davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
|OLD TIME CUSTOMS.
BY Winona Butler.

There is no brighter fact in history
than Christmas. The golden thread Of
its influence can be traced through
nearly nineteen centuries. On the first
christmas morning the angels sang:
'Peace ON earth, good will to men,"
The glad refrain has been repeated
each Christmas season in every Chris
tan land, though the character of the
music varies greatly.
Our ancestors were in the habit Of
forming companies which went from
mouse to house, singing Christmas
carols in the streets. These beautiful
carols would break the stiffness Of the
winter night or early Christmas morn
Ing, making most delightful begin
ming to the merry day.
But these holy jubilees had as rivals
the mingling Instruments of those
wandering spirits Of karmony-the
waits One author writes: "Many
and many a time have we been
awakened by the melody of the Waits,
and have lain and listened to their
wild music, its solemn swells and 'dy-
ing falls, kept musical by the distance
and made holy by the time, till we
could have fancied that the morning
stars were again singing as of old they
sang together for joy and that the
sounds of their far anthem came float
ing to the EARTH"
The German children probably be-
lieve more firmly in Kriss Kringle, or
Santa Claus. than do the children of
any other nation. Germany is the birth
place of Kriss Kringle, and the Won
derland of fable and poetry. German
children are taught to love the
Christ-child. In many parts Of the
country 1t is the custom, on the morn
ing before Christmas, to let a figure
representing the Christ-child wave
past the window of the room where the
little ones sleep. Half awake only, in
the gray of the morning they see this
little child-fgure fit dimly past, and
they go to sleep again in the blissful
consciousness that the Christ child has
not forgotten them, and that they will
have an abundance of presents around
the tree in the evening.
A beautiful custom in Norway and
Sweden is the Christmas feeding Of
birds. Bunches of oats are placed on
the roofs of houses, on fences and
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

The practice of singing carols APP
pears to be as ancient as the celebra-
ton Of Christmas itself The word
"carol" is believed to be derived from
the Latin "cantare," to sing, and
'rola," an interjection expressive Of
joy. In the early ages of the church the
bishops were accustomed to sing car
OILS on Christmas day among their cler-
gy. In process of time these Christmas
hymns became very much secularized,
and latterly were nothing more than
festal chants sung during the revelries
Of the Christmas season.
In his History of English Poetry"
Warrior notices license granted in
1862 to John Tysdale for printing Ger
tayne goodly carrowles to be songe to
the glory of Cod" and again Christ
mas corowles, auctOrisshed by my Lord
Of London" This may be regarded as
a specimen Of the endeavors made at
the time Of the Reformation to sup
plant the old popular carols by COM
positions of more devout character,
and in Scotland instances of the same
policy are found in the famous Guide
and Cody Ballates" and "Ane compen-
dous book of Cody and Spiritual
Songs"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
The ChlldlIke Mind.

Christmas Is not only the mile mark
of another year moving us to thought
of self-examination, it is a season, from
all its associations, whether domestic
or religious, suggesting thoughts Of
Joy. A man dissatisfied with his en-
deavors is man tempted to sadness.
And in the midst of the winter, when
his life runs lowest and he is remind
ed of the empty chairs Of his beloved,
1t Is well he should be condemned to
this fashion of the smiling face. Noble
disappointment, noble self-denial are
not to be admired, not even to be par
doned, il they bring bitterness. 1t is
one thing to enter the Kingdom Of
Heaven main; another to MAIN your
self and stay without. And the King
dom Of Heaven is like the child-like,
Of those who are easy to please. who
love and who give pleasure. Mighty
men Of their hands, the smiters and
the builders and the judges, have lived
long and done sternly, and yet pre-
served this lovely character; and
among our carpet interests and two
penny concerns, the shame were in
delible if we should lose it.-From a
Christmas Sermon by Robert Louis
Stevenson.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

