davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17
Copyright, 1908, By Edptn l.. sabtn

"And did he shoot at you with his
rubber gun everY
Never" said the spick and span sol
dier.
"And he didn't bite you to see how
soft you wereY
Never" said the spick and span sol
der.
'Or drag you about among the chairs
with a stringp
Never" said the spick and span sol
der.
''Or sick the terrier on your
Never"
"Or take you to bed with him and
roll ON you?"
Never. l was always placed on the
shelf In the closet"
''Or kick you or whack you or throw
you?"
Never. Watch-I can present arms
as well as ever"
"Or kiss you and hug you with all
his might and cry for you when he
was sick through eating too much
candy?"
"Never. He used to forget me en-
tirely for days and days. Did your
boy really do all that to your
"Yes, all that and more" answered
the battered soldier softly.
"And did he kiss you, you say|
asked the splck and span soldier a bit
wistfully.
Yes; he kicked me and he kissed
me-" laughed the first.
"And did you enjoy itF' pursued the
second curiously.
II had the time of my life" declared
the other. How did you find things
up to your expectationsY
The spick and span soldier hesitated;
then he replied
Possibly. l can't complain. But
but somehow l grew dreadfully en-
nuied. l almost longed at times for
more excitement more energy. We
got tired of one another. After q day
or SO we exhausted all our programme
Of proper exercises, and he was so eau
tious of wearing me out that l was
laid aside, and-and, finally, here l
am. ! don't suppose he even knows
that I'm gone"
Dear me" unused the other. "T'm
glad my little boy was not like yours.
Of course there are the knocks. but
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17

TT was brilliant holiday store,
the windows and the shelves and
the cases ablaze with filigree
and thronged with dolls and
dishes and engines and trains and
skates and sleds, and hobbyhorses
that galloped, and cows that mooed,
and mice that ran, and-and every
thing, absolutely everything, that ever
enters the most rapturous Christmas
dream.
In the center of the large show win
dows, fronting upon the gay street,
stood two soldiers. They were by all
odds the finest soldiers in the store,
much superior to the personnel COM
posing the different troops and regi-
ments and companies stationed here
and there along the aisles. The pair
were made of tin, to be sure; but they
were of heroic stature, eight inches
tall, richly uniformed in black and
yellow, and could be wound up so that
they would present arms several times
In succession
The other soldiers, poor things, were
compelled to remain the whole time at
"carry" or a fright shoulder" with
out relief.
Naturally these two soldiers were
proud and of aspirations reaching be-
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17

Oh, our companionship was sweet! l
bet he's crying for me at this instant,
poor chum! Still, it is as well that |
am carted to the dump. l am old and
disfigured and back number, and |
wanted to go before he would cease to
miss me-"
The spick and span soldier was ST.
lent.
Hi, VII! soliloquized the veteran,
with sigh and with chuckle, stiftiy
rolling over on his back. I'm past re-
pairs, but it was sweet-aye, it was
worth it! had-the-time-of
-my-life."
And with his one eye he gazed
through chink in the debris up at the
stars
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17
WORKING 500 LAND.

We are asked how best to M, q t,i;s.
higher priced farm LANDS prC..,2s... Iii
most cases it means quite radical
have to apply to the kind of crops
raised the use made of these crops, the
kind of stock kept and the manner of
working the farm. The selling of raw
material-grain and forage crops-will
have to stop and the profits secured as
a result of working up this raw mate
rial into some form of product which
will sell for more money. 1t will in.
volve something like a systematic rota-'
ton of crops, the growing of more
clover or alfalfa, the better cultivation
of fewer acres and the. keeping of only
the best grade of stock. 1t means an
entire abandonment of the old happy
go lucky "let'er-go-G Gallagher" type of
farming so common in the past. 1t will
mean more care I'm the selection of all
seed sown, the determination of weeds,
the silo. some tile draining, general
stoppage of common farm wastes. In
cidentally it will mean the utilizing of
thc ptichiS VI thc iui IL ihstitutC Woih N,
the reading of more agricultural papers
and bulletins and some experimental
work for every man to carry on him
self. 1t will mean not so much working
harder. but the putting of more gray
matter into what work is done. 1t will
mean regarding farming as profess
sion to be studied scientifically rather
than as an avocation to just get living
from. Not every man will be able to
handle 500 land with profit, and the
ten dollar an acre fellow will have to
go west or work for the man who can.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17

