davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19
TheGood, the Bad, the Otherwise
And Few Laconics By1.AL
By L..A.L.

South Dakota has adopted a meas
ure which will mean much for her
future as a State: immigrant women
who become undesirable after
three years residence may be de-
ported, and the act is upheld by the
U. s. Supreme Cou-'t.
By forbidding German American
marriages, ordering American man
ufacturers out Of Germany, refusing
to permit the sale Of Standard Oil
products in Germany-it really be-
gins to look as though Kaiser Bill
had q crouch against Americans,
doesn't it?
And while New York eity's preach
ers have been bewailing the condi-
tons of child slavery in England,
India and otherwheres, it seems New
York's poor children have had a
merry little time Of 1t shaving at va
rious sorts of work, right under the
preachers noses.
Oh yes-there are still a few of
the old-fashiOned kind of women:
one of her was shot by her divorced
husband, out in Oklahoma, and af-
ter he was arrested she remarked
him and says she will ''stiek to him.
after he gets through with his five
year prison term.
A negro condemned to be hanged
in California, was RECALLED with a
fine meal, serenade by some must
clans, and then forced to listen to
Bryan's speech on Immortality"
from a photograph, after which he
expressed willingness for the eere-
mony of hanging to proceed.
Hoots, teots! Who'd a dreamed
of game Of whist resulting in black
eyes and bloody noses? And yet,
two distinguished Senators mauled
each other, over this harmless game,
while on their way to have look at
the Panama Canal Tiddledewfnks
will be the only safe game on future
Panama jaunts.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19

Sir Thos Upton, the famous Eng
hshman, believes In suffrage for Wo-
men-but we note Sir Thos. has
fought shy of matrimony, and he
amt as young as he used to be,
"nuther."
Mexico is to pay indemnity to all
Americans who suffered during the
Recent UnpIeasantness there, and
many a man who wasn't worth two
bits to his family will put in a claim
for $4,000 worth of lacerated feel
igs. Il
Dear suds! here's a. Congressman
named Palmer throwing fits because
Ambassador Reid least aspersions
on Thos. Jefferson" and with all
the tariff tinkering to be done,
doesn't this look like a waste Of
time?
The news is that Congress has
found way to pay Dixie claimants
100000 for property destroyed
"endurin of de wah' and this will
relieve any anxiety as to a surplus
in the treasury at the end of the
Democratic administration.
The Conference of Governors has
agreed that the farmer is quite an
important parsonage, and part of
the session was devoted to ways and
means for aiding him. If the farm
er will cultivate his own horse-sense
he won't need to be on any ones
charity list.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19

an exaggeration, 1t is an absolute
fact.
In the farming sections, the sin
StallmeHt> plan" catches most vic
Tins, though in the large cities the
plan is worked beautifully among a
large number.
The negroes Of the South are
favored victims OF the installment
man, and the percentage OF profit on
Bibles, organs, pictures Of Abraham
Lincoln, jtm-craek furniture, car
pets, rugs and curtains is too sinful
~ large to try and compute.
There may have been an original
bill OF $3.50; by fortuitous circum-
stances the payments may have been
met to the amount Of $125.
Is the buyer permitted to keep
goods to the amount paid for? No
every stick and thread is seized for
the balance Of $25.
Invariably the furniture and goods
are of the cheapest sort. High
Heaven only knows how many coats
OF varnish have been put ON them
on their return to the dealer; no one
could compute the profit" there has
been in a suit OF furniture costing at
wholesale $12 or SIS, which has
been partly paid for by half dozen
buyers.
It our State Legislators want to
lessen a very large amount of hui
man misery, they could make
splendid beginning by putting into
operation laws which curb the pow
er to swindle the poor, these two
classes of sharks-the money-lender
n
than one grade Of citizenry would
be benefited.
Santa Claus won't be worried by
having to tote around many pardons
for murderers this year, in Georgia.
Atlanta is happy: with Sir Thorn
as Upton and new record for di-
vorees figuring in her daily prints,
she feels truly New Yorky.
London, England, will stand for a
lot labelled American" but it
draws the line at Mormon mission
aries and has refused police protec-
ton to the same.
The Pennsylvania Railroad is 60
ing to abolish coal engines and use
electric mOtors-but the chances are
people can be killed at crossings Just
as readily, even with the new power.
Maybe old Gen. Hard Times has
been with us, but these good old U.
S. got away with 63O,00O,0OO pounds
of tobacco this year-which is a
considerable burning of some money
yes?
Illinois courts will impose life
term sentences where burglary or
robbery is attempted, and deadly
weapons are on the person of the
burglar or robber-which is a splen-
did rule for other States to adopt.
1t isn't news to a great many to
learn that Justices of the Peace and
money-loan sharks are CLOSELY al
lied;' and the answer is-abolish
the fee system in every Office, or
abolish the Office.
Of course Jacksonville's interest
in the question of Georgia liquor
shipments isn't on any high and lof-
ty moral ground-ano as all Jack
sonville liquor dealers must be mil
lionaires by this time, we don't
think she has any right to try to
curtail the revenue of the Georgia
liquor shipper. The Georgia brand of
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19

