davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
HANDSEL MONDAY.
"Gift" Day Is Universally Celebrated
by Peasnntry OF Great
Britain.

The first Monday of the New Year
is universally celebrated by the peas
antry and trade people of Scotland,
of parts of Ireland and of the north
of England, as Handsel, or gift"
Monday, says the New York Trib-
une. On this day tips or small gifts
were expected by servants, as well as
by the postman, the deliverers of
the newspaper, the scavenger and all
persons who waited upon the house.
The word "handsel' is an old Saxon
word which means "to deliver into
the hand" 1t refers to the first sale
of the New Year or of the day, as
well as to the first gift of the New
Year. In some parts of Ireland and
Scotland there is considerable merry
contention in putting off all pay
ments, however trivial, that come on
this day until the next, it being con-
sidered unlucky to pay out money on
this day. On the other hand, there
is special demand for such money,
as money received on Handsel Mon
day is supposed to insure full purse
all the rest of the year.
After a somewhat riotous period of
spending money Handsel Monday
called for sudden stop in all eX-
penditures, and probably was pru-
dent check upon what had often be-
come by this time reckless eXtrava-
gance. A vast number of people in
this land of plenty buy a great many
things which are of no practical use
to them, and spend money otherwise
in foolish ways. The people who do
this are not those with plethoric
pocketbooks, but those who can least
afford to be wasteful New Years
day is usually day for good reso-
lutions, and there is no resolution
more common than one which calls
for a general retrenchment of eX-
penditures.
AS a people, we are generous to
fault, and a vast amount of unhappi-
ness in the household as well as
actual crime can be traced to i'm
prudence in money matters. 1t is
wise thing to have a day which calls
attention to the number of things
which we can easily do without, if
for any special reason we are de-
sirous to avoid spending all money.
There is little danger that it will
make niggards. Comfort and happi-
ness depend as much upon prudence
in giving and spending when we can
not afford to spend as they do upon
being properly open-hearted and
opuprOuS
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
THE DYING YEAR.

Now the year is sinking slowly.
Sinking to its last long sleep,
And the passing hours seem holy,
While we turn aside and weep.
Like a friend about to leave us,
Very precious still 1t seems;
All too honest TO deceive us,
Though made up of transient dreams.
Yet those dreams are interviewer
With the fabric of our souls.
And in passing they have proven
Life Is real as II unrolls.
o the year of tears and laughter,
Shade and sunshine, calm and storm,
Passing on, while we come after
Vainly searching for Its form.
Still that form, so feeble, fingers
Like a pilgrim by the sea,
And 1t points with trembling fingers
Toward the unsolved mystery.
o how lovely in It's dying
Is the year so gray and old,
While the wintry winds are signing
Ger a new grave IT. the mold.
BY that grave with open portal.
Thoughtfully we stand and wait
Till the old year, like mortal,
Sinks beneath the walls of fate.
From that grave we come rejoicing
AT the breaking of the morn;
In these words our gladness volcing:
10! another year is bornw
C. W. Crofts, in Chicago Inter Ocean.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26

"Of course"
IN Inn. Then, we had to buy a good
many tickets for charitable entertainments,
and all my poor people got out of work and
said they'd rather have money than advice,
so Arthur"
Complained? How like"
eyes. Finally Mrs. Swellstyle decided to
give colonial bazar, and asked me to help.
The costumes were to be rather expensive,
but the proceeds We're to do great good
in buying Photographic copies of good pic
lures on which the starving poor could feed
their hunger for beauty. l consented to
help, but"
Arthur"
He said that if I continued my charitable
deeds we would soon be objects of charity
ourselves. He hasn't refused to go any
where with me since, but if you will believe
it, Elaine, is telling everybody that my good
resolve was only a scheme to bring about
that result"
ELISA ARMSTRONG BENGOUGH.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26

