davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
QUEER CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Some of the Things Found by the
British Dead Letter Office.

British Dead Letter Office.
During the ten days preceding Christ.
mas about 10000 parcels are handled
every twenty-four hours by British
postoflice officials, or approximately
100000 for the entire ten days during
which the rush lasts.
The contents of many of the parcels
are, TO say the least, somewhat curl
Gus, says the Pictorial Magazine. A
hamper of live leeches, for instance,
gift. SO does an artificial leg. Yet
both Of these were among the parcels
treated last Christmas Another long
coffin shaped box excited suspicion on
account of the odor emanating there.
from. On opening 1t, however, nothing
more dreadful was found than young
alligator In a dormant condition. An.
other evil smelling hamper was found
to contain no fewer than 800 dead
mice, while yet third inclosed a de-
funct puppy consigned for postmortem
purposes to an eminent surgeon.
tuilStAIdD pIcStulS Vi i've dulilldiS
are constantly being sent through the
post Notwithstanding the fact that the
practice is strictly prohibited. Pigeons,
rabbits, white mice, rats, ferrcts. silk
worms, lizards, snakes, guinea pigs
and even on one occasion q pet lamb
have all been dealt with at some pc
riod or other.
No longer ago than last Christmas
eve box was intercepted containing
100 live frogs, and a short time before
twelve healthy young adders were dis
covered in an innocent looking hamper
which was supposed to contain poultry.
Some of the Enclosures are decidedly
sarcastic. or this class was n two foot
long cane bearing the Endorsement: "a
Christmas present for johnny. For
outward application only. To he we'll
rubbed in"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
IT WAS THEN BEGUN THE sHooTN.

Well, the biddin' started lively, and il
got to eittn' hot,
Fer every mind in Cactus on that sin
gle thing was sot.
Purity soon I'd staIed my saddle, worth
two hundred dollars net,
Just TO own fer one short second that
blamed drug store toilet set.
It was then begun the shootin', no one
seems to know Jest how,
And twas lack Of ammernition that at
last broke up the row,
And thirteen of US was hurted, but the
worst blow that we met
Was in findin' that some bullets had
gone through that toilet set.
But we plugged the punctures in it, and
we plugged the wounded, too,
And agreed we'd arbtrate il, and the
bunch ID see it through,
So we sent gift committee, but they
came back sorer yet,
Fer the teacher ID fIuttered eastward,
SO we have that toilet set.
Denver Republican.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
CAUSE eRAnpA's SEEN IT MANY A TINE,

AT AIferd Brown, 'at lives mex door
To US, don't like him, 'uhcause
He say at he don't think no moro
AT there can be Santa Claus,
But erampa whisper in my ear
AT Santa will find me all right,
Cause he has seen his sleigh an deer
An pack O. playthngs many night.
My erampa knew Boy Blue an all
TIL children at live in TIL shoe.
Which Humpty Dumpty had at fall
He's standia' close as me an you!
An he say ist to don't buhlieve
Tn folks at say there amt no chime
o. reindeer bells on Christmas eve,
Cause he has heard 'em many a time.
Chicago Tribune.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
What Grandpa
Knows
q ONE folks say at Red Riding Hood

e CINE folks say at Red Riding Hcoc
~ She didn't live st all nor 60
Down whege tn wolf was in at wood
But granlpa says 'at it is sol
An some folks say at Goldilocks
Don't meet tn bears an run away,
A-hunpin' into trees an rocks,
But grampa's seen her many day.
My grampa takes me on his knee
An tells me all bout Puss in Boots
An bout tn fairies you can't see
For their in-vis-their funny suits.
An he knows where the bsanstalk is
AT Jack tn Giant Killer climb
To get at gold an things o. his,
Cause grampa's seen it many time
An Cinderella, too, my pa
Ist laugh an say at he don't know,
But grampa-w'y, my erampa saw
Her slip at slipper on her toel
An Simple Simon--would you think
He never was like some folks say?
But sranpa only laugh an wink,
Cause he has seen him many a day.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
nThe Queens Christmas Card

