davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

name, was unheard of until from His peace
on the Mount of Beatitudes He gave it
forth, music sweeter than angels ever sang,
that higher song that man lives not unto
himself alone, and that the greatest happi
ness is that which comes of doing good unto
Others.
Peace on earth! good will to men! That
higher song which lifts man above himself
and makes him but little lower than the
angels.
The Christ theme will never die. First
heard on the plains of Bethlehem, with the
frowning Herod-temple but three miles
away, within whose walls were heard the
teachings of the law of revenge and love oil
self heard there for the first time, 1t has
been sounding ever since, spreading wider
and wider, until now it compasses the whole
earth. In Christ's day Rome had waxed
to its noon of majesty, yet Rome passed and
was not. On that kingdom rose othei
Kingdoms, which perished in their turn
Since He lived one system after another sys
TEN of philosophy has been built up, only
to be torn down again. But the words o.
the Christ be and abide, and they shall stanc
forever, influencing men to nobler lives anl
higher results in living. His Kingdom II
an everlasting Kingdom, and of its dura
ton there shall be no end.
Meet and right is it, then, that th'
Christ-day shall be one of gladness in th
human heart; that the children shall taxi
part in it, since He loved them and blessed
them, and that gifts shall be exchanged il
token of that love for one another, whicl
He bore for all humanity.
WILLIAM ROSSER COBBE.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

1t was quite an accident that they met
thus after their intimacy at the seashore.
He did not know that she was going to
q new home with her uncle in California.
She would not let him explain the past
1t was almost time for him TO get oG at
his ranch--for the train was making 70
miles an hour! How he wished it would
slow up!
Hardly had the thought passed through
his mind, when there was jolt-a crunch
ing, grinding sensation, lurch-and then
suddenly stopping No one who has been in
a wreck will ever forget it. The Pullman
tipped sidewise, and that was the end.
Marvin was at Alice's side when it was
over. He took her arm, and, looking into
her white face, calmed her fears: ''It is
all right now-off the track-no more dan
ger"
He left her, to help the passengers in thu
smoker who were imprisoned and some
what injured, then returned.
He gathered her baggage and, wthou
permission, told her to follow. With th
remainder of the passengers they took III
q cold and sorrowful tramp along the tract
across the bleak prairies to the little town
three miles away, where lights twinkled
friendly greeting.
Frank tried to be sociable. "It was
narrow escape" he ventured.
"Yss" Nothing more. She would no
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

her stood Frank Marvin. 81 asked you to
come with me on my travels, and you con-
sented, as you did once before-but this
time it is for life"
Alice Reisen laughed a little hys.
tericaly. "But you know what happened
before, Frank" The last word was
caress, so tenderly was it spoken.
"Nes, | know from what you said little
while ago-you thought my sister was an
other girl in whom was interested. There
was and can be no other girl but you" And
then they talked it all over, for good.
The candy and toys were distributed from
the groen-paper-wrapped tree when they
returned to the hall. They did not remain
long, but went out under the stars and to
the little parsonage across the way. Frank
had sent a friend for a license, and In a
trice they were married.
A team and carriage were at the door,
and away they were whirled through the
beautiful but crisp prairie night.
"To the ranch" ordered Frank, and then
added: 1T was a miracle that the train
stopped right here in my own town. The
big ranch-house is ablaze with light out
there, and all is ready for you"
So the train went on toward the noun
tains without two of its passengers.
''Do you know" whispered Frank, as the
team drew up to the ranch-house, almost &
mansion out there on the plains, that re
ceived the best Christmas present OF al
tonight
"But you had to be your own Santa Claus
to get it," laughed Alice.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
MANKIND DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND 1T
UNTIL CHRIST WAS BORN.

