davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
Making Fire In Old Days.

One could get along without matches,
if he had TO, but it would be inconvenlent
getting along. OuT ancestors did so, for
matches are comparative new invention,
but just how much inconvenience il would
cause to 60 back to those early days no
one knows until he has run out OF
matches when some distance from home
or a store.
We smoke more than ouT ancestors did,
although smoking has been the custom in
this country since il was discovered, and
the Increased smoking is in part due to
the match. II is so easy to light pipe
or cigar that one smokes just when he
feels like If, whereas our ancestors had
10 smoke when fire was available, and at
no other time.
Fire was generally available IN the
home, because il was not allowed 10 90
out. That was part OF the duty OF the
wife-to watch the fire and see to it that
always there were at least few Goals
carefully buried in the ashes in the fire.
place. There were no stoves IN the
early days, be it remembered, and ire
had to be maintained winter and summer
in the fireplace.
liza careless housewife allowed the lire
to 90 out, something had TO be done.
This something was generally 10 send a
boy across the fields or through the
woods to a neighbor's house for lew
Goals. They were carried in an iron pot,
covered with ashes.
In many homes, however, protection
was taken against the fire going out.
That is, method OF starting the tre was
at hand. This consisted OF what was
called finder box and flints. Under
was fine wood Drowned until il was dry
as powder. Tow answered the same
purpose, if you happen to be old enough
to know what tow is. The two filnts
were struck together with force over the
tinder box, or tow, and the spark set the
mass on fire-and there you were, with
the "makings" OF a big fire. or little, just
as big fire or little one was needed.
So, after all, there was way OF getting
along without matches.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
Tornedo Plane vs.. Submarine.

AS the war drags its slow length along.
both sides are looking TO new modes Of
warfare 10 win for them quick success.
The Germans, we know, have staked
their future on the submarine, in the be-
lief that the U-boats will force 2 sails
factory" peace before winter. The ex-
perts OF the Allied nations, on The other
hand, begin to take the view that The
best chances OF victory lie in great cam
paign in the air TO destroy the submarine
and naval bases OF the Germans, TO Grip
pie their ammunition factories and 10 crush
their trench deienses. We hear OF plans
for fifty or hundred thousand aeroplanes
TO undertake a terrifying invasion OF the
enemy's country. Two eminent Ameh-
can admirals, Fiske and PearY, are lend
lsg all their authority 10 the suggestion.
for they believe that il is the most hope
full one that has yet been made for schiey-
ing important results both by land and by
sea.
Under present conditions The strategy
OF the anti-submarine campaign is at
fault. The only way TO deal successfully
with the situation is TO prevent the U-boats
from getting out into the open sea. No
amount OF potting al single submarines
already at large will do the good that
would be done by preventing them all
from leaving their bases. Admiral Fiske
believes that great squzdrons Of torpedo
planes" The new variety OF airship that
drops torpedoes instead OF bombs, could
start from sea base not tar from Helgo-
land, and might fairly hope 10 reach and
under favorable conditions 10 destroy the
base at KieI, at Wilhelmshayen, at Cux-
haven or at Zeebrugge. That would be
successful strategy, for Il would put an
end to submarine activity, at least for sew
era months.
But it viii take time 10 build the great
air fleet that will be needed # The Allies
are 10 achieve such command OF the air
as the plans would require, and especially
will If take time to train the thousands Of
ayistors who will be needed. Perhaps
we can in no way be of greater service TO
our allies than by furnishing aeroplsnes
and ainmen in great numbers. In helping
to carry through successful raid on KieI
or Zeebugge really cIever-and lucky
aviator might easily do work thaftxen-
ty-five thousand infantrymen could not
get chance TO do
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
NEW VOL. 52-No. 80.
The Vain Crow.

