davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
REAL GREATNESS

Christ has given US measure of
greatness which eliminates conflicts.
When his disciples disputed among
themselves as to which should be
greatest in the kingdom of heaven,
He rebuked them and said: LET him
who would be chiefest among you be
the servant of ALL" Service is the
measure of greatness; it always has
been true, it is true today, and it will
be true, that he is greatest who does
the most good. And yet, what rev.
olution it will work in this old world
when this standard becomes the stand
ard Of every life. Nearly all of our
controversies and combats arise from
the fact that we are trying to get
something from each other. Our en-
mites and animosities arise from our
efforts to get as much as possible out
of the world-there will be peace
when our endeavor is to put as much
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

The daughters Of the land of flowers
sometimes curiously reverse European
methods. They needle their thread I'm
stead of threading their needles. and
instead Of running their needle through
the cloth they hold 1t still and run the
cloth upon IL An English lady long
resident In Tokyo once wrote to .
friend that the impulse Of her japanese
maids b always to sew on cuR mills
and other similar things topsy tnrvy
and inside cut
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
A Good Message Anyway

The late John d. Long who was
called to the head of the navy de-
partment when his friend William
Mckinley took the oath of office as
president in 1897 is credited with hav-
dispatched the famous message of
April rs, 1898, to Admiral Dewey, in
command Of the Asiatic squadron at
Hongkong awaiting orders from
Washington. The message in ques-
ton read: "War has commenced be-
tween Spain and the United States.
Proceed at once to the Philippine is
lands. Capture or destroy the Span
ish ships. Use the utmost endeavor."
Six days after the receipt of this order
Dewey reported his great Manila bay
victory.
Concerning the message Secretary
Long once remarked: "My name was
at the bottom of it. Glorious dis
patch. / should rather like to have
the credit of it. But it was not mine.
directed Chief Crowinshield, Of the
bureau of navigation, to have such a
dispatch made ready. But CROWN
shield did not write it. Who prepar-
ed it? Some subordinate clerk in his
bureau, no-one now knows who. AS
for me / should not have used the
word commenced / should have
said the war has begun Aside from
that it is a mighty good message.
think we can pardon that word. The
dispatch came in to me. / took it to
the president, saying to him, Mr..
President, / think this ought to CO.
He said: All right. Sign it,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

Either run it with vim or sell out
and leave it. Men who are always
trying to get out of business will new
er do much to build up a town. One
or two things must be done-run a
thing for all it is worth, get up steam
and keep it up or quit the whole thing,
slide out and let nature take its
course. If you want a prosperous
town where the people can come who
are disposed to make their homes, then
go away and bury from sight all
jealousy and spite, work no more for
few individuals, but all work together
for common prosperity and mutual
benefit. Wake up, rub your eyes, roll
up your sleeves and go TO work. Don't
work with fear and trembling, but
take for granted that blood will tell.
Leave results to themselves; borrow
no trouble, but unite TO make it the
biggest kind of town. Get to work.
Build better roads. Hold out induce
ments for trade. Do business.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
VOL. III. NO. FL.

Beginning this week the first divi-
sion of the junior class takes charge
of the School Life. The staff is as
follows:
Editor inc ief-Stanley. Glass.
Athletic Editor-Ruth Buck.
Society Editor--Marvel Klock.
Reporters:
High School-Charles Wheeler.
Grammar Grades-Doris Mulhol-
land.
First Ward-Leone Hoyt.
Second Ward-Ben Longan.
Third Ward-Eledia jerks.
State Observation-Disclosures Carpenter.
Miss Buck is not a junior, but is
very much interested in the athletics
and has consented to help in this way.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
THE FAST WRITING FAD

