davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
SHAPE OF THE HAND.
The Reason Our Fingers Are Not All
of the Same Length.


There is no known reason why our
fingers should be Of different lengths
today. In fact 1t is thought by some
people that the hand would be stronger
If the fingers were all of the same
length, says the Book of Wonders.
Certainly, however, the hands would
not then be so beautiful and might not
be SO useful.
The human hand today is perhaps the
most versatile thing in the world. You
can do more things with the hand than
with any other thing in the world The
probability is that the shape Of the
hand today and the length of the
fingers are the result of the different
things the human being has called upon
the hand to do during mans develop
ment up to the present time.
We must go back to the time, how
ever, when man walked on fours, for
that is probably the real explanation.
Originally mans fingers were of diff
ferent lengths because all four footed
animals had the same peculiarities. The
shape and length Of the toes and their
arrangement were the ideal arrange
ment for giving the proper balance and
support to the body and in moving
about and in climbing produced the
best toe hold.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Learn History by Novels.

In the WOman's Home Companion
Anne Bryan Mccall says:
zone of the pleasantest ways know
Of making varied travels into history
is by reading historical novels. re-
member that when | was twelve years
old read Harrison Ainsworths Wind
sor Castle, and when | was fifteen
read Scott's Kenilworth.' When | was
sixteen read Hawthorne's Scarlet
Letter. I was not thinking of history
at all when read them. l read them
solely for the story, Yet from those
three books / learned more of the
times Of Henry VIII. and Queen Eliz-
abeth and Of early American days, I
do believe, than In the many historical
chapters covering those times that
have read since. Those books made
these times live for me, and 1t was as
though myself were living in them"
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
THE TORPEDO SPEAKS.
Tells its Own Story Of lts Doinss In
War and Peace,

Well, well, WE'LL l am surprised
With all the notoriety that / have
gained and the destruction that l have
caused that nobody would tell you
what l am made of and what l am
capable of doingl
l am twenty-one feet in length and
twenty-one inches in diameter, and or
dinarily l am assembled in three parts
known as the tail and afterbody, the
flask and the head. My tail contains
the machinery which turns the propel-
lers that force me through the water;
the flask carries my fuel in the form of
compressed air that sends me on my
mission of destruction-and when
start, woe unto them who may be in
my path, for l am the most dreaded
weapon that ever sailed the seven seas.
l cost $4,000 and can run for 10000
yards before my energy is used up,
travelling that distance at the rate Of
about fifty feet per second. | am a
monster made of forged nickel steel
and weigh 1000 pounds and have tur-
bine engines, which are capable of max
ing 1,760 revolutions per minute. In
my head l carry high explosive call
ed guncotton, which explOdes upon con-
tact.
In times of peace, when l am prac
ticed with, the guncotton is taken out of
my head and water is substituted to
for IFS weight. Wien
have been fired in practice and have
made my run and expended all my
energy l have lost sufficient weight to
float to the surface until l am picked
up, recharged and refred.-A. Freed,
Gunner's Mate, U. S. N, in Washing
ton Star.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
No Wonder He Wouldn't Sell.

Captain Amundsen told an amusing
story Of one Of his arctic expeditions.
Several Of his dogs having died, Cap
tain Amundsen asked one of the ma
tives in his best Eskimo If he would
sell him few dogs. To his surprise
the request was promptly refused The
explorer and the Eskimo had long
argument, the explorer pointing out
that he must get dogs somehow and
the Eskimo replying that they never
sold them.
"Nonsense!' Captain Amundsen ex-
claimed. 81 have often bought dogs"
The Eskimos seemed immensely as
tonished, and at the end of another ar
gument Captain Amundsen discovered
that instead Of using the Eskimo word
for dogs he had been asking the man
to sell him some children"
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
laorrote poa Eaters.

