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

from air, earth, fire. and water" II had
been predicted at his birth that he would
die by a mortal unless all created OBJ
jects should solemnly swear not TO in
jure him. The faithful and devoted
Nanna. by her beauty and goodness.
persuaded all trees and flowers, stones
and metals. earth and water. fire, and
air" TO give the required pledge. But
the evil-minded Loki. disguised as a
white crow, sat on the branch of an
oak and hid the mistletoe plant which
being a parasite. was not included in
the oath OF the oak tree. AS a punish
ment. ever since the crow, has been
black. J.oki made an arrow of the
mistletoe. which, growing on the oak.
could not be said TO spring from any
of the four elements. Then. Disgusting
himself as an old woman. he presented
1t to Mama. Now the gods frequently
indulged in a sport. during the progress
of which each shot at the supposedly
invulnerable Baldur as he stood against
a holly tree. Holder saw his chance. He
crafdly secured the mistletoe arrow and
aimed it at his brothers heart. Odin S
war bird. the cock. flew TO intercept it.
but in vain. Baldur. the beautiful and
the beloved. was slain. The drops OF
blood from his wounds falling upon the
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

7 TITLE Miss Holly has come TO
town. dressed in shining green
IL and gay scarlet gown.
Which means that Christmas
is just around the corner.
Next 70 the Christmas tree itself
nothing is so suggestive OF the greatest
holiday in all the year as the CHEEKY
little holly and all the gay mistletoe.
The woman who hangs up a wreath OF
holly in her window on Christmas and
the girl who suspends the significant
bit OF mistletOe from the chandelier. are
only following customs. centuries old.
The decoration Of our houses and
churches with evergreens is so in
separably associated In our minds with
Christmas that il Is difficult TO realize
that the custom is pagan IN it's origin.
Britain, with her mystical Druidical
rights: Saxon and Angle. with their
pagan ceremonies IN their native land
on the shores Of the German Ocean be-
fore they crossed IL 10 help the Britons
drive back the daring Norsemcn; Rome,
with her Saturnalia, each and all have
contributed customs and supersttions.
until about no Christian festival is there
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

white robes Of attendant priests. Each
household received a spray of the sacred
plant to hang over the entrance OF their
dwellings, whereby all evil spirits were
exercised and no i'll luck could enter the
home thus protected.
The evergreen custom of kissing un-
der the mistletoe owes its origin to
legend Of Scandinavian mythology. Bal
dur. or Baldes. the white God" was
the purest of the sons of Odin, the
mighty god of the Scandinavian fore
fathers, and was, In consequence. much
beloved by men. His face shone and his
pure brow was called the sun" Mamma,
his wife. was all that was gentle and
good; so great was her virtue that she
was granted intercourse with both
worlds. Baldur had a twin brother who
was born blind. Physically. this is sug-
gestivc that light and darkness We're in
separately allied, and morally that evil
is the perversion OF all good; hence the
saying. "Ail eveil is born blind. -
AS much as Baldur was beloved by
the Tesir, or twelve gods, Holder. who
was ever causing dissension, was i,ated
Now BaldIr had a sworn foe, IsoEi.
the evil genius OF Valhalla. who re-
solved 70 kill him But Baldur was in
vulnerable to everything that springs
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
At the Austrian kmbassy.

to bring holly into house before Christ
mas Eve: in Derbyshire il is said that
the husband or wife Will be master dur
ing the year. according as the holly
brought in at this season be prickly or
smooth; while in Germany the branches
used as decorations for churches are
looked upon as a certain protection
against lightning. In olden days
branch of holly picked on Christmas
Eve was considered a charm against
witches or evil spells. A twig brought
from church might be kept for the same
purpose. Your cattle, too, viii thrive
If you fasten up a bit Of Christmas
holly in stall or manger or fold. that
Gods creatures may rejoice with man
on the anniversary of His birth. The
holly used for decorations both in
church and house should all be cleared
away before Christmas Day. or the ID
Of February In some parts OF England
IL is thought unlucky TO prick the finger
il the blood comes while taking down
the Christmas holly, but IL a leaf stick
TO dress or coat, cherish II as carefully
as you would a four-leaf clover; IT will
bring you good luck during 19Ol-so they
say.
The English poets abound in compli-
mentary illusions to the holly. AS far
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

