davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

* Y ct We are going to have rich nf6ff, I
believe, and richer men than ever. The
continuous development of very rich
men is necessary consequence of the
freedom and the equality before the
law that we all propose to enjoy. | do
not believe that any Legislative body or
any social philosopher can prevent the
coming up of rich men, unless we all
agree that we will no longer attempt to
enjoy entire freedom and perfect equali-
ty before the law Given the freedom,
the natural money getters will get their
chance. Therefore. | do not believe
that any method of distribution or even
dissipation, of wealth will succeed in
preventing in this country the constant
rise of very rich men. Moreover, do we
not all see in this country a new con-
ditiOn of things which tends to the
preservation of rich class? When l
was boy, it was not the custom, among
the generation preceding mine, to Sc
cure property to women when they
were married: it was not the custom to
settle estates on women and minors
The agencies to secure the faithful exc
cutiOn of such trusts were hardly Great
ed. But now there are many agencies
for the execution of just such trusts
mostly new within thirty years. In
consequence, it is great deal easier
than it used to be to keep safe money
once made, or the money which the
creator of a great property has trans
mitted to his children. And this safety
in keeping is going to increase: that is
one Of the results of more perfect
civilization This means a great deal
morally, it means fidelity and careful
ness. and the power to procure this fidel-
ity and careful ability in the interest of
persons incompetent themselves to
preserve great estates. That is going
to be more and more possible in our
country; and therefore we are going to
see, in my judgment, more and more
families in which wealth is transmitted.
I look, therefore, for no decrease in the
rich class, but rather for its increase
President 6. W. Eliot.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12
Were the Homestead Strikers Guilty Of
Treason?

In the Chic0gO Lo1D JourHnl Mr.. John
GibbOn, LII. d., quotes from Federal
and State laws, and from the opinions
of learned Justices, to prove that the
Homestead strikers, in resisting the au-
thority of Pennsylvania, were not guilty
of treason, as it has been held by some.
His argument is that the element "i in
tent is indispensable to the offense of
treason and that, therefore, the strikers
of Homestead did not commit this
offense, as they snever intended to make
war upon the commonwealth or over
throw its authority
Il have nothing whatsoever in COM
mon with laWleSSneSs or disorder of any
kind. have no word of justification
men who violate their cOuntry'S laws,
in the integrity and patriotism of the
trusted with the Interpretation and
enforcement of the law. If the men
of Homestead combined and confeder-
ated together to forcibly resist the
officers of the law, and in carrying out
that combination and confederacy they
committed murder or arson. let them
be tried convicted or punished for
either or both offenses; but, in what they
did, there was no treason, no levying of
war aginst the commonwealth or giving
aid and assistance to it's enemies, because
it had no enemies, except the strikers
and, as already suggested, every one of
them would lay down his life in defense
of the honor of the commonwealth, and
of the integrity of her laws"
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

First Burglar: Before we crack the
safe want to ask you question. Do
you belong to the Burglars Union?
Second Burglar: No.
First Burglar: Then | can't work
with you on the safe. amt permitted
to work with scabS. I ain d union mani
life.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

Papa. what is veterinary surgeon -
Zone of those fellows at the Pension
Office, my son, who examines the veter-
ans for pensions. ."-Phil0delphi0 Rec
ord.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

George Center Brown, wellknown
journalist of Cincinnati, is dead
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12
Some Lessons and Blessings of the Year
1892.

1892
There has been "a great famine in
Russia.
Cholera has devastated some cities
and districts of Europe.
We have had bloody strikes in this
country.
Our South American neighbOrs have
been torn up by civil strife. The poor
are threatened by the oppression of
great railroad, coal and sugar mOnop-
olies, increasing the cost of the necessa-
rieS of life.
Civilization has met heavy losses by
the deaths of poets, rulers, ministers,
and the wife of our President.
Violent storms, damaging floods and
fire have destroyed life and property.
Earthquakes in Japan have proved
fatal to life.
There have been wars and rumors Of
wars, but the end is not yet.
Its harveSts have been bOuntiful all
through our land.
There has been plenty of employment
for all who would work. The dreadful
cholera has been kept away from our
shores. We have celebrated as great
nation the fOur-hundreth anniversary
of the discovery of our continent.
Congress and the National Commits
siOners of the Worlds Fair have decided
to close it on Sunday.
The greatest religious assembly of the
worlds history was held in July, the
eleventh International Convention of
Christian EndeavOr.
All the great nations of the earth have
been at peace with each other.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12

