davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
At Christmas Time.

Who would not be merry at Christmas
time,
And Danish all worry at Christmas time!
well-spring of cheer
From the heart OF the year,
When earth lieth sere, is the Christmas
time!
IT'S wise to be merry at Christmas time,
All malice to bury at Christmas time;
All envy and strife
To put out OF each life,
That Joy may be rife at the Christmas
time!
'Tis we'll to be merry at Christmas time,
To open our hearts at the Christmas time !:
That love and good will
Every corner may fill,
And vanquish all IN at the Christmas time!
IT'S good to be merry at Christmas time,
To open our hands at the Christmas time;
That some who are sad
May by us be made glad,
And glorify God at the Christmas times
IT'S meet to be merry ut Christmas time
In a Christian land at the Christmas time;
When gladness and mirth,
Since that wonderful birth,
Have ruled DER the Hearth at the Christ.
mas time!
And while we rejoice at the Christmas
time,
Let this with the peal Of our glad bells
chime;
"All glory to God
For the love that He showed,
In the gift He bestowed at the Christina.
timer
M. A Maitland, in outlook
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

them and make the afternoon a little
bright; and 1 can't find anyone to take
my place; everyone wants to be at
home ON Christmas day, so must tell
the poor things that cannot keep my
promise-unless-"
He broke off hesitatingly, and looked
entreatingly at the bevy of fair dam
sells before him.
But they all began with one accord
to make excuse.
One was $50 sorry, but she had prom
Used months ago to go to a matinee on
Christmas afternoon, and couldn't
break the engagement" another "felt
just awfully to refuse Mr.. Dayton any
thing" the last, with a melting glance
from a pair of big brown eyes, "but
grandmamma was coming to spend the
day, and it would seem so disrespect-
full to leave her."
A third was taking part in con-
cert their guild was to give on New
Years eve, and she had promised Mr..
Trevor faithfully to practice his &C
compartment with him on Christmas
afternoon; he was so anxious to be
we'll up in his part of the trio"
A fourth girl wished dear Mr.. Day
ton would ask her something else, for
she would just love to help him, but
really it made her 80 dismal, seeing
those poor souls suffer, that mamma
had positively forbidden her to go
again"
They were all so sorry, and so re-
GREETED that they could not help him,
that the young rector felt sure that 1t
was not the will that was wanting.
and thanked them for their ready SYM
pathy as warmly as though 1t had been
practical help.
But in the midst of the volley of ex-
cuses a bright thought struck one of
the fair defaulters, and she exclaimed:
''Why don't you ask Evelyn to take
your place, Mr.. Dayton? You would.
wouldn't you, Eve, dear?"
The rector hesitated, then said, IL
formal tones, and without meeting
Ewes eye:
81 am afraid that it would not be
much in Miss Gwynn's line"
Evelyn drew herself up proudly and
seemed about to reply, then a half
amused, half hurt expression crossed
her face, as she turned carelessly away,
and sauntered over to a table where
two girls sat chatting busily as they
arrayed round faced, dimpled, waxen
beauty in the royal robes Of Queer
Elizabeth.
Evelyn, why did Mr.. Dayton say
that visiting the sick was not in your
line?" queried May Lindsay, as she adj
justed the crown on the head of the
doll queen. 81 am sure there is not q
girl in the guild who has done as much
visiting at the hospital and Home for
Incurables, as you have. I don't see
why he should seem to regard you as
SO frivolous lately, he never used to.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
FIG. !.

tom, leaving only the cylindrical por-
ton, which should be securely fastened
by lap-joint seam running it's entire
length.
At stationery store obtain small
piece of thin parchment and with
compass describe upon it circle hav-
ing the same diameter as the box, and
half an inch outside of this draw an
other. Then with a sharp pair of scis-
sors cut out small pieces Of the parch-
ment all around the edge between the
lines as shown in Fig. /.
Soak the parchment in warm water
for few minutes, then stretch and
glue 1t fast to one end of the cylinder.
binding the glued ends down with linen
thread wound tightly around the box
over the ends as shown In Fig. 2.
The threads help the glue in keeping
the parchment firmly fastened to the
tin, and relieve the glued ends from ex-
cessive strain. When the parchment Is
dry it willbe tightly stretched like Che
head of a drum. The outer part Of the
can may then be covered with some coll
ored paper securely fastened on with
glue. This will hide the tin and i'm
prove the appearance of this part Of the
locust.
Next whittle out round stick six
inches long md quarter of an inch
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

