davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

The manager of An electric street rail-
way may now determine at any instant,
without leaving his office, whether the
cars of his system ure running regularly,
whether there is a stoppage at any point,
how long the stoppage lasts, how many
cars are BACKED, and when running is
resumed. This is made possible by a
special chronograph, the use of which
was first suggested about two years ago
by Superintendent Geo. Baumhof of the
L,rdell Railway Co., of St. Louis. The
apparatus consists primarily of a sheet
OF paper moving at uniform rate under
series OF pens Or points, operated by q
electromagnetic, each magnet point rep
resenting point on the road 1t makes
contact, and the magnet point of the
chronograph pricks the paper. It is
found convenient to use roller driven
by accurate clockwork at the rate of one
revolution per hour, each revolution
moving the paper four inches. A line
running on one-ninnte scheduls will
Show fifteen cars or pricks to the inch
under each magnet point, a fve-minute
schedule three to the inch, and So on
Areak of three inches would show q
spoppage of Is minuts, and even, regular
dots would indicate correct running at
>fhat point of the road. When filed away
the daily chronograph sheets become a
permanent record of operations.
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

The Royal Society of Tasmania has
been given an account of some large
limestone caves near Southport. The
chambers evidently extend three or four
miles, have strong stream running
through them, and con tain fine stalag-
mites. The visitors, on extinguishiug
their lights, we're ast.nished to see the
walls and ceiling studded with millions
Of dia nonds-on effect due to glow
worms. the only living creatures - %.
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

She was typos darling fair, hs was
her lover true; said he, "You are the
type for me, I've had Chase but now.
my own, my takes revised, I guess, aud
now that love is justif d. why let us e.
to 'press;;' " The maiden lung her
sharely head and whispered in his Ear,
while both her cheeks were rosy red
"The form is ready. DEAR FIX.
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21
ElenIleim.

Blenhc:m is enc Of the biggest and
most beautiful places of the kind il
England. and the expenses Of kcapin,.
it up are enormous Tie lite Dlle G:
Marlborough used to sly that it CO.
$500 year in putty, ard this n.ay /.
true, since there is great deal Ct gsas.
about the place. Tit-Bits,
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

Not less than 700 cases of premature
burial have been collected by DR.. FraEz
Hartmann, of Hallien, Austria, and are
.olaimod to: be authenticated. Particul-
}ars of more then 100 are given in a work
Pew in press.
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

Neutrality is 40 favorite with Prov
dense, for we are so formed tI,:.t it i:
sca2oa;y possible ftr US to sand reutc:
il c:.s hearts, although We may deem il
prudent to appear 50 in our actions.-
Cotton.
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

Meats foot oil, purified by strips Of
lead and sunshine, has been found by An
EGgl1eh che mist to be he b-st IT. bricant
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

CAN OBTAIN A PATENTe Fo. q
MUM & Co., who have had nearly fifty years
experience in the patent business. COmmmica.
formation concerning Patents and how to OBJ
LAIN ! them sent free. Also catalogue Of nechan-
lca! and scientific books sent free.
Patents taken through Mum s. Co. receive
ssPeclal notice il the %s'i entific AsEeTicnn, and
Cnub are brought widely before the public with
QUE cost 70 the lnyetOr. This splendid paper,
1ssned weekly. egan{y illustrated has by far the
largest Circulation Of any scientific work in the
world S3 ayear. san::e copies sent 1ree.
. Buiid i Edition, monthly $3.50 year. Single
copies, 20 cents. Every lumber contains beau
siful plates, in coic"S. .and photographs of new
nonses W!th plans enabiing uu!lGals to show the
saseSI designs ana secure Cartrlccs- Address
NUNN h CO. NEW YORK. tskSt BE.0 aDWAY
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

