davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
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phecy (chap. vii, 1910 of the coming
Of the Son of Man, and to close the
play another angel appears, singing,
Behold, l bring you good tidings Of
great joy" ETC., which being finish
ed" continues what might be called
the stage directions, IF it was done
at maths, Darius begin TIE Deum
Laudamus,' but if at vespers, Mag
nificat Anima Mea Dominum.
"The Slaughter Of the lnnocents."
Another early Christmas play has
been found in an old Orleans manu-
script. It has for it's subject The
Slaughter of the Innocents," and was
no doubt frequently played during
the Middle Ages in one or another
French cathedral. In France and on
the continent generally the plays
produced were usually the effort of
a local learned doctor, although at
times copies of popular dramas were
made for use by neighboring towns
In the play just noted QnterfectiO
Puerorum) the part of the innocents
other characters, including the wom-
en-, were represented by monks. In
one part of the church was erected &
manger; in another a throne for Her
cd. A distant corner was supposed to
represent Egypt, and for fear these
distinctions might not be apparent to
the beholders, signs were hung over
these crude pieces of scenery bearing
the names of the places represented
Like most of the mystery plays, the
story is briefly told and numerous
anthems are interpolated for the
benefit of the choristers.
Wakefield Shepherds' Play.
Toward the end of the play the boys
(the innocents having arisen from the
dead) go into the choir; Herod's
throne is then taken by an actor, who
represents Archelaus; an angel lids
the Holy Family to return from
Egypt, and then the precentor begins
the "Te Deum," and so the perform
ance ends.
Some of the finest comic touches to
be found IN these old religious plays
are to be found in the Wakefield Shep-
herds play, written about the year
400. The first scene opens with
three shepherds watching their focks,
all of them complaining of the cold
night. A character called Max takes
part in their rude sport, and upon
opportunity steals sheep. Mak's
theft is subsequently discovered, and
he is soundly thrashed, a piece of
business" which was certain to
arouse laughter in a medieval audi
ence, for it seldom fails to amuse a
modern one. There are certain parts
of this comic scene that would be
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
- - $50
Tie Waits put 0Et6MerdNebdT y

Of HilaTius. a monk of the twelfth
century, who is said to have been an
Englishman, and who is known to
have been a pupil Of the great Abel
ard. OF the three mystery plays
which he is thought to have written
in collaboration with Jordanus and
Simon, probably brother monks, two
were evidently played during the
Christmas season, namely, The I'm
age Of St Nicholas" most likely pro-
dUced on that saints day, Dec. 6, and
"The History of Daniel" which seems
! to have been intended for Christmas
presentation.
The Image of 81. Nicholas" shows
! more real dramatic ability in its con-
struction than these early productions
usually do, for, while its plot is not
complicated, there is undoubtedly a
plot. In brief, the story is as fol-
lows: An actor, representing an i'm
age Of St. Nicholas stands in shrine
ard discovers half a dozen robbers,
who have stolen a treasure box which
had been hidden in the shrine for safe
keeping by a barbarian. The latter
returns, and, finding his treasure
gone, bewais his loss, and, whipping
the image, demands the return of the
goods. The image then goes to the
robbers, and telling them that they
will not thrive with the stolen goods,
they give up the treasure to its owner.
The latter, out of gratitude, kneels
to the image and adOres it, but the
saint then appears to him and bids
him to worship God alone and praise
only the name of Christ The bar
barian is then converted and closes
the piece with alteration.
1.-THE History of Daniel"
The History of Daniel" is a piece
in two acts, and was, no doubt, pro-
duced with considerable spectacular
effect for the time. In the first act
We are shown Belshazzar's Feast,
and in the second, which deals with
Darius, King of the Modes and Per
slams, we are shown Daniel denounc-
ed and sent to the den Of lions. At
Daniels prayer there shall appear an
angel of the Lord in the den, having a
sword, who shuts the mouth of
the lions" Darius, finding Daniel
saved, puts the latter's envious ac-
cusers in his place and leads Daniel
to his throne, ordering the people to
adore the true God. Daniel then de-
livers a version in rhyme of the phro-
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
Suggested by the Season

