davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
Thc Had Their Origin From Very
Ancient Pagan Gus
TOMS.

-, -. -L
The decorations which stil form snch
a prominent and beautiful feature OF our
christmas festival spranc from very old
- a,so-,s Ty,o ancient Drrids ven-
PAGAN CUSTOMS II ~ -
rated the mlS',etoe, anu ~ ~ tlLh"
of the winter SoiStlce priests ana PeuIIS
went out with much pomp TO gather the
mystic parasite. which was supposed Z"
have wonderful curative proptfueS. wv
white bu!Is Were ueu 20 M III
on which the plant grew ana Sacrllced'
while the mistletoe WIS cut ahi I"Ieiu-
ly thrown into a WldtSprt3u 'lpth. NJ
tsrward sprays were distributed ahionE
the people. who hung them a. d ch ~
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

1779 and who was the son of the ROY. Or,
benjamin Moore. the second Protestant
Episcopal bishop of New York.
Moore in ISL entered the faculty of the
General Theological seminary. To this in
stitution he gave the lard on which its
buildings stand in the block between Twen-
ti.th and 1weHty-tirst streets, west Of
Ninth avenue, New York. Resides his He
brew lexicon. printed in 1893. DR.. Moore
published other works. which no one but
photographers have seen or, heard Of in
half a century. He loved children. and he
would employ himself for hours in his man
sion playing on his violin for them. The
old house was the gathering place for all
the little ones in Chelsea.
His body lies in Trinity cemetery. Be-
sides his Gravestoue, the only monument
which has been put up TO his memory is Il
tablet in ST. Peters Episcopal church. in
West Twentieth street. 4 church built on
land which he gave to the denomination.
only one Of his ten children. for whom he
wrote Twas the Night Befor" Christ
mas Is living-Miss Maria Theresa Bar
rington Moore. who fer twenty years has
made her home in London. Another daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mary Clarke Ogden. died q few
years ago. Some of her children live in
died in the village of Sing Sing, and sew
New York. a son. benjamin. lived and
sral of his children live there now.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Christmas in oIdcn Time.

Heap on more wood: the wind is chill.
But let II whistle rs II will
Well Keep our Christmas merry still.
And well our Christmas Sires of old
Loved when the year its course lad rolled
And brought bright Christmas back a-ain
With all its EuspitIhle train.
Domestic and religious rite.
Gave honor 10 the holy night.
On Christmas eve the bells We're rung:
On Christmas eve the mass was sung.
That only night in all the year
Saw the stolei priest the chHIic" rear.
The damsel douncd her kiVtle sheen;
III" hall was dressed with molly green.
Forth TO the wood did merry men 70
To gather in The miStlctoc.
Then opened wide the barou's hall
To vassal. tenant. Snrf and all.
Power laid his rod Of rule aside.
And dotted his pride:
The heir. with roses in her shoes.
That night might village partner chopse
The lord UnderogatinG share
The vulgar game of post and pair"
All hail with uncontrolled delight
Ard general voice the happy night
That to the cottage. as the crown.
Brought tiGings OF salvation down,
Sir Walter Scott.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
OLD PEOPLES GIFTS.
Should Carry II Years Bright
ness Into the Recipients
Lives.

In the Christmas Ladies' Home Journal
Edward w. Box writes that he would not
be surprised if the dear old ladies OF our
land should rebel at the customary pres
ents which people send them Mt Christmas
time gifts that are severely practical,
and even a Reminder OF their years. Il
wish at this chriStmaStide. he continues.
every voting girl might bring her mind
to hunt out some aged saint. and bring
new brightness into that life by some holt
day thought or attention. \ bunch of
bright flowers can bring {, years sunshine
into Il sunset life. Let the gift be ever so
simple: the attention ever 50 small: but let
il be bright; let it be suggestive of cheer.
of hone. Of freshness, of yO~uth-Something
that will hiring the sparkle to the eye. the
tinga Of color to the cheek. II will be Il
double Christmas for you; a fresh. new
girl. it Will mean more than YOU think.
We always gain more than we give by as
sociatlrg with old people. The poorest old
lady in the land is rich in knowledge for
to comF in contact with an old lady. The
girl may be the most brilliant college
graduate who ever addressed a valedictory
TO her class. but In the comfortable chair
before her sits one who has learned from
experience what the girl has learned from
books. As a man takes off his hat to a
woman. 50 ! think a young girl should
always bow with respect to an old lady.
Let our young girls think over this with
the approaching holidays and seek to
old lady's life. Let every girl who can, see
to it that it shall be no longer said that
young people care very little for old people
these days. There are hundreds of dear
old ladies in our land whose lives would
be heightened by some fresh. bright Christ
mas thought from the hand and heart of
a young girl. For many such it would be a
new Christmas:a sunrise at sunset
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

