davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
Chri,imaS In the Past.

The father Of the bog or girl os to-
day can we'll remember, if he has
reached the age Of forty or upward. u
time when Christmas had practically
no existence for him. In certain parts
Of the country. indeed, Christmas has
never been forgotten. In New York
City, in Pennsylvania, aud In the
South generally, Christmas, as we'll as
Easter, has always been observed. In
New England, however, in many of
the rural parts of New YORK, aud in
portions OF the country which were
settled from New England and from
rural New York, Christmas was, forty
years ago, but name.
Some trace of il seemed to have sur
vived in the occasional practice Of
hanging mp the stocking ou Christmas
Eve. Boys and girls often hung their
stockings by the fireplace, and in the
morning, If they were fortunate, there
was in each stocking store of nuts, a
little candy, and perhaps II iack-knife
or thimbie. But next day-Christ-
mas Day-the boys and girls went to
school as usual, and fathers and
mothers went about their usual tasks.
There was no holiday and no big
Christmas dinner.
The one feast of the year had been
eAten at Thanksgiving. The mince
pies accumulated for that festival were
still making their appearance upon
the family table; and the pies, and
the memory OF all the other good
things and sports OF Thanksgiving,
had to serve the children of that
period, as far ms holidays were con.
cernec, until Fast Day came round
again.
In most of the States, indeed, the
| children had not even Fast Day to
look forward to. There was no real
holiday until the Fourth of July. For
them there were practically butt
holidays in the year.
The recollections OF Christmas
which person OF fifty should under
take to relate to his children would be
very much like the celebrated chapter
about the snakes in Ireland, which
simply stated that there were nc
snakes in Ireland. He might. how
ever, have vivid recollection of q
rather lonesome ten minutes spent in
hanging wooden stocking by a fire
place, during which time his parents
sat solemnly by. looking as If they
did not altogether approve what hs
was doing. The JOY with which b:
might anticipate u possible gilt wal
tempered not little by the rsmsm
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

aud Clark's helplessness, to get him
back in.
One lowering December .sss;;77saoc2
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 lie 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 it
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 again
and again, sometimes finding Clark
| determined to maze n night of il,
sometimes half sobcred up and will
ing to go, but when on the strength
OF this ne got the horses out and
brought the blackboard around, he
always failed bY u little to get CLARK
away.
Once he 60. him in and they drove
as far as the outskirts of the town,
when Clark turned obstinate and
made him go back.
Finally, long after midnight, when
he went again into the bar, CLARK
said he would go with him ii Lefty
would take one drink. Hoping TO psc-
ify and get him away Lefty finally
took the drink then, on a similar
plea aud promise, another and an
other, till by the time they left they
were about equally intoxicated.
When they came to the first gate
into the Rita Blanca pastures, abou,
three miles from the ranch house,
Lefty gave the lines to Clark and got
down to open it, the whip unheedsd
in his hand.
But the long drive in the sharp ail
had sobered him mp enough that h,
wondered to see the tall posts on eaci
side OF the gate moving. The mex
moment he knew that there was mar
behind each post, it being the onl,
possible cover an assailant could hav'
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
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 prominent feature. In one
old legend Jolly knight is made to
say:
''Not a man here shall taste my March beer
Till Cnrl,tmas carol he doth sing;
Then all clapt their hands. AMI shouted and
sung,
TIL the hall an the parior 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 wears ago
in "Poor Robins Almsnack:"
.'Now. thrice welcome, Christmas
Which hr.nss us cool cheer.
Minced pies AMI plum pudding,
Goo ale and strong osrr
With p!.. goose and capon,
Toe h. - that may bp.
So well doth the weather
And our s;omachs agree
No less characteristic is the quaint
Sowel-el ell ell.
Now IL wei that eyere Was WOO;
or:
Now make we myrth
For Csy,tes byrth.
And sing so yole till Candemcs.
VIII lie the innate sweetness of
Cod 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
sir liar carols, can never be lost.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

what it'll do for any man that loves II
like I do"
As Lefty said this he looked care.
fully away from his employer. Clarke
drinking habit was the one gnawing
anxiety and distress that he had.
II had been growing steadily worse
since Lefty came to the Rita Blanca.
II used TO be that Clark only drank to
excess when he went TO Antelope,
where there were bar rooms and con.
vivial companions but now the buck
board could not be got ready for 9
drive OF day or two across the coun,
try without a jug of whisky in it.
Leity'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 Lefty's beseeching eyes
would follow him, only TO drop hum.
bly, when they met his look; and the
silent protest and entreaty was as we'll
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. II came to be the regular thing
that whenever the blackboard was
brought out for one of the manager S
trips, Lefty got old Hank Pearsall to
take charge of the house and the cook
ing while he drove for Clark. II was
only so that he felt at ease, for then
he knew that whatever maudlin reach.
ing for the lines or slashing at the
hsif-broke broncho team there was, ho
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
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
Early Celebration OF the Nativity.

