davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

from the wide, overhanging fireplace
to make way for a fire of wood, in the
midst of which was an enormous log,
glowing and blazing and sending forth
vast volume of light and heat. This,
/ understood, was the Yule log, which
the squire was particular in having
brought in and illumined on Christmas
eve, according to ancient custom.
1t was really delightful to see the old
squire seated in his hereditary elbow
chair by the hospitabIe fireside of his
ancestors and looking around him like
the sun of Il system, beaming warmth
and gladncSs to every heart. Even the
very dog that lay stretched at his feet,
as he laziIy shifted his position and
yawned, would look fondly up in his
masters face. wag his tail against the
floor and stretch himself again to
sleep, sure of kindness and protection.
Supper was announced shortly after
our arrival. 1t was served up in a
spacious oaken chamber, the panels
of which shone with wax and around
which We're several family portraits,
utNoldltu W III llbllS btSlutS
the accustomed lights, two great wax
tapers, called Christmas candles,
wreathed with green's, were placed on
a highly polished buffet among the
family plate. The table was abun-
dainty spread with substantial fare,
but the squire made his supper of
frumenty, a dish made of wheat cakes
hpI in, r;,I
n standing dish in old times for Christ
mas eve, | was happy to find my old
friend, minced pie, in the retinue of
the feast.
The supper had disposed every one
to gayety, and an old harper was sum-
moned from the servants hall.
The dance, like most dances after sup
per. was merry one. Some of the
older folk joined in it, and the squire
himself figured down several couples
with partner with whom he affirmed
he had danced at every Christmas for
nearly half century.
The party broke up for the night
with the kind hearted old custom of
shaking hands. As | passed through
tue nan On tue way 10 my CuduDeE
the dying cmbers of the Yule log still
sent forth n dusky glow, and had it
not been the season when mo spirit
darcs stir abroad" should have been
half tempted to1teal from my room
at midnight and peep whether the fai-
rics might not be at their revels about
the hearth.
had scarcely got into bed when
strain OF music seemed to break forth
I'm the air Just below the window. l
listened and found 1t proceeded from
a band which | concluded to be the
waits from some neighboring village.
drew aside the curtains to hear them
more distinctly. The moOnbeamS fell
through the upper part of the case
ment, partially lighting up the anti
quated apartment. The sounds as
they receded became more soft and
aerial and seemed to accord with
quiet and moonlight. | listened and
listened They became more and more
tender and remote, and as they grad
ually died away my head sank upon
the pillow. and fell asleep.-Wash-
ington Irving.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24


trict I'm England. II quaint cere-
mony is regularly observed.
At the conclusion of the meal one Of
the oldest of the women guests ad
vanccs to the platform and kisses the
mayor on both checks. His worship
gallantly returns the salute, and The
exchange of kisses continues until all
the more venerable danes present have
been thus honored.
In large business establishments,
where the assistants live in. a great
deal Of kissing goes on at Christmas
time Some of the more daring spirits
among the male hands" have been
known to make bets with one another
as to the number of different girls
they would kiss between Christmas
eve and New Years eve.
In n certain London drapcry house
two or three seasons ago one of these
"horrid males made n record by salut-
ing seve' teen different damsels. But
he foun the game was not worth the
candle, Or. in addition to scratched
face al a pretty severe pommeling
at the lnds of victims sweetheart,
the rash youth found his services dis
pensed with
At another great emporium one
Christmas indiScriminate kissing Gre
ated so much trouble that more than a
dozen young men were dismissed.
Ever since in this particular establish
ment even the Introduction of sprig
of mistletoo during the festive season
has been enough to insure instant dis
mlSsa.
A girl who appeared with a sprig Of
1t In her blouse was ordered to put on
her things and leave at once. A play
full young man who merely pretended
to kiss a young lady assistant was
hurried off the premises with his hat
and ovcrcoat in his hand.
The Lancashire factory maid has a
little kissing custom all her own that
is sacred to Christmas. At this special
period she will kiss an overloOker or
any other male "hand" in the expecta-
ton that she will be rewarded with a
shilling for her temerity.
Woe betide the ungallant worker
who fails to part with the coin. He
will find his coat sleeves sewed up or
nailed to the wall. If the girl herself
does not do this her fellow workers
will
Some of the more venturesome have
been known to "Eet their emnlOYcr
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

