davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04
When the Girls Declared War

The harder we'd fight the worse they'd
treat US"
That's so,' agreed Fern Killian.
What chance do we stand against
those horrid boys?"
I've been thinking" replied Iona.
IF we use our wits we can get the
best of those young men and whip
them SO badly they won't ever want
to throw a snow ball again-at least
not till next winter"
Immediately there were expressions
of surprise.
"All we have to do Is to think up
some way of humiliating them" con-
tinued Iona. THE question is
how?"
1t was then that a young woman
who had been listening in the hall
way stepped forward. 1t was Miss
10 Steele, teacher of the sixth grade,
so well liked by the girls of that grade
that they one and all called her Miss
Jo."
What's the matter, girlies?" asked
Miss 10, putting her arms around a
couple of her pupils. Have those
boys been snow balling you again p"
Yes. Miss Jo." replied Iona, land
we want to get back at them and
teach them a lesson."
The other girls expressed sim
liar desire. 1t was not long until
Miss 10 had formulated scheme in
her ever resourceful mind.
Listen. girls" she said. 1T think
we can do it. Those boys need les
son-that is certain
20, how, Miss 10? Tell US about
it," begged Helene in excitement.
Eyes, do" pleaded Fern.
''No, I won't tell you all of my plan,
but I'll give you a hint. Today the
sun is melting the snow rapidly and
II I am not mistaken it will be all
gone by Thursday-that is, all except
from a certain spot / know of. Thurs
day morning all you girls who wish
to join the fun must come to school
half an hour earlier. Bring old gloves
or mttens. That is all I will tell
you now"
"Oh, glory!" cried several.
you're a dear, Miss Jo," said Fern.
81 knew you could think up some
thing" said Iona.
In the intervening two days the
girls continued to receive their Gus
tomary ow-ballings and face-wash-
ings, which became all the more un-
pleasant as the snow grew softer and
wetter under the rays of the sun. But
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

warrior gripped a SNOWFALL in either
hand, "fire"
Then the battle began. But 1t was
ing defeat of the boys. Surprise,
without ammunition, hardly knowing
what was happening, the boys took
their medicine. Snowballs rained
upon them, snowballs burst on their
caps, snowballs crashed against their
necks and snow fell down their backs.
To be sure, not every ball hit an en-
emy; many were wasted, but still
more found their mark and usually
in an uncomfortable spot.
The girls threw with rapidity and
force, yet not recklessly. Miss 10
urged them to take their time and
endeavor to make every shot count.
The result was complete rout OF
their tormentorS.
Hearing the commotion, others OF
the boys who were tardy in arriving
at their playground hastened to see
what was the matter and were greet
ed by a shower of snowballs that olo
equal damage upon themselves.
To be sure, some of the boys tried
to make balls from the snow next
the fence, but there was little OF II
left, and they soon found it impos-
sible to return the fire.
And maybe those girls didn't throw
snowballs! A spectator would never
have believed the old saying that girls
could not aim. Maybe 1t was the
force of gravity or maybe it was luck
that caused so many snowballs to
find their mark, but the boys were
completely and thoroughly whipped.
To do them Justice. it may be said
the boys stood their ground valiantly
and did not run, and If there had been
snow handy, there might have been a
different story to tell. But they had
to acknowledge themselves decisive
ly beaten-and by girls. And the de-
feat was so humiliating that not an
other SNOWFALL was aimed at a Frank
In school girl the. rest of the winter
and not face was washed with snow.
For once the girls had peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

