davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
CHRISTMAS CHEER.
ABScLUTELY PURE

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once year.
-Tusser.
Be merry all, be merry ALI
With holly dress the festive hall;
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball
To welcome merry Christmas.
w. r. Spencer.
It is the Christmas time:
And up and down 'twixt heaven and
earth,
In the glorious grief and solemn mirth,
The shining angels climb.
ID. NJ Mulock
The time draws near the birth of Christ:
The moon is hid; the night is still;
The Christmas bells from hill to hill
Answer each other in the mist.
-Tennyson.
Heap on more wood! the wind Is dull,
But let it whistle as it will
Well keep one Christmas merry still.
Sir Walter Scott.
This is the time when the very old man
Leaps back to the days of youth;
When brows and eyes wear no disguise,
But flush and gleam with truth.
Oh, then is the time when the soul exu1ts
And seems right heavenward turning;
When we love and bless the hand we
press,
When the Christmas log is burningl
Cook.
We speak Of a merry Christmas
And many a happy New Year,
R11t paPh In bfq haart ia thinking
OF those that are not here.
-Longfellow.
They who do their souls no wrong,
But keep at eve the faith Of morn,
Shall daily hear the angel song,
To-day the Prince Of Peace is bornp'
James Russell Lowell.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
FATHER CHRISTMAS.
A Suggestion to the Boys For Christ
mas Celebrations.

A Suggestion to the Boys For Christi
mas Celebrations.
Why couldn't our boys get up some
holiday plays similar to the immemo-
rial "Father Christmas" play, in which
the lads Of Merrie England have SO
much fun? The origin of this play is
lost in antiquity, but it deals with
knights and their adventures, certain
Of which challenge and fight the fol-
lowers Of Father Christmas, and are in
turn routed, till Father Christmas and
the Black Knight cope in mortal COM
bat, the latter, Of course, being worstad.
The boys are dressed in fantastic
style, with tall paper caps on and pa
per fringe around their jackets, wear
ing masks to conceal their identity.
They are called the "mummers, and
go from house to house of their friends,
invariably receiving a kind welcome
and little treat at the end of the per-
formance. They also take up penny
collection, and everybody has penny
for the mummers who afford so much
amusement.
In our early history there is abun-
dant scope for the youthful playwrights,
and the object of their performances in
holiday week might be some charity in
which boys are the benefciaries, SUCH
as a treat Of goodies" to adozen news
boys or bootblaoks, to get supplies for
a sick boy or the like.
The Indian in our early history is as
good as the knight element for a STIR
ring play for Massasoit
and his tribe, in war paint, feathers and
blankets, on the one side, and on the
other the prim Puritans, in broad
brimmed hats and short breeches.
Or the Pooahontas and Powhatan
drama, with John Smith, the hero, and
band of cavaliers to make it lively.
The boys of Boston Common and the
red coated Britishers was an eI isode to
inspire their fraternity of today, and it
would be great fun for our laddies in
Christmas week to dress up and illus
trate the valor of their ancestors, as
their English cousins annually COM
memorate some otherwise forgotten |
Of feudal days.-Phila-
delphis Record.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
Too nInoh For tl,e AdmIra1.

Even herots get upset. Admiral
schIey, night before last, was the guest
ofa large part of Philadelphia-of as
much of it as could Gil one Of its thea
ters. He sat In a box with the hand
some and bsnignant Col. Mcclure, and
every movement he made was watched
by thousands in the place. If be took
3 glass of water they appIauded. II
be bowed to an acquaintance. they ap-
plauded. II be smiled they appIauded.
IN fact. The whols evening was an IN
eessant ovation,
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
The Kissing BAN.

A green ball to suspend over the
Christmas dinner table is made by fas-
tening two keg hoops together, one with
in the other, turning each way like an
open globe. Twine princess pine around
each hoop and put in sprigs of holly
here and there. This indeed is similar
to the old kissing bunch," which is
seen in many old fashioned homes in
England. Two wooden hoops, one pass
ing through the other, decked with ever
green's, in the center of which is hung
crown" of rosy apples and sprig
of mistletoe. Beneath it there are much
kissing and romping and the carol
singers stand beneath it and sing their
songs. Selected.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
Old Point Comfort.

