davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

camps full Of hard-worked, ill-fed, half.
frozen men. In one camp they are mostly
roughs, like you and me, or worse. In
the other they are soldiers who live clean
because they must, and pack of officers
who grin and bear it, guess, for the same
reason. There amt much resemblance
between the disorder in Zenith City and
the order at Fort Fletcher, but they are
alike in cold and hunger. Yes, sir, and
in one thing more! They both remember
lesson they learned when they were
kids, that hundreds of years ago the world
got Christmas gift it amt never forgot.
ten, though it makes big pretense Of
forgetting! And for the sake of that gift,
they, poor souls, expect to get tomorrow
this Teller one kind of present, and that
Teller another, from some woman who
loves him far off beyond these prairies.
Those presents / have here in this sta ge-
and nothing elsei There is money in many
of them, I've seen the messengers receipt
book. There is a diamond ring and a
couple of diamond pins for the lieutenants
and if l live half an hour they will get
them presents. Boys, you are at your
wits ends, know, but you were honest
men until no work and gambling sent you
to the DEVIL guess you amt goin' to in;
terfere with them other chaps Christmas,
eh?"
The leveled pistols sank simultaneous.
lily.
"Connorw Jim Gwynne said, and his
voice sounded youthful and piteous. "This
is our last chance. We haven't eaten a
square meal in a week. These fur coats
we stand up in are pledged for day after
tomorrow. Let us have only"
| "Not a pennyl But see here"-Connor
leaned forward eagerly-"you follow me
to town, and I'll treat to the best supper
Zenith City can spread. I'll swear you
shall not starve on Christmas Day-and
I'll drive you back to Bismarck next trip,
where, if our company don't offer you
well-paid work, you can shoot me for q
id liarv'
He held out huge fur-gloved hand or
either side. "Shake on thatw he cried
cheerfully.
Half an hour later the rabble gathered
in unusual numbers at Zenith City, to wit.
ness the unloading of the stage which hat
brought the Christmas mails. Morris, the
messenger, sleepily emerged from within
its huge bulk, when Conner called him.
81 had sort of nightmare awhile ago.
he exclaimed, with a laugh, as Conner
beat himself about the chest to restore
circulation. 81 thought the stage stopped
and that you were talking of shooting
But knew it was dream, so l went t.
sleep again."
"Best you could have DONE" Connol
agreed. Here, Jim Gwynne," he added
to tall fellow who lounged near, lend {
hand, will you? There comes the gen
| nral'a ordar1v From, E1atchar FOR fhou
Christmas gifts. Magazine.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

Something that sounded like a derisive
laugh issued from the fur collar Of one of
the highwaymen.
"You planned the killing to be on your
side, eh?"
Connor continued slowly:
"Well, I'm dead shot at longer range
than most chaps, and, though you have the
drop on me, you couldn't hit me when
first saw you, Jim Gwynne."
"I'm not" broke forth a hoarse, as.
tonished voice.
ooh, yes, you are-little boys shouldn't
tell fbs," Conner asserted. But you
don't want to shoot me no more than
banker to put hole through you-or the
job would be done by now"
'That's sor' came in chorus from either
side the road.
But we mean business" one added
and the other exclaimed:
Starving men don't count costs, and
we intend to have your load"
"There are two ways of looking at this
matter. Hear mine," Conner began au
thoritatively. sand speak lower wher
you answer, for my express messenger il
asleep inside, and he might take things
less peaceable than 1, if he wakes"
Again there was a sound Of laughter
and this tine it came from both figures
though their pistols yet covered the stage
driver.
You're a queer lotr' the taller fellow
said.
'I've heard the same BEFORE" Como
agreed. Being queer, boys, you will no
be so surprised if ask you to listen to I
Christmas sermonT
"Quit fooling."
"It's too id cold for joking"
"You will hear my sermon, or I'll chanc
| a shot from each of you while get IN.
gun into play" Conner declared witt
curious CONTINGENCIES.
"Silence gives consent, Ell? Well, ain
long-winded preacher, and I'll skip tn
text.
"Three or four miles away there are tw
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

