davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
Mistletoe and Christmas.

The connection of mistletoe with Christ
mas is very curious one, and far from
being a general one. Literature is, per-
haps, mainly responsible for it, In that
illusions to a custom-in a great degree
purely local-have made large number
of persons interested in the plant. 1t,
moreover, seems that the custom of using
it in Christmas decorations depends on
two considerations-fr it's evergreen
habit; and second, the generation in which
it was held by the Druids.
The reasons mentioned have no doubt
done much to secure for the mistletoe the
place which in recent times it has held in
Christmas festivities, but it is not so uni
versally honored at Yuletide as the holly.
You may, have very merry Christmas
without any mistletoe at all, but to the
majority Of the people a Christmas with
out sprig or two Of holly would scarcely
seem to be Christmas at all.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

dem pigs feet in de ashes need scrapin'
desc two houahs! Git out O. heah! Eff
yo' des tex yosefs off, soon's get er min
nit's peace, mex yo' fawty 'leven fngah
STALLS"
AS this is what the boys have all been
waiting to hear they troop out instantly,
making a mental memorandum Of meek
erchers" and bandana "head banker
chers' which Aunt Maria wants for
Christmas.
By o'clock the next morning, while the
stars are still shining, the wagons rattle
off to the fields. The jolly face Of the
country sun lights up myriads of frost
diamonds hung on the sparse spears Of
yellow grass. Along the roads wagons
,pass in the distance, noiselessly, silhouet-
ted against the sky like toy vehicles,
drawn by toy horses.
Inside the farmhouse everything Is In
bustling confusion. The blinds Of the
spare room have been drawn up to let In
flood of bright winter sunshine. Dis
trict school has closed for the holidays.
The children are In the kitchen stoning
raisins, helping pare apples, slyly steal
ing cake dough, and watching the sau-
sage as it Is ground out from the sausage
mill in strings.
"Ho, ho" the youngsters suddenly
shout In chorus. "Yonder comes Tom
Hawkins, riding up the lane on Ole Sor-
rel,' full tilt"
Tom dismounts by putting his arms
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

up" while everybody shoves his chair
back against the side of the wall to clear
the center of the floor. Twa-ang, scr-a-
ape, tweedle, leedle, leedle, lee" goes the
fiddle, while Uncle Ben screws his face
into thousand wrinkles. Sometimes, of
late, the Hills boys have furnished the
music for the parties, much to the disgust
of Uncle Ben. He declares that wen
deM boys gifts hole O one o. dem new fan
gle gityars an anodder one on 'em goes
slap-e-ty bang on Miss Hawkins pianner,
hit 'em jis huff ter mex yo' har stan on
en-. Tain no mo lax music dan beatin'
on er dish pam"
AS IL o'clock approaches everybody Is
alert to get everybody else's Christmas
gift. This ceremony being over, the party
breaks up, the young folks race home, and
big and little hang up their stockings in
front Of the fireplace.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS GIFT.
Make Your Gift Pure One,. and Give
It with Love.

Make Your Gift Pure One, and Give
1t with Love.
IF you had the wealth Of the world you
could not equal that. first Christmas gift" "
writes Ruth Ashmore in an article on
"Girls and Their Christmas Giving" In
the Ladies' Home Journal. 'And you can
only initiate it by making your gift pure
one, and giving it with love. You want
to share, this Christmastide, your faith,
your hope and your charity with those you
love. You want to make your very good
morning tell Of that good morning that
came so many hundred years ago when
the little Child first Weakened on this earth.
You want to think of the gifts that were
brought to Him and what they typifed.
You want to have your heart full of joy,
and love, and hope-so full that it will
brim over and the rest of the world share
it with you. You want to tell, in your
speech and in your eyes, and from your
heart, of the gladness Of the time. You
want to make this gladness go out to some
one who is in grief. These are the days
when you must needs give of your good
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
NEW YEARS IN EUROPE.
The Day Holds a Prominent Place in
the Popular Calendar

