davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
HUMOROUS SIDE OF CHRISTMAS.

- HE bus moved on, and was about to
cross the road, when a man, mutter-
ing savagely to himself, walked into
me. He would have swept past me
had not, recognizing him, arrested him.
1t was my friend B., busy editor of
magazines and journals. 1t was some sec
onds before he appeared able to struggle
out of his abstraction and remember him
self. ut is this COMPOUNDED Christmas
business" he said. ut drives me out Of
my head"
Il have heard Christmas advanced as an
excuse for many things" ! replied, "but
not early In September"
"Oh, you know what / mean," he an
swered, I'VE are in the middle of our
Christmas number. am working day
and night upon it. BY the bye" he added.
chat puts me in mind. I am arranging
symposium, and / want you to join.
Should Christmas" 1 Interrupted him.
MY dear fellow" said. II commenced
my journalistic career when I was IS.
and have continued 1t at intervals ever
since. I have written about Christmas
from the sentimental point of view;
have analysed it from the philosophical
point of view, and l have sacrificed it
from the sarcastic point Of view. I have
treated Christmas humorously for the
comics, and alphabetically for the pro-
vincial weeklies. have said all that is
worth saying on the subject of Christmas
maybe more. I have told the new-fash-
toned Christmas story--you know the sort
of thing; your heroine tries to understand
herself and failing, runs off with the man
who began as the hero; your good woman
turns out to be really bad when one comes
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
F|SHED DURING THE FIGHT.
JOHNNY REB's NERVE WHILE THE
BULLETS WE'RE FLYING.
Met q Yankee Relative Also
sncaked on From the Lines Down
Toward the Union Troops, Waved
Flag Of Truce and Began to Fish.

..One Of the Queerest characters I ever
knew" said the major, twas North Car
olina soldier Bill Rawlins. He was tall,
weedy, and ungainly looking. with a tan
colored mustache, big hands. big feet and
a supernaturaliy big mouth. He was al
mighty awkward to look at, but there
was something in his alert. good-natured
face which would have attracted atten-
ton anywhere.
II was an orderly in company in the
Fourteenth Virginia, c. 8. A., at the time
of the fight at Charlottesville. and 1t was
there that became acquainted with Raw
Inns. Our regiment held hill which ran
parallel to a small creek, and about 100
yards south, and the Federals held an
eminence on the opposite side OF the
stream and about the same distance from
Its banks. At that time the common SOL
diers down there were socable between
fights, and many time we met halfway
and exchanged tobacco for coffee, or Rich
mond papers for Federal dailies. Some
times we sat down together and snapped
yarns and cussed the war, and don't re-
member single occasion when our truce
was violated by either party. OF course.
when an officer was seen coming down
the line we had to cut back to our own
side and begin peppertng away, but there
was always somebody-either Johnny or
Yank--to warn us with cry Of Git! You
Reb!' or Skip out. Yank. here comes q
shoulder strap
well, one day Bill Rawlins strolled
down to our breastwork, and sat down
behind our head log for = chat. That was
the first time I ever saw him, and his
droll, humorous talk kept the whole out
fit in roar. In an interval of firing that
afternoon Rawlins said: Sergeant, be-
lieve I'll skip down to tnet thar erik an
git some fish. Thar must sartinly be a
sight NV bass right yer under your nose,
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
OUR FILIPINO WAR AS A LONDON WRITER SAW III

they should take on their hats. The men
stared, surprised themselves for a mo-
ment, and. to their credit. graveIy COM
piled with the lads bidding The organ
having groaned and wheexed enough to
satisfy the musical taste of my compan-
ton, the player excused himself from per-
forming further.
One of the characteristic features in
these newly occupied townships Is the
presence OF the "Chfnos' who, with spirit
Of enterprise exceeding that Of the white
man, establish common eating houses, pro-
viding food for hungry soldiers who are
not satisfied with. or think they require
change in, their rations. Cotton cloths
are displayed in front Of these establish
ments. informing the public, represent
ed by the soldiery. that meals are to be
had at all hours. and that the victuals are
of the best. The titles are also chosen so
as to appeal to national sentiments, "The
American Restaurant and "San Francisco
Restaurant being the fayorite names used,
The road from Las Pinas to Bacoor still
runs close to the sea. and the vicinity Is
cut up by salt pans and shallow water. At
the Zapone river we descended from our
vehicle to inspect the position held by the
insurgents when they resisted the advance
of the troops on June ID. Among the huts
and dense foliage the figures of soldiers
In soiled khaki and hue flannel shirts, In
the shade. showed that some troops were
occupying the spot. With four small guns
they were posted to watch that part Of
the road and the bridge, which had been
repaired so far that the wooden flooring
taken up by the insurgents had been re-
placed. Originally the structure had been
of masonry, but one span having been de-
stroyed in former rising against the
Epaniards. It had been repaired with wood.
The intrenchments built by the insurgents
l-f- = - - - - -. 80
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
CHRISTMAS TREE FEATURES.

