davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1915-12-19

to the toys that American children re-
ceive at Christmas, they know moth
ing. and if. they saw them they would
not understand their use. The only
kind of toy which they know is a sim
pie top made by themselves. and lit
tie flute which they whittle out of the
reeds that grow by the water.
After the work of the day Is done,
just before dark. the boys gather in
the lanes and enjoy the same kind of
games as children in all countries
leapfrog, throwing at a target and aim
ing with a primitive bow and arrow,
such the little boy David made for
himself They are also fond of play
ing with marbles. only they use peb-
bles instead. In spring they make
themselves kites. If the sons of a
"fellah" do not find work enough to
do in the gardens or fields they hire
out as laborers. porters. camel drivers,
donkey drivers, water carriers or char
coal burners in other villages.
Most of the traffic and carrying of
merchandise is done on camel back. A
Evening star., 1915-12-19

as baskets for marketing When the
maiden is busy in the home sweeping
or cooking she ties these long sleeves
behind her shoulders and so has her
arms free for work. Over the blue
dress she wears a velvet coat, which
she has elaborately embroidered in
bright colors.
A village girl learns to sew when she
is only eight years old, and her first
good work is done on the dress which
is to serve her wedding dress. AS
dresses are not supposed to fit, this
wedding dress will last her until she
needs new one-on the occasion OF
her sons marriage.
A peasant girl wears her hair braided
tightly in two braids, and on her head,
by day and night. is little red cap,
covered with glittering, tinkling coins
This is the money which her father has
given her on various occasions, and her
cap becomes her savings bank.
When she is married she will wear a
taller cap of stiff boards, covered with
red cloth, and upon this all the coins
constituting her dowry. hole is
bored through them and they are sew
ed on. This does not lessen their value
as money. An Arab woman takes a
great deal of pride in keeping them
there. Her husband will never spend
them, nor will she unless it is abso-
lutely necessary. No robber will ever
touchsa woman's hat. 1t is sacred to
her. 1t was one of these coins that the
NOfIldu III Tic pdTdDic Idu lOSl, III the
search for which all her neighbors
came to help her.
-
The little peasant girls help their
mothers willingly, bringing home, on
their heads. the large bundles of kin
ding for the fire. They are quite as
busy as the boys. They know little
about play and nothing at all about
toys. There is not a toyshop in the
whole village. An Arab girls doll is
her baby brother. When too small to
lift him she has to entertain him while
her mother is busy in the fields. Many
a patient little deputy mother can be
seen carrying a baby almost as large as
herself.
When she is older she helps in the
work of the fields, side by side with her
father and brother. Standing among
the golden grain. like Ruth of old, she
is one of the reapers. At the winnow-
ing of wheat she is most picturesque,
standing on the high rock, +silhouetted
against the blue sky, holding up her
sieve for the wind to blow away the
chaff Sometimes she helps in the
plowing, walking beside the oxen.
In the home she is a comfort and
help to her mother Sitting on the
stone floor, holding the large wooden
sieve, she Sits the wheat and then
grinds 1t in the little stone mill, while
she sings lullabies to the baby in his
little hammock. AS her hands are oc-
cupied she ties string to her big toe
Evening star., 1915-12-19
T EACH recurring Christmas
ones thoughts naturally turn
\ to the Holy Land, where the

a T EACH recurring Christmas
IN ones thoughts naturally turn
~ to the Holy Land. where the
q q Christ Child was born. In
spirit He travels to the little ancient
town of Bethlehem and to the crowded
inn and the stable underneath, where,
for lack of room elsewhere, the Virgin
Mother took refuge after her long jour-
ney from Nazareth. To many, living in
the occident. the whole story of that
wondrous birth sounds almost like a
myth, so unreal in it's details as to seem
part of another world. But to the inhabi-
tants of Palestine the circumstances of
the nativity are quite comprehensive
and familiar. For to the natives of the
Holy Land today there is nothing vague
and unreal about the birth of babe
in a manager. Such an event in such an
environmenpt is not infrequent.
The rocky hillsides of Judea are filed
with caves, and these frequently are
the homes of peasants and shepherds.
1t is quite common to find large caves
under the stone houses used as stables.
When the inn is full, visitors must re-
sort to the stables for lodging. That
is not SO strange and inhospitable an
accommodation as it would appear, for
the country people in Palestine are in
the habit of sleeping in the same room
with their horses, sheep and camels.
village home consists of large
space surrounded by four walls and no
windows. The door is the only open
ing for air and light. and it is left open
all day as sign that there is nothing
secret or hidden in the home, but that
all actions are above reproach. The in
ner half of the room has raised stone
platform. This is covered by rough
mating. At night the blankets, which
have been piled away on a stone shelf.
are brought out and laid on this floor,
forming beds for the family. Below the
platform the horses, cows, donkeys and
sheep spend the night.
The people retire at the setting of the
sun. The narrow streets are not light
ed at night. AS a result the inhabi-
tants think it is not respectable to be
out after dark. AT the crow of the
cock the family awakens and all the
village is astir and the work Of the
home and the field commences.
The birth of a child is an important
conner be boy. The father anxiously
awaits the news at some distance from
his house All the while he is hoping
that he may be blessed by a son. If
this is the case. the messenger runs
out to meet him, crying: "Bschara,
good tidings. good tidings" and the
Evening star., 1915-12-19
Among the Indians of North America