The first of the present series of person.
ally-conducted tours to Old Point Comfort
via the Pennsylvania Railroad will leave
New York and Philadelphia on Tuesday
December q.
Tickets, including luncheon On going trip
and one and three-fourths days board at
Old Point Comfort, and good to return di-
rect by regular trains within six days, vii {
be sold at rate of SIS 90 from New York
$3.50 from Trenton; $3.50 from Philadel.
phia, and proportionate rates from other
points.
For intineraries and full information ap-
ply to Ticket Agents: Tourist Agent, 1196
Broadway, New York; 789 Broad Street,
Newark, N. J.; or Geo. W. Boyd, Assistant
General Passenger Agent, Broad Street Sta
ton, Philadelphia
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
CHRISTMAS AT KENO.
How Hard Luck Hankins' Tree Was
Decorated.

How Hard Luck Hankins' Tree Was
Decorated.
'Speakin of Christmas trees" said
Cyclone Murphy as he snuffed candle
on the topmost twig of the Keno Guloh
Sunday school tree with his trusty six
shooter and then nipped remonstrance
in the bud by getting the drop on the
Sunday school superintendent, "re-
minds me of a galoot named Hard Luck
Hankins, who lived up on Tenderfoot
ridge and who was the biggest kicker
that ever kicked. This yere Hard Luck
Hankins lived in cabin on top Of the
ridge and p'tended ez how he was a
miner, but he didn't never seem to mine
anything and was ginerally regarded ez
a feller without visible means Of sup
port. Some folks said he was road
agent and others opined ez how boss
stealth might be the mine he was
workin.
"The only thing Keno Gulch ever
really knowed him to be doin was put
tin up powerful kick about one thing
er another. He alters had some hard
luck story to tell, and that was why
folks called him Hard Luck Hankins.
"There wasn't decent lookin tree
on top of the hull ridge except one, and
that tree was mighty handsome pine
that stood right in front of Hard Luck
Hankins' shanty. She's my old Christ
mas tree, Hankins would growl every
time Christmas come around, 'but, dern
her ole hide, Sanity Claws don't never
hang nothin on her fer me-
"That was jes' Hard Luck's pesky
and onery way-allers kickin about
somethin-and that handsome tree new
er havin anything hangin on it fer him
seemed to rile him specially every year.
Whats the use havin blame Christ
mas tree that never don't have nothin
hangin on to itP' he'd growl. Have
dern good notion to cut her downp
"This went on year after year, and
the boys KEEP a-Vonderin and avon
derin how Hard Luck got a livin. One
Christmas eve they found out, and it
put an end to Hard Luck's quarrel with
his big pine Christmas tree.
'Fer the very first Christmas sence
Hard Luck had been livin in Keno there
was somethin hangin on his Christmas
tree.
"What was it?" repeated Cyclone
as he snuffed another candle.
''Why, it was old Hard Luck Hankins
hisself, and he was-kiokin-ez-usual,
and kickin with both feet. Selected.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
Christmas Table Decoration.

Avery pretty decoration for the table
at the Christmas dinner is tiny Christ
mas tree. Candied fruits and gilded
and silvered walnuts make it bright
and seasonable, while little frosting
with the powder that comes for the pur-
pose makes it a beautiful object under
the glitter of the lights. The tree will
be trimmed and prepared for you by
any florist and should be planted in a
fancy low vase or dish. The picturesque
dwarf evergreens that come from Japan
are most effective when used in this
way, and yet they are such costly treas
ures that few who own them are will
ing to make table decorations Of them.
Philadelphia Ledger.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
A Turkex,s Lament.
All. distinctly I remember

All, distinctly I remember
1t was only last November
That they chased me through the bach
yard
: And across the old barn f1oorl
Valiantly and well fought me
Till at last the villains caught me
And proceeded then to trot me
To the ak beside the door;
But, ashamed, they let me go, for
was bones and nothing more
Skin and bones and nothing more.
Now, 1 see 1t is December.
And no doubt they will dismember
Me, for all my fatter friends
Have gone to that other shore;
I've grown pale from apprehension.
For of late some marked attention
Makes me think it's their intention
70 cut OF my legs and serve me
AS reedbird from the store
Just reedbird. nothing morei
Chicago Inter Ocean.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
yellow Jaundice Cured .

Suffering humanity should be supplied
with every means possible for its relief. II
Is with pleasure we publish the following:
"This Is to certify that was a terrible
sufferer from Yellow Jaudice for over six
months. and was treated BY some of the
best physicians in our city and all to no
avail DR.. Bell, our druggist recon-
mended Electric Bittes; and after
taking two bottles. was entirely cured.
now take great pleasure in recommending
them to any person suffering from this
terrible maIady. / am gratefully yours,
NJ. A. Hogarty. Lexington Ky.''
Sold BY Dr.. II. Vaughan, Druggist.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
DlscoYered by 8 woman.

