davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

a musical instrument, and my uncle had
rashly promised that Christmas should
bring me one Visions of celestial harpists
and dreams of heavenly strains filed my
waking hours. Dolls, toys, candy-aIl
faded into nobhingness beside the thought
of that jewsharp. So, when l hung my
stocking beside the wide, wood fireplace
on Christmas eve. l had not misgiYing.
Ny faith has never since been 50 purely
simple
Tomorrow That blissful tomorrow
which never is, but always will be-should
astonish and awaken the household, with
Happy Land or My Old Virginny Home
Early in the morning, a trusting. shiveriug
little creature, erept down the hall into
the dark sitting room. There was light
enough from the smouldering backlog
half covered with ashes the night before,
to see that the stocking was full, stuffed
to the brim. | crouched down on the
hearth, and took out-an old rag doll-the
familiar acquaintance of a year. Mourn
fully thinking that Santa Claus must be a
joker pulled out next, a tattered copy of
old Mother Goose, whose pictures and
rhymes had been my solace for many
Gay. something Woe anu HaC-au OIQ
blue, Webster's spelling book,-the prop
erty of my cousin.
My heart began TO grow sick. the stock
ing to grow loose and hoppy. took it by
the toe, and shook it, in passion of de-
spair. A bright silver dollar rolled out
close up to the ashes A dollar What
was filthy lucre TO the longings Of mu-
steal soul.
81 was never child to cry, but numb,
dull pain held me. rose with chattering
teeth, and with an awful determination,
desperate daring,I calmly and deliberately
said over aloud, all of the dreadful bad
words l mad ever heard 'Confound, dog
gone fool, and, growing Drawer as my
wrath increased, boldly challenged an
Inhalation by uttering damn devil
he'll A sobbing long drawn breath,
had not been struck dead-yet. Then in
an agony of remorse l fed weeping back
to bed to cry myself to sleep again.
'But it was shock, rude shock to my
faith. / never again felt the same toward
Santa Claus, nor do I yet feel quite sure of
the peril which rashly invoked
on my immortal soul, that Christmas
didn't say how many years
ago."
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
THOSE WHO WENT To EMPoR1A.

The following named gentlemen who
were appointed by the board of trade. the
citizens of Wichita and Garfield Post went
20 Emporia yesterday TO attend the funer-
81 OF Senator Plumb:
Colonel NJ NJ. Murdoch, editor EAGLE:
Hon. J. B. Carey, mayor; Hon. e. w.
Clement. ex-mayor; Hon. J. Il. Meade,
Hon. Geo. L Douglas, Colonel B. H
Campbell. Hon. E B. Jewett, postmaster:
J ) Richardson. editor Beacon; l. D.
Skinner, banker; ". 5. Corbett Wichita
Wholesale Grocery company; ?. V. Healy
H. l. Pierce, secretary.
Those attending from the city were;
Hon o. H. Bentley, Judge c. Reed; Judge
J. NJ. Balderson, Colonel NJ. Stewart,
Colonel j. a. Wallace. Colonel J. f. How
ard. 4. w. Oliver, Arther Carpenter. John
T. Carpenter. Ike AuIt, DR.. C. e. Furley,
Thomas Glover, j. NJ Sturtevanr. Joe
King. II. c. Dunbar. Gerald Folk, of
tie kellogg Newspaper Union; Cash Tay
lar and Bob Met aase.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN A HUMBLE NONE