During our trip through the Philip
pines we visited the dog market, where
the Igorrotes bought and sold half
starved CANNES with visions of a great
feast Off the protruding ribs. The Igor
rotes are about as much like the cultur-
ed Filipinos as they are like cultured
Americans or cultured Japanese. But
the fact that the Igorrotes eat dogs has
done as much to prejudice us against
the Filipinos as has the story that the
Chinese eat rats to turn us against
the well bred Chinese, who not only do
not eat rats, but even have a distaste
for caviar and limburger. = Maynard
Owen Williams In Christian Herald.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Van and Semiramis.

Van is a city Of immemorial an
tiquity, which gave the name to the
"vannic empire of Assyria, and was
supposed to have been founded by the
semi-mythical Queen Semiramis. Un-
less cruelty libeled by the legend she
was no better than she ought to have
been, which is not surprising If she real
ly was a daughter Of the mermaid who
ruled the neighboring lake. Van is to-
day famous for the cuneiform inscrip-
tlons, indelibly printed on rocks, by
which forgotten Van dwellers at once
preserved their historical records and
provided against future paper fam
ine."-London Chronicle.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
An Interesting Test of Wits.

A game that affords fun and an In
teresting test of wits is ''your native
town." At party 1t will tide over
any dull moments that threaten. Pro-
vide the players with paper and pencils
and ask them all to write the places of
their birth. Then give them limited
time in which to make sentence con-
slsting of words that begin with the
letters in the name Of the town and
follow the same order.
For example, II the city is Baltimore,
then the sentence might be, Behold,
large town in Maryland, old, rich, en-
terprisingw The more aptly descriptive
of the town the better is the sentence.
AT the end Of a specified time have the
players read their sentences, and, If
you wish, award prize to the best
one.-Youths Companion.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
THEY FEAST ON SNAKES.
A Queer People With Queer Tastes Are
the Philippine Pygnies.

the fhllippine fygmIes.
High up ON the slopes Of Mount Mari
veles, in the Philippine Islands, dwell
the last remnants Of an ancient and
most mysterious race, the Negritos, or
''llttle negroes" Scientists differ hope
lessly as to their origin and history, but
the traveller who Is fortunate enough to
penetrate into their carefully hidden
villages finds the quaint little people
extremely interesting.
Though disilsclined to work, the Ne
grlto is indefatlgable In the chase. He
will hunt all day without eating any
thing but the mango or banana that he
seizes as he rushes by. If dogs are
scarce for any reason women are
pressed into service, and these 60 lop-
ing through the brush, yelping In imi-
tation Of the CANNES.
Sometimes a beater will emerge from
the brush carrying pig he has encoun-
tered and killed or, more important
still, bringing news of the sighting Of
python. In this case the whole hunt is
called In and its energies directed to
the capture Of the big snake, which
when killed is carried in triumphal pro-
cession to the village, where 1t fur
nishes feast.-World Wide Magazine.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
A FAITHFUL HORSE.
Paul Revere's Sturdy steed Fairly Ep-
titled to Fame.

dhi thSNNi V o OAAioy OhCOQ
titled to Fame.
Paul Reyere's name was made i'm
mortal when he rode from Boston to
Lexington and Concord warning the
patriots along the way Of the British
approach, and his fame has been Sc
curely enshrined in the hearts of all
Americans.
Historians have honored themselves
in honoring him. Poets have found in
spiration in praising him. He is an
idol of childhood, an example In the
prime of manhood and a solacing men,
ory Of old age.
How few characters loom up like
great peaks above the mountain ranges
Of time!
And Paul Revere was one of these
He was one of the precious few great
enough to grasp an opportunity to do
an incalculable good to mankind.
But while we give deserved glory to
Paul Revere let us no longer forget
that there was another hero In that
wild midnight ride.
There was the horse.
ANY other horse might have done as
well,'' you think? Well, so might any
other man have done as well perhaps.
So might we fippantly dlsparage any
hero.
But the fact remains that 1t was
Paul Revere and Paul Reveres horse
that did it. And the harder work fell
on the horse. But for the true horses
faithfulness Paul Revere would have
been a failure.-Christlan Herald.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Russia,a Paruuatrx Floors.

