davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO
A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL.

NHRlSTMAS celebrations In Mexico
differ greatly from ours aud usual
~ last for several days. Bright
lanterns suspended Ia the air proclaim
the glad iidings of the holidays. and
every Mexican jacal. no matter how
humble, puts out its beacon TO light the
steps OF the saviour should he per-
chance appear The story OF the birth
Of the Rcdcemcr is annually portrayed
In all Mexican towns and in sym
bolic language which the most igno-
rant cnn rcadi Understand
The PERFORM Il given by ifteen
players. consistiue " Joseph aud Mary
and the infant Jesus two archangels.
Iucifcr and three ut his minions and
a number of shepherds The costumes
are adapted to The Mexican Inception
OF the characters and are dovei ia the
extreme All of The costumes are got
up tastefnlly. and while 3 strict con
formance with the relaircmeuis Of the
first century might rob Joseph Of his
sombrero. still 1t Is doubtful II The
lesson which IL is desired to iustill Ia
the minds OF the people would be 10
effective II an the minor details ~ ths
early Jewish fashion, Were followed
The scene ~ the play opens near
Bethlehem. where tbe shepherds arc
tending their tlocks. by host OF angels
appearing and telling them of the birth
or the saviour and inviting them % fol
low 10 where he lies hey follow the
star which leads them to She stable, in
the mangr Of which TIE infant rests
IN the arms Of Mary AMI Joseph. While
rejoicing. Lucifcr. armed With two
swords. appears and attempts 10 de-
stroy the child Jesus. but Is rerulsed
by two angels. who keep watch over
him Not 10 be outdone Lucifer sum
mons three archdemons who ight with
the angels for the course of half an
hour. resulting I'm the tnal overthrow
OF the evil one and his emlssAries and
the placing of the feet - the angels
upon their nccks.
Then the shepherds break out into
rejoicing and. while "A portion of tLem
sing the praises OF the Re ieeuier who
Is born unto them. others chaut Ia
harmonious strain the goodness aud
mercy of God This feature accompa-
MED by music on the harp and violin.
Is kept M until ii late hour each night
until the holidays are over.
one must understand the Mexican
people AMI their dcvoutness and In
tense religious feeling TO fully appre-
rtat., h.t, .t.,stufV th. ttr.canfatian NJ
the shepherds affects their minds.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
C0ULTER'S QUEER STORY.
u Was Thought He Had Discovered
Hades, but He Hadn't.

At gathering IN Milwaukee a well
known minister was called on to tell
story. and this is what he told
Did you ever hear Of coulter's hell?
or the two men lost b, the great
Lewis and Clark expedition OF 1903 ON
It's long journey through the northwest
one was IA man named Coulter. He
was captured by Indians. who stripped
him and set him to running the gantlct.
"Outrunning their blows. lie snatch
cd spear from the last Indian. killed
him with II and ran into the noun
tains naked and wounded. hut nj last
free aud armed. Wandering toward
the southeast. he presently found him
self In land where the forces of ma
tnre appeared TO have gone mad to
gcthcr. Rivers from which he sought
To drink ran hot water. boiling foun
tains gilshcd hundreds Of feet In the
air. volcanoes Of black mud vomitcd NJ
him. bubbling fountains of snow white
mud g,lshed around. with others OF
crimson and blue and green. \ noun
tain of pure sulphur crystals rose on
one hand. and from beside Il stream
rose another composed Of black glass
almost MS clear as window pane.
AT last. escaping from the place. he
was found by some trappers. who
clothed him and took him to st. Louis.
where they reported him rs one whose
mind had been wrecked by his expert
enccs Wherever he told of the fright
ful country which he swOre he had
seen men ronrcd with mirth at the
yarn and made him tell and retell IL
I'LL within few years II went all over
the west rs an example ~ the effect
OF the horrors Of being lost on the hu-
man mind II was commonly known
as the story of Coultcrs hell and I'M
der that name II frequently appeared
In the eastern papers IN the early thir
ties aud forties Coulter himself final
~ died regarded to the last as hope
less maniac.
"And then in 1869 some Montana
trappers wandered Into the region and
came back with the astounding tale
that Coulter had told the truth and had
never been insane at all The govern
meRt Immediately rushed soldiers and
scientists into the country. and before
long II became the Yellowstone Ma
tional park. And that II the story OF
Coultcr'S hell."-Nlilwaukee Journal.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
NERVE IN BASEBALL.
Result OF . Wild Throw to Third With
the Bases Full

