davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

the last moment some forgotten article
and were hurrying hither and thither
to supply the deficiency. There were
lovers who had but lately plighted
their troth carrying home gifts.
Big Jim could not escape the hurry.
the laughter, the package laden throng
He hated the bedizened windows. the
greetings, even the strings of turkeys
and chickens in the market windows.
He hated Christmas time. And, worst
of all, he hated the word home. And
it was being rubbed in. Why not let
bygones be? For two years he had
not even heard of his mother, and
then she had written that Mariana had
married John Foster. That was natu-
raj, Of course. John had stayed by his
job, and John was not dependent on
cards mainly for Il living.
Big Jim, with his hands in his peck
cts, fingered the roll of bills and the
loose money. over $500. He had been
lucky last night. but tonight. like as
not. Shorty or some one would get it
away from him. He turned down a
side street and cursed beneath his
breath as little Italian with basket
on his shoulder proffered him a small
plaster Christ. He thrust out his chin
and passed Charley's place. for he had
already reached his limit in drinks.
That chin kept him from passing his
set limit in anything. He was no
weakling. He kept his word and was
bad by choice, not through lack of
will.
The very sleighbells jingled "home,"
and he hated to think of himself IN
that connection. He would have gone
to his boarding house. but no one,
save perhaps Shorty. who had de-
serted his wife, would be there-they
all had wives or kids or mothers or
some girl to make merry with, to be
kind to. if only once year. Then into
the city clangor came the sbeat of q
drum and q singing and stunning
the Salvation Army. In their march
they stopped near him-he could catch
the words OF the high. coarse tenor:
Come home! Come home,
Why don't you all come homer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Jenny Lind as child Of three years
was the lark of her parents house. As
n girl of nine she attracted the atten-
ton OF all lovers of music and entered
the Stockholm conservatory as pupil.
Her continuous studies at so tender an
age caused the sudden loss of her voice.
and for four full years she pursued
her theoretical and technical studies.
when suddenly the full sweet sounds
came back. 10 the delight, as every
one knows, of thousands for many
years
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

1t was Christmas eve in a city. The
rich were preparing by the expendi-
ture of hundreds, perhaps thousands,
Of dollars TO enjoy the festivities,
those in moderate circumstances piec-
ing out what they did not have by
working with their own hands. the
poor-alas, the poor-going without the
joys others were blessed with. except
where the good Lord sent some benev-
client person to hunt them up aud be-
stow upon them a dinner or n few
toys for the children-the children that
1t would seem Christmas is especially
for.
The streets were crowded with be-
lated purchasers some buying decora-
ti0ns. some gifts OF value. some a few
simple toys The spirit of Christmas
was among them, within them. A ia
Their had forgotten that he had prom
ised Jimmie a jackknife, a mother
that Lucy must have set of dishes;
brothers and sisters remembered at
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Dec. 5 in American
History

1TS2-Martin Van Buren,. eighth presi-
dent Of the United States, born;
died 1862
1TS7-Daniel Shays with 1000 men
seized Worcester. Mass; "Shays'
rebellion"
and America collided and were
burned to the waters edge; seven
ty-two lives lost.
1S97-Alice Wellington Rollins, author
died: born 1917.
19O9-George Crocker. California CAPT
talist. died in New YORK city; born
1876.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

The congestion committee of New
York in its report to the house of gov
errors strongly urges that measures
be taken to remove the surplus popu-
lation into the country where the soil
may Re TILED and a ready relief &C
COMP shed not only for themselves,
but fer the entire people. The popu-
lation Of the cities is increasing three
and one-half times as rapidly as that
of tho rural districts and the result
IS nnsanitary conditions that brought
about 100000 preventable deaths in
the cities in the last year.
Dr. Walter Laidlaw, secretary Of
the Federation OF Churches and Chris
tan Organizations in New York city.
estimates from 1910 census returns
rhe total population of continental
Jnirad States at 91,345,S40. Of whom
34.I91, 2oG. or 31:"-3 per cent, are living
in cities Of 5000 or over. Whereas in
1900 there were in the country only
100 C'ties with a population of $4,000
or Over. there are this year with five
cities 10 be heard from at least 225
cities having a population Of these.
The population of these cities has
increased since 1900, 41.T0 per cent,
nearly three and a half times as rapid
ly as the usual population, which
has increased in the last decade only
u per cent. The rural population is
estimated today as only 1881
In New York 1,329,631 or over two
thirds of the states increase of 1,S44,-
3S9 III population was in the city Of
New York
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

in the civil war. There was q stril-
ing instance Of this in Albany, \. Y,
the other day, when Adjutant General
VerDeck permitted one of the glass
cases Of battle flags on the second floor
Of the capitol to be opened, so that
an old soldier might touch the colors
under which he fought.
He had been a member Of the 18th
New York volunteers, and the flag he
desired TO place his hand on was stain
ed with the blood Of the color bearer,
who, when he fell, was carried to the
rear by this visitor, Comrade Curly
Of Scnoharie county.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Because some of the Buffalo voting
machines did queer things with the
figures on election day there is an out
cry in some quarters against them
Buffalo has been voting by machine
for twelve years. The Express" con-
dennis the proposition to abolish them
and go back to the old system, and
The Utica Herald-Dispatch' agrees
with It and observes: Utica, with its
longer experience with the machines,
will concur in this view. In fact, it
will be impossible to persuade
Uticans that return to the old system
could ever be desirable
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

