davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Christmas Eve.

When the voice of the fish-korn is heard
in the land, and the cook sports a Sprig
of holly in her cap;
When the elevatOr-man and the dis
trict-messenger wear smiles that button
in the back;
When the children's eyes are very big
and bright, and they hold muffied con-
ferences in their cribs;
When you see the stockings hung at
the fir0side, and bitterly realize that
opera lengths are preferable to socks:
When you know that your wife has
made you a pair of slippers with forget
me-nOts on the toes:
When you feel an inward conviction
that she expects a sealskin jacket in re-
turn;
When she ties the branch of green I'M
der the chandelier, and happy girlish
look comes into her eyes that reminds
you of that snowy night, not so many
years ago, when you listened to the bells
together and you told her that you loved
her;
When you take her hands in yours be-
meath the mistletoe, and kiss her gal
lantly upon the lips;
Then you may know that Christmas
tide is here.-Judge.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
The Case of Gibson.

The carpenters had just finished re-
shingling his kitchen, and he was rak-
ing the old shingles up into pile.
Hello, Gibson said q neighbor,
you'll have kindling enough to last all
winter, won't you?"
Yes" ne replied, with an inward
| glow of satisfaction, "and it makes
mighty good kindiing, too"
Good morning, Gibson!" called out
the family doctor, who drove along q
| few minutes later. Been making some
Improvements?
yes"
1T looks like good job. And if will
give you kiLdling enough to last all
winter"
yes, Tm getting good deal of COM
fort ont of that"
Gibson" said the deputy sheriff,
who passed along shortly afterward, IF
you take good care of those old shin
gies they'll last you for kindling all
winter"
YES" replied Gibson rather shortly,
Il suppose they Will.
The driver of the wagon was next.
Hello. Gibson" said he; you'll
have kindling enough to last you all
winter"
Mr.. Gibson made no reply. He went
on raking his shingles somewhat VIC
iously.
Morning, Gibson." exclaimed the
Sunday school superintendent minute
or two afterward. as he stopped and
leaned over the fence. You'll have
kindling enough, L see, to last you
all"
Darn the kindling."
The superintendent passed on with
shudder."
"The next man that says that to me-"
muttered Mr.. Gibson, will have a fight
on his hands
How does thee do, friend Gibson?"
inquired the next passer, a genial old
Quaker. Il see thee will have enough
kindling to"
Go to thunder" roared Gibson.
OF course he couldn't get q fight out
OF Quaker, so he kicked a stray cat
out of the yard by way of relieving his
feelings, and continued raking the old
shingles without looking up.
The pastor of Mr.. Gibson's church
was taking his afternoon walk: He saw
the parishoner at work, stopped mo-
ment and looked at him, and then re-
marked:
You will have kindling enough,
Brother Gibson"
That was all he said Brother Glib
son, without pausing to see who it was,
yelled out:
BLANK the blanketyblank old shin
giles to bianknation! Blank your blank
meddlesome mouth! If you don't light
out of this blank quick, I'll set the dog
on you'll"
Five minutes later Mr.. Gibson, with
trembling haste, and his pockets full of
revolvers ready for instant use, was
burning his shingles in the alley. His
case will come up before a meeting Of
the church officials next Sunday after
noon,-Sedtue Press.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Tho Art of Making Gifts.

In selecting an armchair for papa
seek one that will match his temper
rather than his complexion.
Girls over twenty are likely TO feel in
suited if presented with wax dolls.
If your husband smokes, insist that
he shall use the box of cigars which you
gave him at Christmas. This may cure
him of the habit.
If you have neighbor whose love Of
music keeps you awake o nights it will
be polite tribute to his taste if you
send his small boy drum.
Your mother-in-law will be intensely
gratified if you give her-her own way.
4 few sheets of postage stamps may
be gracefully offered to struggling
genius.
TAr sweetheart will probably be as
much pleased with an engagement ring
as anything else you can give her
Life
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

