davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
I|I35 = sl)(Il
a. wy
A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

The greater happiness of the Christ
mas season is direct result of the
greater participation of men and wo-
men in the spirit of Christ. For then
weakness has power over strength ;
and then the laughter in the eyes of
little children seems a better thing
than our own good; and then the tired
routine in the lives of those around us
looks out upon us through enigmatic
eyes, and we understand better, we
pity, we cease to condemn-we would
even ameliorate, we would show that
we see and understand-and so we
offer the dumb gift which mutely tells
what our words could never tell; and
then in our hearts, in our households,
in our little world, there is Christmas
joy and earth's highest happi-
ness.-Sister M. Fides Shepperson in
pittsburgh Dispatch.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

hit by submarine or something, while
his sister intensified the situation by
wondering aloud If they would ever see
him again.
Both of these auguries, so unsuited
to Christmas Eve, were interrupted,
however, by the arrival Of the parcel
postman and the deposit Of an inn
mense and promising package, bear
ing in large letters direction to Mrs.
P. Peters. With no clue as to the
sender the family naturally concluded
the various and valuable assortment
that was revealed to investigation to
be an evidence Of fatherly consider
alton and the advance agent of the
returning traveller. Joy came out with
all the other things, and cheer took the
place of chagrin.
Farther up the street and behind a
door bearing the name Of Paul Peters
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

there was another household that was
not as sunny as it should have been.
A letter had come-but a bundle had
failed to come. The letter program
of delight, the bundle a disappoint-
ment. Uncle Joshua had known their
wants by a marvellous instinct, but
where was the bundle? Alas! the 9TH
er things were as nothing for the lack
of it and Christmas morning dawned
upon discomfort.
But before the morning had quite
disappeared Fred came rushing in with
the news that he had seen that Peters
boy in the next block with sled
bearing the same name as the one men
toned by Uncle Joshua. II didn't
know there was Peters boy in the
next block" said his mother; "Pll go
down and see if they can tell us any
thing about our bundle"
They could, and the mystery was
very easily solved by the explanation
Of the postman at the wrong door,
making a very pardonable mistake.
An explanation that led indeed to a
redistribution Of gifts and also to a
discovery of relationships. for the Pc
ters families found each other out, as
less than a block apart In family ties
and friendIiness. A discovery that
was the very best Christmas gift that
they could have had and which led
them to think that the wrong door was
al right after all.
1t proved way out fer the p. Pc
terses and way in for the Paul Pc
terses until Pa Peters of the first
part put in an appearance through it
in time for New Years with such an
account of himself and his adventures
as proved highly satisfactory to all the
combined hopes and plans Of all the
PeterseS.
fN 1929 Uasferu Nayvsnanar TTnionN
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
N9'
DESERT HOLLY

Though not profuse enough for gen.
eral gathering at Christmas time, and
not as suitable as the regular holly for
matchmaking purposes, the desert
holly (Perezia nana) of the Southwest
is peculiar little plant with stiff,
smooth, dull bluish-green leaves with
prickly edges, like holly leaves, but
not so stiff. The plant bears one light
purplish-pink flower, the head about
an inch long, with purplish bracts.
The plant grows but two or three
inches high, and looks somewhat like
a little sprfg stuck in the sand. An
other plant with bluish-white leaves
and enormously called desert holly"
is sometimes used for wreaths on the
Pacific coast.-C. f. Wadsworth.
(@. 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
HER CHRISTMAS TRIP

The family were going away for
Christmas to their old home in the
beautiful country which they loved so
much. They hadn't gone back at
Christmas time for ever and ever so
long.
They said, at first, they would give
their faithful, wonderful cook a check
and a holiday, and then they asked
her if she would like the Christmas
trip as her Christmas present.
Would she indeed? Just because
she was no longer a child it didn't
mean that she couldn't enjoy as a
child!
She went and she loved it all-even
the over-crowded trains, the hurrying
masses of people in the damned sta
tions-for wasn't it her Christmas
trip?
She, too, was part of the great
holiday travel I'M. G. Bonner
CO. 1924. WeG4srn Newspaper Union-l
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

