davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

Happy Thought who lives close ia
Santas left ear.
Lets - let's - oh. let's" cried
Happy Thoughts who live in Santa's
busy hands. 'Molly's always helping
some one-let's help her out
NO" said the one who had spoken
first. Better yet-let's leave gifts &C
that she can mend the hole herself
Molly likes to do things for herself"
Put big, round ball OF mending-
cotton right in the hole" chuckled
the Happy Thought into santa's right
ear
Santa was chuckling again He lived
down into his pack and brought out a
big, big ball Of brown mending cot
ton, bigger than the hole In Molly'a
stocking. He put it way, way down
in the stocking and chuckled his big
gest chuckle to find it couldn't got
through.
And on the floor beside the stock
ing he put the prettiest brown and
green sweet grass basket. In 1t were
scissors and thread and needles. and
the dearest little silver thimble-oh!
everything you need when you mend
nicely.
Then he filled Molys stocking up
to the brim. And nothing could fall
through the hole--not even the little
turquoise ring.
still chuckling, santa filled babys
and hurried away. But one
of the Happy Thoughts slipped out OF
his heart and hid in Molly's basket
Next morning Molly and Doris and
baby, who was all we'll Axain. found
their Christmas gifts. When Molly
found the ball Of mending cotton in
the toe Of her stocking. ana the work
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
THE BEST CHRISTMAS.

II was the Cay after Christmas and
SNOW lay on the ground. sparkling,
the snow birds were hopping around
on the window-sll eating crumbs of
bread that were put there especially
for them.
The sun had just put it's beautiful
red glowing rim over the horizon, and
the snow looked like SO many crys-
tails
Altogether it was glorious morn
ing. but not for little Tommy. who
lay in his bed, notwithstanding the
fact that the breakfast call had been
rung for the second time.
Tommy Jones was boy of ten. but
he had been q selfish boy ever since
his babyhood. The day before had
been Christmas. but ne had not en-
joyed it. 1t is true that he had had
plenty of presents, in fact. more than
he could very well make use OF. but he
hadn't given anybody anything
His father and mother. his sister
Gertrude. and even his little brothers
and sisters had taken great care to get
nice presents for him when he came
down TO breakfast. but when he
looked his father and mother in their
faces he saw tears in their eyes.
MIR. Jones, his father. worked hard
in his office downtown. his mother
worked hard as the housekeeper. Ger
trude went to school, and helped her
mother COOK. and even the little ones
did their best to help the family
along. but Tommy played around day
in and dav out and wouldn't even go
to school, as his father had begged
him: he was selfish, spoiled and nm
happy.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
CHRISTMAS STORY CONTEST :.
THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS.

over 1900 years ago there lived in
Galiiee in "A little town called Nazareth
q very poor but devout woman whose
name was Mary. This woman was
highly favored, for she was to be the
mother of Gods only Son. Christ
Jesus When the angel told her this
she answered, Behold. the handmade
of the Lord, be it unto me as thou
sayest" So the angel departed from
her. Now Mary had married a poor
carpenter. whose name vas Joseph,
and they lived very happily in that
humble home in Nazareth. The ruler
at that time had sent out a decree, or
proclamation. that everyone should go
to mis- ancestral city to he taxed. SO
Joseph. with Mary. had to GO to Beth
lehem. But when they got there they
found the tavern full to Overlooking,
but someone said THE stable is not
full" SO Mary and Joseph went to the
stable. There were some shepherds
outside the city and they were watch
ing their focks of sheep. All at once
la beautiful light shone round them
and they were very much afraid. But
1.-THE angel said. DO not he afraid, l
have come TO bring glad rtdings to
YOU The Lord Jesus Is born in Beth
lehem in n manager" Aud after the
angel said this n multitude of other.
angels appeared and said GLORY to
God in the highest, peace on eafth,
good will TO men" When they dis
appeaSed from the shepherds view
the shepherds said to each other; Let
us go and see If it can be true"
So they went and looked In the
stable and saw Mary, Joseph and the
Christ child The wonderful story was
true. There were some wise men In
the East who knew of Christ's com
ing SO they bought gifts to give him.
Now they did not know the way to go
so God sent a beautiful star to lead
them to where the baby lay asleep.
They gave their gifts To the Christ
child and went away. So now We try
TO keep peace on earth and cherish
good Will unto all men on Christs
birthday and give gifts to each other
like the wise men brought to Him on
that first Christmas.
MABEL ROBERTS.
No
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
SELECTED STORIES.
NoRMA's HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
BY Edith Vaughan Michaux.

