davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

often brushed up" as he would say,
on his Latin and Greek history. and
few men were better versed than he
on matters of the day. that 1t was
pretty cold and stormy to walk away
out here. But 1 said to myself. I'm
not the one to break my word to the
lady who has been my friend Be
sides, l wanted to give you little
something. I've brought you few
blotters, fancy ones, for your own
desk. and here''-he reached down into
his pockets this little knife /
thought You might use, It's silver all
right-just needs little polish I've
had 1t long, long time. miss. -"
Thank you for the shoes. You are
very kind to take this trouble for me-"
Trouble! Miss Newton tried to think
Vt the right words in reply.
The man wanted to work in payment
for the shoes. He was sent on an err
rand or two. and later permission was
obtained to give him something to eat.
There, MISS" said he as he finished a
second cup of coffee and his last piece
of bread, ''that VIII do for supper and
tomorrow's breakfast too. Oh, but
that was good coffee! =" And SO
you're going home for Christmas! Isn't
that fine? How l wish had home
to go to! 80" Well. miss, goodby and
IA merry Christmas to you"
And he went out upon the avenue,
Its windows glistening with Christmas
brightness, its stores crowded with
eleventh hour shoppers.
When Miss Newton returned after
New Years she waited in vain to hear
from her lodging house friend. He
never came.
Perhaps-who knows ?-perhaps he is
at home this Christmas season
MARY HUMPHREY.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
What a Little Bow Saws.

Dear Sanity you needn't trouble this year
To bring me any more toys that are queer
And dolls with eyes that open and shut
Or q patent swing that goes up and up
TIL you most touch the sky: but, Sanity.
say,
I want to have fun in another way
At Christmas this year. and Il can't be
done
Unless you can put wee bit of fun
In the hearts of mamma and papa, too.
And make them bright and jolly like you.
1 guess it's two years since Brother Fred
died.
cried
And papa sends me off to play with my
toys.
For mammals too nervous to bear any
noise"
So. really. dear Sanity. you can easily see
In planning for Christmas you. needn't
count me.
Marie Golden.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
A Christmas F'IashIight

It was on late October afternoon
tnat he first drifted into the settle
ment house. He was not the type
that usually seeks out such a place.
There was nothing foreign about him
nothing suggestive OF the immigrant.
His silvery white hair was brushed
back from a face OF distinctive refine
ment, which even the marks of dis
Eipation could not hide. He looked
exceedingly frail, possibly tubercular.
He was selling ink and blotters, and.
receiving a bit Of financial encourage
ment from Miss Newton, the young
woman on duty that morning, he call
ed again in fortnight and yet again.
In the course of his visits Miss New
ton. whom he always insisted upon
seeing, gradually pieced together his
reluctant story. he had come from n
good old Massachusetts family, was
educated at one of the eastern univer-
stiles and had been an official in a big
eastern bank. But the drink habit had
fastened itself upon him.
He had married. but his wife had
deserted him after two years. She
was long since dead. as were all OF his
immediate family. He had gone
through the indescribable experience
that the man who is down and out
sometimes suffers, though not always,
thank God! 1t was almost twenty
years ago that he had left the east.
And now he was in Chicago, cut
loose from every old time tie. derelict
In the great city, living in one of the
unspeakable west side lodging houses.
broken In spirit, in ambition and in
health. too proud. in spite of every
thing, to go to the poorhouse, too weak
to much more than earn the 10 cents
necessary for bed and the additional
pittance for food.
A few days before Christmas the
man appeared again at the settlement.
Tiff you had some shoes, miss, that
would fit my big feet I'd be very glad
to work for them. These are-well.
they're pretty summary for walking the
streets. I've put newspapers in the
soles, but they're wet clean through"
Nothing in the right size could be
found, and the man was told to return
In few days, when a pair would be
awaiting him. Meantime Miss New
ton procured from friend some new
heavy shoes, and. leaving them in the
office on the day before Christmas, she
said to the one in charge:
"Give these to my lodging house
friend when he comes. please and tell
him l cannot see him today. I'm leav-
ing for home tonight. and l have
hundred and one things to do besides
packing. It's all right about the shoes.
He needn't work them out. Tell him
they're IA sort of Christmas present
and to come and see me after New
Years"
But when the man came that after
noon he insisted upon seeing Miss
Newton. ut will take only minute"
he urged.
I'm sorry to trouble you. MISS" he
apologized when she appeared. 81
promise not to keep you long. But
thought to myself as I sat there
reading In the public library" Che
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
What Has Happened
On Christmas Day

