davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30

OanK, now almost sufficient for the
purchase Of very late veiy COM
pletely equipped, high-powered model.
Resolving also to acquire q chauf-
feur, he opened the door for his wife
who, skirts held high to avoid the
trampled sIush, stepped In. At the
same instant. "Fred" she cried In
alarm. Erred, what In heavens name
Is ths?"
Fred, equally startled by his wlfe's
tense tones. peered unseelngly into
the dark depths Of the car then I'M
hooked the electric torch from its
socket, and flashed II on.
There, on the luxurious cushioned
seat, lay small, shawlwrapped
bundle, oddly soft TO Eleanor's in
curing touch. AS she parted the in
sufficient ragged covering the bright
light disclosed a very plump and
quite new baby, with open eyes
under rs yet unlashed lids and very
intriguing dimples in his fat knees.
Fred gasped to his wife: what
shall we do with it?"
why, suppose drive to the po-
lice station. There is evidently not a
clew as TO Its parents"
While Fred drove with unusual care
through the traffic which here and
there practically blocked the slippery
street, his wife sat holding the I'M
sought package In a lap quite unused
RI Suph an occunont
She was thinking that possibly life
would not have become so drably mo-
potonous and the bond between her
self and Fred so frayed at times If
children had come to their home. At
first she had been thankful, seeing no
opportunity in their meager budget
for bills for nurses and doctors and
certified milk. Later, the advent of
q child into her well-ordered days
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30

their supports, the walls adjoining,
and the nests If they are infested.
This method of application is effec-
tive for the first treatment also if
the houses are not heavily infested.
Poultry should be kept out of the
treated buildings until the material
is well dried into the wood.
Using Pure Kerosene.
Pure kerosene and kerosene emul-
sion in double the strength ordinarily
applied to plants will destroy all
mites hit, but these substances have
not body enough TO destroy those
mites which are in more protected
situations, and several applications al
ten-day intervals are needed to de
stroy all the mites.
Arsenical dip, such as is used to
destroy cattle ticks, has been found
fairly satisfactory for use against
chicken mites. Several applications
are required to eradicate the mites
from poultry houses.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30

any town or city scheme. In this case
the Mushroom can be easily converted
into a laundry and Equipped with
washing machine, dryer and electric
ironing machine. The extra bedroom
on the lower floor If not needed, can be
used as a den or library.
Eventually there will be little to dis
tinguish the farm home from those Of
the city, because the farm home will be
built along similar lines and contain
all the conveniences which heretofore
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30
Carrying Something in His Arms.

