davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

or course, Peter couldn't read any
thing but short words like eat" and
rat # they were printed plaln-~but
Mummy could read and she'd soon
read the sign to Peter, they knew.
wcll. next day 1t was bright and
early when Sammy and TITLE came
downstairs. They were to meet the
other children who were going nut
ting. at the cross roads at O'Clock,
but thAy wanted TO be sure to he on
time so they got up at g and Mummy
gave them their breakfast at $50,
because she knew how girls and boys
feel on Saturday morning when they
are all going nuttlng.
"Paddy-kins says that you must be
at the little trolley station near John
sons Store at 3S0." said Mummy, as
the children sat down to breakfast.
Hes going to take a load of corn
up to the mill and he'll stop and carry
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03
JACKS FIGHT WITH A HOLE

TO the sturdy little chap. however, and
he took his wheel in for the night.
He told no one about it-but he
dreamed an awful dream about blcycl-
ing into a series of deep, black holes
where there were no friendly laughing
workmen TO put him on his feet.
In the morning he couldn't help
wish that hole wasn't there when
Uncle VIII suggested spin around
the block. He was SO thankful when
Uncle VIII headed away from the
hole, They wheeled merrily around
the block, and Jack felt so elated to
think that he actually could stick on
his wheel and guide her straight and
pedal at the same time that he forgot
all about the hole.
Suddenly, darkly, menacingly ii
ioomed up in front of him. He could
not withdraw his eyes from the ugly
thing He was headed straight for it
he heard his Uncle Will call a warn
ing-but too late! H. pitched head
long into it,
Fortunately for Jack the hole was
were young, so he was not hurt, only
/ scratched up q Bit. He scrambled to
j his feet shamefacedly and climbed out
of the hole. Uncle VIII had rescued
THE wheel and was regarding Jack
/ shrewdly.
Hurt yourself. old MANI" he asked
sympathetieally.
! Jack shook his head quickly. '.Not
bit, sir!"
want to go on?" inquired the man
genially,
YES, sir" came the prompt answer.
Uncle VIII held Jacks wheel steady
while Jack climbed aboard. He started
him away from the hole before he
followed on his own wheel. They
rode through a little park together.
and Jacks shaken confidence in him
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

well make machine for little sister.
While frames and other devices of
this sort can be purchased for making
stockings. caps. shawls. scarfs, muf-
fers. bags, leggings and wrisqets. stil
there IS no reason why a boy owning
q few tools should not make his own
machines.
Although the frame shown in this
sketch, and a different kind to follow
in another articIe. are not new in
hand-work classes; still boys who do
not have manual training, and those
who have not been shown this model.
will find the making and using of these
little devices very interesting.
1t VIII be noticed by looking at the
sketch Of the parts assembled that
only four pieces are needed for max
ing the machine The legs can be
laid out on one piece of stock three
quarters OF an inch thick. two and
fve-eighths inches wide and eight
| inches long, and then cut TO shape.
/ This will insure having them the same
height. which is necessary to make
the machine lay fat on the table.
The two top pieces are three
eighths Of an ineh~thick. seven eighths
Of an inch wide. and ten and one
quarter inches long. Before fasten-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03
self was soon restored.

self was soon restored.
That afternoon. as usual. Uncle VIII
had to go to the office, Jack wanted
10 sally forth on his wheel once~mo ore
and conquer that hated hole. lie de-
termined TO mount his wheel and rice
toward it this time and see If that
wouldn't change his luck. But as soon
as he was seated he felt that deaden-
ing fear take possession OF him again.
As one in dream he found himself
riding toward 1t.
Was he going right into It again ?
He was--an6 there was no one 10
help him this time. In g snail panic
he tried desperately to guide his wheel
away from that awful, engulfing hole.
but 1t was quite useless. Both 5ack
and his wheel crashed into i'll Jack
extrieated himself painfully ana ex-
arnined the wheel anxiousiy- The
vince! was the least hurt OF the two.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

had to hold the wheel at all: and late
that afternoon he rode the length Of
the block quite by himself. To be
sure it was a wobhly ride. and once
he just missed running into an ex-
press van. but he stuck on and man
aged the block without help.
Coming back he noticed hole some
workmen were making at one side OF
the paved street. That hole fascinated
him and he could not keep his eyes
eff 1t. suppose thought Jack in
sudden horror, suppose / should go
into iti"-and he didt That is. he
went as nearly into it as the workmen
would let him. AS he lost control Of
his bicycle they jumped to the rescue.
The experience was quite unnervirg
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

