davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

tour through the mining towns had
gone to pieces. The manager had
fed, and Mrs. Maynard, his leading
woman, known on the bills as "Miss
Eta Baker," sat in the cheerlcss min
ing camp hotel, her eyes red with
weeping and her brain almost dis
tracted. Her trunks, with Others, were
held In the stage Office for the fares OF
the company from the last stand, her
purse was empty, and she trembled at
every apprc aching step, fearing 1T
might be that OF the rough-speaking
landlord, coming to give her notice
that she must vacate the room.
Mrs. Maynard was a widow with
one child, sweet little flaxen-haired
cherub who had a child's part in the
play. Her late husband was an ap-
pnrently wcll-to-do man, and Mt their
home in an eastern city they lived in
peace and plenty until the dread de-
stroyer, pneumonia, left her widow
at the age OF twenty-one. After the
funeral of her husband she learned, to
her CONSERVATION, that his debts large.
ly outweighed his property, and ere the
first great grief over his death had
been blunted by the hand Of time, she
found herself homeless and penniless.
In the days Of her girlhood and early
married life she had taken a promi-
nent part in amateur theatricals, and
the talent she displayed in that line
had excited favorable comment and
had gained for her merited recogni-
ton in the columns of the city press.
When left alone in the world and COM
pelled to labor for the support OF her
self and little daughter, her thoughts
naturally turned to the stage, and she
soon found herself enrolled as mem
ber of company bound across the
continent on California tour. At
Denver she was taken i'll and the CON-
pany was obliged to leaye her there,
and when, after a long battle with
mountain fever, she regained her
strength, her money was exhausted
and she was without employment.
Then it was that an irresponsible
manager secured her services, with
the result above stated.
The weather was bitterly cold, and
the small sheet-iron stove in the room
occupied by Mrs. Maynard and her
daughter seemed incompetent to bat
tie with the keen temperature when
penetrated the thin walls OF the rougn
structure dignified with the name
"The Cosmopolitan Hotel" The par
tition walls which separated the dit
ferept apartments were OF canvas
stretched on infrequent joists, and
reaching but little higher than the
head of person standing erect
Midget" as the wee mite OF
daughter was called, sat near the stove
with shawl thrown about her deiicate
shoulders to protect them from the
cold. Looking up into her mother
fearful eyes, she said
"Mamma, please don't cry so much
for n makes me feel awful bad to see
rnur tears. am sure God will no,
forget us, for ! prayed every time
woke last night for Him to take car. ',
Of us. and after I prayed always ,e..
20 good and happy, just as II l ma. IA.
| heard Him whisper to me tha' u'
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
THE cHIkeREN's DAY.

Regardless of Past Troubles Make 6hflst-
mas Happy One for Them.
Whatever may be our circumstances,
let us endeavor TO make this Christmas
day as merry and joyful to ourselves
and those around us as possible, II
absent ones are thought of let them
be remembered with gladness. II re-
verses and sorrows have come with the
year just ending let us bury them on
Christmas eve. To the discouraged
let us be hea1thful and life-giving
stimulant, ever mindful 6f the power
of sunny and buoyant example. Let
us make our crosses seem as light as
possible to those who love us. Let
frowns be buried in smiles just for a
day-the tnerriest, happiest day OF all
the year. Try the panaeea Of laugh
ter upon the sick-better than all the
medicines ever invented. Wherever
there exists sorrow let US try, even II
we can do ever SO little, 10 wipe it
away for the day. II ingratitude has
come to us let US believe that there
must exist cause of which we know
not. II the spirit OF unforgivenessh has
come to any Of us let the Christmas
Joy soften our hearts. In mercy think
of our enemies, never forgetful OF the
fact that life is too short to harbor Ill
feelings. No matter what We have
borne during the year, or what we
feel we may be called upon to
bear during the year to come,
let tis be merry on this an
niversary of the natal day OF
that Christ who will mend every
wrong, who will set all things right,
though His ways are not our ways and
His blessings are slow in their coming.
And whatever may be our own trials
let us not for moment show them to
the children of our homes. Christmas
is their day. II it be not for us it is
cruel to take 1t from them. Before
them, at least, let us carry the smile;
Tot us be young again II but for day,
renewing our youth in the games and
romps we can all give to the little
hearts which came from our hearts.
And in the innocent pleasures OF child
hood, perhaps, We shall forget the
world, and the hard side Of our lives.
Then, perchance, will the lesson come
home to us that whatever our trials,
whatever our crosses. we are kings
and queens of happiness In the pos
session of home and children. For
wherever true love exists and reigns
there will always be happiness. The
happiest hearts are never far of from
n home filled with the love of good
wife and the merry laughter OF chill
dren. And may those two greatest
elements OF life be found in every
home into which these words shall
penetrate, carrying with them the
merriest and gladdest Of Christmas
greetings from a heart which, II II
could, would bring JOY to every being
in The universe. Ladies' Home Jour
| nal
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22


