davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

On the evening before Christmas.
in the year of grace 1894. Mr.. Rufus
BELL created mild sensation at his
home by arriving with parcel of huge
dimensions. He made sure that none
of the children were about the house
before he entered and, when he had
crossed the threshold he Immediately
concealed the mysterious bundle in
closet and locked the door upon it.
Mrs. Bell at once demanded an ex-
PLANTATION, and her niece, Miss Rose
Wayne. seconded the demand strongly;
thereupon Mr.. Bell struck the attitude
popular with candidates when they say
MY acknowledged" and said:
Ladies, am but human, singular as
the statement may seem; but ! am
nevertheless being of ideas and re-
sources"
I'VE are always acquiring informa-
tion," interrupted Mrs. Bell.
Rose" continued Mr.. Bell, sereneiy,
turning to the younger lady, "as
school-teacher you must have studied
Juvenile human nature, and you must
have been shocked by the fact that
children cease to believe in the good
old stories of Santa Claus and his rein
deer almost as soon as they are able to
walk; in fact, | have heard you COM
ment upon this sad truth. What is
Christmas to a child, if the child doesn't
believe in Santa Claus? Where are all
the romance and poetry of the &C.
sion? My own children are skeptical
when tell them the charming legend
of Kris Kringle: have undertaken to
convince them that there is Santa
Claus; have decided TO lei them see
Santa Claus in person." -
This announcement naturaii /. ased
the ladies'; and their excitement was
quite intense when Mr.. Bell produced
bundle from the closet and opened
h. producing lot OF ancient furs and a
eArskin hat that had probably been
led by drum major of the town
band; TO phase the ladies' he donned
his costume at once, and they voted
him perfect Santa Claus, as he GER
tainly was.
Snow" he said, when he had resumed
his ordinary raiment, Il don't think it
quite fair to reserve this entertainment
for our own children EXCLUSIVELY, so /
, have invite1 few good little boys and
girls of the neighborhood; and Mr.. and
Mrs. brewster win be here, and young
Mr., Moon; have let them into the Sc
cpet. You will tell the children to hang
Their hosiery in the north room, and In
form them that you have reason to be-
lieve that they may see Santa Claus II
they sit up and keep perfectly still; at
the proper time I'll ascend the roof and
slide down the chimney; it is just large
5 enough for the purpose. And I guess
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

shall do, it or not. The last time pro-
posed to you, you refused me, as usual.
If you'll promise to marry me. I'll rescue
your uncle; If you WON'T, l leave this
town forever-and your uncle in the
chimney. His kicks are growing feeble
and labored; don't think he can last
more than three minutes" f
The young lady leveled glance of
scorn at him that should have withered
him, but he stood firm. He felt that
his whole future was at stake, and re-
Elected that all's fair in love and war.
There was q stern, cold silence for q
minute or two. Meanwhile the vibra-
tions of Santa's legs became desultory
and spasmodic, and his muflled groans
betokened extreme exhaustion.
wretch" cried the young lady, at
last, "rescue my unclel You shall have
the reward you ask"
The wretch bowed with noble grace
and moment later was on the roof,
with rope in his hand; he let the rope
down the chimney, and called to Santa
Claus to grasp it and hang on. Santa
did SO, and toiled upward while Mr.
Moon pulled; after Is minutes of dis
tressing work, Santa emerged from the
chimney, poor, battered efiigy of him
self. Mr.. Moon assisted him to the
ground and into the house, where the
children and the other guests crowded
about him and laughed; for children al
ways will laugh when they ought to
weep.
When Mr.. Bell was recovered suffl-
ciently, he leaned against the back of q
chair-he was too weak for an attitude
and said:
Children, if you tell about this around
town. I'll have you all arrested and sent
to the penitentiary for life. And you,
Johnnie, for that litter I'll make you
saw cord of green wood. want you
all to go home and tell your parents that
Santa Claus is the biggest hoax of the
10Th century, and I'll guarantee every
word you say"
BY careful nursing Mr.. Bell was re-
stored to his normal health in a few
days, and his first act was to have the
I old chimney taken down.
One day in March Mr.. Moon led his
bride to the altar; he held his head high
and his eye sparkled. After the cere-
mony there was dinner at Mr.. Bells
residence. and Mr.. Bell himself was ra-
dant with good humor and hospitality
He called the young couple aside, and
INDUCED in an attitude and speech:
my beloved ones," he began, "the
morning of life opens radiant to you;
sunlight glimmers upon the waters
there are blue skies overhead, and-er-
the robin redbreasts are twittering on
the boughs. But dark days of tempest
and storm may come; rolling waves
may threaten your bark. and then re
member that if you need helping hand
you may call upon Rufus Bell"
Mr.. Moon looked dreamily out of the
window.
"May 1 ask favor of you now?" h
asked.
az hundred Of them. my dear boy"
swell. see it's showing. and there
enough on the ground to make sleigh
ing. Will you lend us your reindeer
and sled for awhile?"
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