IL
Eureka Chemical and Mfg j, La Crosse '
a nave smoked fifteen to My Who'll!
mus of
o G GE time being at least tried the "Keey SoTo
% ago to-day Commenced consider
compet
dcn every smoker fully appreciates has completely
7oe your baco-Curo simply wonderful, and
Yours
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

the habit
Refunded Price $10O
all druggist
SEND SIX TWO CENT STAMPS SAMPLE Box Booklets
roofs free Eureka Chemical Co, Lac
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

The young .westerner was bow c:l o..
Of the room with smiles and na.:a,. ;,
handshake. At his hotel he sat down t.
think over his good luck. e. r.. a j.;
thought Of the senator's letter, CIV H..
ed it out of his pocket and read:
The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-12-21

DEAR CHA"DLEE-Some tine IT,: TT:
morning yorog citizen Of my greet I'll
r1ous state will call On you with u s;,'o.--::
dorsement from me for clerkshir. haTc1
earthly intere:t III Him. SO turn lin ovt? .
your tender mercy. Let him down e
Yours, E.,>
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
Tho Tramp's ChrIstmas.

"Silas." said Mrs. Ulogue, wiping her
tear-dimmed eye with the corner of her
Bingham apron, this Is the anniversary
of the day our son William disappeared
from home after you reprimanded him
for staying out late o. nights playing
pool or something"
Yes" assented her husband, sharp
ening the carver preparatory to dis
secting a nicely Drowned turkey. ut is
exactly ten years since he went away,
and without just cause, too"
But don't you think you were a
little hard on him, Silas? 1t was only
o'clock in the morning when he came
home, and boys will be boys"
He made mistake in goin' away"
replied Silas, clipping off wing: IAN
/ guess no one knows that better than
William by this time"
Maybe so, but had strange dream
about our absent boy last night, and
something tells me that he is coming
home, like the prodigal son, and have
put an extra plate on the table, at the
place where he always sa-. But
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

T was a stormy
Christmas Eve, and
the little town Of
Tromsoe was COM
pletely enveloped
in the ermine man
tie of mid-winter.
Snow had been fall
ing all day, and as
t b Q night ap-
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

bark! Some one has entered the gate.
It is-it is our son Wi liam! A mothers
instinct is never wrong. Yes-I recog-
nize his footsteps. Oh, we shall have a
real merry Christmas once morew
And Mrs. Ulogue, trembling like an
aspen, sprang from her seat and quickly
opened the door. A rough-bearded
seedy-looking man stood on the thresh-
old.
ooh, William. my son." cried Mrs.
Ulogue, throwing her arms around the
stranger and almost dragging him into
the house, you have come home at last
l knew you would. This is indeed a
merry Christmas"
'Scuse me, ma'am," returned the
stranger, struggling to free himself
from the affectionate embrace of the
woman. ME names not William, an
I amt nobody's son. My parents passed
in their checks afore had time to get
on speakin' terms with 'em, an I'm a
wanderin' horphan.
me names Henry Tennyson Naggs,
but me pards call me Skinny the
Tramp fer short. But l sees how
you've got vacant cheer at the festive
board, an don't mind bein' your son
pro TEN. as the Latin sharps seq, spe-
cially as l left home without dinin'"
Here, Tige" called Silas, opening a
door leading into the kitchen; and as a
dog as large as newborn calf sprang
into the room. Skinny the Tramp made
a hasty exit. AS he passed through the
yard he absent-mindedly picked up a
new Ratchet, which he sold at the next
village for the price of five beers.
So the tramp had a merry Christmas
after all.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
Tabby's Christmas.

