davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING.

Life is a Christmas Stocking. 1t is
long and deep. Take your blessings
from the top, one at time, crate
fully but not too fast or eagerly; en-
joy them and be generous with them,
and reach down again! When you
have pulled out all the gifts you
thought were there, search yet an
other time. For some of the dearest
gifts of the love of God are hidden
so deep that we find them only when
we have come to believe that life is
empty and sad, just when most we
need to find the choicest and best of
all the secrets of His children. And
when you have reached the very bot
tom, hang up the stocking of your
hope again; for God has other Christ
mas gifts for you in the world from
which Christmas comes.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
A oUARRELsoME CHRISTMAS.

Last Christmas a little boy and his
sister bit and scratched each other
because the other had the better pres
ent Was not that dreadful scene?
Fighting on Christmas Day, the day
when the angels sang Peace on
earth, goodwill to men, fighting about
the gifts of loving friends!
What ought the parents do to them?
Should they not take away all the
presents from both of them, If both
we're to blame? What do you think
about it? It would not do to let these
children grow up to fight and scratch
and bite, for children that fight and
do not learn to curb their tempers
may grow to be criminals.
This Christmas make up your mind
to like everything you get. Thank
everybody that gives you anything,
for no one is compelled to do it; it is
all because they love you. Make the
day the happiest for them that you
can
If you have not much to, give papa
and mamma, and others who make the
gifts, give them good behavior, loving
smiles, kind words, thankful hearts,
and warm kisses The kisses will be
worth much without the others.
Everybody likes to be kissed by a
good child, but the kisses of a bad
child are not soft and sweet.
h + I'll
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
TRAINED NURSING.

One of the best vocations for wo-
men, without doubt, is that of
trained nurse. It is the most care
fully protected employment for wo-
men in the world No other class Of
women, except perhaps prima donnas,
have their health under such perpetual
vigilance as have hospital nurses. 1t
they do fall i'll they are cared for free
for reasonable length Of time. They
have their training, it is true, in the
wards among all sorts and conditions
of men and women, but the honor,
dignity and respect of their calling is
assured. The nurse is assured of a
fixed standard of wage and by the
alumnae association of her hospital
she is sometimes provided with a
pension of $25 a month.
Nursing is a calling which draws
recruits from the socially elect and in
which no matter what mental work
is combined with scientific services
her status socially is not affected.
The avenues which lead out from
nursing, which is itself one of the best
paid avocations for women, are I'M
limited. Much of the settlement work,
private secretaryship and special in
struction in colleges requires the
foundation of nurses training.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
HoPEFULNEss.

God has outlined this divine virtue
in granting us a naturally hopeful
temperament. Among the kinds Of
men we know, none is more lovely
than he who has particularly hope
full character, says the Rev. Walter
Elliott, C. S. p He looks on the
bright side-what side but that is
Gods side? AS we hear that the
darkest cloud has it's silver lining, SO
must we say that God always sees
that side, for He is enthroned beyond
the clouds. Heavens door is iron on
our side and golden on Gods side"
says Wiseman by one of his charac-
tiers in Fabiola.
In religious activities the busy, push
ing man is the hopeful man; and he is
the thriving man. He alone has dar-
ing plans for Gods cause. Difficulties
do not daunt him, because his tenn
permanent and his grace make sacri-
fees easy. A supine soul has no place
in saints following. Cowardice
never takes counsel of an energetic
friend--it seeks out minimizing con-
idant for it's perplexities and tenn
porizing negotiator for its scruples,
instead of Astounding in plans it over
flows with excuses. Reasons for not
acting are abundant in proportion to
the vacancy of hopefulness. A safe
man, such a one is sometimes called
safe he is because he keeps at a
safe distance from the firing line. He
can boast that he has never been
knocked down for he is always lying
fiat on the ground
One says of an evil that called for
remedying, =. was afraid to make
matters worse, and SO | quietly with
drew. Another kind of man says
Il did my best" God does not always
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
THE CHRIST FLOWER.

