davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
He Escaped.

Two men were out shooting. One had
a license, the other hadn't. A keeper
approached, and the one that had a
license ran away.
The keeper was good runner, and
an exciting chase ensued over mile
and a half of nice plowed field. At
last the keeper got up to the runaway.
Now, sir. where's your license?"
It was produced.
Then why did yOu run away?"
''Oh, I'm fond of exercise" answered
the man; ''but don't you think you'd
better ask my friend if he has one?"
The friend was then about two miles
off, and the keeper only whistled and
went on his way sadder and wiser
man.-Tit-BitSA
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
Political Information.

Foreigner lin search of information)
Il have often heard your public speak
eIs refer to the keynote to the cam
paign." The expression puzzles me.
Is the keynote" sounded by the brass
band?
Native American-Oh, no. you don't
get the idea at all The keynote is .
banknote or piece of green paper with
figures on both sides. The only sound
it makes is a soft rustling as the hands
close on it.-Texas Siftings
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
The wagon turned into Mr.. Turner's

The wagon turned into Mr.. Turner's
barnyard, and the boys followed it.
II bet I'd never pay them old British
two hundred dollars for Sheep" said
'Phratus, thrusting his hands deep into
his pockets as he watched the men
carefully lower the Cotswold ram,
s'King George KILL" to the ground.
''What do you know about the Brit
ish, Bub?" asked one of the men.
81 know we whipped 'em twicet-
Fourth of july" said 'Phrastus.
'tWell, it seems they can beat US on
sheep" laughed the man.
81 'spect if Mr.. Turner had looked
round he'd got jest as good one
in 'Meriker for ten dollars!'' cried
'Phrastus. ''They can't beat us on
Gnythingf
Having reached the ground safely,
King George stamped his royal foot
and shook his curved horns Then, as
Mr.. Turner entered the yard by a side
gate, the ram dashed forward with un-
expected quickness, knocked his new
owners feet from under him and laid
him fat on his back.
"He's got good smart temper" re-
marked one of the assistants, as King
George appeared ready to charge the
entire force.
SERVES Mr.. Turner right for spend
ing so much money on an old British
Sheep" 'Phrastus whispered to Harvey.
Aunt Priscilla noticed with surprise
that 'Phrastus neither whined nor
pleaded when she reannounced her
Fourth of July edict. She repeated
the command in order to keep her own
resolution firm, for she dearly loved
the motherless boy, mischievous as he
was
"You hain't been giving him money
for frecrackers or dossying him up,
have ye, Ben?'' she inquired of her hus-
band.
mo, amt" responded Uncle Ben.
''But jest think ont, Perscilla! The
heft of boys Twin is rumpus, and to
choke him off on the Fourth! it's-well,
it's plaguy cruel! He'll bust"
mo, he won't! You jest let him
alone, Benjamin Arbuckle. It's time
he learned that cats and wash-b'ilers
and other folks had some rights on the
Fourth of July S well IS boys"
"Where you going, 'Phrastus?" she
demanded, when the Fourth had at
last arrived, as quiet in their imme-
date vicinity as if it had been Sun
day.
down to Mr.. Turner's wood lot tc
sail my boats"
He had the boats conspicuously
tucked under his arm. Aunt 'Scilla re-
garded him with mixture of remorse
and suspicion.
you amt fred off your pistol yet?'
tNo'm; don't wanter. Once amt
nothin'. It'd sound as if it'd lost itself. y
Your pas flag is there on the table. ,
Chats had too much powder
already" 'Phrastus had carefully
studied up this smart speech in ad
vance.
''HumY' Aunt Priscilla shifted
swell, go long then. If you go tc
that p'rade, sir, you know what you'll
get.''
"Ain't goin'."
"And if I hear of your hanging round
any of the other boys houses, you'll
catch It'll"
''Yes'm."
'Phrastus slouched off with an air Of
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
Not NECESSARILY.