Queen Alexandra has not given up
her interest in behalf of the unemploy-
ed. Last Christmas she sanctioned a
unique plan to raise more funds for
them. This was in the shape Of the
issue of a Christmas book. consisting
of poems. stories, sketches. drawings
and music. which was entitled "rhe
Queens Christmas Card" Algerlon
Charles Swinburne Alfred Austin, the
poet laureate; Thomas Hardy. Marie
Corelli. Hall Game. George Meredith.
Arthur Wing Pinero. Sir Laurence
Alma-Tadema. Edwin A. Abbey. Will
liam Holman Hunt Sir Edward John
Poynter and Sir Edward Elgar are
among the host of those who contrib
uted. The production Of the book was
practically gratuitous. 1t sold for
half a crown. and the proceeds were
devoted to the queens unemployed
fund
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
Christmas In
Cactus Center.

WV oMEN'S scarce in Cactus Gem
W. ter, and there amt no bar
gain stores
Fer to start them Monday rushes that
break down the stoutest doors,
But we had some Christmas shoppin'
that the town amt over yet,
Jest because of one small woman and
drug store toilet set.
She was Cactus Center's teacher, and
she hadn't left the stage
Fore she had the boys plum locoad,
and don't bar youth nor age.
She was cute and smart and pretty,
and she might "a been here yet
II it hadn't been for Dawson and his
drug store toilet set.
1t was old and scratched and speeklsd,
fer twas in his case fer years,
But old Dawson, sharp and clever, put
a whisper in our ears
Lowed he'd sell that set at auction, and
he says, "Now, boys, you bet
This'll make hit with teaeher-this
hero swell new toilet set"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
A Theatrical
Santa Claus.
BY JEFFERSON DE ANGELS.

fEVHE week before Christmas in
u New York, "once upon time,
Isl not so very long ago." showed
Broadway full of eager shop
pers, making tracks through heavy
fall of snow which the street sweepers
had not yet cleared away. Up and
down the magic street and its COM
panion arteries in the retail district a
jostling crowd, pushing. fighting its
way, sought to catch glimpses Of the
many treasures temptingly displayed
In the shop windows. Great extremes
of life bumped elbows. The girl from
the east side, coming down from the
sluns to view the good things things
forbidden TO her pocketbook-bru
her threadbare skirts against the fur
lined gown of the daughter of the rich.
The almond eyed Celestial from the
Chinese district mingled the opium
scent of his blouse with the delicate
violet of the well dressed crowd. Chill
dren from Fifth avenue In their smart
clothes edged away from squalidly
dressed urchins with unwashed faces
and uncombed hair.
There was happy contentment re-
fiected on the faces of thousands, In
contrast to the pinched, hungry, hope
less. feverish eyed faces of the other
thousands so strangely mingled on the
worlds greatest thoroughfare.
At the Rialto theater great prepare
tons were in progress for the produc-
ton of new comic opera. Rehearsals
had been going on from early morning
until midnight, day In and day out.
The back of the big stage was yerita-
bic chaos. Unfinished scenery and
mysterious looking props" were being
skillfully fashioned into counterfeit
presentations of camels, for there was
to be a grand march of the kings cara
van across the desert. There was an
elephant, too, as big as life, and os-
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
THE Kaiser'S
= Christmas.
W. E0BABLY no European court
gives Christmas presents on so
81 extended scale as the kaiser's.
Every one gives presents to ev-


cry one else, and for weeks before
Christmas secret inquiries are made
about the most suitable gifts to be-
ftow. The empress and her seven chill
dren mysteriously dash about Berlin
and Potsdam. visiting jewelers., toy
shops and other establishments where
something new or striking is TO be had,
and they hold d leyee every morning
of tradesmen whom they have no time
to visit
The kaiser does no shopping HIM
self. but he is the greatest Christmas
box giver of all. and his presents i'll
every case exactly fit the desires Of the
happy recipient. Early in December
he makes list of the persons to whom
lie intends making presents. His wife
heads the list, and at the foot is usual
~ some old pensioner or invalided
housekeeper who has served the Ho-
henzollerns for half century.
Soon before Christmas the royal mint
sends the kaiser bag of bright. new
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17

