davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27

i-oh. no! l have nowhere With
er to co.
So we parted, and assembled to nv
room l made up the fire, and sar
down and reread the rewsp.per.
There was much in it about the APP
preaching feast. 1 had the illustrated
papers. They had issued Christmas
supplements, with pictures of happy
family gatherings, of Old Father
christmas. of waits and carol singers.
might perhaps hear the waits and
singers. l should certainly hear the
Christmas bells. That would be all.
had done with my papers. I sat
before the fire in brown study, and
my spirits sank lower and ever low
er. l recalled the old Christmases 1
mad spent at home with my parents.
remembered how had looked into
my stockings on the morning to see
II Old Father Christmas had visited
me in the night and had left there
some presents for the Good Boy.
Alas, No Father Christmas would
visit me now. All that was of the
past-the utterly and irrevocably
past.
did not light my candles. could
read no more. I needed no light for
J
be illumined thus.
As 1 stood thus musing, l heard a
tap at my door. and shouted: Come
I'M! There ensued delay, and called
again: Come I'M"
Then the door opened and 1 saw
some little heads outside, with golden
curls and flushed cheeks, and a child s
voice said: please, Mr. What's-your.
name, will you come to our tree down.
stairs?"
Til"
AS I hesitated, the child said:
'Please-Annie told us to ask you"
And then l saw the tall girl whom
! I had assisted draw back into the
dark behind them.
Most certainly l will. as you are
SO kind as to invite me-"
So I descended, and there were my
landlord and landlady, radiant with
happiness, and the five children
danced before me and said: He is
come; is it not NIGEL" Behind, pres
| emily. entered Annie, somewhat shy
", and pretending she had come from
the kitchen.
was witness of the delight OF the
little ones over their preseuts-the
woolly lamb, a small cart, a cannon
a doll-the father over a pair of warn
| stockings of Annies knitting, the
mother over a shawl, also OF hel
work; and L stood smiling and happy
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27

when up sprang one of the children
and plucked from the tree the silver
match box.
This said the child, sis for Mr.
What's-his-name. Sister Annie said
it was for him."
was moved more than l can say.
So-some had been thinking of me.
though l was only a ledger.
Look here, sir," said the father
you're a stranger in the country, and
at such a time as this there must be
no strangers. You must really sup
with us, and dine also with us to
morrow l can promise you good
dinner, for it is of Armies making.
All was changed. l was stranger
and they took me in: I was lonely
and they made of me friend.
Christmas day, 1880 p N.
1 returned to my room upstairs,
made up the fire. and seated myself
before it. l had spent a very pleasant
day. and a pleasant evening before
that. l did not now feel 50 discour-
aged. SO hopeless That was nice
family. very friendly and considerate.
And 1 began to build in the fire.
no longer saw only ruins. l saw, as
it were. a pleasant home rise out OF
the Goals. and a pleasing face looked
up at me out Of them--very much ike
that of Annie. All. il the old nome
was gone. might I NOT build one that
would be new. 1 need no longer i've
in the past. but look TO the future. ana
next Christmas, please God woa!d
not be alone. that is if Annie-but 1
csnnot say-will consent to put an
end to my loneliness and he4p II
building UP a future.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27

color left his face. He recognized his
step-brother. Ben saw that this was
the cause, and smiled rather bitterly.
Where is mother?" he asked of tho
man behind the bar.
I-I-don't know" stammered Flab-
bins.
You lie, as you always did" said
Ben, his jaw coming together like a
steel trap and his blue eyes flashing.
Flabbins moved toward the cash reg
lister.
You need not trouble yourself" ex.
claimed Ben, contemptuously, noting
the movement. Il have no time to
talk to you now. but may return
and-if | have cause-your revolver
won't save you. Where is your IA
ther?"
Dead" sulkily answered the sa-
loon keeper.
How long?"
-Four years.
Aud mother?" Ben's voice was low
but there was menace in it that
caused FIabbins to draw a little closer
to the register.
Il hain't seen her in three wears
She left the house after a row wild
Bess. You know what Bess is
The next morning the following
item was inserted in the leading pa
pers of the city.
"WANTED-Informa as to the
whereabouts of Mrs. Daniel Flabbins
Box X, 21.''
Eddying fakes formed a curtain of
whirlins white. shutting out the dreary
land scape, and covering the frozen,
jagged earth with a soft mantle of
snow as, shaking himself like a great
Newfoundland dog, Ben VIII waited
impatiently for the opening of the
door of the great institution for the
housing of the poor. When admitted,
he paced the plainly but comfortably
furnished reception room, hungry for
a sight of his mothers face. The
opening of the door caused him to
turn with outstretched arms. His
eyes, blinded by tears, saw a bent
form moving slowly toward him: one
hand, toll worn and brown, the blue
veins standing out upon it. grasped a
cane with which to steady the totter-
ing footsteps: above the bent frame
in which beat mothers heart, crown
ing it with glory all its own, was a
sweet old face.
''Mother!"
Ben, my own Benz"
oh" exclaimed Ben, ouiyering
with anger, Ito think they would al
low you to go to the poor house. They
shall suffer. They
Hush. Ben said his mother, soft
ly, placing her hand over the lips of
her SON This is Christmas, and I
am going home with you All. such
4 happy Christmas. Well may we
say Peace on earth and good Will
to men,"
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27

