davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

and went downstairs again. Into the liv-
ing room they went, and Nellie's mother
placed a great, high screen across one
end OF the room, so as to admit both
light and warmth behind 1t. and on the
outer side she pinned a placard reading:
'Nellies Christmas Factory. No Admit
lance.
Behind the screen Nellie's workbasket
and the piles of silk, velvet and ribbon
scraps were placed on a table. while
sewing chair was brought for the little
LADY worker to sit on. Then Nellie and
her mother went to work. one cutting and
basting. while the other finished up"
And so the evenings of the schooldayS
were passed by Nellie and her mother
behind the screen in the factory" And
all day long on Saturday they worked.
And when the week was over there were
several very nice and useful things COM
pleted. and Nellie went down town to get
some holly and ribbon and PRETTY paste
board boxes for the final packing of the
presents preparatory to sending them to
her fam ly and FIR ends. There was
lovely scrap bag made of a D zee of red
velvet curtain. on which were designs
appliqued in gold braid. This useful and
pretty gift was to go to Cousin Minnie.
who lived in another town. And for
spectacle case of black silk. drawn up at
the top by a pretty gold cord with tas-
seled ends. And embro dered on the s de
Of the case were these words: For
GTdnuInOInSI EXlEd Eyes. fOT Neluc
papa there was q neat cuff and collar
box. 1t had been made of pasteboard and
covered with blue silk, with appliqued
leaves cut from scraps of dark green and
brown velvet, and ripe red berries in the
form of glass beads were clustered among
the leaves. A fancy cord was used as q
finish about the edges of the box. whose
Id was held on by little ribbon bows.
This present pleased Nellie more than any
of the others. She had put an extra
amount Of work on it. For cook there
was a nice pair of felt bedroom slippers
cThe felt from VIII CHI they were made had
been some leftover from the covering
used on the library table the previous
summer, and was Of a warm red color)
For three of her schoolboy friends she
had made pocket pencil cases of brown
corded silk lined with a contrasting color
in silk. For several girl friends she had
made handkerchief boxes and stocking
hays.
"Oh, haven't ! lot Of lovely presents"
or. ed Nellie, as she and her mother began
tying up thu numerous parcels. And
not cent of money was spent except for
the holly and bbon>nnd boxes for pack
ing. And they cost only so cents.
But" And Nellie's face was clouded
II haven't thing for you. mamma. And
you are the most important one on my
gift list
My little girls love is enough for me,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

machine, finishing some pretty new gar
ment for her little daughter.
But the comfortable surroundings and
the soft sound of her mothers humming
voice as she sewed made no impression
on Nellie. Indeed. they were things she
was used to. and, therefore, she did not
count the value of them. A little frown
puckered her forehead as her eyes roam
ed the snow-covered street outside, and
she sighed softly. Then. turning to her
mother, who had stopped the rattle OF
the machine and was doing some hand
work on the garment, she said: I'VE
are very poor, aren't we. mammal"
The mother paused in her work, hold
ing her needle suspended, while tender
look came into her face as she replied:
well, Nellie dear, we are not rich:
neither are we very poor. We have many
comforts of life-but at present no lux
uries. Perhaps that is what you mean
by saying we are very poor. Has any
one-the girls at school, for instance
said anything to you Of our circum-
stances?'
mo, mamma replied Nellie; but l
was just thinking that we don't seem to
have any mon y to spend-you or I. Now,
1T Is coming Christmas, and have only
one dollar to spend for gifts for my fam
ever so much more than that. And all
the girls I know have quite lot of
spending money FOR Christmas. Why.
there is Annie Thompson, who had ten
dollars for Christmas. and she has spent
every cent Of 1t already. She has stacks
and stacks OF pretty things piled up in
her closet, which she intends giving to
her relatives and friends"
Nellie's mother put aside her sewing
and took a seat beside her little girl In
the window.
Now. daughter. tell me about the pref
ty presents Annie Thompson has been
buying" she said.
Well. mamma. she has bought such a
pretty ribbon-covered work basket for
her old aunt who lives in the country,
the loveliest lamp shade for her mother,
an embroidered silk slipper bag for her
big sister. Grace a handkerchi, f box for
her brother Tom. a bright plaid ball for
her little baby cousin, Dotty Davis and
oh, ever and ever so many little things
that 1 cannot recall just now. Oh, yes,
she has the funniest big, fat stocking,
filled with candy and nuts, for their hired
man, and a lace-trimmed white apron for
their housemaid."
well. she has a nice assortment of
presents, DEAR" admitted Nellies mother:
''but believe my little girl can get to-
gether just as nice a lot of useful gifts
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

