davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
THE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS.

Wild Gambols, Franks, and Masquer-
AIDES In the Good Old Days.
The English Christmas is, perhaps, the
richest of all in that hearty hospitality
and merriment and that profusion of
substantial good cheer which our people,
like their British cousins, so closely asso-
ciate with the occasion. The old English
Christmas, as it was celebrated centuries
ago in the great halls of the feudal
barons, may be best known from the
pages of Sir Walter Scott, who frequently
describes it, and who, in his poem OF
"Marmion," admirably sums it up in a
few words when he says:
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale.
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale.
Christmas gambol oft would cheer
A poor mans heart through half the year.
The December liberties" as the wild
gambols, pranks and masquerades Of
Christmas time were called, the famous
Christmas dinner of the barons, with its
dish of boar's head borne upon massive
silver platter in great state the whole
length of the immense banqueting hall
by the major domo Of the household, at
tended by large number of servants and
vassals, the "mumming" or masquer-
aiding, the singing of Christmas carols,
the playing at snap dragon, hot cookies
and all the other Christmas sports and
games, presided over by a specially APP
pointed officer Of the household called
the lord of misrule or the abbot of un-
reason all these and countless other
features of the old English Christmas,
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

Christmas season. For three weeks be-
tore Christmas the magnificent cathedral
OF Santa Maria de la Sede, in Seville, as
we'll as the noble churches of San Juan
de la Palma, Santa Catama and Santa
Maria La Blanca, are crowded to repletion
with devout worshipers every morning al
the mass, which is sung daily throughout
the year.
AS boxing day is to the English so is
noche buena to the Spaniards. The
words generally mean "the good night,
but they are also used in Spain to desig-
nate Christmas Eve, which is even more
joyously celebrated than Christmas Day
itself. Then the whole city seems to have
turned out en- masse into the thorough.
fares and the great public squares Of the
plaza del Triunfo, the plaza Nueva, the
plaza del Duque and the plaza de la Con
stitution.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24


four white men and "Esquimau Joe, "who
had been engaged as interpreter.
AS Christmas approached the natives
began to gather upon the coast, and our
winter quarters was made the herendezvous.
House after house was built in our imme-
diate vicinity on the shore of the lake, as
the families came in from the hunting
grounds.
Three days before the advent of Christ
mas "Esquimau Joe" came in with Too
looah and Jerry and their families. We
had been expecting Joe for some time,
believing that he would make an effort to
be on hand when Christmas came, his
many years residence in civilized lands
having inspired him with great respect
for the day of all others when presents
are so generally distributed throughout
all Christendom. do not believe that
there is in existence one Esquimau
whose estimate of man is based upon
any other ground than his generosity.
"Una mamukpoo amasuet. Peletary
amasuadelo." Tile is very good. Gives
great deal) That is an opinion often
expressed by those simple minded people.
Joe had explained to his companions
this periodical generosity of white men,
which broke out in midwinter, and they,
too, were anxious to be on hand when the
giving commenced.
Joe asked Lieutenant Schwatka if "any
man he hang he stocking?" and was in
formed that there would probably be
some other plan adopted for the distribu-
ton of presents. But Joe did not seem
satisfied, and intimated that perhaps
Santa Claus did not live SO far away from
the North Pole as we imagined.
After he had gone to sleep had an
opportunity to whisper to Toolooah, and
got him to steal one each of Joe and his
wife's stockings from under their fur
blanket, and explained that we wanted to
play joke on Joe.
In the privacy of Lieutenant Schwat-
ka's snow boudoir these two stockings
were loaded. They were then returned
to Toelooah, who carefully replaced them
without disturbing the owners.
The first person to awaken in the morn
ing shouted "Merry Christmas" to each
one in turn by name.
"Esquimau Joe" caught the infection
and added his voice to the others, and
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO.
Brilliant Scenes and Bewitching Senor-
itas-A High Mass at Midnight.