'ae happy reunions of friends and
relatives at the station: The exciama-
uons OF delight at the meetings fell
on deadened ears
PUSHING through the crowd he hur-
RED to car and soon aliahled ut the
old familiar corner. The street looked
Just the same. The house, however,
was changed: it no longer looked like
nome The cld-fashioned shutters were
missing, the quiet, sedate front was
altered, and bay windows protruded
above as we'll as on the ground floor.
Mrs. Flabbins don't live here no
more" said the unudy young woman
who answered his ring
With saddened eyes he retraced his
steps TO the corner. Entering the drug
store he satisfied the proprietor that
ne was stranger by buying cigar
and then rather diGidently requesting
the privilege of looking at the direc-
tory The only Flabbins he could find
was Edward, who was credited with
being in the saloon business.
rs Mr.. Flabbips here?" asked Will
at the number Indicated
That's me-" replied short, thicl,
set man, with cold, gray eyes, and a
roll of fat hiding the back of his col.
lar. AS he answered the stranger the
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27

I had done well in the other land,
and had returned, not a rich man, but
with a competence.
1t had been my wish, my ambition,
to settle in the village about which
c!ung all my sweetest and hottest
thoughts; to buy there little land,
to tread the old paths, ramble in the
same woods, look upon the same
scenes, dwell among the same people,
remake home in the same place.
But now? Could it be?
AS | walked back to my lodgings,
through the street and by the market
place, folk were hurrying in all direc-
tons, some with punches of holly in
their hands, girl or two with a sprig
of mistletoe slyly hid in her muff,
man wheeling a Christmas tree on
barrow. butchers boys carrying joints
for the morrow'S dinner. Plum pud-
dings and mince pies were displayed
in the confectioners' shops. The
chemist, the hairdresser, the seeds
man, the draper had stuffed their win
COWS with toys, toys, toys. He who
had come to earth as a little child
mad filled every heart with thought
OF the little ones, and desire to make
christmas day of joy to them.
mad no tiny ones of my own, no little
h'eceS and nephews, no small cousins
Tor whom to provide anything. 1 was
a!one-utterly. desolately alone.
AS pursued my way 1 saw tall,
slim girl walking before me with a
basket on her arm, and I noticed that
me bottom had come out, and that
me contents fell on the pavement
W this she was unaware. 1 stopped
ana picked up a little woolly lamb,
thea-a something wrapped in paper
then silver match box breaking
out of its covering.
Gathering them together. ran after
the girl and stopped her
Excuse me-" said l. care you a
female Hop o my Thumb, droppin 8
tokens whereby your track my be
kaown?"
showed her what I had collected
SAe colored and thanked me. Then
recognized her as the daughter of
Lay 'a21lady
You must allow me-" said I, ito tie
my handkerchief round the basket
ana to carry it for you. 1 believe
mat we so the same way"
You are very good" she replied.
60 'iOcul " nave d SHTlS
tree for the children this evening.
and have been making some trifing
purchases as presents for my brothers
ana sisters, and for papa and mamma.
VINO must not be forgotten"
There so the candles!" ex-
canned. as 4 cataract of red, yellow
ana green tapers shot out of the bas-
ket
And there's an orange," said she,
As one of these fruit bounced forth
ana fell, and rolled away into the
gutter.
We We're forced to stoop and col
ie'-t the scattered wax lights. and
men TO tie my large handkerchief
ABOUT the basket.
What a fortunate thing said I.
mat l have got good sized 'kerchief
n place of one of the miserable little
rags that do service nowadays That
- because 1 cling to old customs.
and when 1 was a boy my mother al
ways gave me something like a dish
cloth in my pocket
Shall you be dining out to-mor-
row?" asked the girl.
I-oh, MOI 1 have none to dine
with 1 know no one here"
And this evening. Shall you be
gong anywbere?"
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
is s. -
g2SzE@sssSS1tSs9 s7.AzS aSSsasy14sllzS
ALONE AT CHRISTMASTIhIE /
~ = HADINC-Co,uD
BY S. BARING-GOULD

