davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
DOWNFALL OF BILL.

I've got letter, parson, from my son
away out west,
An my oil heart is heavy as an anvil
in my breast,
To think the boy whose future l had
once so proudly planned
Should wander from the path of right
an come to SIGH an end!
told him when he left us not three
short years ago,
He'd find himself a-plowin' in mighty
crooked row
He'd miss his fathers counsel, an his
mothers prayers. too;
But he said the farm was hateful, an
he guessed he'd have to go.
know thar's big temptation for a
youngster in the west.
But believed our Billy had the cour-
age to resist,
An when he left warned him of the
ever waitin' snares
That lie like hidden sarpints lin life's
pathway everywheres.
But Bill he promised faithful to be
keerful an allowed
He'd build reputation that'd make
us mighty proud;
But it seems as how my counsel sort
o. faded from his mind,
An now the boys in trouble O. the
very wustest kind!
His letters came so seldom that l
somehow sort O. knowed
That Billy was a-tramping on a
mighty rocky road
But never once imagined he would
bow my head in shame,
An in the dust ID waller, his OF dad.
dy's honored name.
He writes from out in Denver, an the
story's mighty short;
just can't tell his mother, it'll crush
her poor oil heart!
An so reckoned, parson, you might
break the news to her
Bills in the legislature, but he doesn't
say what fur.
James Barton Adams.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
Z MRS. BRYAN KNEW.

New York Sun.-Mrs. William Jen-
nings Bryan was one of the two per-
sons who went to the democratic con-
vention in 1895 firm in the belief that
her husband would be nominated for
president. The other person was Will
liam Jennings Bryan himself He
never lost faith and was nominated.
His wife wavered just once. After
the cross of gold and crown of thorns'
speech had made Mr.. Bryan the hero
OF the convention there was long SEES
sion devoted to nominating speeches.
Then the convention adjourned until
the next day without taking ballot.
On the morning of July Z, when the
nomination was made, Mrs. Bryan rode
into the city with William R. Sprin-
ger and Urey Woodson. The latter is
now secretary Of the democratic ma
tional committee, and he was the first
man to take up the Bryan boom in the
convention before the great speech.
MI. Woodson said:
I'VE will nominate him today"
Mrs. Bryan sadly replied: mo, l
think not. 1t could have been done
yesterday, but fear 1t is too late. |
have seen Mr.. Bryan capture the gal.
leries before and lose the delegates"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
DON'T PUFF OUT YOUR CHEST

Des Moines News-"Chests out,
stomachs in has been the cry of the
British drill sergeant since the battle
of Waterloo. and before that
For more than hundred years the
pigeon-lilke practice of putting out of
chests has been the rule of the Eng
lish army. And to considerable ex-
tent also the practice is followed in
the American army
This time-honored pose has just
been abolished in the English drill
regulations.
Experts and medical officers have
pronounced the system to be unscien-
tific, a perversion of nature and harm
full.
Instead Of strengthening man. I'M
due putting out of the chest weakens
him because 1t throws a strain upon
the heart. Knotty muscles over the
chest, Wanted as strength indicat-
ors, tend to tie down the heart. That
organ does not get enough room to
work in.
Hereafter the Swedish system Of
gymnastics and drill are to be used by
the British drill masters. The Swe-
dish system brings all the muscles of
the body into harmonious action and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26

to work up enough reputation to- make
himself profitable on the lecture plat
form. The whole system has a tenden-
cy to develop lop sided men in public
life. for the man who sanely does his
duty in office is not apt to be featured
as freak, and the more freakish a
man nowadays the greater his success
as lecture. Pure intellect does not
count for as much as it used to in the
good days OF the lecture platform,
when Holmes and Emerson and Beech
er were among the stars. Now it is a
Tillman who can command the great
est salary on the lecture platform, the
man with the pitchfork and the muck
rake is now the fellow. Instead OF
thinking of wise laws, the man is now
tempted to think of foolish or freakish
things to attract public attention as
an asset for the platform.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
SEVEN CENT PORK.

