MrFreyaday

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 ...

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