davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

yet the excessive giving so much in vogue
at the present will soon by its own weight ex-
tinguish to some extent this pleasure. If all
would have the courage of their convictions
on this subject and refuse to degenerate the
ancient custom, so fraught with sacred
meaning, into one of exchange and barter,
this danger would soon be overcome.
Even within the confines of the family
circle the true significance of the custom
is too often lost sight of, and the opportunity
the occasion offers is embraced to make some
necessary article of clothing, furniture or the
like do duty for the Christmas gift. This is
a wrong Interpretation of the festival. From
the head of the family down to the tiny tod
der the Christmas gift should be some
thing, no matter how insignificant in itself,
that can be treasured and preserved as
memento of the joyous occasion.
Make the season one of joy supreme. Let
the Christmas spirit permeate everything,
from the vine-wreathed windows, the yule
log on the hearth, the tree laden with love
offerings, down to the specially prepared
dishes.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
SOUR llDKY~& SUPPLEMENT-

sat here while she knitted and he made al
der whistles.
She sat long, but Otto called out from his
little bed and she went to lie by him, then
fell asleep. How long she slept she knew
not.
There was noise in the outer room. She
rose softly and with beating heart stole to
the door.
The tree! The tree! In among the pop
corn and the apples and the gingerbread
dogs were strands of glittering gold and sill
yer, pink candy hearts, oranges, stars, ar
rows, aye, dozen cleaning devices. From
the top bough hung, as flying, wax angel.
About the rough stand were things Rosy
had never seen, save in dreams. A rocking
chair, beautiful cloak, all fur and red
lined. A grand hat with feathers, silk
dress, dull blue and crimson, changing in
the light.
Was she dreaming? But figure crossed
the floor softly, figure that set all doubts at
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
TIE FIRST CHRISTMAS.
The Town of Bethlehem Where the Wise Men
Were Guided bu Mysterious Star.

"The place is Bethlehem, but the Holy
Family are no longer at the inn, in which
there is no room for them, writes Rev.
Armory H. Bradford, ID. d., in the Ladies
Home Journal, of The First Christmas
Present. They are now in house and
by themselves. The dwellings OF the
poorer classes of that land and time were
of primitive simplicity. The walls were Of
stone, often without cement or plaster; the
roofs were of bOughs or poles laid side 10y
side and covered with mud and straw; the
floors were of earth. They contained few
rooms, if, indeed, there were more than one,
and no windows such as are to be found
in modern houses The best of these build
ings were hardly more sumptuous than the
dugOuts of the American prairies or the
crofters' cottages of Scotland and Skye, but
because of the dryness OF the climate they
were not uncomfortable. Neither walls nor
floors were damp. Jesus and Mary were in
such a house, and were as well provided for
as most of the peasant people OF their time
and their means.
THE strangers who appeared N the
streets of that little town were wise men
from the east. They were guided by mys
ferrous star They sought one who was
born king of the Jews When they found
Him, in true oriental fashion they first
bowed their heads to the ground in saluta-
ton and then presented to Him gold, frank
incense and myrrh. The phrase wise men,
or Magi, indicates that they came from
Persia or Arabia; that probably they were
followers of Zoroaster, and therefore that
they were fire.worshipers. That is all that
the Gospels teach us, either directly or by IL
ference concerning them"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

rest. Rush, her husband! With cry she
burst out, her faxen braids hanging, her
eyes shining. She cried in her mother
tongue:
Thou hast come!"
He soothed her with a mist in his own
eyes.
"Did you think / would not come? / had
to go to Lawrenceburg, to the bank. There
was money for me that thought others had
taken from me. See, 1 have made my faith
full little one Christmas. The snow kept
back the wagon, but got here before Christ.
mas day. See, the clock is at II. We will
light these candles and call Otto. He can
sleep tomorrow"
He Lit the candles, still holding his arm
about her. As they went to the bedroom he
laughed again.
81 viii buy your cousins farm for you to-
morrow if you say so. have, after long
disappointments, come to my own. And
have you, truest heart, that welded for love
a tramp. Art happy? IT'S Christmas day"
Chicago Daily News.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM.
Christmas Giving True Significance
Often Lost Sight OF.

