davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
ChrIstmns EYergreens.

The old pleasant custom OF uecAn
our houses and churches ut Chrs'"
with evergreens is derived from aI
cient heather practices. When prwu
ism had existed the houses were ueoA.
with eyergreens in December, mat -"
sylvan spirits might repair 10 "eI
and remain unnipped from frost a~ |
cold winds until a milder season h''l
renewed the foliage of their dain
abodes. The cutting Of the mlsue,U
was a cerercony Of great solemni'y m .Ss
our ancient ancestors. Inc M
walked first, singing cantlcie2 ,,ds
hymns; 4 herald preceded three 1nsn
with implements for the purpose. a..
followed the prince Of the Dfuaus VA
companied by all the people ,a,s.
mounted the oak. and cutting the ,s,
tletoe with a golden sickle plesaa h
it TO the other Druids, VINO recei day
with great respect, and on the hise .he
of the year distributed 1t among :
people as a sacred and holy pIlll' ~s~
ing: 1.-The mistletoe for the new y nsran
Because ii was used in inc r' lac
of the Druids, the mlstletve ~
never been used in the decorauo had
Christian churches, and 1t tfefnl"ss ,alls
Its place assigned in kitchens aha tate
where 1t was hung up In great .sara
with its white berries with the was
attached to IL that the maid "" ,uould
not kissed under II at Christmas
not be married in that year.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

At the lone jack-oak tree, where the
little worn track that led to WIDOW
Shores cabin left the section roads,
Sam paused. From a pocket Of the
long Goa he produced IN old hammer
and a spike nail.
1t was cold work failing the sign to
the tree. his blue hands, bcnumbed
by the icy wind. found difficulty in
holding board and lail, ami accurately
delivering the hammer-blows at the
same time.
The occupant Of a bob-sled that a
pair of riry, "linC-back' mules was
hurryinS along the road from the direc-
ton OF the settlement, wondered at
the presence of the little figure at the
jack-oak.
The mules were halted near the tree,
and, without Il word, the man who
drove them wrapped the re;ns about
the knob on the front end gate, and.
stepping from the sled, advanced close
to the lad.
The face of the old hammer glanced
from the nail just then. and sent it
flying, while the hammer itself gave the
thumb and foretinger of little sans
left hand such a whack that he dropped
down III the snow with an ouch of
pain that was followed by a burst of
ears.
Hello! What's the matter yere?"
cried the gruff but kindly voice of the
owner of the mules.
Little Sam started up and faced
about.
There were questions and answers.
q drying of tears, and her the new
conner tished several horseshoe nails
from his pockets and soon had Sans
sign nailed fast to the jack-oak trunk.
Then he wiped the snow from the
face Of the sign, and read with some
difficulty, the eccentric Characters:
"Mistur s.. claws. come To wider
Shor as"
His whiskered mo 18th did not ever
twitch, but when he spoke, there was
a queer chuckle in his voice that made
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

Of the yard at a rate hat threatened
to Overset the bob-sled.
The mules, almost flying through the
storm, were pulled to an abrupt halt
before the lone jack-oak, and their
driver read again the sign nailed to the
trunk.
Then, as the team sped away again,
Uncle Jake smote IN knee soundly and
gave vent to a oar Of laughter.
"Howdy, Mr.. ClawsF" he said.
Clasping his hands, he gave them a
hearty shake, as if greeting himself.
The snow had ceased falling when
Uncle Jake again turned the line-back
mules in at the open gate. The moor
made the long stretches of prairie look
as If spread with a coverlet Of silver.
The mules We're stabbed and the III
mtrOus bundles were transferred from
the bob-sled to the house.
Then, as Uncle Jake seated himself
at the table where the hot supper
steamed, Aunt Tidy opened the pack
ages.
There were presents for all, from
the widow down to the baby, There,
too, was a jumping jack, hideous Of
features and wonderful OF agility.
That" spoke Uncle Jake, with his
mouth fun, lis for the baby. If it don't
knock the spots out O. him, / miss my
figger!"
The inmates of Widow Shores cabin
We're wrapped in sleep when a pair Of
line-back mules were silently tied to
the barbed wire fence, and a muffied
figure looked in.
A row of stockings were hlnging
within reach, and these were all filed
10 repletion. Then the anger bundles
were placed on the floor.
Two mor trips were made from the
bob-sled TO the window, and then the
mutfied figure viewed his work with a
chuCkle of satisfaction.
Besides the heap Of packages there
was n large turkey, Drowned to the
queens taste, a great bowl Of cranber.
ries and other dainties and %substantiaIs
OF various kinds.
Tied TO the toe of The smallest stock
Ing In the row vas the hideous Jump
hNg-Jack, that was calculated to knock
the spots out OF the baby.
Then The window was softly closed.
and the inufiied figure stole away.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

