davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Pogons Also Sent
New Years Cards

Here in America the popular and
evergrowing custom of exchanging
New Years greeting cards is of
fairly recent origin, but actually the
New Years card antedates the
more familiar Christmas card by
several hundred years.
With Christmas our greatest ma
tional holiday, most of us are in
clined to think of New Years as a
sort of happy afterthought. The fact
is, it is one of the oldest of festivals,
dating back to pagan times. In GER
tain countries of Europe where
Christmas is observed as a purely
religious festival, New Years takes
the form of real feast day and its
celebration is marked by rejoicing
and the exchange Of gifts and greet
ings.
The earliest known New Years
"greetings'' were medals marked
with good wishes which date back
to the reign of the Roman Emperor
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Helpless against a
Wn1an's Determination

And "The Park" became a farce
AN unreal dream. Children still
played in the alleys and narrow
streets of the town. Too many of
them still were killed by the speed
ing cars. Lexington could have built
its own park during the twenty-three
years that followed, but the land that
was available to them was across
town=-five miles from the Settle
ment. Everyone of influence tried
at one time or another to cope with
Jennifer Martin. John Davis, re-
membering how badly Linda had
wanted this park, even took little
Johnny to see her. But it was USE
less. She refused to see them. She
would not even be approached by
anyone about the land. 1t was like
trying to open a door that she had
closed and bolted long past against
all attempts and one she apparently
did not ever intend to open.
Johnny was still staring out the
window, seeing nothing, when his
father opened the door behind him.,
wen, son doWS II look
everything the same?" he asked,
tossing his hat toward the rack and
missing it, as usual.
"Yep, same old place, Dad. But
-there've been changes made!" He
gave J. D. knowing glance.
"Oh, you mean Handley? know.
But it's hard to get help now and
efficient. Efficient :" he
tried the word over again on his
tongue. ''That's a good word for
her-as good as anyl" He laughed
and sat down beside his desk.
"Handley? Oh, yes. She's that,
all right. Butt meant the other
one-Miss Willett." He hesitated
over her name, not wanting to ap-
pear too exact.
ITO BE coNTTNUED)
The midland journal., 1946-12-27

Commodus (18O-192). And while
New Years cards long have been a
tradition in China, where the tech
nique of printing was invented, the
first European New Years card we
have record of is of German ORR
gin, dating back to the 145Os. It
depicts the Christ Child and chest
overfowing with good wishes. An
other card of the same period has
a treasure ship as its central design.
Our present-day New Years cards
have an impressive history behind
them. With their festive confetti
colors and "Baby New Year" "Fa-
ther Time" bells and balloons, they
serve as messages of the good will
we feel toward our friends and
neighbors, and Of our hope for "A
Prosperous and Happy New Yearl"
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Johnny and Kit
Get Acquainted

''Why Tm-I mean I wanted
to-look around. :" The sergeant
who had encountered a nest of
Krauts unabashed was finding
things more difficult on the home
front of the Clarion.
''Look around?" It appeared as
though she had never heard the ex-
preston before. well, whom did
you wish to see?"
But the question remained un-
answered. A strange girl suddenly
stood between them.
"Miss Handley, / think this might
be Sergeant Davis. John Davis
Jr.-right?" She looked to him
for confirmation.
Right" Johnny answered re-
ieved.
'It's really not Miss Handley's
fault. j. D. forgot to tell. us. you d
be in today" TO which Miss Hand
ley uttered hasty apology and set
tied herself back at her desk quite
interested in her work, leaving
Johnny to the girl who had inter-
vened at such an opportune time.
They toured the entire building,
stopping only long enough to make
conversation with his old friends.
He followed her obediently although
he knew each step of the way with
his eyes closed. What he did not
know, and what he managed to find
out during the next ten minutes,
were certain facts about Kit VIII
lett. He suddenly found himself
very much interested in these facts.
She was about FIVE feet six-or
chin height for Johnny. And her
eyes were soft brown. Her hair,
. bright auburn that curled natur-
ally in a long bob just touching her
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Ewing Z .straIrbt, Llne