Charley booin. one OF the famous
catchers nr the National league. tells a
story 10 the effect that after brief
trial with the 81. Paul club In 1889
Charles \. comiSkcy then its manager.
advised him 10 return to the tailoring
business and stick 10 H.
Another yarn concerning Doom tells
how little later cn aud when he was
still little more than Il youth and
weighing IN the ncighborhood OF ii5
pounds he wished himself upon Man.
agcr McIiibben of the 81. Joseph club.
When booin reported Mae walked
around him twice AMI then announced
that he wanted catcher and not
jockey Injuries 10 regulars. however.
sent IN I" hackstop for Rig Jim"
Wiggs
In his first game Doom wanted 10
prove that In addition 10 being n
catcher he was some thrower When
he hcaved To second the baseman
would have needed ladder 10 get the
ball: TO third his pegs were low. and
his ShnotS to first nearly took the
sacker IN his feet. After his wild
throws had filed the bases In one In.
ming he threw to third again TO catch
runner Off the cushion. The ball
went So high the left fielder almost
got 10 II on the fy. while "evcryhody
came home
When the inning was over Dooin had
four errors charged against him. and
he walked 10 the clubhouse and began
10 pack up his clothes. McKibben
stopped him. saying his nerve In dar-
ing 10 throw 20 third 10 catch man
OF with the bases full. caused by his
previous bad throws. deserved another
chance. pooin stuck and caught al
most every game that season. His
next jump was 10 the Philiies. and his
reputation WAS made Ed A. Goewey
In Leslie's
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

ed and lonely the reasOn-
sitting there in her little window.
looking down upon the street. with its
throng OF gay. good natured shoppers.
Ruth did what she had sternly forbid
den herself 10 do-Shc went back over
the years which had made such changes
Ia her life. There was her fathers
business disgrace. the loss of every
thing. followed by his death Then
came her own beginning In business
In spite of herself. Ruth smiled to think
OF what her old friends would say
could they know what capable little
business woman necessity had made of
her. But not one of them al knew
where she was Not one had traced
her TO this great city-that is. except
Jack. Iacki As soon rs Ruth admit
ted that name into her thoughts. II
dominated all else. II brought back its
owncr-sirong. manly. insistent one uf
the won't-lake-no foran-answer kind.
Ruth found herself wondering almost
that Jack had taken her no as final.
Apparently he had II had surely been
as strong as she could make IL. And
he had gone away and had not come
back With the many friends who had
rung up TO ask how she was aud tn
say Merry Christmas" there had ncem
no Jack-Jack OF the strong face. the
loyal heart. the tender eyes and voice
How had she ever let him go.
'Some time you will want me. Ruth"
he had said Above the rush and roar
OF the great city Ruth heard the words
again Just as she had heard them ev-
cry day and scvcry night since Jack
had gone away II could urge you now.
but want you Of your own free will.
dear. And you will come some day.
do not even need TO ask promisc-i
know. What is ours does come 10 US.
II we wait ! can wait"
That was three years ago. At first
Ruth had half expected his return
But he never came Aud he never sent
her word Ruth was tired OF watch
Ing the mails now And her proud IT.
tie hend told her eager little heart that
Il was not fair to call Jack back just
because life was hard and lonely and
almost unbearnble sometimes So she
tolled away until toll became work
work that she enjoyed She had her
little rooms by herself. her books. her
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

You know. my papa he went and died
And left just ny mamma and me
And Spot-thatS his name-and We cried
and cried.
For We missed him n lot. We three
And mamma She works and We got along.
And Spot he sIaS ed home with me
And never went out. for I'm not very
strong.
And have 10 have some one. YOU see.
The dog man that took him away b. said
He'd keep him ten days in the pound
And after that time poor Spotil be dead
And three days from now Sp0t'il lie
drowned
So please Mr Santa. II YOU can spare
A dollar to set Spot free
Please take Il und give TO the man up
there
And send home my puppy.to me
And please. MIR Santa. II YOU haven't got
No dollar to spend that way.
I wish that at least YOU would so see
Spot
And tell him Wen meet some day
And II you don't mind that he's not very
clean.
And IL there's obody TO see,
l wish you'd lust kinda-he'il know wha:
you mean
Just give him a pat for me.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
Made Her More Nervous.

