davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

people enter heartily into the spirit OF
town. at o'clock on Christmas morn
ing. the young men assemble at the
market place, singing the Gloria" and
other hymns. One Of them carries a
large star. in which a candle burns. This
is supposed 20 be the star that guided
the steps OF the wise men of the East
to the stable at Bethlehem
The Day in Russia.
St Nicholas Is especially venerated In
Russia, where the Emperors mostly
carry his name In their rural life OF
Russia Christmas Eve is an Important
event. At sunset young and old as
sembIe, forming a procession. and visit
the village dignitaries. singing carols and
receiving coppers- This part OF the cere-
mony is called ''KoIenoa." which means
begging for presents on money a mas
querade follows. in which the adults
transform themselves into COWS, pigs,
and other animals, in remembrance OF
the Nativity of the Manger. IN the
evening supper is served on a table COW
cred with straw. The feast begins by
dividing the blessed wafer.
An old custom in Russia is to singe
the boar An old woman, a man. and a
boy execute that function. The gold
bristle animal is symbolic Of light
Bringing in the boar's head was for
merly an elaborate ceremony during
the Christmas Day repast sc all man
.slons of the wealthy.
In France there is a mixture of va
rious customs. The E1-to-date Partisan
divides his Christmas dinner. the
''revellion." into many courses. takirsg
each at different places. and reaching
home for the last cup Of coffee at
breakfast time The PrcvencaIs n the
south OF France venerate the yuIe-Iog,
called there "cacho nc"
South American Obserances.
Peru has its Christmas play. which
gives great delight to the populace. The
procession lasts through he week. and
every night a scene from the Bible is
presented: the annunciation. the ex-
hi5ition of the Christ child in it's crib.
the sdoration Of the three kings. the
fight to Egypt. and other scenes. Over
the hills of the villages these process
sions wend their way The clersy in
special attire accompany the groups.
Carved figures. life-sized and gowned
IN costly and gayly colored clothes. are
exhibited on floats The people in their
Sunday garments stand for hours 10
view the procession
In Caracas. the capital OF Venezuela.
on Christmas Eve. the people promenade
or the Plaza Bolivar and in the streets
in lulI dress. Christmas Day is cele-
brated by the biggest buIlhght Of the
year.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
ancient and Touching Methods Of Welcom-
ing the Day in Cermany---CeIebratioRof
the Winter Solstice in Scandinavia and
lceIaRd---FestvaIs Founded on Old North
ern Myths---Pldces Where the Folk Be-
lieve Animals Have the Power OF Speech.

Nick is. since the oiden times. the spe-
cial saint Of the boys and girls. which
is ascribed to his youth when he be-
came Bishop of Myra, There was a
medieval custom OF choosing a boy
bishop on St Nicholas day from among
the choir boys. His authority lasted
until Innocents Day. December 2S.
This day was formerly regarded as the
most unlucky day during the whole
year. To install IN their minds a horror
OF Herod's massacre of the innocents
on this day, children were soundly
whipped in their beds before rising by
their parents. Being undeserving of
such punishment. the young folks were
taught to suffer, like the tnrocents, for
Christ's sake.
When Animals Speak.
In a good many parts OF Europe there
is peculiar belief. especially in the
Swiss and Austrian Alps. that animals
have the gift of speech on Christmas
night But it is sin to play caves
dropper upon them. These beliefs fur
nish grist for good stories. and a good
many of them are told TO the children
so as to Eeep them from spying on
Christmas night One of the most
famous Of these is the one told in the
Alpine mountains of a farm servant who
did not believe that animals could speak
To make sure. he hid in his masters
stable on Christmas Eve and listened.
At the hour when spooks began to
travel. or when the clock struck u. he
was surprised at what he heard; I'VE
shall have hard work 20 do this day n
week" said one horse. Yes, the
Farmers servant is heavy, answered
church yard is long" said the frsA
The man was buried week after this
curious event.
In France the same belief that ami
mails speak at Christmas prevails. There
the peasants believe that one may learn
from the cattle where treasures are
hid, II one has a new born child under
his arm. The cock is supposed to crow
with unusual vigor on Christmas night
to drive OF all evil spirits from the
holy season The bees are said TO sing,
the cattle to kneel in honor of the man
ger. and the sheep TO go in procession
in commemoration OF the angels visit
20 the shepherds. Howison, in his
sketches of upper Canada, relates that
one moonlight Christmas Eve he saw
an Indian creeping cautiously through
the woods In response to an inquiry,
he said: Me watch to see deer kneel;
Christmas night all deer kneei. and
look up at the Great Spirit -
In Poland it is believed that the
heavens open and the scene OF jacob s
ladder is re-enacted; but only the saints
are permitted to see 1t. In Holland the
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Ccompiled by E. S. Ransoml

