davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.
This Tells of One, but 1t Happened
ON Christmas.

ON Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas cheer, new
year resolutions and mended ways, here
is little story that embraces them all
sit comes from the lower walks of
life," as the story taller would put it
those walks that thegS gS'ainty woman of
good fortune seldom sess the dismal and
intricate windings Of. But it is down
among these winding ways that think
the echoes of the Christmas chimes and
the hope that comes from the beautiful
Christmas story mean most when they
are heard, and SO will tell it,
There was small promise of happier
day than usual in the little two rooms
"back" where an industrious little wo-
man-what her name is does not mat
ter-and her three tiny children, all as
neat as new pins, sat and waited.
Waited-for what?
1t was Christmas eve, and there is
always plenty to wait for on that eve
even Santa Claus himself might comet
But the waiting in the little two rooms
"back" was of the anxious sort. It was
for an unsteady footstep. Holidays al
ways meant that the footstep would be
just trifle more unsteady than at other
times.
Il was presently heard-just as the
faintest sound Of the Ginning bells stole
up to the two rooms "back"-but it
was lighter and more sober tread than
the industrious little woman and her
three neat toddlers had heard for a long
time. tt was the step that was the out
come Of a good resolution made just
little in advance of the new year and
in time to make Christmas day very
bright for all in the two rooms "back."
There was tiny Christmas tree next
morning for the children, who had been
hurried into bed as soon as the footsteps
were heard in the court below, and
there was a turkey for all, and "all
that with the turkey goes. I"
This was year ago and now few
days over. The little industrious wom-
an does not do so many family wash
ings" nowadays as formerly. and when
she took home her last small bundle of
beautifully ironed linen to its owner on
the Christmas eve that has just gone her
face looked very rosy and smiling, for
she said: 1.-The children will have
good Christmas tomorrow. John he
hasn't drank drop for this night one
year. "-St. Louis Republic.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
IN COUNTY KERRY.
The jolly Irishman Makes Merry ON
New Years Day.

The jolly Irishman Makes Merry ON
New Years Day.
The celebration of New Years is q
most important festival everywhere in
Ireland, but perhaps nowhere more SO
than in Kerry. There it is the day of
fairs and steeplechases-lazy, knowing
looking donkeys being the principal
participants in the latter-and it is the
day on which the itinerant fakir bases
all his hopes of selling lead for silver
and washed copper for ''pure is carat
gold"
At 6 o'clock on New Years eve the
saucepans and "piggins" in the little
thatched cottages are rejecting their
gala day polish and the holly and laurel
and ivy on the window sills are doing
their best to outshine the sprigs Of mis-
tletoe that brighten the old kitchen cell
ing. Wax candles Of all sizes and eolors
(having soft sods Of turf for candle
sticks) adorn the upper windows Of the
house and light the way of the traveller
along the "boreen" or through the
mountain intricaoies. Flitches of bacon
are set aside; luckless chickens (spoor
orathurs") have their heads taken off
broad griddle cakes and round oven
cakes are baked over the warm turf fire
with surprising rapidity, and children
are set at stoning raisins for the New
Years cake.
They have pretty custom In Kerry
in connection with this. If member
of the family has died or has emigrated
to America or the colonies, cake is
made and stamped with the name Of
the absent one.
Midnight mass is celebrated in the
country chapels, and a more picturesque
sight can hardly be conceived than
when hundreds of country men and
women, clad in their brightest and gay
est, make their way along the roads,
some on foot, some in donkey carts and
some in the jaunting cars which are the
pride Of every Kerry heart.
After mass the worshipers become
revelers, and along the road to their
homes they sing New Years carols and
beat improvised drums. As they go
members Of the party knock at the doors
on the way, screaming: "Get up, lazy
bonesl You've slept since last yearl"
The man of the house gets up and gives
the visitors "dhrap o. the crathur" or
a bowl of goats milk and "holiday
cake" and they sing his praises until
they get to the next house, but woe to
the inhospitable one who refuses them
entrance, for the peculiarities Of him
self and his wife are enlarged upon, and
every mean tale that tradition has gath
cred about the family is rehashed and
given utterance to. - Pittsburg Dis
patch.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
The Coming Yenr.

The new year can be likened unto q
blankbook of 365 pages, which has been
placed in our hands, What will the
book contain at the end Of the year?
Some pages will be stained with tears.
Some will be crumpled as if clutched in
despair. Some will contain words Of
hate and anger, which will burn the
page whereon they are written. Other
pages will be filed with the record of
something accomplished, something
done, /" which has learned a. nights re-
pose. b" There will be the record of bat
ties fought, and at the end of the year
we can turn back and see when we have
conquered, when we have lost. There
will be written upon these pages in let
ters Of gold an account of the self sacri-
fees, loves and faithful devotions. Sc
lected,
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
New Years Bells.

