davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-12-10

that II fts the standard all rights'
SIN, snug as a bug. I'll set il
up Tor ye. Thank ye, ma'am. A
merry Christmas 20 ye."
That morning she worked, or more
properly speaking, she fused. The
only thing 10 mar ner pleasure was
the thought, "Will Grant be dis
pleased: VIII he think me very, very
foolish and extravs gant?" And yet
the money was her own, and he never
questioned what she did with it. At
eleven, she was surprised by a tele-
phone message from her husband ask
ing her 10 come downtown to take
luncheon with him.
You haven't been down in a long
time, klita, and / thought you might
enjoy seeing the crowds and helping
me select mothers present"
She could not refuse, although il
was with some reluctance she left
her unfinished task.
You're looking so pretty and hap
py," observed Grant, as they sat at 4
table beneath the palms, listening TO
the music IN one of those delightful
bits Of summerland, found in larg
cities in the depths OF winter. OnN
the fur-trImmed garments of the wo-
men suggested that snOw-coVered
streets lay without.
Il am happy" replied Elita. Il
really believe I'm beginning 10 feel
Chrlstmasy
1t was late when they reached home,
so II was not until after dinner that
klita found time to 90 TO the sewing
room.
Il have few belated gifts 10 wrap
up" she remarked TO Grant so ex-
cuse me, dear"
To her surprise he made no re-
monstrance, though he had always
claimed her evenings
All right" he replied. Il have an
important letter 10 write. So take
your time"
a business letter" said Elita, and
on Christmas evei We certainly are
a sensible couple"
Was that a guilty flush on Grants
face when, from economical habit, he
turned 10 eXtinguish one of the din
ing-room lights?
Later, when Elita went 10 his den,
she found the door locked
All right, Elita, IN a minute" Grant
cried in answer TO her summons
There was a sound of scurrying; the
closet door banged, and Grant let her
in.
Il thought observed Elita drily,
as she gazed around at the excelsior
which Uttered the otherwise neat den,
you had an important business letter
TO write"
Christmas. queen Of festivals. dawn
ed bright. clear and cold It's relig-
ious significance Elita had always
been taught TO observe. That their
thoughts might not be distracted
The Washington times., 1904-12-10
By ALICE ELIZABETH NORTHRUP

a collection Of toysl Dolls. jumping
! Jacks, balls, tea sets and all the won
! dertul things that help 70 make az
a Shlld's world. In the middle Of the
window, its green color dark and cooI
under its gaudy trimmings, was q
small Christmas tree.
As Mrs. Merton stood before the
window III hesitation, she turned 20
face plainly dressed young German
woman. The woman was just open
ing her purse. With look of despair
she closed it; then, needless of Mrs
Merton. pulled up her dress skirt and
searched a petticoat pocket Evident
ly she found nothing, for, with sigh,
she turned to go.
Can have you lost something?"
sympathetically asked Mrs. Merton.
'Nein,' said the woman. Il want
Ia little staT-no money"
Have you lost it?"
"Nein spent the money, sees ?"
opening a parcel full of glittering tin
sci. Il buy much: no money for star
and little Christ Child for baby's tree.
How old IS your babyP Mrs.
Merion's interest was aroused.
Eleven months, and so big" She
proudly stretched out her arms.
And you have 2 tree for it?"
The woman looked surprised at the
deprecatory tone. "Yaas All Ger
man kinder have It. My man. he cut
il for me Tomorrow / trim. ] sew
hard and get the money"
IL struck Elita Merton as incon-
gruous that she should hesitate over
TfHa all Ia N
of poverty should accept a tree as a
necessity. Before the simple mother
hood OF the young German, even high
ly educated Mrs. Merton softened
Come inside" she said, and let
me send your baby a star"
After the woman, profuse in her
thanks and trophies in hand, had de-
parted, Elita fingered. And, hesitat-
ing, sfe was lost.
BE sure 10 come in the morning,
and TO the front door," she smilingly
admOrished the polite salesman, as he
bowed her out
The next morning Mrs. Merton
hoyered around the front hall
You may give Ann her bath" she
finally instructed Marie, who looked
up in surprise. Had not Mrs. Merton
always attended 10 baby's BATH Did
not the rule say, Every mother
should battle her own child; the task
should never be left 10 nursesl"
Soon Mrs. Merton was rewarded by
seeing a huge delivery cart labelled
"Aliller-Ioys.' stop IN front OF the
house. Despite the zero weather, she
rushed out on the porch.
This way" she called Bring The
things IN here"
She led the way TO an empty room
on tie second floor, which. when
prosperity arrived, was 10 be furnish
cd as q seWiug-rOOm. Are you sure
The Washington times., 1904-12-10

