davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
The Argus Daily Story
The Underwood Christmas-By Emma Bradley.
Copyrighted. Associated Literary

John Underwood stood looking OUT
of the window of a room over store
In the town Of Four Bridges. de had
rented the room of the storekeeper and
put in it q bed, washstand and
chair, and there he lived. when not
at work, lonely life. He was a sur
veyor and, having finished a job of lay
ing out the boundaries of a farm dur
ing the morning, had eaten his noon
meal and gone to his room to get away
as best he could with the time for
the greater part Of two days. Tomor-
row would be Christmas, and 1t would
not be convenient to begin another
work till the day after, because he
must be assisted by others, and those
others would not work on Christmas
day.
Large snow1akes were lazily falling.
and there Is nothing that will excite
the spirit Of Renaissance more quickly
than slowly circling snow. 1t soothes
John Underwood 1t brought thoughts
sweet, but melancholy. Through the
flakes he saw a happy home of a year
before. He was putting up Christ
mas tree, driving nails into the sup
ports, while his children danced about
with the decorations intended for it,
scarcely able to wait for him to finish
his work His wife was in the kitchen
preparing for the next days Christmas
dinner. which was expected to COM
prise more savory dishes than ever
/ before.
John Underwood saw his little tots
in their nightes hanging up their
stockings, little Johnny poking a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Albert T. Patrick, the New York
lawyer recently pardoned by Governor
Dix after he had spent II years in
lrison for the alleged murder of Will
liam Marsh Rice, has announced that
lie will fight to probate the second
Rice will He declares the forgery
Indictment found against him before
the murder indictment was without
foundation, and that he is willing to
stake his liberty upon his word.
Patrick's conviction on the murder
charge vas based on the belief that
he had forged the Rice will, under
the terms of which he was given ap-
proximately $4,000, 900.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
MANLIKE MANATEES.
These Queer Creatures Are Linked
With the Mermaid Myth.

With the Mermaid Myth.
In semitropical waters of America
there disports a member of that family
of aquatic mammals to which has been
ascribed the mermaid myth. Related
to the dugong and the now extinct
rhytina, we still have the manatee.
This name is preferred by some to
manati, under the impression that the
latter is the plural Of the Latin mana
tus' FURNISHED with hands,, though
the name is probably. of Mandingo ORR
gin.
The manatee is a herbivorous mann
NAL inhabiting the shadows about the
coasts of Florida, Mexico, central
America and the West Indies 1t is
not known to attempt the open sea and
does not possess the ability to come
ashore. This animal is somewhat
whalelike in shape, with a horizontal
tail fin. 1t is from eight to twelve feet
in length, the body being scantily GOV
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
HuInor and
Philosophy
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

THE passing show is always free.
That's why so many of US enjoy it
1t sometimes happens that those who
lack principle don't lack interest.
Fortune is tickle. but she spends no
time flirting with the man who goes
to bed when he should be getting up.
The last ny has eighty-seven lives
and uses them all to torment you when
you want to be quiet.
1t is hard to reconcile a woman to a
freckled faced son-ln-law.
Did you ever notice that what is mis-
fortune in yourself is apt to be care
lessness In another?
Some folks never begin to hurry till
the train pulls into the station.
Hitching your wagon to star may
be poetical, but 1t isn't half as practi-
cal as trading it for a secondhand auto.
The trouble with the man who blows
his own horn is that he seldom keeps
time with the rest of the orchestra.
Pay as you go; also collect on the
same route.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
A Modest Violet.

81 have about furnished my house.
said the eminent actress.
How about pictures?"
II have enough of myself to fill tia
parlor and the reception hall. l s'pose
I'll have to have some more taken for
the other rooms."-Louisville Courier
Journal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Easy,

"I am going to have a bunch OF
young girls in for the afternoon"
"Well?'
"I haven't the ghost of an idea what
to do with them"
mo trouble at all. Just give them a
box of chocolates. a fashion magazine
and a signed picture of the latest matt
nee idol and they will take care OF
themselves"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
An Inexpensive Ar1us.n.n,

did you ever" said Belinda. TRY
standing cents on edge? 1t can be
done il the cents are not worn They
Fan most easily be made to stand on
plotting paper, but they will stand on
smooth. polished table Try it some
time when other amusements flag
New York Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