ssYoh KANT allus Deepen on whit
yoh hyeah," said Uncle Eben- tt'Tainh
necessarily de young man dat shoots
off de mos fiahcrackahs on the Four1
OBJ July dat 'ud be de fus' ter eniis' 81
wah broke opt. Washington Star.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29

dire to Theophrastus Wilson, but the
person to whom he poured out his
woes only twinkled a pair of merry
eyes. Harvey Harms was several years
older than 'Phratus, but he listened
with an interest very comforting to the
smaller boy.
''She says l kin take the old boss
pistle n fire it off once down behind
the barn. N 1 kin tie dads old flag to
broomstick and wave it about all
wanter. Who wants an old broomstick
round, anyway? That amt no Fourth
of July"
'Phrastus sniffed-he almost sniveled.
His nearer laughed outright.
"Say, 'Phrastus, what under the can
opy did you do last Fourth that makes
Aunt 'Scilla settle down on you like
this?'
A.Nothin'," said 'Phrastus, sullen1y.
"'Oh, pshaw! ] know goa and I
know Aunt Priscilla. She'd never cor
reason. Honest, now, out with it, and
I'll see what can do for you"
''There was the cat" said 'Phrastus,
digging his toes INTO the ground.
What about the cat?"
Sn0 CO1Q Inc 10 give nIU1 Ills OlnuGrp
md / put frecracker under the pan.
It didn't hurt him none, but he never
come fer a week; md he won't tech cod
fish sence."
"Oh, no! What else?"
1.-The settin' hen," said 'Prastus,
scratching his right ear. 81 knowed she
wanted her broke up, n bet couple
% crackers'd do it."
well, did they?"
-t'Guess you'd "a thought sol They
set the nest afira, and most burnt up
the chicken house." 'Phrastus actually
grinned.
''Ah, hal Go ahead; that wasn't all.
What put on the finishing touch?"
Il s'pose twas the new wash b'iler, y
said 'Phrastus, frowning. 1--WE TUX it
out behind the barn to light bunch
in. My, didn't they pop! Then we
forgot it teetotal, and come wash-day
nobody knowed where the b'iler was. y
''And when they found it?"
'tSuthin' had stepped on itl'' muttered
'Phrastus, But / don't think folks
ought to hold things hull year"
Harvey threw his head back and
laughed so heartily that 'Phrastus
stopped frowning and giggled.
t'Now look here" said Harvey, when he
had had his laugh out, IT haven't for
gotten how you found Frowsy for me
last summer, and if you'll promise not
to use them round the house or the
barn, or anywhere where they'll dis
turb Aunt 'Scilla, I'll put half dozen
packs under the big stone behind the
barn for you Fourth of July morning.
Its awful good of you'll" 'Phrastus
cheeks grew shining red. ''There
sha'n't nobody hear 'em 'cept me; IL
take EN- down to the woods. And say
I'll hunt your dog every time he get:
Iost-don't you give any other Teller the
job. What they got in that wagon?"
1T must be the English ram Mr.
Turner's been buying" said Harvey
rs he turned to look. Gave two hun
-dred dollars for him. guess I'll wall
down and see him when they take hin
out
Two = hundred = dollars for /;
sheep!" 'Phrastus hoped over thu
fence and trotted along by his friend'
side. What pile of money for on'
sheep! Say, Harvey, d you Jest as lie
put in box of matches and a f'-cen
flag stead of two O them bunches2"
Just exactly
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29

Not Selfsh.-ssWhy do you and
Bobby quarrel SO much? hope my
Willie is not selfish little boy" mo
mamma, I'm not selfish. but Bobby Is
He always wants to play the games
don't want to.7Harper's. Bazar.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29

When Harvey Harris heard of it he
could not resist saying: $50 the
British beat, eh, 'Phrastus?"
Just that once!'' said 'Phrastus--
Mrs Frank Lee, in Youths Companion.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
panion

Bobby Dumble-Heyl This is great
fun, isn't it9
Willie Wimple - Should say SO.
'Tain't ten o'clock yet, and I've got
three burns
Bobby Dumble-Poohi that's nothin'.
The doctor says maybe I'll lose my
little finger!-Golden Days.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
nina Nation.a PsaIrn.

