davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
ALL ABOUT THE MlSTLETOE
Popular Christmas Plant Is Parasite
and in Olden Times Was Con-
sidered Sacred.

Although in the majority of Ameri-
displayed at Christmas time, it is re-
markable how little is known of this
curious plant Mistletoe is a para.
site growth, appearing most frequent.
ly on apple trees, although it is also
found on evergreens and on poplar.
hawthorn, pear and oak trees, but
very rarely on the last named. 1t is
an evergreen bush, about four feet
in length, thickly crowded with
branches and leaves. Unlike all 9TH
er plants, its leaves extend down as
we'll as up. The plant flowers every
year, but does not bear the little whit.
ish berries until it is four years old.
The mistletoe proper is native OF
Europe, especially of England and
Normandy. In olden times it was con.
sidered a sacred plant, because its
berries grow in clusters of three
emblematic of the Trinity. The an
cient Celts used to hang sprigs Of
mistletoe around their necks as a
safeguard from witches. The maid
that was not caught and kissed under
the mistletoe at Christmas would not
be married within the year, so the
tradition goes. According to the old
rules the ceremony was not properly
performed unless berry was pulled
off after each kiss and presented to
the maiden. When all the berries
were gone the privilege ceased
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Will Teach Physical Culture in
s.ra CHEYENNE,

Tom Ray departed Monday even
ing for Oral, S. d., where he will
visit his brother Bert few days
before going to Cheyenne, Wyom-
ing, where he has been offered the
position as director of physical
culture and athletics in the Parish
Club House of that city. This fine
new position was secured for him
through Dr. H. l.. Golf, formerly of
this city. About 200 young men
form the Parish Club and they own
an elegant building fully equipped
with gymnasium, baths, reading
rooms and everything that is neces-
sary to modern club house. The
Parish Club is backed by the most
influential men of Cheyenne. This
position will pay salary of 800
raise. Tom will also have a
without interfering with his work.
Tom Ray is self made man,
perfectly developed physically. He
has lived all his life on a farm
southwest of this city and has been
hard worker. Dissipation has al
ways been his foe. He has never
chewed or smoked tobacco, drank
liquor or coffee or made a practice
of keeping late hours. He is recog-
nized for miles as clean man. He
has had about fifty wrestling
matches with men in his class (wel-
ter-weight) and has never lost
single match. Tom is twenty-seven
years old and weighs one hundred
and fifty pounds. His many friends
in this city wish him all kinds of
good luck and success in his new
home and new position--Lamoni
Chronicle
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

in the wind, deep dimples at the cor
ners of her mouth, and the swift
flashing smile that eyes and mouth
and dimples Joined in. Yet it had
been more than beauty that had held
him true through the years. There
had been a look in her eyes, a look
of abiding faith and clean, straight
honor, that he had loved and trusted.
The memory of that look had brought
him back over the sea, to find her
this Christmas and tell her that now
he could claim her.
Bob! Stolid, good old Bob. While
he had been playing globe trotter,
trying to catch the flying heels of a
madcap, hayward fortune, Bob had
stayed quietly at home and won the
girl he loved.
There in the dingy, chilly interior
of the old hack Give fought out his
battle with himself He would be
game, he said; he would not mar
their happiness with one word or
look. He could not go back. There
was his mother. He could not give
up seeing her merely because Fate
had given him knockout blow, not
exactly in the solar plexus, but a
tritie to the left.
"All out" shouted the driver jovial-
Iy, pulling up short before the great
old mansion on the hill, with it's bar
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
VIEW OF VILI4ISCA CRIME KILLS
NEIGHBOR WOMAN.
Mrs. ID. Peckham First One to See
Awful Butchery in the Moore
Home Last June.

Mrs. D. Peckham, of Villisca, died
at Bozeman, Montana, the ninth vic
tim of the terrible tragedy which
shocked the people of this part of the
state last June, when Mr.. and Mrs.
J. B. Moore and four children and
two visiting children were butchered
in the Moore home by murderer to
whose identity no clew has ever been
found.
Mrs. Peckham resided with her
family next door to the Moore home
and was the first person to view the
awful sight.
The woman never recovered from
the shock and it was hoped that a
change of scene would restore her
to health again.
She left Villsca on December
accompanied by her son, Earnest,
and daughter Hattie, and her Son-in-
law, Dr.. E. c. Hugh.
The change of scene did not seem
to benefit the woman and she grad
ually grew weaker until death car
ried her away.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Just What He Meant.

