davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22
BARCELO LIKES TAMPA, FLA.

George Barce]o sends to Langdon
friends word of the safe arrival of
himself and wife at Tampa, Fla,
having spent five days on the road
after saying good bye to their Lang
don friends. George calls Florida
the incest country on earth and says
that Tampa is a very nice clean city,
and made the more beautiful by it's
profusion of beautiful flowers, palms
and banana trees Especially at this
time of the year they find the climate
simply delightful, although the change
from the north and not being as yet
accustomed to the water there, both
Mr.. Barcelo and his wife have to
some extent been under the weather
From stand point of living it would
seem on the whole to be somewhat
more expensive than here in North
Dakota, that is until after you catch
on to the right way and know where
to buy, as the people of Florida seem
to have accustomed themselves to max
ing living off the tourists who &C
there from the north. Speaking of
the number of beautiful buildings he
mentions the Catholic cathedral, an
edifice which was built at cost of
So, 600, 900, where they attended
church last Sunday. Kind regards
are sent to their many old Langdon
friends.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22
LANGDoN GIRL WE'D AT FORKS

There was more than the usua,
amount of interest manifest in an
item on the society page of last
Thursdays issue of the Grand Forks
Herald which announced the wedding
in that city on Wednesday, of the
daughter of Mrs John l.. Robertson.
Of Langdon and Myron Brathovde, one
of the best known among the younger
set of the business men at Reynolds,
N. D. The marriage service was read
at the First Presbyterian church by
the pastor, Rev. W. H. Matthews,
and the uniting couple We're attended
through the ceremony by Mr.. and
Mrs. T. H. Brady, of Reynolds The
bride, since leaving her Langdon
home few years ago mas been en-
gagged professionally as trained
nurse in Minneapolis, but the event
Of last Wednesday is one in which the
home friends of the Robertson family
will evince an interest occasioned by
personal acquaintance with the bride
since she was a little girl. The
groom holds position with the bank
at Reynolds, where Mr.. and Mrs
| Brathovde return after May lst to a
home which has been built this
spring. The couple are expected for a
short visit at the home Of the bride g
mother here in Langdon the latter
part of this week.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22
LANGDON STILL ASKS
FOR ITS AUDITORIUM
Owner of Opera House Property Up
Here This Week to Confer With
Auditorium Promoters
PLANS ARE BEING MADE
Commercial Club Favors Plan of Taking
Over the Langdon Opera House Properly if
Mr.. Pruden Will Garry Out Their lueas
in Its New Interior Plan of Arrangement

A. X Pruden, one of St. Paul's
leading business men, who is the
president Of the St. Paul Roof and
Cornice Co., and holds title to Lang
don's opera house property, was here
this week to meet the members of the
commercial club and others of our
citizens who are interested in the
auditorium proposition and favor the
idea of converting the opera house
property into building suitable for
the purpose. Tuesday evening and
yesterday forenoon Mr. Pruden was
given an opportunity to confer with
the club members and other Langdon
boosters, who have the auditorium
project in hand There seems to be
a pretty general idea that something
like So, 600 could be raised in various
ways to give Langdon an auditorium.
Plans outlined by Contractor McPher-
son and others would show that a
building of that kind with ample
capacity could be put up for about
that figure. But there seems to be a
majority Of the auditorium boosters
who prefer to see the opera house re-
arranged to suit the purpose than
have the money expended in the put
ting up Of new building. 1t is
claimed to be more suitable and its
general usefulness would be greater
! than would be obtainable by the other
: plan. The understanding reached
when Mr.. Pruden left yesterday wa:
, that St. Paul architect should come
up, find out what alterations in the
f building We're needed and could b,
!. .l5made and give an estimate of tn.
cost. Later our citizens and Mr.
Pruden will confer and see what kin,
of a bargain can be made. Mr.. Pru
, den stated that he would much rathe
+ sell the opera house as it stood, bu
, finding Langdon people firm in refus
, ing to deal with him until it had beel
. properly adapted for use as an audi
torium ne finally acquiesed with thei
! wishes.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22

Itching, bleeding, protruding or
blind piles have yielded to Doan s
Ointment. Fifty cents at all drug
stores.
E. r. Howard left Monday for
Dresden, where he will manage the
branch house of the Cavalier County
Implement company of Langdon
located at that place. Mr.. Howard is
an experienced implement dealer, and
knows the inside of both the retail
and wholesale implement business and
will undoubtedly make successful
showing at the Dresden branch of the
firms business. The family will re-
main here at least for a while. :.
Edinburgh Tribune.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22
HE'S A LANGDoN PRODUCT

