davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

producing a bright, fresh. new plank
with every journey Of the carriage.
THAT night slept with two OF the
dcacon's boys and in n trundle bed for
the first ar last time Of my life. We
boys talked about what we should
find In our stockings till late In the
night.
"Examination Of the stockings in the
morning, riding down hill and out ON
the Ice Of the deacon's frozen mill
pond, snowballing and other incidents
made Christmas morning pass fast
enough, l assure you. And after that
came the Christmas dinner!
"All the deacon's mill hands and
some Of his neighbors partook OF that
dinner. There were two big t.AS1les and
one little one. We boys and some llttio
girls sat Mt the little one, and there
were more folks ut all three than I
had ever before seen together any.
where except at meeting.
"The main dish of that dinner was
chicken. There were enough wish
bones for all the children to wish two
or three times over. and the fun every
body had was immeasurably satisfy
ing, even if the manners Of every one
present were homely and the talk moro
hearty and wholesome than graceful
and clever.
"When 1t came my turn to wish,
Darwin Mallory. the deacon's 21-year-
old son, told me what to wish-'That
Sarah may say yes.' he whispered In
my ear. Sarah Wilson was the pret-
tiest young woman in the room. and
liked her lot. Later told her what
Darwin had whispered In my ear. and
| I couldn't understand why she flushed
so vividiy. But she seemed pleased
because / gave her the long end OF my
wishbone, for I had got my wish,' and
one day in the following June was
present when my father pronounced
Darwin and Sarah man and wife.
Then l was told what my wish had
meant.
'Bless mer said the banker. "I'vs
let my cigar go out"
OSBORN SPENCER.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

80 mighty close to one mother, them
two. Wharever you see or hear the
one you're mighty apt to see and heat
the other"
Bound to be that away. Tenncs-
said. But hark! What's that? Some
fellow must he shootin his Christmas
guns early"
"Them amt Christmas guns. They're
too close together" the squire said,
walking to II window, open I'm spite Of
the rain. Besides. they ain't comm
right. They sound up towards Ken
tucky."
Il bet It's runaway couple" Jim
Wilson cried. dashing out upon the
piazza, with the crowd pellmcll at his
heels. 81 hear horses and wheels and
folks hollcrin" he shouted back over
his shoulder as he darted down the
steps. Tennessee was close behind
him. so close that the darkness swal-
lowed them at the same instant. All
| the rest could hear now out upon the
big road a confused and strengthening
medley-shouts, cries, curses. gallop
ing hoofs, whirring wheels, sharpk
| punctuated now and again by a dr9
ping shot.
"Runaways! They're comm in! Ha fr
'em! They're through the gate! Here.
squire! Get on the bottom step. with
| your lantern ready! You'll have to do
a quick job this time. sure!' Tom Tur-
; ner cried, shouldering the people aside
and setting the little squire in the
! forefront Of them. Hc was scarcely
! steady upon his feet when horsemn n
| upon painting and foam covered beast
! dashed into the clair obscure Of the
J lantern light, crying out: Fetch the
| squire! Quick! He knows me-George
! Perdue! Here's the license. squire.
Fellow know-stole his gal-old
mans right behind-got n Winchester
and the sheriff. Tie 'em quick as you
can Thar nin't minute to lose. Its
all right. l tell you! Thar they come
that couple in the buggy ahead"
The squire seemed to swell, to stand
an inch taller He could hear above
the lahorcd painting of the two horses
which drew the buggy the noise Of 9th.
er horses c,ming as fUriouSly, cries and
curses. too and III, crack Of Il III O.
the sharp vr"Nrt berg ldpd by lu :"
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

good lookin and mighty fine house
keeper" Jim Wilson said soothingly.
"You couldn't have n better, squire.
can't hardly blame Tennessee. A big
house is mighty lonesome with no wo-
man In it. I'll bet money you won't
blame him, neither. time she's been
thar year"
"Ill bet the house and farm she don't
ever come thar. not while my head Is
hot" the squire roarcd.
"Ill take the bet. She'll come and
for your askin," voice said from
the door. Tennessee stood there laugh
Ing heartily. He was n big fellow, as
tall and well musclcd as his father
was slight and withercd. yet the pair
we're curiously alike. They had the
same obstinate ch!nS, the same bright
dark eyes. exactly the same level look
Tennessee made q dash ut his father.
caught him under the arms and drew
him TO his feet. saying as the squire
fumrd and wrilhcd in his hold: PA.
you aiu't nigh rs mad as you think
Anyway, les stop quarrelin till after
Christmas. It's jest two weeks Off
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

