davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
The Daily Story
ELvIN'S GIRL-BY CLARISSA MACKIE.

Caleb Wren brought the letter from
the postoffice and waited impatiently
while his wife slowly read it.
what does he say, Martha"
II can't make out all of ii. but he
amt coming home for Christmas" she
said in a disappointed tone.
'Sho, Can't he get away?"
'Yes: he's going TO have two days
Off, but he says If we don't mind he'll
stay down there with some friends.
was afraid the city would wean him
away from u.s." Martha Wren's voice
shook.
Caleb dropped his hand on her shout
der. and its comforting pressure as
sured her. Even if their son. Elvin, did
not care enough about them to come
home for Christmas. why, they had
each other. Neither one voiced this
sentiment. but they knew and under
stood To make it worse, it was the
first Christmas Elvin had spent away
from the old home. and they had~made
many innocent plans for his happiness.
1--WE couldn't expect him to always
come home" said Martha Loyalty.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
SWEDISH COURT LIFE is
FALLING ON A PRINCESS

Stockholm, Dec. 1.-Incompatibil-
ity of temperament is believed here to
be the real reason for the expected
divorce of Prince William. second son
OF the king, from his wife, who was
the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna,
daughter OF the Grand Duke Paul
Alexandrovitch and a cousin of the
car
The princess left Stockholm about
the same time that the Russian min
lister, NJ. Savinsky. took his departure,
and soon after the military attache,
Colonel Assanovitch, was practically
dismissed from Sweden for spying. All
sorts of gossip was caused by this
exodus of the Russian contingent.
Some reports had it that the princess
had been engaged with the minister
in the espionage which caused the
downfall OF the attache.
In court circles. however, il is said
that the rupture between the young
royal couple was not unexpected. The
atmosphere of the Swedish royal
household is about the most homely
and even puritanical TO be found in
any European court, while the grand
duchess came from a set OF quite op-
posite tendencies. The prince. al
though only 20. is a man of serious
and scholarly tastes and without great
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
mock ISLAND HOTELS.

With the remodeling. refitting and
refurnishing OF the Rock Island, one
OF the oldest and best built and best
known hostelries in this section OF
Illinois. Rock Island may boast of four
OF the best hotels I'm the Mississippi
valley. and all comparatively new.
The New Harper was overhauled
four years ago. and the management
has just completed the job OF going
over IL again. adding more rooms and
installing new plumbing. The Colonial
at Third avenue and Eighteenth is
brand new and the Harms at First
avenue and Eighteenth is but 10 years
old. So that all together Rock Island
has accommodations not only for the
average run OF transit and more, but
is in a position 10 entertain a good
sized convention
II can house a good many hundred
people comfortably in its hotels and
otherwise entertain them as becomes
a nourishing city OF the first class.
And the welcome sign is always out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
DIAMETER OF THE EARTH.
Points at Which q Is the Greatest and
the Least.

Points at Which q Is the Greatest and
the Least.
What is the greatest diameter OF the
earth7 The form of the earth is that
of a nattened spheroid. greater in d.
ameter at the equator than at the
poles. but this is modified by the ac-
cidents OF its surface. so that the
diameter varies according to the point
at which Il is measured.
It might be expected that the diam
eter would be greatest II measured
from the top OF the highest mountain.
which IS Mount Everest, in the Hima-
layas, but unfortunately the point al
which the diameter would emerge on
the other side OF the world IS in the
Pacific ocean, where this is more thar
1000 feet deep.
Professor L. Henkel Of Schulpferds
says the greatest diameter OF the earth
IS that taken from the summit of
Mount Chimborazo. in Ecuador. 2n,l3e
feet above the sea level This. be says.
energies at the antpodes on a high
point on the north coast OF Sumatra.
This diameter is 1928 miles
As Chimborazo Is almost on the equa-
cor. its summit Is that point on the
earth's surface which IS most distant
from the center. There weight IL
feeblest and centrifugal force greatest
The earth's smallest radius is that
from the center TO tho north pole. but
IL is not certain that tbs line through
the poles IS the smallest diameter. be-
cause the south pole Is on q high pla-
faau II MIGHT he fouDd that a line A
little distant from the poles. which
would emerge at sea level at each end.
would be even shorter than the polar
diameter. Such a line would be found
from a point in the Arctic ocean TO
tween Spitzbergen and Greenland to Q
point just or the coast OF the Antarctic
continent IN the big bay overlooked by
Mount Erebus. IN about 175 TO $50 de-
grees east and 20 to so degrees south
New York World
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