to good deeds-I always did like giving ad
vice"
"Was Arthur delighted?"
81 suppose so. He was reading his paper
when | told him. 1t is queer, but that alb
serbs him as much as curling my hair alb
serbs me-"
Men are so queer Did you really keep
your resolve?"
'Mhm; | gave silk waist that came
from Paris to a woman with three starv-
ing children and even showed her how to
make it fit her. Then | went to see a
blind woman who lived in an alley, and
took her bunch of roses and a lovely en-
broidered doiley And there was Elaine,
who never did a thing for anybody; told
her she ought to be ashamed, when l was
devoting myself to the poor
"And was she?"
"No. She remarked that was wearing
q new fur boa, and that | was evidently
not depriving myself of imported hats l
told her that | had to set the poor a good
example in neatness."
True. But"
"Yes. 1t was raining when / came away
from the blind woman's, and / sent her
grandson for cab. lie never returned, and
found that my watch was gone, too.
When | told Arthur, he"
eyes, go on!"
He said that charity not only covered
. multitude Of sins, but good many dol
lars as well. Well, | caught a cold that
day and was sick for a week. The cook
promptly left, and in boiling two eggs and
making some undrnkable coffee Arthur
burned his hand, scorched his coat sleeve
and broke two cups. He blamed that all
on charity"
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26

I nm N6AA PlNNSIl' as IlS hIllOluCN the DItdh-
(NY,HI2) fast napkin. The day has set
NVVl2/ me to thinking that had better
revive my boyhood's habit and
make the resolve to turn over a new leaf.
In the past, /"
Now, you are not going to resolve to
help the poor by giving away all your sec
ond-best clothes, are you?" said his wife,
apprehensively. you did that once, re-
member, and had to shovel the snow off the
front pavement in your best suit"
Il have done nothing of the kind" has
tily replied her liege. The fact is that |
have not been as kind husband in the
past as | might have been, and"
"Oh, | guess you've been as good as the
average responded his wife, calmly.
No, have not, my dear, that is merely
your gentle, wlfely way of putting it.
know that | have often displayed great
temper when the provocation was slight,
but in future you shall have no cause for
complaint"
We'll, OF course, you were very unpleas-
ant about those bills, Nathaniel thought
at the time that you never behaved in that
way before we were married, and"
Displayed some temper, did |? No Won
der. An angel on tombstone would have
displayed temper over such extravaganza
as that. Did you expect me to remain as
quiet as a-as gingerbread baby while
was robbed by lot of-However, in future
l shall do 1t, since you are so anxious"
u ou are sure that you are not ILL., are
you, dear? The doctor said"
Never better in my life. | have merely
seen the error of my ways and resolved to
mend them in time. When | think of the
terrible fits OF anger to which [ have some
times given way, I"
well, | was afraid that the last cook
would make trouble because of the things
you said to her about the biscuits. still"
The things | said, eh? Let me tell vou.
Sarah Wimpleton, that many a man would
have deserted his wife for less than that.
Ii l did make few slight remarks | was
fully justified, | can tell you. However, it
shall never happen again"
Il am glad to hear it, dear Now that l
think OF 1t, feel very badly over your quar-.
rel with the people next door, and your
teud with the iceman, and the things you
said about the cigars bought you at Christ
mas were-but what is the matter?"
The matter is this, madam; | shall not
remain here to be insulted. / am the most
patient and long-suffering of men, but even
J. will not stand this. | shall be at home
late this evening, if you send me a note
of apology in the interval for this unpro.
voked attack upon mel" The banging of
the front door put an impressive period to
the sentence
"And all" said Mrs. Wimpleton, shaking
her head at the clock, "all because he had
decided to turn over a new leaf on New
Years day!"
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
The Jewish New Year.

New Years day was not regarded as
a Christian festival until the year 4S7,
and there is little mention of it until
1850, when it was included in the
liturgy Most countries celebrate New
Years day on January /, but the He,
brews celebrate theirs in September,
for they arrange their calendar ac-
cording to the new moon, and as their
months are either 20 or 30 days long,
New Years with them il a movable
holiday.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
ONE NEW YEARS RESOLVE.
BECAUSE SHE KEPT 1T. ONE WOMAN'S LIFE
WAS MADE MISERABLE.

SY Ill never make another New
III Years resolve as long as | live,
Im ~ sighed the hostess.
[ IQlMiU) HIN! Suppose you failed to
\QDWD/ keep yours" replied the guest.
~ "Pshaw; if you had, you'd have
been wearing wings instead OF furs and a
halo rather than a picture hat"
Il kept mine, but it gave me lot of
trouble. You see, it was the first New Years
since my marriage, and | felt it necessary
to turn over very white new leaf, so l
resolved"
Never to tell another fb? Then hope
Anne did not ask you if her new gown was
becoming"
81 did not-neither did she. If she had,
would have at least told her that it was
more becoming than the last one. | re-
solved to give up society and devote my
time to charity. 1t is really so difficult to
induce Arthur to go anywhere that I"
Might as well have the credit of Civ
ing it up voluntarily. Still, if you cried each
time that he refused, he would bring you
candy and flowers, and"
'And spend so much money on them that
I'd have to give up hat or two besides
having my complexion spoiled by the
candy"
'Not to mention the Doctors bill, if it
made you i'll. See!"
Nor the fact that I'd have to take the
medicine! No, | resolved to devote myself
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
His ROnr,
NTcGorrv

