davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Ascending Honor.

Honor, worthily obtained Gas that
for example of our officers) is in its
nature a personal thing, and incom-
municable to any but those who had
some share in obtaining it. Thus among
the Chinese, the most ancient, and
from long experience the wisest of
nations, honor does not descend, but
ascends. If man from his learning,
his wisdom, or his valor. is promoted
by the emperor to the rank of man.
DARN, his parents are Immediately en-
titled to all the same ceremonies OF
respect from the people that are estab-
lished as due to the mandarin HIM
self on the superstition that it must
have been owing to the education, in
struction and good example afforded
him by his parents that he was rem
dered capable Of serving the public.
This ascending honor is therefore
useful TO the state, as it encourages
parents to give their children a good
and virtuous education. But the de-
scending honor, to posterity who
could have no share in obtaining it,
is not only groundless and absurd. but
often hurtful to that posterity.-Benja.
min Franklin.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Real Meaning Of "Maru,n

The word "Maru," attached to the
name of every Japanese merchant ship
and commonly accepted as meaning
ship" has no especial meaning, ac-
cording to Captain Takeshima of the
japanese steamship Hudson Maru, re-
Gently captured and released by Ger
man raider in the South Atlantic. Cap
tain Takeshima said that the word Is
the survival of Japanese custom CEN
turtles old. He explained the origin Us
follows: "There are two opinions as
to how the custom originated. One
Of the stories, which l believe is the
correct one, is that in ancient times
the Japanese attached 'maru to the
name of anything precious or highly
priced, as sword or baby. 1t was
first applied to a ships name about r.
600 years ago, when the Empress lingo
sent an expedition to Korea. She add
ed the word to the name of the ship
that transported the troops to Korea.
Ever since then Maru' has been part
Of the name of every steamship or sail
Ing vessel. 1t is never used with the
name of a warship."
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Disappointed Horse,

That horse, in spite of his ''horse
sense" can be pitlfys;y deceived by
appearances was demonstrated ID 4
telling manner. A young woman was
waiting patiently for car going east,
when horse and wagon owned byla
huckster stopped almost before her:
The horse, friendly looking animal,
gradually edged up to the curb near
the young woman, who smiled gra-
ciously and patted him on the nose.
AS the car approached she walked
slowly toward the track and was wait
ing for the car door to open when the
friendly animal slipped up behind her.
and with sudden plunge grasped the
bunch of green leaves from her new
hat. =. -.
After a brief tussle with hat pins
and yellow curls, the horse managed
to wrest the hat from the young wOm-
an and marched off chewing what he
evidently thought meal of fine green.
The horse chewed the milliner's paint
ed leaves, and finding them not to his
taste dropped the hat, which was re-
turned to it's owner.-Milwaukee jour
nal.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Babies Healthier Nowadays.

The death rate among babies in the
larger American cities has been re-
duced IL per cent since 1910, accord
ing to the infant mortality survey just
completed by the New York milk COM
mittee. This reduction has been made
among cities of 100000 population and
over.
The smaller cities have not done so
well. The reduction in cities between
$4,000 and 100000 population is only
per cent, while those under $4,000
show an increase of per cent. The
general reduction is 8 per cent. The
survey covers $50 of the largest cities
in the United States since 1906 The
marked decrease in infant deaths did
hot begin until 1910. when organized
infant welfare work became general
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
The Proud Teacher.

: The little teacher was proud of her
little pupils and beamed with pleasure
at the appreciation shown by some
visitors, who applauded generously.
Then came the lesson, and the teacher
announced the subject.
"Children," she said, "today we are
going to learn about the cat, and
want you to tell me what you know
about it. Tommy, how many legs has
q cat?"
"Four," replied Tommy, proudly con.
scious of rectitude.
"Yes; and, Daisy, what else has the
cat?"
"Claws an TAIL" murmured Daisy
shyly.
Various other portions of the feline
anatomy We're ascertained and finally
the instructress turned to one of the
latest acquisitions Of the kindergarten
and said sweetly:
"Now, Mary, can you tell me wheth'
er the cat has fur or feathers?"
With scorn and contempt, mingled
with vast surprise, Mary said:
"Teacher, amt you never seen a
cat?'
And the lesson came to an abrupt
end.-Chicago Daily News.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
The Art Of Being Happy.