Aft~A@f'N'AAsHf
~ HRISTNIAS celebrations are by
no means all of Christian
~ origin, so far as the ceremonies
and festivities are concerned.
in fact. there is more that is Pagan than
Christian in tA9.n. and many Of them
antedate the Messiah.
Every American is. OF course. ac-
quainted with the good old-fashioned
Christmas-the kind we have known
since we were children. Then we have
the time-worn fiction Of Santa Claus and
his reindeers galloping about on the
night before Christmas. and scrambling
down chimneys to iii the stockings
hanging in row by the fireplace.
Every citizen of the United States
feels that it is time to make merry and
TO bring bright smiles TO the faces OF the
little ones. even if the elders cannot
smile happily themselves
Some Of the quaint customs of our
forefathers are stin observed at Christ
mas at various places throughout this
country. For instance. that OF Christ
mas wsits"-boys and girls who go
about from house to house on Christmas
Eve. or early Christmas morning, sing
Ing carols
But aside from this in our happy land.
there are many different ways OF OBJ
serving Christmas besides the one we all
know, and the different kinds Of people
in our broad domain do not all celebrate
this universal holiday in the same way.
Fireworks in the South.
In the South. at midnight or even be
fore. the siss, bang, boom, of skyrock-
cts kissing. crackers swapping, bells
ringing, and youngsters shouting with
delight, makes one think he has stepped
into a Fourth of July celebration. But
TO; the 4th Of July does not come on the
25th OF December. 1t is a Christmas
celebration. This is the way Christmas
begins down South. In some of the
Southern towns brass bands join and
add to the jollity Of the occasion by
marching around and filing the air with
melody. To the boys and girls OF this
cline Christmas is one of the noisiest
and jolliest days of the year.
Changing the situation from the
Southern States 70 that OF New Mex
ico. we find an altogether different form
Of celebration. Among the old Spanish
settlement of this Territory. Christmas
starts more than a week before the day.
In the evenings a party of men and
women go together to the house OF
some friend-a different house being Wis
tied every night. When they arrive they
knock on the door and begin to sing,
and when those in the house ask who
y thereZ' the reply is; ''The Virgin
Mary and ST. Joseph seek lodging in
your house" At first, the inmates OF
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
DIR. ABE LINCOLN.

IT HERE is a story still current in
Illinois, says Success" which
says that an old farmer friend
OF President Lincoln, who used
70 correspond with him, complained on
one occasion of his poor health. He
received the following reply. which is
quoted in Illinois as 'Lincoln's prescrip-
uon." do not worry. Eat three
square meals a day. Say your prayers.
Think Of your wife. Be courteous 20
your creditors. Keep your digestion
good. Steer clear OF biliousness. Exer-
else. Go slow and go easy. Maybe
there are other things that your espe-
cial case requires 20 make you happy
but, my dear friend, these, / reckon.
will give you a good lift"
This advice Is doubtless applicable in
its entirety to many Americans in every
State in the Union today. There are
parts Of IL which apply to us generally
-as a nation. do not worry Keep
your digestion good. Go slow and
easy. IL would be difficult TO find an
American who has not something to
amend on these points Worry and dys-
pepsia have assumed the proportions OF
national evils. and they are both more
or less the results OF undue haste
There Is no surer way TO promote dys-
pepsia than TO be in a constant state
Of hurry, and nothing will so surely
give one the blues" or incline one 70
worrying and fretting as dyspepsia
Our native institution-the ''quicb
lunch" restaurant-is responsible FOR a
large proportion Of the physical Ills OF
business people in large cities. Eating
hastily" boiling ones food, as IL u
popularity expressed-is enough 80 ruin
the digestive organs Of an ostrich. A
man would better eat half as much as
usual at the midday meal-which Is
usually the most hurried-and take time
20 nasticate properly what ne does put
into his stomach.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Celebrated in the Southern. States With Fire
works Displdys---Customs Of the Shakers
in Northern New York When the Joyful
Season Is at F1aRd---Following the Star in
PARKWAY Cold Aldska---Santa Claus Flies
Through the Air in Porto Rico. :. :. :.

