davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
{Nklg6M (Gvhnw Cpz,zmzr zEz{&2Ak[R[l

asked in the sen;lest Of gentle tones
How did il happen? Tie same o'A
story of a man handling money with
sticky fingers. First a little and then
more-and, besides. / thought VAS smart
enough 10 cover ii NJ. After trat Q
arrest and trial-well. il happened al
right And that's why I am what | am
today. oh. well. I'm down now and
anyway? I've had breath OF fresh a r
tonight With YOU here. though. and let me
tell You I'm thankful FOR it,.
The burglar rose. lie showed his gun n
his pocke: turned The collar Of his coat
mp hit closer around his neck and locs-
ened the muller.
The Nelson's accompanied him TO The
door-iH fact. TO the elevator. where Nj
son pushed tile hell for him
Good night said the burglar. turntnt
10 Nelson. Ny God. You don't know
how envy YOU,
His voice choked and his eyes nlled
..T;lese kids. Those kids yours he
half sobbed. Bless their hearts Here
here. old pal. I've got twenty-dolar bill
7 want To give them Christmas presen
i've dollars each. Take this and give mo
the change.
Please. please do" tie burglar plea
ITS the only decent thing I've done since
| had my own little
Just then the elevator arrived and he
The burglar waited resoutely
Nelson hesita ted.
Going down" yelled the knight OF TIE
lever
Here take it," the burglar insisted.
half in the donr.
AN right. thank y"u-thank you-old
old man" Nelson decided And he gave
the burglar ten-dollar bill.
The door changed shut and the elevator
shot downward. hut not TOO rapidly for
them 10 hear his cheerful:
Good night and "A merry Christmas to
you.'
Poor fellow sighed Mrs. Nelson. as
they walked back into their apartment,
poor fellow. How lonely he must be.
Oh Frank. I'm so grateful that you are
not like that. grateful. Our home Is 20
happy And this Is such nice Christ
mas. isn't it. dear old boy We've so
much ia he happy over.
Indeed We have, little woman" Nelson
replied, with a caress. as lie closed he
door. and l more than YOU, for | have
you--the best. dearest. the finest woman
IL all the world
oh. Frank. feel positively Xix,
traitor. Just think Of il. dearest tnat
poor burglar was SO much in earnest AMI
honest in his remCrse. and Z? Why l al
mos. despise myself We listened To him.
YOU know. just IN save our money and
play upon his feelings.
Yes, Nelson comforted. but We We're
really touched by his pitiable story.
weren't We And besides. did you notice
that he talked most willingly-in fact, =
didn't have To urge him at ALE There.
dear. don, feel badly about IT, He wanted
sympathy more than money.
That's nice Of You to say"
"'Thunderation. Nelson suddenly cried.
rushing (" the table and picking mp tho
roll az bills. Tho rascal Thc--thc
.'Why-what-Frank. what's tho mat
ter?
Whats the ma ;er. Nelson baHled.
his face livid with rage. What's the mat
ter? Look at this, Look at this ten
dollar bin And look al this roll he left
on the table. They're contradictions
rerfeit-do YOU UNDERSTANDABLE of them
counterfeit,''
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

their own desire to have i'm the house
that which makes Christmas seem more
real than anything else.
Nothing can detract from the fascina-
ton of the cedar hemlOck and fir when
it takes its place of honor in the great
family room. The toy shops the New
York child has with him all the year
it is confined to a certain few days of the
year.
In upper New York. in Maine. the work
of getting the trees ready for the market
has started some eight weeks before the
holiday. Having gathered all his other
crops the farmer has fair leisure to de-
vote himself to the last crop from which
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

the lad living in the smaller city. are
denied to him.
But at Christmastde the thoughts of
the father and mother, a large part of
whom have gone to New York from other
sections of the country, turn naturally to
the woods. to thoughts of the magnifi-
cent Christmas tree that used to be the
center of the. celebration in the old farm
house. and at once the decision is reached
that come what may. and no matter how
it may crowd the fat the children must
have a Christmas tree.
Buying a Christmas tree is largely a
false Dretense anyway. 1t is alleged to
be bought for the children. This is the
excuse often of the parents to conceal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

