davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
HELP FOR WIDOWS PROVIDED,

/
With their usual charity. Topekans
are responding generously with help
for the widow and eight children
who were made destitute when
her husband and their father was
killed the other day by an explo-
sion of dynamite. A better way is
provided, though, for the handling of
lust such cases. It is through the ap
plication of a Kansas law that has
been on the statute books for some
time.
This law authorizes a county to pay
to a destitute widow a sum of money
each week or month that would not be
greater than the amount it would re-
uuire to maintain her children in the
state orphans home at Atchison 1t
| is estimated that the approximate cost
for the upkeep of child in this in
stitution is 81 a week. 1t is not prob
able that it would be necessary to al
low the widow in this particular case
"a a week for each of her children.
That would give her an income more
than double the one she was accus-
toned to have for the maintenance
of her family But a sufficient sum
could be allowed her under this law
to keep her family from want until
I
supporting. And under these circum-
stances there would be nothing of hui
initiation to this widow and her chill
dren that they were the subjects of
charity. That must be the case now.
There has never been general ap-
plieation of this law in any of the
communities of the state. 1t is a wise
law, none the less, and one that ought
to be administered with discernment.
More recently the legislature passed
a law allowing counties to pension
worthy persons who are helpless, such
as those afflicted with blindness or
crippled in a way that precludes them
working. This statute is being applied
in Shawnee county and other locali-
ties. 1t keeps self-respecting unfortu-
mates of this class from the poor
house. Is destitute widow with one
or more children any less entitled to
aid from the public funds than such
people? Certainly not and particular
| " when there is a specific statute au-
| thorizing the extension of such aid.
A wise administration of this law
would be wonderful blessing to many
destitute widows. 1t would keep not
few of them from being compelled
to place their little children in the or
phans' home or kindred institutions,
at a wringing of hearts that can not
be appreciated by those who have
never gone through the experience.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

social ban, have been trusted by gov
eminent and people alike, and have
kept the honor of their name unstain-
ed Now, thanks to the new spirit
animating the nation, they no longer
stand so conspicuously alone Other
great commercial families are being
ranged with this one, their members
not only enrolled among the peers Of
the realm, but ranking with the mer-
chant princes of the West as opponents
of all that is honorable in the conduct
of mercantile affairs. To their number
are yearly being added many of the
Samurai, or knightly chivalry of old,
who once scorned all contact with
trade, but who are now entering the
field of business affairs, determined to
bring to the rescue of their country
the fine sense of honor in which they
were educated under the ancient re-
gime. That they viii eventually sue
coed in their task. backed as they are
by the instinct of common honesty
pervading the rank and file. there can
be no manner of doubt.-Atlantic
Monthly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

THE sTz1 or KANSAS.

THE SIZE OF KANSAS
Much has been said and written OF
the size of Kansas, and much more
might be said before a true idea OF its
vastness is generally obtained. Eighty
two thousand square miles IS vast
expanse of territory, but just now
large we can hardly comprehend
Suppose we could combine the states
of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts. Rhode Island, Connec-
ticut, Delaware, Maryland and the
District OF Columbia into one state;
Kansas would contain them all, and
still have room enough for another
Rhode Island. Kansas iS larger than
any southern state except Texas, and
exceeds in size both the Virginias. II
is almost as large as the combined
areas Of North and South Carolina,
and Is larger than Ohio and Indiana
together.
II size alone were significant Kan
sas could take its place among the
first class powers OF earth. England
ana Scotland together arc smaller
than Kansas, while Wales. ireland.
switzerland, the Netherlands and Bel
GUM added together will not equal Il
IN size Or, we might add Denmark.
Andorra, Portugal. San Marine and
greece together and still not have
enough territory to make q Kansas.
turkey IN Europe is not as large as
sLls STATE and Roumania, Servia and
"A ~ ntehegro combined do not equal f..
| II exceeds in size the great islands OF
Celebes, Java, or the Moluccas. and
would make more than o dozen Polv-
HeslaS II cut up into little islands and
soWed broadcast il the ocean.
Butler county alone is larger than
Rhode Island or the whole OF the
French possessions in the West Indies.
ana Atchlson county equals the whole
o. the Dutch possessions there -
Kansas Farmer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
says UNCLE CAV

