davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1902-12-21
TOYS BEFORE SANTA CLAUS.
Just ABOUT the SANE rs THE
PLAITHINGS or TO-DAY.
Delights W children Thousands OF Years
Ago and NOw-DOlls and Games Of
Ancient Egypt-The Fairy stories Very
Much Alike Als0-Ancient Copy Books.

Chldren's toys now are 20 elaborate that
old-fashioned folk are filled with amaze
ment and wonder IL the little people of to-
day are Of a brand different from those OF
the lat generation. On the surface II
does look as II the modern child was es-
sentialiy different from his brother of years
ago; bot the difference is really small.
The toys of to-day are elaborate. but they
are just the same kind Of toys that have
always delighted children. Every boy and
girl who labors t. lay to indte fine, c, ar
letter to Santa Claus wantNjust about What
every other boy and girl wants.
What is more. each waits just the same
things that boys and girls always have
wanted. The idea Of the toy remains to.
day essentially what il was when the first
affectionate cave man took the baby on his
knee and hacked away at bit of wood for
its edification There is proof a plenty
Of this, rescued from the depths Of the earth
each year.
Take a child Of two, or three, or four
thousand years ago. and there would be
little difference between him and the little
ones of the modern nursery. Their gam -,
their toys, even their fairy stories would
seem to him quite like those that amused
him
Walk through any of the great toy shops
and you see dolls that cost 500 or $500
The sun., 1902-12-21

FROM THE STONE AGE AND THE PYRAMIDS
The dolls of the little girls of long ago were
quite a. satisfactory to their young mothers,
and these proud creatures OF 1902 are only
their fashionable sisters. The family like
hess Is marked
The animals OF to-day cry moo" and
.baa" and wee wee" in sure enough voices
but they are only the old, old toys become
sophisticated. They cost dollars upon
dollars, and If the sun goes down on Christ
mas Day leaving them unbroken it will be
merely because the children are more
sophisticated still. ard prefer the little
automobiles and the performing gentle
men who cost $500 or $500
But to-days collection of high priced
livestock has some reason for putting On
airs. Its family tree is ever so many
thousands Of years old. 1t can be traced
back as clearly as need be for forty long
centuries.
Never were children's toys so elaborate
as to-day. Dolls come very near to polite
conversation in French and German. Az
for the boys they can learn trade from
the automatic toys that Santa Claus will
put in their stockings if he has money
enough.
But in spite Of appearances, fashions
in games and toys are the only fashions
The sun., 1902-12-21

was 'leven o'clock before | got the signal
and then we moved off at about the stately
rate of an ivy day professor.
-She had a list Of the people she wanted
to give things to, but she went at il in a
way that did violence to what old Prof
Struthers calls the law Of natural select ion.
She'd grab relative by the neck ally,
of course-walk him mp To counter reek-
ing with bargains. and make him wedge
into dollar and half's worth
The sun., 1902-12-21
CALENDARS FOR CHILDREN.
They Are Among the Christmas GIFTS In
the shops.

Calendars exclusively for children are
now seen in the shops
Children even before they can read
readily or understand figures try vaguely
TO estimate time wanting to know how
many days or week. must clapsc before
some date important 10 them comes around.
so the calendar makers have considered
their needs and brought out calendars
particularly for the nursery, with the num-
bers and printing very plain and simple
and the pictures wholly about things in the
juvenile world
There are calendars with dittes about
the months and the weather they bring
and with lively views of the childish sports
that belong to each season. There are
Mother Goose calendars. with Little Boy
Blue. Miss Mufet. Red Riding Hood and
the Giant Killer pneping out in RESPONSE
to the turnings that bring out the dates,
More elaborate child's calendars have
scenes from kingsley's water Babies, "
.Alice In Wonderland" and other classics.
The sun., 1902-12-21