Ring in the new year with gladness,
Ring out the old with tear;
There's always feeling of sadness
AS we witness the death Of a year.
A year so swift in it's f1eeting.
With sorrow we watch its last hour,
Then give the new one greeting
From the bells in each steeple and
tower.
A sigh for the year that is dying,
A tear where the memory dwells,
Then Danish the past with its signing
And list for the voice of the bells.
The song Of thanksgiving and pleasure
That welcomes the birth Of an hour,
The soul stirring. vibrating measure,
That rolls out from each steeple and
tower.
Afar DER the night shadowed city
The surges of harmony roll.
In anthem triumphant or ditty,
They tighten the sorrowing soul.
A voice from each country and nation
Responds to the jubilant hour
And joins in the wild exultation
OF the bells in each steeple and tower
A thought for the dead, calmly sleeping
Below in earthis dreary gloom;
No song of thanksgiving or weeping
Can pierce their duh ears in the tomb
But above, where all heaven rejoices,
And heralds with praise every hour
They greet with sweet welcome the
voices
That ring out from each steeple and
tower.
Boston Globe.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
NEW YEAR GAMES.
old Fashioned Amusement to Wind
Up the Holiday.

Up the Holiday.
The old fashion of game playing
seems to be left to children nowadays,
in spite of the merry frolics that MEM
ory can recall. But in holiday time the
most staid and stately are willing to be
foolish for the sake Of the little ones,
and then all games, new and old, are
welcomed.
Did you ever try "brothers of pity?"
Sheets of newspapers are twisted into
hollow cones SO as to completely cover
tthe heads Of the players. Two Emaft
oval holes are cut in each cap so that
only the eyes of the wearer are seen. Six
or eight people put on these caps and
sit in a row, with big sheet or table
cloth held in front to conceal the whole
of their bodies. These brothers are set
in good light, and the rest of the COM
pany is then brought into the task of
guessing their names. The fun lies in
the fact that ones nearest and dearest
is often little doubtful as to the color
of ones eyes, and much laughter is
provoked when mother" does not rec
ognize "father" nor sisters their BROTH
ers.
The game of moods" is good one.
A person is sent from the room, and
the rest agree to answer his questions
in particular tone-rudely, patroniz-
ingly, absently, lovingly or as they de-
eide. On his return he questions each
player in turn, and when all have an
swered in the chosen mood he must
guess what the word is. If he guesses
wrong. he must go round again, but
each must spare no pains to make the
mood clear.
"Hunt the whistle'' is an old favor
lite, but it can only be played once at
the same party, since all but one know
the secret. A player is led blindfolded
into a ring of chairs on which all the
others are seated. A deft hand fastens
small whistle to the back Of the blind
victim by means of long string with
a hook at one end CT it.
For this whistle he must hunt, the
others catching it and blowing it at ev-
cry turn, and the effort to discover its
whereabouts is often long delayed
Philadelphia Ledger.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
NEW YEARS IN SCOTLAND.
superstitions Regarding the First
Caller of the Year.

SuperstitiOns Regarding the Ftrsi
Caller of the Year.
It is an exceptional thing for Scot
tish family to go to bed on Hogmanay.
On the contrary, they sit up waiting
for tho. "first foot, !" or the one who il
the first to put his foot over the doorsill
after the clock has struck 10. Refresh
ments have been prepared and are kept
in readiness on tables decorated as elab-
orately as possible.
There are many superstitions connect
ed with "f1rst footing" The most mark
ed Of these has to do with the lucki-
ness or unluckiness of first foots." 1t
is generally believed that the prosperi-
ty or adversely of any family is due to
the "first foot" of that year. So strong
is this belief that when it is known
that reputed unlucky person intends to
ssfirst foot" family all sorts Of schemes
are resorted to in order to prevent it. A
lucky friend is besought to get there
first, or member of the family stands
outside the door to enter as soon as the
moment arrives.
But all this is done with the greatest
delicaoy, SO as not to violate the strin-
gent laws of hospitality or offend in
the least the unlucky "first foot"
The lucky "first footers" are friends
and wellwishers, kind man, a good
man, a sweetheart, people who spread
out their feet, those who were born feet
first, man on horseback, man with a
horse and cart. Unlucky ''first footers"
are thieves. pigeontoed people, Grip
pies, deformed or weakminded folk, a
stingy man, an immoral man, hypo-
critic, the hangman, gravedigger or an
undertaken, midwife, all who were
suspected of dealing in witchcraft, those
whose eyebrows meet and men with
red hair.
There is always great rivalry among
the young men for the honor of first
footing'' the home of the 1eigning belle.
Excitement runs high when four or five
athletic young men reach such house
before the hour has struck. It is the
wise youth who incites his companions
to bout at wrestling to decide the dis
puted question, and himself steps over
the threshold on the stroke of the hour
while the others roll and tumble out in
front.-New York Herald.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
Varying New Year Dates.

