davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
1.-The JOLLY MuSKPTEERn

Write you some little Christmas ex-
perience of mine? Well, of what ma
ture? Funny or otherwise? Funny,
Ell? Well, I'll do the best l can.
Some years ago-Im not going to
say how many-the company was out
with made a trip from Ogden to San
Francisco via the Southern Pacific rail-
road. We were to play in San Fran
cisco Christmas week, and l for one
was looking forward with pleasurable
anticipation to the enjoyment of a good
home cooked Christmas dinner. and
as had not been TO San Francisco,
which is my home, for about ten years
you can imagine how l felt. Every
thing ran along smoothly for a short
time, and then we ran into a binding
snowstorm, which kept getting worse
and worse. The conductor gave US the
enjoyable information that if this kept
on much longer we should be showed
in, adding that there was a gap up
the line that always filled in whenever
there were any heavy snowstorms. In
about three hours his predictions were
verified. We ran full tilt into the
drift, and there We stuck. The engi-
neer tried backing the train and then
IuHullS duSdQ lull StSdul Win no sue
cess. Finally We ran into the drift
again and stuck there We couldn't
get back, and we couldn't get ahead.
AS a rule a theatrical company can
manage to get fun out of any situa-
ton, and this proved no exception. For
awhile the jokes, gage, etc, were fly
ing around fast, but when we came to
inspect the condition of the dining
cars we found there was room for
whole heap of thinking. There wasn't
enough food on board to last the day.
headed an exploring expedition and
started out to see if we could find any
station, farmhouse or anything where
we could get food and little warmth.
After wandering along the line for
hours we decided to return-that is.
all but myself. made up my mind we
were going to get something to eat
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

1liSl HI c{r s. ~ fIsat do mt
I'M ~ th6 10t o ~ @f1dd citizen Who
supS II home and 1oSe lie r limited
ana don 1ed 10 = zew turns Of tho
opa1escent slides In the magic lantern
OF life.
Nine years ago, my first as "star,"
we were booked to open in Denver on
Christmas day 1t was to be my first
appearance at the Colorado metropolis,
and was DESTROYS that we arrive there
in good season. We left Omaha shortly
after midnight on a special train on a
very cold Satu- day. When I1awoke the
next morning, discovered we were
stuck fast in the snow on the prairie
with no possible hope of reaching Den
yer in time to give a performance the
next night.
Not trusting to the wayside eating
house, with its soggy ham sandwiches
or stony doughnuts or even the illus
i've buffet. we had brought along a
beautiful supply of eatables, well pre-
pared for our holiday on the cars. The
spirit of the old song when gloomy
do something for somebody" animated
every member of the company, and
that somebody" was not confined to
his crew and an old. weather worn
miner bound for the hills" whom the
conductor had allowed to ride on our
special. He. too. was welcome.
Forgetting our disappointment over
not being able to reach Denver, we
gave a concert for the benefit and en-
joyment of our guests and each other.
Yet it is hard for the actor to become
sufficiently hilarious on Christmas eve
to forget home and mother, but l be-
lieve we did that bitterly cold day.
Members of the chorus discovered tai
ents and appeDites that afternoon that
we never knew they possessed, and
the tenor, prima donna, basso and all
along the line did their utmost to
please and be pleased. All seemed hap
by among those 80 people save one
a pretty, hazel haired, dark eyed
chorus girl.
Having sung my little song and said
my little say, 1 sat down beside the
gruff old miner.
"Who be you people, friend?" said
he.
sJtinerant troopers" I replied jo-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
ACTORS CHRISTMAS STORIES ILLUSTRATED.

tares and saw the crowds that were
collected by the announcement of nv
intention than my spirits rose with
wonderful rapidity.
All, shall never forget how those
gallant people received me, how they
cheered and applauded my songs and
how generously they contributed to my
poor box! And even now rises up be-
fore me the roguish, good natured face
of my conferere, "Old HoSs" Hoey, who
was tightly wedged in among the crowd
in front of one of the fashionable clubs
and who threw to me his pocketbook
with every cent tEat it contained. A
gentle, kindly, generous and loyal
hearted diamond in the rough was poor
Hoey. God rest his soul!
And when 1 had finished and counted
up the $500 which my small efforts had
collected, and when | realized how
much pitiful suffering and restitution
this would alleviate among the unfor-
Inmates to whom Christmastide means
so little, my heart was a thousandfold
lighter and l was very happy.
And then at night, when | came upon
the stage, the boys in the gallery ac-
corded me such a tremendous reception,
so spontaneous and hearty and full of
honest gratitude, that I no longer felt
friendless and alone. The Christmas
day which began so gloomily had
proved to be one Of the happiest that 1
had ever known. 1t will always be as
green in my memory as the fragrant
spruce garlands which are intwined in
celebration of the worlds best and most
blessed holiday. ANNA HELD.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

