davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-24
t.eod- 10. I.Itfle EolI.s.

Don't torture the children with Ito- aid and pill peisons! The only safe. agreeable laxative for little ones is Gascarets Candy Cathartic. Drug gists, 10c.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-07-24
A ruasins v sEs..a.

Doubtless the female punster, guest at 8 dinner party where a bishop was present, recalled to the prelate Doctor Holmes remark: People that make puns are like Wanton boys that put eoppers on the railroad tracks. The Baltimore Sun tells the story. By the way" said the woman, "do you know that there are times when it is dangerous to enter an Episcopal chureh23 What is that, madam?" said the bishop, with great dignity, strengthening himself up in his chair.
 T say there are times when it is pos itiFely dangerous to enter the church, she replied "Tbat cannot be" said the bishop. 'Pray explain. madam" Why" said she, ssit is when there Is canon in the readtng=desk, a big gun in the pulpit, when the bishop is charging his clergy the eboir is mur- aering the anthem, and the ofgaHfst 5s trying to drown tbe choir.
 me ~sIea man or one rasa.=
 The Turkish empire has been known for many years as the Sick Man of tho East. and this title was first given -o it bg Nicholas. ear ef Russia. On .he night of the 9th of January, 1855 the British minister at the Russian court Sir George Hamilton Seymour, was at a party gathering in the palace of the Arehduehess Helen, when the Emperor Nicholas approached him and drew him into a conversation. This was chiefly with reference to- eastern affairs. and in course Of it he made the following remark as to Turkey and it's position We have on our hands very sick man; it will be ] tell you frankly. a great misfortune IL one of these days he should slip away from us. especially before all necessary arrangements are made" On the fol- lowing 20th Of February be expressed himself again to the British ambas5a- dor in the same s5ran:. T repeat 10 you that the sick man is dying. and We can never allow such aa event to take ftE by G5lenlsiza ''
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18

artillery, and Lu2on is no longer a land
OF mud and rain. The old, eternal
chase after Aguinaldo the eellike has
started up again in full earnest and
while many OF the American officers
here are hoping that the insurrection
will be put down by Christmas time.
from present appearances il looks as IL
the campaign could not draw TO close
before n complete American Gordon has
been drawn about the entire island OF
Iuzon and then slowly concentrated on
the ubiquitous general OF the Filipinos.
Time after time the news has gone
thrilling through Manila that Aguinaldo
had been surrounded and that a day or
two would see his finish. Just when
we were getting ready TO see him led
cartive into The streets Of Manila the
news has come OF his escape. Each
time he has done the disappearing act
with astounding celebrity and left our
men wondering whether he were n
,yill-o'-the-wisp or living man. When
General Young effected his junction
with General Wheaton and the three
armies under Macarthur. Lawton and
Wheaton thought they had the insur-
cent leader and his main force hemmcd
i'm before them somewhere between
Cuyapo. Corona and 81. Jean De Guim-
la. there was much disappointment
when tt was learned that the enemy
had escaped and had IN al probability
made its way in force To- the mountains.
Tie pcstlnacity Uf the Filipino, IN
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS.

In Germany and other European
countries it was believed by the chill
dren that the tree glittering with can
dies and bright baubles and the gifts
found beneath the tree were the work
of Jolly old St Nicholas, SAINT Mich
CLAUS. or Santa Claus. as we know hinl
This kindly saint was no legendary
character re lived about 600 A, D.,
and was a noted bishop OF Asia Minor,
He was looked upon as the patron SAINT
OF generosity because OF his liberality-
Three daughters of poor nobleman
could not marry as advantageousiy az
they should because their father could
give them no dowry But one night
one of the daughters found in her room
q purse shaped like a stocking, nlled
with gold. evidently thrown in the vim
dow by some one from without. The
next night the second daughter found q
nurse i'm her room. and on the third
night the father caught St Nicholas IN
the act of throwing the third purse in
the window
From that story originated the GUS
tom Of hanging up the stockings on
Christmas eve. TherrafteF -tlaa- sniine
Girls at the convent schools would hang
their stockings on the door of the moth
or superior's room on 81. Nicholas'E
night. ON the following niornipg they
would be found filled with gifts anu
daiutfss and little hint from st. Nich1
olas as to the appearance and character
Of their future husbands.
st. Nicholas Is the patron saint or
Russia. and his festival used To be
celebrated earlier in December than the
25th, but now his name IS synonynous
with Christmas Festivities In parts of
E,irone he is known as fPeisnichol." or
Nicholas with the fur, because he IS
supposed to be clad in furs from head
TO foot.
The idea of st. Nicholas travelling in
a sleigh drawn by reindeer originated IN
the cold northern countries. The rein
deer were the swiftest animals known.
and they must needs ny like the wind
to carry St Nick the rounds Of the
world i'm one night
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
OUR SOLDIER BOYS
Looking Forward With Pleasant Antici-
patton In LuZOn to the Advent
OF the Holidays.

