davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
THE LITTLE BARE FEET.

Little bare feet, sunburned and brown,
Patterin', PATTERN, up and down,
Dancin' over the kitchen floor,
Light as foam flakes on the shore,
Right on they go from morn till late,
From the garden path ter the old
front gate;
There hain't no music ter me so sweet
AS the PATTERN sound of them little
bare feet.
When I mend my nets by the foamin'
sea,
Them little bare feet trot there with
me,
And shrill little voice I lowell say,
Dranpa, spin me yarn terday."
And l know when my dory comes ter
land,
There's spry little form somewhere
on hand;
And the very fust sound my ears'u
meet
Is the welcomin' run of them little
bare feet
Oh, little bare feet! how deep you've
pressed
Yer prints of love in my worn old
breast!
And I sometimes think, when come
ter die,
Twill be lonesome-like in the by and
by;
That up in heaven I'll long ter hear
That little child's voice SO sweet and
clear;
That even there, on the golden street,
I'll miss the pat of them little bare
feet
Joe Lincoln in Philadelphia Satur-
day Evening Post.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

| set for the Church of the Nativity, in
| Bethlehem. They will march down
through the valley of Gihon, the old
boundary between Benjamin and Ju-
dah They will see as they pass the
tree on which the traitor Judas is SAID
to have hanged himself and the well
out Of which the wise men drew water
after they had left Herod
Within their view will also be the
Convent Of Elijah, erected on the spot
where the prophet rested during his
fight from Jezebel AS they come to
the end of their march the people of
Bethlehem will come out to meet them,
and then, proceeded by gaily attlred
wand barring heralds, and followed by
an immense throng of men, women
and children, they will march toward
the Church of the Nativity, the Oldest
monument of Christian architecture in
the world.
There mass will be celebrated while
armed Turkish soldiers in full uniform
of red tezzes, blue Jackets and baggy
trousers stand on guard beside the
altar and around the brilliant silver
star where Christ is supposed to have
lain in the Manager.
The star CLEANS up from the pave
ment and is the most conspicuous OBJ
iect in the grotto. Lamps, the figures
of many saints and other ornaments
are in this grotto, and in one corner
are lamps which are always kept
burning.
Close by this altar are the manager
and another altar, on which the wise
men are said to have presented their
gifts to Christ. All these objects are
considered of inestimable value by the
members of the different church sects
and were it not for the presence OF
Turkish soldiers it is more than likely
that disputes would arise as to the
right Of protectorship.
With this visit and mass in the grot-
to the Christmas Eve ceremonies end.
On Christmas day the regular Roman
Catholic service will be held in the
same church and the remainder of the
day will be spent in merry-making.
During the evening friends will visit
each other and exchange courtesies.
During the visiting period an
abundance of coffee, sweetmeats and
tobacco will be consumed, and many
young men and maids who became be-
trothed before the fast will be joined
in the bonds of matrimony. Cymbals
are favorite instruments in the East,
during Christmas week in Bethlehem.
With such music the pilgrims are
welcomed and the same music is heard
continually as long as the ceremonies
last.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
EMPTY STOCKINGS.

oh, mothers in homes that are happy,
Where Christmas comes laden with
cheer,
Where the children are dreaming al
ready
Of the merriest day of the year.
AS you gather your darlings around
you
And tell them the 'story Of ole"
Remember the homes that are dreary.
Remember the homes that are coldt
And thanking the love that has dow
cred you
With all that is dearest and best,
Give freely that from your abundance
Some bare little life may be blessed,
Oh, go where the stockings hang
empty,
Where Christmas is naught but a
name,
And give-for the love of the Christ
child!
Twas to seek such as these that He
Ladies Home Journal.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM.
Holiday Season in the Picturesque Old
Town.

This is a great season in Bethlehem,
says the New York Herald. To this
place, as the followers of Mahomet
flock to Mecca, the followers of Christ
come annually on the day of his nativ-
ity. Here they kneel and pray and
spend the time in holy meditation.
Pilgrimages are also made to a
grotto near the Church of the nativ-
ity, which is supposed to be the site
of the palace of justice where innum-
cradle children were slain by order of
King Herod.
These pilgrimages are not lightly
undertaken. They began several
weeks ago, and even now the six thou
sand inhabitants Of Bethlehem are en-
joying a long, happy festival Many
are the banquets, the social visits and
the joyous betrothaIs.
On Christmas Eve the Christians in
Jerusalem will gather together and
flock out of the city, with their faces
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
MISTLETOE AT YULETIDE.
Not So Generally Used as Holly-Ven-
Grated by the Druids.