How many know thGt Christmas
e8, although not as a Christian fes-
dval until forty years after that date7
IT was not until the fifth century that
It was permanently celebrated on Dec.
IS. Many interesting events have oc-
CURED on Christmas, and many tradi-
lions cling to that day. They make
entertaining and instructive reading
for old and young alike. 30 few are
Jotted down here as we llnger over the
"walnuts and wine"
When Christmas comes on Sunday
It is considered a most lucky day. II
means n good winter and an unusually
fine summer. Should a child be born
on Christmas Sunday it will be ia
vored by good fortune all its life.
Two notable coronations occurred on
Christmas day-that Of Charlemagne
as emperor of the west In the year
800 and that Of William the Conquer
or at Westminster abbey in 1000.
Clovis. the first Christian king Of
France, was baptized on Christmas
day, 400.
The pilgrims, who condemned all
church festivals, spent their first
Christmas in America working hard
all day long amid cold and stormy
weather and commenced the building
Of the first house In Plymouth, 1920.
1t is a significant fact that no great
battles We're fought on Christmas day.
They have occurred on the oath and
the 26th of December. but the ami
versary Of the advent Of peace on
earth has ever been observed by ces-
sation of hostilities. A notable ex-
ception, however, is that of the bat
de OF Okeechobee. Fla, in which
Zachary Taylor defeated the Indians
in 1887.
On Christmas day of 1851 President
Lincoln and his cabinet met and de-
cided to comply with the demand Of
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Great Britain for the release Of MasoI
and Slidell, who had been captured
while on their way to England anG
France as representatives Of the con
federacy.
In 1868 President johnson made
Christmas day memorable by issuing
q proclamation granting full pardon
to every one who had taken part in the
rebellion.
Sir Isaac Newton, whose grand dis.
covery of the law of gravitation re-
suited from the simple fact of his see
ing an apple fall to the ground, was
born on Christmas day, 1912.
William the Conqueror was crown
ed king of England Christmas. 1906.
Christmas night, 1776. Washington
crossed the Delaware, fought the bat
tie of Trenton the next day and defeat
ed the British.
King John Of England was born
Christmas day, 1166.
Christmas day begins in the middle
of the Pacific ocean ON the one hun
dred and eightieth parallel Of latitude.
and there is where Santa Claus starts
and ends his great and only journey
OF the year.
In Russia Christmas day comes on
Jan. 9, for its calendar is the old
style. Santa Claus in that country is
pictured and thought to be by the chill.
dren an old fellow very much like q
big bearded peasant, who flies around
with small pack on his back, his
team a span Of small horses.
Bees In southern countries are be-
heved to sing I'm honor Of Christ's COM
ing. Reverence for the manager is
Christmas eve. while sheep in pastoral
regions, according to the shepherds
tales, march in procession to commem-
crate the visit of the angel herds.
In the rural districts Of England If
a cock should crow during the still
ness of December night one might
hear a peasant say, "He ia soaring
away the evil spirits from the Christ
mas holy day"
In Austria and parts of northern
Germany food is prepared with great
est delicacy on Christmas eve and
placed upon tables in order that the
Virgin Mary and the angel. in passing
during the night. may not be compel
led to fast; A light is placed in win.
dow In order that the Christ child, in
traversing the streets. may not fall.
Countrymen In Poland assert that
upon Christmas night the heavens open
and the scene of Jacobs ladder is re-
enacted. TO the saints alone, howev-
er. In It visible.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
ALL IN MY SERVICE b END.

The western Indies don't refuse
Their most appropriate boons.
But With their sugar aid my Views.
Giving two tablespoons.
The nutmeg. lemon peel and mace
Each its proportion brings.
For every one | find a place
With fifty other things,
The modest ginger, all too shy r.
Boldly to make advance,
Sends n mere teaspoon just to try
My flavor to enhance.
The generous fowls with eager haste
Their tender eggs bestow
To firmly bind the luscious paste.
AS ev'ry cook must Inow.
With such ingredients rich and rare-
Matters 'twere vain to mince-
With me no other can compare.
OF buildings I'm the prince!
Punch.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Dickens Christmas
From Works Of Yulehde Author Whose
Centenary Comes In February.