| A reporter knocked at the door of the
| humble home of Mrs. Angie Robinson on
Fifth avenue and stated the object of his
visit The old coIored lady was at her
! washtub and raising her bent form she
| slipped a baudanua handkerchief up from
! her eyes and wiped her sudsy hands on a
| colored apron.
Wei now, Mistah EAGLE Man, whA,
you want dat fohs"
For the paper. ="
'Lawsy-me, you doan mean dat, do yous
Dem rich people doan keer for poh ole
culled women like me. My goodness,
nebber had no 'sperience with dis kline o.
bizness-in-whatd'y e call itI"
interviewing
Oats it-inviewiug: l Amt no count
fur eddication. What I goin' to glib dose
chipuns? Now der, honey. is where
you'se talkin'. See dat black
little p;ckaninny playing out
der in de yard. Well, be doan know
il, but Use got powerful fine scarf fur
him, and a little wagon with fouh red
wheels as shiniu' and as bright as a new
dollah. Den, der's my little girl; got a
fine silk dress foh her-mighty fine l tell
you. Poh ole mother worked many a
time late into de night to get dat dress.
No hard work goin' to keep dis niger
from dressin' her chiluns like spectacle
folk. DENIS all the chiluns l got now
what Amt gone off and got married
What'll I do after breakfast tomorrow
mawnin'? Well, you'se a saucy chap.
shure. Why, jest wash and wash and
wash. OATS what I do every mawnin'
after breakfast 'cept Sunday; but bizness
fob pleasure, the ministah says, and OATS
what do, Christmas and Fo'th OF July,
jes' de same"
''Mrs. Robinson, what in your memory
was the happiest Christmas you ever
spentF'
Right der, Mistah EAGLE. you'll have
to 'scuse me, coz l amt no count on
memorizin'-no better'n eddication.
You were a slave, weren't you?"
"Shure nuff. Dis old woman can mem
orize jes' little, You amt Southerner!
No. Well tell you wnen l fust met dat
ole man of mine-not dat one l got now,
but de second fob him, it was Christmas
on de plantation and we was dancin' and
dancin' and de massa jes says go ahead"
and de patteroler, he was de policeman
down der, be wasn't no where round and
tell we'uns did carry on high. And dis
yere husband had just been bought by de
massa de day before and him and me took
up powerful Student dat night. Yes sab,
eff doan believe dat was de happiest
Christmas dis yere creatur' ebber saw"
As the reporter retired, the old colored
woman resumed her work with the sigh
ful euiogy on her former spouse.
''He was an ole Virginia niger and
mighty fine man."
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
a JOLLY BACHELOR.

! The reporter found o. B. Stocker in his
! elegant suite of rooms on Waco street.
Mr.. Stocker arose from behind a table
piled high with square boxes of candy and
greeted the newspaper man with a big
smile, those famous cheek -dimp!es of his
growing deeper than ever. Now don't
see what you want to PROFOUND those
questions to me for You see my Christ
mas must from necessity be rather an IN
eventfui one The first thing do is 20 90
around among my little friends before they
are up; leave them something TO remem Der
me by. OF course, l have some friends
that give sweetmeats, but now don't
mention that. Ny idea of Christmas is
to please the children. Why, sir, speaking
of children, love them and let me tell
you right now, that my idea Of christian
ty is christian work among the children.
Early influence are everything. / tell it to
you as a solemn belief | hold that little
Children's Home out on College Hill above
every other christian organization in the
CITY, / have little faith in reforming an
old reprobate, but child surrounded by
good words and good deeds is in very little
danger of going wrong"
Az this point it should be
mentioned in lieu of what Mr.. Suckers
modesty would forbid. that among his
friends is known that he has a custom of
every Christmas morning taking big
basket on his arm, and a vertiabe Santa
Claus, visiting several homes in the city,
before the little ones are awake, and leav-
ing each some toy or a book or candy The
big stack OF bon-bon boxes on his desk
when the reporter called IS a witness Of
this philanthropic turn.
After breakfast Mr. Stocker continued,
the boys come over to the rooms and we
have a merry little Christmas chat.
usually go out TO dinner somewhere, where
they have children. aud pass the afternoon
among them. Then IL there is social en-
tertaiument az night | attend.
The happiest Christmas 1 ever spent I
was in my Old Pennsylvania home. IL is
happiest in my memory because IL was .
my last Christmas before my mother died .
and our home was broken up. There was 4
a big old fashioned fireplace and we hung
our stockings around it. There wers five
FOSTERING boys OF Us aud one sister. Those
were happy times Time works changes;
that was our last Christmas together; in (
another short year We we're scattered TO
the four winds. Some OF my brothers
have not seen since-but those are mem
cries, and why call them up"
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
A SOCIETY LADY.