adding, however, that If he pleased his
patron he would be glad to continue in
her employ all winter. or as long as she
might want him.
We'll we'll think of all that after we
old lady with gracious smile. "And
since you are anxious to get to work as
early as possible. suppose we have our
first drive tomorrow evening, directly
you have left school. I'll be ready as
soon as you have my horse hitched to
the phaeton. You see, I am quite too old
to use anything but low basket phaeton
and a gentle horse. I let my coachman
go some months ago. for l cared no
longer for the carriage and fast horses.
Then 1 got phaeton. intending to drive
for myself. as l have always loved han
ding the lines. But / got nervous going
about the park and had decided to en-
gage a good boy to drive for me. when
good luck brought your advertisement
before my eyes this morning. Can you
harness a horse?"
"Oh. yes. ma'am.'' replied Ned. "All
last summer / lived with a great-uncle
who is farmer. and I learned all about
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

gan to outline his plan.
Ned was an orphan boy and his aunt
gave him a home, also was making it
possible for him to get good education.
But, not being very well-to-do financially,
she could not give her beloved nephew
an allowance of spending money. But
she gave him all her love. for she was
maiden lady OF forty-fve. and Ned was
her only Chick" being her nearest of
kin living.
We'll. boy. tell auntie about your
PLAN" said the good aunt. stroking Ned's
hair. 81 only hope you can carry 1t out
successfully
.It.s this. Aunt Minnie" explained Ned,
IT want to earn some money to buy
Christmas presents with, and this is my
for an evening job"
Aunt Minnie smiled indulgently. And
what sort of job. boy?" she asked.
We'll, I shall not state the kind of
work desired. but take any decent and
honest employment / can get. You See
l cannot pick and choose, auntie. for l
have to get something that requires only
a couple of hours after school. I'll run
any sort of errands, you see. ought to
make several dollars before Christmas, if
L
or I, if the work will keep me-and all
day on Saturday.
"Au right, dearie," said Aunt " nnie
Then she arose and went into the kitchen
to prepare their supper, while Ned sat
down at the little writing desk in the
corner and began writing out his ad.
When done, it read: "Wanted-by boy
OF T. any work that he can do of even
ings after school Will work ii Z O'Clock.
if Ges red. Then his aunt called him
to supper, after which he went out and
had his advertisement inserted. He paid
for IL from a little money he had put III
his savings bank.
school Ned read his advertisement in
the Situations Wanted column and felt
a ow of pride over it. How business
like il seemed-he, Ned, applying for
evening employment.
That evening after school he ran home,
almost afraid to hope for an answer to
his advertisement so soon. He saw his
good aunts face at the window, smiling
at him, and as he entered the cheerful
little living room she held up to him a
white envelope. 1T came on the
o'clock delivery" she explained, land I'm
dying to know it's contents"
Ned hurriedly scanned the superscrip-
ton on the envelope. 1t read: Master
Ned Travis. No. 8 - street, CITY," Then
he tore off the envelope and read the
beaming face. he handed the sheet of
paper to his aunt. saying as he did SO:
I'm so sure. Aunt Minnie that I'll Sc
cure this Job. Isn't that luck? Oh,
shall try so hard to please
Aunt Minnie read the note, which was
from an old lady. She wanted a good,
strong, reliable boy to drive with her of
evenings-one who could manage a ..orse
and knew all about Harvesting him. The
time would cover about two hours, for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Ned's Preparations for Christmas

