davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
Its True Promptings Would Make the Dap
the Brightest and Best in the Year.

>S OssSNeSS> sA>> OSSs - sAS . S~~s'
1t is the day of all the year best and
dearest among the time marks of our recur
ring calendar. 1t is the day for peace and
harmony in every heart and at every
hearthstone. We celebrate Gods chiefest
gift to man and discordant thoughts or con-
tentions have no place at the joyous fes-
tival. All should ring clear and true and
sweet as the Yuletime chimes.
The spirit of Christmas is that of Him
whose birth it commentaries. 1t softens
evil, sorrow and hopelessness with the magic
touch of charity, for in charity is the en-
bodiment of all the Christian graces. 1t
gives to goodness brighter luster and to re-
solve nobler purpose. 1t is a spirit born
in every heart that can know its inspiration,
without regard to creed or race or station.
Of all the days to which man has given
special observance, Christmas alone has
grown in its power, its beauty and its value.
1t has been stripped of the grandly devised
liturgy and dramatic representations that
had their root in heather customs dispelled
by the true Christian spirit, but the change
has been one of publication and marks be-
yond cavil clearer conception of the sub
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
WISHES HE TOLD THE TRUTH.
Smiths Trouble Began When He Sold His
Christmas Present.

tlC SOi0
Christmas Present.
at pays to be truthful" said Smith, as he
picked up a cheap cigar after looking long
ingly at the expensive brand he usually
smokes.
''Some time before Christmas CHANGED
to remark to my wife that needed a new
overcoat, but that l thought would try
and get through the winter with my old
one, as matters were pretty close with me,
and couldn't afford it.
Christmas day, most to my surprise and
CONSERVATION, my wife presented me with
handsome silklined overcoat that | saw at
glance didn't cost less than $50. However,
had to grin and bear it and try and figure
out some way to pay forit.
Zone day CHANGED to meet Jones on the
street, and as he was admiring the overcoat
an inspiration flashed over me.
Zones is about my build, and, as he need
ed an overcoat, / asked him what he would
give me for mine. He said sos, and ac-
copied the offer so quick that it made Jones
gasp.
Il figured it out this way: By accepting
sos for the coat | could manage to raise the
other S25 and thus get out of a situation that
was keeping me awake nights.
Il had to tell my wife some sort Of
fairy tale, so | went home that night with
long face and story about sneak thief
having stolen the overcoat out of my office
while / CHANGED to be away. felt like
sneak thief myself when my wife burst into
tears But ! burnt the bridges behind me,
SO | had TO carry out my part.
MY wife, while down town one day,
CHANGED to run across Jones wearing the
overcoat. She recognized it at once, and,
calling policeman, had Jones arrested.
There was nothing now for me to do but
to confess the whole thing and get Jones re-
leased from behind the bars. The result was
that had a bad hour with my wife and a
two-days' struggle with Jones to talk him
out of suing me for damages.
But the worst remains to be told. My
wife had bought the overcoat from funds
that her father had sent her.
Il never want TO see another Christmas
again! / never want to see Jones again! L
wouldn't mind if l didn't see my wife again
until it was warm enough for summer cloth
Philadelphia Inquirer.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.
Gift Making One OF the Moss Gracious
Features Of the Season.

