davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
DIVORCE REFORM NEEDED.

In some respects, at least, it would
appear that there is a greater necessity
these days for ruling the people with
even a frmer hand than there is to
revolutionize the entire systems of our
governments by letting the people rule
their affairs in a more direct manner
than they now do. This is as true of
Kansas, where the cry for progress in
all matters is always loud. as 1t is of
any state in the union, or the nation
itself.
One instance, in mind. concerns di-
vorce. In England there is one d.
vorce in 400 marriages.; in Germany
there is one divorce in A marriages;
in France there is one divorce in 30
marriages.; in Switzerland there is one
divorce in % marriages; in the United
States there is one divorce in ~ mar
riages; and in Kansas-Kansas with
SO many desirable attributes of which
she can proudly and rightly boast
there is one divorce in eight marriages.
. Surely these are some statistics for
Kansans to ponder over. Surely this
is an evil that needs prompt and
stern attention. 1t is a canker that is
certain to undermine the moral force
of this glorious commonwealth unless
an efficient remedy is soon applied. The
homes are the keystone of every state
and nation. Their stability must be
preserved. Out of them come the boys
and girls who must assume life's big
ger burdens of the morrow.
You hear a good deal about Reno,
New, and this and that place which
are styled as meccas for those who
are DESTROYS of obtaining quick di-
vorces on easy grounds. But in none
of them, except possibly for nonresi-
dents, is it easier to obtain divorce
or on fimsier pretexts than it is right
here in Kansas.
But fixing up the divorce laws of !
Kansas so that they will be in tune |
with the demands of a righteous civil |
ization is not matter that appeals to |
the political reformers. This is a |
question for the betterment of the |
general good that demands a little |
thought and attention No campaign /
can be manufactured out |
Of it. 1t will develop no battle cries
or slogans that will gain votes to put
or keep the reformers in Office. Hence
thew pay not the slightest attention to
it. or to dozens of other matters that
would be of real benefit to society.
In addition to strengthening the di-
vorce laws, a certain way could also
be found to make their application
less frequent and necessary. That way
lies in strengthening the marriage
laws by denying to minors the right to
marry, even though their foolish par
ents might be willing, and to prevent
the marriage of the physically unfit
and the mentally deficient.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
by TIE WAY
By HARVEY PARSONS.

Pip Daniels thinks that next to the
housef1y and the chigger, the male quar-
tette is the greatest agent of annoyance.
OF course the male quartettes will take
the position that Pip isn't musical, but
he can prove an alibi. He likes Vic
Herbert's melodies.
The Allen gang. when it shot up a
court and murdered a lot Of defense
less court officers. were "a clan of bold
mountineers. The Allen gang, I'M
armed and on trial for murder, is show
ing just broad a streak of yellow
as any bunch could show.
Walt Mason is 80 years old. If he
keeps on growing old, he may finally
shed some of his hair and look old, but
his work will never grow old to his
admirers. Here's hoping that he will
spend his S0'th birthday in concocting
a cheerful roundelay about prune pies or
bales of hav.
To work over an old one-a Methodist
may dance and dance and still be
Methodist.
Carl Morris, the famous Oklahoma
delicateseen, (Camember), was erased
by slugger who is comparatively un-
time that our original estimate OF the
huge dairy prduct has been sustained
by the higher courts.
Fly time is almost here, and, as
result, we shall hereafter look with
suspicion upon the cold, calm bosom OF
the mince pie.
When they say politician has great
prestige it is usually the case that
he has great press agent.
out at Garden City an ordinance
compells people to take out license
before they can dance, but there are
lots of people who, although they think
they can, who couldn't dance If they
had two licenses.
The man with a wife who viii forgive
his faults is indeed a lucky guy, but he
would be blame sight lucIier if she
would forget them.
Sometimes girl children complain be-
cause they haven't anything to do, but
left to his own devices, a boy can al
ways find something to do. When he
runs out of anything else he can al
ways eat something.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
DON'T BE LATE AT MEALS.

