davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

deer, antelope, coyotes and big
'1oafer" wolves that he has shot,
stuffed and mounted, or stretched
and tanned by Lefty's skilful hands,
adorn the walls and floor.
Clark's pony, his saddle, spurs and
all his equipments and accouterments
were kept in the shining and speck-
less condition of crack cavalryman's;
and his clothing was searched for
rents and missing buttons with the
eagerness of a young wife, new to her
| duties
Lifted out of vagabondage into a
comfortable home, and freed from the
haunting dread oil losing it; simply
pleased, like a child, at being a valued
factor in the comfort of that home,
Lefty, whose springtime had been
nipped and chilled by adversely 8
northers, came inso lute blossom. His
face filled out and bloomed till it
looked like young boys.
In this fostering atmosphere he put
forth numberless entertaining little
accomplishments; he discovered un-
suspected graccs and developed the
cheerful optimism of the consump-
tive. His cough WAS always "better, "
and he was mildly inpatient of any
inquiry as to his health, assuming the
attitude OF great stout fellow who
ought to be out on the range earning
his way, but who accepted these light
or duties because they were of sort
unpopular with the others.
Notwithstanding this, he took faith
fully the medicines Clark gave him
as he would have taken, done or en-
dured anything asked or imposed up
on him from that quarter.
But there was one medicine Clarl
could not get him to take; and it wai
tonic upon which he placed the mos
reliance. in such a case--plenty o
whisky.
, "No, Mr.. Sargent, he said, "don'
| give me none O. that. Whisky ar
I mes bad friends.
"Why, Lefty, that's mighty queer
I know you've drank plenty of whisk
, before now"
t eyes, sir; an it's what I'll neve
D do again; it's been my worst enemy
I've been in with rustlers an all kind
{ O. thieves when I was drinkin', an
didn't get no good by my ineannesI
neither. Whisky starved me an fro2
o me as long as ! stuck to it, an that
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
Old Christmas Carols.

The earliest collection of Christmas
carols was published in 1921. Many
are little more than drinking songs
used at social or religious festivities.
of which singing and dancing then
formed a prominent feature. In one
old legend a Jolly knight is made to
say:
Not man here shall taste my March beer
TIL Christmas carol he doth sing;
Then all clapt their hands, and shouted and
sung,
Till the hall and the parlor did ring"
Indeed, the burden of many carol
might be condensed into plum pud-
ding, goose, capon, minced pies and
roast beef" and everybody was ex-
pected to indorse the sentiment ex-
pressed couple OF hundred years ago
in "Poor Robins Almanack :"
Now, thrice welcome, Christmas
Which brings US good cheer.
Minced pies and plum pudding,
Good ale and strong beer;
With pig, goose and capon,
The best that may be,
So we'll doth the weather
And our stomachs agrees
No less characteristic is the qua4t
Nowel-el el el
Now is wei that evere was wor.
or:
Now make we myth,
For Crystes byrth,
S'--D ; saS Ala Ss-nutuuLSs.
while the innate sweetness of
Sc rest you, merry gentlemen;
Let nothing you dismay;
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born upon this day.
and of Herrick's "Star Song" and
similar carols, can never be lost.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
Early Celebration OF the Nativity.

Away in the first century there ars
indications that the Nativity yss;s ~-';
brated by the early Christians Though
the date of Christ's birth is only ira.
ditioual, the 25th of December is be-
lieved to have been appointed in the
fourth century, by Julius l., Bishop
of Rome, as the anniversary of that
event. Previously the Eastern Church
had observed the 9th of January in
special commemorstion of the appear
ance of the Star which guided the
Wise Men to the Ssviour's birthplace
in Bethlehem. For q while the East
ern Church adhered to this date, in
spite of Julius's edict, though the
Western Church observed the 25th Of
December. This had . natural ten
dency to extend the festival over the
time intervening between the two
dates. In the sixth century all Chris
tendon united upon the observance of
| the 25th of December.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