IL was early Christmas morning, and
the streets were empty. A boy with a
big turkey knocked at the kitchen door
OF large, pleasant house, and while
he was talking with the cook, cold,
homeless little Tabby Tiptoes slipped in
between his heels so softly that nobody
saw her. Good" she thought. Now
can get warm"
She patted lightly upstairs on her lit
tie velvet paws, and found herself in a
snug and cozy room. A bright fire
snapped in the CRATE. and beside it hung
a small stocking, crammed full from
top to toe.
Tabby was so pleased with her warm
quarters that she turned somersault
on the soft rug. Then she played that
the toe OF the stocking was mouse.
She caught it with her sharp claws, and
gave it little pull.
But the stocking was overloaded al
ready, and down it came on the hearth
The checkers and dominoes and sugar
plums rolled to every-side.
Poor Tabby just had time to hide in
the empty stocking before Neddy
rushed into the room.
why, mamma" he called, Santa
Claus must have dropped my stocking"
Then he put his hand into it. "A live
Kitten he shouted again. ooh, how
did Santa Claus know! That was just
what l wanted"
And indeed, of all his pretty presents
Neddy liked little pussy best.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

| With its glossy, dark leaves and bright
red berries, it is an attractive decora-
ton for the house.
The Jews used to decorate at their
Feast Of Tabernacles with evergreens
and flowers.
The laurel was used at the earliest
times of the Romans as a decoration for
all joyful occasions, and is significant
of peace and victory.
In some places it Is customary to
throw branches Of laurel on the Christ
mas fire and watch for omens while the
leaves curl and crackle in the heat and
flame.
The evergreen tree is a symbol used
as the Revival of Nature, which as
Economically signifies the return of the
Sun. Hung with lights and offerings,
the tree has for centuries been one of
the principal characteristics of Christ
mastide.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

great and joyful festival as Christ
mas, it showed, she added, a lamentable
lack of religious feeling to prefer such
a request. She pointed out that pow
erty, sickness and death were sent by
God himself, and that the true Chris
tian should submit to them, not merely
without murmur, but joyfully, kissing
the rod in remembrance of the gracious
declaration, "As many as l love l re-
Duke and chasten." She offered to
call on the following day for the pur-
pose of exhorting Greta to submit to
the will of God with entire resignation.
The mother had now lost all hope
and was returning to her home in a
still more responding frame of mind
than that in which she had quilted it.
She walked on as in q dream, scarcely
noticing the fast falling snow, while
longing with an intensity bordering on
agony that she might have been able
to procure even a few common flowers
for her Greta. But none were to be
found. Even the snowdrops hid them
selves in the bosom of the earth, and no
primrose nor violet would be seen for
months. Thus sorrowfully musing,
she continued her walk, and in few
minutes would have reached her mis-
cradle home, when by the light of her
lantern she saw few green leaves
peeping from the foot of hedge which
enclosed a garden in the neighborhood.
STOPPING down, she scraped away the
snow with her hand. Yes, there were
leaves, large and lustrous, under which
she found few green blossoms, some
full blown, others in bud, but all pale,
small and without color, perfume or
beauty.
"Ahw though she. "as there were no
roses to be procured, these little flowers
have been sent that my child may be
spared the pain of knowing that there
are hearts so cold and hard that no
woes Of others can soften them, and
who care for no sorrows except their
own"
AS she fastened onward, the deep
toned bell struck the hour of midnight
and the joyous Christmas chimes broke
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
Merry Christmas.

Christmas ought to be the merries,
day of the year. From the busy man To
the little child, let the cheerful greet.
ing, Merry Christmas" ring out gladly
to all. Christmas Is the time when,
after weeks Of expectancy. Santa Claus
appears to the dear children. The time
has come for the hanging up Of stock,
ings, and many bright eyes will looh
on Christmas morn up the chimney for
glimpse of Santa Claus "and his eight
tiny reindeer" The days will come
when belief in the beautiful myth Of
Santa Claus will disappear. but let il
last so long as it can and gladden. the
hearts Of happy childhood.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
The Yule Log.