Brilliant Scenes and Bewitching Senor-
itas-A High Mass at Midnight.
There is no country in the world where
Christmas is better observed than in
Mexico. There, as in Spain, the Noche
Buena or Christmas Eve is an occasion
scarcely secondary to the Nos Navidad
Christmas) itself.
The streets and plazas are thronged.
OF all the shop windows, so gay and
brilliant in their holiday attire, none is so
bright as the confectioner's. Nowhere is
the confectioner's art carried to a greater
perfection. The window of every large
confectionery in Mexico is revelation,
crowded as it is with cakes OF such an
elaborate character as are never seen in
our own country, many of them consist
ing of numerous alternate layers of the
richest creams of various colors and
flavors, sugared and glazed fruits, etc.
If we look beyond the rich display
such window contains this Christmas
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

Scott, that wonderful wizard of the
north," has described as only he could
do it.
The modern English Christmas found
its apostle in Dickens, who, in his vivid
word pictures, has most clearly and ac-
curately portrayed its every light and
shadow. The wild abandon of its pre-
decessor of centuries ago has been some
what restrained, but within the limit Of
becoming mirth there is still no menier
Christmas.
1t is strange fact, however, that in
England the day after Christmas, or
"boxing day." as it is called, is an occa-
sion of even greater festivity among the
working classes than Christmas Day
itself. 1t derives its name from the
"Christmas boxes" or donations of Christ
mas spending money which are collected
on that day by letter carriers, milkmen.
butchers boys and other equally useful
members OF society.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
Who will get the first peep.
HINTS FOR NEW YEARS DAY.

HINTS FOR NEW YEARS DAY.
Look not upon the wine-list when it is
read.
Don't eat pie with your fingers; try
your mouth--it tastes much better.
In conversation slide over the weather
chestnut and talk about Koch and his
cure.
Don't ask how many calls the young
lady's had; you should rather seek to
discourage falsehood.
Don't enter the parlor with muddy
boots; YOU may be taken for carpet
cleaner anxious for work.
Do not carry cane; some Of the ladies
on whom you call may consider one stick
at call sufficient.
Have your boots nicely polished, prov
ing conclusively that if you can't shine at
one end you can at the other.
Don't allow the young lady'to help you
to any one thing on the table more than
twice; the third time help yourself.
Be sure that you have your own hat and
coat when leaving; this may not be for
your financial aggrandizement, but it's
safer.
Refrain from spilling coffee down the
back Of your lady friends dress; her best
young man may wear lavender trousers,
and perhaps objects to having coffee
spots upon them.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

Plum Porrdge.
Boiled Rockfsh, garnished with Shrimps.
Sauce Hollandaise.
Sirloin of Beef. Colandered Potatoes.
Roman Punch.
Roast Goose, with Sage and Onion Stufing
Fried Sour Apples.
Macedonia Salad.
Mince Pie. Gooseberry Tart
Plum Pudding. with Wine Sauce.
Lady Apples. Mandarins. White Grapes.
Christmas CONNECTIONS.
Cheshire Cheese. Biscuit.
Black Coffee.
Holly and Christmas roses are an ex--
ceedingly pretty and appropriate decora-
ton for Christmas dinner. Scatter the
holly branches all about the table, taking
care to select them with many red ber-
ries. If you have remembered to bring.
home from your summer wanderings one
or two mats of reindeer moss, soak it out,
using it as foundation for more holly
branches. The dark green and the red
are very pretty against the soft gray of
the moss. A great cluster of Christmas
roses in the center, rejecting their deli.
cate petals in the mirror, will add both
very effective and festival touch, or, per-
chance, make the holly the central point,
and put the roses at the two corners.
1t was an ancient Normandy custom to
serve boiled carp on Christmas, but as
the United States Fish Commission have
not yet succeeded in naturalizing it, we
have replaced it by perhaps equally
good boiling fish. The shrimps are not
only pretty as garnishing, but when
eaten with the rock-6sh add to it favor
of their own.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

about among palm trees or orange groves
and fields of sugar cane on Christmas
Day with the thermometer at 90 degrees
in the shade has certainlya zest of new
ness.
If you are in the British West Indies
in Kingston, Jamaica, for example, as l
was on Christmas Day, 1885 - your
attention will be most attracted in all
the Christmas gatherings, of which
you form part, whether in the streets,
the home or the church, by the close as
sociation of whites and blacks, and you
will find upon inquiry that intermarriage
between the two races is so common as to
excite no remark.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