~There's no such thing as gift horse;
that's st straight It's donkey"
A Acollege fellow was talking confdentially
after an afternoons experience in shopping
with his aunt
'h's a donkey" he reiterated. -and it's
loose in the shopping district It's fat
witted creature at best, but when il comes
70 Christmas time its big ears sprout up
and yank out what little sense il had
Now. II had nv way about il. there'd
The sun., 1902-12-21

which remain the same forever. To-day's
fashions may share the modern tendency
toward complexity. but the principle OF
them all Ia unchanging.
From the tombs OF Egypt they dig to-day
playthings which, recovered with CAV
paint. might pass unnoticed among a
twentieth century child's belongings. And
when children grow tired and seek their
mothers laps with the world-old demand
for a story. the tales the mothers tell are
strangely like those Of old centuries-all
alike. whether told under the shadow of
the young pyramids or under the shadow
of the American schoolhouse.
Almost as much In known OF the child
life of two or three thousand years ago
as OF that Of a century ago. A belief that
reigned in the hearts Of the ancient Epyp.
tians has enabled us TO learn all about their
little ones lives.
When a child died. long ago, it's spirit.
according to their faith. began another
similar existence, and they who loved the
The sun., 1902-12-21

'ncnstrate. but it didn't do any good. That 8
the way with such people. Theyre bound
TO get conceited and domineering, and IL
they are fat and wear a false front, you
may AZ well save your hot air.
Along about noon | struck a woman
"ho sold the swellest peacock plumes you
ever saw in your life aid was figuring on
a bunch Of them-you know that Wellesley
girl wore green at that Thanksgiving hop,
and these were too swell for anyt hin G when
aunt pounced down upon me and wouldn I
listen 10 such hing.
"She took me of to place where bet
The sun., 1902-12-21

little one could not bear to think that in
the world Of shadows their child should
have nothing to play with.
SO the weeping mothers gathered up
the favorite toys and put them in the sna II
grave, there to lie until eager hands, thou
sands OF years later, should break In upon
the child's rest and take out the playthnRs
that love had put beside him.
These hndings in tiny graves Of the past
show that children of the Pharaohs had
pretty good tim, of It in the matter of toys.
There we're dolls. OF course, for the girls,
and quite elaborate ones. painted gayly,
The sun., 1902-12-21

"She didn't give hang whether it sui |
that state Of life to which il pleased heaven
To call him or not. She'd just cross his
name off the list with little silver pencil,
go onto the next. and beam through her
lorgnette. And her air all the time de-
clared that philanthropic thing had been
done and she'd have you tumble to the
fact
The sun., 1902-12-21

be school for shoppers, and every woman
shopping in this weather would have to
make good before she'd be allowed within
roofing distance of bargain counter
I'd put an end to these misfit Christmas
presents.
Take my Aunt Lii for instance-as kind
hearted a dowager a. ever spoiled kid
nephew like me When it comes to think
The sun., 1902-12-21

kindergarten class in that shopping school.
Fact.
George, my boy she said to me last
night George, my boy, I'll take you down
to the shops with me tomorrow morning
Tomorrow morning? Gee, Maud. II
The sun., 1902-12-21

But what grated worst was when an
oily old cad in a book store roped her into
buying shelfful Of the Rollo books or
some such tommyrot for the Skdmore
kids. They are As tough set OF little beg
gars as there are in The Bronx
Il must say kissed in and tried to re-
The sun., 1902-12-21
Who Read "The SUM-.

II wisely, Therefore, II you We anything to
70 sell that's worth buying. advertise L In
Tue SUN.-Adr.
The sun., 1902-12-21
A CIGAR HOLDER FOR THE PIPE LOVER.

ing out holiday gifts for people l guess she
does 1t with her double chin.
She's stout and flfty-something-o
other and she's strong on lectures and
charity for the aged and INDECENT and that
sort Of thing. but I'm telling you conf
dentially she'd be likely candidate for the
The sun., 1902-12-21

.S9SsSsSsSsS
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
A New England Herror.

Dexter, Maine, November 3o.-Mrs.
Hattie Whitten, who was arrested
yesterday on the charge of having
poisoned her -year-old daughter,
from whose funeral she had just re-
turned, committed suicide today by
hanging, while IN the custody of the
deputy sheriff. Her death ends a case
which promised TO be as sensational as
any inquired into in many years.
q Mrs. Written is suspected also of
having caused the death of an elder
daughter, aged II, on September 19
last, and this body had been e1humed.
Both children died suddenly, when
previously they had appeared to be in
the best of health. Mrs. Written s
husband also died suddenly, two years
age. The children we're insured for
$40 and $50 respectively. As cause
OF death the physicians certificates
mentioned meningitis and heart fail
nre.
An autopsy on the body of the
younger girl disclosed arsenic and
strychnine. The result of the autopsy
on the elder girl has not been made
public. The woman was taken in
charge by a deputy sheriff and this af-
ternoon, being left alone, she tied to-
gether two towels and hanged herself
To a bed post.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION STANDS.
All Contentious Of eompIainants
Already Passed on adversely
by u. S. Supreme Court.

