davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
A MAGNoLlA CLrR.

Conroc, Tcxns--Dcdr llaphammer; As
wc see oui faYolite, the magn0lia, is
now in the lead we are going Ia try 10
mako il come ont victorious We think,
by all means. it should win. II is very
useful besides beng the queen Of the
forest in beauty The wood is used
for making furniture, etc. and is very
beautiful On account OF its being 40 close
grained We agree with the statement
that in the other contests there was no
consideration of usefulness. Houston Is
the Magnolia CITY" and IL II were not
that il supported so grand and worthy
paper there would be no lInppyham
mcrs. Come on, children. and let us
make the most deserving tree win.
Please enroll M M Hnppybammers. E1
die. Willie. Tommic, Madge and Bessie
Winnock Corinne Roberts, Burton, Jci1
and Mary Saunders, Drcyton and Matte
Kelley, Maggie Follmar, GusSle Leiiler
Emmic Herbert, Laura Mon er, Edna
Letter. Minnie MndPley. Maud Collier,
ders. Oren Mcclure. Lula Lciiler, jim
Saunders. George Griffith, Leslie LETTER.
Nora Collier Page Collier, Y u. Wells,
John Williams, Mary and Elicia Crooke,
Lanra and Sallie Tucker, Coleman Terry.
Tom Dunnan. sherman Barilc, Maggie
Stowe. Ishnm Collier. Iuin Turner. Ar
thur Laws. Bertha Baseke. Anita Tucker,
Fmilia Eddie Levina. Lenora and Willie
Bierwirth. Maggie Brown.
T.. S.-We think we have complied
with all the rules Of the club, viz: We
have written on only one side Of the
paper. each child signed his or her name.
except families, and have used pen and
ink
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

This tree doee not grow very tall, but has
many pretty flowers; II has many twgs
and branches and is very bushy; it's !, ayes
are green and o,alshaped, having many
veins; IFS trunk is very slender and has
many roots, which. branch out In different
directions. The flowers are In clusters
and are dark purple and white colors.
l think II Is wonderful how the Lord has
made these trees and beautiful blossoms.
The odor of these flowers is very fra
grant. From these dowers are made u
sweet perfume. When il is large enough
the lilac tree makes an excellent shade
Anna Peterson,
1S2o West street.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
CHRISTMAS WISHES.

Scoota. Mise.-Dcar Haphammer; We'll.
Haps, bow are you going TO amuse your.
be happy cheerful day for all. ! have
no brothers and sisters my size TO play
with, but as am the only hoy at home
] am kept quite busy all the time. help ny
father work, und waiting on my big"
sisters. Don't little boys that have Il
lot of sisters have = hard time? | have
q little nephew about my size and We
spend many happy hours together He
and l are in the same classes at school
every day and Sunday school will ask
a question: When and by whom was the
cotton gin invented? | will close, With
much love TO each member of the club,
and TO The Post. Your friend,
Hayes Blair
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

HOW FAST TREES GROW.

Mr.. II. II. Thompson, The government
cntomoiogist OF Iasmania, has made aomr
very careful measurements ut tue grow III
% trees every three houIn, with the ioi-
lowing Results. From u u. III. to u. m,
. 2-3 per cent of growth; from y n. m.
to noon, l-3 per cent of growth, from
noon to 3 p. m, no growth; from 3 D..
M. TO 4 p. M, no growth; from u p. IN,
to . p. m, ID per cent of growth,
from - p. m, To II p. m, 3 rs per cent,
of growth. from II p. IN. to q II. m,
50 per cent Of growth. The greatest
grow tbs in twenty hours were bank.
Ma rose, u IL inches. gcranium, } -
inches; waffle, ! l.3 inches, apple, = IL
inchee; ncAr. | l-3 inchns.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
EoR MAGNOLIA LOVERS.

Klein. Tcxas-Denr Haphanmer; am
so glad TO see the magnolia gaining so
rapidly. l. with several of my school
mates, want to cast our votes for the
lovely magnolia. Nora and Tom Nc
noucle. Morse Pevoteaux. Carl and Gus
Strack. Kaleb and Ida McDougle, Katie
Strok and Gusta Theis. OF course, we
have various reasons why we should love
The magnolia SO much. but our greatest
one is the delightful picnics we have
EVER summer IN magnolia grove. Cant
some Of the Haps come out next summer
and 90 picnicing with MS. especially all
those who love the magnolia?
Bessie Black shear.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
THE OAK is USEFUL,

