davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

drops. Happy New Year resounded on all
sides. In the course of the afternoon the in
defatigable had seen all their friends. had
sampled the choicest types of Christmas bat-
ing, had toasted again and again the New Year
in punch of varying strength and pungency or
substituted coffee in homes where temperance
principles were popular They had said pret-
ty things to popular danes in the stimulating
atmosphere of holly and green wreaths, and
had matched wits with fascinating damses in
the dangerous vicinity of mistletoe that still
boasted some berries 1t was all very gay.
very informal. and very honey. At no other
time or no other occasion did the holiday
hilarity reach high a pitch.
I'D like to do it all over again." is the tes-
timony of one stately lady, whose home twenty
years ago the scene of yearly New Years
receptions. mo other social function on my
calendar was such fun for the guests and so
little trouble for the hostess. The decorating
had been done week before, and few fresh
flowers all that were needed Given
bright lights, dozen pretty girls to help en-
tertain the simplest cakes, and plenty of mild
ly exhilarating punch made from recipe that
my Kentucky grandfather declared harmless,
and success was assured. When six O'Clock
came you had seen all the nice men of your
acquaintance undisturbed by the usual influx
of other women, and had sent them away at
peace with the world in general and full of
the spirit of neighborliness"
Meanwhile, upstairs in the library window
seats curled the family small fry watching the
procession as it passed. commenting with ju-
venile frankness on the toilets of the callers
counting the visitors they came listening
to the hum Of voices downstairs, the girls hug
ging close to the sash, the boys making daring
detours to peek" through the baustrade, re.
turning to report what young ladies were sit
ting on the steps with what young men, and
even, in some cases. what they saying
Longer tiptoeing prowls, down the back stairs
to the lair of friendly cook led to quick and
jubilant returns with offerings of cake and
claret cup. wEerewith the hours might be be-
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

tfon. This was essentially the festival of their
elders. Orders to keep from under foot were
rigidly enforced, and did you wish to see the
fun no place remained but the second story
landing, which gave somewhat inconspicuously
upon the hall below, with strained view OF
the big parlors, and none of the dining room
beyond. That 1t was there and in full work
ing order evidenced by a keen sense of
smell
1t was always great fun to wander up and
down the principal residence streets as noon
drew near, to find out who were to be at
home and who were not. A basket tied to the
door knob with gay red ribbons said, for all
the world to hear: I'VE are not receiving to-
day" If you boy and daring, later in
the afternoon you stole up the step to peep
in and discover. by the number Of cards with
In. the respective popularity of village maids
and matrons. Wherever the door lacked the
basket, you knew that behind the drawn
shades there was the soft glow of candles
the yellow glare of gas. poor substitute for
sunlight on snow, but presumably kinder to
compilations and gowns just trife passe.
And you knew that in each house, subject
only to trifing variations of background. there
would be enacted the same scenes.
Into the front door that opened at the first
touch of the bell passed a iuctuating stream
of men in holiday attire. There were elderly
beaux a-plenty in broadcloth that was brushed
to the point of perfection, smart young dan
dies. sporting the newest fashion in ties;
awkward beginners not quite used to the
length of their frock coats-we called them
Prince Alberts in the days when New Years
calls were in vogue -and a sprinklng of sub
stantial-looking business paying homage
to the established custom of society. Every
body who was anybody in "our town" paid his
devoirs to the incoming year by making the
rounds of his friends homes.
once inside, there was the neat maid or
solemn butler to receive the callers card and
help him with overcoat, hat and cane, and then
a dash for his hostess and her daughters and
friends under the chandeliers with the prism
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30
GREHTFZlr To N4X1kP X
Ho nm DONIV the y
ERJYIZ94L RE5Ilk1yIE J7REEU