the FOpuldT Calendar.
In Europe New Years day holds
prominent place in the popular calendar
For many centuries past it has been tho
custom of northern nations to watch the
going out of the old year and the coming
in Of the new with demonstrations of mer-
riment and conviviality. 1t is rare case
that an English family fails to sit up on
the last night Of the old year with few
intimate friends, awaiting the stroke of
the midnight hour. The day is observ-
ed by few visits among nearest relatives
and intimate friends, but most particular
ly by festive family gatherings in the
evenings. The custom of making pres
ents ON New Years day has become al
most obsolete in England. That is now
almost entirely confined to Christmas day.
The observance Of New Years day as a
holiday fell almost into oblivion, with the
exception of the few simple remembrances
mentioned above. In business life the day
is observed as q legal holiday@"bank
holiday" as they call it-but even that is
confined almost exclusively to large whole
sale houses. The retail trade is carried on
as briskly as on every other day of the
year.
The first day of the year is observed in
France In very different way, particu-
larly in Paris, where to this day the GUS
tom of giving presents is kept up with
surprising vigor. The streets of the beau
tiful capital present very lively and pic
turesque appearance. Innumerable car
riages, from the humble one horse cab to
the elegant landau, with liveried servants,
drawn by fiery steeds, crowd every thor
oughfare. They are filed with well-dress-
ed men and loaded with fragrant flowers.
Large social gatherings, balls and recep-
tons, public and private, bring the aus
picious day to festive conclusion.
In Germany calls are made among rela-
tives and intimate friends only, except
that in the ponderous bureaucratic system
Of Germany every Government officer is
expected to call on somebody above him
in rank. Presents are not exchanged on
New Years day-that is exclusively con-
fined to Christmas day.
AS Rome gave the name to the first
month in the calendar year, SO Rome also
gave the custom of making presents on
the first day of the year. A very innocent
little pastime it was in the beginning, but
in these days of modern ideas it has ex-
panded and is expanding until now the
most valuable and elaborate gifts are used
as an exchange Of friendly sentiment.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

things, and among all your possessions
there is nothing so good as a belief in
God and hope for the future. That was
what the little Child came to tell about.
Surely the Christmastide is the feast of
all others that appeals to women, and as
the story is told again and again by the
bells as they ring, by the carols as they
are sung, by the preacher from the pulpit,
we know that Unto us Child was born,'
and peace and good will reign all over the
land. Let peace and good will be In your
heart, and from you they will go and
spread all over the land. 1t Is to the wom-
en-, thank God, that the happiness of the
Christmastide specially comes. And WON
en- are generous, else one Of them never
would have given her Son to die that all
might live. She gave to all the world her
only Son-the gift sthat meant eternal
life."
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

Two stalwart fellows in jean trousers,
ducking coats and wooden comforters fol-
low the wagon, keeping up continuous
fire of ears of corn into the box. With
gathering thoughts Of Christmas trees,
play parties, dances and taffy pullings,
the husking grows furious, and twice be-
fore noon the wagon bed is filed. Thumb
stalls and husking pegs are much in de-
mand. The boys all around the kitchen
fire at night nursing blistered thumbs and
awkwardly sewing finger stalls of drill
ing, double in thickness and fastened on
the hands securely with leather strings.
"'Clare ter goodness hits huff ter p'voke
er saint, hit is dat" declares the old col
ored auntie. 'Da's dem cookies, burnt to
a plum crisp an me can't git to de oven
'dout trompin on somebody's corns. \ Da's
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

Down to the reign of Henry Will, and
occasionally since, Lord Of Misrule"
was appointed to direct the amusements
Of the English court during the holidays.
He presided over the festivities, prepared
the games, directed the sports, and saw
that the court was kept properly amused
during Christmas week. The Office was
considered highly honorable, and the
Lord Of Misrule" was generally some
wealthy nobleman who was willing to
spend money lavishly in promoting the
gaieties Of the court. 1t is Of record that
during the reign Of Elizabeth, Essex, as
Lord Of Misrule," spent in one Christ
mas season $4,000 Of his own money on
the court games.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
At Bethlehem.

The children at Bethlehem are told BY
their mothers that on Christmas Eve q
choir of angels always sings above the
place where Christ was born. Travellers
say that on this evening scores and some
times hundreds Of children may be seen
IN the open air looking up to the sky, wait
ing to hear the angels sing.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

around "Ole Sorrers'' neck and sliding
down her forelegs to the ground. He is
riding bareback.
Our folks is goin' to give a partyv' he
announced.
"WhenY' shout Bob and the others, in
great excitement.
Might fore Chris'masj n I'm goin'
round to tell everybody, right this morn
'Play party?"
Yep! Pa says he don't care fer 'em
dancin', but ma says at you have to take
up the carpets, er have 'em ruint. An
then, ma says she don't know as it's right
fer church members"
Toms invitation, delivered with many
assurances that "You must be sure to
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

