davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
WHY WE OBSERVE CHRISTMAS.

The reason for observing Christmas
is that over nineteen hundred years
ago great thing happened. On the
night of Dec. "a, called Christmas
Eve, the Christ Child was born.
Mary and Joseph, his mother and
father, had gone to Bethlehem to pay
their taxes. For hundreds of years the
prophets had told of the coming of the
Saviour. It had been told to Mary that
her child was to be called Jesus. When
they got to Bethlehem, Mary and Jo-
seph could not find place to rest for
the night. At an inn the proprietor
said he had no room, but he had a
small stable at the back Of the inn.
He showed them this place and they
got ready to sleep. About the middle
of the night the shepherds in the
fields around Bethlehem heard sing
ing and looked up and saw train Of
angels flying overhead and singing
Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men !"
The shepherds were frightened, but
the angels told them not to be afraid
but go into Bethlehem and see the
Christ Child. There We're some wise
men far away. They also were awak-
ened by the angels and led by won
derful star to the place were Jesus
lay.
The custom of giving presents was
started by the wise men, who brought
spices and perfumes and other costly
presents and laid them at the feet of
Jesus. The shepherds were very much
surprised, but they left some of the
younger ones with the flocks and went
to see the Christ Child
There is very beautiful story writ
ten about the holly, called, "The Leg
end of the Holly or Holy Trees" 1t
tells about part Of the flight into
Egypt in which the Holy Family rest
ed in copse Of trees with sere and
brown leaves just ready to fall, and
brown berries. Just as the Holy Fam
lily were leaving a wonderful change
came over the trees. The brown leaves
were changed to glossy green that
never fades and the dull brown berries
were turned to a glossy red.
1t is for this reason that we decorate
our homes at Christmas with the holly
and the glossy red and green never
looks any prettier than when remind.
ing us Of the birth of Christ.
Carleton PIERCE, age TO-
223 East Maple avenue,
Ottumwa, Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
CHRISTMAS IN ..UssIA.

Christmas holidays in Russion begin
at sunset. Christmas eve and last for
twelve days. At sunset on Christmas
eve children and older folks go about
singing carols under the windows of
the mobiles and other rich people. At
the head of this procession is carried
a pole on top Of which is bright star
to represent the star Of Bethlehem.
Showers of coins are thrown at the
singers in return fer their carols.
Often the singers enter the houses and
wish them a merry Christmas and a
happy New Year. After the carols all
dress in the skin OF some animal in
memory of the scenes around the
Christ child's manger and as the even
ing star appears supper is served from
tables covered with straw.
"Mumming" is a favorite play with
the country people. Mummers are
mischievous young folks disguised as
bears, goats, clowns, blind beggars
and thieves They wear masks and &c
about to the. different houses where
they burst into the room and perform
all sorts of antics. The bears and
goats dance together, the clowns tell
stories and nonsense. the blind beg
ears sing dull and dismal songs and
the thieves pretend the< have broken
into the house to steal
Mummins is also a frolic among the
upper classes of people too. At Christ
mas time people greet each other with
"A happy feast to you" A huge dish
of rice with raisins, blessed by tbs
priest Is served at dinner Christina
Gay. Every servant receives a usefu
present and the peasants on a farm
generally offer gifts of embroidery tc
the lady of the house and receive gifts
in return. The poor are always fed or
Christmas day.
Santa Claus does not go in Russia
An old woman called Babouskka takes
his place and carries the gifts around
Christmas trees lighted with candles
presents and good wishes always gc
with g Christmas eve celebration. Or
Christmas day the churches are al
crowded with worshippers. as the
priests appear in their most gorgeous
robes and the choirs chant splendid
music. Huge bonfires are set going or
Christmas and New Years. People
sometimes keep their sweepings from
Christmas until New Year and Sc
them on fire New Years night.
Large parties are held in the coun-
try. The guests come from long dis.
tances and wear old time clothing, ca
old-time goodies and play game.
handed down from their ancestors. IL
the village there is still much visiting
The bells are tollng in the church
towers and the sledge bells are jingl
ing everywhere.
Belle Rush,
1916 \. Wapello ST,
Age 10, Ottumwa Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
eERTRUDE's CHRISTMAS STORY.

