davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Surprise!

And at the very time that the
little kiddic was so eagerly watch
Ing all these preparations on the
day before Christmas In his his
grandmaB farm house In western
New York away back In the year
AID, 1863, and the Year OF Amer
lean Independence, '87-at that
very time husky, bearded, 8 foot
young lieutenant from General
Grants victorious army was Gag
erly hurrying home by railroad
train for less than a two hours
visit TO that very farmhouse to
see his wife and little boy. A
surprise? Why, he hadn't even
known himself that he could
come I'LL just before he started.
The last thing that the kiddie
remembered that Christmas-eve
before nc went up stairs TO 90 TO
bed--was the picture Of his grand
mas kitchen and pantry; the big
turkey in the roasting pan, all
ready TO be put In a hot oven.
chicken-pie, ditto, all ready for
the oven and the top and bottom
crust; potatoes, onions, caulifioW-
er, turnips, vegetable-oysters. par
ships and Hubbard-Squash--in
their pots and pans. ready for the
fire: bowls OF cranberry sauce
and jams and jellies; the frosted
fruit-cake that had been made
and left seasoning for a month,
tarts and ginger and cookies;
and mipce-pie and pumpkin-pie;
red apples from down cellar and
hickory-nuts, black walnuts, but
ter-nutS, chestnuts and hazel-nuts
from up garnet. And on the din
ing-room table and side-board, all
ready for use. grandma's choicest
damask linen. solid-silver and
cut-glasB. And, In the sitting
room, at one corner Of the old
fashioned fire-place--both his
stockings and his beloved boots,
with bright-red tops and copper
toes-waiting for Santa Claus TO
come down the chimney.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Daddy

II thought 1t would be fun to
take 1t along with me and make
your daddie a present OF It,"
do you know my daddie?"
"Know him? OF course I know
thousands OF soldiers"
BET you wouldn't know his pic
ture If you saw IT."
"Oh, have you got a picture OF
him?"
And with the boy on his shoul-
der, Santa Claus stood before the
picture.
That's tn Teller, all right"
Hes not q 'feller'-he,s a brave
soldier" resented the kiddie, with
flashing eyes.
Oh, excuse mel I--er-I hum
bly, apologize. Oh, Mr.. Buckl
Come here q minute--I want to
ask you something!S
ENTER Mr.. Buda, with jolly,
red face, from the Hfcthen--coat
of and Shirt-sleeves rolled UP,
and an apron dangling in front
what can I do for you, part
ner7"
IF his daddie had whiskers--
what color would they be2"
well, now, Just let me think
You know that sorrel COW Of ours?
No, think they'd be more tn
shade OF that old bufYalo-robe out
In tn barn; not tn new one, but
tn one that's all moth-eaten and
mangey-- Now, excuse me. I've got
T. hustle back Z tn kitchen Din
ner's most ready Z set on tn
table" And he gave a sly wing at
Santa Claus.
The kiddie's night-cap Is loose,
and he takes 1t of his head and
hands It TO Santa Claus-who
offers the gold coin In exchange;
but the boy pushes the money
away.
'Do you really truly think my
dadie will like that funny
cap?"
santa Claus folds 1t up carefully
and puts II In an inside pocket.
"T'll bet you a thousand dollars
he would. Now, let's see you take
THAT bet"
Grandma comes TO them. all
smiles you scamper, young
man, and get dressed for dinner"
and kiddie Is hurried upstairs by
his mother. But Santa Claus. I'm
willing TO let the boy out Of his
sight, followed upstairs two at q
time. I'm tagging along. too.
Ought TO post up on how to dress
youngsters---. 90 long since I've
seen how It's DONE"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Great Chums