/ MISS Bessie Dagner met the reporter a
the door with cordial welcome Mis-:
Dagner is Wichita girl and is certainly
rare illustration of what Kansas air anC
Kansas sunshine can do in the way o.
womanIy comeliness and feminine pull
| chritude. The object of the visit stated
aud the first question reiterated:
You must have it, suppose" asked
Miss Dagner.
The reporter affirmed.
| Just little sigh from the fair hostess.
1t isn't so hard if you will just try
| We'll now let me see, pondered Miss
Dagner, breaking into brown study OF
tinted dimples and down cast eyes. well
first go TO bed very early and get w
very early, and then come down stairs to
breakfast and after breakfast I get my
presents"
Then you wait until after breakfast to
get your presents?" queried the reporter
''Oh, dear, yes. never could eat any
thing If l had my gifts first. 1t takes a
great deal of courage, too, assure you,
to pass through the room where those
presents are, all wrapped up and piled up
on table, where l can just see their out
lines in the dark. And, now, if you won t
put it in the paper, I will tell you that I
don't eat much breakfast. l only play eat
to satisfy mama"
and alter the presents?"
Then guess do like all the other
girls go over to their house to see what
they have received and they come over to
see mine"
Then an idea seemed to strike Miss Dag
ner aud she paused moment. Then with
a smile:
You expect me TO say l do charity,
don't you? Oh, goodness, me. 1 am
afraid 1 have been a very thoughtless girl
shall get big basket and go out tomor-
row afternoon, promise you. Ofcourse
give our washerwoman's children little
trifies, and some presents to a number of
my little friends. but dear me- fear that
have been derelict in Christmas charity
work.
"All my Christmases have been happy
ones, but suppose large families where
there are lots of brothers and sisters enjoy
Christmas the most. But, believe the
very happfest Christmas 1 ever spent was
when l was at boarding school in St
Louis. There were only ten of US girls,
and we al lived so far away that none of
US went home, but together we decorated
a Christmas tree, and, on Christmas eve.
lighted it and held high revel.
Each girl, you know, received big Christ
mas box, and no one opened her box until
all was ready, when two of the girls were
delegated to open them and hang the gifts
upon the tree, and then we all came in at
once and had the jolliest time imaginable.
We had all been trife homesick, but this
revived Us, and, to cap the climax, my
mother came TO see me next day. be-
lieve that was the happiest Christmas
ever spent"
Here the mother, Mrs. Dagner, who was
a witness to the interview. interposed that
the happiest Christmas Miss Bessie ever
spent, she bad no memory of. She was
baby and had been stricken nigh unto
death with scarlet fever, and it so happen
ed that Christmas day was the turning
point in her condition toward betterment
and happier household never lived "It
happiness consists in making others
happy" Mrs. Dagner said, "then that was
the happiest Christmas she ever spent"
And probably the mother was right
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

frost flowers on the pane spsrkled in the
early sunlight; when the dim church
aisles were bright with evergreens and
holly and the rich tones of the organ give
forth their sweetest strains. Santa Claus,
Christmas trees and rare and simple gifts.
reaching into darkened homes. too. This
was real Christmas JOY. So may the sweet
blessing of Hope shine upon our homes
and the angel of love or charity take up its
abode within our hearts. and may we all
encourage one another TO maintain TO the
full the geniality of this festive season, in
the everhowing of generous deeds aud the
giving forth OF kindnesses
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
CHRISTMAS AT THE FIRST BAPTIST.


