davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
AEy s 52H
YOLETlDE IN THE R1PON5 HALL

Christmas day has been observed by even the
most piously inclined the occasion for In
dulging in good cheer
In Merry England" the festival is made
thoroughly enjoyable one, though the days
have changed somewhat since Dickens rode
through the streets of London and told of the
scenes of Christmas joy he witnessed in the
lamplit streets. Nowadays electricity has TAX
en- the place of gas and lamplight. and in
stead of the slow wheezy horse vehicles OF
Dickens day the streets of Merry England
are traversed by electric and oil motor car
riages But the good, old-fashioned dinner pre-
walls and from king to commoner all go to
the place each calls home to eat well-made
soup, goose or turkey. potatoes. sprouts, mince
pies and Christmas pudding
"Stie Nache. heilge nacht," has been sung
in Germany for many untold Christmases be-
meath the Illuminated pine tree. and its popu-
lation of sixty-f1ve millions will enjoy their
gingerbread and honey cakes.
In Denmark Christmas is a most important
and beautiful festival. Despite all other
changes, 1t preserves its old character. and is
universally celebrated among itch and poor.
In Russia the spirit of ST. Nicholas is ram
pant and the streets of st. Petersburg Mos
COW, Riga and other centers are alive with
slvery-belled drochas, all bearing happy mus
covites exchanging calls and bearing each 9TH
er presents, which are opened at sweetladen
tables shrouded in vapor from the steaming
samOvers.
In New York City here will be millions of
consRiracies tossurpri vt cl ldren, for with
; our polyglot peoples 10 nation realizes to the
extent the United States does the inner mean
ing for the world of the festivals of the Christ
child Here. more than anywhere else in the
world. the spirit of Christmas invites our own
happiness in seeking that of others, and in
the accomplishment of good will toward men
we know we yearly replant the rose that
blossomed in the snow of the first Christmas
night
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
NATURAL LINES THE BEST
Formally in Laying Out Of Public
Parks Seldom Productive of the
Desired Effects.

The absence of a general plan or a
failure to comprehend and follow 1t
will result in the hodge-podge Of in
congruities too often seen in parks.
The portions which should be natural
are often artificialized unnecessarily
BY gardening operations, or by the in
PRODUCTION of buildings, fountains and
all sorts of artificial ornaments. while
the portions which might, in harmony
with the uses to which they are put,
be improved and decorated in formal
style are too informal. On the other
hand, in the portion of park actually
devoted to extensive and conspicuous
formal beds of tender plants and flow
ers. the drives and walks, lawns,
strawberries and tree plantations will
often be strilzingly informal. A gen
eral plan may provide places where
the beauties of formal beds of tender
plants and other gardening features
may be enjoyed individually and col
lectively and places where those which
are incongruous with each other may
be separated by systematic arrange
ment of plantations, which. while
forming contrasting or harmonious
backgrounds separations, enclosures,
screens and the like. yet will them
selves form part of complete whole.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
A Christmas TabIeau.


Many years ago. says an old legend, there
lived in mysterious region band of Chris
tiaa monks whose life duty it was to plant
seeds and grow crops of toys for Santa Claus
70 distribute These monks dressed in white
gowns and wore Christmas wreaths about their
heads.
From this tradition a Christmas pantomime
could be devised A clever person can make
many additions. Arrange stage as beautiful
garden, and place small Christmas trees here
aud there On these trees dolls and other toys
appear to be glowing. While music is played
softly the curtain rises, disclosing the monks
working in the garden. In the distance is
heard the muffled sound of sleigh bells. Santa
Claus enters bows reverently to the nonks.
shows his empty pack. which they slowly fiji
e-om the laden trees.
The music continues, the curtain falls. then
rises. disclosing Santa Claus only, who distrib-
utes the gifts to the children of the Sunday
school
The monks can be personated by older boys
or girls.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

"A town row is to town what a
heavy frost is to vegetation says ex-
Governor Hoch in the Marion Record.
Nothing willis town like town row.
Better have a cyclone or an earth
quake or most any destructive wish
tation than have town row. for when
these calamities are over they are
over, and the people. cemented togeth-
err in closer fellowship by the COM
mon calamity, begin at once unitedly
and bravely to repair waste places.
Such people under such conditions
are invincible and absolute masters
of destiny But town row distracts.
disintegrates. destroys. 1t under
mines the foundation of things. Its
sores heal slowly. It's scars last"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
pIavorounds Lessen Crime.

