davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-02-18
Southern Railway.
SCHEDULE

wrENWAsHINGToN, ALEXANDRIA, STRAs-
BURG AND HARRIsoKBURG.
Effective Dec. 3. 1907.
N. B.-Following Schedule figures are pub
llshed only as information aud are not guar
anteed.
(Trains Nos. 40 and % daily; trains Nos. 2l3,
274, 2l4, al, week days.)
WEaTPOIfNn
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Brieht-Eyed Children

My Dear Aunt Laurie:
A great many times this year 1 have
thought how nice it would be to be
Santa Claus and go to the different
homes Christmas eve.
If were Santa Claus would have a
fine large sleigh and ten beautiful REIN
deer. 1 would go to all the houses in
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North
and South America and all the islands
of the sea. I could just spin over the
ground in my large sleigh with my bag
on my back full of toys and other nice
things for little boys and girls who are
good.
1 would leave my reindeer in front
of the house and 1 would climb up on
the roof and go down the chimney and
there 1 suppose 1 would see stockings
in front of the fireplace waiting for
me to fill them. There would be no
time for me TO stay at the homes, be-
cause 1 would have so many places
to go.
When Christmas morning came I
could just see all the little boys and
girls eyes sparkling with joy and sur
prise at what I left for them.
TRINA MILLER,
Seventh grade, Orange avenue school,
MonroYia.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Santa Abroad

Dear Aunt Laurie:
So often I have thought of Santa
Claus and wished 1 could be he. Now
just suppose 1 am.
l will start early in the evening from
the north pole and go to all parts of
the world.
will tell you about going through
England. I stopped at little old house
and found that it had no chimney, so
1 had to go in at the front door. The
house had only three rooms, and in
one room there were ten beds and
eight children. I found in each stock
ing a note in which the children told
me what they wanted. They were too
poor to send the notes by mail. 1 gave
each one what he wanted and left for
the mother a new dress, shawl and
some other pretty things. I gave the
father tie, some warm stockings and
a shirt. .
1 went along till came to church.
The church was brightly lighted. I
went down the chimney and saw that
there was a wedding. There was lit
tie square hole in the building, so I
just slipped three or four pretty gifts
through. The people were very much
surprised. They found a note on them
and merry Christmas from Santa
Claus" was all it said. None of the
people there believed in Santa Claus,
but now they always will, l know.
I went to many other places, and III
each one I tried to leave something
useful and nice. The very good boys
and girls I let see me, and they were
very happy.
Well, I must close for this time, wish
ing you a merry Christmas. Your low
ing niece, GRETA MILLS,
Orange Avenue school, seventh grade.
MonrOVia.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Happiness for All

My Dear Aunt Laurie:
If were Santa Claus I would give
all the poor children a great Christmas
dinner and give them nice presents and
help make them happy on Christmas.
And think would give some games
to the schools, so that the poor and
deserted would get enjoyment out OF
them as much as the others.
About one or two years ago the peo-
pie of our church gave Santa Claus a
lot of things to distribute among the
poor people and children.
The Herald is doing a wonderfully
good thing for the poor and desolate.
am sure it will comfort many of the
poor and hungry. 1 wish 1 could be
there to watch them; it would be an
enjoyment to me to see thousands of
the poor children getting a nice dinner
and presents. 1 think Santa Claus and
the people will appreciate the good work
of The Herald.
If were Santa Claus would gather
together all of the more wealthy chill
dren of the United States and get an
Offering and send it to the poor heather
children in foreign lands as we'll as our
own. l am sure it would be a great
help to them. HAZEL FOUST,
Eighth grade, Orange Avenue school,
MonroVia. Age IA.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Snowflake Fairies

