davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

Among the Welsh people fairies are
known by the name of ~ tylwyth teg, "
which means the fair folk or family,
and are believed to have remarkable
privileges on New Years eve, at which
time they are said to be rampant and to
possess unusual power. They are thought
to have great fondness for children,
and woe betide the fond mother who
has in any way offended the tylwyth teg
during the now dying year. Let such a
mother watch carefully and increasingly
at the cradle where her darling lies
sleeping on New Years eve, for if she
fails to do so the malicious fairies will
come in her absence and steal away the
child and substitute for it 'plentyn
neuid, or changing, who, though it
may at first be the exact counterpart of
the stolen little one, will soon alter in
to frightful looking, shrunken, pulling
brat, not unfrequently becoming idiotic.
New York World
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

No English holiday was of much ac-
count that was not observed with flow
ing bowl. On New Years eve the was
sail bowl was filled with spiced ale and
drunk in families, and poorer folk tied
a bowl with ribbons and begged for
money for ale to fill and refill the bowl,
singing:
Wassail, wassail all over the town:
Our toast it is white; our ale it is brown:
Our bowl ii is made of a maplin tree:
We be good fellows all; drink to thee.
In some parts of England the old year
is "swept OUT by men and boys with
blackened faces, dressed to represent
sweeps; in others it is burned out "
with bonfres. Sometimes it is rung out
with muffled bells that are unmuffied
and rung clear after IL O'Clock. Indie
pendent
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
French Canadian Jour de Ian.

A child PROSTATE before its father ask
ing for his blessing Oh a New Years
morning. This is typical custom
among the French Canadians of the
province Of Quebec, and undoubtedly
retained by French Canadians now resi-
dent in New England and other parts of
this republic. The head of the family
rises early New Years morning, renews
the fire on the hearth and in the stoves,
and, seating himself in an armchair
within the shadows of the Yule log,
watches the embers and awaits the first
of his offspring to ask for the paternal
blessing on the glorious Jour de Fan. I"
Boston Globe.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
Debts Settled on New Years.

On New Years eve in Japan handfuls
of beans are thrown about the rooms and
over the threshold to exercise evil spirits
who may be about.
Before the new year the merchants
endeavor TO get in all the money that is
owed to them and to pay or settle their
own debts. As a consequence many
things can be bought very cheaply at the
end of the year, for ready money is the
great desideratum. Men carrying trays
of something looking like white worms
go through the streets crying, "Soba,
SODA - the japanese form Of macaroni,
which, eaten with soy sauce, is a ia
vorite delicacy with the coolies and
jinriksha men. For their little customers
these men make all sorts of figures of
devils, gods and animals from this
paste. Exchange.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
What Happy New Year Means.

A happy New Year! What does it
mean? Are not these words often thrown
out as "a greeting without thought or
depth of meaning? Is it a year in which
to ourselves come wealth and health,
prosperity and friendship; one spent in
the pursuit of fieeting pleasure and
filled with self centered interest? No!
Rather let the wish be to each and all,
as the new year dawns with all its op-
portunities, that the days of 1896 may
be well spent-filled with thought and
sympathy for those around that in self
forgetting and kindly deeds the happi-
ness of others may be ever sought, and
then most truly will each act rebound
again in JOY and blessing to the heart
from which it springs. Maud Booth.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