handling and Harvesting horses. And
am a safe driver. for keep both eyes on
my work." he added earnestly.
The next evening Ned was at his new
work and drove the gentle old horse
about the park and down through the
most crowded districts of the town, much
to the satisfaction of the old lady. who
sat complacently In the phaeton wrapped
in fur rugs.
And so the week went by. Ned goin~
every evening to drive the old lady about
the park and down town shopping. And
at the end Of the first week she handed
him an envelope containing his week
pay. asking him to open it after reaching
home. Ned was very happy as he ran
into his aunt's sitting room, the envelope
in his hand. My first five dollars.
auntier' he cried. Then, side by side,
the aunt and nephew sat down to count
over the latter's first earnings To their
amazement on opening the envelope not
a f1ve-dollar bill, but ten-dolar bill
dropped out. And with it was a note
which ran: Dear Master Ned-Here is
ten dollars for your weeks work. You
have been worth that to me. i want you
to use five dollars as you had intended
to doom your Christmas gifts and fes-
tivities-and the other five you are to put
into a savings bank in town. l shall
want you to drive for me during the en-
tire winter-when the weather permits Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Appropriate Gifts for Christ
mas.
mas.

Unless you know for certainty the
number of ones shoes and gloves it
~ is not we'll to make such gifts as
slippers and gloves. Presents
should be bestowed with view Of giving
pleasure in every sense, and this cannot
be the case where ill-fitting gloves and
slippers are given.
Frivolous trinkets should never be given
to the serious or matured man or
woman, Neither should expensive pre-
ents be sent to mere friends or visiting
acquaintance. Indeed, it Is not good
taste to make elaborate presents at ali.
To your girl friend a pretty handker
chief. or a lace jabot. or belt buckle,
or slipper bag, or pretty haipin tray
will always please. To your boy friend a
pencil holder. or a card case, or box
of blotters clearing holiday designs and
verses), or q necktie will be most appro-
pirate. To your grandmother you may
give something she will find of use, for
all old lad es love useful things, such as
little wooden shoulder shaws, bedroom
slippers. warm street wells. a bottle of
smelling salts or book OF her favorite
poems.
For your older sister there are number
less pretty things. An ivory-stick fan,
an opera-glass bag, a new box of her
own calling cards. nicely engraved: a
lace collar. or a box of dainty kerchiefs
WIN pS. <@uu ioi piS uioeie! d par
of silk suspenders, pair of unique
cuff buttons or fancy stickpin
for young men can never have too
many odd scarfpins). will doubtless be
joyously received. Something in dainty
linen or tableware will always please the
mother. for every mothers heart is in
the adornment Of the home, to make it
delightful for husband and children For
the father. new smoking jacket or
lounging robe, or comfortable slippers or
plain but elegant umbrella or walking
stick, will be in order and well received
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

the protest, had it put in a dear little
box covered by holly design in color.
and went home as happy as she could b
She knew her mothers nice kerchiets
were badly worn and that she had not
felt able of late to replenish the store.
And moth ng would please her more.
Nellie knew, than a dainty lace-trimmcd
handkerchief.
To say that all the recip ents of Nellie's
gifts were highly pleased would be ex-
pressing it mildly, and not one was more
del GIFTED than was Nellie herself. for
she-with her mothers helpful assist
ance-had made not only pretty. artistic
presents. but useful ones.
And in return Nellie received SO many,
many gifts. the dearest one being from
papa and mamma. VIII oh was new muff
of soft gray fur, something Nellie had 50
lonee for all winter.
"On, mamma. how happy I am" Nellie
cried on Chr stmas day, her arms about
the dear mothers neck. II thought we
were poor and now / find we are very
rich!"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

and spend very little money FOR them. too.
But sh II have to do some work. though
Nellie's face frightened -Oh. | wouldn't
mind working-and working hard de-
clared Nellie. If by so doing l could get
together such a nice lot Of Christmas
gifts as Annie has. But-on ca not work
without things to work with. mamma.
well arrange all that, dearie." said
Nellie's mother. And rising she asked
Nellie % accompany her to the storeroom
upstairs. There they rams cked old boxes
and trunks. W mt through drawers and
shelves. and after they had culled over
bits Of silk and velvet-an accumu alton
of scraps of trimmings which had pile |
up for years-they took up their armloa ds
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
HOW NELLIE BECAME RICH

