davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
How December rs Was
Chosen

How many people know why Christ
mas came TO fall On December IS?
Everybody knows that it is the day
celebrated alike by the Catbalic, Frot-
estant and Greek churches as the ma
tivity of Christ, yet nobody knows /.
it is the actual date
The uncertainty is due to the preiu-
dice of early Christians against the
celebrations Of birthdays. They &c
garded such a custom as heathenisn,
and made no exception, even to the
Savior's birthday
1t was not until Christianity had
triumphed, three centuries later, that
the prejudice against the observance
of birthdays died out, and an inyesti-
cation as to the date of Christs birth
day was begun.
Julius, pope or bishop of Rome,
asked st. Cyril in $50 to ascertain the
real anniversary of the nativity. ST.
Cyril reported the date to be Deem
Der %, to the best of his knowledge,
after extensive research. and the date
was accepted by julius and promul-
gated as the anniversary of Christ's
birth. Before the end of the fifth cen
fury. the date was accepted by all
Christendom.
January G, April 20, March 20 and
March % are some of the dates that
were serious contenders for the dis
tinction before December % received
the seal of julius approval.
Even after the date was generally
accepted by all Christian nations the
holiday had its struggles. The Eng
fish roundhead parliament Of 1643
abolished Christmas and for II years
1t was not observed in England. Roy
atty gained the ascendency, however
and Christmas was re-established as
a national holiday.
Governor Bradford of Plymouth, in
1921, history says, had occasion to re-
Duke some young men who had come
over in the ship Fortune, following in
the trail of the Mayf1ower, because
their consciences would not allow
them to work on Christmas, with their
sterner Puritan brothers.
In 1859 the general court of Massa.
chusetts passed a law fixing a fine of
five shillings against anyone who
should by abstinence from labor, feast
ing or any other method, observe
Christmas.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
CHRISTMAS PROVERBS

A prudent quotation on the bill Of
fare: "They are sick that surfeit with
too much, as they that starve with
nothing"
The gadding vine" must be of the
Christmas variety, for that splendid
tendril is creeping through the whole
earLn
The mirror of all courtesy" should
be polished on Christmas day.
"a royal train, believe me-" is the
reindeer equipage of good old St Nick.
When does "jocund day stand tip
toe on the misty mountain tops" if
not on merry Christmas?
It is not true that in the genial
warmth of Christmastide
Grabbed age and youth
Cannot live together"
Mature teaches beasts to know
their friends" and why should they
not share in the Christmas goodwill ?
Sl5f5S8DIY48e
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

- last visit on his daily round
It was the afternoon before Christ
mas. but the young physicians heart
was not filed with the proverSial hol-
iGay cheer. Good will he had toward
all men-but not toward all women
One little spot Of resentment Iurked
in his thoughts of June Leigh.
She had accepted his tender deyo-
ton with downcast eyes and an en-
trancing air of occurrences and timid-
Ity combined. Then, suddenly. she
had been transformed into the most
bewildering Of coquettes, openly iirt-
Ing with a man the doctor detested.
At speed-limit rate, he drove his
machine into the poorest Of the poor
precincts of the city and stopped be-
fore a forlorn-looking little house. He
Knocked and then opened the door. A
pale, anxious-eyed woman came for
ward. He held up a cautioning finger
and smiled as he deposited his load
Of toys In q corner.
Il see you have the wherewith for
Christmas dinner tomorrow" he
said. glancing at a chicken on the
table
"a young lady brought us a basket
of good things from the Aid society"
she replied, smiling happily as she
preceded him into the adjoining room.
A delicate little face with wan eyes
looked up from the pillow.
You are better, little Lou" he as
serted, taking the tiny hand in his.
ITS the thought Of Christmas?"
Yes, and a lovely young lady
brought US a Christmas dinner, and
there's jelly and pie. She is coming
again tomorrow to see if Santa Claus
game I don't think he will, though"
you must have faith in him and
believe that he will come" assured
the doctor You see he makes a
mistake once in a while, but he
wouldn't miss you twice. 1 feel sure
that he will come"
"On, do you? If I could only see
him? Do you think he would care if
/ remained awaken" asked the quaint
little invalid.
well, you know he generally comes
since you are sick and because he
forgot you last year, he may come
here first. early in the evening, and
ct you see him
OH" cried the child ecstaticaIly.
Maybe he'll have a Christmas tree
here for you" said the doctor, his i'm
agination taking lofty flights.
The child's eyes cleaned.
No" she sighed. That would be
too beautiful"
The doctor asked a few questions,
left some more medicine, and then
beckoned the mother to follow him
into the outer room.
Il will send little tree and all the
trappings as soon as I get back to the
city You have it all trimmed up and
lighted at six o'clock Then I'll come
In and be Santa Claus"
"Oh. you mustn't do so much" she
protested, looking at the many par
cells.
i have no one in the world to do
anything for" he said earnestly, so
you will be giving me all the Christ
mas cheer I shall get by letting me
do this. And, more than that, it will
do little Lou more good than a load
Of medicine"
He returned to the city for another
shopping expedition and promptly at
six o'clock he was back at the little
home. On the doorstep he slipped in.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
CHOOSING BRIDES