splendid winter day. After the usual
routine of military camp
the regiments were formed, with side
arms only, ami marched out to their re-
spective parade grounds to attend divine
service and listen 10 sermons appropri-
ate to the day in time of war. After
this the men We're dismissed TO enjoy
themselves in their own way-all. that Is.
excepC those engaged IN guard and other
military duties. They played ball, ran
foot races, held jumping matches, pitch
ed horse or mule shoes in lieu of quoits.
got up mule races and generally dis
ported themselves like q lot Of school
boys out for a holiday. The more quiet
ly disposed read such books and papers
as the camp afforded or wrote letters
home. Some just loafed. Others drew
their tent flaps tight and played cards,
the great American game of draw poker
being the favorite. with grains of corn
for chips. The officers passed the time
in much the same way, only, as rule,
more dignifiedly, as became their rank.
The cooks got up the best dinners they
could, the tables being graced with all
the dainties and good things that had
come from the loved and loving ones at
home. Men and officers enjoyed this the
first Christmas in the army for all, and
the last ON earth for many, for these
troops, then 80 merry, were destined
within few weeks to pass through the
three days deadly storm and strife Of
Pea Ridge, known to the Confederates
as Elkhorn Tavern, the first pitched bat
tie of the war after Bull Run and the
first considerable victory Of Union
troops in the field. But for that one day
strife and death were far from their
thoughts.
Such was my first Christmas in the
army and the only one which made
much impression on me as Christmas.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

tolerably regular intervals contained
many packages from mothers, wives,
sisters and sweethearts And every
wagon train that reached us from the
nearest railroad terminus brought boxes
from home for both officers and men.
They were filled with great array and
assortment of articles supposed to be
necessary for the welfare and comfort of
the men. In the main these articles ran
to things to eat, especially cakes, jel-
lies and preserves, all homemade and
therefore doubly relished. There were
articles of wearing apparel in every box.
In those days paper collars, some linen
lined, and others nothing but paper,
were in high favor throughout the west
Nearly every box contained supply of
them, so that the recipient could present
what the boys called a Sunday go to
meeting" appearance.
AS our communication with st. Louis
was not regular, these boxes did not all
arrive at the same time. They began, in
fact, to come about week before Christ
mas and continued to come at intervals
for month afterward. Pretty much ev-
erything the boxes contained was, so TO
speak, grist for the boys. But when one
young fellow found feather pillow in
his box he failed to join in the laugh
his comrades raised and never seemed to
relish being dubbed Private Pillow"
Christmas came bright and clear, q
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
New Year Means Progress.

A new year, not simply another year
Many people may be said to live the
same old year over and over again, Each
succeeding year is the same unit added
once more to the sum of life. There is
the same task performed in the same
spirit with the same motive; the same
imperfections of character, the same
failures of conduct. The times may
change and progress hasten, but if we
stand still, we live only the old year
once again. A new year never comes to
the contented OK he simply grows old.
1t is not the lapse of time or the prog
ress of civilization, but our progress,
which makes possible to us a new year
Josiah Strong.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
Read the Bible New Years Morning.

In many Welsh household the first
thing that is done by each member of
the family ON rising ON New Year IS
morning is to consult the family Bible
with a view to learning from it what
the coming year has in store for the per-
son seeking the information. This is
done by reading the first verse upon
which the eye falls, and the verse in
question is believed to foretell in some
way the good or i'll fortune, the happi-
ness or unhappiness, during the just be-
gun new year of the person making the
trial. Exchange.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

EvN Spirits Supposed tn Infsst the De-
psst ting Year-A Night Of Terrier.


