davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18
f v lutiO
OF THE
Xmas Tree
A Yuletide Sketch by
Y
copyright. 1903, by C. N. Lurie.l

copyright. 1903, by C. N. Lurie.l
"HE Christmas tree for the dis
play of presents is an evolu-
ton. The true origin and sig
nificance of this arbOreal fea-
ture of Yuletide are uncertain. Appar-
emily it is derived from an ancient Gus
tom. The pagan races of northern Eu-
rope had a deep veneration for trees as
the abOdes of the gods. For instance,
the linden sheltered Berchta. the spirit
kindly to babes. When celebrating
festivals the chosen tree of the differ
ent gods were decorated with lights,
wreaths and ~tassels, and offerings to
the spirits were suspended in the
branches.
The Romans used greenery in the
festivals of Saturn, celebrated in De-
cember, and carried the custom among
the Germans. The Egyptians used
trees for interior decoration, their fa-
vorite being the palm.
a work of fiction produced in France
over 700 years ago contains a descrip-
ton of Il tree having its branches from
top to bottom decked with burning can
dies, with the figure of a child at the
very top sending forth a brilliant light.
This tree in some way symbolized
Christianity, the candles representing
souls and the child IMPLYING Christ.
1t is said that the Christmas tree was
adopted III France and England in
1910. Prince Albert is credited with
having introduced it in England the
first Christmas following his marriage,
which was in 1910. Within a few years
after that one Of the trees at Windsor
castle bore gifts valued at $4,000. But
more than q century before Prince AL
bert's advent an improvised Christmas
tree, called n "besant,' was carried in
professions in England at Yuletide. 1t
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

consisted of Il pole decked with holly
or other evergreens and ribbons, to-
gether with oranges and apples and
sometimes a pair of dolls.
The irrepressible desire for novelty
has led to unique variations in Christ
mas trees. \ society woman having a
couple of valuable pet dogs got up a
dogs Christmas tree and invited forty
or more of the neighboring thorough
bred pups to the ovation.
The device by which Santa Claus
is cooped up in the trunk of a portable
tree, with his head showing out at
times, is very simple, yet very taking
with young folks. 1t is accomplished
by having two empty barrels without
heads fastened one above the other
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

HERE.
spicuous by the length of his locks and
the exceeding breadth of his soft black
tie, lit their cigars as Reynolds rose.
1T was snowing'- he began.
skip all that" hastily put in ii news
paper man. "Of course, if it was
Christmas eve, it was showing"
The hapless outcasts in the park
had ranged themselves as nearly as
possible according to the tree branches;
but, being large in number, they over-
Tapped them, some to the length of two
branches or more, SO that these sat
unprotected from the snow, which soft
ly soaked them"
The newspaper man raised his hand
admonishingly.
will you permit me, Mr.. President"
interrupted he, Ito suggest that all
description be eliminated? Otherwise
We'll be sitting here in broad day
light"
1T may be as WELL" assented the
president suavely, ito omit descriptions
OF scenery, for, as the gentleman has
just stated, it may have the effect Of
OBTAINING us longer than is absolutely
necessary"
Reynolds, reaching for a glass of
water, wet his lips before he began
again.
81 buttoned my o%vercoat to the
throat" he said then, "for the wind
was raw and keen, and walked up to
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

SLOUGH variety, and his overcoat was
gray and long and SO fringed at the
hem as to assume the appearance of
having been fringed Intentionally.
Ten fingers pointed at him.
That" shouted ten voices, lis the
man."
The artist bent a humble and apollo
getic head.
Yes" acknowledged he, Il am the
man"
But you are Il member of the club
they stormed. You knew all about our
plan of relieving the poor. You had
part of the money yourself. Why did
you take oursY'
The artist shrugged weary shoulders,
He spread out two deprecating hands.
81 am an artist" he explained sim
ply. 81 needed it,"
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

I'D, and did he go barehanded in the
snow?"
Yes, yes answered the rest in a
chorus. "all that. and more"
Then" declared the newspaper man.
81. too. tOOk out Il five dollar bill and
made him II present of it," And. falling
Imply back in his chair, he took to
tapping the arm of it with impatient
fingers.
The artist had slipped out of the
room.
After a period he returned, trans
formed.
His beard was shaggy and red. his
shoes were worn at the toes and down
at the heels. his hat was one of the
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18
More Suitable.

