davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
NEW YEAR PROPHETS
BY GENE

A NYBODY who says the world Is
IA growing less superstitious must
"A be talking through the ear-flaps
on his cap, Every year about
January 1 old Superstition shows it.
self like a hydra-headed monster in a
laundry basket
To be sure, we no longer take out
Insurance against ghosts, and If we
saw a hohgoblin we'd want to know
why the hotel bellhop had grown those
whiskers, But there is n kind of su
perstition which We seem to be giving
more encouragement all the time, and
that Is the New Year prophecy,
The true New Year prophet is a
cheerful soul, If he eve has any good
news concerning the future, he care
fully nibbles at the hard ground with
a pickax and buries it. Bad news
calamity, disaster, catastrophe. misfor-
tune, these are the staple groceries
in which he prefers to deal, And he
has such a clever way OF making good,
too.
The New Year prophet wears crepe
to work: every morning while he is put
ting his forecast in order. He also
wears a long, sad face and murmurs
ever and anon that the worst is yet to
come. He does this In order that the
world may grow pale and weep and
shudder. He just loves to show US q
good time.
The way the New Year prophet
makes good on his predictions Is to
promise every kind of bad luck there
is, from famine to earthquake, and
from plague to war. AS this globe OF
ours has been enjoying a steady diet Of
these things since the year one, the
New Year prophet rarely goes wrong,
but just waves his printed predictions
upside down and MARBLES, II told you
So" He is a sure-thing player, and
rarely takes a chance that Is not a six.
ty-to-one shot.
For instance, he Is safe In forecast
ing a typhoon in the Pacific ocean,
which will destroy shipping. but he
wouldn't dare to predict that James
Jones will pay me that ten dollars he
owes me before the first Of next April.
He finds 1t advisable to foresee a fam
ine in China-any old thing can hap
per in China-but under no circum-
stances would he venture the belief
that I will surely keep all the good
resolutions I made on the evening OF
December 80.
If l thought the pay was steady and
the hours not too long for indoor
work, I believe I should like to take
up the work Of making New Year
prophecies. For the benefit Of enter.
prising employers, looking for bright
young men at this kind of work, l
have made up a few sample prophecies
for 1915. 1t makes Lo difference how
I did 1t, whether by crystal gazing Or
by scientific methods. However, I &C.
complished it without the aid Of a
medical almanac or other weapons.
For instance, I predict that:
In January the days wtl be a little
and Ice will be cheap. On JAN
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

made them in an earnest, sincere, try
again spirit, instead OF In the usual,
automatic way, like giving q fence Its
annual whitewash. It's safe to fore
cast that you'll keep out Of debt. that
you'll increase your bank account and
that you'll get your giltedged license
for health and happiness-if. instead
of growing dreamy.eyed and wonder.
ing what the New Year may bring
forth, you step out or the right foot,
with your eyes to the front. Decide
that when old Dame Fortune meets
you you'll be plugging along the
straight and narrow path, and then
she won't have room to side-step you.
Be your own prophet and predict a
year Of hard work and square living
for yourself. You should worry while
the professional New Year prophet is
busting of his shelf-worn stock OF
plaques, famines, volcanic eruptions
and crop failures in Helgoland.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

The 1915 Boy.

Twill not put pins in my dear teach
er's chair" (Tacks will hurt just as
much, anyway
Il will not quarrel and fight with
my big brothers in 1915" (What have
l got a little brother for?)
Il will not play hockey from school
to go fishing or swimming" (That Is,
in the winter time.)
81 will be q regular attendant at
Sunday school," cat Christmas time
and just before the summer excursion,
of course.)
81 will not take mothers currant
jelly from the pantry without per-
mission" Her raspberry jam is
good enough for me.)
81 will be kind to dumb animals, such
as tigers, lions and elephants" (Stray
cats and dogs, however, had better
keep out of this neighborhood.)
81 will not (Oh, gee, that's enough.
They say the good die young, and l
want to live until l catch that red
headed boy on the next block who
stuck his tongue out at me yester-
day!)
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
THE NEW YEARS EVE FATEs
How Curious Maldens Can Find out
What Is In Store for Them
An Italian Custom. ~