Evn Spirits Supposed To Infsst the De-
parting Ysar-A Night Of Terror.
Tho Siamese "Choola Sakarat," or re-
ligious New Year, generally falls ON the
day after the first full moon in the
month Of March. The Brahmin astrolo-
ger, whose sole duty it Is to point out
the aspect III the sun, moon and stars,
heralds the approaching full moon by
setting in motion all the multitudinous
gongs and temple bells in the city far
and near. The people. who are always
ready, waiting, for this signal. have
generally finished their business for the
year. Debts have been paid of. accounts
closed. merchandise disposed of and all
traffic Of buying and selling suspended
three days previous to the expected
event.
tongued instruments is received by the
vast population that inhabits the valley
watered by the beautiful Menam river
with fear and trembling, for they firm
ly believe that this is the witching hour
when the very atmosphere Of the world
is alive with gods, demons, genii and
hobgoblins, and forthwith the anxious,
superstitious people hasten to Illustrate
their evil designs. They bind unspun
cotton thread, consecrated by the priest,
round their doors and windows, as the
sacred thread is supposed to prove an
effectual barrier in keeping out the ma
licious spirits. This done they place by
the doors of their houses and huts a
platter containing a pigs head and a
bottle of arrack, as a conciliatory repast
for the wandering ghosts that may de-
sire to regale themselves during the
night, after which the whole city, like
the snail, draws in its horns and no con-
sideration will tempt mortal soul to
venture out of it until sunrise the next
morning.
At sunset every family offers to its
own household genii an oblation of can
dies. perfumed tapers and roasted rice
As for the royal palace, 1000 balls of
unspun cotton, of seven fibers, conse-
Grated by % priests, are reeled round
and round the walls, and from sunset
until dawn terrific and continuous
cannonading is heard from all the forts
Of the city to rout the evil spirits that
infest the departing year.
But once this dreadful night is passed,
the terror sticken inhabitants, with a
long drawn sigh of relief, prepare to
welcome the new year. Dressed in many
colored silks, they repair first to the
temples to offer praise and thanksgiving
o. 4. -. lol 30 I~1
some gifts to the priests, and not until
they have propitiated Buddha and Bud
dha's earthly representatives do they
think of their own merrymaking. Elk
change.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
Birth of the Year.

How like human birth the waking hour
OF the child year! The weak and querulous
gale
Mid tears of rain doth lift a kindred wall
Blankly the suns eye stares the air doth
lower
Dense as a listless ear. Beneath o shower
OF snow fresh fallen those branches, white and
frail
As newborn limbs, lie prone with only power
Given TO endure what wind soccer prevail.
The baby lips that pout their hungering
Do not more wistfully the nurse invite
Than every spiral leaf bud yearns for spring.
And the young blue eyes wax deep and
bright
While the soul greatens, so the glowing light
Widens by morn and eve its azure ring.
Philadelphia Times.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
WATCHING THE OLD YEAR OUT.
The Custom Once Common I'm New Eng
land Has Nearly Passed Away.


land Has Nearly Passed Away.
An old fashioned watch night" in
New England or the middle states was
until recently one of the institutions OF
this country. The keen, frosty air of the
early evening bore npon its crystalline
and twinkling depths the sound OF nu-
merous strings Of sleighbells converging
at the church. The we'll loaded cutters
and the crowded sleighs Kissed through
the creaking snow, that stamped on
with loud emphasis at the porch door,
announced the arrival Of each load. The
interior of the church, heated to almost
a point of discomfort by big stoves, still
retains the decorations put up when the
Christmas tree did service before its re-
moval. The usual chatter and gossip
soon subside. A solemn hush falls over
the assembly, and when the first hymn
is given out it is sung with more hearty
uplift of tone than usual. The prayer Is
moro fervent than usual, and the an
them that follows it is more like dirge.
The young elder, who is present,
breaches an address, the tones of which
fall ON all hearts with sadness that be-
gets repentance. No such theme as this
finds expression at any other portion OF
the year, 1--WE all do fade as a leaf, !"
and then he closes with Longfellow 8
mournful words:
Howl howl, and from the forest
Strip the red leaves away.
Would the sins that thou abhorest.
o SOUL could thus decay
And be swept away!
Kyrie elcison! Christie eleisonl
More singing, more prayers, all instinct
with earnestness, and then shrill
voiced girl recites Prentice's dying
Year"
IT'S midnight's holy hour. etc.
Another Tennyson cold Year, then
comes breathless waiting, and the bell
strikes, when joyous "AmenP - is fol
lowed by burst of song that every one
joins in.-Chicago Tribune.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27