would have seemed a catastrophe she
would not have known how to meet.
AS the car stopped in front Of the
station, the baby stirred. Fred, get
ting down, held out his arms.
"Wait," she said, a strange note in
her voice. 1T seems so healthy-you
don't suppose-perhaps a child around
the house"
Fred, who had long ceased to speak
his regret that he had no children,
looked at her at first without compre-
hension. then with great light in his
tired eyes. But it died out as suddenly
as IL had come Nell, you must be
crazy. Why, we're lucky If we're al
lowed to have lap dog in our flat.
much less q baby. Hand II over"
"But, Fred" Eleanor went on,
strangely relieved of the boredom she
had complained Of, there's that money
in the bank-this car is good enough
for anybody-hOw much would little
place of our own cost-nOt too far out,
but with grass around it-and o.
porch"
NELL" he said huskily, you're
you're wonderful. 1t would be like
getting another chance at life. Let's
go home"
A few minutes later than this con-
versatioa, a well-set-up young man and
a slim, piquantly pretty girl were gaz-
ing at each other with miserably def
ant eyes.
"No-no-no, jim" cried Beth. 81
do want to. But Eleanor says I'd be
crazy. She tried 1t and she knows"
"Then it's good-by for keeps, Beth"
returned the other. grimly. Heaven
knows | want you badly enough, but
not at the expense of waiting for
years and wasting our young lives. all
for the within of a third party who
doesn't count"
Jim turned TO go, and Beth stood
twisting and untwistIng damp little
ball Of handkerchief. Why didn't she
dare follow the dictates OF her own
Leart, not the bidding Of a cynical sis
ter, however good that sister had been
to her?
AS Jim opened the door. the eleva
tor stopped across the hall. Out
stepped Beth's brother-in-law. carrying
something in his arms. Behind fol.
lowed strangely alive-looking woman,
whose first words struck most incom-
prehenslbly on the younger girls ear.
"Beth, dear. please telephone al
once TO the nurses bureau and ask
them to send up the best graduate
nurse they can get hold OF, with the
formula for feeding very young baby,
and-how do you do, jim? | hope
Beth's been, nice to you! Forget what
! said about not getting married. II
doesn't pay TO wait too longr" She
hurried after her husband who had
gone into nm inner room.
Jim held ont his arms once more,
and Beth went into them. When size
raised her head TO meet his lips the
bells OF the city were breaking forth
In Joyous peal:
"Rlng out the Old ring In the newT
"For u.s." murmured Jim. fatuously
"For US" murmured Eleanor and
Fred. their eyes meeting across the
wide expanse Of white lace spread
where Fred had laid the baby.
"The old year has gone" said
Eleanor; then added whlmsIcally. but
we brought the new one home with
csi"
fconvright bv the Mcclure Newspaper
syndicate.)
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30
VENTILATION FOR POTATOES
Tubers Tend to Sweat Upon Being Put
into Storage and Air Is Needed
to Dry Moisture.

Large piles of potatoes should have
ventilation channels provided, either
by lattice work or by rows of crates.
Potatoes tend to sweat upon being
put into storage. Ventilation is nee
essary to dry this moisture. Only a
general rule can be given. but potatoes
should be kept as dry as possible. yet
avoiding shriveling, and should be kept
as near the freezing point as possible,
yet avoiding freezing.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30

ing any younger. while she-well, only
Eleanor herself knew the exact num-
Der of gray hairs in her carefully ar
equal battle being waged between the
cold cream of her masseuse and the
insidlous crows wrinkles at the cor
ners of her dark-fringed eyes.
"Do you know, Fred, this doesn't
interest me bitf" she said, with 6
casual glance at the gay scene about
her. "Other years have enjoyed
II we'll enough, but tonight, some
how, II seems-stale."
II suppose" returned her hus-
band, placidly, that the people who
get the most fun out of this sort of
thing, after all, are those who come
here from the backwoods where they
douse the kerosene lamp at s p. m.
and light II again when the ROSTERS
crow. The rest of us are used to IT,"
BY making reservations long in adj
vance the Richardson's had been able
10 secure a place In the most desir-
able location in the dining room
not too near the palm-embowered
orchestra loudly dispensing jazz, not
too far from the tinsel-draped stage,
where at the moment were twisting
and gestlculating Hawaiian beauties
in very tropical costumes, which
seemed absurdly inappropriate con-
slderlng that 1t was New Years eve.
Elernor cupped her chin in white,
extensively ringed hands. perhaps
1t is the reaction from the season or
perhaps I'm merely bored, but / feel
out of sorts. AS l look back on our
ten years of married life they seem
happy enough, and yet to look for
ward In the future to the same sort
of ten years doesn't seem worth
while"
Fred Richardson looked at her in
surprise. Retrospection had never
been one of Eleanor's habits. "Whats
the matter, old girl?" he asked with
unusual solicitude. "Shall we leave
this joint and go the rounds? There
won't ne much in the way of excite
n.ent anywhere until midnight"
"But tell you, Fred, I'm not look
Ing for excitement tonight" exclaimed
Eleansr impatiently; strange as it
may seem. For one thing, I'm worried
as TO whether I've done the right thing
by Beth You know that jim Goddard
has been wild about her for some time,
and wars to marry her offhand on his
rldiculously small salary. OF course
Beth. after living with me all these
years. asked my advice. and en-
phatically advised against 1t. Told her
TO wait until they had laid by enough
10 put them beyond the chance Of
worry"
"Well, that was sensible enough adj
vice nowadays, | guess" acquiesced
her husband, good-naturedly, aicking
the ashes from his cigar
Eleanor looked Mt him keenly. Time
was when he would 1ave spurned such
counsel as savoring Of too worldly
wisdom. Ten years Of money-making
I'm the big city had wrought their
changes in him, too. She sighed.
Then: ooh, well,' she exclaimed,
shrueging her shoulders; 81 should
worry about that now. Jim was to
get his answer this evening, and
Imagine by now Beth has turned him
down quite definitely"
At that moment shower o. con-
fetti and colored streamers shot from
the balconies and mezzanine, turning
the interior Of the restaurant into a
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30
WILL AID WATERMELON CROP
Little Sandy Spot 10 by 40 Feet Fer
tiIized Now viii Prove Quite
Profitable.

