davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-14

Ofn order to avoid delays. on ac-
count of personal absence. letters to
THE STAR should not be addressed
II any individual connected with the
Office. but simply to THE STAR. or to
the Editorial or business Depart
nrcrfs- according to tenor purpose.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
MALICIOUS Al GossIPs.
They Are q aSConstant Menace "a The
Peacee Of the Comn.nity N
~ r~@ sg Which They Live.

Habitual gossips ought !, to GS5 b
Stunned as well as despised. They
are SO dangerous that one is afraid
to accept even their offers Of assist
ance in domestic affl:ction lest they
violate the sanctities OF the sick cham.
Der. In their presence no one feels
safe. Even though people may never
think of beliefing what they saw, they
are a disturbing element in any coma
munity, and every true person dreads
them as the coils Of a. viper, even
though the bite may have been rem
oered harmless. Falsehood IS loath.
some, and a relief is felt when men
get away from lit. It is needless TO
say that such persons are more open
to criticism than anyone else, and that
the faults and foibles they charge
upon others are the best indicators of
their own besetting sins. In nine
cases out of ten, they criticize most Sc
verely that fault IN others which is
peculiar to themselves. Uncharitable
remarks about the character and con-
Duct OF others. or even about their
dress or taste-words often so unkind
and 'wounding-might in 90 cases out
OF 100, be applied with more justice
to the person uttering them than to
those in regard to whom they are ut.
tered; and, as general thing, sen.
sible, observant people see this, and
attacn but little Importance to their
slander. Why people delight in com.
menting upon the faults of others,
even If they are conspicuously ap.
parent, is question that can be an
swered only on the ground of pervert.
ed human nature, which is prone to
hate its neighbor; but such persons
help to add to the sorrows of tho
world, and inf1ict misery upon them
selves. The difficulty is one that con-
Germs personal character. The mans
own inward spirit rather than the
foibles of his fellows, is what is to be
corrected.-N. Y. Weekly.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
THE MINISTER'S CAT.


Not the least important dweller In
the home Of the pastor of popular
and fashionable uptown church is a
Maltese cat, beautifully marked and
Of rare breed, which shall be called
Jim. That is not the real name Of
this household pet, who would prob
ably scorn so common q one as Jim,
but there are reasons why he should
not be too closely identified. Jim is
no common cat. He knows his. friends
among the callers at the home Of the
minister, and those to whom he. does
not take a fancy are pretty apt to
find it out. He knows the at-home
day as well as any member Of the
family, and on that day taxes prom
inent place on divan, ready to re-
ceive the attentions of. those of the
callers whom he, numbers among his
friends and purr his satisfaction when
they fondle him.
The minister had occasion to move
his residence short time ago, and
of course Jim moved with the family.
He did not seem to like the new
place. He went from room to room,
looked carefully at the wall papers,
seemed to- sniff. at them as though
they did not meet his approval, and
then he disappeared. An hour later
he appeared again, took another look
at the wall decorations, and seemed
to decide that, unsatisfactory as they
were, it was better to endure them
than the perils to be encountered
abroad.
Next door to the old home of the
minister lived woman who. was fond
of Jim, and who regretted the cir
cumstances that brought about the
change of residence. She wrote a let
ter the other day and addressed it to
Jim. This letter was placed by maid
on the hatracll in the hall, along with
other letters delivered at the same
time. Jim seemed to know this let
ter was intended for him, because
when member of the family came
downstairs that morning he was
found trying to tear open the en-
velope. Strangely enough, he had
never taken such a liberty with a let
ter before that time and has not dis
turbed any other letter since.
Although Jim has lived all his life
In the home of minister, he does
not always show that humility which
would naturally be expected. He likes
to make visits, but no other cat is al
lowed on his premises. Next door to
Jim's home is house he loves to visit.
He will roam all through it and play
with the cat which lives there, but
the other day when the neighbor cat
came as if to return call Jim met
him at the door, hit him on the side
of the head with a paw, and marched
proudly up the stairs, as though he
felt he had done something worthy
the pet of minister's household.-N.
Y. Herald.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
A TRAP FOR MOTHS,

