davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
THE RETURNED PRESENT.
To he Sent Back Again mt Christ
INNS.


A half dozen Washington women
were talking the other day about the
kinds of people they know-which, by
the way, is somethingwomen very rare
ly do, and how these happenedto be do
ing so in this instance is not explained
In this chronicle-and one of them
called the attention of the others to a
prominent woman at whose house three
or four of them had incidentally met
the day before.
THAT woman" said the narrator, us
a kindly soul, L suppose, and means
well enough, but her wealth and her
social position take up so much of her
time she hasn't much left to think
about ordinary things. fancy there
are others just like her, too, though she
is the only one know about, because
I lived in the same town with her be-
fore she came to Washington. OF
course, here, I don't see great deal of
her. for she is so much absorbed in her
own greatness that I can't get to her
before it is time to leave, but I always
try to remember the old times and al
ways send some pretty souvenir or
other to her at Christmas. I never
thought they impressed her very pro-
| foundly, but still sent them, but not
this year. She has my name and birth
day on her memorandum book, and by
that does not forget me on that day,
usually sending some such present as
always send her. Well, my birthday
occurred last week, and when opened
my birthday box from her ladyship,
would you believe it she had sent me
the very thing sent her for Christmas.
She hadn't probably looked at the
trinket since the day it was received, if,
| indeed, she had ever seen it, and had
sent me that out of lot of such I'M
considered trifes as she had on hand.
Now, wasn't that funny?"
Possibly" ventured another, "she
made a mistake and didn't intend to
send you that"
ut wouldn't improve matters much
| IL she didn't" laughed the first one,
"for she would be giving my present to
| somebody else in that case, which would
be about as difficult to explain as the
other, so let it all CO."
"Why not send it back to her at
| Christmas and save that much ?" sug-
gested a third.
"And that's just what I shall do;
thank you," and the narrator for the
first time began to really enjoy the
Observation-Disclosures Star.
MAnE HIM HOT
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

1.-THE sky may be cloudy. the mountain
Steep"
Cried the son with the sable hair
'What matter? The snail with its shell
must keep,
Man only abroad may fare.
He needs no castle, nor cave in the cliff,
He conquers the elements all,
He wrenches the mountain asunder, the
wave
or the widest ocean he makes his slave,
He SCOTS at fears and he mocks the grave
When he answers that one brave call
That one brave call: Come, follow thou
me-
And he conquers with Jesus Of Galilee."
20. the lowland sweet, where the bob-o-
link reels
Through his tangle of tipsy tunes,
Where the bees dive deep In the clover
blooms
And the ring-dove COOS and croons;
love it-love it with all my heart"
Cried the daughter. a blue-eyed maid.
my limbs grow never a-weary, run
To the hills brown crest where dance in
the sun
Till the earth and the sea and the sky are
(And she tossed her yellow braid).
He taught us that beauty is BEST" cried
she,
"And worship with Jesus Of Galilee"
"see. grandpa, my dolly is ready for bed, !.
You must take us, and rock her to Sleep"
And the old man said, as he lifted the
child:
THE Shepherd hath care of His sheep
Be we aged or young, be we weak or strong,
The end Of 1t all is this
You may loiter or climb-if the way you go
Be warm with roses or bleak with snow,
However you boast, the all you may know
Is-a doll and a goodnight kiss.
'Ho, suffer the children to come unto Me,
Tn Me- l. tx.r1
said He"
CHARLES EUGENE BANKS.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

opportunity, was IL not?" said one of
the gentlemen, regarding her with re-
spectful admiration.
"a little fresh, but can't let my
youth slip from me unimproved," and
smiling she stepped lightly, but with
quiet dignity, into the elevator.
'That's o woman in ten thousand"
said the gentleman who had spoken to
Mrs. Peabody.
eyes," said his companion. "'The
worldly Mrs. Peabody as her family
and friends half in jest, half seriously,
call her, is an exceptional woman. Her
SON Harry is 40. But years don't count
when a woman is as charming as Mrs.
Peabody. Give me a worldly woman of
the right sort every time. 1t will be
time enough for angels when we reach
the Elysian fields"
you're right. Didn't she look a
picture, though, in that natty bicycle
suit?"
In the meantime Mrs. Peabody had
donned modish house gown and seated
herself in the circling window of her
sitting-room. It was one of the hand
soonest apartments in the hotel and its
windows commanded superb view of
water, shore and distant city. AL
though the holidays were near at hand
the first snow was just beginning to
fall in large, far-apart flakes that poised
and futtered in the air as if determined
to finish some eerie game before per-
uniting themselves to sink finally AS
she took up some gold and green satin
which she was fashioning into gor-
geous sofacushion, she caught glimpse
of the marvellous picture which wrack-
ing silver-gray clouds, bits of sky, the
water and floating snow were forming
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
A Cbine.e supcr.t,t,op

