davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-12-26
women who Want to Fight Duels.

At the last meeting of the League for
the Emancipation of Women Nine.
d'Estoc proposed vote Of censure on the
lady called "Severine," whose article
lately caused M. Mermeix TO fight M,
Labruyere. Nine. Severne was con-
demned by the whole assembly of women
waiting for emancipation, because she
did not take up the challenge of the au-
thor of the revelations of Boulangism,
and meet him on the field of honor her
self instead of allowing an obliging jour
nalist to fight for her. The resolution
proposed by Nine. d'Estoc was that every
woman who does not assume RESPONSE
bility for her actions and who allows a
man to champion her cause is guilty of a
deed of inferiority Paris Cor. London
Telegraph.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

along. I'd love Grandpa Wyman If he
was like that"
"Wcll, he never will be, said Bertha,
in discouraging tone, because when
he was boy the children never did
anything wrong; they were all just like
grown-up people, and never did the
least thing out the way
Il bet they did, said Jack, promptly
"Why, Jack replied Bertha, what
makes you say that?'
But Jack was in decidedly defiant
state just then. The thought of having
to confess about the glasses seemed to
have soured the good-natured little fell
low.
Il bet he acted just like any other
boy" persisted Jack. Il wouldn't won
der a specl1 if he was just horrid kid
when he was little. only he's forgot all
about it all now. Only think how old
he ISL
Il don't think you talk pretty at all,
Jack" began Bertha, seriously; latter
you go to bed you'll think about it,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

wouldn't ronp, but would play quietly,
they might amuse themselves in the Ii
brary for awhile. Grandpa Wyman,
behind the thick curtain. was about to
order them out, when jack said:
''Oh, tell you, Bertha, let's play l
was grandpa and you was me, and play
talked to you just like grandpa does;
thatll be a good, quiet play
Bertha laughed and said: "Well, wait
till get papa S old dressing gown and
pair of grandpa's specs; there's q pair
lyin' around loose in his room"
You better not Jet him catch you in
his room," warned Jack.
80, / know better than that" said
Bertha as she scampcred off.
In few minutes she returned and
laughed merrily at the figure little Jack
cut in his papa's dressing gown and
grandpa spectacles.
Now you must be dom somethin','
began Jack; sit doesn't make much
difference what, and I'll make my voice
awful growly, just like grandpa's."
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

1 turned it over and over in utter
amazement. In one of the corners |
found the evidence of grief-two little
blistered spots. What can this mean?
said to myself. At last the thought
dawned upon me that the nurse might
have placed it there to crafty some
childish whim of my little daughter
Debating what to do | finally decided
to open the package before mailing it
intending to close it again-for l saw
it had been properly stamped and
sealed. This is what l read aloud to
myself. and what more l read between
the lines is too sacred for me to repeat:
DEAR GoD:-I am q little girl and ] live in
Philadelphia. Nursie says everybody knows
where Philadelphia is, SO of course you do. I'm
too little to write very well, and Nursie says it
has been a long time since she went to school,
but she thought you wouldn't have much
trouble in reading her writing, so she is going
to do it for me. She says she will write Just
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
MY CHRISTMAS RIVAL.

Somehow, just then the drowsy smile DER
came
The restless dmple midway of her chin;
And sleeps moist finger quenched the hazel
flame
Her curling lashes jealousy hedge in.
How sweet her slumber is, my thoughts di
vine;
I'm sure q yellow love lock strays athwart
The coverlet, as if it sought to shine
Close to the happy beating of her heart.
She dreams-but not of me. Toowell 1 know
Whose image sways her sordid little soul;
A stalwart gentleman, this favored beau,
Not young, and rather stout upon the whole.
His head hath white of many winters frost,
His beard is boar, his brow is marked Of
time;
But, in good stead of graces he has lost,
The beauty of his treasure is sublime.
In fact, had some worthy gifts of him
Myself in days not passed beyond my mind;
IT'S true his kindness now looks somewhat
dim,
AS bygone favors often do find
Yet on this Christmas eve they give me pause,
And lend me grace his triumph to survive.
Reign over her in peace, friend Santa Claus,
She'll fout your claims next year when she
is five.
Eva Wilder McGlasson.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

