davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

From the Youngest up, all OF us can see
something in Christmas, above and beyond
its outward manifestations. 1t commemo
rates the beginning of a life. which countless
millions of the human race have looked upon
as divinc-a life OF unselfshness, OF self.
sacrifice. of tenderness, of goodness and OF
purity.
We family initiate that LIE when we heal
a sorrow. make one heart happier or tighten
the burden borne by some tired and weary
wandercr
1t may be true that after we have feasted
and frolicked we so back to the old lives
again. But we can take the spirit OF Christ
mas with Us. even if the bells are not ring
ing and there is no holly cleaning from the
wall.
That spirit will have It's influence for good.
The more it is cultivated By young and old
the nearer is the world drawing to the
golden year. and as the Christmas bells,
iron, Hill to hill. answer each other in the
mist, we can say:
Ring in the valiant man ard free,
The eager heart. the klndlier hand;
Ring out the darkness OF the land,
Ring in the Christ that is 10 be
Golden Days.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

white wolves no tell the truth, the
Indian replied. They want scalp. They
can't come in while the Elk is at the door.
Silence prevailed FOR 4 moment and then
the blow WAS repeated.
Two minutes. miss, sad d scuI voice.
I'VE are coming Ill.
The Elk heard us we'll as did the girl and
in another instant he let one foot slip Il little
behind It's mate. That movement. slight as
it was. meant preparation lor the worst: but
the Indian did not speak.
Let the boys in. please do. Lucy. came
from the couch in the corner. Il want to
know what's kept them away. The old
katydid-
Once more with cry Lucy Sprang to the
couch and ben: over the attcnuated figure
thereon.
It's not the boys OF the Katydid. Paul.
Pardon me. told an untruth before.
They're the men from across the divide
They want YOU. you.
With frightened face the fair spcake
threw look toward the door and saw the
figure braced there, a living barricade OF
fleSl. and blood.
As she looked the assault came. One OF
the men outside threw himself against the
door. the portal shook from top to bottom
and the moccasincd foot OF the Indian
seemed to slip half an inch-that was all.
Lucy caught hallway the cry that wclled
from her heart and watched the human bar
ricadc. The lips OF the Indian were COM
pressed and his eyes watched the door be-
fore him. lie seemed il his element, but not
a sound escaped him.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

4 strained silence of half minute elapsed
when again the door was charged. The man
outside threw himself against it with the
same result. only this time the moccasined
foot did not slip. 1t kept its place.
The Elk seemed made of iron; his veins
stood out on his half naked figure like whip
cords and. giant-hkc, nc kept his seit-as-
signed post.
"Talic down tho barricadcs. CIR" said the
leader of the band.
In spite OF herself the mountain girl
smiled. They did not know that the ELK
was the barricade.
Twice more the door was assaulted with
tie same impctuosity; but the defender OF
the pair did not move.
I At last the Elk looked down into the face
beside him and caught Lucys eye.
The wolves have gone. girl, sa!d he
They could not break the Indian arm.
/ Conc: No In another second a fist struck
the portal and voice exclaimed.
a happy New Year to YOU, miss. We
guess YOU 'vc won him fairly. on re nursets
/ him through and you kin have the last sur
vivor of the Katydd disaster. Good night.
girl" and then Lucy heard footsteps as the
band retreatcd. but the Indian still kept his
strong hands at the well guarded planks.
Il was a long night for the mountain girl,
bat she had a companion in her vigil, Tor She
would not let the rcdSkin depart. Slowly
over the wild landscape broke the first
morning OF the New Year, and Paul SLIM
bered, dreamlcss OF the shadows that en-
gulfcd him during the night just passed.
At last as the SUI kissed the tips OF the
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
a BOGUS SANTA CLAUS.
a Change in Blinky Bangs Christ
mas PrOGramme.

