davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-26

h has remarkable tonic and reconstuctive
properties. 1t improves the appetite, digestion
and assimilation; increases the red blood cells
and hemoglobin of the blood tones up the
heart and nervous system-and gives renewed
strength and vitality.
By special arrangement with the Dr.. A. l.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
IMPETUS FOR BETTER ROADS
50 Many Factors Are Working for I'm.
proved Highways That More Money
Is Being Spent.

The cause of good roads goes ahead
and gathers impetus. Every good road
Is a challenge to every bad road. In
the competition for traffic between
roads the better road wins. Travel fol-
lows it and property values increase
along its course, while the rule is that
they decline along the course of the
bad road. SO many factors are work
Ing for good roads that counties and
states are spending more money each
year for road betterment. Encourag-
ing sums are being set aside for this
work in the dad roads belt" that is,
in the South. In Washington's neigh
Dor state of Virginia the highway COM
missioner reports that road projects to
cost $3,105,929 are either under con-
tract or being surveyed, says Wash"
ington Star. Figures showing the
amount Of money being spent on roads
in Maryland are not at hand but in
a recent summary Of good roads work
Maryland was set down in the class
with Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia,
which had lately approved road i'm
provements calling for the expenditure
of $1000,000.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

to feel that she's yours as much az
mine. She'll love you, ma, as she
does me-
From the depths Of the hooded
sleigh he bundled a diminutive figure,
swaddled in furs and laprobes, with
two big, sparkling round eyes beaming
on them and red lips curved up into
DIN adorable smile.
Angelique was a four-yearold baby
girl whom he had adopted from war
devastated village near the front
"Her people were all killed by the
Germans" Henry explained apologet.
ically, 80 l thought I'd bring her along
instead of letting her be sent to some
orphanage."
Ma Barker gave a choking sort Of
cry and caught the baby girl for which
she had prayed 80 long to her relieved
breast. AS for old John. he swallowed
hard, winked broadly at the grinning
Jed beside the horse, and said:
We've got some hard cider In the
house, Jed. Better come In with me
and have a nip before you put the
horses up. Gosh, but come to think Of
It, Santa Claus presents always are
supposed to be surprises anyway,
aren't they, Jedr
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
PLANNING FOR EARTH ROADS
Bearing That Location and Design of
Dirt Roads Have on Future I'M
provement Emphasized.

prepared by the United States Depart
a. ment of Agriculture)
In view Of the present widespread
activity in every form of road build
ing and since nearly all public roads
are laid out originally as earth roads,
the bureau Of public roads emphasizes
the bearing that the location and de-
sign of dirt roads have on future high,
way improvement. In locating and de-
signing public roads the following con-
sideratiOns should be borne in mind:
Sharp curves should be avoided be-
cause they are a menace to traffic.
The width should be ample for We
hicles to pass each other without leav-
ing the Travelled way.
If road ever becomes of any con-
siderable Importance, it's users prob
ably will demand that all the sleeper
grades be reduced to the lowest maxi
mum that would conform to the gen.
eral topography Of the region which
the road traverses.
Let the road planners remember that
aside from the advantages to traffic
of short route, each mile of addition,
al road involves a considerable extra
yearly expense for maintenance, and
this alone may warrant the extra ex-
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
<zsass ssass

to watch in all the chimneys on Christ
mas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even
If they did not see Santa Claus com
ing down, what would that prove? No
body sees Santa Claus, but that is no
sign that there is no Santa Claus. The
most real things in the world are those
that neither children nor men can see.
Did you ever see fairies dancing on the
lawn? OF course not; but that's no
proof that they are not there. Nobody
can conceive or imagine all the won
ders that are unseen and unseeable In
the world
"You may tear apart the baby's rat
tie and see what makes the noise In
side, but there is veil covering the
unseen world which not the strongest
man, nor even the united strength of
all the strongest men that ever lived,
could tear apart. Only faith, fancy,
poetry, love, romance, can push aside
that curtain and view and picture the
supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is
1t all real2 All, Virginia, in all this
world there is nothing else real and
abiding.
mo Santa Clausl Thank God, he
lives and he lives forever. A thousand
years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times
10000 years from now, he will con-
tinue to make glad the heart Of child
hood"
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
Is There O.
Santa Claus?
Classic Answer OF q NegU
York Journalist Affirming
q Little Girls Belief