Richmond, Va, Nov. 29.-The
argument II the proceeding of Mr..
John s.. Wise to invalidate the new
Virginia constitution was resumed in
the United Ssates circuit court here
this morning. Chief Justice Fuller
sitting with Judge Waddill. Attorney
General Anderson spoke for the COM
monwealths addressing himself largely
to the point raised by complainants
that the State was barred from re-
stricting the suffrage as it had done by
the reconstruction acts. he was fol-
lowed By Jams Hays, colord, of counsel
for complainants, who made strong
plea for the rights Of his race.
This afternoon the court dismissed
both suits, ON the ground that it had
no jurisdiction, the actions being
against the State. An appeal will be
taken. All the questions of the chief
Justice indicated that virtually every
contention raised by complainants had
been passed upon adversely by the SUI
preme court.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
Remembered the Dog.
From the lola Register.

From the lola Register.
Pension Commissioners Ware was
sitting in his Office at Washington one
day when brigadier general of the
regular army was ushered in.
tThis is Mr.. Ware?'' he asked.
"I'm that same,'' replied Ware.
"What can I do for you?''
'' I don't suppose you remember me,
do you?" was the reply.
"Well. I don't know that l do, -
said Ware, taking a side look at the
man again, and then under sudden
inspiration but with a slow drawl,
"but I would like to know what the
devil you've done with that dog.''
The stranger was astonished, but
laughed heartily, and the two had a
long chat. It seems that during the
civil wax the two had been slightly &C
quainted, the stranger being member
of the First Iowa. He was known as
reckless fellow, wholly superior to
the little niceties of toilet and habit.
He owned a bulldog named Major
that was the pet of the company. At
ter meal the soldier would toss his
plate aside and call Major to wash the
dishes. And Major would lick the
platter clean.
And it was this recruit Of the days
of 81 that walked into Wares Office in
the stiff, precise garb of the brigadier
general of the regulars. Ware did not
remember him at first, but suddenly
was struck by something familiar
about the fellow, and. although he
could not remember bis name, did re-
member the dog.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03

John Marshall, the Chief Justice Of
the United States, on one occasion was
driving in his gig and found that the
tire On one of his wheels was loose and
kept slipping off. He didn't know a
great deal about common affairs, for
he had not lived much with the COM
mon affairs of life; but he did know
that water would tighten tire on a
wheel. So he came to little branch
and drove into it and got one little
section of the wheel wet, then drove
out and backed his horse and the same
part of the wheel went into the water
again, and he pulled back and kept
seesawing backwards and forward, all
the time getting the same part OF the
wheel wet. While the great lawyer
and Judge was bothering himself about
how to get the wheel wet a negro
came along and, seeing the situation,
told him to 60 back into the water
again. He did so and he negro took
hold of the spokes of the wheel and
turning it around directly had it wet
all around. Mr.. Marshal said: Well,
/ never thought of that The darkey
said: "Well, some men just nattly
have more sense than others, anyhow.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
Venezuela Will Pay.

Berlin, December President Cas-
trc, of Venezuela, handed, probably
on Thursday last, to the German min
lister at Caracas, a written acceptance
of part Of Gernaany's claims, sufficient
ly comprehensive to delay the pre-
sentation of a joint ultimatum by Ger
many and Great Britain, if not rem
dering it altogether unnecessary. 1t is
also understood that Great Britain's
demands will be satisfied.
Foreign Secretary Won Richthofen
and the British foreign secretary, Lord
Lansdowne, are now in correspondence
over Venezuela's change of front.
This Government considers that a
peaceful settlement of The questions in
dispute is quite probable, and attri-
bates President Castro's yieldilg to
the fact that he has become aware that
the United States would not interpose
any obstacle to the forcible collection
OF the claims of Germany and Great
Britain
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
THEATRE FOR Y. N. c. 4.
Revival in Gafaey Has Wonder
full 2esalts---Whole City Moved.

