davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

OF genuine love and truth sincere.
With natural fondness while they burn
Still to each other kindly turn
And the vital sparks decay
Together gently sink away,
Till life's fierce ordeal being past
Their mingled ashes rest at last.
A custom still prevalent in Scotland is
pulling kale stalks" Couples journey to
the fields hand in hand. blindfolded; each
person must pull the stalk that first
comes to hand. The future partner is
bound to be stout slender, short or
tall. according to the size of the stalk
selected. The quantity of earth or turf
clinging to the roots of the stalk decides
the size of the dowry or fortune, while
the taste of the pith determines the tenn
per of the mate selected. Finally. the
stalks are placed in a row over the door,
and it is believed that the Christian
names of all those who enter during the
evening will be identical with those of
the future life partners.
"Three Dishes, or ''Luggies,'' is another
Scottish observance still in favor in the
Highlands. Two of these are filed, re-
spectively, with clean and dirty water;
the third is left empty. They are ar
ranged in a row and placed upon the
hearth. Each palpitating lover, blind
folded, advances in turn and tremblingly
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

along these lines than any other. and 1t
Is everywhere to be seen. Soup plates
and platters are fashioned from them,
and then, too, grotesque and weird masks
can be cut from this vegetable where
skilled carver Yields the knife.
Autumn leaves in the first blush of their
frosttinted glory are always brought into
use and no decoration where Dame Nature
yields the brush is so delicate In tint or
tone than boughs of gum or oak. There
is no need for an expensive outlay on
flowers ut this time. Cabbages draped
with crepe paper make pretty fruit or
flower baskets, and nothing is more
beautiful at this time of the year than
goldenrod Salad dishes fashioned out of
cabbages are pretty, effective and useful
and add spice of autumn to the festal
board which gives 1t just the proper
tang. OF course, everybody knows that
the pumpkin can be SO carved as to make
an ideal Jack-o'-lantern, with eyes COW
cred with a bit of red silk through which
the rays from the lighted candle within
can CLEAN. Ropes of cranberries, pop
corn and scarlet and green peppers add
tremendously to the general effect, and
then, too. sheayes of wheat, ears of un-
shucked corn, golden carrots, crimson
beets and many hued apples and pears
can be utilized in many ways.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
elzzoz4S lie Gz1aza0

Incarnation, forms the initial of the lover.
Apple seeds named by some obliging
friend to designate the various matri-
monfal possibilities are stuck on the
cheeks. The one remaining there the
longest is the successful and constant
lover. The counting of apple seeds which
have been named" is another favorite
diversion. lone l love; two / love; three
I love 1 say" chants the person who
thus seeks her fate. -Four l love with
all my heart and FIVE | cast away. Six
he loves; seven she loves; nine he comes;
ten he tarries; eleven he courts and
twelve he marr1es,' the chant continues
No apple is supposed to have less than
IL seeds.
Another charming diversion is to 90
into the garden and walk about, sowing
hemp seed, the while chanting: Hemp
seed, / SOW thee; hemp seed, SOW thee;
hemp seed, 1 sow thee and him that is
to be my true love come after me and
show thee" Then, by looking over her
left shoulder, she will see her future hus-
! band.
If dumb cake is desired for a charm
the girls must meet In the kitchen be-
tween 10 and II o'clock. Each girl must
place a handful of wheat -four upon a
! sheet of white paper and sprinkle it over
with as much salt as she can hold be-
tween finger and thumb Then one of
the party must make them into dough,
being careful not to use spring water.
Then each girl must roll her dough out
into a thin, fat cake and mark her mi
tials upon it with a new pin. The cakes
having been placed before the fire, each
must take q seat before her respective
cake. This must all be done before II
O'Clock, and between that hour and mid
night the cake can be turned once. When
I the clock strikes IL the husband of her
who is to be married first will enter the
kitchen and approaching the row of cakes
he will place his hand upon that part of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

