davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12

I always give them presents, since God
hasn't blessed me with children of my
own. Come, the car is at the door,
Outside shop window in the busiest
street of the city stood little Lena
Swift. Around her shoulders she wore
a tattered shawl, and her hands were
snuggled under it to prevent them
from freezing. She stood with her
face pressed close to the glass.
my" she said half aloud, "ain't it
cold for the end of November, and
oh, amt that beautiful doll. I Won
der whether Santa will think of me
this year,
Lena shivered with cold, and big
tears came to her eyes as she went on
musing. "He amt never come since
mother died. Aunt Rosie says she has
no money for nonsense and such, and
she says there amt no Santa Claus
nOhOw.''
"Move on little one," said a police
man coming up to Lena and tapping
her shoulder with his club. Lena ran
off half fearfully, half reluctantly, and
at that moment spied large Santa
Claus who stood on the opposite cor
ner ringing bell and asking the pas
sersby to drop coin in the bowl for
q Christmas dinner that would be Civ
en- on the twenty-fifth of December at
the Wayfarers' lodge.
The child made q dash across the
street to tell Santa Claus what she
wanted him to put in her stocking,
when she received terrific blow from
behind. Then it seemed as though she
were falling-falling-d
Then pair Of strong arms lifted her
and she heard a soft voice which
seemed to come from a great distance
say-"Smith, is she much hurt? Poor
little puss."
Lena awoke next morning and found
herself in a soft white bed in a room
so beautiful that her first thought
was II must be dead and this sure is
heaven" A uninterrupted nurse bent
over her.
She tried to glance about, but the
pain shot through her head and made
her close her eyes.
Then Lena experienced something
that she had not felt since her mother
had died-a caressing touch and q
kiss.
Lena had been badly hurt and 1t
took several weeks for her to get even
we'll enough to sit up in bed. Christ.
mas morning dawned cold and clear
, and the child was allowed to see what
Santa had brought her.
, At the foot of her bed stood COR
geous Christmas tree, such as she had
! often seen in the great toyshops, bu,
, never in the widest flights of hel
: fancy dreamed of possessing. On thu
floor beside the tree, in a tiny littl,
wicker chair, sat the big doll with
, the shutting eyes" that she had seer
, in the shop window. Then the beau
tiful lady came over to her bed and
+ putting her arms around Lena, said
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12
Danny Stepped to the Other Side.

admiration, three children stood and
1narvelled. They evidently had just
been admitted from another room.
Beaming on them with maternal pride,
stood a woman with rosy cheeks and
coal black hair, telling them, no
doubt, of the wonderful things that
would grow on that tree over night.
1t was Christmas eve; Danny had no
thought Of that before. And tomor-
row would be the day of "Peace on
earth, good will toward men," And
here was he, Danny Donovan, with
black murder in his heart. A feeling
OF deep shame came over him and he
lowered the hammer OF his revolver,
and returned it to it's holster.
by the saints!'' he muttered into
his beard; IAN [ KEN near to putin
an end to bit of fun like that!''
And now the children were sent
away to bed, and the task Of hanging
the presents Oh the magic tree began.
Unmindful Of the biting wind and
snow, Danny watched, and slowly a
feeling of loneliness crept over him,
and with it longing hope that perhaps,
some day, he, too, in his own home
And why not? Over in the Fort Nc
kenzie settlement was a fair Rose
whose eyes had always been lowered
before the look in his own.
With last lingering look inside the
cabin, Danny made his way to his
team. There new thought came t.
him and he paused to ponder it. Die
he not owe these people something
He had come with heart black a
sin, and lie was leaving with a hears
light as air.
He fulnbled beneath his pack, in IT,
bottom of the sled, and drew out
deerskin bag. 1t was dirty an;
greasy, but it was filed with yellow
nuggets and dust. Danny had se1
eral more like it in the sled, for luc
mad been with him in the North. Fl
made loop in the string that fastene
the bag, and plodded back to the doc
OF the cabin. He felt cautiously abol
until he found the latch, then hu1
MS offering upon it and went back
MS team. With subdued shouts +
reused the dogs, then turned his sic
around cad made for the pass Z
~ blizzard at his back and a joyO
Il Aghtness in his step.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12
Danny'S
Christmas Eve
By E. w. GERRITSON

