davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

head appeared, breaking the monotony
of the snowy landscape. The head was
quickly withdrawn. Inside in the over
heated room her husband, the fagman,
lay on his bed in fever. 1t had at
tackled him suddenly, he knew not how,
and now he wanted neither to hear nor
see anything; only to sleep.
His wife had brewed a hot tea for
him and made him drink it. She was
in hopes to rouse him by it, for little
Jakob, their only son, had been at her
all day, saying: "Mother, dear, won't
you go down to the village and get me
something for Christmas? See, the tree
is already stuck in the pot, and all 1
need are apples and nuts and big, big
herzlebkuchen" "a large frosted cake in
the shape of a heart].
But whenever she put warm wrap
around herself and allowed the boy to
drag her to the door, sudden fear for
the loudly breathing husband would
seize her, and she would return to his
bedside.
Little Jakeb finally broke out into
bitter crying, that on this holy eve he
was to have nothing but a bare tree,
which seemed to him the greatest sor-
row that this world could hold. The
mother, with sudden impulse, said to
her husband: SIN two hours I am back
again. Tt is Christmas eve, and no child
ought to be allowed to 60 empty handed.
Don't you think could get something
for our little boy?'
"Yes, yes" he nodded in assent. ST
am feeling little dumpish yet. When
I've had sleep, Ishall feel better"
Listen, Jakob. The mother then
turned to the boy. "Watch closely.
When the hand of the clock shows
minutes Of 8, you must wake up your
father, get his flag for him, and not
stop until he is out there when the train
comes. Do you hear me? You must not
let up until he does it. I charge You
with ii.
Jakob promised. "I will not rest,
mother, but don't forget need apples
and nuts a-plenty, and a great big
herziebkuchen.
The woman was already battling ont
yide with wind and snow, when the
shild's clear voice rang out after her:
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
FOR 1897
Q~LEADING NEWSPAPERS -
FOR THE PRICE OF

The "Philadelphia Press" by
special arrangements, at great cost
is entitled to all the news received
by the New York Times"
"World," Journal" Chicago "Tri-
bune," "St. Louis Globe Demo-
crat," Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune" and the "Boston Jour-
nal. All this news is telegraphed
to "The Press" over special wires
every night and presented to its
readers fresh and attractive every
morning, This is all in addition
to the service of THE Press"
own staff, great corps of cores
pondents and the Associated
Press.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

lowed himself to drop into the nearest
chair. "Have you really been out
therep' he inquired.
"Of course. You can depend on it, y
Jakob assured him.
The f1agman's wife examined the
purse and found in it card, with the
inscription, "a Merry Christmas. II
took long time until they succeeded
in spelling out the words Finally she
said: "Oh, knowl It means Frau
Marcy provincial German for Mary]
Christmas. God bless herl She must be
o very kind hearted ladyr'
Every likely she is Santa Claus,
mother" ventured Jakob as he sailed
into his apples and nuts.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

currence OF Christmas. There are people
who will tell you that Christmas is not
to them what it used to be; that each
succeeding Christmas has found. some
cherished hope or happy prospect of the
year before dimmed or passed away; that
the present only serves to remind them
of reduced circumstances and straitened
incomes, of the feasts they once be-
slowed on hollow friends, and Of the cold
looks that meet them now in adversity
and misfortune. Never heed such dis
NAL "reminiscences. Look on the merry
faces of your children, If you have any.
as they sit round the fire. One little
seat may be empty. One slight form that
gladdened the fathers heart and reused
the mothers pride to look upon may not
be there Dwell not upon the past. Think
not that one short year ago the fair
child now resolving into dust sat before
you with the bloom of health upon its
cheek and the gayety Of infancy in it's
joyous eye. Reflect upon your present
blessings, of which every man has
many-not on your past misfortunes, Of
which all men have some. Fill your
glass again, with a merry face and con-
tented heart. Our life on it, but your
Christmas shall be merry and your. new
year happy one.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
A.cHRlsTMAs BALL.

