davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
The Glory of the Girl.

She was on the platform reading her
essay. She looked as if she had just
stepped out of a flower bed. In her
cheek the carnation had left it's glow
and her lips had robbed the roses. She
was 4 healthy, fragrant, glowing, Amer
lean girl, of the type that we love and
protect and honor.
| Her essay or grafton? Something that
told of throbbing hope and ambition and
rosy skies. Hard knocks are few in the
chyrsalis period. Why shouldn't this
graduation girl for q time believe in
perpetual sunshine? The band plays
raggy music for ,her now; her pulses
quicken and she is happy. 1t is we'll.
Why Ll,ould she know that further down
the PSI there are no flowers, the bands
do not play and the clouds often shut
out the sun.
Let her have a good time, this grad
uatlon girl. Let her glory in triumphs
and be proud OF her attainments. There
Can never be too much happiness in the
world; there is always too much sorrow.
Down i'll the front row are father. and
mother, man and woman who have
toiled and suffered and borne much. 1t
is the common lot. 1t puts deep care
lines into faces, and sometimes it wrink-
! les hearts, but not always.
Ii you look closely you will see that
that old couple have just one object In
life-the Girl. She is of their blood.
She is slipping away from them as the
years go by, and often the mother cries
| silently because of sorrow that is too
deep tor words. She is proud of her
Graduation Girl, but her arms are empty.
and there is an ache in her heart for the
| baby that has blossomed into a woman.
Men love deeply and truly, but there is
a holy affection that is denied them.
Mothers know it-mothess only.
The essay! To those old folks it rep
resents the climax of wisdom, the culmi-
nation of learning. The words flow like
music and there is a hymn in every par
agrapb. True affection wears rose col
ored glasses, you know.
And then, when it is all over queen
goes to her home. She seems just little
bit higher and holier than any other
girl, does this graduation daughter, and
she talks to her father about it and to
mothep and her eyes shine, there is a
sob inlher throat, and she discovers all
at once, that it wasn't the applause of
the great world she yearned for, but the
grand appreciation of an old man and
old woman; not so much desire for
fame and career as to Justify their
wonderful faith in her ability.
There you have the story Of great
many graduation days. They are a fine
institution, and they contain much of
education not found in books.-Des
MOinaS News
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
v. L. Bedier Married at North
Bend, Iowa.

One Of the pretticst home weddings
OF the towns history occurred at West
Bend Wednesday, June II, at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. r. nj. J. Mcfarland
ST., when their youngest daughter,
Sophronia, was united in marriage to
Victor L. Bedier, of Leon, Iowa. At
nine o'clock the tones of the wedding
march pealed forth, played by Neva
Mcfarland, and the little ribbon girls,
Genevieve Keightly and Marguerite
Mcfarland, formed the aisles; then Eula
Keightly as flower girl, leading the brid-
al party, scattering path of roses, fol-
lowing was James Imrie as best man and
Eugene Bedier, sister of the groom, as
bridesmaid; then came the bride and
groom, they took their places under a
bower of roses and orange blossoms
and the impressive ring ceremony was
performed by the paster of the first
Presbyterian church, Rev. ]. C. Liniger.
After the congratulations the company
were seated at tables and three
course wedding breakfast was served
by Misses Neva and Vivian Mcfarland.
neices of the bride. Flowers were in
profusion in every room, the color
scheme throughout being pink, green
and white. AS the company passed out
Vivian Mcfarland gave each one dainty
souvenirs of the wedding, The bride
was beautifully gowned in pearl grey
Lewisine silk over taffeta and carried
orage blossoms. The bridesmaid, flower
girls and ribbon girls wore white. The
bride and groom received many beauti-
full presents. They will be at home to
their friends after July Is at Dazey,
North Dakota.-North Bend Journal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Baby is Dead.

