davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

SAS VI Evil ak PCCulidIly
active on Christmas Eve, but from
Christmas day to January IL are in
active.
Among the various Sav peoples
Christmas and the beginning of the
New Year are commonly called the
Great Christmas and the Little
Christmas"
Mistletoe is comparatively recent
favorite for Christmas decoration. In
the Eighteenth century rosemary, bay
and holly were used.
In the Balkans it is believed that
to die on Christmas day is of i'll omen
as regards ones place in the after
death life.
At one time young men might take
rs many kisses from a maid as there
were berries on the mistletoe bough.
The French have queer belief that
bread baked on Christmas Eve will
keep fresh for ten years
Only about third of the worlds
population has ever heard Of Christ
mas, let alone celebrated it.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
The Depredations Became Worse Than
Ever.

tains, in desolate little gulch. Pre-
tender had been there only once in his
life, and he always shuddered at the
remembrance, the place had seemed SO
,uncanny and lonely.
In the fall, in accordance with his
nature, he made conspicuous affecta-
ton of remaining in the 'simmon tree
all the time, eating or sleeping. It was
as though he would say, Behold, | am
innocent of everything that takes place
away from this tree, for / never leave
At" And yet there was not night
that some small creature did not find
itself despoiled of carefully-hoarded
treasures it had stored away.
It was a year of extreme scarcity,
700, WHICH made the depredations dou-
bly, hard. There was generous living
in the 'simmon tree for Pretender, if
but no, that was not his nature, so long
as other creatures had stores they
cared for within reach of his stealthy
paws. The squirrels did not like sim.
mons, and yet there was scarcely a
branch of the family whose boards had
mot been rified. And so with the owls
and moles and some of the birds II
did not matter so much about the
crows and robins and jays, for they
liked simmons and could easily snatch
them from the tips of branches be
yond reach of Pretender's vicious
claws The turtles and rabbits and
groundhogs were also fond of sim
mons, but they could not climb the
tree, and had to depend on occasional
ones the wind brought down-thougf
even these were usually snatched from
before their eager eyes by the mall
cious paw of Pretender.
Chief Gray went first to Robin Good
fellow, whose nest had been rifled o
eggs in the spring. Goodfellow's ad
vice was always sound Then botl
went to the oak trees of the neighbor
hood, and gave message to their re
manning crinkled leaves, which were t
scatter TO all points of the world. TIL
message was.
'To all creatures of the earth
and air, in defense of our homes
and property, meet the day before
Christmas at noon at the Confer
ence Oak to mature plans for the
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
punishment Of our great enemy.
Pretender ,POssum."

IuQlSUDltnL u Jul 6AN0S Sh~A*~Ss
Pretender 'Possum."
The next day Pretender was lying
half-asleep upon limb Of the persim-
mon tree, full to repletion with fruit
and things stolen the night before. He
was too drowsy to notice an unusual
whirring through the air and skurrying
and crawling over the ground, all In
the direction of the Conference Oak
It was not until an hour or so later, as
he lay with half-closed eyes bent down
ward, that he became aware Of some
thing out of the ordinary. Many tur-
ties were crawling rapidly toward his
tree, and his eyes opened curiously.
And there were hundreds of rabbits
and groundhogs. He despised all OF
these creatures, but he rose quickly
upon his limb, his eyes wide with as
tonishment. He had never seen SO
many Of either together before. What
did it mean?
Then came wild skurrying up the
tree trunk, and myriads of squirrels,
1t seemed, gray and red and striped,
flashed past and around him to the
smaller limbs. He tried to reach some
Of them with vicious claws and teeth
but they were too far away, upon the
slender branches, and he dared not &C
out there with his weight.
But he could not understand. He
had never seen squirrel in persim
mon tree before. They did not care fol
the fruit, and yet here they were
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
He Could Not Understand.

