davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
His Christmas Sermon.

| An English clergyman, author of
| "Untrodden Spain," who must have
listened to considerable number of
Christmas sermons-his own and other
mens-declares that the best one he
ever heard was preached by woman
and in three words!
In my little parish. under the sweep
Of the Sussex Downs, I was walking
swiftly home one night, buffeted about
by the gray clouds of driving rain that
the fierce sou'wester swept landward
rom the sea, when q poor, helpless,
aged woman asked me for a "trife for
nights lodging" Curates are sup
posed always to be poor. 1t was Christ
mas time, and 1 had just parted with
my last sixpence at a lonely hamlet,
where work was scarce. Still l could
not leave my stranger in the street. so
l asked her to come with me to nv
my lodgings. She shambled along
through the mud. with her streaming
clothes and clouted boots, and we en-,
tered my little room. Ny thoughtful
landlady had made my table ready.
plate OF hot toast was standing in
fender: the kettle sang vociferouslv. as
II impatient to be used; in front of the
fire stood my slippers, backed by an
easy-chair. To my surprise, my poor,
worn, hagga@d companion raised her
dripping hands. and burst into tears,
with the words, "Oh, what LUXURY"
That was the best Christmas sermon 7
ever heard, and the only one l have
never forgotten
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
EXCHANGE OF GIFTS.
Christmas Not to Re Degraded by the Mer-
emery Spirit.

Christmas Not to BE Degraded by the Mer-
cenery Spirit.
In theory, the exchange OF Christi
mas gifts is q beautiful custom. Christ
mas is supposedly time when kindly
feelings and universal goodwill prompt
general manifestation OF regard In
the exchange of presents. 1t is the
friendship expressed in the act that Is
valued. The proof of kindly feeling
that is shown is the worth of the pres
emit. The cause and not the effect oc-
casions the pleasure. All look forward
to the happy holiday times hen each
is gladdened, and, in turn, makes 9TH
ers glad by tokens of honest regard and
friendly feeling. The world fairly
beams with good cheer. Every one
has caught the spirit of the generous
insight: 1T is more blessed to give
than to receive" The intrinsic value OF
the article given does not of itself ex-
that contains the loving toll OF hum
BILE giver represents far more truly the
Christmas spirit than the careless mu-
ni6cence of wealth friend.
But we need to keep on our guard
lest this beautiful day be degraded by
the mercenary spirit. 1t will not do to
say that the pecuniary value of gifts
holds no relation to their power of ex-
pressing thoughtfulness and love. The
trivial gift Of a very rich friend GER
tainly does not usually express deep re
gard; while the slightest token may
be the evidence of poor mans real
affection. But to make the giving of
Christmas presents a matter Of tacit
bargain, to say to ones SELF, "Such a
one gave me present worth dollar.
l will return it with one worth 80
cents, or Il will give present worth
a dollar in hope Of getting one worth
two" is to soil the beauty of the day,
and to degrade the spirit it expresses.
should be no tables of money-changers,
no sale of oxen, nor even of doves
The Watchman.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

l have been good friends, but I know
what you want to say, and you better
not say 1t. l give you fair warning
that it isn't SAFE" What are Won 90.
ing to do about it?" demanded Harry.
defiantly. I'D have you know that
understand how you have sneaked and
crawled to undermine me-"
A cry like that of a mad beast burst
from the lips OF the young sailor. He
looked as If he would strike Harry. but
he seemed to recollect himself. and.
turning on his heel, he rushed into the
cabin.
All through that trip, these two, who
! had been dear friends, did their duty
by the ship, but, working side by side,
they never spoke; they worked in sui
len silence.
Alter q month OF absence the schoon-
er was standing in for her own port.
perhaps twenty miles away. 1t was
New Years eve, and one of the dark
est nights that ever fell upon the
ocean, with gale blowing, which
threatened at any moment to take the
STICKS out OF the vessel. The captain
lay In the cabin, stunned by the fall of
a block, and Dick worked the schooner.
Two miles out Of port a rocky point
ran out into tho sea-a point on which
the bones of many good craft had
been laid. But Harry was thinking of
Milly-of Milly, who waited and
watched for his coming, and he
thought, with a pang at the heart, that
perhaps, after all, he had wronged her
and Dick.
linen came great crash, an awful
yell from the men, and the schooner
was on the rocks, and the great break
ers beating against her with cruel
force. Send up a rocket, cried Dick
in hoarse. strained voice. "Ha. thew
see US! There goes q light"
And there flashed up on the beach a
bonfire: in its light men were seen
darting here and there, and then.
pushed out by eight strong rowers, the
life boat darted out. They brought up
the injured captain and laid him on the
deck, and he was the first they lowered |
into the boat as it came up. The men
went down one by one, until only Harry |
ana DICK remained upon the deck, |
Go" commanded Dick. She'll only |
bear one more, and it won't be Dick
Dean. Y0n suspected me of loving
Milly; did. longer than you think.
more than you know. Get into the
boat! i viii not" cried Harry.
she said: In that dreadful hour.
when you have to choose between good
and evil, think of me- and do right
Take him men," He caught Harry
sud denly by the shoulder and dropped
him into the boat 1t shot away in
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

