davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
THE OLD RURAL CHRISTMAS.
Things We're Different in the Old Days
Yet Children We're Very Merry.

Things We're Different In tho Old Days
Yet Children We're Very Merry.
How many of the young people know
that some forty years ago nine-tenths
of the children in America had to enjoy
Christmas with only such sums as they
had saved up for months, often penny
at time? Yet so it was Not one
father in ten thought of giving boy
"Christmas money!" the big family din
ner and such fun as cost nothing was
enough.
Indeed, save for candy and firecracl-
ers, there was little to spend money for.
Robinson Crusoe" and "parley's
Tales" were almost the only story
books, though the people had some old
standbys on their shelves, and the "Old
English Reader" was, like other poor,
always with them. There were Moral
Lessons" q few, and tracts enough; bu.
no gorgeously lettered volumes of child
ish song, no fairy stories shining in
covers of blue, green and gold.
The story that artists for the earliest
juvenile books had to label their pic
lures This is horse" This is a
cow" etc, is no doubt an exaggera-
ton, but the toys really needed it.
Many q little girl made doll by dress
ing up Il crook-necked squash. Rag
babies" were the rule. A doll such as
any child of parents above the grade of
paupersmay now have for Christmas
would then have excited the amaze
ment of the neigh borhood, and doll
that would open and shut it's eyes
well, language is lacking to set forth
the Juror such wonderful creation
would have excited.
1t is an actual fact that the purchase
of such doll by order from Cincinnati
at cost of two dollars-was made
matter OF church discussion in one
town as late as 1S4S. 1.-THE neigh bors"
finally decided it was all right, as the
mans little girl was an invalid and
needed amusement. She certainly got
ut, if company was any amusement for
every child for miles around was crazy
to see that doll. AS for paying ten
| dollars for doll, the people would
have asked the court to namc n
guardian for the man who did it, as
Ten dollars would buy an acre of good
timbered land in half of the country.
Wood carving was an envicd accom-
| plishment in those days. The "hired
| hand" who had some skill with i
! jaclzknife had q crowd of children after
him on all possible occasions; the
father who could carve a humau-lool1-
ing figure out of walnut bark was "A
hero to his family.-N. Y. Mail and Ex.
press
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
Practical Jokes of a Crow.

The crow has always loved mischief,
but his pranks have not always been
malicious, as were too many of the
jokes of bird that bore the name of
Richie-which, as u pet name for birds,
was surely not an Improvement upon
time-honored Diclsey. This crow used
to be fed on biscuit and water from his
mistress window, and it was not an
uncommon thing for him to seize the
tumbler in his bill and dash it to the
ground. Sometimes he would enter
a room on the sly, and amuse himself
by taking the corks out of bottles and
pouring their contents over the car
pet, or by scattering pins papers, let
ters, ornaments and the like on the
floor One day he flew away with u
pencil and perched on tree close by.
TO punish him his mistress refused to
know him, and pushed him away from
the window the next time he came for
food. In short time he returned,
bearing the stolen pencil unharlned,
except that the rubber end piece had
vanished. Gravely laying it down on
the window sill, he bowed and cooed
In his best style as if to say: Come
now, let us be friends again!"
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
left it blazing wildly up towards the