A beautiful rose found in the
southern parts of Europe and known
as the Rose of Noel, Christ's Bloom,
and Holy Night Rose, as well as
Christ's Flower, has legend as love-
ly as itself 1t is told in various ways
all charming, but the more familiar
version is the one which the painters
and poets have preferred.
A little girl named Madelon was
with the shepherds who went over to
Bethlehem. She was very poor, and
her kind heart was so moved at the
sight of the Holy Infant, lying on
straw in the manger that she burst
into tears at having nothing to offer,
to show her sympathy and love for
the little Child, and to comfort the
Blessed Mother The shepherds
played a lullaby upon their rustic
pipes, and brough fleece to warm
Him, but Madelon had only prayers
and tears.
God seeing this, sent Gabriel to her,
who said: "Madelon, what makes you
weep while you pray?" And she re-
piled Because have nothing to offer
to the Infant Jesus. If / only had
some flowers to give Him, I should be
happy; but it is winter, and the frost
is on the ground, and spring, is far
away" Then the Herald of the
Annunciation took her by the hand
and led her forth into the starry night.
AS they went, the cold seemed gone,
and golden light enveloped them,
and they came to places that Madelon
knew not Of Gabriel paused and
touched the rigid earth with his staff,
then disappeared. And, 10! on every
side sprang up the beautiful blossoms
of the Holy Night Rose; and the little
shepherd maiden filled her arms with
them to deck the Midnight Cave.
Hence it is that in the old mystery
plays Madelon is usually represented
as offering a garland of Noel roses, or
wreathing them about the neck of a
lamb.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
DEVOTION TO THE CRIB.

4 e. 81 4s5 4
Devotion to the Crib, says the Cath
Ole Encyclopedia, is no doubt of very
ancient origin, but it remained for ST.
Francis of Assist to popularize it and
give 1t to the tangible form in which
1t is known at the present time When
st. Francis visited Rome in 1928 he
made known to Pope Honorius Ill the
plans he had conceived of making
scenic representation of the place of
the Nativity. The Pope listened glad
ly to the details of the project and
gave it his sanction. Leaving Rome,
st. Francis arrived at Greccio on
Christmas Eve, when, through the aid
of his friend, Giovanni Velita, he con-
structed Crib and grouped around
it figures of the Blessed Virgin and
st. Joseph, the ass, the OK and the
shepherds who came to adore the new
born Saviour He acted as deacon at
the midnight Mass. The legend re-
lates that having sung the words of
the Gospel, and they laid Him in
manger," he knelt down to mediate
briefly on the sublime mystery of the
incarnation, and there appeared in
his arms a child surrounded by
brilliant light.
Devotion to the Crib has since
spread throughout the Chistian
world. Yearly from the Eve of
Christmas to the day of the octave of
the Epiphany, Crib representing the
birthplace of Christ is shown in Cath
Ole churches in order to remind the
faithful of the mystery of the Incarna-
ton and to recall according to tradi-
ton and the Gospel narrative the
historical events connected with the
birth of the Redeemer.
The Crib serves the foregoing pur-
pose better than the most eloquent
sermon that could be delivered. May
we always have the Crib and it's ten
der memories and holy Impressions
with us at Christmas time.
The actual crib or manger in which
Christ was laid after birth in the
stable at Bethlehem, was, according
to an old tradition, brought from
Bethlehem in the seventh century and
is now preserved in the Church of st.
Mary Major, Rome
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30

give victory to such a one, but he
always comforts his conscience with
inner approval
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE.

In dear old Ireland Christmas is
kept with every evidence of joy, for
the Irish Catholics are most enthusi-
astic in all that concerns the mysteries
of our holy faith. One of the most
beautiful customs, handed down from
sire to son immemorial, and still
existing today among the peasantry
of Ireland, is the lighting of the
Christmas Candle On Christmas eve,
when the shadows Of night descend
upon land and sea, the Christmas
Candle is brought forth and lighted,
for there must be no darkness on that
holy night, when the Light OF the
World came to take possession Of
His own.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30

