davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

less than twelve grounds for divorce
1t Is accomplished in as dignified a
way as any other partnership might
be dissolved. And when it is all over,
there is no disgrace necessarily con-
nected with it. There may be, of
course, the question of children
what disposition shall be made of
them is decided by the court. But
there is a consultation with the par
ents, whose reasonable wishes are re-
spected. What they may have decid-
ed between themselves as to which is
to have the children, the magistrate is
quite likely to agree to, though, to be
sure, if there is guilt on either side,
the custody of the children is awarded
to the parent capable of bringing
them up to the truest manhood or
womanhood. There are no difficult
ties placed in the way of ending an
unhappy marriage up there in the
north, but, with it all, there are com
paratively few homes disrupted. Our
rapid American divorce-rate is the as
founding phenomenon of sociology to-
day. One marriage in twelve in the
United States, the StatisticianS pointed
out a while ago, ended in divorce.
More recently they are announcing
that the rate has increased, until one
marriage in eight ends in dissolution
But over there in Scandinavia, since
the door has been thrown open wide.
Nora isn't nearly so anxious to es-
cape; I suspect that Helmar may make
it more worth while for her to tarry
than formerly he found it necessary.
Anyhow, these are the statistics for
the northland: In 1910, the number
of divorces per 100000 inhabitants
was, for Denmark, 27.2: Norway, 14.7;
Sweden, 81; Finland, sc.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Jayh Wker Jots

Don't parade yourself as a reformer
is some good advice from the Shawnee
Chief. You may need more than the
other fellow.
If, suggests the Concordia Press, the
flood prevention congress and the dry
farming congress could get together
and iron out their differences by each
yielding a few points it might be a
fine thing for the country.
Couldn't our beloved brother, the
reporter, vary the form of sending a
patient to the hospital? asks John
Macdonald in his Western School
Journal, and he adds: Goes under
knife becomes monotonOuS and more
over, it suggests the guillotine.
Almost every town has some claim
to distinction. John Redmond, editor
of the Burlington Republican, admits
that Emporia is four times as big as
that Burlington has four times as
many flies.
Musical suggestion, from the Phil
lips County Post: Try this new ditty on
your piano: Il didn't raise my Ford
piano, try it on the family fine comb.
Wouldn't this be a dinger of a sum-
mer to keep as a souvenir? suggests
the Ports Independent
Lem Lump, according to the Olathe
Register, was reading the other day
the rules laid down by the American
Magazine for attaining 100 years in
age. One of these recommended, as
age comes on, the use each morning of
a glass of one-third glycerine and
two-thirds good whisky. I'D rather
throw in ten years and make that two
thirds unanimous, was Mr.. Jumps
comment.
Cherryvale sports have revised
new way to hazard wealth on contin-
gencies, according to a local deVotee
of the new game. reports the Cherry
vale Repu bEcan. The only requisites
to the success of the new way of gam
bling are two parties, DESTROYS of WOO
ing the goddess of chance, several
pieces of money of the denomination
suitable to the blood of the players
and a swarm OF flies. The game con-
sists in planking down a couple of
coins and the winner is the fellow on
whose piece of money a fly first
alights. An alley, near a garbage can
is sad to be the ideal place for this
form Of amusement.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Clio be Sights
BY THE ATCHIsoN GLOBE.

Few women and no man can make
pouting a success.
brave man is never willing to ad-
init a coward can't help it.
If a man runs the house, there are
blamed few House Parties.
The funniest man IS the one who
takes himself most seriously.
A section hand shouldn't try to sup
port an artistic temperament.
There are almost as many corn
cures as corns, which is considerable
quantity.
The gent you hear shouting for his
rights is really clamoring for special
privileges.
poems some one or something you
think has it coming.
A sixteen-year-ol girl would be a
great institution, no doubt, if one
didn't have to hear her.
Just because a man doesn't believe
in ghost stories doesn't save him from
a lot of other fool notions
1t is also quite possible to get
through college without acquiring a
college education, or any other kind.
Men are very wicked, and all of
that, but they don't talk nearly as
much about some things as the wom-
en- do.
from the tourist whose hand luggage
is of the old-fashioned telescope
variety.
a soft answer may sometimes turn
away wrath, but there are other
occasions when an elm club or other
deadly weapon is handy
Comparatively few women find it
necessary TO resort to the crude Gus
tom of rifling hubby-s pockets in or
der to collect the cash.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
SIMULTANEOUS VACATIONS.