quilted, scarlet kir,le and embroidered
trod minuet with Bernard Verney, a
youth OF Is and one of the pages to her
MAJESTY the Queen. but who at this time
was off duty and spending the holidays
at his fathers house, in a neighboring
county. Very confident al, too. they
seemed. for they had long been the best
of friends, and to the young courtier
alone had the little maid confided the
scheme she had planned for helping her
cousin, but which she was almost afraid
to carry out.
"a brave little couple, forsooth, and
graceful withal." Quoth Sir Humphrey,
who stood in the doorway; while Bessie
turned away with a sigh, thinking. @Can
he forget that it was Hal and l who won
his praise in years gone by"
just then servant entered with a
huge, flaming bowl of snap-dragon,
which was received with shrieks of de-
light by the merry children. who hast
ened to join hands and dance gayly
around the dish Of fire, chanting In
chorus:
Here he comes with flaming bowl;
Doesn't he mean to take his toll?
Snip. Snap. Dragon,
Take care you don't take too much,
Be not greedy I'm your clutch,
Snip, Snap. Dragon.
With his blue and tapping tongu.
Many of you will be stung,
Snip, Snap, Dragon,
For he snaps at each that comes.
SnatchinC at his feast Of plums,
Snip! Snap, Dragon.
But old Christmas makes him come.
Though he looks so fe, ia, fun.
Snip, Snap, Dragon.
Don't zee fear him, but be bold;
Out he goes, his flames are cold,
Snip, Snap. Dragon.
At the same time, with frightened little
screams and much laughter. they
snatched gingeriy at the burning raisins.
"God speed to We ALL" called Sir
! Humphrey. as he turned away, with
some of his ~ icular friends and
cronies, TO Seek\ wassail-bowl in the
withdrawing room. "And remember,
whoever gets the prize raisin-the one
with the gold button in it-may ask of
me whatever he or she most desires, and
twill be granted if in my power, even
! should the lucky one demand my favor
! lite spaniel or best falcon. That is
| Christmas law at Green Court"
| "HuzZa." and "Thank ye, thank ye,
| Sir Humphrey" burst from the delight
ed youngsters, while only Bernard OBJ
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

for one would be rarely glad TO greet the
young rascal once more"
.Did you say, Margery. that he ac-
knewledges that the Duke was In the
wrong?"
"YeS, SIR"
"And he will ask my pardon'"
ayes. yes, un Gle.
"Humph! Well, never yet has Pen
derill denied the request Of the winner
of the gold button. and |, forsOOth. can
not do less than my forefathers. Where
is the fellow"
Just without, dear uncle" and Mar
gerry, ioyfully springing up and darting
from the room, presently returned. lead
ing the shame-faced young soidie by the
hand.
"Father."
Harry, my SOM"
And. as the two men looked into each
others faces and marked the change the
last six months had wrought in each.
their hearts melted, their palms met, and
the Colonel and Admiral drank a was
sail" to the long-desired peace and the
reunion of the Penderills.
Never was so happy Christmas night
known at Green Court. Bessie bloomed
OUT Ike Il rose III Tile sun. Iiit SCI liIS
aud tenants, led by Jack Creamy,
cheered themselves hoarse for the return
of the young Squire" while Lady Pen
derill clasped Margery in her arms with
such a loving kiss and grateful words Of
Thanksgiving, that the girl almost forgot
her smarting fingers and danced and sang
for very joy.
So well was Sir Humphrey known as
the stanchest Of royaliSts, that he had
little difficulty in procuring for his
recreant son full and free pardon from
"his most gracious ma ieSty," and before
King James short reign was over and he
had been displaced by William and Mary
of Orange, Hal and Bessie were married
in the pretty village church, and
Margery, in silver and white. figured as
the daintiest of dainty bride-maidens;
while she assured the gallant little page,
Bernard, that she had been repaid a
thouSand-fold for the pain she suffered
plucking the prize raisin from the bowl
of snap-dragon. - american ADicult-
lIriSt
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Campanini's Advice TO singers.

My advice to all singers is: Do not
impose upon yourself and you will pre-
serve your voice." says Campanini, in
striking article, How to Train the
Voice. in the Ladies' Home Journal.
Good health is necessary to keep
voice in good condition. Dissipation
of any kind is of the greatest injury to a
voice. The vocal chords are very SEN
sible and susceptible, and what affects
the physical condition will sooner or
later affect them. What regimen a
singer should follow depends upon the
constitution. Some singers can smoke
continuously and not suffer from the
effects, while others have been seri-
ously injured. 1t is, therefore, VERY
hard to lay down any cast-iron rules,
and say that they should be followed.
What is poison, you know, for some, is
food for others.
Again l must urge young singers 70
beware oftrying to force their voices;
it is dangerous and means the early
loss of the voice. The man who builds
an organ would not think of having
some one try to play on it when the
reeds are not properly adjusted. and
In like manner the young singer should
not tax his voice unless he is prepared
to stand the effort.
Amateurs and non-professionals do
not, of course, require the long and
rigorous training of professionals. 1t
would he waste of time and money,
and while it might be satisfaction to
the young lady or young man to have
professional education, in few years,
through the lack Of constant practice,
he or she,would probably sink to the
level of the pe-functory parlor singer"
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

