davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10


An unreasonable conceit Of ones
own superiority in talents or beauty,
or wealth, or statias in life. which
| manifest itself in lofty airs, distance,
reserve and often in the contempt Of
others-that is pride. That il also
why it should be fought against by
those who are obsessed with it. And
they make up a considerable proper
ton OF the whole people. This is be-
cause there is no passion quite SO nat
ural and likewise so subtle. But It
should be harnessed into submission
For It branches out into many other
vices The proud become vain-glori-
GUS Indeed, vanity is but an ostenta-
ton of pride, They become fond of
the applause of men. They become
overly-ambitfous. They fall in love
with worldly honors and court them
assiduously. They become hypocrit-
ical, disdainful and obstinate They
become contentious and conceited-
And because of these attitudes that
they assume, the contempt in which
they hold others acts like boom
erang. 1t is shoWered back thous-
and-fold upon their own heads.
Nothing good ever comes of such
an inordinate self-esteem. The man
is, as a matter of fact. rather weak
minded. As Pope put it: pride, the
never-failing vice of FOOLS Few men
are much superior to countless other
men who have had similar advantages
and opportunities. And If they think
they are and take great pains to i'm
press their thoughts in this line on
their friends and acquaintance, it
shows weakness of intellect that will
eventually prove to be their undoing.
If there is one kind of pride, though,
which is worse. which is more despica
BILE than any other, it is the pride
which Stimulates humility. Coleridge
expresses this thought forcibly in his
rhyme which runs:
''And the devil did grin, for his darling
sin.
The man who is saturated with self
esteem. who is so marked with it that
he who runs may read, and then tries
to make believe that he is humble in
spirit-he is the worst of the hypo-
critics.
Humility should be courted, how
ever. just as diligently as pride should
be stunned. 1t is the opposite virtue
of the vice of pride. To be free from
pride and arrogance, to have a mod
est estimate of ones own worth, to
have a sense of ones own unworthi-
ness through imperfections a-many
and sinfulness=these are the things
that count in the development of
desirable manhood. These are the
conditions of mind which make for
real happiness. That's the goal for
which everybody is striving, although
some. it must be confessed have a
peculiar way of going after 1t. And
the rewards are not small, either. for,
as the apostle, Simon Peter, wrote in
his first epistIe: God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the hum
bfe
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
KANSAS cOEAEET
GETTING AHEAD or KANSAS.

GETTING AHEAD OF KANSAS.
Kansas Is losing its laurels. a rev
weeks ago there arose out of that fertile
plain. western Kansas-which geog-
raphy now in use in the Kansas schooiS
classes as a part of the American DeS
ert'' a story that the jaclzrabbits we're
robbing the farm stock In the reed Sarus
during the frigid weather. Now comes
Princeton, Ind, with the story that we
chickens on the farms there spend Toe
cold days riding around on the backs or
the sheep in order to keep their cav
warm. The fowls. so the story reau1s
would hop Off "A sheep's back. pick UP !.
kernel OF corn, and then hop back 70
warm their toes 1t is now the JA3hAM--
er's move.-Ottawa Herald
CANDIDATES AND HOME SUPPORT,
IL used &c be taken as matter OF
course that a candidate should nave
his home delegation but this ~ NOT
true now. IT used TO be that TOT a
candidate to fail to secure his nom
delegation meant his elimination from
the contest That is not true now y
back fire has been started around haI-
mon In Ohio and he does not hope TOT
solid delegation. In New Jersey al
the Wilson supporters hope for ~ ~
divided delegation giving their goVernoI
the majority. II Taft gets Ohio solu
it will be a surprise. But this does
not count against these candidates any
more. The entire country is takinE
a hand and no one state can preselt
a candidate.-Lawrence Journal Woflu'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Mr.. Carnegie. who retired from the
steel business a few years ago with
clear profit of $3.50, o0o. 900, has repeat
eddy stated of late that material re-
auctions in the steel tariff would not
be detrimental TO the steel industries Of
this country. Mr. Schwab insists that
reductions along this line as proposed
by the steel revision bill which has
passed the house will ruin his bust
ness. In other words, perhaps, Mr..
Sch~ab hes not yet had sufficient tirue
to make a pile as large as Mr.. Carne-
EfefS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
REFLECTIONS OF a BAcHrr.nn.