The Country Press.
The country press,
Its praise I chant
AS at its page
/ take a slant.
Nor can I Join
The anvil gang
Whose business Is
To jeer and clang.
The items small
That only say
How Mrs. johnson
Went away
Have more import
Than one that tells
About the hats
OF city bellies.
Who cares about
Inc TURKISH plight.
It's read and soon
Forgotten quite.
The gossip of
The street and mart
Is every day
OF life a part.
The little world
1t represents
May not be full
OF grand events.
AS, while II sights
The larger show,
1t tells about
The folks We know
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

The film company that takes the
"movie' Of Jack Johnsons wedding
deserves to be boycotted and so does
the house that permits the picture to
be shown.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Dec. 4 in American
History.

1s61-The United States notified Eng
land France and Spain that It
would not join them in an armed
Intervention in Mexico.
1SS1-General Hugh Judson Fitzpatrick,
noted cavalry leader in the civil
war. died: born 1886.
1eOl-Mrs. Donald g. Mitchell, wife of
the author famous as TX Marvel.
died: born 1890.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Hard to Beat.

'%There's no rest for the wicked"
whats disturbing your slumbers?"
There's a new baby in the fat be-
low us, a ballet dancer in the fat
above, a pianist across the hall and
six cats in the alley"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
That's Enough.

Have you seen Fans latest fianceT'
Fan FlashmOre's"
yes
mo, but l can describe him."
How can you describe him il yo'
haven't seen him."
But l know Fan"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

A New Yorker wants a divorce De
cause his wife hasn't spoken to him In
IL years. Gee. but that man doesn't
know when he is blest
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Autoists' Terror.

"when did you come to town.
aust blew in"
"Any mishaps on the wayT
"Just a blowout"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

The Harvard football coach las
been reengaged for five years at
$4,000 a year. Some Of the profes-
SIGNALS receive $4,000 a year.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Only 10 football players have been
killed and so seriously injured this
year. Every year the game gets lit
tie less barbarous.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Now that the price OF haircutting
Is going up, don't you recall how
mother used to cut yours? Wasn't
II q fright?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

President-elect Wilson attended an
amateur theatrical performance in
Bermuda the other day. This shows
he is a forebearing man.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Sure.

A medical writer asks. Does position
AFFECT sIeep:" It does If the man Is
holding the position of a night watch
man.-New Orleans Picayune
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
A Mattar For a Hiahsr Court,

81 don't understand why Matilda has
sued me, judge" protested the defend
ant in a recent breach Of promise suit
Il only did the asking. while she did
the promising. Judges Library.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Governor Dunno doesn't want a mill.
tafy parade. His eight sons give him
enough marching
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Gladys Vanderbilt married Count
Sneeski. and she has title not TO be
sneezed at.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Somewhat.

do you know Scrags"
ayes
as he grasping"
"Grasping? / should say so! Why.
he never even lets so by a chance to
take cold"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

December Is also very much like
November.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Uncle Joe Cannon says the repub-
lican party is still big party" That's
So, It carried Vermont and Utah.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

All women are good, but they will
do, better II they do their Christmas
shopping early.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Come, join the ranks of Santa Claus
good fellows You will feel the bet
ter for II.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

To try to be happy at the expense Of
other people is TO be bad-Deland.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

What's the matter with a dozen
eggs for a Christmas present?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Insinuatinl.

Fan is going to art school,"
Twill she specialize on anything?"
Color. She wants to learn to paint
the human face"
well, she needs to learn"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Turkey is misnamed. Goose 1t
should be.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Insinuatind

Insinuatins.
"Do you smoke cigarettes"
"Only when ! feel bored"
"You seem disturbed"
81 find that / have left my cigarette
case at home"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Another Optjmist.

Tommy-Pop, what Is an optimist?
Tommy's Pop-An optimist. my son. ls
A man who is married and glad of it
Philadelphia Record.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04
Soma Lob.

"Got a Job for the winter?"
"A job? | should say so"
what Is it,"
Teaching a 200 pound girl to skate
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

Europe's shortest great war is DER.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

THE passing show is always free.
That's why SO many Of US enjoy it
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

1t sometimes happens that those who
lack principle don't lack interest.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
RoosevELT's CANDIDACY.