Shout beside thine oak. o northi
o south wave answer with thy palm;
And in cur unions heritage
Together sing the nations psalm
William Ross WallaeA
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.
By ImoGENE e. JOHNSON.

SHALL not do it, SO
therei" and l broke
down and cried, ig-
ANONYMOUSLY, / i k e
any woman when
tn e argument be-
comes too much for
her. 1 wonder why
it is we must always
cry and S e e m so
babyish, just when
we most wish to APP
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29

S 81 E says 1
shan't S p e n d
one cent for
cracker s ner
torpydoes, ner
go down to see
the p'rade ner
any of the boys.
She says I've
got to stay hum
and keep st ill
THIS Fourth.
The prospect
was evidently
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

On her ear. Kneeling reverently on the
snowy ground. the mothers heart wen,
up In gratitude. and she prayed the ALI
Merclful 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
tae dark leaves and little green bios
sons TO her darling, she made a disooy-
cry which startled her. They had
given place 10 large. exquisite white
blooms tinged with a delicate pink.
Roses. roses'" cried GFcia, 20
mother. who gave them 10 YOU"
1T was a Christmas present" replied
the astonished mother.
Al the sight OF these lovely Christina
roses. the dying girl bowed her head
and softly kissed each precious bios
som. Then she fell back on her pillow
with a sigh. The light that was never
on land or sea" came into the beauti
iul blue eyes. and her lips half-openet
with a radiant smile Tho prophecy o.
he doctor was fulalled. Tho roses hat
appeared. and her sunerings wer,
ended. Her pure yc"'g spirit IA,
passed upward IN o-o ,atie burst o
.ove and thanksglr a-,
Since that time Gong agol the plan
which grows unl the hedges. beneath
the SHOWS OF Water, has continued q
produce beautiful white blossoms anD
retained the name Of THE Christina
Rose" which was given to Il BY IN
good women OF Tromsoe
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

"Sllas." said Mrs. Ulogue. wiping her
tcar-dlmmcd 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 'atc o. nights playing
pool or something"
yes. assenicd her husband. sharp
oning the carver preparatory to dis
scciing a nicely Drowned turkey IT Is
exactly ten years since he went away.
and without just cause, too"
But don't you think you we're a
little hard on him. Silas2 Il was only
3 o'clock in the morning when he came
home. and boys will be boys"
"He made a mistake In goin' away.
replied slas, clipping on a wing: "an'
I guess no one knows that better than
William by this time"
Maybe 50. but had a strange dream
about our absent boy last night, and
something tells me thai ne Is coming
home. like the prOdigal son. and have
put an extra plate on the table. AZ the
place where be always sa--. But
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

Christmas ought 10 be the merries
day OF the year. From the busy man Il
the little child. let the cheerful greet
ing. Merry Christmas" ring out gladly
10 all. Christmas Ia the time when
after weeks Of expectancy. Santa Claui
appears to the dear children. The time
has come for the hanging up Of stock.
ings. aud many bright eyes will loOt
on Christmas morn up the chimney foi
a glimpse OF Santa Claus and his eighl
tiny reindeer" The days will cont
when belief ia the beautiful myth o.
Santa Claus will disappear. but lot q
last 50 long as Il can and gladden. the
hearts Of happy childhood.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24


II was early Christmas morning. and
ne streets were empty. A boy with a
big turkey knocked at the kitchen door
Of a 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
J c-n get warm!
She pattcd lightly upstairs on her lit
tie velvet paws. and found herself In a
snug and cory room. A bright IRE
snapped In the CRATE. and beside Il huns
a small stocking. crammed full from
top 70 toe.
Tahby was SO pleased with her warm
quarters that she turned a sOmersauli
on the soft rug. Then she played that
the toe Of the stocking was a mouse
She caught Il with her sharp claws. and
gave Il a little pull.
But the stocking was overloaded al
resdy. and down Il came on the hearth
The checkers and dominoes and sugar
plums rolled to every-side.
Poor Tabby Just had time 10 hide II
the empty stocking before Neddl
rushed into the room.
why. mamma he called. "Santl
Claus must have dropped my stocking!
Then he put his hand into H. "A liv
kitten! he shouted again. oh. hov
did Santa Claus know! That was Jus
what wantedv
And indeed. Of all his pretty presents
Neddy liked little pussy best.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