or all beautiful legends, of all beau
tiful verse, of all stories told in all
the life of the whole world, there is
no tale so wondrously beautiful as the
story OF the Christ-child. Every man
and every women must recall those
long-ago, faraway days when first the
story was told to them, the story of
the little babe in the Manager, of the
star of Bethlehem, with its rain OF
fire, the shepherds, the wise men and
the doings of the angels. And with
this memory come back other mem
cries, mental visions Of those whom
we loved and who have passed away;
OF all the sweet joys of childhood,
when the world was a playground in
stead of workshop; of fond dreams
and childish disappointments. Christ
mas day is time when we must
pause on the journey and rest by the
wayside, sparing the golden hours for
reverie and tasting the sweets of gen.
crosby and tender charity.
By all manner of judgment and be-
liefs we must Concede that, so far as
doing good is concerned, all days
should be Christmas. To bestow
neckties on Dec. rs, and cross words
all the other 264 days of the year is
to be like the common sinner who
cheats his neighbor during the week
and prays most energetically on the
Sabbath.
1t isn't the gift, it's the love and
thoughtfulness that prompt it. The
woman who gives because she feels
1t duty is practicing deceit, and be-
lifting herself. If one wishes not to
bestow holiday remembrance let one
at least have the courage of ones
feelings and sentiments and be true
and honest about it. No human soul
wants a present that is given grudg-
ingly. -
According to our way of thinking it
Is a beautiful thing that once a year,
one may have the privilege of doing
something nice for those to whom
one is devoted. .
The pleasure is so great that, on
Dec. &c one should decide to put a
little of the Christmas spirit into
daily existence.
Perhaps you don't know it, but it is
true nevertheless that the more you
give the more you will have. There
is certainly some great, wonderful
power that takes away from those
who are grasping and selfish, and
who helps along all those whose
hearts swing true.
There is such keen pleasure in do
ing for others that it inspires one to
work, to greater endeavor and to bet
ter purposes and higher ambitions.
What is there in other earthly things
half so satisfying?
The woman who buys pretty clothes
has the satisfaction of looking at her
reflection in mirror, but this salts
faction is as shadowy, as fitting, as
unreal as the vision she beholds. The
woman who fills her house with beau
tiful furnishings rejoices for certain
time and then the beautiful things
lose in interest The woman whose
bank account grows with the years
knows that she is safe from poverty,
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

No festival of the whole year is so
generally honored as Christmas, and
by reason OF its general observance
there has crept into it so many Gus
toms and practices that it is almost
past any ones, ability to catalogue
them. There is no other festival, per
haES, so old, and yet so ever new, as
this one is; no other day in the long
year so wistfully looked forward to
with anticipations of happiness; but
1t has changed like everything else,
and is livery different day from that
it once was.
Christmas customs, or rather some
OF those adapted to this time of year,
are far more ancient than the festival
itself. 1t is common knowledge that
the mistletOe, for instance, is a
Christmas fixture, derived from the
Druids, who are also responsible for
the Yule clog or log. The custom of
singing carols formed an important
part of the days celebration under
the Saxon kings, and the mince pies
are believed to have been a remnant
OF cakes consumed at the Roman win
ter sports, always held at this time of
the year. In order to do no violence
to the customs Of the people, the
primitive Church selected the time
Of the Roman Saturnalia for its
Christmas celebration. Almost any
time of the year might have been sell
ected, for there is no authority for
Dec. % as the date of Christs birth.
; In the Middle Ages.
While the yule log was burned
upon the hearth upon Christmas eve,
and maids were kissed under mistle-
toe in the dark ages, Christmas was
still religious festival. In order to
make it attractive to the people, and
also! to instruct them in the Bible
stories, plays were produced with
great splendOr in many a great cathe-
dral.
AS the liturgy Of the church was in
Latin, SO, too, were the Christmas
plays, but they were easily under
stood by the people, for even if the
words escaped them the costume and
the action conveyed a deep meaning.
AS a rule, there was little literary
merit in the plays, having been writ
ten with the sole idea of conveying in
struction in pleasing manner, and
often containing farcical scenes,
which one may well believe were
well received by the crowds that fill
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

