davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

for it was seldom children came to the
solemn old house. When the heavy
door swung open, the children almost
fell into the hall, as they had been
leaning against it, wiping the snow
from their little shoes.
"What do you want, children?''
asked Miss Cynthia, assisting them to
regain their balance and closing the
door behind them.
They looked at each other timidly,
their eyes growing large and solemn.
The smaller, little girl, put one fat
finger in her mouth and looked up at
Miss Cynthia searchingly.
eve have run away, and we liked
this pretty big house, and l told sis
ter we'd come and see who lived here"
said the boy, boldly.
run away" repeated Miss Cynthia,
in shocked surprise; that was very,
very naughty; can't you tell me where
you live?'
IT'S just round some corners, and
we amt afraid, are we, Jean?" de-
manded the boy.
Jean shook her head and seated her
self in small chair that stood in the
hall, with great calmness and delibera-
ton.
81 like your housed" said the boy,
thoughtfully; cts got soft floors,
and feels like you was walking on pill
lows" stepping around on the rich
carpet with evident enjoyment.
Haven't you any carpet on your
foors?" asked Miss Cynthia, ten
derby.
"No, only in two rooms, mammals
and the sitting room. We used to
have, but papa had them sent away
and asked us not to tell dear mamma
cause she might cry" answered the
boy, looking into Miss Cynthia's face,
gravely.
SIS your mamma sick?" asked Miss
Cynthia,
Eyes, she's awful sick, and has to
stay in a dark room all the time. She
never laughs 'cept when papa's there;
then she acts so happy, and told us
once not to tell him that she means
when he's gone" said the boy.
"And who cares for you and Jean?'
asked the woman, quickly.
Gust Mary; she washes the dishes
and cooks our dinners and scrubs, and
washes our clothes, and irons 'em, and
oh, yes-plays with u.s." answered
the boy, joyously, while Jean smiled
approval.
Miss Cynthia shuddered, and drew
him to her arms, while Jean hitched
her chair closer and leaned against the
wonSan's knees.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

"I'll tell you some'fng," she said,
softly; "to-morrow's Christmas"
Miss Cynthia's smile was so loving.
her best friend would scarcely have
recognized her.
rs Is, dear; will Santa Claus go to
your house," she asked, gently.
Not this year. Father sag he can't
come every year to our house, cause
we mustn't be selfish. Some little chill
dren never had a Santa Claus come"
said the boy, his eyes shining with
sympathy for the Santa Clausless chill
dren he spoke Of.
A great resolve was forming in Miss
Cynthia's heart. She would take these
children to their home, and then send
them such a Christmas as they would
never forget. She could not do it for
Sidney's children, but here were two
little waits who could take their place.
Hastily she donned her hat and seal
skin coat, and taking a hand of each
wondering child, went out into the
night.
Now, children. take me to your
home, and when have explained your
absence to your Mary, l'll hunt up San
ia Claus and send him around to your
house" she said, as they went down
the steps.
The boy pulled her along the snowy
street, talking so rapidly all the time
of what he wanted Santa Claus to
bring that Miss Cynthia did not notice
which way they were going until they
stopped before a small house on a
dark street. Around the side of the
cottage the trio went, and the boy
opened a door noisily into a poorly
furnished dining-room. At the sound,
young Irish girl rushed in and
ciasped the truants in her arms.
ooh, you naughty ones! Mary's
been so worried, and the poor mother
-hersilf's been cryin'," she said, tear
fully.
Miss Cynthia was about to explain,
when the door behind her opened, and
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

shabby his clothes were as time went
on.
1t was six years now since Sidney's
marriage, and Cynthia had not relent-
ed nor had Sidney asked aid, although
there were two little children. and
Edith was nearly blind with an affiic-
ton of the eyes.
Miss Cynthia's heart yearned for
those children, and whenever she
passed a group of neighborhood little
ones, her sharp eyes peared into each
small face trying to discern which
were the BruceSchildren, but she had
never felt sure of their identity. Her
heart was unusually tender on this
Christmas eve, and for the first time
she wondered if she had not been too
hard upon Sidney and Edith. She had
missed Edith's willing service many
times in the past few years, and there
had been no one to take her place in
Miss Cynthia's household. She
strained her eyes into the gathering
darkness to see Sidney pass on his
homeward way, but it was impossible
to distinguish him in the hurrying
throng. 1t was showing little now,
and it was some time before Miss Gym
thia noticed two little figures going
along the sidewalk, hand in hand,
laughing and shouting with glee. The
fence in front of Miss Cynthia's yard
was an iron one with the bars set
some distance apart, and the children
paused and pressed their faces be-
tween the pickets, gazing into the
lighted house.
The room in which Miss Cynthia
stood was still in darkness, and she
could see them quite plainly but re-
manned herself unseen. The children
whispered together, then with hesitat-
ing steps came for %rd toward the
gate and opened it with some difficulty.
Slowly they came up the walk to the
house and gave the bell tremendous
pull. Miss Cynthia went to the door
with a pleased sense of anticipation,
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