During the balance OF the evennIy
until mir" o'clock, there was a great
deal OF nctive preparation in progress in
the Bell mansion; the north room was
tidied, end a semi-circle of chairs
placed for the expected guests, who be-
gan to arrive at the stipulated time.
Mr.. Bell was in fine frenzy of excite
ment; he declared to his wife, in a
whisper, that he felt like boy again,
and she replied that she was ten years
younger than she was before he un-
folded his delicious scheme. By half
past nine all the guests, large and small.
were in their places; Mr.. Moon, young
man who had been studying law for ten
years, and who hoped soon to be ad-
mitted to the bar, sat next to Miss Rose.
upon whose hand he had serious de-
signs, and his efforts to appear at.ease
were amusing and instructive; Mr..
Brewster, who was small and timid
looking, nestled beside his wife, who
was massive and had bass voice; ST.
lence brooded over the throng until Mr..
Bell, who was given to speeches, went
into another attitude, and said:
children, I have heard that you
don't believe there is Santa Claus?
You have formed the unworthy idea
that your parents and friends fill your
stockings on Christmas eve, and that
good old .fur-clothed Santa is myth.
Now, bnVe here letter from Santa.
Great excitement among the chill
dren.)
And he says that he will arrive here
at ten o'clock, coming down the chin
ney which you see before you. must
leave you for awhile, as / must keep
watch outside; but you must all be
quiet and keep your seats, or Santa
Claus may become angry, and refuse to
enter"
Ten o'clock was announced by the tall
clock in the adjoining room, and the
mellow chimes of that ancient time
piece had scarcely died away before the
children heard other sounds. Up over
head there was violent scratching and
tearing, as though poorly shod rein
deer was trying to climb the roof, and
they distinctly heard the silvery tink-
ling of bells, and some of them believed
that they could make out the grinding
of the sleigh runners ON the shingles.
1t was a moment of awful excitement;
Johnnie Bell, who had never quailed in
dangers stormy hour, did not try to
conceal the cold perspiration that stood
on his forehead; Amelia Grimm, whose
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

courage was generally answering and
uncompromising tried to stifle shrek,
and only half succeeded.
After the roof had been successfully
assembled, they heard great noise by
the chimney, as though Santa had just
Glighted, and then they heard him de-
scend the interior of the chimney; low
er and lower he came, until finally his
legs were in the room, and they kicked
inavery human and pre- aic way. After
they had kicked for awhile, and no more
of the visitors body appeared, it be-
gan todawn upon everybody that Santa
was in difficulties. The children and
the older visitors sat staring at the legs
for few minutes, and then Mr.. Moon,
who was a man for an emergency, gall
lantly rushed to the rescue. He seized
Santa's ankles and pulled with all the
force of pair of gymnasium-educated
arms, but he didn't seem to make any
Roadway. for Santa yelled in voice
that sounded like doleful cry from the
tomb that he was being wedged in
tighter than ever, and he implored the
company to do something for his relief.
The elders held council of war. Mr..
Brewster mildly suggested that 1t
would be a good plan to send in fire
alarm, but his wife crushed him with n
look, and said that the only way she
saw was to take the bricks out of the
chimney; and she added: This comes
OF . man trying to act the fool when he
ought to be thinking Of the world to
come"
Meanwhile Santa groaned and
shrieked in fearful manner in the
chimney, AMI protested that If he
wasn't soon released he would be a
eorpse -. Bell was fainting confer
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

