davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
ey
ICE uXe5lA.

Wont it look fine when 1 get it done
up in oriental broader" said Mr.. Qui-
nette.
The lady had seated herself on the
old sofa, but she sprang up quickly,
thing in it-living"'
MY dear, you are dreaming
But just then the dream" realized.
Up went the hanging curtain at the
back of the sofa, and out stepped a
trim little rosy checked maiden. The
sun shining on the auburn hair, which
was little tossed over the pure white
forehead. made halo. and Mrs. Qui-
nette thought for moment that it was
too lovely a picture of sweet girlhood
10 be real. Was it Il miracle or a delu-
sion of the senses? Even Mr.. Quinette,
sensible business man that he was,
stood speechless with surprise. Many
strange things he had found in old
sofas-rings and thimbles and coins
and nameless curios-but never before
a live little girl,
AS will be imagined, Marion was not
a little surprised too. Looking into the
strange faces. she perceived that both
We're kindly and instinctively felt that
she was safe.
Il beg your pardon" she said, speak
ing first; but really do not know how
l came here. / was asleep"
You dear little girl"' said Mrs.
Quinette. stroking the shining hair to
assure herself of its reality.
Il wish l had as good title to you
as | have to the Sofa smiled Mr..
Quinette, addressing Marion after n lit
tie more talk and some mutual eX
plantations. Il would give you TO my
wife for Christmas present"
Thank you 1t would he a present
that 1 would like" smiled the lady.
But" she added, perhaps the little
girls relatives are distracted trying to
find her. Cassius. go right back and
tell them that she's safe and ask them
To let her stay with us until after
Christmas. Wouldn't you like to stay,
dearI'
Yes Thank you for inviting me-"
answered Marion She felt a little
thrill at being called dear" Since
mammals death no one had called her
that Marion was enchanted with the
beauty of the place. In the dining
room were birds and flowers and a
sideboard full of glittering things. The
parlor was a marvel of elegance, but
tlR object that interested Marion most
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
LET TIERS TO
SAN 7 A CLAUS.

Each year thousands of children
write letters to Santa Claus and mail
them. In large cities they are handed
to the blind reader who looks after
difficult, fictitious or erroneous ad-
dresses and are then sent to Santa
Claus-at the dead letter Office, Wash
ington. Many children think Santa
lives in New York, some associate the
saint with the north pole and others
think his proper address is in Iceland.
1t was no doubt a freak of childhood
that TO the words north pole" on one
envelope was added Brooklyn" A
New Orleans child addressed his letter
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
CHRISTMAS GREENS.
Decoration of Evergreens and Flow.
ers Is of Pagan Origin.

erS Is OF fosan CriGlh.
The Christmas decorations may have
originated in the Saturnalia or in the
old Teutonic practice of hanging the
interior of dwellings with evergreen
as Il refuge for sylvan spirits from the
inclemency of the winter, but the
Christmas tree is of German origin.
1t is their chief ornament and symbol.
1t is not used for the hanging of gifts,
but it is used entirely as bright orna-
ment, being made to glisten with
lights and tinsel.
1t is kept throughout the IL days of
Christmas and at intervals is lighted
and on New Years eve is lighted for
all night.
The custom of decorating dwellings
ant; churches with evergreen was
known by the Christians to be n rem
nanI of paganiSm and was forbidden
by the council, but it had too strong
hold to be given up.
Even in Boston Justice Samuel Sew
all cried out against it, but it crept to
its place by degrees. Holly and ivy
were favorites in Great Britain, being
regarded as sacred emblems of the
season.
Holly used in churches was kept by
families to insure n lucky year.
The miStletoe was held in so much
veEcration by the pagans that it was
cut with a golden sickle by the prince
of the Druids, with whom it first APP
pears.
The Introduction of flowers to the
tokens of festivity seems to have ex-
iSteG universally and at all times of
history. 1t was a pagan manifesto
zion of rejoicing, and, although forbid
den by the early church and de-
nouDced by the Puritans of New Eng
land, it became general custom.
While obliged to give credit to early
and heather notions for much of the
Christmas which we so fOndly cherish,
We can but remember our own Ben
jamin Franklin for the one motto as
being American, "A good conscience
is continual Observation-Disclosures
Globe.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
YULETlDE GAMES.
SnapdraEon n Diversion Popular In
England.