listers wife does her own work, so
of course we want them and the
dear children; and | met the sweet
est little woman on the train with
two lovely children. Her hus-
band died year ago, and
she finds she cannot stand
sewing in shop to support
them, so she has come to her girl
hood home to see what she can do
here. | saw her yesterday, and |
wormed out of her that she was liv
ing in two rooms and hadn't gotten
anything to do"
That is, or used to be, Matte
Clark. Her father did not save his
money, you see"
so you will help his poor daugh-
ter" spoke up Jessie. Thank you; land
Nancy said she'd admire to get dim
ner for her preacher and his folks
onct."
Nancy is the best church mem
Der in the family But what more
do you want for Christmas? Do you
think | have a Fortunatus' purse?"
mo; but a big heart lengthens
any pocketbook; so | guess you
might give me five dollars to get
presents for these five children. Jake
said he could find me a little tree
out in the woods, and we'll be all
right. 1 suppose you'll get Nancy
dress; l saw a warm pretty brown
one downtown yesterday. And
Jake?"
81 always give Nancy dollar, but
Jake doesn't earn more than his
wages"
HE has a sick mother; but you
know that, of course, you dear old
fellow You look sick yourself, and
I'm going to bed and let you rest"
said Jessie, dropping a kiss on the
bald spot on her uncle's head.
81 can stand it once" he grOaned
when he was alone. but before the
week was out he began to feel the
more blessedness," and surprised
himself by going around whistling
! like a boy and handing out nickels
to school children, winding up with
giving each of his bank employees a
check Christmas eve. Not satisfied,
he sent oranges to the Sunday school
! tree and to his sister Mary ten dol
lars.
He smiled with real pleasure when
he saw the five heavy baskets Jake
was to take around Christmas eve.
He hung around, living over hoy
| L
the big turkey and Jessie made
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

been trying to get up his courage to
talk to his richest and stingiest men,
Der about starting the new church
building, and, with the aid of the
Christmas angels, the minister Sc
cured promise that the rich man
would bear half the expense of the
new building and think about the
new organ.
That night the man sat alone after
the house was still. If he had had
a keener sense of hearing he would
have heard the Christmas angels
singing song of Thanksgiving near
him, but he only heard his own soul
speaking in the night: John Kings
ley, there has been a mistake. You
have been thought selfish and cold
toward God and man. But you are
fond of folks and of doing good with
your money-the real John, l mean.
The old, lonely, selfish man is dead,
John. | am going, with Gods help,
to make myself present of a noble,
generous soul!"
In her happy girlhood sleep Jessie
was smiling as if she heard the
Christmas angels rejoicing, saying:
blessed are they who show souls
the blessedness of giving."-N. W.
Christian Advocate.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

'Why, the list CT what you are 60
ing to "a for Santa Claus. He prob
ably has exchanged his sleigh FOR an
automobile this year and will visit
more people. Seriously, I mean. I'M
Gle, it is hard to plan to make lot
Of people happy on Christmas, you
know"
He did not know, for he had not
tried it. He had long ago made the
holy Christine an ordinary day.
Jessie went right on as if he had
been enthusiastic.
1T is a thank-offering year, you
know, and we must do more than
usual. The children have been max
ing scrap books and fixing up old
toys for months, and I've knit nit
tens at night, and mamma earned
five dollars for the poor"
How" asked the uncle.
"Mollie wanted two weeks off, and
mamma had that money. She has
so much sewing and church work she
couldn't stand it all alone, even with
our help. but she said a little back
ache for Christmas was a pleasure
She sent a warm dress to a preach.
er's wife out west. Papa wore
patched flannels ana sent five dol.
lars to India for an extra dinner
among some famine orphans. OF
course, there are some poor people
for us to have for dinner, or we send
it. How many family o.nners have
you on your list, uncle, dear?"
Nancy attends to the dinners her
self" answered Uncle John. little
stif1iy.
"Oh, can l help her and order what
l want at the grocery? l suppose
in a town ike this there are many
who look to you for their Christina.
turkey" said Jessie, brightly.
DO as you think best" answered
the uncle, with that inward pang
some people have when parting with
r-Oney.
And can l help invite the guests
for our own home dinner? The min
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

