davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN.
One Day When There Are Neither
Rich Nor Poor.

If you were in Sweden on Christmas
eve you would hear the church bells
begin TO ring at > O'clock, for every
body stops work then and the festivi-
ties begin in great earnest everywhere
in the kingdom. Glass distinctions are
forgotten and servants are allowed to
sit at table with the family. After sup
per comes the universal Christmas
tree, for Sweden is one of the early
homes of this beautiful custom.
On Christmas morning. at q O'Clock,
while it is still dark, you would go to
church, for everybody goes. unless you
stayed at home to mind the lights in
the house. for every home in the king
dom is illuminated. There is almost
sure to be a deep snow, and you would
go to church in a sleigh. Behind every
sleigh you would see two boys stand
ing on the runners and holding pine
torches-a beautiful spectacle as a long
procession of sleighs glides over the
snow on a forest road. These torches
are stuck up in circle around the
church. A whole week is given to
good cheer and hospitality.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
THE MYSTIC MISTLETOE.

Once . Feature of Pagan Rites. IL
Now Belongs to Lovers.
From time immemOrial the white
berried mistletoe has played leading
part in Yuletide festivities, though it
has not always conveyed the Osculato-
~ privileges which give ii its value in
the eyes of the romantic youth Of to-
day. Like so many other features of
the Christmas celebration. mistletoe
mas been borrowed from the pagans of
antiquity and Christianized by the
lapse of centuries. The Persians be-
fore the birth of Christ used the mis-
tletoe in their sacred rites. and in parts
Of India pagan priests still incorporate
it in their ritual. 1t figures largely in
Scandinavian mythology. Baldur, the
son of Odin, though a demigod, was
slain by a spear of mistletoe, proof
of fits magic powers.
1t is from the Druids of old England,
however, that mistletoe has come to
us. The Druidical priests, sprung, it
is said, from the magi of the east, the
wise men who wOrshiped at the cradle
Of the infant Saviour. held the mistle-
toe as 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 grand procession, leading
two white oxen, moved to the mystic
grove. There the oxen We're fastened
to the oak by their horns, and white
robed priest climbed into the leatless
branches and cut the lunches of mis-
tletoe with a golden knife. The oxen
were then sacrificed and religious serv-
ices performed, after which the pro-
cession returned to the temple in the
forest and the mistletoe was deposited
in the Druidical arcanum.
Besides taking its place in the reli-
gious observanceS of the Druids, the
mistletoe, which the priests gave a
name meaning .'all healing" was made
into many curious decoctionS by proc
esSes in which times and seasons and
incantatiOnS were supposed to add to
its mysterious powers. These medi-
cines were regarded as cures for human
ills generally. whether of mind or body.
With the advance of civilization and
the death of superstition miStletOe has
lost its religious character but not its
and the forests of England
and of our own southern states are as
frequented by mistletoe gath
erers as ever were the dark woods Of
the ancient Druids.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Friendship Calendar.

A friendship calendar as Christmas
gift was a source OF much pleasure to
an elderly lady living alone, says Good
Housekeeping. AT her request each
one of ffty-two of her friends, repre-
senting the fifty-twO weeks of the year,
furnished material for every day of the
seven in his week. Each one followed
out his own idea for the weeks calen-
dar, contributing favorite quotations.,
short poems, anecdotes and reminis-
cences, some even adding cherished
recipes. In many instances the contri-
buttons were original. Others were IL
Illustrated with small pictures cut from
current magazines. The result was q
perpetual calendar. each day represent
ing the loving thought Of a friend
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

would DO such n thing from mistaken
generosity. In fact. he was one who
demanded full return for all expendi-
lures. Adelaide certainly did not know
that Garland was the donor of the ring
and II he should tell her so she would
give 1t back. Such being the case
what had the man gained? What could
he hope to gain? Though he had
shown some tendency to fiirt with Ade
laide, he really seemed to be in love
with Stella. and. moreover. she was
quite an heiress, while Adelaide hadn't
penny. This was u distinction less
likely than almost any other TO be over
looked by Frank Garland unless l
greatly misjudged him.
So the days went by, and we learned
nothing. At last. however. 1 had a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
PAGES II TO "a.
When Christmas
Comes on Sunday
By LOUIS E. THAYER

