davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Old Santa Claus-Wont you please bring me a doll and a little doll bed and a little tea set. some candy and a little table and little lamp. Do you reckon you could bring me little wash stand and a dresser, double slate, a bottle of perfume and believe that's all.
 Xn1,rs, rrrnlr
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS.
THE CHILDREN EMBRACE THE OPPOR- TUNITY TO MAKE KNOWN
 THEIR WANTS.
If Old Kriss Kringe Complies With Their Requests, His Baskets Will Be
 Well Filled.

Dear santa Claus--I want fire engine and horn. Bring me q milk wagon with q black horse hitched to 1t and every kind of fire works and a boat. Good bye.
 Your Little Boy,
 John Alexander.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
WANTS "sANpY,s,, PIcruRE.

DEAR SANTA CLAus-Pm little girl, six years old, and go to school. Please, sir, bring lie story-book and picture of your dear old self.
 Your loving little girl,
 ANNIE LoWDERMIIK.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
Hattie Belle Hayslip.

Dear Santa Claus-I have heard that Christmas is coming and want you to bring me gun and a book. Don't forget papa and mamma and sister. Papa wants a shaving mug, mamma wants a cake box and sis ter wants a piano. Don't forget me Santa Claus, l am sure you are coming
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-Please bring me knife, wagon, box of tools, cup and saucer, a top and some fire works and some fruit
 Harry Woodbridge.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

There is nothing nicer for an Xmas present than a piece of China. Smith & Owen are making extremely low prices on their fine china .1214dtf
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear santa elaus-I am glad to let you know what want through the GRAPHIC. Bring me q knife, a wagon, a box of toois, top, a nice cup and saucer. rubber ball. whole lot of fire works. and some fruits and candies. I live on Lakeside. 1Sl7 Olive street. Your little friend,
 Harry T. Woodbridge.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear santaa Claus-Please bring me doll lamp, a little iron, a pretty bible, a large doll with light curly hair. Don't be afraid to come down the chimney, the fire will be out.
 Marianna T. White
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa CIaus-All the nice things that You brought me last Christmas were burned up, and don't know what I want, but be sure and bring me doll bed and some books. These are all 1 want. hope you will not forget me.
 Yours Trustingly,
 MARBLE BRADY.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
Your Friend,
 Newton Byrd.

Dear Santa Claus-I am going to tell YOU what I want Christmas. want the Yout1's Companion for a year, trip to Little Rock, Little Women" and "Grimm's $ Fairy Ta.es. :" Wishing you a Merry Christmas, am Yours TrustinglY,
 Carrie Hinemon.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-I am little girl six years old and this is my first letter. Please bring me cooking stove and a doll and a doll buggy, a chair and q cradle, a lamp and q piano. live on South Pinestreet.
 Respt. Yours,
 Leila Gammil.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear santa Claus-I want you to bring me doll buggy with blue top and little cook stove, washing outfit and a broom, and doll with black hair and a dresser and wash ing stand, some chairs, a sofa and trunk. Goodbye, Santa.
 Yaur little friend,
 Birdie Lee Smith, 204 East Second Avenue.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-Please give me a doll with black hair, a pony, a doll bed, apples, candy, a sailor doll and baby doll.
 Victoria Grace.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-I want book. the name of it is Little Women" l want two or three games, and one or two plants, mean the seed.
 Your Friend,
 Mary Kate Riley.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

cobana, the finest of all coffees, at II 2s LII. Talbot & Go.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
John Alexander.

DEAR SANTA CLAus-P Please bring me little steam boat that runs by steam, toy steam engine to wind up and run by itself; nuts, oranges and candy. FRED MCMILLAN.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

DEAR SANTA CLAus-I thought l would tell you what 1 wanted for Xmas. I would like q set of doll furniture, cradle for my doll to sleep in, and q great big doll with long curly hair.
 Now don't forget to come.
 Your little girl,
 EULA MCMILLAN.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

DEAR SANTA Please bring a doll and doll buggy, a cooking stove and cradle, also a ring and a chair. set of furniture. Please bring brother train and a set of blocks. live on South Pine street.
 Respectfully yours.
 ErNA GAMNfIII.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Please bring me a horse and wagon, a rabbit, . top, a jumping jack and a train on track.
 George McClain.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
CHRIS MAS!