candy and popcorn balls. He even
fell to stOning raisins for the plum
pudding and was rewarded by a
piece of Nancy's sample pie"
you haven't asked for anything
for yourself, chick he said to his
niece.
Tears came TO the young girls
eyes. 1T is enough to have such
kind, generous uncle" she answered.
And, uncle. 1 don't believe people
understand how nobIe-hearted you
are"
Evidently not, for that evening
the banker had overheard one of his
clerks say, This is the first time we
have gotten what we did not slave
for. Is he going crazy?" and Nancy
had remarked to Jake, in tones over
heard in the next room: He won't
be long with us. Folks often change
in nature fore they're struck with
death"
In the morning Uncle John found
pair of mittens at his plate from
Nancy and several pretty but useful
things, the handiwork of his niece.
Nancy was radiant over the new
wool dress and Jake grinning over
two-dollar bill, while Jessie danced
with JOY over a pretty gold pin set
in pearls, having few ornaments dear
to a girls heart.
The dinner was a great success and
the little widow and her children
thought they were in paradise. The
third minister's wife forgot her wor-
ries and let Jessie fill her children
with cake and candy almost beyond
the rescuing power of any remedy.
After dinner the banker called
Nancy aside and asked if the widow
and her children could stay until she
could find work, if extra help were
hired, and Nancy, overshadowed by
Christmas angels, consented.
If you have never devoured a man S
best viands in a powerful frame of
mind you do not know how the min
lister felt. He had for long time
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

sharp blue eyes royed over the famil-
lar room, a strange feeling OF desola-
ton stole over her. In vain she re-
minded herself of hard facts that had
heretofore given hSr satisfaction; she
was the richest woman in Dalesburg,
her house was the largest and most
imposing, her clothes the finest and
most fashionable and yet
She got up impatiently and, going
over to the window, pressed her face
against the pane and looked out into
the December dusk. Mutfied figures
FASTENED past, carrying bundles of all
shapes and sizes, for it was Christmas
eve; the sight sent queer little thrills
over Miss Cynthia and a great load
seemed to settle on her heart. She
had no one to buy gifts for, she told
herself, and no one cared enough for
the lonely old spinster to even give her
good wishes.
1t had not always been thus. She
recalled the many, many happy De-
cembers she had enjoyed when Sid
ney Bruce, her nephew and only living
relative, had lived in her house. She
had taken him to live with her when
he was a small boy, and her love for
him had grown into a mild idolatry
by the time he had become a man.
Sidney returned her affection with all
the strength of his loving heart I'M
til he wanted to marry Edith Blake.
Miss Cynthia had other plans for Sid
ney, and refused to even discuss Edith
with him, but Sidney was very much
in love and cared not farthing that
Edith was poor and sort of upper
servant in his aunt's house. Edith was
a peace-loving girl who found the sit
'uatiOn almost more than she could
bear, for Miss Cynthia had taken her
when an orphan, six years before and
had been like a mother to her ever
since. Edith loved Miss Cynthia dear
ly. but loved Sidney more, and one
December day she went away with
him and was married.
Miss Cynthia did not rave or storm:
she simply ignored the existence of
the youthful pair, and Sidney, reared
Az iuAui y, hdu W go W WOTh at any
thing he could find to do. He had
never even tried to support himself
and now he had Edith to love and cher
ish-and support in addition.
Miss Cynthia changed into cold,
hard woman, and was filled with bit
terness when her oldest friends OPEN
ly sided with Sidney and Edith. The
latter took a small house, not great
distance from Miss Cynthia's, and
were happy but very poor Sidney
after many discOuragements succeed
ed in obtaining a situation in a large
factory as assistant bookkeeper. but
the work was hard and the pay pitt
fully small.
Miss Cynthia watched from her
plate-glass windows and saw Sidney
trudging past day after day to his
work, and her heart hardened, for ap-
parently he never glanced at his old
home. He passed with averted ewes
and Miss Cynthia had ample oppor-
tunity tn notice how thin and care
worn his face had grown and how
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

