davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
BRYAN AS A SPEECHMAKER
BY Edmund Vance Cooke, in Golfers.

Mr.. Bryan has, in all probability,
spoken to more people than any other
man in history
Ia 1887 Bryan moved TO Lincoln, a
poor and struggling yohng lawyer, and
made himself acquainted with the peo-
pie of his district by speaking through
out the campaign of 1888. 1t had been
the fashion of the democrats of that
district Republican by 10000 to pass
the nomination for congress around
among the leaders as an empty compli-
ment, accepting defeat as a matter of
course and with such grace as they
could muster. 1t so happened that, III
1890, Bryan had delivered an eXcep-
tional speech at the university, and
had surprised local attention. The dis
trict convention came along at about
that time, and some one suggested,
half in jest, that the newly found ora
tor be complimented' with the nominal
ton for congress.
"a good idea" said the wearied old
war horses. Let the colts of the par
ty receive a few stripes from the lash
of defeat, and they will better appre-
ciate our sears"
But Bryan, young and optimistic,
didn't believe in the flash of defeat
So they LETT him write the platform and
run. In the course of his speech he
predicted his election. The conven-
| tion howled with some enthusiasm at
his audacity, but mostly with laughter
at his hardihOod. Bryan only smiled
| his expansive smile, and took off his
coat and went to work. His first move
was to challenge the republican NOM
inee to series of joint debates. That
gentleman contemporary accepted.
They met, and Bryan smothered him.
The young men of the district, with the
inherent love of youth for a plucky
fighter, lined up and yelled for the
new champion. To everybody's sur
prise. Bryan reversed the normal re-
publican plurality. Two years later, at
the second election, he pulled through
| by a Scant 40 votes, but even this
was an achievement. Judge Steele re.
|
the race and put down this daring
Young David. The Judge has probably
regretted that resignation many times
since
| When the time for the third contest
came, Bryan, with the rarest of luck
or the rarest of judgment, announced
himself as not candidate, and went
into the Chicago convention as the
orator of the Platte.
1t is estimated that 100000 people
heard Bryan during the campaign Of
1896. OF course there is no way OF
authenticating the figures, and yet il
is easy to see that they are possible
for Bryan spoke morning, noon and
might, and everywherethe train stopped
between times. He almost duplicated
the feat in 1900 land so did the vigor
Gus candidate for vice president on the
Opposing ticket, so it is easy to see
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Charles A Towne missed the chance
of his life time for the sake of his din
ner. The democratic convention was
wild to hear him, and messengers were
sent everywhere, but Towne was at
the Brown Palace at dinner, and could
not be prevailed upon to leave. The
blind senator of Oklahoma stirred the
convention from its mornings with the
mention of Bryan, and TONNES chance
was gone forever He would have been
nominated vice president had he re-
spoaded when called
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Il live on this street." he explained.
Il live at 240," she cried, blushing to
find that she was pleased to know that
he lived nearby.
''Skerry's?' he asked 81 say. 1
know the old lady. If l come over
after dinner will you let her introduce
us and go out trolley riding? It's nice
to ride up to the bridge. There's sure
to be breeze there
Stella nodded. If the particular Mrs.
Skerry was willing to act as sponsor.
surely trolley ride was proper Stel-
10 beamed on the young man.
My names Jack Murray" he went
on, anticipating the introduction.
mines Stella Meade" she volun.
teered in return. IN be glad TO go
riding with you, Mr.. Murray. I'd hate
to stay in the house This has been
such a dreadful day. When the man.
ager told me to stay and get out q
lot of circulars 1t seemed like the last
straw that broke the camels back
Then the idea of walking home seemed
worse than that"
Last straws may break camels'
backs,' he said, with a smile. "but we
amt camels, you see. There's always
some one hanging around to lift the
load when it gets too heavy"
Stella flashed him grateful glance
as she stopped in front of her boarding
place and watched him cross the street
tn no iat hn -;tl
his mother Mrs. 'Skerry. sitting by the
basement window in the deserted din
ing room, graciously called her to come
IN.
While the tired girl ate the hall
warmed food her landlady dilated OF
the good qualities of the Murrays
Mrs. Murray was member of the
| same church society to which the
boarding mistress belonged, and the
I son she thoroughly approved Of
| Not until after ii did they get bacl
from the trolley ride, for there was ,
park beside the bridge which was tn,
terminus of all pleasure rides. The,
had to dance little, and Jack twice
treated her to ice cream. As the.
stood ON the steps OF her boardin,
place the man looked down into he
face.
"And you'll let me call for vol
again soon?" he asked. Don't wal
until the straws make too heavy
load"
i Stella nodded an assent.
II There aren't going to be any NOR
straws," she declared. 81 guess th
only straw was loneliness, and I'm nc
lonely now"
]. "And you're not going to be il 1 ca
help it." was the hearty reply. an
Stella's heart beat faster as she reali
4 ed that soon she would be neither lon,
~ nor alone. Unlike. the camers loa,
! her last straw had led to unhal
lpiness.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
The Last Straws.- BY Carl Williams.
Copyrighted, $685. by Associated Literary Press.