The toiling people win,
Through all the land the children
In the golden fields remain
Till their busy little hands have CLEANED
A generous sheaf of grain.
All the stalks by the reapers forgotten
They CLEAN to the very last
To save till the cold December,
For the sparrows Christmas feast.
And then through the frost-locked country
There happens wonderful thing;
The sparrows flock north, south, east, and
west,
For the children's offering.
Ofa sudden, the day before Christmas,
The twittering crowds arrive.
And the bitter. wintry air at once
With their chirping is all alive.
They perch upon roof and gable,
On porch and fence and tree;
They fiutter about the windows
And peer in curiously.
And meet the eyes of the children,
Who eagerly look out.
With cheeks that bloom like roses red
And greet them with welcoming shout.
On the joyous Christmas morning,
In front of every door.
A tall pole crowned with clustering grain
Is set the birds before.
And which are the happiest, truly,
1t would be hard to tell;
The sparrows who share in the Christina.
cheer
Or the children who love them WE'LL
How sweet that they should remember.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

With faith so full and sure.
That the children's bounty awaited them
The whole wide country o'erl
When this pretty story was told me
BY one who had helped to rear
The rustling grain for the merry birds
In Noway. many a year.
thought that our little children
Would like to know it. too;
1t seems to me SO beautiful,
So blessed thing to do
To make the innocent creatures see
In every child friend.
And on our faithful kindness
So fearlessly depend.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

Even the most unlucky pedestrian in
all that great throng-he who has lost
loosely fitting hat or has had his pocket
picked Spanish plckpockets are the most
expert of all pickpockets in their hne) or
whose ribs have been bruised or whose
corns trodden upon-even he must find
some alienation of his misiortunes and
misery in contemplating the scene that
meets his gaze on Christmas Eve in any
Of the plazas named. Numerous flaming
torches throw a rich crimson glare upon
the winning brilliancy of jellies, artfully
heightened by light placed behind them
to display their transparency, red fes-
toons OF chorios (sausages), jamones
(hams), both salt and sweet, a thousand
dainty combinations of hog, fruit and
sugar, luckless capons rejecting upon
past misfortunes, and fatted turkeys lying
in fetters among aromatic heaps Of ap-
piles, figs, oranges, lemons, and countless
other delicious fruits displayed by hun
dreds of venders who have converted the
plazas into temporary fair grounds.
There is the kaleidoscope mingling
and changing of sex, nationality, cos
tune, and language, the angry remon-
strances Of buyers against the exactions
of venders, the joyous shouts of children,
the music of street bands, and your own
CALCULATIONS of pain as some big fellow
plants himself on your favorite toe, form
the obligato accompaniment to the brill
liant scene presented by Spanish Christ
mas Eve.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
WoMAN'S WAY.
; the season of the year

This is the season of the year
When husband is little near"
Wife something more than Little Dear"
She hies her to the Christmas shops
To buy him something. and then stops
To wonder how it can be done,
But finds the task an easy one.
Of Ofslippers neat she buys pair,
A sealskin cap for him to wear;
A pair Of gloves. a fine silk hat;
A dressing-gown on top ofthat;
A mecrschaum pipe, cigar-case.
A handkerchief as fine as lace;
A mustache-cup, diamond pin,
A fine cravat to wear it in:
These and hundred, less or more,
OF articles she finds in store,
Although her funds are nearly nil.
Then, as she meets the dealers gaze,
She looks him in the eye and says:
"Just send them up; he'll pay the bill.'
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
OUR CHRISTMAS TREE.

O,
our
..s...s or.. Christ
mas tree @
so bright
and green.
awaits Old
Santa Claus.
And the Chin
ney place all swept
and clean gapes wide
its ponderous jaws
The little stockingsare
all hung up. and baby's
Just. makes four Won't
old Santa Claus be surpris-
ed when he finds there is
one more! There's an elegant
place up in the tree to hang
Johnny's gun, and place for
May and one for Kate toleave
their dolls upon. But for little
baby blue eyes alower branchhe
must choose, where she mayreach
and find the place he S hung her first
new Shoes Turn down the light a lit
tie now, so Old Santa Claus can see,
And baby and all must go to bed
e and bessas good as can be. and
tomorrow morn get up early,
after a. a.long nights sleep,
and
come
softly
down
tothe
Xmas
tree
and
see
Who will get the first peep.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN THE TROPICS.
Among Palm Trees and Orange Groves,
with the Mercury at 90.

