davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
ODD NEW YEAR CUSTOMS.

Queer Ways Of Giving Presents in the
Olden Times.
There used to be custom in vogue
many years ago in placing al the New
Years gifts on the floor in q dark room
where the recipients scrambled for
them on their knees, and if they
brought out other than their own they
were fined a certain sum which was to
be expended in addition to the good
cheer. Bags of bran and baskets OF
shavings We're used to conceal the gifts
in, and the whole process was made as
difficult and amusing as possible. The
custom of giving New Years presents
dates back to the Saxons, who kept the
festival with great ceremony and feast
ing. In the fifteenth century gloves
were the most appreciated of any pres
ents, being of the finest quality and
handsomely decorated with gold and
silver embroidery. a neatsurprise was
sum of money inclosed in the gloves.
A lord chancellor CT England, Sir
Thomas Moore, had won difficult suit
for lady client, and she remembered
him on New Years day with pair OF
gloves which had forty gold pieces
sewed into them. Sir Thomas kept
the gloves, but returned the money,
saying that such lining made him un-
comfortRb le.-Detreit Free Press.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

mas board and round the cheerful
hearth. The rich and powerful still
open their Golfers and, with large
handed liberality, scatter their goods
among the poor, thereby initiating the
Magi of old; for is it not written:
whatsoever We shall do unto the least
of NV brethren, ye shall do unto Me?"
Thus, in spite of the evil forces with
which modern materialism and inf
delity are seeking to subvert the infu-
ences of Christianity, the Star of Beth
lehem is still in the ascendant, and
Christmas is the greatest and most joy
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

interest? No! Rather let the wish be
to each and all, as the New Year dawns
with all its opportunities, that the days
of 1895 may be well spent-flled with
thought and sympathy for those
around, and that in self-forgetting and
kindly deeds the happiness of others
may be ever sought, and then most
truly will each act rebound again in joy
and blessing to the heart from which it
springs. at Work.
SANTA CLAUS will be just as well
pleased if you distribute a few stockings
instead of filling quite so many this year.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

sters-anything, everything, SO that
the day be merry, and all hearts rejoice
because Christ the Lord was born.
Forget for time the cares of business,
the pressure of hard times, the threat
ening future. Lock up the family skel-
eton and, with it, all frowns and harsh
words and the petty tyrannies and jeal-
ousies of common days. If you can lose
the key of the closet, so much the bet
ter. If not, even the brief respite from
ugly cares will leave its benediction in
your heart, and quicken your longing
for the return of the festival OF peace.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
DO Some Act to Make 1t a Happy One for
Your Neighbour.

DO Some Act to Make 1t a Happy One for
Your Neighbour.
Scarcely less wonderful than the
mystery of the first Christmas night is
the mystery of the perpetuation of the
festival. 1t is far cry enough from
the shepherds who tended their flocks
on the hillside of Judea, and the be-
lieving kings who followed the star
from the east, to, let us say, the aver
age American citizen, and the modern
rulers of kingdoms. Reverence and
simple faith are not exactly the pre-
vailing characteristics of the former,
nor do the latter betray sufficient keen
ness of interest in things supernal to
warrant the supposition that they
would leave their kingdoms and go
forth laden with treasure, to follow
mysterious sign in the heavens. Yet
withal Christmas brings its message to
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
1T IS The BLESSED GF4RlgTfS AS .TEDEs The 6!

these as well as to their widely differ
ent prototypes of nearly two thousand
years ago. The echo of the angelic
voices that sang of peace on earth,
good will to men, still resounds in the
heavens on Christmas night; and broth
er is reconciled to brother, old enmi-
ties are laid away, past sins forgiven,
and the bonds of friendship and family
affection drawn tighter over the Christ
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

wv THIN the quiet house OF God
y u This winter morning fair,
The organ music softly thrills
Upon the listening air;
Then, minglirg with the organ notes.
The choir's sweet voices sound:
"While shepherds watched their HOOKS o.
night
All seated on the ground"
And s.raightway, from that blessed place
My wandering fancieS roam,
Once more little child am 1.
Within my childhood's home:
hear again my mothers voice.
Her dear arms clasp me round,
She sings how angel hosts came down
And glory shone around"
The moonlight falls across the floor
In bars OF silver light.
And many merry sleighbell breaks
The silence OF the night.
My head upon her loving heart
In childish trust is laid,
The while she sings of that blest Babe,
In meanest garb arrayed."
The pealing organ notes are still.
The Christmas hymn is sung.
1 sit in my accustomed place,
The rev'rent throng among;
But sweet and low within my heart,
There echoes all day long
The memory Of my mothers voice
And OF the angels song.
e. NJ. Griffith, in n. Y. Observer.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
as 5RsTFAAg y