little agent of the loneliness in her
heart and of the little girl she had
lost in the long ago, and of how emp
ty her life had been ever since. And
when she had finished she asked the
girl if she would not stay with her
through the Christmas time, and there
was a genuine appeal in her eyes and
in her voice as she did SO.
And so, because the spirit vt Christ
mas was abroad and made itself felt
those two lonely souls who needed
each other sorely were brought to-
gether and made happy, and when
Christmas had passed and gone they
found that their need of each other
was still great and the short visit
that the little agent was supposed to
make became permanent.
20 1928, Observation-Disclosures Union)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

are in the parlor now.
He had lust come from there now,
after being told that Dick and Stella
had gone to town. The jealousy that
was getting at his heart grew more
bitter each moment, and so much old
it possess him that he could not go
about his work.
Jumping into his little car again he
made his way along the smooth coun-
try road until he reached Trenton.
There he found that the town was full
Of Christmas shoppers and that there
was little chance of his running across
Stella and Dick, even though they
should still be there.
He wandered aimlessly around for
an hour and watched the crowds as
they came and went, noticing particu-
larly the young men of his own age
They were hurrying in and out OF
stores and nearly always on the out
coming trip they were carrying pack
ages. He could see them through the
windows at times making their pur-
chases-candy, flowers, jewelry and
other things-and they all seemed so
happy about it. They were buying
them for mothers, or wives or sweet
hearts, he thought.
Swift as a flash the realization came
to him that never during all the years
that he had courted Stella Thompson
had he given her gift-not even at
Christmas. What had been the mat
ter with him? He had just never
stopped to think-no wonder that
Stella had turned from him to Dick
Carpenter. What a fool he had been
to think that affection could live and
thrive with the little thought that he
had given it! He wondered if it was
too late now to make amends-at least
he could make an effort and try.
That evening when he called at the
Thomson home and asked for Stella
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

receive any answer from George. He
might at least have told me he
couldn't come"
noise in the large hall of the settle
ment house, where people of all ma
tionalities were crowding in. The pro-
gram began at the hour stated. Be-
fore long Esther heard her name am
nounced and stepped onto the plat
form with her pianist.
Gazing at the audience, while she
awaited the pianist, her wandering
glance fell upon a familiar face. 1t
could not be, but yet, in recognition, he
smiled. It was Georgel
"The old DEAR" and then, in tha
same breath, she murmured, "Oh.
God, l thank thee for the power Of
breath, the desire to live with which
you have invested me, and, dear Lord,
for George ~
She threw back her head with an
exalted air. George was going to hear
her sing. She must do more than her
best.
Never did she sing with such spirit
and vigor. She seemed truly inspired.
Her cup of joy was full. The burst OF
applause which met her ears showed
the thorough appreciation of her audi
ence for her efforts.
She couldn't get to George fast
enough after the entertainment Meet
ing, they both seemed perfectly oblivi-
GUS of the crowds about them as he
gathered her in his arms.
ESTHER, you were simply divine. Your
voice was wonderful. never heard you
sing like that before" Some one
tapped him on the arm. It was Mary.
"But, George" said Esther, WriggIing
out Of his grasp, realizing that they
were creating quite scene, why
didn't you tell me you were coming"
Didn't you get my telegram with an
the good news in it7 Well, listen.
then" George said, excitedly. II
brought my boss along He has heard
so much about your voice-Mr. Will
Hanson, meet Miss Esther Hislop and
her friend, Miss Mary Roner, Mr.. Will
hanson. He is very interested in your
NOlCO--ln 4dCbs liz A4cS q PAORVSAtAVA -
put before you" ~
Esther slipped her arm about Mary
and put her other arm through
Georges. She needed support
my idea was this" began Mr.. Will
hanson, "for me to send you to New
York for training for a year or so; be-
ing near my place of business, you
could report often as to your progress.
sand I will be near George, too,
thought Esther. But, aloud, she said.
81 will have to take Mary. She is my
inspiration always. couldn't do with
out her."
"Then," proceeded Mr.. Williamson,
81 want to send you abroad and finish
you off as an opera singer"
"All out!" shouted the tanitor, rather
peevishly.
"Come up to the house." Esther put
in. "This Is so wonderful, want to
talk it over some more. George, isn't
it wonderful We will be in New York
together. Oh, what glorious Christ
mast"
20, 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
sss&5SrS '1f<44 ~ -.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