fact, when everything Is considered
cannot but appear wonderful. Every
day fresh evidences bob up serenely TO
show that these native insurgents are
suffering from diseases TO an extent
undreamed of in the American camps.
They have little or no medicine, Their
food Is poor and scanty, their hospitals
are filthy and vilely managed and they
are dying by the dozens, and not on
battlefield, either. Time after time
our men have captured stores ana
arms and ammunition from the enc
my i'm quantities that must have
been severe blow 10 them. But
such IS the nature Of the Filipino
and the present war that the struggle
continues. and not for one moment does
General Otis find il possible, as the year
drags on. to relax his vigilance or think
Of drawing off his men for the sake OF
celebrating Christmas i'm the good old
fashioned American style. And speak
ing of Christmas reminds me tina
number OF the men out here have al
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
A TIME OF REJOICING.

There are few things in existence to-
day which have not been changed or
nodded in the hands Of progress. one
bv one legends and customs have been
disproved and overthrowr, Yet none has
dared attack the legends and the GUS
toms sacred 10 Christmastide, Here
and there a savant has tried TO prove
THAI Dec - does not mark the birth
day of Christ. Men and women read,
smile, pass on.
The time of year corresponding 10 our
Christmastide has always been a period
of rejoicing. 1t marks the winter sol
stice. The days begin 10 lengthen, and
the sun no longer journeys away from
earth. but enters upon his return. Ii is
a promise OF renewed light and warmth,
OF the approach of the summer days.
and men hailed these signs with every
expression of gladness.
In Rome the Saturnala, or feast OF
Saturn. fell at about the same time as
our Christmas and it marked the
greatest festival Of the Roman year.
The city abandoned itself To gayety.
Unbounded license held sway, univer-
sal mirth was the order Of the day;
friends feasted friends, and foes We're
reconciled. There were no slaves, no
masters; ali social distinctions were
laid aside. Work was stopped through
out the city, and no war was ever en-
tered upon at this time.
The tree as the emblem Of life also
figured conspicuously in the earlier re-
ligions. In Egyp: the palm tree put
forth a new shoot each month, and at
the time of the winter solstice it was
the custom among the Egyptians To
decorate the houses with a branch or
palm bearing II shoots. I'm Rome the
fir tree was regarded with veneration,
and during the Saturnalian festivities
the halls and houses were hung with
evergreen boughs.
In England, in the days Of the Druids'
the houses We're dcCkcd VIII eNergfeehs
in order that the sylvan spirits might
repair TO their grateful shelter and re-
main protected from the nipping frost
and the icy winter winds.
Farther to the north the wild Teuton
tribes worshiped their god I'M wooded
places and looked upon the fir tree as
his sacred emblem. The period cofre-
spending TO the Roman Saturnaha was
the festival OF Thor This festival, IKE
the Roman feast. was given over 10 lne
most barbaric pleasures and the Wild
est forms OF enjoyment. Among these
peoples IL was known as luleNae.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
CHRISTMAS DAY IN CAMP.

ready received boxes from home, sent
early i'm the season SO as not TO meet
with any delay on account Of belated
transports and tardy forwarding OIL
GERS. These lucky fellows are the en-
We'd Of their camp. as may be well
imagined. Some of these boxes and
hampers are carefully marked ITO BE
Opened on Christmas Morning and
these. as rule. have been duly
looked over and Inspected and smellcd
at by the entire company with
many wild guesscs as To their con-
tents. There are hampers, too, for
boys who are far distant on The
firing line and who will probably not
have a chance 60 open them until long
after Christmas has come and gone.
Two days ago a big box came for a
private IN one OF our western COM
panies. It was marked with the in
scription, open on Christmas Eve"
II will never be opened on Christmas
eve. because the poor fellow was buried
at st. Isidro three weeks ago
The men and officers who have been
arriving at Cabanatuan from General
I.awton's force describe the clmpa ign
during the last few weeks as one %
great hardship The roads inland ara
still--or at least at that time were-ln
a terrible condition. Many men who
dropped behind sick had to be left az
different towns along the line ~ march.
ia "a great number ~ cases these sick
had TO be left with inadequate supplies
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
MEANINGS or CHRISTMAS DAM
TIES.

