davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

..sfskx41
ann and the strength born Of despera-
tion into the giants heart. and as he
sank to the floor she bounded to the
side Of the church. seized a lighted
taper, opened a trap door in the hoor,
lhurled the light into supply Of powder
stored there. and springing through o
side door leaped from the precipice as
scores Of other women had done within
the horrible half hour preceding. There
was a flash. a thunderous roar, and the
solid church seemed to be heaved high
in air, while in the urid light Of the cx-
plosion dead bodies Of men and women
could be seen among the flying fTag'
ments, and with them scores OF live
Kurds struggling as they arose.
scorched and blackened, toward the
sky. The fragments. human and other
wise, came down again and darkness
succeeded. The surviving Kurds butch
cred all who survived, Of the villagers,
except the women they bore of as cap
tiyes. but at the foot Of the cliff they
found but the mangled remains OF
scores of brave women who had pre-
ferred death to slow torture and devil
ish indignities.
An hour later all was strangely still
burning ruins smoldering with the dul'
glow of expiring embers marked the
graves of hundreds, and the spot on
which but a short time before smiled
happiness and home. But beautiful
Zilah was not dead. She had fallen or
the soft bodies of the slain. had much
to her surprise found herself but little
hurt, and had crawled off into the mar
row wooded paths which threaded thf
mountain fastenesses near, all familiar
to her. She sought refuge in a noun
tain shepherds cave, who at morn Wis
tied the village In search for survivors
but found none. The fierce Kurdi
had made sure work Of their bloody
task.
A few weeks later Zillah, through
many hardships, found her way to tn
seaside, and thence to America, comint
to a great western metropolis will
other Armenian refugees, where sh'
found shelter with the Armenian col
ony, which did what It could for thes'
unfortunates, human remnants save'
from the furnaces Of affection whicl
consumed so many noble lives in dark
ened Armenia. Mourning for those sh
loved, almost despairing she struggled
bravely with her lot, and the sweet
faced rirl fonnd friends and favo
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

reIenung AT times, seems To snatch
from the desd to reward the love OF tho
living. Never since angels sang at
bethlehem had Christmas seemed glad
der to any human soul, than was this
memorable Christmas eve to the beauti-
full Armenian maiden. After the storm
the calm. Akthar md Zillah wcre wed
soon after, and Abanazar became an in
nate Of their happy home. Under the
starry flag which, thank God, to!erates
no religious persecution. they live in
security, doing their duty as Christian
citizens, loving their adopted land with
passionate oriental fervor, and contrib
',ting as they can toward the needs Of
those still suffering in the beloved home
country. They are loyal to the core,
hut hope the land Of their adopticn may
TO something to stay the hate whica
crimsoned tie land Of their birth. God
grant that their hope be not in vain.
A simple story. the annals OF lives
touched with sorrows deeper than those
most Of us in these happier lands have
known. Remembering our mercies at
Christmas time. let us not forget the
griefs which have burdened and op-
pressed such as these, butapply to them
ii fullest measure all that Is meant by
good will to men," To quote from the
good old book, which was theirs even
before II became ours: "rhese are they
Who came out Of great tribulation, and
they washed their robes and made them
white In the blood Of the Lamb. For
the Lamb which is In the midst OF the
throne shall be their shepherd. and
shall guide them unto fountains OF tho
water OF life; and God shall wipe away
every tear from their eyes"
I. EDGAR JONES
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17


in the fact that you gave me sealskin
tacque for my Christmas present.
"Nothing humorous at all, my dear.
On the contrary"
"Then is there anything very peculiar
the thermometer being near zero, in
my wearing the sacque to church TO-
day?" -,
"Why, dear, the peculiar fact would
have been your not wearing it to church
to-day!"
every well, then, will you explain
the behavior Of people today The coz
ductor laughed in my face as he took
nv fare, woman whom never SAW
before wanted to talk to me in the car
and, as walked up the church aisle,
everybody was in broad grin!"
"Perhaps they were pleased to see
you in a sealskin."
"Yes, It is so likely that Sarah snaggs
would be pleased at that, and y--yet
she was one Of the worst ones' And
here II thought I'd be perfectly hap
py II I only had n sealskinl"
81, too, had hoped to be happier, then
my love!'
"All through service II was the same'
Nv beod ached from the cold, anyhow
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

