davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Saved to Buy Christmas
Present for Her Daddy

THE eldest of the four children was
= now ten; their mother had been
dead three years. How the father had
kept such young family together was
a miracle even to him, but with the
help of the day nursery, he had man.
aged very well.
For the third Christmas now the
widower tucked the children snugly in
bed with promise to call them at
daybreak. Then he tiptoed to his own
room.
Half an hour later when the house
was quiet, Santa Claus entered the
tiny kitchen and proceeded to fill the
four little stockings hanging In a row
behind the stove. Then suddenly he
remembered that he had forgotten to
bring a present for the father of the
house. How disappointed the little
ones would be to have their father
overlooked like thisl Why, they would
think he's not been goodi But it was
too late, now, to get him anything.
Nothing could be done.
Shortly after the house was quiet
once again, the little girl stole into
the kitchen and hung a stocking with a
package In 1t near the others. For
months she had saved her pennies so
that when Christmas came again she
would be able to play Santa Claus to
daddy. How surprised n happy he
will be-" she thought, as she crept
back to her room.-H. Lucius Cook.
l0 1875. western Newspaper unien.)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

And now she had talked John
into letting her buy the big doll
that had been in Harwell's window
since the holiday season opened.
John had tried to tell her that the
small gifts they had already pur-
chased would be enough for Betty,
but finally he had given in to her
pleading. She agreed with him that
twenty dollars was big sum to spend
for doll, but Betty was Betty and
deserved 1t,
For the Warmers were poor-not
poor in the utter, AFFECT poverty that
f1aunts its face to the world I'M
shamed-but poor in the poverty that
means worn and threadbare carpets,
clothing grown thin and shiny from
long usage, and a careful pausing be-
fore the spending Of an unnecessary
penny. Somehow, since Betty came
they had never been able to get ahead !;
there was always something needed
for Betty and she had always gotten it.
Next morning Ellen left the house
early, with the wonderful twenty dol
lars in her purse. Betty had been
left next door, all unconscious of the
errand her mother was on. Half way
to town two women entered the car
and sat back of Ellen. They were Of
the loud, overbearing type of wom-
en-, overdressed and contemptuous Of
those who possessed little of material
things. Scraps of their conversation
came to Ellen at times through the
maze of her busy thoughts.
Il think it's perfectly awful, do"
one of them was saying, "the way
some women do. It's really sinful in
these days to be dowdy. A womans
got to wear good clothes to be any,
body, and believe me- it's the dowdy
women who walk alone"
you've just said it." her companion
answered. cas- / tell George when he
kicks about the bills, woman has got
to dress nowadays or get nothing out
Of life"
The words sank into Ellen's brain
as her eyes were scanning an adver-
tisement at a crossing: BE fair to
yourself, buy your millinery at Madam
Courteau's." And as other words of
that ilk floated back from the women
they began to stir up queer feeling
inside of Ellen Warner.
Her glance Travelled to her dress,
her shabby, mended gloves, and her
face began to burn as she thought of
the little hat she was wearing. She
tried to shake off the feeling that was
upon her and to get her mind back on
her mission, but somehow everything
seemed different now In the light of
the strange unrest that was filling
her heart. 'Was she little fool. as
these women had said Was she fair
to herself? Had she, In the little
mean things that were her everyday
portion and which until now had
seemed to her veritable things of de-
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

marked Mrs. Thoburn quietly.
Christmas morning ali gathered
around the tree to open their pack.
ages. Belinda stood in the back.
ground. beaming at the happiness of
the others, for next to our own hap
plness is watching that Of others. Box
after box was handed to Belinda, but
the most beautiful Of all was saved
until the last and presented by Amy.
Here, Belinda. lot of love with this
box; 1T contains paper. pencils. and
a book and my promise to you that
I'll teach you to read and write be-
fore another Christmas"
"Oh, thank you, Miss Amy; dis is
vot | most wanted already. Colt bless
you'll"
90. 1925. Western Newspaper Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

