davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
EVENING CHIT
BIZ RUTH CAMERON.

1t is a well recognized fact that, in re-
spect to almost all his possessions and
customs, the average persons tastes are
subject to the fluctuations of fashion
There are constantly changing styles in
everything about us, in our furniture and
our houses, our jewelry and our summer
resorts, our flowers and our automobiles
our food and our fiction. But did it ever
occur to you that there are even styles
in words?
You have probably observed that a GER
tain shade of brown and a bright red,
called hunters pink" are the new colors
for the spring. Now, of course, that does
not mean that these colors are new in the
sense that they did not exist. 1t simply
means that we will have a run on them
this season. In just the same way we
have runs words. Take the word
efficiency for instance. Prior to the
last two years, how often would the aver
age person have run across that word?
Perhaps half a dozen times a year. And
today, anyone who reads or talks much
has a good chance of meeting it as many
times in a week. Efficiency in business"
efficiency in school organization" "effi-
cheney in the church, mental efficiency"
physical efficiency, '-phraseS like these
are continually aSSailing his eyes or ears.
Again, take the word Strenuous" Fiji
teen years ago would your correspondent
ever have thought of writing to you that
would probably have said that she had
had a very busy week. the word ''stren-
uous' in those days would have sounded
very strange to you. But two or three
years ago-I do not say today because
the vogue of strenuous is already be-
ginning to pasS-thiS was the natural
word to express such a condition.
Negligible is a word which has come
into common use during the last five
years. 1 had a striking proof of this fact
when, after having used the word and
having been asked its meaning, turned to
the dictionary to support my definition and
to be found in very recent edition of
the dictionary. In this respect, of course,
it is different from the other words cited,
in that they were catalogued, but not
commonly used.
Some other words which have been sug-
gested to me as words which are, or have
been, in vogue, are "charm''-in the sense
of attractiveness, 'awonderful''''-'Is this
servation." "Co-ordinate,' I am told, is
the very latest thing in words. Every
where, you hear such expressions as The
pupil must coordinate his faculties" 1t
bids fair to be a successor in popularity
to deficiency
In the case of many of these words
there's a reason. Some movement or
some event has brought them into prom
from the deficiency engineer movement;
conservation" from the western con-
servation talk; and Strenuous well, I'm
quite sure I don't need to mention the
source of that words prominence. other
words seem to spring into popularity for
no apparent reason, much in the inexplicaA
BILE manner in which styles in other things
appear.
Thus even in words, we are all bell
wethered and follow meekly after each
other; so even in words we must have
change of style, and the only thing which
is always in fashion is change of fashion.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
SAYS UNCLE CIV

We hear a good deal of mushy SEN
timent about the "redemptive love of
woman" 1t is not for us to decry
any force whatsoever that makes for
the uplifting of mankind, but, just the
same, I can't get enthusiastic over the
saving of a fellow who needs a wom-
ans tears and heartbreak to keep him
out of the gutter. After all, the only
man worth tying to is he who has
enough iron in his veins and bone in
his spinal column to be the thing that
he is for the sake of the thing itself.
Usually the man who is saved by
his Wife is henpeck who is ready to
get into trouble again the minute that
he musters courage to assert himself.
Nobody was ever very good by proxy.
The man whose friends lift him out
of the mire and put him on his feet
may have done a good deed as has
the wife who reformed an erring hus-
band, but the men worth saving fight
their own battles. He who has to
depend upon another for his moral
courage is lodging a burden that is
borne by all manly men, and the chap
who hasn't sinew enough in his make
weight upon society.
It's a might small man who expects
to get to heaven or live as a man
among men by grace of the ''redemp-
tive love- of a good wife. He is hard
ly less small who expects to accom-
pIish the same results by hanging to
the coattails of his friends.-( Copy
right, 1912, by w. E. Williams.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
INEFFICIENT PRIMARIES.