Col. Roosevelt's formal announce
ment that he is a candidate for the
presidency has been greeted with
enthusiasm by many, with apathy by
others and with disgust by some.
Judging by press reports he will not
have the popular following that he
had twelve and eight years ago, but
he will be a most conspicuous figure
and a dominating influence in the
campaign now warming up.
His candidacy seems to clear the
field and put the race for the repub-
lican nomination up to Mr.. Roose-
veit and President Taft. Both are
able men, though widely different in
temperament and IN mode of action.
The Colonel is a dashing, pushing
soldier, while President Taft is a
clear headed and methodical execu-
tive. Both have hosts of loyal sup
porters, and it is safe to predict the
most strenuous pre-convention fight
the republican party has known in
its history.
The three terms question and the
apparently unfair treatment which
Col Roosevelt has given President
Taft, will create new alignment
and will swing many admirers of Mr..
Roosevelt into the Taft camp, while
those whose toes have been tramped
upon by the present administration
will turn their influence to Col.
Roosevelt. Col. Roosevelt will also
have to prove that he can come back
after making moral pledge and pub
lie announcement only four years ago
that he would not,-"under any cir
cumstances,'' be a candidate for the
presidency again. We hope that the
split in the party which is sure to
come under present conditions may
not be severe enough TO bring defeat
to the candidate nominated in Chi
cago in June.
Meantime the race for republican
delegates goes merrny on. Twelve
more we're selected last week, six
each from Virginia and Georgia. Up
10 date forty-four delegates TO Chi
cago have been chosen, and forty
four Of them are for Taft. But there
are still over 1000 to be chosen.
Enough and to spare to promote
fight to fragile. .f...r .
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
a sNow oE The OLD DAYS.

Let no one imagine for a moment
that the snow of the night of the 25th
was an unprecedented fall. 1t remind
ed me of a similar storm in the winter
of 1S60-bI. l forget the exact date,
but it was late in January or early in
February. l was occupying the old
Methodist parsonage, at the north
street, which fronted south. l had ex-
amined the surroundings in the morn
ing and found the snow banked up
against the front door solidly nearly
u the top. A remarkable meeting
was appointed for that morning at
ten. But at breakfast l said to my
wife, Well, don't think there will
be any meeting this morning; the
people cannot get out" While yet
at the table l heard a noise at the
front door On opening it found
Mr.. Silas Scott, n. ]. Smith, VIM.
Kemper and some other old settlers
busy with their shoyels, letting me
out And they had cleaned the walks
to and about the church; and at the
appointed hour the house was filled
and the snow in no way INSTRUCTED
the meeting.
In February, 1860, a similar storm
from the south, at Des Moines, bank
ed the snow up against the front
walls of the one-story stores and
dwellings, which then ornamented the
north side of Walnut street, from the
river perhaps as far west as SEVENTH
or Eighth street.
E. H. WARING.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
"oTHERs AND U.s."

Oh we must raise the price, today,
of everything We sell;
These narrow margins fail to pay,
we hear the dealers tell,
OF ham and eggs and corn and wheat,
of clothes and coal and flour and
meat,
Oh, we must raise the price today,
and raise it high and make it pay.
Oh, we must raise the price today,
of everything we buy;
For long ago our lowly pay,
was spent, I'VE loudly cry"
OF things to wear and drink and eat.
of gas and rent and light and heat
Oh, We must raise the prise today,
but raise it quite a different way.
1912. Mol Rose.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
BOARD PROCEEDINGS,
Minutes OF the Regular
January Session of the
.a,s.- County Board.
OFFICIAL ANNUAL REPORTS
List of Claims Allowed and Other
Business Transacted.

Jan. 9, 1912.
Board met in regular session. Mem
bers all present.
Minutes of previous meetings read
and approved.
On motion of w. r. McVay and
seconded by Thos. ]. Wilson, that the
Board adjourn sine die.
On motion of Thos. ]. Wilson and
seconded by John Cleveland that w.
F. McVay be elected chairman for
the ensuing year. Yeas, Thos. ]. Will
son and John Cleveland.
The chairman named the following
committees for ensuing year:
Thos. J. Wilson, committee on
County Home.
John Cleveland, committee to care
for poor in Oskaloosa.
Bridge Committee
John Cleveland, Madison, Garfield.
Lincoln, Spring Creek, White Oak.
Adams and Black Oak.
Thos. ]. Wilson, jefferson, Scott
East Des Moines, West Des Moines,
Harrison and Cedar.
w. F. McVay, Richland, Prairie,
Union, Pleasant Grove and Monroe.
Spent the balance of day on claims
Adjourned to meet Jan. 3, 1872,
at 9 o'clock.
and2 o,ni..e6s eli .shr n en- hh
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29