Almost as important as the gilt CIV
ing and gift receiving on Christmas day
is the feast of dainties spread on that
festal occasion. But even the Christ
mas dinner has its origin in the dlm'
distant past. Feasts We're always the
accompaniment OF any festival. In
Egypt at the winter solstice, every
family killed and ate goose as re-
ligious observance.
In the hieroglyphic language Of the
Egyptian, the figure OF a goose was the
word child" The people had noticed
that the goose was remarkable for tho
way i'm which it protected It's young:
hence IL was looked upon as the SYM
bol or great lovc-that love which Is
willing TO sacrifice itself for the object
OF It's affection. This trait was also
believed to belong 10 tho god they wor-
SHIPPED. SO the Egyptians celebrated this
festival by killing and eating a goose
The plum pudding as a dish In tho
Christmas feast has it, meaning. The
number and richness OF It's ingredients
represented the-F44A- -gifts which The
kings laid az the feet of the child Jesus.
IN earlier days the mincc pie. then a
great pastry dish. flled with force
meat and fruits was made box shaped.
o. typify the manger in which the Child
had lain.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18

veyance. and. though he can GO where
mo- horse would venture. he is az slow
as moiassrs in winter and a most un-
comfortable brute 20 sit astride. Be
sides this he has an Unborn prejudice
against white men. he can scent them
mile away and usually runs like
Filipino when he secs an American
He also declines 20 work In the middle
OF the day when the sun is hot II
goaded on he viii wabble forward AZ
such a time at "A snairs pace until hc
sees some inviting mud puddle There
are plenty Of these in Luzon just at the
present time. as one or two OF our Off
GERS have found 10 their sorrow when
their cavalry mounts have suddenly
bolted and lunged over i'm three feet of
Philippine mire before the said officers
had even time 10 fling themselves from
the backs of their buffaloes
ono OF the interesting features of
army life I'm the Philippines today is the
army chaplain. IL may sound surpris
ing, but the chaplain is usually the
most popular individual I'm his COM
many That Is. / think because the
American army chaplain is something
new I'm his way and is nearly always 3
GOOD fellow as well as a good Christian
rhanlain OF the Thirteenth regiment
NOW at pasig, Is not above going out
ana taking part in breastwork life He
Is always ready 10 give a helping hand
~ any soldier boy I'm distress making
himself as useful on the other six days
or the week as he is necessary on sun
day In fact, Sunday is generally OBJ
served here, and all stores and saloons
d GtpifflRr
drug stores and restaurants can be
! found omen on that day. and the trim
native police and the provost guard OF
soldiers see that the Sunday rule is
strictly enforced
| some oe the chaplains with our army
here do not affect the clerical costume.
| but don the uniform Of the soldier and
on about With a pistol in their belt and
| a Bible in their saddlehags-on of the
! oeeortiai little ironies of martial life.
such chaplain lives with the soldiers
and as one OF them. He is "A thoughtful
! fellow. and IN his kit be carries paper
ard envelopes and writing materials.
and the boys always know 10 whom to
go when they want TO write home.
| When the day of rest comes. he usu-
ally announces service in hearty voice.
| something ike. wen, boys, this is
| sunday. you know What do you say
10 having "A hymn together
In the trench. or under some shadow
ING tree. or in the tents Of Uncle Sam
! tho ceremony takee place. some simple
old home hymn often bringing tears "a
ibe eves OF those stou, men who are
battling so far from home. Sometimes
too. tie service is interrupted by the
whistle of few Mauser bullets, ac-
cepted as a rule. by both the chaplain
and his congregation as a disagreeablc
blt unavoidable nuisance.
WILLIAM r. WALTERS.
Manila.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
CHRISTMAS.

