davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

writer visiting Bethlehem at CHRIST
mas time. found it hard to believe, in
these practical days of railroads ana
table d'hote dinners, that such con-
dition of affairs could ever have eN-
listed
Arriving at Bethlehem, he says, L
FASTENED to see the scenes OF the nallN-
ty. full of expectation and yet ready
to be disappointed, for that had been
my lot so often in Palestine. Inc
Mount of Olives. Golgotha, the Sacred
Sepulchre, all were in my eyes spoiled
for the want of that exquisite simple
ity which had filled my childish visions:
Everywhere the ardor of the faithful
has shown itself in upsetting and I'M
proving things in deplorable manner.
SO | asked myself with apprehension
how | would find the stable where
Mary brought her child into the world
and laid him i'll the manger because
there was no place for them at the inn.
Passing through the narrow and
crooked street which cuts Bethlehem
into two parts we finally reached the
extremity of the burg and found our
selves in an oblong square, which in
its turn opened into an esplanade paved
with stone. here and there showing
openings into ciSternS which served
for baptiSms and for ablutions among
former generations of Christians. In
those days it was the usage to wash
before entering the sanctuary.
A curious scene is here on the very
border of the place of the nativity. On
one side n burial ground with white
tOmbS: on two other sides rows OF
bare, high walls, like fortress or Il
prison Here and there windows pierce
the walls, but no doors. One looks
about him mystified, but finally dis
covers Il black hole in and out of
which people are passing almost on all
fours, SO low is it, This is the chief
entry to the sanctuary of the nativity.
Having passed through this hole one
finds himself in large hall divided
by four colOnnadeS and Surmountcd by
a roof flankcd by heavy beams. Peo-
pie stand about talking and smoking.
children play, Turkish soldiers sew up
their uniforms, women give suck to
their infants, fakirs offer oranges.
beads and candles for sale, White Greek
and Franciscan monks hurry about us
if on business of pressing importance.
Formerly, l am told, the Arabs used
to stable their sheep here.
But this is not the stable where Jesus
was born. and one is some time in dis
covering it. On the left two Turkish
soldiers with rifles are stretched laZily
on a bench. One is asleep. the other
yawns. They are evidently not there
from personal preferences. In front of
them Il circular stairway goes down
10 Il door which seems to indicate Il
crypt. The door passed, one continues
the descent by narrow staircase un-
til he comes to two other Turkish sol
diers, this time standing up, with guns
on the floor and on the left. lighted by
hanging lamps, is the following inscrip-
ton: "Hic de Virgine Maria, Jesus
Christus, natus est Here Jesus Christ
was born of the Virgin Nary. We
are in the stable.
This discovery is much of Il surprise.
and ones first movement is for proteS-
tation, for the simple reason that moth
ing at all like stable is apparent.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

estimation of young people. The game
Of "coaSting' consists simply i'll sec
ing which boy can drive his sled
farthcst from the starting point at the
top of Il convenient hill. A running
start is allowed. The hill should have
il level stretch at the bottom, and the
course should be as smooth as possible.
Bubble Blowing.-This game requires
long narrow table, which may be
simply board five feet long and cgh-
teen inches wide The board must be
covered with woollen cloth: an old
shawl will do Two stakes, twelve
inches high and eight inches apart,
must be set up one foot from the end
Of the board. Bubble blowing can be
played by any number of children, and
they may divide into two equal par
ties. Each player is armed With Il
pipe, and a bowl of soapsuds is placed
handy. Each player in turn blows II
bubble, tosses it on the table, and tries
to blow it between the stakes at the
other end. Three trials are allowed
each player. Bubbles that break be-
fore the bowler has started them do
not count. When q bubble is sent
through the goal the player scores one.
For single players the game is three,
Der desired Generally the score is
three times the number of players.
Comic Historical TableauX. - The
company must divide into two par
ties. One party decides what event in
history they will represent, and then
forms a tableau to Illustrate the event,
making it as ridiculous as possible.
The other party must try to guess what
the tableau is. If they fail, they take
their turn in producing q tableau.
Blind Mans Buff.-This favoritc old
game needs no description. But it
may be varied for Christmas even
ing. The person blinded is designacd
us Santa Claus" A small sack,
stuffed with cotton, wool or paper. is
provided. One Of the players strikes
Santa Claus" with this saying: santa
Claus can't find his sack" Santa
Claus pursues. and the sack is passed
from hand to hand, each player in turn
striking Santa and repeating the
phrase. The object is for Santa to
grab the sack or bag when the player
who holds it becomes Santa Claus in
turn.
The Fairy Hunt-This game is much
the same as hunt the slipper. Various
articles, such as nuts, candy, fruit,
toys, or other suitable gifts, are wrap
ped In tissue paper and hidden In all
parts of the house. The game is one
that all children will delight in, and,
introduced at Christmas party, will
cause no end Of merriment.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
Esplanade in Front of the Basilica.

