davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Press., 1915-02-03
MILITARY COWARDICE.
A Sample of It's Punishment During the
 Thirty Years War.

A Sample of It's Punishment During the
 Thirty Years War.
 Punishment for cowardice in the German army at the time of the Th1r- ty Years war was so severe as to be ferocious In the year 1642 the Swed ish General TOrstenssOn stormed Lelp- zig A force under the command of the Grand Duke Leopold gave him bat tie before the gates of the city. but during the engagement the Madlo nische regiment became suddenly pan ic stricken and fled
 Punishment immediately followed. When the regiment had again assem' bled six other regiments surrounded it and tried it by court martial in the open field The verdict was that the colonel and the captains should die by the sword and that every tenth man among the noncommissioned officers and men should be hanged.
 The stern verdict was carried out to the letter, except that at the request of Leopold the men were shot instead of hanged Colonel George Madl0, nische was beheaded after he had sought in vain for a pardon The sur vivors were consigned to quarters with other commands. and the regiment nev- CT regained it's name or former pres tige. In those days there was no alter native but to be brave Coward1ce meant either death or everlasting dis grace-Youth's Companion.
The Press., 1915-02-03
THE COUNTY FAIR
By Peter Radford
Lecturer National Farmers Union

Lecturer National FarmerS' union
 The farmer gets more out of the fair than anyone else. The fair to city man is an entertainment; to farmer it is education. Let us take stroll through the fair grounds and finger a moment at few of the points of greatest interest We will first visit the mechanical department and hold communion with the worlds greatest thinkers.
 You are now attending a congress of the mental giants in mechanical sci ence of all ages. They are addressing you in tongues of iron and steel and in language mute and powerful tell an eloquent story of the worlds progress. The inventive geniuses are the most valuable farm hands we have and they perform an enduring service to mankind. We can ali help others for brief period while we live, but it takes a master mind to tower into the realm of science and light torch of progress that will illuminate the path way of civilization for future genera tions. The. men who gave us the sickle, the binder, the cotton gin and hundreds of other valuable inventions work in every field on earth and will continue their labors as long as time Their bright intellects have conquered death and they will live and serve mankind on and on forever, without money and without price. They have shown us how grand and noble it is to work for others; they have also taught us lessons in economy and eff1- ciency, how to make one hour do the work of two or more; have length ened our lives, multiplied our opportunities and taken toll off the back of humanity.
 They are the most practical men the world ever produced. Their in- ventions have stood the acid test of
 utility and efficiency. Like all useful
 men, they do not seek publicity, yet millions of machines sing their praises
 from every harvest field on earth and as many blows turn the soil in mute l applause of their marvellous achieve l ments
The Press., 1915-02-03
Startinu Forest Fires.

Engines-portable and locomotive are bad enough. But when it comes to deliberate, willful carelessness the campers are the most criminal mis- creants of them all. Hunters, hikers and automobile parties are prime of lenders against the fire laws of the state third of all the forest fires must be charged against these mental and moral defectives. They make high grade moron look like a modern Solomon. They should be abated as supreme nuisances. To build camp fire and go off and leave it burning or half put out or to build it in such way and of such size as to make it constant source of danger while 1t burns-can you imagine anything that is a more infallible index of inferior mentality in the individual who builds the fire? Most of them look intelligent and appear to have common sense un- til they build fire in the woods. They ought not to be allowed to carry matches.-Countryside Magazine and Suburban life.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Ordered the Kinqs Around.

Prince Metternich, prime minister to the emperor of Austria, was once ask ed under what circumstances had Ma poleon, W whom he had often met, given him the most striking impression of prestige and sovereignty. It was, he said, one morning at Compiegne, when they returned from drive in the for est. They returned to the castle about noon. The emperor, leaning his back against the chimney, chatted with his guests while awaiting the summons to Mnch. There were number of per sonages and members of the imperial family present. Napoleon began to feel the bangs of hunger, so he turned to Murat, King of Spain, go and see why we do not lunch" The emperor resumed his argument, but the delay wsa still prolonged. He grew impa- tient and, turning to the other side, he said, King of Holland, try to find out whether we are to lunch today! Met ternich had never before seen an em- porer send kings to the pantry to has ten a meal.-BaltimOre Star.
The Press., 1915-02-03
BUILDING OF PETROGRAD.
Peter the Greats Ruthless Methods In
 Erecting the Capital.