Hampton Chronicle. Iowa's big
black hogs are pouring the wealth Of
the nation into the pockets of the in
dustrious farmers these late winter
days. For the annual hog shipping
season is now on. Those last May pigs
are being run through the chute. into
the wagon and over to the stockyards
to be shipped to Chicago markets.
There is nothing unusual in this for 1t
has been done year in and year out
since Iowa farmers located here, there
is one distinguishing feature this year
not 30 noticeable before and that is in
the size of the draft sent to the local
bank in payment. For hogs are selling
at better than seven cents a pound
on the Chicago markets Iowa's NAM
moth corn crop of 1906 was expected
to net it's growers about thirty cents
per bushel, but with pork at high
prices the millions of bushels of corn
are making themselves worth fifty to
sixty cents each. They are dropping
back into the overall pocket making
noise that sounds like gold The re-
suit on the Iowa farmer is that every
article he has for sale is at its highest
price. Not for years have cattle,
horses, machinery and hogs sold for
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
sPooNER ON HIS RESIGNATION.

Washington Post.-Mr. Spooner was
surrounded by a group of friends in
the lobby of leading hotel. Every
one was telling him of his keen regret
at his coming departure from public
life in Washington.
ut isn't often" said Mr.. Spooner
with quiet smile, that man has
a chance to read his own obituary no
tice, but J. almost feel as if had been
given that privilege when look over
that kind things that are being said
about me in the press. They are most
gratifying. hope some of them are
true!"
you have been urged to recall your
resignation. Would
mo. no." said the Wisconsin states
man quickly. holding UP both hands.
My resignation stands. 1t was not a
hasty step; it was taken after careful
consideration. and is irrevocable.
During the sixteen years of my SER
vice here my total fees would not
amount to $1,000. and l guess have
turned away fees that could not ac-
cept to the amount of $25O,O00 1 do
not regret the sacrifice but feel that
1 have earned the right to retire now
and make some provision for my fam
lily, and the rainy day that is liable to
come to the best of u.s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26

lives at 1920 East Main street is sui.
fering from typhoid fever
M. w. Creswell, constable from
Justice Melick's court transacted busi.
ness mere Thursday
Charles Faux of Agency was here
on personal business last Thursday.
John Gallagher of the dry salt cellar
is building new house on Haynes
street
F. L. Healey, manager of the MorrelI
branch in Dies Moines was here last
Friday and is enjoying a short vaca-
ton.
John Morrell, who has been away
on an extended busine ~ trip re-
turned Friday.
R. N. Morrell is making 4. sproye-
ments on his Haynes street property.
Charles Mckinney. foreman of tho
routabout gang found valuable stone
arrow point last Thursday while MAX
ing excavations for water pipes.
Ed Nelson, T. ]. Phillips, Solomon
Hartman, Tom Kirby, Henry williams
and G. Deeds transacted business in
the dining room last Thursday.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26

for the purchase and rehabilitation of
the Key home. The scheme is a patri-
otto one and deserves the measure. of
patronage for which it's promoters
plead.
1t has been decided unofficially that
The Star Spangled Banner" comes as
near being our national song as any
other. Indeed, 50 far as the war de.
partment is concerned. this song takes
precedence over all others. Yeteit is
far from being ideal for the prraase.
From the standpoint of practicability
THE Star Spangled Banner is compli-
Gated and not suitable for popular rem
dition. Evidence of this was shown at
the end Of the last session of congress.
AS the gavel fell for the last time the
senators rose In their places and tried
to sing THE Star spangled Banner"
It was 2 miserable failure. Some of the
dignitaries were more or less familiar
with the tune, but few of them could
encompass the extended scale and
their top notes were inarticulatc, or
ridiculous screams. Fewer still knew
even one stanza Of the words and they
merely hummed the thing through. If
the United States senators do not
know the words of national anthem
1t cannot be expected that the great
mass Of the people can do better
In a paper read before the Green
wood club few nights ago on Music,
Its Origin and Development, With a
Few Remarks on Music in America"
Carl Busch said: 1--WE have no
American school of music, not even a
national song" He characterized
THE Star Spangled Banner as a
Cheap and commonplace tune" and
said the compass of national song
should never extend beyond one oc-
tave. Surely Carl Busch knows what
he is talking about for he is familiar
with all the great national songs of the
world.
That we need national song as an
expression of patriotism is generally
agreed, and the time will come that
will produce one to answer all the re-
quirements. What more fitting monu-
ment 10 any American composer than
a song that would serve such a splen-
did purpose? Who can sit in an Eng
lish audience and not be stirred when
as the strains of God Save the King"
float ont from the orchestra every
man, woman and child rises in silent
tribute? Or who can witness The dem
onstration which "Heil dir I'M Sieger-
kranz" creates in a gathering of Ger
mans without thrill?. Men have gone
down to welcome death with the words
of La Marseillaise" on their lips. BY
all means honor the memory of Fran
els Scott Key, but let us hail with Joy
the advent of some genius who will
give us better national song than
"The Star Spangled Banner"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
Ex-sEcRETARY SHAW AT LUNCH