Your toys are very pretty, but the
prices are too high" objected the GUS
toner. ..~.....-
"Why, look at that drum for $6.48.
You can't beat it at the price," pro-
tested the dealer.
II believe that ia what I intimated
in my remark" said the customer.
Variety.
"What'll you have fob yoh breakfas'
boss?" asked the waiter in a very
small town. .
what have you?" 49,.
yves only got three breakfas
Dishes" l
What are they?"
eggs, bacon an eggs, an bacon :
Washington Star.
He Knew His Business.
Proprietor Of Millinery Store-Why
didn't that lady buy anything?
New Assistant--Because we hadn't
got what she wanted. u. y
Proprietor You'll kindly remember
in future, miss, that you're here to
sell what ! keep, and not what people
want!- London Opinion. q 8t
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

sweeping over him. 1t was only q
little quaint Christmas carol that Fay
had always loved. Years ago, when
she had first come to live with them.
little forlorn kiddie, orphaned and
with no one but his father to act as
guardian, she had loved that carol,
and always sang it at holly time. He
heard her voice now and gripp6d his
hands as he listened.
Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth and mercy mild"
She saw his figure reelected in the
tall mirror and rose with BALI.
frightened cry.
Don't, DEAR" he said, brokenly,
hurrying to meet her. He forgot
Bob and all he had heard. and saw
only her. Il just got in-nobody
knows l am here yet-why, dear
dear"
She was sobbing on his shoulder
her hands, wrenched from his grasp
held his head against her cheek
Give saw she was dressed in white
soft satin that crushed under his
clasp like bruised flowers; he felt
he was robbing Bob, and yet there in
the dear old room they both knew so
we'll, in the tender winter gloom, he
held her close, and kissed her-lips
hair, wet eyelids-and forgot all ex.
cept the splendor Of the might have
been.
They won't miss YOU" she man.
aged to say finally, pushing back his
face and holding it in her hands at
a safe distance. I'm so sorry-but
you see was thinking OF you, and
and wanting to see you so. and then
suddenly l looked, and you were here,
right here, with me-"
And too late" he added bitterly.
ooh. no, you're not, Clive," she
flashed back earnestly. ''They haven't
been married yet"
"They? Who?"
Bob and Gretchen"
"Gretchen! Who the devil is
Gretchen? l beg your pardon, Fay
you don't know what I've suffered
isn't Bob going to marry your
She looked at him for moment
in utter shocked silence, then laugh
ed her old ringing, gay laugh that he
loved.
Il marry Bob-Bob? You silly,
silly"
GO ahead. Call me what you
like. Who's this person Gretchen.
anyway"
She's my cousin, Gretchen Law
renee. She came to spend her sum.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Who Said 1t?
with

Dean Smith is credited with
Bread is the Staff of Life"
1t was Keats who said. "A thing
Of beauty is a JOY forever
Man proposes. but God dis.
poses,' remarked Thomas attempts
Franklin is authority for God
helps those who help themselves
1t was an observation OF Thomas
Southern that "Pity's akin to love. y
We are indebted to Colley Cibber,
not to Shakespeare, for Richard is
himself again.
Edward Coke, the English jurist,
was of the opinion that, "A mans
house is his castle"
when Greek joins Greek, then is
Nathaniel Lee in 1902.
Edward Young tells us, Death
loves shining mark and "A fool
at forty is fool indeed
"Variety's the spice of life and
mot much the worse for wear were
coined by Cowper.
Charles Pinkney gave the patriot
ic sentiment, millions for defense,
but not one cent for tribute"
"Of the two evils | have chosen
the less. and, The end must JuStl-
fly the means" are from Matthew
Prior
To Milton we owe, The paradise
-of FOOLS" "A wilderness Of sweets"
and "Moping melancholy and moon
struck madness.
The poet Campbell found that
Coming events cast their shadows
before and "Tis distance lends en-
chantment to the view
Christopher Morlowe gave forth
the invitation so often repeated by
his brothers is less public way,
Love me little, love me long
To DR.. Johnson belongs, "a good
hater," and to Macintosh, in 1901,
the phrase, SO often attributed to
John Randolph, wise and mastery
inactivity"
First in war, first in peace, and
first in the hearts of his fellow citi-
zens'' (not his countrymen) appear
ed in the resolutions presented to
the house of representatives in De-
cember, 1899, by General Henry
Southern Christian Advocate
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Christmas Plum Puddino.

