davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11
By Mabel Abbott

The point of view" is ev-
erything.
l saw the new bill at the
Pantages last night. Many OF
you saw it, too. The house
was well filled.
But though yOu and ! were
looking at the same show at
the same time, we saw two
utterly different shows. Our
points of view were differ
ent.
You were Gin front"-a dim,
double-decked slope of faces ris-
ing from orchestra to roof. was
"behind"-as insignificant yet as
bothersome as grain of dust in
the works of watch.
Vaudeville from behind the
scenes is Enthusiastically unlike
1.-The legitimate"
An act like that of the AL Co
lem company with its 8 men and
women, its gorgeous costumes,
properties and acrobatic appara-
tus, takes up more room itself
than the average play.
The dusty space behind and at
the sides of the stage is damned
with velvet carpets, balancing
poles, piles of embroidered and
Ispangled garments, the white
painted barrels of the Jumping
Jacks, the tables and chairs of the
drawing-room sketch, the organ
which is to play its part in the
Christmas eve story, and all the
other paraphernalia of six dis
tinct performances.
And through, under, over and
around the weird collection,
swarm men and girls in tights,
frock-coated gentlemen, a clown,
an imitation policeman, women
in elaborate evening dress, and a
king in his royal robes.
There is really no confusion.
The properties are just where the
players will know where to lay
hands on them instantly; the peo-
pie are not wandering aimlessly
diouhu, but 6oih6 W uCiiHttC
places to do definite things at
definite moments. An outsider is
like monkey-wrench in the ma
chinery.
But they are gentle,
kindly lot, these vaudevil-
lains, as saw them last
night. They smiled when
they tripped over my feet as
they hurried to their en-
frances. They said Excuse
me" when they found me sit
ting on the things they must
have instantly. .
AND THEN THEY TORE
"ON," AND YOU SAW THEM.
You saw Mabel Harper, "the
nut" staggering up and down
the stage and doing one wild
thing after another to make you
laugh--and succeeding.
l saw her in her stuffy little
dressing room, with toothache.
She and her partner, Mae Weber,
were sharing bag of cherries
alphabetically donated by one of
the Brown-Fletcher trio, while
another raced off to get her some
medicine.
You saw Storm and Martson
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11
PLEADS GUILTY TO MURpER

VANCOUVER, Wn., July IL
Mrs. Bessie Mitchell has pleaded
guilty to killing her husband and
sentenced from one to 20 years in
the penitentiary.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11
MAY QUARANTINE NEW YORK
MERCHANTS DNSAVOW CLUBS ACTION I'M STRIKE
Mabel Abbott Tells What
Vaudeville Performance
Looks Like From Behind

quarreling frantically and fun
nily in their canvas-walled draw
ing-room.
saw them peeping at you from
the wings and wondering wheth-
er you were going to be dead
or responsive.
You saw Joe Roberts tied in a
hard knot over his banjo, his
whole soul thrown into the task
of doing things with 1t that 40
banjo is supposed to be capable
of.
saw him slipping quietly away
afterwards, as unnoticed as IL he
had done nothing at all.
You saw Dopey Hogan and the
police officer and the millionaire
on Christmas Eve. | saw them
on a work-day and l know that
millionaires, policemen and
"dopeys' are all just plain men.
dressed differently.
You saw Rose in pink
tights, jumping blindfold in.
to barrels, and Ellis clown
ing il beside him, with her
brave little IAN right" for
his only guide in riskiDg his
neck.
l saw them with their
lanky 13-year-old boy, as tall
as his mother and as why as
his father. Rose is "breaK-
ing him into the business" in
the intervals between acts.
And Ellis waits, with a ia
blecloth tied over her over
alls, where the boy can run
over occasionally and kiss
her black and white clown
face.
You saw the supple-limbed
men, girls and midgets of the AL
Golem troupe doing superbu-
man things so easily that you
hardly realized how superhuman
they were.
l saw them as they leaped into
the wings after each act, the
stage smile gone, the sweat stand
ing in beads on their painted
faces.
One of the girls made a gesture
of pain, as she stood waiting for
her next entrance.
Your hearth" / asked, alarm
ed.
She lifted her heavy lids and
turned her slumbrous eyes on me.
No." she said, simply. II eat
a piece of sheese."
The next second she turned
half dozen flip-flops across the
stage.
And you applauded...
"It's rather a hard life, isn't
it?" l said to Mabel Harper, down
in the little dressing-room again.
She bristled.
Hard! Forget It! Why. out
there In fronts where | LIvE!"
So l think you saw just as
genuine a side of the vaudevil-
lains from your point Of view aa
I did from mine.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11
Talk O the Times