licans. indicating that when the roads
committee gets down to work next
month this bill will receive most ser.
ious consideration.
The plan outlined in the bill is a de-
velopment and enlargement of Mr..
Shackleford's original plan for federal
maintenance of good roads. There is,
however. more or less of a compro-
mise with the interests demanding
that the government go into the bust
ness Of constructing high-type boule-
ward roads. While in no sense does
the measure contemplate any actual
construction OF roads on government
money. it increases the amount OF fed
eral aid per mile. so as to encourage
the construction of the best type of
country highways.
For the purposes OF applying this
federal aid, the roads of the country
have been divided into three classes,
and only roads complying with the
specifications for these classes (the
specifications being set by the Office of
good roads, of the department of agri-
cultured can secure any government
aid. There will be no government
bounty for unimproved roads.
The class 4 roads are those of the
highest type. There can be no IN
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

personal magnetism. He is a captain
in the navy but presSrs his books to
the quarterback and has some repu-
tation as a poet.
The gay and lively young princess
of 90 found life in Sweden, under the
chaperonage of her husbands extreme
ly conventional parents, very dull.
Hence. it is said, she fled to her father
in Paris and refuses to return.
high court official, the Marshal
Printzskjoeld. is in st. Petersburg ne
gotiating terms for separation of
the royal couple. Prince William has
renowned that part of his wife's for
tune that would have come to him
according to the terms of the marriage
settlement The young Prince Len
mart, the 4-year-old son of the prince
and princess, will inherit Oak Hill
castle. near Stockholm.
Prince William is starting for At
RIGA on a big game shooting expedi-
ton.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
Capital Comment
BY CLYDE n. TAvENNER
Congressman frcm the Fourteenth District.

usually stiff grades in these roads,
they must be we'll drained, and the
roadbed must at least come up to the
standard of we'll kept macadam.
There is nothing TO prevent localities
TO construct roads better than the
specifications for class A, by building
them of brick. or of using deep founda-
lions for the macadam. So long a the
road costs at least as much per mile IS
as macadam it comes within the speci-
fications. And for this type OF road
the government pays an annual main
tenance aid of $50 per mile.
Class B roads are cheaper in con-
struction Their grades must be as
easy as typographical conditions will
permit, and their drainage must be
perfect But the road surface must
be OF gravel or of some other material
of equal utility and cost. 1t must have
a smooth firm surface which is firm
in any season or sort OF weather. For
such roads the government will pay
maintenance aid of $50 per mile per
year.
Finally, class c is the ordinary drag
ged country road. The specifications
will require easy grades, ample side
bitches, a surface that will quickly shed
water, and which is kept continually
crowned and compacted by dragging
or other approved means. These roads
must be smooth and passable for We
hicles at all seasons. This is the type
OF country road contemplated IN the
original Shackleford bill. and the same
annual maintenance aid is provided
SIS per mile.
The whole pu. = Sc of the bill is tc
set federal policy of encouragement
of road construction. When commun-
tiles go to great expense in the con-
struction of roads the government
financial aid for the maintenance of
these roads is correspondingly high.
But on the other hand splendid coun-
try roads may be maintained by drag
ging, and the government has aid for
this type which will be OF material
help in paying for keeping the roads up
to specifications. The bill provides for
cooperation between states and the
federal government in determining
the road types and mileage. and in the
$40, 100000 il is proposed to appro-
pirate for the first year, each state
shares according to its, proportion of
the total mileage of the country.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
WILLING to Keen Her.