NE Of the finest things ever
written about Christmas was
the editorial printed 20 years
ago by the New York Sun in
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

ing else. She knew OF old, exactly
all the good things that her boy liked
for the Christmas dinner-juiey black
fruit cake, steaming plum pudding,
odoriferous brown-roasted turkey, and
but oh she didn't know what to pre-
pare for her-couldn't get any frog
legs If she had wanted to. And the
geography said that frog legs were
favOrite French dainty.
Oh, whatever would the minister
say? yes, and Sally Howarth,
too, when they heard about-about
"Angelique Sally had been sweet"
on Henry, and poor old Ma Barker had
hoped 81.
But, ah WE'LL She mustn't let her
dear boy know He and his Angelique
would be there tomorrow.
Christmas eve the old folks deco
rated the house with fir boughs, holly
and strings Of colored popcorn. They
even trimmed tree as they had done
for Henry ever since he had been a
little boy. Ma Barker thought, with
a rising hump in her throat, that may
be the French girl would look on 1t
all as silly; would curl her lip at their
homely endeavors, but :
Christmas morning Jed, the hired
man, drove off in the sleigh to meet
their boy and his bride at the station
in town. The odor of savory good
things on the kitchen stove permeated
the whole farmhouse, and the big open
fire In the dining room cracked In
comfortable contrast to the sparkling
cold of the snow outside. Ma Barker
hustled about, sadly setting the table
with her best dishes. She caught old
John stealthily coming up the base
ment stairs with a dusty demijohn.
"Why, Pa Barkeri" she exclaimed.
What's that you've got there? / do
believe it's that cider that fermented
so as we couldn't use itw
'Yes, it's" admitted old John pretty
shamefacedly and shuff1ing his feet
to hide his embarrassment But you
see, l l thought that maybe
as Henry's girl is a French woman,
she'd rather like hard cider seeing
as we haven't any light wines nor
champagne for her to drink"
few minutes later they heard the
sleighbells jingling, the snort of the
horses and the crunch of runners on
the snow in front of the house. In
stantly the old folks forgot the dread
that had been overshadowing them
since the letter came. Ma Barker,
with trembling fingers undid her
apron, smoothed her hair $50 that
Henrys girl would see her looking
right" and rushed out Of doors. Old
John followed more decOrously and
stiffly, for his rheumatism had been
troubling him more than ever lately,
making work harder for him about the
farm. Yes, he certainly was going to
miss Henry's help when
my boy my boy!" cried ma as
she threw herself into the extended
arms of the sturdy young soldier in
khaki as he leaped out of the sleigh
behind the broady-grinning Jed.
They chung ecstatically together for a
few minutes until old John forced
them apart to pump his sons hand
up and down and humble something
about the bright sun on the snow maxi
ing his eyes water
And then, after the first exuberant
greetings were over with, Henry
laughingly disengaged himself and
cried at them:
And now let me introduce Ange-
lique to you, people. And l want you
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
Christ Is Born
by
Louise r. Elmend0g1

The World, late racked with pain
through bloody gears,
Has climbed its 0eay long-pathed
Calvary,
Where millions died, as Christ,
that they might free
Others from aOromg. and black OPP
presston's tears.
Once more noaU Through the worEd
comes to our ears
The song of all the ages, "Christ
is born"
Mute tongaIed to notes Of Joy have
ny been the bells,
And only childhood and old age
dared try
To sing, so ner the threatening
battle sky,
The song that told, though dulled
By shrieking shells
Whose bursting turned a thousand
homes to heIls,
The ponder of the ages, "Christ
is born."
Our faith in God has brought to us
the goal;
War-We@y lands have peace on
earth again.;
And M the scared and fire.
purged hearts of men,
Made sweet and strong By suffering
of the soul,
Through travail of q gorld once more
made whole,
AneW IN human hearts the Christ
Is born.
Dear God. the Christmas songs are
fraught Nth prayer
That Thou WiH be with those
whose tears still pay
That We may haze the glory Of
this day;
That men mag live their thanks,
that hues mag bear
Eternal Witness for Thee, emery.
Where
Proclaiming that Il. us the Christ
is born.
esatsss egssss s.ssss
Changed His Mind.
Doris-I thought you and George
were going skatingf
Marjorie-So we were. but when he
saw had my hat trimmed with mis-
tletoe he asked me to go for walk
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

Doris-I thought you and George
were going skating1
Marjorie-So we were. but when he
saw had my hat trimmed with mis-
tletoe he asked me to go for walk,
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

