davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23
BY Warwick James Price.

BY Warwick James Price.
The day had been well-nigh perfect.
From Sammys point OF view.
But now cloud spreading,
For its joys were nearly through.
The time for bed crept closer.
Nurse waited at the door.
And then?-a long years waiting
TIL Christmas came once more.
There something not right somewhere;
That surely seemed quite clear.
why should these trees with presents.
Grow only once a year?
- / does wish mos es awf'ly."
Came from among the toys.
That Jesus had more birthdays
Or bod more little boys!s'
-o9NS~S~-
Some fellows idea of good time is 10 pay q
,n-donar fine for fifty cents worth Of fun.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23
Their Christmas Gifts

myriad Of other fine things. He had hung UP his
stocking!
In the dining room stands Doretta folding to her
little breast big doll OF toy dishes. parasol,
books candy horns and host OF other good things
She had hung up her stocking!
In the kitchen we see their mother. merriy sur
rounded by sweet potatoes. sage thyme, plum pud-
ding cranberries carrots. beets white onions. and
heap Of other dainty viands. She had hung up the
grocer!
and many OF them
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23

HIS story Of n very lit
tie girl and a very
big don Is told in the
hope that il may prove
TO be a warming To
whom IL may concern.
The very bis doll
belonged to the very
little girl. or else the
girl belonged TO the
very big doll. I have
forgotten which. ANY
way. it was one way
or the other.
The name Of the
very little girl was
Rose Ann. or some
thing IKE that. The
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23

would be a great Joke TO
pun her out. Pug dogs are
such fools. Sir. II would
not have been so bad -
Snucks had known where 10
stop. But when he got that
doll down on the floor the
silly thing began to tear ner
clothes and toss her around
and chew her until he had
bitten big holes in her and
let all the sawdust out.
IF you please. Sir. when
Rose AIMS mamma went
into the room 10 tell Rose
Ann IL was time 70 get up
and found the floor covered
with sawdust and manelel
remains. with no Rose Ann
70 be seen. she gave A
scream that could have been
heard in the next county.
Sir. The police and the
neighbors are all out looking
for Rose Ann now. while
Snucks Is locked up in the
woodshed on a charge OF
murder. I think. Sir."
Dear. dear" said Santa
Claus Il must see about
this"
So saying he hurried 10
the telephone. Here IL the
half OF the conversation that
Rose Ann and the reindeer
heard:
Hel-lot"
Hello hello heT-Tofp
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23
BY E. P. Pitzer.
sTAvE ONE.

WISH you a Merry Christmas
our story opens in small New England
village. Stories the only thing
opened there. 1t a prohibition town.
Had the author lived there things would
have been different. Every family had their
private water wagon.
Ia fact, they strict they would not permit
actors visiting the town TO spiritgum In their
make-ups Some people lived in the town all their
lives and never heard the pop Of a cork. It must be
added. however. that they deaf
We could give a more exhaustive description OF
place. but this is the Of rejoicing
won't
and a Happy New Year.
sTAvE TWO.
About a half mile down the road stood weather
worn farmhouse. In its roster days It painted
pink. It had a conservatory the north side and
sarsaparilla advertisement the south side. Pro-
jecting from its shingled roof dilapidated
chimney pointing IN the direction Of the setting
and the eastern horizon at one and the same time.
Continuously smoking had ruined It. Curse the To-
bacco Trust!
SLAVE THREE
It is Christmas morning.
Snow is falling heavily up around the North Pole.
Within tho houSe described in stave two. which
stood the town told about IN Stave one. all
happiness and serenity
in the parlor sits wilfred surrounded by drum.
hobby-horse blocks. picture books. candy and
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23