~ NE Of the most effective features for
Christmas tree Is the basket
" decoration"--tiny baskets OF vary
ing sizes, shapes and colors, con-
tanning bonbons. raisins or other sweets.
Baskets can be had by the dozen at very
reasonable prices of almost any store
where tree decorations are sold. They
hold from one to dozen bonbons-
French candies. Children enjoy playing
with them after they have been dcspoiled
of their contents.
Dancing Christmas fairies always en-.
nance the children's delight in the Christ
mas tree. and once made can be used year
after year. Buy UP dozen or more OF
and 10 cent dolls, and to add to the varf-
ETY. have among the number some Japa-
nese and colored dolls. Dress these to
represent fairies in bright hues of SPAN
gled gauze, tarletan OF tissue paper, and
literally sprinkle their hair and garments
with diamond dust powder. Each doll
should be provided with a dainty pair Of
fairy wingE madc from spangled tissue
paper and fastened to the body by means
OF concealed wires. These wires should
be coiled to obtain motion In the wings.
and nothing better can be used than the
fine spiral coils that come out Of worm
out wire-stitched brooms. The least mo-
ton win set this spiral to quivering. caus-
ing the wings to move as II In flight. In
like manner use the spiral wire to attach
the dolls in lowering positions over and
every footstep causes Jar enough to start
the dolls dancing and circling above and
around the tree as II the invisible fairies
OF the afr had come down to join In the
Christmas glee.-Woman's Home Com
panion.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17

ton whence they delivered an -. ~
nre on to the trench. and a,ickts- $3.50
the combat. for the obviously vpsrss.ssa
point OF their position was ,inwsfcsr "a -
wen az unguarded by the fnsurxsns~ =, -
Immediately began to retire. shunn5sx =
nre OF the two companies enfladtn- 4 ~ -
lett more than the frontal fire 1hs.' s- ).
tempted to cross the road Within ~ u.
range OF Company A and suffered a.xs-"s' :
losing It is estimated, about a f,,rs I. Il -
number The Filipinos in thelr s sas.t
trenches became thoroughly oowsS a ssnt
dared not leave their trench FOR ~, ~ w, w
cross fire; and when. at D. M. Cart u' s'e
led his company across the bridge q .sss3y
~ balancing along the beams 81 IN hers.
span, the movement was unouposed ~.
sundry little knots Of Filipinos VIA ~
previously thrown their rifles Into the rivSs
surrendered. with white flags raised. Il w n.
men occupying the captured trencbea n
spite OF the feeble stand made 81 M !. =
in the trenches near the bridge th- 'sn s..sa
gents opened fire again at 800 vard. go
some bamboo thickets as soon Al fha r,,,s
teenth had effected the crossing hrs =
they were silenced before long by fhs a.
Of Company A. they were probahiv 49,
covering the retreat. A portion Of ~
Twenty-first infantry temporarily rena,,ss
the flooring OF the bridge and cyose,S = =
support the Fourteenth The known nv, =
the natives was sixty-two killed Xlross
all were shot running away at sl1ort vsrs.
so that the shooting was deadly ItS,,t
fifty prisoners were taken. who 1upssy =
have been faint-hearted, as thev MANN
fired shot, and even began throvinr ma
rifles and ammunition into the water Mon.
the trenches were abandoned. Ths ioal &
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17