give presents. AS she makes up he,
mind what she wants to give each per.
son, she sets down whatever it is oppo-
site the name. Then whenever she
finds it convenient to get any of these
gifts she does so. and at once inscribes
and addresses the article and places it
in large drawer, which she keeps ex-
pressly for the purpose. She says that
since she has adopted this plan Christ
mas is a joy and q delight, whereas be-
fore 1t was time that she dreaded as
q sort OF Dead Sea fruit which she was
bound to eat annually. 1t is not too
late to make book Of this kind serv-
lceable. 1t should be small enough so
that 1t can be conveniently carried, in
order that it may be at hand both as a
reminder and to jot down such memo
randa as may be desired to have.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

the sea, and then dropped his head
again. He was young man and q
sailor; a man framed by nature to make
the world better, because he had done
his part in it. But there was a great
agony, now, in the brave young face,
As from time to time he lifted it.
There came light step along the
gravel and he started up quickly as the
girl walked down the beach-a fair
young girl, with tho sunny hair and
glorious eyes which, since the days of
Eve, had made slaves and thralls of
the children of men. And truly, there
was something in the manner Of Mill
cent Durand which had given her rare
power over the stronger nature OF man,
and this young sailor, lying there upon
the sand, loved her with an unuttera-
bic affection-a depth of love it was
hard for her to understand. Richard
DEAN" she cried. why are you lying
here alone?" Richard" She said
again, what is it? Why do you look
at me so:"
Il don't know what to say to you,
Mllly," he answered, slowly, because 1
don't like to give you pain, but some
times 1t seems to me that it would have
been better. far better, if had gone
down with the schooner last autumn.
instead of living to endure this great
anguish"
Il don't know what you mean, Rich
ard. You and were always friends.
What does it all mean"
I'll tell you. Milly, and try to tell it
1t In such way that you will under
stand that, If suffer, have no hatred
for those who love me, although they
have broken my heart. An hour ago l
was on the point, sitting under the
trees, and heard-I couldn't help it,
Milly-I heard what Harry Watson
said to you" A flush stole up into the
white cheek OF the girl as she turned
away her head. Il heard Harry tell
you that he loved You, and heard you
say that you loved him, and then l
stole away, not to hear more. l love
you as man never loved woman in all
time. l love yOu SO well that for a mo-
ment it seemed to me that I hated
Harry Watson because he had robbed
me OF my jewel. But l knew him to
be good and true, kind son, a tender
brother, and he will make you happier,
perhaps, than poor Dick Dean ever
oh, Dick" she said, softly, Il never
dreamed that you She stopped
suddenly.
Il have been to blame, ana while YOU
loved me as a sister loves q brother. |
l, fool that was, thought the feeling
deeper. There, there; l am a man.
M1ily; fll fight it down in time. When !
are you to be married!" "Aftex. this |
trip" she said softly, when the Hes
perus comes back. And I am first
mate on tho Hesperus and Harry sec
opd. And we've been friends SO long
that-but I wish he were in another
schooner"
Dick cried Mile, suddenly. you
are going out with the man 1 love. in
the same ship. There will come an
hour of dark temptation to you, a
dreadful hour, when you will have to
choose between good and evil. When
mat time comes and tAe tempter whis-
Eers In your ear promise me, in the
name o. THO love you bsar me, you
VII think Of me- He drew his breath
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
Scientific Toys,

II a paterfamilias of 1892 could be
allowed to roam around here for a few
days, In this holiday season, he would
probably demand to be returned
whence he came with all possible haste.
claiming that we are a generatiou1o OF
sorcerers. For even the toysexhf6ited'
IN the shop windows. and destined for
Onrlstmas presents to our little ones.
would impress the venerable ghost "a
the Products OF sorcery. The tiny loco
motive drawing Its train of cars would
lrlgnten him seriously: and as for the
t tho, devices, he would fee from
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
Ere we must part then let US pledge
A union firm and truei
A CHRISTMAS BOGY.