A custom at one time prevalent In
England. and still observed in some Of
the northern districts of the old coun-
try, is that of placing an immense log
of wood-sometimes the root OF great
tree-in the wide chimney-place. This
log is often called the yule log, and L.
was on Christmas Eve that it was put
on the wide hearth. Around 1t would
gather the entire family, and its en-
trance was the occasion of great deal
OF ceremony. There was music and re-
joicing, while the one authorized to
light it was obliged to have clean
hands.
1t was always lighted with a brand
left over from the log OF the previous
year, which had been carefully pre-
served for the purpose. A poet sings Of
it in this way:
With the last yeeres brand
Light the new block, and
For good success in his spending,
On your psaltries play.
That sweet luck may
Come while the log is a teending.
The Yule log was supposed to be
protection against evil spirits, and IL
was considered a bad omen if the fire
went out before the evening was over,
The family and guests used to seat
themselves in front Of the brightly
burning fire, and many a story and mer>
ry jest went round the happy group.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
XMAS DECORATIONS.
We Have Copied the Customs of Non
Christian Countries.

Among the votaries Of the early
Druids there was a superstition that
the houses should be decorated with
evergreens in December, in order that
the Sylvan spirits might enter them
and thus be kept free from the blast
of the cold North wind and the frost,
until a milder season renew the foliage
of their usual haunts. The Christmas
tree is really from Egypt, where the
palm tree puts forth a branch every
month, and where a spray of this tree
with twelve shoots on it, was used IN
Egypt at the time of the Winter SOL
stice, as symbol Of the year COM
pleted.
Who does not know the poem be-
ginning
The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak
wall.
Years ago over every mans door in
England hung a sprig of mistletoe at
this season. There still hovers a mys-
tic charm about the mistletoe, and
many a girl now, with a thrill of ex-
pectancy, places a branch of it under
the chandelier or over the door. Ac-
cording 10 a former belief, when a
girl is caught and kissed under a
mistletoe a berry must be picked off
with each kiss, and when the berries
have all been plucked the privilege
ceases.
Among the ancient Britons the
mistletoe that grows on the oak tree
was the kind held in favor. Because of
it's heather origin it is not used often
in church decorations, fact which is
referred to by Washington Irving in his
"Bracebridge Hall" where he has the
learned parson rebuke the unlearned
clerk for this very thing.
In Germany and Scandinavia the
holly or holy tree is called Christ's
thorn, because it puts forth its berries
at Christmas time, and therefore is es-
pecially fitted for church decorations.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
The Christmas Tree.

Only star! shining star!
More glorious than our planets are,
But watched by wistful eyes and bright.
And longing hearts. that wondros
night.
Only manger, shadow-thronged,
That to some public inn belonged,
Where sweet breathed cattle quietly
For midnight slumber bent the knea
Only the light Of tapers small,
That on two tender faces fall,
Two tender faces-one divine
That still through all the centuries
shine
From palace walls, from thrones Of
gold,
From churches. shrines, cathedraIs old.
Where the grand masters of their art
Wrought faithfully with hand and
heart.
Only babe! in whose small hand
Is seen no sceptre of command,
But at whose name. with Freedoms
sword,
Move the great armies of the Lord.
Only cross. but oh, what light
Shines from Gods throne on Calvary'S
height.
His birth, His, life, the angels see.
Written on every Christmas tree.
M. A. Denison.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

on her ear. Kneeling reverently on the
snowy ground, the mothers heart went
up in gratitude, and she prayed the All
Merciful One to look with plying eyes
on her sweet and cherished Greta
pressing the humble flowers to her
bosom. In another moment, she had
risen and passed onward with her
treasure.
AS she drew back the curtain to offer
the dark leaves and little green bios
SONS to her darling, she made discov-
cry which startled her. They had
given place to large, exquisite white
blooms tinged with a delicate pink.
Roses! roses! cried Greta, 20.
mother. who gave them to your"
at was Christmas present" replied
the astonished mother.
At the sight of these lovely Christmas
roses, the dying girl bowed her head,
and softly kissed each precious bios
som. Then she fell back on her pillow
with sigh. The light that was never
on land or sea" came into the beauti-
full blue eyes. and her lips half-opened
with radiant smile. The prophecy of
the doctor was fulfilled. The roses had
appeared. and her sufferings were
ended. Her pure young spirit had
passed upward in one ecstatic burst of
love and thanksgiving.
Since that time Gong ago. the plant
which grows under the hedges, beneath
the SHOWS Of winter, has continued to
produce beautiful white blossoms and
retained the name of "The Christmas
Rose" which was given to 1t by the
good women of Tromsoe.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

