davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
By Sophie Kerr
Henry Was Practical in His Christmas Gifts

and sewing it by hand was hard. She
brought this out and slipped it under
the presser-foot. Almost before she
knew 1t the business of binding the
apron was done. And with some sur
prise Lisa realized that she had been
enjoying herself immensely.
AS she worked she began to analyZe
the events of the past twenty-four
hours. She felt it crisis. If Henry
disliked Christmas he doubtless found
any celebration of birthdays or other
anniversaries quite obnoxious. Her
birthday was in February-maybe he'd
give her a broom or a scrubbing pail
then,
change. Even IL she could unwillingly
agree to endure it herself it was no
way to bring up children. And Lisa
hoped that she and Henry would have
at least four children to bring up.
A child in the house and no Christ
mas! A fire OF anger leaped in her at
the bare possibility.
Some one was tapping at the door,
1t opened and in walked Teeny
Robertson. II ran over to get your
recipe for lemon pie" she said.
AS they went through the dining
room Teeny saw the recent arrival
"Oh, your sewing machines come
what a peach And you've been using
1t. Lisa, that's the cutest apron / ever
saw. I'm crazy about it."
Get some stuff and I'll cut one out
for you. You can make it here"
Teeny shook her head. "Of course,
I threatened to borrow your machine,
but you know what any apron would
look like If I sewed it-now, don't
you?"
Lisa made a world shaking resolu-
ton. IF you get the stuff I'll make an
apron for you for fifty cents" she
burst out. 1T won't cost as much as
one you'd buy, at that. I'd do it for
nothing. only--Ive got to earn some
money. I've got to-"
WHIP you, honest? I'd love 1t. How
many yards do / need?"
I'll write it all down. Teeny--you
don't think I'm mean. not to do it for
nothing? Another time I'd love to-"
"Shes got behind with the bills and
she's afraid to tell Henry-he's such a
tightwad' thought Teeny. Then
aloud: You know I don't feel that
way. You ought to charge me more
than fifty cents-but 1 hope you
won'u'
II won't. I'm ashamed to charge
you anything.
II
CHRISTMAS EVE was as cold and
- clear and crisp as Christmas eve
should be. Henry had gone to work as
usual. although he knew there would
be no work done that day. AS he went
out that morning he observed how
Hollins avenue had broken out into a
perfect rash of wreaths and green
trimmings-wreaths on doors, In win
dows and, in some cases. little portals
wreathed in green. Only the Taylor
house was unadorned. He looked back
at the corner. and to see Lisa waving
at him from a window without a
wreath gave him an odd pang. He
did not know what caused it. He
thought he had eaten too much break
fast.
He knew he was right about Christ
mas being an economic waste and all
that, but these gay goings-on about him
undermined his sureness in himself.
He didn't want to be in 1t, but. all the
same. to be so entirely out of it was
uncomfortable.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

fore Christmas by Henry. whom she
loved and adored (up to this moment
wounded her beyond words. 1t was
slight to her judgment, fearful
blow to her sentiment, and an open
ing of her eyes to quality in Henry
she had never suspected.
She played her cards mechanically
and did not look at Teeney, because
she knew that Teeney was sympathiZ-
ing with her, and she did not want
any one to dare to sympathize with
her. least of all Teeny. Why. she had
always felt real pity for Teeny, be-
cause Henry was so superior to Bob.
And Henry was superior to Bob--he
was, he was, he was: she said ii over
to herself, almost fiercely. Henry was
better looking than Bob. and made
more money. and wasn't greedy about
food. and danced better, and was more
d-and-and--Oh, might 1T
be possible that Henry erred on the
side Of being too sensible?"
I'D rather have him that way than
silly. like Bob" thought Lisa passion
ately. Yes. would. a hundred thou
sand times" Then her mind reverted
to the sewing machine and she in.
wardly moaned and forgot Bob alto
gether. Christmas. without wreaths.
without a turkey, without q tree.
without presents. without any of the
gayeties and jollities and festive embel-
lishments she had always known at
home-she simply couldn't take 1t in.
And then Lisa set her two red lips
together firmly. Something must be
done. And she must do 1t.
She frightened suddenly. became
very cheerful, and leased Bob and
Henry numerically about every trick
they lost. Teeny Robertson. watching
her, thought she was a darned game
little sport and played up to her with
spirit. The gloom that had hung
around like a mist after Henry's pro.
nouncement against Christmas dis
solved and disappeared. and. the game
being completed. they all went Out
to the kitchen and made sandwiches
and opened ginger ale and partook
thereof. largely and lhilariously.
But they were hardly of the front
porch on their way home when Teeny
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
JACKSON'S WOODEN HEAD.