loved you, I think, ever since met you.
and like self-righteous Pharisee Ihave
endeavored to put my love aside. had
not wit enough to see the best in you,
and have tortured myself,by imagining
was in love with thoroughly world
~ woman. Eve, dear, l deserve moth
ing Mt your hands, but, darling, if you
will only establish home of your own
for 'incurables' will try with all the
love that is in me to make you happy.
VIII you marry me, dear?"
The figure at the window turned
around, but it said nothing. Perhaps
II did not need to. Attitudes tell a
great deal sometimes, and then / think
there was shadowy outline of little
outstretched hand. At any rate, Rev.
Edward took three long strides across
the room, and the next attitude that
showed against the dim window was n
very confused one. But it did not mat
ter; no one was there to see.
Was It dark? Well! Perhaps an or
binary benighted mortal. loveless AMI
unloving, might have thought so. but
to these two the room was full of radi-
ance, for X one is supremacy happy, one
carries ones atmosphere about with
one. and what the rest of the world
moves in matters very little-Ethel
Longley, in Chicago Saturday Evening
Herald.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
Meant for thu Minister.

A popular minister in Fifeshire, In
the good old times, used at Christmas to
be inundated with hampers filled with
good things. On one occasion an enor-
nous turkey was sent to him by the
thoughtful kindness of q neighboring
farmer; but rs the minister's family
had already provided for the Christmas
dinner, the bird was sent to the market
and sold.
A passer-by, seeing this fine speci"
men Of poultry, said: What splen-
did turkey! just the thing for the
minister's Christmas dinner!" To the
minister it was again sent.
The provident wife sent it again
to the market, and sold it again for a
handsome sum.
Another friend, similarly struck with
the splendid proportions of the turkey,
purchased it, and sent it to the minister.
The good woman, not wishing to fly
in the face of Providence, said at last:
1T is clear that the Lord means us
to have this turkey" and with the APP
probation of the family, it formed part
of the Christmas dinner.-Youth's Com
DaniOn
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

In thickness; to the end fasten small
bone button with two or three slim
steel wire nails, rs shown in Fig. 3.
Melt together piece of resin and
piece of sealing wax one quarter the
size Of the resin lump; they may be
placed In the cover of the box and held
over lighted candle. Then work the
melted resin around the stick for DIN
inch or two ut the end where the button
is fastened, so that it will appear as
shown also In Fig. 3. {:
Now obtain several strong horse
hairs, and form n loop at one end of
them by tying knot three-quarters of
aninch from the end. This loop Is to slip
over the resined end Of the stick, and
will be prevented from working off by
the button. The other ends Of the
horse hair are to be passed through q
small hole made in the center of the
parchment head, and through small
button or piece Of cardboard, the ends
being tied in a large knot to prevent
their pulling through again. The fin
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
PROF. BARNARD'S STORY,


How Famous Astronomer Worked Up
In the World.
One day many years ago bright boy
found employment in a photograph
gallery in Nashville, Tenn. His wages
were small, but he took good care OF
them, and in course of time he had
saved up snug little sum of money.
One day friend, less thrifty than he,
came to him with long face and asked
for loan of money, Offering book
as security. Although the other knew
there was little probability of his ever
being repaid, he could not refuse the
request.
Here Is the money; keep your book,
and repay me when you can"
The grateful lad went away in such
haste that he left the book behind.
The kind youth with curiosity exam
ined the volume. 1t was q work OF
astronomy, by Dick, and it so fascinat-
ed him that he sat up all night study
ing it. He had never seen anything
which 80 filled him with delight. lie
determined to learn oil that he could
about the wonders of the heavens. lie
began thenceforth to read everything
he could obtain relating to astronomy.
The next step was to buy small
spyglass, and night after night he spent
most of the hours on the roof of his
house studying the stars. lie secured,
secondhand, the tube of n larger spy
glass, into which he fitted an eyepiece,
and sent to Philadelphia for an object
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
WHY. Mr. DAYTON, HOW YOU STARTLED MEL"

