davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24
Nev TkAa, 1852.

been q very busy one to Helen, and a
happy one as we'll; for hers was one of
those sweet and loving natures that
find Joy in the reflected happiness of
others.
She had caused the widows heart to
sing for joy," and this consciousness
had brought into her own great peace
All the younger members of the
family had gone out to some entertain
men. Helen had wanted to have u little
talk with her father, but stranger was
with him, so the servant said, and, with
lonely feeling in her heart, she went
up to her own room.
DR.. Byrne came up almost Immediate
~. There was a strange light in his
eyes, and more than usual tenderness
and solemnity in his manner, as he laid
his hand on Helen's head.
''How is it with thee tonight, daugh-
ter?"
1T is we'll, father
AFTER night, the morning; after win
ter, the spring. God is often kinder to
US than we can even ask or think
HE is very good, father
DR.. Byrne drew his daughters arm
within his.
Come into my study, Helen, and get
your New Years gift. Because you
have forgotten yourself in caring for
others, did you think your old father
is going to forget you?''
''Oh, no, papa; but you gave it to me,
you remember, in money. l didn't ex-
pect anything-indeed, l don't think
you ought to give me anything more"
well, well, my child, just come and
look at it. If You don't want it, or
would prefer its equivalent in money,
you can tell me so.''
With silent wonder in her heart, not
unmingled with curiosity, Helen stood
at the half open study door.
The shaded light upon her fathers
desk revealed the faint outline of a man
who was standing near it, and who adj
vanced eagerly toward her.
Helen looked up, bewildered, into the
face of the man she had mourned as
dead. and then, with faint cry of joy,
| threw herself into the arms that had
opened to receive her.
DR.. Byrne almost regretted his pre-
cipitancy as he looked upon his daugh
ter's pale face. But Joy does not often
kill, and his fears were entirely dissi-
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

around the house, and his father, upon
whom the fever had spent it's force,
could only sit, wan and pale, in his arm
chair. His little savings were rapidly
melting away and long winter had
only just begun. Christmas was near
ut hand, and who was to fill the chill
dren's stockings and make the day q
merry one for them?
Margaret was thoughtful little girl,
and she pondered long over the matter.
Two days before Christmas she got a
postal card, and sat down and wrote on
it as follows;
DEAR SANTA CLAUs:-We have moved
since last Christmas, and am afraid you won,
know where to find US, 50 I write this. We
live now at No. IS East Fourth street. Papa
and Robbie have been awfully sick, and paps
isn't we'll yet Please bring Robbie . bali and
Dick q sled. and would like doll, for los,
mine when we moved Good-by.
MARGARET OAKLEY
She wrote the name of Santa Claus
on the other side of the postal card,
and just then her mother called and di
rected her to go to the grocery for some
things. So she took her basket and
started, accompanied by Prince, the
dog As she passed the corner she
dropped the card into mail box
which was fastened to a lamp post. All
that day and the next Margaret wen;
singing through the house, in the old
light-hearted way she had shown sc
little since sickness had invaded the
household.
Soon after the postal card was
dropped into the box the postman came
around and threw it, with a lot Of othe,
cards, letters and newspapers, into a
bag, which he carried to the post office.
There clerk took the bag, poured the
contents out on a table and began sort
ing them over. When he came to Mar
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

| if it is true that by cheerful kindness
/ have saved my wife's nerves and turned
the doctor out of doors, ought not to
give her present of the amount of her
usual doctors bills? Jupiter! That's
an idea, and will! 1t is good way to
round up this one kind year.
1t is curious how smiles furnish a
house. l presume you know what it is
to have your wife beg you to buy new
| chair, or picture, or some other thing.
Our things get worn out. Well. my
| wife hasn't asked me such a thing all
this one kind year. Yet somehow say
| the old home looks better furnished
than it did year ago. Maybe it's the
sunshine on the old things. Sunshine
can do almost anything.
have been surprised by my own in
creased appetite for breakfast and din
ner. A fellow can't eat and scold too
Now breakfast was my favorite time
for scolding-except dinner at night
for take my lunch down town. Let
me see; that makes every meal at home
GROWERS feast. Well that was about
SO. My lunch was my best meal, for l
ate alone, and there was nobody to fret
at. Now all is changed. Meals at
home, like them. There are no salt
tears on the bread. God forgive me!
How often l used to make somebody
cry, wife or one of the two children, at
table. All is now changed in this one
kind year.
In fact, the thing has gone with me to
the store. / have gradually got in the
habit of being first civil, then kind, to
the boys. 1t is like oil down there the
last few months. 1t is queer, but every
body hates to be scolded; even l do A
kind word is better than whip with
Yankee clerk. Now am going on one
kind year more. 1don't make any very
loud pretensions, but l think there's a
deal of gratitude to the Almighty in be-
ing kind to His creatures. Perhaps it
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