little Sam look suspiciously at him to
see If he was being laughed at.
Who's Mistur s. Claus" the owner
of the mules asked.
why, Sandy Claws, Of course" Sam
answered briskly. Il put up this sign,
SOS he'll be sure not to forgit is. He
plumb forgot us last year" There
was a faint suggestion OF a gulp in his
voice. This year I'm 'mindin' him
where we live. Maggie lowed it would
not do no good, but l know better.
He'll know what the sign means, won't
he, Mr.. Banner:'
Uncle Jake Banner looked into the
little lads questioning face, and an
swered heartily:
You bet he will!'
Then little Sam was bundled into the
bob-sled, and the line-back mules sent
it spinning toward Widow Shores
cabin.
Before 1t was reached Uncle Jake had
learned the state of affairs at the little
cabin, and how much Of the morrow's
comfort depended upon the hoped-for
visit of Saint Nicholas.
Then, as the mules started on the
homeward way, the driver let them 90
At tutll oNh pdIts 81 Dusy WIS ut WIFI
his thoughts. Abreast of the jack oak,
he stopped the team and read the sign
again:
"'AIistur S. Claws, come To wider
Shores" he repeated, %half-aloud, as
the mules sped on their way again. Il
reckon-that Is, he might-blamed il 1
don't believe-you bet he'll be thar
The last word was uttered in a half
shout that sent the mules leaping for
ward in n way that threatened the safe
ty Of the bob-sled.
When he succeeded in reducing their
speed to a trot, he resumed his own
monoiogue:
Wonder what the ole lady'n say?
Same rs l do, j reckon. Got a win OF
her own, but somehow she gener'ly
thinks as / do" He chuckled to him
self, when she don't think as l do,
why, l sorto think as she does, an"
The turning of the mules up to the
large red gate Of the home place inter
rupted his %cogitation.
Twenty minutes later. seated by the
cheerful fire, Uncle Jake told Aunt
'Tilda the story Of little Sans sign and
or the affairs at the cabin.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
BILLIARDS WITH TWoCUEs.
A Frenchman who Has a Dead su
Thing With the Ivory Balls.

NJ. Gallia's billiard game has entd
tanned hundreds of men at the Hot
man House recently, and made maIj
of them feel silly. He plays with tj
cues and his opponent with one. II
will gain attention by proposing to plJ
any one in the room and give him fort
points to fifty. That will capture d
most any man who thinks he know
how to play and the man who thin3
he can not play is scarce.
The Frenchman insists upon hayil|
the first shot. His two cues are he'll
much after the manner of Chopstck|
except that he uses both hands, and t|
ball is toSSc3 and rolled upon thed
deity as a Chinaman juggles with
grain of rice. 1t is his privilege to piGI
up the ball from any part Of the tablS
not touching it with his hands, for thd
would forfeit the game, and select AM
angle he pleases for making his shot
A cushion carom is as easy for him Q
a straight shot. He. score wheneye
he likes, and misses only to lead on hH
adversary. At times, when the ball
are in opposite corners, he shoots owe
the top Of the first. barely grazing y
and scores on the other.
He not only understands thorough!
the science of billiards, but toys VIII
the ball i'm the most remarkable way
never losing it, though it rolls IRON
end to end of the cues rs ne. walk
around the table, looking for a shot !
slides up and down with the precision
Of a piston in a steam cylinder, Wne'
the shot is made the small ends OF ul
cues are placed on the table near l II
object ball, so that the cue-Dail ron
down an inclined plane, its force penn
governed by the degree Of ~incllnauon.
NJ. Gallia will play 800 points glvi.'
his opponent 400. He does not IKE J
run over 100 points, as the game Is y
tiguing. His style Of play Is popun
all over France. 1t was lntroGu.r
here n few years ago, but the DIVA, Nnu
enthusiasts failed to take 1t up'-Ne'
York Tribune. #.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