u
lender who has thriven in all
the large cities, and who has, be-
cause of the heartless usupy he has
practised, become known Us 'tthe.
loan shark.
The process of operation is beau
tifully simple-for the loan shark.
A poor man or woman will apply for
a loan; if the man Is on a salary, he
gives notes on tt, usually to the
amount of four or FIVE times the sum
total of the loan: If the fortunate
laborer is a. woman, til, mort
gage is given on eyerytht5 he may
possess the cloti~a ON her
back to the wash-tubs with which
she may be making her living.
And the interest on that loan
grows in a manner that would shame
Jonah's gourd, lid that famous
article ever M It'll the loan
sharks system O. -okkeeping.
In recent investigation of the
money sharks in Atlanta, Georgia,
it was found that a negro woman
had paid back in interest" $185
for loan of $40, and as she was
unable to pay the principal" her
little cabin was stripped of it's bed,
table, trunk, bureau, chairs, and the
Wash-pot and tubs thrown in for
good measure.
By some original method of book
keeping, the loan shark is able to in
crease the rate of interest" the
longer the loan" stands.
A man working for wage of $50
had sickness in his family while he
was out of work; unfortunately he
went to one of the money-ienders of
the stripe referred to, and until he
appealed to the Law for aid, he was
bounded and harried-his life was
made a burden, and he was almost
desperate. 1t was found, on investi-
cation, that he had paid $3.50 Gin
terest" on loan of $50, and mort
gage was about to be foreelosed on
his household goods, for the "princt-
pal"
Right in the same class with these
money-sharks are the "instatiment
houses which are stocked with a
tremendous amount of cheap furni-
ure and cheap dress goods. Allur
ing advertisements are sent out, tell
ing the glorious ease with which, on
"$1 down and S per week." the
poor may be able to dress and fur
nish their homes with more Or less
elegance.
Right here, of course, is a mag
nificent opportunity to preach a SER
mon on the absurdity of any one
who can only afford pine furniture
and cotton dress goods, to long for
near-mahogany and cotton plush or
near-silk.
But as human nature is all cast
in the same mould, the poor DO have
longings for these things, just as the
rich who possess $4,000 automo-
biles are seized with an irresistible
desire to own $4,000 ones.
So-the poor will stock up on $50
or SIS worth of dress goods, or fur
installment will be met with little
difficulty.
Then hard times come, as they
have a habit Of doing: work is slack,
illness, loss of piace-any of the
tragedies which are so grimly fami-
liar to the poor, and the 81 install
ment is not forthcoming.
Maybe the debt is two-thirds or
three-fourths liquidated; in the mat
ter of clothing, which has of course
been worn, note is demanded, or
mortgage on the household goods
not for the balance, but for the en-
tire bill.
In the case of the furniture, every
piece which has been bought will
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19

Watson's book ON Foreign Mis-
sions, is an explanation of the man
ner in which the ignorant of other
countries, as rich as the United
States, have benefited by hundreds
of Thousands Of dollars which An1eri-
cans have gathered and sent. Domes-
tic mission work is needed, as is
clearly shown. The statistics are all
taken from recognized authorities on
mission work. Price, postpaid, soc.
The Jeffersonian Publishing Com
pany, Thomson, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19
THE ''INSTALLMENT PLAN" SEC
0ND COUSIN no THE LOAN
SHARK"

TOR the past several years
there has been tendency to
curb the power of the money
lender who has thriven in all
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-12-19

Won't you send us one new sub
Scriber?
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19
CHAPTER [.
A Star Boarder.