Edgar, who had in his prisons been
making nightly appeals for a little
brother, was sent a few evenings ago
to visit his grandparents. When he
returned home on the following morn
ing he was informed that the stork
had brought him a sister. Edgar was
sadly disappointed and disposed to
hastily conclude that prayer was fu-
tile. After some delay, however, he
consented to permit the nurse to lead
him TO the basket in which his little
sister lay. He looked at her long and
earnestly, and then. as If great
weight had been lifted from his mind.
said:
We'll, she looks intelligent, any
how"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
As TO JUsr1cE HUGHEs.

As a purely academic matter the
suggestion that Justice Charles Z.
Hughes OF the United States supreme
court would make an admirable can
didate 10 reunite the two opposing fac
lions OF the republican party has some
interest. but beyond that IL has no po-
litical significance. The Philadelphia
Record points out that the great par
ties have never gone TO the supreme
curt for candidates. During the past
half century there have been two men,
hers OF that august tribunal, David
Davis OF Illinois and Stephen J. Field
OF California. both appointed by Lin
coin, who cherished hopes that the
presidential lightning would strike
them. especially from the democratic
quarter. but their aspirations never
we're realized. Mr.. Davis left the court
TO become a United States senator, but
Jared no better IN his ambition than
before
II may well be questioned whether
Justice Hughes would achieve popu-
larity either as a candidate or as a
president, II elected. During his term
as governor OF New York he forced his
very reluctant party to pass several
reform bills, notably those against
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

I hate him now. though once I gladly
Included him agong my friends:
Too oft we trust and find out sadly
The error in which trusting ends.
When good advice was what needed
went to him IN confidence;
thought him one who might be needed.
I trusted in his common sense.
IA
had no wish to plague or bore him,
And when he asked me TO proceed
laid the matter down before him,
Supposing him friend indeed.
He heard me through. and then decided
Against the course I had in mind:
He did not take the view that I did,
In fact. he told me 1 was blind.
Once was very glad TO rate him
Among my friends. but. sto my cost,
! learned my error. and hate him;
I went my own way-and I lost.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

authority is that
which has just
been introduced
by Chairman Dor
sey w. Shackle-
ford chairman of
the roads commit
tee.
The meadIre
has been carefully
worked out by Mr..
Shackleford. and
is the result of
years of study on
the subject OF fed
eral aid to good
roads. Moreover.
the endorsement
for the bill has
been signed by
several members
of the roads COM
mittee, including
one or two repub-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
His Speed Limit

First Fond Mother-My Reginald has
TO have a new set of school books
every year.
Second Fond Mother-He should take
Harold for model. Ny Harold al
ways stays in the same booi-s for three
Tears.-New York Post.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
Justly Punished.

why have you discharged Rich
ards? Do you think because he has
reached the age of forty-five that he is
no longer useful?'
mo that isn't it. When I was COM
ing into the city in my car the other
morning he got in front of it at
crossing and was so slow that in order
to avoid running him down l had to
lose nearly half a minute"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