THETwINKLTNG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THE
FIGURE OF SANTA CLAUS.
triches and weird objects, all piled in
confusion with artificial plants and
floral devices, glittering armor and all
the thousands of odd things that were
being prepared for the most dazzling
comic opera of the year, "The Minstrel
of the Sahara"
The scenic artists had been working
day and night for weeks, and. with the
opening now only few days off, the
managers were nervously dreading
that the beautiful effects would not be
finished in time. To add to this fear,
Henry Granger, the artist on whom
the projectors of the great spectacle
had mainly depended, had succumbed
to the strain of working for days and
nights without sleep and scarcely stop
ping for anything to eat. He lay at
his little east side home, tossing and
raving in the delirium of typhoid fe-
yer. He had been absent from the
painters bridge" for nearly a fort
night, and, although his loss was con-
sidered serious at first, some one else
had filed his place, and now he was
forgotten. Scenic artists, like actors,
are improvident creatures, and if any
of the warm hearted stage folk had
had time to think of aught except the
duties that weighed SO heavily ON each
and every one they might have
thought that the sick man, out of work
and helplessly i'll, might be suffering
for want of money. Granger was
favorite generally, and many a time
ings to help swell contribution to
some needy professional in distress. If
anything ever reminded the company
of Changers absence it might have
been that his little girl, an only one of
seven, came no more with the artists
meals, as she used to when he painted
away up there on the bridge" She
was a sweetly coy little thing, her
great blue eyes set in a thoughtful
and pale face, surrounded by golden
curls.
And now it was Christmas eve, at
O'clock in the afternoon. Old Pete,
the stage door tender, was startled
from his reveries back in the shadow
of his cage by the sweet voice of
child. She had "a note from mamma
Go Mr. Hardcraft, the manager" No,
the manager was not around just then,
but she could wait. He might be back
any moment Tenderly the rough old
fellow led the bonny one to prosce-
MUM box and, lifting her into big up
holstered chair, which she far from
flled bade her wait. A busy rehearsal
was in progress, which the child
watched with no special curiosity. for
he sight was familiar one to her,
after q succession of mods she fell
Yep.
Every one on the stage was too busy
to notice the mite as she rested there,
Dne foot eurled under, her pretty face
\pugly pressed into the corner of the
bftly padded chair. Her red tam had
2ipped off, and her hair was loosely
nsed in ringlets about her face and
In few minutes the stage
Abruptly stopped the eveiu-
Ting to announce that an
given for something to
pllowed hurrying TO
lunch places, and the
5 left dark and silent
II few moments preyious
sounded the voices of chorus, the
- and patter of feet and the
II.
e by one and in pairs and
company began to assem-
There was still good
land the boys and girls
q accepted the opportunity
gossip as they sat OF
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
Turkey Once a Side Dish.

Turkeys, mince pies and plum pud.
dings are now regarded as the chief
items In the Christmas dinner, but at
one time they were mere side dishes in
an enormous number of courses.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
Christmas Tree For Cal.

Christmas is the great religious festi-
val when the kind heart finds many
ways Of ministering to the JOY and
pleasure of others. The good women
of Boston who originated and sustain
the Animal Rescue league have hit up
on the unique idea of Christmas tree
for the cats that are waiting for homes
at that institution. A bush is provided
and trimmed with meat and other suit
able eatables for such animals. and
just before they are turned into the
room the members Of the Kindness
club are admitted to enjoy the antics
of the cats
This club is composed of boys whose
ages range from eight to thirteen
years and is the outcome of the
leagues work in poor section of Bos-
ton. They are pledged to do some kind
act each day and to protect animals
from cruelty. After the cats have de-
molished the tree and gone to sleep
the boys are given refreshments and
sent home truly filed with the spirit Of
Christmas.-Nsw IorG .saE &C. ~
praaA.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
When Christmas Lasted Weeks.