from Austria-Hungary does not receive
her. presents on the day on which gifts
are distributed. in her own country. but
she does get ahead of most American
children, for her Christmas tree is strip
ped OF it's treasures on Christmas Eve
when a majority Of young Americans
are fast asleep dreaming of the morrow
The dedication Of the Christmas tree at
the Hungarian embassy is made
quite a social event. and on several oc-
casions the ambassador has himself per-
sonated Santa Claus or St Nicholas.
The Spanish Legation.
At the Spanish legation and the Italian
embassy. Christmas will be celebrated
very quietly. the day having significance
to the members of these households
chiefly as a religious festival. The
Italian diplomats, however, all as
semble for Christmas dinner. as do their
confreres from other nations Perhaps
the gayest Christmas in the entire dip
Iomatic colony Is that al the Swiss lega-
tion. A monster Christmas tree-quite
the largest one that can be gotten into
the house-is invariably feature of the
celebrate at the home of the envoy
from the mountain republic. and Of late
years the minister has observed the
pretty custom of inviting to join in the
merrymaking all the Swiss people in
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

holly leaves became the red berries
which add so much 70 the beauty of the
plant. Great. indeed. was the Iamenta-
ton when Hel;s. the goddess Of the un-
der world. came to claim Baldur: but
the devoted Mama. by ler eloquent
pleading, secured a promise from Hela
that If all .:rcateA ,hings would mourn
for the death OF Baldur, then Mama
could keep his body. Again the faithful
wife made her journey and rested not
until she has exacted from hearts OF
men. animals. trees. stones. seas.
streams. hills. meadows, metals. flowers
the promise Il weep for Baldur. From
the mistletoe she gathered their pearly
tears-they ara the little white berries
you see. Thereupon, Odin mercifuily
decreed that Baldur should dwell half
the year IN Hela's domains, and half
the year in Nalhalla. The cock. be-
cause of his effort to save Baldur's life.
was appointed his attendant; he her
aids his approach and awakens the
keepers OF the four gates OF the uni
verse. The fatal mistletOe was after
this conhde6 10 the keeping of the
goddess OF loNe. and whosoever passes
beneath II receives a kiss from r
lips. to show that che plant is no longer
the emblem OF death. but of love
The fatal arrow. Perhaps that was
transformed into Cupid dart.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Little Folks From Far-Off Clines Who
Yield Allegiance to the American Santa
ClauS---Ddu of Dinners Two Christ
masses at the Russian Embassy. D, D.

year; but here he is allowed to make
year. as do the American children. Last
year Nine. de AIargerie gave a grand
party for the little lad on Christmas
Eve. and the children formed in line.
and. singing a Christmas carol, marched
iHto the room where stood the we'll
laden Christmas tree The Junior men.-
ber Of the De Margerie family does not
hang UP his stockings. but Ss places his
small shoes in the chiIpiIey cSrner
Christmas Eve. confident that, having
been a good boy. he will find them hll4d
with presents in the morning. sssd not
empty. as IS the fate Of bad boys.
Two ChTistmases.
There are two Christmases at ttI5e Rus
sian embassy, but the real c,ag5ration
comes on January s. The fact tSat the
joyous festival is. by reason Of tke use
Of the Russian calendar. somewhat be-
lated. does not. however, eject the en-
thusiasm with which the celebration is
carried out At time when most OF
her American friends are removing the
Christmas green's from their homes.
Countess Marguerite Cassini, the mis-
tress of the Russian embassy. Is SUI
perintending The decoration OF mon
ster Christmas tree. generously laden
with presents, and the distribution OF
these remembcances is followed By
grand dinner. which is thoroughly Rus
sian IN its menu and appointments and
as protracted as some of the celebrated
all-night feasts in the land Of the car.
There are in the foreign colony 1T
Washington quite q number Of children
who never heard Of Christmas until
they came to the land of the free.
Among them ire the two sons and the
daughter of ehs Chinese minister. the
youngsters at the Korean legation. and
osman Sureya and Ali Hafdas. the
bIack-eyed little sons of CheI1fb Bey,
the Turkish minister. When WI Ting
fang was Chinese minister he adopted
the American Christmas to the extent
that his young son was allowed TO go
10 the White House each Christmas
morning with bouquet almost as large
as himself designed as coken for the
First Lady OF the Land In the Chinese
colony are several children who have
been entoyin. American Chrietmases
for some yeats past. These fortunate
youngsters are the children OF Yung
/ Kwai, the secretary-interpreter. whose
wife is a New England woman
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
The Celebration of the Most Important
Holiday of the Year in the Homes OF
Uncle Sans Official Guests Strange
FOREIGN Customs That Will Be Followed.