what is-:t Sd for any man that loves it
like l do "
As Lefty said this he looked care
fully away from his employer. Clark 8
drinking habit WAS the one gnawing
anxiety and distress that he had.
1t had been growing steadily worse
since Lefty came to the Rita Blanca.
1t used TO be that Clark only drank to
excess when he went to Antelope,
where there we're bar 1ooms and con-
vivial companions; but now the buck
board could not be got ready for a
drive of day or two across the coun.
try without a jug of whisky in it.
Lefty's own bitter experience, to
certain passages in which--the most
shameful and criminal--he always re-
ferred with open simplicity, gave him
an appreciation and horror of the de-
clivity upon which the other was start
ing; and he only lacked the courage
to speak.
When Clark was beginning on one
of his sprees Leftys beseeching eyes
would follow him, only to drop hum.
bly, when they met his look; and the
silent protest and entreaty was as well
understood between them as words
could have been.
Lefty stood between him and publ
city so far as was possible, and lessened
by his own watchfulness and care the
terrible risks Clark ran when drink
ing. 1t came to be the regular thing
that whenever the back board was
brought out for one of the managers s
trips, Lefty got old Hank Pearsall to
take charge of the house and the cook
ing while he drove for Clark. L. was
only so that he felt at ease, for then
he knew that whatever maudlin reach
ing for the lines or slashing at the
half-broke broncho team there was, he
was there to take care of Clark, who
had more than once of late rolled out
of the blackboard, and Lefty had had
hard work, what with the wild team
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

found for miles upon that bare, open,
half moonlit plain. The revelation
was like bucket of ice water dashed
over him, and he gussed instantly
with throb of that anxiety for Clark
which WAS always with him-that
these we're some Of the Mexicans with
whom the Rita Blanca was having
trouble.
His mortal fear for Clark's life
swept the befogging fumes out of his
brain
1t was Clark's life they wanted; he
knew that; it was not himself they
were after. He could go forward and
open the gate safely, since they likely
thought him too drunk to notice
| them.
But if they knew that the one in the
blackboard was Clark, they would
jump upon it and knife him as he
drove through.
Lefty reeled toward the gate, caught
it and clung to it, shaking in every
limb. The silent watchers behind the
posts might we'll have thought him
very drunk indeed.
Even while his poor spent frame
drooped shuddering against the gate,
his single and undertaking mind ran
desperately through every possible
scheme to save Clark.
They were of much the same height
and size-enough 80 to be mistaken in
the semi-darkness. Why not make it
seem-why not
He tore the gate open with lur ch
and flung it wide-'Leftyl" he
screamed, Lefty! Drive for your
life, Lefty" And as the excitable
team of COW ponies, trained to run at
the shout, swept through at gallop,
he slashed the rear horse with his
whip. The outfit whirled away like a
cloud, while Lefty turned to face
Clark's fate
When Clark Sargent, thoroughly
sobered, got the wild ponies pulled
down, turned around and drove back
to the gate, there was nothing in sight
on the great, gray, glimmering level
but dark, motionless heap by one of
the gate posts.
He flung his lines over the post,
went and knelt beside the still body.
Lefty" he whispered, with his
heart in his throat
There was no answer. He found
the mans shoulders, lifted them, and
Strengthened him Quit was Lefty.
Clark raised him gently, and felt
for the wounds that we're soaking his
clothes with blood. Lefty moaned
and opened his eyes.
30, Mr.. Sargent, I'm going to die;
and who'll take care of you then, when
when you're drinking. "Who is it
knows like me that's been through it,
ths nell aha Tskh 81 a difgot fgo 60 SSxRR SR
you, faithful, through the worst of it
all, iA } I'd been glad an proud to {?
Nobody Nobody o, can't go
amt ready Mr.. Sargent - o,
my Godi-promise me-promise
| promise"
81 do, Leftyl I dol do promise
The Lord be my witness"
The dying man, with some remin-
iscence of cradle-side prayer, raised
| his life Scared hauus auu lald rnem
together, "For Christ's sake, amen,"
he whispered, and breathed no more.
As the blackboard went slowly home
ward with its freight, the dim light of
Christmas morning wrought pallidly
upon the plain. 1t sought out and
touched upon the face of that patient
care taker, never eloquent as now in
it's voicelessness.
When Clark came to his own door
it was broad day. But Lefty's Christ
mas was spent otherwhere. Wash
ington Star.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
Greens for Church Decoration.