The teaching of penmanship in the
public schools has seen many vicissi-
tudes. Fads, ideas, and theories
have their rise and fall. Years ago
there was the old fashioned copy book
style, with writing inclined at con-
siderable angle. Then vertical writ
ing became very common. 1t pro-
duced very legible hand, but it was
generally condemned as too slow.
Then there came other systems and
methods, more or less practical.
One of the more prevasive of the
modern theories is that children have
been writing too slowly. 1t is argued
that old time writing was practically
"darwing."
AS consequence, in many schools
the teachers insist that pupils write
on a time schedule. They are not
encouraged to form their letters slow
ly, securing legibility before they at
tempt speed.
Yet in all other kinds of work done
with the hands, muscular control has
to come before speed The student
of music must learn to play passage
correctly before he can play it up to
time. It is to be feared that this in
sistence on speed is developing thou
sands of poor writer's, who feel that
quantity rather than quality is the
end in view.
Speed writing is not as desirable as
il was a few years ago. The very
wide use of the typewriter has great
ly reduced the amount of hand work to
be done. The business man needs
legibility first. so that when he makes
memoranda they shall be legible to
himself and others.
OF course bookkeepers still need
speed. But probably not one person
in a hundred becomes a bookkeeper.
Is it wise to train every one to meet
the needs of a small class? Should
a pupil ever be encouraged to speed
up, until he has acquired the habit of
clear, plain writing? 1t will not
seem to be sensible people.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
STATE EDUCATIONAL

st. Johns has been given $4,000 for
a new Carnegie library.
Traverse City promoted fifty-eighth
graders at the mid-winter exercises.
Menominee senior girls have al
ready decided on MILDLY graduating
gowns.
Gov. Ferris helped in the dedication
Of the new South Grand Rapids high
school.
Carson City high school has fine
new quarters in the remodeled build
ing now being used.
The new $4,000 high school at
Ypsilanti is expected to be ready for
use February /.
The heating plant of the new Char
lotte school failed to keep the building
warm during the past cold spell.
Manistee taxpayers voted in favor
of bonding for $125,000 for two new
school buildings.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Washington Club Committees

President Ellis w. Ranney of the
Washington club has appointed the
following committees:
Executive M. Miller, George c.
Bower, w. H. Browne, DR.. G. r.
Smith, w. p. Hetherington.
Entertainment-Mrs F. S. Gibson,
Mrs. George C. Bower, Mrs. w. II.
Browne, Mrs. f. w. Ranney, c. M.
Miller, p. ID. Edsall.
Music-Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Baker,
Mrs. J. C. Smith, Mr.. and Mrs. E. B.
Slawson.
Reception-Mrs. J. w. Belknap,
Mrs. E. l.. Macomber, Mr.. and Mrs
r. F. Sprague, Mr.. and Mrs. M. A
Berridge, Mr.. and Mrs. l.. w. Spra-
que, Mr.. and Mrs. o. c. Miller, Mr..
and Mrs. A. J. Ecker, Mr.. and Mrs.
C. M. Chittick, Mr.. and Mrs. F. E.
Ranney. Mr.. and Mrs. c. W. Middle
ton. and Mrs. James Newton.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
A CRITICAL HOUR

Never was there a more critical
hour for the American people than
this, says an eminent Chicago divine.
The apostles of preparedness" are
advocating a policy which means not
only the squandering Of vast sums of
money upon utterly unnecessary pre-
parations for war, with all that it in
wolves Of oppressive taxation and a
change in American attitude, but they
are advocating a policy which is as
sure to invite war as the sun is to
rise and set. Germany is pointed to
as a fine illustration of what prepar-
edness will do The fact is Germany
is today an excellent illustration of
the unspeakable curse of prepared
ness. If Germany had not been so
well prepared there would today be
no colossal struggle sapping nations
of their wealth of treasure and life.
Germany would be thousand times
better off today had she pursued an
industrial instead of a military pol
icy. She would be a great nation
peacefully prosecuting the legitimate
activities which make for happiness.
Preparedness meant the use of that
preparedness when the opportunity Of
fered. The sacrifice in gold is APP
palling, but the sacrifice in life is
simply terrifyingly great.
Motorist-I haven't spent a penny
for repairs on my car in all the 10
months I've had it.
Friend-So the man who did the
repairs told me.-Answers.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
HIGH SCHOOL.

Miss Wilson and Miss Sprague are
absent this week on account of illness.
Superintendent Langston, Principal
Nielsen and Miss Grace Travis are
supplying in their places.
A number of high school students
are absent with cases Of grip.
Each of the four high school classes
have voted a dollar and quarter to
supply the high school with copies of
Current Events.
A general crowded condition exists
again after the mid-year promotions.
Miss Helen Lapham and Miss Mary
Ravell will entertain the junior class
next Friday evening at the home of
Miss Lapham.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Awkward.