"Ill have you arrested" said the
Secretary. reaching out for the bell
to summon messenger.
stop Mr.. Secretary" answered the
resolute sailor. You, as a lawyer,
know that there is no statute against
defacing a ship of war. and all you
can do is to sue me for trespass, and
that in the county where the offense
was committed. II you desire 1t.
will go back to Middlesex County,
Mass, and stand my trial.
you are right" said the Secretary.
after a moments reflection; land now
tell me how you took away the head"
Dewey told the story, and Dicker-
son a-xed him to wait until he had
stepped over to the White House and
showed the head to the President
When President jackson heard the
story and saw the head, he burst into
loud laughter
why. that is the most Internal
image / ever saw" said he. "The
fellow did right. Give him a kick and
my compliments and tell him to saw
it off again."
Dewey finally obtained the appoint
ment of postmaster in a small Vir.
ginia town, and he used to have on
his visiting cards the representation
of a hand,saw. under which were
inscribed the words:
II came; I saw; conquered"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
Films of Rare Wood.

THE growing scarcity of the more
beautiful and valuable woods has
made necessary the substitution OF
other and cheaper kinds. Thus hard.
" any furniture nowadays is made
of solid mahogany. and inferior ma.
terials have very generally taken the
place Of the disappearing cabinet
woods" Indeed. high-grade timber OF
any kind is now so costly as to pro-
hibit its common use as the solid
body OF furniture. Manufacturers
are resorting more and more to the
use Of veneers. Articles OF furniture,
ranging from tables to phonograpn
and radio cases, have skeletons OF
cheap wood covered with a thin skin
OF high quality wood.
Now the skin Is not usually more
than one-twentieth of an inch thick:
A thousand board feet of lumber viii
produce 10000 square feet of veneer.
Thus great economy is obtained.
and the furniture so made Is as az. =
tractive as that of solid wood.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
IL GOOD BUSINESS CHRISTMAS

It was not at all satisfactory day,
with everybody rushing around and
whispering and the stenographers
leaving packages on one another's
desks and a general levity in the air.
He was glad he was leaving early and
he meant to duck out and avoid all
the Hope you have an awfly nice
Christmas, old man. stuff. But as
he sidled through the door his boss
saw him and called him into his pri-
vate office.
your works been specially good.
Taylor" said the boss genially.
you've got a way of getting at peo-
pie. And you follow it up with sales.
And you display judgment and acu-
men in the amount of your sales.
I've watched you. And this is a little
Christmas wish of the firm-the Office
authorized it and I'm happy to hand
it on to you. And / wish you happy
Christmas, Taylor, and continued sue
cess
He shook Henry's hand cordially
! pressed long envelope into it and
babe him farewell.
Henry returned thanks, and as soon
as he was in the hall opened the en-
velope. 1t contained five new 500
bills.
Henry hardly knew how he man
aged to get down on the street with
out dancing and whooping and carry
ing on like a 10-year.old Five hun
dred dollars-500 whole, big, round,
magnificent dollars. He knew what
he would do with it-he would make
payment on the mortgage and be
that much ahead of the game.
He was walking along the street
when press of shoppers jammed him
against shop and held him there.
Right before his eyes was a charming
string of beads. rose coral and gold.
Henry craned his neck to see the
price tag and made out the tiny fig
ures-$45. OF course, that settled it.
he couldn't buy geegaw that cost SO
much. Heavens, no.
But the discomfort, the uncertainty
he had felt all day, came back to him.
All about him were last-minute shop
pers, Juggling home their parcels.
Dolls heads and toy trains burst their
wrappings: bulging market baskets re-
vealed turkey drumsticks protruding
through forests of celery and parsley,
with red apples and brilliant oranges
tucked in all around.
Henry was the only one who car
ried nothing, and when he tried to
congratulate himself on not being a
comic-laden figure he couldn't quite
achieve it. He was glad to get away
from it all and go home.
Only he was not getting away from
it. Each house he passed had can
dies in the windows, soft flares in
the Winter twilight. and the wreaths
he had noticed in the morning made
round silhouettes against the mellow
light. Henry felt queer. Again he
wasn't in it, he didn't belong. and.
whereas he should have been pleased,
he felt like an orphan.
He was so absorbed in his unusual
sensat tons that he walked right past
his own house. not recognizing it, and
when he turned back, lingering his
latch-key. he recognized it still less.
No wonder Every window had can
dies. clusters of twos and threes. In
the living room there was an arc of
six, curving high in the ends and low
in the middle. And as for wreaths,
two hung in each window. upstairs
and down; the front door pillars were
garlanded with pine and the front
door itself had a wreath so big that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

