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About The Sioux County journal. (Harrison, Nebraska) 1888-1899 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1895)
j 7 -kV. The Sioux County Journal, VOLUME VIII. HARKISON,, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, DEC. 19, 1895. NUMBER 15. i SANTA CLAU3 ii the childreus friend. Who he wn we have little means of knowing. Authentic his tory is almost silent on the subject, mere ly stating thai he waa the Bishop of Myra, In I.ycia, anil died about the year 82tt. Tradition has woven many a pretty tale a Ixi ut him, and one runs that he appeared in the night time and secretly made valuable presents to the children of the household. What manner of person St. Nicholas waa, aeema subject to varia tion, according to the time, place or man ner of regarding him. Medieval painters represent him as slender, and clad in full episcopal robes with miter ami croiier. Modern painters and storytellers in En gland, Germany and America, give us a jovial, rubicund type of a man, with none of the features of the cleric. Kris Krin gle is regarded as an alternative name for Santa Claus, hut he is a totally differ ent being. Kris Krlngle is simply a cor ruption of the German word "Christ Ktndlein," or Christ Child. Christmas is children's day; It Is the day when, as Dickens says, we should remember the time when lis great found er was a child himself. It Is especially the day for the friendlesa young, the children in hospitals, the lame, the sick, the weary, the blind. No child should be left alone on Christmas day.for loneliness with chil dren means brooding. A child growing op with no child friend Is not a child at all, but a premature man or woman. The best Christmas present to a boy Is a boi of tools, the best to a girt any number of dolls. When thev get older and can write letters a postoffice Is a de lightful boon. These are to be bought, but they are far more amusing If made at home. Any good-sized cardboard box will do for this purpose. The lid should be fastened to It so that when It stands up It will open like a door. A slit must be cut out about an inch wide and from five to six Inches long, so as to allow the postage of small parcels, yet not large enough even to admit the sum I lent hand. Children should learn to respect the in violate character of the post from the earliest age. Capital acraphooks can be made by chil dren. Old railway guides may be the fonndatlon and every illustrated paper a magazine of art A paste box, next to a .Hint box. is a most serviceable toy. Hobby horses are profitable steeds and can be made to go through any amount of paces. But mechanical toys are more amusing to his elders than to the child, who wishes to do his own mechanism. A boy can be amused by turning him out of the house, giving him a ball or a kite, or letting blm dig in the ground for the un happy mole. Little girls, who must be kept In on a rainy day, or invalid chil dren, are very hard to amine, and re course must be had to story telling, to the dear, delightful thotmand and one hooks now written for children, of which "Alice In Wonderland" is the flower of perfection. BEGINNING at Benton City, on the Union I'acific Itoad, the tele graph line stretches to the north, leaps across t the Laramie mountains, and at a point opposite the great mas of earth aod rock and tree, called Bed Butte, il comes to a sudden atop. From . this point to the fort, a distance of twenty-fire miles, is the roughest portion of the way, and the skulking bands of In diana make it the most dangerous. At the terminus of the line Is a rude shanty and a soldier operator. Close by the shanty are tents of the soldiers, who are sotting the poles and pushing (he line along until the fort shall have electric communication with the outside world. It is December now only two daya to Christinas. Tnere have been cold rains, snow storms, severe weather, and the soldiers are wondering why they have not been ordered back to the fort for the winter, when a mounted messenger ar rives over the trail bearing the expected order. The Colonel'a wife haa gone East. The operator la to wire her to remain where she is until