davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02

fcrter get home. Whin Miss Annie
saw my exposition she says. says she;
Massa Cohnncld. come out on de
rerandy an les have little chat-de-
chat"
An I says:
Nom a-thanky. Miss Annie. I feel
so consiiscated dat ! can't quite con
sentrate meself. 'preciate 70 to der
fullest CONSERVATIVES but lse es fun
es a tick No more French dishes
for dis niger ter night"
An den we got ready fer ter remain
while de crowd conspcNA ID. An whir
we WIZ on our way home 20 ma says
ter me. says she:
annie, yo done shore ruint yoself
dis ebenin. 70 ain't rot since ernougr
ter cram san IN II rat hole wild a peg
gin anvil"
And she didn't mean no dlsrespect
ter dat rat hole. neither So all
cohld gay wsz:
Yep. reckon I es. Sairy."
But lcmmc tell ?ou sumpin. sun,
plain grub is goo nun for yer Par
hereafter.
An 40 mo- O dem Christmas din
nars fer me.
Rite soon ter yer confectionery
Pap.
.ANJIE CORNFIELD.
Composed by JOHN sTITH.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
a HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

1t was Christmas Eve. Down in
the streets 1t was white with snow.
In a shabby little home sat widow
shivering and thinking about Christi
mas, what She was going to give her
child. Alice. Thinking of other
christmasses, too, when she had
everything she wanted
Her father did not want her to
marry poor man. and when she mar
ried him he would not let her put her
foot or his lot.
The door flew open, and In came
Alice from school. telling her what
the other girls wanted Santa to bring
them. That made her mother feel
worse. At school Alice played with
e :':ch siTi. whose father Pas a law
yer. Hilda asked her father to give
the poor little girl happy Christ
mas. Her father went with his.
daughter to Alice's house with some
toys. He raped gently at tho door,
Alicc's mother opened it, She recos-
nizcd her brother. whom she had not
seen for many years.
He carried them to his home, and
they all had a happy Christmas. 81
Original.
SARAH HOWARD WARD.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

In the town OF Bethlehem, i'm n
manager. our Saviour was born. over
the manger where He lay n beautiful
shining star was seen; it was the
star OF bethlehem. which led the
three wise men from the East to see
Him. They brought gifts and praised
Him. Ever since the birth OF Christ
we have celebrated Christmas TO re
member Kim by. We ought To be so
good 10 know that Christ died for
our sins God gave His only, begot
ten Son for whatsoever believeth on
Him shall not perish. but shall have
everlasting life.
We give gifts on Christmas to our
friends ~ well as the wise men gave
them 10 Jesus. You must give things
with a cheerful heart so as 10 make
others happy. Many IL gir, has been
given on that day that has made
many "A heart glad Give things with
Il good heart. free will. and make
someone else happy on Christmas be-
sides yourself. IRMA, c. ATKINS.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
TiiE ciinlsT child.

