davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

no possible way of crossing except by the
half finished railroad bridge, and that was
guarded at either end by watchmen, who
had orders to allow no one to pass. More.
over, there was no approach to the bridge,
whose ice clad buttress arose abruptly from
the rivers edge to a height of hundred
feet or moro. The other passengers stopped
right there and sought shelter in neigh
boring hotel. WANTED to follow their good
example, but Appleton wouldn't let me.
He said VIC had gone too far to turn back
then, and, BESIDES q sturdy small boy at
the hotel had offered to show us how to
climb to the bridge. He was rewarded in
advance, and then we set out to battle
with fate. The small boy took the lead,
Appleton followed him, made a close
third, and my valet, Jack, formed kind
of rear guard to look after my remains in
case of accident. Our small guido led US
straight to the huge buttress Of the bridge,
which was built Of massive blocks of stone
arranged in terrace form from its broad
base to its narrow apex These terraces
were about 10 feet high and covered with
ice and snow. 1t was impossible for a man
to climb them unaided, but the boy was
equal to the emergency. After providing
about for few minutes he found a ladder
which had been used by the workmen. l
can't begin to describe the difficulties and
dangers of that climb, but at last we
scrambled to the top, with clothes torn and
hands bruised and bleeding Fortunately
the watchman was walking toward the
middle of the bridge, and we had a chance
for good start before he could stop US
After a short breathing spell Appleton,
Jack and began our perilous journey
along the narrow footpath that stretched
across the CHASTITY looking ironwork, but
before we had reached the middle Of the
bridge the Waterman stopped us and or
dered us to go back. We pleaded and pro-
tested and argued, but it was Of no use
He wouldn't even take bride Hereupon
the boy Jack loudly called my attention to
the fact that the water looked awfully cold
down below. Appleton quickly added that
under certain circumstances 1t would make
an excellent plunge bath, and l Clipped in
with flippant remark about it being 8
to l shot.
That Waterman evidently thought we
meditated murder or some equally desper-
ate crime, for his eyes fairly bulged from
their sockets as he backed away from us
as far as the narrow footpath would per-
NIT We brushed by him instantly and
continued on our way without any further
Interference from him The Waterman at
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

pie, active preparation went on as usual
for Will and his children would be there
and their hearts must be gladdened with
Christmas sunshine Arlingford had in,
deed always kept the day with more fervor
than is the wont with most New England
country towns. 1t was the day before
Christmas and the farmer was returning
from the woods, whittier he had gone to
select the Christmas tree. The crisp, sweet
air was musical with sleighbells, for the
earth was sheathed in dazzling white AS
he turned into the main street, his bobslad
almost collided with fast cutter spinning
homeward from Chester. 1t was Squire
Barber returning from the county seat,
some eight miles distant, where his law
Office was located
Merry Christmas, if it isn't too earlyp
shouted the lawyer, pulling up. What
have you got there? Holly, and as l live
mistletoe too haven't seen any before
for an age"
EYES," said Mr. Martin, lit comes and
goes in curious way. haint found it
CROWN fer ten years till l got this from
a half rotten apple tree in the upper or
chard." And he held up sprig of it with
its yellow leaves and whitish berries shin
ing like crusted silver in the winter sparkle
of the sun.
1.-THE old legend says it brings good
luck, answered the lawyer. I'm drop
in this evening and see it hanging, for the
chance of kissing pretty Kate under the
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
A Christmas "Reminiscences.

One of the most remarkable features OF
the siege of Paris in 1870 was tho enor-
nous increase in the appetites of the citi-
Gems of that unhappy city. The author OF
France In the Nineteenth Century," who
was witness Of the scenes she describes,
wrote; Thinking about food stimulated
the craving for 1t, and before the end OF
the year there were serious apprehensions
OF famine. Christmas day Of that sad year
came at last and New Years day, the
great and joyful fete in all French fam
lilies. A few confectioners kept their stores
open and few boxes Of bonbons were
sold, but presents of potatoes or small
packages of coffee were by this time moro
acceptable gifts.
Nothing during the holiday season was
plentiful in Paris but champagne and Col
mans mustard The rows upon rows of
the last named article In the otherwise
empty windows of the groceries reminded
Englishmen and Americans alike of
Grumio's cruel offer to Katherine Of the
mustard without the beef, since she could
not have the beef with the mustard
The following is the bill of fare of din
ncr given at a French restaurant upon
that Christmas day:
Soup from horse meat Mince of cat
Shoulder of dog, with tomato sauce. jug
ged cat, with mushrooms. Roast donkey
and potatoes. Rats, peas and celery. Mice
on toast. Plum pudding"
II seems most too ridiculous for belief,
but the menu is genuine.
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

