davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
WHERE CHRISTMAS
LASTS THIRTEEN DAYS,

In Sweden and in some parts OF
Germany Christmas lasts thirteen
days. 1t begins with the night before
Christmas and ends on the night Of
Jan. 6. That last night is given over
TO celebrating the coming Of the three
Kings from the east. In certain parts
of Germany a strange procession
moves through the streets Of villages
and small towns. First comes a boy,
hopping on one leg, who bears a long
pole with a golden star on It's top.
Behind him march all the children OF
the place, costumed TO initiate Oriental
characters as nearly as they can. Last
comes three tall men. dressed In golden
garments made by throwing gilt over
cloaks OF woolly stun. They wear pa
per crowns and represent the three
wise Kings. They stop before the
houses OF the rich and sing their songs
OF Christmas greeting. These three
men. all clad IN gold, are the poorest
OF the village and they represent the
other poor ones. II. Is the custom for
the wealthy people 10 make them good
gifts on this night 20 be distributed
among an who need a.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
.It is chrlstmas fairy.n crted the xoungest child

father, decidedly. 1T would make you
very ill.," And that settled it.
At least it settled it for Pericles'
father and mother but it didn't settle
it for Pericles and Growls.
Pericles' grandfather and grand
mother and six aunts and six uncles
and eight cousins and two half cousins
had all been invited to take Christmas
dinner with Mr.. and Mrs. Perkins and
Pericles, so when dinner was an
nounced that day. a gay crowd troop
ed joyfully into the dining room,
where a great turkey gave out appe-
thing doors.
But though they searched the house
and called and called. there was no
sign of Pericles Perkins and his little
dog Growls.
Never mind" said Mr. Perkins at
last, 1--WE will eat without him." so
every one sat down. But Pericles'
pretty mother had a little worried
frown on her forehead though she
tried to laugh and talk as if nothing
had happened.
Otherwise everything went merrily
until the table was cleared for des-
sert; then Susan. the maid. came in
hastily and looked at Mrs. Perkins.
What is it, Susan?" asked the lady
of the house.
THE plum pudding's been stole.
ma'am, right out of the kitchen,
ma'am, and the cooks got Mysteries,
ma'am''
Mrs Perkins looked at Mr. Per-
kins, and Mr.. Perkins looked at Mrs.
Perkins, and their lips formed one
word:
"Pericles!
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

have sunk through the floor.
When they had finished, the tiniest
child took the bit of holly from the
platter and stuck it into a little vase.
See our Christmas green" she said
proudly.
Pericles went towards the door. 81
must co. he said humbly
Come again, come again, Christ
mas fairy" cried the children, who
had discovered that he was really Just
little boy, but who liked to keep
up the joke. THANK you, thank you;
good-by."
"Good-by," said Pericles, and ran
off home as fast as he could.
His father and mother met him at
the door. Their guests had gone, and
they were very anxious.
"Pericles, did you carry off that pud-
ding?" asked Mr.. Perkins severely.
Yes" said Pericles, II did,"
Did you eat it all?' questioned his
mother anxiously.
NO" said Pericles, "I didn't"
And he told them of his strange adj
venture.
But the pudding wasn't yours to
give away" said Mrs. Perkins gently,
when he had finished.
II know" said Pericles repentantly,
But I'll pay for it out of my allow
ance. I really will, mother"
Then he giggled.
You had an awful time at dinner"
he said, didn't your"
"Oh, Pericles," was his mothers re-
proach, "how could you do it?"
But Mr.. Perkins voice was stern.
go to bed. Pericles," he said.
And Pericles went.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

glow fade from the creek.
Suppose" said Walter, 'old Wan
setah should suddenly let go a war
whoop!"
Il wish he would" replied John.
"Then we could find out just what
scares these country fellows"
well" said Willie. I'd leave you
two to explore for the truth while
took a sneak with the evergreens.
Whatever happens. I'm going TO look
out for the evergreens."
The boys gradually grew silent un-
der the influence Of the weird beauty
and solitude about them.
Suddenly the lullaby that the south
wind was singing through the trees
was checked by a loud, blood-chilling
cry.
'Wa-hu- wa hu- wa -a-wa-a," II rang
through the woods until the earth
seemed 10 vibrate.
The echo had not died away. and the
boys were still staring anxiously at
each other when the voice, much near
er, arose again: but before Il had end
ed the knoll was vacant. and the sound
81 their footsteps among the dead
leaves was dying IN the distance.
When The town lights benmcd upon
them reaaaurinRly. The boys alackcncd
their speed and Walter broke the
strained silence.
Wasn't IL "a bl001.thiraty yeilq" he
aakod in en- awed half whisper.
"a think % sounded more like 3 cry
~ distress" replied John.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