II you have little sandy spot on
your farm measuring 10 by 40 feet. put
on little fertilizer now. Those wa
termelons will grow so rapidly next
summer that you will he amply re-
paid.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30

dwellings. With the advent Of running
water and electric light the farm home
has jumped ahead with astounding
rapidty. Within the space of few
years farm home building has practi-
cally been revolutionized and improve
ments along this line will not stop
here.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-12-30
9eI,iff1g
NeW Year
/ o&n@
E32a:.::AslRg
~-e' @o 49,
~ L EAT NOR RICHARD

looked across the festively
decorated restaurant table
at her HUSBAND, who was
consuming indifferently his
frozen, nut-sprinkled des-
sert.
He certainly was not grow
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
OKMULGEE.

Ckmulgee, Okla, Jan. 8.-Mr. N.
z. Hays returned from Marlin, Texas.
Monday.
Mr.. c. c. Gillespie and wife came
in Friday from Dallas.
Mr.. j. T. Jackson and wife, who
spent the holidays in Dallas are
domiciled at the residence OF Mrs.
Emma Asberry on w. 9Th street.
Mr. c. Mccormick of 504 N. Della
ware avenue is among friends in
Corsicana, Texas. Mr.. H. w. Bur
leigh and daughter, Carrie Lee re-
turned from Holdenville. having
spent the holidays among friends ana
relatives.
Mr.. L. D. Stuart of ZIG North Por-
ter avenue is visiting his sister in
managing the Stuart Barber shop
Arlington, Tenn. Mr.. j. H. Ward is
during the absence of Mr.. Stuart.
Mrs. Reward Lowion of Claremore,
is a guest of Mrs. l.. d. Stuart of
N. Porter avenue.
Mrs. c. G. Glinn and Mrs. H. r.
White of Henryetta, made a flying
trip 10 Muskogee, Sunday.
Little Ruth Peyton daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Baltimore. died Satur-
day morning from affects of fire.
The family has our sympathy in
their hours of bereavement
Miss Bernice Jones of North Por
ter Avenue left for Muskogee, having
spent christmas here with parents
and friends.
Our city teachers who spent the
holidays out of the city have re-.
turned.
Miss Daisy Anderson, who has
been i'll for several months died
Sunday evening.
Miss Rosa Williams of Muskogee
spent pleasant hours with her Sister,
Mrs. Alice Manuel OF 1116 Z. End
street, last week.
Mrs. Alice Manuel of E. End street,
is indisposed
Church News.
Services at LIST Baptist church were
interesting. Dr.. S. S. Pones deliver
I'd strong sermons as usual.
Rev. J. c. Williams, pastor of Mt. |
olive Presbyterian church was called
70 Tennessee by reason of illness. |
The Presbyterian Sunday school
S taking on new life.
st. Paul c. VI. L. Church
This church is one of the leading
churches of the city. Sunday was
nigh day, being first quarter, three
noble sermons We're delivered.
Rev. E. NJ. Madden brought things
% pass at o'clock. p E. Gatewood
vas at his post Sunday night in
nigh spirit. The church always goes
,yer the top. Sunday school each !
Sunday at 9:40. everybody welcome.
Mrs. J. w. B. Thompson, church
reporter. See that your church news
gets to her.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
TERRELL.