|au6 incla 1lio Gomo 1xrl1n9e
mcnts whereby ~ could st Into San
Francisco n time for Christmas, but I
met With absolutely no success r.
turned to the train dead tired and went
to sleep.
I was awakened by some
people singing, and then
awoke to the full realization that
1t was Christmas day. tried hard not
to let the rest of the company see how
felt, but there was a lump in my
throat just then that was giving me an
awful lot of trouble. 1t was Christ
mas day with vengeance. For Christ
mas dinner we Ndeyoured the last few
cans of baked beans that were on the
train. That evening the track was
cleared, and we started on our trip
again, only to have the engine break
down and drop us at a little way sta
ton. AS the manager OF the company
had gone with our press agent ahead,
SO as to get into San Francisco early,
we were left almost entirely without
funds, except just what the people had
with them. This had all been expend-
ed in food. and we were in consequence
almost penniless.
ing what was the best way to COOK
Christmas turkey-each had a different
method, and no doubt they would have
all been equally good-and all that was
lacking was the turkey. Well, TO re-
turn to the story, the limited pulled in,
and we all got on board, thankful that
at last there was some chance Of reach
ing home. We all made bee line for
the dining car and were firing up just
what sort of dinner we were going
to eat when the conductor of the car
came to me and asked who was going
to settle for the dinner. We had all
been admiring him-he looked SO nice
and fat and contented-but our admir-
alton fell away down when he came to
me and asked me that question, for
none Of us had anywhere enough to
pay for the meal. | tried to tell him
that it would be all right and that 1t
would be paid for as soon as got to
Frisco. But he wouldn't agree to any
thing like that. His terms were &c.
o. D."
Finally by giving him my fur lined
coat as security he agreed to let us have
a dinner. At the next station he re-
ceived orders to take care of us until
we got home which he did. In few
days we reached San Francisco, but
my home coming was not what / eX-
pected. We were simply three days
late, all dead tired, but, thanks to Prov
idence and my fur lined coat, not hun
CRY.
JEFFERSON DE ANGELS.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
FROM ANNA HELD, 1.-THE FRENCH MAID"

I shall never forget my first Christ
mas in America, all the more signlfi-
cant to me perhaps because it was real
ly the first holiday time that had
ever spent away from Paris. You may
be sure I was most wrstched and un-
happy when that day dawned gloomily
in murky, smoky Pittsburg, where L
was appearing incidental to "a ParlOr
Match"
AS thought of my far-off home and
the dear ones whom / could picture in
the enjoyment of their festivities and
making, a great sense Of loneli-
ness and desolation crept over me, and
l am not ashamed to confess that my
eyes were very red and my heart very
heavy. 1 was in strange land, sur
rounded upon every hand by strangers,
ana it seemed to be that l was the
most miserable little Parisienne in the
wide world.
And, as if to mock my own wretch
edness, nature put on her most smil-
ing aspect as the morning advanced.
The sun came out bright and clear.
There was champagne in the air, it
was SO keen and frosty and invigOrat
ing. Everybody, imbued with the
glad spirit of Christmas tide, seemed
overlooking with happiness and good
cheer.
The prospect of two performances
did not inspire me, and then, too, I
had promised to sing in the streets for
charity, something l had often done in
The well beloved Paris. l fear [ was
but a melancholy supplicant when 1
essayed this task. But, presto, no
sooner was I upon the busy thorough
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
FROM OLGA NETHERSOLE.

