davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Robesonian., 1917-09-17
Aged Woman Prisoner Refuses to
Accept Freedom

Accept Freedom
Marshville Home.
There is a little woman in the
State prison at Raleigh who is known
as Aunt Sarah WyckOff. She is ser
wing a term for murder committed
in Alexander county, her sentence
having become operative June 10,
1879. Several governors have Of
fered her pardons. Each time she
has declined to accept the pandons.
Last week when Governor Beckett
again offered her a pardon she re-
fused to accept it. Il want to stay
here the rest of my days." said She
my children have forgotten me.
have heard from nobody once knew
in years. want to die here and be
forgotten" She is now in the grip
Of rheumatism and mas not left her
quarters in ten years. She has a
Well-kept room of her own with pri-
vate bath. She reads her Bible Of
ten and is given a. SUNDAY dinner
each Sunday by the prison superin-
tendent's wife. In her rather feeble
and helpless condition this old lady
probably concludes that she is bet
ter cared for there in her prison
home than she would be if left to
the, charity Of relatives or friends
under the freedom THAT a pardon
would give her.
The Robesonian., 1917-09-17
Meeting of Sidney Lanier Book Club

MeetlHg OF S1uney Lanler BOOK CluD
Correspondence of The Robesonian.
FalTmont, Sept. 12-The Sidney
Lanief Book club met with Mesdames
Cole and Reayes at the formers
home Tuesday afternoon, Sept. Il,
Mrs. Mrs; J, 4o,e Q, BofPdbitt, fd IT, president, pre-
,SHll VIII "a Jfaf5lts |F51's Ninter study
hist6s, his be8ssd 81 ths USsrsitg
OF North CaS9lipa for NeneHs clubs.
the Spanish aHfHflP aHfHf Por33aftga1H4sss r33fta14 pgaSpie,
Miss sIhg9GmBsoni II gGmaBBss ocfni,a and tFA Baker read
very mtefestippg2e pp2e anfftt n,ft tlrStIAct{yes ees,Pa,
pers. After rendering SHE tpso gsaWq,
nghti getreshHmgffats hHgf ats s,WelAsen served aby
With Hss Masa5gso MIHsftiag ofajsgEYaad A fsd mest
Expl0taaog 8 seftlsnmssnat,,oor44 lnsa 42ssSf gaT "a q
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
TIME TO TACKLE COAL PROBLEM

f A large part of the country Is al- | ways interested when the railroads ask for an increase in rates for it means that the effect is bound to be | felt in one way or another. but 1t can not help being seen at this particular s.ime that the railroads are feeling the advanced prices the same as every
 other line of business and every in- dividual. It is costing them more money for new equipment it is cost
 Ing more for material, it is costing more for wages. it is costing more for fuel, and the only way to offset this
 increased cost is through economy and greater efficiency But at this time
 greater demands than ever are being made for improved service. the trans portation needs are nowhere near what they should be and it is important that there should be no relaxation of efforts. and it must be remembered that economy and efficiency cannot do everything. The service is required and
 the railroads must provide it and that being the case they must be dealt
 with properly when it comes to get ting a fair return upon their invest
 ments.
 An increase of 15 per cent in freieht rates is desired but from the state
 ments which are being made before the interstate commerce commission there is serious doubt as to whether this will be sufficient to recompense the roads for the increased operating expenses which they must meet For
 mer President Elliott of the New Ha-
 ven declares that 1t will be insuf- eient in the case of that road to even pay for the jump in the fuel bill for the ensuing year.
 Such being the case coming as it does when the federal trade commits sion declares that the price of coal is too high and there is no reason for it, It would appear to be time for the government to take action in regard to this phase Of the matter, put q check or the nanipulators and see that the price of coal is placed where 1t belongs
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09

four times captured by the French and it belonged to the latter country un- til 1715. In 1885 the old Qualifications were dismant.ed and the ramparts were converted into boulevards and promenades.
 One of the red letter events in the history of Ypres was the great battle of Courtrai, fought beneath the walls of the city from which the struggle derived its name in 1902. This was the first important battle won by in fantry after the battle of Hastings, and it was the relocated contingent of Ypres citizens, armed with spears, cleavers and fails, which joined with the people of Bruges and Courtrai to turn the tide of battle against tho French under Count Robert of Artois. After the battle 70 pairs of goldeI spurs were taken from the slain knights whose heavily accoutred mounts had fioundered heIplessly in the marshy and which the foot sol diers had wisely selected as bat tlefield."
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
LET THE ROOSEVELT DIVISION
 GO.

