davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

Ben had been saving up for this
Christmas with more than the usual
stinting and self-denial, and the result
of it all now stood before him neatly
packed in a wooden box.
Two men there were aboard the "7.3O
locar whose faces reflected nothing
of the Christmas cheer Presently the
fireman put down his oil can and
looked up at the engineer.
what time is the strike ordered
for?" he asked
Half past eight to the second"
growled the engineer.
why, that'l leave rs ten miles from
no wherew cried the fireman, whose
name was Stebbins. mice Christmas
we'll have. Lucky if we find a roof
to cover u.s. Why do we have to strike
on Christmas Eve, of all times?" he
added, wrathfully.
'"Cause the president takes this train
out to Edgetown tonight SOS he kin
hey Christmas with his old mother
We got the tip no more than an hour
ago. The men thinks tibet ruther than
get stuck between here and thar he'll
cave in and grant us wot we ask
At that moment well dressed man
of thirty-fve or SO, satchel in hand,
came briskly down the platform and
got into the smoker. 1t was the presi-
dent of the road. He was a very
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

steam and a slow 'choo-choor' as
though the big engine were taking
breath for its long run, the train rolled
majestically out of the station.
Ben wal on his fourth round-"can-
dy and bonbons" this time when there
was a sudden jolting and jarring as
the train came quickly to standstill.
Some folks, thinking it a station.
gathered up their traps preparatory
to departure, but Ben knew better He
knew they should be halfway between
Sandsville and Henderson, which was
the last stop before Edgetown.
'Hot box, reckonv' muttered Ben.
to himself ''That'll mean half hour
delay, and mother'n get uneasy"
The train boy stepped out on the
platform, and, leaning far out, he saw
a knot of men standing by the engine,
their faces lit up by the light from the
cab.
Quickly clamboring down, he ran
up to the group. Facing each other
were the engineer and the president.
''This is dastardly plot of yours
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

'em till they're done. I've got to have
'em in ten days exactly"
Eyes, I will,'' replied Nora firmly.
my father says that to look before
you leap is sound business prin-
ciple, SO I've considered a good deal.
I'll have them all picked over in ten
days sure"
Consequently nearly every spare
minute before and after school Nora
picked over beans. The first bushel
was ssjust fun the second not quite
so funny, the third not comical at all,
the fourth needed this mental remind
er from Nora to encourage herself:
This is business; I've undertaken it
and / must finish"
Various were her eXpedients to rest
her wrists during the movements of
sorting; in her dreams she was con-
stantly engaged in picking out the
damaged and discolored beans that
somelow would get back into the
culled quantity, and when the seventh
bushel was begun Morals sister, hear
ing some one fall in tie kitchen. went
out and discovered Nora, her head
within the basket of beans in a dead
faint.
Inen Mrs. Maggie thought it time to
interfere. She sent the girl outdoors
Tor her customary exercise and fresh
air, saying firmly:
NO more beans, my dear.'
But big Brother Tom, impressed by
the quivering lips of the little sister.
Whispers, Never mind, sis, we'll have
family party tonight and rope em
all in to help"
So invitations were given out and in
the evening father, mother, two sis
tiers and big brother Tom and little
brother Ben and Nora gathered in the
kitchen and made short work of the
remaining beans. Then they had some
of the company peanut waters and
guessed conundrums and in conclusion
Nora gave them grateful kiss ell
around. And that. her father said,
was verys good pay.
You're clipper to pick beans, amt
ye" said the man when he came for
them. Now, you watch the postotfice
tonight, little woman, and shouldn't
wonder if you got nice dollar bill"
Nora did watch the postoffice, but no
dollar came. Not that evening nor the
next day nor ever. The bean man
proved to be swindler who had dis
posed of his sorted product immedi-
ately and left for parts unknown with
out paying any of the bean pickers.
Did Nora cry? Not bit, although
she felt very much like it.
Would it have been better, father,
to say 1 must hive my pay when he
took the beans away? Would that be
the way to dc business with strang
err"
Mr.. Nagle nodded, very proud to
have his little daughter draw this help
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
PITH AND POINT.