American boys. The old folks parted
from him courageously-old John
with stern grip of calloused, toll
worn hands, and Ma Barker with tears
steadfastly hidden behind her faded,
loving eyes. He was their all and
they gave him.
In the anxious months that followed
the old folks life held the same hard
routine as ever on the farm. Old
John drove to town oftener than usual
sometimes even twice a week-to
see If any letters had come from mys-
ferrous, sinister places in France, and
he and mother would pore over the
few that did arrive In the proud
knowledge that their Henry was a
good" boy and was doing his duty.
They prayed each night that the Lord
would keep him safe to come back
to them and to keep him from tempta-
ton while away from their care.
Then one day, like q thunderbolt
out Of clear sky, came a terrible
letter from France, which said: II
have found the sweetest little girl
in all the world, and I'm bringing her
home with me as a Christmas pres
ent to you. The regiment is now at
Brest for embarkation and Wen sure
ly be home for the holidays. -.
She is awfully pretty; black hair, big
eyes and always wanting to be kissed.
Her name is Angelique. OF
course she can't speak anything but
French, but, dear mother and dad,
/ just know that you'll soon learn to
love her as much as l do"
The old folks were stricken with
CONSERVATION. Their Henry bringing
home a French girl-a foreigner who
wouldn't understand their simple, old
fashioned ways, and to whom they
never could reconcile themselves
Such one-accustomed to the
wicked frivolities of Paris-never
would at in on the farm, however
modest OF mice" she might be. More
likely she would despise it, and them,
and take their boy away to live in
some big city-leave them lonely in
the old age that was now upon them
The old folks bowed their grayed
| heads beneath the blow, nearly heart
broken, although they tried bravely to
conceal their most narrowing breads
from each other.
Maybe she won't expect to wear
silk underwear all the time and will
be willing to help you wipe the dishes
| evenings, mother" old John clumsily
tried to console his wife as they sal
alone in the farmhouse kitchen one
night after chores were done. "Ant
maybe, after all, she won't want tc
smoke cigarettes before people when
she finds that American girls around
here don't do that sort of thing"
Ma Barker shook her head sadly.
"rd do anything almost to make
our boy happy, pa" she said, while
the tears gathered in her faded eyes
1--WE must do our best not to let hin
notice how disappointed we are. Only
I'm afraid she'll never be content here
or the farm with u.s."
Ma Barker went about preparations
for the big Christmas dinner with
fearful premonitiona heavy hearted
She was nervous; wanted to sit dowr
and cry, but felt she had to keep uI
' before pa, for Henrx's sake, IL notf
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

pense of shortening the route when
the road is constructed, provided that
the decrease in distance does not ma.
terially increase the steepness of the
grades.
Land lines should be regarded only
In so far as this may be done with
out decreasing the usefulness of the
road or increasing it's ultimate cost.
The pleasing features Of the route
should not be overlooked. Remember
that large part of the travel on most
country roads is for pleasure.
Avoid the necessity for subsequent
changes in location. Such changes
nearly always work hardship on some
Of those who have built homes along
the original highway.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

ave take pleasure in answering at
once, and thus prominently, the COM
munieation below, expressing at the
same time our great qualification that
its faithful author is numbered among
the friends Of the Sun:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

NE of the finest things ever
ED written about Christmas was
- the editorial printed 20 years
5s5sH ago by the New York Sun in
answer TO the earnest appeal Of a little
New York girl to be told whether
Santa Claus really exists. Its author,
Frank P. Church, was an accomplished
Journalist and wrote much on many
subjects, but his fame will rest chiefly
on this beautiful setting forth of an
eternal truth. With DR.. Clement Clarke
Moore's "a Visit From st. Nicholas"
1t Is one of the great classics of the
Christmas season.
The answer to the eternal question
as printed in the Sun follows:
eve take pleasure in answering at
once, and thus prominently, the COM
munieation below, expressing at the
same time our great qualification that
its faithful author is numbered among
the friends Of the Sun:
"'Dear Editor-I am eight years old.
Some of my little friends say there Is
NO Santa Claus. Papa says: II you
see 1t In the Sun It's so. Please tell
me the truth; is there a Santa Claus7
"v1RGINIA O'HANLON,
"1l5 West Ninety-first Street.
virginia, your little friends are
wrong. They have been affected by
The skepticism of skeptieal age. They
do not believe except they see. They
think that nothing can be which is not
comprehensive by their little minds.
All minds, Virginia, whether they be
mems or children's, are little. In this
great universe Of ours man is a mere
insect, an ant, in his intellect, as COM
pared with the boundless world about
him, as measured by the intelligence
capable of grasping the whole truth
and knowledge.
Eyes, Virginia, there is Santa
Claus. He exists as certainly as love
and generosity and devotion exist, and
you know that they abound and give
to your life its highest beauty and JOY.
Alas How dreary would be the world
II there were no Santa Claus 1t would
be as dreary as II there were no Vir-
ginias. There would be no childlike
faith then, no poetry, no romance, to
make tolerable this existence. We
should have no enjoyment except in
sense and sight. The eternal light with
which childhood fills the world would
be extinguished.
mot believe In Santa Clausl You
might as well not believe In fairies
GU might get your papa to hire men
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
unlmproyed Roads Costly.