not have to stand up all the way
The approach of the conductor
reused her from her absorption. and
she opened her purse. AS she glanced
into the change compartment she gave
cry of dismay. The pocketbook.
never well filed. even on pay days.
was bare of coin.
"That bluff don't CO." The conduct
or's voice was hard and unfriendly.
He had had row with the inspector
on the last trip. and his i'll humor had
not yet subsidized.
you'll have to pay or get off," he
added as Stella looked up with the
tears trembling on the heavy fringe of
lashes. I'VE don't have to take tears
for tickets. Got the coin?
Not daring to trust her voice, Stella
shook her head and thought of the
| three mile walk ahead of her. The
other last straws became Insignificant
in the face of the new trouble.
The conductor reached up to pull
| the rope, but across the aisle man
rose and checked him.
Don't get Off. miss
Stella looked up into the friendly
| face and smiled her thanks through
her tears
i've got the change handy"
"You must let me send you the
money" she said. Il am very greatly
obliged to you.p
II forget. where I live" was the un
blushing statement. Just you forget
1t, too. until you see some one thai
needs a nickel real bed and tell zen
! sent it."
He sank back In his seat, rejoicin;
in the fact that Stella's confusion pre-
vented her glancing across the aisle
which enabled him to regard her stead
lily without embarrassment.
Disappointed at the turn affairs ha,
taken, the conductor retired to the rea
platform to- devise new names for tn
inspector. and Stella looked out of til
window with new sense of content
ment.
Nine months she had lived in tn
city, and this was the first time tina
any one in the throngs of men an
women had paused in the rush of tn
workaday world to be friendlys Con
Ing at time when the last stra,
had nearly had the effect of breakin
her spirit, if not her back, the coul
tesy was doubly welcome.
She turned suspicious. howeve
when she rose to leave the car an
| found that her companion was follow
ing her. He read her thoughts Wit
/ quick comprehension.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Though the windows were opened
to the fullest, no breath of air seemed
to enter. The awning ropes hung limp
and lifeless. The scallops that were
bound in gay braid did not stir.
From the hall came the clatter of
the cleaners as they worked in other
offices already emptied of workers,
and once or twice one of the women
poked her head through the open door
to see how soon she could get in to
clean room No. S02
Stella bent YEARLY over the type
writer, her flying fingers writing in the
addresses from huge list on the desk
beside her, while at a nearby table the
office boy slipped in the circulars
which the envelopes were intended to
carry
To Stella it had seemed the last
straw when just before closing time
the Office manager had brought her
the voluminous list and had ordered
her to see that the circulars were sent
out that evening. He was going out
of town and had left early
The other clerks had slipped out as
soon as he had disappeared. aud with
, only the assistance of the boy she had
F, to send out 800 circulars In his hurry
to get away the manager had not even
left the usual supper money" so she
would get nothing TO eat until she
reached her boarding house. 1t would
be long after the regular dinner hour,
and she would be lucky TO get any
| thing at all.
1t was nearly when the last en-
! velope swallowed up the last circular
and she was free to go. The elevator
had stopped running. so she and her
helper faced walk down eight flights
OF stairs. For the third time in as
many hours Stella told herself that
this was the last straw.
She was not used to the grinding toll
Of the city, and even the regular work
came hard. When her father had died
and his wife had followed him to the
grave within few months all of the
little savings had gone to the physician
and the undertaken.
Stella faced the task of self supper
brayely enough. but there were time:
when her overtired nerves were rub
bed to rawness and even the littl
things of life bore heavily upon her.
The extra work coming at the clos,
OF particularly trying day had ex
hausted her vitality. Listlessly sh
climbed aboard an uptown car ant
sank into a seat. glad that the hom
going rush was. over and that she di
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Whiskers.