spen' the night in that hanted place. I
were bleeged go arter him this morn
ing, an finds him layin' down almos'
agin this pile o. green's"
And you were not afraid TO take
it?'
well, sir. it pears to me like they
was piled up there fur somebody, an
/ thinks to myself amt nobody got
a better right 10 'em then the finder,
so | jes' rowed round In my boat an
took 'em in in jlffy, an here they Is.
sir"
Now, Mr.. Hanson" he continued,
kin you count fur them greens bein'
piled up that way II the place amt
hanted?"
II think I can" Mr. Hanson replied.
with a twinkle IN his eye. but Mr.. Hall
shifted incredulously.
"Des a donkey made any sort OF
noise. Mr.. HAIR asked John. eagerly.
you mean do he boiler? Well.
young man. all / got 10 say rs n that
Injun yeard Jack bfayin IN them
woods las night, he aln't had no call
TO make no noise hlsself fur ain't no
Inlun dald or Twin kin make sich "A
racket with his mouth as that donkey
kin"
Say. John. ia you ever hear "A
donkey hollerg' Willie asked. when
ihe boys were alone.
n think J have. ourf." was the re-
ply. and fho smile that De- could not
resist communicated Itself 10 fhe
others
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
PERICLES' PLUM PUDDING
1t Was Stolen, but 1t Made Christmas Fairy
Out Of Him.
BY ANITA MUSGROVE-
Illustrated by Randolph Mason.

Pericles was really a very greedy
little boy, although he looked like an
angel. He always wore little black
velvet suits with broad lace collars
and patent leather shoes with big
bows, and silk stockings, and his fair
hair was banged across his forehead
and he had pink cheeks and big blue
eyes like china doll.
He lived in a big house, and he had
a pony and a bicycle and real steam
engine and gun and a punching bag
and dog, and he didn't care for anv-
thing but the dog, and the dogs name
was Growls.
Il can't ever do as I like" he said
at the breakfast table on Christmas
morning, never" and he wrinkled nm
his forehead so that he looked as
cross, oh, as cross as two sticks.
why, Pericles,' said his pretty
mother, how can you say such a
thing? You have everything that a
boy could want"
Growls, who was under the table
came out and wagged his tail to cheer
his little master up, for Growls was
only dog and he didn't know that
Pericles needed a spanking.
Pericles' father looked at the LITTLE
boy over the top of his paper. Whats
the matter now, old MANI" he asked.
Il want to have a pudding for din
ner," said Pericles, "a plum pudding.
whole one, all by myself"
why, Pericles,' said his mother.
you couldn't eat a whole plum pud-
ding
Yes, could" said Pericles "and 1
want it,
We'll, you can't have it," said his
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

mighty glad If you were, but" Then
before he could finish his sentence a
sharp voice called:
Miss Jeanette, Miss Jeannette!"
ITS nurse" said the child, with a
sigh. "rll have to go now, please.
But though he put her on her feet,
the Captain still held the child's
hand.
"She ought not to be out so late
alone" he said to the nurse as she
came running up.
The nurse looked at him pertly Il
guess it's Tad enough to be tied to her
all day tomorrow, when l want to go
TO the Christmas dance, without be-
ing scolded for leaving her for a min
ute tonight"
The Captain caught at her words.
do you really want TO be free to-
morrow" he asked.
Yes, but / can't; worse luck" said
the girl.
Bring her to me-" said the Captain.
I'm lonely, and I'd be happy to have
her to dinner. You ask the hotel peo-
pie about me. Every one knows Capt.
steerwell, late sea captain, now
retired"
Would you like to go?" said the
nurse TO Jeanette.
"Oh, / should love it," said Jeanette,
and the Captain, STOPPING over her,
felt his cheek brushed by kiss, light
as a fairy's touch.
"All right, then; it's settled that you
are to bring her to me Tomorrow. and
I'll return her tomorrow night"
And that was how 1t happened that
jeanette HAD Christmas dinner with
the Captain.
But not with the Captain alone, for
there were the Captains dogs, and the
Captains cat, and the Captains par
rot, and the Captains little house was
like the inside Of a boat. and there
were queer shells. and ivory puzzles,
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

