davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
WATCH THE CHILD'S READING
May Seem to Be UnImportant, But =
Little Consideration Will Show
lts Real Value.

Few of us realize the enormous
power Of literature upon childhood, for
It is so insidious in its action. Book
after book is read and, we think, sor-
gotten, yet those very books are the
ones upon which opinions have been
formulated; here a little and there a
little, we have amassed our knowl
edge through them as medium. We
hear parents exclaiming at the ex-
traordinary ideas their children have;
they often say they cannot think
where they have got them from and
add that they never thought such
things In their young days. OF course
they did not; the last generation read
much less and Travelled far less than
the present one; there were no cir
cuIating libraries and books 30 cheap
chat a few pence could buy them
Their opportunities were limited with
In a much narrower circle, and 1t is
because OF the very facilities which
our children now have for reading ev-
erything that it is more important
than ever that they should be super
vlsed In the matter. The control will
not be felt, If only from the first those
in authority would take the trouble
to read aloud and suggest delightful
books. A child who has found by
experience that he has received the
keenest enjoyment when hearing or
reading books recommended by his
parents, will be more likely to ask for
advice and discuss what he has read
with them. So the trend Of his men.
tai growth can be directed, and those
who are responsible for his education
Will have a better knowledge of his
individual development and will mel
ther retard nor unduly force him.
Mrs. Theodore Chambers. I'm.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
but this is the life. !"

boxing, but this is the life"
And he blew out cloud of fragrant
Havana smoke.
When asked as to what outcome he
would predict for the Chaves-Duran
fight on New Years day, Newman
said he believed Benny was giving
away too much weight and that Duran
would be the winner, for that reason.
He based his prediction upon the in
formation of one of The Optic bunch
that Duran is a clever boxer, though
not so old in the game as Chaves by
any means.
Newman, in addition to his promo
tion activities. has been manager for
Stanley Yoakum for nearly two years,
ever since their draw battle in Las
Vegas in the spring of 1918. 1t has
been profitable partnership for both
of them, as Newman has secured some
good bouts for his charge and the lat
tel has put up game exhibition
every time ne mas stepped into the
ring.
Duran and Chaves are making prep
arations for their coming 1O-round
bout at the armory m manner that
shows each is determined to win in as
short a time as possible. The former
bantamweight, in meeting Lightweight
Duran, is giving away some weight.
but his experience and general classi
ness as a ring general evens the score.
Duran has been anxious to tackle a
man Of Chaves' class for some time.
Now that he has the opportunity he
expects to make the most of it. He
has the assistance in training of
Charles Doll, who has handled some
good men in Kansas City, including
Wild Cat Ferns.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
Feathered sonQsters That Arc 50
Much PrIxed Come From Ger
many, Not the Canary lsiands.

Those who may have been under
the impression that canary birds i'm
ported into this country come from
the Canary islands will suffer severe
disilIusionment at this time, especial
ly If the family believes that canary
bird Is needed, and someone proceeds
to 'buy" a canary. The fact is, that
in times Of peace canary birds come
from the Hartz mountains in Germany
where they are bred by the peasants
in garrets and spare rooms Of their
cottages. One New York firm alone
imports 100000 canaries annually.
At present no canaries can be
bought in the bird stores because o.
the blockade Of German ports. 0rdk
narily these birds sell for fifteen to
thirty dollars dozen. The individual
bird is sold on his merits, as indicated
by his looks and his voice. The fe
male canary is a poor singer and sells
for half the price Of the male The
birds sing best between the ages Of
a halfyear and six years. Frequently
they live to be twelve years old.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29

of the large purchases of war supplies
and the great profits that can be de-
rived from shipments to European
ports, there has been a corresponding
increase in the demand for ships for
cargo purposes. The inevitable re-
suit has been a steady increase in
steamship rates.
The increased rates, the reports
says have in many cases been specu-
latiye and the larger increases have
been to European and Mediterranean
ports.
"The general lever Of rates to South
American, South African and the far
east, the report declares, has remain
ed fairly consistent. With the excep-
tion of sur-tax of 25 per cent TO
South America and 20 per cent to
South Africa A more complete re-
port will be made later.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
OCEAN, RATES INCREASE


