davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Six Puppies, Nellie's
Present for Her Mistress

THERE was to be no Christmas
4 party for little Suzanne Hansen.
The family was in dire financial diff
among them all that for this one
Christmas there would be no exchange
of gifts. Suzanne was disappointed
that there would be no surprises, but
she comforted herself with the thought
that she would at least have Nellie, her
faithful dog, to play with Christmas
Day. Nellie had been given to her the
Christmas before by her uncle and she
had been Suzanne's constant com
panion up until about month ago
when the dog was sent away-''to the
hospital" her mother had explained.
Suzanne had been most unspeakably
lonely all that month with no pal, and
had been counting the days till Christ
mas when she was promised the dog
would be hers again.
Christmas morning when the door
bell rang, Suzanne flew down the stairs
to answer. There was an excited cry
of joy "Oh mummy, come down and
see what's here" There in a basket
brought by the boy from the dog hos
pital was Nellie with six little puppies
just like her. Suzanne was in love
with the pups.
They're just Christmas gift for
you from Nellie" said the boy and
closed the door behind him.-Marion
r. Reagan.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

When night fell he was eager to
ascertain the feelings of his white
crusaders, some of them crushed,
beaten down and muddy, as a result
of their service. Some would have
thought it hard day for them.
Nobody really thought of the white
ground covering as an aggregate of
individuals. They recognized no per-
sonality, and thought it merely snow"
Yet in spite of the fact that billions
of snow crystals were MANNED and
soiled and melted, as result of their
Christmas Day mission, the chief re-
ceived many replies:
1--WE have given a child happiness,
and would rather do that than stay
in the clouds forever" said one:
Enabled boy to play with his old
sled,'' said another, land would not
come back if we could"
HAS been great Christmas. We
have given much but have received
full measure in return"
These and similar bulletins were
posted in the court of the clouds, and
every snowflake held in reserve felt
sense of regret that it had not been
a participant in providing so much of
the joy and jollity of Christmas. Only
a snowflake!
Yes. But 1t rendered service.
And this was the snowflake that
was glad.
20. 1925. Western Newspaper Union.)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

Found out the way to get here, and
thought I'd bring a bit of New England
Christmas to you out here on these
darned coral islands. I've brought
you all kinds of things from the farm.
Maple sugar, Cherry! Latest pictures
of the twins-and holy terrors they are,
too! Stuff your mother made for you
to wear. Oh. the greatest amount of
dunnage. 1 arrived ON the boat this
afternoon, after fussing about in the
Pacific for weeks at dozens of rotten
little ports. You were off duty, and
just as>I was ready to tear around
after you, the fire happened"
They sat long time there in the
silvery moonlight. And they talked of
roasted chestnuts in front of a fire
and sleigh-rides and plum buildings
and stockings hanging in row on the
mantel piece, and how the back stairs
creaked when you tried to sneak down
'em early Christmas morning. Cherry
was never quite so happy in her life.
Coming home with meT asked
David.
"We-e-e-llp said Cherry.
Lets get married tomorrow" sug-
gested David in the cherfuiest man.
ner.
"On Christ mas Day in the morning?"
''On Christmas Day in the morning !"
And they werel
And all the nurses and the doctors
and patients in the ward had piece
of maple sugar instead of a wedding
cake.
ia. 1925 western Newspap per Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

