davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Christmas Treasures.

! count my treasures Ger with care
A little toy that baby knew,
A little sock Of faded hue,
A little lock of golden hair.
Long years ago this Christmas time
My little one-my all to me
Sat robed in white upon my knee
And heard the merry Christmas chime.
'"Tell me, my little golden head.
If Santa Claus should ON tonight,
What shall he bring my baby bright.
What treasure for my boy?" I said.
And then he named the little toy.
While in his round and truthful eyes
There came a ook Of glad surprise
That spoke his trustful. childish joy.
And as he lisped his evening prayer
He asked the boon with baby grace,
And. toddling to the chimney place,
He hung his little stocking there.
That night as lengthening shadows crep
saw the white winged angels come
With music to our humble home
And kiss my darling as he slept.
He must have heard that baby prayer,
Fol in the morn, with glowing face.
He todd|ed to the chimney place
And found the little treasure there.
They came again one ~Christmastide.
mat anger most So lar anu Wulte,
And. singing all the Christmas night.
They lured my darling from my side.
A little sock. a little toy.
A little lock of golden hair,
The Christmas music o the air.
A-watching for my baby boy.
But If again that angel train
And golden head come back for me
To bear me to eternity
Ny watching will not be in vain.
Eugene Field.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Christmas Eve.
The boar of time where the frost's gray

The hoar of time where the frost's gray
rime
In fantastic glamour lies:
A sheen of light on the cleaning white
That mirrors the spangled skies;
A great cold star in the heavens afar
And a moon trail on the hills:
The earth instilled with an awe fulfilled
And the night with music thrilled.
The carolers sing as the church bells ring,
While up in the organ loft
The sage owls Groom as the calm. sweet
une
Comes swelling. but ever soft.
The message flies through the changing
skies
By changing time and tongue.
But ever the same as the tale that came
The shepherd men among,
Where the mistletoe and the laurel bough
And the holly and bay are twined. .
Where the hearth fire CLEANS as in an
Gent dreams.
One age is but in mind.
Al in modern dreams the hearth fire
CLEANS.
So, under the easement still.
The carolers sing as the tower tongues
swing
Mans peace and Gods good will.
Stephen Chalmers.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
CHRISTMAS IN BENTON'S DAY
Jessie Benton Frsmont's Description OF
a Celebration Of Long Ago.

Jessie Benton FTemonts Description OF
Celebration Of Long Ago.
The Christmas of eighty years ago
was once described by Mrs. Jessie
Benton Fremont. wife Of General
John &. Fremont and daughter OF
Thomas II. i:enton. The time was
that of President JarkSon's admins
tration. and the SCENE was Mrs. Ben
son's ancestral home. e Staun-
. II. Va.
Grouped about the roaring log tre
ere Mrs. Ecn:nn's father and mother.
.larSelf and her two little girls. of
whom Jessie WAS one. The ma: her Is
r%eatlin:. to- the grandfather. and a
black servant. Uncle Ralph" Is hover
ing almu, Hn! rrp!rnish:ny tn" fire,
The children w"r not to make a
sound, for it wo,id disturb grandfa-
ther. And new We will let tl.r future
Mrs. Fremont tell her W story:
"1magine. then. the strong impress
sion made on me by the upset of all
this ordered calm. Noises came from
the front door. noises of horses and OF
people. cheerful. vigorous noises of
snow stamped off. laughing and the
thump of baggage.
"And our mother was actually run
ming into the hall, while my GRANDPA
Their. not minding the noise. but look
ing all pleased. was standing up and
holding out his hands to the big man
in the showed on clothes! For it was
our father, our dear, loving father,
who had come to US for Christmas and
brought a big trunk full of Christmas
gifts for everybody.
II can see it all so well.
"The opening Of that trunk took
/ place in the warm rooms that my
grandfather, too, might see. We, lib"
Grated imps. laughed and noised all
we wanted without rebuke over oul
two big wax dolls-'London dolls'-anG
there was a London cloak for my moth
er, Of black silk lined with fur.
"But the feature Of the presents tc
us after our dolls was the oranges
my father had brought. carefully
wrapped and packed warmly in the
trunk for our sick grandfather.
"A smile that is very close to tears
rises as I remember our gathering In
admiring silence about those oranges
I can see my mothers beautiful hands
as she carefully peeled and divided
one into slim little sections, when We
all solemnly took each n bit. the
peel carefully saved to flavor things.
This ia what l see yet. But new
feelings stirred in me even then ani
grew and went on growing as l learn
ed later all that sudden, brief visit
through the stormy winter weather
meant"
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
HUNT THE WHISTLE.

