davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

was dear. And they had mistlet0e,
too, and Billy was grabbing her and
was saying:
"Crazy present I gave you, but I
know you like sugar plums; and, any
way, I had in mind a diamond ring,
but just thought I'd speak to you about
it first"
Billy had his own ideas. sugar
plums." Joe had consulted his moth
er and there had been sewing box.
oh, she couldn't tell just why,per-
haps, but she did love Billy and she
didn't love Joe. Perhaps it was be-
cause Billy was just dear.
"The sugar plums' win," she said,
and I'd love the diamond ring"
Billy didn't quite understand the
first part Of her sentence, but he did
the last-and. after all, that was all
that was necessary
&c. 1926. Western Newspaper union.l
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

Joe had lately been running race,
as it were, for Roses acceptance Of
engagements, for her favors.
She liked Billy much better than
she did Joe. She knew that Billy
liked her. She knew that Joe liked
her, too. She felt that Joe would al
ways make her very comfortable,
would always be very kind, very duti-
full, and that she would always have
to be dutiful, too.
OF course, that was all right. But
she felt that with Billy she would
want to make him so very happy, and
with Joe, that it would be so much
more of duty.
Yet Joe was more reliable, he was
less irresponsible, less spontaneous,
and so much more exact. But Billy
was such a dear!
She could label all Joe's good
points. Billy's were less tangible, but
they were there, all right, even If she
couldn't name them.
She helped her mother with the last
Christmas Eve touches, covered the
fire over with ashes, put out the
lights and finally went to bed.
The next morning she opened Joe's
present trst. Somehow she wanted
to keep Billy's to the last, the way
she had done with things when she
was a child.
There was little note with Joe's
present, telling her what she knew
he had been wanting to tell her for
long time-how much he thought Of
her, what good wife he knew she
would be-of that, he said, he was
confident. And he hoped she would be
of the same opinion about him. He
would make her, he was quite sure,
good husband.
Then there was word about the
present. He had not known what to
give her this year; he knew she had
all of those things which, as their
positions now were, were the only
things he could give her, but his moth
er had suggested very complete sew
ing-box.
There was no note with Billy's pres
ent. Just card upon which he had
written:
81 think you like these sugar plum
things. Merry Christmas" 1t was
wholly unreasonably large box of
candied fruit.
Later Billy himself came around.
What dear he was! Oh, yes, Billy
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

pressed excitement he told Tom of its
strange death-bearing odor that within
twenty-four hours from the time 1t
was inhaled meant. death. A sharp
pain in the heart would be the only
warning. The doctor slumped in his
chair, head bowed in his hands, I'M
able to meet Toms horror-stricken
eyes.
Tom staggered out into the night as
though condemned to the guillotine.
His mind refused to act. His limbs
seemed paralyzed. 1t was as though
already the shadow Of death was gath
ering about him. Only one thought
registered. He must get to his room
and bed before the end came. His
feet dragged as If chains were upon
them. He felt like a man In night
mare unable to get where he wished
to go-but it wasn't nightmare, he
groaned. With the thought his innate
courage began to assert itself. He was
no coward. If death lay in wait for
him just around the corner, as it were,
he would at least die game-not like
aNsniveling coward. He faced about
and entered cabaret. Alone in the
gay throng he collected his wits and
made his plans.
He had money, but no relatives. He
would close his life with a good deed.
He would give his money because it
was Christmas time and the season
Co., c,,xy;pn p,,t a. ,,o,,ck ho M v,noro
gift. Some one must receive with this
gift something more than its mate
rial value. Gifts and Christmas
brought Margaret to mind. She was
the only person in the world of his
own kith and kin that he knew of, and
she was only second or third cousin
so far removed that If Margaret, too,
had not been an orphan, they would
not have recognized the slight blood
tie.
They had spent their Christmas to-
gether until this year. But tho old
aunt, who was Margaret's aunt, not his,
had passed away early in the year
and at their last meeting Margaret
had told him her aunt's last expressed
wish was that she should marry her
aunt's stepson, who had been her I'M
encouraged lover since childhood. He
was middle-aged and well-to-do and
Margaret had promised to give him
her answer on Christmas Eve.
She really didn't love him, she con-
f1ded to Tom, but the man she thought
she loved didn't pay much attention
to her; so she would settle her heart
and life that Christmas Eve.
That was tonight. He yet had time
perhaps to do this big Christmas-giv-
ing before his life ended.
Margaret lived and worked in tiny
village not far from the city. She had
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