Another great discovery has been made,
and that too. by a lady of this country.
"Disease fastened its clutches upon her
and for seven years she withstood its sever
est tests, but her vital organs were UNDER
minded and death seemed imminent. Fer
three months she coughed incessantly, and
could not sleep. She finally discovered a
. way to recovery. by purchasing of rs a
bottle of DR.. Kings New Discovery for Con-
sumption, and was so much relieved on
taking first dose, that she slept all night;
and with two bottles. has been absolutely
cured Her name IS Mrs. Luther Lilz.H Thus
writes W. @ Hamnick & CO., Of shelby, n.
/ @. Trial bottles frea ct DIR. Il. Vaughan 8
Drug Store. Regular size SOC and 800
Every bottle guaranteed.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
the Christina. Tree.

The foliage of a Christmas tree may
be brushed here and there with muci-
lage and then sprinkled with common
salt and very pleasing result is OBJ
tanned. A pretty drapery for the tree is
made by cutting long strips, about four
inches wide, Of tissue paper, then cut
ting it closely, partly. but not entirely,
across the widths, making fringes. If
the strips be dampened and held over a
hot stove, the fringed edges will curl
and look quite ornamental. Omaha
Pao
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
DELAwARE's unknown RACE.

I
In the hundreds of Indian River,
Lewes and Rehoboth and Dagsboro are
a numerous class of colored people,
commonly called yellow men, and by
many believed to be descendants of the
Indians which formerly inhabited Dell
aware,
Others regard them as mulattoes and
still others claim that they are of Moor.
ish descent From tho fact that so
many of them bear the name of SockHm
that term has also been applied to the
entire class of people.
OF the genealogy of these Moorish In
dians JadgeG. p. Fisher formerly on The
Delaware bench, said: "About one hun
dred and fifty years ago cargo of slaves
from Congo river was landed at Lewes
and suid to purchasers at that place.
Among them was a tall, fine looking
young man about five and twenty years
old. This man was called Requa, and
was remarkable for his manly propor-
tions and regular features, being more
Caucasion than African. Requa was
purchased by young Irish widow,
having red hair, blue eyes end fair
complexion. She afterwards married
him.
"At that time the Nanticoke Indians
were still quite numerous at and near
Indian River. The offspring of Requa
and his Irish wife were not recognized
in the white society, and they would not
associate with the negroes, and they
did associate and intermarry with the
Indians.
"This statement was made on oath
of Ll dia Clark at Georgetown, in 1856,
in the trial of the case of the State
against Levin Sockum for selling con-
trary to law, powder and shot to Isiah
Harman alleged to be free mulatto.
The question upon which the case turn
ed whether Harman, really was free
mulatto, and The gerealogy of that race
of people was traced by Lydia Clark,
then about 81 years of age, who was Of
the same race of people.
''The court was so we'll convinced of
the truth of Lydia's testimony that
Sockum was convicted of the charge
preferred against him.
This race of people are noted as
peaceable, law-abiding citizens, good
farmers, and are known as Moors but
without any foundation. The name
Requa or Rogue is now handed down
as Ridgeway."
Levin Sockum Rho was convicted as
told by Judge Fisher, for years kept
business stand at the head of Long
Neck, where Henry Groome afterwards
traded and since 1873 John A. Lingo,
State Auditor elect OF this State.
The exclusiyenes spoken of by Judge
Fisher continues to the present time.
This class of people maintains its sepa-
rate social life $50 far as it is possible
to do so) seldom intermarrying with
the negroes or mulattoes. they sup
port separate churches and are to-day,
their own schools owing to
the neglect of the recent constitutional
to provide for them. Spec
ial legislation will be necessary togrant
appropriations of school moneys to these
people.
The number in the county is dimin-
ishing, owing to removals and natural
causes, but enough remain to make il a
distinctive element.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
where Toys Are Made.

The greatest toy producing districts
are the Thuringia mountains, sometimes
called the Thuringia forests; the an
cient city of Nuremberg, in Bavaria,
and the region of the Erzgeberg noun
tains. The most interesting of these To-
calities is the Thuringia mountain dis
trict. Situated in upper Saxony, its
tins and industry are entirely given up
to the production of playthings in pa
pier mache, china, glass, wool, wood
and far.-Baltimore Herald.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
How it Hurts.