My most interesting Christmas mem
CRY concerns a little old man in Lon
don. was ten at the time. The man
kept small cobbling shop. He was
pale, wizened and bent and must have
been near the fourscore mark. The
little two stored house in which he
lived and worked had been his from
hpyhood. Infrmity had confined him
to,the house as child and strange
Iy retiring disposition kept him in and
hbott his shop as youth. An acct
denE to a limb at this time brought
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
1.-THE LITTLE MINISTER"

The train stopped with a jerk that
brought the sleeping occupants of the
car into a sitting position, and imme-
diately the bur-r-r of the bells sum-
moned the porter to answer the in
quiry of Whats wrong?" and his re-
ply of We're stuck in a snow bank"
brought forth a low murmur that was
not good to hear, considering it was
Christmas murning. We had hoped to
be at home that day, and all the mem
bbers of the company had their stock
of bundles slowed in the tiny ham
mock Of the berthS.
I dressed hastily and met the con-
ductor, whose face wore as gloomy a
look as my own. He informed me
that we were probably in for a day
of it"
My companions came wandering out
into the Mushroom and mumbled their
morning greetings to each other in
half-hearted way. 1t wasn't Merry
Christmas" but just Good Morn
ing"
The door at the end of the car was
thrown open, and brakeman called
in, IF We wants somethin to eat, yet
can get it at the ranch opposite" We
hadn't thought of food, but soon found
ourselves standing in the 'parlor'' of
a. trackwalker's house. Two women
were busy at the stove. We weren't
hungry.
In a corner of the room sat tot OF
3 or 4 in it's "nightie" with its father
on the floor. The black SCOT was still
on his face, but it failed to>hide the
happiness that shone from his eyes,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

cosely.
You mean" said he, chat you are
an opre troupe?"
Exactly"
Aside from that sweet, little dark
eyed girl over there, what makes all
you people SO happy like?"
Why, my good friend, this is
CHRISTMAS eve-the time to be happy.
The old mans eyes filled up and
tsrning his head aside to hide his tears,
he said:
"Xriend, for 20 years I've been in
thesA hills, and I've not known Christ
mas Say from any other in all that
time. All these happy faces bring
back to my memory the days at my
old homA 1 left wife and babe back
East; leA them on Christmas eve 20
years ago. and never heard from them
or they from me in all that time. They
think I'm dad, like enough. Struck
it rich lately after years Of struggle,
but dar' not inquire after 'em. My
child may be dead and wife may be
dead or something else. What is
money to old George Gilmore now?"
George who did you say?" l in
quired.
George Gilmore"
jumped to my feet and beckoned to
the pretty, hazel haired, dark eyed girl
to come to me.
There was moments suspense, and
then father and daughter embraced
each other and wept with joy.
Georgia Gilmore went to Denver, not
as poor chorus girl Of an "opre
troupe" but as an heiress. I knew
why the pretty hazel haired. dark eyed
chorus girl had been sad that day.
had heard her story. She was think
ing OF a broken hearted mother at
home. lamenting her absent husband.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

A theatrical deal which will be hailed
with genuine pleasure by local patrons
of the play houses, was consummated
yesterday, when Charles A. Feinler and
A w. RAIDER leased the Opera
House for a period Of two years,
beginning May list. 1899. With both
houses under his control, Mr.. Feinler
will be enabled to make better book
the drama will be given the very best
attractions on the road.
1t has been known for some time that
the German Insurance Company has
been anxious to discontinue its man
agement of the Opera House. The
theatre has not yielded satisfactory
financial returns for number of years.
Last winter it was announced that at
the close of the season. the theatre
| would be leased or rebuilt. The times
were not regarded as propitious for en-
larging the theatre or erecting a build
ing on it's site for another purpose, and
the Insurance Company therefore de-
cided TO conduct it for another season.
At a meeting Of the directors, held
last week, proposition from Messrs.
Feinler and RAIDER was offered, and ac-
cepted
The public, as well as the manage
ment, will profit by this deal. With
both theatres under his control, it is
obvious that Mr. Feinler can secure a
better class OF attractions. It will also
enable him TO avoid the competition
which is injurious. That is to say, for
example, it is not likely that there will
be comic opera at both houses on the
same nights, etc. The bookings will
be made in such a manner as not TO
conflict.
The best attractions on the road will
appear in the Opera House, which will
| continue to be the high priced the
atre, and some changes will be made
which will meet with the approval of
| patrons.
Manager Feinler will aim to conduct
| the Grand as strictly first class fam
| lily theatre, presenting the very best
popular price attractions. When the
! season closes the theatre will be en-
| tirely remodeled. The architects have
prepared the drawings and estimates
! have been made. The work will be-
gin in May, and at the opening OF the
| fall season the Grand Opera House
uyiil he r-ir nouy
The most important change will be
the addition Of second gallery. The
balcony will be remodeled and fitted
up with comfortable chairs, to take the
place Of the benches with which 1t Is
now equipped. Handsome new opera
chairs will be placed on the first floor.
The stage will be remodeled. and there
will be number of boxes on each side.
Mr.. Charles A. Feinler's ability as a
theatrical manager has been tested
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
LAURA BuRrs THREE cHRIsrMAsEs.