Y rre-e-can there be-a man more
Io,srv than one returned from a far
raT,r+-v. who has been out of his home
6--6 Tor 20 years, and comes back
W. his parents are dead. his old
krfc,Es dispersed. and the old nest
5as psssed to other occupants? And
la, bis loneliness be more emphasized
man wEc1 his return syncronizes with
Christmas?
That was my condition when I re-
rissted the mother country. With a
heating heart and straining eyes I had
hooked for the first sight of dear old
america after having left it as a lad,
hardly man, some 20 years ago.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
Lobsters of Sea and L,nd

The demand recently made for the
protection of the lobster of the sea
may be contrasted with the feud
waged by East Anglican farmers
through many centuries against the
lobster of the land. In the Pastor
Letters" Holsters are .classed with
weasels and polecats, and in tho nine.
tecath century the complaint was still
heard that Holsters would suck hens'
esgs and devour the chickens. This
lobster" is the stoat, and there are
few more curious instances of the way
In which two words of totally different
origin can become Identical. The ma.
rine lobster is, etymologically, the
same as locust, the Latin 'locusta''
having originally meant a crustation:
while the lobster of East Anglia is
properly "loh-start,' a creature with
'lobbing" tail "start"-taiD Lon.
don Chronicle.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
TnEsa
=! VEiaEIi
S2ZyN EE<

EN- WILL al'ghted from
the coach of the east
bound Eyer at .6e Mich
igan Central depot. There
was an absent look in
his clear blue eyes, usually
so keen in observation of
his surroundings, and he
was impatient at-,he slow
progress of the crowd fl
tering through the gate.
He rai2 no attention to
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
The Soft Answer.

81 wouldn't mind your playing poker
with the crowd. but you always lose"
We'll. dear that merely proves the
truth of the old saying. Lucky in love
unlucky at cards."
"Oh, we'll, guess you can afford to
play once in while."-Houston Post
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
POWDER HABIT AMONG MEN.
oid,tin'er Not In Love with Finieky
Habits Of To-day.

In my Young days" said an old
gentleman. lit was considered erre,n.
mate for man 10 use face powder
The only kind of powder we used S,as
what we put In our pistols: but now.
aaaSs its nothing to see a younS fel.
low emerging from barber shop as
pink and white as 4 rose. In fact
some young men, who haven't wives
from whom to steal it. keep a. box of =,
on their dressing cases, soft. white
howery, sweet-smelling stuff. 10 nsn
after shaving.
w hen was young a Scrape In soan
ana cold water. with singing annI;.
cation of bay rum afterward. was con.
sidered luxurious ana danaifie1
enough, but now an average barber
insists on giving You massage With
Your shave and makes you as ye,vetv
| ana lovely as a 16-year-old Schoolgirl
And that isn't all: see in the stores
that they are selling huge French now.
der putfs the size of a pIatc Win
which to fiuff your body all over win
| dainty talcum after bath. wonls
nave thought these We're for tho ladies
and would have turned NV fare ,is.
creetly the other way IL l hadn't soon
| two husky chaps investing In them
BY CAD. sir. the first thing we know
| the gentlemen will be carrying fancy
work around with them as they did In
the days of Louis, and they'll all he so
dainty and sweet and pretty that NO
| girl Will be able to resist them. Chm.
me whisky and soda. l need It."
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-27
Mr.. Henpcck.