gnawing ravenously at 1t as though
half-starved. In moment 1t became
clearer, however. They were not eat
ing the fruit, but rafting 1t down like
rain, and the turtles and rabbits and
groundhogs were gathering 1t up eager
ly as it fell. But why?
He did not even finish the thought
for there was mighty whirr through
the air, and a great cloud Of crows and
robins and other birds settled upon the
tree, almost backing out the sunlight
and bending every limb and branch
and twig with their weight.
1t lasted but few minutes and then
they whirred away, and the squirrels
scampered down the trunk and off into
the woods, followed by the turtles and
rabbits and groundhogs.
Pretender was dazed for time be
fore the terrible meaning of it all came
to him. There was not persimmon
left on the tree or ground, and he had
rified all the storehouses that he knew
of, and hard winter was beginning
He would starve if he remained in the
neighborhood.
But he did not leave the tree until
dark, until he had studied the ques
tion through all the phases Of his cum
( ming and duplicity. 1t was no use
AS Christmas Ewes darkness settled
around and concealed his movements
he slid sadly Down the trunk and start
ed on the long journey to the mountaiI
gulch, where it was so uncanny and
lonely. And his old neighborhoot
knew him no more
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

bis usual manner, the ends were more
than likely to be among the neighbors'
possessions.
strength. No matter what was suspect
ID OF him, nothing could be proved.
He was always loud in his own inno-
cence, so much so that many of those
most injured were half-persuaded
there was a mistake somewhere. Pre-
tender could open his eyes with the
innocence of a baby, and half-close
them with the cunning Of a-'possum.
Pretender's strong pointer weak
ness, as may seem best-next to his
cunning was his appetite; and this In
many ways, through stress Of circum-
stances or greed, had become warped
even beyond the ordinary fiexibility of
spossum nature. Persimmons were his
height OF all that was delectable In
life, and yet there were times when
birds eggs and hidden stores Of nuts
or fruit, obtained fraudulently by cum
ming, tasted better to him than sim
mons that were plentiful and to be had
Tor the taking. And then, Of course,
during much Of the year. simmons
could not be had at all, when trickery
seemed wholly preferable to hard work
as a means Of livelihood.
There was scarcely creature Of the
ground or air who had not suffered at
one time or another from Pretender's
marauding tendencies; but, though all
of them were convinced of the fact,
not one could point positive finger
and say, you are the thief"
Toward Christmas the depredations
became worse than ever, until exas-
peration had almost reached the limits
of endurance. At last 1t was Chief
Gray of the Squirrels who took the
matter in hand, determined at all haZ-
ards to himself to bring the thief to
justice.
There was only one persimmon tree
in the neighborhood that bore; but
Ehis was very large, and every year its
aimbs bent under the enormous weight
of fruit they carried-enough for Pre-
tender and all the other creatures
around who liked simmons. The next
tree was four miles back in the noun
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
KRIS KRINGLE FUDGE

Pour one cupful of milk into sauce.
pan, add one-quarter cupful of corn
syrup, four tablespoonfuls of creamed
butter and two cupfuls of sugar, bring
to boiling point and cook until it
reaches the soft-ball stage. Take from
the fire, add one cupful of preserved
cherries cut in halves and one tea
spoonful rose extract and beat until
creamy. Pour into buttered pan
and, when cool, cut into neat squares
or rounds.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
Three Die in Mine cave-in.

Brookv.lle, Pa. = The bodies Of
three men buried in d mine cavern
lay in an undertaking room In Du-
bots. They are Dan McQuon and Lee
Hoffman. coal operators, and Finley
Britton. miner The men had been
crushed by falling tisbers and rock.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

tHe SdNIe UHeS, 20 Duy pres
ents in exchange? The whole thing
seems so commercial-sucha an affair Of
even exchange, and somehow obliga-
ton that irks you? That is the way
you feel?
But you still have enough Of the
Christmas spirit left to wish you didn't
feel that way? Well. then, there's
hope for you, praise bel
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
Beans start Farm Riaze

Altoona, Pa. Originating. 1t,
1t believed, from spontaneous com
bustion in a pile of beans lying on the
second floor, fire destroyed the stor-
age house on the George Delaney
farm, near Greenwood, a suburb.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
A FEW LEFT

Well, tie old boy who used to cele-
brate Christmas so years ago by TAX
ing his muzzle-loader and hunting rab-
bits In the snow is still alive. Next
we expect to hear from the old codger
Who used to set rabbit guns and make
is rounds before day to collect his
ieakfast.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