Doubtless many employers. when
they heard the other day that Henry
Ford had decided to give all the en-
phoyees of the Ford Motor Co.'S plant
at Detroit a two weeks vacation at
the same time. wished that they could
also close their plants and get through
with the vacations, says the Iron Trade
Review. Certainly, it is true that when
substitutes are on duty throughout the
plant or office, things do not move as
smoothly as when those who have had
long experience with their jobs are on
duty. The proprietor or head of the
department would indeed be unreason-
able to expect the same degree of eff
ficiency from inexperienced employees
as from those thoroughly familiar with
the work. But, after all, it is pretty
poor sort of an organization which is
not provided with understudies who
can do their work fairly we'll. The
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
DIR. JEKYLL AND MIR. HYDE.

Two pictures of John D. Rockefeller
were presented in as many news dis
patches on Monday. One showed him
to be a hard-hearted taskmaster, a
cruSher of huma nifty. Investigators
for the Industrial Relations Commits
sion reported that his New Jersey oil
concern paid wages below a healthful
basis. The other held him up to the
light as one of the greatest benefactors
of mankind that the world has ever
known. An announcement was made
that scientists connected with the IA
nous institute for medical research
that is supported exclusively with
Rockefeller m oney had made a discov-
cry that, it is almost certain, will in
sure immunity from cancer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
[From the Chicago News.I

[From the Chicago News.
Crooks often take their whisky
straight.
Friendships you buy are never
worth the price.
It's poor photograph that is
ashamed of its record
However. the way of the trans
gressor is very popular.
But if you have anything to say to
a mule say it to his face.
Life is a grind for the man whose
grist isn't worth the grinding.
People are anxious to lead the man
who is blind to his own interests.
Women are ngeable-except
that they always have the last word
Get the best of a man in trade if
you want to see his sore spot.
If man is too fat either to fight or
to run he just has to be good natured-
When fortune begins to smile on a
foolish man he thinks II is up to him
to sit down and bask-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
QUAKER NEGOTIATIONS.

[F'rom the Philadelphia Record. ]
If the good die young, how is it that
a good beginning makes a bad end
ing?
Good intentions must be hot stuff,
considering the place that is paved
with them.
Even in these hard times the abat-
toir should be able to make both ends
meat.
A good bit of sympathy is wasted
on the under dog, but none on the
submarine.
Every fellow likes to hold his own.
until it comes to a question of holding
hands with a girl.
You never can tell. Even the man
who thinks he's the whole thing may
find himself in a hole.
A house can put up a good front
with a coat of paint much more salts
factory than woman can.
The race is not always to the swift.
Many a man runs for office, only to
have his opponent win in a walk.
Wigg-"Mrs. Dashaway isn't easily
ing less than the electric chair would
shock that woman"
Muggins-"We should forgive our
enemies" Buggins-"But 1 haven't
any," Buggins-''Then try it out on
a few of your friends"
BIobbs-"It always costs me an eff
fort to be pleasant to that fellow
Harduppe." Slobbs-"Gee! You're
lucky if that's all it costs you.'
Sillicus-"He's pretty rich. isn't
he?" Cynicus-"Sure. Why, he has
money enough to make a fool of him
self without exciting any comment"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Solving a Problem.

The arithmetic lesson that day had
been hard and trying, and now, at the
closing hour, Tommy stood before the
teacher, waiting to hear results
Your last problem was wrong
was the verdict. You will have to
stay after school and do it again"
Tommy looked at the clock Tell
me, please, how much am 1 out ?''
he asked.
your answer is two cents Short
Tommy'S hand diVed into the pocket
where his most treasured possessions
were stored. swiftly he separated two
pennies from a bunch of shoestrings,
a penknife, and some marbles and
pieces of chalk.
I'm in Il hurry, please" he said,
'if you don't mind, I'll pay the diff
ference. '-Pittsburg Chronicle-Tele-
graDh
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
EUening Chat
How Can They Afford 1t?
BY RUTH CAMERON.