Remember you do not have to be
enrolled in any party to vote at this
primary"
This is a portion of an advertisement
that was inserted in one of the Spring
field newspapers by the Massachusetts
Roosevelt committee relative to the
preferential presidential primary which
is to be held in that state Tuesday.
Not only is 1t an almost open, and
likewise a most unfair appeal for the
support at this primary of the Massa-
chusetts Democrats who may be adj
rnirers of Colonel Roosevelt. 1t points
out the shallowness of the pretensions
that primaries can be fair and square
except when they can be participated
in only by the members of a party
who are properly enrolled in it. Such
an enrolment can easily be provided
for by law. 1t necessitates, of course,
the definite affiliations for time with
the parties of their choice by such
voters as care to participate in their
conduct. Such a declaration has to be
made by them, and should be made
properly and l'.ore conveniently at the
regular election prior to the primary.
1t can be done secretly and by a ballot
Then plenty of time is given for the
preparation of the party rolls for use
at the ensuing primary. There is moth
ing in such a plan which would violate
the secrecy of any mans ballot at any
election. His utilization with a party
for approximately a year would not
prevent him from casting a vote on
election day for a candidate in any
other party, if he so desired. But it
would prevent him from taking part
in the selection Of the candidates of
any party but the one to which he had
attached himself for the time being.
He could change his party affiliations
yearly, if he wished, and that is often
enough for any man who believes in
the conduct Of politics through party
organizations.
Any other primary but one so con-
stituted is a fraud on its face and is
not worthy of the support and en-
couragement OF honest-minded men. In
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27

breaking and offered-offered you your
freedom so that"
'Oh, my dear. don't you know that
it is no bondage to be bound to the
woman I love? 1t is my only happi-
ness. You asked me not to mention
our engagement until your father came
from Europe. That is why my mother
did not know. She will be waiting for
you with open arms"
But Miss Morris is beautiful and
accomplished, Charley. She can sing,
while II can do nothing
''Nothing?"
But I love you," came a very soft
answer.
That is all that I want and more
than deserve. Mother is here to-
night. Won't you go with me to tell
her? She will be so happy. You shall
sea-
When they found his mother sit
ting a little apart from the others
waiting for an ice somebody had gone
to get for her, she rose promptly, sInll-
ing, her hands held out to the girl.
Are you coming to tell me that
you are going to make my boy happy
at last?" she asked.
do you want me? Are you sure
that I can make him happy"
Yes" said the older woman, there
has never been anybody but you for
him. I tried to help Charley along by
making you jealous today. 1 wonder
If I succeeded in precipitating mat
ters?"
"How?" asked the two, in one breath.
Charley has seemed so excited all
the past week that I decided you had
refused him. Believing that little
jealous flame often consumes a girl S
Subbornness, when ! saw you near me
at the party this afternoon I deliber-
ately said that 1 hoped Charley would
love Miss Morris. 1 had asked him as
a favor to me to take her riding"
Il heard you and 1 broke my en-
gagement to give Charley a chance to
please you and I nearly broke my
own heart for two hours
And mine," said Charley, pressing
her hand.
When they had moved away, along
a little jasmine bordered path, Charley
lifted her hand and shook his head
sadly
THE proof that you belong to me
is gone. 1t makes me very unhappy
not to see it flaming there
Alice pulled at a thread-like chain
and out of her bodice came his circle
of gems.
Put it on again. she whispered.
this time with the blessing of the
family upon it."-(Copyright, 1912, by
Associated Literary Press.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
REGULATING MoroRCYCL1srs.

Some restrictions on the conduct of
motorcycles will be necessary in To-
peka sooner or later, and the sooner
the better. The reckless operation OF
motorcycles is as much menace to
life and public safety as is any kind
of carelessness in the handling of any
kind of motor-driven vehicles. A city
ordinance in Chicago requires every
man, wishing a companion while rid
ing a motorcycle, to place the extra
person on a rear seat. This regulation
has done much to avoid serious acct
dents in the vicinity. 1t is not reason
able to suppose that a person riding
a motorcycle can properly manage his
machine with another person sitting
directly in front of him. And it would
be a good plan to lock this stable door
in Topeka before a disaster makes an
emphatic demand that it be done.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
GLOBE SIGHTS
BY THE ATCHISON GLOBE.