presume have been about the same
sort OF fellow as for many years. But
to my faithful wife have not spoken
one fretful or cross or complaining
word, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, for twelve months last past.
have not made much money this year,
but 1 have made one heart glad.
Now let me tell you how difficult this
was. Did you ever stand by a running
stream and think how smooth as oil its
swift flow was? Then you thrust your
hand in the water, and 10! it was mill
race. The waters boiled and spattered
about your hand till you could hardly
hold it there.
Well, now l never realized the force
OF my snappy, scolding habit to that
woman till my new vow began to check
it. found that I had been in the con-
slant habit of playing the coward-that
is, scolding a good woman. A dozen
times each week the fretful words
sprang to my lips. 1 shut my mouth
tightly, and my! how the bitter stuff
dubbed and boiled against my teeth on
the inside! You may laugh, but, actual
~, had to chew the words. My wife,
quite lady for proprieties, used to ex-
claim: 'Harkley, 1 do wish you would
not chew that spruce gum as you leave
the door. How it looks on the streetv'
Which generally made me laugh as
kissed her good morning. Dear heart,
it was far better that chew my spleen
than her gentle spirit with biting words,
this one kind year.
have noticed an increased fondness
in my wife, this one kind year. She
draws near to me oftener, she confides
in me more, she has lost that 'I'm
afraid-of-you" look that half the time
she used to wear. We consult now
about family matters; before we used
to telephone to each other, as it were.
Her spirit has improved. The irrita-
ton that had inflicted, it seems she
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24
AN EvENTFUL TWELvEMONTH.

"Not Ono Cross Word in Ono Kind
Year"
''ue never spoke an angry word to
me-
1t was just one year ago, December
81, that the fearful wife of my neighbor
made to me the above remark. Poor
Charley! He ran locomotive between
Boston and --. He was killed on the
last day but one of the year.
Now this simple verdict from the lips
of his wife set me to thinking. re-
member that l took the resolve that
very night, as, in company with a
brother of our lodge, l turned away
from Charley's door: $50 help me God,
my wife shall be able to say as much
of me this coming year." And now I
may, I trust, record it. 1 have lived
one kind year. TO many other people
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

he sat down and the two talked over
the events of their boyhood. They had
sat together in school; together they
had climbed the hills and hunted squir-
rels, gathered nuts and rowed their
boats on the broad Hudson.
AS the talk went on a suspicion grew
upon Mrs. Oakley of the manner in
which Santa Claus happened to send
the presents. But the visitor gave no
clew to the mystery, nor did she see
through it until Margaret had told her
the whole story of her letter to Santa
Claus.-American Agriculturist.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

hour later.
The good doctor was fond of joke.
IF your present doesn't suit you,
Helen,' he said, slyly, ~ will try to
exchange it, or give you its value in
money--that is, if you don't rate the
young man too high.''
Helen glanced smilingly from her
lovers to her fathers face.
You are very kind, papa, but am
very we'll satisfied with my New Years
gift. AS to receiving its value in money,
not all that the whole world contains
can give what it is worth to me.''-
Mary Grace Halpine, in N. Y Weekly
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24


