davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Last Christmas. says the Des Molnes
Register. clad In rich ralment. Mrs.
Arthur Hyde the handsome wife Of a
Des Moines millionaire. faced q bitter
wind from noon until O'Clock In the
afternoon holding Ia her hand the regu-
lation Salvation Army turkey contribu-
ton box. which she took from the
hands OF Captain Mary Taylor after
telling the latter 10 return TO the bar
racks. eat her dinner and remain sn-
doors until sent for Attracted thither
by the strange spectacle. money Of all
denominations was dropped ia the bcx.
and when Captain Taylor came TO re-
sumo her work at O'Clock. besides
well filled contribution box she receiv-
ed large roll OF bills from Mrs.
Hyde's own pocketbook.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
What lobb;e Missed

II seems "a pity that Robbie Burns
didn't have n part OF that 100000 "a
spend that !. Pierpont Morgan haz
just paid for his manuscripts. What a
time the Scotch bard could have had
on election night with just n tenth
part of 10,
BY midnight he would have been
talking poetry I'm all OF the different
varieties OF Scotch dialect that had
ever been Invented. and the local pa
per that could have made arrangement
10 have a stenographer follow him
around would have got enough good
copy 70 last month.
But that is the way Il usually is with
the poet: he hasn't business ability
enough TO be born IN an age when mil
lionaires ere around looking for ways
OF spending their money. and II Burns
had postponed living until the present
day probably one Of his chief diver
sions would be TO take regular week
~ fall out OF Plerpont and his kind.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

The custom of celebrating New
Years day in our own country is large
ly due To the Dutch Old Peter Stuy-
vesant made much OF the day, and
CHEEKY assemblages were held at the
governors home in New Amsterdam.
The Dutch method OF kissing the wo-
men for "a happy new year. was OBJ
served and toll taken of all who were
young and handsome. In fact. during
the reign Of Peter Stuyvesant New
Amsterdam was the most thoroughly
bekissed country In ell Christendom
and formed a marked contrast to the
staid Puritans. who thought the OBJ
servance OF this day savored strongly
OF reverence for the god Janus and
who made no note OF their first New
Years day in the new world save to
record. I'VE went 10 work betimcs.--
New York Evening Post.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

A well known New York society girl
celebrated last New Years with n
charming "oid maids party. Her girl
guests Were all arrayed IN tie appro-
pirate splns.er costume. with mittens.
caps and in several instances with
spectacles also. The effect produced
was very odd Indeed. the fresh and
laughing young faces seeming decided
y Out OF keeping with such surround
ings. All the sweetmeats and. indeed.
all the eatables that could be so fash
Toned Were served In the shapes OF
parrots, cats and dogs Each guest
had separate teapot 70 herself. In
which she hrewed the ten To her own
individual liking in true spinster fash
ION The girls voted this the best New
Years party they had ever had.-New
York American.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
A LOST ILLUSION.
sndic's santa Claus Was Only John,
ny smiths Papn.

sndic's santa Claus Was Only John
ny smiths Papa.
The loss OF part OF Santa Claus dis
euise NJ Christmas Sunday school en-
tertainment and the consequent dis
covery that che was only man after
all" caused one little girl at least
acute distress.
Santa Claus was one OF the cherished
ideals OF Sadie's childhood. and Sadie
parted with her Ideals reluctantly She
was sure she heard the reindeers scam
per over the roof every Christmas eve.
and the fact that even the gas logs
were q pretty tight az FOR the chimney
did not dispel the Illusion that somehow
Santa Claus. despite his corpuience.
managed TO slip through the tiny Silt
with his pack and leave presents on
tree and In stocking.
SO when she saw on the Sunday
school platform his hoary head and
beard. FUR trimmed coat, fat stomach
and short legs-and above all. his pack
she greeted the familiar figure with
enthusiastic applause Unfortunately
for Sadie's peace OF mind. however. the
hoary hair and beard became entangled
10 the branches OF the Christmas tree
when Santa Claus began 90 hang up the
contents Of his pack. and when he
withdrew his head. sans hirsute adorn-
mont lie revealed the familiar features
or prominent churchman. Then the
assemblage was startled 10y a desOlate
wall that suddenly rent the air
"Oh," sObbed Sadie. there amt any
Santa Claus He's only Johnny Smiths
papa! New York Press.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