"Baby is dead!' Three little words
passing along the line, copied some
where and soon forgotten. But after
all was quiet again, leaned my head
upon my hands and fell into deer
reveries Of all that those words may
mean. Somewhere dainty form, still
and cold, unclasped by mothers arms
tonight. Eyes that yesterday bright
and blue as the sky of June, dropped
tonight between, white lids, that no
voice can ever rise again. Two soft
hands, whose rose leaf fingers were
want to wonder lovingly around moth
er's neck and face, loosely holding
white buds, quietly folded in confined
rest. Soft lips, yesterday ripping with
laughter sweet as woodland brook falls,
gay as trill of forest birds, tonight un-
responsive to kiss or call of love. A
silent home-the patter of baby feet
forever hushed-a cradle bed Impressed,
little shoes half-worn, dainty garments,
shouldered knots of blue to match those
eyes of yesterday, folded with aching
hearts away. A tiny mound, snow COW
cred, in some quiet grave. A mothers
cropping touch, uneasy slumber, for the
fair head that shall never rest upon her
bosom. The low sob, the bitter tear, as
broken dreams awake the sad realities.
The hope of future years, wrecked life,
fair ships that suddenly go down in
sight of land. The watching of other
babies, dimpled, laughing strong, and
this one gone. The present agony of
grief, the future emptiness of heart, all
held in these three words, "Baby is
dead" Selected.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Graduating Class Entertain Jun
iOrS.

The graduating class of the Leon
High School rendered the junior class
and faculty delightful reception at the
home of Miss Mallie Caster last Friday
evening, at which all spent social
evening, and in all probability the last
time all the members will ever assemble
together
The house was tastefully decorated
with class colors for the occasion, the
evening being spent with music and
games. A luncheon was served with
the following menu:
Olives.
Pickles Lettuce Sandwiches
Fruit Punch Orange Ice
Devils Food Angel Food
Coffee.
Ed Farquhar presided with dignity as
toastmaster, the first toast being "a
Toast to the Juniors" by Mabel Chase,
which was responded to on behalf of
the juniors by Nina Cowden. "The
Faculty was responded to by Prof. ]. H.
Drake, the closing toast being "Class
Will" by Albena Crawford.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Sunday was the Longest Day Of
the Year,

Sunday was the longest day in the
year. 1t does not take an astronomer
with lot of figures relative to the ris-
ing and setting of the sun, scandals
about Venus and extras about Mars, to
make this a positive fact this year.
Every body that was awake five minutes
Sunday knows it was the longest day of
the year.
June list has the distinction of being
the longest day in the year; it doesn't
matter whether it is Wednesday or Sun
day, only it is usually longer when it is
Sunday. And add to thisa rainy Sunday
and it is the longest day that ever was.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
RECITAL WAS A SUCCESS
Hrs. c. e. Gardner Gave Her An
nual Recital at the Opera Hall
Saturday Night, June 20.

Van Werden's opera house was
crowded to the door last Saturday night,
the occasion being the annual recital
given by the music pupils of Mrs. c. &.
Gardner, to which the public in general
were invited, no admission being
charged. The stage was nicely deco
rated1and the following splendid pro-
gram rendered:
Class Song-"Over the Waters"
Piano duett-Clive Alexa ndcr and
Ralph McGinnis.
Piano trio-Enid Alexander, Heymena
Hoffman, Eta Clark.
Piano duett-Earl and Mabel Dorm,
Violin solo orchestral accompa nj
ment-Leo Hoffman.
Duo piano-Benefiel sisters,
Vocal solo Edith Harris.
Solo-Georgia Hurst, Fan Tan"
Violin Solo-Ophie Clark.
Duo Miss Osborne, Mrs. Gardner.
Vocal solo-Mabel Chase.
Piano solo-Lucilla Alexander.
Class song-"Out on the Deep
Violin solo-Enid Alexander.
Vocal solo-Mr. II. J. Vogt.
Piano solo-Louis Hurst.
Violin solo-Mrs. Alexander.
Piano solo-Minnie Miles.
Presentation Of medal.
Baby orchestra
The entire program was well render
ed, and the pupils who have appeared in
public before showing marked improve
nent under Mrs. Gardner's instruction,
some of the younger members who have
only commenced taking lessons recently
exhibiting considerable musical talent.
The friends of the class had been re-
quested to bring flowers, and as each
member appeared on the program the
hoWer boys gathered the flowers from
tho audience and carried them to the
stage, the effect being beautiful one,
all of the pupils being surrounded with
beautiful flowers, the stage being near
~ covered. Mrs. Gardner was also re-
nembered with many pretty flowers.
The vast audience certainly enjoyed
delightful evening, and heard very
1ile music throughout, speaking highly
for Mrs. Gardner as an instructor.
Each year Mrs. Gardner awards gold
medal to the pupil who does not miss a
lesson and makes the best progress
during the year. The medal this year
was awarded to Miss Minnie Miles,
whose artistic piano playing won her
many compliments.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Leon Ball Club Defeats Lamont

Frank Mannings Colts took sweet re-
venge for their defeat by the Garden
Grove club, by defeating the Lamont
team on the Leon ball grounds Thurs
day afternoon, the game being stopped
at the end Of the seventh inning by
rain, the score standing 20 to II in
Icons favor. James Hurst was in the
box for the Colts and Stanley, pitcher
from Andover,wa in the box for Lamont.
The Colts have a game this afternoon
with the Kellerton nine on the Leon
grounds.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Alldredge Wrestles 6otch Friday
Night.

