davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
Xmas Fare 500 Years Aao.

In the old days the standard Christ
mas dishes were the peacock and the
boar's head. Each of these dishes was
served up with every circumstance of
pompous ceremony, preceded by trum-
pets and followed by a numerous
train of ladies, knights and squires.
The boar's head was brought into the
hall by a server sometimes mounted
on horse, who sang carol as he
placed the dish upon the table.
The peacock, the food of lovers
and "the meat of lords" was usually
served in all its natural splendor of
plumage, and this was doubtless the
masterstroke of the chef de cuisine.
The royal bird was "eten roysh zyn-
gere." and no expense was spared
over him. According to Massinger in
his "City Madame" they used the car
casses of three wethers. bruised for
gravy, to make sauce for single pea
cock. The boar's head was served by
a man, but the ceremony of distrib-
uting the peacock was usually reserv-
ed for the noblest lady present at the
feast
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
A Russian Christmas.

In Russia the boys are the chief
celebrstors of Christmas eve, and
they disguise themselves in the forms
of animals-wolves, bears, ostriches.
tigers and cameleopards, and roam
the streets until the small hours.
To enter a dwelling at their pleas
ure and sit at the family table is no
breach of decorum at such a time.
and often the children of a home are
startled to see a wolf or a bear enter,
take seat at the supper table, and
eat as wolf or bear only can eat.
Sometimes long professions OF
these animals parade the streets with
bands and a chorus of singers: but
the most interesting of these Christ
mas performances is the religious
play, in which boys take part. Upon
this scene the Russian peasant looks
with profound interest and venera-
tion, and the population generally
throw money to these performers with
generous heart and lavish hand.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
NEW YEARS DAY IN GREECE.
Time for Gifts, FroIcs and General
Rejoicing.

Time for Gifts, Frolics and General
Rejoicing.
With members of the Greek church
Christmas is holy day but not holi-
day, and therefore New Years day
takes its place as a time of gifts, frol-
les, family gatherings and general re-
joicing. The women generally give
presents of beautiful embroidery,
often their own work, but the father
of the family, however poor, must give
money. The childrens money is
placed in little earthen jar and kept
SO when the child grows up there is
a snug little sum for his start in life.
The gentlemen of the wealthier classes
call on their fair friends and must al
ways take a present. The caller is
offered sweetmeats, glass of water,
cup of Turkish coffee, but no wine or
liquor. When he leaves he finds the
servants drawn up in row, and he
presents them each with piece of
money. This is repeated in every
house he visits, and he must visit all
his friends on New Years day or be
forever deprived of their friendship.
presents of money. The children have
a few cheap toys, candles and dried
fruit. Watch service is held, and on
returning from church the head of the
family breaks a pomegranate on the
floor to insure good fortune and
health. They then have feast of all
kinds of nuts, candied fruits, raisins,
figs and dates. Some nutshells are
thrown into the four corners of the
room to blind the evil one. At night
they have an immense cake in which
are two coins. 1t is set upon the table
and each person receives piece. The
ones having the coins are elected king
and queen of the feast and are crown
ed with much ceremony. The young
girls bite off a piece of their cake,
wrap it in blue paper, and place it
under their pillow to dream on; the
man they dream of is their future hus-
band.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