The kiddie and Mr.. Buck were
great cf1ums and had many i'm
portant secrets and condolences;
and many q bet did they have
for kiddie was an inveterate bet
ter and wagered fabulous sums
with his mother and grandma
and Mr.. Buck.
The day before Christmas Mr..
and Mrs. Buck we're constantly
coming and going between their
hotIse and grandma's, and Mr.
Buck had to spend lot Of time
and strength shoveling snow TO
keep the path open--for 1t had
been storm.Jg all day and piling
up heavy drifts. Protest as he
might, the kiddie wasn't allowed
to even 80 much as step out on
the back stoop or the front YER
anda--for II he tumbled off he
would be buried under SIX feet In
snow, and Mr.. Buck was too busy
that day to dig little boys out OF
snow banks.
so all the forenoon kiddie alter
mated between following his
grandma and his mother around
the Kitchen and dining room and
watching for Mr.. Buck at one of
the front windows-and making
enthusiastic reports Of what he
saw, to his mother and grandma.
The climax OF these reports came
Just before noon with the excited
that Mr.. and Mrs.
Buck we're coming across the road
Injun file--Mr. Buck carrying
big turkey-all dressed and ready
for roasting-and Mrs. Buck fol-
lowing with q PAINFUL Of dressed
chickens, all ready for the chick
en- pie.
Even in their working clothes
Mr.. and Mrs. Buck always looked
good and wholesome-zbut you
ought TO see what a distinguished
looking couple they made when
they were all dressed up for
church or company. They were
right in their element on social
occasions and they were to come
TO grandma's Christmas party az
her very honored guests.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Signals

There we're cases where none OF
these signals and alarms could be
given, as In the awful tragedy
when the family pussy-cat that
was such a pet and had previous
ly been 30 well-behaved-all OF a
sudden went raring, tearing,
shieking mad and tried TO eat
EN- all UP. The grandma and
mother grabbed the kiddie In
stanter and tossed him up on the
dining groom table and scrambled
I'D there themselves and pushed
the chairs away 10 the maniac-cat
couldn't reach them; which In
furiated 1t 80 that 1t spit and
yoWled and bit and tore every
thing In reach and tried to pull
I'D the carpet with It's claws, be-
sides making frantic jumps to get
on the table.
OF course under the circum-
stances the regular signals
couldn't be given, 80 hanging tight
to each other the three besieged
people mounted on the farm
house dining table--screamed Tor
Mr.. Buck at the top OF their
voicesl Mrs. Buck, hearing the
first cry of distress, shouted 70
Mr.. Buck, out in the barnard
ne, pitch fork in hand. arrived
lust In time TO save grandmas
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21

grandma being alone. the kiddie's
mother and he had come TO live
with her and keep her company
while all the men-folks Of the
family were away in the war.
The grown-ups at home, Of
course, didn't have very much
heart for Christmas festivities, but
for the children's sake they hid
their anxieties Is much as possi-
bic and kept the home-fires
burning and observed the dear old
family customs as well as they
could. 80 for days before the
event, the Riddles touseled head
was chuck-full of Christmas ex-
pectations, and his plump little
legs were on the 60 every min
ute following his grandma and
his mother about In their prepa-
rations for the Christmas dinner
that was TO be served exactly at
noon-by the cid grandfather
clock; and all the time when he
wasn't asleep the kiddie's tongue
kept up a constant clatter Of ques-
tions and exclams tions;. and he
was supremely happy, for his
grandma and his mother were the
kindest. best companions any kid
die ever, ever had.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Time To Go