She-"I wonder why they hung that
picturew He-"Perhaps they couldn't
catch the artistw-Tit-B Bits.
Harduppe-"I always do my hardest
work before breakfast" Borrowell--
Whats that?" Harduppe- Getting
it."
What are your views on the money
question: asked the politician. Never
heard of it," replied the poet, sadly
Philadelphia Record.
Let us then be up and doing,
To be prosperous
We must do the other chap, or
He'll be doing us.
Philadelphia Record.
Samuel, 1 think we will be more.
certain to get away without detection
if we elope on railway train well.
ask your father to get us a pass
Chicago Record.
Mr.. Small-'Do you know her?'' Mrs.
Small-"Only by reputation. Her hus.
band is the inventor of the cash reg.
lister for married mems trousers
Ainslee's Magazine.
Clara, an indoor flying machine
has been invented" ''Well, YOU
needn't get one, Clarence; you
break enough bric-a-brac now."-In.
dianapolis Journal
Teacher-"How many voyages did
Columbus make?" Pupil-"He made
four, ma'am." Teacher Correct; and
after which of them did he dep
Philadelphia Record.
Mandy" said her elderly relative,
"that young Spoonamore hasn't a
cent to his name. You would be SIM
bly, crazy to marry him." Il am,
auntie," replied Mandy.
Mrs. Bingo-"Thats just like
man." Bingo-"What have 1 done
now?" Mrs. Bingo-"I spent day
making that pillow, and now you have
put your head on it.''-Harpers Bazaar.
Some women wish that they were men,
But there are more, must aver,
Ne'er harbor such thought-but then,
They often wish their husbands were.
Smart Set.
Mr.. Skinnerhorn (as the participants
IN the DEBATE became pefsonall-"I was
a. laundering idiot when 1 asked you
to marry .mer' Mrs. Skhnmerhorn--
well, you looked it, dear Chicago
Tribune.
ara-"Evidently Mr.. Sweetser is
head over heels in love with you,
Edith" Edith-"Nonsense!' Clara
"Oh, but it's fact. He actually said
he delighted to hear you sing. '-Bos-
ton Transcript.
Sarah" said the lady of the house,
breaking the news gently to the new
servent girl, I'VE shall have to get
along without your services after the
first of the month" Yes, num-" re-
piled Sarah; I'm sorry the masters
affairs are in such bad shape, num-"
Philadelphia North American. -
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

waye says, 4 hope blessing will 60
with them" with the utterance Of
this wish Nora dropped into dream
land.
Scarcely week had passed before
the Nagles had conjectured the whole
truth. Little brother Ben came home
from school and told his mother that
"Myra Pell. that skinny girl that lived
in the alley, had lot of new toggery
and Nora acted just as if she owned
herr
So the older members of the family
could guess where the dollar went to,
but they respected the little business
woman's wishes. 1t is rumored, how
ever, that Santa Claus is going to
find the bean man and that Nora will
find dollar bill in her Christmas
stocking DEMO Stuart, in the Chicago
Record.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

bundle before she looks outside, and
that'll give me good chance to run
off. / declare, when Myra came into
school the morning we had snow, she
was most froze. Just thin cotton
stockings and no mittens! And don't
believe she gets enough to eat. Course
her mother washes, but her father
just hangs around and tells the rest
what they ought to do. But I'll never
tell her who gave her the bundle. If
did she'd either tha-k me to death,
and that would make me feel so
'shamed, or else her father would
think might give her something all
the time, and my father wouldn't like
that, and / guess my father knows
what's best. Now, let's see-two pairs
of stockings, red fascinator, a pair
of mittens-red. with long wrists-a
hair-ribbon and one-eent pencil. That
just makes the dollar. And l shan't
wait for Christmas, either. I'll slip
off tomorrow morning before / go to
school and buy 'em and hide 'em till
night, then open Myra's door jus
enough to slip the bundle in; til
run"
Well" continued Nora, more ana
more drowsiIy, 'as old lady Banks al
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
N5EIsR @EIRQSTC1AS D0LJI1[s6I

family to her surprise they insisted
upon dropping payment into the little
bank she had made ready for her bean
money And the neighboring women,
too, all at once were so busy they could
not take their babies out for airinps.
IF Nora would be SO kind as to do
this for them she should have ten
cents an hour"
Nora caught at the opportunity Gag
erly and every fine day promenaded
the village streets with somebody's
baby.
At last the dollar was earned and
Nora firmly refused to test further the
kindness of her friends.
Mother says enough is enough
That sounds right, and I'm going to
do errands after this for 'commoda-
tion's sake" she insisted.
That night Nora told her plans to
her pillow. mo one will ever know"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