James H. Alldredge, our champion
wrestler will meet Frank Gotch, Of
Humboldt, at Van Werden's opera house
tomorrow night. Much interest has
been aroused the result of Gotch's
claims through the daily press of being
champion of Iowa, but if he is there will
be new champion after this match.
Gotch however will be the strongest
man Alldredge has yet gone against as
he weighs 226 pounds. The demand
for seats to see the match is brisk,
many being ordered from surrounding
towns, and the opera hall will be
packed.
MT IN,1yy n,,<,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Dakota L and.

We have 100 quarter sections of land
for sale in Han6, Hyde, sully, Faulk,
Hughes, Potts and Edmonds counties,
South Dakota. Prices ranging from So
to $3.50 per acre. Some of it can be
traded for good income property. Don't
fail to see us before buying elsewhere.
We also have nice lot of Iowa and
Missouri farms and stocks of merchan-
disc for sale or trade.
ALLEN & JOHN.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Marion F. Stookey Nominated.

AT the republican senatorial conven-
tion held at Mt. Ayr yesterday, Marion
f. Stookey Of this city was nominated
for state senator, having no opposition.
The district comprises the counties of
Decatur, Union and Ringgold, all of
them returning safe republican major
tiles, SO the chances for Stookey being
elected are pretty good.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
Advertised Letters.

Remaining uncalled for in the pos :
Office at Leon, Iowa, for the week end
ing June 20, 1908:
Miss Grace Harris 2, Alva Frisbie,
Mr.. Turner Lee, Mr.. Ed Croel,
Miss Grace Wright, Clarence Mackal,
Mr.. W. II. Hall.
Persons calling for above please say
advertised" JOHN LEDGERwooD,
Postmaster.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
The Seniors.

Respectfully inscribed the president of the
senior class OF '03 by the writer.
After Longfellow's" The Day is Doner
Now school is out and vacation,
Learns is it's swift, glad flight,
AS a boon to the sweet girl graduate
AS the day comes after the night.
But see all the sorrowing seniors
Gaze through the old school door,
And a feeling of sadness comes DER them
Which their hearts cannot give DER.
Oh! How they will miss their teacher
And her bright kind beaming smile,
AS she reads aloud their closely marked
grades
With their souls in their boots the
while.
Come give to them some music,
Some simple and heartfelt song,
That will drive away this feeling
And make their hearts to long
For the green fields and it's pastures
And the sweet, pure, gushing streams
That will set their hearts rejoicing
AS they think of better things.
Commencement day, for instance,
When they all will graduate,
And the large number of costly presents
They all anticipate.
But read to them some poem,
Some simple, yet happy lay,
That will sooth their aching beings
And drive their sorrows away.
They, through long days Of labor
And nights devoid Of ease,
And times when they had to listen
10 the wonderful melodies
Of many "ten cent lecture"
They had the pleasure (?) to hear;
From their darling superintendent
The good old cranky dear.
Nearly all have toiled and suffered
And endured full many an ache
All for the thought that very soon
They would all graduate.
Now for word for their president
Who has worked so hard all year,
Not that she might merely graduate
But for something far more dear
Only to get a priceless gem,
Which from her nought can debar.
And which use will only brighten
And which time can never mar.
Something we all should covet, a
Something of more good to all,
Than many a costly mansion,
And many a marble hall.
So here is a song to her honor;
Here is drink to her health,
For certainly learning is grander
Than all the halls of wealth.
A JUNIOR.
Lidderdale and Lanesboro are bright
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25
CLASS OF 'O3 GRADUATE
Class of Fourteen Graduate from
the Leon High School.