Why is it that farmers usually are
late at meals2 asks the Kansas Indus
trialist, and it continues: No matter
how early a farmer rises, and how
soon he begins his morning chores,
something almost invariably happens,
lust at breakfast time, to keep him
away from the house Is minutes longer.
Breakfast is all ready for the table,
and he knows it, but that makes no
difference. The biscuits burn and the
eggs get cold and leathery and the cof-
fee boils toe long, and the farmers
wife goes to the window and looks
vainly toward the barn, but still he
doesn't come.
She can't start any other work, fol
as soon as it was we'll begun in would
come Mr. Farmer grumbling. isn't
breakfast ready YETI" And when they
sit down to the belated meal, it's ten
to one he will say the biscuits aren't
like mother used to make. Is it any
wonder so many farmers wives go in
sane?
The other meals are no better at
tended. Out in the field, something
about the machinery breaks just be-
fore noon, and of course the repairing
couldn't be left I'LL after dinner. OF
may be there are just two more rounds
to go, and it wouldn't do to leave them
until tomorrow, even if it is already
past quitting time. But the meals must
be ready Just on the dot-you bet-it
doesn't put woman out to wait a
little nearly so much as it would a
man.
There really is no valid reason against
having supper before the milking is
done, and doing it would enable the
farmers wife to get out of the kitchen
a few minutes before bedtime. It's a
crime for a woman to have to wash
her supper dishes by lamp light after
long summer days work, but any
number of farmers wives do it.
The movement to make farm life at
tractive is an excellent thing. Clubs
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
[From the Chicago News.I

[From the Chicago News
Marriage makes floorwalkers of
some men.
No laundry should charge stiff
prices for unstarched work.
Perhaps many a wife thinks she is
chained to the missing link.
Few men are capable of putting up
a good bluff just before pay day.
If a man means we'll that may be
the only creditable thing about him.
The average pup is as friendly as
a candidate the day before an election.
A woman never has so many aprons
that she doesn't need at least one
more.
We never realize how much it costs
to visit friends until they return the
visit.
Where ignorance is bliss it is folly
for a woman to open her husbands
letters.
The comedian who wins on the
races might be pardoned for indulg-
ing in horseplay.
A man never gets more strenuous
than when he is trying to have a big
time on a little money.
Always laugh at a mans alleged
jokes. You may be in position some
day to let him loan you money.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
rNsURGENCY is A GAMBLE.

William Ellis. editor of the Search
light, published at Grayslake, ILL.,, de-
fies his political progressiveness in
terms which will be generally under
stood. He expresses himself thusly:
IT am a progressive-butn not an in
surgent. The man who is against ev-
erything that is has no right to call
himself a progressive. I am not
stand-patter. I believe in drawing to
my hand-always. But I have never
INDUCED in the luxury = five card
draw. I believe in holding what we
have and lettering it. Insurgency is a
constant gamble with a full deck, and
we all know there are more cards that
will lose than there are that will win.
That is why insurgency is destructive
even though it is sometimes diverting.
That is also why, under it's continued
advances, our resources dwindle, and
our prosperity wanes."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

IFrom the Philadelphia Record.1
The farther man can see the less
is he apt to be sure he is right.
Dead men tell no tales except those
who have written their own epitaphs.
A mans idea of an ideal wife is
one who believes everything he tells
her.
Next to getting the fellow she wants.
a girl enjoys getting the fellow some
other girl wants.
The race is not always to the swift,
but at the same time the tortoise new
er repeated the little performance
with the hare.
Hoax-'Do you believe that man
has sprung from the monkey" Joax
II don't know, but do know that a
woman will spring from mouse"
Ills better to have loved and lost
than never to have loved at all,' quot
ed the Wise Guy. We'll, both have
their advantages" added the Simple
Mug.
NeIl-"That girl who sat in front
of US at the theatre said the play
quite took her breath away" Belle
I'm glad of it. She had been eating
onions"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Dental choice of the Massachusetts,
Democrats. AT the primary, though.
the candidates for delegates at large
to the Baltimore convention who were
pledged to support Governor Foss of
Massachusetts got a majority vote.
News now comes from Massachusetts,
that these delegates only intend to
vote for Governor Foss on the first
ballot taken at Baltimore. And 1t is
stated that five of them have already
declared that they will vote for Pro-
fessor Wilson on the second ballot. Is
this giving the Democratic voters of
Massachusetts or Champ Clark a
square deal?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
PEACOCKs.