YOU HEAR WHAT She BALD
Some day Elvin will be getting mar.
ried, and we've got to get used to being
alone"
Il always hoped when he got mar.
ried that there'd be more come home
holidays" murmured Caleb.
Somebody's knocking at the door"
said Martha.
Caleb went to the side door and ad-
mitted little woman. dried and with
cred, with faded brown eyes and a
nose that always twitched with excite
ment when there was news to be i'm
parted. 1t was Sarah Dean.
Its growing colder" she said.
winds changed" remarked Caleb.
81 guess it's going to snow some"
Good Christmas weather" said Mrs.
Dean hurriedly, as though the talk
about weather was merely a preface
to what she had come to say, as I'M
doubtedly it was.
1T is nice to have white Christ
mas" murmured Martha, intent on her
sewing.
Sarah Dean eyed the letter in Mar
tha's lap. well, 1 expect you'll be
glad to see Elvin home again." she
remarked briSkly.
Caleb tramped out into the kitchen
and began to rattle around the stove.
A pink flush came into Mrs. Wren's
cheek.
1--WE don't expect Elvin home this
Christmas" she said in tone OF
mild surprise.
"Oh, expect there are other attrac-
lions in the city Sarah nodded her
head meaningly.
"Of course there's much more going
on there than in little place like
Fenwick village" admitted Elvin's
mother.
ITO say nothing of the girls!" limited
Mrs. Dean.
Mrs. Wren ruffied. what girls"
she asked stiffly.
"Oh / was only speaking in a gen.
eral way" said Sarah hastily. Boys
will be boys, and 1 did hear She
hesitated tantalizingly.
You hear a lot in Fenwick village"
remarked Martha Wren energetically.
I'm real glad you came in. Sarah. Now
1 can give you that cake recipe you
asked for. L copied it all out the other
day"
I'D admire to have it." returned
Sarah as Martha went to the desk IN
the corner and rummaged In the pigeon
holes.
at takes four eggs" said Martha as
she gave the paper to her visitor.
Eggs is high. too, but then 1 can
make half the quantity. just to try &c.
James Bliss came home yesterday
from the city,
"Oh. did be?' James Bliss was
Fenwick boy who worked in the same
office with Elvin Wren.
James said he saw Elvin Sunday"
Eyes? expect he sees him every
day too"
James says Elvin has got a giri!'
she announced bluntly.
Martha started slightly; then hes
shoulders stiffened proudly.
'T expect she's a mighty nice girl.
too" she observed calmly.
81 hope so," retorted the vanquished
Sarah. and she Immediately departed.
After the door had closed behind
Mrs. Dean, Martha leaned forward in
her chair and called TO her husband.
"Caiebr' she said in a strained voice.
YES, Martha"
did you hear what she said|'
yes: you mean about Elyin" lie,
came into the room and sat down be
side her rocking chair.
"She said he had a girl. Isn't II
funny he hasn't said anything about IL
to u.s." Her voice trembled.
Caleb shook his grizzled head. MAY
be it seems strange to US that he hasn't
said anything. but again he might feel
haei.f.l =Lc:--.. - Elvin's quiet. you
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
GOVERNOR DUNNE AND THE LEG.
ISIATTRE

GOVERNOR DUNNE AND THE Leg
STATURE
Those politicians OF opposing par
ties who have tried to force Governor
Dunno into a constitutional conven
ton at this time, and those opposing
newspapers which have made the sub
tie suggestion that they be commits
stoned as guardians OF the present
progressive administration, now real
lie that they took hold of the hot end
OF the political poker when they ques.
toned Governor Dunne's strength in
the last legislature.
Though the governor was besieged
by office-seekers and harrassed by fac.
tional strife in the assembly; despite
the fact that no party had a working
majority in either house, Governor
Dunno put through more admins
tIative measures than any governor
has done in recent years.
Twelve of the II legislative recon-
EIendations made by Governor Dunno
in his message were crystalliZed into
law and these laws are now upon the
statute books OF Illinois. These meas
ures are as follows:
1. The ratification of the amend
ment to the federal constitution
providing for the election of
United States senators by direct
vote of the people, thus yielding
TO the public demand for a change
in the method of electing United
States senators.
2. A law authorizing cities OF
the state to own and operate pub
lie utilities.
3. A law providing for a state
public utilities commission.
4. A law consolidating the
game and fish departments of the
state, the effect OF which is to
place these departments on a
basis of economy, honesty and eff
fciency.
5. a law to provide for the en-
ployment OF convicts on the roads
OF the state.
6. A law providing for a state
colony for epileptics.
= A law amending the primary
election laws. providing for rota-
ton of names on primary ballots.
S. \ law providing for a legis-
lative reference bureau.
g. 4 semimonthly pay statute.
10. A law amending the two-cent
fare law. providing that children
not purchasing tickets at railway
depots shall not be penalized more
heavily than an adult.
IL The governor recommended
to the general assembly the APP
pointment of a joint commission
OF the legislature TO examine into
the condition OF the public institu-
tons and departments of the
state to ascertain If II is not pos
sible TO reduce the expenditures
of the same without impairing
their efficiency. Such a resolu-
ton passed both houses and the
committee has been appointed.
u. The governor recommended
to the general assembly the pas
sage of legislation providing for
good roads Legislation toward
that end has been placed upon
the statute books.
There's a record any governor may
be proud OF.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

The New Jersey farmer who allows
hunters TO shoot the rabbits on his
preserve" at half a dollar a head has
furnished a boon for amateur sports
men They can 20 hunting as they
would golfing, with as little inconven-
fence and risk and with the certainty
oil finding game" TO shoot.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
Interested.

