davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24
SuperstitiOns OF Christmas

The superstitions Of Christmas are
more numerous even than the observ-
ances which owe their origin to heath
enish rites. Among certain European
peasants the belief still prevails that
on Christmas morning oxen awavs
spend portion Of the time on their
knees. This .hey do, according to the
peasants, In imitation .! the OK and
the aes which. a legend states, were
present At the manger aud kuelt when
Christ was tOru.
Ia certain couutles o. England the
idea prevails that sheep walk in p.o-
ce-sion on Christmas Eve. IN com
memoration Of the glad t.lluys .lrst
announced to shepherds Rer- are a.
SO said to sing n they hives on tho
night before CHRISTI e, and tread
baked at tia. t.r never becomes
mouidy leas, 80 olco though:
maay English b lsexIve=
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

one day. Let US be happy together,
sweetheart" ne had said, looking into
her eyes with his own. ah filled with
SO much love and tenderness.
And she had obeyed him, as she
always would obey the voice that was
mo:e to her than life itself, and they
had beer happv-perfectly, passion.
ately happy-in their great. unfath.
omable love.
"What is love?" be said to her, as
they walked home in the evening,
watching the star CLEANS, like points
of diamonds, flash on the dark waters
OF thf Neckar: "Nhat is love?" he
had asked, and she had looked up tc
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

ful vilia@c Ii the valley below.
Above II the pune trees. green evc.
III winter, waved their long trnnche
restle-sly IN the nj ana HGnu their
weird reflections opr the snow. the
white, SOFT show, that covered all tha
hillside as with mantle OF palcst vel
vet
And the dav was beginning to close
IN. to spread It's gray wings over tho
dim sky and the snow bound world.
iiShtened only hy the warm gleam
that came from many a window IN tha
village. The afternoons were shor.
now, sad the bustlIng frauen TO each
other, as they went about their work !;
but, after al, was it not the eve ofthe
Christmas feast, and what could ono
expect? So the cottages wers warm
and cozy, and the pine logs in tho
tiled stoves cracklei and burned away
mei rilv, and few were the footsteps
that passed owe the snow ontside
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

the beautiful, grave face before she
answered:
Love is the most perfect and the
holiest Of friendships. my beloved. II
means the>merging Of ones self into
another's being. and the living for an.
other. 1t Is based on sympathy,
deepest and truest, and its keynote ID
unsel'ishness. It is something tha.
cannot die, for it belongs to God, and
is given by Him to US as the best gil;
from His Heaven. 1t is hoy, eternal,
ever abiding. AMI it is ours, yours and
mine-the most perfect union Of
hearts. my dearest one. IN the ten
derest, truest sympathy"
So she had spoken, ns they wen
down the river Dor le,ed road together,
hand IN hand, with the evening wind
moaning among the pines. and the
Christmas chimes ringing out from the
tower IN the distance And he had
stopped and kissed Ler, Ais-ed her
over AL over again with burning
kisses that fingered on her lips al!
through the loar Ioar Afterwards. :.
when they were parted BY darker
tide THAI even the swiftly tovlng
Neckar.
t.o~
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

One a. the most blessed things about
Christmas is that it makes SO many
people feel vc ug, writes Edward w
Box, IT Ladies Home Journal. 1t IS
the one season OF the wear " hen every
body feels that they can drmiss ab-
struse thoughts. put dignity aside.
forget the worries Of the world, and
for time return p their r'r.h It
always seems a pity that men try to
conceal this feeling SO often at Christ
mas. Only few men are capable Of
beng gracefully caught IN the act Of
making q mlnl.tufe train OF cars go
over the carret. Catch tLem Mt It a
night or tvo Ieflre Christmas, and
nine out Of every ten Will INSTANTLY
get up from tie carpet, brush the
dust from the knees Of their trousers
Tor dust VIII get on the carpets Of
the best regulated Ldgne7- and ANNE
diately begin to apologize. have
often wondered why men resent being
caught In this way. But q woman
feels differently, and it Is blessed
thing that che does
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

As tn. clock IN the tower chimed
four. old Johann Maria entered tho
di-/ness Of tie church upon the hui.
~here soft red lights shone ike far
aw n stars before the altar There wero
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

