davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
BY FLORENCE E. YODER.

4 PLACE where the war can
~ be completely forgotten!
n A cool. spacious, quiet
spot where hatred. and
envy. and strife can fade into mist,
and An absorbing interest In things
and people who have either lived
long ago before there was any war,
or not at all. wrap one about In a
mantle as engulfing as the fumes
OF drug.
That Is a halting description of
the children's reading room at the
public library. but perhaps 1t may
help to account for the fact tnat
between 400 and 500 books a day are
In circulation there during the sum
f11er months.
Stevenson speaks OF the price
less gift Of being able to live ror
the moment only" the gift which
all Of the little girls and boys who
patroniEe the reading room possess,
and which stray grown-ups. with
worried eyes, seek hopefully In the
big room of small arm chairs. low
book cases. and beloved friends.
Given Golden Key.
Pity for the hundreds Of Washing
ton children who are staying at
home this summer is wasted, es-
pecially on those who know the ins
and outs Of the children's reading
room. Their number Is consider
able, for since the Introduction Of
the library systems into the schools.
whereby each teacher Is allowed the
use of one set of children's books.
chosen for their fitness to the age
and grade Of the child. nearly every
child In Washington has been given
one Of the golden keys Of child
hood. the love Of reading. the open
seeame to oblivion from war,
school. parental restriction. and
other discomforts.
So much merely by way Of intro
duction for the main question which
fairly eats up the grown-up visitor
to the children's room Is What ARE
They Reading?"- and since the temp
tatton is too strong, one pussy -foots
around feeling like an awkward
giant the meanwhile sending stenlthy
glances over the shoulders OF the
They assume grotesque attitudes.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

most part. while the boys want ad-
venture and tales OF chivalry. But
one can't make n rule about this
Fairy tales and tales Of the heroes
are just as acceptable to the girls
az to the boys.
THE greatest lack We now have In
the literature Of children is the
supply Of adequate books for girls.
There are go many Of them which
are entirely harmless but which add
absolutely nothing TO her character
building"
"Our old friend Elsie Dinsmore?"
inquired with gr.n. recalling my
own intense hatred for the noble
and beautiful little Elsie. who lived
the life of q martyr.
Not allowed" said Miss Bubb
shaking her head. TOO morbid for
children. We must continually bear
In mind that we set up a standard
OF morals for the children in the
books they read.
DO you remember where Elsie sits
up to the piano and won't play for
her father on Sunday? She defies
him until she falls of In . faint
and wins her battle. We can't up
hold the attitude OF superiority
over her parent. which Elsie radiates.
No. she IL not with u.s."
do they read Swiss Family Rob-
irsor, and Davy and the Goblin. and
Alice In Wonderland and" l was
as excited as If had been asking
for news OF brother at the front
and hung upon the answer.
Yes, yes" answered Miss Bubb.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

little boys came In Importantly and
returned their books. I went through
the gate again and peeked over tho
shoulders.
A bullet-headed youth was bent
over Tho Boy Editor" Two little
girls were reading The Secret Gar
den" together and quarreling in 4
most sistcrly way over when to turn
the pages.
About Ali Baba.
stopped behind an almost pros
trate form, that OF q newsboy.
Through the holes in his black stock
ings saw q brown leg streaked
with the same sediment which
decorated face. neck. and arms. He
was a busy man. a man OF the
world. and the paper he had failed
rear pocket. displaying the news
that the Germans were fighting for
something or other.
But he didn't care. with one
hand through his hair. and the other
laid placidly across the bottom Of
his book. he sat without movement.
almost pctrified save for two silently
moving lips, through which his
breath came in deep. regular
draughts as he read the story Of
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"
Tho very last Of the mouthpieces Of
the great war had forgotten its
existence. for he was reading the
Arabian Nights Entertainments"
in the children's room at the Public
Library
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

'all Of them. They never lose their
charm. They embody some rare hu-
man characteristics which appeal
and which exercise a firm hold on
the child mind
And do they like poetry"
was afraid to ask that question. and
was almost ready for negative
answer.
Not 30 much; can't quite ac-
count for 1t. either. Children when
small like poetry. and turn 10 1t
again at sixteen or just when they
are entering their teenc. but there
seems to be a period between eight
and thirteen in which they do not
want IT, The printed word Is So
much more understandable in prose.
The practical age refuses that which
smacks too much OF sentiment or
which is any way hard to under
stand"
She spoke Of the sincerity Of tho
child reader and OF the frank TIN
willingness TO take only that which
really amused.
children DO not read what they
do not understand or DO not want"
ealo MI. AVlT.o' Oh tHe SaHe oepoEt-
ment. They pick out that which Ia
good with an unerring instinct
simply because they are perfectly
natural. can imagine no moro
honest person than small boy
reader. He takes what he wants.
and only that which he wants. with
out other regard"
The time was 10 o'clock and the
room was slowly flling up. Two
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