the tree while IL Is IN transit, and tafil
1t is ready for shipment
X X
A gang of four. working together. can
clear up surprisingly large tract of TIM
berand in short time.
Then the boss pays off his workmen at
the rate of about 81 day. and the Sc.
ond force of employees working for tho
children of the metropolis has been pal
off
ment TO the city. At all the freight sta
lions Of New York this feature of the
metropolitan Christmas tree industry
can be studied. for the shipping OF a
million of the Christmas symbols cannot
be accomplished without involving a con
siderable amount of manipulation on the
part of the railroads.
The trees. no mailer what their size,
are always shipped in open ears. so that
they may be kept in contact with the
air. In this way they are much less
likely 10 drop their points.
Not until they actually go into the par
lors and living rooms Of the homes to be
trimmed for the most notable of holidays
are tney taken out of the cold air.
If in transit they come in contact with
the snow the shipper feels all the better
for ii. since this will help TO keep them
fresh and attractive looking
III 10 fdlIFOauS. Staa hipS na al
a fair proportion OF the trees that come
into New York city.
\ tree that can be bought for :, cents
in Maine increases in value according To
the cost of its transportation. BY the
time it gets into New York it has often
appreciated in value much as two dol
lars TO the man vino must sell il again TO
reap his profit.
To the great Wholesale markets tho re-
taller goes. He takes a look at the trees
as they lay in the freight cars. He makes
his selection, pays the price, and then
comes along with wagons and carries the
trees away
Some of these retailers work alone, but
others go. in partnership.
Then all the big trees sare taken TO a
fashionable section of the city, where
high prices are more likely to prevail
The other member of the firm takes his
share of the trees to the East Side. where
the little ones are certain 10 go rapidly,
providing the price is anywhere within
reason.
If the handler of the big trees finds that
for any reason he cannot get rid of them
at "A profit, rather than have them dead
loss he waits till the last possible mo-
ment-oftea Christmas eve-then moves
them over to the neighuorhoods of the
poor, and selling them at bargain prcfs
iCr sucl fine trees prevents them from
being the dead loss that the unsold surplus
inevitably is.
New York may be busting hustllns
and often apparently indifferent to tie
softer ide OF life. but the quarter of 4
million Christmas trees that gladden.
homes big and l:ttie * certainly All areu.
ment fer a latent humanity IN the Wonder.
full city
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

touch it, Guess I'd better be going
No Nelly replied. 'sit down. Iii
make YOU Il cup of tea-or perhaps
you'd rather have whisky and soda
Frank. dear. gel the Siphon from tne
refrigerator and III get the whisky.
She quickly turned the key INIT
door locking the children in with Il
a final admonition to go back 10 bed.
and walked across to the buffet Tor
the whisky
The burglar reluctantly resumed his
seat.
She opened first one closet in the buffet
and then :not her
Please help me find the whisky,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

Frank. Where in the world is it." she
asked in tone of mingled irritation
and inSiStence
Her husband stepped to her side. AS
they bent down. peerinS into one Of the
small closets. she whispered:
1T ought to he in here And in
a still lower voice-"t'Sc little tact
II sure you put 1t here Just after
dinrer--Ths fellow is overcome by
some recollection of his former life
See If that isn't ii back there Frank"
-SympathiZe with him and play upon
his feelings. and lie will go without
the money good. ] thought it
was there.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Mans M0deSty.
~ SCAR HAMMERsTEIN. be.