SHE WILL KISS ANY MALE HAND"
round the neck" and kiss him, but the
risks are great. If he takes the liberty
kindly he will part with a sovereign;
If otherwise he will part with the
kisser. In one instance tn. master was
so furious at being kissed that he
closed his works until New Years day,
thus mulcting the hands in a weeks
wages.
ludicrous story is told Of young
japanese engineering apprentice In
connection with the Christmas custom
of kissing He was serving his time
in the north of England and was as
tonished when waitress at the dining
rooms which he regularly frequented
kissed him under the mistletoe.
On Its being explained to him that
present was expected In return, he
suggested Il pair of gloves, The dam
sci. however had heard that he was
Immensely wealthy and gently hinted
that something for her neck would be
more acceptable. When the present
arrived next day she conjured up
visions Of pearl necklace as she
tremblingly undid the parcel. Then
was disclosed to her disappointed gaze
a Jap's idea of something for her
neck" 1t took the shape of bar of
soap.
1t is interesting to recall a strange
Christmas kissing custom that In times
gone by was regularly observed at
certain London hostelry. This was q
house known as the Pied Bull In Clerk
enwell, the landlord of which was
under an obligation to bestow or every
woman who came in before noon and
kissed him a given measure OF ale.
If records can be relied on mime
host" had no lack Of lady customers
on the festive mOrn.-Tit-B Bits.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24


d pleasant looking man who ad
dressed the question to a fair
haired child alone on the vcranda of q
suburban villa late in the afternoon of
the day before Christmas.
The little girl stopped playing, frown-
cd prrttily and answered:
My names Murirl, not kid. and my
papa never gets home till lcng after
I've gone to bed. What's Your nameF
The huIking fellow avcrtcd his eyes
AMI answered her question by asking
another.
"Who else lives with you?"
"Oh, my little brother-you haven't
seen him. have yOu?-my mamma and
Mary. Mary's the servant, you know"
Good day, young 'un." said the
tramp as he ambled away.
"Muriel I'm called" she shouted aft
er him. "Will you come agHim?'
Thank 'ee; | reckon | will" he an
swcred.
"Oh, wait minute. papa; I'm so
slcepy!'
Muricl knelt up in her litt'c bed, rub
bed her eyes and shook her golden
curIS out 1t was midnight Having
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

completely recovered from dreamland,
she looked at the tall figure beside her
bed and gAsped with delight when she
realized that her long cherished desire
was going to be carried out. Papa had
often promised to play at burglars
with her. and there he was, quite
ready. with the black mask covering
his eyes and little lantern that gave
only wee light.
"Oh, papa.' she cried. you do look
a funny burglar. Wen take mas jew
elry first Won't she be surpriscdT
The midnight intruder nodded
"Where does ma keep it. Muricl?"
he asked. burglars don't know
where things are, you know. That's
half the fun of it, eh?"
"Oh, you are funny, papa. Let's
whisper softer. It's on the dressing
table in one of the little drawers
S-s-sh!'
Murel felt herself lifted shoulder
high.
Nov, then. ki-Muriel." be whs-
pered. ''whcn we pass your mamma g
room, XII Murel, you just point to it
and keep as quiet as a mouse. That's
the proper way. isn't il -
She nodded delightcdly and did as
he wished.
"Where are you going now:" she
asked almost inaudibly as she was be-
ing carried downstairs.
"Why, somebody must keep watch
Don't you know that one burglar
takes the things while another keeps
watch?"
He carried her down into the cellar
1t was very dark and cold. but Muriel
said she wasn't afraid because they
were only playing burglars.
"Now, then, H-Muricl," he whis
percd, you keep watch and don't
make n noise" He slipped into her
tiny hand one small bar Of chocolate
That's your share of the swag" he
said and disappeared.
Muriel giggled when she thought Of
mammals surprise. She listened a long
time for return footsteps and wonder
ed, after all, If papa had been caught.
Hle was not at all COullOTldDlc, uOE
was she warm. and few minutes lat
er her pretty eyes closed, her head
dropped, and she driftcd into dream
land. Then she was awakened by her
father The mask was gone from the
face, and he looked pale and troubled
"Oh, you've come back" she whs-
pered, remembering the last caution
she had received.
"Why are you here, dcarie?" asked
her father
"You brought me, papa. Don't you
remember-whenw we We're playing bur
glars?"
Muriel's father telephoned to the
police and reported the strange buF-
glary. In the morning he spent an
hour In convincing his little girl that
he was not the man who wore the
mask
"Well. papa" she said In the end,
"he was a very good Christmas bur
glar. wasn't he?"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
Financial,


