davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

his friends complaining that Christ
mas is a bore2
Christmas this year, indeed. is going
to be bore for very few people AL
most everybody is curtailing the buy
ing of useless extraYagances and put
ting money into practical things that
are going to do a lot of good. Women
are spending all their spare time knit
ting wooden things for the soldiers:
Christmas packets are being sent to
the front. and baskets are being
planned for the families of soldiers.
Even the children this year are get
ting more than their usual share of
the fun, for they are sending packets
of toys and necessaries to the or
phaned children of the devastated
regions of France.
Most of these European children
have lost all earthly goods, including
covering and other practical necessi-
ties of life. Toys are unknown. 'In
all the months that we have worked
here l have never heard child
laugh" the head of the relief work of
the American fund for French wound
ed told an American army officer in
France.
During the Christmas holidays
American women working in these
provinces are going to attempt to give
and make them laugh again. They
are going to gather them together in
army trucks and take them to an old
chateau, where presents a Christmas
dinner and games will be a part of
the program. Said this same relief
worker: TT will be the first thing
outside of furnishing bare necessities
that we have been able to do for
them. We are going to make it a real
event for them-a festival of cheer
and happiness and, above all, of hope.
Perhaps we can even teach them to
play again.
Questions on the above or any sub
ject upon which the reader desires in
formation. should be addressed the
Topeka State Journal Information Blu
reau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director.
Washington, D. c., with a 3-cent
stamp enclosed for reply.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
MEDICAL EXAMINATION DAY.

Sixty per cent of those called to
the new United States Army have
been rejected by the army doc
tors for physical unfitness." says
the National Association for the Study
and Prevention of Tuberculosis in des-
ignating December as National Med
ical Examination day. "Of the 1,700
men, woman and children recently
given general examination. in Franz
ingham, Mass. SO per cent were found
to be suffering from various disease
conditions. Most of these defects
were those which early discovery and
treatment would prevent from becom-
ing a serious trouble or a cause of
early death"
These facts are urged by the Ma
tiOnaI Association as reasons for plac-
ing greater emphasis than ever on
Medical Examination day.
The National Association, in coop
Grafton with other organizations, is
advocating an annual medical exam
ination for every person. sick or well,
and this date has been set aside as one
of the feature days of tuberculosis
Week, beginning yesterday.
The compulsory examination of TO-
100000 of our citizens for army draft
purposes is said to have given a new
impetus to the annual medical exam
ination idea and particularly to the
anti-tuberculosis phase of the move
ment, For tuberculosis alone from
1 per cent to per cent of these men
are being rejected, which means a
sharp revision upward of previous ex-
pert estimates of the prevalence of
the disease. On. this basis at least
200, 900 of these men will be found to
be tuberculous. Most of these cases.
the experts declare, would never have
developed had the preliminary symp-
toms been discovered and treated in
time. These results, it is pointed out,
clearly indicate the wisdom of ex-
tending the periodic examination to all
citizens.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

Doctor-Been eating animal food
right along, have you?
Patient (grimly, trying to SMILEY
Well, doctor. 1 tried to, but somehow
it did not seem to agree with me very
well. I managed to worry down the
hay and the clover tops all right. but
the thistles kind of stuck in my
throat, and I had to give it up.
The following story comes from a
reader who is employed on NUM-
tions.
There had, it appears, been an ex-
plosion at a neighboring factory, and
the manager, who was snatching a
brief holiday at the time, hurried to
investigate.
How in the world did it happen %
he asked the foreman as he viewed
the wreck. who was to blame ?"
well you see, sir" was the reply.
cit was like this: Bill went into the
mixing room, probably thinking of
something else, and struck a match
in mistake He"
Struck a matchi' exclaimed the
manager in establishment Il should
have thought it would have been the
last thing ON earth he'd do
1T was, SIR was the rejoiner
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
WAR SAVINGS cERr1F1cArEs