tie themselves in strange knots. lean
on their elbows. and wrap brown,
often slightly soiled and scratched
legs around the runss OF the chairs.
their fingers between the pages Of
the book. or thrust into a mussed
head of hair
Because OF these arms and legs 1t
IL hard to see unless one coughs or
Of CLASSY eyes, which see nothing but
bespcak resentment at the Intrusion,
are turned on one, and, after mo-
ment Of contemplation return to the
pages OF Little Women" and the
Ara ban Nights" and Robin Hood"
actly the same way as they always
have done.
Read Old Favorites.
Not only the word Of this visitor,
but the word Of one Of the workers
there now upholds the refreshing
news that the old friends are still
popular, and that the same books
that have made little hearts pity
pat for twenty live years or more.
arc still holding their own.
THE favorite?' repeated Miss Bubb
Of that department when asked for
news Of former playmates. "the Al
colt books OF course. They never
seem to have waned In popularity.
and present such a normal. healthy,
vision Of life to the children that
their influence Is unsurpassed.
Fairy tales come next. or rather
are about on a par with the Alcott
books and stories OF the heroes"
she continued, 'and Master Skylark,
Hans Brinker,' nnd--oh all OF the
others you know
But the shelves tell their own story,
and the condition OF the books them
selves. There are ever so many vol
umes Of Miss Alcott's books and Of
the fairy tales, In fact there Is q
whole set of shelves dedicated to
fairy lore, and 1t Is ever in a state
Of sad disorder.
AT night the books are set in neat
rows. but after the first few moments
Of the opening time have passed they
are in confusion again. Just as II
the fairies inside the covers had
slipped out and turned everything
topsy-turvy.
The little girls want stories OF
home life and school life. for the
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

e7HE mother who turns her chill
dren loose in public or rather
on the public. to amuse
themselves, Is sometimes
severely criticised. for the deeds OF
the child often react unfavoraoiy
on her reputation as a mother.
But Arthur Gleason. In the cur
rent number OF Harper's WeekSr.
tells a little story about a self-sufn-
Client child on shipboard. who not
only took excellent care OF herself.
and freed her mother. but who actu-
ally became 30 popular because OF
her surety OF purpose and action.
that she shed the bright light OF ap-
proval on her parent.
James mother became a success
full person The story follows:
Little Jane was Ave years old.
her success was entirely the success
of one who knew exactly whore shV
was going. she knew both the direc-
ton and the goal. To a shipload Of
aimless persons. with no Skill IN
leisure, 1t was satisfying to be LED Dy
ono who had a series Of things to DO
done. She visited the anchors at
bow. and the line that hunE over
board with Its whirling circle that
measured speed and distance. She
liked to climb stairs between decks.
She wished to pass certain steamer
chairs because the occupants looked
oueeriy. She had the set face OF q
stole, and rarely gave greeting.
Mere sociability seemed to her u
waste Of time. and she cared little
for individuals. But II a man or
woman was willing to tramp with
her to the thirty or forty ysa points OF Of
day, she permitted the conpanion-
ship. In fact she was glad of y,
for she realized her legs .woro still
short and that 4 strong will wa. nuc
sufficient to overcome her handicap
Of childhood.
Climbed With Purpose.
Next to the captain. she was the
most definite person aboard. The
sailors admired her. because she
climbed boldly. and with a purpose.
She was Indifferent to her success.
She had been quite as happy on the
first two. days when no one had
noticed her. Now her will had
burned It's way into tho conscious
ness OF A couple OF hundred persons.
but II ola not Inattcr 10 nor, pHe
would have gone on making her
rounds, checking off the boats pro-
gross, cycling the inval,ds. climbing
posts and stairs. II she had con-
tinued unattended. At the captains
dinner, she was voted tlSe most
popular child on the ships list. but
her attitude was unchanged.
She Never Cried.
In the beginning she had been
snubbod by couple OF high life
children. Now these two followed
In her train. and received sucn at
tention as she did not require But
1t made no difference to Jane. She
permitted them to come with her,
If they were going her way. But
their snobbishness had not panied
her. They were powerless to pre-
vent her fulfilling her desires, Their
f!ckle will. which was mainly self
will. was impotent against her
steady will which was an instru-
ment for carrying out her ideas
without petulance and without him
drance. She never cried. Her emo
tions were not in evidence. Her
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