Republican writers who are indulg-
ing in levity over John Worth Kerns
whiskers and calling them "lace cur
tains" seem to have forgotten that
James Schoolcraft Sherman also has
a tenderly laced countenance, bearing
out the mild suggestion that George
AIDE once made when he said "a club
footed man is unfortunate, man with
hair lip is entitled to pity, but a
man who wears side whiskers can
blame no one but himself"
Whiskers have established them
selves in the Office of vice president
For four years they have adorned the
Office suspended from the chin of Vice
President Fairbanks, and the fact that
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
The Campaign Lie.

When other arguments have failed
And things are looking blue
The campaign lie comes on the scene
To see what il can do.
1t likes TO have slender hook
On which TO hang its hat,
But il, if none is 10 be had,
Does not insist on that.
With sinister and keen delight
1t looks across the land
To see if it can spot a speck
That mischief might expand.
The muck rake is its magic wand.
1t digs with all its might
In mire and, like a mucker. gloats
When scandal comes to light
1t doesn't daily with the facts
Except to warp and prime
The things that might credit be
And make them seem a crime.
Through private letters ii explores.
In lives of men to pry.
And what 1t doesn't find inside
Its fancy can supply
Did you believe but half the tales
1t peddles far and wide
You'd think that every candidate
Stole chickens on the side.
And it is just as well you don't,
Though from your point of view
The lies about the other side
You half believe are true.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

The Maine Lumbermen and Land
Owners association sent a telegram
to the chairman of the democratic ma
tionaI convention at Denver, protesting
against the adoption of resolution adj
vocating taking the tariff off of wood
pulp and print paper 1t says such a
measure would throw thousands of
wage earners out of employments This
is branch of the International Paper
company, which has just reduced the
wages of it's employees 10 per cent, and
is now only waiting for matters to
settle down before putting up the price
of paper another 25 per cent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Probably the oldest delegate to the

Probably the oldest delegate to the
recent republican national convention
was David Rankin, SO years old, who
has amassed a fortune of $3,000000
without speculation. 1t is believed that
he is the most extensive farmer in the
world. The area of the Rankin farms.
most of them in Andrew county, Mis-
souri,, is 25,640 acres, all OF which is
under cultivation In 1906 Mr.. Rankin
planted $4,000 acres of corn, and the
yield was 100000 bushels. His land
is worth from SIS to 1928 an acre. In
the busy season an average OF 800
hands" work his farms. Besides his
farm interests he controls manufacture
ing concerns, banks, and public service
corporations at Tarkio. Mo-. his home.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

The advertising manager of COM
pany the name of whose product is a
household word in all parts of the
country, and who therefore speaks with
authority, says: Continuous adver-
Using iii consecutive issues of care
fully selected mediums is the only kind
of advertising that makes an impress
sion." This is likewise the opinion of
Rock Islands most successful mer-
chants
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Sherman and Kern, rival vice presi-
dental candidates to succeed Fair
banks. both have whiskers, makes it
certain that whiskcrs will continue to
prevail upon the vice presidential
countenance.
incidentally this will be "a great year
for campaign cartOonists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Russia in Europe has 575,000,008|
acres of forests, and about 35d,OOO,0OO
acres in Asia. Italy has 100000
acres of forests. 1t imports $14 100000
worth of wood annually and encoun
tiers much trouble in enforcing the
forestry laws.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
fDICkENS?
So Much Wasted.

