davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
How Tir,e Travels.

When st. Paul's Strikes noon on
Jan. 1, 1909. the new year will come
into being somewhere in the Pacific
ocean. on a line following longitude
1SO east, which is exactly opposite
Greenwich meridian on the. other side
of the globe. Geographers draw the
line to avoid passing through any Of
the Pacific islands, for if it did the
times and days Of the inhabitants
would be hopelessly muddled. Vanua,
one of the Fiji islands, for instance.
would be otherwise divided by the
line where the days and years begin
and end, so that while it would be
Jan. 1 on the western side it would
be Dec. 81 a few PAGES away on the
east of the line One could thus walk
into yesterday and a moment later re-
turn tomorrow! - ,
How the new year travels is curl.
ously Illustrated by its passage across
Great Britain. 1t reaches Greenwich,
as the time center, at midnight, exact
ly twelve hours after it started. Sew
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
New Year Superstjtions.

1t is considered Assure sign OF death
to see ones own shadow in the moon
light on New Years eve. .s..,S:f
You. court misfortune by leaving the
house on New Year before some, one
has entered it You must hope for the
luck. moreover, Of having the first to
enter dark haired man.
Seeking to know what good or evil
the New Year would bring, superstitious
people in the long ago girt themselves
with swords and sat on the roof OF
their houses on New Years eve. They
also knelt at the crossroads ION COW
hide) for the same purpose. The first
thing brought. one might think, would
be pneumonia. :..ef ssys.-,*.$s. 4 q
1t is bad luck to carry anything out
Of the house on the New Year before
something has been brought in.
But the best luck of all. which even
those most scornful Of portents may
not desptse, Is to begin the New Year
owing no man cent Philadelphia
Press. :s&s; sss 6
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
The jewish New YAar

In striking opposition to the spirit of
Joy and happiness which pervades
ChristendOm generally is the New
Year Of the Jews. With the Jews,
who also observe the New Year for
two days, the days are not days Of
feasting and enjoyment, but days OF
judgment. According to the belief Of
every orthodox Jew, every member Of
the Jewish race is tried on the New
Year The books kept IN heaven are
opened on that day. The record Of each
man for the year just ending is looked
through and taken under amusement
for ten days. On the tenth day, the
day Of atonement, the fate Of each
man for the coming year is drawn up,
whether be should live or die, prosper
or be poor. On the day of atonement
the fate IS sealed and nothing can
change It any more ghicag 90 Tribune.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

K ERCI, monsieurr' cried the
IV concierge as he cheerfully
lv took the silver coin. "a
$ $#s5a happy Noel, monsieurg'
b. Lansing Drake entered the little i'm
5passe on the broad Avenue du Maine
shaking his shoulders, for his back
ached. He had been working at the
Louvre for five steady hours-tin the
very last fraction of light held out.
Why not? What part had he in the
festivities of these happy French peo-
pie? Was not he one of the homeless
ones, separated by the width of an.
ocean from his family? -
In his studio apartment he threw
himself on a divan with pipe and a
Journal Amusant. But the Journal
was full Of illusions to the season, and
somehow he sighed The eve of Noel
|-lChristmas eve! It had been the very
best time of the year over there in his
dear southern home. What were they
doing now? Getting the things ready
for the trees, and tying up the wreaths
! Of holly with red ribbon, and hanging
a branch of mistle-oh, pshaw, what
right had he to think of such things
tonight?
A clatter Of sabots across the flag
stone court-the small daughter Of the
concierge fetching water from the
common tap; from the Boulevard
Montparnasse the toot of St. Phil
ippine du Roule train and then 81.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

