davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
THE MYSTIC MlSTLETOE.
Once n Feature OF Pagan Rites, IL
Now Belongs TO Lovers.

From time immemorial the white
bcrfied niistletoc has played leading
part in Yuletide festivities, though il
has not always conveyed the osculato-
! ry privileges which give it its value in
the eyes Of tie romantic youth of to-
! day. Like so many other features of
the Christmas celebration. mistletoe
mas leen borrowed from the pagans Of
antiquity and Christianized by the
lapse of centuries The Persans be-
fore the birth of Christ used the mis-
tletoe in their sacred rites, and In parts
Of India pagan priests still incorporate
II in their ritual. 1t figures largely In
Scandinavian mythology Baldur. the
son of Odin, though demigod. was
slain by a spear OF mistletoe, a proof
of It's magic powers.
1t is from the Druds of old England
however. that mistletoe has come to
US. The Druidical prieS>, sprung, 1t
Is said, from the magi OF the east, the
wise men who worshjped at the cradle
OF the infant Saviour. held the mistle-
toe us Their most sacred possession,
and the cutting of the pretty parasite
from the oak, the tree which the
Druids claimed God loved more than
any other. was attended with the
greatest solemnity. On the Druids fes. |
tival day a grand procession. leading |
two white oxen. moved TO the mystic |
hn.
TO the oak by their horns, and white
robed priest climbed into the leafiess !
branches and cut the lunches Of mis-.
tletoe with golden knife. The oxen
were then sacrificed and religious serv-
Ices performed, after which the pro
cesslon returned to the temple in the
forest and the mistletoe was deposited
IN the Druldical arcanum.
Besides taking its place IL. the reli.
sious observances of the Druids, the
which the priests gave
lame meaning "all healing" was made
nto many curious decoctlons by proc
'sses in which times and seasons and
nominations were supposed to add to
is mysterious powers. These medl-
ines were regarded as cures for human !
Us generally, whether of mind or body.
With the advance of civilization and
he Geath VI superstition mistletoe has
'st It's religious character, but not its :
opularity, and ths forests Of England
nd Of our own southern states are rs
lgerly frequented by mistletoe gath,
rcrs as ever were the dark woods of
re ancient Druids.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Z b r!st:lns In Tibet.

IiLc.. /. ii Lone of the strangest
ana least Known people on the face of
The earth Is also the home of the
strinset o.. Christmas customs. The
Feast Of Queen Winter in Tibet cor
responds with our OWN Christmas fes-
ufdL Tie figure of this queen. or
SJuccSS. * painted blue and mounted
on camel surrounded by string Of
human Sknils. The dance celebrated
al tl-s icdst Is called tsam, and the
masked hSures which take part in
IL Wonli be comic II they were not
50 Horrible. One represents horned
bull. another deer but this deer pc
cuiarly enough, has a horses head, an
ancient symbol among the Tibetans
OF the messenger of death. There are
evil spirits lin hOrdes, demons and
other bad spirits to shock the ignorant
people into blind obedience to the
lamas. One god curses another, and
every town Las It's local protecting di-
yinity. There are serpent gods repre-
senting the spirit of evil. but they are
fought by such protecting divnities as
Garuda, who is always represented in
lamaism with stout body, human
arms, wings and the head of q bird
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
n
CbrfSfm as
Deal
By FREDERIC TREAT.

1t was Christmas eve at the Eyrle
The country seat of the Martins, set
On pinnacle in the hills. The place
bad been opened for the holidays, and
the family, with a number of guests
formed delightful "house party" To-
night general merrymaking was in or
der. In the hall before the great open
fireplace, in which logs were blazing,
sat Edith Martin with Ralph Arnold, a
recent arrival from the west who had
been devoted to her since they had first
met, week before.
You are not in harmony with the
OCCASION" he said to her. "Instead of
a happy Christmas look Oh your face
there is a troubled one"
She drew back for moment as If
Withholding a confidence, then sudden
ly let it all out
81 must tell YOU" she said, "but you
are not TO breathe word to any one.
He is coming by the train that arrives
at 40 and will be here at II. He
must go back to the city early tomor-
row on important business, and"-here
she lowered her voice to q whisper
Il am to accept him before this gay
night Is over"
"Who is hep
John Trotter, dealer in foreign laces,
a thorough business man and rich. Pa
pa has lost great deal of money by |
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