The light OF this Christmas Candle

The light of this Christmas Candle
typifies and symbolizes to those de-
vout people the wondrous Star of
Bethlehem, and as they gaze upon 1t
with feelings of piety and of devo-
ton. their minds travel back in spirit
to the hills of Judea some nineteen
hundred years ago, and they see once
again the humble shepherds as they
PROSTATE themselves upon the ground
in reverential awe, as they gaze upon
that miraculous messenger of the
most high God, the Star of Bethlehem.
Their thoughts travel further afield
and follow this supernatural nantes
tation of Gods inscrutable way of
showing His love for fallen man, and
reverently do they follow the course
of this royal messenger of God as it
appears to the three wise men in their
far-off Eastern countries, and who,
under it's guidance, travel from their
distant land until they reach the city
of Jerusalem, at which place their
leader and spokesman inquiries: Where
is He that is born King of the Jews?
We have seen His star in the East
and have come to worship Him."
Such are the pious thoughts aWak-
ened in the hearts of the Irish Cath
Ollie peasantry on beholding the lighted
Christmas candle, and such, indeed,
they should be.
The family kneel in prayer at mid
night and invoke the peace and bless
ing of the Infant Savior upon their
household
1t is a pity that this beautiful GUS
tom, so Catholic in tone and in spirit,
is not kept up in this country by the
descendants of the Irish race.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
WORK AND INCLINATION.

1t is hard saying, that we usually
do our best work in the things that
come hardest to us, says the Angelus.
But this is a truth that is being
abundantly proved, in every walk of
life, with every passing year. 1t calls
only for a fair facing of the facts to
recognize 1t.
It is as wrong to seek for difficulties
as to seek for ease. 1t is not possible,
but it is positive duty. to enjoy our
work. 1t is wrong to "hunt trouble"
though readiness to meet difficulties is
needful as commendable.
It is true that ones best work is
likely to be hard work, rather than
easy; on this account, inclination and
facility in certain direction are like
ly to be barriers rather than helps to
real success; God is likely to call one
into the work within which he can be
best; and Gods call, not mans bent,
should be the determining factor every
time. We are not as rule safe judges
of our own fitness or unfitness in any
Lille, dAu ,1llctn. IL. S0luOu W NC t1uSLSu
to pick out his own field of labor. It
is safer to let God do this, and Gods
call, not personal inclination, should
settle the matter for us all. If Gods
call be in accordance with our own
inclination and liking, that does not
alter the case. Duty is none the less
duty because it is pleasant from the
start. But it is only fair to recognize
that ease in. doing our best work is
the exception rather than the rule.
AS for enjoying our God-ordained
work, that is duty to which divine
ordinance summons everyone. And
there is no joy that compares with the
Joy of overcoming. The joy that is
found in hard work makes the joy of
easy work pale and colorless. This
vigorous, full blooded JOY is growth
and a result; it comes out of effort, in
and by accomplishment. It is possible
In every form of effort to which God
calls-but in no other. There is
therefore no gain nor sense in seeking
obstacles for obstacles sake, OF
course; but there is tremendous gain
in refusing to be deferred by obstacles
if they lie between us and Gods work
and in recognizing that Gods call ID
very likely to be in that direction.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
MY GIFT.

| would | were the little lamb
The shepherds wondering bore
To Bethlehem's lowly crib, a gift
From our their meagre store!
] would / were the oxen calm,
Breathing his sweet warm breath
Upon the Little Baby there
Who. sweetly slumberetht
| would | were the beasties good,
The stable or the stall;
But can only be myself,
And give my heart, my all!
Charles Phillips.
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
A CHRISTMAS VIOLIN.