Most flooring put down in Russia is
parquetry, and it is generally oak.
Even in the unpretentious houses and
fiat buildings this parquetry is to be
found. In some cases, Of course, the
finish is not so fine as in others, and
in ordinary buildings the designs are
not so elaborate One Of the most
noticeable features of a Russian house
is that rugs and carpets are used for
wall decorations instead Of floor cover
ings. Floor polishing by professionals,
who come regularly once every week
or ten days, is considered part Of the
regular routine Of running a house.
Detroit Free Press.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

In San Francisco in 1S49 clerks In
stores and Offices had munificent sala-
rles. Five dollars day was the small
est stipend even In the custom house,
and one preacher was paid $4,000 a
year Laborers received 81 an hour.
A pick or a shovel was worth $40 and
a butchers knife $50. At one time the
carpenters, who were getting $12 a
day, struck for SIG. But 10 should be
noted that prices were exceedingly high
also.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
OUR MARINE CORPS.
II ls a Fully Equipped All Around
Efficient Little Army.

Do you know the definition of the
word "corpsg" If you do your advan-
tage over the man in the street is con-
siderable, for the word in itself signi-
Iles large fighting force so completely
equipped in all branches that it can act
as an independent army And that is
what our marine corps is--a fully equip.
ped little army, representing infantry,
cavalry, artillery, signal service, engi-
'neers, machine gun men, ayiators and
hospital service.
The varied nature Of the marines
duties Is reflected in the dress uniform,
his dearly priced "blues." The trousers
are the color Of the infantryman's, but
the stripe is red like that on the uni
form of the artillery. His coat is a
dark nautical blue but If he wears
chevrons on it they are yellow, like
cavalrymans. AS an example of cos
m0politanism his cap device bears a
relief map Of half the globe. An eagle
with outspread wings surmounts the
globe, and fouled anchor shows In
the background. To tell a marine at
a glance (whateyer his uniform or his
rank look on the front of the hat or
the cap for that globe. 1t Is the distin-
emblem of marine the world
over.
Great Britain is the only other pow
er that has, in our lse of the word,
a real marine corps, and the cap de-
vice Of the British marine also has a
globe in the center of the design
Charles Phelps Gushing in New York
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Too Much For Tommie.

"Mother wants you to come right
over and see Tommle," said the little
girl.
What seems to be the matter with
him?' asked the doctor.
HE can't swallow. His teacher gave
him some big words to spell today, and
We think some Of 'em got stuck in his
throat."-Yonkers Statesman.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Cura For Winkinu.

Pa-At last I've found way to make
that young scamp Of ours stop winking
his eyes.
Ma-Reallyf
Pa-Yes; I'll show him the articles
In this science magazine where it says
that every time we wink we give the
eye bath.-Buffalo Express
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
ChurchYard YeW Trees.

One reason given why very old yew
trees are so often found in country
churchyards is that originally these
trees were planted to supply the peas
ants with wood for their bows, for in
lawless times 1t was soon discovered
that the only place where trees would
be safe from nightly marauders was
the churchyard, where the most hard.
ened thief dared not venture between
darkness and dawn.-London Mail.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Not Trua 10 Life.

"Hov very few statues there are Of
real women"
"Yes; it's hard to get them to look
right"
"How so?"
"a woman remaining still and say
ing nothing doesn't seem true to life"
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Out of His CIaas.

II hear your new son-in-law has
brain fever" said the curious man.
"Brain fever, did you say?" chuckled
the father-in-law. "The poor BOBBY
couldn't have any such sickness.
Imagine jellyfish having a backache." !"
Puck,
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

He was born in Kentucky In 1898
and is now 7S years of age, and we
are sure that no boy of 16 enjoyed
the day any better than he"
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
When Youths Lifs 4. sb,n.d

"The hand that rocks the cradle rules
the world" Nonsense. 1t only han
dies the material The time Of the
shaping of life is from twelve to eight
cen years old. That is the formative
period. All great educators know that.
Professor Earl Barnes.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
Its Kind.