l have had three Christmas days in
my life that have left an indehble i'm
preston upon my mind.
The first was when, as a child,
made my debut before the footlights
as a fairy queen in a Christmas pan
tomime at Pixies theatre, Cincinnati,
where / made my appearance in
golden chariot drawn by four white
ponies caparisoned in the most gorge
Gus Of trappings, with little boys as
coachman, footmen and outriders. All
the glitter and glamour and beautiful
music were so real to me then that 1
really thought was a true queen of
fairyland.
My most unhappy Christmas day was
six years ago. while l was playing in
the west, and in addition to having a
part l did not like, l was receiving al
most hourly kilograms from the doc
tors attending my mother, who was
dangerously i'll and not expected to
| live. To make matters worse. the day
was stormy and raw, with not bit Of
snow on the ground-one of those
green Christmas days that they say
make fat churchyards-and the hotel,
if it could be called such, was the very
worst I have ever seen in my varied
experience with bad hotels. Had it
not been for a hopeful telegram | re-
ceived regarding my mother just be-
fore dinner / know / should have never
been able to eat a mouthful, for it con-
sisted Of one course only-corned beef
and cabbage.
Last year I enjoyed an ideal Christ
mas. / was abroad with my mother
and we were invited by some relatives
to spend the holidays in the mountains
of Wales. On a glorious Christmas
morning we were awakened by the
singing of Christmas carols by q
splendid chorus of 20 or more men,
who were making tour of the viii
lage. From then on the day was cele-
brated with the customs that for hum
dreds of years have been in vogue, in
Guiding the famous boar's head, roast
ed peacock in full plumage, wassail in
a huge loving cup and old fashioned
games. LAURA BURT.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
FROM VIOLA ALLEN THE STAR
OF 1.-THE CHRISTIAN"

Christmas is to me the most de-
lfghtful holiday of the year be-
cause of it's significance. It's re-
currence brings home to the heart
fuller appreciation of the divine
goodness of Him to whose great
and unselfsh love the world owes
so much.
Socially the Christmas anniver-
sary gathers about the hearth
stone absent ones. leads to evil
dences Of love between relatives
and friends shown by gifts, the
most humble present being made
beautiful by the sentiment it con-
veys; to deeds of charity prompted
by the spirit of the time and to
kindlier feelings toward ones fell
lows-to good will toward all men.
This world is better each year for
Christmas.
VIOLA ALLEN.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

and he pulled little tin train hack and
forth, while the tot clapped its tiny
hands and laughed
We sat at the table and ate in silence.
We didn't ask me price of the meal.
but each man shook the -~oman's hand
as he passed out the door, and for the
first time that morning l heard Merry
Christmas"
We had hardly reached the train
when there was bolt and bang and
we started on our way We reached
New York in a couple of hours in time
to kiss our loved ones and open the
many bundles before going to the mat
inee, for in the theatre is where the
player spends most of his merry
Christmas. ROBERT EDESON.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