"A-h-hmi Is this Rose AIMS mamma"
This is Santa Claus Santa Claus SANTA
CLAUS SANTA C-I-a-u-s. Mr.. Claus you know
The gentleman who is at the head OF the stocking
filling trust. you know Yes. Of course. Mr. Claus
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

some new phase of beauty. Then, follow
ing the course of the river down stream,
gaze at the ponderous rapids rushing mad
ly between the solid walls of perpendicular
rock and, recalling to mind the famous
whirlpool Rapids of Niagara. you may
say with no fear of contradiction that
those at Great Falls, as seen last week. ri
vailed the wonderful Niagara.
The fncessant roaring of the huge volume
of water is all that breaks the solitude.
unless 1t be the trembling Of the earth
Drinking long and deeply of its magnifi-
cence and power, one must stand speculat-
ing upon what may come of this when.
its wild freedom gone it shall submit to
that the spirit of Potomac may never
be broken; for 1t is hoped that, set here
by Gods own. hand in this rock-ribbed
and isolated spot, the falls of the Potomac
may be visited forever by the hardy visitor
and appreciative citizens. 1t is this spirit
of commercialism that is rapidly detract-
ing from the beauties of Niagara, with it's
nauseating, gaudily painted billboards, and
1t is against such Dissertation as this
that it is hoped the authorities here will
always fight.
Another feature of interest at Great
Falls is the remains of a canal moat.
which history states that George Washing
ton as engineer, attempted to construct to
circumvent the falls and make traffic pos
sible above and below the rapids. Ii is
related that he was engaged in this work
at the time when he was called to take
command of our Continental forces, and
that after the war of the revolution the
work was never resumed. Whether this
be true or false, the fact remains that a
goodly portion Of the canal is still outlined
on the south side of the Potomac.
To estimate the huge volume of water
that passes over the falls is both difficult
and interesting. 1t has been computed that
at least seven million gallons pass for each
hour of the day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
The Mules Siesta.
the Chicago Chronicle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
The large cigarette factories of Havana
are now controlled by an American cor
poration. Cuba smokes an enormous guam
tity of cigarettes filled with dark cigar
tobacco-3.O 100000 a year. it is said,
though the island has only 100000 per-
sons. This Is as many as are consumed in
the United States annually.
To distribute cigarettes about Havana a
large wagon service is needed. Come time
after the American corporation took over
the Spanish mules that draw these delivery
wagons. The animals got decidedly off
their feed and. though a big modern stable
with cement floors had been built and all
comforts known to horses installed the
mules did not do well. An investigation
followed. and 1t was found that the Ameri-
can company had abolished an old Span
ish custom-the noon siesta or nap.
A Spandard OF Cuban takes coffee alone
on rising, with sometimes bit Of bread.
Then at IL o'clock he has hAs breakfast.
Immediately after this meal he must have
a siesta. An American visitor talking to
him after breakfast will find his host go
ing off to sleep. and until his nap OF half
an hour Is finished he seems physically I'M
able to sit I'D and do business.
The Spanish mule has through long gen.
erations become accustomed to this noon
siesta, too. He simply must have his nap.
and II g. moEe strenuous civilization steps
in and deprives him Of 1t, he sickens The
old order Of things was restored by the
American invader after this discovery, and
now life among the company's mules goes
along as It did under Spanish rule.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

was the only thing to be done in such an
emergency.
The shock Of the fall had for a moment
dazed the gingerbread man. and as he lay
upon the ground he heard a voice cry:
"Get off from mel Will you? Get off,
say"
John rolled over and sat up, and then
head-also sat up and faced him.
What do you mean by it?" asked the
little man, glazing upon John Dough an
grily. Cant you see where you're fall
ing?"
1t was growing lighter every minute and
the gray mists Of morning were fading
away before the rising sun. John looked
around him and saw he was upon broad,
sandy beach. which the waves of a great
sea Tapped peacefully. Behind was green
meadow, and then mountains that rose
high into the air.
"How did you happen to be where fell?'
he asked, turning to the little man again.
II always sleep on the sands" replied
the other. waggng his head solemnly. IT'S
my fad I suppose you're a new inhab-
liant. You seem rather queer"
"Well. that certainly Is unusual. SO I've
no doubt you will be warmly welcomed in
our island" replied the man.
But where am I?' asked John, looking
around again with a puzzled expression.
This is the Isle of Phreex," answered
the other land it is inhabited by unusual
people. I'm one. and you're another.
He made such droll face as he said this
that the gingerbread man could not resist
laugh at his back-a sound merry and
sweet, such as a bird trills. He swung
around quickly and saw child standing
upon the sands. where the rays of the sun
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

