davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
To Mend Coat Pocket
SIDE TALK S
While the Iron Is Hot.
BY RUTH CAMERON


What. you aren't going home just
to answer that letter now?" we asked
the Authorman.
He had dropped in to show us a
splendid letter of appreciation he had
received from an editor. and when
we urged him to stay had said he
must go home and answer it.
You bet 4 am he said.
why, you just got it," we pointed
out. Surely he won't expect to hear
from you by the next mail"
TT isn't that" he said but I want
to get it written now while IT'S bub-
bling up in my mind. I'll lose 1t IL
don't. I'm full of active gratitude
grateful but 1 won't be excited about
it, You have to use your excitements
instead of letting them vapor off. il
you want to accomplish things"
And after that Grafton we knew
better than to try to detain the
Authorman any longer and permitted
him to cram his soft hat on his head
and let himself out, whistling softly
under his breath as he sometimes
does when the sentences are falling
into place in his mind.
But he left a good thought behind
him
You want to use your excitements
instead of letting them vapor off, If
you want TO accomplish anything.
It's very true, isn't it?
How many times the letter of graft
tude or appreciation that might have
been a warm living thing IL we had
written it when the gratitude surged
high, has become a lifeless. conven-
tional note because we wrote II on
warmed over gratitude.
How many times the gift that in
an impulse of generosity we meant to
make SO very generous. shrinks back
to normal or subnormal size, IL we
wait to give until the impulse grows
cold. Truly he who gives quickly gives
twice.
Years ago 1 read a little story of
the rich relative who in an access of
generosity following an unexpectedly
large dividend, thinks she will give
her cousin a grand piano for Christ
mas. The next day she decides that
that would be foolish because the
children would want TO take lessons
and they cannot afford it. So she de-
cides on some slightly less expensive
gift. The next day she has thought of
an objection to that and so on until
finally the gift shrinks to a red flan-
mel petticoat
Absurdly exaggerated? Yes Of
course, but essentially true in its les
son, just the same
Nothing in the world withers so
quickly as good impulses. For the
frost of our inherent selfishness and
laziness is always ready to nip them,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

The war has brought about many
changes both in the viewpoints of the
public and IL those of the govern
inent. Not the least notable among
these is the altered attitude toward
combinations to fix prices Recently
beet sugar producers got together and
agreed upon a price of IA cents
pound for the entire 1917 product.
This figure was submitted to Mr.
Hoover. the federal food director, ana
was approved by him. Had similar
action been taken by the beet sugar
men a few months ago it is not I'M
likely that the cry of ctr st'' would
have been raised and that federal
prosecution of the combine in re-
straint of trade would have followed.
The price might have been reasonable
and fair, as it is comedies to be now,
but such action on the part of beet
sugar producers would hardly have
escaped denunciatiom IN the press, on
the platform and in the halls of con-
gress. If the war result in better
understanding in the future between
business and the general public it will
have served at least one good purpose.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
PRICE FIXING.

Much uneasiness attaches to the
government policy of price fixing; also
to the extremely radical tendencies of
the excess profits tax. It is but proper
to state that the government thus far
has not taken extreme measures in
price fixing, says Henry C,ews in his
Financial Review. and shows no such
radicalism as is rampant in the house
in shaping the revenue bill. In the
matter of price fixing. the administra-
ton has chiefly sought to prevent I'M
due advantage being taken of war
conditions hy INSCRIPTIONS specula-
tors and profiteers. Liberal profits
have been allowed to botn producers
and distributors.
OF course. concerns which had been
making abnormal profits from one
source or another were disturbed This
would have happened in any event
when the inevitable reaction arrived
from natural causes. Nevertheless,
government price fixing, h owever con-
siderately enforced, can only be justi-
fled as a strictly war measure, and
should be used as little as possible,
and abandoned as soon as possible. AS
an economic proposition, it is wholly
unsound; because there can be no
such thing as a fixed price when the
thousand and one elements which
make the price are necessarily chang
ing.
Fixed prices would tend to indus
trial stagnation; and if rigidly en-
forced, would soon be evaded thru
adjustments at some other part of the
transaction. No government can elm
mate the bargaining spirit in human
nature, which must always appear
whenever two individuals meet who
have commodities or services for sale.
Besides. if the government fixes prices
for commodities, it viii eventually and
logically be compelled to fix the rate
of wages for capital and labor as we'll.
But here again is something the gov
eminent could not possibly do with
out invoking failure and disaster.
Fixing the rate for capital would
inevitably lead to its confiscation and
thus crush enterprise. Fixing the
rate of wages is unthinkable; because
the American workman would never
surrender the liberty TO work for the
best wages he can get and for whom
ever he pleases, as we'll as when he
| pleases.
Unfortunately. the war has made II
easy to launch great many socialistic
experiments. from which it may be
more difficult to escape than expect
ed. Great Britain has already plunged
much deeper into this realm of I'M
certainty than ourselves; and it would
be the policy of wisdom on our part
to watch results there before follow
| ing in her wake.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
BedginleIaleaB
49,, ro.-Lsr.>hissSsA
Timmy Finds His Friends.