half asleep be ordered him again to de-
scend.
run hundred yards or so, as If you
was sprinting," he commanded.
Stumblingly Morris obeyed at first, but
as the stagnant blood stirred in his veins
with the enforced motion his pace in
creased. A quarter of mile further on
he overlook the stage at racing speed.
"That is BETTER" Conner said cheerily,
as Morris prepared to climb back to his
place. mo, you don't come up here, I'm
tiredkeeping one eye on you when / want
both for the scenery! Just take these
robes of yours, and crawl inside among
them mail bags. You will need more than
an hour to freeze stiff under cover, and 1
reckon on getting to town within that
limit"
A stage driver is as absolute a sovereign
as O ships captain, and travel was re-
sumed upon these prescribed conditions.
Some time elapsed. A mass of clouds
had risen in the west, through which the
sun cleaned fiery ball that Knocked the
cold, while ftful wind promised fulfill
ment of the ranchman's prophesied biz
card.
The ponderous vehicle scraped and
creaked to the top of slight ascent,
which dipped into ''coolie" whose fur
Their side rose higher and sleeper. Down
the first declivity the horses rushed, and
midway Conner set his teeth with a
mighty oath.
There, in the narrow bottom of the
"coolie" on either side of space worn
between snowdrifts and called the road,
stood two tall figures holding levelcd PTS
| tolls.
The stage was trapped, and Conner
pulled up his horses promptly.
"You chose your day luckier than seem
| ed probable from the weather.. he said
| gazing keenly at what little was visible OF
his unidentified assailants, as they drew
nearer. 'I'm rather prejudced against
killing fellow creature on Christmas
| Eve If can any WAYS avoid it."
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

wont. But such cold as the Northwest
encounters on the prairie, when the Their
mometer has frozen at forty degrees below
zero, and men cease to reckon the in
creased iciness of the atmosphere.
The Bismarck stage, during the winter
season that long-ago year, made but one
week., journey to Zenith City, and was
due ut its destination on Christmas Eve.
Common, the driver, possessed an endur-
ance admired through all the frontier, and
q reverence for certain ancient customs
unsupported by his closest intimates.
Among the dugouts of the yearling town,
and the infant Fort Fletcher, Its neighbor,
he knew that his arrival was anticipated
with the sick longing that exiles feel for
tokens from the distant homes where they
fain would be. And he intended to arrive
promptly for the sake of package tucked
Into his safest pocket. A package on
which an old lady down In Vermont had
written shakily:
"To be opened on Christmas morning.
But to the ranchman, his host of the
previou night, who prophesied a blizzard,
he utter ID this intention, minus sentiment
'"Theie will be no blizzard unless the
wind changes" he said decisively. "We've
got no passengers to kick about freezing
their noses. Me and Morris have con
'tracted to deliver our goods tonight, and
five don't do it you may look for US in q
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
A NOVEL IDEA.
One Bright Girls Highly Original
Christmas Method.

One Bright Girls Highly Original
Christmas Method.
In large families Of daughters Christ
mas is almost calamity; there are SO
many presents to be bought, and so many
different varieties of secrecy to be main
tanned. Recently Anne, the second daugh-
ter in a bevy Of eight, issued an original
edict: 1--WE made up my mind" SAID
Anne, "that all this Christmas secrecy is
unwholesome and foolish; the strain on
the brain and the nerves-in large fam
lily like ours, is exhausting and dangerous.
I'm not going to have any more Christmas
secrets; all this skurrying bundles into the
house and out of sight is going to stop
so far as I'm concerned. What l make,
I'm going to make in full view of all the
family; and what buy shall put on the
table in my roonl-anybody that chooses
may open my bundles and look at the con-
tents"
All the other girls were astounded-
such an idea! 1t would ruin Christmas
Anne is simply crazy.
Anne has stood her ground, however,
and her Christmas work is still going on;
she embroiders beautiful doilies, pin-cush-
ions and stand-covers, in full view Of the
other girls-even asking their advice as to
shades in silk and designs. On er table
are many interesting presents-books, pic
lures, bric-a-brac, boxes of candy and
other desirable articles. With the display
of her presents, however, Anne's frank
ness has ended; and the great family-all
the seven other girls-have decided that
this is by far the most exciting and enter
tanning Christmas time they have ever ex-
perienced. Two thrilling problems-two
profound mysteries-still exist to agitate
pleasantly the household pulse: Is Anne
going to let us each choose our own pres
ents, or Is Anne herself going to choose
gift for each one? Anne, the sphinx
embroiders on silently, and the answer i!
| vet unknown
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

