davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

to be opened tomorrow"
"Oh, of course that" smiled the
servant, taking the box. Il will place
1t with the other gifts. All, Mr.. Mer
wyn," and the servant stepped aside
to admit him.
For Miss Worthington,' said Mer-
wyn, handing his gift to the other.
His gift was picture he had painted
and with it was a letter.
Slowly Merwyn descended the steps
He paused for few moments on the
pavement to take a last look at the
home that held so much for him. A
sinking figure approached him from
the shadows.
Mister" he stammered, I'm poor
and need the gold coin man gave
me for delivering q box to that house
tonight, but"
"Ah, / remember!" observed Mer
wyn, recalling man and circumstance
"a gold coin is so rare for a trifline
service" resumed the other, that
was suspicious. Then again / didn't
like the face of the man who gave II
to me; followed him. He met some
others like himself Iheard him laugh
over an explosion about midnight"
Great heavens!" calculated Mer
wyn, compromising, and was up the
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

noon; but he couldn't wait. He start
ed over the shortcut trail to Durbin-
six-mile tramp. There was some
thing In the air; thought it was snow
There seemed terrible silence over
the whole woods when Billie left at
dawn. That was the last time l seed
him alive. "Good-by, Uncle Sam!" he
shouted from the hill as he waved his
hand; "and merry Christmas to you;
and don't get drunk. Be sure to make
good resolutions for the New Year.
Good-byl"
He stopped at the Widow Jones'
house on his way to Durbin, and she
made him drink cup of hot coffee.
which she and the kiddies were hav-
ing at breakfast. Then he told her
about the Christmas he expected to
spend at home. He was just bubbling
over with joy, and the widow started
to cry. At Christmas, she said, the
thoughts of the ones that are departed
are green in ones memory as the
holly leaves that grow on the holly
tree, and like circle of holly leaves
are they entwined in a wreath of
memory.
Then Billie tried to comfort her,
and asked her why she was crying.
She said that her kiddies wanted to
know about Santa Claus because the
Paxson children, who went shedding on
the hill, told them what Santa was
going to bring them, and they asked
their nav when Santa was coming to
them. She told them that he wasn't
coming; there wasn't going to be any
Christmas for them because they were
poor.
".That stuck in Billie's craw, and he
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
Mon,r,r,.dsr Festivals.

The celebration Of Bairam by the
distribution to the Gallipoli troops OF
copies of the Koran presented by the
sultan will be the most anxious in
Turkish history. There are two festi-
walls of Bairam-Little or Sugar Bairam
which marks the close OF the fast of
Ramadan; and Great Bairam, little
later, which commentaries the sac
rifice of Ismah by Abraham. For MO
hammedan tradition puts Ismail In
the place Of Isaac. In ordinary years
the great feature of this is the sacri-
fee Of a lamb by the head Of every
family. A third part Of it is given to
the poor, third to widows and other
relations, a third the family eats. Mr.
Duckett Ferriman tells how the lamb
bought few days earlier, becomes a
pet of the children, SO that pious fic'
ton is necessary to explain its disap-
pearance.-London Chronicle.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

the table. He remembered the shape
and size Of the box. His eyes made
out one corresponding to it.
Merwyn gave it fling through the
window, there was fash, and outside
detonation that shook the house.
Some flying object thudded against
his head and he fell to the floor.
1t was Christmas day when he
opened his eyes. He lay upon couch
pulled directly under the chandelier.
Daylight was streaming into the room.
The wrecked window frame was bar
ricaded. His head was bandaged, and
seated at a little distance was Esther.
"Oh. am so gladl" she cried as
she noticed that his eyes had opened.
THE surgeon has Just left, and papa
he says you saved US all and that you
are heroi And the beautiful picture
you intended for met was riddled
with window glass, butt found the
letter. Why did you write so sadly?"
Because-because l feared to write
all the truth" Merwyn confessed.
THE man who warned you told US
enough to have US guess the truth, =
spoke Ethel, confusedly changing the
subject, and then she followed the
glance Of Merwyn. His eyes rested
on the mistletoe right over his head.
why this is Christmas morning,
sure enough fiuttered Esther. and
we are the first"
Ethel" spoke Merwyn irresistibly,
II love you'll"
His arms were lifted towards her
and a world of pleading was in his
longing eyes. She did not hesitate
Their lips met that strangely beautiful
| Christmas morn-under the mistletoe
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21