With the Russian Christmas which,
of course, is celebrated 13 days later
than the rest of Europe, is connected
a curious custom, in which the young
men and maidens Of that country are
greatly interested. This is the choos
ing of their brides By the young peas
ants of the land. The manageable
girls of the dis at the appointed
time gather IN the house Of the elder,
and. sitting in row, have their heads
covered with wells or napkins. When
all is ready the young men are ad-
mitted one by one to make their
choice of a wife.
While seemingly the young men
nick at random, yet really young
couples who are enamored of one an
other generally manage to become
mated. and thus prevent mistakes.
When she has been chosen the girl
uncoyers her head, and later on in
the evening conducts her lover to her
home, where her father puts the be-
trothal ring upon her finger.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

O'Neill, at was to be expected that
my mother-God rest her soul-would
memorize much of the folk music OF
Munster, and naturally transmit it by
her lifting and singing to her children,
memory and an intense love of the
haunting melodies of their race. Sim
tlarly gifted was our father, who, full
Of peace and content and occupying
his accustomed chair beside the spa
cious fireplace, sang the old songs in
English or Irish for his own pleasure
or the entertainment of those who
cared to listen"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

WI udS USSu my IOI W SpSAO
I'm, many of my Christmases in
Y GA II foreign lands. l recall one
NxNssLS dismal holiday spent in a
- "a filthy post-house on the
Great Post Road at Mini
Udinsk, now, in these days of the
trans-Siberian railway, a place of
some Importance.
l was alone, on my way from Peters
burg to Irkutsk On the previous day
[ had oVertaken convoy of prison
ers in chains, and as on the morning
of the Russian Christmas day l was
sitting by the high brick stove, saw
the Cossacks and their despairing
charges arrive.
| remember walking and talking
with several of them in that wilder
ness of newly fallen snow. Most of
them were, or said they were, victims
Of the INSCRIPTIONS agents provoca-
tours Of the government, and all
seemed bitter against the car and
his advisers-as indeed they well
might be.
Another Christmas of the Greek
calendar I spent in Servia-fn Bel
grade, the capital of that gallant lit
tie state, the Interchangeable of the
Balkans. It was cold, bright, sunny
day, and an air of festivity was every
where. The service il the cathedral,
attended by the king and his cabinet,
was brilliant affair, and after
stroll in the delightful Kalemegdan
garden overlooking the Danube, l
lunched with my friend the minister
Of justice and his charming American
wife. The streets were hung with
daGS, exchanges of presents and flow
ers were universal, and many were
The quaint Serb customs.
The twenty-f1fth of December three
years ago 1 spent YEARLY in the stuffy
restaurant car of the Nord express be-
tween Paris and Petersburg. Again,
| was alone and l remember, as we
steamed out of Wilma station to the
great plain towards Dunaburg. the
chef of that celebrated express pro-
duced his triumph-an English pud-
ding, with small piece of holly stuck
IL tAS up MY 1SIlON pdSSShSS1S, US-
ing all foreigners, failed to appreciate
it. But I did
Another memorable holiday was that
| passed in the reindeer-skin hut of
Laplander halfway between AleXan-
drovsk and Kandalaksha l was tray
cling by sled. l had left Kirkenaes,
on an arm of the Arctic ocean, a
month before and was now working
my way south toward Archangel
1 produced a bottle of much-shaken
port wine, in honor of the occasion,
and poured out glass for my host.
He was very suspicious of it. and
compelled me to swallow mine first.
Then he slipped his, and pulled a wry
face. His wife tasted it, and shifted
suspiciouSly, and afterward the SER
wants, but all declared it was some
horrid English decoction-some medi-
cine, it must be, they said. They had
never before tasted wine. They had
never seen a bunch Of grapes, never
a rose, and never even tree.
One Yuletide dinner l ate at Ciro's,
at Monte Carlo, where the fooling was
fast and furious, and with my friends
l watched "the tables" afterward,
supping across at the Hotel de Paris,
and receiving a present from the
monster tree.-William LIE Queux
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
To Start Huge Grab Farm.