-N THE narrow confines of the
pass the blizzard screamed
with redoubled fury and whip
M1wW ped the snow cuttingly into
'Ea% Danny DOnovan's face as he
|-k trudged along behind his sled,
LT shouting now and then to
ER urge his dogs to greater eff
" fort. He breathed easier
d. when, clear of the pass, he
M began the descent to the val
e. ley below. Three thousand
miles is a long distance to
|rorpl for the purpose of killing
I,an. but Danny did not consider
I hardship, for the man he was
lacking so mercilessly had killed DAN
Us brother, Jim, up i'll the Forty Mile
hqeings. True, according to the tes-
fmony of eye-witnesses, Jim Donovan
had been the aggressor, and in killing
him, Lebonne, the big Canadian, had
Dctpd only in self-defense. But DAN
Nv cared not for that. In his blind
raoe at the news that his brother had
hpen stricken down, his one thought
was for a fitting retaliation, in which
sense of right and justice figured not
at all.
Lebonne had been acquitted at once
and had departed two months before
the news of the affair aad reached
Danny's ears, consequently the track
Inc of him had been no easy matter.
At little distance from the cabin
Danny halted his team and fed a
frozen fish to each of his dogs to in
sure quiet on their part. Then he left
them and approached the cabin alone
he crept stealthily to the uncurtained
window and peered within. A man
sat beside a table. He was laughing
and talking with someone at the other
side of the room. Danny scrutinizeG
him carefully to avoid making an error
But there was no mistaking him; he
to the description perfectly
Danny drew his revolver from its
holster and cooked it, keeping wei
back that the light streaming from the
window would not betray him. Their
he took careful aim at the broad
breast of the man within.
Impelled by curiosity, Damn,
stepped across the bar of light to thu
other side Of the window. A sigh
met his gaze that drew forth a muir
muir Of surprise. In a corner of tn
ing with crude, homemade ornament
Of tinsel, and alight with tiny candles
Before 1t, in attitudes of awe-struc]
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12

happened to be her husband, to wOm-
an much younger, who happened to
need a sweetheart.
Christmas brings train of memo
ries, and Mrs Woodruff lived over the
old sad days as she cooked and knit
ted. She recalled the happy hours,
too, which was worse. She talked to
herself a good deal.
IF that Armster girl had only let
him alone,' she would wall softly.
"He was all right till she set her cap
for him. I bet she's suffering some
where.
but I must read my Bible and try
to forgive her. Lord help me to for
give her." and so she would pray.
The children of the neighborhood
she always opened the cooky jar or
brought out pan Of apples.
OF all the children in the neighbour
hood who came to see her Mrs. Wood
hull liked Lisbeth Baker best. Her
mother being dead, Lisbeth lived with
her gloomy, rheumatic grandmother at
the end of the street.
She had only been here a year, hav-
ing been handed over from her moth
er's mother, out West. to her fathers
mother at the emo Of the street. Lis
beth was fair and wistful, and, like
Mrs. Woodruff she was very much
alone.
Today, the day before Christmas,
Lisbeth stood at the window. "My
other grandma's coming tomorrow, y
she said: t'my grandma Hull. We just
got the letter today"
1.-TWO grandmas for Christmas" said
Mrs. Woodruff. you'll not come near
me. What'l I do, all alone?"
"We'll all come over and see you
Christmas afternoon" said Lisbeth,
dancing home to tell Grandmother
Baker
Mrs. Woodruff became, in this way
the possessor of Christmas plan. 81
must have a little treat for them,'' she
said. She got out her good white
dishes, and set the big table in the sit.
ting room. In the center she placed q
blooming red geranium. ''1ll make II
into a Christmas tree" she joyously
exclaimed, and she wrapped into three
neat parcels a length of each of hel
knitted lace inscribing them with
merry Christmas and the name OF
each guest.
Next day she put the finishing
touches to her table. She had a glass
dish of candy, and one of nuts an(
raisins.
At three o'clock Lisbeth arrived Will
the new grandmother. Grandma Bake
couldn't come on account of rheuma
tisn. The ladies sat talking, and Lis
beth lowered happily about. Then sh
wandered out to the middle room
where stood the fine table, and sh
came dancing in to hug Mrs. Woodruff
you just ought to see it, grandma.
. Lisbeth's eyes were shining.
well so and visit it, as soon a
the coffee is ready" explained Mrs
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12