Blinky Bangs chuckled and contded to
himself that he was genius as he started
forth that stormy Christmas eve. Under
his long ulster he wore the familiar uni
form of Santa Claus, perfect in every de-
tail.
At the big house overlooking the river
only the children and one ''trusty servant
were at home, Tor the others OF the house
hold had commenced the festivities of the
merry season. Blinky was to be admitted
by the servant, and, as good kriss kringe,
entertain the little ones while securing all
the valuable plunder to be had.
When they saw this perfect counterfeit
of the jolly reindeer driver, they at first
stood in wide-eyed wonder till the sturdy
little Ben advanced with extended hand and
quantity welcomed the hoped-for guest. This
did not disturb the crusted hardness that
had so long imprisoned Blinlly's better na.
turc, but when the fairv-liie Ruth, with
her crown OF waving yellow hair and glis-
tening blue eyes. rushed forward and from
the vantage point of a chair threw her
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

and deeply sunSen. ouo Dliiii'N' >'>
eyes. ia ,.a.,.
going out. you know.
But it's not midnight yet, glrl! Inc boys
haven't come back from the ledge,
Not vet. There, don't let such Things
worry YOU. They'll come by and by.
He turned away and closed his eyes whiic
The GIRL crossed the floor and for halt nm
utc listened at the door
The boys," she said, under her breath,
.Ies been that way for week ihcE 4
never come. and l can: tel! him. dare
not tell him that he is the sole Survivor o,
+bc KatyiiG mine disaster, for he woWid
want to know how it happened: N
strons- Young woman, but not 4ultc strong
.,oncb TO break such news to him; 10, noE
yet.
back TO the cot and discovered that inc miner
had dropped into deep sleep. The haty-
did mine had been wiped out IN the tWin-
king OF an eye by the work OF unknown
scoundrcls, and Paul Draper had manasco
to crawl from the debris to be picked up a
day later and carried to the mountain nome
of the girl who loved him.
Lacy understood it all. She knew OF the
feud: she had heard of the threats MADE oI
the rua;ans across the divide, and the mo-
mcnt she looked upon Paul's UNCONSCIOUS
form, she guessed the truth. The villains
had simply d:namiscd the katydid m'ne'
and the wonder was that even one man was
left to tell the tale.
New Years day was TO have witnessed
their wedding. but for some t!mc 1t had
Hooked more like burial as Paul hoveret:
between life and death, his figure wasted
away and his sufcrings terrible. But She
had watched over him with unccas'nG
fidelity. She haG been his constant compan-
ION since his narrow escape, and whcncveS
his mind wandered he wanted to know
when the boys would come. The boys
would never come. for they slept on the
mountain side, and Lucy had not strength
to tell him the truth.
For some time that night the girl con
t;uued to sit at the cot. her gaze rircted upon
the white face of her besrothed Inc tick
ING of a clock on a rough shelf nailed to the
wall sounded like the strokes OF trip-han
mer. but Lucy did not look up. She watched
the sleeper and her thoughts were wltl
him.
Suddenly she heard noise that startlet
her from her chair She went to the doo1
and put her ear against it while again sht
sent swift glance toward Paul.
She had for several days expected visi
from, the surgeon across the mountain ant
he might be there.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

winter mountains his sleep vanished and his
eyes unclosed.
Paul turned his head and caught the radi
ant face OF the gentle watcher and IN an
other moment lis gaze Tell upon darker
lace near by.
WHO'S that Lucy" he asked. ~ OF
Gidn t. let that rcdskin nlast night. did you:
He came in without asking, Paul. For
tune sent him. she whispered, bending over
the wounded man. But for our red brother
you would not have seen the dawnng of the
New Year
And consequently have lost my little
sweetheart, eh!'
Yes. Paul" and Lucy took the thin hand
of her lover and placed it in the strong one
that had saved both OF them from the
fends of the divide, making bright for them
the New Year which was to witness the
fruition OF their fondest hopes.
T. c. HARBAUGH.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

She listened till she heard steps outside
and then. with thrill OF JOY. she laid her
hand on the stout barricaGes OF the frontier
door.
The doctor at last.' said Lucy under her
breath. as. without more AGO, she took down
the plank and opened the portal.
But the next moment she fell back with
cry that seemed TO drive all the blood from
her checks, and she stood in the middle O.
the room staring at the tableau before her
In the room stood stalwart Indian and
Lucy instinctively glanced toward the
couch.
For a moment it seemed as II the noun
tain girl would sink to the floor, but sudden.
ly she threw herself between the savage and
Paul and stood like a statue there
They are coming" said the Indian, point
ing at the door Tho wolves OF the divide
arc out yondcr. ..
Aren't they satisfied with their work :"
cried Lucy. Haven't they done enough:
They blew up the katydid-
The interruption was sudden spring by
the Indian and the door, lett slightly aJar,
was hurled to with almost crashing force:
At the same time something seemed 70 fall
against it from the outside. but the palms
OF the Indian were against the planks and
with his whole strength he was holding the
enemy at bay.
Lucy watched the red man as he pitted
his powers against the horde at the door
and for a little while she feared that the por'
tai would be broken down by the foe.
Lucy, Lucy
Her name came from the couch andas the
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
ST. Nicholas.