Rheumatism. with its sharp stings. aches
and pains. Do you know the cause Acid
in the blood has accumulated in your
joints. The cure is found in Hoods sarsap-
arilIa which neutralizes this acid. Thou-
sands write that they have been completely
cured Of rheumatism by Hoods sarsapar-
lila.
Hoods Pills cure nausea, sick headache
bilIiousness. indigestion. Prics rs cents.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
But schIsy,s defeat came at the end

But schley's defeat came at the end
of the second act. He arose with his
usual grace and started to the next box
to call on friends, bu; be had not taken
two steps before deep lass voice from
the upper gallery rolled forth: "Let's
all go out and take a beer. . placing the
accents on the aall.n The hero col
lapsed, sank in a chair and shook with I
laughter. while the audienca shrieked.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
A Christmns Eve IdyI.

The hour was late; the lights burned low,
The fire but half dispelled the gloom;
A youth and maid, with cheeks aglow,
Sat silent in the room.
Twas Christmas eve. and half In Jest
They would not say good night, because
They'd vowed to watch and do their best
: To sec old Santa Claus.
Slow ticlxed the clock; they said no word;
The solemn midnight hour drew near.
And still no telltale sound was heard
OF Santa coming near.
Twelve struck; and then, all suddenly,
A guest came in. surprised the pair:
It was not Santa Claus. not he,
But Cupid that stood therel
New York World.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
Rouse MekNegs

Cure Sick Headache, Bill
iousness, Sour Stomach,
and Constipation. Sold
everywhere, 25c. per box.
Preparedby CT. Hood 8 Co., Lowell, Mass.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24

Tnn raAssoaIfr, sl.OO Per ysaz.
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24

THE TnAssonlr7, sl.oo per year
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
.O0d,s Pills

Are prepared from Ma
lures mild laxatives, and
while gentle are reliable
and efficient. They
Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once year.
-Tusser
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
BIG REAL ESTATE DEAL
transfer of Tract of Land Valued
&24O,OOO


ihohnas J. Fisher & Company. real es
tate brokers, have just concluded neYot,a-
'lohs which will result in the transfer of
the Title to sixty acres of ground win,
on each side of Come ticut avenue Nv
tended. The land in question Is o,,nad
py Francis G. Newlands, and the contra #
Ior the purchase has been made nv Mr.
H. +. "aegaman of this city, who repre-
cents New York capitalist. The consid-
Grafton named is $4,000 an acre. the aspra-
gate being $24O,OOU.
The land adjoins Cleveland Park on tho
Forth and the Klingle tract on the vast
ne Nourse road passes through the land.
me nteition OF the new owners 10
sCDdiVlde the property into building sites.
Some months ago, as stated at the tive
In The Star, Mr.. Waggaman, as the rem
ftsentative Of the same parties, bought The
kIingle tract, which lies to the north and
east OF the Geological Park, and is sep
rue exterd ed by a portion of the troc,
~hich mas been acquired Mr.. Waggaman
mas been engaged in opening up the KIingle
tract, making roads and in other WAYS
preparing for the erection of houses.
He has engaged TIE services of Mr. Rar
rett. landscape engineer of New York
Who is making design for laying out the
lard. S
Mr.. Waggaman has already begun to
clear OFF the underbrush from the lanI re.
cen'y acquired and IS doing some plowinY
and Intends to SOW grass seed SO as to have
a fine lawn. 1t IS his purpose to make
improvements in the same Substantial
| manner which married his work in LAYING
out Cleveland Park. Counting the Klinpie
tract. the New York capitalist represents
by Mr. Waggaman now controls lO4 acres
| in this locality. which II Is the purpose TO
| lay out as a subdivision.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24

Above the danger line and rising-Cincin-
natl, 1.3; Louisville. 40; Cairo. IL.
Tide Table.
Today-Low tide. 3:4O am. and 4:07 pm. :
high tide, 9:3S m. and 1000 pm.
Tomcrrow-Low tide. ADS am. and
4:o4 pm; high tide, 1924 am and 1916
pm.
The Sum and Moon.
Today-Sun rises 7:13 am; sun sets SIP
pm.
Moon sets SIG pm
Tomorrow-Sun rises 7:13 am.
The City Lights.
Gas lamps all lighted by $40 pm: ex-
tlnguishing begun at 6:21 am. The light
ing is begun one hour before the time
named.
Arc lamps lighted at sos pm; extin-
! guished at 6:36 ain.
Condition of the Water.
Temperature and condition of water at
a.m.-Great Falls: temperature, IS; con-
ditiOn, 2. Receiving acknowledgements
40: condition at north connection. l: con-
dition at south connection, 8. DISTRIBUTE
| ing reservoir-Temperature. 30: condition
| at inf1uent gatehouse, 5; effluent gate
| house, 3.
| Temperatures for Twent.-Four Hours
The following are the readings of the
thermometer at the weather bureau Tor the
| past twenty-four hours beginning al i
| O'Clock yesterday afternoon:
January "a PHI, 4S; pm, ~; mid
| night, 3D.
January pa am, rs, S am, "a; II m,
| 3S and . pm. Al.
| Maximum4S. at pm. January %;
| mnimum-:S3. at am. January ~
The following are the readings of she
| barometer at the weather bureau for the
past twCatyfour hours, beginning at
| o'clock yesterday afternoon:
| January 81 pm, bib; S pm, 1913;
| midnight, 9.S7.
! January "a am. 2?G, S am, 3O13;
| l. m, BOZ, and pin, 3a.c6.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
PENSION CLAIM REJECTED.
The Claimants Husband Died Prior
to March 4. 1851.


