davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

but, for wonder, Jane spoke no word
of blame or criticism.
They went together into the L-room
where the two little girls were asleep,
but were scarcely over the threshold
when they stopped short, for, by the
light of a small lamp on the mantel,
they saw sight which moved them
both deeply. Under the mantel hung
two gray hand-knit stockings packed
full
Miss Jane did not venture to look at
her brother as she went forward and
emptied the stockings. From Prues
she took an old case knife, an anti
quated bead pin cushion, an almanac, a
china dog-which belonged to the
spare room mantle-a lamp mat and a
toilet bottle From Rebecca's, match
safe, shell box, photograph frame,
a hair brush, broken ink bottle, and a
battered silver cup that was a relic of
Miss James babyhood.
"Well! never in all my born days."
she calculated under her breath.
"Reuben, look here!"
But Reuben, finding his emotion not
10 De COuUTOllcl ny huoCCttSloudl SLuOUil-
cred cough, had gone back to the
kitchen. Miss Jane found him there ten
minutes later sitting by the stove with
his hands over his face. He looked up
as she entered.
"Ef he'd to get them presents over
agin,' he said, slowly, Il wouldn't rest
till I'd bought the hull store out. The
moor little creeturS!i
Eye got enough, dear knows!' re-
Joined Miss Jane, pretending to search
in the corner cupboard for something
which could not be found. They'll be
as pleased in the mornin' as two
crickets."
The establishment and delight of the
two little girls when they walked in the
morning and found their gifts can better
be imagined than described and there
were no happier children in the old
district schoolhouse the following Mon
day than the two whose pretended
Christmas had become a wonderful
reality.-B. Hollowell, in Christian
Union.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26


odd-loolsing little creatures, for their
dark wooden dresses came down below
their ankles, and on their heads were
thick worsted hoods, while each was
wrapped in big blanket shawl, tied at
the back.
They were used to the cold, and they
didn't mind it in the least, and just now
they forgot all about it in their absorb
ing interest in some subject they were
discussing.
'.We'n be awful 'shamed to say we
didn't get anything, Rebecca," said the
elder girl, land they'll be sure to ask a
lot of questions.
"Well, we'll just have to stand it
that's ALL rejoined little Rebecca,
sturdily. "'Tain't our fault we don't
have any Christmas"
but don't you suppose, if we spoke
to Aunt Jane, she'd"
"No," interrupted Rebecca. 1T
wouldn't do mite O. good. She'd say
she didn't believe in Christmas. You
know she would, Prue."
GIVE good mind to ask her, anyway.
/ don't want to go to school next Mon
day n tell EN- we didn't have the first
thing. They'd think Aunt Jane m
Uncle Reuben awful mean to us. We've
lived here five years, and we amt never
had any Christmas yet"
Rebecca was about to reply, but
what she would have said will never be
known, for at that moment a tall
angular woman, with a thin face, and
iron-gray hair drawn tightly back from
her temples, came around the side OF
the house.
.'How many times have / got to tell
you girls not to swing on that there
gate?" she cried, in thin, rasping voice.
you'll have it off the hinges yet. You
don't pretend to pay attention to thing
say"
Prudence and Rebecca, with scared
faces, jumped down from the gate, and
walked quickly up the narrow, box
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

as soon as the children were out of
hearing. 1T does seem SO pitiful to
have 'em a-doin this way"
Il amt got nothin' agin their havin
a Christmas, eff you choose ter pay for
it, answered Miss Jane, her voice soft
er than usual. Il amt as mean
as some folks d like to make out.
The only reason l didn't give 'em Christ
mas long before this was because |
didn't think you had money to pay out
for such foolishness.''
Il amt noways rich, as rybody
knows, 'thout bein' told rejoined
Reuben, but | guess l amt so poor |
can't spend bit once u year for the
poor little creeturs. I'll go down to the
store soon's supper's over, n see what
| en- do
Prude and Rebecca wondered what
made their uncle and aunt so silent dur
ing supper, and why Aunt James voice
was SO much kinder than usual, but
not for moment did they suspect that
there had been witnesses to that pre-
tended Christmas in the old henhouse.
When Reuben got back from the vii
lage at nine o'clock, and, after putting
his horse in. the stable, came into the
warm, well-lighted kitchen, where
Jane was sewing by the comfortable,
his arms We're full of bundles. There
was Il little bedstead, two china dolls, a
tea-set, a small kitchen, a dolls car
riage, bag of candy, and half a dozen
big oranges. He looked little anxious
as Jane unwrapped one thing after the
other, for he half expected to be called
to account for such wild extravaganza;
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

