davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

and charitable; this one appeal touched
them both.
Mary rummaged about and sent an
Offering that rejoined the hearts OF
those who were trimming me ree'
John took Il TO the church ana every
body shook hands with him and in the
general gladness seemed to have Iorr
gotten that anything was wrong.
About 4 in the afternoon while Mary
was alone resting after putting up all
the holly telegram came for John-
She did not know where he was, ana
she suffered the usual agony of simple
grams. She herself dared not open II,
and imagined the death and burial or
all her children and grandchildren one
after the other.
While she was in this frame of mind
another message came, and the boy had
scarcely gone when a third arrived.
Then she sent a neighbor's boy for her
husband, and received him almost faint
ing. He was as frightened as she, put
the first read, Meet s o'clock train to-
night. Mary" The second said, Meet
6 o'clock train tonight. Paul. The
third bade him meet the o'clock train
and was signed Elizabeth. While
they stood staring at each other boy
brought another This was different
Meet s o'clock train from vest for
little Christine Her Alice died sud
denly yesterday. Mother, give her
home till I can get to you. Letter Ia
ter" It was ) then. They stood staring
a moment, and then Mary fell TO pill
ing wood on the FIRE and spoke brieily
to John.
oFather. you'll have to hurry to get
to that frain-some of the. children are
coming. He plunged out to the barn
and hitched the team to the double
cutter. When he came back he lifted
down to their grandmother's arms her
daughter Mary's three children three
of PauFs and one of Elizabeth's. They
were all laughing and shouting, and
each was ticketed Merry Christmas
am a gift to Grandpa and Grandma
The children explained that their par
erits were coming for them in a week.
They were barely fed and warmed
when John went to the later train and
year-old Christine in his arms. She
had been put in the conductors caro-
and was sound asleep. with tears on
her cheeks, and her yellow cUrls
tousled, on her grandfather's shoulder.
Her grandmother reached up for her.
John" she said. ''she is ours-ye
must keep things together for the chill
dren! John, [ am awfully ashamed OF
how hard I've been, and amt
ashamed to say so. Will you forgive
me?" He stopped suddenly and kissed
her as he put the child in her arms.
the one to blamei III go and straight
en- things at church and-if you'll have
me for a Christmas present, all right
She smiled as she looked up him.
Don't you forget to stop and tell
that lawyer where he stands, and give
him q Christmas present, and tell him
If we have any divorce Wen have it to-
gether at home and alone, and even
the children won't ever hear of it. p"
And they never did-from their par
ents.=( Copyright, 1905, by P. c. East
ment.)
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
VAIN.

Nay, sing to me no mournfuI lay
OF cypress tree or vine,
No Abefard and HeIoise
y Q Romeo in mine;
Bring me a long, thick, black cigar,
and goblet Of red wine.
And let the minstrel smite the Tyre;
BuIs Warel the song he sings
Must ne a glad and lifting lay.
ihar lifts on giinting wings;
6Etl8 me a table for my feet!
4 m sick of solemn thingsi
Bring me a table for my feet:
And, when the song doth hush
spring you all tales that you do know.
That lit and laugh and rush
MOST readily from out your mind,
What matter If 1 blushl
What matter if I blush at all,
so that each weary joint
SnalA acne with laughter, uncontrolled?
SO that distress arOfnt?
w NAT matter If the tales you tell
Are broad and mostly point?
So fill the brimming beaker up!
Let laughter know no let
OF h1ndrancet Send the bowl aroundf
If I can but forget
MY laugh may vie with your own laugh
L may be happy yet
'Tis vain! A foolish vain attempt!
no song, no drink. no joke
May hide the speeding Christmastide
Ihat each year finds me broke
- NJ. Lewis, in Houston Post.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
JAYHA WKER JOTS