that we re going right through. Then
you can stop here or so on with US,
just as you choose"
Then the news was passed along the
train that a substitute engineer had
been found and the train was to go
through after all.
Aboard the engine, his gloved hands
welding a shovel, was the president
of the road, while Ben. with his face
out of the cab window, kept his left
hand on the throttle.
In the meantime the brakemen held
short consultation with the con-
ductor and had concluded that the best
course for them was to quit the train
and leave it to its fate.
A couple of the male passengers vol
unteered to act as brakeman and con-
ductor, and with this strange crew the
train presently got under way.
1t had been decided that as trouble
probably awaited them at Henderson,
where a large rowdy element was To-
Gated, the train would stop half mile
this side of the town for the passen-
gers, and then Ben was to run through
Henderson without stopping.
On the station platform group of
a hundred men were grimly awaiting
the arrival of the train. Its approach
had been heralded by it's whistle five
minutes before.
IF the train slows up, board her, and
pull off the engineer" commanded the
head of the gang. IF she doesn't stop,
shoot at the scabs. and smash all the
windows you CAM
Suddenly hoarse shout went up.
Here she comes! Bless me if she
amt slowin' DOWN. cried one.
Ready, boys, with yer brickbatsw
cried the ringleader, revolver in hand.
Leaning far out of the cab window,
his face smutehed with coal dust. his
eyes shining like stars, was Ben. The
president, who had forgotten to re-
move his kid gloves, stood just be-
hind, shotgun in hand. The revolver
was raised hundred stones were
POASCu III tAC oil. 1uGu DIS slIG DdltS
set face of the young engineer showed
up for an instant by the Pickering
light of the station lamps the man
with the revolver lowered his weapon
and sprang forward.
Hold on1' he yelled, ITS Benz But
there was no need for the warning.
The men had recognized the lad at the
same instant and with one accord
their hands dropped They would have
as soon shot their own sons as to do
harm to Ben.
So the president had his. Christmas
with his mother after all, and so did
Ben, and the boy thought it the hap
piest Christmas he had ever known.
During the day Mr.. Pearson drove
over to see him, and when he departed
he left behind him a check for $500
and the promise that when Ben was.
old enough he should run 40 every
day.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

she whispered. How can they if
never tell. Let's see. Two pairs of
stockings will cost fifty cents; know
where 1 can get fascinator for nine
teen cents-the blue is the prettier,
but I think better get red; it
won't show soil so quickly-that's six
ty-nine cents; pair Of mittens
will be twenty cents more, then
there's 'leven cents left for a hair rib
bon. Then I'll do 'em all up tight and
drop them inside Myra Pelrs door.
She'll want to see what's inside the
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
IN THE , AISLE.
She WAS maid Of honor

She was maid Of honor
And was his best man,
And in the aisle we loitered while
The wedding march began!
My heart was wildly beating,
My breast was full of pride,
For fairest of the fair ones there
Was that one at my side!
The people turned and whispered
And turned again, to see,
And for awhile there in the aisle
The gods were good to me!
saw the maiden blushing,
We two outshone the rest,
heard her sigh, my head was high,
And Joy was in my breast!
She was maid of honor
And was his best man,
And then my pride ignobly died,
And there my shame began!
Her train was long and splendid,
And suddenly, somehow,
NY feet and it got blended
And we are strangers now!
IS. E. KiseN
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

train right here. Stebbins, cump the
firep'
The president felt himself beaten.
but at that instant Ben's voice, shrill
with excitement, rang out sharply:
Stay jes where yer be, Stebbins. I'm
not going to have the presidents
Christmas and my folks Christmas
spoiled by any O. yer fool ordersr'
When Ben had realized the situation
he had dashed madly into the baggage
car. wrenched open his Christmas box
and taken from 1t the shot gun in.
tended as present for his brother. In
a trice he had loaded it and then had
climbed up on to the engine from the
other side.
The sight of the cleaning barrel
very much disconnected the strikers
and they hesitated.
Five hundred dollars to the man
who drives the engine-it's only thir.
ty miles?' cried Mr.. Pearson. No one
moved.
Il think could run old 4o,' said
Ben. timidly.
You. boy" muttered the president
sizing up the sturdy form of sixteen
yeafsold, Ben. What do you know
about an engine?"
If you please, sir, my father, John
Dixon. was an engineer on this road
afore he died, an often's the time
rode in the cab with him He showed
me how to work the lever and the
whistle valve and all the rest of it
If you could only get some one to frs
now
IN fire" replied the president quiet
ly. Then turning to the trainmen HI
said;l This boy and will run III,
train. Go back and tell the passengers
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