@sA sssR Christmas pres
emit" and the Jail man found himself
imprisoned by pair Of warm arms,
while a sweet young face was held
upto his own.
Glad to see you, Puss. YoH look
as your ma did at your age. 1t was
kind of you to give up city holidays
and come into a country Tillage in
the dead of winter"
'Oh, l came to visit ! on, and you
are not dead nor cola" laughed Jes-
sic, merrily.
\ thrill of new life went through
the old bachelors heart. Then his
sister had not let her children know
what a selfish old fellow he was.
The large Kingsley family had
scattered east and west. all except
the eldest, John. When the town
took in the old homestead he was
able to start a bank in the village.
The more he enlarged in his worldly
possessions the more contracted be-
came his heart. He lived in the old
brick homestead alone, except for
Tile presence VI d Idllll vi blu W.
nestle and the hired man. He did
not often visit his relatives or ask
them to visit him, but Mary was a
minister's wife and her husband had
lately been sent to one of the small
churches in the large city near, and
the sister determined to try to win
the lonely man back to himself.
81 am AFRAID you will find this
dark house very STILL" said the uncle
"Oh, we'll throw up the shades and
let in all the light, and Wisconsin has
the brightest winter sunshine in the
world. While l I'm here we will have
in all of your old friends. My head
is tired from studying. but my hands
are all right, and I'll help cook and
work"
Nancy is Tartar; you had bet
ter keep out of her Kitchen" warned
the uncle. 81 do not dare give too
many orders" But Jessie went in
and conquered at once. She always
expected the very best of everyone,
and in hunting for the rose side of
every nature she, some way, got
around the thorns without bringing
them to the surface.
Uncle John could hardly believe he
was in his own house when he saw
it all open, warm and light. with
flowers in tn windows, and Nancy
looking kind instead of naughty and
severe. He heard such merry peals
of laughter from the kitchen he VEN
tured into those sacred precincts to
help pop corn and crack hickory
nuts. Man is a domestic animal, and
the odor of frying doughnuts and
the sight of the raisins being stoned
and eggs growing into snow white
foam, bring up pleasant sensations.
Jessie had a pleasant way of going
to meet her uncle, and It quickened
his old heart to see the bright face
under the red cap coming his way.
After supper she brought his slip
pers and put the table near the glow
ing CRATE, for she insisted that there
was nothing poetical in heat coming
out of the flC :, and then would sit
down and talk. One evening she
| said:
81 hope you haven't made all of
your Christmas plans. 1t would be
such fun to help you make out your
list"
my what?" asked the uncle. in
ENrprise.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25
Only Two Realities.

Billy-So yer didn't git nothin' but
a jack-knife and a sled fer Christi
mas?
Tommy-Yes. OATS all got worth
speaking of. Dere wuz a suit NV
clothes, and a overcoat, and a hat or
two, and some underclothes, and a
Bible, and book NV poems, an some
stockin's, and gloves, and collars and
cuffs, and a few other trifles like dat,
not worth speaking of.-Puck.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

rTbair ro+as ,roc1aiy,iro far arE raar
NJ $50 pa u, = IA ~
, 1-,-o. ,.,z,.,., IT,. c.. 1,.o,...
US . iIueGo, 'iie 12oI. u 10 Ct"
Do 80 . ~ v II , W
SE 81 "a; uP 3,1.. i.-,iL 'ie ;, ei-e' u
The etarIi+ baa,er- T., baa,,+,, sbora
As Christ the child arneare5,.
And sbenberds cain on tbe scara
RebeId eGoreds s,17 foarad
Rripbtas+ ar,o,er +,,. .+o-r.,. orb.
The star of Ra7bIahfrn
Shot forth its fairest unrest RAYS
Asif to becL,or tbenn
To tarry not. but seek the Snot
Where in the marger Law
The heavenly babe the one foretold.
To be a King aIway
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25
Wearing on Him.

Tommy shall be so glad when
Christmas comes!
Nellie-I suppose you think you're
going to have lot of nice things?
Tommy-It isn't that so much. It's
awful hard to be good all the time
Boston Transcript.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25
The Gift Gift
=0fKebild
ksESsE lls--=5is..si.s559ass#st
FIN NN\s. ESStH more we read ii,
h e Christmas