left it. blazing wildly up towards the
black and stormy sky.
1t was late in the afternoon before
the foraging party had reached the
little settlement, several miles away,
and after getting well warmed and
rested they had started out on their re-
turn, carrying plentiful supplies for
their fasting comrades on the snow
bound train. But in the early twi-
light they had missed their way, and
I after hours of aimless wandering
through the painless snow, chilled and
overcome with drowsiness, they had
thrown themselves down to sleep, even
though they knew that to sleep then
might mean to perish They never
dreamed that they had almost reached
their goal, round which they had been
circling for so long
Suddenly, through his half-closed
eyes, one of their number saw a light
flash out in the distance, and, half
dreaming, he fancied it star. AT
that moment he was child again in
his fathers house. and it was Christ
mas Eve. His mother bent over the
bedside and tucked the blanket close
around her boy, and y! how warm it
seemed Her goodnight kiss was
pressed upon his brow, and as she left
the room she drew the curtain back so
he could see the sky, whence one
bright star shone down upon him
through the silent night. "nis star in
the east perhaps, and as he remem-
bered the sweet old story the star
grew brighter still and seemed to
becSon him like Heavenly guide.
Then the dream faded away and con-
seriousness came struggling back
through the bewildering numbness
which nearly mastered him, but still
the star CLEANED on.
A star, light, a beacon fire, refuge
close at hand With difficulty he
aroused his sleeping comrades, and
they raised their shout for help.
The wind caught up the sound and
carried it across the great white sheet
of snow to ears that We're strained with
listening. Then came shrill answering
cries OF encouragement, and brave men
came plunging onward through the
drifts in haste to find and aid in bring
ing in the wearied and half-frozen lit
tie band.
Happy tears We're glistening in Mrs.
Van ALIENS eyes that night as she lay
on her improvised bed of cushions un-
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
THE AUSTRALIAN FLowER-PIcKERs AND
THEIR NEST.

moss and sort of brown silky mass of
threads or fibers froE, plant, and
lined with few small feathers. One
of these nests was found in n tree that
was cut down. All the nestlings but
one were killed by the fall.
Mr.. Motley, who tells sail we know
of the bird, took the one little bird
that was left alive, and succeeded by
great care in bringing it up, feeding it
first on rice and bananas. AS soon as
it was strong enough it was placed in
a small cage. Although very restless,
never being for moment still, it was
quite tame and fearless, and would sit
upon the finger without trying to fly
away; and although it's whole body,
feathers and all, might have been shut
up in walnut, it would peck at
finger held ont to it with great fierce
ness.
1t is strange that two birds so much
alike as the fiower-piclers of Australia
and those of Borneo should differ SO in
disposition and habits.-St. Nicholas.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
THE FLowER-PlokERs,
They Are Very Small and Live High Up in
tho Trees.

tho Trees.
Few of the people who live in the
great island of Australia have ever
seen q flower-picker, although many
have lived for years beneath the lofty
trees upon which this little bird builds
its pretty nest. The fact is the flower
picker lives so high up among the top
most twigs of the tallest trees, and is
SO small, and so seldom descends even
to the lower branches, that, in spite of
its rich scarlet breast, it never attracts
notice, and, indeed, cannot often be
seen by the naked eye ut the distance
from the ground at which it usually
builds it's nest. Sometimes person
standing beneath one of the great
trees growing upon the bank of creek
or river, where these birds are to be
found, will hear pretty warbling
song, unlike any he ever heard else
where; but unless he knows the habits
of the bird, and is sltillfui hunter he
can scarcely hope to catch q glimpse of
the singer snugly hidden away among
the thickly growing leaves far above
him
The nest of the flower picker is very
beautiful; it is made of the cotton-lilse
Innings of the seed-pods of Australian
shrubs and is perfectly white, so that
as it swings in the breeze, it looks like
n SNOWFALL hanging on some wild vine
or climbing plant.
There is another kind of n flower
picker that lives in the island of Bor-
neo. The little birds belonging to this
species, unlike their timid Australian
cousins, make their homes in low
brushwood, and are so fearless that
they will allow themselves to be al
most touched before they take flight.
The Malay people, who live in. the part
of Borneo where these birds are found,
call them sparks" because the male
bird, when darting about among the
bushes, really looks as bright as II fash
of fire. The nest of the tlower-picker
of Borneo is about the shape and size
of goose-egg. II is built of tine green
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23