many of her friends had. She re
membered now how longingly he had
often looked toward the golf links
what big thing 1t would be if
Christmas would bring him the things
necessary to play the game. The city
maintained free course not far from
their home. And If she wanted so
badly to spend twenty dollars for a
hat, surely John, who was seeing and
hearing things every day, must often
have wanted something pretty badly,
too. She thought now how Wonderful
he had always been-never "a word of
complaint, but always CHEEKY and
happy. She realized now, with a bit
ter feeling at her heart, that she had
not been fair to him-she had given
their child more than her share of the
little they had. But from now on
things were going to be different
John must have the best. Betty had
many years ahead to enjoy things, and
besides she realized now it did not
take expensive gifts to please children.
With hands that trembled Ellen
reached up and took the hat from her
head and, not daring to look at it
again, hurriedly left the store.
That Christmas was very happy
one for the Warmers. For, although
Betty did not get the big doll, she
seemed just as pleased and happy as
child could well be- And Ellen felt
new glow at her heart when she
presented John with his Christmas
gift, for he was as jubilant as boy
about it. Her sacrifice had been in
deed worth while-what did a becom-
ing hat matter when put beside the
happiness she felt just now?
But the good Christmas fairy must
have been watching all, for an hour
later Johns boss called up to wish
him merry Christmas and to tell him
that Old Man Unison was going to
resign and that John would have his
place. A wonderful Christmas sur
prise it was, for it meant an extra
five hundred a year to the Warmers.
Which made it probable that Ellen got
her much-wanted hat, after all.
t0. 1925. Western Newspaper Union)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18


I've come to talk to you, Melinda"
he said very seriously indeed, and
closed the door behind him. They
sat in the little parlor Of the Brown
house. "You haven't been playing a
straight game with me, Melinda" he
began. II know all about it-you
needn't try to explain saw you last
night, and I've seen you other nights.
You have only been using me as a
plaything while you've had these
other fellows on the side.n
Melinda gasped. "Why Peter Moffat.
you-you"-she could think of moth
ing to say.
Il know all about it," he repeated /;
I've been watching you. Now all I've
got to say is that I'm not man to be
trified with. Either you marry me at
once or you never will see me again
/ want an answer right now, yes or
no."
Melinda felt as though she had been
suddenly hurled into an avalanche.
She could not understand what had
gotten into Peter. or what he was re-
ferring to. She did know, however,
with an ecstatic sense of delight that
he was proposing.
I'll marry you whenever you say,
Peter" she said meekly.
Peter. feeling greatly triumphant,
leaned over and kissed his future wife
tenderly. We'll be married tomor-
row." he said.
&c. 1925. Western Newspaper Union.)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

me- After all these months of court,
ing her, too!'
1t so happened that Melinda's cous.
in, Arthur, who had come from Kan.
sas City was having dinner with her
at the hotel the night Peter Moffat
came in from Chicago. Peter was hur-
rying down the street from the station
when he happened to look in at the
brightly lighted restaurant of the
hotel and there-what? He stopped
dead still, the evil green monster ris-
ing in his breast. 1t was Melinda
with another man! His first impulse
was to rush into the hotel, punch this
impertinent stranger and carry Me-
linda off with him. But this shy
ness was stronger than his pas,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
White Christmas Trees
The Willing Worker

To prepare white Christmas trees
take branches of evergreen of desired
size and dip in thick starch to which
small box of borax has been added and
while trees are Still damp sprinkle
each with artificial snow. The trees
when dry may be placed In pots or
baskets and the top of earth covered
with moss. larger tree may be made
10 glitter with artificial snow by.
sprinkling 1t on while the branches are,
moistened with glue. Tufts of cotton
and glass icicles may be used for
trimming.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

enjoy doing things Tor others. can
never forget the quotation: To live
in the hearts. of others is not to dier
l think we should enjoy doing things
for others and not think it hard
What" -
WELL" interrupted Mrs Thoburn.
you seem to think service hard. az
you wouldn't write those letters for
Belinda last evening, and one was
Christmas letter to her sister. That,
probably was the cause of her sigh"
Amy was listening in and heard
over the radio: Let every true Amer.
lean. as gift to himself, give the
promise that he will teach one for.
eigner how to read and write, and In
so doing, help drive illiteracy from
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Aunt Jennie's Arrival
With Christmas Gifts
THE Norbert family was in its usual