In gorgeous plumage, azure. gold. and
green,
shrfll cry
Troubles the gardens bright tranquility:
Proud birds OF beauty, splendid and
serene,
Spreading their brilliant fans. screen
OF Furnished sapphire. gemmed with
mimic suns
Strange magic eyes that. so the legend
runs,
VIII bring misfortune to This fair
demesne.
And my gay youth, that, vain and
debonair,
Sits in the sunshine-tired at last of play
CA child. that finds the morning all too
long),
day
When in the gathering darkness of
despair
Death shall strike dumb the laughing
mouth of song.
Olive Custance. in the Living Age.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
EVENING CHAT
BIZ RUTH CAMERON.

Most all of the other beautiful things
| in life come by twos and threes, by
| roses. sunsets, rainbows. brothers and
sisters, aunts and cousins-but only one
mother in all the wide world."-Kate
Douglas Wiggfn.
Next Sunday there will take place the
fourth celebration of a new international
holiday. In all the calender, there are
yet this most remarkable holiday was
created with single postage stamp. ac-
cordipg to the story of its founder, MISS
Five years ago, Miss Jarvis used this
epoch making postage stamp to carry a
notice to church paper. This notice
Sunday in May as Mothers Day. and
requested that every son and daughter
who wished to honor motherhood should
wear a white carnation on that day.
The next year that same notice was in
serted in a Philadelphia paper and copied
by other newspapers all over the coun-
day became at once so popular that last
year Mothers Day was observed, not
only in every nook and corner of our
own country, but also in Europe, in parts
of China, japan, Africa and South Amer
lea. Florists completely sold out their
stock of white flowers; churches held
special services; and mayors and gov
errors issued proclamations urging that
the day be observed. fvl
The wonderful growth of this holiday Is
absolutely unique. There has been no or
ganization and no literature, except one
small pamphlet, to push it, 1t all grew
from that one little notice. Even Miss
Jarvis, whose love for her own mother in
spired her to send that first notice, has
never lectured. or actively propagated her
idea. The response has been entirely
spontaneous.
The only explanation of all this lies IN
the fact that the world is coming to real-
ize the beauty of motherhood and is
eagerly glad Of this opportunity to give
the mothers of men, honor due.
The Observance of the day is perfectly
simple. The wearing of the white car
nation, any white flower, IS the chief
ceremony. The churches hold special ser
vices with appropriate sermons and make
a great effort to get out all the older peo-
pie. If you are at home with your moth
er, you are supposed to observe the day
as hers in every way you can think OF.
If you are away from her, your are sup
posed to come home If you can, and il
you can't, to write her a special letter
Kindness to Somebody's mother in lieu
of your own, is also recommended.
Soldiers, sailors and statesmen are ma
tionally honored," said Miss Jarvis 'fbut |
the mothers who went into the Valley of |
tn Shadow of Death to bear them. are |
forgotten
Let us all join in the observance of our |
new holiday, and make this no longer !
true.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Bankers have the same falling as
other classes Of humanity. They are
inclined to holler before they are hurt
Many of the Kansas bankers were op-
posed to the establishment of postal
savings banks. They feared that such
banks would have a tendency to dirnin-
ish the deposits in the regular exchange
and savings banks. Since some 200 odd
postal savings banks have been in op-
Grafton in Kansas. the sum of 1901. 900
has been deposited in them. The last
statement on the financial condition of
the Kansas state banks, issued a few
days ago by Mr.. Dolley. the efficient
state bank commissioner, shows
that since December of. this year,
the already large deposits in these
banks have been increased by $4,000, 900,
and this during time when business
was generally dun, and the farmers
had few products to turn into cash.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
HUAOR or THE D\Y