pledged herself. for she spoke truly when
| she said she stood sadly in dread of her
| uncle and guardian. whom she only saw
| when home from school for the holidays
| Indeed, in those days young people. in
| the presence of their elders, rarely
yentured to speak until spoken to. But
| when she came upon her Oldest sister in
the great hall at Green Court, and noted
| how different she was now from the
blithe, rosy BeSs of the Christmas be-
| fore, she felt ready to brave dozen Sir
| Humphrey Penderills if she could but
| bring joy to the one creature who. since
| her parents death, she loved best of all
| the world.
| That night little Margery Dalrymple
| tossed restleSsly on her couch in her
small, bare turret chamber, until, just as
the Christmas bells rang out from a
neighboring village, an idea came to her
| like an aspiration, and with smile upon
| her lips, she sank into sweet, dream
| less sleep.
| Sir Humphrey Penderill was truly a
royalist Of the royalists, as had been his
| father and grandfather before him. None
| had chafed more sOrely than he beneath
| the dreary rule of the Protector while
he was one of the first to welcome the
| StuartS to their own again, and bend in
| joyful allegiance to Charles III. when he
| landed at Dover. He was a devout be-
| lever in the "divine right OF kings" and
it was the severest blow the worthy bar
| onet had ever received when, shortly
| after James ii. succeeded his broth
| er, his only child Harry ventured
| to question the lawful right of the
reigning sovereign and joined in a
| ~. l. 4 l. III
| by the Duke of Monmouth. who also
| aspired to the throne. Without fiinching,
| however Sir Humphrey at once de-
| nounced his boy as "rebel, and dis
grace to the Penderill NAME" and dis
owned him from that day. As months
| glided by after the rising had been sup
pressed, and the leader, with many of his
| followers, had paid the penalty Of his
rashness at the hands of the executioner,
! and still no word of the gallant young
| fellow had come to the quiet, country
| home. he became more stern and more
| welded to the ways of his ancestors than
ever, and would not deign to try and
learn aught of the fate of his son and
| heir Despising the Roundheads from
| the bottom of his soul, he scorned their
plain attire and wore the richest of vel
vet clothes and lace rutfles, and no one
| affected longer flowing wig of curled
| hair, or bigger, brighter shoe buckles,
while he was always surrounded by q
| troop of the pretty, little black-and-tan
| dogs made fashionable by Charles H..
| and which have ever since been known
| as @King Charles spanielS" Christmas,
too. a day never observed by the Puri-
| tans, was kept with peculiar honor at
| Green Court Hall, with fun and feastinR
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
AT CHRISTMAS-TIDE.

At Christmas-tide runs th.o' the earth
A mighty pulse Of love,
A pulse that had its primal birth
In heavenly halls above.
At Christmas-tide a tender thought
Throts through the soul Of man,
The sympathy the Master taught
O'er-rides the worldly ban.
At Chrietmas-tide all selfshness
In dust deserted lies,
With spirits purified we bless
Christ's pat ern sacrifice.
At ChristInas-tide with grateful tears
We turn To Clden times,
And see thro' mistS OF vanished years
The martyr of our crimes
At Christmas-tide the nations lift
Glad chants and carolinCs
And paises to the God whose gift
4 world redemption brings
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
A Christmas Mystery.

Soon aftei dark the other evening a
policeman saw man with something
hidden under his coat enter an alley as
if anxious to escape observation, and
after being trailed a short distance he
attempted to enter barn. The officer
rushed upon him and gave him the col
lar, but the prisoner coolly said:
"Come, now, don't give it away"
"Who are you, sir?"
.Mr. -, and this is my barn"
"Oh! so you are! Well. you were act
ing very queer. You don't generally
come this way"
aNo, l don't, but l don't generally
have Christmas present for my wife
which have to keep hidden for the next
ten DAYS Detroit Free Press.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
A Practical Joke.