The Belleville Telescope expects to
get out a 50-page New Years issue.
A prominent Mankato man bantered
another to an oyster-eating contest
They got away with a quart of raw
ones each 1t had no immediate effect,
but the next day, while he was telling
some friends how foolish he had been
in abusing his stomach, he dropped to
the ground, and a few hours later
died.
Story by Bent Murdock: A Butler
county farmer having sold his fat
steers at a good price, had q pocket
full of money for which he had no I'M
mediate need. Going into an ElDorado
bank, he informed the cashier that he
wished to put it on deposit. IT'S all
right replied the cashier, but we
have SO much money on hand that we
will have to charge your 4 per cent for
taking care of your deposit" And the
farmer went out mad. Crossing the
street to another bank corner, he told
the cashier he would like to leave his
money in the bank. sorry to inform
you" replied the cashier. "but our safe
is so full of money now that We have to
'tromp' it in of night before we can
close the safe and lock the door" And
the farmer was furious. Crossing the
street to the third bank corner he
walked up to the cashiers desk and as
he took out his roll with one hand he
drew a six-sh ooter with the other.
Say, mister" he snorted, Il wish 10
put this money in your bank and be in
a hurry about it" The cashier smiled,
gave him a deposit slip and said not
word
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
QUAkER REFIECTToNs.

GFrom the Philadelphia Record
It's a poor fool that can't be worked
both ways.
Beauty is only skin deep and is pretty
thin skinned at that.
When the business mans stenogra-
pher leaves him is he still short hand
eds
Hoax-"How was Babylon Destroyer"
Joax-''Maybe they sent it to the laun-
dry
Tommy Gait would lay down M.
lives for you Pussy 81eaouw-"VVhaf.
all nine Of them ?'
Shall cut it short?'' the barber cried
With wonted animation
Pray do the customer replied,
Likewise your conversation" /"
The hardest thing about running a
business is to get a confidential man
They generally don't know enough. Or
else they know too much
OF course, Christmas comes IL. Dec.
That fact is not hard to rem.
On the first OF the year
All the bills will appear
Try to have them all paid by Sep.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
HUMOR OF THE DAY

Silas-Grandpap Spruceby has stopped
ripping up the big Insurance companies
an started praisin them UP. Did he get
CyrusSYep. they sent him three new
calendars an a biotter.-Puck.
Senator shugar-Hi. Senator.
Senator Steele-How are you, Senator2
Senator Shugar-V here'd you spend
your vacation? spent mine in the Grand
Canyon of Colorado.
Senator Steele-I spent mine in the
grand jury's te-room--Pittsburg Post.
swellman-Yes- I'm still looking for.
coachman.
swellman-But have you had any ex-
perience with an automobile?
tossed by bull wanst.-Chicago Inter
Ocean.
Bella-so she's engaged at last She
seems likely to beat us all in the matri-
stellaEYes, she is on her last lap this
time.-Illustrated Bits.
Did you name the baby after his faith
mo, we named him after a prolonged
scrap in which the whole family ensag-
ed.'-Cleveland Leader.
Dashaway-Don't you think that for
such a wealthy, chap, Duffins takes his
CIeverton-He has to. They are all he
has to worry about.-Life.
Il neber could quite see de sense" said
Uncle Eben. of some folks dat sings an
plays de plano raisin' as much fuss as
dey does bout de noise chillun makes
aroun' de house. washington Star.
"Oh, he's a great promoter, all right"
What's his latest scheme2''
Hes getting up d company to secure
the aerial right of way betweesA New
York and Washington. cleveland Plain
Dealer.
She-Did you see father2
He-It was impossible; he took me for
a subpoena server.-New York Sun.
The first slice of goose had been cut.
and the negro minister, who had been
invited to dine, looked at it with as keen
anticipation was displayed in the
faces around him. Oats as fine goose
as I ever saw, Brudder Williams he
said to his host. Where did YOU get
get such a fine One2'
'.WeH. now, Mr. RaWley," said the car
yer of the goose, with a sudden access OF
dignity, when you preach a special good
sermon never axes you where you got
it. t''-Philadelphia Ledger.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
A GOOD PLAN.

The plan, recently announced from
Washington. OF allowing presidential
postmasters who give good satisfac-
ton to the patrons of their Offices and
to the department to retain their Off
ces Indefinitely means the extension of
the civil service idea to postmasters.
There is no doubt but what much of
the efficiency Of the postaI service in
each locality depends upon the execu-
tive ability of the postmaster through
whose Office passes the mail for that
locality. and upon the attention he
gives the business.
If he is inefficient the service is
almost certain to be poor, and no mat
ter how much ability he may have. if
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
JOURNAL ENTRIES