Feline.-Lou-I would rather man
would call me fool than lxnave. Sue
OF course. Its the truth that hurts
Toledo Blade
Frost-How's your little daughters mu-
steal education progressing? Snow-Eine-
ly. At first she could play only classical
stunts, but now she can do ragtime.-
Life.
Elijah was being fed by ravens The
remarkable fact is that they return when
they haven't been tippedP he cried
New York Sun
Hub (angrily)-whati More money!
When I'm dead you'n probably have to
beg for all the money you get Wife
ecalmly)-We1l, I'll be better on than
some poor woman who never had any
practice.-Boston Transcript
Tightwad-Is there anything more heart
rending than to have wife who can
cook, but won't do IT? Dyspeptic-Yes-
to have one that can't cook and viii do
it.-Harper's Bazaar
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
JOURNAL ENTRIES

real hero carries his honors with
much modesty.
y y y
Not SO many persons stop to figure
up the cost of the things they want.
\ n \
Most folk know when they are in
the wrong, even if they are not will
ing to admit it.
If the average man would look him
self over carefully he wouldn't be so
free to criticize others.
Some people who can afford auto
mobiles seem to think it useless to
own them as long as their friends
are well-supplied.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

If claims were all that were needed
to annex the Republican presidential
nomination, it would be futile, indeed,
for Mr.. Taft to go into the Chicago
convention. The latest in this line is
the claim of Senator Nixon, Mr.. Roose-
velt's campaign manager, that 81 of
the New York delegates will be for the
Colonel on the first ballot. AS a claimer,
with nothing substantial to base his
claims on, Mr.. Nixon is entitled to all
the medals.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

After voting for their preference
among the presidential candidates, the
voters in the famous Massachusetts,
primary must have marked their bal
lots for the delegates-at-large in a
most haphazard fashion. For instance,
in Boston the Taft alternate delegates
at large received 11,54s votes while the
Roosevelt alternates received only IL, 54S
Yet the Roosevelt regular delegates
at large polled s34 more votes than did
the Taft delegates-at large.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
DAFFYDHS
BY u. NoALL.

Could a blind man fall in love on
first sight?
CHey! You can't get that hand in
the pantry window
If a monkey can shell a peanut
what can New Rochelle?
Don't look at me that thar way,
Strangely
If you knew Nick Longworth very
short?
(If there are no objections, these
remarks will be printed in the Con-
gressional Record.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

bath rooms are all very well in their
way, but having regular hours for
quitting work and being on time to
meals would go farther towards max
ing life easy for your women. folk than
all the hot water pipes and electricity
ever invented. It's such a simple thing
you probably never thought about it,
Mr.. Farmer, but it's true. Just try it
awhile and see.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Presumably, Governor Wilson would
not be in New Jersey even for brief
spell were it not for the fact that ne
is suffering from a severe cold, and is
necessarily confined to the house. AL
though he was elected by the people
of New Jersey to look after the affairs
of their little state, his quest for the
Democratic presidential nomination is
of much more importance-to himself.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

No less than $4,000 is the amount
asked in the first suit filed in this
county against the White Star line
for damages for the loss of life in he
Titanic disaster. By the time the
White Star line has finished paying the
bills for this terrible affair, it's Off
Gals will probably decide that the use
of its ships will be a valuable invest
of the ship will be a valuable invest
f1aa0f
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR
GFrom the New

