davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
The Evangelistic Services

Skowhegan and the surrounding
towns are certainly to be congratu-
lated on the splendid series of evan
gelistc services arranged for and
now being carried through 50 sue
cessfully by the local clergy. The
evangelist whom they have invited to
lead the services is such an one, we
believe, as we hoped might come, a
man with a message and one we'll
equipped TO present it. From the
opening night and up to the present
hour, the audiences at the meetings
have been large and attentive, made
up of citizens in all walks of life.
This fac. must be extremely pleasing
to the evangelist as we'll as to the
clergy, for 1t strongly attests to the
fact that all classes of our people
are ready to seek light and truth
when the way Is opened to them.
The evangelist has come to speak
to a splendid class Of people. Travel
where one may, in Maine or outside
Maine, and one must search long and
diligently to find a people surprising
In thrift, industry, general intelli-
gence and whole heartedness, those
In this community. There are COM
paratively few In this town who have
dropped to a low level of morality
There are few "sots"-men who
have lost self respect and sell
control through the passion for
drink. There are few evil doors
men who love darkness rather than
light. There are many-the great
splendid majority-who love God and
their fel]owmen, and who, though
they be not jealous enough In good
works, nevertheless possess the big
hearts and the strong hands.
The work of the evangelist Is tc
arouse this community to a new con,
ception of mans duty; to lift upon
high the Example after whose life al
men might well pattern their own
This the evangelist is doing Now lei
the people respond-let them NEE
him half way, at least, in all OF his
reasonable requests that his homes
pleadings as well as the sincere ef
forts of the clergy may work a grea
blessing to our community.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 81.
Time to Wake Up

1t Is high time for the people OF
Maine to wake up. This Is a little
simple duty which they owe them
selves. For years aid years the peo-
ple of Maine have been laboring un-
der the false notion that they must
stand Idly by and let certain self
appointed leaders-generally office
hclders-dictate their choice OF exc
cutive and legislative officers.
The methods of these office-holders
are simple in the extreme. They vir-
tually choose the Governor of the
State. 1t Is tremendously TO their
adva1tsgo. The Word goes down the
line of office-holders to the last man
who sweeps the floors Of the State
rapit,l Then the Word travels ont
over the s. ate, from postmaster to
postmaster, from town committeeman
to town committeeman They all fall
In. Someone of them may think Mr..
Choice Is not the best man available;
but the Word has settled that ques-
ton for him. Very few who are on
the inside dare oppose the Word. It's
suicidal.
Who is to be blamed for this con-
dition? In very large measure the
people themselves--all of us who are
not drawing salaries and wasting
the States monies in publishing
books Of trash. The people are at
fault because they fall to take an in
terest In the choice of party nom
inees early enough In the political
game. Despite the fact that we do
not nominate our next governor until
June, 1910, still 1t is none too early
for the people of Maine to begin to
cast about for possible successor to
the present encumbent. If they can
find a better man, then the precedent
of giving a Governor two terms
should be thrown to the breeze. The
best man obtainable is none TOO good
for Maine. The people should make
their choice, and having made 1t,
stand by 1t. Having determined
upon a choice, talk him up In the
press and elsewhere; hold him up to
the light of fellow grangers; discuss
him In the country store; and when
the State convention Is held see that
his name is presented. Stand by him
to the last. Even IL the peoples
choice Is not nominated, the office
holder will not thereafter be quito as.
arrogant.
Let the period Of the Independent
Voter be ushered ip.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The Maine Democrat scores the
State Commissioner of Agriculture for
issuing an annual report of his de-
partment which Is of no value what
ever to the citizens of Maine We are
heartily glad the criticism has been
offered and regret that we had not
possessed brains enough to blaze the
trail ourselves. Indeed, to offer such
criticism Is to blaze new trail, for
never, within our remembrance las
any newspaper deigned to give Its
services In this respect to the public.
Now we do not possess this latest
production of the Commissioner, but
we do happen to have on file for
what purpose we do not for the life
of us know number of the pre-
viously published reports. We know
what they are like; and when the
Democrat compares them to a scrap
book, 1t Is an everlasting disgrace to
the scrap-book. How Commission
er of Agriculture who Is travel
ing over the State. meeting the
farmers and learning Tor soaking
IND new ideas on farming con-
ditions can get together such a
mess of trash and hodge-podge is
positively beyond our comprehension
But tho Department of Agriculture
is not the only department OF the
State. at fault. 1t seems to have be-
come q habit of officials to put as lit
tie work into their reports as posi-
BILE. About a year ago we were al
work upon an address, Maine and
Her Resources" and we needed facts
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

In their present difficulty, the
faculty and trustees of the Univer-
sity of Maine should not fall over
themselves In accepting the rather
free advice that is given them by GER
tain of the daily press. Sometimes
ones worst enemies are among ones
bosom friends
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
SEVENTH DAY ADvENTIsTs.