Jane, in tone of veXation. 81 can't
keep track O. 'em. l sent 'em out to the
well much as an hour ago, N they amt
come back yet"
Il wish ye'd let me show We where
they be, Jane
An odd tremulousness in her brothers
voice struck Miss Jane, and She turned
sharply around.
What dye mean, Reuben? Nothin's
happened to EN-, l hope?"
No, nothin' amt happened to EN-.
But they're out in the old henhouse,
Jane, n"
The old henhouse.' interrupted Miss
Jane. What under the canopy be they
a-doin' there?"
They 're-they're havin' Christmas
tree answered her brother, g N | want
you to see 'em, Jane. The poor little
things! They've got a little hemlocll
a-settin' in a waSh-tub o. ashes, n it s
covered all over with candle ends, n
there's a gourd a-hangin' on it, n a
stone, N the parlor buster, n that tidy
Priscilla Newcome knit, N the clancy
cup that belonged to mother, 'n'-it's
Jest pitiful to see 'em, Jane
Miss Jane didn't answer. She was
very busy stirring the potatoes. But
presently she pushed the pan to the
back Of the stove, and taking her shawl
and hood down from Il peg on the
kitchen door, said in nuffled voice.
as she tied the strings of the hood under
her chin:
Il s'pose l might as well go out N
see for myself what they're up to. Why
couldn't they have their tree in the
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

meanwhile the bells, for miles around, start
ringing altogether)
With shouts of merriest laughter, and with
sounds of merriest singing,
{Be sure, whatc'er you do, to keep the joyful
bells a-ringing)
And Christmas trees enough to fill forest,
decled with berries
Some creamy white and some as red as sum-
mers ripeSt cherries,
And stockings of all sizes and all hues set
gently swinging
From chimney shelves. (And mind don't let
the gladstone bells stop ringing(
And of mince pies, plum buildings, turkeys
chickens, yes, and any
Good things you find take plenty for you can
not have too many.
Then Santa Claus get hold of when his rein
deer steeds are springng
From roof to roof (cling- clang! cling-clang !!
still have the bells a-ringing),
And help yourself to sweets and toys for some
poor little dwcller,
Some pretty, thnfaced boy or girl-in garnet
or in cellar
To whose pale cheek the sight of them will
flush OF joy be bringing
(Louder and faster let the bells, the festive
bells, be ringing.
Then gather lots of greetings warm and untold
stores of KISSES
And friendly wishes, happy smies-in fact all
kinds of blisses,
With hip hurrah!' for Prince New Year his
way toward us wingng
(And no,o their 0e"y fastest must the wild, wild
bells be ringing,
And at thu last mix well with rhymes, and
you'll have-dont 1 know 'em:
/ should, for I've a thousand read-a reg lar
Christmas poem.
Margaret Eytinge in Detroit Free Press.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

Daddy he tells nanny at it won't be long
afore
He fms anudder job at sumpin' at Il pay him
more;
An Bess an me s a-hopin at he IL git it soon,
accuse
It's putty nearly bout the time to look fur
Sanity Kiaws.
IN mos eight years old, an Bess is hitler
an me,
An nanny IS been apromisin' at we could
have tree
Big as what the Dolans had las year on Chrisa-
mus,
An there s seven little Dolans, an there S
on'y two of US!
But nanny now is worried bout the rent a.
comm on,
An we don't drink no more coffee, an the bag
O. flour gone;
An the coal at S in the closet S a-gittin' down
so fast
We sifs the cinders over twict to try an make
it last.
So it don't much look as if a tree S goin to be
had
An we we stopped aaskin' nanny cause it
on'y makes her mad,
An we both have made it up to stop a-plaguin'
daddy, too,
used to do.
But we keep a-hopin' to oursers it won't be
allus so,
An aprayin' an a.prayin', though we don't let
nanny know,
If there S a job to spare. at daddy ii git it
right away
Sumpin' at Il bring him more an fifty cents a
day.
Malcolm Douglas in ST. Nicholas,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
SIS, let the latter take the lead in all

less, let the latter take the lead in all
things.
Its better'n nothin', s'pose,' she
said, drearily, IAN | guess the girls
won't ask us to bring our presents to
school. But we'd better go in now,
'Becca. 1t must be most supper time,
n Aunt Jane will be wondering where
we are"
Reuben drew his sister quickly to
one side just as the door of the hen
house opened and the two little girls
came out.
"Can't-can't we give 'em some sort
O Christmas, Jane?" Ee asked, timidly,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26
HOLIDAY JESTS AND GEMS.

