davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21

A Christmas Mamma
BY NJ. B. Bell.
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It was one of those dreary afternoons
IN November. The rain had fallen
steadily all day, and Roland and Esther
Grahm, two motherless little children,
were curIed up on the rug in front of
the library fire, looking at the picture
book
Their nurse, who was kind-hearted
woman, had frequently explained the
stories in the book to them. And now,
with their little heads bent down over
the page, they were looking at the pic
ture of two little girls in bed, while
woman with gentle, motherly face.
was tucking them in. Nurse had told
the children long story about this
picture, what dear little ones they
we're, and how loving and kind their
mother was to them.
II wish we had a mother to tuck us in
and talk to us when the rainy days
come, and we can't go out" said Ro-
land, sitting up straight and pushing
the book away from him YEARLY.
I'm tired looking at picture moth
ers. Christmas is soon coming, and
I'm going to pray and ask God to send
us real mother, what we can talk to.
Then. oh! maybe papa will buy US a
mother if we give him the money!
Use got no money" said little
Esther. II spent it all for Mary Jane,
and now she's broke and you'll have all
the new mamma and Essie'll be so lone
some," and the little girl began to cry.
"Oh, Essie, what you crying for? I
haven't any more money than you have,
but l thought God wouldn't care if this
year we bought mamma with our
Christmas money, cause Yves just as
poor without mamma as those poor
children"
Mr.: Grahm was little later than
usual that evening, and somehow for
got to send for the little ones; but sat
before the fire thinking: of Dora Lyn-
hurst, little girl he had known in his
boyhood, and to whom he had once
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21

home. Opening the door quietly, so
as not to arouse the servants, who
had given up looking for their mas
ter until the morrow, Mr.. Grahn
stepped into the library, where the
light had been left burning. Going
over to the fire, in front of which
stood large chair, he stopped in sur
into his eyes.
dora, look, they have waited for
their mamma" he said to his wife,
who had followed him, and now stood
looking down on the two little chill
dren in their night robes, curled up
in the chair with their arms around
one another, fast asleep. They had
been put to bed, but, feeling that if
papa said he would come he would
surely be there, they had slipped out
Of bed and down into the library,
where they had waited until exhaust
ed. Then, settling themselves in the
chair, they had told one another they
would just shut their eyes to rest
them, but they would be sure not to
go to sleep.
Poor little darlngs!" Dora ex-
claimed, leaning down over them,
while her eyes filled with tears. You
shall never be lonely again if can
prevent it, Gathering the little girl
up in her arms, Dora followed her
husband. who had taken tie boy up
stairs, and placing the ch..d on the
bed tucked her carefully in. then
kissing the little one good night she
went over to the boys bed. "What
splendid looking chllu," she said,
$50 like my husband. Good night,
my little man. she whispered, kiss
ing the childish lips. Then, turning
to her husband, she said: "God grant
that your choice of mother for your
little ones be not in vain" And had
you seen the look of happiness on the
children's faces as they took their
places in church the next morning,
between their parents, you would say
it had not been in vain.-The Evan
uolic<
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21