Mr.. Henpcck.
DO you believe in divorce?"
NO. indeed"
Why not?"
My wife won't let me."-Houston
Post
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08

reports a number of sales during the
past week in this tract.
The Kansas Realty company opened
the Torrey tract week before last, con-
sisting of eighteen choice lots, and
every one was sold in ten days. The
same firm reports the sale of $4,000
lot on East Second street, and a $1O.-
900 property on Lotus, between Third
and Fourth streets, also two lots in the
Holloway. Pike and Torrey tract.
DIR. r. H. Chittenden and P. Fl. Fer
guson of the Chicago Realty company
active. This firm has closed several
large deals during the past week, and
at the present time are devoting their
time principally to Signal Hill, where
they own a choice tract known as the
Bonnie Brae tract. This property is
particularly desirable on account of its
favored location and on account of its
proximity to the car line. The prices
of these lots are very low and the
terms extremely easy. The Chicago
Realty company has conveyances at
all times to take parties up on the hill
to show off it's wonderful advantages.
Cowan & Wiseman report a number
of sales for the past week. Mr.. Cowan
particularly speaks of the large
amount of business transacted by the
firm during the past week in their two
big tracts.
Butlers & Paul made number of
sales in their Inner Harbor tract last
week, but press of business has kept
them from reporting them; however,
they will appear in next Sundays issue.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08
SANTA MONICA

The Golden Rule Realty company
reports having made the following
sales of Sierra Vista property during
the week: Lots 3, and 5, block II,
Charlotte Kisner to John Lundbum;
lot T. block 13, to Mrs. McCann; lot
IL, block and lot 20, block 21, to Mrs
Rivers: lot 25. block II. sold for r. r.
Bundy Santa Monica tract: Lot N.
block 1856, to Judge Jenness. This
firm, which is one of the most active on
the beach. has several large transact
tions pending.
A two-story brick addition to the
Crescent Abstract building on Oregon
avenue has been contracted for, to cost
not less than $1,000. Mrs. Matilda
Dudley owns the property.
A steady sale of lots in the new
Green Acres tract is reported by Miles
& Tegner. the selling agents. This
property is highly improved and oc-
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08

made during the week in the Hollo-
way, Pike & Torrey tract, which the
Kansas company handles exclusively.
Handsome Profit
Five years ago the property at 321
West Second street, Long Beach, was
held at $2700. Yesterday 1t sold for
$4,000 and the purchaser, E. N. John
son, Is positive that he has secured an
excellent bargain.
Paine & Cooley have made sales dur
ing the past month amounting to $43,-
$50.
A prominent visitor in Long Beach
was William Riddle of Atlantic City
n. j. Mr. Riddle owns much property
in eastern resorts. He purchased a lot
while in Long Beach and stated that
he is confident that Long Beach has a
brilliant future.
Last Monday at the regular weekly
meeting the city council adopted an
ordinance fixing the water rates for
the ensuing year. The ordinance pro-
vides for a reduction of from forty to
fifty per cent and is creating much IA
vorable comment among consumers,
though the water company is not so
jubilant over the outlook.
New Realty Firm
Frank e. Shaw, who is absolutely
the dean of real estate men in Long
Beach, has announced that on the first
of May he and George C. Flint, for
mer secretary of the Alamitos Land
company, will form a copartnership
for the sale of Long Beach property.
They have secured splendid offices in
the Bixby building at 145 West Ocean
avenue, the room occupied by the
Trutt pharmacy, and will fit it out and
furnish it in manner unsurpassed
in this city. Most of Mr.. Shaw's oper-
ations have been devoted to his Mira
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08
OCEAN PARK

Workmen have been busily engaged
for several months filling in long
stretch of railroad land between Hill
street and Pier avenue, east of the
Los Angeles cific tracks. Announce
ment is made that when the improve
ments are completed the property will
be offered for sale to residence build
ers. Plans are also under way for the
removal of the Hill street freight sta
tion to a less valuable and more spa
cious location, a site north of Main
street being in favor. That the COM
pany has big things in store for the
north end of town there remains little
room for doubt. Repair shops, car
barns and numerous other adjuncts to
are now being planned by
the Los Angeles Pacific officials, and
it is known that favorable consider
alton has been given to Railroad park,
opposite the Hotel Arcadia, in the Sc
lection of a site. Manager Gabel has
spent considerable time in the vicinity
lately, but refuses to make any definite
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08
REAL ESTATE ACTIVE ON COAST

