davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Tho Bible as Literature.

Az q piece of literature, It stands
alone, both In It's antiquity and in the
variety of It's contents. 1t IL collection
of writings covering q period Of about a
thousand years, for the Oldest passages
embedded in the oldest books may date
from the eleventh or tenth century B. c.
some few are probably still Older
and the latest parts of the New Tesla
ment from the end of the first or begin
ming OF the second century A. D. And
how diverse In substance and form are
tho books that compose this collection
In those that present the annals of the
people of Israel there are many passages
that are models OF prose narrative-:erse,
direct, exact, yet imaginative in their
forms of expression. The finest OF thes "a
are found in the books OF Genesis, Num-
bers, Judges, Samuel and Kings.
The story of Joseph In Egypt, those OF
Eli and Samuel, of David and Absalom,
of the consultation with the prophets
before the kings of Israel and Judah
went up to Ramoth Gilead and the battle
fought there, of the last days Of Elijah
the prophet, his journey to the wilder
ness of Sinai, his return and contest with
the prophets Of Baal, have vivid qnal.
ity that modern pens cannot produce.
One has to 90 for something of the same
order to such primitive literature as the
Homeric poems or the sagas of Iceland.
When a man today tries to reproduce TT
fresh and direct simplicity OF early mar
rative, he ia almost inevitably drawn into
a conscious old-fashionedness or precios-
ity. He is not natural, but archaic. He
is an imitator, and imitation makes him
artificial.-James Bryce, in The Youths
COMPANION.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
tn. N;obt Altar THANKSGIVING.

Tho Night After Thanksgiving.
Twas the night OF Thanksgiving. when
all through the fat
Not @ creature was stirring. not even the
cat.
And Johnnie lay sleeping upon his small
cot
He might have been dreamlsss, but then
he was not.
He saw In his vision table piled high
With sauces and dressing and pudding
and pie.
And there In the center, upon q long
plate,
He saw himself lying in elegant state.
He was Drowned to turn and was stun
ed for king,
With his legs in the air, while each arm
was wing.
And he tried to turn over and dash from
the place,
But he couldn't move muscle. much less
win a race.
And dozen big gobblers sat there in q
ring.
And they pecked at his legs and they dug
at his wing;
He tried to call father and mother, ="
but vain,
While they still kept their peckins and
causing him pain.
At last, with an effort, he made big
slash,
And off from the table he went with q
crash,
And when he awakened his parents both
said,
GOOD Lord, John Augustus, can't yo1
stay In your bedf'
Joe Cone In Boston Herald.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Thanksgiving UpIih

Persons who are modern and IN
grateful refuse to be preached to.
They do not go to church on Thanks
giving day. They stay at home and
read novels or newspapers and yawn
and wish the shops were open or that
some one would come in for game of
bridge, or perhaps they go to the matt
nee. But when the shadows fall there
Is no sense Of serenity or Of peace
such as broods over household where
every member has received a spiritual
uplift from the observance Of day Of
thanks.
That's why there ought to be an
an "old fashioned" Thanksgiving in
every home where this paper is read.
The proclamation Of our president
each year demands that we give
thanks not only as individuals, but as
q people.
If you are dissatisfied with the result
Of the election you are probably say
ing, Gould anything be worse than
the political situation this Year,"
Well, there might be war or revolu-
ton. And the political situation isn't
really affecting your comfort is 1T
Then be thankful for peace.
Be thankful for plenty.
Be thankful for health.
Be thankful for friends and home
and the love Of the dear ones In your
home.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23

