davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

had been one OF the wealthiess men in
the village until a year before, when
he had failed in business aud taken
every cent of his property to pay his
debts. Since his death Molly had
been living with Mrs. Barton, working
for her board and going to school, and
her life was not very comfortable.
Her dearest dream had always been
to cultivate her musical talent, but
that dream seemed hopeless enough
now.
She bought pretty silver souvenir
spoon for Aunt Deborah, and it took
every cent that she had been saving
toward the music lessons, bnt she
never said n word about it, and none
of the girls dared mention it to her.
Christmas night was beautiful and
clear, with great full moon aud
sharp, healthful air, and thu party Of
boys and girls that came trooping up
to the door of the big farmhouse were
rosy.cheeked aud bright-eyed and as
merry as need be. Aunt Deborah
welcomed them cordially and they
soon felt quite at home.
In the sitting room table had been
spread out for the reception of the
gifts, which Grace and Maud arranged
tastefully. Then Aunt Deborah ex-
amined them with great care, noting
critically each name and giving atten-
ton to each piece as though she were
one of the judges at county fair, as,
indeed. she often had been. But
when she came to the souvenir spoon
some of the girls thought she made up
the little sneeze which gave her an ex-
cuse for using her handkerchief. Any.
way, she took tho spoon up again the
last of all and held it in her hand while
she cleared her throat twice before
she tried to speak.
"My young friends" said Aunt
Deborah, slowly, 81 am well aware
that you think 1 have done rather
strange thing in asking you to bring
these presents, but had an object in
it which am not going to explain to
any one. 7 am very much pleased
with the gifts, however, and thank
you for them. Now if you will step
across the hall with mo You will find
your own presents waiting for you,
and little surprise besides, which, l
think, will please you ALL"
They had noticed the closed door OF
the chest room,' but had thought it
only one OF Aunt Deborah's peculiar
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

and miles of galleries that extend un-
der the Carpathians and Alps-gal.
leries of different levels, ascending
and descending, crossing each other
at various. angles and reaching fer
under the everything salt, rock and
earth.
This subterranean population is &
happy one, rs happy as the one in the
sunshine at the many mouths of the
great salt pits. There are Joy and
sorrow there, births, deaths and mar.
riages. Holidays are celebrated thei e,
and among the greatest of these is
Christmas. In the narrow salt bound
galleries the petitioned Christ child
walks bearing precious gifts; there
enters the welcome st. Nicholas, and
he is followed by dreaded hobgoblins,
who frighten refractory children into
good behavior.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day the echoes of the rock ribbed
caverns are awakened by the children's
voices. The song, the merry laugh,
the joyous shout in childish games
and sports, are heard. There are
music and the dance, feasting and
merry making, the brilliantly lighted
and decorated gift bearing tree that
iIlumines diamondlike crystals that
gather up the light, divide it into pris
matte beauty and cast it back again.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

tiles. They trooped after her, won
dering and excited, with little whis-
pered guesses and queries which no
one could answer, and when they had
crossed the threshold they all stopped
for moment with EXPLANATIONS of
delight.
"Who would have believed lt?"
whispered Grace.
TITS just like fairyland, Maude
whispered back.
Tt was very pretty, indeed The
parlor was decorated with holly and
mistletoe and branches of evergreen,
and in one corner was great Christ
mas tree, sparkling with candles and
loaded with presents. In the OPP
posite corner stood handsome new
piano. They stood and stared until
Aunt Deborah's voice called them for
ward, and then they snrged over to
the tree to hunt UP their gifts.
The tree was soon cleared, and
every one in the room, with single
exception, had found present. Molly
stood on the edge of the crowd with a
pale face and lips that quivered in
spite of her efforts at self.control,
while Frank was beside her, looking
indignant and unhappy. Everybody
noticed, and sympathetic glancss went
around. But all at once Aunt De.
borah spoke again.
"If you will raise the lid of the
piano, Molly, you will find your name
there"
The girls hands trembled 80 that
Frank had to help her. She took up
the card and read it, her face flushing
and paling, and looked around help
lessly at the surprised and delighted
faces. Then she turned and threw
her arms around Aunt Deborah's
neck without word. After little
appreciative hush they all crowded
around her with enger cougratula-
tions, but Aunt Deborah waved them
back.
"Wait a minute" she said, laugh
ing, although there was q tremble in
her voice, "Mo!ly doesn't know it
herself, but I am sure she is coming
to live with me. I've decided that I
need her, and 7 want to hear that
piano. She shall take lessons. and
You will all be welcome to come and
enjoy the music wherever you like"
How they cheered!
The rest of the evening was rs
merry as merry could be. and the
feast was a triumph OF New England
skill.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Destructive Power of Lyddite,