bare. but the pink soles were protected by
sandals fastened with straps across the
toes and ankles.
Good morning. said John. again smiling
and hoping he had not stared too rudely.
1T gives me great pleasure to meet you"
MY names Chick" replied the child
laughing in sweet trills while the blue
eyes regarded the gingerbread man with
evident wonder.
That's funny name" said john
Yes. it is funny" the child agreed, Win
friendly nod. Chick means a chicken.
you know. But I'm not chicken"
chicken is covered with feathers And
you are not"
At this Chick laughed merrily and said
as If it were the simplest thing In the
world: I'm the Incubator Baby, you
know"
Dear me. hadn't the least idea of it."
John answered gravely. May l ask what
an Incubator Baby is?'
The child suuatted down In the sand
Rugged it's chubby knees and uttered peal
after peal of joyous laughter.
How FUNNY" it gursled: how funny
that you don't know what the Incubator
Baby Isl Really. you must be fresh baked D
II am." said John. feeling rather ashamed
to acknowledge the fact. but resolving to
be truthful.
"Then. of course. you are very ignorant"
remarked the Fresh-Air Fiend. rubbing his
big head complacently
ooh. as for that" said John. Il ac-
quired. in course OF manufacture. a vast
deal Of ancient learning. which 1 got from
an Arabian Elixir with which the baker
mixed me. I am well posted in all events
down to the last century, but 1 cannot re-
call any knowledge of an Incubator Baby"
mo, they're recent invention" declared
the big-headed man, pattng tenderly the
child's golden curls. Were you, by any
chance. at the Pan-American exposition?
Or the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
NO" answered John. MY knowledge
was corked up about them
We'll" continued the man. there were
a good many Incubator Babies at both
those expositions. and lots of people saw
them. But Chick is the first and only
Original Incubator Baby, and Chick
properly belongs in the Isle of Phreex."
Chick jumped up. made stiff bow. and.
with eyes sparkling with mischief ex
claimed: I'm six years old and quite
strong and WE'LL
Tut. tut. Chick" demonstrated the big
headed man: at was more than two years
ago you were taught to make that speech.
You can't be always six years old, you
know"
The little sprfte enjoyed the joke so much
that John was forced to laugh in sympa-
thy. But just then a thought struck him.
and he asked. a little nervously:
DO you like gingerbread?'
II don't know" replied Chick. Are you
gingerbread?'
II am" said John. bravely.
Then like gingerbread" the child de-
clared; for you smell sweet and look kind
and gentle
John didn't know whether to accept this
as compliment or not He was sorry to
learn that he smeed sweet. although to
be called kind and gentle was grateful
praise.
Some folks he remarked, timidly. "have
an idea they like to eat gingerbread"
Il couldn't eat you" the child said. seri-
ously, because. being the Incubator Baby
have to be very careful of my diet. You
might not agree with me-"
I'm sure 1 couldn't agree with any one
who ate me- John declared For al
though as yet have had no experience of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
CHICK, THE CHERUB

~ HE rocket continued to send out
fiery sparks Of burning powder as
. 1t plunged higher and higher into
the black vault of the heavens, but few
Of these came in contact with John Dough.
who chung to the far side Of the stick and
so escaped being seriously damaged Also
the rocket curved, and presently sped miles
away over land and sea. impelled by the
terrible force of the powder it contained.
John fully expected that 1t would burst
presently and blow him to bits amid
cloud Of colored stars. But the giant rocket
was not made In the same way as the
other and smaller ones that had been fired.
the intention being merely to make 1t go
finally burned itself out. but 80 great was
the speed it had attained that 1t continued
to fly for many minutes after the last
spark had died away.
Then the rocket began to take a down.
ward course, but 1t was so high UP by that
time that the stick and the empty shell
nearing the ground. until finally. just
as a new day began to break. the huge
stick with John Dough still holding fast
to its end, fell lightly upon an island.
washed on all sides by the waves OF
mighty sea.
John fell on a soft bush and thence
bounded to the ground where for time
thoughts.
He had not done much thinking. 1t seems,
while he was in the air. The rush of wind
past his ears had dazed him and he only
realized he must cling fast to the stick and
await what might happen. Indeed, that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