the house refuse to let them in. This
is done to carry out the Bible story
of Joseph and Mary being unable TO
find lodging in Bethlehem. But in a
little while the door is opened and the
visitors are made welcome. AS soon
as they enter they kneel and repeat a
short prayer; and when the devotional
exercises are concluded, the rest OF the
evening is spent in merrymalxing
New England's Christmas.
The pilgrims and puritans of New
England for many years did not cele-
brate Christmas. In fact, they usually
mapped out Christmas Day as their
hardest work day of the year, just tc
show their contempt for what they con
sidered a pagan festival. and at one
time in the colonial settlement in Mas
sachusetts there was law forbidding
anyone to celebrate that day; and i.
anybody was rash enough to go abou-
footing horn and shouting Merry
Christmas" he was promptly brought
to his senses by being arrested and
punished in the usual style by being
put in stocks or "pillory." In q, good
many towns in New England to this
day people make more of Thanksgiving
than of Christmas, and there are hun
dreds OF New England men and women
still living who knew nothing of our
celebration as children; who never huns
up their stockings; who never waited
for Santa Claus; who never had a tree
all ablaze with candles, and who never
had a Christmas present.
In good many towns in this portion
Of the country the old custom Of having
one tree do for all the children is stnl
observed. either the church, town hall.
or the minister's home being the place
set aside for this purpose; and the night
before all the older people congregate
with presents for the children. dress
the tree. and have 1t all ready for the
coming evening. when II serves to glad
den the faces of the little ones.
Shakers at Table.
The Shakers, a religious sect found
near Albany, n. Y, have a peculiar way
OF observing Christmas. They start in
by dinner. at which the men and wo-
men both sit at the same table. This
custom is the thing that serves to make
Christmas different from any other day.
During all the rest of the year the men
and women eat their meals at different
tables. At sunset on Christmas day, af-
ter service at church, they march to
the community house. where the dinner
is waiting. The men sit on one side of
the table and the women on the other.
At the head of the table sits an old man
called the elder, who begins the meal
by s1Eing grace, after which each one
In turn gets up, and lifting the right
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
BENTON AND FREMONT

AMES C. BLAINE sad that after.
Fremont became famous as path
~ finder Benton, who had opposed his
marriage with his daughter, Jessie.
became reconciled with his son-in-Iaw
and took great pride in his achieve
ments as a Western explorer. says ex-
Senator Vest. in the Saturday Evening
Post
The square on the southern side Of
Pennsylvania Avenue now occupied by
Center Market was then used as show
ground for circuses and other peripa-
tetic exhibitions About this time P. 7.
Barnum was beginning his career as a
Snowman, and as Colonel Benton was
walking down Pennsylvania Avenue op-
posite this show ground he was at
tracted by the words John c. Free
mont. uttered in loud voice by a
Snowman standing at the door OF a
small tent. in front OF which was 4
gartsh caricature OF a nondescript ami
NAL supposed TO represent the '-wcolly
horse" discovered by Fremont in the
recesses of the Rocky Mountains
Benton stalked across the Avenue and
listened with great disgust to tia state
doorkeeper and solicitor. that inside the
tent could be found the greatest nat
ural curiosity in the world. the wOolly
horse captured by General Fremont, and
now on exhibition
Benton denounced Bernusn as an i'm
poster and denied than his son-in-laW
had discovered any such anims Bar
mum, who did not know Benton. told
him fiippantly to pay his quarter and so
into the show. or make less noise
Whereupon the indignant statesman
called the police to arrest Barnum. and
a large crowd assembled TO witness the
extraordinary scene The police refused
to interfere, and Barnum received free
advertisement. Inuch to his gratifica-
tion and profit
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
ARTICLES USED IN OILING THE WHEELS OF LEGISLATION