The ostrich hasn't very much
gray matter in the belfry.
Even with that handicap, how
ever, the male ostrich doesn't
wear sport shirt and neither is
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11

We would have known 1t was
summer even IL Cover hadn't done
his duty; the restaurants are
serving watermelons.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-11


Now that the question of
who got Beans goat has been
satisfactorily settled, we
should like to inquire who
got the goat OF that be-
leaguered MFR. Armstrong
who was afraid to come out
OF the flour mill?
WHAT MECHANISM IS II
THAT ENABLES A WOMAN TC
SMILE WITH HER LIPS AMI
AT THE SAME TIME STAT
WITH HER EYES?
just the same, we prefer
not to spend our summer va
cation In q trip to Germany
ON the Deutschland when she
returns.
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
Swiss Xmas Superstitions.
From the Springfield Republican

From the springfield republican.
Many ancient and quaint customs are
still prevalent in Switzerland during this
period Of the year. If you want, for in
stance, to find out how the weather will
be during the next year, just cut an onion
into half, peel off II layers, one for each
month. and fill the same with salt. Those
Feelings which contain damp salt the next
morning predict rainy weather for the re-
spective month. To the unmarried folk
Christmas holds that magic key to the I'M
known future. On Christmas eve, when
the bells are calling to worship In the
village church, you must drink three times
from nine different fountains. and you will
then behold your husband or wife-to-be
standing at the church door.
Miraculous powers are also attributed
to Christmas. Children born on that day
can see ghosts, and are able to tell for
tunes. Water can be changed into wine,
and IL you are some sort Of In adept in
the mysterious art of magic you are at
that time able to safeguard yourself
against all bodily injuries. Farmers in
certain parts of the country believe that
* they ~fertlize their fruit trees during
Christmas week the same will bear espe-
cial quantities OF fruit for the next sea-
son
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

He had worked carefully, else the sud
den giving OF the latch would have
thrown him u Of the carriage and
given instant alarm to his driver. He
was so thoroughly convinced by this
time that he was being kidnapped, per-
haps to be murdered, hat every sense
was on the alert. 1t was his charac-
teristic to be exceedingly cool during
a crisis. 1t was the quality that the
keen eyed chief had valued most in him
and the f1na reason why he had been
selected for this difficult task in place
OF an older n more experienced man
who at times lost his head.
The door to the outside world being
open Gordon cautiously took a survey
OF the enemy from that side. There
was no cleaning weapon here. The
man set grimly enough, laying on the
whip and muttering curses to his bony
horse, who galloped recklessly on as
If %partaking of the desperate desires Of
his master. In the distance Gordon
could hear the rumbling of an on COM
ing train. This street was still dark
and scarcely a vehicle or person to be
seen. There seemed no help at hand,
and no opportunity to get out, for they
were still rushing at a tremendous
pace. An attempt to jump now would
very likely result in broken limbs which
would only leave them in a worse
plight than they were. He slipped La ok
to his own seat and put Celia next to
the free door again. She must be where
she could get out first IL the oppor-
tunity presented itself. Also, he must
manage to throw out the suit cases if
possible On account of the letters and
~valuables they contained.
Instinctively his hand sought Celia's
in the darkness again, and hers nestled
into 1t In a frightened way as II his
strength CAV her comfort.
Then, before they could speak or re-
alize. there came the rushing sound of
a train almost upon them and the cab
came to a halt with a jerk, the driver
pulling the horse back on his launches
10 stop him. The shock almost threw
Celia to the floor. but Gordon's arm
about her steadied her, and instantly
he was on the alert.
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
A Perfect Lady-As Others Soc No.

