davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Soup Without a Spoon.

Soup without a spoon seems even
harder TO negotiate than meat without
a fork, and we can sympathize with
the complaint recorded in the diary of
Felix Platter, a young Swiss, who went
TO Montpelier in 1862 in order to study
medicine. He lodged in the house of
his professor, Catelan, one of the
greatest doctors of his time, and yet,
writes Platter, I'VE were compelled to
eat Il stew in the usual French fash
ion-that is TO say, picking the meat
out with our fingers and then drinking
the broth. In vain we begged our
hostess to let us have spoons, but not
a single one vas TO be found in the
house, the only implement on the table
being a large knife fastened with an
iron chain. No one here seems to have
ever heard of spoons, which we at
home find so useful" Montaigne was
astonished when he visited Switzer-
land In 1880 to find that lat all meals
they put on the table as many spoons
as there are people present."-west-
minister Gazette.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Eunice A. DeIanO.
STATE OF VERMONT.

STATE OF VERMONT,
oD1sTRICT OF ADDISON, IS.
The PROBATE Court for the District OF Adj
Olson:
To all persons interested in the estate OF
Eunice A. Delano, late OF Shoreham, in said
District, deceased. GREETING.
By the authority of the State of Vermont.
You are hereby notified to appear before the
said Probate Court, at the Probate ONCE in
Middlebury, in said District, on the 9th day
OF December A. ID. 1909, at 10 O'Clock n. m, to
show cause, II any you have, why the account
OF Eugene L. Horton executor of the will
OF said deceased, should not be allowed,
and also why the residue of said estate
should not be distributed to the parties en-
titled thereto.
Dated at Middlebury, in said District, this
9Th day OF December. A. ID. 1903.
90 MABEL A. BLISS, Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Frank A. Bond.

The Undersigned, having been appointed
by the Hon. Probate Court for the District OF
Addison Commissioners, 10 receive, exanin
and adjust all claims against the estate of
FRANZ A. BOND,
late of Middlebury, in said District, deceased,
and all claims exhibited in offset thereto,
hereby give notice hat we win meet for the
purposes aforesaid at the store OF f., =.
Cushman, in said town of Middlebury. on the
18th dav OF January and lst day of June
next, from ] O'Clock p. m, until O'Clock
p. M, each OF said days. and hat ak months
from the 18Th day of December, A, D., 1863 is
the time limited by said Court for said cred
itors to present their Gains to ny for exam
1natiOn ana allowance.
Dated at Middlebury, VT, tins Ion day of
December A. ID. 1909.
=. T. CTsnmAN' Commissioner
JOHN K. WEEKS, Executor. 81
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

psychological study that drives all re-
membrance Of the blessed season from
the mind. It's ghosts are not the So
cable and easily banished spooks Of
Dickens. They are formless and
creepy and all pervading. They are the
fearsome specters that rise in the frig-
id vapors of German mysticism, and
they are made icier still with n strong
admixture of New England transcen-
dentalism. 1t is a masterpiece in con-
ceptiOn and in t~reatment-no question
mt all about that-but it does not make
the Yule log glow more brightly or
lend a better flavor to the steaming
bowl.
Mary Russell Milford does not deal
in ghosts. All of her Christmas char
acters are flesh and blood people, and
they are not of the sort that Twill not
stay dead when they die" Her Christ
mas Party" is as dainty in its work
manship as anything which ever came
from her careful pen. and that is say
ing much. 1t is as restful and non-
suggestive as a pastoral, and its influ-
ence is as soothing as the delicate
SAVIOR which escapes when the cover
of a potpOurri jar is lifted or the
drawer Of an old time cabinet is open
ed-the faint, pervasive dor of crush
ed rose leaves and dried lavender.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Caroline l.. A rial.
Order of MOTHERHOOD of VIII

STATE OF VERMONT,
0DIsTRICT OF ADDISON, SIS TI"oAte Oourte
Be ii remembered, that ct a session Of the
Probate Court, holden at NJ ddlebury, within
and for the District Of Addison, on the 9th
day OF December, A. d. 1909.
PRESENT: WM. II. BLISS, Judge.
whereas, a certain instrument OF writing, un.
der seal, supporting to be the last viii and tes-
lament OF Caroline !. Aria late OF Salisbury
IN said district, deceased having been this day
presented TO said Court for Probate, and duly
MED in the Registers Office: Therefore, il is
ordered, that all persons interested in this
estate OF said deceased be notified to appear
before said Court, nj the Probate ONCE in
Mlddlebury. in said District, ON the 9th day
OF December a. d. 1909, by publication OF this
order. three weeks successfully previous
thereto, in the Mlddleburv Register, a news
paper printed at Middleburv.t to show cause, il
any they may have, why said instrument in
writing should not be proved and allowed,
as the last will and testament Of the said de
ceased.
a true record,
30 MABEL A. BLISS. Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