Gilt EIdklnJ one CT TIE Eic-t OldCICGS
Features Of the Season.
"Gift-making IS ore Of the most gracious
features Of Christmas, ald UHt that ! pray
may survive ali other out grown customs,
writes Florence Hull WiutoC5urn, IN the
Woman's Home Companion. ~ hen love
and sympathy are close cCunselOrs there IS
little fear that we shall make the mistake
of leaving out OF our little ones stocking the
particular thing ne has set his heart upon
getting. And ii his choice is beyond Us 10
crafty, let us come as near to Il as we can,
and not convert this season into sort OF
convenience for ourselves, thrustlng upon
his reluctant acceptance such pr0salc artl-
cles as shoes, hats and other essentials OF the
toilet. Far prettier is the German custom
of bestowing gaudy trities that have no use
in themselves, but are part OF the glitter and
fashion of the holiday. When 1t Is possible
nothing is so good TO have as the traditional
Christmas tree. In after years memory
hangs upon it fondly, and We bless N our
hearts the kind hands that took 50 much
trouble to give US pleasure.
Then the stocking hung up on Christmas
eve has romance all its own. The break
fast table dressed with holly-berries and
gifts piled under snowy napkins Is a graceful
CUSTOM, anu Is ulCtI lIllll blullI
ing out of our gifts. Some trouble should
be taken to create the welcome element OF
surprise. We all like it, but it is one OF the
greatest delights in a child's experience. He
finds out before we would choose TO have
him that what is looked forward TO most
eagerly seldom turns out well. IL IS sad
philosophy, yet true, that it is dangerous TO
set ones heart on anything in this world.
But the love that hides its intention until
the hour of fultillment, and then lets out its
secret in an outburst of generosity, i TIE
best substitute that is ever offered for the
special Providence-Santa Claus, and all
other gracious myths.
AN example of generosity IS seldom lost
upon children if it is true, not artificial.
They are very willing to live up to their lit
tie knowledge, if We allow them the chance.
and part of our duty to the day is to en-
courage in our young people the same kind
illness we cultivate in ourselves. 1t Is so
much easier to learn in youth to be genial,
sympathetic and generous than it is after
embittering experiences have hardened our
hearts"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
portions of this q

ham and in Denmark portions of this gi-
gantic sweet appear every Christmas day.
The Christmas dinner is served in the huge
Indian dining-room, which presents bril-
liant appearance. Gold plate is used and
CLEANS from table and sideboard-a yule
log in the fireplace blazes brightly, and the
large party of relatives who have been asked
to share the Christmas dinner includes many
of the younger members of the royal fam
lily who on other days of the year are in bed
at the dinner time of the grown-ups. There,
fore they especially enjoy the OCCASION
Chicago Daily News.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Jest Fore Christmas.

For Christmas, with its lots and lots of
candies, cakes and toys,
Was made. they say. for proper kids. an
not for naughty boys:
So wash your face an brush your hair, and
mind your p's and q's.
And don't bust out yer pantaloons. and
don't wear out your shoes;
Say "Yessum' to the ladies, an "Yessur'
to the men,
An when they's company. don't pass
your plate for pie again:
But thinkin' of the things yer'd like to see
upon that tree,
Jest fore Christmas be as good as yer
kin be!
Eugene Field,
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

child, the New Years day with its good res
olutions and big promises and renewed en-
ergies, come around, there are those who
say: "Let US have done with these trite
occurrences" But, if ever there was any,
thing in the old festival season, it is there
still. There are new generations who find
no staleness in the antique, but to whom
the same regenerative stimulus comes in
the anniversary time. We lived because
those who went before us helped us to live;
let us be like help to those who are BIOS
soming into younger life.-S. S. Times.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Christmas at the English Court.

There is one custom always gone through
with Christmas eve at the English court
the appearance of the great baron of beef.
This is cooked at Windsor, for the kitchen
at Osborne will not accommodate it. Also
there comes a big woodcock pie, boar's
head and the queens plum pudding. This
pudding is giant, for after part of it has
been sent to the queen for her Christmas
dinner, enough is left to furnish dessert for
all the queens near relatives-and at the
Russian court, in Roumania, at Sandring-
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Keeping the Anniversary.

Age disowns novelty. 1t is true that. the
more wise man learns, the less he finds
that he knows. Yet it is also true that, the
older we grow, the more we see the world
repeating itself. In new music we hear
strains that remind us of old melodies; the
preachers illustrations, the poets SMILES,
the novelist's plots, all remind us of some
thing gone before, and seem like revamp-
ing of old stories. And so when the Christ
mas anniversary with its tales of the Christ.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
She Knew Him.

Tom-Did you give Miss Gotrox Christ
mas present?
Jack-I tried to. Offered her myself, you
know.
Tom-And she refused you?
Jack-I suppose that's what it amounts to-
She said she didn't believe it was right for
girl to accept very costly gifts-Brooklyn
Life.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

Christmas is the festival of motherhood.
1t calls our thoughts back to our own be-
ginning-to her who gave us birth-to her
to whom above every other human being we
owe all that we are for good-all that we
might have been and are not. We recall
her gentleness and patience with usher
aspirations and prayer for us. We plan and
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
A Profitable Combination.