Imagine Santa Claus without his
long white whiskers, red nose
and twinkling eyes! And could
any sound but the musical tink-
ling Of the bells on his RENDERS
necks accompany his visit?
Yes, it could in Switzerland,
in the quaint little town of st.
Galien. And what a strange
name they have for him there!
"Father Christmas is his name
in England, kris Kringle' in
Germany, Noel" in France. But
in Switzerland, st. Nicholas, the
patron saint Of our jolliest and
yet hottest of festivals, is called
"Samiclaus."
To begin with, Samfclaus does
not dress in red He dresses in
white-white trousers and a
white shirt. Around his waist is
a broad leather belt. Over his
shoulders are gay embroidered
red suspenders.
He doesn't wear long beard or
bushy white hair. Instead, he
wears a huge false face, made of
cardboard, with a high perforat-
ed crownlike hat, which resem-
bles the lace in candy boxes.
Samiclaus doesn't pay his
visit alone. With him are eleven
men, dressed precisely as he is
dressed.
Each of these men has a huge
cowbell suspended from his wide
leather belt. They ring them
loudly as they go around the
town distributing presents and
candy to the children.
Our Santa Claus stands for
open chimneys, openly arrived
at.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

good health. In fact, he admitted to
defective f1y-wheel," by which he
meant that his heart was bad.
l Watson was genius, in his way.
too, besides being peculiar He had
some conception of rude kind of art.
His hobby was making molds and cast
ing little brass figures and designs
having it done for him, rather, after
ne had perfected the molds-and often
he would bring something new to the
works for the boys to admire and pur-
chase
Among his objects dart, as he called
them facetiously, were ash trays of
tanciful design, lamps, mirror frames
and whatever his fancy suggested.
His lodging place was close to the
works, and his room was more than
bedroom--it also was shop and show
room. A little bench, with wise, blow
pipe, files, burnisher, ETC., occupied
| corner, and the products of his genius
we're displayed along the wall on the
other side of the room.
Watson had been complaining of his
nfrmity just before Christmas, but
seemed to take more than usual pride
| in the little crucifix which he had just
completed. The boys looked at one
another and smiled Z. ..
When Watson failed to report at the
works the day after Christmas, inquiry
was made for him at his lodging place.
Finally forcing the door, the searchers
found the peculiar hombre' kneeling
| at his bedside in the position in which
he must have surrendered.
/ In one hand was Christmas card
| from his mother in an eastern state
ind letter addressed to her in which
be said he was sending her little
present which he had been unable to
get ready sooner.
] And in the other hand was clasped
he little image in which he had taken
20 great pride-the Savior on the Cross
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
CHRISTMAS
BITS

HAT bathing on Christmas
day insures freedom from
feyers and toothache during
the coming year is one of
the old-time superstitions
which still exists in France.
In Scandinavian countries
it is believed that the pow
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
0hrtatmaH Spirit
4 Rrality
By ETHEL COOK ELIOT
sIlsIsla aIaTsIsIs


GU don't believe in Christ
mas? The Christmas spirit
Is dead in you? You hate
all this crowding to stores
to buy presents for friends,
relatives and acquaintance
who will certainly be crowd
Ing to other stores, or even
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
C1riisfrrlasEve
punllshrnent
|lEH.1 ~
saarsas- ~. &sSiy ~
.sers.s ~ ~ AssyD X
q. 1928. western Newspaper union.)

RETENDER 'POSSUM was
not liked in his own neigh
borhood. He was not So
cial, and more than that,
was not honest. When not
working for his own ends.
he was usually asleep; and
whom awake and working in
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
THOSE NEcKTIEs

Santa Claus, what neckties are COM
mitted in thy name!
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
AN UNUSUAL
SANTA CLAUS

HE children Of our
country would certain
ly be surprised if they
should see Santa
Claus on Christmas
Eve in anything but
his bright red suit
trimmed with fur.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13
REFUGE
By Charles Frederick Wadsworth
o. 1928, western Newspaper Union.)

ATSON was a peculiar hon.
bre"-that was agreed be-
tween all the boys at the
works" where he put in
most Of his time at small
jobs. In addition to being
peculiar" as his mates re-
ferred to Watson's scoffing
naturn Watson was NOT in
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-12-13

tains, in desolate little gulch. Pre-
tender had been there only once in his
life, and he always shuddered at the
remembrance, the place had seemed SO
tuncanny and lonely.
Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1923-12-14
.upmObiIe
SALES AND SERVICE
USED CARS
SALES AND SERVICE
USED
Established 1908

Reconditioned and Reprinted if necessary. W
do not misrepresent our used cars. Will max
our word good
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
MISCELLANEOUS SHOWER.

