davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
tissue paper.

tissue paper.
Christmas morning came and with its
earliest streak of dawn Mr.. and Mrs.
Baker were out of bed and to the
kitchen. where they viewed by dim day
light the monument of their last few
days labor. In the corner of the room
farthest from the stove stood the Christ
mas tree, draped with green from trunk
to topmost bough with here and there
fecks of white cotton that resembled
snow. From the largest branches hung
the few gifts, arranged in the best way
to make a show. The two good souls
had worked far into the night to COM
plete the whole, having decided to let
the children have the surprise when
they came in to breakfast Christmas
As Mr.. and Mrs. Baker added a new
touch here and there IA knocking was
heard at the kitchen door. Mr. Baker.
opening 1t, found old Mr.. jameson
stamping off the snow on the step, his
arms full Of bundles;
well, howdy-do'' cried Mr.. Baker,
cordially. Come in and smell the
warmth You must be eold--out in the
While Mrs. Baker placed a chair by
the fire for the visitor he came In and
deposited his bundles on .. the table,
turned to an icicle. But as I'm tryin
to play at Santa Claus a bit-for the
first time in my life--I reckon l mustn't
complain about the cold. / was into
Jones store yest'day an see you a-git-
tin them little tricks for them kids, an
It sot me to thinkin' few Trunks. Says
| to me, If that poor chap can afford to
spend a few cents that away, / ort to
throw in a few nlckels myself to help
along the pleasure of the orphans. So
/ pitched in and bought little foolish
ness myself. But, say" and his eyes
fell ON the Christmas tree-"youve got
a dandy there, but 1t needs more on it,.
Here. Mrs. Baker. undo them thare
tricks an hang EN- up"
Mrs Baker obeyed, undoing the par
cells one by one. First came a dolls
house, complete with furniture; then a
dolls trunk, filed with nuts, fruit and
candy; a drum. a box Of marbles, a
Noah's ark. picture books and a TOY
engine that wound up-all were laid out
before the surprised and pleased Bakers.
The last was a large, solid bundle,
which Mrs. Baker took in her hands.
and seeing something scrawled In big
awkward hand across the wrapper. she
involuntarily read II aloud. For Missis
Baker,. with the kind wishes oy her
nabor, old Jamenson, esquire, ON tear
ing away the paper handsome dress
pattern Of black cloth, with Innings and
trimmings was disclosed. Before Mrs.
Baker could speak her grateful feelings
the queer visitor handed Mr.. Baker bit
gift. neighbor." To the amazement OF
both the Bakers, they saw he had given
over the $50 note, receipted:
With voices full of emotion land Mrs.
Bakers eyes overfiowing) they ex-
pressed their deep gratitude, though
their words were feeble, indeed. COM
pared to the appreciation In their
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

In Osaka in 1869. and the establishment
was completed and opened with great
ceremony on April A. 1871, the foreign
representatives having been invited to
be present. Among the members of the
staff the best known were Mr. e. Dill
lon, b. A, r. G. s.. technical advisor
and assayer; Mr.. W. Gowland, f. C. s..
associate r. S. M. NOW professor OF
metallurgy at the Royal College OF
Science, London), technical advisor.
chemist and metallurgist, and Mr.. r.
MacLagan, engineer. All these gentle
men rendered very efficient service. The
mint Is now managed entirely by Japa-
nese, and judging from the report OF
the director for the year ending March
81, 1904 1t maintained It's reputation not
only for the amount of its production.
but also for the efficiency and exactness
of the work done. The report. which is
printed in English. is a model OF Its
kind. 1t states that the coinage for the
financial year under review consisted OF
gold, silver and nickel coins in value to
%, sol 0S6 yen, against value of 3S,30O,565
yen in 1903. In addition to these, 5l3l, O0G
pieces of silver yen were struck during
the year. The demand for subsidiary
coinage caused a considerable pressure
on the operations of the mint In the lat
ter part of the financial year. The de-
tails of the work. which are given In the
report, are very interesting, but into
these we cannot enter. The diagrams
showing the variation of weight In the
different classes Of coins indicate high
efficiency in the work done, and the
same Is true of the diagrams showing
the variations of flneness as determined
by assay. There Is a branch mint at
Toxic at which a considerable amount
of coinage was done under practically
the same conditions as in the Osaka
establishment. The director states that
he has been favored, as usual by his
foreign colleagues at Washington, Lon
don, Paris, Brussels and Utrecht with
copies of the latest annual reports OF
their respective mints. so that he Is kept
acquainted with what is being done In
the same department In other countries
of the world. So far he will have Moth
ing to be ashamed of when a COMPARE
son is made of the work done In Japan
with that done in the best-equipped es-
adjustments in Europe and America.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