The war-savings plan provided for
in the last bond act. of September "a.
1917, has been formulated and an
nounced by. the treasury department
and goes INTO operation today.
The plan puts 1t easily in reach OF
every American citizen to save money
and at the same time aid the govern
ment by supplying it with the sinews
of war.
Stamps. which are the government
certificates of Indebtedness, are to be
sold in two OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
stamps, which cost Is cents each. and
SAFE to S4.23 each, according to the
, month in which they are purchased.
With the first thrift stamp che pur-
chaser is given a thrift card with
spaces for / s stamps. When 16 thrift
stamps have been purchased and az
fixed the chrift card can be exchanged
for a war-savings stamp by paying the
difference between the 81 the thrift
stamps represent and the current
value of a war-savings stamp. which
in December 1917, and January, 1918.
will be $4.12. ana thereafter 1 cent
for each succeeding month during the
year 1918.
With the first war-savings stamp
obtained by Dur chase or exchange the
| owner is given a war-savings certifi-
cate containing spaces for 20 war
savings stamps. If the 20 spaces are
filled during December, 1917, or jan
uary, 1918. the cost to the purchaser
will be s4.12 for each stamp. or $50. 40
for the full certificate, and on the first
day of January .923. the government
will redeem the certificate at 500
giving the holder a net profit OF
$3.50 for the use of his money.
Altho these investments do not
mature until January 1. 1923, pro-
vision is MADE whereby upon 10 days
written notice after January |, 1918
postmaste4s at their cost to the pur-
chase'5 Plus l cent a month on each
war ravinss stamp on the certificate
The tl;Iift stamps do not bear inter
est. but tine war-savings stamps bear
4 per cent, compounded quarterly
The certificates will be dated January
2, 1918, and mature January 1, 1928
| Under the plan an amount as small
as 25 cents can be invested in gov
eminent security, and as soon as 81
has been thus invested an interest
bearing certificate of the United States
government can be secured.
The stamps and certificates car
be obtained from postoffices. banks
or trust companies. at most railroad
stations, stores, factories, and many
other public places.
Having the entire wealth of the
United States back of them, and being
redeemable as above stated, there is
no danger of any depreciation in value
Of the certificates.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The White House picketers have de-
Ioided to ask for a trial of their case
in the newspapers and are sending
out statements of alleged facts, ac-
icompanied by arguments by which
they hope to obtain a favorable YER
dict from the jury composed of the
general public. They probably will
lind that newspaper editors and news
paper readers are too busy with more
Important matters to give them a
hearing. They would better seek a
continuance until after the close of the
war.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

A Scotch physician has just COM
pleted an extensive series of resea rch-
es into the incidence of cancer which
lead him to some novel conclusions.
He finds that in Scotland and the
Scotch islands, the percentage of can
Ger is particularly high in coal-burn-
ing districts. and low in Jeat-burning
districts. There are some exceptions
to this rule. and in every such case
he finds that the peat-burning dis
trict with high death-rate from cam
Ger burns a peat with a high per-
centage of sulphur. Thus he concludes
that Goals and peats with high sui
phur content used as fuel have di-
rect connection with the development
of cancer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