A miscellaneous shower was given
Thursday evening in honor of Mr.. and
Mrs. Archie Adams. at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Casper Adams, on Fire
road. Many varied gifts of silver,
crystal. linen. aluminium, and several
packages containing articles 10 create
merriment, one package consisting of
a box of Old Dutch Cleanser, Bon Ami,
Fels Naptha and Ivory Soap, , Dish
Cloths and ? Floor Rags, were receiv-
ed.
The evening was passed in playing
anne music and dancing, and at a
very late hour the guests departed,
wishing the young couple many years
of happiness and prosperity.
Those, present were Mr.. and Mrs.
Edw. Libby, Mr.. and Mrs. Casper Ad-
ans. Mr.. and Mrs. Philip Bingenheim-
er. Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Barrett, Mr.. and
Mrs. Daniel Lichtenberger, Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Bennett, Mr.. and Mrs.
Chas. Maxwell, Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
Lehman. Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Maxwell,
Mrs. S. ireland, Mrs. Philip Maxwell,
Mrs. Fred Larned, Nellie Larned.
Grace Libby, Julia Adams, Hattie
Clark, Harry Anderson, Jr.. Ernest
Bennett. Pat Brady, Harold Maxwell,
Edward Libby, Jr., and the little folks,
Helen and Francis Bennett, Esther
Maxwell. Thelma Clark, Baby Barbara
Lehman, Chas. Maxwell. Jr.. and Mr..
and Mrs. Archie Adams.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
CLASSBORO BEATEN
BY P. H. S. ELEVEN
Touchdowns by Painter & Grimm
Secure Victory for Mainland
Gridiron Veterans.
SCORE WAS 49,.

Another victory was gained by the
football eleven of the Pleasantville
High School on Friday afternoon,
when they visited Glassboro and de-
feated the High School team there by
a score of thirteen to seven. The
game was one of the fastest played
at Glassboro this season, and there
was a large crowd of roofing students
present from both schools.
Glassboro scored in the first five
minutes of play, when Forbes, captain
and fullback, took the ball thirty
yards on a trick play from kick. for
nation.
Pleasantville evened things up in
the third quarter, when Painter, half
back, took the ball over following a
long forward pass, received by Ware.
Painter Kicked for tse@eztfa goal
making the score Z all.
In the fourth quarter a series OF
line plunges again took the visitors
within scoring distance, and Grimm.
Personalities big fullback, carried
the pigskin over for the extra 6 points
needed to win the game. Painter
missed the try for extra point.
George Albrecht, left end, was fore
ed out of the contest in the third
quarter. Carnesale took his place
and played good football.
Personalities light line and bach
field played one of the best games Of
its season.
The summary:
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
OFFICIALS GIVEN
COOKING EXAMPLE
Domestic Science Class Prepares
and Serves Dinner at New
Decatur Ave. School House.
MARSHALL WAS POSTMASTER.

City officials, members of the Board
of Education and school officials, with
their wives, enjoyed a dinner last Fri
day afternoon prepared by students of
the eighth grade of the new Decatur
building, under the direction
Of Miss Anne Uzzell, teacher of do
nestle science in the city's schools.
The affair celebrated the completion
of the new school.
Each girl who studied domestic sci
ence in the upper class was made re-
sponsible by Miss Uzzell for a ~ccertain
part of the planned dinner, which was
cooked and served without her help,
although under her supervision.
Following the dinner, Warren c.
Marshall, president of the board, acted
as POSTMASTER, and each one present
made a short speech. A tour of the
building was made. All were pleased
with the manner in which the new
school, of which Tillman Johnson is
principal, has been conducted. They
were especially pleased with the din
ner and work of the girls in the grade
that served it.
Those present were: Mayor and
Mrs. Charles E. Jackson, Warren c.
Marshall, president of the Board of
Education; Postmaster and Mrs. Wal
ter w Whitman, Mr.. and Mrs. Louis
D. Champion, DR.. and Mrs. Charles H.
Conover, Webster Price, Prof. and
Mrs. William c.. Sullivan, Mr.. and
Mrs. Tillman Johnson, and Mrs. Car
RE j. Smith, secretary of the Board
of Education.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
Four People Have
Very Narrow Escape
Shore Fast Line Car Wrecks Auto
mobile at Decatur Avenue
Crossing on Saturday.