There is no more beautiful custom than
the time-honored one of Christmas giving,
when it is observed in the true spirit; that
is, when the gifts are those of love, not of
imagined obligation.
Present giving at Christmas is of heather
origin. During the yuletide season our
heather ancestors were wont to make concil-
iatory offerings to their deities, whose per-
sonal movements and direct interferences on
earth were supposed to be traceable at that
period. Later, when the church Christian
lied the custom, the giving of reciprocal gifts
so beautifully symbolical of Gods great
love gift of Saviour to lost world-was
substituted for the heather observance.
Although to all unselfish souls the de-
light in giving far exceeds that of receiving,
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

Get him to take you to the place and view
the moving spectacle. He will be glad to
have you see it, and it will be source OF
considerable amusement to you. Then, after
YOU have been driven home, you can esti-
mate the cost per plate and the number
fed, and easily ascertain how much you
have saved by not doing the same thing.
This will cast a gentle glow over the re-
mainder of your holiday and help you to en-
Joy what otherwise might be cherries
Christmas.-Life.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

ings and mittens knitted by Rosy's nimble
fingers, and boy doll of wood, skillfully
carved by Rush. 1t was dressed by the little
wife in quaint trousers, blouse and cap.
There were whistles of alder AID pigs blad-
der that gave a delightful squeak. There
were cows horns covered with tissue paper
and destined to hold the candy Rush was to
buy at the village.
"Alas! alas!" sobbed Rosy, there is not
any candy for Otto now, but l have made
these sugared balls from cake dough, and
he will not know"
Shame crept into Karl's heart that he had
not made Otto Christmas gift. He spoke
roughly to hide it.
"You are childish, Rosy. Never before
had Otto such Christmas as now"
"For my man made it; my man made it, "
sobbed Rosy, "and not his blood kin. No,
no, Karl, / know his heart. He will come
home"
Karl went homeward through the storm.
Rosy sat by the stove with her apron over
her head. 1t was bitter. So often had they
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
,sy; "and he will come. He is not un.

Rosy; "and he will come. He is not un-
kind"
Yet she wept while she chopped the tree
with Rush's bright AK. She killed the
chicken set apart for the dinner, she baked
pies and made strange figures of animals
and people out of gingerbread. Snow began
to fall, and still Rush came not.
"You shall return with me-" demanded
her cousin Karl, when he came over the hill
after dark. eve are not cold-hearted. My
mother sent me for you and for Otto. will
carry him safely wrapped up"
you are good" said little Rosy, with
tears, "but when he comes the cabin will be
dark and cold. No, no, Karl, will wait !;
anyhow until the new year."
She set up the little tree and dressed it.
There were bright berries strung, there were
rows of white popcorn, there were long vines
with red leaves carefully dried. There were
the reddest applies, the gingerbread dogs and
cats, boys and girls. There were red stock
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

When Rush came back he looked SO
changed Rosy cried.
Il know not what news comes, Rosy"
said he, "but there are letters for me at the
village / will return"
The night came and the morning, still no
step of Rush on the threshold. Her cousin
Karl came to hear of the letter.
"You will see him no more" he said.
"Our neighbor Halter watched him jump
on the cars. He was tramp, and you have
no husband. He has left you"
But Rosy wept with Otto in her arms and
would not listen.
The next day was Christmas eve. Rosy
and Rush were to make tree for Otto. It
WAS a small evergreen on the hillside.
Il viii cut it and have it ready" thought
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Christmas Advice for a Millionaire.

Although handicapped by your circum-
stances, it is not impossible for you to ex-
tract some comfort from Christmas. One of
the best rules is not to allow yourself to
think about your condition. You would
gladly swap places and stomachs with some
poor devil who has to earn his own living,
but do not dwell upon this. Instead, ascer-
tain the address of some misguided philan-
Christmas dinner to lot of ragamuffins.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
A PhildnthrOpiSt.