One OF the greatest blessings that
Christmastide brings to us is the
Christmas spirit-the fulfilment to tho
letter of the Christian law embodied
in the Golden Rule.
This is not invariably the case. but
1t is fortunately the rule in great
number of cases. For little while
manufacturing the Christmas season.
we are turned away from all spirit OF
avarice and selfishness. From the tiny
fodder, who has for the first time be-
gun to realize her responsibilities as a
member of the family, to the grand
mother in her snowy kerchief and cap,
We are all plotting and planning Tor
others. Going to the greatest pains 10
conceal all our doings in order that our
gifts may be genuine surprises.
If we are members of Christian
churches, We have the poor with us
at this season, as at no other. We think
out their needs. 1t has been the rule in
Christian churches of late years to Ge-
vote the offerings of the Christmas tee
to the mission school. Loving bands OF
Kings Daughters go about and gather
all manner of gifts for those who are
less fortunate. for those to whom
Christmas otherwise brings only empty
larders and threadbare clothing. The
most sordid among us, like Old Scrooge,
is sure finally to have an awakening OF
his better nature. to find drawing
at his heart strings more powerful than
the tight drawn strings Of the money
bags.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Here he comes with flaming bowl
Doesn't he mean to take his toll?
Snip, snap dragon.
Take care you don't take too much,
Be not greedy in your clutch,
Snip, snap dragon"
But in 1862, the question of Christ
mas was brought up in parliament.
They decided it was not in harmony
with the scriptures; pronounced it
i-Christmasse" and abolished It.
So the jolly Lord Of Misrule became an
outlaw, and the old picturesque Christ
mas faded away with the severity of
the Puritan atmosphere; but with the
nineteenth century came a revival.
The new Christmas was merry, but
quieter. What it lost in noise and
frolic, it made up in cheerfulness and
good will; and now, remembering the
message of that first Christmas morn
ing, we hail the merry Christmas de-
with
"Peace on earth,
Good will to men,"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
Stevenson

From every spire on Christmas eve,
The Christmas bells ring clearly out
Their message Of good will and peace,
With many call and silver shout.
For faithful hearts, the angels song
Still echoes in the frosty air,
And by the altar low they bow
In alteration and in prayer.
A thousand blessed mem'ries throng,
The stars are holy signs to them,
And from the eyes of every child
Looks forth the Babe of Bethlehem.
But there are others. not like these,
Whose brows are sad. whose hopes
are crossed,
To whom the season brings no cheer.
And life's most gracious charm is
lost.
To whom that story, old and sweet.
Is but fable at the best:
The Christmas music mocks their ears,
And life has naught of joy or rest.
Oh! for an angels voice to pierce
The clouds of grief that DER them
rise,
The mists of doubt and unbelief
That veil the blue of Christmas skies.
That they, at last. may see the light
Which shines from Bethlehem and
unfolds
For Christ the treasures Of their hearts
Richer than spicery or gold.
Hope of the ages, draw Thou near,
Till all the earth shall own Thy sway.
And when Thou reign'st in every heart,
1t will indeed be Christmas day.
Eleanor A. Hunter.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

trees. Carloads of sheaves are
brought into town for this purpose, and
both rich and poor buy and place them
everywhere. The sentiment is that a
man must be very poor indeed II he
cannot spare farthing to feed the lit
tie birds on Christmas day. In many OF
the valleys and mountain dales of the
countries watch is kept during the
whole of the night, and all are merry;
candles are kept burning at the win
dows, and the people flock to church at
four o'clock in the morning, each car
rying a torch.
In some districts, Immediately after
the service, everyone hurries from
church, either on foot or in sleighs, for
there is an old saying that he who gets
home first will have his crop first har-
vested. At this holiday season the
peasants dance on straw, and the peas
ant girls throw straws at the timbered
roof of the hall, and for every one that
sticks in crack a lover will come
counting during the year.
In old English times, at the close OF
the church services it was customary
for the clerk in loud and emphatic
tones to wish all the congregation
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year. In those good old times an Eng
lish gentleman would throw open his
hall at daybreak to all his tenants and
neighbors. Beer, blackjacks, toast and
cheese were plentiful. The great sau-
sage must be boiled by sunrise. or else
two young men must take the cook by
the arms and run her around the mar
ket place till she is ashfned of her
laziness.
The "Yule log" is great log Of
wood, sometimes the root of tree,
brought into the house with great
ceremony on Christmas Eve. laid in
the fireplace and lighted with the brand
of last years log. While it lasted
there was great drinking, singing and
telling of tales. Sometimes it was ac-
companied by Christmas candles, but
In the cottages the only light was from
.he rudy blaze of the great wood fire.
The Yule log was to burn all night; II
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
it went out, it was considered a sign Of

