davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Emperor OF the Air-By Allen c. Lamond
Copyrighted. l9lI by Associated Literary Press

/ shall publish an account of my trip.
l shall tell the world all about the
Marian canals. | shall solve the
great planetary problem of the age"
$50 you viii. Now go TO bed and
get good rest preparatory TO your
journey"
Ethel, you're trying to fool me II
you say anything more I'll Kill you.
Do you suppose that 1, the emperor
Of the air. need rest, I'm not mortal.
I'm the embodiment of one who few
up over the Andes and never came
down. he was received up into heav-
EN- and there given the secret that
made him emperor Of the air l am
he No human being shall trammei
me in my fights. say another word
and this shall be sheathed in your
breast
From the sounds I then heard the
man seemed 10 be driving the woman
out Of the room.
There was a uiugliug Of voices IS
they receued unit! they were lost
door that before had been closed had
probably been left open as the IN
persons went out for l heard n clock
ticking. and presently it struck H.
Then heard voices acain-othar
voices evidently in a different locality
as that you. Ti!Iy:'
eyes. You're MaUd:"
Eyes. I'm Maud. I've just got let
ter from sam. He says we must be
married on the 18th and sail the same
evening. Isn't 1t tarribleE'
Whats terribleE"
- 4 %
wedding trip on the uuIucky 18th
It WAS evident that the scene had
changed and l was likcIy to got TO
further information Of the woman ia
distress. / dropped the receiver. ran.
into my room. dressed. and, having
written down the address I had re
ceived that / might not forget it., sal
lied forth 70 afford relief to TIA" tToU
bled one J knew Of no such street
ss Merton avenue. but reasoned that
it was not fur from me. since its phone
WIS on the same party wire.
There Is one thing about the mat
tor THAT 7 have not mentioned 'Ths
voice was one Of the s14icst. most mt
lodious 7 ever heard. While 1 was
listening to il, while dressing and as
I sailed forth ] could hear the POOR
Cirl-for the voice seemed TO indicate
that she was q girl-plea ding with the
man TO 20 to bed and get the needed
rest for his Journey TO the planet Mars
1t was evident TO me that she was slut
up with q luuatir. and ] dreaded lest
She be murdered before could reach hey.
1 naued an empty hack. told the
driver to taEe me to 81 Merton ave
nue. and be quick about it. lie asked
ne where it was, and / told him II
was at Merton avenue He must ind
it, and find it at once. I would pay
double fare With this I got into the
hack, banged the door. and the coach
man drove On. Where to 20 he didn't
seem 10 know any more than I did.
After going back and forth n few
times and turning several corners he
hailed policeman who sent him 10
different direction from any ne had
Yet followed My first thought WIS 20
take the policeman with LIE. but some
how l couldn't bring myself to share
with any one the pleasure % relieving
4 woman IN diztrc--taat is. f. Il
would not be too late for amp one 70 re-
Heve her.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

In the campaign before the recent
city primary under the commission
form of government The Argus adopted
the slogan, Whatever you do do. do
vote" The admonition viii be equally
pressing in the city election to be held
April 1. It is important that every
voter make up his mind in advance as
TO whom he viii support at the polls.
and that he spare no pains to record
his choice in the proper manner and
at the proper time. The first mayor
and commissioners under the new form
OF government viii have more impor-
tant duties TO perform than any that
will come after them for years. Pick
the very best men available. and give
them your vote. That's the very least
You can do Tor your city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Frank Woolworth. who viii be the
owner Of the new skyscraper in New
York, which is TO top the Singer build
ing by several feet, can well afford the
investment, as he is many times mil
lionafre At 21 Mr.. WOODWORK was a
dry goods clerk and without capital
but little later he started a store IN
Utica and laid the foundation OF his
fortune. and he IS now a little more
than so. He was among the first TO
see the winning idea in and 10 cent
stores, and gradually increased his
ownership until he had 2S6 separate
establishments.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