King Arthur was a steady king.
Who loathed light talk or skttish.
Respectab BILE as anything.
Strong 'eaded. blond and British.
His Queen beside him on the throne.
So Rolding aired and tidy.
Would tip the beam at fourteen
stone.
And every ounce a lydy.
Sir Lancelot was 'andsome. quite,
The women all adored him
He tried to bear 1t like a knight.
But being worshiped bored him.
His big. bright shield was curved
and bent
And more tuh-shaped than normal;
He'd FREQUENT halt tournament
And bathe. all stern and formal.
The knights. they might ave Dashed
i'm then
While q was coldly scrubbing.
But they were British gentlemen
Respectful Of his Tubing.
'E loved is Queen. and she confessed
rs love reciprocated:
1t grieved 'em both they did
their best
But could not feel elated.
"My word" sir Lancelot would sigh.
What rotten form to love err
And then ed gloom and say good
by 80
Return -. and gloom '.' and
hover.
The Queen would call 'ersclf a
fraud
She hated loving. madly.-
ITS using Harthur bad Oh.
Gawd!' 80
The Queen would mutter sadly.
ITO think" says he, I'd act the
same
As any foreign bounder!"
And moaning with G sense OF shame
He'd pat his arm around 'er.
she'd kiss him. while repentant
tears
Fell salt on his probocis I.
For seventeen long mourful years
They nobly bore their crosses
II moralized. grew thin. nustere.
And groaned awake or sleeping;
But she grew bloated, Guinevere,
With self-reproach and weeping.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
ADVICE TO GIRLS ,sss $%xs:s :=: *: BY ANNIE LAURIE
Copyright. 1sl6.
BY Newspaper
Feature Service

must be foolish. Can you tell mo
what is the matter with me?
LITTLE GIRL.
Don't worry about getting married
and leaving your parents. When the
right man comes along or when you
are the right age you won't fret
You are not enough In rove with
the young man. that's all. or per-
haps YOU are not meant for mar
riage.
Don't. marry anybody 50 long as
you feel as you do about 1t. 1t isn't
fair to the man, and 1t isn't fair to
whole matter for a while. just be
happy and enjoy yourself and things
will right themselves.
Dear Annie Laurie--What do
you think OF son-in-law who
%otSs1I as1ssrats'y ysne "islts is sS Hoan m'fsf Il
superior qua Inc ations, and IL
q, most sensitive. Being widow.
she lives with her daughter and
son-in-law. but Is not a depen-
dent. Neither Is she quarrel
some. One evening not long
ago, after the evening meal "a
son-in-law, seeing a piece of
per, looked at the mother. ana
said: There's a piece tho dog
refused. You may have 1t for
your lunch tomorrow"
The above !s ono instance.
What do you think of II? Tho
mother felt so hurt that she
could not make c. reply
ONE WHO KNOWS.
Well. .mother-in-law. for you arc
really the mother-in-law In the let
ter. aren't you?-you say you are
not a dependent-why do YOU act
like one?
II you didn't like what your son.
in-law said, why didn't you say &c
70 him then and thsre7
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
Odd Facts

Since his twenty-rrst birthday.
June %. the Prince of Wales has
been one Of the richest princes in
Europe. He then came into the ,ir-
restricted possession Of the revenues
arising from the duchies Of Corn
tied on him by act Of parliament at
his fathers accession: These reve-
nues during the past few years. ow-
London estate having fallen In. have
increased enormously and are ssti-
rlated to amount to f2.O00,00O Qsl0.-
eoo.ooO yearly.
tongue-twisting names which France
and Russia have given to some Of
their towns. but England herself
furnishes a few quite as puzzling as
that Of Przemysl. Harstmonceaux,
ktrkoudbright. Kir-coo-bree; Daven-
try. Dantry; Leominster. Lemster,
and Evesham. E-sham
The Young Woman's Christian
Association has world membership
Of $4,000.
Turkey Is the only country which
does not use the Red Cross to de-
note its hospital corps. 1t Is allow
eG to use a red crescent in defer
cnce to the religious scruples Of Its
soldiers.
,Copyt, 1915, by Newspaper Feature Service
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
LANCELOT TAND GUINEVERE