tin or other polished metal, provided
with slots, which allow them to be set
at right angles to each other, support
ing small lamp on the shelf formed
at the center. The receptacle under
meath is partially filled with water
and small quantity of coal oil is
placed on the surface to kill the
moths or other insects which. attract
ed by the bright flame and the nu-
merous reflections on the surface of
the tin, will circle around the appa-
ratus until they strike against one Of
the reflectors, falling into the liquid.
The slanting sides prevent the insects
from falling out, and the oil soon puts
an end to their existence. When the
room has been cleared the lamp and
refectors are lifted off the basin and
the contents thrown out. A patent
On this device has been granted to
Seward A. Haseltine. of Springfield,
Mo.-Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

very pleasant lying there n the twi-
light, watching the shadows clasp
hands and dance along the rafters.
Even the odor Of camphor, suggestive
Of Illness, did not trouble her. The
room grew very quiet. She was a
little girl again, out in her fathers
boat hunting pond lilies, when Jim
pat ted her hand. " :%5
Here's your toast and tea, moth
er, y" she said, shaking her q little.
"Take It now while it's hot. We've
talked it all over with pa, and have
decided about your vacation. You are
to have one. We will take you of
tomorrow" Luxurious idleness pre-
vented argument.
E. 'Well,' she said, fumbling with the
cup. "How white the lilies are! Well
yes" r .z os=r s
Mrs. Merrie found herself helpless
In the hands Of husband and children.
They would not let her prepare the
morning meal, and it was novel
sensation to lie and listen to the
cheerful sounds from the kitchen.
Joe sang as she hustled about, and
came in presently, an open valise in
her hand.
I'm packing your things, mother" }"
she announced. Its just awful to
discover how few things you have to
pack! Why didn't you remind us you
need clothes sometimes? But Jim and
I are cast in your mold; we've hunted
You out some of our things. I'm 60
ing to give you my red merino wrap
per to lounge in.'
LAND sakes! I think you-all's
gone stark starin' mad!" Mrs. Merrie
protested petulantly. "You can't
send me off against my will, I reckon!
And where is there to go to-and
money to pay for trip, anyhow?"
Joe nodded brightly. "Never you
mind, Mrs. Merrie; this is our little
affair. We've arranged for the incest
boarding-place, where you can enjoy
the first quiet Christmas of your mar
ried life. AS to the honeywell,
your board is paid. Pa says you may
stay as long as you want to-"
II reckon you-au will have your
own way" the mother grumbled!
''The money must come out of poor
Jacks hard earnings, or your pa make
sacrifice. You might tell me where
I'm going, anyhow! And I wonder if
your royal highness and his majesty,
DR.. Temple, and his grace, John Mer-
rie, will let me take my knittin'
along? Cause if you-all don't I sha'n't
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
HE'S ALMOST HUMAN.


Chimmy Fadden is the only esalns
in the country who carries on financial
negotiations with newsboys. Every.
Friday night his mistress, Mrs. James
Van. Horne, of Ravenswood, gives him
anenvelope containing the weekly sub
scription to the Daily News, and with
all the dignity Of q money changerh
sits at the gate until the newsboy ap-
pears Then he looks back solicitously:
to the house for the approving "all
right, Chimmie," )" surrenders the coin
and brings in the paper, as is his daily
habit. ... -
He also prides himself On his afili-
atoms with Uncle Sans representa-
tive, who give a peculiar penetrating
whistle whenever there are letters for
the Van Horn household, and whether
Chimmie is gnawing a bone, asleep in
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS.
Why He Is Represented ~ an Old
Man-Name Il the Dutch for
st. Nicholas.

Santa Claus is of German origin.
This is true if 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 de-
cay of the old year and the birth of
the new an old man played the prin-
cipal part. Among the Greeks and
Romans it was Saturn. the father Of
all the gods, and among the Germans
it was Thor. who was long-bearded
and white-haired. The tradition of
hoary age as appropriate for,represen-
tation of the dying year was too strong
to be driven away by the new figure Of
the Christ child, which was a feature
of the. early church observances. That
+, the saint is St. Nicholas is due to the
fact that that venera Bile personage's
feast day was celebrated at about that
Period. St. Nicholas was a bishop of
Myra, who flourished early in the
fourth century. He is the patron saint
of children and school'boys, and hence
1t was natural that he should, be part
of celebration when the children re-
ceived gifts and when they were al
lowed to be ':heard aswell as seen."
The practice Of making presents on
that day undoubtedly owes it's origin
to the general idea to carry into prac-
tice the Biblical mand ate: "Peace ON
earth; good will to men" At first
the great lords; made presents.to their
retainers, and the season was marked
by universal charity. BY degrees the
practice of Christmas giving spread
until now everybody gives their friends
presents.-N. Y. Mail and Express.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