The connection of mistletoe with
Christmas is a very curious one, says
Robert Blight in the Philadelphia
Press, and far from being a general
one. Literature perhaps is mainly re-
spOnsible for it, in that illusions to a
custom, in a great degree purely local.
have made a great number of persons
interested in the plant. It, moreover,
seems to me that the custom Of using il
in Christmas decorations depends on
two consideratiOn-frst, its evergreen
habit, and, secondly, the veneration in
which it was held by the Druids. In
the orchards of Herfordshire and Wor-
cestershire, in England, and in those
of Normandy, apple trees may be seen
covered with mistletoe to such an ex-
tent that in winter time, when Invested
of their natural leaves, they present a
mass of green in the leaves of their
parasite.
The reasons mentioned have no doubt
done much to secure for the mistletoe
the place which in recent times it has
held in Christmas festivities, but it is
not so universally honored at Yuletide
as the holly. In fact, it's popularity is
purely local, and it's use as an orna-
ment, in places where it does not
grow, is due rather to an antiquarian
sentiment than to any feeling that it's
presence at the rejoicings of the sea-
son is necessary. You may have 9.
very merry Christmas without any
mistletOe at all, but to the majority or
the people a Christmas without a sprig
Or two of holly would scarcely seem to
be Christmas at all. Even that rare
old plant, the ivy green, cannot COM
pete with the holly as necessary part
of domestic adornment for the Christ
mas merry gatherings.
Still mistletoe has a certain amount
Of sentiment attached to it, and there
fore the mistletoe bough finds a place
in the farmhouses, mansions ana
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
LOSS FROM BAD ROADS,
In Some Parts of the Country the Peo-
pie Are Waking Up.

1t has taken a long time Tor the
American people to awaken to the
value of good and the money loss Of
bad roads. In some parts of this coun-
try the people have walked up, but in
other parts they are still asleep, or lust
turning over for the second nap. We
are glad to see that on this subject the
Windsor Ledger is wide awake. In a
recent issue it says:
"One of our merchants has just re-
turned from a country where he wit
messed a prOtracted demonstration of
the utility, comfort and pleasure of
modern roads. He is now figuring the
annual loss to his business on account
OF the condition of the roads in BERTHE
county, leading into Winsdor AS this
gentleman is a level-headed practical
man, quick to see and take advantage
Of anything that will add to his bus
mess or increase the value of his prop
erty, we confidently expect good results
from his Investigations of the subject.
When he sees good thing he knows it
and is not slow to turn it to advantage.
It is a hopeful sign when such men be-
gin to show interest in improved
roads,
We hope that the Windsor merchant
will publish his conclusions when ne
gets through figuring his bad-road
losses. Then the merchants of Ashe-
vile and other cities and towns can
use his figures as basis on which to
calculate their losses from bad roads.
Let us stop Dragging about the super
iority of America and American insti-
tutions over Europe and it's institu-
lions until our public roads are equal
to those of Europe Asheville IN c.
Citizen.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

of nephew ought to have something
poison, for instance"
"Necktie," replied Mrs. Blotterwick,
/ consulting her memorandum.
Red one, with yellow spots" said
Mr.. Blotterwick, vengefully I'm glad
of it,
Il think I know how to select a
necktie," observed the lady, coldly.
Il know you think you do. So does
every woman. However, let that pass.
Next
"Milly Ponsonby-a PLAGUE; hand
painted"
Excellent idea. Give her one of the
nine we have in the back parlor- give
em all to her,"
Indeed, I will not! I painted ev-
cry one myself"
81 know you did; that's the reason
why-but go on"
"Will Perkins, necktie," said Mrs.
Blotterwick, reading rapidly SO as to
escape comment; Cousin John, half
dozen handkerchiefs; little Charlie,
necktie; Mr. Barlow, painted plate;
old Nj. briggs, necktie-'
"Why don't you give somebody
necktie for a changer"
do be quiet Mr.. Duffy-you know
we ought to give him present. He
was SO kind to my brother last
spring"
81 remember" said Mr. Blotterwick,
gloomiIy. persuaded Tom to leave
his natural vocation as q brakeman
and come to live on me for six months,
until he got a job on an oyster sloop
I'd like to give Mr.. Duffy something. =
Here he kicked over the chair on
which his feet rested and then SAD
it was an accident.
How would a pair Of gloves do?>
make it g set Of boxing gloves and
let me have q four-round go with
him.
seHow absurd! Nj. Duffy, gloves,
Now I believe that is all, except the
children. Do you think Willie IS OLD
enough to have a key bugle?''
mot by fifteen years, replied VII
lies father, firmly. "Give him a cap
and Horace a pair of trousers. Agnes
ought to have q pair Of shoes and The
reese a nice jacket. How does that
strike yoU?"
why, Henry, how ridiculous!
Those are all useful things, not at all
fit for Christmas presents. I sincerely
hope you will not give them anything
of the sort"
81 had some such though in mind,
I confess" said he, grimly; some
thing extremely useful
81 am afraid" said Mrs. BlotterWlck'
rising, chat you are destitute OF the
Christmas spirit which should AMI
mate every breast at this season. |
am going to bed"
But you haven't heard what | am
going to give you
She paused at the door.
My pocketbook."
She slammed the door.
Who" said Mr.. BlotterWick, re-
fectively, as he lit another cigar
can fathom a woman's hearth"
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
A HOLIDAY COMEDY.