4
\ElA5M,EilW Where the northers come q
| M.A S%H whistlin from beyond thu
pEBG2@N 'sneutral strip"
mMSMSA An the prairie dogs are sneezir
CNZ1~HM OF IL they had the grip;
Sy,U Where the coyotes come q
w. howlin round the ranches
after dark
An the mocking birds ore singin tn the lively
medder lark;
Where the possum, an the badger. an rattle
snakes abound,
An the monstrous stars are winkin DER Q
wilderness profound;
Where lonesome, tawny prairies melt into airy
streams,
While the Double mountains slumber with
heavenly kind in dreams;
Where the antelope Is grain an the lonely
plovers call
It was there that I attended the Cowboys
Christmas ball.
The town wuz Anson City, ole Jones' county
seat,
Where ,hey aise Polangus cattle an wavin,
whiskered wheat;
Where me air Is soft an bammy, an dry an
full NV health.
An the prairies Is explodin with agricultural
wealth;
Where they print The Texas Western, that Alec
McCann supplies
With news an yarns an stories Nv most amazin
size;
Where Frank Smith pulls the badger on know
in tenderfeet,
An Democracy's triumphant an powerful hard
to beat;
Where lives that good old hunter, John Milsap
from Lamar,
Who FUSED ter be the sheriff back east In
Paris, sah''-
Twas there, say, at Anson. with the lively
Widder Wall,
That went to that recepshun, the Cowboys
Christmas ball.
The boys had left the ranches an cum to town
in piles
The ladies, kinder scatterin. he'd gethered in
for miles,
An yet the place wuz crowded, ez remember
'Twuz got fur the occashun at the Morning
Star hotel.
The music wuz fiddle an lively tambourine,
An viol ''cum imported" by the stage from
Abilene.
The room wuz logged out gorgeous with mis-
tletoe an shawls,
An candles fickered trescoes around the airy
walls.
The wimmin folks looked lovely. The boys
looked kinder treed
Till the leader commenced yellin: "Whoa,
fellersi Let's stampedel"
An the music started, s1gh1n an a-wa1l1n
through the hall,
Ez kind Nv introduction to the Cowboys
Christmas ball.
This leader wuz Teller thet cum from Sven
sons ranch
They called him Windy Billy, from Little
Dead Man g Branch.
His rig wuz kinder keerless-big spurs an high
heeled boots.
He he'd the reputation thet comes when fellers
shoots.
His voice wuz like bugle upon the noun
tain's height.
His feet were animated an mighty movin
sight.
Then he commenced to holler: "Neow, fellers
stake yer penl
Lock horns tn all them heifers an russle 'em
like menl
Salute yer luvly crittersi Meow swing an let
'em goi
Climb the grapevine round email hands do
cedoi
Ye mavericks jine the round up-iest skip her
WATERFALL
Huh, hit wuz gettin active-the Cowboys
Christmas ball.
Larry Chittenden, Poet Ranchman.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
MRS. CHRISTMAS.
TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH soHM.
Copyright, 1861

1t was in the afternoon.
High up in the mountains
on tho line of the Black
Forest railway, in one Of
those small cabins which
at regular intervals line
the side Of all European
railroads, housing those
poorly paid men whose
duty it is to inspect from
time to time the roadbed
for q certain distance and
warn passing trains Of
eventual danger, a door
Opnnad and q rornan,e
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26


lately, Jim," he said, glancing around
to see that none Of his relatives was in
sight, shut I'm In 1t this time Pops
promised me new pair Of skates If I
get 85 on my December report, whioh'l
be made out next week, you see. If I
don't miss Sunday school and kin tell
what the text is, Nam she sez she'll
get me an air gun. Whoopeer'
And here Johns exuberance was
given vent in a series Of whoops with
gymnastic accompaniment.
"But that's not half Of 'em, jim"
he continued. "You know, when sis's
beau comes hang around and work
him. for candy and sich, but she has
promised me dollar eff I keep off her
territory on beau nights Then my
uncle and my aunt, seein I'm tryin to
be good, are goin to chip in, and as I'm
goin to two Sunday schools I'm strictly
in 1t, and don't you fergit it"
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26


row, had hung sprig Of mistletoe.
He could not help it-he kissed her.
She looked so pretty, so innocent, under
that sprig Of mistletoe.
Yes, it was an ungentlemanly and
unmanly thing to do. Her frightened,
startled look panied him. He stammeredi
out a miserable excuse. Her great eyes,
filed with tears, and she gave little
choking sob when he apologized.
dear little innocent" he thought,
IT would not have hurt her for tha
world"
And she-after he was gone-she
dropped into great chair and sobbed.
"Like him? love him. Ana to think
that he should kiss me at last and then
to say he didn't mean anything by It'll
What does he think I put the mistletoe
there for?''
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