MAA -., .ne largest oI the
" European capitals, but it is ex-
tremely cosmopolitan and well
u kept Like all capitals. it is
most attractive in the winter
0nd spring, when the place is alive with
diplomats and foreigners.
After leaving the station we wander
into large street which brings US to an
enormous square called the Puerta del
Sol The shape is certainly as odd as the
size, for it is semicircular and surrounded
by great many high buildings. In the
center is an enormous fountain, which
really suggests a miniature lake. From
here radiate ten fine streets, like so many
spokes in a wheel. There is life and
gnyety here all day, from early morning
until close on midnight. In the early
morning a continued stream of men and
women pass through the square on their
way to work. Toward midday many
aquipages pass by, occupied by we'll
dressed Spanish women and by diplomats
IN the way to the palace. In the after
loon the large square is filed with car
hages containing beautifully gowned
women and highly uniformed men start
ns of for the afternoon airing On
peasant afternoons it is a central place
or men and women to hold informal re-
:eptionS, Willing away a happy hour in
aughter and conversation.
After 6 o'clock the square is heavily
:rowded with representatives of all social
classes, from the most exclusive nobility
the poorest working people, out for a
ark and supper at one and another of
he many-priced cafes Judging from the
surdreds of people who swarm the
'uerta del Sol and the adjoining streets
fter 8 O'Clock, enc fmagines that the
1ty Is largely filed with idlers. This Is
lot exactly true, as in Spain all classes,
rom government officials to the working
people, give themselves up to pleasure
after 5 o'clock
This square is well named. for 1t means
the Gate of the sun, and, though there is
no gate, the place Is hathed with sun
shine. PIG re- = people gather
there; many more go into the Alcata,
park bright with flower beds and green
canopies made by the tapping branches.
Here are plenty of men and women chat
ting op benches and listening to the milk
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

by two enormous stone fountains. They
are beautifully ornamented. One is sur
mounted by a colossal cybele seated on
a shell and drawn by warehouses;. The
other is a Neptune or great size In this
vicinity is the famous Church of Nuestra
Sonora di Atocha, rich in gifts given to
Isabella after the assault of February
2, 1852.
Though the Prado Is lively every pleas
ant afternoon, it is so crowded on fete
days one can hardly pass. The street
is a mass of people, carriages and
horses. The peasants from the towns
around mix with the nobility listening to
the bands and dining in one and an
other of the cafes
Another favorite center is the Plaza del
Oriente, between the Royal Palace and
the Royal Theater. The middle classes
love to congregate and wait for the royal
carriage to drive by to the theater. 1t
Is in the form of an oval and its outer
promenade is ornamented with fourteen
enormous statues of kings and queens
In the center of these pretty gardens
Is a magnificent statue of Philip w.,
mounted on his charger, as becomes
king who was considered the best horse
man in Spain. The statue Is 40 feet
high, and the reliefs on the pedestal are
remarkably fine. They represent. with
allegorical figures. the knighting OF
Velasquez by Philip ~.
In the Plaza de Independence Is an
other splendid adornment to the city.
1t is the only trinmphal arch in Madrid
and was designed by Sabatieno and ere
ated at the command of Charles III. to
commemorate his entrance into Madrid.
The gate consists of five arches and Is
~ feet high
Although Madrid cannot boast of
larger body of water than q river called
the Mauzanares, it is ornamented at sew
eral points with several splendid stone
bridges. The one at the west end is
stone bridge of nine arches and is orna-
mented with large buttresses and medal
lions
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
Tie SY0Z Nzace

tary band. Another of the popular
squares is the Salon del Prado, note
worthy for the splendid obelisk Of the
DOS de Mayo. placed there to commem-
crate the Murat massacre of 1905
One of the most popular rendezvous of
the Spanish people is the Plaza Mayor.
the grand square of Madrid. 1t is 2,450
feet above the sea. It Is here one of the
royal bullfghts takes place, and near by
Is beautiful bronze statue of Philip Ill.
In recent years the square has been con-
verified into a large garden. Under the
arcades are many shops. principally filed
with attractive Spanish toys.
Many OF the public buildings are in one
ana another of these large squares, and
they are built in keeping with their sur
roundings. The older buildings have been
remodeled until they seem really modern.
Attractive in spite of their age are the
isolated buildings of the home offices
built by Charles III. in 176a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