1t went out, 1t was considered a sign Of
ill-luck.
The Christmas dinner was the cen-
trail feature of all the gay festivities.
The table was literally loaded with
good cheer. Tho boar's head held the
place Of honor and was lordly affair,
brought in by the butler, attended by
servant on either side with large
wax light. The head was carried on a
silver dish, the tusks piercing bright
red apples, while between them an
orange was laid, the whole graced with
an abundance of sauce. When this,
"the rarest dish in all the land" was
placed at the head Of the table, one of
the company sang carol suited to the
great occasion.
The Christmas peacocks were also
gorgeous, the bird being flayed, roast
ed and then sewed up again in all the
splendor of its brilliant feathers,
piece of cotton saturated with spirits
being placed within the gilded beak
to burn while the carver was at work.
Still more curious was the ancient
peacock pie, the bird being covered by
the crust, save that on one side appear
ed his plumed crest, while from tho
other side protruded the gorgeous.
spreading tail.
Mince pies were called Christmas OF
December pies, as the old rhyme
went
"Treason's in December pie
And death within the pot"
They date back to 1896.
The classical plum pudding must be
added to the list of good things.
though, sad to relate, it was really
plum porridge, and not pudding, as
we have always believed.
An old poem says
"And those that hardly all the year
Had bread to eat or clothes to wear
Will have both clothes and dainty fare,
And all the day be merry"
The leader of all the merry making
was called the Lord of Misrule or Abb
bolt Of Unreason. The wardrobes at
halls and manor houses were often laid
under contribution to furnish fantas-
tic DISCUSSES.
Snap Dragon was one of the favorite
sports. Raisins were placed in a large
shallow dish and brandy poured over
the fruit and ignited. The lights in
the room were extingulshed, and in
the weird glare the players attempte.
to pick the raisins out of the flaming
dish:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
The King Smiled.

King Redcomb!
Redcomb-"Yes, SIRE"
X. R.-"What is the cause of this I'M
usual excitement in the court?"
R.-"'Tis the preparations for the
usual Christmas feast, SIRE"
X. R.-"The annual feast?"
R.-"Yes, sire"
X. R. (anxiously)-"Are we in any
immediate danger?"
R.-"No, sire. 1t is only the females
and young males"
X. Rand those 'up-to-date' hens
who have been the pest of the court
lately with their attempts to initiate
me, are they included?"
R.-"All, sire"
X. R-"Excellent! Perhaps this
may serve to teach them that they only
deceive themselves by their egotism;
that no matter how loud they crow, the
world still regards them as hens."-O.
A. C.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Nay, Ike thy simple, female sort, each
one
Apt to find Him IN Husband and in
Son,
Nothing to thee came strange in this,
Thy wonder was but wondrous bliss;
Wondrous, for though
True Virgin lives not but does know
(Howbeit none ever yet confesseO
That God lies really in her breast,
OF thine he made his special nest
And so,
All mothers worship little feet
And kiss the very ground they've trod
But, ah, thy little Baby Sweet,
Who was indeed thy God!
Coventry Patmore.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

and fragrant, while long table cover
ed with snowy Enen 1.-THE work Of
grandma's own hands, s:aod at the far
Their end of the long kitchen.
As SOON as the turkey was PRO-
bounced done and the gravy made in
the dripping pan, the chairs were plac-
ed near the table and we were called
to dinner. No one was left to wait,
andSuch merry time! After grandpa
had asked blessing on the food, he
carved the turkey and supplied our
waiting plates bountifully with any
piece we wished, together with all
manner of good things in the way of
vegetables. A rice pudding with plen-
ty OF raisins. pumpkin pies and resy-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

checked apples served for dessert. and
our only sorrow was that We could eat
so little. After dinner we children
played games in the kitchen, around
the fireplace that was used when there
was no fire in the cook stove. Here
we popped corn. cracked nuts. told
fairy stories and played blind-man's
buff while the older ones visited" in
the "keepin' room" until the time came
to return home.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
Gifts for Women and Men.

