davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

run the water off if it came on to rain"
But he was not deceived. After bit
he told me of his old mother and sister
in the cast and asked that his share of
the find might be sent them in case
things turned out right. That night the
"chinook" vanished us swiftly as a shad-
ow moves, and winter came howling
down on us. 1t was the goth of Decem-
ber Before morning it was far below
zero, and heavy snowstorm was raging,
and Tom had relapsed into his former
lethargic state. l was in for it now for
sure-snowed up on the mountains with
a dying man for companion. From the
morning of the Goth to the afternoon of
the 9th the man never uttered a word;
sometimes he would open his eyes as
moistened his lips or forced little soup
down his throat, but he neither knew
nor saw Inc. l knew by the look of his
eyes that he was stone blind. About 8
o'clock on the afternoon of the date Civ
en-, as | returned from the spring with a
kettle of water, Tom quietly asked:
"sSam, is it near Christmas day!"
"Witlin d few hours"
AND you nave got the grave rcady:"
"Why, man, you won't need grave
for years to come. Come, now, want
to try you with a bite to eat, and I'll
warrant you'll feel better for it,"
But before could get around to it he
had again become unconscious, and the
next and the last time heard his voice
was late that night; don't know but it
was Christmas morn, for it was mid
night OF after when he moved an arm
and broke my sleep. By this time l had
of course given up all hope and realized
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

half had knocked together pretty
comfortable shanty. Then gathered a
great heap of frewood and was as ready
as could be for change of weather.
For some days Tom neither grew better
nor worse. When l insisted on it, he
would take a bit of rabbit soup, but his
appetite was gone, and he lay for the
most part in a deep stupor, neither
speaking nor moving.
For three years we had knocked about
the Silver State together in hopes of a
"fnd." 1t had been hard life and q
rough one. We were more often hun
CRY than not, and up to the time of
Toms illness we had found nothing of
any consequence, but now-well. if in
dications amounted to anything. we had
w.re rlgnt in slSnt. 1t seemed doubly
hard for Tom to he bowled over just at
this time and harder still to know that
the chances were all against him. The
only hope l had was that his robust con-
stitution would pull him through this
mysterious illness, but as he lost
| strength and grew weaker day by day
even this hope died away.
The chinook" lasted nine days. 1t
eeemed as if summer had come back. l
nursed Tom, gathered !, lot more wood
made tine shanty more comfortable and
dug grave for Tom on a knoll 80 feet
back of the cabin. If he pulled through
he would never know it: if he died,
could not leave his body above ground
to be eaten by the wild beasts. He hai
hardly spoken since his illness. his men
tai faculties seeming to be benumbed
and was therefore greatly surprised
when came in from my grave diggin:
to find him looking better than for day
before. l took il as a sign that he hai
passed the crisis and would now mend
and was trying to cheer him up whe,
he said:
'Sar. heard you at work. You hav,
done right You know you could hav'
depended On me 10 do the same"
why. Tom. old man, you are mrcl
better today. You are surely going II
pull through. was digging bit t
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
KEl,DMPENSE.
BY r. X. MUNKITTR1cK.

1t was about a week before Christmas
When Colonel Smith was wandering
homeward upon the main thoroughfaro
of the city of his adoption. The colonel
was as full of the spirit of the merry sea-
son rs was the every air itself. He thought
OF the presents he was about to make
and Of those which he expected to receive
as he cast his eyes about him and saw
the shop windows full of the latest nov-
elites in toys.
When he was lost in such pleasant
Christmas reverie as he hadn't had since
he was small boy, he happened to pass
along in front of q great marble hotel.
At the time he was passing u painter
was engaged in the act of retoning some
Of the inside blinds at an open window.
1t is not likely that it will ever be known
just how it happened, but the painter,
while probably preoccupied with dreams
of the approaching holiday, toppled the
pot of paint off the window sill, from
which point it whirled through the chilly
ashen air and deposited about three
quarters of its contents upon the colo
mel.
The latter was as red with rage as he
was with paint when he flew into and
through the main entrance of that hotel
and presented himself at the Office.
"Sir!" exclaimed the colonel in tow
ering rage. "What kind of treatment do
you call this, sir?"
"Pretty rough" replied the clerk, not
knowing exactly what to say, because he
was ignorant Of the accident that had
just happened.
81 am glad," reared the colonel, with
beautiful irony, ''that you are at least
kind enough to assume an attitude of
sympathy, but am here, sir, to demand
satisfaction for damages. AS was pass
ing, sir, one of your painters, sir, upset
apot Of red paint upon me, sir!"
Here the colonel paused for breath,
and the clerk, learning the cause of his
trouble, became very profuse in his
apologies.
81 am sorry it happened, sir, very
sorry P,1t yor, sbou1d NOT ba ca ,,Dro.-
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
"YoU WILL GET WELL"