Commonly, the first symptom of rcold
Is chilly feeling, accompanied by sneez-
ing, or tickling in the throat. The most
frequent of external causes are draughts
wet or cold feet, or going from hot rooms
suddenly into cold ones More frequently
there is an inner cause--nainely the stagna
ton of the blood caused by constipation OF
bilioushess. Almost the first symptom is
the feeling of cold in the feet and increased
discharge from the nose.
No one ever takes cold unless consti-
pated, or exhausted and having what we
call mal-nutrition, which is attended with
impoverished blood and exhaustion ofnerve
force. Tonics consisting of large portions
of alcohol. iron or cod liver oil do not bring
the desired changes in the blood, because
they do not enter the system and are not
absc rbed into the blood, with the exception
Of the alcohol, which shrivels up the red
blood corpuscles when it does come in
contact with them. We recommend the
botanical extract of Or. Pierce because 1t
contains no alcohol, aid offers reasonable
and scientific method of treating the blood,
by improving the nutritive functions of the
patient The rGolden Medical Discovery"
accomplishes this, by first restoring the
enfeebled digestive organs, so that food.
the natural tissue builder, will be digested
and assiInilated
Accept no substitute for DR.. Pierce's
Golden Medical Discovery. There is moth
ing Just as good" for diseases of the
storiachl
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Christ's Birthday,

There is something akin to sadness
IN the fact that in tracing the origin OF
many of our church festivals we find
1t In pagan celebrations antedating the
Christian era, There Is nothing GER
tain even about the birthday Of Christ.
Some authorities assert that Deem
Der was in the dry season, when shep-
herds were on duty day and night In
the controversy over the date, extend
ing from December to May, Pope Ju-
Illus (331-352) had an investigation
made by ST. Cyril and was satisfied
that the 25th DE December was correct.
at was so established In the Roman
church. and before the end of the
fourth century the dictum was uni
versally accepted.-Boston Herald
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

the shrinkage in stocks, and Mr.. Trot
to enable him to hold what he has til
the market rises again"
And the bonus is your hand?"
That's very near the truth
'"The contract is to be signed at 1:
midnight"
81 have promised that If Mr. Trot
ter will come up this evening | will
give him my answer
1T will be yes?"
1T must be yes"
THAT is, If he arrives"
IF he doesn't | shall have to nerve
myself anew on another occasion"
How much money is he to loan your
father"
Papa said it was something like half
million
Il think they might have left you to
spend this Christmas happily. How
miserable it is to be poor, If | were
rich might save you this sacrifice,
and He paused rcflcctively.
"You wouldn't charge any bonus"
She was looking very steadily at the
lcapinG James.
"Oh, the bonus, II wouldn't he any
Kindness 10 y0n - take you ont OF the
frying pan ana pu- you into the fire"
I'D rather burn on grdirOn than
sizzle in Il pan"
The young man sat toying with his
watch chain Had the girl looked at
him she would have seen that the ex-
preston on his face was not in keeping
with the Unconditional tones of his
voice.
IF he fails to arrive OH time and 1t |
Is possible for you to jump into the
fire will you do so:"
There Is no fire to jump into
There was another pause. The logs
were cracking; the fire was sending Il |
genial warmth and light through the |
paneled hall. From the rooms adjoin-
ing came shouts OF laughter as some
one was caught and kissed under the
miStietoc.
an piOHiotti, S'tlu RIliOiQ pres
emily. 1T Is my business to secure
funds for carrying out enterprises.
Suppose ! could get this loan for your
'ather?"
They were speaking very deliberate
$50 deliberately that one might have
thought they were two people Of bust
less making Il bargain.
"At the same interest he will pay Mr..
rrotterT she asked.
How much is that?" =
"NOw | think of it. heard papa say
per cent"
THAT would be satisfactory"
Miss Martin may have been consid-
ring the matter Of interest At any
ate, it was some time before she
cached the next step.
"The bonus" she asked under her
reath
THAT would depend upon whether
on would rather burn than fry or,
ather, whether you prefer neither to
urn nor fry"
ut would not be fair to withhold the
onus. Nevertheless if it were q bur-
On instead of a blessing
He did not help her out. Instead he
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
a Christmas Game.