toral scenes. The furniture is elaborate.
1t is both splendidly carved and gilded.
Some of it is made in the country. but
large part Is imported from France
The floors are softened by beautiful rugs
woven in the Moorish towns and In Per
STA.
But the feature that attracts one most
the streets, in which the people
promenade and make merry. They are
compact for one can drive from one
end to the other In half an hour. Most
of the streets are broad, excepting in
the old parts, where there is still
dash Of local color In the narrow. wind
ing lanes and the hanging balconies.
The most splendid of these streets Is
the Prado, which is the Champs Elysees
of Paris and the Mall of London The
Prado. though not long, is beautifully
kept, bordered with plenty of shade
trees and f1anked by smaller avenues.
These extend to the well-known garden
Of the Buen vetiro- marked at both ends
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

At the top of the Pasco de Recoteles
is a monument to Columbus in the de-
based Gothic style of Ferdinand and Isa-
bella. The sides are ornamented with re-
liefs and the whole is surmounted by a
white marble statue.
In addition to the attractive boulevards
and gardens ornamenIed with statues and
fountains are the government buildings
and the palaces.
splendid building is the House of
Commons. 1t is on the north side of
the Plaza de la Cortes. In the center of
the facade is a pediment representing
Spain receiving the Law, through Power
and Justice. Another building that in
vites interest, especially for strangers,
is the Casa de Moneda, the mint of Spain.
The building is spacious and modern and
it is fully equipped with plenty of for
eign and up-to-date machinery.
More elaborate even than the House of
Commons is La Casa de les Minister'S,
which was built and fitted up for the
secretaries of state. The grand staircase
and vestibule are of rare and costly mar
BILE. The ceiling of the library is deco
rated with three exQuisitely fine medal
lions.
But the Royal Palace is the main point
of interest. 1t is the building to which
strangers turn with curious gaze 1t is
about 42O feet long and 100 feet high, but
the wings and the hanging gardens are
still unfinished. The base is of granite,
but the trimmings are marble. The splen-
did entrance leads into a large court
with glazed upper gallery. 1t is said
that when Napoleon assembled the long
sweep of marble steps for the first time
he exclaimed to his brother. Joseph:
We'll, you are certainly housed better
than L.
Though there are plenty of suites to
tire the eyes, none is so beautiful as the
chief salon. 1t is called de Embajadores,
or throneroom. and the decorations are
magnificent. The most priceless ornament.
as well as the most beautiful are the rock
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

OF course, the Halloween feast must
be partaken of just before or just after
midnight, as there are so many games
that can only be INDUCED in at the very
stroke of II. If tradition is adhered to,
and these must not be shattered if the
true spirit of Halloween is to prevail
Every girl with one whit Of romance in
her makeup loves to be in her boudoir at
II. There, with mirror in hand she
peeps over her shoulder to see If her
lover can see her face reflected in her
glass of if she in turn can see him. Then.
too. the apple-bobbing contest and the
candle-leaping game must all be gone
through with as near to the witching
hour of II as possible.
In bobbing for apples each apple is
named. Then, when set af1oat In tub,
those who are to learn their fate gather
around. With their teeth they try to
catch the stem of the apple, and if they
succeed in bringing 1t from the tub they
are to marry the person for whom that
particular apple is named. The candle
game is played with a number of little
wax tapers lighted and set in a row.
The candles named and each contest
ant endeavors to hop over each one, and
on one foot. If they should sniff the
light on any candle without turning 1t
over that person for whom the candle is
named will wed him or her within the
year.
A game of our earliest childhood is that
of pairing the apple. Due care should be
taken not to break the peeling and when
pared off intact 1t should be tossed over
the left shoulder while the omen-seeker
chants:
81 pare this pippen round and round
again,
Ny lovers name to flourish on the plain
1 fling unbroken parings DER my head,
Upon the floor my lovers name to read. -
This pairing, then, in obedience to this
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
Zz5eA e2ZloWe 2z <2Ee