From the New York PressI
The quickest way for a man 20 .
home in time for dinner is FOR him 10 he
hungry - 'e
When a girl viii wear overshoes. she.
risk it u
What makes It 50 hard FOR a man 40 h.
a good husband Is he Is perfectly esti"3
fled he Is N''-
AFTER divorce rumors the most interast
ing thing In the village Is the far1fi..
wash on the line. '"iy
The man who can abuse wealth .h.
II the wealth was his. "'i'u er
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Emperor William of Germany con-
tinues to maintain his position as the
foremost universal peace enthusiast by
the reparedness-f or-war route His
speech frola the throne at the recent
opening Of the reichstag was concerned
almost wholly with a demand for ad-
dition to the military and naval forces
of his country. This must have been
anything but cheerful news for the
German proletariat who are now pretty
nearly taxed to death for military and
naval purposes. Incidentally. you won't
have to listen hard or long to hear the
war-dogz of England howl for the con-
struetion of another dozen dread
aoughts of assorted sizes and a larger
xrmT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

When Mr.. Gompers falls into Shakes
pearean lingo, the chances are that he
will attach a glossary to make the nee
@ssary explanations. At any rate that
might be a good plan. 1t might save
all kinds of annoyance for him and his
friends. However, this is not chronic
habit with Mr. Gompers. There was
nothing vaguely Shakespearean about
his declaration that the McNamaras
were innocent.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Incidentally. 1t might be well to recol-
1ect on the anniversary of Lincoln's
birth, which comes next Monday, that
during his ineumbency in office he was
the most rra 1igned and misrepresented
president that this nation ever haG,
and he proved to be one of the greatest, if
not the greatest of chief executives that
ever presided over the nations desti-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

cord. Whatever We do here, dis
pIeases him have followed Don
Quixote of Nebraska until I have
wearied of warning upon windmill
All of which added to the richness Of
the situation, the gaiety of nations
and showed that there is at least more
Democratic discord than there is Re
publican harmony
[Chapter CxII next week, or week
after
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

An investigation OF the money trust
has been ordered by the Democratic
majority of the house of representa-
tives. So has an investigation of the
Florida Everglades land case. The
Democrats in the lower branch of the
Sixty second congress are evidently
trying to make 1t certain that they
will go down in history as the cham
pion investigators.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
DAFFYDKL..
BIZ U. NOALL..

If Maryss lamb butted Alice hard
would Alice in Wonderland
(E5e bit your father. Sic i'm Tige.)
If Taft discharged Morse whom did
the Equitable fire?
tKfck his crutcI1 III hit him when
he falIs.)
Whenever there's trouble ON a rail-
way is the engineer?
fF1ash the red-ligElt boys. The one
track road is blocked.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Surely there cannot be much objec-
ton on the part of any one, with the
possible exception of the express com
panies, to the zone PLAN for a. par
cells post. At any rate, some limited
parcels post plan, at least, should be
given a fair and square trial. In all
If the countries where it mas been es-
tahlished for many years, there are as
many local and country merchants in
business as there ever was But under
this zone plan there is no possible
chance Of the business of such mer-
chants in this country being injured in
ar7v way
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Business conditions at Wichita must
be considerably poorer this year than
they were last. It will be remembered
that when the Wichitans lost their ball
team last year. it was announced in
their behalf that they were all so busy
they had no time to give any atten-
tin1a to baseball eames
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

There was nothing that savored much
of a real irish political rally in the first
big home rule meeting that was held
at Belfast the other day. Not a single
head was broken, either with a fist, a.
shilIeIah or 4 black-thorn cane.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Sometimes 4 poor excuse is better
than none. But to call special sas-
sion of the legislature for the pri-
mary purpose of adopting a new bridge
law does not seem to come within even
that category
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Harmony in the Democratic party ap-
pears to be an impossibility. Mr.. Bryan
continues to fnd fault with the way his
brethren in the house of representa-
tives go about their business.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Bear in mind that the recent in
creases in the price of silver merely en-
Fances the value of that metal when
it is in the form of bars. The pur-
chasing power of two-bits will remain
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
E'UI.L LEASED WIRE REPORT
OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Advices from Washington would seem
to indicate that Judge Hook has be-
come the victim of one.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

It is reported that the Topeka state
asylum is paying institution, but up
to a late hour this afternoon, no pros
pectus had been issued or stock offer
ed for sale in the kansas Nut Farm
Company
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

The Chinese system of handling a
similar case would entail an inquest,
rather than an investigation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
RY TIE WY
BY HARVEY PARSONS.