McGorry (carpngly)-Thi makers av al
manacs hoy got US be dhe troats, bedad!
Mrs. McGorry-How dyez make thot
out?
McGorry-Make ut out? Here, now:
We hov cowld weather New Years, phwn
we don't made ut; an do dhey give us aven
a BIRTH av frost on dhe Fourt' av July,
phwin our tongues are hangin' out wild dhe
heat? Not SOS yez cud notice ut, bedad!-
Judge
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
Not n procrastinator

"I shall not wait till New Years to turn
over a new leaf" said young Hoopler MY
grandmother sent me a Bible for a Christ
mas present, and l shrewdly suspect that
the dear old lady has hidden a few bank
notes in it."-Judge.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
Should be Perfectly HapDy

'I don't see why Long Jim Jones shouldn't
be happy this New Years day." said the
Georgia native. Hes got six fiddles, ten
children, an moonshine still that ain t
never been spotted by the government."-,
Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
Greeting to the New Year.

Hail. glad New Year! We do not ask
Our woes you should disperse.
We merely urge this simple task
Pray do not make them worse.
-Chicago Record
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
The Simple Fact

Stuyvesant-Going to turn over new
leaf, New Years day, old man?
Schermerhorn-No, going to turn over
the same old af.-Brooklyn Eagle.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
Go SIow.

Make new resolves mildly, or else I protest
When the time comes to keep them you'll
run short of zest.
-ChICagO Record.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
Rnther Diacnurnrinr

Maude-Did Daisy Freshlight give young
Slowboy any encouragement at the New
Years ball?
Clara-No, / think not. She asked him
to marry her, that's all.-Chicago Daily
News.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26

"Mamie," asked Mrs. Benham, "why do
SO many men reform and give up their bad
habits at New Years."
Because" interrupted Mr. Benham,
"they can't help themselves They're
broke after Christmas.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26
THE TURNING OF A LEAF.
MR.. S1MPLETON TURNED 1T. BUT DIDN'T
KEEP 1T TURNED.

NOTICE that to-day is the first
OF January" remarked Mr.. VIM
pleton, as he unfolded the break
fast napkin. The day has set
me to thinking that | had better
revive my boyhood's habit and
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03
BIGGEST SALVAGE ON RECORD.
Story of the St. Paul Aground With
$1,25o,ooo of Gold.

WHEN the big American line
steamship st. Paul ran aground in
dense fog on the Jersey beach near
the lower end.of Long Branch, before
daylight January %, 1896, Captain
Clark, Lloyd's agent in New York,
got word OF it at four O'Clock in the
morning, he cabled instantly to Lon.
don, and Lloyd's was in possession of
the news at $3.50 a. m. The st. Paul
had been indulging in squirt of speed
with the swift Cunarder Campania,
which in moderate weather is nearly
knot faster than the American ship;
she got far out of her course, missing
the Fire Island light, and drove up on
the sands of the Jersey coast. She
was held in the embrace of the shelly
ing beach for ten days. The Campania
was also reported to have touched
bottom but an observant life saver pa
trolling the beach said this was not
so, but she undoubtedly came within
view of folks along the shore. In the
cargo of the st. Paul were one and
quarter millions in gold consigned to
firm in New York. 1t was essential
that this should be landed. Arrange.
ments were made with the Merritt
Chapman Wrecking company to have
the stranded liner hauled off. She and
her cargo, including the gold, were
heavily insured. After 1t was found
thpt it was going to be very difficult
to'toat the big ship, the consignees of
the gold, who needed it in their bust
ness, appealed to Captain Clark as
Lloyd's agent to have it landed. 1t
remained aboard the vessel three
days; the fact of it being there rem
dered the underwriters liable for
heavier tax in the event of the vessel
being aoated Naturally, the American
line did not make any strenuous eff
forts TO have the bullion discharged,
and just as naturally Lloyds were
anxious to get 1t off as quickly as pos
sible; for In the event of storm aris-
ing and causing the destruction of the
ship, the gold would have added so
much more to the loss of the under
writer's Captain Clark chartered a
steamer and offered to take charge OF
the gold and land il. Thereupon the
! captain obtained promise that the
gold would be landed Immediately.
Thus the underwriters were relieved
of the further risk and expense of
floating the stranded ship. The gold
was transferred to the lighter Hag-
gerty down sagging shute suggestive
ola stretch OF canvas In bags, kegs and
| boxes. Twelve men armed with re-
volvers guarded the treasure as it was
transferred from pier to truck and
taken to vault in Wall street. The
award of $4,000 for salvage service
in the case of the st. Paul was the
largest ever obtained in an admiralty
court The st. Paul was aground ten
days. 1t was said that she had not
late bent or a rivet started IS. A
Wood in Ainslees
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03