The au-u guIuN41e ~eel norded ults,
Are round and round divided;
An monte lads and lassies' fates
Are then that night decided.
Some kindle couthie side by side,
An burn the either trinity;
Some start ava wi saucy pride,
An jump out owre the chimley
Flu high that night"
- o be of Irish or Scotch extraction is
to feel the keen delight in all
Celtic customs and adds certain
~ zest to the spells and nominations
of that truly Celtic tradition which
sets aside the 31st of October as the night
of doom, when Ill or sonsy fortune turks
in kale root or candle light. Unquestion-
ably All HalIow Even. or Halloween, is a
relic of pagan times. dating back to the
days when the Druids were accustomed to
ktndle sacred fires on the eve of November
LIST that they might ward off evil spirits
as, in the popular Imagination of those
and later times, this has always been con-
sidered the high carnival season for
witches, fairies and the immaterial prin-
ciple in humanity to wander abroad. Su-
pernatural influences prevail and divina-
ton by means of mystic ceremonies is at
its highest power then.
In some parts of England and ireland
they still call it "Nutcrack Night" and
many pastimes are INDUCED in by gossoons
and colleens whereby their fates are de-
cided. In games played that night nuts
are brought into play and by these little
tokens many a match is decided then and
there. For misunderstanding to ascer-
tain If ones sweetheart is faithful. let
each one place a nut upon the CRATE,
naming 1t for a lover. If the nut jumps
or cracks the maiden or swain is proved
false, but If it blazes and burns merrily
he or she loves. If nuts named for a boy
and a girl burn together they will be
married.
This bit Of verse may be recited when
this game is in progress:
These glowing nuts are emblems true.
OF what in human life we view.
The Unmatched couple fret and fume,
And thus in strife themselves consume
Or from each other mildly start.
And with a noise forever part.
But see the happy. happy pair.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

IN :: e.; +: g.: :: i: :;
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

We have not only "heard from An
nette' but we keep on hearing from
her. She seems determined to get us
into an argument. Nay, nay, fair
tempter We know better than to get
into an argument with woman Elk
perience has taught us a few things.
Then, too, we have no radical objections
to women voting if they want to. We
do not, however, propose to work our
selves into frenzy and shout from the
house tops until the women themselves
begin to display more interest than they
have heretofore. Bellows Falls Times.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

The Bennington Banner seems to
think that Mrs. Annette w. Parmalee
of Enosburg Falls she of the letter
writing proclivities-is manifestly bet
ter qualified, mentally and physically,
than some who have held the office of
lieutenant governor. Very good; pro
badly the banner is right, although we
don't know just who it refers to, but
when the votes are counted at the next
election it is quite probable that Yer
mont's chief suffragette wlIno be among
the list of winners
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

The Merchants Day" recently es-
tablished in Montpelier, starts off well,
According to the Journal. That paper
says: 1.-THE success of the first 'Mer
chants Day was very gratifying. 1t
was not expected that on the opening
day the attendance would be as large as
later in the season when the public un-
derstands better the attractions offered.
The results, however, point to graft
flying response to this effort on the part
of our enterprising business men to put
Montpelier at the head of the column,
where the city belongs. Our merchants
are determined to show the public that
this city is the best and the most econ
omical place in which to trade and to
show them that no community will ex-
tend a more cordial hospitality to
visitors than Montpelier The year
1910 is going to be banner year for our
city. Now help to boom Montpelier. ]"
While all days are bargain days in Mid
dlebury why wouldn't it be well for our
merchants to adopt the Montpelier idea
and make a special, effort to get out
siders into town for shopping on one day
in the week, by offering special induce
ments as to prices. There is just as
good merchandise to be had right here
in. Middlebury as there is in'Burlington
or any outside city, and in many cases
the prices are lower We hope some
some similar organization, in Middle
bury, to which such propositions can be
referred, and which will put forth its
best efforts to make the town of more
ways. This Merchants Day is worth
thinking about
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

An exchange says that record prices
are being paid for steers in the west,
and record prices are being paid for
beef in the east. And the consumer
bears the brunt of the raise, as is the case
always. Nobody ever heard of the
packing houses paying a small advance
for its raw products without making the
consumer pay twice as much. And
sometimes the raise GU is manufactured
IN the office of the packers. Is it any
wonder that the rich are growing richer,
and the poor poorer every year?
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
YES. WE WOULD.