sion in Oklahoma. on the old Kiowa
reservation. the day is given it's full
sentimental value as the birthday of
Christ, and the Indians bring gifts to
Him in the form of money for spread
ing His message to mankind"
A rather humorous tale is told by
this same commissioner of some
boys in a Navajo school. 1t is said that
the Navajos inherit a talent for deli
cate artisanship and some of the boys
at this particular school fell to carving
matrices in sandstone, melting solder
from tin cans. pouring it in the sand :
stone molds and so making little
Evening star., 1915-12-19

The dutiful obedience and consideration
which Arab children give to their par
ents might be an example to children
in even more civilized lands.
While the mother is busy at work her
baby lies in his little carpet hammock.
When she goes to market she carries
this little hammock on her back and SO
rocks the child to sleep. still keeping
her hands free for other objects. AS
soon as he is able to use his limbs she
carries him across her shoulders. CIV
girl is ever honored by this. attention.
The prophet speaking of better days
for women, says: THY daughters shall
be carried ID upon ,ds their Isl Wider tho
donkey bareback, with only one rein
by which to guide it. He sits on the
very end of the beasts back, and one
would think he would slip off every
moment. When he is only nine years
old the father sends the boy out in
charge of his camels. sometimes for
strung together and walk in single file.
the small boy bringing up the rear rid
ing on his little donkey and holding
the end of the rope which connects the
whole procession.
Peasant children are never taught the
use of soap and water; in fact, soap is
scarcity. Children sit in the streets
surrounded by flies, but no attention is
paid to the matter. 1t is supposed that
the thorough sailing at his birth will
keep child clean for the rest Of his
life.
Arab boys must go to work early In
life at an age when other children are
thinking only of school and play. A
peasant values his sons largely for the
use he can make of them. They must
watch the sheep and oxen and guard
the vineyards and olive groves. In
every village there is a so-called school
which the boys attend sometimes, but
very irregularly.
All they learn from the khateeb, the
priest or teacher. is to memoriZe pas
sages from the Koran. Here, too, they
learn the prayer which must be re-
peated five times a day, whenever the
crier from the minaret calls out the
time to pray Wherever he may be in
the street or field the boy kneels down
just as the men do. at this signal and
repeats the opening words of the Ko-
ran. There is one God and, Moham-
med is His prophet" He bows his head
and body to the ground several times.
then stands erect and looks UP to the
sky. He is never ashamed to pray at
the appointed time. If he is standing
on rough ground he takes off his coat
and turns it into temporary prayer
rug.
Notwithstanding all the training he
may receive, an Arab boy cannot talk
without swearing shamefully. and he
cannot keep from telling untruths. His
word. can never be relied upon. even
though he assures it by such express
Evening star., 1915-12-19

salted salmon, with curious sort of
bread made of roots and about the
size of a marble. form the basis of the
feast, though berries preserved by the
women the season before are much
relished The meals are cooked-near-
ly everything Is boiled-in a few big
community vessels. Coffee is prohi Bit
ed on that day and only water drunk.
Then for two weeks following Christ
mas dancing and singing go on tire
lessly.
Among the Nez Perce Indians, in
Idaho, there are two celebrations of
Christmas. one following Christian
rites quite closely, if very picturesque
according to the day when the red
men reigned alone in the great north
west. Among these Indians there is a
pride in the possession of buffalo robes.
bers glory in on Christmas day these
heirlooms are donned, along with elk
teeth collars. bracelets and metal orna-
ments half century old and preserved
as the treasures of tepees.
The first dance is called "tokaywa,"
and is very melancholy, being consid-
cred as a sort of memorial day for
the dead. An ancient rule is that every
one shall break into wailing at a GER
tain point of the song, and many move
ments and strange actions, symbolical
of tenets of the tribe, are in evidence
during the dancing.%
Among the Christianized Nez Perces,
at st. Joseph's Mission, there appears
to be an intelligent understanding of
the day commemorating the birth of
Christ. From all the surrounding coun-
try. days before the great day. these
Indians come trooping into the neigh
borhood of the mission, where they
camp. There is a service at the mis-
sion church twice each day and all
the campers attend and take part re-
ligiously, reciting in their own Ian
guage the prayers of the hour. AS the
day for which they have come ap-
proaches, the Catholic Church, which
conducts this mission, hears their con-
fessions within the walls of the church
and those who have been shriven are
called to mass as midnight comes near.
Before the doors of the church q
great bonfire is made. and the In
<dians. much as their forefathers did.
gather around it. and the chief men
of the tribe speak to the crowd. But,
unlike the councils of old, when re-
venge and battle Wed with each other
as advice, the gentle nature Of Chris
tianity is expounded and the young
er members of the tribe are asked
to celebrate the holy day of the
morrow with reverence. AS the mid
night bell sounds. the circle around
the blazing log rises to enter the
church for high mass. AS the priest
parts choir would otherwise render,
Evening star., 1915-12-19