Don't delude yourself-you are more
CT a creature of habit than a being
of free will. BY the time you were
20 you were performing your ordinary
acts always in the same way. day after
day. You held your knife and fork
in the same way at every meal, you
got out of bed on the same side every
morning, you dressed according t. a
formula that seldom varied, and, what
is vastly more important, you had
learned to think always in exactly the
same way under a given set of cir
cumstanceS and you almost inevitably
reached your conclusions by the same
process of reasoning. You were then,
and are now, slave of habit. Not one
act in a million do you perform without
the influence of conttol OF habit.
Pride yourself as you will about
having a mind of your own; pat your
self on the back in self-congratula-
ton that no man controls you; boast
that you always have your head about
you and can't be miSled-but remem-
Der that even this attitude of mind
your thought and acts flow in we'll
defined charnels-fiow as naturally
and irresistibly as water flows down
hill.
Keep these facts in mind. In them
lies the explanation of your success
or your failure. Man IS made or uE-
made by his habits. a successful
career is nothing more or less than
a complex structure of proper habits
failure is only another structure of
imp oper ones.
Where, then, does free Will enter?
Right here my boy-in the altering
of your habit. Sit down and take
stock of the situation. If your present
way of dong things doesn't succeed
change the way. If 1t takes you too
long to dress in the morning or too
long to get to sleep at night, or too
long to conclude on a business affair.
or if you speak unconvincingly or are
too slow of thought, charge your ways.
Give thought to each thing that you do
until you have accustomed yourself
to doing it better. Thus you will eX-
change a set of bad habits for a set
of good ones, and thus only can you
exchange failure for success.
This is the province of free will.
Here, by the same token, is enough
work for the will of the strongest
personality.-(C Copyright, 1912, by W. L.
WilliamS.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
GLOBE SIGHTS
BY THE ATCHIsoN GLOBE.

You may forget favor. but the man
who did it for you won't.
However. it isn't probable that the ten
cent stores will ever sell airships.
One trouble with an early spring is that
it is apt to be followed by late frost
Some women marry for love, and 9TH
ers get a divorce for the same reason.
Sometimes a man waves the Old Flag
so he can get into office and dance on it..
One should learn to have a good time
without being in danger of police inter
ference.
An Atchison man is so unlucky the only
time he ever visited a winter resort was
in the summer
Regardless of what the real estate pros
pectus says, much Of the uncultivated
land isn't worth it.
After mans hair begins to get gray,
he shouldn't wear hat band loud enough
to talk about it.
What has become of the old-fashioned
man who tried to coax his socks to stay
up without carriers?
Neither can we do much for the drunk
who insists on telling the bartender what
a fine woman his mother is.
It wouldn't be so bad If the loarers
would follow the example of the canary
bird, and do their loafing at home.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Jean Charcot, one of Frances fam
ed explorers, has been awarded the
Cullum gold medal by the American
Geographical Society, for distinctive
explorations in the Polar regions. Mr..
Peary has one of these medals. So has
the Duke of the Abruzzi, Lieutenant
ShGkleton, and others. Old Doc <.,x
is without one But the doctor seems
to be the only one of the Polar heroes
who can draw crowds to hear him
lecture at SO cents and 81 per head.
A gold medal is q priceless possession
to many, but it won't buy butter for
bread or gasoline for an automobile.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
JOURNAL ENTRIES

Only few women don't believe in
fortune-teIlers.
Familiarity may breed contempt
but surely not in respect to money.
* y y
Nor can considerable of the singing
and piano-playing be classed as
music.
Nowadays a mother can let her
baby-boy play with most of her hair
while she runs to the neighbOrs.
4 =
Presumably, the people who take
ice cold plunges every morning do SO
for the purpose of Dragging about it
to their friends.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

IFrom the Chicago News1
The road is easy if love is the vehicle.
wise men mail their love letters in 4
waste basket.
Is the manufacturer OF a hair restorer
a nature faker?
Make it easier for your fat friends by
calling them portly-
There's room at the top because some
body is always coming down
When poverty comes in at the door it
never stops to wipe its feet
Many a man has landed In the poor
house in attempting to get rich quick
Some women feel the need of an excuse
for being married and some others for
not being
After a man is once elected to office he
has the Office seeking habit the rest of
his natural life
Talk is said to be cheap, but did you
ever take into consideration the actual
cost Of a session Of congress7
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
HUAOR or TIE Day

Miss O1dgirl-when am doing serious
work 1 hate to have a lot OF men hanging
around bothering me. Miss Pert-You dc
a great deal of serious work, do you not
Baltimore American.
You can take that ak and get up an
farmers Wife. LADY repipied Mean sne
dering Nike what I was applyin' for
was food. not physical culture. Wash
ington Star
Father" said Johnny. what is the diff
ference between farming and agricul-
ture2'' 'Well, my son; for farming you
need a pillow and a harrow and other i'm
plements. and for agriculture all you need
is a pencil and piece of paper. "-Balti-
more Sun
s'Say, come over here, old man. I want
to ask you something in confidence. 1t
there anything peculiar about me?' mo.
Why?'' THAT tall. handsome woman just
hevond the punch bowl asked me mo-
ment ago whether I fiddled or played
chess. ''-Springfiel Union.
st don't feel able to do any work on my
novel today said the writer to his wife
ct have fever and my brain is sadly
rnuddIed." In that case wouldn't try
spouse. Just turn out two or three
poems and don't attempt any brain WORK
today. Chicago Record-Herald-
ssTJnIucky in love, lucky at cards" Hem
peck-And yet you won't let me play
poker. I'd win fortune.-Boston Trans
cript-
Ethel-Can you tell me the reason for
the high cost Of living. Mr.. Mushley2 Mr..
MushIey-Oh-aw-I suppose it's because
there is considerable demand faw il, you
know.-Puck.
New German Governess-zo much for
zat great genius. And vat also is re
name of re ozer great genius, always cou-
pied in our minds wiz Schiller Reginald
-Charybdis.-Punch-
Wifie-Do you like those beautiful sus-
penders embroidered for You, dear2
Hubby-Yes, darling. They don't show
when am Observation-Disclosures News.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