tree was heap Of ashes. Hands were
burned in putting out the fire. Ex-
citement and terror were written on
the faces of the sick.
With quiet capability Cherry helped
to bring peace out of chaos. She
worked quickly. Hands were bound
up. Patients soothed. The last traces
of the tree removed Order began to
reign again in the large ward.
All through the excitement Cherry
was family aware of someone who was
always ready at her elbow to do the
necessary lifting of patients out of tie
burned area. This somebody had
towel bound over his forehead. 1t
came over his eyes and fell on one
side almost obscuring his face. The
lights In the ward were not going prop
erly; everything was bit dim. Cherry
paid no attention to anything but the
necessary work. But she felt glad of
the strong, intelligent hands Of this
stranger.
When everything possible had been
done, Cherry left the ward and went
slowly outdoors to get breath. Now
that the emergency was over she be
gan to feel again the unbearable wave
OF loneliness sweep over her.
She stood a long time in the
shadow of huge tree. How still, how
inexpressibly still everything wasl
You almost expected the moon to make
some sound as she glided through the
thin riffs of clouds.
Home .snow-covered aelds so far
away would she ever be hearing
the musical jingle of sleigh bells?
Somebody stepped beside her. The
tall person with the towel bound over
his forehead.
"Were you hurt in the fire2' asked
Cherry sympathetically.
The tall person drew nearer. The
tall person laughed. A deep rumble
very pleasant to hear.
"Not much" replied somebody.
Cherry stood as if turned to stone.
She was stiff with amazement. She
tried to cry out, and made no audible
sound whatever.
"Only bit Of burn on my hair"
said somebody. Then: "Aren't you
glad to see me, Cherry?"
Cherry tainted. Yes, it is regrettable
to report, but that is exactly what she
did. A thorough-going, complete faint
When she came to she tried to ex,
plain it away by saying the fire had
unnerved her. CHERRY with the best
nerves on the islandD
Cherry !" somebody was saying soft
ly, over and over, ''Cherry-aren't you
glad to see me on Christmas Evei I've
come so far to be with you at this-time
Cherry-say you're glad to see mep
Fifteen minutes later they were sit
ting on the silvery beach much in the
same place which had been occupied
by the homesick young lady from
northern New Hampshire.
David" said Cherry, David, how
did you do it?'
PLANNED it all along" replied David
laughing. Decided you would have
had enough of it in a years time.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Grandmother Compares
Present With Long Ago

Jenny and her great-grandmother
- were having little chat while
they waited for the announcement from
ready. Grandma Smith had been born
and reared in the South. She was
spending the holidays with her daugh-
ter In the North. Grandmother was
in her early nineties, but remarkable
woman for her age. Tall, erect, spry,
she was too progressive in her think
ing.
"Jenny, as looked around the house
just now, / couldn't help but realize
| what a difference generation or two
has made in our mode Of living.
couldn't keep from comparing this day
and home with Christmas Day and
home / knew long ago. You know,
Jenny, Andrew and l were married on
one Christmas, years ago. Andrew
built little cabin on plot Of ground
he owned. 1t was perched up on a
hill. / thought it was the loveliest,
most beautiful cabin ever built in the
WIOlS WITH. hnu 1t was. II was lIlc
| last word In coy, home architecture
of the times. Inside it had dirt floor
and few pieces of hickory furniture
which Andrew had made | wove all
the linens and other cloth which we
used. We were SO happy. We had
big. home wedding One of my we'd
ding presents was tin cup. That cup
was priced possession, much talked
about and envied by my neighbors.
Sometimes / wonder, we-iived so SIM
ply-and happily-and now how COM
pick are"
The dinner gong doomed forth well
come sound. The family gathered and
with joyful gatherings hurried in to
the festfvely arranged Christmas din.
ner table.-Eleanor e. King.
20. 1925. Western Newspaper Union)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

Christmas T.. and the lazy swing
Of moss garlandS from tropical trees
Christmas and a dangerous
moon riding southern sky? Christ
mas /. and soft breeze tanning
her cheek?
Certainly not! 1t might be the jolly
holiday season at home, thousands of
dreary miles away, but there was not
the hint of II here.
Cherry walked slowly along the
white, cleaning beach. Silver waves
Tapped softly over the stones. Beau
tiful? All, yes, ii had all been won
derful when she first came nearly a
year ago. But she had not thought
about Christmas then. and how lonely
a person could be. even with beauty
for a constant companion. All that
concerned Cherry was high adventure
and the chance to do some fine work
In the world.
A hospital had been built. A hos
pital equipped to the last degree of
efficiency. A hospital on one of the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