LEARLY 4 e Fl Il c q
shadows were fall.
ing across the aisle
OF the old church
on the hill. the
gray, lonely tuild.
ing that had stood
there 50 long, amid
sunshine nui sha.
dow, watching, n
1t wcr., the peace
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

! An the peasants litany was over,
and tie women had gone out softly,
while the ripple Of the girls, voices
sounded already some, distance down
the ball.
'tohann Marie had followed them.
anu the sacrlstan had brought in a
great bunch OF rel hollv-berries to
decorate the altar.
And she must go, too, passing cut
lIto the night once more They had
LETT her to her own thoughts, these
happy girls, and she was glad OK it.
She knew their sympathy and loved
them FOR it, and they would be very
tender with her all through the feast.
she felt.
Even now, perhaps, Amalie was say
ing, Zach! the poor Margaretta! Is
it not two Christmas festivals since
her lover died IN the war;" And the
others would look grave for a moment
and sigh soft Eyes All, it was
true. Two long, dim years had passed
akiay since the skirmishes on the
frontier land, where, amid the dry
heather and the deal brachen, they
had told her that her lover had died.
But that was all. They knew not
wherca his body had been rested; they
knew not whether he hal suffered
agony or had parted with his brave
soul in the heat of the battle. All was
vague. uncertain; only her lover was
gono from her-gone, gone, she knew
not where.
AS she went down the hill roal on
that Christmas Eve alone some one
was waiting under the shallow Of the
bending pine trees. Some one came
forward to meet her with a quick, glad
cry Of JOY and hearts delight. Was
II q dream as the thoughts in the
church yonder had been-a dream Of
Christmas, and Of her love, her own,
her llfe's love, but lost to her-lost?
Nsy. for q voice spoke to her, and
( ,sams have no voices, they are silent
and sad; and this was 9 living, throb-
bing voice, full Of passion and ten.
derness.
"Heart's beloved, Sweet one !" he
wss calling her-all the old dear names
that she remembered SO WE'LL and his
kisses were burning once again on her
lips and brow, and his eyes were tell
ing her all the love his loyal heart
bore for her. He had come back to
her. to his Marsaretta, back to his
LIES love, from the very gates Of
death!
And. clasped to his breast, IN the
hush OF the evening, with her tire
head resting on his heart, they heard
the bells ring out for the eve OF the
festlval-the festival OF Perfect Love.
Rg-apl-by be told Ter the story Of
his wan ierings, Of his supposed death,
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

expected, knecling in the soft halo
that the lights made, began the old,
old words that they knew so well, and
that they followed so earnestly, while
the wind walled outside over the snow
on the steep white road. And Amalie and
Dorchen and Aida, girls with fair
Tho Fatkerland IN the sweet summer
time, listened and prayed in al the
tervor of youth and hopefulness and
Joy. Was not tomorrow the feast OF the
Christ child. And had not the sac,istan
already brought beautiful wreaths of
berried holly and white vtined ivv.
leaves to twlne round the carved pul-
pit and the choir-stali79 Yes, it uasa
time Of Joy and gladness, this Christ
mas season, and they were verv, very
happy. Why not so? Ev,rv oao was
gay and glad at Christmas tim wi!er
there where kGchen in the c. t4ge5.
anG llttle tir trees laden with preelL;-.
and sugar angels to he. bought at the
shops or the market IN the town Won
der, to rclnin them Of tie great
Christmas long ago, when the angels
sang over the star-it fields at Bethle-
hem.
Aid by and by. that same evening.
there would be great service, VIII
she priest would pray and preach, and
they would all listen, oh 50 intently.
Put now there was only the quiet
ness Of the little church, with its scent
81 the freshly-cut houghs, and the
luavering. monotonous voice Of
Johann Maria repeating the old
htany. as he had repeated it SO many
times before in the same place and in
the same accents.
There was another girl in the
corner. kueeling at her prize dleu, and
whispering the words OF the sweet old
petitions with white lips and AZ ach n 3
heart. Christmas brought only sor-
row for her, she said to herself. There
was no gladness for her to expect, no
loving voice to give her the Christmas
greeting, no tender lips to press her
owl in that love sweeter than others,
even at the season OF universal love.
No, all was dark and dreary-drenry y
rs tho shadows that fell upon the
white snow; and while the othd rs re-
joiced and locked forward to keeping
the festival her heart was heavy and
her thoughts roamed back, pit iLessly,
painfully, TO hvSone day-s day
that was marked with the shadow OF
death.
II uac Christmas time crair az I
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24