glancing glare. Steadying himself on
Tom Turner's shoulder. he said I'm his
loudest. most official voice to the pair
hidden in the buggy's cavernous re-
cess:
do you aud each of you solemnly
agree and covenant before Almighty
God and these witnesses to take and
keep each other for better or for
worse?'
"We do" came I'm smothered tones
from the cloplng pair.
'Then, by virtue Of the authority In
ME vested. | pronounce you man and
wife" the squire shouted. making n
dart at the buggy and Ginging back
the robe. Come In. come In, you
young people," he said. leave me to
talk to the old man."
you'll have to. pa. It's you he's
mostly mad with" Tennessee said,
springing out and handing down his
bride. n tall. pretty girl, mud splashed.
dlsheveled and smiling through her
tears.
The squire, after one long. gasping
stare. was fully himself at is my
custom and privilege to-ahem!-kiss
the bride In .uch cases." he said, press
Ing his lips to her forehead; then to
his son. "Take her inside. young man.
1 don't forget you won the farm In
winnin her"
mo. you don't take her inside" some
one cried from ten yards down the
drive q second after. Old Man Milan
had flung himself Off his horse and
was trying to lay hands upon his
daughter.
Squire Jordan stepped in front Of the
angry man. II reckon our old grudge
is settled for us, Henry" he said, hold
ing out his hand. Say, amt you
ridin tonight some Of that same old
skewbald stock?"
Old Man Milan nodded. He could
not trust himself to speak.
"And 1t was beat in this runaway
race by my same Blackhawk blood.
I oughtcr "a known that was Ten
nessce's span," the squire went on
judicially; then, with whimsical
chuckle. "Hcnry. don't 1t strike you
we've been couple Of fools?'
'It does look sorter that way" Old
Man Milan said. and then and there
the pair shook hands. and n feud ended
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

size rcd stockings. They contained q
simple gift of some kind for every girl
present. either a thimble. letter opener
pearl handled knife or a stickpin. Bp
tween red candles burning under red
shades low glass vases held two OF
more carnations. placed at diagonal
corners. wrcathed in smilax. Large,
sparkling cut glass bowls were piled
with fruit and flowers. and In nests OF
green spun sugar baskets resembling
stockings were filed with bonbons OF
salted nuts.
Later, after the delightful repast,
the girls gathered In the parlor and
had q darning contest They were
given needles. dornIDg cotton and
stockings with holes cut In them and
told that they could have Is minutes
to show their skill In darning. When
the time was up. vote was taken
to see who merited the prize. the lucky
young woman receiving n beautiful
calendar. For the knitter who did the
poorest work there was photograph
of q stocking with big hole In the
heel and a man gazing at 1t with up
lifted hands. plainly showing his dis
gust at the sight.
The guessing game was extremely
amusing. A grotesque looking stock.
ing. stuffed full and immense in size,
was laid upon the table. and the guests
were Informed that they were to tell
what was inside by merely feeling ut
It. Each one was given n sheet Of pa.
per and pencil and was allowed Is min.
70 %,
the most correct list was the stocking
and contents. and as the stocking was
full Of comical toys OF all kinds the
opening of II caused peals Of laughter
RUTH VIRGINIA SAcKRrr.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

Il COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SHE FLUsH-
ED SO vIvIDLY."
thawed out, and by the time we reach.
ed the deacon's we were all In fairly
comfortable shape again.
"Our stay at the deacon's made quite
as great IN impression on my memory
as the Journey there. The deacon
owned n sawmill and did a general
numbering businessmen one of the
great steam mills. with circle saws, OF
later years, but primitive mill, with
upright saws. operated with an old
fashioned undcrshot water wheel. |
spent the afternoon In the mill watch.
inG the logs rs they were fcd to I'll.
rasping saw, which slowly. though
steadily. ate its way from end to end,
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