An angel, speaking to a group OF
shepherds In a field; some travellers.
with eyes uplifted, following a star;
n baby In a manger.
q r
Happy. happy Christmas that can
win us back to the delusion of our
childish days; that can recall to the old
man pleasures Of his youth; that can
transport the sailor and the traveller,
thousands of miles away. back to his
own Preside and his quiet home.
b b
After diAmer Caleb sung the song
about the sparkling bowl. As I'm
living man. hoping to keep so for a
year or two, he sung II through.
A merry Christmas and a happy New
York to the old man, whatever he is!
He wouldn't take it from me, but he
may have It nevertheless.
But my song troll out for Christmas
stout.
The hearty, the true and the bold.
A bumper 1 drain and, with might and
main.
Give three cheers for this Christmas old!
Well usher him in with a merry din
That shall gladden. his joyous heart,
And we'll keep him UP while there's bite
or sup,
And in Fellowship good we'r part.
p b
We're to be together all the Christ
mas long and have the merriest time
In all the world.
He heard them give each other merry
Christmas as they parted at crossroads
and byways
Yo no, my boys! No more work to-
night. Christmas eve Dickl Christ
mas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shut
tiers up!
Christmas was at hand Fin all his
blur and hearty honesty. 1t was the
season of hospitality, merriment and
open heartedness The old year was
preparing, like an ancient philosopher
to call his friends around him and,
amid the sound of feasting and rev.
elry. to pass gently and calmly away.
r \
The tree was planted in the middle
Of a great round table and lowered
high above their heads. 1t was bril-
liantly lighted by a multitude Of little
tapers and everywhere sparkled and
glittered with bright objects.
Upon your own hearth, in Its quiet
sanctuary, surrounded by its gentle
influences and associations, hear her,
her me. hear everything that speaks
the language of your hearth and home.
We all come home or ought to come
home for a short holiday-the longer
the better-from the great boarding
school, where we are forever working
at our arithmetical states, to take and
give rest.
Holly, mistletoe. red berries, ivy, tur-
keys, geese, game, poultry, brown
meal, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, pud-
dings, fruit and punch.
& R
But bark! The waits are playing.
and they break my childish sleep.
What images do associate with the
Christmas music as I see them set
forth on the Christmas tree?
p D.
And numerous indeed are the hearts
to which Christmas brings a brief sea-
son Of happiness and enjoyment.
How many old recollections and how
many dormant sympathies does Christ
mas time awakenl
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
A Jolly christmas Game.

For a rousing Christmas game pro-
vide number of large. rosy apples
and as many trifing presents. Each
boy or girl in turn is given broad
bladed knife, with which he or she
must scoop up one piece Of fruit. Bal
ancing the apple on the knife blade. he
must walk rapidly around the room.
All those who succeed in carrying the
fruit over the prescribed course are
allowed to select one of the prizes as
reward, or n peanut may be carried
on the knife blade IL the stage man
ager prefers.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
The Minstrels Played
Their Christmas Tune

rhe minstrels played their Christmas tune
Tonight beneath my cottage caves.
While. smitten by lofty moon.
The encircling laurels, thick with leaves
Gave back rich and dazzling sheen
That overpowered their natural green.
How touching when at midnight sweep
Snow muf1ed winds and all is dark
20 hear and sink again TO sleep
Or at an earlier call to mark
BY blazing fire tho still suspense
OF self compliment innocence!
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Absolutely Safe.

You'd better fumignte these bills
before you 20 home They may be
covered with microbes" said the drug
gist one Saturday evening as he hand
ed few faded. worn and soiled silver
certificates TO his clerk. mo danger
from that source" responded the lat
ter. "A microbe could not live on a
drug clerks salary. National Month
w.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Frisco May Get 1915 Olympic Games.