It was Christmas time again, .nd
the priest had preached ani prayed,
and given the old beautiful bened.c-
tion, that foated ont Ike message
from Heaven over the knee!ing people
over her .oyer ari herself:
AT her lover,
He had been kDeel,ne tv her side
then, with the lights dash.ns on his
soldier Goa: and his brave, handsome
face. ani she had heard bis voice
throu 1hous al the service. r.2g!ng.
,lear tones ,ha, Sic Knew ani Lowell 20
vel 50 truly All >.oaate.y. Al /
she had been - happy. 50 very ve-s
happy, although tie l. u-4t = t..
morrow parting Lai come esea nos
ana then 10 her ,~sa,t, vii tie ,lro0-
biuc PAIN ii some Sorsowsal d-ea-1.
But he had hs-se. le- 10 :s-cc:-:o
forget al tie pain ,. l.re2- <. ,.a:
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-12-24
TILE JOY OF .MARGERETTA

a CHRl TNAG STORY.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-26

a part of a course Of study, with no
intention Of becoming a teacher on
that subject.
There is not teacher of the United
States history in the public schools
who is worthy place as teacher, who
does not feel his incompetency to
teach the subject successfully unless
he has broader knowledge of that
subject than the public schools are
able to give. And what is true of
history is true of every other subject
required to be taught in the public
schools.
Those persons who would limit the
Normal Schools of the State to pro-
fessional work have only given thought
to one part of the problem of teach
ing, and possibly the least important
part. The man having proper knowl-
edge of his subject, but possessing no
methods save those which have come
to him through his own experience, is
better equipped for teaching than the
man trained in the best school of
Pedagogy IN the country, but who is
lacking IN a proper knowledge of his
subject. A scientific method can
only be used with success by teacher
who has a broad, comprehensive
knowledge of his subject.
Often a mechanical method will
bring better results, where the teacher
has an inadequate knowledge of a
subject, than scientific method. 1t
Is all folly to try to train pupils in
methods when they are lacking in a
clear and full knowledge of the sub
ject. Let it be understood that the
Normal Schools are not doing aca-
demic work from choice but from
necessity.
I. BY maintaining sound and
healthy discipline.
The discipline of Normal School
must be a model worthy the imita-
ton of all educational institutions
having the dormitory system. The
dormitory system is the best system
for the students where the discipline
is good and the poorest where the
discipline is bad
The change effected in the character
and conduct of a Normal School
student during the time necessary for
him to complete the course, is often
wonderful, No better evidence of the
benefit of good discipline in Normal
School is needed than to observe the
growth in refinement of manners and
stability of character among the
students of these institutions.
In maintaining sound discipline the
Normal Schools are comforting great
benefit upon the State. If the Nor
NAL Schools are TO hold the confidence
of the people of the Commonwealth
they must not allow their standards
of discipline to be lowered.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-26
Was Always Tired.

Berwick, Pa, March 2, 1896. My
husband was feeling very poorly this
winter. He had no particular disease
but he had poor appetite and also
complained of tired feeling. He
read SO much about Hoods Sarsa-
parilla, that | got him bottle, and
since taking three bottles he has not
complained of his former trouble"
Mrs. Harry R. Bogart.
Hoods Pills cure indigestion, bill
business.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-26

intellectual standing of those who are
to receive life certificates from Normal
Schools to teach. The Normal Schools
are ready to meet this demand on the
part of the State, and to recommend
to the State Board for final examina-
ton none but those who have sound
charact ers.
A Normal School which shirks this
responsibility is not true to its trust.
To send out into the State evc.y year
a thousand men and women of strong
character, approved scholarship, and
equipped with correct methods of
teaching is much more than an ade
quate return to the State of the money
she has expended to inaugurate and
keep growing the present Normal
School system.
The power which these graduates
will be able to exert in the interest of
the State will depend very materially
upon the strength of character they
possess. For man to do grand work
in the world the head and the heart
must both be strong.
y. That the academic as well as
the professional instruction is thorough
and con orehensive.
There can no longer be any ques-
tion as to the correctness of the posi-.
ton that to teach subject a mar
must have better knowledge of the
subject than a person needs to have
who is simply pursuing the subject a:
Evening star., 1896-11-13
OF LOCAL INTEREST.