osity? Shall we ever cease to associate
it with warmth, and comfort, and blaz-
ing fires in broad chimneys, and merry
groups of children and somewhere the
branch of green, in memory of the new
er-dying love of him whose natal day
we celebrate.
How beautiful it is that the sweet
falth is year By year, renewed in our
children, as they look forward with
love and trust to the joyful time, How
the wonderful spirit of the time has
touched h hearts of great writers
and gloritied the literature that deals
with it. Christmas storytelling has
become one Of the loveliest arts of
modern writer's, and to Dickens we
very much of the beautiful Christmas
sentiment. OF all the minstrels of the
day, his songs have left most music
in our hearts. How could any one har-
Dor selfish and narrow feelings after
reading those shining pages, through
which we seem to hear the chimes of
bells, the Christmas carols. the song
OF the steaming kettle, and the pleasant
chirp or the cricket; over whose pages
we see so many kindly faces and hear
- io'hhS WINS we 90 mol care
to shut out the kindly and simple cheer
or these Christmas friends for the
brave and knighIiy omance of King
Arthur in his baronial halls: keeping
watch beneath the yule-log beneath the
shadows of the mistletoe. The old yulr
log has burned to ashes long ago and
mas become only a tradition; but thank
Goo for the love which never goes
u of fashion; the gracious sweetness
OF Christmas time is just rs bright
as In those olden days.-Mrs. Jordan.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
KRIS KRINGLE,s TRAVELS.

A jolly old fellow
Is Mr.. Kris Kringle;
He's coming! He's coming!
Just hear his bells jingle!
The ieetest of reindeer
Are drawing his sleigh
Because he must travel
So far before day.
The keen wind of winter
Is biting his nose;
Ho! no! in the moonlight
1t looks like a rose.
His bright blue eyes twinkle ,
Like stars in the skies;
His snowy white whiskers
Float out as he flies.
He comes to a housetop-
His reindeer he halts;
From the seat where he's sitting
All lightly he vaults.
He runs to the chimney
Oh, dear! he jumps in;
It's strange how he does it,
Because he's not thin.
Down. down he is slipping,
He knows where to go;
To the room where the stockings
Are hung in a row.
He feels in his pockets,
He opens his sack;
He empties them quickly,
And then he runs back.
Up the chimney he hurries,
The housetop he gains,
Once more in his carriage
He catches the reins.
Again the bells jingle,
And fill him with mirth,
And this way Kris kringle
Goes over the earth!
Our Little Ones.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The London police have taken the
anarchists In hand In time On Sun
day they dispersed a meeting Of the
reds at which lncendiary speeches were
made, and arrested several Of the lead
ers. This action was taken In obed-
isncs to the policy of the home depart
ment announced last week. and The
same course Is to be pursued In other
European capitals, and the hope Is ex-
pressed that the ~anarchistlc element
win o o be poweruess for harm In con
sequence
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
Youthful Skeptfcfsm.