|
the Leon High School.
| The commencement exercises of the
graduating class of the Leon High
School We're held at the opera house
Monday evening, and for some reason
was not as we'll attended as usual, the
opera hall being only about half filed
The stage was prettily decorated with
the class colors orange and black, while
across the prosccnium was the class
motto "The Door to Success is Labeled
Push in orange and black letters. The
rear of the stage was covered witt an
arch of beautiful flowers at the top of
which rcposed the class flag.
The program opened with piano
duett "Festival Procession March" by
Mrs. w. q. Myers and Willie Bradley,
followed by a vocal solo "Sing Sweet
Bird" by Miss Nellie G. Atkinson, of
Lamont. Rev. w. H. IlsIey invoked
divine blessing upon the assemblage,
and then Prof. Drake introduced the
speaker OF the evening, CHARLES Eldred
Shelton, President of Simpson College
at lndianola, and for more than an hour
the audience listened to q masterful
and scholarly address, his subject being
Young America" Prof. Shelton took
the position that while the girls of
America received a great deal more at
tention than the boys, the boys really
needed more care, and his reasons were
most lucid. The address was literary
treat to those who heard it, Mr.. Shelton
being one Of the best speakers we have
listened to, although he appeared at a
great disadvantage, being quite sick,
and on this account he cancelled an
engagement at Blockton for Tuesday
evening and returned to his home at
lndianola. The address was followed
by violin solo Selection from the
opera Bohemian Girl" by Mrs. G. L.
Gardner, who was accompanied very
skilfully on the piano by Miss Pearl
Riley, of Decatur. Mrs. Gardner's
playing needs no words of com
mendation, her we'll known ability
being fully appreciated and en-
joyed by her hearers, Miss Atkinson
sang in beautiful manner, ".Watching"
after which Y. r. McGinnis presented
the class with their diplomas, deliver
ing well prepared but short address,
full of good thoughts and advice to the
graduates. The audience was then dis
missed with the benediction by Rev. |.
N. Woodward, pastor of the M. d.
church.
The class of 1903 consisted of four
teen members, ten young ladies' and
four young gentlemen, the names and
courses from which they graduated be-
ing as follows:
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Mabel Chase.
Jessie Ilsley.
Gretchen Myers.
Maud Stocker.
SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
Rollin Benefiel.
Mallie Caster.
Margaret Crawford.
Athena Crawford
Edwin w. Farquhar.
Frank Forbes.
Josephine II. Johnson.
Letha A. Newlin.
Alberta Pugh.
Grover Quiett.
The singing by Miss nellie G. Atkin-
son, of Lamont, was one of the
pleasing features of the evening.
Miss Atkinson is graduate of the musi-
cal department of Graceland College,
and is the possessor of a sweet and
powerful soprano voice, Although hav-
ing but little over years training,
she shows she has not neglected her OPP
portunities, her voice showing careful
training. She certainly has brilliant
IL r..
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25

Lidderdale and Lanesboro are bright
new towns on the Chicago Great Wes-
tern Railway. For particulars write
Edwin B. Magill, Mgr, Townsite Dept,
Fort Dodge, Iowa. 443t
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-06-25

We want to buy more buckwheat.
BOWsHER & BIDDIsoN
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-10-15
THE COURT DINNER.

One of the most enjoyable occa-
sions we have had the pleasure of
attending for some time, was the
big Annual Court Dinner and Feast
Of the Passover of Good Things,
which came off out at the County
InirmarY. Wednesday of last week.
These dinners have been special
feature with Mr.. and Mrs. J. f.
Hawkins since they have had charge
Of the Aims House as Steward and
Matron, and they all looked for
ward to every year as something not
to be missed by anyone who gets an
invitation to be present, and the
editor can vouch for the fact that il
is good to be there. As we missed
the Brown Family Reunion this
year, we had to make up for loss
time at the Court dinner, and we
slowed away enough of the good
things of life behind our waist-band
to stand hard winter. The Court
was all present and the papers Of
the town we're represented. There
we're also several other relatives Of
she host and hostess there, and Il
made merry gathering. After a
desperate attack on the headquarters
of Gen. Grub, lasting about an
hour, his forces seemed undimin-
ished and the attacking party gave
up and retFeated. We we're the last
man to leave the battle field and all
agreed that We did greater execution
than anyone else. We had been led
to believe that Major Jeremiah
Gutherie, from Grant district, would
stay with US to the end, but he re-
treated with his conferees. How
ever, this may have been for polite
ness sake. Mrs. Hawkins IS famous
for her good cooking, and these
annual dinners are delightful affairs,
and no one will miss an opportu-
nifty 10 test her culinary skill.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-10-15
DAMAGE SUITS INSTITUTED.

