davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS.
First Day of the Year Has often
Led to Honor and Achievement.

Renewed feelings of ambition are
synonymous with the opening of the
new year. More resolutions are made
than at any other time, and as often are
they. alas! broken. But with some the
resolutions made with the dawn of a
new year have been carried through to
its close. Numerous lives of honor and
achievement can be traced to some de-
termination of purpose made upon an
occasion such as the first day of the
year affords for a fresh start in the
journey of life. We all desire success;
the problem of life is its winning. Every
person carries in his or her own hand
the key that unlocks either the door of
success or failure.
The true key of success is labor, and
it requires strong, resolute will to
turn it. 1t is hard. earnest work, step
by step, that insures success and never
was this truth more potent than at the
present time. Positions of trust and
eminence are no longer secured Mt a
single leap. Men and women have
ceased to succeed in n hurry. Occasion
ally there will be an exception, but the
instances are rare. Success. q writer
has said, is the child of confidence and
perseverance, and never was the mean
ing of u word more clearly defined. The
secret of many successful careers is the
thorough performance of whatever has
been undertaken.
An excellent maxim is that which
counsels us never to put our hands to
anything into which we cannot throw
our whole energies harnessed with the
very best of our endeayors. Persever-
ance is essential to success, since it is
often achieved only through success
sion of failures. In spite of our best
efforts, failures are in store for the ma
Jority of the race. 1t remains, then, for
lis all to do the best we can under all
circumstances. bearing in mind that
races are not always won by the swift
est feet nor triumph in battle secured
by the strongest arms. 1t is not so
much the possession of swiftness or
strength as it is the right application of
them by which success is insured
In starting out upon the journey of
life it is we'll:
First. to obtain every kernel of
knowledge within your reach.
Study people for the knowledge they
can impart to you.
Read books for what they can teach
you. Next, see what your temperament
best suits you for.
Mark your tendencies and apply
them.
Be sure you have not mistaken your
calling.
Once certain, apply yourself to your
chosen work.
Then work hard, earnestly and inces-
sanity.
Don't consider anything beneath you
Be patient, honest and pleasant in
manner.
Treat all persons alike, high or low.
Have a smile for all, pleasant word
for everybody.
Success may not come at first, but it
will not be far off. and when it does
come it will be the sweeter for its de-
lay.-Ladies' Home Journal
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

| welcome thee, New Year! Look! OPEN
armed / wait.
Thy footsteps drawing near. thy hand upon
the gate;
Q, swiftly haste, by river, plain and mead!
My trust in thee is placed and for thy grace
plead.
! welcomed thee, New Year, with eyes DER
full of love;
Twas God who sent thee here from radiant
worlds above;
IT'S God whose voice shall sound and call
thee home at last;
On good or barren ground thy seeding mo-
ments cast.
| welcome thee. New Year, by heart ard
hand and voice:
Without one doubt or fear meet thee and
rejoice
with holy will and might. with potent wis
dom rife;
Since thou canst use them right. take all
the keys oflife.
-Lalia Mitchell. in Minneapolis House
keeper.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Five Dollars Postage eor Letters.

W. F. Bailey contributes an article to
Century on THE Pony Express" from
st. Joseph, Mo-, to San Francisco.
Mr.. Bailey says: THE letters, before
being placed in the pockets, were
wrapped in oiled silk to preserve them
from moisture. The maximum weight
of any one mail was 90 pounds; but
this was rarely reached. The charges
were originally IS fore each letter IF one
half ounce or less; but afterward this
was reduced to $3.50 for each letter
not exceeding one-half ounce, this
being in addition to the regular United
States postage. Specially made light
weight paper was generally used to
reduce the expense. Special editions
of the eastern newspapers were print
ed on tissue-paper to enable them to
reach subscribers on the Pacific coast.
This, however, was more as an ad-
vertisement, there being little demand
for them at their necessarily large
price"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
A SONG FOR THE OLD YEAR.