that Cheat mountain slope Is enough
for any man. l don't see how Billie
could have been so thoughtless OF him
self when he always was so thoughtful
of others.
Wal, sir, when he got to Durbin 1t
was high noon. They say 1t was snow
ing hard and he was covered with the
soft fakes. He never tarried, but as
soon as he could get sack full of
dolls, drums, candy, oranges and a
sled he started for the hills. 1t was
showing hard when he came into town,
and drifting under light wind when
he turned back. And it got awfully
cold-30 degrees below.
"'You know the rest; they found
him at the foot of the precipice, lean
ing, smiling, with the sack on his
back-no more than quarter of mile
from the widder's home. / believe, as
the parson read, "Insomuch as ye have
done 1t unto one of these
1.-THE lumberjacks are not much fol
sentiment, but let me tell you, when
old Sam had finished his story you
could see that it had affected every
one of them. philadelphia North
American.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

open In his heart for the first time In
years
The auctioneer of the occasion be-
posed of. He came at last to the big
stocking. Someone started a bid of
ten dollars. Almost unconsciously old
Gabriel doubled it. Thirty-forty-
there was zest in helping good pur-
pose. The auctioneer nursed the ex-
element of the bidders.
What a Christmas the money Will
make for the poor!" he shouted May
be the stocking isn't half empty
stocking and all there is in it goes to
the highest bidder!"
"Forty-fve!' sang out the town
banker
Fifty" nodded old Gabriel, and
Sold" announced the auctioneer,
highly pleased and then, as everybody,
excited and laughing, surrounded the
fortunate purchaser, there came tap
from inside the stocking and mufied
voice sounded
please let me Quits dreadfully
close in herei"
AS section of the papier mache
continuance moved apart. revealing
the fisher maiden" of the occasion,
out stepped loise.
Father" she gasped.
He started and quivered. He had
bought all there was in it. Upon the
impulse of a moment hung all the fu-
ture destiny of four souls. He opened
his arms, the tears rushed to his eyes
and EIoise was in his embrace.
1t was the gossip of all the town how
old Gabriel Monroe met and expanded
the golden opportunity of his life that
Christmas eve.
it was like romance-the faithful
sutton of Eloise telegraphed for, the
discarded son, his wife, sweet little
Dolly, sent for and installed in home
whence want and care were banished.
1t was grandpa" who carried the
little one in his arms into the room
where the Christmas tree was all
ablaze and sparkling next morning,
and, sweetest music to his storm
tossed, but now haven-found soul,
were the rapturous words:
''Oh. the beautiful beautiful"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
Are You Operating a Mosquito Farm

Are You Operating Mosquito Farm7
Do you know that you are probably
a breeder of mosquitoes? Many man
keeps a regular mosquito farm and
does not know 1t. Are you one Of this
kind? You are, II on your premises
you have open water barrels, empty
tin cans, open water tanks, marshy or
low ground that holds the water after
rain. OF course, if you like being bit
ten by mosquitoes and like to run the
risk of having them carry to you some
faint Of disease, why you will not
do anything to destroy the mosquito
breeding places. If the people Of ev-
cry community would get together on
the mosquito question. the domestic
mosquito could be eliminated.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
A Russian Sentinel.