then the window was lifted. She
threw out some crumbs to some cold
looking sparrows- The last rays Of
the winter sun touched the fine, white
parting that separated the FURNISHED
waves Of hair K
: II he only dared speak to her. She
might misjudge him before he had a.
chance to show his Intentions. But he
would do it.. He would seize the mo-
ment while this fit of madness lasted
and speak to her. In saner mood his
courage might he unequal to it. He
hurried out of the room and stood, hat
In hand, in the conrt close to lle,. win
dow. - A.
81 em your neighbor across the way,
mademoise!la," he said. 1T is a
month since 7 Grst s:.w ~yn,,, and I've
been wanting to know yon 81, much,
so much. have no mearss of obtain
ing an Introduction. and II the risk
Of your displeasure ANA yo!r S:orn I
have ventured to speak % You tonight,
to fell you how the little Christmas
| carol yon sang just NOW somehow
flew straight to a fellows heart and
made him think Of home and all the
old familiar joys Of the season." ..
He held out card. His hand shook
a trifle. But the girl did not notice.
She was looking at him steadily. after
the first start Of surprise. the color
coming and going in her checks. But
| in her eyes was no fear, no displeas-
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
81 i
e., Z, 'e|,al;'r .
be boe.s.
In nsthe Grotto Of Modern Miracles.

NIoW''1H1Et:R:El in New York X, city at
IN midnight on New Years eve is
there buster throng Of hurry
ing humanity than at the juno
ton of Park row and the Bowery. In
termingled with the throng are merry
panhandlers, as happy as the richest,
FOR New Years eve Is their harvest
time. Ef5
Few of the panhandlers who fre-
Quent the downtown districts are
plying their vocation as old Trinity
tolls out the midnight hour in the
chimes. The belated ones are hurry
ing to dive at Chatham square, there
to meet brother mendicants and joy
fully celebrate with the money beg
ged from New Year shoppers. ~
Here one may witness nightly trans
formations more wonderful than in
the famous "Court of Miracles" in old
Paris which Victor Hugo describes in
''Notre Dame" The blind see, the
dumb talk, the hunchback loses all
traces Of his deformity, the deaf hear,
missing, limbs are grown in a twin
king, and the lame discard their
crutches and dance in glee.
OF all the nights in the year the
gladdest in this dive in the Bowery is
New Years eve. Not until long after
the late dawn does the drunken rev.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
{ told you q little whIle ago 4 was.
your friendship q wanted. was

Fs-S- {. 500. go -. p. 50
{ told Jon 1 litt1e vhIle aso Il was
your friendship I wanted. was
wrong. 80 .ss
She made no answer, but stretched
out her little gloved hand to him.
then drew It back quickly unnotced,
Z singular smile on. her lips. 5.. { +.
you've known me for a few hours
only" he went on In steady voice,
"and I understand what you think Of
me for speaking like, this. If had
known you for years and had waited
and had the right to speak and keep
your respect His steadiness did
not carry him to the end Of his SEN
tence Z" . :..s-@+5.- 5.t.
Then she laughed joyously, deli
c10usly. = r .,sl .
'.You are Mistaken she said II
have known you for years. l used to
ehum with your sister Gertrude at
school, and you used to come down
from your university, and we'd take
walks. And we went up to all the
meets to see you run. and you used to
win. You called her your kid sister
| and me 'the other kid and you kissed
! me once. You've forgotten the little
| girl who stood silent in corners and
looked at you with wide eyes. But I
J couldn't forget. l used to have Ger
trnde write me all about you till she
married that missionary and went to
live in China. And then l had your
hotoSraph-the one il Your track suit
! "Anl Just to think for Il whole
month now you've been living opposite
to me, across the court, and l never
knew it! All, Lanse, I've felt for
years you would come to me, and when
saw YOU tonight my first impulse was
to stretch out both hands and be so
| glad, so glad. At once, though, l saw
| you'd forgotten, so / determined not to
tell. you who | was. | wanted you to
! recall. When l spoke of your having
a sister just now I tried to make you
recall but I'm glad you didn't, be-
cause it's me, all me, as l am, that you
love, and it's so good that way
A little later through the frosty air
the midnight bells Of Noel rang out
clear. Then at the last, very softly,
from a darkened room across the
court, Lansing Drake heard a verse of
the old Christmas carol he had sung
at his mothers knee:
The snow lay on the ground
! The stars .shone bright
He bowed his head in his hands for
the great gift that had come to him
When Christ our Lord was born
On. Christmas night
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
Mothers Coronation Day.