tivity, from n'l..ature representations
of the lordly gobbler to the homely but
palatable pumpkin. And, best Of oil,
many Of these pretty favors and place
cards can be made at home with very
little trouble.
There Is perhaps nothing more effec-
tive among these new ideas than the
pumpkin centerpiece, or Jack Horner
pie, as 1t Is sometimes called. This Is
really most deceptive affair, for 1t
looks like n genuine pumpkin. but is
really cunningly fashioned from deep
yellow tissue paper held in shape by a
wire frame or frame of rather stiff
cardboard. The stem and leaves are
made Of dark green paper. The in
terror Of the pumpkin Is hollow and
can be filed with small favors for the
guests, with ribbons leading from it to
each plate.
Of gayety from having the edges
wreathed with pumpkin vines adorned
both with blossoms and miniature
fruit. The vines themselves are made
Of wire wound with tiny twist Of cot
ton batting and covered with green pa
per. The small pumpkins are simply
balls Of cotton on wire stem covered
with yellow Grape paper, while the
blossoms are Of yellow tissue.
Just below the lace trimmed cloth
this same table is draped with a roll
Of turkey paper, which is most effec.
tive. This is white Grape paper on
which are printed large turkeys In nat
tural colors. 1t is gathered along the
upper edge very slightly and fastened
by pinning under the edge Of the table
cloth.
The place cards are small turkeys
with easel backs that can be made
from the little turkeys cut from the
paper napkins that are got out for
Thanksgiving. These little gobblers
should first be mounted on heavy card
board and Their touched up with little
gold paint on the feathers to give them
hand painted effect.
A most amusing turkey centerpiece
represents the piece de resistance OF
the Thanksgiving table as very sporty
bird indeed. He wears high silk hat
he carries a cane under one arm, or
rather, under one claw, and in his beak
Is cooked long black cigar His feath.
ers are white and brown and his wat.
ties brilliant red, and his tail is
spread to its greatest extent. But, with.
al, he Is hollow sham, and his in.
terror can be used Us receptacle for
favors or bonbons.
One Of these gay birds would certain.
ly create great deal Of merriment at
the dinner table.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Dimensions Of General Sherman tree.

The general country is one of the most
beautiful In America, Astounding in
splendid streams, noble valleys, striking
ridges. and towering mountains. Some
of the best trout fishing in the world is
found here. The park Is the home of
the celebrated golden trout, which Is
found nowhere else in such perfection Of
color.
These mountains and valleys form lit
orally one Of the most available
pleasure spots on the continent. 1t is
easily travelled and sbouuds In fine camp
ing grounds. The water IL drinkable In
all the streams. Aside from the sequoias
the largest, oldest, tallest, and most val
liable forest trees are found here. There
are forests Of pine, FIR, cedar, and many
deciduous trees that are fairly royal.
There are many shrubs, wild flowers,
ferns, and moses of wonderful luxuri-
ance and beauty. 1t is a park OF birds.
In laying out the boundaries of Sequoia
National Park some Of the most superb
Of American scenic country was unac-
countably omitted. just to the north
lies the wonderful valley of the Kings
River with its spectacular canyon and
picturesque mountains, while directly on
the east, over the Great Western Divide,
lies the valley Of the Kings River, widely
celebrated for its beauty. Mount Whit
ney, on its east bank, Is the Hottest
mountain In the United States. These
two districts are easily reached from the
national park, of which they are In effect,
though not In administration and protec-
ton, natural part.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Every One Chases
the Turkey at
This Time

"Giva da turk" grins the red shawl
cd little Italian woman, picking her
way through the wet alleys Of the
city market place. She reaches the
stalls where live birds are being sold
to these hardy souls who are equal to
the task of carrying their purchases
home, squawking and struggling,
through the city streets. Madonna
Bella does not hesitate, however. She
picks out the fiercest bird In the whole
pen and runs her capable fingers
through his feathers to feel II he really
is as fat as he looks. Then she waits,
her broad smile growing broader every
minute, as the dealer weighs her treas
ure. The men and boys, to whom the
day before Thanksgiving ia one Of the
most entertaining in the whole calen-
dar, stand around, shouting their glee,
and finally Madonna Bella reaches out
q strong hand, seizes her bird by the
legs and thrusts 1t into the folds Of her
apron, departing proudly down the
street. Next after her is a delegation
of mirthful, rosy checked boys from
the settlements come to buy "a good
one" for Miss sallie. 1t requires many
moments Of heated discussion before
they can all agree upon just which one
Is good enough, and then more consul
tation before they decide that the as
ISOLATION funds are being used to the
best advantage in the purchase Of the
bird that is chosen.
Thanksgiving teaches one thing
namely, that there is no need for uni
versal language. When there Is a uni
versal need the words take care OF
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
A Source of Good English.