~ SCAR HAMMERSTEIN. beng COM
~ plimented in Philadelphia on the
successful openinS of his new opera house
uptown. shook his head modestly.
Did any one he said ever succeed
really and perfectly succeed-to his OWN
satisfa ction" The oruer | grow the more
| sympathize with Gounod
MS Your talent progresses sa ii ecu
nod to Il young poet. your eltimaie Of the
master poets Of the past VIII change az
has my EST innate Of tie master mus { ans
Al your age | used TO say. Il. NJ
thirty ] said Il and Mozart. n. forty.
Mozart and l." ! say Mozart now. >
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

threatening with his gun. I've Something
/ want to tel. you. Don't You touch that
roll.
".AS for YOU, madam" he continued.
YOU re dead game. but you're dead
wrong. Once outside that door they ri
never get me in the big halls of this
building. | could have walked right out
that door with the swag. But I won't.
| guess I'm fool all right, all right, but
| can't help it.
they the little kids. The little shaVers,
If they only knew. No. not Santa Claus
but man that is taking away their
Christmas from them. | won't do il.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

You back Your money and in return for
it YOU must let me GO
Nelson paused.
The burglar sat dcjectedly in his chair,
his elbows on his knees. the gun arm
dropping. his head down and on his face
an expression of utter despair.
Nelson glanced quickly at his wife.
She nodded acduiescence.
The roll of bills lay. untouched. upon
the table.
Very we'll Nelson agreed. ''You are
wise. You could never have gotten out
OF the building, and if YOU had shot
the noise would have
Now look here. mister" the burglar
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

interposed almost savagely. "cut that
out. could walk right out now with
the roll. Put that in your pipe and
smoke it. And TO show you. I will:
He rose quickly and stepped toward
the table reaching out for the money.
ooh. Frank" his wife interrupted
chow could YOU say that. Don't you
see that he could do it without raising
an alarm and-think of the children.
The burglar paused.
Il think yon understand. lady. he
said. Il don't know what it is. but
don't want that money. This Christmas
business and those kids thinking / was
Santa Claus got OH my nerves. l won
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

madam, I won't do it. ] once had two
little kids of my own and
The burglar was overcome by his emo
ton. He sank Imply into a chair. The
hand that he'd the gun dropped.
Nelson. quick to see an opening. stepped
forward rapidly to grapple with the in
truder.
But instantly the gun came into play
again
stand back" the burglar ordered. but
his voice was soft and broken and al
mos: gentle. Somehow it's harshness was
gone. Stand back. Play fair. l gave
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

T. YORK, metro
polls of the nation,
uses more Christ
mas trees than any
city in the world.
The city is so ad-
misably located to
the forests from
which the trees are
supplied. and the
pr &c s can be
brought down to
such a fpa soma bile
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

hum of lahorlns trolley cars reached Mel
sons ears but family as he stood at the
window of his apartment gazing out
r,miniscently Somehow it seemed to him
more like Christmas eve than it had for
many years. Perhaps II was the sooth-
ing. rhythmic fall of the snow entranc-
ing. fascinating, comforting in its steady
downpour, or perhaps ii was the chez
iue knowledge that the ong-coveted place
% cashier in the bank was his at last
his after many years of waiting ara
pa tieut labor. Or il might have been the
10Y of his wife over his SuccesS-bless her
heart He could hear her now in the next
room tucking the children into bed and
irving to allay. but really encouraging,
their excitement over the expected visit
OF ST Nicholas.
Twas the night before Christmas, !"
he heard her recting to the Riddles.
When all through the house not a.
Keep your mouth shut growled A
husky voice behind him, suddenly I've
got YOU covered. II You open yoar face
tn oe your last yawp.'
Wheeling quickly around. Nelson saZed
stra Slit down the barrel OF a leveled re-
Noiyer Behind the revolver We're two
-litterinG. determined eyes. The face of
the intruder was but partially concealed
by hastily arranged muffler. The eyes
were steady. cold. unwaver;ng. So was
the hand that held the revolver.
What are you do Nelson sasped.
STINT up the burglar snapped out.
Who do YOU think ! ann Santa Claus?
YoV make any noise and you're done for:
Don't forget it,
Nelson was silent. He glanced anxious
~ at the closed door leading into the
childrenS room.
Get busy" commanded the burglar
Hand over the dough-and don't over
look the family jewels ether
Nelson started forward slightly, then
stopped
The stockings were hung in the chin
ney with care, he heard in his wifes
jJyouSly tense and exaggerated tones
lie could almost see the excited eager
faces of the Riddles they listened. eN-
pectant open moIthed.
II won't" he finally answered. quietly
and steadily. land don't you make any
noise. either. Here's a ffty-dollar bill
every cent I've got with me. Behind
that door are my wife and children. It's
christmas eve. If they heard you-if
they saw you and that gun-there'd Ne
no Christmas here tomorrow. Instead of
take this fifty and get out.
The burglar grinned.
Gee, aren't YOU cool one. he laugh
ed. ''But You don't get off that easy. I
happen 10 know you're a bank cashier
and that YOU were paid off today. Be
the boys at the bank in honor of your
promotion You ought to have about two
or three hundred more somewhere around
here Get busy! Come across
Il won't do it,,
All right, young fellar,' the burglar
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