Talk about luck! That man Denslow has
it in triple plated chunks,
"How do you figure it out?'
''Why, his wife was born on Christmas,
and Christmas is also the anniversary of
their marriage. You see, the rest of the
year ,is pure velvet for him. Cleveland
Leader
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

We're sometimes nigh dead-broke:
But once a year. at Christmas-time.
Our hearth is bright to see;
The baby's hand just touches heaven
When Daddy lights the tree.
For weeks and weeks the little ones
Have lotted on this hour:
And mother, she has planned for il
Since summers sun and shower.
With here a nickel. there dime.
Put by where none should see.
A loving hoard against the night
When Daddy lights the tree.
The tiny tapers glow like stars;
They mind us Of the flame
That rifted once the steel-blue sky
The morn the Christ-child came:
The blessed angels sang to earth
Above that far countree-
We think they sing above our hearth
When Daddy lights the tree.
The west kid in mothers arms
Laughs out and claps her hands,
The rest of us on tiptoe wait;
The grown-up brother stands
Where he can reach the topmost branch,
Our Santa Claus to be,
In that sweet hour of breathleSs joy
When Daddy lights the tree.
Our grandpa says twas just as fine
In days when he was young;
For every Christmas ages through
The happy bells have rung.
And Daddy's head is growing gray.
But yet boy is he,
AS merry as the rest of US
When Daddy lights the tree.
'Tis Love that makes the world go round.
IT'S Love that lightens toll,
IT'S Love that lays up treasure when
Nor moth nor rust can spoil;
And Love Is IN cur humble home.
In laTgessc full and free,
We all are very close 20 heaven
Wher Daddy lights the tree.
-Margarct +. S4nGster. il woman Home
Companion.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
A misunderstanding.

II notice jerks doesn't speak to you.
whats the matter?"
81 can't help it. / started to talk to him
about Christmas decorations the other day
and he thought referred to the black eyes
he got in a broil with a mutual friend re-
cently."-Judge.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
EndliSh Christmas Custom.

The Christmas tree found its way into
England through Prince Albert, soon after
his betrothal to Queen Victoria. A peculiar
English custom is that of passing a small
tree round the table after the Christmas
dinner, from which each person plucks the
gift previously placed there for him or her.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
The First Celebration of Christmas.

Christmas was first celebrated in the year
SO, but it was 40 years later before it was
officially adopted as Christian festival;
nor was it until about the fifth century
that the day of celebration became perman-
emily fixed on the 18th of December.
up to that time it had been irregularly
observed at various times Of the year-in
December, in April and in May, but most
frequently in January.-Ladies' Home Jour-
nal.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

think of what We might have been had she
been other than she was. We would to God
that we were more nearly what she would
have us be. We say: "Would that all chill
dren might be so blessed!"
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Twas Ever Thus.

Ted-Tve been trying to catch Dolly un.
der the mistletoe, but Miss Autumn seems
to be the only one can find there.
Ned-It seems to he an instance of the
wrong girl in the right place.-Judge.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
One Cause of Trouble.

She-I wish Christmas really was sea-
son of general peace and good will
He-Well, it might be if somebody hadn't
introduced the custom of giving Christmas
presents.-Puck.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
An Enthusiast.

Ted-Tom is great observer of the Christ
mas customs.
Ned-I should say so. He'll kiss an ugly
girl just because he happens to catch her
under the mistletoe.-Judge.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
Made Him Wait.

''Mrs. Hopkins, where is that Christmas
present you said you had bought for me?"
well, Mr.. Hopkins, you talked so much
about hard times that put it away until
your thday."-Chicago Record.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
WG6N DAODN@~<
lA! 'l@E!9 1A{Res;

E HAVE our share of
ups and downs.
Our c a r c 9 Ike
other folk:
The pocketbook is
sometimes full,
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
THE LETTER.