and attendance. though some of them,
n Is true, struggled back hcroically aud
desperately through the mud and
swamps General Lawton foresaw that
this campaign would involve tremen-
dous hardships and almost insupbrable
obstacles, but it had been determined
az headquarters that the war must be
brought 20 a speedy and definite end,
and 10 was not for him on his men TO
question why
] have not been with Iawton's dlvi-
sion for some time past. but those men
now In Manila who have lately return
ed from up country describe the condi-
ton of many OF Lawton's men In very
pitiful language a great number Of
the horses have died. and men and Off
GERS could be seen pushing on over the
terrible roads and through the iuneles
looking more like savages than soldiers
OF Uncle sam. Many have had their
clothes literally torn 10 pieces I'm max
ing their way through the jungles Of
that rough district, and some OF them
have been reduced almost 20 breech-
cloths and nothing more Hundreds
OF them were barcfootcG. having worn
their shoes out and often their diet
has been bananas and caraboa meat.
provislors being scarce.
Caraboa meat by the way. Is q del
icacy unknown TO most Americans. The
caraboa is the Filipino name for The
water buffalo. They arc abundant i'm
parts oc Mindoro. ] am told. and Luzon.
NeRros ana M,ndanaO. The natives
catch them when young and tame
their, using them as beasts OF burden,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
Christmas AMONG
The Cowboys.

n CHRISTMAS on the cattle trail OF
~ southern Utah and Arizona is
lively affair and has in its celebra-
tion the elements of both amusement
and danger. The danger adds zest to
the event, which is looked forward TO
with much anxiety by the cowboys.
Early on Christmas morning the cattle
men round up at the nearest village,
which is mainly composed of saloons,
with their necessary adjuncts-gam-
bling rooms The boys" mounted on
their mustangs. charge upon the village
with a whoop and yell. firing a volley
as they enter. Every one rushes TO the
door of his hut to see the grand en-
try, and another volley is fred as they
draw up in front of the most popular
saloon. In front there is long rack
or log into which pegs have been driv-
en- This is the hitching post. and after
each Of tho boys has thrown the rein
oyer peg they enter the saloon in a
body. The door is wide. having been
constructed on lines favorable 10 the
admission Of large crowds or a hasty
exit when there is more than the usual
amount of trouble.
The cattlemen are each armed with
a rifle, a pair of revolvers and bowie
knife. The rife is left swinging from
the saddlebow. but the revolvers and
bowie knife are carried along as an
evidence OF good faith and to play an
tmportaut part in the celebration fes-
tiyitics The boys line up In front OF the
counter two or three deep The bar
keepcr at once sets out the black bot
Ties. They know what they want. whis-
XIV being the only kind OF drink they
have. The boys drink and fall back and
amuse themselves by firing at pictures
on the wall, generally patent medicine
advertisements. They occasionally take
"a shot at one of the bottles. Knocking
of the neck. on special occasions like
Christmas the proprietor usually
strings several tin cans along the top
of the doorway for target practice,
This saves his bottles and somewhat
ouiets his fears as TO the result OF
chance shot In his direction.
This pleasantly" as it Is termed. Is
not resented by the saloon men or the
pcople OF the town. 10 would be use
less and lead 10 more serious shooting,
as the cattlemcu are expert shots ana
ready at all times FOR a gun Tight
Furthermore. their custom Is profitable
they are the main support of the sa-
looms and gambling houses In these
frontier villages.
The day Is spent I'm drinking, horse
racing and shooting up the town
The feats OF horsemanship are remark
able. also the marksmanship. and
great deal OF money is bet also whisky.
for every event presupp0scs drinks for
those engaged al the cost of the loser.
one OF the feats is that Of horse
man running at fun speed and checking
the animal TO a full stop within the
space or q horse blanket The very sud
den stop Is likely 20 throw the rider
over the horses head unless he IL very
exuert. The cruel Spanish bit IL Ned
I'm this feat. and IL Is extremely hurtful
10 The animal
4 Another feat Is that Of tossing up a
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18