Washington, Dec, 49, Increases in
ocean rates since the beginning Of the
having been in many cases "unreason-
able and exorbitant' Notwithstanding
the extraordinary conditions. by Sec
retary Redfield and Secretary McAdoo
in preliminary report on shipping
conditions submitted today to the sen
ate.
The report declares that in shipping
circles it is estimated that so per cent
Of the ships have been eliminated,
through the tying up Of German aud
Austrian marine and the commander
ing of such a large part of the British
marine by the admiralty On account
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE
Writer Tells Of the Various Distances
at Which Bodies Of Men Can
Be Distinguished.

Some Of the enterprising CORE
spondents have been writing some
wonderful tales from alleged inter
views with wounded men and others
in the European war, says the Army
and Navy Journal. One of the best
of these gems told of troops aiming
their rifles at the enemy one mile
away and using the buttons on the
coat as an aiming point, in order to
make hits more certain. The follow
ing facts may be useful in throwing
little light on the yarn. Men Of
ordinary sight and under ordinary con.
ditions of air and light can distinguish
troops as follows: At 100 yards all
the parts of a mans body are seen
distinctly, including the general lines
Of the face; slight movements are per
ceptible; the minutest details of the
uniform, such as buttons, may be
counted. At 200 yards the outlines Of
the face are confused and the rows Of
buttons are invisible, but the color OF
the facings, especially If bright, is still
apparent At 400 yards the face is
a mere dot, but all movements of the
legs and arms are still distinct. At
500 yards the movements of the arms
are still perceptible Az 600 yards
all ,.etails disappear If the light be
strong, however, the files of squad
can be counted, and individual move
mentsf may be distinguished At 800
Yards the men cannot be counted and
individual movements are indistin-
guishable. At 1000 yards a line of
men resembles broad line, the uni
form width of which is broken above
by the line of heads and below by the
line of legs.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
RUINED BY FUNERAL COSTS
Costly Rites Practiced by the MaorIs
Meet With DlsapprovaI of the
Government.

An appeal to the government OF
New Zealand to represent to the
Maoris the manifold advantages of a
pakeha (white, mans funeraD over
the expensive "tangf'-a native one
is contemplated as the result OF the
serious effect of one of these trying
but picturesque ceremonies in the
North island. One Pango Raumaewa
and his brother took up 80 acres of
land at place called Rata, put up
house and milk shed, and invested
in 30 cows, then set about clearing
the place, which was in heavy scrub.
After much labor they succeeded In
bringing the best part Of the section
into a state Of productivity. They
had milked for three years, and were
the earners Of a comfortable little
income, when Pango's brother died
AS is usual, monster "tangi" was
co1iVeaed, and It cost Pango over one
thousand dollars on top or this the
father passed away, leaving many
creditors. Pango was forced to clear
this or also. He then discovered that
he was ruined. Taking heart again.
he went to another place and started
afresh. There, in time, he was able
to invest in is COWS, and in every
way again proved his energy and IN
dustry. Recently, however. Maori
child belonging to the little commun
lty died, and asibig "tangi" has been
arranged, the expense of which will
fall upon the same unfortunate ma
tive.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
NEWMAN PICKS DURAN
TO DEFEAT CHAVEZ
HE SAYS ADVANTAGE sfid Weight
WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE
TO LAS vEGAN

Showing evidences of prosperity,
Louis J. Newman, fistic promoter for
the Colorado Athletic club Of Denver,
blew into Las Vegas yesterday for a
brief stop on his way to Ell Paso. 1t
was hard for The Optic bunch to be-
lieve that this opulens looking person
with the two-bit cigar was Louie New
man, former lightweight scrapper,
and, before that. devil in this office.
4 let the other fellows get The
black eyes and take the beatin in
the ring new said Ionic. while !
look after the promotion end. You
know fellow gets w1se after a while
and lands in the department that
yields the most profit. used to pull
down a bunch Of coin when was
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
The road has been in financial diff

The road has been I'm financial diff
ficulties for some time and it is stat
ed on apparent good authority that 1t
was to have been abandoned, and its
rails torn up and sold; that the Santa
Fe system was to buy it and that the
state would be forced toatake it, over
and operate it. Mr. Ely announced
today, Immediately on taking over
the receivership, that none Of these
would take place, but that the opera
ton of the road would be continued
as in the past,
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
SENDS
note To- GREAT
BRITAIN
CONTINUED From Page one.)
the resolution Thursday.