Dear Aunt Laurie:
For many years I have wished that
/ might be Santa Claus. If l were 1
would give something to every child in
the world.
About a month before Christmas I
would send out my little snowflake
fairies in the cold countries In the
warm countries 1 would send little
brown birds to find out the needs of
the children. Christmas eve 1 would
start out with my sleigh and eight
reindeer and go to every home in every
country where there were children.
At the homes where there were poor
children 1 would leave clothes and food
as well as toys and candy.
Where rich children lived l would
not leave so much. In the places where
there were bad boys and girls L would
leave switches. In the homes of good
children 1 would leave good and pretty
things.
After I had left something at every
home I would go to my own home at
the north pole, where 1 would begin
making dolls and drums and other toys
for the next Christmas.
wishing you a Merry Christmas,
HELEN BARBER,
Seventh grade, Orange avenue school,
MonroVia.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

enough for everybody. You know that
1 would have to be very careful in
sliding down the chimney, not to make
a noise and disturb any person, espe-
cially the children.
When 1 come out of the chimney You
ought to take a good look at me. I
will be kept going to every house all
the night. 1 am sure that I did not
mis- any person. My poor reindeer
may grow very tired, but they will
have year for rest.
ALEX. MANN,
9TH grade, Orange avenue school.
Monrovia. Grade Z. Orange avenue
school,
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

leave a Christmas tree and many pres
ents underneath the little pine, and
after climbing out of the small Chin
ney and into my sled again 1 would
be down into another chimney and into
the room. would hear the sound of
children singing and dancing. Here
I would work fast, for the children are
anxious to see what I would bring
them. Picking through the keyhole
before 1 left, 1 spied a party of
children waiting to see the Christmas
tree, so l would quickly go away.
also would stop at small house where
an old lady lived and leave her a
warm shawl and dress. So would fin
ish my trip.
1 hope you will enjoy your Christ
mas. 1 would like to see, after had
gone, how Christmas was spent in all
of the homes, but have to vanish be-
fore daylight, so 1 could not do so. After
1 did my duty I would go home and
make presents for the next year.
wish you a merry Christmas and a
happy New Year.
MARY ZERELL.
Age IL years. Orange Avenue school,
Seventh grade, Monrovia.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Children Watch for Santa
Dear Aunt Laurie:

Dear Aunt Laurie:
If L were Santa Claus and could. do
just as 1 wanted to L would take my
sled and reindeer, as he always does,
and light up many a lonely house and
bring happiness to sad and invalid
children.
In my sleigh driven by reindeer I
would visit on Christmas night every
home in the world. During my trip
that evening I would see many a poor
and lonely home, many a sick and sad
person and many a rich and happy
home. Such are the cases of the world.
1 will tell you what I would do in a
few homes. Stopping at small house
where a large family lived, 1 would
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
For the lame and Old

Dear Aunt Laurie:
1 would love to be Santa Claus and
go around in a big sleigh drawn by
reindeer in the cold region and in an
automobile in the warm regions where
there is no snow.
If 1 could be Santa Claus but for
one Christmas, I'll tell you what
would do.
1 would go to all the peoples homes
about two weeks before Christmas and
see what they wanted. Then 1 would
go back to my home and pack my
things ready.
On Christmas eve I would get in my
sleigh and go to deliver my things
I would drive up on roof and jump
down the chimney and leave my pres
ents and then go on to the rest of
the houses.
There are two homes I would go to
first, and they are the homes of a little
lame boy that lives in the alley back
of our house. To him I would give a
new sled, because all the boys make
fun of his old one, which is made of
old boxes, and would give his mother
some money so she could get some
things for her and her boy.
The other home Is that of the old
pencil seller who lives in the attic of
an old house. 1 would give him some
money so he could buy a news stand
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Suggestive Notices

Dear Aunt Laurie:
If were Santa Claus I would not
go only to the rich little girls and boys,
but go to the poor ones, too. would
fill their stockings with goodies and
for the girls I would stick a doll in
the top. Then 1 would put little
Christmas tree on the table and on the
top put the words, For Baby" Then
I would deck it with ornaments and
with jackets and dresses with rattles
and rubber dolls. Then for papa 1
would put a pair of slippers and a
smoking jacket and a nice rocking
chair, and on the top the motto, BE
good to baby and for the mamma 1
would put ring. perhaps, and a new
dress, a hat, shoes and the motto, "Be
good to the children" Then 1 would
slip up the chimney, jump on my sled
and holloa to my reindeer to be off.
Then with a shout of Merry Christ
mas to all and Happy New Year"
be out of sight. 1 would go to all the
girls and boys and give each one some
thing different. Such as dolls, drums,
horses, cows, pigs. all made of wood.
ADDYS JONES,
Age IL years. Griffin Avenue school,
grade B5.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
A Tip to Santa