you notice; but | have the necessary
material at hand. DO you remember
that white swiss dress l wore the sum
mer you first came to see me? Wen,
much of it is pretty good-the back
breadths-and there is a vast plenty to
fit dolly out fine. Then I've some red
satin ribbon off an old hat which can
be pressed and used for sash and
bows on the sleeves. | think can
scare up a bit of lace to go about the
bodice-it doesn't matter, il it is darned,"
But, Matte, where's the thing
head?7 asked Mr.. Baker. taking the
headless doll in his hands.
'Well. dear. I'm afraid Wen have to
buy one, said Mrs. Baker, almost coax
ingly II see they advertise big china
heads at Jones for 25 cents. When you
go to town next Saturday you may get
one, IL you think It is not too extrava-
CANT" and Mrs. Baker looked inquir-
her, assuringly. "If the little chaps
were ours, you know. we'd do It In a
minute. and it's nothing more'n right to
do the same for these motherless things.
Poor souls won't get much at the most.
Now, what have you got for TOMB"
'I've a pair blue wool mittens al
most done" answered Mrs. Baker, lift
ing a bunch Of color from her work
basket "And l near to knit him a
toboggan cap in bright red-one with a
tassel over the ca, like the boys in
town wear.
"But those fxin's are not playthings,
ventured Mr.. Baker Now, the doll for
Minnie is all o. K; but Tom must have
a toy, too.
i've not finished telling my plan yet.
laughed Mrs. Baker. Now, l know you
are clever with the carpenters tools,
and l want you to make NICE sled for
him to coast with. You may have that
big goods box | us1 In the dugout as a
table / can make out with something's
else down there. There Is enough lum-
Der in that to make a great sled, and
both the children can have fine sport
coasting down the hill toward the
chicken-house. half expect you and l
will take a hand occasionally when the
snow is good. And, since we have de-
cided to spend quarter on Minnie,
think we must put out the same amount
on Tom. There are very nice bugles ad-
we get one for him--the noise of horn
will just fill the bill with boy. Along
with the other thingS l can fix up here
at home the doll anl bugle horn will be
quite enough, considering our circum-
stances unless we might afford
dimes worth of mixed candy and nuts"
Yep; Wen go the extra dime" agreed
man Jamenson throw it off that $50
note. The old fellow wouldn't miss $40
on these children If he could be induced
70 see 1t that way. bet he's worth
five thousand. # he's worth a cent"
Can you get at the sled tomorrow"
asked Mrs. Baker. You must do 1t In
the stable so the children won't see
Yes, for l can't do much else this
cold weather." -erlied Mr. Baker. And,
come to think Of it. wouldn't wonder
If l can get some red paint from old
Jamenson to paint the sled with. He
had lot to give his sulky plow a coat
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
The Twins Christmas Tree-A Story of the Plains
By Maud Walker.

cents also. And what blow 1t could
make, too, for Mr.. Baker tried the power
of his lungs on it to make sure 1t was
all right, for its drop from a quarter TO
Is cents made him cautious.
NOW for the candy and nuts" he said
to himself, as he hurried to a grocery
store. There he bought half a pound of
each, which took another 20 cents from
the original 60 cents. And now every
thing was in his arms and he still had
a dime of Christmas money In his
pocket. "Ah, have it!' he exclaimed
inwardly. TN get the green tissue
paper" Straight to a little milliner's
shop he went Cfor he had read her adj
vertisement and knew she carried line
of tissue paper) and soon he found the
desired shade and asked the price Ten
cents a dozen Sheets" she informed
him.
lone dozen, please" he ordered proud
~ tossing the dime on the counter.
Then he climbed into his wagon, pulled
a blanket over his lap for warmth, and
whistling gaily he started homeward.
At the creek he stopped and cut the
cottonwood sapling, trimmed off the top
and put it in the back of his wagon.
Thus Mrs. Bakers plans were carried
out to the letter, adding by way of
finishing touch the dozen sheets OF green
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
~