only natural that they should retain
their affection for the sort of Christmas
celebrations they knew in their child
hood
OF all the diplomatic Christmas festiv-
tiles that which approaches most nearly
TO the American ideal is the celebration
at the German embassy. In Germany
all the children believe in Santa Claus
and the children Of Teuton diplomats
at Uncle Sans capital are not permit
ted to forget the story of how the
Christ Child goes into every German
home on Christmas Eve. and leaves a
loaded tree in token of his love. and
they are cautioned not to peek through
the keyhole In an effort to see the visit
or at work on pain OF sorely displeas-
ing the gift maker. A Bethlehem star
crowns the Christmas tree at the Ger
man embassy. and under its branches
stands a wax figure representing the
Saviour in the manger. The great event
Of this festal season is the dinner Civ
en- by the ambassador TO his official
superstition an odd number is not al
lowed 20 be seated at this feast nor "A
shadow cast upon the wall. The dinner
ends just before midnight, and the
guests arise and stand with filled glass
es awaiting the final chime of the clock
as the signal for the toast to many
happy returns of the day.
In France Christmas is a strictly re-
ligious festival, but the French embassy
at Washington. alike TO the German. is
now presided over by an American wo-
man and consequently the day has been
given a new meaning at this institution.
II has long been the custom at the
French embassy. as at most of the other
diplomatic establishments. that the am
bassador shall entertain at Christmas
! feast the various secretaries. attaches
and other officials connected with the
embassy together with the members
OF their families. The lending nations
now have at Washington embassy STATS
numbering anywhere from eight to ff-
teen persons. so that these diplomatic
} Christmas dinner parties are much
larger than those in the average Amer
/ can home. The repast at which Nine
/ Jusserand viii act as hostess will be a
most appetizing one. There are several
] imported" French cooks at the resi-
! dence over which waves the tricoIor ano
they fairly outdo themselves on this
! occasion.
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

Washington. There arc several hundred
Of them. but when the distribution OF
gifts takes place each guest is remem-
bered.
A Mexican Custom.
Rivaling the rousing frolic of the
Roosevelt children in the East Room
at the White House last Christmas is
the novel method of distributing the
Christmas presents at the Mexican en-
bassy Following the custom which
prevails in the land to the south of
us there is suspended from the ceiling
huge open-mouth jar in which have
been placed all the presents. each neat
ly tied and addressed TO the intended
recipient. The children and grown
people Of the party are armed with
long slender canes and with these first
one and then another makes a dash for
the swinging jar striking it or at it
as they pass. OF course IL is only a
matter Of time until the frail treasure
house is demolished and then ensues
grand scramble for the gifts.
In many of the homes of diplomats
from our sister republics of Central
and South America a most interesting
Christmas observance is followed. name
ly, the impersonation OF the Nativity.
One end Of the largest room in the
house is devoted to the purpose. and
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

herein is set up a representation in
miniature OF the city OF Bethlehem with
its streets. houses and people. Over
the whole is a canopy of stars with
most prominent Of all the Star OF Beth
lehem shining over grotto in which
are tiny figures of the Infant Jesus.
Mary. Joseph. and the three wise men,
The children of the household are not
permitted to see any of the prepara-
tions for this religious portrayal nor
know it's exact character until the room
is thrown open to them upon their re-
turn from mass on Christmas morning.
Then the presents are distributed. and
later the family and their friends sit
down to an elaborate banquet which
lasts until midnight
Interchange of Visits.
The little folks from the Pan-Amer-
Ican countries spend Christmas Day in
visiting the homes OF their pIayfeIlows
in order to compare presents and see
the miniature BethIehems which are,
OF course. different in every home.
There is an opportunity for much inter
change OF visits Of this kind. for there
are seventeen of these Latin-Ameriean
households in Washington, and in many
of them there are large families Of chill
dren. The Bolivian minister for in
stance. has ten children. although they
are not all in Washington; and there
is a like number OF young people in the
home of the miidste.- from Peru. some
OF these young visitors from the land Of
the Andes being relatives Of the min
lister. who are in this country attend
ing school There is a houseful Of
children at the home of senor CalvO, the
minister from Costa Rica. and there are
children in the homes of the ministers
/ from Chile. Haiti. Cuba. the Argentine
Republic, and other republics in tbs
lower half Of the continent.
American Customs Adopted.
Some of the children in the diplomatic
colony have adopted ne American
! Christmas. or. rather perhaps. their
parents nave auopteo IL lux lLein- H4f
is the case. for instance at the home
| Of First Secretary and Aime. de Mar
gerie, of the French embassy. Were ht-
tie Roland d, Margerie at home IL
France he would have TO wait until Jan
uary s. or Kings Day''-the day which
commentaries that on which the three
wise men went to Bethlehcm-in ordel
to have his supreme good time" of tn
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Copyright, 1903, by waidon Fawcett)