Frisco May Get 1915 Olympic Games.
The delegates at the recent A. a. u.
convention decided that all national
meets for 1919 should he decided on
the coast In connection with the ex.
position over the Panama canal
George james of the Olympic club. ~ep.
resenting the Pacific association. made
an official application. ana 1t met with
universal approval. Everybody admit.
ted that the coast deserved the big ok.
lures that year. and. though the nation.
al track and field championships were
held at Portland, Ore. In 1905 and at
Seattle In 1909, the eastern athletes
will not object to another long jour.
ney
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Work For. Santa.

II wonder what Santa Claus does the
rest of the year. said Tommy.
christmas comes but once, and he
does all his work then in one night"
"Oh, guess birthdays keep him
busyI' said Annie. You know we
always get presents then"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Barry chalIenaea Ain.t.

Ernest Barry. the English profes-
sional sculling champion. has chal.
lenged Richard Arnst OF Australia, the
worlds professional champion, to race
for the title ON the Thames river, Lon1
don. for stake OF $500. allowing
SI,250 for expenses.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Cash or Credit.

Customer How much for that suit
OF clothes If pay cash?
Tailor Forty dollars. ""
Customer How much on credit7
Tailor Eighty dollars. half of It
down. Toledo Blade. Is.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
The Spirit Of
Christmas

Long years ago Shakespeare put
some fascinating words into the mouth
of Hamlet, words full of old legend
and tradition, as when he refers to the
cock Growing for Christmas" as 1t
used to be called The prince of Den.
mark says:
Some say that ever 'gainst that season
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated
The bird Of dawning singeth all night
long.
And then. they say, no spirit can walk
abroad.
The nights are wholesome. then no plan
cts strike.
No fairy takes nor witch hath power to
charm,
So hallowed and SO gracious is that time
Every one feels In that subconscious
region Of himself commonly known as
the heart that the time is really a hal.
lowed and gracious one, but his mind
may tell him that to many the time Is
not so gracious as 1t might be. Only
to the few perhaps has Christmas ever
been gracious, but there are newly
arisen classes who have not even at.
tanned unto the merriment which was
conspicuous feature of past Christ.
l.
even those born in more ample circun.
stances who would be expected to I'M
derstand these things appear to have
lost somewhat of the art of Christ.
mastide If not altogether its essential
spirit.
Good will toward men" is even now
not Of universal application, 80 that
there Is still ample room for the exer-
else Of hope. Christmas is the one
day In the year when the whole world
seems to feel a simultaneous longing
tor what might be. One who under
stands the meaning Of modern thought
has written. IAN this world is heavy
with the promise Of greater things.
and a day will come-one day In the
unending succession of days-when
beings who are now latent in our
thoughts and hidden in our loins will
stand upon this earth as one stands
upon a footstool and laugh and reach
out their hands among the stars"
This, longing for distant ideal is the
same feeling which surges over one in
the presence OF splendid sea view
Win Wlue, uuknOWu UOrlZOub. IL Is u
feeling which will not be. repressed at
the dawn of a beautiful summers day.
This spirit Of hope plays great If
not always fully recognized, part In a
successful Christmas. The spirit of
Christmas ia largely composed Of
hope. Hope is, in fact, one of those
fundamental motive forces In man
which help to make Christmas posi-
BILE to him, and a proper use of this
force will do wonders with Christmas.
A conscious effort to see the. sparkle |
Of the candles rather than the pink
grease upon the floor is another won
der worker, and the taking of DELHI |
crate thought for the morrow on the !
part of those who play Santa Claus to |
the young fails In this case to bring |
any penalties in It's train. Many have
wished after visit to the toy fairy |
lands Of Christmas:
Backward. turn backward,
Time. In your flight!
Mako me a child again
Just for tonight.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Many Ball Players Are Dentists.

Many Ball Players Are Dentists.
Dentists seem to have particuhf
fondness for playing baseball. Chance
Of the Cubs. Scanlon of Brooklyn. Dooi
Ian of Philadelphia. Hoblitzei Of Cnl
cinnati and several other players Gag
afllx the title of d. d. s. to their namef
II they choose.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Chinese Chess Champion.