People used to be rather more par
ticular than they are now as to what
greens they used for church decora-
ton. The fsvorite plants were holly.
bay, rosemary, and laurel. Ivy was
Objectionable because it was formerly
sacred to Bacchus. Cypress was some
times used, but its funeral associations
made it out of place at so festive
season as Christmas Mistletoe was
excluded because it was sacred to the
Druidio religion, and perhaps because
it was considered too frivolous in its
suggestions. The decorations should
properly remain in the church till the
end of Jar""~y, but must be cleared
away before February 2, Candlemas
Day. The same is true of private
dwellings, for superstition regards it
as fatal omen if this period il over
stepped. New York Sun.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
and Clark's helplessness, to get him

and Clsrk's helplessness, to get him
back in.
One lowering December afternoon
they stopped at Antelope for the mail,
on their way home from distant
ranch. Things had been going bet
ter; it was weeks since Clark's last
spree, and he had been doing almost
entirely without liquor. But it was
Christmas Eve every bar room was
full of cowboys and ranchmen, drink
ing and hilarious.
Clark would have the team put up
and fed, and they themselves had sup.
per at the Antelope House.
When Lefty went to him in the bar,
after supper, Clark would have come,
but there was crowd around him
that wouldn't hear of it. Finally, an
noyed at Lefty's persistence, they
turned their attention to him, and il
was only by the exercise of consider
able dexterity and address that he got
out without having to drink with
them.
Full of anxiety, he went back agair
and again, sometimes finding Clarl
determined to make q night of it,
sometimes half sobored up and will
| ing to go, but when on the strength
of this he got the horses out ant
brought the blackboard around. h,
always failed by little to get Clarl
away.
Once he got him in and they drov
as far as the outskirts of the town
when Clark turned obstinate an
made him go back.
Finally, long after midnight, whel
he went again into the bar, Clar
said he would go with him il Left
would take one drink. Hoping to pac
ify and get him away Lefty fnall
took the drink; then, on O simila
! plea and promise, another and al
other, till by the time they left the
were about equally intoxicated.
! When they came to the first gat
into the Rita Blanca pastures, abor
three miles from the ranch house
Lefty gave the lines to CLARK and g.
Y down to open it, the whip unheede'
in his hand.
r But the long drive in the sharp q
had sobered him up enough that
8 wondered to see the tall posts on eat
l side of the gate moving. The ne
J, moment he knew that there was nut
o behind each post, it being the on
0 possible cover an assailsat could ha'
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

"hh the possible exception OF
ihomas Edison. John Ericsson, who
conceived the Monitor, was the most
pfolihe inventor of the century, OBJ
serves the New York Mercury. His
IDEAS sufiiced to build up many large
ioi tunes. He WAS the originator of
nearly 1000 devices,
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
HOLLY BERRIES.

Holly berries. holly berries.
Red and bright and beaming
Through the dusky evergreens
Like sprays of coral cleaning,
fe have power to I'LL the heart
With memories OF glee
", what happy thoughts can cling
Round the holly tree
When see the holly berries
fancy that | hear
Merry chimes and carols sweet
Ringing In my ear.
Christmas, with Its blazing fires
And happy hearths. | see
Oh, what merry thoughts can cling
Round the holly tree
Bring the glowing holly berries,
Snow is lying deep;
All the gay and blooming flowers
TIL the sprlngtime sleep;
Let them grace our happy homes
With their crimson light.
Mingling with the somber fir,
And the laurel brisht.
keenly blows the icy wind,
Shorter grows the day,
Winter scatters cold and gloom
In his dreary play;
fet We love the closing years
For the JOY they bring,
And the holy memories
That round the holly cling.
Holly berries, holly berries.
Red and bright and beaming,
Through the dusky evergreens
Like sprays OF coral cleaning;
Ye have powor to flll the heart
With memories OF glee
All. what happy thoughts can cling
Round the holly tree
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