from it's action. There are instances
when for society to forgive would be
more meritOrious than to punish, and
it could do so without fear of detriment-
to itself. In such an action there would
be displayed more of that christian
spirit which we are told is all attributes
of all civilized communities, which in.
theory commands our admiration but,
in practice so seldom governs our ac-.
tions than can be said to enter into
that antiquated progeny of by-gone.
time when revenge was esteemed a.
virtue.
Though it is asserted that society is
endowed with the power to forgive, and
that the DEGREES Of society but reflect
the wishes of it's units, there are times
and instances that give rise to doubts
in our mind as to the accuracy of the
assertion. Such instances as when we
witness in community a feeling not
that of sentimentaliSm with which an
offender is at times regarded the cases
in mind are either too insignificant or,
are not sufficiently atrOciOuS to inspire
that feeling. that the offenders should
be forgiven. But there seems to be
something lacking to enable it to carry
out that desire, for frequently when
such conditions exist they are product
i've of no better result than the addition
of one more testimonial to the truth of
the assertion, THAT so surely as you
transgress our laws SO surely shall we
puniSh!" True, it does forgive $50 it
says all its transgressOrs. But the
spirit Of forgiveness it displays is not
recognized as the orthodox interpreta-
ton of the Divine exhortatiOn to for
give thine enemies. If an individual to
whom we have done an injury would
first punch our head and then declare
that he .fOrgaye. us, we would not credit
him with, nor would he attempt to as
sumo the virtue of a fOrgiving disposi-
ton, on the contrary we would be justi-
fed in holding opinions as to his re-
vengeful disposition.
Punishment has its virtues. 1t is
generally just. 1t is occasionally unjust.
1t is the cause of crime. Crime is fire.
Quently the effect of punishment. 1t is
necessity. TO retaliate for an injury
is mate in mankind. Forgiveness would
not be without vices. 1t is difficult to
conceive how society could exist if it
were practiced indiscriminately. We
may readily conceive that it's existence
would be improved by a judicious re-
sort. too. To be capable of fOrgiving
an injury is all acquired virtue of man
kind. J. F.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.
A Week of Successive Feasts and Roliica-
ing Festivities.

A Week of Successive Feasts and Roliica-
ing Festivities.
Christmas in Germany is not limited
to one day, but extends over week of
successive feasts and festivities. The
family gatherings are usually very large
and the merriment correSpondingly
great. The observances are usually in
augurated on Christmas eve with a sup
per.
The tree, which is comparatively
small, is placed in the center of the Ia
bles where it stands until after the New
Year, retaining its tinsel decorations
The gifts are not suspended from the
tree, but are placed in parcels about it
and under the table. The presents are
distributed amid great hilarity by an ell
der son or brother, who makes up as a
iovial st. Nicholas. The children, like
children everywhere, enjoy their toys,
which are less expensive and more prac-
tical than ours, and their elders rejoice
in additions to their personal wardrobes
and household belongings.
The supper is a comparatively plain
one. The table is set forth with backerei,
meat or sausage, herring salad, French
cake or German tart and light beer or
/ wine. After healths have been drunk
and songs and choruses sung, the final
ceremony is to bid every one "Froehliche
Weihnacht," and the party disperses.
The Christmas dinner is on a more elab-
crate scale. The piece de resistance con-
sists of roast goose, the national dish. 1t
is stuffed with apples or ohestnuts and
preceded by soup and accompanied by
kartoffel (potatoes), blumenkohl (cauli-
hower) or rosenkraut brussels sprouts)
and sauerkraut, the latter cooked and sea-
soned, and q compete of plums or other
fruit cooked with vinegar, sugar and
spices. The dessert upon so important a
day may consist of two dishes beside fruit,
pudding and APPEL krapfen. This will
perhaps he of rice stewed until tender in
milk, and then blended while hot with
fine chopped and sifted beef suet, raisins
and eggs, whites and yolks both well
beaten. This is a sort of German plum
pudding, for it is boiled III d cloth AZ
mold and served with hot and sweet
wine sauce.
These feasts are renewed every day
until the inception of the New Year, and
then whoever yop meet, wherever you
are, the greeting is passed, "prosit Neu-
iahr" Happy New Year,, and the Christ
mas season comes TO an end.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
RMAs
TRADE IN CHRISTMAS TREES.