Dear Santa Claus: My papa says
You're goin' to bring to me
Another mamma, Christmas time,
Ats as sweet as she can be:
But don't want no other one.
Don't put her in your pack
But please, good Santa. won't you bring
Ny own dear mamma back?
She said, before she went away,
At she would take my hand
And lead me out of here, some day,
Iato a happier land,
So don't bring 10 rev mamma here
Ats younger than she was
To take the place we've kept for her,
Dear. kind old Santa Claus.
If vcu can bring new marlmas round
Why can't you find some way
To bring boys OWN mamma home
And give her to him, say?
j don't want no new mamma here,
Ats as sweet as she can be
But bring my old one, Santa, dear,
To papa and TO me.
IS. z. Kiser. in Cleveland Leader.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21

And papa says at she
Is beautiful and good and kind
And says she hopes att
VIII like her awful much and learn
To love her by and by.
My papa's often seen her, and
He says her eyes Is blue.
The same as mine is. and her cheeks
Has dimples In them. too.
And she amt more an half as old's
My other mamma was,
And papa says I ought to thank
Dear. kind old Santa Claus.
But amt glad, and don't want
No other mamma here:
I'd rather have him bring me back
My own sweet mamma dear
My nice. good mamma that is gone
So far-so far away
I'll write to Santa Claus to bring
Her back to me to stay.
The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-12-21
The Festival of Motherhood.

70
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
CANADIAN CANAL
Sesbosrd Freight Rates to Be Cut
in Two.

Montreal, Aug 3.-Work on fhe
Soulanges canal is all but completed
and if present plans do not miscarry
this waterway. which s the last link
in the chain of Improvements that the
Canadian government has been max
ing along the St. Lawrence Iiver for
number of years, will be formally
opened with public ceremonies within
the next few weeks. The importance
of this canal to the dom .nion and to
the central and western portions of the
United States, can hardly be overesti-
mated 1t means that the largest
boats on the great lakes can pass
freely with their cargoes to the Attain
tic. According to those who have
studied the problem the change is eX-
pected to have a far-reaching effect on
commerce. Among other things it IS
anticipated tthat the opening of the
new canal will reduce the r3te from
Chicago and other lake ports to the
seaboard from 1 to 2 cents a bushel on
grain, and among the probable conse-
quences will be to diminish the
oL1Ou4AI VI SAd44A ION 5O-IS oOuIA ~
Port Arthur, Galveston, New Orleans
and ether gulf cities. The new route
via Montreal, in the opinion of some
transportation experts, viii slowly but
surely divert the grain-export trade
from New York, as under the new
condi tions there VII be less need of
transferring grain at Montreal. Steam
erpool much more profvably than be-
tween New York and Liverpool, be-
cause the distance is much less and
the last coaIing station nearly LOO |
miles nearer the English port. Car
goes can thus be greatly increased and |
the coal supply diminished.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
RepACnING TEA SAMPLES
Circular Order Issued by Assistant
Secretary of Treasury.

Washington, Aug. s. The attention
of the treasury department has been
called to the fact that instances have
occurred where TEA samples went from
ports of Importation to ports where
tea examiners are stationed for the
purposes of examination under the
act of March, 1897, have been packed
in boxes which formerly contained
matches. rubber binds, confectionery,
etc, thus affecting the flavor of the
tea and jeopardizing a far and cor
rect test of the same.
With a view of correcting this
practice, Assistant Secretary Spald.ng
of the treasury department has issued
a circular letter of instructions to
customs officers, directing that here
after all such samples shall be packed
IN perfectly clean, new tin cases, cylin-
drical in shape, two and one-half
inches in diameter. of "a capacity of
four ounces. with tight slip covers,
labeled, and accompanied in
each instance with an extract from the
invoice giving marks and numbers of
packages, invoice, number name of
consignee, name of importing vessel,
date of importation. etc. The expense
of procuring tin cans of this descnip-
ton will be paid from the appropria-
ton for defraying the expenses of col
lscting the revenue from customs.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
AN ENTHUSIASTS BLUNDER
The Assassination of President
aeureaux Not Infcndtd.