49,. .Kimmel,' has been identified as
turkey White" and about all the
satisfaction he gets out of it is the
fact that they neglected to call him
Turkey Red.
A St Joe man was pinched for ut
of asterisks when he spilled a cup of
hot coffee in his lap. Perhaps the
restaurant keeper thought he ought
to sing song or tell a funny story.
As one curious to know, would ask
whether Banker Morse took his death
bed on the European trip as baggage,
shipped it as freight, or, as some seem
to suspect, moved it into the attic dis
card as soon as he was pardoned?
Tt may be said for the Kentuckian
VINO died claiming that he killed Goe-
bel, that he had exhibited no unseen
~ haste in reporting the incident.
Maybe he didn't kill Goebel at all.
Confessing murder is about the only
the Associated Press to print an obit-
uary notice of him. and he may have
grasped the opportunity
God may look after the sparrows, as
advertised, but it looks like an limo
cent little girl has to take her own
chances.
those brave American soldiers who
were pinched by a gang of moth-eaten
Mexicans,-but never mind,-they
will get event AS soon as they get
around to it they will give those Next
cans an Awful Cussing.
The evidence in the dynamite case
but corroberates the late Chef Thomas
testimony upon the danger of writing
letters while the travelling is good
The Washington girl who married
a Chinaman, is said to be white, but
it will take a preponderance of evil
dence, with us, to prove that she
hasn't a streak of yellow.
An automobile is pretty bright
thing particularly so If it is nickel
plated, but it lacks horse sense
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
DAFFYDLLS

If they added an inch to the eleven
inch minute hand on the town clock
would it be a foot2
(Summon yon constable The
horseshoe players are rioting.)
If the humble motorman is stand
ing is the conceited?
mo sir! We don't serve bread ard
butter with an order of one fishbali.)
If man had a liquor license could
he beat his wife.
(You can't judge q chicken by the
parsley around the dfsh.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

I
get wisdom; and with all thy getting get
understanding Proverbs " =
This was some of the advice that
was given by the great David to his
son, Solomon 1t was passed on by the
latter to the children Of Israel. whom
he ruled so wisely and so well. Tho
world has changed a lot in many
things, and so have its people, since
the reign of solomon. But this advice
that was good counsel for the folk OF
so many centuries ago is just as good
for those Of today. The people who are
lacking in wisdom-not mere learn
| ing, mind you. but wisdom, the quality
of being wise, the having Of knowledge
and a capacity to use it, the having OF
discernment, of judgment, of discre-
ton, and sagacity-the people who are
lacking in real wisdom of such char
acteristics make up that portion Of
humanity who walloW in sin and
crime, who offend against the laws of
God and man, and who come to no
good end.
Common sense in an uncommon de-
gree is what the world calls wisdom,
wrote Coleridge. That's a pretty good
definition of it. And while the highest
degree of education and learning that
it is possible for man to acquire is
most desirable for every one to strive
after. still it will not necessarily bring
wisdom with it. AS a matter of fact,
many of the most learned men in the
history of the world have been far
from being among the wisest. The wis
dom that counts is the knowledge of
life that is gained through experience,
or that is impaired through the richer
~ ofI
suits in the development of a common
sense, than which nothing is more val
liable in steering a safe course through
the shoals of life.
If it is acquired and intelligently
used, it throws a searchlight on the
shams which abound on every hand,
and exposed them. 1t discloses the pit
falls which line the sides of every
pathway, and which are often but
family covered UP in the very center
of them. Few are the apparently
perplexing problems which drop out
every day that cannot be solved by it.
Assuredly is it a quality that should be
cultivated by every one. Naturally, 1t
is easier for some people to acquire
wisdom than it is for others. But the
road to it is open to everybody who
has a disposition to travel that way.
Many people are blessed with large
fund of common sense. and fail to use
it. The time always comes however,
when they regret. and regret sorely,
that they did not follow their better
judgment.
'Exalt her." said Solomon, in con-
tinuing his discussion of the desirable
ity of getting wisdom and understand
ing. "and she shall promote thee; she
shall bring thee to honor. when thou
dost embrace her She shall give to
thine head an ornament of grace;
crown of glory shall she deliver to
thee. When thou goest, thy steps shall
not be Strengthened; and when thou
FUNNIEST, thou shalt not stumble. Take
fast hold of instruction; let her not go;
keen her for she is thv life
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

