davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
The Spirit
ofChristrnas
n
By Robert Stead

Widow Stately II vida
Recognizes the 81 Stately,
Voice Of Freddie home lay il
Freedman a nook In the
Mischief Maker where the '. sum IN
Friend Wit. mornings So ca am m
Satisfied There AZ AZ noon ,oor he snr poured et,
is No Party Of down gently among
the Third Part the evergreens that
clothed the hill
sides of her little farm, and In the eve
nings, before time for sunset on the
plains below, he faded out In yellow
splendor over stark white peaks that
guarded the widows valley from the
west.
The Widow Stately had been q
widow even when she came Into that
little nook In the foothills with her
son Frank, a winsome lad Of fourteen
or thereabouts. Here they had dug
In" with their little herd Of heifers,
and Frank had plowed the valley field
for oats and potatoes, and. with the
help Of carpenter, they had built the
house Of spruce logs where a mountain
stream gurgled lullabies In the still
nights.
At the end Of the six years they
were on their feet. The fields had ex-
tended; the herd had grown; the cream
cans went down to town three times
a week; there was new furniture in
the log house and Tilt of song again
in the widows heart But one new
pang was hers; mother love could not
quite stifle the pang when her hand
some Frank rode out with the yellow
haired Allison girl from south Of the
ridge
At the end of that same six years
came the war. And now the Widow
Stately is doubly a widow. and the
Allison girl is old before her time.
Down the valley a mile or more live
the Freedmans. And Freddie Freed |
man, at fourteen. unhappily runs to
mischief, as the sparks fly upward. |
Was 1t not Freddie who left the Stately
gates open at Halloween? Was it not
Freddie who unbolted the reach in the
widows wagon? Who but Freddie
the front and rear wheels
of her blackboard? Who but Freddie.
shot the wild ducks which she was
tanning, and drank cream In her dairy
when she had gone to town?
And tonight, as a blanket of Christ
mas snow carpets the foothills and the
7alley, the widow returns from town
With her melancholy parcels for Christ
mas cheer. Tonight the fire will burn
m her hearth, and strange visions will
wax and wane in the glow Of embers
'isions Of the First Frank and the Sec
md Frank, and nightmare Of horror
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
World War Cripples
Total 1O,745,OOO

Paris.-The French govern
nent estimates that the number
Of cripples who were victims Of
the World war and still survive
is something more than 10000
900. This total Is estimated on
the number of victims Of the war
; living in Turkey, Bulgaria, the
Baltic states, Portugal, Hungary
and Japan, calculated to be over
100000 and the 7,745,OOO pen
stoned cripples officially an
nounced from other states as fol-
lows:
Germany, 1,o37,OOO; Australia.
100000; Austria, $4,000; Bel
GUM, $1,000; Canada, 5000;
United States, $4,000; Finland,
10000; France, 100000; Great
Britain, 1,170.OOO; Italy, 100000;
Poland. 10000; Rumania, 1O0,-
900; Kingdom Of the Serbs,
Croats and Slovenes, $4,000;
Russia, 775,OOO; Cxschoslovakfa,
$4,000; New Zealand, 10000.
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
THE HOUSE OF CHRISTMAS

To an open house in tho evening
Home shall men come,
To an older place than Eden
And taller town than Rome
To the end of the way OF tho wandering
star,
To the things that cannot be and that
are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home.
q. X. Chesterton
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28