mas, Christmas everywhere.
Let's HE away to the church, my lad.
To the dear, gray church where the can.
dies shine.
I'd breathe a prayer while my hearts so
glad
I'd catch prayer from those lips of thine,
Love, love, ieye-and It's Christmas day,
Sweet the bowling, and blest the PRAYER
For It's Christmas, Christmas every.
where!
Dear Lord, what gift thou hast sent US
twain
To pledge our troth on thy natal day?
oh joy that is almost keen as pain
Oh love more sacred than lips can saw
Here where the candles burn so white
Here where the holly glistens bright,
Make the heart of the love we bear
Chrlst-like always and everywhere!
James Buckham.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
S4tiSfYin0 Him

Il have Called" said the captious critic.
ito find out what reason you can give for
representing the New Year as a nude
small boy"
THAT is done," responded the art edi-
tor, because the year does not get its
close till the 31st of December"
Then the captious critic went out and
broke his nice new pledge.-Indianapoli
Journal.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
Yule Cakes.

Yule dough, kind of baby or title
image intended to represent the child Je-
sus, made of paste, was formerly baked at
Christmas and> presented by bakers to
their customers Sin the same manner as
the chambers gave candles" They are
still called Yule cakes in the county Of
Durham, England.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
His Sad Fate.

"Kind sir" said the beggar, Twill you
aid me? Once was worth $50, 900, and
now am penniless, SIR"
What ruined your" asked Hojack.
Buying Christmas presents, SIR"
Thereupon Hojack gave the man dol
lar, for he knew how It was himself.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
A FARM CHRISTMAS.
STORY OF THE DAYS CELEBRA-
TON Is TRULY TOLD.
Momentous Preparations for the Din
ner of Dinners-And Finally the
Party at Farmer Hawkins, on That
Memorable Christmas Eve.

He week before
Christmas. 81 o g
killing Is over, all
the turkeys are
dressed and sent to
town. Suppressed
excitement rules in
side the house and
out. Extra hands
are busy o yer the
last bit Of corn
b u 8 k j n g. Bump,
bump, b u m p e t y
bump, the wagon
moves slowly over
tho frOzop pro,,pI
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

Wiggies How are you fixed for Chris
mas?
Waggles Right in clover. / made d
play dat was de champion al-'round eat
er in de northwes' and dey's got up a
match fur me.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

MY DEAR" said Mr.. barley to his wife,
II have decided to have merry Christ
mas this year."
am very glad to hear thar, love-"
with that purpose In view," Mr.. Oar
ley went on, II have decided not to go
With you at all while you are doing your
Christmas shopping"
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

Bobbie-Papa says Santa Claus leaves
more things at the big houses.
Freddie OF course he does. They've
got bigger chimnevs.-Judee
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
GRINNELL's BE Art THUMpRD MIeHr1LY

IIsY
the Westerner, as if affronted, Christ
mas preparations, of coursev
The young soldier smiles, half sadly.
Il don't see any Christmas trees. or
holly, or wax candles, Or"
Nor won'tr' comes the terse interrun-
ton- "Still, we're going to make the hest
play at it we know how when the date
arrives"
And that is"
ITO build roaring campfire first"
Isn't the climate naturally warm
enough for your
Never you mind! We're going to build
Z regular scorcher-wrap blankets around
Us, huddle up as if we were frozen to
death, imagine we're out on those gl-lori-
GUS plains where a fellow can always fool
Christmas, If he don't see much Of IT,
and tell stories about last year. and tho
year before, and the years when the rocr~
lars had some kind of a holiday avor -
1t was ragged one"
The officer Of the day smiles indn,oon+,r
on the turbulent infraction of camn rulss
and the colonel and staff appear to hand
In their contributions box, not bor Of
cigars. -
There are pineapples, cocoanuts hama
pas and oranges, but more than one wry
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
IN THE PHILIPPINES,

HR1STMAS, 1893, is
near. The American
sentry on patrol duty
before the long row of
tents and frame quar-
tiers just outside Of
Manila PAGES the
monotonous round in
a lazy, languid way
even the jests Of
groups gathered here
md fhoro d;roo%o1 -
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
An Unusual Honor

DO you expect to have good time on
Christmasp'
You bet! Ny wife has invited me to
take dinner at her club" New York Her
aid.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

come; Wen all be a lookin' for you," Gre
ates no small commotion at the house.
Before the day is over it is known that
the party will be a big affair.
Christmas eve finally comes. The whole
neighborhood is agog. In the course of
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23

