davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-07-06

This world is composed Of
men, women, children, and imi-
tations. The choice is yours.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-07-06

Keep right on kicking your
home town. Life would indeed
be dull without single fool.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-07-06

Yes, call the world loves a
lover except the girl who jilts
him.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
PSYCHOI OGY OF THRIFT IN PEACE AS WELL AS WAR

and only so long as it is needed. Save electricity.
One Of the most expensive features in house
hold economy is the laundry work. This can
and should be reduced at once by the use OF
cotton crepe and wash silk wearing apparel
and less extravagant use OF fancy table and
other linens. Day workers wages have III
creased appreciably, and feeding extra help
a late breakfast and hearty luncheon, sven
for a day, is consideration.
Made-over gowns, mended shoes and re-
trimmed hats are economies we'll worth con-
sidering when war charities claim every extra
penny. Light homework can be made 70 take
the place Of dancing and other pastrnes in-
dulged in "for exercise" il done with the idea
Of saving the hire Of one extra servant in .
largo establishment. Many modern daughters
are doing their bit in this way.
One might 90 on indefinitely outlining petty
economies to aid the thrift campaign, but
every woman knows in her heart OF hearts
that the eyes Of nation at war are upon her,
and that the time has arrived when she can no
longer dodge the issue and mark time, but
must march with the thrift ranks.
Germany is Sighting not alone with the men
st the front, but with a civilian army behind
the lines-an army OF ununiformed men, wom-
en- and children who are the home workers and
the food savers. Patriotism and food saving
20 hand in hand. That she has not already
been beaten may be due to this fact alone.
Autocracy has shown what food organza-
ton can do; will American democracy be left
behind, especially when it is called upon to
help feed our allies? 1t Is up TO the women.
When women have done their best in the
home they will be ready for the bigger tasks
they have been clamoring for, ready TO stand
side by side with the women abroad who have
been in tho heart Of the struggle from the
first and have learned thrift by bitter expe-
rience. We have not yet been asked to learn
that way.
The excitement OF war WORK is more thrill
ing than anything which has ever come to US,
but we have TO get down to the hard facts in
life 1t is much more interesting TO put on q
uniform and learn TO drive motor than II is
to plan economical dishes and darn stockings,
but it is not nearly so useful.
We don't need pledge cards, buttons. uni
forms visiting committees TO remind US
that we are at war and must save to win.
All we need /, to revive the spirit Of our pill
grim ancestors, the American get up and
get" spirit. II we cannot show a. much real
determination 70 save by thrift At home as
our men are showing determination to win by
sheer grit lover there" then for the irst time
American womanhood will disappoint its
stanchest defenders,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
CONCERNING FRENCH AND AMERICAN "MARRAINES"
The Godmoher Idea Originated in France but
Has Been Eagerly Adopted in This
Country