THE King of slam-ohulalonkorn
has so far recovered from his re-
cent illness as to be able to sl' up Sp
o ona lend The obituary sketches the
aru rnn,,sh and American newspapers
nmh,,.hed of him, but 1T is not stated
pI" what his opinions are concerning the
nictures that accompany them
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
LEFTY"
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

ERTAINLY he was
a woe-begone OBJ
iect as be rode up
to the Rita Blanca
ranch house. His
clothes were in
rags ; his immature
freckled face sharp
with anxiety and
possibly with hun.
ger.
The diminutive
gray pony he rode
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

mere are more than twenty coun.
.ies III Ohio each with its county town
IN the centre of the county.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

=, "' francisco municipal ballot at
'he last election was yard long, by
half a yard wide.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21
Essex County Hera1G

WI -, D
Nearly million tons of bntter ara
manufactured in the United States
every year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
SCISSORED ITEMS.

At VaSSar college recently an anus
ing and lively debate was held before
the senior society, "Qui Vive," on the
subject, Higher Education Units Man
for Matrimony" Though the defense
was very able, the arguments in sup
port of the proposition were so con-
vincing that it was decided in the af-
firmative.
Mrs Charles Henrotin, of Chicago,
the new president of the Federation
of Women'S clubs. was the real man
ager of the wOman'S branch of the
worlds congress auxiliary, Mrs.
Palmer being too busy to give any
special time to it.
SandOw. the strong man, will be
L .arried in July to Miss Brooks, daugh-
ter of a wealthy manufacturer in
Bradford, England.
Julia Ward Howe received only S.
for her famous Battle Hymn Of the
republic 1t was first printed in the
Atlantic Monthly.
A woman in Cambridge, England,
who has built up a successful business
in typewriting, has obtained machine
fitted with the Greek alphabet and
mathematical signs so she can utilize
It for the benefit of mathematical and
classical scholars.
Miss Margaret Tenant has decided
in trust to Bishop Nichols, Of the Epis-
copal Diocese Of California, property
in San Jose worth 100000, for the
maintenance at Pacific Grove, Monte
rey county, Of sanitarium for sick
and infirm poor, irrespective of creed
or sex. 1t is to be called the John
Tenant Memorial Home" in mem
DRY of her deceased brother.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05

her again, and remove the ridiculous
impression l must have made. How
she did laugh, and showed such pretty
teeth! And then what eyes! Father,
did you ever see such eyeS?"
Colonel Severn smiled family. pos
sibly in mute depreciation of the boys
raptures. He was busy putting up
his papers apparently, but in reality
was merely shutting them backward
and forward aimleSsly. Charlie
ratified on in an easy unembarrassed
manner about his experiences abroad.
his journey down, and a dozen other
matters.
He was good-looking young fellow,
tall and broad-Shouldered, with fair
curling hair. His eyes were bright
blue. and gave a winning sofmeSS of
expression to his square jaWed face
But in his manner lay his great charm
the happy audacity with which he
always took it for granted that he
was welcome, his ready sympathy and
unvarying brightness. He was so
good-natured that all who knew him
loved him, and forgave in him what in
others they might have condemned.
To be Continued.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
MARKING CLOTHES.
Even in Such a Simple Matter Pre-
cautions Are Necessary.