great billowy clouds, some of them
thought of companions already fallen
to earth. Yes, some had fallen, and
their beauty had lasted for while,
then disappeared
Then the chief spoke:
Fellows" he said, with an appeal
ing note in his voice-a voice that had
much of the plaintive sound of the
north wind, ''there is service to per-
form. This Is the night before the
birthday of our King. Millions will
worship Him when the morrow comes,
but more, ignorant of its source, will
seek TO revel in the gladness which
His coming brought and many mil
lions more" he went on.
"The nations of the world wait for
that gladness. Once year they seek
to know the spirit and the significance
of the Christmas time. They see vague
ly what the carroling of angels and the
song of shepherds was all about-and
then forget Perhaps" he said, "in
the chaotic strivings of mans life he
is not SO much to blame"
Silence profound. A stiffness like
unto the silence Of the plains before
the angels uttered their refrain of
peace, on earth, good will toward
men,"
Comrades" said the chief,
aver answered the crowd in
note that had the shrill keeness of the
winter wind and yet was warm with
an eagerness to serve.
Down, just below US, there are boys
and girls dreaming of Santa Claus,
and snow, and sleighs, and sleds. To
some, your going would give life and
zest and happiness to Christmas. You
may stay here. or go to give them joy.
Think soberly before you make reply"
So hearty and so quick was the re-
Spouse that the results were almost
blizzard like. Twisting and turning in
fantastic ways they fell to earth, filed
high the paths, and all but capped the
fences, and almost blocked the roads.
When morning broke, truly Christ
mas day, the world lay white as un-
touched marble. Such myriad flakes
had fallen in the night that the ablest
statistician could not guess how many,
and, oh, what joy Snowballs, snow
men and shedding. And coasting, too,
on yonder hill. Such healthy winter
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

had discarded their expensive toys,
and sat in circle on the floor playing
industriously with some ten-cent mag
nets he had brought.
"You know our children's likes bet
ter than we do" said the charming
hostess, as she lead the Gorses back to
the living room. "And nothing / re-
ceived pleases me so muca as the
books you brought me. unless 1t Is to
have you here on Christmas day."
Even Mrs. Gorse knew that he,
words rang true.-H. Lucius Cook.
&c. 1926. Western Nswspaper unionl
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

with packages which you may take
from ME and give to the boys at the
sheep-herders' wagon tomorrow. Fa-
Their and Lester will be gone to town
all day and we will visit the boys and
present them with a tree and Santa
Claus for Christmas Eve" Mrs. Lee
laughed.
Mrs. Lee sang all the next morning
at her baking, after she had tucked
her husband and ten-year-old Lester
In the sled for their long drive. In
the afternoon, with a basket on her
arm and some small packages fastened
over her coat, so she would represent
tree, Mrs. Lee and Clara started
TO the wagon TO carry Christmas to
the sheep-herders.
While Mrs. Lee put the wagon in
order, Clara tackled up bits of Christ
mas color she had clipped from maya
zines or had designed from paper.
On the way home Mrs. Lee and
Clara planned to have their Christmas
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
LETTER GOT THERE

CHE didn't have Santa Claus
- address, but she knew that
Aunt Mary must have it, so she
+ wrote the following letter to
him and sent it In care Of Aunt
Mary, New York." having first
read 1t to her mother:
Dear Santa Claus:
Il hope you are well. Are you?
Won't you have to come this
year in your airplain, or your
atomobile? Here is my list:
'Too teddy bears in dresses.
A dolls writing desk. A doll,
not a girl doll. A dolls house
lit is in the corner bookshop
that is kept by Miss Sinclair).
One bear brown and the other
white, l think that is all. Your
loving friend"
The letter must have arrived,
for the presents dido. G. Haz-
ard.
o9. 1925. Western Newspaper Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

If one speaks Of
it as such, is an
a b so | u I e mon
archy. But it is
d i IF e e mt from
those our geogra-
phies name under
Political D. vi
sions. 1t is a mon
archy ruled by
love, where a de-
sire to give hap
p l II e s s is the
prevalent ambi-
ton.
So, on that
n | G h t b e fore
Christmas, as the
S n o W fl a k e s
danced about In
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

May l serve as your tree this year,
with branches, hope, strong enough
to hold all the trust and confidence you
place in me, as well as to hold any
packages of love and service the real
Santa Claus allows me to carry to his
children everywhere? Again hope
that / may be a worthy Santa Claus
His Santa Claus-to distribute His
peace and good WILL" James said as he
learned of the afternoon visit to the
sheep-herders' wagon.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Costly Gifts Do Not Give Most Pleasure