were seated on the sofa together. They
shook out their stockings into a mu-
tual heap and began to unite the
strings and rip off the seals.
Look here" said the sober man
sternly, how did anyone know
wanted that book?" and he held out
thin, leather-bound volume toward
Vesta.
you said you did, once last sum-
mer," answered Vesta little shyly.
Caesars ghost - he whlstled, land
you remembered?
Eyes" nodded vesta.
This affirmation seemed to concern
the sober man very much.
"WhyT' he asked after a moments
consideration.
"Oh," replied the girl. II just wanted
you to have what you wanted
to havel"
This afforded the sober man more
food for thought.
II didn't even know you we're aware
Of my existence. l used to bet with
myself that II 1t came to pinch and
you had to Introduce me, you could not
tell my name. You're so popular, and
that sort Of thing that I thought"
he was unable to finish.
Vesta made gesture as II she threw
caution to the winds. "Listen to me-"
she said you're the most interesting
person here; hated not ever having
a word with you about books. That's |
one reason l had this party. hoped |
you'd talk to me little. You always |
looked so bored when I came in, and |
1 was sorry. I'm not so frivolous as
seem. My father-the man playing /
Santa Olaus-is owner Of the London
Book Shop here; I'm working there
Just to learn something of the bust
ness. It's Dad who's really back Of
the party. just did the suggesting.
He's a perfect old dear wanted to
try being regular shop girl, so I came
here to board. and It's been the great
est fun. did not mean to deceive
people too much, but really"-here she
permitted herself tiny gurgle Of
Billings got so fright
fully interested In a man who was
paying me such attention, and of
course 1t was no one but Dad, who
came now and then to give me some
pleasure at the theater or con-
cert
She stopped from lack Of breath.
The sober man beamed. You would
never believe that an expression could
,hange the way his did. II was like
1 dawning, q new light spread upon
lis face.
What happened after this Is almost
90 confusing for description
Santa unmasked and was introduced
o everybody. Such a thanking and
Such a happy, laughing
,roup! Miss Billings discovered she
ould play the piano and Mr.. Blaine
wung out first with Mrs. Cummings.
no huttered like a girl at her nrst I.
'arty. The rest whirled in with great :
eryor.
If anyone had been looking sharply .
or the happiest couple, I think Vesta i
nd the sober man would have been d
elected. What he said to her is no o.
ody's business. nor what she an a,
wered-and yet they seemed to have Il
ettled something very happily. n
q 1919. Western Newspaper Uniea.l
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28

denied it. OF the seven places at tie
table one was vacant. that belonging
to Vesta Blaine.
Miss Blaine" continued Miss Cum
mines a little wistfully, ALWAYS has
such delightful time at holidays. She
has so many pleasant acQuaintanees
And of course" she hesitated to give
emphasis to what was coming, "she Is
getting a good deal Of attention from
that young man"
No one had any comments to make,
But serious-faced man at the other
end of the table seemed to be very
grave indeed he bent a concentrated
regard upon his plate, as though the
contents might yield some secret whic.,,
he hunted.
"A real Christmas Eve!" chanted
Vesta Blaine. Her eyes were like stars;
her cheeks bright with color; she
looked like a flower set down in a veg
etable garden. The other hoarders
were bit older, bit more tired, bit
1isilusioned; they drank their sun
shine from the exuberant girl, and won
dered how she could come home M
night still bubbling with high spirits
md fun
'It's snowing!" continued Vesta.
darting a smile at the sober man, who
apparently was not aware of his good
fortune, for he never looked up. "That
soft sift of feathers that comes down
ike like"-she hunted for an
adequate simile-"like prayers of the
angels! Only prayers are supposed To
20 up, aren't they!" she laughed al
her own conceit. "The trees are like
jIleams behind white wells, and the |
street lamps are orange moons love |
II. Do pass me the butter, somebody |
I'm hungry enough to eat shredded |
Everybody did their best to ma,
vesta comfortable, even the scrap of
naid who waited on the table. Miss
Blaine offered her pepper and s@!l
vice, and the landlady asked If sh
referred her roast beef well or me.
lium done
I'm going to a party tonight - N
ounced Vesta after a few mouthfuls
o fortify her wants, "the very best
'arty ever perpetrated."
Miss Billings smiled her interest and
sked where.
''Oh, not very far from here; and
he paused, looking around the table
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
AT CHRISTMAS TIME

We ring the bells and We raise the
strain,
We hang up garlands everywhere
And bid the tapers twinkle fair.
And feast and frolic-and then we 90
Back to the same old lives again.
susan Coolidge.
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
RING OUT

Ring outi Ring out! ye happy bells.
and make q Joyous lay,
For Christ the child has come to Us
and we would have him stay;
Make ev'ry hill and valley ring, hli
earth and sky with cheer,
For we who have received the Christ
would show him welcome here.
F. H. Sweet
@, 1928, Western Newspaper Union.)
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
BITTER.sWEETs

An attractive variety of candles may
De made by dipping sweet fruits In
bitter chocolate. Use for this purpose
1ates, citron, candied orange peel or
crystallized fruit Melt unsweetened
chocolate In double boiler. Keep ths
chocolate just warm enough to pee-
vent solidifying. With your wire DIP
ping spoon dip pieces Of fruit u choco-
late. See that each pieos u CON
pletely coated. then remove to waxsA
paDog to hardoo.
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28

States from for
0tgn gov or a.
ments. That 10
t b Q possibility
that such action
would aid in re-
establishing q for
otgn N ar k o t
which will absorb
our surplus prod
ucts.
1t is possible, Of
course, for the
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
REAuT|ES--AND THE
ALLIED DEBT PROBLEM
By WALTER w. HEAD,
President, American Bankers Asso.
olatIon.