One day last week I received
printed folder from shop where 1
trade, advertising summer sale.
The next day L went in town to try
downs listed in that folder.
There were several gowns marked
down from twenty-five to twelve dol
lars and 1 asked the gracious looking
wards me where 1 could find these
gowns.
The graciousness, the smile and the
sail simultaneously disappeared. She
led me languid1y toward the rack and
with a supercilious gesture indicated
preferences; she did not in any way
try to serve me. She simply stood
back and eyed me indifferently, Civ
ing the rack a casual whirl now and
then. 1 had asked for mark down
goods I was plainly in her eyes a
person not worthy of courtesy or at
tention.
Now this incident if it were unique
would not be worth mentioning. But
it is not unique On the contrary, it is
chara cteristic. Much this sort of
thing has happened to me again and
again when 1 have shown my interest
in mark-downs advertised in either
the newspapers or the printed folder.
What puzzles me is how the en-
ployers can afford to let their en-
ployeeS act that way.
The advertising folder which 1 had
received was ten-page affair 1t had
several cuts and must have cost hun
dreds of dollars to set up, print and
send out And yet here was the invi-
tation nullified by the reception the
customers were in danger of receiving
if they accepted it.
The employer was reckoning Gus
toners with his right hand and push
ing them away with his left-surely a
costly proceeding.
Mind you, 1 am not criticising sales
women as a class; on the contrary,
have the greatest admiration for their
patience, their courtesy and their mar
velous taste and ability in contriving
to gown themselves so well. More
over, l know that they a1e often ex-
by customers who are out to
shop rather than to buy. Neverthe-
less, as L have said before in this col
umn, 1 think that there are a great
many of them who lack the sympathy
they ought to have with the woman
who has to consider the pennies.
And If [ were an employer / should
explain very clearly to my employees
that 1 did not want the drawing power
of the money that I put into advertis-
ing nullified by their superciliousness
toward the customers who responded
to that advertising
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

vacation period affords an opportun-
ity for trying out many employees in
more responsible positions than they
usually occupy. Some plants, of
course. could be closed as Mr.. Ford's
has been, except that a few employees
could be kept on duty, making repairs
and getting the plants ready to re-
sumo activity, but with many concerns
a complete shutdown would be highly
inconvenient, If not impossible, and
much better results are obtained by
the usual plan of the employees TAX
ing vacations at different times
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Gunpowder Making.

Workers in gunpowder plants
whenever a storm comes up, adjourn
to the watch-houses surrounding the
plant proper and enjoy themselves till
the storm is over.
Lightning is not the only danger
dreaded in a gunpowder plant how
ever. Metal is dreaded-its hard sur
face may cause explosions-and hence
on the workmen's clothes the buttons
must all be of bone.
The workmens clothes must be
pocketless, SO that they may not carry
matches or knives, and a workman
no matter how dandified his tastes,
must not wear turned-up trousers
since in turn-ups grit is harbored, and
grit in a gunpowder mill is as dan
gerous almost as fire.
In all the buildings of these plants
not nail-head or any part of iron
material is exposed. The roofs, too,
are made very slight, so that in the
event of an explosion they will blow
off easily. The doors all open outward
to make escape easy, and the plant
is usually surrounded with a stream
OF water into which the hands are
trained to dive at the first sign of
danger.-Cincinnati Enquirer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

Consistency and cohesion in the adj
ministration of public affairs is so
rare as to be noteworthy. A medal or
two. then, for the Kansas civil service
commission in denying state employ
ment to the cigarette smoker as well
as the booze enthusiast. The anti
cigarette law of Kansas is just as pro-
hibitive as the anti-liquor law, even
though it is not enforced so vigorously.
And it is only reasonable, if a trifle
unusual, that state officials should set
an example of respect for these laws,
and all others that may be on the
statute books
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
From Other Pens
SUCCESSFUL RAILRoADING.