aren't artists enough to supply the de-
mand. Now you know"
Eyes, she wants me to sing, l sup
pose, but am horribly out of prac-
hce. T."
ooh, hush never knew it to fail.
That is what they all start out with.
! took the liberty to tell her you would
be glad to do 1t, So"
II surely will do my best. will be-
gin to practice this very night. / will
see Mrs. Young tomorrow about the
songs she wants me to sing. Do you
suppose George would come down to
hear me sing, and then maybe stay
over for Christmas?'
1t was the night of the entertain
ment and the girls were putting the fin
fishing touches to their dressing when
Esther suddenly broke the silence.
II think It is so queer that I didn't
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

laughingIy. "Where have you been,
Mary"
tits rather long story" replied
Mary, as she removed her wraps, hang
Ing them in the one and only little
clothes closet the boarding house room
afforded. This was already filed to the
bursting point, needless to add.
do you remember my speaking of
a Miss Young?'
Esther nodded in assent.
II met her when I was a stenog-
rapher at the settlement house. you
know. She tells me she is still in that
work. l think 1t so queer that
should meet her like this after our con-
versation last night. Now, Miss Esther,
I am coming to the point. You recol-
lect saying that you were so blue be-
cause it was almost Christmas and you
had no home to go to, no money to give
to make some one happy, and you
couldn't go to see George because you
hadn't the railroad fare! Well''-and
Mary paused for breath-"now, here is
your chance to show how much you
meant all this. Mrs, Young was telling
me her troubles"
"Oh, Mary, how awful /" and Esther
burst out laughing as she threw her
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
-
Christmas Seems
Worth While

OH Christmas is a nuisance,
~ We sometimes think and Say
Such a lot of work and Vorry
sSJSf for one short day!
Rdrd-eGTned money Squandered.
Weary heads and feet-
Useless giving, SenseIeSS StrfUi71
In the struggle to compete!
Yet, on Christmas morning.
When we hear the cEliEdren,S cries.
Rdfding HtfLe stockings
In r1pfHreS of surprise:
When We open parcels
That loving hands have sVr0pf.
Seems Ike springs of Kindness
In our hearts are tapped.
Seems our thoughts grow ge1tEsgs
More tender Is the smile!
Yes, on Christmas morning,
Christmas seems worth gcI1iLe.
Ella BisseH CH0tfeEd
In Farm Life
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

s u ply train.
Three months had
pa s s e d without
word or remit
lance from t h e
head Of the FAM
lily. This added
the perils of pow
erty to the pains
of absence and
made the Christ
mas outlook de
CT d e ID y shady.
Young Peters add
ed to his mothers
anxiety by re
marking that his
dads business trip
must have been
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
sdH) +
A PAINFUL EXPERIMENT

Having his Christmas joke, Harry
Simpkins changed the road sign just
a little, to more perfectly express his
holiday sentiment. The reading had
been, $50 Slow. School Ahead" but
when Harry left it the wording ran
go Slow To School Ahead" But
afterwards the teacher taught Harr,
that this was too much.-O. q
Hazard.
IA 1898. Western Newspaper Union.l
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
THE KINDLY STAR

YHE little boy wRs afraid of
Olthe dark, but, as he looked
out through the low window,
upon the panes of which Mr..
Frost was making his pictures,
he saw a bright star that was
waking at him with a most
friendly and assuring light. It
shone through his tears and
seemed to say that 1t would
watch over his sleep. So he shut
his eyes. and, sitting his sobs,
the better to hear the carol sing
ers across the street. was safely
away to slumber and a dream.
The dream lady looked like his
mother. all dressed in a robe that
glistened and sparkled like snow,
and she was bringing him the
hope of his heart, the sled that
was to take him so delightfully."-
down the hill. And when he
woke so early on Christmas
morning he found that his dream
had come true!-Christopher G.
Hazard.
20. 1923. western Newspaper union.)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