lieutenant, who was now seated at
table, examining some papers found
upon the dead Fauchel; and consider
ing this an opportune time to make
known her plans, she had turned
toward the door, when Etienne's
voice. full of its old-time arrogance,
came to her.
Jean, leave the room instantly, and
go to your bed!'
Margot paused in the doorway and
saw jeans head raised with bel
ligerent poise. Il will not go for you,
Etienne, when you order me in such
a rude fashion," he said, his voice
shaking with rage.
Uttering vile oath, Etienne strobe
forward. and seizing him by the col
lar, dragged the boy from the chair
and began striking him.
Monsieur Etienne. do not you do
that" cried Margot, rushing toward
him. "Ah. mon Dieu, How can you
have the heart, and at such time
as this?"
Jean was struggling in wild fury,
using feet and hands to defend him
q
Il, brought to the lieutenant's mind the
scene of two years before. in the Tuil-
cries garden.
Hold, Monsieur lie Baron" ne said.
distinctly and calmly. Il have the
right to tell you that you cannot thus
assert your authority in my presence"
Etienne, as once before, released
Jean, and turned to face the speaker.
to whom the boy now rushed, cling
ing to him with a storm of passionate
sobs, coming partly from anger. and
partly from bruised heart.
Margot had drawn nearer to his
side; and. as Jeans sobs ceased, the
three confronted Etienne, who now
burst into loud. derisive laugh.
What can a bastard, and the
friends and champions of bastard.
expect better?' he demanded, now
speaking deliberately. his pale face
distorted by malice.
| Margot started Indignantly, an
angry flame springing tito her eyes;
and the lieutenant said in low lone,
whose very calmness was a menace,
at is scarcely the act of a gentleman
to insult the defenseless and the
dead
Insult" cried Etienne. now letting
loose all the vials of his hatred and
mangnity. "Peste! How can hr be
other than call him, when his mother
was no wife?'
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

FOR a man never seems to know, and
l will tell you the secret. The little
girls sigh for dolly-not the kind l
used to play with, away up here at
the north pole; but the kind the girlies
resembled when the stork took them
to the land of sunshine. And that re-
calls" continued the dame, that only
yesterday l saw an old stork out in
the frs, where he had paused to rest,
and with him one of the dearest little
babies imaginable, such as little girls
love. He told me that other storks,
with other babies, would soon pass
this way. Now, Kris, were l you, and
sought to please the little maids who
sigh, / would watch, there in the frs.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
cHAprER uI.

Tho gray was flushing with rose
Z tints from the coming sun when a
loud knocking upon the entrance door
aroused the soldier on guard in the
hall.
open the door," voice shouted
peremptorily. "Tatro, Pierrel A
thousand devils, You fools inside
there. open the door. l say."
The disturbance brought Greloire
from his improvised couch at the rear
Of the hall: and climbing the ladder.
he pushed his head through the bro
ken window for a sight of who might
be outside.
who are your demanded the
young man standing before the door.
his voice Indicating surprise as he
looked at the face of the soldier above
him.
That is what | should like to have
you tell me OF yourself. m'sieur." an
swered Greloire, in his usual dry man.
ner. his not over friendly eyes noting
the details of the attire worn by the
aristocratically clad visitor.
''Dame." now exclaimed the latter.
evidently more angry than before.
What business can it be of yours?
Who are you, that dare cavil over
opening to me the door of my fathers
house?"
He Is but one; and there are two
OF us to handle such cocksparrow
as l could easily overcome alone. with
one hand" said Greloire scornfully.
as the bars fell, and EtieDne entered,
somewhat paler than usual, and his
hair and raiment disheveled from an
all-night's concealment in one of the
outbuildings of the chateau.
Wishing to see the baron. in order
to press his demand for more funds.
the young man had. unannounced,
come down from Paris. and CHANGED
to arrive the evening before, during
the widest part of the melee.
He was by this time accustomed to
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
The Mexican Christmas Jar.

Novel is the method of distributing
the Christmas presents at the Mexi-
can embassy. Following the custom
which prevails in the land to the
south of us. there is suspended from
the ceiling a huge open-mouth jar in
which have been placed all the pres
ents, each neatly tied and addressed
to the intended recipient The chill
dren and grown people of the party
are armed with long, slender canes,
and with these first one and then an
other makes dash for the swinging
jar, striking it or at it as they pass.
Or course it is only matter Of time
until the frail treasure house is de-
molished, and then ensues grand
scramble for the gift% Washington
Times.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
Z MARY DEVEREUX