AOSOAANAOAA
Vigorous criticism OF the adminis-
tration's policy in Mexico and en-
dorsement of the protest to Great
Britain against the seizure of Ameri-
can neutral vessels were coupled in
the house by Republican Leader
Mann.
Our rights on the high SEAS" said
Mr., Mann, during the protest TO Eng
land discussion, must be upheld with
dignity and firmness / commend the
administration for the position It has
taken. m 60.
I'VE wish to keep out of this Euro
pean, war; but we do not intend to
kseps out BY saxing to the warring
nations you may do what you please
without regard to our rights. There
is no danger of our being involved in
this war by protecting our rights
England cannot afford to go to war
with US. Neither can Germany"
Referring to the Mexican situation
the republican leader said:
IF there was proper conception
of our duties we could easily bring
order out Of chaos in Mexico, and that
without war. I favor the Monroe doc
trine, but am not in favor Of turning
Mexico over either to anarchy in
Mexico or control in Europe"
Conference in London
official washington awaited with
much interest the outcome of the ex-
pected conference in London today
between Ambassador Page and Sir
Edward Gray, the British foreign sec
retary, for the presentation Of long
note from the United States govern
ment insisting that the legitimate
commerce of this country should not
be unduly molested by the British
fleet. 8lsd
The communication, prepared by
President Wilson and his advisors in
the state department, reached London
today and was regarded here as the
strongest representation on the sub
ject of commerce made by the United
States to any belligerent since the
outbreak of war. The document points
out that the United States was patient
III the early days Of hostilities, realiz-
ing the war has burdened the British
foreign office with serious problems.
Ic declares that with the passing Of
five months. however, the situation
has grown worse. r.
Administration officials realize tnht
many millions Of dollars in claims are
accommodating against the British gov,
eminent, but the note sets forth that
reimbursements alone do rot cure the
evils, as American shippers are prac-
tically intimidated and fear to embark
upon legitimate export trade.
The American note declared the re-
lations between neutral countries are
those Of peace and normal times, and
not Of war. The words absolute or
conditional contraband," III the view
Of the American government, there
fore. had not existed. The United
States insists that the facts proving
that a hostile destination IS intended
must be shown at the time Of yes
sells seizure. It claims that the pre-
sumption Of guilt should not rest on
the shipper in neutral commerce. bui
that the burden of proof should bs
placed on the belligerent. Similarly
a cargo consigned TO order that Is
sent to Bo specific censfgnee In a neu
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
pramIar British Rsalmsnt.

The Grenadier Guards, in which the
Prince Of Wales now holds commits.
sion. Is the premier regiment Of the
root Guards, though it Is not, Of
course. the eldest, an honor claimed
by the Coldstreams. The grenadiars;
however, have been in existence for
Just over two centuries and a half
having been formed as bodyguard
for Charles Il. The regiment has the
king as its colonelin-chief, while the
duke Of cnnnanRhf q ita oolnnal
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
CENTRAL WILL RUN

Albuquerque, Dec.2s-Many speeula
tions as to the fate of the New Mex
leo Central railroad, which serves a
large section of central New Mexico
we're set at rest today by the appoint
ment in Santa Fe by the district court
Of Ralph C. Ely Of Deming as receiver
succeeding Charles G. Murray of Pitts
burgh.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29

The san Miguel National bank is
handing out to its customers and
friends its usual big-figure daily calen-
dar. These are most useful calendars
for offices and stores, and those who
receive them are fortunate.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29
A USEFUL GIFT

Sioux City, Ia, Dec. 2s.-Ben B.
airing, travelling man, brothog-in-
law of the chief Of police Of East st.
Louis, shot and killed himself here
today with a gun sent him as a pres
ent by the chief OF police. Despond-
ency due to Ill health il given as the
cause.
Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-29

TUTu
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08
ARMY WORMS DEFEATED.