If you have no freside ofyour own to
enliven, seek out the desolate hearth of
some unfortunate brother. There are
many forlorn little ones to whom an
orange and picturebook would be a
foretaste of Heaven. Play Santa Claus
to such, and you will find your Merry
Christmas in the reflection of their in
nocent delight; or carry your greeting
and your gift to some aged and lonely
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

creature whose last Christmas it will be
on earth, and earn blessing that will
repay your efforts hundredfold.
There is, happily, no monopoly of the
joys of Christmas. If they do not come
to us, we can go to them. We have
but to open our hearts and stretch out
our hands, and the messengers of peace
will come gladly trooping toward us.
1t will be our own fault if we have not
each and all a Merry Christmas.-Onc
Week.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
GUS festival known to the civilized

Gus festival known to the civilized
world.
A Merry Christmas, then, let it be to
all! A divine religion is not sad one.
1t brings peace to the heart, and JOY is
an exuberance of peace. Therefore let
the bells ring out, and hang out the
mistletoe, and bring on the smoking
turkey, and gather round the fireside,
and join in the frolics of the young
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
WHAT DOES 1T MEAN3

A Happy New Year! What does 1t
mean? Are not these words often
thrown out as greeting without
thought or depth of meaning? Is it a
wear in which to ourselves come wealth
and health, prosperity and friendship?
One spent in the pursuit of feeting
pleasure and filed with self-centered
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22
P0er Nam

One of the most melancholy sights in
nature is man trying to buy Christ
mas present for woman. He knows
in vague way that the present must
not be pair of suspenders or shaw
ing set, but when he comes to particu-
larize the poor man lapses into perfect
imbecility, and gives his sister the
money and tells her to buy the present.
Boston Globe.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22


'7g WAS Christmas Eve, anl DER the world
Il A mantle white was falling
q When Santa Claus set out 70 do
His yearly round of calling;
The dear old saint rcjoced to see
a promise of good Sleighing.
For lots of snow was justwhat ne
a long time had been praying.
So greatly pleased was he TO see
Such charming Christmas weather,
That gayly to his task he flew
Ofgetting things together.
His ample sleigh WIS put to rights
And loaded full to trimming.
A:ld soon along the country roads
Ola Santa Claus was Skimming.
Now here. now there. his sprightly deer
With airy lightneSs darted.
As fresh when miles and miles away
As when they just had started.
The fleecy fakes kept coming down.
The rambling roaiways hiding;
Yeton ana on they flew along
Like shadows swiftly gliding.
But ere his journey was quite DER
St. Nick met trouble dire;
The roads kept filling up apace.
The snow kept piling higher.
And from his sight the earth was hid
BY flakes so thiokly flying.
He could not find the road a; all,
But still he kept on trying.
Here was indeed for Santa Claus
An awkward situation.
And one that for the moment filed
His mind with CONSERVATION:
The kindly soul vas sad with fear
That on the morrow morning
Some disappointed little friends
His absence would be mourning.
Still. trusting that kind Providence
Would help him in his trouble.
ST. Nick his faithful reindeer stcedS
Their efforts urged TO double;
AID often with 4 cheering word
The faded beasts he aided.
While on ahead through snowdriits deep
To find the road he wadei.
Al length. amid the flying flakes,
BY chance old Santa sighted
Not far away signpost tall.
Whereat he was delighted.
The sign upon the post contained
The welcome information
That close at hand the road ran straight
Unto his destination.
With hope renewed the good old saint
Along the roadway struggled;
Ard soon he reached sleeping town
Which in valley snuggled.
Here ended Santa Christmas calls
And here his sleigh he iehtened.
Then homeward quickly off he sped
Ere Sol the landscape Frightened.
FRANK B. WEIGH.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-22

A TAX on incomes: Christmas.-Phil.
adclphia Record.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
PERSONAL.