my company-for my rank was then
only that Of captain-had been in the
service since the firing on Of Fort Sum-
ter, having served out three months
term in McClellan's West Virginia
campaign and then re-enlisted for three
years, OF "during the war;" Dec. 90,
1861. was the first Christmas 10 find us
in camp, with the enemy not far away
My regiment was part of jeff 9.
Davis division and had gone into win
ter quarters at Otterville, Mo. In De-
cember it was learned that large bodies
of recruits for Prices army were ON
their way from northern and western
Missouri trying to reach him by Christ
mas, and that Price had sent a force
from his army to act as their escort.
About the second week in December a
concerted movement was begun which
had for its object the capture or dis
persal of these Confederate bodies. 1t
was successful. l know the command
to which l was attached made forced
march of 80 miles one cold December
day through freezing and frozen slush
and mud. So tired were we that when
we finally went into camp that night
we made our beds on the bare and froz-
en- ground, without shelter, for we had
far outstripped our wagon trains and
fell asleep instantly and slept all night
as soundly as though we were lying on
touches of down. When we awoke at
daybreak, we found ourselves covered
xu,fh that ha1 Fol in ha
night without our being aware of it.
The snow was really good thing, for
it helped to keep us warm by excluding
the air.
We got back to Otterville with our
prisoners and captured material of war
two or three days before Christmas. The
war department at Washington and Gen
eral Halleck, commander of the depart
ment of Missouri, regarded the section
we were campaigning in as friendly,
and the population really contained a
good many Union men. When the men
went out in small squads to forage, they
carried money with them, and scrupu-
lousy paid for all they took True, in
the absence of good money they dealt
out wildcat" bills ON broken banks
and bank notes that had never been
signed, but they were cheerfully. even
thankfully, received, and 1 have no
doubt continued to circulate down there
till they became worn out.
Soon the men began to show desire
to enjoy themselves more as they had
been used to do at home than they had
been able to do at any time since they
had become soldiers. While discipline
was maintained, the relations between
officers and men were cordial and
friendly, and with the holiday season
every liberty compatible with the safety
of the command and the performance of
necessary duties was permitted Small
foraging parties secured the country
roundabout and gathered up a supply of
chickens, turkeys and pigs wherewith
to exc out the army hard tack and salt
horse. The mails that reached US at
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
The Magic Bell.

The old year is dead, and hoary haired time
High in the belfry is tolling his lnell
From the phantom rim Of a magic bell,
And the world is swayed by its mystic chime
For earth Is the ponderous tongue that swings
In the tower Of time. The cathedral dim
Is the universe, and the bells huge rim
Is the ether blue as IL rings and rings.
The chimes are the passions that sway mems
souls
That tempt and inspire them. The thought
the deed,
On this New Years eve from the earth dross
freed,
In one mighty vibration upward rolls,
And hushed are the voices around the throne,
As the Great Creator receives his own.
Detroit Free Press.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

In many parts of Wales to see ones
shadow in the moonlight upon New
Years eve is believed to be an infallible
sign that the person seeing it will die
before the expiration of the coming New
Year, and there is also popular super
stition that if an unmarried woman
should see her face reflected in wator on
New Years eve it is an infallible sign
that she is destined TO live and die in a
state of single blessedness. New York
World.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
New Year Bells.

OF all sounds, of all bells most sol
emn and touching is the peal which
rings out the old year. l never hear it
without gathering up of my mind to
concentration of all the images that
have been diffused over the past twelve
month. / begin to know the worth of
that regretted time, as when person
dies. -Charles Lamb
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
presents, {

ing the l-l-lists
"There, there, dear, Tom said sooth-
ingly, patting her shoulder. Never
mind It's all right. My credits still
good at Starcy's What's the total of
your little list?" :,
"Six-six hundred and tn thirty dol
dollars, was the faint reply from the
depths of the handkerchief
LET me see" thought Sellshort.
"Six hundred and thirty and two hun
dred is eight hundred and thirty dollars,
and that added to the eight hundred dol
lar piano have promised the little girl
here makes sixteen hundred and thirty
dollars for merry Christmas presents,
Ell? Never mind, little girl, F" he added
aloud. "Get them all at Starcy's and
have them charged. They sell every
thing there from hairpin to house
and lot So don't cry any more"
1t was cold weather. but Sellshort
paused moment to mop his perspiring
brow. "I'll get the piano Of Beethoven
Bros :" he thought, land hang them up
for it, temporarily, hope. And so they
call Christmas Xmas, do they? Well, if
things don't brighten up pretty soon it
won't be an Xmas for Starcy and Bee
thoven Bros. this year. 1t will be just an
$MDCXXXmas, sure pop!'
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
For the Ensuing Year.