. . . .. .'s 'H.H" No." ~
Every maiden wonders what the fu.
ture has in store for her, and this is
what she must do on New Years day
to learn her fate: 5
Turn the pillow at midnight, the
31st of December, and you will
dream of the man you are to marry.
Or, let her take her hymn book to her
bedroom, blow out the lamp, open the
book and mark a hymn Tin the dark,
put it under the pillow and sleep on
it. Next morning when she reads the
hymn she will find it's text will indi-
cate the event of the year. -
On New Years eve the Italian maid
en- places in one corner Of her bed
room a thimble, in another water, in
a third ashes and in a fourth a ring.
Upon waking in the morning, if she
sees the ring first she will be married
that year; if she sees the water first
the year will be unlucky; If the
thimble, fortune will smile on her;
If the ashes, she will die.
On New Years eve, II a maiden
wishes to know her fate during the
coming year, she must go into the
open air with a psalm book in one
hand and a piece Of silver in her
mouth. She must allow the book to
fall open, and if it opens at the death
psalm she will die; If it opens at the
bridal psalm she will marry, and what
ever else it opens to will indicate her
fate.
On New Years eve, while the clock
is striking twelve, repeat three times:
Good St. Anne, good st. Anne,
Send me a man as fast as you can
And you will be engaged in a year.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
Murmurs Ever and Anon That the
Worst ls Yet to Come.

uary 81 the coal bin will be empty,
and father will chop up a par!or chair.
The month Of February will take
only 20 days to pass a giveA point.
The weather will be extremely unset.
tied, and when it is not stormy the
air will be quite calm. In spite of the
cold spell cherry trees will bloom
around February % in all candy store
windows.
March will come in like a lamb
afraid of waking the baby, and will go
out like a leonine monster who has
just overheard someone say he is get
ting fat. Rain checks will be issued
in case this condition is reversed.
There will be some warm weather,
which will cause optimists to throw
aside their o%vercoats and shed their
thick, prickly underwear. When the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

colo spell gets back on the Job, fresh,
frozen optimist will be one OF the del
icacies Of the season.
April will come in with a sore foot,
having kicked an opera hat which COM
pletely surrounded a brick. April will
be a wet month, and early umbrella
crops will BE- reported from many re-
gions. Fido will here begin to shed
his fur.
Now there's a prophecy which shows
what I can do To confess up, there
was nothing difficult about 1t. For any,
one can be a New Year prophet, Yes,
without any previous training, or ex-
p~erieuce in sending spirit messages
collect, instead Of paying the boy your
self.
It's safe to prophecize that in the
year 1915, A. D., you are going to keep
most of your good resolutions II you
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
Runninu Ahead,

It is easy to miss Gods plans by
hurrying after them too fast. A
business man, on his way from his
suburban home to his Office, was very
DESTROYS of seeing another man on an
important matter; and he knew that
that man was likely to be on a GER
tain ferry boat. Hurrying for the
boat lest he miss his man, he was
stopped on his way by the man him
self, who had been quietly waiting for
him. His eagerness to catch that
boat was carrying him past the very
man he wanted to see. Our eagerness
to work out Gods plans doubtless
often makes it difficult for him to
keep us in touch with those plans.
1t is sometimes a duty to move
swiftly; but even then let US be
sensitively alert that our swiftness
shall not cause us to miss the goal
that God has set.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

Figure 5 shows the idea adapted to a
toy that is quickly put together. Get
an empty tin can, a piece of heavy
wrapping paper, a piece of stout wrap
ping Irvine, and a piece of rosin. Dou-
BILE the wrapping paper, pierce a hole
through it's center, stick the end Of the
cord through it and tie a large knot
on it Gig. g.. Then tie the paper
over the open end of the can, as
shown in Fig. G., and trim off the pro-
jecting edges. To operate, pull firmly
on the string, at the same time allow
Ing it to slide through your hand.
downright by A. Nicely Hall.)
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

ess who, in a lull, left the line and
went over to the punch bowl in the.
back parlor. saying to a man she
didn't know: What is your name! I
don't think ] know you" He told her.
She didn't remember It, 30 she asked
him with whom he had come. He
said he had come by himself, where
upon she ordered him, out. Imagine
her chagrin the next day upon receiv-
ing from this man a letter she had
written to a relative In a neighboring
city asking that he visit there. when
eyer he should be in the city. Also
to be reminded by him that he had
sent his letter of introduction and re.
ceived cards, which he also inclosed,
In the holiday, rush she had simply
forgotten the new name.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