Terrell, Texas, Jan. Sunday be-
ing the first Sunday in the New
Year, services were largely attended
all day.
A new schedule of service has
been adopted by the. Hope Bap-
fist church at the morning service
preaching at 11:45 at the night SER
vice preaching at 7:45. If you want
to be benefited by the sermons come
on time. Rev. L. A. Weaver and
family spent last week in Muskogee,
Okla, with his father
The St James A. M. e. church
had series of entertainments in
the basement all of last week.
The trip across the continents
given by the B. Y. P. U. of New
Hope Thursday evening was ENJOY
ed with much hilarity. The trip
ended with an indoor base ball game
double header was played the en-
thusiasm was high. Each side was
successful in winning one of THE
games. DR.. D. X. Wheeler returned
Tuesday from a short visit to Hous-
ton and CrocRet, Texas. his home.
Miss Ollie Lee Lane returned Fri.
day from Marshall, Texas, where
she has been visiting her father
Mr.. Jasper Flowers, the nephew Of
Dr.. D. G. Pinkston spent few days
in Terrell, last week.
Mrs. V. NJ Pinkston and children
are visiting DR.. and Mrs. Flowers
at Sulphur Springs. 30
Rev. ]. o. Williams W: S here sun.
day and preached at the M. E
church.
DR.. R. L. Williams of Chicago, Ill.
was in the city last week, the guest
of Miss o. j. Lane. DR.. Williams
left Monday evening for Chicago, over
the Sunshine special He purposes
to take the dental examination in
the state of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Altman of st. Louis, Mo-, is
in the city. He plans to give a high
class movie picture show Monday
evening at New Hope church, and
Thursday evening at Bethlehem
church.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
fORNEY.

Forney. Texas, Jan. Sunday
school was largely attended at all
churches Sunday. The Mt. Zion
Sunday school has elected new OH
GERS and among the new ones Bro
C. A. Smith was elected Supt- OF the
Sunday school and on the first sun
day OF his presiding, the Sunday
school raised 1925 in just oderly
Sunday school.
Rev. l.. w. Mackey filled his pull
pit Sunday night and preached a
giOryful sermon.
Mrs. S. ]. Patterson was reelected
president OF the B. Y. p. U. for an
ether year which means more pro-
gress In the union. Total raised
Sunday at Mt. Zion $70.68. Rev. p
M. Mitchell was with his people
Sunday. He has been all the week
carrying on holiday meeting, Little
Flock is marching on up to Zion.
Rev. Heron was at his post Sun
day and preached two strong SER
mons, every pastor was at his post,
The First Sunday in 1920 and that
means more work done for Christ
in 1920. Miss Charlotte Scott re-
turned home last week sick.
Miss Annie Mae Byrad IS very
III and was reported not much hope
for her bat we hope she VIII soon
recover.
Mr.. James Harvard of Dallas, was
In the city Saturday and Sunday.
Mr.. G. w. Sanders, ST.. was out of
town Saturday and Sunday on his
district work.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
ATLANTA.

Atlanta, Texas, Jan. S.-The Chris
tian ladies of our city came together
and gave to Mr.. and Mrs. John
Richardson q shower there were
many good things carried besides 4
nice sum of money.
Mr.. Lewis Johns and wife left Sun
day evening for their home in De-
troit. Mich, after spending the holt
days with home folks. Mr.. Williams
John and wife left last Tuesday for
Dallas to spend few DAYS with Mrs.
Johns mother Mrs. Savannah Herd
was pleasant visitor to her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs Anthony Lee Christ
mas. Mr.. Elijah and Eugene Green
came in from Honey Grove. Sunday
to the delight of home folks. Dea-
con W. S. Hale was called Sunday
to attend the bedside of his aunt.
Mrs. Annie English, who was strick-
en- with paralysis.
Mrs. Harriet Andrews is back
home after an extended visit in Fort
Worth Bro. A. Muldrew Of Queen
City worshipped with the members
# the First Baptist church, Sunday
Mrs. j. C. Curley entertained with
nice dinner Sunday
The ground is almost covered witt
NOW, everybody ID delighted to SEE
I especially the children. M
richmond Rains left for Stamps
AK, after spending the Christmas
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
--------77-- -
GAINESVILLE.