That first christmas was the moth
er's coronation day. Zach recurring
Christmas perpetuates the memory Of
her great glory. In public and in pri-
vate celebrations of it hers should be
the central figure. Solemn gladness
akin to the Creators satisfaction in
his very good' work should fill her
soul.
In Mr.. Harrison S. Morris beautiful
poem, "Incarnation," we read how a
laborer, laden with "a tray of tools, a
Hmbered Frame" walked in the sun
shine through city street
Nor knew that out Of rnyriads one
Beside him saw a shadow run
That clasped the centuries in it's shade
But like loving spirit, there.
In even football at his side,
A shadow walked the pavement wide
With bended head and humble prida
And angled cross aslant the air.
1t WAS as it the daleiess sun
Forgot the years the far abode.
And, 10. upon the sordid road
- The cross worn Nazarean trode,
HOLDING the journey never done
Every mother who holds her baby IN
her arms repeats, unconsciously or con-
sciously, the story of the incarnation.
The blended shadow "clasps the centu.
ries." past, present and to come, and
eternity itself Sin its shade. Marion
Harland In independent
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
AZTECs' HORRIBLE HOLIDAY.

They Celebrated the New Year With
Human Sacrifices.
The bloody and complicated ritual Of
the AZtecs commemOrated the return of
their masterful war god, the sun, from
the south, and the ceremonies carried
on in his honor occupied a period Of
several days. The initiatory rites be-
gan before daylight of the first morn
ing, when the chief priest and his sub
dignitaries wended their way in SOL
emn procession to the top Of their
greatest pyramidal sanctuary. Here
the high priest retired alone to small
temple, whose doorway opened toward
the east. and as the rising sun crimson
ed and purpled the serrated mountains
he knelt and sprinkled thickly upon
the marble floor the sacred meal =
AS the first rays Of the newborn sun
strike slant1ngly across the floor of the
tiny temple the bended priest beholds
a miracle. Family at first, then strong
er and stronger, grows an imprint in
the meal of the naked foot of their war
god. Upon this miraculous manifesto
ton the high priest announces to the
assembled couriers that their god has
returned to them and that the grand
festal occasion is inaugurated.
Unhappily the first feast rites were
Of grewsonle and horrible nature,
consisting mainly in sacrificing youths
to the gods. 1t is said that they were
a. o.. =. - IL.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

ore, rathsr the expectancy Of an ex-
plorer who, venturing far. dnds the
present good, though that to come be
unknown. ., ~ -
Presently they went out and hailed
9 facre. = sss- .~-,. s~...-..' :
where shall it be?' asked Drake.
*'Laure's! volsin's? Peters? No. !
have it. Marguery's.
So they drove to Marguery's. and
Drake ordered houillebaiase ito be
quite seasonal ble) and a. iangouste
mayonnaise md q bird and some
sweets K - -"
They had very jolly little supper
indeed and no. end Of amusement
watching the merry looking Freacil
people: at the tables. all devouring
bouillebaisse and other nice things.
55"And to think cried the girl as the
clock struck II, shivering will: Pc.
tended alarm. "that I'm sitting he":
at this hour, unchaperoned. IL s
French restaurant-with a. man wAI
hasn't even been coaventioaally intrc
duced - w..
..Don't!'' cried Drake abruptly
"Come! We must lie going home Il
fis a bit late '.4 Ss z35. 4 t,.5,zG
& She was. si,an.: while they left Mar
guery''s and h:iipl a t;cre The.s s,:s
ibFolle or: IN il es,enr{i..sttla voice that
WAS low and t!.csss,,::' o,!s ...5
Il think ::ro; e, :ls.tt haze; a sister; Yo,
take such good caro- Of 4 girl .# 5l5 h. I
The facre re:Ie; i,sso tl,e glare of
an overh cad 4 :r | l::.'lt tsn,' he s:,',y her
looking ct !,i!, With lsaif n!!;ss.:.ios:.s.
half divine t::sa -.t'li'e. isS =r.s
PleaSe q D t.lss.,'''' he answered
in 4 hushesl voice sonnet! .lgs inside
hira vas pound in ff,tsit,uSly Some.
thing his te.aples beat ans'
s Ethrobbed. II ,!. .3. A: ]. vi. n
Don Il q d
Look like ttll::s.ss..' q u III. 1$s.,
She not loe''sea Tie that, but
more SO. a3S8 s33
ss..Y Dung man, & t':la z lau ushed
she, will mock a !, Z. ycs
are wishfal OF \, ::ss.ii's head
he Lord be good Il, Ilc., he broke
out his pent-up passion Of dreams
rushing to his lips no the bar
rier fell Don't you see its beeauus
l.well. a hoped e pass the evening
Without telling YOU sthat loved YOU
that's Wl,g IVES Slurrying you home
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