tend the enjoyment of the festivity to
the dumb animals, which just at this
season Of the year may be said to be
brought into more friendly and intimate
contact with their masters than at any
other time Of the year. Throughout
Scandinavia, Germany and Austria the
peasants are accustomed to erect in
'front.' Of their cottages on Christmas
day pole to which Is fastened large
sheaf Of oats or corn for the benefit Of
the little birds, while in many districts
grain is spread outside ON the doorstep
and window sills ON the evening Of Dec
IA. The Albanians, the Montenegrins
and in fact nearly all the races Of the
southeast of Europe. irrespective Of
creed or nationality, make q point Of
distributing their first large Christmss
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
ANIMALS CHRISTMAS
TIE PART THEY PLAY IN EUROPEAN
CELEBRATIONS.

Curious Customs but Little Known In This
Country-superstition About Beasts and
Birds-Blessing the Flools-A Rooster
Mass In Spain.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
Nearly Nineteen Hundred Christmsses.

Yet a few years, and the
world will have seen 1900
D DChristmases - 1900 ami
versaries Of the birth Of
him whose personal inf1u-
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
Johnuy.s Christmas.

Johnny Blank is under
very high pressure in an
effort to be good, If his
own statement is to be ac-
: oepted. He met a friend
yesterday and made his
companions eyes bulge
with his story.
S(T I-:-yL IL - L.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

Among the most pleas
ing features Of the uni
versal good will that pre-
walls at Christmastide in
the old world is the kindly
flisposition shown to az.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26

TIE TRANSCRIPT 500 . year.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
After the Christmas Eve Bali.

Up the broad steps they
tripped into her home.
The gas burned low. Her
slender fingers hung to his
q moment. She stood d.
rectly under the gas Jet
under which some one, in
op{{oipo&iop ~ tho poor.
Middletown transcript., 1896-12-26
Charles Dickens ON Christmas.

Christmas tim6l That
man must be q misan-
thrope indeed in whose
breast something like a
jovial feeling is not rous-
ed, in whose mind some
pleasant associations are
not awakened. nv the re-.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03

lion OF the hour. Louis Napoleon sent
| for him and consulted him upon various
matters.
Among other things tho emperor
asked him what effect the establish
mont OF MaXimilian's empire would
haze upon the American republic.
IL will mover be established" was
the Gcorgian's blunt reply.
What-not with Confederate SYM
pathy ?" asked the emperor.
" There arc no ConfederatcS in such
IL case" was the answer. 1--WE are
all Amcricans.'
Tho talk driftcd to the question OF
reforesting tho south of France, and
Napoleon asked Gen. To0mbs to visit
that region and make suggestions in
regard to the proposed work.
Tho request was complied with and
Il report was furnished Of SO elaborate
and complete u nature that the French
minister Of the interior offered to pay
u handsome sum for it. This was re-
fuse d, rs the general SAID that the
work was not in his line, but he was
prevailed upon to accept Il souvenir OF
considerable value from tho emperor
himself.
Shortly after this the exile yielded to
the many urgent requests OF his
friends at home and returned to Gcor-
gia. Perhaps no other Confederate
who visited Europe made Il more bril-
liant reputation in so short ~ time.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
THE DOCTOK'S WITNESS,
The Danger to His Patient Lasted
While He Took the Medicine.

