davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
A COSTLY CHRISTMAS.
The Way John HnIton Drought Snow and Ice in nIidsummer Weather
 for His Daughter.

John Halton was an Australian Equatter with problem to solve. It's solution worried him exceedingly for .some weeks, but, being fortunately for him millionaire in the pound sterling sense of the word, solve it he ultimate Iy did, to the satisfaction of his seven year-old daughter Alice, at least. And she, after all was the principal party to be considered.
 We have heard how, as the mountain refused to come to Mohammed, that old humbug. pretending to have received a sudden inspiration, mounted ilis cred camel and went to the mountain.
 John Halton did better than Mo 'hammed; he brought England to Bal karat and compelled Santa Claus to visit Alice at the simmering antipodes. He surrounded her for the one day of De- ecember 25, 1877. with mistletoe and holly and ivy: he showed her furry of genuine snow, he enabled her to slide On the ice, and in fine to do all manner of Christmas things, just as she had done in her native Devonshire the pre- ceding Christmas of 1S76 When it is remembered that Christmas in Ballarat Is one of the midsummer days, and that the mercury in the thermometer stands at 100 in the shade. it will be ad- Jnittcd that the achievement is one worthy at all events of brief sketch,
 Alice was a beautiful, motherless child, with blue eyes and golden hair. a true descendant of the Celtic Cymri, and her father fairly adored her. One day. it was in October. the mail from England brought number of colored prints to Craig-Devon, and amongst them picture of Santa Claus, by Kaul- bach.
 "Oh, papa" cried Alice, I'm 90 glad Christmas is coming Grandma told me I should see Santa Claus and his reindeer when was old enough not to be scared. and I'm old enough now. Ain't I, papa?"
 Henceforth Alice talked of little but Christmas and Santa Claus not think ing and not knowing that the heat of a Ballarat December 25 would melt the poor old soul and his reindeer into five grease spots in half day.
 s'Where is the use in possessing mill lions," John Halton asked himself one day, after such short Christmas dia- fogue, If they do not enable fellow to introduce small taste of winter into Balarat when fellows baby wants it?"
 That same evening John Halton .cabled Prof. McCulloch, of Aberdeen college. to send him cargo of ever greens from the north of Scotland, re- .gardless of expense, and to send them via the Suez canal. He telegraphed at the same time to James H. Muir, of Tar nnaki, New Zealand. to forward him sn0 tons of snow from Mount Tonga rairi. in the Waikato country, and the next day he ordered the plant and ma .chinery from Sydney, New South Wales, necessary for the manufacture os ice according to the hygienic process.
 He made arrangements. in fact, to have fence constructed around the ,crag within which. for one day at least winter would reign supreme With this end in view he imported 500 labor CTS and mechanics from various points,
The Mena star., 1898-12-21

AY of angel song and
 angel gladness, day of peace to men who are inclined to peace, day of redemption for those who accept
The Mena star., 1898-12-21

The most active volcano = = hIrh. ' d1 is Mount sangay. 17,19o fess :. me as Ird ated on the eastern chan in copfs South America. It has pee' eruption since 172s'
The Mena star., 1898-12-21

Brown-You mustn't feel disappointed this Christmas, Johnnie. These are ter rible times we're having.
 Little Johnnie-They must be pretty hard, dad. when Santa Claus takes the trouble to drag my old sled out of the garret and give 1t new coat of paint.-N |. World.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21

