davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The leader., 1902-12-24
The Fist Caller.

In Scotland there is curious SUI
perstition to the effect that good or
bad fortune is brought to the house
by the character of the first caller
on New Years day. In the eight
zenith century that was supposed to
take effect after IL o'clock, and so
devoted lovers would station them
selves outside of the doors of the
houses where their sweethearts
dwelt, so that they could enter at
once upon the striking of the hour.
From midnight till morning the
streets of Edinburgh were crowded
with young men, all making merry in
one way or another. Indeed, it is the
most important celebration of the
year to the Scotch.
The leader., 1902-12-24
NOT FOR EXCHANGE.
Ho Proved Hss Exception to the Rule
That No Man Can Select the Right
Present for q Girl.

He-Well, here's Christmas Eve at
last. / suppose you've been puzzling
your little head about the presents
you'll get?
She-No; that's a piece of foolish
ness gave up years ago. What's the
use of imagining you're going to get
the very things you really need, and
then wake up on Christmas morning
to find a lot of duplicate presents and
otheq odds and ends you can never
use?
He-I thought it was only US poor
men who received the impossible
Christmas presents.
She-No, indeed; the girls find them
selves in the same boat. can't imag-
inc why men are SO foolish as to think
a girl cares for nothing but a mani
cure set, photograph album or box
of artists materials. Why, have .
terrible time every year going around
to the different stores to have the
things exchanged for something girl
can really use.
He-Why don't you come right out
and tell a fellow what you'd like, and
thus save all this trouble?
She-Oh, pshaw! That would never
do at all. 1t would spoil all the fun
if you knew beforehand what you are
going to get.
He-Well. hope you won't get my
present exchanged.
she-Why?
He-Oh-er-because it has a spe-
cial significance.
She-NonsenSe! You shouldn't feel
that way. You know you've always
laughed at me for being silly and ro-
mantle. If can be better pleased by
having your present exchanged you
should feel all the more delighted.
He-But hoped understood you so
well that could choose something
sure to please you.
She-Oh, how conceited you are! As
I said before, never knew a man who
could select the right present for
girl.
He-But 1 have reason to believe
that I'm the exception that proves the
rule.
She-Why, pray?
He-Because you have made me feel
that way.
She-I?
He-Yes, you darling.
AS he slipped the engagement ring
on her willing finger, says Town Top
les, he read by the lovelight in her eyes
that he had made here the one present
she would never have exchanged.
The leader., 1902-12-24
THE MAN WHO swoRK OFF.
He II Deserving Of Respect ana En-.
enlargement.

The world, If it knows its business,
will doff it's hat to the man who
swore off New Years day. Notwith-
standing the outlaws of the crowd
at the bar when they hear about it,
that man, says the Chicago Daily
News, is worthy of respect and en-
couragement. Having the desire to
mend his ways, he has braved the
jests of his associates, the sneers Of
those whose unworthy methods he
hopes to forsake, and the curious
glances of casual acquaintances, in
order to exercise his will in resist
ing evil habits. His militant man
hood is worthy of praise. So, for
your own sake as well as for his,
do not laugh or sheer at him or
take q patronizing attitude toward
him because of your well-known and
unassailable virtue. Express conf
dence in him and help him to stick
to his good intentions.
! Why should not one resolve to for
| sake ones bad habits on the first
day of the year? Why should not
| OAC 4CDO1NC W AOAS0hC bAClA O44 any
other day? Having made the resolve
and entered upon the effort neces-
sary to carry it out, why should one
be the subject of jests, since there is
nothing foolish nor dishonorable in
trying to improve ones methods of
life? If the school of experience
teaches valuable lessons, as every
one knows it does, why should not
one profit by these lessons? Habit
is mainly a relic of youth and ig-
norance, SO far as it is not formed
on good models OF by the firm hands
Of wise elders. To improve ones hab-
it's from year to year is the valuable
privilege of the man or the woman
who has been learning lessons in the
worlds academy of hard knocks. To
take no advantage of those lessons
is to write ones self down a fool.
Pity, therefore, the man or the WON.
an who never swears off.
The leader., 1902-12-24
Gnnd-Rx. Old Year