goin' to meet Uhristmas," John re-
marked, with wink. IF she don't
hump herself well 30 a. headqJ y
ters afore she gifts started!'' Butsby
and BY visions Of dinner and 8 dfe-
side appealed to ,him coaxinRly,,,. and
he decided Christmas might find its
way unattended. He put the horse
into q trot, and after awhile the road
grew familiar. Mrs. Merrie held her
peace till they were fairly in the lane
leading home. IL
"Have you forgotten anything?'
she asked, dryly, suspecting prac-
tical joke. and ready to resent Il.
John helped her down carefully and
set her grip on the horse-block. ''Not
Q bit Of it'll" he answered, heartily.
IT started with the best little woman.
in. the world, and have fetched back
ever bit Of her! Here's yer boardin'
house, missus, board paid in advanced"
The noise of their arrival brought
four rosy young faces to the door.
Jack (the Oldest Jay ran laughing
to the gate, and kissed her mother
on the cheek. "Our new boarder!"
she said, taking the valise. "Come
right in! I hope you will like US, and
enjoy your vacation. These are my
sisters, Josephine, Jemima and Je-
rusha. I'm Jack! Come in here and
lay off your wraps. This is mas room
she's home. Over there is
your sitting-room. Are you much
tired or cold?''
Mrs: Merrie was Jay herself, as
capable of enjoying a bit of delicate
humor as the rest Of them. So this
was the solving of the problem, the
vacation which was to cost nothing!
She turned away her face after the
first laugh. that they might not wit
ness the passing of the swift storm
which shocked through the gentle
habit of patience.
mo, am neither cold nor tired"
she said. after that pause. II am
sure I shall like my boarding house
If you think-if you truly believe
my board is paid"
I'm advance" four voices chorused.
"You have been saving up and pay
ing for 20 years!" Jack whispered,
tenderly, looking into her eyes. "Oh,
we feel-we understand-what you
have always been to us!"
Here Jerry pushed determinedly to
the front. II am to attend you.
ma'am," she said. "Your board bill
includes service. If the young ladies
and the big male-Jay will please to
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
OLD POWDER HOUSE,
Once These Structures Were Numer-
Gus, But the Tooth Of Time Has
Destroyed All but One.

The early inhabitants of the coast of
Maine had considerable business on
their hands about century or so ago.
The Indians were likely to go upon the
warpath at any time, while the more
humane but no less sharply awaited
British redcoats sailed along the Maine
coast, making numerous landings and
many threatening demonstrations.
The local militia furnished the only
troops that could be opposed to the red
coats, and on almost every river fort
was established more or lessformidable
principally the latter. The magazine
apparently was not constructed within
the fort, but small building was
erected at some distance from it, where
the powder and other ammunition were
stored. One of these odd powder
houses" still stands just outside the
village of Wiscasset, Me.-the only one,
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

against the corset. This being free
country, there is no reason why WON.
an who prefers to go about without
stays, whether from physical reasons
or personal convictions in the matter.
should not be allowed to follow her own
sweet inclina tion.
Personally, consider well-itting,
properly constructed corset blessing.
There are, of course, some slight, viii
lowy figures which can do without the
support of a corset. But they are very
rare exceptions. Take, for example:
Mrs. Leslie Carter. Mrs. Carter wears a
little girdle about her waist, which is
all she requires, her figure being natur-
ally slender, and the physical culture
she has received in her years of hard
training having given her extraor-
dinary iitheness and poise. But the
average woman. has not the advantage
of Mrs. Carter's figure, nor the benefit
of long and harmonious physical train
Ing. This everyday woman requires a
corset, and not any or every corset
which she may chance to discover that
tached to it. There are two things
which she must observe with the great
est care. First, whether the corset it.
self is made in the proper form and
well-constructed. Secondly, whether it
fits her. How many women, who are so
careful about the way their gowns or
coats fit, when purchasing corsets ig-
more either one or both of these pre-
cautions!
There are many good, ready-made
as we'll as custom-made corsets in the
market, and before making her pur-
chase she should first decide which
form is more suitable for her figure.
There are corsets for slender figures
and others adapted only to over-stout
women; there are some for long
waists and some for short waists.
Having selected her corset, she
should insist upon trying it on, and,
above all, she should never select a
cheaper corset just because it is
cheaper. In stays, as in toil=t soap
a woman cannot afford to economize
for health and comfort as we'll as
personal appearance are vitality con-
cerned. No matter how handsome q
gown may be, if it is fitted ard worn
over badly-made corset the effect
will be ruined.
To show just how great a factor
her corset is in a woman's appear.
ance, induced lady who We wear.
ing most hideous corset to allow me
to make two little sketches of her.
In No. 1 she is wearing the corset
of her own selection, while No. z
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