One day fox that was very hungry
was passing through held. He saw a
crow on The limb Of tree buslly eating
piece OF cheese, 9nd al once troited TO the
tree and sat down beneath il.
"Mr. Crow" SAID the fox in harsh and
uniriendly tones, ''you must share your
cheese with me-"
The crow looked down at the iox, but
answered not word as he took a peck
al the piece OF cheese.
"Mr. Crow" said the fox, in voice
that was still more harsh and uninendly,
''if you do not give me part OF your
cheese, shall climb the tree and take il
all away from you"
The crow looked down al the fox. but
answered not a word. He knew very
we'll that the fox could not climb the tree,
ant so he took another peck at the piece
OF cheese
The fox, finding that he could not get
the cheese by threats. bethought himself
OF using The craft for which the fox family
is famous. He remembered how fox
once GOT piece OF cheese from crow
by telling the crow what sweet voice
she had and then begging her TO sing.
That crow was holding the cheese in her
bill, and when she opened her bill TO
sing she dropped the cheese 10 the ground,
whereupon the fox seized il and ran away.
Since that time all crows have carried
their food IN their claws and not in their
bills. Therefore, the fox knew well that
il would do no good TO beg The crow 10
sing. How, then, could he get that
cheese ? He thought hard and looked
hungrily up into the tree.
"Dear Mr.. Crow, said the fox al last.
"a was only joking when ! spoke before,
for am your best friend Only yesief-
day was telling both the woodpecker
and The blue jay how much more beautiful
your plumage is than theirs"
The crow answered not word, but
looked down at his glossy black SIDES
with great pride. Then he held his head
a little higher and forgot 10 take peck
al the piece OF cheese.
"And to-day ! was telling both The
kingiisher and the hawk how much
sharper and more graceful your claws are
than theirs" went on the fox in very
pleasant tones.
The crow answered not a word. but
lifted first one claw and then the other
from the limb OF the tree and looked at
each with great pride But when he
lifted the claw that did not have the
cheese and tried TO cling TO the limb with
the claw that did have the cheese. he
dropped the cheese 10 The ground.
Whereupon the fox laughed loudly, seized
the cheese and ran away 10 The woods.
where he ate every morsel OF Il.
And the crow cried "Cawl Cav r. in
very angry tones, and iew of 10 find
dinner TO replace The one that he had so
foolishly lost
The moral is that, II a vain person Is on
guard at one point OF attack. there are
always other points OF attack that are not
guarded, and crafty ilatierer will have
little trouble in finding way TO reach
them.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
The Far Look.

Hc OCuliSl lCdHCu Udlh III iIlS ludii duu
surveyed his patient thoughtfuly.
"ls there beautiful view anywhe re
near your house ?" he asked.
For moment Mrs. Parsons frankly
stared The various tests through which
the specialist had just put her eyes had
not prepared her for any such common
place question as tnat.
Then, with smile, she recovered her
self. Even doctors might like TO chat a
little. "Why, yes" she answered.
there's very pretty view across TO the
distant hills from one OF my upstairs
windows Some OF our suburbs are love-
ly, aren't they ?"
"How often do you look at it ?" asked
the doctor.
"Why, every day or two, suppose.
You see il best from the guest room, so
perhaps"
"And for how long a time, should you
say ?"
Something in his tone told her there
was real purpose in his questions.
Mrs. Parsons paused moment TO think
before she answered.
"WhY, perhaps minute" she said,
and then she added with little embar-
rassment, sometimes more, but not
often"
"And yet it's beautiful view ?" The
doctors tone was quizzical.
"Yes, if is" she said, "but Pm busy
woman, doctor, and have TO do most OF
my looking at little dresses and stockings
when it's not family letters or some
kind OF necessary reading A house
mother has TO use her eyes mostly on
things that are close at hand"
"And that is just what tires them"
said the doctor, rising. at is the far
look that rests the eyes, Mrs. Parsons.
If you wish TO cure those eyes OF yours,
make ii an lronclad rule 10 gaze at your
beautiful view for at least twenty minutes
a day-preferably thirty. II you keep
that rule, you won't need 10 come 10 me
again in long time-if ever"
Mrs. Parsons herself told the story
months later to one OF her friends, and IN
answer 10 aqueStlon she said delightedly,
Eyes, | followed his advice, and he was
right; all that my tired eyes needed was
the rest Of that far look
"But WONDER" she added thought
fully, "if that wise doctor knew for how
much more than my eyes he was pre-
scribing. My soul needed rest quite as
much as my body. and the recreation
that gained was miraculous. The twen-
ty minutes soon grew into half an hour,
and more. 1t became the most important
part OF the day to me.
''Instinctively as gazed out over that
beautiful prospect my mental eyes began
10 take the far look, too. The little
things close al hand didn I seem so over
whelminglY important as they had before
higher in the scale OF values my mental
eyesight grew stronger and clearer along
with my physical. It's possible, am
sure, 10 have eyeStrain in the mind and
in the soul as we'll as in the body. And
the practice is far too valuable ever to
LET go. Even in the city, where | have
no hills and mountains, can look up into
the sky and imagine more miles than
can count. II there is anything better
than starry night for cultivating far
look'-in every sense ofthe word have
yet TO discover it. And oh, how if 'trues'
your sense of values !"
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
Minting Our Dimes.