st. Nicholas. as the patron saint OF the
children, now termed Santa Claus. was can.
onized, died, according to tradition, at
Nyra, Italy, and was there buried in the
cathedral crypt. Six hundred years later
his body was taken to Bari, and there in the
eleventh century the great priory of San
Nicholo was built It is at that priory that
on May each year the festival OF st.
Nicholas is held with great rejoicing by
pilgrims from all parts OF the world.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

look: and behold, the hay is all gone, and
the shoes are brimming ever with toys and
Swectmeats! Then the children clap their
hands with glee. and wish they could only
have walked in time to see the pony MUNICH
ing his oats. That would have been such
tun.-Ella T. lIosby, in St. Nicholas.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
CHRISTIANS GIVING.
1t Has Upon 1t the Stamp of the Dl-
vine and the Spiritual.

The fact that Christmas giving is an eX-
change of things often not needed. and that
it tends to mutual loss rather than mutual
gain-which is the law Of barter-eievateS 1t
lar above trade. The perennial benevolence
which finds its expression in Christmas Civ
ing has the stamp of the divine and the
spiritual upon it, and it argues that there Is
something more in man than the mere mate
rialiSt sees there.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
a Suggestion.

Ii you find it so difficult to keep your New
Years resolutions, perhaps it would be
good idea to make few bad ones this time.
for a change. For instance you might re-
solve to be cross to your wife (if you have
onc) every day during the year. and then
give her gentle words and loving kisses m
stead. Ycu can thus be consistent with
Your past record. and may possibly be a bet
ter man when another year rolls around.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

The girl looked away afraid to let him sec
her troubled face; but his hand tlghtened
its grip al her wrist.
The stocal Indian at the door did not
stir. He had braced himself like an !ron
post and seemed oblivious to everything but
the act he was performing. Lrcy wondered
how long he could holG the o>or against the
men outside. She did not hear them now,
but she did not doubt that they still stood
on the stoop ready to take advantage o. any
thing in their favor.
suddenly heavy blow struck the door
and Lucy heard her name spoken.
She Lett Paul and went forward.
We've come to the wedding girl, said a
voice and there was half suppressed laugh
on the outside.
Lucy did not speak, but her heart came
into ner throat unbiddcn and with thrliI
OF terror.
.Nc know he's here Something spared
hi.n-spared him for you. girl, continued
the spokesman OF the band. I'VE only want
to sec him and ask hr! a few questions. -,
! "Bu,vour mission means moro than that,
spoke Lucy, claspng her hands as she
smoke. You arc the men from across the
dividc-you arc from Death Valley camp y
..S!lc's located Us squa"cly. she heard
a rough voice say. "Ycu can, fool the girl
in there. Tell her something else.
/ Lucv's face seemed to flush 1T these words
and she looked at the Indian.
White girl no believe the wolves: sald
he, his dark eye falling upon her for mo-
Ment.
The mountain maid Shook her head.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Sacred Trees.

The oaks upon which the mistletoe grew
were sacred to the Druids in days of old, and
they used to worship under them IN the
most solemn and devout way. When hung
IN in room or hail, the beautiful peaTsy
berries were thought to possess the power or
keeping away evil spirits and influences.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
The True Spirit.

Gift giving at Christmas time is. or
ought to be, nothing more than manites-
tation OF the Christmas spirit, which is I'M
selfish, seeking only to make others happy.
Every one who has been moved by this
spirit has realized the truth OF the saying:
1T is more blessed to give than to re-
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
a Christmas Legend in Belgium.