In the wise, wise way that grandm0th-
er always had OF knowing what was
what, eyes, only Santa Claus knows
how to get the choicest Of sugar
plums."
Rose was very busy getting ready
for Christmas. 1t was busy time
sin the family. There were mince pies
to be made and plum buildings, and
almonds to salt, and fudge to make.
and wreaths to make, and bells to
fix, and fresh candies to put in the
candle-sticks-red candles at this
time Of the year.
1t was time for general cheer, and
from Roses family a great share of
this cheer went forth.
1t was not that they were wealthy.
They were, in fact, the opposite.
But 1t was their great satisfaction
that by hard work and great energy
Of spirit they could do great deal in
small way for every one with whom
they came in contact at this season Of
the year.
Every present, no matter how sim
pie. was prettily wrapped. There was
no condescension in their giving. To
them it was big part of their Christ
mas delight that they knew so many
people with whom they could share
their Christmas sacrifices and the re-
suit Of the late hours they kept for
weeks before Christmas in their innu-
merable small preparations. Saving
was always such fun throughout the
early autumn. CT what fun was saw
ing If it were all to be forever hid
den?
There were two presents awaiting
Christmas morning for Rose to un-
wrap. They were for her and she had
taken them in when they had arrived,
but she had not opened them.
She was curious about these pres
ents. She knew they would be quite
simple, but one was from Billy and
one was from Joe, and both Billy and
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17
M ON WALTON was lonesome. I

~ ON WALTON was lonesome. It
W was Christmas Eve and he had
no near relatives on earth. See
ing light in the Office Of his friend,
Doctor Barnes, he sauntered in.
He had scarcely entered when the
Doctor began to exclaim over him:
What had he been drinking?
Nothing" Tom declared, taking 1t
as a joke.
Well, what had he been eating?
Nothing unusual" Tom tried BAN
tering little, but the doctor persisted.
'You certainly have smelled some
thing out of the ordinarily"
Then Tom remembered that that
morning he had received letter from
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

6~7kP HE more I think about it the
w less like the idea of having
two outsiders at our Christ
mas dinner. OF course, mother, can
see how, on the spur of the moment,
you told Ruth to invite them-two
strangers in large city with no place
to go-it would prey on your sympa-
thies."
"They were given to understand
that it was family dinner when they
were invited. They are friends of one
of the members of our family, Mary,
and out of courtesy to that person 7
think it is the least we can do to en-
terrain them" With that remark the
subject was dropped, and both Mrs.
Mathews and her daughter went on
about their work in preparation for
the coming event.
The great day dawned upon a house,
decorated with Christmas tree
wreaths, holly and mistletoe, and oc-
cupied by two busy, enthusiastic peg
sons. AS one o'clock drew near the
family began to arrive. This was one
day in the year that Mrs. Mathews
had the pleasure of seeing all her chill
dren and their families together.
Among the first to make their appear
ance was Ruth, her mother, and the
two young men, Eddey and Ross, who
were to share in the families Christ
mas rally.
''The boys reached our house soon
after breakfast. From that time on
they nagged us to get started. They
were so afraid that they were going
to miss the grand Christmas dinner
that was in store for them. Here we
are. Have we missed it?'' Ruth laugh
ingly explained as she introduced the
boys to the assembled group.
Eddey, tall, slender and dark, had q
decidedly eastern accent. Ross, how.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

ever, was somewhat shorter and more
square-built. Instead of being an
fastener, he had been horn and
reared in the Middle West. One won
dered that such strong friendship
could thrive between two such con-
trasting characters as these. Eddey
was a dancer by profession, Ross was
a singer. Ross had not been in the
house more than an hour when he sat
down at the piano and began to play
very softly. He continued for lit
tie while when some one suggested
that he sing. Thus putting himself
and the family at ease with his soci-
able manner, by the time the dinner
was served the family no longer felt
stilted or restricted by the presence
of these strangers in their midst. Ed
dey and Ross were most versatile in
their praise Of the dinner. Their ac-
lions showed that they were thorough
~ enjoying the home cooking. They
were quick to make it known verbally.
They ate until they were ashamed to
admit their capacity for such excel
lent food.
After dinner Ross was urged to sing
again. He persuaded or rather insist
ed that Eddey assist him with his
tenor voice. They made q great pair.
They kept the party going. Their en-
tertainment was decidedly successful.
Their happy countenances could not
help but contagiously radiate to the
ones surrounding them.
Mary met her mother going into the,
kitchen to prepare supper. "Mot
aren't they grand? What would
have done without Eddey and I
They have simply made the day.
"Yes," said Mrs. Mathews, land
because they have been so exceeded
happy to be here"
20. 1926. Western Newspaper Uni
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