Some people seem to think that hap
piness is thing that you can get hold
Of and keep as if it We're possession
or quality Of character. In reality
you have to work for it and you have
to keep on workings Teach yourself
to respond to everything lovely or
cheerful, to see beauty, to enjoy the
society of your fellow men, to delight
in work and to be enthusiastic in play.
Teach yourself interest in the strug-
giles and hopes of others-the sort of
interest that is of use, that is help,
says an exchange.
Learn to enjoy the many little things
that turn up day by day. Make the
most of your own mind, your own ca
pacities. Don't sit around, bordering
whether you are happy or not, whether
or not life is worth living.
Live it thoroughly, keep awake to all
the wonder of 1t, and you will be hap
py without knowing it, at first, until
you have gone along far enough to
realize what happiness is.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
"wiII You Leave a Messasea"

had hall bedroom in the house where
the girls lodged. as did some twenty or
more homeless men and women, whose
small salaries admitted of nothing bet
ter in the great city Of New York.
Marjorie went back to her room,
rather glad that she had had strength
of mind enough to resist the temptation
for it was temptation. Not that the
society of Teddy Drake meant much to
her. He was jolly, wholesome young
chap, and as far as she knew morally
decent. But he did not especially APP
peal to her. Mentally and socially he
was not quite her kind, for Marjorie's
mother was a refined, educated woman,
and before their financial crash came,
and she had left home, her associates
had been of that kind. Now she was
obliged to associate with the young
people chance threw in her way, or
have no acquaintances at all, so she
joined in their amusements, and for
the most part found them well dis
posed and friendly.
An hour and n half went by, and still
the "joy riders" did not return. Mar
jorie, going out to mail a letter, heard
the telephone. AS is usual In some
lodging houses, it was in the entrance
hall, and Marjorie, to save steps for
the landlady or overworked servant,
often answered it when near, so she
took down the receiver. 1t was Mr..
Bayard asking if his chauffeur, Drake,
was there.
NO." she answered. evil you leave
message?"
Mr.. Bayard's voice plainly showed
annoyance. He was obliged unexpect-
edly to 60 to FOrdham and needed the
car at once. He asked IL Drake had
been at the house with the machine.
"You will have to ask him." with an
accent on the "him'' she said as polite
ly as possible. "But If you wish to
give me any message, will see that
Mr.. Drake gets it as soon as he comes
in."
"Will you kindly give me your name.
so that if have to call up again may
ask for you. Servants are so unre-
liable"
Certainly. Miss Wendell" was the
response.
Marjorie hung up the receiver. Evil
IDENTIFY Mr.. Bayard was man OF keen
discrimination. He had inferred from
her speech she was not Il servant. AS
she started out the car drew up to the
door.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Ma1.jorie's
Joy Ride
= y
BY Mary Parrish
BY Mary Parrish
copyright, by W. G. Chapman.)

(C0pyrlght, by w. u. Chapman.)
"Oh, come on, kid! Don't be
slacker!"
Miss Prunes is afraid it's Joy
rider
Polly Frayne settled herself COM
fortably in the automobile, and
laughed at the girl on the sidewalk.
The girl who had so far resisted all in
vitations to join the merry party was
not "Miss Prunes'' by any means.
She liked a good time as well as any
normal young person Of twenty-one,
but she knew this was joy ride. and
she had made up her mind to let such
diversions strictly alone, even if she
had not made certain promises to the
widowed mother back in the little
home town before she came to the city
to earn a living.
The first speaker, bright-eyed,
good-looking young fellow at the wheel
again added his entreaties for her to
join them.
ooh, come on ~ he urged. "Ill get
you back in an hour. Wen just take a
spin through the park"
It certainly did look alluring, the
early twilight of beautiful summer
dry, and the delightful road through
the trees. She was so tired from the
long day in the Office, and the air was
so good.
Now you needn't be afraid of the
boss rowing. I've taken him to q meet
ing, and I'm not to go after him till
ten," he said.
Marjorie thanked him, but remained
firm.
ooh. start up Teddy! We're losing
time!" protested Polly.
With regretful look the chauffeur
started the machine. It was Marjorie
he especially wanted, but he saw
further urging would be useless. He
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
copyright, by W. G.. Chapman.)
By Victor Radcliffe

