davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
The Sentries'
Christmas Dinner
"a! azsGSs&zzSa Ss&SsG - ~ ~ - I

Raymond P. Sanford, a robust and
healthy undergraduate of Cornell, lived
for scientific purposes on So cents
week, his food including buttermilk.
lentils, peanuts, raisins, cabbage, pep
pers, oatmeal and apples.
II thrive on this fare" Mr. Sanford
said. II admit, however, that to stick
to it takes will power l have to gov
ern my sybaritic propensities. must
not initiate the young sentries.
"There was once Il Christmas
masquerade ball in European palace.
you know. and squad Of young sen
tries stood guard out in the SNOW.
"Well. as the ball progressed the con-
duct Of certain guest disguised as a
Santa Claus astonished and perplexed
everybody. This Santa Claus would
dance with the prettiest women for
fifteen or twenty minutes. and then,
hurrying to the buffet. he would drink
salad, ices. caviar sandwiches. truff1ed
turkey everything in sight.
"The host, after several hours of
such gluttonOus and Incorporate con-
duct on the part Of the Santa Claus
guest. conferred with his butler and
to his Amusement learned that the of
fender had by actual computation de-
voured forty sandwiches, sixty ices and
eight quarts of lobster salad, while he
had drunk thirty-one bottles Of cham
payne and ninety glasses of punch.
"It seemed Incredible! Yet there he
was. as vigorous and fresh and sober
as ever. now whispering compliments
in a pretty matron's ear. now rushing
to the buffet for more wine and more
lobster
Puzzled and vexed, the host took
Santa Claus by the arm and led him
into recess.
"'Show me your invitation card he
said
But Santa Claus, alas. had none.
"'Then unmask!
"Dolefully the spurious guest obeyed.
"'Why, you're one of the sentriesv
eyes. sir
Gle was indeed one of the sentries-
one of the squad of sentries stationed
outside in the snow.
''These young men had hired cheap
Santa Claus makeup and, DOMINIC it
one by one had each enjoyed a brief
but delightful share of the Christmas
festivities-the dancing and lobster and
champagne in the ballroom. Wash
ington Star.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
THE MISTLETOE.

With Christmas cheer the hall is bright,
At friendly feud with winters cold;
There's many a merry game tonight
For maids and men, and young and old
And winter sends for their delight
The holly with it's crimson glow.
And paler than the glistening snow
The mistletOe, the mistletoe.
The mistletoe, the mistletoe!
The wan and Wanton mistletoe!
Chance conner to our festal ewes,
Dear crimson breasted holly sprite!
Thee, Robin, too, the hall receives,
Unbidden, whom our hearts invite.
And, perched among the GRUMPY leaves,
He cocks his head and sings 'Hullo!'
The mistletoe, the mistletoe
Hangs up above but what's below?
Oh, what's below the mistletoe?
The mistletoe, the mistletOei
A kindly custom sanctions bliss
That's ta'en beneath the Wanton Dough
Who laughs so low? Why, here it is!
Look, Jenny, where / have you now!
Dear bashful eyes, sweet lips-a kiss
All, cheeks can mock the holly's glow!
For what's below the mistletoe?
All, ha! Why, it is Cupid O!
All, ha! Below the mistletoe
TITS Cupid O. it's Cupid O.!
Temple Bar.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

Lucinda wanted a little white folks
dOllie instead Of the cunning black ba-
bies that people gave her.
Polly went to sleep and woke up with
d start She was sure that she had.
been wide awake all the time, yet from
the mantelpiece there hung fat, Dulg-
ing stocking.
Santa Claus mas been!" chuckled
Polly. and she slipped out of bed and
battered across the floor.
What a lovely, knobby, mysterious
looking thing her stocking was!
Polly felt of the toe.
There was money-real money! And
peeping at her from the top of the
doll you could imagine,
"Oh dear, do hope that Santa Claus
has brought Lucinda one just like it,!
sighed Polly. II believe I'll seer
Barefooted, with her little white
gown trailing on the red carpet, Polly
battered silently along the hall until
she reached the door that led into the
wing where the servants slept.
The first door was Maggie's and the
second door led into the room where
Susan, the cook, slept with her little
girl Lucinda.
From the knob of this door hung big
white stocking and, like Polly's, it was
bullying with knobby things But alas.
From the top of Lucinda's stocking
there popped black baby doll.
1t was black-instead of white. How
poor Lucinda would cry!
Polly's heart beat very fast as she
gently took the black baby out Of Lu
cinda's stocking and tucking it under
her arm, she ran back to the nursery.
She had to climb on chair to reach
had taken it out of her stocking and
put the cunning black baby in it's place.
II never had black dolly, and they
are so dear and cunning" Polly told
herself while she Rugged her own prec'
ious baby to her breast.
She Rugged the baby doll all the way
back to Lucinda's door and she kissed
it fondiy as she tucked it in the top
of Lucinda's stocking.
When she passed the door Of her
mothers room she did not see four
eyes watching her.
And the most beautiful surprise of all
came after breakfast!
Polly's father found two especially
nice presents for Polly and Lucinda.
who was crazy with delight over her
white baby doll.
Santa Claus certainly does do funny
things. On the Christmas tree were
white baby doll for unselfsh Polly and
a dear little black one for Lucindai
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
The CruIIer | ambS.