Deen engaged, but misunderstanding
had separated them, and lie had after
ward married slight, delicate girl,
who, dying the third year after their
marriage, had left him with the care
Of their two children.
That morning an old friend had told
him that Dora, who had never married,
but had been abroad several years. had
at last returned, and he felt an intense
desire to see her again. It was with a
strong feeling Of self-reproach that he
Sprang from his chair when he heard
the little ones at the door, and with
more than his usual warmth he greet.
ed them, for they were very dear to
him.
Mr.. Grahm saw at once that some
thing was on their little minds. "What
is it, Roland?'' he asked, drawing the
little fellow to him. You and Esther
look as though you had something to
ask me-
Yes, papa, we want you to please
| buy us ma ANNA for Christmas"
"Why. isn't your father enough, it,
tie chicks?''
"Oh! yes, papa, but Essie and I
thought, if instead of putting our
money in the envelopes this year we
gave it to you, you might buy us
mother to tuck us in bed at night and
talk to us when you are OUT
Cause we're dreadful lonesome at
times" chimed in Est her.
The tears came to the fathers ewes
in spite of himself at his chi1dren's
strange request, and he thought if
Dora had grown to be as sweet a
woman as she babe fair to be she
would be the very mother these little
children so earnestly longed for.
Here's the money" said Esther
pressing up closely against her ia
Their and putting the coins into his
hand. "1f you have any more you
can just give them to the poor chill
dren."
Mr.. Grahm could not repress the
smile that came to his lips at the
chiIdren's idea Of the value of a few
pennies they had saved "Wen, lit
tie ones, you run off to bed now, and
after supper will go out and try to
find her,
Mr.. Grahm must have found it rath-
! er difficult to find the mother. At
any rate. it took him out very often.
and finally he told the children that
if they wanted a mother he: would
have to go away for a few days. The
children consented reluctantly, "be
cause it would be more lonesome than
ever without papa, and mothers
! seemed dreadful hard things to buy,"
Roland confided to Esther
Papa will not be away so long
after all" Roland cried with DELIGHT
when on arising the day before. Christ
mas he found telegram from papa
announcing that he and mamma
would be home that evening at seven
o'clock. For Dora had refused to be
away longer. saying that "if she was
to be Christmas present she must
be home in time" 49,. ?.
Seven o'clock came, but the train
was delayed, and it was past ten be-
fore Mr.. Grahm and his wife reached
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
method of making him appear the
recipient of a favor, while his Just

method OF making him appear the
recipient of a favor, while his just
claims are disregarded. Nor can We
refrain from suggesting to the hus-
band and father: Do not make .
Christmas gift to your wife of new
carpet or pair of shoes or cooking
stove, for she needs and has right to
these things anyway. Your little boy
needs new schoolbook for the next
session of school, but he would prob
ably experience sense of wrong
which it would be difficult for him
to explain if he should find it in his
stocking on Christmas morning. And
we may suggest as an idea wholly for
eign to Emerson that if the husband
and father has from negligence or
RIGHTEOUSNESS failed to provide his
wife with good supply of dry, WELL
cut wood or fuel for the kitchen stove,
or the needed quantity of winter fan
nels, it would be equally inappropri-
ate for him to present her with pair
of big pink glass flower vases or some
similar article, the price of which
might have added vastly to her com.
fort had the money been placed for
spending in her own hands.
Gifts for children depend but lit
tie on their value for the pleasure
they shall give. A houseful of chill
dren can be made entirely happy by =
quarters worth of mixed candy placed
in their stockings, each piece of candy
being wrapped in a separate paper,
thus multiplying the number of gifts.
1t is very important, however, that
the gifts be put in their stockings.
The sweet illusion adds priceless
value to the veriest trifles.
And so we feel like saying to our
selves and to our readers: Let 10
prepare for a merry, happy Christ
mas; let us forget for little while
are sad and depressing; let US think
of the treasures we possess that "man
did not make and cannot mar" let
us give tokens of love to our friends,
though it should be only a geranium
leaf or rosy checked apple. Let W
celebrate Christmas. The yoke loos-
ened and laid aside for little will
give rest and strength to the shoulders;
the affections of the heart called into
play and INDUCED WI. give strength
to our soul; and both will fit US for
a better performance of the duties
and work appointed for us in the CON-
ing New Year.-Chicago Interior.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
SPECIALS FOR
THIS WEEK:
CHRISTMAS SONG.

Oh, bells that chime your sweetest!
Oh, world of glistening white!
Oh, breezes blithely bringing
A message of delight!
From leaf1ess hill and valley
But one refrain I hear:
"A merry, merry Christmas
And glad New Year,
From humble home and palace
The kindly voice is breatntd,
From forest arch and pillar.
And meadows snowy wreat hed,
An echo from the angels,
pean of good cheer:
Hank! Merry, merry Christmas
And a glad New Year,
On, light Of heavenly gladness
That falls upon the earth!
On. rapture of thanksgiving
That tells the Saviour's birth!
The golden links of kindness
Bring heart to heart more near,
With "a merry, merry Christmas
And glad New Year,
-George Cooper, in Golden Days.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA.
~ D0PDoU from England and Ger
80 o4v eva Requirements.

