davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

the church oLi-.rS r.- .. .itI rim lin: iu'-
rily Inside the family forms circle
SIN. Christmas carols. Anxious t. make
great nche. the younger children join 10
with wini Instruments
4 sudden knOck tells them Re- 1 there.
Some rush up TO help him on With his fur
coat and others assist him t. unload his
toys. Every little girl and boy ,-pects Il
pair of skates. Ia no other county Is
skating finer and the children skate 50
much that they need a new pair every
season. They expect caps. moods and NIT
tens-these are so necessary 10 n cold eli
mate. They are fond OF pets. gift Uf
kitten or n bird Is priced greatly. AM II
they cannot have real horse. a wooden
rocking horse Is n satisfactory substitute.
When Sunderkloas cannot come he sends
his presents on n goat. The goit kicks
and. thus scatters the presents on the
door.
In Norway It is customary to make the
very birds share IN the Oh -istmas glad
ness. For this purpose a tree Is plan ed
In front OF every house. hung with herbs
and boxes containing tempting seeds. so
that the little feather guests may feast
and eat their I'LL
When Sunderkloas leaves Norway and
Sweden be goes TO Holland lie always
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

V..i..STNIAS Is near. Its approach Is
~ Lcra.Crd 10y the thousands aud ore
Ssyuh0l> that from hahyhood we have
learned 10 love and associate wiki the
festival Of the nativity Of Christ. This
festival i joyously celebrated In every
country on the globe where the eulisht-
en!ug rays OF Christianity and civilization
have penetrated.
Children tel Us that Christmas Is In
the air that II does not require a glance
~ the uimaIar hanging upon the wall 90
nprri>e them Of the near approach OF
seHsou. which TO them Is synonymous
with frastiug merry making. the eXchans-
luz ~ little gifts with loved ones and.
last hut rot least the annual visit OF
fat and jolly old Kris Kringie and his
reindeer sled And the children are right
For. after all. Is II not a festival that We
grown uTs participate iu with the euthu-
susm II the little folks:
luu. since TIE suuIiS have heea stOrkei
10 their capacity with toys aud the
myriad ~ gvwgGws thai go 10 attract
the. atteutiuY uf the millions %. shoppers
who tIrouE the streets. all ben; upon one
,-rlui1au mission The making ready Tor
christmas visit 10 the large cites.
SNAIL towns. 49, well a. To- tie little
,-il-4tay -.Ir,-,. all I.rSreak the ca>e w.'A
vnY,ii prr9ur.- tiI's> tor Christmas csu hr
accom- il~.yd ua..a,!ays - cOm.aJei "ith
those ui 90 YEARS u-u.
6 mi-LI re wei % pause awhile H.
ihi> is.us,y mad age Of connef, ialiSta..
when tIr pursuit 81 the dollar IS puiu
iuut.t Iu '.H else, aud - uack hIH
century 60 So ana lecaH CEr.Sf ll.a~ us
90 was ,t4r.r.IteI a. ire f..r southland
I..sui,. Tie. war To THESE who knew tne
Suttl aeI,se is hrud -.rsa gciL- were
,.f!uisu,i,,! Wii. TIE lac blood OF invader
aId sv.rHucr. Il Christmas ILeu WaS
itstisaI cong 10 Je remembered. the
Climax or patient and ardEJU, prep
.Ia:.uu. tie elimination ~ mouths OF
I..iInstaAius care. yet wlthai a labor OF
IU,c. rhns" were days Of uever-ceasing
juy W.ricl :airly bresthed the spirit u
.-I'carc ou earth. good will 10 men.
''Chrlsnlas sin. Mist.ss. Christmas gin.
Marsterf' d. Tie wards Ol the slave
h"idin: planters gathered about the
Great House front porch on Christmas
morning was a greeting none could for
get VITO heheld the Uprurued aud eager
black faces OF the plantation help IS they
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