Ere we must part then let US pledge
union firm and truei
We who have suffered meier forget;
We who have joyed remain
through cloud and sunshine friends mos,
dear.
Howe'er the hours may wane.
Old Year. tried year. give thee now
A pledge to bind our hearts
Though Time speeds on we'll keep a place
Whore never time departs!
It's not farewell Who've lived ne'er die
The Now Year cannot take
The memory that thy beauteous days
Within my heart awake!
Old year! pledge thee! Mine the task
The New to meet in turn,
And gather in my hands its gifts
The lessons may learn.
A pledge to thee. New Year. a pledge.
May we so walk each day
That pain nor toll nor weary hours
May e'er our hearts ARRAY;
But holding to the moment given.
And guided by its light
Walk on until the journeys done,
Until LIES last good night"
Boston Transcript
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
Caught.

1T was a terrible mistake!" "Tell
me OF it." "A number of presents
given me last Christmas had no use
for, and, being little short of funds
this year, l gave them as Christmas
presents to my friends. But | didn't
remember Alright as to just whom | got
them from, and, by Jove! l gave Miss
Lovely the exact album she presented
me with. Elk.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

ana full of winds both loud and shrill:
But In summer, truth to tell,
High winds shall there be, and stron,
Full OF tempests lasting long:
While battles they shall multiply,
Ana great plenty Of beasts shall die
They that be born that day.. ween,
They shall be strong each one and keen
he shall be found that stealeth aught:
Tho thou be sick thou diest not
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
Christmas Shopping,

Christmas shopping is moro often
than otherwise serious burden, and
Is also likely to prove as much OF . con-
fusion as it is laborious process. The
following is plan Of a clever woman.
who declares that by her simple method
she has eliminated all that is either
yexing or overtaxing in regard to it.
Early in the season she makes out n
us! OK Persons to whom she wants to
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
TRUE TO HIS VOW

IGHING in from
the breast of ocean
stretching away
under the North
ern sky came the
W ind, but t h Q
steady wash of the
surge 1t produced
could not rouse the
man who lay upon
his face under the
sheltering rocks.
He was not asleep,
for at times his
frame trembled,
and now and again
he half started up
and looked across
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING.

saaasaaaaaessa aeaa
Now hang the Christmas stockings
6y the chimney right away, for
santa Claus Is coming in his treas
ure-laden sleigh His reindeers now
are D, ancing the snow clouds in
the sky, and Santa Claus is urging
them right merrily to fly. Get out
the biggest stockings you can find for
him to fill, and hang them while the
eager tots are watching, O, SO still
ana Peeping up the chimney with
round wondering eyes to see that
awe-lnsplrlng entrance where
soon Santa Claus will be- Then
put the happy darlings, so en-
enchanted by the sight. into
their cosy little cribs to
dream all through the night
those sweetest dr. cams of
childhood which in mem.
DRY remain and all
through life at Christ
mas time SO surely
come again. And
then, when all are
sound asleep-not
cen mouse astr-
Will Jolly Santa Claus
SO plump and all ar
rayed in fur come down
the chimney with his pack
ana TO those stockings go and
stun them full of Christmas lows
until they overflow. On ChristmSs
morning early will the tots rush down
4, 10 see what Santa Claus has left them bv
Inc sparkling Christmas Tree and
when their merry shouts ring out
feel ss s emery !. glad a n surprise you'll
the angels in the
= skies. 49, c,;.o. G.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
Christmas on Monday.

Christmas falls on Monday this year.
we have the authority of an old
poetic philosopher for including this
fact among the signs of q hard winter.
The document, according to the Lon
don Times, was unearthed in 1865
from the Harleian manuscripts, No.
2252, folios 1874" in the British Mn
scum. 1t reads as follows:
II Christmas day ON Monday be,
A great winter that year xon ,ll 600
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
A Pledge to Old and New.