As to the lyddite which has proved
itself such an effective agent of de-
struct; ION, here again nothing can be
said further than what is written in
the textbooks on explosives. J he
British military authorities are just as
secretive in their experiments at
Sheerness, Woolwich and on the
Piumstead Marshes as is the United
States at Sandy Hook. But the books
say that lyddite is some six or seven
times rs powerful as gunpowder, and
in its composition akin to meliplte,
being picric acid compound of potas-
SUM and ammonium. The picric
acid in question, otherwise called
cart azotic acid, is substance which
crystallizes in the form OF ye!lowish
fakes and gives brown solution. 1t
is formed by the action of nitric on
carbolic acid. = New York Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

The youngest major in the British
army is John Campbell of the Cameron
Highlanders The is only 27-three
wears younger than any other ma or
in the service). The two captains
above him were shot at Omdurman.
Major Campbell comes of q long line
of soldiers-his grandfather and father
were both in the Cameron Highland
ers, and three Of his mothers broth
ers are commanding regiments in
India. The young man had a narrow
escape from death. shamming der
wish after the battle OF Omdurman.
Campbell had turned his head to
speak to Iris companion, or spear
thrown by the supposed corpse must
have hit him.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

We find that the Puritan oratory,
in quantity, at least, if not in quality,
was enough to oyerpower the most
daring modern mind. Holy Master
Cotton, minister of Boston, came ont
from England with two clergymen--
elders they would then have been
called,-to accompany him, and they
preached sermon apiece on every
one of the forty days of the voyage.
After every meal they had sermon.
We know that when Samuel Sewall,
afterward best known as Judge Sewall,
preached his first sermon he was too
shy to look at the hour glass, and
preached for two hours and half be-
fore he got to the end of the sermon.
From Colonel II. w. Higginson's
Address on Puritan Oratory.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
A Miniature Tree.

A miniature Christmas tree or a
Santa Claus laden with bonbons has
been welcome decoration for long
time. In place of the single tree it is
q novel plan to have four tiny trees
placed at the corners of mat made Of
o square of sheet wadding. Pull the
wadding apart and place the smooth
side next to the tabls; outline this
mat with sprays Of holly; scatter
thickly over the ma. and trees frost
powder CT powdered isinglass, which
will glisten in the candlelight like
frost, and provided as many li.tle robins
or birds of any other kind as you have
guests, arranging them prettily upon
the trees, keeping several to place
upon the snow MAJ.
Another plan is to use two small
cultivated pines, placing one at each
end Of u long mat. In place OF the
mat an oval looking glass may be
used, and with the frost powder scat
tered lightly over it the glass has the
appearance of frozen water. A fine
wire should be strung between the
tops OF the trees and three or four of
the smallest birds fastened to it.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

she turned and went in hurriedly.
Her father had died only a few months
before, and she could scarcely remem-
Der her mother at all; so Aunt De-
borah's interest in her had been com.
forting. The girls were quiet for q
minute; then Daisy said, in a low
voice:
"I don't see how Molly Andrews
can get her anything, and she'll never
go step if she can't" There were
sympathetic murmurs all around, for
Molly was favorite.
II wish we could help her." said
Dorothy, voicing the general thought.
"But We can't" sighed Maude.
"You know how proud she is. She'd
rather stay away than have us do any
thing about it.
"Well, Mrs. Barton won't give her
\ cent to buy a present with-we all
know that" said Grace.
"Oh, don't you remember Molly
earned So getting names for that mag.
azine?" put in Maude. "She told me
she was going to save it toward music
ioSsOus-ucr uSuTt Is just SET on music,
You know-and, with all her talent, it
is a shame she can t do anything abou.
it. But it's just like her to 60 and
spend every cent of that money on a
present for Aunt Deborah
"That's So"
sits too bad.'
"Well. think Molly Andrews is
the bravest girl l ever knew" said
Grace. How many of us would work
fer our board and go to school and
wear ont old clothes and everything,
as she does?"
"But you never think of the clothes"
said Daisy,
mo, but she does said Maude.
Nothing but the party was talked
about for the remainder of the week.
and on Saturday twenty boys and
girls were busy selecting gifts for
Aunt Deborah.
All the boys and girls, with the ex-
cep.ion Of Molly Andrews, belonged
to weil-to.do families. Molly's father
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
scintillate under the feeble rays from