hearts.
After the additional presents were
hung on the tree-every limb being load
ed-Mrs. Baker set about preparing the
breakfast, while her husband went into
the bedroom to waken and dress the
little ones. Nor would they permit their
good Santa" to depart. No, indeed, he
must remain to breakfast and share in
the pleasure of giving the children their
surprise.
And who can picture the Joy of Min
ME and Tom when, after breakfast. the
sheet that had been carefully drawn
over the Christmas tree was taken
down, leaving that wondrous thing of
beauty before them?
And who can look into the hearts of
the kind. unselish foster parents, and
the suddenly-grown-ge generous old neigh
Dor. without also rejoicing in their hap
piness and Christmas cheer?
But this is not a story of grownups, so
we draw the curtain on their part of
the picture and return to the orphans.
AS soon as their first wonder was in a
measure over their new mamma said:
Nov, my dears, you must thank our
good friend here for much of this morn
ing's pleasure and lovely presents"
And their thanks were profuse and
heartfelt, for the little ones did not
lack in feelings Of gratitude. I'm
thankful for all my presents, so I am"
declared Tom, holding the drum proudly
over his breast. AN I'm thankful for
such a good home and kind friends too,
so / am Then he emphasized his
thankfulness by blowing a shrill blast
on his bugle. which he followed up with
a loud beating of the drum. All held
their ears shut and laughed gaily.
Then it was Minnie's turn to express
herself I'm ever and ever so thankful
for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, l am" she said,
emphatieally, hugging dolly to her
heart. I'm thankful for good Mr.. jam
enson and for my new papa and MAN.
ma, who's as good to us as our other
dear papa and mamma were what's
now in heaven"
Amen" said old man Jamenson, with
n little quaver in his throat. And Mrs
Baker stopped, putting her arms round
the twins, while her husband found 1t
quite necessary to go to the window
and look out at the sky.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

rated with gold bands and handles, with
saucers to match; a pretty cream mug,
a sugar bowl that looked like a lily on
bits of feet, u wineglass and a dear, fat
little teapot, around whose plump body
ran a spray of roses A red-andwhite
checked napkin. with notified red and
white fringe. answered for a tablecloth,
and when the table was spread-just to
try the effect-Mr. Baker looked at 1t
approvingy, and said: It's out of
sight, Matte. say. 1t don't take so all
fired much money to do nice little things
when ones willing TO work, now, does
itY' And then he put the finishing coat
of red paint (Which, by the way, old
man Jamenson mad left on hand, and
which he gladly let his neighbor have)
on the sled. which be hung up on the
wall behind the cook stove to dry over
night. Now" he added, turning to his
bugle and candy. everything will be
about ready, eh?.
Yes" answered his wife, hesitatlngly,
Everything so far planned will be done
by tomorrow night, when | get the dolls
head sewed on and the clothes on her.
but what?" asked Mr.. Baker, seeing
his, wife did not finish saying what was
in her mind.
Suppose we go bit further and fix
a Christmas tree?" she ventured.
"A Christmas tree? How-out of
what?" asked the astonished Mr.. Baker,
who knew that such things as evergreen
trees were very scarce, and IL one af-
forded the extravaganza he must pay
dearly, for such trees were shipped into
the state from a great distance, thus
enhancing their value.
"A little cottonwood" explained Mrs.
Baker, working away on Toms tobog
gan cap, which was all but complete
"I'll drape. the. bare branches and twigs
with some cotton batting l have mere to
I'LL a comfortable with. 1t won't hurt
the cotton, and it will make the tree
look for all the world as If 1t were COW
cred with snow"
Say, that's just the idea," acquiesced
her husband with new enthusiasm.
"Theres plenty of cottonwoods on the
creek between here and town, and I'll
cut a nice bushy sapling tomorrow as
l come home. But wouldn't green tissue
paper be better than the cotton batting?
I've seen folks use it that way when
was/a youngster."
II haven't the tissue paper, and have
the cotton" smiled Mrs. Baker. Take
what the gods supply and don't grum-
BILE" she added merrily.
The next day-the Saturday before
Christmas-Mr. Baker went to town.
From store to store he went pricing
toys, for he had but 60 cents to spend,
and he must stretch 1t all that 1t would
stand. To his delight he. found that the
Christmas goods were all marked down
for the closing out sale, for this was the
last day of business for the merchants
before Christmas, and the goods that
were not sold today would lie on the
shelves till another year rolled round.
The dolls head-a fine, big china one,
and just the fit for the body that await
ed 1.-THE purchased for Is cents. And
the bugle-think Of it!-was got for 10
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