,hAx'v-inthe fret. usn.slsy ttase -eas
indications that the Nativity was cels-
brated by the early Christians. Though
the date of Christ's birth is only tra-
ditioual, the 25th OF December is be.
lieved to have been appointed in the
fourth century, by Julius J., Bishop
of Rome, as the anniversary OF that
event. Previously the Eastern Church
had observed the 9th OF January in
special commemoration of the appear
ance of the Star which guided the
Wise Men TO the Ssviour's birthplace
in Bethlehem. For while the East
ern Church adhered to this date, in
spite of Julius's edict, though the
Western Church observed the 2jth of
December. This mad natural ten
! dency to extend the festival over the
time intervening between the two
dates. In the sixth century oil Chris
tendon united upon the observance OF
the 10Th of December
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

brance OF ore Christmas morning
when he arose eagerly. searched his
stocking, and found nothing whatever
in 4.
Very soon, however, the real Christ.
MAJ began to grow up, rs IL were.
TIL, most powerful agency in making
| its observance general was the Sunday
school. Always on the lookout for
something with which to arouse the
interest OF children, the Sunday.
school OF thirty years ago early made
choice OF Christmas. "Trees" were
introduced as a feature of an annual
observance, and many little gifts were
distributed.
II was customary to have the pas.
sages in the Gospels relating to the
birth of Christ read aloud by one Of
the pupils OF the Sunday-school who
could read well, and this Office was
greatly coveted. The chance OF being
selected to read these passages aloud
at Christmas was a sufficient incentive
to many pupils to pay particular at
tention to their reading lessons at
school for months together.
The interest Of the children in these
exercises was very great from the start.
and it soon drew the older people into
an almost equal interest in the revival
of the old festival. In surprisingly
short time Christmas had beco me the
most important day in the year
Youths Companion.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

pitiful effort to pull himself together,
and look oil right.
"Mr. Sargent" he said. beseech.
ingly, 'this ain't nothin'; IL don't
interfere with my work none; an you
don't know how bad / hate to be
knockin' about from one place to an
other"
"Why, Lefty" said Clark, Mortified,
you don't think l wanted to dis
charge youl Here, let me help you
mp on the horse, AMI Ill lead him
in"
Clark had q medicine chest, fair
practical knowledge of the effect of
drugs, and considerable tact in their
use. Lefty, of course. was burning
out-but slowly in this high, dry air,
so unfavorable to the developm ent of
his disease and Clark doctored him
faithfully with tonics and palliatives.
He was not sent out on the range
again work was found for him about
the house, and he soon came to be
cook and general domestic manager.
He developed into skilful house
keeper and Lis cooking saved much of
the customary wear and tear of the
boys moral natures. Indeed, Fletch
Phillips declared that it was more
potent means of grace than the ex-
hortations of the cowboy evangelist
over at Lone Jack.
But it was TO Sargent's especial
comfort and welfare that his loving
services were watchfully devoted.
The pegs and gun racks in the
office room at the Rita Blanca are all
cleaning buffalo horns, picked up on
the plain by Lefty. with the weather
worn bark OF years of exposure on
them, and patiently scraped down and
polished till they look like little half
crescents of JET. He searched out.
polished and put up, too, the great
spreading cattle horns over the Office
doors and windows. Clark likes to
hunt, and the heads and skins of
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
Greens 10, Church Decoration.

People used to be rather more par
ticular than they are now as to what
greens they used fer church decora-
ton. The ;avorite 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 u
season Ms Christmas. MIstletoe was
excluded because it was sacred to the
Druidic religion. and perhaps because
it was considered too frivolous in its
suggestions. The decorations should
properly remain in the church till the
end OF January. but must be cleared
away before February ., Candlemas
Day. The same is true OF private
dwellings, for superstition regards it
as fatal omen If this period is over
stepped. New York Suu.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
found for miles upon that bare. open,