From the New York Evening Post.
A ph~ilanthropic New York woman was
entertaining, in the spacious grounds Of
her suburban residence, a layge number OF
East Side children. On her rounds Of hos
pitality she was impressed with one stYfk-
ingly beautiful little girl. She could not
have been more than 8 years old but hsr
coal black eyes flashed with intelligence.
The hostess introduced herself and began
a conversation.
"Does what you sec here today pleass
your" she asked.
The child eyed her host in silence.
Talk away" said the lady. Don't be
afraid"
Tell me- then said the child. how
many children have you gotT"
Astonished at the question, the lady hes
itated for a moment, and then entered hnto
the fun Of the situation.
Ten" she replied.
Dear me-" answered the ehilf. that h
a very large family. ] hope you are care
full and look after them. Do you keep
them all clean?"
well, / do my best"
And Is your husband at work.
my husband does not DO any kind Of
work. He never has"
THAT Is very dreadful" replied the Httis
girl earnestly. but 1 hope You Keep ont
OF debt"
The game had gone too far for LADY,
Bountifuls enjoyment Of II.
You are a very rude and impeYtincnt
child" she burst out. Ito speak like that,
and to me-"
The child became apologize. Pm sur.
/ didn't mean to be, ma'am," she ex-
planned. But mother told ME before I
came that / was to be sure to speak to
you like a lady, and when any ladies call
on us they always ask those question:"
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
HIS FIRST CHRISTMAS
~ EDWARD }. sPERLING.

The busy streets, the happy faces Of
h passers by, the crowded stores with
their beautiful displays Of Christmas
goods did not affect Ivanchuk Kova-
levsky. Not because he was irreligious.
but simply because everything was
native village in Russia, Christmas was
celebrated entirely different than in
this country. There the eve Of Christ
was was spent in church among hum
dreds Of other peasants. clad in new
"polushubki," (sheepskin coats), and
high boots, freshly oiled. Being illit-
crate he knew very little about the real
significance of this holiday, but judy
ing from the beautifully illuminated
church and he solemn hymns OF the
choir he instinctively felt that 1t was
a great feast.
Under the sweet chime of the bells,
the peasants left the church late at
night, for home, where there awaited
them a good supper with plenty Of
pork, cakes and particularly vodka"
For whisky was the main feature OF
this holiday. For months the peasants
have saved their "groshi," (A OF a
cent). and having bought a good sup
ply of vodka, they drank 1t until un
consciousness came. The morning
usually found them asleep under the
tables and long benches, but the
"popoiki," drinking parties). were
held throughout the day until late at
night. In some places choruses were
formed. every one singing at his pleas
ure. Some sang religious songs, Others
odd and coarse, until all the voices
were molten n a hoarse and drunken
howl. Sometimes petty Quarrels.
aroused between drunken neighbors,
which caused, very often, bloody fights.
vanchuk Kovalevsky remembered nll
this very well, Che had been in this
country only a few months) and there
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
Christmas Ceremony In Rome.

~
DIR. William b. Harlow in the Christian
Register.
On the Capitoline bill. in the old city OF
Rome. Is the church which has the honor
of being the home OF the Bambino.
The word "Bambino' Is the italian for
baby" and this particular baby is a
wooden image which was carved by a
pious monk In the city OF Jerusalem apout
the time that Columbus discovered Amer
lea. The little figure was finally sent 70
Rome and became u an object OF o v
and reverence that people have Tor nun.
d drsSio, Of y ytonss1 been On s It's se az p r. > q little He
crown ablaze with rubies, diamonds ana
sapphires. 1t has a robe OF royal purple,
also resplendent with gems.
fully concealed, but on Christmas week "
is brought out and put into the arms OF
the Virgin Mary in one OF the chapels or
this church OF Aracoeh. .,,,.
before IL, and the little children OF Rome
come up and speak their pieces, telling OF
what the good Christ-child has done Tor
them through the year. The father and
mothers are gathered around on the stone
floor below and listen with quiet reverence.
To me this Is a very beautiful ceremony,
I think OF the sacrifice 1t has cost many
and I have no doubt that they have been
made better for such gifts OF love. The
children, too, have done their share In re-
peating their lines, which are their own
little attempts to show love and devotion.
During Christmas week a stately process
sion passes through the streets Of old
Rome. and in the midst Is borne, on a
raised platform, among white robed priests
a beautiful figure Of the Virgin Mother
Mary sitting will this same bambino IN
her arms.
The sidewalks are all lined with people
bowling low, and many Of them kneeling
upon the stones.
It is all a beautiful and impressive sight.
and. though we nave not been brought up
to worship in this way, We a not help
feeling that the true spirit OF religion.
wherever we see Il. Is really a beautiful
thing that in one way or another should
come into the lives Of us all.
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
The Christmasse Children.