The story is told of the Rev, James
Paterson of Philadelphia that he once
said in n circle of his brethren that
he thought ministers ought to be hum
bile and poor. like their Master Il
have often prayed" said he. that
might be kept humble. | never prayed
that | might be- poor-I could trust my
church for that -ArgOnaut
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
Appropriate Christmas Presents.

For your wife-A cookbook.
For your servant girl-A sealsllin
cloak.
For your rich relatlves-DiamondS
For your poor relatives Nothing.
For your wife's relativ4s-Less than
nothing, If you can obtain it.
For the guest within your gates-A
gentle hint to go.
For your maiden aunt-A husband.
For your unmarried enemy-The
maiden aunt aforesaid.
For your Ministerial Bible.
For your soma position downtown
with some one who will make him
earn his salt.
For your daughter-Some clothes to
help her capture some unsuspecting
man.
For some unsuspecting but other
wise worthy young man-The afore-
said daughter.-Yellow Book.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
Books as Christmas Gifts.

1t is a great mistake to choose
Christmas books entirely by covers
and guesswork. and It is we'll to re-
member that 1t is better to postpone
gift for few days rather than to
buy poor book. II you feel that you
must buy books without reading them
you can at least select something pub
lished by firms of good reputation.
knowing that they will be careful
what is sent out under their names.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
A Unique Bell.

pretty bell may be made by wrap
ping a large sized hoop with holly or
pine, connecting this with n smaller
sized hoop above by four wires or
stout cord. Hang strands of popcorn
from upper hoop to lower one. Use a
large red apple for a clapper.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

'Good friend. don't
came.
Just say II there's
something you'd
like I'm IN c
same.
Come, up with your
stocking. | vow
It's a shame
That this is a
bachelors Chin
ney!"
Santa Claus stood
on the hearth
stone,
And | half rose
from the bed,
But l uttered no
word, for m y
heart was stir
red,
And l thought of
tho years long
sped.
sis there nothing
you lack?" He
spoke with glee.
I'm your fairy
godfather, you
know" said he.
I'm my pack are
wonderful things
come see
Yes, cen for a
bachelors chin
ney."
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
BACHELORS CHRISTMAS Eve {. :.

FA ANITA CLAUS
~ pccped from
As% the cart h.
stone,
And | - | peeped
from the bed.
This call is quite
queer! Pray.
W ny are you
hcre?"
| summoned my
courage and said:
If you've ON g
here as ee kin =
wee StoCkin gs
and shoes
| very much fear
that your labor
you'n lose.
You've made a mis-
take in the mat
ter of nues.
Know. this is a
bachelors chin
ney.
Santa Claus stared
from the hearth
stone,
And Ii stared
from my bed.
His checks, hey
were pink, and
he tipped me a
wink
wag of his head:
,sL. mo tbn rp1 son
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
The Professors Dilemma.

Beneath the mistletoe she's fairly caught.
And he perceives that she's a pretty
miss.
His favorlte theory all comes to naught.
And he fo-gets the microbes I'm the kiss
Judge.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
The Dav That Comes but Once.

Though Christmas comes but once a year.
l wish 1t might be twice"
Said Willy Jones. the little dear.
Because | think It's nice"
But papa, reading Santa's bil
Bald, "Once is once too often, VIM
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
Terms Cash.