Doesn't he know thai for years you
have gone to your 'incurables' every
Sunday afternoon? Why, we all re-
gard you as the most goody, goody girl
in our set. / don't see what has como
over the rector"
ut is not worth talking about" said
Evelyn, lightly. 'Mr. Dayton has never
been asked to take an afternoon at
the 'incurables' since he came until
now, so he probably does not know
that I am in the habit of going there.
May. you are getting that ruff for her
majesty too high"
And then they all plunged into the
mysteries of dolls dressmaking again.
When Edward Dayton first came to
st. Boniface he had been irresistibly
attracted by Evelyn Gwynn's pretty
face and saucy speeches. but lately his
manner had been much colder, for he
mad arrived at the conclusion that Eve
Ign cared too little for serious things
to consent to become a clergyman's
wife, and he was too unaccustomed to
women to divine that her hippant
speeches were assumed, and that her
gay, careless manner concealed a warm.
generous heart. The fact was that
Evelyn was so disguised at the sudden
mania for parish work, which had seized
the young ladies of st. Boniface since
Mr.. Dayton's advent, that she had
taken particular pains TO appear in
different, and even frivolous, and had
on one or two occasions evaded doing
some church work which Mr.. Dayton
had asked her to attend to personally;
hence his remark about the "incura-
h,es" not being en- her ine." Evelyn
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE MIND CURE.

There was boy i knew of,
Whose clothes were made too small
His Jacket always pinched him,
And It did not fit at all.
Tho sleeves were short and narrow,
And the collar was too tight.
And the buttons didn't suit him,
And the pocket wasn't right.
And so. this foolish fellow,
Because his clothes were small,
Was very cross and sulky.
And he would not grow at all.
For he said: MY jacket pinches,
As everybody knows,
And boy, in my opinion,
Can't be bigger than his clothes"
There was little fellow
Who was sick, and pale and thin;
He had a tiny body,
But mighty will within:
His head was always aching,
And his back was always weak,
And he had voice so feeble
You could hardly hear him speak.
"whatr" said this little hero.
II will not have II so;
Because my body pinches,
Shall my spirit never grown
will not mind the backache,
And will not mind my head.
If l can't be big In body,
III be big In soul instead"
And so. with cheerful courage,
He chased his pains away,
And all the people saw him
Growing Drawer day by day,
Till for his tiny body
They did not care a fig,
But everybody loved him,
Because his soul was big.
Iarriott Wight Sherratt, in Youths Con
lanion.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

It was Christmas afternoon and Eve
was descending the staircase of the
"Home for Incurables" on her way to
her coat and hat.
When she entered the house it had
been bright, clear day, and as she had
passed from room to room she had
seemed to the poor sufferers to have
brought something of the vivid out
side brightness with her; now the sit
uation was reversed, the frosty sun
shine had given way to the sudden win
ter twilight, and, in sympathy with the
change, her heart was heavy with vica-
rious sorrow. Like many seemingly
volatile natures hers was quickly
sympathetic one, and she was sad with
the sight Of so many who were doomed
to spend the last years of their life in
suffering.
The little ante room was dark when
she entered-so dark that she started,
when tall, shadowy figure doomed up
before her, and voice said: Good
evening, Miss Gwynn." think he must
have been waiting for her for some
time, for his eyes were evidently to
some extent used to the dim light; how
ever that may be he could not see well
enough, however hard he tried, to dis
Germ whether she looked pleased or
otherwise, as she said, naturally
enough: "Why, Mr.. Dayton, how you
startled me! thought you were miles
away"
81 got back as early as I could!" he
replied, land came around to see how
the home had Jared for it's Christmas.
Let me help you into your jacket"
Well, it always is q terrible business
getting jacket to go snugly over one
of our present enormous sleeved dress
es, but these two seemed to make a
worse job of it than usual. At length,
when it was satisfactorily adjusted
and Eve was fastening a monstrously
elongated fur animal of some sort
around her throat, Rev. Edward broke
the awkward silence with rush.
Miss Gwynn, I want to beg your par
DON"
"Why, Mr.. Dayton?"
Because I have misjudged you"
"Please don't say any more, Mr.. Day
ton"
"But must. 1 have been sitting in
Judgment on you-as you KNOW
know you know it, and to-day came
here, and going from room to room
found that you had been there before
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