One black. cold Christmas Eve
night lit;le boy went trudging
through the fast-fall.nE snow down
one OF the avenues of large city.
On this avenue the wealthiest peo-
pie of the city lived. This little boy
was clad I'm thin garment. which
barefootcd and his little feet were
along he smelt the crisp smell Of
goose roasting and turkey baking.
lie saw the children through the
windows hanging up their stockings
and he saw large Christmas trees
waiting TO he adorned
AS he was so cold and hungry he
went up the steps and rang the bell.
He saw merry children dancing
around Christmas tree which had
just been put up. One of these chill
dren, little girl. came to the door
When the little hoy asked to be let
into warm by the fire. she haughtily
replied No" and shut the door. He
walked down the street "a little ways
and the smell OF roast goose was so
enticinS that he went up the stems
of that house and rang the boil. 4
maid answered tho door, and learn
ing the little boys GRAND. shut the
door in his face. Going on along
the street he went in several other
houses. but only meeting with the
same luck Coming TO the end Of
this street. he turned into side
street. Here the lights were dim,
the streets were dirty and the houses
small and mean looking. The little
boy was now half-froZen and could
hardly walk any further The snow
had no, ceased falling and the North
wind was still blowing. Walking
along this side street he saw a small,
one-story house.
Seeing II kindly looking candle in
the window of this house, he climbed
up The hhlf-broken steps and knocked
on the door y small girl came to
the door and ushered him into 4
small. neat-lookinS room. Although
II had hardly any furniture except a
broken down bed. two or three old
chairs and homemade table and
couch with no springs \ mother
sat in chair by a small hrc. Two
little children were standing by the
mothers chair. and a little baoy child
lay in the mothers arms. When the
mother saw the little child half
frozen, who had come to her door,
she gave the baby 10 another ono
OF her children and took the little
hoy In her arms. drew him up close
to the fire and tried TO warm his
cold little hands and feet. She told
the little hoy that she was poor. her
husband was dead and that they
lived tho best they could In tina,
small shanty. Her two older chill
dren sold papers and flowers and she
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
tOiglnal)
BY PAULINE kENNON.
THE REASON WHY WE CELE-
nItATE CHRISTMAS.

Christmas is Christ's birthday. He
Was born in Bethlehem Judaca. He
vas born in u manger IN the city
OF David. While the shepherds
watched their Hocks by night an an
Eel of the Lord came from heaven
and pointed to i. star in the East
and The angel said unto them: Fear
NOT you behold l bring you good It'd
ings OF great joy which shaE-be TO
all people For unto you is born this
day in the city OF David Savior in
which is Christ. the Lord, we shall
find the babe wrapped and lying in
ttiG manEer." The angels flew away
and they were singing peace on
Earth: good will toward men," and
the shepherds said to one another:
Let us 20 and see this thing which
the Lord has made known unto u.s."
--.Ar,d SO they left their fiocks and
.-ayent to Bethlehem in haste and when
they got there. there was Jesus ly-
Ing in the manager. and Joseph, and
Mary there. The star shone right
Above the babe. and that is why we
Christmas. We all have a
good time when Christmas comes
,rNThc little ones have Christmas trees
- apd Old Santa brings them dolls and
candy and lots Of nice things IL they
"'nre good. and little ones get pretty
. Christmas cards and presents from
Z tlnir cousins and friends, and tina
grown people get presents and cards,
.t61 Boys and girls pop re-crackc RS
~,aud sky-rockets and lots of other
Things. We have big Christmas trees
and they give presents off IL. and
they give oranges. bananas. candy
and apples. They have. great big
Christmas trees in the. city for the
poor people who cannot have Christ
mas trees at their homes. We have
big dinners on Christmas We have
turkey, chicken. candy. Jelly cakes
ind all sorts Of fruits. We will
never forget Christmas. as it Is the
1iappicst day in the year. We all
have holidays from school.
90 ELIZABETH RICHARDS.
an(OriEinaD. Aged IL years.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02

sewed for large Wholesale house
rms did not furnish much for the
household to be run with, bur she
made out the best she could ana was
thankful for what she had She told
one OF her children 10 get the por-3
ridge for their supper and feed 1t to
the little boy. While she fed him the
porridEe for their own supper. cud-s
diing him close to her own busomS
the child vanished. Only golden
haio could be seen. Then, the
mother knew that 1t was the Christ
Child. She was happy that she had
led and warmed tho little boy. Cheer
and happiness came to the little FAM
lily. Although they had had noS
stockings, Christmas tree, etc. or
roasted goose Christmas Eve night.
they received 1t the next day.
This is what light from a kindly
candle In a window did. The poor
FAMILY was cheered and ade3shap-
py by the thought, and happiness
came to them, while the rich families
who shut their doors in hls face.
were not made any happier or richer.
But each will and will not receive
It's reward in heaven. Do not forget
your candle this Christmas Eve.
DO unto others as you would have
them do unto you"
NARY LOU STAINBACK.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
ANGIE CORNI'iEID.s CHRISTMAS
DINNER.
My deer sun:

My deer sun:
Yer letter TO hand, an kerful red. I
noticed you had ben gittin drunk or
in some other kind of fray. thot
boy O. 20 raisin wood be shamed
ter do sech things as this arter /
done raised 20 as did
Sun-by de way-yo Ma and me
was vited over ter Maize Hummer
shirc's fer ter tax Christmas Din
ner. M-mm -m-uh! OF all de din
ners I ever see. dat were de beat
enest. dressed up in my hes
clos wild my billed shurt an tuned :
ODER collar, an 20 Ma sed I were a
plumb sight fer ter see, my Adams
Appelachasin up an down dat collar
lax squirrel in not-hol.
Dat Dinner were one high-falutin
fair, believe me. 70 Ma an me whin
we rived Mt the residence was dc
center fractions. / sat son dc piaZZy
wild Mails hummelshine, an we
talked bout cheese aigs an farmin
compliments. an yo Ma an Missus
Maize hummelshine, talked bout
farmin, plowin an all kinds Of cookin
intenshuns. BY an by great big
Niger dat were dressed most cs
good as 1 were walked in wild a
Grissin ben an says:
"Massa hummelshine,, dinner am
served, sub"
So we walked In fer ter dine.
Whin we got inter de dinin rum de
label were all declaratcd wild green
holly an red berrys. says to me-
self: 'Humph! Dis mus be April
Fools Day instead of Chrismus Day
Case I'd been starvin up fer twelve
munths fer dat Chrismus Dinner, an
were es honscry es n sawmiil steer
'Arter n while dey cleaned off de
green holly an red berrys an brot in
sumpin dey called soop. I Tapped
1t all UP in bout two or three min
nits. so de other folks woodnt git a
chanel ut it. IIe-he! Den dey bro,
In tukky es big cs a boss An he
sides dat dere was beans. dar were
corn, dar was taters an all kinds OF
tings too numerous ter minton. De
table were spank so fun dat 4,
weren't no rum fer ter put yer >elbos
So arter a while We all gethered
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
BIZ MARTHA B. WlLuNoHAM

the parlor door. turned the knob. 1t
was locked, But. what was that
they heard. II was voices. "oh, isn't
that beautiful" Is that for Mayo"
Look 1T that lovely bicycle, and it's
Boh's. He'll be tickled to death"
oh" sohbed May. I'm sorry /
peeped." Il am. too" answered Bob
by. Lets run back before they catch
u.s." whispered Bob. II second the
motion" sighed the little dismayed
girl. But. before they could crawl
to their feet the door opened. and In
the opened door stood n large. fat
man. dressed in red coat and pants
trimmed in white fur. black boots and
Il red cap with white tasscl. His
red nose and little blue eyes twinkied
merrily, but when he saw the chill
drcn his face cloudcd.
He dropped the horn he held near
his mouth. ami Uttered an cXsInma-
ton of surprise.
Forgive us cried the two fright
encd children. But he was angry and
took both children in "A strong grasp
But his face soon softcned and he
sat down and took both children on
his knee. Il ought to give You n
whipping" said the little man. hut
I'll do something that will do more
good tomorrow" and his eyes twin
Killed. merrily.
Well, we'll. my children. go to bed
now. I'll not Scold this time" and
with this he sat'both children down
and was gone.
They heard the sleigh bells tink
ling ont in the quiet night. and heard
the meyy voice command the swift
little y Endcers To hurry. THAT was
old SANTA" exclaimed May. Lets
hurry and get in the bed, sis" said
Cob. And the two children were soon
sleeping sound with visions. Of sugar
plums dancing around
The odd grandfather's" clock
struck s. Both children jumped and
ran 10 the door: IL was locked. They
looked At each ether. and then some
thing drew their gaze towards the
bed There hung two stockings They
ran over to them, but, alas! IL was
nothing but switches in them Pinned
on the stockings was II note-it was
as follows:
This is all YOU get for peeping at
Santa Claus"
''oh. I'm sorry. ana he seemed so
nice" cried May
And the automobile and bicycle.
and those things were Just fake"
achbcd Bobby.
And at . o'clock they were still sit
ting there sobbing.
The big clock in the hall struck,
and May sat up in the door and rub
bed her eyes.
Suddenly the door opened. and i'm
IL stood their mother. Come. May
and Bobby" she called.
The children cbeycd, hung their
head and followed her. She did not
say Il word until she reached the
pnr!or door. Both children tremblcl
at what happened there last night.
When the door flew open. both chill
dren uttered an exclamation of de-
light. for in the middle of the room
was u large Christmas tree. beauti.
fully decorated ind shining all over
with candles. But, most OF all. over
In the corner were dolls, carriages.
dishes. drums. horns. an automobile,
bicycle. and. OH so many lovely toys.
And suddenly mcthcr spoke,
They belong To you hoth.''
With cry OF delight. both children
flung their arms around their moth.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02