spring. When her an swer la received the shanty la to be closed up, ramp broken, and the party headed for the fort. The afternoon wears away, the night cornea down, and some of the soldiers are asleep, whtn Benton City aenda In its tall, and folio wa It by a tele gram reading: "The Colonel'a wife tart mI West four daya ago, and ought lo be there or at the fort now." Neat morning thera raa a arrival from the South. The Colonel's wife, rid ing a horse with a blanket for a saddle, dismounted at the front of the shauty, and opened the door with a cheery "Howdy do, boys!" to the operator and the Sergeant. As both men stood at "at tention," she removed the hood and cloak which enveloped her, shook off the snow, and said to the (Sergeant: "I came through with hardly an hour's rest, and I'm hungry as a wolf. Tell some of the men to cook something. I'll give the Colonel a surprise." Everylody hustled and bustled, and an hour later camp was broken, and twelve people headed for the north, the strong est man breaking the way, and the Col onel's wife bringing up the rear, with a kind word and a smile for every soldier. The trail led up a narrow valley, and the wild gale had drifted the snow until the line had to move forward at a snail's pace. At nightfall they had made Just half the distance to the fort. In a thicket all ate aupper together. Said the Ser geant, as he looked In vain for the stars: "I saw Iujun signs back by the creek." "I see that you have revolvers as well as muskets," remarked the Colonel'a wife. . - , Haas y - "thet won't take mk PKIMONKR." "Please give me otie and extra ammuni tion. I'll try and not be a burden to you, at least." As the gale came sweeping down the valley and roaring around the mountain base, there were wild wur whoops and the crack of rifles. In the darkness a score of Indiana had crept close upon the camp. Both sentries were shot dead. "It's only Injuns, boys; only Injuns!" shouted the Sergeant, and be fired his first shot. "Now, then, push out." They had not moved ten rods before a rifle cracked and one of the men pitched forward, shot through the heart. A minute later two more bullets whistled over the men's heads. Then the little pored the Colonel's wife, as ahe held oat the revolver. "That's right, ma'am. Wa are .headed for the fort right enough, and maybe tht red fiends will haul off after a bit and )tt ua go in peace. A merry Christmas to you, though I've seen merrier ouea In my time." For a mile or more tho little party breasted the storm. Then came a sud den shot, and the rear uard went down. There were seven men and a woman at 8 o'clock. At 9 o'clock there were but five men, at 10 but four, at midnight only two. Two men and a woman the Sergeant, the aoldier-operator, and the Colonel'a wife. The others had been picked off one by one, and the Indiana atill followed. Now and then the trio halted, knelt down, and peering Into the snow-wliirl, opened a fusillade which checked pursuit If It did not wound or kill. Instinct must have guided them in that storm Providence must have shield ed them from the bullets, but the storm continued to rage and the vengeful foe to pursue, till the report of the firearms reached the ears of the sentinel at the fort. No one had yet learned what was happening, when three figures staggered up to the gate, and on Into the fort, and up to the door of the Colonel's headquar ters. Two of the figures held up a third between them. As he peered in the Ser geant saluted and said: "Col. Dawson, I report myself, and I bring you a Christmas present." And as the Colonel uttered a about of surprise and rushed forward with out stretched arms, the brave little woman fell into them, and the two men sank down in their tracks, and those who lifted them up wet their fingers with the blood of heroes. A bamiHome merry-faced woman, who is five years older a Sergeant of infantry who limps a bit a lone grave in which sleeps the soldier-operator nothing more to be seen. The Colonel's wife may tell you the story the Sergeant couldn't be coaxed to, but be can't conceal the limp, and is proud of the extra stripes he has worn on his sleeves ever since that Christ mas day. A Financial