through the beautiful service, the dis
tTlbutlOn Of gifts was postponed until
their return from church
Elita's father and mother and sister
came 10 dine with them. Before din
ner was quite over, Elita, ostensibly
to get Baby Ann, slipped away.
Il should say" remarked the i'm
patient grandmother, that she was a
long time getting that child"
Come into the denl' called Elita' s
CHEEKY voice, with an air of mystery
There, on the table, brilliantly illu-
minated with tiny candles, strings OF
gold and silver tinsel. snowy white
popcorn, waxen angels and over all
the Star Of Bethlehem, stood a Christ
mas tree. All but Grant uttered ex-
| clamations Of delight
What's the matter, dear!" anxious
~ asked kllta, as she held Ann to
ward him Don't you like It? sim
ply couldn't resist"
But how did you find out?" dis
appointment manifest IN his voice q
i meant il as a surprise. ! was
going TO get it myself in a moment" I"
1t was Elita's turn 10 look puzzled.
Why, how did you know anything
about II? ! trimmed il myself, last
evening IN the sewing-roomp
Grant made a dive for the closet
door. From its blacl depths he pull
ed forth a second Christmas tree
From il, too, hang tinsel, Cupids and
the Star of Bethlehem
In the midst OF exclamations and
explanations no one heard the door
bell ring.
Carefully" voice was saying.
BE careful, don't break IT, Where
are you all? Come here
Recognizing Mrs. Wemple's voice.
Mrs. Merton hurried TO greet her.
There, OF the parlor floor. was a third
Christmas tree.
Il :hought," began Mrs. Wemple,
that It was a shame Ann shouldn't
have tree. So IN spite of her edu-
cation"
Mrs. Merton cut her short Chok-
ing with laughter she took her guest
10 the den"
Baby Ann crowed and laughed and
cried for all the Stars of Bethlehem.
She will be q saint" said her
father
"She shall begin now" said her
mother. She shall send her super
fuous trees 10 the children's ward
Next year" observed Mrs. Wem-
pie, you two had better plan on one
tree, together
The Washington times., 1904-12-10
Filling Santa's Pack.

A Christmas variation Of the donkey
sheet game Is on sale this year II
Is a liie-size picture of Santa Claus
printed on a sheet Of muslin. He car
ries a pack on his back, but il IS
empty There is a collection Of a
dozen or so cloth toys made 10 pm
on the sheet, and the game Is TO fll
Santa's pack for hlm blindfolded. Ii
Is 2 happy idea for a children's party
and creates lots OF pleasure among
the little folks. for even the baby viii
think 1t Is iun 10 trylA and land rag
doll baby safely IN K bag
The Washington times., 1904-12-10