1t was my part for months to use 4
party telephone wire with all its an
noyances. l have waited for half an
hour at a time while two women dis
cussed a domestic problem or bit OF
scandal before being able to call up
some one with whom l needed to com
municate Immediately
My telephone is in the upper hall,
near my bedroom. One night | was
awakened by a sharp ring. Jumping
out of bed, went to the telephone and
took up the receiver.
"Well?" l said.
No reply.
Hello, centraIp'
No reply.
Hello! Hello! Did you call me up?"
Then there was a lot of clicking, at
the end OF which womans voice
said:
For heavens sake, John. come at
once! Bring help"
My name is not John. and knew the
message was not for me. but some one
was in trouble, and l realized the i'm
portance Of getting the address at
once
Where shall I come?'' asked.
"Why. I'm Ethel I'm at home"
where is your homeE"
"Oh, dear-S5 Merton avenue"
There was click. but as the con-
nection was not broken ! inferred that
the receiver had been dropped rather
than shut off. Then I heard n dialogue
between a man and the woman who
had been talking 10 me. The man
spoke first
I'm the emperor Of the air. In my
aeroplane / ride above the clouds. l
am always at war with the worms
crawling On the face of the earth.
When I like / swoop down and slay
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

ed the accumulation of vast estates by
his favorites made up of property TAX
en- from the people. This is no more
than the advocates of tariff reform in
the United States have charged against
the high tariff party in congress and
the administrations that have worked
in connection with them
But we don't go to war over that in
the United States We simply make
war upon the stump and in the news
papers and make them look like the
traditional go cents"
As far as we are concerned, looking
at 1t from this side Of the Rio Grande,
all insurrectos look alike to us
There may be several kinds Of insur-
rectos in Mexico, but they are all lin
the same box"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
Grace Bryan win Marry.

Lincoln, Neb., March 1S-Miss
Grace Dexter Bryan. daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs William J. Bryan, viii be married
early in June TO Richard l. HargTaves,
business man OF Lincoln. Aunouce-
ment OF the engagement was made
last evening By MI and Mrs. Bryan
The attachment OF the young people
is Of long standing and has met the
approval Of their families.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
II there is anything in life
Exclaimed.

''I wonder why his head is so easily
turned?"
THAT is easily seen"
Perhaps you can explain IT,"
81 can. 1t swings on the pivot Of
seI6shness and is always freely lubri-
Gated with vanity and self conceit."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Dick Kiusella says the laws and prac-
tees and greceden. and principles Of
baseball are opposed to any resort 70
civil courts for the adjudication Of diff
ferences, internal or otherwise. So are
they opposed 10 such peanut tactics as
have been employed by Kinsella and
Tearney TO drive any controversy into
-1a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

The past is gone beyond recall
Far IN advance the future lies.
We have the present: that r. all
SO let US grasp II e'er Il flies.
Enjoy Il as We 20 along
And crowd IL with the things that pay.
Mix in a share OF mirth ana song
And make the most OF each today.
We can but dwell upon the past,
And OF the future we can dream,
But 70 the present. hard and fast.
We can apply our pounds OF steam
And make IL count as down the line
u passes. leaving naught behind
Save records that for years will shine
or be n milestone on the mind
II there IL anything In life
Worth living II Is now and here.
So Let US mingle in the strife
And make OF each banner year.
No use TO think how things would hum
Could we live yesterday once more
Or plan for days that are 70 come.
A brilliant and enchanted score.
This hour, this moment, Is the one
In which We live and move and thinE,
Admire the rainbow or the sun.
Enjoy the things We eat and drink.
So III IL up. and MI II high.
with word and smile and play and act.
We live IL once In passing by.
So let US live IL for fact
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
N~1ar. Is in American
History

i.sZ...4-t ,.....-..... .... Iura. Amer.
cau statesman and leader in the
"old south" born. died 1870
1909 - General Schuyler Hamilton.
grandson Of Alexander Hamilton
and veteran or the Mexican and
civil wars. Cied: born 1920
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

