davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

buy a cap with roses in it; and this
is the baby's. I'm going to get her
a whole lot of chocolate creams and
peanuts; and this is for you, Esther,
only I shan't tell what 1 am going to
buy" Lenny stopped, and Esther
tried very hard not to laugh at the
thoughts of papa with ring and man.
ma in a red necktie. But there's an
other pile, Lenny," she said Yes,
that's just the trouble; seems to me l
ought to have some of my money my
self [ can tell you l worked hard for
that money, Esther"
"Well, then, this pile is yours, is
it,"
Eyes. l thought So" said Len, slow
ly, "only the minister said we should
remember to save some of our gifts
for the poor. l think poor folks and
heather are an awful bother, Esther"
And Len looked up defiantly, as if
ready to endure all that Esther might
say in answer to such a shocking senti-
ment. To his great surprise Esther
said quietly, so do l, Lenny; some
times 1 feel about discouraged when 1
think what bother they are
Lenny's fat hand reached out and
transferred the sixth pile to his
pocket.
There's lots of folks taking care
of them, too, and giving them money
and things" he said.
"Yes," said Esther, there are people
in the great cities who spend their
whole time looking after these poor
persons, visiting them at their homes,
begging fuel to keep them from freez-
ing, and food to keep them from starry
ing, getting them into hospitals when
they are sick, and teaching them to
work. They don't do this for pay, but
just for the dear Lords sake, and they
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
Sick Room Literature.

The reading matter of the chronic
invalid and the convalcscent is Il COM
plicated subject that receives too scant
attention. Absolute requirements GER
tainly are freedom from morbidness,
something bright and amusing, that
also demands little thought 1t is well,
too, to decide upon story that has
plenty of vigorous action-not exhaust
ing, hairbreadth escapes-in one of
those healthy works that makes the
reader feel as if he had been eXercis
ing himself The enjoyment of this
book will gently tire him and often
supcrinduce refreshing sleep
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
TO RECLAIM LANDS.
"MODEL FARMS" BEING ESTAB-
LlSHED ALONG THE BUR-
LlNCTON ROUTE.

In Kansas and dNebraska-Practicai Farm
ers in Charge OF Each Station-Suc-
cessfulIy Experimenting with Western
Prairie Soil.
OMAHA, Dec. S.-The enormous crop
Kansas and Nebraska produced the
past year has given agriculture such
an impetus in these two states that all
other industries have in measure
been overshadowed The Burlingt ton
Railroad company has established a
number of experiment stations or
''model farms" in order To- demonstrate e
the advantage of the most improved
methods of soil culture and lead farm
ers of Nebraska and Kansas to new ef-
forts in this direction and cna bic them
to independent even in the So
called ''drouth sections" and dry
years" Incidentally the company cx
poets returns from its investments in
increased and regular crops, necessi
tating heavy freight and passenger
traffic on its network of lines in the
West
John Francis has just returned from
4 trip over Nebraska and Kansas,
where he has esta blished model farms
at Oberlin, Kan, and at McCook, Hold
rege, Alma and Broken Bow, Neb.
Something was done in this line by the
company last year and with immensely
satisfactory results. The farms con
slst OF forty acres in each station un-
der the immediate supervision of Il
practical and tried farmer of the neigh
borhood. Each farm will be visited
frequently by one of the learned corps
of Prof. Campbell, who are skilled in
the new methods. Nebraska and Kan
sas farm staples, corn, wheat. rye, oats
and potatoes. will he produced.
The farming at the experiment sta
tions is conducted primarily on the the
ory that the rainfall of the West is am
pie and abundant for all Practical
farming purposes. but that owing TO
capillary attraction. the moisture es-
capes from the earth before it performs
its proper and desired functions. The
new me thod will contribute to rctard
the action of natures law at critical
moments and retain the moisture
Experience has demonstrated that
the virgin soil of the western prairie
is hard and dry to an unknown depth.
However, wnere the surface has been
disturbed and capillary attraction in
terfered with, the same soil, under ex-
actly similar conditions otherwise, is
moist and mellow as desired by farm
ers. On this theory the small grain
will be drilled in lines far enough apart
to permit cultivation. The surface
will be readily cultivated to a depth
of one or two inches. Capillary attrac
ton will bring the moisture this near
the surface, where the attraction of
the molecules is destroyed and the un-
limited store of moisture distributed
gradually to the roots of the grain in
stead of passing rapidly into the atmos-
phere. The professors experts will
spend the remainder of their time in
speaking at farmers Institutes in this
and adjacent states
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