She WAS rather a nervous old lady
and. fearful of being robbed ~ her
purse. kept IL In pocket OF her I'M
dersRirt Taking cab. she. at the
end OF the journey. began searching
as ladies' do. for the carefully conceal
ed pocket The cabby. misconstruing
her movements. looked ON grimly.
"Well. mem" he broke In. when
you've done a-scrntchlng me fares
IL pence" London Tatler.
In England II was the old practice
10 impeaeh for conduct out Of office.
Private citizens could Ice impeached-
DIR. Sachevercl was impeached for
preaching IN unpopular sermon. the
Duke OF Richmond for proposing an
adjournment Of the house of lords and
lingo Jones for tearing down n church
But IN America Impeachment has been
restricted Ia men IN office for conduct
n office -ArgOnaut.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
Quotations to Go
With Christmas Gifts

A PRETTY and original touch may
~ be given Christmas gift by ac-
companying II with dainty card
on which are written the recipients
name aud some apt quotation Of an
appropriate nature \ few selected
quotations suitable for different gifts
may be OF interest.
For postal card album:
Kind messages that pass from land to
land. Longfeilow.
For set Of books by we'll known
author.
The chief glory Of every people asses
from It's authors. Or Johnson
For small afternoon tea caddy.
Tea thou soft. thou sober. sage and ven
eTahie liquid -Coliey Cibbef
For useful purse;
The best friends are IN tho purse Ger
man ProVcrb
Happy the man who. void Of cares and
strife.
In sillSeu or IN ioathcrn purse retains
splendid shilling
John Philips.
With pack OF cards
The cards beat all the players. be they
never 50 skinful.- Emerson.
With n pair Of gloves:
Oh. that ! we're a glove upon that hand,
Romeo and juliet
With silver handGlass:
The heart. Ike a mirror should reflect
all objects without being sullied by any.
--Confuclus
With tear or calendar:
The longest day must have an end
Italian provcrb.
\ Christmas gift Of a ring for a fan
Gee or wife.
So let our love
A. endless prove
And pure as gold forever.
Robert Herrick.
For the last baby:
Much IS she worth. and even more is
made of her W T.. Henley,
With an umbrella:
The year. most part deformed with drip
ping rains -Fowper.
With cookhoa
The taste ~ the kitchen is better than
the smell -oii rrovcrh
With an e.erlrir torch lamp:
To a great nlrhi great lan,horn old
provcrh
With "a mreilccaSe.
Who -. hath need % a hundred eyes
old rroysfh
With "A photographs:
Generally musir fcvdcth the disposition
OF spirit which Il andeth.>bacon.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

pictures. enough TO eat and wear.
What more need any one ask? Moth
ing-cxcept ut Christmas. At Christ
mas. to woman. love Is n necessity.
That night. in the middle OF the
darkest hour. Ruth sat up straight In
bed She was absolutely sure that the
telephone bell over her desk had just
rung. All was still. so. after min
ute of waiting. she lay down again.
laughing TO herself The telephone
had been so busy all day bringing her
messages that she had heard IL in her
dreams. II could not really have rung.
After little she drowsed on. only
TO hear its shrill Jingle again aud
again Ii no longer wakcned her But
IN her dream she went TO the tclc-
phone took down the receiver and lis.
tened Out Of the darkness and dis
tance voice spoke-Jack's voice.
".Ierry Christmas" was IFS only mes
sage But so strong aud clear were
the words that when Ruth finally
awoke to n sunny Christmas morn
Ing. she still tinged To their memory.
Perhaps. when one first awakcs. the
heart has more control over one than
the head. Anyhow. when Ruth sat up
and looked out of her window at the
already busy streets far below her her
heart was doing the talking.
"Jnck is waiting for yon-some-
where" 1t said And he belongs to
you. Why not claim your own"
After minute Ruth's heart spoke
again what II you are poor: What
II he Is not rich? Can't two work to.
gether better than apart: Why not
give Jack Christmas gift? The only
one he wants.
Ruth did not give her head time to
argue with her heart. As soon rs she
was dressed she was nj the telephone
giving .iack's business number After
she had waited what seemed Il long.
long time her head did remind her.
WHY. of course. she said slowly.
"he will bc Gp country today She
was Just about 10 hang up the Receiver.
Wait minute" cried her heart.
Hearts do know things. especially at
Christmas And then
Hello" said u big hearty voice out
OF the distance
"Oh. Jack" cried Ruth lis 1t you.
really you:"
Yes. Ruth" said the voice. Who
else: You wantcd"-
10 wish you merry Christmas.
Jack" Ruth faltcrcd
"rhankS That nl;"
Yes" said Ruth. listening TO her
head Then: No not quite II want
ed 10 hear your voice: that's all"
"Is ~" asked the voice Ruth wanted
TO hear.
''You see. Jack" Ruth hurried on. Il
dreamed about you last night II
thought yon c.nleG me up. and-and II
was only = dream"
81 came 80 near H." said the voice.
THAT stood here by my phone for an
hour. But il was late. nnd-well. Ruth.
| wanted you TO call me up this time
you're not In the country"
"Not yet We 20 tonight"
"wc?"
"Nother aud |. She's spending part
OF Christmas In the city But we miss
the snow and the slelghhells and the
home folks
1T sound w." cried Ruth. "and
so Christmas Give your mother my
love. Jack. and wish her the merrlest
Christmas"
shell he glad 10 hear from you.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