who were soon busy building sheds, ex- cavating cellars. planting trees, creat- ing pools for sliding purposes, anu do- ing other things to get the place ready to assume wintry aspect at the proper time. Meanwhile the atmosphere grew hotter and hotter each day.
 Alices stockings were hung up Christmas eve. She said her prayers and was just about to jump into bed when she felt the atmosphere growing palpably cooler. She ran to the win dow, and, sure enough, snowtiakes were coming down-as, indeed. we'll they might. seeing that four of her fathers faithful employees were industriousy shaking them out of ice boxes On the roof
 At midnight clamor that might awake the dead aroused Alice from her sleep. She heard loud voices crying put:
 "Hold on there, Slasher! Steady, Crasherl Whoa. Donner! Gee there, Blitzen!"
 Running once more 10 the window, in state of high excitement Alice Halton saw that the ground was white, and, more than that. she saw four reindeer harnessed to a sledge, from which sedge a stout man furred to the eyes, was in the act of stepping.
 "It is old Santy," soiloquized Alice, not at all afraid, though her heart beat fast, "and he is coming here. I'm the only little giri in the house.
 Being a sensible child, Alice crept softly back to bed, believing that it was the proper thing to receive such a distinguished visitor either while asleepor pretending 10 sleep. She hsard his footsteps as they came nearer and nearer and at last the redoubtable Santa himself entered the room. She fancied he was somewhat tall for the old gentleman. as she had seen him in pictures. but. tall or short, he was laden down with all manner of good things. On the mantelpiece. the table. the chairs. the bed. the beneficent "Santy" heaped up exactly those articles Alice thought she required. Having disposed of his goods Santa Claus bent over Alice in her bed and imprinting soft kiss on her brow murmured: God bless you, darling"
 Then Alice fell asleep. When she came down next morning everything was as Christmasy, as she expressed it, as she could desire The hedges so re- gently planted were white, tremen- dous canvas awnings covered the grounds immediately around the house, frozen rivulets were to be seen here and there, sparrows, chaflinches, linnets and robins fitted from bush to bush and from one clump of evergreens 10 an- other, and while Alice was admiring these sights, their results after break fast, coach rolled up t o the front gate, which contained two little boys and three little girls.
 The visitors assisted Alice in con- structing her snow man, and, though it was. to be sure, little queer to be obliged to do it in a shed where ma- chine ground out coIdness by the square yard, and where the sawdust was, somehow or other, mixed with the snow, still they got along famoasly, and at night Alice told her father with sparkling eyes that she had never spent q happier day.
 The little piece of deception" said John Halton, subsequently, "cost me z e75,0o0, but then it furnished employ ment to hundreds and gave pleasure to my little girl."-John C. Fleming, in Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
IpfnntIle Deduction.

T guess paw hasn't got so much money this year. said little brother.
 What makes you think sop asked little sister.
 Cause he was telling me that it wasn't right to impose on Santa Claus just because the old feller was good natnred. '-Indianapolis Journal
The Mena star., 1898-12-21

them by now-and mended them up, end have dressed two small dolls which will d quite nicely. Now, don't look that vsy Jeff, dear! The poor little Mccarthy around the corner will have nothing al al If we died in the poorhouse the babies-e
 ''Yes, yes" her husband broke in, hast l,. All right, then"
 He had another lucky stroke in the iH terval before Christmas, and on Christina eve he could stand it no longer. He Wen cut and bought recklessly, determined 2 give his children q Christmas which would demoIish their infantile standards.
 It was II clock when he let himself soH1 ly iD and slipped huge package into tA' dark and quet parlor Then he wentlal' the sitting His wife was there vi1 the children's toys spread out. There anxiety in her eyes, but sLe stroye to 4 calm.
 They do look sort of poor, don't theY. Il meant 1t for the best, and the llttle M Carthys"
 "'M-yes," her husband replied KY Ethel, I'm hungry. l think I'll go d's and investigate the pantry. Hullo' 'n'1 Daddles crying, isn't it@
 It was, and If her parents had ever iOa' any weakness in her lungs 1t was dlspsl' TOW.
 When Mrs. Jenks came cownstaTs minutes later, her husband was huaa4 rather neryously, in the potato bln was looking for a piece of cold chicSep' said, but"
 Il think you will be more likely n i. in the pantry" his wife replied | believe l felt draught as came the sitting-room door. Did you OpsJ window? No? Then it must be paisa Quick, hide in the coal cellar hayDe
 And the babies? ..
 Mrs. Jenlss was upstairs aiinos' her husband, though somehow he 5" the sitting-room first.
 "Ill stay out here and protect tns 0'' she groaned .1,o,a
 The window was up and eyerytnlaS 5, the toys was untouched-they n'1 ished. ,o,s. mvra
 Mrs. Jenks began to cry. "oh'n, ~ Labies!" she cried. "No Christla1m ms any more than the little Mccarths '..,'r didn't let you get something TOT t snsm ss,
 "Goodness me, l forgot! cfleu " band. The fact is, that l did ses .srs things for them to-dayl' and ne p'4 them out. and in poorhouse-" ,.re sonstbi to brag about to the other poor ca. .a;d M
 seWell. I'm glad, anyhow, Sa .tbs .TenlSs, land maybe we VIII fee0' CTS, too" ..nd quietf
 Perhaps SC" said her hus9anu' s'.. 6e pu
 After the toys were all iaiu = over to Lis best hat. Guess I'll step p. p.so an police station and tell them e0A'f on the house," he said. ~a.uted
 When he got outside he ,,s eSeslb' z bs sip dance on the e pavement. Then lSst ns 'ai M around to the rear and gol .tsns. @ lb was hidden under the back a s,,p a baskst morning Mrs. Mccarthy iouhu st her actlv like it filled with toys y',s a' had She announced that the aI'ge,s sroysd #. G oniv Mr Jenks could have p,v'ad p.'sad i, ttov only p.d I', notbina to do with ith,sTRoS 1cS Dlq1 Ths raas. most active volcano ip ?; .' is Mount sangay. l7,ieo fes' e inc me In' ated on the eastern chain . n souds soutb America. Ithas been ny eruption since TIPS.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
What Pa Says.

