davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
carlyIe's Christmas Gift.

1t is no drawback for a Christmas
gift to be useful, as we'll as ornamen
tai, but there is pathos in Carlyle's pres
entation of a washing table to his wife
at Christmas, 1850. At that time he
had long escaped poverty, but could
conceive no more pleasing gift than
this most unitarian article which he
promised in q note, which the curious
may still read at his house in Cheyne
row: 1.-THE Prophecy Of a Washstand
to the Neatest Of All Woman. Bless
ings on her bonny face, and be it ever
blitbesome, as it is dear, blithe or not.
IT. Carlyle, Dec. 25, 1850" This mes
sage appears to have been written in
a hurry, as If Carlyle, hearing the
clocks strike midnight, exclaimed: "God
bless my soul! It's Christmas day.
Jennie should have a present. She
spoke Of a washstand the other day.
She shall have it." and forthwith pen
ned the promise thereof. Anyway, he
gave a five pound note, and Mrs. Car
lyle bought a marble and mahogany
washstand.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
DON'T UNDERGO CHRISTMAS.
Better OverIavishness Than Niggardli-
ness at Holiday Season.

Better OverIavishness Than Niggardli-
ness at Holiday Season.
The things we do at Christmas are
touched with a certain grain Of extrav-
agance, as beautiful in some Of its
aspects as the extravaganza Of nature
in June.
1t is the children's carnival, the mid
summer Of charity to the poor, the
%springtide of good will to men; the time
OF the year When heaven opens and
angels come down to sing to sailors
on the ocean, to old country folks in
the long reaches of new colonies, to
people in hospitals, p~oorhouses, in man
sions and the huts where poor men
lie;" the time when the atmosphere is
just right for clear burning fires, and it
would be something of 4 shame for the
wind to send the smoke down any
chimney as it does a week before or
after; when there is a goodly smell
abroad, as if the fr%ankincense the wise
man brought on q day long ago to tenn
per the faint Of q stable had got into
this whole world Of ours, as a trailing
SAoou VI tht oooi vi oplSSu VI Cdu
When the poorest platters and mugs
take a touch Of fine recklessness by
reason Of the thoughtfulness Of those
who have bread enough and to spare;
when the Christmas tree grows all ra-
diant and fruitful, as no other tree
which blooms through the year. for It
bears at least twelve manners of fruit,
and the leaves Of the tree are for the
healing of the nations.
[ would not, therefore, insult Christ.
mas by UNDERGOING it. The man who
then does most for his fellow men, ac-
cording to his means. does best. We
can give the tramp who comes to our
back door a royal cup of coffee Christ
mas morning with a good grace. though
We have to see that he does not run
away with the spoon.
They are wide pages the angel opens
in the book of life at Christmas, and
when We do our best We cannot do it
quicker than he can write it down.
Rev. DR.. Robert Collyer.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
LEGENDS OF ST. NICHOLAS.
How He Became Known as Patron of
Children and of Gifts.

How He Became Known as Patron Of
Children and of Gifts.
An ancient italian life Of st. Nicho.
las recites how he became the patron
of children. Once upon q time the sons
Of an Asiatic gentleman We're sen to
Athens to be educated. On their way
their father enjoined them to visit the
great bishop Of Myra and secure his
benediction. They reached there late
one night and sought shelter in an inn.
The wicked landlord, observing their
prosperous exterior, concluded to rob
them and destroy the evidence Of his
crime. Having murdered them in their
sleep, he dismembered the bodies and
concealed the pieces in a pickle tub.
las. and he fastened to accuse the land
lord. who, seized with remorse, con-
fessed all. Then he implored the in
tercession Of the saint, and the latter,
struck by his penitence, prayed for the
restoration Of the youths to life. In
stantly the latter arose, and the par
don Of their slayer was assured.
Here is the legend which accounts
for st. Nicholas as the good genius
of the gift season.: A certain noble of
his diocese became impoverished, and,
as they had no dowries, the future OF
his three daughters was imperiled.
The good saint resolved to succor
them. and, waiting till the small hours
Of the morning, he cast through the
open window of the nobleman's bed
chamber three heavy purses Of gold.
He hoped to retreat unseen, but the
moon was bright. st. Nicholas was
discovered, although trying to escape.
At the courts of Italian princes there
prevailed an ancient custom called ga
pata," the Spanish word for "shoe."
At Christmas time presents were con
cealed in the shoes or slippers Of favor
ed courtiers, in imitation of st. Nicho-
las gifts to the three maidens Of Pa
tara.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23