XAIHAT Is tenderest and best in
N the heart of man is evoked when
I ~ \ the keys of memory are touched
t!laA', and the song of the Christ-day
NtTSW is sounded. 1t is the music of
the home and the loved, glad, If subdued,
melody recalling the earliest days of recol-
lection-an eager rush for well-iilled pend
ant stockings, for the laden Christmas tree,
with its gifts for all of the household. Aye,
and the eager rushing about the house
with merry shout and joyous greeting for
all. Then, the homecoming of the absent
and the gathering of all about the family
board.
Whether the corridors of our memory
mansions be long or short-our lives be
many or few the harmonies ring along them
just the same, telling of the presence in the
heart of that which is old as immortality,
and which shall never die-love. There,
then, this Christmas day, that Christmas
day, and every Christmas day, is present in
the heart this love for the home, with its
inmates for friends and for humanity.
The Christ.day practice of opening the
heart to unselhsh influences is born OF
the teachings of Him whose birth the day
commentaries. His the life beautiful, the
life rounded, the only completely perfect
life. lie taught the lessons of love, gentle
ness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, be-
nevolence, chastity and self-denial. What
is higher and best in humanity is of His
teaching, and from the latter has come the
Christian home, the best development OF
unselfsh affection and contentment to be
found among men.
The Christ-day is attuned to melody that
ever shall thrill the soul and cause it to
bring forth what is best in it. The herald
song of the angels to the shepherds on
the plain is fresher, stronger, closer, more
harmonious than ever, in the light of the
newer blessings which have come from the
Gospel of His peace. The lesson OF rea
humanity, refined, Divine altruism, and moi
the coarser sort sometimes called by this
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

not on the bills-he approached the fairy,
and In the same rough voice exclaimed:
you are to so with me on my travels to-
night. Come"
For moment she stood irresolute, not
knowing if this were part of the programme.
Then, thinking it must be, she took the
heavily-gloved hand, and, with bow to the
audience, stepped back and back, until both
were swallowed up in the vast depth of the
chimney.
But they did not go upward. Santa Claus
opened a door in the rear, and they were
outside the noisy hall and in the dressing
room.
Suddenly Santa Claus stripped off the
heavy wings and crown from the fairy, and
handed her her furs. "Come with me" he
said. masterfully.
What do you mean" she replied.
This" and he threw down the mask and
wig, the fur coat and heavy gloves-before
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

eight on this particular Christmas eve and
she had not yet discovered the hidng-place
OF to-morrow's gift.
"He must know that / want diamonds
this time" she mused. "Why, | have crit
icized the vulgar display Mrs. Jonesmith
makes of them, and talked of the waste OF
money their purchase implies until he
must have been impelled to buy me some
out of sheer contrariety. But where did
he hide them? That"
A knock at the door interrupted her
train of thought, and particularly unin-
viting chap asked for old clothes in a robust
whine The influence of the season was
upon Mrs. Davidson, however, and she gave
him an old overcoat which her husband
thought he might sometime wear when he
went hunting. He never did go hunting,
but he lived as if he always expected to
start early the next morning.
mo, just can't think where he has put
that gift;" she said, returning to her chair
and her thoughts. "Well, one comfort, he
hasn't seen the cuff links and the meer-
schaum pipe / have for him. I've moved
their hiding-place twice week, so he has
had no chance to find them while rum
maging in the waste paper basket for his
clean collars or searching in the china closet
the upper left-hand bureau drawer. What's
that"
The front door had opened cautiously and
a stealthy step went up the stairs and stole
across the floor of the room above. Mrs.
Davidson turned pale, then softly clapped
her hands. It's Tom going to take peep
at my present. I'll keep quiet and find out
where it is
She heard the steps about the room, and
held her breath until they paused before
the cliifonier.
"Ah, it is in the drawer that Tom said
had stuck and would not open. Why did
| never think of that before!"
She listened until the cautious footsteps
came down the stairs and the front door
softly opened and shut. Then she rose in her
triumph.
aha, he has slipped out to come in a few
moments later, thinking that | did not
hear him. I'll slip up now, have peep at
my diamonds and good joke on him in the
morning"
She went upstairs and lit the gas; il
hared up and a scream burst from her. The
room was in confusion; drawers were upset
and their contents scattered on the floor
As she screamed, the front door opened
and her husband came running upstairs.
"Well, Tom Davidson, ii you think this i
joke, | don't!' she cried TO slip in tai:
way and play trick on your wife is
"What on earth do you mean by joke?
tom Davidson, you don't mean to say
| that | didn't hear you come upstairs /,
minutes ago to look at my present and
"You certainly did not. Hello!" He strobe
across the room and lifted drawer of thC
! chiffonier which was upside down on the
bed "As / came up the block, / met the
ugliest tramp | ever saw, and ! could hay,
sworn that he wore my old coat. You simply
sat there while he riAed the place and car
red off the diamond pin l had gotten fol
your Christmas gift!'
When she had quieted down little anC
Mr. Davidson was telephoning for the police
his wife suddenly remembered that the las
hiding-place for the cuff links and the meer
schaum pipe was the breast pocket of tina
old coat.
ELISA ARMSTRONG BENGoUGH.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
A CHRISTMAS ACCIDENT.
1T PROVES THAT VANITY SOMETIMES is ITS
OWN PUNISHMENT.