In all Christian countries it is now
nominally celebrated on the 1st day Of
January, but this day in the Gregorian
calendar occurs IL days earlier than in
the Julian. For this reason Russia and
Greece, which still go by the Julian
calendar, celebrate Jan. | ON our Jan.
IS.
Many of the ancient nations began
their new year ON Sept. 90, at the au-
tumnal equinox. The Romans reokoned,
until the time of Julius Caesar, their
new year from the winter soIstice. The
Jews, to this day, begin their new year
at date which, roughly speaking. cor
responds to our september. Selected.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
and the boldess Of the gentlemen were

and the boldest Of the gentlemen were
little better.
Then, amid all the tumult and terror,
forth came M. de Courval. Up he went
on to the stage, and, lifting his calm,
commanding face above the tortured
yisages of the doomed men, said sol
emnly:
stranger, if you are of mortal mold
come forward and meet me likeea man.
If you are spirit of evil, begone in the
name of him who died for us all.''
There came a clap of thunder that
seemed to rend the very sky, and all
was dark as night, but through the
darkness and the silence walled a low,
dying groan. When the light came
again, all the gay guests were huddled
together like scared sheep, while the
three dancers lay prostrate upon the
stage, with their dresses all scorched
and blackened as if by lightning, but
the terrible fourth was nowhere to be
seen.
Monsieur the marquis sprang upon the
stage and called to his son, but Henri
made no answer. He was dead. Itfared
even worse with NJ. de Mericourt, for
he, the bold, high spirited, reckless
cavalier, was hopeless idiot ever after,
crying and covering like frightened
child. AS for CASTOR de ST. Cyr, the
shock sobered him once for all. Thence
forth be devoted his life to good works,
and died long after in foreign land,
reverenced like saint.
"And the young ladyf" ask |, as
Dame Madeleine pauses.
''She married M. de Courval six
months later, and went away to Amer
lea, where they lived many years, work
ing manfully for their own living and
beloved by all who knew them, and only
two years ago their grandson the's an
officer in the American army, and such
q fine fellow came over to see the place
where his ancestors had lived, and SEEM
ed quite pleased to find old Madeleine
still alive and hearty. So, you see, mon
sieur, the good can bring good ont of
evil, after all. "-St. Louis Globe DEM
ocrat.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
How to Look Good.

Good looks are really more than skin
deep. depending entirely on healthy con-
dition of all the vital organs. If the liver
is inactive, you have bilious look; If your
stomach Is disordered, you have . dyspep-
tic look; If your kidneys are affected. you
have a pinched look. Secure good health,
and you win surely have good looks.
.sElsatric Bitterss is a good Alternative and
Tonic. Acts directly on the stomach,
liver and kidneys. puriaes the blood, cures
pimplss. blotches and boils, and gives d
good completion. Every bottle guafan-
teed Sold at Dr. Il. Vaughan's Drug Store.
10 censspsr bottle.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
New Year In China.

New Year is the national pay day in
China. All accounts must be squared
up at that time, and the man who can't
raise money enough to pay his debts
has to go into bankruptcy, says an ex-
change The laws are such that the
creditor can enter the debtors house
and take what he pleases if there is no
settlement. To prevent such action FAM
lilies club together and make all sorts Of
compromises to keep up the business
reputation of the clan. New Year is a
great day for the pawnbrokers. Their
shops are crowded with people who
want to redeem their best clothes before
the new year. There are crowds also
who want to pawn other things in order
to get money to pay their debts. Pawn
brokers receive high rates of interest,
in which they are protected by the gov
ernment Omaha World Herald.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

my family can't help feeling little
proud of having been carried over by
the Mayflower," said the young woman
who was visiting in Chicago.
stIs that so!'' answered the young
man, interestedly. ''None of our folks
ever went into The florist business.
What brought us through was wheat" +"
Washington Star.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
An Enterprising Druggist.