lenly down on the baggage
car Of the 7.3O 'Iocal' from Worcester,
and with savage "ker-chunk" that
sent shiver through the entire train,
allowed herself to be coupled by the
quick fingered brakeman.
1t wan ed but five minutes to the
half hour, but already steady stream
of passengers heavily laden with all
kinds Of mysterious looking parcels
was pouring down the platform and
into the cars For this was the even
ing of December "a, and the spirit of
Christmas was over the land.
But happlest of all this happy crowd
was Ben, the train boy. In little
over an; hour and half he should be
home with his dear mother and young
brother Dick and his sister Sal. AS he
sat on trunk in the baggage car with
his pile of papers by his side, waiting
for the train to start, he could think
OF nothing but that happy reunion.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

'sBut I won't promise to act as fire.
man again." the president had added
laughingly.
This all happened thirty odd years
ago, and the erstwhile train boy is now
general manager of the road, and
very digniied gentleman, indeed; but
down Edgetown way no one ever calls
him anything but plain Ben.-Douglas
Zabriskie Lofty, in the New York Her
aid
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
Canapes of oysters. olives.

Canapes of oysters Olives.
Salmi of partridge. Mushroom saute.
Fruit punch.
Roast beef, brown sauce.
Sweet pickles. Celery.
Mashed potatoes. Stuffed onions.
Chiffonade salad
Grated cheese. Waters.
Christmas pudding. Foam sauce
Bisque ice cream.
Nuts. Fruits. Coffee.
LATE LUNCHEON.
Tongue in aspic. Bread and butter.
Coffee.
Chocolate with lady fingers.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

Mr.. Pearson, the president, was say
ing. "But you won't force me to give
in by any such course"
"All right, sir" replied the engineer,
sullenly. '"Then we'll have to quit the
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
Scrub woman Leaves SEQ Goo.

Twenty thousand dollars ia twenty
years of sweeping and scrubaing, that
is the astounding record made by Sa-
rah Corey. an employee of the Wal
than hosiery mills, and revealed by
her will.
She was sevcnty-two years old, and
at that age conld hardly be expected
to do much in the fortune making way,
but if anybody in Wai;ham thought
she was poor, her will and the entries
in some twenty bank books have made
him change his mind.
A few days ago she died, and when
the will was opened it was found thai
her sister. in return for twenty years
of homemaking. was left $1,000
To a sister, 'Ann" Corey. who. il is
said. never existed, she left $500.
Father Brosnahan got the rest, to use
at his Observation-Disclosures Posi-.
Colors and Children's Moods.
According to writer in the Nurserys
matrons of infant asylums say that d
young infant viii be cross all day IL
dressed in gray flock but contented
and happy IL dressed in bright red
frock Children from two to four are
much less affected by the color of thelr
dresses. It Is commonly observed Ia
kindergartens that the younger chsl.
dren prefer the red plAythiIgs. while
the older children prefer the blue. -
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
The Christmas Spirit.

When one is young ones heart is set
On Christmas tokens one may get;
But older grown and schooled to live
Ones query is. What can ] giye!"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21
Charles Dickens's Good work.

But for the great novelist. Charles
Dickens. there is little doubt but that
the. keeping of Christmas, except as a
purely religious feast, would have
died out many years ago. His efforts
led to revival of Christmas as a fes-
tival of general rejoicing and jollity.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

ANTED az once, hands 70
Nh pick over beans. Will take
x Y beans to your residence
and will pay twelve and
half cents bushel. Drop a card
stating number of bushels wanted. Ad-
dress box 437, Lewistown.'
This is what twelve-year-old Nora
Nagle read in the local PAPER. Then
she consulted her mother.
II want a dollar very much, mother.
Please don't make me tell what for.
May l have the beans?"
Mrs. Nagle remembered that Christ
mas was coming and gave consent
Eight bushelsn' said the man,
laughing when he saw how young the
applicant was, you'll never stick to
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

full conclusion instead of merely be-
moaning the fact of being vtctimized.
He also felt indignant enough to pay
her from his own pocket, but waited.
wishing to see what she would do.
Somehow after that Nora had many
chances to earn pennies. When she did
errands for different members Of the
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

young mani for such a position, but
he had long Sjnce shown himself equal
to its responsibilities,
The conductor took out his watch.
1t was already thirty seconds past
starting time. but on christmas Eve
one does not like to think Nof anybody
losing ths train, and SO p&rhaps los
ing Christmas dinner
At exaSxy 7.s1 the signal WAS given.
and withNa great kissing Of Escaping
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-12-21