KITS - 49,
have left my husband
am at Bessie Kanes.
am coming on to New York
Where shall Il begin? Where will
this end? Kits, am in a whirl and
I'm not sure whether you will un-
derstand me- don't understand my
self.
Let me begin at the beginning
and yet, where did all begin? Be
cause IT all came like a bolt out of
left have had no corrective for my
moods. Mother used to know when
to come to me and say, Maize, L
think you'd better put on your coat
and come for walk" Or. Il am all
snarled in my knitting. Straighten
this ut for me with your young fin
gers, will you?" She could tell when
one of my frequent brain storms was
brewing and would save me from
them.
my nerves. The prairie, the drudg-
cry, the monotony, my mother gone,
New York calling me in your letters
Curtis is utterly Obvious that l lack
anything, his mothers hearty convic-
tions that 1 have everything 1 need
and perhaps more than deserve. Oh,
/ suppose I can't make myself clear
At any rate here is what happened:
Baby had been fretful for some
nights past. Nothing serious. but he
kept awake. Curtis had been buster
than ever at the bank His mother
far short 1 fell of what her sons wife
should be. l have been feeling
curious tautness of nerves all day
They kept pulling and pulling like
strings.
/ asked Curtis after dinner whether
he would not take me to town to a
moving picture show. Goodness
knows, it was little enough to ask.
But no, it was Epworth League night
at the church. He was to lead the
mems glee club at the Concert" which
was to follow the minister's address.
Would not I go there instead? His
mother was going. 1 suppose 1
suppose / shocked them with the
vehemence with which refused. For
they left without a word to me.
Kits. I won't try to explain or JUS
tify what I did. I just threw few
things into a handbag. dressed baby,
phoned the livery for a rig and had
myself driven\ over to Bessie Kane's.
What next? don't know. / tell
myself L am going to New York.
hate to take baby away from Curtis.
1t seems like theft But baby or not
Curtis comes to take me back to-
night to that farm house they'll have
to put bars in the windows and a
straitjacket about me. 1 know l
shall go mad.
Kits. / cannot stand it Don't
plead with me. Don't argue with me.
grant from the start 1 am stark
mad 30 one knows it better than 1.
nor what will make me worse. / will
not go back to that farm house and
that compliment, covertIy- sneering
woman.
Listen, Kits. Bessie Kane cried to
induce me to go right back to Cur
tiss house. / started to leave and
headed for the station. Then she
called me back. Dear, If you don't
want me to head for Chicago or San
Francisco don't write me to go back
to Curtis's house. If l can't get the
fare to New York I'll start anyway
ean-walk. ride in freight trains,
anythingi
Kits, write me that you will have
me arrested when l land in New
York or taken to an insane asylum.
or anything else you please Only
don't keep me from Z oming to New
York. 1t seems to me if L can only
hear its roar, see its lights. look at
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

value is placed at more than 90 per
cent. The total value of farm prod
ucts during the first three years of
war was actually So per cent more
than the total value in the last three
years preceding the war. altho there
was relatively slight difference in pro
ductiOn. Thehe appears in these facts.
a great incentive for increasing pro-
duction next year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

Our newly acquired insular terri
tory, the Virgin islands. is reported to
be hard up. There is no longer any
money for meeting public expenses.
Before annexation funds were ac-
quired from a tariff on imports mostly
from the United States. Now there is
free trade with this country. The is
lander may be uncertain as regards
who paid the tariff tax but he will
know from whence future revenues
proceed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

Germany has promptly accepted
the proposal of an armistice which
she herself made thru the Bolsheviki
Leon Trotzky, Lenine's minister of
foreign affairs. was once a $12 a week
clerk in New York. He is the man.
who is undertaking to voice the choice
of 1sO,OOO,OOO people on the question
of peace or war.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

q The estimated increase in produc-
ton of all grains in this country this
year is more than 20 per cent over
1915. but the estimated increase in
farm yal1e is more than 100 per cent.
The increased production of various
vegetabIe and fruit staples is above 20
Per cent. but the advance in farm
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

Lenine, the Bolsheviki leader
threatens to repudiate Russia's debts
TO other nations unless those nations
ioin in the plan for an armistice. 1t
foes not seem to occur to him that
yyor1d mowers have means of collect
ing debts from delin9uents. But the
shirt of the Bolshevili encouragement
Isl in full accord with the German
code of international morals and prob
ably had it's origin in Berlin.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
WHEAT HOOVER SAYS
XII.