81 want to get copies of your paper
for a week back" said the old gentle
man.
"Don't you think you'd better use a
porous plaster?" suggested the new
clerk in the publication ofice.-Phila.
delphia Ledger.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

Cobwigger-Several millionaires have
written their opinions as to how to
make a fortune.
Merritt read the article. The fun
ny thing is that not M of them ad-
vlsed following the plan by which he
got rich himself.-Judge.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

"DEAR Mrs. PINKHAM: = want to tell you what your RENE
dies have done for me. Before taking them | used to have a con-
tinuous headache, would be very dizzy, would have spells when
everything seemed strange, and | would not know where l was.
81 went to our local doctor. He gave me some medicine, but
it did not seem to do me any good, but after taking Lydia f..
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, | began to improve at once.
81 can honestly recommend your remedies to all suffering
women, and advise all to give it a trial. Mrs. HENRY SELL,
Van Wyck, Wash.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

DEAR Mrs. PINKHAM:- I cheerfully recommended Lydia
II. finkham's Vegetable Compound to my suffering sisters
as a perfect medicine for all female arrangements. / was trou-
bed with displacement of the womb and other female weakness
Had headache, backache, and such bearing-down pains l could
hardly walk across the floor, and was very nervous.
"a friend advised me to try your medicine, which / did, and
after using the first bottle | began to improve. / took in all
twelve bottles of Vegetable Compound, one box of Liver Pills
also used the Sanative Wash and was cured, and have no return
OF my troubles. L am as well now as | ever was. l am more
thankful every day for my cure.
" know that your medicine will do everything that it is re-
commended to do for suffering women."-M Mrs. DORA ANDERSON,
North Muskegon. Michigan.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

at is my day." chuckled he and
broke twenty men the first heat.
1t is a long lane hat his no turning,
Puck.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

"My day will C
horse after submit
riety of i~ndignities.
In due time. theI
showed a burst of
tered in some races
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

FREE MEDICAL ADVICE TO WOMEN.
IF there is anything in your case about which YOU would like
special advice, write freely to Mrs. Pinkham. She will hold your
letter in strict confidence. She surely help YOU, for n O person
in America speak from q wider experience in treating female
ills. She has helped hundreds OF thousands of women back to
health. Her address is Lynn, Mass, and her advice is free. You
are very foolish if you do not accept her kind invitation.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-18

y thought the
D a great va
brse craftily
Yand was en-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
SHOES FOR GREAT MEN.
How the Leaders in Politics and Bust
ness Select Footwear.

Make 'e1n strong" is the direction
which President Roosevelt gives when
he orders shoes in a certain little boot
shop in Sixth avenue, where he has had
his footwear made since the days when
he wore out much shoe leather as police
commissioner trying to better the dis
cfpline of the force However his shoes
varied in style, according to the require
ments of his activity as assistant seere-
tary of the navy, rough rider, governor
and president, the exponent Of the
strenuous life inVaria bly, dlrecte9 tns
shoe man to make 'em strong. with
characteristic stretching out OF the
last word
The filter Of feet needs no more ex-
plicit instructions He cOntructs for the
presidential foot a cOmmon-sense snoe
of stout calfskin, double scled, with the
fiat of the foot broad and the toe me-
dunn width
tyDe of shoe IS that worn by former
Vice President Levi p. Morton, who pa
tronizes the same shoe shop. He wears
a boot very light in weight, with a
broad toe without tip. His boot is soft
and aliable as a glove compared with
the stout footwear of the president, ana
he requires an easy fit and elasticity
rather than strength
FIfhu Root the secretary of war, is
up to date in his footwear. following the
changing styles, though probably pay
ing no attention whatever to the shapes
He does not have his shoes made to
order When he needs new boots he
drcps into the little Sixth avenue shop
and SKIS for what is being worn now
The sa lesman selects a stock shoe for
the secretary and put it on his foot.
Mr. Root takes turn UP and down
the shop and is satisfied with the sales
mans selection If it feels comfort
aha
The late Thomas B. Reed did not care
4 a fig about being up to date. What he
wanted was something that required
breither buttoning nor 1acing, for he did
not have valet. So he stuck to the
old-fashiOned elastic congress gaiter.
and insisted on having the toe made
much broader than fashion approved
4 Ambassador Choate and his famil =
1 stick to American shoes. to the chagri1i
of London bootmakers Every now and
! then a case Of shoes goes from sixth
avenue to the American embassy in
Isondon with an assortment of footgear
1 for ali possible occasions for each mem
Der of the family The ambassador likes
a pretty substantial shoe for everyday
Wear.-New York Sun
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
SAYS IT'S PROSPERITY.
Ohio Coal President Takes Sides With
Anthracite Barons.