Most amazing ofiall, the author of the
tale professed to believe that it was
Mrs. Perkins Ball" that had made
his reputation-that, too, in the face of
the fact that Vanity Fair" had just
Deer published. This perversion of
Thackeray in regard to the literary
value of his wares and his lack of faith
in his masterpiece-he had so little
confidence in the success of Vanity
Fair that after it appeared he applied
for a small government position-are
proof sufficient that the man who Gre
ates a masterpiece may have a dim
conception of artistic values.
All the makers of great fiction are
more or less under the spell of their
immediate surroundings, but few have
made it more apparent than Charles
Dickens. Those who knew the circum-
stances saw plainly that he had put
himself and his sad childhood into
many of his pathetic short stories.
This is especially true of 1.-The Ghost
In Master BIS ROOM which is an ac-
count Of things which happened to
him in his troubled boyhood. AS a
child he was a firm believer in ghosts,
and it is probable that he nevei entire
ly abandoned his faith in spectral ap-
p~earances. Many of his tales are peo-
pied with d~isembodied spirits, and they
are like the ghosts Of no other writer.
They are the spooks that appeal to n
and make one believe In their genuine
ness. They are frequently more real
than the living characters who consort
with them. Although they are dead.
they conduct themselves like living en-
titles.
Dickens Christmas ghosts are unique
IA the realm of literature. OF all the
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

mortal restrictions in regard to locomo-
ton that come to us when we bid them
and vanish politely when We are weary
of their presence.
Bret Harte never made a secret of
his admiration for the creator OF Little
Nell and Tom Pinch. Like Paul at
the feet of Gamaliel. he was content to
receive his lesson from the man he
acknowledged to be his master. Not
until after Dickens had finished his
work did the young literary light who
stood revealed in The far western firma-
ment learn that his model had seen
that exquisite elegy "Dickens In
Camp" and had beer heard to express
his admiration of it in the most gen.
erous terms. The dying novelist de-
clared that the work of the new Amer
lean writer contained such subtle
strokes of workmanship as no other
writer in the language had yet ex-
hibited. And Their he asked, with a
humorous CLEAN in his weary eyes.
Don't you think that his n is
very like my ownT
Like Dickens, Harte had a genuine
fondness for the doings of Yuletide.
One who knew him best says that up
TO the last day Of his life "he thought
much of the Christmas season and to
the last kept up the fond and foolish
custom of sending generous presents
TO his friends" Better appreciated in
England than in his native country,
Harte spent the later years Of his life
abroad. but his stories were to the last
distinctively American. In that adj
mirable performance entitled How
Santa Claus Came to Simpsons Bar"
there is no flavor of the old world
Christmas, and Johnny, clothed in the
stars and stripes, is a young American
Of the most unmistakable sort.
Two Of the most strikingly dissimi-
lar Christmas stories ever written are
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Hiland IL. Young
COMMISSIONER Notice.

The undersigned, having been appointed
by the Hon, Probate court for the District
anime and adjust all claims against the estate
OF Hiland H.. Young late OF orwell in said
in offset thereto, hereby give notice that we
Will meet for the purposes aforesaid at the
Office OF the First National Bank IN said town
of Orwell on the 10th day OF December and
l4th day OF May next, rom two O'Clock until
four O'Clock D. m. each OF said daye, and that
six months from the 18th day OF November
Al d. 1909 Is the tim limited by said Court for
said creditors TO present their claims to us
FOR examination and allowance.
Dated at Orwell,Vt. this Both day of Novem-
Der A. ID. 1909
W. B. FRENCH. Commissioners
RoHpRr C. r. Y 6&SSe' Executors. 40
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Guy &. barrow.