TT HE oldest and most novel Christ
mas celebrations to be found in
the length and breadth Of the
land will take place in the homes
OF the diplomats at Washington An
American would hnd much cause for
wonderment could he peep in on the
mcst joyous holiday of the year at the
homes Of Uncle Sans official guests.
II is safe TO predict however that very
Few people will have this opportunity.
In one respect at least the distinguish
ed foreigners who are residing tenn
porarily at our Capital conform to
American custom. Those of them who
celebrate Christmas are wont 70 make
Of it a family or household festival.
after the Yankee fashion. and com
paratively few outsiders are invited to
participate in the merrymaking.
That the celebration of the yuletide
season in the cosmopolitan community
at the seat OF Government should be
so different from the foreign quarters
of our great cities might. at first
thought. appear strange. but it is
easily explained. The average foreigner
who has come to make the New World
his heme is only too eager TO adopt
American customs The patriotic dip
lomat however, who is but tarrying
with us briefly as the accredited repre-
sentative OF his nation. is. on the other
hand. correspondingly eager TO preserve
the traditions of his native land in the
matter Of holiday celebrations.
Many diplomatic Children"
Two great factors. however. are just
now tending 20 "Americanize" Christ
mas in the diplomatic colony in Wash
ington. For one thing there is an un,
usually large number Of children II
this assemblage from all nations. Man,
Of these youngsters attend American
public OF private schools. and in tn,
face OF the glowing tales Of our Christ.
mas poured into their ears by enthusias
tic school mates il IS small wonder that
they are eager TO swear allegiance TO tn,
American Santa Claus. and induce their
parents TO do likewise. The second fac
tor which is doing missionary work
on behalf of Miss Columbia's Christina.
is found in the influence exerted b,
American wives Of diplomats. AT tn
present time six of the households Fl
the diplomatic circle at Washington ar
presided over by women who are native
Of the greatest Of republics. and it i
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

. The recent death of Sir Michael Her
bert and the absence Of the. boys who
last year romped through the house will
add a tinge of gloom 10 this Christmas
at the British embassy. but the tradi-
tions OF King Edwards diplomatic es-
at Washington call for a
rousing old-fashioned English Christmas
with the tree. plum pudding, and all
A yule log is placed, with due ceremony.
in the great open fire place in the dining
room and the members Of the embassy
family gather before the roaring fire
and sing their Christmas carols just as
they would in their homes across the
water. The British embassy is always
elaborately decorated with holly and ivy
and evergreen, not forgetting the sprig
OF mistIetoe on the chandelier The
illumination of the Christmas tree and
the distribution of presents occurs
Christmas Eve and Christmas night is
given over to the great dinner to the
embassy circle.
At the Austrian Embassy.
In Austria the children know of
Santa Claus as St Nicholas, and they
look for his coming on the night of
December 6. when he is expected 10 visit
every house. bringing presents for the
good children and switches for the bad.
The little daughter Of the ambassador
The Washington times., 1903-12-20
Shakespeare, at sight of the evergreen,
exclaimed, appreciatively:
Heigho. the green holly
This life is most Jolly.