Mission on corner of Madison av-
enue and Russell street. Sabbath
School at 2 p. m. Saturday. Speaking
Sunday evening at 7.30. Prayer and
praise services Tuesday an1 Friday
evening at 7.30 The public Is cordial
ly invited.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
ISLAND AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH.

CENTENARY METHODIST EPIsCo-
PAL CHURCH.
Fred a. Leitch, Ph. D., Minister.
Residence, Is Island Avenue.
Morning service at i0.45. Subject;
The Good Sheppard and His Sheep
Chorus Choir, Mrs VIM. Emery. leader.
Bible Study, IL o'clock.
Mems Meeting In Opera House at g..
Union Mission Service In Opera House
at I. The public Is cordially invited
to attend these services.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The editor OF the Maine Democrat
says that he is one who could poll
10000 votes. We're he to inaugurate
personal campaign next fall which
party banner would be carry? (How
old Is AnnO
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
WE WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE MUSIC

Through the kindness of Albany
Smith who has popularized the hymn,
Don't Stop Praying" In Skowhegan,
we give the words and music below.
The hymn is copyrighted but at Mr..
Smiths request we have the publish
ers permission to present 1t to our
readers, Albany Smith like his faith
er, Gypsy" Smith, has a message for
the people. His voice needs no praise
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
SOLON.

| III IOWU OftI
DR.. and Mrs. D. S. Hunnewell OF
Madison, were In town Wednesday, to
| be present at the annual meeting OF
keystone lodge Of which DR.. Hume
we'll Is a member.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Knowles and
two children, spent few days the
last of the week In New Portland, re-
turning home Sunday.
! Miss Myrtle Hughes of North An
son was in town Friday evening.
M. l.. French made business trip
to Watervlle Saturday.
The Ladies' Home circle will meet
with Mrs. o. o. Vittum Thursday A
full attendance Is desired as there Is
work to be done.
The Rebekahs observed Saturday
evening as children's night In their
lodge with recitations and music by
the children. Refreshments were
served, followed by games and gen
eral good time.
Elias Smith is visiting his son, Full
ler, in Windham, Mass.
Joseph Waterman has gone to
Lewiston to hospital for treatment.
Mr.. Waterman has been In poor
! health for some time.
Mrs. Mariner Irvine has been sick
the past week at the home of her sis
ter, Mrs. Frank Vittun.
Mrs. Horace Spear of Lakewood,
was In town Thursday.
At the annual election of Keystone
lodge, F. and A. NR, the following Of
fcers we're elected and installed: W.
NJ, Charles H. Severy; S. W., }. u.
Spaulding; ]. W., VIM. Jackman; ;
secretary, P. s. Longley; treasurer, l..
C. Jewett; s. D., Malon Patterson; j.
D., Fred Murphy; s. s., Joseph Mat
son; ]. s., j. A. Tuscan; chaplain,
Fred Magoon; tyler, o. Hilton.
M. C. Joice went to Skowhegan
Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jacob Goodwin were
in New Portland Saturday.
Mrs. L. L. Patterson and Miss Myr-
tie Hughes went to Cornville Satur-
day, returning Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. oliver Hilton are
spending the week at j. G. Spauld-
ing's.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. H. Gray returned
from Boston Saturday evening.
Willard C. Williams of Madison
spent the Sabbath in town.
Mr.. and Mrs. George II. Webb OF
Skowhegan, were the guests OF Mr..
and Mrs. David Rowell the first of the
week.
The Ladies' aid gave their usual
harvest dinner and supper in the M.
e. vestry Tuesday, October 10.
Mrs. j. G. Spaulding, Mrs. w. II.
Soper and Mrs. l.. S. Merrill are In
Portland attending the Grand lodge OF
Rebekahs this week.
All those interested in making use
of the fund left from the Centennial
fol- town improvement are requested
to meet at the library Monday even
ing, October 25 at 7 O'Clock 1t Is
hoped that all who can will try and
be present.
Mrs. VIM. York of Madison, was In
town little while Tuesday.
j. C. Hussey of Oakland, was In
town the first of the week.
North Somerset Grange Is invited
to Bingham Saturday, October %
Solon Grange to furnish the program
The topic for the day will be Does
the farmer lead a happier life than
the average business or professional
many to be discussed by members oi
both oranges.
Mrs. Marcellus Irvine and children
are visiting Mrs. Irvine's brother anc
sister In Skowhegah.
Mr.. and Mrs. Malon Patterson wen
to Caratunk Friday to spend weei
or two with relatives.
Miss Sadie Smith and Chispa Row
ell spent the day Friday in Madison
Miss Carrie Pierce Is spending
short vacation In Waterville.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The time Is fast approaching when
the autos will be housed for the win
ter. Then the rich man will employ
the same means of locomotion IS the
poor man. Walking Is still good.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