Figures compiled by Park Commits
sioner Dwight F. Davis show that dur
ing the months of June. July and Au-
gust the attendance at the play
grouads was 612.596. while 273,7OO
took advantage of the lighthouses.
The park concerts were attended by
5S8.700.
The cost of the maintenance of the
bathhouse per person was OH and the
Fairgrounds .O16.
Records of the juvenile court. ac-
cording to Mr. Davis. show that dur.
ing the three months the Fairgrounds
were open the number OF prisoners de-
creased IL per cent.-St. Louis Repub
lie.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
[i(I([zII IRlEyGyIZ|
sj7IilT1TLTg(S =
oIW W.
TREES AS CIVIC ORNAMENTS
Here Is a Case Where Municipal Con-
troll Would Seem to BE
Necessity.

Uniformity may be obtained only
through municipal control, for when
planting is done by property owners
Individual choice will naturally have
wide range and fall upon great va
riety of subjects, resulting in the least
desirable effect possible except bare
streets. Where the building lots are
of varying widths many of the trees
will be too close together while none
are apt to be too far apart, as we very
generally overplant. Here is another
bad feature easily remedied by NUM-
cipal control through arbitrarily Civ
ing the proper space to each tree. On
narrow streets home owners will per-
sist in planting trees suited only to
the wider thoroughfares until tall
furniture can can scarcely pass
through the green tunnel
Where sidewalks are narrow and
buildings close up to them, the trees
will have to be planted close to the
street curb, no matter how wide the
parkway else the tops will have no
room to spread and all the trunks Will
lean toward the street. Here small
tree is necessary. not only to avoid
the last-noted effect, but also to pre-
vent overshadowing the front win
dows of adjacent buildings. In such
districts as the one under discussion
owners are also overload of filing in
the parkway with cement, leaving
too little breathing space for trees.
With parkings already too narrow the
whole space is insufficient to allow OF
best growth Of trees and therefore
parkings should not be unnecessarily
reduced. Some eastern cities require
not less than six square feet about the
base of each street tree.
When trees are to be bought one
should be able to sharply distinguish
between young. thrifty stock and de-
formed root bound cripples which are.
unfortunately. more common with our
nurserymen than vigorous, healthy
subjects. What use is 1t to plant
trees whose roots have for years been
playing merry-go-round in a gallon
fruit can? Habits and forms fixed
while young are apt to endure, even
though somewhat modified, to the end.
Such trees should be dug around after
being in position for year, and the
top roots cut close to trunk. allow
ing deeper and better root system to
develop. Do not forget that all condi-
tions may be improved and much bet
ter results obtained by digging large
deep holes for all trees.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

HE idea of a new coming OF
Christ today is an influence, If
not an obsession with count
less millions of people in all
parts of the world.
With all Christians 1t is a
thrilling thought, or devout
wish. With some it is a faith
and prophecy. The Advent
lists, under their various de-
nominations Evangelical. Ad-
vent Christians, Seventh Day,
Life and Advent Union and
others-look for Christ's re
turn at a nearly date within
the present age. according to
the same Hebrew prophecies
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

of the giverl and is dreadfully bad
manners.
Don't bring the spirit Of barter into
Christmas receiving. To say or even
thing, rs that all she has given me?
wish I'd saved my PENNIES on her"
is what is bringing pretty custom
into disrepute.
Don't get grouchy If you get gift
that does not come up to your expec-
tations. All tastes are not alike and
you have not corner on good taste.
Don't, as you value your reputation
for good breeding. make fun OF a
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04