guiled until six, when twinkling street
lights warned the callers to retreat
Not q serious way to start the New
Year. No. but friendly one, that left
hostesses and callers with glow of human
frendliEess to last as warmth for many
day. And II seriousness were lacking the
same decade that enjoyed New Years call
ing found itself also at with the GUS
tom of watch-night service. For, in "our
town. as in yours mayhap 1t was the
thing to spend the closing hours of the old
year In the quiet seriousness of prayer and
sacred song. Children had their share in
this. for fathers and mothers had not In
that simpler time learned to fear the giving
of definite religious instruction to their sons
and daughters 1t clear and plain that
child must be trained In the way he should
CO. and watch night was part of that train
ing.
And, indeed, no youngster ever tried to
beg off. There was first of all the joy OF doing
the unusual and the fun of sitting up past his
bedtime. So you hied yourself to the nursery
couch the sitting-room lounge. after hot
supper. oldfashioned winter supper of
sage and fried potatoes or scaloped oysters
and mullins and took long. long nap At
half-past ten. father walked you, tucked you
into cap and overcoat and the family party
started out under the cold stars, snow crunch
ing under foot, to the nearby church.
Not SO very long ago the writer came
across old chrome. of the sort that looks.
in dim and favorable light like fairly de-
cent oil painting. In its day It had doubtless
been the chief ornament of well-furnshed.
comfortable parlor. Now 1t cluttered the win
dow of secondhand shop. dingy and out OF
sorts with fate But even in the unfiattering
ligh OF dusty show window. 1t had certain
charm for the one who found 1t. 1t was the
picture of a watch-night SERVICE such as she
had once known so we'll Bright moonlight
flooded the scene, bringing out in sharpened
detail the snow-laden boughs of dropping elms
and the Gothic spire of small stone church
From stainedglass windows and opened door
came streaming the warm glow OF shaded gas
Jets. From village streets focked men and
women and children. stopping to say word OF
greeting as they passed into the vestibule. The
spell of the picture took her. with the speed
OF the magic carpet OF the seven-reagued
boots. back to the New Years eyes of her girl
hood
So she had walked with father and mother
and a sleepy small brother Just so the treev
had looked In the frosty moonlight. And Just
as warm and softly glowing had been the
stone church. through whose open doors came
the resonant strains of the great organ She
remembered with aching vividness the faces
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

of those who had nlIed the
pews. especially that OF one
man. the governor Of the state.
whose aquiline profile. flashing
eyes and straight, glossy black
hair formed a never-to-be-forgot-
ten personality.
Watch-night hymns have .
personality OF their own. as
those of Christmas or Easter. II
not SO widely known. They are
naturally serious and a bit fore
boding, with a touch of the mel
ancholy that is associated with
the rapid flight OF time.
The year is gone, beyond recall
With all its hopes and fears.
with all Its bright and giaddening
smiles,
With all Its mourners' tears,
is an old Latin hymn to a com
mon meter tune that illustrates
the tendency OF this branch of
hymnology. Charles Wesley has
been most prolific in voicing
this thought.
Wisdom ascribc. and might, and
praise,
To God who lenthcns out our days;
Who spares us yet another year,
And makes us see his goodness
here.
is an old favorite. Often just
on the stroke of midnight anoth-
er of his voiced the feelings of
the congregation. that begin
ming:
Join. all ye ransomed sons OF grace,
The holy JOY prolong,
And shout TO the Redeemer's
praise.
A solemn midnight song.
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

A bit more joyful is the splendid. quantity
irregular,
Come. let us anew Journey pursue.
Roll round with the year
And still till the Master
appear.
1t was easy after this to go home filled with
loftiest aspirations, ready to begin the new
diary with ambitious resolves that were bound
to o'erleap themselves because of their very
loftiness. There one watch night when
there drifted into the ken of the child the
poem that has since meant to her. as 1t does
to many, the very spirit of this day. From the
choir gallery just before the midnight hour.
came the softened chorus of a strange melody
Then into the silence of the vaulted church rose
a wonderful message in voice that bore con-
viction to the listeners. It sang to the organ
and the hushed accompaniment of the choir:
Ring out wild bells, the wild skies
The flying cloud. the frosty light:
The year is dying. in the night;
Ring out wild bells. and let him die
Through the whole of the splendid poem it
swept. Oh to the triumphant conclusion;
Ring in the Christ that is to be-"
To the child the most dramatic moment of
the evening came Just on the stroke of the in
giant crackers exploded, bells clashed and
Changed inside hands casped hands while to-
gether they sang the good old standby, "Blest
be the tie that binds" before the hush of the
benedictlon and the glad chorus Of Happy New
Years" that concluded the service
There is another sort OF quiet usherIne in
OF the baby year that is conducive to the good
resolve that counts SO easily under favorable
conditions. There were those in the old davs
as there are In these, who felt that after the
gala afternoon the happiest way of all was 10
sit quietly about the fire. chatting with half
dozen congenial spirits. singing bit II the
spirit moved, reminiscing as old times came
back In the hush. and ending with the silent
toast and the dash of sentiment that makes
Aud Lang syne" the fitting song for such n
moment.
That some such happy hour may begin little
lslls first appearance is the best wish one
can offer TO friends.
Let the auspicious morning be Expressed
With white stone distinguished from the
rest
SO the stately Dryden has put the same
thought May 1t be true OF us ALL
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