Ye tin horn bloweth loud and hnx
Adoun We noisy street:
Fol Christmasse cometh, and a song
For Christmasse time IL meet.
And ye sha do the Christ no wrong
To love the children sweet.
The joys that shineth In the eyes
or children charmeth still;
There Is no man so great and wise
But there shall drink his MI
OF all the light of Paradise,
Shining Of Christ His will.
And be II trump or tinsel horn
That pleaseth them to play,
They, maken merrie, shall adorn
The Christ's W holiday.
For Christ Himself a child was born
And loyeth them Away.
They bloom, the roses Of the earth.
By all its sunshine blest;
And that lone cot OF love hath dearth
Wherein no children nest.
And he hath more than Jewels worth
Who loyeth children best.
Wherefore let children merrie make
While bells Of Chrtstmasse chime,
And to thine heart the darling take
And sing them In thy rhyme.
Thou shalt do his for Christ His sake
At His own Christmasse time.
Frank l.. Stanton
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

fore accepted very unvillingfy the In
vitation Of the kinsmah, STEFAN, to .
Christmas supper. After q days hard
labor in the cooling plant at AYmours.
he longed for q good rest, rather than
for q supper. But having promised to
come, he slowly changed his clothes
and then went to Stepan, who Avsd IN
the same row"
There he found . score Of people
crowded around a big table. The house
was unusually clean, tht host and the
hostess surrounded by their children.
who spoke a language uncomprehenst-
BILE to Ivanchuk, were treating the
guests with fruit and candles. But
what was more surprising to 1vanchuk
was that there was no whisky at tho
table. At first Ivanchuk thought that
the whisky was about to come later.
but when Marusia began to serve sup
per. and the vodka was still missing.
he thought that probably the host was
too poor to buy 1t. He, therefore, took
out a SIS bill and handing it to Stepan.
he said: Here, brother, get some
whisky" But Stepan pushed aside the
money and said: "A holiday is given
drunk, but for the joy and happiness
Of the people. In this country We
celebrate 1t different from that in Rus
STA"
And, for the first time In his life
Ivanchuk celebrated Christmas without
getting drunk. The children sang
Christmas songs, In English, tho
grown up people-old Russian folk
songs. The host spoke about the signA-
ficance Of Christmas. to which Ivan
chuk listened with deep interest. Some
where the bells rang merrily, n
Ivanchuk could hear them distinctly
saying: "A merry Christmas, a merry
Chrisfmasn
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
"Holy Night" Immortal Hymn
L. =. Miskovsky in the Advancs.)
Christ. der Retter. ist da!"

L. =. Miskovsky in the Advancs.)
Christ. der Retter. ist da!"
etnle Nacht. hellige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o, vile lacht
Leb' aus deinem gottlchen Mund
da uns schlagt die retteDde Stund'.
Christ. In deiner Geburtl
The mass was over. The faithful were
returning home with divine Joy In their
hearts; but their lips kept repeating the
words, silent night; holy njght!'
Rapidly the hymn spread not only over
the Salzburg country, but Also through
out ~neighboring Bavaria and Austria. The
organ builder MauraCber, who hhnself
heard it sung by Mobr, brought II to the
Tyrol. In the year 1888 the Zflerthal
singers came to Leipsic, and there sang
the hymn at the Christmas mass. In
Leipsic It was finally published, and thus
became known throughout the world. At
the present day 1t II q popular folk song.
and is gladly sung by all Christians OF the
German tongue who celebrate the advent
Of the heavenly Child. Even beyond the
seas In the new world, 1t Is heard, and
there exerts a powerful influence over
German sentiment. Fog q long time moth
Ing was known of the origin Of tie hymn.
Both writer and composer were far too
modest to publish broadcast the author
ship Of the hymn n had Informed only
q small circle of II. Many, therefore, SUD-
posed that Mozart or Haydn had COM
posed the magnificent hymn. Only In re-
cent times ave its true Originators be-
come widely known, and they deserve that
their names should not be forgotten.
Joseph Mohr was the child of poor par
ents, and was born In Salxburg In 1891.
Having a beautiful voice, he became ono
OF the singers in the cathedral choir.
Later on he took orders In the Catholic
church, and died as vicar of Wagrein, fs43.
Franz Gruber was born I'M upper Austria.
1857, as son of a poor weaver. In Burg
hansen ne received his musical education.
In 1906 he came to Arnsdorf, and died N
choir leader of the pariah church Of Hal
lein In 1863.
Both men have long lain at rest. Yet
INCREASINGLY does this immortal hymn
swell in countless human hearts,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