"oH, TO GET AWAY FROM THIS ETERNAL
GUARD MOUNT
yond their present narrow quarters
They pinned for a wider sphere AS
they stood and stared with stern, fixed
gay street they talked together in toy
language, and none, not even the most
versatile linguists among the people
passing and repassing, knew that they
talked.
'Oh, to get away from this eternal
guard mount over lot of fripperyw
sighed the one.
with all my heart" agreed the
other. THE monotony is frightful."
"I'd give half my solder to receive
orders to report to some little boy"
continued the first. "Oh, for a changer
"But the majority of little boys are
so rough and careless" responded the
second II understand they scratch
you and bend you and otherwise NAL
treat you without cause, and soon
you're done for. l prefer duty of
more quiet, instructive nature, where
l may teach by means of my deport-
ment rather than by violent action"
well, | should enjoy a hard drill
and a tussle, believe" asserted the
first.
Our organism is too fine for such
active service, my lad" indulgently
corrected the second. "What-scratches
and dents? No, no. Give me post of
more elegance, where my uniform will
be treated as it deserves"
Christmas day had been over and
gone a month when after their separa-
ton the two soldiers again encounter
ed one another but this time in a great
heap of rubbish at the city dump,
where the dump man had unwittingly
thrown them out.
'Hurrah, Hello, old chap' exclaim-
ed the first soldier delightedly.
"Hello!' returned the second, with
rather more reserve. Goodness! Been
through the Seven Years WARP"
Well might he put this query. The
other soldier was a perfect wreck. He
had lost an arm and foot, his head
was sharply inclined forward upon his
chest, he had only one eye, his body
was twisted askew, his gun was bro
ken, his cap was missing, his features
were battered and distorted, and as for
his uniform of black and yellow-there
was hardly spot of paint on him.
'I-I've been having my tussle," an
nounced the first, with cracked laugh.
"But you-why. you evidently found
just what you were looking for"
YES" explained the second, Il fell
into an excellent post. 1t was the
hands of little boy, sure enough. but
he wasn't allowed to hurt me. See, /
haven't a mark on me-" And he ex-
hibited himself proudly.
True, he was still in dress parade
condition.
Thunder and Marsw chuckled the
first "And look at me! DO you mean
to say that you never were stepped
on?"
"Oh, no." replied the second. 81
didn't lie around on the floor. | was
put away just as soon as he was done
playing with me. His mother had
made him very orderly little boy"
so you never stayed out all night
in the hall or in the middle of the sit
ting room?'
Never" said the spick and span SOL
hiap
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-17
Hppropriatefi Holiday Gifts!

We have made special effort in selecting ho-
day stock this year to choose the very best qualities
in every lne and have had the good fortune to get
extra good qualities in everything at prices which will
enable to sell them as reasonable as many are ask
ing for inferior goods
The Washington times., 1902-06-29
Socks a110 $aoals 1BucRles ao 1ows Now the Uo0ue.

the wearer's monogram in raised metal
letters. The idea is novel, but has lit
tie beyond that to recommend itself
No shoe has succeeded quite SO well as
the dull leather colonial tie, with its
smart Cuban heel, and though women
are still trying to retain this shoe
among their fashionable footwear by
substituting ribbons for the commoner
buckles. the shoe appears in so many
cheap styles that it has ceased to be-
long to the smart set alone.
The fashionable woman is forced 20
choose some other shoe, and from pres
ent indications the one which will in
all probability replace the colonial tie
is strapped shoe, not unlike a sandal
in general effect. Already this shoe has
may be had at some shops in dull kid,
with Louis Quinze or Cuban heels, ac-
companied by medium weight soles.
The shoe is cut quite low and is there
fore cool, and certainly it presents a
much neater appearance than those
adorned with huge bows and loud
buckles.
Three unornamented straps of leather
cross the instep and fasten with ordi
nary buttons, so that between these the
stocking pattern is displayed to excel
lent advantage.
At the present moment milady thinks
so much of her fancy hosiery that she
The Washington times., 1902-06-29
DALNY, RUSSIA'S GREAT SEAPORT,
u A. CITY WITHOUT A COUNTRY
The Prettiest Evening Shoe Made.

