davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19

pinned to the side OF the fnalr.
The sun had shone for| an hour or
more when Tom awoke and realized
that 1t was Christmas day. He hardly
dared to glance at the stocking but
summoned up courage and looked at
the chair where it hung. The stock
ing was empty. Tom reached over
and felt it to make sure and then
crawled back under the bedclothes.
For the first time in his life the rough
ness Of the world had overcome him
and, in spite Of all the strength he
could muster, the great hot tears
crowded into his eyes and flowed down
his cheeks. He buried his face in the
pillow and cried a great big soulful
cry.
TON! Toni" It was his mother
calling. but he only pulled the bed
clothes over his head and pretended
not to hear. He would not for the
world let NAV know that he would
cry, he who was supposed to bear the
burden Of the family on his shoul-
ders.
Tom! Tom! Toni" come the call
again, here's letter for you"
A letter for Tom? Such an event
had come into his life only Awice.
once when the fresh air society Of
fered him week in the country whi .:h
he could not afford to take, and . let
ter from the license bureau vita his
newsboy badge. The dry side Of the
pillow served as handkerchief and tow
el. and. holding his head r. w to hide
his red eyes. he ran int, the next
room.
John ]. Sweeney" b e read on the
corner Of the envelope why, he's the
alderman from this q strict" Fingers
were all thumbs tryt ng to get that let
ter open and part of it was torn be-
fore the envelope would give up its
secret The not, was short and type
written but II. took Tom nearly five
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19

Ye-es." Pete whispered; to-
scared to realize whether ho was ny:
ing yes" or mo"
Now. Pets, take . good look q
me-" tho doctor continued @ he arose
from his chair and stood in the mid.
die Of the room for tho cripple's In.
spection. "rm not really such IN ~.
ful man. am l. Peter
N-n-o-o," Pete answered, more
because the surgeons tone needed Z
negative reply than because he knew
what he was saying.
"Petes like little boys" the doctor
went on. ignoring the lads terrified
expression. And kind of think
some Of them like me. Do you think
you could?"
Ma-a-aybe," the youngster was
doing his best to be brave.
Tho doctor glanced at the open door
and nodded to the maid.
"Tom Mcclure is out at the door
and wants to see you,'' she said.
Send him in" the surgeon an
swered heartily. well. never. Lei
10. Tom!"
Hello. doc! Done anything 70
Pete's leg?"
Why, no. we haven't mentioned
legs. Have we, Pete?"
Not yet." said Pete. with feeling
that something was still to come.
Say. doc. look at it now, will your"
Tom exclaimed energetically and be-
gan to take on his brothers shoe.
Hold on Z minute, Tom; this isn't
the place to examine legs. and besides.
I never make an examination without
the owners consent"
Tell the doc you want to have yer
leg looked at" Tom commanded In =
tone that bore authority.
Before Pete could answer, the doc
tor had interposed = good natured OBJ
lection.
you keep out Of this, Tom. This
10 Pete's leg, and he shall have the
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19

course, peen no nrtre controversy 40
to whether this is the actual site Of
the original manger. To begin with.
it is underground, and many people
wonder how it could have been used
by cattle and horses. Here. however.
we have to remember that In the
East donkeys and mules often dwell
In underground stables, and the stair
case would present no dimculty to
the agile native cattle Of Palestine.
No less an authority than Colonel
Conder has declared that "the rude
grotto with its rocky manger may be
accepted even by the most skeptical
Of modern explorers"
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19

'Well, it is true, fer knew the doc
wouldn't fool me. Amt he the grand
est ever?'
tom you'll never be ready to go to
the hospital by four o'clock II you
don't get dressed .
Tom rushed into the bedroom and
came back with the empty stocking
that had hung on the chair.
Say NAV, I'll shut my eyes, and you
stick them two letters in me stocking
and I'll pretend / found 'em there.
Amt this bee-ootiful Christmas?"
Copyright. by w 6. Chapman.)
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
A FULL STOCKING
Continued from first page.)