The sternest ideal of military duty
is fulfilled by the Russian soldier
An illustration is given by an Eng
lish officer who has seen service in
the East. On leaving an Armenian
village, he passed a beautiful green
valley, watered by a river that flowed
between strong embankments. His
Armenian servant told him that, after
a great storm, the river had risen in
such a food that the persons living
near the bank fed for their lives.
There was powder magazine near
the river The sentinel who was
guarding 1t prepared to retreat, but
the officers who we're watching the
scene from a mountain forbade him
to leave his post. For an hour the
sentinel struggled against the rising
waters, clinging desperately to the
lock of the magazine door
The water rose TO his chin, and
then the flood ceased He was deco
rated by the government with the
ribbon of some honorary order in rec
ognItion of his heroic obedience.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
uphoIds His Cabs Honor

It cost James A. Ryan $25 to up
hold the dignity Of the cab which he
drives. Judge Knowles, in the mu-
nicipal court, imposed fine Of that
amount as punishment for the beat
ing Ryan inflicted upon Charles P
Milligan of Ninth street, near Butler
when the latter referred to the con
veyance as relic of Noah's ark.
Milligan, who is an undertaken, had
solicited the services of Ryan's cab
for funeral which he had in charge
but when the vehicle appeared he
jeered at its appearance. Ryan re
scented the criticism so vigorously that
the undertaken caused his arrest fol
assault Philadelphia Record.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
na1 70 Watch the Cana


Milroy, Rush county town, seven
miles south of Rushville, is great
place for marble fans. They hold a
tournament each spring and summer.
One day recently storekeeper, who
is a marble fan, was standing in an
alley by his store watching closely
contested game. An Indianapolis trav-
cling salesman, who had come to see
the storekeeper, saw person enter
the mans store. He went to the
storekeeper.
There's a customer in your store. ?
he said.
''Pst. be quiet" said the storekeep-
or, he'll go out in minute" And
he never took his eye on the game
indianapolis News.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
" 4ssss ". "
A Frozen Santa
Blu Harry Boehme

y Y V
Il was in Cheat mountain camp
last Christmas eve when someone men
toned the name of Billie Burke.
There was an instant stiffness in the
cabin; the boys dropped their cards,
and the words poor Billie were on
almost every lip. l was somewhat
puzzled. Who was Billie Burke?
inquired. For moment no one an
swered. One of the boys called on
old Sam-'Uncle Sam they called him.
You tell him, Sam; you knew Billie
longer than any of u.s.
The boys all drew their chairs near
the fire and Sam told the story.
Yes. knowed Billie from the time
he was wee shaver; me and him
used to pelt each other with stones,
tree coons and steal whisky together.
You know Bill and his pop were In
the moonshinin' business before the
revenue officers COPIED 1t.
"A bad cuss was that young Billie
Burke before he was sent to the re-
form school. But what chances did
he have? He knowed no better; the
whole blooming family were in that
one-roomed log house; the old lady
digging ginseng in the summer to get
enough to buy the winters supply Of
snuff and chewing tobacco, and the
old man running his still in the ravine,
using the corn for whisky that should
have made pone cakes for the kid
| dies.
Wal, sir, / never seen such q
change in youngster as Billie when
he came back. He read; he wrote;
he wore good clothes and fine shoes,
and he was gentleman. His people
didn't know him at first. Then Billie
said he was going to meet it ON the
! square.
while he was at home the last
time he met the schoolmarm of the
Red Sulphur Spring school and he fell
in love. l suppose, though, he never
said anything to no one but me; he
said it to me real earnestly. Any gal
would have been proud to have Billie:
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