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 q 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; il was not himself they
were after. He could go forward and
open thu gate safely, since they likely
thought him too drunk to notice
them.
But il they knew that the one in the
blackboard was Clark, they would
jump upon il 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 well have thought him
very drunk indeed.
Even while his poor spent frame
dropped shuddering against the gate,
his single and undertaking mind ran
desperately through every possible
scheme to save Clark.
They we're of much the same height
and size-enough SO to be mistaken in
the semi.darkness. Why not make 1t
seem-why not
He tore the gate open with 9 lure 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 a gallop,
he slashed the rear horse with his
whip. The outfit whirled away like o
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
etraightened him QUIT was Lefty.
Clark raised him gently, end felt
for the wounds that were soaking his
clothes with blood. Lefty moaned
and opened his eyes.
30, Mr.. Sargent, I'm going to die;
aad who'll take care of you then, when
when you're drinking. "Who is it
knows like NE that's been through it,
the hell you're a walkin' right down
into And who'll be willin' to go with
you, faithful, through the worst Of it
all, like I'd a been glad an proud to?
Nobody! Nobody! o, can't go
1 amt ready! Mr.. Sargent - o,
my Godl-promise me-promise-
promise"
81 do, Lefty! I dol do promise
The Lord be my witness"
The dying man, with some remin-
iscence OF cradle:side prayer, raised
his life-scarred hands and laid them
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 aud
touched upon the face OF that patient
care taker, never eloquent Us now in
its voicelessness.
When Clark came to his own door
it was broad day. But Letty's Christ
mas was spent otherwhere. Wash
ington Star.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
HOLLY BERRIES.

Holly berries, holly berries.
Red and bright and beaming
Trough the dusky overgreens
Like SPRAYS OF coral cleaning,
Ie have power 10 OIL tho heart
With memories OF CLEO;
,. wha, happy thoughts can cling
Round the holly tree!
When | see the holly berries
liancy that hear
Merry chimes and carols sweet
Ringing in my ear.
Chrlstmas, with its blazing frey
And happy hentths. see;
o.. wha, merry thoughts can cling
Round the holly treel
BRING the glowing holly berries,
Snow Is lying deep;
All the gay md blooming flowers
TIL ;he spr.ng;lmc sleep;
1t them grace our happy homes
WIN their crimson light.
Mngling with the sombcr nn
And the laurel lrisht.
H. NY blows the icy wind,
shorter grows the day.
Winter scattcrs cold nnl gloom
In his dreary play;
Y"t we love the closing years
For the joy they bring,
And the holy memories
That round the holy clins.
Holly berries. holly berries.
Red ani bright and bramin-,
Through the dusky evergrcens
Like sprays Of coral cleaning,
" have power 10 an the hear;
With memories o: glee,
Az. wha, happy thoughts can clln;
Eounl the holly tree!
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
ING seasons.

Winter begins December 81 (is)D anilas
So days. 20 hours and % minntss.
Spring bsgins March 20 and lasts o. !ay
10 hours and 5j inmates.
Summer begins Juus 81 AMI lasts % LAY
IL hours ami ~ minutes.
Autumn begins September % anu lasts
Gays. IS hours AMI 23 minutes.
Winter begins December 81.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

GENERAL ELEAKIM p. ScAMMoS diel
:sntIy al New YORK. General ocammon
the tutor of Genrrils Grant, kosserans
Newton, ana "a roommate OF General B9'
II West Point. He sarysi In lne Sem!H'
Mexican aad Civil Wars.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

The demand for Western COW poniss
Increased, owing 10 their being use as Pa
,on,ss IN the i ls,. Pfices have risen anl
you'd appear as II tn.rs was money ID
business.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20

to Cncrryir"c l.
to the posimnster-s,-S~
desires. and Editor II.
tree Record, went t.
the document. One dim
the existence Of another
county called Cherrytree.
lat,cr town will accept al
posioiiice.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
Fixed and Movable Festivals

Epiphany. Jan. C. Easter Sunday, Ap,
Srptuag-,iala SUNDAY, IA.
Feb. 10. Low sunday. April a
S@xistsHn'r f55t. 55tEH sssJ qf.oy/t.ou 'SdIduyttl
Feb. II. II.
Quinquagsslma Sun Ascension Day, U
DAY. Feb. ~. %.
Shrove Tuesday. Feb. wnitsunday, JAM
%. Trinity Sunday. Jl'
Asn Wednesday, Feb. 9.
~. Corpus Christi, ia
Quadraceslma Sun Is.
day, March 8. NirHaeimas Day, ,Sej
Mii-L-nt Sunday 30
March q. idven; Sunday. . e
Palm Sunday. April 7. Christmas Day. !.
Gooi Friday. April Il. %.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
Morning Stars
Evening Stars,

v-nus, after Sept. 10. Venus. until Sept,
Mars, after Oct IL. Mars, until 0ct. H.
Jupiter. from July 10 Jupiter. until Juyi
10 Oct. II. and after Oct. l.?
Saturn, until Fsh. 5lSaturn. from Feb.
and after Nov. 9, TO Nov. 2.
NorE Planets are consi ie.ai Evania
Stars when they rise bsIoro midnlgn,, 40
Morning Stars when they rise after mldnsl
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-12-20
no was
~ MEMORY OF