Springfield, o.. Jan. 1.-THE coal sit
uatiOn here is becoming serious and it
is feared that a number of the fac
tories throughout the city may be com
PEELED TO shut down unless the situa-
ton is relieved. This city is one of the
largest manufacturing agricultural inn
plement centers in the world. 1t is also
a great wooden mill center. An investi-
cation Of the Coal Dealers association
win be commenced by the grand jury
and a number of people have been sub
poenaed from Columbus, Cincinnati
and other places.
In a signed sta tement, John H. u
rick, president of the Retail Coal Deal
ers' association of Ohio and former
president of the National Retail Coal
Dealers association, says in regard to
the coal condition in the United States.
THE retailers have absolutely moth
ing to do with the fixing of prices of
coal. While they are taxpayers, they
are compelled to have policemen TO
protect their cars in the railroad yards
They are entitled to a profit, but it is
so small that it is ridiculous None
of the coal dealers make more than a
bare living.
Coal is high because of the unprece-
denied demand. Prosperity is the cause
of it, The coal operator is not at fault.
His would-be customers offer him
high price for all he can produce. He
is confronted with the fact that he con-
traCted 60 per cent of his output with
the steam companies last spring. He
had to do this to make himself safe
This leaves 40 per cent to sell at the
prices offered.
He is again confronted with a short
age of 40 per cent in the railway equip
ment. with which to handle the coal FOX
which he could get the abnormal prices
offered. The small Independent opera
no steam contracts and can sell to the
highest bidder.
THE miners do not derive any bene-
fit from the high prices as they are
working under a five year contract at
so cents a ton. This expires on the
first of April. The question of what
they viii receive after this date is to
be determined at the joint convention
in Indianapolis this month. To the
credit of the miners. they carried out
their contract"
IN INDIANAPOLIS.
Indianapolis Ind. Jan. 1.-THE coal
situation here becomes more serious
every hour and the factories of the
cause of the impossibility to secure
fuel
Yesterday two factories. employing
500 men. were compelled to shut down.
They are the Udeu Ladder works and
the wheel department of the Parry
Manufacturing company. The Centra
hospital for the insane is nearly out
fuel. Other factories are enbarrass
on account Of lack OF fuel The rail
roads from the coal fields say they are
bringing in all they have capacity for
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
HAS NO BLACKLIST.
Coal Superintendent May Testi-
fy Before Strike Commission.

Philadelphia Jan. 14.-There was no
time lost by the coal strike commission
today in getting down to work. When
the session opened counsel for the Erie
company, which operates the cOIlieries
of the Hillside Coal & Iron company
and the Pennsylvania Coal company
continued the presentation of its case.
Captain ". A. May general superin-
tendent of the coal department of the
company, who was on the witness stand
yesterday continued his story of the
conditions in and about the cOmpany's
cOllieries. Mr.. May said he was always
willing to meet grievance committees OF
his own men or any one man and where
there was real grievance it was al
ways adjusted.
Bishop Spalding asked the witness If
the men do not feel timid about making
complaints, and the witness replied that
the men may possibly have been tinlid
The instructions to the bosses. he SAID.
were that fOremen must listen to the
men and that complaints will not count
against the men.
The superintendent said the company
has no blacklist and he never heard of
one being in existence in the coal re-
gions.
There was no objection to the men in
its employ organizing for the purpose OF
making complaints, but it did object to
the union as now organized because il
brought between the men and the com
pany, whose relations should be cordial
persons who were not interested in the
company and only indirectly with the
men. The entrance of the union into
the mines. he said. had the effect OF
making the workmen less efficient
caused lack of discipline, interfered
with authority, caused tyranny to pre-
vail against other Workmen and limited
the earning capacity of the EMPLOYEES
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14