Esplanade in Front of the Basilica.
We are in a grotto. To this objection
the reply is made that in olden times
grottOS for stables. Unfortunately
even this explanation seems unSatis-
factory, so much has the appearance
of the grotto been changed The walls
are covered with marble, and count
less lamps hang down from ceiling
richly decorated with gold and purple
hanglngs. The effect is that of pre-
tentious hallway in some Oriental
museum. There is nothing which calls
to mind the poverty in which Jesus
WAS born, and the mangcr, which is
seen at the right in a space supported
with marble columns, is also made of
marble. Finally one sees, also fash
ionCd in marble and a little further to
the right, a circular Oritice marking
the place where God caused spring
to burst forth when the holy family
WAS sheltered in this refuge.
OF course Christmas is the great fcte
day at Bethlehem. On Christmas eve
the French Consul comes from Jcru-
salem to Bethlehem to take part in tho
ceremonies of the great Christian night.
The Turkish authorities place at his
disposal detachment of cavalry, and
two officers with drawn sabreS accom-
pany him. Surrounded by his eight
cnwas on horseback in their striking
Levantne costume of blue and gold.
the Consul goes with the procession,
which includes many pilgrims, through
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
Christmas In America in 1921.

SnrlsthaS IN America IN 1871.
The chronicles Of the Pilgrims, de,
scribing their arrival in Cape Cod Bay,
in December, 1920, refer briefly to the
first Christmas spent by them in Amer
lea; and what was done in Plymouth
village the next Christmas is described
in the quaint language Of Governor
Bradford:
'On We day called Christmas-day, We
Govr. called them out to worke (as was
used), but ye most of this new com
pany excused themselves and said 1t
went against their consciences to work
on ye day. So ye Govr. told them that
if they made it matter of conscience.
he would spare them till they We're
better informed. So he led away We
rest and left them, but when they
came home at noon from their worke,
he found them in We streete at play
openly, some pitching We barr, and
some at stoole-ball, and such like sports.
SO he went to them and took away
their implements and told them that
was against his conscience, that they
should play and others worke If they
made We keeping Of it mater of devo-
ton, let them kepe their houses, but
there should be no gaming or revelling
in ye streets"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

bring me word of Victimus. I tell
you, boys. l am getting anxious about
that cemetery
As if in answer to this queer peti-
ton, there came Il gust of wind. and
a paper tluttered to the ground in the
midst of the group of men,
Great Scott!' exclaimed Yellow
'ete. Whats that?'
Ben Jarvis secured the paper and
perused it eagerly.
We'll, boys. this is queer" he said.
Guess the fairies heard what l Sid.
Listen to this
And he read as follows:
To whom it mayconcern:
Will any good Christian helpa dying man: I
have heavy secret on my soul. | cannot die
without revealing it. HUGH CRAIG.
"Good-by, boys, exclaimed Jarvis,
rising Wait here till i come back
Ben. Jarvis reached the well-built
cabin of Hugh Craig in less than
quarter of an hour, although it was a
mile over II rough path He found the
sick man lying on an iron camp bed
stead He advanced to the bedside.
Il got your message" he said, sol
cmnly. What can / do for you!
You got my message" repeated the
sick mai. i'll a husky voice. strange.
Yet | knew it. | could not die here
alone. without relieving my guilty soul.
| managed to Scrawl the note and to
throw il from the door, and the wind
swept it down the gulch, And you
got it,
Yes" replied Jarvis.
Il knew it-I knew it. | have lived
Il goddess life having faith in nothing.
Yet since this sickness of death came
upon me have felt there was higher
power. to which | must answer
He paused few moments, and then
continued:
Il have no time to lose. Sixteen
months ago my pal and | committed Il
bank robbery in the town of s.,
Illinois. We managed so as to throw
suspicion on the cashier, a young man
named Henry Launt He was arrest
ed tried. convicted and is now in
prison. He has Il wife and two chill
dren. | have written a full confession.
Here it is
He feebly took roll of manuscript
from under his pillow.
Take it. See that justice is done
Don't try to do anything for me. 1t is
too late Leave me alone to die
".
It was not long before Ben Jarvis
burst on the camp with his strange
tale
Here, boys" he said, as he ended it,,
"chip in. There's two of us got to go
to illinois and right this thing. If we
don't the fairies of Windy Gulch will
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS DON'T.

