davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
CHRISTMAS DAY,

Christmas day, the day of peace on earth good will to men. is again at hand. The world has not witnessed much progress during the past twelve months to that end, when thought is given to the frightful struggle in Eu- rope, but it is not beyond hope It is even possible that through this terrible war in which some of the leading civ ilized nations of the world are en- gagged, and from the horrible condi- tions which are resulting therefrom that there will be a greater disposition to look upon peace in a different light as soon as 1t has been restored to those nations which are at war.
 But the anniversary of the birth of our Savior will be observed through out Christendom nevertheless. It will be on a lesser scale in other countries. because of their troubles, but here joy will reign supreme. We have cause for thanksgiving that we have been spared the ravages of international and internal conflict, but not without stopping to realize the lessons which are being taught by the actions of oth- CTS and deploring the fact that they are not enjoying the fruits of peace. the same as we are.
 Still we are not called upon to dim our faith or to make less merry our Christmas. We should all the more be spurred on to impress upon others the real meaning and benefit of peace. We should feel 1t all the more our duty to do all in our power to aid those who are less fortunate than ourselves and to make stronger the bond of brotherhood. Christmas has its lesson for those at peace as well as those at war.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

to the risk involved-made their way cautiously toward the front trench.
 From this the German line could easily be distinguished and stretching away for miles on either side couid be seen the tops of the posts supporting a field of barbed wire entanglemclts buried partly in snow, which in the bright sunshine took on reddish col ors
 In spite Of the hardships brought about by the cold wind in the hills, together with the arduous work of making roads and bringing up supplies over the rocky hiIlsides, many of the officers and men have become so &C., customed to their surroundings that they decline to be relieved and sent to
 the rear to enjoy the rare periods of rest accorded to the fighting forces.
 The men in the front line, like their comrades at other parts of the front stretching from Switzerland to the North Sea, have to content themselves with the shelter afforded by dugouts.
 There they keep warm by means Of
 heavy clothing, as there is peril in
 lighting fires even under cover. The
 conformation of the ground, however,
 permits the approach of supply derails
 and under most circumstances at ieast
 one hot meal daily is provided. The cold is so piercing that it is has been found necessary to shorten the period OI duLy III the open. EVGn the nar0y mountaineers composing the troops employed here cannot resist the sharp
 frosts while standing rigidly on guard
 for many hours at a time. The new
 system of quick reliefs has been found
 to work very well, and there is as- tonishingly little suffering and no complaint on the part of the men.
 Further down the ll-slopes, in tne second and third lines the men are
 well housed in comfortable shacks,
 which they find a way of heating. Here the men gather when their daily
 duty of building roads, digging trench es and transporting supplies is fin ished, and they contrive to make themselves quite at home.
 The chaplain with the regiment now
 on duty in the front line has been on the mountain side and summit four months without once decending to the valley. He has started for the hene- fit of the men a cooperative store which he has established in a hole in the rock. Here the men are able to purchase at cost price almost anything in the way of inner comfort and around it they gather to read their newspapers and letters and to eN- change opinions on the news Of the day. Close by is a small open air chapel, where the chaplain holds a daily service. When fighting is pro- ceeding the chaplain always goes in- to the front line with the men, with whom he is great favorite.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
A NATURAL RESULT.

It is quite in accordance with it's move for peace that Germany should rejoice at the note which has been sent to theS belligerent nations by President Wilson. even though 1t has been carefully stated therein that it was not prompted by any move in be- half of peace but had been contem- plated for some time. Berlin has req son to look upon it as a bolster to the effort which it is making nevertheless for 1t asks for the setting forth of the objects for which each are fighting and such must be looked upon as a basis for the consideration of peace. Germany has even declared it's will ingness to set forth it's terms of peace.
 There is thus reason why Berlin should hail with delight the United States note, but it does not meet with the same reception in other capitals. It is even possible to see opposition to 1t in the speech of King George in proroguing parliament when he de- clared his faith in the ultimate success of the allies cause and said: "The vigorous prosecution of the war must be our single endeavor until we have vindicated the rights so ruthlessly vio- lated by our enemies and established the security of Europe on a sure foun- dation."
 This is in keeping with the state ment by Premier Lloyd George and it Is in accord with the attitude taken by Russia and the other allied nations which have recently announced, their determination to stand together and to push the fight to a successfulmcon- clusion, and the very fact that aBer- lin rejoices in the note may be suffi- cient reason for the other nations looking upon it with suspicion and 1isfavor.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
BOW CUSHIONS LATEST.