You used to tell me such pretty stories about
Heaven and the angels. Are you an angel now
How funny it must be to float around in the
air. You used to tell me not to cry when you
were sick SO long, because you would be very
happy where you were going.
II wonder why people look at me so funny.
They always look sad when they see me- Some
times l ask Nursie to tell me Why but she don't
seem to know. You looked so pretty, mamma,
when 1 saw you before you went away. have
little pansy you gave me yet Papa has one,
too. He takes it out and kisses it every little
while. 1 wonder what makes papa so still now.
either, like you.
Sometimes want to put my arms around
your neck and kiss you just before go to sleep.
And then look out of my window, way up to
the stars and wonder if you are up there.
Nursie is real good to me and Clues my dolly
head when crack it.
I'm SO sleepy now, mamma, have to hold
my eyes open with my fingers.
Good night, dear little mamma.
From your little darling.
''P. Sod Tabby has some more kittens.
Two are white and two are black"
The letter dropped from my hand.
While reading these loving words I
lived my whole life over again. How
selfish and sordid it all seemed to me
now. The picture stood out in bold re-
lief-the artists hand was that of a
child. How long sat do not know,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
/ ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO MEN. |
By II. c. Dodge.

II was so glad to know that Nursie is so good
to you. Give her a kiss for me- Pet your little
kittens for me, too. told all this to papa last
night in his dreams and he will write it out for
me. Pleasant dreams and happy days and a
merry Christmas to my precious darling. Your
loving angel MAMMA
The world looked strangely different
to me the next day. l seemed to find
sunshine in unexpected places. Faces
which before were blank now lighted
up with meaning.
1 handed my crippled newsboy a quar-
ter for my evening paper and forgot to
stop for the change. hurried home at
night with a lighter heart, for l carried
in my pocket mammals letter to Mary
After dinner 1 gathered my household
together in the library. With Mary in
my lap 1 read to her the letter from
mamma. A breath from Heaven filed
our hearts and home that night. 1t was
Christmas eve, and our home has seemed
more like Heaven to all of us ever since
j. Il. MacKendree, in Phila. Press.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
what tell her to, and this is what want to
The Christmas Tree.

what tell her to, and this is what want to
say:
my mamma died last year and want to
talk with her so much that thought you could
find her and give her this letter from me.
Il hope it won't trouble you much, and if you
will do it will try to be very good little girl
and say my prayers every night. Good-by.
MARY"
my DEAR LITTLE MAMMAL wonder if you
know how very, very much miss you? Some
times / think hear you calling me, and run
to your room to see, but everything there
is still. Then / come back to my little room
and have u cry all by myself told Nursie to-
day how much wanted to see you and talk to
you. Iguess she had something in her eye for
she wiped it a long time with the corner of her
apron, and when she was through she asked
me if it wouldn't be nice to write you letter,
so this is the way she fixed it.
"She said I must write little letter to God
and ask Him to find you and give you this let
ter from me. So told God 1 would be very
good little girl and say my prayers every night,
and so guess you'll get this 1t seems so long
since saw you, mamma. Everybody told me
would get used to it, by and by, but don't.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
but before | went to my room | had
written this letter from mamma to Mary:

but before / went to my room | had
written this letter from mamma to Mary:
my DEAR LITTLE DARLING Il have just fin
iShed reading your sweet letter and not very
little one, either. And how do you think did
it? Looking over your shoulder as Nursie
wrote it for you. This will seem very queer to
you, and cannot make you understand it now,
but you will some day. So papa did not need
to send your letter to me, and he wanted SO
much to keep it told him he might. / think
it will do papa good, too whenever he reads it.
after you went to sleep last night l kissed
you in your little bed, just as used to. think
you must have felt it, for you smiled very
sweetly. l saw papa go to your room and kneel
down by your side for q long, long time, and
he kissed you very gently.
He had his pansy and your letter with him,
so 1 knew he thinking of me- too. You
wish to know all about Heaven, my little one.
You shall, by and by, better than 1 can tell you.
But I'll tell this much that it is more beautiful
than all the pretty stories | used to tell you.
Don't think about it too much, my little one,
but play you have pretty Heaven where you
are.
Il am always so happy and you must not be
sad for me. 1t will not be long before we are
all together again. l think papa will have
more time to play with you in few days.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