Jimmy GraytaiI stuck his head out
of his hole and shifted the air.
Not quite so cold this morning"
he said to himself. 81 shouldn't Won
Ger but what some children would
come to see me today. L guess-1'd
better primp.'' So he set to work
tidying his fur
Now Jimmy knew as. we'll as any
body that this very day was Saturday.
How did he know? Dear me, that is
more than T can tell! But he GER
tainly did know. You see, during the
winter time, Jimmy had no visitors
except on Saturday and Sunday and
he always knew when those days had
come. Bright and early he would es
ia blish himself where he could see
the first newcomer, for visitors meant
nuts and popcorn and playful fun-no
wonder Jimmy liked Saturdays and
Sundays and waited ca gerly for them
all thru the week.
But for three weeks, now, he had
had very little company. The weather
had been stormy and cold, and very
few folks had cared to brave the
winds and visit the park. This bright
morning the wind had gone to sleep
and Jimmy was sure he would have a
jolly day.
He dressed his fur with painstak-
ing care; he tidied his house, like the
careful little homekeeper he was. and
then he ran down The tree, thru the
bushes and over to the bench where
he always found some friend. But
nobody was there!
well, I'll not worry about that"
resolved Jimmy bravely. .'for folks
are often late. I'll play around here
a while and somebody will come"
So he played around patiently for
two hours-but nobody came!
Now, that's a funny thing." said
Jimmy in a puzzled voice ''eSice
winter day" Che shifted the weather
to make sure). mo wind; snow on
the trees just enough to look pretty
and nobody here, 1 think I'll go into
some other part to investigate"
So he did.
And what do you suppose he
found?
He went over to the other side of
the park, the side where a great la
COON was, and where he rarely ever
went and-that great lagoon where
the waves rippled and tossed the last
time he was there was covered with
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
THE SEARCNLIGMT
Latest News from the Fields of
SCIENCE. EDUCATION. INVENTIOS
Animal Surgery.

The great advances in medical sci
ence which mark the present war
have been equalled in the veterinary
field. Losses among wounded horses
and mules have been cut down to one
fifth of what they were in previous
wars This is the first war in which
the veterinary branch has had a
separate and autonomous organization.
In each of the great armies it has its
own ambulances for wounded horses
and mules, some of them motor
driven, others horse-drawn- With the
allied forces on the western front
there are sixteen hospitals for wound
ed horses, completely equipped and
divided into wards Here three
fourths of the wounded animals are
cured and the remainder painlessly
killed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

reference to international markets.;
trade of middle and western Europe
with a review of the trade in trans
atlantic products" bank organiza-
lions in England, France and Ger
many" German banking technique
in war;" "the economic chemistry of
animal and vegetable products;
commercial geography of France and
Italy
A German commercial institution
that ought to contain an idea tor
Americans is the Kolonialinstitut at
Hamburg. There the German may
learn the languages, even the obscure
dialects, of any of the German pos
sessions. There are three distinct
courses in this school-one for those
intending to settle in the colonies one
for merchants who desire to trade
there; and one for those who wish to
go there in an official capacity. At
this school the German may study
the physical characteristics, the flora
and fauna, the agricultural possibfh-
ties of his colonies in the greatest
detail
In the United States the most pro-
found ignorance of our colonies is
common, not only among the general
public, but on the part of legislators
and men of high commercial and pro-
fessional position. Can anyone cres-
ton the advantages that would flow
from an American colonial and terri
torial institute, where any prospective
settler, trader or official could find
out all about the PHILIPPINES. Hawaii,
Porto Rico or Alaska?
Questions on the above or any SUBJ
ject upon which the reader desires in
formation should be addressed the To-
peka State Journal Information Blu
reau. Frederic J. Haskin, Director,
Washington, D. c.. with 2-cent stamp
enclosed for reply.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
Shoe Clerks.