Pilots Of super-planes flying At
supersonic speed. win have an In
Simultaneous check on instruments
when army air forces scientists
work out regrouping Of the instru-
ment panel into a Zine" pattern.
When the gasoline, oil, tempera-
ture. manifold pressure and other
fight elements are flinctioning
properly. a graphlight block will
show the pilot one solid line. II
trouble threatens, the solid line i'm
mediately shows break, and the
pilot knows instantly what is wrong.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
ooh, I just fooled around. Wanted
you to be here to welcome me-"

ooh, just fooled around. Wanted
you to be here to welcome me-"
grandmother, Jennifer Martin, had
chased the laborers from her Park
project. Twenty-three years on No
vember the thirtieth. The day Lin
da Martin Davis died giving birth
to John D. Davis, Jr. The old lady
would certainly not change her
mind now
But something that had happened
inside the last sixty minutes had
given him courage to face any prob
lem. Something or perhaps
someone. Kit Willett perhaps.
Johnny Davis stood at the front
window looking down Main Street,
watching for the familiar figure of
his father. The old office seemed
empty now that Kit Willett had gone
back to her desk in the outer Of
flee. He showed his hands in his
pockets in an impatient gesture. It
was hard waiting.
The idea of the "Park" crowded
all else from his mind. That was
nothing new, however. When he was
big enough to listen he had heard
the story and since then it had been
his number one ambition to see it
through, to finish ''The Park" that
his grandmother had promised the
kids at the Settlement twenty-three
years ago.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Soldier Come Home
BETTY ZANE WATSON

shoulders. Her figure, thin and
lithesome, seemed the very essence
Of energy.
They lastly came to his fathers
Office and she turned to go back to
her desk, hesitated, then looking
back at him, asked:
IL suppose you've seen the
'Park'?" Then as if summoning
more courage she left the door and
came back to where he was stand
ing. cts really a shame, isn't it?
I was so in hopes that some mir
acle would happen before you got
home and it would be finished and
waiting for you. But no such lucki"
Johnny looked at her, startled at
this mention of the thing which had
been foremost in his mind. II
think perhaps it will take more
than a miracle" he answered. She
noticed the encouragement in his
voice.
81. D. wrote you about the petit
ton, suppose?"
petition? No-what for?"
"a park site for the town. The
end of Maple Avenue. But don't get
excited because it didn't go through.
1t looks as if old Lady Martin won't
give Lexington the Park there just
won't be any"
Suddenly she seemed surprised at
this sincere conversation with this
stranger whom she had known such
a short time. ''Well, / don't mean
to repeat any famous last words but
its a good idea not to give up
too SOON" She smiled at him as
she closed the door behind her.
Too soon-he thought. Well, it had
been twenty-three years since his
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
New Year Antedates
Birth Of Christ

The celebration of New Years on
January began in 452 B. c., and
therefore, contrary to logical reason
ing, had nothing whatsoever to do
with the birth Of Christ.
After December Is had been
established as the day Of nativity.
the church made January re-
ligious festival honoring the circum-
cision of Jesus; the day being thus
observed in the church.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27

overlooking the LOWn, the pipe
plants growing at the foot like so
many children clinging to their
mothers skirts. Linda and her
brother Henry were something like
prince and princess to the children
of Lexington, who were mostly the
children of the plant workers and
miners. They had attended the
best boarding schools, known only
the right peoples children and were
thoroughly spoiled. Linda, howev-
er, retained her lovely personality
through it all. Henry was differ
ent proposition. A mean, contempti-
BILE child who had no intention of
growing out of his disposition. It
was princess fallen, though, when
Linda fell in love and married John
ny Davis, strange reporter who
had just arrived in town. Jennifer
Martin completely erased her
daughter from her life. She was
even refused admission to Martin
dale.
Linda, being fond of her mother
and wanting peace restored, man.
aged through one of the servants to
let her mother know she was ex-
pecting baby. This was too much
for even "Queen Martini" as her
subjects" called her, and she well
coined her daughter back with open
arms-but never Johnny. Though
Linda pleaded with her time and
again, she would not accept her SON.
in-law. Linda visited her mother
daily and it was during this time
she suggested, planned and persuad-
ed her mother to donate the land
and the building expense of a park
and playground for the children
of Lexington.
The park was to cover five acres
of ground at the foot of Martindale
Hill, easily accessible to the chill
dren living in the cramped quarters
of the Settlement. There were to
be swings, teeter-totters, a huge
swimming pool and bath house,
picnic tables and whatever else
might be suggested by the towns
people. Linda, sitting at the large
front window, during her pregnancy,
planned it all. It became almost an
obsession with her during the last
few weeks of her life when her
mother finally gave consent to have
the work started. Excitement ran
high! It was almost unbelievable
that "Queen Martin" was giving the
town part of her sacred land, in
addition to building park on it for
them-a long-needed playground for
their children. But it was true. One
had only to go to the foot of the Mar
tin estate to know that it was fact.
Workmen of all sorts-gardeners,
painters, carpenters-all there to
prove it.
And then one day in Fall-Novem-
Der 80, 1922-the workmen, the gar
deners, the painters, were sudden
ly confronted by an irate old lady,
who ran at them down the hill, shak-
ing her cane in defiance and scream
ing at them to quit work immedi-
ately. 1t was at once a terrifying
and a pitiable sight, as if she could
in this way avenge the untimely
death of her daughter, Linda Mar
tin Davis, who had died giving birth
| to the son of a man she loathed
without ever having seen him.
The workmen returned several
days after the funeral and began
work again, thinking that the tenn
per and sorrow Of the old lady had
subsidized. They soon found out they
were wrong, however, when she re-
peated her performance, threaten
ing to break their backs with her
cane if they ever returned again.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Preparing Water Fowl