of a royal prince was shed for absorption by
their weakening god the world would pass
into darkness and all would die
AS the sun rose higher in the heavens the
multitude of wof shippers exchanged gifts. and
on the crags and high places of the Mount OF
Ghoom which is above Darjiling, in the Hma-
layas. goats were sacrificed to the sun god,
who was hailed by the multitude as new
born babe refreshed and renewed with the
boca of their princeling offering.
For thousands of years before the birth of
Jesus of Nazareth this drama was enacted in
the mountains of India and the tradition was
carried by the merchants into Persia Egypt
and China to become later part of the Pagan
saturnalia of the Romans and the Druids.
For two centuries of the Christian era there
is no indisputable evidence or any celebration
of Chrsts birth 2 he primitive Christians
like sensible oppertr. SITS, mace it the festival
of the eIdght of Ali lyations, borrowing from
the east the birthplace of all religions, the
birthday of the sun god, which was held by
the Romans (on the day when light got the
betetr of darkness, and the days began 60
get ongerA as a great festival, in celebration
of "the birthday of the unconquered sun
The first historical account of the celebra-
tion of Christmas day is connected with the
prosecutor Doclietian, who, When noidlns
court at Nicomedia, about 300 A. d., on learn
ShAAONAeNAio
sembled in the city to celebrate the birthday
of Jesus, ordered the church doors to be clos
ed and the building to be set ablaze. so that
ali the worshippers persisted in the flames
Diocletian was possessed Of the most terrible
of all heresies, that moral forces can be put
down by physical ones, Christianity by lire
and sword, but his successor, Julian. in the
next generation when Diocletian had done his
worst. and done it thoroughly had to admit
A. - 10 me- n
have said "Thou hast conquered. oh, Cali
lean!" though Julian proved it.
Early in the thirteenth century the Chris
tian church sanctioned feasting Christmas
day by removing the obligation of observing
abstinence whenever that festival should fall
on a Friday By abstinence is meant tlat
flesh meat shall not be INDUCED in. and as
every Friday throughout the year was day
specially marked for such modification. Christ
mas must, indeed have been somewhat cheer
less when the feast was in reality more than
fast by reason of its occurrence a Friday
That. however, is quite forgotten by present
day observers; and for close 700 years
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
More Solemn Yet.

The man whose daughter had just
been united to the husband of her
choice looked little sad.
II tell you, squire. be said to one
of the wedding guests, man of his
own age, and himself the father OF a
number of unmarried girls tell
YOU It is solemn thing for us when
sur daughters marry and go away
The squire assented most heartily
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
Waiting.

Have you named your baby YETI"
NO.
He's getting pretty old to be with
out a name, isn't he?"
Yes; but my wife wishes to call
him Percival and we're waiting to
find out whether he's going to have
a lisp"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

has not swiftly learned to be an In
dian giver when those gifts are re-
eiced is very lucky in appreciative.
friends or very thick-headed.
Receiving should be in the true
Christmas spirit. butt frequently
isn't.
What ii you are disappointed?
Make stagger at concealing it. 1t
is one OF the times when deception is
imperative.
Don't feel II necessary to gush; to
be gracious liz receiving the simplest
gift. Indifference spells the pleasure
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

Equalize your transports-ar least,
While the giver is present. Don't. in
Glowing your presents, gush over rich
Peggy's generosity in sending you
gold vanity box and dismiss with
careless toss the pretty dolly that
Helen at your elbow has sat up nights
to embroider.
Don't make your notes insincere
Silly gush irritates. A few words Of
cordial appreciation never give the
sender the notion that her gift was a
failure or your thanks would ring
truer
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

present you have received. o. count
its probable cost.
Take an unexpected gift graciously.
without apologizing that you have
nothing to return. Don't be rude
enough to send off gift as payment
Your gift may have been given for
some past kindness and all JOY in II
is lost if not taken IN the spirit In
which it was sent
Don't be SO critica. that your
friends hate to send You presents,
nor so condescending insyour accept
ance that you enrage the giver
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
XMAS RECEIVING DoN'Ts.