But aren't all Christmases happy
onesg" I can hear you exclaiming
wonderingly: and I can only assure
you that they ought to be. Of course.
Sometimes il In our own fault and
sometimes II isn't
This is the story of a little girl who
came so near spelling her Christmas
happiness that a wise little Dream
Fairy had to 60 to her rescue.
Stocking Night was only two nights
away. but Norma Brown sat sulkily
on the stairway. watching the holiday
preparations going on about her un-
moved. as though II were not a matter
for sparkling eyes and sudden happy
little hugs OF ones mother.
The maids were hanging holly
wreaths at the windows. and trim
ming the stairs with green's: and
every once in a while delivery boy
would leave curiously shaped bundle
at the door with knowing grin. A
tall pine tree was waiting to be
dressed. just for Norma, for she had
no little brother or sister to divide her
pleasures with.
There was a pleasant hustle every
where. and I'm sure Norma had every
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
yAf Ctsa- eifpI SsfTf eis1s'~e 7*'olyKo

Well. to get back to our story. If
someone had been there when Tommy
got out of bed they could have wit
messed him stamp his foot and eX-
claim: I'm do It, I'll do it, I've been
n selfish thing. hut I will turn over 81
new leaf"
When he came down to his break
fast (Which his mother had kept
warm for him) she was very much
surprised TO And him with a kind
smile on his face tshe was used to
him hurrying in, getting his breakfast
and going out. and very seldom he told
her good morning) az he ran up to
her. threw his arms around her and
asked her how she was feeling, etc.
He had Just walked up to the world,
so to speak, and after eating his
breakfast he hurried into his fathers
room. Say, dad. when does school
open again ?' said he. WHY week
after next. Why do you want to
know? Certainly you are not going to
attend?"
Well, It would use up too much
space TO recall word for word what
took place then. but | can say that
when school started he attended regu-
iarly. and in the evenings. when he
was through school, he would hurry
down to a shed that was behind the
barn and there work faithfully for
three hours, on something that nobody
asked him what It was
This continued all the year, month
in and month out until the next De-
cember wheI school was out, and then
In the morning he would help his
father and In the evening he would
devote his time TO his work in the
shed back of the barn
Christmas eve came at last, and he
got room that Mr. Jones formerly
used az an Office, and all day he
brought branches of pine and cedar
and n big tree from the woods. and
decorated the room TO it's capacity.
On Christmas night he summoned
the whole family to the room he had
arranged. They were amazed as wei!
as delighted TO see the room bril-
liantIy lighted. and in the middle of
the floor stood a beautiful tree with
many shiny pretty candles on 1t. and
MANY present hung from its
branches,
One by one he lifted his own hand
made presents from the tree and dis
tributed them around. until the chill
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
dren fairly screamed with delight and

dfen fnirlY screamed with delight and
happiness.
Finally going over to his parents he
throw his arms around them and said (:
Don't you think this was the best
Christmas we ever had?" Yes. in
deed. we do" they said, with diff
Guilty trying to keep back the tears
that were streaming down their
cheeks not because they were sad but
because they both realized that their
son was . changed boy. and that he
had dropped that awful habit. selfish
ness
f. A. GREEN.
Mebane y c.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
4 HAPPY THOUGHT STORY.