We now require million or two OF
young evorgreens for Christmas trees,
and these, too, are cut and stored away
In good time, the choppers often going
into the woods soon after the 1st of No
vember. A fall of snow in November or
December greatly increases the difficulty,
because the snow is apt to melt and
freeze, rendering the branches too brit
tie for transportation. The woodmen
therefore like to get their work forward
and pile their trees in the woods along
side the road, where they will keep fsesh
and green for six weeks.
The largest market for Christmas trees
is Philadelphia, whence they are dis
tributed to all parts of the country with
III 1000 miles. The woodmen get from
$6 to $S hundred for their trees, which
sell in The cities at prices ranging from
30 cents to 50.
AS for Christmas presents, they give
employment to many important trades,
the work upon which is continuous from
the first of January TO the last of De-
cember. Some knowing grandmothers
and ingenious aunts, to say nothing of
uncles and grandfathers, are on the look
out ali the year for Christmas surprises,
which they hide away in unfathomable
recesses, sometimes forgotten by them
selves.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21

day of prayer and feasting and rejoic-
ing among millions, and then | wrapped
him in his blankets and carried him out
and gave him burial and uttered the
prayer which knew was on his moth
er's lips, and shed the tears which felt
were yelling yep as she thought of the
absent one. He asked me to mark his
grave. | did so, and then waited for
weeks before could get down into the
valley. The next summer when the
snow had melted away from the noun
tains went back to the lonely shanty
with laborers enough to develop the
mine, which we called dead Mans
Find" and before another Christmas
day his mother sat by his grave while
told her the story of his illness and how
her maine had been the last on his lips
on that dark Christmas morning when
his soul went outinto the great unknown.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
WHEN MEN OPEN THEIR HEARTS.
aSe,ae =

There is nothing more effective or oft
quoted than those lines from the Christ
mas Carol" Of Charles Dickens: There
are many things from which / might
have derived good, by which have not
profted, dare say returned Scrooge's
nephew, Christmas among the rest.
But am sure have always thought OF
Christmas when it has come round
apart from the veneratinn due to its sa-
cred name and origin, ;f anything be-
longing to it can 'be apart from that--as
good time; kind, forgiving, charita-
bic, pleasant time; the only time know
of in the long calendar Of the year when
men and women seem by one consent to
open their shut up hearts freely and to
think Of people below them, as if they
really were fellow passengers to the
grave, and not another race of creatures
bound on other journeys. And there
fore, uncle, though it has never put q
scrap OF gold or silver in my pocket, /
believe that it has done me good and
will do me good, and I say, God bless;t"
MSMAs.c .as
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21


that it was only question of few
hours more His long fast had reduced
him to mere skeleton, and during the
last two days could hardly get the beat
ing of his pulse or heart. By the time /
was awake. he said:
"Sam, where are you? ! cannot see"
took his hands in mine and bent over
him as / said:
Here l am, old fellow. Do you feel
betterI"
"I'm most gone, Sam! And its
Christmas day, amt it,
yes answered, greatly surprised
that he had kept the ran Of time so ac-
curately. "But you are not going, Tom;
you are better"
christmas day in the old home,
Sam.' he went on. at is years since !
was there. They'll remember me and
speak Of me, though-father and me!
Fathers grave is there, near the old
home. Mine they will never see"
"But Tom, Tom, You are better. You
will get wellr' | cried, as ! lighted a
candle and bent over him to lift his
head.
mo, Sam. I've been dreaming,
dreaming of my mother and sister-ot
father-of the old hone-of- Good
by. Sam! | know you dug the grave
days agol Mark it, Sam. Mark it SO
shat mother may know it if she ever
Mother! Moth
And it was all over with poor Tom,
[ sat beside him till the day came, tue
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
eeLlEF in SANTA CLAUS.