The hanging UP of the mistletoe is
one of the most ancient of ali customs
With the Druids the oak was a sacred
tree, and its mistletoe was doubly So At
the period Of the winter solstice a great
festival was celebrated, and the mystic
parasite gathered with pomp and cere-
mOnial. The ancient Britons sailed forth
accompanied by their priests, the
Druids. 1ae Arch-Druid robed in white,
climbed the sacred tree and with a
golden knife cut the mistletoe. which
fell. untouched. into the folds of the
The Washington times., 1903-12-20

back as the time of Henry VI carols
were sung in its honor. One OF the
quaintest of these old-time compositions
runs:
Here comes holly that is so gent
To please all men is his intent
Allelujah,
Whosoever against holly do CRY,
In a rope shall be hung full high
Allelujah.
Whosoever against holly do sing
lie may weep and his hands wiring
Allelujah!
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-07-17
Timber Land Act, June 3, 1875.
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
II = Land Office Occur a. Aiene
d. II. BUDLONG.
Register.
1881

Timber Land Act, June 3, 1876
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
U. S. Land Office, Occur d'Alene, Idaho.
Notice is hereby given that in compliance
with the provisions Of the act Of Congress IF
June g. 1873, entitled IAN act for the sale of
timber lands in the States of California, Ore
gon, Nevada and Washington Territory" as
extended to all the Public Land States by act
of August 4, 1892,
ELIZABETH S. VERMlLYE
of Coiax, county of Whitman, state of Wash
has this day filed in this office her sworn state
HenL No. 1888 for the purchase o. the VIZ and
sea OF neg and neA of seq Of section
p, in township SO north range ], III,
and will offer proof to show that the land
sought is more valuable for its timber stone
than for agricultural purposes, and to establish
her claim TO said land before the Register and
Receiver OF this Office at Occur 'Alene, Idaho,
on Monday, the 18th day OF September, 1903.
He names witnesses:
John DeBella, Isaac NJ. Forter, of Spokane,
Wash, Harry P. Herr, OF Dufort, Idaho, Thos.
w. Clagett, of Sunset Wash.
Any and all persons claiming adversely the
above-described lands are requested to file their
claims in this Office or before said
14th day of September. 1908
ID. II. BUDLONG, Register.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-07-17

Timber Land Act, June 3, 1873.
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
U. S. Land Office, Occur d'Alene; Idaho.
Notice is hereby given that in compliance
with the provisions Of the act Of Congress Of
June 3, 1873, entitled can act for the sale OF
timber lands in the States of California, Ore
gon, Nevada, and Washington Territory" as
extended to all the Public Land States by act
of August q, 1902,
ROBERT II. NERMILNE
OF COlfaX. county of Whitman, state OF Wash
has this day tled in this Office his sworn
statement No 1892 for the purchase of the
eia swl4 of section ~ township 30 l, G b m
and will offer proof to show that the lane
sought is more valuable for its timber stone
than for agricultural purposes. and to establish
mis- claim 80 said land before the Register and
Receiver of this office ut Occur Alene. Idaho
on Monday, the Nth day OF september, 1908
lie names witnesses:
Harry +. Herr, OF Dufort. Idaho. John De
Bella, Isaac NJ. Porter OF Spokane. Wash. and
Thomas w. Clagett, Of Sunset. Wash.
Any and all persons claiming adversely the
above-described lands are requested to file their
claims in this office before sale
l4th day OF September, 1903
ID. II. BUDLONG, Register.
7-lO-9-1l
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-07-17
Land Act, June }, 1873.

Timber Land Act, June 3, 1873
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
U. 5. Land Office, Occur d'Aene. Idaho
July 9th, 1908.
Notice is hereby given that in compliance
with the provisions OF the act of Congress Of
June 3, 1873, entitled IAN act for the sale Of
timber lands in the States of California, Ore
gon, Nevada, and Washington Territory" as
extended to all the Public Land States by act
OF August 4, 1892,
N. NJ. MURRAY,
OF standpoint county OF Eootenai, state OF
Idaho. has TINS Oay tled in this once his sworn
sta ement. No 1928. Tor the purchase OF the
e12 nwA, swla nwl4 OF Section No %
i'll Township ~ North Range No l Fast, i. NJ,
and will offer proof to show that the land
sought is more valuable for its timber or stone
than for agricultural purposes and to estab.
nsn his claim 70 snld lana before lgnatZ We'll
Y. 5. Commissioner at Standpoint, Idaho, on
saturday the 18th day OF September, 1906
lie names as Witnesses
Andy NOlan, William Acorn, George o. Don
nell, William Ames, all OF Sahdpuint Idaho.
Any and all persons claiming adversely the
above described lands requested to file their
clalms ia this Office on OF beiOTe said 18th day
Oh september, 1903. d. II. BUDLUNG.
'-l1-9-lo Register.