davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
Tnr lNcaEAslNo IloR-

! R0F2 OF 6EE6l0M III:
ut e difficult 10 state the POSITION.
Of the civil population n Belgiunt
without appearing hystsrical& says
chairman Hooyers OF the American
RELIEF CONN on IN Londons not g
phystericaa man, but q distingn ishedI
Iiengfneer5 who iisS accust stoned 10 think
and speak accurately: Mr.. Hoover
says:
II do not know that history pre-
sents any parallel OF a population OF
1000, 900 million people surrounded by
a ring of steel and utterly unable by
any conceivable effort Of their own
to save themselves"
Kansas has heard much about Bel.
GUMS necessities that the subject
has become a triae stale. At first we
were shocked appalled, at a hapless
nation Of several millions suddenly
forced to stop work OF all kinds, and
in the beginning OF harvest, at that
The danger Is that we will get used
to the story and so fail to do all that
we are able to save this heroic peo-
! pie from utter death by starvation
Read what WEI irwin says about the
real situation:
"NtuEE We first sew the German
army come th:tugn Hc GUM last Az.
gust" rG'3 tala aa'srLcar writer, T.
was in the midst OF the harvest, ana
we used to remark, Well, there is one
thing; it loks like starvation In this
country this winter. We said it
rather carelessly, there was the so
much nearer horror of actual war, but
when we stopped to think, it admitted
of only one Interpretation.
Leave out the more terrible eff.
fects of slaughter, grief, ruined
homes, tramping, hopeless refugees
and consider this wholly as u finan-
cial and industrial crisis. The world
never saw the like Kid.
For Belgium is not a nation that
has ever asked anybody for aid. It
was the busiest nation in Europe ami
In parts of it's manufacturing region
the most populous. 1t was known by
the proud title Of "Europe's work
SHOP" 1t produced only a quarter OF
its own food Everything to keep the
nation alive has quit. But even If 1t
had not, the only thing the people at
work would get which the people, as
they are, standing or tramping idly
about, do not get, is money, and mon.
ey in BeIgium-here is what Irwin
says of it:
Belgium is nearly at the stage
where money is no good; it will prob.
ably reach it absolutely by Christmas.
The or million people left within
her borders are going to starve-rich
and poor aIike-unless the unaffected
part of the world, and mainly Ameri-
ca, sends food food and more food
When man is drowning the thing
to do is to pull him out; not ascer-
tain who threw him in. 1t is up to
America"
Aud it is up to the brightest spot in
America, the most prosperous today,
Kansas. who has made so million dol
lars profit by war which has ground
Belgium under its heel of iron and
blood. 1t is up to unafflicted Kansas
to pull Belgium out" to give not
dribble, the giving of which It does
not feel, but to give as it never gave
because never has the world seen such
cause for giving.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
connivfna With Love.

Neil c. Smith, of Buckhannon. has
we'd again. He conniyed and arrived
with Dan Cupid In a progressive, SEN
sible way. He had the nerve to b.
unlike his fellow natives and he adj
vertised in local paper for bet
ter half-anything from bone and
flesh and a hank of hair to an angel
released from captivity.
He got her. He was deluged with
applications from West Virginia dam
sells. He chose the right one.
The Lord taketh away and the Lord
gives again-if you are wise and ad'
vertise.-Pocahonta Independent.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Jethro Ellington, who has been con-
fined to the house for some time, on
account of illness, was down town
yesterday for the first time in six
months. Mr.. Ellington is no better.
In fact, he is little weaker than he
was. But he heard they had new
kind Of patent medicine at the drus
store.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
.PRlcHARp,s CANDIDACY.

John G Prichard, OF Fairmont, is a
candidate for reelection as clerk Of
the House of Delegates Mr.. Prich;
arl came into large measure II Of
prominence by the brilliant and ef.
factive manner in which; he conducted
tho campaign OF Hon. George p White
the Republican nominee for Congress
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

I'VE have only IA Democrats on the
grand jury. What will the harvest
be?" asks the unha1tered Coal River
Republican of its Boone county COM
patriots,-P ocahontas Independent.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

The accumulation Of confiscated
booze is SO great at Fairmont that It
binders the court house and 1t will
be poured in the Monongahela river.
We are all going up and swim with
the mermaids under the ice.-Poca'
hontas Independent.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
A nlEEEReNcE DEFINED.