80 MUCH WaSted.
"a fortune teller told him he would
die rich
Il suppose that pleased him might
y."
"No; he has been feeling bad ever
since thinking how unhappy it would
make him If he had to die leaving part
of it unspent.-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

A Harlem New York; shop has this
over the doorway: Buildings con-
structed. torn down and removed on
short order"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
There Was a Reason.

"Jaggers cannot see why he wasn't
elected. He gave away several thou
sand cigars during the campaign"
Ibid he give you oneT'
Yes; several
Sand you smoked them%
"Yes."
''Then you ouglN to understand tho
reason
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

The democrats of Rock Island will
have the first rally of the campaign
and they deserve to have it made a
good one.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Join the Bryan and Kern jubilee on
Market square tomorrow night.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Democratic ratification meeting on
Market square tomorrow night.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and Weekly at 1924
Second avenue, Rock Island. Ill. [En-
tered at the postoffice as second-class
matter.1
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Poverty is accounted blessing by 4
some proverb makers. but most of US
find or imagine it is one that we
could be happy without.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Question of Taste.

"About this hair tonic" said the
credulous citizen who had just invest
ed in a bottle. chow do you take it
internally or externally
Depends on where you want the
hair to grow" replied the laconic drug
clerk.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

1t would save much guessing and
straining if the psychological moment
would always wear its label.
Some people envy the man who paya
his bills promptly, and some consider
him foolish.
The man who knows how to manage
a woman doesn't.
Whatever else you do when you start
out to criticise your friend, talk about
something else.
When lawyers are minding their owp
business they are prying into some
body else's.
When a mans wife tells him what
she thinks of him she doesn't do any
thing of the sort.
He Is an undeserving wretch WHO
lodges what is coming to him and
keeps roaring for his due.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

Jealous Author.
He doesn't
think much of
Dickens"
HE doesn't?"
mo; he has
written a book
himself"
= =
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Humor aue Philosophy
By DUNCAN N. SMITH
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
By DuNcAl

Some girls find the most distressing
thing about a broken engagement to
be the giving back the diamond ring.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Twin Gums.

~What Is the first thing necessary Cor
q detective?r
"Gum Shoes"
And the nextr
@Gumption.'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

BY THE J. w. POTTER co.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

The courage Of many a man lies
wholly in his bank account.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
FORGOT the Raisins.

FORGOT the dafsins.
what fund do we charge the dried
fruit TOP asked the new head OF the
commissary department.
Current expenses" replied the anna.
teur humorist without looking up from
ais book.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

The man who knows how to manage
q woman doesn't.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14

TERMS-Daily, 10 cents per week.
Weekly, 81 per year in advance
All communications of argumentative
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached for publica-
ton. No such articles will be printed
over fictitious signatures.
Correspondence solicited from every
township in Rock Island county.
sIRA1Es D Isses cogNc!LS
1Eci13
Tuesday, July IA, 1908.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-14
Generally.

Generally.
What IL a joke without q point1s-
II know"
"Tell u.s." M
The one you usually tar
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
A Bows Composition.

Girls is sisters of boys and has long
hare and wares dresses. First girl was
called Christmas Eve. though new
er could tell why. Most every family
has one girl. and some Of 'em that is
In hard luck has two or three. We
have q girl in ourn who is my sister
Fat girls want to be thin. and thin
girls want to be fat. Why girls were
made nobody nos. out | think it were
to 60 to church and eat ice cream.
There is two kinds Of girls brunei
girls and blond girls. Girls are afraid
of mise and bugs. which makes it fun
to put 'em down their baks.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
AS soon as you fall in with some
people, they bigin to prepare for q
falling out.
Key 20 the PuzzIer.
275.-Riddle: A Table. :.