1EIE facade Of the church at Psran-
T aque ID Of handsome proportions,
AA like most OF the Spanish churches.
which, when within easy range,
seem to DO regarded by the gum
ners Of tho American navy as hotbeds Of
Filipino iniQuity and seditfon. At any
rate, they bear marks on their massive
walls OF big shells ana little shells, and
the roofs, with those Of the neighboring
ecclesiastical buildings. are perforated In
such wise that the Interior accommodate
ton, I'd eagerly sought by the troops on
taking possession. II not 30 eligible as one
would at once suppose. stayed night
In the Paranaque church building, where
detachment Of the Fourteenth infantry
had their quarters. The staircase vas 1T
tered with splintered woods and frag-
rnents OF stone and plaster, so that one
had 70 pick ones footing to ascend. Some
Of the flooring gaped with wide wounds,
and when It rained the wet dripped dis
mally down from the damaged roof and
formed blotchy, damp spots and pools,
according to the quantity Of rain admit
ted. Altogether. one did not appreciate
the zeal displayed by the gunners In
knocking these buildings about. Had they
been left alone the Filipinos would have
been none the richer and the troops
would now have more substantial lodg-
ing.
At Las Pinas Is church which has not
been struck by shells. and IL still used for
worship. Here we passed through q
vaulted chamber used az q field teie-
graph office on to some steps which led
into upper apartments, where the priests
dwelt formerly, but now in occupation
Of officers. A few more steps led us into
a gallery containing curious organ. con-
structed a hundred years ago by ma
tive. The pipes are Of bamboo, which
were soaked in some preparation for two
years to prevent warps or cracks. A
young soldier was induced to strike
few chords. that one might Judge of the
Instruments rather difficult task, as he
knew only secular music and had never
played on an organ before. Some Of the
pipes were good; others would have gone
to the hearts Of the rats OF Hamelin
with the squeaks that brought visions
before them of cheese rinds and candle
ends. From the gallery. while this trial
was going on, took stock of the poor
and tawdry appearance of the altar and
the bare church interior, where some
urchins were watching intently half a
dozen soldiers--veritable "hayseeds'' In
appearance-strolling and gaping about,
with their battered felt hats stuck over
their ears. The lads clad in white gar
ments that looked like fragments Of old
lace curtains over black gowns were
choir boys. and was amused to see one
of them approach the soldiers, who look
ed like volunteers, and boldly motion that
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
c1F7s FOR Royal CHILDREN.

ut WOULD surprise the average Amer
lean child to seo the Christmas pres
ents OF the kaiser's children. Their
mother had the principles Of economy
and frugality early instilled in her mind.
and she has never departed from her sim
wide number Of relatives, friends and pro-
teges to remember at Christmas time. and
her children receive the most Inexpensive
and simple Of gifts.
They are not allowed to receive presents
from any one save their parents. aunts,
uncles ana grandparents. A box of sugar
piums, few fruits. Invariably selection
OF wholesome books. one toy or useful
thing makes up the list. Last Christmas
the youngest prince received q bah of
string, paper OF tacks and hammer
from his father.
Christmas does not bring any especial
festivity to the royal palace In Spain.
The day is chiefly given up to religious
ceremonies. The young king receives
congratulations, and the queen and her
daughters personally dispense good deal
OF money in aims. In the early days OF
her life In Spain the queen regent tried to
Introduce the German custom OF the
Christmas tree, but her Spanish courtiers
rather turned up their noses, and she
wisely forbore TO insist upon an alien GUS
tom.
The greatest jollity reigns In the home
of the little queen Of Holland at Christ
mas time Wilhelmina celebrates the fes-
tival vigorously and delightedly. She has
always had . tree on Christmas eve. al
ways hung up her stocking, ana she loves
to give presents. There Il scarcely poor
child In The Hague who b not remem-
bered by the queen.
One OF her chief Joys on Christmas
morning ID to follow the ancient Dutch
custom OF appearing suddenly at door,
ana, after Ringing gift rolled In a big
ball Of straw into the room. running away
as fast as she can. Another Christmas
habit Is that Of driving about the snowy
streets and tossing handfuls Of bonbons
wherever she sees group OF children
New York Mail and Express.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17