"J oNEsTY is the best policy"
IN sighed Florence, especially When
( 80 \ Christmas is near" she added.
iSsRI (Which means" queried her
Nr-/ dearest friend, eagerly.
(Which means that my vanity is too
near the tip of my tongue for my own good.
Luckily that is a common complaint, how
ever. else I'd never mention II"
ooh, | understand, you expected some.
body TO give you handsome present, and
sent an equally handsome one on the
chance. Oh, well, comfort yourself; per-
haps she really believed the price you had
marked upon it,"
"That wasn't it at all. You remember
that Dick went abroad early in the fall,
don't you"
81 do-he has told me every incident of
his trip everytime i have met him since his
return
"Of course--what else did he go abroad
for! Well. he came to see me the day that
he went away. He-he told me what a
pretty little hand | have"
"Ah, well, you mustn't expect people to
always mean what they say
81 am glad that some people do not, dear.
I inst mentioned the fact that / always
wore a No. glove-Oh, il you are going
TO take it in that way-I am sure that al
ways did until was lG years old!''
"Oh, but that"
al am glad that you have the grace to
apologize. dear Well Dick failed to bring
| me a present when he came back, but |
was Just as sweet and nice as ever, because
| Christmas was so near that
"There wasn't time to quarrel and make
up, especially, with a man who is as pop
ular as Dick
"No. When Christmas eve arrived he
came to call. with box in his pocket, which
bulged so plainly that l could see 1t with
nv back turned He drew it out at last
lust as my patience was exhausted, and,
Oh, Anne, it was two dozen pairs OF gloves
that he had brought me from Paris!"
ooh, how perfectly lovely OF him!'
at would have been, but for the fact
that they were number skies, and each pair
had my monogram embroidered on 1T, SC
that could not exchange them"
"Oh. dreadful What could be worse?
THAT he insisted upon seeing me put
a pair of them on!'
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
...A...
Christmas
Love Story
BY
CHARLES
MOREAU
HARG Err

- IFTY miles, sixty miles, seven
ty miles-seventy-three miles!
I/~\ The indicator in the roadmas
,Es ter's car attached to the over
N~-,>|y land flyer showed that the train
~MI was making swift time across
the level plains. Ahead, in the Pullman,
passengers scarcely noticed the speed. They
were wishing the long winter night were
over and were thinking of cozy fresides
back east
Frank Martin left the indicator with
out a word to the roadmaster, whose guest
he was for the trip to his ranch, went for
ward for the tenth time that evening. He
looked anxiously up the aisle of the Pull
man. There she was-petite, dark-haired,
pensive, alone.
After moment of indecision he ap-
preached her. MAY bring you something
from the dining carr"
Nothing, thank you; 1 am doing very
we'll"
What was the use? She had only nod
ded when he encountered her on the train.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
In nOstOn Wny.

"And what" asked the caller in his most
ingratiating tones, what did Santa Claus
put in your stocking, my little girl!'
For a moment she looked at him through
her diminutive spectacles; then, in voice
of mingled pity and indignation, she said;
1--WE no longer put credence in obsolete ira
dition; nor was it delicate of you to men.
ton that article of feminine apparel"
Gathering up her copy of Ibsen, she hur.
riedly left the room.-New Lippincott.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
A Mean Trick.

o the doctor he was sad
And the doctor he was mad,
And the doctor ripped and tore and roared,
alackl
Some rogue had gone and stuck
In the doctors sock duck
That every time you touched 1t murmured:
"Quack! Quackl Quack!"
Chicago Times Herald
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
An Afterthought.

"John," asked Mrs. Torkins, tearfully,
"do you remember the present Mrs. Page
gave me last Christmas?"
Yes" replied her husband; what OF
it,"
81 am almost sure / have sent it to her
this year."-Broolilyn Life.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
An Eye for the Present.