In England the year is ushered In
by peal OF bells bursting forth upon
the midnight air from every steeple far
and near, telling the people that they
are on the threshold OF another twelve
month Charles Lamb said OF these
bells: "Of all sounds OF all beils-beIls
the music highest bordering on heaven
most solemn and touching Is the peal
which rings out the old year. l never
hear them without a gathering up to a
concentration or all the images that
have diffuseo over the past twelve
month; ali ! have cone or suffered In
that regretted time begin 70 know Its
worth, as when a person diss-"-Nsw
York Evening Post
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

on each side OF the stage more sail
cloth was used 10 conceal the dress
ing rooms and the flies As for seen
cry. the carpenters built wooden
frames and these were covered with
sails stretched taut. on which the
painters put beautiful trees and houses
End whatever else was necessary TO
complete the pictures. The foOtIights
were electric bulbs. shaded from the
audience 10y tin redectors.
"Ihe costumes and makeup REQUIRED
rs much ingenuity. The organizers
had procured n good many feminine
garments ashore several weeks ahead
or time. but all the smaller accessories
were made aboard ship. The false
boards were constructed Of strands OF
rope. which were carefully picked out
and then shaped up by fellow who
had talent for that sort OF work or
the same material he wove elaborate
wigs Burnt cork did the work OF
darkening eyebrows. and face paints
were mixed in the fo'csle-prObably
from ordinary house paints. for l guess
the sailors weren't particular about
their compilations.
''Ihe leading woman was a smooth
checked Swede, and he was rugged I'D
regardless / can tell you he was a
sumner. The fOunces and lace and
RibbOns he wore would have filled a
trunk. The only trouble about him
was his voice. but we grew used 70
that before the end OF the first act;
what II lacked in feminine delicacy IL
atoned for in quality. He gave us all
the popular songs OF a year before in a
rich tenor and added q few composed
for the occasion. mostly hits at the Of
heers. who took good naturedly al the
Jokes at their expense. There was a
fair plot 90 the piece.
"Ihe music. rendered by an orches-
ira OF twenty pieces. had been another
subject for careful preparation. There
were few instruments on board. and
these were supplemented by some
bought by subscriptions from the Off
GERS. upon whom the men had called
for all the cash they needed. The extra
horns and drums and stringed pieces
were secured at a port we visited
week previously, and the players had
been practicing. often to the annoy
ance or those who had to remain near
Che fo'c'sle. every night since their
equipment was completed.
~Ah. 1t was a fine showI There we
were. a lonesome lot OF devils. who
hadn't had a look In on a good time
fbr six months. This diversion we en-
foyed like schoolboys who had been
cooped between brick walls from Sep
tember to Christmas holidays. After
n was over OF course we had ban
Quets. the officers IN the wardroou
md the salioz IN the fo'esie. and hx
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
IN A GERMAN HOSPITAL.
where the Christmas Angel visits
Suffering Children.

where the Christmas Angel visits
Suffering Children.
In one Of the German hospitals OF our
country Is observed a custom quite in
accordance with the beautiful senti-
ment the Germans weave about Christ
mas.
Christmas belongs to the children
everybody knows that-but IL belongs
10 them In a deeper. more beautiful
sense than everybody" knows. one
is reminded OF a. however. IL he wit
nesses such scene as is portrayed IN
this hospital on Christmas eve. one OF
the nurses dresses in long. soft flow
ing robe Of white bearing In her hand
a fir bough covered with snow. The
snow is cotton sprinkled with diamond
dust. This Is the Christmas angel
The children are told Of the gentle
visitor and wait in their little cots.
When darkness is outside they hear the
strains OF sweet music in the distance.
The nurses are singing Christmas car
OILS. and the sounds come through open
doors. Then the Christmas ANGEL
comes. She goes 20 each little cot.
bending over each little form TO listen
TO Tie whispered secrets. Each one
tells her what he wants on Christmas
day Then. with tender word. she
passes out and TO the sound OF the car
OILS they an fam aslcep-tbose who can
slip away from pain.
When The day dawus an the children
are taken into the kindcrrarten some
are carried, some are rolled. and some
can walk Sure enough, each finds
there what DE asks for-drums and
dolls sRd trumpets and books. On a
long, low table is q plate for each one.
filled with candles and queer little Ger
man cakes. ON one wall Is tablcau OF
the Nativity made OF small wax figures.
and painting on the wall completes
the perspective OF hills and shepherds
and the guiding star Hanging from
the wall in the center OF the ward is a
large hoop covered with laurel. At in
tervals around it are set lighted cam
dies. IL is suspended from the ceiling
by four wide ribbons.
In the fever ward. where the con
taCious diseases are cared for. the little
patients of course cannot leave. but
they have their Christmas too. Two
large, hne spruce trees stand Ia each
end Of the ward. brilliantly Hluminat
ed by tiny. many colored electric lights
philadelphia North American.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
FastIns ana rrn,cr I'D rhrrmonr1n-.