On Christmas Day the Gorses drove
up to the big white country house in
their fiivver. Such welcome as they
received. Not an idle nor an embarrass-
ing moment-even for Mrs Gorse who
discarded so reluctantly the weight of
city poverty Laughter. music, fun
prevailed. And after dinner, when the
grown-ups peeked into the nursery to
see what the children were doing. Mr..
Gorse had his triumph. The children
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

span of it's existence. Today, here,
tomorrow possibly drawn into the
moisture Of the atmosphere, depending
upon temperature, and where 1t
CHANGED to fall.
Some say fairies fashion snow-crys-
tails in wonderful workrooms and lab
oratories which man has not explored.
1t may be. They are more exquisitely
cut than the rarest jewels.
It was the night before Christmas.
There was the usual sense of quiet
which comes over things when the pre-
holiday rush and confusion ends-the
sense of peace-perhaps the echo of
that old song which man has so often
and so ruthlessly heard and forgotten.
1t seems that the snowflake knew.
In the land whence snowfakes come
there is a great chief. The country,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL
WHY Jane had never mar
Wv ried. no one knew. She

WHY Jane had never mar
w ried, no one knew. She
was So kind and cheerful any
man would have been happy to
have her. But she still lived
alone in her little cottage.
Each day the postman brought
something to the tiny house, and
often stopped to chat. But no
one ever noticed that. On
Christmas Eve. however, he
stopped a minute too long, for
just as he was going, a bit of
green he spied above the door
way where Jane stood, embold-
ened him to accept the invita-
ton which 1t meant, and as he
released her from his arms. he
said. you'll marry me, now,
Of course?"
And she replied, "Of course"
And Mrs. Brown wondered
why the postman was so late
that night !-H. Lucius Cook.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

boy-SeiZed them
both in his arms.
Through smoth-
cred joy-cries of
James! When
did you Gomez"
Mr.. Lee explained
that on a previ-
GUS visit to town
he had received
word that James
was coming home
for Christmas. He
kept the secret as
a, happy surprise
from Mrs. Lee
and Clara. Upon
pretense of get
ting some gifts
for the children,
he and Lester
hod nlonnad tho
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
For Little Folks

1t seems as though Santa Claus has
gone to more trouble making things
for the little girls than the little boys
this year. There are complete tea
sets of lusterware. electric sets that
really cook food in sufficient quantities
for good sized tea party, real cedar
chests, floor lamps, and sewing tables,
all just as nicely finished as the grown
ups furniture.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

larger islands in the southern Pacific.
Cherry had answered promptly.
And tonight was Christmas Eve!
Christmas Eve!
Cherry's mother would be busting
about, busy with hundred secrets.
Rows of pies in the pantry! Rows Of
stockings on the mantel piece. Whis-
perings in corners. Gatherings up and
down the stairs! Giggles from her
younger brothers and sisters who
could hardly contain themselves for
very exuberance.
The rattle of paper being wrapped
around presents! Secret conferences
about the best manner in which to
present mother with the Great Gift |!
probably new shade for the living
room llmp.)
She could smell the fragrance of
wood just piled in the fireplace. She
, could see the scrolled patterns of frost
on the windows. And outside the wide,
cleaning stretch of snow. White-not
white like this southern silver ;.
Then she began thinking Of David
He had not wanted her to come
They had had a tremendous quarrel
over 1t.
Anything might happen to your"
cried David.
She could see David's face now, pale
and strained as he tried to smile a
good-by to her from the wharf whcn
she sailed. He waved his hat, she
; waved her handkerchief Cherry
was quite sensible and practical.
,, But David !. well-David was diff
ferent. She missed telling him for
mercy's sake to comb his hair and not
let it ramp all over his head like a
haystack! David laughed at her, and
leased her and was tender in nice,
clumsy man-way. And he had not
written her very often. A slim letter
came now and then filled with scraps
of home news. He never said he
missed her or wanted to see her, or
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. was she coming
home? She rather expected TO be
urged about returning. But not a
syllable on the subject.
Cherry was about to rise and go
back to her room, shared with another
nurse, when she heard quick footsteps
behind her.
Miss Stone" painted the voice of
convalescent native who was allowed
to go about on small errands, "Oh,
Miss Stone! They want you at the
hospitals An accident :. comet"
Cherry was on her feet in an in
slant. She ran all the way back, for
getting in her haste the lonely surge
of inconsistencies on Christmas Eve.
What could have happened? She
gained fragmentary account from the
boy running beside her.
The nurses were trimming Christ
mas tree for patients in the ward.
Strings of small electric bulbs had
been ordered long ago to grace this
very occasion. They had come in on
the boat that very afternoon. Cherry
had paid no attention to the boat. She
wanted to get away by herself.
1t was the same old story. A short
circuit of wires -. flash of fire
and the tree ablaze in no time. 1t was
not regulation Christmas tree. but
one constructed with patient care to
look as nearly like one as possible.
Much green paper had been employed.
festoons of tinsel, bright baubles.
Cherry few down the corridor TO the
ward. And upon entering found plenty
to do. The fire had been quenched but
not without danger to several patients
and nurses. The place was still in a
commotion. There was smell of
burned clothing. The wreck of the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