scintillate under the feeble rays from
restricted lanterns.
Thirty degrees below zero is FREE
auent temperature at the hospitable
Monastery of st. Bernard on Christ
mas Day. There Is seldom e. traveller
over the famous pass of the Penine
chain of Alps in that season, but there
is never o Christmas eve or Christmas
Day that visitors do not join with the
two score monks of the Augustinian
order in the mass of their church and
in the joys of the feast.
Then in the salt mines, miles away
and thousands of feet below, are all
of these things, for in the vaulted
chambers. amid massive pillars of salt,
is population of human beings, not
only miners who work one thousand
feet under ground, but a permanent
population living in homes along
streets hewn out of mountain masses
of crystal that glistens under the arti-
fetal light necessary in these depths.
Many OF this population seldom see
the light OF day. They are there from
Christmas to Christmas, in the miles
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

When the Christmas winds nrs singing
round the chimney with delight,
Go to sleep, little fellows-go to sleep!
n you wake and watch the chimney-Ob,
you know 1t isn't right
You Will never see old Santa coming down
1t In the night
80 to sleep, little fellows-go to sleep!
Once, two wakerul little fellows, on a
snowy Christmas eve,
go to sleep, little fellows-Go to sleepD
Kept their heads beneath the coyer-but
twas only make.believe--
Aud Santa Claus forgot 'em--und lie left
'em both to grieve,-
Go to sleep, little felIows-go to sieep
For Santa Claus is funny, and is easy
scared away
Go to sleep, little fellows, go to sleep!
just kiss good night to mother when she's
heard tho prayers you say,
And you'll tlnd your stockings trimming
when you wake at break o. day.
Go to sleep, little fellows-go to sleepI
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Her Stimulation.

That there are still people unfa-
miliar with the telephone is proved by
the recent experience of New Hamp.
shire man.
He wished to have telephone con-
nection between his house aud q new
one built for his sons summer resi-
dence. The best route took the wire
over the cottage OF an old lady, to
whom he applied for permission to
make the slight use of her roof that
was necessary.
The old lady gave her consent, but
made firm stipulation at the same
time.
I'm willing you should pun wires
over my roof and hitch 'em wherever
you see it," she said pleasantly,
provided you don't use 'em after 9
o'clock at night. That's my bedtime,
and I'm light sleeper at best, and
the noise of folks talking overhead
would be sure to keep me awake. -
Youths Companion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
4 Tall ship.

One OF the handsomest sailing ships
on the seas, The new steel fonr-master
Edward Sewall, arrived in port from
Bath recently to loalhe maiden cargo
of 5000 tons of coal for San Francisco.
She is is 35l feet over all. Her lower
and top masts measure 1871 feet,
and topgallant mnsts Is feet, making
her masts 2l2 feet high. She was con-
structed in los working days and cost
$3.50, coo. Baltimore American.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Left HanIel Men In Dcno nj.

A Richmond man who has just re
turned from the northern woods WIS
told that q left-handed man in Il crew
Of woodchoppers is worth fifty cents
more day than the average right.
handed man, n left handed man and Il
right.handed man being able to WORK
together to better advantage than two
men who work with the same hand
forward. Richmond Me Bee.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

One culyerin, four demi- culv erins,
four sakirs, one minion, ladies' for
charging the guns with powder, round
shot of iron for each class of gun,
powder, match, long pixies, plain
white halbreds, blackbills, crows of
iron, fed oxtrees, gins for raising the
guns, lead for shot, pickaxes, tanned
hides, bondy barrels, ~ bulge bar
res for powder, lanthorns. muskets,
bandoleers, molds, twelve long bowls,
twelve sheaves of long bow arrows.
cressets, cresset lights, hand and
draught ropes, shovels, spades, sheep
skins. Notes and Queries.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
G1OO Reward, 500,

