davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
THE CALL OF THE NEW YEAR

A Christian man sat in the Masters presence
thinking of the coming of the new year. 1t was
good but solemn thing to do. The mans
thoughts in that presence ran thus: Seeing him
l am sure that every year is the year of our
Lord. 1t ought to be begun, continued and
ended in him. He will be with me all the days.
My days must be in his hands," The Christian
man continued his meditation-always In his pres
ence, What sort of man ought to be- this year
and all years?" The answer came out of an old
word which had new meaning, in his presence:
Complete in him." Again he asked: What kind
of work ought to do this year and all years ?"
The centuries fade away and he seems to hear
again: Whatsoever he saith unto you do it." He
asked again: Where shall go to be his man and
do his work." Once more old words leap into
new times ITO your household to your neighbor
and to all the world" How can l do all this?"
"The entrance of his word giveth light" therefore
give yourself to Bible study; mot by might nor
by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts" therefore give yourself to prayer; 81 can
do all things through Christ" therefore give your
self to work. "in all things he shall have the pre-
eminence," therefore give yourself to him. And
the man arose from the meditation to make the
new year and all years, years of the Lord. And
the Master arose and went with the man-Bishop
Mcdowell.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
They Stunned Him.

Broadway, the long lane of many
pitfalls, fairly teens with tempera-
mental scribes Bide Dudley collected
a whole book full of them. The last
one he tackled was William Raymond
Sill at the Casino theater. BILL" was
asked if he ever bridled and saddled
old Pegasus. you talk like Wagner
wrote operas" he replied. What was
the matter with Wagner" was asked
TOO strong on the basses," replied
Bill But he was a good short STOP"
Then Bill came across with the fol-
lowing: tits beauty of the female sort
that causes all our woe. This fact
was demonstrated first by Eve long
years ago. And since that time mere
man has been victim of the fair.
"They bring him trouble-trouble,
all the time and everywhere. The man
who robbed the bank can blame a
certain Mae or Pearl, the man the
street car flattened was entranced by
some sweet girl, the fellow that the
safe fell on would be live man yet
had he not stood there gazing at some
fair one, you can bat. The drummer
who just missed his train would not
have been delayed had he not stopped
to mingle with certain comedy maid.
How fine 'twould be if all the girls
that drive us men to drink were BAN
ished to some lonely isle! How fine
we'll, l don't think" Knowing he was
vary busy man Mr. Sill was stopped
after the second verse
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

AMI, leaving the weapon behind him,
fee. Joe was known to never carry a
weapon, and the leaving of this fire
arm behind, together with the forcible
entry of the place, would throw the
crime upon mysterious tramps or bur
glars. AS darkness fell he prowled
forth, assured himself that Harding
had gone, then, prying open the win
dow, entered and sat waiting by the
low burning lamp until the sound of
distant wheels reached his ears. He
had not loaded his weapon yet having
reasoned that should he be caught be-
fore the act with an unloaded gun he
would be deemed guilty of a far less
offense than should it be loaded But
now the time had come.
From his pocket he drew some pow
der and poured it into the yawning
muzzle, laying the bullet upon the Ia
Bile. Next, he must have sons paper
wadding for both powder and ball, and
a book lay close at hand. Without
looking at it's cover he tore forth a
handful of leaves and, selecting one,
laid the others aside as he raised the
first piece preparatory to crumpling it
up and ramming it home upon the
powder. As be did so the words upon
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

in Scotland and England The first visitor to a
house on New Years morning had the privilege of
kissing the person that opened the door. Perhaps
there is Renaissance of ancient fire worship In
the Shropshire custom of stirring the fire on New
Years morning before uttering word.
Although there are few houses where New
Years day is observed with it's oldtime hospital
ity, the day is not wholly divorced from the
thought of good things to eat. The ridiculous New
Years eve dinners in the Broadway restaurants
have special significance, but there are certain
dishes inseparably associated with the day.
One of these is roast goose, which is perhaps
more liked in England than America. But even
more characteristic are those admirable little
cakes which come from Germany, and which are
imported in tin boxes German cooks have made
them for centuries, have lavished their time and
energy on new designs and new favors, and the
result is a cake excellent that it must always
be the special delight of the New Year feast This
point of ritual surely, must be left u.s.
So excellent is the German New Years cake
that it cannot be used for charm, like the New
Years eve cake of Ireland. For this was thrown
against the wall and broken into pieces. The first
fragment to touch the ground eagerly sought,
for he who ate it was sure of years happiness.
There was much pleasure in the baking of the
cake 1t was placed gridiron before the open
fire. and incantations sung to secure the sue
cess of the charm.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