A BOUT the only thing a United
II States Senator doesn't need to
n help him run the affairs of the
nation is a baby carriage. ac-
cording TO the annual reports Of the sec
retary and the sergeant-at-arms OF that
august body. Articles which one would
never associate with its deliberations
are named with much solemnity and in
large quantities.
Sweet Scented and Sweet Tempered.
That the Senators may be sweet
scented as well as sweet tempered, large
quantities of cologne are bought for
them. When the Sergeant-at-Arms
made his report on December : there
were ,on hand forty-four bottles of
cologne. II has been suggested the
cologne Is useful I'm offsetting the sui
phurous talk OF some OF the disap-
pointed politicians who hive at the
Capitol. Or it's soothing influence may
be used to nullify the sour looks of
some Of the female suffrage lobbyists.
each Of whom is firmly convinced she
would be President Of the United States
II she had been born a man. Some of
the solons were even more dainty in
their choice Of perfumes than the gem
eral run of their colleagues. and for
these there was purchased a liberal sup
ply Of altar of roses.
The taste OF the Senator's for perfume
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
d MANY ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH CHRISTMAS IS OBSERVED D

massive piece of wood. usually the
rugged end of an oak root. which Is kept
burning at Christmas time for twelve
days. A piece is kept for the following
year. 1t was first lit in honor of the
sun god: then the custom was trans
ferred to signify the eternal light. The
log Is drawn in triumph from It's resting
place amid shouts Of laughter. every
wayfarer doffing his hat as he passes.
Formerly the MINISTRIES hauled the log
with song and music.
In England a very important symbol
of decoration is the mistletoe. IT Is the
custom for every young man TO try to
bring his beloved under the mistIetoe.
where he is permitted to kiss her. For
this custom we are again indebted to
old NEUROLOGICAL tales. The plant. in
the first place, according to these tales.
was dedicated TO the goddess Friga. II
was the emblem OF love, and everyone
who passed under It received kiss.
In servia we still have the Yule log,
but the father of the family does not go
out until Christmas nnorning to get It.
and when he brings IL home he says:
Good evening, Merry Christmas" All
present reply. Nay. God grant both to
thee; mayest thou have riches and
honor" Then they throw over him
grains of wheat Presently a young tree
is placed upon the Goals. where it re-
mains until mcrh hng. which IS saluted
by repeated pists- shots. when a neigh
Dor pays visit he ffst throws grains
of wheat through the open door, crying.
Christ is born Those upon whom
the grains have fallen reply. He is
born indeed" The visitor then enters
and. striking the log with a piece Of
iron. adds. ''For as many sparks as
come out of you let there be as many
oxen. horses. sheep. goats, and pigs and
beehives." At length the mistress Of
the house throws veil over the assem-
bled guests and the remains of the leg
are carried out into the orchard. The
ashes are retained, as they are believed
to bring good luck.
Home of the Christmas Tree.
Tables are spread and lights left burn
ing during the entire night in some
parts of Germany and Austria. so that
the Virgin Mary and the angel which
pass may find something to eat Christ
mas there Is a festival for young and
old. and the baking commences many
weeks before. The STOLEN" a very
rich cake. is made square instead of
round. the better to bring out the idea
OF the manger.
| The old English Christmas piles. most
ly the large mince ones. had also that
shape for the same reason.
For weeks decorations of the trees
are prepared and early on the 24th the
German family begins TO adorn the
whole house, and the tree especially.
One large room from which all except
the mother are excluded contains the tree
and presents. Many candles are lit on
the tree and when all is in readiness
bell will announce to the anxious wait
ing children ard other members of the
family that the Christ child has paid his
visit Then all enter.
In Germany Santa Claus has only the
task of reporting to the Christ child the
conduct of the children. He carries
whip with which he beats the bad ones
and presents the good ones with nuts
and candy. nevertheless there are very
few bad ones who get the whip. St
-
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