Our ancestors thought nothing of tax
ing three weeks holiday at Christmas
time.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
In Saxon Times.

IL " nan and Saxon times an OK
was aways roasted whole over the
Yuls log ut Christmas.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17

II you cannot obtain what you want
the most, be as happy as you can with
second choice. which Is perhaps the
best you can get Manchester Union.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
An Old Christmas Custom.

A century or two ago there was q
custom in Germany for all the parents
In town or village to send the pres
ents they designed for their children to
one chosen individual, who called al
each house clad in a motley robe. a
mask and huge fiaxen wig. Knock
ing on the door. he called in loud
voice for all the good children to ap-
pear and receive the gifts which the
Christ Child. the Christ Kindlein. had
sent them. This was the primeral
Kriss Kringle. CoIeridge describes this
custom and records that the bad little
children had rod left for their cor
rection.-B Brooklyn Citizen.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
Still He Wouldn't Reform.

This curious tale of old time spirit
ism Is taken by Defoe from Baxter's
Q615-1691) Historical Discourse on
Apparitions:' There is now In Lon
don an understanding, sober, pious
man, oft one of my hearers, who has
an elder brother, gentleman Of con
siderable rank, who, having formerly
seemed pious, Of late years does often
fall into the sin Of drunkenness. He
often lodges long together here In his
mothers house, and whatsoever he Is
drunk and has slept himself sober
something knocks at his bed head, as If
one raped on the wainscot. When
they remove his bed It follows him.
Besides otter loud noises on other
parts where he is, that all the house
hears, they have often watched him
and tied his hands lest he should do
1t himself" But his mother declared
that she had seen his shoes under the
bed taken up and nothing visible to
touch them" The drunken sinner re-
fused In spite Of these solemn warn
tngs to abandon his evil ways.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1907-12-17
Vacations as Christmas Presents.

In letter to the employees Of the
Bourne mills Of Fall River. Mass, an
nouncing the regular profit sharing div
idend on Dec. "a last. Treasurer George
A. Chase said: "The board Of directors
has unanimously authorized me to an
noance to you the experiment OF va
cation week in August. 1907 The mills
viii close Aug. "a and reopen Sept. g.
thus allowing you ten days Of rest and
recreation. IN lieu OF regular pay you
will get an extra dividend Oh your
wages. payable just before the vaca-
ton. TO the amount Of 20 per cent OF
the average weekly wages" This
promise vas faithfully kept
What Worried Marks Mother.
/ was always told tnat | was a sick
" and precarious and tlresome and
uncertain child and lived mainly on
medicines during the first seven years
Of my life. I asked my mother about
this in Ter old age she was IN her
elghty-eighth year-and said;
Il suppose that during ali that time
you were uneasy about melv
Yes. the whole time"
Afraid I wouldn't liver
After n reflective pause, ostensibly to
mink out the facts:
mo afraid you would" Marx
Twain In North American Review.
a Heated Discussion.
What's the matter with the fire
eater? Been swallowing too many
fames2'
"Nope. He's been drinking too much
frewater. "-CIeyeIand Plain Dealer.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-15
WHEN THE JAM GOES OUT.

Log jams are not an abnormal part
of the rivermans work, as most pedo' :
suppose, but regular incident of
the days business. In the breaking
OF them the jam crew must be quick
and sure. know of no finer sight
than the going out of a tail jam. The
men pry heave and tug sometimes
for hours. Then all at once the ap-
parently solid surface begins to Creak
and settle. The men zigzag rapidly
to shore. A crash and spout OF water
marks where the first tier IS already
topping into the current The front
melts like sugar. A vast, formidable
movement agitates the brown Jangle
as far as you can see. And then With
another sudden and mighty crash the
whole river bursts into a torrent f
motion
If everything has gone well the men
are all safe ashore, leaning on their
peavies, but ready at any instant to
hasten out for the purpose of discoUr-
aging by quick, hard work amy ten
dency to plug on the part of the m "
ing timbers I have seen men out of
bravado jump from the breast Of d
jam, just as it was breaking down to
a floating log ahead thus to be ca'
ried IN the sweep and rush far down
the river. A single slip meant death
Edward White IN Outing Magazine
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-15
Senator Nelson's Good Taste

