davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
The Blazing Yule log.

Many OF our most familiar Christmas
usages are derived from the old heather
festivals which Christmas replaced. The
custom CT giving Christmas presents,
now so universally observed, was derived
from the old Roman saturnalia or feast
of Saturn, above mentioned, at which it
was customary for all the members of a
household to offer gifts to each other.
It is not traccablc. as has been some
times ignorantly stated, to tho New
Testament account Of how Kings and
wise men made rich offerings to the in
faEt Jesu>
The yuic clog or log-the great stick
of timber placed iu olden times upon the
Christmas fre-was derived from the
Saxon feast OF Jul or Yul. at which a
similar piece of timber gave the principal
fire and the principal light. The yule
clog and the supersiitlous connected with
it are among the most venerable Of Christ
mas associations.
The yule clogs that blazed in the vast
halls OF the old English feudal Barons OF
the middle ages we're huge trees, an we
arc told that even just before the close
of the last century the mansion oil an
English gentleman residing near ShreTS-
bury was totally destroyed by fire in coa-
sequence Of too largo yule log DeinS
/ lighted on his hearthstone.
/ When the yule los was not all con
sumed before dawn and burned on into
the light of Christmas Day Its ashes were
carefully preserved until the next Christ
mas eve. and were believed to bring
GOOD health and fortune toall the house.
hold. but should they be scattered and
lost death and misfortune werO thought
sure to follow.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
Fortune From the Snap Sutton

Few Of those who fasten their gloves
with the ingenious little snap button In
use for few years past know the history
Of the contrivance. 1t was invented by
an American, who tried in vain to enlist
in his invention the interest of American
capitalists. Nobody could see any prom
ise in the tiny bit Of mechanism, aud the
inventor finally betook himself to Frauce.
There he found capital, and the inven-
ton speedily became popular Now the
inventor and the capitalists interested
are getting rich out Of the contriyauce'
and even the American agency is proving
a mint Of money. The fsstner, at first
applied chiefly to gloves, is now affixed
TO umbrellas and to a dozen other artI'
cles of daily use. Made of silver, it is
put upon ornamental pOcket-books, port
folios and the like. Chicago Herald.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
LOuu..t Auueduct in the World.

At Arequipa pronounced Are-i-keep-
aha). one of the oldest and most inter
esting cities in Peru, the traveller must
stop over night, having arrived about
dark on the day he leaves Puno aud tax
inc the same train next morning Tor
Mollendo. Along the side OF the track
for a distance of more than eighty-hye
miles runs an eight-inch iron pipe fol
the purpose OF supplying water to Mol
lcndo and the intervening stations,
there being none near the coast. Com
ing from springs in the mountains neaE
Arequipa, 1000 feet above the sea and
extending to the Pacific, it is the longest
aoueduct in the world and is capable ol
dischargiug 100000 gallons OF water
during every twenty-four hours. - Wasa'
ington Star.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
Foreign.

Tuvpr "a a reaction in Berlin, Germany
against the Koch treatment, eight persons
having died soon after the injection OF the
lymph.
On the Paramatta River, Sydney, New
South Wales, a scuIling match for sl5Oo
side and the championship of the world was
rowed by Oarsmen Kemp and Mclean Nc
Lean was the winner.
TIE Italian Minister Of War has res,gnei.
AN extra session Of the Argentine Legsla-
ture has been openei.
A HOUSE in the native quarter OF Bombay
India. containing 100 inmates, collapsed
Thirty persons were killed and many M
jured.
ANOTHER plot to murder the Car has
been discovered at st. PETERSBURG, husla-
The couspirators are members Oh no9ie-
mems club. Several Poles nave aeen arre'tei
for completely in tae plot and the clubhouse
has been closed
Mr.. MILNE, the Collector OF Customs az
Victoria. British Columbia, has seized sns
German schooner Adele, which had Just re.
turned from Behring Sea, where it raiose
the Pribyletf Islands. killing 400 se.ls-
ARTHUR DAY, the Rochester wife nur-
derer, was hanged at Weiland, Canada
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26