It's wise wife that doesn't try 10
know her own husband.
The smallest and the biggest thing
in the world is the heart of little
child.
Men would go shopping oftener with
women if they weren't shamed SO by
the way they treat the saicsgirls.
The Queen of Sheba probably never
overheard one of Solomon's wives ask
him to get up and kindle the fire.
The man who envies his bachelor
freedom is all right: it's the man that
doesn't seem TO mind it that needs
watching.
Girls wouldn't stick the toes of their
new shoes out so far in front if they
knew how their slllrt-tails dragged be-
hind New York Press.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

in families, and given us homes.
Happy school girls have been eager
ly counting the days until the holi-
day recess, when they will go home,
carrying many dainty gifts of their
deft handiwork to the loved ones
there. Eager boys from college halls
will go back to the fireside where anx-
ious prayers have risen daily for their
welfare since first they went away.
Young men from the marts of COM
merce and the paths of trade will put
the city, with it's manifold tempta-
tlons and cares, behind them to find
rest and strength in the old country
home.
Middle-aged men and women will go
to the homes of their childhood to
meet again brothers and sisters in fam
lily gatherings, and to cheer once more
with their presence the belated pill
grlms who still tarry below, divided
between the children who have gone
before and those who still meet once
year around the parental hearth
stone
What joy, what memories, what
hopes the Christmas time will waken!
And to some the merry season will
bring new pangs of sorrow-griefs they
never knew before. Since last Christ
mas dear old parents have gone home
to God, and children who used to
gather about them will not go to the
nId hnnoctoo1
much of the home that was there has
vanished into the heaven. Aged
mothers will watch for sons who will
come no more. Bereaved husbands
will walk alone the rounds of the chill
dren's rooms, trying vainly to be both
mother and father in preparing the
surprises for the little ones on Christ
mas morning. And stricken wives will
do their best to keep the little ones
from feeling too keenly this first Christ
mas since the husband died, that papa
is dead" Thousands of little ones will
know as they have not known before
the losses which the year has brought
chem.
Good men and women will thank
God for the homes behind them, and for
the good home before; and wayfaring
outcasts will stop to think of golden
days gone by, and to wonder if some
how they will not one day find rest
ing place. And so, with all classes, the
season should be one of tenderness and
love and thankfulness.-Rev W. A.
Gambler, D. D.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
As To Trnhe.

Many man who would smile indui-
gently at the innocence of his little
child, who, planting a seed in the
morning, would dig IL up at night to
see why it had not sprouted, is today
pulling long face over the lack OF
pressure of business which was to re-
suit from the sound money victory.
Strangely disregarding the fact that
the election did not occur until the fall
trade was practically over in all the
holiday lines, armies of travellers were
put on the road election week to har-
rass merchants who were in position
to buy nothing. g.-Dry Goods Econo-
mist
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
ScOwling.

Don't scowl it spoils faces. Before
you know it, says writer in the
Standard, your forehead will resemble
small railroad map. There is a
grand trunk line from your cowlick to
the bridge of your nose, intersected
by parallel lines running east and west,
with curves arching your eyebrows:
and o. how much older you look for
it! Scowling is a habit that steals
upon us unawares. We frown when
the light is tco strong and when it is
too weak. We tie our brows into a
knot when we are thinking, and knit
them even more tightly when we can
not think. There is no denying there
are plenty of things to scowl about.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
Uncle Sans Nicknames.