New York Sun.-If Leslie M. Shaw
ate the same luncheon in Washington
that he has ordinarily eaten since
coming to this town, George B. Cor
telyou isn't the only secretary of the
treasury to take frugal and awesome
midday repast. Although repeatedly
invited to luncheon at leading clubs
by bankers who welcomed him here,
Mr.. Shaw has in most cases declined
Instead, he has eaten at quick lunch
place he got to know on his trips here
from Washington. In four cases out
of five the new president of the Car
negie Trust company orders country
sausage, buckwheat cakes and sweet
cider-a combination that compares
favorably with Mr.. Cortelyous favor
lite salmon sandwich, mince pie and
'alf and 'alf.
"Thert must be something in the
job of secretary of the treasury to
give man a strong stomach" said a
a banker who had discovered the rea-
son for Mr.. Shaws lunch time aloof-
ness
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
case is summed UP thus by the Inter

case is summed UP thus by the Inter
Ocean:
The action of &C M. NJ in giving
to his wife a gun and instruction to
shoot, while well within the pale of
the unwritten law may or not be
right in his particular case, but it does
not go far enough.
In addition to the gun and the words
of cheer in the matter of using the
same, &c. NJ, M should have given
his wife couple Of months instruc-
ton in the art of using the smoke
wagon"
The chances are excellent that if in
the course of a day or two some real
masher approaches the woman and
tips his hat, some innocent citizen
walking with his wife across the
street, or in the next block, will re-
ceive in some portion of his person a
bullet from the gun of the incensed
woman.
If G. M. MS lead were generally
followed and femininity took up the
practice of carrying a A to stave off
insults. it might be dangerous for poor
man to greet a friend on the street
with pleasant smile for fear of stop
ping few bullets.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
UNIMPEAcHABLE.

Chicago Chronicle.--It some times
happens that the character Of wit
ness-even his character in regard to
veracity-has no effect on the value
of his testimony. Abe Hummel, for
instance. is utterly discredited 50 far
as his private character is concerned,
but when he presents a photograph OF
an affidavit and says that Mrs. Thaw
made 1T and signed it. and when the
signature is undisputable, there is no
getting away from his testimony. The
greatest criminal in the world is be-
lieved if he cries "Fire!" and every.
body who runs out sees the blaze.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
G., M. 9 sr. ?.
c., M. e. st. P. Trains depart from JEFF
ferson st. Union Depot.
j p Whelan Aoenf

c., M. e. St. P. Trains depart from JEFF
ferson st. Union Depot.
J. p. Whelan, Agent.
No Going West. Depart.
5a-Southwest Limited
Kansas City, Utah and
Calf .......... ...... 2:14 a. m.
3a-Chillicothe, Elk. Sprgs,
Kansas City. and south
western points ....... .10:26 a. m.
93b-Local Freight ....... 1900 a. m.
Going East via Cut OFF.
12a-Chicago Limited -. 12:O5 a. m.
8a-Washington, Musca-
tine, Rock Island. Mil
waukee and Chicago. $50 D. m.
92b--Local Freight ....... 9:10 a. m.
Grains and s have Sleeping Car
Service between Ottumwa and Chi
cago,)
Marion Line Going South.
103b-Chicago to Kansas
CITY, via Marion and
Ottumwa 1906 a. m.
9c-St. Paul and Mime
apolis to Kansas City
via Marion and OttumvYa 1:25 a. m.
97b-Local Freight ...... ASS D.. m.
Going North
10Sb--Hedrick. Sigourney
Cedar Rapids and
Marion ..... ..... 5:45 D. m.
1ob-cedar Rapids, ST.
Paul and Minneapolis. 1855 a. m,I
98b-Local Freight ... GAO a. nj.
Cali freight trains arrive and depart
from Ottumwa Junction.)
b-Daiiy except sunday.
c-Daily except Monday.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
THE DEADLY SLOT MACHINE. .