The new census can hardly fail to
result in raising the congressional ra-
ito as it is called-that is, the number
Of residents in one congressional dis
trict. The house may be enlarged a
little, but it cannot be enlarged very
much. The body is rather too large
for efficiency now, and there are physi-
cal obstacles to any increase in it.
Usually a re-apportionment after a
new census has been a compromise
some addition being made to the mem
bership and some increase being eff
fected IN the ratio.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

American potatoes have won nOta-
BILE victory. For 35 years they have
been barred out of France on the
ground that many of them were affect
ed by a disease that might contamin-
ate the French tubers. AS a matter of
fact American potatoes are about as
healthy as any that are grown. The
French scientists, having investigated
the matter thoroughly, have concluded
that there is no good ground for eX-
clusion. and American potatoes will be
admitted freely. AS the French potato
crop is poor this year such action as
sures an important addition to the food
supply.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Plan to do something for the poor
for Christmas. Don't only plan, but
do it now. Remember that the best
observance of Christmas, the essential
ly correct way to observe the day the
way to do most good is to help those
who reed help, aid those in sickness
and distress, give to those who need,
relieve the suffering of the wretched
By so doing you not only make others
happy; you not only bring light into
dark and hopeless lives, but you find
the greatest of all pleasure yourself, a
pleasure that touches your heart and
soul and causes to well up within you
consciousness of the real meaning of
Christmas: satisfaction that always
comes with charity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Life Lines
DUTY.
copyrighted, 1900
BY BASLEUS.

Devotion to duty doesn't delight the
devil but it does develop the divine in
man.
Dodge the duties of daily life and
you drive the divine from you; you
deliver only as you do.
DUTY is a straight line, and beauty
is curved; if you follow the straight
line, the curved will follow you.
Duty points to burden-bearing and
joy remembers the duties done.
If you know how to make man bet
ter, if you can keep him from becom-
ing 4 gutter, it is your duty to speak
out with voice or pen to make your
fellows better men.
Swiftly the moments fly and the
days ( ass by as man ages and death
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

men were laughing, ali trying TO see.
Jim shouldered his way to the front.
The soldiers had surrounded an over
dressed young girl and knelt about her.
Her cheeks were crimson with ex-
element She had not yet got to
rouge. Her curling yellow hair ex-
travagantly dressed was blowing in
the wind; tears rolled down her baby
ish face She was very pretty and
little, like a doll.
He knew the girl. It was Babe
Shannon. He caught her eye. and she
crimsoned a deeper hue.
Come to yourself. Come homer
pleaded the soldiers. Go back to
your motheri Be good! Nothing else
paysr' She nodded assent to them.
"rIl-go home-but let me out of
here now They yielded reluctantly,
but the young man forced himself to
her and took her arm. She shook of
his touch like fire.
"It's you and your like have brought
me here" she famed. I've promised
to go home. and I can't. I ask you:
Can I: What chance would l have?
My mother But he seized her arm
again and walked her rapidly away
from the curious crowd down side
street. where it was quieter.
Babe" he pleaded, I'm not much
1 amt fit. but if you'll marry me we'll
begin square. You give me a chance
and I'll give you one" She faced him
In establishment and unbelief
MY name Amt Babe; it's Molly.
What do you mean. talking about
getting married? A year ago-just a
year ago-if you'd said that it would
have saved me. Now
'Now-it will save both of us.
mean it, Molly. You're a thousand
times too coed for me. Bat marry me
and I'll take you home and I'll stick
by you. You can tell your mother
you've been married a year. You
ought to have been. and we'll make it
true" Her eyes searched his face,
and he pushed back his hat to help
her, to give her a chance at his eyes
kind, steady eyes. too old for so young
a man, but still clear. The girl knew
she could trust them. Suddenly she
put her arm up before her face and
began to cry, but she nodded through
her tears.
Marry me tonight" he said, "and
tomorrow I'll take you home. I'll wake
everybody and get a license, and I'll
take care of you. We've got 5000 TO
begin on. Come to the postOffice first"
He drew her along with him. Once in
side, she waited while he made out
and sent an order for $500 and mailed
it to Shorty's wife. Then with a smile
he turned TO the girl, who made shift
to smile back at him. He took her
hand and. holding her close TO his side,
again went out upon the street. But
this time he was no slouching loiterer
he had license to procure, justice
Of the peace or a preacher TO find. And
then at the station they would buy
tickets for home; there would be time
to ask her where home might be.
AS they swung past the corner the
squat, velvet voiced Italian from the
store in his basket offered the man
small plaster image of the Christ
child. Big Jim tossed the man dol
lar and put the little symbol of good
will to men into Molly Shane's willing
hand. Her lips murmured a silent
prayer-a prayer that they might be
good again. that she might be good.
She made silent VOWS of immaculate
wifehood. And she knew that. being
good. they would find their happiness
together.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Senator Gore of Oklahoma thinks
the tariff should be revised at once.
and that the democrats should begin
that work as soon as congress meets.
He IS one of the old-fashioned states
men Who are not afraid of disturbing
business interests" when he sees
them going through the peoples peck
cts and taking everything but car
fare ard key ring.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Chancellor Lloyd George is on the
right track in showing up the
American dollars" scarce, says the
Springfield Republican. Not a few
dukedoms and eaTldoms, as he points
out, rave had their ancient dignity
restored by Yankee gold. The fresh
paint en- the estate of the Duke OF
Marlborough has for years been paid
for out of the earnings of the New
York Central railroad.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Another Kind.

