davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

IN promise, beyond the realization OF
many eyes weary of long strife and
repeated disillusionment. There will
be comparatively little danger of ex-
aggeration In the praise of Christmas
this glorified day which finds the
world scarce able to grasp the full
meaning Of great events.
But there Is another phase Of
christmas which is always well worth
noting, and especially so when the
pace Of human progress is quickened
by momentous changes toward peace
and good will. This Is the constant
widening and unending conquests Of
the best Of holidays.
Every Christmas is bigger than the
one before 1t. Always the day means
more to greater number of human
beings. Year after year its bounda-
r1es are extended. Year by year its
sunshine is shed upon more Of the
earths inhabitants.
This does not necessarily mean the
gains Of the Christian religion, for
Christmas Is wider than Christianity.
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
"I'm So Hungry"

q cold wind that made one shiver just
to hear 1t. A Merry Christmas indeed |
Mrs. Squirrel still had her paws In
her apron pockets. She seemed to be
thinking very hard The harder she
thought the more she cooked her head
on one side. She actually seemed in
danger of bending it so far it would
break off. Then the idea came. Back
snapped her head! Out came her
hands from her apron pockets! Over
to Mr.. Squirrel she marched and
nudged him with her elbow.
My DEAR" she said, II have thought
of something!"
"What is it7" demanded Mr.. Squirrel
Whirling about.
Put on your best coat, polish up
your shoes, take your silver-headed
cane and We'll go for walk on Christ
mas morning!''
But Sabrina," (that was Mrs. Squir-
rel's name) he protested, 81 really
can't see what taking walk has to do
with getting anything to eat.'
"You begin to get on your coat and
shoes, and I'll tell you,' answered
Mrs. Squirrel.
She whisked about like girl. You
would not have believed she could be
so spry. While she was tying her bon
net under her chin she told her plan
to Mr.. Squirrel.
Sandy" (that was Mr.. Squirrels
name) ''the children living in the big
house across the road always have a
stocking full Of good things on Christ
mas morning. / have seen them come
out and scatter crumbs to the birds
and tie bits Of suet on the twigs Of
trees. Perhaps If we went walking by
they would throw us some nuts. We
don't care to beg, but it is only fair
that they who have 50 much and are
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
Raiein 1oHee.

One and one-half cupfuls brown
sugar, II cupful vinegar, 2 tablespoon
fuls butter, II cupful broken walnut
meats, Y cupful chopped raisins
Cook sugar and vinegar together
until 1t forms hard ball when tested
in cold water Add butter and pour
on nuts and raisins arranged in a
creased pan. AS It hardens mark into
squares.
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

left many more bon-bons in both than
was usual. That peeping child will
also tell you that before she went
back up the chimney, she gave baby
kiss on his pink cheek, thing St.
Nicholas (who Is as afraid of babies
as a burglar Is, and for the same rea-
sony has never been known to do.
And mother, will you believe me,
In spite Of having stopped to kiss all
the babies, was back at the North
pole whole hour earlier than St.
Nicholas had ever been able to make
it. even in his younger days, Her
work was well done, tool But in
spite Of the early hour, she found the
children and her husband waiting for
,her. ST. Nicholas welcomed her back
more ,affecttonately than the children.
II woke In the middle Of the night"
he said, "out of such a horrid dream
all about crying children and sad
mothers. Bless you, good wife, for
not letting that dream come trueI''
ooh, don't mention it." said Mother
Nicholas. TT was no trouble at all
Indeed, it did me good. l think, fa-
ther, since you are getting SO old, ]
will take over this job myself from
now on"
st. Nicholas looked thoughtful at
that. He paced up and down the
floor. Then he came and stood in
front Of Mother Nicholas, straighten-
ing up. and looking almost as young
as In his early days.
"No, mother" he said firmly. "a
woman's place Is in the home. I'll at
tend to the business hereafter, thank
YOU"
And mother, who, after all, only
wanted everybody to be happy, made
him some griddle cakes for his break
fast.
But that was last year, the year
you got a stocking full, even though
you hadn't been so very good. This
year you had better watch cut, for
1t is old st. Nicholas himself you have
to deal with.
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16


