davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

muttered curse-for the foot he struck against the box seemed to be crippled the man turned to look at the object of offense. Quickly his eye caught the plainly written address on the side of the box. It was: Sammy and Lena Small, top floor the Dock Tenement-house. River street" The mans eyes grew wide and his hands clutched convulsiyely. Put ting the revolver in his pocket, he bent still closer to the box, reading over and over the address written thereon. Then, turning his dogged eyes on Lottie. he whispered hoarsely: Whats this mean. kidf" And he pointed toward the ad- dress on the box.
 Its box of Christmas things for a dear little boy and girl who live at the place named on the box," said Lottie. sur prised to find that she could talk with out fear. In fact, while the man was looking at the box so intently all fear had gone from Lotties mind, anl she feit that she could talk to tile burglai as she would to anyone less dangerous.
 What do you know of them kidsf" asked the man, his hands closing over the box tenderly. "Them kids are mine MlNE-do you know that, little grand lady? Yep, Sammy an Lena Small are mine, the children of common law breaker" His voice trembled as he spoke and he turned his eyes away from Lotties. Then he continued: 'I hain't always Din bad sort little grand lady l hain't l got me foot crushed in a factory. Then I lost me job. After that l couldn't git work. with this thing in the way" And he pointed to the crip- pied foot "Then times got awful with meme old mother an me little sammy an Lena with nothing to eat an no money In me pocket. 1 got desperate, I did. Says I to meself: Let's go an take 1t frum the rich. They don't care If we starve. So let's take our share of what's boarded up in their fine homes.' An so l go an does 1t. I creeps Into houses an takes what valuable I can find. It buys bread and fire for me old mother an me little Sammy an Lena. But l haln't real bad sort little great lady, an when l sees that box all packed an ready to be sent to me own little kids I says to meself: Here's some rich as has heart. An l don't Intend to take another thing from this house. All l want is this box what's to carry Christmas into Sammy's and Lena s little hearts,
 The man hugged the box as though it were the body of beloved child. Ills voice broke in sobs, and he bent his face on his breast.
 Lottie crept from her bed and went softly to the burglars side. Poor man, she said, ''Im not afraid of you, since I know you are the father of Sammy and Lena Small. You are not doing right now, but I'm sure you'll be a good man again if-if-someone helps you to do so. Please take the box-and also that ono over by the sofa, for they are both for sammy and Lena-and go home at once. Tomorrow is the day on which sammy and Lena must have their presents Christmas Eve-and you shall be Santa Claus yourself. And tomorrow you must come here again, for l shall tell my
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
How a Tragedy Was Avertec
 in Santa'S Realm.


There was great sadness in Santa Claus realm. It had been learned by the old and faithful reindeer that their-fond mas ter had determined to try making his Christmas journeys in an airship. He Santa-had confded this bit of shocking news to one of the inner circle, a mem Der of his cablnet-a cabinet composed of the most celebrated toymakers in the realm. And, strange to say. this member of the inner circle had approved of Santa's plan. And then the story had leaked out, just as all stories that are in- tended to be kept secret do leak out, First it was whispered among the factory workers; then it reached the stables, where the reindeer-20 strong--overheard the stable hands discussing 1t. And the woe, oh! the woe of those poor old and faithful reindeer! For the first time In the life of Santa Claus he was to forsake them-forsake them and do his travelling in a new-fangled thing that was named 'Airship." The oldest reindeer of the 20 acted as spokesman after the first horri- ble news had been digested. by. them. "WelI. my comrades" he said, shaking his huge antlers, If our old and beloved master, Santa Claus, mas deciueu that we .an no longer be of use to him, we must make the best of so sad verdict. for one cannot find 1t within my heart to condemn our master. Tn all things he .ries to be just. It may be that his duties Ire growing: that his territory Is extend ng; that the little ones on the earth are multiplying so rapidly that no longer can ve carry him on his rounds as formerly. But lot us be assured that when the Inc comes for sAnta claus to take his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