Gen. SavtelIe Recommends n NJ.
mortal Bridge to Arlfnrton.
Quartermaster General Sawtelle. in bis
annual report. makes the following perti.
nent remarks in regard to matters of great
local interest:
THE matter of constructing a bridpe
over the Potomac river, between the nava,
observatory grounds and the Arlington
reservation. with a view of furnishing a
short and direct route to the Arlington
cemetery and park, and afford rapid com
munication between this city and the mill
tary post of Fort Myer, Va, is a yery i'm !
pcrtant one. 1t has been strongly urgad h.,
my predecessor. and I earnestly recon-.
mend that a bill similar to Senate bill ira
Fifty-fourth Congress, first session Intro
duced by Mr.. Frye Of Maine), and amended
and passed by the Senate February -
1885, may be enacted into law at the COM
ing session Of Congress.
THE improvement of the public roads
from the Aqueduct bridge, near George.
town, to the Arlington National Cemetery
and park has also been strongly ur:eed in
previous reports, and it is hoped that this
important matter may receive the fayora-
BILE action of Congress at its next session
The estimates made by the enSfneers of
the War Department for the constructior
of good macadamized roads of a substan.
tial and durable character fix the cost OF
this improvement at $4,000"
Evening star., 1896-11-13
AN EXTRA SESSION
Dispensation Of Official Patronage I az
Be Postponed.
fHE PASSAGE OF 4 TARIFF BILL
How This Result Could Be Expe-
dited in Congress.
W HAT MAY BE DON E

An intimation has gone forth to the effect
that in the event of the calling of an extra
session of Congress soon after March the
President-elect may postpone all matters
relating to official patronage until Congress
should pass a tariff bill. An exception
would be made, of course, in the case OF
cabinet officials.
If this intimatfon comes from Major Nc
Kinley it will be a sad blow to a great
many office seekers, who are already SET
ting their pins for raid upon the appoint
ing powers as soon as opportunity may pre-
sent. 1t is supposed that the object to be
attained in pursuing such course on the
part of the President-elect would be a
double one. He would relieve himself and
his cabinet Of annoying pressure, pending
the construction of the new tariff law, and
the Withholding of the patronage would ac,
as a spur upon the efforts of the legis-
lators, fastening their deliberations and ad-
Vancing the date of the relief of the anxi-
ETY. in commercial circles over the new
rates. OF course the opportunities Of the
office seekers would be directed to the
Senators and Representatives, who could
not get rid of them until the tariff bill was
out of the way.
Object of Such IA Program.
In justice it should be said that the al
legged program does not convey the i'm
putation that Major Mckinley proposes to
use the patronage prerogative as a club
over Congress. Such is far from being
the case The idea Is that the tariff re-
vision is more important to the country at
large than any matters of appointment.
and that it should receive the sole atten-
tion of the executive and legislative
branches of the government until accom-
pished.
One effect, of course, Of such a pro-
he no taipipir in office nf a
great many officials in this city who
might have reason to expect early dismis-
sal under the new administration. If
this alleged plan of the republicans Is
adhered to 1t will accrue to the advantage
of the present occupants Of offices likely
to be filled by republicans when the new
administration comes into effect.
In this connection, it is said at the Past
Office Department that applications are al
ready coming in for appointments to post
masterships. Letters are being received ev-
cry day from the faithful all over the
country who want to place themselves in
line early for postmasterships.
Evening star., 1896-11-13
STARTLING STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS
Facts Said to Have Come Ont Mt Tho
Texaa Court aI Inuui.xr

Facts Said to Have Come Out Mt the
Texas Court of Inquiry.
The inquiry which is proceeding at the
New York navy yard behind closed doors
into the circumstances under which the
Texas saEk at her dock recently has, it
is reported here, brought to light further
startling structural weakness in the Ship
1t was noted here, with surprise, that the
telegraphic reports Of the sinking of the
Texas showed that one engine room filled
through the water-tight doors, closing it
off from the adjoining engine room. This
led to investigation, snd it has been found
that the bulkheads separating the ship
into supposedly water-tight compartments
are so light that they spring under the
pressure of water and cause great leaks
Although the magazine is separated from
the engine rooms by continuous bulkhead
without door opening, 1t was soon filled
by the water which ran around the edges
and through the seams of the metal. A
naval expert is authority for the statement
that if the Texas sea valve had broken as
it did out at sea, the vessel would surely
have foundered, owing to the failure of
the bulkheads and doors.
Evening star., 1896-11-13
ADVANCE IN WHEAT,
Another Long Reach Made for tn
Dollar Mark.