him years OF inactivity. fiddle aga
found him a martyr to povey and in
dustry, and at the time firsAaw him
he was unique in the neighboAood as
a man who at fourscore had new been
farther than a square or two fra his
little shop in the heart of teeming Nm
don.
In his later years it was reported .
had taken largely in his reading to ou6,i
door subjects. His shop was decorated
with water colors of woods, rivers and
fields, brought to him by customers
who had discovered his fondness for
counterfeits of rural nature. Singu-
larly, during his long and busy life he
bad never seen earth's beauties in their
primitive wealth of verdure and flow
ers. 1t was said that many an old
shoe had been zealously heeled, soled
or patched for a rose.
Filled with descriptions of natures
wealth in rolling fields and running
year to decide him to see for himself
the pictures writer's had been recreat-
Ing him with for years.
On the Christmas morning of this
narrative he declared to his neighbors
that he who had never in all his life
been more than square from the
house which saw his birth would that
Gay humor himself with a vision Of
nature in its first state. The declara-
ton, recall, created a sensation in the
neighborhood. Hundreds of willing
guides offered themselves. The old
cobbler declined all of the kindnesses
with the statement that he would
choose his own companions. Gather
ing about him a dozen or more chill
dren, of whom l was one, he boarded a
tram for Londons outskirts.
On the way the old man of 80 in SIM
plicity of speech and subject might
have been a child, so heartily did he
enter into our frolics on the trip. The
year offered late winter. There had
peen no frost. The little man had been
given directions, and l noticed as we
began to reach the suburbs that he
slosed his eyes.
When the conductor called out the
md of our journey, our host arose, and
remember even now the increased
ballor of his striking face. He bundled
bs from the train before him. When
ne had alighted, he was in the center
IF the wild nature Of Hampstead heath
That circles London on the north.
shall never forget the citation of the
bid cobbler's face. His bent form shook
With what 1 since know to be intense
Smotion. For several minutes he sur
Keyed the rolling fields and hedges.
Then tears came to his eyes. He knel:
Town and felt the grass as he NIGH
Il it were velvet. Then he plucked &
handful and inhaled it's fragrance:
Next he tasted it. Conscious of our
bewilderment by his conduct, he once
more became child and proposed a
gambol. Later he complained that his
Shoes hurt him, and these he dotted.
For round hour the little old man
and his Juvenile companions scampered
over the sward in the merriest COM
munion.
\ The exhiliration and reiuvenation OF
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

Mr. C. H. Butler has opened up u
shooting gallery at 1914 Market street,
where he would be pleased to see tho
lovers OF that sport. All the Wheeling
and Pittsburg papers on file.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

i Chris 90 ~ thsln <hey -
ended e enAhuD IDEALLY. II vs. =
queer party thak trooped ont later In
the day, headed by the property man
with e tree, and II ever you saw Jolly
sight 1t was when We had lit up the
tree, distributed the presents and sat
down to watch those children enjoy
themselves. while the poor widow could
do nothing but alternately laugh and
wipe the tears from her eyes.
WALTER E. PERKINS.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

n RAND OPERA HOUSE.
VI THURSDAY. Friday a. Saturday ntEh{1s'
December ri % 2f Matinee Saturday,
IINCOL1g r. CARRIERS
Great Spectacular Production,
TIL HEART OF cHI g Al q a.
Elegant Stage Scenery. ISL
Wonderful Mechanical Device
Night prices. IS. IS. % and 20 cents.
Matinee rric@s, IS. 3 and y cents
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

Etz, the Optician, is located in ROOM
9. Exchange Bank building, corner
| Main and Twelfth streets.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18
ACT AND
CHRISTMAS.
e~<>n~~o %%%>>>~+%%+%~~
Holiday Sentiments and Experiences From
Some Prominent American and
Foreign Players.

Copyright. 1898. by Arthur Crispin.)

the little cobbler on our way back
home in the train stand out to-day as
the most singularly happy Christmas
morning of my recollection.
OLGA NETHERSOLE.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

Buy your Xmas Watches. Clocks and
Jewelry at Odbert's. south SQd creek
bridge One-half price OF 0enef stores.
Finest line In the city.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

@. A. Herrick sells the Capital City
Dairy Co.'S Purity Butter, the best But
ter made. Price. 15c per pound. 1924
Market street.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

Finest Delaware Holly and Christ
mas goods In the city at Smiths, 943
Main st.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

The Purity" is the only high grade
Butter on the market. See that you
get IL. Take no other.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

R. E. Schubart has fine line of
Diamonds for you to select from. He
makes a speciality OF Diamond setting.
All work guaranteed.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

Umbrellas from Soc UP. make nice
Christmas presents, at l.. SCHAFER'S,
1404 Market street.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

An extensive line OF fine diamond
jewelry at McNamee's.