The process OF dime making is an
interesting one. The silver bullion is
first melted and run into two-pound bars.
These in turn are run through immense
rollers and flattened out to the thickness
OF the coin. These silver strips are then
passed through machine, which cuts
them into proper size for the presses,
the strips first having been treated with
kind OF tallow to prevent their being
scratched in their passage through the
cutters.
The silver pieces are then put into the
feeder OF the printing presses and are fed
TO the die by automatic machinery at the
rate OF 100 per minute, $4,000 dimes being
turned out in regular working day OF
eight hours.
AS the smooth pieces are pressed be-
tween the ponderous printing dies they
receive the lettered and figured impress
sion in a manner similar to that OF a pa
per pressed upon form OF type. AT
the same time the piece is expanded in
slight degree, and the small corrugations
are cut into its rim.
The machine drops the completed coin
into a receiver, and if is ready for the
counters hands. The instrument used
by the counter is not complicated ma
chine by any means, as one might sup
pose. II is simple copper colored tray,
having raised ridges, running across IFS
surface at a distance apart the exact
width of dime.
From the receiver the money is dump
ed on the board or tray, and as il is
shaken rapidly by the counter the pieces
settle down into the spaces between the
ridges. All these spaces being filled,
the surplus coin is brushed back into the
receiver, and tine counter has exactly
| $50 silver dimes, or $l25, on his tray,
which number is required TO fill the
spaces. The tray is then emptied into
boxes, and the money is ready for ship
ment.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Courtplaster, said TO have been dis
tributed by German sYmpathizerS, has
been found on chemical analysis by the
Department OF Justice TO contain tetanus
germs Attorney General Gregory today
warned the public TO use only courtplas-
ter from reliable sources. The Depart
ment OF Justice today authorized the fol-
lowing statement relative TO IFS inveStiga-
ton OF sales OF poisoned plasterS in var
ious sections OF the United States
"The Department OF Justice, without
sharing in any sensational view as TO the
manner in which sticking plaSterS or
courtplaster became infected, states that
some of the samples submitted and ana
lyzed have been thereby shown TO con-
tain tetanus germs. The public is con-
sequently cautioned against purchasing
this remedy except from approved
sources. The warning is particularly
directed against purchases in small pack
ages from street peddIers and vendors. "
Associated Press dispatch from Wash
iagtOn CITY July 2Sh.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
Communicated.

Salvisa, Kentucky, July 30, 1917.
Dear Mr.. Snyder-You evidently do
not know the genuine Kentuckian, or
you would not have printed the story
about the bottle OF water the fellow
brought from the Jordan TO baptize his
baby, as you did month or so ago. The
genuine Kentucklan would have found
some way to get at that bottle before
preaching to loosen up his tongue. Now,
remember am not genuine Kentuckian,
and never expect to be, although like
Kentucky very well, and may spend the
rest of my days in it.
Cordially yours,
|. A. 7. q
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
WHAT CATARRH IS