The minutes are flying. the Old Year IL
dying,
The time will soon come when the old
clock will chime,
When the year. bent and gray, will pass
quickly away,
And the New Year will come in the foot
prints of time.
Old Year, you will go as you came. In the
snow;
For that emblem of childhood Is waiting
for all;
And when in old age you will pass from
life's stage,
The snowhakes will cover the place
where you fall.
For many you hold what is dearer than
gold;
We will never forget you, although you
have fed.
For the New Year is here, and so good-by,
Old Year;
We will number you now with the years
that are dead.
Marguerite M. Hillery Gage 40, in St
Nicholas.
The leader., 1902-12-24
AFFLICTED WITH "NERvEs. /"
why 1t Is That Many Women Go to
Pieces Under the Slightest
Excitement.

1t is not to be wondered at that
SO many women are afflicted with
NERVES" when the constant, daily
hurry and worry in which they live
is considered. There seems to be an
increasing proportion of women who
go all to pieces if a fire engine goes
through the next street, who scream
and jump on a chair if they imagine
they see a mouse run across the
floor, whose hearts jump and thump
If spoken to suddenly, and who in
many other ways evidence their ex-
citability and total lack of self-con-
troll or presence of mind. These
women are almost without exception
of the class who fatty refuse to eat
proper fooc at regular intervals.
The self-abuse of women in the mat
ter of food is very grave matter,
and one for which they are already
paying a terrible penalty. 1t is prob
ably quite safe to say that the great
majority of women and girls who go
out to daily employment eat high
ly unsuitable breakfast-a cup or two
of improperly made and therefore in
furious coffee and hot roll or gem.
This is all the breakfast hundreds of
business women eat. Then at noon
very few have either the time or the
money to partake of such lunch as
they might like; they hastily bolt
butter cakes and tea or griddle cakes
and coffee or some other of the
well-known "quick" combinations,
and at night they are too tired to
digest a square meal, says American
Queen.
The mother who stays at home all
day doesn't eat a proper lunch be-
cause she is alone and often because
she spoils her appetite by tasting the
dishes she cooks.
Another reason for the prominent
nervous characteristics of many
women is that they do not guard
their nerves or feelings, but yield to
them on the slightest provocation and
the habit quickly develops. If a
woman misses train she does not
sit quietly until the next one comes;
she PAGES restlessly back and forth,
inwardly worrying and Tuning and
thus using up nervous energy instead
of storing it away for an emergency
when it may be needed.
Then these nervous women keep
up their nerve practice even after
they go to bed. Instead of immedi-
ately emptying the mind of every
thought they fall to reviewing the
worries of the day and planning for
fresh ones on the morrow, wasting
an hour or more when they should
be sleeping, and wearing their nerves
still nearer the point of exhaustion
and total collapse.
The leader., 1902-12-24
T7G ~ '7,.gE sf s' 7e5E

giving each a blow or two with .
hammer to insure it's being firmly
fixed. Paint them green. At the
outer end the candle holder is firmly
fixed"
To the topmost branch before the
tree is put up, afix the "Christ-child"
the winged doll, secured by slight
rubber bands under the wings. Gilt
paper stars and crescents are pref
ty, affixed here and there to the
boughs. Gay silk and carleton bags
full of nuts and candy, oranges and
apples, bundles of stick candy tied
with ribbons, little baskets and
cornucopias of figs and raisins, gild-
e6 walnuts, popcorn balls, strings of
popcorn and cranberries, candy
canes, paper chains-au these and
other things they will suggest will
decorate a tree so prettily that the
children for whose pleasure it is con-
structed will forget, in their delight,
that it is not weighted down with
costly gifts.
The leader., 1902-12-24
A DAY FOR CHILDREN.
At Christmas Time Let Us Help Make
the Little Folks
Happy.