given to everyone upon the train, and
no one, young or old, was forgotten.
Mrs. Van ALLEN had found something
in her seemingly inexhaustible treas
ure box that was appropriate for eacl.
Even the conductor was presented with
handsome pocketknife; and the
brakeman who had so gallantly
plunged through the deepest drifts to
cut down the Christmas tree had new
warm muller wound about his neck, by
her own hands.
If they had been Mrs. Van Aliens
chosen guests in her own home, the
evening could not have passed more
merrily. And for the time no one gave
his or her personal discomfort or dis
appoi ointment even a passing thought.
When the lights on the tree had at
last burned out, and the sleepy chill
dren were about to be tucked into their
improvised beds, Mrs. Van ALLEN sat
resting upon her now empty Christmas
chest, with her eyes fixed dreamily upon
the dismantled tree, Turning at last,
she bcckoned the conductor to her side.
Something has been worrying me-"
she said. in her rapid way. The
foraging party has not returned, and l
cannot rid myself of the dreadful idea
that those poor men may be lost and
wandering about, half frozen, in the
snow"
more likely they have found com
Portable quarters in some farmhouse
for the night, and early IN the morning
they will turn up, bringing supplies
( for our breakfast" was the reassuring
/ answer.
"Perhaps so," she assented, doubt
fully. But still, there is the other
chance, and / feel that something
ought to be done. Maybe it's only a
womans foolish fancy, but won't you
do me this favor? Get that obligipg
brakeman to help carry out this tree,
which has served its purpose here, and
somewhere-at a safe d stance from
the train-sc. it on fire. There's just
chance it may prove beacon light
and anyway I'd feel SO much better u
see it done"
Not any OF the men would have de-
MED this little woman anything thai
she might ask, no matter how absurd
the request might appear to them. Sc
the dismantled tree was carried out
and. dragged far up on the top of the
drift. and there they touched 1t off ano
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
THE WEAVER BIRD.

He's the smartest Architect of the Feath-
cred World.
Most children have seen the pretty
cuplike nests our little birds make in
the hedges, but do not suppose you
would ever guess that the curious
things hanging to the end of the branch
in the picture are nests also, yet such
they are. They are the homes of the
African weaver bird, and are made of
grass fiber
The nest is placed in the hollow at
the bottom of the bulblike part at
taclIed to the tree. The long tube GO
ing down so near the water is not made
until the nest is finished. When the
bird gets into it's house it has to alight
on the outside and then creep down
the tube till it gets to the opening at
the bottom, then it creeps up inside,
and so reaches its nest. Perhaps you
wonder why this little bird puts such a
troublesome sort of entrance to it's
house, and why it builds it hanging
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23

over the water at the end of such d
thin branch. You think it would be
much wiser to make it's nest as our
birds do theirs. But God has taught
these little birds to build just in the
way that is best for them, and to put
IL in the safest place, for in Africa
there are many monkeys and snakes
which would take the eggs or young
birds and eat them, but in these nests
they are safe. And If monkey ven
tured out on this slight branch its
weight would cause the bough to bend,
and so throw the monkey into the
water; but if. in spite of these precau-
tions, snake, or monkey, or bird OF
prey comes too near the nests, all the
weaver birds about the place dash at it
and drive it away by their united
strength, setting good example to us
all to help each other to resist evil and
TO guard against II ourselves. Sun
ihino.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23