But whatever else you may say
about the Lorimer investigation, it
hasn't broken any speed regulations.
The Chinese system of handling
similar case would entail an inquest,
rather than an investigation.
# il reported that the Topeka state
asylum is paying institution, but up
TO late hour this afternoon, no pros
pectus had been issued or stock offer
Cd for sale in the kansas Nut Farm
Company
In the accepted term, one has to be-
come dead before becoming an angel,
and IN theatrical parlance the differ
ence is but slight: to become theatre
cal angel, one begins by becoming
dead easy.
Most any late-coming husband can
think of a good story to tell his wife;
the trouble lies in getting chance to
tell it.
1t is better for a politician to let
others make his campaign speeches;
Chord, he can consign the speaker to
the Ananias club, and join in the Pop
ular Clamor of Disapproval.
Mrs. Kroeck, a Los Angeles woman
whose occupation is telling others how
to run their homes, is suing her hus-
band for a divorce on the grounds that
he called her a bum If he called
her that, it was probably because he
was too polite to attempt a more fit
ting description
Lots Of people are hot headed, but
remain out of trouble because they are
cold at the other end.
Mrs Norman. Three-time Selby-
and-a-couple-of-o others, is married
again, scoring six straights Selby,
her most numerous husband, who, un-
der the name of Kid Mccoy, was
champion. is now a has-been, but his
ex-wife keeps on knocking 'em out.
Doe Crumbine intimates that flies
have killed more people than have rat
tlesnakes. The popular moral would be
that it is because a remedy has been
found for .rattlesnake bites.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

But whatever else you may say
about the LDFimer investigation, it
hasn't broken any speed regulations.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

In the accepted term, one has to be-
come dead before becoming an angel,
and in theatrical parlance the differ
ence is but slight: to become theatri-
cal angel, one begins by becoming
dead easy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
! sA14rRnAY sERNf0N.

A mans pride shall bring him low; put
honor shall uphold the humble in spirit
Proverbs xxx g.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

Most any late-coming husband can
think of a good story to tell his wife;
the trouble lies in getting a chance to
tell it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10
CHAPTER CKKI.

"a pathetic "Reminiscences, when
should not have future duplicated
Here's a pathetic story which ought
to have no future duplicate, and be
only a "Reminiscences when the law
gets after such cruelty and injustice
from parents and manufacturers. The
Kansas law fortunately prevents such
disgracefui and inhumane treatment OF
the rising generation, Of children who
are going to be citizens. of the future
Let Pennsylvania and other states look
to Kansas for laws toward enlighten-
ment and modern civilization. The
story is from the Scranton. Pennsyl-
vania, Independent:
The mill whistle sounded shrilly- It
was $50. and sfin dark on a bitter Feb
ruary morning.
"A tiny figure, with a shawl wrapped
tightly around its head crept over the
railroad track and down toward the
mill.
Time had passed slowly. It was $50
and more but the night shift was not
yet through getting up the ends 50
the small figure waited in the slush by
the mill door First she stood ON one
chilled foot and then on another.
g DO you work here2'
- Yes ma am.
And you are how old2'
Me? Fourteen
How long have you worked in this
min?'
Coin Oh four years
How old were you when you start
ed to KoFk?'
fT"irteen.'
sAh. yes. / see the law has raised
the age limit one year in the meantime ;
Yes ma'am. All, but it makes me
cold this morning
Yes. it is very cold for you to stand
out there. How long do you work in
the milI2'
In there we work every day eleven
hours
Eleven hours? For how much a
day2'
We are not paid by the day. we get
paid every two weeks. I have IS. Some
of them have less than SIS, but have SIS
every two weeks p"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

It is better for a politician to let
others make his campaign speeches;
then, # they don't strike the Popular
Chord, he can consign the speaker to
the Ananias club, and join in the Pop
ular CIamor Of Disapproval.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24


mace such hssutancc ono or inc CON
di'tons or tho GIT Mr. Nrchpo'd tes'-
iioo that INC standard CIV oosrn oi u'rc'- u'.
tors' III dcr'u'nS Y" contribute >loV,'ou'
instructed MN 'hat " W"uIu pc E.Neh
only WIN tue understanding lhst u
"ouId u accepted ana appreciated ny
lso"SoN'U'
senator fehrose again 'cstinco unu.,
oa'n ''ia' ne hah hcarn WI H'c',o.''
s'a'c tiliS cohultioh 'o MI f,iiss' s,i' Wv
ilttcr rcp'F 'ha' inc S'anus'" -" VIZ pe'-
pic hccd nave no 'earS ON wa, s'o'o
Mr. Nr'hn"'u n'ou' ,u' .n.' ''a,
'hoht hEd'hH' ''o'Ec " WI ''''y""' W, ~,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24