There are few men more wide awake and
enterprising than DR.. Fl. Vaughan who
spare no pains to secure the best of every
thing in their line for their many custom
ers. They now have the valuable agency
for DR.. Kings New Discovery for Consump-
ton, Coughs and Colds. This Is the won
derful remedy that is producing such q
Juror all over the country by its many
startling cures. ItabsoIutely cures Asthma,
Bronchitis, Hoarseness and all affections of
the Throat. Chest and Lungs gu al
above drug store and get i trial hellle kses
or regular size III ~ esaIs 80 slQ5
Guaranteed D easa b pkiea zelandsd
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

mike" said Plodding Pete, ''did
yer hear bout Alaska?'
"Lots. Are you t'inkin' of de trip2"
81 dunno. Pm told dat daylight lasts
hours at stretch. If /
could git job in dat locality as night
Watchman l dunno but I'd be willin'
to work. Washington Star:
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
In England Long Ago.

Dunbar. in his poems, greets James
Nv thus:
Ny Prince in God gif the guild gracs,
joy, glaiilnes, comfort and solace,
Play, pleasance, myrth and mirrie cheir
In hansen Of this guid New Yeir,
and Scott, in ''Ane New Yeir Gift to
the Quene Mary, Quhen Scho Come First
Hame" (1561), says:
TO seiss thy SUBJECTS SO in luf and feir
That rycht and reasoun In thy realme may
rule,
God gife thee grace agains this guide New YER
Selected.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

Mistress (engaging cook There's
one thing Pm very particular about.
l cannot, on any account, allow you to
entertain policemen Id the kitchen.
Cook. You may be quits shore I
wonldnst do sich q thing, mum. r
can't R-bear p'leecemen, mum. Father
was sosher-listl- Punoh.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

"What," inquired the psychological
student, ''do you regard as the chief
end Of man?'
"WelI, answered Mr.. Blskins, sit de-
ponds on what yoa want the man for.
II you want him to do brain work it's
his head and if you want him to run
errauds, it's his feet. Washington
Star.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
Sleep was impossible.

eHives broke out on my body to such an
extent that full nights sleep was impossi-
bic. determined to try Hoods Ssrsapar-
lila, and after taking two bottles / felt that
was entirely cured. / Iheartily recommend
this medicine CHARIEs s. LozIEz, 81
Atlantic st., Hackensack, NJ.
Hoods Pills are the only pills to take
with Hoods sanaparilla. CSC.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

Mr.. Harix, after reading letter from
son at college. John says be is qusr-
terback.
Mrs. Harix. Wa'al, send him th'
quarter an let him pay up. We can't
afford to hev him in debt for th' sake
Nv small sum like at.-Judge.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
The smearsng on vice.

Bilkeys-I'm going to swear of On
the lst of January.
Silkeys-Oh, pshaw thought you
were geing to break all those bad hab.
its. Chicago News Record.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

The New Year.
Here's Happy New Year!
Sunshine in the sky.
Join the throng
And swell the song
That comes a-fioatin by.
Wear a smile fur strangers;
Welcome all yer kin:
Carve the roast
And give a toast
To folks that happens in
Wish we all may prosper
In whate'er we do.
An we must
Eff each'll just
Help the others through.
washington Stap.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

IaH gbAzsoa1rr. = 500 per rear.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

THE TRANscRIrT, 500 per year.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31

TIM TRANsoRIrr, q. .o6 par year.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-31
ARIZONA NEW YEARS
HOW THE RECKLESS cowsoY cELE-
aRATEs THE DAY.

Exhibits His Skill In Roping Cattle.
The Call to Dinner-He1p Yourself
From Roasted Quarters of Beef.
Dancing In the Evening.
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
Their Wedding Trim.

A summer visitor in New England
mill town nude friends with one or two
If the Frenca Canadians who were en-
ployed as operatives in the mills.
One of THESE was an elderly widower
whose two youngest children the visitor
had taken to drive with him several
times.
"I make a marriage mex week,
ma'mselle," said the father as she de-
posted the children at their home late
one afternoon. "You sec us all go past
your house ON the wedding trip"
"IndeedT said the young woman.
"Shall you go in the coach?"
"No, we go in hired buggy. My wife
she go, and l with her, to the bury
ground, same as our people most al
ways" said the man, with evident sur
prise at the lady's ignorance. "Three
buggy more behind us, and we all carry
two, three. bouquet to put on my tirst
wife's grave. Yes'm, it is a pretty wed
ding trip to the bury ground, and re
spectful." p"
Three or four days later the summer
visitor was filled with mixed emotion
as he saw the four buggies, laden will
the wedding party clad in gay attire
pass the. house and turn into the littl
cemetery. Some minutes later the bug
gies again went by, that time at
cheerful trot, and she was favored witt
an elaborate bow from the bridegroom
whose face wore happy and virtuou
smile.-Youth's Companion.
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
Luxury ana Extrnvagance