Within eur hearts they biossofn gay,
And shed their fragrance free and far;
IT'S always SD on Christmas day.
la fnesnofy OF His golden star
The race Of man had waited long
To see that lily in the sky
10 hear the perfect angel-song,
"Of peace to earth and praise on high"
Oppressive night.of Egypt lay,
TIL with It's glow loves star arose;
In hope aid cheer OF Christmas day,
The yearning centuries found repose
Twas like the change the morning brings
Awaking men to duty bright;
Twas like the sehs The bluebird sings
OF lovely spring and her delight;
Twas Hike the coming Of the May,
Refreshing age, rejoicing youth
So beautiful was Christmas day
In Its creative hope and truth
The Heaven and earth we know are onc
God cares for earth as worlds above;
Wherever stars In peace look on,
There shineth His abiding love;
But nearer to our hearts there lay
A longing for the Man Divine,
And SO there came the Christmas day,
And in the east His star did shine!
What tender tenes Of kindness sweet,
We speak because Of His new birth;
In happiness the virtues meet
To tell His story to the earth;
Good will and peace have ample play,
Naught seems our paradise to mar,
Because It Is the Christmas day,
And all the world beholds His star,
Our children shout and dance In glee;
Surprises sweet await this morn
Like ships across the summer sea,
Good gifts to them and US are borne;
The holly glistens with its spray.
The mistletoe makes mirth and cheer
1t is glad-hearted Christmas day,
The merriest day Of all tho yearl
William Brunton, in Good Housekeeping.
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

responsible for 1t. und l don't would
dare git it to anybody but de owner.
Do you know the, lady, shonfn
The miner fetleatet. fof inoineft,
anl thon in his old bluAt way told the
maa what he had heard through the
canvas partition. His strong voice
grew soft and mellow as he repeated
the little ones words, and tear stole
down his bronzed check as he told Of
the mothers grief end of hey teseln.
tion that her baby should not be de-
prived of her Christmas pleasures.
Then he detailed his plans, and con-
cluded by saying:
Sandy Claws is on that little 'un's
trail, Sol, an he's goin' TO run onto
her camp in great shape, an to.mor.
foW mornin' when she wakes up that
ring ought to be among the stuff she
finds in her stocl1in's."
"Holy Moses, Shon, dat vas a gray
horse nit some more colors. Dat vas
different, und you baed your lifetime
dat ring will be dere, und you dond pay
me Won cent, too. That two dollar
will be my chip in nit the poys. und
see here, Shon, dere's leetle beauti-
full ladies' gold watch that brought
here from Denver NIT my first stock Of
goods und it's SO shmall dat nobody
won't buy it in dis camp, und dat goes
nit de ring for de lectle girls Christ
mas, too. Und say, Shon, ven you see
all de boys und you don't got enough
yust bring me shnow ball und I'll
lend you ten dollar on 1t und pitt Santa
Claus name on the ticket. don't vas
a Skylock ven vas a Shew, und don't
you remember it, Shon."
With the ring in his purse, the ring
placed on the woman's finger when at
the altar she took the name OF the dear
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