A visitor to a hospital for soldiers
was surprised to hear one OF the pa
tents being addressed by the nurses
by his Christian name. 1t being custom
airy to address patients by their sur.
names only. Upon inquiry as to why
this distinction was accorded to the
particular soldier referred to the reply
received was:
"Well. we can't very well call him by
his surname"
'But why not?" queried the some
what astonished visitor.
"You see." was the overwhelming
answer. his surname is Love. and it's
rather rd."-London Tit Bits.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
ELLIS SCHOOL

Richard Hack of the kindergarten
is i'll with scarlet fever.
Lucille Reed entered kindergarten,
Monday.
A new primary class has started
the Aldine Primer.
The first grade are making furni-
ture for doll house in manual train
ing.
The three-one class has been dram
atizing "Grand Tusk Nimble" for
language work.
The two-two class has learned the
story of "Titty Mouse and Tatty
Mouse" for language work.
Helen Lind celebrated her eighth
birthday Monday.
Bessie Clute Of Boyne City entered
the three-two class, Monday.
The fourth grade are learning a
Washington's Birthday song.
Rosetta and Ebert Allen have NOV
ed to Lansing.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Why Mosquitoes Like Blood.

The fact that mosquitoes so continu-
ally harass rich blooded creatures Is
due to the fact that they cannot lay
eggs without the albuminous food
which is thus obtained. In tropical
countries the greatest enemy Of the
malaria bearing mosquito is species
of bat which is protected from the In
sect's bite by its strangely shaped
hairs.
The bat is very swift OF fight, and
the mosquitoes. especially those which
have already made supper of blood.
are. their ideal food.-St. Louis Post
Dispatch.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Forgot He Had Paid Fine

Out In llWaco, WASH, liver man
with a most peculiar faulty memory.
This is Eli Rautio, owner of trim
motor fishing boat which is the pride
of all the country round about. One
day about year ago, u. 5. steam
boat inspector came along, looked the
craft over and found on board only
two life preservers and one of these
was in decidedly poor condition. The
inspector reported Rautio's failure to
comply with the law in this respect
and the collector of customs at Port
land, Ore, wrote Rautio asking, as is
usual, why he should not be liable for
the payment of a fine of 500.
In the next mail came a 500 money
order from Rautio. The collector Of
customs placed the money in spec
ial fund and reported the matter to
Secretary of Commerce Redfield. At
ter consulting with officials of the de-
partment the secretary decided to
follow the established custom of fining
first offenders only So and instruct
ed the collector at Portland to return
$95 to Rautio.
The money was sent back but Rau-
ito refused to take it, declaring that
he had never seen il. This was so
unusual that the officials were as
founded. They determined to fathom
the mystery and wrote to the postmis-
tress at Ilwaco asking who had pur-
chased the money order at her office
and signed the name of Rautio. She
replied Immediately that she was per-
sonally acquainted with Rautio and
that he had obtained the money or
der himself. Rautio still insisted that
he had not paid the money but after
correspondence lasting for several
months the officials finally presented
sufficient evidence to convince him
that he had and he accepted the sos.
The officials and clerks all breathed
a sigh of relief, glad to have off their
hands one of the most unusual and
astonishing cases that have ever come
to their once.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

The seventh and eighth grade liter
airy society met Monday evening. They
responded to roll call by quotations
from Riley.
The Junior Y. M. G.. A. team defeat
ed the Mcbride high school team last
week in a fast game of basketball.
The score was 35 to 81.
The seventh grade sewing circle will
meet at the home of Beatrice Noble
next Thursday evening.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

Funeral Largely Attended
The funeral Of M. f. Nowlin was
held in the Church Of Christ Sunday
at 2:30 p. m, and was largely at
tended.
Many beautiful floral offerings
covered the casket and Rev. C. M.
Pease gave a fine sermon from Eph.
GIG. Wesley Russell and Norman
Johnson sang and the pail bearers
were: Eugene Hill, Guy Wright, Ber-
ME Oberlin, Ray Oberlin, Lyle ST.
mons and Jasper Kaufman.
Friends and relatives from out-of-
town in attendance were: Mr.. and
Mrs. j. +. Kaufman, Mr.. and Mrs.
Arthur Benhart and Miss Georgia
Nowlin of Lansing, Fred Nowlin and
Estel A. Nowlin of Rockford and
John Lock of Bay City.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
GRAMMAR GRADES

in fine working order.
Lester Knee is back in school after
a weeks illness.
Dornis NORM of the Bad Axe high
school visited the sixth grade room
last Thursday.
The eighth grade Campfire Gilrs
held their ceremonial meeting at
Hazel Thompson's home Wednesday
night. They recently received their
charter and appointments.
The sixth grade has six more stud
ents enrolled than can be seated in the
room.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
THIRD WARD