HT HAD always been such a nice,
~ deceptive way in which to speak
of specially delicious and defect
able sweets sugar plums.
Her grandmother had called candies
and candied fruits and luscious bon
bons sugar plums." And she had
always, because she liked candied
fruits SO particularly, called them
"sugar plums."
It had been seventeen years since
Rose had first remembered hearing of
sugar plums." She had been three
then, and her grandmother had said
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17
"A MESSAGE of
GOOD WILL
BY ALBERT ASH ALLEN

LARK! Now the bells, on Christmas Day,
III Bring back the Joy of happy times
Some spirit, which had gone as0oy,
Now hovers in these merry chimes;
With peace on earth, good soitl 10 mem
Thus is the message heard again.
Hark! No,c the bells, on frosty air,
Ring hope and comfort, love and peace
The Spirit of the Christ is there
To bid the worldly tumuLt cease;
With peace on earth, good will to men
Thus is the carol heard again.
Hork! Now the bells Ger yale and hill
Reach to the islands of the sea
In one Sweet voice of Peace, be still
and let thy burden rest on Me-"
Thus peace on earth, good will to men
Is, in the echo, heard again!
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17
faith
Reborn
.KatheriIle
: Edefrl1an

(The story of q woman who had lost
the greatest thing In nfe-faith in her
fellowmen--and how It came back to
her at Christmas time.)
IA ULDA POTTSFIELD was very
~ unhappy. For two months she
had fretted herself because a
sum of none. which she had invested
had been lost. She had entrusted 1t
to an old friend of her girlhood in a
nearby city and when the news came
that the money was lost Hulda made
up her mind then and there that all
humanity was alike-eager and ready
to cheat even its own friends If there
was a chance. She grew more bitter
and sullen each day and withdrew her
self almost entirely from the circle of
friends that she had known so long.
She never stopped to think that even
without this amount she could still
live in comparative ease; that there
was nothing in reason she would have
to deny herself as the income she still
had was quite large. Blindly she shut
her eyes to all this and would not al
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

g. IrlenQ OF MS IN
In dia with a
pressed flower in
it. In fact, he had
the letter in his
pocket and showed
1t to the doctor,
saying:
eyes, that flower
has a peculiar
odor. / thought
of it this morning.
But how In the
dickens could you
tell?"
But the doctor
was all business.
He c allied the
flower by a long,
botanical name {;
W lille in sup
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17

bered his real
mission, and the
futility Of the
love he had been
so slow in realiz-
ing broke upon
him. The stab at
his heart woke
h i'm completely
from his dream
and he poured
out to Margaret
the tragedy that
hung over them.
H e ha dn' t
tn ug It what
Margaret would
do, but he was
entirely u npr e.
pared for the
burst of CAV
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17
Anpronriafe

Hubby-What kind of tree shall
get for Christmas?
Wifey-A fir tree might help suggest
q suitable present for me.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30

on wheat were strong, 1sc to 2ac net
higher. Corn finished to 23c up,
oats showing to &c advance and pro-
visions varying from loo decline to a
rise of arc.
According to current reports, a gem
eral downward revision of crop esti-
mates is looked for in Germany, Hol-
as quite likely in Russia, Czecho-Slo-
vakia and Jugo-Slavia. Meanwhile
the crop movement in Canada contin-
ues laggard with today's arrivals at
Winnipeg totalling but 1894 cars
against 1857 a year ago. In addition
1t was officially announced that ex-
ports of domestic wheat and flour since
July l have aggregated 100000 BUSH
els a day, an amount far in excess Of
previous unofficial figures.
Complaint of delay to domestic win
ter wheat blowing and seeding at
tracted considerable notice and the
wheat market was also more or. less
influenced by wet weather and crop
damage reports that strengthened the
value of corn. In addition, Minneapolis
advised of better demand as well as
increasing reports of wheat being
damaged by sprouting in shock. Cash
wheat prices held strong, the percent
age of good weather being small. Pri-
mary receipts of wheat today were
1,554,000 bushels compared with 1885,
600 bushels year back.
Although corn prices were lower
early there was a subsequent rapid
advance. The effect Of moist weather
over part of the corn belt was en-
phasized by a forecast of unsettled
conditions and by crop damage news,
especially from Missouri.
Provisions reflected the action of
grain
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30