der the great-coat of the kind con-
ductcr, for she knew that there was
not soul on board that train, but hac;
called 4 blessing down upon her and
her wonherfui Christmas tree.
With the first rays of the Christmas
sun, for the storm had ceased in the
night, and the morning sky spread it's
clear dome of blue above the sparkling
whiteness of the snow, help came, with
snow-plows and gangs of willing men.
1t was unloolied-for luck. and the
passengers eagerly congratulated one
another, for there we're few among
! them who would not ne able now to
reach their homes IN the course of
Christmas day. But during the wake
full, wee small hours of the night, little
Mrs. Van Allen had suddenly changed
her plans. 1t was of no use to 60 on to
Henrietta Marlow's now, she thought,
for her Christmas box was empty. And
so she had decided to bid her fellow
travellers farewell at the first stopping
place from which she could take q train
that would carry her back to town.
There were tender good-bys ex-
changed when the parting came, with
many grateful words, and children's
kisses and warm embraces Mrs Van
Allen stood smiling and waving back
to them from the little waysidc station,
while the train slowly rol-sd on and
carried them one and all out of her
sight and life.
"What nice people they all were, u
she said to herself, land such good,
happy children, bless them. Well, the
! more / see of the world, the better
opinion l have of the people in it.
didn't get to Henrietta Marlow's after
all, but declare never had u lovclier
Christmas in all my life. But how sur
prised Caroline and John will be to see
rae back SO soon," she mused, land
when they know - but they sha'n't
know word about it, they'd only call
it another of Augusta's vagaries,' and
they'd have too many disagreeable
things to say. ! know they think I'm
very queer, but they are juat as queer
themselves and dreadfully curious
Now I'll just give them something to
wonder over and puzzle themselves
about this time, and won't tell then
one single word"
So Mrs. Van Alien suddenly reap
peared and seemed in the best of spirits
in spite OF her heavy cold. But she
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23

not pleasant prospect to be obliged
to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas
day cold and hungry in a snow-drift
in deserted part of the country.
The afternoon wore slowly on. There
was no communication with the out
side world, for the storm had beaten
down the telegraph wires, and the for
aging party which had started out
some hours before had not returned
Mrs Van Allen, all this time, went
fitting from group to group, dropping
crumbs of comfort on every side, and
endeavoriug to replace complaints
with at least q sembiance of content.
But the weary children were fretting
because they wouldn't be anywhere
for Christmas, and wouldn't have any
Christmas till Christmas was all over"
Then new and charming possibility
opened itself to Mrs. Van Aliens busy
brain; and presently she was seen in
earnest consultation with the conduc-
tor and the porter, and after that they
all three vanished into another car.
The proceedings after this were so
delightfully."- mysterious to all of the
children, and they were so taken up
with wondering what was going on,
that they quite forgot to fret One end
of the car had been hastily curtained
off with shawls but one child, peep
ing, was sure he had seen the branch of
a great green tree.
All of the mothers had now been
taken into Mrs. Van Athens conf
dence, and several of the older girls
had been called upon to hclp, behind
the shawls.
The excitement among the children
momentarily increased, and just as the
darkness of Christmas Eve was enfold-
ing the wcaried and supperless pa5sen-
gers in the dimly-lighted train, down
came the screening shawls, and brill
liantly-lighted Christmas tree burst on
their bewildered gaze. Then such n
shout went up as filed tired little Mrs.
Van ALLEN with keen delight
Cousin Henrietta NARROW and your
eight children! You little dream how
the unexpected gifts SO carefully pre-.
pared for you are being scattered now!
Your coats and shawls will serve to
keep these little snow-bound children
warm through the long-coming night;
and your toys and bright picture books
will while away the otherwise tedious
hours of their long cold Christmas day.
There had been o general invitation
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
Nap nnd have been comrades trusty,
When the luck was low and the luck wao


When the luck was low and the luck wan
high;
And I've found him friend who never turned
rusty,
And who should know him better than ~
Come smooth or rough, come fair or foul
weather,
Cloud or sunshine black or bright
Old Nap and we stand together,
And shoulder to shoulder wo fight our
fight
It's tough fight, too sir you'd better be-
Yes it's rough on us both when times are
hard;
But when fortune looks up, why, we receive
With thanks and welcome, 'or self and
Excuse my slang, sir; when ones in the thick
oft
Out and about, morn, noon and night,
Why it's hard, don't you know, to lose the
trick OF it,
And fix up ones language quite polite,
Hunsry' you bet Yes know how it feels
And so does the dog, here; don't you. old
chap1
Guess you've never gone days without one
square meal sir;
Well, we've done It often, mo and Mp
But when there's been plenty, I've never spared
IL
Though aint going myself to prnise)
And bite and sup we've always shared It;
We've feasted and tasted through good and
bad days
Life is hard for boy in this New York town.
Though working early and working late;
And IT'S easy enough to get dragged down,
II you don't watch out nnd keep square and
straight
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
Wonderful Child In China.