1 While the plans that are being made to send an expedition of 12.eeo eng1- ueers to France, made up of railway builders for the purpose of aiding that country ing the development of it's transportation systems, must be looked upon as step in the right di- rection, nothing has been done about inc acceptance of the offer of Colonel
 Roosevelt to head or go as 9 junior officer in a division ar several diyis- ions made up of volunteers from all sections of the country.
 Here. according to the latest re- ports, are anywhere from 1I5,000 to z5o, 0eO men, who want to fight and want to go to France to participate
 in the war as the representatives of
 the United States, whose equipment
 will bo provided for, and from the
 standpoint Of the government only
 cold water has been thrown upon the
 idea. The allies are calling for an
 army from the United States. Many
 of these men will be included in the
 draft if they do not go as volunteers.
 but there are many of them who will
 not because they are over the age
 limit that will be decided upon. Yet
 they have had more or less eNperi
 ence and over and above all they
 want to render this service. There is no reason to suppose that their lives
 would be sacrificed needless1y. They would have the requisite training and tRey would have certain experience within the sound Of the guns before they would be sent into action They would on the other hand lend prest ige to the part which this country is taking in the war by showing that the United States intended to use ev- cry instrumentality it possesses in fighting the enemy. There appears to be no good reason for keeping home those who want to go and forcing into the war many who may not want to fight
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
THE BACK DOOR MAN

dle eggs, Judson? How ridiculous she cried with startling tears, which blinded her to the pain she inflicted You have a dignified, honorable po- Isition,' she protested. land your sal ary is enough-' But he met he, protests with stronger argument, and in the end two pairs of eyes mirroree hopefully and two pairs of 50-year-old ! new and daring venture.
 | And one day Jud's rosperous 1 brother, Bill, bFeezed in from NeN York. The little flat overflowed witf 1 street-Bilrs doings in particular. His sister in laws welcoming smile de- veloped into wistfulness as he talked Jud's return from his mornings ega arm, brought g sudden silence. The New Yorker soon recovered however. 50. you've got down to the baskets, Jud?" came the whip o1 scorn- No. brother, I've got up to the baskets" replied the other, quietly but mean;ngly. 1Io. that's good, scoffed Bill. Strange that he didn't notice the new angle to his brothers jaw, the new youthfulness in the for mer drab office grind. '1Peddling eggs house to house. "Peddlers and beg gars keep out or go round to the back door," Bill quoted, tauntingly. Great guns he exploded, my brother "A Back Door Man.
 
 Jud controlled himself as Bill sailed out snatching away the canary's song, the bloom from the modest window geranium and leaving waves of hurt fury in his powerful wake.
 The harassed man felt a firm hand clutch his and heard a hoarse voice scarcely recognizable as his wife's: T shall always hate your brother for this"
 He pressed her fingers for some mo- ments before meeting her eyes. And you don't think me failure, Addie ?'
 "A failure!" she snorted- T should say not Why didn't you tell that purse proud how you've been dou- bling your old salary, what good times we're having together? And-and,'' ,'' she choked, couldn't the stupid see how fine you look?" At last she You've got a competitor now, so you'll have to hustle'' she teased.
 '|Who?" he demanded, suddenly bel ligerent.
 Myself" she bobbed brightly. sold them six dozen eggs"
 Leaping up. this yoslng old man boyish:y swung her off her feet and manly tear fell upon her soft hair ium blooms rioted in the window.
 Say. old scout. are you robbing the bank?" cried 2 friend some months later as Jud Stackhouse stood by the wicket receiving a sheaf of bills from a respectful paying teller. Not exa ct ly," grinned the ex-assistant auditor. Carefully pacing five s100 bills in an inner pocket Jud's voice lowered con fdeDtially: This is for Bi.l-got nip ped in Wall street-lost everything - his rent is overdue-the baby's sick. My wife. she says to let him have it. and-WeH. Bill's my brother, you know. Buttoning up his coat. the Back Door Man walked brislzly out of the bank.-Boston Post
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09