stormy night in the middle of winter.
In my library was a brightly-blazing
fire; on the table student lamp with
colored shade, which filled the room
with q rich and mellow light.
An hour may have passed, for dis
covered that had been mapping, when
1 heard the patter of slippered feet in
the hall, and a moment later my little
daughter came in for her goodnight
kiss.
In her dainty night robe she kneeled
by my chair and said her Now l lay
me-" thought heard little sigh as
she finished it. She climbed into my
lap and kissed me time and time again.
There seemed to be sweet and pc
culiar tenderness in her childish ca
resses. AT length she skipped away
with her nurse to bed, calling back to
me from the stairs: Good night! Pleas
ant dreams and happy birthday"
While she was caressing me SO pro-
fusely, 1 heard little click IN my letter
rack where 1 placed my letters to be
ready for the morning mail. Reaching
over found a dainty package and read
this address upon it:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
CHRISTMAS CONDOLENCES.

"What a lot of things Santa Claus
brings into the house." unused Il little
fellow, ''since father failed in business. "
Christmas fattens out many a fat
wallet.
Santa Claus forgets all the bad things
we do.
1t is bad boy who ties his new tin
rattle to the dogs tail.
The destructive boy who polses hole
in his drum won't annoy his neighbors.
The bad boy who doesn't grow good
at Christmas is beyond all hope in this
world.
The cute boy always looks to see if
there is hole in his stocking before
hanging it up.
1T was very kind of Mr.. Lavish to
take my two girls out for a sleigh ride"
philosophical the butcher, but wish
he had given me the ten dollars the
sleigh cost on account of his meat bill"
Christmas Judge.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
Bertha took a book and began look

Bertha took book and began look.
ing at some pictures.
Bertha! Berthar' said Jack, putting
himself out in his efforts to make his
voice 'growly;' don't you think you
better go be helpin' your mother std o
loollin at foolish pictures? When
was a boy there was always somethin
useful to be did by children"
Mamma doesn't want me-" whined
Bertha.
"Why don't you sit up straight?'
again quoted little Jack; you'll get the
round shoulders the first thing you
know; when 1 was a boy it was the
fashion to sit up propily, not in that
croolly style.''
Bertha giggled at Jacks voice and
''crool1y" expression.
"You laugh at me, miss" he cried,
dropping his growly voice for a little
scream of pretended anger. "Why,
never did see such disrespec' in all my
life, never When l was boy my
mother'd took my head off my Shout,
ers il 1 laughed in anybody's face; but,
there! chil'ren isn't what they used to
been!'
Bertha giggled again.
faint fair to keep laughing" com
planned Jack.
"Well, you do talk SO 'xactly like
grandpa" said Bertha, land act like
him, too; but I'll try not to laugh any
more"
She put down the book and began
looking at Jack, swinging one foot as
she sat in the great library chair.
SIS it Necessary for you to keep that
foot a-wagglin'?" asked Jack. "Tain't
mannerly for a child to sit a-swingin
her foot right before my eyes. When
Twas boy foots were made to walk
on, not to swing about"
"Please, l never was boy" said
Bertha.
Jacks face grew awful with sudden
wrath.
did / hear my own ears?" he ex
claimed; II shall go imegitly to youl
mother and ask her does she low you
to speak sarsy to me? When Twas a
boy, anyone who spoke that way tc
a grandfather got put to bed and kept
there for a week!''
Jack started on prodigious stride
toward the door, but had taken but q
step or two, when he tripped on the
long dressing gown and fell headlong.
At this, both broke into loud laugh
but Grandpa Wyrnan, behind the cur
tain, made never a sign. When Jack
got up he threw aside the dressing
gown, but the spectacles, to his real
distress, had lost one of the glasses.
''Oh, dear me! here's one O. the glasses
out O the Specs" he walled; what
ever shall do?"
"Never mind" said Bertha, cheerily
''tell grandpa the truth about it-that's
all
sob, but he'll scold until my head'll
ACHE" said little Jack. II say, Bertha, y
he added, soberly, ''what do you sup
pose makes grandpa SO CROSSE"
81 guess grandpas always are," re-
turned Bertha.
"No they amt" said Jack. Harry
Swans got grandpa that lives with
him, and he says he's just elegant; tells
him stories and takes him to walk, and
EXPLAINS things beautifully as they go
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