Rev. Len G. Broughton, the we'll
known Baptist divine Of Atlanta, Ga,
who has been holding a revival meet
ing in Gaffney for the past week has
succeeded in bringing about an un-
usual state of affairs in that city. The
religious enthusiasm has spread over
the entire city and it is probable that
as result the handsome opera house
in Gafney will be converted into Y.
M. G. a. building.
A meeting looking TO the establish
ment of a Y. NJ. G. A. was held in
that city Friday at which DR.. Brough-
ton was present. At this meeting the
suggestion was made that the theatre
of the town be converted into a Y.
M. G. A. building so that no shows
hereafter could have an opportunity to
give performances in that city. The
suggestion met with hearty response
and a number of the stockholders in
the theatre building even went so far
as to offer their stock as a gift to the
Y. NJ. G. a. The matter is creating
much discussion and the entire town
is aroused.
Dr.. broughton went home Sunday
to preach at his church in Atlanta and
is expected to return and complete the
work now in progress.-Spartanburg
Journal.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
The Cotton Situation.

Well-posted authorities in the cotton
trade seem to be steering a middle
course between the lines of action laid
down respectively by the bulls and the
bears on that important staple. On
the one hand they have discredited
the alarmist reports Of unparalleled
deterioration from concededly brilliant
prospects early in the season, while on
the other they do not share in the
bearish pronunciamentos issued mostly
by English estimators of nearly record
breaking yields, and of presumably
lower prices for the staple based upon
these predictions. Even the most
conservative authorities differ slightly
among themselves as to the effect of
slightly increased supplies this season
as compared with last, which they
now nearly all concede. 1t was noted
last week in these columns that Mr..
Ellison seemed to regard the outlook
for cotton consumption in this country
as not encouraging Mr.. Shepperson,
in his little cotton-trade compendium,
Cotton Facts,'' rather disagrees with
his colleague in England, and looks for
probable gain in consumption in this
country of BOO, 600 bales. They are
almost at one, however, about the
size of the crop, Shepperson placing
it at Ii, 200, 900 bales and Ellison at H.
1900 bales, and they practically agree
on there being little change likely
from present prices in the event Of
these estimates coming true. Shep-
person, like Ellison, looks for trade
in Europe to Offset any tendencies
toward much higher prices for the
actual staple. AS indicated in these
columns some time since, in fact, cot
ton prices and supplies appear to have
very nearly reached balance, and, in
default of any marked unfavorable
trade happenings, Of which there is
no sign at present, this balance does
not give any sign of being rudely dis
turbed.-Bradstreets.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
DEWEY OFF FOR GULEBRl.
His First Sea Duty Since His
Famous Cruise in Phil
ippine Waters.

Washington, December Admiral
Dewey resumed active sea duty today
for the first time since his return to
the United States from his ever mem
orable cruise in Philippine waters.
His four-starred pennant was hoisted
on the Presidents yacht MayAower> at
the Washington navy yard about 9
O'Clock, and, accompanied by the
members of his staff, the Admiral
sailed away to assume direct command
of the large feet engaged in the
mnaoeuvers in the Caribbea Sea. His
staff included Rear Admiral Taylor,
chief of the bureau of navigation,
chief of staff; Capts Swift and Pills
bury, assistant chiefs of staff, and
Commander Sargent, personal aid.
The departure of the party was devoid
of display and the customary salute to
the Admiral was omitted at his re-
quest.
The Mayaower will set her course
direct for Culebrs Island, off Porto
Rico, and is due there next Saturday.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
oac,tses o. Color Blindness.

While the number ef color blind per-
sons is not very large. oaly aboct i've
in every hundred suffering from any
defect in this respect and most OF those
being affected cllly il minor degree
yet the phenomenon sometimes as
sures very remarkable phases.
An oculist states that he founa TWO
persons who possessed monochromauc
vision-that is to say. all coiors ap-
pearad to them to be simply different
shades Of gray.
If the reader will look at photo
graph of landscape or. better. OF a
garden filed with brilliant flowers. be
will be able to form an idea OF Che ap-
pearance which nature m.st present
to one who suffers from tie inaiction
called monoc!lsomatic vision.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
Venezuela Frightened.