There are many novelty cushions. Some of them are for garden chairs and hammocks, some for the floor. One is shaped like a big bow. The cover is made of beautiful silk and velvet, and is perhaps four feet long and a foot wide when finished. It is filled lightly with soft down and is tied with a band of velvet ribbon through the center. It is really a most comfortable shape to tuck behind the back, and could be. made of less expensive mate ria1s-thin- silk or cretonne. Shocked cushions are another pretty novelty. They are covered with silk, smocked into shape. These are made in light colors for the bedroom or boudo;r. For the hammock perhaps the most serviceable cushions are those cov- cred with black and tan cretonne, in small blocks or checks. It is sold es- pecially for cushions for outdoor fur niture, as it's colors make it show dust very little
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
SHEEP BEFORE DOGS.

Tn spite of the fact that there is greater need than ever for the raising of sheep. both for the contribution which can therefore be made to the meat as we'll as the wool market, there appears to be slight response in this section of the country. There was a time when sheep in much larger num- bers were raised on the hills of New England. There are just as many grazing spots and an even greater de- mand for the products today than there were when this industry was at it's height and yet there is a hesitancy on the part of the land owners to en- gage therein.
 One of the great reasons advanced is the danger which is threatened by the dogs. They have raised great havoc in every state but that does not mean that they cannot be kept in their place or disposed of, if there is the proper disposition. It is high time that this excuse for not raising sheep was wiped off the list of handicaps, for nothing is more needless than a lot of worthless dogs which are wan dering about the country seeking food and doing such damage as they please
 Let there be a determined effort on the part of those who raise sheep, or those who would otherwise engage in such efforts, and the problem would be quickly solved. There is no reason why they should be tolerated to roam the state any more than there should be destruction of private property in other ways. It may require some at tention to get rid of the menace but with all the farmers cooperating the solution would be quickly reached, No dog is so valuable, or possesses such rights that an industry like sheep raising must be made to decline in order to maintain them
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
Eggplant Fritters-soak the pieces
STORIES OF THE WAR
Listening Posts in AIsaee Mountains.

Listening Posts in Alsace Mountains.
 Deep in snow the listening posts of the French and Germans are within a very few yards of each other on the slopes of the Hartmannsweilerkop in A1sace. with the French in possession of the dominating position. For many months this part of the front has been the quietest portion of the line. all though the opposing troops are in such close touch. Sometimes days pass without a shot being fired, but just on the day when The Associated Press correspondent visited the most advanced line daring raid was car ried out by French detachment. The object was to capture German pris- oner in order to discover the compost ton of the forces in front Of fhe French positions. The exploit was &C., complished so well that a party CT fifteen prisoners was brought back and not a man of the French dctach- ment was injured.
 The lines of the French and Ger mans on this height are so near to- gether that the troops occasionally en- gage in a sharp Aatt1e with stones 1n- termingIed often with hand grenades, and these encounters are interspersed by short artillery duels which withc ut exception conclude by the snencing of the German guns.
 The summit of the mountain, in the hands Of the French since last January, has been mentioned prob lbly az often as any part of the line ow- ing to the f1erceness of the fighting for it's possession. It is not, however, considered of prime importance from strategic point of view, although it's ownership permits the troops in occu- patton to see all the surrounding country. The effect of holding 1t is greater for the moral value than from any other consideration.
 The correspondent was permitted to advance even beyond the front Ger close hand the system of defence tn- troduced to meet conditions quite dis- ferent from those prevailing at the SC sectors of the line where the fighting men face each other under normal conditions of modern warfare.
 To arrive at the front line on the Hartmannsweilerkof a long climb up sharply winding paths has to be un- dertaken. Mile after mile along the edge of steep precipices and slopes sometimes bare and sometimes cOv- cred thiclxly with pines and frs brings one at last to the zone where the arm ies watch closely each others move ments. Dotted here and there are huts and shacks and battery positions so well hidden that their presence is not discernible until pointed out.
 When the danger zone is reached the character of the scenery changes. Much of the summit is clear of trees which have been either fe11ed or shot away. The ground is broken up by trenches and rocky heaps. Scattered about in sheltered positions are de- tachments of troops always on the alert. Some portions are exposed to direct fire from German batteries en other and lower sunmits of the sur- rounding hills.
 When the correspondent visited the mountain in the last days of Novem- Der snow covered the ground to a depth of nearly a foot. He and his companions with guides-the party was made as small as possible owing
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
DRESS PROTECTOR.

To make a dress protector that will be thoroughly servfeeable, take three yards of printed lawn and fold to- gether crosswise at the center. The fold will be the bottom of the pro- tector. On the upper edges cut off diagonal corners where the shoulders Of the dress will come and sew up these bias edges and the two straight edges of the sides.
 Down the front. at the center, be- ginning at the top, cut an opening 28 or 30 inches long so that the garment to be protected can be easily slipped in and out of the bag. Close the top leaving just enough space for a coat hanger to be put through. r3
 A shirt waist cover, made in similar fashion and cut from any thin cloth requires only yard and a half of material. It can be finished with frs.sh ribbon bows at the lower corners and may contain a padded and scented coat hanger.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
SUFFERING HUMANITY.s CALL.