that it was only question of few
hours moro. His long fast had reduced
him to a mere skeleton, and during the
last two days l could hardly get the beat
ing of his pulse or heart. By the time
was awake, he said:
''Sam, where are you? l cannot see!"
took his hands in mine and bent over
him as said:
"Here am, old fellow. Do you feel
better?"
'rm most gone, Sam! And it's
Christmas day, amt it?'
eyes," answered, greatly surprised
that he had kept the run of time so ac-
curately. "But you are not going, Tom;
you are better!'
Christmas day in the old home,
Samv' he Went on. "It is years since
was there. They'll remember me and
speak of me, though-father and mel
Fathers grave is there, near the old
home. Mine they will never see!'
"But Tom, Tom, you are better. You
will get well!'' l cried, as l lighted a
candle and bent over him to lift his
head.
"No, Sam. I've been dreaming,
dreaming Of my mother and sister-of
father-of the old home-of- Good
by, Sam! know you dug the grave
days ago. Mark it, Sam. Mark it SO
that mother may know it if she ever
Mother! Ioth''-
And it was all over with poor Tom.
sat beside him till the day came, the
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 up as she thought of the
absent one. He asked me to mark his
grave. did SO. and then waited for
weeks before l 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 name lad been the last on his lips
on that dark Christmas morning when
his soul went out into the great unknown.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
and songs and choruses sung, the final
ceremony is to bid every one "Froehliche

and songs and choruses sung, the final
ceremony is to bid every one ''Froehliche
Weihnacht," and the party disperses.
The Christmas dinner is on Il more elab-
crate scale. The piece de resistance con-
sists of roast goose, the national dish. It
is stuffed with apples or ches;nuts and
preceded by 4 soup and accompanied by
kartoffel (potatoes), blmnenkohl (cauli-
dower) 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,
a pudding and APPEL krapfcn. This will
perhaps be of rice stewed until tender in
milk, and then blended while hot with
fine chopped and sifted beef suet, raisins
and eggs, whites and yollss both we'll
beaten. This is u sort of German plum
pudding, for it is boiled in cloth or
mold and served with hot ard sweet
wine sauce.
These feasts are renewed every day
until the inception of the New Year, and
then whoever you meet. wherever you
are, the greeting is passed, "Prosit Neu-
jahr' Happy New Year), and the Christ
mas season comes to an end.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
e--MERRy~
1MAs.@az,,
DEAD MANS FIND"
BY NJ. QUAD.

Copyright, 1858, by American Press Associa-
tion.l
1t was along in November that Tom
and discovered indications" at a spot
in the Pnyon mountains of Nevada and
started drift. We didn't intend to pa1t
in more than Il weeks S work-just enough
to develop the find" 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, may tell you that
at about the middle of December, after
winter has seemingly shut down, there
comes what is called q "chinook"-a
warm wind off the Pacifc-which melts
the snow and stands the season off for a
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 a New Englander,
rough and rugged. He hadn't been sick
day since he could remember, and his
sudden breakdown was q complete sur
prise to both of us. He was attacked
late in the afternoon With a violent
twitching of his muscles, and by mid
night was in a profound stupor, which
lasted with but few intermissions until
the end
knew that he was in a dangerous
condition, but could not leave him,
helpless as he was, and make my way
down into the valley for help, nor could
take him down. In his weak and help
less state there was but one thing to do,
and that was to get a shelter ready and
take the best care of him possible. l
found sheltered spot and in a day and
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

other bearer of his name. His feel
ings have been deeply wounded, and
they can never be healed by the price of
a suit of clothes"
eft is pretty hard to ask us to pay for
his feelings" said the hotels attorney,
with smile, "because do not see how
we can appraise them in order to reach
an intelligent idea of their monetary
value."
''And then," broke in the other lawyer,
che is living with maiden aunt who ia
also very dignified and proud spirited
person. And when she saw the colonel
enter the house bedaubed with red paint
and heard that he had been gibed at by
boys as he passed along the street she
was completely undone and has since
been confined to her bed. Her feelings
have got to be paid for too The colonel
is really more distressed over his aunts
feelings than anything else connected
with this unfortunate affair, and he pro-
poses to fight it out on the basis Of their
feelings and wounded pride"
"See here" said the hotels attorney,
L ~ IC1A J Ou w LttG We II tlO. we ~ ScOClo
the thing for $33.75, and nota cent more.
If this doesn't meet your views of fair
compromise, you must seek your remedy
in the law, and then you will find what
your clients feelings are worth"
els that the best you will do:"
cit is" replied the hotels attorney.
On Christmas morning. when the bells
were ringing merrily in the frosty air,
Colonel Smith appeared i'll new suit of
clothes to celebrate the occasion, for he
had accepted the hotels terms of $33.75
$50 for his ruined clothing and 1915
for his feelings and those of his dear old
aunty.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
@MEEkXx=
TRADE IN CHRISTMAS 1REEs,