Another Long Reach Made for the
Dollar Mark.
NEW YORK, November E.-Wheat made
another long reach toward the dollar mark
this morning. December I'm the first hour
sold up to 9O1a, which is ahead of any price
this year. Trade was very active for a
time, and included a fair volume Of Eu-
ropean buying stimulated by strong cables.
The bulge, however, started heavy realiz-
ing, and toward noon prices eased off. Tn
favorable crop news from France and the
Argentine also helped the bulls. Spring
wheat receipts continue very light Total
sales this morning were 5,4SO.O0O bushels
SAN FRANCISCO. November 13-Wheat
in the local market reached the highest
point this morning touched since 1881 and
cents higher than the highest point reach
ed three weeks ego 1t opened strong, and
closed at the end of the first morning ses-
sion very excited. May opened at s1.60 per
Genital, was high as 81 .63 1-2 and closed at
1.8 3-S. December opened s158l-2 and
closed at $1.57 Ia. A large amount of deep
water tonnage is chartered for Havre and
Dunkirk.
Evening star., 1896-11-13
TOWELS FOR THE MARINES.
A Transaction Which Has Caused
Navy Yard Scandal.


The quartermaster's department of the
Marine Corps in this city has recently been
the subject of an investigation to deter
mine the responsibility for certain alleged
irregularities in the making of contracts
for supplies for the marine barracks in this
city. One result of the investigation was
an official request for the resignation of
Mr.. Henry ]. Wylie, chief clerk of the de-
partment. 1t is said that this action arises
out of the contract for the washing of
towels. According to the best information
obtainable the present contract calls for the
payment-of this work at the rate of $40 per
hundred towels, whereas under the pre-
vious contract the service was performed
at the rate of 81 per hundred. The pre-
vious contract was with Dexter & Co. of
this city. The existing contract is with q
firm said to be from New York, who has
subiet the work to Dexter & Co. at the
rate formerly Received by that firm, viz,
u per hundred, or 50 per hundred less than
order to accomplish this arrangement. Dex-
ter & Co. had been indr I'd not to enter the
original competiticn f"- tne work.
What part Chic Clerk Wylie played In
this alleged transaction cannot be learned
but it was sufficient to cause Secretary
Herbert to ask for his resignation. Mr..
Wyiie thinks he has been unjustly treated
IN tne matter, and his attorney was at the
-a. nay department. today endeavoring to
persuade the Secretary to reconsider his
acton. He denies any participation in the
transaction, except in an entirely innocent
way, ana says he has no knowledge of the
aneged coiusion on the part of the con-
tractors to take advantage of the govern
ment- A strcng effort will be made by Mr..
Wyne's friends to have the Secretary in
Vestlgate the matter, as they claim such
an investigation will establish Mr. Wylie's S
innocence. '10
The oftcials of the Navy Department re-
1use to give any information on the subject
referring all applicants to Maj. Lowry
qu&rtermastec at the marine barracks as
tne proper source of Information concern
Ing the business of his department.
Evening star., 1896-11-13

gon, Leonard Rhone of Pennsylvania, Mr..
Thompson of South Carolina, c. ]. Bell OF
Vermont, Alex. j. Wedderburn of Virginia,
il. E. Huxley of Wisconsin, S. III. Messick
Of Delaware. Geo. b. Horton Of Michigan,
S. l.. Wilson of Mississippi, n. j. Batchel-
der of New Hampshire, Mr.. Hazard Of
Rhode Island
report from w. S. Richardson, warden Of
the Tennessee State Grange.
These reports were brief and related to
the educational. social and business work
i'm the various states. They showed de-
cided Improvement in membership and GER
eral financial and business advancement in
nearly every section. In the strong grange
states the increased percentage is evidence
of the popularity and value of the order
where IL is best understood. The different
states have a variety of plans by which