Copyright, 1904. by Louis z. Thayer.1
TO US Little fellers Sundays mighty different
l From all the other days that's in the week,
Cause you've kind o. got to creep around on
dptoe
And you've sort o. got to whisper when you
speak;
If you don't, your pa or ma is sure to seold you
And call you bad and sacrlegious boys.
For Sunday days were made for thought and
worship,
But they wasn't made for romping and fos
\ ND to think that Christmas days to come
on Sunday
Why, somehow, seems it hadn't orter be,
cause where's the good when you can't laugh
and hollers
Say, it's pretty hard on little chaps like me.
And if a teller jes' forgets the quiet
And bubbles out
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST THouoHT?'

used to do me homage; even those or the
little girls who used to say: Look at
her, She is mine. I'm going to be like
her when / am grown" Does this seem
puerile to you? Does it seem childish?
II is tragedy. A woman should die of
her first wrinkle, for with /. goes homage.
and with homage. love-
Youth of itself Is beauty-the delicate
contour OF the cheek. the fresh firmness
of the skin. the unfaded red of the lip,
the bright of the eye. undir,med by tears.
And / am no longer young. All my
good. fresh youth was spent on that mar
rage of mine which was made in heav-
en-. I have only the shadow of what i
was left for you. Besides. am older than
you. Written. those seem ordinary words.
just common. ordinary, everyday words.
but weigh them, weigh themi
There are no weights sufficiently heavy
10 balance their sorrow. Hope might
tighten IL. but there is no hope
What II i should listen to your plead
ing-and IL is like the tap of glad fingers
at the door of my heart-afterward, when
the eyes of your love had been cured OF
their blindness. what would be your first
thought This: she Is older than IT,
/ think you would not put the thought
into words. You are too kind for that.
But / should see IL written in your face
should behold nv every defect mirror
ed In your eyes That poor shadow OF
myself. which is all / have TO offer you,
would haunt me there.
Then despairingly l should attempt TO
revive that evanescent charm you say
possess in the effort to win you back
and fail For doubtless the charm exists
IA your Imagination. now you are blind
Seeing. IL would cease TO exist.
Finally i should stand by the side OF
some fair young girl and. reading the
comparison in those eyes OF yours. suffer
untold tortures-only such fortunes as are
known TO the hearts OF suppianted wonl-
en- Stay where you are That agony
more than / could endure and live
t..lb,e- I suneC In Anticipation: I-suffer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
SHE PALED SOMEWHAT.

promising IDEA II the ring came from
Garland it was probably bought in
Boston. The jeweler could identify the
ring and almost anybody in the trade
would know whence came the box.
This had once borne the name of a
dealer upon the inside, but the mark
had been carefully obliterated.
The upshot of il was that / made a
trip to Boston. taking the mysterious
present with me. / also took one of
Adelaide's kisses-more probably n
hundred, though I saw only one. 1t
was. regret to say, bestowed, like all
the others, upon an inanimate object,
the ring.
The very first man to whom / took
this object. now doubly precious to me,
for reasons which l have just stated,
solved all my doubts in the matter.
"Ye-es," said he slowly as he scruti-
niZed the box, that comes from the
Ajax Diamond company. They make
a very clever imitation-sold honestly
as paste. of course. 1t looks right well
very good fire, as we say-for three
to sig months: then the stone becomes
dull. This one probably cost about
$40"
l stared at him. aghast at this reve-
lation OF iniquity. What fiend in hu-
man form had devised this unique and
dreadful torture for poor Adelaide? /
grew cold at heart as 1 pictured her
in the dread day when the only dia-
mond she had ever owned, the very
diamond of her sirlish dreams, should
fade into a bit of leaden glass.
Who. indeed? Why, how simple.
Who was Adelaide's enemy? Who had
recently been 10 Boston? Who could
afford SO for a spiteful trick? Whose
intuition would teach her how to make
another girl truly miserable? Stella
Tracy, beyond doubt.
Mfr Atwood" said 1 TO the jeweler.
will you give me n genuine diamond
that looks as much like this one as
possible? First water and all that sort
OF thing. you understand. 1 know
nothing about gems. l rely wholly
upon you. L want il for-for very
sweet and lovabie girl who-who"-
Prospective engagement ring said
he. grinning. I'll give you lucky
one"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Christmas Twice a Year.