/ her to take the young officer into her
| confidence Looking up into the cold,
| clean-cut face before her, she asked.
You will not leave here to-day, Mon
sieur?"
Perhaps; l cannot decide until
later"
Before you go. monsieur. l would
take it as a great favor should you
let me ask of you some advice as to
matter concerning him you seem to
love" And she glanced at Jean, who
was standing in the doorway, with his
back to them.
The officer, If he felt any surprise,
showed none, for he answered her
with kindly assurance. He then Joined
Jean. and the two went below, where
breakfast awaited them.
The two dead soldiers were buried
early in the afternoon; but the stars
were coming out when the door of
the great vault was closed. and the
late baron left to sleep with his an
cestors.
Etienne, silent and repelling, stood
by, vouchsafing little notice of anyone
about him. Jean had taken care to
keep away from his half-brother;
and the latter replied with scant cour-
tesy to the lieutenant's salutation,
when they met for the first time, as
the baron's body was borne from the
house.
Margot was not of those who had
stood about the tomb. Etienne's tenn
porary absence from the house being
assured. she had improved the oppor-
tunity to open the secret panel and re
move the metal box and bags of coin,
which she hid away amongst her own
belongings. She proposed, with Jean
and Pierre, to seek a new home in
Toulon. where large number of Roy
alists. together with others who had
suffered persecution from the Revolu-
tionists, had found refuge.
Presently she saw Etienne eater
the drawing room, where Jean had
remained, having refused to leave the
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

such outbreaks; and suspecting quick
Iy the position of affairs, had lost no
time in finding hiding place in a
grove, not far from the house.
At the tidings Of his fathers death,
a new expressionf Ame to Etienne's
face, softening it3 3toldness; but this
quickly changed Nhen, in reply to his
ouery as to who WAS in command of
the escort, Greloife answered, Lieu
tenant BonapartS"
An oath that made both soldiers
stare burst from the young mans lips.
81 will go to my apartments he
added, with a return of all his haughti-
ness; land do both of you see to it
that / am. not disturbed by your Off
GER"
With this he stalked through the
hall, and up the stairway. shuddering
as he passed the blood-stains upon the
door.
Etienne's steps on the upper stairs
and along the oaken-foored hall
brought Tatro to the door OF the room
Where lay the two wounded soldiers,
one of whom wt evidently dying,
Jhile the other v IS sleeping quietly.
&"Ah, Monsieur Atienne, is 1t you,
,sir?" Then,--eegreiAlng himself with
fPardon-Monsiep lie Baron ..ps me
burst forth in Syering voice. II
IS surely a sad ret, for you.
Somewhat soften,y by the old man 5
words. and now rsiIizing more fuliy
the horrors of tn, night before ~,
enne replied in alr u,ias,falhSsf fhihu
fashion. But wheu he ended by or
dering that repast be brought to
his rooms. Tatro's face showed a sur
prise he dared not voice; for he won
dered that his new master could think
of sustenance for himself. so soon af-
ter coming upon the scene of his re-
cent loss.
Margot had slept little during the
night. but lay thinking Of what
- s-claaGses were likely to come. now that
the baron was dead An intuition
warned her to secure the money and
valuables which the baron had in
trusted to her care, to take them from
their present hiding place. and have
them at hand. in case some additional
disaster should come. And, too bear.
ing in mind her masters command
that she remove Jean from Etienne's
rule in case of that Detailing which
now had come to pass, her perplexed
brain had at length evolved a plan
which seemed both wise and feasible
But before attempting to put it into
execution. a curious impulse urged
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

once there was a whimper. but the
old stork cooed, as he loosened the
cords, and the sprite went back to
dreams.
All that night in the workshop old
Kris Kringle moulded the clay. spun.
the flax, hammered and laughed, and
when dawn came. the model was done.
Then summer days came. but old
Kris Kringle sought no rest, and
when yule-tide arrived. he carried
with him dollies, the most wonderful
in the world, and the little girls
sighed no more.
And this is how the first dollies
came to be made, as told by old Kris
Kringle, and the stork.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

For many cycles after old Kris
Kringle began to carry gifts. at yule-
tide, to little boys and girls, he pom
dered and pondered, on Christmas
morn, as to Why the little girls
sighed; then, laughed and said: Per
haps it will be different next year"
And when he told Dame Kringle
that the little girls sighed, she smiled,
in that dear motherly way of hers,
and told old Kris the reason-that he
had failed to gladden. their wee
mother-hearts.
But, dame. how can l do it? Tell
me, please"
80 like a man." said Dame Kringle.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
+, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREES.
Long Central Figure of Festivals the
World Over.