"The belief in Santa Claus gave mo
years of unqualified satisfaction" says
Mrs. Burton Harrison. Whether it was
actually swallows in the chimney top or
flying squirrels gamboling upon our,
caves, believed sundry noises of the
night to be the paving of tiny chargers
ON the roof. When recently asked q
small person of whether he still be-
lieved in Santa Claus and he answered
me in whitening good English. Ineyer be-
Ieved in Santa Claus; always thought
it was parents felt quenched and de-
iected beyond reason"
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
ORIGIN OF CAROLS.

The singing of carols ON Christmas
eve and Christmas day is of medieval
origin. A carol should be simple and
melodious. There are many fine speci'
mems of them, but most of them are not
fine. Here is the first verse of favorite
and ancient and famous one:
God rest you, merry gentlemen;
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born upon this day
To save us all from satan's power,
When we had gone astray.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,s
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas day.
-MsEEhSAs.-
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21

the contrary. Or course where extreme
poverty is in question, when the very
necessities of life are lacking, ton of
coal or basket Of provisions is doubt
less more suitable gift than would be
a sslken table cover or an embroidered
scarf; but, barring such extreme cases,
the greatest degree of benefit and happi-
ness experienced by the exchange of
gifts at the season of "good will to men"
does not, as a rule, result from those Of
a strictly useful nature After all, men
and women are only boys and girls
grown tall; and, pray, what healthy boy
or girl would prefer pair of boots to a
toy pistol or pair of skates, doll or a
box Of candy, as his or her annual con-
tribution from Santa Claus?
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21

Soft fakes whirl downward and drift on the
pane.
Round the warm hearth, where the fire is
glowing,
Old folks draw closer at Christmas again!
The head Of the house, In the glow of the en-
bers,
Stands straight as an arrow, smiling, but
grand.
There is his VIE, ID some fifty Decembers
Leave her as '-atly as waves on the sand.
She is to hi,a still as fair as he thought her
When in her teens his allegiance he swore.
Many son, now, and blossom checked daugh-
Gather about them for Christmas once more!
Then there are neighbors and cousins and low
Sportsmen who come with an eye on the COW
erS;
Maidens of beauty whose charms are not few.
Dainty Dianas of .ayors quite chary;
Reginald, fresh from the ranch on the plain;
Learned girl graduates, Sallie and Mary,
Meeting and greeting at Christmas again.
stiIl, TO my fancy, the fairest of faces
Icnder is shining in silyery curls,
Framed in soft wrappers and delicate laccA
Grandmother sits in n cluster of girls.
Watching the dancers with eyes growing ten
der,
Clearer and dearer for long ago pain;
Holding the loving han1 near 10 defend her
Safe with her cE iiren at Christmas again.
] can remember whei Ueaux by the dozen
Toasted her beauty in wit and in wine
|, too, adored her-though was n cousin
Many sword tried its mettle with mine.
All, gallant company, vanished to hades!
Swept with the years till we only remain.
She is for me still the sweetest OF ladies'
/, her cid suitor, at Christmas again!
Madam, your hand! Though the dancers be
plenty,
Let us, too, stand-not In waltz or in reel.
This was "the mode" eighteen hundred and
twenty,
When 1t was voted as mighty genteel."
All, that was dancing. Then steps" were de
rigueur"
(Not wild scramble. absurd and insane).
You will remember that elegant figure
Let Us walk through il at Christmas again!
Yes, that Is well! Strike stateller measure.
Fitting the SHOWS and the honor of Years.
| Say, does IL bring to YOU visions OF pleasure,
Or has the music tremor of tears?
Here let us stay. Why this laughter, young
misses?
"Undcr the mistletoe!" zoundsl then. tits
plain,
Grandmother. blushing, must bring out those
kisses
She has been keeping for Christmas again!
-Launce Lee.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
-NRRY,
wRMAS
TO CHRISTMAS GlvERS.