Hundreds of old country people, espn-
cilIly of irish birth. Will remember the
Christmas candle. which is lighted and
placed in the window at midnight of
Christmas eve ana allowed 10 burn there on
the successive nights until II is. all con-
stunned. 1t is one of the most interesting
OF all the customs associated with the re-
ligious celebration of the Christmas festi-
val. II is symbolic. of course. OF the Light
of the World" hut some hold that with the
mistletoe. the holly and the festive prac-
tees of the season II goes back TO Druid
or pagan origin and is derived from some
nldcn symbolism of the returning warmth
of the sun. However this may he. it ia
not generally known that the custom has
been preserved in Canada to this day by
a tow old country people. comparatively
speaking. to whom Christmas would not
bear its holy message without the tall
wax candle shining in their window.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
A STOCKING THAT LOCKS.
IT Is ESPECIALLY INTENDED @
HOLIDAY USE.
Other Oddities I'm Observation-Disclosures
News. Supplemented by an Inquiry
Into the Origin of IL Rather
Puzzling Matter.

Just why the stocking was given the
place of Christmas honor is hard TO tell.
Did Santa Claus himself choose it as the
most attractive and altogether irreSisti-
hle of the many articles with which
femininity is pleased to c!othe herself. or
did it simply put its best foot foremost
and thrust itself into this CONSPICUOUS
position? At any rate it got there.
Perhaps it Will be news to some OF
you that there is a novelty in Christmas
stockings this year. says the Philadelphia
Record. 1t Will hold any number of gifts
and has a clasp at the top. The queer
bunchy affair. which. stuffed with gifts.
looks like anything save the legitimate pro-
tector of a good. sound serviceable
lower limb. is laughed over first. and then
opened, And out of it comc-uot fly. and
twenty hlackbirds-but all the pretty things
upon which the recipient had her little
heart set. 'Twould be a good JOKE, too. to
give one 10 a man: he'd get lots OF fun out
Of it unless it made hin huify.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

A FuuGui.r county. Pa. item reads:
Colonel John :. Moshy received last
week by express "A limb from the walnut
tree IN the vicinity OF Front Royal. from
which custer hung ten 0f his scouts. By
mani the same day came "a letter from
" Char,i" Dear. IN which he presents
the wood. with his compliments. and ex-
presses a wish that the colonel have a
cane made from #. In speaking of the
incident colonel Mosby said: Il was
much voNcd At Charlie Dear. who was
pUs Of my best soldiers. at sending me n
m'mento OF such 4 CHASTITY episode. I
wrote him an answer that | would not
Loigu Ia handle his gift with a pirchfork
.r a pair Of ionES and would have much
preferred something that would make me
forget rather than remember the dread
aifaiI."
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Invention of the Stocking.

Cnhappiiy, even by bringing poetic license
to our aid. we can't make the origin of the
stocking relate itself in any WAY TO Santa
Claus, or festiyity. or anything happy and
jolly. on the contrary. the origin of the
knitted stocking was the side issue of a
tragedy. one William Lee. mater of arts
and fellow OF ST. johns. Cambridge. invent
a young woman who did not return his
passion, and who earned her living by knit
ting stockings. The wretch, The rascal.
queen Elizabeth in the inird year of her
reign fell Il victim to the black silk stock
ing and declared she'd no further use for
tn" cloth ones after that.
In order to end our stocking song prop
criy we may bring ChaUrcr to the rescue.
of the Wife of Bath he tells us:
Hire hosen weren of fine skarlet redde.
Full Straitc y-t-Yed.
Real skittish. wasn't Sheo
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
NEW COTILLI0N FIGURES.
"JncOb's Ladder the "Portico,'
"opcn and the "Spokes
of the Wheel"
.he FhiIadelphia Record.