Madagascar is probably the only
place in the world where Christmas Is
celebrated twice year and where
there are also two New Years days.
Since the influx of missionaries the
queen issued an edict that the Chris
tan year should be followed. But in
commencing the year the date of the
first day was set some time in October
or November. Since the natives have
been converted to the Christian reli-
gion they observe Christmas on the
25th Of their own December. but also
have made holiday out of the day In
their year which corresponds to our
Christmas.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Chri.tm.. Game.

Christmas candles, is a good old
time game. A lighted candle is placed
upon a table. The player is blindfold-
ed and stationed with his back to the
candle, about a foot from IL. He's
then told to take three steps forward,
turn around three times. then TO walk
four steps toward the candle and blow
it out His attempt to do so will prob
ably he as amusing 10 the audience as
disconcerting TO himself.-Country Life
In America
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
NacA nCE.

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.
It's Christmas. Christmas everywhere,
No matter where you look.
Save when you gaze with mild despsir
Into your pocketbook.
Washington Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Che
Of
the Ring
A Christmas Story
By Everett Hoibrook

Copyright. 1904. by American Press As
sociation.l
~ANTA CLAUS hasn't aged a day.
- IL is fifteen years since / saw
him last, and ten more at least
since he first dawned upon my
view in the old church and swept away
from my childish mind every possible
doubt as TO the reality of the chseriest
saint in the calendar. Yet here he is
tonight. the same old Charley Clarke.
in n buffalo overcoat and n white wig
and beard Many OF his jests are the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Christmas In Tibet.

Tibet, the home of the strangest
and least known people on the face OF
the earth. is also the home OF the
strangest OF Christmas customs. The
feast of Queen Winter I'm Tibet cor
responds with our own Christmas fes-
tival. The figure OF this queen, or
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
The Line Drawn.

Ethel-What do you intend to give
me for Christmas?
Bertie-Would kiss answer:
Ethel with sarcasml-No, indeed.
Mamma never allows me to accept val
liable presents from gentlemen
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

acurzIy: me rears raining on me paper
blot the words
But this was the Christmas letter she
sent:
Come! Start at once, the moment you
receiverthis note. I shall count the days.
the hours. the minutes, the seconds, the
heart beats. TIL see your face.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

the same. and
none the worse
for that The
congregation
would protest II
he omitted any
OF his familiar
quips-
he church
has changed
somewhat, and
for the better,
but the backs
OF the pews are
still topped by
cylin Il ri C al
holdings which
torment n e
shoulder blades
OF adult wor-
shippers. y on
may know n
member OF .he
or@ha.lnN ron
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

NOV, if little Teller don 4 remember
~ And laughs out loud and hollers jes' bit,
And if his feet get running as they oughtnt,
Say, who should scold and threaten him for IL?
Jes' make believe that you are young and little
Say, have you got the heart for words of blame9
It's pretty hard when Christmas comes on
Sunday,
For know the day win never seem the game.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10


Say, it's pretty hard awaiting for tomorrow.
What goods trumpet that you dassen't blown
7 WISH they'd print the calendars all over
/ And make our Christmas come some other
day,
Jes' so US little chaps can have some freedom
And romp and shout and whistle at our play.
There's lots of things that amt jes' as they
should be,
And cause they amt 1t seems to me shame.
It's pretty hard when Christmas comes on Sum
day,
For know the day will never seem the same.
TELL you what, the day will jes' blow over,
And we won't hardly srnow that it's been
here.
Christmas eve will be about the only Christmas
That we will have chance to know this year.
Another thing that makes the whole thing harder
Is that we have Sunday every week,
While we have ogo and have our only Christmas
When we almost have to whisper as we
speak.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
Christmas Bills.

