davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
WHOLE FAMILY GOES MAD

A whole family falling mad, follow
ing prophecy by clairvoyant, is re-
ported in the little village of Saint
RAINY, in the department of Deux
Sevres, France. The Gauthier family
occupies farm near the village.
Some time ago, pig belonging to
the farm died. The farmer consulted
a sleep walker, who had the reputa-
ton of being a clairvoyant, and she.
after gazing into her crystal, declared
that evil spirits had entered the eau
thier house, and unless they were
driven forth all of the farm stock
would perish and the family become
mad.
The village priest was at once
asked to come and exercise the de-
mons, but refused The other morn
ing, it is declared, the whole family
went suddenly mad The sons went
to the priests house and brought MIN
by force to the farm, where he was
shut up and ordered to pray. Finally
they brought the priest out of confine-
(ment, and when his prayers proved of
mo avail, they beat him. The neigh
)bors rescued him with great difficulty.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Only One Who Could See All That Was Going On

could see what was going on.
Say, motorman, I'm a stranger In
this burg. What's the matter with
the people here; taking chances as if
the car couldn't hurt 'em If it tried?
First thing you know, you're going to
be stopped by an inhabitant or two
under the wheel Do you folks go on
like this as a regular thing? And
don't you ever have to make use OF
your coroner?"
Habit, / guess. / suppose they
know we are keeping a sharp lookout
all the time. When I've come near
an accident l can't sleep well for
nights thinking of 1t, but you never
hear anybody plying the poor mo-
torman, do you, or wondering how
he stands the wear and tear on his
nerves. l suppose there's some sort
Of an excuse. You see, we rip W
these Avenue tracks every now and
again and people get so used to hav-
ing a car poke along at snaiPs rate
that they lose respect for its ability
to hurt them-hi, there!"
The motorman stopped his just
started car with mighty wrench that
jerked it to a standstill.
Otherwise a young person in white
ratine, with high-heeled slippers and a
fioppy Panama, would have had her
name in the papers next day
In the death notices.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
DAYS OF HIGH HEELS ENDED
Sandals Which, With Their Access
series, Are Remarkably Pretty,
Assure Downfall of "StiIts."

Off with your high stills, Miss
Decentralization! Down to with
in a quarter inch of the pavement
with your heels! For that is what san
dals are going to bring you to. And
then won't you be an Insignificant lit
tie person? But as you'll certainly
adopt sandals, you may as we'll learn
that they're kept on with ribbons
laced about the ankles-a horrid nuis-
ance, the lacing-and tied there in
bows or clasped with tiny buckles.
The buckles are certain to be more
popular than the bows first, because
they're more, easily adjusted and, Sec
ond, because they're so pretty. One
of the prettiest pair as yet brought out
is in three tones of gold set with Bull
garian colored stones. Another set is
Of an Opaque dark blue stone, asthird
in two tones Of silver set with. sap
phires and topaz, and a fourth in dull
gray finished metal set with sapphires.
Then there are the buckles of tor
toise shell bearing silver nail heads
and of platinum set with rhinestones
and of gold set with pearls.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Grave and Logical Treatise on Reformed Sea Talk

TT has been gravely and logically
i urged that the substitution OF
fright" and left" for "starboard" and
port" in the navy makes 1t much
easier for inexperienced men to learn
to steer. How many other changes
could be made with similar end in
view?
For instance it surely must rasp
the nerves of the green landsman on
warship to hear an officer during
gun drill snap out the command 81
lence." How much better it would
be for the officer to say in a bland
and soothing voice, Gentlemen, will
you be kind enough to come to or
der?"
The next command has always been
Cast loose and provide" This has
rude twang. How much prettier 1t
would be to say, Friends, prepare
this piece of artillery for use against
the enemy and bring up the ammuni'
ton from downstairs"
During the silent watches Of the
night one hears on the warships now
such dialogues as this:
Masthead there!"
AYE, aye, sir"
How does that light bear now?"
1.-TWO points and quarter off the
starboard bow, SIR
Wouldn't it be better If it were
something like this:
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