Caracas, Venezuela, November 30
The Venezuelan general, Antonio Vel
utini, has been appointed minister
pIenipotentiary to France. He will
renew the diplomatic relations between
the two countries which have been
ruptured since 1894. The precipitate
nomination of Gen. Velutini is due to
the fears entertained by the Venezue-
Ian Government of complications with
Germany. The newly appointed min-
lister is of French descent.
The news that Germany viii send
three war ships to reinforce the Ger
man squadron in Venezuelan waters,
which already numbers three vessels,
has produce feeling Of apprehension
in this city and especially in official
circles.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
The Philippines Doomed.


Manila, November 3o.-The effort
to restore agriculture in the Philip
pine Islands has been blocked by a
dearth of field animals. Ninety per
cent of the caraboes died in the origin
al epidemic Of rinderpest, and of the
small number imported since many
bave died. The Government had
planned an extensive importation of
these animals to meet the needs and
had arranged to have them immunized.
1t was forced to abandon this plan on
account of lack of money to meet the
purchases. The general cultivation of
the plantations is impossible without
them, and the absence of any i'm
mediate prospect of getting the field
animals leaves the agricultural situa-
tion in a serious condition,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
COST OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
Estimates Furnished by the EXEC
utiye Departments of the Sums
Needed to Maintain Them for
the Fiscal Year Ending
June 80, 1904.

Washington, December 1.-The
Secretary of the treasury today trans
mitted to Congress the estimates of the
appropriations required for the Govern
ment service for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1904, as furnished by the
beads Of the several executive depart
ments. The total appropriations asked
for are $3.50, 189, l12, which is s21, 638,
SIG less than the estimates for 1908
and s33, 050, Ola less than the appropria-
tions for that year.
Following is a recapitulation of the
estimates by departments, cents omit
ted; Legislative s1l, sos, 4S3, executive
S319, 800, State department. s2,676, 825,
treasury department. s172, 313, 526, war
department s13O, 9S6, e05, navy depart
ment sS4, 725, 1913, interior department
s163, 018, GIG, posto6ice department.
$40, 1853, 486, department. of agriculture
IS, $50, $50, department. of labor 1884,
220, department of justice 81, 431, 900.
Grand totals $3.50, 199, lip.
Following are the principal items
under the several departments, which
show increases or decreases, as COM
pared with the appropriations for the
year 1903:
Legislative, salaries and expenses,
increase 1893. 913.
Public printing, ETC., increase
s71S, 600.
Executive proper. salaries and ex-
penses, increase S13, 600.
Salaries and expenses, civil service
commission, increase s75, 600.
State Department-Foreign inter
course, increase s2l1, 200.
Treasury Department-Public works,
increase $1,000, 600; miscellaneous.
s., 900, 900.
District of Columbia, increase g.
700. COO.
Permanent annual appropriations,
decrease IS, 60o,C coo.
War Departmszt-Military establish
ment, decrease s14, ,00C, coo.
Public works. decrease s4, 6S3, 600.
Navy Department-Naval establish
ment, increase S6, 000,0 000.
Interior Department-Public works,
decrease s273, 600.
Miscellaneous, increase 81, $50, 600.
Permanent annual appropriations,
increase $40, ,000
Postotfice Department-Salaries and
expenses, increase $1,000.
Department of Agriculture-Salaries
and expenses, increase s462, 600.
Department of Justice-Miscellan-
Gus, increase S472, 600.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-03
The PANAMA CANAL TREATY.
Removal Of Minister Coneha by the
Colombian Government improves
the Chances of The Treaty
Being Arranged.

Washington, December 1.-Senor
Concha has been relieved as minister
for Colombia by orders from Bogota,
and it is believed that DR.. Thomas
Herran, the present secretary of lega-
tion here, will be accredited as min
lister to succeed Mr.. Concha in the
course of few days. Meanwhile DR..
Herran has been clothed by his Gov
ernment with full authority to pro-
secute the negotiations looking to a
canal treaty with considerably en-
larged powers.
Minister Concha having stood fast
against several stronger presentations
from his own Government favoring
a treaty, the latter decided to place
the further negotiations in thehand of
DR.. He1ran. 1t is, OF course, ASST med
from this change that the chances of
the treaty have been bettered.