mistletoe, unless Swinton gets ahead o
me-" And he chuckled heartily to himself
as he drove on.
The Martins had attended the early
service in the church and were now gath.
cred in the big parlor where the Christmas
tree was set loaded with presents and the
children were all agog with eagerness.
Mr.. Swinton was guest of the occasion,
though not much to Kate's pleasure. The
tree had been almost stripped of its burden
amid the jubilation OF the youngsters, and
even Paul's absence couldn't quite qaench
the heartsome glow of the old folk.
COW God like to see Sanity Caus his
sef ZEN he comes down the chimley to-
night!' said little May Martin, her mouth
gorged with dripping sweets.
Just then tremendous clashing Of
bells rang out as if whole caravan of
sleighs were coming up the road. Louder
and louder chimed the silvery music till 1t
stopped before the door amid the paving
of horses hoofs.
"Who can 1t be?" they all said to each
other Perhaps it is Santa Claus, whis
pered Kate to little May The child caught
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
DURING THE WAR.
at the South When Prices Were
High.


The Christmas of 1861 at the south was
not SO much different from those that pre-
ceded but the Christmas of 1862 found
the Confederate money at heavy discount.
Wood was $40 per cord and turkeys $11
each, but even at those prices many were
still able to enjoy them, and there were
still some toys to give the little folks.
Then came the bitter year Of 1868, with
the fall Of Vicksburg and the defeat at
Gettysburg. With sad faces harmonizing
well with their dresses Of coarse black
stuff, the women of the south devoted
themselves to picking lint and spinning
and weaving for husbands, fathers, broth
ers and sweethearts in the field Christ
mas cheer-such as could be obtained
cost fabulous sum, for one bright golden
dollar was then worth $2S in Confederate
money Sugar was from SIS to $40 per
pound, turkeys $50 apiece and -four $25
per barrel
christmas, 1S64-the last Christmas Of
war times-dawned, and what a gloomy
festival it was for the people Of the south,
says southern lady. "Of manufactured
products we had practically none Our
hairpins were made of long, black thorns,
with ball of sealing wax on one end. We
had made into dresses every scrap of avail
able material, and now our gowns consist
ed Of window curtains, 'homespuns and
paper muslin or colored cambria that had
once done duty as a lining, while our feet
were incased in homemade cloth shoes.
At a Christmas dinner in typical south
ern home that day the festive board pre-
sented turkey that had cost 5000, ham
worth $500, holniny and potatoes at cor
respondingly high prices and black mo-
lasses-as dessert-at $50 per gallon. The
Confederate dollar was then worth Just 2
cents in gold Wood was 800 cord beef
S35 pound, flour 5000 per barrel, butter
$40 per pound and sugar $50 per pound.
All was silent in the negro quarters.
There was no singing or dancing there
as usual. The slaves, having all heard of
de Emancipation poclaration, knew that
they were free and had all scattered away.
Desolation seemed to reign over every
thing"
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
A CHRISTMAS LULLABY.

Bylow, my babe, bylow,
Here on thy mothers breast,
And, cuddled warm by her loving arm,
Drsop down thy head to rest
Poor, weary head, SO filed with doubt
OF life and what its all about
Bylow, my babe, bylow.
Curl up in flower wise
Thy rosy feet and white limbs sweet,
My bud Of paradise
Dear, tender limbs, too frail to share
The burden cen which babes must beari
Bylow, my babe, bylow.
Let tired eyelids kiss.
And from thy sight shut this worlds light
And thy worlds light from this
Love radinnt eyes, twin stars that shine
Through darkling doubt with trust divinel
Bylow, my babe, bylow,
So shone the star of love
Long years ago, with guiding glow.
The newborn Christ above
And found an answering heavenly ray
Within the manger where he layi
Bylow, my babe, bylow,
The star still rains its fire,
And the Master mild in the heart Of child
Bids echoing flame aspire,
And sphere and soul in concord sing,
"The King ,s born, and love is kingl"
MARION MILLS MILLER
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
A COMEDIANS PLIGHT.
Adventure That Befell Nat Goodwin on a
Christmas Night.