tent OF about 100000 acres, and the
whole area has been brought under
systematic treatment An expert for
ester is still employed TO superintend
the work, and there is a corps of
trained rangers. "A certain amount OF
matured poplar has been numbered,
and the system of cutting employed
has been very successful in bringing
about an excellent reproduction OF
that tree. Improvement cuttings OF
various species, chiefly for cord wood.
are made in the portions of the tract
nearest the market, and a certain
amount of planting is done every year.
Mr.. Pinchot says that a great deal OF
the work being done at Biltmore would
not be practical on many other large
tracts, managed solely for profit, in
other sections of the country. The
systematic management of forests for
practical lumbermen will be more
along the lines practiced on the Webb
and Whitney eracts, in the Adiron.
dacks. both of which were numbered
under the supervision of the division
of forestry.-New York Sun.
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03
Pickininny hind de nouseboo-hoo-

Pickininny hind de nouseboo-hoo
hoo:
Sheep in de fold go bah bah; bah. bah;
An de goose goes flly-a-fee.
Piss slod in de pen keep squealin' for
Big dogs a barkin like dey never will
stop;
Guineas in de tree go pot-rack, pot
rack,
Al de goose goes filly-a-fee.
Il stopped him because he was out
of breath, and he lay back in his chair
and laughed and laughed until tossed
rabbits foot into his lap The effect
was magical; he jumped fully ten feet
and gave hoop which would have
startled Comanche chief Don't do
that no mo-, massa; dis niggah boun'
to run If you does said Nose and a
promise not to put any more hoodoos
on him, together with the gift of a
dollar brought him around all right
again. Raking his bony fingers across
the strings he was soon drumming
the tune and began the negro ditty
about a Mr. Kimble, which had
amused the little ones so much in his
younger days:
You can't guess what we had TO
supper,
Cum a rop-strop-bottle Mr.. Kimble
Black-eyed peas and bread and butter,
Cum rop-strop-bottle Mr. Kimb,e;
Beefsteak, ham and mutton chop,
Cum rop-strop-bottle Mr. Kimb,e;
Make dis niggahs lips go flippity-hop,
Cum a rop-strop-bottle Mr. Kimb,e;
Mutton chop, beefsteak, ham and peas,
Cum a rop-strop-bottle Mr. Kimb,e;
Go way, niggah. you'se hard to please,
Cum a rop-strop-bottle Mr. Kimb.e;
after each he sang the chorus:
Fleero Fliro, Flimboree, Fiavoray;
Rop-strop, periwink,e, little yaller
booger,
Cum a rop-trop-bottle Mr.. Kimble
Though age had left its telling
mark on the old negro. his voice was
clear as a bell and the minstrel of to-
day cannot equal it for genuine melody
and sweetness. The day being fal
spent, was compelled to leave the
faithful darkey, though it was pleas
ure to listen to the old plantation
songs which had been the life OF The
old slaves of the south, so babe hin
good bye and left the gray haired ser
dusky face"
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03
On the Stairs.