Norfolk, Va--E. E. Elliott of Hamp-
ton, the largest crab dealer in the
world, will have a crab farm in a basin
that cost the government 100000.
1t is located at the jamestown exposi-
ton grounds.
It is Elliott's intention to stock the
farm with crabs during the summer so
that there will always be supply for
the country during the winter To pre-.
vent a feast Of the families" he pro-
poses to cut off the claws of all crabs
he puts into the basin.
The government has not yet given
its consent to Elliot's plan, but prob
ably will as the basin is perfectly
useless ct present.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Stone Ace STYLES.

New York.-A suit of clothes made
of stone is being shown by Broad
way clothing dealer. The fabric from
which they are made was imported
from Russia. 1t is manufactured from
the fiber Of a filamentous stone from
tbs Siberian mines The material is
soft and piiable and when soiled has
only to be placed in fire to be made
absolutely clean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

are at a loss to know how to release
him with propriety.
Meanwhile Nicaragua is trading in
wooden buttons, clam shells, a few
Mexican dollars and patiently waiting
the new currency to take the place CT
the s15.000000 which disappeared
about the same time that President
Zelaya departed.
Then President Estrada sent a cable
asserting Secrest was authorized by
the cabinet to get the money made in
Chicago. President Estrada accord
ing to cablegrams will make formal
protest to Secretary of State Knox
with the assurance that Secrest acted
for the new government in printing
the bills.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
@48FF55ze>
HOLLY SUPERSTITIONS


It is unlucky to bring holly or ivy
into the house before Christmas eve
and unlucky to take it out before
Candlemas, or to put any Christmas
decorations into the fire. Herrick,
however, says that they should be
burnt, but not until Candlemas eve,
and the Christmas brand should be
quenched and laid by till next year.
This same brand Devonshire folk Of
today prefer to burn out, in spite Of
Herrick; but instead of an oak log it
is an ashen faggot-a sheaf of ash
twigs bound round with five or ten
strands of straw. AS each strand
burns through the guests who sit
around the hearth must call for cider
and drink a Merry Christmas and
many to follow"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Chickens In a "shower."

Stamford, Conn. = The chicken
shower is the latest Connecticut nov
city in ministerial donation parties.
Seventy members of the Torringford
Congregational church called on their
new pastor, Rev. w. E. Page, the 9th
er night, each person carrying live
chicken. The flock will stock the pas
tors heacoop to overfowing.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Conclusive Evidence,

Mrs. Miggers told me this morning
downtown that her husband was 60
ing to give her a pearl necklace fo7
Christmas" says Mrs. Ffggers.
Nonsense" replies Ffggers. 'He
isn't going to do anything OF She
kind"
Well, he just is, for I was with
her and helped her select it, and saw
her order it sent home; and then she
helped me pick out the set of furs you
are going to give me-"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Work of a Misanthrope.

81 hear that something cast a dam
per over the Christmas party at Mig
glesbury's," says the man who has
been away for the holidays.
Yes" answers the girl who staid
at home 1T was just too mean for
anything. You know that Mr.. Smith
ers. whose engagement to Annie Teek
was announced last Christmas after
he kissed her under the mis~etoe?"
YES
well, he came to the party and
hur-y large sign reading 0ANGER'
bereath the mistletoe they had at
tached to the chandelier"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

Squirrels Cost United States Millions.
Washington.-Ten million dollarz'
worth of damage is done annually IN
the United States by ground squirrela,
according to bulletin issued by tbs
department OF agriculture. The west
ern states bear the most of this loss
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Tranps' Segregation Urged.