Some men get out of a rut and get lost
on the prairie.
Popularity sometimes is based on prom
tses that can't be kept.
Best times usually those some dis
tance In the past or future.
Anyone can raise parsnips, but that is
no reason why anyone should.
A real dog lover wishes he could paw
taxes on the whole canine colony
How cold and cruel a really pretty
woman can be, and get away with it.
About the saddest exercise is that of a
mother throwing her daughter at some
man.
Next to chasing a man, a woman will
run hardest in pursuit of premium
stamps.
Our notion of smart man is one who
can make money from Cancelled postage
stamps.
A state flower never amounts to as
much as the other agricultural products
of that commonwealth.
Contempt of court would go a long
ways toward supporting the government
if fines could be collected on all of it.
Generally speaking, a Socialist is per-
son who wasn't treated as he thought he
should be by the other parties.
There is great deal of unselfishness in
the world; consider. for example, the
amount of money squandered on hospi-
tally.
1t doesn't seem long to father from the
time his daughter likes to hunt violets in
the woods until she wants them sent
from the greenhouse by another man.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
QUAKER fluctuations.


LFrom the Philadelphia Record.l
Some people seem tireless in being tire
some.
Cool treatment naturally doesn't make
warm friends.
The worst about greeting Misfortune
with smile is that she is apt to give you
the laugh.
The baseball fan says that like charity,
the catcher's Ieg-guards cover a multitude
of shinS.
Would you say that a girls kisses were
like cocktails just because her lips were
like cherries?
If it is lucky to have a rabbits foot
the rabbit should be extremely fortunate,
for he has four.
The Cynical Bachelor rises to remark
that some people only seem to marry on
the principle that misery loves company.
Miss Yellowleaf-'Lots of men have
wanted to marry me-" Miss Giddithing-
'sWhat-er-caused them to change their
minds?'
Nell-"The man she is going to marry IS
a millionaire, but he has an impairment
in his speech" Belle-'What difference
does that make? Money talks"
Mr. FIatdweller-''That baby next door
must be dead" Mrs. "Graci-
ousi What makes you think SOP" Mr..
FIatdweller-"It hasn't cried for nearly
an hour
why are you sad. little boy?" asked
the old gentleman IF you had to wear
your big brothers made-over trousers. /
guess life even to you would seem
dreary ex-pants,'' replied the little boy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
AYHAWKER JOT:S

Since the Titanic disaster, points out
the Emporia Gazette, small matters
like tornadoes don't attract much at
tention.
One swat will not make a summer
fyless, says the Salina Journal, but the
earlier it is done, the more nearly will
it come to accomplishing it.
This good story is credited by the
Holton Signal to our old friend Eek -
An estimable wife received a telephone
message from her husband one after
noon informing her that business had
called him out of town and that he
would be away one night. The next
day a telegram arrived for the hus-
band The wife not knowing where TO
reach him, Immediately thought of his
six closest friends, and wired each of
them as follows: Did John pass the
night with you last night?" Each one
thinking he was doing his comrade a
good turn, wired back, yes, John was
here with me last night"
Funny how praise affects different
people, commented the weary trades
man who stopped at the Atchison
Globes Wailing Place after the days
rush was over Il have a man in my
employ who might displace the whole
force, and do all the work himself if [
were to brag enough on his business
methods. At any rate, he is always as
appreciative of praise as try to be of
his work, and I don't mind telling him
about it occasionally; it makes us both
feel better. But there is the other kind
who take appreciation as a standing
invitation to loaf. They are ALWAYS
afraid they are doing too much, and
don't usually stay long. If they do will
at the start like the celebrated new
broom, they begin to getsover it as soon
as you admit it. Of course it is the ap-
preciative one who gets along best and
holds the best job
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27