IFrom the New York Press1
Conceit talks all languages. but none OF
them well.
Good examples mostly live up to IT
when the police are watching
The worst about common sense is how
tired you get of it in anybody.
A man gets a chance once a year or so,
and kicks every day because he never
gets one.
One thing that infuriates a woman
about a man smoking is he will let the
children play with her ancestral china,
but they mustn't touch his pipes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Mr.. LaFolIette states enphatically
that the reports regarding the condi-
ton of his health are gross misrepre-
sensations. Inasmuch as most of these
reports have come from his erstwhile
friends, it becomes more apparent that
the stories of LaFollette's physical
and mental breakdown were merely
convenient excuses put out by his
tickle supporters in order that they
might ditch him.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

One of the experts in the premises
reports the peculiar coincidence that
most of the big railroad promoters
that this country has known have
cleaned up personal fortunes of $50
100000 each. Then comes the rather
discouraging information that prob
ably all of the opportunities in this
direction are in the past.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

No judge need fear being recalled
were he constituted like the Missouri
Solomon who has decreed that a man
was perfectly justified in cussing in
public when he spilled a steaming hot
cup of coffee all over his trousers.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

That plan adopted by San Francisco
whereby the members of the fire and
police departments viii reinforce
each other in time of great need, has
Rll the earmarks of excellence.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Those famous stage-coach robbers
who worked out in the west some
years ago, or their descendants. seem
to be plying their trade in the east.
AT any rate a couple of bank messen-
gers were held up in their taxi in New
York city the other day and relieved
OF small matter of SIS, 1000 in cash.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Small wonder that President Taft
is willing to go before the people for
3 denomination on the record of his
administration As Congressman Nc
kinley so well and tersely says: He
has written an unparalleled record of
achievement and practical refornas-p
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Nor is there any way of telling Just
what will happen in this world A
railroad locomotive in Utah has
achieved the distinction of causing
deaths by dropping through the roof
of a house,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Walter L. Houser, campaign man
ager for Mr.. LaFollette, is now wear
ing the title of Colonel" Presumably
he has been breveted for conducting
such an orderly retreat.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Presumably there viii be no protest
against the United States steel corpor-
alton and the railroads entering into
a combination that seeks to have bet
ter rails manufactured. Better rails
mean fewer wrecks.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Conditions in Mexico are almost
normal once again. In addition to a
regular president, that country now
has a provisional president as well in
the person Of Vasquez Gomez. who
has been named as such by his per-
sona1 army which has headquarters
for the time being in the state of Chi
77r1aI7rra
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

In all probability a chapter of the au-
photography that Senator LaFollette is
preparing will be devoted to an argu-
ment to substantiate the contention
that republics are ungrateful.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Surely it must be all up with Wood
row Wilson now. In reply to a letter
from suffragists he politely lodged
going on record in favor of their
cause. Therefore, it is their opinion
that he is "a mere pettyfogging poll
ficiau
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17

Considerable significance Is sure to
be attached to the refusal of Mr.. Bry-
an at Phoenix. Ariz.. to saw positively
whether he would or would not be a
candidate for the next Democratic
presidential nomination
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
FULL LEASED WIRE REPORT
OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

There will be some people cruel
enough to suggest that the killing OF
a burlesque actor at Cincinnati was
nothing more than an instance of re
tributive justice
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
FROM OTHER PENS
FEAR OF CAPITAL.


A somewhat curious reflection Of the
dread of great combinations OF capitaI
which IS so widely felt I'm this country
Is manifested in the Philippines in con-
nectlon with the organization OF an
economic association" for the pur-
pose of developing the resources OF the
lslands- As a starter the association
concerns itself solely with the estab-
ilshnent OF country banks, but II con-
templates branching out, attracting
American capital and commercial en-
terprise and promoting important nm
Qertakings, Industrial and otherwise
Despite the benefits thus assured the
association, to quote the words of its
president, DR.. Tavera, encounters "a
great want of confidence on the mart
or the Filipinos." This. he explains
IS not unfounded because of the Fact
that even people so accustomed to
sell government as Americans have
SHOWN themselves to be alarmed at
the power of capital in the hands OF
their own citizens" That the Fill
plnoS should thus come to be tainted
with the malady affecting those OF our
citizens who fail to distinguish be-
tween the use and the abuse of capital
Is unfortunate, but in the light Of
events even now in progress in our
own country, this is hardly to be Won
oereo at-Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph