davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
WHEN SANTA COMES.

or all the seasons IN the cycle OIL
the months, the period which sees
the spirit OF brotherly love raised to
its highest power by the influence OF
charity, good will and the Joy OF CIV
/ ing. is the Yuletide.
Even misers unbelt at Christmas
time. Crusty, grumpy old bachelors
buy dolls with fluffy curls and bestow
them on little girls with curls no less
fluffy. Thin-visaged. sharp-tongued
spinsters smuggle drums and wooden
horses into clothes closets and beam
with genuine Joy when they drag them
out again on Christmas eve to deck
sleeping nephew's Christmas tree.
Selfishness and littleness take wings
when peace on earth, good will and
Santa Claus appear.
And yet, there are many homes
where Christmas means SO little-and
so much. Even in Ottumwa, where
we are proud of the absence Of a
Cabbage Patch like the one where
Mrs. Wigs reigned. there are many
homes where Christmas means so
little of Joy and so much OF unhappi-
ness. Pay checks are written on
mighty brittle paper. nowadays.
Sometimes it is hard to make them
stretch over such ordinary things as
clothes and -four and sugar and beans
and shoes and coal. Sometimes, in
those homes we're thinking of. Sat
urday night check just can't extend
little, tiny corner to cover sack OF
candy, or a jumping jack, even at
Christmas time.
These are the sort of homes that
do not know the joys of Christmas
trees. with colored lights and strings
of popcorn snow. and mysterious
packages that call youngsters out OF
bed before daylight on Christmas
morning. There are such homes in
Ottumwa.
But there are not as many now as
there were a few years ago. The
youngsters who read the Courier Ju.
nior, have attended TO that. They
will attend to it this year, too. Al
ready they have started enrolling
their names in the Christmas Stock
ing club for 1917, even before the
editor of the Courier Junior herself
realized that the Christmas season
was approaching.
Now the roll is opened officially.
Only the children Of the big Courier
family can be really truly members OF
the Christmas Stocking club, but
their elders absorb lot OF yicarious
Christmas cheer by helping them.
A pair of stockings and the Christ
mas goodies to fill them-that is the
membership fee. A telephone call on
the editor of The Courier Junior will
elicit any information prospective
donors may desire.
Last year. the eleventh in the history
of the club. 1,2l2 pairs Of stockings
went into homes where Santa Claus
might not have found his way but for
the youngsters of The Courier family.
This year there are places for that
many and more.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
ABOUT BEING LOYAL.

Rev. Carl A. Voigt, pastor OF q
German Lutheran church in a rural
community just outside Of Chicago,
has attracted much attention and re-
ceived considerable publicity recently
as result of his intense patriotic ac-
tivity following a period which gave
him no little notoriety as a pro-
nounced German sympathizer.
Instead of arresting or internine
the preacher. il seems. the district
attorney at Chicago had a confidential
talk with him. and the following Sun
day the Rev. Mr.. Voigt astounded his
congregation by preaching strong
sermon on loyalty. The community
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
TICKLING A NOSE.

Old Mr.. Crow did not want to sta,
near the brook to talk with Pete
Mink. Calling to jolly Robin to fol
low him he tapped his way to tn,
edge Of the woods and sat in trek
overlooking the pasture.
Here comes Tommy Fox!" Mr.
Crow exclaimed. I'VE ought to hav<
some fun with him. So when it's
thine for you to laugh for me, dom
forget to laugh loudly"
I'll remember" Jolly promised
him. And just by way of practice hi
chirruped SO merrily that Tommy Fo,
pricked up his ears and came bound
ing up to the tree where Jolly ant
Mr.. Crow were sitting.
Woodworking! Mr.. Grow criel
to Tommy. rs that hens feather
that's stuck behind your ear" he
asked very solemnly.
MOI" said Tommy Fox It's q
crows feather; and certainly hai
a fine breakfast
sure whether he ought to laugh OF
not. And then Tommy winked al
him. So jolly thought there mus,
be joke somewhere and he began
to chirrup as loudly as he could.
For PHYS sake, keep still!' old
Mr.. Crow snapped.
But you wanted me to laugh loud
err Jolly reminded him
Yes said Mr.. Crow, when there S
anything to laugh at.
But didn't Tommy Fox make 4
joke" Jolly Robin asked
"A very poor one!" old Mr. Grow
replied. "A very poor joke, indeed.
i see" he added. Il see you've not
had much experience laughing for
people. And here's where you made
mistake. You laugh at other peo
pies jokes. which is all wrong. After
this you must laugh at my jokes-do
you understand"
jolly Robin said he understood. And
Mr.. Grow remarked that he was glad
there would be no more trouble.
"And now the old fellow said
nov Wen go over to the swamp
where Uncle Sammy Coon lives. We
ought to have some fun with him."
So over to the swamp they flew
where they found Uncle Sammy Coon
summing himself in the top of a tall
hemlock.
"How-dy.do!" said Mr.. Grow.
But Uncle Sammy Coon did not an
swer
We're in luck!' Mr.. Grow said
with chuckle. 81 declare. believe
the old beggar's asleep. Just watch
me play a practical joke on him."
So Mr.. Crow lighted on branch
near Uncle Sammy Coon and began
tickling his nose.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

nings to accommodate wage earnefs.
You can deposit a dollar or few dol
lars each week. BY the time the
third Liberty Loan campaign opens
you will have enough to make the
initial payment of 2 per cent and the
second payment of Is per cent on
bond for 500. Buy your bond on that
basis, and continue your deposits.
When the third payment. OF 40 per
cent is due you will have the money
to meet it or, if you haven't the whole
sum in your savings account you Will
have a sufficient equity in the bond by
that time to enable you to borrow the
few dollars you lack, with the bond as
security That will necessitate your
saving money to pay the loan ana the
remaining 40 per cent of the cost OF
the bond. In the end, you will be the
owner of a bond for 500, able to col
lect per cent interest on 1t every
year until maturity and able to sell II
in the meantime if you prefer.
But better than any other feature
will be the personal habit of thrift
and the ability to save which you Will
have cultivated in your own conscious
ness. You need that characteristic
every American needs it. Right now,
when living expenses are high in COM
parison to former years, is the time
to teach yourself to save.
Not everyone can obtain credit at
the banks as did Lord Shaughnessy.
But everyone can open savings &C
count. Everyone can save little
money from each weekly salary check.
And a savings account will. in time,
serve as the most potent basis Tor
credit that anyone can desire.
Start right now to make ready for
the next Liberty Loan. Do it for your
own sake and for your country's sake.
Isn't that enough of a reason to justi-
fy irving?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

Americas war-the government and
The public.
Mr.. Lawrence takes the view that
news Of the war which should be
given to the people Of the country ia
withheld because certain members OF
The cabinet and few other high of.
lcials in the government who control
news sources and the committee on
public information are politicians
first and statesmen afterward, if at
all. This to be sure, is less
enphonious way of stating the condi-
ton than Mr Lawrence adopts at the
expense of several hundreds of words.
However,. there is no doubt as to
the conviction he has reached, in
common with other active newspaper
men who have to cover Washington
beats at this time. For many years
they have been schooled in the in
tricacies of politics; they have stayed
on in Washington as administration;
nave come and gone; they see none
Of the glamor which, in the eyes OF
the casual visitor to the capital, en-
velopes officials; they learn to ap-
praise each one at his proper value.
In ordinary times they expect to
find official news cloaked in the seven
wells OF politics. 1t is part Of their
trade to unwind the swathings and re.
veal the facts.
But when the country went to war
they fancied things would be different.
They thought the government officials
would rise to. the occasion and ex-
change confidence for confidence. In.
stead. they find the lid clamped only
the more closely on the news the
people desire, while the same old vol
TINE of semi-political propaganda con-
tinues to issue from lairs OF presi-
Dental, aspirants and all the other
officials whose lightning rods project
far above the office roofs to attract
whatever shafts the political air may
hold.
The confidence of the public in the
government is demanded as never be.
fore. but in return the correspondents
are able to obtain for their readers
only the most colorless stories as a
rule. and always they are humping
against the bars of censorship. They
do not desire to publish news the
enemy should not be permitted TO
have, but they cannot understand
why they are prohibited from pub
fishing news which the enemy al
ready knows and other news which
could not by any possibility be OF mill.
tary or sentimental value to him.
The members of congress are re
turning to the capital after having
felt the pulse Of their constituencies
hack home" They cannot fail to
know that the governments present
policy of suppressing news which
should be given to the American pub,
lie is threatening to destroy the pub
lies confidence in the administration.
Ii is to be hoped that they will urge
change for the better, in the inter-
est OF the government and the admin
istration on which the government
must depend just now.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
TWO HUSBANDS IN
COURT FOR RELEASE

Des Moines. Dec. 1.-Two Des MONIES
Observation-Disclosures to the same woman
and both seeking freedom from the
matrimonial yoke-testified against
that much welded lady in Polk county
district court
The object OF their combined attack
was pretty 22-year-oid Berrice Ray
mond, alias McWillaims. alias Spar
rowk. and several others. Bernice has
marched to the altar Just eight times.
Husband number eight-Ffank Ray
mond, a Camp Dodge soldier-secured
an annullmeat of his marriage, which
was performed Nov. II. AS result he
celebrated Thanksgiving with ses6
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

wealth will count heavily In the
balance. the Liberty Loan will be-
come a back-breaking burden on
future generations unless the loan
is only the outward insignia of the
united will Of the American peo-
\ pie. Those who argue to the con-
trary show their ignorance OF the
lessons of history Alexander.
the Great. led his small army OF
Macedonians to the conquest Of
"the richest nation" of his day.
In the present war. France, starv-
ing and on the verge of bankrupt
cy, presents an unconQuerabie
spirit to her foe: heroic Belgium.
with her national wealth swept
away, fights on; all that is left OF
Serbia is bivouacked in the noun
tains with King Peter. while Eng
land, that also once boasted the
title of richest nation" has glad
ly drained her national wealth
because the British have the will
and the nerve to "see it through"
Opposed to us, Germany fights on
without riches, financing her war
on worthless, pyramided paper
credit. because the German peo-
pie are solidly backing their war
lord. and 'the more enemies the
greater honor" 1t has, therefore.
become a question of which MAJ
lions have the determination
to carry the war into the last
hour.
Into the arena, held by chxm-
pions. conditioned through three
years of terrific fighting. steps
Uncle Sam. His waist line,
through years Of prosperity, is
trifle larger than it ought to be:
his eye suggests a certain compia-
cency, possibly an over-confidence
in the final outcome. 1t is not OF
our army that we need fear. Our
general staff has shown what can
be done in manufacturing soldiers
out of the crude material from
our farms and cities. The test
will come after our armies have
entered the field, possibly with
France and England standing by
as our Allies. Before that time
comes. every one of US will be
called upon to make heroic sacr1-
fees. in his or her standard of
liyins. in his or her business. even
TO sivHcg up certain principles that
we consider our rights. Then the
demand for an inconclusive peace.
at present advocated by a small
but persistent element Of our popu-
lation, will swell into mighty
chorus. AS we are able to resist
this demand. arising from purely
selfish motives, so will we sue
coed or fail in the war.
America. having entered the va
ras welcomed by the allies becau:
4 her great resources in men ar
democratic spirit.
Unless the full strength OF tho'
esources is realized-a streng'
which draws not only on sentime
nd vocal patriotism. but on sacrifi'
nd surrender of many OF those col
orts which we have come to regal
. There is law prohibiting men fro
,vading the military draft. and the
hould be. There is no law again
hackers who dodge subscriptions
he Liberty Loan. and to the w
unds of the Red Cross. the Y. NJ.
i. and the Y. W. c. \. But tn"
hould be.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
THE CENSORSHIP.