d Va IA " 11A AhcAAiS VI IL
Wv the Philippine Islands,
EENEg5T Christmas is observed in
49, the homes of the United
States army officers and enlisted
men with families, just as it is
among civilians. The bachelors
who wear side arms generally see
to it that the table at the officers
mess and that the club quarters
have their supplies of holly. At
most Of the army posts all duties
except the necessary guard and ia
tigue are suspended.
Interesting Christmas tree eXer-
cises are held, with presents for
old and young. Santa Claus is
! generally unprecedented by an Of
fcer, and at some Of the posts the
children are entertained with
ing pictures Of Christmas panto-
mines and with Christmas music.
There used to be q custom in the
army of going along the line on
Christmas morning and looking at
the gifts every one had received.
The married people went to the
bachelors quarters, almost every
one taking some little remem-
brance. In the far western posts
in the old days homemade candy
or cakes wer made and presented.
The wives of the officers every
Christmas used to send to the en-
listed men Of their husbands COM
panies large plum cakes.
Extra good rations during the
Christmas holidays are now a spe-
cial feature at the most isolated
Of the army posts in the United
States or among the foreign pos
sessions. The choice viands now
served are in marked contrast
with those obtainable in the old
days of roughing it on the from
tier.
Years ago canned goods from
the commissary had to be depend
ed upon. and the meat consisted
Of beef. Hunting parties were
made up, in which case there was
a treat to buffalo or antelope.
Christmas boxes We're eagerly
awaited from relatives and friends
in the east. The day before every
officer and enlisted man who could
go to town did so to meet the stage
with the precious boxes.
AT some of the isolated western
posts dinners We're given to friend
ly Indians, and it was an event of
a lifetime. to see scouts, squaws
and papooses, gaudily dressed, do
ing justice to a spread Of turkeys
and other good things.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
CHRIST's COMING,
We!i May 1t Be Celebrated With Joy
and Thanksgiving.

Well may the great event which
Christmas commentaries be every
where devOutly celebrated with ioy
and thanksgiving. Well may it's ami
versary be everywhere hailed as a time
Of special gladness. n time when every
heart shall expand and every hand be
generously open; when enmities shall
be forgotten and universal good will
prevail; when gifts from friend to
friend shall abound, and especially
gifts from those who have an album
dance of this worlds goods to those
who are scantily furnished with them.
Christmas commentaries the CON-
ing of u Divine Lord to earth, to
bring light and JOY and gladness and
to "give gifts to men," even the great
est and most precious Of all gifts-the
gift OF salvation. We rejoice in the
making and receiving Of earthly gifts.
How much more should We give evil
dence of JOY in the acceptance, of the
greatest OF spirituaisgiftsi
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Dolly

The greater part of the holly that is
western part Of the United States
comes from southern Arkansas and
Texas. where the "American holly" at
tains Il greater size and Il more perfect
form than anywhere else in this coun-
try. 1t grows there to Il height of from
forty to fifty feet.
The native hollies, some of them
evergreen, others d%eciduous in habit,
are as a family of considerable interest
at this time. The group Of plants to
which these belong, known botanically
as the lick family, some Of which are
shrubs and some of tree size, is widely
distributed through the tropical and
temperate regions Of the globe. About
a dozen of its members are native to
eastern North America; five attain to
the dignity of trees. Four of these be-
long only to regions southwark Of New
England, but one brings it's northerly
range to the vicinity of Boston.
It is evergreen in habit, like it's Eng
lish cousin, which it resembles also in
general appearance and particularly in
it's leaves, which are rather oval in
shape, though small at both ends, with
edges coarsely toothed and armed with
sharp spines, stiff in texture, wavy and
picturesque in surface and effect and
Of n dark glossy green color.
In the autumn the trees show rich
clusters Of red berries cleaning
through the foliage in the most cheer
full manner They may, in fact, take
the place in some degree of the de-
lightful British plant, which most I'M
fortunately will not endure our eli
mate, though one sees it's plump form
fourishing in the most rugged health
around the wooded shores of Loeb Lo-
mond, in Scotland, and that is nearly
as far north as the middle of Hudson
bay. in British North America.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Origin of Gift Giving.