teeth" a pessimistic soul remarked one day
to Mary Rehan, the executive manager Of the
workroom. You will remember Mary Rehsn
as the delightful 40" in Little Women" and
never was an actress better cast. Mary Rehan
is "Jo March" to the life, except that 80
March" had sometimes TO wait for genius to
burn, whereas with Mary Rehan it seems to
burn continuously with steady, clear fame.
Miss Rehan repudiated emphatically the ac-
cusation that actors were "as scarce as hens
teeth" in the army, and set to work to prove
her point by statistics, and she proved it. Hav-
ing learned that there were more than one
thousand actors in the service, she decided that
the Stage Women's War Relief should make
these men their special charge, and so God
mothers Committee" was formed. Reginald
Barlow, late of "Old Lady No. 81, now major
stationed in one Of the training camps, was
consulted, and it was decided to send letters 10
members of the dramatic profession in all the
camps asking them to consider the Stage
Women's War Relief as their own particular
organization to be appealed to for anything
that they might need. The letter closed with
this paragraph:
"The women Of the stage are very proud OF
their men who have so early answered the call
We want to help them and would be glad II
thew would let us know the best way
The response to this call was immediate, and
the letters received from actors Of all classes,
from the small vaudeville performer to the
Broadway leading man, are very characteristic
Here is one of them:
"Dear Friend: am in receipt Of your es-
teemed favor of the 28th, which l have read
over with an immense amount o. pleasure to
know that there is some one back among the
bright lights who thinks Of the boys that
are now playing the greatest role in their
careers.
Il am very grateful to you for your kind
offer to send me those needful articles, but TO
tell you the truth there is nothing in the world
! need. Just kindly keep the booking agents
Offices open so we can get plenty of work when
we return, for we will be there soon. ! have
read my script over, and the Kaiser, who is
playing the heavy is billed to get shot in this
production and, believe me, they will never
bring him back for show the next night as
WE STAGE THIS DRAMA ONLY ONCEl
Again thanking you, remain,
yours, till Niagara Falls"
And with all this there are still thousands Of
our own soldiers and sailors, both in this coun-
try and overseas, who have no one to write to
them or to look after their comforts. Thou
sands of lonesome souls in sore need OF Mar
raines. What are you going to do about it?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
Kindly Women Who Look after the Welfare
and Comfort of the Boys at the
Front
Front

them or to take an interest in their welfare.
Every four months the pou has 'permis-
sion"-that is, a leave Of absence-of five days,
and those men whose homes were in ruins and
whose families were scattered and lost to
them had no place in which to spend this hol
day. They came to look forward TO this with
feelings Of dread rather than of pleasure, for
it meant period of loneliness in which they
had nothing to do but ponder on their sorrows.
The society of "Mon Soldat, 1915" rented
three vacant houses, furnished them and sent
invitations through their company command
ers TO these homeless men to spend their holi-
day there. This work has continued and grown
and out Of it has come the adoption of thou
sands of these poilus as godchildren, "Filleuls'
to the women who have come to know Of them
and their needs through the "Eurre."
Can you realize what this interest means to
a man who has had no news of his family for
three and half years and doesn't know
whether they are alive or dead? They have
read in the newspapers that their villages are
in ruins, but further than that they know moth
ing. One of these men wrote to his "war god
mother:
For fourteen months have been postmas-
ter of my regiment and have given out letters
and parcels, but have never received any.
You cannot imagine my Joy when l saw a let
ter addressed to me, and it was with tears that
/ read your wonderful letter"
The work of "Mon Soldat' is under the
patronage Of the President of the French Re-
public and Of the Minister of War; and it
is carried on most Systematically. SOL
dier'S reputation must be vouched for by his
captain before he is admitted to its privileges.
One Of the first poilus to be adopted by a
member of "Mon Soldat" as filleul was man
Of twenty-six. who had been a butcher in one
OF the little villages in the devastated districts.
This mans letters were so charming, so full
of enthusiasm and patriotism that they have
been published and are being sold for the bene-
fit of the "Eurre" Two editions have already
gone and the third is fast going. Schools have
adopted the book for use in French classes as
showing the marvellous spirit of the French
soldiers. "Lettres de Mon Soldat' is its title,
and it can be bought at any bookshop for 81,
every cent of which goes to the work of the
society in Paris.
"LGuvre de Mon Soldat' has spread across
the seas, and there are over six thousand
feuls being cared for by American Marraines.
But nineteen thousand are still unadopted, all
from the invaded territory Of France. There
fore, if you feel that you can give little time
and sympathy to these wretched lonely souls.
won't you please communicate with Mr.. Robert
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