T was a stormy
Christmas Eve, and
the little town OF
TromsOe was con-
pletely enyeloped
In tho crmlne man
tie OF mid winter.
Snow had been fall
ing all day. and as
the night ap-
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

With It's glossy, dark leaves and bright.
red berries. Il is an attractive deccra-
ton for the house.
The Jews usea 10 decorate az their
Feast Of Tabernaeiss with eyerueens
and aewers.
The laurel was used At the earliest
times Of the Romans as q decoration for
all joyful occasions, and Is significant
OF peace and victory.
In some places Il is customary 10
throw branches Of laurel on the Christ
mas ere and watch for omens while the
leaves curl and crackle In the heat and
flame.
The evergreen tree is 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.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

harkl Some one has entered the gate.
II is-it Ia our son williaml A mothers
instinct IL never wrong. Yes-I recog-
nlze his footsteps. Oh. we shall have a
real merry Christmas once moreg
And Mrs. Ulogue. trembling like an
aspen. sprane from her seat and quickly
opened the door. A rough-bearded
seedy-looklng man stood on the threCh-
old.
"Oh. William. my son." cried Ers.
Ulogue. throwing her arms around the
stranger and almost dragging him into
the house. you have come home at last.
I knew you would. This is indeed a
merry Christmas"
'Scuse me. ma'am." returned the
stranger. struggling to free himself
from the afectionate embrace OF the
woman. me names not william. an
I Amt nobOdy's son. My parents passed
In their checks afore had time to &c,
on speakin' terms with EN-. an I'm a
wanderln' horphah.
ale names Henry Tennyson Naggs
but me pards call me Skinny the
Tramp fer short. But sees how
you've got a vacant cheer at the festive
board. an | don't mind bein' your con
pro TEN, as the Latin sharps seq. spe-
cially as ! left home without dinin'."
Here. Tlgew called silas. opening q
door leading into the kitchen: and as q
dog as large az a newborn calf sprans
into the room. skinny the Tramp made
a hasty exit As he passed through the
yard he absent-mlndedly picked up 4
new Ratchet. which he sold al the mex
village for the price Of Ave beers.
SO the tramp had a merry Christmas
after all.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24
XMAS DECORATIONS.
We Have Copied the custops 81 Esa-
Christina Countries

Among the votar.es OF the early
Drulds 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 mllder season renew the foliage
OF their usual aaunts 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 II. was used in
Egypt at the time OF the Winter SOL
stlce. as a 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 sprlg OF mistletOe AZ
thlS season. There stili bowers a mys-
Us, charm about the mistletoe. and
= r,ly a girl now. with a thrill Of ex-
A'iancy. places branch OF Il under
, nc chandelier or over the door. Ac.
sliding 10 n former belief. when q
girl is caught and kissed under a
mistletoe berry must be picked on
with each kiss. and when the bsrriel
have all been plueked the privlleg'
ceases.
Among the ancient Britons th'
mistle;oe that grows on the oak ire
vas the kind held In favor. Because o
It's heather origin II lie not used oftei
In church decorations. a fact which
referred 10 by Washington Irving In hi
"Bracebridge Hail." where he has tn
learned parson rebuke the unlearne
clerk for this very thing.
In Germany and scanflnayia IN
holly or holy tree Is called Christ
thorn. because Il puts forth lie berris
at Christmas time. and therefore Ia Fl
pecially fitted for church decoration
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