A public memorial service ~,
Inte Ex-Governor Curtin WIN
the court house at Be.leioni,
evening. December ~. GOV. "
Tor General stewart. Gen. Coz
other prominent men will
speak. Ter
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1894-03-03
IN Outrage in Darlington
A Lrdy's Trunk Broken Open By One
4 Tuiman's "GcnEem n.
To the Editor of The State.

To the Editor THE State:
Another disncnsary outrage has
been pcrpetratcd in the old town of
Darlington which has aroused the Mt.
most Indignation of our citizens
thursday night last Mr. and Mrs II :
Dung. OF Hopkins, Richand county.
can 10y the Atlantic Coast Line on q
VISIT 10 the family of their daughter
and son.in-law, Mr. and Mrs Finkin
residing in our town. Their trunks.
wv" IN number, were left at the depot
until Friday morning. At an early
h"ur vehicle was sent To convey
them to the residence of Mr. Finliin
The scryant carried Off the largest
trunk, leaving the smaller one
on the platform, to be carried Off on
his second trip. On his return he
found one oft the dispensary spies, n
man named King. seated on the trunk.
which he refused to allow the servant
to remove. He demanded the kew.
and it not being forthcoming. IN spite
OF the protests of those standing
around, who knew the charac er O
Mr Young rs sober, Christian man,
he forced the trunk open and threw
out upon the dusty platform, the con-
tents, which consisted of dresses
aud other belongings of q Iady's ward
robe. Finding no liquor. he crushed
the dresses back into the trunk and
suffered the servant to take charge of
it: but in his rough handling clock,
which formed part Of the conteuts,
was broken and rendered useless.
Vh"r" was great Indignation very
freely and openly expressed by the by
ISLANDERS at this high. handed outrage.
One Of them demanded his warrant,
when he exhibited torn and crum.
pied envelope, which has perhaps done
duty on many similar occasions. This
same King, with an assistant.
armed and with drawn pistols. but
two or three weeks since entered n
private lot Of one Of our citizens, wish.
ing to make a search Of his premises
without a warrant, but he met them
in so determined manner they were
glad to make hasty retreat.
This last outrage in Darlington has
greatly incensed our people. They are
willing to submit to law, but the con-
stable who snvales their premises
without duly authenticated warrant
for his mission, takes his life in his
own hands.
ar Young is an aged, feeble and
ChristiaE.man, and for this reason the
outrage committed on him is the more
felt by us all.
A PLAIN MAN.
Darlington, Feb. q.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1894-03-03
wresJE0TCT INV I-p-
He OJeufd U,o ~, tEo, unG SHIT e1,
Oficer.

New York, Feb. PA Special
to the Herald from sherman Ala.
says: Thomas Douglas. IA thir-
teen-year>old colored boy, who
Yesterday shot and killed Deputy
Sheriff Cow!ett, who attempted to
levy upon a cow which belong ged
to Douglass mother, was hanged
by mob and the body riddled
with bullets.
The mother cut the BODY down
The coroner's jury returned a
verdict that the boy came TO his
death at the hands 0: persons un>
known. The mother says she
recognized some of the slayers of
her son, and VIII prosecute them
vigorously.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1894-03-03
Murder in Marion
Il Fatal Fight Be;recm Uhic Men
Cause; Djs,e"SGry Uhj~hty.
Special to The State.

Special to The State.
Marion, Feb. 2G.-About $50 y
m 'ast Saturday, MIR Ham Capps,
farmer, entered the shoe shop
o. NJ John w Young, insa state of
lntOXlcation and found the latter
much in the same CONDITION. Am
alteration soon took place be
tween them Capps was stabbed
in the throat and died soon after.
Young was slightly cut in the face
and is in all awaiting trial for
murder. No il feeling existed
between the parties prior 10 the
difficulty. Capps. when picked
up had two of Til.man's disucu,
sary bottles n his pockets.
The deceased caves wife 40 Il
several small children with ittC
means Of support and no insur-
ance, whatever may be the yer,
dict as to the cause.