even through the years of disorder and
disruption, but the patriot of the soil has
been left out in the cold-forced to eat his
Christmas dinner in fear and trembling
of a domiciliary visitation from Spanish
"agents," or having none at all, lurking,
menaced and fugitives behind trocha, in
swamp, or under the thatch of some iso-
lated mountain hut.
This year all is changed. For the ISL
and entire there is Uncle Sans great gift
of Liberty. Reviving to it's influences, a
general sunburst of prosperity is presaged
in dawning CLEANS of promise and glory,
and the hunted and homeless have taken
heart. The rapacious Spanish soldier is
dining at his home board, living on his
career of "glory"-his sympa thizing
friends still resident in Havana are pru-
IDENTIFY 'reconciled' to events that have an
unmistakable trend in the direction of
liberation and fairness.
Individually, the Cuban is sure of a
personal gift. Uncle Sam has filled, is
filling, his larder with generous contribu-
tons until the next season Of plantation
proceeds places him on a self-sustaining
level. There are ruined homes to recoup,
parted families and friends, there are
many lost never to return, but these are
the fortunes Of war, and the victory has
been won.
The fairest morn that ever dawned for
Cuba marks this Christmas day, when the
blood, the tears, the hopes Of the suffering,
struggling patriots of half a century, un-
der the watch and ward of Columbia's
star of destiny, from the blessed altar of
fruition proclaim for generations yet to
be glowing cycle Of merry, happy Christ
masses!
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

drift somewhere between here and the
town when the job takes your fancy"
Morris, the express messenger, who was
new to the frontier, grinned an enthusiast
tic assent. The ranchman declared
grufly that Conner trusted too much in
his luck, and pressed upon them the loan
of an extra buffalo robe each.
They set forth. The road was not bad,
Judged by prairie midwinter standards.
The sky was a lawless sapphire, and the
Icy air, which whitened the flesh like hot
Iron where it touched was forbidden ac-
cess to any feature of these professional
voyagers, except their well-trained eyes.
They had journey of six hours before
them, without change of horses, but Con-
nor opined that, with his cattle feeling as
prime as they did, he might cut the record
down to five.
Upon which Morris exclaimed that it
would be pity to shorten such glorious
ride.
Common, however, vouchsafed no reply
to this ignorant hardihood, except glance
which it was fortunate that his fur collar
intercepted, as it conveyed a rebuke yet
more scathing to youthful high spirits
than Talleyrands famous point de zele. 1"
They had been three hours on the way
when, about noon, the messenger sug-
gested that he would walk half mile to
warm himself bit.
Waste time, and the wind Is chang
Ing" Conner answered briefly, and Nor
ris was aware Of sudden thump at his
heart. But he sought mutely to disre-
gard it by humping his chill hands.
An hour later Morris produced a flask,
which his companion briskly snatched
from his grasp.
mot If know it." he said grimly.
II am near frozenr'
"You would be past thawing when we
get to the town If let you swallow this
stuff now. ladP Conner added with a gi-
gantic slap on the messengers bowed
shoulders: II don't propose to drive into
Zenith City sitting beside a corpse-ii
would kind of spoil my Christmas dinner,
Conner asserted, and Morris was silent.
A silence which the other ended by
shaking him roughly.
wake upr' he exclaimed. "You are
forgetting my last remark"
There was only an indistinct murmur.
Conner drew in his horses.
"Git down, you young foolg' he roared
sYou are bound to have that tramp any
bow"
Then as Morris scrambled to his fee
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
Christmas Gifts of Money.

IF, after thinking for long time, you
cannot decide what she my poor girl
friendD would like BEST" writes Ruth Ash.
more, in advising girls as to their Christ.
mas giving in the Ladies' Home Journal,
and you know her well enough to leave to
her the choice of the gift, then send her
the money that she may spend it for her
self. But make this money look more
like chosen gift, and less like that which
is so hardly earned by her; trouble your.
self to 60 to the bank and put 1t in gold,
or at least in a new bank note, and in
close it in tiny little purse"
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
XMAS CARDS OLD AND NEW.
Origin of the Remembrance and Some
of Their Fads and Fancies.