1t is believed by many that our cus-
tom o f giving gifts comes from an old
custom Of priests putting on board Of
all outgoing ships a box for aims.
This box was opened at Christmas
time and masses said for the giving
Of aims, and it was called a "Christ
Mass" box. From this has come our
custom of giving boxes and gifts.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Church Decorations Are Old.

The decorating Of the churches
with green's is a custom of which
the origin dates back to days be-
fore the Christian era. At the feast
Of the Tabernacle the Jews gath
cred palm and olive branches and
other greens to decorate their tenn
pies, and the heather used such
decorations for many OF their fes-
tivals.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Christmas All the Year.

Doubtless children wish that Christ
mas would last all the year, and in a
nobler n it might and ought to dis
pense its blessings throughout every
seGson We should not be content with
only an annual melting into tenderness
toward our brethren. but should per-
petually cultivate the spirit of unself-
ishness and practical love.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Crue Gift Giving

Once again the period when of all
times in the Year gift giving is most
prevalent is upon us. In its finer as
poets the Christmas gift is Synbolical
of many things. 1t represents peace,
good will, charity and love. 1t carries
with il the thought that the Gouor
has turned aside-if only for an instant
from the daily stress and worries
that distract, to recall in kindly fash
ion the face and personality OF the one
who receives the gift.
YET how often are the feelings that
really accompany the giving far differ
ent from these! Is not the person Civ
ing frequently actuated by motives
that are quite the reverse Of those
which the Christmas gift symboliZes?
Indeed, are not many gifts actually
given in a spirit of unwillingness, even
reSentfulneSS, as of something done I'M
der compulsion?
This should not be. To give in this
spirit is really more harmful than it
seems on its face. 1t engenders feel
inSs in the donor that are not in tune
with the season. Too often it also Gre
ates a spirit Of cynical skepticism in
the breast Of the one who receives the
gift 1t breeds hypocrisy in both giver
and receiver. Have you yourself never
said, They have given me this be
cause they feared l should not give
them q PRESENT." And With the ques-
ton has come the realization that YOU
have done SO this year.
Gift giving Of this sort should not be
tolerated. 1t is q mockery Of the
Christmas spirit. 1t takes from many
the happiness which should be theirs
at this time. 1t transforms the holi-
day season. when all mankind should
be at amity. one with another, into a
period of mere commercial exchange,
when feelings of s~elfishness and hypo,
critical discomfort predominant. in
stead Of love and good will.
Gift giving should be spontaneous OF
not at all.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
to Santa Claus

NTH the approach Of Christ
mas each year the Santa
Claus Association Of New
York, which each Christmas
tries to answer the requests Of
thousands Of poor children who
would otherwise receive no
presents Christmas morning,
receives hundreds Of letters
each day from all parts Of the
United States and Canada.
Below r a few Of the hun
dreds of letters received by
the association. The first is
from a little girl in the Bronx:
Dear Santa Claus-Do you live
far? Would you please come up
my house Christmas day? L,
Rose. ten years Of age, wants a
doll: John. seven, wants a en-
CINE; Alice, about five, wants a
doll; Beatrice, just more than
three, wants a set Of dishes, and
Andrew. not two yet, wants a
Teddy bear.
P. 81 hope to get what I ask
for. l am very poor. and my
father is not working. Your lit
tie friend. ROSE -
This letter was received from
a little girl whose home is on
the west side not far from
Times square:
Dear Santa Claus-I heard about
your great kindness to poor chill
dren. and 1 hope you will be good
to us. I have q little cripple sis
ter and a baby sister and brother.
My little cripple sister is only
five. n my papa has been out
of work all summer. I hope you
will answer soon and won't for
get US. Your little girl friend,
HARRIET -.
A six-year-old lad whose
home is in a distant part Of
Brooklyn sent this letter to
the general postofice. The let
ter was forwarded to the Santa
Claus association:
Dear Santy-I wants a nice
small train, not a expensive one
n that's just strong and will
last long time. This Is all I want,
and we can't afford nothing this
winter. Yours truly,
DONALD -
This letter has been received
from a child whose home Is in
a small town in the northern
part Of Ontario, Canada:
Dear Friend Santa Claus-I am
a very little girl, not ten years
old. and both my parents are
very poor. and they said they
couldn't bring me nothing this
Christmas. and what l want is
a pair Of ice skates and, If you
can spare them. also a pair Of
hockey boots. Your little friend.
MABEL -.
Little Miss Mabel's seven
year-old sister, Ethel. also ask
ed for q pair of skates and
added that she would consider
the gift "a very beautiful and
likewise n precious one"
Most Of the letters are pa.
thetic, of course, but the asso.
citation also receives some very
%ludicrons requests.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23