'T wisht I he'd money enough ter make
ev'ry poor child in N'York happy ter-mor-
rer," remarked Dusty Rhodes on Christmas
eve.
"Wot would yer do" inquired Bowery
Staggers, as he finished his schooner and
started for the free lunch.
Put it inter government bonds an live
on de interest,"" replied the philanthropic
Dusty Rhodes.-Judge.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
"PedCe on Earth. :"

While merry bells are ringing,
And happy voices singing
Because the blessed Christ-child
Long years ago was born,
Oh, may we all remember,
In the cold and bleak December.
There are many, many children
Unhappy and forlorn.
Let US try to lift their sadness,
Let us fill their hearts with gladress.
And share with them the brightness
OF the joyful Christmas morn.
Youths Companion
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

But count not your day a success if the
Christmas cheer is confined to your own
6reside. Forget not those homes upon
whose hearths no yule log is burning. Alas!
they are all too numerous Seek out such
an one, and transfer to it at least one ray
of the sunshine which gladdens your own
heart and home.-KathariDe E. Mcgee, in
Ladies' World.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
What He Makes.

He was wondering how Santa Claus got
the presents that he gives away.
Papa" he asked, does Santa Claus
make anything
lie does, my boy, he does replied the
father, who had just een,the results Of a
little Christmas shopping. He makes some
men prosperous and he makes others fail"
Then he retired to the library and made
another attempt to balance his cash.-Chi-
cago Post.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Happy Children.

Blessed are the children who can still
hang up their stockings and believe i'm
plicitly that really, truly Santa Claus will
fill them.-Brooklyn Life.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Look to the Future.

It is not wise to have so merry Christ
mas that you cannot have happy New
Year.-Chicago Tribune.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21


the orphan hill girl. They had small cabin,
the rent of which Rush paid by chopping
wood on the steep hillside and carrying it
down to the wagon tracks below. His fire.
wood was had for the cutting, there were
a dozen chickens, two pigs and COW. This
live stock Rosy's aunt had given her be-
cause she was going to take the little yell
low-headed brother with her that had been
such burden to the aunt.
So they dweit together in the two-roomed
cabin, Rush and Rosy and the small boy, who
had not yet worn trousers. Rosy had been
the prettiest of the hill girls, but had no
land, no prospects. She loved Rush Palmer
with unquestioning, unreasoning trust. He
had worked all the summer on farm near.
When he came, from nowhere in particular,
he said, he was thin and white. Now he was
brown and brawny. When he asked little
Rosy to marry him and she said ''I es" with
out question, he had given her curious
look.
your cousin Karl calls me a tramp" he
murmured.
Il care not" laughed Rosy; che is mad;
that's ALL
They were happy, in careless, innocent
way. On Thanksgiving day Rush killed quail
and showed Rosy how to broil them. He
liked TO keep Thanksgiving day, he said. 1t
made him think of the time when he was
boy and had home.
Are they all deads" asked Rosy, from
the stove.
He gave her startled glance.
"Who?"
Your people. There must be some, but
YOU never tell. Me- have my aunt, Karl,
my cousin, and Hilda. Hast thou none?"
None"
Il viii be to you all" she said, with her
mouth on his cheek.
The third day before Christmas there
came halloo from the wagon track.
palmer, Palmer! Halloa, Rush Palmer!
Here's a card from the post office"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

Mrs. Malden-What are you going to give
your husband for Christmas?
Mrs. Automatically, 1 don't know what
to give him. I've been looking through the
house this morning, and l can't think of
a thing we need in the way of furniture or
decoration that is within our means.-Chi-
cago News.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

HEY had been mar
ried only six weeks,
this Rush Palmer,
from nowhere, and
little Rosy Dietrich.
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

were nearing Lost Mans lane, we were
abreast of it, we were-turning into it.
could not repress the exclamation
that escaped me.
where are we going?' / asked.
"To Miss Knollys' house." he found
words to say, shifting his horse again,
but with a sidelong glance at me this
time full of uneasy inquiry
''Do they live ON this road?" said I,
remembering with certain shock Mr..
Gryce's suspicious description of the
two young ladies who with their broth
er inhabited the dilapidated mansion
marked in the map he had shown me.
Certain, was the laconic answer,
and, Obliged to be satisfied with this |
drew myself up with just one longing
look behind me at the cheerful highway
we were so rapidly leaving. A cottage
with an open window, in which "a
child's head could be seen nodding
eagerly toward me, met my eyes and
filled me with quite an odd sense of dis
comfort as | realized that had caught
the attention of one of the little Grip
pies who, according to Mr.. Gryce, al
ways kept watch over this entrance in
to Lost Man 5 lane. Another moment
and the pine branches had shut the vi
sion out, but l did not soon forget that
eager, childish face and pointing hand
marking me out as an intruder if not
possible victim to the horrors of this i'll
reputed lane. But / was aware Of no
secret fiinching from the adventure in.
to which was plunging. On the con-
trary, felt IA strange and fierce delight
in thus being thrust into the very heart
of this mystery which l had only ex-
pected to approach by degrees. The
warning message sent me by Mr.. Gryce
had acquired under it a deeper and
more significant meaning, as did the
looks which had been cast me by the
station master and his gossips ON the
hillside, but in my present mood these
very tokens of the serious nature of my
undertaking only gave an added spur
to my courage. / felt my brain clear
and my heart expand, as il even now
before l had 30 much as set ewes ON tba
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