elry cease, and then only when the
merrymakers have spent all Of their
Ill gotten gains and are unconscious
to their surroundings. an.
The grotto of modern miracles is In
the rear Of a saloon, q room 40 by 25
feet. Around >are scattered tables and
chairs of the cheapest kind: Thick
fumes Of smoke from bad pipe tobac-
co, the cheapest cigars made and nau-
seating. cigarettes rpermeateS the at
mospnere., r.. - p f<'tf q { ts4.@s,. 4
'sT The stranger can hardly breathe.
Through the sickening atmosphere;can
be detected the. odor of vile beer and
still worse whisky that here is sold
for cents a goblet. '.~ .7' ;. ..
From behind the partition a bar
tender. with half. nose and but a
small portion Of his right ear to tell
the tale of his battles, dispenses uq-
uOr through an opening to. a ihurrying
waiter. ci25 d .s<.
At the tables sit the motley group
Of hoboes, &panhandlers and jallbirds.
Fortunate begears who have had a
prosperous day are spending money
freely, small change for the, most part.
Whisky and beer flow as they have
never flowed before in the year:
I Nearly all the mendicants have ar
rived The last two, known as "Pedes-
trian Patrick" and "Silent James," are
greeted with an uproar.
Hanging from the neck Of Silent
James is the sign that reads: c..tst
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
1ence. Drake was picking up his pa-
ner anAin whan- .. ..

1ence. Drake was picking up his pa-
The snow lay on the ground: "
The stars shone bright -,-..
: All, it. was the quaint old English
carol, with its liquid, sweet melody,
which he'd learned at his mothers
knee, and It was the American girl
across the court who was singing It:
When Christ our Lord was born
On Christmas night. g <sEf ALI s..
( No wonder the tears came to his
eyes. That particular carol and that
particular girl made up combination
to which he was q bit sensitive II the
truth had been dragged from him.
Just that very morning he had writ
ten home: @.5 p. ..s b,
There's a little American girl oppo-
site. L don't even know her; name,
but the mere sight Of her keeps me
straight. She's all alone, and she's
evidently studying music. AS for her
singing, she has the most beautiful
voice the good God ever saved from .
lost violin, a voice to make you
pray, little mother, to turn your laugh
ter to tears, to turn your tears to
laughter i:.s5. :s5.. :
Il From the day when he had first seen
her, watering her geraniums on the
sill, the window across the court yon-
der had become a sort Of shrine. And
at each new glimpse Of her an inform
ed prayer Of thanks surged up within
him that a creature 50 lovely had been
sent by heaven to keep the word
entleman" stainless, to make II q
thing to strive for and to take q
cleanly comfort In.
She was a stranger too. It was q
bond between them. Tonight perhaps
she was suffering like him from home
sickness and neliness. How soon he
could make her forget all that! They
could have q reveillon Of their own
and q jolly little supper. Laughing TO-
gether In sheer happiness OF mutual
understanding of the Christmas spirit
abroad. Unchaperoned7 What would
they need Of q chaperon, they two
two toilers for the sake Of art com.
rades IN arms made equal u rank -
the blessed chance of being both
strangers IA this Wonde derfuls old Parisf
There vas . moving gleam 81 sottns'
Thing behind the gera ani,lms yonder
!. The cheeseclo 9th eur rtai Ina stirred and
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
The Navy'e ChriStmaa.

