John Henry was a big black man when that was enough to get you convicted in court. He was put on a prison work program, mining out tunnels for railroads with a sledgehammer. This tunneling operation was more than just prisoners; lots of people worked there. For many, this was the only support their families had. One day, a salesman came up to the foreman with a machine. "It's a steam-powered tunnel borer." he said. If it did a fraction of what the salesman claimed, it'd put everyone but the foreman out of work. The foreman was skeptical, but a deal was struck: If the machine could beat one of the men through the mountain, the foreman would b

In a quaint little village Somewhere on this Earth The people dare not to smile They dare not have mirth For if the corners of their lips Raise above the rest The mouth-stealer will come To clutch that smile to her chest.