Grandma and Mrs. Buck came
close up, toos- each with a lunch
box filed with turkey and fruit
cake and gingerbread, for Santa
Claus to carry with him on his
journey back to his place In Cen
eral Grants army. But Riddles
very particular friend, Mr.. Buck,
was standing at the street door,
all bundled up in, his buifalo-skin
overcoat and squirrel-skin cap and
ear-tabs, and gaily-colored knitted
comforter and mittens, and his
trousers tucked in his boots-car-
rying In each hand a lighted Ian
tern, one for Santa Claus and one
for himself. .f '4
Mr.. Buck had been keeping an
eve on the grandfather clock, and
suddenly announced: "gorry, but
It's time to be going" Again the
boy was swung out ct arms
length and looked into the smiling
bearded face and heard the chal-
lenge: "Bet you ten cents you
don't want to give me a good hug
and kiss for your daddie r., And
then, "Det you another ten cents
you don't want to give me one OF
the same kind for myself" Then,
with an exultant chuckle, That's
q bully good joke on your daddie
Il got the best onel" Santa Claus
placed the boy gently into his
mothers arms. He kissed her
lips and her eyes: kissed grand
ma, too, with the words, I've had
such O good visitl'-kissed Mrs.
Buck-took one Of the lighted Ian
trens In his left hand, with his
right CALAMITY waved his military
hat; and following Mr.. Buck
through the vestibule into the
open air, shouted "Good-b
and Merry Christmasl"
The three women and the small
boy hurried to the side windows.
In one they put lighted candles,
and from the other window they
watched the. moving lanterns, tili
with q circling signal Of f1nai
Goodbye at q bend Of the road
they disappeared.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
fstHf ~ u
Memories

. Ia - ~
The picture Of that scene las the
kiddie always remembered twas
night and snow-drifts outside ;"but
inside grandrna,s hospitable home,
all warmth and bright lights and
the blazing fire-place. From his
seat at the table he could see his
stockings and boots filled with
delightfully."- mysterious packages
and the wonderful, sled and drum.
And there was Santa Claus him
self, in, great, good -hufrior and q
ravenous appetite, sitting in the
midst Of gratdma's I Christmas
Dinner party, eating turkey and
all the other good things the same
as other folks, and entertaining
them with stories, about the war
and the. life OF the soidiers--and
the Siege OF vicksburg, where the
Riddles own father was--ard
things about General Grant and
President Lincoln. All the
grown-ups talked about fine
speech that the President had
HiAAG OtIly u Lew WCCA0 UCAOhC At.
the battle Of Gettysburg; and the
kiddie was pleased TO hear that
the President had made q good
speech, for 'Tads' sake-for he
had taken q strong liking to the
picture OF the Presidents eight
year old boy--and he was glad TO
hear nice things said about 'rad's'
father.
Another scene Of that crowded
hours drama that he was never
TO forget--was when grandma's
Christmas Dinner company was
gathered about the plano and his
mother played and sang songs at
the request Of Santa Claus, who
stood beside her with the kiddie
on his shoulder.
1t began with Stephen Fosters
Old Uncle Ned and finished with
Julia Ward HoweS Battle Hymn
Of the Republic --stfng, as only, his
mother could sing It, her rich
contralto voice 10 full Of depth
and feeling.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
BY JOHN BARR

yer cafldelabrurn with It's many
lighted candles; and on TO the
open kitchen door--whence came
the pleasant odors Of roasting ttlr-
key and boiling vegetables. AND
LIN q jifYy--lne saw four figures
emerge through the clouds OF
steam behind that Kitchen door
and come running to greet him
with waving arms and shouts OF
Merry Christmasl Merry Christ
mast Merry Christnasi Merry
ChristmaSl"
Three Of those figures were ia
miliar ones to the kiddie-but the
one who led the way, the tlal hg-
ure with black whiskers and q
United States Army uniform. was
a strange figure to the kiddie and
a fascinating one--with his beard
ed face all smiles and his arms
ortstretched--
And 80 kiddie was borne gaily
down stairs in his white flannel
night-gown and his little rut1led
night-cap, tied in q bow under his
small chin-at half past 2, Christ
mas morn, according TO grandnaS
grandfather clock his young
eyes sparkled like stars In the
heavens and his young arms
waved In exchange Of the friend
ly greetings, and, all Of a tremble,
his young voice shouted, Merry
Christmas, everybody" And when
they reached the next to the bot
tom stair the Riddles mother
tossed him into the waiting arms
Of the stranger with the black
whiskers, saying There, Santa
Claus, Is the little boy I was tell
ing you about"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Dreaming