"Women's wants, If measured BY
their belongings, would seem to be
almost innumerable, and of a kind
which require constant renewing and
replacing" writes Frances e. Lanigan
telling of appropriate Christmas gifts
for women and for men. "Woman's
interests and occupations require a
greater number of small things for
their equipment than do these of men,
and Christmas gifts for them are,
therefore, more easily prepared. Wo-
mems belongings have the further ad-
vantage of being useful as we'll as
beautiful. Men are always pleased
with simple gifts, and are usually en-
barrassed when presented with expen-
sive articles of any sort. The value
to them of gift is, as 1t should be
wit. all persons, in proportion to its
simplicity and use&Iness and nut of
proportion to its COST
7 ;eo,. - ehort cuu, M - MOI q tsHU
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

CA hymn dating from the 18th cen
tury)
Christ is born of maiden fair;
Hank! the heralds in the air!
Thus adoring hear them there,
"In excelsis gloria!"
Shepherds saw those angels bright.
Carolling in glorious light;
God, His Son, is born tonight,
In excelsis gloria!
Christ is come to save mankind,
AS in holy page we find,
Therefore sing with revcrent mind,
In excelsis gloria!
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Christmas in the country forty years
Il is now. ! never think of Christmas
in those days without thinking Of q
lovely winter day, bright with sun
shine, and snow everywhere; large
drifts, through which the horses foun-
dered as they drew the stout sled, on
which was the wagon-bed filled with
hay, and covered with blankets and
buffaIo-robes, where we cuddled down.
as we rode merrily away to spend
Christmas at grandpas. We could
hardly wait till the horses stopped, so
eager were we to wish grandpa mer-
ry Christmas; but he was generally
ahead Of US with his greeting Of
christmas gift" That entitled him
to a present instead of us; but kiss
all around was usually the way we paid
off our Indebtedness, while some strip
ed sticks Of peppermint candy, laid up
for the occasion, were given us. Our
aunts, uncles and cousins came next
for their share of good wishes and
merry jokes.
A bright fire burned in the fireplace,
and there, suspended by stout string
from the ceiling, was great turkey
packed full of dressing, and sending
forth most delicious odor as 1t turned
round and round, gradually browning
before the fire, the juice dripping into
a great pan on the brick hearth; and
from this pan grandma occasionally
dipped the juice with huge iron spoon
and poured it over the crisp sides Of
the turkey. Other preparations were
going on meanwhile in the kitchen,
where cooking stove held the place
of honor. as cooking-stoves were very
rare in those days. The neighbors had
come miles to see it, and express their
fears as to the probability of its elbow
ing up" This cookstove, however,
was not equal to cooking such large
turkey, in its small oven. A coffee
boiler sent out an odor of coffee strong
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Mattie-I'm so sorry, dear, to learn
that death has robbed you Of your
favorite poodle. How can you ever
console yourself for his loss? Helen
(sobbing)-I d-don't know; b-but
s-suppose I'll h-have to g-get m-mar-
ried
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Guyer-"Where is Downtrod?" Chez.
witt left him alone with his sor-
row." Guyer-"Why, though his'wifa
was dead."-New York Evening Jour.
nal.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
THE TIDAL FRICTION.
ACTING AS A PERPETUAL
BRAKE ON THE ROTATION.
Change In Scientific views-No Contra
diction OF the Laws of Growth and
Decay Which Represent the Immuts
able Order of Nature.

ERHAPS the mosv
interesting accom-
p ii s h m e n is of
mathematical a g.
tronOmy-fro m q
mundane st a n d.
point, at any rate
are those that
refer to the earth's
own satellite, says
DR.. Fl. S. Williams
IN Harpar'o Ma0a-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
REGINA COELi.

AY, did his sisters
W on d Q r what
could j o s Q p b
see
In a mild, silent lit
tie maid like
thee?
And was 1t awful in
that n arr o "
house,
With God for babe
and Spouse?
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Life's short summer man hswer.
DIR. Johnson.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24
Wben the Bells Were Ringing.
BY SHIRLEY WYNNE.