DO you fellows believe 1t VAS"
There was no reply to the unfinished
question.
Il think you boys are very mean
Lille began, as the boys appeared
empty-handed.
Don't scold them, dear" said the
father Il reckon Wansetah's ghost
is to blame"
The next morning Mr.. Hanson came
in and asked Lille how she would like
whole load of evergreens.
"Pd like to know where 1t is to
come from on Christmas morning"
Lille replied.
variety of choicest evergreens stopped
at the door.
You ought to have had that in
town yesterday, Mr.. Hail." said Mr..
Hanson to the driver.
Il jes' got it this mornin', sir"
Il didn't know you could find so
much on Christmas morning II you
raked the country with a comb"
AN neither you could, leavin' out
Wansetah's Woods"
"Wansetah's Woods! Why, l thought
you fellows wouldn't trespass there for
a fortune in evergreens.
Il reckon nobody does no moren
they kin help. / know 1 don't, Mr..
Hanson. But you see that donkey
there" nodding towards the meek
looking animal attached to the cart,
"'pears like he's always stud'in' how
he kin agervate me the most Yes
tiddy, cause it were Christmas Eve,
what mus he do but prance off an
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
LITTLE JESTS FOR
CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

Show your guests a common stick
as big as a walking cane and tell them
you can make it hard for even the
strongest to carry it to the next
corner. Some one will be sure TO
laugh at you. Challenge him, and
when he accepts, take out your pen
knife and cut off a very tiny silver
and give ii to him to carry TO the
corner. Everybody will see at once
that 1t would tire the strongest man
to make enough trips to carry the
whole stick at that rate, and the laugh
will be at him.
Then you can tell folk that you
will show them something that no
man in the world has ever seen, ana
that no one in the world will ever
see again. AS soon as the company
is sufficiently interested, pick up
walnut or almond, crack it, show the
guests the kernel and say: mo living
being ever saw this kernel before.
Then pop 1t into your mouth, eat Il
and say: "And no living being Will
ever seen II again"
Lay three pennies in row on the
table and challenge the guests 10
change the position Of the center
penny without touching 1t, so that
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

And Pericles it was. He had watch
ed cook, and when her back was turn
ed he had picked it up, dish and ALL
and had fled out into the snowy night
he ran. with Growls at his heels,
and the pudding sending out spicy
fragrance. Once he bumped into a
man, and the man made a grab at the
pudding, but Growls ran between his
feet and tipped him over Pericles
swerved to one side, and stumbled
against the door of a little house, and
suddenly the door few open and in
went Pericles.
In the poorly lighted room which he
entered, shivering family sat around
table on which were only potatoes
and dry bread.
Look! Look" cried the children,
as Pericles recovered his balance and
stood upright with the great pudding
held high over his head. Look look
at the plum pudding!"
1t is Christmas fairy" cried the
smallest child, gazing at Pericles' pink
cheeks and golden curls and fine
CLONES. He has brought us our
Christmas"
But Perieles held on to the pudding
lightly TITS mine" he started to say.
Ihen something in the eager faces
stopped him. There wasn't a bit of
holly or green in the room, not a new
toy, not even a dinner, and he. Per-
Icles Perkins, had everything that a
boy could wish
For the first time in his life he was
ashamed
He put the pudding on the table.
Eat it, he said. and they did eat.
until not a vestige of the great pud-
dlng remained, and as Pericles watch
ed them he felt smaller and smaller,
and meaner and meaner, until he could
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
THE BLIND PROPHETS GAME.

The players stand in a row, one
behind the other. The second one in
the row lightly places her hands over
the leaders eyes and says:
Prophet, how much or a prophet art
thou?"
AT the same moment another player
sneaks out of his or her place in the
row and touches the prophets hair or
cheek. The prophet then inquiries:
Who disturbeth me?"
In reply, the disturber must make
some sound. She NAV cough or grunt
or moan or make any other kind of
sound she pleases.
The prophet must try to identify the
sound and say who it is. If successful,
the prophet IS released and the cap
tured one must take the place.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