Barton Gray stood like being
stunned by vivid shock. Slowly the
color faded from his face, his eyes
auivered as though the power of will,
hope and courage had utterly deserted
him. At his feet lay an envelope.
Crushed in his hand was a written
sheet, throttled by the delicate, yet
sinewy fingers, as though it We're
deadly serpent.
at has comet" he gasped. "After
all the years."
He Strengthened out and reread the
fatal screed. 1t was mere scrawl,
crude, uniformed, misspelled: II knew
you in your Canadian prison" ran the
substance of the missive. II have
looked you up, and wonder at your
audacity in keeping the old name. See
that you are candidate for mayor OF
Lyndon. When my messenger comes
again have the first thousand Of five
ready, or expose you"
The messenger-Gray had barely no.
ticed her-a Haunting, bold-faced girl
with all the freshness of girishness
gone. Her breath reeked of liquor.
She had been insOlent, sneering, def
ant. I'D advise you to pay up" she
said. eve need the money, and you
had better spare it," Then she had
vanished, while he was taking in the
import of the dreadful screed.
Life, honor, love, happiness seemed
fading away from him. After five
years, from remote corner Of far
Canada, a nemesis had crossed his
path. The past had arisen to confront
him in the guise of a blackmailer.
What mattered the personality? The
giaring, devastating fact was there, to
be bruited about at random, to over
take him, to wrest him from high,
honorable position, to drag him
through the mire of popular scorn.
He had deemed himself safe from
that obscure past. He had dared to win
a proud public position. The morrow
was. election day at Lyndon, so miles
away. His election was certain. And
was Elita peerless, loyal Elita Pearce,
his fancee? All, there was the
most cruel feature Of this distracting
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Just Beyond a Fence Line He Oh.
served Young Girl Driving a Horse.

porch. Wilfred opened his eyes wide
as his mother narrated her story. He
took the little box Of tablets without
cavil.
"Three day, eh!" he spoke. "You
dear, old mother, to go to all Of this
thoughtfulness and anxiety for my
selfish, worthless self! I'll make a
new break, pills or no pills, just to
show my love for you"
II reckon I'm about wasting my
life" ruminated Wilfred, the next
morning. 'rll take u big hike, think
it all over and see If I can't stir up
some ambition. What want is an
object in life. Where am going to
find tit"
y Wilfred footed it for ten straight
miles. Then he sought the outrageous
shade of some thick bushes by the
roadside and sat down to rest. He
drew further back out Of possible dis
covery as, just beyond fence line,
he observed young girl driving a
horse attached to cultivatOr. In
Tic uLSt pluCS luC VIII anu SlSOA anu
accuracy she displayed in turning the
burrows caused Wilfred to admire her
vitality, acumen and apparent delight
In her laborious occupation. Next, as
she neared him at every turn on the
field, her daintily flushed face, her
sparkling eyes, the gentle coaxings she
used in directing the horse charmed
him.
Wilfred fingered in covert for an
hour, studying and Analysing this d.
rect opposite to himself in the way Of
industry. Then new figure ap-
peared in the ,scene-a little child in
sun bonnet, carrying basket.
"Come on, Tulip!" she hailed, wav-
Ing her hand gaily. Mother says
you've got to take a full incoming and
she's sent you some lunch. What do
you think is with it?-ice cream!
froze 1t for her and
I'm hungry enough to eat some OF
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
By A. 9. sherwin