ut de table wild Missus Maize Huns
mershire at one end an Maize Hum
mershire at tother. Den Missus Ma
jie hummelshine, riz at huh end wild
de coffcypot in one han an de sugar
boie in tother an says:
"Massa CohnIcld.'
An | seq: Oats me name. marin"
An she SEE: Does 70 LAX it wild
out or widin?"
An l SEE; III tax 1t widin. thanky.
marin. Its more Grattynn."
Maize hummelshine, seq: 'Massa
Cohnfield what kin OBJ meat does yo
confer? White meat or black meat?
An l seq: 1T doan max emmy diff
frunce, marin. jes sos its meat"
So bye-an-bye we all got threw
wild de consortment on de table Gas
you no, de dinner were sarved in
coses). an deg brot in sumpin dey
called pudding. whoop-pee! II were
so hot dat blue blnzes run frum il
six enches high! [ blew II a time or
two an put peace in me mout, an
Gee Mirindy! 1t were fryd lax
greese. J. spit 1t out on de CARPET
an IN little while l smelt yarn
bunin'. / new twas bunin' a whole
In Missus Maize Hummershire's car
pet, but ! weren's gonna let on yet
1es de same. An in dc scuffel dat
followed one O. dem gals what were
settin' cross frum me hit me on my
pet bunion an I kicked 'er back on
'cr shin and nocked a peece O. pie
crust outer huh mout an it flew over
an hit Missus Maize hummelshine, in
'er l. Dere were sum doins bout
den believe me. 70 ma sat rite cross
frum me an biuahed lax n ole maid
what had waited forty-five years fer
Il reposal. Huh nose tuned right rel,
on the end for OATS de way she
bushes. 20 no. Bout dis time | felt
lax n whale wild two overcoats on.
An de mex ting dey brot i'm were
supin or other in Il dish wha, shook
lax n niger wild dc buck ayers. an
evry time yo touch IL is jumped away
frum yo. Dey called ii jelatene, bu,
dc name | ggive it were nervous pud
din.
An bout dat time in come Miss
Annie. She's Majie and Missus Majie
Hummershirc's favrite 6arter an the
hostess o de feest. an she had on
one o dem ebenin dresses what was
cut forty-two enches too short at
dc top and siNty-four enches too long
at de bottom. De tail OF IT strung
out behind 'er lak n cleygator's
what chacallem. She hadtcr jump six
feet an thirteen cnches evry time she
made step to keep from fallin'
down. Miss Annie says. says she:
why. Mister an Missus Cohnfeld."
An I says:
Oats our name. marm."
An she says:
why I'm most delirous fer ter
see yo ALL"
An I says:
DE same ter 20. Miss Annie"
Den she held up huh han aumpin
lax dis as riz ter greet huh.
thot dis han were sore so I grabbed
holt of tother hap an all dc boys an
gals LATED at me case dey thot I was
tryin' fer ter hug Miss Annie. 70
see she WIZ .tryin' ter max me feel
a. home so she says:
Mister CohnHeld, does yo lax
Charlotte Rouge?"
An says:
Yes. n,rm. i ulster lax or rirht
much win she wcf yung Eal. hut
j amt soon 'cr fer bout twenty five
or thirty years. What dat mans
name what she marry?"
MI dem hogs. and gals iaffcd az
me. but didn't cero fer dc cbcnn
were far spent an. l wuz ambitious
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
With Our Little Virginia Poets
SANTA CLAUS.