I've got to spank em when they're bac
an love 'em when they're good,
I've got to take the same good care oil
each one of the brood.
They're all such brand new babies OF
course i love 'em truei
But my favorite of the family Is moi
among the new.
No; it's this dear sweet honey I'm hold
in to my breast
My year-old doll all soiled and formed.
that love lots the best"
HELENA DAVIS.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
The Imperial Japan
csc Mint.

One of the earliest Western institu-
lions established In Japan was the inn
perial mint at Osaka, and 1t has been
one of. the most successful and useful.
In the convention which was signed at
Yeddo. In 1866. between the representa-
tives of the Japanese government and
those of the foreign powers. the estab-
lishment OF the mint was stipulated
The japanese government purchased
which had been established at Hong
kong, but which the latter had resolved
to discontinue. Major Kinder and a
staff of officials were engaged to super
intend the operations. which were begun
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
Letter Enigma.

NV first is in meat, but not in bread.
NV second is in bonnet, but not in head.
.Iy third is in truth, but not in lie.
MY fourth is in hog, but not in sty.
NY fifth is in evil, but not in good.
My sixth is in ride, but not IN stood.
My seventh is in goose. but not in
duck.
MY eighth is in honor, but not in luck.
My letter nine is the same as my eight.
My tenth is in stay. but not In late
MY eleventh is in future and also in
fate.
NY whole spells the name of an old
rhymster gay, whom the children all
love to this very day.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

Yesterday my family was very small"
said Nell,
But today it's crowd up big. an 1 can
hardly tell,
Without 1 count 'em off by name, Just
how many I've gotl
Mercy mel how many cares have fallen
to my lot
Heres Myrtle May an 'Liz'beth Ann
and little Mercy Lee,
With all their clothes and baths and
health TO look after by me.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

] met a goose, met a gander.
And asked how far twas to way Off
yonder;
They bowed till their heads were almost
loose
The old white gander, and old grey
goose
And, with bills in the dust. said: I'VE
declare,
It's not very far-when you are there"
"PUSH"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

After the Christmas dinner
Little Charlie, In the hall,
Sat and held his stomach
That was harder than a ball.
He lay his head upon the floor,
He yelled he never would eat more.
I'm sick with stuffing So, he cried:
81 m fuller than tick inside.
FRANK MARIAN.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

Before the Christmas dinner
Little Charlie, in the hall,
Got so awful-awful hungry
That loudly he did bawl.
And stamp his feet upon the floor,
And pound his fists upon the door.
I'm sick with emptinessH he cried;
I'm just a great big hole insider'
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-08
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.
Told by Noel Brent, Who Is i'm Love
With the Home Secretary's
5l Daughter.
A GREAT SURPRISE

q told my driver to wait; and run
ming, UP the steps Of the porch, rang
the bell. OF the unan servant who
came to the door I inquired if three
English gentlemen had lately arrived.
He replied that they had, and were
dining. The house, 1t appeared, was
q pension, and the pensionnaires were
now about finishing their dinners.
Would monsieur wait? It would not
be many minutes.
Slipping a couple of francs into his
hand, I requested that / might, as
was in a hurry, be shown into the din
birds I wished to catch were really
there, there would be less chance of
their escaping me if I took them by
surprise in the midst of a meal. At
least, they could not get away without
my recognizing them; and as to what
would come next, the moment itself
must decide.
The two francs settled the question.
/ was ushered into the dining-room
swept the long table with a quick
glance. I saw several men who were
Enthusiastically English, but 7 did not
see my companions Of the. train.
Standing in the doorway, inquired
OF my guide which were the gen
tlemen who had arrived that evening.
He pointed them out and added that
tho they had only come to-day from
England, they were old patrons, well
known at the house.
I had come, then, on a wild goose
cI1ase-or at least it looked like it.
STILL I would not be satisfied until the
driver had been brought unobtrusively
to the door to identify his three fares
Th1s was accomplished after an argu-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-08
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
By MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON
Author of LADY Mary Of the Dark House, Grew"
fortunes Sport" Etc, Etc Etc