1t has been said that every third
person has catarrh in some form.
Science has shown that nasal catarh
often indicates general weakness Of
the whole system, and snufs and
vapors do little, if any good.
Tocorect catarh you should enrich
your blood with the oil-food in Scots
Emulsion which is medicinal.food
and a building-tonic, free from alcohol
or any harmful drugs. Try it-YoUi
scoti q Bowse. Htosmseld. Nj.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Prot. Louis X. Koontz, OF this vicinity,
who for the past three years has been
professor OF history and economies al
Davis and Elklns College, EIkins w. Va,
has rendered his resignation. and will IN
the fall enter Johns Hopkins University.
Baltimore, where he will complete the
work necessary 10 get his Ph. ID. degree
unless he shall be called for army ser
vice. The ElkIns Daily Inier-Mouniain
has this 10 say OF our talented young
county Professor Koontz's res
ignation will be very distinct loss 10
the teaching staff and 10 large number
OF young men with whom he was in
timately in touch, through church work
in town. He was recognized as man
OF profound scholarship, splendid
teacher. man oi the highest general eul-
lure and Christian influence. The trustees
have never elected man who seems TO
have given more satisfaction than Pro-
lessor Koontz. All OF his friends In
town, the students and the faculty OF the
college will read OF his resignation with
profound regret"
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
The Two Seekers.

Two men went seeking happiness.
One walked the roadside way
And looked with all his longing eyes
Within each garden gay.
Where're he saw II growing
He tried to grasp its flower
But always. in his clutching hand.
II died before an hour.
Till. angry and despairing,
In bitterne SIS he cried
Others are given happiness.
To me il is denied"
The other one looked round him.
Since happiness is found
In other peoples gardens.
Why not within my ground 2"
lie dug and plowed and planted.
And with careful toll
Where il was rough and stony,
Enriched each inch OF soil
Until with crowded blossoms
The little plot o'erran-
How simple lis" the owner cried.
TO be happy man T.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Freeport, ILL.,, July 30.-Tetanus germs
have been found in couhplaster sold here
by a crippled itinerant peddler. Chem
ical analysis was completed today and
the announcement made.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Miss B-"Your sister is getting TO be
quite big girl, isn't she 2"
Miss G.-"Yes; she is big enough TO
wear short dresses"
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

What happy world this would be II
every man spoke as well Of his live
neiehbors as he does OF his dead ones.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
Horse SwindIer Arrested.

Charged with being implicated in a
swindle which, il is alleged, affected
hundreds OF farmers in West Virginia,
George o. Stein, said TO be a native OF
Hagerstown. was arrested few days ago
in a hotel in Baltimore by Detectives
Quirk and Porter for the West Virginia
authorities. He was taken back TO
Marion county, where he is wanted, by
Sheriff A. M. Glover, who went TO Bal
timore armed with requisition papers.
According to Glover and the local po-
lice, Stein is said TO have been member
OF a party OF men who were doing a
landoiiice business selling horses, many
of which were rejected by the Allies, 10
the farmers Of West Virginia as pedigreed
Belgian equines. Most OF the "blooded
stock" was nothing more nor less than
common carriage horses which the men
picked up in Belgium, and TO which were
attached pedigrees that had belonged TO
horses that had died.
Recently the West Virginia police
learned that Stein was in Richmond.
Later they learned that he was about 10
leave Richmond for Baltimore, and Sher-
iff Glover, who for over year had had
requisition papers for Stein, hurried 10
Baltimore. Stein is specifically charged
with the embezzlement OF about sl5 600.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Itching, bleeding, protruding or blind
piles have yielded 10 Doau's Ointment.
6Oc. at all stores.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

Billy had serious misunderstanding
with his elder cousin, Conrad, that he
scrupulously concealed from his mother.
When he came home from school she
said, BILLY, what would you like TO give
Cousin Conrad for his birthday tomor-
row ?"
al know what I'D like 10 give him,
said Billy, vengefully. but I'm not big
enoughp
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09
ferson County, West Virginia, Thursday, August g. 1917
Can Such Things Be d?