It is a superstition of the Chinese
that a sneeze on New Years eve, while
preparing for bed, is supposed to indi-
cate misfortune for the coming year,
and to overcome this he is obliged to
go to three families of different sur
names, and beg from each of them a
little cake, shaped like tortoise, and
In common use at the end of the year
as an emblem of long life. These cakes
must be eaten by the sneezer before
midnight
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

my best girl? Will they suit her? I've
only taken them on approval" and he
handed her dainty open case in which
were a pair of brilliant and exquisite
ly matched solitaires, from the very
best house in the city. This latter
fact, the "hallmark," meant much to
Mrs. Peabody, for nothing but the best
from the best satisfied her fastidious
taste.
"How very beautiful All, how good
you are, Erastusl" she exclaimed, her
face glowing with pleasure.
II have wanted them SO long. You
don't know how they suit me-" she
continued, as she adjusted the beau
.tiful gems and viewed her reflected
self with the utmost satisfaction.
"They do suit you," said Mr.. Peabody,
regarding her admiringly. Then sud-
denly the light went out of Mrs. Pea
body's face and she turned from the
mirror.
.Eanstus... she said. .dont think .me
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
That WINS HIS lden,

Look here, Mr.. Hojack," said Mrs.
Hojack, I'D like to know why you
asked me what wanted for Christ
mas present, IL you intended to get
something entirely different?"
Il wanted to surprise you, DEAR" was
Hojack's unsatisfactory reply.--N. Y.
Truth.
"Sprised you, didn' II" he said, 81
sh'd shay sol Why, s'prised myself"
ELLIS PARKER BUTLER.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
Her First Chri.tma. puddinr.

Once bride. unused to cooking. made an
Xmas pudding rare,
And In weight, at least, no pudding ever
did with 1t compare.
Then the bride unused to cooking bowed
her weary head and cried
But her cheerful husband whispered: "Nev-
er mind, my precious bride,
1t Is just the thing 1 needed; we will vet
outwit the fatesl
And he cut 1t up in segments which he used
as paper weights.
IN. Y. Truth
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
Christmn. Tree. in England.

Christmas trees were unknown in
England until the reign of Queen Vic
toria. After the present prince of
Wales had become three or four years
old, Prince Albert ornamented a Christ
mas tree for the amusement of the in
FAINT prince. The idea pleased the peo-
Pile, and as Christmas trees were every
year made feature of the court cele-
bration, the fashion soon spread among
the English.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
The burial of the Year.

Bury the year; 1t Is dead!
With its hopes and its fears,
With its songs and its tears.
1t is dead. Let ii lie
In the grave of the years.
It Is idle to weep at the bier of the past
While the moments are hurrying rapidly
by,
For no pang of regret will bring back
again
The year that is dead; let 1t lie, as 1t
should,
In the quiet of death-leave its record to
God.
Bury the year; it is dead!
But it's hopes and Its fears,
Its songs and it's tears,
Will not die. They are part
or the life of the years.
All the veal and the woe of the past Is
alive.
We may bury the year; 1t is useless to
strive
To forget what 1t brought-it is wisdom to
gather
The lessons 1t taught. If we learn as We
should,
We shall shun all its evil. increase all its
good
C. A. warburton, in Christian Work.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
Preparing for the Rest.


"What do you intend to get your hus-
band for Christmas gift?"
81 can't make up my mind whether to
give him lace curtains, a dinner set, new
portieres or drawing-room Clock
Chicago Record.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

ne arose to take off the latter. He sat
on the floor to do so, because the chairs
were behaving awkwardly.
When he regained his feet and start
ed toward the bed he suddenly stopped.
"M'ria," he said, in an agitated whis-
per. mira; get up # you value y'r
life!"
Mrs. Gilgal did not deign to open her
eyes.
"Come to bed, you old idiot" she
said.
"Mria, my dear wife," said Mr.. Gill
gal, very impressively. "Y'r life's in
danger. I tell you, life in danger. Ge'
up 'mediately. FIR my sake, Mira, do
ge' up!"
"Come to bed and be STILL" she cried.
Mr.. Gilgal slowly backed away from
the bed. His eyes were very large and
he was perspiring freely. He tried
to be calm. and as he backed toward
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
The Tempter.