To all-good-by. My task Is done.
I've swung the circle of the sun.
I've given all that Life bestows,
I've dealt Fate's cards to friends, to foes,
I've touched you each with Joy and care,
Drawn wrinkles here, smoothed wrinkles
there.
And if I've frosted temples gray,
I've made warm lips to kiss away
The chill. Tho Death, tho strife
I've visited-I've granted Life.
I'm Time. I've robbed your cradle dear,
Yet ! ask you-your dying Year,
Have | not filed it9 Answer free.
five robbed you have not you cheated mef
Have not you sought to kill me-Ttme'
Have not you wasted me-God's gift SUBJ
lime?
Misspent me. Knocked me, wished me on
my way,
Loathed and reviled me-prayed another
day, g.
And when | granted it, Knocked that one,
too,
Are we not quit at evens-I and you?
It's Kismet-Fate. Old World, good-by
My cycles done-I faint die.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
HAPPY NEW YEAR CUSTOMS
Celebrations of the Mummers in Olden
Days in England-Tending to
Revive Visiting.

On Friday, January 1, the mummers
will mum-that's their way of ush-
ering in the New Year. How many OF
them know the beginning Of the Gus
tom-or the ending! It began in
~nocently enough, but by the seventh
century it amounted to "diaboical
paganism," outrageous, blasphemous.
Rufians robbed and even murdered
under the pretense Of merrymaking.
Not all was frightful, however. In
Rome slaves were waited upon by
their masters and the poor reaped
veritable harvests, which was but nat
ural, since it all came from the sat
urnalia of the Eternal City.
In England the mummers performed
plays, spoke dialogues and imperson-
ated famous people, especially kings
and warriors. Songs were sung both
by the mummers and their entertain
ers. Here is one:
To shorten winters sadness
See where the folks with gladness
Disguised all are a-coming
Right wantonly a-mumming.
In those days they loved, too, to
masquerade as animals, bears and
uniforms being especially favored dis
guises. SCOTS couplet summed it
up:
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces Of ancient minstrelsy.
At last this mumming came to be
a menace as we'll as a nuisance, and
the chaste Henry VIII made it a mis-
demeanor to wear a mask.
It was George Washington who
made the day what it once was in
this country. Said he: Never forget
the cheerful and cordial observance of
New Years day." The celebration
grew and grew, until a generation or
so ago., the scenes enacted at some
receptions were simply disgraceful, So
ciety having progressed some since 1t
was good form to imbibe until the i'm
biber quietly slid under the table.
: OF late years there has been a tend
ency to revive visiting on the first
day Of the year. But it is all very
informal, and every hostess knows
each and every one of her guests,
which was not always the case WREN
It was the fashion to have as many
as possible and any man counted one.
An amusing story Is told Of (one host
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
Good-by, Old Year,

Peace to it's ashes! Peace to it's
smbers Of burnt-out things; fears,
anxieties, doubts all gone! see
them now as a thin, blue smoke hang
ing in the bright heavens Of the past
year, vanishing away into utter moth
ingness. Not many hopes deceived,
not many illusions scattered, not many
anticipations disappointed, but love
fulfilled, the heart comforted, the soul
enriched with Observation-Disclosures.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
4 New Years Wish,