Christmas comes but once year." Willie
 says: "A shamep' Bess and Nell and Sam, we'll say the very
 same que ana Harry say: '"Too bad. both in
 one accord. Ma is meek and doesn't speak; Pa says:
 Thank the Lordi" --L. A. W. Bulletin.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
Bobby's Improvement.

Now, Bobby, you write list of the toys you want, and we will send it up the chim-
 hey to dear cId Santa Claus" "Oh, no, mamma; let me send him a list
 of the things l don't want" ."--Detroit Free
 Press
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
An EStimable Burglar.

J\/IlRs. JENKs had an econ.
 UVN fit. She had them occsai seao'nleal q and when she did she alw.saa l.Ona'iy,
 all of her old gowns mads Oad whether she needed them or not as ,ser' lected her husbands halfworn hau. ana CO., readiness for rainy day. It wac AZ ~ m that she should have this particusr sv0 uaa ,l just at Christmas time, her husband ss spell and when he had made that nclrs IOusaI' ment and wanted to give her and tI. IsesI' the Christmas of their lives. He mentiooss 'oSs this desire, only to be met with patba,;a br'onea hinder that if he did such things tbsv S',S .., le. spend their declining years in ina mus must house. She often spoke of this noss;bI'' s puO'- when she had the fit, and sometimaa in,.sHl'y !, varied it by picturing them both dosd ,as .le sue the babies in the poorhouse. That arsl aua brought her husband to terms. ways
 But we must have some Chr;str.. n,
 said. I'm better off than ever tb;s ,.l ne and my prospects," ''ar'
 Well, I'll tell you what, Jeff d..,. i, you must give me present, let if be I:' II Ioond, his wife replied, mapnanimon.la sla' Il could sell that, you know, if We evor 7. very poor. Diamonds are always good a's sVs do let me select the setting, too. sn, a4A naa particular about settings, and-apd f X, setting was good it would sell for mors ss s the bank failed and the bonds ceased s,l .a , pay interest and the house burned dow, v ?
 Very true. Then I shall buy the b,b.. a lot" '"'Ss
 No, indeed, you won't. have gone ov., ell their last years toys-they've forg,t,'r
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
Those He Don't want.

When a man says he doesn't want any Christmas presents, ne means that he doesn't want any that arc charged to him at the stores, ot bought with his own money.-Atchison Globe.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
The Proportions.

Ii Is rue, somewhat severe,
 But true as Deuteronomy; There's just one month of Christmas cheer And eleven of economy. Washington Star.
The Mena star., 1898-12-21
Christmn. Cnta.trophe..

Why Is 1t, when we're loaded
 Down with bundles small and great. The one we drop Is always
 An expensive china platef --ChicaRn Record
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26
care by the infantile barrister. 7