glass. BY and by he obtained five
inch glass, which, as you know, Is an
instrument of considerable size.
Meanwhile he worked faithfully in
the shop of the photographer, but his
nights brought him rare delight; for
he never wearied of tracing out the
wonders and marvels of the worlds
around us. With the aid of his large
spyglass he discovered two comets be
fore they were seen by any OF the pro
fessional astronomers, whose superior
instruments were continually roaming
the heavens in search of the celestial
wanderers. This exploit, you may well
invited by the professors In Vanderbilt
university to go thither and see what
he could do with their six-inch tele-
scope. In the course of the following
four years he discovered six comets.
He was next engaged by the Lick
observatory in California. With the
aid of that magnificent 36-inch refract-
ing telescope, the largest ever made, he
discovered eight comets, and last sum
mer astonished the world by discover
ing the fifth satellite of Jupiter. He
invented new method of photograph
ing the nebulae in the milky way, and
has shown an originality approaching
genius in his work in star photography.
Perhaps you have already guessed
the name of this famous astronomer
which is Prof. e. E. Barnard, of the
Lick observatory, and this is the story
Of how he worked up.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

me, and had left such trail of bright
ness behind you, that your path was
easy to follow. The poor souls here
are witnesses to qualities in you that
have been blind to-"
please don't say any more" pleaded
Evelyn. you are going to the other
extreme now, and really won't know
myself. Perhaps you did not give me
credit for some things, but after all
you know I am very frivolous!"
But the laugh with which she said it
was not quite natural, and there was
really no reason for her to walk to the
window and look out, for there was
nothing to be seen there but blur of
light from The window opposite.
There was q pause, and then a voice
came from the shadowy figure in the
center Of the room.
"Miss Gwynn, you have done great
deal for these poor souls here; won't
you do something for me?"
But you are not an 'incurable,' said
Evelyn. The fur monstrosity had evil
IDENTIFY come unfastened again and re-
quircd great deal of attention, also it
seemed that the blur on the opposite
side of the street had acquired fresh
interest, so it was to the back of a dim
ly outlined figure in the window that
Rev. Edward spoke next.
81 am an 'ircurable,' Miss Gwynn;
I am suffering from something that I
must carry with me the rest of my life,
and don't want to be cured. Eve.
dear. listen to me n moment-do not
speak, dear, until have finished-let
me have my say, even il the answer is
NO Hove you, dear, so dearly; have
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

INV I1tdS pICos "hOA
the door opened and Rev. Edward
Dayton walked into the room.
Now Rev. Edward was tall, he
was young, he had a pair of
well opened. honest blue eyes, his
fair hair showed decided symptoms of
curling, when it was allowed to grow
beyond the orthodox clerical length,
his features were distinctly Greek in
their outline, and his figure would have
done credit to any young athlete; his
clerical garb was well cut, and of the
finest cloth, and when to these attrac-
lions were added a particularly frank
and charming manner, and a most fas-
cinating laugh, it can readily be under
stood why the new rector of st. Boni-
face, Chicago, was so popular with his
congregation, and so adored by the
feminine portion thereof.
Consequently when he entered the
rectory drawing-room on the afternoon
in question, where 16 pretty girls were
employed in dressing dolls for the
Christmas bazaar, and, in an incidental
manner, enjoying the excellent tea and
cake dispensed by his maiden aunt, it
was not to be wondered at that his ap-
pearance caused little thrill of excite
ment to pass through the circle of fair
workers.
The rector had only been at ST. Boni-
face nine months, but already he was
on fairly intimate terms with the ladies
of his congregation, especially the
young girls, so without any preliminary
he stated his errand.
81 am in fearful fix" he announced,
in very boyish and unclerica1 man
ner. And l want one of yon young
ladies to help me out of it."
The offers of assistance were many
and prompt, but the rector still looked
worried and anxious.
you see it is just this way" he be-
gan, balancing his spoon across the
edge Of his cup, and gazing at it intent
ly. II have suddenly been called away
on some errand for the bishop and it
will be impossible for me to get back
to Chicago for Christmas day."
He paused here, and storm of ex-
clamation and regrets was poured
forth. in the midst of which saucy
young voice was heard to exclaim:
"And you want us to write your
Christmas sermon for you? How per-
fectly charming. l have always fam
cied il must be most delightful to stand
up in pulpit and deliver nicely point
ed little moral aXioms - always, of
course, carefully pointed at some one
else
And the speaker, a slight, graceful
little blonde, with n piquant express
sion, and pair of miscellaneous blue
eyes. shot half-laughing, half-detiant
look at the handsome young rector,
who Redeemed slightly as he replied in
rather constrained tones: MANY
thanksh Miss Evelyn, but won't trouble
you TO that extent. | have arranged
to have one of Mr.. Broolie's curates
take the services for me, but he leaves
directly after the morning service. to
go to one of the mission churches, and
you see had promised TO devote Christ
mas afternoon to the patients of the
Home for Incurables' and they have
counted on having some one read to
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