Origin of the Remembrance and Some
of Their Fads and Fancies.
Thirty years ago in Berlin a lady Of
noble birth painted the first Christmas
card. 1t grew out of a strong desire to
send simple remembrance to a cousin Of
hers, who was in the diplomatic service Of
William l., then King of Prussia and af-
terward Emperor of Germany. The lady
had loved and been loved by this cousin,
but strange misunderstanding had part
ed them. During q convalescence she
painted a spray Of forget-me-nots on a
fancy card and inscribed few words in
gold letters, the translation of which was,
"May the Christ child rest on your heart
and bring you peace and happiness" This
she dispatched on Christmas eve to the
court by q trusted friend, who managed
matters SO adroitly that the lovers were
again reconciled and ever after happy.
The following year they told their story
to some intimate friends at court. The
nobility then adopted this method for
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

with great state and solemnity as the first
dish on Christmas day. In the book Of
"Christmasse Carolles," printed by Wyn-
kyn de Worde in 1921, are the words sung
at this suspicious moment:
The bore's head In handle bring
With garlandes gay and rosemary
pray you all synge merely
Qu estis in convlvo.
The bore's head understands
Is the chefe servyce in this landl
Loke wherever it be faude.
Servte cum cantico.
Chaucer alludes to this custom in the
following passage of the "Franklein's
Tale:
James stitch by the fire with double berd,
And he drinketh of his bugle horne the wine.
Before him standeth the braune of the
tusked swine.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
THE BOAR'S HEAD.

Was the First Dish Brought to Our
Forefathers' Table on Christmas.
Aside from it's religious observance and
Specification Christmas has always been
a time of feasting and jollifcation. This
temperament. has descended to us from
the days of the old Germanic and Scandi-
ma Wan nations, when the time was set
aside for rejoicing and pleasure prior to
the Christian era, but even as late as the
seventeenth century in England and
throughout continental Europe the de-
lights of the table We're paramount. With
our forefathers soused boar's head was
borne to the principal table in the hall
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
A Contingency.

Mr.. Cumso-I have not yet decided
whether or not shall buy my wife pres
ent this Christmas.
Mr.. Cawker-Why this indecisionr
Mr.. Cumso-I am waiting to see wheth-
er shall have any money left after she
has bought my present.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
CHRISTMAS IN CUBA
Uncle Sam Has Presented the Island
a Great Gift of Liberty.

UBANS' stockings
undoubtedly h ay e
some holes in them
this Christmas, but
out of these has run
a vast deal Of equiv
ocal misrule-"bene-
fits" which another
Yuletime will make
a mere memory. The
home church has
kept the universal
anniversary pretty
green in the hearts
of Spanish deyotees,
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
Even I'm,

Crawford-The new woman should
make Christmas easier for the married
man to bear.
GrimshaW-I don't see it. A bike and
set OF boomers cost about as much as q
sealskin sacque.-Judge.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
A Memorable Ne,y w.,

New Years day, 1859, is of historic
Importance. At the reception held at the
Louvre on that day the few words adj
dressed by Napoleon Ill. to the Austrian
ambassador resulted in the famous war Of
the summer of that year which changed
the map of Europe.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
SONG OF THE WHEEL.

-6 ow I'm consigned
!: !:
NAM&LEl to garnet grim,
/S/%ESR[k Where cobwebs
AHT5k>N& from the rafters
R&SE4&aHN&ANk4 Where risks Of corn
ESTsy ~ NV depend fro N
&AGxTAENK pegs,
SNHHM Where mice run
to and fro all
day.
NV strands yibrate when winds caress-
All! then l spin my may song;
But no one lists my music sort
Through days SO short and nights no lona.
These ancient garbs of other days
Are peopled with the ghosts of old;
These peaked hats and bonnets quaint
Old fashioned faces seem to hold;
Then trooping out from corners dim,
They come to tread the minuet-
No fieck OF dust arises where
Their tripping feet perchance to stray.
Like harp eoian l spin
My strains to lend the dancers zest,
Who bow sedate, elate and prim,
Who come with tread of ghostly guest
The buckled swain bestows his hand
To sippered Miss Priscilla fair;
] only see the frolic gay
They know not Of below the stair.
The wind subsidies, no longer turn
My strands; the dancers swiftly 60
Back to their places in the gloom,
To hang from pegs In motley row,
And this-my song on Christmas day
Whose merry frolic ends when
No longer spin my ghostly lay An
To enliven those-who lived to die.
H. s. Keller.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
The Dun.