''But haven't the Barnbury folks any
more work for you9" cried the baker;
"haven't they shirts or gowns or some
other sort OF needingl"
"TSose things they make themselves,
answered the widow, "but this binding
is heavy work and they give it to me.
The blankets are coarse, you see, but
they hang we'll in the doorway"
"Confound the people of Barnbury y
cried the baker every one of them
would hang we'll in doorway if had the
doing Of it. Aud SO you can't afford a
Christmas, Widow Monk"
"No," said she, setting herself to
work on her horse blanket, mot this
year. When came to Barnbury, baker,
thought might do well, but have
not done we'll"
"Did not your husband leave you any
thingl" he asked.
"My husband was a sailor" said she,
land he went down with his brig, the
Mistletoe, three years ago, and all that
he left me is gone, baker"
1t was time tor the baker to open his
shop, and he went away, and as he
walked home snow drops and tear drops
we're all mixed together on his face.
81 couldn't do this sort Of thing be-
fore her." he said, "and 7 am glad it
was time to go and open my shop"
That night the baker did all his regular
work, but not finger did he put to any
Christmas order. The next day, at sup
per time. he went out for walk.
On the way he said to himself: "If
she is going to skip Christmas, and am
going to skip Christmas, why should we
not skip it tOgetherl That would truly
be most fit and gladsome, and it would
serve Barnbury Alright. I'll go in and
lay it before her"
The Widow Monk was at supper, and
when she asked him to take cup OF
tea he put down his hat, uuwound his
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
POPULAR SCIENCE.

The greater part Of the ocean bed Is
pitch dark.
There are at least ten million nerve
fibres in the human body.
The blood of clans, HOLSTERS and
nearly all other invertebrates contains no
red cells but only white.
There are hundred chances that any
boy or girl will be struck by lighting for
every one chance of having hydro
phobia.
A novelty Of an electrical exhibition
at Frankfort, Germany, is to be the
transmission OF 500 horse power to dis
tance of 140 miles.
By new device, pieces of metal may
be shaped with great rapidity by being
forced under dies while rendered soft or
elastic by an electric current.
One cause given for the failure of the
peach crop in Delaware and Maryland is
that the elements of the soil required by
the peach have been exhausted.
The use Of electricity for slaughter
ing hogs is proposed. It's claimed that
the current will not only kill the hogs,
but will kill trichine at the same time.
A few insects are viyiparous, ia
miliar example being the flesh fly, which
lays eggs which hatch at the instant Of
their extrusion and deposition upon
meat.
The Roman city of Cissa was last men
toned in 679; and even its site has long
been forgotten. Submarine ruins lately
found indicate that the island was sunk
by some catastrophe.
1t has been shown that the blood con.
tains less sugar during life than after
death, and a greater proportion in per
sons suffering from cancer than in healthy
persons, or IN those having any ether
disease.
An elaborate system of war telegraph
ing is being arranged between the Brit
ish Admiralty and the Postoffice. Within
forty-eight hours it will be possible to
connect every telegraph station on the
coast directly with the Admiralty.
According to paper to the British
Association by Professor Newton, the
fauna of the Sandwich Islands is under
going modification, and the native AMI
mails are liable to be exterminated by the
changes which are taking place in the
vegetation.
The suns perpendicular rays do not
ilumine the depths Of the sea at all, or
anything like 1t. On the contrary, tney
only penetrate, at the very outside, some
two hundred fathoms down into the
world of waters, beyond which distance
all is utter darkness.
Data Of the trials of three large steam,
ers, showing the comparative merits Ol
large and small screws, show that propel
lers of small diameter have in each cas-
proved the more economical aud effec'
tive, both increasing the speed and de
creasiDg the coal consumption.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
Indian Fighting.

Indian fighting is about as uei'cS'"
military work as the world has known III
4 minor way. You must never expect to
meet your enemy in fair, open fght'
Not il he can help it. You must chase
him into his own steongholds. You must
Grant him all the favoring circumstances
Of situation, knowledge Of his surround
ings and natures support. Only ma
raudinc bands of butchers come into the
omen plains, or to open places easily de-
Tended. And they come with the swoop
Of an eagle and are off almost as soon
40 thew dart down. | saw few COM
NAMES of Uncle Sans boys march out OF
Salt Lake City once to do some Indian
fighting. They were as likely set oil
man nc ever carried rifles on their shout
ders. They were gone only a few months
but what a change when they returned
Their blue uniforms hung IRON 'neni ~
rags. Anything served for head COW
eriug. Some we're bare footed, and the
best pair of shoe, among the privates
would have lain untouched in your
bend" here, scorned by the poorest
man among you. Feet, arms and hands
we're in old bandages. Only the guns
were bright aud clean, always ready Tor
service. These men had been chasing
Indians, and there is very little fun in
this kind of war. Only men of the best
kind can stand it, and Westerners az
very proud of their old Indian lighters
-Netc York Tribune.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26