Once there was little girl living up
north, who was watching and waiting
for Santa. She was so happy that she
couldn't hardly wait until Christmas.
Christmas eve her mother said to
her, Grace, you must go to bed, for
Santa won't stop, when little girls are
up" So Grace wanting Santa to come
went to bed. Her mother waited and
waited for Santa, but he didn't come
so she left note and went to bed.
In the morning Grace's mother got
~ and found everything in its right
Hire and the note still there.
Grace woke up and her mother told
her that Santa forgot to stop. but may,
be he would stop on his way back.
Grace was unhappy all Christmas
day. because she did not get any
Christmas present and saw all the
children running around having a
good time with their present. So
Grace spent all Christmas day TN.
happy and went to bed Christmas
evening unhappy. But after Grace
had got to sleep Santa stopped and
brought her more things than if ne
had stopped Christmas eve.
Grace got UP in the morning and
found lot of nice toys,so she did not
care even if the other children did get
their presents on Christmas.
Gertrude Schefer,
923 Plum street. Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN.

| will try to write about how they
observe Christmas in Sweden.
My father and mother were both
born there. They always bake and
cook a large quantity of food week
before Christmas and then clean che
house and decorate it, Nearly every
home has Christmas tree. Christmas
eve they put up bundles of rye, wheat
and oats for the birds. They all have
their work done at noon on Christmas
eve as the bells In the churches ring
in the holiday then and they do not
mean to do any work between that
time and New Years, except the
most necessary, which has to be done.
They have late supper Christmas
eve short time before Santa Claus
comes and delivers the gifts. They do
not hang up stockings like we do but
Santa puts the gifts in through the:
door. They get up early Christmas
morning to be at church at o'clock.
Some have to start as early as 2 or 3
o'clock to get there in time All con-
slider it a sacrifice to have to miss
this meeting. They also have meet
ings in the churches the second day of
Christmas. Some of the people do not
do anything but go together and have
good times for two weeks.
Carl Swanson,
r n No A1hia Ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
THE CLOSE OF THE 1909 CHRIST
MAS STOCKING CLUB.

The 1909 Christmas Stocking club
came up to our expectations in every
way, fully 225 pairs Of stockings be-
ing distributed among the needy chill
dren of the CITY. Two hundred and
twenty-five pairs of stockings made
two hundred and twenty-five little chill
dren happy. Besides giving pleasure
to SO many little ones, it shows ali the
readers of this paper that there are
two hundred and TWENTY-FIVE Juniors
always ready and willing to help the
reedy Besides the stockings, many
gifts of mone,'. dolls and other toys
We're received.
"a fond papa" sent in s1.00 by mail.
lie was too bashful to give us his
rame, Then an old veteran brought
uP in As beautiful little silk flags. He
also, WIS too timid to let us use his
name. However, we imagine that
many of the Juniors can guess who he
Is We unintentionally omitted Floyd
Van der Veers name. FLOYD Is a lit
tie boy and lives at Selma and came
DIP here in 2 snow storm to bring his
stockings. We are very sorry that his
name did not appear in the last mem
bership rolls, published Christmas day
We wish we could tell YOU nj about
every member of the Christmas Stock
ing club. for all of them ought to have
a nice little write-up However they
ara the dearest and best little Juniors
and big Juniors, in all the world. We
think that we are well acquainted with
ev&ry one of them.
Goodbye to the members of the 900
Cl -istmas Stocking club, and may
they all be happy every day of the
yeHr 1910.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
Age 10.
MILDRED WRITES FROM IDAHO.