+ was an old-fash :
ned Christina 5
eve. the first in
several years. Out
side the snow wa 8
falling gently, soft
~ covering the
dark streets in a
garment as white
as C.arara marble.
The muffied crunc n
Of passing wheels
and the distant
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

"Oh. come said the Bookkeeper.
They do. l always like my Christ ma 5
presents. If for no other reason than
that they are things | would never think
of getting for myse.f. And much more
often than not | find | wanted them very
much.
And then. too. said the Newspaper
Girl. sometimes you have to deal with
friends who, however estima BILE, have not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

That's when ] do my Christmas buying.
own it frankly. and l glory in the crime
For to me that is the best part of Christ
mas. The hurry and scurry and glow and
fellow feeling that seems to be affecting
every one alike. And anyhow. / couldn't
held it. l never have time for anything
until the last trump blows"
What" said the Typewriter Girl. pen
sively, would you suggest as a Christ
mas present for woman who had given
you a workbag three Chr:stmases in sue
cession?"
''The first workbag.' said the Book
k -eper, grimly.
Did that really happen to you?'' asked
the Department Clerk, synpathetically of
fering the fudge.
at did said the Typewriter Girl 1T
probably will again this year But let me
be strictly just: they may not all have
been intended for wOrkbaes."
True the Bookkeeper in a stage Wits
per informed the others. She very likely
wouldn't recognize one.
The Typewriter Girl threw pillow with
telling effect and continued: "One I
really think was intended for handker-
chiefs But who would ever stop to put
soiled handkerchiefs in special bag.
even IL it did have a wreath of roses en-
broidered on ii -
Remember i'm The Climbers, said
III. Bookkeeper. the scene where they
trim the tree? One guest says: Ard
what is this for? To which tie person
the clerk hat and he said II didn't know
himself: II was "A Christmas present
IL know" said the Department Clerk.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

Newspaper Girl had unani-
mously decided that they would
meet together on Christmas eve.
but the fudge was nearly gone and the
open fire had burned down to a steady
quiet glow before the Department Clerk
came hurrying In, to be followed ten min
utes later by the Newspaper Girl. out of
breath. but happy.
"I couldn't help it." the Department
Clerk explained. Every year I make
good resolutions. and every year the
Christmas fever SEXES me about two days
before Christmas. and the result is wild
orgy of shopping at the last moment.
was fairly chased out of the shops last
night and I've been tying bundles up all
day and of course l know that half the
things won't reach the people for two or
three days. but can't seem to help 1t.
I'VE are all miserable offenders" quote
the Bookkeeper soothingly.
But it's fine. all the same-that last
minute shopping. said the Newspaper
Girl Even If it's nasty night. and the
clerks are dead tired and everybody steps
on Your toes. and you get go-cart han
dies stuck IN Your eye every time you
turn a corner. still there is something
about 1t all that fairly gets into your
blood. and If the spirit Of Christmas ever
does stalk abroad in the land, it's then.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

he can look for any profit
1t will be a comfort to those who love
the forest to know that the cutting of a
quarter of million trees that go to pro-
vide the New York yOungster his holt
day does not involve any deforestation.
The fir grows quickly and, moreover.
owners of the land are careful to restrict
the number and kind OF trees that can
be cut down. SO that the natural growth
is always protected
In Maine the work is done in gangs of
four, at the head of each a shrewd YAM
kee who knows how to handle the prop
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