Much interest must naturally attach itself to the plan to raise S10,000, 900 for the relief of the Jews in the sec tions of Europe which are at war and where their sufferings are beyond imagination. There has been an ex- cellent start made in this effort and there is little question but what it will succeed. It is another appeal in be- half of the brother in distress and it cannot fail to grip the heart and sym pathy of every Humanitarian.
 It makes no difference for what peo- pie among the non combatants' funds are solicited, there is good assurance from the reports which come from the war zone that there is plenty of op- portunity for making good use of all the money that can be obtained, and in some instances. such as the Jews. Poles and Armenians in particular, conditions beggar description.
 Even though these people have not participated under their own flags they have been forced to suffer great privation. What they had has been taken from them. they have been de- nied the opportunity of sustaining themselves, they have suffered tre- mendously from the desolation which has followed in the wake of the war, and horrible cruelties have been prac- ticed upon them.
 And it is not solely the people of their race who are or should be inter- ested in sending the deserved relief to them. There is a part which each and every one not only can but should play in giving them proper sustenance and protection. The opportunity for helping suffering humanity was never greater. and the large demands only emphasize the great desolation and want. The call ought not to go un- needed.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
ISLAND MUST BE FORTIFIED.

Denmark has apparently come to the conclusion that it was expected it would when the offer of the United States to purchase the Danish West Indies for $25.000,0O0 was made, and that is that it could not afford to turn down the proposition. Generous to the point where they could not with req son ask for more if there was dis position to part with the small islands 80 far from home. the offer has after lengthy consideration and a vote of the people been accepted, and all that DOW remains is the formal transfer.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

line stage--Bridgeport Telegram.
 Following the acquisition and occu- patton by the city of the KiTbourne land now known as Stanley Quarter Park, comes the welcome news through MT. Brooks well prepared report to the council last night that the special committee on parks has secured large tract of land in tiie southern part of the city for park purposes which may for the present be as favorably designated as the South End Park.
 Step by step the territory within the city's boundaries is, being a2pro- priately laid out for various purposes, a distinctly forward docking policy when we consider that New Britain has the smallest land area of any rapidly increasing population.
 The special committee deserves and will have the thanks of the entire community for its patient and thor ough work in making this new nat ft1ral park available for the use of all our citizens--New Britain Herald.
 Hartford has an opportunity to try an interesting, novel and valuable ex- pertinent, at practically no cost. -'hs Park Department recently bought more than 80 acres of land north of Keney Park for additional cemetery facilities. Three or four acres are to be used by the department, as 2 nursery for trees and shrubs. Much Of the remainder is tillable. At little or no cost the department could plough and harrow the land and prepare it for cultivation. It could then be dj- vided into quarter acre plots and ns- signed to applicants who wanted to raise crops upon 1t. A quarter of an acre of land will raise a small faIn- ily's potato supply for a year and with potatoes at their present prices that Is an item worth considering. 4 family which has access to the pro- duce raised on quarter of an acre of land would need to purchase no vege- tables in the market. Philadelphia has @ vacant lot associations which distributes plots in such fashion and 1t is found that the results are bene- ficia1. This land, unless put to some such use, will be idle and unproduc- tive until needed for cemetery pur- poses. If cultivated it will produce many hundreds of dollars worth of crops annually and that produce vii be available to poor persons at the price of their own labor. The Post knows Superintendent of Parks Park CT well enough to know that he be- lieves the parks are made for the people and not the people for the parks and that he, approves of every plan to make them more genuinely useful. The produce that might be raised on half hundred well titled acres would mean much to good many families in Hartford.-Hartford Post.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
OTHER VIEW POINTS

Waterbury is exercised over hs train facilities. It wants a four track road down the Naugatuck valley to Bridgeport, and if the New Haven railroad isn't prepared to build it, it tlks of competing lines, built with Waterbury capital.
 The Naugatuck valley, including Waterbury especially, produces about 80 per cent. of all the brass u1anufac- tured in America. If 1t Is not possible to get this brass out of Naugatuck
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
BABYS BATH.

A brisk rub with towel is invig- orating, but when the skin is sensi- tive, as sin the case of baby, the mother must be careful not to chaie by too rought a towel or too hard an application. A gentle patttng with a Turkish towel will dry thoroughly.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
DRESS TRIMMINGS.

For those who may still be doubtful regarding the fashionable dress trim mings of the season, a review will not be amiss.
 On evening gown beaded bandings are modish. They are used as garni- lures, as straps for corsages and in some instances they are used to- give the effect of a necklace. These bands are particularly well liked in jet, in crystal and in opal.
 Persian coloring prove an incentive in the making of bead medallions.
 Where 1aces are concerned silver, gold and chanttlly seem to be the fav- pred ones.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
HER DRESSING TABLE.