SAeoA OoV "A IdAe OH your damp
clothes and make you comfortable. :"
The red wrapper came into play,
likewise Joe's dainty beribboned knit
slippers. The new boarder sank lux
uriously into the big rocker common
ly occupied by one of the girls) and
stretched her feet to the warmth.
Opposite her hung mirror, and from
time to time she glanced wondering
ly at the face reflected there. It
was not, after all, the face of an old
woman, although it had exchanged
the crude pink of youth for the in
defnable delicacy of maturity. The
eyes met hers, full of light, and about
the mouth were those wistful lines
which tell of dreams not yet relin-
quished.
From one new thought to another.
She realized all at once that the room
had been prepared for her reception.
There were the company shams' on
the bed. Jim's geraniums in the win.
dow, little loving touches everywhere.
Sitting there SO quietly she grew con-
scious of Jesse's black eye applied to
the crack of the door, and further sur
vey revealed his little butterfly kite
hung up for her delight. The lump
in her throat had climbed SO high she
hadn't voice left to thank Joe for the
cup of coffee which was to "drive out
the cold"
Dinner was substantially failure.
artistically success. The big male
Jay made wry mouth over the sal
low bread and soggy potatoes, but his
mate had no criticism to- offer. To
her it was glorified feast, for she
ate and drank the fruits of her labor
her children's love, poured back
into the emptied measure of her life.
Back before her cozy fire (which
Jerry religiously kept burning) she
accepted the blessedness Of rest.
Dreams overlook her. : #'@#
"Climbed over the window SILL" es-
Gaping into the fair, lost land of child
hood. Through the whole afternoon
she slept, and the little house hushed
itself as though life or death were at
issue. Even Jesse never once hal
looed, or stamped his boots, Or whis.
tied, for which unprecedented good
behavior Jack gave him . penny, and
drew long chalk mark on the smoke
house door. ,..-.,,.,: IL -
Early next morning tantalizing
little odors began to sneak into the
apartments of the new .boarder. Now
she was sure it was turkey, now it
seemed to be mince pic and hot cake.
Then she remembered it was Christ
mas eve, and rolled up her knitting
decisively. -. 49,. 4. e. .,.r
'The dear girls!' she thought.
They'll burn up and spoil everything
they undertake.! They'll not be sor-
~ to have nanny back IN the kitch-
|sen!" = 4 I. z..ts.. .s'S q
But she had reckoned without her
host. The door between her and the
kitchen was locked, and when she at.
tempted the dining groom entry Jack
stopped her decidedly at the thresh.
|sold. Il beg your pardon" sshe said.
with polite severity. g You rented The
.parlor. and bedroom only, I think. n
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