HE West India n
Christmasis perhaps
the most novel ex-
perience that a citi-
zen of the United
States can enjoy in
connec ctio n with
Christmas. To take
a pleasure sail on
the placid tropical
W a tiers, or wander
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

SPANISH Christ
is largely an out
door celebration.
The Spaniards, like
the Ere n C h, are
much in the streets
at all times and
even m ore than
usual during the
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

1 was christmas
Day, 1873, and
Lieut.. Schwatka's
Franklin Search
Party was estab-
lished in winter
quarters on the
northern shore of
Hudso on's Bay.
The little party,
writes one of the
nu Der in re-
counting the ex-
periences of the
trip, consisted of
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24


But where's that fellow so resembles you.
Who stole year from me-hashe got through
A twelvemonth since what promises he madel
No sweeter thing fond lover could have said:
And has he really gone and left me1 Sayi
Perchance you may have met him on the wayfS
"A glimpse had Of him-the gray Old Year
He'll scarce redeem his pledges now, fear
Gone like the rest, their Hattering words all
broken;
The pleasant things they said all falsely
spoken.
Tell me. New Year. will you. as they, de-
ceive me1
You look so like those faithless years. fear
To trust again promising New Year"
Before answer, may question you
For now l claim the right to interview
Have you to these lost years been always
true1
@Have you not pleasure asked and madly
soughtit7
And now too la|e, have learned you dearly
bought it7
You lost the years, and much you lost beside
them
If they were robbed by you, should you deride
them Z
With wise advice they came-did you receive
it2
No. alas, poor soul, you did not heed i'll"
"Oh. say no morel You move me quite to
tears;
l robbed myself and all those friendly years."
Though lost those years, cen now blessing
send
To all the worthy poor who need a friend:
Lift up the fallen ones and bid them stand;
Offer to them that need helping hand.
A prophecy make-though not seer
That you shall fail not of happy year."
Shake hands, New Year-thanks for this in
interview
ne er will call another year untrue"
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

THE mistletoe is clinger, and that is
why it is so hard for those under its inau-
ence to let 60.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY.

HERE'S the far-of
fields Of Norway.
Where the winter
fingers late.
And long for the sing
ing birds and
flowers
The little children
wait.
When at last the sum-
mer ripens.
And the harvest Is
gathered in,
And food for the
bleak, drear days
to come
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

AFTER all the nistletoe is not as good
as the garden gate.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

How Lieut. Schwatka's Party Spent
Christmas with the Esquimaux.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
A SPANISH CHRISTMAS.

The Whole City Turns Out--A Kaleid-
oscope Of Costumes.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

MONEY makes Santa Claus go.
Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24
THE NEW YEAR INTERVIEWED.

W slowly strikes lie
twelve O'Clock mid
night
The moon hasboTIowed
her iun orb Of light.
And who is this. with
cold and silent mien.
With slow and noiseless
step,comes gfidinginf
Your face I've seen
It's much like those Of
yore;
Have / not sometime
met you here before 2
.Never before have
just alighted here;
You must have looked
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-11-22

it's foremost comedians, an intelligent
student, diligent worker, and char
acteristic performer. His traits were
originality, deep thought, and abundant
and natural drollery. His Cap'n Cattle
was as good as Burton's, in the opinions
OF many fine critics. His Bardwell
Slote was surely distinct and lasting
type OF American Characterization. His
Sir Lucius O'Trigeer was unrivalled,
save by that of the late William War
rem, and his Ezekiel Homespun has
probably never been equalled on any
stage,
There were few more enthusiastic
anglers, and certainly no more skilful
ones than this jolly actor. At sixty he
was as ready for a twenty mile portage
to Kill a salmon as he was at thirty, and
to his everlasting credit be it said, he
was cleverer in his old age with the fly
and the reel than he was in his youth
This was TO be his farewell season with
Jefferson. Already he had engaged
manager, and he had laid out plans for
a starring tour next fall, in which he
was to be Joined by Mrs. Florence. But
death has shattered all these plans. 1t
is not at all likely that his name
will again figure in American theatre
calls. Mr.. Florence leaves no children.
BY her first husband, Mrs. Florence had
daughter, the actress known profess
sionally as Josephine Shepherd. Mr..
Florence was Mason. a Mystic Shriner,
an Elk, member Of the Actors Fund
and one of the earliest members of the
Actors Order of Friendship.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-11-22
The PROPOSED CENTRAL SCHOOL
A Member of the Board of Education Cor
reefs Some Erroneous Impressions.