Christmas seems to be the one fes-
tival of the year which rightfulIy
belongs to the children-the time
Nhen the Christ-child came
into the world, born in such lowly
place, that no child, however humble,
but should share in the joy of his
birth. If we have children in our
homes, says a writer in the Farm
and Fireside, let US invest the Christ
mas-time with all the beauty and
brightness that is possible. Teach
them the sweet old Christmas songs,
such as Holy Night" "Once in Royal
David's City," 20 Little Town of
Bethlehem" and "Joy to the World"
Tell them again the story of the
birth of the Christ. All children love
it, and it is ever new. These talks
are made more interesting by looking
at pictures. Good copies of old
masterpieces illustrating the life of
Christ are very cheap now, and
should be in every home. Such
pictures as Corneggio's Nativity"
''The Worship of the Magi," 1.-The
Madonna and Child" will make last
ing impression on a child's mind.
AS Christmas commentaries Gods
greatest and best gift to the world,
il is a sweet custom for friends to
give some gift to each other symbol
izing their love. In too many homes
the children are in danger of having
their own idea of Christmas one of
getting something, instead of sharing
in the joy of giving. In this way
they lose the best part of the Christ
mas Joy. Be sure to let even the
little ones have a share in the Christ
mas preparation; teach them that
the best part of every gift is the
love that goes with it, and to try to
make happy Christmas for as many
as they can. 1t would be a good
thing if all children would commit
to memory these lines, by Phoebe
Carey, and practice them:
Children whose lives are blest with love
untold,
Whose gifts are greater than your arms
can hold,
Think of the child who stands
To-day with empty hands!
Go fill them up and you will also fill
Their empty hearts, that be so cold and
still,
And brighten longing eyes
With grateful, glad surprise.
May all who have at this blest season seek
His precious little ores-the poor and weak;
In joyful, sweet accord,
Thus lending to the Lord!
The leader., 1902-12-24
AN OLD-TIME DRUMMER.
Gave an Exhibition of His Skill With
the Sticks That Was Truly
Surprising.

Members of the George W. Cooke
drum corps of Denver were standing
in front of the Ebbit house one even,
ing recently awaiting a signal to
march. There was a delay and the
boys became impatient. They broke
ranks and gathered into groups to
talk to one another.
A little man of perhaps 60 years
scrutinized the drums carefully. The
music of the bands playing didn't in
terest him. He finally approached
one of the members and said:
Better drums than we used to have
in the old days"
eyes, they are the latest pattern 81
was the reply.
81 kinder like the old-timers; such
as we used to tighten with a rope,''
the old fellow continued, as interest
in the subject warmed up.
He was silent for minute and then
he asked modestly:
do yer mind lettin' me look at it a
minute?"
Certainly not" the youthful drum
mer boy replied.
He unbuckled the strap that held
it in place and handed the instrument
over to the veteran. The latter eyed
it critically and then adjusted the
belt around him. The corps boys
thought they were going to
have some fun with the old
man, but they were fooled. He
grasped the sticks and gave the head
a few taps and then began a roll
Single and double drag followed and
the sticks fairly flew. He went
through all the movements with the
ease and grace of one much younger
Several times he sent one or the
other of the sticks up in the air and
caught it when it came down, there
being apparently no cessation to the
volume of the noise of the drum.
The corps boys gathered about him
and looked with establishment upon
his drumming. Finally the old man
loosened the strap and passed the
drum to it's owner.
81 haven't entirely forgot how to
play" he said, with a triumphant air
according to the Washington Star, as
he worked his way through the big
crowd that had congregated to hear
him play. He was loudly cheered and
went away happy.
The leader., 1902-12-24
NEWSPAPER OPINIONS.

A mud-slinger must be a mud-seek-
er.-Ram's Horn,
Some people talk so ignorantly that
it is pleasure to encourage them to
go ahead--W Washington (Ia.) Demo-
crat.
The man who succeeds pest is gen.
orally tina one who has the talent to
advertise himself most judiciously.--
Indianapolis News.
Style is that part Of the garment
which costs the most, and which has
nothing to do with keeping the wearer
warm. Atchison Globe.
The leader., 1902-12-24
The Birds Christmas

In Norway, the cold northern land,
the kind-hearted people wish to have
every creature rejoice at the glad
Christmas season, and they think of
the dear little birds; so there is al
ways a sheaf of wheat fastened high
on a pole in every farmyard, that
the birds may enjoy a good dinner
of grain, and the little Norwegian
children are Santa Claus helpers,
when they help to bring Christmas to
the birds-Detroit Free Press.
The leader., 1902-12-24
Those New Year Resolutions

INSTRUMENTATION fine this world
would be if we should all keep the
good resolutions we make on New
Years day, instead of breaking them
all within week.
Hempstead-Yes! guess the few
days after New Years, each year,
will be about as near as we will
ever get to the millennium.-Broo
lYn Eagle.
The leader., 1902-12-24
Okra Sour.