The Christmas entertainment a. the Z
VI. c. A rooms under the auspices of the
First Baptist church last night was very
entertaining aud well worth attending. The
large audience present expressed them
selves as veil pleased. and the children
were glad 10 see Santa Claus With his pack
Of goods for them. The singing was very
good and enjoyed by all Mrs. Jones. Miss
Angie Herring and Miss Broadway presld-
ed az the piano very SUCCESSFULLY. The
recitation by Mrs L u Lawreucs showed
that she is accomplished N her iiae. and
the result 81 her teaching was seen q TIE
performance Of one Cf her pupils. Ms
Lily Yuud.. Tie Rotations by Afiss
Stanlsy. Mss SpzDzler ard NAsfsr Lvle
Snangler were al well rendered aud were
d sasinS 10 all tIrsas credit = due Mr..
Schwartz. Miss Francis Foster. Misses LEAFS
Humphrey. Herring. Broadway. ant Mrs..
T. Il. Jones, also Messrs- Waleeo. Sizhs-
v~ouger. Hzskins and Forty Tor Fteir vycrk
towards she success a Fas enJertsI ansat
The decorations. under tie supervised
q a large committee were VERY fue and
. o,sroprl ate for the occass5u. All deoova-
t5oas viii bS letr ever SUNDAY, 80 tbat all
y ho attend services VII have a. cypo---
tuulty 70 ses them.
Tne COMMITTEES desire 70 thank al az
tEos- who 20 kindly zssissea 10 TIE prep
4railous for this entertainment. wh5eh al
consider = sacuess-
Ihzuks are due ars. T. d Evsrest. Mrs
Mccall. Mrs Schwartz ar M4sz Esrrinz
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Hon. j. II. Miller, prominent and in
fuential citizen of Princeton, Ind, left for
his home yesterday after five days visit
in this city. Mr.. Miller has large property
Interests IN Wichita, and he stated before
leaving yesterday that since looking
around he was much impressed with the
destiny that lies before us, Mr. Miller
says that Kansas, and Wichita in particu-
lar, have been basely slandered, and that
since his visit be thinks more favorably of
the Peerless Princess and his Investments
here than ever before.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Manager Ogston with his usual enter
peise shown on all occasions has bad the
interior Of the opera house nicely decorat-
ed tor the Christmas day performances
The four boxes have been drsped with
flags and trimmed with holly AID mistls-
toe-aiso from the center Of the stage and
around the front OF the balcony are hung
flags and trimmings Of holly aud mlstle-
toe. The house presents bsudsorDe APP
pearance aud j. ia keeping with ths gen
eral celebration Ct the day, and viii no
doubt be admired and appreciated By the
large audiences that ara promised both
for the afternoon and evening engage
ment Of Miss MAuds Grange
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
OUR BOYS.

The ladies auxiliary of the Y. NJ. c. A.
who have charge OF class Of boys on
Thursday gave them Christmas treat
under the direction Of Mesdames Mitchell,
Slade and West Eech boy received a
badge printed on red silk ribbon Our
Boys; after which Santa Claus made his
appearance and gave each boy a box Of
candy, and apples, oranges and pop corn.
The exercises were interspersed with
music on the organ, banjo and guitar. fur
nished by Miss Norten and Mr.. Jones.
Our Boys" will not soon forget Christ
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
HOW DO you SPEND CHRISTIANS?

The wisest saws are always hackneyed.
This is true of the ssgacious remark that
one half of the world does not know how
the other half lives. Much less improb-
able is the statement that not one half of
the world knows how the other half spends
Christmas day. To the end of a diff
fusion of such knowledge to the public,
the EAGLE sent out its corps of inter-
viewers yesterday into the different walks
of life to inquire of representative persons
how they spend Christmas day.
These two questions, then, were asked:
l. How do you spend Christmas day?
2. What, in your memory, is the hap
piest Christmas you ever spent?
The persons interviewed were Mrs. a
Katz, as a representative of well-to-do and
home life; Miss Bessie Dsgner, as a lead
Jig society young lady; Mrs E j. Foster,
as one engaged in philanthropic and
charity work; Mrs. H. e. Toler, as liter
airy worker; Mrs. \. g. Walden, of the
musical circles; Mrs. Angie Robinson. as a
hard working woman with a family TO
support by the sweat of her own brow;
MIR o. B. Stocker. as fine specimen of
that happy state Of genial bachelorhood,
which everybody knows him TO be.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
MIS-. CONklIN KORHFD

Night before last Mrs. Conkhn was
robbed Of SIS while returning to her home
from the CITY. She was down town buying
Christmas toys for her children, and while
returning home she WAS held up by a
tough looking character who made her
give up her purse which contained Sl3 iu
cash. The police were notified. but as yet
have secured no clue to the robber.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

The Rich, the Poor, the Literary, Society,
Philanthropic and Musical People Give
Their Experience.-Mrs. A. Katz, Miss
Bessie Dagner, Mrs. E. J. Foster. Mrs.
h. G. Toler, Mrs. A. G, Walden, Mrs.
Angie Robinson and Mr.. o. B. Stocker
Talk
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
A WICHITA woMAS.