Il hear Bangs is getting on so we'll
that he gave his wife machine"
Hes getting on SO well because he
gave her the machine. 1t is a washing
machine. baltimore American.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
hia paciaion.

II have been in your. train long
time now"
~ can't marry you" said the girl.
"All right. Here's where l change
cars then" kansas City Journal.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
So He Does.

"0ld man Soggs says his boy Bill
stops at the best hotels in New York"
"He does. They're on the route OF
the laundry he drives a wagon for
Brownlng's Magazine.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

Great men are they who see that
spiritual is stronger than any material
force; that thoughts rule the world
Emerson.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20
What Started the Jar.

Wife, wonder how you can look me
IN the face Husband-Oh, a man can
get used to anythlng.-Exchange.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

When you lose your temper you lose
your judgm mt. There's no precision
In an angry decision.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

A tourist without money is a
tramp with money is a tourist.
Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-08-20

Some men want to make hay In
February and cut ice In August.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07
WE DRAW THE SWORD

HEINous as cermuny's offenses against
- us have been, this nation has not
gone to war solely on account of them.
The murder of our citizens on the high
seas might well have caused us to unloose
the sword. Nevertheless, war by the
United States was not possible until 1t
became perfectly obvious to the whole
body of citizenship that in this conflict
there were issues larger than incidental
injuries The murder Of innocent human
beings is bad enough but Germany was
and is, intent on the extirpation OF all
those principles and codes of government
which on this hemisphere are considered
to be vital to the further progress and
happiness of the human race.
No man need enter this war with doubt
of its righteousness. Mr.. Gerard has
pointed out that Kaserism had this ma
ton marked as its next victim and that
an integral part OF the German program
was to strike democracy in its strong.
hold. Victory in Europe was to be the
signal for a similar victory in America,
If the United States could in the mean
time be kept in her sleep of unprepared
ness
II we are not battling for permanent
peace, we are battling for the only thing
that seems to offer any chance of such
a peace. 1t will be battle, for let no
man deceive himself by believing that
Germany is whipped. Unless revolt clears
the skies, Kaserism is able still to exact
a fearful toll OF blood from its opponents.
A share Of that blood will be ours. Ours,
too, will be a share of the general sacri.
flee that is imminent We have only to
keep our vision clear, to realize exactly
just what the issue is for which we fight,
tc be enabled to bear it with that tenacity
and heroism which distinguished the
makers Of this nation when they waged
war for a similar cause against similar
powers
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07

Then organize the clubs big and little
men. women. and children--in every COM
munity. Instead of soliciting contributions
to buy a bushel of potatoes ask for con-
tributions and volunteers to plant and cu-
tvate an acre of potatoes, beans. onions,
turnips beets-and vegetables which are
not quickly perishable.
Let the regulars. the rockies and. the Boy
Scouts work one or two hours n day in the
garden-their garden-for the harvest shall
find it's way into the homes Of those they
have left behind them
No doubt thousands of men-and women.
too-will volunteer for the PLANT an Acre"
army The seeds and necessary implements
will be inexpensive compared with the re-
suits which will be obtained. The advice
of the experts, in the national and State
agricultural departments is at our COM
mand.
And when the crops are harvested there
will be an abundant stock from which to
supply the families of our soldiers and sail
ors free of charge all through next winter
and until the next CROPS are gathered-if
the war lasts that long The problems or
transportation and distribution will be
Organize the home guard in the plant
an Acre" army. Let each daily newspaper
plant a dozen acres. Let each fraternal
lodge. each benevolent society each wom-
ans club, each trade union, plant an acre.
Let there be no central organization with
high-salaried executives to devour half the
crop. Let each club stand on it's own bot
tom and on guard against impostors and
drones, MARSDEN q. SCOTT
Indianapolis, April 4.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07
PATRIOTISM OF GUARDSMEN