IA watch; real gold watch, little
teenie watch, and it's running"
IA what, Midget? Why, child, is
your brain turned? Santa Claus never
brings gold watches to poor children"
"Oh, he did, mamma, he did, he did.
and there's something in your stock
ings too"
"In my stockings9 Why, my darling,
are you crazy?"
mo, mamma, it's real watch, and
it is ticking. Just look"
She ran to the bed with the treasure
in her hand. The mother took the
tiny time-piece, and her eyes opened
wide with wonder when she found that
Midgets words were true.
"Here are your stockings, mamma,
and they are SO heavy can hardly
carry them. just believe l did see
Santa Claus, and wasn't dreaming at
| all"
The mother reached for the stock
| ings, and when she felt the weight
| and it flashed across her mind That
they were freighted with money, she
held her breath in astonishment. She
poured the treasure out on tho bed.
Gold, silver and greenbacks, wealth
she had never dreamed she would pos
sess, and in the shining heap lay her
wedding-ring, with note attached.
Opening the paper, she -ead:
| "Madam. When you Think sandy
Claws forgits peepel that's in trouble,
You ar off yure base, fur He nose his
biz, and 80 dus Big John, even II he
donnt want you to no He done This,
and rite it an Slip it in unbenone to
Him, for he Herd you and yure babby
talk an node your trubble. an the boys
node Thare biz, too Big John is the
oanly sandy Claws in this Here camp.
vures, The proprietor"
Scarcely knowing whether she was
waking or dreaming, the woman has
tily arose and dressed herself, and
taking the little girl by the hand went
to the hotel Office. The moment they
entered Midget cried out:
'Oh, mamma, there's the Santa Claus
I saw in my dream That large gentle
man with the whiskers. Wasn't II
you, sir?"
The big fellow attempted to run
into the street, but the landlord
caught him and pulled him back. He
blushed like schoolgirl as he faced
the wondering woman, and blurted
out:
"Ma'am, don't mention it, II you
please Me an the boys found out you
was in trouble, an we just got together
an pulled you out as Christians had
ought to do"
ats jest like this, ma'am," the land
lord said. John, var, is big, bash
full feller when thar's a woman In
sight an he made us all swar we
wouldn't never let you know whar' the
lift came from. It's all right, maam
and you kin pack up an go to yer
friends Jest as soon as you want to, an
in n year you'll forgit you ever had a
] o trouble in yer life. We're all
only too happy to make you a merry
Christmas, ma'am, and we all hope
you may have many more of EN-"
so, sir. how can ever thank yor
for this" she said. addressing John
81 was indeed in great trouble
and"
But he had escaped from the dool
and ran blushing down the street
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

one whom she mourned, John started
on tour of the saloons and gambling
houses or the camp. Quietly he told
the story to the listening groups. "A
woman in distress?' That was
enough for the generous warm-heart-
ed miners congregated In the various
places, and the canvas bag John car
ried grew more and more corpulent In
proportions as he went his rounds
Gold, silver and greenbacks came into
the fund from willing hands, and when
at nine that night the tour was COM
pleted, the bag seemed almost burst
ing with it's load of treasure Return
ing to the hotel with few compan-
ions the miner had a consultation with
the landlord, which concluded with the
latter saying, bluntly:
"Yes, take knife an slit the or
merry thing. 1 kin have piece sewed
over the hole"
During the early hours Of the night
men moved softly about tho hotel Of
fee whispering mysteriously, or sat
near the stove discussing some matter
in low tones. The landlords wife had
gone to the lady's room, ostensibly
for a womanly chat, but really on a
mission at Johns request, and when,
an hour later, she silently glided into
the office score of rough miners sur
rounded her.
"She is just going to bed" the wom-
an said. "The poor creature Is tired
and all worn out, and induced her to
take small dose of laudanum. She
will sleep like top. The little girl is
sleeping soundly, and assisted the
mother to place the few cheap pres
ents she had purchased in the little
stockings hanging on the back of a
chair near the bed. The woman took
hers off just before came away, and
they are lying on her shoes near the
foot of the bed"
Along after midnight, had not Mrs.
Maynard been securely locked in the
arms Of opiate-induced sleep, some
very mysterious transactions would
have met her eyes. She would have
seen honest old Johns bewhiskered
lace III VIC OpSulAB UhuS AioNS', AAH
head cautiously enter, and his keen
eyes peer around in the dim light
which came through the window from
the winter moon. Then she would
have seen his burly form come noise
lessly through the opening, move eau
tiously to a chair and remove there
from the tiny, present-laden stockings.
She would have seen the great form
stoop and would have heard the
searching fingers moving over the
floor, and then have seen the miner
assume half STOPPING attitude, and
move away Grasping the baby stock
ings in one hand and IA pair of much
larger dimensions in the other. But
she sweetly SLEPT on, unconscious that
her room had been invaded by a warm.
! hearted representative OF Santa Claus
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

Later in the DAY iix taas Mrs. Maynard
and conquered his modiesty enough to
hold quito q long conversation with
her. 1t was observed, too, that he as
sisted her on the stage when she sm;l-
!ngly hade adien to the camp, and waved
his hat enthusiastically as the drivers
whip cracked and tho vehicle bowled
away.
A few mon .hs later at their old home
in the cast, Midget said to little
piayfeIIow:
s'1'n going to have new papa pref
ty soon."
"Nho?" her companion asked:
"Big John Santa Claus I don't
know his other name yet
CAPT JACK CRAWFORD.
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
The Meaning Of the bay.