rancn nome, elgHt
cen miles from
town, where the
seasons drought
had robbed them
of garden and
grain, her signs
rose to an eXcit-
ed exclamation
w h / ch brought
twelve : year : old
Clara from an
adjoining room TO
hear the secret
her mother re-
vealed.
Let us be a
tree-and a Santa
Claus, too. You
may be Santa
Claus and / will
be a tree laden
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
What to Give?

When one thinks of what TO give ali
old friend for Christmas, the first con-
sideration is, Nov what did l give him
last Year, Perhaps that is as good
way as any to open the question of
New Years resolutions.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Santa a Curiosity

Jud Tunkins says he wishes there
were Santa Claus, because it would
be such relief to have stranger
drive up to tie house and not try to
sell him something Washington Eve
ming Star.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

MR.. AND MRS. GORSE were in
Az vited to spend Christmas with
Mr.. Gorse's wealthy sister on her farm.
"But we can't; we can't" insisted Mrs.
Gorse. "Our rent has been raised this
year. and living is so dear in town we
cannot afford presents that even her
children will enjoy"
ITS us they want, and not our
gifts" rejoined Mr.. Gorse. you leave
the presents to me-"
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

exercise, such rudy cheeks, such
mighty appetitesl
Who would have thought so much
Of good a little snow had wrought?
An aggregation of tiny snowfiakes
was putting value into the sleds which
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

S a n t a CT a u S
brought and max
ing of the day a
real Christmas,
in themselves, the
little fl a k e S
scarcely counted
at all, blu t in
their united de-
sire to give hap
piness to unnum-
bered boys and
girl S, they be-
C a m e a great
power.
The chief had
wireless commune
cation with each
of his humble SUBJ
jects, of course.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
It Was the Night
Before Christmas
Little Snowflakes Glad to
Be of Service on Great
est of All Days.
BY w. D. PENNYPAckER

T WAS one of the
tiniest things i'm
aginable. In all
the whitened fields
of late December ii
could scarcely be
reckoned with. 1t
was a snowflake.
Fleeing was the
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

Christmas, in the country of ali
places should be a community holi-
day. It's too big thing to be kept
all within your family.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
-94RISTMAS?
bye
Patience Eden

1RlSIMAST
Not at all. ca,
nothing like 1t.
Cherry dug her
hands down in the
pockets of her gay
sweater and gloom-
lily surveyed the
lovely scene.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Their Christmas
and an Odd Tree
One Surprise Package That
Brought Joy to Entire
Family.
BY GERTRUDE WALTON

x, yMFYE T is plain to see
kED5s A0t that for this Christ
(N/H mas there will be
NSRllA0 no tree- mean
H/YNBsMR0NeN one that isn't made
HL(kGH\ESS from basket or
W/NS&yNNSN table-no real tree.
SGhNNN-l Any kind of Santa
Claus, as well as
trees, would die in this terrible place.
1t would be more bearable If James
were home" Mida Lee exclaimed inn
patiently as she looked lovingly at a
photograph of her elder son, James,
who, because of government service
over the sea, could not spend Christ
mas with his home circle.
AS she looked out over the treeless,
snow-covered prairies Of her northern
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

trip to town after James, who was
now hungry and ready for supper.