but listen I'm listening 10 my heart
now. There Is something | want.
Jack"
"Ycs."
ITS biz something Guess. No:
don't guess. Wait It's yau" Ruth
hung up the receiver And ran 90 the
chair by the window quite the other
side OF the room.
II was not quite Il minute when the
telephone bell rang shrilly.
"Is this Miss IIazcn:" said the oper
ator's voice
Yes" said Ruth
Message wasn't finished wait
Hello came Jacks voice big
strong. vibrant with happiness That
you. RUTH"
ayes"
Coming" said the voice. mother
and l. to take you up state with vs.
Can you be ready In an hourf"
"yes." said Ruth I've been ready
always. Jack.
What came next must have surprised
even that long Suffering. much endur
Ing wire Sure II Is that Ruth's cheeks
famed like red holly berries.
And even before she ran TO pms her
clothes in her suit case. to do her hair
and 10 put on her one good gown from
above her bookcase She took sprg
Of scarlet holly with red ribbon
she tied II over the telephone.
"If ever anything deserved merr.
Christmas" she cried you do.'
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
BY ALICE E. ALLEN.

rT seemed to Ruth as she flew for
the dozcnth time To- her telephone
that dreary afternoon OF the day
before Christmas that she had
friends In the grim old city OF which
she had never known until then true
friends. even II they were humble and
too poor TO do more than telephone
their good wishes.
This special message WAS from
Ruth's proprietor. Could he call that
evening: Ruth's "Of course not. Mr..
Maync." was firm Could he take her
out. ihen-a dinner somewhere. the
theatcr? lust this once for Christ.
mas sake: Ruth's rcfusals as trans
mittcd by the telephone We're all firm
and relentless But rs she came away
and sat down IN her chair by the win
dow her eyes were wistful.
1T will never do FOR the proprietor
TO call upon his stcnographer." she
said. with q sorry little smile. TO he
sure. there was time when he was
her fathers clerk but times have
changed
Perhaps because IL was Christmas
eve. when memories. no matter how
well behaved at other times and sea
SONS. will walk abroad: perhaps be
cause other things such Ms love. joy.
peace aud good viii were throngins
heaven and ear, below: perhaps only
because Ruth was tired and perpleX
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

A PRETTY and original touch may
~ be given Christmas gift by ac-
companying II with n dainty card
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

"Goodby. Jack. dear" cried Ruth
But there WAS no answer
The next minute she again took down
the receiver
Get 3s96 again: quick" she said
Hello" said Jacks voice.
as that you. jack
"Of course. Something you forgot.
dear"
NO; | didn't forget | wouldn't say
II. but must Don't look at me. Jack.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
PLUM PUDDING AND MINCE
PIE CHRISTMAS NECESSARlES

Plum pudding and mince pie are mi.
nor but necessary accompanimenis OF
Christmas day. and strangely enough
the former WAS long ago accepted aS
typical OF the riches and spices brought
by the three wise men TO the child In
the manger. while the Christmas pie
was held In adherence by all members
" strict puritanical bodies. who be-
heved:
All pluns IN. prophets sons deny.
And spice broths are too hot:
Trsason's IN the December pie
And death within the pot
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