Anong the pension decisions rendered by
Webster Davis. assistant secretary OF the
Interior. today. was the claim of Eliza beth
Fritz widow of Peter Fritz, and is a very
interesting case. The deceased soldier was
pensioned under the provisions of the gen.
aral law. fol- myalgia. alleged by him TO
have been contracted in the winter of
1850. while ne was serving as a private in
the artillery detachment. T. s. A, station
ID a; the Military Academy at West Point.
This claim: OF mis- widow for pension is
BASED solely upon the theory that the
nylagis was the cause of the soldiers
deatn. or, at least that it contributed
very materially to the fatal termination Of
his lasr Illness The assistant secretary
says. in part:
Accepting. for the sake of argument in
this case. the theory upon which this claim
is based, this appellant has no title to pen-
sior whatever under the law as the widow
CT said deceased soldier. There is no law
providing tension fer the widows of SOL
diers who died Of disease contracted in the
service in time Of peace prior to March L.
1851. The only provisions Of law pension
ing the widows of soldiers whose death has
resulted from disability contracted prior 10
March 4, 1851, apply only to cases where
the death cause was incurred or contracted
while il the performance of military SER
vice, during certain wars specifically named
ard designated in the several acts granting
such pension.
ne provisions of section 4,7O2 Revised
statutes, which makes provision for per-
SIGNING the widows of soldiers under the
general law, are restricted. by its express
terms, TO the widows of soldiers who have
oied since March 4, 1851, from wound in
jury or disease incurred or Contracted g..
the service and line of duty subsequent ia
that date. ard the provisions of section
Alb, Revised Statutes, refer only to in
.ahd claims by, and on behalf of soldiers
III
ever 10 widows claims. The claim is
therefore, rejected" 80
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
FAIR TONIGHT.
Rain and Warmer Weather TomOr-
row Evening.

Rain and Warmer Weather Tomor-
row Evening.
Forecast till pm. Tuesday-For the
District of Columbia, eastern Pennsylva-
MIA, New Jersey, Delaware. Maryland and
Virginia, fair tonight, followed by rain
and warmer Tuesday evening; variable
winds, becoming southeasterly.
Weather conditions and general fore
cast-The storm over Lake Huron has
moved to the Nova Scotia coast. Storms
are developing in western Texas and to
the north of Montana.
A ridge of high pressure extends from
Florida to Lake Superior, and the pressure
is high over the northern plateau region.
During the twenty-four hours ending 8
am. Sunday rain or snow fell from the
Mississippi valley to the Atlantic coast.
During the past twenty-four hours snow
or rain has fallen in New England. the
lower lake region and on the middle slope.
The temperature has risen in the lower
Missouri and lower Mississippi valleys and
in the southwest, and has generally fallen
elsewhere.
Increasing cloudiness and rain may be
expected in the gulf states, except eastern
Florida; rain Tuesday in the Ohio valley
and the middle Atlantic states, increasing
cloudiness and rain snow Tuesday af-
ternoon in the lower lake region. and gen.
orally fair and colder in New England.
The following heavy precipitation Tin
inches) was reported:
During the past twenty-four hours-East-
port, 1.20.
For the twenty-four hours ending 8 am
Sunday. Grand Haven, I26; New York
city, 1.3S; Philadelphia, 1.22: Alpena. LAO:
Milwaukee. lis: Columbus, 1.36: Parkers-
burg, Leg; Cincinnati, la; Memphis, 1.52
Cumberland, 100
Rivcrs-The following changes in the
rivers dn feet and tenths) have occurred:
Risen-Pittsburg, T.3; Parkersburg. b:
Cincinnati. 20; Louisville, "a; Cairo. Ia;
Memphis, 0S; Vicksburg, 80.