The small boy hasn't to be got out
of bed with a switch on Christmas
morning.
The almanacs put the shortest day
of the year just before Christmas, but
financially it is the next day after.
You cannot cut Christmas out of
the calendar nor out of the heart of the
world.-T w. landlord.
Tim sorry l didn't ask Santa Claus
for few more things while l was
about it, said the young miser.-Judge.
Job got his certificate for patience
before he was obliged togo out and buy
Christmas presents for all his relatives.
Baltimore American.
Charley Was Slow. Amy Are
you going to give Charley anything at
Christmas" Mabel-'I'm thinking of
giving him a hint. Epoch.
Tommy Il wish Christmas had
come and gone" Johnny-''What for?"
Tommy-''Becauset then we could quit
being good. "-Golden Days.
BE merry all, be merry all,
With holly dress and festive hall,
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,
To welcome merry Christmas.
w. r. Spencer.
THE holiday spirit is an all-per-
vading one, remarked d father as he
bought his little boy a fifteen-cent tin
horse; but it costs money. Puck.
Mother and daughter examining
Christmas presents. Daughter-'Are
both of these boxes of candy differ
ent?" Mother-"No; neither is alike. :"
-Wife-''I hope you are pleased with
those slippers, darling?" Husband
Observation-Disclosures, dear, I'm so glad
learned to walk on snowshoes when |
was Washington Post.
The church bells of innumerable
sects are all chime bells to-day, ringing
in sweet accordance throughout many
lands, and awaking a great joy in the
heart of our common humanity. -
Chaplin.
--Johnny-"Say, pa, to-day is Christ
mas" Mr.. Squeers That's SO, my boy!
Well, I'll let you go without a spank
ing to-day. No child of mine shall ever
mas by"
1t is well for everyone during the
holidays to be filed with the Christmas
spirit, but they should not regard this
as permission for unlimited and unre-
stricted indulgence in Christmas punch.
-Somerville Journal.
If you hear man protesting loudly
during the week against the promiscu-
Gus slaughter of seals You may depend
upon it that he very grudgingly bought
his wife sealsl1in sacque for Christ
mas.-Philadelphi Call.
-Willie-''I don't believe the stories
about Santa Claus Do you, Fred?'
Fred-''No, l don't, either: but-'sh
don't let S talk so loud. He might hear
u.s. and then he wouldn't give us any
ng."-IIarper's Young People.
Christmas
Christ the Lord, is born to-day.
Hang the house with holly gay,
Ring the tuneful bell!
In the churches, vast and dim,
Solely for the love of Him,
The TIE Deum swell.
Meet the poor with open hands;
Ask that Christ's Divine commands
Sweetly in thee dwell!
Grace w. Haight in Good Housekeeping.
-Fifty-two times the shuttle has
flown, in each flight weaving week
with golden border of Sabbath. Three
hundred and sixty-ive times the clock
has struck twelve for the noon, and
only one less time twelve for the night.
In that time, how many marriage gar
lands have been twisted, how many
graves dug, how many sorrows suffered,
how many fortunes won, how many
souls lost, how many mortals saved
Talmage.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

There is CLEAN of comfort for a
man even when the Christmas present
season is in full blast; his wife does not
want an Easter bonnet now,-Philadel-
phia Times.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

--'Well, Bobbie," said his father, the
other day after Christmas, aren't you
sorry Christmas comes only once a
year?" sob, d know! If DR.. Squills
has got to come the day after Christmas
every time, I'm rather glad of it,
Golden Days.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

Mrs. Smitem Ito her SOM Which
would you rather have for Christmas,
Robbie, pair of skates or sled?
Robbie-Can't have both?
Mrs. Smitem-No, don't think Santa
Claus would consent to that.
Robbie Then give me the skates
Tommy Slimson's got a sled, and | can
lick HMM. Y. Mail and Express.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

Johnnie-Say, pa, is this what Santa
Claus brought you?
Mr.. Scantlox-Yes, my boy. What
do you think of it?
Johnnie-Well, l think that Santa
made mistake, as you always part
YOUR hair with towel.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

bordered path Their aunt stood waiting
for them, and when they were within
reach pushed them before her into the
kitchen.
''There's no need to idle round jest
because school amt keepin' this week"
she said. There's plenty to do, dear
knows! It's all foolishness havin'
vacation. I 3or't believe in It"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

We always like best what the other
boy got.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

J T on a front
gate, before an
oil d-f ashioned
70 omy house
o n Il quie t
road, two lit
tie girls with
S ODER faces
We're swinging
one December
afternoon.
II h ey were
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
The IrfShman Scored.