can insurgents, is not in as bad shape
as had been feared. There is still on
hand coal enough 20 run the brewery
two or three weeks.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

them with fire and sword or from my
eyrie in the sky drop bombs upon
them"
/ did not hear this plainly and dis
tinctly as / have written II. I simply
gathered enough TO iii It out Then
the woman said:
Go TO bed You have to fly up to
Mars tomorrow. Don't you remem-
berthe Nariians have sent for yOu:"
-'You are right / have nearly 60
100000 miles TO make When / return
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Frank Gould threatens to expose
Standard Oil What is that old saying
about taking certain person TO catch
q certain person?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Mt. Taft and Nj. Rockefeller met on
the golf course at Atlanta, Ga. this
week. and doubtless each envied the
others figure.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Presumably Canadian reciprocity is
being carefully groomed for its appear
Knce in the special session of congress.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
kent Il Dark.

'TIe saved a whole ship load from
drowning years ago. and no great fuss
was made about it"
'He is a hero OF the old school"
what is the differeDceT
"He doesn't carry a press agent"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
Iennth of Tine.

Length OF Time.
"Do you manage TO keep a domestic
long,"
"Oh. no: not long"
About how longF
Generally long enough 20 see how
she does her hair on Sunday"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

when shall the legislature ad-
.ourn ." asks the Chicago News. Right
now for all We care.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

The Pesoinnist.
Look pleasant!
Look pleasant
ayes. II doesn't hurt you any, does
it,"
Man. Il f. such hard work that II
takes all the life out OF me-"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
Saturday, March 10. 1911.

Now Buffalo Bill thinks he has a
show 70 enter the United States senate.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
Same EHceptions.

Not every microse you may meet
j. msaa enough % can.
TIE reI ~ that faEJr8 t.ttermilk
Is quite a friend ~ man
Drink hearty ana yogH live they say.
10 see the ffS1rrs pass away.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Tho Limit.
"Good heavens"
"What is II, john
"Ihe bill for your new hat IS an oct
rage"
"Oh. never mind the bill. Just look
at the hati'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

The bachelor uncle who IL left 70
take care Of the baby can't see any
great harm In race suicide.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
e - f-eanentlg hoarse7

you have that annoying tickling In
you throat? Does your cough an
hoy you at night and do you raise
mucous In the morning. DO you
want relief n 20. take Chamber
Z p s Cough Remedy and you will be
pleased. Sold by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

much out OF place as a powder pun
at the ringside.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Something 70 Judge BY.
"They say be isn't very bright"
81 wouldn't say that
what is your opiuiOnT"
"Well, when he gets on jury the
IA wyers ure careful not 10 object TO
him"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
- -
Coed Reason.

Q 9 q 10 ION
"NVhy was Mars
called the god OF
war;
" y ecause war
m ars things, 1
guess.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Think OF the delicious fried chicken
that never was IN order that there
might be a cold storage egg.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

The girl with the sharp tongue usu-
ally pays her own way 10 the matinee.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
His Only WAY.

Never been across the oceanT
"NO."
"y5u ought 70 take the trip"
How IS the swimmingf"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
sauarina ths Cirele.

S4uarins the Circle.
How you coming Old MANI
Making three squares "a day"
THAT mast be what is rounding you
out"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

You can tell lot OF things about
man by the way he conducts himself
in crowd
The world is but ieeting show pre-
scented in order that each player may
make a play for the star part
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18

Fifty the rude man. he probably
thinks ne is being witty.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
THE ARGUS.

BY the J. w. POTTER co.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-18
HuInOr and
Philosophy
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
~ DUNCAN ~. -SeSgTS

THE sweet unreasona bleness that n
man found so delightful during
courtship is rather apt TO seem spiteful
after marriage.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
DOCTORS.