In general the destruction of wealth
is a social as we'll as an individual loss.
The wealth that is used up in riotous
living is diverted from better uses. Ex-
travagance is not necessarily luxury.
The mere transfer of wealth from one
hand to another does not involve de-
struction. Consumption means using
up. When a nation spends $3.50, 900 for
a great picture, the wealth is not de-
stroyed; it is simply transferred. When
the jubilee plunger ran through So, 500,
900 in 12 calendar months, the wealth
of the world was diminished only by
the amount of it he and those who
sponged on him put down their throats
and otherwise wantonly destroyed. In
SO far as it was simply transferred tc
others to whom he paid extravagant
prices, it was not destroyed.
To give high prices for articles which
are rare is not necessarily luxury, fol-
the price and the rare edition or the ole
master both remain. 1t is true that ex
travagance may mean the transfer ot
wealth to those who will not use il
well, but it does not usually mean this
1t generally involves a transfer to the
hands of those who will use it more
wisely.-Journal of Ethics.
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
A Novel Dinner.

Victor Smith, appointed collector Of
customs at Port Townshend, WASH, by
Secretary Chase, succeeded in inducing
the government to move the custom
house from that point to Port Angeles,
where he maintained himself for time
in semibarbaric proprietorship. He
once invited the officers of the revenue
cutter Shubrick to dine at his house,
and the officers arrayed themselves in
full dress and went ashore in state to
wait upon Collector Smith at his man
sion, which was then in an unfinished
condition.
In due course of time the collector,
assisted by his wife, brought out two
carpenters saw horses, on which was
placed board covered with wrapping
paper. The repast was then set forth.
Smith, taking from his pockets three
big apples, gave one to each of the three
officers, with a small forked stick, re-
marking, you'll have to roast your
own apples. "-Argonaut.
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
Philadelphia and Smyrna Tran, f
] B. COOPER'S STOP7

Flour, Meats. Butter. ~,
Sugars, Cotlcce. Teas IoI4' b'
Crackers, Molassc~. .,lrnr 'S.. S
Spices, Pickles. Soap,.OI >'J' ~
Candles, Lyc. Baking powJ'.' '
Blue, Extracts, Soap powG..>' p.,>
Canned Goods. Starch. Ninra.,
Barley, Powder. Shot, Tob,7a''' a'
Cigars, Brooms. Baskets. Pno.
cts. Tubs. Washblard,. OiIrIot..
Brushes, Ropes, TwincS. ya,, M
CorNs, Lead, Seeds. Mpdirin..
Threads, Cottons. Needles pi,.
Hose, Suspendtrs. Towels. Cr'J
Umbrellas, Whips. Toothpirs.
Looking Glasses. Table K!iya
Pocket Knives. Scissors. Pur.u
Combs, Musical Goods. >b.
Findings. Balls. Banks. Game
Shaving Articles. Fishing Tack.
Walters, Spoons. Lamps. Lam
Fixtures. Pipes. Tons. VII
Goods, Tinware, China. Stm
ware, Crockery. Glasswa,
Enameled Ware, Earthpnwar
Flower Pots, Pipe Guards. Bib.
Hymnals. Albums. Blank Book
Memorandum Books. Poem
Reading Books. Picture Boos
Pass Books. Writing Paper. N
sic Paper, Fancy Paper, Wr1
ping Paper, Drawing Paper Z
velopes, Cards, Inks. Pens. p
ellis. States. Tablets. Papeterir
Chalk, Crayons, Eraoers. y
cilage, Jardinicrs, Fruit ia
Fans. Backing. Bonds, L,y
Notes, Tacks, Bells. &c.
The above gives an idea Of the y
ETY., but you will learn more about
stock, and the quality and the col
ton and the prices and our way
doing business if You patronize
store for awhile. Call and see.
: n NNnFI
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
had Models to EoIIn,x.

He-A self made man is common
enough, but we never hear of a self
made woman.
She-Considering the kind Of arti-
cles the men turn out who are in the
selfmaking business, you can hardly
blame the women for not taking up the
occupation. Transcript.
Smyrna times., 1898-12-28

The eagle first appeared on the seal OF
the United States in design submitted
to congress by William Barton of Phil
adelphia in 1882. The device was adopt
I'd June 20 of that year.