christians candles is a good old
time game \ lighted candle is placed
upon table. The player Is blindfold-
ed and stationed with his back to the
candle, about foot from 1t. He's
then told to take three steps forward,
turn around three times. then to walk
four steps toward the candle and blow
1t out. His attempt to do so will prob
ably be as amusing to the audience as
disconcerting to himself.--Country Life
In America.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
CHRISTMAS IN WEST INDIES
How the Darkies of the Antilles
Celebrate the Holiday


Christmas in the West Indies is Il
very jovial. rOllicking atfair--at least
in the estimation of the darkieS. The
great feature of the season is the Sc.
ries of maSquerades or mystery plays
enacted by. strOlling negro performers.
These are of two sorts. Representa-
tons of such Biblical stories as that of
David and ,Goliath-when you may see
the dramatlS perSOnae clad in such his
tOi1cIill accurate garments as bed
tick trousers and cretOnne coats of
hamiH@ IIt;crn-and those Of Il purely
local character. OF these last is the
monSvo &c play, which is peculiar 70 st.
Hitts. and tle object of which is to
wa"e mimis' war against the destruc-
live pest which is the curse of the is
land TleSf strolling players are the
Chief feature of Christmas celebra-
lions.
They are quite an imposing lot of
men. with "a good ear for music and as
YOU watch their antics you might east
~ imagin" hat, instead of being in q
CIVILIZED British colony, you were back
IN TIE heart OF Africa, assisting at
some savage death dance or other
ie;tl.cn rite.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Plum Pudding.

One pound OF grated bread, one and
a quarter pounds OF grated suet, one
pound of rais,ns, one pound of brown
sugar. twelve eggs. well beaten; two
wincglassfuls of brandy, one-quarter
pound Of citrop, cut fine. Mix all
these the night before. In the morning
before putting 1t in the cloth stir two
tablespoonfuls of wheat -four, beat the
cloth and sprinkle with -four Tie
tightly and boil four hours. Put Il
plate turned on the under part in the
pot under the pudding. add cinnamon
and nutmeg If liked,
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
took out his watch and noted the hour

took out his watch and noted the hour
1t was five minutes to ~.
ut Is understood anu agreed" h.
said, that If the party OF the first par
doesn't show up when the clock strike
II the party of the second part shall
consider herself released from signin,
the contract and will make tie sam,
arrangement with the party of the
third part-that in lieu Of the sum OF
half million dollars at 4 per cent in
! terest"-
''The bonus?" She was losing her
business equanimity, tapping her foot
on the lion skin beneath it. There re-
manned only few minutes to 10, and
the party of the first part might walk
In at any moment.
THE bonus shall be optional"
with whom?"
"The party of the second part"
"But the party Of the third part"
"Will only accept 1t entire. The heart
must 90 with the hand"
Its bargain" she said, extending
her hand. which he grasped At the
same moment the clock at the other
end Of the hall began TO strike the
hour. 1t was an old fashioned time
keeper with enormous weights and
wheezed out its arithmetic strokes with
PROVOKING slOwness. The pair sat mo-
ti0nless, their clasped hands concealed
under fold of the lady's dress, their
eyes turned upon the front door. Each
stroke brought them nearer TO con-
summation of their bargain. At the
fourth there was a tinkle OF the cleo
trio doorbeiL At the eighth a servant
passed the couple on his way to open
the front door, Arnold put out his foot.
and the man went sprawling on the |
floor. At the eleventh stroke the serv.
ant was on his feet and rubbing his |
shins. At the twelfth he proceeded on |
his way. There was a pressure be-
tween the two concealed hands. In an
,ther moment the door opened and Mr..
rrotter entered.
But what entered with him? Christ
mas morning. Twenty such mornings
lad come in the lifetime of Edith Mar
in, but none that brought her such re-
lief and at the same time such happi-
less as this one. Instead of being
bliged to sacrifice herself to save her
ather she had accepted a man whom
he first moment she saw him she
new to be the man she could love.
Ralph Arnold was indeed q promoter
nd had made fortune In organizing
old mines. The day after Christmas
e telegraphed his acceptance of an Of
n he had had for his principal mine
nd loaned the proceeds to Mr. Martin,
no in six months regained all he had
st. Mrs. Ralph Arnold on last Christ
as eve. sitting before blazing fire
aside her eldest daughter, now six
en-, told her the story of her Christ
as deal
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Mrs. Lenders LiberaIity.