The readers of this paper will be pleased to
learn that there Is Mt least one dreaded dis;
ease that science has been able to cure In all
is stages, and that's atarrh. Halls tatarrh
ure is he only positive cure now known to
the medical fraternity. atarrh being n con;
disease, requires Il constitutional
nallv acting directly upon the blood and mu-
cous surfaces of the system thereby destroy
ing the foundation of the disease and giving
the patient strength by building up the con
tuition and assisting nature in doing Its
work. The proprietors have so much faith in
its curative powers that they offer One Hun
dred Dollars for any case that II fails to cure.
Send for list of testimonials. Address
f. j. CHENEY d Co., Toledo, o.
Sold by Druggists. 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
CHRISTMAS IN TIE psP1X..
Unique Celebration Held II. tire Salabu
Salt Mines.

From bleak st. Bernard to blossom.
ing Salzburg is pbout three hundred
miles, but aror-.d one is perpetual
winter, with snow seldom absent, aud
the fringe of the continuing mantle
ever near at hand; while in the mines
of the other is unending summer. At
Christmastide 100 degrees Of temper
ature separate the two, and while the
snow covered hills OF one
glisten in the broadcast diffused and
brightest light known to earth, the
contracted crystal walls OF the other
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
A Seal with plC's lsris.lps Killed,

Lanty Nichols, Jr., n fisherman Al,
Mnmaroneck few days ago, shot aud
killed seal weighing siyty-fouI
pounds, which was swimming in an
inlet in Long Island sound and inter
fered with his nets. The seal is now
on exhibition. Instead OF having q
fur coat the skin is covered with hair
like the bristles of pig. - New York
Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

Clean blood means clean akin. No
beauty without it. Cascarets, Candy Cathar.
tic clean your blood and keep it clean, by
stirring up the lazy liver and driving all i'm
purities from the body. Begin today to
bauish pimples. bolls. biotches. blackheads,
and that sickly bilious complexion by taking
Cascarets- beauty for ten cents. All drug
glsts, satisfac ion guaranteed, 10c, 25c, SOC.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

EE&H funny for anythlng!'
I~X.+*A Grace Derby came
1N:>sN running up to the little
s 5S7as group around the school
house steps, with her
face full of laughter and mystery.
whats the news?"
"Tell US about it!'
"Go on, Grace!" The girls crowded
around her eagerly.
"Why, Aunt Deborah Thorpe is 60
ing to give a Christmas party"
you're fooling!" cried half dozen
voices.
ooh, but she is, truly" cried Grace.
GIVE got my invitation, and she
wanted me to ask the rest of you-
here's the list" She waved paper
aloft and then began to read the names
upon it. Every girl there was invited,
and buzz of pleased comment went
around as soon as the reading was fin
ished.
"But I haven't told you tie fun
niest part of it," began Grace again.
"We're each one of us to bring her
Christmas present. Did you ever
hear of such thing? Fancy her not
leaving that for us to decided"
They all laughed at this, but the
laugh was good natured one. Every
body respected Aunt Deborah. They
ioked about her peculiarities and her
'tightness," but, for all that, the
farmers and villagers of the thrifty
New England community admired
those qualities which had produced
one of the finest farms in the whole
county, and its owner was known to
be kind-hearted, as we'll as to possess
plenty of good, sound, practical sense,
which appealed to all while not man
in the neighborhood was better posted
in the affairs OF the country at large.
The girls went ON discussing the
party with eager comments, talking
over the presents which were to be
bought aud wondering what other odd
freak would be developed before the
eveutful night. It was Thursday now,
and Monday was Christmas.
"Maybe she'll change her mind"
suggested Daisy; "though I guess
she isn't given to that"
"No," said sweet-looking girl,
who had not spoken before. "Aunt
Deborah always does as she agrees"
"Thats so, Molly" cried Grace,
while there were several EXPLANATIONS
of assent. "When she makes up her
mind it stays made up for good and
all. But how in the world did you
get so we'll acquainted with her? I'm
always little afraid of her." Molly
smiled wistfully.
Idon't know" she said. ut just
,y.ssmed natural, that's ALL"
The tears came into her eyes, and
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Christmas Holiday Excursion