George do not see the mistletoe in
Its usual place; what is the matter?
Bess-Papa could not afford it this
year. But 1 am wearing in my hair the
ribbon it used to be tied up with.-.Up-
fo-nafo
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

"Tommy, have you dreamed about
Santa Claus yet?"
"Yes, papa; and he was bow-legged,
just like you."-Chicago News.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
MR.. GILGAL'S SURPRISE.
IL Mas Genuine, and Made His
Christmas Pleasant.
uR. GILGAL occasion

- - - - - $3.50 - -
ally took a drop
too much. / do not
say he usually took
a drop too much
because what he
took usually was
several glasses toe
much. And on the
beautiful Christ.
mas evening of
which / am speak
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
Their Thourhtles. G,st..

81 wish," said the minister's son sad
ly, "that people wouldn't give pa slip
pers for Christmas. IN. Y. World.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

Santa Claus-There, confound those
hard-coal burners. I've singed my
whiskers and ruined another suit OF
clothes.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

AS they came. and he cried: "Oh! the
homestead hill
Is steep and rugged as life. but skill,
And courage, and patience, and care, and
will,
Must win to the fountain head
Yet the soul that triumphs Is strong"
cried he,
"As strong as the Saviour of Galilee."
"'Tis long, hard climb up the hfll of life."
Cried the mother beside him there.
"But its wales are sheltered, and gay and
green,
It's gardens and pastures fair.
Though the road that leads to these CRATE
full spots
Be winding, and rough, and steep;
Where the oak has toppled the blue-bells
come,
When the thrush is silent the pheasants
drum,
And the brook will sing when the birds are
dumb
The Shepherd inspires His sheep.
There's beauty and gladness for all whs
see
With the vision of Jesus Of Galilee."
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

Els, 1 nave been out
enjoying what is
probably the last
opportunity of the
season." said Mrs.
Peabo dy as she
stood in her bicycle
costume, one OF a
little group waiting
in the hotel rotun-
da for the elevator.
Rather q cold
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24

rude, but win you ten me how much
you are to pay for my solitaires?"
Certainly, Josephine, just an ever
$1,000"
"Erastus, will you take them back
and give me the price of one," and she
explained that she proposed to have the
operation performed which would re
store Nora, "and you take the price OF
the other and renew your subscription
to the Relief and Aid"
"But, my dear, you say you have
wanted a pair of solitaires for long
time" said Mr.. Peabody.
Sand haven't l had them?" asked
Mrs. Peabody.
''But you are sure you are satisfied to
do this?"
ENTIRELY sure"
"And this is the worldly Mrs. Pea.
body" said her husband, putting his
arm about her.
"Yes, it is" she said, throwing back
her head and smiling. 81 am worldly
love the world, and was never hap.
pier in it than I am just now"
"It was for love of the world" said
Mr.. Peabody, softly, as he bent and
kissed his wife, that the Christ whose
birth we celebrate came to teach, suf-
fer and die among u.s."
Preparing for the Best.
"There's only one thing that insist
upon," said Miss Elderly as she skipped
airily about the house.
"And what is that?"
81 want mistletoe placed over every
doorway and on every chandelier
Defroit Eraa praes
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-24
THE GREATEST OF ALL.
Aged or Young, the Shepherd Hath
Care of His Sheep.

NC years had whit
ened the flowing
locks.
And wrinkled the
ruddy skin,
or the old man wait
ing on Christmas
eve
To welcome his kith
and kin.
Thro' the wide-fiung
door strea m ed a
sudden flame
And the walls cleaned
sunset red.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19
IMPORTANT NOTICE

STATEMENTS OF THE INDEBT-
EDNESS OF THE SUBSCRIBERS TO
THE SEMI-WEEKLY MESSENGER
WE'RE RECENTLY MAILED, AND
WHILE A GREAT MANY HAVE
RESPONDED, THERE ARE MANY
YET IN ARREARS AND WE TRUST
THIS REMINDER WILL CAUSE
ALL WHO HAVE NEGLECTED
THEIR ACCOUNT WITH US TO
TAKE PROMPT ACTION. THE DATE
ON THE LABEL OF EACH PAPER
SHOWS THE TIME TO WHICH THE
SUBSCRIPTION HAS BEEN PAID,
AND THE ACCOUNT CAN BE EAsI-
LY DETERMINED WITHOUT WAIT
ING FOR A STATEMENT FROM US.
A THOROUGH REVISION OF THE
LIST WILL BE MADE AT AN EAR
LY DATE AND ALL DELINQUENTS
WILL BE PLACED ON OUR BOOK
OF REMEMBRANCE"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19
THE CASUALTIES OF WAR