Each one of the six million one hum
dred and odd thousand motorcars in
this country, when it runs on unim-
proved roads, pays about twice as
much for tires and gasoline as when
it runs on hard surfaced roads.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
Some Water Is Essential.

Water is as essential to the making
of most roads as the road materials
themselves, but an excess of it can
destroy almost overnight the results
of much careful work.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

"'Dear Editor-I am eight years old.
Some of my little friends say there Is
NO Santa Claus. Papa says: II you
see 1t in the Sun it's 80. Please tell
me the truth; is there a Santa Claus7
VIRGINIA O'HANLON,
"1Jb Vast Ninety first Street,
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25

never would be satisfied. Old John
Barker never referred to them, but
every once in while his wife would
catch herself brooding, mistyeyed, of
the sure day when young Henry would
marry and leave them alone on the
big farm for which there was no other
heir.
Her sole comfort In the thought
was that he would undoubtedly marry
one of the honest buxom daughters of
neighboring farmers, who would be
content with country life and not ex-
pect to take him too far away from
them in their old age.
Then came the great war, and
Henry went overseas with his regi-
ment as did most Of the other true
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-12-25
By DELYSLE FERREE CASs
Ssa = ~ 3 3 3 > D . 49, 3 y =


HE old folks always
had wanted a baby
girl, even long after
Henry had been born.
But the years rolled
by, their boy grew up
big, handsome and
strong, always cheer
full and helpful about
the farm, and they
tried to resign them
selves to the fact that
their humble hODes
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-15

sick. j. c. Ballard, John Cook, Frank
Order, and T. Zapf. If you know of
some other home in the county that
has some special convenience, will
you please write the Home Demonstra-
ton Agent, Miss Pet Tucker, so that
this home may be included in the tour.
If you care to go on this tour and
have or have not way to go, will you
also let the Home Demonstration
Agent know so that all arrangements
can be made for anyone who cares
to 90 on this tour. Watch the paper
for notices of the starting place.
r. B. FOLSOM to Give Wheat Grading
Demonstration
The County Agent, assisted by r. b.
Tolson, Federal Grain Grader, will
give demonstrations on the grading of
wheat, as follows:
Pennington Milling Co., at 2 p. M,
Monday, August 18th.
Moran Milling Co., Bonnie Terre, at
80 a. M, Tuesday, August 18th.
Bismarck Milling Co., 2:3O p. M,
Tuesday, August 10Th.
Come to your nearest demonstra-
ton and bring a two gallon sample of
wheat. Show your interest in this val
liable work by being present Don't
stand off and hollow about your wheat
and then not show up at your demon
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-15
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Last Sunday, Aug. 10th, 1919, in
honor of Mrs. Lucinda Webb's 65th
birthday, quite number of relatives
and friends gathered at her home
near Knob Lick with well-filled bas-
kets and an old-time basket dinner
was enjoyed by all.
A table 80 feet in length had been
placed under shade trees in the yard
and at noon a bountiful dinner was
spread. The crowd was entertained
for while in the afternoon with sing
ing. Those present from distance
were: Archie Allen of Virden, ILL.,;
Mrs. Gordon and Abbie Layne of st.
Louis; Mrs. Ange Thomson, Mrs.
John Swink, Fannie Ellis, Mr.. and
Mrs. Arthur Ellis and children of De-
Soto; Miss Irene Mills of Poplar
Bluff; Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Kassch and
children of lockwood; Mr.. and Mrs.
Jeff Williams of Cantwell; Mr.. and
Mrs. Milton Grady and family, Mr..
and Mrs. j. NJ Ward, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Hibbits and children, Mr.. and
Mrs. Morris Ward and children, DR..
and Mrs. Reeves and family, James
Hardy and Fred Keppsattel Of Des-
logo; Mr.. and Mrs. G. r. Pratt and
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-15
SUGAR GROVE