New York.-The Prison Association
Of New York, in it's annual report for
1910, takes strong stand for an in
dustrial segregation of habitual tramps
and Migrants.
"Tramps and Migrants cost the state
cf New York $2.00O,000 year." says
the report. Why pay this price to an
unproductive class? New York may
well precede other neighboring states
in the establishment of farm col
ony."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
siouer Family; More Salary.

Paris.-One commune in France,
that Of TuIle, in the department of
Correz, has taken action to encour-
age the raising of large families In
the new municipal budget is inserted
a paragraph providing for substantial
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

increases in the salaries of all en-
ployees Of the city having more than
one child. The increase is ten per
cent. for two children, Is per cent. for
three and 20 per cent. for four. The
additional salary is to continue until
each child In the family has reached
the age of sixteen years and is able
to earn his own living.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

from here. She shall have everything
she wants"
And you won't forget Doctor Ford
ney?"
No; I'll give him the best Christ
mas he ever had"
But, Santa Claus, won't some one
give you PRESENT."
"A beautiful lady is going to give
me the loveliest gift in the whole
world tonight" he said.
"Oh, am so glad! I wish l could
do something for you for all the
things you have brought me"
you can, little Lou. In half an
hour will you go to bed and shut your
eyes tight and try not to think of
your presents. or the tree or of me
until morniug?"
He stopped to receive the imprint
of baby lips and to feel the lingering
pressure of soft arms about his neck
Copyright. 1900
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Where They Come From.

Where They Come From.
Guest dining at merry Christmas
party)-"Tommy, where do turkeys
come from?"
Tommy (pointing to that on the ia
ble)-"Dunno; but ma got this one
from a tramp for shilling. cause he
said he stole it. Didn't he, MAJ"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
isGsIisrlsIIsIsrsIsists,lstlsIsI.s
CHRISTMAS JIBES
All Paid For.

All Paid For.
Your wife was telling my wife that
you've got all your Christmas presents
paid for" remarked the man in the
corner of the city train to the lean in
d1vidual sitting by his side
Yes; paid for the last of them yes
terday." was the reply.
Lucky dog! l haven't even begun
to think of the presents I've got to
buy"
"Oh, neither have we for this year.
My wife was speaking Of last years
presents"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Santa Is Easy.

Bobby Con Christmas morning.
Where does Santa Claus get all his
things, mamma?"
Mamma-"Oh, he buys them"
Bobby-"Well, he must be a Jay to
let anyone palm off tin watch on
him!"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

The kingdom of God has already
come in nature, in the worlds beyond
in everything save the hearts Of men.
Rev. D. H. Ogden, Presbyterian, At
lanta, Ga
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Yule Clap

This game is Of German origin, and
Is very popular about the festive sea
son. The idea of "Yule Clap" rs to
give little present to every member
of the party, and before hand each
gift IS carefully wrapped up in paper,
with the name Of the recipient very
distinctly written: then comes an
other wrapper with the name of an
other of the party on it, and so on
the more the merrier, till each little
gift is wrapped in quite a nr9nhor of
papers, addressed di
when the party.
host COM
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
lime and Place.


en- one is eating some expensive
spread
lner costing ten dollars per
lead
is filed with costly food and
with Joy and feels extreme
then he speaks in words
- meals of olden
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15

three "Yule Chaps" may be set going
together.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
tOr 0rdDeEC1
CBFi01m0C /
~ Gift ~
| ~ by
, Belle EaRiGtoC =

OCTOR Fordney came out Of
the big department store,
deposited an armful OF
packages in his runabout,
and then started to pay the
Iast visit ON his daily round.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-15
Christmas In
Odd Corners
EGseGssseeeseesseseeese
Yuletide Recollections of Traveller

T has been my lot to spend
many of my Christmases in
foreign lands. | recall one
dismal holiday spent in a
filthy post-house on the
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-07-09
SEEK BAPTISTS' SAFETY.
Italian Officials Hear Complaints of
Attacks on American Missionaries.