That is all the change propose to your
plan
Up spraug the baker, so suddenly, that
he overset his chair Now he must speak.
The widow stepped quickly toward the
door, and turning with a smile held up
I her hand.
"Now, good friend she said, "stop
therel At any mOilent some one might
come in. Hasten back to your shop. AT
3 o'clock | will meet yol at the parsons
That will surely be soon enough, even
for such hasty man as you"
The baker came forward, and gasped,
"Your husband!"
'Not yet, said the widow, with A
laugh, and kissing the tips of her fingers
to him she closed the door behind her.
Out into the cold went the baker. His
head was dazed, but he walked stead
fastly to his shop. There was no need
for him to 90 anywhere, to tell anybody
anything. The man with the earrings
would settle matters for himself soon
enough.
The baker put up his shutters aud
locked his shop door. He would do
nothing more for the good OF trade
nothing more for the good of anything.
| Skin Christmasl Indeed would he
And, moreover, every holiday and every
happy day would nov be skipped straight
on for the rest of his life. He put his
house in order; he arranged his affairs
he attired himself in his best apparel
locked his door behind him; and wen
out into the cold world.
He longed now to get far away from
the village. Before the sun set there
would not be one soul there who woulC
care for him.
As he hurried on he saw before hin
the parsons house.
'I will take but orc thing away witt
me-" he said, ''I will ask the good oil
man to give me his blessing. That WI
| take with me.
"Ot course he is in" said the parson
maid, "there, in the parlor.'
As the baker entered the parsons pal
e lor, some one hastened to meet him.
was the Widow Monk.
"You wicked man, she whispere'
s "yOu are a quarter of an hour late Id
parson is waiting
n The parson was little man with whi'
y hair. He stepped toward the coup
/, standing together, and the widow too
IS the bakers hand. Then the parson b.
o gan the little speech he always made
such occasions. It was full OF good sen
IS and very touching, aud the widows ey
were dim with tears. The baker won
W have spoken, but he had never into
u rupted clergyman, and he could n
n do it now.
Then the parson began his appoints
ID work. and the heart Of the baker swell
as the WIDOWS hand trembled in
ID owD.
or "Wilt thou have this woman to be q
welded wifel" asked the parson.
.. "Now for this" quoth the poor bak
H. to himself, II may bake forever, but
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
cannot draw back nor keep the good
man waiting" And he said, "Yes."

cannot draw back nor keep the good
man waiting" And he said, "Yes."
Then it was that the baker received
what be had come for, the parsons bless
ing; and, Immediately, his fair compan-
ion, brimming with tears, threw herself
into his arms.
"Now," said the baker to himself,
"wheu l leave this house, may the devil
take me, and right welcome shall he be-"
"Dearest, "she exclaimed as she looked
into his face, "you cannot know how
happy ana Ny wedding day, and my
brother back from the cruel seas.''
Struck by a sudden blast Of begilder-
ing ecstacy tho baker raised his eyes
and beheld the tall form of the sum
Drowned stranger who had been standing
behind them.
"You are not sailor.man,' quoth
the jovial brother, "like my old mat
who went down in the brig Mistletot,
but my sister tells me you are a jolly
good fellow, and with you fair winds
and paying cargoes." And after giving
the baker a powerful handshake, the sail
or kissed :he bride, the parsons wife,
the parsons daughter, aud the parsons
maid, and wished the family were larger,
having just returned from the cruel seas.
The only people in the village of Barn
bury who thoroughly enjoyed the Christ
mas of that year were the baker, his wife
and the sailor brother. And a rare good
time they had, for big sea chest arrived,
and there were curious presents and
plenty of time for three merry people to
cook for themselves.
The baker told his wife of his soul
narrowing plight of the day before.
"Now, then said he, don't you
think that by rights | should bake all
the same?'
ooh, that will be skipped, she said,
with a laugh, "and now go you and make
ready for the cakes, pastry, and sweet
meats, the baked meats and the poultry,
with which the people of Barn6ury are
to be made right happy on New Years
day. "-Nse York Commercial Adrertiser.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26