The four-ones are studying Ernest
Thompson Seton in reading.
Otis Currie from the fve-two grade
has left to move to Greenville.
Frank Raymond is out of school
with a case of poisoning.
The five-two boys and girls are hav-
ing a contest in spelling.
Miss D'Anjou was i'll Monday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
BEN Donovan Surprised

Ben Donovan, living near Ashley,
was greatly surprised last Friday
evening, January 20, when fifty of his
neighbors visited him. The even
ing was enjoyed playing cards and the
young folks played games. A picnic
supper was served about eleven
o'clock, after which all departed for
home, reporting fine time.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Grange Program for February IL

Roll call, response with quotations
from Lincoln; reading, Mrs. Henry
Skellenger; debate-"Winter Stock
Feeding, Does 1t Pay?" affirmative,
Theodore Blassen, w. b. Travis,
Mark Brown. Negative, Ed. Reeves,
Clyde Day, Fred Thompson. Judge,
Walter Reeves; music, violin solo by
Clarence Chickering, accompanied by
Edna hummer on piano; essay, "How
| Can Meats" Mrs. w. b. Travis; clos
ing ode.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
POOR SPOILERS

A report just issued by Dean Briggs
of Harvard university calls attention
to the incorrect spelling which is so
common at the present time. Dean
Briggs notes that many great men
smoker at his written memoranda
when safely out of hearing.
In social life even the successful
man will suffer from poor spelling
1t will suggest that he belongs to the
new rich class, and that he has had
neither time nor inclination for self
culture, and is only a mongrel in ev-
erything but the simple power of MAX
ing money.
To the young man struggling for a
position in life, lack of ability to spell
is somewhat more serious. A letter
applying for a position that should
contain several unspelled words would
be reckoned that of an ignoramus. Ii
would convey suggestion of indol-
ence and inefficiency.
The older people look back with re-
gret at the little red schoolhouse,
where rows of buzzing youngsters
used to pore over the blue backed
speller by the hour together. Perhaps
there were as many poor spoilers then
men had little or no education. Bad
men hal little or no education. Bad
spelling may have attracted less at
tention than now.
The old fashioned school had one
astute method of developing the spell
ing habit, and that was the old time
spelling match. Competition does
wake up the boys and girls wonderful
ly. They might dream for days over
the regular spelling lesson without
acquiring anything. But there was
no perfunctory study when they were
examining for the Friday afternoon
spelling match. M
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
THE BELDING BANNER

as possible into the world. Society
will have taken an immeasureable step
toward peace when it estimates q citi-
zen by his output rather than by his
income and gives the crown of its APP
prevail to the one who makes the larg-
est contribution to the welfare of all.
Extract form w. j. Bryan's lecture,
"The Prince of Peace"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

A recent census shows the popula-
ton of the Canal Zone, exclusive Of
employees Of the canal and railroad
living outside Of the zone and in the
city Of Panama, to be nearly 10000.
Within the past year the population
has decreased 20 per cent, owing TO
the practical completion Of the water
way.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
SECOND WARD

There are fifty-two pupils enrolled
in the first grade.
The first grade children are dram
atizing and illustrating "The Three
Bears" story
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

The first year Of the Panama can
ais operation closed with total of
receipts from tolls of $5,200,000, rep
resenting the passage of 1900 ocean
vessels having gross tonnage of
100000. The number of ships pass
ing through the Suez canal was three
and two-fifths as great and the tolls
received totaled four and five-eighths
time as much as those of the Panama
canal.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

Gustav Kopsch, a young German
employed by the Carnegie institution
at Washington, has been arrested by
government agents, charged with be-
ing a spy. Photographs Of American
forts and coast fortifications were
found in his possession. Spies are said
to be investing the u. 8. arsenal at
Rock Island, H., several are reported
to have been caught by army officials
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