"You remember that yesterday morn
ing we gave those shiftless Chat
ter-Reds the very last nut we
had" went on Mrs. Squirrel, putting
her paws in her apron pockets "a very
bad sign, assure you; it meant that
something was going to be done, and
done quickly.
Mr.. Squirrel went on stroking his
wh1skers. This seemed the only reply
he could muster. He knew the facts
Of the case as well as his wife. Hadn't
he invited the Chatter-Reds in? Hadn't
he felt sorry for them because they
looked so cold and hungry? Didn't he
know that all fall, when the nuts were
thickest the Chatter-Reds had frolicked
instead Of getting in their winter sup
ply? Didn't he caution them hundred
times, and hadn't they been rather
saucy about it? They had! and yet,
the day before Christmas they looked
so forlorn he couldn't bear it. How
they had lived as long as they had was
something he did not like to think
about. So in they trooped, five of them
They said very little and their noses
quiyered expectantly. The youngest
Of them, Charlie Chatter-Red, began to
Whimper. They could not stop him.
And at last he said it right out loud.
He said, and the tears rolled down his
little cheeks like marbles spilled out Of
a boys pocket, ''I'm so hungry! I
haven't had a thing to eat for two
daysl And then he buried his head
In his mothers lap and howled. It was
all very sad. Mr.. Squirrel had a con-
sultation with his wife. They went in
corner to talk it over. When you
yourself have just one nut left the day
before Christmas, it takes a long time
to decide to give 1t away. And one Of
the reasons that they had just one nut
left was the fact that for some weeks
past they had been helping these same
shiftless Chatter Reds But Mrs. Squir-
rel was kind in spite of her sharp
tongue, and she said that she supposed
it was their Christian duty to help
out unto seventy times seven! So the
last nut, a tine, fat one 1t was too, was
brought forth. Mr. Chatter-Red almost,
bowed himself in two with gratitude
and all the little Chatter-Reds danced
about like Indians. They whirled upi
SO much dust in Mrs. Squirrels living
room that every one began to sneeze.
At last they went home. And Mr.. and
Mrs. Squirrel stood and looked at one,
another. But they said nothing at all.
And here it was Christmas and moth
ing in the cupboard!
"At least we can be thankful that
we have no children" said Mr.. Squir-
rel. "They won't have to go hungry
on Christmas day." Il
Mrs. Squirrel had nothing but a
snort in answer to this. Mr.. Squirrel
the room and stood looking out |
Of the window. The landscape was not
very cheerful-gray sky. bare trees and
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
Eyes, l Would" Declared St. Nicholas

the closed door, behind which St. Mich
olas could already be heard snoring.
"And the reindeerl" cried the Old
est boy, "what will they do without
their yearly exercise7 1t seems as
though father might have gone, If only
for their sakes."
Mother Nicholas thought so, too.
And at that minute they heard the
reindeers little hoofs beating on the
hard snow crust at the door. Wise lit
tie beasts! st. Nicholas had never
delayed the Christmas-E Eve journey 50
long before, and so here they were
to save him the trouble of going for
them. The Nicholas children felt that
they never could face the poor little
reindeer's disappointment.
But what was Mother Nicholas do
ing SO busily over there by the cup
board? The children looked in amaze
ment. It was seldom that mother
left the snowhouse at any time Of day.
And here she was, after dark, and
Christmas Eve, too. putting on her
hood and cape, and pulling on her
gauntletsl
"Are yeu going to drive the rein
deer back to the stables?" asked the
Oldest boy. "Oh, please, let me. Fa.
ther always lets me, you know"
Mother shook her head 'I'll not be
driving them back to the stables un
It'll this nights work is DONE" she said,
If you're awake when we get back,
you may do 1t as always
/; How the children stared! "Was little
lold mother going all alone on that
long, wild drive over towns and for
tests and oceans and up and down
lchimneys, and goodness knows where,
without asking st. Nicholas If she
might
Yes, that was just what she was
going to dol '.For. when a good
thing needs doing" she said brightly,
mo permission Is needed,
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
HER LESSER HALF.