~ TITLE DOROTHY had been al
together nasty that afternoon
when she begged and pleaded
- and finally wept and stamped
her small foot because Mamma would
not let her wear her new dress.
And why should she have worn 1t :?
Wasn't II meant to be worn only on
] Sundays or on special occasions? Ger
tainly. But, you see, it had just come
home from tho dressmaker's and Dor
/ othy was to play in the yard that af-
tsrnoon with several of her little girl
friends. So she wanted to ''show OFF,
in the new dress before them.
And that. you know, is a mighty
bad fseling to have. Vanity, indeed,
always leads to much unhappiness
Whereas Modesty, which means not
being proud of anything you have or
have done. IS a trait that every little
boy and girl should cultivate.
II want you to listen very atten-
lively. Dorothy, to the Sleepytime Tale
I shall tell you tonight" said Mamma
that evening, after she had undressed
her still pouting little daughter and
had sat down on the edge of the bed
TO tell her a story. Maybe, IL you
think hard enough, you will see why
you should be ashamed of being so
vain about your new dress this after
noon.
Once upon a time, when your
Uncle VIII was small boy. his Papa
your Grandfather, you know-gave
him a brand new suit of clothes. And
what pretty suit it was, tool And
how proud Uncle Will was of it Why,
bless you, he could scarcely wait until
Sunday to wear It'll
Then, on Sunday afternoon, he
went out to see the other boys on the
street and, you may be sure, to show
them his new suit. Grandma had ex-
planned to him how careful he must
be about not getting it soiled. But
Uncle Will scarcely needed such ad-
vice for he was so proud of it that
no wouldn't so much as have sat down
on the grass with 1t on.
well, it seems. Uncle VIII and the
rest of the boys decided to take a
walk to the big woods at the edge of
the village. And presently they came
to the bank of the creek in which
they went swimming nearly every day
except Sundays. My, how they did
wish 1t wasn't Sunday then! But they
played games along the bank and
walked out on the big log from which
they usually dived into the creek when
in swimming.
"a boy would walk to the end OF
the log, raise his arms in front OF
him. balance himself and pretend for
all the world that he was going to
dive overheard, Just as he would
really have done on a weekday with
out his clothes. Now, just why boys
should consider that fun I'm sure
cannot say; but then. you know, boys
have such peculiar ideas of fun. any
, way!
Suddenly little Philip. who had
walked out on the log just as he
had seen the older boys do lost his
balance and fell into the creek. Poor
little lad, Though the water was only
ur to his neck where he had fallen, he
couldn't swim and was so frightened
that he did not realize that II he
would but keep his feet on the bot
tom he would be all right. Instead,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

IT. you have ever been hit by a
large, juicy SNOWFALL and felt the
ice-cold flakes melt down your
q neck, you know what an unpleas-
ant sensation 1t is. And, what is
worse, II you have ever had your face
washed with a handful of wet snow
applied none too gently, you are ac-
quainted with one of the most disa-
greeable feelings possible. And If you
are a girl. it's ten times worse.
So thought the girls of the sixth and
seventh grades at Franklin school.
Ever since the first snow of the sea-
son had fallen. the boys of those
grades had pestered them. They de-
lighted in nowballing the girls at
every opportunity-before and after
school and at recess-knowing their
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04
p 4@T TEEDY-zZ1XE AZEcS
Wf0PZEZ/TzEyZ O1XEsS0E-f-
A NARROW ESCAPE

you see, he splashed around and
yelled for help; and in a second or
two he was really beginning to drown.
Now your Uncle VIII. along with
the rest of the boys, at first thought
Ii pretty good joke on Phillip, since
they knew the water was only up to
his neck. But when they saw him
splashing around and swallowing
great mouthfuls of it and choking and
gasping for breath. they realized It
was a serious matter. Several of
them started to undress in a hurry.
But not Uncle VIII. For he re-
allied that, by the time he got his
clothes off, poor Philip would lose his
footing entirely and be carried off by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

5 Is not often that boys when they
a grow up to manhood ever become
IN what they wanted to "be" while
v still boys. Somehow, the careers
that looked so attractive to their ju-
venile eyes and hearts become very
commonplace and impossible from the
mans point of-view. But there Is at
least one man now In Congress who
has realized his boyhood ambition.
He is William II. Murray, Repre-
sentative-at-Large from Oklahoma.
You would scarcely imagine that a
dignified Congressman could have a
nickname would you? But he has
and it is-"Alfalfa Bill" Not just
plain bill" mind you, but alfalfa
Bill" And many of his intimate
friends when in Joking mood, call
him that to his face.
Well, when Alfalfa Bill" was a
boy he set his heart upon coming to
Congress some day. He has told the
story of that boyhood ambition to a
number of people when asked about
il. And, generally it runs in this
fashion:
II was making crop of cotton and
corn on rented land down in Texas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

having something to look forward to,
they bore these Ills with more pa
tience than usual.
Early Thursday morning, in a lit
tie, shaded court formed by a wing
of the school building, could be seen
some two dozen girls busy at work
making snowballs. At first they were
not proficient, but with Miss JOS in
structions they soon found the secret
of turning out large round spheres Of
compact yet not too hard snow. 1t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