1t will be noticed that among these
characteristics which Simon Peter
urges as being of the utmost impor-
lance for a man to develop If he is
going to try and approach the ideal,
temperance does not occupy an incon-
spicuous place. 1t is put by him as
being next in consequence to knowl-
edge. And, indeed, it is the balance
wheel on which hinges right living
Altogether too many people appear
to have the idea that temperance is
concerned chiefly with eating and
drinking. But it means much more
than that. 1t means moderation in all
things AS such it is virtue, and one
that is we'll worth of cultivation by
everybody who is old enough to think
and act for himself. Through its prac-
tice a man is able to restrain every
desire of the heart and body according
to the best dictates of reason, and re-
Iigion as we'll. Even the highest, the
most desirable of virtues may some
times be injured by excess of 1ndul-
gence, as by a lack of its practice. And
what would oftimes be a virtuous ac-
ton may by intemperance of perform
ance be rendered vicious.
Human passions incline everybody
TO run INTO excuses III oil L4AlAASS. AM
all excuses have a bad effect. TO
curb and control the tendencies to-
ward them is essential if one is to put
his best into life, anC get the best out
of it in return. This can only be done
by a rigid practice of temperance in
thoughts as we'll as deeds
There are few people who are not
Incorporate in many things, outside of
eating and drinking. Anything that
fatters their inclinations, that is pleas
ing to their senses, appeals strongly
to them And they are apt to give
free rein to their desires. Thus do
they carve out paths that lead to dis
agreeable endings, that weaken them
in mind or body, that harm their
regulations; that soon make them I'M
desirable citizens in the eyes of others
The perfect man has not made his ap-
pearance on earth since the time OF
the wonderful Jesus of Nazareth. To
reach perfection in manhood is well
nigh an imp disability. But that is no
reason why there should not be con-
tinual striving for such heights. And
there is no surer way of approaching
them than by the practice of temper
ance in it's larger and complete mean
characterization in all things.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
CFrom the Chicago News

[From the Chicago News1
Better a night worker than a day
dreamer.
One interested listener an orator has is
himself
The flat hunter is handicapped by no
game laws.
His satanic majesty loves to fish i'll
troubled waters.
You may have noticed that a kicker is
usually headstrong also
A girl seldom scores a hit if she throws
herself at a mans head.
Perhaps dynamite would prove efficient
in elevating some of the stages
A woman never forgets her first love-
nor forgives herself if she marries him.
Nothing pleases a grandmother more
than to have a man say she doesn't LOOK
it.
We sometimes wonder if a poet doesn't
feel sorry for people who have nothing
but money
II takes a woman to tell other women
how she trusts her husband, just as If she
really did.
It's usually much easier for a mans
fool friends to get the best of him than
it is for his enemies.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27

fact there can be no other kind of a
proper primary, unless it is the pur-
pose of certain of the political promot-
ers to destroy every vestige of the po-
litical parties and government by par
ties. The primary was originally put
out as a plan whereby the voters OF
a party could select directly their can
didates for the public Offices. AS such,
there is much to recommend it. But it
ceases to be such a political method
when any voter. at will can participate
IN the nomination of candidates in any
party that he chooses to affiliate with
for a no longer time than it takes
ing primary ballot.
This defect in the primary system has
always prevailed right here in Kansas.
1t has been more apparent since the
opinion was given by a former states
attorney general of the Republican "in-
surgent" type that no voter could be
deprived of participating in the prl-
mary of any party, according to his
pleasure. There need be no test of
his partisansnip. He could join what
ever party he pleased at the instant
of his entering the voting booth on prl-
mary day. Such an opinion was I'M
doubtedly permissible under the terms
of the Kansas primary law. But 1t
demonstrated nothing of fairness in
such a primary system. In fact, 1t
exposed clearly its ridiculous weak
ness.
Similar primary. systems in vogue in
massachusetts. Oregon and elsewhere
are quite unfair enough in their unpro-
tected and unsafeguarded state But
when a candidate for a party nomina-
ton. either by his own act or through
his managers, will make a direct bid
for support 1T the primaries of those
voters other than members of his own
party, the depths of political degrade
ton have been reached.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
by THE WY
BY HARVEY PARsONa.