IN cooking wild water fowl a lit
tie special attention will help in
sure much more tasty dish. In
preparing a bird for cooking it is
well to remember that an older
bird has less tender meat and Ii
best cooked with moist heat with
only a moderate amount Of season
ing, while tender meat is cooked
with dry heat. Seasonings used In
clude onions, tomatoes, garlic, lem
on, marjoram. thyme, cloves or chilli
powder.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Paper Rugs

One Of the possibilities Of the fu-
ture is the use Of paper rugs. The
secret, Of course, is flexible plas-
tic. Gay colors, durability, water
proofness. stay-putness, and ease Of
cleaning are mentioned as other ad-
vantages. The material may have
other uses, including coverings for
furniture.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Greek Hero

When Loues. a Greek peasant.
won the marathon race In Athens
at the first modern Olympic games
in 1895, his reception was so great
that women threw their jewelry at
his feet. A hotel proprietor gave
him an order for 385 free meals
and even street urchin pressed
forward with a promise to black
his boots for nothing for the rest Of
his life.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
CHAPTER 1

Johnny Davis Jr., recently OF the
357th Infantry of Patton's famed
Goth Division, stopped at the bottom
Of the steps leading to the Daily
Clarion.
He was determined to prolong this
moment as long as possible-a mo-
ment he had dreamed of and prayed
for through three long years. Years
that had taken far more Of his life
than thirty-six months.
The gray face of the building was
perhaps a shade darker from the
seasons past, the lower two steps
broken and still unrepaired as they
had been when he had last walked
down them a lifetime ago. But
above all else it was homeland it
hadn't changed. The room on Main
Street might have been where he
and his father had slept for the past
twenty-three years but this Office
this broken down old building. was
where he had been raised from the
desk drawer crib stage to star re-
porter This was home!
Standing there, anticipating the
moment ahead, he saw his father,
John D. Davis Sr., editor and owner
of Lexington's one and only newspa-
per, open the door above him. He
was a tall thin man and his face,
which wore constant expression
of kindness, broke into a smile.
Johnny! You old son of gun!"
He ran down the steps two at time,
an easy matter for him to do.
Thought you'd follow me over aft
er breakfast, boy"
"Oh, I just fooled around. Want
ed you to be here to welcome me, he
answered with a smile. A smile
that was all Johnny Davis-slow,
broad and one that was sure to
reach the heart. Johnny Davis was
handsome but not from perfect fea-
lures. He was mans man and the
irregularity Of his features only ac-
centuated his attractiveness. His
black hair was cut too short to actu-
ally curl while his blue eyes told Of
the same kindness that belonged
to his father. He and his father
were of an even height and though
Army life had broadened Johnny
they both looked cut from the same
tall thin pattern.
'I had a few places to co." he
continued. No need, he thought, to
tell where he had been for the last
three hours-wh ne had to go
first before coming even back to the
Clarion. J. D. had probably guessed
it anyway.
"Look, son, I'm sitting in on
Council meeting at the City Hall in
few minutes so go on in and get
to work. Harry, Tops and Findley
are still with us. There's couple
of new girls at the front desks. I'll
make it short-O.K.?"
AS he stood now looking after his
father he realized just how much
this one person meant to him. How
much he had done for him to take
the place of the mother and family
he had never known. J. D. was
he shook his head and smile came
to his lips, well, they didn't make
adjectives that big he decided and
walked on up the steps.
When he opened the door Of the
front office he found himself con-
fronted by a spinsterish individual
who looked at him inquiringly over
her glasses.
"Yes, sir? Something?" Her
voice, pitched high and sharp, GER
tainly added no attraction to the
plain figure that owned it.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
lkAPRO OWED
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAy1
Lesson for December 29
BY HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST. d. d.
OF The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.
Released by Western Newspaper Union.