Yes, sing song for him, my friends,
The year is lonely now!
The frost and rime of winter-time
Lie thick on beard and brow.
He had his faults his foibles, too,
His folles, doubts, and fears;
Yet, take him all In all. tits true
He brought more smiles than tears.
So we will speak him fair, my friends.
We loved him well, you know,
And sing the good old year a song
Before we let him go.
oh, shall we sing how blithe he seemed
The night when first he came,
When bells were rung, and songs were
sung,
To usher in his name?
How sprng-time met him in her bowers
Festooned with garlands gay,
And summer strewed his path with flowers,
And lured him on his way?
And though among the joys he brought
There lurked some dregs of woe,
Well sing the good old year song
Before we let him go!
Oh, when the bearded grain grew ripe
And harvest songs went round,
He swung his blade in sun and shade
Till all the wheat was bound.
He led us through the golden sheaves,
And through the ripening shocks,
And twined the first bright autumn leaves
Among his tangled locks.
Oh, then the year was in his prime,
But now his step is slow,
And we will sing song for him
Before we let him goi
IT'S true he robbed US In his flight,
And took from form or face
Some touch of color or of Light,
Some trick of air or grace
And in their stead, perchance, he dropped
A wrinkle here and there,
Or traced upon the once smooth brow
Some lines of grief or care.
But still We'll cherish in our hearts
The year we've learned to know,
And sing song for him, my friends,
Before we let him go!
What though he left some folded page
No eye may e'er divine?
Or in the heart some barbed dart
OF which we make no sign?
Though some sweet chord, whose numbers
thrilled
Our being to the core,
Is hushed and mute, its music stilled,
To throb for US no more?
The memory of that silent voice
Clings to the year we know,
And We win sing song for him
Before welet him go!
Helen Whitney Clark In Youths Com
paCiCn,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
SHEAVES OF RHYME.

Swectah Than de Sweeten'.
Talk bout yo' watahmillion
So juicy. sweet an fine,
Now yo' jes heah me talkin'
An I'll say ii every time,
I've had a heap of dainty things
While trabblin thro' life's lane,
But de sweetest thing evan struck
Was piece of sugah cane.
Oh! de good sweet sugah cane
Dat grows in Tennessee,
It's puah, an suah it's healthy
An good enough for me.
When yo' feelin' kind o. lonesome
An doan know what ter do,
Jes' git er hunk o. sugah cane
An take a right sma't chew.
Twill make yo' feel like sunshine
Dat comes benin de rain,
Den life will be with livin'
When yo' taste sweet sugah cane.
It's ia sweeter den de sweetes'
An would make a honey bee
Go hump hissef wild envy
Eff he could only see
De time he's ben Albumin round
Is laboh spent in vain,
He'd boycott honeysuckles
An tackle sugah cane.
T. j. N1CHOLL.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
NEW YEARS sUpERsT1T1oNs.
Queer Beliefs That Held Sway Many
Years AgO-CuriOus Custom Fol-
lowed in a German Village.

An ancient superstition made it a
Year to see your own shadow in the
moonlight on the LIST of January
According to another superstition, I'M
less one wished to court misfortune he
should not leave the house on New
Years day until some one had entered
and the visitor, to bring the best luck,
must be dark-haired man.
In Wales fires are often burned on
New Years to purify the house for the
entrance of the New Year, ard the
ashes of these fires are kept most sa-
credly from year to year. They are
supposed to possess special medicinal
virtues.
In Jena, Germany, there is curious
custom, perhaps worthy of imitation
in some respects. In very ancient times
the ancestors of these Germans be-
lieved in a god who brought light and
warmth into the world each year. over
coming the darkness and cold of win
ter. a great bonfire annually lypilies
this eyer-pew gift Of the genial old
god. A huge pile of wood is placed in
the center of the market-place, and
here the people flock, bringing with
them things they wish to cast behind,
them in entering new year. Maidens
cast in love-letters containing promises
that have not been kept; bits of rib
bon and feminine keepsakes are
brought by young men who have new
CT affairs of the heart; bottles are
thrown in by few persons who decide
that in the coming year they will drink
only from mugs; pipes are offered by
those who have learned to prefer cigars.
A little before midnight the square is
crowded with townfolll. The huge
bonfire is started and the young men
dance around it. After little the
crowd melts away, while from every
quarter arises the cry: Health to the
New Iear."-Elizabeth T. Nash, in
Chautauquan.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
An Inverse Ratio,

II know that you will be pleased
with the present I'm going to give
YOU" said Mrs. Hunnimune.
81 know SHALL" he answered.
1T only cost ten dollars, dear, but I
know you'll like it just as well as if
it cost twenty dollars"
"My dear" he said, with the solemn
ty of man who has notes to meet, "I1l
like it better. To reduce the thing To q
cold mathematical basis, I'll like it just
twice as Washington Star.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Music.