Christmas cakes OF every description; not
forgetting the yule dough. those plain.
but well-spiced. thin cookies. made a.
were TIE ancient cakes ~ the form %
human body. with Sits for the nose sad
mouth and currants for the eyes Other
evidences that the feasting was 10 be
continued throughout the day were eon-
tGlned In the two large baskets on either
side OF the open fireplace. one slled with
ehestnuts, the other with apples. these TO
be roasted AZ will on the glowing Goals
while In the corner were the irons vita
which TO null the port and cider.
A custom Of beauty was one rarely
revived nowadays. While the Afternoon
festivities were at their height aud as
the hot-mulled beverages were passed
around. toasts were freely given The
guest Of honor. with glass aloft. would
open the front hall door and from the
shelter Of the piazza he toasted the
fields and orchards. that the host miSkt
be assured Of a successful summer and
a rich harvest. Returning 10 the hall. 4
well pitched voice would burst forth Into
that delightful o4d carol:
God rest you. merry gentlemen.
Let nothing you dismay: T.
For Jesus Christ. our Saviour.
Was born upon this Gag.
This carol usually closed the afternoons
diversions. Chambers were sought and
siestas snatrhed that eyes. might he
bright for the browning eteut % the
day. the Christmas ball.
The huge hallway was cleared % Ire
furniture and the gis~feuing floor waxesi
until iis surface sbOnc Ike a mirror.
The fdGlers took ny their position IN re
corner Of the ROOM as carriages he-aa
TO drive mp laden with the young foik
from the countryside for miles around
Round dances md square dances. reefs
AMI Iuadrilles followed IN quick order
until the faint streaks Of dawn hned the
horizon: then came the Virginia reei in
which old aud young participated. and
Christmas DAY had faded into the past
A rOund II gIyeties are crowded into The
week. each u replica OF the one that
went before. Feastins and merry ma King
goes on undated Until New Years Day
has been ushered In. then guests depart
and once more the household tnAer up Is
routine.
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

came forward TO receive the gift that
they 50 wei knew awaited them.
Good old days. we sayi Days that are
gone. but the memories OF which are as
green and fresh in our hearts today as
the holly and mistletoe we are engaged
IN twinin- into wreaths for the Christ
mas OF today.
Christmas Before the War had the
same Significance FOR the children OF
the South as ii has for those OF today.
but how much more Il meant TO the
mistscsscs Of those plantations where a
bundled or more slaves had to be remem-
bered than Il does TO the grand danes
OF today. who have but 10 enter their
carriages. visit the nearest shop and
there purchase whatever her fancy might
dlctnte. Today Il IS little else than one
of many shopping tours. so dear to the
hearts OF all womauklnd. Then It meant
endless work: for months the needles
flashed IN the busy housewives hands.
as gift then was almost invariably
l-Irdmade
Preparations for Christmas In ante
hellum days generally began early in
September. hen mllady paid her semi.
annual visit 70 the nearest city or town.
and there laid Ia her supplies. Gro, cries
w~N- purchased by the wholesale. sta
pies for the field hands and all the delft
ear'es the market afforded FOR the Great
House" and the horde Of guests which
were To invade II.
visit 20 the dry goods stores resulted
Ia the purchase of cloths. eottous. fan
neis and silks 10y the bolts OF course
matCriHis for fancy work were purchased
ln large quantities. Tor every Southern
h"rn WouHn spent her spare mJ;aeuts "a
work % this sort Arriving hoHIr the fan
cs.apaisu was mapPel cut. Every plan
iatlou hlaSted Of half dozen or more
women aud girls among the saves. who
designated themselves by the proud titles
u; 'sean!ste.s. Each DAP the 'seamsters
would come 10 the room set apart 10 the
manor house for sewing anl. under the
watchfui eye Of the mistress Of the house.
sew up the seams OF the garments she
herself had cut out. Dresses for the
smallest baby on the plantation. a well
a. those for the little pickaHlnnles. half
grown girls young and Old women alike.
were made and laid away for Christmas.
Bright prints. saily Checbered callcoes
and domestics were the materials gen
orally employed. as the negro ever had
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

n HOUGH every -Ttiua has rs s;,eeiai
q holidays and celebrations Christmas
" the one holiday that nearly tie
cntuc world celebrates Much as this day
.! rejoiciu. means 20 the grown-up. 1t Is.
above all else. a chilLren's day. When
the glad Christmas chimes ring cut mil
lions of little folks the world over rejoice
and ar. happy.
Though Germany Is supposed 10 be ;ae
home OF the tree and Santa Claus. 1t Is
IN the North countries SuEderkOas frs;
appears. In Norway, Sweden aud Den
mark the little folk Nce!ebrate his COM
ing for 10 days. The thought % his CEN
ing creates feeling of good fellowship.
resulting in much visiting back aud forth.
dancing aud laughter The children
keep the postmsn busy mailing their
letters. for thousands " children send
letters to Sunderkloas. telling him just
what they want Though their lists are
often long. they ere ca efui TO explain
that II he ogaLot bying them every hing.
they would Ike certain things very much.
aud their parents viii look after the rest.
on Christmas Eve The household nre gath
cred IN the best paror, waiting his com
ing aaDaCenily. IL tie smallest village
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