. As q business proposition there 70
Just one reason for considering = re-
casting of the balances due the United
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28

the interval be-
tween two string
beans. Miss Bill
lings observed 10
the rest of the din
ers that 1t was nice
to have friends at
this sea son. No one
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28
Why he Sober
Man Did Smile
b. MARTHA 3. THOMAS

+. WAS Christ
mas Eve at
III RS. Cu;i-
ningS' board
ing house. In
The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-12-28

IL w d o "
S t a I e ly's
home lay in
a nook In the
e. othi Ills
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
O'ROURKE
TO PLENTYWOOD

Rev. w. p. O'Rourke, for the past
four years pastor of st. Anthony!s
Church Of Culbertson, left last week
for Plentywood where he will take ov-
er the charge of Fir. Hennessy, form
erly of the Culbertson church who will
90 to Sidney. FIR. Curtin of Sidney
will come to Culbertson.
Fir. -O'Rourke has made many friend
in the years spent at CulbertsOn who
will regret the necessity of his move
In the brief letter we received from
him the first of the week at Plenty
wood he thanks us for the courtesles
extended him in the past four years.
This has always been a pleasure for
us and we do not think that we are en-
titled to any great thanks in this mat
ter.-Culbertson Searchlight.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
NIGGER MINSTRELS
TOMORROW NIGHT
Local Musical Comedy VIII Be Performed at the Orpheum
Theatre There VIII Be Lots of Fun-Everybody In Pen
wood and the Country Side VIII Attend
PROCEEDS WILL co TO THE PLENTYwoOD BAND

The Nigger Minstrel and Musical
Comedy will show at the Orpheum,
Saturday March 18th The main show
will be in the evening, but there will
be a matinee in the afternoon at 2:30
sharp. General admission is so cents
but the children will be admitted for
fifteen cents. The evening show viii
start at 8 o'clock sharp. No one will
be seated after opening time except
during band selections. Reserved
seats are now on sale at Millers' Drug
Store for IS cents. After the show
there will be a big dance
The Nigger Minstrel, known to
fame as King Kezekus, is a show
made up of local talent and it is re-
ported to be a very clever perform
ance with lots Of life, action and mus
ic, both chorus singing and solos, du-
cts, and quartets, in which only local
histronic talent will participate.
The entertainment is given as a
benefit for the Plentywood Band. An
effort is being made to develop and
promote a band that will be a credit
to northeastern Montana, besides a
pleasure to the people of PlentywOod.
The promoters of the minstrel an
ticipate packed house tomorrow
night.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
TRYING TO GET
DEMONSTRATION
TRAIN ON BRANCH

thousands of farmers in Northern
Montana have been inspired bv tbei,.
visit to the Farm Success De mon
stration Train which will be in Wolf
Point March 20, Poplar, March 80 and
Culbertson, March 81. Not onlv that
but these same farmers or a large DER
cent OF them have received practical
information demonstrated on this
train that viii make man labor much
more efficient thus cutting down labor
operating costs.
Such things as the 12 horse hitch.
all kinds of homemade weeders and
tlllage implements and all physical
things that have been responsible for
the success of the small number Of
farmers in Central northern Montana
will be on exhibition and farmers who
have made or operated them will be
right there to expain.
This train is the result of the Farm
Success Survey conducted by M. L.
Wilson in Chouteau, Hill, Liberty and
IoOle County which is recognized as
about the most arid portion of Mon
tana. In that section a small per cent
OF the farmers were found to be max
ing good labor incomes. This was at
trlbuted to the fact that each of these
successful farmers had adapted him
self to the climate through some par
ticular method of tillage, cultivation
diversifcation, or abor saving device
All of these will be demonstrated by
the train.
M. L. Wilson who conducted this
survey, will be in charge of the train
and will give an illustrated lecture in
each town which vii demonstrate and
expain certain factors which cannot
be carried by the train.
Farmers have come hundreds OF
miles from inland sections and ever
across the international Boundary "a
look at and study the things shown.
It is believed that even if farmers
are in the field at the time the trair
visits the county it will be a very
good investment to knock off and take
it in.
This train is put on by the Mon
tana Extension Service while tho
Great Northern Railroad is furnishing
the cars and transportation.
Every effort is being made to get
the train to come to Sheridan anc
Daniels counties which will give the
farmers Of this territory an opportu
nifty of seeing it.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
William Allen
CrO Osses Divide
PIONEER SETTLER OF THE RAY
MOND TERRITORY DIES AT
THE HOME OF HIS NEPHEW,
SHERIFF SALISBURY FRIDAY.