TRADE IN CHRISTMAS TREES.
We now require million or two of
young evergreens for Christmas trees,
and these, too, are cut and stored away
in good time, the choppers often going
into the woods soon after the list 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 fresh
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
in 1000 miles. The woodmen get from
So to So hundred for their trees, which
sell in the cities at prices ranging from
so cents to SO.
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 all the year for Christmas surprises,
which they hide away in unfathomable
recesses, sometimes forgotten by them
selves.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

sonable as to blame the esta blishment for
what was the fault of a painter en-
ployed by it,
'You should employ only painters who
understand their business, sir!" roared
the colonel in fine frenzy, "and will
teach you that paint cannot be poured
upon me with impunity, sir!''
"We are willing" said the clerk, 'to
do what is right in the matter. We will
pay for having your clothing cleaned, or
we will buy you new suit if necessary"
''You cannot get out of it on any such
basis as that, sir. am going to make
an example of you, sir, and inside of "a
hours, too, sir!" And having made this
threat the colonel hustled out of the
building and up the street.
Upon the following day the colonel
sent his legal representative to talk the
matter over and see if it could not be ad-
justed to his satisfaction without the
worry and expense of legal contest.
1t happened that the hotels attorney
was present when the colonel's legal
friend arrived, and the former said:
1--WE are perfectly willing to do the
fair thing by Colonel Smith. We admit
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS TONS

In no respect is the extravaganza Of
modern taste and the progress Of me
chanical genius better e2emplifed than
in the children's toys of the present. The
skill Of inventors and manufacturers
has been exerted to the utmost to bring
out novelties in Christmas playthings,
and the result this year is more attract
i've than ever before. Many Of these
toys are Of considerable practical value,
and some of them sell for from IS to
500. At the same time toys that far
surpass the playthings of other days
may be purchased for comparatively in
significant prices. The industry Of toy
making began at Nuremberg in the IF
teenth century. AT present Paris ia the
headquarters fSr the manufacture OF
toys, although Germany divides the
honors with the French metropolis in
many respects. In this country many
large factories are devoted to this in
dustry in New York, Philadelphia and
Boston.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS lN GERMANY.
A Week of Successive Fcasts and Rollicll-
iuo

A Week of Successive Fcasts and Rollic.i.
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 nerriment correspondingly
great. The observances are usually in
augurated on Christmas eve with sup
per.
The tree, which is comparatively
small, is placed in the center of the ta-
BILE, 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
joyial st. Nicholas. The children, like
children everywhere, enjoy their toys,
which are less expensive and more prac-
teal than ours. and their elders rejoice
in additions to their personal wardrobes
and household belongings.
The supper is 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
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
SUITABLE GIFTS.

Don't be too particular about giving
useful Christmas presents, notwithstand-
ing that hosts of practical individuals,
especially those of philanthropic turn
of mind, are forever advising just to
tho contrary. OF 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
silken 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 a 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 Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

lis showing.
Soft flakes whirl downward! am! drift, on tia
pane.
Round the warm hearth. where the fire is
glowing,
Old folks draw closer nj Christmas again!
The head Of the house, in thc glow of Tie en-
bcrs,
Stands straight as an arrow, smiling. but
grand.
There is his wife, and some fifty Dcccmhcrs
Leave her rs lightly as waves on the sand
She is to him still as fair as he thought hcr
When in her teens his allegiance he swnrc
Many Il son, now, and blossom checked ,lauvh
ter
Gather about them for Christmas once more,
Then there ate ncighbors and cousins and low
Bcrtic, from college, and stroke of his crew;
Sportsmen who come with an eye ON the COW
crS;
Maidcns of beauty whose charms are not few.
Dainty Dianas of favors quite chary:
| Reginald, fresh from the ranch on the plain;
Learned girl graduates, Sallc and Mary.
| Meeting and greeting AT Christmas again.
| Still, 10 my fancy, the faircst of faces
| Yondcr is shining iii silvcry curls,
| Framed in soft wrappers AID delicate laccs
Grandmother sits in II cluster of girls,
| Watching the dancers with eyes growing ten
der,
Clearer and dearcr for long ago pain;
| Holding the loving hands near to defend her
| Safe with her children at Christmas again.
| l can remember when bcauX by the dozen
Toasted her beauty in Wit and in wine:
l, too, ntlorcd her though was u cousin
Many II sword tried its mcttlc with mine.
Ah, gallant company, vanished to hatlcs!
Swept with the years till we only remain.
She is for me still the sweetest of ladies'
!, her old sutor, at Christmas again!
Madam, your hand! Though the dancers be
plenty,
Let us, too, stand-not in waltz or in reel
This was "thc mode" eighteen hundred and
twenty.
When it was voted as mighty gentecl."
All, that was dancing. Then steps were ''de
rigucur'
(Not II wild scramble, absurd and ins;tno).
You will remember that elegant figure
Let us walk through ii at Christmas againl
Yes, that is well! Strike n statclicr measure,
Fitting the SHOWS and the honor of years.
Say, does it bring to you visions of pleasure,
Or has the music n trcmor of fears?
misses?
"Undcr tho mistcoc!" Zoun,s! then, tits
plain,
Grandmother, blusli:ng, must bring out those
She has been keeping for Christmas again!
-l,annrc .pp.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
-@ENEMxAs
BELIZE IN SANTA CLAUS.