Elizabeth Brown and Mura Treat Of
the senior class substituted.
There are seventy-five pupils enroll
ed in the fifth grade.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
PRIDE IN ONES JOB IMPORTANT

Meeting people VINO nave made GOOD
in whatever work they have undertake
en-, always raises a question in our
own minds and oftimes our personal
reflections are not at all pleasant.
whenever | hear a singer or lis
ten to the playing of an eminent must
clan, | always look down at my drab,
matter-of-fact existence and wonder
what good it does me to go drubbing
along the way / do" confessed bust
ness woman on the way home from a
concert the other night.
And there is a hopelessness about
these every day existences Of ours
which is very disconcerting at times.
The trouble is that we do not see
the life of artists at close range, very
often, so we have an exaggerated
sense Of their lofty isolation among
the spheres. If we could see them IN
their every day life we might find
that they, too, have their drab ana
colorless days when living itself be-
comes a burden hard to be borne and
where there is no fairy Hope to whis-
per of better days to come.
Life itself is a business and ability
to sing or play is like all the other
talents-all given us for a purpose
and as part of the tools placed in our
hands at the beginning of our life job.
If the singer neglects the voice CIV
en- her she merely falls down on her
lob lust as the hundreds of less talent
ed women do with their life jobs to
keep homes well kept and comfortable
and children well nourished and use
full citizens later on in life. Some of
us think it must be much easier to be
a talented musician that it is to be
talented housewife or mother or wage
Garner, as the case may be, but we
would undoubtedly change our minds
very quickly if we tried to live the
life of self-denial every singer must
if she would keep in good voice.
We are all human, and some OF us
are so very human that we are weak
when we should be strong, and easy
going when we should be resolute and
brave. Then, too, we waste so much
time wishing we had been given diff
ferent surroundings and better tools
to work with, that we frequently
waste valuable time in early years and
never wholly catch up with the work
we've been given to do.
Of course our lives are drab and
colorless a good deal of the time. But
if we resolutely believe the clouds
were really going to lift in time and
give us brighter glimpse of sun
shine, we might indeed wake up some
fine morning and find a glorious new
day unfolding before US. All we are
asked to do is keep on at our own job
and do it the best we know how. 1t
may not be as romantic as singing,
nor so ornamental as painting, nor as
renumerative as lot of the jobs our
friends have, but it is our own especial
Job, fact which should make us feel
quite as important as though we were
president of big railroad. All any
of us can expect is to belong some
where. After all, that's the really
important thing.
Even if wishes were horses, we
might not care for singing job if we
had one.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

untered into the Bedding Michigan
Postoffice as second class matter.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

II must say these are fine biscuits!'
exclaimed the young husband.
"How could you say those were fine
biscuits 2" inquired the young wife's
mother in a private interview.
II didn't say they were fine.
merely said ! must say so."--Wash.
ington Star.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

Uncle Sam has made first pay
ment of 100000 for the securities Of
the Alaska Northern railroad, run
ming from Seward into the interior Of
Alaska. This road will be utilized in
the construction Of the new govern
ment road. The total cost Of the Sc
curities of the government will be
81, 15O,00
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

The Banner is read in more homes
than all other local weekly papers
sombined in it's territory.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02
Quite Different

One day a newspaper reporter ap-
preached Speaker Clark and asked for
his opinion on a certain political ques-
ton that had developed. cts impos-
sible for me to give you my opinion in
that rattor" was the response. at
is question to which / pay no atten-
ton whatever. In fact / am wholly
Indifferent to it.; quite as Indifferent
as the wife of Missouri backwoods-
man who stood calmly looking on
while her husband engaged a huge
bear in fierce combat. In telling about
it later she declared it was the only
fight she had ever witnessed where
she didn't care which side won."
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-02-02

The minister was dining with the
Fullers, and he was denouncing the
new styles in dancing. Turning to
the daughter Of the house, he asked
sternly: "Do you, yourself, Miss Full
Ter, think the girls who dance these
dances are right7"
"They must be-" was the answer,
because I notice the girls who dom
dance them are always left."-Farm-
ing Business.