The first thing a shoe clerk does
after he looks at the NUMBERS in your
old shoes is to make up h mind not
to have an argument with you. He
dance about how the shoe he gives
you doesn't fit.
If you tell him it's too long or too
tight or it's this and it's that he will
shut you up in a jiffy. He won't stand
for any of that nonsense. He tells you
that it's the same size you've been
wearing!
There's nothing that mares a shoe
clerk so furious as bull headed Gus
toner who wants a shoe that feels
good on his foot. It either makes
him furious or saddens him. He may
yank the shoe off in a rage OF he may
bite his lips to keep bach the tears.
In either case he is sure to resent the
injury.
People of mild manners would en-
joy buying shoes more if they felt able
to bully and browbeat the shoe clerk
into selling them the sho- they want.
1t Is often necessary to sp sak sharply
to the shoe clerk. Tell him firmly
that you do not choose to wear a shoe
that pinches. Try to look stern.
Fortunately shoe clerks arc usually
small, timid men. Or we would Oft
ener see them at the door of their
shops waving their fists and daring a
customer to come back.
The Dad.
MY neighbor has to plug and dig,
His salary isn't very big,
Young appetities he must appease
With lots and lots of bread and cheese.
Young feet that scramble kick and skuff,
Seem never to have shoes enough,
And now and then youthful Ill
That means another doctor bill.
NV neighbours life Is such grind
What joys or pleasures does he find,
Unless perhaps, as close of day,
The chase to meet him up the way,
When there comes Loudly romping up
Four kids, wagon and pup.
Except for little things like that
I'm sure his life is duh and flat,
He has to plug. his wage is slim.
And gosh, but how envy himi
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
HOUSEHOLD HINTS
Try Ono of These Puddings-

Queen of PuddingS-Four egg
yolks, " cups of sugar, butter size
of walnut. one pint bread crumbs.
one quart milk. one lemon (grated).
Spread over the top a layer of jelly
or preserves. Beat whites Of the
eggs to a stiff froth, add four table
spoons sugar and juice of the lemon.
Spread this on top, then set in the
oven again to slightly brown.
Tapioca Fruit Pudding-Soak one
cup tapioca in one quart water over
night Add one cup sugar, one cup
seedless raisins. one pineapple sliced
very thin, five apples sliced yer fine
If needed, add a little warm water
Bake II hours Beat whites of two
eggs to stiff froth, add two table
spoons pulverized sugar, spread over
pudding and. brown. Serve with
cream.
Cocoanut Pudding-One teacup
cocoanut, six crackers rolled fine,
three eggs, one pint milk, one-half
cup sugar. Beat together eggs, sugar
and milk Put in baking dish layer
of cocoanut, then of crackers then
pour over the custard. Bake in slow
oven Serve with cream or sweetened
milk.
Banana CONSTRUCTIVE one quar-.
milk on stove to heat. Mix four
tablespoons cornstarch, one-h half cup
sugar with enough milk to make q
cook until thick; remove from fire
and stir two bananas into it; flavor
with lemon or vanilla. This makes
a nice inexpensive dessert and is i'm
proved by serving with cream
Apricot Pudding-One cup stale
bread crumbs. one cup fresh or pre-
served apricots cut in dice, one-half
cup sugar, one-fourth cup butter,
one-half cup water, one-fourth cup
apricot sirup-
Butter a baking dish, cover bottom
with layer of crumbs, over il place
the fruit, cover with crumbs, dot
with bits of butter, then layer of
apricets. and so On until dish is full
The upper layer should be crur,b BIS,
covered thickly with bits of butter.
Pour over a portion of the liquid
or add IL in mixing the pudding.
Place in a pan of water and bake an
hour. Take from the water and firisb
baking fifteen or twenty minutes.
Serve with cream
Prune Pudding-One cup cooked
prunes. three-fourths cup graduated
sugar. one cup chopped mats. one
half cup milk. one tablespoon butter,
one-half cup cracker or bread crumbs,
one teaspoon baking powder. one
teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt.
Mix crumbs, baking powder and
sugar. add milk, slowly, then the
prunes chopped fine. then the nuts.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