growth is checked at such times. It grows slowly throughout the entire season, and is ready for use late in the fall. From then on until spring it furnishes a steady supply of food. It is root which deserves wider planting, because most tastes are fond of the oyster-like flavor of this vege- table.
 The seeds are large, long. and hard like sticks. Most of the sedds are fertile, so that in planting sa.sify it is not necessary to overpiant in oredr to allow for seeds that will not sprout. This plant too, does away with the necessity of thinning out the rows. Plant the seeds half an inch deep wherever you want pIanta to come up plants every ? to 4 inches are at the correct intervals-and do not thin out, one ounce of seed will plant 100 feet of TOW.
 As for parsnips the soil should be deeply broken up so that the main roots will not split or branch. The plant puts out numerous side roots, so that when it attains any size 1t becomes firmly fixed in the ground.
 Harvest the roots by tFenchiEg on both sides of the row and pulling out the plants by their tops. Where the ground freezes so hard that digging is impossible in winter the roots should be put pit and covered with soil. Roots left to grow the second season are apt to become weeds.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society.

Ypres-The historic Belgian city ot Ypres, around which the tides of bat tie are again Swirling furiously, Is described in the following war Seog- raphy bulletin issued by the National Geographic Society from it's Washing ton headquarters:
 Few cities in the path of German devastation has suffered more than the quaint city of Ypres, situated on the banks of the Yperlee River, a tri- butary of the Yser, some 5 miles south of Cstend.
 At the beginning of the war there were few more picturesque towns in Belgium than this thriving industrial
 community of 17,00O inhabitants, a majority of whom gained a livelihood from the production, of yalencienne lace. They were among the earliest sufferers, however, for the Germans 1914. \ month later the enemy was forced out by the British, who have held this section of the line ever since, fact which has encouraged the des- the place by German shellfire-
 The great Cloth Hall of Ypres was The most considerable building of it's kind in the kingdom of Belgium. It was begun in the year 1900 by the fla nous Count Baldwin Tx of Flanders than century. Within a stones throw of the Hall stood the famout 18th century cathedral of St. Martin, which during the last two and a half years has been reduced to q shell of crumbling stone above the grave of it's famous bishop, Jansen, father of the great religious revival known as Jansenism, that spread through this part of Europe during the first half of the 17th century.
 Both the Cloth Hall and the cathe- dral had been completely restored only a year or two before the outbreak of the great conflict in the summer of 1914.
 'srhe introduction of the cloth making industry into Ypres toward the end of the 11th century gave a great impetus to the town, it contin- Ued to grow in wealth and power un- tile the middle of the 18th century at which time it had a population of more than 100000, and was accounted the wealthiest and most powerful com mercial center in Flanders. Popular uprisings and the great plague of 1888 made terrible inroads upon it, how ever, and the weavers, on whom the prosperity of the community largely began to migrate. The population dwindled amazingly until at the end of the 18th century there were not more than 5000 people re- siding here.
 During the 17th century Ypres was
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09

