Christmas Tales from Days Gone By

By D. M. Kalten

 Sit back with the children and an old fashioned hot cider while enjoying these short tales and tidbits from the past. The earliest story is from 1848 so you may have openings to explain a little bit about history to the children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DMSF
• Release date: Dec 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519953193

D. M. Kalten

Having raised a dyslexic son, I did a lot of searching for things that he enjoyed listening to as he would try to follow along as I read to him. Most were historic items that helped teach him history with stories about dogs being his favorite. The historic words did make him think along with helping him retain the spellings and meanings of many words, plus I would explain situations with the stories. Those collections, that took years to build, are now going into book forms.

Book preview

Christmas Tales

From Days Gone By

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D. M. Kalten

Christmas Tales

From Days Gone By

Copyright © 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 D. M. Kalten

All rights reserved.

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Published in the USA

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Contents

Forward

Christmas Presents - 1848

At Daylight on Christmas Morning - 1862

The Resurrection Plant - 1876

Faith is Wonderful - 1898

General Sherman - 1889

A Little Christmas Story - 1898

Into a Home of Wealth - 1898

It Has Always Seemed - 1898

The Best Christmas Story - 1898

The Christmas Deed - 1898

To Every Mother - 1898

To My Mind - 1898

A Christmas Story – 1899

The Christmas Story - 1903

Star in the East - 1904

The Lookout Man - 1904

A Christmas Story - 1907

Lost and Found - 1909

The Word XMAS - 1922

Forward

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These are short Christmas stories of varied sizes and some tidbits from long ago.  You may have heard or read stories like these when you were a child but you don’t hear or see them today. 

The early stories are nice to share with younger family members as it actually helps teach them history including the way of life as it used to be. 

Each story is shown with the year it was known to be in print.

Early stories often had spelling and punctuation errors with the earliest years being the worst for both. Corrections were done in some places, but not all as to retain the ‘flavor’ of the time frames.  If you see an error on a page, it is meant to be there per the old writing.

Welcome to what your ancestors may have read.

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Christmas Presents - 1848

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. A Story for the Holidays by T. S. Arthur as published in 1848 with spelling corrections.

"D

idn't he make you a present of anything, Lizzy?" asked Margaret Granger of her cousin Lizzy Green.

No, not even of a strawberry cushion, spoke up Lizzy's sister Jane, that he might have bought for a six-pence. I think he’s a right down mean, selfish, stingy fellow, so I do; and if he doesn't keep Lizzy on bread and water when he gets her, my name's not Jane Green.

I wouldn't have him, said Margaret, jesting, yet half in earnest. Let Christmas go by and not make his sweetheart or sister a present of the most trifling value! He must have a penny soul. Why, Harry Lee sent me the Leaflets of Memory and a pair of the sweetest flower-vases you ever saw, and he only comes to see me as a friend. And Cousin William made me a present of a splendid copy of Mrs. Hall's Sketches, the most interesting hook I ever read. Besides, I received lots of things. Why my table is full of presents.

You have been quite fortunate, said Lizzy, in a quiet voice; much more so than Jane and I, if to receive a great many Christmas presents is to be considered fortunate.

But don't you think Edward might have sent you some token of good-will and affection in this holiday season, when everyone is giving or receiving presents? asked Margaret.

Nothing of the kind was needed, cousin Maggy, as an expression of his feelings towards me, replied Lizzy. He knew that I understood their true quality, and felt that any present would have been a useless formality.

You can't say the same in regard to Jane. He might have passed her the usual compliment of the season.

Certainly he might, said Jane. Lizzy needn't try to excuse him after this lame fashion. Of course, there is no cause for the omission but meanness - that's my opinion, and I speak it out boldly.

It isn't right to say that, sister, remarked Lizzy. 'Edward has other reasons for omitting the prevalent custom at this season and good reasons, I am well assured. As to the charge of meanness, I don't think the fact you allege a sufficient ground for making it."

Well, I do then, said Cousin Margaret. Why, if I were a young man and engaged in marriage to a lady, I'd sell my shoes but what I'd give her something as a Christmas present.

Yes - or borrow or beg the money, chimed in Jane.

Everyone must do as he or she think's best replied Lizzy. "As for me, I am content to receive no holiday