From the days of Milton and Bunyar,
who read the authorized version Of tie
Bible, then still new, when they wee
boys, down to the days OF Abraham Lin
coin and John Bright, who were diligent
and earnest students of it in their youth,
it has been model of pure and simple
and melodious English. Such model
is doubly precious to us in these days,
when an immense food of newspaper
and magazine literary matter, written
hastily because written to be read hasti-
ly, pours necessarily down upon us, and
when many an author is tempted to Sc
cure attention by the use of strange and
highly colored phrases. Epglishmen and
Americans are none too careful nova
days in their modes of composition, and
do not show that sort of respect for their
language which Frenchmen usually do.
1t would be grave misfortune for Eng
lish and American literature If the mas
terpieces of style that the seventeenth
century gave to the race were no longer
to dwell in our memories and form our
habits of xpression.-James Bryce, in
The Youths Companion.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Thanksgiving day ought to
mean much to churehsoers. II
10 the one day in the year on
which sectarians sink all their
differences and unite in COM
mon worship before God.
Turkey Not From Turkey.

It is unfortunate that such truly
American product as the turkey should
have received such name. Just how
It came to be christened turkey" Is
q matter of conjecture, but one early
writer says: 1T appears to have been
intended as satire upon the solemn
strut Of the bird, which might appear
to give 1t resemblance to the pomp
GUS stride Of Turk. Most assuredly
it did not arise from the native place
Of the bird, which has no connection
with eastern Europe or Asia. To sup
pose the bird meleagris, mentioned by
Greek writer's, to have been the tur'
key is quite a mistake. When discov'
cred in America it was seen both In
O wild and domestic state"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
The Old Time Spirit
of Thanksgiving

The old time spirit of Thanksgiving
"Ah, those were good old days" This
with reminiscent sadness. If there was
not lurking sentiment for the splen-
dor Of good fellowship. for the charm
Of simplicity and the peace that comes
from the contented heart that marked
the old time Thanksgiving, there would
be no regret for the good old days that
are gone. But why can't they be con-
jured back again that we might cher
ish the generous spirit Of that house
hold festival2
It Is the character Of the day that
We would have back again-the after
math Of the harvest, with its spirit Of
joyousness, the bounteous feast gath.
ering together the family, making sa
cred the beauty Of home ties.
In old New England hustle Of prep
aration began long before the appoint
ed day. The turkey, strutting in
naughty disregard Of his fate, was
watched with eager eyes and fed with
liberal care. The pumpkins were gath
cred andAAy with faces upturned to
the sun. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, raj
sins and citron were heaped in plenty
upon the pantry shelf. And within
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23

cent states Of Missouri, Kansas, Ten
nessee, Arkansas and Minnesota also
contribute shares, but to a smaller ex-
tent. This supply is termed western
a portion Of which Is dry picked"
while the remainder Ia scalded to en-
able the ready removal Of the feathers.
The latter presents the better appear
ance before cooking, but the former Is
pumped up and becomes attractively
smooth and Of unbroken skin surface
under the influence of the heat needed
In its preparation for the table. All
choice or fancy turkeys and other poul.
try are dressed dry picked"
There are several sources Of produc-
ton of ultra superior turkeys, for each
of which it is claimed that 1t holds the
palm Of excellence. AS the reputation
for luxurious living In this country be-
gan In the south, it will be well to COM
mence with a description Of the rice
fattened birds Of Maryland. They are
distinguished for delicacy Of flesh and
flavor which are impaired by their ex-
clusively rice diet, and their skin Is
remarkably white, as compared with
that of other poultry, which is also at
tributed to the character Of feeding.
There are certain epicures who will
partake Of no other turkeys while
Maryland rice feds" are procurable.
The next in order is what Is designat-
ed as philadelphia" and this en-
braces turkeys, chickens, fowls, geese
and ducks. Pennsylvania has been &C.
cupied by a thrifty class Of German
immigrants, who early provided good
poultry, especially in Bucks county Of
that state, which furnished the supply
of the citizens Of Philadelphia.
Visitors to that city, attracted by the
excellent poultry with which they were
served, substituted for Bucks county"
philadelphia" and so 1t has become
the term for all varieties Of Pennsylva-
mia poultry sent out Of the state.
Northward progression Of the descrip-
ton of famous poultry next halts at
Rhode Island. There the poulterers
have selected the largest Of the cult
waited strains, which attain the weight
of twenty-five to thirty pounds the
first year and fifty pounds and up
ward the second year. Massachusetts
has its claim to the production Of high
class poultry also on file, and to tur-
keys 1t adds geese, Of which In New
York, where all qualities and standards
are passed upon and determined, the
excellence is conceded.
Large size, tenderness Of flesh, pal
atableness of flavor, are all included
and, though Rhode Island, Philadel'
phia and Maryland each and all Insist
that their geese cannot be excelled, the
city epicures decide for Boston's claim
by their insistence for that supply to
the limit of its extent.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Notice of Foreclosure.