the leaf caught his eye, and slowly ne
read:
Thou shalt not kill
His hand trembled and his face
grew gray. Then in the night without
he heard the beat of hoofs before the
barn, coupled with the loud command
to whoa" and with gasp he clutched
another sheet Before his eyes swan
the words:
Likewise l say unto you, there Ia
joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth."
Slowly the gun slipped from his
hand, his form relaxed and he sank
into chair, his head falling upon the
table.
Five minutes later John Harding,
fresh from embarrassing his team,
throwing open the door, started back
in fear and amaHement. Then softly
he approached the man who was now
shuddering as he had beneath the
whip, laid the gun aside and gazed at
the mutilated Bible. Upon the floor
he saw the dropped pages, gathered
them up, read them, then slowly un-
derstood.
For the, second time that day Hard
ing's hand fell upon the shoulder or
the other but this time ii was with a
parents gentleness.
Brother sinner" he whispered husk-
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
"vELE" THAT CAUSES DEATH
Mysterious instrument Used by the SUI.
rerstitious Natives of Solomon
Islands.

One of the most extraordinary prac-
tees among the natives of Guadalca-
mar, in the Solomon islands, says Jo-
seph leighton in the Wide World, is
the use of what is known at the ''vele.'
which is supposed to have the power
of causing death to the person against
whom it is employed. The 'vele"
has the appearance of baby's small
wickerwork rattle, and is generally
inclosed in little bag, which is again
carefully placed in a bamboo box, zeal
ously guarded by the owner
When the latter wishes to cause the
death of an enemy he takes the "vele"
between the little finger and the Sec
ond finger of the left hand, and then
searches for the object of his hate,
looking carefully to right and left to
make sure he is observed by no one.
Having found his enemy he stands
at full height, stretching out his arm
and the ''vele" toward him, at the
same time turning his face from him,
and kissing out various curses The
betwitched man then turns to see who
has Kissed. The "vele" man then
turns away, holding the 'vele" behind
him, still pointing to his enemy, who
comes running toward him, unconsci-
ously it would seem, and staggers
round him.
The ''yele'' man then turns round,
and with the "vele' makes a move
ment toward his enemy's right and
left breast, knees, toes, the small of
the back, shoulder blades and tenn
pies. The 'vele" man then calls to
his enemy to 'sit up" go to the viii
lage, and say, Il have 'veled' you"
at the same time naming the time
when the ''vele' will begin to work.
Such is the belief in the power of
the "vele" that at the hour mentioned
man who has been "veled'' is con-
vulsed in delirium, apparently Of
fright, enduring great pain in the parts
indicated by the "vele" man. Death
very quickly ensues, and when the
"vele" man hears the cries of mourn
ing he returns to his own village.
No one has ever been able to ex-
plain in what mysterious manner the
''vele' acts as a death dealing instru-
ment, but the key to the mystery
seems to lie in the abnormal super
stition of the Melanesian native.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Born Actors.