1t was about two weeks before
Christmas. Il thought perhaps" saio
Mrs. BlotterWick after supper, when
the children had gone to bed, that it
would be a good idea for us to MAXI
up a little list of Christmas presents.
You know if we leave everything to
the last moment somebody will be for
gotten"
81 won't" observed Mr. Blotter-
wick, lighting a cigar and putting his
feet on the last new tidy; "I'll get my
regulation pair Of hand-w0rked sus-
penders, two dozen handkerchiefs, and
a box Of 50-cent Havanas. But your
idea is an excellent one, and shows
.yOu to be woman of intelligence
am glad I married you Fire away
T'First, said Mrs. Blotterwick, con-
Sulting a pocket memorandum book,
els Uncle George. Let me see. Three
yards Of edging, pair of shoestrings
Dear me!-O, yes; this is my shop
ping list. All, here it is shaving
set"
For what?' asked Mr. Blotterwick
George never shaves-couldn't hire
him to do it, He thinks he looks like
General Grant during the war
S'But q shaving set seems so appro-
pirate for man"
SO humbug. Give him ticket to
Alaska. 1 never did like him Since he
made fun Of my dog"
We'll, we will pass Uncle George .
said Mrs. BlOtterwick, automatically.
Uncle Henry, moustache cup and
saucer"
What has Henry DONE" asked Mr..
BlOtterwick in a panied tone, thai
you should torture him with such a
contrivance? Nc man ever lived that
could drink out of mOustache cup
without pouring the coffee down his
shirt front. l understand that it was
invented by woman"
He might put it on the mantel, "
suggested Mrs. Blotterwick
SO he might. He might also give ii
to a lUnatic asylum, or fire it at {
midnight cat"
I'll you are determined to be disa-
Breeable we Will stop right here, re
turned his wife, astringently
30, no; give him the cup. It's
cheap"
Aunt Louisa-a dress pattern"
"A pattern? One of those paper af
fairs punched full of holes Isn't tina
rather cheap? You know the old CIR
mas at least $4,000 in stocks and WI
might come in for it"
A dress pattern means enough ma
serial for a dress" exclaimed Mrs
BIotterWick, scOrnfully. Then she
added, looking at the ceiling, "2nd We
men are considered intelligent enough
TO vote"
Very we'll" assented Mr. Blotter
wick, doggedIy. But if dress pat
tern is a dress, 1 suppose an architect
design is a building. Let it all go a
that. Then [ expect her precious bra
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
A LETTER FROM CHARLES LAMB.
1t Was Written to Friend and School
Fellow, John Clutch

Mr. g. V. Lucas has communicated to
the London Academy new letter by
Charles Lamb, written to John Mat
thew Gutch his friend and school fell
low at Christ's hospital "The mis-
sive is valuable" says Mr. Ldcas, "as a
further illustration of Lambs freakish
mischief and in adding another to our
slender store of epistolary hoaxes, the
best specimen of which is perhaps the
letter to Manning in China, dated
Christmas day, 1915, with it's awful
list of deaths ravages: 'Coleridge is
just dead, having lived just long
enough to close the eyes Of Words
WORTH, and so forth. The story of the
new letter seems to be this: At mid
summer, 1900, by invitation of his old
schOolfellow, John Matthew Clutch,
Lamb moved with his sister to rooms in
a house in Southampton buildings,
Chancery lane (since demolished),
wnere Clutch, with his partner, Ander-
son, carried on the business of a law
stationer. Clutch, who was then 25.
was at the time counting Miss Vince
Icy, w no UCCcGlAlC LIS III ~ W1IC. U1AOS
Wheeley was the daughter Of a coach
maker at Birmingham, whittier Clutch
had to travel to pursue his suit Lamb
took advantage of one of these visits to
make the lover exceedingly uncom-
Portable by means of the following let
ter. 1t is inscribed on foolscap, the
first side being closely packed in hand
l.
serious matter is afoot There is no
date Rob- who is mentioned at the
close, was Robert Lloyd, the son of the
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
THE LII FELLER'S LETTER.