ITO find out whether I'm awake,
mama. Is this really and truly
you" questioned puzzled kiddie,
curiously examining his mother In
the Pickering light Of the candle
on the waShstand.
But the hard squeeze that his
mother gave him and the ticklish
kisses In his neck convinced the
kiddie that this was no dream.
You'll think you're dreaming
again and In fairyland, though,
when you 60 down stairs, my
dear; for the fireplace Is all
ablaze--and all the lamps and
candles are lighted-and holly
and mistletoe everywhere-and-
say can't you smell the coffee?"
why, mama, I thought we
didn't have any coffee--on ac-
count OF the war;" questioned kid
die, smiling the pungent aroma.
tBut Santa Claus had brought
grandma o Christmas present OF
a bag OF the genuine "O.G.J." (Old
Government java that Uncle
Sam reserves for the Army: and
Santa himself had Just roasted
and ground some OF 1t to show
grandma and Mr.. and Mrs. Buck
exactly how the soldiers make
their coffee)
why, mama, are we going to
have breakfast now In tn night?"
"Breakfast--my precious babe!
We're going 10 hop. skip and Jump
right over breakfaSt-and have
our Christmas dinner right now
within o few minutes, 30 we can
have Santa Claus with us--for he
must go away again long before
morning and daylight"
Then let me get my clothes on
quick" whooped the kiddie. grim
ming from ear TO ear and bound
ing excitedly out Of bed. ~
But before he could even take
of his cute little night-cap his
mother had seized him In her
arms and was carrying him tri-
umphantly out Of the rOom-ex-
planning AZ they went that 1t was
Santa Claus explicit orders to
bring you just rs you are; and
after he has seen .you--you can
come back and dress for dinner"
And calling. Here he Is, Santa
Clausl Here he rs. grandmai
Here ne Is, Mr.. and Mrs. Buckp
the kiddie was lifted high in his
mothers arms AZ she extiltantly
born him down the open stair
way into grandmas sitting-room.
where, at a glance. he could g-e
beside the Siazing Fireplace his
stockings and boots bursting with
mysterious packages. and In front
Of them the most wonderful SLED
his eyes had ever beheld--and .
perfectly marvellous drum.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21

q a & b sysl -
and In the church choir, and they.
always made him stand very. erect
and close his little 1sts tight.
Now he felt a tightening Of the
black bearded mans muscles and
saw a strange light in his eyes as
she sang TN
II have seen Hitn In the watch
fires Of . hundred circiing
camps; n
They have builded Him, m altar
In the evening ,dcws and
damps; I'll "
I can read His righteous sentence
z I'm the dim and fiaring lamps
His day b marching On. h
He has sounded fortl, the trumpet
that shan never know re-
He Is sitting out the hearts tof mel,
before His Judgment Beat; 3
Oh, be swift, my soul, t0s aaiswerj
Him! be jubiiant. my feet;. !,
Our God Ia marching on" N,
When she had finished and
turned round on the plano stool
Santa Claus took her hands In his
and lifted them TO his lips.
The time came for Santa Claus
to go from grandrna's farmhouse,
hours before sunrise that Christ
mas day--so long ago. Mr.. Buck
was going with him TO the rail-
station. The snow-drifts were too
bad to risk trying with q horse
and sleigh, and they were going
TO foot 1t back, Just as Santa Claus
had come. -
They were all gathered around
the black bearded young Santa
Claus-very, very handsome lin
his blue army greatcoat, his cape,
and military hat. The kiddie was
still sperched on his shoulder with
both arms on his neck and a
lump coming in his throat, All
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Betcha!