The same old story every Year,
Grandmother laughed softly as the
children LETT their games and stood
coaxingly around her chair Well,
then, let's see; it was long, long ago.
sixty-seven years. and ! was only a.
tall as Dorothy here-about six,
think. There were five of Us N the
family-father and mother, and your
great-uncle, Luther, and Bennie and
me, the little ones-and we all lived
in little log house that father and
Luther built in the summer right over
there where the High School stands
now. But, oh, dear, II was wild then. "
Grandmother looked over Dorothy's
curls out OF the window at the trim.
pretty town, with its snowy streets,
edged with the deep green OF pine and
evergreen.
"The clearing was only as far as
from here 10 the pOstOhce, and there
were seven families all Told, and seven
little houses all huddled together for
company, the only white settlement
IN this corner OF Wisconsin.
There had been d long hard biz
zard Just before Christmas, and the
boys had not been able TO set any
traps or hunt even a prairie chicken.
But mother said not 10 mind. She
would make Us a big Indian meal
pudding and a batch of ginger cook
les, and there were plenty OF hazel
nuts and walnuts Perhaps ny Christ
mas morning there might be some
thing in Luthers traps II the weather
cleared so he could get 70 them.
so Christmas Eve we were having
3 good time anyway, singing and lis
tening while father told stories OF
the way they spent Christmas way
back home III New England. when all
at once there was a rap on the door.
Father asked who was there, but no
one answered, and he lifted the big
wooded log from It's place across the
door and opened IT, And there, lying
IN the snow was an Indian, half
The Washington times., 1904-12-10

The visitor jumped the baby mp
and down, TO the CONSERVATION of Mr.
and Mrs Merton. When parents are
trying 10 bring up child scientihcal-
iy it is disconcerung, TO say the least
10 have friends interfere Mrs.
Merton knew the rule by heart
Never jostle or jump babies. II Is
bad for their nervous systems"
"You are tired" she finally remark
ed TO Mrs. Wemple-mother OF five
Let me take her"
"Oh, she's all right" complacently
answered Mrs, WemPle, ignoring the
mothers outstretched arms, as the
baby gave a crow of delight.
But Mrs. Merton persisted and took
her baby Whereupon, the motion
ceasing Baby Ann set up a prolonged
howl, which caused Marie. fresh from
the best training school for nurses, 10
rush in and carry Baby Ann from the
room
TO think that it is almost Christ
mas time" said Mrs. Wemple Il
suppOse you dear children will have
iun NOW getting baby's Christmas
tree ready"
Mrs. Merton looked al her husband
and he looked ar her.
"Of course" continued Mrs. Wem-
pie, you'll have a tree?
But she's only FIVE months old,
protested Grant Merion. She
wouldn't notice IT,"
Bless your hearts" SAID Mrs
Wemple, who had known these TWO
when they were making mud pies
that's not the point It's the fun
you two will have-the JOY of getting
ready. ! had q Christmas tree Tor
my first when he was only three
months old The lights made him
blink, and we said that he was a re-
markably smart child. He noticed
everything and cried for the Star OF
Bethlehem-wauted 10 grab IL, you
know His father and / both thought
he would surely be a minister
Christmas isn't Christmas until the
children come. II you think it Is for
the babies that parents do all the fuss
ing, you're mistaken. They're only
the excuse. II you like, I'll send you
nay trimmings for tree
Mrs. Merton again stole a glance al
her husband He shook his head
NO. thank you Mrs. Wemple," he
sad, as he bent down to put a fresh
The Washington times., 1904-12-10
In Lithuania.

In Lithuania, when the first star
appears Christmas Eve. the master
and mistress Of a house take long. OBJ
long vari-colored waters. and breal,
one with each person in the house. the
oldest with the youngest, the poorest
with the richest In memory of the
Babe Of Bethlehem, straw is placed
under the table cloth. and huge
sheaves OF wheat stand in the corners
Oi the room.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Railroad Meeting Saturday