ADAPTED from tho German by Mrs
It was Christmas Of tho year ISIS. On
the afternoon before Christmas eve. the
vicar of Oberndorf, Joseph Mohr. came 70
the teacher Of Arnsdorf, Franz Gruoer'
bringing a sheet of paper with him, say
ing, Friend, could you set to music this
little poem which / have written? You
understand that sort OF thing, and tonisht
we can have 1t I'M at the Christmas
mass. 1t is real simple and childlike. out
IL In well meant" Gruber. whose duty IL
was 70 provide church music in Oberndorf
on holidays, did not need much persua-
sion. and taking the sheet Of paper with
the little poem on 1t, sat down to the
piano and In an incredibly short time had
struck off the tune.
On Christmas eve the church at Obern-
dorf shone IN the brilliant light OF many
candles, and was crowded with worship
ers, The priest stood at the altar. clouds
O, incense a~scended, and the soft tones of
me organ %resounded. But bark! Sudden
ly a HYMN arises, such as only the angels
IN heaven might sing to the little Christ
child. All hold their breath. No one
wishes to miss a single note OF he won
derfuI melody. From the choir loft de-
scend its majestic tones:-
silent night! Holy night!
All Is CaII1, oil 10 pAA9"t
Round Won virgin mother and child,
Holy Infant tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds wake, touched with fright,
GIories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing .Hallelujah,
Christ the Savior 10 born.
Silent night! Holy night!
Son OF God! Light Of light!
q how love beams from His face
With the dawn Of heavenly grace,
At I~mmanuels birth!
Stille Nacht, heiiige Nacht!
Allies schlaft. einsam wacht
nur das traute hochhellige Paar.
Holder Knabe i'm lockigen Haar,
Schlafe in himmilscher Rub!
Stille Nacht. hellige Nacht!
Hirten erst k~undgemacht.
Durch der Engel Halleluja
tont es laut Won fern und nah;
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

French hospital attendants have sue =
ceeded in impregnating rubber gloves
with the salts OF certain metals an
making them imperviOus to X-rays 70
the protection of. persons using tn,
rays.
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

Their is a man in Brown county,
Kansas. who owns 20 hounds which he
values at 500 each. Not only that. but
he insists on paying personal property
taxes on that valuation in addition t9
the regular dog tax.
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
CONTINUED next week.

Rubber cups, which n person can
attach to the heels of his shoes to aid
in walking, have been patented by a
Philadelphia woman
The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

liz ItAt Sdt. hC faS VI pNi
ence had worked its change upon him.
Gordon went over TO Celia and told
hr in a low ton hat he hoped TO have
arrangements made for her soon, 30
that she could be comfortable. She
must be fearfully tired with the excite
ment and fright and hurry. He added
that he had made a great blunder in
getting on this train, and now there
was no chance 10 get off for severa
hours, perhaps, and probably no supper
to be had.
"Oh, it doesn't matter In the least"
said Celia YEARLY. I'm not at all
hungry" She almost smiled when she
said it. He knew that what she wanted
was to have her mind relieved about
the letters. But she really saw that
there was no opportunity now.
She even seemed sorry AT his trou-
bled look, and tried to smile again
through the settled sadness in her eyes.
He could see she was very weary, and
he felt like "a great brute in care Of
a child, and mentally berated himself
for his own thOughtlessness.
Gordon started off 10 search for some
thing to eat for her. and was more sue
cessful tina he had dared hope. The
| newsboy had two chicken sandwiches
left, and these, with the addition Of a
fine orange. a box Of chocolates, and
a glass of ice water, he presently
brought to her, and vas rewarded by a
smile this time, almost as warm and
intimate as those she a given aim
during their beautiful day.
But he could not cit beside her, for
| the places were all taken, and he could
not stand in the aisle and talk, for
the porter was constantly running back
and forth making up the berths. There
seemed to be a congested state of things
in the whole train, every seat being full
and men standing In the ajsles. lie
noticed now hat they all wore badges
| of Some fraternal order. Ii was doubt
less a delegation TO some great conven
ton, upon which they had intruded.
They were a good %natured, noisy, happy
| crowd, but not anywhere among them
was to be found a quiet spot where he