rms department has the best pos
slole excuse for being a poor piece of
furniture. 1t is home made. Our two
worthy contributors, Ponce and Leon
mac arthur, have deserted. One is
connected with the Journalism depart
| ment or the Missouri university, and
the other, so far as we know, may be
best represented by the arbitrary (x)
of algebra.
! Advice to the wop who is always
ueslrouS OF starting something: There
is nothing better on hand just at this
moment, than q resolution commend
ing Hon Bruce Ismay for his bravery.
Pooh pooh, tush-tush, etc. says
Hon. Roosevelt in answer to specific
charges. And, by jogging ones mem
DRY, one may remember that it is
ABOUT as near as Hon. Roosevelt ever
came to explaining a number of his
doubtful deals.
Local lady is suing her life com
panfon for separation on the grounds
that he won't talk to her. And if he
talked to her like some husbands talk
70 their wives, she would be suing
MIN, just the same-and would have
dangsight better excuse for bring
ing suit.
A local cop, who has suffered much
at the hands of jay drivers. being de-
tailed a traffic squad" and held
accountable for all accidents on his
corner, thinks the auto driver should
De made to wear a purple suit and
carry red flag during the first six
months or his training. with a dan
ger signal like that" says cop num-
Der 'steen, "the pedestrian might have
some warning. When he saw a red
nag coming, he would have time to
jump into an open area-way, or climb
pole. AS it now stands, he thinks the
auto driver has some sort of control
or the machine, and may not jump
quick enough Harry Belts has an
drivers should have their auto num-
berS on the front end, and have tires
made like rubber stamps, so that the
impression Of the number would be
left on the recumbent form of the I'M
lucky pedestrian.
Wilbur Glenn Voliva and his bunch
spent a night in prayer to prevent a
gang of Chicago workmen from desc
Grating the holy city of Zion by chew
ing tobacco within its sacred precincts.
OF course it didn't occur to Wilbur
and his bunch to prevent the Awful
Dissertation by doing the work them
selves and avoiding the necessity of
importing those awful Chicago tobac-
co chewers.
An effort is being made to save Rev.
Richeson, but if newspaper reports
are correct, he isn't worth saving for
the ministry, and no other division of
this worlds activities would have him.
We are not in the cartoon business
just now. If we were, our next would
be a picture of Hon. Taft spanking
Hon Teddyfelt and remarking the
while. Il really hate to do it,
AS predicted by this departm
Hon. Roosevelt is now so busily en-
gagged in defending some of his past
acts that he hasn't time to use the
word liar more than twice in each
sentence of his speeches.
If you have other things to crouch
about, hurry up and get through with
them. The chigger will be with you
presently.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27

been placed on record. but the chances
are that their failure to record wills
is not so much du1 to superstition as
to common sense. The richest men in
the world keep their wealth in con-
slant circulation, and a man rated at
ten millions could not conscientiously
distribute that sum by will unless he
knew he was going to die in "a hours.
BY reason of his practices and the
chances he takes, he couldn't tell
week ahead of time whether he would
die possessed of ten millions or $3.50
less than nothing, and he may not feel
justified in leaving something he
doesn't OyNn
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-27
JOURNAL ENTRIES

The man who has to fight his battles
alone is in a hard way.
y x y
Not a few men make the same mis-
takes so often, they become bad
It is pretty difficult for everybody to
SiOnS.
X y \
Most of the lessons in the school of
experience are unpleasant ones to learn.
X =
If most men were absolutely original.
the chances are they wouldn't get on as
well as they do.