A meeting OF representative cit
liens If Lexington was held at the
Courthouse Saturday afternoon in
the interest of securing better
train service on the Chesapeake
ane Ohio railroad, and commit
tee was appointed to confer with
the authorities Of that road with a
view of having the early morning
train restored to their schedule
again.
Mr.. AZ, W. Paxton was made
chairman Of the meeting and Mr..
Frank Moore. secretary. DR., II. d..
McBryde stated the object Of the
meeting, and said that on account
of the two educational institutions
here, with their large travelling
patronage, President Geo. W. Ste
vens was interested in securing for
Lexington the very best service.
Among the others who express
ed themselves as fayoring the res
toration of the morning train that
recently was discontinued were
Mr.. B. Z. Vaughan, Mr., Il. A.
Monre, Prof. LeOonte Stevens, Or.
JAS. Lewis Howe, Mr.. j. McD.
Adair and Mr.. II. C. Wise, all of
them calling especial attention to
the inconvenience OF the present
railroad service, both for the
travelling public and especially
with reference TO msil facilities.
In the discussion of the sltua-
ton the fact was brought out that
it was the hope Of President Ste
vens to have a fast train from
Lynchbupg by way Of Lexington
to Staunton and Harrisonburg,
aud this service would practically
give the people of this community
the advantages of a great trunk
system schedule.
The following committee was
appointed to take the matter of
improved railroatl service In hand
and to visit the authorities and
urge the restoration Of the dis
continued train: Mr. f. A. Moore,
Gen. Scott Ship, Prof. LeConte
Stevens, Mayor 5. B. Walker, Mr.
B. Z. Vaughan. Attorney-Goner-
al ". 4. Anderson and DR.. 4. j.
McBryde. The committee will also
have the authority of looking after
the general interests Of this COM
munity With reference 90 better
railroad SERVICE.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
High Bridge Church

A communication from E. G. L.
reporting the completion and ded'
ication of High Bridge Presbyter-
ian church, published in last week e
Issue of the Central Presbyterian
of Richmond, says:
Many or the brick from the
old church, dear TO the hearts of
our older members because Of its
hsllQwsa sssQpiations, we're used
in construction OF the new. And
by using these the expense of
building was greatly reduced. But
anyone locking upon and into the
church, as it now stands, will be
amazed that structure go beau
tiful, so substantial, so comfort
able, could be erected fos what
Was the actual expense-$l 400.
Now, a card of thanks; With
a deep appreciation of the aid,
given US by friends near and far,
and this appreciation made deeper
by the love we have for our new
church, we wish to thank, in this
public way, every Dne for his gift
however great or small; and we
pray that God will recompense
into your bosoms more than doub-
lie for your gift prompted by love-"
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Rebekahs Hold Social

Members Of Liberty Lodge No. 2,
Daughters OF Rebekah, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, held an inter
est!ng i"Pie Social" at Odd Fellows
Hal, Ionday night A large crowd
Was in ATTENDANCE, and the net pro-
caeds Of the entertainment amounted
f. about $14. The entertainment was
gwen for the benefit Of the Odd Eel
lows Orphans Home at Lynchburg
The pies we're sold at auction, and the
prices ranged from 20 cents to Sl.25.
The prize for the beet pie, o hand
some vase, was awarded TO Mrs. f. l..
Conner, and the BOBBY prize went to
Mira. 4, b. Beck With, The commit
tee OF arrangements consisted OF Misses
Anna K. Krause, Roberta Pennington
and Mrs. f. L. Conner.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
The Plain Truth
What More Can Lexington People
ASK Eor2

ASK ForI
When old-time residents and highly
respected people o. Lexington make such
statemen ts as the following, 1t must carry
conviction TO every reader;
], Withrow, the well-known clothing
merchant on the corner OF Main and
Washington streets, seys: For two
years of and oil, | was troubled with
backache aud a dull tire l aching across
the toins with sharp palms In the kidneys
II stopped or lifted anything. noticed
Doan'e Kidney Pills ad vertised to cure
such complaints aud concluded II they
performed nall what they promise they
were just the remedy needed. so got
n box at b. III. (forrel's drug store.
After using the n few days | not'crd
TINT the pain and aching had tessened
ana by the TINE | had finished the box
! was entirely free from it, poans
Kidney Pills dill iia ms 'aore than |
syer expected. !, oan certainly recon-
meud theni.'
For sale by all dsalers Price so cents
Foster Milburn Co., Buffalo. N. T., sole
agents for the United states. Remem-
Der the name-Doan's IS and take nc
other
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Mr.W. Douglass McCorkle Dead