Struggling Pastor Nearly all the
con "cgation has subscribed literally
for TIE Christmas tree fund, and l fee
sure that can also have your hearty
cooperation. How much will you
Mrs. Leader-Let me see. Oh, l am
the only member who has carriage
ant, coac,iman. think.
'acs. Tie rest are poor"
well. will drive around and col
lect the subscriptions"
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

Train no connects with Southern nv.
ia: Strasburg Junction for Harifeonbure
and points ON Valley Railroad.
souruporn No. SO No. II
Pass. Pass.
Lv Ha-risonburg 2 45pm 80 am
stanton ID 48pm g p5 am
Ar Lexington. S 5Opm 10 90 am
DAILY except Sunday,
For rates tickets, baggage checked
apply to any Office OF the b. d o. Rail
road or to C.E. Dudrow, Travelling Pas
senger Agent. Harper's Ferry, W. Va
T. Z. JARRETT, Agent,
Lexington, Va
G. W. BASsETT, G p A.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
CHRISTMAS BRACKETS.
- Youthful schemer,

Little Llnerson-You don't believe In
any such ridiculous myth US Santa
CLAUSE
Tough Jimmy-Naw. I'm next to
dat game. All de same, It's good
graft TO let Oh you believe IN him an
git all dats comia' to you.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Their Christmas presents

Papa am afraid that | shall not be
able to get the children any Christmas
presents this year.
Mamma-Oh, John,
Papa-Well, 1t isn't my fault. have
tried my very best to open their banks.
Brooklyn Life.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
The Line Drawn.

Ethel-What do you intend to give
me for Christmas?
Bertle-Would a kiss answer?
Ethel with sarcasm)-No indeed!
Mamma never allows me to accept val
nable presents from gentlemen.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

The mistletoe above the door
Expectant SWANS were viewing.
maid passed through, but she was
more
Than thirty. Nothin' doing,
philadelphia Press.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

Pullmap Sleeping Car, hon Clifton Rorgs t.
Cincinnati. St. LOWS, Chicago and LoHssillt
e5sp. m; Daily from Richmond and except
Sunday from Old Point aud Norfolk.
For rates, tickets and other lpfornstisa apply
70 ;. .. CAMPBELL, lily Ticket Agent Lsgiig,
" oo,'wARyHns,
Dis. Passy. Agent,
Richmond, Va. I'll. .-f
Wv. fULLBn,
General Pass eager Agent
{ E.p)yLE. Gsssrsi Manage.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

"Does you feel tEankful dis Chris
musT'
"Dess middlin'. Providence gimme n
good appetite, but he stopped right
dar"-Atlanta Constitution.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Nav Np1fo|k@Wssts'r
Schedule Up effect May w, 1904.
Leave Bpeua Vista,

N0RTHBOUND,
No. 1852. NJ. Daily, For Basic. Lmay
Hagerstown and New Yolk. Pull.
man sleeper to Philadelphia.
No.l4. $3.50 p Faily, For Hagerstow VII.
Washington, Baltimore, PhiIadel
phia, New York and intermediate
stations. Pullman sleeperto New
York via Harrisburg.
SOUTHBOUND.
Nc. |. 7 06 A. NJ. Daily. For Roanok
Bristol, BIueAeld, Norton. We.
ston.Salem, Welch and intern EIDE
ate stations. Pullman sleepin
Philadelphia to Welch.
No. IL. 2.G9 p. n. Daily. Fol Roanoke.
Bristol, Blueheld, Winston Salem
and intermediate stations, and
Knoxville, Cincinnati, Columbus.
Chicago, and points West an6
Southwest. Pullman sleeper 10
Knoxville and Roanoke to COlun--
bus.
Adj iitional information aud rates cheis
fully furnished by &. II. Moffeti, Tickle
Agent, Buena ista, Va.
w. b. BEYILL, ME-. BAGG
Gen. Pass. Agent. Trasyss. Agt
ROANOKE. VA.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Vacancy.