Erecting the CaPiraI
 Most disadvantageously situated of all the capitals of Europe-indeed. of the world-Petrograd is a monument of the pride and energy of Peter the Great. He wanted a European capi tai in order to signalize and immor- talize his conquests. In 17O3. when the first foundations of the city were laid on the marshy island on the delta of the Neva. at the eastern end of the gulf of Finland. the surrounding ter ritory had even then not been entirely conquered.
 Peter went to work with his usual energy and with his usual ruthless ness to create capital in what was worse than a desert. He himself su. perintended the building of the city and gave the directions of the details to half a dozen lieutenants The work was pushed with almost incredible ra pidity, so that by 1712 sufficient ad vance had been made to permit tue transfer of the imperial family from Moscow.
 One measure ordered by Peter was that thousands of peasants must set tie in or near the new capital. A spe- cial tax was put on his empire to meet the expenses of building the city Such a small difficulty as the scarcity of masons was nothing to man like Peter the Great He simply forbade the erection of stone buildings any where else in the empire until Petro- grad was finished.-New York Times
The Press., 1915-02-03
THE ART OF MUSIC.
One Must Thoroughly Understand 1t to
 Really Enjoy 1t.

One Must Thoroughly Understand 1t to
 Really Enjoy 1t.
 Berlioz says: Music is the art or moving. by a systematic combination of sounds. the affections of intelligent. receptive and cultivated beings"
 Weber states: Music is to the arts what love is to man. In truth. 1t is love itself: the purest. loftiest language of passion. portraying it in a thousand shades of color and feeling"
 Ruskin declares: Music is the first, the simplest, the most effective of all instruments of moral instruction"
 Have you ever thought what deso- late place the world would be without music? Have you ever realized that the entire civilized world now looks upon music as one of the great essen tials in the education of the cultured man and woman?
 Few persons know that the greatest delight of music comes through the un- derstanding of it. The highest in mu' sic is not revealed to the student until the student has earned the right to en joy it.. With the right once earned the student has wonderful power at bis command. a power with which he car carry his listeners to the height of joy or to the depth of sadness. With mu sic it is possible to exercise contro over all the emotions of man.-Alfrec Edward Prediction, Jr.. in New YorE Tribune
The Press., 1915-02-03

The morning before Christmas Brad shaw came to see me. and took him in to the postmaster. who gave him his appointment as carrier. Then told him of the wedding present that had been collected for Molly and ask ed him if he wouldn't like to marry her the next day. He didn't draw back bit at the proposition. and told him that l had arranged to get off duty after my single delivery and I wished him to meet me at 4 o'clock.
 He showed up at the appointed time and. getting into my wagon. drove him to Mary Sturgis house. When she saw us coming in together she flew to her lovers arms. while stood looking on. Then Bradshaw confessed everything and when Molly learned how l had helped in the matter she gave me a kiss. Whereupon l pro duced the funds for the wedding Christmas gift. She asked what it meant. and when I told her she hung her head. blusEing.
 Bradshaw and l dined at the house and on Christmas evening the we'd ding was celebrated. being the best man.
 All of which goes to show that there are worse fellows in the world than we letter carriers.
The Press., 1915-02-03
MILITARY ARCHERS.
Rows and Arrows Were Used In Battle
 Up to Century Ago.