From out the heart of God she gladly
sprang;
On golden feet from sphere to sphere she
sped,
And 10! the darkness from her presence
fled;
The morning stars together sweetly sang.
The earth with melody triumphant rang,
And unto song the universe was gained,
From the eternal anthems swiftly coined.
Forever freed from discord's fearful clangl
Rejoice, o EARTH for this celestial gift!
This choicest boon Of angels and of men,
This harmony whose notes the soul do lift
Beyond the highest reach of human KEN
And through the darkest life reveal rift
Through which is sounded out a loud
Amen!
Henry A Lavely. in Christian Work
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
A Vision of Winter.

A turbid inland sea; the sage grass stirs
In fluctuations to the wind, the rill
Means in the agony of winters chill;
Within the woods hide ghostly whisper
erS-
Stilled when the startled quails with sud-
den whirs
Seek safety in swift flight; with neigh
ings shrill,
stray horse wanders on the darkling
hill,
Browsing among the mullen and dry
hHrrs.
AS twilight deepens, slowly flakes descend
Like down; slow as a haven-nearing
bark.
An owl sweeps cross the bury ways to
blend
With the black line of trees: and then the
dark.
Night passes by as pass our years-and 10!
The badge of age on Natures head, the
snow.
Will I. Hale In Chicago Times-Herald.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

There wasn't any color line
AT San Juan that day:
They didn't look so very fine.
1t was their logged way
OF going straight where duty led
That made their record bright;
A nation cheered them when they said:
Were simply here to fight"
And many happy man has grasped
Again the sable hand
Whose rifle, resoutely clasped.
Answered to each command.
And many heart bereft would pine
Were it not just to say
There wasn't any color line
At San Juan that day."
Washington Star.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
To One Who Fears.

Nor doth it matter, friend, which fragile
bark
Shall loose its moorings from the solid
shore,
And, trusting to the Pilot known Of yore,
Shall first set sail into the dim, dread dark
o. unknown, untried seas. whose misty
breast
Bears weary souls to silence, peace, and
rest.
For yet know that, If thy craft shall sail.
Thy storm-worn wings are hushed In
peace; if I
Shall find where the blessed Islands lie,
There shall I wait secure from sea or gale.
And SO at peace, or watching with strained
eyes,
All shall be well. Shall He. whose hand
doth steer
One haven-ward, forget the other here?
Ethel A. MacNish, in S. S. Times.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Leaf turning on New Years day is
conducive to good habits. Doubtless
many young hearts to-day are Just as
DESTROYS to leave off all that has been
found unworthy, and stick to the good
ship Wisdom, as in the days gone by.
Let them this New Years day spy out
the land, count the snags they have
struck as they sailed along, and resolve
that they will steer clear of them in
the future. Thus may they rise above
the flesh and the devil, and be able
to walk among men as was designed
for man, when he was created a little
'ower than the angels.
To turn over a new leaf is not an
rasy task when cratic conduct and
years of folly have scared the con-
science, hardened the heart and blight
ed ones reputation among his fellow
men. Satan watts back the leaves as
you turn. but sincere and long con-
tinued efforts will succeed, and you
can stand before men and angels re-
deemed from the bondage of bad hab-
its-true victors in life's field,
Christmas with its merrymaling and
good cheer has departed; let us usher
in the New Year with such removal
ton of the heart that the pages of
lifc's book for all the year will not be
sullied by records of transgressions.-
Mary Sidney, in Farm journal.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Quite willing.