World over.
Most of us know that the Christ
mas tree comes to us direct from
Germany; and we know of the tree
worship of the Druids which obtained
in England and France, and which
probably had some influence on the
later use Of the tree in the Christmas
festival
But we do not all know that SINH
lar festival, with the tree as a crown
ing feature, is observed among many
heather nations. Our tree, with its
small candles. its gilded nicknacks
and toys for the children, is a direct
descendant of this old festival which
was held in honor of the sun.
Traces of it exist in Iceland, where
the service tree" is found adorned
with burning lights during Christmas
night. The English yule log is a
faint survival of this festival.
But it goes further back than all
this-to China. 1t has been shown
that a tree with 100 lamps and flow
ers was placed in the steps of the au-
dience hall.
This appears in the records of Prin-
cess Yang, who lived 713-715 B. c.,
and who caused a 100-lamp tree so
feet high to be erected on a mountain.
STRAY Stories.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
By EUGENE o. MAYFIELD. Rex n.

and when | saw the little dears,
would hurry back to the old work
shop and model from my choicest
wares, one like they-a model for
other dollies, to be carried. next year,
to the little girls who sighed"
well said. good dame" replied old
Kris, "and ere sleep again the storks
and | shall meet"
Then out among the frs, garbed in
their green and snow, old Kris kringle
waited.
"Harkl What noise is that?" ex-
claimed the good old man. ITS like
the futter of wings And down
through the frost-laden boughs came
a stork, carrying a tiny bundle. Just
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

The latest museum freak is a pig
with two legs. Outside a museum II
isn't necessary to have four legs tc
be a hog.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Don't forget that there must be n
valuable consideration to make an
agreement binding in law.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

When high-salaried office finds il
necessary to seek the man you may ex.
pect to see thieves trying to break in.
to jail.-Chicago News.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

No man is capable of ruling other
who is unable to rule himself
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Cupid is sorry leader; after lead
ing people into trouble he leaves them
to fight it out themselves.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Lots of men who have seen trees
never saw wood.
Experience is the pay a man gets
for making fool of himself.
No man is capable of ruling others
who is unable to rule himself
Many a man loves his enemy be-
cause it comes in a pocket flask.
Often a mans wealth is not worth
the littleness he used to acquire 1t.
A married mans idea of good time
is doing the things his wife objects to.
Lots of men who are inclined to be
good keep putting it off till tomorrow.
Some men are willing to be good II
paid, and some others are good for
nothing.
IL some men were to remain silent
they might acquire regulations for
wisdom.
Other people don't amount to much
when a man uses himself as the stand.
ard of comparison.
Most men worry because of their
many trials. but a lawyer worries II
he doesn't have any at all.
The average man would rather lose
s5 on horse race than a nickel
through hole in his pocket.
Too many men in this glorious
country vote as they pray and they
never pray unless 1t is to ask per
sonal favor.
Some men remind one of old hens !;
they no sooner accomplish anything
than they proceed to make an unnec
essary fuss about 1t.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
A sPlNsTER SAYS THAT

Lots of men who have seen trees
never saw wood
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Experience is the pay man gets
for making a fool of himself.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
SOME LEGAL DoN'Ts.

Don't make contracts with minors;
you will find your house builded on
the sands.
Don't forget that there is Statute
of Frauds: by it some agreements are
required to be in writing.
Don't forget that there must be n
valuable consideration to make an
agreement binding in law.
Some agreements are unlawful; /;
don't engage in such as the law will
not help you to break itself.
Don't make indiscriminate or indei-
mite offers to engage in contracts:
have them certain as to terms and
time.
Don't depend on a past considera-
ton for present agreement; like the
water that has turned the wheel, its
work is done.
Don't put one part of your agree
ment in writing and the other part in
words only; you will find that words
are vain things.
Don't try to discharge your money
obligations by paying less than is due;
you may have to pay the balance If
your creditor wants it.
Don't make alterations in written
contract after it has been executed;
you will find that you have injured
your rights by trying unfairly to i'm
'nrove m.-Opportunity.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