Rome.-The American ambassador,
John C. A. Leishman has brought to
the attention of the Premier and the
foreign office the situation arising
from recent attacks upon Baptist mis-
sionaries in the province at Avellino.
At the time of the earthquake in
that district early in June, James p.
Stuart of st. Louis, the representative
OF the American board of Baptist mis-
sions in Italy and other missionary
workers, were attacked by mob
and were escorted out of the district
by a detachment of soldiers.
After a conference with Premier
Luzzatti, at Rome, Mr.. Stuart return
ed 90 the Vvellino district, where an
other attack was made upon him and
his companions. He telegraphed a
statement of the affair to the Amerl-
can ambassador, who requested him
to come to Rome. This Stuart did and
he had a long conference with Am
bassador Leishman.
Arriving at the outskirts of Avel-
limo, on his return, a bowling crowd
of natives quickly surrounded Stuart's
carriage. On all sides arose the cry
Of Down with the Baptists" and a
shower Of stones fell about the We
hicle. Mr.. Stuart was hit in the chest,
the arm and the leg He took refuge
in the Baptist church and was even
tually rescued by soldiers
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-07-09

of the season was brought in Thurs
day and stored at the Interior Ware
house. 1t was Cox wheat raised by
George Coppenger on sod 1t tested
6l 1-2 lbs. per bushel and yields 22
bushels TO the acre.
A. NJ Lambert pastor of the NJ. f.
church here who has been i'm the
Spokane hospital the past few weeks
returned home yesterday, having inn
proved rapidly after being operated
upon. He expects to be able to take
UP his work again soon.
The Ladies Aid of the Methodist
church will give an ice cream social
tonight on the Koontz lawn. Every
body invited.
L. \. Estab and family came in
yesterday from Lehman Springs, to
look after property interests here
They expect to resume their vacation
in few days.
Mrs. Jos. Bailey is home again from
pleasure trip to Baker City.
Mr.. ana Mrs. F, j. Young left on
Friday for Walla Walla. where Mrs
Young expects to go to the Walla
Walla hospital for treatment.
Jas. Barber Is hero from Couel
d'Alene, Idaho, on business trip.
Mrs. VIM. Gulliford and daughter
Miss Lillian Gulliford, returned to heI
home at Pendleton last night after O
short visit with Mr.. and Mrs. C. j
Gulliford of this place.
Walter Hinkle. civil engineer fol
the Butter Irrigation Co.. left Friday
for Albee and Camas Creek where
he is working for the interests of the
company. 81
e. H. Shaw and Prior Shaw left fol
Pendleton this morning on business
Contractor Howard Frick is tran
sacting business at the county seat to-
day.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-07-09

DR.. Park Weed Willis of Seattle,
was the guest of his sister, Mrs. Lee
Moorhouse while attending the East
ern Oregon Medical association con-
vention.
Miss Ivy Hill and Mr.. Robert
Stanfield expect to leave tomorrow
evening for Denver, Colo, where
they will visit with Mrs. Stanfield and
Dave Hill.
Mrs. E. L. Smith and family and
Mrs Thomas Vaughan are occupying
the Smith cottage at Long Beach for
the summer.
from Walla Walla, where she was
called by the death or ner aunt, Mrs.
Campbell.
Mrs. Adam Ruppe and Miss Ber-
nice Ruppe will spend July and Au-
gust at Long Beach.
G. I. LaDow and family made the
trip to Meacham and return in their
new automobile, July Fourth.
Miss Pauline Rice has returned
from a few days visit with friends in
Walla Walla and Adams.
Mr. and Mrs. Nesmith Ankeny have
moved into their new bungalow on
North Main street. :.
Mr.. a. L. Schaefer expects to leave
this evening for a visit to Seattle and
Tacoma.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-07-09
ECHO STORES FIRST
WHEAT OF SEASON
cox WHEAT TESTS
81 f-2 LBS TO BUSHEL
George Coppengcr's Grain Goes 20
Bushels 10 Acre-M. f.. Pastor
Back from Spokane Hospital
Short News Items.

Especial Correspondence
Echo, Ore, July 9.-The first wheat