surface Of the oil clot in hair sac. A
watch key pressed upon the spot is
likely to force out the clot and so pre-
vent pimple, or the clot may be loos-
ened by the careful introd urtion of a
needle and then squeezed out.
Each hair sac or vase is supplied with
muscles, which, being caused to act by
certain eruptlons, may occasion rising
of the hair, as from fear. 1t is believed
now, consistently with the views of many
of the best medical authorities, that it is
entirely possible tina; person. hair may
be turned white within few hours by
fear or otherwise, through chemical COM
blned with capillary action"
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
He drank it and he felt

low himself. He drank it and he felt
warmed.
"And now," said the Widow Monk.
seating herself on the other side of the
fireplace, 81 shall speak as plainly to you
as you spoke to me. You spoke very
we'll yesterday, and have been thinking
about it ever since and have made up my
mind. You are alone in the world aud
am alone, and if you don't wish to be
alone any longer, why, l don't wish to be
either, and so--per laps-it will not be
necessary to skip Christmas this year"
Alas for the poor bakerl Here was
paradise seen through barred gate!
But the bakers heart was moved; even
in the midst of his misery he could not
but be grateful for the widows words.
There flashed into his eyes sudden
brightness. He held out his hands. He
would thank her first and tell her after
ward.
The widow took his hands, lowered
her bright eyes and blushed. Then she
suddenly withdrew herself and stood up.
"Now," she said, with a pretty smile,
'let me do the talking. Don't look so
downcast. When l tell you that you
have made me very, very happy, you
should look happy too. When you came
to me yesterday and said what you said
| thought you were in too much OF a
hurry, but now l think that perhaps you
were right, and that when people of our
age have anything important to do, it is
we'll to do it at once, for IN this world
there are all sorts of things continually
sprlnging up to prevent people from be-
ing happy"
The whole body of the baker was filled
with great gloan, but he denied 1t
utterance. He must hear what she
would say.
"Aud SO l was going to suggest, v she
continued, "that instead OF skipping
Christmas together we keep it together.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
THE NEWS EPIT0MIZED.
Eastern and Middle States.

THE LorilIard Brick Works Company, Of
New Yor., City, passed into the hands Of a re-
ceiver. The liabilities are s., 10000.
Ex- UNITED STATES SENATOR WILLIAM A.
WALLAcE's bank at Clearfeld, Penn, closed
its door. The depositors are safe by mort
gage on real estate for three times the
amount Of deposit. The liabilities are $3.50, =
0O0 and assets $3.50, 900.
WALTER POTTER, Of the bankrupt firm OF
Potter, Lowell & Co., Boston. Mass, was ar
rested on charge Of enlightenment.
FOUR Hungarian miners were killed by q
tall OF coal in the mines near Hazleton.
Penn. They were unmarried. The Lehigh
Valley Coal Company has resumed opera
tions at all its collieries, which have been
closed for some time past. This will cause
the employment OF many thousands OF per-
sons
OWEN BROS, of Providence, R. l., agents
of the Atlantic Mills, have assigned. The
liabilities are above 81. 100000,
The Five Mile Beach Railroad, which runs
from Cape May Court Houss 10 Anglesea,
n. j., has been washed away for distance
Of three and a halt miles, the track being
piled up against the telegraph poles.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
A Few Seasonable Maxims.