Come into tn
next room, read
er. Y'see we was
right. That wasn't
his fancee, at al,
although, 1t was
a sort Of ex-fan-
Gee, cause he's
her lesser half.
Merry Christ.
mas. ...-.
',
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

"Keep the fire going, be sure that
the baby has the fur rug well up
around his chin, and give your father
good breakfast when he wakes she
called over her shoulder and was away
out of the door almost before they
had realized that she was going. They
heard the scampering Of the reindeer
hoofs, faster the DINNER they got, and
then Just the stiffness Of the North
pole.
That was last Christmas Eve. And
If you ask any child who lay awake
to see st. Nicholas, and peeped out
with one eye, all the time pretending
to be fast asleep, he will tell you that
1t wasn't st. Nicholas he saw at all.
1t was just tiny, sprightly old lady
with frosty white curls and red hood,
who filed naughty Willie's stocking
Just as full as good Marguerite's, and
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

pole and as usual on the
had been hurried and rather grumpy.
Only this time, Mother Nicholas
thought to herself that he was just
bit grumpier than she had ever
known him. And at suppertime she
found that she was right. .a... /.
He came into the kitchen, closing
his workshop door with a bang, and
sat down with all the little Nicholases
to his porridge.
"Well, I've said it before" he
growled, ''but this time mean it. The
children down there in the world will
get nothing from my pack this night.
It's time they were taught lesson.":
All the little Nicholases gasped, but,
Mother Nicholas only asked calmly:''
'Why, what is the matter now, IA
ther7 After you've been working for!
them the whole year, you wouldn't:
go and dlsappoint the poor dears
would your"
ayes, I would" declared st. Mich.
olas. swallowing his porridge in great
gulps, and pretending that he was not
saint at all. "Half of them 60 around
saying that there isn't any st. Nicho-
las, poking fun at me, and laughing
In their sleeves. And the other half
think it makes no difference whether
they are good children or not, I'll fill
their stockings just the same. It's
thankless Job, l tell you. And I'm
too old a man for 1t, Sol'
"Come," said Mother Nicholas, sooth-
ingly, "here is a plate of grlddle cakes.
When you have eaten you will see
things differently" !,
''No, when have eaten shall go
to bed. That's where an old fellow
like me belongs, an, old fellow who
children don't believe in"
Mother saw that he was determined, ,
and that there was nothing to do for
1t, since griddle cakes wouldn't help.
SO she put her finger to her lips to
notion the children silent, and went
quietly about her work. And when
Nicholas had finished his supper,
did roll away to bed, only telling
lie little Nicholases to be sure to hang
heir stockings, for they had been good
hildren all the year and still believed
h him.
j The minute the door closed behind
Ehim the little Nicholases burst into
sexcited chatter. "Oh, what a pityl
Those DOOR childrenI Surely there
must be some good ones! Oh dear,
what fun will Christmas be to US If
all the children in the world down |
there are unhappyl"
"What indeedl" Mother Nicholas |
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
SERHssSSFIFVSS{S|e |e---
CHRISTMAS DAY In ICELAND
Natives Still Cling to Old Customs and
Songs; Day Is One Of Great
Happiness.