ritory, yet abuts upon Kentucky. 1t Is
knot, OF course, down on any maps not
even the local ones. To be exact it's
, netcs and bounds are known accurate
ly only by outland folk. who. say those
OF Tiger Tail. live In such Ill condi-
toned regions as Possur hollow.
Wildcat, Texas and the Cooney range.
Still the Tiger Tailcrs do not quite
deny that Tiger Tail exists. They are
nobulous only as to Its whereabouts.
"Howdy, squire? Want to play2
Take my hand" Jim Wilson, the store
Keeper. said, making rs IL to rise from
the table. The other three players
laughed uproariously. Hes n beauty
boy; that's what Jimmy is one Of
them said. Hes just nine under the
table, squire. or course he wants to
be polite"
! The squire laughed. "lll play and
pay II l lose out. Jimmy" he said.
but ef beat them rascals over thar
you must do me little small favor"
: Anything you say, squire" jim
eaid, handing over the cards. The
squire chuckled, but masked 1t with n
scowi rs he answered.: Better not
promise too brush, son. What want
you can do.it?"
"Why, that Is Sortcr juDouS.' jim
responded. The others let fall their
cards, looking Significantly one NJ the
other. Tom Turner. the snuire's part
still purs!ng his lips
$50 suppose Tenncssces mind is
set on M!lam's gal"
The squire nodded. "And mine as set
that he shan't have her l rcckoped
I'd find that gentleman here and come
just a-purpose TO give him the word
with the bark on It,"
Il always said that boyd give you
trouble ever seuce you went aud give
him that jographS name" m oldish
.nrilly.
The squire. looked mt him and
ehuckled again. 1T had 10 he Biography
or 'rithmetlc," he said "Rlamc
your skin. Bill Jordan. you know that
as well rs me. Seben brothers OF us
all in one poor neighborhood. and the
last one Of us too lazy to move out
would put old man Solomon to his
trumps for names didn't start as
Boon as the rest Of you neither. Time
begun to raise family you had dou
blcd and tribbled on all tho handy
Scripcher names"
Don't you reckon this Is sorter n
judgment on you. squire? Remember
how many runaway couples you We
married. another OF the cinch play
ers began.
The squire silenced him with look
"Do you think I'm goin to belittle my
office by not Goin wlatI was 'lccted To
def" he asked severely. IL have mar
ried runaways-oh. yes. twenty -sebrn
couple-but every last one Of 'em come
from Kentucky. Up thar they have to
have written consents from the par.
ents before they can git license. Is
At my fault that I happen to live OH
che straight road from Kentucky to
Bellsboro? or course mines n handy
place to them young folks All they
got to do is to have the liccuse wait!n
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

ly," he said slowly, as If gathering his
memories together. after lighting Il
big fat cigar. 'was passed Mt the home
of old Deacon Mallory. was or z
years old. and by the same token 1t
must have been 40 years or more ago.
"You must know that l was coun-
try minister's son. My fathers charge
included n wooden meeting house.
built on the Greek temple pattern. and
half n dozen little red schoolhouses
perched ON the steep hillsides and nes-
tling in the deep valleys of one Of the
most northeasterly counties Of Penn
sylvania. All through that region the
pater was known as the elder and the
dcacCns of the church organizations to
which he miniStered took turns enter
tanning the elder and his family on
Christmas. AS rule. our Christmas
visits included Christmas eve and two
or three days thereafter, and SO 1t was
this time.
Deacon Mallory lived ten good miles
away from the story and half brown
house that stood in the edge Of tre-
mcndous big piece of pine and hem
lock timber where we lived, and. there
being two feet Of snow on the ground,
we had to cover the ten miles In n cut.
ter hauled by Crookfoot, as my father
called the ungainly looking young
horse lie drove in making his widely
scattered pastoral calls. The day be-
foie Christmas was clear and sun
shiny, but bitter cold, that year, and
shall never forget the ride to the dea
cons.
AT first our road was on the lee side
Of great tree crowned ridge. Shelter
ed, as we then were, from the bitil. Q
wind. we scarcely realized how low the
temperature was, and, the path being
well packed, Crookfoot took us over
the snow at lively clip. the bells jim.
CLING merrily with every step. Here
and there the road passed through deep
cuts In the drifts between pure white
friSid walls Of snow, sometimes eight
and ten feet high. These walls had
been inscribed with many curious In.
scriptions and rude pictures, which In
terested me very much as we drove
along. though ! had never heard n
word Of the newly named science of
gratiitology.
81 was intently studying some Of
'hN b'N'uiSo uuu iuScElptiOLS WnGQ my
father told me to look ahead and then
get ready for what l saw coming. AS
he spoke he pointed to the brow Of the
hill up which we were driving. There
| saw the snow drifting In a fine,
white, sandllke state.
The wind Is blowing up there.
sonny. and 1t won't be as pleasant
when we get to the top as 1t Is by any
means. Wrap your comforter close
about your ears, my boy, or they'll be
frozen sure
by the time was ready for the
drifting snow we were In the midst of
1t. and for the next three-quarters of
all hour we oil. including Crookfoot,
had plenty to do to keep the breath of
life ngoing. The snow was drifting
wildly. and Of the track. SO well beat.
en- In the sheltered part Of the road.
not vestige was to be seen BY the
time we had got over the broad back
or the hill and down into the valley In
which the deacon's house was situated
the human beings In the party were
more than half frozen. while Crook.
foot was nearly exhausted. Once I'm the
shelter again, however, we quickly
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