hrchbold. was that It appearing that
our interests as business organization
lay ~ tne Iuie OF the hepuni,cah size we
"ouu Ihahe this coiitr'outioh'
80 noea- 'i"V ''''e w" ooe''e" w
eayos 'o"0'
.Ind did rou ord xo,,r o.so,;o,.s do,or-
mine how that was 70 he dist trib,,ted as
between the national Republican corn
mittee and the Pennsylvania State com
mittee?"
We did not, exce pt that We underst ood
500. 600 was to be given to Mr.. Bliss and
that $25. 900 was to be given to Mr.. Pen
rose for ise in the naIional campaign.
ono
.I think perhaps our frat talk with
Mr. Bliss only contemplated SIOO, 900
In the meantime think had a talk with
Senator Penrose and he said they were
greatly in need of hel and that It would
help the general purpose If he could use
tnis much and we decided to go beyond
tne sio3.Vo 70 the eStsnt Oh this S25,Wn
we SPOKE OF u 10 Mr bliss ana nad the
that il would be used through him for the
thora in th. oana..I "a ,,,no;cn
N Nnw .,,o, ,his ,on,or.nn. ,;,. ,.o,,
husinsss assoo,o,.s wh.n Ala ron nov, s..
NJ R,issp proh,ht, ,,i,hin ,ho no.,
Tow dars 10 ~ ,hraa a,rs "'" '"' "e
n Wh.n ro,, haa ,h,a .,a ,.u, r;,,
" p,i.s ,' -
sir
~ VIA, Nu p,,.. ...u.a,;u , ,,a
,.,, ~. as ,n,o, -, ao,on ~. ,,,,' -, ,h;.
s,is W.n "s - T.. ~
p,iss 4 ha,a %, ,.nor, o., ,.a,, ,ha, ~, =,
disnoo.d 70 ,raE. onn,r;h,,,;or -, a, no nnn
-, -, ,,,, -, =. -. ,.',,, a., ,,,.,
~, ,osi,i,a,, nrnn,ia;n ~, -, =, :,
~. rnar 10 ,h. ,nu-s ,h,,ha =, =,
il ~. ,,novr .. ,ho pr.s;d.n, ~
~ yon n.an pr.sid.n, poo..,,, 4,
Won, nam.d NJ poos.v.I, ,as s;,
80 Ill VI an..,,',. ~, ~. ..
mata ,h. ,or,r,h,,,on ,,n,.ss :, g.. g. y,
grate,uIlv received
N MD vou h.vs anv n,isr;yi, ., ,h,
tina, A rhers had hssn som. ii,tIs ,,u
in the newsnaners ahouti.
! O About whats Ahou, IN. ous.,;o,
a. TO who were making contributions anc
all that. and jud ged in the fulness Of cautio,
| should say this to MIR. Bliss and was :,
instructed 10 saw to him.
No Evidence of Row
n ,o,,., ,,a
~ >, pn"ani, ,na. ,,., uu ,, 70. na'e any Ahow' WI
~,, $500 a'".u'. o"aIu u
standard OH Company? 4. My impression
was that there had been some little talk tha
there was ieeiing OF antagonism. although
at that time there was no direct evidence
of it.
=. Well do you know out Of what fact
this antagonlsm grew? A. No. sir. l d.
not. l think II WAS only suspicion at tha
time.
=, Well. now when you said to Mr. Bills
that you wanted this to he known to Presi
dent Roosevelt and wanted il und.rstoo
that IL was entirely satisfactory to him the
Won should make this contribution ,nw,r
his reel.otion What aid Mr. HIiss sa,,
Nr UIis. so;d, - u;u o.r,.i,,,,, , ~
Won need haya M a,nro,.ns;an -,
whatever
ed ye that Mr. Bliss had in fact talked u,,
President Roosevelt unon his suhiec,
A | have no nositiye knowl.d 10 s,csnt ,,,s
Mr. RIss, assurances re esardins ths ,n0,,s ts
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24
Directors May Testify.