Star Boarder. .. .f-. A T the end of a warm spring day N in New York, James Stuart sat GA. in the open window of his
 room on Washington square smiling. With sense of deep joy he watched the trees shake the raindrops from their new emerald robes and the flying clouds that 1ecked the western sky melt into seas of purple and gold 4 huckster turned into Fourth street irving:
 '-Straw-berries. straw-berriesv'
 And the young lawyer laughed laztly. A food of tender memories stole into his heart from the sunlit fields of the south He had gone hunting wild rawberries with Nan Primrose on the hills at home in North Carolina the day be first knew that he loved Fer. How beautiful she was that day in the plain blue cotton dress which fit ted her superb young figure to perfec ton! How well he remembered every detail ofsthat ram<le over the red hills s-~ha could hear now the whistle of a
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19

Bob Nv hite sitting on the fence near the spring where they lunched, calling to hls mate. As Nan nestled closer on the old stile they saw the little brown bird slip from her nest in a clump Of straw, lift her head and soft Iy answer. 6
 ..'Look.' Nan had whispered excited. Iy. There's her nestr' |. He recalled distinctly his tremor of Sympathetic excitement as her warm hand drew him to the spot. With pc culiar vividnesS be remembered the extraordinary moisture of the palm of her hand trembling with eager interest as he counted the eggs-twenty beau ties. But above all memories stood out one. As he bent close above her he caught for the first time in his life the delicate perfume of her dark rich hair and felt the thrill of it's mystery.
 Its their little home, isn't it, Jin?' she exclaimed.
 'tI hope I can build as snug a nest for you some day, Nanr' he whispered gravely.
 And when she stood silent and blush ing he made the final plunge Looking straight into her dark eyes he had said:
 ''I love you, dear Nani"
 As she stood very still. looking down in silence, with a throb of fear and aching tenderness he dared to slip his arm around her waist and kiss the. trembling lips. And then he noticed for the first time deep red straw berry stain in the corner of her mouth In spite of her struggles he laughingly insisted on kissing it away.
 And then as dreamy smile stole into her face she suddenly threw her arms around his neck in passionate tenderness. returning with interest ev- cry kiss he had taken.
 .Stra rav-berries!
 The man looked up and drawled his ia amiliar cry.
 Yes, yes!'' he shouted. Two boxes Put them on the stoop-and keep the change!"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19
Yes.
What figure did he namef than it's cash value"

What figure did he nameT l 'Moreithan it's cash value"
 '"Then you will accept. of course?' 'I would if there were not some | things that can't be reckoned in terms of dollars and cents. If I take stock | in the American Chemical company l am party to their methods, an heir to l their frauds"
 ''Yet isn't the old regime of the small l manufacturer and the retailer doom ed7 Isn't combination the new order of modern life? Will 1t pay you to fight a losing battle2 Bivens is not a man of broad culture. but he in a very smooth young gentleman"-
 Hes a contemptible little scamp?' snapped the older man. "When took him into my drug store six years ago he didn't have a change of clothes. Now he's a millionaire. How did he get it? He stole a formula had used to relieve nervous headaches. mixed 1t in water with a little poisonous color ing matter. pushed it into the soda fountain trade, made his first half mil. lion. organized the American Chemical company and bIossomed into a mag. nate. And now this little soda foun- tain pip threatens me with ruin unless
 
 neighbors. It happens that like my neighbors My business is to heal the sick, not merely to make money. Thou sands of children die at my very door every summer who could be saved by a single prescription if they could get it. That's the thought that grips me when begin to figure the profits in this trade. Pm making a fair living. l don't want any more out of my neigh bors. I've shown you some of them tonight"
 'T'n never forget them." Stuart broke in.
 we used to cry over Uncle Toms woes," the doctor continued ~And yet there are more tnan 5.Ooo,Ooo white people in America today who are the slaves of poverty. cruel and pit1less. The black slave always had food ana shelter, clothes and medicine. My bus1- ness is to heal the sick-m1nd you! Shall give 1t up to exploit themT
 But could you not use your greater wealth for greater good If you Joined the trust?'' the lawyer asked. Wont they make drugs more economically than you do and drive you to the wall at last? Isn't this new law of cooper ation the law of progress-in brief, the law of God7'
 .eThat remains to be proved don't believe it."
 well, I do. and I think that if you fight it will be against the stars in their courseS"-
 'T'm going to fight" was the firm response. ''The law is on my side, isn't itT'
 "The written law. yes. But you are facing a bigger question than one of statutory law"
 'So I am. boy, so am! That's why I gave you a glimpse tonight of the world in which live and work and dream"
 "Bivens has put up to you cold blooded business proposiion"-
 Exactly. And there are things that can't be bought and sold ! am one of themr' The stalwart figure rose in simple dignity, and there was a deep
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19