Christmas in the regular navy - OBJ
served as one Of the big holidays Of tho
year Starting of with grand dinner
in the middle Of the day, discipline Is
from then on >,relaxeh and the fun is
fast and furious till sundown. and Of
ten the evening is enltvened by amateur
theatricals. The vessel is gayly deco
rated with bunting, and at each mast
head and at the bow and stern green
trees are lashed Il procurabae: -
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

cnteen minutes later it gets to Glas-
gov, and another six minutes pass l'e
fore the new year has captured Pen
Zancc. These are the true times for
these places. though Greenwich time
is the one accepted. But Ireland is
proud in possession Of her own chro-
'nology. and it will be 1925 at night
in London before 1909 reaches Dub
lin-LOndOn Chronicle.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
Self haln.

Dashaway-Well, Uncle Jasper, how
are you getting on with your Christ
mas dinner?
Z Uncle Jasper-Fust rate, sab. Colo
present Of fine fat turkey, sab.
Dashaway-That's very strange. I
just left the colonel, and he didn't say
anything about it. -s .'-.-
Uncle Jasper-No, sah He's got to
count dem turkeys fust
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

& The lessor was d
Dear teacher.
" ant new
leaf. he said:
II have spoiled
i. this one. .,3.i &
In place Of the.
leaf So staineAs
and blotted 4
! gave hin, a neSvs
( one al! uaspot-
ted 81; 81
And into his sad
eyes smiled.
{.'Do better now.
tiAS S11t1d.3 8 Y y,
! Nv ent \. to. Q. the.
throne With a
I quivering soul,
The old year was,
done ( 81 /
Dear Father. hast
ouaa neW5le leaf
fors1le? rs ji3 i
I have spoiled
this one. q B IS 3 81. \
He took the old
leaf s ain eds
and blottesl Il.
And Haye me- i:3s
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
Their n eyy Year,s Z Vvisha..

Weary Wraggles 1ff u wuz only back
at. me old home, what ID spread Z a
l have dis New Years day! Oh, fur de.
wings Nv IA dove! 81
s6s I Hungry Hank--O u, fur de wings Nv.
sa turkey wid some plum puddin, to
come afterward!
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
How il was Done.

She The idea! And we weren't
even standing under the mistletoe!
He did that sub ross!
Brooklyn Eagle. #
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
~ -, E, 49,, =, J, . 3 2. . q

IN 4 4
JingsI notice that Soak II vets his
1illlnger Int the glass every time he takes,
q fresh drink
Binss-Y es;; he wants to keep it
moistened so he can t,lrn over that
new Leaf on the lst.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
When Mist!etoe Was Banned.

Because OF its association with pa
gan rites Tho mist!e+ae was for centu-
ries forbidden a place in English
church decorations at Chrlstmastide,
and It was not even mentioned in old
rhymes until the seyeltat:lt,l, century.
in Herrick.s time. although the holly
and ivy had fo:S two centuries previous
been the subjects Of y"r;ous poetica!
effusions 5 .>:s -ssas2 Ill
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
"A NEW LEAF.

He came tc. my ae:::k with a au'verins
2 Z lip Fs.. 57 y 4 & .5HS ;Stt tts=os ,s.
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30
Circumstances f.l.cr Cases.