Rudolph SEE. the young Chinese
chess player OF the University Of
Pennsylvania. who last winter startled
the experts of the Franklin Chess
club by his victories over them. has
been chosen president of the Univer.
sity Chess club in place of Norman It.
Whitaker. who has entered George
town university.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Photo by American Press Association
Talbot Taylor PendIeton of Berkeley
Springs. w va. member of the class
of 1913. was recently elected captain
OF the Princeton football team. Pen.
dleton in his first year at Princeton
was captain of the freshman football
team. He played quarterback on the
1911 eleven.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
A Home MiIlenriun,.

when your wife sees this portrait
OF herself. my dear SIR. she will bs
simply dumb with delight" a
Then paint me one to hang in
every room in the house, Baltimore
American
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Elaborate Prizes For oIymplaa.

The prizes for the Olympic games. to
be held In Stockholm, Sweden, next
year. are to he of no very great intrin'
sic value. but are somewhat elaborate
and consist of diplomas. bronze statu.
airy. medals and cups. The honor Of
winning an event is looked upon as
the chief essential. and the prizes are
secondary consideration.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

The United States government
sold in London $4,000 seal pets
from the Behring sea for $5o8seSS.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
A Number Of Ball Players Arc Farme,

A Number Of Ball Players Are Farmer
Cy Young. Walter johnson, Grover
Cleveland Alexander and Otey Gran
dali. stars among the pitchers. are all
real farmers. Young owns Ohio farms
johnson Kansas ranch. Alexander q
Nebraska farm. and Crandall is buying
Indiana land as fast as he can
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Who Win Coach Olympic Teamf

The question of who will be selected
to coach the American athletes who
will represent this country at next
years Olympic games in Stockholm.
Sweden. is causing considerable discus
sion just now. Mike Murphy of the
University of Pennsylvania, who
looked after the team that went to the
English games in 1908. has several
rivals this year for the job.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

MAS TUNE.
The mutual nod. the grave disguise
OF hearts with gladness brimming DER
And some unbidden tears that rise
For names once heard and heard no
more,
Tears frightened by the serenade
For infant In the cradle laid.
Hail, ancient manners-sure defense
Where they survive of wholesome laws.
Remnants OF love whose modest sense
Thus into narrow room withdraws
Hail, usages of pristine mold
And ye that guard them. mountains old!
William Wordsworth.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Famous Curriers' to Meet In Winnipeg.
Scottish curriers' will reach Winnipeg.
Man. Feb. 8. and II will now be pos.
sible to have the opening of the big in.
ternntional bonsplel Feb 0. or Eve
days ahead of the time agreed upon at
the annual meeting of the curling as.
sociation,
The change of date will be a wei.
come one to curriers'. in this country, as
the date originally decided on was
somewhat too late to insure good ice
for the big competitions.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Don't you feel lonely, Mrs. Het
gins, now that vonr children have
all left your" asked the settlement
worker.
Yes, Miss, l do feel lonesome,
replied the old lady. "I've brought
up large family and here | an1
living alone. misses 'em an
wants 'em; but Ismisscs 'em mord
than ! wants EN-. p Boston Tram
script.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Yale to Have eras, Diamond In Ca

Yale to Have Grass Diamond In Gage.
Plans are on foot at Yale to have a
grass diamond laid out in the baseball
cage for the use of candidates for next
springs nine in their midwinter prac
tice. Such diamond would be an In.
novation. All hard door diamonds have
disadvantages which cannot be over.
come, and feeders actually secure but
little results from such practice.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
British No More.

British No More.
pittsburgh is no longer an English
town"
What do you meanY'
1T can't drop its HI any more"--
New York Press.
AZ the SI<inflints Boarding House.
Hostess How do you dnd the meat,
Mr.. Jonesr
Mr. Jones-oniy by the greatest per-
severancel-London Opinion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
chanqinq tho Treatment.

Changing tho Treatment.
Doctor. am feeling worse today"
Then stop taking the pills | pre-
scribed for you"
But haven't taken any yet"
Then take some."-Stray Stories.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Ottawa says sSI 1913 immigranti
entered Canada during the FIRST eighI
months Of the current fiscal year.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23
Missing No Opportunity.

Missing No Opportunity.
Jonah had just emerged from the
whale.
Mister" said the small boy who was
waiting. twill ye please give mo yer
ewponT'-Chicago Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-23

Elm Tree Press. Fine Printing