Miss Smoothe-No, / cannot give you my
answer until the first of next year.
Mr.. Softleigh-But, why? You say you
love me, and
Miss Smoothe-Why, you silly thing! II
our engagement were announced now, none
of the other men would send me single
Christmas gift.-Baltimore American.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

Don't offer costly gifts with which
That Christmas tree Is hung;
Just give me back the appetite
/ had when / was young
Chicago Record
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
Giving Him n Chance

Harriet, you ought to give me my choice
of a Christmas present once in awhile
"Well, Harry, I'm willing; do YOU want
a lamp-shade, sofa pillow or new lace
curtains ?"-Chicago Record.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

All trees man should love, but his life's
dearest joys
Should circle that tree which blooms
candles and toys.
Chicago Record.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
Shattered Her Ideals,

Miss Askit-Why is Miss Wunder SO
pessimistic about Christmas?
Miss Tellit-She hung up Sl2 pair Of
silk hose last year, and some one stole
them.-Baltimore American.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

'Dearie, what do you want me to give
you for Christmas"
"Well, precious, I've got II framed pho
tographs of you detroit Free Press.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

We learn to know at Christmas
Life still is full of ills;
To-day we get the presents,
Next week we get the bills.
Judge.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

The seasons come, the seasons go
Christmas is here before We know 1t,
When we must take our hard-earned casf
And Unfortunately blow 1t,
Puck.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
IncreduIOus.

Mamma-Santa Claus only comes to good
boys.
Johnny--Huh! If he did he wouldn't
have to hustle much to get around. .--Pusk.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19
Mg. DAvIDSON'S COAT.
A CHRISTMAS EPISODE WITH AN UNEX-
pECTEDLY DISMAL ENDING.

r HRISTMAS was great time in
Nv the Davidson family, an event
I 90 prepared for in secrecy for
tSz,H months 1t was the desire OF
Vr1-/ Mr.. Davidson's heart to succeed
in surprising his wife IN the matter OF his
selection of a Christmas gift for her, and
it was his wife's pride that in all the 70
years of their married life he had never
yet gained his wish.
In consequence of this, it was somewhat
exasperating that the clock had struck
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

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The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21
san Mareos News Notes.

San Marcos. Texas. July 1e-curtIs Ivey
hus returned TO this city and is employed
al the Katy depot,
Mrs G VI. Cook and Mrs. Or. Atkinson
are At Corpus Christi for few weeks.
Miss Ira PARROT left Tuesday for Cin-
cinnati, where she will attend the con
seryatory Of music.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Coleman Young left Thurs
day evening for a visit TO the Pan-Ameriean
exposition at Buffalo
Miss j D. Slowson Of bartlett visited
Katy Agent Donnohue's home this week,
Mr.. and Mrs Swancoat and Miss Sella
Swancoat Of Austin spent Sunday with UT.
and Mrs Coleman Young.
Miss Harrison Of Buda visited in San
Marcos this week
Colonel Eugene Green Of Lockhart lieu
tenant colonel First infantry. l. V. q,
spent some days at his fathers this Week
lie is now at Camp Mahry with Dis regi-
Mrs. Ida Hensly OF San Antonio is yis-
lting Nor parents, Captain and Mrs j. o.
storey
Miss Nell Kelap entertained party OF
friends "Wednesday evening.
Mrs Rosa Barber Is spending a Few DAYS
with relatives and friends 10 San Antonio.
Miss Belle Graham OF Austin Is visiting
Miss Dolphie Reynolds.
Miss Josie Ashford OF san Antonio u VS.
lting Mrs. Charles Hutchings.
Misses Lucy Atkinson and Iowa Reynolds
are visiting In Waco.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21
NHH1GHG1HcH1H>SuScH1 N>S~S>S1NcN.N~ss

II was long Day with nothing to see
except the Track, the Rag Weeds and lot
Of Spoons who held ON to one another for
fear of losing Good Thing
The Train was seven hours In getting
back, and by that time the Monnyhans
were Sight II wou not have been a
regular sunday Excursion n some Cent?.
man had not smashed another Gentleman
FOR Insulting his Lady Mrs Monaghan
tainted and dropped her Wild Flowers. aud
y the time she came to they were all ever
the Place, knee deep.
Lnic ii Night tho Monnyhans showed un
IN Kidd Street. 70 Mrs. Monnyhon those
two dusty Trees were Rover Of Eden.
She had taken enough Vacation 10 do her
Tor quito Spell. Shc wanted 10 get into
the House ana make fen Quick Chang 8
aud TAKE Long Breath
So when they We're bncb on their OWL
Door Step whore they could shed few
Garments aud catch the Breeze from tn,
Switch Yards, they realized that Kidd
Street was an earthly Paradise.
Now. when Mrs. Monnyhan needs Rec
reation she shakes a Nickel out OF While,
Bank and flags Trolley.
MORAL: BE II ever 50 Humble there's
no Place like Home when It comes tt
Wearing what you like.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21
The Modern Fable of the
Good Fairy of the Eighth
Ward and the Dollar Excur.
sion of the SteamfitterS,