You children home" She meant drive
the children home in his motor-truck.
but she was Southern SO she said.
carry you children home"
Good byes were said and hugs and
kisses given, and Pete's curly head
popped out Of the window upstairs
and he waved his little hand
There's d surprise for you, Petey!r
called Title.
A squirrel ran along the walk right
in front Of Sammy, and scampered up
into an elm tree which stood in a
grove between the house and the
barn.
Down came Peter 10 the dining
room.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

keep or until he does teach you, went
YOU" she smiled.
Jack regarded this new Aunt
thoughtfully. At first he had felt
very shy with her, for this was his
very first Aunt and she had only come
into the family last June. He be-
lieved ne was going to like her.
There's q wheel out in the shed
for YOU this minute waiting for you to
ride on it," Aunt Nell assured him.
He wished very much to leave the
breakfast table ana 80 look at the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03
Yourself, Old MANI" He Asked synpatheticaIly.

wheel, but his mother had told him
wait until every one was through eat
ms before he left the table. 1t would
not be polite to do otherwise. So he
waited patiently for Uncle win to fin
.sh his last cup of coffee.
Uncle WIN devoted the morning to
teaching Jack how to ride. It was
ticklish business. trying to keep on
the seat. hands on handle bars, bal
anee the wheel, and pedal ali at the
Same time, so Jack thought. It seemed
so very easy for Uncle VIII that Jack
couldn't understand why It was so
hard for him. But he was not dis
couraged, and when Uncle VIII said
he must go to the office for the after
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

Jack linlped to the house and was
confronted by terrified Aunt.
It's that hoie,' confessed Jack
bravely. u go into it every time!"
why, dear boy, just don't look at
p AID you won't Aunt Nell told hin.
simply He doubted II that you'd
woIA, but the next morning he tried
and II did!
he rode ever 50 many times after
that aud never sonee tell into it simply
because he never looked toward il
Jack decided that Aunt Nell was quito
wonderful.
When Uncle VIII heard about it he
said
That's a good plan to follow al
ways, Jack. Whenever you see any
thing ugly that sou might set into
just don't look al 1t. don't pay any
attention 10 it az all and then II. Won't
hurt YOU
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

The pins in the red-tomato pin
cushion. Peanuts began 10 grow in
The most unexpected places. on The
magnolia bush. which was quite bare
and shivery with the dew on IL turn
Ing frosty white-whIch made Sammy
remark that tt was a good thing Pad
dy-lin had had tho fire started in
the ittle stove In the potato house
on The old pear tree, and the little
shrub and the rose vine and the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

noon, and Aunt Nell offered to take
her nephew to a moving picture show,
he decided he'd rather stay with the
bicycle.
He tried all afternoon to ride and
got many 8 bump and tumble, but
was up Immediately trying again. Aunt
| Nell smiled as she watched him. and
wrote his mother later that he'd con-
quer anything he made UP his mind
| to conquer.
BY the next morning he had made
such strides that Uncle VIII scarcely
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

My number definite and known.
Is ten times ten told ten times Ger;
1ne-half of me is one alone
The other exceeds all count and
score.
Answer: Thou sand.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03
4 FEW RIDDLES.

As I went through field OF wheat
picked UP something good to eat.
It was neither fish. nor flesh. nor bone
Yet / kept it Till it walked alone
Answer; An Egg.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

hydrangea bush and under the point
ed mr. tree ard tho big yellow maple.
In fact, all over The garden, wherever
"a person like Peter could search.
Then Sammy took q piece of paper
and q stu5by pencil and Title sat
beside him 70 help and they made up
a fine little notice for Peter. It said:
"Notice,!' There are nuts in the yard.
Look under every bush and tree,
Then you shall see what you shall
see!"
Mysterious. wasn't it2
They hung the sign up in The dining
room whore all might SEQ and read
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

Mt THIS TIME when every good
NsaM mother has yarn about the
3 house and IS busy knitting for
" u soldiers, the handy boy might
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
Gauging the State Waters.