He was. only a little street Arab
standing amid the throng with his
violin clasped tightly in his arms. The
child was doing his best, but he did
not attract much attention as he sang
his simple little songs. People were
doing their Christmas shopping and
were too busily engaged buying for
their own little ones to give thought
to such as he.
But, suddenly, cry of horror made
them turn and they saw the little fell
low lying white and still in the muddy
street He had been struck by a
heavy wagon, and lay with one leg
twisted and bent under him in a
cruel way while in his arms he clasped
his broken violin.
An ambulance was summoned and
the first return of consciousness found
the child in little white bed in the
hospital a sweet-faced Sister bending
over him.
II am SO glad to see you open your
eyes, dear. Try to drink this glass of
water. Are you in much pain now, my
boy?"
The little fellow made an effort to
keep back the tears. mo, not much.
If my leg didn't hurt and my head
didn't feel so queer, I'd be real we'll
I don't mind nothin' else as longs my
fddle's all right
Il am sorry to say your violin is
broken, dear But there! don't feel
SO badly about. it.; you know you could
not play now until you are well again.
Then we'll see what can be done.
Tell me all about yourself; what is
your name 2"
Johnny Smith, but they mostly
calls me Jack. / hain't go no father
!, nor no mother. They both died last
winter, with the fever. tried to
keep the baby, but she jes couldn't
stand it without mother and she died,
too. So the family's only jes me.
Say, are you an angelo"
This unexpected ending of the fam
I lily history quite amused the Sister.
She could hardly refrain from smiling
as she answered:
20 no, my boy, / am only Sister
Margaret, a nurse sent to comfort
and care for children like yourself. =
well, that's what angels does most
| ly 'cordin' to the pictures =
He pointed to the opposite wall
where hung a photograph of Luini's
painting of the Holy Child soothed to
rest by Angel music. The instru-
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30


ments IN their hands recalled his be-
loved violin.
Sister Marg'ret, Z he asked, do
I you suppose Santa Claus n be around
this year, ~
10 yes, indeed, Santa Claus never
forgets the children In the hospital
And do you s'pose he'll send me
another fiddle if write and ask
him."
II could not say, dear; but you may
write If you wish
The Sister privately resolved to ask
a subscription from some Of the num-
erous visitors who called. She was
determined the little fellow should
have his violin If it were possible, but
she did not think best to tell him her
plan. So she only said, Goodnight
my brave boy. Try to get little
sleep il you can"
On the afternoon before Christmas
visitors at the hospital were amused
at the sight of a bed in the children
ward. The small occupant was lying
in softest slumber with a little smile
on his face as if dreaming of Christ
mas joys. Above his head and fas-
tened to the brass rods of his bed
stead there hung a large piece of
paper. 1t read:
Deer Sanity Claus MY name is
Johnny Smith I am the Teller what
got run over and famed my leg an
smashed my he'd but worsen' all I
busted my fidle an I would like a new
one. | put this sine up so you
wouldn't get stuck an give the fidle to
the wrong Teller So no more from
Johnny Smith
Sister Margaret explained the cir
cumstances to the visitors, and more
than one purse was opened as the
owner was moved to give something
toward the little violin.
Among the visitors was one who
fingered by the bedside after the 9th
ers had passed on. She was clad in
deepest mourning, for her only child
was buried only a few weeks before.
She gazed long and earnestly at the
sleeping boy as if trying to settle an
important question. At last she called
the Sister to her.
Sister Margaret, If this child has
neither home nor friends and is quite
alone in the world, as you say, think
/ shall adopt him."
MAY God bless you and make up
to you all that you have lost" was
| the feryent reply,
You can, imagine Johnny's delight
on Christmas morning when he found
a beautiful violin lying on the chair
beside his bed; but when told he was
to live in beautiful house with one
who would be kind mother to him,
his joy knew no bounds.
Il just know'd Sister Marg'ret fix
things all right for me-" he said.
"She's an angel, that's what she is
Of course the neighborhood felt
called upon to sit in judgment on the
wealthy Mrs. Edmunds.. IF she must
adopt a child why on earth did she
not find some respectable boy who
she knew something about, one who
would be credit to her; but that
little street Arab! Well, she would
surely live to regret it,
That is what the neighbors said, but
the angels whispered 'inasmuch."
Laura M Fdirchild
The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-30
THE LIGHT OF BETHLEHEM.

IT'S Christmas night! the snow
A flock unnumbered lies;
The old Judean stars aglow,
Keep watch within the skies
An icy stiffness holds
The pulses of the night;
A deeper mystery infolds
The wondering Hosts of Light
Till, 10, with reverence pale
That dims each diadem,
The lordliest, earthward bending, hal
The Light Of Bethlehem!
Father T'dbb.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-20
Meat inspection Gas. Appealed.