Ashby. Texas--Dear Hapnammer. i
cast my vote for the great live oak, be-
cause we boys have go much fun In them.
In the summer time when we 70 in swim
ming we climb mp in the ones that hang
out over the water and dive out OF them,
and we have lots of fun climbing in
their branches. and shoo, squirrels, rae
coons and all sorts of birds and other
tree animals. The wood is very useful; :,
is used for iimbers of boats and for houses
and many other useful articles. 1t is all
evergreen; it only sheds its leaves in the
spring and there is never year passes
but what it is full of acorns. I'm n boy
nearly II yenrs of age. I'm writing this
letter In school. ! guess ] will close, for
| have nothing more TO tell you about
the OAK. Your friend,
Hamilton Moore.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
THE CLUB,

u.,ryhammers are the young peo-
I'd the Youths Department OF
Houston Post, ,,,ros, ., arv
"ns,.ea with the club. Boys and
-. read The Post may be enrolled
~. members by sending the Hap
Nv ,ss,r full name, age and address.
.hs object of all Happyhammers
.n.r happiness when and where
liable" Hence the club name and
" .,h flower In the violet. and the
4. the hooking bird. both being
the members themselves.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
SIZE Has BEEN SICK.

Hempstead. Texas-Denr Hsphammer;
ASH have read so much in The Post
about The tree contest thought | would
mt in a vote for The magnolia, as
have been sick with typhoid fever and
PASSED my time in reading the little Hap
nvbemmer's letters, and II gave me so
mich pleasure to read them. ! am going
to school and am In the fourth grade.
Nv teachers name il Miss Ella Ahren-
beck: she Is very good ~ me. My
mother Is dead md an staying with my
r-ondma. and we are very hapny together,
viii close. with love 20 the little Haps.
your friend. Mamie Werner.
=. S.-Iincle Walter aud grandma join
me in praising the magnolia.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
OAK VOTERS.

i. Young of Venues, Eldridge Lee of
Nclsouvilie, Ailcen Ketchem OF San Au
gustine; Mary, Maggie and Calie Cherry
Of Kerens, Oswald c. Rogers Of Center,
Frankie Baker of Comsiock, George Dill
Ion of Emporia, Clayton Watson Of Co.
lumbus. Winnie, Mamie, Joe Eugene and
mama. Gordon. William and Murphy
Naught, Vera and Ashby Moore. Annie
and Katie Dunbar of Ashby, Matagorda
county. |. Il. Hall of Hondo, ulpha
Daniel Of Palestine, Avis l.. Ledford of
IOpkhart
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
TWENTY OAK VOTERS.

townsville, Texas, Dear Hapham-
mer: viii send list Of names of
children here who vote for the oak. Alma
Sparks, Fannie and Annie Webb, Oreon
Vance, Katie and Frankie Moore, Clara
Webb, Ola Sparks, Matte and Ellie
Moore. Horace Webb. Earl and William
Sparks. Willie aud Matte Sue Webb,
Bette and Matte Cherry, Joe Vance,
Minerva Rlevins, Mamie Moore. We all
wish the Haps a Merry Christmas and n
Happy New Year. | will close, with love
to the Haps and Mr. Hnphammer, and
the dear old Post,
Alma Sparks.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
A CHiLDKEN'S FAVORIrE

Jenny Wren fell sick;
Upon merry time,
In came ROBIN Rcdbra0st,
And brought her sops OF wine.
Eat well OF the sop, Jenny,
Drink well of tbe wine.
Thank you, ROBIN, kindly,
You shall be mine.
Jenny she got well,
And stood upon her feet,
And told ROBIN plainly
She loved him not a bit.
Robin, being angry,
hopp'd on n twig,
Saying, Out upon YOU,
Eye upon You. you old.faced jig!
Old Rhyme.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
WANTS TO SEE SANTA CLAUS,

Alto, Texas Dear Haphnmmcr, | did
not write in August when | was I years
old as | promised II was because wc
were all sick | started TO school aud
liked it SO much, but rot sick after two
days. My mouth is covered with fever
blistcrs now hope they will get we'll
before Christmas. If yon see Santa
Claus please tell him to bring that doll
MIR. Jim Fuller promised me, and | want
IL TO have n hat that is not glued on. II
he will bring me that and Robinsoe Cru.
soc | will he perfectly satisfied. BIT |
had rather see Santa Claus and not have
any presents than 10 have them and not
see him. | want him 20 bring Aunt
Elmira something. too because she is
sick with typhoid fever Willie and Char
ley Price and Irene lakewood write again;
your letters are 80 good. Ella Mahnn,
you look 90 sweet and fat sitting IN your
new chair. | shall put You In my Hap
hammer scrap book. l vote for the oak;
send n nickel for the Eugene Field
monument. Your little friend,
Eunicc Dea Mcclure.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
TO SANTA CLAUS.