and her contentment," declared the
mother. And now. dearie eyeryth ng is
done up for ma lin except papas and
cooks presents They shall b, placed on
the dining tab e Christmas eve"
Blu; Nellie was ST II troub ed in her
mind She wanted to get someth n &c
for her mother, and had only 80 cents
with which to buy a pr sent. For a
whole day she fretted about. going first
to one shop and then to another. Sud
denly her eyes fell on some dainty hand
kerchiefs in a W ndow They were LACE
trimmed and marked down from IS cents
to 81 cents each. Nellie went into the
shop and looked them over. find ng them
very fine n texture, and the lace of a
superior quality. So she selected one OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

cherries fireplace. would otherwise be
empty. Let every boy and every girl
who can do SO gather together as many
trinkets and toys as he or she can spare
from his or her own store Of plaything
and see that they are carefully dis
tributed among the poor. Boys and girls
might regulate the work of giving by
appointing committees to attend to the
distribution of gifts, and thus they would
know that none were left unsupplied
while others Jared too well by receiving
more than their share of the donated
gifts.
And not only toys and trinkets should
be got together but useful things as
well. There are outgrown hats. caps,
shoes. coats, frocks that our boys and
girls can no longer wear. There are
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

many poor children of all ages and sizes
to be found In need of such things. And
little baskets of fruit and nuts and
candy-that can be got for emall sum
at the corner fruit stand-are always
joyously received by the little folk of the
poor. for 1t Is not their privilege to buy
Of such things whenever appetite die
tates.
SO while your hearts are made glad by
plenty Of good cheer at Chrstmastime.
do not turn deaf ears or blind eyes
toward the poor. BY making other
happy you will be happier yourself, for
charity Is the greatest of all virtues. DO
unto others as you would have others do
unto YOU
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Coin Under the Mast.

One of the old customs which has never
been changed in the launching Of a new
ship is that of placing a gold coin under
the main mast. This coin, which Is not
of any certain demon nation. always
bears the date of the launching Of the
boat. and is claimed to bring good luck
In the vessel and her crew
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
TRAINED BASS

ECENTLY in a lit
tie New England
vi ! ] a g e. located
several miles from
the railroad. a
number Of natives
were gathe red at
the post office lei
surely await ng the
arrival of the
stage coach with
the daily mail.
The group was In
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

my going out-and in the summer l shall
take you and your dear auntie (of whom
you seem SO fond to my cottage in the
country. where both shall have the pleas
ures Of wood and dale and fresh air.
Come to me Monday evening. as usual,
and say nothing of my having added to
the original price set for your work l
know you are the sort of boy to feel deep
gratitude. but to have people thanking me
always makes me nervous. So. don't"
"Oh. auntie. isn't she splendid!'' cried
Ned. II have loved the dear old lady
from the very fl st minute when 1 set
eyes on her sweet face. And isn't she
kind and good to think Of our summer
yours and mine?'
Yes, boy; but you have merited it ALL
believe me. by your extreme kindness to
her and her gentle old horse. And she
loves you for your goodness. Virtue is
not only its own rewa d. for it often
brings other rewards; and my dear boy
is SO good that whoever knows him must
love him.
That's because you have set only
splendid examples before me, auntie,"
Ned declared, tears Of JOY in his blue
eyes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

ELLIE was curled
up In a big easy
chair in the bay
window Of her
mammals coy sit
ting rom. A spar
king wood fire
blazed on the
hearth and the
bright December
sun flooded the
room with its aft
ernoon rays. Nell
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Jimmy sees IL shop window just
what he wants for Christmas. II
you will look carefully in the pic
ture you will find what this is.

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES.
Letter enigma--Friend.
Zigzag puzzle-Snow storm. Crossroads are:
u Smoke. % India. 49, Store. az Brown.
Oh Marry.
Beheadings-tD Bishop. shop. (2) Space. pace.
e, Broom, room. a. Carpet, pet.
Hidden name puzzle-Bacon. Words having
right initial letters: ~ Bee. (2) Arts. t3D
Cat. (D Old. (5) Nag.
Rebus-Boys and girls love to go coasting on
the hillside.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Curtailings.

"a Curtail play and leave that which q
drunkard will sell his soul for.
i2) Curtail that which a king wears and leave
the call OF cock in the early morning.
~ Curtail ship and leave a fur scarf worn
by ladies about their necks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
PUZZLES.
Christmas Letter Enigma.