hand, says in solemn voice, God is
love" The dinner is then eaten in per-
feet silence Not a voice is heard until
the meal comes to an end. Then the
men and women rise and sing. standing
in their places at the table. AS the
singing proceeds they mark time with
their hands and feet, then their bodies
begin TO sway from side to side in that
peculiar manner which has given this
sect its name of Shakers
Following the Star.
The natives of Alaska who belong to
the Greek Church have a custom whic /
is theirs by right of. discovery, called
going around with the STAR
A large fgare OF a star is covered with
some bright paper, and is carried around
to the well-to-do families. followed by
procession of men and women and
children. They are warmly welcomed
and given something to eat and drink
when they proceed on their rounds. This
Is kept up the whole of Christmas week.
but after the first night tbs star ban
ners" are followed by group of chill
dren who try TO obtain possession OF
the star and destroy it. This part Of
he game is supposed an imitation of
he soldiers of Herod trying to destroy
.he children of Bethlehem.
In Porto Rico Santa Claus has flying
machine that he uses on Christmas Eve
to fly about from house to house and
distribute gifts. The boys and girls of
Porto Rico do not use stockings, for
nine out of ten do not wear such an
article of dress. They make instead
boxes which they put out in the court
yard or on the roofs of their homes and
old St Nicholas flies by and deposits
presents in these little samples Of work
manship, and the better the box tbs
more the presents. so the children busy
themselves several months before
Christmas day in making their boxes as
perfect as possible. Santa Claus i,
more generous in Porto Rico than he is
elsewhere. lie not only comes on Christ
mas Day, but is liable TO call around
two or three times during Christmas
week
Santa Claus in a Boat.
In Hawaii as in Porto Rico. Santa
Claus does not come with his reindeer'
and sleigh. for it would be too tedious
a journey to come across the water WITH
his feet-footed beasts, but he comes ir
boat from San Francisco to Honolulu,
The natives of Hawaii knew nothing
about Christmas until the coming Of tn,
missionaries ana American settlers, bu
now they celebrate the day in the sam,
way as their As.eeriean cousins. The
only difference between Christmas IN
Honolulu and 4. Washington is thai
while the WasLtnstonian is shiverins
with cold. the Ioan in Honolulu ii
smelling sweet-scented flowers and list
ening TO the birds chirping. Garden,
are overfiowing with roses and carna-
tions; fields and mountain slopes ars
abIaze with color. the Christmas dinner
is eaten out OF doors in the shade Of tho
veranda and everybody is happy.
In the Philippines Christmas Is OBJ
served much the same way as in Ha-
wall. and "Buenas Pasquas" is the hear
ty greeting that these little brown peo-
pie greet you with on Christmas morn
in=.
We now jump from the New to the
Old World and we find things very diff
ferent In the countries of Romanic de-
scent the Roman saturnalia has left
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

neat about the appearance Of their
heads, for they bought five dozen hair
brushes and nine dozen combs. A num-
Der Of the members of the finest club
IN the world have very little msterial
upon which to exercise the offices Of
comb and brush. but they have hopes.
for among the articles oil the list OF
purchases are hair tonic ard hair oil.
to say nothing of dandruf cures for
those who are alarmed at the fast
falling locks.
Three Senator'S are fond Of a hot cup
OF coffee. it is to be presumed. in their
rooms. For these domestic bodies three
nickel-plated coffee urns with spirit
lamp attachments were purchased An
excellent brand OF punch can be made
with the proper ingredients and a
nickel-plated coffee urn with spirit lamp
attachment
Scarcity of Spoons.
Has the Senate acquired the spoon
taking souvenir habit? The question na-
turalIy arises when the sergeSnt-at-
arms states that ne has on hand only
four spoons. Surely it must have taken
more than four spoons to mix the
LIQUIDS that went into those 101 small
glasses.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Scarcity of Spoons.
For Instance.

For Instance.
4 pinprick often does a job
Much better than a club.
The proper way 10 treat a snob
Is simply TO a snub.
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
NSen1s for Christmas Dinner at Home Family Of Sir
By E. L. JOHNSON,

By E. L. JOHNSON
Proprietor of Hotel Johnson.
Oyster Soup (Pnt of Selects)
Boston SmeltS, Fried Brown
Potato Salad
Roast Turkey, Sage Dressing Dish Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes Canned Green Peas
Hot Mince Pie az inches thick)
Coffee
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
By C.. II. UTERMEHLl
Manager of Hotel Barton.

Cream of Celery Soup
Two Roast Chickens, Sage Stuffing
Giblet Sauce
Home Prepared Pickles Celery
Roast Ham, Country Cured
Mashed Potatoes Baked Sweet Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts
Plum Pudding Hard Sauce
Sherry Wine Jelly
Edam and Roquefort Cheese
Coffee
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Canape of Fresh Caviare
LynnhaVenS on Shell

Canape of Fresh Caviare
LynnhavenS on Shell
Chicken Gumbo, Strained
Terrapin Potatoes Fitz William
Roast Turkey, Stuffed with Chestnuts and
GarnShed with SauSages
Spinach Boiled Hominy
Tomato Salad en- Surprise
Plum Pudding, Hard with Brandy Sauce
Pumpkin Pie
Nuts and RaiSinS Coffee
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

~ HRISTMAS celebrations are by
no means all of Christian
~ origin, so far as the ceremonies