The children of Belgium have charming
Christmas legend about Santa Claus pony.
They always place their wooden sabots on
the window ledge. stuffed full OF oats, hay.
and fodder for the dear Christmas pony.
In the early morning they run on tiptoe to
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
A Last Request.

Her father had said it could never be.
They both sat in the parlo--also IN
tears.
After long searching and a desperate ef-
fort she found her voice. Then, in desparlns
tones, she cried: ''Oh, Charley! five must
part, let us wait till after Christmas -
Philadelphia North American
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Sensible Jimmie.

Jimmie" asked his mother, why are
you so persistent about going to your Uncle
Johns for Christmas!
Cause he hain't got none Of them smoke
consumers on his chimbleys. Santa Claus
kin git inter his house. Detroit Free
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
The Next Want.

'There!r' she said, with a sigh OF relief.
:"I've got q locomotive, wagon, mechanic
al acrobat and hose reel. That oush. to
satisfy the dear little angel"
at ought to, but it won't, said her hus-
band. "The little villain will want ham
mer to smash them with. Cincinnati En-
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

immense amount of self-respect that night,
and now for several years has been in charge
OF the stables at the big house, looking after
the premises and the children with faith
fulness that makes him Observation-Disclosures
Free Press.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Why Not for a Whole Year,

christmas comes but oneet L year. said
Uncle Eben, but dar ain 10 'jections ter
anybodys maxim de cheerfulneSs an jim
erosity oh it hold ovuh foh u months, ef he
wants ter."-Washington Star.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
What She Will Do.

Maude-Oh, Clara, I've just bought the
loveliest pink shawl for a Christmas pres
ent.
Clara-Yes; whom are you going 10 give 1t
to:
Il don't know. It's SO pretty | think |
will keep it myself. N. \. Commercial
AdrnrtiSnr
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Don't Make a Mistake.

Just because your wife tells YOU to buy
her something useful, don't think she will
be satisfied il you send her home barrel
of tiour.-N. Y. Truth.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Shared the Common Lot.

Were you ever held up
Il should say So
"When:'
Every Christmas. Chicago Record.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

49,
of the bogus Santa
Claus, Blinky felt that
there was a breaking
up in his chest. Y hen
she kissed him and
told him how they all
loved him. B!inEy used
his sleeve wit h it's
snowy coating OF WOO
to relieve the dimness
OF his vision.
AS they clung to
Bl;n!iy and chorused
Their greetings, he was
confused as never be-
fore in his professional
career as a burglar.
His first impulse was
to 90 out and loot some
toy store and deliver
a wagon load Of the
proceeds at the big
house. But, for some
reason he could not
understand, this was
utterly repugnant to
his new feelings. He
took the "trusty serv-
ant into the hallway.
said something 6 that
put that unworthy in
a trcmble, slipped him
a bill and stcrnly told
him to be back in half
an hour.
When the children
should have been
asleep in bed. the older
members of the family
returned to find them
in the midst OF 4 ronp
that filled the great
house with merriment.
BlinEy was ma king
good time around the
room or al fours with
the children on his
back not playing horse,
as Ben proudly an
nounced, but el'phant.
About them was q pro-
fusion OF gifts that the
servants had brought
and Blinl;v. in his as
sumed role, had dis
tributed in a way 10
win the hearts OF the
youngsters. The mas
ter of the house was
surprised, but not so
much so as Blinlly,
whose instructive I'M
pulse was to jump
through a window.
But the little ones were
clalnorously singing his
praises. To them he
was Santa Claus. and
he looked the part. He
was accepted as some
good-hearted eccentric
and again made vel
H. ~oo1- an an
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

Hal ) that, Lucy
The man lying or
the low cot in the
light OF the lamp on
4 table at one side OF
a little cabin turned
his head to one side
and listened.
The young girl
bent over him and
for 4 moment looked
into the wan face
but brilliant black
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