1t is not unlikely that the present
success of the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe railroad is in some way con-
nected up with a campaign begun by
President Ripley five years ago to en-
list the SyTup2thieS of the people liV-
ing along the line. General managers,
general freight and passenger agents
financial and accounting officers, at
tCrneys, superintendent were called to
a general meeting where definite plans
were outlined for frequent and regu-
lar visits to the cities and rural COM
nUnities of the various states for the
avowed purpose of getting acquaint-
ed with the railroads customers and,
incidentally, it's regulators. 1t was a
master stroke in management The
Santa Fe has become living organi-
zation, run and managed by ordinary
men with definite responsibilities to
stockholders, shippers, and the gener-
al public, in the minds of the all-pow-
erful merchants, manufacturers, far
merS, stockmen, bankers and business
men generally throughout the west
After meeting general passenger
agent or a vice president the small
town merchant is not likely to be so
sure that the big railroad has unlim-
tied money making or spending pow
ers. He also learns that the operat-
ing men have not been responsible for
the raids in the stock markets except
in a few isolated cases. President Rip
lev was undoubtedly correct in saying
that the hostile public sentiment
against the transportation companies
was largely a lack of understanding
The same might also be said about
other big business. But If public opin-
ion is less militant today, it is more
because big business has Invested itself
of its righteousness than because the
voter is repentant. Such movements
as have been fostered by the Santa Fe
and other enlightened offices are the
modern preventives against repressive
observation-disclosures Tribune.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

traffic officer. He managed to es-
cape and went to fathers office. Just
as we reached there he saw the po-
lice coming and he jumped into ia
theirs car at the curb and l got in too,
and we went to New Haven. He was
inside the limousine on the floor,
when you talked to me. You sus-
pected something like that, didn't
you?"
4 knew you were in trouble, and
as l am a writer of detective stories
and something of an amateur sleuth
myself, l was interested, but" a far
away look came into Lennard's ewes.
Butt" she prompted
But, do you know, Miss Kensing-
ton, L believe that this is going to be
the most interesting plot l ever
tackled-and surely the most compli-
Gated
He had the grace to blush then. for
in the quick flash of her eyes he
guessed that she had understood his
meaning.
And it was a story that ended hap
PLY, oo.-(Copyright, 1915, by the
Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

cherries are ripe! Cherries are
ripe," sang Billy Robin from the top
of the old pine tree.
cherries are ripe, Cherries are
ripe!" chirped Tommy Sparrow from
his perch in the pear tree near by.
cherries are ripe, Cherries are
rine,, echoed Bluey Blackbird, for
once Joining in with the song of the
others And even the Katy-did down
in the grass seemed to say. Cherry
rine-cherry ripe-cherry ripe"
though of course Old Man Owl might
inst have imagined that she did that
no telling.
whoever did hear of such silly
creatures as those birds arei" grum-
bled Old Man Owl Grossly. Just be-
cause cherries happen to be ripe, am
7 to lose the sleep need? Never did
know such a noisy set OF birds as we
have in this garden. / think / will tell
them to eat their cherries if they want
to but to keep still about it," So he
opened his eyes crack, looked
around to see who was nearest and
called out sternly. "Fool-fool-fool
keep still,''
Billy Robin up in the pine tree
right over Old Man Owls head heard
him and replied, 'Oh. are you awake,
Friend Owl? 1 was just wishing you
would wake up, so l could tell you
about the lovely cherries in yonder
treei"
Am I awaken" asked Old Man
Owl in disgust ASK me rather, if
can sleep with all this noisei If you
care so much for cherries, why don't
you stay and eat them up? 1 should
think eating would be more to your
liking than singing
"Oh. I eat them enough" replied
Billy Robin good naturedly. but half
the fun comes from singing about
them. Won't you come and taste a
few"
NO, 1 won't" answered the owl
Grossly, "and furthermore. won't you
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Journal Entries

Keeping out of court is valuable ad-
vice that too few people heed.
+ = !.
Some of the poorest investments
not a few families make are sons-in-
law.
j. - -
Hard work is the kind you do. It's
always the other fellow who has a
snap.
= j. j.
The cost of anything is of little con-
sequence to the average man if he
has money.
j = !.
Trouble. at least, is one thing that
almost everybody is willing to share
with others.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
Kansas Comment
THE VALUE OF GOOD ROADS.