Whether a city can pass an ordi-
nance requiring the relnspection of
meat, which has already been passed
upon by state meat inspectors, ap-
pointed by the state board of agricul-
ture. is put up to the criminal court
OF appeals by the appeal taken
Wednesday by Buck Garrett. chief Of
police of Ardmore, from the order
made by Judge Stillwell II. Russell in
the district court at Ardmore. direct
ing the release of Charles Kerner on
writ of habeas corpus after he had
been arrested for violation of such
an ordinance. Kerner claimed that
the ordinance was invalid. and Judge
Russell sustained his contention
Oklahoman.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-20
APRIL 20 IN HISTORY.

1657-Naval battle in the harbor
of st. Cruz, Teneriffe, in which Ad-
miral Blake attacked and destroyed
the Spanish fleet of sixteen ships.
under the protection of the batteries
on shore. This was his last and
greatest achievement
1743-French seigniories Lake
Champlain.
1775-General Putnam joined the
patriot band at Concord having rode
his horse about one hundred miles
in Is hours.
1777-First constitution OF New
York state adopted
1S09-Battle of Abens burgh, the
Austrian army defeated by Napoleon,
who took about 10000 prisoners and
40 cannon.
1SO4-The Spanish province of Cal
ifornia was divided into two districts
of Antigua and Nueva California.
1SOS-Napoleon iii born.
1S13-Tihe advance of the British
and Indians appeared before Fort
Meigs.
1S35-Samuel Slater, father of the
cotton manufacturing business in the
United States" died
1S54-The bill of Miss Dix, the
philanthropist, granting ten millions
of acres of the public lands to be
distributed among the states, to anne
liorate the condition of the INDECENT
insane, was vetoed by the president
1S64-The United States govern
ment threatened to seize locomotive
plants in the north, unless the man
ufacturers were more prompt in sup
plying the war department.
1903-Six persons killed and nine
injured by collision between pas
senger and freight trains near James
town, n. Y.
1904-Fire in Toronto DESTROYED
$lO,OOO,OOO worth of property.
1909-The Prince of Samos was
assassinated.
191O-The New York Assembly de-
feated the federal income tax amend
ment.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-20
BIG SUIT RESULTS
OVER WOMAN'S HAT
YOUNG WOMAN FILES HUNDRED
AGAINST COLLEGE AUTHORl.
TIES.

Chicago, April 20.-Miss Esther
Mercy, a former student in the lit
erary department of the University
of Chicago, who was expelled from
the institution following an investi
cation after the loss of aigrettes from
her $500 hat, appeared today as com
plainant in a suit for 100000 dam
ages, filed in the circuit court. The
defendants. charged with conspiracy
to ruin her character are Harry Pratt
Judson, president OF the university;
Miss Marian Talbot. dean of women
Miss Eva Robinson, Mrs. A. Nv Small,
wife of Dean Small and Mrs. Floren-
tine Won Massou Jain, who has at
tanned some renown as sculptress
and who is a sister of Mrs Small.
With tears in her eyes Miss Mercy
recited the details of the various in
justices to which she says she was
subjected by the defendants.
Il have been the victim of a con.
spiracy just because a certain woman
connected with the university sup.
posed | had accused her OF stealing
the plumes from my hat" she said
Il was boarding at her home while
attending the university and one
night my fiance called to take me to
the art institute. The hat had been
placed in box beneath my study
table and when [ unwrapped ii the
plumes were missing and the hat
ruined. | Immediately called the
woman and informed her that some
thing had happened to my hat. | did
not accuse her, but from that time
on trouble began to brew for me at
the university.
Il was called December s before
Dean Talbot, Gean George Vincent,
now the president of the University
OF Minnesota, and Miss Robinson.
was accused of violating university
rules"
Miss Mercy says she was never
given an opportunity to disprove the
charges made against her and was
refused an audience with President
Judson. Wallace Hickman, counsel
and business manager of the Univer-
sity of Chicago, was told of the filing
of the suit.
The suit is not entirely sur
prise Mr.. Hickman said. 81 know
nothing about 1t as yet. so all | can
say now is that the suit will be de-
Tended"