Take a shank bone. or about three
pounds of beef, boil in three quarts
of water until tender, Swimming often.
Cut up in small pieces, and return to
the pot. Add one quart of chopped
okra, one pint chopped tomatoes, one
onion cut fine, pepper and salt to taste.
Boil slowly three hours. Three ears
of grated corn will Improve it.-N. Y.
Herald.
The leader., 1902-12-24
FRANK 3. WEIGH.

gift. Having your presents dain-
tily wrapped is not less matter of
courtesy. Let their outward APP
pearance commend them. Leave
them or send them to their destina-
ton the day before Christmas I'M
less you can insure their reception
early in the day. A tardy gift ap-
pears like an afterthought.
The leader., 1902-12-24
Interested.

81 suppose you take great deal of
interest in Santa Claus said the
youngsters uncle.
YES said the modern child, as he
looked over the top OF his glasses,
II have paid q large share of atten-
tion to the topic. have always con-
tended that some branches of our
modern folklore were quite as
The leader., 1902-12-24
A Time of peril

Clarissa-I'm always glad when
New Years day is safely over.
Fidelia-Yes; it is a saddening an
niversary.
Clarissa-Oh, / don't mean that.
Clarence and always have horrid
quarrel suggesting improvements in
each Others conduct.-Detroit Free
Press.
The leader., 1902-12-24
A Natural emery.

Mamma (who is expecting the min
ister)-W Willie, we will have a very nics
old gentleman to tea this evening
and you must be very good Will,
he's here.
Willie Why, is he Santa CLAUSE
Philadelphia Press.
The leader., 1902-12-24
Conclusive.

M. Dim! So you think the
child is unwell? Any strange symp-
toms?
Mrs. De De-Well, yes, doctor. It's
now only two days uhsil Christmas,
and he hasn't yet asked those cute,
childish questions about Santa Claus!
The leader., 1902-12-24
CESS snnain,. .

'sNow yo' jess take s'posin'er tur-
key said Charcoal Eph in mood
for conundrnms, IAN er coon, an dey
ain no padlocks on de doah. an hits
er dark night; what's de answer,
Mistah Jackson Baltimore News.
The leader., 1902-12-24
why He Is Familiar

She-You say he is great favorite
with the ladies'?
He oh, yes; he seldom opens his
mouth He gives the women chance
to say 1t all. Yonkers Statesman.
The leader., 1902-12-24
DRESSING THE TREE.
How 1t May BE Done to Secure the
Best Effects.


The Woman's Home Companion
gives some hints on decorating a
Christmas tree safely. 1t is well
known that when tapers are fixed
to the laden branches, after the
gifts are taken off the lightened
boughs spring up and often set each
other on fire. The mode indicated
here avoids all that.
First" says the Companion, thin
cut the branches sufficiently to al
low the gifts to show to good ad-
vantage. Then with an auger bore
holes in spiral row about four
or five inches apart the whole length
of the trunk. Have some fat sticks
prepared, an inch wide and half an
inch thick, and of varying lengths.
Sharpen one end, and insert them
according to their graduated lengths,
The leader., 1902-12-24
worthy Of study as the classical
myths. -" Washington Star.
Tll.e Onus.

Parke What makes you think
your children no longer believe in a
Santa CLAUSE
Lane We'll, they're beginning to
blame me for what they don't GET.
Town Topics.
The leader., 1902-12-24
~ with = SIMON.