TN THE battery of condemnatory opinions of
4 the Astor-Force wedding is one from Camden,
N j., of the Rev. John Doe Doctor of Sacred The
ology Doctor Of Philosophy and Doctor of Divin-
ity. He is also probably a master OF various
things, of Science or of Arts. But woe betide that
Camden reporter who should omit one of the big
titles of Camden's triple doctor
We once got in very wrong with a Southern Col
onel by innocently calling him captain-had to get
lawyer friend to try to pacfy the Colonel, but
suppose our lawyer friend made it worse, for the
Colonel wasn't pacihed until we called him Cen
eral
Since then we have always been very careful to
give men their proper titles, Generals, Colonels,
Honorables, Maor-Generals, Admirals, Cap
tains and the rest, and the preachers, all are
doctors to us whether they got their degrees from
Oxford or from Squeedunk, or from the College
of Imagination.
The care exercised by that Camden reporter, OF
newspaper man as he would call himself if young
and quite delightful makes us believe that
we owe an apology to Philosophical Anarchist
Brown of Arden, who made life red hot at Arden
by buzzing over the blue laws There was plenty
of color about it all. How in the world
did he get away with such a title as Philosophical
Anarchists? No wonder he doesn't like "bum"
baseball. No fan who could cry Slide you dub"
could cry slide you Philosophical Anarchist" {"
Another inning could be played while he was get
ting the title out of his mouth. PHILOSOPHICAL An
archist Brown has one on Scientific Socialist Sin
clair, who is probably a Fabian after all. At anv
rate George Brown is entitled to the honor Of
Doctor of Philosophy as we'll as Doctor of Awful
AdJectives, and no doubt he approves the Astor-
Force wedding.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
TRIUMPH OF THE COMMONS.

TT HE British House of Lords has approved the
Il veto bill as the choice of evils Had the
Lords not bowed to the Commons, the creation
of new peers would have overwhelmed the Con-
servatves Of the Higher House. Less authority
with no additional peers seems TO have been their
motto. But the Lords know how to drop out of
a tree gracefully at the proper time
Premier Asquith and his able lieutenants by
their absolute stand for the powers of the elected
representatives over the hereditary peers, made
possible the right of the responsible electors to
plan and enforce their own fiscal legislation.
The House of Commons, made up of members
elected by the people who will in the future
be salaried officials, is to be the sole faction in
making up the annual budget deciding what shall
and shall not be taxed, and managing the British
government. Heretofore the House-of Lords had
equal power with the Commons in all legislation
Now it may, under the provisions of the bill passed
the other night by vote of l3l to li4 merely
suspend the operation of fiscal legislation for a
brief period but if the bill is repassed by the
Commons, it becomes a law regardless of the atti-
tude Of the upper house.
The amended law makes constitutional govern
ment a reality and perpetuates the Liberal control
OF British affairs for many years as the Conserva-
tive party is split in twain Home rule for Ireland
increased old age pensions, equitable taxation, all
of the measures advocated by David Lloyd George
and the Radical members of the Cabinet are ad-
mittedly certain of enaction and the Premier has
made it very plain that King George is supporting
their program.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
WAKE UP, THE
SUN is RISING
By John S. Hamilton.

1t is gratifying If it is not profitable
TO give ones imagination play and to
see in the minds eye what the future
may hold for Wilmington. That dis
trict bounded by Tenth, Eleventh.
orange and King streets may be con-
sldered the heart of the town and the
way 1t is shaping up, a mighty good
neart 1t is too. With a wide Tenth
street here and a wide Eleventh
street provided for, there should i'm
mediately be steps taken by an ordin-
ance to widen Orange street when i'm
provements are made on the west side
making three sides of this magnificent
block available for the changes that
are inevitable on these thoroughfares
within the limits named.
Ihe writer believes that the big re-
tail business Of the town will finally
concentrate on those streets facing
the DUPONT block and vicinity and IL
does not appear an impossibility 10
nave stores and attractions in that
locality that would not only keep
Wilmington buyers at home, but
would attract many who now go to
Philadelphia from other places to do
tneir buying here. II the investment
OF money in a first class hotel appears
Ike a good proposition and if the
engagement of a first class hotel man
appeals to business men like those in
charge of the DUPONT interests, Will
mington surely must suggest possi-
oilities that ordinary people have not
begun to dream about.
Planning for the future should not
be lost sight Of An ordinance NOV
ing the building line on the east side
Of Market street between Ninth and
Twelfth, back five feet at least, to
go into effect when changes are made
IN the property now on the ground
would also be a wise provision for
the days to come. If the Levy Court
would cement the Market street side
of the Court House lawn and provide
seats where the weary could rest
awhile and view the passing show and
outdoor public meetings be held It
might be a good thing. Above all,
/ however, if a few thousand Whining
ton voters would wake up and open
their eyes they might realize that they
could have what they liked in the way
of city If they would only shake off
an idiotic political superstition which
continues to hold them in its blight
ing and humiliating thralldom.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
Peoples Column
INCREASED RATES.
Another Burden on the Backs of the
TOilers by Advance in Car
Charges.