The Christmas bills
Give dad the chills:
He'll never climb
The heavenly hills
Nor wear the angels
Wings an frills
Because o them
Same Christmas bills,
Atlanta Cons titution.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10
The Dawn of Christmas.

Christmas day begins in the middle
of the Pacific ocean, and there IL where
Santa Claus starts and ends his great
and only journey OF the year.
American Ensfnes on British Railway
The directors Of the Great Western
railway, England, are about TO intro
duce an American engine for their long
distance expresses.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

a little, who's to
blame?
It's pretty hand
when Christ
mas comes on
Sunday,
For I know the
day will never
seem the same.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-10

IKNOW' jes' how
/ twill be when,
in the morning,
I find my stock
ing filed brim-
full of toys.
I seem to hear my
father say
"Well, John
NY
You may look at
them, but don't
m a Ike any
noise. +"
And ma, perhaps,
will bring me
out a trumpet
And say, ''Well,
Johnny, it is
Sunday now,
-o,, Innt- -
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-29
MARRIED JUST ONE DAY.
Mrs. Cora Walker overstreet Writes to
Locate DESERVING Husband.
e,,, - ,r;,,.. poa,,%1,o,n

Locate DESERVING Husband.
Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 29.-"I had just one
day of married life," writes Mrs. Cora
Walker Overstreet, Of Denver, to Chief
Of Police j. w. Jones. Of Des Moines.
"It was day of joy to me. 1t cost
me $3.50 and now my husband has up
and left me- / want him hunted down
so that he can return and we can con-
tinue to be happy. We did not have
a cross word in all our married life"
Cora Walker Overstreet says that
her father has big farm in Warren
county, Missouri. Several weeks ago
John Overstreet of Colfax, Iowa, went
into Missouri to work. He met Miss
Walker and the two were engaged be-
fore they had been keeping company
for week.
1t was two weeks after the engage
ment that the young couple came to
Des Moines and Overstreet applied for
a position at the Colfax mines. He did
not get the position and the couple de-
cided to start for Denver. They were
married Immediately they arrived in
Denver. Apartments were secured at
the Narragansett Hotel and the rooms
were occupied by the bride and groom
Just one day. Then the groom left the
hotel to go down to the postoffice. He
had been gone twenty-four hours be-
fore the weeping bride could muster
the courage to tell of her desertion.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-29
STRANGE CASE At FORT DODGE
Residents Of Southwest Part OF Town
TRY TO Solve Murder Mystery.


snec,a1 to Times Republican.
Eo,t Dodre. Dec. 29.-Residents OF
tbis citv living in the southwest por-
ton of town are lately puzzhng 'neii
brains over succession of very pc
culiar occurrences which nave TAKEN
place in their negihborhooo. 40
The commencement Of the matter
occurred last Monday evening wneh a
number of laborers on their way nome
noticed what appeared to ne pi'e VI
cast off clothing in the bottom OF
small ravine which they were passing.
Moved by spirit of curiosity, one ol
the number made his way in the direcfI
ton of the spot. A close examination
OF the objects revealed the fact that
a torn coat and vest and a battered
yalise, the contents OF which We're
strewed over the ground lay before
them. This in itself, was not sufficient
to awaken in their minds more than
passing curiosity, but on looking fur
Their 1t was found that the ground IN
the vicinity presented traces OF a
struggle; the earth was torn up IN
many places, and all about were the
imprint Of heavy feet. The clothes
seemed to have been ransacked and In
several places, clots Of blood were
found on the frozen ground. After
some examination in the course of
which footprints were discovered lead
ing in a southerly direction, the men
passed on their way greatly alarmed
over their discovery. On reporting the
occurrence at their homes, the further
information was elected that some
children, who were playing in that vi
'cinity a few days prior to the discov-
cry, were frightened by the sounds of
a struggle a short distance away, and
according to their story in the very
ravine in which the clothing was
found. The children say that the
sounds were those of scursing and
tramping about, followed by cries for
mercy. Frightened by what they had
heard, they ran at once in the opposite
direction, and until the matter was
again brought up by the discovery,
mentioned nothing Of what they had
heard. At present it Is hard to con-
lecture what is the meaning of the
clothing, and the apparent marks of a
struggle. If the story told by the chill
,dren is true, there is every reason to
believe that crime possibly no less
than murder has been committed in
the locality. Many of the residents Of
that part of town are talking Of organ
izing searching party for the purpose
of making a search thru the woods in
the vicinity, and If possible sitting the
matter to the bottom. If this is done,
no doubt something further of interest
in regard to the matter will be brought
forth.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-29
----------------------------
STATE Y. M. C. AS TO MEET.
Biennial Convention Gathers at Mus.
catine February 9-12.