downtown and said: 81 think it's
a good idea 10 get ones Christmas
shopping all done several weeks in ad-
vance. You get much better attention
in the shops, and you make it easier
for the poor tired salesgirls''
But asked the cousin, "do you
know what you want so far ahead of
the holiday"
eyes, here's nv list. Look at it while
I button my gloves"
"Handkerchiefs, dresses, waists,
gloves, veil-whew, for whom are all
these things?"
"My maids" answered Mrs. Gould.
"a horn, three dolls, drum, pair of
skates surely the maids can't use
these?" asked the cousin.
''The toys are for my washerwom-
ans children and their little friends.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12

ripening in the nearby pantry. 1t was
a warm, fruity smell that no amount
of onion or cabbage cooking could
Obliterate.
Mrs. Woodruff, called "old" by her
neighbors, is only sixty-eight, and as
trim and slender as a girl. It is sad
experience, rather than years that
wrenches youthfulness from the heart
and quenches the thirst for life, SO it
was that Mrs. Wodhull spent most
of her days quietly rocking and
knitting. Her padded wooden rocker
faced daguerreotype that hung on
the brightly papered wall Of the coy
front room.
Christmas was a lonesome time for
the shriveled little old lady who had,
forty years ago, to give up the curled
gentleman in the daguerreotype, who
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12
THE
Christmas Treat
By MARTHA HOLDEN

RS. WOODRUFF lived
in a one-stOry brick
house, whose warm sit
ting room in winter
smelled of dry wood
burning in an alright
stove, and Of apples
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-12-12
A Real Christmas
Gift
By ROBERT GORDON

A. GOULD smiled as
she wrapped her furs
around her and tele-
pAoned for her automo-
he. She turned to her
cousin who was going
49,
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

Barney, the Pittsburgh outfielder,
was once United States sailor. Now
he's a Pirate.
Chicago will soon be the scene of
convention Of the Undertakers Of
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28
Mindak Motorcycle Club
Meet Attracts Speediest
s Of North1uest's Riders

| matter to many of the cities and
towns in North Dakota, western Min
nesota and northern South Dakota.
Owing to the rainy weather the boys
of the local club have not been able
| to get out into the nearby towns to
| put up posters, but nevertheless they
hope to see large delegation of mo-
torcycle enthusiasts here on May 80.
The club is pleased to announce at
this time that it has secured the SER
vices of the Ford band, consisting of
thirty-ive pieces. Mr.. overly, the
director has signifed his desire to
assist the club in any way he can,
which will 60 to help make this meet
a great success which is anticipated!
Entries do not close until Saturday,
May 27, at midnight and the commit
tee is expecting to hear from several
more riders before that date.
A number of motorcycle clubs
throughout this state and Minnesota
have signiied their intentions of be-
ing in Fargo on this date, and all
indications point to large gathering
of out.of town people at these races.
Should weather conditions be such
as to prevent holding races on the
date which is now set, ARRANGEMENTS,
will tie made to hold same on the fol
lowing Saturday.
There will be meeting at the club
rooms in the Sons Of Norway build
ing on North Broadway tonight at
$50 o'clock at which time final ar
rangements. will take place.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28
MAN THE WOMAN WANTED
Five Who Were All Right Returned
Because She Wished 60 Hire
Negro.