VIM. j. Allen, uncle Of Sheriff Rod
ney Salisbury, pioneer settler in he
Raymond country expired at the home
Of Sheriff Salisbury in Plentywood
last Friday evening, after a long lin
gering illness as the result Of Brights
disease. The deceased had been un-
conscious for several hours before dis
solution and was in that condition at
the time of his death.
The funeral was held at the resi-
dence of Sheriff Salisbury, Rev. Boone
of the Congregational church saying
the brief funeral ceremony. A choir
composed of A. J. Moore, Martin Nell
son, Mrs. A. j. Moore and Miss Wheel
er sang an appropriate hymn. Oscar
Collins, Chas. E. Taylor, John O'Gra-
dy, Tom Liedahl, VIM. Cookery and
Ole Moe acted as pail bearers. Mar
tin Nelson directed the funeral. IN
terment was made after a simple ser
vice at the Plentywood Cemetery.
The deceased was a very respected
pioneer citizen who has lived in this
vicinity for many years and he had a
host of friends. Earlier in the winter
he met with misfortune when the
house, the Salisbury house, in which
he and Mrs. Allen were living at
Raymond burned, destroying their
furniture and considerable money
which they had in their possession
since which time Mr.. and Mrs. AlleT
have been residing with their nephew
! Sheriff Salisbury.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
VIM. MQrtenSOn Dies
At Medicine Lake
BROTHER-IN-LAW OF COUNTY
SURVEYOR HANS RASMUSSEN
SUCCUMBS TO HEART FAIL
URE AFTER SHORT ILLNESS.

William Mckinley Mortensen, bro
ther-in-law of County Surveyor Hans
Rasmussen, barber at Medicine Lake,
died suddenly Tuesday, March 18th at
eleven o'clock as a result of heart fail
ure. Mortensen was up and about un-
til near ten o'clock when he complain
ed to his wife of feeling bad and laid
down on couch. He soon commenc-
ed to roll, and Mrs. Mortensen, be-
coming frightened at her husbands
appearance, called the doctor, but be-
fore the doctors arrival, the young
man had expired.
The unfortunate young man was
only twenty-one vars old at the time
of his death and he leaves to mourn
his untimely death, a young wife and
a eleven month old baby girl.
The funeral was held at the Danish
Lutheran Church at Dagmar and in
terment was made at the Danish Luth
ern burying ground near the church,
Friday, March 10Th. There was a
large funeral and the Danish Luther
anPastor read the service.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
PLAN TO REPEAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
Is KILLED BY GOVERNOR DTXONS VETO

peal it would be a decided step back
ward.
"Under the workings of the old
system we know how
many times the expressed desire of
the people themselves as to who
should be their nominees for public 20
sition was deliberately thwarted by
the control of conventions by some
special interest for its own selfish
purpose.
Il know of no popular demand from
the rank and file of the people of Mon
tana for the repeal of the law so re-
Gently enacted by themselves for exer-
cising this fundamental power Of gov
ernment. My own judgment is that a
majority of the people of Montana
would even go a step farther and
nominate their candidates for presi-
dent in a direct nationwide primary
without intervention of national con
vention.
''The cost OF printing and distrib-
uting copies of the bill alone for thus
forcing upon the people of the state
a second referendum upon a question
that they themselves have so recently
determined to the contrary by a vote
Of about three to one will bring ar
added cost of more than $4,000.
Believing that I would be derelict
in my own duty if I became even Z
passive party to such a proceeding
transmit the bill in question without
my approval and with my reasons
therefor.
'YOurs, very respectfully,
"Joseph M. Dixon, Governor"
Montana Record-Herald.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16