1t was Christmas eve and the Dod-
getts sat by the fire discussing the prob
ability that they would receive pres
ents of greater value than they had
sent to their poor relatives; and as
good as they had sent to their rich
ones.
ugh, what night it is" said Mrs.
Dodgett, "but it is just as well, for we
shall have no callers, and Pm really not
fit to be SEEN"
"You certainly are mott" candidly
answered Mr.. Dodgett, sits mystery
what you have done with all the money
you have gotten for dress. Now, can
go nowhere for lack of decent dress
suit" 0
Instead of replying warmly, Mrs,
Dodgett only smiled mysteriously. Al
that moment the maid entered, saying:
"Please, ma'am, trainp's at the back
door begging for clothes"
"Tell him to go away and be quick
about it," said Mr.. Dodgett, who was
suffering from neuralgia and disap'
pointment that his wife would n@t
quarrel.
"Don't leave him alone in the kitch.
en-" said Mrs. Dodgett; "he is most like
ly sneak thief"
Charitable, that remark" grunted
her husband.
"Ye-cs," she replied, absently, "by
the way, dear, Mr.. Blanque has given
his wife another sealskin. shall have
to cut her, for I can't visit her any
longer in my old wrap. It's one com
fort, though, that he selected it him
self; something is surely wrong with
it." Looking anxiously at her hus
band, she saw half smile on his face.
''It's cold night for that poor wretch
to be out half Clad" he said. III see
it he is gone" she returned, and botf
left the room by different doors.
Soon they were both back with hal
pleased, half shame-faced looks.
Its Christmas eve, after ALL" sale
ne.
"Yes, we should be charitable to-day
of all days."
"M'hm: gave that poor wretch m,
dress suit which was too shabby Il
wear. / had to hunt for it. too; i
was"
sand gave him your old overcoat
| it."
(which overcoat?"
''The black one; you"
"You did, Ell? Well. you were &c,
smart for once. In the pocket of tina
coat was concealed the money has
saved to buy a sealskin for you
| Christmas gift. Say, why did you hid
my dress suit in your WARDROBE"
Both had risen, looking very pale.
"You got that dress suit from m,
wardrobe. did you? Well, it was new
one l had gotten for your Christina
4 gift. Silas Dodgett!"
Two minutes later Mrs. Dodgett wa
in strong Mysteries on the hearth rug
while the maddest man in town wa
,ainiy searching for tramp with new
dress suit and an old overcoat-
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

All the air with love Is laden.
Where the Yule logs glow and flame,
Hopeful youth and trustful maiden
Softly chant the Masters name.
Now, II there be any sad ones.
Bid their fearful eyes be dried.
Now, II there be thoughtless glad ones.
Be that gladness purified;
For the bells of peace arc ringing.
Ginning anthems of the free,
Earth and Heaven join in singing
OF the glories yet to be.
Seek the boughs so green and fragrant,
Let the waxen tapers dance.
Here Is hope for prince. for vagrant,
Christ of every circumstance!
Pile the leaping fagots higher.
Let the wide-mouthed chimneys roar,
Clash the cymbals, twang the Tyre,
Angels wait at every door.
Soft the Day of Peace is breaking;
Gladdest day of all the year;
And sweet Plenty, want o'ertaking,
Spreads feast of love and cheer.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26
Observation-Disclosures lINIIl1T 5:

tally in her armchair, and most of the
children had vanished. TWAS then that
Miss Rose approached Mr.. Moon, wiring
ing her hands and weeping beautifully.
~Mr. Moon" she cried, you see the
sufferings Of my uncle, and you stand
here idle. Can you not rescue him?"
miss Rose," said the intrepid young
man, II can get him out of that in five
minutes; IL rests with you whether I
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

An old gray house. on an old-time farm
Twas on a Christmas night
Thro' chinks were streaming rays Of
charm
In yellow shafts Of light.
An old gray white and an old gray black
Were sitting by the blaze
That curled and played 'gainst the chim-
ney back
Sat thinking their own old ways
Said the old black man to the old wtSte
man:
Hits fawty yeahs tonight
Sense you gin to me this piece er LAM
An the pootyes' gal In sight.
you gin US. ersides. dem papahs. too.
Dat sot US bon ones free,
An Nan an me sung 'Hally, Hally Loo!'
LAX er song er jubilee"
''Well. what II I did?" said the old gray
white,
Didn't both belong to me?
And didn't have. by law the right
To set my niggahs free?
"And. what is MORE" said the old white
man,
my farm was broad and long,
And didn't you. and your poor old Nan.
Find life sweeter songT'
'Tawd bless you. marster, blessin's fell
As fas' as drops er rain:
Yes. every SCUM was silver bell,
Till God called Nan ergain.
but we wuz all de slaves you had.
An sense you ben so po'
Use felt dat we wuz actin bad
To wish for freedom So"
mo more! no morew said the old white
man.
I'm richer than q king!
You give me blessings, all you can;
need not anything.
And, more than all. am not blest,
While waiting for the call?
i gave you Freedom. Gods beQuest.
Intended for us ALL"
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26
santa Claus stocking,

Said Santa Claus on Christmas eve.
In jolly. good, fat glee:
ITO Judge by all these stockings here.
They've turned the hose on me"
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-26

HIS Name II Legion.
For a Christmas present now
am saving up.
That's why wrinkles line my brow
And xorrcw aus ray cup.
Truth
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15
A PRIMARY AND CONVENTION.