Jud Stackhouse was huncIled over his desk. The rolling in of the s.30
 evening train, 20 minutes behind the
 schedule, drew his eyes to the station clock outside and he flung the ledger shut with an exclamation
 ReStiessness had developed in Jud This feeling progressed to strong ir- ritation as he rode up the avenue in an otherwise empty car. and stared at I lis nondescript reflection. 5oggling along with him in the window oppo- site. Mouse colored hair, what there was of 1t, mouse-c -colored skin. gen. eral meusiness about the shadowy hunched shoulders was what he saw, for Jud was taking serious stock of | himself
 He had been with the company 25 years. His weekly salary was the same figure, and he was getting old. 1 Life's pleasures slid by, beyond his 1 reach, while he compared totals and verified figures early and late. Ouch! the springiness was oozing from his knees, he noticed sayagely ear at his corner. Only by a rapid, but stiff, acrobatic feat did he save his face. and his precious lot of eggs, fresh from the country that day. You're later than usual this week
 Judson," greeted his wife. an undem-
 onstrative, faded woman of his own age. "Yes-freight's been heavy he
 answered shortly.
 She welcomed him by exchanging
 her book for the more converse tional
 sewing. But her husband moved on
 past the easy chair where his slippers
 and newspa per awaited, and dropped
 upon the couch.
 .sTuckered out, Judson?" she sug-
 gested. His response was a startling counter question. "&ddie, how long since we've been to a show together?" Her near-sigheted eyes widenedi Its been months, I guess" And to a matinee he persisted. Oh, years" she laughed. "Hm!" his eyes closed, while her contented ones grew trou- bled, but she didn't question. Slip ping out of the soothing lamp glow she carried the eggs kitchenward-
 During that week business hummed in the auditors office. But the square knot which bound the assistant audi tor to his Iedger's groove was slipping loitering in outer offices and lending ear to sundry and embittered clerical discussion upon the high cost of liT ing. He even took part-Tn usual for him. Eggs? Huhi We haven't seen one in our house for months" ecoffed an invoice clerk. at mention Of that
 particular gastronomic extrava agance. I'll ask my country cousin to supply Stackhouse found himself volunteer ing. Good for you!" ehorused the office.
 Tn due time the promised eggs ar rived and disappeared like snow on a hot griddIe. Another, and still anoth- CT case was ordered. Then the as- sistant auditor retired to commune with an idea sprouting boldly in the recently disturbed soil of his mind, where only ledgers had lain before eggs!-providing of course his wife were quite willing Men-.ike he made up his mind quite firmly upon the matter then asked her advice. Ped
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
PUSHING AHEAD.

In connection with the mighty struggle which is going on along the western battle front, it cannot help being realized that the allies are
 slowly but steadily forging ahead They are meeting with increased re- sistance from the Germans who are bringing up fresh reserves and put- ting forth every energy to stop the progress of the British and French. but first at one point and then at an- other are the allies driving the Ger
 mans back and wherever an advance Is made that territory gained is in varia5ly held. Do what they will it is impossible for the Germans to drive the enemy hack so that little by little the German line is being eaten into at points of importance to the entente armies.
 The desperation of the German commanders is manifested by the way they send not only new divisions into battle but by the manner in which they continue the pushing to the front of some of their best fighters But re- Eardless Of this effort the result is almost always the same. Counter at tacks serve to harass and impede the allies but they do not result in re- gaining the lost trenches, forts or high ground
 Germany likes to refer to this as strategic retreat. but it must be ap- parent even to the people of the cen traI powers that it is something about which Germany has nothing to say It is putting forth every possible ef- fort to avoid going backward but the Dressure is irresistible. The kaiser's forces are retreating but they are do- ing so because it is the only alterna- tiysstd defeat and surrender and it s only a question of time if the pres ent pressure is maintained before they wsI be obliged to abandon their fla nous and as they believe impregna- ble Hindenburg line. Probably there has been no greater loss of life in any pf the battles than is resulting in this drive unless it was at Verdun.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
THE DANGER OF 4 FOOD EN-
 RARGO

Neutral nations are doubtless wor- ried as to what action this country may take regarding the placing of an embargo on foodstuffs. Such is only natural in view of the fact that they are to a large extent dependent on tflis country for many supplies and should they be denied the right to get goods in this country it will present a decidedly serious situation for them.
 It must be remembered. however, that the likelihood of this country stopping the eXportation of foodstuffs to the neutral nations depends entire ly upon the neutrals themselves. The United States does not want to take any such action, and it will not take it unless it is forced to do so, and all that will force it into the establish ment of an embargo is the conduct of the neutrals. The verdict rests with them.
 It is thoroughly understood that this country is in a state of war with Ger many It therefore does not propose that any of it's supplies shall reach that nation and the only possibility of such thing taking place is that the neutral nations will permit what they obtain from this country to pass through them to the central powers or that they will send an equivalent Of what they obtain here to Germany and it's allies. Thus it rests with the neutrals to say whether there is going to be a food embargo set up by this country or not. If they have an in sufficient amount of foodstuffs to meet their own requirements this country will sell to them but it will not send its supplies to neutraIs if they are going to use them for trade with Ger many. This country must look cut for itself and for it's allies and that is what food embargo would do if it is ever declared.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
Columbia. May ', 1917.
MT. Whipple,s Reasons.