Mrs. Henpeck, who had been read.
Ing the war news, looked over toward
MIR. Henpeck and decided to test his
knowledge.
Mrs. Henpeck-1s there any differ
cnce, Theodore. do you know, between
a fort and q fortress?
Mr.. Henpeck-1 should imagine a
fortress, my love, would be harder
to silence.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
State Editors
NEW HEADeEAR.

The Fairmont West virginian came
10 us yesterday with brand new
title line. 1t is much prettier than
the old one and is in keeping with tho
splendid progress in evidence with
that publication.-Preston News.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
TWO eREAr DANGERS,

President Wilson is facing two
great dangers in his second term as
perations, the Republican party and
William Jennings Bryan.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

it for promotion OF his own political
fortunes. It may be that having de-
cided not to be a candidate the Pres.
ident favors Bryan as his successor
and intends to give him every chance.
including a clear field by preserving
silence as to his own candidacy.
Bryan may win the nomination OF
the Democrats for 1915, but that IS
not the same as victory in the sue.
ceeding November election: He has
been adept in framing issues which
have kept him in the public view
and out Of the White House. Hos
tried free silver for his maiden Pres;
idcntial run, but Mckinley said Open
tao mills and not the mints. and the
people accepted the advice and Me-
Kinley. Mr.. Bryan may endeayorS TO-
coin the liquor issus for his political
gain in 1916, but it Is; the other mills
that most concern the people now
MS they know that they can diepose
OF the gin mills without his ala and
that he is no help and never has
been in opening the mills. of industry
and keeping them running, but tho
contrary.
But is Wilson for Bryan for Prests
dent? Perhaps-if he doesn't want
It himself. Cumberland News.
H . 3 sss 4 4
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
WHERE is HEq

The West virginiar has its what
has become Of" etc, each day, but
so far we have not read their query
us to what has become of Teddy
Preston News.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Mrs. Wash Riddles distinction was
short lived. Since the surgeons work
ed on Mrs. Riddle, a little over o year
ago, nine other women in town have
undergone the same operation.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Present fashions in dress are be-
coming, but they are Of little assist
ance to the woman who wishes to keep
the location of her vaccination mark
q secret.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
Just Smiles

A Los Angeles woman wants d.
vorce because her husband made her
live where there were rattlesnakes.
oh, this feminist moyement!-Cincin'
natl Post.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Most Of the time allotted to discus
sion is consumed by those who have
nothing to say.
The man who is too busy to spend
ten minutes fixing the screen door ut
home will often stand around for two
hours down town waiting to see al
election bet Of $40 put up.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

is WILSON FOR BRYAN?
Mr.. Bryans recent declaration that
the Democratic party should take
strong ground against alcoholic bev-
erages has been regarded by some as
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

About the only time the average
man inspires the laughter of his neigh
bors, is when he marries his second
wife.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

If you wish to inspire mans active
interest and enthusiasm give him q
chance to get even with somebody
else.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Not all of the grafters are smart
In proportion to numbers engaged
there are as many fatheads In that
business as there are in any other.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

whether it is the whipping or the
humiliation that hurts worst depends
a great deal upon wheter father ad-
ministers in.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

Mrs. Buck Kilby is franker than
most women. Mrs. Ktlby never has
pretended that she suffers in silence.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15
Smoke.

B. and Q. smoke floats around,
1t makes the people sneeze,
It covers up the grassy ground,
And fattens up the fleas!
-Parkersburg State Journal
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

The self.made man nearly always
betrays himself.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

A wife forgives but she never for
gets. -..
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

order your coal from .scC oY.5 GoAnl
COMPANY. and get, the best PITTS.
BURG GAS COAL. Every load weigh:
ed and full weight guaranteed. Prompt
delivery any place in city.
Phones: Office
Bell 12s Il !. "A
Consol. 1928 Xxx it31
Mine: Bell 1883. MI 4. u.
1905: g w.t. y V
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-15

The news that the interstate Com
nefce Commission has at last grant
sd the five per cent. Increase in
freight rates to railroads, Is good
news to the business world general
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
LITTERATEUR HARD AT WORK
Ordinary Mortal Had to Wait While
Budding Genius Secured Founda-
ton for Story.