tender than usual, or it might be due
to the fact that this agent was young
and had sort of wistful appeal about
her, or 1t might be because she was so
different from the others that had
come and lacked the unending flow of
words they had all seemed to possess,
but whatever was the cause Bertha
Prescott did-an unheard of thing for
her-She invited the agent into the
house and actually asked her out into
the coy kitchen to have lunch with her.
"Poor DEAR" she was saying to her
self a few minutes later, "she must
have been actually hungry. And 1
came very close to not letting her in"
After lunch was finished Bertha
drew from the girl little of her story
illness, the loss Of her position, and
finally her trying her hand at selling
books. Through it all Bertha could
see the brave spirit of the girl and the
untold hardships that she had endured
during the time since her illness. She
could also detect how near to despair
the little agent had been when she
came to her door.
Then Bertha Prescott did another un-
heard of thing for her-she told the
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

the runnlng-IQr
Dick Carpenter
had come back
from the city.
Stella seemed to
have eyes for him
only and Clifford
saw very little of
her. It seemed
as If no matter
what time he
called he could
not find her there
her mother al
ways met him
with the same re-
mark: "She just
left with Dick, )"
or "Dick and she
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

gasp as he placed a large bouquet Of
roses in her arms, and before she could
recover from the surprise which this
occasioned Clifford. had asked her the
all-important question and she had an
swered ''yes."
Clifford always thought through the
years that followed that their happt-
ness was due to that holiday trip he
made to town, but Stella g mother often
smiled to herself as she thought how
she used the vain little Carpenter boy
to awaken Clifford.
20. 1923. western Newspaper UniOn.)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

arms about Mary
and gave her a
hug. ''You old
dear |"
She said, " pro-
ceeded Mary, as
though nothing
had happened,
''she was giving a
big entertainment
for her settlement
folks Christmas
eve. She was hav-
ing a hard time.
getting artists. 1t
seems that there
are so many of.
these things going
on that there
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

the refusal that
Mrs. Thompson
was going to ut
ter died upon her
lips as she saw
the change in him.
The easy-going,
half-hearted Cliff
ford Winters of
the past was gone
and in his place
was an aggres-
S1ve, QulcK-SpOken
fellow who acted
as If he would not
be denied. And
when Stella her
self came along
she could only
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
JUST THE USUAL THING

Mrs. sun-What 90 you expect for
Christmas, Mrs. Moon?
Mrs. Moon (wearllyl-Oh, just the
usual things. A set Of satellites; star
earrings, a gray-cloud scarf and that
old, everlasting dipper that never
wears out Pm. B. Thomas.
20. 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

ones who had
come had been
for all the world
Ike a talking ma
chine that had
been wound up
and the only way
of stopping them
was to be posi-
lively rude. This
one must be diff
ferent, B er t h a
thought.
Perhaps it was
that it was near
ly Christmas time
and that Bertha
Prescot's h e ar t
was a bit more
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
BUT ONCE A. YEAR

At Christmas play. and make good
cheer,
For Christmas comes but once q year
--TusseR.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
- sss8RD " 49, ''''sz' =
Bringing in the Yule
Log for a Merry Feast

T~7NE of the most delightful of the
Ia Christmas ceremonies was bring
ing in the Yule-log. According
NiS91 to an English writer, this was
a massive piece of wood, fire.
Quently the rugged and grotesquely
marked root of a tree. 1t was drawn
through the forest with shouting and
laughter, while each wayfarer rever-
emily saluted it, since he knew it to
be full of good promises and that in
it's flames would be burnt out old
wrongs and heart-burnings. AS it
came into the great hall, the living
room Of the old castle, each member
of the family sat upon or saluted it
in turn, and sang a Yule-song, after
which all drank to a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year. A fayorit6
Yule-song began with:
Welcome be We that are here,
Welcome all, and wake good cheer,
Welcome al, another year,
Welcome Yule.
IF. H Sweet.
%. 1928, Western Newspaper Union.)
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
Presents Dere at
the Dronq Door
Bu cHRlsTopHER g. HAZARD