Poet-How much are your furnished
:ooms, please?
Landlady-One dollar per night Sui
cide with gas 80 cents extra.-Puck.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
And Reformed Eiim7

mabel always said SHE was born
with mission 10 reform something.
aud she was right"
"IndeedF'
"Yes; she married minister's son"
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

olA llIS liNthA iosC'ot
'om my bed.
A great longing fill
ed my soul and
killed
The Joy that his
kind face shed.
"T he gift l de-
sire-I fear twill
cost
Is the light of two
eyes meath the
marble mossed.
Go bring me the
love that | loved
and lost"
And the mig hit
wind moaned in
the chimney.
Santa Claus shrank
at the hearth
stone,
And | sank back
on my bed,
And the embers fell
like a gh ostly
knell
To ashes gray and
dead.
God pity the wish
of your stricken
SOUL"
He sighed. and l
saw q teardrOp
roll.
THE boon that you
crave is beyond
my dole.
lie wind in the Chin
t AEs. n -
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
COSTLY KISSES
AT CHRISTMAS

n T Christmas dinner given every
"A year to the old folks of Hanley.
Il "a the capital of the pottcries dis
trIct I'm ENGLAND. n quaint cere-
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

Yes, cen Tor a "YES, E'EN FOR a
ney." ,u
Santa Claus laughed on the hearthstone,
But I-smiled not from my bed.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24

AS he quoth, with wag of his head:
Good friend, don't ask me the reason
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS
BURGLAR MAN

&c " S your father AT home kid?'
M He was not altogether an un-
H pleasant looking man who ad
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-20

places; but I'm going to help you out. You write
letter to me asking the privilege of making an en-
PLANTATION to the committee. l will see to it that
you have hearing early week.
SO early next week uncle Bill appeared before
the committee to tell his story. Now, every member
OF the committee knew that he was "a good fellow"
and all were friendly. But, as matter of fact
Uncle Bill could not make speech When he ap-
peared before the committee he began to tell a long
story about the conditions of the two harbors on
Lake Michigan, and harbor on Lake Superior
and as the start OF the story indicated that it would
be intermnable, the chairman privately sent a
friend to him to ask him to stop speaking This
'unce Bill did without having made any argl-
at all.
After the meeting had been concluded the chair
man went on the floor of the house of representa-
tlves, where he found Uncle Bill" in daZed con-
dltion. He knew that he had made failure of his
speech and believed that his political skies were
rather dark. But the chairman informed him that
the committee upon the suggestion of the chair
man, had voted to give him the desired appropria-
lions, and that he, the chairman would see to it
that the appropriations made in the commit
tee OF the whole house. and also by the house in
open session.
Send me reporter for the best newspaper in
Continued 10y
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-20

character of the population his own district Thus
the city members were able to make themselves pop
ular among their people, by sending them larger
numbers of interesting publications. than they might
otherwise have been able to do. Moreover, some OF
them gave to Uncle Bill" their quotas seeds for
free distribution.
Now it happened that "Uncle Bill expected
to get liberal appropriations for the Improvement Of
three arbors in his district; for it in the Great
Lake region; but the congressman
Der OF the committee rivers and harlors and he
did not know how to get the needed appropriations.
Moreover, unless he did get those appropriations, he
could not be renominated.
There three candidates for the nomination.
and their combined following constituted than
hall OF the convention. This he knew from reports
sent to him by his friends at home. But il also
known to him, from inside political that ii
he could get those appropriations before convention
time one of the candidates would be compelled
withdraw, because the people of of the harbor
towns had so declared in great meeting.
In sheer desperation, Uncle Bill the
chairman of the committee rivers and harbors
and told his tale OF He found sympathetic ears
After his story had been told, the chairman said to
him:
Now Uncle Bill don't believe that it is right
for to have such large appropriations for those
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-20
Legislation By Good Fellowship By Smith D. Fry
NOE upon a time there was member of con-
gfess who was not brilliant, but whom every
body liked because he uOsSeSSed that sinp.