when they can be sold for anything
ranging from $40 TO $50. the price de-
pending on the local demand. The FL
hpino method OF stalking the wild water
buffalo Is interesting. The natives always
go out on moonlight nights. using tame
caraboas for dcCoys. Behind these tame
animals they creep UP TO their game
and then hamstriug them with TWO
quick blows of a maChete. Now, al
though the caraboa Is an unconscion-
ably slow and slothful animal ot most
times. ne Is a dangerous Zoe when he
has but one leg wounded. so the Filipino
who does not get I'm his work at just
the right moment is likely Co pay Tor
his bungling with his lfc.
So as food the water buffalo is
not the most delicious thing that can
be imagined His fovorite pastimc is
wallowlng in the hlthicst mud bath he
can nnd for himself and this. naturally,
when remembered at q meal of his
flesh. does not exactly whet the ap-
petite of the consumer. And tough and
tastcless bis flesh is sinewy and all
most revolving 90 the civilized palate.
though the natives are very fond %
such meat.
Speaking Of thic animal reminds me
that some of our officers here have at
tempted 90 make use OF the CarabOa as
n mount. but their Efforts have not been
altogether satisfactory Hls peculiar
disposition. ln tho first place. makes
him a rather unreliable means oi con-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18

silver dollar while at full speed and
shooting a hole through IT, If chick
en- is seen running through the street.
il is at once beheaded by a pistol shot
which. by the way. is an ordinary shot
AT "a distance Of 80 yards. The cowboy
does not raise the revolver and sight
IL. hut shoots as he raises il 10 his side
i'm the position OF his elbow resting
against the righ. side. This degree cf
expertness is acquired only after long
practice. and a necessity for being
quick with a gun has tended TO bring
it about.
While the average shooter is raising
his weapon 10 sight Il the cowboy, who
has only to raise his hardware about
half the distance, has brought down ms
victim.
After these exercises gambling Is IN
order, faro being the principal game.
The cowboys are reckless bettors ana
lose with gracefulness, but when some
of the bunko sneaks attempt 70 TOD
them by means OF a brace game ne ~
usually shot dead In his chair without
ceremony and quite cheerfully Inc
cattlemen understand all OF the Tricks
of that trade having learned from eX-
perience. and when one of the SKIN
game" dealers is killed the proprietor
hastily disclaims any previous knowi-
edge of the attempt at swindlng. The
game is continued and the affair soon
blows over. To attempt to arrest one
az them would cause a general fight.
and the citizens would get much the
worst of the engagement.
In the evening there is grand balr'
at one of the music halls" the music
consisting of a squeaky violin and
"burdy gurdy" organ. The repertory
of The artist on the violin is limited TO
two or three hackneyed airs and there
is little difference in his playing each
seems alike. a poster at the door OF
the ballroom" reads "Gentlemen viii
please check their revolvers." But this
is a mere matter OF form. and IL Is not
expected that any one will obey the In
junction, and they do not When the
dance becomes unusually lively, the
is increased by some OF the
cowboys shooting out the lights. THIS
Is an old form OF amusement and now
the Inconvenience is anticipated by
having on hand supply of extra
lights. so that tho dance may be con
tinuous affair. After each dance the
gentleman WallEes MS mfe OF leSs lali
partner up TO the bar. This is a point
OF etiquette that Is seldom IL ever
omitted.
The ball continues until daylight. un-
less there has been very serious
shooting affair and several people kill
ed. The wounding or even the killing
Of one person Is not considered Of suiii-
cient importance TO break up the fes-
tivities OF an event which comes only
once a year" and which the cattlemen
have waited so anxiously 10 participate
in. The corpse Is removed. the blood
washed from the floor and the frontier
revelry continues. II ~ seldom. how
ever. that there are such cmbarrass-
ments. The cowboys are usually n the
majority at these functions, and their
well known desperate character and
disposition act o. leaVen toward
keeping down such diversions lt Is
only when "a discordant element of
miners and teamstcrs appears at these
sncials that the programme is varied
hy an occasional killing.
]. NJ. SCANLAND,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-18
FHERE is a spirit Of change in

+HERE is "A spirit OF change I'm the
air about Manila at the present
time. once more the broilng sun
shine is sleeping the streets and the
rice Hats. rhe city auivers in the
languors of the tropics again. the rains
have ceased to deluge the country and
the wagon roads are slowly but surely
drying up.
Experience has the habit OF making
the strangest things commonplace. In
a very short time the most outlandish
customs lose their picturesqueness The
American soldier has come TO look upon
most OF the strange sights and scenes
i'm this strange land as the merest COM
monplaccs. Yet there is much still in
the Philippines 20 be seen and heard
that Is most interesting; and surprising
In the first place, the renewal of ac-
tivities against Aguinaldo ana his men
has furnished many fresh examples OF
daring, adventure and brayer.' among
both men and officers in our ranks The
roads are now passable for wagons and