WHEREAS James A. Penley of Paris In the
County Of Oxford and State Of Maine, by his
mortgage deed dated the twenty ninth day Of
November. 1911, and recorded In the Oxford
to Charles r. Penley late Of said Paria deceased,
a certain parcel Of real estate situate In Paris,
South village, in the County Of Oxford and
bounded and described as follows: Being the
old Grand Trunk Hotel lot situated on the east
erly side Of Pleasant Street and bounded north
eastcrlv by the land Of James A. Penley store
lot and land Of the estate Of Samuel +. Briggs;
southeasterly by land OF said Briggs estate;
southwesteriy by land Of z. o. Millett. Being
precisely the same premises conveyed to James
a. Penley, by George A. Wilson. Jr, by his
warranty decd dated May 4th, 1909; and where
as the condition Of said mortgage has been
broken:
Now, therefore, by reason Of the breach Of the
condition thereof claim foreclosure Of said
mortgage In behalf Of said estate Of Charles r.
Penley, OF which am the duly appointed and
qualified administratrix.
Dated at South Paris, Maine, this thirteenth
day of November, 1915.
JENNIE l.. PENLEY, Administrative,
Estate Of Chas. R. Penley late Of said
Paris, deceased.
ALTON c. WHEELER, Attorney for Adm'x.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
AMERICAS THANKS.
We thank him who has made and
psesoryed us q nation.

We thank him who has made and
preserved US q nation.
Who hid this continent from the
eyes of the woyld until the time
for It's revelation had come.
Who summoned hither faithful
men, believing In God and In men
as the children Of God.
Who preserved the brave colo
nists from famine, pestilence and
sword; from internal dissensions
and from foreign foes.
Who united the hearts and minds
Of the various peoples in their de-
mand for liberty and their declara-
ton Of independence.
Who made wise the counsels OF
their counselors and strong the
arm of their defenders and gave
victory to the weak battalions.
Who pacifled the strifes and van
ouished the jealousies which sep
arated the several states and join
cd them In one indissoluble union.
Who suffered not the evils Of slav-
cry to end in the nations death, but
raised up prophets Of liberty to
awaken the consciences Of the peo-
pie.
Who has brought to our shores
the oppressed Of other lands and
made It q refuge, q school, a home
for the needy and the aspiring Of
all nations.
Who has given US wisdom In the
past to provide a free school and
free churches for a free people.
Who inspires In our own day clear
sighted, brave hearted men to bat
tie without truce or retreat against
open violence and insidious corrup-
ton, against the perils Of popular
ignorance and the perils Of concen-
trated wealth.
Who inspires other clear sighted.
brave hearted men to toll In peace
full vocations without stint for pub
lie education and public virtue.
Who has given to us an open
Bible, living church and COM
mon faith In q righteous and re-
deeming God.
Oh, that men would praise the
Lord for his goodness and his Won
derful works to the children Of
men!-Outlook.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23