STATE OE VERMONT,
oDIsTRICT OF ADDISON, S..
Be 1t remembered that al a session OF the
Probate Court holden al Middlebury. withis
and for said district, on The 9TH day OF
December, A.. 1909.
Present: Hon. WM. H. BLISS, Judge
Whereas, Mrs. Maria b. barrow, dminis
tratrtx Of the estate OF Guy c. barrow, late
OF Mtddlebury in said district, deceased, haE
this day presented TO said court her petition
in writing, setting forth that il win be neces.
sary to sell a part OF the real estate OF saiG
deceased for the payment OF the debts and
charges OF administration and also that il
will be beneficial for all parties interested
therein to sell part OF the real estate of sail
deceased, los acres OF pasture land more OF
less in Chester, in the county of Windsor
and state OF Vermont; also two farms in
Springfield, in said county OF Windsor, one
farm containing about $3.50 acres, and the
other about l27 acres; also any land lying in
Rockingham, in the county of Windham, and
therein making application 10 said court for
license to make such sale.
1t Is ordered, that all persons interested in
the estate of said deceased be notified to-
appear before said court. at the Probate
office in Middlebury, in said district, on the
A. M, by publication of tins order three
weeks successfully previous thereto, in the
Middlebury Register, a newspaper printed at
M1ddlebury aforesaid, 10 show cause, If any
they may have, why said license should no.
be granted.
so MABEL A. BLISS, Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Railway Mail Clerks
Wanted.
The Government Pays Railway
Mail Clerks $500 to $500,
and other employees up
to $500 annually.

Uncle Sam will hold spring eXauhina-
tions throughout the country for Rail
way Mail Clerks, Custom House Clerks,
Stonographers, Bookkeekers, Depart
mental Clerks and other Government Po,-
itions. Thousands of appointments will
be made Any man or woman over Is.
in city or country can get instruction
and free information by writing at once
to the Bureau of Instruction. 349' Ham.
lin Building, Rochester, n. y.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
THE RATIONAL
CHRISTMAS,
By ELLIS FRAME

copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciation.]
Let us give in reason this year" she
suggested;
Not merely for the sake of giving
things.
It's the spirit. not the money invested.
Let us, therefore, turn from foolish
squanderings.
Let the gifts we give be things that may
be needed
Instead of trash soon to be cast aside"
MY darling, your suggestion shall be
needed,
For there is wisdom in it," he replied.
She did her shopping early, being guided
BY lessons learned from much expert
ence.
She would show her lord and master, she
decided.
How excellent a thing was common
sense.
For their baby boy she purchased a
French corset
And an oriental rug that caught her
eye.
Though the darling longed to have a
rocking horse. 1t
Wasn't sensible she murmured, with a
sigh.
They had promised not to buy things for
each other.
They would merely get a few things for
the cnlQ.
She would sacrifice her sister and her
mother,
And it gladdened her to see the way he
smiled
As he said his people. too. should be omit
ted.
So the wise and winsome woman, day
by day.
From shop to shop. with sweet emotion.
Having dry goods bound up and sent
away.
lie bought a pipe and splendid smoking
jacket
To give their darling glee on Christmas
morn.
With these the child could make no such
a racket
AS might have been produced with drum
and horn.
He also got the works. unexpurgated,
OF old Boccaccio and Radicals.
30 that their little one might be elated
And long have glad remembrance OF the
day.
On Christmas when their presents were
displayed
They sat upon the sofa side by side,
And while their child looked up at them.
dismayed,
He had a cuiprit's manner. and she
cried.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

L Ute dSeS are sui Ill
use on the continent. but the more
secular minded English had only the
rude Yuletide jingles and the quaint
carols of beef eating antiquity.
Contrary to the prevailing notion, the
inventor of the tale with a distinctive
ly Christmas flavor was an American.
1t is likely that it would occur to few
Americans and to no Englishman to
dissent if it were asserted in their
presence that Charles Dickens origi-
mated the Christmas story. His name
Is so inseparably connected with so
much of the holiday literature en-
shrined in the popular heart that it Is
small wonder the mention of Christ
mas suggests him. The credit of the
'literary find" however, must be given
to another. a man who was at the end
of his thirties when Dickens was born,
who had been. at Malta when Nelson's
fleet sailed away to Trafalgar. who had
visited Sir Walter at Abbotsford and
had captivated him and who was aft
erward secretary to the United States
legation in England. That. Of course.
means Washington Irving.
Irving's first book. "The Sketch-Book
Of Godfrey Crayon, Gent" had pleased
everybody, so much so, indeed. that it
was republished by John Murray in
London and translated into several con-
tinental languages. Both the publish
ers and the public were urging him to
do something equally m%eritorious. No
body realized more keenly than did the
author of the exquisite work the diff
Guilty OF producing its mate, and he
was not a man to be driven into medi-
ocrity. Three years later he published
"Bracebridge Hail." and the chapter of
that masterpiece of literary workman
ship entitled "Christmas at Bracebridge
Hall" was the pioneer holiday tale OF
English literature and has furnished Il
model for subsequent fictionists which
has seldom been eQualed and never
eXcelled. Its easy grace and felicity Of
expression were a revelation to every
body in those days, and the wonder
and the charm are potent still.
William Makepeace ~Thackeray. mas
ter Of a realism that is the wonder and
the despair of those who have followed
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Instrument of AdOptiOn.