And now once more comes Christmas
day. Once more, borne abroad on the
words of simplc-minded shepherds,
runs the story. God and man have
met In visible. actual union, in life
which is both human and divine. :. i.
Lift up yourselves to the great mean.
ing Of the day. and dare to think Of
your humanity as something so sub
timely precious that it is worthy OF
being made an offering to God Count
1t privilege to make that offering as
complete as possible, keeping nothing
back, and then go out to the pleasures
and duties of your life. having been
truly born anew into His Divinity, as
He was born into our humanity on
Christmas day.-Phillips BrookA
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
HUMOROUS.

The hardest work any man can
undertake, is to try to manage HIM
self.-Ram's Horn.
-"The men will find a woman's
pocket il she gets to running for Of
fice," says the Frankford sage.-Phila
delphia Record.
There is difference in the way
modern maiden's heart will soften;
To this young man 'come on she'll say;
While to that one 1t Is come often"
buffalo Courier.
What do you understand by the
term 'platonic Affections" "It usually
means that the young man feels that
he can not afford to marry."-Indian-
npolis Journal.
-Husband-"Ano milliner bill?
Why, l paid one only day before yes
terday!" Wife-"Day before yester-
day? Goodness, how time flies" =
Fliegende Batter.
-"How is your daughter getting
along with her piano?" "Splendid,"
replied Mr.. Pinchpenny, "She bought
it on the installment plan an hez got
it most paid fur.'-Washington Star.
-Tom-"Why, Bessie, could kiss
you right under you mothers nose."
Bessie with dignity)-"I should very
much prefer, sir, that you'd kiss me
under my own ose."-Scottish Amer
lean.
Patron Ito laundryman)-"John,
how did it happen that the Japanese
killed so many Cinnamon in the last
battle?" John-"Notee know. May
bee bigee rain makes bad runnee."-N.
Y. Weekly.
-"Is it true that Houser is hustlinR
for the post Officer" Guess it is. I
heard his wife tell him if he didn't get
her letter mailed inside of twenty min
utes she'd know the reason why."-Buf-
falo Courier.
-"Have You time table here?" asked
the seedy stranger. "Our terms" re-
piled the restaurant keeper, "are cash
in advance" "Foiled again." Kissed
the seedy stranger between his useless
tee eth.-Indianapolis Journal.
First Lobster-"It's getting lone
some here now, with all the society
bathers gone" Second Lobster Never
I
mind; we are liable to meet them after
supper this winter, and then we'll get
the rest Of our fine work in."-Syracuse
| Post.
The Daughter-"Can't you let me
have that one hundred dollars, father?
l once heard you say that you would
give your last cent to your children. "
The Father-"Yes, but haven't got to
my last cent yet. "-Munsey's Maga-
zine.
An Irish judge had habit of beg
ging pardon on every occasion. One
day, as he was about to leave the
bench, the officer Of the court reminded
him that he had not passed sentence
Of death on one of the criminals, as he
had intended. Dear me-" said his
Lordship; II beg his pardon--brinR
him up "-Tit-Bits.
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
A Possible ExplAnatlon.

Dimples examining her new Christ
mas doll-Buddy, how do you s'pose
Santa Claus got pieces just like
mamma's wrapper to make dollie's
dress?
Buddy-I don't know less maybe
Mrs Santa Claus buys remnants
Harper's Young People.
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

70, mamma, mamma, wake UP, l
want to tell you sogething."
The widow started from her sleep,
II lad stael, II funny dream, mamma,
the little one said. II dreamed Santa
Claus was in hero, but he didn't look q
bit like our old Santa He was great
big man with long black whiskers and
he came to the bed and looked at you,
SO pitiful. l could see him in the
tnoonlipht that ealne through the win.
dow, and it didn't seem like | WAS
asleep at all. He looked at you lit
tie while and then at me, and ]
dreamed shut my eyes real quick, to
make believe was asleep. He leaned
away over you and kissed me just as
easy as could be-. and whispered God
bless you, DEAR and then when I
opened my eyes again he was gone.
Wasn't it funny dream?'
The mother smiled at the queer re-
cital, little dreaming that what Mid
get believed to be vision OF the night
had been a reality.
"If he was really here, darling" she
said, ''he was no doubt hunting you,
and may have left you something.
Jump up and look at your stockings
The little one needed NO second hid.
ding. She was on the cold floor in a
moment, and through the gray light
OF the early dawn the mother watched
her.
30, mamma! Mammal"
A smile of pleasure came over the
mothers face at the cry OF delight.
Every pang it had cost her to give ur
the ring she SO priced was softened by
the happiness which clung to her dar.
ling's tones.
30, mammal
"Well, what did you get, baby?'
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22

NOW, Tommy, you must remem-
ber that it is more blessed to givo
than to receive" "Yes, know, mann
ma" said Tommy But ! amt self
ish. "--H -Harper's Bazaar
The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
His Excuse.