Play this in small numbers, excluding
the majority of the party till the trick
(for trick it ISL has been performed
upon all who declare they don't know
the game. Blindfold one of the party
and let the rest sit in a circle just as
II "hunt the slipper were to be play
ed. While the blindfolding process is
being done tie a whistle to some por-
ton of the dress Of the blindfolded
one. Let it hang at the end Of a long
piece of string. The game consists in
the circle Of players getting hold of
the whistle and blowing it, while the
blindfolded one has to guess who has
It. OF course directly he has discover
ed the trick it car be played upon an
other less a
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
PRETTY CHRISTMAS TABLE.
An Old Fashioned Party For the Chill
dren.

An Old Fashioned Party For the Chill
dren.
The arrangement of a table at a
Yuletide party was quite unusual. in
asmuch as it was an old fashioned
square one, heightened to accommo-
date twelve children. It was pushed
back against the wall, and at the back
was the largest sized Yule log candy
box, resting on a bed Of holly and mis-
tletoe.
On top Of the log was a doll dressed
as a Jester, called the Lord Of Mis-
rule" and attached to the front end
Of the log by red ribbons were six
dolls dressed to represent the first six
months of the year. Following after
the log were six more figures dressed
like the last six months. At each plate
were a holly paper covered horn and a
wee tree lit with red wax tapers.
The children were to blow out the
candles, making a wish for each n
If they go out with the very first puff
the wish will come true. A white and
red Christmas ribbon goes to each
plate, fastened by a spray of holly.
Then each child looks at the dolls and
says which one he or she thinks rep
resents the month in which they were
born.
If there should be two in the same
month the one who is the oldest gets
the doll for that month. As there is
one for each guest, a satisfactory ad-
justment is easily made. The Yule log
also contains small favors for each
guest.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
CHRlsTMAsY TRIPLES.
Make Somebody Happy BY Giving
Her a ReticuIe,

NsoNO SOs'sS0J '@FP1
Her a Reticuls.
Every Christmas needleworker this
sear IL making a reticule sfOr some
body. There Ia a craze at present for
these graceful bags. and styles range
from simple affairs Of linen for use
with next summers frocks to the most
elaborate bags Of satin and gold lace.
to he carried with opera and theater
eS~Nh,mes. Such a bag, II It is to be
successful must lie fashioned with the
very best of materials. and a really
handsome bag Of this sort may easily
cost 81 or S. for the materials alone,
though the finished models in the
shops. especially the imported models,
are tremendously expensive. The
handsomest r~eticules are made Of
heavy. soft satin. yelled with gold
lace or metallic net and ornamented
with the tiny ribbon flowers which
may be bought all ready to apply.
Simpler bags Of satin. embroidered
with silk or chenille and braided with
gold or silver cord. are very effective
also, and most dainty theater bags
may be made Of Dresden ribbon, lined
with soft. heavy satin in a delicate
pastel tint. The large reticule is al
ways perfectly fat in shape and Is
usually in envelope style, with one
side buttoning over the other at the
top. A thin strip Of whalebone should
be inserted inside the lining across
the top Of such a r~eticule.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Economy,

''Write mi a check. Alfred, to buy
Christmas presents with"
snake it as small rs you al this
time. dear: How much must you have
to buy presents for the children, your
mother, the maid and the rest"
with less than $75."
"Nonsense! Well. at least leave out
the present for me! Figure it again
I don't want anything"
"a long pause. during which the wife
makes a new computation.)
SWELL, Alfred. it's now $74.25"-Flie-
gende Blatter.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
EASongof Christmas
! By JAMES WnTCOMB RILEY

- HANT me a rime Of Christmas.
Sing me a jovial song,
And. though 1t IL filled wit
laughter.
Let it be pure and strong.
Sing Of the hearts brimmed we
With the story Of the day.
OF the echo Of childish voices
That will not die away.
OF the blare Of the tasseled bugle
And the timeless clatter and beat
OF the drum that throbs to muster
~Equadrons OF scampering feet.
But, oh, let your voice fall fainter
Till, blent with a minor tone,
You temper you son with the beauty
OF the pity Christ hath shown.
And sing one verse for the voiceless
And yet, ere h son be done.
A verse for the ears that hear not
And a verse for the sightless one.
For, though it be time for singing
A merry Christmas glee.
Let a low, sweet voice of pathos
Run through the melody.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18

! The Dutch Patrol :
| By EDMUND CLARENCE STtDMAN .