May the new year, just opening to
us, be signaled in public and in private
life by the growth of noble ideas-of
ideas that shall make men freer, truer,
better; that shall more and more reflect
the incompatible teachings of the Holy
Child whose nativity we have just cele-
brated, and whose spirit, initiated and
obeyed, can redeem the time and crown
mankind with blessedness. Christian
Work
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
&MAs
Remember the Poor.

Every man who prepares for Christ
mas with the knowledge that his own
children are fed and clothed and can
enjoy the festivity of the season should
mark his gratitude for good fortune
from passing that holiday in cold and
hunger.
-@1
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
Welcome, Christmasl

O Christmasl Welcome TO thy hallowed reign
And all the social virtues in thy trainl
Compassion list ming to the talo Of grief,
Who seeks the child Of sorrow with relief,
And every muse with animating glee,
Congenial mirth and cordial sympathy.
Mrs. UemanA
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
nEz7A@41
@MsEExxAs-
Not an Xmas.

1t had been a very hard week in the
street and Tom Sellshort was feeling
poorer than millionaire with personal
taxes due. Consequently he felt like
running for the door when his wife
greeted him with a CHEEKY, I'm making
out list of Christmas presents, dear,
and you re just in time.
"Time-that S what I'll need if pay
for them, E" thought Tom, but he kissed
his wife and sat down TO assist her.
How much have you spent already on
paper?"
well, it's $780," she admitted slow
ly, "but you see that buys presents for
four-four people. 1 don't think that's
very bad. Do your dear?"
100000, Tom replied little
doubtfully, "but how-how many are
we going to remember at $50 per re-
member"
"There are only eight more expensive
presents, dear, but here is another-an-
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
So Many Gifts.

Three hundred and sixty five spick span, new
Beautiful presents for me and for you'll
Fill them with kindness and sunshine, my
honey,
And you'll find these gifts better than play
things OF money.
Youths Companion.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27
The True Christmas Spirit.

The best Christmas gift that any one
can give to the world is the manifesto
tion of spirit of mutual confidence.
consideration and helpfulness. Wherever
and whenever that spirit supplants the
unlovely trait of warning individual
greed. the good seed is sown again to
multiply in other minds.
-MsEEIf
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

other little list OF about
about 30 presents, dear
Mrs. Sellshort began tim
idly.
What 4! Another list ?"
Tom exclaimed. Never
mind the items. How
much are we short?'
The pretty woman be-
side him buried her face in
her kerchief and sobbed,
IL think you-you are
very unkind, after I've
worked so hard pre-prepar-
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-12-27

General Thomas j. Brady Passed Four of
Them at the Front.

HRISTMAS in the army
during the war; Four
Christmases found me
at the front, but all Of
them except the first
were much like any other
day. Notwithstanding /
and many Of tha man ~
St. Paul daily globe., 1895-06-02

he was welcomed to the building
wherein he now revels in the allure
ments Of the hypotenuse and the coy
secrets of the cube. These things are
to him what makes life worth living,
and he would have rather have met
Euclid than receive a seasons pass
from Comiskey. Adolph is a very re-
firing, bashful boy, and has an envi-
able reputation for department and
systematic excellence in scholarship.
Here again was found an example of
the scholastic benefits which follow
the possession of blue eyes and light
brown hair.
All the teachers agree that praise of
scholars personal charms is sure to
result in vanity unbecoming pupil
and little girl. Therefore, the photo
graph must disclose whether the bright
blue eyes of Della Croonquist are her
only attraction. Miss Della is fourteen
years old. and she has lived in st.
Paul for fourteen years. It will sur
prise no one to learn that she was also
born in st. Paul. Half of her brief ex-
istence has been spent as pupil of the
Lincoln school. At present, however al
though still in the eighth grade of