A Brooklyn drug clerk tells Of a
man who came into his shop for the
purpose of consulting the directory.
He stood first on one foot and then
on the other, watching the young
woman who had got possession Of the
volume. She was a nice, leisufely
sort Of young person. and she had a
large sheet of paper that she spread
put upon the counter beside the direc.
tory, and on which she now and then
inscribed a name from the volume.
The mar became a little impatient.
He coughed significantly. and the
young woman turned to look at him.
Il beg your pardon" she said. but
do you wish to consult the directory? ?"
Now, as the young woman was pref
ty, the man shifted from one foot to
the other and said ~uneasily: NO
hurry; don't let me disturb you"
whereupon she resumed the direc-
tory. Several minutes elapsed. At
last she closed the book with a sigh
of satisfaction. Thank YOU" said
she, sweetly. Il am afraid l have
kept you waiting. But, you see, ! am
going to write a short story in a prize
contest, and / really didn't know how
to begin until l had picked out the
names for my characters"
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
OVERSIGHT THAT WAS FATAL
Light Fingered Gentleman Might
Have Got Away With the Coat
But for Ono Thing.

A fellow stole a coat hanging In
front Of a clothing store the other aft
ternoon. But the proprietor was on
the job, and before the thief was half
a block away he had the police and
most Of the neighbors on his trail.
The poor fellow who had taken the
coat was really coatless before the
crime. And as he ran he struggled
into the distracted article, which fit.
ted him pretty well. all things consid-
cred. And when he was apprehended,
about four blocks from the starting
point, he protested his innocence
stoutly. \
What dye mean I stole the coat?"
he said. I've had this coat all sum-
mer. Why. I amt had 1t Off my back
for a week."
you amt, amt you?" sneered the
policeman. AN have you wore that
there coat hanger inside 1t acrost yer
shoulders all that timer"
Saying that the arm Of the law
grasped the iron hook projecting
above the collar, dragged the victim
to the corner and called the wagon.
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
CHAPTER v.
A Sunday Morning Call.

As a boy, Arthur Lanstron had per
sisted In being an exception to the in
| ~fuences of both heredity and environ.
ment. Though his father and both
grandfathers were officers who be-
| lieved theirs to be the true gentle
mans profession, he had preferred
any kind of mechanical toy to arrang-
ing the most gayls painted tin sol
| diers in formation on the nursery
| floor: and he would rather read about
the wonders OF natural history and
| electricity than the campaigns Of Ma
poleon and Frederick the Great and
my Lord Nelson. Left to his own
choice, he would miss the parade Of
the garrison for inspection by an ex-
| celIency in order to ask questions OF
a man wiping the oil of his hands with
| cotton-waste, who was far more enter
tanning to him than the most ~Hpick-and-
span ramrod Of a sergeant
Upon being told one day that he was
to 20 to the military school the follow
ing autumn. he broke out in oren re-
bellion.
81 don't want to go to the arpy," he
eaid.
"Why?" asked his father, thinning
that when the boy had to give his "a
sons he would Don be argued cut ut
the heresy.
ITS drilling a few hours a day, then
nothing to do" Arthur replied. All
your work waits on war and you don't
know that there will ever be any war.
II waits on something nobody wants
to happen. Now. II you manufacture
something. why, you see wool come
out cloth. steel come out an automo-
bile. II you build a bridge you see 1t
rising little by little. You're getting
your results every day; you see Your
mistakes and your successes. You're
making something. creating some.
thing; there's something going on all
the while that isn't guesswork. ]
think that's what I want to say. You
won't order me to be a soldier, will
your"
The father, loath to do this. called IN
the assistance OF an able pleader then,
Eugene Partow. lately become chief OF
staff OF the Browns, who was an old
friend OF the Lanstron family. Partow
turned the balance on the side Of flial
affection. He kept watch OF the boy,
but without ~fayoring him with infu'
ence. Young Lsnstron. who wanted to
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
MIRROR FOR DAINTY WOMAN
May Be Held In the Mouth, Leaving
Both Hands Free to Arrange
the Back Hair.