1t is generally thought that Christ.
mas carols originated in the middle
ages in connection with the then very
popular miracle plays. There Is no
doubt that they formed an important
part in these early ceremonies.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Christmas In the Army

IETHER at home or in :,
the Philippine Islands, \
Christmas is observed in j..
thp homes Of the United )
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
CHRISTMAS IN 1913.

X We are among those who !:
r have been accustomed to hail
Z the return of this day as a
(. DAY devoted to the purposes ;
(, both OF religious and social
* duties. Having i'll the morn Il.
:: ing performed N devotional ]
h exercises in grateful rccollcc- !
x ton of him who brought life /:
+ ana immortality to Il bcnight-
4 ed world and who has taught
I. his followers by the simplest !
( and purest yet most sublime \
+ and salutary preccpts how to i.
5: obtain present comfort and fu- ]
y. ture happiness. We may in the
7 after part of the day meet our /:
e friends and relatives in social
b converse.
4 From the mornings devotion
Il and the evenings innocent \
recreation let US learn to prac- +.
Is tice those benign principles !
. which teach us to check as
& peritieS and to Danish preju- /:
y dices. to cultivate neighborly \
8 affections and to cherish those
A amicable sympathies and char
" tiles, both moral and political,
I: which should distinguish us f..
a as christians in deed as we'll !
n as in Maine. BY Il sincere en- :
Z deavor to perform these duties }
y and every Christian ought
& to perform them-Such Of u :
4 readers a shall be permitted !
Y by Divine Providence to cele- j..
I: brate another anniversary of !
* the Messenger Of peace and
y. good will to men may in the :
= year 1914, with humble conf !
A dence, believe that they be-
4: come wiser men and better ;
4 members Of society and hope !,
Y for admission into another
4: and a better world.-An Edi- ,
n tors Greeting to His Readers
y. a Century Ago.
Es- nsSSs
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
The Christmas candle! What

The Christmas candle! What
Il charming sound 1t has and
what a honey" picture 1t
conjures before us Of the
many who will attend its
burning on Christmas eve.
All Of us know the legend of
the Christmas candle. If It,
burns clear down to the sock
ct good luck and prosperity /.
VIII attend that household
throughout the year.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
Mince pies were known in

Mince pies were known in
England in the sixteenth cen
fury as mutton pies" the
other ingredients being much
the same as today. Later they
were called "shred pies" and
christmas pies" as in Her
rick's poems. He refers to
the old practice of setting a
J watch on Christmas eve over
the great store Of mince pies |
made for the morrow's feast.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-23
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRIST
MAS TREE.

MAS TREE. 81
: This is q custom practiced M
by 4 Sunday school where the g
children are all of the wealthy ~
: class. but it is a plan that FA
many schools may like to try. =
On theplatform stands a beau Il;
: tiful large tree made gay with E
( ornaments and lights, but to- 81
: tally devoid of presents. The N
: classes assemble. each pupil y
! bringing a gift. marked for a Il
: a girl" Or for Il boy" with 81
: the age of the recipient writ Y
! ten on, too, so those who make H
: the distribution will have &;
some idea which is the pack a
! age to give to who" 81
The gifts are carefully wrap =
\ ped and made just as Christ 4!
!: masy" looking as possible. u
, When the class roll is called i
5 responses are made by each X
!. class going forward and lay 3
{ ing their offerings beside the 4
( tree. In return each child is Y
\ handed an orange and a small y
I box of candy, this treat being 81
8 usually provided by some s
I wealthy parishioner who is i
4 fond of the children and who n
B does not work regularly in 4
4 the Sunday school. \
Christmas carols and a short Z
!: service follow, and the next y
day the presents are taken to 4
the city mission or some spe- 8
I cial charity. Toys and books !
3 that r in perfectly good con- 4
3 dition are accepted, but only \
such articles as may be Of i
& fered without compunctions Of I
/: conscience to one Of Gods lit =
T. tie ones. This general clearing !;
house is a splendid idea, and 8
] the children learn the lesson !
3 Of passing on what has given \
3 them pleasure. y dear little \
. mother says that her children 4
& were interested all the year I
+ in trying to keep their toys !
z nice" for the sake of the s
): "other child's Christmas" \
49,. hAtz:s vfs<:s mzsz:S nAzs: sHA<:S
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-01
VICTOR MURDOCH.