Never was there such another town
as Dalny. Russia's new commercial sea-
port in North China. says the Boston
Transcript" 1t was built to order for
one Emperor on the territory of anoth-
eI Nicholas, Gar of all the Russias,
ordered the creation of the town after
his emissaries had persuaded Kwang
Hsu, ruler of countless millions of Chi
nese. that it was worthy project. In
the beginning, not two years ago. Mich
olas invoked the blessing of God upon
the undertaking. so truly peaceful. and
took upon himself the care of building
the nc% city and its port.
Dalny is city without country. if
such thing is possible. No particular
flag has more right to float above it than
another. 1t is the freest port in the
world. They have not even built Gus
tom house, and no import or export du-
ties will be collected on any sort of
goods whatever. Even the moderate
rates of Chinese customs will not be
charged on goods landing or to be ex
ported thence.
II Dalny ever grows to a large city. as
tHose 1tqudlulcu with TIC E-aoNtIH II
conditions say it will. 1t will be the most
cosmopolitan. Its tendency in that di
rection is shown already. There is
population of $4,000 persons. mostly Chi
nese. but with nearly every other na-
tionality represented. In the architect
ural style of the houses and the build
ings already completed his is shown
more distinctly. Combinations of mod
ern and ancient, of Occidental and Ori
entail, such as are in the houses of Dali
ny, can be found nowhere else.
Take one of the most prominent
houses in the foreign residence quarter.
for instance. The first floor is full of
French lines. the second half timbered
after the old English style, the half
story above is Chinese, and on the pa
goda-like roof are set Russian chimneys.
German traces predomnate in the ad-
Joining house. with its stepped coping,
but il has English doors and windows,
and porches like those in Japan and
China. In the distance is a group of
American dwellings, and near them
colonial house. Around many of the
houses are stone fences, with fancy tops,
after the idea which prevails in Assyria.
Danly, in Russian. means "far away"
and 1t is far away from other Russian
ports. Talien Wan Bay, on which the
port is built. is on the eastern side of
the Liao-Tung Peninsula of Manchuria.
facing the Bay of Korea, AMI by rail
fortyfve miles north Of Port Arthur.
The Washington times., 1902-06-29
Patent Leather Shoe
With Broad Bow.
LOW BLACK BASS
| YIELD TO GREED

To predict about black bass with much
confidence is unsafe and unwise. That
fish has an appetite mcst puzzlihg in its
whims. One thing certain is thsh selfish
ness is largely developed in black bass.
particularly in the big ones.
A weii-known sportsman was fishing
for black bass in the st. Lawrsnce Riv-
err He had poor sport. At last he got
strike from a small bass.
The bass had taken mis- leader fly. He
was reeling in. when suddenly he got
another strike that made everything
hum, and out of the water at least two
feet came a great three FOUNDER. This
bass had fastened in its Jaw the drop
per fly next ahead of the fly the small
bass was on After a hard fight both
bass were landed.
The angler. encouraged. began to cast
again, but a long time without success.
Then another small bass took his lower
dropper fly.
AS he was reeling the fish in. zip!
came a second strike, and, as before.
out of the water leaped another big fell
low This one had taken the fly just
ahead of that the little bass was on,
and that gave the fisherman an idea.
He had often noticed in pool or
aquarium where large and small black
bass were together that large bass.
after declining food. would instantly
make a rush for it IL a small bass at
tempted to take it, and would frequently
abandon the pursuit OF one minnow to
go after one a smaller bass was pursu-
in-.
1t was this selfish greed that had act
uated the two big bass he had hooked
Immediately after hooking the two small
ones. Thus the angler argued. and af-
ter landing his second catch Of bass, he
left the small one on the hook TO test
the correctness of his theory.
The result was that the use OF the
small one as the imaginary pursuer OF
that dropper fly aroused the determina-
tion of no fewer than ten big bass to
circumvent it and gobble that fly them
selves. much to their own discontinue
and to the satisfaction Of the fisherman.
who has tried the same ruse many times
since with similar results.-New York
Sun.
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

one as being altogether too startling to
find many admirers, has, after all, at
tanned considerable vogue. Especially
dainty and smart are the thin. lacey
white stockings when worn with white
canvas or kid shoes and airy summer
frocks. Since black shoes and stockings,
no matter how pretty they may be, are
out of date with light batistes and
lawns. we have all grown to consider
white as the correct thing 10 wear, and,
as plain whito hosiery is never pretty,
it naturally follows that in this instance
there should be fads of ornamentation.
Some Of the white Isle openwork
stockings show pinHecks of black
through the pattern: plain white ones
are embroidered across the ankles with
diamonds and fancy designs in black
silk, while lace incrustatIons make
beautiful hosiery for evening wear. For
these expense is never considered by
the woman of fashion. and she may have
her dainty stockings hand painted. or
spangled. or ornamented with real lace.
To some feminine minds the idea of
half hose may seem rather shocking
there is always the possibility of the
skirt being lifted bit too high-but the
fashionable girl who has made trial
Of this comfortable form of foot covering
has found it altogether too delightful to
forego. Half the young women, any
way, turn their stockings down in
tight little roll below the knee-so what
is the difference between that and the
wearing of extra-long socks?
Some there are who manage to keep
their half hose up without the aid of
garters, but those who fear to do away
with this form of supporters make use
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