Dear Santa Claus: Please come TO scr
me ON Christmas eve. l can't say that
am very good, because ] get my ittlP
temper up often, bat ] hope you will for
give NE tus time. ! study my lesson well
and | also say my prayers night ana
morning, and think of you in my prayers.
sent letter 10 the little Haps. hope
to be admitted TO the club. Dear Santa,
you see how kind The Post is to your
little ones. Hut it is the grandest paper
out. We can't DO without ii. Please,
Santa Claus ask you for one toy fire
patrol wagon. | have got enough of
them. | prefer books; no fairy tales;
no circus books. like very much Child
Iife Of Christ" one of Santa Claus books
and any other that you think good for
one of my age q years., Goodbye, Santa
Claus Put plenty Of books on your back
and toys when you come down the chin
ney 10 see me.
Nicholas Belden.
i. S.-Dear Post; Give n good word
to Santa Claus for me, please
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
OLD CHRISTMAS.

,.,, way round the year, my dears,
~. ~ way round the year.
pI,bs frost and flame, my dears,
ti, ,s the smile and ter.
IL.
.,,d blew high. on the pine-topped
p eut me keen on the moor;
800 of the stream was frozen still
/ tapped at the miller's door.
Ill.
VA them holly in hall and cot,
d hode them right good cheer,
aayed me not in any spot
ia travelled around the year.
".
is,s the Christmas joy, my dears,
,aur eyes 60 bonny and true;
mjstletoe hough for you, my dears,
nstletoe bough for you!
st. Nicholas.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
FOR THE LIVE OAK.

Houston, Texas-Dear Haphammer; 1t
has been so long since have written to
The Post that | think the Haps have
surely forgotten me, but haven't for
gotten them at all | an going to school
now. ike my teacher very much; her
name is Miss Ida Warner, | will cast
my vote for the live oak, for il Is a beau
tiful tree and it is very useful. ! think
it will be shame If the magnolia does
win. ! was very glad to see Ella Ma
hans picture and very glad she got her
chair | remain your friend,
Maggie Ouenslaw
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
FOR THE MAPLE.

Victoria. Texas--Dear Haphammcr: |
wish TO join your happy band. / hope
you viii enroll me a. member. My
grandpa takes The Post aud | enjoy
reading the little Haps letters very
much. ! am little boy 10 years of age.
We live on II ranch three miles from Vie
tOria. | have three niles to 60 to school,
but ride my own little pony, whose name
is pompey. ! have only one brother. lie
has a pony, too and he calls him Go,ernor
llogg. ! will vote for the Maple. Your
friend Hnghle BAcon.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
rOnEsTs IN AUSTRALIA.

Large tracts of dense forests In Au-
trala are practically shadelss. Many
kInds of trees In that strange count ~
turn their edges instead OF the fat sur
fnce OF the leaves TO the sun, and thus
one may stand under tree Of enormous
size and be as fully exposed to the sun
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

It was only a baby's petition,
And passed with tenr and smilei
The sweet infant graces of childhood
The coolest of hearts can beguile.
But IL touched on cord in our being,
The thought is 80 truly our own,
When we reach out our hands for
'sum6n,"
And ask it in prayer. at the throne.
Annie L. Jack.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
~ APPYHMNNGRS
Hammer happiness when and wherever uou cam"

Daniel, Palestine; Vivian Bobo. Florence
Lockhart; Rupert Lease and Henry Fol.
SOM Santa Cruz, Cal. New names en-
rolled this week, 81. last weeks total.
iO2o: number of Hnnpyhnmrners. 4O1I
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

IL does So whether the farmer IL on hand
to get the benefit of the process or not .,
But the farmer is generally on hand.
before machinery was invented for the
purpose the farmer used TO furrow the
trunk OF the tree by snshing the bark
lengthwiso with n knife. Then he cut
deep burrows all around the tree near
it, basn. a trough attached TO the lowest
o, these burrows carried the syrup from
the tree 70 tho dripping bucket and that
constituted tho process Of getting tho
product.
The farmer nowadays goes up to n
tree that il sweating" casts his eye
mt the soficst spot IN the trunk aud
drives into IL to n depth of several inches
n metal tap aud ths rclivcs the tree IN
splendid shape. The tree appears just
Ms anxious 10 get rid of the sap az the
farmer is TO gather II.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

These charms the oak doesn't possess, 1t
Affords shade as well as the oak and Is
much more ornamental. What can beau
tify a city more than groves OF magnolia
trees hanging with clusters OF large white
flowers. Tourists through Texas look
with admiration at them. Your friends.
Linda Bunage, Annie Massengalc and
Thisty-two Others
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
A 2oo.YnAR.OLD sAGo PALM.