Little known in this country, snap
dragon is a diversion i'll which in Eng
land young and old participate through
out the Christmas season. Apparently
it is a dangerous pastime. Really it is
harmless, and no one ever suffers an
accident through playing it. Babies of
) or years engage in it with great
glee, in which there is an admixture of
fear, but nerve generally conQuerS,
and once in the game they cannot be
kept out of it.
The requisites of snapdragon are one
or two large platters such as roasts are
served on, some large, fat raisins, n
little brandy or gin, a. match and
darkened room. The platters are ar
ranged thus: If there is but one and
the party is of moderate number. it is
laid in the center of dining table. If
the number of participants is large,
then two platters are laid, one at each
end of the table, or there may be two
small tables, with a platter on each.
Next the raisins are laid over each
platter, singly and at short distances
apart. a small quantity of brandy or
gin is then poured over each platter
and ignited. Put out all the lights in
the room, leaving none but that from
the dancing blue flames in the platters.
Everybody looks weird and feels I'M
canny, and the fun begins. Each par
ticipant "snaps" at a raisin on the dish,
and, hit or miss, the blue flame clings
to the fingers in writhing, forked
tongues, thus providing the dragon"
The raisins are all finally secured, the
flames die out, the lights are turned on,
and the company is ready for another
diversion, unless, as is often the case
there is a call for a repetition Of the
fun just ended.-San Francisco Post
Magazine.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

was the piano. 81 wish 1 could play"
she said.
Il should love to teach you" said
Mrs Quinette, who was a fine perform
er herself.
Meanwhile Mr.. Quinette arrived at
the home of the Croftroads, bringing
his strange piece of intelligence. Yes;
they had missed Marion, but they were
not very uneasy as yet He was
shrewd man, this Mr.. Quinette, almost
as good judge of people as he was of
old furniture, and he had not talked
with the Croftroads very long until he
saw that it would not be hard to per-
suade them to part with Marion alto
gether.
He approached the matter very deli
cately, however; told Mr.. Croftroad
who he was and proved his respecta-
bility and business standing. He told
of his wife's longing for a little girl
and of their long cherished intention to
adopt n child. When he came home,
his face was beaming.
VIII they let Marion stay until after
Christmas asked Mrs. Quinette.
Il think they will let her stay for
good and all OF course nothing is
settled yet. but L believe there will be
no difficulty. So you can have your
Christmas gift. my dear"
"Oh, Cassius, I'm so happy" ex-
claimed Mrs. Quinette.
so am l." answered Cassius.
AS for Marion-but il would require
too much space to tell of what this
fortunate turn of events meant to her.
JANE ELLIS JOY.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Roast Turkey with Chestnuts.

Draw, SINCE, pare, truss and remove
the breastbone the same as for roast
ing. Chop up separately 10 ounces of
kernel of veal and 16 ounces of pigs
leaf lard and then mix together. Sea-
son with salt and spice. adding a lit
tie shalIot and the liver, both well
chopped. To this add also the peel
ings of n dozen medium sized truffies.
Put this into a mortar with gill Of
stock, pound well and place in a sau-
toir to cook for - minutes. Let it cook
and stir in 40 cooked chestnuts and the
dozen peeled truffies. Stuff the turkey
with this preparation and roast, dress
and pour over little good gravy.-Ex-
change.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

admiration for her beautiful home,
but l often wish that there was some
young person in the house to call me
mother
Mrs. Quinette was i'll one of these
wistful states of mind on this particu-
lar December day As she looked out
of the window she could see the peo-
pie on the street carrying home their
Christmas bundles, and she thought to
herself: "Ah. me. if l only had n daugh-
ter, What nice. presents l should buy
for her, And 1 would have a Christ
mas tree for her even if she were
big girl of 16,''
Presently she heard her husbands
step on the stairs. He came into the
parlor smiling. Come down to the
shop, my dear. and see what brought
home. / think l will clear $40 on it,
''Ob. would rather have some one
to spend the money orr sighed Mrs.
Quinette as she followed him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
A FEW MElPFUl ElNTS FOR
TME GOOD HOUSEWIFE.
Copyright, 1899, by Mary Jane Cooked