Almost every state in the union has
a nickname conferred upon it, and a
few of these nicknames are so general
ly known that the state is readily re-
cognized by it's nickname For exam
pie. everybody knows green mountain"
or the granite state, but how about
the lizard" and the ''toothpick?"
Some amusement, perhaps little in
struction, may be gotten from the fol-
lowing verses by identifying the states
whose nicknames are given:
Dear little children gather round
And I will tell to all
The strange events that came to pass
At Uncle SamuePs ball.
The states that had nickname
Alone were asked to come,
But still they made a motley crowd
At yankee-doodledom
First in the ballroom there appeared
A Lizard" long and slim,
But a "'Muskrat" and "Buzzard"
Came quickly after him;
And soon the hall was crowded
With nicknamed people queer,
Their names you'll find recorded
Full circumspectly here.
The ''Muskrat" played the fiddle,
The "Buzzard" played the drum;
So the music was Squeek! squeek
squeek!
And grunting rum. tum! tum!
The "Toothpick" danced polka
With blushing wolverine
The "Tadpole," mad with jealousy,
Sat sneeTing full of spleen,
While "Bullhead" tripped a measure
With a lovely "Tarheel'' there,
AND a 'tGundint" picked a quarrel
With Sucker" on the stair
A "Fortune-seeker" sought the hand
OF "Knickerbocker" gay.
While an old "Clamhunter" danced a
jig
In everybody's way.
There were great men in the ballroom,
There were great men on the stair,
But the Wooden Nutmeg sighed to
think
There was no "grater" there.
The "Hoosier" and the "Jayhawk"
Cast many an anxious glance
In search of the refreshment room;
They'd rather eat than dance;
While "Hawkeye," the detective,
Was here and everywhere,
For he had information
That q "Hardcase" would be there.
By q yankee" and a Creole"
The dance was being led,
When both were set a-sprawling
Ger clumsy 'Leatherhead"
The Spanish Indians" shouted,
Throwing Buckeyes" on the floor,
While u Beagle" chased a Badger"
And Gopher" yelled for gore.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

Features in the January number of
Harper's will be: Portuguese Progress
in South AFRICA" by Poultney Bigelow;
an instalment of The Martian," by
George du Maurier; "A Century Strug-
gle for the Franchise by Professor
Francis n. Thorp; Fog Possibilities,
by Alexander Meade; Science at the
beginning of the Century, by DR..
Henry Smith Williams; Literary
Landmarks of Rome" by Laurence
Hutton; English Society," by George
w. Smalley; John Murrcll and His
Clan" by Martha Culloch- Williams;
Indian Giver," farce by w. ID.
Howells; ''One Good Time" Il tale of
rural New England; "a Prize Fund
Beneficiary" by f. A. Alexander; and
I'm the Watches of the Night" by
Brander Matthews.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
What a Small Boy Could Do.

A lad in Boston, rather small for his
age, according to the Prohibitionlst,
works in an office as errand boy for
four gentlemen who do business there.
One day the gentlemen were chafing
him little for being so small, and
said to him:
you will never amount to much,
you can never do much, you are too
small"
The little fellow looked at them.
Well" said he, "as small as l am,
can do something that neither of you
can do"
"Ah, what is that?" said they.
81 don't know as ought to tell you,'
he replied.
But they were anxious to know, and
urged him to tell what he could do
that neither of them were able to do.
81 can keep from swearing" said the
little fellow.
There were some bushes on four
faces, and there seemed to be no anx-
iety for further information.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

keep on at work until they are worn
out and die, and then someone else
takes it up. Oh, it is a dreadful both
err"
Lcnny's hand crept into his pocket
and fingered the money doubtfully.
"And there are people who go out in
the new countries, and live in mis-
cradle little cabins, and have scarcely
enough to eat or to wear, and no money
to buy books, or papers, Or Christmas
presents, or to send their children to
school, all because they are trying to
teach the poor people about Jesus, and
keep them from growing as wicked and
lawless as the heather themselves.
What a bother it must be to give up
everything so!'
Lenny's hand crept into his pocket
and laid about half the money back
upon the piano, but Esther went on as
if she had not seen him.
"And then there are the heathen
just think how many men and women
have left their homes and their friends,
anu ISOAC dN dy " lly " VIZ IuOSO pour.
ignorant creatures from worshipping
idols, and numbering their children
and their sick friends, and leaving theii
poor old parents to starve to death.
Just think, Lenny, OF the fathers ane
mothers who have seen their dear chill
dren dying in these unhealthy regions
or had to send them away from them
to save their lives-of the martyrs that
have given UP their own lives. all fol-
these heathen. l think they are
dreadful bother. And when, besides
this, l remember how much trouble
tn nave been to God, and how much
they have cost Him, I an sure they
must be precious or He never would
have given His Son to save them.
For if we would give all we have, our
money and our lives, we never could
give so much as God gave-for them,
and us, Lenny." Lenny's lips quivered
a little, but he laid the rest of the
money down with a bang, as he said.
There, Esther, you needn't talk any
more; that's Gods money in this pile,
and l guess l wouldn't be mean
enough to touch it,
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
Rubber Sails.