wv ASHINGTON. - Thousands Of
w gifts, from millionaire and labor
ing man, constantly remind President
Wilson that, though he is constitu-
tionally precluded from receiving
presents from prince, potentate or
foreign power, the people of his own
country do not forget him. In I'M
In all sorts of packages grotesque
gifts have poured in upon him. A
staff Of clerks at the White House
spend no small part of each day in
properly receiving and acknowledging
them and, perchance, returning them
with thanks
The stream of gifts to the new
president started on the day of his
induction into office. It will continue
with more or less intermittence until
the day he ceases to be president of
the United States. The gifts are mark
ed by a catholicity of choice that Is
truly amazing.
These unknown friends of the chief
executive do not confine the mediums
by which the gifts are sent to any one
carrier; in fact, the methods chosen
to send them, large and small, are
almost as varied as is possible.
A favorite method is the old and
tried personal messenger plan,
whereby strenuous efforts are made
to deliver the gift in person. The
proposed donor, or his agent, will
search the very heavens as we'll as
the earth to find plausible excuse
to get by the watchdogs of the Sc
cret service and Secretary Tumulty
and take the little token of affec-
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
NOT IN TOUCH WITH HEAVEN

A letter addressed "To my dear
God in Heaven" written in a child's
handwriting, was recently posted in a
Russian townlet. AS the address was
written in German, the Russian post
authorities forwarded it to the Ger
man frontier post office at Tilsit The
postmaster of the latter place return
ed it to its place of origin with the
following superscription: ''To be re-
turned. The addressee is in heaven,
with which Germany has no commune
cation"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
SNAKES IN Her HONEYMOON HE is STILL ABOVE GROUND

Because rattlesnakes figured promi-
nently in her honeymoon Bessie Scog-
gan McElhose asks for a divorce in a
complaint filed in Denver against her
husband, Roy R. McElhose. She says
she was married February II, 1908,
in Pawnee, Neb., when but eighteen
years old and McElhose took her to
spend her honeymoon on an unim-
proved desert claim near Deer Trail,
Colo.
The complainant recites that she
honeymooned digging post holes,
blowing and narrowing, and among
other things the bridegroom compelled
her to do was ito dig cockleburrs on
a tract of ITO acres infested with rat
tlesnakes, which were so numerous
that in spite of care and caution used
by the plaintiff she stepped on several
snakes, which caused her great mental
suffering from which she has not yet
completely recovered"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
An Unending Procession Of Many Strange Gifts
Gifts

ton and esteem" to the president in
person.
If the distance is too great for the
giver to reach Westinghouse If he
has no acquaintance here-or If he
cannot prevail upon his congressman
to present the gift for hint will be
reluctantly trusted to the tender mer-
cy of the express companies or the
mails. During the present admins
tration the favorite method Of send
ing the smaller articles to the White
House has been by parcel post.
Larger packages from unknown send
ers are always opened at a safe dis
lance from the executive rooms, to
provide against unpleasant possibili-
ties.
The nature of the gifts varies in
such way that the president might
possess a good start toward collecting
a museum of curiosities or even es'
tablishing a geological park. Pamph'
let's and books enough to furnish
good-sized library accumulate every
few weeks. Just for the sake of va
riety mud turtle, sent by admirers
on the eastern shore of Maryland, was
found, carefully wrapped, in the morn;
ings mail one day not long ago. The
reptile had not been harmed In any
way and was Immediately turned
loose In the expanse Of the White
House grounds, where he may thrive
for many years.
Visitors with suspicious looking
bulges aboHt their clothing have
been stopped on the White House
grounds by the police or secret serv-
ice men. They have been taken to
one side for examination and harm
less article has been taken from it's
hiding place within their clothing. On
questioning, they have admitted IL
was intended as gift to the presi-
dent. They usually drop the fact
that they were attempting to reach
the president through some pretext
in order to deliver it themselves and
personally receive the thanks of the
chief executive.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