Crawford Il thought you were per
fectly delighted. Wit, tie Christmas
present your wife gave sou. III: =ss
Crabsha VI At ts that time ] didn't
know she'd had lit ciasged
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

now ono III un spotted
Aud Into my rad heart SMILED. &
DO better nov. my chi "a. =, 3
81 orva1s,.1
Mower County transcript., 1908-12-30

e
| : J
BY
Virginia Leila aWentz
coptH,sstL ssos 81 wor,xa seaAavs

" n ERCI, monsieurr' cried the
IV concierge as he cheerfully
took the silver coin. "A
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
ARMENIANs AND TURKS CLASH.
Explosion of Magazine Follows Pitched
Battle at Van.

Vienna.-Many persons have been
killed, and the greater part OF
the Armenian quarter at Van, Asia
Minor, wrecked by the explosion of a
magazine, the seizure of which by
Turkish soldiers an Armenian band
was resisting when the blast occurred.
The Armenians, who are already ev-
identity preparing for an uprising
against the Turks, had concealed a
quantity of dynamite cartridges and
rifles in a church, according to the
reports from Van.
The Turkish soldiers had found the
hiding place and were carrying the
arms and ammunition away when the
Armenians, determined to prevent its
loss, attacked them and a furious fight
followed.
The explosion hurled the church
high in the air, the combatants were
blown in every direction, many build
ings in the vicinity were demolished,
and large numbers of people, it is re-
ported, were either buried in the ruins
or killed by flying bits of wreckage.
Van, which has about 10000 popula.
ton, is an important seat of the
American missions, but so far as
known none of these suffered.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
Cuts Throat in Turkish Bath.

Chicago, lll.-Robert A. Ault, 81
Wears old, manager of the Chicago
branch of the Ault-Woodford Co., was
found unconscious in bed in a Turkish
bathhouse at 1877 Clark street early
Thursday morning. His throat had
been cut. A small p~ocketknife was
found beside him. Ault had acted
strangely all day. Physicians say he
can not O
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
Jap Spies Make Maps.

Santa Monica, Cal.--Seven Jap
anese, with a small cannon, have
been at work several days on an un-
~frequented bluff which marks the
northern limits of Santa Monica bay,
making maps of the cliffs along the
water, These experiments have
aroused settlers, as it Is thought .
portion of the American battleship
fleet will spend several days in the
bay. The small pivot gun, mounted on
a cliff 1856 feet above the sea, was
fired first in one direction and then
another.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
saIary Increase Drowned.

Washington-Oratory in the public
Friday gave way to legislation, with
the result that material progress was
made in the executive, legislative and
judicial bill. It met with comparative
ly smooth sailing until on points of
order by Mr.. Macon of Arkansas, the
proposed increases in salaries of the
assistant secretaries of the several de.
partments were stricken out. Mr.. Ma.
con explained his action by saying
that an appropriation bill was not the
place for such legislation.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
Pass Railroad Rate Amendment.

Washington-The senate passed a
bill amending the railroad rate laws
in relation to free transportation. Sen.
ator Clapp, explaining the change OF
law effected by the measure, said it
merely includes superannuated, dis.
abled and furlougned employees with
in the scope of the free %transporta,
ton clauses of the law and also allows
such transportation for employees back
and forth on the road, as occasion re,
quires.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
Black Hands Modest Demand.

Millville, N. john Bailey, who
operates a saw mill at Baileytown,
three miles south of Millville, is
alarmed over a BLACK Hand" letter
he received. 1t demands that Bailey
leave $50 in the butt of an old tree,
designated on the Spring Garden road.
He is given two weeks to comply with
the demand or suffer death in a Pc
culiar manner
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
Labor Hearing in House.

MISUNDERSTANDING before the
house committee on labor in the s,
hour bill introduced by Mr.. Gardner
of New Jersey will commence Tues.
day next and continue until Feb. 81
The Gardner bill limits the hours OF
daily service of laborers and mechan
les employed upon work done by the
United States.