You expect me to laugh ut that
Christmas joke? Why, it's as old as
Joe Miller"
"Yes, but SO is Christmas. Judge.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02
UPON THE PLATFORM.
BaIErSkBTCHRs ABoUI sOMkSIFT-
ED vIHoINIA ENTEKTAiND1s.
Polk Miller, observation-disclosures Ford,
The Eiocutionist. and Rev. u. w shear
er-Humerou. "Johnnie Reb"

There is no state in this fair South
iand which can boast OF so many interest
ing platform speakers as can Virginia.
The old Dominion has for the past CEN
fury given the world orators. lecturers.
and dclucators who have found few
EQUALS In this country. and the number
of humovists who spring from Virginia
arc too numerous 20 mention. Their
quaint and original anecdotes. brief
sketches OF Southern life. and vivid pic
lures OF the anu-bcllum Virginia darkey
have instructed and amused thousands
IN the North and West as we'll as in the
South. The most conspicuous character
istic Of the Virginia lecturer is his sim
plicity. lie is seldom dramatic often
eloquent. never hombasuc. His charm
usually lies in his delicate strokes OF
humor brought out in natural way.
and skIfllly varied with a touch OF
p9fho~ The brief skctchcs below OF some
81 fD. most familiar Virginia speakers
Will be- read with interest 10y many who
have enjoyed an evening with them.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02

Mr.. Horace r. Smith. the subject Of
this sketch, has dliyed in Southeastern
Virginia all his life. He left his native
filled the position Of Y. VI. c. \. physical
director. in Ney York city and Spring
field, Mass. for four years. He came Z
Richmond three years ago and dii very
clever service in the same capacity In
During the last year he has been, ident-
fed with Mr.. Polk Miller, and has sue
cessfully managed the lecture tours Of
that gentleman, which position Mr..
smith still retains. He IS thirty wears
ola and a familiar figure abOutRichmond.
Is a musician of local reputation, and
now has proven his title TO the reputa-
ton he has gained as an entertainment
manager. Mr.. Smith says that while h.
intends making a speciality of the four
he is the business represen-
tative of each Of those who form the
eubiect matter Of this article.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02
slammy's HuShnby.

Hushaby. hushaby liz baby boy.
Shet go eyes tight an drap off ter
sleep;
Coon was a-pacin' long at a mighty joe
When he seed a 'possum curled up on
a lawg:
GOOD ebnin', Brer Possum, Use glad
you ant a dawg'-
Hushaby, III baby boy
All de III mawkin' birds asleep in dar
neS
When night comes den sleepin' is de
best
TEX up m honey boy an hug him ter
m bres,
Hushaby, III baby boy.
Hushaby. hushaby. liz baby boy
Watch dawg bark an bOOger man run;
Down in the medder liz Dummies race,
Frollckin' an jumpin' all about de
place
Jess yo' quit dat latin right in yo' mann
mys face
Hushaby. liz baby boy.
OF brindle cows a-calling' goo night,
goo night" she said
Time all liz chilluns fer ter be in bed
Tight shet 20 dem bright eyes, down
drap dat curly head
Hushaby, Ill baby boy.
The Chicago Times.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-02

Mr. Thomas Bate editor OF the Graphic.
Texarkana. Ark, has found what he be-
lieves 10 be the best remedy in existence
for the ilux. His experience is well worth
remembering. He says: Last summer I
had a very severe attack of fux. / tried
almost every known remedy. none giving
btsrrhoea Remedy was recommended 10
me. | purchased bottle and received
almost immediate relief. | continued 10
use the medicine and IN r was entirely cured.
a disease. as in my opinion it is the best
medicine in existence Twenty-Five ami
aftv.cent bottles for sale by Owens q
Minor Drug Company. L. Nj. Slaughter
10. =. Reeve * Coz ana w. q. torstrnan,
druggists.