1t is announced that the State
Democratic committee will meet
in short while. 1t is probable
that they will yield to the popular
demand and provide for primary
election all over the State to vote
for candidates for State Offices.
We do not think, however, that
the committee should make this
primary a fnality. One result of
this would be that plurality nomi-
nations would inevitably result,
and some men might be put for
ward as the Democratic candidates
for high places who would not be
acceptable to one-fourth the party.
However, though this reason is
strong, we regard it as of less i'm
portance than the surrender of
party machinery that would be
consequent upon such course.
The party has an organization
composed of its leading members
who meet at theproper times to de-
wise means and methods conducive
to the party's welfare. They also
in the years of State and national
elections call the party together
in a convention to ascertain its
will, to set forth a platform of
principles on which to face the
enemy, and to attend to all mat
tiers necessary to the party's Or
ganization and strength. A pri-
mary that is finality would change
all this and practically destroy our
party organization, Except
through its executive committee
the party would have no opportu-
nifty to express itself on any other
matter than the selection of candi-
dates
Let US have primary followed
by convention at which the dele
gates will vote the expressed will
of their constituents.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

The Board Of Supervisors did an
excellent thing last week when
they spread upon the records a
full description Of the boundary
lines Of the different voting pre-
cincts in the county. By some
neglect or oversight there was no
record of these lines in the Court
house, and this fact was a constant
source of trouble to the commits
sioaers. Another needed bit of
legislation was the establishment
OF a new voting precinct in the
Northern part of Beat S. Many
voters who live a great distance
from Providence, over rough roads,
will be benefited by this.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

Mcssrs. Bland, Bryan and cth-
ers are starting out to force the
Democratic party to adopt their
extreme free coinage ideas, very
much like the Sub T.casuryites
tried to force It to adopt their pc
cullar doctrine. In the latter case
the party refused to take the med
icine, turned the doctors out of
doors and the very next year won
the greatest political victory in the
history of the country We doubt
not that in few years Bland and
Bryan will find themselves with
the great majority of former Sub
lreasuryltes in the ranks of the
Populite party, and we cannot
help but think that the loss of
them will strengthen Democracy.
The dispatches state that Con-
sressmen Williams and Money
OF this State, have joined in the
effort to make the party swallow
what it does not want. We can
hardly think that this is true, and
we wait with interest to hear what
they will have to say about il.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

The Grand Jury of the present
court made a most excellent record.
With a large amount of work &C.
complished, it adjourned on the
sixth day of the session. Two
weeks is usually consumed BY it.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

For SALE-My residence in Kos
ciuSko; 8 rooms and very conven-
lent. Easy terms. Reason for sell.
ing: | want to go on IA farm.
}. CIV IN.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15
OUR AGENTS.

In order to save our patrons some
trouble in making settlements, we
have established agencies al the be-
low-named places. Parties who desire
to see their accounts, pay their sub
scriptions, or make renewals, may see
the agent named at their postottice
W. J. Brown. $50. ........... Sails.
r. !. Boswell -. .McCooi.
Shrock Bros. $500. Shrock.
+. +. Lacey. ThomastoWn
The above are also Authorized to re-
cclve new subscriptions.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

In the death Of Hon. d. l..
Smythe Alfalfa county loses a most
valuable citizen.
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15
PREPARE FOR IT.