In the current number OF The Sat.
urday Evening Post David Lawrence.
a Washington newspaper correspond.
ant of ability and long experience, dis
cusses frankly and without rancor the
attitude Of American newspapers to-
ward the censorship which is being
practiced in Washington. After pc
rusing the article. newspaper readers
cannot help but have sympathetic
understanding of the difficulties under
which American newspapers are
working in their efforts TO keep faith
with the public and to strengthen tina,
public's faith and confidence in the
government at time when so much
depends on the relations between
those two factors which are waging
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
AUCTION eR,Nes $4,000.

Shenandoah. Dec. Tine auction
day will enrich the strong box OF the
Shenandoah chapter Of the Red Cross
society by $4,000. Pups. pigs. pump
kins and what not were cheerfully
bought at enormous prices by men and
women for Gle sake of the Red Cross.
One turkey donated by Mrs. E. NJ As
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
DINNER STORIES,

THAT story" said Representative
Gardner at a Providence reception.
apropos Of hyphenated explanation
|oe German sabotage plot, us very
fishy. 1t reminds me of Texas.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

government price fixing has abolished
in part and promises to end definitely
In this connection it is of interest
to read the following extract from al
address made in New York recent,
before wholesale dealers by ]. D. A
Morrow, secretary of the National Goa
Operators association:
Public utilities and railroads
have long bought their coal much
cheaper than they had any right
to. In consequence, the domestic
consumer paid a higher price to
make up for the low price at
which they (the public utilities
and railroads) bought their coal.
They are not able to buy cheap
coal any more, and 1t is involving
a shift in the conditions of con-
Quoting their business. l hope it
will be permanent shift. don't
want to see any public utility CON-
pany or any railroad buy coal be-
low cost hereafter. know Of no
reason why a railroad or an cleo
trio light plant or gas plant should
buy Its coal any cheaper than the
simplest householder in this coun-
try
Governor Harding has declared the
coal prices in Iowa will be lowered as
result OF his hearing. If that hearing
results in restoring the conditions
which so long have favored the rail
roads and utilities at the expense OF
the individual consumer it will
be distinct backward step
for Iowa. II, on. the other
hand, Mr. Harding's boast is borne on;
by decrease in the price of household
coal as result of his. hearing. The
Courier pledges itself to chronicle the
fact and give proper credit to the ex-
ecutive.
Meanwhile, it is pertinent that GER
tain retail coal dealers in Iowa have.
or believe they have convinced Fuel
Administrators Webster that the prices
they are receiving for coal are as much
as 81 less than they should have. They
expect to offer proofs which will result
in an official order increasing the re-
tail price in several Iowa cities includ-
ing Ottumwa.
1t will be of interest to see whether
to realize their ambitions.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
THE QUESTION OF SECURITY.

Canada is floating one of its Victor
they or Governor Harding, or both, ar
Loans, corresponding to our Libert.
Loans, and much of the same sort o
Arguments are being made to obtaii
subscriptions that have been made il
America. One advertisement, dis
played on the sides of Toronto stree
cars. asks the pertinent question
What good will your money be
Germany wins?"
This question inspires the following
editorial comment in the Toront'
Star:
Personal security. security for
life. liberty. and property. is
bound up with National security.
stands if the nation stands, and
falls if the nation falls. Property
in land or goods, money, bonds,
mortgages. promissory notes.
would have no value il Germany
won this war. For Germany, when
it seizes territory, is not satisfied
with governing it. Germany
steals everything it can lay its
hands on. food, furniture, houses.
human labor. It has no respect
for liberty or for female honor
and chastity. A German invasion
produces the same results as
would follow the release of all
the thieves, murderers. and vio-
iators Of women, with the aboli-
ton Of the police force.
1t is true that the security for.
the bonds now being offered is
the best of all securities. cover
ing all the resources of the coun-
try. But that is only part of the
truth. BY investing in Victory
Bonds you put another wall Of Sc
curity in front of all your other
possessions. You protect your
money in the bank. your house,
your means of earning a decent
living, your liberty, your women
folk, and your children. With a
German victory all your securities
become scraps of paper. With an
allied victory al; your securities
are strengthened. made as nearly
perfect as anything human can
be.
Many people before this war
lived in fancied security The
world seemed safe. Human insti-
tutions looked solid and perma-
nent. Then suddenly the earth
opened, and flame and smoke
belched forth. Whole nations
were despoiled, exiled. driven into
captivity. The solid earth was
converted into stormy sea. All
over Europe people are fighting
for their lives or trembling for
their lives We in America do
not quite realize. it because there
is wall of steel in Belgium and
France and Italy holding back
the foe. Let that wall break att
any point, and the flood will be
upon us.
BY purchasing bonds you
strengthen that wall. Then there
may be such an end of this war
as will enable us to live in real
security, founded on firm
alliance OF the sane and law-abid.
ing nations of the earth.
All OF which is as timely in thu
United States as, it is in Ontario.
And it is well to remember tina
your duty to your country-and Il
not stop with the pun
chase of bonds. 1t includes the I'm
selfish support Of all war activities
the Red Cross. the Y. NJ. G. A. ant
the Y. w. c. A. These must go OF
and their work must be enlarged
Money must be raised for them from
time to time. You must give you
part.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