ITO TAKE AND KEEP EACH OTHER FOR BET
TER Ol! WORSE
l want Il big party Christmas eve.
You've always promised me l might
have ii when come 81"
so lave. but you don't deserve IT..
you young rascal" the squire said.
"rromisc me what ask, and you may
IhPa1,y hays party as long as Christmas,
till old Christmas If you want to-"
You mean about marryin Betty ~
Tennessee asked airily. I'm just
bound TO do that, Marse Squire, but
III promise ths-I won't never do 1t
unless you are thar to see and willin II
should be done"
"Hurrah. You're givn yourself q
long time TO wait, SIR" the squire said
eagerly. then beginning to cut Il pigeon
wing in his JOY. Now get about your
party. sir Well make II n rouser, the
biggest thing that ever come off in Ii
ger Tail"
Notwithstanding Christmas eve fell
rainy ana dark as the proverbial stack
of black cats, everybody came to Ten.
neSscc'S party. The Jordan house was
big and square, with tall outside Chin
ueys and n makeshift gravel drive
leading in semicircularly from the two
gates upon the big road a hundred
yards away. For the party both gates
were set open. Everybody rode or
drove. even the nearest neiShbors. Peo.
pie began coming at dark and kept
coming until o'clock.
Even before supper playing began
with great spirit. There was a room
given up TO it indeed, since not q few
Of the company had religious scruples
against even reel BY and by. when
the tables were cleared. there would be
dancing.
Tennessee was the life of every
thing. His father eyed him as he went
about smiling. shaking hands, setting
every one ut lively ease. seeing to ev-
erythiug and seeming to make friendly
service pleasure, with ever growing
pride There were no hostesses.
1--WE can't ask one Of our kin women
TO help without maddng all the rest"
the squire had said to Tennessee.
Stll the supper was miraculous
Black Peggy rose to the opportunity
Of her life. You g'wan way. Marse
squire. lraDe QlS Sere ter me and
Tennessee" she had said.
The result was n table shaped like
the letter II. draped in white. garlanded
with evergreenS. lighted with many
candles and showing all down the mid.
die row OF big iced cakes, brave in
holly and cut paper trimmings. BE.
sides all THAT pile Of cut cake. mt least
n dozen sorts. there were nuts. candles.
fruit in pyramids. big bowls Of wine
jelly. other bowls Of ambrosia, and
all merely as supplement to hot oys.
ters. roast turkey, roast pig. steaming
coffee and beaten biscuit.
"Sny. squire. no wonder you amt
keen after housekeeper," Tom Tur.
ner said as he took his third help OF
roast pig.
Jim Wilson at his elbow nudged him
sharply. saying In n stage whisper.
"Ain't you got sense enough to know
squire and Tennessee amt namln that
subject no more until New Year'sT
81 oughter "A knowed. never
thought" Tom said
The squire had walked away with
ont answering. Jim looked after hin,
and said: "Ifs plumb shame he won't
he riconcilcd to Betty Milan. bui
worse ] believe for him and Tenncs
see TO git at cross and pile. They're
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

HEY were tell
ing one another
u b ut firs t
Christm a s e 8,
and the portly.
prosperous bank
CT look ID up
with n preoccu-
pied air when
some one asked
Ii m for b ] )
story.
d" T he firs t
Christmas that i
remember clear
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

"r WANT BIG PARTY CHRISTMAS EVE
for 'em, and they're married hard AID
fast, as well as u preacher could 40 t
Of do say II myself time they've fr'i
half an noIr on Tennessee dirt"
''SposIn your TcDccssee should g..
away" tEr sQui-e's np.'i"r lcCLH
"Where'd he ran 'r%' -" TI'.r ,
terrupted po!r;eily - lar 10 ~.
Milan about IS SlJ - -" Or -
match. That's onc :u'ng a.iErS "a
10 mad. Tlink;u Of tia, 60 h.r"''
,mIghty nigh AZ H!pgn - i Hp".', ,':i!'
he Is DARN tn ohjrti 70 '.ii ~, .'
iryin a Jordan"
~ always told y,l' .ar w"S IN ..
quarter racin You ar' cih n,'n !:...
iquarreled over il % y"1"> i"'i
Ham Jordan said Wc,.ii1I!,C.y
! The squire SnOrtcG = hit "IEr h,.
me SO on that skcwDail of his. an !
then claimed he'd won because my
saddle turned" lie said THAT shows
the pizen nleanness Of the breed"
:, well. Betty can't help that She's
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