Friend Jones, are you awaken"
Eyes, indeed, sir"
well, then, will you be kind
enough to tell me in what direction
you see that light?"
"The line Of it's direction, sir, is
about thirty feet to the right of the
flag pole on the front end of the ship"
And when the lookout first sees the
light, instead of dropping the brusque
exclamation, Light, ho!" down on
the deck like an anarchists bomb,
why shouldn't he mellifluously ejacu.
late, Il beg your pardon, sir, but ]
see a light"
More power to Josephus Daniels
and his policy. With little diligence
and patience such terms as "slush.
bucket" "squeegee," ''handy-billy,
Johnny Legs" and "gangway" may be
translated into English that any land
lubber in the navy or outside 1t can
understand.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
FAMILY of 13 Triumphs Over Civil Service Law

ru HIS is a story of how merito-
L rious case and family of thirteen
put one over the civil service COM
mission. After six years of waiting,
Richard T. Underwood of Pennsyl-
vania has almost reached the goal he
won through an examination.
A bookbinder. Mr.. Underwood pass
ed in 1907 an examination that en-
titled him to appointment in the gov
eminent printing office at 81 day.
There was no vacancy, but his fam
ily, consisting Of wife and ten chill
dren, required support. so he accept
ed the place of laborer in the post
office department at $500 year.
Underwood was promoted Feb. L,
1908. to an assistant messengers po-
sition at $720 year.
It was discovered that before ne
could be promoted to higher salary,
which he deserved, in Mr.. Hitch
cocks opinion, 1t would be necessary
for him to pass another civil service
examination. Lack of education in
youth made this impossible, so Mr.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
New Wrinkle.

The fingers and hands of elbow
length silk gloves wear out, leaving
the uppers comparatively new. Where
there is a baby in the house these
may be turned to good use. Place one
Of baby's socks on the gloves, the leg
part of the sock and the hemmed end
of the glove being together. Then cut
socks for the baby after the pattern.
Sew carefully into shape with fat
seams. Here you have a good light
weight sock only for the cost or trou-
BILE of making. The top should be
reinforced to withstand the wear. and
tear caused by safety pins.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

a SOCIAL atmosphere was given to
"A an Avenue car by the majority of
the passengers, who were obviously
out for an early evening ride.
The one serious person aboard was
the motorman, who kept firm grip
on his lever and looked ahead with
ever-watchful eye.
Each time the car stopped for a
minute to let passengers get on or
off people scuttled across the track
without the least apparent fear of be-
ing run over, and even when the big
thing was whizzing along women who
were only a few yards ahead would
sprint in front of it as if they rev.
eled in tie risk-not counting an oc-
casional man who looked as If he
might be sensible enough to realize
the disadvantages of injury or sud
den death. This reckless Irritation
with danger surprised at least one
passenger who sat on front seat and
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Violet Holder.

An extremely simple and practical
rubber novelty comes in the shape Of
4 bunch of violets, and is designed
for the protection of a gown when
the natural flowers are worn. 1t is
made of green rubberized silk. the
shade of the viole leaves, and is out
lined with a green wire. When worn
it effectually prevents the penetration
of any moisture to the gown. The wire
edge permits Of shaping the holder to
the bouquet proper, and the latter is
then attached to the corsage or wher.
ever else desired.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

Hitchcock wrote the facts to sfhe pres
ident, urging that Underwood be ex-
copied from the requirement because
of his value to the department and
the eleven other reasons, the wife
and ten children. July 81, 1912, Mr..
Taft directed his promotion, without
examination.
Governor Dockery recommended
Underwood's promotion to $1,000
year. effective July 1. Postmaster
General Burleson has made the neces-
sary order. Meantime daughter.
born in February. Increased Under.
woods family TO thirteen.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31


a
quite
with threench border
artistic show the veil falling
of the dped
bonnet shapes In the latter the veil
bonnet
of
folds
period The striking and
with lilies other
of
of
abov all other
JULIA BoTToMLEY
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

Not long ago 500 English song birds
were sent from London to Victoria,
British Columbia, and set free to build
their nests and rear families in the
forests Of Vancouver island. The
feathered emigrants included larks,
robins, tits, goldfinches and linnets
and they were selected by j: H. Tur-
ner, agent-general for British Column
bia. An aviary was specially con-
structed for them on an ocean liner
and they travelled across Canada in a
car-de-luxe. Accompanying them was
an expert whistler who kept them in
song.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Quaint Effect.