HEN Christmas eve IL ended
just at the moon of night.
M Rare things are seen by morta
THAI nave the second sight.
In st. Marks churchyard then
They see the shape arise
OF him who ruled Eieuw Amsterdam
And here in slumber lies.
His face beneath the close black cap
Has q martial look and grim.
On either side his locks fall wide
To the broad collars rim.
His sleeves are slashed: the velvet coat
Is fashioned Hollandese
Above his fustian breeches. trimmed
With scarf knots at the knees.
His leg Of flesh is hosed in silk:
His wooden leg Is bound.
As we'll BELTS a conQueror's. .%5
With silver bands around. 49,
He reads the lines that mark &"
His tablet on the wall.
Where boldly 'Petrus ~Stuyvesant"
Stands out beyond them all.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Quaint Effects In Pineushions.

QUAINT EHectS III Plncu3ntonS.
A %charmingly quaint little pincush-
ion and one that can easily be made
by the girl who can handle a needle,
IL the Brownie cushion. Hunt up one
Of your long neglected friends, the
ping pong ball, and with watercolors
paint u weird looking face upon It.
Then take a piece of sateen the color
you wish to dress Brownie in and cut
It five inches long by three inches
wide. Sew this tightly at each end to
form ears that stand away from the
head and gather the rest up behind to
make the little baldheaded cap. then
paint in a little fringe of hair to peep
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Christmas Compassion,

Christmas is the n day of the year
when we remember the failures. the
men and women who have fallen short
Of the mark, the human derelicts. In
the fierce commercial race we crowd
these to the wall without thought and
without conjunction for 364 days Of
the year. but through the Salvation
Army and other charitable agencies
rive them dole on the three hundred
md sixty-ifth. Well, it is good that
We catch even that much of the Christ
spirit for one brief day.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
MAS.

Christmas comes but once a year.
Let's enjoy it while it's here.
Eat your turkey without fear.
Never pause to shed a tear.
Should you feel a trifle queer
After wings or running gear.
Neck and bishops nose y-fere,
Take a pill a rAleck Thweatt.
He who dares to eat
Waff1es, cakes or sausage meat,
Nothing sour, nothing sweet:
Lives a week on shredded corn.
Never smoked since he was born;
Waters all he v e drinks:
Living low, he highly thinks.
Christmas turkey, Christmas pie,
Christmas pudding. Christmas sigh!
Merry Christmas! Merry week!
Happy New Year! Very meek!
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Christmas In Bethlehem,

Christmas in the Holy Land is an in
teresting experience. Indeed, it is one
never to be forgotten. and every Christ
mas thousands Of persons from all over
the world make a journey to Palestine
in order to witness the various cere-
monies held there during the festive
season. Every one almost puts up at
Jerusalem and on Christmas morning
makes his way to Bethlehem, which
as the crow flies, over a range Of hills.
No highway the world over presents
such a motley crowd as may be seen
streaming along this thoroughfare ear
" on Christmas morning.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
The Yuletide Gift

A favorile poem made into a booklet
makes Il charming gift.
A fiat leather prnwiper for his desk
makes III appropriate souvenir for the
business man Or woman.
A bodkin cas- with three bodkins Is
a useful Christmas gift for the needle
woman.
A homemade booklet of a dozen re-
liable chatting dish recipes will be
priced by the housewife.
A blotter. the upper side made Of a
picture postcard of yourself. is a sim.
pie yet valued gift for an intimate
friend.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
Undertaking. Too Much.

Do not go into Christmas so hard
there is no hope Of getting through.
Curb your notions. Better give your
friend a small centerpiece this year
than intend to give her a dozen plate
and tumbler doilies which may reach
her in 1915. Where there is a large
list Christmas giving should be simple.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
A Mean Holiday Spirit.

Do not gauge your Christmas giving.
There is nothing more despicable than
to work off the back numbers or the
shabby, useless gifts on the girl who
''needs everything" and spend a small
fortune on those who can spend on
themselves.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
A Country Named For Christmas.