home, whether a castle or a hut, will
want a Christmas tree. IL Is sure to
be trimmed with many candles. gold
balls. candies and cakes made to resem-
bic queer-looking men.
II is the custom for large families to
gather Mt grandmOther's. They have a
large dinner with wine, plenty OF cake,
apples and nuts. After dinner they rush
to the purlor door. which is now IN
locked. and as they catch glimpse OF
tile many brilliant lights. they examine
the tree carefully, but they do not touch
ii until Santa really appears When
they hear the merry Jingle and the clat
ter Of RENDERS hoofs they form q circle
and sing those verses dear to every Ger
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

brothers can pull them TO school. The
children in Holland are Hs practical as
their parents. aid they prefer caps aud
clogs to toys.
Before Santa Claus goes 10 Switzerland
and England be makes a flying trip back
home to Germany. He has had thou
sands Of childre1 writing for trees aud
toys; be has sent his helpers to North
ern Germany FOR trees and TO Munich
and Nuremberg for toys. In the great
forests men are busy for days cutting
down the trees. They are distributed
some days before Christmas. The chill
dren do not dare TO peep into the rooms.
for they are certain their mquisitiveness
will keep Santa Claus away. Every
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

reaches that country on the 5th instead
Of the 25th However coiI It is on that
day. there is never Dire burning ON the
hearth. for here be usually comes down
the tall chimney. instead OF shocking ut
the door. The children are gathered near
the CRATE. vieing with one another 10 see
who will catch the trst 81 mnse OF h m.
Before be uLties his hGUdl- he is pretty
sure TO ask how the children have be-
haved themselves during the winter. They
are dre1d:uiiy disdp, ointcd II they are
not given kite Kite m an much 10
Dutch children. for the winds ere strong
IN Holland. and there Is large sweep of
land. In Southern Holland the Lite girls
prefer gO-Carts 10 sleGs. LecauSe shsir
Arizona republican., 1907-12-28

were not for the Christmas gifts winter
days In the dreary mountain villages
would become very tedious.
Nowhere does Christmas wear n wore
solemn tone than in Italy. The churches
are all lighted and decorated. and the
little folks also go 70 midnight mass TO
give thanks. On the way they stop TO
gaze at the brilliant stalls decorated
with candles. lanterns and b-ight-cOlOr-
ed papers. They Will not mo,e 90 until
their parents consent To hgy them n
wax bambinO and sOtEc SCEared
hearts Toward midnight one scvs hUu-
dreds OF women and children waking
along lonely country roads go.''s; u
mass. and the great cathedrd.s Ia s4ne.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
Corn 200 w avs

klTw wo HUNDRED distinct dishes
 may be made from corn. all
 \ palatabie. and ali for few cents each.. said John w. Sharman. of Cincinnati. MT. sharman has ex- tensive cornhelds out West. "Ths aver age person doesn't Iknow corn, to a great extent. will take the place of meat. It has fully the food value of meat and is not heating, and is. of course, much cheaper. For a few cents one may always have a plentiful supply. and 1t should be kept in every weli-appointed household. It would be no trouble at all to furnish a daily bill of fare of corn alone for several months. The simplest thing. of course. is the pone or dodger that the Indians baked on tAe rocks-simply little cornmeal mixed with salt. They parched the corn first and then ground 1t into meal They mixed it with salt from the 1icks.' and called 1t Journey cake, for they would halt to make 1t while on journey. From this we have the corruption, Johnny cake.' The Indians had more elaborate dish, something like the pannhaus. It was d porridge in which they mixed bits of fish or game and berries. and the near est thing we have to it is Philadelphia scrapple, made from beef flyers and the delicate flakes of meat from pigs heads"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