STATE OF VERMONT,
- ADDISON DISTRICT. flooate court
Be il remembered, that Mt Niddlebury in
said district this eth day OF December A. d.
1902, Sarah simmons Brittell % Weybridge in
the county OF Addison and state OF Vermont.
a minor, ana Mary Allen Biitell, a minor of
said Weybridge, twin sisters, whose mother
IS deceased, have their names changed by
their father, Ciaudius r. Britten or said Wey
bridge, so that said Sarah simmons shan
hereafter bear the name OF Sarah strong Bri-
tell, and SAID Mary Allen shall hereafter hear
the name OF Mary simmons Briten.
CLAUDIUS X. BRlTTELL. l.. S.
STATE OF VERMONT,
- ADDISON COUNTY ii'""'e Oourt'
At Middlebury this Sth day OF December A.
ID. 1909, personally appeared SAID Clandlus L.
Brlttell and acknowledged the foregoing IN
strument by MIN sealed subscribed TO be his
free act and deed.
Before me,
WM. II. BLISS,
Probate Judge of the
Addison ArObate DistIic
\ true copy of record, Attest
MABEL A. BLISS, Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

silent shapes that
have been sum-
moned from the
upper and neither
worlds to lend en-
chantment to the
Christmas tale
his a e have
become acclimat-
ed. There is new
er anything re-
pulsive q b o u t
them. They are
the most compan-
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

ii n W t h o e'S
christmas Ban
quet' and Miss
NIitford's Christ
mas Party"
There is little of
G h S t m a s in
ii q w t h e's
grewsome e.
The joyous festi-
val is only a lit
erary makeshift
around which is
woven n w @ d
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

ionabIe spooks ever Invented. They
are seldom sepulchral. but are fire.
quently cheerful. They are not the
haunting, sleep killing and never to be
exercised phantoms of the fairy tales,
but actual personalities, freed from all
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

IT until the first
half of the last
century was we'll
spent did the spe-
cies of literature
which has come to
be known as Christ
mas fiction effect a
permanent d G.
ment in the hearts
of English speak
ing mankind. The
ancient | g
pla VS. and the
r h Y m e d holiday
legends of the mid
die ages are still in
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Lorrin III. Biroughton

STATE OF VERMONT,
- DISTRICT OF ADDISON, S..
The Probate Court for the district afore-
said
To all persons interested in the estate OF
Lorring II. %Broughton, late OF Bridport, ia
said district, deceased.
GREETING:
You are hereby notified to appear before the
SAID Probate Court. at the Probate Once in
Middlebury, in said District, on the 10Th day
of January A. ID. 1910, at 10 O'Clock A NJ, to
show cause, IL any you have, why the account
OF Cyrus Ii. m,th the administrator with the
will annexed of The estate OF said deceased,
should not be allowed, and also WHY the resi-.
due of said estate should not be distributed
to the parties entitled thereto.
Dated at Middlebury, in said District, this
goth day of December, "A. d. 1909.
50 MABEL A. BLISS, Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

him, e no
model and chose
e.. His Mrs.
Perkins Ball. re-
sembles II h Il g
ever conceived in
the mind of any
OF h err man. The
public was pleased
with it. but never
so m u C h as was
Thackeray himself.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
Estate of Amos IL. Palmer.

STATE OF VERMONT,
oDIsrRICT OF ADDISON, SIS.
The Probate Court for the district of add.
ison:
To all persons interested in the estate OF
Amos H.. Palmer. late OF Bridport. in said
district, deceased.
GREETING:
By the authority of the state OF Vermont,
you are hereby notified to appear befOra the
said Probate Court, at the Probate office in
MiddleOury in said district on the 10th day
OF January A. ID. 1910. al 10 O'Clock A. NJ, to
show cause, il any you have why the account
OF Cyrus II. Smith, the administrator of the
estate OF said deceased, should not be allowed
and also why the residue of said estate
should not be distributed 10 the parties
entitled thereto.
Dated at Middlebury, in said district, this
10Th day OF December. A. ID. 1903.
% MABEL \. BLISS, Register.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
lie ROY PLOWS

win Prizes whenever exhibited. We can
rive testimoni ,ls from some OF the best far.
ners in the United States, who say ''the
lie Roy draws easier, holds easier and does
better work in all conditions of sell than any
other Plow used" Made by LIE Roy Plow Co.,
lie Roy, N. Y. They are for sale by J. H.
stewart, M~iddlebury; j. n. Spaulding, Bird
port.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
CHRISTMAS
IN FICTION.
BY GEORGE H. PICARD

copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciation.1
Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-03-10
PREPARE FOR
COAL STRIKE
President Baer of the Read
ing Railroad Holds Gloomy
View of Situation.
MUCH COAL IN STORAGE
Operators Will Not Grant
Demands of the Men and !
Trouble Is Anticipated.