You will notice by the pictures of Nick
LongwOrth that the bald-headed men
have scored again.
This is about the time that the tinid
man who hates Christmas shopping be-
gins to commence to get ready to take
the plunge.
1t is suspected that if the federal
grand jury looks close enough 1t might
find some political fences out in the
Seventh district that are out Of place.
Now that we have really and truly
got 25-cent gas. we sincerely trust that
the gas company will not speed up our
meters by putting on the 4O-mile-an-
hour clutch.
What difference does it make in the
performance if Calve has got little
touch of rheumatism. can't she make a
noise like a singing bird just as well !?
NOW II she were one of these celebrities
who do a little dance, or a stunt like
ReJane's. the rheunatics might make
some difference.
Query: When the president sends in
the name of Nick Longworth to the
senate as a candidate for son-in-Iaw to
the house of Roosevelt is there any
danger that the senate viii hold it up
because the candidate is d mere con-
gressman2 Furthermore, it is suspected
that the nominee is not in full accord
with the ideas Of the senators from
Ohio! Is there any danger that they
will raise objections?
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
KANSAS CON1ENT
TOO M0CH PROsPERITY.


According to the father and uncle OF
W. E. Corey, his disaster is due to too
much prosperity thrust upon him be-
fore the bones of his moral character
We're hardened. Unearned prosperity
VIII work any mans ruin and not
withstanding the craze in the business
werld for young men as directors and
managers of great enterprises, the old
truth is still true that young man is
not able to earn such imn ense pros
perity. Years and experience count
for something, and if the young man is
more apt to do things, it remains
fact that he cannot do them so well as
a man of ripe judgment, or establish
them as permanent business institu-
uons. If the youngster unaided or
perhaps working against obstacles and
opposition forces himself to the top he
may make good his title to permanent
place in the ranks of the worlds great
leaders. But If promotion is thrust
upon him, if he is helped along. boost
ed into high places. by admiring
friends. he is the victim Of their poor
Judgment. Prosperity should come in
the middle of a career or toward the
end, as result of work, not at the be-
ginning as a result of so-called luck or
voritism.-Ottawa Republic.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
Making Up His Mind.

Out along the San Fernando road
near Darling station is an old man who
loves little children and sunshine and
whose chief difficulty lies in making up
his mind" Day after day, the old man
may be seen making the rounds of the
ranch houses, smiling upon and caress-
ing the youngsters, and the other day
he volunteered the information rs to
whence he came and why
I suffered terribly from rheumatism
in town" he said "and came out here
to try the change in atmosphere. One
has to stay two or three months in a
place though before he can determine
If he is benefited or not. No, I don't
know whether it has helped me. though
sometimes 1 think it has, and yet
can't make up my mind. How long have
been out here? About three years and
half. But I may go back to the city
some Of these days. don't know yet
have been trying to make up my mind
ever since I came" And then he patted
the head of a beautiful cSSild who was
clasping him about one arm and he said
with a smile that glorified him and ex-
plained everything. that he didn't know
but he would be going back to the city
some of these days when he had made
up his mind."-Los Angeles Express.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

he doesn't use It in directing his Office
lin other words, If he is careless and
negleetful-the patrons OF his Office
are very apt to have trouble abeut
their mail.
To get the best work out Of the
postmasters all presidential post
masters VIII be graded by the depart
ment into four classes-excellent
good. fair, and poor. It is believed
that this viii have the effect of doing
away with much of the carelessness
and inattention to business in post
masters and at the same time it will
enable the department to discover the
inefficient ones. Those who manage to
get into the first two classes viii be
allowed to retain their Offices and no
political influence will make any diff
ference with them. Those in the two
lower classes will not be reappointed
under any circumstances.
This ought to have two beneficial
effects: 1t ought to improve the mail
service, and it ought also to make
congressman more attentive to the
wishes Of the people. It will destroy
the congressional machines by taking
away the congressional patronage.
This has not always been q blessing to
a congressman. Many a congressman
would have been better off had he
beezl relieved of the responsibility of
settling postof7ice fights.
Hereafter congressman will have no
postmasters who are under obligations
to them, who will devote time and
energy to keeping the congressman's s
fences up. The congressman will have
to do that work by other means, and
it will be necessary for him to keep
close to the people.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
GLOBE SIGHTS.
fFrom the Atchison Globe.I