The holiday that much for children the world over What transports of eestacy and what flights rapture usher in the eventul 2h We grow young again. purse strings are faxed and our hearts frightened witnessing delights The question might well be asked Lives there with dead
 tobe condemned when you consider the truly aabe values now offered at the W
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
HONNET DRY GOODS co. Great Red Store.
 IA. N6. II0. MAIN STREET.

Dear Santa Claus-I want you to briag me some fireworks. some candy and some nuts. Don't you forget to bring them. Santa Claus, send me your picture; I want to see how you look.
 James LnshY.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus Please bring me a nice doll, story-book and lots of candy, oranges, nuts and apples and will be so much obliged and love you always.
 Your loving little girl,
 Beulah E. Singleton. All West Fifth avenue.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
Suggestions for Holiday Gifts. Thousands of Pretty, Sensible and Useful
 Articles For Xmas Presents
Holiday Gloves.

"Trefousse' this is the latest novelty in kid gloves. they come in. on 0r all light shades dark binding N/.I1l and stitehing,3 and } buttons. Mousquetaire glovesifor evening and ltnSthS ......s.............-,. Our leading brands Foster, Paul & Co.'S kid gloves in black and colors William, $l.00; Fowler. $1.50; Fosterina, $1.75.
 Misses and childrens kid 1 m gloves sizes 4 to 6, per pair....... ,(llJ Ladies black silk mittens will go at
 5Oc, 75c, $I.OO, $1 50
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-I thought I would write you a short letter though it is very late. Please bring mo q pair of littleearrings and what you think will be useful to me.
 Your little girl,
 Gladys Langford.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

DEAR SANTA CLAUS - Sometimes they call me q baby, but I ain't baby, I'm BoY.
 want you to bring me a gun that will shoot bullets and a ball that will bounce, aud a BoY doll and a bicycle. WILLIAM (. WARE.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

My DEAR SANTA CIAus-You never have failed to come to see me and you must net forget me this time. want q doll buggy, a little bu- reau and a set of dishes and doll bed. live on East Sixth avenue. Now don't forget to come.
 MAY WARE.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa Claus-I want nice gun, some shot and powder to shoot in it. want you to please bring me a niae cart. want you to please bring me a nice neck tie. some ap- pies, some oranges, some nuts and some fireworks.
 Your Boy,
 Ira Lockhart.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
L ORE ??:; ?::: ?::: g: ::.:.: :;5 s:

We especially pride ourselves the quality our ens footwear A. Priesmeyers Young America school shoes L m positively guarantee solid Goodba children shoes in all Wa and any amount of cheaper grades The list not be out mentioning our nice assortment of boys chdren hats caps rubbers rubber boots gloves sweaters hosiery b wants ot our maturer friends have oyer ooked b few tidbis u hee are <
 All of our best eloaks and Jackets at eat
 Dress Elanneette d colors 9a w 0s eosl.
 Eiderdown pink whi
 All millinery, ladies trimmed at cost
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19
Your Boy,
 Ira Lockhart.

Dear Santa Claus-Please bring sister and myself 8 willow rocking chair and please trim up the Christ mas tree. will go to bed early. That is all care for.
 Your Little Friend,
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

Dear Santa-I wish you would go by Coles and you will find doll dressed in pink and bureau to put my own clothes in. I'd like to see our book with children names and your six reindeers, your toy iron and Miss Santa and few fire crackers. Good bye.
 Your Little Girl,
 Olivia Alexander,
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-12-19

P. s.-The number of the house is 80 East Sth.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
knights Of Honor.

On Saturday night March 9Th, 1897.
State Organizer, n. II. Wilmot, and
Deputy Grand Dictator. E. J. Moore,
of ST. Louis, instituted a lodge of the
knights of Honor at the Masonic Hall
in this city.
There are sixty charter members and
about forty-five were initiated Satur-
day night Officers for the ensuing
year were also elected and duly in
stalled as follows:
DictatOr-John +. NOgelsanger.
Vice Dictator-E F. BlOmeyer.
Assistant Dictator-M. +. Leming.
Financial Reporter--Wm. NJ. Stone.
Reporter--Peter Maui.
Guide-Martin Oberhelde.
Guardian-Fred Pape.
Chapiain-Chas. Bueltemann.
Trustees. \. Ruediger. {. j. Haman
and George Rodermeyer.
The lodge was given the appropriate
name of Capaha Lodge knights Of
Honor, and the Masonic Hall has
been secured for the next year. Regu-
lar meetings will be held on the lst
and Bird Friday of each month.
Capaha Lodge starts out with a
large membership and new members
are coming in daily.
There will be special meeting
Monday night, March 18th, to complete
the organization and take in the re-
Inainder of the charter members.
0Photographer'E. C. Woody, who is
Knight, made a group photograph
of the charter members yesterday.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
The Prisoners Hat.

At certain court of justice an awk-
ward blunder was made by the priso-
ner in the dock. He was being tried
for murder, and the evidence was al
most wholly circumstantial, a chief
portion of it being hat of the Ordi-
nary "billy-cock" patte-n that had
been found close to the scene OF the
crime. and which, moreover. was
sworn to as the prisoners.
Council for the defense eXpatlated
upon the commonness of hats of the
kind.
You, gentlemen" he said, mo
doubt each of you has just such hat
as this. Beware, then, how you con-
denim a fellOw-creature on such piece
of evidence, and so forth.
In the end the man was was acquitt-
ed.
But just as he was leaving the dock
he turned IN a respectful manner to
the Judge and said: If you please,
nv lord. may 1 have my 'at:''-Comic
Cuts.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
WANT IMPORT LAWS REVISED.
Chicago Business Men Protest
Against Free Admission of Goods.

Chicago Business Men Protest
Against Free Admission of Goods.
CHICAGO, ILL, March 9.-Leading
manufacturers and merchants repre-
senting the various lines of trade in
Chicago met at the Great Northern
Hotel to-day to form an organization
similar to that recently formed in
other cities, to take steps toward in
fuencing legislation to prohibit so
much free Importation of goods.
The meeting was called to order by
Cas- T. Hyde, who made an able ad-
dress, outlining the purposes and
scope of the proposed organization.
The speaker inveighed against the
present system of import laws. which,
he said. were a relic of the time i'm
mediately following the revolution,
having been passed in 179S. tOencour-
age immigration. He said:
1T is estimated that in 1893 S41.-
900. 900 worth of goods came in free of
duty. Besides being loss to the
government OF $4,000, 600 in revenue,
the injury to every class Of trade. to
the manufacturer and to the laborer
is apparent. All this is due to the
lax customs laws. which allow the
wealthy tourists to bring in as cloth
ing and presents of all sorts OF valu-
able goods free OF duty"
Mr.. Hyde read letters from various
congressman in support of his views
He was followed in the same vein by
several other leading men in various
lines. after which the meeting went in
to permanent organization. The or
ganization was christened the Com
mercial Association of Chicago. "
Following are the officers selected:
President, John T. Shayne: vice-pres-
ident, Charles E. Hyde: secretary.
H. G. Purington: treasurer, Frank
E. Barley.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
Taxing Bachelors.

Donovan, of Bay, the only Demo-
cratic member OF the Michigan Legis-
lature, is the author of bill which
he has introduced in that body levying
a tax on bachelors. He has, however.
formed the opinion that it is too
sweeping in its provisions. and,
knowing that it is the privilege of
great men to change their minds, he
has subjected the measure to certain
notifications. He does not wish to
be unnecessarily severe on poor bach
elors. and. therefore, TO equaliZe
things he has decided to intlict a
small fine on old maids. OF course, it
may be argued that it is not the fault
of woman that she is an old maid,
that it is only once in every four
years that she has the disposition of
her future in her own hands, and that,
even then, il she were to exercise her
right, she would be looked upon with
suspicion. But. on the other hand. it
is true that women themselves, by
their liking for keeping themaIc heart
on ''the ragged edge" have dis-our-
aged bashful wOoers, and not Only
consigned them to celibacy. but de-
stroyed their own prospects. Donovan,
of Bay. recognizes this, and therefore.
bachelors who can show that they
have been Tilted after doing their best
are to be exempt from taxation. An
other provision of the bill exempt
from taxation those men ''whO are SO
homely that no sane woman would
look at them. No man ever had
such an affiiction, and if he was to
make affidavit that such had been his
experience, there would always be
some woman ready to write and say
that she void mary him. Donovan,
of Bay, will have to try again. Phil
adelphia Inquirer.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
she WILL NOT MARRY.
HHlda Daestrow Announces Her In
tentions and Complains of Annoy
ing Letters.

! The Republic 10 authorized to an
nounce that Miss Hulda Duestrow has
decided upon . life of single-bIessed-
ness. Her decision not to marry is
made public and positive in view of
the many rumors circulated recently
- to her intsntions, and the fact that
she has been flooded with letters from
all over the country contsing propos.
ais Of marriage.
Ever sincs Arthur Duestrow was
hanged for the murder of his wife and
child, Miss Hulda's business with
Uncle Sans post office has increased
TO such an extent as to almost require
a private secretary to assist her with
her mail. Thirty-fve and 40 letters a
day were the average number that en-
tered the Duestrow household at 4153
Washington avenue fer week or two,
and of these more than half were from
mem who would like to make Miss
Hulda happy in welded life, and most
of the others contained requests for
charity.
So many unwelcome communications
annoyed the wealthy young woman,
especially the ones from the matri-
monially inclined: hence Miss Dues
trOw:s cold-water announcement to all
candidates.
A Republic reportcrinterviewed Miss
Duestrow last night by means of the
servant girl and Mrs. Santer. the
housekeeper.
''Is Miss Duestrow's mail very
heavy?" was asked of the servant.
Yes: but not like it used to be.
For time she got as many as 30 and
40 letters a day, most of them con-
tanning proposals of marriage, They
came from everywhere. =
''Is Miss Duestrow going to enter
convent"
mo; there is no truth in thatreport.
lis Miss Duestrow engaged to be
married?"
''No; she is not. She does not ex-
pect to be married. She has deter
mined to remain single.
MAY I announce that as fact?'
''Yes, you may: for it is true. She
will never marry. st. Louis Repub-
lie.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
All Rich But the President.

The new Cabinet is made up largely
from among rich or well-to-do Repub-
licans. There is none among them, so
far as is known, that has the reputa-
ton of being a poor man. As a rule,
they are men of substance that has
been accumulated by their own thrift
and energies, as is notably the case
with Sherman, Alger, Gage and Gary
Several of the new Cabinet officers
have regulations for liberality and
hospitality, and as they havethe means
to crafty these tastes, it is altogether
likely that the social side of the Nc
Kinley Administrations will be as agree
able as money can make it. As for
the Hon. Marcus A. Hanna, who will
probably be more powerful in the
White House than all the Capinet put
together, he has both riches and gen
erosity. The new Vice-President is
also the possessor of large fortune.
The man apparently Of the simplest
habits and the leanest purse in the
new White House circle is William
McKinley.-Philadelphia Bnlletin.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
A MIGHTY RAIN.
1t Came in Torrents.
Greeks Ali Oat of Banks and Much
Damage Done 20 Fences and
Growing Wheat.

Monday night last will long be re-
nembered In this section OF hecountry
for the great pouring down Of rain. 1t
was not IN ordinary hard rain fall.
1t was pouring down after the fash
ion Of a cloud burst. The rain COM
menced coming early in the night and
it rained in an ordinary way till about
twelve O'Clock and then the drops be-
came streams and large streams at
that. For four hours this pouring
down continued, creeks crswled out of
their banks and the low lands were
overfowed till they became a regular
sea of water. Cape La .Crouix creek
was buried under sea of water and
in many places it was several miles
wide.
All the creeks in the county were
cut of their banks and it is feared
that much damage has been done ito
fences and to the wheat on the low
lands. The water is so high that
country people would not venture out
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
NO WINE AT THE DINNER.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley Probably
Will NotServe Amy During the
Administration

WAsHINAToN, D. G. March O.
From present Indications, NO wine
will be served at the White House
during this administration.
A dinner was rendered last night by
the McKinleys to their kinfslk. It was
elaborate mall respects exceptthat no
wine Was served. In not having
wines Mrs. Mckinley will follow the
practice of msny years. The President
is consistent abstainer. During the
recent campaign, althoushmany noted
statesmen wers guests at the Mckinley
house and tested the merits of the
Majors cuisine, no spirits we're
served.
The dinner was served in the family
dining room, and there was no formal
ity. There were present, besides Mr..
and Mrs. Mckinley, Mr.. Mckinley ;
mother, Mr.. and Mrs. Clymonds of
Chicago, Mr.. and Mrs, c. NJ, Russell,
Mr.. and Mrs. McWilliams, the Miss
es May and Ida Barber, Miss Mable
Mckinley, Miss Grace Mckinley,
Mr.. James Mckinley. Miss Sarah
Duncan, Mr.. Donald McWilliams
Mr.. George Barber, Mr. flames Bar
Der and MIR. Samuel SaXton. A neph-
ew of President aud Mrs. Mckinley,
who was at the dinner, said: 1--WE did
not have drop of wine, You know,
the Major and Mrs. Mckinley never
drink wine themselves and do not be-
live il settiug "a bad example for their
younger relatives, or, in fact, for
any one. I've never seen wine on
their table. and nave eaten at their
hCme hundreds of times;
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
Independent Candidate for Mayor.

Independent Candidate for Mayor.
Elsewhere in to-day's DEMOCRAT
appears the announcement of w. II.
Coerver as an Independent candidate
for reelection to the Office of Mayor
Mr.. Coerver had intended to step
down and out at the expiration of his
term of office. but the best people of
the city have urged him to again al
low his name to go before the voters
and he has consented to do so. Mr.
Coerver as Mayor for two years has
made record that his friends are
proud of, and they want him to re-
main where he IS two years longer.
Under his administration the city has
paid all is obligations-has had no
trouble and there is not to-day a sim
gle law suit ON the court records
against the city. If reelected Mr..
Coerver will continue to administer
the city affairs in an economical and
business like manner. He will do his
duty to himself. to the city and to the
taxpayers.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
Cut on Her Hair in Her sleep.

EVANSVILLE, WIS, March To-
Miss Lulu Reeder. awell-knOwn young
society woman of this city, this morn
ing was much astonished when she got
up and looked in the glass to find
that during the night her long hair
had been cut off close to her head.
She was positive that no one could
have cut it off as she slept, and was
much mystifed. When the family
went downstairs. however. the mystery
was explained. Lying on the sitting
room floor, with the shears on top.
was the young lady's hair. She had
been walking in her sleep, and cut her
hair off without knowing it, the marks
of the shears showing on her thumb.
The young lady's hair was - inches
long, and she was very proud of it.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
\ Cuban Rhapsody.

The sun hung lowand the white fever
mists began to rise, gnOstly, deadly,
from the miasmatic Cuban swamps.
Out OF the dense jungles rodea lone
ly man. His broad sombrero was
torn and tattered: his clothing much
the worse for wear. In his hand he
grasped 4 machete. He looked around
him with fierce, blood-shot eyes and
ran his finger along the machete' 5
keen blade to see if il was sharp
enough for deadly BATH
Over the foothills from the direction
OF Havana came another horseman.
His cooked hat sported bedraggled
plume and his once gaudy uniform
was patched in many places. His
fingers clutched 4 long. bluebladed
Toledo sword.
The hOrseman rode steadily on un-
til opposite one another. Then they
haulted and saluted, grimly, terribly.
as foemen will when each knows the
powers vi lllc OlueF-
''At last, Maximo Gomezi!"
AT last, |aleriano Weyler."
The rider, paused and reguarded
one anothC.' curiOusly, Soon the
Cuban spoL3.
''Where is your army, Valeriano
Weyler? Where are the proud mer:
cenaries whom you brought to this
bloodstained land that they might
ride ankle deep in the blood of inno-
cent women and children? Where is
that army"
The Spaniard glared back glare for
glare.
Say rather, MaXimO Gomez, where
areyour insurgent chivalry? Where
are the ragamutfin soldiery VINO de-
vastated the plantations of Cuba far
and wide and burned all they could
not steal? Where is your army"
Speak first, o cruel Spaniard?
Where is your army"
''Dead-dead of yellow fever-dcad
of running all over creation to catch
you. Where is your army"
dead. Some one offered them work
and the shock slew the heroic men
whom Spanish bullets could not
injure.
The foemen looked at one another
again. Then they surveyed the land
scape.
..Valeriano Weyler. l have no
more money to pay a press bureau.
Maxine Gomez, my stenographer
has sprained a finger
Fierce Spaniard, came TO slay
thee.
'.Treacherous Cuban. came to slay
the personally"
But if you kill me there will be no
more rebels-you will lose your job. -
True. And if you slaughter me
there will be no more reports of my
cruelty
Let us call it off,
Let us both go in piece instead of
pieces"
And the foemen turning, rode back,
each on the trail DER which he came.
Chicago News.