Mrs. S. G. Shea has been appointed assistant pas
tor Of the South Congregational Church of Bridge.
port, Conn.
A British musical Journal tells story showing
apparently. that the autograph-hunters were az
rampant fifty years ago as they are to-day. Il 10
related or Mendelssohn a. public dinner. at which
ladies were present. and where he surrounded
By 4 chorus of aggressive women clamoring for
his autograph that he allowed himself TO be
vic,!mz,d with gooi-natute until finally q
feshy matron OF mature years handed him
her card. Whether with malice prepense or
not It . not stated. but the composer wrote
upon tho card the music ana WORDS from
Haydn's ''Creation": And God created great
whales This persona peasantry brought the au:
allowed to go on with his dinner
Father T. Conway. who was recently pastor Of
the Roman Catholic Church in Dickson City. Penn.
has become an actor. and is a member OF COM
pany that Is soon TO appear IN DICKSON city
The Vienna Maenner sesang-verein recently sang
the Emperor williams ode t. Aegir." and as II
Is bound by its statutes to pay a ducat 70 every
composer whose name appears on rs programme
IL sent the Kaiser a golden ducat and certificate
OF membership.
The honorary title Father OF the House was, II
is said first bestowed upon Lewis Williams, OF
North Carolina who served in fourteen consecutive
congresses from December 1. ls5. to February g.
1872 His successors were Dixon II. Lewis, Of Mary
land: John Quincy Adams. II Massachusetts, Joshua
r Giddlngs, Of Ohio; John 5. Phelps, OF MISSOURI:
E,ihu r. Washburne Of Illinois. Henry L. Dawes.
OF Massachusetts,; William ID. ke.ey, OF Pennsy..
vania, and ". 5. Holman. Of Indiana the present
bearer OF the title David +. Cuiberson, OF Texas,
will be the Father Of ne next House
Captain Mcclure. the new vice-adnlrai OF me
Chinese fleet has had long experience in Eastern
waters lie took toe Kow Chng from England 10
China. and at the opealng Of the present war MS
assistance was secured by the Ceestials Tor DIS
patch and transport work
+ Edwin Elwei. the sculptor. who has been
travelling IN Mexico. was recently presented 10
President Diaz by Minister Gray The President
had heard OF Mr. Elweils equestrian statue OF uen-
oral " : Hancock which is TO be set up on he
Cettysburg field and expressed his pleasure IN me
fact that the memory Of General HancocS. 81 %aom
he had delightful recolectiOns during ms Vist 20
the United States. was 10 be 50 nttlnSy co'hhen'
Grated.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18

them. Senator Lcxow and his associates al"
Mr. t;off and his associate counsel. nave airea"!
earned great distinction. Higher honors al"
triumphs await them. If. in the few remaining
DAYS Of December. they can lay before the people
~ \ewYork tho most significant and no'e-
worthy facts in Mr. Croker's relations 10 ap'
Monuments in the police force and his reia'lonS
to city contractors: If they can exhibit III lheii
true light the operations and TRANSACTIONS Vi '''
members of the Police Board; II 'h'y c'" "''"'
II clear just how far superintendent h!Ines may
have been rcmiss in his duty II h' HIS '''''
rcmss: if they can set forth the exact measure
of responsibility Of Inspectors Williams ana M'
7 ouchlin for manifold abuses and offences. their
v,rl, will be- of the highest possible value ana
inheritance. and they will have siili stronger
claims upon the affection. the gratitude 'he ao
miration and enthusiasm of all the honest people
nf \pW-IOrk
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
UU,iT RENfINS 10 BIZ DONE.

The members Of The I.cxow Committee have
done a great deal ~ laborious and cXhaustlng
work in the public interest. They have made
many important sacrifices In dcvoiing so mlch
time and effort 10 the exposure Of the abuses
and infamles which have existed and still exist
in the Police Department. The community owes
them debt Of gratitude. II Is grateful tn them
and 10 their maryclousy successful and able
counsel The decent people Of New York are
now extremely anxious that the members Of the
Lcxow Committee and their counsel shall make
still further sacrifices, and that the committee
shall sit every day and every hour that II IL pos
sIble for them to sit. while they can still enjoy
the advantage Of the services OF John W. ton.
Mr. COTS success in getting AT the truth from
obstinate Witnesses has been most memorable
The community * in great need Of his services
as inuuisior IN this investigation II is iinpos-
siblc to have those services after The close "f
this month. Hence the committee VIII he con
fcrring the largest benefit upon the city OF New
York by holding long sessions on every avail
able day that remains in December The com
mittcc and Mr.. Gon and the assistant counsel
have done nObly they have done magniiccntly;
they have done so well in fact, that the city np-
pcals 10 them most earnestly ia do still more
and 10 make the best use Of every hour that can
be employed This month with Mr. Goff to put
the questions To the witnesses.
Mr. CON above all others. can De trusted 10
wiring the truth from the most ingenious. the
most cunning. and the most audaciOus OF wit
ncssrs If Mr.. Croker Is called 10 the stand, Mr.
Goff is the man To- examine him So Of the mem
bcrs of the Police Board. Of Superintendent
Byrncs. and OF Inspectors Williams and Me
Iaughlin. Mr.. Con- is the man 10 examine them
also Mr.. Con * likely To obtain from these
men admissions OF more importance and value
than any other lawyer Is likely to secure from
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
no SOCIALISM.