XIV The demons Of disss'
Fear not the sword or gown
The demons Of disaster
They troop to wreck gil ships
Than winds Of Heaven faster
Hold back thy frowns and whips
For these. the poor. thy brothers
be-
Remember Him Of Galilee!
What other power can save you
From evils trooping near?
From demons all that brave your
His love alone they fear;
The demons all that brave you
What other Is to stay7
Give as He freely gave you.
On this His natal day.
BY sacrifice we come to bliss,
There Is no other path but this
Behold the star that shineth
Forever In the east!
Behold the rose that twineth
Above the lair Of BEAST
Behold the, rose that tw!netn
To bless the monarch's bower
The same His hand designeth
To cheer the toiler's hour!
The space between the poor sns
great
His presence doth obliterate.
o perfect love that chideth
The heart that harbors wrongi
O love that still abideth
TO make the weakest stronE'
o love that still abideth
When all else pure hath ned.
Thou art! thy strength o'er-rideth
The demons man doth dread.
TITS thine. o silent force Of love.
70 make q lion Of the dove,
CHARLES EUGENE BANKS
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
TWO CHRISTMAS EYES.
An Armenian Maiden's Escape and
Its Happy Sequel

Christmas amid the mountains Of
Armenia. The scene Of our story
is little oriental village, In ls9-,
nestled amid the rugged cliffs at the
head OF u smiling valley. The site OF
the hamlet was ravine running up the
mountain side into q rocky pass, as
though the great valley opening beyond
had been whitfield to narrow point
tibet II might penetrate the hills. Great
precipices yawned on either side, and
towering cliffs which seemed to have
grown gray with age, even as the snow
on the higher peaks Of the mountains
seemed the hoary locks Of those
ancients, which there had for centuries
watched over the old world. Near by
Mount Ararat. where rested the rrk
after the food. It was here Noah titled
his vineyards and the human race be-
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
A NAMELEss GIFT.

Why Sister Mary Broke Her Engagement
with tho Doctsr'
When Sister Mary began II sne IN
tended It to be lamp mat, and the re-
ceiver was to be my Cousin Saran.
Sister Mary Is rather touchy aoou'
some things, but never knew anytning
to affect her so severely as the nero
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

"Christmas comes but once year,
you know" chirruped Mrs. Lufkin.
Mr.. Lufkin looked earnestly into the
hollow depths Of his pocketbook.
'I'm glad Of that he said, in q
gloomy tone.-N. Y. Recorder.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
,9c!lsr ONE .aa san.!'s,iss anlSSiss

and nOmesIOVluB
hn,n,n..s are the bright
snu ns. :, .hs Christ day through.
ie.'1 - mstes and bounds o.
ca' s.u ~ Gallons il the heart,
vn,..el M.a ~, I'M rressions Of light and
.as s,'u ua ,,h;oh Il mt ouickened to
s.aun.s, .,., ond rnself,sbness upon the
s, Esa',en.s. as~ =. m H;m wbo taught the broad
n.'a' a.n;.r 10. ~ ond tbe most djsinterest-
~ @ nu u"d n,clens written only Of
eu - Nv. ~ should occunv a com.
,. on.'s;' ,,ao. IN The affection Of hu-
manu-. manu.ns sI"ors. pa ~ the CHEEKY scenes
1'an,'y o.'a s .ha ohssry balos he cast
ne p.o'u's' w. aar 1 ~ ~ MI days IN the wear.
auou' 'n's 40, .l.. ', ,,h,oh ~ times seemed
ine se'y pa' o,s ,,hon he wrote mick
pa's :. s, n-..s..naa nrder tbe lirbt Of
enc. enea sa aua nm.;, vS ~ w.s neorlv diyested Of
','a, y. 10Y .s.".. wv"
:" -. ~ s ..sss =, Calvary was Years
ine "aey ~. ...no NJ pethlehem.
srNr ". Ma M Ia msad n GROW nm to
Inc oouu"'. ."." .aS .s MAN ohont Him the
.,. man e's - ,asn,ts sn ds,tv before He be.
manue y a" .".,o,.,s s s.oouo,nted with
cams : ~" rnon y. y, ssa. sou .s,,s ~ the vir.
s,'ei. ~, Nc 80 har c,od emile ~ inv
s.n I ,sa,.s rnon ths toca ~ her new.
= IL 'uo ''N INA :. raoo,ls Tho cherub,c
vfu . .,. A.. s.ortlaa the
lug - wy Co.. 80 .ha o+,,,oent
s.ePu.. .s"s ~. ,v,so mon ~ the
80 ~. n,sh M ~ ,.r n hr,ncs ont
msuse. !" " ~" h.aur o,roumstorces ~
" 'n' ps.' s a r; RI ,nto the Div,nc
LIE WV .-,n.,nr Nth tham o,fts a.
pl,s0n'' ,,sn.a se 500 and mvrrb so
eolu s.,u .'.a In ',,han srst uttered he.
wv 0'esse' sas.., s.'1.. " nnderstood md ,s heard
csu'o ~" 0 !. q mn roors the Heav.
al@l 'no ,ass y. ..aoo - rood viii " mon
eniy p'o, ~ ~ .sash;nc - nercv for.
UUmes a'so s W. shor;t, os suhst;tnte for
sNen,ss ana ~ :. 49,. a. ore and tooth
M su0 ..s ."s.s whsn NJ cama the dark
~ 80. - .,.r a,d wrorg and onnres.
u..r ,,.hsr,r =, ~ tbe ora \
s,oA - y. y. and,sss dov ~ love for enc.
u.wn " ~ '.ss g.. .hoso that use
me- 4....pa., wv aosn;.o,ullv
AT Tn. $50 ,n,a - ths saoes who came as
-. ue ~ sAp'e +, n,,arsa,ly ~ followed and
sne' !. .Sa, /. should he So
NC. ..s h"o,. tho, o;ves IN
@ vecause s. Wv s,,ra " rrom,sc ~ a bless.
,o'e n"s ~. I ord Tho ,nsn;rinc
'ns ..o saa..,nns m ,s the love that
ln..','. mos.eo, W o,;, an.iu the recjnient Of
.n'nns s Nv wa ,oro 10 ,be dominant
W., ~, ~ ~ haor. thot is rood The
lu'el . =. .'h. W.. nn+h,nn q He did mot
.n,,s' lug ;sni.o "a haa,tr ~ home lifs
@ ..a." :. 'Ie h.,.,aad rron loye The beort
.a. ."a. ,sna. n and il ahssrf,,l gives freely.
.na. ..s 'o ",,,,n,,n;oat;no @ n,eas,,re 70 others
."as 80, aaa.;on .hst thev ore not for.
% ~ .ne 'e ea s.nn;nass ~ tho donor in
eo'.en' auu aspp =. H. oo,,rrr;coted
'na' nv - :. .onton;ors nc han.
haPP'hesS' No'o 10 oo"' 49, - ~
TllppCg 10 n0n1AUlOuS. uIu UltSSCu dlltI
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