in the home is a big factor in winning the
war. and any form Of wilful negligence or in
efficiency on her part makes her traitor TO
her country.
in every household, rich or poor, two good
meals day, with light luncheon, are neces-
sary and this is a sufiiciency for all healthy
adults. The meals may be plain, but should be
wholesome sufficient in quantity and well
cooked. Home luncheons should be informal,
labor-saving and inexpensive. The business
man who has had good home breakfast and is
looking forward to good home dinner ought
10 find a light, inexpensive luncheon perfectly
satisfactory.
Children must have separate consideration.
Only the unnecessary luxuries should be cut
from their menu. Milk, for instance, is a food
for which there is no substitute; butter con-
tans growth stimulants which other fats lack.
Children need both. Sugar is another neces-
sity for little folks, and it may be supplied
through sweet fruits, honey, good syrup and
pure candy This does not mean rich desserts.
Sweets may be used with plain bread, prefer
ably whole wheat; even od-fashioned brown
bread and sugar or molasses will do. But il
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

prices in return for the privilege of running
bills.
We will never 90 back to the old conditions
Of things "before the war" Our chief hope
lies in the fact that some rules for the stabili
zaton Of food prices are being slowly worked
out, but until these are perfected thrift is our
only safeguard.
1t is appalling to think what German eff
fciency would have accomplished in the way
Of conserving and building up the vast food
supply Of a country like ours, which wanton
extravaganza and price profiteering have al
most toppled from its pinnacle of renown. 1t
is easy to tear down, but heartbreakngly hard
TO rebuild. Rebuilding is the task that war con-
ditions have placed before us to-day. Thrift
ness is the only weapon we have to work with.
Where shall we begin?" is the query on
many lips. The answer is, an your own
homes" This may seem very tame and in
glorious to those who are fired with thee
thusiasm Of sacrifice and a desire to do big
things. but it is true nevertheless Meatless
and wheatess days are but the "a" in the
alphabet of wartime economy. In word, the
American housewife must learn that efficiency
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

individual soldier in the French ranks? be-
came so attached to the little patriot and his
letters were full of appreciation
Out of this first "Godmothers' Club
branches have sprung in both England and
America, carrying on the same kind of work
for English and American soldiers. Last sum-
mer our first real "Godmother Society" was
formed under the direction OF Mrs. William
Leonard Davis. This is called "The American
Godmothers' League for American Soldiers
1t is an auxiliary Of the Red Cross, and so has
the advantages of this organization for trans
portation. The little pamphlet which the
league sends to its friends tells of its aims and
what it expects of its members.
"Of all things that American women can do
in the Great War, being godmother Is one Of
the most helpful, most practical, least expen-
sive. 1t does not interfere in the slightest with
anything else you may be doing to help the
men who are fighting for humanity. 1t sup
plements other things.
give hundred thousand godmothers are
wanted. Won't you be one?
"a godmother is a woman who agrees to send
a package monthly to a soldier in the field, a
package which need not cost more than 81.
"a godmother sends direct to one soldier in
France She adopts him for herself. Her first
package goes out with letter from her to
whoever shall receive it. The package is given
10 a soldier who has no one to send him COM
forts. The soldier writes back and tells her
his especial needs in the trenches Thereafter
every package from her goes direct to him, al
ways through the league.
"If you can join the American Godmothers
League and want to adopt one Of our own boys
on the Western front get in touch with Mrs.
Davis, $40 Park Avenue, and the deed is
done!"
These two godmother societies, "Mon Soldat'
and "The American Godmothers' League" are
by no means monopolists in the Marrainage
field Several of the Women's War Relief So
cieties have their own godmothers' committees
which look after the needs Of the boys with
whom they come in touch. One of the most in
teresting of these is the gOdmothers' commit
tee of the Stage Womens War Relief.
The Stage Women's War Relief was formed
to help all our soldiers without any question
as to whether or not they had been in any way
connected with the dramatic profession, and,
as everybody knows the society has been one Of
the most efficient and one of the best managed
of all the war relief organizations-a credit to
the women of the dramatic profession who
have put their hearts and souls into the work
You'd have mighty little to do if you de-
voted your work only to the actors in the SER
vice, for you'd find them as scarce as hens
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
NEW GARMENTS FROM OLD MADE BY THE RED CROSS