TFrOm the Atch1SOn Globe.I
Even after a man is dead, a bunch Of
flowers in his hands looks out Of place
This chimney" every woman says,
when she lights the Iamn. needs clean
ing"
People are so sensitive that you can't
give them soap without Offense unless
It costs a dollar a cake.
You owe everything to your mother:
the day you were born every one else
was willing to give you away.
The story of Aladdin is incomplete,
as it doesn't relate how he kept his
wife and daughters from wearing out
that lamp.
Most adjectives are limited to three
degrees of comparison, but the word
i'll has six: i'll, very i'll. serionslv i'll, IA
tally i'll, dead.
When there is a hero on the stage,
all in the audience agree as to his per-
fection but in real life there is always
controversy among the neighbors.
After a woman has once told a man
she loves him. it is impossible for a
suspicion to ever penetrate to his brain
that she may be caring for him a little
less.
Every woman has something to make
her jealous: , her husband behaves,
there is the specter that If he had never
met her he might have married some
one else.
II a popular preacher wore every
thing the women of his congregation
made him, he would look as funny as
a little boy whose mother makes him
wear long curls. kilt skirts and Scotch
caps.
1t is a whole lot easier getting m
and giving the children Group medicine
in the night, than it is going to be a
few years hence getting up to look at
the clock, and wonder why they are
not in.
II a woman remembers all her hrs-
bands kin, and all of her own kin. and
the neighbors, she is still shy her share
Of the Christmas Spirit unless she buys
something Tor the preacher, the doctor
and the Inilkmans
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
THE CHTCAGO FaTLURE-

Judging from the action of Comp
troller Ridgley in Chicago Sunday the
federal banking department has
learned a needed lesson from the
Devlin failure The prompt action OF
the comptroller undoubtedly saved the
country from another big crash which
might have precipitated a disastrous
financial panic.
The Chicago situation last week was
much like that In Topeka some time
before the Devlin failure. John R.,
Walsh, a Chicago capitalist, controlled
two banks and a big trust company.
Like Mr.. Devlin he also had numerous
business enterprises. among them some
Quarries and a short railroad. Mr..
Devlin had some coal mines and
short railroad. Walsh built the rail-
road to help develop his quarries. just
as Devlin built his road to help de-
velop his mines. walsh borrowed
heavily from his banks, but he did not
have as many corporations through
which to borrow as had Mr.. DevIin
Neither did Walsh borrow as great a
percentage of his banks deposits as did
Devlin.
Like Mr.. Devlin, Mr.. Walsh was the
"angel" for one or more newpapers
and supplied the cash which the pa
pers failed to earn to cover expenses.
It became evident TO Comptroller
Ridgley. however, that Walsh's exces-
sive loans weakened his banks and he
ordered the loans reduced, but Walsh
seems to have been unable to reduce
them. Accordingly Ridg1ey made an
the banks. BY doing SO promptly it
was possible for the other banks of
Chicago to take charge of affairs, pay
off the depositors and prevent the
panic which must have ensued had
Walsh's banks been allowed to fail in
the ordinary way.
Had action of this kind been taken
in time in the case of the Devlin in
terests the depositors in the First Ma
tionaI and other Devlin banks might
have been promptly paid, Mr.. Dew
Inns life might not have been sacri-
feed to the worry following the crash,
and the mental faculties and reason of
W. E. Thomas probably would not
have been destroyed. Instead the First
National was allowed to pour it's de-
positors' money into the Devlin in
~- $3.50 S--N-- ~1t VsUpv VI IA4G pL3OUUs-
600 deposits were involved.
OF course all this might have BEEN
If the national bank examiners and
the federal banking department had
insisted on the First National doing a
safe and conservative business. Even
since the crash Receiver Bradley has
argued that it would not be good
policy always to enforce the law
against excess loans, on the ground
that a bank sometimes has to make
loans in excess of the amount allowed
by law in order to protect those al
ready made. That is just the trouble.
When a bank negIects or refuses to
obey the law, or finds it impossible to
do SO, especially when warned by the
comptroller, it is time for the dep7rt-
ment to step in and do its duty. just
as it did in Chicago.
John R. Walsh can count himself
fortunate that he was not allowed to
go to the length Mr.. Devlin did, and
wreck not only himself but other un-
fortunates as well.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

IIe was a new fagman at ralIfuau
crossing in a Pennsylvania town, says
the Philadelphia Ledger and his hours
were from in the morning until az
night: but he was instructed not TO teaVS
l1nfil the limited express. which was due
at the crossing at two minutes before q
had safely passed. -.
All went well for about a montn. p u ! :
one night the limited had not passed at
O'Clock About u minutes past the
aafernan heard 1t in the distance, and
faISfng a good grip on his red lantern, he
planted himself in the middle or the
track of the limited.
The engineer was trying to make up
lost time and the train was speeding
but he brought it to a standstiH at the
first wave Of the red light. He jumped
off his engine and ran ahead to md out
why ne was signaled.
what made you signal2'' he demanded
angriIy. seeing no evidence Of danger
what kept YEP calmly questioned the
aEagatl aEaall-
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
MURDOCK AND ANTHONY.