ignorance. step In q moment and
I'll see if It belongs here
Pete stepped inside and took OF his
cap. The girl disappeared, but return.
ed presently, and pointed to an open
Aoor down the hall. Pete hobbled in
,s..ec-ion pointed, and entered the
ctor's outer Office.
Sit down q minute came q pleas.
voice from somewhere. and Pete
4 up into one Of the large
The next few minutes were
t4e busiest the cripple had ever
N. Pictures. statuary, books, fur
-fe-never in his short life had he
en- such an array. How could he
7cssibly remember all to tell Tom?
;>e-ore the survey was half finished,
! Tever. tall man with q kindly
ace stood before him and held out his
Ind for the paper. Pete handed him
t;ae Star and arose to go.
Hold on a minute. how much do
eve ycu:"
1.-TWO cents"
Two cents?" the doctor shouted, 20
loud that Pete feared he had over
charged him. Didn't you pay carfare
to get here?'
"Yes, Tom paid that" Pete smiled
with relief.
TON? Who's Tom?'
Hes me big brudder." This time
the smile bespoke pride and thank
fulness.
Likely sort Of chap?"
Yes. sir; Toms all right" The smile
was wider than ever.
DO you know who amp the doc
tor asked in his kindliest tone, plac.
Ing his hand on the boys shoulder.
mo"
Il am Dr.. Harrison" The smile dis
appeared and the boy began to trem-
bic at mention Of the awful name.
Possibly you have heard Of me?',
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
THE KNoCKER.

After God had finished making tks
rattlesnake, the toad aud the vallti
pire, He had some awful substance
left over, with which He made ].
knocker. A knocker is a. two-legget
animal with a cork-screw soul, /.
Water-sogged brain and a combina
ton backbone made of jelly and glue
Where other people have their heart;
he carries tnmor of rotten princi
pies. When the knccker come.
down the street honest men turI
their backs, the angels in Heayel
take refuge behind their harps, tht
devil barlocks the gates Of hell
Exchange.
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
A CAUTIOUS CUss.

The other day we met man who
carried suit case with one end tilt
ed up. Thinking that was the latess
way to carry one we made inquiry
and were informed that he carried II
in that position because he had {
quart Of Ticker" inside that did no
have a cork in it.Hog walloW Ken
)tuckian.
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
ceoroie's Threat.

Geor0te'8 Threat
Little George Prim had rejoined
the Sunday school. as was his annual
custom, just two weeks before
Christmas.
I'm glad to sec you hero again. :
said the superintendent.
sWell, believe me-" said little
George. You've got to do better by
mo than you did last Christmas or I'll
90 to the Presbyterian church nsxt
time"
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
Friendly Advice.

Friendly Advtce.
Yes said the Fairy Prince. you
may have whatever you want for .
Christmas present. .
= will choose" said the Fortunate
Person. either wife Or an automo-
bile"
How foolish!" exclaimed the Fairy
Prince. why do you not select
something that you can manager
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19

minutes TO READ It aloud. Eacn W0rd
seemed to have taken a new meaning
to the astonished boy.
"Mr. Thomas Mcguire, 148 Willow St.,
+ City.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to inform you that
the application of Mcclure and Har-t
rison for news stand adjoining the
fountain on the southwest corner Of
the square has been granted and pos
session may be taken at once Be-.
neve me. Yours very truly,
JOHN j. SWEENEY,
Alderman 17th District"
Great Jewhilikens," Tom shouted.
and his mother, too. made some sort
of an exclamation that was drowned
in the racket of the two smaller Nc
CURES, who felt called upon to add
to the general din.
Me and the docs goin' to have real
news stand right where wanted 1t.
Don't wish Pete was home to hear
the good news! What do you think
O. that, NAV? A great big news stand
right at the fountain where we can.
sell ten times more papes! Amt that
bully Christmas present? Say. nav,
the docs brick and don't you forget
it,
We'll, hurry up and get dressed or
you won't have much Christmas Day
left"
Tom vaulted chair and cradle on his
way back to the bedroom and slammed
his tear soaked pillow iato a corner
Of the room as an expression Of his
feelings toward tears.
A real news stand A great big
stand all to ourselves. 4 can see just
how it's goin' to look. Gee! amt that
grand!'
But greater news was on the way
and before he had pulled on the empty
stocking he heard noise in the other
room and peeped out. There was q
big man In a fur overcoat at the door
with another letter and he was not the
postman either.
Tom, here's another one for you. !"
The summons was needless for Tom
was already at his mothers side and
had seized the white envelope.
James B. Harrison, M. d." he read.
That's about Pete. Jimminy Christ
mas! Say. maw. you open It. My
hands is all shaky."
Mrs. Mcclure could not make much
better headway opening the envelope
than Tom, but she managed to pull
out the letter and Tom began to read
laboriously.
'Mr. Thomas Mcclure. 14s Willow st.
Dear Tom:
Merry Christmas from Pete and the
doc, Hurrah for Pete! The operation
was a great success. Pete will be run
ming around without a crntch long be-
fore next Christmas. Come around to
he hospital at, four o'clock. Sincerely
your friend.
JAMES B. HARRISON"
p. Spy the way, Tom, don't be-
lieve shall have time to take care
IT my half Of that newBpa per privilege
- sAA0 IVA AOHs ~ i xOkUAA u0I0WlLu tu6
agreement cancelled. Leave a paper
It my house every night while Pete IL
n the hospital and we will call It
square. j. b. H"
Three cheers fer Pete,'' Tom yelled.
md gave the .ablo such q kick with
lis bare the that 1t almost made him
lowl. A little thing like that was not
lllowed to break up the celebration so
ae grasped his mothers hands, and
'wung her around and around in
ring around a r osy" until the poor
woman hardly kaew whether it was
Christmas or Fc nth Of July.
"Ain't this q grand Christmas?'' he
houted. Amt the doc bully? Amt
'eter the luckii ,st feller in the whole
vorld?"
Yes. yes. " t,s." groaned Mrs. Mo
futre. trying Tier best to regain her
reath and bs lance. 20, it's-too-
ood-to be tt ue!'
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
TOM SAWYER OUTDONE.