Philadelphia, March 10. = President
Baer of the Reading declares that
should there be strike of the anthra-
cite miners next month there will be
no scarcity Of coal.
''There has never been so much coal
stored in the history of the industry"
he said. @In one location, near Maha-
noy City, there Is an accumulation of
30,0O0,000 tons, and vast quantities are
stored in other parts of Pennsylvania
and In New Jersey"
There will be conference tomorrow
at the Reading terminal between rep
resentatives Of the coal carrying roads,
headed by President Baer Of the Read
ing and President Lewis and his asso-
ciates of the United Mine Workers Of
America.
The United Mine Workers demands
will be presented. The coal road pres
idents practically have resolved In ad-
vance to refuse every demand made
by the miners, and it seems almost
certain that a strike will follow the
termination Of the agreement between
miners and operators on March 81.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-03-10
SAYS LIBRARY
WILL Get ALL
MONEY NEEDED
Treasurer Jones Quotes AL.
derman-at-L Large, at
Trustees Meeting.
is NOT THOUGHT THAT
FULL SUM is NECESSARY
Librarian Will Attend Con-
vention--$100 Worth of
New Books Authorized.

monthly meeting Of the Board of
Trustees of the Public Library was held
last night at which Treasurer Henry W.
Jones gave a report on the finances Of
the institution. He reported having
seen Alderman-at-Large Voorhees, re-
garding the payment Of the full amount
of the appropriation due the library
and said that Mr.. Voorhees, told him
that the council would give the library
as much money as it needs, within it's
appropriation, for the coming year. He
said the alderman-at-iarge bad told him
that the city fathers did not wish to re-
tard the work Of the institution, but
they believed that thesboard had large
balance on hand and we're not in need
Of the full amount which the law allows.
Fritz Hoyler, the newly-appointed
member, was present and was made
member of the book committee, in the
place Of John W. Beekman
The librarian, Miss E. H. Mulligan.
was authorized to spend $1oo to replelsss-
ish the Hbrary's stock of ,elzsfdren 3
books, which are becoming worn out.
To Attend Convention
Miss Mulligan will attend the annual
convention of the Librarians from New
OCAecf anu K cHIe Yihduld. ~ Dt u6lu 8I
Atlantic City, at the expense of the
board. She will leave here on March IS.
Upon request of the librarian to have
fence erected in the rear of the Ii
brary, the house committee was en-
powered to procure hedge plants togeth-
er with barbed wire and other mater
ials for erecting an attractive looking
fence
Report Of Librarian.
Bills amounting to $20l 40 were au-
dited and ordered paid. The report Of
the librarian was as follows: Total
circulation for February, 4,s6l; for
February 1908, 4,493; increase, 36S;
largest daily circulation in February,
$50; in February 1908, 344; increase, 9;
smallest daily circulation in February
l3s; in February 1908. rs, increase, 60;
adult circulation In February, 2,9i0; in
February 1908, 1858; increase 25T; iu-
venile circulation in Febrauvy, ] p51;
in February 1908, $40; increase, III !.
total number of borrowers 4, I45; racsi.-
bership cards, Sc; membership cards sx-
pired, SO; membership cards renewed,
IS; delinquent notices sent, 50; lost
cards reported, 3; eases. of contagious
disease reported, 0.
Reading room: Daily readers, 1,102;
Sunday readers, 1861 total number Of
readers, ,267; reference questions asked
So.
Books: Volumes added, 50; volumes
added by purchase, 5s; by gift, 1; vol
nmes rebound, 10; volumes repaired in
library, 1877.
Finances: Fines, s2o.ss; reserves,
S1.3s; receipts, s21.74; expenditures,
$500; balance, $15s4~
The treasurer s report was as follows:
s194; books, s60.s6; light. ss--
heat, $50; janitor supplies IS cents;
stationery, SAG; srDdrv expenses,
$375; furniture, SIS; balance on hands
$91 40. <xM