Another Burden on the Backs of the
TOilers by Advance In Car
Charges.
Editor of THE EVENING JOURNAL.
Beginning August 13 all fares on
the lines Of the Wilmington and
Philadelphia Traction Company will
be FIVE cents fiat and the six for a
quarter strip tickets will be with
drawn. To reduce this matter 10 its
last analysis this means that The Will
mington and Philadelphia Traction
Company has again increased the
Wilmington tax rate and put another
big and unnecessary burden on the
backs Of the already groaning toilers.
When The Wilmington and Philadel-
phia Traction Company only a few
weeks ago asked for a franchise for
the Wilmington City Electric Com
pany the writer in opposing the
granting Of the franchise warned the
citizens of Wilmington that If the
franchise we're granted that It meant
an additional hardship for the work
ers Of the city.
The expected therefore has hap
pened The traction company by the
Increase Of electric service has al
ready doubled the tax of current and
light users and made it almost i'm
possible for the city to secure any
more small manufacturers and now
they have decided to increase the
rents of the working people who are
compelled to live in districts remote
from the business and Industrial CEN
ters. II will be interesting to watch
what action the new Public Utilities
Commission will take on this matter.
The writer is inclined to think that
the people will hold them responsible
for this increase in rates If It goes
through. One of the powers Of the
commission, as the writer under
stands II, Is TO decide on what is a
reasonable rate. II the commission
does not show a disposition to safe
guard the interests Of the COM
munity in this matter the people arc
sure to hold them responsible and
there are many who will go fathe
than that and will claim that Mayor
Howell is responsible because oi
kind Of commission he selected.
August 12. John S. Hamilton.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
UP TO THE COMMISSION.

II HE action of the management Of the Whining
II ton and Philadelphia Traction Company in
deciding to do away with the strip tickets and sub
stituting straight fare of FIVE cents is not unex-
pected.
There we're rumors that this course would be fol-
lowed when the merger was Affected of the electric
interests, but the management evidently
decided TO make the changes by easy stages. The
same thing has been tried in other cities.
The increased rates are evidently subject for
the Public Utilities Commission, and 1t may be
that the advance was made for the purpose OF
trying out" the commission.
Evening journal., 1911-08-12
Editorial Opinion
Boosting Delaware.

Dover Delawarean.
We congratulate our contemporary.
The Delaware State News, for the
splendid boosting editorial they have
published for Delaware. While most
Of our state papers are Sitting
around and complaining" Of the dry
weather, the News points out how
the "soil responds most graciously"
to the little wet weather that has
followed the dry spell since July 4;
how the crops which were expected
to be a failure will, as a result Of
even this little moisture, turn out
from half to three-quarters as much
as in a good year; and that the
Delaware farmers and producers will
have enjoyed a really prosperous
year, notwithstanding many small
crop failures, which preclude a large
bonus In bank" Such a summary is
worthy Of our little state. No other
locality in the union could pick up
again after the long dry spell. as
Delaware has done. So when you get
tired Of your farm in the West, there
is only one thing now to do. as it has
always been, Come to Delaware"