The most eventful Christmas l ever
passed was in 1891 We had played in
Utica Christmas eve and were to leave on
an early morning train for Poughkeepsie
The company caught the train all right,
but it was frightfully cold and blizzard
was raging. decided to wait for later
train, which would reach Poughkeepsie
about o'clock. Instead of clearing up
however, the storm grew worse, and the
train that waited for never came. 1t
was stalled in drift up the road some
where. began to realize then that it was
a cold day for me in more senses than one
1 tried to hire an engine but didn't sue
coed, for there was none. l finally gave
it up in despair and went back to the no.
tel George Appleton, my manager, was
made of sterner stuff than l, however, and
in about two hours had organized party Of
storm bound passengers and persuaded an
other railroad to make up mixed train
and try to get us through to the uncom-
pleted bridge at Poughkeepsie. We would
be landed on the opposite side of the river,
they said, but we could get across to the
town by the ferry. The depot was about
three miles outside Of Utica, and it took
us three hours and quarter to reach it
There was no fire in the cars we secured,
and mighty little In the engine. At
O'Clock Christmas night we were dumped
out at the landing opposite Poughkeepsie
The river was full of jagged masses of
ice and the ferryboats had been compelled
to stop running at O'Clock. There was
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

businesslike-and We deputed him TO an
swer Uncle Williams letter He did SO.
He replied that the 16 cents was tho sum
spent in excess of tho sum subscribed by
Alexander, Fred Norah and Dorothea for
the purpose OF giving Uncle William n
Christmas present. Then Uncle William
wanted to know how, If this was the case,
it happened he never got the Christmas
present from us. Alexander said that he
did not feel inclined to go into any further
details He sent Uncle William back the
bill properly rcceipted and little note to
say that the correspondence on this subject
must now terminate.
Perhaps the thing does seem little
strange but tho explanation Is perfectly
simple, and ] give it, l am Norah, and
Alexander and Ire twins. Tho other two
aro quito young, 1t was / who first had
the notion that wo ought to give Uncle
William n Christmas present When any
of us has a notion, she or he calls meet
ing of the others. That was what did
/ said that Uncle William was always
giving us presents and yet we never gave
him anything. 1t was true that he had
said nothing about it, but was sure that
he must have felt it. Christmas was now
near, and it would be a good opportunity
for us
This was ngreed. Alexander and each
contributed 80 cents-10 cents more than
Fred or Dorothea. Thus tho total sum was
81, for which n very good present might
have been bought - something which
would have shown uncle every time he
looked at 1t that his nephcws and nieccs
thought about him Il good deal and tried
to please him, even at some personal sac
rifce TO themselves. We did not decide
what tho present was to DO at once, be-
cause Alexander said that would have been
grossly irregular. We were to have COM
mittee meetings every day about it and
discuss it thoroughly Fred was appoint
ed treasurer of the fund. He put it all In a
waistcoat pocket and got me to sew the
pocket up for him in case of accidents.
AT the next meeting Dorothea suggest
ed that we should buy chocolates (French)
in box. 1t was objected that Uncle
William never ate chocolates. NO." said
Dorothca, "he doesn't, but he sometimes
gives them away, Then next time he
wanted to give anybody any he wouldn't
have to buy them" Fred thought that it
would be dishonorable to give chocolates,
and we agreed with him. We then decid-
ed to buy a tobacco pouch, which certain
ly would havo been a suitable present.
There are very few shops in our village, so
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated
The bird of dawning singeth all night long.
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
Ihe nights are wholesome; then no planets
striie
No fairy takes or witch hath power to charm.
SO hallowed and so gracious is the time
Shakespeare
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19

Iule dough, kind of baby or little
image intended to represent the child Je-
sus, made of paste, was formerly baked at
Christmas and presented by bakers to their
customers "in the same manner as the
chambers gave candles They are still
called Yule cakes in the county of Durham,
England
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
An Early Christmas Drinking Song.