South Africa was discovered by the
Portuguese. who were searching for
an ocean road to India. Bartholomew
Diaz was the commander Of the two
little ships that formed the expedition
in 1883. Eleven years later Da Cana
took another Portuguese fleet south
He discovered Natal on Christmas day
and thus named it in consequence.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
The Brute.

Mrs. Crawford-Wake up. dear: I'm
sure there's a burglar downstairs.
Crawford-I hope there is. Perhaps
he'll take those useless Christmas pres
ents your friends sent you.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18

"Iney nOIQ our memory GEAR.
Nor rust nor moss hath crept across.
Twill last this many q year."
Then down the path he strides
And through the iron gate
Where the sage nine men. his councillors.
Their governor await.
Here are Van der Donck and Van Court
landt.
A triplet more of Vans.
And Hendrick Kip of the naughty lip
And Covert I.oockermans,
Jan Jansen Dam and Jansen.
or whom our annals tell
All risen this night their lord to greet
At sound OF the Christmas bell.
Nine lusty forms in linsey coats
Pulled sleeves and ample hose!
Each burgher smokes a Flemish pipe
To warm his ancient nose.
The smoke. wreaths rise like mist.
The smokers all are mute.
Yet all with pipes thrice waving slow
Brave Stuyvesant salute.
Then into ranks they fall
And step out three by three,
n he of the wooden leg and staff
In front walks solemnly.
Along their wonted course
The phantom troop patrol
To see how fares Nieuw Amsterdam
And what the years unroll.
Street after street and mile o n mile.
From river bound to bound.
From old st. Marks to Whitehall Point,
They foot the limits round;
From Maide Lane to Corlear's Hook
The Dutchmen's pypen glow.
But never a word from their lips is heard.
And ne,4S their passing know.
Ere the fs,.t streak Of dawn
st. Mark = again they neal
And by 4 vault the nine men halt
Their :sAfernor's voice to hear.
''Mynheeren." he Jays. I'VE see
Fac yea our borders spread.
Lo. one by one the landmarks gone.
And marvels come insteadl
'Not even a windmill left
No a garden plot we knew.
And but a paling marks the spot
Where erst my pear tree grew.
Our walks are wearler still.
Perchance and It were best,
90 little of worth IL left On earth,
To break no more our rest"
Thus speaks old Petrus doubtfully
And shakes his valiant head,
When on the roofs a sound of hoofs.
A rafting. pattering tread.
The bells of reindeer tinkle-
The Dutchmen plainly spy
st. Nicholas, who drives his team
Across the roof tops nigh.
"Beshrew me for a craven!"
Cries Petrus. "All goes we'll!
Our patron saint still makes his round
At SOUND of the Christmas bell.
So long as stanch st. Nicholas
Shall guard these houses tall
There shall come no harm from hostile
arm.
No evil chance befall!
'"The youngens and the meisjes
Shall have their hosen filled:
The butcher and the baker
And every honest guild
Shall merrily thrive and flourish.
Coco night, and be of cheer!
We may safely lay US down again
TIC sleep another year!"
Once more the pipes are waved.
Stout Petrus gives the sign.
The misty smoke enfolds them round,
Hin. and his burghers nine.
All w en- the cloud has lifted
Hu%,. vanished quite away.
And 10 growing cock and the steeple cloci
Proclaim it's Christmas day.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18
In Boston,

Teacher-Waldo. name n of the
best known characters of fiction.
Waldo (aged FIVE. superciliOusly)-
Santa Claus. -Pnck.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-18

~'Tis well!'' he says and sternly smiles.
""They hold our memory dear.
Nor rust nor moss hath crept across.
Twill last this many q year."
Then down the path he strides
And through the iron gate
Where the sage nine men. his councillors
Their governor await.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-01
THOMAS RUGGLEss
GIVES Up fight
Prominent Resident q Hamilton Gives
up Fight for Life As.tr
Long Ill
A PROMINENT MASON
He Was the Last Of the Charter
Members Of Black Hawks
Lodge Of the
Masons.
PROMINENT MASON