in hurriedly and told her that the white ants had eaten away the foundations of the house and that everything must be moved out at once. You wouldn't think little ants could do 50 much damage, would you?
 orders were given at once. and so hard did the coolies (Chinese eervapt9 work that everything was moved to the Inew house. some distance away. and put fin readiness before the dinner party next day. We often gave these parties to the officers whose vessels were stop ping at the port. We had lots of good things to eat. to which American boys and girls are little accustcfned-al- though not, as you may imagine. rats or mice. It is true. however. that the poorer classes among the Chinese enjoy eating these animals. In China. you know, they use the funny cncrsticks in eating.
 All missed Robbie. the older brother. sadly when he was sent to school in America. but there was always 50 much to be done and seen that troubles both- sred them very little. It was such run to go with grandma to the junk snops' where she would buy all sorts of beaui- full things. as well as ugly idols ana images.
 In China the native children now have much better times than they formerly had They go to school. and even to sunday schools. where they learn about the Bible.
 It was not very long before the rest of the family followed Robbie to Amer lea. But the children. especially Betsy and Sandy, were always proud to say that they had been born in such pret- ty country. and they delighted 10 snow their friends the many handsome things they had brought from there. They meah to go back to China some time ana sec the place where they spent so many happy days. % N-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

steamers. but large-saiied vessels. that took over four months to make the 1onrney. Sometimes a ship was be- caimed in the Indian ocean for a month "a long, weary month 1t was, too.
 However, the American boy and girl. and their mother and grandma. arrived without nlishap. The discomforts Of the trip were soon forgotten amid the fan- ny sights they found on every side. The people wore such strange clothes and were so queer that the boy and girl could not understand them at all
 But they were very happy with their parents and their grandma. In time q dear little sister and a brother. named Betsy and Sandy, came to live and play with them. Then, too. they had fine times with their subsequently, the monkeys.
 Kitty. the little girl. had a narnnoset named Jacko. who used to dress her. self in her mistress bonnets and admire herself in the mirror. How she would scamper when caught! One day a new
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

tree was wee damsekeating some de- licious candy. yet crying as if her heart would break.
 she's being punished" said Bixey.
 "wish I'd be punished that way" ob- served Toodiedee. wistfuiiy.
 \''Hm; you wouldn't if you were she" continued the gnome: '.when little girls in Noodle Land bother their mothers for candy and things. they're alwt7s given them. but they're. given them in large quantities, and as the girl has to eat every bit, she's tired and sick enough when she's through. That little girl has been eating candy for three days without a moments rest. You may imagine that she's almost cured
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
.cMyec MesrS

rwo brothers. both idle and stupid. were out in search of adventure. \ Arriving ct the forest of Calabra, they saw approaching stranger clothed in the richest of dress.
 'who are you?" he asked.
 "we are brothers" they replied.
 ''what are you seekingf"
 we are seeking livelihood" was the response.
 You want work9" asked the stranger. 'The least possible" answered the two promptly. a
 ''It Is all the same to me. won't you come with mel You will have nothing to do. and you will be fed we'll"
 The brothers cried together: "It Is egreed!
 But my home is quite . way from here." continued the stranger. Have you anything with you to eat?'
 ''only this cake." was the reply of one of the brothers.
 ''well. third of the cake would sure- ly be but small portion for one of us. while the whole would provide one with fair meal. have a plan to propose. Suppose the three of us lie down under this tree and so to sleep. The one who wakes first may have the cake for him. eelf.'' .o
 "Good. it ia . bargain!'' said the others.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
Not Like the Story

JOHNNY had/broken window. John
 ny's first impulse was to run away - as fast as his feet would carry him. but then he thought of the story he had read about the noble little boy who had broken a window and who had at once avowed his fault to the owner. How nicely that boy had been treated. and how he had been respect edi So. on second thought Johnny de- cided to confess. too.
 A moment later there was the sound of a cuff that could be heard a block away. followed by an angry voice.
 Broke nay window. chr You little rascal! S'pose you smashed the other two that have been broken this week. Take that. and that!"
 But even if he wasn't rewarded for his truthfulness. Johnny was honest and did what was right. One isn't al- ways rewarded for doing right. you know.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
Pride Had a F all