pit and walked down the hill IN IT, b.
rection Of Rawlins. He stopped on tie
bank above Bill a minute or two. vi.
IDENTIFY n conversation, then down 10
jumped. We could see Rawlins pull
string out of his pocket and reach up b
his jacket lapel, evidently for Led.
and In less than five minutes the hnk
Tarheei and the square-built Yank Wsrs
sitting side by side, fishing, with Is MIRA
friendliness as two schoolniates Both
Of them were having good luck. a. "
could see from our side, and In the course
of an hour both had good strings About
o'clock they got up lifted their strshgD
out Of the water, shook hands, and Slart.
ed for their respective lines When naxe.;
Inns jumped down behind our headeg "
brought with him at least twenty nne
bass, several Of which must have weigh
ed nearly a pound apiece. We soon hid
a fire built, and our mess gathered about
Rawlins. talking and laughing Nhils the
fish were frying.
know that stumpy Yank's mana h ~
same as miner SS g 81
: " No: is that sol? I replied.
Yeah, he said his name Nas Blu
Rawlins, an I asked him whar ~ cum
from, an he said Illinoy. Thcn tclds
him my name was Bill Rawlins, IN "
come mighty nigh fightin' for Nhiie.
The Yank thot was fyin' and / that
he was LYMAN both OF us sed "a a
wuz jest gittin' a good ready u bu1l
the crick wide open with hls t8fc11ls
when he said that no gran'son ol Jonae
dab Rawlins, who fout under JaslDon a
MI O'l'ns. was ever licked BY enoN{
Tibet saved him, sargent. fur fecolloc}'
ed tibet my grandad, VINO was Bfm'Ack
Rawlins, had q brother Jonadahs An 31et
both fout with Ole Hickory ~ 0lue
Grandad's brother moved out WeSt nm
Nawth Cahline, he'd heerd, and 49,
thot of tibet asked the Yank m nQst
his pedigree: an ! foun. tibet, s0fe sslqns
he was my grandad's brothers EINn'poh
OF co'se, when we found that W. ~
r'lated, we quit qua'lin' an had nfs
sochable talk. an when this csiased gcs
ishness is over we uns. two Biz Retp4
are goin't to hunt one mother up an ~
a good time without any dadpdlelE 4
shootin' bizness ter int'rupt our fanny
reunion
And they did meet; and both are sls'as !
today near Knoxville, Tenn. They AZ /
partners In business, and are wet ~ !
They are gray-headed old men nov, ~ (
have grandchildren, and more than ons /
Of each of the Bill Rawlins families NJ
now lighting, side by side, UNDER w ! I
Glory in the Philippines View Eop9
Press.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17


to BE- driven away by the new figure Of the
Christ child. which was a feature Of the
early church observances. That tho saint
q 81. Nicholas II due to the fact that that
venerable personase's feast day was cele-
brated at about that period. 81. Nicholas
was bishop OF Myra, who fourished early
in the fourth century, Ho Ii the patron
aaint OF children and schoolboys, and hence
It was natural that he should be part Of
. celebration when the children received
gifts and when they were allowed to be
heard a. well az seem"
The practice Of making presents on that
day undoubtedly owes its origin to O gem
erai idea to carry into practice the biblical
mandate. Peace on earth: good will to
men" At first the great lords made pres
ents to their retainers. and the season IVES
marked by universal charity. BY degrees
the practice Of Christmas giving spread
until now everybody gives their friends
presents.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17

<IuA OW he knows old Christmas"
says the old song "he knows a
" wight of worth, for he's as good
a fellow as any on the earth; he
comes warm cloaked and coated and but
toned to the chin, and ere he is anigh the
door we ope to let him in" When did old
Christmas first begin to make his well
come visits? The religious observance of
the day evidently began as early as the
second century. Hayden says 1t was first
observed "A. d. 8.
About the year 1877, December rs was
ordered to be a solemn feast by Tele-
sphorus. Bishop of Rome, and secular
DEGREES Of the Christian emperors show
that II was kept as day of social as
well as religious mirth and gladness
quite early In the Christian era, says
writer in the "Gentlewoman." Christmas
was at first celebrated by sundry pa
geants and religious shows; these after
ward degenerating into mere burlesque,
masks and mummeries, were strongly
opposed by the Puritanism of the six
teenth and seventeenth centuries, and
through this opposition were finally abol-
ished Z But there survived the spirit OF
Christmas, expressing itself in gifts and
good cheer, In Jollity and gladness.
Among the English the lighting of the
Yule log on Christmas eve was the most
Joyous of the Christmas celebrations, and
was representative of the True Light that
had come to tighten all the earth.
The habit of carol singing, which orig
mated in a custom of the primitive
church, is still maintained In Italy, as
elsewhere on the Continent. At Rome,
during the season of Advent the piffe-
rari. shepherds from the Calabrian noun
tains, stand In groups before the picture
of the Madonna and Child, clad in pictur-
esque garb Of red waistcoats, blve jack
cts and small clothes of skin. These p!f-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
CHRISTMAS WITH THE QUEEN