XII.
ITO unload a vessel. wheat Is
pumped thru a chute. or leg Mod
erri elevators eliminate waste and la
Dor in the handling of grain Bags
for a $4,000 wheat crop cost the
farmer $500 and add to the freight
weight, cause loss thru holes, require
a large force of handlers, and lead to
unfair reductions for the value ana
weight of the bags In a ship. sacked
grain requires twice as much space
as bulk grain
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
The coal administration finally has

The coal administration finally has
discovered what most persons knew
ali the while and that is that there Is
plenty of coal available. But the
same authority declares that the trou-
bic. if there be any, lies in a shortage
OF cars. Now. whom can we blame
Tor the shortage of cars? And is there
anybody needing coal who can't
get it2
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The German foreign minister is
quoted as saying that it is absurd to
imagine that Germany will enter a
peace conference with any big claims.
With this sentiment no doubt all the
Allies will agree. They are now work
ing to make it a certainty.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The old saying about the drowning
man who grasps at a straw is illus
trated in the avidity with which Ger
many reaches out for the BolshevlNi
Proposal for an armistice. Anything
bearing the faintest resemblance to
Z Peace looks good to the Huns.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

It is announced from the London
war office, that the advance of the
Huns into Italy has been definitely
checked, and the crisis has passed
The pendulum may now be expected
TO swing back
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

some one 1 haven't seen every hour
and day Off over a year-if I could
only breathe the air of New York for
one hour, l shan't care what follows.
1 am coming, Kits!
Distractedly, MAY.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
HOUSEHOLD HINTS
Menu Hint.
BREAKFAST.

Menu Hint.
BREAKFAST
Halved Oranges
Bread Crumbs Pancakes
Coffee Syrup
(Milk and Cereal for children)
DINNER
Dresden Patties filled with Creamed
Veal
Escalloped Potatoes
Spinach with Hard Boiled Egg
Breakfast Food Pudding with Cream
Waters
SUPPER.
Bean Rarebit Dutch Cheese
SteWed P-uneS
Hot Water Sponge Cake enc
frosting)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
aE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL IN
FORMATION BUREAU.

n. B.-Inquirers should be careful 70 oo-
serve two points: Enclose scent staInp
and address their letters to washington
rs above and not TO Topeka, otherwise de-
lay and needless expense are Incurred
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The old time invitation: Come
and bring your knitting" is being
compiled with literally to a greater
extent than ever before known in this
country.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The British navy now has an oppor-
tunity to come back and inquire
Where is Kerensl<y2
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
Absurd.

Last night I lay a-dreaming,
l had dream so fair.
/ dreamed that cost of living
Had fallen--everywhere.
And while ! was a-dreaming
And no one was around
l bought some old-time porterhouse
At twenty cents a pound.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
ON SPUR RE IF MOMENT
FrighIfulneSs.

FrighIfulness.
Lieut.. John Phillip Sousa has a neat come
To spring on the Germans and pay them
Most of their frightfulness
We do not often deal in frightfulness our
But in this case we think it is merited.
The lieutenant has plan to equip Ameri-
On the western front with ukuleles.
When they make dash, playing their
The flight of the German army will take
And the punishment will be as horrible
AS any one could wish.
We have heard that airships will win the
That potash will win the war,
That food will win the war,
That submarine chasers will win the war
But, N the final analysis, ukuieles will win
the war.
They will not only settle the present diff
Guilty
But viii pay up an. old score.
The ukulele campaign will, serve the Ger
Well right for making us listen to wag--
ner opera
All these years.
Something Going On, Anyhow.
F'usty, an eight-weeks-o kitten
in home on S-.Arcn avenue, caught
his first mouse yesterday and his lit
tie mistress was delighted.--Will
mington (Del) Every Evening.
Let there be no conservation of tar
when 1t comes to painting the 1. w.
W.s. OF all the uses tar can be put
to, that Is the best.
The soldiers at Camp Lee. Va. are
issuing a paper called The Bayo-
net" Sort of a big stick, what?
a New York fellow called his wife
Hun" the other day and she slapped
him.
Absurd.
Last night I lay a-dreaming,
| had dream fair.
l dreamed that cost of living
Had fallen--everywhere
And while / was a-dreaming
And no one was around
bought some old-t time porterhouse
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
oId-Time Corn Bread.