a. 0lUCH a strong-wfnged thing
A is Christmas Cheer that 1t
VY- has betaken itself even to
- that isolated island of the
far north, where the short
est day is four hours long, and where
at Christmas time the sun does not
rise above the horizon for a week.
Christmas is a great day with the
people of Iceland and they still cling
to all their old customs and songs and
the day to them is one of great hap
piness.
One OF their favorite old songs is
filled with simplicity that is touching
ana yet gives glimpse Of q philos-
ophy of life that is pretty fine:
When ] go good and think arfght
o. At peace with man, resigned to God.
.Ihou lookst on me with eyes Of light,
Tasting new joys in joys abode. 49,
%#5
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
6 ,q27. WESTERN NEWSPAPER UNION

, DEAR said Mrs. Squir.
rel to her husband on
Christmas m orning," do
you realize that we have
absolutely nothing In the
cupboardw -. ...
Mr.. Squirrel stroked his
W h is kers and gave a
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
Busy the Rest of the Morning.

Mr.. and Mrs. Squirrel were busy the
rest Of the morning taking them home.
And they asked the Chatter-Reds to
join them and fill up their larder, too
So every one had Merry Christmas
and Mrs. Squirrel did not have to put
both hands in her apron pockets for
months and monthsl
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16
EVERY CHRISTMAS is BIGGER
Day Means More to Greater Numher
Of People-Boundaries Extended
Year After Year.

A. AZ: !: s.: ; q: s: !: :: T; s:
ing pictures of the progress
OF the world toward peace, and peace
with honor and justice.
In some features the holiday Of Civ
ing, the day set apart for rejoicing
over the birth Of the most potent
apostle Of peace mankind has ever
Known, wears a more nobly prophetic
aspect this year than It has had in a
century or millennium, and thrilling
appeals to the faith and brother1y
love OF good people can be made with
out In the least overstepping the
bounds Of truth. The facts are rich
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

HIS is a story Of last
Christmas day; and I Will
tell you right away that 1T
ended happily. But It be-
gins sadly. 1t was Christi
mas day up at the North
St. Tammany farmer., 1922-12-16

: And mother, who, after all, only
wanted everybody to be happy, made
him some griddle cakes for his break
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03


Serve Theea Give me . slgn!t
As the car hated neatly along
side Bobby. he stared ct II with
unbedeyfng eyes. He had man.
aged somehow to find a sniifet Of
turf, a handful OF shade, and sat
there waiting the moving. Of the
water. His mother tried 70 run
to him, but fell back In her seat,
too shaken for motion. "Sit
still" Marietta said, Imperative
~. springing out herself and neip-
ing Bobby to his feet. Leaning
upon her shoulder, he made the
car. She half lifted him in It,
motioning toward the drivers
seat; but his mother stayed him
with look. II know Marietta
will take US home" she said.
Bobby looked a question. Mar
ietta answered 1t with her. usual
saucineBs, "Yes, II you agree to
go around through the pastures
aud take my blackberrles homo
for me. Can't waste them after
picking them this hot day"
Surely not" said madam, a
wan smile with the words. But
Temember-you have two homes
now-which needs them most?"
"ours!" said Bobby promptly
and none gnlnsaii. him.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03
BY OLIVE RoBERTs BARTON.

little boy quickly. II know who you
are. can tell by your hat. You're
the KnaVe OF Hearts and you've
stolen the queens tarts. You've got
them now"
Just then the queen herself came
running up, all out Of breath. her
crown on one side OF her head and
her kitchen apron united, "oh, you
rascal" she cried. give me those
tarts at once. l made them for my
tea party this afternoon, for King
Cole and the King and Queen OF
Six Pense. The poor things get go
tired OF bread and honey, ! thought
I'd give them a treat. And now
you've stolen two!"
The Knave Of Hearts looked gull
ty' and handed them over.
"And now, my dears, what are
you after?" asked the good queen.
Mother Goose's broomi" sai6
Nancy. "Sho's lost it"
81 wish had II this very min.
Ute" declared the queen looking
Mt her son sternly.
ITO Be Continued.)
Copyright, 1929
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03
BEGIN PLANS FOR
CHRISTMAS RUSH
Mailing Of Small Letters Dis.
couraged, According to
Local Postmaster.