1t is the Pacific Coast terminus OF the
Eastern Chinese Railway. which con-
meets with the Central Manchurian and
the Great Trans Siberian Railway.
The plan OF Russian engineers on
which Danly was built divides the town
into five quarters-commercial quar-
ters, administration town. private
residence quarters, civil adimnistra-
tion quarters, and Chinese city,
the latter being remove some dis
tance from the rest of the town.
Around a circle. from which the princi-
pal streets extend, the town club. the
theater, the post and telegraph Offices,
the judges office. the town hall, and po-
lice headquarters have been built. 1t
was the intention TO sell the land at
auction to the highest bidder last April.
those who had already erected buildings
having the first right to purchase. or to
have all their improvements paid for
by other purchasers.
The harbor is of such depth that
steamers drawing thirty feet can steam
up alongside the immense docks and
piers. which are well protected by the
breakwater. Their cargoes can be IN
loaded directly into ears. which run for
5000 miles or more 20 st. Petersburg.
Five large piers are being constructed
of blocks of stone and cement, each
weighing from twenty to fifty tons.
These piers are from sixty to two hun
dred feet wide. and vary in length from
a quarter to half mile. Docks for for
eign vessels will extend between the
piers and along the shore for two miles.
The piers and anchorage for Chinese
vessels will be in another portion of the
bay. opposite the Chinese city. Two
enormous dredges. brought out from
Glasgow. are pushing the work on this
Improvement.
Russia has invested heavily in this
peculiar port of Dalny, already 12.0O0.-
900 rubles-more than $500 000-having
been spent up TO last October, and the
total cost of constructing the city and
harbOr will be $4,000, 600 rubles. or SlS,-
000.000 This includes an electric light
and water system already in operation.
and an electric street railroad, which
will be completed shortly The city
will be governed by council 10 be
elected by the ratepayers, the only re-
strictiOn as to nationality of the coun-
cilmen being that two shall be Russian.
and not more than two Chinese or two
Japanese can be elected TO sit at the
same time.
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

ted with white, pink and blue pin striped
with white. for summer frocks; plain
thin silk in black or colors, clocked to
match, and lacey, open-worked ones en-
broidered in dainty patterns.
The same designs that are popular for
stockings are in vogue for half-hose and
monograms may be considered prom
inent feature in the way of ornamental
tion. Ribbed effects are liked for morn
ing wear. and for outdoor games, and
the golf girl who has once tried the new
socks without supporters will feel much
freer in her movements than when ham
pered by elastic bands and straps.
At hosiery shop on Fifth Avenue the
other day the proprietor told me that
many women are buying mems socks.
They don't insist upon the longer va
riety made especially for them. and the
reason for this is that much prettier
patterns are TO be had in mems half
hose than in the newer feminine length
After all there is very little difference
in the actual length of the socks. and
so long as woman is careful not to
choose pair that shows contrasting
stripes running around the ribbed top
she may wear her brothers style of hose
II she likes. --..-- --.-
One can scarcely mention stockings
without some reference to shoes, and
there is such a variety of new styles
that much might be said on the subject
The Washington times., 1902-06-29
By Miss MANHATTAN.

CY TE are told that once in every
NM seven years the pendulum OF
fashion swings round and
nodeS reDeat themselves.
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

This vogue for initials has certainly
found many indorsers, and not only is
dainty feminine lingerie so marked, but
outer apparel, too. from stockings to
shirtwaists and necl1wear is now orna-
mented with the wearers monogram.
Just above the cuff on the left arm is
the place to have ones cotton and linen
shirtwaists embroidered with pretty let
ters in colors, while the Ascot or four
in-hand scarf shows monogram worked
In contrasting lines across the ends.
White hosiery, which at first struck
The Washington times., 1902-06-29
The New Socks for Women.

There is absolutely nothing clumsy
about the new shoe. 1t does not hide a
prettily arched instep, as the broad CO.
lonial tongues and ribbon bows do, and
the simplicity of it's style renders it in
conspicuous. On the whole, the shoe
presents a remarkably smart appear
ance, and with so much in its favor
there is no reason why IL shouldn't
rapidly replace the colonial with the
fashionable set who are looking for this
very thing.
oxford ties are seen much less than
formerly. They seem to be reserved for
sports and rougher wear. while on every
other occasion women like to appear in
more fanciful styles.
High heels have certainly come in
again. Both the Cuban and military
are popular. but the Louis Quinze is by
all odds the heel for fashionable folk.
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

of the regulation masculine article.
Socks really look very well. and their
GOODNESS is obvious. Besides. they come
in such charming colors and patterns
that one is tempted 10 wear them on
that account, If on no other.
There arc dark blue Isle socks spot
The Washington times., 1902-06-29

tion to the bows lies in the fact that
many young women insist on wearing
long loops and ends which give the foot
an ugly appearance from any point of
view.
One firm here has introduced fiat
oval buckle which is ornameIted with