THE Norbert family was in its-usual
L state of confusion Christmas
morning. All the Christmas packages
had been opened as they arrived and
there was no surprise left, so that
Christmas Day itself came as a kind
of anti-climax and fell as flat as q
cup of cold tea.
Everyone in the family was In bad
humor Christmas morning. 1t was
characteristic of them that no one
could ever find anything. Tom had
mislaid his tie, Mary couldn't find her
hair ribbon and old Mr.. Norbert had
spent the morning in search of slip
per he could have sworn" he put un-
der the bed, but which he found even
tually in the dining room back Of the
sofa.
Heavens, what q life," Tom was
complaining at the breakfast table
when the doorbell rang. Mrs. Norbert
answered and in a few minutes was
back In the dining room. GREATNESS
with excitement
+ Quick, rid this place up and make
room for Aunt Jennie at the table,"
she ordered. "Shes just come all the
way from Kansas City and has brought
whole carriageful of Christmas with
her.
Aunt Jennie from Kansas Cityl 1t
was enough to put life into the whole
family. Soon there was a general
hustle on all sides. The room was
quickly set in order. Mary began to
hum an old song.
Merry Christmas" Tom called to
her from across the room. Its
great old life, after all. isn't it?''-
Marion r. Reagan.
t@. 1925. Western Newspaper Union.)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

Part of this light was due to q pyra-
mid formation of candles on the win
dow-sill, and part came from the
happy sounds which issued forth
through the open door. This place was
keeping "open house" with venge-
ance. 1t looked like glorifled Christ
mas card
Miss Mixter never knew exactly
how it happened. She was hurrying
home after hard days sewing In a
dreSsmaker's shop. She was tired and
hungry. Christmas Eve to her merely
meant that she was wearier than usual.
She stopped for moment to look in
through the door of this happy, shin
ing house. And then, almost unaware
of what she did, she walked In. Yes,
she actually did. And she had no
more idea of who lived there than a
maple tree on Boston Common! Some
thing drew her straight to the Ere
place. She went as naturally as a
bee seeks honey.
In that merry, well-dressed throng
she looked bit rusty Her hat was
entirely too old There was some
thing wrong In the cut of her coat.
Miss Mixter began talking to a
laughing-eyed woman dressed in green.
You look like a daffodil," said Miss
Mixter. And this pleased her hostess
so much that she burst into a peal of
merriment.
From that moment they seemed to
have great deal to say to each other.
A quick reaction swept over her.
She felt lonely and afraid. Why was
she here? Who were these people :?
Why had she come into this house2
She felt quiet hand on her arm.
DO stay. won't your begged the
hostess in green" / need someone to
help me. Couldn't you spare moment
on Christmas Eve to aid a daffodil in
distress! Just keep your eye on these
people and tell me who is served and
who is not. It's so difficult"
Miss Mixter looked up keenly into
the smiling face. And she knew she
was genuinely wanted
''Pll stay" announced Miss Mixter,
and" she grew spirited, "the first
person who needs cup Of coffee Is
myself"
&c. 1925. Western Newspaper Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

light, cheated herself out of all that
meant so much to other women? Had
she really been fair to herself In sacri-
ficing so much for her child?'
The car pulled up with jerk. She
alighted quickly and made her way
toward Harwell's. Suddenly she
stopped short. A sign overhead caught
her eye: "Be fair to yourself-buy
your millinery at Madam Courteau's."
Then her gaze travelled to the window
with it's array of tempting millinery.
And as she gazed her breath began
to come quickly, her hands to open
and close with nervous, twitching
movements. For a little hat in dull
shade of blue caught her eye She
was gazing at 1t fascinated, for as the
sun outshines the stars, so to Ellen
did this particular hat eclipse all the
others in the window. Somehow, it
seemed to her at that moment as If
she had been wanting a hat like that
all her life. The little pink rosebuds
that nestled around the crown seemed
to call and beckon to her, and almost
before she realized what she was do
ing she was inside the store and ask
ing to see the hat. The saleslady,
with all the art that was hers, placed
it with a skillful touch on Ellen's
head. And as Ellen looked in the
great mirror she saw a face that was
flushed to rose-pink with excitement,
and above it the much-wanted hat,
which seemed to be very part of her
self, so thoroughly becoming it was
She wanted the hat so badl The soft.
lovely colors brought out all the charm
of her fair loneliness and she thought
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