The French are born actors, from
the first to the last; they have from
early childhood poses and motions
that are not to be found outside of
France, except on the stage. Their
bearing is theatrical, their language
defamation, their whole manner re-
calling scenery and footlights and
precisely the French produce fewer
great tragedians than any other ma
ton in the world They are rich in
talents for social drama and the COM
edy; they have the good fortune Of
seeing a Got and Coquelin, a St.
German and a Dieudonne, a Geoffroy.
Hyacinthe, PHeritier. Lassouche, act
on the stage contemporaneously, but
they produce no tragical talents Of
the first order. geniuses who could
bear comparison with Devrient, a
Davidson, Kean, Booth. Irving, Rossi,
or Salvini.-Mex Nordau
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

fallen into the hands of o compassion
and a shuddering scream burst from
the lips of the cringing one. But from
then on no sound escaped them until,
at last released from the iron grip, Joe
fell Imply upon the frozen ground.
Sternly gazing down upon his victim
for a moment, Harding turned away
1T was the just punishment of a
rogue by just man." he muttered to
his conscience.
From shapeless, writing heap'the
fallen one arose, his small eyes CLINT
ing with the deadly glare of prodded
serpent Whip me, you black devil
you usurer--you forecloser of widows
mortgages--you dodger of taxes-you
YOU" The voice rose to an mar
ticulate scream of rage. "By the Elter-
nal, I'll kill you for that-yes, murder
you in cold blood" Then the first
wild outburst of passion passed and
into the red eyes a look of cunning
crept. the cunning that outwitted
wary wild beasts and took them in his
snares.
He passed rapidly through the brush
until he came to a hollow log, from
which be drew an ancient gun which
he had stolen and hidden there years
before. None knew, that he possessed
it, and he chuckled at his own cum
ming as he plotted his details. He
knew that Harding's family was away
and that John would attend church
that night and return home alone after
services. Nothing would be easier
than to raise a window of his foes
house during his absence, and 'upon his
return kill him at his own threshold
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

The French 'etrennes," both in
name and in date, preserve historical
continuity with a clearhess that our
Christmas box has lost. According to
the ancient Roman legend the custom
went back to the rape of the Sabines.
or, rather, to the reconciliation of the
two peoples afterward, when Romulus
cut green branches from grove of
the goddess Strenua and presented
them to Tatius. Thereafter Romans
gave each other branches for luck Jan
uary 1, together with figs, dates.
honey and a small coin--such luck
gifts being termed "strenae." Even
emperors we're powerless to put down
a. custom that in time became burden
some and the church similarly failed
and was driven to Outstanding the
practice.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

e-"@ lunches, but just now
all this was different. For he had
seen certain signs that one Of his
shoats had been stolen had 8 pre-
sentiment that a certain unworthy
known as "Shiftless Joe" had done the
foul deed, and possessed a bunch that
he Was about to horsewhip Joe until
he outsquealed any pig critter that
was ever lifted over a fence on a
moonless night. &c. being man of
deeds as well as thoughts, ne took
down his trusty bull whip and started
swampward towards the abode of his
victim to be.
Now Shiftless Joe was not reckoned
among the 400 of John Harding's COM
munity, and when one is told that
there were but 400 people in that dis
trict he will understand that the state
ment has a well-defined meaning. He
lived alone at the edge of the big
swamp, fishing in summer when it
was not too hot; trapping in winter
when it was not too cold; sleeping and
loafng the year around, he was avoid
ed by the entire Woodworking, hard
praying settlement.
1t was a long tramp from the home
of Harding to the miserable cabin of
the trapper, and by TIE time the for
mer had arrived there his righteous
wrath against the slothfu!. sinful be-
ing whom he sought was grim and I'M
relenting. My house is tie house of
prayer; but We have made it den of
thieves" he quoted sternly. Then he
raised his fist and smote upon the
wretched door such a blow as Moses
of old might have struck when he split
the rock and babe the waters gush
forth From within squeaIy, rat
like voice bade him enter and through
the narrow doorway he crowded.
He glanced around the cluttered
place. From one corner a thin. weasel
like figure arose and stood cringing
before the mighty one, fear thickly
spreading his face as he noted the
formidable whip tightly clutched in
the equally formidable hand. Good
morning, Mr.. Harding. Happy New
Year" he said, fawningly.
1T is bad morning for you. and IT
is going to be an unhappy beginning
of the New Year" he retorted. steal
my shoat, will you!' The smaller man
threw up his hands with a protesting
gesture as quick denial leaped to his
lips. But Harding silenced him with
a roar.
Don't aid lying to your thievery.
you sheep-killing cur. One false word
from your lips and your punishment
shall be doubled You thought you
were cunning, but in several places L
found the mark of that club foot of
yours while you were making of with
my good pork Now what nave you to
say?"
Nothing, except that | did not steal
- AS a bear strikes, so did the heavy
arm of the invader shoot out, The hand
gripping the thin shoulder like a trap.
Il warned you if you lied your pun
ishment should be doubled Has not
the good Lord commanded Thou shalt
not steal? Thank your stars that you
did not live in those days, for you
would have been stoned to death.
Rather. bless your luck that you have
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
THE NEW YEAR.