/ the way you're going to-worked her
self to death making and buying pres
ents, sticking holly and stun all over
the house, baking cakes and pies, and
getting up a dinner that was the very
last word in superfiuous food-and
all through January she was In bed
with a nervous reakdown-regularly
as the holidays came round. i used
to dread Christmas when / was kid
| honestly did"
Teeny was sitting very straight. Il
never heard of such a thing in my
life-a child who didn't like Christ
mas. Honestly, Henry. that's terrible.
But aren't you going to do anything
you and Lisa: aren't you even going
to give presents to each other?"
"Of course, I'm going to give Lisa a
present." replied Henry, with entire
good nature. But it won't be any
thing silly and foolish and useless. /
don't mind telling you, in fact, what
it sis-because I've bought it and it
might be delivered any day"
"Oh, Henry, don't tell" begged
Lisa. I'D so much rather be sur.
prissd.
He turned to her. puzzled: But.
dear, | was going to show it to you as
of giving things on special days and
being surprised. It's a sewing ma
chine"
The silence that followed this an
nouncement lasted for a whole minute.
Then Henry went on, glancing def
antly at Teeney: Il met fellow I
used to know the other day, and he's
working for an electric company and
he told me he'd get me anything j
wanted at a discount so-Lisa had
said she wanted a machine-and ii s
one of the very best makes
Il think it's perfectly lovely" broke
in Lisa Loyalty. Il wish you hadn't
told me, but all the same-why, the
way I've needed a machine"
Something in her voice, a little
tremor dangerously suggestive of a
sob, made Teeney speak up with well
simulated enthusiasts: "Oh, Lisa, IT
will be lovely, and l warn you I'll be
borrowing it all the time. I've been
threatening Bob that I'd sign up to
buy one on the installment plan."
rs this game sewing-machine ad-
vertising contest, or is it bridge?"
questioned Bob Robertson. That's
what / rise to inquire"
The tension eased with Bob's face
lAouchCSS. IHCy piChCu up Tic Sdtu Ss
paying a more strict attention to the
game than was their custom.
HENRY was the most unconcerned,
because he knew that what he
had done was right and sound and
good business: but the unspoken con-
demnation-for 1t was nothing less
of Bob and Teeny irritated him. How
ever. il they wanted to make silly
children of themselves and play the
wastful game of Christmas, why, he
should worry. He shrugged off his ir.
ritation and became his usual genial
self.
Lisa could not so easily rally. She
wanted sewing machine very much,
but to have it selected for her. without
chance for her to see 1t and try It,
to have 1t thrust on her month be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
Steam Reservoirs.


IT is. of course. the usual thing for
city to have few reserve res.
ervoirs to guard against interruption
OF the water supply. but a Swedish
city has extended the principle, hav.
ing constructed two steam reservoirs
These are two large iron tanks. hold
ing reserve supply OF steam for
the city's hydro.electric plant. Enough
Is held here to operate the gen
orators for an hour or more.
The tanks are filled TO within 20 I
per cent Of their capacity, with water
raised to temperature considerably
above what its boiling point would
be in the open air When steam
Is drawn off more Is instantly avail
able. A relatively small boiler Is sui. !
fcient to keep the accumulators
charged and ready for service The
insulation is such that heat losses
are negligible even In low tempera.
lures outdoors. Automatic valves
keep the pressure In the tanks con-
slant.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
PRESIDENTIAL election is e