Don't forget the poor.
Don't make the Christmas feast the
cause of a doctors visit.
Don't present your husband, brother
or lover with a box of cigars.
Don't make rich gifts when simple
ones will answer the purpose.
Don't forget that it is wrong to send
costly gifts which may invite an ex-
pensive return from those unable to
afford 1t.
Don't set punch or wine on your
table. Christmas is particularly Il
children's holiday, and their appetitcs
should not be tempted with alcoholic
drinks
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

t,o holy nI,ce Ahouf half way thprc
,,n,,. no ronll of t,1i ,nnntionod ohovn
th" sbnil,s of Rnthlabcm and other rich
nnonln Of tho civ wait for tbn Consul
an bnrsnbacl and accomnany him tn
his dnstination while thn whole nonu.
intion tnrn ont along thn strnets tho
Women ana cbildran alono thc terrace
md .t tho windows and welcome tbr
'''>' ' "
ti.itor, with crins and cbeors Tpor
,hn o.,,l,n,J. hafora tho hosilica thr
Tnrkish GARRISON stands at arms. Will,
thn ,nusi9 nf tho C,tholic o,nhon osy.
Inn, sounds tho "Norseilloiso and
thnn tbn corteqn r,ssns on TO the Fran
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

well, but Craig's partner, one Billy
Garvin, had skinned out Il couple of
months before the events narrated
herein. taking with him all the results
of their labors. Since this event Craig
had had nothing but bad luck. He
was moody, nsociable man, and his
misfortune and i'll health had rendered
him more peculiar than ever, and less
popular with the camp.
THE Iniuns have Legend remark
cd Ben Jarvis, that this gulch is i'll
habited by fairies. They believe in
fairies, you know. Queer they should
ave that notion just the same us our
rorefathers. Now, if there are any
fairies about here Wish they would
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

"le >hepherde, he kept his flocks on the hill,
But no lambe or mutton ate he; llcft,
For yc good Knighte spoiled what the gaunt wolf
TO give it in charite.
"ie merchant rode forth with well filled purse
But he came home stripped and leane;
Forge good Knighte met him along the roadc,
And his hand was heavy,I ween.
"Ye outcaste Jew had stores of gold,
And he hid it most secretlie;
But ye torture chamber opened his lips
To tell where the gold might be.
"Oh. goodlie Knighte was bold Sir Rude,
And he kept the Chrystemas tide;
Whoever might come to the open feastc,
Departed well satisfied.
There was ale, and wine and meats galore
And much Chrystemas jollite;
But ye hinde, ye shepherde, ye merchant and Jew,
Came not to the Chrystemas tree"
Ie harper man hath gone to his rest,
Ye good Knighte likewise he;
And the good old days have long gone by
With their deeds of charitie.
g. II. BENEDICT.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

never bring us any luck. and Gabriel
Roost cemetery will beat us out OF
sight
He passed around the hat. and the
necessary funds We're speedily pro
vidcd.
III write you particulars We're the
last words of Ben Jarvis as he and
Ncrvy Jclliff took leave of Windy
Gulch.
I'VE got here o. k wrote Ben
Jarvis fortnight later. "and went at
once to the Mayor of the town. There
was Il lot of foolin' with lawyers and
the District Attorney, and then we all
went before the Governor and he de
cidcd to issue ii pardon so as to let the
youn" fellow out about Christmas. 4
lot of his friends are going to get up
Il big dinner and reception for him.
and we're invited. You ought to sec
his wife and kids. She's as pretty as
picture, and I'm going to have Il
photograph of the whole family to
bring back to Windy Gulch. How
about the ccmctery!"
The answer came in a dispatch sent
from Preston. town twenty miles
from Windy Gulch:
Your letter received Glad of your success
The camp is all right Old Stffens pegged out
two days after you left. Billy Garvin came pok-
ing back. and Jack Iltz settled with him. Our
cemetery is one ahead of Gabriels Roost.
THE BOYS
Gentle reader, if you should visit
Windy Gulch during the present civic
regime there, be careful not to throw
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