Suggestions as to Appropriate Holiday
The gift which harmonizee with lss eu.
ture surroundings and just 6ts In va
cant spot is the one which Is II ~ val
ued. The same. rule applies to articles
Of dress. To the young brunette, whose
evening gowns are generally pink or
crimson, the pale blue fan, although
lovely in itself, would not be as service
able as palmer one which she could use
with her existing wardrobe. Before you
embroider the doilies or centerpieces for
the housewives table consider the color
OF her china and try to bring your work
into affinity with her possessions.
The sffiends in mourning and the in
validappreciate the ethoughtfulness which
adapts the gift to their saddened lives.
The book, with its comforting message;
the potted palm to brighten the larkened
room, the soft knitted shawl or slippers
lin fact, anything that evidences consid-
sration for their feelings, and does not
Jar by incongruity, is priceless.
1t is astonishing to note how much is
frittered away on perishable trifies when
the Christmas gift, of all others, should
! be something enduring. The elaborate
card and beribboned booklet are prac-
tically useless, aside from the remem-
brance which prompts their giving. All
most every one has collection OF satin
hand painted vanities, lovely to look at,
but the care Of which is the despair OF
both mistress and maid. But some say:
"Other things are beyond my means, l
cannot afford to give substantial pres
ents." 1t is fact that the shops, espe-
cially during tho hot months, are filed
with at least three articles viii IN delight
+ the hearts of homemakers The world
over, and which many young. girls love
to collect against the. wedding day,
What are they, pray? Dainty individual
coffee cups, harlequin spoons and single
plates. suitable for the serving of fruits,
cream or salad. :.
Cooperation is boon to the average
purse. Ii the members Of the family OF
a set of friends accustomed 10 exchange
gifts unite their finances, they can give
one handsome article in the place of sew
eral makeshifts.
Good taste discriminates between the
needs of country and town and does not
send an opera glass or party bag to ths
farmhouse. Neither does it give the boy
book which he ought to like, but tries
to select one to complete his favorite Sc
ries. Children's stockings are sometimes
filled from the standpoint of maturity.
Utility and not suitability governs the
choice of their contents. There has beer
many disappointed, sorrowful heart on
Christmas morning because the powers
that be, forgetting their own childhood
| had catered to the tastes of those Of II
instead of to those of 4.
On the principle of like attracting like
the most valuable gift too often finds 1T
way TO the one who needs it least. In
some cases good judgment dictates the
giving of money as the kindest thing b.
be done. How often soma poverty
straitened one has sighed over the ex
pensiye gift, ''lf only had the money
this gift costw No field affords widsl
opportunity for the exercise Of comI'ior
sense than Christmas giving, Women
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
DEAD MANS FIND"
BY II. QUAD.

copyright, 1893, by American Press Associa-
toni
It was along in November that Tom
and discovered indications" at a spot
in the Pinyon mountains of Nevada and
started drift. We didn't intend to put
IN more than a weeks work-just enough
TO develop the ''ind" and load up with
specimens for assay-but after four or
five days Tom was taken sick. Winter
was already at hand, with foot of snow
on the ground.
If you have never been among the
western mountains, Imay tell you that
at aboUt the middle Of December, after
winter has seemingly shut down, there
comes what is called Chinook" "a
warm wind off the Tacifc-which melts
the snow and stand, the season off for q
week, as it were. We had calculated to
take advantage of this break TO get out
of the mountains, but fate willed it 9th
erwise. Tom was New Englander,
rough and rugged. lie hadn't been sick
day since he :ould remember, and his
sudden breakdown was a complete sur
prise to both of us. He was attacked
late in the afternoon with violent
twitching o. his muscles, and by mid
night was IA profound stupor, which
lasted with but few intermissions until
the end.
| knew hat he was in a dangerous
condition but could not leave him,
helpless s. he was, and make my way
down ino the valley for help, nor could
take hm down. In his weak and help
less stae there was but one thing TO do,
and tlat was to get shelter ready and
take he best care of him possible.
founl sheltered spot and in day and
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21
-s. .s55~

Mrs. Brown-That's nice turkey, but
expected you'd have brought some
thing to wash it down with.
BrowR-My dear, that's a raftie tur-
key, and he's been washed down al
ready.
The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1893-12-21

"ATay good digestion wait on appetite,
and health on both." is good motto foi
your Christmas dinner. In this connec
ton it should be remembered that moth
ing so promotes digestion as cheerfr
heart and clear conscience.