Four Atlantic City residents had a
very narrow escape from death or
serious injury on Saturday afternoon,
when the automobile in which they
were riding stalled on the tracks of
the Shore Fast Line, at the Decatur
avenue crossing.
Travelling at the rate of As miles an
hour, the motorman of the train was
unable to apply the brakes and bring
his car to a stop until the automobile
had been carried more than $50 feet.
Henry Gerber, q years old, of III
S. New Jersey avenue, first sergeant
in Sanitary Company No. 155 of the
18th [. S. Medical Regiment, was
driving the machine when it was
struck by the train. He did not even
receive a bruise or scratch. although
he was badly shaken by the collision.
DR.. A. S. W~escoat, of 615 Pacific
avenue, and Gerber's two. sons, Austin,
Z years old, and James, 4 years old,
the other occupants of the automobile,
also escaped without serious injury.
The motor car was demolished by
the impact OF the crash. 1t is said
that the motorman of the train, after
leaving Pleasantville failed to notice
the automobile, which was crossing
the tracks neal Risley's laundry.
Gerber's automobile was proceeding
to Atlantic City, while the train vas
bound for Ocean City.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
HleHwAYMAN ATTACKS OFFICER

Patrolman Louis Betterton was bad
~ beaten on Monday night, by a mar
suspected of being a burglar. as the
policeman was making an investiga-
ton at the P~leasantville Bargain
House. Betterton had been called by
Louis Allen, who became suspicious
OF the stranger, who had visited his
store during the day.
As night approached Allen became
further suspicious and notified Better
ton and the inquiry began. Approach
ing the store from the rear the police
man suddenly discovered the man in
hiding.
Quickly reaching for his revolver
the policeman was struck TO the
ground by a terrific blow blow over
his left eye. Blinded by blood he
managed to hang onto his assailant,
who meanwhile employed a blunt in
strument to beat the officer.
A man passing by in an alley heard
the struggle and gave an alarm. The
suspect fed with a score of citizens at
his heels, and several revolver shots
were fired into the darkness. The
man made good his escape along the
railroad tracks.
A description of the suspect indi-
Gates that he was q, young man, clad
in khaki trousers, sneaks, dark coat
and cap. The State Police were noti-
fed and a countrywide search immed-
lately instituted.
Police believe there may be some
connection between this mar and the
one who has been entering houses and
stores at Somers Point recently.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-11-14
Mortified Teacher
Was Badly Injured
Miss Helen Weir Sustained Posi-
BILE Fracture of Hip-Sister
Ruth Also Injured.

In an automobile accident Sunday
night on the Fire road, near Delilah
road. Miss Helen Weir, a school teach
er residing in Mortified, was thrown
from the machine and sustained a pos
sible fracture of the hip, according TO
the diagnosis at the Atlantic City Hos
pital, where she was taken along with
her sister Ruth, who was also badly
hurt. with a possible fracture OF the
skull. In the machine with the girls
was Everett Breckley, a High School
student of Ocean City, who drove the
car, and Herbert McCollum, also Of
Ocean City. The boys were not so
badly hurt.
According 10 those who went 10 the
scene after the accident, It was said
that the machine was making about
twenty-five miles an hour, and when a
soft spot in the road vas struck, the
machine skidded and then turned on
end and rolled into a field, throwing
the occupants out.
1t was stated by the police that
Breckley borrowed the machine from
VIM. Kauterman, of Ocean City, and
later met the two young women and
went on a ride.
The injured schoolboy and the two
young women for several minutes af-
ter being tossed from the machine lay
the boulevard, before another auto
mobile, driven by Gilbert Mathis, of
Pleasantville, came upon the scene,
and picking up the injured sped to the
city hospital.
Later reports from the hospital are
that Miss Helen Weir may be a Grip
pie for life. Her sister has two
cracks in her skull.