A bride who Is furnishing her home out of a meager allowance has made from a plain legged one intended for kitchen use. She shortened its legs, enameled it gray and provided it with a glass top over, a cover of rose rat termed chintz. A plain mirror enamel ed to match, was hung on the wall bs- hind it.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
THE PINAFORE FRock,

The revival of pinafore dresses comes as welcome news to girls who like to look well dressed without undue outlay. There are few we'll made pinafore dress, especially to girlish, slender figures.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
HEALTH AND BEAUTY.

When a woman is very tired she will find one of the best processes of re- fleshing herself is to wiring out hot cloths and lay them over her eyes and forehead. A hot water bag does not act as a substitute for this, and t!3c treatment is a little trouble. The simplest way is to have two, cloths and a basin of hot water ready to wiring out and replace on the head the one that becomes cool.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

It is not at all difficult to paint screens, although this work costs a good deal when it is done by an ex- pert. A special screen paint in black or green comes for the purpose. To do the work properly cover the floor of the veranda with newspapers or an old piece of canvas. Brush, wash and dry the screens thoroughly Then lay them fiat on the paper or canpa S and paint them, first on one side and then on the other. A little practise will make it possible to do the work without losting much paint Dry +he screens thoroughly, of course, Def, putting them back in doors or win . dows. The painting prevents the &C., ton of rust on the wire screening and SO saves bill for new wiring.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

Recall all of the best singers you know and you will find that the ma - jority of them are usually we'll devel- oped in the throat and chest Sing ing is a splendid exercise when con- sidered in connection with the vital necessity of deep breathing. It is recognized as absolutely necessary for perfect health, and even if one can not sing, at least the effort, if re- warded with good health, is not to be despised for its beneficial effects.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
OYSTERS IN BLANKET.

Drain off as many oysters as you need and salt and pepper them. Have tkinly sliced bacon large enough to cover an oyster and fasten the pieces of bacon with toothpicks. When they are all ready fry in a small amount of butter. Garnish the dish with lemon and parsley. Season with a chilli sauce.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

More durable than the dull finish is a vanished finish. There are many satisfactory varnish stains on the market and none of them is difficult to apply. For porch furniture the diff ferent shades of green and the wal nut and oak browns are usually most satisfactory. Red is chosen sometimes when red and white striped awnings are used and this, too, is effective.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

The amateur painter should really have two brushes-one a wide flat enc for broad surfaces, the other a small round one for the more intricate work She should alho have a can of turpsn- tine in which to clean soiled brushes, an all enve1oping apron of cheap ma terial and pair of loose,, old cotton gloves.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
SUGGESTIONS FOR
 THE HOUSEWIFE

Sometimes in an emergency one has to address a letter or a postcard with a lead pencil, and there is always the danger that the writing will become blurred before it reaches it's desi- nation. To prevent this breathe on the writing and then blow on it, and it will remain clear for some time.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

It is even suggested that Germany might offer Constantinople to Russia to bring about separate peace. That of course is Turkish territory, but what matters that as long as Ger many would remain intact?
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

Some of the latest blouses are sin gularly soft and graceful. A few fashioned from black net over white, are made with few perpendicular tucks, the sleeves full to the wrist, with a frill falling over the hand, even the crepe de chine blouses. are many of them, made with a pointed piece falling from the wristband over the hand, the blouse itself opening in V form at the neck, the edge with an open hemstitch about an inch wide. Brown is a fashionable blouse color, and brown chiffon, tucked and worn over gold net, is altogether charming. Vivid ooloring, even in the embroid- cries, is not now the first fashion; tns soft silk ones are wrought m dull shades, but are all the more effective for their subdued hues.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

With the removal of the snow and the generous supply of rain, 1t is pos- sible that the weather man is prepar- ing for a testing out of the Christmas skates.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
NUTMEG TEST.

When buying nutmegs choose small ones; they have a better flavor than large nuts. To test a nutmeg prick with needle. If good the oil will in- stantly spread round the puncture.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
STOVE POLISH.

Black lead mixed with turpentine instead of water gives more brilliant and lasting polish and prevents the damp the weather.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
PAINTS AND STAINS.

With pot of paint and good brush anybody can bring freshness to summer furniture. And since most garden and porch furniture is exposed to the rain and weather it needs at least an annual retouching.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25
CONCERNING WOMEN.

Eighteen year old Magdalene Sats,er of Cleveland, O., who is totally deaf, has been taught to sing, which Is hn- usual for deaf person.
Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-25

There is no surprise that the six day bicycle race in New York failed to arouse interest. There is an .en- durance contest across the water which totally eclipses 1t.