Christmas Plum Pudding.
The Christmas plum pudding is de.
scended from the plum porridge and
is time-honored dish at every
Christmas feast. To be properly
made, each person in all the house.
hold must stir it before it is boiled
and the mistress of the house must
add the spices with her own fair
hand" and SO she favors fortune for
a year. If she is an American and
mixes her pudding in an ancient china
bowl, stirring it with as ancient a
spoon, whose handle is adorned with
an old English crest, so much the bet
ter, for in the new land she is help
ing to keep alive the customs that
made old England merrie.
The pudding should be boiled in a
well-houred cloth six hours upon the
day of mixing, six hours upon the day
of eating, and the steam should not
cease to arise from the pot while the
pudding is within it, II
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
MistIetoe and the Drujds,

The custom. of, decorating strategic
points in the household with sprigs OF
mistletoe at Christmas dates far back
to the time of the Druids, who held
the little plant in great" veneration.
At the approach of their winter festi-
val, twigs of 1t were placed above the
doors of their houses to serve as tails.
mans and signs to the sylvan deities
that shelter and comfort awaited them
within.
Present-day customs relating to mis-.
tletoe represent the evolution Of the
Druidical legend.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

gagement. H e
had no right to
ask a girl to mar
ny him when he
was only a young
cub just out Of
college with his
standing to win
first. But she had
known, ali, but
she had known
we'll where he
stood, and how
he loved her. He
could see her
now, small and
slender at s tx
teen, still in
short skirts, her
dark curls flying
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

lllCl a - q Y ~ IL
with me, and Bob
fell in love with
her. That's all,
Give"
"Ah?" civ e
sighed and drew
her into his arms
a 6 in. T h e y
would make it a
double wedding
just to pay him
back for the mis-
cry of the last
half hour. Yes.
they would. And
he'd go back and
punch that old
fellows h e a d
down at the sta
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

ton for not telling him 1t was
Gretchen Lawrence instead of Fay.
"Oh, Give, let me co." she whis-
pered. They're all at dinner. ana
you know your mother"
Il know all about it," said Give,
comfortably. He raised her chin
gently and looked into the dear, true
eyes he had trusted. Fay did not
know all that lay behind that look.
how, mentally, he knelt in all humil-
ity and asked for forgiveness. Yet
all he said was:
II forgot to wish you Merry Christ
mas, dear"
xs,* :s
g>s:NS
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

ed rooms. and turned quietly around
to the side door that he had had oc-
casion to use many time before
when he had been out late larking.
It was unlocked, and there was no
one In sight. It was still early. about
$50. Probably the family was at
dinner. Yet some one was playing
softly IN the long music room south Of
tho library. He stood in the iinliy
Nghted hall listening old memories
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

rlcade OF tall pines,
heavy now with
snow. wish I was
in Bob Patterson's
b cots toni 6 hit.
Turned on some
illumination didn't
they? And, oh,
listen to the band.
Thank you, sir.
That gives the mis-
sus and kids at
home q little ex-
ira celebration"
Give picked up
his two suit cases
and swung up the
gravel path, hest
tated at sight of
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Christina. Presents.

II thought it better to get you some
thing useful" said Mr.. Dobb to his
wife. so I have bought you couple
of good brooms for your Christmas
present"
THAT was very thoughtful Of you,
my dear" replied Mrs. Dobb. 7 share
your ideas, and have bought a good.
strong coal-scuttle for yon to carry up
Goals from the cellar In;
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

UST in time for the
W e d d ing, Give.
Wish you merry
Christmas! Gee,
but it's bully to
see you home again.
Three years since
you walked on this
old platform, wait
ing for the down
train. How have
they treated you
down east?'
Fine, t h a II k s !,
Mr.. Dunkley,' Give
answered heartily.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Stuck to His End Of the Cams.

Rupert Hughes. author Of Excuse
Me- has been engaged in writing
plays since he was nine years old, at
which age he not only wrote play,
but starred in it. The premiere Of the
first Hughes play netted 80 cents, and
it enjoyed a considerable run. but In
the end the stars older brother kept
all but so cents of the total receipts
Since then Mr.. Hughes limited his en-,
.deavors to writing.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

There are now on the government
pension rolls $4,000 soldiers and
sailors, 321,932 dependents and
widows, and 1862 army nurses, ac-
cording to the annual report of the
pension bureau, made public recent
ly. These include 497,263 survivors
of the civil war and 238 widows Of
the war of 1912. To provide for all
of them this year $151, 55S,141 has
been appropriated, decrease. of
$3,27S,O90 from last year. The total
number of pensioners under the gen
eral pension laws is S3S,210, their
pensions aggregating $144,97S,569.
and under special acts of congress
22O.S4O aggregating $6,5S4,572 an
nually. From the foundation of the
government to June 80, last, the
United States paid S4,3S3,36S,1 64 in
pensions to soldiers, sailors and ma
rines, their widows, minor children
and dependent relatives on account
of military and naval service in the
various wars and in regular service.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Ghrtatntas GArnnulugy