INTRODUCING THE THANKSGIVING BIRD.
themselves. Italian, Greek, Norwegi-
an, Russian and German, they know
"toik" or turk"
All day long the procession fills the
streets. Boys with live birds under
their arms, followed by shrieking
crowds of children until they disap-
pear in some dingy doorway; wom-
en- with big bundles done up in burlap
or old newspaper, which Sherlock
Holmes, ut least, can tell easily are
turkeys by the size Of the claws stick
ing out; nmousines rolling noiselessly
to the doors Of shining emporiums
where the democratic national bird
costs at least 10 cents more than 1t does
II you take it home alive from the
public market, but 1t isn't half as
much fun; beautifully dressed women
selecting the finest for the family feast
Of Dives; tired commuters rushing into
the market and dashing out again,
splitting nuts and celery and cranber-
ries, but clutching without possibility
Of error the fattest turkey there s
left In the market-this Is the day
before Thanksgiving In the big city.
Nobody cares what the price Is. 1t
may be Is cents or 1t may be 30. 1t
makes very interesting reading two
weeks beforehand. Father especially
and mother, IL she is member Of
the Housewives league and feels Il
moral responsibility in these matters
likes to know whether he'll have to pay
8 cents more this year or only 3 more
than he paid last year. But do you
think the cost matters on the day be-
fore Thanksgiving? Does 1t matter to
you?-New York Tribune.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
HELPING MOTHER WITH THE THANKsaIv.
ING DINNER.

the house was aglow in joyful antici-
patton Of the coming guests-a true
hospitality, not so elaborate as 1t was
bountiful and not so luxurious az
healthful, but replete with rare kind
nness and grace.
And when the feast was over and
the long afternoon Of sport and games
was spent and the shadows Of evening
closed round the great assemblage
crowded about the huge fireplace how
gayly the popcorn spluttered, how
clear was the cider passed around!
Hearts overflowing with jollity and
gratitude burst into song
All, on Thanksgiving day, when from east
and from west,
From north and from south, come the
pilgrim and guest:
When the gray haired New Highlander
sees round his board
The old broken links Of affection restored I;
When the care wearied man seeks his
mother once more
And the worn matron smiles where the
girl smiled before!
This was the spirit Of old time
Thanksgiving.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
HE OUGHT TO BE GRATEFUL.
What Better Fate For tho Turkey Than
HLato NATHAN GtaAY

What Better Fate For tho Turkey Than
Making a Whole Nation GIadf
What finish more honorable and I'M
pressive for bird than to be fated
to die to make happy an entire nation!
For this brief golden period the eagle
Is only remote symbol. The Thanks.
giving bird is magically transformed
into a tempting thing Of appehzing
odors, an eye enhancing vision OF glfs.
tening brown and bronze and bringing
In It's train attendants Of the field that
crisply show ivory white and pale eu1sf-
aid and translucent, liquid ruby.
In the turkey at this season there
are the pride Of country, the religious
sense Of q nation and its sustaining
hopefulness, the racial family spirit
that makes the whole world akin" and
provides the very essence OF pleasing
plenty,
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Indiana Like Turkey Feather.

Turkey feathers rank next In impor-
lance to those Of the eagle with all In.
dian tribes, while the Apaches, the
Pamunkeys and Cheyennes chose the
turkeys feathers for all ceremonial
headdresses and ornaments. The Pa.
munkey tribe also used turkey feathers
for ornamental purposes on their cloth
Ing, rs we'll as for their headgear. To
this day when they don their native
costumes the turkey feather Is prefer
red rs ornament by many Of the In.
dams Of America.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Thanksgiving Pumpkin PIE.

In the Woman's Home Companion
Fannie Merritt Farmer, cookery editor
Of that publication, presented num-
Der of November recipes, among which
Is the following for pumpkin pie:
mix two-thirds cupful Of brown sug-
ar, one teaspoonful Of cinnamon. one
half teaspoonful ginger and one-half
teaspoonful OF salt, and add one and
one-half cupfuls Of steamed and strain-
ed pumpkin. two eggs, slightly beaten,
one and one-half cupfuls Of milk and
one-half cupful Of cream. Bake In one
crust"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-11-23
Mot Many nysrmont 1urksys.r

A standard form Of printed bill Of
fare used by restaurants, hotels and
steamboats, always announces that the
turkey is from Vermont. Vermont
farmers have done great things in re-
cent years in improving breeds Of tur-
keys and in marketing choice kinds,
but the state does not account for !
per cent Of the trade In fine turkeys.