The army worm which is ravaging
the fields of several eastern states has
suffered knock ont blow in Conn.
Millions of army worms which threat
ened the destruction of 70 acres of corn
valued at $4,000 on the Branford farms
owned by Commodore Morton F. Plant
at Eastern Point have been exterminat.
ed by laborers working under the direc-
tion of Prof. Lamson of the Conn. Ag
ricultural college.
Double bitches were dug surround
ing the field. In places poisonous
mash consisting of bran, paris green
and molasses was strewn. The worms
ate it and died. They lay so thickly in
!, the bitches that they were shoveled out
like sand,
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08
WAR NOT APT TO HURT
Homestake Very Much. Only One Work
man Has Asked to Go Home
to Fight.

Lead: The big European war is like.
ly to have little effect on the Homestake
Mining company here, is the opinion Of
the local officials of the company. The
Homestake employs 2, 800 men of whom
about 100 are Austrians, Servians, Rus
SLAMS and Germans, with few Italians.
So far but two applications to return to
their fatherland have been received
from these men and a canvass of the
others indicates that few would respond
to war call. For several years past the
policy of the company has been to en-.
courage all foreigners to become Amer
ican citizens and many haye done so. In
the city of Lead, not employed by the
Homestake, there are a couple of hun
dred more foreigners whose countries
are likely to become involved in hostil-
tiles, and those men are more likely to
respond in event of war. At nearby
mining camp. 40 Servians are reported
to have quit work and applied for trans
portation to their native land but their
places were readily filed with other
men.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08

THE oHRoN1CLE's s4tn BIRTHDAY.

With this issue the Chronicle com
pletes Volume "a, or thirty four years o.
continuous publication.
During these feeting years we have,
to use the words of Omar, seen
Little grow great
And great grow small again"
We have viewed the rise and fall and
rise again of this great Northwest-the
sailing being smooth at times, and rough
anon.
Few newspapers in the Black Hills
can excel our record for continuous pub
lication, and we are still on the job.
We thank the public for past patron
age, for which we have striven faithful
ly to render just equivalent, and trust
to receive liberal continuance of the
same.
A town without a good newspaper is
like cart without horse-it doesn't
get far; therefore, the BETTER we are
patronized, the BETTER grows the paper
and the BETTER grows the town.
THE EDITOR.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08
WEEKS NEWS BRIEFS
Important Happenings of the Week at
Home and Abroad-B0iled Down
For Busy Readers.

Aug. 1.-Germany declared war OF
Russia today and fleets and armies wert
put in motion and the empire ordered
under martial law.
An ultimatum was delivered by Ger
many to France. Formal declaration
of war against France hourly expected.
The Austrians we're reported repulsed
at several points by the Servians.
England reported ready to join France
against Germany. Her feet and army
held in readiness.
| Thousands of American tourists are in
Europe unable to get out of the country
owing to the stoppage of the big liners.
Aug. 3.-Germany commenced the in
vasion of both France and Russia and
also occupied towns in Belgium and
Switzerland.
The Russian feet was defeated in a
great naval engagement with the Ger
man feet and took refuge in the bay OF
Finland. German fleet advancing to
lombard st. Petersburg.
England's land and sea forces prepare
to aid France and Russia and promise to
smash the German feet.
The Mexican rebel army 10000 strong
started today to occupy Mexico City, ,un-
der orders from General Carranza.
The French army is reported victor
ious in the first big battle with the in
vading Germans. A German army
corps was routed with the loss of one
fourth its men killed or captured.
Large forces of French on the west
and the Russians on the east have COM
m Fenced the invasion of Germany and
England is massing to strike Germany
from the north.
The threatened big strike of engine
men has been called off and will be ar
bitrated by the government at Wash
ington, d. c., by agreement reached by
the various railroad heads and their
men, after an appeal was sent by Pres
ident Wilson for arbitration.
Aug. 4.-Servians defeated large
force of Austrians, inflicting frightful
slaughter.
Aug 4.-Great Britain declared war
on Germany at seven O'Clock this even
ing.
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson died Thursday
at the White House in Washington after
brief illness.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08
CARRY BIG INSURANCE.