Rutn, we We bcch tA9hlhs oi you. any
thing else
mo"
sure. dcar;"
Ruth's eyes were so full OF tears that
rs she said afterward she couldn't see
10 talk.
"Sure. DEAR" asked the voice again.
THAT'S ali" she said bravely. only
are You wcil;''
Perfectly. And youi'
"Oh. yes, Wasn't II strange | heard
the bell when you didn't really ring up
last night. Jack"
"No." said Jack ilrmly. Your heart
heard mine. little girl. II only you
would listen to II oftener."
Il can't always hear IT. laughed
Ruth. My head Is such good talker. :"
"Time's up" said strange voice
somewhere
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
HOW TO SPEND CHRISTMAS.
Forget Yourself For the Day and Try
to Make Others Happy.

n DAY on. Il few remembrances
from relatives and friends and
good dinner-is that all that
III Christmas means 10 youI Sure.
~ you are going 10 make IL an
occasion for more than usual re-
joicing this year. "A real old fash
ioned Christmas. Surely you are
going 10 be more liberal in spirit
than ever before and scatter ner-
riment on all sides. Have you
been n little selfish. have you de-
voted so much time 10 enjoying
yourself that you have forgotten
other folks:
Those yen have forgotten are
good folks. aren't they. the best
folks In the world: And you are
Just going TO show them how APP
preciative you are. You don't
like this modern way of turning
: dear old Christmas into an occa-
{: sion for trading and exchanging
gifts. You are going 10 see all
the friends you can ON that day
aud shake hands with as many;
pat them ON the back and tell
them how glad you are 10 be with
them. And to those you cannot
see you are going 10 write CHEEKY.
warm hearted letters and tell
them you want to hear from
them oftener. Isn't that how yon
feel about the greatest OF all
birthdays:
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

O. EAR Mr. Santa. | don't know YOU.
HIN And maybe it's Just ~ well.
~ For bein'- you never done nothln'
W for me
amt quite SO 'fraid TO tell
What II is that III like to have you do
Just as quickly as ever you can.
And maybe some day can pay you back
IL 1 ever grow w to man.
A dog catcher came here last week and
took
My puppy away somewhere.
And am so lame that can't so look
And get him away from there.
And even II could SO where he's at
haven't no dollar 10 pay.
And II you Will kindly advance nss thai
III try and return Il some day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-15
OLD MAN IDENTIFIED
BY BAGGAGE CHECK

Huntsville. August 14-(Special) par
alyzed and unconscious and with nothing
but railroad baggage check to indicate
where he came from, Dowl Mathis, an
aged citizen of Huntland, Tenn, was
found in the western part of this city
last night. By means of the baggage
check the old man was identified, the
railroad agent at Huntland having re-
membered that he sold the check to
Mathis August 70, when he departed for
Texas by way of Huntsville. Mathis Is
still unconscious in the Salvation Army
home, and it is believed he is dying
Mrs. John L. Hay sustained broken
arm yesterday when a picnic wagonette
with a large party of young people and
their chaperons was turned over on the
Whtesburg pike south of the city. All
of the party were thrown out and Mrs
Hay Is the only one who sustained in
juries.
Tax Assessor Overton has completed
the assessment of property in Madison
coInty for this year and his figures show
that the total assessed valuation is S12.-
OPS, 1S1. The Increase as compared with
last year Is $l96923. The raises made by
Tax Commissioner Crittenden are not yet
included.
The first open cotton bolls reported in
this section were brought here yesterday
from the Garth plantation. five miles
south of Huntsville. The first open bolls
are usually reported 10 days in advance
of the first bale.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-15
TYPOS VOTE DOWN
THE SEATTLE PLAN.
Administration Wins Most
Decisive Fight of Weeks.
Think Fight Over

Nashville, August 1.-THE fight for the
Seattle plan, which has been looked for
ward to with keen interest by the dele
gates to the ffty-ninth annual convention
of the International Typographical union,
now in session here, was staged this aft
ernoon, and as on all former occasions the
administration won, this being the most
decisive victory of the week BY a vote of
2o7 to 27, the plan was voted down, fol-
lowing an afternoon of debate that at
times grew spicy
The plan provided for an election TO de-
termine whether or not the governing
powers of the International Typographical
union should be taken from the executive
council of three and vested in board of
directors consisting of 20 members, to be
elected from certain prescribed districts
1t meant the complete reorganization of
the governing power and was fought hard
by the administration forces.
With the decisive victory of today it is
believed that the fight against the admin
istration is over, although some few of
the anti-administration forces say they
will be heard from again before the con-
vention closes.
Very few social features will be enjoyed
by the delegates during the remainder of
their stay in Nashville on account of the
large volume of work to be done in the
short time remaining.