My first is in single. but not In double:
My second is In wrangle but not In trouble;
Ny third Is in knot, but not 10 tie;
Ny fourth is In oyster. but not In fry:
My fifth Is the same as you have In my two:
Ny sixth 10 In church, but not In pew;
Ny seventh Is In old, but not In new:
Ny eighth you have had in my five and my two:
Ny ninth IL In hunter. but not In setter;
Ny tenth il the same as my very drst letter:
Ny whole spells a name that children love dear,
And they hear 1t much talked of at this tins
Of year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
UNIT MINNIE. I've

UNIT MINNIE. I've
got a fine plan to
earn some money
for c h r / S TIM as"
said Ned. as he
came in one even
ing after school.
Then. putting away
his books, he drew
a chair close to mis-
aunt's side - t h e
good lady was bus
lily sewing-and be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Beheadings.

"a Behead weapon used in the long ago and
leave q luscious fruit.
(2) Behead a number OF birds flying together
and leave door fastening.
(3) Behead a beverage and leave a place where
peoDle skate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11

- MANY rich children forget the
poor during the holy Christmas
tiGe. But the very name of Christ
mas should bring the thought OF
doing good toward others to their
minds and hearts. Christ lived fer others
not for Himself And to that Divine
owe we owe our Christmastime.
There are always the poor children
whose holiday season will be cherries
unless those more fortunately placed viii
heln to make 1t happy In every wel-to-
do household there are many, many tile
toys-still in good repair-that might
make glad the hearts of some poor chill
dren whose stockings, hung beside a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-11
Primal Acrostic.

There are seven words Of six letters each in
this acrostic. II the words rightly guessed
and written one below another their initial let
tiers will spell the name of a certain kind of
hunter who delights in heavy snowfall. The
under ground. (2) That which wealthy people
possess. 90 Something belonging TO sh r.
"a royal color. t5l The tite OF very high
noble person. t6l A young bird Of prey "a 4
small wild animal
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-06

ten throws to second to catch the
runner. Meanwhile the runner
on third has been edging along
slowly, but not showing a sign of
going home until the first base
man starts his throw to second.
The moment the first base
guardian does throw, however, the
runner on third sprints for the
plate and Is almost certain to
score, for the double throw can
not beat him. Meanwhile. II ID
|up to the man going to second to
stop In his tracks long enough 70
permit the man to score before he
lie retired.
Of course, II the first baseman
is wise and whips the ball to third
instead OF to second. he Is apt 70
get the runner off third, retiring
the side.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-06
KETCHEL WINS
BOY MAYOR
IS ANGRY

SAN FRANCISCO, July g.
The decision rendered by Ref
cree Roche was the rawest, rot
tenest and rankest Judgment ever
made In a prize ring" disgustedly
remarked Sherwood M. Becker,
The Boy Mayor of Milwaukee, =
to the United Press, after Billy
Roche, referee. held up Ketchel's
arm, proclaiming him victor over
Billy Papke of Kewanee in yester-
days 20-round fight at Colma.
Becker for years has been a
fight follower, and his opinion
carries weight to many close stu
dents Of the pugilistic game.
For the sake of the fighting
game, ] was sorry to see the fight
go that way" he said. ut ID de-
cisions like that that kill boxina
and keep II below the place n
should occupy in manly sports.
It's too bad, too bad. / cant
say anything too strong"
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-06
PREPARES
FOR TACOMA
BUSINESS

]. c. Stubs. director OF traffic
of the Hartman railways, will be
here tomorrow to arrange with the
Northern Pacific officials for the
Joint use of the n. p. tracks by
completing schedules for passen-
ger and freight business into Ia
coma.
With the operating of Hartman
trains into this city, Tacoma Will
for the first time get the benefit
of competition on freight from all
points west of the Missouri and
south of the N. p. territory. Here
tofore the N. p. has absolutely
refused to allow freight to be
billed through over the Hartman
lines. 1t had to be taken out OF
the Hartman cars at Portland, re-
billed on the local rate and sent
on to Tacoma. This was expensive
and inconvenient to shippers.
With the new deal, Tacoma
shippers can do business with
Hartman instead of Hill in all
Hartman territory, and avoid this
inconvenience.