before the little diary
had its new gilt dimmed
or the soft penciling of
the latter had blurred
Itself into unreproachful
tllegibility. But the eff
fort wasn't altogether
wasted, and there were
fewer fits of temper and
cleaner neck and ears
than would otherwise
have been.
We grown-ups miss.
as we get older. some of
the past and gone aids
to New Years resolves.
The day was once upon
a time more marked by
pleasant social customs.
Only in officialdom is
New Years now a state
ly day of ceremonial.
But it is not hard to re-
call that a decade or
two ago there still sur
yived some of the dig
nifty and good cheer that
had attached itself to
the day. Before the
Christmas fruit cake
had all been devoured.
or the stone jars OF
small cakes suffered too
severely from the in
roads of rapacious chill
dren, preparations for
New Years day were
well under way.
Children were not in
Clu1ed in fhic oatahro
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30
b 4 )

Use that this or that will not occur again.
And what does 1t all amount to, after all, this
OLD custom OF revamping threadbare resolutions
or selecting new ones? The cynic will smile and
say that 1t Is all waste of effort flash in the
pan, half-hearted CLOSING OF mistakes by
wordy and none too sincere promises OF reform
Inc humorist will have his little fling In cartoon
and witty quip and jest He will gurgle with the
sardonic slee of Robin Goodfellow over the folly
OF mortals and find in every resolve new subject
ior laughter. From the pulpit Sunday will
sound the admontion of the minister and the
moralist- They will take good resolutions seri
ousiy, and set upon them the stamp of divine
approval And whether the wry sneer of the
cynic- the mocking grin of the humorist or the
approving smile of the moralist prophesy the fate
OF the resolutions and their maker it will be true
that even the most momentary impulses toward
better things win not be entirely wasted
There was a time when, in the simple faith of
chlldhood, you set down in black and white your
promises to do better. On the first page OF your
new diary, yearly Christmas present you wrote
In your best Spencerian hand-we knew none
better in those something like this: Dur
ing this year resolve not TO lose my temper:
not to be saucy at home; not to put of doing
the things dislike; to read my Bible every day."
Direct sounding blows were these on the chain
mail OF your besetting sins of quick temper a
wlckedly sharp little tongue, procrastination and
childlsh irreligion. Behind closed doors lest any
one see him in so meek a moment, Brother Dick
was scribbling earnestly: 81 promise myself not
to be late for dinner, not to forget to wash nv
neck and ears, not to get in debt to fa,her for
my allowance and not to play hockey single
day" OF course you failed. both you and Dick
64fN tIx
The Elbert County tribune., 1910-12-30

HE custom of celebrating the New
year by leaving behind. in theory
at least, ones pet pernicious habit
or besetting sin, may be hack
neyed, but 1t certainly is not en-
tirely relegated to the limbo OF
things forgotten or outworn. Some
time New Years day. when a
quiet moment in the days swirl
offers time for thought, there will
be a hasty taking stock of the
year that is gone, a recounting OF
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
0RANNlS GRAINS.

Senator J. P. Logan made a busi- ness trip to Umpire last week.
 Bro. J. J. Haynes of Mena, is to preach at the Baptist church Sunday at il a. m.
 John Hungate returned Sunday evening from a weeks visit with rela- tives and friends at Siloam Springs.
 Mrs. Jim Haywood and children came down from Hatfield Monday to spend a few days with Mrs. Fred Lichlyter.
 Mrs. W. E. Hungate was delegate to the convention held at Fort Smith, from Rebekah Lodge of Grannis, leav- ing Monday and returning Thursday
 A. c. Wood of Houchetown, Okla, was in Grannis Monday and Tuesday. His daughter. Miss Myrtle, who has been assistant cashier in the Grannls State Bank, for the past nine months, returned home with him. Her place will be filled by Miss Clara Swafford of Dustin, Okla.
 Among the social events of the past week, was the party last Friday night given by MT. and Mrs. Coyle, in honor of Miss Myrtle Aston, who is to leave this week for Lockesburg. There were a number of her friends present and a very pleasant time was had. MT. and Mrs. Coyle are royal entertainers and know how to make an evening pass luickly. The time was filled in with pleasant chats, games, singing, and last, but not least, was the delicious refreshments, which was served and when the nearing of the wee hours ol the night the guests bade thier host and hostess good night with many thanks for another pleasant evening
 A Halloween party. Monday night at the home of MT. and J. B. McClen- nen in honor of Miss Myrtle Wood, was enjoyed by number of the young people of Grannis. The time, as usu- al, was filled up with chats and laugh ter of young, taffy pulling. peanut hunt, music and singing, and at a late hour refreshments served in the Old Time Halloween Style, and when il had become Nov. the 1st, all said good night and goodbye. The guests from out Of town were Messrs. J. E. Mosley of Mena, and Kelsey Skinner of Cove.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
TEXAN MARRIgs IN MENA.
C. Y. Mrrff Weis Miss Evalyn r.
 Rector.