49,
Occasionally an object lesson is
needed to force more upon the reali-
cation of the public the evils of the
slot machine. The fate of Albert G.
Williams, for years a principal in one
OF the Alton schools and one of the
leading educators in southern Illinois,
who yesterday was sent to the poor
house after squandering fortune in
slot machines. is such lesson.
Until seven years ago, Williams was
one of Atoms most respected citizens.
His wife, who was member of one
Of Atoms wealthiest and best fam
HES. was a leader in society. Sudden
~ Williams fell victim to the slot
machine temptation. The machines
we're everywhere. In the seven years
It required to dissipate his means he
has poured by nickel and quarter,
$4,000 in slot machines. In thirty
months he, lost $1,000. AS he lost he
learned to drink and fell lower and
lower. His wife divorced him. His
school was taken from him, the men
who had respected him, stunned him
and he became an 0utcast.
His wife and family begged him to
give up gambling, Abut the craze had
too strong hold on him and he fell
lower and lower until there was moth
Ing left for him to do but enter the
open gates of the poor farm.
The slot machines reach the old as
well as the young. In this case they
brought a man from a position of in
fuence to one of degradation. In
thousands of unrecorded cases they
have turned the steps of young boys
from paths that lead to influence to
paths of vice and crime.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
LOVE AS A DISEASE SYMPTOM

Kansas Citv Journal From London
comes a report that cnn CT King Ed
wards syr,ptoms which greatly Dis
turbs his physicians is his manifsstly
increasing devotion to bis wife. We
learn that his majestys heart is weak
and 1t is feared that his renewed affec-
ton for the queen indicates that he
is aging rapidly All the court is agng
at Edwards attitude toward her males
ty. and the rumer that the king has
kissed the queen spread alarm through
the palace.
While the symptoms of super-affec-
ton for ones wife are not entirely
new, this novel system of diagnosis
certainly is. Men have been known
to take renewed interest in their
wives without arcusing suspicion Of
impending dissolution. Wives know
all about this thing. When hubby
some morning cones tenderly across
the breakfast table that wiley is grow.
ing more glrlish every day. WHEY be-
gins to suspect something. At first, no
doubt she was startled and tnen fiat
tered to bushes by such words but
size grew in wisdom The ordinary
husband is only bungler when he
assumes to match his diplomacy
against feminine instinct. So that in
the natural course of things any man.
ifestations of renewed ardor on his
part only served to freeze up his bet
ter half in guarded defense. A kiss
at breakfast may gain a husband an
extra hour or two That night at the
club, but it won't work twice. A
bunch of roses Is effective for one do
nestle lapse, but trainloai of bios
SONS would not square it second
time.
Not much was thought Of King Ed
wards sudden outhurst of devotion for
the queen, for while he is a sovereign
of a mighty realm he is first husband
and is amendable to the rules of
domesticity just as though he had no
great armies and splendid fleets.
Alarm was aroused only when the
king kept up this strange infatuation
for his wife. 1t got to be habit with
him. 1t couldn't be accounted for. for
1t wasn't natural. Grave men Of me H.
cine pondered deeply and came to ths
only reasonable conclusion that it bod
ed illness for his majesty. And now
he is being watched continuously for
additional evidences One evening he
stayed at home and played dominoes
with the queen. There was consult
tation of experts for the next day. At
another tine he said good morning
da he passed Der in the hall Again
1t was observed that he held his con.
sorts hand "a full minute one evening
at the opera, put this might have been
accounted for on the score Of absent.
mindedness Once his majesty slipped
a bundle of bills into her majesty's
hand with a suggestion that she buy
a new hat. And he hadn't done a
thing wrong and had no special favor
to ask. No wonder the great physi-
clans are consumed with anxiety for
their lords health.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
The FRENcHMAn,s VERSION.