Of the school building. 1t was there
the revolt took place.
Iona Duckworth said to her COM
panions, wiping some flakes from her
hair, where a SNOWFALL had fiattened
itself only a moment before:
Lets teach those boys a lesson.
Let's make them never want to snow
ball us again."
"How?" asked Helene Jarman,
brushing some snow from her left
shoulder. 1--WE can't fight those boys.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

victims couldn't retaliate, either be-
cause of girls poor aim or her nat
ural timidity. And it may be re-
marked that not only snow -balling
was INDUCED in. but washing as
well. though the latter was a rarer
and more mirth provoking pastime.
(And it wasn't the girls who laughed). i.
One day in mid-winter, when a
snow had fallen and the girls had been
amply snow -balled and two or three
had suffered the torture of face wash
ing. a crowd of sixth and seventh
grade girls took refuge in the lobby
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04
TWO GOOD REASONS.

You never read the weather pre-
dictions?"
Nope, 1 skip 'em for two
reasons. One is that there's no use
o. worryin' about what you can't help,
an the other is that you never can
rely on a prophecy TIL after it's come
true, an then it's too late to make
any difference"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

AN ICICLE.
Make an icicle by writing these
words under each other: Frozen
water; abbreviation for company:
not out; abbreviation for cent; alb
breviation for pound; the second
vowel.
HIDDEN REVERSED BIRDS.
In each sentence is hidden the name
of bird spelled backward. For ex-
ample, No. Is sparrow:
1. Speak low or rap softly.
g.. At the corner we stopped.
8. When borrowed his hat felt
grateful.
4. He made quick rally.
s. Jenny ran a city block.
8. How happy feell Oh. row
splendidly!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04
CHILDREN IN OTHER LANDS

SONS all of them seem to be always
blithe and light-hearted and gay. T
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04

D TITLE DOROTHY had been al
together nasty that afternoon
when she begged and pleaded
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
LIME WILL HELP
ANY ACID SOIL

Ames. Sept. 19.-That in some sec.
tons Of Iowa the use Of lime will help
the soil is the fact disclosed by an ex-
tensive soil survey made by the two
Iowa agricultural experiment station
and published in new bulletin just
issued. The soil in many areas Of the
eastern half of the state Is very apt
to be acid, that of the north central
is only occasionally in need OF lime,
and that Of the western part Of tho
state Is very rarely in an acid condi-
ton.
The bulletin was issued in answer
to many letters OF inquiry regarding
the advisability Of adding lime to the
soil. The success which has followed
It's use in the eastern states has led
many farmers to believe that 1t was
a sure cure for all evils.
This interesting statement Is made
in the bulletin: 1T must be emphas.
lied here that all Iowa soils do not
need lime: also that lime is not cure
al; for all soil deficiencies"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
IS THE WAR TO HLAME7

The money stringency in this coun-
try, the inability to get capital for
established businesses, is blamed on
the European war by those who up
hold the political changes that the
dominant party in congress has
brought about II this, is true it is
hard to reconcile with conditions in
Greece as shown by consular report
from there. Greece, country of less
than five millions, half of whom were
added but recently, has just come
through two trying wars. The first
was with the Balkan states against
Turkey and the second was with an
alliance of Balkan states against Bull
garia. Both wars were costly and yet
Greek finances all through the trying
period were kept on better basis
than are the finances of the United
States right now when no war is In
prospect and none is just past. The
consular report sets off the situation
as follows:
The area of Greece, previous to the
late war with Turkey, was 25,O10
square miles, and Its population was
2,670,000. AS a result of the war, the
territory was increased 1880 square
miles, and 100000 people were added.
Closely following the war on Turkey,
Greece became involved, by alliance
with other Balkan kingdoms, in a war
on Bulgaria. That Greece came
through these wars as we'll as she did
indicated the financial and economic
soundness Of the country. Recupera-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
The TEST OF CONSTITUTIONAL
t ISM.

n we ask why 1t is that our system
(of eoyernment) has not always been
successful IN other countries, the true
answer is that it has never been en-
tirely adopted" says David jayne
Hill writing In the North American
Review on ''The state and the Citi-
xen.".
In most :. countries where the prin-
chile of constitutional government has
been tried, superior emphasis has fal-
len. on; the person instead Of the prin-
ofple and the experiment has failed.
That seems to. be the main trouble
With Mexico today It has never been
more than nominal republic. The
mass OF it's people are as ignorant of
tie real principles Of constitutional
government as those of a land in
which monarchy has always existed.
They are inspired. by loyalty to lead
ers not by love of country. They
tight for factionalism, not for their
government:
In the United States the difference
Is noticeable. Except for the contest
over notification and secession, DR..
Hill points out, Americans have not
only respected. the provisions of the
constitution, but have regarded judi
cial Interpretation Of it as the palla-
dunn of their liberties. There is
something in the American charac-
ter" says The, that places more con-
fidence in settled principles than in
the trumpet call OF theorists, parti-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
SAMUEL MCCLURE IS
NEW p. M. AT FLORIS