After a long illness Thomas Ruggles
gave up the fight and passed away at
Hamilton, H., at seven o'clock satur-
day morning, aged 81 years. His
death was due to senility.
Mr.. Ruggles was one of the pioneers
of this section Of the country and the
only remaining charter member OF the
Black Hawk Masonic lodge OF
Hamilton and but one other
charter of the Eastern Star
survived him. He was Ions
prominent in affairs at Hamilton as a
lawyer and justice of the peace for
sixty years. For fifteen years he was
master of the Black Hawk lodge.
Mr.. Ruggles was born December 80,
1926, in Washington. Indiana, and
came TO Hamilton in 1S4S. A pioneer
of first rank, he had witnessed the
transformation OF the forests on the
Mississippi to the fertile farms and
beautiful cities. Through all his trials
his wife was with him and survives
him. A brother in California and one
in Indiana, and one daughter, Mrs.
Carrie l.. Hall, and one son, Leon
Ruggles. both of Hamilton, also sur
vive him.
The funeral will be held at the
Bethel Presbyterian church on Mon
day afternoon at two o'clock and will
BE- in charge of the Masons.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-01
"The Littlest RebeI.'

The Littlest Rebel Edward Pep
les four act play, in which Mr. Mar
shall iFarnum is the star, will be pre-
sented under the direction of A. H.
Wood, at the Grand opera house,
Thursday, Dec. 5. In ",The Littlest
Rebel which is civil war play, the
author has made unique departure
from the conventional story of the
late unpleasantness Instead of EN-.
ploying as central theme the love
affair of two persons, one from the
north and other from the south, he
has taken for his topic the paternal
love of two men, one actpated natural
ly and the other through sympathy.
He has shown that it is not alone the
love that exists in opposite sexes that
will inspire to deeds OF bravery, hero
ism and elasticity of duty, but a far
stronger motive can exist when the
cord of human paternity is touched.
Herbert Cary, southern scout, is
seen as he is visiting his little
motherless daughter who is living
alone, hungry and ragged in rough
cabin by the mountainside after the
burning of their home by union sol
diers. The father is about to be shot,
but through the pleadings of his little
daughter, Virgie, the commanding Of
ficer OF the union soldiers, Lieut.. Col.
Morrison, relents and allows the SCOTT
to escape. Later in the day battle
ensues during which the scout saves
the northern colonel's life. They are
both betrayed and taken prisoners
and brought before a court martial.
Both officers are sentenced to be shot,
Morrison as a traitor and Cary as a
spy The littlest rebel, a, Virgie Is
called, seeks General Grant, and pleads
with him for the life of her father and
Colonel Morrison, explaining the cir
cumstances through which the escape
was made. She succeeds in arousing
the generals interest and sympathy,
and he makes personal investiga-
ton as result OF which both men
are finally pardoned. The methods
employed by the author in bringing
about the denoument are ingenious
and true to life, the play is interesting
and pleasing without offending the in
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-01
At the coionlaI

A big line of special attractions at the
Colonial theatre this week. Tomor-
row. for one day only, Double Life,
or Convicted by Hypnotism," a sensa-
tional tragedy of mind over mind. in
three reels. One of the best attrac-
tions ever shown, picture worth go
ing miles to see. Tuesday, December
8, the Keokuk people will have their
only chance of seeing His Holiness,
Pope Plus X and the vatican in motion
pictures. These pictures were taken
by special permission and it will be
the opportunity of a life time of see
ing the pope in motion pictures, SO
avail yourselves of the opportunity. A
matinee at 2:45, three shows at night
commencing at Z. 8 and 8.
Wednesday, Dec A. The Last
Stand of the Dalton Boys at Coffey.
vile, Kans.' Three reels of daring
situations. See the train Hold up,
the bank robbery, etc. Emmett Dalton
the only living member of the famous
gang appearing in the pictures. &C
early if you want to see this. Only
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-01
STATE REFORMAToRY
FOR WOMEN
With Farm Attached Upon Which
They Can Keep Themselves
Busy.

CHICAGO, Nov. 30.-A state re.
formatory for women with farm for
them to work on, will be urged upon
the next legislature by the Illinois
Womens' Democratic club. The organ
ization will ASK for an appropriation
of 100000 to build the reformatory
and equip the farm. Mrs. Minona s.
Jones presented the plan to the club
this afternoon and received hearty
endorsement.
1--WE must take better care of our
women prisoners said Mrs. Jones
Women are more discouraged than
men when they finish a term of i'm.
lrisonment. We want place for
them to work out of doors and we
want three women on the board OF
prison commissioners
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-01
IN the Last Ditch,

Denver Republican,: There seems
nothing left for the sultan Of Turkey
except ID declare himself progress
sive and start party OF his own.