fortnight ago Mr. John Burns. NJ T., en-
tered upon his mission 10 the workingmen Of
America whom he then regarded as little better
off than African slaves His mission is now
practically ended and he * doubtless convinced
that whatever the actual condition Of working
men here may be, they do not deserve To be
even AS well off as African slaves. The re-
SOURCES Of his usually redundant rhetoric must
be sOrcly taxed TO express his loahng and con
tempt for them; and when he comes 10 shake the
dust Of America from his feet there Will be
danger of a corner IN the doornat market.
For II IL to be observed that the wOrkingmcn
of America-or N least those Of them assembled
and represented at Denver, 10 whom Mr. Burns
most directly came and spoke-wlll have none Of
him. nor Of his plan Of industrial salvation. Mr..
Burns came here as Socialist. He had captured
the labor organiza lions OF England most Of
them, and transformed them into political clubs
Of revolutionary tendencies. He came here con
fesscdly TO do the same with American labor
organizations He mined 10 make working
man" and Socialist" synonymous. And he has
failed The Denver convention, by an over
whclming majority has rejected the whole po-
litical scheme. Socialisic and otherwise. II thus
not only repudlates Mr.. Burns and his doctrines.
ana refuses TO place itself in harmony with the
clubs which he bosses" In England. but II puts
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18

itself on substantially the same PLATFORM aS
those free and independent trades SUMMONS oi 'ne
old country which are The objects OF MS HOS,
hitter hatred "Roun1crs on the bounce ann
-, conclomeratc mass Of men on the make ana
.rctircl hooZcrs with all the evidences oi SUD
.sidy on their faces and incompctency on 'heir
"bccry features: such are the nmabc cp'he'S
he has bestowed upon those of his felow-couh
trvmcn who refuse 10 take their politics ready
made from him. What will he say of the Ain"ri-
cans who do likewise:
The Denver convention Is 10 he congratulated
on lis wise and patriotic action. To nave com
mittcd itself 10 Socialism would have Deen 10
array the overwhelming mass Of The American
nconlc against It, TO have bound worklngnl"h
10 vote any certain ticket simply because they
arc worlingmcn would have been scarcely less
fatal For that would have been either to bn1
fhcm to remain wagc-rarncrs and nothlnG more
all their lives or else To say to them, 1ou ih'lS
..votc this ticket now but as soon rs YOU get 10
abe better off YOU may change your polltics.
Mr.. Burns may think rs mcanly OF American
workincmcn ~ that. but for themselves thcy
have more respect. and obey deserve it,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
Nstu:a)crk D,siln Iribu,ts
FOUNDED By HoRAcE GEEELEY.
TUESDAY. DECEMBER IS 1894
FOURTEEN PAGES.
THE NEVIS THIS MORNING.

Foreign.-A mass-meeting to denounce Turkish
atrocities in Armenia was held in London a let
ter of encoura gemer: from Mr. Gladstone was
read -. The French Government escaped de-
feat by a majority of only five. after an exciting
debate in the Chamber OF Deputies. == The
financial situation in Newfoundland is said to be
growing darker. 80 The designations OF the
Bulgarian Ministers accepted by Prince
Ferdinand - Debate on the German Anti
Socia,.-t bill was adjourned by the Reichstag un-
III January s. - Ex-Premer Giolitti is re-
ported to have fed from Italy to avoid arrest
- The death of Robert Louis Stevenson, the
novelist from apoplexy, in Samoa is reported
Congress.-Both houses in session. - Sen
ate: Debate on the Nicaragua Canal bill was
continued - House: The Army Approria-
ton and several lesser bills were passed. the
Carlisle Currency bill was reported
Domestic-Governor-elec Morton announced
his decision rot to appoint the twelve additional
Justices of the Supreme Court 60 John Nc
Bride was elected president Of the American
Federation Of Labor: the headquarters will be
removed 70 indianapolis. -= Harry Hayward
was arraigned for the murder Of Miss Cling In
MINNEAPOLIS: he is said to be a "greengOods
agent 49, Evjderce has been discovered tend
ing TO show that Mayor Hopkins. Of Chicago.
was not legally elected == Homesteaders are
focking into South Dakota to locate on the Tor
fs.ted right Of way Of the st. Paul ROAD.
City and Suburban.-Judge Truax in the Sh-
preme Court handed down decision overthrow
ing the deed Of gift made by the executors OF
the Fayerweather will. - high police ON
cial Will be called before the Lexow Committee
to-day. and extremely importan: testimony IS
expected - Samuel c. Seely pleaded guilty
to robbing the National Shoe and Learner
Bank 49, The funeral Of General josiah for-
ter was he'd with military honors. =-- Further
charges were preferred against Police justice
Diver in the Court Of Common Pleas. and his
trial was begun. - The cornerstone OF the
new 9Th Regiment Armory was laid. - The
stock market was dull AMI without feature.
The Weather.--Fo Forecast for to-day: FAIR pre-
coded by light local showers in the early morn
Ing: cooler. Temperature yesterday: Hlghes''
81 degrees: lowest IS: average. 46l4.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
Nmnscmenis.