you should have known better
than to leave your nurse, and your
nurse should have known better than
70 let you 60" said her uncle.
The tears welled up in Jeanette's
eyes, and then the captain spoke:
1T seems TO me- he said, that you
might have planned some Christmas
pleasure for a motherless child instead
of leaving her alone In dreary hotel
with a nurse"
"she had her presents" began Aunt
Maria.
'she needed something else" said
the captain, vallantly.
What? cried Aunt Maria and
Uncle John.
Love-" said the captain. stoutly.
Love is more than toys and trink-
cts"
Aunt Mary's face softened. II
didn't think" she said, and all at once
she opened her arms to her little niece.
''Dearie," she said, lit is love you
want?"
Jeanette nestled close and whisper
ed: i want IT more than anything
else in the world"
The captain watched them with Joy
in every line Of his jolly face. Then
he cried, cheerfully:
why can't you all stay and eat
dinner with me? There's enough for
a Dozen"
do, Aunt Maria" pleaded Jeanette
1--WE might, Maria" said Uncle John
doubtfully.
I'VE will" said Aunt Maria, taking
off her hat.
That's right" and the captain
plunged his carving knife into the big
turkey. And now a Merry Christmas
to all Of you"
And the merriest OF all to you,
dear captain" said little Jeanette joy
fully.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
THE CAPTAINS CHRISTMAS
And the Little GrandchId That Came, All Ready
Made, to Help Him Enjoy 1t.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Illustrated by Daisy Noble Ives.

/ and a great many wonderful things,
and Jeanette sat among them in her
dainty white gown and pink rib
bons while the Captain cooked
the dinner.
Yes. the captain cooked it with his
own very own hands. He basted the
turkey In the oven, and he stirred the
gravy and mashed the potatoes. and
watched the plum pudding boiling like
mad in the little kettle. And at last
Jeanette left her treasures and came
and stood beside him. her golden curls
falling over her grave little face and
her blue eyes alight with interest.
II never saw any one cook BEFORE"
she said. never. and it's lovely.
wish l could"
We'll" said the captain, IF you stay
here I'll teach you. You can come
down every day and I'll show you how
to make chowder and plum duff and
lots of good things" and his red face
beamed.
jeanette smiled happily. Its going
to be a good dinner" she said, as the
captain opened the oven door and the
! fragrant suggestions of sage and other
seasonings hoated out.
1T will be ready in a minute" said
the captain, as he pulled out a little
round table ana set places for two;
and then he set the great brown tur-
key at one end and the cranberry
sauce at the other. and In between he
put the vegetables. and in the middle
he stuck a great bunch OF holly.
| jeanette clapped her hands with de-
| light.
Its beautiful. captain" she began.
II never had such a good time'-then
before she could finish there came
quick rap at the door. and when the
captain opened 1t there stood Jeanette's
aunt and uncle!
Put on your things at once Jean
ette,'' said the chld's aunt sternly.
land come home with us
| Jeanette's face grew white. Il am
having such a good time" she falter-
ed. Must / so, Aunt Maria?"
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

1t was only at Christmas time that
the Captain felt his loneliness. His
wife had died ten years before; he
had no children. and since he had re-
tired from active life he lived in a
lonely little cottage by the sea.
what l need" said the captain one
Christmas Eve as he smoked his pipe
grandchlld."
He spoke aloud, and suddenly up
from the darkness a little white face
seemed to spring.
Il wish l was a grandchlld." said a
sweet little voice that belonged to the
little white face.
The Captain stopped perfectly still.
where did you come from?' he de-
manded.
From the hotel" said the child.
They'll miss YOU" said the Cap
tain. Don't you know you ought to
be in bed? Your mother will be
frightened to death"
Il haven't any mother" said the
voice, and the Captain felt the touch
of a tiny. warm hand, as the child
slipped 1t conlidingly into his big
gloved one.
ooh" said the Captain, and for a
few steps they walked in silence, the
child still clinging to him.
who is looking after your he
asked
my nurse" said the child. Uncle
John and Aunt Maria had to go to the
city"
And you are going to be alone on
Christmas Day2" said the Captain
softly We'll. well, so am /"
Couldn't l be your grandchfldY"
asked the little voice after another
silence.
The Captain stopped and lifted the
child--a little girl, wrapped in velvet,
with dark furs framing the white face
and a muff half as big as she was
"Well, we'll, WE'LL" he said. I'D be
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