~ NOE upon time there was member of con.
Y j gress who not brilliant but whom every
body liked because he possessed that singu
larry undefinable talent OF being "a good fellow
Wise he was in securing for private secretary
young man who had been clerk in one of the exec
utve departments in Washington; and who had also
had experience about the departments as a news
gatherer for Washington daily paper BY having
such a private secretary he managed have all OF
his mail attended to, and properly, too; and that is
one OF the prime necessities for member of con
gress who wants to remain in public life.
Whenever letter to him concerning land
Office business, Indian affairs rivers and harbors:
or any OF the thousand and things that consttl-
ents write about, the private secretary gave careful
attention to the matter, made inquiry and sent an
intelligent and satisfying the signature
of the congressman. Inasmuch there were not
less than fifty OF those letters daily, you may well
understand that the private secretary earning
his salary every day in the year
In the house of representatives, this member
whose name may be called "Unce Bill" Holcombe
made it his business to make himself popular with
his fellow members; and he succeeded Inasmuch as
his district largely rural, he hunted up rep
resentatives from city districts and gave to them
all of his allowances of publications on scientific
matters, and all matters not pertaining to the
Deutscher herold. [volume] (Sioux Falls, SuÌˆd-Dakota) 1907-1918, 1910-01-20

muroe Der 0ampfer o3orina" pom
Sturm auf cine Sonobanf geiuorfen
uno mlr eine pon oen einunoOreiBig
&erionen, mel1e iih an 8oro befan-
Den, lit qerettet mor0en. SarrD aen-
eea, Ger erite Silfsingenieur, ilt Der
eip5ige, Der oie fllrhtbare aatoltropbeI
iiberle6t bat. Sine fiir6terlidbe gSel-
le bate aenbea, Der ii6 in Der Safe-
laQe 0es 5abr5euges feitbielt, iiber
8oro aeIpiilt. Die @ogeu trieben
MN ibr Spiel nit ibm. Damn oerlor
Ier oas 8emuBtiein lmo fam crit mie-
Der su Iid, no1oem man ibn oifs
IieIte 2anO gebrodlt umo al einen gro
Ben ISelier plo5irt bate glm onoern
IDtorgen iab mdn gegen alles ermdr-
| ten nod iehs Wfann in Der Gafeloge
| oes geitranoeten Danlpfers bangen.
i Gs par aber ablollit lmnoglid1, mt
9oote1 III ole glGbe oes aufaeldufenen
5Sabr5euaes an fomnen. Wtit Der 3eit
loerIaqten oen Aerntlten ole &r1fte
luno enler nah Dem an0ern lieB ben
lSolt fabren, INN cine 8erte Der gSel.
lien All iperoen. 3ulest maren noh
lorei iibrig. 0ieie eltleoigten lih, mie
lmoi pom Stranoe aus mabrnebmen
lfonnte, aller ihperen aleiou1g nno
liprnnaen oann IN Die toienoen 6llten,
lin ser eitlen Soffumg, iih Durh
lSdmimnen ans llfer 5it retten. 0o-
Ian reihten ibre 9rdfte nntiirlif crit
Iredt nidt aus. Wtm iub iie niht
ln1ebr ipie0er
3ipei 3ooesfdlle ereigneten lid III
IG ana0a nobe Der Sonoesgren5e
lip1breno eines iuiitenoen Sdneeltur.
lines. Ser IA Sabre alte Sames 8lod
Imur0e eine @iertelmeile pom Sonle
lieines Sobnes entfernt oufgetilnoen
lgr batte oos Saus perlaiieu INN 8let
Ioor Dem Stltrm ein5lltreiben. eir
Iiuuoer Wonn, nit 9tamen Wbite, bat
lie ouf Der Suhe nadl Yferoen en-
Ialeihes Shidiol.
9(lts Stonton %. O., miro folgen
! Ioer Ihredliher llnfol eenleloet: epe
lrett sSlinoe, elm 9lnlieoler III oielen
{ IentFernten 9eile BON Noro-9afoto, i
Inn ieinem Shlitten erfroren imo lem
Rferoe muroen ebenfalls onrh 6rol
2 laetotet. Gs Iheirt, odB 6linoe onrd
I0en Ghneelturm ole adlte uno Of
Ilanoe Sobrt perlpirrt nno betaub
Ituur0e. Gr unO iein 5abr3elig tpilr
, oen III elmer fleinen Shludt getlu
!. Ioen, 100 fie Sdnb Dor Dem @etter @
/ liiidt botten