When Honest Arthur learned the
fac's
1t shocked hin 90 completely
Tho court opined they'd get the
Instead. he took It sweetly 'ss
King Arttur says. Me for the
tomb,
Where no disgrace can grab us!'
Tho Queen crept sobbing from the
room
And went and was an Abbuss.
And Lancelot. ne moaned and said,
II 'opc no one will guy 'er!
For me. I'll shave my blooming 'ead
And go and be friar."
The moral is: Observe your bent
Your own traits mark and mea.
sure
If one has not the temperament
Ph!landering isn't pleasure.
Don Marquis, In the Sun Dial,
Evening Sun, New York.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
Home DuSter
Replaced By
Gernless One
Changing Fashions Discredit
Discarded Petticoat-Pa-
per ''Dish Rag" With
"DuStless' Busters.
BY MRS. CHRISTINE FREDERICK
Copyright 1915. by Mrs. Christine Frederick,

BY MRS. CHRISTINE FREDERICK
Copyright. 1915. by Mts, Christine Frederick,
"HE dishrag used to be q grand
daughter of tho fourbas, and
i the duster OF our grandmothers
was only a reincarnation OF her
petticosd. But fashions in housek eepins
chsnss ss DO other fashions. and 1t 10
no longer CONNIE Il faut to use under.
wear in any form for cleaning rag
A specially prepared cloth has taken
the place Of all discarts; SO the house,
Keeper Of today. uses dishcloth Of
woven, loose mesh material, oblong In
shape, and specially prepared for the
specific task Of dishwashing. or the
u!tra Ultra housekeeper may prefer
paper ~hich becomes soft % in 'nSr. the WAFER.
and which Is guaranteed to cleanse the
most dirty dish. No longer 10 il chic
to use frayed, melancholy dlshrag.
is flrm andohief fsstasrs fs oi' Oi ,ts EASILY. .y:
ceilence-it can harbor no germs or
bacteria. and when It has lost lie soft.
ness 1t can be burned up and thrown
away.
The Dustless Kind.
, whereas 1t was once quite proper to
dust the parlor table with a dlscarded
shirt tail Of ones husband, that IL no
longer done in good society. and the
housewife must use a specially prepared
the ustless knd PTrSSteraSy PTSe eass sasinst 0nS 81
the shirt-tail duster is that 1t was OF
Poor quality to absorb dust, that II
scratched the furniture Especially II
the buttons were left on), and that
being Of uneven shape. 1t was not as
etncient en,,c IN dusting as it should be. The
cheese cloth. impresnated with oil or
other absorbent liquid, have come to
stay. These busters are not harsh, they
are the right shape, and since they are
hemmed and we'll made. they receive
better treatment than did the ragged
duster Of yore.
For Cleaning Silver.
Neither can the shirt-tail rag be toler-
ated IN cleaning silver or other metals
Here. too, We have the modern specially
prepared cloth for silver cleaning or
cleaning Of other metals, which IL q
large square of heavy felt-like material
so chemically treated that we do not
need to use powder or paste with It,
Simply rubbing the brass or silver with
such a cloth will clean the article with
out the aid Of flying dusty powder.
These cloths come. some specially
made for use OH silver. others for
They are far easier to use and more
efficient than the use Of any cast-off
piece Of clothing; and the housewife
who wishes to be worthy Of tho name
will learn the fine distinction between
rags and cloths. and will choose the
latter for the many tasks In her house.
keeping.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
Friends That Count.

The friends that love US always,
In good times and the bad
The friends that love us always,
Are the friends that keep us glad.
The friends that cling In tempest
AS they do In calm are those
That have made the paths Of hard
ship
Seem the paths OF song and rose.
The friends that love us always,
When we go their way or not,
Are the friends our hearts remem-
Der
When the others are forgot.
The friends that stick the closest
When trouble grows the worst:
The friends that love US always
Just the way they did at first
They are the crowning Jewels
or the coronet we weave
In the dream of tender moments
When the troubles start to leave;
We revere their names forever
And we see their faces clear.
The friends that love US always
Whether sun or shadows near.
ANONYMOUS.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
The Child Who Freed Her Mother
How Little Five-Year-Old Girl Shed Lustre on the
Reputation of Her Mother BY Her Own Popularity.

whole life was simplihed to q few
acts reso!utely carried out.
The only manifestation Of a sur
fering humanity In her was the
morning she wore a pasteboard
placard written upon In black ink
with q frm adult hand. It said:
Kind friends, do not give me
candy, fruit. etc. l was Ill all last
night
"And you would not have Euessed
1t. Her face was as stern and firm
as in the halcyon days before her
over-indu!sencc. She was one Of
this rare persons who can fall. aqd
in falling receive only a slight check,
which 10 not even a setback.
"She had solved the mother problem.
which to so many girl children Is q
She did It by freeing her mother.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