Des MONIES, Sept 19.-New post
masters have been appointed in the
following Iowa cities:
Andover, Detlef p Haeve; Baldwin,
Edward White; Bouton. Dora Wellser:
Bryant, August Vessel; Buffalo, Lulu
Rejnbrecht; Calamus. Frank A. Pieper,
Camanche, l.. Pearl Bean; Grand
Mound, Virgil R. Northrop; McCaus-
land, Mae L. CARRIER; Monmouth, John
B. Hubbard; Scion, Anna M. Beck;
Wheatland, Frank w. Buxton; South
Amana, Adolph T. Batzol; Almont, Ell
enora Hansen; East Pleasant Plain,
Plain, Lewis T. Baitinger; Consroy,
Charles T. Lyon; Farhamville, Mary F.
Davis Floris, Samuel G. McClure;l
Harper's Ferry, Rita G. Collins; Lamot.
to, Nicholas D. Hemmers; Leland,
Eff1e l.. Steward; Norwalk, Ebert T.
Smith; Morse, Roy d. Connolly; Ohio
o. c. Hanson; Randall, Michael G. Ben.
son; Ryan, William H. Ward,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

ton since the second Balkan war has
been rapid.
Bank rates varied during 1918 from
6 to 6h per cent, but money at no
time became excessively tight" For
a great portion OF the year some lines
Of trade, particularly those with the
Levant, were paralyzed. But trade, on
the whole, was only detected, not
destroyed, for the United States large
ly increased its purchases during this
troublesome period. Compensation for
food supplies, beasts of burden,
vehicles, marine equipment. steam.
ships, etc, requisitioned by the govern
ment, was provided faithfully, and this
fulhllment OF natural obligation did
much to strengthen public confidence.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
JOHNSTON GETS
ANOTHER PATENT

Des Moines. Sept 19.-The follow.
ing patents were granted to Iowans
during the week ending Sept. Is, 1914.
as reported from the ONCE OF Wilfred
9. Lane. patent attorney, sos Croker
building, Des Moinss:
Adjustable bed, VIM. E. Barbee, Des
Moines.
Vaporizer, Jas. Barrels, Des Moines.
End gate, Harry L. Bisbing, Cler-
mont
Dental instrument, Thos. D. Craig.
Abba.
Sign, Caleb Elliott, Clinton.
Mop and brush, Frank H. French,
Preston.
Veterinary appliance, Ellsworth Hef.
lin and w. J. Roberts, Red Oak.
Button attaching machine, Allea
Johnston, Ottumwa.
Electric sad iron, Emil G. Loetscher,
Dubuque.
Chimney. Jas. H. Mckay, Forest
City.
F-shaped building block, Matthias
Lutgen, Dubuque.
Gearing device for washing ma.
chimes and wringers, Geo. Seeds. as
signor to Newton Disc Plow Co., New.
ton.
selective system. Sidney Snow.
Blakesburg.
Implement for opening boxes. e. ..
Stacy, Onawa. t
Cell case machine; Joseph starman.
Cedar Rapids, assignor to North Star
,, Manufacturing Co., Chicago.
Hose supporter. A. NJ. Wilson, Cher.
okee.
Filter, John F. Wise, Onawa. tse
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
PLAN TO ENTERTAIN
EDITORS AND AID MEN

Iowa City. Sept. 19.-Free entertain.
ment for Iowa editors and ad club
members who attend the Iowa feder.
ated ad clubs convention and editor
ial meetings here, homecoming week.
Oct. 22-24, 1914, was voted the proper
thing by the Iowa City Ad club at its
session last night. This means auto
mobile rides, banquet tickets, theater
tickets, etc. A choice program is be.
ing prepared. Joe Mitchell Chapple
of the National magazine, John L.
Mahin of Chicago. W. w. Marsh OF
Waterloo, the Greater Iowa commit
tee and other notables are on the list
of speakers. Iowa newspaper mon
will be asked to respond to toasts at
the banquet after President c. H. We'll
Ter gives five minute talk to the
state ad men. A round table on adj
vertising will be another feature.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22
A GREAT FIRE in LONDON