Foster Robson, a son of E. B.
Robson of Hannah, went to Palmero,
N. D., to accept the position of prin-
cipal of the schools at that place.
Since locating there he has joined the
commercial club, has at least two
municipal offices and is superintendent
of the Sunday school. Foster got his
start here in Langdon, his father be-
ing pastor Of the M. E. church at the
time he was born. With such a start
as that Foster couldn't help but go
ahead and go right.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-04-22

Iona is talking of giving Norway's
day of independence fitting obser-
vance on Monday, May 18th, and there
is probability that this will be the
date of the first appearance of Lang
don's newly organized band.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
Pop leaning tcnsc

ogy, you know. Once man loses his grip and finds out that he's not going to be allowed to starve newell, why work at job that, anyway, just about pays his living expenses when he can get them without working and can pick up enough for booze and tobacco by pan-handling I've seen a lot of good men-newspaper chaps-go that route, and they never come back"
 Kent started to speak, but evidently changed his mind for just then they had arrived at the destination. Through the glass in the door they could see old Pop Ransom bent over his desk his hair silver white in the glow from the swinging light above him.
 They entered.
 Pop glanced up as they approached and nodded to Proctor, then looked inquiringly at Kent. Good evening"" he said pleasantly, but in a tone that plainly indicated he did not recognize him.
 "Don't--don't you remember me. Pop?" asked Kent. his voice tremb-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

Once in camp they were greeted by the soldiers singing the Marseillaise and other patriotic songs Then came the circus and vaudeville show so dear to the heart of the Frenchman. After it was all over toasts were drunk to President Poincare and General Jof- fire. Several French actresses volun- teered to entertain the men in the French military hospitals At Bor- deaux the scenery was set up and q war play presented in which several of the wounded soldiers took part.
 Germans Great Feast.
 Christmas is the Germans greatest holiday, and no matter how adverse his condition may be he will manage to decorate a bush in honor of the Christ Child. Even the sentry boxes in far-away Poland are already cov- cred with pine branches in anticipa- ton of the coming festival. Last year every shack along the entire German battle line had it's Christmas tree dec
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

the Singalese looked on in wonder and then began to dance. Although Christmas of the Greek Church Is sew eral days later owing to the differ ence in the two calendars, the Rus sians took part in the celebrations. singing their folk songs and giving some of their quaint dances and also Joined in pulling the ''crackers" given to prisoners. Their German captors entered into the spirit of the day, so even in the prison camps Christmas was duly celebrated.
 Servia, Bulgaria and Italy.
 The servian soldier has been at war so many years that Christmas on tho battlefield was not a new experience to him. Roast pig is his national Christmas dish. but few were able to obtain 1t last year, and this year it will be we'll nigh impossible on &C., count of the devastation of their land. But the brave Servian will manage to hang up a bunch of evergreen and wish his comrades a. Merry Christmas.
 This year will find the Bulgarians and Italians at war during the holiday season. The latter keep Christmas with @ religious fervor and many re- markable scenes are likely to be wit messed on that day. Thousands of Italian soldiers will spend the Feast , of the Nativity in the ice-covered Alps, where they will set up their Christi mas trees amid the eternal snows. The Bulgarians, like the Servians, have spent the day in battle before. but as they are still fresh in the pres ent war they will manage to enjoy the feast of extra rations.
 | So, if these men now at war can show such kindly feeling toward each other and mutually rejoice in each others pleasure, it is not hard to pre- dict that when it is all over there will arise in glorious unison the re- frain:
 When peace shall over all the earth
 Its ancient splendors fling,
 And the whole world send back the
 cry
 Which now the angels sing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

orated with bits of paper and tin foil.
 These trees were the pride of the soldiers and they spent hours in dec-
 ora ing the little pines. and setting them up in some sheltered place where they were protected from the wind and snow. Last winter was a snowy one in the war zone and num- Der of men were frozen to death at their posts, so one can imagine that trimming a Christmas tree with the thermometer below zero is uncom- fortable to say the least, yet with the Germans it was such a labor of love that they willingly endured the cold.
 Everywhere the Germans had their trees and their lights. The Crown Prince sent his men pipes and to- bacco and there were special rations. Behind the trenches the men danced and sang. Extra platforms were built for the musicians and wherever u band could be found there was an afternoon concert. Boxing matches
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