\ PRESIDENTIAL election is ex.
citing in these days, and many
things are said and done during the
canvass which are regretted when the
partisans come to themselves. But in
former days these political contests
were so bitterly fought out that resi-
dents of the same village, and even
members of the same family, were az
rayed against one another, not merely
as opponents, but as personal enemies.
During the first administration OF
President Jackson party feeling ran
with great violence in New England.
1.-The solid men of Boston," as they
called themselves, thought themselves
and the Nation insulted when they
learned that the frigate Constitution,
then being repaired at Charles Town
Navy Yard, was to be ornamented
with a full-iength figure of Gen. Jack
son as a figurehead.
The carver was requested to stop
working on the figure. He refused.
and public opinion became so excited
that his haif-carved block was re-
moved to the navy yard, where he fiE-
ished it under the protection of a
guard of Marines.
When the Constitution, displaying
the obnoxious fgurehead, was hauled
into the stream and anchored between
two United States vessels. the Wing
men and women of Boston were highly
indignant. Capt. Dewey. a sailor from
Cape Cod. determined to saw off the
head of the image. Sculling his boat
with muffied oars one rainy night to
the bow of the frigate, he cut off the
head and returned with it to Boston.
The Wings made a lion of him, and
his subsequent history is recounted as
follows:
Dewey went to Washington and,
having exhibited the wooden head to
the leading Wings. carried it, tied up
in a cloth, to the Navy Department
Sending in has card to the Secretary.
Mahlon Dickerson, he was admitted.
Have / the honor of addressing the
Secretary of the Navy?" asked the
chunky sailor.
'You have. and as J am very busy.
will thank you to be BRIEF" answered
the Secretary.
''Mr. Secretary, I am the man who
removed the figurehead. and have
brought it here to restore it," said
Capt. Dewey.
you are the man who had the
audacity TO disfigure Old Ironsides?
ssked the Secretary. In an angry tone.
Yes. sir, took the responsibility. :"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

her hands, patted her hair, and came
running into the living room, where
Bob and Teeny Robertson and Henry
were getting out the card-table and
the cards. These games of bridge
with their neighbors-the Robert
sons lived across the street, and
proudly boosted two more months
of married bliss than the Taylors-
were always joke, since none of
they made and the way they talked
at table would have been sheer an
guish to a real bridger.
They settled themselves around the
bridge table hilariously. 1t was Lisa s
make, and, as Teeny arranged her
cards. she asked: what are you peo-
pie going to do for Christmas? We're
going to Bob's people for dinner.
We're not so keen on 1t, but his
mother would feel terribly hurt il we
didn't, and, as they live so near, we
thought we'd spend the day there and
then come home and have a little cele-
, bration of our own, because it's our
first married Christmas"
Lisa raised hesitating eyes. 81 don't
know yt. Just what We'll do" she
said. Henry hasn't any folks, &c:
| know. and my people are so far away.
| and I've been so busy / haven't made
any plans
| Gas a matter of fact" broke in Hen
! ry, we're not so keen on Christmas.
You know yourselves it's nothing but
waste and extravaganza. You waste
time, you waste money, you waste en-
ergy. You worry yourself to death
shopping around for presents, and
J give 'em to people you don't care tup-
pence ha'penny for. and get lot of
things back you hate and send to the
next rummage sale. No. sir, any way
you look at it, Christmas is not good
/ business
why, Henry Taylorr' exclaimed
Teeny. How awful! Do you mean to
say you aren't going to do thing for
Christmas. your very first Christmas
in your own home, you and Lisa
Aren't you even going to put wreath
on your front door? Aren't you going
to have a turkey?"
Now. what good would wreath
on the front door do Lisa and me. or
anybody else who'd see 1t? And how
could the two Of us ever manage to
eat a turkey? Don't talk to mel
know all about Christmas, Teeny, the
last word. My mother went on just
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
The Barren Fig Tree