HE poet Lamartinc,
writing of the Holy
Lame in his "Mcdita-
tons sixty odd years
ago, tells of buying
IN arsenal of pistols.
sabreS and other
weapons to arm his
company against the
Greek pirates who
infested the Archi-
pelago Sea and of
divers other dangers
which made the jour
ney to the scene of
the nativity and life
of Christ adventur-
Gus and lively.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
A Wall Street Lament.

Speculator Ito his wife)-You must
not encourage the children to expect
much this year, my dear. You know
am short on stocks.
Wife--All right. John; but you just
remember that the children are long
on stockings.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

HE happiness of
children can be
greatly promoted
on Christmas by
the introduction
of games. Per-
haps the Christ
mas presents may
include enough of
these to fully oc-
cupy the attention
if the little folks.
If not, some of
the following may
answer:
Coasting. - For
outdoor 5 pO t
nothing surpaSScS
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

II think RENAL. ale pUel, that
smile is peculiarly appropriate to
such a cheerful festival as Christmas"
Il agree with you," said the local edi.
tor. Lets go cit and smile"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
THE BEAUTIFUL TALE.

When the still earth is wrapped in the Christmas
time snow,
My thoughts wander back to the long, long ago,
When was wee, wondereyed child
And all life to me was beautiful wild
of sunshine and daisy fields snow or no snow
No matter how cold might the winter winds blow.
used to climb up on my grandfather's knee.
And look in his eyes. just as grave as could be,
And ask him to tell me the wonderful tale
OF the Shepherds asleep in the Bethlehem vale,
And the star of the East, it burst their sight,
And dazzled their eyes with its marvellous light.
How it led them along o. 'er the Nazarene hills
By the white sleeping fiocks and the low singing
rills,
To the dear little Baby asleep on the hay
In the manger-and, up to this wordly-wise day,
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
YE ANCIENT CHRYSTEMtC.

1t was an ancient harper man,
And he sang of Christmas time,
In the good old days of the knightly age,
And he sang in uncouth rhyme:
"Oh. a goodlie knighte was bold Sir Rude,
And he lived in n lordlie halle:
And create was his bountie to allie good souls,
For he fed both create and smallc.
We hinde he ploughed the valley land,
And he toiled both Garlic and late:
For We good Knight took onehalf his store
To feed the poor at his gate.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
Reviviug an Old Custom.

Mr.. Suburb-What does all this
mean?
Group of Tramps-This is a Christ
mas carol, boss. We are reviving Il
pleasant old custom. And we won't
leave till you come down with a quar-
ter.
Mr. Suburb concludes it is best to
come down.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
CHRISTMA AS In JUDEA.
OBSERVANCES AT THE SACRED
SePUlCHRE.

Curious Scenes About the Place of Ma
tiyity-The st bic II Grotto-Religious
Observances The People of Bethlehem
Female Traits.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
FROsTBURG MD. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1898.

any doubts upon this fairy tale. The
rivalry between Windy Gulch and
Gabrel's Roost over the cemetery
record is still in full blast.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS GAMES.

Various Ways in Which Young Folks May
Enjoy the Famous Holiday.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

And. even tonight We're my grandfather here,
I'd creep to his breast, and look into his dear
Old credulouS eyes, and say. Tell me the tale
of the shepherds asleep in the Bethlehem vale,
And once more a child, I'd look out through the
snow
On the daisy-field meadows of long long ago.
-BEIIE Hunt
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

1t was ar experienced child that said:
Give me something useless next
Christmas, auntie"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