This bugaboo of New Years day
Seems quite bereft of reason,
unsatished II you but pay
Xhs eempliLAhnts Of the season.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
The Difference.

First Goose-What's the difference be-
tween a Christmas turkey and a Christ
mas girl?
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

1t is time now to begin to remember not
to spell 1t 'Xm&s."
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
MlsTLeToE.

5az ~ HE poet.soui can see
W$SYffNEA Lost in the maze OF
SE@&TA jk one short year,
a.. NM S3HM w.. Twining the mistle-
l<xSS3HlSxx Nv lAh toe there.
kSes $HbeLHf HN, Pensive and still hope
uMliA9 El8Sa. XtH full and true,
IWxSs ySDV VEWI While memory sweet
AEGA&tW AX ly sings to you,
{ eHSSsxEZ\<H&l Soft and low as
y\/1HMk[ypsS vesper prayer.
lVE n WF And one away on
y life's strong sea,
Where manh0od's ship
rides high and free.
Peers out across the surging tide,
And hears the same sweet song, my dear,
That comes to you adown the year
Looks out to you, his star and guide.
He sees You in. the brilliant glow
OF Christmas, meath the mistletoe.
And breathes the perfume of your hairi
He loves you as he loved You when
He told you so, and kissed you then
He SEES you sitting. pensive there.
Then do not sigh again, my dear,
He loves you truly; never fear
That aught may vile his heart from you.
He'll come with one more Christmas day
And kiss your anxious tears away
As sunshine does the dew.
From out the half-light-almost gloom
That grays the presence of your room,
He'll bring the light of long ago,
7 And with your head upon his breast,
In loves delight, and peace, and rest
He'll kiss you meath the mlstletoe.
& --Woman's Home Companion.
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23
THE XMAS STAGE.

HE weather was bit
'terly cold. Not such
cold as the East la
ments when the Their
mometer sinks to
zero, when the cable
cars are chilly, and
t h e furnace-heated
houses not quite SO
Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-23

Why do bells for Christmas ringl
Why do little children sing2
Once lovely, shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a hangers cradle bright.
There a darling baby lay
Pillowed soft upon the hay,
And Its mother sung and smiled:
"This is Christ. the holy childI"
Therefore bells for Christmas ring.
Therefore little children sing.
Eugene Field.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-06-06
LONDON PAPERS COMMENT on An
ALLIANCE.


London, June i-The morning papers
commenting upon the Anglo-Amoricau
banquet l1st night speak in the same tone
of grathcation.
ne Daily Telegraph says. Nothing said
hy tho speakcrscould offend the suscept.
Utilities of continental nations but there
was one evidence of the friendship which
has ga0wn SD rapidly and that plu not
end in mere boerbal protestatious OF af-
fcction. 10 would bc "a mistake to force
an alliance before the time BE- ripe. but
there is dn indniy of good in culuva,lngt
these sentiments OF kuship which are the
forerunncrs of formal alliances
THE Daily Chronicle. referring to the
banquet as "a remarkable gathering of
men who are forced in the modern world. '
4nys "T,e dinner was the beginning of
movement which. unless unwise words
or unforeseen mlsc-ance should wreck it
must carry us FAR % IS important that
all men. friends or foes. should realize
that this movement has come TO stay"
Tho Standard says; u would Doe pre-
mature 90 speak OF an alliance In the
sense in which continental chancellors
employ The term, hut it would be an error
not les grave to dopreoato the benefits
which must accure Co the United states
and Great Britain from the knowledge
that they cam look to each other for sym
pathy and cooperation"
Tho Morning Post soys: "The banquet
has made permanent addition To The
reoipracal friendship which has beon de.