and friends, have decided to let you all rest through this busy season and take an airship In which to do my trav- cling The children-bless their hearts are now so numerous that it behooves me to make all possible speed in visiting them. You know how we've had to strain every nerve in the past to make the rounds, and now you are all wee bit older-as well as myself-and yon cannot increase your speed. On the other hand. you would doubtless find 1t very difficult to travel as fast as you used to in the old days So for a venture a mere trial, you know-I have ordered an airship built on the latest plans--one that will travel hundred miles a mln- ute"
 We used to do that sighed the old est reindeer sadly. Tn fact, one Christ mas time we broke that record and went hundred and ten miles n minute Do you think. dearest beloved master, that your airship can do better than that?'
 "Ah, you dear old Puggin- Fastfoot," said Santa, caresslng the old reindeer who had spoken and calling him by his pet name. Those were grand days, l grant you. But you could not do that now, old friend So you shall rest this Christ mas and I shall try the airship. If 1t fails to be successful, I shall return to my old and trusted reindeer and never again desert them"
 Then Santa Claus bid each reindeer an affectionate farewell. saying that the air ship would be completed and delivered to him on the following evening and that he would pack the toys and be off as soon as he could do so, giving
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
houses of hard reputation.

houses of hard reputation.
 After the boxes had been duly packed, nailed shut and labeled they were left in Lottie's bedroom, where John, the house. man, should get them on the morrow to carry to their destination Then Lottie's mamma bade her good night and went to her own room, 1t being Lotties bed time.
 How long Lottie had slept she did not know, but sometime during the night she was wakened from her slumber by noise in the room as of someone moving about. Being still half asleep, and coming from dreamland, where she had been calling on Santa Claus and assisting him in as- sorting toys for poor children, Lottie opened her eyes to behold a figure which -ln her sleepy condition-she mistook for old St. Nicholas. Then, sitting up in bed, and smiling in a friendly way-for the room was lighted by street lamp nehr the corner, which shone in through the windows-Lottie said In cordial tone: "Ah, Santa Claus, I'm so glad to meet you In person. And now that we've got the present question for the poor children all settled I shall take it upon myself to see that our man, John, deliv- CTS every box before tomorrow night at F o'clock
 The strange figure came quite close to Lottie and bent over the bed. ''Now,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

mamma about you and she'll see that you get some honest work to do."
 A frightened look came into the mans face. "oh, no. no, kid, don't tell your mother about me. shed call in the cops an' have me pinched. And that would be awful-on-Sammy and Lena an me old mother"
 "0h, you do not know my mother, poor man. said Lottie. Shell be too glad to help you back Into the right way again. My mother Is good woman, you may depend on that. But you don't stop to consider how much worse 1t is for Sammy and Lena and your old mother when you are doing ns you are tonight than If you were really taken by the police. There's always the dan ger and the sin, you know, sir"
 Tho burglar looked Into Lottle's clear blue eyes, his own eyes taking on milder expression. You are a real GRAND little lady, little lady with a HEART" he said. If all folks were like you thered be no such men ns me. I'll go home an carry along the boxes SOS to have Christmas fer my little ones. An tomorrow I'll come back to talk with yer mother. She's Il good woman, an I can trust her to do something to help me. Only q good woman could have such little girl as you are."
 "Yes, you come back tomorrow and you shall be assisted in finding honest work" said Lottie in determined voice. And now I'll let you out of the house by the front door so if policeman on our beat sees you with the boxes he'll not be suspicious I give them to you"
 And the following day the man whom Lottie had so miracuously turned from the path of wickedness Into the path of right returned to find Lottle's mother full of deep interest in his case. And before the week was ended the father of Sammy and Lena Small had found honest employ ment as janitor in the home Of the An drews, with comfortable living rooms for his old mother and little ones. And as he goes about his work earnestly. he re- peats to himself every little while:
 And little child shall lead them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