LIE Monsieur Adam wake from hees
nap une fine day,
In re beautiful sardaine and see
Une belle demoiselle fast asleep, and
he say,
"Voila. la chance! here ees something
Eat may
Be mooch interesting to me-"
Ven ne open hees eye to admire re
view.
Viz her fan madame covaire her
face,
Zen monsieur to madame say: Bon
jour, voulez vous f9E a
Go for une promenade?" And zey
! walk out, re two,
In Eat very mooch beautiful place.
Where Monsieur lie Serpent he sit in re
tree,
ley come, and re madame she cry:
"Lh. Monsieur lie Serpent voulez VOLS
not have
Bonte for to peek some fine apples for
me?"
"Certainnlent!" re serpent reply.
Hold, hold, mon anil" zen Monsieur
Adam speak,
"Vat madness ees zis? Don't you
know
1t ees wrong to eat from re tree vich
you seek?"
But the snake in re branches ees pref
ty and sleek
And he smiles on re madame be.
low.
F.. Z
ooh, Monsieur Adam! vot you say is
not true,
For do you not know" say re snake,
aZere ees noting vatevaire prohibited
Re ladies? Madame, let me offair TO
you
Re fruit And re madame she take
Une courtesy she make; zen re SER
pent he fill
Her apron viz apples and say:
Monsieur Adam, eat of zis fruit, zen
you will
Be wise like I'm God; know re good
and re M;
Re tings of re night and re day.
"But as for re lady she nevaire could
Here re snake make bees grandest
salaam-
more lake une wise, beautiful god
dess," say he,
(And smiling and bowling his sweet
est) "zan she
Ees now" And Eat fineesh madame.
Town Topics.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
AS AN oPTlMlsT SEES THINGS.

Philadelphia North American Only
the fool claims that everything is
bright and good. Yet the greater fool
is that one who claims it is all dark
and evil. Between these towers the
man of divine wisdom-he may be
wholly unlearned-who sees and ac-
knowledges he sees the mud, the scum
The stumbling blocks, the clouds and
the dark places. but who knows that
If he does manfully his part in over
coming them they will not hinder him
or stand in the way of his helping
along the better day We make the
days and when we complain of them
we complain OF ourselves.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
WALL STREETS COMPLAINT.

Kansas City Times.-Wall street is
suffering from an overproduction of
gold bricks, the output of the Harri-
man system of finance The Union
Pacific stock held by the gamblers on
Wall street, and the stock of every
other railroad corporation, bears the
same relation to actual ownership in
the roads that counterfeit money bears
to the commercial world. It is held to
be better investment only because
that character of securities has not
yet been placed in the outlaw class.
In this feature alone it eclipses, as a
financial investment, the commodity of
the confidence man. It. is watered
stock, and "watered stock represents
nothing, not even water.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26

Slaughter of Hogs for the Past Week
Was Large.
The kill Of hogs for the past week
at the packing house was $4,000.
Other East End Items.
G. A. Orr, chief engineer Of John
Morrell & Co.. George Kripisbender Of
the cooper shop, A. Larson Of the car.
penter repairing gang, have been on
the sick list.
A. B. Osler, foreman of the local
room and Harry McConkey, foreman
of the killing and cutting gangs. &C.
companied by their wives and Miss
Sarah Walker, went to Agency last
Thursday to attend the fueral of
Mrs. Martha Wharton, who died We'd
nesday.
John Mitchell, who has worked for
z years at night, mas been transferred
to the day gang and Mr.. Lewis has
been placed on the night gang in his
place
Miss Nancy Nichols OF the trimming
room badly cut her left hand last
Monday.
A. B. Shipley of the loin department
has bought the old Herman place on
East Main street and has moved his
family into It,
Mr.. Quinn an employee of the Gen
eral Fire Extinguisner company who
are putting in the new sprinkler sys.
tenn here, badly mashed his left foot
last Tuesday by getting It caught I'm.
der piece of heavy pipe
Switchman George Danford was call
ed home last Tuesday by the danger.
GUS illness of his little granddaughter
Y. M. G. A. boys secretary, w. r.
Hunting and G. f. Mcfarland of Keo.
kuk were visitors here last Monday.
George Simmons of the machine
shop has left the service of John Nor.
rel & Co., and Is now employed on
the G. M. & ST. Paul.
Miss Georgia Reid, who has been
visiting her sister, Mrs. Mahoney at
the corner of Second street and Van
Buren, avenue returned to her home
In Chillicothe, Mo-, tonight.
Harry Leysinger of our switcnman's
force is on the sick list of the pack.
ing house this week.
Earl Stewart, young man who
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26

improves the whole physical condi-
ton.
Do not make a pouter pigeon of
yourself.
DO not use any syseem of athletics
or gymnastics that leads to undue
strain upon certain muscles
Many of the so-called physical cul-
ture exercises are harmful because of
excuses in single directions.
The all-around training of the body
requires all-ariund exercises.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
OUT OF The RUNNING.

Lincoln Journal.-Every year the
avenues of useful employment are be-
ing more generally closed against the
young man who uses Intoxicating
liquors. The worlds work never has
been and never can be properly per-.
formed by men who drink.