Copyright. by w. G. Chapman)
'It's hookworm," declared Mrs.
Nesbit.
"It's laziness, pure and simple" dis
sented her, husband.
"Wilfred never did take to work"
added sthe farmers wife pathetically.
SIN the first place, he knew we were
reasonably comfortable off and he
didn't have to: Next, we spoiled him
by .humoring his every wish. When
we sent him to my brother in the city,
hoping he would get some ambition l
was sorely disappointed. He came
back disguised, said the men were all
dandified and the women vain, frivol-
Gus beings. I'm going to see the trav-
cling doctor down at the village and
find out if he can't give me something
to stir up Wilfred out of the nut he
has fallen into"
"Nonsense!' uttered practical John
Nesbit. "What he needs is to have
some interest in life. AS it is, he just
glides through the days, perfectly con-
IcuL us lOuS dS AC 10 AOt uiSeuAoSo
The fond, anxious mother said no
more on tie subject at the time, but
the next afternoon she went down to
town and held an audience with the
wonderful DR.. Archibald Pettigrew
"of the faculty Of the Royal Associa-
ton of Scottish Physicians" The
illustrious fakir listened solemnly to
the story of his credulous visitor and
nodded his bushy head sagely.
LACK of vital salts, madam" he
declared confidently. ''Had lots Of
cases Of the same kind; cured them
ALL"
.Do tell" murmured Mrs. Nesbit
hopefully.
"You see, If you perfect the chem
zeal equilibrium your son will get back
TO normal. Here, madam, is box Of
my celebrated perfecto vitae tablets.
, Three a day until gone. In month
the patient will be working like a
horse. Ten dollars, please"
So. in her credulous simplicity Mrs.
Nesbit clasped close the magic reno
vator and sought out her son, smoking
and reading in hammock on the
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
He Gives Up SOAP.

The idea of personal sacrifice as q
means Of conservation and help to the
government in these war times was
what an East Tenth street resident
was trying to impress on his family,
says the Indianapolis News. He made
an effective little talk and pointed the
way by announcing what he intended
to do without during the war. The
mother and two daughters also regis
tered sacrifice and gave up several
things, ranging from white kid slip
pers to the movie" Turning to his
ten-year-old son. the father said
"Weli, Harris, isn't there something
you can sacrifice, tOo?"
Harris looked very thoughtful for
nearly minute. Then a great light
shone in his face and he shouted in a
tone of mingled inspiration and exul-
tation: eyes, paw, I'll give up soap
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
LATEST THINGS IN LAWSUITS
Italian Officer Claimed Bullet That
Shot Him and Got lt-Swiss Re!
sented Loss Of Thirst.

An Italian officer who was wounded
in the Trentino has just brought an
action to obtain a decision as to the
rightful ownership of a bullet extract
ed from his body. Both doctor and
nurse claimed it, but the officer con-
tended that it was legally his. The
judge gave the decision in the officers
favor by noval line Of argument.
He found that, the projectile, once
discharged from the gun, ceased both
to belong to the man who fired it and
the country which intrusted it to him.
1t thus becanfe,- While on it's way to
it's billet, res nullus, which any find
err is entitled to pick up and keep. The
officer found it in his body. 1t was
only brought to light by the surgeon,
assisted by the nurse. Hence the Of
ficer was entitled to keep it. Which
sounds good deal like much ado
about nothing.
Some weeks ago an able left a
French village to take up the incum-
bency Of another, and the mayor and
his late flock lit bonfire in the road
to speed their departing parson, MAX
ing merry at his expense and showing
Enthusiastically the JOY they felt at see
ing his back. Naturally the able
thought himself insulted and brought
an action for damages, but as he could
not show any the case was dismissed.
A very stout man recently bought a
third-class ticket at roadside station
in England, and found that he could
not get into third-class compartment.
So he went into first, the doors OF
which are wider, refusing to pay the
excess. He was sued for the balance
and had to pay both that and the costs,
the court holding that this could not
be his first offense, and, knowing that
he could not squeeze through the door
Of a third he ought to have booked
first without more ado. ~
After telling barber to trim his
beard, farmer fell asleep in the chair.
He was awakened by the application
Of a wet towel to his face, and, looking
in the glass, was not sure whether the
barber had awakened him or some 9TH
err fellow. 80
He had gone TO sleep with beard
two feet long and woke up clean
shaved. His whiskers, of which he
was very proud, had all gone. He sued
the barber for $1,000 and got 500.
A certain inhabitant Of Switzerland
had most splendid thirst, which he
piled daily with stimulants. His sister
secretly put a drink cure into HIS po-
tations, which had the magical effect
Of curing him of his craving, and rem
dering drink obnoxious. So angry was
he when he learned the truth that he
sued his sister for 5000 for the loss
Of his thirst!
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24