IFrom the New York Press1
Ever a card sharper is suspicious of
the morals of politician
When a girl has sore feet she wants
you to think it's a lame arm from
playing tennis.
A man wants to arrange his COM
fort first and his salvation any time
it's convenient
Money makes a good deal more
trouble for those who don't have It
than for those who do.
Women are too busy doing fine
things all the time to get noticed for
it in the newspapers once in a while.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Topeka is paying $50 day in in
terest on its bonded Indebtedness, mucn
Of which is of long standing. This is
the best argument that could be pre-
scented for the creation of a sinking
fund which will be adequate to wipe
out most of this debt within a few
years. Increased taxes, if they are
necessary to provide such a sinking
fund. would be the best possible invest
ment that the people of Topeka could
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
Governor stubbs is surely obsessed

Governor Stubs is surely obsessed
with some peculiar political ideas.
President Taft obtained a good ma
5ority of votes over Colonel Roosevelt
in the Massachusetts presid ential pref
erential primary. And yet Governor
Stubs declared at the Roosevelt
headquarters in Chicago that from
the Roosevelt standpoint, the result in
Massachusetts, was the greatest per-
sonal victory which has been achieved
by any man in current political his
tory
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Nothing seems impossible in their
line to engineers. They are now plan
ming to build a suspension bridge
across San Francisco bay that will be
nine and one-half miles long.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Massachusetts, remarkable presi-
dental primary law seems to deserve
the Characterization of being the big
gest political gold brick" that has
ever been passed out. Champ Clark
won in the Democratic presidential
preferential primary over Woodrow
Wilson by a majority of l., 060 votes.
Enthusiastically, Mr.. Clark is the presi-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06

Goosebone weather prophets are
looking for another unusually dry
summer season in Kansas. This is a
pretty good indication that there won't
be one.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
MEXICAN BRIGANDs BUSY.

Our government seems to have de-
cided that we are justified in waiting
no longer for Madero to protect Amer
leans and foreigners in Mexico. The
transport Bedford and two torpedo
boat destroyers are on the way from
California to the west coast of Mexico
to afford safety to those who are in
danger. One refugee is authority for
the statement that there will be a
massacre of foreigners the moment
we attempt to interfere. He probably
is right in part, but only in part. There
is no reason to believe the responsible
Mexicans will resent our action. They
understand the situation. If there Is
trouble it Will come from the outlaw
element over which the Madero gov
eminent has little or no control. And
that is the trouble in Mexico at pres
ent. Brigands and outlaws are COM
hitting depredations unrestrainedly,
and sooner or later foreigners and
their property viii suffer unless order
can be established. Madero does not
seem able to act effectively. 1t is not
our duty to wait until after the harm
has been done before attempting to
protect our own and European inter-
ests.-St. Paul Dispatch.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-06
FROM OTHER PENS
SOUTHEY AND BRONTE.

SOUTHEY AND BRONTE.
There has been brought to light an
interesting exchange of letters be-
tween Charlotte Bronte and Robert
Southey. The date of the correspond
ence was 1837-tweIve years before
the appearance of Jane Eyre" Char
lotte began by asking the veteran for
counsel with regard to the practice of
literature. That Southey was not re-
sponsible for Miss Bronte's ultimate
career is evident from the concluding
portion OF his long, kindly and well
intended epistle of advice, which was
as follows:
Literature cannot be the business of
a woman's life, and it ought not to be.
The more she is engaged in her proper
duties, the less leisure will she have
for 1t even as an accomplishment and
recreation. To those duties you have
not yet been called, and, when you are,
you will be less eager for celebrity.
You will not seek in imagination for
excitement, of which the vicissitudes
of this life, and the anxieties from
which you must not hope to be ex-
empted, be your state what ii may,
will bring with them but too much"
Sixty years has made a marvellous
change in the worlds opinion regard
ing the propriety of literature as an
occupation for woman. Probably one
half of the more noted novelists of
the present day in Great Britain and
the United States belong to the sex
which Miss Bronte 80 brilliantly rep
resented, and which since her time
has made its mark in various other
fields of intellectual endeavor that in
her time almost universally were re-
garded as within the exclusive domain
of man. The world is moving, and
moving very fast, and among those
conspicuously assisting in it's progress
ticeably larger from year to year
Wisconsin.