Societies that give me great piles of made
over socks and shirts tell me that they have
never before had so much for the needy people
at home" said Mrs. Bryant "You see they
have started using things that they thought
were useless and they are surprised to learn
how much they can do with one discarded
garment.
"Men are particularly interested. They
are always my best listeners at meetings. They
send me piles of cast-of underclothes The
other day a bachelor gave me silk shirt
took it to the Old Ladies' Home, where they
made from it four beautiful little shirts. Four
French babies saved from the cold, four wom-
en- at the Old Ladies' Home delighted with
chance to work, and all from bachelors silk
Shirt
1.-TWO moth-eaten Jaeger nightgowns that
came in the other day made fifteen cunning
little shirts. Two dozen mems undergarments
or women's combinations make seven dozen
shirts. This means life for the babies in
France, a pleasant occupation for women in
America, and the habit of conservation for
men and women at home which will last after
the war"
, Mrs. Bryant, by the way, not only proves
that it's never too late TO mend but her life
is proof that it's never too late to begin.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

hcent % allow Of waste.
Thrift payes the way TO individual economic
freedom. The universal practice of thrift
means the preservation Of national strength,
50 vital az this time. The boarding Of re-
tources makes miser. Wastefulness is the
spendthrift that impovershes prosperity. The
wise spending and investing Of resources make
thrifty citizen A nation thrives on the thrift
Of its citizens.
Hanging the food pledge card in the win
dow and the thrift card in the kitchen means
nothing II the household is not reconstructed
and placed on a wartime basis. This means
rot only the conservation Of food, but the saw
ing OF fuel, light, labor, clothing-in fact,
Everything. Think before you spend, no mat
ter whether the expenditure is for piece OF
soap or an automobile. This is the doctrine
d thrift.
War has made clear the Importance OF
aousehod economies; woman's bit IS It's mas
terry. It's standard must be raised to the level
q industrial economies if this nation is to
locus s full power. At present the relation
q efficiency IN the home and in manufactur-
ing plant is as ! TO 10. Women must back
heir requests for equal rights and privileges
y demonstrating that they clearly understand
he nature and necessity Of the work before
hem, and by approaching that work in
'gsinesslike way. Thrift Of health, Of charac-
'sr Of money all are part Of the psychology
q thrift.
Advanced food prices arc not as many peo-
pic feel, due entirely to war conditions. They
nsye been stealing upon US, penny by penny,
ior the last fifteen years. II took the jolt OF
var TO wakeu US 70 this fact; some Of US are
III asleep.
There arc a number Of reasons for these
SAlitioas, such as certain changes in the Fed
''a! Reserve banking system allowing great
f'ee iallation, high rate Of marine insurance,
~eS Of knowledge by many farmers OF the
.9' means Of planting and distributing their
''ps' commission men who are using antedi-
,'ir methods Of selling, lack of good termi-
@ and public markets in our large cities,
f'T methods Of handling, cold storage prof
,'"fng, LACE Of price Standardization, and
ses but by no means least, the habit Of or
sspg by telephone, which leads to fancy
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

there is not sugar enough to go around grown
ups must let the children have first call ON
the supply.
. With two good meals a day such luXuries
as afternoon tea. coffee or chocolate, fancy
sandwiches and cakes, ice cream sOdas. rich
desserts, expensive relishes, nuts and sweets
10 MUNICH on between times should be cut out,
together with midnight suppers and banquets.
Personal marketing, cash payments for pro
visions and a willingness to carry home all
parcels, say up to ten pounds in weight, will
tighten every ones war burden. False pride
must also 90 into the discard. Don't be
ashamed to buy half pound Of meat or fish,
or two chops, if that is all you really require
no matter who stands by to criticise. Remem-
Der you are paying the BILL not your critics.
and extravaganza only courts financial dis
aster.
Much is lost between the market and the
table by improper care Of foods. There are
many simple rules which will reduce the loss
of foodstuffs from this cause, if the housewife
will take the trouble to learn them AMI follow
their teachings.
Next in importance comes the saving Of fuel
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