fnstinE and Prayer at ThcrmopyIae.
Fasting and praying on New Years
day as period OF mourning are not
common obscrvances. hut for many
years after the Turkish conquest OF
Greece patriotic Greeks gathered In
the pass Of Thcrmopylae 20 pray for
deliverance from Ottoman rule. In the
same spirit the Servians and other
Christians in western Turkey held
New Year prayer service on the field
OF CoSsova. famous for two great de
feats OF Christian armies by the
Turks. But the Turks. too. had their
New Year penltence aud prayer. For
nearly 300 years after the battle OF
LepantO the muezzins from the mosque
towers. when on New Years day call
ing the faithful 10 prayer. added. IRE
member the souls OF those who died AZ
lepanto.' an appropriate addition. for
even the Turkish historians dated the
decline OF the empire from the famous
victory won by Don John.-London
Daily Mail.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

II the Italian girl desires further
Hight on her matrimonial future she
fills, In the twilight Of New Years eve.
a cup full or water. The light is only
sufficient for her 10 see the outline OF
the cup. This she exposes in place
where the water can freeze after she
has dropped into Il bit OF thread. As
soon as she is awake In the morning
she runs out 10 see the result OF the
experiment Tier fortune depends up
on the shape which the thread has as
sumed IN the water. she being aided ia
her deductions by an old woman.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

The best promise OF the new year
Is a more perfect realization or the
organic unity OF humanity. / hope
that men are slowly learning that no
man liveth unto HIMSELF" that I'VE are
members OF one another" For some
centuries we have been moving from
status 20 contract" and society has
reaped large gains from the enfran-
chisement OF the individual Let US
hope that the movement now In prog
ress Is from contract TO fraternity. and
that the enlarged powers OF each will
be employed with more and more OF
conscious purpose for the good OF ALL
Rev. Washington GLADDEN..
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
Welsh foonshtne.

In many parts Of Wales to see ones
shadow in the moonlight upon New
Years eve is believed to be an infaIli-
BILE sign that the person seeing II will
die before the expiration OF the coming
new year. and there is also a popular
superstition that II an unmarried wom-
an should see her face reflected In wa
ter on New Years eve II is an Infalm-
BILE sign that she Is destined to live
and die In a state OF single blessed
ness.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
An International
Boat Race

~ nee when the cruiser Phila-
delphia was in Panama waters
~ her crew decided to celebrate
the New Year by challenging
the men OF a British war vessel to a
rowing race. II is not uncommon for
such contests 20 be arranged between
ships of the same navy, but an inter
national struggle OF the sort is unusual
enough TO arouse great enthusiasm. In
this case the fact that the race was to
be the beginning OF the days festivl-
ties made IL an event OF prime inn
pOrtance.
AS is customary the challengers Sc
iected their boatmen and asked per
mission from the Philadelphia captain
70 visit the British cruiser. Lowering
their boat. an eight cared one. the dele
gates then rowed straight toward the
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

he had spent a real Christmas as
Christmas ought 20 be spent"-New
York Times.
Easy For Her.
Miss Slim rather shocks conserva-
tive people. doesn't sheT"
"Yes. but she can't help It."
How Is thatT'
'She Is so thin that she slips through
the cracks IN the veneer OF convention
atty"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
sunshiae Comm. by on, By.