There's Christmas smiling In the sky,
There's Christmas In the trees,
There's Christmas In the streets near by
There's Christmas In the breeze.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

It's Christmas. Christmas everywhere,
No matter where you look,
Save when you gaze with mild despair
Into your pocketbook.
~-wAshingten star
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21

Oh rfstmns.
chandelier.
mistletoe,
A lover near.
maid below;
scuffle dear.
a kiss or So
And that Is Christmas, don't you know?
Elliot Rays Stone in LippincDtt's.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-21
Long Afore
I Kno6ved

les Ene BIT o feler-l remember still
q Uh to almost cry for Christmas. Ike younes.s
will
Fourth o Julys nodn 10 iI-New Years ain I sneu;
Easter Sunday. circus day-jes' al dead in the hell
vi. houGh-a, night. you knowio set around and heas
The old folks work the story Of about the ,edae and deer
And Sanity shooin round The roo al wrapped in fur and
fun
Long dfore
Sanity C1aus ,cuz.
I IST to wait and vet up late week OF twoshesd;
" Couldnt hardly keep aw4ks wouldn'i 60 to bed
kilc ,iewin' on the FIRE afd mother sitin here
DAMN sock, and roekn in The ,krceky rockin cheer;
Pap'd gap and wunder where il wuz the money went
And quart with his frost heels and split his Eniment.
And me adresmin ,eishbens when The clock d wha and
buzz.
Long dfore
knOtcet' 1rho
S1nfD C10fls ,rti1
New-York tribune., 1904-08-07

music arose. with It's voluptuous swell soft eyes
looked love eyes which spakc AGAIN. and all went
merry a marriage bell" Only these things do
happen Anything but love is looked" from soft
eyes and hard ones equally. der1sion contempt
indifference detection. malice, and (as far cham
pagne ices and generally messy feeding
cerned) greed light up these windows OF the soul
from time time during the progress of such fc.
tivities, but love never,
The women are far too busy finding ,tanding-room
wherein to show themselves and their newest frocks
of to advantage to waste any momcnt IN mere senu-
ment. and 1t is Christiany beautiful sight To-
how the dear things who the drcssua:cr's latest
creations" elbow and push and hustle and tread
the toes of their sisters who are less highly favored
than themselves in the mere matter of clothes
As for the men, if by dint Of hard czertion they
have managed get into the crush and near
enough TO the hostess TO bow and touch her hand,
their sole attention henccorNard become concentrated
the business of getting out again rapidly
possible for let be said the praise honor and
glory OF the sterner sex that taken in the rough
majority they dctcst the fashionable Al Home
with vigorous and honest intensity. and unless they
OF the degenerate class who like to be seen hang
ing around some notOrlously pulled professional
beauty" some equally notoriously known leader
of the Smart Set they seldom seen al such gath
erings They feel themselves to Toe mcongruoUS and
of place. and they At Homes are
curious of social poultry wards where the hens
have it all their way and do most distinctly
But II AT Homes are bad enough, the smart
the very smart dinner-party perhaps little worse
III its entire lack Of the hospitality which, united
to grace and tact and ready conversation. should
make every guest feel that his her presence is
valuable and welcome small private dinner, at
which the company are some SIX or eight persons
at most is sometimes Though not by any means
always quite pleasant affair; but big" dinner,
in the big of the word generally is the most
painful and dismal of functions except to those for
whom silent gorgng and afterrepletion are the es-
Sence Of all mental and physical JOY.
| remember and of a truth 1t would be impossible
to forget-one of these dinners which took place
last season in "swagger" house-the house OF a
member Of that old British nobility whose forebears
and titles always excite gentle flow Of saliva IN
the mouths Of snobs The tables-there were two
were, the formal phrase, laid for forty covers
that is 10 saw each table accommodated twenty
guests The ovelicst flowers. the most priceless
silver the daintiest glass adorned the festive boards
everything that could suggest wealth supply
had its the general effect of design and color