soul-it was only a MACHINE. And so the time sped by and Santa found him self in a terrible dilemma. He nsed ev- cry means to make his airship fly either earthward or toward his own realm above the clouds but the thing had got caught in regular wind circle which swept like a hurricane about the North Pole, going fin one direction all the time round and round, like a spinning top.
 Just as Santa Claus was about to re- sign himself to the terrible fate which seemed inevitable, there was n sound of sleighbells coming through the air. As Santa came round toward the south in his revolution about the Pole he looked landwards and there-there-there he saw hs own 20 reindeer coming at speed he had never before witnessed. To them was hltched his dear old sleigh, the one he had used so many, many, many years to carry the thousands of toys to earth in. But how was he, santa to stop this machine, this terrible airship In it's whirY He was in the strong current of the wind and could not get out Of 1t.
 But while he was trying to solve this now serious problem old Puggin-Fa stfoot reared in the air, caught the edge of the airship basket on his antler and stopped the ship.
 It was but the work of few minutes to transfer the toys from the alrship to the sleigh, and santa worked as he had never worked before When the last box had been consigned safely to n place in the trusty old sleigh Santa loosened the airship basket from old Puggin- Fastfoot's antlers and away 1t went in its wild whirl around the North Pole, where
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

himself plenty of time to make the jour ney to earth in the event of any un- looked-for delay through accident.
 The following evening the reindeer watched with many mlsglvings the prep arations going on in the great stable yard for Santa's annual earth visit. A great monster was tied there-a monster with huge wings and gasbags, mon. ster that hadn't heart nor soul for the work in hand. And the reindeer who had always felt such pleasure in their work shook their antlers sadly, saying: What does an airshlp know about children? If Santa cries out to 1t, Hurry up, my airshlp, l shall be late at the homes of my little friends If we don't get n move on us,' do you think the lifeless thing will understand and respond as we always did? No, mo- it's wings will not go the faster, nor will 1t cry back, Aye, aye, good master; we'll fly faster than the wind for the little ones shall not be disappointed
 About o'clock, by the worlds time old Santa Claus, with his thousands of toys done up in bags and boxes, got into the airshlp and started earthward at Il pretty good speed. But soon he came into contrary winds that carried him far from his desired destination. for they took his airship right to the North Pole. And what did Santa want to go there for? There wasn't a human being with in thousands of miles of the spot, let alone the thought of child with Christmas stocking hanging beside the fireplace. Santa tried vainly to guide the airshlp rightly, but, as the reindeer had said, the thing had neither heart nor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
A Calm Witness.

A lawyer was cross examining a witness with a view to getting him muddled in his testimony. The following questions and answers occurred: "Did you see the plaintiff faint short time ago?'
 "Yes, sir"
 People turn pals when they faint. don't they?''
 No, sir, not always What, do you mean to tell me that person can faint and not turn pale? Did you ever hear of such a case?' "Yes, sir.'
 Did you ever see such case7" "I did, sir.''
 "When?"
 About a year ago, sir." "Who was it?"
 Twas negro, sir. The lawyer excused the witness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
Santa's Annual Visit

Down the chimney he comes creeping; Through the nursery goes a-peeping; Hunts the stockings, great and small, Then proceeds to fill 'em all. In the boys go balls and skates, Sometimes books and brand new states; Drums and flies and toys galore, Till they spill upon the floor. In the girls go trinkets rare, Wondrous dolls with natural haIrl Picture books, and ribbons bright, Till they fill the stockings tight. Then with one last look about. Santa stealthily steals out, Jumps into his sleigh that's near, Aud comes no more till the next year.
 ANNIE JAMES.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
A Christmas Memory.
With apologies to Alice cary9

With apologies to Alice Cary) Of all the beautiful pictures On Childhood's memory's wall Is one of an evergreen Christmas tree That standeth broad and tall; In whose very topmost branches A blue-eyed dolly swings, While lower down to friendly bough Teddy bearlet clings; And there quite close to Teddy Hangs a soldier bold, of tin; A drum, with sticks suspended, To make a warlike din; A fife with wondrous music Quite hldd'n away inside; A sled so strong and splendid That at least four boys may ride; A picture book of fairies, An engine that will run; A toy plano with real keys, A tool chest and a gun; And from the gay. green branches, Festooned as ribbons bright, Swing strings of soft white popcorn That glisten in the light. And everywhere hangs candy For children, great and small. So, of all the Childhood's memories, This seemeth the best of all.
 MAUD WALKER.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
Conundrurns.

When Is soldier like beef? When In quarters.
 When is clock like a dissatisfied mani When striking.
 Why Is a widow like a gardener Because she is to be found in weedR When is a balloon like an atom1 When out or sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
PUZZLED BY DISCRIMINATION.

Little Sambo-Mammy. kin Santy Claus see in de dahk, same as cat?
 His Mammy-I dunno, chile What makes you s'picion dat he eould7
 Little Sambo-He nebber makes no mistakes an gibs me none of dem rockip horses an steam lnJines like what de white chiliun gifts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
Christmas Fun.
HIS IDEA.

willIe--say. Net, let's buy pop a book for Christmas.
 Nettie-Why do you want to buy him book?
 Willie-'Cause heard ma say she wanted him to turn over . new leaf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22
GENEROUS FATHER.

DobbIns-Giyen any thought to your boys Christmas gift yeti
 Robbins Why, yes I've thought up . splendid Idea, but 1t would be just my luck to have no snow Christmas time.
 Dobbins Ohl A sled, eh?
 Bobbins--No. l thought 1 might build him snow man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22

Never, never play with Are. Never tell pa Hes, Never pull the pussy's tall. Never touch mas pies. Then when Sanry comes around With his bag of toys He will leave a lot of things For the best of boys.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26
SATURDAY, JAN 20, 1907.

Another feature of distrust to be added to the increasing supply of se- curities and governmental interfer- ence, is the rapidly increased cost of operating and producing in all lines of transportation and production, says Banker Clews. Expenses have rapidly risen in the conduct of all kinds of business, and large investors are very properly beginning to won der what will be the effect upon fu- ture dividends. There is a strong element of hopefulness in all circles connected with the mining and metal lie industries, owing to the great de- mand for iron, steel, copper and other metals and their products at profita- ble prices. This is largely due to the activity in all kinds of construction, particularly on the railroads, and, should nothing occur to interrupt this activity, present optimistic ex- pectations in these quarters will no doubt be realized. At the same time it is worthy of note that new build ing operations in the west have un- dergone a considerable shrinkage, and if present difficulties in the way of raising new capital continue, the railroads will be forced to defer, as far as possible, many of their pro- jected expenditures.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26
Conn Mutual Life Co.

To-day more than fifty thousand persons who carry 72,006 policies on their lives, in the sum of $171,701,- 156, to protect their families or es- tates. constitute the Connecticut Mu- tual Life Insurance Co, whose home office Is at Hartford. a company pure ly mutual in all respects, which has hitherto fully served. and is to serve, one single and sacred purpose-to maintain and guarantee, at an ade- quate and safe premium. life insur- ance to every member, at its actual cost to the company. The company increased as insurance fin force, in 1906, in the sum of s2,2SS,373. mak- ing the total amount at risk s17I,- 701.156. This increase was secured at a proper and economical outlay, and with the usual caution and care in selection. A significant fact goes with this result: the ratio of lapsed policies was less than in the year 1905, a smaller ratio. we believe. than that of any other company, and marking the steady persistence of our business. despite the many dis turbing factors in the whole field of life insurance during the year.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26
HEARD IN PASSING.

The Thaw case should promote the prosperity of the manufacturers of deodorizers.-Hartford Times.
 If the Christian people of Connec- ticut were in harmony on the Sunday observance question they could have things pretty nearly as they wished them in this respect. The variety of sects and the greater variety of opin- ions represented makes the trouble. -Torrington Register.
 Bailey of Texas will return to his place with the senate minority a wiser if not a happier man. His cleo ton is not a vindication and he will always be under suspicion. To have courted a full investigation of the charges made by his opponents would have entitled Bailey to all the respect accorded an honest man.-New Lon don Day.
 For the season of 1905-I9O6 the receipts from Harvard athletics were s127, ,590, just short of the s130,000 which would pay the salaries for a year of President Roosevelt, the vice. president and the cabinet. Of this total football furnished sS5.353 The seasons surplus of s2s.O0O would cover a years returns on half a dozen fairly prosperous retail stores. And to think that our grand fathers who went too college played ball for fun!--New York World.
 Superintendent Sprague of the Capitol lists 1f7 employees in the building, fewer, it is likely. than em- ployed at the center of government in many other states. \ comparison that will strike many as unequal is that the military department requires ten men and the state board of health only three And yet it would seem the health of a million persons would require more men than does the vel fare of less than 1000 arm bearers. New London Day.
 She was a pretty little woman and she was crowded between two stout men in a Congress avenue car yes terday afternoon The conductor was coming down the line and she started to fish in the folds of her nicely fitting gown for her purse Suddenly she felt something and she drew it out To her astonishment and dfsmay she found that she held a pack of playing cards Then the stout man to her right whispered in an agitated manner: T guess. miss. you struck the wrong pocket" Then she discovered. to her horror. that she had been fishing around in his pocket-New Haven Palladium
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26