ice. Beautiful, white, glistening ice
that sparkled and shone in the sun
shine! And more wonderful still, the
ice was covered with skatersi All
the boys and girls that usually came
to the park and hundreds of others
too were having the jo1liest kind of
a time.
Jimmy was so surprised that he
could only sit down on the edge of
the ice and looki
He watched from the bank for a
while. and then, so interested did he
become, he crawled out on log that
was frozen to the ice. And there
some of the skaters saw him! They
skated over and talked to him and,
better still, gave him some of the
goodies he had hoped for.
This is a funny world" said Tim
my as he munched at his crackerjack
Il get what I expect in a way I least
expect it!"-(Protected by the Ad-
ans Newspaper Service.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

The results of an inspection of 100
printing plants located in seven of the
largest cities of the country have just
been published by the federal bureau
of labor statistics. under the title "Hy-
giene of the Printing Trades" This
Investigation was undertaken to dis
cover what influence the presence of
lead and other toxic substances has
upon men in the printing trade and
to observe all the features of the in
dustfy which might have an indirect
bearing on health. To show that the
health standards of the industry are
Improving. the experience of the In
ternational Typographical Union is
noted. From 1900 to 1915 the aver
age age of members at death in
creased from 41.25 to 5O.S4. The num-
Der of deaths due to all causes in the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
1t is believed that the Germans plai

II Is DelIeNeQ EIldt In6 GeIHldhS pan
a quick drive toward Petrograd from
Riga with the intention OF occupying
the Russian capital before winter sets
in. The attention of the German
commander is called to the fact that
one Napoleon BOnaparte more than a
century ago made preparations for
spending a winter in Moscow. The re-
suit was disastrous. The Russians set
fire to the city, the French were
forced to get out in che middle of the
season and the Little Corporal"
reached Paris with only a handful of
that magnificent army of 100000 men
with which he undertook to conquer
the empire of the Muscovites. Will
history repeat itself?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
GLOBE SIGHTS
TFrom the Atchison Globe.

From the Atchison Globe
A man who has to get up that early
is in no mood to appreciate a beau
tifuI sunrise. while the one who stays
up is in no condition.
Don't drive dull care away in a
manner which makes it come back
tomorrow, aided and ahetted by a
headache and a dark brown taste.
Personally, we have never seen a
woman who was reduced from the
size of an elephant to the thinness of
a snake by dieting. OF course, we
don't mean to discourage anyone
Rufe Hoskins, who has been a SOL
der as well as a farm hand, says the
horrors of war have been exaggerated.
After a woman passes fifty all she
can hope for in the way of a COM
pliment is for some one to tell her
she does not look her age.
An Atchison woman is very indig-
nant, since her doctor says she will
have to undergo a minor operation
She was so much in hopes that she
would have to undergo a major oper-
alton. A major operation distinguishes
one so much more than does a minor
operation
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

Ten or twelve years ago, says Ed
Howe in his Monthly" the larger
Kansas towns used manufactured gas
at S1.7O per thousand feet. Then nat
aaral gas was discovered, and the price
was reduced TO 25 cents per thousand.
Gas at that price was a great bless
ing, and the people knew it; but the
disturbers soon began clamoring for a
reduction. Then followed the most re-
lentless war against the gas company
that the newspapers, lawyers and poll
ticIans could put up. The owners of
the gas company were accused of rob
bling the poor, and finally the quar-
rel got into the courts. Three sets of
receivers were appointed. and dozens
of lawyers began to profit largely. In
a little while the gas company was
ruined: no other result was possible.
The courts ordered the price advanced
80 81 cents, and by the time you will
read this, we will be paying so cents.
This in spite of the fact that the news
papers and politicians did everything
Il was possible for them to do to Sc
cure lower prices. The fight for lower
prices was as well managed as was
possible; but we are now paying so
cents for what cost us rs cents be-
fore the fight for reform began.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
ON SPUR f ri MOMENT
We Hope So.
BY MORRIS MILLER.