The worst thing about mince pie is
thy nightmare afterwards.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23

who has seen old Nictimus Stiticns
lately?" remarked Ben. Jarvis to
group of fellow-miners, who lay about
under the trees near the camp.
u saw him last week." replied Vel
low Pete. Game down to the store
and got some whiskcy and writing
material. He looked shaky, and |
shouldn't wonder if he was gcttin
ready to write his will
That's why l asked said Jarvis.
"GabrieTs Roost is one ahead of us
on their cemetery plant, and something
has got to happen soon. There hasn't
been a shootin since Jack Litz WAS
elected Marshal, and somebody will
have to die a natural death in order
for us to catch up with Gabriels Roost.
We must keep an eye on NictimuS.'
1t may be remarked that NictimuS
Stiffens was the camp name of one
Hugh Craig, who had come to the
camp with a partner about a year be-
fore They had staked a claim and
built cabin about Il mile up the
gulch, and for some months had done
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-12-23
WINDY GULCH FAIRIES.
Copyright

OF course, we are all 50 wise now
adays that we don't believe i'll fairies.
And the supposition that fairies would
live in Windy Gulch, Colorado, is too
absurd to be considered anything but
Il miners joke. Yet it is fact that
when the inhabitants of Windy Gulch
wish to crow over the denlZens OF
GabrieIs Roost, the rival camp across
the divide, they always tell the story
of the Windy Gulch fairies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-21
THE COURTS.
PROBATE CoURr-.Judoe Hdo,a

PRoBATE CoURT-judge HddEer.
Today-Estate of Addie s. Alderman; will
admitted to probate and letters testamentary
issued to Lester q. Wilson; bond. $1,000. Fs-
tate of Edward Nervis: petition of widow for
letters Of administration fled. Estate OF Jane
Hart; petition Of daughter for same filed. Es-
tate of b. J. Accinelly; order of sale Of per-
sonal property. Estate of Margaret J. Wood
issues sent to Circuit Court. Estate of Selig-
man Pifferiing; will proven. Estate of W. q.
Norris; will proven and. admitted to pro-
bate. Estate of Annie f. Northcutt; an
swer Of propounder OF will filed. Estate
Of Benz F. Simpson: letters OF administration
to Fannie Z. Richards: bond SlO0
In re Florence Freeman; Albert Farley ap-
pointed guardian; bond of $500. Estate of
Lambert I. Follansbee; petition for permission
to cell present property filed. Estate of Mary
E. Cornelius; Carl A. johnson appointed ad-
ministrator; bond, $4,000. Estate OF Mary A.
Symington; will admitted to probate and
letters issued to Elizabeth Wise: bond, 5000
Estate of Mary J. Hutchinson; viii filed; order
of publication. Estate of Ellen Thompson
will admitted to probate and letters issued to
Katharine J. Barlow: bond, 800. Estate of
William Fletcher; letters of administration "a
Annie c. Mccartney; bond. $4,000. Estate o;
Mary J. Hutchinson; will filed.
EQUITY CoURr-Chief Justice bingham and
Judges Hdgner and Cox.
Today-Grosvenor agt. Folger; plea sustained.
Brennan agt. Brennan; appearance ordered.
Dorsey agt. Dorsey; sale decreed; c. II. Crag in,
trustee.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-21
UNABLE TO PAY AT ONCE.
Observation-Disclosures mentForces thePenns,
vania Steel Company in q Receivership

nancialEmbarr assmentForces thePennsyl-
vania Steel Company in q Receivership.
PHILADELPHIA, April 2l.-Receivers we're to-
day appointed for the Pennsylvania Steel Com
pany, which has extensive plants at steelton,
Pa. and Sparrow's Point, Nd
Mr.. Luther 8. Bent, president Of the COM
pauy, when seen said that the appointment Of
receivers was not the result Of any want of
profitable work at Steelton and Sparrow's
Point. 1t was simply caused by the present
unfortunate condition Of the money market.
The company had been for some time
past large borrowers for the purpose Of COM
pleting their Spsrrow's Point works, and also
for extensive alterations and impr ovements at
Steelton, and owing to the existing distrust in
financial circles it became apparent that many
Of their maturing obligations could not be re-
newed
While the company was unquestionably I'M
able to pay all its debts in cash today it has
very large assets in each of its plants and its
powers of earning were never greater. 1t
simply requires time to tide through the present
crisis.
The Girard Trust Company, being the trus-
tee on the mortgages, was naturally selected as
one Of the receivers.