II Chzistmas 10 peculiarly the festival
OF Joy, the dsy when the gladness of the
delivsrence. in which every Christian
believe h sx pressed. the American
people have seftainly done we'll in con-
tinuine the fsstival where it's ceIebra-
ton 10 net!v> 10 them, and reviving it
whore Il had: hecome obsolete. The
whole. A.noa :Ieee. and particularly
the youthful part Of it, is fairly en-
titled TO- . god deal Of merrymaking.
Wholesome tut helps to form a WE'LL
rounded. eAoreSter-to build up COM
plets aea Z. ;vpman-and to this ex-
ton: il =. a.sdnaiden of religion it.
Our ~. A.3rteen people have right
fully ia&>ratsAe good deal of fun. The
English p>>p!& Who supplied the first
important e41ent in our national
eompo1aA. @4P> perhaps a little too
jovie3. At 81 events the settlers of
New Knl}a.& %fenad It necessary to be
souosw&&s. u1AriI sad by way of pro.
t>st elrss tk4f conduct. One form
Of peeS nt> ,hanish all the old
EasH.A 1A~.,, Aslideys, and Christ
MAJ <slf1A ~ sesA.
Indeed, $500 4 . great deal of his
toriee} s,.Gsqe> =, show that the ma
jerity' ~ az yeae IN England had in
. ereet oale.re >ergetten the solemn
Aspect 20 E1sfs<1&s ia tie festive as
poet ff 4, - tAet the 'lord of mis-
rulo,f wbe AD&loo4 o. Christmas eve
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
Cause for Sorrow.

Black-Why do you look 80 down.
cast? -:
White-I gave my wife $50 bill, be.
cause 1 thought she would like to buy
me a Christmas present. She took the
money, and now she is showing her
friends nice New Years bonnet
Cleveland Leader. ~
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
His Own Santa Claus.

I'D like to get a sealskin cap suita BILE
for a Christmas present for young
man. ., 49, 49, ,..@> %%<.. =:
, Eyes, sir. What size p :.
well, something that will Just about
fit me. lin the young tman."-ohi.
cago Tribune.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
Remember, We, the Poor!:

Across the frosty Christmas-tide mightv
chorus rolls,
Clear as the peal of church bells ringing
over mead and moor,
Hymned by the myriad heavenly hosts Of
saved and gladdened souls:
Remember, at this giving time, remem-
Der, We, the poor!
Remember, We, the Managers Child at
humble Bethlehem,
The Crucifed! who spent His blood to-
ransom and to save!
Remember, We. the needy, yea, for He was
one of them!
At this, the giving time, remember, ye..
what Jesus gave!'
Above the frosty Christmas-tide the chorus
grandly scars
Oh! human hearts. lift up to 1t! Lift IN.
an answering strain
While from the holy host the peerless har-
T.: mony outpours,
And stretch the hand Of Charity to-
soothe where there is pain!
-Cluskey Cromwell, in Washington Star.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
Inherited Mistrust.

Bessie, have you written your letter
to Santa CLAUSE
Yes, ma; but don't you 60 an give
it to pa to mail. '--Indianapolis Jour
nal,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
A Juvenile Cyuic.

"Why should they tell US there is a
Santa Claus, if there isn't?" asked the
amiable boy.
"That's easy" answered the urchin.
"Folks want somebody to lay the blame
on if you don't get the kind of presents
you wanted. "-Washington Star.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-21
Before Christmas.

Say, NAL"
"What, Freddy?'
III wuz as good as this all til time
I'd git sick an die, wouldn't I?"-Chi-
cago Record.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
CompIied With the Law.

"a certain well known Mobile law
yer, who was lame and had something
of a reputation as fighter" said
southern gentleman, was at one time
attorney In a suit that caused much i'll
feeling. He won the suit for his client,
and the loser vowed vengeance. In
pursuance of that same In the Ian
guage of Truthful James, he one day
went into the lawyers office and sub
jected him to a TRADE Of abuse that
would have caused n salt water cap
tain to die from pure envy, such was
his talent In vituperation.
"The lawyer answered him nothing,
to the surprise of two or three men
who were present but, getting out Of
his chair, began to hobble backward.
His enemy, thinking he was retreating,
followed him up, with more abuse and
threatening gestures
"The lawyers foot finally struck
against the wall, when he suddenly
Strengthened up and saying, Gentle
men, call on you to witness that, on
account OF this wall, have retreated
as far as possible (the general law Of
homicide), drew out a derringer and
shot his opponent
"At the trial he was acquitted, his
witnesses being the men present at the
time OF the killing, who testified to the
lawyers having retreated as far as
possible. York Tribune.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
A Cold Night In Canada.