The marvellous child mentioned In
the Chinese classics who, ut four years
old, was able to recite the three hun
dred verses of the Tang poetry, as
well as the Ancient Book of Odes, has
been eclipsed by an infant prodigy of
the same age, who presented himself
at the recent Licentinte examinations
in Hong Kong as candidate for
literary honors. The P'anyu Chchsien
personally examined this tiny candi-
date, and found that the child could
write a concise essay on the subject
that had been given him, although, OF
course, in an infantile scrawl. 1t is
observed by local commentator that
1t now remains only for the literary
chancellor to pass" the prodigy ere
he can be styled as having entered
the portals of the Dragons gates
Sssat is, obtained the degree "Siu- -ts'al." {"
or l:e' ntiate.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS cRlNkLss.
Some Pertinent RcmnrkS on Seasonablo
Questions.

Some Pertinent RcmarkS on SeasonabIo
Questions.
1t requires no outlay of money to
wish people merry Christmas.
Don't give yourself to more than one
girl as Christmas present.
Don't spend in gifts the money you
owe your wash-woman.
Presents are not numerous in the
homes. where the parents carefully
teach their four-year-olds that Santa
Claus is a mythical parsonage.
Price-marks on Christmas gifts are
not to be regarded as enblems of ver-
acity.
The woman who can circulate most
through the stores the first three
weeks of December can approximate
more closely the value of the presents
her friends William Henry
Siviter, "a Puck.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
YOUR WIFE AT CARl5TMAS

She finds al! business matters nov,
TO her finance Is strange;
A hundred dollar bill or two
She calls littls change.
Each day the dinner Is on time.
No word she answers back:
She shows that she can act sublime
To get U sealsliin sacque.
Although her taste you'd not deny.
You must admit it mars
The seasons Joy to have her buy
You neckties and cigars
She makes you drink OF sorrows cap
TO gain the kids applause;
For now sho likes to rig you up
To look like Santa Claus.
Though ready for the yearly strike.
1t hits you rather funny:
She wants 10 know first what you'd like.
Then asks you for the money.
James ]. O'Connell, in Judge
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23


A tale my mother told to me
Beginning "Once upon time"
II is q tale of skies that rang
With angel rhapsodies sublime
Ofthat great host serene and white,
The shepherds saw one winter night
And the glorious stars that sang
An anthem once upon time.
This story OF the hallowed years
Tells Of the sacrifice sublime
OF One who prayed alone and wept
While His wearied followers slept
And how His blood and Mary's tears
Commingled once upon time.
And now my darling at my side
And echoes Of the distant chime
Bring that sweet story back to me,
or Bethlehem and Calvary,
And OF the gentle Christ that died,
For sinners once upon time
The mighty deeds that men have told
In ponderous tones of fluent rhyme
Like misty shadows fade away:
But this sweet story bides for aye;
And like the stars that sang of old,
We sing OF "Once upon time"
Eugene Field, in Chicago Saturday Evening
Herald.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23
Thelr Christmas Glfts.

81 thought it better to get you some
thing useful" said Mr.. Dossill to his
wife, $50 have brought you couple
of good brooms for your Christmas
present"
THAT was very thoughtful of you.
my dear" replied Mrs. Dossill. ~
share your ideas, and have bought you
agood strong coal scuttle for you to
carry up fuel from the cellar in
Judge.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-23

1T is the girl who says she doesn't
believe in accepting presents from
young mon who Is most likely to be
popular this month Washington Star.