The Christian Science Society, Madi-
son avenue. corner Russell street Ser
vices Sunday morning at 1045 and
Wednesday evenings at 100 Subject:
Probation After Death" The public
Is cordially invited.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH.
George Merriam, Pastor.
Residence, so Madison Avenue.
Telephone, 1888.

Telephone, 1888.
Morning worship at 10.45 with ser
mon by the pastor. Subject :S'The r.
resolute Official." Sunday School at
IL o'clock. Excellent music has been
provided for this esrvice.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

of ours. Those who have heard his
singing knows that his own words
are true, Il try to put all can into
it." Every word Is distinctly uttered,
every note is full, clear and sweet and
the whole song Is rendered with an
earnestness and tenderness of ex-
preston indescribable. The Show
hogan people like good singing and
they know his Is of the best.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The waste paper that was blowing
up and down Water street on Sun
day did not add much to the beauty
of the street
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Robert Morris, Pastor.
Residence IA Main St.

KeSluehct, n MaIH oN'
Morning service at 10.45. The pas
tor will speak to the children. There
will be a mite box opening and singing
by the Sunday School scholars. Par
ents are asked to come with their
children.
Other services for the day in union
with the other churches at the Opera
House.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
CANAAN-RR0MNs CORNER.

Mrs. Brigham Is visiting at Rev.
o. M. Chase's.
Master Carroll Byron Chase has
been confined to the house since Fri
day from the effects of a bad cold.
Walter Robinson of Sherman, came
Friday and Monday. He returned
home accompanied by his sons. 9th
clio and Jewell. who have been pass
ing their summer vacation with their
grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. William
Jewell.
Richard Chase returned Thursday
from Topsham fair where he had
been In attendance at the races.
Little Ethel Hubbard, who has been
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

By the way, Cook and Peary claim
they discovered the North Polel
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The City of Skowhegan! Well. that
rolls well around the tongue.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
Church Notes
UNION EvsSesLIsr,c SERVICES

UNION EsANGELIsTtC SERVICES
~ OPERA norsE-
Meetings every evening In opera
House At 7se Afternoons al , o'clock
In Congregational church. Next sun
day services as follows: Meeting for
men AT In the afternoon. General
meeting at In the evening.
ISLAND AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH.
Benjamin b. Merrill Pastor.
Residence. iis Main st.
Telephone. 1873.
Morning worship at 1o.+5. Subject,
The End and the Crown Sunday
School at IL
The Working League OF the Congre-
gational church will meet In the
church parlor. Monday afternoon. Oc-
tober rs.
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

The date given opposite your name
on the paper is sumcient receipt toI
money paid on subscriptions. tne
date is incorrect. notify the once a'
once,
The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21

Advertising rates made known upon
application. Short or long time con-
tracts made.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12
Vexie Discovers that Birds Must Work for q Living
Prize Story
w HEN Vexie found herself thus
w transformed she was delighted