I'm jus lii teller, an
l take my pen in hand
To write to Mr.. Santa Claus,
Sos he will Understand
JUS what I'd like to have him bring
When Trismus mornin' comes!
I'd like to have some so1jums, an
A bestest lot of drums
AT any iii Teller has,
An nen I'd like a COW,
An men iii WOOL dog
AT banks an says, Bow bowl"
Oh! I fordot; escuse me, please,
Dear Mr.. Santa Claus!
My mamma said I mustn't asst
For more'n one gift, 'tause
My mamma says it faint not right
For tiny iii boys
To get whole drate, drate big lot
Of presentses an toys!-
Amt mammals awful 'ticular?
Don't seey why 'ey should care,
When you JUS give out lots an men
Has lots and lots to spare?
Well, if l JUS must asst for one
/ dess I'll take sheep,
A white one, if you please, an men
An nen-Id like to keep
AT lii sheep, but, EN-, I dess
I'd ruther have some blocks
Wifi picters!-no, think I'll take
A Ill goose at sQuaks.
A iii goose is nice, but 'en
I'd ruther have a gun!-
Say! amt it dre'fful hard on boys
At JUS can asst fer one?
Well; if JUS must asst fer one
I dess I'll take ark,
Wis liOneses an taggers!-say!
Could you get me a park?
A iii park wifi benches, an
Oh! now l know! I'll take
A horse at has wagon an
A tail at it can shake!
But horses tails is easy broked
Id ruther have some fun
Out on sled!-it's awful hard
To on'y asst fer one!
Well, if l JUS must asst fer one
I dess I'll take a book;
But books is on'y good fer once,
I'd ruther if you'd look
An see if you can find a sword,
Ats big an sharp--an' men
An nen-I dess I'd ruther have
A lot of sailor men!
But sailor men is awful bad,
An sometimes, too, 'ey swears!
A fire menjine's bully good
Have you got any bears?
P. S. ony asst fer one,
JUS as my mamma said,
But, zen, if you are tired an
'Ere's no room in your sled
I'll let you leave the other things
Wifi me-you needn't fear!
I'll keep 'em splendid for you till
You come around next year.
'Tause mammas don't get cross at
what
Old Santa Claus has done,
Escept when iii fellers goes
An asts fer more'n one!
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
MORE OR LESS.

Ida-Counts are not in it with this
less fad Girls with gold are after
princes.
May do not understand?
Ida-Why, don't you see there are
countless marriages now.-Chicago
News.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

castles of the districts of England
where it grows and in the dwellings
of the wealthy where it can be pur-
chased, while here a spray is bought
just for the sake of old memories.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

Robby-Pa, this box says Saint Pc
ter has the keys of heaven; has he?
Pal believe so. Robby-Is he the
janitor up there, papa?
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

The transport Warren has sailed
from Manila with eight companies of
the 10th infantry
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

Clarence Williams, colored, was
hanged in Paris, KY, for the murder
of Josie Tillman.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

J. M. Palmer wrote an anti-Bryan
letter.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-11
ATTEMPT TO ORGANIZE
RIVAL NEWSB0YS' UNION
LIVELY MEETING OF THE OP-
POSING FACTIONS.
Artie Jelinski Unsuccessfully Dis
putes the Leadership Conferred
Upon Robert Wall by His
Election as President.