women are the pupils, and as long as
we live there are lessons to be learned.
Grandpa Wyman was a very unfortu-
nate old man because he had forgotten
something And what he had forgotten
was something which old people ought
always to remember, and that was
that when he was Young he behaved
very much like child and a very child
ish child at that.
But now, when he was seventy years
old, Grandpa Wyman seemed to expect
that his grandson Jack, aged eight
years, would behave as well and know
almost as much as his father; and that
Bertha, aged ten, would be as indus
trious and almost as quiet as her
mother; but one day Bertha and Jack,
and Jack in particular, taught Grandpa
Wyman a very useful lesson.
1t was just before New Years day,
and that, you know, is the great time
for making resolves, but Grandpa Wy
man hadn't thought of making any re-
solves; he seemed to think he was a
pretty good old man, and he really was,
but we are never too old to determine
to do better in a coming year than we
have done in the past.
Well, this afternoon, just before New
Years day, Grandpa Wyman had gone
to the library to find book, and when
he found it the room was so dark he
went behind the curtain to read mo-
ment, and while he was reading Bertha
and Jack came into the library. The
children were not generally allowed to
play there at all; but this afternoon the
furnace fire got rather low and the
nursery was cool; so mamma said if they
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

One little girl in an uptown fam
lily anxiously inquired of her mother
Christmas eve if she thought Santa
Claus would go in the dining-room, as
she had told him in her letter she
wanted a dolly and she was afraid Santa
would see her old one and think she did
not need one. She finally hid her doll
in basket and covered it up, and was
sure she had fooled old Santa when a
new dolly was found in her stocking
Christmas morning Utica Observer
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

never touched anythin' blongin' to their
grandfathers; now you see!' with which
knowing observation Jack marched out
of the library, followed by Bertha.
But after supper something remarla-
BILE happened; oh, something very re-
markable indeed! Jack, like the manly
little fellow he was, went up to Grand
pa Wyman and said:
"Grandpa, I'm very sorry, but Bertha
and took your spectacles to play with
this afternoon, and 1 broke one of the
glasses out. think papa II have it
mended if l ask him TO-
Grandpa Wyman swallowed hard,
then said, comfortingly:
Never mind, my little dear, acct
dents will happen. 1 remember doing
much the same thing once when l was
a little boy; SO no matter, grandpa
doesn't care at all"
| Jacks look of utter wonder almost
made grandpa forget himself, and ask
the child what on earth he was staring
at, but he checked the impulse in time,
and the next moment Jacks hearty, re-
lieved: ''Oh, thank you, grandpa"
made him feel very comfortable
That night Grandpa Wyman laid
awake long time making resolves,
and there came a day before the win
ter was over when, on passing the
nursery door, he overheard a few re-
marks, which made him feel very
thankful he had made the resolves for
the new year, and had kept them, too.
Jack was talking, and, just as grandpa
was opposite the door, he caught these
| words:
''Ho! 1 really love Grandpa Wyman
now; hope he'll live forever! but l
didn't use to wish So"
81 wonder what changed him sop
came in Bertha's voice The seems like
a new grandpa. What nice little story
that was he told us last night about the
way they coasted when he was boy"
| ''It's Jolly to hear bout when he was
a little boy nowadays" said Jack. Then
he repeated Bertha's remark: II Won
der what changed grandpa sop 81
think" he added, in his droll, little way,
''that the old Grandpa Wyman run out
the door when the new year came in,
and a new Grandpa Wyman run in!'
Out in the hall the new Grandpa Wy
man said softly to himself:
THAT'S just about 1t, my own little
Jack! You and Bertha made the old
grandpa so ashamed of himself that he
did bid himself good-by as the old year
went out, and when the new year came
in l really believe a new Grandpa Wy
man came with it-one who has sense
enough to remember that when he was
a little boy he was very much the same
as little boys are nowadays"
And Grandpa Wyman deserves a COM
pliment, for it is a very wise old man
who learns so well plain, simple les
son.-Mrs. Harriet A. Cheever, in Chris
| tian at Work.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