Hudson river. where he was born. His
little cottage with the tall lilacs in
front, and the kitchen garden in the
rear, was a very dear place to him. His
pleasant-faced, sunny-hearted wife kept
the home always bright and tidy, and
the three rosy children filed it with
glee and laughter. Margaret, the old
est, was a sweet, loving girl; Dick was
a sturdy, manly little fellow, and Rob-
bic was the darling of the house.
Mr.. Oakley was a skillful mechanic
and an industrious, God-fearing man;
but times were dull for him in Smith
in the way of new building, and he
often had to be absent from home for
weeks together, while employed at some
remote place.
After many earnest talks with his
wife they decided to remove to the west,
where new villages and cities were rap
idly growing up. So they found pur-
chaser for the little cottage, and had an
auction sale of the COW and horse and
all the furniture except some heir
looms and few articles which they
ding their neighbors good-by, they en-
tered the cars and were whirled away
to a new home in flourishing town in
Illinois
1t was early in spring. The red-bud
bushes were bright in the thickets, and
a Thousand flowers, new and strange to
the immigrants, painted the prairies.
An air of busting activity pervaded the
town. Buildings were going up on
every side, and Mr.. Oakley soon found
employment at better wages than he
had ever received in his old home.
For time everything went well with
him and his family. His work was in
constant demand, and if his thoughts
ever turned with tender regret to the
green hills which surrounded his former
home, he had only to look at his rosy
children and picture to himself the
career which seemed open for them in
the vigorous growing west.
Spring wore away into summer, and
under the long and rainless heat the
river which flowed past the town
shrunk into It's bed, leaving great
stretches of Shiny ooze fostering in the
fierce sunshine. Autumn came at
length, with soft south winds laden
with germs of disease. Robbie, the pet
OF the house, was stricken with a
malarial fever. For long days and
nights he lay in his crib, tossing and
moaning, with flushed cheeks; and
heavy, eyes. At length the crisis was
passed, but recovery was slow; and
while Robbie was still the mere shadow
OF the ruddy-cheeked little boy he had
been, the fever seized upon his father.
There were sorrowful times now in the
little household. Mrs. Oakley watched
day and night beside her husband and
little boy, and helpful Margaret proved
herself treasure.
When the first brief, wintry days
came Robbie was once more plavinp
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

the things in the hall, he hur-
ried out to his wagon and drove
away leaving Mrs. Oakley greatly
puzzled. Surely there must be
some mistake, she Thought But no; the
packages were all plainly marked:
James Oakley, No. SO East Fourth
street," and on the sled was neatly
painted: ''Dick Oakley" In the paper
box was French doll with real hair
and eyes that closed when she was laid
down. A little card attached to it was
marked: Margaret" There was also
ball marked Robbie" and such lots
OF candy and pretty things for all. The
stockings were soon filled to the very
tops, and the other things laid out on a
table, where the children found them
the next morning.
There was joyful meeting around
the breakfast table, but Mrs. Oakley's
face wore puzzled expression. Finally
she asked: "Where could all those
things have come from?"
''Why, mamma" said Margaret.
Santa Claus sent them. l know he
did, cause wrote to him.
You wrote to him?" said her mother.
Eyes, wrote and told him where we
lived"
This made the matter clear enough to
the children, but only deepened the
mystery for the father and mother.
In the afternoon, when full Justice
had been done to the turkey, Margaret
sat holding her beautiful new doll,
Dick was out drawing his sled through
the streets, and Robbie was asleep, a
summons came from the front door.
AS Mrs. Oakley went to answer it she
found there a tall, bearded man, who
inquired for Mr.. Oakley. She led him
to the little sitting-room where her hus-
band sat propped up with pillows in
his armchair. The caller went
straight to him, seized his thin hand
and asked: flames, don't you know
your old friend Tom Raymond?" It
was indeed the friend and playmate of
his early days.
but how did you find me?" inquired
Mr.. Oakley.
"Oh, l had it from Santa Clans. 81
laughingly replied his friend, and then
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

tracted," as the good doctor himself as
serted, though he looked as if he en-
joyed it as well as the youngest among
the merry group that surrounded him,
none of whom ever thought it nece ssary
to put on a long countenance because
''father had COME Indeed, this was
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

always the signal
for .incre a S e d
mirth and happi-
ness.
The hol iday S
were approaching,
and the doctors
four daug h t e rs
were all discuss
ing the important
subject of Christ
mas and New
Year gifts, and
comparing notes
as to the beauti-
full articles they
had seen in the
shop windows.
We said all. and
yet there was one.
a fair. sweet-look-
ing girl, sitting a
little apart from
the rest, who did
not join in this
animated CONVEX
sation, though ev-
identity from no
unfri e ndly m O.
tives.
This was DR..
Byrne's oldest and
bestowed daugh-
ter, and he noticed
her quiet mood.
And what does
Helen want for
her New Year
gift::'
The doctor re-
GREETED the ques-
ton as soon as it
passed his lips.
Helen's quickly
averted eyes filled
with tears, her lips
quivered, and, af-
ter silently strug-
Cling for a few
nom nts W i t h
her feelings. she
arose and left the
room.
As soon as the
doctor could do so
unobser v I'd, h e
+ ollo " e d h e r.
going directly to
her cham b err,
where he found
Hele n sob bling
with an abandon
ment of grief that
alarmed him.
my daughter,
he said, in a tone
Of nde re-
proach, "do not
give way to your
sorrow thus"
Helen lifted her
head from her ia
theirs shout d err,
with a smile that
was sadder even
than tears.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