Dear Editor:
This is my first letter to the Junior.
My sister takes the Courier and 1 en-
JOY reading the Junior page l want TO
tell you how we go to school in Idaho.
Nearly all the children go horseback.
Some two on a horse. But we have a
buggy that my brothers and sisters
and l go in. / expect you children
would be frightened to mass wigwam
with a lot of Indians in it on your way
to school. We pass them every day and
they say HUGH ma wa" to us which
means hello. The squaws wear bright
colored blankets around them and red
handkerchiefs on their heads. The
bucks wear their hair braided down
their backs. There are large mountains
all around us. Most of them are COW
cred with snow. When we go to
Grangeville which is the larsest town
near we have to go over large
mountain. expect 1t would brighten
some of you to ride over that road.
Mildred Thompson.
White Bird, Idaho
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

the old lady was knitting, the old lady
looked UP and said:
John, has it ever entered your
mind that just one week from tomor-
row is Christmas?"
The old gentleman looked up and
said:
81 had never thought once about it. J"
well hadn't we better have a
Christmas dinner for the children and
grandchildren? asked the old Lady,"
81 expect we had" he replied.
The next day one of the little grand
children came over and said, Grand
ma, aren't you going to have dinner
Christmas?"
"Oh, | expect so! Your grandpa and
were just speaking of it last night
and decided we should have one" she
replied.
"All right. we shall come early
said the little granddaughter. So off
she ran to tell the good news to her
mamma.
So on Christmas day she got up and
all Of the children and grand children
were disappointed, for it was showing
and was very cold. But they decided
they would come anyway. When they
got there all of the grandchildren
were crying with the cold, but they
soon got warmed UP and played until
the dinner was ready, and after dinner
and the dishes were out of the way,
little Jennie came up to grandma and
said, Grandma, we have all had such
a nice time and a nice dinner and |
don't suppose the little Jones chill
dren have had any good dinner or any
thing, SO may | take them some nice
dinner?"
Grandma replied, why, | will fix it
for them if you will take it to them"
"Why Of course l will" replied little
Jennie.
So off she went to take it to the
poor children. She went to the door
and knocked.
A little girl in rags came to the door
and said. Good afternoon, won't you
step in
And little Jennie said. mo, | have
just brought you nice dinner
ooh, wait till go tell mamma" So
pretty soon she came back and said
Come in and let us have word OF
prayer
So Jennie went in and they knelt
and prayed and were SO thankful to
think that they had enough to eat for
once.
Jennie went home and said, ct is
more blessed to give than to receive
Pauline Graham, age 10.
20S North Benton ST.,
Ottumwa. Iowa
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

kept coming down until one Christmas
evening it was all gone. They could
not pay any more bills and their serv-
ants had to leave.
Helen's papa could not find any
work so they had to move to little
house in place where most of the
poor people lived. When they were
looking over the want ads in paper
one evening they saw that the man
who had bought the store wanted a
bookkeeper. Helen was now seventeen
years old and had fine education for
her age. She answered the advertise
ment and made good salary with
which she supported the family.
She was born on the day before
Christmas and SO the next day after
her eighteenth birthday they were
able to move back into their beautiful
home.
Helen thought that was the best
Christmas present she had for long
time.
Merle Holzhauser,
Hedrick, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

why we associate the thought Of CIV
ing with Christmas. and also why we
observe it: so it is that at Christmas
more than at any time Of the year, we
feel our hearts lifted up with rejoicing
and love. We feel a desire to do some
thing for others.
Many an act of loving kindness is
due to this awakening that comes at
Christmastide. It is the working pow
er brought nearer us by the memory
Of the Christ child so manv centuries
ago, and each year, as the anniversary
of the birth of the babe in the Bethle-
hem manger occurs let us resolve that
we, too, as we think of him who went
about doing good will, try to do more
and more for those less fortunate than
ourselves, not only on Christmas day,
but throughout the entire year
A Junior friend.
Bessie Smith, age II,
R. f. D. No. 2,
Floris, Iowa.
wish YOU a Merry Christmas.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
: sToalEs-LETTERs.
NED's CHRISTMAS TROUSERS.