WOudu OpoH0u ~.
Don't be scared, ma'am," spoke
the Westerner. You see, I've just
been up to the Moodys-relatives of
yours, believe-acting Santa Claus.
Knew that you had. little one here,
saw the tree and thought maybe l
could make her happier by going
through my act"
ooh, would your" cried the lady in
quick delight. Indeed, 1t would cap
the climax Of all her Christmas eve
joys"
"Smuggle me into the room with
the Christmas tree" suggested the
Westerner buoyantly. "I'li do the
rest"
1t was passing strange, but, conduct
ed into the apartment and half hid
ing behind screen, the Westerner
studied the walls of the room circum-
specify, just as he had done at the
Moody mansion. A great glow spread
over his face as he noticed portrait
over the piano, In the special place of
honor. 1t was wreathed with holly
and evergreen.
mo, not forgotten; that's certain"
he uttered in an intense tone. Il
guess I've landed in real home spot.
The little one Of the household
came in. leading the children of some
poor neighbors. They screamed and
then futtered with delight as Sanity
came into view. Then their eyes
danced as his jolly manner restored
confidence. He handed out the pres
ents from the tree. The air quivered
with the joyful shouts of the happy
| little ones.
For Uncle Reuben" he read the
card pinned onto an old worn wooden
stocking. Where's he? Come on,
Uncle Reuben" he shouted into
space, and his tone was sob.
ooh. he isn't here" prattled little
Esther, stepping forward. "He hasn't
been for two Christmases. That's
him." and she pointed to the holly
wreathed portrait. He'll come back
some time, though. Mamma says so
don't you. mamma? And every Christ
mas I put a nice card in his old
stocking. and then save them all up
to give to him when he comes back"
A choking sound came from the
throat of the Westerner He turned
aside and reached under his robe. Il
was to unclasp great belt buckle, 9
belt bullying with gold.
| Your Christmas gift, Nary" he
cried to the mother Of little Esther
"Only trifle out of whole mine
it's full of the stuff,' and he threw
it into her lap.
Then OF went costume and cap
Don't you know me. Maryf'
| Uncle Reubenl" she gasped.
"Uncle Reuben and Santa Claus
both In one!" shouted the Westernel
hilariously. Little Esther-comei"
And Esther bounded into his arm
in a wild transport Of recognition ant
delight.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
kalser ReIlevea In pIvInino Rods

The use of the divining rod by the
German armies for discovering water,
as is reported, is probably due to the
kaiser, whose faith in the power OF
the magic hazel twig" is implicit.
After watching many experiments by
German OWNERS he expressed con
viction of the utility Of the practice
for the discovery not only of water
but of metals. Some years ago he
sent special "diviner" to German
Southwest Africa to prospect for wa
ter and gold, and the modern Dous
terswivel claimed the discovery Of
more than one hundred wells by
means of his sensitive rod.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
" " w
The Yuletide Dawn
Blu Victor Radcliffe

" V Y v Y, v, w
copyright by Western Newspaper Union.)
Joy bells were ringing out upon the
clear, frosty air, but their sweet tim
tinabulations had little of cheer or
comfort for Gabriel Monroe
He had made his own life's history,
and this was what made him somber
this ideal winters day-the day be-
fore Christmas. Pride had been hum
bled by regret; he was old, wearied,
heartsick. This was his second day
home-if he could call it that-after
a five years sojourn in a foreign land.
It all came back to him now, the
salient appeals to his better soul
pierced the frail armor Of the heart he
tried to make iron, He recalled the
hour when his daughter, Eloise, had
come to him with the news that his
son, Gerald, had married against his
wishes. On the moment, Gabriel Mon
roe had disowned him. banished him
from heart and home. In vain had
Eloise pleaded for her brother.
He closed the old mansion at once.
announcing that he intended to live
abroad Eloise declined to go with
him. Gerald was young, inexperi-
enced. without resources. Plainly she
recited her duty to her father as she
felt it. She would stay and help Ger
aid become man.
Since his return, after a lapse DUR
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
Jamie Knew.

When jamie sat quiet for any
length Of time his mother always
trembled. 1t usually means some ques-
ton best defined as a poser And
on this occasion he hadn't moved for
ten minutes. Then it came; Mother,
do angels sleep?" Eyes, dear. sup
pose So" do they lie down, mother?
How can they, with those big wings?"
I'm sure l don't know, Jamie. I've
never thought about it." Silence again,
and she hoped he had forgotten, but
jamie was thinking deeply. I've got
it, mother" he cried at last. "Ill bet
they roost."
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
One Christmas Eve
Blu Harp T. Barker