The world has been flooded OF late
with don'ts for the Christmas giver-
Enough advice has been offered 10
aIft the standard of our holiday giving
10 the ideal point.
Now is the hour of the Christmas
receiver. Truly doth she need a
course of don'ts; yet few there are to
meet those needs.
There are more wrong ways OF &C.
cepting gift that folks do wot Of.
The suaker ~ Christmas presents VINO
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
Sounds plausihle.

why do people speak OF cool ,
million?"
Il don't know, unless it's because a
man with million dollars can keep
cool. no matter how high the cost or
living scars"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

'sWas that entertainment what you'd
call consistent piece of work.
1T was, replied the theater man
ager. THE scene was located on a
mythical island and we played to
mythical audiences and drew mythical
salaries."
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
stuna.

you call this cake angel food" said
the harsh husband.
Yves, DEAR" said the timid wife, "but
if the diet doesn't seem exactly what
you want. here are some deYilled
crabs. Washington Star
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04

This plant was venerated by the pagans Of
Greece and Rome. There is reference to the
mistletoe in the works of Virgil In the Edda
and in Celtic legends.
Druids collected it with great solemnity
The Prince of Druids cut it with a golden
sickle.
Ancient Britons reverenced only that mstle-
toe which grew up the oak trees.
The white berries which bring blush to the
fortunate maiGens cheek give the quick adj
mirer the right tc kiss any person caught under
the nlistletoe bough It's charm is against the
evils of a lonely. single life
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
a Real Hero.

Mr.. Henpeck--Are you .jthe man
who gave my wife lot CT impudence!
Mr.. Scraper-l am.
Mr. Henpeck-Shake! You're
aero.-Ionc.,n Tit-Bits.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
UNGEET the prophet held up

UNGEET the prophet held up
his hand.
A sudden cry smote the chill
ly air, the red edge of the sun
creeping behind the snow cap
of Everest seemed to the null
titude a reflection on the
scythe which Gungeet held in
Lis hand, Redeemed with the
Hood of the RANGES first born,
which had been offered as a
propitiatory sacrifice to the
Sun God. 1t was nid-winter-
the winter solstice-and the
sun rays we're so feeble that
the sun worshippers were sore
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-04
The Mistletce.

Some of the names by which this plant was
called are snisselden." or more commonly.
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23

growth instead of tearing away the
soil and washing it down below and
to gradually find it's way into the
SOIL
The time will come when these
storm waters will be largely conserved.
Men who advocate it and seek to
awaken the public mind to it's eco
nomic value are not idle dreamers.
Experiment has demonstrated the
practical value of the theory. 1t is
so simple in principle that an intel
ligent child grasps it and wonders at
the waste that is permitted to con-
tinue where water adds so much to
the productive power and wealth of
the country.
Forestration, if undertaken years
ago and intelligently pursued, would,
in the opinion of men who have given
the subject>the most careful investi-
cation and study, have increased the
water supply far in advance of all
demands upon it due to increased pop
ulation and agricultural and horticul-
tural development.
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23
The Matches We Burn.