The Montana Federation of Labor
in State Convention Assembled at
Great Falls on the 9Th, 9Th, and 7th of
March, went on record as being in
sympathy with the miners at Herrin,
Illinois, who are now on trial for the
defending Of their wives and families
from a bunch of imported thugs and
killers in the employ Of strike break
ing detective' agencies, and the incl
dental killing of a number of these
professional murders and rapers and
when not employed breaking strikes,
bank robbers and highwaymen, last
summer, and to show their sympathy
for them in the persecution that is
being heaped upon them as a punish
ment for their summary dealings with
professional labor murderers, passed
the following resolutions which were
sent to the miners at Herrin:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it is a recognized fact
that the United Mine Workers OF
America stand for the rights Of every
worker in their battle against organ
lied greed; and,
WHEREAS, during the 1922 strike
at Herrin, H., the miners defended
their right to strike, as guaranteed by
the laws of the land, while the coal
companies, with the knowledge Of fec
eral authorities, employed armed fore
es for the express purpose of break
ing the strike, even though. it We're
necessary to murder to accomplish
purpose; and,
WHEREAS, he miners of that sec
ton did not pripose to be tamely mut-
dered and righfully defended them
selves and their families; and,
WHEREAS, many of our brothers
are now facing charges of murder
arson and similar crimes; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, by this convention
that we extend to our brothers at Hel
rim, H., our greetings and earnesr
wishes for a speedy acquittal., Re
spectfully,
(Signed) JOE BOSONE,
GEO. w. SMITHERS,
4. J. DULEY,
Committee
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
SUPREME COURT SUS-
TAINS JUDGE GREEN

Reports from Poplar are to the
effect that the Supreme Court Of the
State of Montana has sustained the
decision of Judge Green enjOining the
moving of the county seat from Pop
lar to Wolf Point until the final hear
ing In the county seat contest case.
This decision is a blow to Wolf Point
who had high hopes of dissOlving
this injunction Immediately and NOV
ing the county seat at once to that
town. The decision means that Pop
lar will keep the county seat for an
other year at least and maybe always,
although it looks like hard game TO
win for Poplar.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
+TprAN LEGION MEETING And
.TOEER TO BE HELD AT PLENTYWOOD

members, general public
Or elsewhere, are in
- meeting and smoker.
Legion men win be pres
Ia s. Lanport, State Ad-
th him the personnel
veterans Bureau a Contant
~ nan, an Insurance man.
Examiner
rr-ssrvice man has any
-.Istive to claims be sure
this meeting This is a
-. Tegions work and every
+ the PlentywOod Post
that every ex-serviee man
Of the country be present
- A general invitation Is
.sBv PlentywOod Post to all ex
m whether members Of the
rot-we want you with US
.-.,ortant meeting. The rep
- If the Veterans Bureau
t.-s from Monday morning,
s-5 untl Tuesday afternoon
W You viii have plenty of
..rt things over while these
I. us With US.
rs attendance is expected be-
- an the posts in eastern Mon
= invited, these are posts at
- Lake, Outlook, Westby,
,r5 Scobey. Ex-service men,
\ together and make this a real
u affair. If you have not taken
mi Legion card be there and
.ns
I. sslieve that there is much in
-.tsn relative to the Legion, it's
4 an it's program and the func-
ri Of the Veterans Bureau which
Il b Of interest and Importance
u public generally. If you want
rT what the Legion is doing and
b 70 do be there and get this in
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
BIG SMALLPOX SCARE

The business interests of Plen- >
tywoOd have been promoted con- :
siderably during the past week by >
the posting of small pox signs on :
the door of any house where a >
kid happened to be sick with :
something without the doctors
taking pains to find out what the 4
trouble was. Maybe they would
not know if they did try. They
just shortened labors by going to
the school and finding out who
were out Of school and posting
notices on the doors of the par
ents of those children. In a few
days these doctors will go about
and fumigate and then watch out
for the several thousand dollars
the treasury will be tapped for
to pay for this funigation and
the bill will be paid, in spite of
the fact that the health officer is
on a regular salary. In the mean
time the farmers are avoiding
= PlentywOod with its reported few
ers and plaques and going else
where to do their trading. How
= ever the doctors will make a fine
+ thing out of it. The public will
= observe that when small pOx was
Z first discovered there was no par
ticular stir. 1t was only after the
village was well exposed did the
= officers get busy.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-16
DIXON APPROVES
2-CENT GAS TAX;
MAKES BILL A LAW

Governor Dixon Friday after
noon approved and signed 81. B.
> 354, known as the gasoline tax
" bill which provides for a tax of
> two cents a gallon for all gasO-
= line consumed in Montana. This
was one of the measures passed
by the last legislative session.
The measure provides that the
revenues derived through this
tax shall be distributed, 40 per
cent to the general fund, 20 per
cent for the use of the state high
way commission and 40 per cent
to the school fund.