crumble but just now he was the freshest
Individual that ever came out of bake
room.
1t was still early morning, and most folks
were in bed. A prowling dog smelled the
gingerbread and came trotting up with the
Intention of having a bite of II, but John
Dough raised his candy cane and hit the
dog clip on the end of its nose that sent
the animal in another direction with its tail
between it's legs. Then, whistling merrlly,
the gingerbread man walked on He knew
no tune whatever, but he could whistle, ana
SO he managed to express an erratic mix
ture of notes that would have made Herr
Wagner very proud. -
His flesh cor bread, rather was cooling off
Beautifully now. He was growing hard and
crisp and felt much more substantial than
at first The baker had made him light,
and the elixir had made him strong ana
vigorous. A great future lay before John
Presently some one said Hello" John
stopped short, for in front of him stood a
bright-eyed boy with piece OF lighted
punk in one hand and bunch OF hre-
crackers in the other. 1t was Ned Rob
bins. who had been up since daybreak
celebrating the glorious Fourth.
You skeered me at first said the boy;
with a look Of amazement that he tried
10 cover with laugh.
II beg your pardon, I'm sure, returned
John Dough. politely.
Been to a masquerade asked Ned,
staring hard at the gingerbread man.
No. indeed replied the other am
not disguised, / assure YOU You see me as
am
''G'wan" exclaimed Ned But he could
smell the gingerbread. and ne began TO
to the fuse of his biggest frecracker drop
ped it on the ground at the feet or John
Dough- and then turned and scampered up
an alley as fast as he could.
The gingerbread man stood still and
looked after Ned until the cracker sud
denly exploded with bang that caused
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

fell brightly upon its little form. And then
the glass eyes Of the gingerbread man
grew big and stood out from his cake face
In a way that fully expressed hn astonish-
ment.
IT'S visionr' he exclaimed.
mo. It's the Cherub whom we call
Chick" answered the big-headed man care
lessly.
The child had fair hair. falling in ieecy
waves to its shoulders. but more or less
tangled and neglected. 1t had delicate fea-
lures, rosy cheeks and round blue eyes.
When these eyes were grave-which was
when they smiled-which was often-sun-
beams rippled over their blue surfaces:
For clothing the child wore garments of
pure white. which reached from the neck
to the ankles. and had wide. flowing sleeves
and legs like those of a youngsters paJa-
mas. The little ones head and feet were
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
LONDON "THUNDERER" AT
WAR WITH PUBLISHERS

all the advantages of a hrst-claSs and
mammoth circulating library free, or almost
free. New subscribers for a month to a
year were made members of this library.
Half-page advertisements in all the news
papers told the tale. In a few months
81. 900 new subscribers came 10 the Times.
And then Mr.. Hooper. month by month
passed, found his library unwieldy with
its huge stock of books-a few weeks old
only, but read and re-read by the Times
clientele. So more halfpage advertisements
appeared in all the papers. The public
was told how on a certain day 1t could buy
the best and newest $150 novels for from
10 to 80 cents. Books of travel, illustrated
histories, books of reference, published at
from So to $40 were offered at SO cents or
ST. On the day appointed a quarter of a
million of people rushed to the Times
Book Club The building was damned,
the surrounding streets were impassa bic.
The scenes resembled those at the historic
South Sea Bubble rush. For days the sale
went on. But the Times was overwhelmed.
1t couldn't handle the business.
The next move was to secure big block
on oxford street. in the center of the re-
tail shopping trade. and new scheme was
formulated. Instead of having huge peri
odical sales, the books were divided into
classes. Any book, whether the latest and
coStliest of memoirs or the latest and most
successful novel, was put into Glass A-that
Is to say. within one month after publica-
ton II is sold for practically half price;
in three months the book goes into Class B
at a quarter its published price, and in
six months into Glass C. which is practi-
cally the bargain counter, where it fetches
anything from IS cents upward.
The big circua ting libraries trembled all
summer long. The Publishers Association
of Great Britain and Ireland thought it
time to take action, but did not get much
beyond the thinking stage.
When October came along and the great
period of the years publishing had come.
the newspapers and magazines We're filled
with publishers announcements. Marie
Corell's new book, Kiplng's, other great
novelists and authors works were doomed.
And then, amid the whirl of new books,
came the Times announcements. Half-page
advertisements day after day told the
public the story. The public sat up. 1t
began 10 read of the Glass A and B and c
scheme Why should 1t pay $3.50 for the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

