CHRISTMAS. c
Pastor MenreI Tells ef Tow the Festival Ia
Observed in tins settlement.


Observed Ia tins settlement.
Rev. Paul l.. Menzel, pastor OF ST.
Johns German Evangelical Lutheran
church. was found in the cosy parlor OF
his residence. No. 203 east Marshall
street. surrounded by evidences that the
great festival would be observed in
orthodox German style by the members
of his household.
In answer t. the reporters question
he said "The most memorable Christ
mas celebrations ever experienced were
in the churches Of the Morayisn settle
ments in Germany, hut, he ADDED,
"that is not what you want.
THE CHURCH SERVICES.
"Oh, yes, replied the DISPATCH man,
II was not what the DISPATCH man went
there for. but be wanted what the pastor
was going TO say oil the same, SO there
WAS no question OF consistory involved
In the reply. ,s,
"Weli." resumed Pastor Menzel,
"the principal celebration IN these
churches is on Christmas eve. About 0
O'Clock, just shout the time 1t Is getnng
dark. the smallest children come togesher
at the churcn with their older sisters and
thor mothers, and after singing every nv
tle one recites a verse from the Scriptures
or from some hymn. Then during the
rendition OF one of the beautiful Christ
mas anthems friends and relatives oi the
children enter with plaques filed with
burning candles. On some OF tne
pAdues there are - many aesixy sights,
and they Ns designsd to A'assaAe sns
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25

Horsford's Acid Phosphate
Fos ABusE OF ALCOHOL
n u'ieues Ae dspssssioH asrSfFom.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
EGGSoG FLOWS FREELY.

The Christmas eggnog flowed freely
last night. Ii wac dispensed at nearly
all the clubs and saloons. In private
families there was no dearth of the
cheer" Many Of the tlpplers indnlged
in truly seli-sncrihcing spirit--drinking
merely TO put the nog beyond the reach
Of others, who they feared 1t might harm,
not that they wanted it themselves.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25

ALL WILL HAVE GOOD DINNERS.
The veterans at the Confederate Sol
diers' Home will be rcgaled to-day with
q true Christmas-dinner. which will em-
brace every delicacy of the season.
At the almshouse, jail. and penitentia-
w fine dinners will also be served.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25


noon. All young men, especially those
away from home. are cordially invited
10 visit the rooms Of the association and
enjoy the hospitalities extended to the
public.
HAPPY SCHOLARS.
The public schools closed at noon
yesterday to reopen January 5th-an IN
Permission of nearly two weeks.
Nearly all OF the principals and teach
ers received presents to a greater or
less extent. At the High School
these were especially numerous,
among them being the following
Mr. Thomas, basket OF fruit from teach
ers Mr.. Cox, gold headed cane from
bows and scarf and pin from Senior A
Glass: Miss Peasants, gold pen from In
termediate B,3; Miss Van Wort, a
handsome box OF handkerchiefs DR..
W. Ii. Taylor, flowers. cuf.buttons,
etc, Miss Read. fancy table. and
Miss Faris, numerous small presents ;
Miss Dickinson. plush writing case ;
Mrs. Binford, rose jar and many
small presents Miss O'Neil, " Paradise
Lost" and small presents; Madam
Teuslex, handsome basket and living
plants, celluloid photo-holder, etc.
Miss Bloomberg. oatmeal set and many
small presents. Misses Apperson, Chap
pell. Henning, Ramos, Owens, and DE
Dutzelle also received many handsome
remembrances
Mr.. ]. l.. Ezekiel, principal OF Brook
School, was presented with gold pen
Gil by the teachers Of that group.
coGcaxD HIGH AND NORMAL SCHOOL.
The usual Christmas exercises were
held at this building yesterday morning.
commencing at II o'clock. Among the
visitors we're Rev. W. v. Tudor. D. D.,