Dear Aunt Laurie
I think Santa Claus needs reforming,
and 1 am glad of this opportunity to
give him some good advice. He has
always been very generous to me, but
that will not bride me to keep still.
Santa has a bad habit of giving $40
dolls and other fine toys to the rich
children who can have everything they
want all the year round and 1O-cent
charity doll to the poor children who
stand before the windows of the Dig
stores and hunger for beautiful THINGS
which they never get.
It is as If The Herald should give a
big Christmas dinner to the rich who
have plenty to eat at home instead OF
the poor who have little. File upon you,
Santa!
What a great force of workmen
Santa must = have in that great Ice
palace of his up under the waving cur
tains of the aurora borealis. think
that IL he managed rigG he could be
good to rich and poor, good and bad
children. Now, If were Santa should
try to give to every child, rich ana
poor, black or white, red or brown or
yellow, the thing he wanted most.
If my elfin messengers reported to me
that little Silver Moon wanted new
pair of beaded moccasins or Swift
Eagle wanted a bow and arrow on
Christmas morning they should find
them in their little leggins If little
All Sin wanted plenty of firecraekers,
or little Cherry Blossom wanted
slant-eyed doll in a bright lowered
kimono, or little Kuchi wanted kite
like a great bird, or little Petrovna
wanted a fur dressed doll in a little
sleigh; If Sigrid, in his home by the
far fiords, wanted an iceboat,
couldn't put it In his stockings, but he
would find 1t by his door. If the little
frosty Eskimo wanted a big chunk of
lovely talloW for his Christmas candy
he should find it in'his little fur boot.
Hans and Gretchen should have brill
liantly lighted Christmas trees loaded
with toys made in Germany" and all
their European cousins should have
dolls and trains and balls and books
galore. while Fred and Billy and Jimmy
and Jack, in America, should have
baseballs and bats, footballs and mar
bles, and tops and boats and horns
but no guns. Mary and Ruth and
Helen and Phoebe should have dolls
with magnificent Wardrobes and real
curls and ranges in which you can
make a real fire, and plenty of kettles
and pans for them.
1 think 1 would transfer an extra
load of nice things from my sleigh into
an automobile and go whizzing down
through the cotton fields to the little
nine-fingered cotton mill children
where one doctor has amputated 100
baby fingers. There l should distribute
my biggest load-if I were Santa.
HILDRETH KOTSCH.
Temple Street school, BIG grade. Age
II years. 933 Everett street.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

candy. nuts and fruits; then by each
child's bed 1 would put the toys that
their hearts longed for most. would
visit the orphan homes and make them
glad also. Then / would carry flowers
to the sick to cheer them up.
I would also visit the rich and whis-
per in their ears that there are other
children in the world who do not have
as nice presents as they, and ask for
their help.
Hoping that I will have the pleasure
of being Santa Claus and wishing you
a merry Christmas and a happy New
Year, 1 am, ANNIE DE ARMAN.
Orange Avenue school, Seventh grade,
MOnroYia.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Santa in Church

Dear Aunt Laurie:
If were Santa Claus 1 would have
all my things ready long before Christ
mas. Santa Claus generally brings
more presents to the rich people than
he does to the poor. But if l was Santa
Claus 1 would give most of my things
to the poor, because the most pleasure
the poor people have is at Christmas
time, and the rich people have pleasure
all the time. 1 think there are some
people Santa Claus overlooks. l feel
so sorry for the sick and cripple people.
/ lust would pick out the very best l
had in my bag for them. 1 think they
ought to have the things they need and
like best. l will not forget to bring
Christmas tree up to my church. l
think it is a pretty sight to see all
those smiling faces waiting for Santa
Claus to bring them some candy And
l wouldn't forget the children down at
the orphans home. They know from
one year to the other than Santa is
very good to them, and the last would
not forget my little cousins over in the
old country. They think there is moth
ing so wonderful as to set pretty things
from a foreign land.
MARIE LlJSBER,
1923 KirkwOod avenue. Pasadena,
Cal, 4th grade Lincoln school; age II
years.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

and some more pencils, so that he could
support himself and his little daughter.
/ want her to go to school and get an
education.
If were Santa Claus I would not
give the rich children any more things
than the poor, but would give the most
and incest things to the boys and girls
who deserved them and who would
appreciate them the most.
Wishing you merry Christmas and
a successful New Year, 1 am,
HERMAN BROWNFIELD.
Orange Avenue school, Monrovia,
Seventh grade.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
A Beneficent Girl