New Years now Is on de way.
Heaps OF fun before Us.
Christmas day done pass away:
Honey. jine dc chorus.
~ one day don't suit you. why.
Dar'll h" plenty mo- to try:
Git good one by an by:
Honey. jine De chorus.
Maybe storm clouds In de sky
Hang a-threateuin' DER US:
Sunshine comm by an by:
Honey. jine de chorus.
Dis here life IS Ike song
Some tine sad an some time strong
Some time short an some time long
Honey. 3ine de chorus
Atlanta Constitution
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
Fourteen thousand Year. at Tea


Fourteen thousand years at tea
strikes one as being remarkable. even
for n New Years party. yet ut Scar
borough. England, on the 1st OF Janu-
airy last there was such an assembly in
the Aquarium OF that town. For up
ward OF dozen years it has been the
custom Of the mayor to entertain a
number OF the poorest old ladies OF
Scarborough at tea ON New Years
day. Last January the number was
200. each of the guests being sixty
years of age or upward The total
ages Of the venerable guests reached
nearly 1900 years. or 1887. to be
precise This yielded the remarkable
average Of almost seventy years.-Lon-
don Tit-Blts.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
Humor auo Philosophy
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
By DUNCAN S. SMITH

Being IA gossip is having a lot OF
high toned company.
Having an opinion OF your own is an
excellent thing when It doesn't cause
you to lose money.
No man likes 10 see his wife work
for anybody but himself.
The average woman knows as much
about politics as the average man
knows OF domestic economy.
All lies are detestable unless they
bear the mark of our own branding
iron.
The reason that most men are not
jealous OF their wives is because they
haven't a chance to be.
When you can no longer argue.
quote poetry.
1t makes US feel bad when we find
that our wrights are oil wrongs.
Nobody but a fool ever tries to show
an that he isn't as clever as he
thinks he is
BY some people Il is considered quite
honorable 20 tell lie 10y keeping your
mouth shut.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
Cbrlstmas In
the Carbide
1Au--S

q + I can't be az my own house"
remarked naval oGccr. I'D
rather spend thc holiday sea-
son on a cruiser or gunboat
down in the Caribbean than in the
greatest city OF the land. Fun7 Why,
you don't know what fun is until you
come 10 q celebration Ike the musical
comedy given by the crew Of a pro
teCted cruiser or S8nto Domingo on
Christmas night four years ago.
<'The surgeon wrote the words. and
there was sailor a regular genius ut
music. who got up the finest score you
ever heard. Why. he'd have made q
hit writing music for operas ON Broad
way IL hc hadn't died Of tropical fever.
That comedy-but I guess you'd call
IL an extravaganza more ukely-was the
funniest show I ever saw. Maybe DC
wouldn't have seemed So 20 YOU. but 20
as it was an that could be desired 10y
the most critical"
But how did you get q stage or
Scenery or costumes or makeupt" ask
81 the landsman.
ooh. that was au easy" he replied.
"As soon as the men told The captain
OF their plan be gave them the free
use o. the quartel deck. which was
cleared FOR dramatic action. Then the
boys built q Platforms good stage
a. you ever saw-aud chairs or benches
were placed I'm rows until there were
seats for everybody. from the com
handing officer down 20 the cooks
helper.
Curtain or course we had n cur
tain. II was made OF old sailcloth. and
r series OF ropes and pulleys made it
rise and fan as smoothly as the one In
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

In the Peloponnesus of Greece the
people OF every country community as
semble en- masse and eudeavor 10 make
the new year safe 10y driving the devil
out OF the neighborhoOd. this operation
being performed with the aid OF fire.
arms, horns. trumpets. pans. kettles or
anything that Will make noise. sup
plemented by yellS. shouts and screams.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
whK by.

Were existing and assisting IN a vcry rapid see:
We bow before the loo,l.sh,.. then were hustled
Of the stage.
Wnh lew more Santos Dumont, We shall SAL
among the sian.
An auto aero stree, car Inc viii soon be run to
Man-
Wnh Tesla and Maroon and the wireless
telegraph
The impossible. accomplished and all obstacle,
arc chat.
Alas. all these hing, only make existence faster
Cyl
Oh. Il, really something awful how the yean
WIN by
Each morning when you use you think the hill
Of fame % climb
Each evening brings the haunting fear you've no,
sufficient time.
The fearful rate al which this world revol,e,
upon It's AXIS
Leave as no ume tot anything excepting death
and taxes.
II something doesn't intervene to moderate our
pace
Vel ay Of a, ,ancen, and so whining INTO
space.
Times seorching pace does limit so our aspirations
h7h
We scarce get fairly stared al our hes v,hiz1ed
by.
Viola Gardner Blown IN New York Tabune.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
January Proverbs.