Copyright by Western Newspaper Union.)
He was grinning like q schoolboy
at the gyrations Of a mechanical
clown. His bluff hearty laugh seemed
to come straight from his heart. His
long white whiskers, bearskin coat,
merry eyes and full-round figure
suggested the veritable Kris Kringle
to T..
Men, women and children were all
smiles as they looked him over, but
too polite to linger and embarrass
him. The proprietor Of the store, OBJ
serving the slight halt In the passing
procession, beckoned to the stranger.
MY friend" he spoke rapidly,
could l have word with your"
"A dozen. II 1t suits you" respond
ed the other heartily. and followed his
interviewer inside the store.
Its Just this" explained the store
man: we've got a Santa Claus-see
him yonder, in that booth. shaking
hands with the children?"
Il see him." nodded the Westerner.
HE is on till midnight and I can't
spare him. A family here-the Moodys
best people in town-want me to
send them up Sanity. You're just
made for it. Come-ten dollars cash
and it won't take you an hour. I'll
furnish the robe and cap"
The Westerner smiled queerIy. I'll
take the job," he replied.
Directed by q lad from the store,
he was piloted to the Moody mansion,
admitted and shown into room off
the main parlor, where Christmas
tree stood, loaded and ablaze.
All around it the hired Sanity gazed
keenly, almost eagerly. He appeared
to be scanning the various framed por-
traits on the wall and seemed disap-
pointed, as II in that inspection he
missed something he had expected to
find.
A servant came and helped him on
with his costume, directing him in
what he should do when the children
entered the festal room. An admir-
able Sanity he made. He went through
his part in q merry heartsome way,
then quietly slipped out through
the side door and proceeded down the
street. He seemed to have been over
the ground before, for he reached his
destination by pursuing lanes and by.
ways where he would not be observed
| in the costume he still retained.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

III anu dt present ndu UdIu Jll16
making ends meet.
But he had turned out to be a dill
gent, earnest man. The gentle iniiu-
ence of loving wife, the sisterly care
of Eloise, had been his at all times.
Eloise, her father heard, was beloved
of worthy young engineer, at pres
ent at a distance.
Old Gabriel moved about uneasily in
his luxurious armchair. He paced the
apartment for an hour, he tried to
read. His eye caught a notice in the
local paper. There was to be Christ
mas sale at the village hall, he noted,
under the auspices of a ladies' club.
for the benefit of the poor. Why not
go? Sooner or later he must meet old
acquaintance
The maddest, merriest OF Christmas
groups thronged the big hail. There
were booths and counters and, near q
bewildering Christmas tree, an inn
mense papier mache creation in the
form of stocking. Its province simu-
lated a fishing well, for near by were
poles and line, and upon payment Of
a fee a cast over into the top of the
stocking brought up a gift, fastened
on by someone concealed inside.
Old Gabriel made happy a score of
little ones by paying for their fishing
plunge. He bought several trinkets
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

steps in a flash.
Quick! Quick
openl" he cried to
the servant, just
setting the chain
on the inside.
THE m u sic
roomi" uttered
Merwyn excitedly
and hurried thith-
er. turned on the
light switch and
made a dash for
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21

said he would go
to Durbin and get
something for EN-,
and could still
make No. 9 train
in the afternoon
! for home.
" That trail is
bad enough In
summer, to say
nothing about 1t
in winter. One
trim a daxr axro~
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
warsaw Has ! German Newspaper

Two weeks after the occupation Of
Warsaw by the Teutonic allies the
first German newspaper printed in the
ancient capital of Poland made its
appearance in the streets. 1t is four
page sheet entitled Warsaw German
Gazette. It is published by the own
ers of the Grenzboten of Berlin, who
also have founded a German paper in
LODI. The newspaper occupies large
building on Miedowa street and the
plant is equipped with six linotype
machines and several presses, Evil
IDENTIFY the publisher intends to make
the venture permanent.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-21
of Guard.

How did it happen that your
friends got the best of your" queried
the person with the question habit.
They got busy while was watch
ing my enemies explained the man
who had sot the short end Of It.