Dear Aunt Laurie:
have been reading the Herald
Junior and enjoy it very much.
If I were Santa Claus I would fill
the Herald Juniors stockings with
nice things and give them a good din
ner would put great many men
to work on the school so they could
get 1t done quickly. Our school burned
down last winter.
Then would make a park with all
kinds of flowers in it.
Most of them would be roses, sweet
peas, pansies and violets. 1 would put
up great big sign saying free to all,
so the poor children could go and pick
them whenever they wanted to.
Then would build a church, because
you see, our church is so little that
it can hardly hold the people who come.
l would give the poor children a nice
dinner, also toys. I would bring my
teacher present. To all the poor chill
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Needs New Wharf

Dear Aunt Laurie:
If | were Santa Claus I would give
mamma some nice vases She needs
them in the house, and some gloves.
Papa would like some letter paper.
My brother would like a drum and a
train of cars. My little sister would
like a celluloid doll and book. The
reason / want the baby to have a eel
luloid doll is so she cannot break it.
1 would give my playmates each a
nice doll. For my school | would paper
the room and bring "a new stove, for
the teacher is afraid the room will
burn down.
1 think the city would like a new
wharf, because the one it has is so old
and partly torn down.
My Sunday school would like some
chairs for the primary class.
I used to be in the primary class but
I am in the junior class now.
Mamma read some of Thursdays
Herald to me and one of the poor girls
said that she was IS years old and had
to work for her living, and if I were
Santa Claus / would bring every one of
the poor children a present. / did not
think my letter would be printed and
was surprised when I saw had hon.
orable mention. BERYL UPSON,
Grade ga, Washington school, Santa
Monica. Age 8.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

pies houses and leave toys, books and
useful things. If bad, the children
would get nothing, if good they would
get many presents. AS soon as l had
given the poor children in my country
toys, 1 would go to other lands and
fill other children's stockings.
When Christmas was over I would
visit the children and see how happy
they were. Then L would go home and
live as usual.
Hoping you will not be forgotten by
Santa Claus, l will close.
OTTO KOCH,
Seventh grade, Orange avenue school,
MOnrOyia
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Remembers Good and Bad

Dear Aunt Laurie:
1t is only few days until Christmas
and there are so many little children
awaiting the visit of Santa Claus that
/ often think what a delightful mis-
sion his is, and how many sad and
aching hearts he makes glad. If 1
could but be Santa for just one Christ
mas this is what would love to do:
/ would visit the poor and rich and
give the good ones among them the
pretties presents l had in my bag
/ would visit the homes of the poor
and would find out what they needed
most. / would give them food and
clothes and fill each stocking with
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

ing over land and sea in my airship.
stopping at every house whether there
are children in it or not, for would
not forget the older people. 1 will go
to the aslyums and leave great many
presents. 1 will go all over the world,
striving to do good and bring happiness
to peoples hearts.
In Holland [ will not have to go
down the chimney, but leave the gifts
in wooden shoes beside the door.
How 1 shall enjoy being Santa Claus!
Monrovia. MARGARET HAYES.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
WRITER'S CONTEST

Tow dollars will be given in this contest each week
One dollar for the best original paper submitted by Los
Angeles girl boy and dollar for the best paper submitted
by the girl boy living outside the city limits of Los Angeles
Papers be from $50 800 words in length, written
side of the paper only and with margins top and side OF
each paper
All contributions be signed with and address and
of school and grade.
Papers for this competition be addressed Aunt Laurie
Herald Junior The Herald Los Angeles Call and
reach the office later than Saturday afternoon December 20
Topic: "EIow Would Like to Spend My Holidays"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Business Experience