The sky Mt night is a deep dark blue,
and the stars are like dropping balls OF
fire, so close they seem to be almost
within reach. The northern lights look
as II titanic paint brush had been
dipped In phosphorescent flame and
drawn In great, bold strokes across
the heavens.
AS you pass the electric lamps YOU
see very fine particles OF snow caught
up by the wind and glittering high In
the air like diamonds. But 1t is cold
night, and you are not sorry to get into
your room. First OF all, you take o
blanket or so from the bed, for there
are people In Canada who sleep all the
year round with only a sheet over
them, to such a pitch of perfection
have they brought the heating Of their
rooms.
After you have tucked yourself In
the stiffness of the night is broken oc-
cnsionally by report like a cannon.
Have you ever been inside q bathing
machine when n mlschievous boy
threw n stone at It? And, IL 80, do you
remember how you jumped? When the
walls OF wooden house crack In the
bitter cold, the effect is similar, only
magnifled. But you know what 1t
means here, 80 you only draw the
clothes closer round you, thankful that
you are snug and warm. And 80 good
night ht.-Blackwood'g.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
No. 40
The Futur. of ourIexr.

Professor Yung of the University Of
Guef. Switzerland. entertains great
fears concerning the future of our
ion that within the next thousand
years human beings will have forgot
ten how TO use their legs, and that
these limbs, II evolution will not do
away with them, will serve as mere
ornaments TO the rest OF the body.
Professor Yung states that at the
present age human beings show a de-
cided aversion to personal or physical
locomotion. and this is more manifest
every time a new automatic travelling
instrument is invented and rendered
practical. Steam, electricity, cable
power and the different yelocipede ma
chimes all bear an influence over us
and create a dislike for walking, and
the future generations will likely have
the convenience of steerable airships
at their windows and electric auto
mobiles at their doors, and these con-
veyances will be so cheap that almost
every one can own them, and this
means the doom Of our legs.
The latter will be regarded as super
fluous appendages. no use will be made
Of them, and who knows but that they
may disappear altogether? But so
much more will our arms develop in
length and strength. These are the
cruel laws of evolution, and 1t will be
due to their pranks that future gen.
erations will again resemble the apes.
There will come another epoch Of short
legs and long arms.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11

as 10 step up to his office a few min
utes. put my slungshOt In my pocket
and prepared to sell my life dearly, but
he met me with a smile and shook
hands He had seven or eight
scratches on his face and had lost con-
siderable hair and half his buttons.
"Sammis," said he, as he handed me
50 bill. this is for the mortgage"
THANK you. sir"
"And others will follow and we shall
be the best of friends. I'm a little
slow, Sammis, but finally get around
to recognize true merit. You've got 1t
and | want to be friends with you.
Just how you managed to bring about
this little affair | don't know, but
please don't do it again. That is, work
It off on some one else. That's all to-
day, my dear boy-ta-ta."
| went down and told Mr.. Rasher all
about it, and though he said he would
not allow any elevator boy to create a
disturbance among tenants, he added
that it was positively wonderful how
my merits were being recognized and
the money rolling in to pay eff that
mortgage. Mr.. Hopewell and | are
quite chummy now, and l shall be glad
to continue the friendship. When a
tenant who has sized me up wrong ad-
mits his mistake and holds out the fra
ternal hand, he will always find one
who will meet him half way In Sam
mis-, the elevator boy. NJ. QUAD.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11

