The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-12-26
the side into the sea, but nobody cared, they
we're far too happy to notice such small loss.

full propellers driven by turbines totaling 10000
horsepower. It ten o'clock Friday morning.
the 20th, when the Marana began her race against
time for New York. Could she make it by the
evening of the 24thg Some there we're who we're
skeptical but the great majority had faith that the
great liner could do tiff the weather gave her
fair chance. Bets we're made as to whether they
would arrive Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
BY jingoes, said Lieut. Hadley If this ship
made it once in less than four days and half she
ought to do it again
Look at that water scoot by. will you" spoke
up one officer. She must be doing thirty miles
easily, ..n
log shows twenty Eight"
The weather was fair, the sea comparatively
smooth, and the Marania made very fast time all
that day and night. And so will leave the Marania
speeding like an express train with her cargo of
happy returning soldiers and arrive ahead of her
in New York.
In little four-room Harlem fat resided Mrs.
Henry Andrews and her three children, Helen, Ed
ward and Margaret. For two years. on her mod
crate salary as bOOkkeeper in small mercantile
establishments she had struggled bravely to support
herself and children Of her husband since he left
she had heard nothing. In her heart she ever
yearned for him as he was in former days; but she
knew that the course he took in leaving her was
best She felt that either he would find himselt''
and come back to her better man, or she would
never hear of him again.
Christmas was only few days away but to
Mrs. Andrews it caused no anticipation of joys to
come, only feeling of sadness and sorrow for the
children pervaded her dis she realized she could not
give them the joys of Christmas to which all chill
dren look forward with eagerness. Her purse
too slender; it took all she could for food,
clothes and rent, and small remuneration to wom-
an to look after the children while she was at work.
It was the Saturday evening before Christmas.
Glancing through the evening paper Mrs. Andrews
saw the headline, Soldiers Race for Christmas"
and below she read of the attempt being made by the
transport Marania to reach New York on Christmas
Eve, and how all New York hoped they would snc-
seed She hoped so, too. If only her brother
Edward was among those on board, it would bring
some cheer to her and the children and make Christ
mas seem brighter
Christmas Eve arrived, and as Mrs. Andrews
was hurryng through the throngs of Christmas
shoppers toward the subway and home. she heard
the newsboys shout, "Al about the MaraniaW She
bought a paper, for somehow she was interested in
the arrival of the soldiers. The headlines read:
''The Marania Due to Arrive at P. M. It
Being Christmas Eve, the Men Will Be Landed as
Quickly as Possible to Give Them Chance to En-
joy the Holiday
Reading further the text matter said in part:
The Marania made wonderful run. After
passing through heavy, stormy weather Sunday,
which considerably retarded her speed, Monday
dawned clear and comparatively calm. Between 9
a. NJ Monday and 9 a. m. Tuesday the Marania broke
all previous records for days run making $50
knots, or 28a knots an hour; marvellous speed for
ship of that The latest reports are that the
high rate of speed is still being maintained. The
soldiers are all WE'LL and jubiant at the prospect of
reaching New York Christmas Eve"
Arriving home Mrs Andrews accOsted by
little Margaret, who said: Mamma. is Manly C'aus
coming tonight and bwing my doe, an some tandyr'