valleys are dull with gloom and the
weeping rain; but high over all there
shines light that never goes out
and down through the shadow there
floats the rainbow that never with
draws.
The toiler turns from his lonely
furrow, and In that Christmas Light
finds the strength to endure and the
hope to overcome. Not yet has the
MONDAY come for him. The curse
of Cain is still unified, and in the
sweat of his brow he eats his bread.
Selfishness and greed and wasting
strife still add to the primal burden
and make the heart less brave. Glass
wars with class and man with man
in the inevitable quest for enough or
in the unsatisfying lust for excess.
The hands are hard with the tools of
toll and the hearts are hollow with
the pretense of trade, and, when, all
is over, to what purpose has it been?
But, without flaring, without fading,
the love-light of the Bethlehem Star
leads to the life Of Peace and Good
will.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
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considered too broad nowadays, but it
must be understood that at this time
the plays had passed out of the
church, and were now acted on the
movable platforms in the public
streets. This frolic is followed by the
serious scene. An angel appears,
singing the Gloria" after which he
announces that Christ is born at Beth,
Iehem.
So the shepherds go to Bethlehem
and make such presents to the Holy
Child as lie within their powers. One
presents a bob of cherries" another
bird and the other a tennis ball.
"Acts of the Apostles"
During the reign of Francis |. in
France, the presentation Of a grand
mystery of the "Acts of the Aros,
Ties" given during the Christmas sea.
son, was made the occasion of a spec.
tacular proclamation in Paris. In an
account of this procession around the
different quarters Of the French CAPT.
tai, which is found in a rare little
tract published in Paris in 1541, we
learn that the procession started out
at s o'clock on the morning of Dec,
16, attended by Officers of justice
plebeians and others having the regu,
lation OF these, rhetoricians and gen
tlemen of the long robe, as well as
of the short" They were preceded
by trumpeters and the mayors archers
and at every crossway or public
place repeated the proclamation in
the Kings name. The day fixed for
the performance was the feast of ST.
Stephen, Dec. 26.
Under the Stuarts.
Christmas Mosques, mere excuses
for gentlemen and ladies of the court
to attire themselves in fantastic, gor-
geous or bizarre costumes, were long
popular in Italy and in France, and
Henry Will, having paid visit to the
neighboring realm, imported them
into England.
During the reign Of Elizabeth
Mosques, the work Of poets, and in
the form we now know them, came
into prominence, and the greatest
writer of these pleasant but trivial en-
entertainments was Ben Jonson, who
wrote about three dozen during the
reigns of James I. and Charles l.
These were sumptuous spectacular
entertainments, in which the cele'
brated architect, lingo Jones, was
employed to devise 1.-The machinery
or scenery, which was certainly more
elaborate in those DAYS than had yet
been attempted upon the professional
stage. While the first Christmas kept
by Henry VIII. cost 6 5S4 19s. I'd. for
"disguisings," the Mosques of James
7. for the year 1909, nearly a century
later, cost G4.215.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

swept hills lifted glad and surprised
eyes to the light that neyer was, and
their hearts took up the rare new
music of tbs angel-song of Peace and
Goodwill
Christmas is still the light and song
of the world. Across the skies of hui
man thought and endeavor the clouds
Of doubt and fear go drifting past;
he hilltcps are storm-tossed and the
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

/ but you can't get any more neart
warmth out Of bank book than if it
were an icicle.
Let me tell you something. 1t is
in her heart that you will find genu-
inc contentment. No matter what
horrible anxieties she has suffered,
what dreadful troubles she has drag
ged YEARLY through, what pain and
cares have been hers, she is the one
who knows the calm, sweet comfort
that comes when she looks out into
gray sky and realizes that she has
done good to some one, that she has
brought a smile to quivering lips,
light to discouraged eyes, life to
heart without hope.
She doesn't have to wait until
Christmas. Every day is that--and
more-to her.
There is woman l know, and she
had nothing at all-father, mother,
brother or sister or even a home. But
she had something else that lots of
people have not, and that Is courage
and she was only little slip of girl,
too. But she worked very hard for
quite a number of long years, and
now she has many things which she
has always wanted-little luxuries
that every woman loVes-pretty
things in her home and pretty things
to wear.
The other day in shopping crowd
she met another woman who, like
herself, had carved a little niche in
the world of hard work, and this other
woman said:
aren't you proud of yourself for
having accomplished something? |
am"
The first woman was silent for
moment. Then she said:
mo, am not proud OF myself, l
can't be-yet. I've done so very little
compared with what want to do, and
learned so little when l wished to
learn so much. But l am tremendous
ly happy that when l want to buy
some little comfort for somebody or
send box of flowers to somebody or
give some little child happiness it
is in my power to do so. My years of
work have been worth this mighty
sweet reward.
Won't you try to let little more of
the holy spirit of the hour sink into
your soul, and won't you remember
that your stay and mine and your
neighbours and everybody's Is dread
fully limited here in this pleasant
vale of smiles and laughter? There's
no telling where any of US will be this
time next year, so live this Christmas
as happily and as generously as you
can.
There's something else, too. If you
are going to help little child hang
up a tiny stocking, and If you are now
answering all sorts of questions about
Santa Claus and chimneys and rein
deers and If, on Christmas Eve, you
go to a little bedside and kiss the
sweetest little lips in all the world,
fall upon your knees and thank God,
for you are blessed!
A Merry Christmas to you ALL
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