cun anew after the foods subsidized,
for Armenia Is one Of the oldest lands
md ;ts neonls trace their lineage direct
~ that piblical emirrant ship which
oo,or;,ed n when the world was Young.
From manv a quaint. fiat-roofed dwell
;no arose Christmas carols to which
soft.vo;ced echoes sang responsive
chorrses among the cliffs, and at least
one church bell tried bravely, singly
and alone to supply an imitation Of
Christmas chimes. II was peaceful
n;cture unon which the stars twinkled
anrrovinolv az thew bespangled the
siones with ,osv diamonds and coated
countless sparkles from the pallid snow.
The Armeniaps are a devout people, and
make much of the Christmas festival.
This little hamlet was in many respects
MT unlike bethlehem, and near it were
MANY shepherds who guarded their
Aocks nv night as did those of Judea
when the angels sang Of peace on earth,
GOOD will TO men.
At the home Of Abanazar, the head
man of the village. there were quiet
festivities. decorations of holly and
other eyercreens, songs Of praise and
stories which for generations had hand
cd down cherished traditions and
leoends Of Armenia, There were the
aced grandfather and grandmother,
Ahanazer and his GOOD wife, three little
Girls ranging from six to twelve years
old and zillah, the l6-year-old daugh-
tor with her atlianced lover Akthar,
the stolwart Young herdsman. She
was beautiful maiden, with regular
features large ewes aglow with love,
the small but symmetrical form char
octeristic Of SO many women of her
race. In her picturesque costume she
was marvellously handsome, and her
tones were as musical as the tinkle
of silvery bells or the low notes of Ak
thar's flute, to which she sometimes
sang soft accompaniment. The pleas
ant scene in this home was duplicated
in many others that starit Christmas
eve.
Suddenly the scene changed. The
church bell rang in sharp, short strokes,
a spirited alarm, confusion succeeded
calm. and there were excited exclama'
tions ard hurrying in hot haste as a
riderdashed madly down the one central
street, shouting: Save yourselves
Christians, the Kurds are coming!'
But there was no time. Close upor
his tracks came hundreds Of swa'hy
horsemen, turbaned and fierce, with
loud Mohammedan maledictions
shouted in deep-voiced hate, and eye'
which cleaned like live Goals from be-
meath beetling brows. In a moment
pandemonium seemed to have broker
loose. the guns spoke sharply, seine
tars flashed in silver and turned Grim
son, and soon the flames from burning
buildings cast their lurid glare over al
earthly hell wherein fends held higl
oorr;rol in sheddinp innocent blood
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

The future has q golden tinge,
The past, too, may seem pleasant;
But Just about the Christmas tide
There's nothing like the present.
Harlem Life.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

Hereafter, II your hose you'd see
Well-hlled at Christmas dawn,
Why, take this simple hint from me
Sleep with your stocking on.
L. A. w, Bulletin.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
Her Time Of Joy.