 Rector.
 Dr. c. |. Murf of Petrolia, 1ex.' and Miss Evalyn F. Rector were married Tuesday about 6 p. m at the home of the brides parents, Dr. and Mrs. J. NJ Rector. The Rev. R. L. Finley officiated. The couple left Wednesday evening for Dallas, Tex, where they will visit the Texas State Fair before going to their home at Petrolia.
 About 5 o'clock Tuesday while Dr. Murff and the Rev. Mir. Finley were at the court house getting the marriage license Dr. Rector's horse, which they had driven to the court house and left standing outside, be. came frightened and started toward town. It got off the street and struck telephone pole on the corner of De Queen street and Church ave. nue. The shafts of the buggy and the harness were badly broken up, but the horse was uninjured,
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
wIcKEs wAvELETs.

W. c. Christopher was in Wickes Saturday.
 F. D. Beck's mother is visiting with him for a few weeks.
 Fred Mills visited his sister at Wickes Thursday and Friday of last week.
 Ridgeway & Greene real estate firm. have been making improvements on their office.
 "Old Don," Mrs. c. H. Jett's faith ful old buggy horse. became frightened at an automobile Saturday and ran away. As no one was in the buggy the only damage done was to the buggy.
 On last Friday evening while return ing from Center. where Gilbert Jen- kins is teaching, Gilbert and Ebert Jenkins and Seaborn Cooper lost their way. When dark came they missed the dim road they were in and were compelled to leave the buggy and wslk three miles through some of Ar kansas rough timber before reaching home. On Saturday the buggy was found in about IA of a mile from the main road.
 Wixey.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03

E. A Moore of Board, Camp, visited his sister, Mrs. [. G. Turner, the first of the week.
 K. A. Rowe and family of Hatfield spent Saturday night and Sunday with relatives at Rocky.
 Will Patton. a we'll known family of Polk county.
 The Children's Day service at Old Potter Sunday was largely attended. The welcome address was made by Rev. Edgar Seay. after which we lis tened to a fine program rendered by the young people of the community. This part of the program was closed at 12 o'clock, after which the good women prepared one of the finest din- ners we have ever seen. The good things to eat were placed on two long tables and everybody invited just to help themselves. The afternoon ser vices began with song service conducted by the writer. Rev. J. J. Bowman and Dr. R. T. Connally were the speakers for the afternoon. Both made fine address. This was our first meeting with brother Bow man. He is a fine christian gentle man and made good impression on the people. The day passes into his tory as a great one for the uplift and betterment of the community.
 Luke.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
NEW HOPE ITEMS.

Irwin Turpin made a business trip to Mena Monday.
 J. H. Davis. who has been sick for some time, is better.
 Bratcher Grove and sister. Miss Grace. were shopping in Mena Friday Neve Wimberly and wife are the proud parents of baby boy, born Oct. 27.
 Ivan Rowe. who is attending school at Mena, spent Saturday and Sunday with his parents.
 J. Rosan of Nebraska. purchased the D. Hogan farm near here last week, the consideration being $900. George Childers and family, who have been visiting relatives at Maud. for some time, have returned to their home here.
 A dance was given at the home oI Mir. and Mrs. Korte last Monday night in honor of Buster Wimberley's 18th birthday.
 Guess Who.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
COVE CATCHES.
Arkansas.