Rows and Arrows Were Used In Battle
 Up to a Century Ago.
 We think of the bow and arrow as medieval weapons of war abandoned hv the nations of Europe four or five centuries ago. The bowmen of Crecy are the last of any prominence in Eng fish history Yet it is only about 1OO wears since soldiers fought with bows and arrows in European wars. and that too. on the fields of southern Bel gium.
 If was in 1913, when all Europe was armed against Napoleon. Every one or the allied nations brought every poss1- hle resource of men and means to fur finer this end. Among them was Rus- sia. To the war she sent soldiers from the newly conquered tribes that dwelt upon the steppes of Asia-Bokharans and Turkomans and Tartars and other half savage peoples. Many of these regiments were armed with bows and arrows.
 Jomini, the military historian. speaks of a great number of these that fought side by side with the Prussians in eastern Germany and in Belgium. and he says that these bowmen held their own against the French infantry. Their aim. he says. was surprisingly good, and they could shoot an arrow with effect almost as far as musket ball was effective. but in those days that was not much more than 1O( yards.-Exchange.
The Press., 1915-02-03
A Christmas
 Message Glad Tidings Came After Years of Waiting.
By r. A. MITCHELL

I am a letter carrier. Most of my fellow carriers dread the Christmas season because they are obliged at that time to work so hard. 1 confess that before it is over I get very tired. but the delivery of letters and packages to those who are made happy by them more than counterbalances the physi- cal strain. It is delightful to see a person-I refer more especially to the young-on receipt of letter tear of the cover and the sudden change from expectation to realization on taking out a bank bill or fat check. Or it may be a token from some distant low ed one in the shape of a gift sent as a package.
 But there are Christmas gifts of different kind which may be far more acceptable than money or goods. once delivered to a poor woman on Christmas eve a letter from her sail or son, whose ship had been wrecked and who she supposed had been lost. announcing that he was safe. on his way home and expected to be with her for a Christmas dinner the next evening. On another occasion l deliv- cred to a lady an announcement that a husband from whom she had been long estranged had learned through confession of one who had traduced her that the story was lie. and he would be with her on Christmas eve to ask her forgiveness for having be heved a lying talebearer in preference to his own wife.
 I have delivered hundreds of letters and packages from Santa Claus to children. being replies to requests for something desired for Christmas or containing the article named. for of late years such letters are taken care of and referred to association which provide the gifts asked for. But the message I brought that gave me the greatest pleasure was But thereby hangs a tale.
 am a free rural delivery carrier. drive a sort of two wheeled vehicle, in which there is plenty of room for the mail l have with me and containing a number of pockets which l find very convenient. drive a white horse. and. although jog over the same route every day. sometimes think my lot is more enviable than that of some persons whose position is great deal
The Press., 1915-02-03
RURAL SOCIAL CENTERS

We need social centers where our young people can be entertained, amused and instructed under the di- rection of cultured clean and com petent leadership where aesthetic surroundings stir the love for the beautiful, where art charges the at- mosphere with inspiration and power, and innocent amusements instruct and brighten their lives.
 To hold our young people on the farm we must make farm life more attractive as we'll as the business of farming more remunerative. The school house should be the social unit, properly equipped for nourishing and building character, so that the lives of our people can properly function around it and become supplied with the necessary elements of human thought and activity.
The Press., 1915-02-03

more exalted than mine. 1 live an outdoor life, breathing the fresh air. and. though a lone bachelor, 1 have made number of friends along my route of whom I am very fond. Some times it seems to me that l have family in whom to be interested larger than the famous ''old woman who liv ed in a shoe and had so many children she didn't know what to do." for the joys and sorrows of innumerable per sons to whom 1 deliver mail are open ed to me. and l sometimes feel them as much as if they were my own.
 There was a house on R. F. D. No. 6. the one intrusted to me by Uncle Sam that stood at turn in the road. so situated that from it one could see my vehicle coming from the pOstof1ce when I was a long distance away from it. In that house lived Molly Sturgis. as pretty and as good girl as ever breathed the pure country air. could see Molly standing at the gate waiting for me. or part way down the road to meet me. as we'll as she could see me. though she had the advantage of me in being able to discern at great dis tance my white horse. Many time when she was eagerly expecting a let ter she would watch a point where his white coat would emerge from behind 6 house more than mile away from her. and she would he able from long practice to know just how long would be in reaching her.
 Molly received letters addressed to her in a mans handwriting, and from her eagernesS to get them it was evi dent that he was her lover. could usually tell just how important were the lovers tiffs between them by Mol ly's anxiety to get his letters. If there was a serious spat and she was very much worried ske would come long distance to meet me. At such times. knowing that would be inconvenience ed at looking back among my piles to give her d missive. instead of putting it in it's proper place l would put it in my pocket Then when nearing her would hold it up that she might see 1t as soon as came close enough for her to do so.
 One day while making up my mail 1 was told that man was waiting for me in the outer office. and l went to meet him He was fine looking young man with an honest countenance. but evidently much troubled.
 Are you the carrier of free rural de livery route No. 6?'' he asked
 -''I am."
The Press., 1915-02-03
MoNsoN.