HE c!nch play
ers In the back
room Of the store
looked up from
their hands as
Squire J or d a n
came in. No 9TH
or resident Of
Tiger Tail could
have distracted
them to that de-
gree. Tiger Tail
Is Tennessee ter
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

DIluS uilu every.
thing on the bill Of fare" But the
reader must remember that the follow
Ing fcasts have been planned for the
day which comes but once q year and
that there is limit to human capacity
for assimilation. Surely the best
things In all Of the lists. II there DO
any degrees In goodness. should salts
~ the most exacting gormand.
MENU FOR CHRISTMAS DAY-l.
what neat repast shall feast US, light and cioica
VI A'tic TASTE with wine. whence may rise
10 hear the Lutte we'll touched or srtfui voice
Harble Immortal notes and Tuscan airf
John Milton.
DINNER I
PorAoE.
Cream OF Spinach.
HoRs DoEUvRks :.
oardines Tunny Herrings. Gherhdns ficklsl
Walnuta
ESTREE.
Mutton Outlets. Dreaded. With chsess. Il
Potato Croquettea ]
Roast Goose. Apple seuce.
Laitues 10 Creme Sweet Potatoes, Fried.
Lemon Punch. 4
GAME ::tT
Wild Duck q In Portugaise. :. -,
Green Peas a la Franchise. Salad. :.:}
Branded Fruit. Ice Cream
Roquefort Cheese. Coffee. Biscuita
DUCK A LA PoRTUGAISE.-Take q Wild duck.
chop the heart. liver and gizzard very ans with
three shallots. pepper and salt literally; add Q
lump OF fresh butter. knead the whole well Wtth
FORK and stun Il into the carcass; cut the daeats
neck. reserving . piece OF skin to sow up ths
aperture. pack In the pope's nose and sev up
likewise; then roll the duck In q cloth and tie fk
round and round with q string; then plunge ft
INTO boiling salt water and cook IS minutes; re-
move the cloth and serve on hot dish With Q
garnish Of lemon.-Ancient Recipe. &.
MENU FOR CHRISTMAS DAY-II.
] celebrate the birth Of the Divine
And the return Of the Saturnian yeiRn;
ny songs are carols sung ut every shrine, :
''Ssi.ii"ihs Fsscs ca e2Tsh, soos @in -
men,"
-Loass.l,e~. !
DINNER. Z
Consomme Printannier. : e..
Celery Caviare. Radishea ;M J
Fried Smelts aux Fine Herbe :'i
Supreme Of Partrdecs. STe
French Peas with Fresh Butter. I'D
Rum Punch. -
Roast Canyasback Ducks. Currans jelly. I
Lettuce salad with Egg. <
Cream Cheese. !
SWEETS. /
Plum Pudding in Burning Brandy !
DEssRRT
Fruits Donbona CoNes.
FRENCH SWEET DESSERT.-A French sweet
dessert for Christmas 10 the iced fruit pudding
seed Quarter OF pound Of Malaga raisins and lay
them In stone Jar with q cup Of good sherry,
add four ounces Of candied cherries cut In half.
two ounces Of candied apricots cut IN coarse bite
and one ounce OF candied citron chopped nns
Let this candied fruit stand In the sherry for n
hours At the end OF this time make one quart
OF Ice cream. using pint Of rich milk mixsA
with the yolks OF four eggs and one large cup %
sugar. Heat this custard over the hrs for fvs
minutes stirring Il constantly, then add one vass
OF cream and fressA
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22
a. (M.AAs
~ k9aMENUS
GT

The average mortal
on looking over n COL
lection Of Xmas me-
nus has a feliow feel
Ing with the hungry
traveller who went In
to n restaurant and
told the waiter to
lcinn him stouorn.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-22

81: ss s9E1s
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-09
Current Comment.


From the Kansas City Times.
Mr.. Mcliinley's ambition to succeed
himself to the presidency gives Ohio re-
publican leaders conspicuous s. aiding
in the national party. Senator Hanna is
Mr.. Mcknley's authorized MANAGE But
in Ohio Mr.. Hanna certainly has lost
much of his hold upon the machinery Of
his party and the fight to eliminate him
entirely from the top shelf of authority
is likely to grow more vigorous as the
campaign for national convention dee
gates approaches. Undoubtedly Mr.
Hanna has overreached himself but now
deeply the war upon himself may involve
Mr.. Mckinley remains to be seen. Ealees
signs and insinuations go for nothing.
Mr.. Mckinley will not escape the bullets
OF hatred that are being shot at his man
ager