"Do you know the nature Of an
oath?" asked the judge.
1T is what your father says when
the breakfast doesn't suit him." said
the youthful witness.
NO. This only means that you will
promise to tell the truth"
1T must be n denatured oath, then"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Has Joseph G. Cannon, frequently
referred to as car, fallen so low
that he cannot even have the post
of minority leader IN the next house
without struggle? Many represer-
ratiyes are opposed TO giving him
even that honor and Congressman
Mann, also of Illinois. has been pro
posed as the leader on the republican
side n a democratic house.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

comes nigh; he finds wrongs to right
and hearts 10 cheer only While he is
here.
Duty won't let you drive the poor
from your door who weeping and
needing your help, hopes TO find in
you friend-one gentle and true to
the end
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
HurnOr and
Philosophy
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
sx DUNCAN n. SMITH


4 BOY doesn't care n copper about his
sisters good looks until some girl
tells him his sister resembles her
brother.
There are people who could tell all
they know a good deal quicker II they
knew more.
4 man who persists in trying to run
down a lie has more patience than
brains.
Life is full OF surprises. but the sur
prise party is not notably among
them.
They say some men never know
when they are beaten, but none is ever
beaten until he knows it.
A woman doesn't admire a man who
~swears, but she has a contempt for
the man who can't
The reason that the mistakes that
your neighbor makes look so foolish
is because you don't see them until
they are made; but, for the matter OF
that, neither does he.
II tickIes a man clear down 10 his
toes TO see another man pound his I'm
gers with a hammer
Having furnished savings banks, II
the government will now kindly fur
nish dollars 10 put in them there ara
not few citizens who wouldn't be
averse TO standing around and watch
ing their bank accounts grow.
Every man knows he could settle the
tariff question himself, but modesty
fOrbids.
Politicians. like Indians, are not good
till they are dead.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Mark Twain's Definitions.

1t is told of Mark Twain that during
a conversation with 4 young lady f
his acquaintance be had occasion to
mention the word drydock.
What is Il drydock, Mr.. Clemens ?"
she asked.
"A thirsty physician replied the hui
moriSt.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
a siWained ankle wilI usually dIsah

siTained ankle will usually disable
the injured person for three or four
weeks. This is due to lack OF proper
treatment When Chamberlain lini.
ment is applied cure may be effected
in three or four days. This liniment
is one of the best and most remark.
able preparations in use. Sold by all
drusgists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Tia Old Stnru

Did Hardlucke bear his misfortune
like man?"
Exactly like one. He blamed 1t aii
On his wife Judge.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

The population of the Philippines
has decreased 25 per cent since we
took them over. Does race suicide
also follow the flag?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Though Uncle Joe says the next
house will be too big to handle, Champ
Clark is after the job with both feet.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Different Naw.

The heights that great men reached and
kept
Were not attained by sudden flight.
BCt that was ere the skies were swept
by Wilbur and by Orvilie Wright
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
More Thrillino.

"The last time ! saw you you were
running for Office"
Il believe I was"
"Were you elected"
ooh, let's talk about the weather"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Needless to tell you, you don't have
to read all of Taft's 40,000-word mes
sage.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Inst Like q Woman.