The farmers of this neighborhood
are threshing wheat this week.
Roscoe Zolman spent Saturday af-
tenoon with Stanley Haynes.
Mrs. +. II. Perkins visited her Sis
ter, Mrs. Howard Haynes, last Fri
day.
Howard Haynes, who is working
| for the National Lead Co., received a
message Tuesday, calling him home, on
account of the serious illness of his
wife, and on arriving home found it
to be mistake, but later learned that
the message was for a Mr.. Hoehn.
However, we are glad to report that
Mrs. Hoehn is better.
| Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. London spent
Sunday afternoon at the home of VIM,
Smith.
Delic Noltkemper and mother spent
last Friday with Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
Noltkemper.
Miss Blanche Haynes, who has had
employment in Flat River the past
year, is spending her vacation with
home folks hero.
Helen and Mary Haynes spent Sun
day with Edna and Leora London.
Mrs. R. c. Martin and Mrs. Emma
Hunt spent Thursday at the home of
J. W. Pinkston.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. D. Rion made a
business trip to Pennington Tuesday.
Mrs. Henry Hahn's mother, Mrs.
Kenner, is visiting her this week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Horton visited
at the home of Harry Noltkemper
Sunday afternoon. -
Mrs. ]. H. English of Flat River is
spending a few days with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. John Gossett, this week.
Miss Tessie Murphy and little niece,
Loretta Blinds, who have been visiting
friends in this neighborhood, returned
to their home in St. Louis Tuesday.
Grandpa" Sylvester spent a few
days this week with his daughter,
Mrs. John Maynard, of Pennington.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dennis Wood, of Farm
ington are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. I. F.
O'Bannon. -
Mr.. and Mrs. D. E. Hartshorn and
children and Mr.. and Mrs. E. G. Will
liams visited Mr.. and Mrs. Isom Ware
of Fredericktown Sunday.
Bob Martin spent Monday in Ste.
Genevleve. --g.
Perry and Blanche Pinkston visited
at the home of Johh Haynes Sunday
afternoon. a4rG
Ferd Wescot of Kewanee, spent a
few days last week with his uncle, T,
F. O'Bannon.
! Jim Perkins of Oklahoma spent
Sunday with his uncle, Edward Per-
kins.
Miss Anna Niedert returned TO st.
Louis last Saturday, after spending
two weeks vacation with her pa
rents, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Niedert.
John Woodbridge and family of
Bonnie Terre visited his sister, Mrs. j.
w. Pinkston, Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. C. E. London spent
Tuesday night of this week at the
home of Howard Haynes.
Quite number of young folks from
this neighborhood went on a hay-wag-
on to the festival at Three Rivers last
Saturday night.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-08-15
the friendly tobacco

son of Flat River; Mrs. Martha Alex
ander and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. Jennings and baby, and Mrs. E.
B. Wilkerson of Pennington; Mr.. and
Mrs. VIM. Sebastian of DeLassus;
Mrs. Sophia Shaw, Joe Barron of Lib
ertyville; Mr.. and Mrs. Julian Layton
of Banks. Others were: Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. Babb and family, Mr.. and Mrs
Robt. Hibbits, Mr.. and Mrs, e. P.
White, Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Williams
and family, Mrs. Kate Nixon, Mr.. and
Mrs. j. B. Webb and family, Mr.. and
Mrs. Joe Evans, Mr.. and Mrs. Robt.
McGeorge and son, Mr.. and Mrs. J. R.
Webb and family, Mrs. Jas. McLaren,
Mrs. Geo. Wilkins, Mrs. Florence Fer
guson; Misses Nettie McLaren, Bessie
Mullersman, Geraldine Mcfarland,
Helen Baldredge and Matte. Webb;
Ben Myers, Dick Williams, Dorsey
Ebrecht, Edgar Myers, Tom Williams,
Perry and Lloyd Williams. bne
All left late in the afternoon say
ing they had spent a very pleasant
day and wishing Mrs. Webb many
more happy>birthdays. s
HAZEL WEBR.
Tetley-K Klein Lumber Co. still have
Sunshine with which to brighten the
home.