New York Commercial Advertiser
A number Of people shirk the very sim
pie task of marking their clothes
legibly and permanently, and this,
too at time when almost everybody'S
things are sent to the professional
wash, to be mixed up with heaps
owned by strangers. Yet writing ones
name on a collar or handkerchief is
almost as simple as scribbling it on
paper. A very little practice is re-
Quired, and a fire should be close at
hand to fix the ink indelibly Printed
tapes and letters to be sewn on are
well enough in their way, but not
much protection against an article be-
ing stolen, as they can be picked off
by anybody. A name conspicuously
linked on the material is a better safe
guard.
With new brands of marking ink it
is necessary to pay some slight atten-
ton to the directions issued with each
bottle, so as not to write with a steel
pen when a quill is demanded, nor to
use heat when none is required, nor
to mix liquids wrongly when two hap
pen to be given. If a woman Shrieks
out that two dozen fine new handker-
chiefs and a whole batch Of table nap
kins have dropped into holes where
she printed her name she has evidently
treated her chemicals by the opposite
plan to that advised. However sue
cessful you may be yourself, never
recommend your own favorite make of
marking ink to anybody, for fear the
process should be conducted the wrong
way and you receive the blame. Even
among our nearest and dearest friends
there are some who insist on blunder-
ing over very simple work, and it is
best for them to learn wisdom from
their own exploits.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
SO IT is TRUE.

Here's friend who says that sorrow
Comes today or comes tomorrow,
Here's long face who is moaning.
Tell him death is far away.
Let dull age go weep and pray;
Heed not grief, the ghost there,
grooming,
Who would cloud the jocund day!
All, they say that anguish found them,
Men cut down with battle round them
Hear the boys there gayly singingD
In some region far away!
What care we who laugh today?
Bring no tears, whate'er you're
bringing;
Honor to the jocund day!
What's that sound that cools our
laughter?
What's that form that follows after:
Funeral music sadly sounded
One more man is turned to clay. .
Let dull age go weep and pray!
Youth by death was ne'er cOnfOund-
ed,
Long shall shine our jocund day!
Oh my dear one, to my ping
Marble silence sternly keL. 2,
Lying there in breathless ndness-
Death is never far away
Even youth can weep and pray!
Lips that loved have lost their kind
ness;
Dead are they, this bitter day!
Rose Hawthorne LathrOp.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
A WOMAN'S NOTEBOOK.

The presentation of a loving cup to
Miss Frances Willard by a number of
English women just before she sailed
for this country strikes the observer as
rather queer. though, of course, Miss
Willard might use the cup for lemoa-
ade.
The woman who cannot resist bring
ing back with her some of mothers
Gown preserves will do we'll to re-
member that if wide rubber band is
slipped over each glass jar before it
is packed there will be little danger of
her treasures coming to grief en- route
to the city.
The girl who wants 4 really up-to-
date parasol should hunt up an old
frame, give the handle a coat of white
enamel paint and then for a dollar
have it covered with while swivel silk.
June "a is midsummer day when
fairies are supposed TO slow them
selves to mOrtals.
People who have looked into the mat
ter say that one of the needs of the
day is a school where dressmaking can
be taught in all its details 1t is
claimed that it is scarcely possible
now for a girl to become a proficient
dressmaker by apprenticing herself
at some of the fashionable shops as
she is always given work to do that
requires very little skill and no previ-
Gus training. Madame. the dress
maker herself. is too busy to teach
the new girls the fine points that bring
her in so much custom and she is not
inclined to risk costly failures by al
lowing inexperienced hands to practice
on her patrons new gowns. COnSe-
quenly girl may spend a long time
in the shop of a high-priced dress
maker and yet come from it almost as
unSkilled as when she entered it. If
schools could be established where
dreSsmaking could be taught as type
writing or bookkeeping are. the gradu-
ates from such institutions would find
plenty of places to work. for who ever
heard of a really good dressmGker not
having work enough to 90 even at
those seasons that are known as
"dull"? Constant complaint is heard
from the heads of large dresSmaking
establishments of the difficulty eX-
perienced in finding competent as
sistants for their worlrooms and of
their total inability. because Of the
struct green hands in all those little
mysteries of sewing for which women
are willing to pay.