The streamer trimming for hats is
being favored by both French and
English women. Among the novel,
quaint effects to be considered is one
showing an inch-wide, black MORE
ribbon draped from the right side Of
the hat snugly across the throat to the
left shoulder, where it falls unrestrain-
ed to the hem of the gown, says the
New York Herald. Only picturesque or
youthful women should undertake the
steamer trimming.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
WOMAN HUMAN PIN CUSHION

Miss Anna Bischoff, sixty years old
a patient in the Mattheawan state
hospital, New York. is known there
as the human pin cushion. Six weeks
ago she swallowed a hatpin four
inches long from which the knob had
been removed. 1t punctured her
stomach and an operation revealed it
in the lower intestines. A week ago
she swallowed six safety pins. She
was again operated on and the pins
removed. She has recovered fully.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
i;sefui LneesecIoth.

Cheesecloth is both cheap and use
full 1t makes the best dust cloths, is
excellent for any sort of straining, to
tie over milk crooks, to cover fruit
or anything not to be exposed to the
open air, is fine to apply varnish
and to polish furniture, makes good
shoe cloths and dainty window cur
tains, and soft comforters may be
made from it.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

were born in Searingtown, near Ros-
Ign, Long Island, on June Is, 1880.
Their parents were Townsend and
Rebecca Soaring Hawxhurst. They
were born in the simple faith Of the
Society of Friends, and have continued
faithful members of that sect through
out their lives. They taught school
for many years. They instructed chill
dren both in this state and in Virginia.
It was while teaching IN the latter
state that Mrs. Banks met her hus-
band, to whom she was married on
June 81. 1856. He Is about q year
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
THE WORLDS OLDEST TWINS
The Hawxhurst Sisters, Born on Long
Island, Celebrate Their e3d Birth
day Near Birthplace.

New York.-Mrs. Maria Hawxhurst
Banks and Miss Elizabeth Hawxhurst,
said to be the oldest women twins in
the world, have just celebrated their
eighty-third birthday anniversary at
Mrs. Banks home, In Sea Cliff. Long
Island.
Mrs. Banks and Miss Hawxhurst
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
TAKES POISON IN SLEEP

Miss Kate Graham, living eight
miles southeast of Rogers, Ark. arose
during the night while asleep and
swallowed ten strychnine tablets
which she had been in the habit Of
administering to her invalid mother
The overdose Of the poison threw her
into commissions, which awakened the
family. A physician saved her life.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
sashes With White Frocks.

Sashes in red, green. black, white
and yellow, combined in stripes, are
made of wide silk ribbon with a CEN
trail wide stripe Of velvet. These
sashes are finished with black tassels
four or five inches long. They would
supply character and style to white
frocks of crepe or ratine.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Wonderful Hosiery.

The slashed skirt necessitates beau
tiful stockings. There are black and
white silk stockings with Bulgarian
blocks, Northumberland stockings in
many charming patterns, and stock
ings of real lace. There are also clocks
Of real lace on silk. Silk fish net
stockings are worn over color.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

A curious churchyard memorial is
found at Primer, England. 1t resem-
bles a church tower, and half way up
the structure, on both sides, a coffin
projects. Beneath and supporting the
structure is an arch filled in with iron
work bearing the words: "Byde My
Tyne" The stone coffin contains the
remains of Scotch merchant whose
descendants retain his properly only
as long as he remains above ground.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

her junior. They have three children.
Nathan Banks, an entomologist, en-
ployed at Washington, and Caroline
and Annie. who live with their pa
rents.
For some time after their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Banks lived at Roslyn.
A quarter of a century ago they
moved to Sea Cliff. The other twin.
Miss Hawxhurst. journeys there each
June from her Brooklyn home tc
spend the summer with her sister.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31
Rose Flayorinq.