A proposition is at present in the
wind to make the sails of ships of rub
Der instead of canvas 1t is supposed
that if roped strongly along foot, luff
and leach, the result will be superior
to the canvas sails. Surely, however,
a sudden increase of wind power would
expand the sail too much and cause
some difficulty in governing the course
of the boat. Paper pulp is again sug-
gested as being an adequate substitute
for canvas. When pressed into sheets
and stitched together it would make
a light and effective sail.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
Saving Dry Road Dust.

One Of the jobs which should te at
tended 10 before cold weather IS TO save
a few barrels of dry road dust to be
used as dust baths for hens in winter
Nothing contributes more to the health
of hens than this. Coal ashes will an.
swer, but they stick TO the feathers of
fowls worse than road dust will. and
give the birds an unsightly appearance
The road dust is coarser, and we think
the fowls like TO roll in it better than
in the white. fine dust that comes
from sitting coal ashes
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

A handsome, we'll dressed young
woman was standing at the curb on
Market street, waiting for car. The
rain was falling steadily and deluge
was pouring down through the rents
of the umbrella upon her silk and
plumes.
Why, you are fairly drenched," ex-
claimed Il friend who had observed her
plight That umbrella of yours
doesn't shed Il drop of water"
''Oh, but sec what Il lovely handle it
has" and she held it up admiringly.
San Francisco Post.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
The Burglar Said "Histr,

1t was early Sunday morning that
Mrs. Frederick Horn, of Wakefield.
N J., was awakened by burglar who
said: Hist! Don't disturb your hus-
band" Mrs. Horn histed so loud that
the burglar broke for cover. but lin
gered long enough to take Horns
clothes, -hereat Horn blew loudly.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

The journey between Windsor castle
and Balmoral can be accomplished in
less than nineteen hours, a rather long
allowance for $50 miles, but the queen
doesn't like to feel the carriage oscili-
ate round curves, as the trains on
American railways have merry fash
ION OF doing. says the Boston Herald
hen this journey is taken, the royal
children who happen to accompany
grandmamma are not given any holi-
day, but are made to continue their
lessons just the same as at home.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
Watering Plants in Winter.

There is far more danger of giving
house plants too much rather than too
little water in winter. During the
short days and long nights, with very
little sunlight on the soil it is hard to
keep it at temperature here the
plants can grow vigorously. All the
surplus water added lowers the tenn
perature until it reaches a point where
the plants barely exist without making
any growth. If the soil has much veg
eta BILE matter, humic acid will be de
veloped and a low temperature and
this will poison the plant roots.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
A Presumed SYNONYM.

A little girl who was in the habit of
using the word guess" intemperately,
was reproved by her teacher. Dom t
say guess, Mary; say presume. Just
then playmate came up and. feeling
Mary's cloak, said: My ma is going
to ask your ma for the pattern of your
cloak y My ma amt got any pat
tern" answered Mary; She cut it by
presume ''-Troy Times.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
The Modern Mother

Has found that her little ones are i'm
proved more by the pleasant Syrup Of
Figs, when in need Of the laxative effect
of a gentle remedy than by any other.
and that it is more acceptable to them
Children enjoy it and it benefits them
The true remedy, Syrup of Figs, is man
ufactured by the California Fig Syrup
Company only.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