impression that its promoters are pre-
senting something new, and that, OF
course, everybody must be for some
thing new in order to be progressive
"In the last days of the Roman re
public the laws were all enacted by
the tribes or centuries voting directly
upon the law, and there were no con
stitutional limitations upon the au
thority of the people. The popular
theory of the candidates was to offer
free bread and a free circus" II
was a common thing also to distribute
money among the voters-something
like the recent primary in Wisconsin
This method of enacting legislation
has led to the republic throwing the
government into the hands of one man
who had Just come back from across
the Rubicon. In the attempt to have
all the citizens do everything directly
it becomes relief to leave it to one
man, even though that one man was
a Tiberius or Nero.
Under this system the law was
passed banishing Cicero from Rome
and making it a criminal offense to
move to repeal the law.
1t is proposed now to make constitu'
lions easily amendsble by the people;
it is proposed that a law passed by
the people by a direct vote shall not
be held unconstitutional. 1t is also
proposed that equality of taxation
shall not be required. and l notice our
senior senator has recently an
nounced himself as opposed to equal
state taxation-I presume upon the
theory that by. relieving the largest
number of voters from taxation they
would show their appreciation at the
primaries and at the polls.
] think you overlooked the begin
ming of all our trouble, and that is the
abandonment of party responsibility
by the statewide primary.
In the south, where this scheme was
invented, there are no parties-merely
factions; and they sent us a JEFF
Davis and a Vardaman to the senate
As representatives of this system
No party can be held responsible for
its acts when is primaries are not
controlled by the parties, and are not
controlled by men who have no inter
est in the party's acts and who throw
he party's control to its enemies. ga
true republican government is one by
party, and the party in power should
be held absolutely responsible for
everything it does.
This system has worked we'll in the
past. The present system has worked
badly in the present. Oregon, it is
pointed out, is a model for our imita-
ton. Oregon has been strongly repub-
lican. 1t elected its legislature by an
overwhelming republican vote, pledged
to obey a referendum, in which the
minority of the majority combined
with the party not in power and We
have from the republican" state OF
Oregon one democratic senator and
one populist castiI ) the votes OF
Oregon in congress against the will
of the majority of the voters of the
party in Dream. This system is call
ed progressive" but calling it so does
not make it so. 1t is merely barking
back to the last and worst days OF
the Roman republic.
Yours truly, J. F. Lacey.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29

Der. India ink is Chinese product
and India rubber comes from South
Afaerica. Cancels hair brushes are
not made from the hair of camels, but
from the hair of the tails of Russian
and Siberian squirrels. Cancels hair
is, however, employed in the manu-
facture of certain fabrics to be made
into shawls, etc, and is sometimes
mixed with silk.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
REFERENDUM AND RECALL.

In response 10 letter addressed
to him by promoters of the Club,
Major Lacey has written the Consti.
tutional Government Club Of Iowa as
follows:
II cordially approve of the non
partisan movement in your city in
favor of standing by the republic of
our fathers. as outlined in the pub
lished charter of the Constitutional
Government club of Ottumwa.
"The present craze for the initiative
and referendum is supported by the
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Tuesday, Jan. Q. 1911:

Tuesday, Jan. Q, 1912.
Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Members all present.
On motion the hearing Of the drain
age petition Of H. B. Nelson, ct al, Is
continued until Jan IL, 1912, at 10
o'clock. 1t appearing to the. Board OF
Supervisors of Mahaska County that
said land sold under the Swamp land
act in Feb. 1862, the southeast quar-.
ter of the southeast quarter OF Sec
ton twenty t20), township seventy
seven I'D north of range seventeen
(17), west, to John Roark, and 1t APP
pearing that said deed is lost and Is
not recorded and II appearing that
o. o. Riggs and c. Fl. Core are now
the owners Of said real estate. Be 1t
Resolved, by the Board Of Supervisors
of Mahaska county, Iowa, that said
county execute deed to the Sc "a
OF the SEX OF section twenty GOD,
township seyenty-seven I'D north
OF range seventeen I'D, west to O.
q Riggs and C. H. Core and l..
Briggs, auditor. Is hereby authorized
to execute said deed on behalf OF
said Mahaska county, and deliver the
same to said owners thereof.
On motion Board adjourned to meet
Jan. 10, 1912 at 900 o'clock.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1912.

Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Members all present.
On motion the auditor is authorized
to abate $16.69 C. B. G Q. railroad,
double assessment.
On motion of John Cleveland and
seconded by Thos. J. Wilson, that no
one be admitted to County Home only
on order of Board of Supervisors.
On motion of John Cleveland and
seconded by Thos. ]. Wilson, that
they designate the Oskaloosa Times,
Oskaloosa Herald, Saturday Globe,
New Sharon Star, and Fremont Ga
zette as the official papers of Mahaska
county for the year 1912, at the rate
of 20 cents per 10 lines of BREWER
type, or its equivalent.
Adjourned to meet Jan. 4, 1912, at
8 o'clock.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Ninety Years In One ssrvIe.

Perhaps the worlds record fdt sery.
Ice Is held by the occupant of a grave
IN the churchyard at Battle, Sussex,
England. This is Isaac Ingall who died
In 1913 at the age Of 100. For ninety
years he was in the service of the
Websters of Battle Abbey. Sarah
thompson OF Belfast served SO years
with one family, dying in 1895.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Monday, Jan. Is, 191:

Monday, Jan. Is, 1912.
Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Members all present.
In the matter of Road Petition OF
Mary Roster ct al, on motion of John
Cleveland, and seconded by Thos. j.
Wilson, said cause is continued until
April 8, 1912, at 100 o'clock P. M.
Moved by Cleveland and seconded
by Wilson, that the petition for divis-
ion of Madison township be denied.
On motion w. H. Broerman is
elected steward of County Home for
one year beginning March l, 1912,
at a salary Of $500 per year,
On motion ]. E. Morgan is elected
County Physician for year at salary OF
5000 per year.
Adjourned to meet Jan. 16, 1912, at
9 o'clock
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Saturday, Jan. IS, 49,

Saturday, Jan. 10, 1912
Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment Members all present.
Spent the day on miscellaneous
business.
Adjourned to meet Jan. Is, 1912. at
loo o'clock.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Monday, Jan. S, t91s

Monday, Jan. s, 1912.
Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Members all present.
On motion the auditor is authorized
to abate the taxes on lots $500 Elida,
property of Mrs David Morgan.
Also to abate the taxes on n1A Of
lots 1917 Elida, property of Celia
Stafford Est, year 1910.
Adjourned to meet January 9, 1912,
at 900 o'clock.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Thursday. Jan. 4. 1912.

Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment Members all present.
On motion the auditor is authorized
to abate 1882 in the nA NV, sw, Sec.
7-75-14, property of Mahaska county.
On recommendation of trustees of
Prairie township, NJ. cambridge is APP
pointed Clerk to succeed L. r. Raj
ferty resigned.
Also T. NJ. Ridpath is appointed as
SCISSOR to fill vacancy caused by re,
moval of Jno. Haines.
On motion the auditor is authorized
to issue warrant for S1.00 to S. S.
DeCook for erroneous dog tax.
Also on recommendation of the City
Council of Oskaloosa, abate the taxes
on lot 2. N. w. & Co. add, property of
Jerry Finnerty.
Also the road taxes of Omer E.
Long, VIII Dyer and Alfred Elkins
for the year 1910 on account Of dis
ability.
Also the taxes on lot 4, blk. 10,
Houtz's add, assessed to Louisa Gay
lord, remaining unpaid prior to as
sessment Of 1911.
Adjourned to meet Jan. 5, 1912, at
900 o'clock.
The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-29
Wednesday. Jan. 10. 1912,

wednesday, Jan. 10. W.T..
Board met pursuant TO adjourn
menu. Members all present,
On motion the auditor is authorized
to redeem lot 1872, O'Neil's add, sold
in 1908, soldiers widow.
Spent balance of day cancelling
warrants.
Adjourned to meet Jan. II, 1912 at
8 o'clock.