Qhrtstn1aa GArnnulngy
3O6-Diocletion slaughtered 20, 600
Christians.
$685.. Augustine baptized 10, 600
Saxons in Kent.
79O-Ofa. King of Mercia. in battle
Nth Welsh
8OO-Charleuagne crowned Emperor,
by Pope Leo III. in Rome.
878-ADIed the Great defeated BY
Guthrun. the Dane. at
Chippenham.
IO65-Westminster Abbey consecrated
iapresence of Queen Edgitha.
IO66-WiNion, the Conqueror c'ovned
at Westminster.
II7I-Hen,y II. entertained Ish
Chieffains at Dublin. "
II9O-Richard the Lion Heart teasted
Crusaders at Sicily.
I4I7-Si, John Oldcastlc burned q,
Lolard heretic.
I428-Tuce at siege of Orleans to
observe Christmas.
I492-Columbu. s ship, Santa Maria,
wrecked at Hayh.
I5z2-Ca,dinal Wolsey. insulted by
Gay's Inn reoels, throws
two men into prison.
I62O-Pilgrim, building first house at
Plymouth.
I642-Si, Isaac Nevton born.
I644-Chnstma, kept as a fast day by
English Puitans.
I647-Chnstnas celebration prohibited
BY Parliament. "
I659-Generoi Count of Massachusetts
prohibits celebration on pen
atty of fine.
I72O-Wiliam Collins. poet. born.
Iz73-Tea ship in New York sent
back to England.
I775-Arnold and Montgomery at
siege of Quebec.
I776-Washington crossed the Dela-
ware to attack Trenton.
I777-Wa,hngton's army starved at
Valley Forge.
I785-Shay's rebellion started in
Massachusetts.
I837-Zacha:y Taylor defeated Semi
noles near Big Water Lake
in Florida.
I848-Col. Doniphon and american
Volunteers defeated Meri-
cans under Gen. Ponce de
Leon at Brazito.
I85|-Libray of Congress in ruins
from fire.
I86O-Coldcst Christmas In England
I864-Union fleet and amy attacked
Fort Fisher. but withdrew.
I86o-Yach Henrietta ended ocean
race from New York to
Cowes.
|868-Pre,ident Johnson issued p,ocla-
nation of general and I'm
conditional amnesty.
I87I-Pad, in distres, Nth German
amy surrounding city.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
No vocal Trainino.

Newlywed-Why don't you get mar
risd, Singleton? Married life Is one
Uand sweet song: S 81
ySingleton--My voice isn't educated
/ Ups to It
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19
Electric Light Meeting at Weldon.

A meeting of the citizens of We'll
don was held Monday evening at the
Woodman hall, and Mr.. Smith Of
the Leon Electric Co. met with them.
The company are building line
to Garden Grove and Humeston and
have their line within three miles
south of Weldon and there is move
on here to get them to extend their
lines to Weldon
The meeting was quite an enthus-
iastc one and was well attended,
Mr.. Smith explaining the matter,
making estimates as to cost of main
tainance, etc. There was a straw
ballot taken in the hall and every
one present favored very much the
proposition. 1t is expected that the
council will at an early date call an
election to vote the company a fran
chise. 1t would be a fine thing to
have the town electrically lighted
and the power and light for resi-
dences would be very convenient.
There is not much doubt but what
it will carry should it be put to a
vote.-Weldon American.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-05
LIGHTS KEEP HENS AWAKI:
Street Lamps Bring GrasshopperS.
and Greedy Fowls Stay Up
to Eat.

Oklahoma City.--.John Sherwin, liz.
ing at 25th street and Shartel avenue.
has asked the city commissioners 10
have the street lights turned off g.:
midnight for rather uncommon req.
son.
Il want the lights turned off," said
he. 80 my chickens can get some
sleep"
Sherwin declares thai every nigh
his chickens go out under the big
electric light at the corner and feast
on the grasshoppers that are attracted
by the big lamp that swings over the
middle Of the street He has made
repeated attempts to drive them back
to rocst. but they cannot be induced
to leave the feast. !,
Sometimes the chickens remain up
all night" said Sherwin, and go back
to roost about daylight. They are
drowsy all day and the hens do not
lay"
Sherwin blames dissIpated old
rooster for the decentralization of his
flock He says the rooster was out
late one night and discovered the
grasshoppers. He CALAMITY called thu
hens and they left the roost to answer.
Since then the hens have waited each
night for the light to be turned on and
the feast it brings them
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-05
Consumpdyes Helped by
tuberculosis Medicine