Gen. Bligh and his wife happened
to arrive at Yorkshire inn where
there was only just so much in the
larder as was sufficient for them, and
of course they bespoke it. Some sport
ing gentlemen presently arrived, and
on hearing what had happened asked
who was the guest.
can Irish officer" said the landlord,
where upon one said:
''Oh. if he's Irish a potato will do
for him. Here, take my watch up to
him" Ga very handsome gold one) land
ask him what's O'clock"
The inquiry had doubtless, some i'm
pertinent significance in those days,
which it has now lost; at all events it
brought down the general, with the
watch in his hand and pistol under
each arm.
Il am come, " he said, 'to tell you
what o'clock it is. Whose watch is
this?''
Everybody fastened to deny any
knowledge of it whatever.
''Then I have made mistake" said
the general, 'in the company. 1 re-
ceived an impudent message, which
came down to resent but find I have
come to the wrong room"
The watch, which would have paid
his dinner bill fifty times over, he kept
to his death, and left it by will to his
brother, the dean of Elphin.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
His Personal Body Guard.

The personal body guard of the en-
peror of Germany, members of which
accompany him on his rides and ex-
cursions, consists of fifteen stalwart
young foresters, all of whom have
been trained under officials in the
royal forests. After serving their
three years in the army they are
picked" by court marshal and per-
sonally presented to the emperor, who
selects those that seem fittest to be his
personal attendants. The rule is that
after term of service from nine to
twelve years they are allowed to retire,
when a position as forester is given
them in the royal forests. The yoke
of service rests lightly on the body
guards, for they are on duty only every
fifth day, and for this they receive a
payment of f12 los. truly magni-
ficent salary as compared with the
wages of some of the officials and do
mestics at the imperial palace.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
PEPPERMINT DROPS.
Over the left-the successful.

over the le1C-Cn0 successful.
A blood relation-Ante Bellum.
The livery of heaven-uniform goodness
Love conquers hate, but never indiffer-
ence.
Do not believe that all your critics are
enviouB of you.
A water-mark-t signature to tenn
perance pledge.
The egotist takes it as personal affront
when told to shut his rs.
The bill that all congressman are willing
to vote for-the bank bill.
Never propose to girl on shipboard--
she might throw you over.
The women of Philadelphia are calling
for nude departure in art.
It is well to bear in mind that 'svirtue"
has more than single definition.
The world never sits down twice on a
man who has any point about him.
Do not get SO many good ideas that you
have no time to carry any of them into
execution.
''Look out for breakers is good motto
to remember when you are about to en-
ploy servant.
Somehow the average schoolboy can
manage to love his teacher with a great
deal less exertion after he has got away
from school.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
WASHINCTON'S JUNKETS.
He Travelled in Style with Four Horse
and Coach.

He Travelled in Style with Four Horses
and Coach.
The custom of presidential touring
dates back to Washington. He had
the most style about him of all the
presidents, and he rode about the coun-
try in a cream-colored chariot drawn
by four horses and accompanied by
positions and outriders. He had a
regular retinue of followers, and the
letters of the times show that many of
his tours were taken for political rea-
sons. He appreciated the value of
style and he was very careful as to his
equipage. He once whipped a stable
boy because he did not clean his horses
quite as well as he thought they ought
to be cleaned, and made his hostlers
wash the teeth of his horses and
clean them with toothpicks daily. It
was his test of a well groomed horse to
rub him over with his fine pocket
handkerchief and if bit of dust came
off Or the linen was soiled in the least
the horse had to be gone over again.
His first tour after he assumed the
PAo0AOOAOJ Woo a. OI1 w NOW LILY lulu,
which he took in connection with his
prisate secretary, six servants and
some noted men. He started from
New York and Alexander Hamilton
and Chief Justice Jay escorted him out
of the city. At this time he visited
Boston, but he skipped Rhode Island,
which was then out of the union.
Washington's second tour was taken
from Philadelphia in 1871. At this
time he went to the south, and took a
tour through the southern states. He
had fine turnout as usual, and he had
a saddle horse led with his coach, in
order that he might rest himself by
riding ON horseback when he got tired.
He had his whole tour outlined before
he started, and his cabinet ministers
had a memorandum of his itinerary,
and his private secretary says that he
planned the trip SO well that he carried
this memorandum out to the letter.
He was fast traveller, and during
this trip he covered nearly LOO miles
in sixty-six days with one set of horses.
He carried good supply of provisions
with him, but he had no idea of the
luxuries of the colored porter who can
mix a cocktail or get up dish of
terrapin on a half hours notice.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
A ROSE--LOVE.
At early morn I plucked a rose,
twas purely white:

At early morn plucked rose,
Twas purely white;
gave it to my lady fair,
Who placed it in her ut-brown hail
To wear till night.
At noon the rose again 1 saw,
1t still was fair;
My love gave me smile so sweet,
/ cast my heart before her feet,
And left it there.
Again at night saw the rose
All withered lie;
But Loves strong cord had bound each
heart
In close bonds, which shall not part
Though flowers may die.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
There Is a Difference.

It is estimated that there are always
$4,000 Americans in Italy, and that
there are now about ten times as many
Italians in this country. Nearly all
the Americans in Italy are well off,
and nearly all the Italians who come
to this country are in poverty. In
most cases the Americans who 90 to
Italy spend few weeks or months
there, while the Italians who come to
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
The Ruin OF a Once Profitable
Business.

She Ito young poet)-How much do
you get for your POEMS, Charleyp
Charley with de)-From two to
five dollars
She-Well. isn't that very little,
Charley? see that Sir Walter Scott
got ten thousand dollars for one of his.
Charley-Yes, but you see writing
poetry isn't the business it used to be.
There's too much competition.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15

the United States expect to stay here.
The Americans in Italy spend their
money; the Italians in the United
States earn money.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15


effects of his genial spree. He was
very sick that night, but that taught
him a lesson which many humans
might learn; he never wanted to 20
there again.
The late Frank Bucklin, who devoted
his life to the study of animals, and who
was director of the Royal Geological
Society's Gardens, London, for so many
years, was prolific in peculiar stories of
the pranks of all, from serpents to sea
lion. BY the way, he tells q remarka-
BILE story of sea lion who was so care
fully nurtured that its savage nature
entirely disappeared, but the amazing
part comes when, through some change
of temperature in their abode-or is it
''change of keeper" at any rate, the
sea lion moped and was sullen; so sui
len that they feared sickness; and sick
ness meant death. Without Buckland' S
knowledge, the keeper forced some
brandy into its huge jaws; and capacious
enough they were, for whole bottle
being emptied, the tusks again parted,
as if pleading for more. Strange to
say, although that sea lion lived for
months afterward. it would pretend to
be sick every day, and would refuse to
get we'll until it was provided with
brandy. No symptoms ever appeared
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15

and said, softly: "Why, Gladys, home
sick already?"
Startled, she turned quickly and
with joyful little catch of her breath,
dashed her handkerchief over her
eyes, and answered shyly: ''No, Jack,
only lonesome, and Pm sorry was
so rude yesterday"
He sat down, screening her from any
prying eyes, and said very low:
"Gladys, darling, were you crying be-
cause I've been such an unmanly beast
to-day?"
The pretty head dropped lower-but
no answer. Jack glanced around; no
one was looking. Taking her hand he
said: ''Gladys, once more I ask you
to be my wife. If you say no, shall
never trouble you again, but shall take
the first train home from Omaha to-
morrow, a disappointed man. Which
is it, dear, yes or MOP"
Still no answer.
''Say yes, dearest" pleaded Jack,
with his lips dangerously near the
fluffy bang.
An almost imperceptible nod was all
the answer he got, but it seemed to
satisfy him. Gently raising her head
he stole kiss, just in time to escape
the porter's inquisitive eyes as he came
up. blandly asking the young lady if
she was ready to have her berth made
up.
Blushing furiously, the young lady
said yes. she was ready; so pressing
her hand warmly, Jack whispered:
''Good night love-" and left her, we'll
satisfied with the result of his journey.