care by the infantile barrister. TAstle
Byron Is son OF Judge w. ID. Gilbert,
who astonished the learned jurors the
other day by leading the boy before the
judges OF the Supreme Court and re-
questing that he be examined for adj
mission. They all took the proposition
as joke. but Chief Justice Doster fired
a simple question Mt him, and he an
swered It so promptly and with such a
confident air that the Justices were
startled. BY degrees more profound
legal subjects were led up to. For
about an hour the boy withstood a
cross fire of the most technical and
perplexing questions from all three SUI
preme judges. His ready and cor
rect answers caused the greatest sur
prise. Time after time did the Justices
endeavor to entrap the boy lawyer, but
every such effort was futile. Not only
did the questions embrace fundamental
law. as treated by Blackstone and Coo
ley and as made by the general trend
OF decisions. but they also covered the
technique OF the law practice. The boy
was asked how he would handle diff
ferent classes OF cases, being given
statements of facts. Either by intni-
ton or actual knowledge he seemed to
readily and clearly grasp the case. and
his idea regarding the proper mode OF
procedure was in every instance con-
Cured In. not only by the judges. but
by the lawyers present. His Judgment.
as well as his knowledge OF law.
seemed infallible. By a unanimous
court the boy lawyer was granted a
certificate of admission TO the bar.
which was duly drawn up by the clerk
OF the court. In general appearance
his age, except in the sharp. intelli-
gent look OF the eye. When he begins
talking. however, the difference Is at
once apparent. His English is correct
and his words well chosen. His mind
does not dwell upon trivial subjects
common TO most boys. He converses
ON current topics Of the day with the
reckless abandon OF the politician.
When he gets into legal or philosophy
cal subjects he became Intensely earn
est. Byron told the men who were
present at his examination that he was
Republican and Methodist. He said
he believed In a protective tariff and
bimetallism. He was in favor of Gu
ban Independence and the annexation
OF Hawaii. He said that he would
rather talk TO his father about law
than play marbles, although he ex-
pressed a fondness for some kinds OF
sports and exercises.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

AT the opening of the agricultural
building at Tuskegee, Ala. Secretary
of Agriculture Wilson said: There
Is growing demand for men educated
In the sciences relating to agriculture
We want soil physicist at the depart
ment In Washington simple want
one would say. There are 1000 peo-
pie asking places in the department,
well-educated people. but not one has
studied soils. An inquiry comes from
university for biologist; none OF
the 1000 is proficient along that line:
scientific dairyman is in demand;
very few are to be had, while the coun-
try has a surplus of men and women
well-edueated along lines that do not
apply to the farm and its various de-
partments. We must educate young
people to do something that somebody
wants done. where money is waiting
to pay them.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26
Registering Racers.

II seems likely that the Z. A. w.
will consider proposition at It's next
meeting 10 enforce a registration OF
racing men. The idea. II IS said. Is In
dorsed by the chairman Of the national
racing board. who will advocate Its
adoption. II is estimated that there
are now nearly 5000 racing men in this
country, about 5000 OF whom are anna
teurs. II Is calculated that the enforce
ment OF registration rule will enable
the league to maintain closer watch
fulness upon the riders. A registra-
tion fee Of 81. as in vogue in the Anna
teur Athletic Union. II contemplated Ia
view OF the acceptance OF the amend
ment. The adoption OF such a rule
would benefit the league financially.
but II Ii likely TO be strongly opposed.
Opposition win be directed against the
movement on the ground that the
league will have no right 10 force meet
promoters TO pay for the privilege OF
holding meet and then compel riders
20 donate 81 70 the organization for ths
privilege OF competing. Advocates ii
registration rule take the ground.
however. that few racing men belong
to the l. A. w. and that the orgaulza.
ton Is entitled 70 exact Zee from them
for the privilege Of racing. 20 long az
the league maintains such a depart.
ment.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

President Potter announces that q
bill will be introduced IN the iegiala.
ture Of New York state At lie coming
session providing for the general con.
siruction Of cycle paths. Commenting
on the plans outlined. be says: ~Cycla
path construction along the lines q,
country roads will be pushed more viz.
orously in 1888 than ever before. From
the practical experience thus far
gained Il Is shown that the best sur
face for cycle paths Is a thin dressing
Of crushed sandstone. This packs
easily. forms smooth. elastic road.
With just enough grit to bite the tire
and prevent slipping. drains quickly.
resists the formation OF mud, and for
ten months in the year supplies an
ideal wheelway. II Is superior 10 the
cinder surface. rs the latter sticks 10
the rubber tire and Is easily picked I'm
and looseued by passing wheels. In
dry weather It Ia blown on and scat.
tered BY strong winds A cycle path
should be not less than Ave feet wide in
It's narrowest part
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26
WILLIE GwIN.