Origin of bobbed hair is now def
nitely laid to the war-the Rev
dictionary War.
Discovery by Capt. L. C. Baird. an
Army officer. of dusty old Continent
tai Army records stored for years
in the Schuylkill Arsenal show
Americas first shingle was born by
the American doughboy and not by
the American flapper.
Bobbing the hair was even made
a matter of general orders for the
soldier of 1875, the ancient documents
indicate. One such decree, issued at
West Point, is oddly at variance with
present-day West Point traditions.
which frown on anything but the
trimmest of haircuts.
'As the head dress Of a soldier Is
one Of the first and necessary orna-
ments," it reads, "the Capt. com.
mands the N G officers and Privates
of the first Regt to have their hair
cued behind not to exceed seven
inches long and close to the head.
"The N c officers and Privates Of
the second Regt to have their hair
tied behind in q bob cut close to the
head, the hair Of the whole to be
cut on the top Of the head short
and brushed back. The officers COM
manding companies will see this
order carried into effect as soon a.
possible"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30

able to overcome. Chesapeake and
Ohio rallied from a low OF 10Y
to 1873 ga, closing at 172 Ia Tor u
small fractional loss on the day.
Baltimore and Ohio showed a net
loss of over one point at 106 IL
The time money market was duh:
Prime commercial paper was quoted
at IL to "a instead of on a nat
IL per cent basis.
The principal commodity markets
moved higher. Active wheat futures
rallied about &c a bushef and cotton
scored net advances OF rs to So
points.
Another break in silver forced the
Chinese currencies to new low levers
but the European rates held hrnl.
The general trend of bond prices
was downward with trading enliven-
ed by furry of trading In the SIN
clair Consolidated Oil and Pan
American Petroleum issues. Money
conditions remained firm as banks
called additional loans to provide Tor
month-end disbursements, while dis
cussion Of a possiblye change in the
Federal Reserve discount rate per-
sisted.
The adverse decision against the
Teapot Dome leases handed down by
the circuit court Of appeals against
the Sinclair interests accounted Tor
the liquidation of these bonds the
corporations 6 Ia and per cent Is
sues lost more than a point. Selling
pressure also was directed against
obligations Of the Pan-American Pc
troleum Company. indirectly involv.
ed in litigation with the government
over similar oil leases.
The chief offsetting influences was
the buying activity in st. Paul ran
way liens which followed the order
for the road on November 22, AT
minimum upset price of $122,5O0,0oO
Fractional advances were genera IN
this group. .,..r
company bonds, based on the 1872
high pEices established for raw anu
refined sugar, there was little IN the
Industrial division to attract atten-
ton. Foreign bonds marked time :
Interest in new financing wa9
aroused BY the announcement .. ..
P. Morgan and Company ana tn neo nm mn
tional city Company that sio.'SsO' ner
Argentine government "a year AZ p
cant bends would be placed on All sio
market tomorrow at SO IA. In Aus
ton to this issue the same ne o DO A..
have placed privately $2V'VVo'00o
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30
Boston Produce Market

Boston, Sept. 29.-[P).
BEEF-Choice whole cattle 16@17.
BUTTER-Higher scoring that ex-
tras 45h 446; extras IS: extra firsts 43
@44a; firsts 41Q 42A.
CHEESE-Extras 24a@25}; frsts %
@24.
CORN-No. 2 yellow 5000.
EGGS-Nearby hennery brown ex-
tras 60@62; white and mixed extras
5365S; eastern extras 44@47; western
extras 44@47.
FLOUR-Spring patents, 196-pound
sacks, special short $50; stand
ard 7.75QS.S5.
HAY-No. Q timothy 25@2e.
LAMB-Spring 24626.
PORK-Medium backs 32@3450.
OATS-Forty pounds 5000.
POTATOES-Maine Cobblers 2.1e@
ais: sweets 2.75@3.o0.
SUGAR-American Sugar Refining
quotes 600 cents in 100-poun lots
less per cent. for cash.
VEAL-12@23.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30
By Beck

extras 5sa61; nearby and nearby
western hennery whites firsts to aver
age extras 41457: nearby hennery
browns extras 50@55; Pacific coast
whites extras 55Q57; do, extra firsts
40m54.
POTATOES-Dull: Long Island per
$50 pounds 3.75 a 400.
CABBAGE,S-Steady New York
white per 100 pounds 1.00Q1.25.
The raw sugar market was less ac-
tive today and while spot prices were
unchanged at 4.65 for Cuban, duty
paid, offerings were more liberal. Sales
reported aggregated 10000 bags of
Cuban to local and outport refiners
from store and for October shipment
at 4.65.
Raw sugar futures were firm early
on renewed covering and trade buying,
but after advancing two to three
points or into new high grounds for
the season, considerable profit taking
developed and reactions followed. with
the close two points net lower to one
point higher Trading was active with
approximate sales $4,000 tons. De-
cember closed 2.sS. January $50.
March 2.S3, May $50, July 2.9S.
The refined sugar market was un-
changed at $50 to 800 cents for fine
granulated with heavy Withdrawals
on old contracts and more new inqui-
ries reported.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30
New York Produce Market
New York, Sept. 2