Biennial Convention Gathers at MUS
catine February 9-12.
Muscatine Dec. 29.--The biennial
convention of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association of Iowa will meet here
February 9-12, 1906, and will be one of
the largest attended gatherings held
in years. Excellent entertainments will
be afforded the delegates and some
well known speakers will be on the
program, among whom are Edward A.
Steiner, of Grinnell; Frank Newhal'
White, OF Chicago; S. ID. Gordon, OF
Cleveland; G. G. Kitchener. of New
York; T.. r. Coulton, Of New York; j.
r. Boardman, of New York. Reduced
rates will be granted on all roads rum
ming into Muscatine. which will be the
means of bringing Y. M. c. A. work.
ers from all parts of the state.
An effort will be made by the Sioux
City delegation to secure for that city
the convention In 1907. The associa :
ton of that city will be represented
by j. j. Heilman. general secretary
and II. A. Mccormack, president of the
board of trustees. 1t is over twenty
wears ago since similar convention
was held at that place. At that time
the state organization was much less
pretentious and only small NUMBER
attended. If the representatives from
Woodbury. county are successful a.
the February meeting. Sioux City VIII
make arrangements to entertain over
$50 guests.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-29
News Of Sexton.
Special to Times-Republican.


Sexton, Dec. 29.-This. county has
been experiencing the worst blizzard 1t
has had for several years. The wind
blew at high velocity, and the snow
was so thick that one could see but
few rods.
]. M Hager, who is in the employ OF
]. I. Case & Company, at Oshkosh,
Wis, is spending the holidays with
his mother at this place.
There was considerable corn shelled
and marketed here the past week. The
grade is not as good as was expected,
quite a good deal going no grade. and
very little as good as No. 3.
John d. Lehman of Granville, N. D.,
is spending the holidays with his par
ents here.
Aug. Neurell and wife of Renwick,
eat Christmas turkey with his broth
er-in-law, Mr.. A. A. Little, of this
place. Mrs. Neurell will visit a week
with her parents. Mr.. and Mrs. O..
Peterson, before returning to Rem
wick.
1t is rumored that our hotel will
change hands again in the next few
day.. N
Mr.. F. O. Jenkins, who moved here
from Webster, this state, says he is
now nicely settled on his farm west of
town.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-29
The Fenton News.
,ecial to Times-Republican.

special TO 1lln6S-ft6QuOllCan.
Fenton, Dec. 29.-An old time biz
zard ragged here Tuesday, and the wind
has been blowing perfect gale from
the northwest, bringing business to a
standstill. The railway only ran their
passenger trains thru.
William Jacobson and family spent
Christmas at home with their parents
at Seneca.
Mrs. F. w. Logan is spending her va
cation at home with her parents at
Algona.
Mrs. H. E. Lindsay's mother, from
South Dakota, is visiting at the Lind
say home.
j. P. Howe is in northern Minnesota
looking after business and Mrs. Howe
is visiting with her parents at Burt.
M. M. Stahl after an absence of a
year, is again resident of our viii
lage.
F.. A. Reuter- left Wednesday even
ing for a two weeks visit with his par
ents at Boone.
Ole Seim, our section foreman, is
taking months lay-off and Is visiting
relatives and friends at Dunbar.
Mr. and Mrs. II. E. Reimers will
leave the first of next week for a
three weeks visit with relatives at
Lake Charles.
Messrs. and Mesdames NJ. and Phillio
Weisbrod are making their friends and
relatives at Peoria, Ill, an extended
visit
Mrs. Eastburn and son are spending
the holidays with relatives at Fremont