From the Philadelphia Record.
. y christmas dance without a CCtillOn
would be something on the order of liam
let without the prince. for the pretty
dance. with its graceful figures and its
charming fIVorS, gives a sort of holiday
zest I" the occasion. which youthful tyros
in society are sure to appreciate.
y hostess who Is fortunate enough to
number among her acquaintance Il man
dr. woman who can devise new figures
and new favors is n happy being. AMI
need have no further SOliCituGe as to
the success of the dance.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
"Symn,ctr!cal Hose"

The latest in stockings is labeled sym
metrical hose lave YOU seen them? In
II certain store there's one on a form which
is recognized readily enough. while next
to il Is its mate-a queer thing that looks
like a stocking will white side-whiskcrs.
Upon inquiry as to the nature of the ami
NAL one learns that the bewhiskersd one is
simply displayed wrong side out. and that
the "~whiskcrS. when properly arranged in
side, amount TO no more nor less than
padding. Hence. the name "symrnetri-
cal hose" Don't. in the name of what
ever you hold most dear. think Of pre-
Senting such an uncomplinentary gift
silk stockings. whichever weave the fair
one is partial to. are another matter: no
woman ever had too many pairs. But
symmetrical ~hOse"-ugh, However. no
man with his heart in the right place
would dream Of committing such a hur-
rpr'
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
"Spokcs of the wheel"

Another lively figure Is The Spokes Of
the Wheel; Il lady rolls a great gilt wheel
before her. and two men armed with a
stick try to possess themselves of ii. the
victor. of course. dancing of with the lady:
Flower figures are always effective and
NAY be varied indefinitely MarEucr:t"-.
roses. carnations. or chrysanthsmums of
different hucs ar" furnished the men, and
corresponding colorS ar. set in q gilded
! basket of moss: each cavalier then brings
his lady 10 select u flower corresponding TO
the ono he Mears in his huttOnholc.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Christmas GIndness.

Children faces CLEAN to-day;
Hearts are happy. glad rs May:
Gifts surprise us with their cheer:
Earth is heaven. and heaven is here.
When the year is fading slow,
Angel pleasures mortals know:
In our hearts and homes we find
Eden fingers Q behind.
When the soul Gods gospel feels.
Paradise ab0ut II steals,
And II never goes away.
Life itself is Christmas day,
William Brunton.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Tie Snirit of GiTiur.

Not what We give, hut what we share.
The gift without the g!ver is bare.
He gives nothing but worthless gold
Who gives from a sense of duty.
he who gives a slender mite.
And gives 20 that which is out Of sight
That thread of the alEsustaininc beauty,
Which runs through all and doth all unite
The hand cannot clasp the whole OF his
aims.
The heart outstretches its eager palms.
For Il God goes with it and makes it store
To the soul that was starving in darkness
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Chain"

quite a new figure is the "Slavish CHAIN
which is not only pretty but involves a
comical element as Well. The lady who
conducts this figure is furnished with "A
lcng gold chain holding at intervals six
large rings. These are passed over the
head of one man after another until six
are led captive. and thus chained they are
at the mercy OF their fair captorS till six
ladies take compassion on them by dane
ing with them. and so deliver them from
their ShaCkieS,
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Opera Hose.

"Opera hose" as they call them in the
shops, are the stockings par excellence
to hang on the chimney piece when its
time for Santa Claus to pay his little visit.
is another matter for the uninitiatsd.
Just what they get their name from
cannot imagine why one should need stock
ings a good foot higher for the opera than
other occasions. But at This time one can't
afford to find fault with these beautifully
capacious affairs which hold nearly twice
as much as any other sort. So get your
opera stocking and if by nance your in
quiSitive great toe has shown enough push
to make n pe-p-hole-why. darn it, There's
nothing else 10 do.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

Hennypack-'Last Christmas was sbe
hapri,est day Of my lie" .A,klus-.HGw
into the house on The pruyiauS ri~bt IA
stole the handsomely lithorraphcI box -
Royal Cabbage Leafa cigars that my wife
bad bought Tor L present for n.e."-New
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

There are many other accessories which
adj much to the appearance of the dane. r..
ana to the fun of the figures. Some al the
newest are curious heiddrrsses. such as
| the mandarin's car. pink tercrs. marquis"
hats. Turkish turbans. Jockey caps and
military chnpeauX. all equally divertinS
ayai l.sprpiugr
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
...JacOb's Ladder

Another figure. as charming as it is
original. is the Jacobs Ladder . double
ladder entwined with flowers, with twelve
Il on either side. no two OF the same
size. Those OF. the right are distributed
To the ladies' and those on the left TO the
men and couples VIII" can match sticks
dance together. To do this each runs is
tor distribution.
\ pretty adjunct TO the ~cotillon is the
"PCrtico." which is set up in the middle
of the ballroom and is G~arlanded with
roses. From il two ribbons are suspend
ed: TO one q hell is attached. to the other
a basket of roses. The lady who holds
the ribbons has the men brought up in
succession, emptyinC the rose leaves
over those she rejects and ringing the bell
when she chooses her partner.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
4 Christmas Rainbow.