THE VALUE OF GOOD ROADS.
The European war should teach the
people of Kansas a lesson most Of US
will be prone to overlook. 1t is to get
busy and put through a comprehen-
sive scheme of improving our high
ways. Half the efficiency of Germany
has been due to the best system of
roads the world has ever known. In
the event that the United States
should ever be invaded there is little
likelihood that there would be any war
upon the soil of Kansas. but the need
of good highways for the transporta-
ton of troops and foodStuffs would
be as apparent from the first month
of the war as it has been apparent all
over Europe during the past year.
Such an eventuality is possible ac-
cording to the judgment of the most
intelligent Americans of all vocations
living today. Transportation of
troops munitions of war, and food
stuffs in minimum time and at maxi
mum speed across Kansas by rail, auto
and wagon may save this nation from
a great peril in the not remote future.
Look ahead.-Lawrence Journal
World.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
MIDSUMMER.

Blue sea-and ceaseless song of ft-and
A CLEAN of white-caps on an outer bar.
The jutting gray of cliffs, the slender
OF beaches with their foreheads in the
brine.
That solitary gulls an aeroplane.
Assalied by adverse currents all in vain !;
And higher than his flight, my spirit
In rapture, as 1 ship my dory's oars
To rise, poise, plunge and seek the cool
IN chantlng mirror of the oceans pooli
Edna Mead, in the New York Times.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

Unless Georgia seeks out and brings
to punishment the savages who final
ly accomplished the murder of Leo
Frank, she will stand before the world
as o commonwealth whose mob spirit
IS more potent that the state itself Of
course, if Georgia is content with such
a reputation. that, presumably. is her
business. But it is "a sorry common
tary on civilization that is supposed to
prevail in this generally enlightened
land
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

Truth. evidently, is also more hor-
rible than fiction. Donald Thompson.
the Topekan, and war photographer
extraordinary, is back in New York
again with some moving pictures of
assaults by Austrian soldiers against
non combatant Servian men, women
and children, that are so terrible that
it isn't at all likely that movie cen
sors will permit them to be shown
io1x
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

There he found Friend Redbird.
what Is ali this noise I hear?''
asked the redbird. Way off in the
meadow l heard the calling of birds
and have come to see what tbex 90
talking about
We are calling that the cherries
are ripe" said Billy, glad to have an
interested listener. I've been wish
ins somebody would hear me and
come, for there is plenty fo, s1Iiss
50 ne and Friend Cardinal flew over
70 the cherry tree and had feast
ana Cid Man Owl slumbered ar1Irnp-
ny aIone- Which one would You
rather be2-(Co pyright-Clara m
gram Judson.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

Things that don't happen in Kansas
They needed a Wisconsin justice of
the peace recently and finally found
him in his saloon. An investigation
discloses the fact that a New York
school teacher who was retired on a
pension for nervous insufficiency'
was in the habit of procuring cock
tails from a saloon near her school
and keeping them on tap in a flask in
her classroom.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18
A BARGAIN AND A BOON.

About the biggest bargain any set of
Topekans have had an opportunity in
which to invest in a long time is the
East Side sewer. 1t will cost only
about SIS a lot. This may be temper
arily burdensome to a few of the prop
erty owners in that section of the
city, or they may 50 consider it, but
in the long run, and it won't be a very
long run either, it will be the most
Valuab BILE investment that any Tope-
kans have ever had u chance to make.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

IS the investigation of the charges
against Warden Botkin to bear fruit
of the same proportions as did the one
concerning The alleged election frauds
in Kansas City. Kan. where it was
coRtended beforehand that election
scandals would be unearthed that
would make the unsavory ones of
Terre H1ute look like thirty cents?
The character Of the testimony at the
opening sessions of the Botkin trial
would seem so to indicate.