To become an expert at forgetting.
Just to forget all the unkipc acts, the
deep wrongs, the mean words the
bitter disappointments-iust let them
60, forget them-the memory will be-
come quick and alert to remember the
things worth remembering, the mind
given to beautiful things, worthwhile
things, and to remember always that
( am in the presence Of God, this is
nv desire for the New Year.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

tongue of the bell rattle is prepared.
The length of the tongue should be
equal to the inside depth of the can.
Cut a stick of this length and whit
tie down one end to fit the hole in
the thread spool you have obtained;
then screw a screw-eye into the other
end Gig. 81. Fasten the tongue in
place with a piece Of string, passing
the string through the screw-eyes in
tongue B and handle A, and tying
them loosely with firm knots. This
completes the rattle.
The odd-shaped rattle shown in
Fig. 4requires a short stick for han
die A, and two tin cans out of which
to make the wings, pieces B and C..
The bottoms Of the cans must be re-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
The DAYS of the New Year,

o God. give me the strength through this
new year
To take each day just as it comes TO
me;
To grasp the good Of every passing hour
And never question what the next will
be.
Help me to see that all the homely cares
When fully met and simply done. bring
peace;
.Ae2soooco ENH- Ggr3y5Er ~.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
Not Now.

/ shall aot swear off smoking pow<
Nor swear to mend my ways;
] shall lot swear off penning prose
Or writing merry lays.
For what's the useF You know right wei
The strongest Of IS fall.
s'm going to start New Year right
I shall not swear at all.
-Ioa rono
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
ANetu Nrma prayfr
By DAVID CORY

God grant that ! the new gear through
May ,tHoe Uuh heart and soul 10 do
Those thing, which arc most good and true.
God grant that / each morning start
My dutie, wifh d cheerful hear.
And cheeJuly perform my par.
To uear a ,mdle all through the. day.
To Danish thought, unkind aDay;
And when my bedtime zones to pray.
To say my prayers wih folded hand,
As night comes softly ole, the lands.
To Him. who ahoay, understands.
And rohen The bell, on New Years ddon
Proclaim the bright New Year Is born.
And / apake on New Years morn.
pray Him whi,per. lou and sweet,
To help me guide my woywd'd feet.
Lest I forget my prayer TO meet.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

Oh. World! dear WoIld-at last my dream
is true,
Through all eternity I've lenged orIyou.
Impatient of the years | had to wait,
Each nerve aquiver, lest | be too late.
And now I'm here-and all of you are
mine
For my brief reign. Yet, also, | an thine.
For use-abuse-but treat me as you may
Remember this-Il give and take away.
And butthis moment %borH--but half awake,
Plltell you now whatIll both give and take.
I'll take a life from out you here and there.
III give-a lover true-a sweetheart fair.
Half of your fondest hopes I'll steal away,
III grant a grain of wisdom day by day.
And tho, perchance, | should take Peters
all,
With lavish hands I'll shower il on Paul,
III smite some of you with an iron glove,
III nurse some others with my tenderest
love,
I'm both your queen and slave. I now
make way.
This night is yours. Tomorrow you'll repay.
Bring forth the testers. Fill the cup Of
cheer. $3.50.
You've waited me forever. World, I'm
here.
Y63kR1g
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

moved, and the sides opened out. Tack
the pieces to opposite sides of the
stick handles .....
By holding the handle in the posi-
ton shown in Fig. 4, and shaking
from side to side, the tin wings will
flap back and forth and make a splen.
did cracking, crashing noise.
If you have never tried pulling upon
a string rubbed with resin, you cannot
appreciate what a loud %shrieking
sound is produced In this manner
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

The depth of ones words is just
the depth of ones character.-Percy
G. Ainsworth.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
Help!

Help!
"'Gentleman offers to exchange a
Christmas present for something use
ful."
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNDAlSQ1O0L
LESSON
LESSON FOR JANUARY
GODS PATIENCE WlrH lsfsHL.
.By E. O.. SELLERS, Acting Direetorsof
Sunday School Course,3t

LESSON TExT-Judges 2:7-19
GOLDEN TEXT Gin heal their back
sliding, ! will love them freelyf-Hos. 14:4.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-30

A NYBODY who says the world is
N growing less superstitious must
"A be talking through the ear-flaps
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-15
KANSAS COUPLE FIND THE SHORT
ROAD TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