simply wonderful considering that his limbs
were of gingerbread. Truly, that Arabian
Elixir was marvellous thing!
Bang. He had run plump into another
group of boys, knocking two of them over
before they could get out of his way. His
silk hat was damned over his eyes, and
the candy cane struck the wheel Of a toy
cannon and broke off good two inches
from its end.
AS he pulled off his hat he heard shout
and saw the boys all scrambling for the
broken end of the candy cane. One of them
gra bbed it and ran away, and the others
followed in a mad chase, and were soon
out of sight.
John Dough looked after them wonder
ingly Then he drew himself up, pulled
down his fine vest, sighed at discovering
slowly along the street again. His first
experience of life was not altogether
pleasant.
Good gracious,' said a voice
He paused and saw a woman leaning over
a gate beside him and glaring at him In
mingled surprise and terror. She held
broom in her hand for she had been sweep
ing the walk. John lifted his hat politely.
Good morning, madame" said he
"Why, it's really alive! grasped the
woman.
rs live person SO very unusual?" asked
John, curiously.
surely, when he's made of cake!' an
swered the woman, still staring as If she
could not believe her eyes.
Pardon me; l am not cake but ginger
bread" he answered. in rather dignified
way.
its all the same" she answered. You
haven't any right to be alive. There's no
excuse for it.
"Rut how can 1 help it?" he asked. some
what puzzled by this remark.
"Oh, / don't suppose it's your fault. But
1t isn't right you know. Who made your
Jules Groghande, the baker, he said,
for he had read the name over the door.
II always knew there was something
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
Scene at Great Falls
During Flood Time

livery ONE who visits the national
r. capital makes pilgrimages to the
various points of interest-the Capt.
toll, Congressional Library. Treasury. the
National Cemetery at Arlington and that
hallowed spot Mount Vernon. where all are
carried away with the magnifcence Of the
beautiful Potomac river. But few of these,
and perhaps fewer still of the residents,
have ever been fourteen miles up stream
and gazed on one of the most picturesque
water falls Of America.
Prof. Simonde Oswalde, the scientist and
globe trotter. In speaking Of the Great
Falls said: 1.-THE world in general knows
Of it's great men, but 1t Is more certain
that men in general are unacquainted with
the fairest regions of the world. I am al
most sure that there are towns of 10000
inhabitants in the United States where 1t
would be impossible to find one man who
ever heard even the name of the Great
Falls Of the Potomac, while every school
master could write a treatise on Lake
Lomond."
How true this statement strikes home
was aptly illustrated last week, when the
river, swollen by the heavy rain of the
previous days, was rushing mountains of
pillows over the precipices and producing
effect far grander than mans eyes
usually see or even mans desires hope to
gaze upon. And yet the spectators were
OF course, the general public has long
been denied the pleasures of comfortably
reaching this wonderful freak Of nature,
as the travel hitherto has been tedious
by carriage from Cabin John Bridge or by
the slow work Of the packet boats on the
raging canal. The opening of a railroad
on the Virginia shore to the very gates of
the falls now places the sight within the
ledge of rock on the south wall that the
falls, in all their splendor, burst upon one
to their best advantage. Above here the
river has narrowed to about two hundred
yards In width. and flows deep and
renely as If meditating on the plunge.
Lower it begins a series of rapids: then,
spreading out fanlike, 1t drops over nu-
merous cataraets, one of which under or
binary conditions Is at least sixty feet in
height, but which during the past week as
sumed much greater proportions on &C
count of the added force of the freshet.
Stand on the verge Of it and look down:
climb to various points of vantage and see