Bill White says that with Victor
Murdoch in the senate and young Dan
Anthony governor, the states motto
should be changed to GO it while
you re. young, for when you're old you
can't. Don't you believe it. Men Of
the Murdock and Anthony stock in
Kansas never grow old. They are
names that are associated with the
earliest history of the state and always
with honor. Vic Murdock and Dan
Anthony, Jr., are following in the
footsteps of their fathers, and while
Kansas denied to each the full measure
of honor that was their due there is
every reason to believe that the honors
that were due the fathers will be
visited upon the children, even to the
third and fourth generation" There
is the Bible for it.-Parsons Sun.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

Two Irishmen were crossing a bog,
when one of them fell into a mud hole
His companion. running to a nearby
farm house, asked the loan of spade.
What do you want it for?' asked the
farmer.
Sure, Mike is stuck in the bog, and
want to dig him out" was the an
swer
the farmer.
Up to his ankles
''Begorra, then he can easy walk out. p"
"Begorra, he can't" exclaimed Pat,
''he's in wrong end up.'-The RAMS
Horn.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
Getting Tedious

Captain Ryan, the new British naval
attache, said at a dinner in Washing
ton:
THE strength of the heads of some
of our old-school farmers is quite in
credible.
.At a harvest supper. a feast similar
in its way to your Thanksgiving din
ner, there was an old farmer who
drank a good deal of champagne. The
moment his glass was filled he would
toss it off, and then, of course, it
would be filled again.
But the old fellow grew quieter
and quieter the more champagne he
drank. A frown settled on his fore
head His eyes flashed angrily under
his heavy gray brows
Finally, when the waiter filled his
glass with wine for the twelfth or
thirteenth time, he shook his head and
said.
James, when are you going to
put the whisky on the table? These
minerals are getting tedious -
Washington Post
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
FIRST ''NIarseiIlaise'' in Russia.

President Faure stepped on the mar
row gangway, the car close behind
him. but the car halted a moment to
speak to an officer, and so the French
president preceded him by a few yards,
raising his hat as he stepped on Rus
sian soil to the salutes of all around.
Together they halted before the guard
Of honor, walked down the lines. and
then, as the guard marched past Presi-
dent Faure held his hat in hand, sa-
luting them as their flag was borne
past, the bands playing the "Mar-
seilles.'
How the revolutionary hymn thrill
ed one to hear it on Russian soil, in
the presence of the Russian czar and
all the grand dukes and autocratic
power of Russia.
One could not resist muttering very,
very quietly to an English friend: "a
dangerous thing to let that air be play
ed in Russia
And now just eight years only after
that first time of being heard on Rus
sian earth, the "Marseilles'' is being
played in earnest all over Russia
Pail Mall Gazette.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19
lad Gained strength.

A student at a college was sent for
by the professor, who said: William
I am told you have a barrel of beer
in your room. which is contrary TO All
orders" And the young man said:
'sWell. sir, that is true, but the fact is
the doctor told me that if I drank this
beer [ should get stronger" Are you
stronger?" asked the professor. Yes,
sir, indeed I am" was the reply, Tor
when the barrel came in I could
scarcely move it, and now 1 can carry
it around the room. Pueblo Chief
tain.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

Russia is now talking of building a
tunnel from Siberia to Alaska under
Behring strait. Russia better think it
over for a day or two before doing it.
She had a pretty hard time hanging on
90 the eastern end OF Asia a few
months ago, and if the tunnel offered
any indueement some two-for-a nickel
nation might come along and take it
away from her.
The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-19

The French did not know all about
the English language
'I would like to come to see you Yer
much. in fact I would com only L
thought you were yer busy 40 not
mot scockroach, that is not right
You should say 'encroach, encroach-
"Aha, that is it, 'hencroaach, men
croach.' I see I got de gender Of dc
verb wrong.