New Boarder-Do you enjoy Christ
mas, ma'am?
Landlady-very much, indeed. All
my boarders get invited out to dine,
you know.-Chicago Record.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

Checkly-Did you hang up your stock
ing on Christmas eve?
Harduppe-No, not quite as bad as
that; but hung up my overcoat and
watch.-Brooklyn Life.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17

THE DOCTOR LOOKED PuzALED.
creased the thing seemed to curl up
around the edge. like the tail OF dried
herring. and the larger It grew the
more it curled up, until II got to be
the shape Of china wash basin. l
don't know what was wrong with 1t,
for am not an expert In that line, but
before the lamp mat was complete Sis
ter Mary decided to call ita bag of some
sort or other, and put ribbons on it for
handles and tassel on the bottom.
You sec, when lamp mat makes up its
mind to be a pudding bag you just
have to let IL have its own way.
So, as ! said, she put long ribbons on
il, pink ones, and some bows. and |
took II over and gave II TO the bald
headed doctor, with her compliments
and merry Christmas" /"
She was engaged to him then.
That was all right, but what do you
think that doctor did2 Why. he sat
right down and wrote her a note thank
ing her for her kindness in sending him
such tasty and comfortable night
cap" and assuring her that it wo
bring him pleasant dreams. Yet
And | don't wonder Sister y
mad and broke the engager
But you can bet she
make any lamp mats
ELLIS
| T
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
CHRISTMAS EVE WARNING.

Clara lin bed)-Come into bed, quick,
Sally Sanity Claus amt no fool. If
he sees you a-walkin' aroun' with them
legs, he'll know that stockin don't be-
long to you!-Truth.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
Current COMBINATIONS.

The annual profit of the Sucz Canal
is SO, 600 900.
Mohammedans as well as Jews arc
being turned out OF liuSsia's posses
sions.
The number of eggs annually import
ell into Great Britain exceeds &c.,
0O0.0 600.
1t is said that 100000 cubic feet of
water plunge 80 feet downward over
the Niagara eScarpment every second,
thus wasting 100000 horse power Of
energy to the second.
A complete skeleton of a moa or dinor.
mis-, the gigantic Ostrich-like extinct
bird of the New Zealand and the Con
Eccticut sandstone, has just been dis
covered in Il New Zealand cave.
\ treatise on natural history was for
hidden in Turkey because in its chapter
on startish it was supposed to contain
some occult allusion to the Sultan's
palace, which is named The Star"
The finest private museum in the
world is the property of Walter Roths-
child, the eldest son of Lord Roths-
child. 1t is ut Tring, in IIertfordshire.
England. The owner has given up half
his life to it.
1t will cost 81, IO3.519 to maintain the
public schools of New York City in
1896. OF this amount So, I33,327 is for
salaries OF teachers in grammar and
urinary Cahnnls fHIan linIo,.r, \, m,
will be continued.
EclipSes, both of the gun and moon,
have been of great yalue in chronology.
Thus, for instance, Il great battle be-
tween the Modes and INDIANS. during
which Il total eclipse of the sun occur
red, is fiXed by that fact as in the year
Go Il. e..
The total railway capital Of the world
is $4,000, 900, 900, of witch Great Brit
ain owns one-sixth. The total mileage
OF the world is 100. DOC. and of this the
British empire has 10000, employing
10000 men and carrying annually 300
100000 passengers.
A dress or coat should never be hung
away with soiled spots on 1t, even for Il
few days. 1t is much Easier to remove
the spots as soon rs they appear than
to wait until they accumulate, and. as
is often the case, collect dust and dirt
until II becomes almost impossible to
remove all traces. 1t will take but Il
few moments to thoroughly brush aud
shake ' dress.
The Gresham funeral train carrying
the President and his cabinet to Chi
cago was run slower than the regular
passenger trains, although il was given
Il clear right of way. Being asked the
reason. an official of the road said:
suppose we were to kill or MAIN IL
President Of the United States ON our
line. Why. il would ruin the road and
every man prominently connected with
it,
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
Retaruiug Plants.