Despite OF the influence OF many
leading Democrats and the warn
ING of powerful newspapers, there
are some indications that the sill
yer question will be injected into
the State campaign with great
force and it may be that it will
be fought out with fury little
short of that which marked the
Sub Treasury campaign OF 1891.
The waters are already slmmering
that presage a great agitation of
this subject in the Presidential
campaign next year.
Since drawing the lines on the
silver issue is apparently ineylta-
bic, it behooves our people to get
certain principles firmly fixed in
their minds 50 that they will not
be led by the excitement of the
hour into expressions and votes
that they may afterwards regret.
There is no doubt but that the
West is preparing to make a
mighty onslaught on the South in
the endeavor to force us to choose
between the extreme goldbug
IDEAS of the East and the no-less
vicious silver monometallism SEN
timcnt of the West. The one
would make greater the burden
OF contraction we already bear;
the other would plunge US into a
vortex Of initiation that always
ends in great distress to the mass
eS.
The South cannot afford to 60
with the West, neither can she af-
ford to with the East. Ours is the
middle and safest ground. We
believe that the healthy and vigor-
Gus sentiment of the South is for
sound bimetallic currency-the
largest possible issue of gold and
silver coined on equal terms, pro-
vided one dollar shall be as good
as another. This is the cardinal
principle. Our money must be
sound.
Let our people cling so fast to
their pre-conceivcd preference for
bimetallism that no excitement of
the moment can dislodge them.
We reject the proposition for
the free and unlimited coinage of
silver at a ratio of 70 to I as a re-
Election on our intelligence. The
western man wants it because he
has silver to sell and, like every
thing else, it has deprecated to
half its former value. The silver
IN d dollar is now worth only fifty
cents, and free coinage at 16 to I
would therefore give the western
mine owner dollar for every 50
cent'sworth of silver. He could thus /
buy a dollars worth of cotton for
fifty cents. How would this help
-he rest of the country
Let the South prepare to resist
irmly this invasion of western
IDEAS. Let us also prepare to "sit
M those Of our own people who
reach the same doctrine. J
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15

Keep your head free from itching and
danLrutf by using Hall's Hair Remover
The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-03-15
Notice to Buyers.

We will be in Kosciusko. Fri.
day, Marcn 10, with carload of
horses and mares, well broke to
work, and will sell them without
reserve or limit as to price to the
highest bidder for cash.
II. BARGER & SON
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-02-28
The IrwIn Verdict.

There il saying among gamblers that
"there il sucker born every minute and
none die" Il is the gull ibility Of man
kind which makes such man as Irwin,
the Pittsburg ircretiOnary p"ol promoter
possible. The greed n make money bT
speculation caused him TO have thourands
Of victims, who now deplore the blind
faith that they had 10 him and his meth
DDS. The verdict Of not guilty and pay
the cost. was not unexpected 10 those who
watched the case from day 10 day. he
had the best Of legal talent, who took
every advantage ofthe loop holes Of the
Law to bolster up their elienr7 care. While
Irwin was in. in reality, guilty Of perpe-
trating fraud. he Was technically inno-
cent. It would bs useless 10 hold mp the
blind pool matter a. d waning 10 people
10 not enter into anything which promises
such large and quick profit, because the
the crednlitv Of many persons II such that
hey will bite at the next tempting bait
that il held amer their nose. -NeE Castle
Guardian
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-02-28
DsIzell's Tribute TO West Virginia

At the Lincoln birthday dinner In Chi
ssgo, John Dslzsll, In response 10 toast
on the Republican victory Of last Fall said;
These are States thst We have reason u
believe shall bs added asjewels TO sparkle
In the Republican crown Della
ware, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky
Tennessee and West Virginia. Among
them sll rejoice especially at West Vir
ginis. She differs not ut all In her inter
sst ~ Nature made her from Pennsyiva-
MIA She has the same mountains filled
with ore, the same valleys rich In soil, the
same river running 10 the ssa, she }. Penn
sylyania's twin sister, born N the sam'
fate, welded TO the same interests. preor
dsined 10 the same sublime destiny. She
belongs To the Republican party In accord
ance with the eternal fitness. Born 81 the
throes Of civil war. shs was cradled In tbs
clouds Of conflict for liberty, and whil'
her birth gave TO the Nation new
State and 10 the flag new star, her birth
hight was place In the sisterhood Of He
publican states. For years she vas de-
MED her birthdght, but now, ut last we
welcome her, through struggle 70 that
which Ia her own. Henceiorth her plac'
In the national councils will bs filled, moi
by college professors. impractical free
trade thsoristy, bat by men who will stand
for the protection needed for the coal In
her mines, the lumber on her streams, an d
the wool husbandy Of her hills. Here
after she will expect report TO be made b.
her representatives Of their services to bei
own hardy sons, and not 10 English irs'
traders at London dinners.