The following verses from the original
IN old Norman French are said to be the
first drinking song composed in England:
Lordlings from distant home,
20 seek old Christmas are we come.
Who loves our minstrelsy2
md here, unless report missay,
Jhe graybeard dwells and on this day
Keeps yearly wassail ever gay
With festive mirth and glee.
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
UNCLE WILLIS GIFT.
A TRUE STORY RELATED by HIS NEPHEW.

On Christmas day Uncle William re-
cUived card inscribed as follows:
William Bunting. Esq, debtor to his
nephews Alexander and Fred and to his
nieces Norah and Dorothea, for money
expended in his behalf ...................S0 1G
Uncle William paid the money at once,
but he wrote to say that he should like to
know how it happened that he owed us 10
cents. 1t was Alexander who had sent the
bill in-for boy Of 12 no really Is most
The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-12-19
BRUNSWICK GA SUNDAY MORNING DECEMBER 49,

that this was usual and committees always
had refreshments We were left with 81
oents to spend ON the pouch. However,
we found that we could get very good
pouches for 80 cents each. wanted to
get black one and Alexander wanted
brown. So we decided not to buy either
yet, but to take the votes of the whole
committee on it. We spent the odd IA
cents on white Java mouse. We felt sure
Uncle William would like it. The man in
the store said that people often came in
Offering as much as % cents each for mice
Of that particular kind. When we got
back-the mouse Travelled in Ale8ander's
pocket-we at once held another commit
tee meeting.
Dorothea said that If Alexander and
had refreshments the rest Of the committee
ought to have them also. So we had
chocolates-10 cents worth. We agreed to
purchase the black pouch. Fred suggest
ed that there was just a possibility that
Uncle William would not care about the
mouse. Alexander said that he would tel
egraph about it, and did. This was the
telegram:
UNCLE WILLIAM-Do you like white Java
ALEXANDER.
In about an hour the answer came back
Most certainly not.
This caused US some CONSERVATION. 1t
was thought better to go to town again on
the morrow and see If the man In the store
would take back the mouse. In the mean
time Fred's pocket was unpicked and the
entire fund handed over to Alexander In
order that he might reimburse himself
Alexander said that he would keep &C
counts, and If there was anything over he
would get some very cheap present-per-
haps card. The pouch was, Of course,
now impossible
He and went together as before. While
we wero having refreshments at the sta
ton he did his accounts.
"They don't come out very we'll, he
Said rather dolefully, but perhaps we
shall be taking the mouse back just when
some one is wanting to give quarter for
q real Java one"
He felt In his coat pocket as he spoke,
and then he looked more doleful still. The
mouse had escaped during the journey
The accounts were thus:
Expenses OF first visit to town...........s0 SO
White Java mouse. Observation-Disclosures. Ia
Cnocolates. ~
Telegram '.'''''.'.''....'''''..''. ~
Expenses Of second visit. Observation-Disclosures. 90
81 10
eve are 16 cents to the bad" said
land we haven't got any present. The re-
frcshments have come to SO much this
time"
"All committees and delegates Of COM
mittees have refreshments, said Alexan-
der dictatorially. ut doesn't matter. I've
paid the deficit so far, but Uncle William
will have to make 1t up It's all his fault
If he hadn't been there, VIC shouldn It have
wanted to be generous to him."
So we sent Uncle William the bill He
is still rather puzzled about it. Fred and
Dorothea think the thing was misman-
aged don't. No more docs Alexander
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17
PROF. ROB'T FRAZER.
ELECTED PRINCIPAL STATE FE-
MALE NORMAL SCHOOL,
His Acceptnnce-some-
thing of His Record-A Native VIZ
v,utuu-ynrious Institutions With
which He Has Been Connected.