New York, Sept. 29.-(P1.
FL o u r - Firm; hard winter
straights 7.30@765.
WHEAT-Spot irregular; No. dark
northern spring c New York lake
and rail 1.61a; No. hard winter b
New York lake and rail 1.54a; No.
mixed durum to arrive 1.50a; No. !
Manitoba lake and rail to arrive 1881
in bond. Wheat futures were firm; do
nestle September closed 1.43a, Decem-
Der 1.45a, May 1.50s; bonded Decem-
Der 1.443, May Lisa.
CORN-Spot firm; No. 2 yellow
track New York lake and rail 05i; No.
2 yellow do. 93s.
OATS-Spot firm; No. white 5Sa.
LARD--Firm; middle west 14.S5Q
1895.
Other articles unchanged.
BUTTER--Steady; receipts 1G.111:
EGGS-Steady; receipts lo.50o;
fresh gathered extra firsts AGA
nearby hennery whites closely selected
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30
Chicago Cattle Market
Chicago, Sept.

chicago, sept. ~.
CATTLE-Receipts 10000; better
grade steers and yearlings fairly &C
tive, strong to Is higher; others slow
around steady; best light and medium
weight cattle 1900; 1330-pound aver
fat she stock mostly steady: all cut
tiers strong to Is higher; vealers sharp
ly higher; few under 1880. stockers
and feeders weak to Is lower.
HOGS-Receipts 10000; generally
steady with yesterdays best prices or
10 to Is higher than average. top
1880 paid for selected 225-pound ay:
erages; bulk desirable ITO to 260-pound
weights 13.25@13.65; bulk $50 to 300
pound butchers 13.06@1s.5o: most $50
to 160-pound averages 12.00@1S.oo;
few 130-pound butchers l2.5O@12.S0;
bulk desirable packing. sows 1000
1900; heavies downward to 1880; most
slaughter pigs 11.25 @12.00: shippers
took $500; estimated holdover 5000.
SHEEP-Receipts 1900; rat lamps
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-30

NEW YORK MARKET
'u'es Of the Days Dealings in All
the Leading Stocks

s s,s, York, Sept. 29.-(By The AS
,ea Fress)-The stock market
'A a, a spotty appearance today,
:, e'0sing quotations irregularly
Extreme nervousness over
rsn mOiiey situation was again ap-
m. uue to the marking up of the
ca uney rate from 5 IA to 51-2
,v seul and the stiffening of the
ss ss on the longer time loans and
F esai paper. With directors of
II I Sol Reserve Bank of New
ttin roiuing their regular weekly
ksrrss aiter the close Of the market
i sncn there was a rather general
ptiars 70 unload stocks in anti
tscounu.l a possible increase in the
sose days business news was large.
sSI ,.aictive in character. The
Dknr' os of the day was the
hn e VI me regular dividend on the
h fra1 STOCK of the Baltimore and
|NceS li 30 to Sc, which was an
5tsS G. after the market closed.
b ioS n.ates Steel closed nearly a
khn mwer at 149 1-s.
tS ~ speculative forces tried
llow urea. ureak the market out of the
: beeni aolng area within which it
Esoreon Wondering for a fortnight
s.o put without success. Oper-
sed "U, ~ for higher prices sue
Rss IN marking up a number of
h $50 70 y points, but encountered
tHta Tineriings and were unable to
h bantshe higher prices. On the
m land, SPECTATORS for the de-
bks ta "a to force about a dozen
str " new low levels for the year,
! he eng his., buying support for most
b nre m,sh grade industrials and
gepereen1 them from unsettling
|AtlantpI. break of over eight points
J lata,ri e Coast Line. half Of which
/ Of tbo recovered, on the publica-
b stat ae unfavorable August earn
on 0,telment.- had a depressing ef-
lsble CIV. ne rail list which other IA
earnings statements were Nm