l He. ttIt iue tuan silver dollar. and the whfte-teeth of the Italian sig naled a smile of thanks as he bowed low. lifting his dirty cap in acknowl- edgment.
 1 Nor was Nan's beauty merely mem. l ory; 1t was the living presence, the kource of tue joy that 6lled his soul to overdowing today. for she had grown more beaut iful than ever since her 1 mother had moved to New York 1 He had always believed that the real | reason in the back of Mrs. Prinrose's shallow head for this move to the l north had been the determination to break his engagement and make a l more brilliant marriage for Nan. And so when they left he followed. The mother had always professed for him unbounded loyalty and admiration. l but he had never been deceived. He knew that Mrs. Primrose He'd as she breathed-politely. but continuously by her involuntary muscles Day and night since they had reached New York she had Schemed for Nan. She had leased house in the fash ionable neighborhood of Gramercy park. and to meet the extraordinary expense began a careful and systemat- 1c search for rich young men to whom she could let two floors. Stuart was sure in his heart that Nan had never joined in those plans of her mother, though he had wished that she
 might have shown little more strength in resisting them.
 Well. he was going to win at last and the world was full of musici He had the biggest surprise of life in store for Nan, something no true wo- ms Is han T ceeded after incredible difficulties in secretly building cottage by the sea in Brooklyn. It's lawn sloped to the waters edge. and a trim boat lay nod ding at the dock. Neither Mrs. ~Prim- rose nor Nan had the faintest suspI- cion of what he had been doing.
 Tomorrow he would lead his sweet heart into this holy of hoIies of life, the home love had built He could see now the smile of tenderness break over her proud face as he should hand her the keys and ask her to fix the wedding day.
 His reveries were broken by a timid knock on the door and faint call:
 '.Jifn!'
 'fCome in!'' Ee cried
 You're not bit glad to see me-" the soft voice said. "I've been stand ing out there for ages.,,
 Forgive me. Sunshine I must have been dreaming Stuart pleaded. leap ing from his seat and seizing her hand. 'I'm awfuIly glad to see you!' . ''Then don't call me that name again" she pouted.
 "But isn't it beautifuI?''
 "It1 would be if my hair wasn't red and I didn't have freckles and was oider." she protested. looking away to hide her, emotion.
 'But your hair isn't quite red, liar riet It's just the color of the gold in honeycomb." he answered. gently touching her disheveied locks. Be sides. those few little freckles are be coming on your pink and white skin and you are nearly fifteen. Well. I'll Just say, little pail Flows that?''
 That's better.s she said. with smile and sigh.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19