VHE Typewriter, the Bookkeeper,
the Department Clerk and the
Newspaper Girl had unani-
mously decided that they would
meet together on Christmas eve,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

chortled. shall call the madam? May
he the kids would like TO see how bright
and shiny my gun is Just as YOU say.
old sport.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-12
BUSY LITTLE BEES
UNABLE TO HEAR

LONDON. July u.-Lord Avebury has
been furnishing a congress Of bee en-
thusiasts with some very interesting in
formation concerning the busy insect
Talking OF his own experiments upon
the senses OF bees. Lo~I avcbury OBJ
served that no doubt Trey could touch.
taste. smell. ana see. Ee hid kept bees
for many years. One queen bee lived
for seven years. To tesc tier sense OF
hearing he had blown a trumpet. a
whistle. had played q violin. and had
talked 70 them. but he noticed that
while feeding, at any rate. no sound
affected them They wen. on working
regardless Of the sounds
Possibly they did not hear the sounds
as we did, but rather the overtones
They had five eyes. two OF which we're
constructed on a different plan from the
other three. and this was very curious.
They certainly could distinguish coIors.
ard he believed the ultra-violet rays
which we could not see were visible 10
them.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-12
Bank of EnglandS Nequ Coin Counter
Does As Mach Work As Seventy Men

into exactly hundred squares. which
may be so altered in size that any de-
sired coin slipping into them is held
firmly in its place. As the coins fall
upon the plate mechanism hidden be-
meath II causes il to move rapidly to
and fro with sieVelil5e motion. The
result is that should II be desired q
abstract slxpences from a heap Of larger
money all the bigger coins which fall
upon the moving plate are in the space
of a few seconds ''sifted" of IL to re-
turn to their original receptacle, while
in each of the 100 square lies a sixpeuny
piece.
By mechanism even more ingenious
the 100 coins which have been caught
on the plate travel through metal chan
neis into paper tubes, and are stacked
without the chance of error in twenties,
forties or sixties
A contest was arranged between this
wonderful machine and an expert cash
Ter In the magazine Of the machine
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-12
Alexandra Ular Declares
English Fast Lost Ground
in Country.
INTERNAL TROUBLE
AHEAD, HE BELIEVES
Article in La Revue Says Grave
Happenings Are in Store
b for Empire.

PARIS. July 1.-THE serious attention
'Of diplomats has been attracted by an
article which has appeared in La Revue
by NJ Alexandra Ular, and which is en-
fJitled "Can England Hold India?''
The writer says that, because of it's
tranquility under British rule, Europe
had almost forgotten the existence of
India. The recent disturbances there
have once more directed attention
toward the ancient empire of the No
lguls. English goods have been boy
Cotted in Bengal. and the Hindus, in
fseekins TO rid themselves of the yoke
Fof their Western masters, have had
sTecourse to the bombs Of the Russian
srevolutionaries. What has the future
in store? NJ. Ular does not profess to
answer this question, but he feels GER
tain that grave happenings are i'm
pending.
The few thousand civil and military
functionaries that replaced the admins
trative employees Of the East India Com
pany. according to the writer, accen-
tuate. by their every act. the racial, re-
ligious. social. and moral difficulties
which separate them from the $4,000, coo
human beings whom they govern solely
by the prestige Of the power they repre-
sent. but which power would have the
greatest difficulty in efficiently aiding
them on the day Of a general revolt
The British hold on India, he thinks.
IS just as precarious as it was in the
days of John Company" and. all
things considered. the fact that the In
dian empire still exists. NJ. Ular regards
as the most extraordinary of miracles.
Otherwise than in the case Of Aus
tralia. English colonists did no good 10
the land Of India
For long the English believed that the
only way by which India could be
wrested from them was by invasion.
But now. as by some cruel irony OF
fate, when the Russian menace has dis
appeared. It would seem that India was
in danger OF being lost by troubles from
within. If India is to be held. VI. UlaI
thinks, she must be conciliated. and
the time. he feels. is coming when Eng
land will realize that it Is only by max
ing the necessary concessions to the
governed race that she can retain her
hold on the peninsula.