Nyo TURKEY in the barnyard was so M handsome as ''Gobbie-G -Goppie' and none quite so plump as ne. On the contrary. 'Skinee" was the most nisersble-lookiEg turkey you ever saw thin and bony and ugly as could be. But 'skinee" couldn't help his looks. you know. Surely. he ate enough to make him as fat as "Gobbie- -Gobble.'
 Now. "Gobbies sGobble' was always boosting of his Good looks. This in it. self would not have done a great deal of harm. but. at the same time. he made fun of poor little "skinee." Indeed. he led the poor. ugly turkey . sorry life fit.
 Never mind," counselsd an old hen to "skinee"; the tables will be turned before long."
 True to the old hens prophecy. the next day the plump. vainsiorious turkey was the first selected to be killed. while the other was so thin that the farmer decided it was not worth while killing him for market
 And so the great handsome turkey, whose boast was his fine appearance. provided the Thanksgiving dinner for a family. while the thin. despised fowl at which he mad poked so much fun still xoamed happily about the barnyard.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
THE STOLEN THANKSGIVING PIES

told her. some hours later. that some person had reached in through the open window and stolen all the pies.
 But grandma. had hardly ceased speak, ing when the doorbeli rang. and in walked the next-door neighbor. holding tightly by the arm little girl of about Lillian's age.
 "It's Melissa Brown!' gasped Lillian.
 Saw her sneaking out of your yard, a'am," explained the neighbor. T Knew the little rascal was up to no good"
 There was no doubt that she was the thief. for the pies were still clasped tightly under her arm.
 Grandma looked steadily at Lillian. Lillian said nothing for a moment. then she blinked rapidly. and chokingiy said:
 '"rhe pies belong to Melissa. Mir Jones'"
 . r'Yes," added grandma. ''she baked them for the Browns Thanksgiving dinner"
 'oh. pardon me.'i replied the sur prised Mir. Jones. and stiil apolosizins. he made his way out.
 Meanwhile. Melissa still stood lock-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

CONCLUDED FROM LAST SUNDAY, eroopLEDuM and Toodiedee thought
 the concert was the funniest they ' ever saw. In the first place. when the audience was pleased with a per- former they never applauded; while, on the contrary. they showed disfavor by slapping their hands vigorously.
 Bixey looked disgusted when they asked ltam about 1t.
 'why, isn't 1t only reasonable that we should show appreciation by keep inn quiet? In that way we may best hear the song when 1t is repeated. And when we don't like anything, we. clap our haneis 50 violently that. the performer has just sot to quit because ne couldn't be heard for the noise."/
 ~Doss sound reasonable" admitted roodlsduna.
 But what they liked best was the Pussycat Quartet. Four great. black cats were trained to sing together. and they did sing beautifully. The chorus ran something like this:
 .-ree how. toe VOW. :iss sissmiaou: omee, ornew. ooziss. t-s-r-t-yeeow."
 And they sang 1t so that the sudi- snce were in tears.
 '.But what do the words meanT whispered Toodledee.
 sNobody knows.' replied Bixev; '.that's what makes 1t all the more touching. They might be awfuify sad, for all one knows"
 wen get cock-horses now and ride to Banbury Cross" said the enome.
 Bixey led them toward . livery. where they quickly hired three cock horses. 4 cock-horse. you must know. has . head like cock and c horses body.
 when they reached Banbury Cross. which was really nothing but big wooden cross. they dismounted. be- cause, as the gnorne said. the rhyme never mentions that any one may be permitted to ride cock-horse fur ther than Banbury Cross.
 "So we'll walk on to Cranberry Cross. the next town." he added.
 After time they came to a broad river. The ferryman greeted them politely, and promised that he would soon have them across.
 He blew whistle and thousands of gnones hastened to his side. Giving them sharp directions. the elves were
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24
Two Mothers

= ONE days after the death of her
 eldest son. the duke of Clarsncs. ~/ the princess of Wales. now queen of England. was walking about her e. tate at sandringham. when she met an old woman by the roadside. On ths woman's back was great load ok wood.
 Your burden is too heavy for you" exclaimed the princess. in sympathy.
 "'Tis rather heavy" answered the ois woman. but since my son died lase week I've got to work to make . nvin< somehow"
 The heart of the princess was melted She. too. had lost son but . shoff time ago.
 Next day the old woman was amazed to find at her door a handsome, donkes cart and a stout donkey, which tias princess had sent her. bna
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

soon busily, engaged in building . big dam across the river. This was done in few minutes. and after 1t was completed aths waters were changed from their course.s 90 that the three travellers were able to walk over the bed of the river. now entire- ly dry. No sooner had they gained the opposite shore than the dam was destroyed and the river flowed once more In itB old channel.
 "The ferryman never learned to row," explained the gnome; ''so this is the only way he can get people across the river"
 Look over .therew cried Teodledum.
 Wonder, seated on a bench under