Information was received here
Saturday that Mr.. William Doug
lass McCorkle died last week at
HE home near Greenville, SIC. He
was aged 70 years.
Mr.. McCorkla was born and
reared in the neigL borhood of Ben
Salem church, Rockbridge county,
and was son of John and Sarah
Cunningham McCorkle. YOUNG
McCorkie was educated at Jacob
Fuller's school in Lexington, ut
Washington College, and at the
University of Virginia, in all Of
which institutions he took II
high stand. For several years
previous to the War ne taught
school In yariOds parts OF Rock,
bridge, ESPECIALLY at Fancy Hill,
and one session at Fincastle, Va.
He entered the Confederate ser
vice as Arat aergvant IN Capt. NJ.
y. Whites company, which was
assigned to the First Virginia
Cavalry. At Kelly's Ford he was
desperately wounded, :he ball en-
tering his lung aud rQmained tnere
until after tho close of the war,
when he expelled it in n paToXysm
of coughing. This wound untitled
him for further service. AT the
close Of The war he was elected
sheriff of Rockbridge, and filled
the office with ability.
During the war he mgy2ia6 MisS
Aurelia Sseggett Of near Fancy
Hill, Il daughter Of NJ r. William
Sterrett, A son and daughter
survive. who live at Greer, $. c.,
also one sister, Mys. Annie Waite
MeCiHng OF dunedin, Fla,
About thirty years ago Mr.. Me-
Oorkle moved TO Greer, S. c.,
whe.e he has been actively en-
gagged in teaching UP to a short
time ago, when Ill health and ad-
vanced age compelled him to re-
tire.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Fight VIII Be Bitter

Those who will persist in closing
their ears against the continual re
commentator of DR.. Kings New
Discovery for Consumption, will have
q long and bitter fight with theil
troubles, if not ended earlier by fatal
termination. Read what L. X. Beal!
of Beall, Miss, has to say: Last fall
my wife had every symptom of con
sumption. She took DR.. Kings New
Discovery after everything else had
,aileI, Improvement came at once
and four bottles entirely cured her.
Guaranteed by B. H. Gorrell. druggist.
Price SOC. and Sl.C0, Trial bottles
free
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Young Lady Burned

Buchanan Banner: Early Mon
day morning Miaa Mary awartz,
eldest daughter Of Mr., ID. II
Swarts and sister Of Mr.. H. NJ
Swartz, proprietor Of the Buch
anan Flour Mills, was severely
burned. While standing near a
stove her clothing cuught fire and
before the flames could be extin.
guished, che was badly burned.
Miss Swartz at the time was
applying hot cloths saturated
with turpentine t, her father
for some complaint of the throat,
which he had been suffering.
DR.. w. G. Barker was imme-
diately sent for and he arrived
shortly and did what was neces:
sary to relieve the pains of the
young lady. She is getting along
very we'll at this time, and the
doctor says there seems to be no
danger unless she catches cold In
the burns.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Death of Mira. Ii. s. Coo.

Mrs. COrnelia Coe, wife Of Rev.
H. S. Coe, pastor Of the Methodist
church at Mt. jackson, died We'd
nesday night at the strashurg
Hospital. She had been i'll for ten
manths, and on Wednesday under.
went an operation for the iemov-
al of a tumor. The funeral was
conducted at Mt. Jackson at 10
o'clock Saturday morning b. Rev.
j. j. Ringer of New Market. Mrs.
Coe is survived BY hes husband
and eight chiidten;
Mrs. Coe was daughter OF
Mr.. samnel Pettigrew, deceased, n
former resident of Lexington,
and she was reared In this com
munity. A brother and sister sur
vive, Miss Emma Pettigrew who
resided with her, and Mr.. William
Pettigrew who lives in Indian
Territory.
Mrs. Sally H. Pitzer Qf Licking
ton, attended the funeral at Mt.
jackson.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Timber Ridge Notes
CARTE CoIyeSbondeHc<.