Cant | have your daughter as a New
Years gift?" asked the brave young
man who had bearded the rich old ia
Their in his den.
mo. sir. would rather part with
every cent have on earth"
Very we'll Out OF consideration for
your paternal feelings will accept the
alternative" Detroit Free Press.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

oh, sigh not so!
The days will come. the days will go,
My little love, and hasten me,
Thy wanderer, across the sea
To thee, my love forlorn!
The trees are bare,
And winter reigneth everywhere.
Oh. look for me when summer weaves
Our bower within the meadow leaves,
Where, dear, our love was born
Oh, sigh not so!
The sun will shine, the wind will blow;
And thou wilt hasten down the shore,
And we shall meet to part no more,
All on a summer morni
"A. Boyd Scott, In st. Paul's.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23


What will the bells o. the New Year ring
us,
What will the days o the New Year bring
US?
Sorrows and signs,
And weeping eyes:
Gardens of bloom, and brighter skies:
A rose DER the grave where a dead rose
lies
What Will the New Year bring us9
What will the bells O. the New Year ring
us,
What will the voice O. the New Year sing
US?
Songs to cheer
The hearts that bear
Gariands over the thorns we wear;
And love 10 kiss away each tear
These will the New Year bring us!
Atlanta Constitution.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

All who know II will agree
That In case of verbal friction
MAIN UNITY may sometimes be
More trying than fiat contradiction.
Thus William said last night to Milly,
When they fell out as folks will do;
MY DEAR wouldn't be SO silly
If were you"
The speech was not precisely new,
Nor yet particularly striking;
But as his irritation grew
1t sounded greatly to his liking.
Twas gentle. dignified and prudent,
He told himself but her reply
Startled him: mo. know you wouldn't
If you were IT.
Chicago Standard
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

NO" said the young man with the downy
upper lip to the barber, Il don't care for a
paper. To tell you the truth, don't think
there is enough realism in modern art"
Wouldn't you like to look at the New
Years cartoons?"
mo, sir. They're just what | object to-
1t was only u months ago that they de-
picted '9S' as chubby, smooth-faced boy.
And now look at himl The idea of his
growing beard like that in one year.
Washington Star
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
The Great Swear Day.

Again the melancholy day
Is swiftly drawing near
When men will raise their hands and swear
Off for another year
VIII swear off for a twelvemonth more.
And then. as such men do,
Forgetting that they ever swore.
Baekslde In a week or two.
Chicago Daily News.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Mrs. Enpeck-You acted like a fool
when you proposed to me.
Enpeck-That wasn't acting, my
dear.-Brooklyn Life.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Louise coaXed her mother for an.
hour before she secured permission to-
accept Mr.. Widderly's New Years gift."i
"Well?"
"And then he didn't send her any,
thing."-Chicago Record.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Too Good for ThIs World.

Keep your eye on Sproggles. | wouldn't
trust him a single moment"
What's the matter with Sproggles?"
Il asked him New Years morning what
ne was going to swear off from, and he said
he had nothing to swear of from. "--Chicago
Tribune.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
A New Year Episode.

What wretch profane." the preacher said.
rs raviEg In the room oerhead
Quite loud enough 10 wake the dead2'
BE not amazed" his hostess cried;
"Forbear to criticise or chiGe.
Nor at repeutant sinners scott
That Is my husband swearing Off"
Atlanta COnSftfufion
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
A Musical Family.

Patience-Did you say that she came
from a musical family?
Patrice-Yes; she has a brother who
is drummer and her father is tutor.
-Yonkers Statesman,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
wondering why She Did.

woman. when you married me you
got a wonder!"
"Yes, and I have been wondering
ever since. Indiana Journal.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Now with the dawn of the glad new year
Each husband will turn a new leaf;
But he'll turn 1t with trembling ard fear.
LES, he finds on the page to his grief
His wifes Christmas bills do appear;
Then his good resolves will be but brief
Chicago Daily News
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Screechley-Did my singing make a
hit?
WigwOg-My dear fellow. it was just
" bowling success.-Illustrated Amer
toan-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

Briggs-AIlow me to have the pleas
ure of returning the sovereign that I
borrowed the other day.
Sniggs-Thanks; the pleasure is
mine.-Tit-Bits,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Something Awful.

Quizzer-Are times so very hard?
Guyer-Yes. indeed! Why, a man
told me to-day that he couldn't even
collect his own thoughts.-N. Y. Even
inr Journal
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
All She Needed Was Time.

81 just saw Miss Croesus go into the
conservatory with that foreign noble
man. Are they engaged?"
"Oh, hardly think so, as yet. Give
her IS minutes more."-Chicago Post,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23

"Can she talk, old man?"
"Can she? Why, last summer in the
mountains she didn't even let the echo
have the last word!"-Puck.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
Watch Ticks.

If kept continuously running
watch will tick 1G0,144,oOo times in a
year.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-23
The Fighting Tenth.