She-I hear you got little brother for
a New Years present. Amt yer glad?
He-Naw!
She-Did yer want sister?
He Nav. didn't want no brudder
nor no sister neider.- i wanted a fghtin'
dorg an pair O. skates!-Life.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
1899
CHRISTMAS TRoTH.

old gray bell in
the old gray
tower
J ringing so glad.
~ across the
town,
! the red, red
Ga wn, like a
shaken flower.
c Il t t ers tn q
CHRISTMAS glory
down.
Oh, the light Of
I h e sa ere d
morn
OF the day when
the dear Lord
c b r ! S t was
born!
Oh, the sweet of
the winter air,
Whpn It's Christ
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
Pleasure and Pain

When We go to 3. Christmas party.
And corns are the worst Of our woes
we object not to rings on our fingers"
But we do to the bellies on our foes."
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-23
She-I wish Christmas really. was sea

son of general peace and good win. He
Well, 1t might be il somebody hadn't In
troduced the custom Of giving Christmas
presents Puck.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16

not devote their Sunday crop to
seed last season.
The alfalfa is starting nicely in
Prowers county and fall whea,
promises = great crop If conditions
remain favorable from now on.
A telephone line will soon be
constructed through. May valley,
in Prowers county, the poles be-
ing distributed and work begun.
The Holbrook reservoir is great
resort for La Junta and Rocky
Ford people, as we'll as the sur
rounding country. In the winter
they ply the steel runners, and in
the summer they boat ride and
catch fish.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16
eer..me.lec ee.,.ly.ly c.r.a.

Mr.. X. b. Greeve, merchant, of
Ch,lhowie, Va, c.rtifies that he
had consumption, was given up to
die, sought all medical treatment
could procure, tried all cough REM
edies he could hear of, but got
no relief; spent many nights sit
ting up in a chair; was induced
to try DR.. Kings New Discovery,
and was cured by the use OF two
bottles. For past three years has
been attending to business and
says DR.. Kings New Discovery is
the grandest remedy ever made, as
it has done SO much for him and
also for others in his community.
DR.. Kings New Discovery is guar
anteed for coughs, colds and con-
sumption. 1t don't fail. Trial bot
ties free at Joys pharmacy.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16

WHEREAs, OaREN GRMMELL by HIS
~ certain deed ut trust. dated january II.
1884, IN bo,k Z. page .9i. In the oii,ce OF ti,e
,,oiori. 80. did convey Il, Tho,nas ). D'wnei,.
in trust. nit the following described real es-
tate ditch AID water r!El,i. ~ Ing and being ~
the sssint, ~ u, err and s,ate 0f = lorl,siO. and
flriyntinr canal knew d M tile king Arr,yn
sDi Oh NJ described III and rih,wn by the plat
OF map Of suid dicl or ent,nl. ni,d iii the 0iSce
C,uniy ~. the eUti, day Of Deccmber, A D. iSlr.
1t S:isoci OK m. .ttxrthcr witt all hssidsNfes
was.e es ,aisralat9. waisr rixit. fran.
ai,.d niiy ard nll things and privileges apper-
tanning or bel,nixinx thereto. and any and uii
cure the payment Of iis ,'ne certs,in pr.mi.-
tory note bearing date the iMh dsy af M
iyrirb ber. 1885. in.ynbl' tnthe ofd-rofL. W. Nnd
.iMtc tlercOf. for the princip u sum ri hrteen
hundred dollars ~ ,aGl. with interest thereon
~ The rats of .ixhieeI, i,er cent per annuni.
Whereas. II Is provided In aud by said deed
0T trust. that In care Of default af payment of
sAld note. or Any part thereof. or Msy Interest
thereon. ucc riding to the tenor and effect Or
said note. then Il shalt and m y b. tnwfut fur
sail nr1iitte ur his s,i, ccssnr in trust 20 sell
and dspt,se Of the said c,tnHi. ditch and wNfcr
rights Hi.d everything ertmintnR thereto. ahd
all ti,e livt. little, b.'nctit and equity ~
nempton "f said parsy, "f the ..,, r.t psrt ~, "
the front door OF the court m,,ise Il the cOunty
Ot Oters,. and stlte Of mOvndp. for lhe high.
thirty'siHyr' public nutiye having bss.n pr0yls
.''isls given az the time and place "f such y Z
hy mdverfisrnent in ne W the newspaps r. ~
tlint time ublisii.t IN said OferO. csnnty. Coi-
Or1sdo. nId III m Ike. ,execnt6 and deli ef n
the purchirer or p,irchayrs vt stcl, sale gO'd
ana suffecnt deed or deeds OF conveyance Of
tn. " ieniSt-s sOld:
Whereas default l,as been msde IN tile pay
nent of eai,i '.ote and interest thereon. except
The hrAt install mont Of iuterert due. and sucI.
lk1Ntllt still continues. and
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16
4 Card.