Many oid proverbs exist regarding
this season Of the year. Among them
are:
III the grass crows In January
II grows the worse for all the year"
"A January spring is worth nothing"
Under water dearth. under snow bread -
March in January. January in March Z"
If January calends be summerly say
Twill be January weather till caiends Of
May"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Time a-fyin' on so fast
Ger the frosty ways:
Christmas comm all too soon
These here later days!
Scarcely end one Christmas song
Fore the next one comes along.
Yet. what matter? Let 'em comet
Speed you down Times river.
Welcome Christmas horn an drum:
Wen be boys forever!
Time Is fiyln' on so fast.
Maybe Wen get w.a~s az last!
Atlanta Constitution
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

The sultan of Turkey stin keeps the
royal rule OF New Years presents in
working order. and all dignitaries and
officials perfectly understand that a
good sized contribution must be forth
coming.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Each year IS a new life and an
abridgment OF the whole. win SO live
as If counted every day my first and
my last; as II | began 10 live but then
and should live no more afterward.-
Bishop Hail.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
Three Bows Drowned.

Albany. n. y. Dec 10. - William
Lauster. Matthew Moss and George
Brayton. boys about Is years OF age
broke through the ice and were drown
ed while skating on the Hudson river
opposite this city.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
On ofher nnr. Inn

II is a sign OF good luck to receive
money on New Years day. 1t means
that you will not want for IL all the
year round.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
shOt HerseIf whIIe child Mas nvinn.

Scranton, Pa, Dec. 10.-When IN
formed by the attending physician that
her child was dying OF diphtreTia, Mrs.
Max Backer Of Hawley. near here,
went into the cellar and shot herself
twice in the head. The boy died two
hours after the shooting and she four
hours later. Her husband. a prominent
manufacturer was on his way to Chi
cagO at the time
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

1t makes US feel bad when we find
that our wrighJs are ali wrongs.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

BY some people Il is considered quite
honorable 20 tell lie 10y keeping your
mouth shut
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Nobody but a fool ever tries to show
a an that he isn't as clever as he
thinks he is
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

When you can no longer argue.
quote poetry.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

Being IA gossip is having a lot
high toned company.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29

The reason that most men are not
jealous Of their wives is because they
haven't n chance to De
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-12-07
PRUDENTIAL
In HANDS OF
RECEIVER
Former TazeweII Com.
pany meets with re-
verses at Adopted
Home at Atlanta

The Prudential Fire Insurance Com
pany, which was once the pride OF
Tdzewell, is in the hands OF n receiver
This Information was received here
Hast night by M. S. Pendleton, general
agent of the company, who has his of
flee here.
The direct cause OF the trouble is
not known here, but IL is known, how
ever. that the San Francisco disaster
and fire was indirectly the cause OF the
recrivershlp
The Prudential was organized here
several years ago with some OF the
wealthiest and most successful bust
ness men at its head. Early in the
past summer, the Prudential re- insured
the outstanding business outside OF
San Francisco, OF the Atlanta -Birming
Fire Insurance Co, OF Atlanta, Ga,
and was moved TO that city. The old
officers of the Prudential were sue
ceeded by The Atlanta birmingham T.
fi.'er-, which company was said to
have been heavily involved mt San
Francisco, and had become insolvent.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-12-07
The YuIetide PIaisance.

The Yuletidc Plaisance will bc ready
for visitors at one o'clock Friday Dee.
IL, and will be kept open until IA late
hour that night. From five o'clock on,
oyster supper will be served for Doc.
All contributions should be sent Co
the Town Hall, Thursday Dec. 18th OF
early Friday morning.
Articles left over will be for sale in
Town Hall, Saturday morning. and
after that at the home Of Mrs. w. c.
HARRISON.
IL is hoped thnt every body will pat
ronize this unique entertainment
Music at X o'clock.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1906-12-07

BOOKS-When in doubt give hook.
That's safe rule to follow at holiday
time. We have tried to make our
showing impressive by it's size but nine
out OF every ten will think it large
enough and even the tenth shopper
will be impressed with the fact that
any book we do show would make an
ideal Christmas present for some one.
Particularly interesting is the display
OF chiidren's books in all kinds Of COW
eFs-some rather plain and some very
gaiiy decorated.