1ndianapolis.-W. c. De Miller, fed.
eral labor commissioner in Indian
apolis, has decided that he has reached
the point where patience ceases to b
. virtue. Recently, among his many
daily requests for laborers. he received
request from a woman who lives on
q farm near Greenwood. It outlined
qualifications as follows:
Il want a man who neither smokes
drinks, chews nor swears. A widower,
il possible, who has had experience
and do not care II he has one or two
children. He must not be afraid OF
work and must have good health and
must have clean habits. Please send
me ten or fifteen men Of this character
and will select the one want"
De Miller eventually found five men
who were willing to make the trip and
take their chances Of obtaining the po
sition, but when the five men returned
to the labor commissioner Office that
same evening De Miller was somewhat
surprised to hear them explain that
none Of them could meet with the
woman's requirements.
and why!" demanded De Miller.
because she wants colored nan
was the unanimous reply.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

The Mindak Motorcycle club is yer!
fortunate in securing the entries o.
Gene Secord of Grand Forks, Howard
w. Palen of Crookston, and Frank
Biggers of Buffalo, for the races on
next Tuesday. These three men have
very high reputation in the racing
game.
Secord, with his new racing Indian,
and Palen with his new racing Harley
Davidson, promise unlimited excite
ment for all spectators. Biggers, Of
Buffalo, is just getting new stripped
stock Excelsior with racing motor,
and although he has never as yet rid
den against the above mentioned rid
ers, he says that if they want to get
the money they have certainly got to
go some for it. Biggers has a wide
reputation as a board track rider and
has ridden on the. motordomes Of
Minneapolis, Chicago and other larg,
cities.
Great competition is expected in
the races which are open to club mem
bers only. Speed" Johnson, Art o.
sen, '"Tod" Elstad, Bob. Junkins and
other riders we'll known to the peo-
pie of Fargo, Moorehead, and else
where, are expected to compete in
these events.
This week has been busy one for
the committee on the race meet, and
extensive preparations are being made
to make this the biggest event in
motorcycle racing ever held in this
state. They have sent out advertising
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28
Al years of age, but you can't make
American league pitchers believe 1t.
A gent who knows, says Mike Glib
bons would rather fish than fight. But

why should Mike give demonstrations
in the ring?
Connie Mack has gone back-lust
like, Thomas A. Edison, Henry Fora
and Charles Schwab.
While Bill Killifer was getting a
shave in Pittsburgh the other day q
man 80 years of age stole his over
coat. A younger fellow might nave
made off with Bills shoes
Objections may be raised to the
White. welsh fight in Buenos Aires,
but they won't come from these Unit
ed States.
BENNY Leonard is going to box two
men in a night. Were they to blk
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

They must have taken their bunch
from the firm of Langford and jean
nette.
st. Louis boasts 15-yearold pitch
err who whiffs 10 gents per game and
hits .941. This youung man evidently
has been practicing on the Browns.
The gent VINO shouts 81 Told You
So" seldom cashes his bets.
Fighter, aged Sc, Bests Boxer OF
61"-headline: Well, you know youth
will be served.
Joe Stecher has discovered new
grip. It's the hold-out and he is using
it on promoters who want aim to meet
Frank GOtch.
Wonder what those Federal league
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

Cambridge, Mass, May "a An
army Of athletes 1900 strong, IS
marching on Harvard stadium. From
the far west, south, north and east
the kings and princes Of the cinder
path are coming to give Father Time
a manhandling in the forty-frst cham
pionship games of the intercollegiate
Association Of Amateur Athletes OF
America, May 26 and q.
Twenty-four colleges and UNIVERSE
ties will be represented and records
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28
BELOW, FRED MURRAY.