III HEN Vexie found herself thus
w transformed she was delighted
and said. Now | am bird, |
will have nothing to do but fly about
and see what there is to see"
At this all the others birds Chirped
derisively. Then Nexie flew up in the
air and as she flew she said. "Oh, it is
fine thing To be bird
Soon she grew tired and flew to a
nearby tree and sat on limb to rest.
As she was sitting there she realized
that she was getting hungry.
Just then another bird came and lit
on a limb near her. VeXie asked the
bird if it could tell her where she
could get some food.
There is a patch of berries across
the lake" said the bird.
oh | cant lind the patch said
Vexie.
We'll. l guess you can't if you do
not look for it," said the bird.
Il could not find it il did look for
It." said Vexie.
Wei. then. you will have to starve."
said the bird, and it flew away in dis
gust.
In little while VeXie began to feet
very hungry and she said. "Oh. | wish
| was home where [ could have all l
wanted to eat l would wash the
dishes and be a very good girl"
BY this time Nexie was so hungry
that she made up her mind to hunt for
the patch of berries. but just then she
opened her eyes and found herself un-
der the tree to which she had come
i'm the afternoon. NeXie was so happy
that she ran all the way home and al
Ways obeyed her mother after that ana
fever said Il can't" again.
Your nephew,
JAMES McCORD,
Box f76, Ocean Park. Grade Bl0. SAN
tn Monica high school.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12
n NCE there was a little girl
who never thought she could

n NCE there was little girl
1 who never thought she could
" do anything. 1t was always,
Il can't, | can't. | can't"-until
everybody who knew little NeXie
became tired and. sick of hear
ing it.
She couldn't wash the dishes.
She couldn't mend her dress. She
couldn't get her lessons. She
lust wished she could be a bird
and then she wouldn't have to
10 anything.
"Wouldn't, ehr said her moth
cr. "Birds have to learn to hy
and to sing. learn to build their
own nests and to hunt for their
own food. How would you like
all that, please?'
One day, while playing near
some trees, she heard some one
saying: Il can't, can't, | can't, "
and looking around, how was she
astonished to find a steel-colored
bird, drawling out the words
with as perfect nonchalance "a
she had ever done it herself.
She told her mother she had
found a bird that could talk and
what it said.
"All the more shame to him
since he can sing so beautifully"
said her mother. Just like a
little girl I know who always
SAYS: 4 can't when she is
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12

that was flying by the tree she was in.
to teach her how to fly, so she could
get something to eat.
The bird did not know how Vexie
acted when they went to help her. So
she went on the tree, too, and kept
on flying on the ground and up 10 the
tree again; then she told her to try it,
but Vexie said: II can't. | can't Then
the bird was mad and flew away leav-
ing her sitting in the tree. hungry. Af-
ter awhile she wished she could go
back to her mamma.
Just then the eagle came and
changed the bird into a little girl.
Then VeXie woke up and did not
know whether it was a dream or
whether it was true. This taught her
not to say "I can't" but to try.
Her mamma wondered why her lit
tie girl did not say II can't" but tried
to do everything she asked her.
IRENE McELLIOTT.
Redondo Beach. Age II years, 40
grade.
She instantly started to fly, but in
a little while she was tired and had to
rest. There were a great many birds
watching her, and when she settled
they flew up and asked what was the
matter? When she told them they
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12
Beginning of Story Completed by Juniors

wanted to sing or play. If you
ever do become a bird, it will
have to be cat-bird, as none OF
the others would own you"
But then Vexie thought she
wouldn't mind being a cat-bird,
even, if she could only be bird.
So, one day, when Vexie said
q can't" for about fifty times, her
mother sent her out of the house
in disgrace.
Nexie lay lown under a tree
and cried herself to sleep. Then
most wonderful thing hap
pened. She was surrounded by
birds all twittering and talking a,
once
She wants to be a bird, said
the robin, pausino for a moment
to pull up a worm out of the
ground, then adding: But she
can't be a robin. There are ~
lazy robins
"Shc wouldn't like to be a
crow, she'd have too much corn
to pull up, cav! cav! caw!
which | expect meant "pshaw
pshaw! pshaw!"
you can't see me! You can't
see me - shouted the meadow
lark, hiding down deep in the
grass. so that NeXie couldn't pos
sibly find her.
Kill the dear! Kill the dear!'
shouted bird away up in the air,
ard Nexie shuddered, as the bir'i
passed on its way.
"Whip-her-well! Whip-her-
WE'LL" shouted another bird, as r
squatted close to the ground as ii
ready to spring upon her.
Bob White! Bob White J
called another
"My name isn't Bob White.
It's Vexie Voze," said VeXie,
turning over uneasily.
"Vexie Voze, pick her nose,
said the blackbird.
Lets turn her into a cat-bird,
said a turtle dove. at is all she
is good for
Then a great big eagle came.
and. after pecking her fingers and
pulling her curls,' 10, she was
turned into a cat-bird.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12