We Hope So.
Perhaps your place is grand and proud,
Perhaps you've great sagacity,
Perhaps you stand above the crowd
For brains and perspicacity,
Perhaps you have a high estate.
And vices there are none in you,
Perhaps you're dignified and great
But is there any Fun in you?
Perhaps you have q sanity face
And quite a noble attitude
Perhaps you take your lofty place
With thankfulness and gratitude,
Perhaps you're honest as the day,
Nor wrong of any sort in you,
Perhaps you go a blameless way
But 1t there any Sport in you?
Oh, tell US not of wealth and rank
And what your rare condition ID,
OF what you're putting in the bank
Or what your high position is,
But let us know If you are glad
And if there's glee and joy in you
And tell US If you've always had
A trifle Of the Boy in you?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

five-year period, 1893 to 1897 was
2,o61 and in the three-year period,
1913 to 1915, the number was iden-
tically the same; but in the earlier pc
Rod 66.S per cent were below As years
of age, while in the later period 3S.9
per cent were below AS. The per cent
of deaths due to tuberculosis de-
1915.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

Stir in vanilla and salt, add the melted
butter, turn into buttered baking dish
and bake in moderate oven in pan q1
hot or cold with plain or whipped
cream.
pies. peeled, cored, washed and slic-
ed; three-fourths cup beef suet chop-
ped fine. one quart flour, heaping tea
spoon baking powder, salt to taste MIX
suet with dry flour. add sufficient wa
ter to make stiff dough. roll half
inch thick. Spread apples on dough.
sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. roll
same as jelly roll. tie in pudding cloth
and steam two hours.
Sauce: Take two teaspoons flour,
one teaspoon butter; rub until smooth;
add pinch of salt, one cup boiling wa
ter, one teaspoon vinegar. one table,
spoon sugar. Flavor with extract OF
lemon. Boil five minutes.
Graham Pudding-One cup molas-
ses. one cup sweet milk, two teaspoons
soda, one cup chopped raisins, one
half teaspoon each cinnamon. ginger,
salt. Add fruit if you wish. Two cups
sifted graham flour, Steam three
hours.
Or, put batter in jelly glasses or
baking powder cans and steam one
hour.
Good with any kind of pudding
sauce.
To Mend Coat Pocket
When mending the corner of
mans side coat pocket, thread sew
ing machine with black thread. lay
coat under machine foot. fix each
piece of cloth straight and with
a pin push little threads under; with
machine sew zigzag down the torn
place. then zigzag back up; cut
thread, put down pocket flap. and see
what a neat job you have done.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

back. I know I'll come back when
it's over"
Dear boy?" Kitty's eyes were lum-
inous. You did bring me a husband,
didn't you? You were night Love
can be bought-by sacrifice. I do
love you, ear.''-(Copyrignt. 1917, by
the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05
DINNER STORIES

In the morning walk Jessie and her
mother passed the home of a lady
who was SO ill that a larEe quantity
of straw had been strewn over the
street to deaden the noise. The straw
aroused Jessie's curiosity and she
asked many questions about it.
1T has been put there" her mother
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

explained, because last week they
brought little girl baby to the lady
who lives there"
Jessie cast last conteml lative look
at the straw.
We'll. all I've got to say is that
they brought her well packed" she
remarked
Mike, the section boss Ito Pat, the
car cleaner. whom he meets going
home with his arms full of bundles)
WHAT'S cause of all this? Are Won
goin' to have a party or somethin' AT
your house tonight?
Pat-Sure, an didn't you hear the
good news? My son Tommy is com
In home tonight from prison. We're
goin' to give the lad bit of welcome
Won't you be after comm over?
Mike-He's comm bach tonight In
he? Why. 1 thought he got tin years.
Pat%He did get tin years, but he
got nearly four years off sSr good be-
havior.
Mike-well. glory to goodness.
nearly four years off for good be-
havfor. More power to you, Pat II
must be proud you are to have a son
like that.
IT think" she said, that he has de-
ceived US all. 1 don't think he is any
thing more than a clerk"
Why"
Because right in the middle of a
proposal last night his mind wan
dered. and hs said: You could wear
size smaller without any trouble at
ALL"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-05

Herbert c. Hoover has organized a
little trust all his own and is engaged
In fixing prices where and when he
will. The people seem to prefer it to
the old style because it lowers prices
instead of raising them.