Fiji glass bottle with fresh, fra
grant petals, cro%ding them down to
its fullest capacity, then pour in
enough pure alcohol TO suDmerge
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-31

Ossified men die bara.
The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-26
Taught by Experience

He entered the shop of fashion
able boot maker, look of determine
ton on his face. It was such look
as one sees on the face Of man who
is firmly resolved to carry out, at all
hazards. a decision which will change
the whole course of his life.
.rHmr" he began, as the assistant
stepped forward and politely ques-
toned him as TO his requirements in
feet heautihers. 'T want a pair of
shoes for my wife, Mrs. Brown"
yes sir, certainly" said the young
man. briskly. Same style and size
as last week?
Same style. Size fives-wide fives,
replied Brown, decidedly.
'eBut-er-excuse me, Mrs. Brown
only takes-that is. she usually has
three and half" exclaimed the as
sistant, who knew the lady well.
Are you married, young MANI
oueried Brown, sternly, the look of
determination deepening on his care
worn features.
-.Er-not yet, sir" answered the
shopman, blushing.
Il thought not" returned Brown.
am: I am not going to suffer half
an hours purgatory every morning
watching a woman trying TO squeeze
a bushel of feet into a peck Of shoes.
I've stood 1t long enough. and I'm go
ing to take her pair that will fiji"
The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-26
One Cause Of Divorce

Now. I'm no brute, and I've no
desire or intention of I'll treating my
wife, but at the same time I've got a
natural masculine desire TO feel that
my wife is dependent on me. and that
she looks up to me as a sort of divine
providence. the source from which all
blessings flow. you know.
"Of course. 1 know it's my vanity.
but Ed like my wife to be a timid,
clinging vine proposition that's hang
ing on to my sturdy oak strength. and
not another oak that's just as strong
as I am, and casts a bigger shadow.
Also. / should like to feel that when
l got angry, and came home cross,
and be-damned around the place that
my wife would go off and weep a lit
tie. and then humbly ask me to for
give her for the things l had done, In
stead of packing her grip and going
out to hunt for a boss who would
treat her as if she was q lady, and be
careful of her feelings.
That's why I don't get married.
The girls are too darned independent
They can take care of themselves,
and they won't stand for any fool
ishness from husband. He's got to
walk the chalk line. or it's Reno for
theirs"
Well" I commented, Il don't see
why that should keep you out of the
holy estate There are plenty of
meek, spineless. little girls hanging
on the parent bough, just waiting for
some man to come along and marry
them, and who would put up with
any kind of conduct in husband to
get somebody to pay their bills
WHY don't you marry one of them?"
THEY BORE THEM
'whew," he replied, making a wry
face. they bore me stiff. and they
disgust me by being parasites, and
the way they try to work men for
what they want, instead of hustling
ont and earning II for themselves.
After all. a man doesn't like to think
that what he stands for to his wife
is merely cash register"
what you want is the impossible
said. AN independent woman who
is meek
Man has always wanted the i'm
possible of woman" he returned-"a
The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-26

The Hurd>-Gurdy
By LILLIAN LAUFERTY

TO the tune OF the hurdy-gurdy danced on the city
street,
And all who passed stood smiling to watch their
tripping feet
For child was made for dancing, for gee and mrth
and play,
And the joy OF youth sets sprngtime CLEAN on the
murk of the winter day
But what of the OTHER CHILDREN bound far from
the sunght's glow.
Whose music is only the throbbng hum OF the engine
and dynamo?
And what Of their leaden footsteps that never knew
tripping feet
Shall child work the factory and child dance
in the street,
Shall the little children labor in the Country of the
Free
And the beckoning geam of the golden sun be joy
they may not see?
Shall dance the hurdy gurdy of greed and lust
and gold,
And buy ourselves tawdry youth in the pain of
child grown old?