B Mr.. and Mrs. w. F. Fields gave an
autumn party to number Of young
people, III honor Of their 1augilt.,r
Haxeldean's sixteenth birthday. It
was an enjoyable affair. the guests
bringing rakes with them to rake The
leaves from the lawn. Fort Wayne
News.
scat! you brute, you're wet!
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
GRADUATES PREFERRED.

MariaAt place where was
pending my vacation this summer. .
fresh young farmer tried to kiss me.
He told me he'd never kissed girl
in his life,
Ethel What did you say to hint
Marie Il told him that was no
agricultural experiment station
Boston Transcript.
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
Maid and Mistletoa.

According to Archbishop Mares, the
maid who was not kissed under j mis-
tletoe at Christmas would not be n var
Tied In that year. The mistle zoe
speedily invaded the drawing roo n,
without. however, reducing the qua ..
tity Of kissing In the kitchen.
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
AN ALIBI..,

Judge And ron still claim to be-
innocent, although six witnesses say
they saw you commit the crime?
Prisoner Your honor, can pro-
Educe 5000 who didn'l see me. Cor
nell Widow.
St. Tammany farmer., 1914-12-19
Two IN One.

What . lucky fellow Bliss ID"
How SOP
'His flancee's birthday comes o.
Christmas"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
JAMES LANGD0N Is
FINED FOR CONDUCT

James Langdon, the Moline man who
returned to mis- home over the Benson
grocery store a few days ago and while
in an intoxicated condition threatened
the lives of his wife and mother-in-
law with butcher knife, was arraign-
ed in police court Monday before Jus
tice Fred Entrikin and fined sos. in
addition TO creating the disturbance
at his home. Langdon resisted arrest
and had to be dragged to the police
station. His expressions of sorrow
over his conduct caused the judge 20
be somewhat lenient, and he promised
10 behave in future.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
Sians of Ancient Paris.

George Cain. curator of the Carnava-
let museum, in Paris, treasure house
of Partisan antiquities, has arranged
an exhibition of old signs rescued from
under the pick of the demolisher
Some are examples of exquisite iron
work. Others are delightfully."- quaint,
such as the sign of the old Latin quar-
ter barber, which announces that he
works quickly and silently" Follow
ing the name of a herbalist in the
same old world district is the request
that he be not mistaken for the other
imposter living across the street"
A Belleville store proclaimed itself
"a raw and cooked pork butcher"
Among signs Intentionally facetious is
that OF a little cafe which stood oppo-
site the gate of a Partisan cemetery
announcing to passers that they would
be more comfortable here than across
the street."-Chicago Tribune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
CITY TO VACATE
FOR GOVERNMENT
City Commission in Regular
Session Makes Proposition
to Street Car Company.