you'd better speed it to the teIe-
Phone" she told Drake. And she ex.
planned.
Gosh Did you tell him?" exploded
Drake.
Certainly not" she answered.
you're brick !" he exclaimed as he
rushed to the telephone.
A few days after this Drake knocked
at Marjorfe's door. He told her Mr.
Bayard wanted stenographer, and he
had mentioned her to him, as he
thought she might get better pay.
"When I told him your NAME" said
Drake, "he remembered you had an
swered him on the phone, and he said
your voice sounded efficient" here
Drake laughed. "He doesn't want any
flippety gibbit, gum-chewing girls, he
said. rather think he believes you
are middle-aged, and settled business
woman. Your extreme youth may be
fatal drawback. But go down and see
him. don't mind playing a joke on
the boss, and it won't hurt you.'
He gave her the address of the
brokers' office in Broad street, and
Marjorie presented herself before Mr.
Bayard. She had expected to meet a
stout elderly gentleman, and the sur
prise was mutual. Bayard was in the
early thirties, athletic, clean-cut, and
rather prepossessing. He regarded
Miss Wendell with evident disappoint-
ment.
II think perhaps Drake misunder-
stood me-" he hedged. II want some
one of experience"
Marjorie assured him she had that.
She had worked in Ormstead before
coming to New York.
"Omstead," ne repeated thoughtfully.
II wonder If you are related to Jack
Wendell, Princeton?"
"My brother" she said.
"He was 'freshie' my last year. I
remember him because we had a
scrap"
Much interested, he asked of the
young man, aid Marjorie in choked
voice told how his airship had col
lapsed at a great height, and he had
been killed. The upshot was that she
was engaged at an advance of five dol
lars week above her old salary. She
attended strictly to her business and
seemed to be giving satisfaction.
One evening terrible news came over
the telephone to Marjorie. A JOY ride
of Drake had ended in collision, the
machine was smashed, Drake injured
and under arrest, while poor little Polly
had been taken to the hospital prob
ably fatally hurt. 1t was Polly that
had asked them to send for her, and
she fastened at once to the hospital.
They were administering an anesthetic
to the screaming girl, and Marjorie
bent over her to help as best she could.
When at last she was quieted Marjorie
looked mp and saw Bayard standing
near, watching her. He came up, gently
took her arm, and said kindly: "Come
home now"
She protested she must stay. He
looked ut her white, drawn face, and
added: "You have stood all you can
for a while" and he drew her to the
door. In the same quiet way he, put
her in taxicab, got in and took her
home. "You are the sort that will
keep going till you d.op. I am going
to boss you this time"
II thought" she smiled family, "you
were always 'bossing' me-"
"Not this way" he said. II want to
rive nm the other way"
She looked at him in q startled
alarm.
"Yes," he said, IF you will let me
love you"
"And you didn't know" she an
swered, "all the time how wanted It,"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Handing Him One.

Pedestrian-Hey, you! Do you know
you dropped brick that almost hit
me on the head?
Worknan-All right. Yees kin have
It. Owe got lots more av'em.-Judge.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Sandals for German Clerks.

The municipality Of Munich has or
dered its clerks and other employees
engaged on sedentary work to appear
at their offices in sandals, with or with
out socks, preferably without the lat
ter. The object Of this is to economic
leather and wearing apparel and to set
q good example to citizens in general.
London Daily Telegraph.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24
Poor Ood.

Mose-What does yo' feed yor dorg
on. Pete?
Pete-Wal, since dog biscuit mas
gone up so, he has to be satisfied with
what de rest CD US eats.
Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-03
Notice Of Tendency Of Libel.

The Territory of Hawaii to Genno-
suke Fukusako, Libellee, Greetings;
You are hereby notified that the
above entitled cause is now pending
before the Circuit Court above named,
wherein said Korin Fukusako, Libel
liant, prays for an absolute divorce
from you upon the grounds of deser-
ton, and that said cause has been
set down for trial before the Judge
of said Court at his Court Room in
the Judiciary Building, in Honolulu,
Territory of Hawaii, on Monday, the
10th day of September, 1917, at the
hour Of 200 p. m. or as soon there
after as the business of the Court
will permit
1t is further ordered that the hear
ing of the said cause be, and the same
is hereby set for trial on the 10th day
of September, 1917, at the hour of
200 p. m.
BY the Court:
(Sealed) B. n. KAHALEPUNA,
Clerk, Circuit Court of the First
Judicial Circuit
Dated this 5th day Of July, 1917.
6831-July 6, Is, 20, q, Aug 3, 10, II.