To the Editor OF the Evening Ledger:
Sir-As night falls on our Pennsylvania
towns we find our last company, Company
NJ, posting its men at the various tunnels.
railroads. etc. This being accomplished.
Philadelphia has completed the task of
providing protection against malicious
Observation-Disclosures not only as regards our
own city, but the whole State.
Philadelphia has supplied each city and
town from Altoona west to the border
line with the necessary protection, thereby
causing feeling of rest to exist in the
towns around which our men are stationed.
AS the work of stationing the men is
completed each officer receives his orders
tenants, and so on to the corporal. who has
his eight m'n under charge Each man is
warned of the responsibility intrusted to
him.
AS the men get these orders and are in
trusted with rounds of ammunition they
begin to realize that they are not going on
joy trip, but that the Government means
business: and a feeling of responsibility
comes over each individual man, and small
groups may be heard conversing in low
tones on what the outcome of the war will
be and how long they will be from home
But they are unanimous in the decision that
they are going to stand man for man with
the President and show the country at
large that Philadelphia boys are not only
true Americans, but that this City of
Brotherly Love Is the truest and most
/ patriotic city of the country
JOSEPH C. GERSHEN.
Third Regiment Hospital Corps,
Accompanying Co. NJ to
Washington, Pa.
Pittsburgh, April 3, 1917.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07
"PLANT AN ACRE"

To the Editor of the Evening Ledger.
Sir-In the emergency which confronts
the Government there Is an earnest. heart
felt desire on the part of all except a few
to be helpful. Many are too old to offer
their services to the army or to the navy.
Many are not qualified either as orators or
writers to appeal to the patriotism of those
who are eligible. Even IL all were so
qualified. the problems which confront the
nation will not all be solved through words,
spoken or printed. There must be action
and results.
Those responsible for the administration
Of the affairs of the army and navy will
have plenty of suggestions from experts to
guide them. Too many cooks are apt to
spoil the broth. Inexperienced cooks, par
ticularly, are not wanted, and we may as
well admit that most of us are inexperi-
enced. But we can be helpful. Let US
volunteer to find the way without waiting
to be drafted.
From every large city there will be drawn
hundreds and, in some instances thousands
of men for the army and navy Many of
these men are the breadwinners for families
or dependents who will suffer in more
ways than one through their absence. No
doubt a patriotic fund will be established. as
in Canada. to assist these fathers, mothers.
wives and children financially. So far so
good. But the home guard can do more.
Within reasonable distance of every large
city-and frequently within its very bor-
ders--there are hundreds Of acres OF uncul-
tivated land Many OF the owners of this
property will cheerfully and enthusiastical lily
volunteer its use for the Plant an acre
l2g.(he-x xlyesspd dsl(k dfi@e sqggestion .vhiph
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-07
THOSE GERMAN SHIPS

CEIZURE of the German ships in Amer
~ lean ports is a precautionary measure.
The vessels have already been injured
many of them. German crews have dam
aged the machinery and done whatever was
possible to render the ships unfit for use.
In such circumstances. it would be mad
ness for the United States to leave the
vessels in German hands.
The Government is giving serious con-
sderation to the status Of these German
boats. They will not be put into the
American mercantile marine, or used as
naval auxilaries, unless it is decided
definitely that they are not protected by
treaty guarantees. Secretary Lansing
has already announced however, that the
United States is inclined to believe that
the treaty of 1928 has been in effect abro-
gated by Germany.
1t would be poetic justice for these
ships to serve the cause of humanity
against Germany. There are tons of
shipping at the bottom of the sea, sent
there by pirate submarines. Why should
Germany. after the war, be permitted to
take advantage Of her own misdeeds by
entering again into possession of her
great merchantmen while other nations
still suffer from the loss Of theirs?
This is a war for justice. and just this
nation will be In all its dealings. But II
will be no more just to its enemies than
Il Is to itself. We are not mollycoddles
and we shall not wage war as molly
coddles