- REAKTAST on Christmas morning
= with Queen Victoria Il q joyous
meal and there Is little formality.
Children and grandchildren gather
round the queen with congratulations.
There are mutual greetings and every
body shows everybody else his presents.
while the silver-haired grandmamma with
the smiling face stoops from her wheel
chair to kiss the little ones, and listens
smilingly while each describes the most
particular treasure received. For the mo-
ment everybody forgets that "grAnd-
mamma" IL the greatest lady In the world
and that In a corner OF the room stands a
dispatch box full of serious documents for
her present confederation.
After the business Of these serious docu-
ments the queen goes to church for the
morning service. At 2 o'clock comes what
Is known as the queens luncheon. but In
reality 1t is the Christmas dinner party.
for all the children are present, and there
Is no formality Of any kind. In the after
noon her majesty takes g long drive. ac-
companied by one or more Of the prin-
cesses. Then, when she retsYns. the fes-
tivities begin. The castle Is gay with
bright lights and blazing logs. Holly and
mistletoe abound everywhere. The chill.
dren have their Christmas tree. and. like
children all over the world, have their
presents from It, Then they romp and
play games. The conclusion of the fes-
tivities are the tableaux vivants, arranged
by Princess Beatrice. who is extremely
clever at private theatricals. This part Of
the entertainment Is always keenly en-
joyed by her majesty. The late Prince
Henry Of Battenberg was chiefly respon-
sible for the Introduction of the games.
and the royal children were all fond OF
him. Since his death the Christmas fes-
tivities have been conducted on quieter
ana graver lines. Chicago Times-Herald.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
SANTA CLAUS ORIGIN.

- ANITA CLAUS Is of German origin.
This Is true II only because that is
~ the Dutch name for st. Nicholas.
That he is an old man Is because in
the ancient pagan feasts In celebration Of
the decay of the old year and the birth Of
the new an old man played the principal
part. Among the Greeks and Romans It
was Saturn. the father OF all the gods, and
among the Germans 1t was Thor, who was
long bearded and white-haired. The tradi-
ton Of hoary age is appropriate for repre-
sentation Of the dying year was too strong
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
CHRISTMAS AS OBSERVED AT HOME AND ABROAD

fsrari always 90 IN couples. one playing
on the sampogna or bagpipes. and the
other on the piffera or pastoral pipe.
Sometimes one Of them sings the Novena
to the accompaniment OF the baspipes.
The holly from remotest times has been
the favorite Christmas evergreen used
for the decoration Of church and homo
during this festival season.
The Christmas tree. the most ''pictur-
esQue Of the medieval pageantry." re-
mains with us to the present time. ana In
every country happy children gather
around It at the blest Christmas season
The custom Of decorating thu tree was
OF ancient German origin. but Of late
years has been introduced into England
and America,
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-17
IN THE GOOD OLD DArA

In the good old DAYS, in the spacious 1's'
the Christmas feast brzan. - "a MA
There was good clean air between No. w
good faith between man and msmns u. "a ~
To the lonely houses the men came no4s'
doors were strong and steut /. III h ~
To shut man and his fiendioaA ~ IS e
the foeman out S RI
Now the snow Il trappled " mi''H%A SKI A
the world Is lighted and lona, w. 4 nfj>y
And Christmas comes to a hurried 49,
borless men in crowd; =, 4. ~ sAco( -
And round are the minee pies sold " '''' N 20 20
the holly and yew tree bonfh. fh,<.trna -
And the beef and the beer and me
are bought by the tradesfoR noV' s
The wind no more between house ana e \.
free AID freezing. and sweet; a ~
The houses arc numbered all IN 2 TO- S h. 15
in a narrow street: r.x.4sfr,sx ~. ~ 4 4
w. view nnt fhe breed OF our Chllse1zT1 i4tsi
w ~ brew az our Christmas beer, ~ 1nelAI
Vat we iii round q table and cal on KS Y
il comes but once year !, an usrI1fr Il