Grim Snapdragon comes
With his mimic ire,
And his feast of plums
'Smothered in the fire.
20 the days of mirth,
And the nights akin!
Heap the Christmas hearth;
Hale the Yule log in!
The age-herald., 1900-02-26
Hcw a Mule Acts at Sea

From the Marine Journal
 The heavy shipments of Texas mules from New Orleans to South Africa for the Brit ish army have elcited comments as to the mule as a sailcr An able seaman and a mule do not as a usual thing get along very well together, and there is generally kicking above and below decks when a crew is ship ped on vessel upon whose manifest these stubborn beasts are enumerated in a bold, round hand.
 l Salt water doesn't agree with a mule any more than fresh water agrees with a sailor," declared a coast seaman of experi- ence. "As you are aware, the mule objects to going on board of a ship from the very start, and usually requires a derrick and half a dozen men to coerce him. But there is one thing very strange in connection with a mule. I've never known of vessel being boarded by high sea so long as a deck load of mules was on her..
 How does a mule act ~at sea?'
 Well, that is a hard question to answer. Every mule has different manner Of con- ducting himself during an ocean voyage. Naturally enough, mule doesn't know the difference between a sou'west gale and the trade winds. He Is just as liable to raise a disturbance when the ship is In dead calm as he is to remain as docile as chunk of pork In a oask when all hands are thinking about taking to lifeboats.
 N"If you feed a mule too much at sea he
 
 for'c castle hands begin to growl. Clatter- ing fhoofs and the praying of a dozen asses do not improve the sailors temper, and usually the mules have to be placed on short rationS
 ''When a ship rides heavily and plunges it is funny to see the jacks try to stand with their heads toward the bow and their tails toward the stern. In this way they can play candlestick with the vessel for Seesaw.
 "One time I shipped in a vessel that had load of mules on board. We met with rlistortune on our southhound trip. There was a young sailor on board named Morris, w!io wasn't much of a seaman. One dark night when Morris was taking trick at the wheel a mule got away from the deck cor k rad in some unaccountable manner, and started off a tour of investigations
 "Morris was watching the bulging canvas overhead and dreaming of home. His thoughts were far away from the howling of the wind and the swishing of waters alongside Suddenly two long ears ap- preached, pointing toward his face, and two blinking bright eyes looked into his own. Then from an invisible source came a sound that would have walked the dead. Morris dropped the wheel and went over the rail like sinker. We never saw him again.
 'srhe ship preached to and fell Into the trough of the sea. The officer on watch rushed to the wheel, and when he got there discovered the mule that had got loose look ing knowingly into the pinnacle"
The age-herald., 1900-02-26
LIFE OF J. B. M'DONALD
Career of Contractor for Gotham's $35,-
 100000 Tunnel

From the Chicago Tribune.
 Builders of railways, tunnels and other public works, as well as civil engineers and railway managers, just now are interested in John B. Mcdonald, who was awarded the contract for the construction of New Yorks twenty-one miles Of underground railway, which is to be completed sn three years, at a cost of S5,00O.00O. This road the first underground line in an American city, will carry passengers from the city hall to Harlem in fifteen minutes. Ifamedi- ately after Mayor Van Wyck's announce ment that tine decision of the board of rapid transit commissioners was in Mr. McDonald's favor, property In the Harlem region advanced a considerable figure.
 Although engaged on large contracts for many years, Mr. Mcdonald has not been we'll known heretofore to the general pub aic, in and out of New York; He has been connected wsbh the construction of rail- roads and other large works In the west, as well as in the east, and dt was current gossip among contractors when Andrew Onderdonk secured the contract for build- ing the four-mile tunnel under the lake off Chicago that MT. Mcdonald had his finger in that work.
 Born in Cork, Ireland, ffty-four years ago. MT. McDonald came to America with his father, Bartholomew McDonald, who