The first thing Santa Claus did
was to hold the little fellow IN
front Of him at arms length
where each had a good chance TO
inspect the other. The shy, BLUSH
ing smile that played on kiddies
face in response to the beaming
bearded face before him-Sent
Santa Claus into q gale of joyous
laughter, as he drew the boy close
to him and sat down In grandma's
biggest armchair. h.a
Then Santa CLAUS was treated
to O little surprise when the
youngster, perched on his knee,
shook a finger playfully at him
with the challenge "Betcha ten
dollars I know what you're laugh
in at"
"Jimminle- cracked" exclaimed
Santa Claus, with delighted
chuckle, I'm not accustomed to
betting such large sums, but I'll
60 you ten cents. Come, now,
what do you say?"
Ten cents pleased Klodle just AZ
much as ten dollars, and he said
with a boyish grin, You're laugh
In at my nightcap. know 1t
looks funny, cause I've seen my
self in tn lookin'-glass. Please,
mama, unite 1t 80 can put on my
soldier-cap."
Then 1t was Riddles turn to be
treated TO surprise How much
will you take for that night-cap?
I'll give you this five dollar gold
piece for 1t, right now" and Santa
produced the coin.
what do you want 1t for~
asked the kiddie, puzzled, and
looking wonderingly at his moth
or, who stood beside them--her
face all smiles and beautifully
flushed.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Volunteer

This particular five-and-a-haK
years old--had no recollection OF
ever having seen his own father;
and the reason was that when
President Abraham Lincoln called
fog $1,000 volunteers TO fight TO
preserve the Union In 1851, the
kiddieS father was one OF the
very first soldiers TO enlist, and
had never been able TO get a fur
Tough TO come home and see his
wife and little boy. 80 all the
kiddie knew about the personal
appearance OF his father was
from the framed picture Of a
smooth faced young man In SOL
dier,s uniform. II hung on his
grandma's sitting room wall, In a
group with his grandpa's and un-
Gle Fred's pictures. also In SOL
dier's uniforms; and with pic
lures, too, of President Lincoln
and General Grant. For his
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
"Mr. Buck"

And when the kiddie was not
watching what grandma and his
mother were doing, he was prob
ably looking out OF one Of the sit
ing-room windows TO see what
Mr.. Buck was doing. Now the
indispensable Mr.. Buck, as
grandma called him, lived directly
across the street from grandma's
house. He and his good wife, Mrs
Buck, were an elderly couple whose
only two Sons we're in the war,
and he managed grandma's farms
on shares, and took care OF the
horses and COWS and sheep and
poultry-and saw that grandma
never wanted for anything, In
GLIDING plenty Of dry fire-wood
and kindlings In the woodshed
next to the kitchen.
Mr.. and Mrs. Buck were de
voted and were always on the
lookout lest any harm should ever
come to her. Though The houses
were within In easy calling dis
tance--to provide for all emer-
gencies. a system OF signals had
been established, with the kitch-
en-pantry window as the signal
station - telephones not having
been heard Of them
For night signaB--a lighted
white lantern In the pantry-wir1-
dow meant, please come over IL
convenient" but a red lantern
meant, Come, quick" And In the
daytime, when the windows and
doors we're closed 10 that even a
bell might not be heard, a white
towel in the window meant, III
perfectly convenient" but when
one Of the kiddie's little red-fian-
mel undershirts was displayed in
the pantry window, 1t meant
Hurry like the dickens" AS In
the case where the kiddie climbed
nearly to the top Of the big prize
Spitzenburg apple tree and
couldn't get down, 30 that Mr..
Buck had to turn himself into a
hook and ladder company and
come TO the rescue. In that
emergency the alarm was not lin
tied to the display Of the little
red shirt, but Riddles grandma
rank a bell from the back porch
and his mother blew the dinner
horn from the front verandal
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21

shouting out from the snow
drifts OF a blizzard In the middle
of the night and dashing into
somebody's house, and without
even stopping to shake the snow
of himgelf-immediately 60 TO
kissing and embracing the as
tonished ladies Of the household,
and do the same TO shy and be-
wildered kiddie, attired In his
WHITE flannel night-gown and lit
tie rufYled night-cap tied In a
bOW-knot under his small chin
Wis had never before been kissed
by o man with or without whis-
kcrs) as far as he could remcm-
BERT
However, these very things, and
more, actually happened In a GER
tain Riddles grandma's house In a
pleasant farming community In
western New York--on the 18th
of December, 1883-right In the
middle Of the Civil War.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21