Pennsylvania State, Syracuse, George
twon, Bowdoin and Maine. The Cali.
fornia entries are confined to the two
hurdle and five field events. More
than leo nominations have been re-
ceived for the sprints and the same
number, will complete in the runs and
broad jump.
Four of the greatest performers in
the history Of the intercollegiate will
turn their batteries on the records.
J. Howard Ferry of Pennsylvania,
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

both in track and field events are
likely to tumble before the onslaught
of the cracks during the two days
siege. Yale leads with JAG entrants
in 10 events. Cornell, present inter
collegiate champion, is next with 122
and Princeton third with III. Michi.
gan has nominated 81, Stanford 81,
and California 10.
Among the other institutions enlist
ed are Pennsylvania, Amherst, Dart
mouth, Harvard, Massachusetts !. T..
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

recent winner of the Decathion at the
University of PENNSYLVANIA relay meet
and proclaimed the successor of Jim
Thorne; Ted Meredith, Penn. Worlds
champion 440-runner; Fred Murray,
Stanford, holder of the worlds hur.
die record, and Alma Richards, Cor.
nell'sathletic wonder man are picked
to smash records.
Murray and Meredith graduate
next month, hence this will mark
their farewell appearances in the blue
ribbon event Of college competition
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

ghosts think when they read about
Billy Sundays three-ton mazuma haul
out of Baltimore.
Now that Chief Meyers has beat
out an infield hit it's up to Oscar
Stanage to make good by TRIPPING to
left and reaching first.
Lee Fohl isn't much of manager.
He's just a poor goof who wheeled
a ball club into first place.
Some folks call the Boston Braves
cultured, but Hank Gowdy still con-
tends that coffee is the best: drink
ever poured in the saucer.
The grand old dope says Lajoie Is
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

the county seat boys were there with
a string of horse-shoes. They VIII
meet at Hazen again on Tuesday aft
ernoon and it will be some battle.
Beulah would like to get chance
at Mandan and Bismarck or any other
semi-pro teams in western North Da-
kOta.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

Jack Dillon is to take on Larry Will
liams at Philadelphia. May %.
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

q q a q a ~ 8 {: > q = = + . 80
q BRANDING OF THE CLUBS
q q q q e f 4 : = t + . ~
Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-28

America. Philadelphia feels this slight
terribly.
AS we understand 1t Francis Ouimet
is q professional golfer in the United
States and an amateur in Boston.
What do you think of the Giants
collaboration? So do we.
McGoorty and Clabby have formed
! business partnership in Australia.
The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-05-16
CHAPTER ~.
Across the Line.

HCToSS tnc Line.
A long silence fell Kynaston was
the first to break it,
Sergeant" he said quickly. send
two men to round up that old priest.
He cannot have got very far, for he
is blind and could not see his road.
Stay after him till you get him an6
then bring him back here 10 me
Il want a few words with him"
he added grimly.
Isn't this a sweet mess he said,
turning to Major Updyke.
The older officer nodded.
"Kynaston," he said presently.
take my advice and send q wire al
once to department headquarters re-
porting the loss of the stone. It's too
valuable thing to leave TO chance
Don't you see that when those prison
ers OF yours discover that IT has been
lost they'll put UP an awful howl?
Then II any investigation is made, it'll
only show that you had the stone In
your possession, and that you declined
to turn 1t over to the priest The pa
persll make capital of II, and you1l
achieve very undesirable notoriety
Report the matter at once. II you'll
write out wire IN send il for you.
When will you be back?'
I'm three hours at most, cir, 1 think.
] can't thank you enough, sir. for
the interest you have taken. Here's
the message. sir"
He scribbled curt message and
swung into saddle.
"Good-by, major! III be back in a
little while. Adios, sir. Right by
twos! Trot, marchi Route order!"
And the little squad OF excited cav
slrymen moved quickly of UP the
road.
After Kynaston left him Major
Updyke sat deep in thought for some
time He was finally reused by a SOL
!dier's rapping gently on the tent-pole.
Gomez" called the major, and the
man stepped inside.
Sir" he said. "the oficer who com.
spanded the prieoners has aeked me
The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-05-16

he had no busines across the line, yet
he pushed on without hesitation.
Mile after mile they put behind
them as carpenter throws shay
ings behind him. Finally they paused
On little declivity looking down 20
ward the great sweep of the range.
on the farther slope of which stood
the warehouses;.
You stay here, sergeant, with the
rest of the detachment, on the Ameri-
can side. will cross over, and II /
find l need you shall start a fire.