lightful dinner party last evening to q
select party of friends The hostess
was becomingly attired in Paris
gown Of exquisite satin trimmed in
gold lace. The house was profusely
decorated with beautiful cut flowers
and trailing evergreens"
This item appearing as MIR. Murdoch
will have 1t written will run this way:
Mrs Wilberforce DustinRocks en-
tertained party Of friends at dinner
last evening Only few guests were
invited"
Editor Murdoch would leave some,
thing to the Imagination of the reader.
According to the Hon. Vic. any fool
reader would assume that Mrs. Dust. n
Rocks was dressed Ito kill" that flow
ers were on the premises Of the Dustin
Rocks and that the affair was entirely
pleasant all around.
II don't know whether III be able to
get by with that sane society column
stunt" said Mr.. Murdoch, ''but it ought
to be done. get tired of reading
| those fluffy society notes in the news
| papers,"
Mr.. Murdoch has another idea. A
| transcontinental train passes through
| Wichita once d day.
My idea" said he with enthusiasm
lis to print the names of the Pullman
/ passengers on said train. How many
| times has the average fellow looked
| through a Pullman window and won
dered if he knew anybody inside.
believe ] could make distinctive fea
ture of this with a heading sometime
like this:
"'They passed through Wichita to
| day for the west coast.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-01
Anolo.saxons.

The term "Anglo-Saxon" comes from
the fact that England was largely set
tied. after the old Briton rule. by the
The Saxons were. Of course, from Sax
ony, and the Angles took their name
from town near Sleswick called An
glen. The Anglo-Saxons are. there
fore. of Germanic breed. 1t may be
said in passing that the Germans. Eng
fish. Americans Of English ancestry.
Danes. Dutchmen, Swedes and Norwe-
CLANS are all Of the same stock.-New
York American.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-01
ADVERTISED; NO DEPRESSION.
Instead 100000 Newspaper Campaign
SwelIed Roofing Orders.

Instead 100000 Newspaper Campaign
Swelled Roofing Orders.
st. Louis.-The results of a 100000
campaign of newspaper advertising
that brought in the midst of the bust
ness paralysis following the outbreak
of the European war maximum
gain in business of 20 per cent over the
nourishing trade of the same period a
year before were announced by George
NJ. Brown. president of roofing COM
pany.
While other manufacturers were be
moaning the depression, Mr.. Browns
concern broadened its scope until, COM
pletely outstripping even the record OF
its most prosperous era, it is exhibiting
for January and February series Of
colossal gains. For these two months.
Mr.. Brown says. the maximum gain in
business was 20 per cent in some de-.
partments and the minimum gain in
any department was 10 per cent over
the corresponding period in 1914, when
conditions generally were at or above
normal.
Not one of the concerns LOGO en-
ployees has been laid off a minute since
the newspaper advertising campaign
was started and all have received their
regular salaries or wages. Three shifts
were kept at work daily all fall and
winter
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-01
Revenge of an Eagle.

This may seem wildly impossible
story, even in the annals of the royal
and ancient game. but golfers will be
golfers. you know. says the London
Citizen in telling it. He said he drove
hard and so high that lady eagle
who was winging her way over the
course received little white ball
smack on the side of her head. The
ball dropped about seventeen inches
from the hole the golfer was playing
for. Meantime the eagle paused in
her flight and. after circling round a
few times in considering mood,
swooped down and deposited an egg
between the hole and the golf ball. In
revenge she had laid the golfer a sty-
miol