FARMvILLfI, VA, December le.-'ope-
cIal)-The board of the STATE Femaie
Normal School concluded its important
deliberations here to-day. The chief ODD
iect of the meeting was to select sue
cessor to the late DR.. John cunning
ham as principal of the school, After
going over all the testimonials OF the
nearly twoscore of applicants Tor the
position, It was decided to discard all out
six names. After two or three ballots
Professor Robert Frazer, LII. d., received
the number requisite to election, and was
Immediately given the unanimous vote
A telegram was at once sent to MIN az
Columbus, Miss, asking IL he would ac-
cept, to which he replied as follows:
Approaching the confidence Oh the
board, accept the position.
ROBERT FRAZER"
Mr.. Frazer Is a native or virginia,
having been born in Orange county ABOUT
sixty years ago. He attended the schoois
of the county until well In his teens
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17
officers of Lafayette Chapter.

Lafayette Royal-Arch Chapter, No. 43,
at stated conyocation of the chapter
held at the Masonic Temple, corner Broad
and Adams street, last evening, the fol-
lowing officers were elected and installed
for the ensuing twelve months, this be-
ing the only chapter in this city which
elects it's officers in December: Most-Ex-
cellent Alfred X. Courtney, high priest;
Companion James w. Anderson, king,
Companion r. l.. Peters, scribe; Com
panion r. Il. Macomber (twenty-nine
times), treasurer; Companion Lewis F.
Mason, secretary. The high priest made
the following appointments: Companion
George l. Hooper, Jr., captain Of host;
Companion Joseph S. Wilson, principal
sojourner; Companion Rev. George
Cooper, chaplain; Companion William
Krause, steward; Companion A. p. Routt,
tiler. The remaining officers to be APP
pointed will be named at the next stated
convocation.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17
Daudet Dies Suddenly.

PARIS, December 16.-Alphonse Daudet
IS dead. He expired at s O'Clock tonight.
He was dining with his family, and was
I'm excellent spirits, when he was seized
with a sudden syncope. Physicians were
summoned, but he died almost i'm
mediately.
Alphonse Daudet was born at Mines, OF
poor parents, May Is, 1910. After study
ing in the Lyceum at Lyons. he became
an usher In school at Alais, and did the
drudgery OF that calling for two years.
In 1857, with his brother Ernest, he went
TO Paris 10 try 10 gain q livelihood by
means OF literary pursuits. His first pub
LEGATION was a volume of poems. entitled
lies Amoureuses," which appeared in
1888. and won for him a reputation that
led to his employment on several news
papers.
He was private secretary OF the Duo de
Morny from 1851 to 1855, inclusive He
then made several attempts 10 write for
the theatre, but the results were de-
cidedly failures 1t was while writing
under the name OF "Baptiste," or under
his real name. novels, tales, and news
paper articles that he achieved his real
popularity. In 1875, the French Academy
awarded him the Jouy prize for Fremont
ieune ct Risler Aine," which was sue
cessfully dramatlzed the following year
by NJ. Alphonse Belot.
NJ Daudet was long connected with the
Journal OflcIel. whose theatrical depart
ment was made under mis- charge.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17


Blackwell and II. II. Smlthey, OF hah-
doiph-Macon: Professor j. L. Armstrons,
OF Randolph-Macon Woman's Cosiese,
Professor j.. s. Miller. Of Emory ai"
Henry College, md President r. w. Boat,
wright and Professors c. II. winston anu
John Pollard. Of Richmond Coiese
President William L. Wilson. OF Washins-
ton and Lee, Is expected to-day.
The conference was in session TOT Sow
raj hours last night, the early part VI
the evening being devoted TO geho'ni
discussion along educational lines. tnousn
with special reference to the opJects v.
the meeting. The organization mas not
yet been finally perfected, and commit
tee consisting of Messrs. Armstrong,
Kent. and Miller was appointed 10 urai.
and present constitution for government
OF the conference.
The body will meet again this morning
at 10 o'clock at which time the cofnihie-
tee to whom was referred the questions
Shall 1t be recommended that the colIeges
arrange to bring about a greater oegIee
OF uniformity in requirements for adniis-
sion? and, If so. what requirements shaii
It suggest to the several faculties? VIII
report.
The question as TO the advisability OF
recommending that the colleges JON the
Association of Colleges and Preparatory
Schools Of the Southern States Will aiso
be considered.