Young America (who has outgrown
old Neutrality-suspicious. what / want 10
E'low is this-if there is a Santa Claus.
ana he Is as big and fat as you :ay,
now can he come down the chimney,
with all those things on his back with.
out getting stuck somewhere?
iuzzied Mammoth. he packs the
Joys very carefully, You know.
Young America-And do you mean
10 tel me he never gets a bit of SCOT
Gu us clothes, nor nothing? Huh! 90
tell that to the baby. o
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The report that Mello has gone to sea
because he fears the Piexoto navy from
New York Is weakened by Admiral
Stanton's smiling remark that the non
descript navy will have to look out for
the Aquidiban's ~long-range guns. Evil
IDENTIFY the admiral believes Mello viii
make short work Of the armed mer-
chantmen.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

In times like these charity rises from
the level of sentiment to the level Of
duty. The needy and deserving poor
are with us in large numbers and they
must be helped. All reasonable meth
DDS Of relief must be applied and ex-
hausted. The need is for food and
clothing for those who are almost des-
dilute as to both.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The .last win and testament" Of
Lord Byren was sold at auction in Lon
don a few days age for SIS. At the
same sale a Characteristic letter Of Car
lyle to Mrs. Austin brought $40, and
. letter of Byron to Coleridge, $35.
A letter Of George Eliot, complaining
Of the literary criticism of certain per-
sons, was sold for S25; a letter from
Nelson to Sir William Hamilton for $40,
and a number of letters written by
American presidents and statesmen for
SIPS.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

Again King Lobengula has been cap
ured. That fellow is taken SO often
that 1t would not be surprising to learn
me of these days that ~'lobengula" Is
some new African mixed drink.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The chancellor Of the exchequer Of
Great Britain is considering the advisa-
biity of taxing theater tickets as a
means OF replenishing the treasury.
The tax win be resisted by the theatre
cal managers, but seems popular with
the government officials. 1t cannot be
claimed that it is a tax on the neces-
saries of life, and for this reason 1t
u more popular than many other taxes.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

When there are so many drunkards
snd gamblers at home that American
girls might marry, why should they
choose foreign drunkards and gamblers
who have nothing but ridiculous titles2
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
A sensible Couple.

Kirby Stone-Howdy, Lott! iou II,
happy this merry Christmas iay'
must have had a fine present iiO'
Mrs. T.. .esmis
job Lott had. She gave me rssIiy
and / gave her a kiss. SO tha' nomical
In 4 hundred dollars. These ecv
Chrastmases are the best, my w.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The Midway dancers have been ar-
rested in New York. Their press agent
h earning his salary. 1t will be mem
bered that the Persian theater at Chi
sag was officially closed twice q week
all summer.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

Coal in England will go up in price
b consequence Of the losses caused by
the strikes, which have caused a loss
sf over thirty-three million dollars. All
glasses are the sufferers by this condi.
don of affairs, and much distress
among the poor is apprehended during
the winter. Strikes are not always un
mixed blessings.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

It Ia said that Emperor William
wants to buy an American yacht with
which to eternally wallop the British
srs in their own waters next summer.
II he has got the money we viii fur
nish him the boat.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

Elderly gentlemen who took an inter
sst in pedestrianism in their youth will
be surprised to learn that Edward
Pa son Weston is still on the turf,
,nd proposes to walk from New York
D Chicago just to show that the old
nan is a dead game sport to the last.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

New York has a new drink called the
Touchdown" the ingredients Of which
are a secret to the b%arkeeper who In
vented the mixture. The World says
the new drink has gin, sugar, ginger
and something else" Arnica, proba-
hly.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The abrogation Of the decree expell-
ng the Jesuits from Germany will hard
" tend to promote that anticipated rec
oscillation between Emperor William
and Prince Bismarck.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

ANY American girl can marry a better
prince than any American girl has cap
tured in Europe thus far. American
men make their wives queens. Prin-
cess Colonna should come home and
pray for common sense.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

The unveiling Of the statue Of Mary
Washington, mother OF the Father Of
his Country, at Lynchburg, Va, Sat
urday last was a notable event. 1t
h eminently proper that the memory
Of women to whom belongs the dis
unction Of giving to the world such
great men should be thus honored.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
MERRY

May IL Ever Continue to lie "a season
Of Joy.
Merry Christmas cries the SILVER
ing urchin at your door, as he rubs his
chilled hands to keep them from freez-
ing. Merry Christmas" says your
smiling and opulent friend, as he but
tons his comfortable cloak more closely
around his form. Will it v e cease TO
be the most musical key Of greeting to
unlock the door of affection and gener-
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21
WEBSTER, /: SOUTH DAKOTA