Gdzsfft Co'yeSboHdeHe<.
Dec. Con last Sabbath, owing
to the absence of our pastor, Rev.
J. A. Trostle, who had gone to
assist Rev. DR.. Hamilton in a COM
munion service at Mt. Carmel, We
greatly enjoyed tender and
heartfelt trlk from Elder II. A.
Lackey.
Our popular and enterprising
merchant, Mr. G.. Il. Goodman,
expects to move into his enlarged
and convenient dwelling this week
Mr.. S. II. NJ. Green who, by his
perseverance,, has won an increas
ing patronage, came near having
his store building and stock buried
last week. Upon opening his store
in the early mnrning he found the
floor in flames about the stove.
With few buckets Of water he
soon had the flames extingu.s he'd.
The tea ,hers OF the schoal a,
this place, Miss Edith Lum and
Miss Isabella Lackey, have in II
singular and marked degree the
love and confidence o. both patrons
and pupils, and are dong good
work, and Advancing the cause of
better education at this place.
Miss Eva Muse return d yester.
day TO her homS, lisela visit of
soma weeks to friends in Roanoke.
Mr.. Will Snyder Of the Doral Is
burg neighborhooi, hns just COM
pleted n nice substantial barn and
By experienced industry has great
" improved his fprm,
Mr., Hubert Muse has grestly
improved bis farm by building II
large granary, and is hauling to-
dey American field fencing to en-
close his farm. A drive through
this section next spring would
greatly surprise any old inhHhi :
tant. 7: Y.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
Capitular Masonry

During the summer Grand
Lecturer J.W. HUBBARD of the Grand
Royal Arch Chapter Of Virginia,
from Lynohburg, was in Lexina-
ton and instituted chapter Of this
high order of Masonry. Since that
time the chapter has been doing
all their business under dispense
ton. On Friday last Mr.. Hubbard
revisited Lexington and formally
installed the officers named in the
charter, who are Messrs. Robert
Z. Hutton, high priest; V. b. Nc
Clure, king, and Henry o. Dold,
scribe.
There are about 25 Royal Arch
Masons in Lexington. The new
chapter will be known as Crock
bridge Royal Arch Chapter, No.
AL and viii meet the first ana
third Monday nights in. every
month,
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
The Gazette,s Trade Edition

Having secured the services of
Mr.. w. A. Whelan, an experienced
writer and compiler of Trade Edi-
tons, The GAZETTE will isaug on
December l4th o Trade Edition
dealing with Loxington's excellent
facilities as u trs dc center and con-
tanning articles descriptive of our
local commercial enterprises. This
edition will be distributed among
all the people of Rockbridge Coun-
ty, for successful results lie only
In universal distribution.
In the publicity of our trade adj
vantages the cooperation Of the
bushes fraternity is assured and
will be forthcoming, in order that
Lexington's opportunities as a 70
tail market may be presented fully,
fairly and forcibly to the buyers
and sellers of this entire section.
Mr.. Whelan has done some
excellent work in the leading towns
of the Valley, and comes highly
recommended for his ability in
that line.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-12-07
December Jurors

The folio wing jurors have been
drawn for trial OF criminal cases at
the December term Of the Circuit
Court, and are summoned to appear
Tuesday, December 18th: Messrs.
James W. Nicol. w. NJ. Sbowalter, J.
H. Harrison, j. l.. MeCurdy. Lloyd l..
Davidson, Thomas d. Sheppard, 5.
Miller Lackey, NJ. W. Barger, }. F.
Dixon, j. ". MeFaddin, Robert La
velle. John II. Engleke, S. b. Sup
niger w. B. Rees, s, NJ. Dunlap, d. L.
Womeldorf.
For the t. al OF civil causes the fol-
lowing jury has been summoned to
appear Friday, December 49, Messrs.
j y. Hite, ]. Hansford Hyde, s. r.
Green, w. f. Arnold, c. l.. Bryan, L.
L. Arehart. W. II. Clements, W. a..
Brown. J. G.. Alexander.