Our kitchens nice round Christmas time!
I can't see in tn great big pot;
It's where tn crullers-they cum fun
An what's inside is drefle hot!
I mustn't stand too near tn stove
dress
My mother thinks that things round there
Would burn her little girl, I guess.
An so | stay real close to her
When she puts aprons round her waist
And rolls tn rings out on board,
Sometimes she lets me have a taste"
An then, you see, I'm helpin too,
I help her member she mus make
A lot Of little cruller lambs
like that kind Of Christmas cake!
TIL lamb when he goes in tn pot
He's yellow, an he looks all fat,
But when they lift him out Of it,
Wy, he's all brown an round an fat!
I have to wait till he's cooled off,
Fore | can have my lamb to eat;
An mother. she puts wool on him
Wifi sugar-thats what makes him sweet.
An after when my father comes,
get a lamb for him to see,
Ny mother laughs at how he does;
She says he's big a child as me-"
She don't like lambs in bed, | guess,
But father says to let me keep
It squeezed all tight up in my hands
An that's tn way | went to sleep!
Marie Louise Tompkins in Harpers
Weekly.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
FASTING at Christmas.

When Cromwell ruled England he is
sued an edict against all festivities at
Christmas. The festival was altogether
abolished. and the display Of holly and
mistletoe and other emblems of the
happy time held to be seditious.
In 1914 the Long parliament com
manded that Christmas day should be
observed as Il strict fast when all peo-
pie should think over and depore the
great sin Of which they and their fore
fathers had been guilty in making
merry at that season.
This act so provoked the people that
on the following natal day the law was
violently resisted in many places.
Though these scenes were disgraceful.
they served their purpose and nut an
end to an unjust order
When Charles III. regained the throne
the populare once more made christ
mas time of rejoicing
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16


town. Mr.. Judd was carpen-
ter, and when he had plenty
OF work there were light and cheer and
warmth in the home. But after he had
fallen from a ladder and broken his
leg hard times came to the family in
the cottage, and the two little boys,
Richard and Robin, whispered together
that surely Santa Claus would not find
them this year. In former years he
had been good to the two little bows.
but this year things would be different.
On Christmas eve, after the little
boys had gone to bed, Mr.. Judd whis-
pered to his wife that Santa Claus
might leave some nuts and candies for
Richard and Robin and that he himself
had whitfield them two boats that were
handsomer than those in the shops, and
Mrs. Judd had boiled some molasseS
and made big painful Of walnut taffy
from the store of black walnuts in the
attic
Just at that moment MI. Judd saw
piece of paper pinned to Robins stock
ing. 1t was written in the little lads
big round handwriting
"What is that?' he asked, going to
the mantelpiece
Robins letter to Santa Claus.
haven't read it yet. What does it say!
asked Mrs. Judd as she cut the taffy
into nice squares and prepared to wrap
it in the waXed paper.
Mr.. Judd read the paper, and his
eyes twinkled. Gle asks Santa Claus
to bring him little sister. He doesn't
be happy playing with her all the year
around
'The dear childv' sighed Mrs. Judd.
What is that?' they both spoke to-
gether, for from the porch outside they
| heard funny little sound that sound
ed strangely like baby's cry.
1T sounds like baby" said Mr..
Judd, going to the door and turning the
knob quickly.
1T can't ber' said Mrs. Judd. follow
ing him.
When Mr.. Judd opened the door the
snowstorm tried to enter the warm
room. The carpenter peered out into
the Whiteness and then down and lift
ed something that was huddled against
the door.
Its a basket and there's Il baby in
side!' he cried as he closed the door
and set the basket and it's contents OF.
the table
Sure enough, in nest Of warm clean
blankets was q six months old baby
girl; blue eyed, golden haired, dimpled.
Her clothes were coarse but clean, and
pinned to her white frOck was note
saying that the baby's mother was
dead and that her father was going to
far country and made a present Of
her to the kindest people in the town
he knew.
And there was some money in the en-
velope. all that the poor father could
spare. 1t was very little.
"Shall we keep her?'' asked Mr. Judd,
for they were quite poor and his ill
ness had brought many heavy bills to
pay.
"She came to u.s. whispered Mrs
Judd as she Rugged the baby they had
found in the snow. eve can spare
enough for her. And the boys will be
so happy to have herr
"That settles it"' said Mr.. Judd, and
he went up into the attic after the lit
tie cradle in which Richard and Robin
used to sleep.
When Christmas morning daWned
Richard and Robin crept out Of bed
and tiptoed into the sitting ROOM They
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
"CHRiST'S POOR" AT CHRIST
MAS.