At last a woman may have both
hands free to arrange her back hair
as she looks in a mirror. This Is made
possible now by the invention Of a mir
ror which can be held IN the mouth,
thus rejecting the back of the head
from the main mirror Of the dressing
table.
It is the invention of a Frenchman.
Who has given so much thought to the
elegancies of woman's toilet as the
French?
This new mirror is broad, SO as to
give a good general view sidewise. and,
being fixed on a curved bar, stands
we'll out from the face. so that there is
no strain on the eyes.
At the bottom Of the curved bar Is
the bite" not too large for dainty
mouths and covered with batting, 80
as to be easily held without harming
the teeth.
Even the hygienic side Of the use of
this mirror has been considered. for a
number of thick envelopes Just fitting
over the bite" come with the mirror.
SO that you may lend 1t to your friend
and neither she o you fear any con-
tagion.
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
CHAPTER iV-contInusd.

Then impulse broke through the
restraint that seemed to characterize
the Lanstron Of thirty-ive. The Lam
stron Of twenty-five, who had met
catastrophe because he was wool
gathering" asserted himself. He put
his hand on Stransky's shoulder. 1t
was a strong though slim hand that
looked as II 1t had been trained to do
the work Of two hands in the process
Of its owners own Transformation.
Thus the old sergeant had seen a gen.
eral demonstrate with a brave veteran
who had been guilty of bad conduct in
Africa. The old colonel gasped at such
a subversion Of the dignity of rank.
He saw the army going to the devil.
But young Dellarme, watching with
eager curiosity, vas sensible Of no
familiarity in the act 1t all depended
on how such a thing was done. he was
thinking.
I'VE all have minutes when we are
more or less anarchists" said Ian
stron in the human appeal Of n man
to another. But we don't want to be
judged by one of those minutes. l got
q hand mashed up for a mistake that
took only a second. Think this over
tonight before you act. Then. II you
are Of the same opinion. go to the col
onel and tell him so. Come. why mott"
All right, sir, you're so decent
about it," grumbled Stransky, taking
his place in the ranks.
Hep-hep-hep! The regiment started
on its way, with Grandfather Fragini
keeping at his grandson's side.
Makes me feel young again. but it's
darned solemn beside the Hussars,
with their horses bits a-jingling. Times
have certainly changed-oficers
hands in their pockets, saying II you
don't mind to a man that's insulted
the flag! Kicking amt good enough
for that traitor! Ought to hang him
yes, sir, hang and draw him!" ,
Lanstron watched the marching col
umn for a time.
"Hephep-hep! It's the brown Of the
infantry that counts in the end" he
unused. 81 liked that wall-eyed giant
He's all mani"
Then his livening glance swept the
heavens inquiringly. A speck in the
blue, far away in the realms Of atmos
pheric ininity, kept growing In size
until It took the form Of the wings
with which man flies. The plane vol
planed down with steady swiftness
till its racing shadow lay large ovel
the landscape for a few seconds before
1t rose again with beautiful ease ant
precision. .
Bully for you. Etzel!" Lanstror
thought, as he started back to thu
aeroplane station "You belong IN tn,
corps. We shall not let you return t.
your regiment for a while. You've
cool head and you'd charge a church
tower If that were the orders"
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
DECEPTIVE WEIGHTS.

Here is a good trick to play upon
the fellow who knows 1t all" He will
be surprised when shown that he is
wrong. Initiate a large empty paper
bag and tie 1t up alright. Place the
bag on the palm OF one hand, and into
the palm OF the other hand take such
a quantity of coin or other metal as
will seem To equal the bag in weight.
II the observer does not know OF the
Illusion or suspect 1t. the paper bag
will be found to weigh ten to twenty
times as much as the metal with
which 1t was matched.
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
that the world thinks she ought to be
called Maggie"