Three brother officers were travelling
from Umritsir to Lahore, where they
had been playing polo during the after
noon. One of them, tired after the
game, fell asleep on one of the seats.
His railway ticket, which was sticking
q little way out of his pocket, was
promptly annexed by one Of the others
and transferred to his own pocket.
When nearing Lahore, his brother offi-
GERS awoke the sleeping youth, saying:
Nov, then, old man! Get up!
Rouse yourself! Here we are!"
1t was broad daylight, and for some
reason the train was pulled up some
little way outside the station.
~All tickets ready, please!' shouted
the ticket collector.
Two of our friends promptly found
theirs ready for the ticket collector
when he should make his appearance
the third searched his pockets, but
could find no ticket.
"Good gracious! Where is my
icke.?" he said; Il know I had one
right enough when We started; You fell
lows saw me get it, didn't you?' he
said, anxiously.
Yes, you had it right enough" they
said; but where on earth can you
have put it?'
Il don't know"
you'll pay the fare" said the others,
consolingly; "it's not much"
But haven't cent with me- he
returned; will you fellows lend me
some money?'
Both said they were as high and dry
as he was in regard to money.
Tickets, pleased" said the collector,
at last quite close to the carriage.
what the dickens shall l do?" said
the ticketless one.
"Oh, get under the seat" said the
others; quick! here he comes!"
Under the seat like shot went the
man without q ticket.
The ticket collector came to the door
and the young man handed him three
tickets.
You have given me three tickets,
but see only two passengers. Where
is the third, gentlemen" said he.
oh, he's under the seat, they said,
with the greatest nonchalance, as if it
were an ordinary, everyday affair.
Under the seat!" echoed the ticket
collector in tone of surprise, what is
he doing there, gentlemen"
"Oh, he always travels under the
seat; he prefers it.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Rejected Manuscripts.

1t is one of the problems with which
a man may occupy his mind when, to
speak paradoxically, he wishes to be
unoccupied, what becomes of all the
manuscripts which are rejected by the
publishers. writes Arlo Bates in the
Book Buyer. There must be an enor.
nous quantity of them somewhere. A
professional reader told me once that
out of the manuscript books which he
read there were not per cent. which
ever were published by the firm he
read for or by any other; and his esti-
mate is rather generous one, since
there are SO many books that are too
obviously bad ever to go to a reader
at all.
What is done with the battered and
shabby manuscript which, after it has
gone from publisher to publisher, has
been read to all the sympathizing
friends who are available as audience,
and been submitted to the impartial
criticism of the authors dearest friends
again and again? Of course there must
be instances where the heroic measures
which are so characteristic of the un-
successful authors of, or rather in, TO-
nance, are followed, and the ill-starred
but genius-fraught manuscript is given
to the devouring flames; but is to be
feared that these cares are less frequent
than they should be.
Probably in most cases the parcel of
shabby sheets continues to get shabbier.
the leaves in time become separated
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
served that Margery turned pale and
ire M led from head fa foot

served that Margery turned pale and
trembled from head to foot.
snow is your time. MarCery," he
whispered. "DOn't look so woeful, but
plunge in boldly. Such happiness to
Lady Penderill and pretty Bess is sure
worth few blisters."
up to the bowl of snap-dragon, thrust in
her hand among the red and yellow
flames, and kept ii there.
A little cry escaped her, while Bessie
exclaimed: "Child, what are you doing?
You will be sadly burned" But not until
her fingers touched the raisin containing
the gold button did Margery withdraw
her hand, while she also brought out a
number of burns on her soft, smooth
palm and taper fingers.
"She has it. Margery has the buttOn."
shouted the boys and girls.
"But it was not fair to feel round the
bowl so long," growled one little chap,
who had set his heart on possessing
Chloe. the handsomest of the spaniels,
but the others quickly stopped his grum-
bling by retorting. "A pretty notion, for
sooth. Faith, we all could have done
the same, and if you had chosen to bis
ter your fingers as Margery has. you
might have gained your wish as well.
She must want something very much"
"Poor little fingers" murmured Ber-
nard. bending over his little friends
hand.
"But the worst is to come" she groan-
ed, "for the burns are nothing compared
to facing my guardian and mentioning
the name he has forbidden us to utter. 5"
'Odds-fsh, girl! He is not an ogre to
gobble you up, and l warrant he would
give his wig for chance to swallow his
pride with dignity, and welcome gallant
Hal home again"
Nay, nay, nay, l misdoubt that"
said Margery. Nevertheless, cast
ing one loving glance at Bessie,
she walked with a firm step. though a
beating heart, to the Withdrawing room,
where she found the baronet looking less
stern than usual, as he quaffed wassail
with Colonel Bead and Admiral Seaton;
but how could she know of the longing
that was tearing at his heart-strings?
"Ah, Mistress Margery, so you are the
lucky wench tonight" said genial
old Colonel Bead, as the little maiden
appeared holding out the golden button.
"And pray what is your petition to be-?
A new heart-breaker to wear in your
bonny curls, l venture to say, or some
other gew-gaw such as you silly giglets
love-"
Eyes, Margery, what is it you desire?"
asked Sir Humphrey, his features re-
taxing into the ghost Of a smile.
It was a favorable moment, and the
girl seized it @Nay, uncle" she said,
cit is neither heart-breaker nor gew-
gsws that wish; but-but forgiveness
for
~Foe whom. pray? Is It Chloe? Sure
II tt heast has not been in mischief
- ~,
80 - u1fIo11 aNlEk1t1 Sf5e01ee
Il! - y group and Eir H5mphrey
tur1ed N1ito 70 the very lips
~dfriis 10 Numbered 1t length, sdost
thou not know that that rebels name is
taboOed in this house?"
@Yes, yes, sobbed the suppliant. fall
ing on her knees, sbut he has come back
sick and wounded, and is ready to con-
fess that he was wrong, and beg pardon
of both you and the King. Oh. dear
uncle, pray see him once, at least! As
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