were arranged, each company being represented in the bouts, and the matches were refereed by the officers The men had their favorites, and there was much good -natured guying when a company's man was knocked out. While all this was going on the band played lively airs and the men forgot, at least for the time, that a state of war existed.
 In Belgium, where the German Landstrum are on duty, their head quarters were dressed with Christmas greens, both inside aud out, even the iron railing outside the building be- ing wreathed in ropes of laurel and ivy. At the barracks the men set up trees and invited the Belgian children to come to the celebration. There was special Christmas dinner for the soldiers and besides this hundreds of Christmas boxes filled with cakes and warm clothing were sent from the Fatherland. of course, we missed our families" said one of the men, "but it was a great Christmas. We know they are well and praying for the success of the Fatherland." In the German military hospitals at Der lin, Munich, Cologne and other places the men were fairly loaded down with presents and nearly every man had his individual Christmas tree. Relatives and friends visited the hospitals. There was music by bands and orches- tras-in fact, it seemed that all Ger many tried to make the wounded men happy on Christmas.
 Christmas at Prison Camp.
 Out at the big prison camps the men were allowed to celebrate. and an extra ration of food was given At several of these camps the Ger man guards assisted the men in dec orating their quarters. Lets hear you sing Tipperary!' called out an officer of the guard. Several mem- bers of an Irish regiment heard the request and they gave wild whoor and then sang the song as only ar Irishman can. The Indian prisoners later joined in the singing. The French sat about playing cards, ant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

old man slowly, gazing straight into the electric light with far-seeing eyes. Surely, for man to come back he need not become rich. It's not what he accumulates, but what's in his heart that counts, my boy"
 Say" spoke up Proctor suddenly, 'how about some hard-luck Christ mas stories the buns have told you at one time or another? Something with 8 few sobs in it-what we call human interest dope?' You've been on the job here long, long time, Pop, and surely during all those years a number of buns have been soaked to the crying stage around Christmas and have wept on your shoulder about it being Christmas and about their old home. Huh? l can interview you, see. and let you tell a few of these stories Can you think of any?"
 "I'll try said Ransom. Come back in about an hour and perhaps I'll have something for you. But must finish this statement first"
 Proctor untangled his knees and got to his feet. At the door he paused. turned and called back, Merry Christ mas, Pop!" Then, as though half ashamed of the little bit of emotion he had displayed, he banged the door after him and set out for Police Head quarters.
 There, he first learned from the Ser geant on the desk that nothing had "broke", during his absence worth more than routine mention. He saun- tered into the "baclS room" where al 1 f16 mir la i1, ress, watched Patrolman Hegarty, one of his best pipe lines,' triumphantly take another cops last king.
 Then he wandered back to the office arriving at the desk almost simul- taneously with a man who had en- tered unattended by q bluecoat.
 The stranger looked like a man down on his luck. and yet he didn't. His clothes were plain, even shabby, but they were not frayed nor were they dirty. His linen was clean. His hands were rough and large, sure sign of work. And his face was strong, clear cut and deeply lined, with eyes that looked out unafraid.
 Can you tell me-" he asked the Sergeant, in a tone in which there was no apprehension, whats become of the Municipal Lodging House. It used to be on Oliver street, I remember, some eight years ago. And I want to know if old Pop Ransom is still in charge"
 The Sergeant looked at him keenly before replying. He was about to ask i"You used to flop there then, huh?' but something in the mans direct, un- wavering gaze deterred him. They've moved around on Stoughton street." he said instead. And Pops still on the lid" Then. in @ disarmingly. friendly tone, "A friend of yours?"
 "Yes." replied the stranger prompt ly, and without the quiver of an eye | lash. "Yes-the best friend I ever had. Whereabouts on Stoughton street?"
 I'm going around there now" Proctor spoke up. And I'll be glad to show you. Pops friend of mine. l too."
 Somehow, he sensed a story.
 Thank you" said the man, "Ill ap- preciate it very much, if you're sure it won't inconvenience you. My name is Bertram Kent.'
 As they left the building and turned in the direction of the Lodging House Proctor ventured a question. Pops great old fellow, isn't he? Known
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

and there. The tables in the center were piled high with gifts. Those of the wounded who were able were propped up in bed or put into chairs. After the service was over the re- mainder of the day was spent by the men in listening to music, receiving visitors and feasting on the good things which had been sent to the hospital. Several noted actresses vol
 unteered to sing, recite and give little sketches. Men dressed to represent Santa Claus went from hospital to hospital giving out cigarettes and chocolate. Sometimes they stopped for a game of cards with the men and later to cheer them by telling jokes. The greatest effort was made to cheer the blind soldiers-no easy task. This year there are hundreds of these unfortunates, and Q special fund. is being raised in England for the purpose of giving these poor fel- lows a big feast on Christmas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
French Soldiers Entertained.