That is a refreshing bit of news
coming from Washington about the
purchase of a modest home worth in
the neighborhood of $4,000 by Sena-
tor Knute Nelson, the house being tie
same occupied by him during the past
10 years. There is a fine example of
democratic simplicity for you, and the
contrast between the modesty and good
taste of the Minnesota solon and tn
coarse extravaganza and vulgar dis.
play of some of his newly elected col
leagues will not in1ure mis- standing
either in Washington Or at home
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-15
MANY USES FOR THE BISON.

Preserving the bison on sentimental
ground S sufficient reason for the
more intelligent of our people, but
sentimental ground is not at all su1Ii-
cicnt to the average American mind.
And it is, therefore. with wisdom that
Mr.. Bayres has sought to extend the
appeal which the bison has for many
different kinds Of people For eA-
ample, last summer he took UP the
question of buffalo wool A small
quantity was obtained just as it was
shed by the animals, was carded at a
factory and later spun and knitted
into gloves which proved very warm
and, so far as could be judged from
a few months wear, durable as well.
Samples OF this wool and yarn have
been submitted to manufacturers, who
all agree that the wool IS of a very
good quality, that for while it would
demand high price as novelty and
later a very good price for general
utility purposes where light colors are
NOT required. Other men Mr.. Baynes
has found who are interested in the
bison as a beef animal, and still
others who are inclined to give ear to
the voice Of the Society because they
believe that by crossing the bison
with certain breeds of domestic cat
tie, a valuable new breed may i'll time
be evolved. Indeed some rather con-
sentative scientific men have express
ed the opinion that bison farms would
prove profitable in any of the states
included in the animals former rarge.
Outing Magazine.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-15
OPPOSES THE PROPOSITION TO
DOUBLE ALLOWANCE.
FAIR BUT NOT EFFECTIVE
GAINESVILLE Senator Doubts Whether
Better Men Would Serv- as Legs-
Iators for $1,000 Per Session Than
for $5oo-ResoIution Concurred in
2t to 8.
Madison, April IL.


By vote of 81 to s the senate yes
terday concurred in the assembly res
olution to change the constitution so as
to increase the pay of members of the
legislature from $500 to $1,000 per
session. Senator Whitehead was the
only one to speak on the matter,
briefly stating his reasons for oppos-
ing it. He said that the proposition
was manifestly a fair one, that $500
does not recompense member for the
time and expense involved in servi -
as a legislator but he expressed Sc /
GUS doubts whether the doubling Of
the allowance would cause the st tie
to get any better men to make the
laws than now, and he thought the
class of Legislators would be lowered
rather than raised. The vote was as
follows:
For $1,000 salaries-Senators Bar
ker, Bird, Brazeau, Browne, Fair
child, F'roemming, Hagemeister, Hud-
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-04-15
CARING for the FISHING BOD.

All rods should have the greatest
care, be they of solid wood, split
bamboo, or steel. We are not all in
c!ined to send them to the rod maker
every season for examination and re-
pair; we would rather do that our
selves, at odd times. Scrape the
rough places carefully with the sharp
edge of a piece of broken glass, then
revarnish with good coach or piano
varnish laid thinly on with a camel
hair brush Examine carefully, that
no crack or opening is seen in the
bamboo and that the silk is not frayed
or united. If the latter, some fine red
silk twist carefully wound will re-
place thief rayed parts. If the thin
part of the tip shows weakness, extra
ties can be wound over it, and If the
guides are loose, they should be re-
tied; also the ferrules, if only slight
ly loose, should be taken out, reset
and reglued-then true casting Is
made more sure. Personally, think
the plated or silver mountings are a
mistake. l do not keep mine polished
bright, for the reason that the fash
in the act of casting scares both trout
and bass, especially on bright sunny
days and low water. The time is
near l hope when makers will pro-
6uce rod with mountings of a SOM
Der color.-Louis Rhead in Outing
Magazine