It Is folly to believe that CONSUMPTION
differs from every other disease In not
requiring the use Of any medicine Tor
its treatment. For number OF years
full testimonials from persons who consider
that they owe their lives to Eckmans
Alternative, a medicine for tuberculosis.
has been accommodating. Surely plenty OF
time to demonstrate its lasting value. You
can write tc any. OF them. Here is one:
1923 Girard Ave, Phila., Pa.
Gentlemen: In the winter of 1908
had an attack of Grippe followed by
Pneumonia and later by Consumption.
grew steadily worse. In the winter OF
1901 had couch night sweats. fever and
raised quantities Of awful-looking stun
aud later | had Many hemorrhages; ut
one time three in three successive days.
Milk and eggs became so dstasteful /
could keep nothing down. Three physi-
clans treated me. was ordered to the
mountains. but did not go. Eckman's AL
terative was recommended by n friend.
After taking 4 small quantity, l had the
first quiet nights sleep for weeks. My
Improvement was marked from the first.
] gained strength and weight and appe-
tito. never Ind another hemorrhacc and
my cough gradually lessened until en-
t:rely gone. I am perfectly well. Every
thin" | say here can be verified by my
family AMI friends
(SwOrn andaviD ANNE +. LOUGHRAN.
Eckman's Alternative Is effective in Bron-
chitiS. Asthma, Hay Fever; Throat and
Lung Troubles. and in upbuIiding. the
system Docs not contain poisons, onihtes
or habit forming drugs. Ask for booklet
Laboratory, Philadelphia Pa. for more evil
dence. For sale by all leading druggists
Hudson's Pharmacy, Alexandria,
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-05
WOMAN PULLS Down
A STRAY BALL00FI
Bounced Across Porch When Sh :,
Seized Rope Trai|ed From
Unmanagab!e Diriglb!e.

Chicagc.-Mrs. Walter R. Smith, c.
1920 South State street. was croonN /;
her baby tc sleep late the other after
noon on her improvised roof garden
the top Of a rear shed-when she
heard a series Of yells from IT, =:
street. High overhead she saw a I'D
foot dirigible balloon, in which were
two men yelling a little louder sha2
the zoo in the street.
Mrs Smith saw by 'he frantic geS-
lures of the balloonists that the per-
Torrance was not being staged for
her benefit A moment later she saw
a heavy cable, hanging from the dirigi-
BILE, come dragging over the fence
directly toward her roof garden. The
balloonists redoubled their yells
Mrs. Smith promptly laid her babE
On the floor, rubbed her hands brisk
ly. and when the cable reached he
roof garden made jump for 1t. Tic
200 pound balloon dragged her, kick
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-05

thing gave, and she fell to the floo'
with another thud. She caught al.
other grip, gave another yank, and the
balloon dropped easily down into .
nest of telephone wires.
About then the 200 shouting specta-
!ors decided it was safe to offer their
assistance, and came running into the
yard to hold the balloon down. Tho
woman was before them, and helped
the badly scared men. Horace 3. WilG
and his engineer, John De Courcey
tc extricate themselves. They ha,!
lost control of the big ship and were
in danger OF coliding with a building
with unpleasant consequences.
Mrs. Smith looked them over casual
ly, saw they were not hurt, and rc
turned to her baby, picked it up, ana
walked into the house as if pulling
down a seven passenger dirigiblc
with $1,000 cubic feet Of gas, YVES on5
Of her every day diversions. ThG
men she rescued hurried after her ant
overwhelmed her with thanks.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-05
VIRGINIA.:

VIRGINIA.:
In the Clerks Office OF the Corpora
ion Court OF the City OF Alexandria,
on the 10th day Of October, 1912.
Horace a. Mudd.
vs.. In Chancary,
Goldie e. Hicks Mudd.
Memo
The object OF this suit 10 to obtain
for the complainant. Horace n. Mudd
on absolute divorce from the bonds OF
matrimony from the defendant. Goldie
e Hicks Mudd, on the ground of adul-
terry: and for such further and general
relief as to equity is right.
1t appearing by an affidavit filed IN
this cause that the defendant. Goldie
e. Hicks Mudd Is nonresident of this
state: 1t is Ordered, That said de-
PENDANT appear here within fifteen
days after due publication of this or
der. and do what is necessary to pro-
tcct her interest in this suit, and that
Il COPY OF this order be forthwith IN
serted in the Alexandria Gazette. Il
newspaper published in the City Of AL
cxandra. once week for four success
sivc weeks and posted at the front
door OF the Court House of this city.
ROBINSON MONCURE, 7. Y.
4 Copy:-Tcste.
NEWELL S. GREENAWAY. Clerk