A Member of the Board of Education Cor
reefs Some Erroneous Impressions.
Those members Of the Board OF Edu-
cation who are favorable to the High
School project, which passed the Board
at last Thursdays session, say there is q
miScOnceptiOn Of several Of the features
OF the idea. A member of the Board,
who reflected the sentiments Of those
voting aye upon the resolution, said last
evening"
There seems to be mlsunderStand-
ing OF this matter, and it is no more
than fair 10 all concerned, in matter
OF this general importance, that. the
false conception should be cleared up
and removed. In the first place, the
name OF High School Is misnomer.
The school in contemplation is in no
sense a High School, and 1t only takes
that name in the discussions and pro-
ceedings before the Board, for the
reason that the State law uses the term,
aud under that law we must act. The
new school will be nothing more or less
than a central grammar school, in which
there will be no other curriculum than
that now taught in the grammar
schools. All the talk about chairs of
Greek and Latin, etc, is, in my opinion,
designed to give the public false i'm
preston and create prejudice. IL we
can abolish the grammar schools at
present operated, in some Of which there
are but two, three or four graduates,
who thus take up large share of the
attention and time Of 81, 200 principal,
and consolidate them all in one build
ing, where but one principal will be
needed, il seems 10 me II will be dis
tinct economy. Some of the graduates
turned out OF the schools, under the
present arrangement, cost as much as
$500 each, and the taxpayers foot the
bill. With a central grammar school
we could get on much better, having all
the advanced scholars together, and the
prOportionate cost would be much
less. A second point to which
| desire 10 call attention, Is re-
speeding the manual training school. 1t
would be manifeStly impossible to es-
tablish eight training schools, one for
each ward or sub district, and while I
am friend OF central training school,
do not think that 3 majority of the
present Board favor il alone. But, IL
we can get a central grammar school
building, and there install a manual
training school, as will be done, we will
combine the two ideas in very profita-
BILE manner. Again, as to cost. No one
in the Board of Education, and GER
tainly none Of the friends Of the So
called high school. contemplate the
costly building which has been spoken
of in some quarters. A very moderate
amount Of money will suffice to erect a
building ample for the purposes Of the
Board and the needs Of the public. l
think a halt should be called in the
present discussion until the exact facts
and the scope Of the contemplated
school, together with its advantages
and benefits, have been fully ascer-
tafnpd 4"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-11-22

front. The advantages OF this hFj
arrangement are that IL permits 4,
most i'm portant room In the house Y \
cupy the entire width OF the b0lt,j
with an unobstructed view OF 4
grounds and street In front; Il lo;i1
the staircase hall in the rear Of 4
building, giving easy egress 10 The a
yard; the roof OF the porch Is leatiP'
slve TO construct, as II merely co'''l
In extending the main roof OF the b.
Ing a few feet beyond the doorwii 81
supporting IL upon brackets, and l"l
IL gives a more picturesque effect % Y
design.
The kitchen IL provided with -
able range with a water back az
thirty gallon galvanized Iron ba''
which supplies the sink with bot $40
This important room Is Of good ~
lighted by two windows ct the sic' y
with a storeroom and small psnrI
the back neatly fitted up With 'h'''
The stairs are OF ample width, oios1
by broad landings, and are finished
neatly turned newels and bau'kn -
nodded rails OF ash.
In the second story thore Il ~
chamber directly over the liVinf r'i
lighted by two windows IN 'n' lnI
gable ard a dorpent window W.
easement sash In the roof. THIS ~
Is provided with large closet COZ.
iently located. In addition 10 inseN,
Der are two comfortable bedroon'ng
lighted, and thee good sired EH''
closets. -,
The foundations arc OF brick or - =, J.
masonary laid In cement mortar. !.
is a small cellar in the rear psr . :
house for storing vegetables 800 =.