THIS plant starts from a seed
which takes root on the bole of a
palm tree and puts out two pallid
leaves. The growth Of the leaves is
slow. The palm tree furnishes all
their nourishment, for the plant is
parasite. After some time, four thin,
almost invisible. roots appear, lengthen
negligently, and descend to the
ground. When they have grown long
enough. they drive their ends into the
earth. The barren fig tree is no longer
a parasite. 1t stands on its own
ground. Then suddenly the sickly
plant acquires prodigious strength.
It grows broad and long, putting out
branches that shake like greedy hands;
it usurps the ground and climbs
toward the sky. 1t drives down its
roots and reaches wide its branches.
The palm tree that gave 1t life is
choked by it. The barren fig tree is q
poisoner and stranger. 1T rears its
head above the dead body OF its victim.
This poisonous vegetable has moth.
ing In common with the fig.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

love to place unseen pitfalls before
human feet. 1t is we'll to tread deli.
cately when one has happiness in his
heart-delicately and with grateful
humility. But Henry Taylor went
hardly along. with a confidence he
fortunately did not know was wholly
unjustified.
He flung open the door. "Hoo-oo,
Lisa! Where are your"
"Hoo-oo, here / ann from kitchen.
They met on the Threshold of the
dining room and kissed rapturously.
Gee, I'm glad to get home" said
Henry feelingly.
Poor boy--had hard day."
mo, but I'm just glad to be home
and see you"
THAT'S the right answer. Dinners
almost ready. Bob and Teeny are
coming over this evening to play
bridge. Hungry"
starving
run down and look at the furnace
and then wash, and I'll be ready"
When he came upstairs, dinner was
an the tsn.e. an eye-tickling, palate
Cabling meal. He FASTENED TO wash
and take his place.
How was everything today?" asked
Lisa.
Fine! ! didn't actually close any
thing. but ! did something I've been
trying to get at for month. l went
over all my notes and memos and files
and blocked out list of people who
ought to carry more insurance. I'll
begin on it tomorrow. This time of
wear it's always hard to sell new bust
ness. but almost anybody who's got
some and needs more. especially II he's
had a claim adjusted during the year
will take an increase. OF course, I'd
never urge anybody to overload. Some
fellows do that. but they're awfully
foolish."
"You're so honest, Henry-that's one
reason I'm crazy about you. I'd hate
a man who was petty and mean and
sharp and took little advantages"
"well," confessed Henry. even IL
wanted to-and sometimes, with 9
sucker. you know. it's hard not to-
wouldn't do anything that ! thought
was more to my advantage than to my
customers. because, in the end, j
wouldn't be. Sooner or later, it's
boomerang"
Lisa was regarding him with shining
rves. That's the golden rule, wher
YOU come right down to it,"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

it seemed hardly able to carry 1t. If
ever there was house that sang of
Christmas, Henry Taylor's house was
that one.
FINALLY he managed to unlock the
door and get inside. Oh, how
good it smelled. Sugary smells, spicy
smells, fruit smells, cake and stuffing
and turkey smells. And all over the
house was decoration. Pine garlands
twisted round the balustrade. looped
over doors and mantels. Holly and
mistletoe gave red and white and
green to the living room. and on the
dining room table was the most ador-
able Christmas tree.
Lisa appeared, her cheeks as red as
the holly berries. Il didn't know
you'd come" she cried. "Oh. Henry
darling. don't be cross-merry Christ
mas, Henry. And kiss me-"
Henry kissed her. But, Lisa
Lisa" he began. This must
NO" said Lisa, forestalling him,
at didn't cost much. And not your
money, Henry. Not penny of your
money, truly. I earned it myself"
She poured out the story. She had
made bungalow aprons on her new
machine. People had bought them for
themselves and for gifts. She had
earned $50.
1--WE had to have Christmas, Henry,
our first Christmas together. wanted
you to see that Christmas isn't vast
ing money. Christmas is-Christmas
is-really-loving and giving, and you
and l love each other too much-not
to keep the festival that is part ours
anyway"
All this while Henry Taylor had
been going through a long scale of
emotion. The picture of Lisa peddling
aprons filled him with such. humili-
alton as he had never known in all
his self-satisfied young life.
Everybody would call him a tight
wad and a poor cheese who didn't
properly support his wife. 1t made
him perfectly sick. But honesty forced
him to admit that he had been some