One of the sweetest Of all the
Christmas superStitions is prev
alent in parts of Germany.
Long ago Il poor little clock
maker who loved above all things
to go to church received Christ
mas gift of large red apple.
He was supremacy happy be-
cause he had something to give
to the dear Christ Child. Hasten
ing to the altar of the church, he
placed the precious apple on the
marble hands of the Babe in
Mary's arms.
Instantly the tiny fingers closed
over it and a smile of heavenly
joy swept over the chubby face.
This happened long, long ago,
but the people in the vicinity still
give to Christ through his poor
at Christmas time, believing that
the gift bestowed upon lone Of
the least Of these" is received
by the Christ Child himself, and
rewarded by the same blessed
smile which brought joy and
comfort to the little clockmaker.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

that she had been asleep for hours, yet
the big clock in the lower hall was
only booming eleven times.
Il wonder if Santa Claus will find
Lucinda's stocking?" thought Polly.
''P'raps by and by I'll go and see if he
has been there"
Polly closed her eyes and thought
about Lucinda Ames, who was cooks
little girl. Lucinda was as black as
night, but she was just Polly's age.
and Polly liked her.
Lucinda told most of her secrets to
Polly. That was how Polly knew that
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
Santa In the City.

Santa Claus touched the button
which summoned his foreman.
eyes, sir" said the foreman, coming
in from the shop.
"What are you working on?"
doll flats, sir
Santa Claus turned in his chair and
regarded his foreman doubtfully.
doll hatsr' he exclaimed. You
mean doll houses
mo, SIR the foreman answered.
''TheSe are for city distribution, where
the children don't know anything about
houseS."-St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
The Charm of Christmas.

There is something in the very sea-
son Of the year that gives Il charm to
the festivity of Christmas. In the depth
of winter, when Nature lies despOiled
of her charms, wrapped in her shroud
of sheeted snow. we turn for our graft
fications TO moral sources. Heart
ealleth to heart. and we draw our
pleasures from the deep wells of living
kindness which lie in the quiet recesses
Of our bosoms.-Washingto Irving
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
What They Did
To Santa Claus


The children came down with a cheer
blithe and bold,
Their curly locks cleaning in auburn and
gold.
They ran with delight where the gifts were
displayed,
And, oh, such a babble of gladness they
made!
They gazed on the tree with it's glory of
light,
Its trinkets and baubles and ornaments
bright.
They emptied their stockings and, dane
ing with glee.
Brought back the dear child world to
mamma and me.
There were dolls with bright faces and
books full of song,
Tin trUmpets and drums. blocks and bon
bons a throng,
And there by the chimney. with arms full
of toys,
Stood Santa Claus watching the girls and
the boys.
They spied him-they rushed with volley
of cheers;
They pulled off the wig that curled white
round his ears;
They poked at his eyes, gave his whiskers
a twist.
And laughed at the shape of his chubby,
fat fist
They tore off his coat, rolled him over the
floor,
Jumped on his legs, banged his head
gainst the door,
Pulled his nose till it cracked. pinched his
cheeks with vim,
And laughed till the tears made their
bright eyes grow dim.
Then he burst with a thud and again
rang their shout.
on. on went the wild, merry frolic and
rout,
AS they formed in battalions while each
bold brigade
Snowballed with the cotton from which
he was made.
Baltimore Sun.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16