London may be called the birthplace of Fire In
surance Its inception was caused by the great fire
which were so disastrous and far reaching that the
people awakened to the real necessity of protection
against fire Wise people still awake to the neces
the part Of an agent and desire protection in sound
and well managed companies I have the pleasure
and honor to represent companies of this character
and am engaged in the business permanently. If you
pledge you satisfactory service 1t may be proper to
advise the nsuring public have taken the COM
panies formerly handled by Mr.. Rolla Cornell and
with my long list of first class companies in posi-
ton to serve all of Mr. Cornells patrons well as all
new buiness secure am in the fire insurance bust
ness to look after the interest of the poicyholder
Give me opportunity to take care Of your fire in
surance. At least let us talk it over.
Call phone "a or 1918; or better, call and see me
over Ottumwa Savings Bank.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

One or two heavy rains sent the
river up to stage that made many
Ottumwa jewellers fear for the safety
of their homes and even themselves.
Yet now that the danger seems past
for time, the long suffering, patient
people will forget that one of the
things they have right to expect in
their public officials is competency to
provide protection against just such
conditions as flooding Of a portion of
the town, III
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

The income tax, which the demo
Gratis counted on to make up for their
reduced tariff revenue, netted them
about half as much as estimated by
their experts. The deficit is about
$2S,0O0,0OO. The majority party is
now attempting to put through a
pork barrel measure carrying some
$56, 100000. They are meeting oppo'
sition and the easiest solution will be
for them to cut the pork barrel" bill
in half and figure that the $4,000, 900
saved thereby will make up the in
come tax deficit.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

A Chicago crime commission has
discovered that Chicago has almost
doubled the arrests for crime that
either New York or London have.
For each 1000 citizens of the three
Chicago 1888. New York 23.0S, Lon
don 24.1O. The commission further
places the arrests are as follows:
discovered that some sixty thousand
people are needlessly arrested In Chi
cago each year and that the cost OF
this is $s,O0o,OOO which the taxpayers
of the city have to pay.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

Way back in the summer time when
people felt like kicking because the
city did not dispose of garbage, the
promise was made that this problem
would be attended to "later on" Prob
ably the powers that be had in mind
that the citizens would be able to burn
the garbage in the winter Through.
out all these hot months, the flies and
other vermin have had reason to
thank the city for its consideration OF
them and they will doubtless be
amazed when the usual civic proclama,
lions to swat the fly" are made again
next spring.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

In tow Of the deep sea tug Hercules
the largest caisson ever built in the
United States began it's long journey
Wednesday from San Francisco to the
Panama canal.
The caisson will be used whenever
it is necessary to make repairs on any
canal locks. The journey to Balboa
will consume approximately thirty
two days. The structure is 115 feet
long, Is Of steel, rears 80 feet above
the water and weighs 2,450 tons. 1t
was constructed at cost of 1896, 600.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

sans and petitioners of patronage.
That, of course, is comforting, when
the air is so often clogged with the
trumpet calls.
So it is but fair to conclude that
wherever outside of our own land we
find a seeming breakdown In constt
tutional government, 1t is not this
which Is failing, for nowhere except
here has constitutional government
been given full trial under most Ia
yorable circumstances.-Om Bee.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

ing over European death lists, let ua
look at our own and wonder how it
can be prevented, or at least lessened
Des Moines Capital: AS an evidence
of parting affection Mexico should
nre few salutes to the American flag
when our soldiers leave Vera Cruz.
Kansas City Journal: President
Wilson is not only scholarly man
but a most polite gentleman. He
speaks soberly of "the wisdom Of con-
gress"
Burlington Gazette: The Des
MONIES city council has refused to
permit the Billy Sunday tabernacle to
be erected within the fire limits, per-
haps fearing the danger OF spon-
taneous combustion.
Iowa City Republican: People will
hardly invest their money in manu-
featuring as war measure, only to
be driven out of business under the
present tariff laws whenever Europe
resumes business operations.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-22

The Courier's serial story, The Up
per Crust" ended yesterday. It was
a good story and was appreciated.
The Courier will get another good one
and start it In the near future. Watch
for it. {t