a Blast Furnace where they did not provide
Electric Fans for the Help. When sum
ner came he never had to worry about MS
Automobile, and the Problem Of getting a
good Butler for the Country House did not
give him a moments Unensincss, MI.
Monnyhan was one of the Plain People,
He wiped his mouth on the Back Of his
Hand, and when he saw n Man In Duck
Trousers he had Murder in his Heart.
shortly after the Whistle blew. Mr. Mon
nyhan would show mp In Kidd Street. drag
ging one Foot after the other, the Pros
perity Dinner Pail in one horny Mitt AMI
his Coat over his Arm. He would collapse
on the Step with a Moan of Relief. Then
he would call for his Evening paper ami
read about Summer styles for Well-DresSed
Men.
After supper he and the other Toilers
along the Row would com out 70 the Front
Sleeps and peel off until they were com
Portable, no matter what the Ladies Home
Journal said. The Children playing IN the
Street wore Rational Costumes Some
times Foreigner came along and played
Rag-Iime on a Street Piano. 'rhe German
at the Corner did great Bucket Trade
After Mr.. Monaghan and his Neishhors
had Rolled the Rock and Chased the Duck
and Hurried the Can for several Pints OF
the White suds they would feel almost as
well of as the Rich.
Mrs. Monaghan had Grudge against
Kidd street. She had doped herself on
weekly Story Papers and the Society Cot
umn until she was full of pipey Ambitions
that did not ft In with Papa's Saturday
Night Envelope. When she read about
some New York Family going away on a
Yacht and taking $4,000 worth OF Ice
alonF She would feel Enyious. The Mon
nyhans got most Of their Ice In the Winter
Time. Sometimes she would look out Al
the two lonesome Trees in Kidd Street and
wish that her Husband was an unpopular
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21

10 last her all Summer
Mr. Monaghan acted on the Tip. His
Wife was tlckled to know that they were
going. She londed n Basket with Lunch
and laid ont her best Things.
on sunday Morning the Mounyhans put
on their heavy Clothing and started for the
station. The sun had got nm Early Start.
II was hot gummy Day Just the kind
for an Excursion
,On the Railway Platform stood abour
One Thousand in their Sunday Best, slowly
Cooking The Monnyhans worked their
way into the Pack, Every person In that
crowd seemed 10 be q radintiug Heat IKE
a Parlor Stovr.
II was sure enough sunday Bunch.
There was uiney Botz with tho Badge
and the Pale Cigar. lie was putting FIN
ger Marks on the dove-coiored Basque Of
Jimpsy, the pail Mechanic Of the CONNER
cial Hotel Also there was Mike the Bite,
with his regular Rollopozarium, who was
Calcimined to a creamy white and chewing
Pepsln Gum in twofour Time. And the
Queen with the satin Slippers and the
gold Bridge Work in her Teeth, Was she
on hand with Clarence and his Patent
feathers?
Mrs Monnyhan was looking for Society
and she got her Dollars Worth right on the
Jump.
She was right next to o Stuot Lady IN
white, who carried a Small Child, prof.
ably I'VE weeks old A very young Baby
that Is broken out with the Heat loves To
get away on sunday and have a Time with
the Steam-Flttcrs. On the other side was
Gay Dog WITH Red Handker'hief around
his Neck and Japanese Fan In his upper
Coat Pocket No sunday Excursion Is com
plete without this Boy.
The Cars had been standing IN the Yarla
since 4:30 soaking up Heat There were
not enough Seats for all. so Mr. Monnyhan
put the two Children In the Coal-Box
while he and the Pleasure Seeker sat be
hind Couple thar talked Baby Talk. The
Woman had artificial Cherries on her Hat
and the Man snelIed OF Musk. Their
somebody began 10 sing "A Bird in Z
Gilded Cage" and others started in 10 oper
up Lunch and throw Egg Shells on IN,
Floor The Hnmorist who puts bis Heat
out Of the window TO Josh those al tue
different stops was present IN Numbers
Also the rolicking Youth who keeps tramp
ing up and down the Aisles.
The Train ran for 0 miles aud the'