numbered such portions of the path ms
the weeds had left visible. Az | went
on something in the silonco of the spot
struck mo. Was ! becoming ovorscnsi
tive to impressions or was there some
thing really mCnnny in the absolute
lack Of sound or movement in IA dwell
ing of such dimensions? But | should
not have said movement, for at that in
stnnt | saw u flash in ono of tho upprr
windows Ms Of u curtain being stealth
lily drawn and as stOnlthily lot fall
again and though it rnvo mo the prom.
Use of some sort Of greeting thcro was u
furtiNoncss IN the action that wns NO in
keeping with the suspicious of Mr..
Gryco that | felt my nerves brnccd at
once to mount the half dozen uninVit-
ing looking steps that led To the front
door
But no sooner had done this with
what ann fam to thing was my best
air than | suddenly collapsed with what
must have been movement of sudden
and To me quite comprehensive fear,
for, while do not quail before mon
and have "A reasonable iurtitudc In tho
presence uf most dnugCrs corporal and
moral, | am not quito myself in fnco of
rampant and barking dog II is my
one weakness can divulgo that much
now, and while | usually cam and un.
der most circumstances do, succeed in
hiding any outward manifestation of
my inner tropidatiun | always feel that
1t would be u happy day for me- when
dogs would be lanishCd from tho atlcc
tions and homes of men. Then | think
| would begin To live III good earnest
and perhaps enjoy trips into the country
which now, for all my apparent bravery,
i regard more in tho light of "a pCumnCc
than II pleasure.
Imagine, then, how hard | found it
to retain my self possession or even any
appearance of dignity when at the mo-
mont | was stretching forth my hand
toward the knOctcr OF this inhOspitablc
mansion heard rising from somewhere
l never rightly knew where thn howl of
dog so keen, piercing and prolonged
that ii frightened the very birds over
my head and sent them flying from tho
vines in clouds.
II was the unhappicst kind OF wei
come for me. | did not know whether it
cumo from within or without and when
after moment of indccision saw tho
dcor open | am not sure whether tho
smile | called up to grace the occasion
had any of the real Amelia Buttcrworth
in it, SO much was my mind divided be-
tween desire to produce favorable
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

faces OF these young people recognized
the fact that they were tho victims of q
web of circumstances so tragic and in.
comprchcnsihlo that only woman like
myself would he able to clear them
away and restore these girls to tho con
tidcncc of the people around them,
| forgot that these girls had brother
and that But not word to furCstall
the truth. wish this story to grow up.
ON you just us it did upon mo, and with
just rs little preparation.
The farmer who drove me, and whom
l a(tcrward learned was called Sims.
bury showed u certain doggod interest
iii my behavior that would have amused
mo or at least have awakened my dis.
daln under circumstances of less
thrilling nature. saw his eye roll in u
sort of wonder over my person which
may have been held little moro stitlly
than was necessary and settle finally on
my face with u look | might have
thought complimentary had | had any
thought to bcstuw ON such matters. Not
till we had passed the path branching
up through the woods toward the noun.
tain did he see tit to withdraw IL. nor
did fail to find il fixed again upon mo
rs we rode by the little hut occupied hy
tho old woman considered SO harmless
by Mr.. Gryco,
Perhaps he had reason for this, ~ |
was very much Interested in this hut
and its occupant about which felt FREQ
to cherish my own secret doubts--sO in
trroStod that | cast II u very sharp glano"
and was glad when | caught n glimpse
through the doorway of the old crono' +
bent form and toothlcss jaws mumbling
over II piece of bread she was engaged
Ill eating ns we passed her
Mother Jane, - explained my com
panion, breaking the silence of many
minutes. and yondcr is Miss Knollys ="
he added, lifting his whip and pointing
toward the half concealed facade of u
large and prctcntious dwelling u few
rods farther on down the road. "Sho
will be powerful glad 70 sec you, miss.
Company is scarce in these parts "
Astonished at this sudden launch into
conversation by one whose reserve even
l had found it impossible to penetrate l
gave him the atiable answer he evident
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