WHAT is your idea Of independ-
ence:"
Independence"
ayes"
"Well. my idea Of independence is TO
be married to a rich husband"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

You can pin your faith on the Den
yer woman who says she never owned
a hat
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Congress is in session and the Wash
ington wire is again working.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

THE Cross OF the Legion is a won
derful thing for health"
"How's that"
There's nothing like it to encourage
long promenades in the park."-Flia-
gende Batter
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

her name written large in the final &C
count book
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
WAGE Farmer.

"She is the -four OF the family"
"SheF"
Yes"
"She doesn't look beautiful 10 me-"
who said anything about beauty
She makes their bread"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Evidence.

Evidence.
well. stop talking
''Why should stop tal<ingT-
Because YOU don't know what you
are talking about"
"But you must admit that l have a
fine Imagination"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Title for a popular novel: The
Whitewashing of Ballinger."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

The Canadian navy may come handy
for the. United States some day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Love of the Flag.

Love of the flag is part of the deep
est consciousness Of men who served
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and weei<Iy at 1924
Second avenue. Rock Island. Ill tEn-
tered at the postofice as second-class
Inatter.1
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05
Carried His Tune.

SaTTlGu TVS hUos
What do you
think of his
whiskers ?"
They are a
poem"
They are more
than that. They
are a grand d.
sweet song. I
heard the wind
setting them 20
music the other
day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

BY THE J. w. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

They say some men never know
when they are beaten, but none is ever
beaten until he knows il.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

There are people who could tell all
they know a good deal quicker II they
knew more.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Life is full OF surprises. but the sur
prise party is not notably among
them.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

a man who persists in trying to run
brains.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

4 BOY doesn't care n copper about his
sisters good looks until some girl
tells him his sister resembles her
brother.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

Monday, December 5, 1910.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-05

A woman doesn't admire a man who
~swears, but she has a contempt for
the man who can't.
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-11
CACTUS BETTER THAN MEAT.
Burbank Prefers il to Peaches and
Serves il in Many Ways.

San Francisco, Jan. 2S.-The de-
mand for a cheap and satisfying
substitute for meat gives Luther
Burbank, the plant wizard, an OPP
portunity to educate the public taste
for spineless cactus.
Burbank himself prefers his cac-
tus fruit to peaches. 1t appears on
his table variously boiled as greens,
fried like eggplant, sliced in a salad
or sweet picked as dessert. Some
months ago he gave a banquet at
which nothing was served but spine
less cactus
Dr. F. n. Doud, President of the
Thornless Cactus Farming Company
is cactus food enthusiast, finding it
rich in the salts needed to keep the
human system in repair. They neu-
tralize he says, the acids that tear
down and destroy the nerve cells.
Being absolutely starchless, the food
is also an ideal diet for the over
stout
Dr. Doud thinks the cactus will
solve the food problem in the fu-
ture.
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-11
THE SPLENDID STATISTICS OF
SAFETY.

Our esteemed contemporary. the
Erie Railroad, now submits its rec
ord for safety in the transportation
of passengers and invites a compari-
son of the figures with those of the
Lackawanna and Pennsylvania sys-
tens
The new exhibit, as it comes to
us from an authoritative and seri-
GUS quarter, is contained in the an
nOuncement that the Erie trans
ported 125,OOO.OOO passengers-in
doing which it ran 3,75O,OOO,0OO
passenger miles without a fatality;
not in one year or in two years, but
five years, on a railroad with a large
amount of single track and a main
line one thousand miles in length"
When we consider that the Erie's
entire total of distance achieved, re-
duced for statistical purposes to
passenger miles" is equivalent to
the transportation of single
through passenger for non-fatal
ride to the mean of the planet Venus
and back almost seventv-three times /;
and when We consider, further, that
it represents the safe short hauling
of mere commuter to the moon
and home again every business day
for twenty-siX years and two months,
| not only is the imagination stagger-
ed, but also the imperative need of a
common denominatOr becomes ap-
parent
We shall welcome other state
ments of character so reassuring
to the travelling public and so crafty
ing to the patriots pride in the tri-
jumps of American railroading. How
ever, if the noble competition is to
end in a definite award it may be-
! come necessary to insist that all re-
turns shall be made on blanks OF
The Suns own formulation.-New
! York Sun.
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-11
THE sHREWD BANKER.

Thirteen years ago a banker lent
a farmer 81 900 with which to buy
stock. The farmer, of course, gave
his note. The borrower lost on the
stock deal and had hard luck gener--
ally. so he couldn't pay the note.
Later he went away, and after many
years he made good again and re-
turned. The banker tried to collect
his note, but it was outlawed by a
lapse of thirteen years. One day
the banker stopped at the mans
farm and admired his fine pumpkins.
The farmer made him a present of
two large ones.
"Ill just credit these pumpkins
on your old note" the banker said.
"All right" the farmer said.
That revived the obligation. The
banker brought suit and recovered
in full for the note and interest,"
Kansas City Star