once upon a time. not SO very long
q go, there lived in the same pretty lit
tie home two pairs of little stockings
Both pairs were new One was brown
because II belonged to Molly. and
Molly had suo h brown eyes. all brown
things seemed to belong to her The
other pair was black and silky. 1t
belonged to Doris. All dainty things
seemed to belong to Doris.
On the morning OF the day before
Christmas, mother put the black silky
stockings on Doris. She slipped on
some pretty black shoes. As she but
toned them. she said. "Do all you can
to help mother. today. dear--there is
SO much to do" Then mother put
the pretty brown stockings on Molly.
She slipped on some pretty brown
shoes. As she buttoned them, she
said, do all you can to help mother,
today. dear--there is so much to do"
Doris kissed mother and said, Eyes.
mother" Then she ran away to eat
breakfast. Then Dolly had to. have
her dress finiShed for Christmas And
Doris had - finish a book of lovely
stories. And she couldn't help dream,
ing awhile after she had read the
book And there were SO many other
nice things to do Of just the kind
Doris, liked best to do, that before she
knew 1t the day was gone.
Molly kissed mother. too, and said,
Yes, mother" Then she ran away to
eat breakfast Then she cleared the
table and helped wipe dishes and
made beds and take care of baby and
run on errands. And there were so
many things to do of just the kind
Molly liked best to do, that before she
knew it, the day was gone.
Christmas Eve came. all stars and
snowhakes, al d little winds whisper
ing Merry Christmas to everybody,
everywhere,"
Two little pairs of stockings were
hurried off two little pairs of feet.
Baby wasn't well. So there was no one
to help Doris and Molly take them off
And two little girls hung two little
pairs Of stockings up by the fireplace.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

On one OF Molly's was a little note to
Santa. No ore but Santa could have
read 1.-THE riting was 80 scrawly.s
Then two little girls went fast
asleep. And two little pairs OF stock
ings hung in the fireplace and waited
for Santa.
Jingle, Jingle, jangle, jangle, jing.
jang. by and by. Santa came. He took
the things out Of his big pack that be-
stockings up to the brim. Then he
stopped In the flrelight and read
Molly's note. 1t read:
Please put baby's things in one Of
my socks Hes too new and too little
to have stockings big enought yet.
MOLLY"
"P S.--Mine are the brown ones"
Santa chuckled. Out of his pack he
took a tiny turquoise ring. marked
it into one of her stockings. And a
dreadful thing happened. The little
ring fell right through a great hole in
the toe OF Molly's stocking and rolled
away into a dark corner. Santa
stopped chuckIing. He got down and
tried to find Il He was no fat II was
hard work. But at last he found the
ring
What shall dor" he said. 1.-The
other sock must be saved for babys
things And the ring will never stay
in this one OF Molly's and not much OF
anything else with that great hole In
the toe. didn't think Molly would be
so careless"
Then up spoke one Of the Happy
Thoughts who live always in Santa's
big. kind heart.
molly wasn't careless" she cried.
THE hole came because all day long
her feet were flying about. doing kind
things for somebody"
"Christmasy things. too" said the
Happy Thought who lives under
Santa's right ear. and can make him
hear any minute by just bobbing UP a
little. Not any little girl that ! know
of does so many kind things as Molly"
Lets mend the hole" cried the
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

Farmville, Va. Dec. IS. 1914.
Dear Santa Claus;--l know you are
not going 10 forget me, but want TO
write 10 you anyway.
Please bring me a tricycle. with rub
her tires il you don't bring me any
thing else; hut ] know you are going
TO bring me Il whole lot of nice things.
You always do and YOU always bring
exactly what ] want.
You must be sure TO have pile OF
presents for Dallas and Louis. and T
know Matte. the servant girl Will be
tiekled 10 death il you bring her "a
present. Pfease do, and If YOU can
And rat on your trip. please bring II
TO Sam, my pet yellow cat / hope
you Will come 10 see all the Juvenile
children and bring them the very best
things you can. / almost forgot ii. but
you mustn't; please carry lots OF good
things To the poor little Belgians.
BARRY DAHL
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