imagine him little automaton OF an
atomical wisdom. Little Willie Gwin
has been in Chicago about year His
father. Howell B. Gwin, NJ D.. OF No.
5000 Wentworth avenue, Is a physician
who about that time located there To
his professional brethren In Chicago
he introduced the tot and surprised
them on several occasions by asking
them to question the child about the
anatomy Of the human body. Il was
then the little fellow became a pro-
nounced sensation. for he made his
wise questioners and hearers open their
could carry and accurately tell all
about osteology. and, in fact. about the
various systems of the human body.
He Is already the talk of medical cir
cles. He was quizzed by DR.. f. F1et-
cher ingalls,. DR.. Rhodes, DR.. Arthur.
and Dean Beavan. professor Of anatomy
at the Rush Medical, and displayed
such phenomenal familiarity, accuracy
and readiness with the subject that
Drs. ingalls, and Rhodes induced the
father to have the little fellow appear
before the Alumni Association of the
Rush Medical. which met at the col
lege hall.
Willie Gwin has two certificates of
proficiency in anatomy. One was Civ
en- him by Professor Edmond Souchon,
Of the chair of anatomy, Tulane uni
versity, New Orleans. Professor Sou
chon examined the child and certifies
that he found him the most thorough
anatomist of his age in osteology and
confirmation Of the heart Another
certificate was given him by p. Rich
ard Taylor. NJ. D., dean Of the Hospi-
tai College of Louisville, after a careful
examination upon the osseous system
and heart. He certifies that he found
Willie the most thoroughly posted
child he ever saw or read OF. and he
believes him to be the youngest anat-
omist In the world. being only five and
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

The second sealing conference closed
with an agreement of the American,
Canadian and British seal experts upon
certain matters of fact. Among these
are the statements that the Pribilos
seal herd is not more than one-third or
one-fifth as large as formerly; that the
catch at sea contains marked excess
of females; but that deep-sea sealing
has fallen off In greater ratio than the
herd has; and that the herd is not in
danger of actual determination while
it's haunts on land are protected, and
the protected zone around the islands
is maintained. This agreement Of the
experts was followed by a diplomatic
conference, at which the representa-
tives Of Canada submitted PROPOSE
tons for an adjustment of all questions
at issue between the United States and
Canada, through an international COM
mission. These propositions are to be-
formally presented later for the CON
sideration OF our government.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

It is reported that at the Grand Isl.
and, Neb., sugar beet factory a flock
OF $4,000 sheep and a number OF cat
tie are now being fed almost exclusive
ly upon the sliced beets. after the
juices and sugar are extracted. City
delivery wagons deliver to owners OF
cows or other live stock in the city all
the feed of this kind that can be CON.
sumed for the nominal price of %
cents week. At first only one wagon
supplied the demand, but now there
are three engaged in the service. To
encourage the industry the Grand
Island factory exacts nc charge for
the food. Stock feeders and farmers
are at liberty to haul away the prod
uct in unlimited quantities. At the
stock yards near by $50 tons OF the
beet refuse are fed daily and, it is said.
stockmen find that with the addition
of small quantities of grain cattle and
sheep are quickly placed in fine con-
dition for the market.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

The once Of chairman Of tho nation
al racing board OF the l.. A. w. Is an
honorary one. being without fixsd SAL
AIRY. During the past two years. how
ever. the national assembly has voted
the surplus money In the racing board
treasury to the chairman for his work
during the year. This u rarely less
than $4,000. On this account strong
objection will be raised al the next
annual meeting against the practice,
Instead a movement viii be made "a
make the Office a salaried one Al the
last annual meeting such rseommen.
dalton was lost. but its passage nex.
year II quite likely. II Ii also feit tina,
Il should be an elective once.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

in 1898 than 1t has been In years gone
by. Omittlng the chainless wheels AZ
sl25, as being In class BY themselves,
the range OF prices on wheels which
look alike TO the novice is calculated
to cause more confusion OF mind than
ever. II Is plain that, broadly speak
Ing. every maker will have at least one
model for $50. whatever others he may
catalogue, Manufacturers have felt
the necessity for meeting the demand
for lower prices. and II now looks as
though the popular price next year will
be $50, rather than SIS.
Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1898-02-26

The troubles of the buyer will begin
when he finds wheels running in price
from SIS TO 500. and each one repre-
scented to be strictly high grade and
the best produced. From this state OF
affairs the makers themselves are
largely responsible. Alongside OF 800
wheels they have offered for SIS the
same machine. except that II did not
have this. that, or the other new
wrinkle. the value OF which was aues-
tionahle, Wheel builders have been
too contradictory in their methods.
The drop had 10 come, The handwrit-
Ing was on the wall long ago. Now
thar the general price OF wheels has
fallen far below 500. riders have found
that the manufacturers. instead OF
proving their claims by getting out Of
business. are going blitheiy along.
building high grade wheels. and SELF
Ing them for Is or IS per cent less than
they ayerred was possible.