exactly separate them. But out OF
the delightful confusion Of 1t all,
certain incidents and pictures
were always clear In his memory.
From an exciting dream that
Santa Claus had tunnbled into an
enormous big snow-drift down the
road little way, and had blown
his horn for help and that Mr..
Buck was shoveling him out and
was calling for kiddie to come
and give him a hand--from this
dream he became vaguely aware
that a warm, soft arm was about
his neck and that his mothers
hand and wrist (whose shapeli-
ness, he had always admired 80
much) was gently stroking his
face--and she was strangely out
Of breath and whispering, Don't
be frightened, darling-it's your
own mama come TO wake you up
In tn middle Of tn night and tell
you about q wonderful surprise
and you NEVER could guess what
1t Isl"
I'll betcha a hundred dollars I
can guess" promptly challenged
the suddenly wide-awake kiddie,
struggling to get up--"It's about
Santa Claus-Has Mr.. Buck got
him shoveled out?"
"Shoveling who out, dear?"
"Why, Santa Claus of course,
mama; Mr.. Buck was just calling
for me TO come and help him."
You darling little goosie--you've
been dreaming; but what would
you say II should tell you that
Santa Claus Is down stairs this
very minute with grandma and
Mr.. and Mrs. Buck? And he wants
me TO bring you right down 80 he
can see you. He would have come
UP here himself and shouted
Merry Christmasl" and pulled
you out OF bed-but he was
afraid he might frighten you, be-
cause he has black whiskers and
isn't old and fat and roly-poly
like the pictures: but think
you'll agree with me that he Is
very, very handsome. Why. sweet
heart, what are you pinching
yourself for?"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
My Daddie!

Then the kiddie was startled
and frightened to see the others
were sobbing and holding their
handkerchiefs to their eyes. Was
there news of o battle--the death
Of relatives or friends? The ola
lump came to his throat again ~
he asked, what hap happened 70
his daddie. Again he was shocked
and puzzled when instead OF In
,creasing their tears, as he had
feared, they turned their sobs into
hysterical laughter, and all ne
could make out Of their incoher-
ent speech was that his father
was ali right--safe and sound
Rapidly thinking, he started TO
ask some questions. Suddenly ne
changed his mind and dared them
to take the biggest bot OF his lie
1T betcha all tn money In the
world that--that--Santa Claus
is--my--own--daddie!"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Embarrassed

Kiddie was extremely enbar-
raised when his mother did--what
she wasn't IN the habit Of doing
took on his nightgown, sl<in.th'-
cat-fashion. leaving his straight
little white body standing before
Santa Claus.
The little arm that was invol-
unfairly raised 10 hide his blush.
ing face, bore o great scar from
IN accidental burn when he YVES
. baby. and the sight q this
strangely affected santa Claus.
vino, impulaively gathered the boy
IN his arms and kissed the scar,
sasing-"A soldier secs sears
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21
Good Night

From the time the kIddie said
his prayers and jumped merrily
into his nice soft bed and war
tucked In snug and tight under
extra blankets, and exchanged
loving kisses and Goodnight
mana. dear with Goodnight my
darling boy'--and drifted on into
the land OF dreams; from that
time on through the following
memorable twonty-four hours,
strange dreams were 30 mixed
with even more strange realities
that no could never aftcrward
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-21

sortso Of queer thoughts were pop
ping into his touseled heed-4for
when the soldier santa had taken
his watch out Of his pocket 70 zee
whether the grandfather clock
was right. kiddie had caught q
glimpse Of q lady's picture inside
that looked exactly Ike his own
mother. He wanted to ask ques-
tions, but things were happening
SO fast that he didn't get a
chance, Mother was standing
close TO them, her eyes very bril-
liant and q look In her face that
he had never seen before, but her
hand was as cold as Ice when 1t
touched his leg.