The French soldier begins his Christmas with midnight mass, and last year at one point this was held in the open. During the service Q German Taube was seen lowering over the camp, but the men continued their devotions and the aviator. who probably understood what was going on, quietly disappeared without drop ping any bombs. Out beyond the trenches the men play games and en- joy the good things sent from home. The English ,um pudding and meat pies with raisins have become a favor ite Christmas dish with the French, and last year thousands of puddings were sent to the front for the French. All sorts of amusements were provided for the men-vaudeville shows were given by actors who were fighting in the ranks and by players who came to the front for the sole purpose of entertaining the soldiers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

Kent. "As your friend am ,galk here from Police Headqu rters. sa had little talk about tn businaa of giving helping hand to lts ,ovu- and-outer. He doesn't seela s6 ttinE there's anything in it. ss p5r. thought it might be well i0t Aifn hear my mean our story. ! wQRdar what he thinks now?"
 Proctor had the grace t. ioo- -- pressed. But instantly his cumulative spirit asserted itself. TT think it's fine!" he said. And I want to tell you, MT. Kent, that you haven't yet got all you deserve. But I can't change my opinion. One come back does not prove that even one out of a thousand buns can turn the trick. You're the exception, man, you're the one man in thousand!"
 Pop shook his head and started to speak, but Kent laid detaining hand on his shoulder.
 You're mistaken, young fellow. you're mistaken" he said. This very thing is happening all around us every day in the year, only we hear of only few cases, of course. But more than that, once one of us does come back he works to pass on the good word to others. He's watching always for chance to give @ hand to somebody who needs 1t. It's sort of an endless chain. Now. can give you 8 case in point.''
 Kent resumed his seat and accepted the cigar which Pop proffered.
 During the first year I was manag- ing the plantation" he went on, T went into the town--two hundred miles away-to straighten out some shipping mix-up. And down at the waterfront I ran into a young man from the States. knew he was an American the min ute saw him. He was in a bad way, what with booze and the harsh treat ment he had received as a stowaway from New York on one of the fruit steamers. And he was crazy to jump in the bay.
 Well, got him into a coffee-house, and presently he began to listen to me. He had whole lot better edu- cation that ever dreamed of having and l wasn't kicked out of college until my second year, at that. But he was weak. The long and short of it was that took him home with me. And Just as my employer had helped me fight, so helped him. He won. too.
 Now, he's my assistant and while I'm up here he's running the whole works. You couldn't make him take a drink at the point of a gun. He's got pretty healthy sum saved up. and next year he's coming back to the States for good and let his parents know that he's still alive. But more than that. he's a genius. Why he writes stories Tor the magazines--and you'll find h first story in the Jan uary issue of obody's Magazine. His names Vernoif>Proctor, so look for" Proctor sprang to his feet, sending his chair crashing against the wall. "vernon Proctor" he cried. Did you say Vernon Proctor!"
 Kent stared at him in amazement. Then, recovering. he nodded affirma- lively. "You don't mean that you know him. do your" he asked eagerly. He's tall and thin and has the light est hair I ever saw on any man ir my life. He's told me, by the way. that this is his home town"
 Proctor reached out his hand. why" he gasped. "why, old man. he's my brother!"
 | Proctor had his Christmas storyl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

ling.
 Ransom looked at him long and searchingly. "Your--your face is kind of familiar" answered the honest old man, but I can't place it-and 1 haven't the slightest idea of your name"
 Kent" said that individual.
 Pop seemed to grope back-back-- back in the archives of his memory, reaching out for light.
 "A little over eight years ago." Kent prompted, whimsical smile on his face. "One Christmas Eve--soused to the gills--and bent on suicide-"
 Suddenly the old mans face became alive with joy. "Kent-B. Kent--as live-B. Kent!" he cried.
 "Yes!" And there was strange mixture of enthusiasm and pride and gratitude in his tone. "Only now it's Bertram Kent, right out and without any hesitation. Pop. I've been plan ming this meeting for five solid years" By this time their hands were clasped and old Pop had one arm over Rents shoulder in affectionate em-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

him long?"
 "A little over eight years-though I haven't seen him for eight was the somewhat cryptic reply.
 They walked along in silence for a while.
 He's still doing business at the same old stand--in the same old way" suggested Proctor presently. '"The buns still call him Pop and eat his soup while they pretend to use his soap and swallow his salvation" And Proctor laughed invitingly.
 For moment Kent made no com ment. Then he said tensely, He's the salt of the earth." And after slight pause he added, Maybe some of them swallow a little of the salvation with their soup"
 Proctor hastened to take up his cudgel. 50 he thinks, too. But can't see it. Once a bum. always a bum. is my theory. And man'Il sit through prayer meeting or an experience service on any cold night to get a bed and something to eat aft erwards It's just a matter of psychol-