"The belief in Santa Claus gave me
years of unqualified satisfaction" says
Mrs. Burton Harrison. "Whether it was
actually swallows in the chimney top or
flying squirrels gamboling upon our
caves, l believed sundry noises of the
night to be the paving of tiny chargers
on the roof. When recently asked a
small person of whether he still be-
lieved in Santa Claus and he answered
me in whitening good English, Inever be-
ieved in Santa Claus; always thought
it was parents l felt quencheG and de-
jected beyond reason"
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
g@
WHEN MEN OPEN THEIR HEARTS,


There is nothing more effective or oft
quoted than hose lines from the "Christ-
mas CAROL of Charles Dickens: ''There
are many things from which l might
have derived good, by which I have not
profted, l dare say" returned Scrooge's
nephew, christmas among the rest.
But am sure l have always thought of
Christmas when it has come round
apart from the veneration due to it's sa-
cred name and origin, if anything be-
longing to it can be apart from that-as
a good time; kind, forgiving, charita-
BILE, pleasant time; the only time 1 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 a
scrap of gold or silver in my pocket,
believe that it has done me good and
will do me good. and say, God bless itv'
~NSNESM,s@
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
ORIGIN OF CAROLS,

The singing of carols ON Christmas
owe 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 a 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
A. To save us all from satan's power,
When we had gone astray.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
r For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
- ,i...:..-
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

that the colonel's clothing was ruined
through the negligence of one of our en-
ployees, and we are willing to pay for it.
We will give him sufficient sum to
purchase himself new suit of clothes.
How does $50 strike you?"
''Such proposition would not strike
the colonel at ALL" replied the friend Of
the ex-warrior. sit is not the amount
OF money involved in this thing that is
making him miserable"
''Then what is it," asked the hotels at
torney.
"1t's his feelings" replied the other
lawyer; Ibis feelings. You know he be-
longs to one of the Oldest and proudest
of all the old Virginia families, and he
is as naughty and representative as any
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
@-

"May good digestion wait on appetite,
and health on both," is good motto for
your Christmas dinner. In this connec-
ton it should be remembered that moth
ing SO promotes digestion Us cheerful
heart and clear conscience
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
hMAs

Back 10 mo;her's pumpkin pies.
Apple sauce and oyster stews.
From the city come tie boys
And forget all French menus.
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS GHOSTS.

What Christmas ghost can make us chill
Save these that troop in mournful row
Tho ghosts VIC ali can raise at will?
Tho beasts can talk in barn and brye
On Christmas eve, old legends know.
AS one by one the years retire,
We men fall silent then, trow-
Such sights has memory to show,
Such voices from the distance thrill.
All, Inc! they come With Christmas snow
The ghosts we all can raise at will.
Oh, children of the village choir,
Your carols on the midnight throw!
Oh, bright across the mist and mire,
Ye ruddy hearts of Christmas glowi
Beat back the shades, heat down the woe,
Renew tho strength of moral will;
Be welcome, all, to come or go
Tho ghosts we all can raise at will.
Friend, sursum corda, soon or slow,
We part, like guests who'vc joyed their
I'LL;
Forget them not, nor mourn them So
The ghosts we all can raise Mt will!
Andrew Lang.
@EMSEEltt.c-
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS AGAIN.

iEtN away cares,
and all live in
the present:
Youngsters are
flirting with
ghter and
noise;
christmas indoors
ia remarkably
pleasant
Dance and games
Ter The girls aai
the boys.
outside Tie sllad-
pWs are colder
The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23

that it was only question of few
hours moro. His long fast had reduced
him to a mere skeleton, and during the
last two days l could hardly get the beat
ing of his pulse or heart. By the time