EDITOR TRiBuNE:-In your issue
OF recent date you uninten,ionally
do me an injustice and desire 10
correct the error. The "hobo"
who stole the wine and was arrest
ed by Sheriff Barr was not in my
employ as stated in your article. !
have always endeavored in the
seven years l have been in business
in La Junta to employ skilled,
honest workmen, and have yet to
hear the first complaint from any
one regarding theft by any work
man while in my employment.
+. EVERETT.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16
H. G. BOURNE, s
Real Estate Loans, Insurance,
NOTARY PUBLIC.

=
FoR SALE-I6o acres, under Cat
lin ditch; will sub-divide or sell al.
together at a bargain, s,s {,
For SALE-I2o acres good land
on Timpas creek, under Catlin
ditch, at IS per acre; good terms.
For SALE-One OF the most de-
sirable brick residences in La
unta; nice lawn, shade and all
best improvements; tor sale very
cheap and on good terms.
Fox SALr-Several highly Guilt
waited ranches, near La Iunia, un-
der the La Jun,a and Lamar canal;
these all on very best terms.
For SALE-2S acre tract, near
La unta, under La Junta and
Lamar canal; here is a bargain; /;
good place Tor dairy farm.
For SALE,-I6o acres, under
Holbrook ditch, near Swink STA
tion, big bargain in this il taken
soon.
FOR SALE-Goodf FIVE room brick
house, cellar, pantry, closet, water
in house, stable, ETC.; here is a
good bargain; terms easy.
For SALE Cheap for cash; des-
ert filing REIMBURSEMENT on forty
acres; good house and fence; near
La Junta; many other desirable
properties IN all parts Of the county.
Acre, garden and orchard tracts
1
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16
Fires Of aaordsy.

The gale oi last Monday was
prolific Of fires, but fortunately,
owing to,the vigilance Of the FIRE
department., none of them caused
any serious damage. The resi-
d-nce of Gus Weineke, near the
Catholic church. caught fire in the
morning, but by the prompt ar.
rival of the fire department the
flames were quickly extinguished
and no serious damage resulted.
The barn on ]. N. Bovee's prop,
erty, on West Granada street,
caught FIRE in the afternoon about
2 o'clock, and before the alarm had
been sounded, at the pump house
Chief Wonderly and his men
were their way to it. Upon their
arrival, however, the stable was a
mass of flames owing to the fierce
gale, and the four horses that oc-
cupied it perished. Loss, abon,
Saso; no insurance.
Chief Wonderly thinks an inius-
tice was done the FIRE department
by the Democrat in saying that
fully five minutes elapsed alter its
arrival before il succeeded in turn
ing water on the flames. The city
pumps are being repaired, and only
one being sinloperation the depart
ment did NOT expect much forcs OF
water through the mains. BY an
arrangement with the Santa Fe
extra power is. furnished when
needed, and being unaware that the
railroad had been called Upon in
this emergency they were unpre-
pared for the unusual force Of
water and the consequences was
that the, coupling at the hydFans
was broken. Very little time was
lost. however. by this accident,
and il i doubtful whether their
efforts, in any event. could have
ayailed anything in thefurionsgale
ithas prevailed.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16

Less than |, loo miles in about IS
hours. Electric lighted. steam
heated sleeping cars from Denver
through to Chicago. via the Rock
Island Route and the Chicago Mil
~a"kee s s., 7 Paul ~, Railwss. every,
night in the week. Denver Civ
Office, Sol Seventeenth Street. |.
E. Preston. Commercial Agent.
La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-03-16
JACOB SHANK
SHOE MAKER

! have just engaged the ser-
vices of first-class shoemaker,
and am now prepared to make
order, in any style, Ladies and
Gentlemen's footwear. Cowboy
boots a specially. Repair work
OF all kinds neatly done. Call
and see me-east of court house,
on Colorado avenue.