that the world thinks she ought to be
called Maggie"
Proceeding le!surely along the main
path of the first terrace. Lanstron fol.
lowed It past the rear OF the house to
the old tower. Long ago the moat that
surrounded the castle had been filed
In. The green Of rows Of grape vines
lay against the background Of a mat
Of Ivy on the ancient stone walls, which
had been cut away from the loopholes
set with window glass. The door was
open. showing a DON that had been
Chased In by a ceiling Of boards from
the walls to the circular stairway that
ran aloft from the dungeons. On the
floor OF flags were cheap rugs. A num-
Der Of seed and nursery catalogues
were piled on a round table covered
with a brown cloth. -
"Hello!" Lanstron called softly.
"Hello!" he called louder and yet
louder.
Receiving no answer, he retraced his
steps and seated himself on the second
terrace in a secluded spot In the
shadow Of the first terrace wall, where
he could see anyone coming up the
main flight OF steps from the road.
When Marta walked she usually came
from town by that way. At length the
sound Of a slow step from another d.
rection broke on his ear. Some one
was approaching along the path that
ran at his feet. Around the corner Of
the wall, in his workman's Sunday
clothes of black, but wearing his old
straw hat. appeared Teller. the gar
dener. He paused to examine a rose
bush and Lanstron regarded him
thoughtfully.
As he turned away he looked up.
and a glance of definite and unfalter.
ing recognition was exchanged be-
tween the two men. They had the
garden to themselves.
"Gustave!" Lanstron exclaimed I'M
der his breath.
"Lanny!" exclaimed the gardener,
turning owe a branch Of the rose bush.
He seemed unwilling to risk talking
openly with Lanstron.
you look the good workman in his
Sunday best to a IT," said Lanstron.
Being stone.deaf," returned Teller,
with a trace Of drollery in his voice,
Il hear very well-at times. Tell me-
his whisper was q%uivering with
eagerness-"shall we fight? Shall we
fight?"
I'VE are nearer to 1t than we have
ever been in our time" Lanstron re
piled.
The hat still shaded Feller's face
his stoop was unchanged, but the
branch in his hand shook.
Honest" he exclaimed. "Oh, the
chance of 1t! The chance Of it,"
"Gustave!" Lanstron's voice. still
low, came in a gust Of sympathy. ane
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03

the pocket which concealed his hand
gave a nervous twitch as II it held
something alive and distinct from his
own being. "The trial wears or you!
Do you want to go"
mol" Teller shot back irritably.
MOL he repeated resolutely. 81 don't
want to go! mean to be camel"
He shifted his gaze from the bush
which he still pretended to examine
and suddenly broke of with: Miss
Galland is coming!"
Lanstron started toward the steps
that Marta was ascending. She moved
leisurely, yet with a certain springy
energy that suggested that she might
have come on the run without being
out of breath or seeming to have made
an effort.
Hello, stranger" she called as she
saw him, and quickened her pace.
Hello, pedagogical" he responded.
AS they shook hands they swung
their arms back and forth like a pair
of romping children for a moment.
I'VE had a grand session of the
school this morning. the largest class
everi" She said. "And the points we
scored off YOU soldiers! You'll find
disarmament already in progress when
you return to headquarters. We're ir-
resistible, or at least" she added. with
a fash NJ intensity. "we're going IN be
some dav"
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
PoIleeman's Badge Of Authority.

In equipment the policeman varies
from a walking arsenal, such as the
Jericho policemen, to the clubless pa
trolman of one or two American cities.
The club, however, is recognized as
the policeman's badge Of authority. In
Darjeeiing the policeman carries a
reed pole about six feet long. in
Seville the night police are armed
with long spears, such as the knights
OF old used.
Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
SYNOPSIS

At their home on the frontier between
the Browns and Grays Marta Galland and
her mother. entertaining Colonel wester-
ling OF the Grays, see Captain Lanstron.
stan intelligence oficer OF the Browns.
injured by a fall In hts a~eroplane. Ten
later. westerling. nominal vice but
real chief OF stan. reinfcrces South La
Iir. meditates on war, and speculates on
the comparative ages of himself and Mar
ia, who Is visiting In the Gray capital.
Westerling calls on Marta. She tells him
OF her teaching children he follies OF war
n martial patriotism, begs him TO pre-.
vent war while he Is chief of stan. and
Rrowns Sa Ill, ne &c, 1r nin g me march
with the SD OF the Browns Private Stran-
sky. anarchist. decries war and played
out patriotism and Is placed arrest,
Colonel LAnstron everheartns. begs him