Hotel and restaurant men as well
as housewives will find the following
corn bread excellent for serving cold
on wheatless days. In olden times
the Saturdays baking was incomplete
if this corn bread and a big crock Of
well-browned beans were not baked:
One quart rye flour, two quarts
Indian corn meal (yellow), put in deep
pan; scald by pouring over it just
enough boiling water to merely wet it,
not make a batter, stirring constantly
with a spoon When IL is cool enough
SO it will not scald the yeast add one
half teacupful molasses, two teaspoon
fuls salt. one of soda, one cup yeast.
Make as stiff as can be stirred with
spoon by adding warm water and let
rise over night Then turn into a
large, well-greased pan. smooth the
top with the hand dipped in cold
water, then with a spoon spread
melted drippings over the top. Let ii
stand for while to rise again. then
bake in a moderate oven slowly for
five or six hours. If preferred, graham
flour may be used instead of rye. This
bread in olden times was baked in iron
kettles on the hearth before the fire
and coa,s heaped on TIE lid.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
..WHATEYER You VAST no KNow.'

The 'ropeka State Journal Information
Rureau at Washington furnishes readers,
free Of charge. accurate and authoritat,Ke
answers to questions on any anu an s"o ~.
had from the unparalleled resources OF tne
various federal government departments
cent sfamp for return postage must &C
company each inquiry. State clearly inc
Information wasted, write plainly ana Au-
dress -,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
THE SEARcELNGTF

Latest News from the Fields of
SCIENCE. EDUCATION. INSENTIoN
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

White Sausage-One pound best
beef suet chopped very fine, two cups
flour fsifted), one cup white corn
meal, half teaspoon pepper, one tea
spoon each of salt and cinnamon.
Mix these ingredients Thoroughly
(add no moisture.) Fill into cases
same as sausage; drop into boiling
water and cook four hours. Tato
from water and brown very little.
II no cases are available cloth
cases may be used; remove cloths be-
rore browning or serving One
thlrd OF a yard in length by four
inches in width, is size cases ara 81,
be cut.
me above quantity will serve quite
number of meals for four or five
persons Always nice until last is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

Let there be no conservation of tar
when 1t comes to painting the L. w
WIS. or all the uses tar can be put
to, that is the best
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
LETTERS OF
TWO WOMEN

BY ZOE BECKLEY.

Kerryville, Wednesday night.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

The soldiers at Camp Lee. Va. are
issuing a paper called The Bayo-
net" Sort of big stick, what?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
Something Going On, Anyhow.

Fusty, an eight-weeks- old kitten
in a home on S-.Arcn avenue, caught
his first mouse yesterday and his lit
tie mistress was delighted.-Wil-
mington (Del.) Every Evening.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03

a New York fellow called his wife
Hun the other day and she slapped
him.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03


Yet this was home for children.
1t was hard to imagine the happy
turbulent disposition of q child there.
Finally, the matron appeared. She
looked as if she, at least, belonged.
Her dark hair was plastered back and
gathered into a small knot on the
crown of her head; she had a sharp
uncompromising nose, dark eyes that
blinked aggressively when she talked.
She explained that the policy of
the asylum did not permit children
to be taken out on Christmas day
they had to participate in the asylum
entertainment. Neither could they go
on Thanksgiving. because they had to
go to church, but during the holidays
they were allowed to spend one or
two days with people who wanted
them. This year, she said, a local
dramatist had interested himself in
the children and was directing them
in a Christmas PLAY; and some of his
friends were going to provide a Christ
mas tree. with at least three toys for
every child.
Can you imagine this dramatist and