1T is marvellous the good it has
done for her. Her complexion has
cleared and she no longer has those
dizzy headaches"
This remedy has brought sunshine
and happiness into many a home
made gloomy by i'll health.
Mayr's Wonderful Stomach Remedy
clears the digestive tract of mucoid
accretions and poisonous matter. It
brings swift relief. Many declare it
has saved them from dangerous oper-
atoms; many are sure 1t has saved
their lives. Probably your neighbors
know Of it,
The success of this remedy has
caused many imitators, SO be cautious.
Be sure it's MAYR'S. Go to Arnold
Drug Co.. 523 Kansas Ave-, and ask
about the wonderful results 1t has ac-
complished-or send to Geo. H.
Mayr. Mfg. Chemist. 154-15e Whiting
St.. Chicago. ILL.,. for free book on
stomach ailments and many letters
from grateful people who have been
restored. Amy druggist can tell you
its wonderful efIect&Adv-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-15
Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Barnes Get
New Joy in Life Since Their
Fortunate Discovery.

Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Barnes of
Kingsdown. Kan. have found happi-
ness and health and q way to rout i'll
health in a hurry.
Mrs. Barnes used to worry about
her complexion and she suffered ter
rible headaches and dizziness. Her
food did not agree with her and APP
petite waned.
But she found a quick remedy:
tried 1t and proved it.
Then she urged Mr.. Barnes, who
was subject to much the same suffer-
Ing. to take 1t. The remedy is Mayr's
Wonderful Stomach Remedy. Mr..
Barnes wrote:
Il have tried two bottles of your
stomach remedy and will say that I
am feeling better than Il have for
years. but that is nothing compared to
what 1t has done for my wife. who
has taken the rest OF the treatment.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-15
SNIP SHOTS

b. II. Push, president of the Pugh
Manufacturing company, Is Ill at ms
home on Topeka avenue.
A license to marry was granted To-
day by the probate court to Floyd M:
Kelly Of Haviland and Mabel Rose OF
Topeka.
The trade extension COMMITTEES Of
the Toneka Commercial club met to.
day to discuss questions pertaih'ns "
/ the trade trip June "a
Miss Myrtle Warrington Of Topeka,
who for three terms has been prin ,
cipal of the Marysville schools. Will
be at the head of the Burlington
schools next fall.
George H. Hoyes, secretary OF the
Central Y. M. c. A., will give an ad-
dress before the Christian societies
Of the Dickinson county high school
Tuesday evening. Mr.. Hoyes was
graduated from this institution
The annual exhibit will be held at
Van Buren, school this afternoon and
evening. Attorney General John
Dawson will address a meeting OF the
Parent-Teachers' association OF the
school which will be held this even IN
ing
day service at the Westminster Pres
byterian church a week from Sunday.
Elaborate preparations are being
made of this service. Sons OF
old soldiers as well as war veterans
are invited to attend.
A special meeting of the board OF
education will be held this evening
The Wireless club, composed OF
boys of the grade and high schools
interested in wireless telegraphy. will
hold a meeting at the Central Y. NJ.
c. A. tonight at 1880 o'clock.
Officers of the Kansas State Fair
association will attend a grange
meeting at Tecumseh tonight to tell
the members of the special induce
ments that are being made to int Or
est the oranges in making agricultn-
raj displays at the fair next Sep1em-
Der.
Property owners who believe them
selves to be too heavily burdened I'M
der the 1914 assessment will have
their chance to ask for an adjust
ment Of their troubles at the hands
of the board of county commissioners
on and after Monday Of next week
On that day the board goes into ses-
sion as a board of equalization.
A group of younger juniors" of
the Central Y. M. c. A. will spend to
night in the country west of Topeka
They will be accompanied by DIR Witt
Lee. boys secretary Of the Central as
ISOLATION. They will leave the build
ing at $3.50 o'clock tonight. They
will have their breakfasts in true
camp style before the return to To-
peka Saturday morning. They will
reach the association building in time
for their gymnasium classes.
The Jubilee convention of the
Kansas State Sunday School associ1-
ton, which will be held at Topeka
May AS, 1915. is expected to be the
greatest meeting of Sunday school
people ever held in Kansas. H. w.
Bomgardner. superintendent, of the
Shawnee County Sunday School as
ISOLATION. predicts that the actual
registration at the meeting will. be
between five and eight thousand. Mr..
Bomgardner said today: Delegates
will come in special trains from all
parts of the state"