Raphael, the astrologer, says Of De
cember: The Doth win bring domes-
tic trouble and heavy expenditures"
he is overdue about four days.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

NO"
Who'll q
made I
II ha'
said he
Of the
your fl
not aft
the We
Santa
known
"Oh.
be &
has of
know
tina
hughe
much
so
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-12-21

EA|
snow
i and on
4 on all
bee, old
Id lover
liz the
here
the cot
|s kind;
i protect
Ia. the q
Epg, and
A booked
lowered
SONS. Az
|tpy gardd
hts and C
peoples
4 by sto1
cottage
h The w
y clean,
NE coftaeg
|Ncther G
be with
ksm she ha
|hly in tn
\ ChristIn
kted for a
krh lay att
Dor. The 4
n not at
lonely
b perfect
which
b day lon
Ind Of a 81
h was gro
4 thp stove.
changin
biz that o
sound G
] he wake
I've been /
b sat down
kmal and
h II the z
kther Cert
Nib golden
/ little bird
III is hard
zen sitting
NJ of q hOl
= sprang
kserly out
b he kne'
n have a
khted all
finkled an
/ the nigl
knething '
kme neare
kAg out 10
/ sled do
*Wpeu aI
Ilt was a
be horses
tnies Wigs
ban who
D the reil
fHe jumpi
be snow Il
Keep aV
Batt stand
kln!" sho,
$d, as he
fndow, wi
pes ldilate
fger seen
fbut then
ben. He
catching
pas full OF
fere like
His cloth
pot and
feld a pip
. the 9th
I"Good-ey
IWgg an
fGood-eve
rs any
liked.
You ca
Yes, yo
is al
4 Christn
Christmas
'shen mo
INth tire,
| oh, Nj
ind you
for
|nraidT"
| Il am
IV!gg. Nc
That Swe
| oh, Y
Iy0u!" sal
IBIS nose
the pipe
Isnow WI
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-02-10

we clothed. "
Su perseding
t h e multi
c o | o r e d
velvet capes
which have
been held in
such high
favor during
the winter
are clio I h
capes some
times match
ing the cos
tune, but
Oftener of a
on trasting
color a n d
d fife re mt
texture from
the gowns
with which
they are to
be worn. A
very pretty
cape, called
[ he lisa
People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-02-10

And all that believed we're together, and had
all things common: and sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them TO all men, as every
man had need
Do houses of i'll fame disgrace the ma
tionand menace our civilization? Over
turn with your united ballot the indus
trial system which a congressional
committee has declared offers to thou
sands OF our women and girls the alter
native of starvation or prostitution
Is labor clothed in rags while idleness
is arrayed in purple and fine linen?
Look not with distrust upon the party
which embodies in its platform the
Apostle Paul's words: Let him that
will not work, not eat" Is the rum
power debauching and corrupting the
nation? Crush it out of existence with
the power of the Christian ballot, bear
ing in mind that whitening care and
bleak despair caused by gaunt poverty
and.enforced idleness are the prolific
causes OF intemperance In all things
and at all times, take a religious in
terest in politics and bear aloft the
banner Of Christ in all primaries and
conventions, casting a Christian ballot
on election day. Advocate Christian
principles, not religious partisanship:
Christian men, not SectarianS Elk.
anime all issues in the light of the
question, Is it right? Not, Will it
benefit the party? There are more
Christians than saloon keepers! Why
then do saloon keepers become officials?
Christianity has its deadly foes, but
Christians have themselves to blame
for allowing those foes to shape the
policy of their government
Finally, remember there are but two
sides to all questions "He that is not
for me is against me-" Governments
must either progress toward Christ or
retrograde toward the evil one. The
kingdoms of the earth will never be-
come the dependencies of the Prince of
Peace, until Christians learn to vote at
every election and always vote as they
profess to believe. Brother populist:
When you have read this hand it to
some Christian neighbor who does not
believe in mixing politics and religion.
-GeOrge C. Ward, in Midland Mechanic.