IIUpNIIgIts
The three great features of Christ
mas day are the tree, the dinner and
the bills. The tree is for the children.
the dinner for the older members OF
the family and the children, and the
bills-the bills are for pa" alone. This
article has nothing to do with the tree.
1t relates solely and exclusively to the
dinner and does not even mention the
bills. They will be looked after in due
time by the butcher grocer and pa
1t is plainly the duty of every good
American citizen to have n bountcous
dinner on Christmas day, with turkey,
cranberry sauce and plum pudding.
The dining room should be carefully
decorated for the occasion with holly,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

to willie Santa Claus, New Yourk,
L." There are no return requests"
placed in the upper left hand corner Of
the envelopes, which goes to show the
sublime faith the children have that
the latter simply cannot fail to reach
Santa Claus. One boy wrote:
Dear Santa Claus-AIy ma told me TO rite to
yo,i- Please bring gun and pair of ruber
boots Ii You can't spare them both, plese III
take the gun. don't mind CT do get my feet
wet JoHS.
Piese, want real gun to shoot rabbits for
dinner You mite bring a red dress. She
locks tired in black
Another little boy wrote the follow
ing:
wish you would kindly send me noars ark
and cornooopa full OF candy; good boy.
4 Philadelphia boy wrote this letter
TO Mr.. Kriss Kingle, Northland, North
Pole
1 am a good little boy and don't get cross so
please send me a railroad track with trolley
by electricity and policeman set and story
book But what would rather have is baby sis
ter than anything else.
For years the dead letter office in
Washington had an annual visitor in
the person of rich old man who
would come a week or two before
Christmas and-get 20 or 80 of the many
letters addressed TO Santa Claus. Hav-
ing made his selection of the more
modest requests, he would buy the
toys and send them to the children as
coming from their patron saint. Christ
mas came last year and went, but no
one called at the dead letter office for
the letters. The old man was dead.
JOHN Il. STRANGE.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

l. WRITER To THE OLDEST SPlNSTER IN
TOWN.
married to him, and, if you are, don't
forget to put elastic in the suspenders.
Don't pretend that you think Christ
mas a nuisance and should be abolish
ed. Just get off the earth yourself.
You never will be missed.
Don't be jealous of others whose
gifts are more numerous and elegant
than your own. They may owe larger
bills than You do
Don't send expensive presents to new
friends and acquaintance unless you
are very wealthy.
Don't take your best girl sleigh rid
ing behind a team of colts that are only
half broken to harness. 4 nine mile
walk through the snow yanks all the
romance out of the affair.
Don't tell yoIr sister that you had
intended to give her n much nicer pres
ent, but had found out that the manu-
facturers could rot get it finished in
time for Christmas. She may have
heard such stories before.
Don't give your wife a 500 seaIskin
on a 81 900 salary.
Don't look box of gift cigars in the
well, in the label.
Don't give your boy drum and then
kick because he is noisy.
Don't idly wish every day were
Christmas because you have had a
good time. One Christmas a year is
more than enough for most people.
LEON MEAD.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
"A VULEITlDE TALE FOB THIE
GIRLS AND BOYS.
Gcopyrigbt. 1889. by Jane Z. Joy.l

Marion's fingers were blue with cold
when she had finished making the
beds. Uncle James house was an old
Fashioned country dwelling without
anything of the nature of Il heater in
it. There was a good fire down stairs
I'm the dining room and one in the
great square kitchen behind it, but u
fire in Il bedroom was Il luxury I'M
known to the CroftrOads unless in
cases of sickness.
Happily none of the Croftroads were
Ill at present. Indeed, to judge by the
rollicking noise the young folks We're
making in the dining room, it was evil
dent that the opposite condition pre-
.yailed TO an almost alarming extent.
AT Stony Greek the school holidays
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