Citizens Of Kearney are moving in support Of
project that deserves the fullest consideration,
in asking that complete survey Of the streams
of the state and accurate measurement Of the
annual runoff Of water be made, Gausing the
waters Of the Nebraska rivers is Of prime i'm
portance for several reasons, First Of ALL il
will determine what water is available for irri-
cation in the semi-arid regions Of western Ne
hraska and afford basis for the equitable divi-
sion among the several great irrigation projects
A careful survey and measurement of all streams
would also give better notion Of what the pos
sible power resources OF the state are. We have
heard much on this topic in the last few years
promise-makng candidates never failing to hang
a part Of their claims to office on the peg OF
conservation OF the states water power, These
pledges have always been made in general terms
and nothing really specific Is known as to the ex-
tent or possibilities OF the water power available.
This cannot be determined until the gauging has
been done and the sooner the work is carried
through the sooner will the people have definite
information as to what they really possess in
this regard.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
People and Events

California's law penalzing lazy husbands for
the dead law class, 1t is difficult to enforce be-
cause juries are backward in convicting idlers of
felony.
Back in Wisconsin where the uplift blooms
in all kinds OF weather. lawmakers have decided
to investigate political advertising. Not because
politicians object to advertising. The chief griev-
ance is paying cash for it.
A bargain counter rush for dried ducks at 500
each In New Yorks Chinatown attracted the at
tention of the police. They "butted in" and found
enough opium inside each duck to send all China
town into the land Of pipe dreams
The greatest grandmother Philadelphia boosted
OF passed away In the death Of Mrs. Ruth Carter,
aged 9S. She was the mother Of twenty-three
children, ten OF whom survive Besides, her fam
lily census showed l2s grandchildren and sixty
seven great grandchildren.
The entertainment committee which is to pro-
vide the creature comforts for Billy Sunday while
saving New York City Is stumped for suitable
home for the revivalist and his band. An avail
able Harlem fat will not do, the needs of the
campaigners calling for fifteen rooms and four
baths. Salvation comes high down Manhattan
way.
The honor Of being the youngest police
woman" in the country falls to Cora Mayburns,
IA years old, Cincinnati school miss. Cora is
employed by the school board as guardian for
twelve kindergarteners, and her task is to guide
them across dangerous crossings in the vicinity
Of the school, for which she draws a salary Of 50
cents week.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
Warning TO Coal Barons

The federal trade commission has nipped in
he bud the scheme of the anthracite coal produce
ng companies to gouge the consumer again,
They have been served with direct warning that
allure to make the usual spring reduction in
prices cannot be justified. Plans had been
laid by this indirect method to increase prices for
the second time In twelve months. The ostensiblc
excuse was increased cost Of production. The
federal trade commission efectually riddles that
pretext by stating that, according to the records
Of the companies. there has been no increase
in cost to the operators In the last four months
of 1916, but In the case Of certain companies &C.
tually decrease in the cost OF production.
The big operators, with virtual monopoly Of
the Pennsylvania supply Of anthracite have never
been embarrassed by scruplcs about holding up the
public whenever the opportunity offered. For
the last fifteen years they have been raising their
prices jump. by jump, first on one pretense then
another. II the miners wages were increased,
the operators repaid themselves twice over for the
additional cost Of mining coal They began this
policy of extortion after the great anthracite
strike in 1902 and have faithfully practced II ever
since. The last advance in prices dates only from
last spring.
So far the public has been helpless in the face
Of the anthracite mining companies. They have
fixed their own prices, and consumers have had no
choice but to pay what they saw ct to demand.
In the present circumstances, for the first time
their plans promise to miscarry.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
Did the Rail Managers Have "a Hunchi'