When 1t was Christmas Eve
Every child gladly took their leave
To dream of the many toys
That Santa Claus brings to good girls
and boys.
Wien everyone was fast asleep.
Down the chimney DID good Santa
creep
He need not uptoc to your bed.
For his boots are wooden. and you
don't hear him tread
He has those jolly. twinklins eyes.
That remind YOU Of stars in the skies.
HIS shape Is like barrel OF Hour:
Minutes are precious to him; he
hardly wastes an hour.
Santa Claus Is always dressed in red,
From his very heel to the top of his
head;
I'll say he's Il jolly good fellow.
With voice so soft and mellow.
Santa Claus is coming this year.
With his six large reindeer:
He lives where there is ice and
snow.
Eut he scarcely seems 20 mind It so.
oh. for Santa Claus lie, us cheer
III bet he's coming hSrc;
He never has forgotten me:
wish there were several Santas as
good as he.
My dear friends. hope you will an.
preciate my little Santa Claus
rhyme.
And hope you will be merry when
1t is Xmas time:
May Santa Claus be good to you. liz
tie girls anu boys,
And bring you many good, sub;tan-
tial toys.
Gage III PEARL V. THIEsS.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
CHRISTMAS ADVICE.

There's jolly. lively spirit
Ihnt goes about on Nmus Eve,
To delight the boys and girls
With the presents that he leaves.
But heed to me. dear children.
III You wish gift from him,
You must help the feeble. old folks
And the ones whose sight Is dim.
For it's said this Christmas spirit,
with all his loving joys, .
leaves some OF his welcome presents
For only helping girls and boys.
So please take this good advice
That I'll tell you now, because
II is time for Christmas Eve,
And you're expecting Santa Claus.
CLARA MUNDAY
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
Bright Stories by Members of the Club
rnun cln1srMAs srIRlr.

-
The streets of Richmond are crSwd-
cd with last minute Christmas
slorpc"s. Each ono is jost!cd about,
and the arms Of most OF them are
dear ones. The snow is falling In a
'hurry-aii' manner; the wind is Bit
ins, cold. and there seems to he the
OBJECT Of each, tho securing Of a
aarho,ne. where they may deposit
g0ine OF their assembled prizes.
Among them IL girl. who would
NOT be accounted noticeable except
FOR the extreme delapidation OF her
clothing; she looks care-worn and is
hollow-cycd yet in sense. very
!. beautiful. She has no packages, she
stands watching the stream Of pco-
pie. Suddenly she looks down. and
lying AZ her feet she finds small
rackagc-shc picks 1t up. thinking
THAT the Lord had remembered her
and sent her a present. Then. idle
dreams. She realizes that ii must DO
the property OF some one OF this vast
number Of people. She looks about
-ta,- Il possible owner, Who In this
vast majority of people owns this
little package. how is the girl 10
know She decides that she viii 80
home before opehing the package
she thinks that perhaps the owners
name wiI, sc inside. ON arriving at
her little home she opens the pack
--usc and there inside is golden
circlct--a wedding ring,
-, Aghas, the girl gazcs on the won
4. m. Oh
,.tn its wrappings ard hides IL In her
pocket That evening she secures Il
Times Dispatch and there in the
gG lines Is AN account OF Il missing
wedding ring! The paper states that
u young man bought the ring for h's
wedding. which WAS 10 be solomnszcd
on tn. naxt day, Christmas Eve. 1t
was valued al IA few hundred dollars.
r. and II was supposed to be stolen by
pickpockets The girl Is undecided
what 10 do. Here in her hand is n
small fortune: none would suspect
hct. but Is IL right? Conscience for
bids her TO keep the ring. SO 70 tho
Young man She sent the following
"irotc;
mir. Ralph Browning-Dear Sir
'Tf-you call "a, Broad Stree, soon to-
, morrow. youIl learn something to
your interest.
ia Yours truly,
ANN SAMuELS.
BROAD Street.
Eagerly she awaited his coming
He Identified the ring as his own
and after suitably reward!ng the girl!
left That night u large basket was
brought 10 Ann'a door. containing
apong other things. large turkey
for Christmas dinner. Ann thanked
SOD that she had withstood the
temptation TO steal the ring. and
started preparing her Christmas
dinner, for tomorrow was Christmas
Day.
tOiginal)
BY PAULINE KESNOS.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
CHRISTMAS.