The executors Of the estate of the lata
Samuel j. Tilden have decided to sell
nj auction all the plants in the green
house and on the place at Grcystope.
Yonkers, N. Y.
Among the plants is q sage palm 200
years old, In the pink Of condition, with
seyenvty-iive fronds three feet long. II
WINS formerly In the possession Of George
Washington.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

played when General Washington crossed
picture of the battle of San Jacinto. My
grandpa lived near the battle ground and
| Intended telling somo anecdotes Of that
time. but my letter is too long now.
will leave them for another time. Since
wrote 10 you last my pet collie dog
urey) has died aud now l have no pets,
except three canary birds. Your little
Hap, Ethel Maggie Lewis.
A SALT CEDAR "REMINISCENCES
Ashby, Matagorda County, Texas
Dear Haphsmmer: have been trying to
interest my school children In the tree
contest. aud some Of them intend writing
for the Happyhn page. II may he
oak, but the tree hold In most grateful
remembrance Ia the salt cedar. as my
mother saved her life during the storm Of
1919 at Indianola. by clinging to its
branches one whole, measurable night. The
wood is very tough and the roots pene-
trate deeply Into the ground, 80 that Il
can with difficulty be uprootcd. The
leaves are fne and teathcry and have q
slightly saltish taste. II Is deciduous and
In the spring time is covered with deli
cato sprays Of pink and white blossoms,
which are quite fragrant. The girls some.
times trimmed their white party dresses
with cedar leaves mixed with tho red
buds of the oleander, and very pretty
trimming II made. II was also used for
the decoration Of the churches and, sad
10 tell, many an Indiauola child remem-
hers how cedar switches could tingle.
and cause them 10 promise never to do
50 again" With kind thoughts for all
'hc Haps. E |. Moore.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
THE HOUSTON rREE

. Houston. Tcxas--Dear Haphammer: l
have been wanting to write TO you u
long time. Mamma reads the Hap's let
tiers to ME and l enjoy them all We
have been living In Houston almost three
years, SO think I ought to vote for the
magnolia. think all Houston boys and
girls ought TO vote for our city's tree. be-
sides ii is so pretty all the year through.
! have a little brother and = baby sister.
and ! love them both let's. We have a
big black dog. named Jack he takes
good care Of us when we 10 anywhere.
| AIN so glad Christmas is near. We, are
gong TO have tree for Santa Claus TO
put our presents on. We think IL nicer
than hanging up stockings, don't you.
Mir. Hapr
Please enroll my name aud brother
Charles ms members Of the club. hope
my granhmamma IN Orange will see this
letter. We oil went to see her last fall
and had very nice time. My papa Is n
travelling man Is not ~ home much. aud
we are SO glad to ace him when he comes.
Your little friend, Frank Belts.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
HAP TALKS.
i, the Hpphammcr Has to Say to
orr Boys and Girls.

uCr HDys uhu
a, Happyhammers: Before another
p,hammer page is printed Christmas
u,e come and gone. Now that we
N the verge of this joyful occasion
H,phammcr will send forth the wish
uery member of the club may enjoy
minute Of Christmas week. For
sals folks he hopes that their stock
NAY be filed until the floor is COW
With pretty things for which Santa
4 couldn't find room; that they may
The toys and dolls and fire crackers
sir hearts content.
.ulder Happyhammers must not for
Dat at this joyful season of the year
an slways find many opportunities
hrner happiness for others. Wouldn't
rand thing if on Christmas day
Zap made special effort to make
me person happy? That would
happiness for 5000 people, for there
400 members of the club, and you
shenever we do some kindness for
We are bound to feel happy our
4 Now. go to work, think of some
h kslp brighten some ones Christ.
,S strike forth with hammer of
BIN that will leave it's imprint of
n and good cheer.
b inbnrdment of old Santa Claus
Ia going on in earnest for the past
Tsks Several of the little folks
rtten him letters: two got in the
MINERS mail last week aud two
we're caught this week and are
n for the good saint to read. Here
,.thsr that was received Just before
Hiphammer closed he mail box:
y, Santa Claus: Please bring me an
ra and cartridges. and pop guns and
tncters and Roman candles. and
N. sor,a noonrts and .nnles or.
|, ysn.s 6thnrts and - uttle dunn
nh ,,.o I;,,Io borsos and bttle
vi,h II. .rd = rtn. hrcgv o,d horse
unass nra u.h;n o,d , don that
"a, "nono" ond ..r,ommo" and 4,
ior Jess;a Ard VII lovn yor
MI D,ws,u
M 1000 votes have been cast in our
contest. The magnolia remains in
kad another week. but is only forty
votes ahead of the oak. Guy Pagan
y about some of the tall trees in
tonia, and there are q number of
Interesting tree letters. Remember,
mntest ends December 81; therefore,
little over A week remains for
\ who have not selected n tree TO
their choice. The result will be
punced in The Sunday Post January
Nd Semi-W eekly January 6.
~ Money ~; bnfnJ h,. Tho Past a.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
BACK IN TENAS.