The Moline city commission at Mon
days regular meeting granted to the
United States government the strip
OF land at the foot OF Twenty-fifth
street. The war department plans to
erect thereon warehouses for use of
engineers working along the Missis-
sippi river.
1t was also announced at the meeting
that the Fourth street car line is a
certainty. and it was decided that the
city will build a $4,000 storm drain If
the street car company will put in the
GO-foot driveway. All of the details
of the proposition have now beer
agreed upon and it is probable that
the work of construction will start
within the next couple of weeks.
G. f Erickson. recently appointed
commissioner to succeed Clarke G. An
derson. attended his first commission
meeting. taking an active part in the
business transactions.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
MOLINERS FORCED
TO ABANDON TRIP
Mrs. Mayer and Son Louis Re-
turn to Plow City After
Reaching New York.

Mrs. z. Mayer and son Louis of Mo-
line, bound for Germany on a sum-
mer's trip, arrived in New York few
days ago, but were halted there and
unable to cross the Atlantic owing to
the suspension of boating operations
on the part of the big steamship con-
Germs occasioned by the international
war in Europe. Mrs. Mayer and her
son had already purchased their tick
cts and their luggage is on board the
Vaterland, one of the big boats which
was ordered TO seek a neutral port for
the time being. Mrs. Mayer and her
son decided to return to Moline and
give up their trip for this year. They
arrived home Monday.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
FIRE CHIEF WILL GET NEW
AUTO FOR DEPARTMENT

Within a few days John Hawk, chief
Of the Moline Fire department, will
be riding in style among the rest OF
them. for word received today from
the Velie Motor Vehicle company, is to
the effect that the chiefs new road
s;er is practically ready for delivery. 1t
Is the intention OF the city to sell the
chiefs present rig, including horse and
harness. Word from other factories
which are making the new equipment
for the local department indicates
that everything will be received by
September l.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
NiahtinaaIes as Pets.

Although in nature the song OF the
nightingale does not extend later than
the middle OF June, yet in captivity
the bird will sing up to the time of
the autumn mott and will begin again
at Christmas. The one detraction from
the merits of the nightingale as a pet
bird is its Individuality Some birds
VIII sing only when no one is in the
room with them, some will sing under
any condition, and some will be silent
for ever If they change ownership. At
the earnest solicitation of a friend
once parted with a nightingale which
was the finest singer had ever heard,
and in its new ownership. although it
was kept In the same cage and was
fed in exactly the same manner as
that TO which IL had been accustom-
ed. it never uttered a note during the
remaining seven years of its life
London Graphic.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
PRESS AGENCY AS
A PUBLIC UTILITY
Eastern Newspaper Finds No
Justification for Charges
of a Monopoly.
(springfeld, Mass, Republican,

(Springfield, Mass, Republican,
The Republican has examined most
of the attacks on the Associated Press
with lively interest. The tendency to
regard a news collecting agency as a
monopolistic public utility that should
be regulated and restrained by the
government like interstate railroads is
one of the notable aspects of recent
criticism. In no case, however, has
this idea been developed logically, SO
as to reveal clearly the sharp contra
diction between it and the principle
of free speech and a free press, which
is a bulwark of a democratic civiliza-
ton. The superficiality of the anony-
nous writer on the Associated Press
in the July Atlantic is particularly ap-
parent IN his easy solution called
government restraint" for a news
agency which has much in common
with the ordinary public utility mo-
nopoly., and which should therefore
be treated like a public utility cor
poration."
Newspapers are already under the
restraint of the libel laws. Within
year The Republican has been the de-
PENDANT in a libel suit, which 1t lost.
To establish a new form of govern
ment supervision, regulation and re-
straint along the lines suggested, how
ever with the inevitable government
press commission to do the supervis-
ing, regulating and restraining, would
mean nothing else than the revival of
the medieval censorship, which still
hourishes in such a despotic and back
oh,
capital as Mexico City during a mill
tary dictatorship. IF its news were
none the less unfair" says the medic
valist Atlantic writer, some arrange
ment could presumably be made for
government restraint"
The Associated Press itself prints
nothing. Individual papers print the
news furnished by it, and the owners
of those papers are legally reSpon-
sible for the printing of unfair state
ments or inaccurate reports. Govern
ment regulations or supervision that
begins before the news is printed is
necessarily a government censorship
in the United States quite as much as
in Turkey or Russia. And the super
vision would necessarily have to begin
before the news was printed, If the
government were to supervise the out
put of the Associated Press. One can
see in this plan nothing, in effect, but
a government official in every Asso-
ciated Press Office censoring the dis
patches sent to the newspapers taking
the Associated Press service. How
else could government regulation be
made practical and effective?
If the Associated Press were super
vised, all news agencies should be
whether they were large
or small, cooperative or proprietary.
There are all kinds in this country. In
principle, also, it is certain that the
government supervision should ex-
tend to every individual newspaper,
because in its important local field
each newspaper does its own news
gathering and is often the source of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
HOTEL MANAGERS
STOP IN MOLINE
Fred Leavens of Manufactur-
ers' Hotel Host to Thirty
Five Delegates.