n certain physician, who shall be
namclcss, once brought suit against a
man who had been his patient, for the
recovery Of the anount.of fees charged
in his bill The patient pleaded, in
defence, that the doctor had visited
him many times after he was entirely
we'll, or 1T least, after hottie patient
had declared that he did not need
him. He was willing to pay Tor those
visits which had been mado while he
was really sick, but not for visits which
had been pcrsistcntly madc after he
was Just the Same as we'll. He had
been blessed with the attendance OF &
good and faithful nurse, who could
have carried him safely through his
cOnValcsccncC, and TO whom, he really
believed, he owed his recovery.
Upon this the doctor chucklcd glcC-
fully. Said ho:
"Iour honor, | will provo by this
mans own nurse, Of whose faithful
ness hc boo"ts, that she considered
him not entirely out OF danger at tho
time OF which ho speaks"
Tho nurse was summoned, and she
made her appearance. and was sworn.
She was a widow OF middle age.
Mrs. Blinkcr, you attended tho de-
fcnduut in this case during his recent
illness ?"
She answered that she did.
Then the plaintiffs attorney took
her in hand.
| "Mrs. Blinker, do you remember the
condition Of the patient from tho 10th
to the 25Lh day Of April past -
"Yos, sir, | remember very we'll"
"Aud did you not think that, during
that time, he required tho attendance
Of d physician?"
I" did not, sir"
q, ~ 4 !, m,
once, during that very time, ho re,
quirod the attendance Of q physician ~
Yes, sir, l said that"
And you now tell Ms that he re-
quircd no .physician? [ don't under
stand you.
"Well, si"," said Mrs. Blinkcr, with
a firm stoadfast look, | think / can
explain it. said that man was IN
danger, because | consider any man to
be in danger whilc that doctor was
giving him medicine !'-Philadclphia
Recorder.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
n SOUTHERN CORN TEST.
F'nrmcrS Must Burn the Corn Stalks
to Get Kid OF the Decentralization
or Crops Necessary.

OF Crops Necessary.
t,ntomologist Howard. Of the agricul-
tural department. in a recent circular
on the larger COrn-borCr, says that the
pest will have no chance for its life in
the North, where careful and thorough
methods Of cultivation are followed,
but in the South it has already done
moro or less damage in most corn fields
from Alabama to Virginia. MIR. How
ard reports having seen more than 80
holes in single stalk in South Caro-
linH, and i'll Virginia, last year, IL
single planter estimates his loss at
more than 800. Thc insect is idcnt
ca with the sugar.canc bOrcr OF Louis
States as far north ;,s the Potomac
river and ;,s far west rs Kansas.
The adult insect issues from the old
cUrnsta'kS in the spring. Soon after
the young corn comes up IL lays its
eggs upon the leaves near the axis
and the young larva upon hntching
prnr&ratcs the stalk at or near the
joint and commences TO tunnel, usually
upward through the pith. The growth
Of the borrr is rapid and it is very
active, frequently leaving the stalk at
one place and entering ut another,
making several holes in the course Of
lbF' Si'N I'll. w lltH TcHNS W lfiISlOfln
it b0rCs to the surface Of the stalk
making Il hole for the exit Of the future
moth, then changing TO the pupa state.
The cntOmO.Ogist says that where
old corn stalks arc Systematically re-
moved from the field and burned after
the harvest Or during winter, or whore
constant rotation Of crops is practic-
cd, the corn stalk -borcr will never be-
come serious pest, and the Virginia
and south Carolina farmers have it in
their hands TO check it at any time by
pursuing these methods.
Aside from corn, sugar cane, and
sorghum, this borcr has only one other
food plant, SO far as we know. This is
the gama grass, on sesame grass, which
glows very high in swampy ground.
Farmers whose COrn-iicids ad djOin
swampy ground will do well to burn
over this grass during the winter.
Aside from these simple remedies,
there is only ono moro point to be
made, and that is, that rotation Of
crops is reasonably efficient against
this insect. Where tho custom of
during winter is practiccd it naturally
follows that corn following corn will
be badly damaged. Observations
made by this Office show that in 1891
the average damage to crops planted
upon land which was in corn the pre-
viOus year was % per cont, while the
average inj Jury to corn planted upon
sod land WAS only 10 per cent, even
where this land was reasonably close
to former corn land.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03