Why we at Christmas are happy and
glad
The King OF Glory was born
10 take away our sins and make US
glad:
Early, the first Christmas morn.
seldom we think why we are gay.
The King OF Love was born.
To make US seem that way;
Early the first Christmas morn.
Very often rs We think of the smile
OF lass and lad.
The King OF Honor was born
To keep MS from frenzy and mad:
Early. the first Christmas morn.
And he preached and taught of the
Home above, ~
:, The King OF Salvation was born: {,
FOR salvation. Honor. Recreation.
Love. tl fS
Early. the first Christmas morn.
GLADYS SNEAD.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
a LITTLE BOYS CHRISTMAS

Once upon n time there was n little
boy whose name was Will His
mother was very poor and IL WINS
hear Christmas Eve ana she had nc
money TO buy her lfttle boy an,
presents. SO she prayed that nigh,
that God would send Santa. Claus to
her little hoy and the next morning
when she awokc she. went to the
front door and what did she see but
great big basket full OF everything
you could call for that would make
har little boys heart. glad on thai
beautiful Christmas morning. He
was very proud and 1t. showed that
God loved him and. answered his
prayer because he was good boy.
Composed by FAY ATKINS,
8 years old.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
CHRISTMAS TIME.
(OriRInal.l

tOriglnal)
November days are passing on.
And soon Twill bne December.
The happiest month OF all tho vcar,
"A time. which all remember.
This time is merry Christmas.
Which day, each one enjoys.
And dear old Santa. loved by all.
Brings gifts to girls and boys.
Each year We trim our homes
with greens of every kind.
Running cedar, mistietoe and holly.
Which on the mantle, ana UP tho
staires cntwine.
by HARRIET BOOKER.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
CHRISTMAS LESSON.

40 YOU think Santa Claus will
bring us anything il we peep. iiobbyT'
NO., sneered Bobby. "ISwouldn't be
afraid of him." "Then let's peep"
said May. Fine idea for you. fraid
cat" he laughed. This convcrsati ion
was letween Bobby and May Ali
son. Noiselessly the two children
crcpt out Of bed, but. as they did,
they didn't know their sister Marie
lad been listening outside the door.
"Iia, hh.' she laughed; III fix them"
and glided away.
Boil, and May crept down stairs to
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
CHRISTMAS MORNING..

Christmas morning when first
awoke saw my stocking full to the:
top. jumped out of bed and ran:
TIC the stocking there were BALI
doll, and all kinds OF things Tho,
doll could open and shut her syes. I
played with her most all Christmas;
Day Santa Claus brought me book
and read stories to my doll. BAD
n fine time Christmas Day. Chen 81
went to dinner, after dinner ! plsyy6'
Games. rs
Written by d. IA
MARTHA HENRIETrA sssLANToSst "
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
DECEMBER.

We like December because we can
go out s!eigh-ridiny down ihc hills
when III SHOWS. We like II for an
other reason, and it is because Christ
mas comes in this month
II is cold in December and we have
Ia Wear our good heavy ovcrcouts and
our good heavy wooden caps hope
YOU all had a good Christmas. lots
OF nuts, candy and nice presents.
ERNA WATSKEY.