The first Christmas dawned on the
world in a fiood-burst of light and
song. There had been darkness on
the hills aid in the hearts, and brood.
ing over all was silence made heavy
With the worn-out jangle and strife
of men: but suddenly. over the hills
OF Bethlehem, the sky was aglow with
tight and the air tremulous with song
The watchers on the weary. wind
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

ed the cathedrals at
Christmas time.
Two of the earliest
Christmas plays that
have come down to US
are to be found in the
few fri n1npntarY WnrkS
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
AT CHRISTMAS TIME
Within an old cathedral dim

Within an old cathedral dim
The white-robed choir chant hymn,
That old, old story Ger again,
Of peace on earth, good will toward men
A holy silence fills the air,
And every head is bowed in prayer,
While from the tower the joy bells chime
At Christmas time.
Far out upon the briny deep
The mariner his watch doth keep
For his bright, guiding Bethlehem star,
The beacon light that shines afar;
And, as he sees its kindly rays,
He thinks of home and other days,
OF loved ones in distant cline
AT Christmas time.
Again at the old homestead's door
Dear friends and kindred meet once more
To sit around the hearthstone's glow,
And bark to bells across the snow.
They talk of youth and hope and love,
And gently speak of those above,
The missing ones, with faith sublime,
At Christmas time.
--Inex May Felt.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21

Who doeth right deeds is wise born
and who doeth Ill deeds vile.-Sir Ed
win Arnold.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
Administrators Sale.

| BY virtue of an order Of the Sharp Probate
/ Court for the Southern District, the UNDER
! signed, as administrator of The estate OIL. /.
Fortenberry, deceased, will, on Saturday, De
/ ctmber 9th. 1906, within legal hours, at the
south front door Of the court house In Evening
! Shade, Ark, offer for sale to the highest bid
Ger, on a credit OF three months, requiring a
note with good security and retaining lien ON
the land for the purchase money, the lot i'll
| Caamne, No. Z, known as the Forlenberry
lot being part Of the northeast quarter, see
| ton 27 township 1G, north, range west, one
acre and the interest Of deceased in the follow
ing lands, towt:
Thai part OF the northwest quarter of section
4, township Is, north range west, lying west
Of Strawberry river.
Five acres in the southwest corner of the
southwest quarter of the southwest quarter Of
section u.
The south half southeast quarter of section 49,.
The north hal northeast quarter of section 49,.
And the southwest quarter of the southeast
quarter Of section 49, all in township l6, north,
range west.
This Sept rs, 1905.
Samuel A. Massey Admir-.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
AN AWFUL COUGH CURED.

"Two years ago our little girl had
a touch Of pneumonia, which left
her with an awful cough. She had
spells ot coughing, just like one
with The whooplng cough and some
thought she would not get well at
all. We got bottle of Chamber
lain's Cough Remedy which acted
uke charm. She stopped coughing
ana GOT stcut and fat," writes Mrs
Ora BuSsard, Brubaker, I'll, This
remedy Is for sale by All Druggists
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
NOTHING TO FEAR.