| son, yes, | knowtd Dr. Alexander
and all his boys, and all the Strickiands
from old Milza down and kn0wcd tho
1IutcniDscs. ] come down to Atlanta
with Fits Hutchins this morning.
He's our Judge, you know, and he's u
good friend Of minr. | knowed all tho
boys. Clarence ain'C fur from me.
What mOut your name bo :" said
"Did you know an old man in Law
rcnccyillc name Il Asa Smith ?" said |.
"Why, of course | did: everybody
knowd him. J traded in his store for
years ard years. He moved away to
t'ioyd County just before The war. Dld
YOU ever live in Ltwruucevillc
DO you remember II little durk-
kin btack-eycd girl who used to ride
horse. back up that road. She was
f'itz Ilutchius sister.
"Why. Of cours" | do. Everybody
knew hor. She used to go to the old
Judges farm on the river, twelve mics
rom town and so alone, aud Shc went
in /. hurry and come nArk VAIN Dag
Of apples or peaches hanging 10 inc
horn Of her saddle. she married olu
Asa Smiths son, if d?n't mistake,
think l'lH tuiG me that. ! "aa thInK-
inc ,bu, marble YOU were him, but
,hcu Won ,rr too old II man. | reckon"
"liv friend" said |, "you forget
that it has been over fifty years since
ven SAW that little girl yes, she is my
wifr and il not 4 litClr girl any more
"Wcil. well. shore onuf, said he,
with Il melancholy tono: II do Inrglt-
| I'M always frrgitiin'. An you are Old
\sa's son. We'll. we'll; used to trade
with you and your pa and the Strlck-
lands. Wei, well: | am SO glad l
come acro.s You.
The whistles bIowcd and the bell
rang and cave She Old man 4 warm
shake W the hand and .Aid. "Go0d-byo
God bless you. l'i''L NHf.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
An important legal point, in

An important legal point, involv-
ing the jurisdiction Of magistrates in
civil cases, was argued few days ago
in Spartanburg before Judge Gary.
The new constitution Of this State
abolished the Office Of trial Justice and
provided for magistrates, but did not
fix the duties or define the jurisdiction
clearly. II magistrates have the right
to render judgments in civil cases
it is given thcm by implication as
mother the Legislature nor the consti-
tuition gives 1T in express terms. Tho
case Is attracting much interest from
the fact that it will affect vested rights
growing out Of judgments rendered in
every part Of the State. After ex-
haustivc arguments. Judge Gary re-
served his decision.
-" Tho Lord loveth Il cheerful
givcr," but there's no use chucking u
copper cont into d contribution box SO
loud as to mako tho folks on tho back
scat think tho communion service has
tumblcd Off the altar.
Bride Ton shipboard at sea in D
stormy feel so sick, my dear, and II
should die and they bury me here,
you'll sometimes come and plant flowers
on my grave, won't you, darling"
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
Don't get the blues. Don,t

DON'T get the blues. Don't look
on the cloudy side of everything.
DON'T be pessimistic. DON'T think
that the good people aie all dead,
nor that bad people are to be allo "
ed to turn this world wrong side up.
God rcigns. HIS glorious cause is
as dear to him as it ever can be to
us. lie will take care of those who
trust in him and do their best. If
we suffer, good may come from it.
What are we living for but to get
right with God and eternity, and
stay so? Let us make the best of
our opportunities. BE hopeful, hap
py and pure. Work hard. Die on
ly when you must st.-MicAigan Chris
tan 1dU0c0te.
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03

Liquor, Morphine,
Opium and
Tobacco Habits.
thousands in the Throes of Torture.

thousands in the Throes of Torture.
Map ar0mPl, dec sive action can save the
way.
are these the days Of freedom? Is every
body out of bondage? Would tn nj va
could answer, Yes, everybodys free
-, Lnit IN thls enlightened age hundreds O
thousands OF hIen are in the clutches or n
tyrant worse than any in history, un able to
light their way to liberty, impotent to break
their fetters. w '''"N
When once the habit gets it's grip on n
man II DESTROYS his nerve and will power.
robs him of his only means Of defense Ills
life is sapp"d out Of him, his manhood de-
stroycd, his brain deadcned, and he be-
comes wreck OF q man--existence a liy-
ing death, himself an object Of disgust in
stead of love and affection to those who are
dear to him.
Is there no hope? There is-cven after
years of slavery cure without failure
guaranteed.
Come and be treated and if in n week or
two you do not like gaining weight, feel.
ing new manly vigor and making your
loved ones happy, you can quit and there
will be no charge. No cure - No pay!
The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03

MAGISTRATES HAVE No JURISDlC-
TION.-Judgo Earle has just raade IL
decision ia Barnwcli that the magis-
trates OF this State havo no jurisdic-
tion in either civil or criminal casos.
This condition has brought about by
Governor Evans having vetoed the bill
giving them Jurisdiction and defining
their duties. The Governor vetoed
the bill because it took from him the
power OF removal
If this decision stands, South Caro-
lima was no officers to try petty offend
ers and the verdicts rendered in civil
cases by magistrates can not stand.