Fred <. Leavens of the Manufactu-
ers' hotel was host this forenoon TO
s. hotel managers of the northwest.
men who are enroute 10 Milwaukee
TO attend a convention of hotel men
and who spent the forenoon OF today
in the tri-cities- Mr.. Leavens depart
ed with the delegation on the noon
train for Chicago and will be one OF
the large party TO be entertained with
a banquet at the Tavern Inn tonight.
The Moline man will not go to the
convention but will return to Moline
tomorrow.
The visitors here were treated to
an automobile ride through the three
cities. with a stop at II o'clock at the
Manufacturers hotel, where light
lunch was served and cigars were
passed, after which Mayor Carlson
extended a brief but hearty welcome
TO the delegation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04

there are possible interpretations of II
and the most practicI way OF getting
all those aspects presented to tia
world is to maintain a free press.
But condemnation OF the govern.
ment regulation idea as an undeno.
cratic bareback to a medieval censor.
ship commits no one to the defense Of
the existing abuses Of the press. In
very vital sense, moreover, the press
in nation under democratic govern
ment is a public utility exercising
functions of publicity indispensable 10
the success of government by the peo
pie. Yet it cannot be regulated like q
gas company, in the printing of tie
news of the day, without re-establish.
ing a government censorship as fatal
to the underlying principle of freedom
in printing and speaking as govern
ment supervision of public worship
would be fatal to the cherished prin-
ciple of the free exercise of religion.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
An Absentminded Amateur.

They were talking about their hus-
bands over the tea things. Husbands
and the weather supply the same va
cuum between the gales of gossip.
"Theophilus, you know, is very alb
sentminded and so wrapped up in his
new study OF photography that that's
all he thinks Of You can't imagine
the time l have with him"
She paused a moment to imagine 1t
herself, while her listener found az
idle interest in creasing the lace ends
with her fingers.
"Oh, this is what l was going to tell
you! Theophilus came out of the dark
room the other evening just as dinner
was set l says to him, 'Theophilus.
what are you standing up there roll
ing that plate of soup around like that
for?' Just a minute he says to me-
just minute. It's developing nicely.
See that high light coming up?' High
light nothingI says l. That's crack
er. Sit DOWN. kansas City Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
Chicken Fry Thursday.

F. z. Pierson, physical director of
the Moline Y. VI. c. A, has made ar
engagements for chicken fry for the
business mems gymnasium class. This
class has so members.
The fry will he held at the home Of
Mrs. Henry Washburn. three miles
west of Coal Valley. Thursday. The
business men will leave the ''Y'' at !
O'Clock. Volley hall and playground
ball will be the main events on a pro-
gram of sports to be pulled OFF before
supper.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-04
APPELLATE COURT
UPHOLDS CIRCUIT
Decision in Case of Bluff Dis
trict Clothing MERCHANTS
Is the Same.

From Ottawa, comes the news that
the appellate court OF Illinois. sec
ond district, mas upheld the decision
of the circuit court IN the case of
Bauwens & CIaeys VS.. Morris Goeth-
ais. All are clothiers of the bluff dis
trict of this city.
Judge r. W. Olmsted rendered the
decision in the lower court last De
cember, awarding the plaintiffs a
Judgment in the sum of $500. or one
half of the amount for which they
sued.
The case grew out of alleged viola
ton of an agreement of a contract
entered into between the two parties
some three years ago. Bauwens q
Claeys purchased the clothing store
at S43 Eighteenth avenue of Mr..
Goethals and based their suit on the
ground that the defendant violated an
agreement to refrain from again en-
tering the clothing business in this
city for a period of five years. They
averred that he started another store
in one year, almost Immediately ad-
joining their stand. Evidence was
introduced at the trial last December
to show that as a result of Mr..
Goethals again engaging in the cloth
ing business in the same field, Bauw-
ems & Claeys had lost considerable
amount of trade.
Whether the case will be carried to
a higher court has not yet been an
nounced.
George w Wood represented the
plaintiffs and ]. b. & ]. L. Oakleaf
the defendant.