tened to say. 'lf were, should not
have come here at all Such matters
don't affect me-. " And spread out my
skirts and arranged myself for my ride
rs IL the horrors he had mentioned had
made no more impression upon mo than
If his chat had been OF the weather.
Perhaps l overdid it, for he looked mt
me for another moment in curious,
lingering way; then he walked off, and
l saw him enter the circle of gossips on
the platform, where he stood shaking
his head as long as we were within
sight.
Before taking his seat my driver cs.
cort gave me furtivc glance as he
stopped to tear from one of tho spoliCs
bit of rag that seemed to have been
caught there. He was evidently prcpar-
ing to make good impression and to
do me suitable honor.
My companion, who was tho shiest
man l ever saw, did not speak word
while descending the hill. | talked and
endeavorcd to make him, too, hut his re-
plies were mere grunts or half syllahlos
which conveyed no information what
ever. AS we cleared the thickct, how
ever, he allowed himself an ejaculation
or two AS he pointed out tho beauties of
the landscape And indeed it was well
worth his admiration and mine had my
mind been free to enjoy it. But the
houses which now began to appear on
either side of the way drew my attcn-
tion from the mountains. We were still
somewhat remote from the town, were
rapidly approaching the head of that
lane of evil fame with whose terrible
history my thoughts were Mt this timo
full. | was so anxious not to pass it
without one look into its grcwsome re-
ocsses that kept my head pcrsistently
burned that way till | felt Twas attract
Ing the attention of my companion. AS
this was not desirable / put on u non
chalant look and began chatting about
what saw. But he had lapscd into his
early silence. and only answered by
snap of his whip at the horse whose jog
trot needed II little urging.
Suddenly l myself grew still. The
houses were growing fewer on the left
hand side of the way, and saw beyond
the dark boughs of a nine thickct. We
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

ly expected and then looked eagerly to-
ward the house II was as Mr.. Gryce
had intimatcd, eminently forbidding
even at that distance, and AS we ap-
preached nearer and was given full
view OF its worn and discolored front
felt myself forced to acknowledge that
never in my life had my eyes fallen
upon habitation more given over to
neglect or less promising in its hospital
ity.
Had it not been for the thin circle Of
smoke eddying up from one of its bro
ken chimneys l should have looked up
on the place as one which had not
known the care or presence of man for
years There was "A riot of shrubbery in
the yard, lack Of the commonest at
tention to order in the way the vines
dropped IN tangled masses over the very
face OF the desolate porch that gave to
the broken pilasters and decayed win
dow frames Of this dreariest of facades
that look OF abandonment which only
becomes picturesque when nature has
usurped the prerogatiye of man and
taken entirely to herself the empty
""iAo anu io'iihS VI "iIaI
was once Il human dweliing. That any
one should be living in it now and that
l, who have never been able to see
chair standing crooked or curtain
awry without a sensation Of the keenest
discomfort, should be on the point Of
deliberately entering it's doors as an in
mate filled me at the moment with
such sense Of unreality that descend
ed from the carriage III sort of
dream and was making my way through
one of the gaps in the high antique
fence that separated the yard from the
gateway when Mr.. Simsbury stopped
me and pointed ont the gate.
l did not think il worth while TO
apologize, for the broken palings GER
tainly offered as good AN entrance as
the gate, which had slipped from its
hinges and hung bat few inches open
But / took the course he indicated, hold
ing up my skirts as well as my pack
ages would allow and treading gingerly
for fear Of the snails and toads that In
The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-09-21

TO be Continuod Noxt Wook.