great and Joyful . festival a. Christ
mas. Il showed. sac added. lsa.entable
lack OF religious feeling b. prefer such
a request. She pointed out that pow
erty. sickness and death were sent by
God himself. and thai the true Chris
tian should submit TO them. not merely
without a murmur. but ioyfully. kissing
the rod in remembrance OF the gracious
declaration. IS many as love I re.
buke and chasten." She offered 70
call on the following day for the pur-
pose OF exhorting Greta 10 submit TO
the will Of God with entire resignation.
The mother had now lost all hope,
and was returning 10 her home In a
still more responding frame OF mind
than that In which she had quilted II,
She walked on as In a dream, scarcely
noticing the fast falling snow. while
longing with an intensity bordering on
agony that she might have been able
10 procure even a few common flowers
for her Greta. But none we're 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.
.ho co,tt-..-a -. 80 - s--'
s .ne most discOuraging ciroum
eriances, and in spite Of defeat
laHainsl the most powerful politics
/ peeplng IiVaa 49, ---- 49,.
enclosed a garden In the neighborhoOd.
STOPPING down. she scraped away tho
snow with her hand. Yes, there were
leaves. large and lustrous. under which
she found a few green blossoms. some
full blown. others In bud but all pale
small and without color, perfume OF
beauty.
"Ahr though she. "as there were nc
roses 10 be procured. these little noweri
have beea sent that my child may b
spared the pain Of knowing that there
are hearts 40 cold aud hard that M
woes OF others can soften them. ans
who care for no sorrows except thei
own
As she FASTENED onward. the deep
toned bell struck the hour Of midnigh
and the joyous Christmas chimes brok
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24
The Christina. Tree

Only a STAR a shining STAR
More glorious than our planets are.
But watched by wis,ful eyes and brigh,
And longing hearts, that wondrOu
night.
Only a Manager. shAdow-thronged.
That 10 some public inn belonged.
Where sweet breathed cattle Qulstiy
For midnight slumber bent the knee
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 salls. from thrones q
gold.
From churches. shrlnes. eathedrals old
Where the grand masters OF their art
Wrought faithfully with hand ant
heart
Only a babel In whose small hand
Il sen no sceptre OF command.
But at whose name. with Freedomi
sword.
Move the great armies Of the Lord.
oaly a crossl but Oh. what light
Shines from Gods throne on Calvary'i
height
His birth. Ills. life. the angels sec.
Written on every Christmas tree.
M. A. Denis0n.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24
The Yuis Log

A custom at one time prevalent IL
England. and still observed In some Of
the northern districts OF the old c0un.
try. Is that Of placing an immense los
Of wood-sometjmes the root OF a great
tree-in the wide ehlmney-plaee. THIS
log Is often called the yule log. and Il
was on Christmas Eve that Il was put
on the wide hearth. Around IL would
gather the entire family. and its en-.
trance was the occasion OF a great dea
OF ceremony. There was music and r..
jolclng. while the one authorized &C
light Il was obliged to have clean
hands. \
II was always lighted with a brand
LET over from the log OF the previous
year. which had been carefully pre-
served for the purpose. 4 poet sings Of
Il In this way:
With the last yeefe's brand
Light the new block. and
For good success In his spending.
On your psaltrles play.
That sweet luck may
Come while the log Is a teendlng.
The Yule log was supposed TO bo I
protection against evil spirita. and q
was considered bad omen II the ar
went out before the evening was over
The family and guests used TO sea-
themselves in front Of the brightly
burning ere. and many 4 story and mer
~ jest veat round the happy group.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

on Christmas morning gave her,
with a reckless impulse. my heart
The gift mad a loving SAVIOR.
And she took Il In kindly part
But u was a present aud. therefore.
I'm afraid Il lies on NE shelf;
II was something she didn't care for.
And something I wanted myself
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24

Upon the nights black stem. behold
A million shining buds unfold
And light her gardens azure lawn
where walks the moon from dusk Z,
dawn.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-24
Hiatt.

I wish you a merry Christmas
Let's try while we're repeating
The dear old-iashioned greeting.
To add a kind. unselhsh act.
And make the wish a blessed fact