Shaw & Ricketts are operating their mill on extra time The goods being made are for uniforms for the Russian army.
 Mrs. Grace Homer has moved her household furniture to Springfield, where she expects to make her home for the present.
 MT. Dennison. u civil engineer of the o. V. K. R.. Roadmaster Harris and Selectman Herbert M. Smith held a consultation at State Line yesterday morning regarding the railroad cToss- ing at that place. It is hoped that some arrangement may be made whereby the approaches to the cross- ing may be changed and the con- ditions be bettered.
 Adin Burleigh. 56, died very sud denly last Saturday morning of heart disease at his home in Silver street. He had been a resident of Monson for many years. He is survived by Q sister, Mrs. John Davis of Wilbraham and brother, Olin of Ludlow. The funeral was held at the chapel Mon- day afternoon at 1.3O. Rev. H. G. Alley officiating Miss Louisa w. Wobbecke assisted, by Mrs. Harold Morgan, sang two selections, "One sweet solemn thought, and "It is we'll with my soul" Burial was in the cemetery at East Wilbraham. Officers of the Womans Relief Corps were installed Wednesday evening, as follows: President, Mrs. Nettie Aldrich; senior vice-president, Mrs. Elida Aldrich junior vice president, Mrs. Sarah Beck with; secretary, Mrs. Mary Mumfordi treasurer, Miss Minnie Stacy; chaplain Miss Annie Seymour; conductor, Mrs. Ella Hewlett; assistant conductor, Mrs. Mary Harvey; guard, Mrs, Ella Pratt assistant guard, Mrs. Nellie Munsell musician, Mrs. Lillian Chapin; press correspondent, Mrs. Nellie Holdridge color bearers, Mrs. Lucy Stowell, Mis- Hattie Partelo, Mrs. Nellie Mcguire Mrs. Mary Charles. The installing oi ficer was Mrs. Lillian Parkhurst, depart ment instituting and installing officer assisted by Mrs. Bertha B. Carpenter.
The Press., 1915-02-03
How He Looked.

One summer when William M. Ev- arts was at his country home in Wind sor, Vt.. farmer who had followed his political career in the newspapers for many years was extremely anxious to see him in the flesh and drove eight cen miles into town in order to catch a glimpse of his idol.
 Senator Evarts at that time was be- ing entertained constantly. dining out almost every night. and as he drove out of his grounds to an appointment one evening the farmer was lying in wait for him in the road. The latter. seeing the pale, ascetic face and mea- ger form of the famous statesman. was disappointed.
 Well. I declare.:' he exclaimed. ''looks as if he'd always boarded!'
The Press., 1915-02-03
Poetic Justice.

A couple in a certain village. each the parent of six children. had meted out to them a kind of poetic justice in which they failed to see the poetry
 The woman. widow. pleading that she had no home and was therefore unable to care for her children. indnc ed the local authorities to admit them to an orphan asylum The man. d widower. pleading he had no house keeper and therefore no one to care for his children. induced the authori ties to admit his six also Thereupon. being freed from all incumbra noes. these two married
 All went well for few months. when the authorities. learning of the situation. promptly dispatched the twelve children back to their parents. and. the woman no longer able to rep resent herself as homeless or the man as without housekeeper. they were forced to receive them.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Question of Direction.

When I started out in life." said Mir. Dustin Stax, "I was full of ideal istic theories. I was determined that would never take an unfair advant- age of any man."
 But you had to sacrifice some of your ideals.' suggested Miss Cayenne.
 "Oh, yes. A man must be practical. you know. I have reached point where can afford to be indifferent to criticism. began at the bottom and worked my way up."
 Perhaps. But are you sure you didn't begin at the top and slide down?' Washington Star.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Coal and Smoke.