reason In the world to be very happy
little girl. But there she sat in the
midst Of the holiday garIands. frown-
ing instead Of smiling: and kicking
GROSSLY with the restless little toes that
most children Would be hopping up
and down on--especially at Christi
mas time.
Nella, the cook, said openly, that
Norma was just selfish little piece.
who had been spoiled by having too
many good things. You should see.
mum. the little darlins hout at the
'ome, mum. with but one toy to tho
art dozen, sbless them."
You see. Norma had been given 80
many books and dolls and games and
toys and other things at other Christ
masses and birthdays, that now she
could not think of a single thing she
wanted.
So she went TO bed cross and un-
happy.
Then It was that the Dream Fairy
wove her a special dream.
Norma had hung up her stocking.
searching all through his pack for the
very incest things he had. But sud-
denly ne shook his head sadly. ~ II
he remembered something unpleasant.
Now he searched his pockets, and taxi
ing out a pencil he wrote few words
on slip OF paper.
Next morning she jumped up in OK
element, to see what she had. ana
tucked away down In the toe OF very
long. limp. empty stocking. where the,
best gift always hides, she found this
note:
ITO be happy at Christmas. you
must make someone else Happy"
Ny! How surprised Norma was! No
hea utiful French dOllie. no games. no
candy even-nothing! Never before
had 4 stocking looked so long, limp
and empty.
So this, then, was disappointment
And for the verY first time In her life,
petted little Norma began to think
Of many other children, whom. she
feared. often knew about empty stock
inTs and rad disappointment. So In
stead OF crying. and stamping her feet
In anger. she called out quite eagerly,
"Oh, mother. may I give some Of my
pretty things to the little children AZ
the homer And may l give Z pink
sash to the washerwomAn's little GIRL?
She says she never owned one In her
life; and. mother. that lame boy down
In the alley--Tm quite sure he has
nothing but . kitten to play WITH
6omoh0W, she had never f6lt 10
happy Ii al her life. She felt strange
" like : little music-box that had sud-
denly begun to play.
She called % loudly that she walked
herself Sup, and n sho quickly ank up
IN hed. nhe had ~ rub hor eyeo nalGhty
hAr6s f0 rub AWay tllt a. Il l1lnpsI
|01ar(y 0fopI ~ plc ef0 q = n
r. SS M IL III s$ls sSax3
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
THE SHI.pI!ERDS.

once there was a wicked king The
people did not like him SO God said
that a new king would he born; that
there would be a star to follow and
when the star stopped for the people
to stop there. So the shepherds got
gold and silver for the baby and fol-
lowed the star to manger in Beth
lehen. Whore the star stopped they
found Jesus, and from that day o this
they celebrate His birthday by having
Christmas. This is where we got our
Christmas
JAMES SHAW, JR.
905 w CLAW Street
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

Nam MA says that you come with rein
deer, with their tinkliug bells, then
a way you go down the chimney. You
must have a merry time, too, though
il Is very cold
Now / will ten you what | want you
TO bring. me. ! want Won to bring me
IL rnlncoat. little doll some candy and
nuts Ionr friend.
NA%NTF. +. RICHARDSON.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

Dear Aunt Nancy.
Tthank ypu for the gifts you brought
rne last year and ] hope you Will re-
member me again this Christmas.
Plesse bring me a pair OF gloves.
pair OF roller skates, work box and
sene candy and nuts.
Please. dear Santa, don't forget the
roor children this year and bring them
lots and lots
3 / hope ! have not asked for too much
for myself ~ I have just bring what
sou want 20.
Wishing you ard Lady Santa Clause
w happy Xmas. ] arm
Your little girl.
AGNES CIR EGORy.
chase City Us.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
r.sen Alien. Va. Dec. -

tFf'N NlTrn- va, iV"t1 ~ TFI+'
Dear Aunt Nancy hope hat you
don't think that I have forgotten you
for ] haven't ] am very very glad
thai our side Won in tn" debate. !
tAonFht. of course the negative had
won when only two sent IN their
papers on our side Lewis. let me con-
graduate you on your paper. II was
hne I know that il was your paper
hat Won.
Nv birthday is Thursday. the i eth.
cent expect any presents though
because il is SO near Christmas. Aunt
Name. I'm sending story. though /
don't expect to win the prize Well I
snuet stou now Your niece
DOROTHY WINFRET.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
JAMES TUCKER.

basket on the moor, she laughed and
clapped her hands. And the Happy
Thought skipped right out OF the bas-,
ket into Molly's heart.
"Oh, OH" cried Molly. How lovely
of Santa Claus! Now Til learn to
mend, and mend my stockings and
Doris's and baby's. and maybe yours
and fathers Isn't that a happy
thought, mother? ?" - Selected from
Primary Education"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
Various Nations.

What nation shows submission
to the will OF another?
What nation is in the habit OF
seeing things?
3-What nation is clearly indicat-
ed, or marked out?
What nation shows violent tenn
per?
5-What nation shows signs OF
great fear?
DALLAS DAHL.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

ss~ssst5 ipdHpt a. let. 10 1918
Dear Old Santa am glad to meet
~ with you as IL has been such q long
t3His since ] have seen YOU. hope all
~ the children have been good so
they will get a lot of presents You
N must be cold after that long drive in
Asgthe snow, but / guess. you are
u dFfnsed In SO many fairs from top to
tee. AZ we find your cheeks so rosy
end pretty,
! am always asleep when you come
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
\ Christmas Wish.