Postman's IN HO can ten
,r-,.n.,..l Wy what is on
Nt'OloN0 Noo0" IL the other side
in a Happy of door?
Christmas for the This one fronted on
o.. r--.;,;a. a pleasant street
teeo.0 e and seemed to in
gite one into happy home. Its plate
said that P. Peters lived there, and the
door mat said "Welcome." But Mrs.
Peters and the children would nave
been rather dismayed that winter day
had visitors rung the door bell, Tor
things were not quite all right with
the Peters family. The cuckoo, from
his perch in the clock, announced the
hours with his customary cheerfuiness
and polite bow, but failed to dissipate
the atmosphere of gloom that seemed
to fill the house like fog. The voice
IN the kitchen, ordinarily of jolly
character, had sunk into minor key
aid sent out a sort of S. 0. S. message
In the words of the old song:
'.Moon run down to de settin' oh de sun
And de sun refuse to shine
The sunset in the Peters home had
been caused by the cutting off of their
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

Hard labor has its recompenae. rest
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
Happy With Her
Christmas Gifts
By ELEANOR KING
By ELEANOR KING

Young Singers }H|lEaLaL.to., -, Es saras
Yuletide Songs * tonight toni,
Assured Her Of rs yes, by
Training for ten minutes.
Opera N.Y. but but some me. folks o. 5
lpuoh;nrIx ssJXTboro bovo xvo1, hooT
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20
Christmas Spirit
Made Itself Felt
Bv MARION FRANCES HAMILTON

Lonely Woman Nm NE of those
Spread Yuletide V poster IL n g g
Cheer by Giving again I
Girl Agent a bet" Ber-
Hanrv Home tina Prescott mutt
tered to herself as
the door bell pealed just as she was
about ready to sit down to lunch. I
have a mind not to answer It all,
have"
But she did answer it, just as soon
as she had lowered the fire under the
bubbling coffee pot, to find that her
surmise was correct. 1t was an agent
who rang the bell, and worst of all.
q book agent.
She spoke as soon as the door had
opened few inches and before Bertha
had time to frame the words that were
on her lips. "Mightn't I sell you
copy of this little book today? The
cost is only fifty cents and you will
6nd it well worth the price"
Not many words, coming from an
agent, Bertha thought. Heretofore the
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

NE of those
poster i n g
a g g Mt $
a g ain /
bet, " Ber-
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-12-20

CT T T 0 r D
WINTERS
was jealous.
He W o u d
not have ad-
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-02-22
HOW TO SAVE
MONEY WHEN
SHOPPING
By MRS. HARLAND H. ALLEN
BUYING MATERIALS BY
THE YARD
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ID. 1s22. Harland b. allen.

They tell us that we women shoppers
spend billion dollars every year for
textile materials alone. Yet many
women know next to nothing about Sc
lecting materials, and that is why
there are too many poor and adulterat-
ed goods on the shelves. 1t is the
presence of these cheap and inferior
materials which makes it so hard for
the woman who wants to get value re-
ceived for her money.
When buying materials by the yard,
there are several points that the care
full purchaser ought to keep in mind.
Before setting out on your shopping
trip you should know exactly the
amount of material needed. What is
more important still, is to know ex-
actly the amount of money you can
afford to spend Then you should de-
eide which kinds of materials are best
suited to your purpose, and within the
price you wish to pay. Next you must
know the points that show quality in
the various materials, so that what
ever you finally select will be worth
the money it costs.
Remember always that good ma
terials Of their kind should be select
ed, in preference TO a poorer quality of
some more expensive goods. For ex-
ample, it will pay you in the long run
to choose a good quality Of serge, II
you have only so much money to spend,
rather than a cheaper quality of broad
cloth which may be selling at the same
price as the serge.
Always test the strength Of any ma
terial you buy. Do this by unraveling
some threads and breaking them.
If they pull apart too easily it does not
speak well for the endurance Of the
cloth. By holding the cloth up to the
light, or by grasping piece of it with
the fingers about an inch apart and
pulling steadily, unexpected weakness
can often be showed up.
Firmly woven materials usually hold
their shape better and wear longer
than loosely woven goods If the yarn
is poor and the weaving irregular and
sleazy, or long threads float on the
surface, do not expect the fabric to
stand up under much hard strain. Push
the nail against the cloth to see If the
weave is strong. Cloth will be more
enduring If the yarn both ways Is
about even strength.