MT. Editor: In reading the news of Ledyard May I saw my name men toned in connection with the mili- tary census and if you will allow me the privilege I will give the reasons for not answering the questions: First, I am a Christian; second have repented and have been baptized and by so doing I become 8 citizen of the kingdom of God. consequently Jesus is my King and the One should obey. He says resist not evil: He says avenge not yourselves, if your enemy hunger feed him. Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. He also saNs we should not do evil that good might come. He tells us that if we suffer with him we will also reign with Him and to beware lest any man take thy crown. He says there is a crown laid up for all those that love His appearing and expect Him soon.
 In answering the questions refer red to I think the governor of Con nectieut expects me to give myself my home and my two boys, if need be- to defend the state against her enc mics. I cannot violate the commands of Jesus. When a question was put up to Saint Peter his answer was who shall I obey, God or man? and my answer is the same.
 Yours truly
 SAMUEL A. wHIPPLE.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09

camel with it's cost to the consumer and tho productive land which might be raising good spEds but the liquor traffic elephant that costs not only the billions of dollars to swallow but many more billions in doctors and nurses and hospitals and sanatoriums, drunkard farms, womens reformitor- ies, orphan asylums, courts and law yers, police and tails and an endless chain of evils. This and whole me- nagerie of smaller animals together with the sea Of nicllels that it takes to float the moving picture whale Nc wonder that those that want economv Y practiced in the necessaries Of life while they overlook the unnecessary are called blind guides.
 And. Mir. Editor, if you will print the above and as some of your cor respondents seem to think that free speech must annoy you I will add that l agree with Cloud Digger that May has been very dry so far.
 J. l.. F.
 Mansfield Center. May 5, 1917.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09

MT. Editor: We mothers are told it is our patriotic duty to raise sons but when we ask that we be given the power to protect our sons from the temptation of the saloon, we are told that our business is to stay in the home and raise more sons, for the state needs them. At the same time the state allows these boys which we have brought into the world at the peril of our lives to be made unfit for the very service to which the state calls them.
 I wonder how many of the saloons victims will pass the examination for the army or navy?
 A MOTHER. Cnlnnahia Mar 1917
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
LETTERS ID THE EDIT0 7
Where's the Report on the Gas and
 Electric Plant,

Where's the Report on the Gas and Electric Plant,
 Mir Editor: Some weeks ago the citizens of Norwich voted a sum of money for the purpose of having an expert look over the gas and electric plant with a view to uncovering some of it's faults and getting some advice as to a remedy. Such an expert was here. He looked the plant and the city over and run1or has 1t that he has rendered his decision.
 Since then there have been meet ings of the gas and electrical com mission and the court of common council but no report of the experts findings has been made public. The people authorized this investigation furnished the money to pay for it and it is time that they knew what tke result is. This report was not in tended for the eyes of a few but for the entire community. How much longer have we got to wait before we learn what the expert has to say?
 Yours very truly,
 CITIZEN.
 Norwich May S 1917
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
HOME GARDENS
Saisify.

Like parsnips, salsify, or vegeta ble oyster as the root is more commonly called, is improved by freezing, and the roots may be left in the garden all winter. It is an all-season crop which cannot be followed in the bed by any second crop, says today's bulletin from the National Emergency Food Garden Commission of Washington which is cooperating with this paper in urging the planting of home gar den this year.
 Salsify also is like parsnip in that it is not adversely affected by hot weather, or even drought, although it's
Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-09
OTHER VIEW POINTS

There we're ten accidents reported to the Bridgeport Emergency hospital the other night; eight of them were accidents arising from drunkenness. The saloons Of Bridgeport as if in an ticipation of the time when they will not be able to sell at all, are OutdoinS themselves al the present moment in turning out their grist of recling drunllards. The streets are full of