The Southern Railway, account OF Christ
mas holidays, announces n rate Of ono anc
One.third iirst-class standard one way fare
via Washington. TO all points south and eas
VI the Mississippi River.
Tickets TO be- sold December I'd @M, "a; h
18th also December Both and 3ls' lST', with tx
treme limit January lth, 1850
HOLIDAY RATES FOR SCHOOLS AMI
COLLEGES.
Tickets will be sold at one an One-thir
fare standard one way from Washingtl IN I,
all points south and east of Mississippi River
tickets on sale December 18th t. 2ls .lyr. witt
final limit January 4th, 1891. upDl presenta
ton Of certificate signed 10y the sugeli.tcnd
ent, principal or president thereof.
For sleeping car reservations, rates. ct .
cali on or address Alex. - 1hweatt. East
ern Pass Agt., al Broadway. New YORK.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

Holly berries red and bright,
Wealth Of candles flick ring light,
Christmas in the air!
Childish faces ail aGlow,
Outside sleigh bells In the snow,
Banished Is dull care.
Older wiseheals for the time
Join in sport and song and rhyme,
Happy Chriitmastide!
Mem'ry brings back golden youth,
Eyes then seeing only truth
Ever ut Its side.
Joy tonight is crowned the queen
or the festive Christmas scene,
May her rule be long!
None can claim rebel heart
With her folrwers forms part,
Theirs gladstone song!
Gertrude Eloise Bealer.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

A western railroad company has
adopted the method of making up it's
passenger trains with the seepers
next to the engine; the coaches come
next and the baggage cars last. This
reverses the usual practice. 1t is
claimed that this arrangement makes
the sleepers ride steadier, and there
is also less dust.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
The First Celebration of Christmas.

Christmas was first celebrated in
the year 80, but it was forty years
later before il was officially adopted
as Christmas festival; nor was it
until about the fifth century that the
day OF its celebration became
permanently fixed on the twenty-fifth
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 frequent.
~ in January.-Ladies' Home Jour.
nal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Advantages of q sewing-Roo,n.

A separate sewing-room is bless.
ing which every mother. who has her
dressmaking done in the house appre.
ciates. This room need not be large,
but if it is separate room, that is all
one needs for comfort.
In this room all the tools required
to build gown are kept, and there
is no necessity for tucklng them away
in odd corners after the days work is
finished. A chest of drawers, where
new and old materials are kept, Is in.
valuable. In one drawer there should
be patches and scraps for mending
in another new dress goods which is
waiting to be made up; in another
dressmaking supplies.
A sewing machine and dress. form,
large work-basket, cutting table aud
spool stand form the furniture of this
useful apartment, and great deal OF
valuable time is saved by having these
articles within reach at a moments
notice.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Extent of England's Territory.

England occupies the first place in
respect to her population and area.
She contains quarter of the human
race. A second quarter is Chinese.
Almost third quarter is contained in
Russia, France, United States and
Germany. Three-quarters OF the
population of the globe are therefore
governed by only six states.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Talk
About 1t

Th,t's always the way with
our Hair Vigor. When per-
sons use it they ate always So
highly pleased with it that they
tell their friends about it.
If your hair is short. too
thin. splits at the ends. is rough.
OF is falling out. our Hair Vigor
viii perfectly satisfy you.
If your hair is Just a little
gray. OF perfectly white. Ayers
Hair visor will bring back to it
al the dark. rich color it had
years and years ago. ; III st,, si:',s.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23
Chineae Like Sc wing Machine.

The Chinese are much impressed
with the powers ofthe sewing machine
and to meet their demand for these
helps to busy women some American
firms lately sent shipment TO Bang
kok, valued at about $l03, $50.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

All know that Dobbins' Electric Soap has
been for 3 years best of all. Now its price is re-
duced from 10 cents to cents for ull-szed
bar, everybody wants it. 25-cent books given
free for wrappers. Order of your grocer.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-23

ii. II. GREEN'S SONS of Atlant Ga are the
only successful Dropsy specialists in t't
world. See their liberal offer in advertisement
in another column of this paper