pedon sold for $500 the day Of the sale
and bidding was opened on it again
until $500 was realized from the one
white bird.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

Once, in Texas, came upoa .
tan chimney, like a Actory chfm0ey.
rising in an arid waste.
Friend said to native. WHIST
| is that chimney doing therer
THAT amt NO chimney saj4 ~
native. IT'S wen
"sA we'll! said I.
Yes said he. It's old JET
Thatcher's we'll. A cyclone Turned
her upside down and inside out
The burglar had entered the house
as quietly as possible. but his shoes
were not padded and they made some
noise. He had just reached the door
Of the bedroom when be heard some
one moving in the bed as il about to
get up. and he paused. The sound
of woman's voice foated to hfs earn.
"If you don't take OF your hooR
when you come into this house, IL
said, there's going to be trouble, and
lot OF it. Here it's been raining for
three hours and you dare to tramp
over my carpets with your muddy
boots on. Go down stairs and take
them OF this minute.
He went downstairs without a word
but he didn't take OF his boots. In
stead. he went straight out into the
night again. and the pal who vas
waiting for him saw tear glisten in
his eye.
i I can't rob that house. he said: lit
reminds me of home"
| Jones was observed to be paying no
attention to his instructor. who was
telling large class in agriculture
low to protect plants from frost. so
the instructor said sharply:
Jones, tell the class which is the
ebst way to keep the March frosts
from the plants"
Plant them in April sir" was tho
ready reply.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

The fatal weakness in Lord Lans-
downes program for new set of wal.
aims on the part Of the allies is to be
found in the very first provision:
That humiliation Of Germany is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-28
Fly DOLLY pALRYMPLE

C6CJ HERE they are-all before you,
 maybe 200 or more-holiday cards,
 S all of them in dainty design. gay with holly and mistletoe and bearing low ing greetings, and now under the lamp light and under the shadow of the ever greens and holly and Christmas bells and fragrant, 1ong-needled pines you sit down to enjoy at your leisure after the rush of Christmas day the messages of loving remembrance that they bring.
 How artistic the cards are and how symbolica1 of the merry Yuletide season and what endearing words they silently utterl
 From many a soldier friend across the sea comes a card that brings to mind and memory dear the bright-faced, happy, boy who was here last Christmas and the Christmas before and many other Christmases before that, when he was the life of the Christmas festivities at home-but now a mana full ffedged soldier man, fighting for his country and spending his first Christmas in the dreary trenches.
 From far and near training camps in these great Unlted States coihe ceiiua from other soldier boys, from scores or friends in our home town they come and from all towns, from everywhere, any, where, it seems, all woven into rosy garland of pleasant thought, with here and there a sprig of rosemary for re- membrance" or of "pansies for thought or a red, red rose for love.
 How you read over and over again the lines:
 As love lights, the candle
 And love trims the tree,