No. 275.-Riddle: a Table.
No. 276.- Wine Merchants Puzzle:
The wine merchant must have drawn
thirty quarts with the three quart
measure. six quarts with the two quart
measure and the remainder Of the bar
rel. ninety quarts, with the five quart
measure.
The problem turns on finding guam
titles in the ratio of five to one, dfvisi-
Bile by two and three. and of sum
total which, deducted from 126 quarts
(31k gallons). leaves remainder diyis-
-ible by FIVE.
No. 2T7.-The Postman Knocks: 1.
Bryan. Bryant. 2. Joe. Joel. 3. Penn,
penny. 4. Cain, Caine. 5. Poe, pope.
6. Jude, Judge. I. Lover, plover.
No. .2IS.-Hidden Fish: Shark, dolphin.
gar. smelt, skate. flying, gold, cod, null
let
No. 279.-Word Square:
SO "A P
II O A L
A Ii z D
E O E
E L d &
No. 2S0. = Synocopations: St(o)op,
fo(u)nt. tonnes. mo(t,or, na(vly, dr(e)am,
martr,y, pi(n,es. shout, dimes.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
w K SE.ASE

rHE BANK OF SPRlNGFjBLD.
Officers.
L.. M. Minis. President. Jno. Mob
Bean, v. P; j. B. Smith. Cashier
Edith Phillips, Asst
Directors.
l.. M Minis. Jno. Bean, Joe. A
Berry, l.. B. Fulmer, W. P. Hut.
to, ]. W. Jumper. II. A Odom
7 l.. Gleaton. O. c. Salley.
All business tntrusted to us re-
.eives careful. official attention.
Leave your Surplus funds with nr
- ut,r cent er6aI
Capital SU.uU.'M
Undivided PrOfita l2.''H'."'
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
Al: Odd Looking 6
Chinese Drum.

Kou IS the Chlneseword for; drum. Of
which many kinds are used In China.
Japan and Burma. Eastern drums diff
fer from those OF Europe in having
their heads nailed on. not kept nova
BILE, as ours are for tuning purposes.
The body Is usually made Of sandal
wood, cedar or mulberry wood or else
OF baked clay.
They are used for many purposes
on state occasions. to tell the hour dur
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23

4 81 have found Buckleh's Arnica
Salve to be the proper thing to use
for sore feet, as well as for healing
burns, sores, cuts and all manner OF
ABRASION" writes. Mr.. W.; Stone, of
East Poland, maine, It iS the proper
thing, too, for piles. Try 1t! Sold
under guarantee at ]. u. Wanna
makers drug store. Csc.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
A Simple Microscope.

II you have need Of the enlargement
OF writing which Is small and illegible
or IL you desire to increase the size Of
any other object, why not make your
own microscope?
Cut out q piece Of thin cardboard.
Ink one side of this until 1t Is entirely
black. Make 6 pin hole in the center Of
the sheet
Looking through this pin hole, you
will be surprised to learn what good
microscope you have manufactured
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
FIRE IN S U R AN t E
Not cheap insurance but in
surance that .insures you against
all loss byi fire or htning.

surance that 1nsures you against
all loss by fire or lightning.
/ do not represent small mu-
tuals with no capital, who have
to assess the policy holders to
cover each loss, but ten of the
oldest and strongest companies
doing business, worth more than
S1OO, 900, 900 and who have paid
more than $1,O00,00O,000 in
losses.
Country dwellings, barns and
outbuildings, together with their
contents all written, and / have
satisfied customers in every Sec
ton of the county.
Improved gins insured and al
so cotton on plantations.
Office with WESTERN UNION
TELEGRAPH CO., next door to
DIR. j. G. Wannamaker Mfg. Co.,
where you will find me from 8
q. m, to 8. p. m.
Office loh'pl. lie No. Fl.
Residelte ht 1912.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-10-23
THE KoU. ,oR pRuM.

ing the night. to scare away evil spir.
its as, well as to invite visits from
good spirits and to play the "amens''
at the end of verses in the Confucian
services. Tiny drums are also carried
by peddlers when hawking their
wares. Etiquette insists that on any
occasion when the emperor is present
all drums must be mufled by being
rolled In folds of cloth.