images of various kinds to give their
teachers at Christmas. 1t was not long
before all the tin cans on the reserva-
tion were goee. and still the molding
went on, the supply of metal having
no obvious source, until one youngster
became too very ambitious and fllched
more government "silver" from the
dining room than could well afford to
be missed with politeness. So vanished
a fiourishing young industry.
Evening star., 1915-12-19

government and eat their food in the old
way to which they are accustomed.
Now and then.' added this commits
sioner, 1.-The inner Significance appeals
to the minds of the Indians, especially
to tribes with a rather serious moral
bent The northern Cheyennes call
Christmas Big Sunday and the Arapa-
hoes. the birthday of the Stranger on
High
Evening star., 1915-12-19

ton, and here stands a big Catholic
church. All Indians who have been
with the name lose" have
a place in this church set apart for
them, where they gather together. on
the night before Christmas, to pray
until dawn.
There are many lights in the church.
and flowers and lighted candles. The
statuettes of saints are placed upon
the altar, before which, on the finest OF
cloth, is the semblance of cradle,
where the image of an infant repre-
sents the Child in the Manger When
midnight comes. bells are rung, guns are
fired, and the Child is visited by every
Papago on the reservation. Refresh :
ments are then served, usually candy,
and a general socia BILE enjoyed
On the Yakima reservation, near the
shores of the Columbia river, though
the Indians do not believe in Christ, or
even in God. they have sort of cele-
bration on Christmas day in honor
of the future delights OF the happy
hunting grounds. where every one is
equal" in their minds. Bear, deer and
Evening star., 1915-12-19

Given the Day When There
Several D--Yue
Decorated Trees Find Place.
Peculiar of the Cheyennes.
Evening star., 1915-12-19

The Arab school presents a quees
sight Seated on the matted stone floor
of the mosque. the boys sway their
heads and bodies in rhythm with thu.
teacher..w who sits on low stool in the
center Of the circle. and shout the les
son after him as loudly as they can.
The more noise the passers-by hear the
more highly do they respect the school
and the teacher. The khateeb holds a
cane, which he uses generously on the
boys. This position is generally held
by the scribe of the village, the only
man who can read or write. To him
every one comes to have his letters
written.
Both boys and girls are too busy. As
Evening star., 1915-12-19

sions as by the life of my father. by
my life, by the beard of Mohammed.'
This characteristic clings to him
through life.
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15
W ESTERN RRONCHOS
ARE WARS VICTIMS

Denver, April 15.-The European
War promises to mark the final pass
ing Of the wild horse of the range,
the disappearance of the bucking
Lroncho SO long associated with the
West.
Even now there are practically no
wild horses such as once roamed the
ranges and with the inroads being
made upon the horses of the West by
the war, his lf-civilized brother, the
bioncho, promises to disappear. Thou
sands of horses have been taken from
Colorado. Wyoming and other western
states Not only have British and
French buyers invaded this section,
but representatives of the Italian gov
ernment have combed the country for
mounts. During the last few weeks
an Italian buyer purchased several
hundred horses and so great was his
haste to get them to his home coun-
try that they were sent by express
from Denver to the East instead of by
freight, There they were to be hur-
ricd aboard steamer for Italy.
Several million dollars have been
spent for these horses for war pur-
poses. The greatest demand of course
is for stout sound horses capable of
work as cavalry mounts or for artil-
lery. The entire country has been
gone over Two or three times by buy
crs for different countries and still
the demand has not been filled.
This draining of The West of horses
means that in the rehabilitation a
better breed of horses will be pro-
.Guced. 1t is this that sounds the death
<nell of the broncho. The govern
ment has been working for years en-
couraeing the breeding of better
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15