Dear Aunt Laurie:
If I were Santa Claus I would go
into business a few weeks before
Christmas in q large store. There
could learn what the children like. Then
1 would be able to give the right kind
of presents.
The night before Christmas I would
have sled full of toys drawn by rein
deer 1 would go to all the poor peo-
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
Santa in an Airship
Dear Aunt Laurie:

Dear Aunt Laurie:
Santa Claus is not going around this
year, so that l can try to be one.
There are a great many children that
do not have a Christmas or even know
what it is This Christmas l am going
to pay more attention to these and
the poor children who are wandering
around the streets and to the orphans.
They are to have chiefly clothing, but
l will not forget the other children.
I will start Christmas eve and go sail
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-21
FORCED THE PLAY.

Career Of q Tragedy Written by the
Great Napoleon.
The Scene Illustrate Of Rome tells
this story Of the first Napoleon as a
dramatic writer. He had seen per.
formance Of "The Cid,' which Inn
pressed him so forclbly that he de-
cided to write a classic drama. Within
a short time he had finished nearly
four acts Of play, which he entitled
Hector" Then came his election as q
brigadler general and the manuscript
was thrown into desk, where be
found It again by chance In 1905. Ma
poleon then sent for Luce de Lancival
gave him the manuscript and directed
him to finish the play. This was done.
but the players refused to accept II
When Napoleon returned to Paris from
the coronation at Naples he learned Of
the contemptuous manner In which his
work had been treated He demanded
the manuscript and wrote across 1T;
"Thc players Of the Comedie Fran
caise will produce the tragedy which
In their stupidity they rejected. Napo-
leon" Two hours later the work was
accepted. In three weeks 1t was pro
duced before brilliant audience, de.
clared a success, and the alleged au.
thor was decorated with the grand
Cross Of the Legion OF Honor.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-21
RECEIVED BY MIKADo.

TOXIC, Oct 20 The Emperor ol
Japan at tifin today received in
audience Rear Admiral Charles
Sperry, commander in chief OF the
American ba tleship feet, the three
rear admirals commanding divisions,
score Of captains and the chief Of
staff and flag lieutenants. The cere-
mony at the imperial palace, which
occurred shortly before noon, was
one Of the most brilliant features Of
the weeks celebration. The Ameri-
can officers in gold braided full dress
and the magnificent apparel Of the
functionaries in attendance upon
the court made glittering and i'm
posing picture.
Presented by Ambassador O'Bri-
en-, Rear Admiral Sperry delivered
to the Emperor a message from
President Roosevelt, assuring the
Mikado Of the friendship entertain
ed by the American people for Jap,
an The Emperor replied in the
most cordial terms, in conclusion
saying:
1T is our constant aim and desire
to weld ties Of amity uniting Japan
and the United States in indissolu-
bic bonds Of good neighborhood and
perfect accord"
The succession of entertainments
for officers and men of the American
fleet continues without interruption.
Splendid weather prevails today and
the streets of Toxic and Yokohama
are thronged with a population curl
GUS and friendly. The unprecedent-
ed cordiality manifested since the
first landing Of the Americans is in
creased with every new feature Of
the unbroken program.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-21

from WIDER, 70 empty. vlear O9 .a@As
void.
"The Boke Of Nurture" by Hugh
Rhodes, the date Of which Is 1877. one
Of the curious set OF handbooks Of
manners and etiquette reproduced by
the Early English Text society, speaks
Of these vessels as follows: "see ye
have voyders ready for to void the
morsels that they doe leave on their
trenchers Then with your trencher
knyfe take of such fragments and put
them In your voyder and then sette
them downe cleane agayne."
Few silver ones remain, but some
large brass voyders or dishes which
have probably been 80 used may still
be seen, Of the history of which moth.
Ing is known BY their present owners,
--"old English Plate" by W. j.
Cripps,
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-21

There's a magic spell in the
fumes of good, pure Coffee, the kind
sha. refreshes and invigorates even by
the odor alone. When the fragrance
Of our pure Coffee reaches the nos
frils II crates desire to taste at once
tic magnetic nectar from which the
aroma comes. II Il the same way
with our choice Teas which satisfy
he desires Of the most particular
tea-drinkers.