Once upon time, after famous adj
miral had returned from his worldwide
exploit, he spoke endearingly of his lit
tie native state and made triumphal
journey to it. There he was treated
like Roman conqueror. The populace
grovelled in the dust before him. He
placed his foot upon their neck, stuck
his hand in his coat front, threw out his
chest and looked happy for a moment.
Then something happened - nobody
knew what. Like an angry child he
fled from the state and slammed the
door behind him, never to return. The
people arose, brushed off the dust, felt
the hot flush of humiliation and went
back to everyday duty with deep sense
of almost personal insult But we don't
do it again, do we > Randolph Herald
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31

According to newspaper reports Rear
Admiral Schley still believes that DR..
Cook reached the North Pole although
the scientists of the University of
Copenhagen, to whom his records We're
submitted for examination, claim that
there was not sufficient proof to sub
stantiate his claim. Admiral Schley
calls publicly on Commander Peary to
submit his proofs that he had reached
the pole to some scientific body other
than the National Geographic sociey
which has found that Peary's records
prove conclusively that he really did
reach the top of the earth. The ad-
miral believes that the same body which
repudiated Cooks data should be per-
mitted to pass upon the data submit
ted by Peary to the Geographical soci-
ETY.. Admiral Schley is quoted as say
ing:
'The Danes are the best body of men
in the world on Arctic matters. The
consistory of the University OF Copen-
hagen should be given the opportunity
to examine the Peary proofs. for in that
way they would be submitted to the
same test that was applied to those of
Cook. The consistory, which was re-
garded by the civilized world as more
than friendly to DR.. Cook, showed
by its action in turning down the ex-
plorer that it holds the scales of justice,
as it sees them, evenly and honestly 3"
1t strikes us that this is the proper
course to pursue and the successful eX-
plorer can have no valid objection, not
that the American body of scientists are
not as capable as the Danes of passing
on the question, but this would settle
the matter once and for ALL BY all
means let the Danes examine the rec
ords.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
a Captain of indu stry.

There is an establishment in South
Africa which, like Tuskegee, is an OBJ
ject lesson in how the Negro race can
be developed under the right kind of
leadership. This is an industrial station
at Mt. Silinda in charge of c. c. Fuller,
layman working under the auspices of
the American Board. The set of build
ings, erected almost entirely by school
labor, is without rival in South Africa.
A new schoolhouse, easily worth $4,000
to $4,000, was started with only 81 200
in sight, knowing how much the native
pupils could contribute in work. The
bricks and tiles We're made largely
by the boys, the lumber was all
sawed by them, they made the doors
and sashes, and did all the carpenter
work. Mr.. Fuller says that it is neces-
sary to furnish the boys work in order
to make them self supporting, and their
well-directed labor makes it possible to
build fine houses at comparatively little
cost. He believes that through the
Christian school, in which manual
training is made an essential feature of
education, these people can be civilized
His own success at Mt. Silinda amply
justifies this belief. When he reach
ed there seven years ago the region
abounded in lions, leopards and hyenas
1t took year to bring up the traction
engine from the coast, a distance of
about 200 miles.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
TEACHERS SALARIES.

A teacher in a leading town in the
state figures that the grade teachers in
that town are only averaging about a
dollar day for 3l2 working days in the
year. This is little enough, to. be sure,
but there must be compensating advan-
tages that tend to keep the market pref
ty well supplied as compared with the
demand Perhaps it is the short days
and the relatively small number of
them. Instead of 3l2, the full working
year, there are only about l75 actual
teaching days in the school year. For
these the teachers in the town noted re-
ceive at the rate of nearly two dollars a
day. Counting the time that the grade
teacher spends out of the school room in
her school work would hardly make up
the nine, ten or twelve-hour day that
the office assistant or the wage-earning
young lady in other pursuits puts in, not
only five, but six, days in the week. To
balance this it is only fair to state that
no. other vocation requires so much
nerve strain, or stands quite so high in
Importance to the public. - Randolph
Herald.