ROAST TURKEY.-Singe and draw the fowl.
wash thoroughly both inside and out, wipe dry
with clean linen towel and then rub the inside
with salt. stuff, up the opening and roast
with a cup of water in moderate oven from one
to four hours. Many persons bind slices Of salt
pork upon the breast before roasting, using
water.
PLUM PUDDING.-The entire success failure
of the pudding depends largely on the packing
and on keeping the water boiling around the pud
ding without stopping for six hours II is neces-
sary TO pack plum pudding firmly possible
in the bowl in which il is to be boiled and to tie
the cover Of cloth tightly II. The cloth will
stretch enough for the slight swelling of the pud
ding, and the water will not get in. A delicious
Christmas pudding is made Of half pound Of
curTants, pound Of sultana raisiDs half pound
of muscatel raisins, stoned and cut into largo
bits. and three each Of candied orange
peel, lemon peel and ctron. Toss this fruit with
a tablespoonful of dried and sfted -four, or better
yet, sift this amount Of hour-no moreover the
fruit. Mix in cup teaspoonful OF powdered
cinnamon, half teaspoonful Of cloves and half a
nutmeg. Chop fine three quarters Of a pound Of
the best beef suet and free it from shreds Sprin-
kle over il liberal tesspoonful of salt and add
the fruit and toss the ingredients thoroughly.
Now add three-quarters Of a pound of bread
crumbs that have been dried and siftcd and
moisten with cup Of boiling milk. At this
stage add half pound Of sugar and sprinkle in
together without separating the whites from the
yolks, eight eggs and add them TO the pudding.
1t should now be stiff that it can be stirred
with difficulty, and the only way is to str il
with your hands you would bread. Add
gill OF brandy and one Of sherry and mix the
pudding thoroughly.
MARY JANE COOKE. |
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
BRINGING IN THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY.


evergreenS and miStletoe, and the chill
dren'S Christmas tree standing in one
corner of the room in all its glory will
materially aid and abet the appetite
and digestion. The following menu
and recipes may aid the housewife in
preparing Il Christmas dinner that will
be worthy of the occasion:
MENU FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER.
Riding upon the goat with snow. white iaair.
the last of all. This crS wn Of mine
Is of the holly. In my hand pear
The Thyrsus, tipped with fragrant OF pine.
-Longfcllow
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

The Christmas carol, with its elevat-
ing and inspiring effects, corresponds
in many ways to the song of praise by
the heathens for Saturn at the festival
Of ancient time.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Blue Point Oysters.

-f ~ Blue Point Oysters. =
80 PoTAGE.
Cream OF Asparagus.
HoRs n'oEUvREs. 4
Olives. English Walnuts. Ghcrkin Pickles.
Salmon.
Potatoes a la Windsor. Sauce Tartarc.
-. ENTREE. -
>tItt., Sweetbreads Larded. rtsi
III " soRBET. 10y
z 80: Punch au Kirsch. sE
S-Nl RoTI. Ia -
Roast of Turkey. -
Cranberry Sauce. Celery Salad. I
ENTREMETs.
String Beans. Potato Croquettes. French Teas.
Cheese Cakes
SWEET ENTREMETs. u
Plum Pudding PAnglaise. Vanilla Ices. I
DESSERT.
Fruit. Coffee. Cakes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-01
FOR EARLY SPRING WEAR
MANY TRIMMINGS TO BE USED ON ALL
COSTUMES FOR HOME AND STREET
INDIVIDUALITY Will. RE THE CHARACTERISTIC
OF THE STYLES WORN NO ONE MODEL


INDIVIDUALITY WILL. RE THE CHARACTERISTIC
OF THE STYLES WORN no ONE MODEL
WILL TAKE THE LEAD.
Indications point to the suppos ton that the dis
tinctve mark Of spring fashions will be elaboration
and Individuality in toilets Of I'll kinds. 40 one
style will prevail. Laces. passomenteries embroid-
cries ribbons and all kinds Of ornamentaton VIII
he used and not only for the bodces but for the
skirts as well In making such dresses the neces-
sity 10 put upon them much handwork will be read
lily seen. Delicate ruchings and tucklngs cannot
be done IN mechani al way. nor can they be put
n place and fastened there by machine There will
be much Insertion ~ trimming. by setting on lace
and appliquos. and cutting away the material, and
all this must be done by hand.
But the tallor-made gown is still to be high In
favor and Will also be more trimmed than former
ly. Some OF the new designs even show two parts
to the suit. each OF different material. For in
stance. a tan broadcloth skirt is made In the new
equestrienne style. with the drapery 81 the back
held down below the waist by strap and buckle
Of steel. The seam on the left front Of the skirt
r. similarly fastened In two ola aces. The skirt Is
small her long and is lined with pink tafreta
The waist to wear with # Is Of shaded pink silk.
hs wing a polka dot OF Gotta and the jacket Is
Of terra Gotta velvet with square revers and col
lar Of the pink silk. a white chiffon bow Is worn
the neck
Many Of the tailor gowns have the look Of driving
suits Some small. with the shoulders
much extended by supporters. and have square
Effect
Other costumes for street wear are combinations
wool and Veivet. A gown Of cloth IN parma
violet shade has tafeta peated as the vest and
sleeves and a gathered trimming OF narrow VoIet
velvet ribbon A gray bengalne is effective WIN
white satin laid in fine pleats Tor M Vesl anu
revers. and the sleeves are made or ace lnser-
lions which are also used on the waist. Inc tront
Of the skirt parts over an underskrt trimmed win
the ace Insertion.
silks Of all kinds except the heavy orocades are
10 b. popular. "Porce ain effects are TO be iouhd
in profusion stripes and figures on light grounds
like decorations on porcelain small checKs are
being shown too .,, 49,,
particularly pretty design in white SIX mas .
small raised cord. which forms my cne,n ~, III
honevcomb way. stu another style i Of paraHel
lines OF cords with a clearinghouse effect on 'a'n
side Loa,,s
White and black dots stripes. plaids and checks
viii be as much in favor as ever. ana the ut'"d''
for silk waists has not diminished
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-01
AN IRISH ROSE.