An epidemic of whooping cough is prevailing amongst the children of this community.
 The sale of the Cove creamery 70 Dale Underwood involved clean cut case of freeze out"
 w. N. Shoot and wife of Center vile, Ia., arrived last Sunday and will soon occupy their new home, the Clip Little property.
 M. E. Eudaly and family arrived from Arkansas City, Kas., last week and carload of household goods. implements, team of horses, etc. followed them. Mir. Eudaiy recently purchased the E. B. Moore farm.
 The rain that fell here Tuesday did not come any too soon, as wells were getting low, pastures short and the turnip crop beginning to suffer. Your correspondent knows the value of turnip crop for he published a Democratic paper in Kansas many years ago.
 Robert Fortner has made over 400 gallons of sorghum syrup out of the cane cut from less than three acres of land, and it is the best sorghum molasses that has been made in the community this fall. Mg. Fortner not only knows how to make good syrup, but he lets his cane mature sufficiently to aid him in the process. Hundreds of gallons of poor syrup were made hereabouts this fall by cutting the cane when it was too green.
 Fisherman
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
LOWER BIO FORK.

Henry Standridge and wife were here Sunday.
 Andrew Stanley made a business trip to Mena Wednesday.
 Ora Conn and sister, Macie. spent Saturday night at c. E. Holmes. Monroe Standridge and family re- turned from Stratford. Ok, last Thursday.
 Clay Williams and James Lofts of near Alder, passed through Monday enroute to Egger.
 Dave Standridge of Oklahoma, and Estella Sargent of near Board Camp, were at Big Fork Sunday.
 Sam Suit and wife and Misses Bes- sic and Florence Moore of Boggy, attended singing at Squire Walkers Sunday night.
 Sam Suit of this place and Miss Bertha Moore of Boggy. were mar ried at the home of Squire Walkers S Sunday at II o'clock.
 Arkansas Blossom.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
ODEN OFFERINGS.

Josh Peters of Oklona is visiting here J. D. Goodner made a flying trip tc Mena Friday.
 Jack Frost visited this commda' y Thursday night.
 Mrs. Willie Taylor If Hastines, N1A. is visiting relatives at this place. John c. Goodner of Waters, cailg, on friends and relatives here Saturda and Sunday.
 Fritz McNealy of Tdlihina Ok, waC has been visiting frienls here has re turned home.
 J. c. Singleton, c. c. Smith and W. H. Taylor transacted business in Mt Ida Thursday.
 Mrs. Maggie Robbins of Womble wis ited relatives at this place the latter part of last week.
 T. L. Taylor and wife and Mrs c. E. Carlisle visited at the home of W. C. Metcalf Friday night.
 David FFriar and Dr. Robbins of 0den made business trip to Fort Smith the first of last week
 Prof. Clyde Goodner, who is assist ant teacher in the Womble High School, was with homefolks Friday night and Saturday.
 Arkansas.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03

visiting relatives at Childress. Tex. returned home Monday.
 J. w. Philpot's s sorghum mill will be idle until next summer. The output this season was 1880 gallons.
 Henry Harrison and son, Columbus and family of Scott county, were visit ing relatives here Saturday and Sun day.
 Bro. Moore preached at the Naza- rene church Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night. He will be the pastor of this church next year.
 William Ryan reports that he made the following real estate deals last week: The F. S. Stanley farm to A. P. McBrady of Minnesota; The D. F. Hogan farm to a Mir. Roean of Ne braska: The Whitworth farm to MT. Dougherty of Louisiana.
 Eegerite.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03
DoIN0s AT HARTLEY.

S. H. Sublett and family have nov ed back to their farm.
 Melville Weyman of Kansas, is wis iting his aunt and uncle, MT. and Mrs. Bailey Barnes.
 B. H. Hansard leaves today for Southern Texas. where he will take charge of section.
 Mrs. Noah Atwell and children of Mena are visiting the family of her uncle, s. II. Sublett.
 Rev. B. F. Cannon is having his house repaired and is building new brick chimney. John Harkey is do- ing the carpenter work.
 Mir. and Mrs. Barrett of Winthrop have decided to make their home in Hatton. They have rented house and will return soon with their house hold goods.
 Hiram.
The Mena weekly star., 1910-11-03

manufacturing brooms for years ana says that in all of his experlehce handling broomcorn he never was where soil, climate and other condl- tions were better than in Polk county
 The following farmers and others were in Hatfield with cotton 10 oe einned and sold. up to Saturday iaSt week: John Johnson, 5. C. Ioon. J' D. Thweatt, Ed Thompson. W. ,. bell, J. E. Beavers, S. T. Hollis, Jasper Stockton, J. H. Daniels, w. U. Thweatt, T. P. Davis, B. I. Stinnettt' R. c. Johnson, K. H. Stockton, W. 1' Towery, A. Nichols, M. M. Brooks, r. J. Gam. w. H. Littlepage, w. l. Richardson. XXX