made a great deal of fun of her. and
she few off by herself.
Every time she went where people
could see her they would say: what
an ugly and clumsy catbird." When
ever the birds asked her if she could
do anything she would say, IT can't"
and would not try.
In a short time the birds disliked her
so that they would not have any
thing to do with her. Finally they de-
cided to send a committee to see her
This committee was to tell her that
she could not stay with them unless
she did as other birds. She said: 81
can't" All the other birds came up
and were pecking at her, when sud
denly she was awakened by voice
calling "VeXie, o, Vexie." She rubbed
her eyes and ran to her mother. she
sprang into her mothers arms and
said: 80. mother, 1 shall never say I
can't again." She told her mother
about the dream and then she said:
'I am so glad I'm not a catbird."
Vexie was the best little girl in the
neighborhood after her dream. The
people would say: 81 wonder what has
happened to VeXie Vose. She is so good
I never hear her say Il can't"
MAUD KLASGYE,
Brawley Cal. Aged II years. Grade
T. BraWley school.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-12
Honorable Mentionl

n H my. but NeXie was happy when
she found she really was bird.
" She stretched her wings before
starting to fly. My, but I feel good.
| don't have to be afraid ot doing
dishes now" thought VeXie.
As she flew off she started to sing.
but was startled by the shrill noise
she heard surely that wasn't l."
Vexie tried to say.
After she had flown quite distance
she grew hungry and asked another
bird to tell her where to get food. Il
can't" said he, Il can't"
Nexie flew on and soon came to some
other birds, but to her question they
replied Il can't, l can't"
"Oh, you stingy birds. :" said NeXie,
and flew away.
Pretty soon she was tired and
stopped to rest on a tree. She fell
asleep. but was awakened by loud
chatter of birds who had crowded
around her. "I can't, / can't" they
were saying. Vexie asked them what
ii was they couldn't do. 81 can't wash
my dishes. I can't mend my dress,
and | can't learn my lessons they
said
This vexed Vexie so much that she
returned TO the tree and wished that
she were herself again. She received
her wish and ran TO her mamma.
4 can mend my dress. l can wash
the dishes. l can comb my hair. and
| can learn my lessons" said NeXie.
Her surprised mother said nothing, as
she knew Yexie had learned her lesson.
HELEN GRAY MACE.
r. F. D. No. l. Box 3O5E Long Beach
high school, grade B9. Long Beach.
Vexie was pleased when she found
Il !. g.. oh gIaA
would not have anything to do.
She flew down in her back yard and
heard her mother and neighbor talking
about her.
Her mother said, II do so wish Vexie
would help me. She always says "she
can't and l am about sick with work
and not a soul to help me- VeXie
might just as we'll be good girl but
she won't"
Then the neighbor said, at is a shame
and | think she ought to be ashamed
of herself. None Of the little girls care
for her as they should. l don't know
what she would do if you were sick"
Then Vexie flew away but none Of
the birds would have anything to do
with her; they were all hollerinS, Il
cant, [ can't"
She Y as hungry and could not find
anything to eat for she would not eat
worms and bugs like other birds. Oh
what a time she had She was nearly
starved and she had no one to speak
to her, no bird would fly near her eX-
cept to sneer at her My what an un-
happy little girl she was. She found
out she could do something if she
could only have a chance. When she
was changed back to a little girl she
was very different child.
LEILA CAMPBELL age IA.
After Vexie was turned into a bird
she thought it very nice, but when it
was time to make a nest she would
only say, q can't, | can't" the way
she did when she was a little girl. An
other day when a bird came and
asked her to learn how to fly, she said:
Il can't" and would not try,
Then the other birds got tired of
hearing her say Il cant" all the time,
so they all said they would not be
kind to her any more.
One day when VeXie was sitting up
in the tree she began to feel very hun
grV and thirsty. She asked a bird
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-11
FOUND HIS THROAT CUT
Undertaken Discovers A Mysterious
Death In San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, March TO-
When firm Of local undertakers re-
ceived the body Of Cornelius Good,
rich. who died in this city yesterday
they were told that the man died from
bronchitis, but while preparing il for
burial they discovered the throat had
been cut. The undertakers at once
telephoned TO the coroner, who start
ed an investigation which revealed
several startling and mysterious cir
eumstances. Neighbors Of the dead
man asserted that he committed sui.
eide BY cutting his throat A plvsi-
clan, said to be DR., Thomas w, Con-
molly was summoned but the man died
before his arrival The police and
coroner claim that no report OF the
suicide was made to them The
bloodstained razor was found at some
distance from the shack in which
Goodrich lived.