Alone, alone in the crowded street,
Alone on New Years night,
Barefoot and wet with the blind
ing sleet,
Pale meath the red lamplight,
A little match girl through the
crowd
Raises a feeble cry
While the New Year bells are
Ginning loud,
Matches! Oh, will you buy?"
Gay, bright-eyed, smiling children
pass;
They laugh and sing and dance
and run
They all have happy homes; alas!
But this heroine has none!
Alone, alone in the busy street
She covers on a doorstep nigh
While the New Year bells are
Ginning sweet,
Still pleading, Twill you buy?"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

OFFERING OF The MAGIS.
GRATED with embroidery and jewels, 50
that only the upper part of each skull 10
seen.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-24

Hungry and ragged and blue with
cold.
The wind blows keen and loud
Her frozen fingers can scarcely hold
The matches to the crowd.
And still, as faster falls the sleet,
More piteous grows the cry
While the New Year bells are
Ginning sweet,
ooh, will you-will you buy?"
No more alone in the moonrise
gray,
With face so wan and white;
The little match girl has gone
away
To happy home tonight
For an angel came through the
crowded street,
flushing the tempest wild,
While the New Year bells chimed
loud and sweet,
And bore away the child!
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-05-20

ulist editor 10 the country. Then Why
il il that some of them will not tell the
truth about iir Why do they not say
to their readers that the verdict OF the
National committee is against The
conference by large majority but
that they want their readers to sustain
ih.m lin defiance OF the verdict OF the
organization in usurping the power
To call a conference 10 the name Of the
party. Why don't they have the cour-
age OF their unfairness and say to their
readers that il the National committee
had voted for a conference and Chair
man Butler had then refused to call q
conference that they would have con-
demned him for defying the will and
verdict Of the committee, but that now
since the committee has decided
against the conference that they want
their readers to join them in con-
demniDg Chairman Butler because he
does not disregard and disObey the
verdict pf the party organization.
With these cold truths and facts
stated, then every voter could decide
for himself whether or not he favored
the course pursued by these newspa-
nara
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-05-20
THEONLY WAY OUT.

The decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States in the Bell tele.
phone case lie a great victory for the
monopoly. The general verdict is
that the decision is wrong, it is GER
tainly q great misfortune. The peo-
pie will never get reasonable tele-
phone rates as long as this Bell mo-
nopoly continues. Besides the big
profits made by the company enables
it to keep powerful lobby in Wash
iDgton to influence Congress and the
courts. The two most powerful lob
lies kept ia Washington, are those Of
the telegraph and telephone monopo'
ly. The only way out is for the gov.
eminent to establish postal tel
egraph and telephone system ant
run it as part of the Post Office De
partment. NJ. Il.
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-05-20
UNIVERSAL POSTAL SYSTEM.

The universal Postal Congress now
in session in Washington is an, in
teresti.'g and important emblage.
There are delegates present from
about sixty countries. The chief ques-
tions to be considered are lower post
age rates and better facilities for
transferring mail from one country to
another and carrying it to its destlna-
ton In said country. The question OF
an universal postage stamp is being
considered. The Congress meets once
every five years. This is the fifth
meeting. Meetings will probably be
held in each one of the other countries
before another one is held in the
United States. Therefore it will
probably be (300) three hundred years
before another meeting will be held
in Washington. NIB.
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-05-20
THE FEDERAL COY RTS VOTE STATE
LAWS.

LAWS.
The usurpatiOns of the Federal
courts are so rapid as to be truly alarm
ing. Nearly every week there occurs
somewhere fresh case of government
by injunction.
The latest case is in Indiana. The
legislature Of Indiana passed an act to
reduce street car rates in Indianapolis
from five to three conts. The railroad
company refused to obey the law. The
people began to threaten mob violence,
and the grand jury commenced to con-
slider the Indictment of the recalcitrant
officials. They became frightened and
gave orders to their employees to obey
the law. Thereupon the people re-
joiced over q victory for self-govern-
msnt. But alas! as usual, the United
States court stepped in and enjoined
the railroad companies from obeyine
the law, and the rates went back to five
cents!
Thus the will of the people expressed
in law is week after set aside by one
man (called a judge) who is the tool OF
corporations. Jefferson and Jackson
warned the people against the usurpa.
lions of the Federal courts. What would
they say now, if they could see the
courts as the willing tools of monopo
lies?
1t may be necessary for the people
to hold national constitutional con.
vention. TO protect their rights and lib.
critics against the usurpations of the
courts. NJ. B.