Transaction. "Suy, niiNter," said a boy who had Just overtaken a market wagon after pursu ing it for (our or five blocks, "do you wauter know who hit you in the ueck with that hard snowball?" "You bet I do," replied the man, Black ening speed. "Will ye gimme a quarter cf I ketch him and bring him here "Yep." "Gimme fit) cents?" ' "Yes," said the driver, lifting his whip from the socket; "but 1 don't give you any morc'n that. "Well, git the money ready." "You haven't got tho boy that threw the snowball yet. . "Yes, I have. That boy la me. Dad's sick, and me mother can't get work. The twins is too little ter earn anything, an If I don't hustle there won't be any Christ mas tree at our house. I'll take a lickio' any day fur 50 cents." "Sonny," said the market man. In a voice that whs remarkably husky, "here'i yer 50 cents. I'm In a hurry now yon needn't bother about dellverln' the goods. We'll call It square." Washington Star. Johnny's Woe. Curly headed Johnny had a tear drop In his eye, Curly-beaded Johnny couldn't speak without a sigh. And tbo Christmas preparations that were 'round blm everywhere Had not the Wast effect upon his melan choly air. "Oh. what's the use of hanging up my stock ing." he would say; "There's nothing to look forward to for nie uirOhrlstmai Day; He'll scratch us off his program when he hitches up his team, Kor Kunly needs a fireplace, and they heat our flat by strain." Washington 8tar. A Christmas Kntcrtalninent. A novel Idea for a children's Christ mas entertainment is a butterflies' bull, writes Elizabeth Hobinson Scovil, In the Ladies' Home Journal. This need not mean late hours cor expensive dreaaes. The boys wear tight-fitting suits of black or dark-brown, the girl any pretty, fanci ful dresses. The framework of the wings is deftly fashioned of wire and covered with paper or the cotton crepon that cornea in auch vivid colors; these are spangled with gold or painted to repre sent the tinting of the butterfly's wings. A light yoke of wire is constructed to fit the shoulders, fastening under the arms, and to this the wings are attached. The effect is very brilliant and graceful. An other pretty fancy ia an archery fete. The children carry email bows dressed "BOTH MEN STOOD AT ATTENTION." band waa bidden from sight of tha In dian oentlnels by tha blinding whirl of now. "They're afttr ua, ma'am," said the Ser geant "Tha won't taka ma prisoner," whia- wlth flowers, and abeafa of arrows in flower-bedecked quivers. "Ton haven't got 16 about you, Jones T "No, I haven't. Wlfa borrowed tha last to buy my Christmaa preeenL" Atlanta Constitution. ISP Father calls me William, sister calls me Will, Mother cells me Willie but the fellers call ire Bill! Mighty glsd I ain't a girl ruther be a boy Without them sashes, curls and things that's wi rn by Fsuntleroyl Love to chawuk green spples an' go swlm- mln' In the lake Bste to take the castor-lie they give f'r belly-ache I Moat sll the time the bull year roun' their ain't no flies on me. But Jea' 'fore Christmas I'm as good as I kin be! Got a yaller dog named Sport sick Mm on the cat; Fust thing she knows she doesn't know where she Is at! fioX a cltpper-sled, an' when us boys goes out to slide 'Long comes the grocery cart an' we all hook a ride! But, sometimes, when tho grocery man la worrited snd crosa. He reaches at me with bis whip snd larrups up his hoss; An' then I la ft and holler: "Oh, you never teched me!" But Jea' 'fore Christmas I'm ss good ss I kin be! Gran'ma says she hopes that when I get to be a man I'll be a inlssloner like her oldes' brother Dan, Aa wus et up by the cannibals that lives In Ceylon's Isle, Where every proapeck pleases an' only man Is vile! But gran'ma she bad never been to see s Wild West show. Or resd the life uv Daniel Boone, or else I guess she'd know That Buffalo Bill an' cowboys Is good enough f'r me Excep' Jos' 'fore Christines, when I'm good as I kin bel Then ol' Sport he hangs around, so solium like and still His eyes they seem a-sayln': "What's er mat ter, little Bill?" make things hum! But I am so oerllte and stick so earnestlike t) bis. That mother ses to father: "How Improved our Willie Is!" But father, bavin' been a boy hlsself, sus