All Rights Reserved.

ment and parting with ten more
francs.
There was nothing to do but go
back whence I had come. I did so,
furious with myself and with the
driver, whom I now thought more
willy than stupid. He had done his
best to convince me that his three
English fares were my three English
friends altho when I came to see
them I found that their appearance
did not tally with the details Of de-
scrlptlon had drawn from him.
When I had asked: WAS the little
one FAIR" he had emphatically said.
yes" He had also assented when I
had inquired If one of the tall men
was dark and the other marked with
smallpox. But could do nothing but
anathematise him in French and cur
tail his tip.
l went back to the railway station
and questioned more porters and cab
men unavailingly. Yet the little man
gued to myself, as he was burdened
with far too much luggage to walk
Since could learn nothing of him
| or the other two-and dared not, be.
cause Lord Reckworth and Juliette
de Nevers, apply to the police, I de.
term1ned to consult a private, detec.
tive-a man whose actions I migh1
myself more or less control by paying
for, and to whom need only tell a.
much Of the truth as chose.
returned to my hotel, inquired OF
the manager where I could find the
best private detective in Paris, got the
address of one and drove to It. For.
tunately Gas I thought then, all un.
conscious fthe web in which I was
4 industriously tangling myself) Mon.
sieur Paul Dubois was at home anc
able to receive me.
I was shown into a plain but nea1
little room, and began to tell my STORY
as had arranged it for the ears o.
the detective on my way to his house
First introduced myself by the name
which had given at the Elysee Pal
ace hotel. This seemed best, as tn.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-08

not be a handicap. Old or young
with or without attachments, any
widow who can neither hear nor ''sass
back may draw the prize.
49, This remarkable proposal of mar
rage is made by Thomas Blakely who
realizing his eligibility and considering
Sthe modestyS Of his demands, took
measures to prevent the miscarriage
of his letter by addressing it to 'Any
Deaf and Dumb Widow, New York
City, in care Of Chief Of Police" Wher
it reached police headquarters and
was referred to Commissioner McAdoc
he refused to: rank as an expert or
widows and turned the letter over tc
Superintendent Bauer Of the, depart
ment of dependent children.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-08

the least being over fifty. my hus-
band found himself obliged to come to
France on important business-that
is, there's a wonderful motor-car for
sale that he wants to look at. I didn't
see why I shouldn't get little fun out
Of the expedition as I was invited to
join so I flew up to my brothers and
off by force. We caught the two-thir-
ty train for Boulogne-such a rush as
it was!-picked up Captain Menzies,
who is great motor-car expert, and
here we are, ready for business to-
morrow morning. I suppose you are
yes answered, and looked again
at Margot. She had not a glance for
me, but she was blushing beautifully
At least, thought, it was a good omen
that she should have consented to
come to France to-day. OF course
she could not have known at what no
tel I meant to stop, and even if she
persuade the Gawains to go to an.
other. Still, the very fact that, after
what had passed in the morning, she
was willing to breathe the air of Paris
! with me was something. She must
| have known that we might meet, and
she had been willing to run the risk
I badly needed the small comfort tc
ment Lady Gawain mentioned the
name of Captain Menzies I remem.
bered something which Miss Sit
greaves had said to me not long ago
She had told me that there was Cap.
tain Menzies, a godson of Lady Ga
| wain's, Of whom Margot's aunt was al
ways talking to her. They had never
! met but when he came back from
South Africa Lady Gawain would Gao.
cording to Marion Sitgreaves) do hel
best to make a match.
This recollection threw a lurid light
upon Lady Gawain's determination tt
bring Margot to France, and the
picking up Of the great motor-cal
expert at Boulogne. But in spite Of
all thisand my reasons for wishing Mar
got to be anywhere rather than here
at this hour, I could not help rejoic.
| ing in the sight Of her, and especially
in that blush.
Its a good wind that blows us al
together here said General Gawain
in his hearty, but rather absent-nfnd.
ed way. Sit down with us and have
some supper"
Mr.. Brent has just finished his sup
| per, don't you see, Uncle Robert" re.
marked Margot, hastily.
| What does that matter?'' retorteG
| the old officer. Can't he eat another
or IL he can't do that, what's to pre-.
vent him from sitting with us while w
eat ours?"