0IU ~. WStV more we read H.
t h Christmas
story GEAR
ana YET once mUre we tell 1t; all eagerly
we near
Inc years haste INTO centuries, the cen
s,u, turles grow old, -, ,,.--,
o'"A never once 100 otteh IS the pressed
ANU neNer once TOO OFTEN DO we tax OIL mat
81 dhse hlsht
"Heu HuHlp4e Shephercs witnessed the
d"seIs Soutn"ard ulSht'
Ne'et Our thousut grows weary tracing
tue sacred way
A""' ledus Us TO the maHSer where MARY ;
pauS ray,
TUX ne %hom wise men "orshlpeu'
brought gut OF peace ior strlte'
p'OuShO JOY LOT sofro" uaFkness' Drought
"0pe anu rove ana lie.
Wherever watching mothers pray for their
babes to-day,
Inc precious lives are safer because or One
that lay
DeieHSeless In the manger two thousand
years ago;
Sweeter earth's babies slumber since that
dear head lay low,
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

Mrs. Jiggs-I'm sorry, my man, but
l can't give you anything to-day.
Drowsy Dunton-Dat amt wat !
want, Teddy. l jes called t see coule
youse darn me stockin' So cud hang
it up for Christmas.-Chicago Daily
News.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25
MISS
YNTHIA'S
IHRIS TMAS
y .RrZN6EL MZLH/z5. ~

ISIS CYNT H | A
MARSH sat alone
"a not unusual
thing in these
DAYS. and as her
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25

e; a.: e; E.: % e.. 81:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-17

definitely formulated propositions for
discussion. Germany has also asked
the powers to set forth in their answers
if they wished Germany to formulate
suggestion to lay before the conference
or leave the matter entirely to the cen
ference.
Dean &. Sibley, bankers of New York
City, are the prime movers in a plan
to combine the box board interests Of
the country. From 35 to 30 of the lead
ing concerns of the Northern states,
all the way from Maine to Illinois. are
expected to enter into the consolida-
ton. The box board Industry includes
such products as wood pulp board,
news board, combination board, straw
board. ground wood and sulphitc and
soda fhres. Complete details of the
proposed consolidation will be an
nounced In another fortnight.
A courier, who arrived at Canton,
Tuesday, repol ted that over 1000 I'M
perialist soldier, sent by Marshal Su
against the rebels, We're ambushed in q
narrow defile and We're all killed or
captured. The situation in the rebel
lious districts of southern China is in
creasingiy alarming. The viceroy OF
Canton has telegraphed to Pekin tIrg-
ing the immediate forwarding Of rein
forcements. Lack of news from Gen.
Ma and Marshal Su is taken ito indi-
cate that the rebels have surrounded
the imperial troops and cut off COM
municatiOn With those forces.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-17
Aubrey Stock Co., Next Week.

The Aubrey stock Company is ac-
khoWledged to be one Of the best
popular priced attractions on the road
today, Judging from the criticisms
that they have received from the diff
fefent cities that they played in. The
engagement promises to be an i'm
portant event, for it is an organiza-
ton composed of the BEST talent that
could be obtained in the theatrical
profession The company appears in
only big scenic productions consisting
81 vel known plays that have been
seen here before at high prices.
Opening at the Opera House for one
week next Monday Except Wednesday,
in the following repertoire: Monday
night in The Fire Patrol; Tuesday
night in "A Kentucky Romance:
Thursday night in Devils Island;
Friday night In the Palace of the
Car; Saturday night in Lost in New
York Matinees on Thursday ana
Saturday Will be announced. The seat
sale will open Friday at 10 \. NJ.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-17

ADJUSTMENTS.
Hermann, The Great.

hermann the Great is the most ex-
pert conjurer that the world has ever
'>n""h. his sleight of hand or palm
lls borders on the marvellous. For
inns engagement at the Opera House
tohlsht an entirely new and novel pro-
gram OF magic and mystery has been
arransed-magic never before seen in
ms city and so marvellous and grand
mat only he. the master himself
would attempt. Several sensational
Illusions are also on the program,
Whlch are said to be unexpIainable.
Inc Escape from Sing Sing" ami
ne Turkish Elopement," Herrmann's
latest offering which he brought from
farls this summer, are the most
startling feats of black art ever seen in
TINS country This season Hermann
mas accompanying him, McWatters and
Tyson " Company in their latest New
iofK vaudeville Scenes in the Dress
ing Hoom-' The seat sale indicates d
good house.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-17

Considerable interest is asserting it
self in the suggestion that a local so
ciety of the Sons of the American Rev
olution be organized in this city. Be
sides the members of the State Society
which have already been given in the
Journal. there are a number of Others
who are eligible and who have signi-
fed their intention of becoming mem
bers of the society. The local member
ship in the state Society now numbers
Is and but 10 are necessary to start the
local society. If it is a success it will
be the first local organization of the
society in the State.