picions me, When, Jea' 'fore Christmas. I'm as good as I kin bel For Christmas, with Its lots an' lota nv can- aU The cat she sneaks down off ber perch, a-woaderln' what's become Uv them two enemies uv hern that use ter dies, cakes sod toys, Wus made, they say. f'r proper kids, and not f'r naughty boys! 8o waso- yer face, and bread yer hair, an' mill' yer p's snd q's, Ad' dou't bust out yer pantaloons, an' don't wesr ' tit your shoes; Rsy yessum to the ladles, an' yesslr to the men An' when they's company don't pass yer plata f'r pie again ; , But, thlnkln' uv the things you'd like to sea upon that tree, Jea' 'fore Oris! mas tie ss good as you kin bet Eugene Field, In Ladles' Home Journal. Hla Iteason. It was drawing near to a very Interest ing selson of the year. Willy waa getting ready for bed. Ilia mother looked happy. "My dear," ahe said, "I am glad to aee that you do not hurry through your prayers ai you uaed to do," "No, ma'am," aald Willy; "Christmaa la waak after next, and I hara a goad man things to aak for." l& Comt, old year, 'tis time to go. Age, perhaps, has made you slow. But your time of rule haa flown "And I come to claim my own. You are popular no more, . All your triuinpba here are gone. .With what atreugtb is left to you, Had you better hasten on. Learning from experience, I have proinlicM much, like you. When another year has flown t lJeuple will condemn me, too. Bnt what matters that to us? Years, like men, must come and go. .We arc fast with promises, With fulfillments ws are slow. 1 INDOOR CHRISTMAS GAMES. How the You ok Folks May Find Pleae- ure if the Day Be Stormy. Parlor games like chess, draughts, dom inoes, etc., are too heavy for Christmas. The boys and birla want more rollicking, hlp-hip-hurruh games. A committee ap pointed to provide desirable amusement for a well-known charity in New York selected tho following program. Ten hours were spent in selecting appropriate fastened small hemlock boughs, thus forming a solid mass of green. Tha framework should, of course, be wound with evergreen, the whole placed about two feet from the wall, so that behind it may be hung the Christmas beila ofi red and yellow immortellea at different lengths by ropes of evergreen. Thaaa bells may be made to hang at different angles by using fine picture wire. Let each bell be worded, so that they may, seem to ring out their own song of "Glory to God in the highest." For a Sunday achool featlval, a post office where each child upon inquiring might find an envelop addreaaed and , sealed, containing a pretty Christmaa card. Is a unique feature. Then thera la the huge snowball made of cotton, be sprinkled with diamond dust and filled with gifts for the infant class, which may be rolled through the window with an appropriate letter from Santa Clans. Keeping Christmas Wisely. 1 Thoughtful people have discovered that we are in danger of losing our Christ mas by doing it to death. It may die of surfeit, as well aa a pet, or a love. The madding crowd making itself maniac across the Impassable streets, choking the writhing shops, stalling tha railway trains, blocking the United States mails, and choking, stalling, block ing, and madding more madly every year than it did the year before, does not necessarily mean the growth of tha Christmas sense, but is quite aa likely to mean the growth of Christmas nonsense. It means a vast amount of folly, Imita tion, greed, ambition. It means an In calculable sum of envies, disappoint ments, jealousies. It means unmeasured aches. It means women literally "tired to death," and men in debt, and neigh bors offended, and rich relatives cajoled, and a host of human blunders which we might call the Christmas waste. All tha processes of action have their waste, and it does not condemn the action, but only appeals to the intelligence behind tha ac tion to regulate the proportion between profit and loss. So, when we have a fine thing an art. Invention, feeling or custom tha first point la how not to lose it, and it may ba found that we need a high spiritual econ omy to save our Chriatmaa from the kind 5 -it-wv a rMvo t a r ivvik V3 'W, mVT7 "ajiSb- efec55. 