IT'S so good of you, Miss Idolmine,
to consent to sit out this-Certainly,
I'll let you pass. Jones. Don't mention
it.
"As ! was going to say, Miss Idol
mine, I've been trying to find a chance
to see you alone, oh, for several cen
turtles, 1t seems to me, because have
something very particular to tell oh,
you want to get down? Certainly.
Jones Can't you find her?
And 1t is awfully good of 20 I, Miss
Idolmine, to miss this dance Just for
me, and | do appreciate It, and hope
II augurs- See here, Jones, are you
getting paid for running up and down
these stairs?
"Oh, Miss ldolmine, is It really only
because you are too tired to dance
this time? Isn't there any other rea-
fon. just the tiniest little bit Of?
Yes, confound you! | suppose you do
nave to get down again, Mes.
What I've been longing TO say, Miss
Observation-Disclosures that I love-Say
Jones, I'll kill you if, Well, there.
get on up If you have to, and stay I'D.
darn IL!
mo, Miss dolmine-Mabel--I must
say all now; | cannot stop. You must
know how | love you, and when you
consented to sit out this dance with
me ] knew ! could no longer live in
this agony OF doubt, but must learn
from your own sweet lips Slide
down the banisters IL you've got to get
down. Jones, you blasted idiot,
Mabel, oh, Mabel, my love, my
darling-no, won't hush! Look up,
sweetheart, and let me read In those
glorious orbs the sweetest, holiest
confession ever Jones, II ever / get
a chance I'll butcher you! You don't
want TO go up? What do you want,
then? Mabel-Miss Idolmine? Why,
what2-engaged? You? lob,
blast it! somebody keep me from bit.
ing holes in the carp ,. But I--er-I
congratulate you, both of you, OF
course. Alex. Ricketts, in Smart Set
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03

are to some extent responsible for the
cvercrowded condition of the court
calendars. Acting always upon the de-
fense, their policy is to delay.
The formation of trusts has also
affected the status of attorneys. A few
lawyer. Now, when combined, they
have their business done by one firm
Probably not more than 10 corpora
ton trial lawyers in the city Of Chi
cago receive fair salaries. AS a rule
they are unGe-paid, although men OF
great ability.
The statutes which have brought
about this change in the legal business
are all the creatures of the brains of
lawyers. These special privileges
given to the trust companies, the alb
stract companies, and the accident in
surance companies have not resulted
IN 49, Great benefit to even he few
attorneys employed by the favored cor
porations. Competition is so strong
and the corporation so merciless that
in many cases the lawyers who wrote
the special statutes creating these
monopolies are now out of employ
ment, themselves the victims of their
own ingenious but misguided labors
The evil has now reached a point
where companies have been organized
that insure merchants against loss Of
accounts. This will result in monopo-
lizing the collection business. It will
follow naturally that the bankruptcy
companies of the same kind. Where
the profession will end, in the absence
of drastic remedies none can foresee. .
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-03
RUSSIA GRABS TERRITORY.
Instructive Instance of the Working OF
the Cars Diplomacy.

In the Saturday Evening Post.
Frank G. Carpenter, who has recently
spent the better part of year in the
east, gives many facts of Russia's
advance in Asia. and relates the fol
lowing incident:
THE powers have practically
agreed that Manchuria is to be the
property of Russia, and within a short
time, in all probability, all the Chinese
territory beyond the great wall will
belong to the czar. The boundary
line between Siberia and Mongolia is
being slowly pushed southwark.
During a visit to Picking some
years ago | heard tradition as to how
Russia o"ce acquired a big slice of
China. There was a dispute about the
boundary line, which the Russians
had ,1oN I'd out so as to include q
large amount of Manchurian and
Monaghan soil. A war was imminent.
and the Chinese. as usual. wanted TO
settle matters by compromise. The
Russians consented. and brought forth
map showing the territory they de.
manded. The Chinese threw up their
hands in horror and said their lives
would be endangered if they presented
such treaty to their emperor. All
right said the Russians; If that is So
we will take less and they thereupon
showed a second map, one-tenth the
size of the first. but in which the loti
tude and longitude of the territory
taken were exactly the same. The
Chinese looked. The space within the
red lines on the map was very much
smaller. and they recommended the
treaty without further dispute.
Few people realize the enormous
extent of Asiatic Russia. II is about
one and two-thirds the size of Europe
and twice rs big as the United States
without Alaska and our outlying Is
| lands. It comprises, in fact. more
than one-third of all Asia. Siberia
alone being half as big as our country
To this vast territory is now to be
5dded Manchuria. with a possibility
that Mongolia AMI III viii soon come
the same way. Mongolia is fully half
and Iii about one-third the size of the
United States. while Mant huria Is
equal to ten states as big as Ohio.
"The title to Mauchuria is now prac
tically conceded to Russia"