Arrange the words below in a diff
ferent order SO that they will express
Gin souud) my wish TO Aunt Nancy
and all the Juveniles.
: Sees youlI main in this tin pen
any tied bees Of ours on hap.
LOUIS DAHL.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
A Christmas Surprise and
Reward of Merit

Some time With an ardent supporter OF The VIZ
to be given faithful and consistent Juvenile during the
the fact be given member until the OF the winner
OF Breaking this
to the Circle the merit prize
and I'm the Juveniles with that Dallas has done
her as do now NANCY.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
AUNT NANCY SENDS CHRISTMAS GREET
ING OEACH NIECE AND NEPHEW, AND
WISHES FOR THEM A HAPPY, MERRY
TIME

pearN
of wishing
Of joyful
Of
do love old
soft spot in her old heart for each and
Of telling
Chrstmasor bf Sunday Christmas viii
been mis- week and am
~ and let Rim
the prize Christmas
az Christmas surprise pleased
Dallas that al she
just lots OF maybe she VIII
starr a
hat g he
in II
NANCY.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20

Answers to Junbied Childrcn's Games.
!. Hide and seek
2. Puss in the corner.
3 Blind mans buff .-.t+-srs4-
4 Clap in and clap out
5. Running the thimb!e
DALLAS DAHL.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
az " a4nv Street

Dear Aunt Nancy Enclosed You
will find a Christmas story which !
composed Would like 20 ioin your
Juvenile Circle and enter the contest.
Yours truly JAMES SHAW, JB.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
Richmond. Va, Dec. Is. ls1

RICHMOND Va, Dec 70. Isl I.
Dear Aunt Nancy have been
reading the mage for a great while
now and would like to he a member,
Please send me badge I am sending
- story for The contest Hoping II Will
escape the Gray Goose. am SIN
@ere adTnrer,
MABEL ROBERTS
" r y M
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-20
FarnnriIle. Va. Dec. II. IelA.

" r . NJ. !.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-22
Civ. Them . PIac. 10 Play.

Plenty of room for dives and dens
(glitter and glare or sind.
Plenty of room for prison pens, (gather
the criminals IND:
Plenty of room for jails and courts
(willing enough to pay),
But never place for the lads to race
no, never a place to play!
Plenty of room for shops and stores
(Mammon must have the best):
Plenty of room for running sores that
rot in the citys breast!
Plenty of room for lures that lead the
hearts of our youths astray;
But never a cent on Fairgrounds spent
no. never place to play.
Plenty of rooms for schools and halls,
plenty oe room for art,
Plenty of room for teas and balls, plat
form, stage and mart.
Proud is the city-she finds a place
for many a fad, today;
But she's more than blind IL she fails to
find place for the boys to play.
Give them chance for innocent sport,
give them a chance for fun
Better a playground plot than court
and jail when the harm is done!
Give them chance-if you stint them
now. tomorrow you'll have to pay
A larger bill for darker Ill. So give
them a place to play.
Dennis Mccarthy in The Survey.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-22
eoosEeoNE SEER FEARS COLD.
Muhlenbsrs Prophet Says We Face a
Very Hard Winter.

Muhlenberg Prophet Says We race
Very Hard Winter.
John Drake, the Muhlenberg town
ship goosebone weather prophet pre-
diets a cold winter.
There will be white Christmas,
he said today. 81 am positive that the
holiday season this year will not be
green. 1t is difficult matter to say
whether there will be enough snow Tor
sleighing."
number OF local forecasters agree
with Drake in this respect, saying that
surely the snow will be deep this COM
ing winter because the weeds are so
very high. From the sections where
there was a frost this week 1t is re-
ported that the tips of the leaves on
the hickory trees point skyward. II
the tips curl downward when touched
Ivy frost, mild winter is certain, but
when they turn upward 1t is sign
that they are winter leaves and that
there is going to be plenty OF wind
blowing and plenty Of snow whirling
among the trees.
This is known as "the off year for
chestnuts. but the twigs are unusually
loaded with burrs. This indicates to
some folks that surely hard winter is
ahead. It is said that Providence in
This way provides plenty Of food for the
squirrels 20 store away In the hol-
low trees.-Philadelphia Record.