preached, large flakes were still be-
ing driven hither and thither by the
furious wind, which howled and roared
In the chimneys, shook the carefully
closed windows, and died away in the
distance like the last despairing wall
OF lost soul.
In one of the most miserable houses
OF wretched street, in the worst quar-
ter Of the town, a woman by the dim
light of a pickering candle watched be-
side the sick-bed of her last remaining
child. She was weeping bitterly, but
strove to stifle her sobs for fear of dis
turbipg the fitful slumbers of the suf-
ferer. AS the furious tempest shook
the dilapidated tenement, she trembled
as II she already felt the dread presence
OF the Angel of Death. No Christmas
fagot blazed on the miserable hearth,
the happy voices of laughing children
and kind friends had for her long been
stilled, and the cold, sorrow, and pow
erty which reigned within seemed but
\ counterpart of the desolation without.
Behind the lowered curtains Of the bed
could be heard from time to time the
short cough and labored breathing of
the child, who at last, suddenly awak-
ing, raised herself on her elbow, and
looked across the room, where. as in a
vision. she again beheld the Christmas
trees OF her earlier years, with their
accomplishments of tapers, bon-bons,
toys and golden stars, cleaning amid
the darkness of that somber room. She
was young girl of twelve or fourteen
years OF age. and the sweet, pale face,
although in the last stage of emacia-
ton. still retained traces Of delicate
youthful beauty.
With her dying voice she still con-
tinued to talk of the fete-days of long
ago, when she was rosy, healthy little
child, and her brothers and sisters,
Eric, John, Anton, Hilda and Bertha,
crowded around her with their pretty
Christmas offerings; when her father
danced her on his knee, and her mother
sang sweet lullabys by her cradle.
Those days seemed far away. Eric and
her father had persisted in a shipwreck;
then, one by one, the others had fol-
lowed. till death had left behind only
the grim sisters, sickness and misery,
as the sole companions of the widow and
her child.
The vivid remembrance OF past hap
piness had brought strange light into
Greta's eyes, and soon these childish
"reminiscences gave place to hope. She
spoke of the spring which would bring
back the birds and flowers, and in CIV
Ing life to all else would surely not en-
urely forget herself.
"You know, mother, the doctor said
that, when the roses came, my suffer-
ings would be over. Will the roses
soon be In bloom?"
~ have seen some already" replied
the mother; "the governors wife and
daughter had them in their hair when
] saw them get into the carriage, but
those roses. think, only grow in the
lighthouses of the rich"
There was silence, broken only by
sreta's short cough. All at once, carried
away by one solitary fixed idea, such
as so often haunts the brain Of the sick.
(Ihe began to talk again about the roses.
DO pine sorrowfully for their possess
sion. and by alternate beseeching, coax
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
The Fate OF a GIFT.

On Christmas morning l gave her,
With reckless impulse, my heart.
The gift had loving SAVIOR,
And she took 1t in kindly part.
But it was present and, therefore,
I'm afraid it lies on the shelf;
1t was something she didn't care for,
And something l wanted myself.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20
a Hint.

I wish you merry Christmas!
Let's try while we're repeating
The dear old-fashioned greeting.
To add a kind, unselfish act,
And make the wish a blessed fact
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-20

The Stars.
Upon the nights black stem, behold
A million shining buds unfold
And light her gardens azure lawn
Where walks the moon from dusk
dawn.