LESS your dear
heart. Mistress Mar
gerry. and thank ye
kindly for bring ing
this heavy basket
down 10 me your
self. Z" exclaimed
Dame Creamy. her
round, apple face
expanding into a
broad, b q a NJ in g
smile. a. size drew
forth the SavOry
articles of Christ
mas cheer sent her
from the gre a I
house. pray bear
my humble thanks
and rpSppctS 10 your
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

vexation BY which he has to pay for it
afterward. The only wise attitude for
the young author is that he is writing
as an exercise in composition 10 fit him
for future work, or that he is writing
for the simple pleasure of composing.
Then any profit or pleasure that may
come afterward is so much clear gain.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Pretty Christmas Surprise.

One Of the prettiest Christmas sur
prises is to have one-half of double
parlor fitted out as bazar, the presents
disposed so as to make as attractive an
interior as possible, and then to have the
tiniest child in the family for q Christ
mas fairy to distribute gifts. If to this
one can add an invisible choir boy-who
may be stationed behind a screen-to
greet the audience with a Christmas
carol, the effect of the whole arrange
ment will be a most delightful one.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
Shaving with Vaccine.

A friend of mine few months ago
told me how to shave easily and pain
lessly, and have never shaved in q
BARRIERS shop since. The plan is to use
oil or grease instead of soap to prepare
the chin and soften the beard, Vase
line is the most convenient. and il
should be rubbed in quite freely.
Then, with keen razor, shaving can
be done quickly and without sus-
picion of pain. At first 1 couldn't
reconcile myself to doing without the
orthodox lather, and used soap after
the vaseline had been applied. But
the soap is really unnecessary, and shaw
ing with oil or vaseline is cleaner, O.
we'll as pleasanter, and what is more to
the point, there is no irritation what
ever to the skin.-Interuier IN 81.
Louis Globe-Dem0crat.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25
About CrankS.

Cranks are sometimes like the sharp
pieces of glass that stand up viciously
on an orchard wall to keep the greedy
boys out, or like the cyclone that
sweeps over the plain and annihilates
. handful of humanity here and there;
but, after all, the one saves the boys
stomachs untold gripings, the other
drives the germs of disease before it
and carries purity into life. The great
reformers were such cranks.
History is but biographical memoir
Of series of distinguished cranks from
Ewes time to the present day. Eve was
crank of supreme eminence. Adam
was q mistake. Though he is men
toned in history it is as an ignoble
tattler, and he belongs to the class of
bores without vertebra.-Therese II.
Randall, in Kate Fields Washington.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-12-25

heart, is this all the welcome you have
for your worthless kinsnap and Old
sasxfsllet sn 4 b tn - tu1e4
mn for Afsr6sstsrys II IN glSd. truly
giad to see tHee! and throwing her arms
around her cousins neck, she kissed him
right warmly. ~But where have you tar
ried all these months?"
"In Holland, sweetheart. There were
hard knocks at the battle OF SedgmOor,
and afterward but just escaped falling
into Jack Ketch's clutches by the skin of
my teeth, and got away to the Low
Countries, where lay for three months
suffering from wound in my leg, Only