Riverside, Texas-Dear Haphammcr,
Quite a number of months have elapsed
s.nco l have written to YOU, aud ! pre-.
slime ! now occupy the dreaded place Of
forgotten Hap. The last tune | wrote
| was IN Louisiana, but am once more
n TcNse girl. Our school opened here a
few months ago. Mrs, McKiddin is our
teacher. We were delighted TO resume
our studies again after n long and pleas
aut vacation. am IN the highest class
IN school, although | am not the oldest
or largest scholar. My sister. katie. is
at school in Your city, at the lncarnatc
W ord convent. | miss her very much,
but anticipate Il glorious time Christmas,
when Katie viii come home Tor the holt
daye. The tree contest is becoming quite
interesting aud exciting My fayoritc
tree has already been nominated and has
also been so well described by others,
that auy attempt of mine 10 do better
would be supcriuous, SO with wishes for
its success | vote for the live oak. What
hps become of ali our Lufkin llap~Y Your
friend, Mamie Geary,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
THE BARy's PETITION.

The baby has seen but one Christmas,
And now she IL trying 20 walk.
But her etcps arc as slow and uncertain
A - ia her ondeavor ia talk.
But she knows--for the little ones told
her
(lfow soon children do understand.
That the kind Christmas saint Ii soon
coming
To fill stockings all over the land.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
so she fights with her nurse every morr

me,
And covers her dear, chubby feet,
Holds tightly the gay-colorcd stockng,
No mnttcr how much we cntrent.
We wonder at curly heads meaning,
TIL one day the chimney she sees,
And shouts with her widc.opcned stock
ing.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
THE QUEENS RAT-CATCHER.

In London the rat-catcher was formerly
mn important parsonage, but his occupn'
Her majesiys navy rat-catcher In but
humble official. In spite of his long
title. his remuneration being simply that
Of an ordinary dock yard laborer, IS
shllings week. In addition TO which he
Is allowed n penny head for each rat
caught
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
rHE LIIAC TREE .

Rncine. Wis.-Dear Haphammer: I
will take for my choice the lilac tree
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

ns though he were In the open plain.
Travel through these forests IL snid TO be
exceedingly nrduous work, as the trees,
whilc they do not cut off the sun, pre-.
vent the breeze from reaching the ground,
and thus the traveller experiences sti.
ding heat.
WAS SURE ABOUT HIS MOTHER.
Johnnie WIS about to repeat his first
verse nj the Sunday school concert OF
course II must be short and Of simple
words 10 his mother selected this FOR
him; II am the light of the world" 70.
pcnting II TO him number of time. until
he was sure Of IL. The evening of the
concert came. The audience was In readi.
ness. Johnnie came out. made his most
approved bow aud proclaimed In loud
voice. "My mother is the light of tho
world The gongrcgationulist.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
PLAYING DOMINOEs.

Mistress Morning she knows
How 10 play at dominoes
With the children, bllthe and gay,
Wide awake at break Of day.
First she shows her llncst skies,
Matched by Mary witb her eyes.
Next she plays her breezes light.
Matched with Lucy's laughter bright.
Then she throws her sunshine true,
Matched with smiles 10y merry Lou.
Flowers come now, sweet white and red
Matched by Josie's howor-like head.
For each charm the morning throws
In this game OF domiDoes
Something sweet the children bring,
Matching her In everything.
If the game goes thus nll day,
Who will be the victor. prayi
st. Nicholas.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22
Mean MATAGORDARAY.

i. S.-Dear Post: Give good woi
to Santa Claus for me, please