Ned was beginning to feel sleepy,
when the door into the next room
opened and two little men dressed in
flrs jumped upon the bed and said:
I'VE wish you to come up to the NORTH
Pole. Mr.. Santa has sent for YOU"
In a moment Ned was out On the
floor. Now III see if there is a Santa
Claus"
THE little men" dressed him in fur
and tied peaked hood under his fat
chin.
Then they tucked him into a tiny
sleigh, hitched to four reindeer. The
next moment Ned was racing through
space alongside the moon.
Suddenly the sleigh stopped in front
Of long building. Ned entered and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
souvenir PosTALs AGAIN.

During the month Just closing we
have been so busy with the Christ
mds Stocking club that we did not
send out souvenir cards, except to the
writers OF the Christmas stories How
ever, beginning with the Daily Junior,
January 6, and the Weekly Junior,
January 8, we will send postals again
to the Juniors who write nice fittle
letters or short stories. We especially
want to have good letters. We will
give surprise prize at the end Of Jan
parry to the Junior who writes the
best letter. If you do not want to
write letters you can write on one of
the following subjects:
JANUARY.
WINTER BIRDS.
A SLEIGH RIDE.
KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
A HoLLANDER's CHRISTMAS

I will tell you how Christmas is
spent in Holland.
Christmas eve the parlor is unlock
ed and the children spend merry
evening. They laugh and dance and
sing songs to Santa Claus. After a
time they hear a loud knocking at the
door and Santa Claus comes in and
tells them they have been very good
He talks with them for time and al
at once shower of sugar plums falls
on the children. They all scramble tc
pick them up. When they look UP
Santa Claus is no where to be seen
Then they put their shoes on the
table and go to bed. In the morning
their shoe are filled with all kinds OF
presents and they are as happy as any
American over their Christmas.
Goldie Hull.
Doads Leando, Ia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
The Courier Junior
Published by
THE couRIET. PRINTING CO.,
oTTuMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA pEvEREAuS.
EDITOR.
What Will The
Juniors do in 1910?

Dear Juniors: What will the Jun
Tors do in 1902" and What the Jun
Tors did in 1909" will furnish two splen'
did subjects for a new contest to open
at once and close Monday, January 10.
We want all the Juniors--big and little
to work in this contest.
The prizes will be box OF lead pen
ellis, box Of letter paper, a fountain
pen and a pair Of skates--roller or ice
In fact if the Juniors do not like our
list of prizes, they can select their
own.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
FIVE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS.

You know. dear Juniors, it is right
and proper that everyone should turn
over a new leaf on New Years day
and resolve to do certain things. Well,
we will only advise the Juniors TO
make the following five resolutions:
No. 1.-That they will all belong to
the 1910 Christmas Stocking club.
No. 2.-That they will obey their
parents and teachers.
No S.-That they will work hard in
every Junior contest.
No. 4.-That they will study hard
and never be tardy at school,
No. 5.-That they will resolve to be
as good as they were in 1909.
The Close of the 1909 Christmas
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

In Sweden, Christmas eve was the
day set aside to go into the woods and
get Christmas tree. The tree was
carried home on sleds and was deco
rated with man. beautiful things
which were to be given away that
evening.
On Christmas morning the people
would feed the animals with extra
icod and even the birds were given a
sheath of wheat. After this thcy
would dress themselves in their best
and go to church. After church was
over a great feast was served. The
Christmas festivals lasted until New
Years.
Hedveg Carlson. age II,
1915 Locust street, Ottumwa, la.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
CHRISTMAS IN DIFFERENT couN.
TRIES.