I will send rose across the sea
All In letter smoothly pressed.
She will take the red. red rose from me
And hide 1t IN her breast.
Her smlles VIII nash. her tears VIII start
AS II she saw her own loved shore
And a Nttle thorn VIII pierce her hedrt
For the pleasant days OF yore'
For the pleasant days and the dear home ways
Her fathers voice her mother .Hhe'
And her eyes will turn with a fAr-oH gaze
To the pensive. low green Isle
For the strangers land IS not the lann.
However fan 81 bc and bright.
W carry the old home IN our narh'
our eyes reflect Us hight
And the rose that grow by the cottage door.
The old home gardens JOY ana price,
SIZE will prize & more and owe IL more
Than & i earth's flowers beside
I will not waste one crimson leaf. .
g. ,,l,,cE ono horn from tho prickly stem;
7, shah bloom I'm an exiles crown Of grlef
ida W Benham IN Youths Companion.
Selected BY Alice =.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-01


CONDITIONS OF CHILD LABOR IN ENG
LAND AND THIS COUNTRY.
At the Society for Political Study. which met
yesterday afternoon at Genealogical Hall No o.
West Fifty-eiehth-st. the paper given pre-
pared by Miss America Phillips The subject was
development OF the Factory system" Miss Phil
lips showed what had been the state Of things in
England. when the weavers could do work in their
own homes. and how the Introduction OF machinery
compelled the workers to submit to factory re-
strsints Bills introduced from time time grad
ualy shortening the hours. described; also the
state Of things in the English factories at the
present time
In the discussion Of the paper which followed
Mrs. Trow Of Yonkers. said that. in spite Of the
amer IAN law which forhds the employment IN
factories of children under thirteen years OF age,
the managers Of factories in Yonkers often be-
sieged with applications from parents who try ~
get their children taken as hands" and swear
their ages are beyond the prohihitory limit al
though II Is evident that the little
MANY years under Il.
Mrs Trow further said that statistics have shown
that h@ow Canal-st s3 per cent OF the fathers Of
farniliee entirely thirk all responsibility Of pro-
vdins Ter their children. and try 10 force them
70 earn for them Ghe fathers to spend since the
law gives the parents the right To take every cent
Of chNd's wages
Miss stephens thought the trouble might he rem
e1ieG 10y paving the adults 50 well that they would
nae no need 70 resort to help furnished by their
children.
Tne Rev PhHb Hanaford spoke OF the factories
a. Lowell Mass. they were fifty years ago,
vher women. who later became noted as social,
political ana literary leaders worked In the facto-
res ard did not find the life so irksOme
Th' way 10 which the girls were cared for and
guarded explained by another speaker. who
showed that such ideal factory life Is not m M
found vice In a century in any country.
Mrs TOW reminded the members that II was
woman who had reused tho English people 10 take
ct~ineent measures to stop the work ~ children
III In ~ 3 h0il q he
NJ afairs also for their mothers. That woman was
EliZl beth Barrett Browning who sent forth her
celebrated The Cry Of the children"