The Old Year sat with me and said
dear friend. and must we part3
we VINO nave through the long. long day
Walked one in aim and heart!"
And as he socket 10! vistas oped
OF love and life and pain;
And once moro the summers breath
Felt on my brow again!
The summer hours that took me bnck
To seen es long loved and dear;
And Memory bore me In her train
To where the light shone clear
Then shadows borne Of pain and dread
No longer held me fast,
For all the present was a dream;
Reality past!
l answered then. ''Old Year. we twain
Have gArnered rose and rue:
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

"Robert, thou hast
done this evil,n
Whiskers says
to little Rob;
~Thtnk We. We can
here detain me.
other boys and
girls to rob?
Nay. nay, thou
shalt have no
presents, lest
thou let's me 60
right now
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
HAPPY New Year. and u new

HAPPY New Year. and q new
beginning.
~ For hands that have wavered
~ and steps that fall;
III n: s; :;: !: .::,,...
free to all
With possible sorrows and actual pain;
New Joys for comrade, and friend. and
lover.
The year is bringing them all again.
New days and hours for tie patient build
OF noble character. pure and true;
For faith and love. with their radiant gild-
Ing.
To mako the temple of life anew.
A Happy New Year and a truce to sadness.
Its every moment by God is planned;
Whatever may come, whether grief or glad
ness.
Must come Alright from a Fathers hand
forth
His love Was true to us all the way,
And now in the hitherto shines the hence
forth,
And out Of y esterday smiles to-day.
We would have power in this year to
Each lot less blessed and fair than ours;
The woe to heal aud the load to tighten.
The waste soul garden to plant with
flowers
May every day be a roy al possession
To hi yh- born purpose and steadfast aim,
And every hour in its swift progression
Make life more worthy than when it came
Golden Days.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

Robby eagerly es-
corts him to the
able thickly
spread
w | t b to- m orrow's
Christmas dinner,
and his eyes start
from his head.
When he sees old
Whiskers swallowS
everyt h / ng and
call for more,
Till the pantry IS as !
was before.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

IL
Then he blesses little
Robby, tells him to
go back to bed:
When he wakes up
In the morn, he'll
find q reind eer at
his head
alas! when up
the chimney he
attempted to emil
CRATE;
Try his utmost. that
big dinner he can't
seem to elevate.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23
stantly, TO- it could not have born an.

stantly, 70, it could not have born an
other without filing.
Next day they found him lying upon
the shining sand, with his head pillow
ed on one brawny arm and smile upon
his face. which only good men wear, men
who die at peac, with all the world.
And Harry Watson, coming with his
children to the grave of his dead friend,
speaks softly the story of that New
Years Eve when the Hesperus was
wrecked on that pOint.-Utica Globe.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

Whiskers tells how
scarce good boys,
are In his trips o'ey.
land and sea.
Says. with pathos, he
has Travelled. "forty
t h gu "a n d miles
since tear
Then tells bby IL
he'll get him some-
thing for his appe-
lite
He can have q mill
Ion presents. every
one aust out OF
sight".
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

IN.
Whiskers follows thro
the parlor. picks UP
: Ro b by's Christmas
tree,
Thinks he'll sell it to his
"Uncle" for two dol
!, lars, maybe three;
Waves good bye to little
RObby as he shuff1es
down the path,
Then makes tracks for
Oklahoma to avoid his
papa's wrath.
I'm. Field and Fireside.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

hobby. cold and frightened, shivers. doesn't
dare to make row.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

Meanwhile Robby.
sweetly dreaming
In his little trun-
die bed
OF the morrow with i
its presents. hears
a rumbling near
his head.
Wakes and sees the
feet of Whiskers
dangling in the
open crate,
Slowly, carefully des,
and then his pa
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-23

reason why hAnsun1 man like me
Should be cheated out OF Chrismus wild its
fun and jollity."
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-28
E.pcsLIcAx nkoEoAsIS11roM
vsryiss Op;siess 80 - ths Attitsas OF ~,
State Cor--ttter.