garet S little let
ter he laughed
and showed it to
I HON as Ray
mond, ano her
clerk who was
busily engaged at
anot her table.
NJ r. Ray IN on d
read it through.
The name Oakley
attracted his at
tention. wv hat
if it should be
James Oakley, the
friend of my boy
hood:' he asked
himself.
Christm as eve
came, and Mar
garet, Dick and
! Robbie, with the
unwavering faith
of childhood, hung
up their stockings,
said their prayers
around their mo-
theirs knee, and
were soon tucked
away in their lit
tie beds, dream
ing of Christmas
and Santa Claus.
Mr.. Oakley. too
feeble to sit up
more than a few
hours at a time,
had already re-
tired. Mrs. Oak
ley sat thinking
sadly of the disap-
pointment which
seemed awaiting
the children for
the first time in
their lives. Sud-
denly the doorbell
rang, and as Mrs.
Oakley opened
the door, there
stood an express
man and in the
street a loaded
wagon. From its
depths he drew
out a big fat tur-
key, a hand-sled
and a heavy paper
box wrapped up
in thick paper.
Having deposited
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

will 80 further than longer creeds. For
if man is not kind to his fellow. whom
he has seen, how shall he be to his God
whom he has not seen:-Harkley Hark-
er, in n. Y. Weekly
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

Then up, up, up In the merry day,
With hearts and faces happy and gay,
And voices Of ringing cheer"
II meant to try il couldn't keep
My eyes from shutting and going to sleep,
So as to get q little peep
At Santa Claus, flying. flying
Out In the frosty Christmas night,
When the moon and stars were shining bright
And all the snow was white white. white.
They said it was no use trying,
For straight the boys and girls oll 60
10 the land OF dreams before they know.
But it was making great mistake
To say that couldn't stay awake.
How long it was never could tell;
Twas hours and hours, know very we'll,
When heard a silvcry, tinkling bell
Out in the moonlight stealing.
On It came-a ting a-ljng-l ling,
And ]ingely jingely. lingely. jung
You never heard such . ring. ring, ring
OF dear little sleigh bells pealing
II held my breath, for at once knew
Twas Santa Claus and his reindeer too.
OF course it would never. never do
To let them know was weeping
He might have carried the books and toys
To some other little girls and boys,
II had made speck OF noise
And he thought wasn't sleeping.
Ting a ling ling, and ring ring, ring
How it kept on sounding!
! surely heard the crack OF the whip
And the queer little RENDERS bounding.
Then-there was noise about the house,
stepping, stirring and humming.
I held myself as still as a mouse;
Somebody sure. was coming
"'Up, up, up for the merry day.
Christmas night has passed away.
Up my little ones ALL
The bells were ringing ard ringing on
But all the night and the dark was gone,
And mammals own CHEEKY call
Came along with the other din
just as the sun was shining in.
Sydney Dayre, in Christian Union.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

OAKLEY
worked at hi S
trade as carpen-
ter in the same
village, near the
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-24

-Bobley says that Christmas is a
great Rochester Post.
Mohave County miner., 1891-07-18

ever done before; more mines are being
started up daily and more prospecting
done than in years past. What We now
most want Is reduction works in this
vicinity that can treat all the ores pro-
duced in this whole section OF country,
so that the low grade ores can be mined
at profit TO the owners. J. W.
Mohave County miner., 1891-07-18
A sfOv WITH a soui.