there's her beads, hanuherchief, hose.
She will feel all right tomorrow. She
really doesn't mind missing the visit
with her sister, does she? She'd rath-
er be doing all this for US, for sery-
ing others is what makes one happy.
isn't it, mother?"
"Oh, yes. / suppose so, If the serv-
ice isn't too hard"
Mother. what do you mean by serv-
ice being too hard? i think we should
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Many Words That Add to Christmas Time
NORDS come to our lips so easily
Wv that we do not always appre-

yX1ORDS come to our lips so easily
wv that we do not always appre-
ciate how glorious some of them are.
and how much they mean to us.
Think of the words that add to the
Christmas season! Every one of them
has a significance and Christmas
meaning of its own.
There are green's and there are rib
bons. There are gifts and there is
Yuletide. There is sleigh and there
Is snow.
There are bells and there Is cheer.
There is the bright fire, and the
frosty air. There are sleds and sun
shine on the snow and the glow of a
Christmas afternoon.
There is happiness and there are
candles There are wreaths and holly
and mistletoe.
There is Santa Claus for the chill
dren and friendly voices wishing one
and all Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.
There is the postman and there Is
small child by the old chimney.
1Lere is plum pudding and mince pie
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

the Thoburns, well-to-do family.
Sure, Mrs. Toburn, I've done all ]
thought is right to do already, and
I'm pleased dot you like ii"
Yes, Belinda, and the house never
looked prettier. You're quite an ar
fist as well as a cook. I'm glad you
gave up going to visit your sister, for
the good dinner tomorrow depends
upon you. We shall try to make it up
to you, Belinda, In some way"
"Oh, do you tink so, Mrs. Toburn ;
/ am sure pleased to know dot am
OBJ service to you. and you are so good
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

and turkey and cranberry. There is
the Christmas tree and children talk
ing of reindeer.
g There is tinsel and there is holiday
candy. There are stockings and there
are Christmas decorations.
There are surprises and there are
excitemenfs
And all of these things have such
beautiful sounds. The words them
selves are so wonderful. They mean
so much. No other words would be
the same.
And best of all Is the word Christ
mas.
1t is the years most glorious word.
Mary Graham Bonner.
&C. 1925. Western Newspaper Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

our land. A won
derful gift to your
self and to the
on e taught-'A )
We have done IL
unto the least of
these, We h a V e
done it unto Me-
Merry Christmas
to ALL"
Amy looked at
the others, her
face b e a m | n g.
'Oh, mother, our
slogan for Educa-
tional week was:
Each one teach
one; ballots, not
bullets. :"
"a fine slogan.
Amy, If put into
p r a C ii C e, :" re-
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

LOT ever elHCc
Betty had come
to them, now
nearly six years
ago, her whole
life b a d b e e n
wrapped up In
the child. Hers
was such a pas
sion of mother
love that some
times she grew
almost frightened
at its intensity,
and often when
John had laugh
ingly leased her
about forgetting
him for Betty her
conscience smote
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

TO me already
said Belinda, with
a sigh. as she re-
tired to her room.
The Thoburns.
old and young.
were radio enthu-
siasts. and were
being entertained
with Christmas
gre e t | n g s and
carols.
IN o { h e r, did
you notice that
Belinda S e e m e d
S a d - something
unusual for her?
/ wonder il we
have gotten her
enough for Christ
mas?-let's see
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Then and Now

The old-fashioned boy who used to
get an apple. an orange. handful of
mixed nuts. dimes worth ofJpowder
and shot or a new pair of home-knit
socks for Christmas now has grand
son who must have new car. dia-
mond ring. and check. Times change.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

sion and he only
t u + n e d away,
grinding his teeth
and clenching his
fists. He would
see Melinda In
the morning at
her house!
The next morn
ing about nine
o'clock Melinda
was surprised to
see Peter Mofat
at her door. She
began to tremble
nervously. Good
morning, Peter, F"
she said to him,
and extended a
cold, moist hand.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

how much John
would like to see
her as she looked
now. The thought
of her husband
brought another
thought to her,
too. Perhaps all
these years, while
they had b e e n
sacrificing and
skimping, he, too,
had wished for
and wanted many
things. Surely he
must have! Not,
perhaps, things
like women cared
for, but other lit
tie luXuries that
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Christmas Lesson
for Miss Belinda
Promise to Teach Maid to
Read and Write, Most
Welcome Gift.
BY EMILY suRKs ADAMS