ished locust will then appear as In the
illustration.
To make it sing grasp the stick in one
hand and swing the cylinder about it.
This will cause it to give out sound
similar to that produced by largo
locust in full flight, and the faster it is
revolved the louder it will sing.
The sound is produced by the fric-
ton of the horse hair against the resin
on the stick, transmitted to the tightly
stretched parchment and augmented
by its vibration. The pressure is chiefly
due to the centrifugal force of the tin
box as it is briskly swung through the
air.
A large locust can be made from a
can five or six inches high, swung from
the end of a stick two feet long; but in
this case the stick must be held in both
hands. Such locust, however, should
only be used out Of doors, as the noise
would be deatening in the house.
j. HARRY AGAMS
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
Male Birds Lead the Way.

When birds are migrating the males
usually precede the females. The rob-
ms, for instance, which are seen early in
the year are almost invariably males,
which apparently Travelled on before
their mates. The female birds follow,
perhaps because they are not such
powerful flyers, and also perhaps be-
cause they like to take their time and
gossip with one another. In the fall
the male birds leave first-the old ones
while females travel along together
with their young, solicitous of their
welfare and still training them after
the fashion of mother birds.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
Christmas Trees in England.

Christmas trees were unknown in
England until the reign of Queen Vic
toria. After the present prince of Wales
had become three or four years old,
tree for the amusement of the infant
prince. The idea pleased the people,
and, as Christmas trees were every year
made feature of the court celebration,
the fashion soon spread among the.Eng-
lish.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
A Real Santa Claus.
paniOn.

Santa Claus, / hang for you,
BY the mantel, stockings two
One for me and one to go
To another boy know.
There's a chimney in the town
You have never Travelled down.
Should you chance to enter there
You would find a room all bare;
Not a stocking could you spy,
Matters not how you might try;
And the shoes you'd find are such
AS no boy would care for much.
In broken bed you'd see
Some one just about like me,
Dreaming of the pretty toys
Which you bring to other boyg.
And to him Christmas seems
Merry only in his dreams.
All he dreams, then, Santa Claus.
Stun the stocking with, because
When it's filled up to the brim
I'll be Santa Claus to him!
Frank Dempster Sherman, in Chisag,
Record.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
The Reason Why.

Willie Mamma, if Santa Claus is such
good man, why does he give so many
more presents to rich children than to
the poor ones?
Mother-Because it takes so much
more to please q rich child than it does
a poor one, my son.-Golden Days.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
Truly Wonderful.

"Wonderful man."
what is there so wonderful about
him?"
"Why, he has prize dog"
Eyes"
And he has record of talking about
IL for IS minutes without lying."-Chi-
cago Post.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24
AN AMUSING DEVICE.
How Any Bright boy Can Construct
Toy Locust.

1t Is very easy matter to make a
locust, that is toy that will closely
initiate the sound made by a locust, and
the materials needed are very simple.
Any boy or girl can construct one with
q little skill and patience, and it will fur
nish much amusement.
To begin with, find small tin box
about two inches in diameter and two
inches high--about the size of pepper
or spice box; or small baking powder
can will do. Remove the top and bot