Many train of thought carries no
freight
knows its own par.
Lots OF people pray for the poor
and let 1t go at that
The favorite pastime of lynching
party is looping the loop
Insomnia is seldom caused by the
things man doesn't say.
A battleship in the hand is worth
two ultimatums in the bush.
Weak solutions may be all right in
chemistry. but they don't go in poll
tics.
A girl never looks older than she is.
except when she has her hair done up
in papers.
After girl has refused him twelve
times superstitious youth will quit
PROPOSING.
Statesmen who "also ran" are nat
urally slow to predict bright future
for their country.
Anyway. one-half of the world
knows that the other half is looking
for the best of it.
Some successful men are 95 per
cent backbone and some others are
95 per cent cheek.
There are still many opportunities
for young men; the trusts haven't been
able to grab all of them.
Cupid is sorry leader: after lead.
ing people into trouble he leaves them
to fight it out themselves.
The latest museum freak is a pig
with two legs. Outside a museum II
isn't necessary to have four legs tc
be hog.
When a high-salaried office finds II
necessary to seek the man you may ex.
pect to see thieves trying to break in
tn Ia Nau,e
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Many a man loves his enemy be
cause it comes in a pocket flask.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Don't forget that there is Statute
of Frauds; by it some agreements are
required to be in writing.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Some agreements are unlawful ;
don't engage in such as the law will
not help you to break itself.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Often a mans wealth is not worth
the littleness he used to acquire 1t.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Too many men in this glorious
country vote as they pray and they
never pray unless it is to ask a per-
sonal favor.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

There are still many opportunitie,
for young men; the trusts haven't beer
able to grab all of them.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

you will find your house builded on
the sands.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

A married mans idea of good time
is doing the things his wife objects to.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Some men remind one of old hens;
they no sooner accomplish anything
than they proceed to make an unnec
essary fuss about 1t.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

The average man would rather lose
$5 on a horse race than nickel
through hole in his pocket.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Some successful men are 95 per
cent backbone and some others are
95 per cent cheek
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Don't try to discharge your money
obligations by paying less than is due;
you may have to pay the balance II
your creditor wants it.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Lots of men who are inclined to be
good keep putting it off till tomorrow.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Most men worry because OF their
many trials, but lawyer worries II
he doesn't have any at all.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Don't make indiscriminate or indef
mite offers to engage in contracts
have them certain as to terms ant
time.
The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22

Anyway. one-half of the world
knows that the other half is looking
for the best of it,
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

Clayton White Marie Stuart company
the sisters Gasch, Josephine Gassman.
Whistling Tom Brown. Clarice Vance,
Hacker and Lester, and motion pictures
showing a mail coach robbery.
Eddie Foy's engagement is considered
another lucky stroke by the manage
ment as the versatile and popular Mr..
Foy has made good" in the few weeks
he has been in vaudeville with far
greater emphasis than any other receS
accession, not even excepting Dan DAILY.
While here he will do his ingenious and
impromptu advertisement. called Sister
Ann" IN which he wears the costume
he wore in Blue Beard and with his
famous trick elephant as his accessory
he will sing. joke, satirize. and. finally.
make his descent into the neither re-
gions. One of his songs. THE Poor,
Unhappy Maid" has made a fiattering
hit in other vaudeville houses. The
CLAYTON White Marie Stuart company
stands at the head of its class In the
presentation of farcical comedy. They
will offer I'm Paris" the continuation
Of their original "Dickey;s' in which
they were most admirable at Chase
last season. The sisters Gasch are for
eign female athletes. Josephine Gass-
man will be abetted in her songs cnd
dances by the antics of three or The
funniest pickaninnies imaginaDie.
Vyhistling Tom Brown is remembered as
one OF Charlie Hoyt's mainstays IN the
early days of The Trip to Chinatown.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

management announce that should eth
er OF the prima donnas be unable TO ap-
pear tickets viii be exchanged or money
refunded.
The season tickets for the three per-
formances will cost IS, 50. $40, and s12
and the season ticket sale viii open at
the box Office Thursday. February %.
and continue three days. Single tickets
will be 81, 50, 81, and s.. and the sale
opens Tuesday. March l. but mail orders
for either season or single tickets may
now be sent TO w. H Rapley, and they
Will be filled promptly in the order re-
ceived and seats assigned as near as
possible TO the location desired.
Already many prominent and we'll
known leaders OF Washington society
have spoken for boxes or tickets. and
the season promises TO be one or the
most brilliant that has been given in this
city OF late years.