Lesson subjects and Scripture texts se.
lected and copyrighted by International
Council of Religious Education; used BY
permission.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27

LIl6 IIlUlO,
For those that here we see no
more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the
times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful
rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and
blood,
The civic SANDER and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love Of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust Of
gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier
hand;
Ring out the darkness Of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Lord Tennyson.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
PAUL CLAIMS THE WORLD
FOR CHRIST

LESSON TExT-Acts s:1s: 1921: 23:1l:
2e:28.3l; Romans l:13.l6; l5:22.A.
MEMORY SELECTION-l am debtor both
to the Greeks. and to the barbarians; both
to the wise. and to the unwise.-Romans
1:14.
The midland journal., 1946-12-27

AsAAA6p A1NRPy
across the snow;
The year is going,
let him go;
Ring out the false,
ring in the true.
Ring out tn e
grief that saps
the mind,
The midland journal., 1946-12-27
Ring Out the Old.
Ring In the New

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Evening star., 1946-11-10
Wedding announcements
lOf Interest IN The Capital

Nelson Clayton of Lynchburg, Va
The wedding took place September
Il in the home of the Rev. John H
West. The couple are making their
home here.
Wo0d-Grapen
Miss Gertrude M. Craven and Mr.
John J. Wood were married Septen1-
ber 81 In st. Joseph's Church, with
the Rev. Berchman Lanahan, s. j.,
a cousin of the bridegroom, of1ciat-
ing at the nuptial mass A recep-
ton followed at the Continental
Hotel.
The bride, who is the daughter
of Mr.. Lois GraYen of .Wilkes-Barre
Pa, was given in marriage by her
cousin, Mr.. Robert Myers. She was
attended by Mrs. Aloysius Stern as
matron of honor. Mr.. Joseph Weeks
was best man for the bridegroom.
Mr.. Wood, who Is the son OF Mrs
Catherine E. Wood and the late Mr.
Francis I. Wood, served in the Navy
three years.
Evening star., 1946-11-10

Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene Katz are
making their home In Los Angeles
following their recent marriage here
in the Hamilton Hotel. Mrs. Katz,
the daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Jack
Lam, was formerly Miss Rita Lam,
The wedding ceremony was held
September Is with Rabbi Henry
Segal officiating. Mrs. Max Nusbaum
was matron of honor and Mr.. Larry
Katz was best man for his brother.
Mr.. Katz attended Boston College.
and Mrs. Katz studied at George
washington University and the
Washington School of Music. Be-
fore her marriage she completed a
mission for the State Department
which took her to London and a
number Of points in Europe.
Carosi.Gubisch
Miss Marie Gubisch, daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. John r. Gubisch, was
married to Mr.. Nicholas j. Carosi,
jr., on September 23 in the Holy
Name Church. The Rev. Paul
Dougherty oficiated at the nuptial
mass which was followed by q re-
ception at the Admiral Club.
The bride was escorted by her
father and Mrs. Doloris Sambataro
was matron Of honor. She also was
attended by Mrs. Audrey Lockett,
Mrs. Richard Ward and Miss Ann
Scanlon. The brides 5-year-old
cousin, Harry Wilford, was ring
bearer.
Mr.. John Carosi was best man for
his brother and the ushers were Mr..
Julian Sambataro, Mr.. Richard
Ward and Mr.. John Smith.
KelIy.Leaaeffe
Mr.. and Mrs. George Daniel Leg
gette, jr., of Windsor, N. c., have
announced the marriage Of their
daughter, Miss Lola Christine Leg
gette, to Mr.. Patrick Henry Kelly,
son OF Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Paul
Kelly of this city. The wedding
took place on September 81.
Brown-Nydegger
Miss Evelyn Luella Nydegger,
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Carl A.
Nydegger Of College Park, was mar
ried on September is to MIR. Ken
meth Osborne Brown OF Hyattsville.
The Rev. Edgar A. Beckett ofnciated
in the First Methodist Church Of
Hyattsville.
Given in marriage by her father,
the bride was attended by her sister,
Mrs. Esther Kuhn, who was matron
Of honor, and by Miss Eva Joyce
Berry and Miss Shirley Batez as
bridesmaids. Marsha Lee Donally
was the flower girl.
Mr.. Henry Kuhn, jr., served as
best man and the ushers were Mr..
Kenneth Smith and Mr.. Ben Pierce.
CIayfon-Hebler
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Hepler an
nounce the marriage of their daugh-
ter, miss F. Rebecca Hepler, to Mr..
Evening star., 1946-11-10
THE SUNDAY STAR, Washington D. c. D.
10,