In Sweden on Christmas it is rule
that person that is giving another a
present shall put it in box and put
many wrappings and labels with the
name Of the person for whom it is in
tended and it is thrown into a room
by some unseen, mysterious person
and then they give loud rap on the
door. In the larger towns they hold
great fairs. They decorate their shops,
the families hold reunions and the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

it is the most sacred day of all the
year. On returning from church they
have the fatted calf on the tables and
the rest of the day is kept in silence,
but the next day which is second day
Cor AMMAN dog .Jul) is also a holiday,
but not SO sacred. Then they have a
jolly good time visiting, dancing,
games and amusement of all kinds. 1t
is Christmas in Sweden for sure.
Harland Pearson,
416 Ottumwa St,
Ottumwa Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
Why WE OBSERVE CHRISTMAS.

Christmas is the birthday of ane
who brought to the world the greatest
thing in the world--a gift of boundless,
universal love. That gift SO freely
given, turned back tho tide of history
and changed the worlds thought.
From the very BIRTH Of Christ the spir-
it of giving crept INFO the heart of the
world, for the wise men when they
followed the star or thar first Christ
mas morning, BROUGHT with them gifts
of frankincense ana myrrh; so this ia
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS

J.. Use one side of the paper only.
2. Write neatly and leeibly, using
ink or a sharp lead pencil.
8. Number your pages.
4. At the bottom of the last page,
write your name, age and address.
8. Do not copy stories or poetry
and send to us as your own work.
6. Always state choice of prize on a
separate piece Of paper, with name
and address in full.
z. Address the envelope to Editor,
Courier Junior. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
children and adults alike give pres
ents and receive them.
In Endland

In England.
In England, as everywhere, the
Christmas tree sheds its mellow ra-
dance on more quiet and less enjoy
able scenes than ours
Churches and homes are decorated
in evergreen, holly, ivy and coral. Gen.
erous portions of beef and bread are
distributed among the parish poor on
Christmas eve. On Christmas morning
the bells ring out their merry chimes
on the crisp morning air
Among English aristocracy huge
hall table, at least in the times of
Scott, sang of the Christmas tide -
bore them upon it's surface no mark
to part the squire and lord. In Devon
shire, England, curious custom pre-
walls. A corncake and some hot cider
are carried out into the orchard and
there offered to the largest apple tree,
as the king of the orchard. Those who
take part in this grow lusty in the cho-
rus.
Bear good apples and pears anon,
Barns full, bags full;
Hurrah, Hurrah. Hurrah!
To trace our own Christmas Gus
toms as they have been transplanted
from the old world The Christmas
tree was from Holland, Christmas
stockings from Belgium or France;
Santa Claus from Holland, while the
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
was the old English greeting, shouted
from window to street and from street
back to windows in the long, long ago.
Forest Weber, age 8.
1905 e. Main St.,
0ttnrua Iouto.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
WHY WE OBSERVE CHRISTMAS.

1909 years ago there came to Beth
lehem little boy by the name Of
Jesus.
Jesus is the king of all the world.
He died on the cross to save us.
Jesus was born in manger in Beth.
lehem.
There were shepherds watching
their sheep when all at once a star
appeared in the east and an angel ap-
peared and said peace on earth, good
will to men,
There was wicked king that said
all the boy babies had to be killed and
Christ and his mother and Joseph fed
into Egypt. l think this is why we OBJ
serve Christmas.
l think it is better to give than to
receive.
This is why we give presents every
Christmas. r
Leila Cole, age 10.
Agency, Iowa. Box. Sc.
"TIME TO GET UP"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

Washington, Dec. 3O.-Pretty little
Marthe day, daughter of Lieut..
d. day, attache of the French en-
ington. Her accomplishment is the
mastery of three languages. She is
barely old enough to talk at all, but
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

A CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA.

Once upon time there lived in Il
small village an aged couple named
Johnson. One night as the old gentle
man was reading his newspaper and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

she has little trouble in speaking Eng
lish Germon and French with wonder
full fiuency and purity. Her mother,
the Viscountess day, is also lin
guist. She is master of seven Ian
guages. The day family has just
arrived at Washington from Constants
nople.