There is an old legend that he who digs
the earth. Will find much treasure. We
had exhausted the usual ways OF present.
ing Christmas gifts when the clever mem
Der Of the family suggested that we have
u Christmas rainhow. and hang the pres
ents at the end. Rainbows were rather out
of season at that time 81 the year, but
that did not affect the brillianCy Of the
ore that shone on Christmas eve In our
drawing room. 1t was painted on stout.
unbleachcd cotton Shoeting. the inner part
of the bow being cut out. the upper corners
above the bow ~ each side being left
square. to suspend II Ny. and roughly
painted III black and gray. to represent the
storm cloud background. II SPAWNED Il
large window, about twelve feet wide.
which nearly filled one end of the room.
Bags of different col0red silks. bright
stutfs. CheeseClGth and giaZed cambria held
the gifts. and were suspended from The
ends OF the rainbow. making a brilliant
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
Quotations Cor Christmas Gifts.

The passing of the Christmas card =
thoroughly sIgnaiiZcd by the vogue given
the selected quotation, which Is now made
an important adjunct to every christmas
gift. Tho selection nf "a quotation which is
appropriate and personal evidences The d.
sire OF tn" sender to express a special
greeting. The quotations giy,n below may
possibly he OF ValU" TO our readers:
With some tririrg present. Shakes
pearcs
MY good will is great though the gift be
small"
With n pair OF slippers, Dickens
" must go together"
With Il book Of travel. Steyenson's
1t takes the mind out OF doors"
With Il calendar. EmerSon's
Write II on your heart That every day is
the best day of the year"
With a pair of gloves. Dickens
"Ne'r" a pair. il ever there was one"
With a change purse. Dickens
must expect change"
With a working. The old proverb:
1t Is never too late to mend"
With a silver plate given to a small
child. Eugene Fields
when thou shalt eat from off this pllte
] charge thee: BE thou temperate,
Unto thine elders at the board
DO thou sweet reverence accord;
Though unto dignity inclined.
Unto the serving folk Pa" kind:
=" ever Mindful az the poor.
Nor turn them hungry from tho door:
And unto God for health and food,
And ail-that in thy life Is good.
Give thou thy heart in gratitude"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
DR.. CLEMENT MOORE WROTE 1T
That Pleasing and Familiar Poem
TNn the Wight before
Christu,aS."

Everyone knows the poem Twas the
Night Before Christmas The author was
Or. Clement 9. Moore. who was born in
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

\ nrettv figure is carried ont with bows
ard arrows decorated with ribbons. wHl'a
uGdIes. guitars. tamhoUrineS and trump"ts
add much to the noise and ju!l-ty Of the
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

Prec"cioUs observation-disclosures. it ism,
good grammar 70 say after l. is it," Hi;
n:uther-"No. George" Pregocious juvenile
We'll. the letter j comes after l.. Which
is wrong. the grammar OF the ~aIpiabet?"-
Chicago Tribune.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19
BRIGHT CHRISTMAS IDEAS.
Worth Putting Into Practice on the
Approaching Holt
iay,

At Christmastide, says the Ladies Home
Journal. We nil want to be helped in our
holiday festivities with ideas and sUSEcs-
tious. What follows here has a new idea,
a new suggestion or a new thought in it
which warrants its publication.
4 New Way of Distributing Presents.
Let one corner of the room where the
Christmas festivities are to take place be
fitted up as a postof!ice. and another corner
made TO represent a bank. Have ready in
the postoifice envelopes, each bearing tie
name of the one who is TO receive a gift.
and in each envelope a check in favor
of the one TO whom the envelope is adj
dressed. This check may read as follows:
North Poe. Christmas, 1891.
Snow. Frost & Co.. Bankers.
Pay To the order of Harry Hawthorne
or" pair of skates. SANTA CLAUS"
Also have ready in the bank the pres
ents which are to be given. each one
properly designated. On the evening of the
festival let the postmaster call out the
names upon the envelopes one by one.
and each child or person. a. his name is
called, go TO the office and receive his
check. He may then take II to the bank.
and, presenting ii 10 the cashier. receive
his rift
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-19

She-"I don't see what reason YOU have
for expecting anything bur a refusal. |
never gave you any Encouragement" He
Gust rejectcI,-"Oh. Miss Cnyne-Naud,
You did-yOu most certainly did encourage
me. You told me- YOU had ten thousand Il
year in your own right'-Tit-Eits-
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-05-04
,,anv Bo,,d,nes B,own Dow.