Congressman John Allen has story
which he is telling through the long
length and short breadth OF Mississippi
this shot campaign" He tells IL 10 IL,
lustrate the late OF those Democrats who
are fooling with their party and trying to
horse doctor it with o dose OF Alliance
sub-treasury medicine. These fellows
MIR. Alien says, remind me OF the fate
of Micajah Zones" A colored friend Of
Mr.. Aliens was telling what happened
to Micajah. He was talking 10 another
colored gentleman, and Mr.. Allen over
heard the painful narrative.
''Unc' Bob" said Mr.. Aliens friend,
"yo' hain't done seen nuthin' OF 'Cajah
Jones for right smart while has yo'?"
Huh no. said Uncle Bob Pears
= me 'Cajah hasn't been round hyar
lately"
"Well,, Unc' Bob," aaid Mr.. Aliens
friend, II doan spec yo'll see 'Cajah right
soon again. Yo' know Marse Peyt3n's
black mare Kate, doaf' yo, Unc' Bob?''
"Yaas, mind black Kate" said Uncle
Bob, with vigorous nod Of the head.
"Well, Unc' Bob," continued Mr. Al
lens friend, IL was down 10 the ein
house wu'kin one day las week. Marse
Peyton's black Kate was a-standin' at dc
feed trof jes eaten quiet like. 'Cajali
Jones he come along and says that Marse
Peyton done tole 'im he could take ole
Kate to go Z town. | says, 'Csjah, yo'
knows black Kate; she does act pow'iu,
Gurus some time But 'Cajah he lowed
as he was horse doctor and ed manage
heap wuss horses dan ole Kate. sOh
no, says |, 'yo' knows yo' business hes.
Mistah Jones' So 'Cajah he done loosen
ole Kate from de trof an he stared
Fust see ole Kate 20 leetle one side
Den she so a leetle tother side. Den she
go up IN de air. Dar was a p3w 'ful dust
and | cu'dn' see no NOAH. Biemby it
cla'r'd away, an dar was ole Kate stand
in to de trof an a-eain' quiet, like muffin
happen. An one Of 'Cajah Joneses gal.
luses was done twisted roun' ole Kale's
off him leg, an dat was all. De jury sol
on 'Cajah n SAID it was disputashun Of
improyidence' ''..e@
"Ana, my fellow democrats" is Con.
gresham Aliens moral from this touch
Ing story" after the dust OF the coming
election in Mississippi clears away the
jury will set on these fellows who have
tried to DO some horse doctoring TO
the grand old Democratic party. The
Democratic party will be feeding quietly
at the trough, and all that there will be
TO show for the temerity OF these fellows
will be somebody's galluses twisted
around the Off hind Leg the party"
Mohave County miner., 1891-07-18

ii. p. Ewing, deputy sherif of Mohave
county. is in Prescott. We asked him
concerning mines in his county which we
have not seen since 1880, and he assured
us that many OF them are regular pro-
ducers. From what We know of the dis
tricts around Kingman, county seat OF
Mohave, they have no superiors in Ari-
Zona.--Courier.
Mohave County miner., 1891-07-18

A Mining Secretary says: Despite de-
malls of j. b. Haggin / know positively
that the Anaconda mine has been sold 10
a London syndicate. Whatever the rea.
son for the sac, the owners have agreed
to take $25,000,0O0. They probably
argue that this SUN IN hand is better
than the best prospect. 10 one knowf
how long the present rich ore will con
tinue good. just as no one knows whether
copper will maintain its present price.
To show You what a big mistake miners
make when they refuse to sell at hi h
price, l will state my experience with the
United Verde Copper Company at Julian,
Ariz. The company had wonderful pros
poets, but we had spent over a quarter
of million in development work and
building roads. just when the mine be-
gan TO pay big money, along came the
agent of an English syndicate who Of
fered us 81 ,750, 900 for the outfit. / want
ed to sell, for my share would have been
over 100000, and the copper market
didn't look healthy. Ex-Governor Tritle
was the head Of the company, and he
Hatly refused TO entertain any offer, be-
lieving the company had millions in
sight. He induced majority of tie
stockholders to vote against the sale.
Well, three months aiterward the bot.
tom fell out of the copper market, the
big copper corner was smashed. The re-
suit was we couldn't work our mine with
out loss, and the place had to be shut
down. got only very small sum ou.
of the wreck.--Globe-D Democrat.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-09-14
Parlor Suit Prices:

A six piece Crushed Piush Psrlor S ait for
1926. 90.
As ane q $40. 90 Hair Cloth PArlof Suit -
anyone ever bought, S34,75
II you want to get = Suit that will wear
veil, look handsome and feel easy and com.
Portable, see our $500 Sultan Plush,
Spring edge, wsInut Famed Psrlof Suit,
his week 1T e75 90.
The value we oier at S45 90 and $500
Il, extraordinary.