church who will give $1,000 apiece
toward the building.
A resolution was adopted by the
members of the church declaring it to
be the intention of the church to build
its addition during the coming year, and
authorizing the trustees to secure plans
to be submitted to the church mem
bers. The cost of the proposed addition
will be between $4,000 and $4,000 and it
viii not be built until the money is all
raised to pay for it.
All the annual reports of the church
officers were made last night Treas
urer H c. Bowman stated that the
church has during the year 1902 raised
a total of about 81 400 for all purposes.
an average of SO per member. The
running expenses Of the church were
about s., 100, and the church is not Ill
debt to its pastor. which is rather re-
in. The only debt the church has is a
note for $500 which represents money
borrowed to buy piece Of land adj
joining the church.
The supper was served by the women
of the church. and one of the remark
able things about it was that every
body sat down at the tables promptly
at o'clock Everybody" includes the
women who made the coffee. and the
women who cut the cake. and all the
other women who usually have to stay
out IN the kitchen and eat scraps while
tie rest of the congregation feasts. The
its annual supper as a family affair,
and does not want anybody to eat at the
second table
After the supper, which included an
abundance of all kinds of eatables, there
was a programme of reports and tOasts
which lasted till Il o'clock. The super
intendents of the various departments
OF the Sunday school. the various so
cieties and representatives of the
church business management made their
statements in regard to the work of the
year
Following these brief reports. speeches
were made by Mr. Hayes, pastor of the
First Congregational church: Mr.. Lee
pastor Of the Sea brook Congregations
church; Mr.. Thayer. of Wichita, Iof-
morly pastor of the Congregational
church there. but now the representa-
tive OF the Congregational Home Mis-
siOnary society for Kansas, and Presi-
dent Norman Plass, of Washburn col
/ lege.
Edward Parsons. the church chorister
4 led the singing Of an original song, and
/ Mr.. Sheldon the pastor. led in the sing
/ ing Of number of hymns.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
American Viva

Washington, Jan. 14-When Baron Her
mann SDecx Won Sternberg and the new
French ambassador arrive, the three en-
bassies of foreign powers in Washington
viii be presided over by American women.
The Baroness Won Sternberg was Miss
Langham of Louisville Lady Herbert,
wife of the British ambassadors a daugh-
ter of R. T. Wilson Of New York city and
a sister of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Madam Jusserand wife of the French
ambassador was Miss Richards OF Bos-
ton The wife of Baron Moncheur the
Belgian minister, was Miss Clayton, a
daughter Of Powell Clayton. the American
arnba ssador to Mexico: Senior Lcnez. the
minister of Salvador. has a San Francis
co wife. the Duchess de ARGOS wife OF
the recent Spanish minister, was Miss Vir-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
Inquiries Answered.

Mrs. B. writes: when you can con-
veniently do so. will you publish a
recipe for Maryland spoon bread made
of corn Tneal2''
MARYLAND SPOON BREAD.
Put quart of milk on to scald in
a double boiler and when steaming hot
stir in four large mixing spoonfuls of
white corn meal, and stir and cook five
minutes Then take from the fire and
set aside to cool. stirring two or three
times in the interval. When it is cool.
add three well beaten eggs with two
tablesDoonfuls of butter and scant tea
spoonful of salt Pour into a buttered
dish or pan and bake for thirty minutes
Serve Immediately and from dish in
which It has been baked. sending dish
to table with a folded napkin around.
SWEET POTATO PATES
Mrs. T. R J. writes: Kindly give
recipe for sweet potato Dates.''
To a pint of boiled or baked mashed
sweet potatoes. add two eggs well beat
en-. two tablesooonfuls Of flour and
enough warm milk to make it soft
enough to stir well. Place weIl-greased
muffin rings on hot griddIe and fill
with the mixture and bake a nice brown
on both sides. The eggs may be beaten
separately to make them lighter.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
LARGEST IN WORLD.
New York Apartment House II
Stories and Occupies 8 Block.