One of the most interesting novelties
in horticulture is the art of r%etarding
the blooming season of flowers. The
London Times refers TO Il florists cs-
adjustment where the crowns of lilies
are placed in M iccllouSc 10 hibernate
several months and are then brought
into bloom between the end of sum
mer and Christmas. All plants Will
not tolerate this treatment. but those
which are hardy are NJ injured by il;
as Il rule. The method is found 10 work
well with the lily Of the valley, lilacs,
spiraeas, deutZiaS ana Client azaleaS.
Between the Fastening operation IN.
the dollhouse and r%etardation in cold
storage some varieties of plants can
now bc made TO bloom the year round.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
KNOWLEDGE

Brings comfort and improvement and
tends to personal enjoyment when
rightly used. The many, who live bet
ter than others and enjoy life more, with
less expenditure, by more promptly
adapting the worlds best products to
the'needs of physical being, will attest
the value to health of the pure liquid
laxative principles embraced in the
remedy, Syrup of Figs.
Its excellcnce.is due to its presenting
in the form. most acceptable and pleas
ant tosthe taste, the refreshing and truly
beneficial properties of a perfect lax
alive; e~flectually cleansing the system,
dispelling colds, headaches and fevers
and permanently curing constipation.
1t has given satisfaction to millions and
met with the approval of the medical
profession, because it acts ON the Kid
neys, Liver and Bowels without weak
ening them and it is perfectly free from
every Objectionable substance.
Syrup Of Figs is for sale by all drug
gists in soc and 81 bottles, but it is man.
ufactured by the California Fig Syrup
Co. only, whose name is printed on every
package, also the name, Syrup Of Figs,
and being well informed, you will not
accept any substitute if offered.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
Slept on the "Sideboard."

An old, gray-whiskercd man. who
had lived all his life on n small farm
near Batavia. stopped at the hotel last
Tuesday evening. He said he wanted
a room for II night. He was sent up
to the third floor. Later in the even
Ing lie went out. and didn't come back
till midnight. lie had evidently been.
enjoying himself. His breath Smelled
OF whisky. He went up TO his room,
and that was the last seen of him until
early in the morning. when n boy went
to call him for his train. The boy GOT
mo answer when he knocked on the
door, and he opened il and walked in.
The folding-bCd had not been let down.
The boy had TO look about for Il mo-
ment or two before he discovered the
old man. Then he heard Il husky voice
from up near the ceiling somewhere.
He looked up. and there was the guest
curled up on top of the bed, rubbing
his eyes. He was fully dressed. Will:
the exception of his big. cowhidc boots,
which were standing on the floor.
Say, mister" inquired the boy, why
didn't yer get into bed
"B'gosh.' shouted the man. angrily,
there amt no bed. Here I've been
curlcd up on top of this here sideboar.
all night without n wink o sleep.
Amt this n nice way 10 treat a man?
Hey!r-Buffalo Express.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
II Makes Such a Difference.

\ Linn Grove girl found a package
of love letters that had bcen written to
her mother 10y her father before they
were married, says the Sioux Rapids
Republican. The daughter saw that
she could have a little sport. and read
them To her mother. substituting her
W name for that of her mother and
a fine young man for that of her father.
The mother JUMPED up and down in her
chair. shifted her feet. seemed terribly
Disguised. ana forbade her daughter
having anything to do with a young
man who would write such Sickening
and nonsensical stuff to Il girl. When
the young lady handed the letters 10 her
mother to read the house became so
still that one could hear the grass grow
Ing in the back yard.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
Low Rates South.

On Feb. 4 and March 5. the Monon
Route wiz sell tickets from Chicago To
al points III the South at exceedingly low
rates: Abbeyillc. Ca. S15.30; Decatur,
Ala. S1c65; Chattanooga. Tenn. S1O.75;
Jacksonville. Fla. $3.50: Memphis,
Tenn. S1i.10; New Orleans. La. $11.05;
st. Augustine. Fla. S1S.G5; Tampa. Fla.
S2l: Mobile. Ala. $16.05; and all other
points at proportioaately low rates.
For further information address J.. T..
Session, Tray. Pass. Agt., Minneapolis,
Mimi, or City Ticket Office, 232 Clan L
street, Chicago, III.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19

She has Il rich voice, speaks we'll. and
for a queen is very simple and unas-
Stunning in her dress. But her ward
robe is very extensive ana elaborate.
The queen has always beer reputed to
possess great ability. and is said to be
the ablest politician in the kingdom.
This is high praise. because oriental
politics is crafty. involved and treacher-
Gus. She is progressive. too. and there
is not anything in the world too good
for her and her palace. even to electric
lights AMI telephones. But Ii always
had Il deep love for China. and has al-
ways done her best to retain the Chi
ncse hold upon the country of her adop-
fiop