" the beach. Once it had been the
cabin of his old schooner Skim
mer; now it was the only home Cap
tain Jimmy and his cat Vixen had.
In the summer time he sold fish and
CLAIMS and Holsters to the summer cot
tagers, but in the winter he had hard
work to keep the little cabin warm and
find food for himself and Vixen.
1t was the day before Christmas, and
the beach was rough with ice.
Snow said Captain Jimmy, as he
left bis little house and went up to-
ward the village. His pipe was be-
tween his teeth, but he was not smok-
ing-he was out Of tobacco.
He smiled sadly because he knew
that he would have lonely Christ
mas. He had no wife or children, and
he was very much alone. The poor are
often forgotten.
By the time Captain Jimmy had
bought some flour and salt pork and a
little coffee it was dark and showing
fast. So when he heard the sound Of
children crying he stopped in surprise.
''Hullo'' shouted Captain Jimmy,
and the crying stopped at once. In
another minute he almost tumbled over
two little children who were running
along the beach path.
"Heave ho!" called Captain Jimmy,
and he put out long arm and gath
cred the little ones close to him.
What are you doing hSre?" he shout
ed, for the wind was screaming now.
They tried to explain, but Captain
Jimmy couldn't understand word
they said, they cried so much, and at
last, half dragging, half carrying them,
he hurrie, them into the warm little
cabin WHARF he lived.
When the kerosene lamp was lighted
the two children stopped crying and
smiled at Captain Jimmy.
care you Thanta CLAUSE" one lisped,
and the other little girl, who looked
exactly like her, giggled and chung to
Captain Jimmy's big hand.
81 love 90, Misther Thanta Claus
she whispered.
''Bless your sweet hearts," cried Cap
tain Jimmy, his eyes full of tears, Il
guess III have to be Santa Claus to-
night! [ can never get you home to-
night in this bowling blizzard!"
The two little girls smiled brightly
and took off their red cloaks and knit
ted caps and leggings and rubbers.
''We're lost" said one of the twins,
and she told a long story of how they
had gone to walk with nurse, who had
suddenly run away and left them in
wouldn't come back" said Linnie sad
ly. "My mamma scolded her this aft
ernoon.''
what are your names? Where do
you live?" asked Captain Jimmy as he
pushed them up to the table before two
great bowls OF bread and milk
Brown? Goodness me, never heard
of any Browns over to the Point!
You'll have to stay here till morning."
"Will Thanta Claus come nere?''
asked Linnie.
Hes got tor said Captain Jimmie
BY and by after the twins had said
their prayers and were sound asleep on
Captain Jimmy's bed while Vixen pur-
red at their feet, Captain Jimmy walk
ed the floor and whistled tune
81 reckon that Santa Claus could
never get down my little steve piper
he chuckled $50 I'll just have to fill
those two little stockings myself"
Sometime afterward a number Of
! people hurried through the snow and
peered into Captain Jimmy's window.
What did they see? Why, just Captain
Jimmy. with his empty pipe between
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

door burst open and some people
rushed in and began to hug him and
question him, and they all talked at
once. They proved to be the father
and mother and uncles and aunts Of
the lost twins, and they were SO CRATE
full to Captain Jimmy for his kindness
to the twins that they insisted on TAX
ing him home with them to spend
Christmas.
And Vixen, the cat, went along too,
and the stockings which Captain jim
my had filled.
Mr.. Brown engaged Captain Jimmy
to be captain Of his yacht. and Captain
Jimmy smoked his pipe and said 1t
was his happiest Christmas.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

and there were
delicious walnut taffy wrapped in wax
ed paper and some red apples.
And just as they reached the red APP
pies the little boys looked down and
saw the old cradle with the snow ba-
by's bright and blue eyes staring up
at them.
How the cottage rang with their
cries Of joy! How they Rugged the
new baby sister, whom they thought
Santa Claus had left at their door
But we all know that sometimes when
Santa Claus is very busy he has to ask
grownup folks to help him distribute
the good things at Christmas tide since
he cannot get around to all the homes
of all the good children iii one evening
without firing his reindeer too much.
"Hurrahr' cried Richard and Robin,
running to awaken their parents.
merry Christmas, father and mother!
Come out and see the beautiful baby
sister Santa Claus has brought us!
Why this is the best Christmas we
eyer hadr'
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16


birds and cracking of nuts and crunch
ing Of carrots and crisp lettuce! Don't
you think their little hearts sent up
thanks to the loving Father, who had
reminded the Marsden children not to
forget his little woods people?
And as the children raced across the
snow toward home they sang Christ
mas carols until they were overheard
by a great sleigh load of people coming
from the railroad station.
Merry Christmas! they called
Merry Christmas!' And the sleigh
stopped and took them all in, for they
were all going to spend Christmas at
the Marsdens. There were MariOn's IA
Their and mother and there were aunts
and uncles and grandparents. Merry
Christmasv' they all said to each other.
for they were happy.
And I'm sure if you could have I'm
derstood all the twittering and chat
tering around the holly tree in the
woods you might have learned that the
woods people were saying merry
Christmas!' too
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