Lima, Ohio, April ga cyclone de-
molished number of buildings at Del
phos. No lives are reported lost.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-05-04
IOWA PATENT OFFICE REPORT

DIES MONIES, April 23.--Seven patents
were issued to Iowa inventors this
week: five to Nebraska, and seventy
three to New York Patents were
allowed to Iowa inventors but not vet
issued as follows: TO j. l.. Callahan,
of Des Moines, for Il copy holder TO be
attached to the frame of typewriter
to hold copy in any desired position
relative to the operator and the light
required on the copy. TO A. j. Hag-
gin of Eagle Grove. for a light boat
composed of separate sections that
can be readily put together and can
vass cover stretched thereon, as re-
quired for use and also readily taken
apart and placed together compactly
for storing or carrying about on land
Tod. ii. Peterson. of Des Moines, for
an elastic wheel especially adapted to
bicycles and designed to supercede the
use of pneumatic tires. In the down
ward stroke of pedals power is stored
in cushioning springs in the wheel to
be utilized in advancing the bicycle
and diminishing the power required to
propel. Our practice is not confined to
Iowa. Inventors in other states can
can have our services on the same
terms as Hawkeyes.
THOs. G. AND J. RALPH ORwIG,
Solicitors Of Patents
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-05-04
GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT
Arrangements for the Meeting at Gales
burg, Ill.

burg, Ill.
Galesburg, ILL.,, April 27.-The ar
rangements for the Grand Army state
Wednesday, May 5, are completed and
the prospects are that the attendance
will be the largest of any encampment
yet held in Illinois. Five organiza-
tions will hold meetings simultaneous
ly-the Illinois G. A. R.. the Illinois
Department Womens Relief Corps, the
Sons of Veterans, the Ladies of the
Illinois G. A. r., and the Daughters of
Veterans
The Grand Army will be represented
by LEGO delegates, including the repre-
sentati9cs from the $50 posts, the to-
tai membership of which is now about
$1,000. The w. X. c. will have a con-
vention 800 or 400 strong, representing
a membership of 5000 in the state. The
Sons of Veterans with membership OF
1000 in the state will be at least 100
strong in their meeting. The ladies OF
the G. A. X. expect 800 to 400. The
Daughters of Veterans are not so
strong, but will take measures to more
thoroughly organize the state.
Information has already been re-
ceived that outside OF the delegates
many posts will send large bodies OF
visitors. The citizens of Galesburg
ma 70 made the most elaborate prepar-
atoms to entertain the guests. 1t Is
estimated that $4,000 to 10000 COM
radeS will be here.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-05-04
GRANT THE HERO.
Magnificent Tribute to the Memory OF tho
Dead General.

New YORK, April 9S.-The imposing
and ma jestic mausoleum in which tho
remains of Gen. L. :. Grant will here
after rest were dedicated yesterday.
The ceremonies were accompanied by
the greatest land and water parade III
the country's history. 1t is estimated
that fully half million strangers
were in the city to witness the dedi-
cation. The republic was represented
by its chief executive, the members .of
his cabinet and the representatives OF
the people in the senate and house of
representatives. Every foreign coun-
try joined the solemn ceremonial
through its accredited ambassadors or
ministers in Washington: or where
such representative was lacking at the
capital, as was the case with Greece
through its consul general in tins city:
while in addition England, nearly
every European country. China and
Japan We're represented by warships
dispatched to these waters for the oc.
| casiOn. Twenty states more or less,
were represented through their gov
| ernors, and confederate veterans, who
were among the hardest fighters
against the forces Of Grant during the
war, marched shoulder To shoulder
with the boys that wore the blue. 1t
was such a demonstration as the new
world has never seen before aud
possibly will never see again. An adj
dress was made by President Mckinley
and the funeral Grafton was delivered
by Gen. Horace Porter Mayor Strong,
in short address, accepted the monu
ment in the name of New York.