Julia Ward Howe was no believer in New Years
resolutions I'VE should make and keep good
resolutions all the year round" the celebrated
author once said in Boston. 81 am no great be-
lever in New Years VOWS, for, although they are
splendid things, they really don't amount to much
more than Oliver Wendell Holmes tobacco reso-
luton.
Mr.. Holmes, with affected gravity, said to a
friend on the first day of the year: 4 really must
not smoke so persistently; / must turn over a
new leaf-a tobacco leaf-and have cigar only
after each'-here he paused as if to say meal
but he continued-after each cigar"
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

Monday. The colored soldiers were
much puzzled by this remarkable oc-
eurrenee. and many discussions arose
among them as TO the explanation A
wise old sergeant sitting on deck
smoking his pipe, was listening to a
group of disputants discussing the
question from every angle. Finally he
could stand it no longer, and spoke up:
If yuh niggahs II shut up 70 a min
ute, and quit 'splayin yo' ignan'ce, III
'splain de mattah to yuh. SOS even yuh
can und'stan' it" How is il. ser
geant?H asked one OF the tiispGtants
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

would come in the morning and return
at night. This continued until re-
Gently.
A few weeks ago Bagg observed
that ten of his choice hens we're miss
ing and attributed the theft to thieves.
Last week he lost Is, and as his hen
house was locked, the windows barred
and no signs that ii had been entered.
he believed that a fox was carrying
away his poultry. Saturday he put
in the day watching his diminishing
flock.
Late in the afternoon he beard a
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

When I called her up five hours be
fore the reception to ask about the
condition Of the piano. she exclaimed:
I sent the piano back to the factory
last week for repairs. Can't you play
something without oneT The only
things l had at my fingers ends foi
violin alone were some Bach sonatas.
This gave me an inspiration Certain
~ | answered, / can play the Cha
come. After q. moments silence a
Disappointed voice replied: But, my
dear. / would so much rather you
played the VIOLIN"
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
A Gladstone New Year.

Oh, happy, happy may the year that's
dawning prove for thee,
Each day unfolds new joys untold, thy
hopes fruition see.
Around thy feet bloom nowerets sweet OF
friendship, love and mirth.
May gladness reign within thy heart, and
peace DER all the earth.
May every link in friendships chain for,
ever stronger grow,
And every Joy without alloy in a sturdy
river flow
May peace and plenty Gil your life and Joy
your bosom cheer,
To all OF worth throughout the earth,
gladstone, bright New Yeari
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
THIEvING GEESE SWIM RIVER
And the Stolen Chickens Are Wafteo
Across Stream on Their Necks,
Is the Story.

All summer people coming and go
ing over the river road have noticed
four extra large geese mile below
here. These geese belong TO the Binn
farm. across the river.
Early in the spring the geese
crossed the river and mingled with
the fowls on the Bagg farm. They
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
EXPLAINED BY THE STUDENT
Absence of Sunday Really Was Not SO
Much Of a Mystery as II Seemed
20 Soldiers.

Some years ago a troopship was
making its way across the Pacific,
bound for the Philippines. carrying a
squadron of the Ninth cavalry (eol-
ored). The ship arrived at the 1S0th
meridian on Saturday evening. and
there was no Sunday that week. the
calendar skipping from Saturday to
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

faithful as we may have been,
God has never been unfaithful to a
single opening that a prayer Of one
Of his children has offered him. When
we are tempted to wish that more OBJ
portunities would come our way, let us
ask ourselves whether we are sending
opportunities Gods way.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Gods Opportunities.