The time has now come when the self-respecting engineer of high pro- ficiency and technical attainment can afford to go to Panama. It was not always so. Much of the red tape of official routine procedure that for merly delayed the work and disgusted able men has been done away with. Along with the day of bureaucracy has departed the day of the jack of all trades; the skilled specialist has taken his place, says writer in the Engineering Magazine. The Isthmus wants men who can do things, and promotion for such men is rapid. At the machine shops at Gorgona and Cristobal the men at work with the pneumatic riveters and portable cranes, the lathes and steam ham, mers, are men specifically trained in the use of such tools. It is safe to say that for long time to come no boilermaker who is good for any thing will be turned away from the Isthmus. Men are bringing their families to the zone, confident of finding congenial society for their wives and adequate tuition in the zone public schools for their children. The quarters provided by the con- mission for single men and for fam lilies are comfortable, we'll lighted and we'll ventilated.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26
Colin E. Wilson, al5.1lz South Main Street.
 FORMERLY Wilson G Tyrren,
NOTICE.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Water bury at meeting of said Board held January 22, 1907, made assessment for sewer purposes on property and property owners on Easton avenue, from Brewster street to Aetna street; on Catherine avenue, from Walnut street 400 feet easterly; on Griggs street. from North Main street to North Vine street; on Fourth street, from Charles street westerly; on Round Hill street, from Camp street northerly; and on West Main street, from Prospect street to the west line of the "Green," to the amounts set to their respective names as follows, to wit:
 Easton Avenue.
 Martha J. Hawkins, $39.25; George Archambault, $75: Robert Probst, $75; Frank F. Shugrue, $75; City of Waterbury, $S75. Total $63s.25.
 Catherine Avenue.
 Emma Beers, $90.57; Bernard L. Henry, Catherine L. Henry, $55.69; William H. Thompson, $124.50; Catherine Harrison, Mary H. Good rich. George L. Harrison. $271.S6. Total $542.62,
 Griggs Street.
 Estate of Ann Jones, Richard Jones, administrator, $97.50: Julius Fabricant, $79.50; Julius Fabricant, $79.5O; Jacob Kosowsli, $97.50; Sal- vatore DiBalsi. $79.50 Total $433.50.
 Fourth Street.
 Edward Kenny, $58.50; Thomas Grimes. 3225; Patrick J. O'Donnell. $75; Mary A. Riley, $5S.50; Leonard Steinman, $75; Edmund B. Loyot, $75; Joseph Taylor. Catherine Tay- Tor, $75; Ottilie Schmid, $90. Total 3732.
 Round Hill Street.
 Elizabeth M. Newell. $60; Frank E. Cook. $239.49; Herbert P. Camp, s100.50; Estate Susan Spencer, Catherine L. s. Gulick, Marcia B. S. teach, administratrixs. $S5.50; Lil- ian s. Payne. $55.o0; Edward T. Root, $60; James F. Egan, $124.50; Herbert P. Camp. $215.25. Total $940.74.
 West Main Street.
 Charlotte B. Merriman, Helen Mer- riman, Margaret F. Castle. $247.95; The Young Men'D Christian associa- tion, $160.50. Total, $40S.45.
 The above assessments become due any payable Monday, February 4, 1907, at the once of the Collector of Taxes, City Hall building.
 Attest:
 WILLIAM H. SANDLAND, 1-24-3 City Clerk.