Mr. Archbold testified that William
Rockefeller and other members Of the
hoard uf directors of the Standard OH
Company could COrrobpra;c tho state
mcrts made hv him as to what uC-
CURED at the board meeting and tho
representations that came from Mr..
Bliss
If there was ever any doubt that a
big corporation expects to get value re-
Ceivcd for It's gift tn a campaign war
chest II vas dispelcd Ivy Mr. ArChbold g
testimony. MI through his testimony 1t
was apparent that the Standard oil
Company expected to receive some con-
sdoration for its outlay
Mr.. Nrcbbold did not produce the re-
Ceipt said to have been given by Mr.
Bliss for tho 100000. He testified he
had not had time to look II up. lie
promised 10 submit It and other docu-
montary evidence as soon as 1t could be
collected.
Tho Standard OF vicc-prcsldcn,
brought further light, corrobo.atirc
r. H. !f'rrirucn's sfa:crnrn: IL r.rc d
q his $4,000 contribution Il tn"
Roosevelt campaign. Mr. Archbold
testified that Mr. Hartman had rep
resented tho reasons for this con-
tribution to him. practically as he haG
In his letter TO Sidney Webster
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24

thoroughly appreciat ed by Mr. Roosevelt.
and Mr. Bliss smilingly said we need have
no possible apprehension on that score
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24

Tho Senate committee has decided TO
postpone further inquiry into this sub
ject until the last week in September
Then many witnesses will be called
and the Investigation will continue
probably until election day.
The committee has received no intima-
tion that Col. Roosevelt desires to ap-
pear, but Senator Penrose will make a
fight to have him subpnnacd II neces-
sary, and it is believed that the commit
tee will yield.
No action was taken to-day by the
Senate on the Pcnrose- Reed resolution
providing for an inquiry into the PEN
rose charges and the Roosevelt cam
rairn funds in the recent primary. This
resolution will bc passed before adjourn
mcnt tomorrow. however unless Roose-
vclts friends tilibustcr against it.
Mr. .Nrchboid was on tho witness stand
practically all the morning. Hc was
questioned first hy Senator Clapp. chair
man "f the committee and a third
termcr
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24


Clapp in heginning the inquiry. did you
make directly, or for the Standard Oil
Company. To the Republican national
campaign Of 1902"
Il made two contributions one through
Mr.. Bliss of slOOWG and one through
Senator Penrose Of $4,000" said Arch
bold
"Do you know when tho contribution
of $lO0.VO was made2"
81 have not the date in mind. nor did
/ have time thoroughly to search with
reference to il. The best recollection [
have in the matter is. that it was some time
in September | should say perhaps not
later than the middle of September"
You made 1T by check, | assume -
said Senator Clapp. -
mo, sir" replied the witness. my
recollection is that it was given TO Mr.
Bliss in currency"
.. Who WAS present. il any one. when YOU
CAV" him In" currency 4. To the bes
of my recollection was alone
.. Wh"r" were YOU al that time? A At
my onlcc
.. Have YOU any written data that would
hI that date? 4 Mr., Bliss gave a receipt
sent mo receipt forshe money, but in such
Investigation as ] have been able 10 max
in the very hurried time have not found
the receipt, hope to nnd it,
O. II YOU subsequently ind tho receipt
will YOU be kind enough to send 1t 20 me a,
chairman of the committee' A. | will dc
II with pleasure
Discussed IL With Bliss.
N .,1,
Nir bhss on several occasions IN regard
to the campaign contribution before he
finally made it. These talks had taken
place in his Office,
My impression, said Mr.. Archbold
t.,y,t ,,,l,,
Is t,iat early very cary IN september
WI, nIlH9 oa'He ,oi tah' ana we went
~, ~, ~" ii mlpir uu',s''o,, ahu , toiu nm
% %a, t, ,ol I;I 'i,, L'iu ,'"t.e'
tain inst ructiors viii rorard ~ tho mai q,
,vh;cI, we've ,,;yon tn ma in tha a,nao,a
tion that / would again see Mr. Bliss
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24
Came for More Money.

g Now tell us what was said al that
time, A. Well Mr.. Bliss camo to my
office and said: Mr.. Archbold, ] come
again TO you on the money question. VIC
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24
Talked Over Contributions.

.The general proposition that thee, stand,
ard Oil Company had made contribution
had probably been most casually talked
said Penrose.
He acknowledged, however. that 20
definite reference had been made by Nun
to this particular 1904 contribution, ne
thought that conversations Of this geners,i
character had occurred between hinsen
and Roosevelt both before and after tne
1904 election. In none Of those converse
tions did Mr.. Roosevelt intimate that M NJ
had any objection to the Standard vi
contributing.
Senator Penrose reiterated that hls M
formation was that the Roosevelt letter "
Cortelyou was written for the purpose VI
going into the record for reference,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-24

Mr. Archbod was asked again il he had
ever talked with any one who claimed