horses. Stations and mares of stand
ard breeds of draft and general pur-
pose horses have been placed through
cut the West Their progeny are al
ready influencing the general trend
Of development of the horses in the
sections in which the work of the gov
ernment is being centered. AS the
demand for horses to replace those
sold for war service Increases, it will
be animals of better breeds which will
take their places.
Another factor having great In
fluence is the fencing of ranches
something which was unknown in
years gone by This ended the day
of the wild horse, and the broncho, al
though given to bucking and pitch
ing, has gradually become tanner and
more domesticated
There was a time when it was not
so very difficult to find horse in
the West which no human being could
ride. That day has now gone by. The
last great horse of this stripe was
Steamboat, which died only this year.
1t is claimed that no man ever rode
Steamboat legitimately. The greatest
riders of the entire West tried and
failed, all finally being thrown in some
way or other. &'gXN
When the British government was
purchasing horses for use in the Boer
war it was necessary to employ bron-
cho busters, who spent weeks battling
with the prospective mounts for Brit
h cavalrymen. before they were con-
qucred and sufficiently subdued to the
saddle to satisfy the government
agent. This year there is little evil
Gcnce that the British or French are
in danger of suffering casualties
through encountering the American
norses.
Constant association with mat.
through the years between the Boer
war and the present, instead of roam
ing over unfenced plains, has had its
influence on the horse. The "never
say die fighting spirit of the old bron-
cho in his struggle against the touch
of leather and his intense hatred of
man, because he was representative
of enslavement to the saddle, has
slowly flickered out. Breeding and
association has brought about the in
evitable. Within a few years it will
probably he hard for even a "wild
west show manager to find a west
crn horse which will buck constantly
and consistently, as though he meant
it.
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15
A TTAINING IT'S OBJECT.


a The order made by Judge Myers requiring the
tua water companies to pay to Receiver Hoabrd all
ter rentals due and thereafter to pay in advance for
ter promises to lead directly to the goal the Southern
Pacific Company has sought for years or more That
goal is the elimination of the Salt Works. Boaz Duncan
and others having claims against the c. D. Company.
To accomplish this end it has been desired to throw
everything possible into the Mexican companys possess
son that when the final sale of the property should
there would be nothing but the American property
to satisfy the claims. That the game has been played
shrewdy there is question That the receiver has
puposey been kept stirred up that he would do almost
idiotic things appears to be the fact.
These things have had their natural effect The an
cry attitude of the receiver resulting in making the
the goat in the conflict of interest has alienaed
the people of the valley from the receiver.
Now comes the final chapter Judge Myers issues
this order If the mutual companies comply with it. they
must not only pay for the water in advance but must
themselves maintain the canal SYSTEM which implies that
they must pay the receiver for water which they them
selves own and which they themselves deliver.
On the other hand it is not essential that they get the
water III this way. There due the receiver up to
January l. $1199438. For less than that the companies
can build gate in the Hind Clarke dam in Mexico and be
absolutely independent of the receiver.
Should this be done, there would be property in
the United States for the creditors of the c. D. Company
but the Hanon gate and there would be demand for
water through that gate, and consequently revenue
Then the Southern Pacific Company would have accom-
pShed its purpose and there would be nothing to satisfy
the claims.
In that event, the Irrigation District would be the
gamer for the district and not the railroad pay the
claims The amount Of claims which it is the purpose OF
the Southern Pacific Company TO avoid and which benefit
would accrue to the district is about $800,00O,
1t expected that next month the state supreme court
Will hand down decision affecting this matter on the
appeal from the BordWell decision.
The question the people Of the valley have to decide
is of eXpedency On the one hand is the possible
ing of $800000 by getting out from under claims part
of which are wholly unjust.
On the other hand what the valley needs above all
hngs opportunity to go ahead peacefully in the de-
veopment of It's resources and any litigation tends to OBJ
struct progress
Again it is better that diversion shall be on the
American side of the ne for both engineering and po
tca reasons
1t is problem which the people afford to study
carefully and promptly, and settle without passion for
,yhat appears to be their own interest
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15
MUCH ADLERIKA USED
IN Ell CENTRIC

It is reported by J. f. Davis, drug
gist, that much Ader-i-ka is sold in
Ell Centre. People have found out
that ONE SPOONFUL of this simple
buckthorn bark and glycerine mixture
relieves almost ANY CASE of con-
stipation, sour or gassy stomach. II
is so powerful that it is used success
fully in appendicitis. ONE MINUTE
after you take it the gases rumble
and pass out. 1t is perfectly safe to
use and cannot gripe.-Adv.
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15
Reduced Rates on Holton interurban.

Effective Wednesday, December %,
fare one way between Ell Centre ana
Holtville will be 35c; round trip, 60c.
Ride in comfortable motor cars on
d good roadbed.
Leave Ell Centro, 1880 a. m, 1900
M, 100, $40 and 6:30 p. m.
Leave Holtville, TOO and 900 a.
M; 1:30, 4:45 and 7:l5 p. m.
Imperial Valley press., 1915-04-15

Modern two-room Housekeeping
apartments, 65S Commercial. Ed