CHRISTMAS was IL
. evidence very.
where. The whole
household W e r G
happy, save per
haps one-Belinda,
the German maid,
who had for six
months lived with
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Christmas Song

Why do bells for Christmas rtngf
Why do little children sing?
Once lovely, shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until it's light
Made a manger-cradle bright.
There a darling baby lay
Pillowed soft among the hay.
And his mother sang and smiled.
This is Christ. the Holy Child"
So the bells for Christmas ring.
So the little children sing.
Lydia Avery Coonley Ward
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Upon
Christmas Day
By WILLIAM LuFr, in The Christian

a STAR peeped forth upon Christ
"A mas Eve,
And told of that other Star:
Whose beams shine bright, through
the worlds dark night.
And scatter the shadows far.
A snowdrop bloomed upon Christmas
Day,
And told of that spotless flower:
Whose perfume pure, should all frosts
endure,
And brighten Earth's wintry hour.
The bells rang out upon Christmas
Day,
And their message came a call
To worship the Son of the Highest
One,
Who came with good will to all.
The holly berries on Christmas Day.
Blushed red In their fadeless green:
For their coral red, showed the blood
drops shed.
AS they shone the barbed leaves
between.
A feast was spread upon Christmas
Day,
And mirrored the feast He spread.
Who was born that He might our
Banquet be.
The True and the Living Bread
SON came home upon Christmas Day.
A son from a far of land:
And he told once more, of Gods open
door,
The kiss and the welcoming Hand
A babe was born upon Christmas Day,
And the speeches. infant told,
OF the manger Child, that in beauty
smiled,
On that first glad day of old.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

John !" Ellen said, Il had no idea that
ii was so late"
That's because you were so inter-
ested, dear" John answered; when it
comes to making plans for Betty you
forget time and everything else"
Ellen redeemed ever so slightly. She
knew that what John said was true,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

to her Gown little
home-if she ever
had one" and to
her lonely life
at present" but
Peter only sat ST.
lent at such re-
marks, ignoring
them completely,
or stupidity tell
ing her that after
all, many people
leo more IOnely
lives than she,
and not TO be so
discontinued.
Melinda looked
forward to the
appro a C h | n g
Christmas season
NTH ulaa Gt,rolu
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Christmas Giving
and Being Happy
How Yuletide Problem Was
Solved in Most Salts
factory Manner.
By KATHERINE -EDELMAN

Ohm WARNER and
his wife sat talk
ing in the living
room of their little
bungalow until the
clock on the man.
tel struck the mid
night hour.
aGood praciouS
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
THE HoNORED cOLoRS
WE ARE the colors red and

w green.
How we are honoredi
How could Christmas be
Christmas without green and
without red to help in the gay
decorations?
Long ago we two colors were
given this honor.
How gay and pleased 1t makes
us.
1t makes green so vivid and
bright with delight.
1t makes red so glowing and
respondent with enjoyment.
We are glad no other coIors
were chosen MARY Graham
Bonner.
t@. 1925. Western Newspaper Union,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
Darkest Tragedy

sTWAS the night before Christ
l. mas,
And all through the house
Every creature was stirring
Yes, even a mouse.
And twas just as Aunt Susan
with none too much reach)
Had essayed the top branch,
That she gave out a screech.
No, the tree had not fallen,
Nor yet had the house;
Twas one creature stirring:
A sly little mouse.
The Jester.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18
o, Word of Gods Divinity

The same forever and today
Teach us anew with faith to pray
That In Thy birth mankind may see
Good will on earth-Thy love its stay
Till peace redeems the world for
Thee.
Alice Clary sutcliffe. in Living Church.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-12-18

dies; candles of every size and color.
For was 1t not Christmas Eve? And
is it not a custom to make merry at
this special time in very charming
way?
Groups OF carolers stood at street
corners and sang. Hundreds Of people
strolled up and down. There was an
atmosphere of good will that pervaded
the place as surely as wreaths hung
In the windows.
There was one house In particular
that glowed with a shining brilliance