The murder of the Austrian heir serv-
es to emphasize the unhappy lot of near
ly all the crowned heads of Europe,
either from fear of the assassin or owing
to Indifferent health.
An insurance expert asserts that only
four sovereigns are FIRST class" risks,
but three of these have to pay excessive
premiums, being marked men" in the
anarchist sense. They are the kings of
Greece, Bulgaria and Italy.
Haakon of Norway is the only mon
arch who may be said to enjoy not only
perfect health, but also immunity from
the assassin.
The cars physical condition is poor.
So is that of king George of England
who betrays all the symptoms of kidney
trouble.
Emperor Williams inherited throat
trouble must ever cause anxiety in view
of his fathers fate, while the same ap-
plies, more seriously, in the case of AL
fonzo of Spain.
The king of Montenegro has entered
nursing home at Munich to be operat.
ed on for stomach trouble.
The king of Sweden is recovering
from a similar operation.
Because of i'll heath, Peter of Servia
has turned his throne over to the crown
prince as regent.
The king ofDenmark, like most other
giants, has heart trouble.
The emperor of Austria and the king
of Roumania are very old, also are under
the war guns.
The tale of the queen consorts is little
if any brighter. The czarina's tragic
case is we'll known and Carmen sylvia
of Roumania is blind and infrm. The
queen of Montenegro is incurably i'll.
The German empress heart trouble
necessitates constant attention and the
queen of Norway is reported delicate.
1t is estimated that the lives of the
kings and queens mentioned are insured
for $SO,OOO,OOO.
The murdered Archkuke Francis
Ferdinand carried insurance to the
amount of $l2, 100000 while the life of
bis morganatic wife who was killed with
him, was insured for $5,0O0,0O0. The
combined amounts of their policies will
be paid to their three children.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08
NOT A SURPRISE
(By Max BiDheim. Editor Free Press

(By Max BiDheim. Editor Free Press
Germany has declared war on Russia
and France. This war is not bolt ont
of the blue It was inevitable since the
events of the Russian Turkish war. This
universal confagration was begun in
1876 when Russia put the idea into her
head that she ought to crush Turkey, so
as to "emancipate" the Balkan states,
and unite the different Slavic elements
first through corruption, then through
instigation, and finally by force of arms.
The war has been carried on since
not with powder and shot, but Russia
and England have been intriguing
against Germany for several decades.
"Germany's destruction means Eng
lands growth" says an article in the
Saturday Review" of 1897, and it occurs
to me that England really had declared
war on Germany OH February 8, 1912
when Winston Churchill, in his famous
GLASGOW speech, said phatically:"T
British government is decided to defend
her supremacy by sea-"
Since 1876 war has been carried on
with pen and ink. Today an armed de-
csion has become ecessary. Russia
and England are the real instigators OF
this war. and anyone who wants to pre-
tend that Germany or Austria have been
looking for war, proves to be premed
itated forger of modern history.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1914-08-08

Alsace-Lorraine now comes to the lips
of every Frenchman--no matter where
he may be. AS result of the Franco
Prussian war in 1871, France was COM
PEELED to cede this province to Germany
and to pay a war indemnity of one bill
lion dollars. On the 5th of September
1873, the last mark of the indemnity
was paid-the greatest financial feat the
world had seen up to that time, for the
money was paid by the frugal peasants
of France who loaned to the govern
ment their savings hidden in stockings
and bureau drawers and in their houses.
1t was Al years ago next September that
the last mark of this great indemnity
was paid. Never since then has the
Frenchman forgotten the terrible day
when the guns of Germany thundered
at the gates of Paris, and never since
then has France ceased to anticipate the
time when the score could be evened up.
That time now has apparently come, land
if Germany should be defeated in the
war now on, the first thing that France
will demand will be the recession of
Alsace-L Lorraine to France.-Argus-
Leader.