in a ceremony held October II in the
home Of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. c.
Austin Lewis. The Rev. Edgar Beery
officiated. The wedding was followed
by q reception.
Mr.. Hall, who is the son Of Mr..
and Mrs. Hall of this city, served
two years of foreign duty with the
Navy.
Evening star., 1946-11-10
Sh0fnos.R0db0ard

tShofnos.Rodboard
Mrs. !. Rodboard has announced
the marriage OF her daughter, Miss
Lillian Shirley Rodboard, to Mr.
Maurice L. Shofnos. son Of Mrs. G
shofnos. The ceremony took place
October s.
HaH-LetOis
Miss Betty Ann Lewis became the
bride OF Mr.. Edward Earl Hall, jr.,
Evening star., 1946-11-10
Fiora.QMsiroIo

The wedding Of Miss Marie Quei-
rolo and Mr.. Virgil Flora took place
October 6 in st. Gabriel's Church
with the Rev. Louis w. Albert off,
ciating. A reception followed at the
Admiral Club.
The bride was attended by Miss
Ines Basso and Mr.. Louis J. Flora
served as BEST man. Mr.. Bruno J.
Flora and Mr.. John Zerega were
uSherS.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-05
FoirOpens 
 Exhibition Runs
 Today and Sunday

Terryville, Oct. 5-HundredS or Terryville residents are in attend ance at the annual Harwinton Fair which is being held today on it's grounds five miles north of Terry vile. A large midway with many unusual attractions has been set up with a ferris wheel and merry-go- round being the center of attraction for the children.
 Large exhibits in all departments are on display, with the fruit and vegetable displays being unusually large and attractive. The horse and cattle drawing contest, alwayS' feature at this old New England fair is more keenly contested this year than ever before, with many pairs of oxen having been entered by Massachusetts owners to com pete against the Connecticut own CTS, adding much rivalry in this outstanding feature of the fair.
 The fair will continue Sunday, coming to a close Sunday night, with local and State Police expect ing that fully 18,0O0 people will be in attendance during the two days of the fair.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-05
Local Drivers Get Findings On Hearing
Mon FoiIs to
 Appear in Court, Other Cases Settled

Three Waterburians appeared before Francis w. Hogan, director of operator control for the Connec- ticut Department of Motor Vehicles for motor vehicle hearings Thurs day morning in City Court. The findings for the local drivers and five others from this area were an- nounced today.
 Local findings are Herbert L. Clark, 361 Perkins Avenue, accumu- lated record, warned; Edward R Diorio, q Rose Street, rules of the road, financial case closed, and Michael DeFazio, 159 Greenmount Terrace, speeding, financial case closed.
 Other findings are Louis Mag giorotto, 30 King Street, Torrington operating while under the influence suspended March Is, file certificate of financial responsibility; Carlos Teneriro, Washington Depot, oper-- ating while under the influence suspended Nov 6, 1942, right to take test; Laurien O. Garceau, 26 Hill side Avenue, Oakville, evading res possibility, financial case closed; John Bonhotel, Main Street, Lake vile, operating while under the in- fluence, financial case closed; and Evelin Winchell, Main Street North Woodbury, defective equip ment, failed to appear.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-05
 ToHeorKemp

The returned Servicemen of the First Congregational Church will be guests of the Mems League at din ner in the church parlors Monday evening. The Mendelssohn Male Chorus will sing, and James T, Kemp who has recently returned to Waterbury, will speak.
 MT. Kemp has held responsible positions fer the past six war years in Washington, England and Ger many. His subject will be Some "Reminiscences of Civilian At War" This will be the opening meeting of the league for the 1946- 1S47 season under the new officers William B. Mckenzie, president; Vincent F. Weaver, president; Edmund c. Knill, Jr., treasurer and George T. Evans, secretary
 The delegates from First Church to the State Conference meet ing of Connecticut Congregations Churches are: Allen H. Boardman MT. and Mrs. John c. Bradley, Miss Ruth E. Camp, and William A. Service. The meetings will be next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Immanuel Church, Hartford.