"How one wishes for a return to
the good old times when all books
were bound in full morocco or russia"
said a visitor at a famous library.
You're a collector, l can see," said
the librarian. who was displaying his
treasures.
NO. sir replied the enthusiast,
I'm a leather northumberland
Telegraph.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

We'll, Tommie,' he said when her
little brother had informed him that
she would come downstairs in just
minute, Il suppose you're glad Christ
mas is coming? What is that you
have in your hand?"
That's my bank" Tommie replied.
Sister told me to rattle it in front
of you, but l amt got the heart TO
do IT"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
II Is.

81 suppose you know that Banburry
once saved his wife from drowning?"
Did heo Was 1t before they were
married."
mo. 1t was several years after"
Isn't 1t strange what man will do
under the stress of sudden excite
ment?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Good old r. NJ Holland. the rare
spirit whose fine art elevated the stage
in these days Of meretricious melanke.
las passed over. He has Joined the
invisible army OF actors. the Booths
and McCullochs. and those who made
the world better by their art. There
are mighty few left whom his mantle
would fit MOre's the pity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
lmpertincnce,

Nave you ever been in Reno?"
81 consider your question very i'm
pertinent"
81 assure you I didn't mean to make
an insinuation of any kind"
VERY well. But please understand
that never get a divorce unless the
grounds are such that l can secure 1t
without going away from home"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
Dec. l in American
History.

1797-Olfver WoIcott, "signer" for Con-
necticut of the Declaration Of indie
pendence, died at LitchfelG; born
1925.
1s62-President Lincoln recommended
TO congress a constitutional amend
ment requiring complete emanctpa-
ton of the slaves by 1900.
i911--Charles s. Francis, Journalist and
diplomat. died: born 1853.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Anthony COmstOck has declared
Miss Pankhurst;s new sex dissecting
book not Objectionable. That settles
Fl. The book il doomed. for no one
will want 10 read II.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
Merely Sound.

DO you consider him. a man of
sound sense?"
well, yes-modified a bit"
Modified? What do you mean?"
"Just strike out the sense and you'll
have my opinion OF him"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

less they get that currency bill out of
the way they will not have earned a
Christmas vacation They are right
about this.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Has somebody mentioned TO the
weather man that the article he has
been furnishing US is not just the kind
demanded for movement Of the corn
crop?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
A Preference,

rye often seen a millionaire;
It's not go much 10 be one,
And, yet, I'll tell you on the square.
ia rather be than see one.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

II price governs. stealing an egg is
NJ longer a petty offense.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Poor cooking. says a health lecturer.
has driven many a man TO drink But
weren't they hankering for an excuse,
ANYWAY
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

II you begin at once you can finish
your Christmas shopping early.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
ImpoHant.

The man who wishes to be the arch
ftect of his own fortune should not
overlook the Importance of making the
foundation firm.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

The Waldorf chef says goose for
Thanksgiving. duck for Christmas and
turkey for New Years.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Fashion requires that girls wear
their hair over their ears. How can
IL ey hear a proposal?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

Ripe strawberries from Florida are
seIlins at IS cents a quart. Almost as
cheap as eggs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

TERMS-Tsn- cents per week By car
rter, in Rock Island
Complaints OF delivery service should
be made 10 the circulation department..
which should also be notified in every
instance where Il Is desired to have
paper olscontinued. as carriers gave no
authority IN the premises
All communications Of argursentat;ve
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached for pr5Iica-
tton- no e1ch articles will be printed
over fictitious signatures.
Telephones IN all departments. Cen
trail Union. Rock Island 145. II45 and
zIls.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01

AS a Christmas present, wouldn't
a hen that really, truly lays be good
one2
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01
II Seems Foolish to Him.

The man IN an automobile finds It
difficult TO understand why people
should grumble because the walking
IS poor