Smoke is caused by failure to burn the combuStible gases that arise when fuel is exposed to the flame. The edi- tor of Power describes these gases as "a complex mixture of various hydro cartoons. from some of which carbon separates on cooling in the form of lampblack or soOt. The Smokier fuels also give off tarry vapors. which con dense and help to gHther the carbon particles into flakes or 'smuts.
 "For the burning of these gases as they are evolved from the coal three conditions must exist: Air must be supplied above the fuel bed. the tem- peratMe must be high enough to in sure ignition and there must be time or space for combustion before the mixing currents of gas and air are cooled by flowing into or among the tubes of the boiler
 Firing coal in large quantities pro- duces so much gas that neither air supply nor combustion space is great enough for it's burning. Therefore coal should be put on in small quantities at frequent intervals.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Muensterberg Mastered.

Dad (from the hall)-Why, Marjorie. how dim the light is in here!
 Freddy (the fiance. not college graduate in vain)-Yes, sir. Professor Muensterberg has a theory that bril- liant light benumbs the intellect. We are experimenting to find the degree of illumination by which the attention is kept vivid and the mental functions active.-London Standard.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Only One Flavor.

II never take any other flavor in ice cream or soda water than vanilla said the Boston girl to her New York cousin.
 Are you so fond of it as that?'
 Not exactly. but it is obtained from a bean. you knOw."-St Louis Post Dispatch.
The Press., 1915-02-03
A Total Abstainer.
Like Most Husbands.

My husband seldom comes home without bringing me something" said Mrs. Wasserby.
 "Charming!' said Mrs. Twobble.
 "But it's usually an excuse."-Rir- mingham Age Herald.
The Press., 1915-02-03

Old men have visions, young men have dreams. Successful farmers blow deep while sluggards sleep.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Courage of innocence.

To dread no eye and to suspect no tongue is the greatest prerogative of innocence; an exemption granted only to tnvariable virtue.-Johnson.
The Press., 1915-02-03
The Reaaar's Retort.

She I shan't give you anything be ratIse suspect you aren't blind at all He That may be. but can assure you there are moments when l wish l were Pele Mele.
The Press., 1915-02-03

Education is a developing of the mind, not a stuff1ng of the memory. Digest what you read.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Yrimmina.

The old fashioned woman who used TO trim her own hat now has daugh- ter who trims her husband for her hats. Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Press., 1915-02-03
A Family Jar.

II suppose you know I came near marrying Jim Wombat before I mar ried you
 "Yes. know it" said the goaded hus- band He rubs it into me every time he gets a chance."-Kansas City Jour- nal.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Chinese Camphor Stills.

In the extraction of camphor the Chinese use most primitive still. which at the same time proves of con- siderable more efficacy than might be expected. The leaves are placed in a wicker basket. which is fixed over an iron caldron containing water On the top of the basket basin of cold water is placed. The steam from the caldron passes through the leaves in the bas- ket and carries over the camphor vapor. which is deposited in the form of camphor on the cool under surface of the basin.
 A Total Abstainer.
 Excited Individual Is this where they swear people?
 Commissioner For Oaths-Yes, sir. What can l do for you?
 Excited Individual-I want to take an oath never to put down another carpet.
The Press., 1915-02-03
BE KIND NOW.
 Dost thou intend a kindness to thy loved onea Do 1t straishtway before the future comes, destroying thy opportunity.-C
Before and After.

Before and After. That couple used to be inseparable a year ago." he observed, and now you hardly ever see them together. Why Is it! Do you kn0w?"
 "Yes," said she. They weren't mar ried a year ago."-New York Dress.
The Press., 1915-02-03

The growing of legumes will retard soil depletion and greatly add to it's power to produce.
The Press., 1915-02-03
Maybe He Went Then.

Maybe He Went Then.
 He-Who is that tramping around overhead? She-Oh, that's papa. He gets restless toward morning.-Life. The name-Doane'si inspires confidence -Doane's Kid ey Pills for kidney ills Doan's Ointment for skin itching. Deans Regulets for mild laxative. Sold at all drug stores.