4 hbor that which is evil from. xii D.
NJ ak. certain contribution for TIE poor
rom. xv., o..
2 xbort 10 be sober-minded Titus ur o.
D oD,sn,bar now the Creator Eccl Xii, D.
r is, to give thanks (Ps. cxix, o.
v ears should teach wisdom JOB xx1h'' "'
c ousider one another Heb. T. "a
II cap on wood, kindle the fire 'EzeS' XIV
TO-. ~
p egard the prayer Of the destitute F~ W.
In.
Increase their joy lisa. xxr 49,.
s how much love Ezek. xxxiii., Sn' .
T urn their mourning into Joy der. Xxx, iSl
NJ eddie not with him that hsttereth f'o'
TX, 49,. -.
4 ssembls yourselves, and como joel iil' ~ -
S rss- no. evil ono Of another Jas' w. ID
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26

woolen comforter. and took off his over
coat. When he sat down his empty cup
nc told her that he, too, had made up his
mind to skip Christmas, and he told her
way, and then he proposed that they
should skip it together.
Now. the Widow Monk forgot to ask
him to take a second cup Of tea, aud she
turned as red as the binding she had put
on the horse blankets. The baker pushed
aside the teacups, leaned over the table
and pressed his suit very hard.
When the time came for him to open
his shop she said that she would think
about the matter, and that he might
come again.
The next day the SUI Shone golden,
the snow shone silvery, and Barnbury
was like paradise to the good baker.
For the Widow Monk had told him he
might come again, aud that was almost
the same thing as telling him that he and
she would skip Christmas together! And
not finger, so far, had he put to any
Christmas order.
About noon Of that day, he was SC
happy, was that good baker, that h'
went into the village inn to have taste
of something hot. In the inn he found
tall mau, with rings in his ears. A sun
Drowned man he was and a stranger, who
had lust arrived and wanted his dinner
He was also a handsome man, and
sailor, as any one could see.
..As the baker entered, the tall mar
said to the inu-keeper:
is there Mrs. Monk now living il
his village"
Truly, there is, " said the inn-kee2 per
ard will show you her house. Blu
~ou'll have your dinner hrst7'
AYE, aye" said the stranger 10
Iii not go to her hungry"
The baker asked for nothing hot, bu
turned him and went out into the cold
bleak world. As he closed the door be
hind him heard the stranger say.
son the brig Mistletoe.'
1t was not needed that the bake
should hear these words; already h
knew everything. His soul had told hiI
everything in the moment he saw th
sun n-browned man with the rings in h
earsl
On went the baker, his head bowed a
his breast, the sun shining like tswdr
brass, the snow glistening like sim!
evil thing. He knew not where he WI
going; he'kuew not what he intended
, do, but on he went.
Presently door opened and he W
called.
a II saw you coming" said the Wido
4 Monk, "and did not wish to keep "
Y waiting in the cold, " snd she held OPP
e the door for him.
: When he bad entered and had seat
n himself before the fire, she said to him
o "Truly, you looked chilled, you ne
o something hot" and she prepared 1t I
S him.
r The baker took the hot beverAs
This much Of good he might at least
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
\ CHRISTMAS LULLABY

Sleep. baby, sleepi the Mother sings;
Heavens angels kneel and fold their wings;
Sleep, baby, sleep!
With swathes of scented hay thy bed
BY Mar5's hand at eve was spread
Sleep, baby, sleepi
At midnight came the shepherds, they
Whom seraphs wskened by the way.
Sleep, baby. sleepl
And three kings from the East afar
Ere dawn came guidei by thy stSrl
Sleep baby. sleepI
They brought three gifts of gold aud gems,
Pure orient posriR rich diadsns
Ssesa. baby. sleep
But thov WOO lest slunbering there
Art King Of Idsgs. esrth, ocean, air.
Sleep baby, sleepi
Sleep baby. slespi The shepherds sing;
Through heaven. through earth. hosannas
ring.
Sleep. baby, SleepI
John AddingtOa Sy'nOndS
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
How He Would Slide.
sure to follow

MIS- smitem TO her sonl-"Which
would you rather have for Christmas
Robbie n pair of skates or a sledl"
Robbje-"Can't I have bothi"
Mrs. Smitem-"No, ] don't think
Santa Clause would consent to that. ~
Robbie-"Then give me the skates
Tommy slimsOn's got a sled, and can
lick him.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26

FIGURING mills Of Portugal are closing
in consequence Of the decree prohibiting
the importation OF fossiga wheat.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-12-26
The Baker of Barnburv.
Sleep. baby, SleepI
John AddiNgtoa SyphOndS.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

I was three days be-
fore Christmas, and
the baker Of the little
village OF Bsrnbury
sat in the room be-
hind his shcp. He
was a short aud
sturdy baker, a good
fellow and ordinarily
of a jolly demeanOr,
but this day he sat