1 Ivt.n t tk Wkile a.11 ike warld i& prtwrnfli. J M U W'H' nivo vims ij wivai rie een arc ayitvgt We re tue ei(t3 af v'edB.g id gAgaj; t we .re ine torvque or prapner, And pneg i e a.re tke liS ef ike Jiibi'jW Aleeber(. Who d re a. me d af & tr iiv Ike burble eastt nrn ,rd by the flate of ike nxyticl n wW the (Knit wi bsriv. We Are the prAyerj af the WA.K de ring "tag Kv oc3crl3 " ,evei Ana lenej We .re Ike (Waj ef Jurfe.. )he fckerdj i we re vac iveie- n,a.. irem ne.veivwere piewa, a I 1 I n f ' n . ' 1 irom, itte eeieen irvrsAi sr ah naeei h.rfi We Are the ieArdrab f dref nrf of searu We .re the ehae ef9 YeXterW,J pAiu We. jre the JubiUM ai(e ef tjinerrew- lis i PeA(e aa tkrtki let my geed will reidA lii our iipfl -pres. J5iies.te en tarisrwas jnsrA. SUVIK the hriat H ker. - Indoor gamea and pastimes, and even then no more than were actually needed were decided upon, says the New York Mail and ExpreBB. If the children can set out of doors their amusement Is easy, for baaebali, leap frog, hide and aeek, and other games suffice, but indoors some thing akin to these games la wanted In thia class is a game known as "The Country Circus." It consists in making ridera, tumblers, clowns, strong men, etc., of all the children and with this impro vised company giving a performance. Another good game for the house is called "Jack-of-All-Trades," in which those engaged must perform some work in the particular trade to which they are assigned by the foreman. In this game on Thanksgiving the boys and girls of an institution in Jeraey cut and sewed a lot of carpet rags, made a lote of brushes, and split and bundled several cords of wood. "The Boy Hunters," in which the chil dren learn the name, habits, and peculiar ities of the entire animal kingdom, is an other good game, and "Hobinson Crusoe" one of the same kind and value. All these games are active onea, require constant movement, and are meant only for the daylight. For the evening, games leas boisterous must be chosen. In this class are "Anagrams," "Authors," "History of Our Times," and shadow pantomimea. The last named, however, are the moat popular and enjoyable and have so In creased In favor that books written espe cially to show how to prepare and per form them can be had at any well-stocked book store. A Christmaa) Church Idea.. If the platform of a church or Sunday achool room ba deep enough to admit of It an artistic Chriatmaa arch can easily be made by an amateur carpenter, writes Florence Wilson, in the Ladles' Home Journal. Tha apper part should hara wlree stretched acroee, to which mar be of decadence that belonga to a society like oura. It is the greatest it ought to be the grandest day in our calendar. A petty spirit, a false extravagance, a lost temper, a worn-out body, a disappointed soul, have no more place at Chriatmaa than at marriage time, or heaven time. Yuletide Cnstoms. . It is customary to give a quarter pres ent and expect a $5 one in returp. With the usual perverseness of nature, Christmas conies in the middle of a hard winter. The modern highwayman doesn't say "money or your life!" he wishes you "a merry Christmas." The small boy who tries to make too mush noise is apt to blame Santa Claua for not giving him an extra head for hli drum. Some people wish you a merry Christ mas instead of giving you a present, be cause it's eaaier to pay the compliment of the season than it is to settle with Santa Claua. Your wife expects you to look pleased when she gives you a $40 smoking jacket and tells yon she has had it charged. Truth. He Was Snrprlaed. Mrs. (iaiiam I've got a box of cigars for my husband's "Christ urns present, which will surprise him. Mrs. Maddox Women don't know how to buy cigars for men. Mrs. Us nam I know that, so I got Brother Jack to get them for me-- Judge. Now comes the glad New Year; Though fate may do her worst. She cannot blot that legend clear: "Ail hllla All on Ik. Atlanta Constitution. Mrs. Newlywed How 1 love to hear tha merry Chriatmaa bells. Mr. Newlywed-I'd like to bear them, too-, If Chriatmaa bells were not aa cm foundedly suggestive of Chriatmaa hllla. - i.-rv - O i .. . r.i r , r -' . ft . A i , i ,. r A. '. '' r i. at. i r. t 1 . i I JaS...- i It V i - . i ai " 4 VrV A