: A. Lavely. in Christian Work
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-25
HEROES OF MANILA.
MEN WHO AIDED DEWEY IN
THE FIGHT.
The Greatest Fighter Of Them All Never
saw the Inside Of = Naval Academy
Dyer Of the baltimore Second TO
Dewey.

The magnificent victory won by
Commodore Dewey over the Spanish
feet at Manila will 80 down as one
Of the quickest and most daring
achievements In the naval history. not
only Of he United States. but Of the
entire world. That he dared navigate
the harbor In the dead OF night, know
ing II was mined, so a. to be in 4
position as soon as day broke 10 at
tack the enemy. was an exhibition OF
pluck that has amazed the world. His
success In annihilating the Spanish
feet has been recognized by the United
States government by a resolution Of
congratulation. and he will also be
promoted to rear admiral. From navy
officers in all parts OF the world his
achievement has called forth words OF
admiration. While much has already
been written about Commodore Dewey
we must not overlook the gallant COM
manders who so nobly stood by their
ships in the battle Of Manila. and upon
each Of whom q share OF the honor
Of the great victory must be given.
OF Commodore Dewey much can be
written. His christening Of FIRE was
aboard the old steam sloop Mississippi.
under Farragut, in the early days OF
the civil war. Commodore Dewey Is
now about 81 years old. He belongs
in Vermont. and be was appointed TO
the Naval Academy from that state in
September. 1854 -Four years later.
when he was graduated. he was sent
aboard the steam frigate Wabash. for
a cruise In the Mediterranean. Dewey
got his commission NJ Lieutenant on
April 10. 1861. eight days after Fort
Sumter was fred upon. and he was
Immediately assigned y Join the Mis-
sisslppi and do duty Sith the West
Gulf squadron He was on the Mis-
sissippi when she took part with Far
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-25
FAD NEWS FoR RIRps.
Fashion ). AP, 90 ne Too Mach Tor ne
Hamanitarians

Unweleome intelligence FOR TIN Sell
borne society and others VINO concern
themselves with the protection OF birds
comes from Paris. says the London
Globe. The last word OF fask!rn there
IL the feather blouse Tbs Il usually
composed Of the green and blue plum
age OF the lophophOre bird. but the
famingo and the peacock are also re-
Questioned. and the undeniable beauty
Of the body plumage Of many other
birds will drag them. too. into the net,
Of ruthless fashion. The hope Is ex'
pressed Indeed. that because feather
blouses are expensive and easily got
cut OF ORDER" the fashion will not last
long: but human nature Is 30 constl-
tuted that these manifest defects In
a material for clothes are often ae-
counted It's greatest merits. The main
reason why the popularity Of the SILK
hat cannot be shaken Is that II is ex-
pensiye compared with other hats and
easily gets out Of order. It has. too.
this fascinating fault. IN addition TO
those which II shares with the feather
blouse. that comparatively slight
changes alter It's character so com
pletely that no man who aspires to be
fashionably dressed can wear the same
hat two years running. no matter how
little II may have been used. What is
the subtle charm In these obvious de-
fects OF an article OF clothing. qua
elo,hIng7 Simply this: that the fash
ionably dressed person Is thereby dis
tinguishable at sight from the cheap
imitation. and when fashion has
been inaugurated which dehes color
able imitation on a cheap scale. and
yet appears tasteful. Il has generally
come to stay. This Is too likely to be
the case with the feather blouse. what
ever our humaniiarians may say.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-25

do not obatruct the free passags Of the
frame over the supports on the poles.
On ths lover wiro 4 similar device i
used. and both sets Of trolley wheels
ere connected BY an insulated panto-
graph arrangement. which effectively
provides fer unequal tension On the
trolley wires. Connection between the
trolleys and the wagon is made by ca
bies. which run on an automatic reel
on the wagon. This permits the ca
bles to run out a few hundred feet. II
necessary. or winds them up 20 short
length. and the wagon thus has con-
siderable freedom In direction Of ira
vel. enabling Il to readily turn out OF
the way OF obstacles. and TO follow
twists and turns Of the road without
dihiculty. even though the pole line
may take a somewhat different and
possibly more convenient course. A
two-horse power motor en- the wagon
Il geared to the rear axle for prorelling
effect.