In Holland-but always on
Dec. 6 instead Of the 25th-
the little boys and girls put
their wooden shoes in front of
the hearths instead Of hang
ing up their stockings, and the
good old patron Of children
comes and fills them, and
there is general gift giving.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16
s ~ & 4 . & %
lp0Tly's Christmas
Stocking
By BERTHA NJ. MASTERS
S sef:s,is 80 -;
OILY DANE sat I'D

in bed and blink
ed her S | e e p y
eyes. The nurs-
cry was cry
quiet, except for
the swapping of
the Goals in the
CRATE. The fire
made a soft glow
of red light on
the ceiling, and
the figures on the
M O t b er Goose
wall paper seem
ed alive.
1t was Christ.
mas eve, and it
Dnl1r
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

around the living room fire and sang
Christmas carols and talked about the
millions Of people who were sending
gifts to loved ones, just as the wise
men brought gifts to the Christ Child
under the Christmas stars.
Suddenly they noticed that Clarice
was very thoughtful.
what is the matter, Sis?' asked
Gordon, the oldest boy.
II am thinking Of our dear woods
people and how the spSw has covered
their food so that they may starve to
death while we are having a happy
Christmas said Clarice.
Gordon whistled in dismay. "Oh.
never thought Of them!' he said.
II don't want my gray squirrels to
starve to DEATH" said Paul.
And Mr.. Rabbit and his family
added Mabel
"Or the snowbirds. l saw whole
flock yesterday" cried Gordon eagerly
"Or my own dickey bird!'' lisped Baby
Nan, pointing fat finger at the ca
narys cage in the window.
They all laughed and kissed little
Nan.
"And what about you, Cousin Mar
ion?' they asked of the little girl who
was visiting them.
I'm thinking about Mr.. Rabbit, too,
said Marion. Il was thinking it would
be nice if Santa Claus remembered
him."
Gordon got up and danced a horn
pipe Lets have Christmas tree fol-
the woods peopIev' he shouted.
What a racket there was as they al
rushed into the hall after caps and
cloaks and overshOes!
Clarice and Gordon disappeared i'll
the kitchen and were gone q long time
When they came back they carried q
little basket.
Baby Nan was taken to her moth
ers room, and the merry youngsters
ran shouting across the snowy garden
to the path which led to the woods.
How quiet the woods were when they
were in the shadow of the pines and
hemlockS!
Suddenly some twlgs cracked, and
q beautiful deer bounded lightly away
and disappeared among the trees.
He was hungry" said Gordon. "See
how he has eaten the twigs from the
hemIocks.''
All over the snow were the foot
prints of little animals squir-
rels, even the trail of a fox which
Gordon and Paul pointed out.
And threading in and out like pat
tern of lacework were the dainty foot
prints Of birds.
Poor little woods people.'' sighed
Clarice I'm afraid the snow has Gov
cred all the seeds and pine cones
Where shall we have the Christmas
tree?" asked Mabel. jumping up and
down with delight.
small holly tree. "See, it is already
trimmed with red berriesv'
Gust the thing" said Gordon, open
ing his basket. ''NOw, youngsters, step
up and help yourselves to goodies to
put on the Christmas tree.
Here are nuts for the squirrels, bits
of suet for the blue jays and the snow
birds. some lettuce and carrots for Mr..
Rabbit and his family, some canary
seed to scatter on this cloth and apples
for everybody"
What a wonderful Christmas tree
that was! Everybody helped to trim
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-12-16

LIS LeeLu, uOIulI1S
two little stock
ings in his hands.
Suddenly he be-
gan to take things
off the mantel-
piece and put
them in to the
stockings. They
were things that
Captain Jimmy
loved-they were
all that he had
bits Of coral and
pretty shells from
far tries,
some odd wooden
toys he had play
ed with when he
was a child and
two red apples.
Just as he was
hanging the stock
ings on the edge