species usually take to 1t, changing
their food habits to that extent The
sugar beet has had its full quota of in
sect enemies, and not the least among
them has been the pale flea beetle.
This insect measures about one-eighth
of an inch In length and is yellowish
brown in color Down each wing cover
extends yellow stripe.
All the severe injury has been dur
ing dry weather. TheN danger is con-
fined largely to the earA part of the
season, while the plants are young and
1t is not too late to reseed. 1t appears
the best course to spray with paris
green, using one pound to 175 gallons
of water and adding one pound of
quicklime.
Like several other insects, the blister
beetles were satisfied with the food
provided by nature until the advent Of
the beet. True they did occasionally
levy a tax on potatoes, but they dearly
love the wild vetches and almost any
plant of the pea or bean family.
With the advent OF the sugar beet
the blister beetles were provided with
another source of food very much to
their taste and one which they seem to
prefer to most others. AS q rule, the
blister beetles appear during the latter
half of July and become numerous dur
ing August and September, devouring
the leaves and doing great damage.
All this looks very bad, but when we
inquire into the early history Of the In
sect we find n very good record, which
helps us materially to forgive part Of
the later depreciation. The young Bills
ter beetle of the varieties noticed here
passes his larval stage In the egg pod
of one Of the grasshoppers, devouring
usually from 80 to 40 eggs. after which
he burrows u short distance into the
ground, passes through the pupal stage
and comes out ready to collect pay Of
the farmer.
All the common blister beetles OF this
region except the steel blue one have
this beneficial habit, so when we see n
blister beetle eating our crops we may
be certain that he represents from % to
40 grasshoppers literally nipped In the
bud. This fact should have Its infu-
ence In considering the insect, and SO
long as the number OF the beet q is
small and the crop does not appear to
be suffering It is perhaps well to for
bear destroying them. There are three
varieties which have been reported as
injurious during the season OF 1900
Epicauta cinerea and It's variety con-
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
A,v.x. r,co the Enrine.

In his prime the late Mr.. John Cook,
the great tourist agent, was man OF
Iron frame. But when years OF rail-
way travelling, which averaged annual
ly some 10000 miles. produced certain
alarming symptoms, he made a dis
covcry that may be worth giving to
the public. He found that the threat
ened trouble, something spinal. dis
appeared when he no longer sat with
his back to the engine. He always
thereafter faced It, and that the prin-
clple is sound will be bornc out by
others whom he advised to do the
same. All who are called upon to do
much railway travelling will be wise to
sit facing the horses"
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
Getting SERIOUS.

"A guest at 81 Paul hotel who
didn't like his plate OF beans WINS made
TO eat every blessed one OF them by n
stranger who carried an ugly looking
revolver"
"Secms 10 me these Boston fellers
are carrying their loyalty 20 home In
stltutlons little too far."-Cleyeland
Plain Dealer.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
Copyright. 1900, by c. B. Lewis.l

Aforesaid Brick Agent.
Copyright, 1900 by c. B. Lewisl
When Mr. Hopewell, the New Eng
land brick agent, moved into room No.
~ a month ago, | wanted to show my
friendly spirit, and so l called on him
to see if there was anything could do.
Yes. Sammis; there is" he replied
as he looked me up and down as If l
was only a Goldfish. Yes; you can do
something for me by minding your
own business. You look to me like a
very fresh kid, and l am glad to have
the opportunity Of telling you that il
you play any of your monkey shines
on me you'll get your neck broken!
That's all, hubby"
But I'm neither fresh nor tricky"
protested.
Then 1t will be all right. u may be
that your looks are deceiving."
"And I'm a fatherless boy, with n
widowed mother and a mortgage on
my hands"
I'm glad to hear It, and you needn't
expect any help from me. When 1
have any money | don't want I'll
throw it into the river instead of CIV
ing it over to you. I'm from the gran
ite hills of the Granite State, Sammis,
but there is no moss on my back. Run
along now and keep your face clean"
/ never had tenant talk to me that
way before, and | went down and told
Mr.. Rasher. the agent, what had been
said.
"Well, Sammis," he said after lis
tening to my story, there are what
they call nonappreclative men in this
world and Mr.. Hopewell seems to be
one Of them. / think you'd better go a
little slow. He is evidently a bad man
to deal with. In time perhaps he may
come to recognize your merits at their
full value, but for awhile he will prob
ably be n little distrustful."
l saw that | had Mr.. Rasher's good
will and sympathy, but that didn't
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-11
Reason For Hate.

Mr.. verIrnsh Talker (who did not
catch the name of his partner)-You
see that man behind me. Well. if
there's one man In this world that
hate, he's the one.
His Partner Tin surprise) - why,
that's my husbandi
Mr., verirash Talker (quickly)-Yes,
OF course-that's why hate him, lucky
dogl--London Fun.