Gainesville, Texas, Jan. Seer
vices were well attended at ali
churches Sunday. Rev. Benson died
at his home Saturday afternoon after
long illness. He is an ex-pastor of
the c. NJ L. church of this city.
Funeral services were to be held
at the St James C.. NJ. f. church
Monday afternoon. Rev. Harllee of
Dallas is here attending the funeral
of Rev. Benson. Rev. Smith is also
here attending the funeral of Rev.
Benson.
DR.. o. F. Strong and his laupt.
Mrs. f. X. Mcpherson went to Little
Rock, Arkansas, to visit his, aunt
who is very i'll.
Prof. A. NJ. Moore has returned
from Nashville, Tenn, where he has
been visiting his sons, Allen and
Anmon at, Fisk.
Mrs. S. NJ. Brown is visiting her
relatives in Wolf City, Texas. Mrs.
DR.. Strong entertained a few of the
young people of Gainesville and here
visiting friends from Sherman, Texas,
Tuesday night at her residence.
Miss M. Washington has returned
from Sherman. Mrs. Ruth Fears
left for Oklahoma City, Friday after
noon.
You may purchase the Dallas Ex-
press every Saturday from Herman
or |. +. Blackmon or Bernard Holt,
reporters.
Mrs. Chestnut left Sunday for the
Booker Washington sanitarium at TT.
Worth. where she will undergo an
operation.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
PINELAND.

Pineland, Texas, Jan. Sunday
school was good at all churches, Rev.
D. S. Smith, Pastor c. M. e. church
was at his post and had splendid SER
vice, all day. The Fudge party at
Mrs. J. E. Beverly was Grand.
Many left Pineland to spend
Christmas with their relatives and
friends. Prof. j. M. Hurdly from Di-
boil and Rev. N. P. Johnson were
visitors of Pineland Christmas week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Manual Shelby return
ed from Ressmore and Beaumont,
also Deacon Gice and Craig and 9TH
ers, visiting relatives. The Christmas
tree at Pine Grove Baptist church
Christmas evening was fine given by
the Sunday school. The town. Rev.
Hays, preached a short sermon on
the birth of Christ. Rev. Hays is one
of the our old ministers. We highly
honor his service. The C. NJ. E.
Missionary Society had rally Christ
mas day success was grand
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
REIsEL.

Riesel, Texas, Jan. ga lively
Sunday school and spiritual meet
ing was witnessed at the New Zion
Baptist church Sunday service was
well attended at, the Rising Sun NJ.
Il. church, Sunday, Their new pas
tor was az his post and preached
wonderful sermon. Glass meeting
was held in the afternoon all the
members seemed to be well pleased
with new pastor The big mid
winter carnival given by the National
Woodman closed Saturday night with
a great success. Mr.. Clifton Thomas
and family OF Spring Hill was here
Sunday.
Mrs. Laura Carwell has returned
from Fort Worth. Mr.. Lee Lang
and Mrs. NJ. l.. London. made a fly
ing trip to West Texas. Mr.. Johnnie
Garrett spent a few days In Oak4
wood. Texas, on business. Mr.. Dan
Foster lost his 13 year old daughter.
Dec. 81
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
HONEY GROVE.