See my strands of popcorn white,
See the presents, row on row,
Swinging, swaying, to and fro.
Oh, the strange and motley fruit
That bear from branch to rootl
In the forest dim and vast,
Where my early days were passed,
Never dreamed such estate
Fer would be my happy fate.
But they came, and blow on blow,
The strong choppers laid me low.
Wanted me tor Christmas; so
Here am, and / can see,
That there really could not be
Much of q Christmas without me.
Ding dong Ding dong!
Oh, the music sweet and strongl
In the steeple bell swing,
And ring and ring and ring;
For am the Christmas bell,
And my glad notes surge and swell,
And better than aught beside 1 tell
OF Loves dear birth, of peace on earth,
Good will to men. Now what, pray,
Would be the merry Christmas Day,
Without the clang and surge and swell
OF Me- the Happy Christmas Bell?
And now pray, just look at M,
Mr.. Christmas Bell. Mr.. Christmas Tree.
In Boosting just be pleased to pause,
For 1. you can see, am-Santa Claus!
And neither Of you are, I'll be bound,
OF much account when I'm around.
High and low and rich and poor,
1 come with gifts to every door.
If ever the time should come about,
When the over-wise ones vote me out,
And should 60 with my deer and sedge,
Over oblivions outmost edge
Out of the dear world sight and ken,
What would become of Christmas then?
So, Christmas bell, and Christmas tree,
Be little more modest, and look at-ME,
Oh. no! oh. no what's all this fuss?
Better keep still and look at-US.
Now tell US true old pine-wood tree
If we weren't here where would you be?
Would you ring out SO jolly clear,
Old stceple bell, if we weren't here?
And you, old Sanity, wherc'd you go,
If it weren't for rs, Ia like TO know?
For in spite of all you can sing or say.
We boys and girls make Christmas Day.
-Carlotta Perry, in n. Y. Independent.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

But mamma and papa, of course, couldn't sleep
Without stealing down and first taking q peep.
The great JOY of Christmas-the sweetest that's
known
Upon their glad faces is faithfully shown,
And, while they are playing st. Niclx'' in the
dark,
word to 'us old folks" we wish to remark.
o, don't you remember with thrills of delight,
The waiting and watching for Santa Claus
night,
How, eyes all a-sparl1le and cheeks all a-flame,
You eagerly counted the days till it came.
And then, how you hung by the chimney with
care"
The biggest long stockings that mamma could
spare,
And marched with your brothers and sisters to
bed
Where visions of sugar plums danced through
your head.
o, never night was so long as that seemed;
You couldn't get sleepy, you tossed till you
drearned;
AT last came the morn when you quickly arose
Almost too excited to button your clothes.
Then downstairs you rushed to the parlor's
closed door,
Then paused hardly daring to further explore
Lest naught might be there. Then-Hurrahl
what q shout
You gave when you found Santa Claus was
about.
That moment supreme you can never forget,
Its ever good influence clings to you yet;
'Tis sweet to look back on and live through
again,
The Joy of your lifetime twill always remain.
So give to your children that memory bright,
OF childhoods most wonderful Christmas de-
light,
And hang-not one stocking-but two for each
chick,
For nothing's too good or too much for St. Nick.
H. C. Dodge, in Goodalls Sun.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

No, / won't, "
said Jack; AL I'll
think bout by
that time IL be
h ow gran d p a
scolded bout his
old glasses, and
said when lie was
a boy CHI il re II
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

The future gives no secret out.
What is to be she guards full well
And leaves the searcher still in doubt.
But as l know not, therefore, 1
Will act as tho this year should be
The last beneath the sunny Sky
That e'er kind Heaven shall give to me-
With sympathy my heart shall beat
For every creature God has made,
And love to man, divinely sweet,
Each moment shall my breast pervade.
Revenge or hatred shall not find
Within my being room to hide;
And malice, poison of the mind,
Condemned with serpents to abide.
Each day shall see some duty done,
Some act of pure unselfshness;
And everywhere my feet shall run
To help q brother in distress.
Tho many years may come to me,
Like those now numbered with the past,
A priceless pearl this one shall be
AS tho, indeed, it were my last
CIV. Crofts, in Inter Ocean.