The Ansonia. 4 History structure which
occupies the entire block on Broadway.
New York, metween Seventy-third and
Seventy-fourth streets. is said to be the
largest apartment house in the world.
Some idea of the magnitude of the hotel
may be formed from the fact that it con-
tains no less than 900 rooms above
ground it took more than three years to
build and is just completed. The building
IS supplied with many novel arrangements
for heating. ventilating and the supply Of
hot and cold and iced water.
The basement contains veritable mu-
scum cf twentieth century innovations.
Here are a storage repair and charging
room for automobiles, grocery depot,
where everything in the line of eatables
and household necessaries may be obtained
by the tenant at standard prices: a butch
cry. a bakery, milk depot, a barber shop.
q laundry. ladies' hairdresslng and mani
curing parlors, safe deposit vaults, cold
storage rooms for furs, etc. There is also
one of the largest swimming pools in New
York. which it is intended to use for a
swimming school
The cheapest bachelor suites in this
building rent for $500 a year and consist of
ments range in size from five rooms and
bath to fourteen rooms and bath, and the
rent varies from s1.5o9 to $500 year.
These are for unfinished rooms which
gives a pretty good idea of the cost of
living in good style in New York.-Post-
Dispatch.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14

wheat in an undoubtedly more dlgestlble
form for human food than the average
cook will produce from less modern
wheat food preparations.
All modern inventions, whether ap-
piled to foods or elsewhere, are intended
to save time and labor.
BAKED OATMEAL
Many find this cereal too heating,
while others depend on it as a stand
by for a breakfast food. This cereal
must be thoroughly cooked to be di-
geStible, one of the best IS as follows:
The day before it is to be served, stir
a pint of oatmeal with one teaspoonful
of salt into two quarts of boiling water
Boil five minutes; then turn into
buttered earthen dish and cover Set
the dish in a pan of boiling water
place in a moderate oven and bake 70
two hours. Then in the morning agal
put the dish in the oven, in a pan
boiling water and cook half an hour.
And it is ready to serve.
CEREAL BLANC NANCE.
A nice change from the plain cereal
mush. Make in the usual way, using
milk instead of water, and about four
minutes before removing from the fire
stir in two well-beaten eggs. Serve
with sugar and cream or with SteWed
fruit. This is a very hearty dish
when ore considers the combination
CEREAL CROQUETTES.
Warm a cup of cooked cereal mush
with a tablespoonful of milk; add one
pinch of salt, stir in two tablespoonfuls
of chopped dates and as soon as the
mixture is cool enough, form into small
cylinders or oval-shaped croquettes
dip in beaten egg, crumb and fry.
With a little crisp bacon these make 2
nice breakfast dish or may be used
with a fruit sauce for dessert.
SAVORY CEREAL OUTLETS.
Put a scant half pint Of milk in dou-
! BILE boiler with tablespoonful of but
ter and when it is scalded. add enough
of some of the patent cereal prepare
4 tons to make a thick paste, dredging
in a little flour. Turn into a saucepan
and stir and cook until it no longer
adheres to the pan. Remove from the
fire When cool add two eggs, beaten
smooth, salt to taste, a little onion
juice and third of cup of finely
ground nut meats. Mix we'll, shape in
to small outlets. egg and crumb and
fry nice brown in deep, hot fat. Serve
with walnut gravy or as a garnish
around stewed mushrooms or grilled
| toma toes.
CEREAL GRIDDLE CAKES
Cold cooked cereals make delicious
griddle cakes. Allow one egg to a cup
full Of the cereal and milk. flour an6
baking powder to make a batter OF
usual consistency for griddle cakes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14

Never in the history of medicine has
the demand for one particular remedy
for female diseases equalled that at
tanned by Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound, and never
during the lifetime of this wonderful
medicine has the demand for it been
so great as it is to-day
From the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and throughout the length and breadth
of this great continent come the glad
tidings of woman's sufferings relieved
by it, and thousands upon thousands
of letters are pouring in from grateful
women saying that it will and posi-
lively does cure the worst forms of
female complaints.
Mrs. Pinkham invites all Voc
men who are puzzled about
their health to write her at Lynn
Mass, for advice. Such CORE
sPOndence is seen by women only,
and no charge Is made.