State Corn-ttter.
The statement that the Republican State
Committee IL behind the movement looking to
the organization Of the anti m aehine Republi-
cans in this city produced exactly opposite
effects on Chairman william Brooknsld OF the
State Committee and Uncle Charley Hackett
Chairman Of the Executive Committee.
Nobody has the right to cay that the State
Committee favors any plan or movement"
said Chairman Brookneld. THE state Com
mittee cannot be pus on record until IL neets
next month. II is authorized then TO reor-
gapiz. the, Republican party In any county II
Chairman .Brookneld expressed himself az
opposed to the sttempt TO form a new party in
the city while the old one IL contemplating re-
Cneie Chsfley. HACK cit hailed the new move.
ment with delight. 1t is a good thing" said
he. u" it will get tho boys-the young men-in-
,srssed The Dcmos5 S,Is hay. sssn giving
ing ths gray boards and haldheAds to the fore
in rarity management. think that the move
me-, ment w result 10 the th0rolgh reorga ryan,
when asked later TO sign a statement prac-
ns n. state Smsss
Hackett refused. He had seen Chairman
Brookneld. and Mr.. Brook field had had an
ifhc conclusion was that there had been some.
thing premature. in the announcements OF the
State Committec's endorsement Of the Coot er
Union meeting which. II was said last night.
will he held on Jan. s.
Louis H. Bold and the He'll Gate Republican
Club OF the Twenty fourth district will declare
for the new movement at n meeting to be held
The Republicans Of the Eighth district have
chosen ex.Postmaster Van t,ott President Of
not been q N en- Der OF the Republican County
Committee for many yeAra
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-28

Christian Aiiisuee Subscriptions for the Re-
lief OF the Poor Exceed $4,000.
John +. Townsend. Treasurer OF the Busl.
ness Mems Relief Committee OF the Christian
Alliance. reported YESTERDAY that S8.175 had
been collected for the fund. The largest con-
trbutions yesterday were Lewis CRss Led
yard. 5000: Robert Hoe $780, and Robert j.
Dunn. 500. A provisional committee is now
at work hunting up the best locations in which
to start Kitchens for fve-cent dinners. 1t is
calculated that 81. 900 will equip one kitchen
with good range and all the other appliances.
President Mackay OF the Alliance said to Q
SuS reporter yesterday:
with this IN oney we can provide for start
Ing six additional Kitchens on the hve.cent
meal basis. which will furnish food for 1900
people each II necessary. As more money
comes IN We will open other kitchens"
At the Peoples Restaurant OF the Christian
Alliance. ITO Blocker street about 800 per-
sons got fye.cont d!nnors yesterday. The
large room In the basement. which will &C.
commodate 500 at time. will probably be
ready for use at the end Of this week.
Such crowd OF women and girls came yes
terday morning to IL Delaney street, where
the Women's Conference OF the Society for
Ethical Culture has opened workshops, that
Mrs. Henry Ollesheimer. who superntends the
work. had TO get help from the EIdrldge street
police station 10 keep them back. There was
employment for about sixty or seventy only,
aud several hundred came clamoring for work.
The police kept the people In line until ali
cseS nd a to bs n
day. working from , A. ii. 70 5 !. NJ. and Ssp the
wear and chlldren's clothing. are given to per.
the regular charitable organizations.
h hsS replied 8 he ssiI Is.ssd y 81! sssa!Sn
night to take measures for the relief OF tho UNI
employed. AL these unions are to send rep
resentatives. IT is understood thar the ques-
figure In the plans for relief
Arrangemsnts have been completed by the
ton Of Hsrlem, for . sacred concert t to Be- held
at the Harlem Opera House on Sunday even
ing, Jan. Z. the proceeds OF which are to be
ehnrches Of Harlem. Among those int erestsd
In the concert are Mayor Thomas +. Giroy
PaSs % hRarIY %SioH 5Ssp
Hopper. l.. F, Fechtman ex Sheriff Bowe. John
j. Gilroy, and John NJ, Conan.
teos Of the hospitais composins liz Satu 5rhS
and sunday Association was held at st. Luke's
Hospital Addresses urging the need OF indi.
the associations work were made by George
Mace. Miller Edward Cooper ChAuncey N
ppepew, Jacob SchiI. Hanlin Blum. the Rev.
Of sfo6 Tor the PoSrowitz ss and
THE Sun told on Friday Of last Week. other
subscriptions for the same purpose made the |
amount Sl2O.5O which was distributed in this |
way:
en- street $a5 reAl Rotbbsrg $40; Reuben kotSb.rg
erect $40 Klein 81 stanton .siisst s.; Sr.. Marsas
2 Allen street s. Mr. Busstsin 81 suffolk street So
tsin, 80 Monroe street s..