These charades may he acted" with
the ordinary utensils to be found In
kitchen or dining room, using the din
ner table for the stage. Put an orange
seed at the left side Of a chair and they
will represent Sedan Chair (seed and
chair). Put the charred head of
match to the left OF a raisin stone
and you have Coal Pit. Lay four
toothpicks, and oyster, a napkin ring
end several knives IN a row. They
Will represent Four Registering Blades
(four oyster ring blades). The cay
enne pepper caster alongside OF a
watch stands for A Hot Time. A
watch and a tray stand for Watch and
Wait. A bit Of cheese laid on a chair
seat signifies The Seat Of the Mighty
(mitey). Open the door and lay a
china plate on the threshold. II means
The Open Door for China. Hundreds
OF funny combinations can be made.
and everybody can take a hand at pre-
senting a problem.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

Bound Home for the Holidays" is
game that can be played at mo-
ments notice; and beauty of it is
that young and old, girl and boy, mar
ried and single, can all take part in it.
There is absolutely no limit to the
number of players. 1t can be played
equally well with a small family gath
ering and with great crowd.
The only apparatus required for this
new game is brains, and we hope that
all our readers are we'll supplied with
this useful article.
One of the party is chosen to be
Train Master. He must prepare the
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
solution of Last sundays Missing

The animals in the border Of the
Jingle picture printed last Sunday
we're: Bear. reindeer (two), crane,
toad, hare and bee When these names
are put in TO fill the proper blanks the
complete Jingle will be:
When Santa with his REINDEER
Comes driving through the town,
He cannot BEAR TO pass a house
Without once climbing down
The chimney, for II there (T-HARE)
should be (BEE)
A boy or girl inside,
He'll CRANE his neck 10 see them.
So with his REINDEER tied,
lie quietly slips down, and II
A stocking he should see.
II it's well toed (TOAD) and heeled
he'll III
n way up 10 the knee.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
A CAME OF ANCIENT DAYS.

Probably none of the boys who play
the favorite and common game of
"cat" know in what a highly historical
and venerable game they are en-
gaged. This game was played in India
by boys who lived five or six thou
sand years ago. It was carried west
ward by the Asiatic hordes who flood
ed Europe in the middle ages, and 1t
is played in almost it's original form
by Magyar and Hungarian boys to-
day. in the very lands where the Mon
golian invasion finally was checked,
leaving its imprint on the people.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

When Christmas day gets dark, you
know,
And it grows kind of cold,
Us kids get down by mothers knee
And hear the tales of old.
And though we know them all by
heart.
They never seem quite right,
Until they're told as mother tells
Them to us Christmas night.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
THE LAD WHO WASN'T so SMART
A WIT PoLIsHER-
Numerical Puzzle.

My whole is composed OF Is letters
nd is the name of popular novel.
Ny IA, rs, IS, 2. 7, 20 is expense.
My is, IS, 3. is kind of fish.
My II, Q, 10 is a part OF the foot.
My %. 20, /, p. II is to allure.
MY q, is. "a, 20 is a gait.
My II, 10, 6, 10, %. 2 is a mendicant
My 10, %. 5. 20, 10 is fidelity.
My a. IS, is a droll fellow.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
solution Of Last Sundays JacIe-a-
Dandy Purchase Puzzle.

with his 20 cents Jack bought /
piece Of plum cake. lemon sticks
and II pieces Of sugar candy. one
piece Of Dlum cake cost cents.
Three pieces OF lemon stick AZ 2 cents
each cost 6 cents. Eleven pieces OF
sugar candy NJ / cent each cost II
cents, making a total sum Of % cents
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

of in the middle. After they give
it up, pick up the penny at the left
end of the row and transfer. it to
the right end. Then the penny that
was in the middle will be at the
left end and yet you will not have
touched It.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

A child that ] knew made me gricye.
On santa she ala not believe.
Well. what Do you spOse7
santa filled every hose
Except hers that same Christmas
LVCi
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
solution of Las1 sundays Weird
purrie.

The word which was hidden IN ths
many short words 10 last sunday'f
puzzle was fulc-tidC.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25
THE THOUGHTFUL oIRAFFE.

The absurd and long-legged giraffe
said: Here IN a thought makes me
laugh.
II we Firaffes should
Wear stockings, how could
Old Santa Claus even m halff'
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

AT me Literary Tea Miss Happho
And you haven't said a word about
my poem a. The Upper Ten'7' 81.
fhOlly 'AW. beg your pavilion
RHeaf you know Wfally. Mlan
soppha. J didn't think you could Wlte
% such a-swrdepih " pWQlpndiiy,"-
LIE.