1t has been estimated that for each
minute Of time the civilized nations of
the world strike 100000 matches.
This is said to be the average for every
minute Of the twentyfour hours of the
day. Fifteen hundred billion is the
number for the entire year. and those
persons who live under the American
flag are charged with the consumption
of one-half of this amount Small and
insignificant as it is, the match de-
mands as much attention in the choice
Of woods involved as any other forest
product. Only the choicest portions of
the best trees are suitable. Sapwood
and knOtty or cross grained wood will
not do. Instead of being byproduct
the little match is turned out in mills
where the byproducts are bulky OBJ
jects like doors. sash. shingles. sidingS.
posts and cordwood The pines, lin
den, aspen. white cedar, poplar. birch
and willow are the most suitable match
timbers.-Chicago News.
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23
CITY TAX DUE

| Second instalment due October l. 1912
Delinquent and five per cent penalty add
ed April 20, 1912.
| C.. c. TONEY,
City Marshal and ex-Oficio Tax and Ii
cense Collector. 203
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23

nlsn the greatest peril to navigation,
and If there were no inlet through
which a vessel could enter their pro-
tected circle they would be a danger
and nothing else.
But almost every reef has such an in
let 1t is necessary result of the laws
under which the forces of nature work
To understand this we must see how
these reefs are formed.
Chemically the reef corals are almost
pure carbonate of lime. the substance
of ordinary limestone and marble. The
reef grows as the shell of the oyster
or of any other shellfish grows. 1t is
itself the common and undivided shell
Of innumerable polypi, or minute in
sects, which are being reproduced and
are dying in successive generations.
These tiny beings get all their living
from the waters of the sea. 1t is from
this source also that they derive the
salts of lime from which they secrete
the bony structure that remains after
the animal is dead.
The coral polypi cannot live in fresh
water. Their food supply is brought
to them by the waves and currents OF
the sea. AS result. it is found that
directly opposite the mouth of Il stream
from the island the reef does not grow
There will be the inlet to the inclosed
waters.-- Harper's Weekly.
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23
DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS
EQUAL TO THE OUTPUT

The increased demand for farm
products, owing to the heavy impor-
tations of live stock to the valley this
season, is once more going to leave it
an open question if there will be
enough feed to meet the demands next
fall.
The high price of hay on the coast
is calling for the shipment of consid-
cradle of the product of the valley,
but by far the greater part is needed
for home consumption, because of the
increased number of cattle and horses
in the valley
Contrary to the claims of coast sec
tions, grain will scarcely make hay
crop there, and the shortage of feed
will not be made good this season,
which will be sure to maintain a CON
tinuous demand on the valley
This condition forces on attention
the more need there will be for a great
summer corn crop, and many farmers
are planning to put in good acreage,
and thus either have stock feed for
sale when it is in great demand or
fortify themselves against shortage.
This is written especially because
after the rains came on the coast the
claim was made that good crops would
be assured, and there may be those
who do not realize that this claim is
unfounded and that the demand for
feed will continue throughout the year
on the whole coast greater than the
supply.
To carry out the idea of making
this a ten-milliOn-dollar year for Impe-
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23

If the feed problem has forced home
to the thoughts of everybody, it is that
the dairy industry with hog annex
stands out supreme in the valley as
the one industry which brings uni
versal prosperity. Other lines of pro-
duction have brought varying degrees
of reward to their followers, but the
dairy business is making many men
rich.
A real estate man who is in touch
with all the activities of the valley
said today that the dairymen are the
only ones who have a uniform story of
prosperity to tell One Swede who
came here with no capital rented land
and bought cows on installments and
prospered until he had $4,000 in actu-
al cash Then he bought farm of his
own.
In another case, two young Ameri-
cans bought COWS on installments and
rented land, paying out for these two
items 5000 a month, and have just
completed paying for their cows after
Is months work.
These are incidents such as one
hears of everywhere, and they show
how great a land Imperial valley is
becoming and how riches are piling up.
Meanwhile more cows are being
brought to the valley and the young
are becoming producers, lifting Impe-
rial county rapidly toward first place
in the dairy business
Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-23
A heart-to-heart talk:

A hearto ohearta ak:
that is o
of
all
the
OF the
WHAT WE
o is
story Wilbur
The O
saw and OF
have are of the orig
andorn
of the it
believing
of
o
its
We