The question of injurious sub
stances IN medicines which has been
agitaLlng the minds Of many people,
does not concern those who use
hamberlain's Congh Remedy.
Mothers need have no hesitAncy IN
continuing to give 1T to their little
ones, an 1t contains absolutely not
tbig INJURIOUS. This remedy is not
onIy perfectly safe to give small
children, but is a medicine Of great
worth and merit. 1t ha- a world
vide repWat9on for its cure OF
coughs, colds aand Group and can
always be relied upon. X For sale by
XII Drnv0ists
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
No Statement to Make.

The Arkansas Gazette recently
wired Senator David l.. King
for a statement as to whether his
withdrawal was caused by Cover
nor Davis support Of Judge Lit
tie for governor; also whether
he was supporting Senator Berry
and Mr.. Rogers. Mr.. Kings
reply follows:
"Have no statement to make
at this time; draw your own con-
clusions.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
The Chancery Court.

Chancery court for the Sou tn =
ern District Of Sharp county con-
vened at this place last Monday
Just after noon, with Judge
George T. Humphries on the
bench, and adjourned Wednes-
day at noon, The docket for
this term of court consisted of
10 cases, most Of which were
continued, and a few Of which
were settled. Three DEGREES of
divorce were granted as follows
William A McCracken from Mol
lie McCracken, d. M. Horton
from Elizabeth Horton, and
Eddie Johnson from John john
son, the latter couple being col
ored.
The session brought very few
people to town, and there was
not an attorney from outof town
in attendance.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10

Everett L. Sullivan of Grange
is now in Little Rock attending a
medical school.
will pay 80 cents cash for
white corn shelled.
j. R. Metcalf.
Clerk G.. D. Ritchie was down
from Hardy day or two this
week, looking after business and
meeting friends. ~
-Enoch O. Wolf of Franklin,
one of the old Confederate veter-
ans, was transacting business
here Wednesday. /
Senator James H. Berry
writes friends that at some time
in the future he intends to make
some speeches in Sharp county.
Rufus F. Jordan of Sullivan
township had business in the
chancery court this week. He
made the Record office a sub
stantial visit.
Work your money for all it's
worth. Bring it here. 1t will buy
the best sewing machine on the
market at the lowest price.
L. P. Collins & Son.
E. F. Smith and wife re-
turned to their home at Melbourne
Tuesday. Mrs, Smith had been
visiting her sister, Mrs. W. H.
Price, near town, who is quite i'll.
-Buckwheat flour, mackeral,
kidney pink and navy beans at
Cochran's.
Cleo c.. Price was last week
elected secretary and general
manager of the Sharp County
Telephone Company by the board
of directors. He takes the place
of G. J. Wilson, who is devoting
his time to other business.
Just received, q carload Of
flour. Call in and get prices on
either large or small quantities.
w. A. Edwards.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
NEW CURE FOR CA GER.

All surface cancers are now known
to be durable, by BnckIen's Arnlca
Salve, Jas. Walters, Of Duhield,
Va, writes: 81 had a cancer on my
Iip for years, that seemed incurabIe.
till Blcklen's Arnica Salve healed
It, and now 1t Is perfectly well "
Guaranteed cure for cuts and burns.
25c at Shows drug store.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
SICK HEADACHE CURED.

Sick headache is caused by
der angement of the stomach and by
indigestion. ChamberIain'S Slom-
ach andg Liver Tablets correct these
disorders and effect a cure. BY
taking these tablets as soon as the
first indication of the disease ap.
pears, the attack may be warded off
For sale by All Druggists.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
Brvndidae And 0Iilield 10 Meet.

Hon. S. Brundidge, Jr., and
Hon. VIM. A. Oldfield, candid
ates for Congress from the Second
district, have arranged a series
of appointments, in which the
following places are included:
Hardy, Wednesday, Nov. %;
Ash Flat, Thursday, Nov. 23;
Franklin, Friday, Nov. "a;
Poughkeepsie, Saturday, Nov.
%. These gentlemen are MAX
ing a thorough canvass Of the
district, and will no doubt have
good crowds when they come to
Sharp county.
Sharp County record., 1905-11-10
NOTICE..

The heavy expenditures which
[ am now making, make it nee
essary for me to make an early
collection. Those knowing them
selves to be indebted to me will
please come in and settle. Don't
wait for a personal invitation.
A. W. Jernigan.