Over a hundred unkempt and uncontrol-
liable newsboys assembled in the quarters
of the recently organized Newsboys'
Home at 549 Howard street last evening
in response to a call issued for a meet
ing TO organize a newsboys' union. There
was trouble at the start, caused by the
efforts of rival factions, headed respec-
lively by Robert Wall and Artie C. Je-
llnski, to run things, and several times a
riot was only averted by the presence of
Policemen Mccormick and Mcnamara
detailed to preserve order by the fore
sight of Joe Simpson, the youthful man
ager of the home.
The trouble arose indirectly through the
rivalry of two evening papers. About
two weeks ago a newsboys' union was
formed and Robert Wall elected presi-
dent defeating Artie Jelinski. The move
ment was engineered by one of the even
ing publications, and Jelinski, who is en-
ployed by the opposition sheet, refused to
abide by the result. He consulted Simp-
son and the latter became convinced that
Jelinsh would make better president
than Wall AS q result last nights meet
ganize a fresh union with Jelinski at the
head, ignoring Wallis organization EN-
tirely.. But the latter did not propose to
tempted to call the meeting to order Wall
disputed his right to do so, claiming that
privilege for himself, as the duly elected
The crowd yelled for Wall, but Simp-
son, with the aid Of the police, finally in
duced Wall to waive his claim.
Wallis friends controlled the meeting,
and as It was evident after two hours
of wrangling that nothing could be ac-
complished, Chairman Simpson an
nounced that another meeting would be
held at the same place tomorrow night
and he hoped only those would come who
desired to join union No. 2, with Jelinski
as president.
Before the meeting adjourned Mrs. DR..
Morse, editor of the Coming Light, spoke
of her plan to inaugurate a movement for
a sick benefit fund for the newsboys. She
said she would devote one issue of her
paper for the good of the movement and
give the boys one-half of the receipts.
AS The boys filed out of the place a cob
blestone came hurting through the win
dow, smashing the glass and narrowly
missing the heads of two lads. An at
tempt will be made to exclude Wall and
his cohorts from the meeting tomorrow,
so that the organization of the new union
may be perfected without interference on
their part.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-11
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
Special Agent Houpt Will Extend It
in California.

Special Agent Thomas H. Houpt of the
Postofffce Department arrived here yes
terday from Washington, D. c., and Is
a guest at the California. Mr.. Haupt is
one of ten special agents who are en-
gagged in establishing rural free delivery
of mail throughout the United States, and
his territory embraces the Pacific States
In discussing the question last night. Mr.
Haupt said:
Through the earnest efforts Of First
Assistant Postmaster General Heath, who
is an enthusiast on the subject, rural free
delivery, which was an experiment four
years ago, is now an assured success.
The first appropriation for the purpose in
1896 was $4,000. 1t was increased to $50 900
in 1897, 900 in 1898 and this year 1T Is
There have been thirty-three routes
established in the section under my con-
troll and l have come here to extend the
system Santa Rosa has three services,
taking in thirty square miles of house to
house delivery; Napa, one service of eight
square miles, and Petaluma, one OF the
same area. An experimental star route
free delivery is also in operation from
Redwood City to Pescadero. Santa Clara
County has eleven routes and | will es-
tablish another one out of San Jose
Santa Barbara also has one and will
visit Gilroy. Red Bluff and Pomona to
consider applications that have been
made by those towns for the service. The
routes out of Berryessa, Pinto, West Side,
Campbells and Los Gatos are entirely sue
cesSful.
1.-The system has given general salts
faction wherever inaugurated. SubscriD>
ers to metropolitan newspapers get their
papers by mail several hours ahead of
the time they did when they We're sent
by express, and this has resulted In In
creased subscriptions. The mail carrier
is generally local man who knows the
country and is provided with a map of
the district. The patrons are required to
place q box alongside Of the fence for
of their having mail matter to send away
they display a small flag for the benefit
OF the carrier. The latter is placed under
bonds of $500 for the faithful performance
of his duty"
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-11
A dash of
Fruit Juice
on
Grape=NutS
Makes a
Fetching
Dish.
o8oeQ0oeoeQaaaaaaaanaS

You ought to advertise for people
to eat fruit juice on Grape-Nuts. T
like them very much that way. I rnix
fruit in and eat sort Of fruit pudding
and / find the food Of a most nourishing
character. Since its use 1 have been
relieved Of constipation" This was
written by man in Buffalo, N. Y.
A nice fruit juice, such as comes
from canned peaches, pears, etc, makes
a delicious dish Of Grape Nuts. and
another favorite is to make a pudding
with sultana raisins, such as given in
the directions on the package. When
man or woman once eats Grape-Nuts
he Cor she) thereupon joins the Grape
Nuts army, and never regrets 1t.
The San Francisco call., 1899-04-11
Assaulted with a Knife.

Andrew Chinguro, a scavenger, living
at 1914 Stockton street rushed into the
California-street police station last night
with blood pouring from two ugly gashes
in his face. He said he went to call upon
a friend and that the friend attempted
to rob him. In the miX-up a knife was
drawn and Chinguro was stabbed twice
in the face. He was sent to the Harbor
Hospital, where his injuries were
dressed They are not of serious ma
ture.