Mar tract to the east Of the city, where
he has made an unprecedented success
during the past year. His sales have
amounted to thousands of dollars each
month. AS secretary for the Alamitos
Land company for several years past,
Mr.. Flint has assumed a position high
among the enterprising business men of
this city and the combination Will be
one hard to defeat.
With a yearly building rate of 800
houses, Building Inspector c. w. Abb
bott estimates the yearly increase of
population here to be 2500. During the
month of March, So permits were issued
by the inspector and their total value
is $122,S25.
Signal Hill
The past week was very active in the
sale of Signal Hill property. Some very
large sales were made and prices will
advance very shortly. The electric
road is ready to lay the steel on Tenn
pie street and it is predicted that be-
fore thirty days the road will be carry
ing passengers to the top of the hill,
The Park Lane tract of Slack-Wall
Co., on Signal Hill was last week
placed on the market and a number OF
lots sold as soon as the plat was ex-
hibited. This tract Is situated IN what
is known as the IrOSIleSS SlIlp' anu
without a doubt is one of the finest
pieces of property on the Hill. There
are thirty-seven choice lots in all, over
looking Naples and Alamitos bay, and
the electric line when completed VIII
pass through the northwest corner.
G.. w. Hughes reports the sale of the
following lots on Signal Hill to the
Misses NJ. N. and K. A. Luton of Pitts
burg, Pa, lot IA, block N; to William
Mallett of Long Beach, lots II and 10.
block N, and to John III. Edwards of
North Vernon, Ind, lots IL and IL,
block NJ. and is holding number of
reservations upon which deposits have
been made.
Young & Parmey have laid out a
large tract on Signal Hill and when the
subdivision has been completed there
will be forty-eight large lots. This
property is located on Temple street
and on the south slope of the HILL
giving an unobstructed view from the
Palos Verdes hills to Newport bay. The
streets will be graded, cement curbs
and sidewalks laid and a very strict
building restriction of $500. This firm
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08

casioned by the discovery that several
we'll known builders have for a long
time been pursuing their vocations
without the formality OF securing
building permits. City Trustee Force
Parker brought the matter to light
several days ago by the announce
rlent that not less than six structures
were now under construction for
which permits had not been issued.
An investigation is to be instituted
that it is claimed will prove an aston
ishng condition of affairs.
Three hundred dollars was the price
paid for ten feet of land adjoining an
alley rear of the Casa del Mar hotel.
The purchase, was made during the
week by the city and was made nee
essary in order to carry out contem-
plated Improvements. 1t is the inten-
ton to widen the alley, which Is one
block in length, sufficiently for teams
to pass.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08
Lumber ON the Ground for Big Hotel
at Long Beach==Plams for Signal
FIill==Deals at Santa Monica,
Ocean Park and Venice

mess street in the city will be paved.
The work is to be done under the
Vrooman act.
Two realty operators. the Kansas
Realty company and G. w. Hughes,
have purchased autos
The latter has also instituted daily
tallyho service to Signal Hill for the
benefit of persons interested in that
section. The tallyho leaves Hughes
office at Ocean and Pine avenues daily
at p. m. Work on the Signal Hill
branch Of the Pacific Electric is being
rushed but has not reached a point as
yet where cars can be run over 1t.
May Start a Factory
A visitor to Long Beach this week
has been w. A. Smith from New York
city, who Is looking for a location for
a factory. Mr.. Smith was greatly
pleased with the outlook here and it
Is safe to conjecture that Long Beach
will lose nothing from his visit.
DR.. l.. A. Perce, president of the
chamber of commerce, leaves for the
east in the not distant future and one
of the objects of his trip is to induce
manufacturers to come to this city.
He has received inquiries from an Ohio
pottery and Is making an inVeStiga-
tionEat present along the line of secur-
ing information that may be of use to
the eastern concern.
During the week the Kansas Realty
company has closed deals to the value
of $25, 900. A majority of the sales were
in Torrey tract No. 2, which has just
been placed on the market. Other
sales were: Nine-room modern house
and lot at Fourth and Locust, $1,000,
j. G. Palmer to j. e. Lyen. Miss M.
Minter to l.. Il. Torrey, siX-room house
and lot, $4,000. Property at Fourth and
Orange, r. r. Teemley to w. ]. Claw
son, $1,000. A number of sales were