The New BoarderI wonder why
they call this stuff "health food?"
The Old One Because if man has
got good health he can eat it with
impunity. Puck.
The leader., 1902-12-24
christmaa Et,uuette,

No holluay joy can be complete to
those who have not tried to make
other hearts happier. This is Christ
mas etiquette.-Ladies' Home Journal.
The leader., 1902-12-24

I'D you hear what the old
man said to me when he
gave me the temp" asked
Robert Allerton of the
bright-faced cashier as
they prepared to close the
ofHoa tho piphf before
The leader., 1902-12-24
hearts with gladness glow

While children's hearts with gladness glow
AT happy Christmas time.
And elders eager int'rest show
AS when in early prime.
Not all the sweets for these are sent
On that thrice-blessed day.
King Cupid in the merrizaent
With Santa Claus holds sway.
FRANK B. WEIGH.
The leader., 1902-12-24

IT, Kind makes Teller glad!
Till sOe're happy nosU guess mother tOaS an dad
The leader., 1902-12-24

AZ told all sOas ready an nuns. an cake an things
1eiz aore von. till dosOn stairs OfnSsI
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-10-31
LOOK OUT FOR
THE ROORBACkS
Democrats Resort to Despicable Tactics Early in the
Campaign-More False and Startling
Tales rlay Be Expected.

with Gov. Van SAINT. Gov. Van SAINT
gave e. A. Nelson the office of state Ii
brarian, and made Mr.. Schulz assistant
superintendent of public instruction
and dozen other offices in the capitol
building are held by Swedish-Ameri
cans, while hundred or more are EN-
ployed IN the grain inspection and
weighing departments, with Mr.. Quist
as chief weighmaster, and every insti
tuition in the state employs many
more. Mr.. Fullerton, state game ward
en-, alons, has had as many as seven
teen Swedish-Americans under his en-
ploy at one time this season at the
state fish hatchery.
Again, the Democratic railroad or
gan springs the startling statement
that the proposed gross earnings
amendment will lessen, and not in.
crease the tax on railroads. The i'm
potence of this statement and its
truth is sufficiently shown by the own
ership of the paper which makes it.
the ST. Paul Globe.
Such are some of the Democratic
rcorbacks thus far in the campaign
Look out for more of them, even more
absurd and ridiculous than these
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-10-31
Democratic Party Comes Out Strongly Against
an Increase in Gross Earnings Tax
on Railroads.
The St. Paul Globe, the Absolute Property of j. j.
Hill, Wages Fierce Warfare Against
Proposed Amendment
Utter Faacy and Inconsistency of the Argument
Put Forth by the Democratic Organ Against
the Amendment.

The expected has happened. The
Democratic party is opposing the
amendment providing for an increase
of the railroad gross earnings tax, and
this is part of the bargain of its lead
ers, to gain railroad support and rail-
road money The campaign against
this amendment was naturally started
in the Democratic railroad organ, the
st. Paul Globe. The Globe is owned
absolutely by James ]. Hill, president
of the Great Northern Railroad compa-
ny.
Knowing the source of this attack
on the gross earnings amendment,
there is little more that need be said
to the people as to the merits of this
opposition. The Globe argues that if
this amendment is adopted, the tax
paid to the estate of the railroads will
be decreased, rather than increased.
If this were true, would the official or
gan of the Great Northern, newspa-
per owned and wholly controlled by
the president of that company, oppose
it's adoption by the people? Do the
railroads in general oppose a measure
that will decrease their taxes? Would
Mr.. Hills paper oppose a law that
would decrease the tax of his merger
railroads? Yet this is just what the
opposition to this amendment asserts,
If Mr.. Hills own paper.
Moreover, for the past ten years this
same issue has been before the peo-
pie. Every attempt to have this law
for an increase of the gross earnings
tax on railroads adopted by the legis-
lature and submitted to the people, has
been fought by the railroads. Paid at
torneys of the roads have appeared be-
fore committees to argue against it;
paid lobbyists of the roads have used
their peculiar system of argument
against 1t, and money has been lavish
ly used to defeat it. If it was to re-
duce the tax of the railroads, why have
they fought it so bitterly for the past
ten years, and spent thousands of dol
lars to defeat it? Why have they
used every argument and every means
to keep the people from getting a
chance to vote on it? Why, then, does
the only newspaper in Minnesota
owned wholly by railroad president,
take the lead against it, and tell the
people they should not vote for it? One
thing is absolutely certain, it is not
because it will reduce the tax of Mr..
Hills railroad.
What, in brief, is the history of this
proposed law, making the increase in
the gross earnings tax? 1t was drawn
shortly after Gov. Van SAINT came into
office. at the request of Attorney Gen
eral Douglas, by ex-Attorney General
Childs. The first draft of the bill was
then thoroughly reviewed by Mr. Doug
las, in consultation with Mr.. Childs.