Local postotfice officials ore al.
ready beginning to plan 70: the
handling OF the annual Christmas
rush in tho delivery Of mail, ac-
corll!ng to Postmaster j. S, Scott
Scott. who stated today that Ct
fo:ts wcro being malta 1t the In.
Sta"ce OF the Po3tsfSlCo Depart.
nIeht at Washington TO discourage
the mailing Of letters smaller than
the regulation size of 2 "a by 1
inc; es.
He stated that The objection to
letters smaller thal the regulu-
ti0n size is that they canalt u.s.
run Il the cancellils machine, Tut
,nEc: BIO cancelled b. using Il hand
star,T Such action II course 10.
lava the speed and efficiency al
the postoEfice department. MIR.
Scott snId.
Another objection 10 the use o.
smaller than regulation glze let
ters is the fact that they cannot
he tied into packages with those
OF a larger size, but must be tied
n packages by themselves. Mr..
Scott declared. in other ways /, 4
orally the smaller envelopes
hamper, tho speedy hanlling Of
mail, and thus delay tho luickness
OF transportation and the, eff.
cheney OF the depar.mnnt.
In speaking of tho recent postof-
flee regulation in regard to the
installation of mail re2Gptaclns or
slots for the delivery Ct mail MIR.
Scott also said that according IS
information which has bean re-
ceived from Washington no mail
will be delivered after December
81 at homes where there Is no:
some 'kind Of q receptacle or slot
TO facilitate the delivery OF mail
by the carriers. 1t Is not the de.
sire. of the local postoffice depart.
ment to antagonlze anyone or 70
caueSe inconvenience in any wIV
Mr.. Scott declared, but the regu-
lation has emanated from Wash
ington and Is meant to improve
mail service, and will be enforced
by the local postoffice department
unless compiled with by IT,. resi-.
dents OF Fairmont.
Many people have protested to
the ugliness Of a mail receptacle
to the local postoffics authoritieS
and in reply 1t has been stated thai
very fancy slots may be obtained
OF even the most particular, and
slots are preferred by postohIce
officials anyway, according to
Postmaster Scott.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03
Friends Of Mrs.
Cehrs See a
Big Change

Friends on all sides are ask
ing what I've been doing to look
SO well and happy, and tell them
it's all due to Tanlac," declared
Mrs. Jacob Cehrs, Of Warwood, ".
Va, recently.
why, this wonderful medicine
not only put an end to my
troubles, but it also built me up
several pounds in weight. and /
now feel fine.
IAN attack Of influenza left mo
in very poor health. I was weak
and thin, very nervous and felt
completely worn out. My appetite
was about gone, my stomach WAS
30 upset that everything ate
caused sourness, severe gas pains
and bloating, and my back ached
so I could hardly lift a pot OF the
stove.
1T am simply delighted with
the results I got from Tanlac. Ny
appetite and digestion couldn't be
better, l am not the least bit
nervous and l FER feel tired
any more
Taniac is sold d all good drug
gists.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03

The Twins crawled along the old
mans beard, right through the sky
from Mars to Jupiter.
They were searching still for
Mother Goose's broom.
When they arrived, they unlock.
ed the end OF the old mans beard
from the star point where it had
caught when he threw 1t, and the
last they saw of him, he was wind.
ing It up again on his garden'hoss
wheel.
THANK you!" called Nancy aud
Nick, waving their hands.
"rou're welcomed" answered tho
old man waving back to them.
Jupiter was a queer place. ja5t
as queer as Mars, but much bigger.
The children looked around curl.
ousiy.
Suddenly someone came towar |
them, running as fast as he could.
When he saw them he stopped sud.
leEly and put his hands behind his
hack.
+ who's you?" he demanded.
4 .:ia1cy and Nisk," answered the
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03