Kingston, Jamaica, Aug. 3.-Owing
to the efforts Of the government of
Santo Domingo to suppress news and
Information about the recent assas n
ation Of President Heureaux and the
reported revolution in Sanso Domingo.
the facts in the case are difficult 20 OBJ
tain, but a dispatch received by a mes
senger who passed through Hayti in
dicates that the assassination of Presi-
dent Heureaux was not on the pro-
gramme, the purpose of the revoIu-
tionsts being to capture Moca with
the president. thus decapitating the
Dominican government az the first
blow, the insurgents not possessing
the means of prosecuting a protracted
conflict. The premature departure Of
President Heureaux threatened to up-
set the scheme, whereupon an enthusi-
asst who was watching tie presidents
movements, committed the act. The
subsequent attack on Moca being re-
pulsed, the insurgents withdrew into
the Businesses between Moca and Porta
Plata, hoping to secure sufficient con-
cess5Ons of arms and men to attack
Por5a Plata and prosecute the move
ment in spite Of the initial failure.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
a DARK DISTRICT
Almost Nothing AT All hnewn of
Cape Nome.

San Francisco, Aug. 3.-Repoms TO-
night by the steamer Nelson from
Dawson are not encouraging. Thou
sands Of men are idle. Ths govern
ment already has sent many back 10
their former homes. Cape Nome has
the appearance of great success. There
are many reports and some proofs of
gold being found but nothing is sure
as TO amount. Among the passengers
on the Nelson was Paul C. Potter OF
this city. Hs reports that there is lit
tie known at St Miehael's of the Cape
Nome discoveries.
People at Nome" said he, scarcely
know themselves the exact condI>i ion
of the gold fields there. The discoveries
arc so new that it is folly 10 attempt
TO either boom them or pronounce
them of little value. There are nlany
contradictory reports from the dis
tT:ct-"
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
CLEVELAND RAILWAYS
Nothing Left of The Great Strike But
Small Boycott.

Cleveland, Aug 3.-AbsoIute qufer
relgned throughout the city last night
and today. THE military force is being
rapidly Withdrawn and by THE c.ose of
tgIa present week the last company of
sC1IeIs ;wiM probably be ordered home.
There WAS a decided increase in the
number of passengers carried ON some
Of the Big Consolidated cars tIlis morn.
sng. Many we'll Informed persons who
have watched the progress of the boy
colt be-1evz' the movement is on the
wane
At the strikers headquarters
today it was announced that
fifty of the non-union mo.ormsn
and conductors running on the Wilson
ard Scoville Avenue lines had quit
work EecaCsis' ;Ella Big Consoralated had
broken is agreement with them. The
men, it is stated, were promised 50 a
dly and board MBtil the strike was
over The company posted n notice TO.
d1y At the Wilson Avenue barns that
as 'fle strike wlss practically ended. the
Non must pax- t,lszir-ov1l beard The
ialtter however deny that the strike is
over and as Il result according to the
strike lenders, a number of new men
refused to take ont rileir runs this
morning and are now engaged in try
ing TO induce other non-uaion men 10
quit
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
GROUND FOR q FORT
Government Begins Conde mnafiOn
Proceedings in Frisco.

San Francisco. Aug. 8 United
States D.strict Attorney Frank L
Coombs Will in few days commence
condemnation proceedings against the
Spring Valley Water company for tho
purpose of securing for the govern
ment, fraction over forty-fve acres
of land owned by the company located
on Ocean Beach in the southwestern
part of the city.
The government desires the land
for fortifications, the intention being
to erect massive buildings and forts
for the protection of that par, Of the
coast against possible invasion by
hostile fleet. A board OF survey has
examined the land and fixed its value
at about $500 an acre. The water com,
pany agreed to a friendly suit, but
thinks 81 900 an acre a fair price.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-08-04
HANNA A HANDICAP
A Fact Brought Out al Yesterdays
naZef Session.

New York, Aug. 3.-The session of
the Mazet committee today was largely
given over to the examination of
Francis S. Dantet. commissioner of
correction, as to the methods adopted
by the now famous architectural firm
of Horgan & Slattery in their dealings
with the department of correction.
Nothing sensational was ELECTED, al
though the interesting fact was
brought out that one of the witnesses
objections to the employment of
Withers & Dickson, the architects, YVES
that United States Senator Hanna had
w1ctten letters recommending an Ohio
iron company which they represented.