girl turned she saw
Paul sitting bolt up
right. his gaze Tivcted
upon hcr.
WHY don t the boys
come" nc asked.
With a sharp Cry
Lucy threw herself
upon the floor beside
the miner.
They don't care for
me. What's tn" mat
ter with the X, did
mine. Lucy:
Its all right. was
the forccda answer from
the mountain girl
The boys will come.
They can't get away
Just now
Crash! came some
thing against the door,
and the Indian seemed
lifted from the floor
as he recled away, but
for a second only.
Again he braced HIM
self and hiscyesScemcd
to emit sparks of ire.
I'VE want Paul =
Paul, the mine boss.
came from outside.
we have come for
him and
Jrcv turned back
and caught up the bar
ricade, but the Indian
swept the proffcred
plank aside.
His feathers touched
the door; the heron
plumagcin his lonshair
brushed the pla IS.
but his muscles did
not Quivcr.
The boys. the boys!
I say, Lucy. came
from the sufferers
couch. I'm going
back 70 the Katydid
myself andiind them.
No. no. You cant
CO. and Lucy agoin
threw herself bes dc
Paul and pushed aim
gently back. IT / "
arc out there"
The boz :. Lucy:
asked the victim OF the
plot.
~ es, yeS!s
\ strange light came
into PaulS eyes and
his long fingers fas-
tened themselves about
Lucy's white wrist.
"What S to-mor-
row." he asked. catch
ing her eye.
''I's New Y ear S
day" !"
II thought so.
And the boys are com.
.o +l,a ,,-oSSiopr
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

t:You know what will happen if l catch
you under the mistletoe, y simpered Chunp~
ley.
Yes. and I'm so hopelessly absent-mind-
cd" she simpered in response.-Detroit
Erea Press
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22
Mammals Fault.

Mamma, I'm afraid that money you gave
me to spend for Christmas won t 60 round.
Not go round!'
NO. mamma, not after get what lwant
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

erS for memory
More precious far than icetins gold,
Goodnight. sweet year, wherein ! Teao
Full many page with rare oelSnt'
Thy latest hour will soon have fed
O. pleasant year, sweet year, goodnight!
Goodnight, sad year that reft away
Some hopes cherished: gave the pain
Of disillusion: dimred the day
With wrecks of labor wrought in vain.
Goodnight. sad year. that sometimes knew
My pillow wet with bitter tears,
Goodnight. sad year. that orifteth 100
Far hence on Times black sea Of years.
Goodnight. blithe year. that to the home
Came smiling with so gay face,
Bade roses bloom, IL hall and ROOM
Sent small feet pattering through the
place
That woke such bells of melody
AS touch the eternal chords that ring
Where evermore the ranSored be
And saints for aye behold the King.
Goodnight. brave year. that gave me
strength,
And helped my will 20 overcome
In struggles. where the foe. at length
EafTled ard beaten. left me DUMB,
Yet thrilling with victorious song
Goodnight. brave year! ! fain would
keep
Thy secret still to right :he wrong.
But thou art weary. Rest and sleep.
Goodnight. O year most sorrowful,
Seen from the earth side, ache and loss
And clouded 6awrs. and dear ones gone
Have deeply stamped thee With the cross
Good-nisht, Q so-rowful, sweet year.
Sweet with the promise Of the day.
Where heavens own morning shall appear
Ard all the shadows fee away
Mrs. Margaret L. SaGgSter. in ConSreGa-
+ic-a1iSt
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

Why, you extravagant little scamp"
It's all your fault, mamma; you
have encouraged such spensirc
tastes in me. cleveland Plain Dealer.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-17

The work which has been done on
the road to the steamboat landing Is
certainly creditable. The retaining
wall is work of art and will be joy
forever. 1t was built by Robert Pack
ard, contractor. with Thomas Pooler
10 directly supervise it. The stone Is
Well laid and the top is neatly evened
and graded. Now the men are at work
on the wall which extends directly,
north from the end of the postofiice
building. The road bed has been filled
in with gravel and will. when COM
pleted. slope to the wharf. at grade
that viii make it much more conven-
lent Tor approach than before.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-17
LesIie's Monthly.

The July number OF Leslie's Popular
Monthly opens with deeply interesting
article fully illustrated. entitled Heroes
of the Neutral Ground" Elizabeth Nune-
macher contributes an entertaining paper
on an unusual subject. "A Shelf of Birds
Nests" In american Universities and
Colleges, Syracuse University receives
careful attention. Other Illustrated pa
pers are Breaking Broncho, The
Markets of the Mediterranean, Banana
Growing" and "A Collection Of Old
Masters" Several dainty poems and
charming short stories enliven the num-