barbs. Hoplight made sudden dt
! version. With a sharp, impatient
neigh, no struck into q gallop that
quickly became a dead, full run
Marietta watched him disappear
breathing hard. run! Quick!
Think OF your mother!" she i'm.
plored., Bobby was already think
ing-slght Of his horse, ride.less
might kill his mother. Her heart
was unsound, for all her appear
ance Of haleness. Hoplight woul,l
follow tho road, a mile around. Ii
he himself we're inside the pasture
fence he could get home by running
less than half the distance. Des,
pera.ely he tried 10 plunge through
under. at last over-poised on a
post top. he slipped-tell sprawliug
back into the roadway, with 3
wrenched ankle that would NO.
bear his weight. He called 10 Ma,
rietta-she did not answer. Drag
ging himself painfully upright he
pcered over the heigerow--to see
hor vanishing across the grass,
headed straight, as the crow flies
for his home.
When opposing cyclones meet
there onsues, It Is said dead calm
Something Of that sort happened
10 Nine. Bristow when. Just as
Hopl.ght dashed through the open
lawn gate. MARIETTA Hill sprnng up.
on the end OF the piazza painting
weakly. Don't you be scared
Bohby's not hurt. Hopllgls ran
away while We were taking"
why didn't he come himselt?"
Nine Bristow demanded, her face
graying. "IIo was on the wrong
side OF the fence-the roadside
Marietta explained. ~ came be-
cause know he was go scared for
you. No, he didn't ask 1t: now I'll
go away"
you VII rot! Show me where
my son is" Nine. Bristow flarei
her eyes full Of terror-so full they
woke pity In Marietta, the remofsc-
less.
let ME take you in your car.
she said quietly. "He Is just down
the big road: I know lie wouldn't
! let you walk there n this sun"
Nine. Bristow sank down biting
her lips IN wink Marietta had
found the car. Ind her hfa IT. It
and was whizzlng liFA mad down
the road. Tho girls face was set,
yet o whimsical smile played over
II; she was thinking at the back
OF her head what a chance for
melodrnma. By ditctiug the car
she could precip tate catastro.
phe that would clear her path
Bobbyward OF every obstacle, Re-
pressing inward laughter, she
glanced at her passenger; what
she saw woke In uer genuine COM
passion. Tho mother love, strong,
bitter, possessivc, that she had
heretofore so resented, made this
iwoman's face mask OF agony.
Instantly Marietta began singing
1.-THE Ram OF Darby" sure that
Bobby would understand and ans
wer her chant.
He did. AT first so family the
motor all but drowned 1t, but
swelling clearer, nearer, with
each revolution Of the swift
wheels. 1t broke the tension,
eased the intoierable ache; Nine,
Bristow leaned forward. tears
yelling plentifully through the
| fingers that covered hcr face. She
murmured chokingly, Lord, dear
Lord, You have spared him. Ny
boy! All have lived for! How
can / thank Thee? Bless Thee?
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03
S,,aaHNufG akes

VI GoluInpia- university
/ / cup pecan meats; nltnly
/ sliced.
2 eggs.
! cup brown sugar.
u cup cup flour.
y teaspoon baking powder.
! teaspoon salt.
Beat eg6s very slightly. adj
sugar, a little at a time, being
sure that there IRE no lumps in
the sugar. Mix flour. baking
powder and salt. Add to eggs
with the nuts. Stir until well
mixed and bake in well-greas.
ed. small, shallow tins is min,
utes in a moderately hot over.
These cakes need to rise quick.
ly and be taken from pans az
soon as they come from the
oven.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-03
Novelty Wool Hose Imported.
by P. Centemeri & Bro.
$3.50 and $500

M oST women know that Centemer French Kid Gloves
the finest quality obtainabe That fact adds interest to
the Fall and Winter Hose they have just been imported
country by the people who import Centemer Gloves
gloves which proud to SELL These Novelty Wool and
Wool and Silk Mixed Hose made by Wosey Ltd in Great Britain
They wonderfully smart and of superb quality They
clocking.