his favorite corner, or engaged in tho
warlike operation of hunting feas, he
bounds down the steps, past the tall
lilies and fragrant mignonette, and
gets the mail. His hurry is over now,
and he saunters in slowly with the mis-
sives in his mouth and lays them at his
mistress feet. If there is postage due
he attends to it at the next delivery, and
is proud of his record that there is
never penny owing the postman. He
assists in bringing in all the parcels,
and in consequence is much beloved by
butcher and baker.
But the trait that most commends
him to the family is his fine regard for
the flower and vegetable garden. He
would no more step on plant or crush
a blossom than would a florist, and
even in his merriest moods he religious
ly keeps on the walk.
He has all manner of doggish tricks,
and in his way is something of philos-
opher. Perhaps no incident better H.
lustrates his reasoning faculties than
the following: A member of the fam
lily, who has been travelling for a num-
Der of years, has always been joyfully
welcomed by Chimmie on his rare Wis
it's home. Recently he changed his oc-
cupation, thus enabling him to come
home every evening. The second con-
secutive night he put in an appearance
Chimmie refused to admit him, and for
more than a month he vigorously pro-
tested against the regularity of his
home coming.
There is only one blot on Chimmie's
escutcheon-jealousy. He cannot en-
dure any expression of affection be-
tween his master and mistress, and if
their heads get too close together he
separates them with his cold, moist
noise. He has all the privileges of. a
parlor boarder-sleeps under the bed
when it is hot and on it in cold weather,
always, however, being careful to keep
on his own counterpane. He refuses
dog meat from plate on the floor, but
if fed from his masters hand at the
table he thinks it is the family joint,
and enjoys it accordingly.
Chimmie Fadden's mother took the
prize in her class at Chicago dog
show. He is water spaniel, with a
beautiful head and glossy coat that
is ripping mass of golden-brown
curls.-Chicago Daily News.
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21
W1scAssET POWDER HOUSE.

so far as the writer knows, that is now
in. existence anywhere, though there
may be others, of course. A sketch is
here given of this old relic, that is still
in good enough preservation, apparent
ly, to land it on another century in the
future. Its old plank door, thickly
studded with nails, looks still capable
of affording considerable resistance to
hostile entrance. For q comparison
with present-day military equipments,
this old relic possesses not a little in
terest at the present time.-Farm and
Home. @...s|> r..
The Worthington advance., 1900-12-21

know what to do with my hands in
your fine company"
Joe smiled as she tucked Jesse's
half-fnished sock into the grip. "Oh,
yes! you can take it. There won't
be company, though; we want you
to rest"
"And whatever is to become of the
work-and the sewing-and my bless
ed baby"
':Jess is no baby-a great ~six-year-
old boy! It's a pity, ma, if we can't
take care of things! This is your
medicine, and you shall take it, if we
have to hold your nose! There, now;
want to get you ready. Pa il bring
ing up the CART"
Mrs. Merrie submitted herself in
resigned silence. There was a taint
of affectation in her resistance, for un-
der all was lurking sense Of pleas
ure.. Well, why not accept the rest
and change? There come times In our
lives when it is profitable to hide
from our dearest.
Joe's soft touches on her head
smoothed out the worry wrinkles
from prematurely aged brow. BY
the time Mr.. Merrie came in she could
answer the twinkle in his eye. He
was a good-humored giant, who, in
| sublime Inconsistencies and with
the best intentions in the world, had
trodden on her heart for 20 years:
"Come on, old lady!"he said, shrug-
gings5int his overcoat. 'Well be rid
Of YOU and yer faintin' spells in a
jif1y!. Wrap her up warm, girls; it
ain't none too pleasant abroad. Not
that mother's one O. yer deliky carry
me-eSsy kind! Here's her thing-um.
bob. Now git through the kissin'."
There were no tears, save those Mrs.
Merrie softly let fall in weak self
pity. Was it really SO easy to let her
go? She looked back wistfuily as she
was driven of ut a, rattling pace, and
saw the old house dissolve into the
genefal gray. Nature had turned
Quaker this day, and gray was the
only color she wore. The fog hung
low, dropping tears. Not pleasant
day, yet a sense Of exhilaration came
to her. It was. novel sensation to
be driving thus, without 20 much Al
q chicken or = basket Of eggs as an
excuse. There was almost the spice
Of wickednesa to make her ride
memorable. ~ / I ::
,"There,s old Markle's mill,'' John
observed, checking the horse "Old
Markle' he don't keep her up. like he
used TO- She's a-gittin' crazy lookin',
the old mill IL. If that was: my
place .z.o T.. .1s4.. =
He rambled on cheerfully: Mrs
Merriei scarcely heard. The dim, land.
scape was like aspicture seen in child.
hood d---soft-shrouded unreal, yet deli.
cately beautiful She drew y short,
sharp breath. ''Why do We live "a
Ihard2" she faltered. Look outl God
Ehas crowded His worldswith PLEASANT
things!" ... .5Ssss ..s. ;...s- .zs-=. B.
'sWell, / dunno!" he answered
'Git long, Poke-easyi Dye reckon
we're IN such . rush ito4 git we, can't
I stop. and run on past ~ s. s
The ride was : long one. Were