Honey Grove, Texas, Jan. S.-Mrs
Mercy d. Bell and Miss Thelma Bills
gave quite a swell party Thursday
night in honor of Miss Susie Nichol-
son of Gainesville at Odd Fellow
Hall. Mrs. Vivian Logan left Sunday
for Carson, to begin her school ses-
sion. Mrs. Mary Bills is up from
spell of Lagrippe, Rev. A. w. Har-
ley, p. c., Of the 9Th street NJ. E.
Sunday school with Mrs A. T. Smith
as Shpt. is progressing nicely.
Mr.. Willard Guess and Miss Chris
tina Roquemon were quietly marie
at home of the bride.
Mr. Jeff Logan and Miss Vivian
Hines were married Wednesday night
at the home Of the bride. Rev. A. w
Harley, ofTiciated.
Mrs. F. NJ. Nicholson is at Home
again after spending Christmas with
her children in Oklahoma.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Davenport inter-
tanned a few friends Sunday to a
delicious dinner.
Rev. and-Mrs. ]. r. Swancy spent
a few days at the home of Mr.. AMI
Mrs. Davis at Revenna, last week. Ar
rivals: Miss Odessla Logan, Airing
ton, Miss Gertie Dyer of Amarillo
Mr.. Felix Logan Wiley University
Miss Eva Allen is always pleased
10 receive the Express
Mrs. Fannie Henderson is in
disposed this week.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
WOMAN KILLED WHEN SOL
DIERS SHOOT At NEGRO

Louisville, KY, Jan. 8.-Mrs. Lii
liam E. Lynch was shot and almost
instantly killed, and Private Earl
Hager of the First Division probably
was fatally wounded. during a
fight between a Negro and soldiers,
on train rear Camp Taylor.
After he had been ceprimanded by
soldiers on the car for >cursing in
the presence of women passengers,
Negro drew a revolver and shot
Private Hager. A fight ensued during
which the Negro jumped from the
car and ran three miles to Louisville,
closely pursued by number of sol
diers Both sides exchanged shots.
AS the Negro ran, Mrs. Lynch got
between him and his pursuers and
fell dead with bullet through her
breast.
Police arrested ]. i. Hudson. on
a charge OF killing, Mrs. Lynch. Hud-
son said he appeared on his porch
and shot at the Negro as he passed.
He does not believe, he said, that he
shot the woman. The Negro es-
capped.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
MARLIN.
1-1o-4t

Marlin, Texas. Jan. Everything
Is moving along along smoothly and
all or the churches and Sunday
schools are doing good work. Rev.
g. w. 3allard preached noble SER
mon. Rev. G.. w. Brown OF Jewett,
Texas. came in TO visit his family.
Mr.. and Mrs Henderson Livingston
have returned from an extended trip
from Houston and many OF the
Southern cities. Mrs. Emma Hamil-
ton have returned to Fort Worth
70 join her husband. Mrs. Essie
Polk is at the home OF her aunt,
MIv. X. G. Jordan. The good mem
bership OF the NJ. r. church under
the leadership Of Messrs. NJ. A.
Cooks. Jennie Chllds and Madam
Rosa Harper stormed their pastor
with groceries 10 the amount Of
$a50n. Hon. Mr.. Fisher, Il Hanks
81 Waflin and Miss Bamnla Glaze OF
Mldwpv were married at the home
or ffe bride M. Hanks Is at home
win his bride at 212 Fells street.
The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-10
LAWTON.

Lawton, Okla, Jan. S.-Services
were well attended at all churches
last Sunday. Rev. Grimke of Okla
homa City, filled the pulpit at Beth
lehein. Baptist church.
At the Galilee Baptist church last
Monday night an entertainment was
given by the members. A turkey
was affeled off. The one holding
the lucky number won the turkey.
Mrs. L. A. Houston was the winner.
Watch meeting at Bethlehem was
very well attended Our emancfpa-
ton program was held at the Bap-
fist church, an interesting program
A two-course luncheon was served
70 the ex-slaves.
Mrs. John l., Lilly left last Thurs
day night for Ardmore. to resume
her school work.
Miss Annie Muriel of Marshall is
in the city visiting Miss Emma b.
Weaver.
Mrs. Emma Houston, gave a New
Years dinner at her home on New
Years dinner at home on New
Mrs, Sarah Snowden.
Miss Stein, assistant teacher at
high school has returned
from Oklahoma City, where she spent
Christmas holidays.