Stuart found the doctor standing at the door of his factory. shaking hands and chatting with his employees as they emerged from the building at the close of a days work. A plain old fashioned brick structure just off the Bowery was this factory. and across the front ran a weatherbeaten sign which had not been changed for more than fifty years: "Henry Woodman. Manufacturing Chemist" The doctors father had esta ablished the business 6fty-two years ago. and the son, who bore his fathers name. had succeeded to its management on his death. which occurred just after the return of the younger man with his victorious regiment from their last campaign with Grant before Peters burg and Appomattox.
 He took Stuart's hand in his big. crushing grip and handed him letter which he opened and read hastily: No. 60 Granercy Park To Dr. Henry woodrnan: Dear sir-I must have an answer to the proposition of the American Chemical that hour the matter will be definitely closed. JNO c. CALHOUN BIVENS. April 2, 1898
 Still looking at the letter he asked:
 What does it nnean7"
 .An ultimatum from the chemical trust I'll explain to you when you've seen something of my work tonight The first hour. want you to put in with me at the dispensary."
 Stuart's eye rested on the embossed heading Of the letter, ''No. 60 Gramer- cy park" and he slowly crushed the paper. It was the Primrose house, f-4 . eeeded.
 Bivens, the new sation in high finance. she had esta blished as her star boarder. in Stuart.s zahsenee;;2 Bivens, his schoelmate at college; Bivens, the little razorbaek scion Of poor white trash from the south who had sudden ly become a millionaire!
 His blood boiled with rage. As he turned and followed the doctor he laughed with sudden fierce determina ton.
 The dispensary was Woodman's hob by. The old fashioned drug store stood on corner of the sBowery. and in the rear extension, which opened on the side street. he had esta blished what he laughingly called his life Hne," free dispensary where any man needing medicine or a doctors advice could have it without charge if unable to pay.
 For two hours Stuart saw him nn4n- ister with patience and skill to the friendless and the poor; for each cheerful word and the warm grasp of his big shand r. with the prescription. The young lawyer watched with curi- ous interest the Quickened step with which each one left The medicine had begun to work before the prescription was filled.
 When the last applicant had gone Stuart turned to the doctor: And what is the proposition which the distinguished young head of the chemical crust has made youP
 That sell my business to them at their own valuaV~a and come into the trust or get off the earth"
 And you wish my advice?"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19

1
 "Oh. Jim. I've been so dreadfuas clare. Jim, I'll die if you go away egain. just can't stand it"
 Stuart smilingiy took her hand.
 Lonely, Miss Chatterbox. when that big father of yours worships the very ground you walk onF
 .sYes. know he does. Jim. and love him, too. but you've no idea how dreadfully still the house is when you are gone. Oh. say. l want you to be a real boarder and eat with us. Of course you will"
 'SThat would be very nice, dear. but I'm sure your father would draw the line at a real boarder. I'd never have got this beautiful room with that big old fashioned open fireplace in your home if 1t hadn't happened that our fathers fought each other in the war and became friends one day on a big battlefield. It's been second home to me"
 'tBe our boarder and I'll make it a real home for you. Jinn." she pleaded
 ''Ah-you'l1 be making a real home some day for one of those boys saw at your birthday party-the tall. dark one, I think?"
 ''No. He doesn't measure up to uzy standard"
 What ai1s himF'
 Hes coward My hero must be brave, for I'm tinid."
 Then it will be that fat blond fellow with g jolly laugh2'
 ..No; he's a fbber. My prince, when he comes. must be truthful It's so hard for me always to tell the truth"
 '"Then it will be that dreamy look ing one of fifteen you danced with twice?',
 'tNo, he's too frail. My hero must be strong. for am weak. And he must have a big. noble ideal of life: for mine is very smalf-just a little home nest and baby and the love of one manr'
 't1'm not sure about that being such a very small ideal, girlie."
 ''But. oh. my. I've forgottenswhat l came running home for. Papa sent me to ask you to please come down to the factory right away. He wants to see you on a very important matter. It must be awfulIy important. He look ed so worried. don't think I ever saw him worried before"
 ''I'n go at once,'' Stuart said.
 He strode rapidly across town to- ward the Bowery. through Fourth street, wondering what could have hap pened to break the accustomed good humor of the doctor. The doctor had long since retired from the practice of medicine as a profession and only used 1t now as his means of ministering to the wants of his neighbors. His neighbors were large tribe, however, scattered all the way from the cellars and dives of Wa ter street to the shanties and goat ranges of the upper Harlem. Stuart had never met man so full of con. tagious health. He was a born physi- clan. There was healing in the touch of his big hand. Healing light strea m ed from his brown eyes, and his iron gray beard sparkled with it. His presence ill a sickroom seemed to 6li it with waves of life, and his influence over the patients to; whom he minis tered was little short of hypnotic.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-09-19
PROLOGUE.

PROLOGUE.
 : This remarkable tale, i,a wfich. each character is sketched from life by q master hor.ds goes be- seofh fhe srzrfoce of modern so- cfety oszd Iays bore fhe conker at fJze root. Like all 1fr. Dico71,s s work, If fs a fole oF American life, essentially true fya fhe picture if draws ard done 4vffh q swine- ing power which brings ifs dra- E7s0ffc scenes horne to IFS. The splendid strength of fhe tole lies frz ffze conflict between James Sfuorf and .Non. tn tVhich Iope mad greed of veozth struggle for mastery.