The governor Of Arkansas Is The
first to lead on in the suppression Of
football. The Georgia house has voted
to suppress it. only three members op-
posing. A resolution has been intro
duced in the lower house of the Mis-
souri, legislature to prevent ball play
ing under the Rugby rules in st. Louis.
Mr.. Lloyd is himself heartily in ia
vor OF physical culture Ind the manly
sports, but he announce that the bill
he is to introduce will be submitted to
his colleagues by the request Of per-
sons whose identity he declines to re-
veal. Mr.. Lloyd acknowledges that
the fatalities which have occurred in
Rugby games elsewhere occasioned
the introduction OF the ordinance"
In Pennsylvania in westmoreland
county. some small boys played the
game. The result of one casualty is
given in a despatch in The Philadelphia
Ledger:
Frank. the seven-year-old SON of
Lemuel Blair. fell on the ball to pre-
vent his companions from taking il.
Three or four other boys fell on the
child and crushed him. HI was car
ried home, where it was found tina he
was injured internally. Today the doc
tors said they have given up all hope
OF his recovery"
Mr.. r. NJ. Namlok, an old football
club manager. writes to The New York
Herald. condemns the game as now
played. and says it is doomed unlessi i'm
proved and modified. He says. n it
is expert testimony:
"As the football-playing code stands
at present. the game is certainly a
dangerous one. There is no doubt that
it is much more brutal than prize
fighting, because it is a case of one
man against ten. In a prize fight a
man has a Eve chance, but in foot
ball the odds are strongly against
him."
The Hartford (Conn.) Post demands
that Captain Young, Of the Wesleyan
University football team, shall be dis
ciplined for his disgraceful conduct
last Saturday. He deliberately used
his fists, not only upon his opponents,
but upon his own players. necessitating
his removal from the game.
On the Yale battlefield Pantham had
an arm broken. Two deaths from the
brutal game reported in The Pittsburg
Herald as occurring in hat n%eighbor-
hood. A correspondent of The Rich
mond Dispatch reports that the con-
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19

place where there is always a breath
OF freedom in the air, for slavery Is not
a proper condition for men; where a
sound and various learning is taught
and taught well, without sham of pre-
tense; where the life and teachings Of
Jesus furnish both the ideal of right
living and true manhood; where a
ners are gentle. and courtesies daily
multiply between teacher and taught,
and a gentleman feels at home; where
all classes and conditions and beliefs
are welcome, and rise in earnest striv-
ing by the might of merit; where
wealth is no prejudice and poverty no
shame; where honorable labor, eve of
the hands in mental toll, are glorified
by high purpose n pathetic desire
for the sweet waters and the clearer
air; where there is no air Of unchari-
tableness, nor any chidings or ratings,
but rather a large charity and sympa-
thy in all good efforts that make for
righteousness and culture, whether
within or without our own academic
walls; where there Is a will to serve all
high ends of a state struggling UP out
Of ignorance into general power; where
men are trained to observe closely,
imagine wildly, reason accurately, and
to have about them some humility and
some t~oleration; where truth, shining
patiently, like a star, bids us advance.
and we will not turn aside. Will you
help us, young gentlemen, to make our
alma mater such a place as this? I
now give you this sentiment:
"Our Alma Mountaineering growth
and honor and usefulness to her
throughout the years."
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19

Ladies' n Gentlemen's Underwear.
Union Suits for Girls and Boys 8 to IL
years old. at soc a suit: Ladies' for l5c
a suit: Children's Suits. nice Merino.
size 10. at Sc each. Shirts and Pants.
large. 10c up to &c. Children's Wcol
suits for CSC to so. Ladies' Wood ShirD.
extra big value. worth at least 75c, 1
bought In the summer at q price. now
/ onel them to you at soc each. Mems
Shirts from IS to 3Sc. Nice fleece lined.
DR.. Jeager make. at soc each. Ladies'
suit from l5c. long sleeve. heavier.
fleece lined. at Csc, better half wool at
SOC. Nearly all wool knit at 75c, all wool
at 9Sc. Ladies'. Mems and Children's
Red F1anne knit pants M shirts
from so to 81 Is each. Gents Gowns,
nicely trimmed. at SO and 75c each.
Ladies' Gowns. plain. with RUNE At the
top. for soc. Nicely trimmed at 75c
and $1.00. Ladies' Undershirts made OF
heavy Flannel. at Soc. Black Satteen
Shirts at rs. 50. $l.25: knit Shirts at sec
each. Ax
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19
Mattings, Etc.

We have just received a large stock
Of handsome m%attings at low prices.
12kc per yard. Also we have decided
to cut down our Carpets. Brussels at
48 up to 60, worth from IS to 75c; In
grain Carpets from 20 to 4Sc per yard.
worth rs to Csc. We can and will save
you money on our carpets, mating.
and rugs. Chenille Curtains at $1.9S a
pair. Table Covers from 20 to 75c. Piano
covers from $3.50 to $2.75 each. Piano
felt at soc per yard. We have just re-
reived a new supply Of chairs. tables.
book cases and hat racks to give away
free with every $500 cash purchase.
We want your trade md have long
since had judgment passed on us as
being the lowest priced store in town.
We are very busy selling lots Of Ladies
Hats, Trimmings. Shoes and Host@A.
Notions, Corsets, Gloves, Umbrellas
IND 1aces.
Come to Wilmington's Big Racket
Store, at liz North Front Street, oppo-
site The Orton Hotel.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19
OVERCOATS AND MACKIITOSHES,

Mems Overcoats, heavy and warm,
long and well made, al $3.50 up to $500.
Fine Beaver Overcoats, nice, new
stock, extra cheap at $500; satin lined
at $3.50 and $3.50.
Mems Rubber Macintosh Coats,
with long capes at ST. $500 and $500.
Mems Odd Pants and Coats. A good
Wool Coat at $3.50, Vest at SOC, Pants,
Cotton Jeans, at 20, 40 and SOC. Geor-
gia Kersey, heavy weight, SOC. Wool
Pants, heavy weight, 83c. Nice Pants,
honest values, at $1.00 and $1.25; fine
Pants in pretty patterns, at $3.50, $1.75
and up to $3.50 a pair. We have at
least 1000 pair of pants to select from
and the best goods you ever saw for
the money. Boys Suits with sailor
collars, braid trimmed Wool Cheviot,
at $1.39 a suit; nice, heavy Wool Suits
at $1.25; large boys Suits from 10 to Is
years old, at $3.50, $1.75 up to $500 a
suit. Very pretty styles at $1.75. Boys
odd pants at rs and SOC. Boys Blue
Flannel, with button on top Golf
Caps. at 20; trimmed in gold cord and
nice quality at Csc. Mems heavy
Flannel and Beaver Caps at Csc.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-19
A GENERAL DIVORCE Law

It is probable that the congrss which
meets early in December viii among
other measures try its hand upon a ma
tfonal bankrupt law and a national di-
vorce Law. As to the latter there is a
great need of conformity among the
states. In many OF them the laws are
SO loose and so low as to almost amount
to no law at all. Probably there are
not two states whose laws governing di-
vorces are the same. South Carolina
is the one state, and there Is none
other, that has no divorce law. Out
west there are states in which 1t is as
easy to get a divorce as to obtain a
marriage license. Their laws are so
h~opelessly low as to be a bid for almost
free marriage at will. The Bible is
ignored in all the states with divorce
laws. Legislators have treated Gods
law as il no law binding in this and
of the free. We doubt not that God
will hold to a strict accountability all
men who have enacted laws in opposi-
ton to and ignoring Of His divine law
W 6OSCAA k4VC ~ A0 AA06C LIN
divorce. No legislature any more than
an individual may trife with impunity
with the demands Of Jehovah. He has
told when divorce nay occur and for
what offence, and that only.
Some time ago the American Bar As
ISOLATION discussed a divorce bill that
it commends to all the states. It is
very desirable because it Is very much
needed, that some effective, uniform di-
vorce law, based on Gods require
ments, shall be adopted and shall apply
in every state in the American Union.
It is a great shame and reproach as it
now is. There are states into which ILL
assorted people rush to be quickly re-
lieved of the yoke Of bondage and then
at once marry another fellow or an
ought to be a strict law, of universal
application, reaching every man and
woman in wedlock, and fine and i'm
prisonment should be the penalty for
it's violation in every case. We would
be gratiied to see the great abuses
abated and the stigma removed from
the offending states. A thorough di-
vorce law and divorce view reform is
needed. With bad laws bad people be-
come extensively obtrusive and are
prone to take to divorces like children
take to the measeles. 1t is full time FOR
a radical change. But let not the con-
gress or the bar associations or the leg
entirely out of the court, when they
are considering plans or enacting laws.