The discovery OF tetanus bacilli. COM
monty called lockiaw germs. in courtplas-
ter offered Tor sale and given away by
persons travelling through Kansas, leads
government agents to believe they have
uncovered German death-deallng con-
spiracy against Americans that may be
nationwide in IFS scope. Tha: skilled
hands have placed the poison in the pIas-
tiers and that wearer Of the plaster would
become inoculated with the deadly dis
ease soon, is the opinion OF experts.
Three Of the travellers, alleged TO be
Germans, already are under arrest in dif-
ferent cities in the State. Other arrests
are promised. The names OF those ar
rested and the places where they are
confined are being withheld because the
agents tear mob violence.
Suspicion was first directed 10 the plas-
ters week ago when stranger at Axtell,
Kan, gave away courtplaSter he had been
offering for sale. The stranger was ar
rested and samples OF the plaster sent 10
United States District Attorney Fred Rob-
ertson at Kansas City, Kss. He turned
the samples over 10 w. B. Smith, gov
eminent chemist and bactenologiSt.
Cultural and microscopical examina-
ions, according TO Mr.. Smith, show the
presence OF tetanus bacili. That no mis-
take in the analysis would be made, DR..
Frank Breed, bacteriologiSt OF Kansas
City, also was asked TO make examina-
tionS. He confirmed the findings OF Mr..
Smith.-KanSaS City Journal of July I9.
A few days ago stranger stopped at
the home of Mr.. S. c. Peters, l-2 miles
south OF Union, and gave two sheets OF
courtplaster to domestic in his family.
AS soon as Mr.. Peters heard OF il he had
the courtpaster burned. This unknown
pasSer-by may have visited other homes.
II will be well for our people 10 be on
their guard. From Europe come we'll
authenticated reports Of the systematic
spreading OF tuberculosis infection by the
Germans and the germs of other deadly
diseases in the countries with which they
are at war. The poisoning OF wells and
springs in enemy countries is common
custom with them. Only those possessed
OF the malignance OF devils are capable
OF such hellishnesS, but that is exactly
the hdeous power which is now making
war on civilization. II becomes Ameri-
cans 10 be watchful and vigilant.-MOn-
roe Waterman, Union, w. Va, July
eth.
There are similar reports in other news
papers.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

In renewing his subscription TO the
Register c. o. Wilmington. Of Flora
home, Florida, formerly OF this county,
writes US I'VE are having some real
summer down here in Florida now Our
crops are good, cotton especially. for
which We hope TO get good price.
Most of the cotton grown here IS Sea
Island, a long staple. The Register
reaches US on Saturday night, and it is
welcome guest in our home"
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-08-09

"See here, Mr.. Casey" said Pat to the
tax assessor, "sure and ye know the goat
isn't worth S."
"Ofm sorry" responded Casey, "bui
that is the law, " and producing book, he
read the following passage:
IAN property abutting on Front Street
should be taxed at the rate Of 8 per loot"
The Seward gateway and the Alaska evening post. [volume] (Seward, Alaska) 1917-1918, 1917-09-12
HOW LITTLE WE KNOW
OF OUR COUNTRY AND
ITS FLORA AND FAUNA

In lamping through the columns of
the Oregonian we learn that q Min
lister has resigned his pulpit for the
purpose OF showing TO the people of
the States the real Alaska as Alas
kans know it. He has made extensive
journeys through the norJhlaud and
has taken a multitude of pictures, all
OF which he will show while ON his
lecture tour. He says that ne is ac-
ouainted with the life of the thirty
six varieties and species of the wild
animals, and he knows the names of
100 birds, can recognize the seven
kinds Of different tree life, the l22
wild flowers, tie five kinds of native
grasses and the rs kinds Of berries.
Now, tell the truth Do YOU, Mr..
and Mrs. Citizen of the great empire,
Of which you are forming q part and
in which YOU live, know that Alaska
contains this great variety of animal
The Seward gateway and the Alaska evening post. [volume] (Seward, Alaska) 1917-1918, 1917-09-12

bird and vegetable life? We took
the pains to ask the question of ten
representative residents Of Seward
and the replies differed so widely and
the information was so varied that OF
reprint it would be to plagarize the
modern encyclopedia. One oldtimer
said that he had been i'm the coun-
try twenty-five years and was certain
that there were only three kinds Of
birds, two grasses and six wild ami
mails. Another, who has seen the gold
camps of the interior, was of the opin-
ion that there were over 600 species
of animals and only IA kinds of birds.
All of which goes to prove that
unless the Women's club bestir them
selves and hasten the collection of
the much needed library, we will con
tfnue to walIow in the trough of pow
erty and forget to study the history
of our own country, fail to realize her
magnificent riches and be in ignor-
ance OF her incaIcuable resources.
ance of her incalcuable resources
Exchange.