Mrs. A. S. Reynolds, of Shep.
herds!own, and Miss A. Salome
Wingate, of Washington, have each
instituted suit in the Circuit Court
of Jefferson county against the edi-
tors OF the Farmers Advocate at
Charles Town for libel, claiming
$4,000 damages in each case.
They have also brought suits against
Sheriff ]. Davis Billmyer and against
Mr.. Billmyer and his wife, claiming
the same amount of damages in
each case. The suits against the
editors Of the Advocate are based
upon alleged libelous publications
last June; those against Mr.. Bill
myer for publications concerning
the same affair: and against Mr..
Billmyer and his wife for commun-
icatIon Of which she is alleged to be
the author and which was printed in
the Advocate. The total amount of
damages in the six suits is $50, 900.
All the suits grew ont of the charges
made against Miss Wingate last
spring. and into which the name of
Mrs. Reynolds was brought.
Col. Forrest w. brown and Hon
d. c. Westenhaver are counsel for
the plaintiffs.
We understand that the defen-
dants have retained as counsel Hon.
Holmes Conrad, of Winchester, Mr..
Marshall Mccormick, of Berryville,
and Judge Daniel b. Lucas, of this
county.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-10-15
CORPORATION PLlRTArloSs.

1t has been said that "Corpora-
tons have no souls" 1t may also
be said that they have no politics,
except Selfshness and looking out
for No. 1. The big corporations
will ally themselves with any party
to win and accomplish their own
ends. This is well illustrated In
the tax reform move now on in this
State. Governor White and Secre-
tsry of State Dawson, the leaders of
the State administration, are making
a fight for tax reform and to com
pei the big corporations to bear
their own share of taxation. Dawson
being a candidate for Governor they
are determined to beat him IL pos
sible, and as his party Is divided on
the subject they are running against
him and will try to capture the Re-
publican convention. IL they do
this they will be satisfied, and then
use their best cndeavor to elect
him and keep the administration
under obligations to them. How
ever, should this fail to capture and
control the Republican State Con-
yention they are already arranging
to go after the Democratic State
Convention and get control of it..
There is nothing like being prepared
for any emergency, and the corpo-
rations do not propose to take any
chances. Their FIRST Irritation is
naturally with the Republicans, since
they already have control Of the
State, and possession is said to be
nine points in law. But in the
meantime they will work up a court
ship with Miss Democracy and be
ready to propose to her in the event
they fail to win their first choice
The question now Is whether our
own Miss Democracy is coquette
enough 10 be second choice and &C.
cept such avaricious attentions and
sordId sentiments. Just keep your
eye on the politics of the State for
the next few months and see IL we
are not right. Both parties being
divided on the tax reform business,
will make lively times politically as
the months 20 By.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-10-15
FIGHTING STRENGTH OY RUSSIA
AND JAPAN

The comparative fighting strength
of Russia end Japan makes the pro-
posed war between the two nations
appear as certain suicide for the
Mikado's empire. The army Of
Russia, either in peace or when on a
war footing, is the greatest the
world has ever known. The present
recruiting laws permit the mobiliz.
ing In time of war of twenty-five
classes of $50. 900 soldiers each, or
more than Is, 900, 900 fighting men.
or this number about 4, 900, 900
could be modified in thirty days, a
majority OF them being familiar
with military life. The Cossack
cavalry alone on a war footing
amount to aso, 900 dashing. fearless
lighting men.
The Russian navy, too, is strong.
AT present il consists Of seven first
class battle ships, three coast de-
Tense cruisers. eight armorcd cruis.
ers, seven 1900 to IL, 900 ton bat.
tie ships of the old school, twenty
destroyers, seventy FIVE torpedo
boats and countless converted craft
of all description. The peace foot
ing gives the navy $1,000 under
officers and men.
On the other hand Is plucky little
japan. Her navy is one of the best
in existence and it is we'll manned
and Differed, but her army is insig-
nificant in numbers as compared
with that of the Cars. Japan's
standing army is on a $4,000 off,
GERS and men basis, with reserves of
$50, 900. A call for volunteers
would place perhaps 1000, 900
more men in the field.
Thus, IN the event of war with
Russia, Japan's only hope would be
for decisive victories on the sea and
that is doubtless what the Mikado
expects.