.-~-.- = -. .
snpEy.s THEATRE s:f5--The Grand Duchess.
ACApt.NT or MUSIC. ,s:l5--ThN Cotton King
AMERICAN ART GALLERIES Madison square Sou'n'-
A. M. u y. m.-Paintings
AMERICAN THEATRE s-ViTGnius
ATLANTIC GARDEN. 80 ~ Bowery Evening
ana Vaudeville.
,,IJOt, THEATRE -s:I5The FaEns
uEoArwAY TEEATRE-s-lrnce Ananas
CARNEGIE HALI1-sl5-- Concert.
.,OI.CMBCS THEATRES :l5-Special De'lVcfF'
DAYS S:i.--I1ovt on Clutches
EDEN MI'SEE- , 80 S-(cnccii5 and WAX i"'''"'''
EMPIRE THEATRE s:l5--The MasGueTaders
;,IrrH AVENUE THEATRES lj-(iismonda
GARDEN THEATRE Si5-I.t'e Christopher
HARLEM OPERA HOUSE S:l3-Back NuniocrS'
u.RRIGANS THEATRES 13-Notoriety
HERALD SQUARE THEArRE-s:l'-;oo H..
I,oyr'S S:3o-A MIX White FIG
IRVING PLACE TiIEATRE-Sl5-JG srnd
ROSTER lAL'S-s-Vaudevil;c
LYCEUM -AmazoSs
MADISON SQUARE GAEDEN-lo i. N. 10 ii p M he
Toy Fair. ,,,.,-
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN Autumn ENhipi'oh
pAIME:RS'S THEATRES Esmeraida
i,HoCrONs-io q. m. TO 1880 p. m--NauHeV"'e'
STANDARD THEATRES so Too Much Johnson
STAR THEATRE 5: 1j-Nemcsis.
- JAMES iAI.l.-S:l5-Od Jed Prouty
18th STREET THEATRE. -s:i3- Brownies
ss3 4TH-AvE--The Tiffany Chapel
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
THE PANIC MAKING BILL.

AT first blush. four great faults of me Demo
cratic currency scheme were pointed ou ny
The Tribune They have since been recognized
rs fatal defects by the best men and Journals "f
both parties These are ID lack of safety. t2l
imitation instead of elasticity. CD state instead
Of National banks. and ~ financial disturbance
from sale Of bonds and exchange of loans. NO
body has been able to meet one Of these obJcc
tions. and the Democratic House committee. not
daring to meet them. reports the bill without
recommendation, but with secret agreement To
put il through under the party lash. leaving cor
rcciion TO Senatorial lobbcrs
This Is pcrilous The sugar business proved
whether those Democratic Senators were capable
Of purifying II measure. The prospect of radi
cal monetary changes will cause heavy sales OF
bonds. large Withdrawals ri gold. and general
depression while the uncertainty continues. \
measure ought To bc deccntly safe before II ever
goes from the House to disturb business for
two months. Looking FOR new conditions. bank
crs and capitalists will begin To prepare for
them Bonds will be scld soon To get n better
price than when all banks crowding To sell
Loans will be gradually altered TO prepare for
the era Of unlimited lending on real estate In
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18

During his early AMI middle period Tweed was
known a. a non-squeaicr. but he finally came
ont and told all he knew Croker may do the
same thing \ new ligh may shine around him
such n that which shone around his great pre-
decessor revealing the fact that the game IL up.
and that the time Is come 10 show how II was
done Croker can toll good deal II he sets
about H. and r., couldn't 10 a better thing.
Besides. IT would be a graceful thing in him TO
meet destiny half way. and let his enormous
collection cf Political Cats out II their respective
bags without w,nking 1t would do him great
credit and the collection would be regarded with
more interest than Barnums menagerie.