"Our prayers are Gods emporium
tiles" In ordaining prayer God has
evidently chosen so 10 limit himself
that our prayers permit him to do
what he could not otherwise DO. He
wants to reach that friend OF yours
as he has not yet been abe to do.
Your faith-flled. persistent, loving
prayer for that friend viii give God
his opportunity. Are you making the
opening that God longs for? How
his heart must leap when the oppor-
tunities come pouring in to him, IN
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Greatly Benefited.

Your weight seems to be about the
same all the time. Mr.. Knaggs."
About the same. However, il var
led little last year"
Tell me about it"
owing 20 an affection of the throat.
Mrs. Knaggs was unable to speak for
two weeks. and / gained seven
pounds"
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

Artillery. of course. had to wait up
on gunpowder. 1t is absolutely i'm
possible to say when and where it
was first used The first piece may
have been made by German named
Schwartz about 1880. 1t is claimed
that artillery was used by the Moors
Of Spain in 1342, and at Crecy in 1876.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

must wrestle with him before hs
blesses US. Failure brings in his stern
hand the peace Of renunciation. Shame
bears 10 US the sense Of sin, which is
the knowlerge Of God. His hidden face
shines with the mercy of heaven, and
well for US If we may look into it,
Margaret Oeland.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

commotion near the river bank. Look.
ing there, he saw two geese with heads
together and perched upon their
necks was one of his hens. The geese
started and swan sideways across the
river The. two remaining geese en-
tered the water. another hen few to
their necks and they departed
Bagg entered his rowboat and rowed
TO the Binn farm. There he learned
that 40 strange hens had Joined the
Binn flock. After explaining the ex-
plot of the geese Bagg was allowed
TO take his hens home The geese are
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Twas ever Thus

"All men are alike. They're deceit
full and selfish" How do you know"
q married friend OF mine told me so
and warned me against all of them. I"
But you're going to marry Fred. "Oi
course l am. He's diferent-"-De-
troit Free Press.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

Well said the sergeant. hits dis
way. De yearth has a North pole. a
South pole. Has pole, an a Yves
pole; yest'day we passed de Yves pole.
an we got out OF Christian an into
heathern lands. an We amt goin' to
have no mo- Sundays"
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
A CASUAL OBSERVATION.

I'VE are living in an age of exceptional cul
ture said the woman with angular features.
"Mebbe are" said Farmer Corntossel But
can't help noticin' that people walk right up to
the news stand to buy soma pretty fluffy stuff,
while it takes mighty good book agent to work
OFF a set of Shakespeare"
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Reckless srand Of courzoe.

We can't help admiriEg the courage
Of an old maid who males a suitoI
propose twice before accepting him.
although she knows he's her last
chance.-Birmingham Age-Herald-
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
ANGELS In Our wav.

Now there are certain great angels
which meet US in the way Of life. Pain
is one; failure is one; shame is one
Pain looks US fun in the eyes, and We
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29
Understood That Better.

Marie Caslova. the violinist. used 10
tell of a reception at which she was TO
be the soloist, which was given by q
woman whose sudden wealth had not
brought her musical knowledge.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

Let the words Of my mouth, and the
meditation OF my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, o Lord. say strength and
ny redeemer.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

now inclosed in a pen. Beaverton
IN. Y) Dispatch to New York Trib
une.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

Ohm HARDING was not
a mild man.. neither was
he inclined to be super
stitious. AS a rule he
had small belief in
signs, presentiments or
lunches but lust now
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-12-29

lR grandfathers did not give up $50
each for the privilege of spending
New Years eve in crowded restaur-
ants. Neither did they. at the stroke
of twelve, put on caps of colored
paper, ring COW bells, and throw con-
fetti at strangers. Yet We, who ridi-
Guile their traditions and superstitions.
can find, it seems, no more satisfac-
tory way in which to speed the old
year and welcome the new.