undervest or shirt pattern; latter to be made
from old union suits etc" On the outside of
the pattern is the picture Of an old shirt show
ing how six little shirts can be made by keep
ing away from the worn places.
With the aid of the Red Cross the business
OF making new clothes from old clothes is
reduced to a working system.
Any woman who has an old undergarment
that she wants to make over can procure
pattern and do it at home.
Any woman who has an old undergarment
that she wants to give away can take it to the
Red Cross warehouse at Union Square, where
it will be given to some one else to make over.
ANY woman who wants to make over under
garments but has none of her own can get an
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

order from Mrs Bryant to take them from the
Red Cross warehouse, make them over at
home and return them to the Red Cross for
shipping.
Although the patterns have been out only a
short time, they are already travelling fast.
Red Cross centres for making over under
garments by these patterns have been estab-
lished from New York to California. Home
centres, church centres, society centres, are
springing up every day. Mrs. Bryant herself
is in constant demand by clubs and churches
to speak on her economical plan for helping
the destitute in Europe.
One beauty of the make-over plan is that it
blesseth almost equally him that gives and him
that takes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

In using gas, electric and oil stoves it is wise
not to light the burners until the food is ready
to cook Care in this respect effects a consider
able saving Of fuel. II the major part OF the
meal is to be cooked in the oven, 60 step
further and cook all in the oven, even the soup.
II all foods are to cook on top Of the stove, put
as much over one burner as possible. Here the
triple saucepans will be wise investment Gas
or electric current should be turned of when
heat is no longer needed. Instead Of using gas
or electricity all night for cooking cereal,
give the preference to uncooked cereal or one
that may be cooked in a short time.
When the heat Of a coal fire is no longer
needed, rake, bed and shut it down until it is
needed to cook the next meal then start 1t up
only at the last minute. II in extreme weather
the stove oven becomes part OF the heating
plan Of cold kitchen, as it frequently does,
an estimate Of the extra gas or other fuel
used should be made, and steps taken to sup
plement the heating system in less wasteful
way.
Illuminating a house or apartment brilliant
ly at this time is an unnecessary extravaganza.
Use light with judgment where it is needed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

- war is over it will be back to art again
Small and frail and white haired, the author
of some dozen books on painting is now the
author Of two patterns which are in use for
the Red Cross all over the country.
Patterns for new socks and shirts from old
socks and shirts! Il sounds simple. IL is
simple. No one jusg happened to think of
systematizing the idea until last summer Then
some one did.
Mrs. Lorinda Munson Bryant, "a Manhattan
Avenue, was busy getting clothes off to little
refugees in Europe Wanting to make the
most of every shred of clothing, she devised
one pattern for refooting socks and another
for getting six good little shirts from one worn
big shirt.
She took some Of the results to the New
York County Chapter of the Red Cross. The
Red Cross was so pleased that it asked her
TO have her patterns published The pat
terms were issued and put on sale under the
name of Conservation Patterns" with sub
heads such as Mrs. Lorinda Munson Bryant's
pattern for refooting stockings from old socks
or stockings" Mrs. Lorinda Munson BryantSs
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

his letters will be real JOY TO you. The fol-
lowing excerpt is from a letter received by Mr..
Neeser from a Boston woman whose filleul had
been killed in battle:
Early in 1916 you gave me the name Of
French soldier whose lot in the trenches | did
my best TO make bearable through letters and
aid in every possible way, Ernest Lefevre.
Now the poor boy is beyond our care: he was
killed by a she'll early in July. Will you let me
know what | can do to be of help to some
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23

Neeser, at pa Fifth Avenue, who is one of the
most earnest workers for the cause, and who
published the book "Lettres de Mon Soldat"?
1t really isn't much that you are asked to do
to write two letters a month, in French, and
TO send your feul any little comfort which he
may desire It's very little, but think what it
will mean to him! And it will do you good as
well, for it will bring you in close touch with
the world of the trenches, and once the ice is
broken and you and your flleul become friends