Frora ths Ab,.sns Rsssctor.
One Of Kansas mast sk!ilful short srory
writers. Mrs 4. g. Toler Of W.ckisA, won
the go prize Tor the best short story COZ
tributed 70 the holiday number OF Clsrk's
Horse Review. Mrs. Tolsr's work bears
the press % thoughtful study and sp-
pears IN the best periodicals. % the east
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

The English Lutherans, Rev J. A Lowe,
pastor, in the Crawford Grand opera block,
enjoyed banquet and Christmas tree last
night, that demonstrated them to be alive
and alert \ crowded house, abundant
refreshments, beautiful and rich gifts rem
dered the evening a success in every par
ticular. A handsome gift to the pastor
and wife, by the congregation, was a chief
feature of the evening.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mrs. Laura Bash of this city, and Miss
Payne, are visiting friends atWinfeld.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Claude Gray, formerly of Wichita, but
now attending the Methodist college at
Winfield, was in the city yesterday.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mrs. Rufus Hollowell and children of
Argonia are visiting Mr.. HIS parents, Mrs.
and j. E. HollowelI on Laura avenue.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mr.. F. G. Twitchell, representing the
Payton Comedy company, is in the city.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mr.. Newt Allen of Chanute, a promi-
nent and influential citizen OF southeast
srn Kansas is in the city visiting Mr.. Z.
I. Allen.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Christmas services will be held at the
Reformed church this Christmas even
ing. There will be song, recitation and
prayer; a Christmas tree, ladened with
gifts for the children win be one of fea-
lures If the occasion. The church will be
somewhat decorated for the occasion. The
bubble is invited
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mrs g. W. Sourbeck of Cleveland. O., is
visiting her daughter, Mrs. Will D..
Sharpe, and will spend the winter in
Wichita
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Miss Elsie White left last evening for
her home in Springfield, No, where she
will visit her parents during the holidays.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Mr.. E. c. Cook of College Hill returned
Thursday from Fort Worth, Tex, where
he has been visiting friends and relatives.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

E. A. Kinnaird of the Santa Fe freight
Office left for Pueblo, Colo, today, where
ne will spend the holidays with relatives.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Invitations are out for the wedding of
Miss Genevive Chambers, at Seattle, Wash,
at an early date. Miss Chambers was form
erly Of this city and is we'll known here.
Her many friends extend their best wishes.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

Miss Jennie Shaffer of Fulton, Kan,
spent yesterday in the city with Miss Effie
Wydick.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

1t is unofficially announced that Mrs.
Anna McCarton and Mr.. Palmer, of this
city, will soon be united in marriage in
this city.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
To AOvERTTsERG


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any other paper Of equal value as an advertising
medium.
All transient advertisements must be paid for in
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he proprietors reserve the right % reject and
discontinue any advertisements contracted FOL
either by themselves or their agents,
Entered in the pOstofiice at Wichita second
class matter and entered for Transmission through
the mails such.
Eastern Office at Room IS Tribune Building New
York City and 500 The ROokery.' Chicago. where
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and where files OF the paper can be seen. s c
Beckwith. Agent.
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IT Chicago can see copies Of the paper at the ONCE
" our agent at the address given above
All notices for entertainments OF any kind IN
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Ht the rate OF i've cents per line per day; and
be classified and Will not be run as pure reading
matter
The EAGLE has the largest ciculation OF any
daily paper in Kansas and covers more territory
than any two Kansas daiIiss Combined reaching 20
towns on the day OF publication in Kansas Indian
terrtt ~ Panhandle Of Texas and eastern Colorado
The columns Of the EAGLE have been tested and
proved to be the best advertising medium in the
southwest. The only daily that reaches all the ter
.i'0ry above named day OF publication. As an
advertising medi N IL is unexceed.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25

for their good and effective work III drill
ing the children and singers, also TO Mrs.
J. p. Furlong
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
CHRISTMAS DAY.

As it is Spent. AN Effort to Discover the
Various Ways of Celebrating Christmas
in the Different Walks of Life in Wichita.