Rev. DR. Curry, Peabody and Slater
Funds agent in the south, is moving
to have A ALBANIA townships levy spec
iai TAX for more and better schools to
reach the masses
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
YOU WANT FaRM and we bav

so miles west of Houston, at CHEsTERVILlE.
the best tract in Texas. High prairie, we'll
drained. abundant rainfall. good soil, low
prices and easy terms. Don't fail to post
yourself. Write and receive our book Fer
tile Farm Lands FREE and information as
to cheap excursion and FREE FARE. Address
Southern Texas Colonization Co John
Lin |erholm Mgr, 1l0 Rialto Bldg. Chicago
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

exultant bliss,
AS in imagination he bestowed faith
er's kiss
Upon his darling little one, who, with
angelic grace,
Would cuddle in his loving arms and
gaze into his face
And in his hair and flowing beard her
chubby fingers fix,
And smile, and crow. and COO, and do
all kinds of baby tricks.
He waited long: the years rolled by;
the baby never came;
And disappointment burned within, a
high corroding flame.
He enVied other couples who could
point with glowing pride
To sons and daughters bright and gay,
who charmed the ingleside.
He censured God, his wife, chance,
fate, the busy world around,
And sought abroad for pleasure-but
no happiness he found,
And in this vain and fruitless search
his days and nights were spent,
Which brought him sore annoyance,
and increased his discomfort.
But when he saw, among his friends,
the great mishaps of life,
The deep anxiety and care, the dis
cord and the strife,
The many sad bereavements, and the
frequent grief and shame
The children bring to parents-e'en
dishonor on their name,
He thanked the Lord he had escaped
the sorrow and disgrace
That leave upon the heart their dark,
humiliating trace,
And formed the resolution to serenely
be content,
Whatever fortune might be his, if it by
heaven be sent.
Man little knows; the Deity knows
what for us is best;
When We believe our weary life is by
misfortune pressed,
It may be that the highest good which
heaven can bestow,
Is to deny the strong desires that in
our bosom glow
The thing We so intensely crave and
pray for day by day,
Arrived, may be a selfish joy, and lead
our souls astray,
And what a weighty i'll appears to our
beclouded eyes,
May prove, in the celestial light,
blessing in disguise.
Edgar Thorne.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

FITS stopped free and permanently cured No f..
after first days use of DIR. Niine's Great Nerve
.sessorer. Free 81 trial bottle aud treatise
send to Dr.. kLIsE, 93l Arch st. Philadelphia Pa
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

Inc ambitious young man climbs until
he considers himself out of si2ht.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
CHILDREN'S CORNER.
GOOD READING FOR BOYS AND
GIRLS.

The Child That Never Came'-Sick-
names of the States What Little Girls
Are Made Of-What IA Small Boy
Could Do-Don't Scowl.
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

"Oh. what lot of money" she said,
smiling, "are you going to buy a veloci-
pede?" That's my Christmas mon
ey.' said Len; "the pennies for not
being late to breakfast, and the dollar
grandma gave me, and my five centses
for bringing in wood. l suppose there's
bout four dollars" 1.-TWO dollars and
eighty-four cents" said Esther count
ing it over.
'And it won't divide good,' said
Len. This pile is for papa, and this
for mamma; I'm going to buy papa a
ring, and mamma 4 red necktie like
Norah's. and this is for grandma. to
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

Babe of Bethlehem who
was born in a manger and
lived a homeless life upon
earth hath set the solitary
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

Eiocution should never De carried too
far
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

TO CURE a COLD IN ONE DAY.
Take Laxative Bromo Quininc Tablets. All
Druggists refund the money ii it fails 10 cure a5c
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
HOUSANDS

HOUSANDS of
the absent all
over the land will
be turning home
ward with the
coming of Christ
m a G r h O
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

+ o r w A r d
looked, and
built his hopes,
and all his
earthly joys
claiming as his
own, a child,
even if twas a
boy.
girl he wanted,
and his breast
swelled with
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25
WHAT A BOTHER THEY ARE.

keep on at work until they are worn
out and die, and then someone else
takes it up. Oh, it is a dreadful both
The McCook tribune., 1896-12-25

In Kansas and Nebraska-Practicai Farm
ers in Charge OF Each StatiOn-Suc-
cessfulIy Experimenting with Western