She left her reading or talking with
the second mate. and did not trouble
her for hours at time. This might
seem q severe treatment. with even
q slight reflection Of criticism In Il.
But actually it did not work out 80.
For James unquestioned social SUI
premacy shed back on her mother q
considerable luster. and passengers
took the pains to make the ac-
quaintance OF the parent Of so sua-
cessful person. Indeed, largely
through her own social position. she
enabled her mother to receive ma.
joriey vote ut the deck dance for the
most meritor!oue costume. She was
known as James mother and the
title and the emoluments that went
with II sufficed to give the older
woman a thoroughly enjoyable voy-
age, with officers very kind"
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

Dear Annie Laurie: I wish you
would advise me about my
brother.
He is going with a girl now ana
is out with her nearly every
night Of the week until about IL
O'Clock I do not think this is
right. because it hinders his
work for the morning.
l am not home in the evening,
and therefore cannot entertain
him myself
Is there any way which could
stop him and, not let him know
! am doing it, keep him away
from this girl.
THE TROUBLED ONE.
Now, little girl. don't fret about
your brother. He'll take care Of
himself and his Job and his girl
too. never fear. You'd only get
yourself disliked If you tried 10
interfere.
Tell your brother once. quietly and
risk he Is taking OF losing his posi-
ton. Don't do it in a bit OF temper,
as that will not have the least
effect.
Call your brother into a quiet
room, sit down quietly and say
what you have to say. kindlY and
quietly. Then drop the subject.
Dear Annie Laurie.
! went with young man some
time ego, and he talked a good
deal about getting married. I
gave him up after l found out
that could never learn to like
him well enough to leave my pa
rents for him. have such
strange fear of ever having to
leave them.
am going with young man
now and enjoy his company, but
the thought of some day maybe
having to decide between him
and my parents worries me.
am twenty-three years old
and i am sure these thoughts
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

He may not have intended to hurt
your feelings In the least. He's prob
ably q good-natured. roush-and-
READY sort OF chap, who's used to
giving good blow ana taking one
without being in the least hurt.
II you don't like the way no talks
soe GO 'oI. why don't you say SO and
why do you live with your daugh-
ter and husband? Why don't You
arrange a little homo Of your own
and invite to 1t only the sort of
people you understand and who
understand you?
Why should you mako yourself and
your son-in-law and your daughter
miserable by being "misunderstood'
d Ia rather live In a house with a
sick kitten than to dwell under the
same roof with sensitive" woman
or a man either.
Go and board somewhere with
your own kind of people, You'll be
a whole lot happier. and so viii
son-ir-law. and so, too, VIII dauKh.
ter.
Don't DO martyrcd about IL. BE
happy to think that you can do as
You please whom you please,
Go. today and find yourself n nice,
comfortable. cozy room with some
nico, comfortable. .cozy people who
necd the money that you can pay
them, and whom you leave for your @
new home tell daughter and son that
you know that young people want
their home to themselves today.
just as you wanted your own horne
TO yourself when you began house
keeping with your own young hus-
band. and that's my advice to you
from the heart.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
Simple Fractions.

Manima-Bessie, how many sisters
has your new playmate?
"He has one, mamma. He tried to
fool me my saying he had two half.
sisters. but I guess he didn't know I
studied fractions New York Sun.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

Dr.. Rtrsh berg tofH ansrer qncsttcMs
for readers Of The Times on medical,
hto!entc and sanitation subteots that ore
81 general interest. He Dtli NOT rnder-
take to prescribe or offer advioe tor IN
dfptdadi cusss. Where the subject 10 not
sioered personally, " a stamped and od-
dressed envelope Is enclosed. Address oil
Inquiries to Dr.. l.. X. Hrshbsr0, care
fh{s attire
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

MISS Laurie tciN toeicono letters Of IN
quIy on subjects Of Feminine interest
from youHO tUOmen readers Of THE
paper, and DHl reply TO them IN these
colsmns. They should be addressed to
her care. this office.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16

u. H.-P1ease suggest something that
Will improve my complication. have
been h timekeeper In a stone quarry.
and the sun and heat have tanned me
terribly.
Just after Z wash or bath. and while
still wet. dry tho face with the follow
Ing: Fine almond meal, 4 ounces: finely
powdered borax. 6 drains; finely pow
oered orris root. 2 ounces; finely pow
dered pumice stone, 8 drains; oil of bit
ter almonds. 3 drops; oil OF lily OF VAL
ley, 8 drops.
The Washington times., 1915-08-16
Answers to Health
Questions

Mrs. L.-Will you kindly tell me what
10 best to do for two children with
whooping cough?
Give the children the whooping cough
vaccine and two or three drops OF BELLA
donna in honey or syrup every four
hours.