The remarkably quick turn in the strike situa-
ton from Saturday until Monday changing the
attitude OF the railroad managers from that OF
stubborn insistence on arbitration to complete
concession of the eighthour wage basis, sug-
gests that they had "a bunch" OF what was COM
ing from the supreme court
This does not in any way detract from the
professions Of patriotic devotion to the country
coming from the railroad managers, or throw
doubt on the sincerity of their assurances that
railroads are wholly at the disposal Of the gov
eminent for defensive purposes whenever needed,
but IT may help explain their sudden switch with
reference to the trainmen's demands as mere
acceptance Of the inevitable while trying to put
a good face on it and claiming special credit for
yielding.
II this is the correct surmise it would be in
teresting to know just when and how the railway
managers were put wise to the fact that the
overdue supreme court decision would affirm the
validity Of the Adamson law. The postponement
Of the strike order for fortyeisht hours to stretch
over Monday, when the supreme court was to sit
again, would at least indicate definite knowledge
that the decision was then to be handed down,
even il there were no certainty as to how it should
hold. II is quite possible, and reasonably prob
able, that this information was conveyed by a
gentle hint through the members Of the Council
Of National Defense. sent by the president to ne.
sotiate settlement between the men and the
managers, two Of whom belong to the presidents
cabinet family, for il any outsider were in on the
inner councils Of the supreme court would il
not be likely to be the president!
With the strike of, and the law sustained
the results may be expected to justify them
selves, but the peculiar methods Of reaching them
are calculated to incite curiosity.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21

books substantially as enacted IN 1881.
1t may be worth while to consider
the fundamental reasons which led 10
the enactment of this law in 1897.
They were as follows:
1. The fact that the land is the SAT-
est possible investment of the perma-
nent school fund the state can have.
2. The fact that the land increases
as population and number OF school
children increase and will therefore
constantly grow more valuable as the
need for additional school revenue be-
comes apparent.
8. The fact that interest on money
declines with increase In population
and progress in civilization. Therefore,
il the land is sold and the money
loaned, the amount of revenue re-
ceiyed for the benefit Of the schools
will diminish with the growth of pop
ulation and with the rise in the value
Of land. Stated in slightly different
manner, the longer we hold the land,
the greater will be the permanent
school fund, and the quicker We sell
the land, the less will be the perma-
nent school fund, both as to principal
and as to income.
4. The fact that the permanent
school fund when converted into mon
ey is always subject to loss from bad
investments or dishonest officials and
that in twelve states of the union the
permanent school funds, amounting
to over $27,000,000, have been thus
lost forever.
S. The further fact that in Nebras-
ka over $261,000 of the permanent
school fund, derived from the sale Of
lands, were lost more than twenty
years ago and that to this day the
money has never been restored, and
the schools are losing every year ap-
proximately $4,000 income from this
money stolen, and this In defiance of
our constitution requiring all losses to
the school fund to be made good and
an agreement with the federal gov
ernment to the same effect.
All these arguments for change
in school land policy were presented
by me in the legislature Of 1897. They
were true twenty years ago and are
Just as true today. The fact that
school land is appraised for less than
its value is a good reason for reap
praisement of the land and bill to
that effect is being debated in the
house this very day 1t is no reason
why the land should be sold.
The question asked you by the coun-
ty assessor of Boyd county, whether
the state has a right to be landlord,
Is quite fully answered by the condi-
lions in Chicago today where some
of the most valuable land in the heart
of Chicago, with buildings worth mil
lions of dollars upon 1t, belongs to the
school fund of Illinois and brings each
year large rental for the support of
the schools. A. e. SHELDON.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
Still Debating Kaiser and John Bull.

Still Debating Kaiser and John Bull.
Omaha, March 19,-To the Editor
of The Bee: Mr.. Cochran says that
1t Is a clear case of mistaken iden-
tity when / said that he used to con-
tribute to The Bees letter box about
two years ago in the interest of the
kaiser. | added IL memory served me
right. 1t seems that my memory was
at fault. No harm done. / am really
glad of it. There is too much of that
writing done for the good of this
country and / think If / may Judge
by his writing that Mr. Cochran is fair
enough and nothing more needs to be
said or written on that subject,
Mr.. Cochran is rather clever in his
writings. / like the way he came back
and says perhaps some day some one
will accuse Mr.. Lewis of writing in the
interest of John Bull and his war
bunch Then I can sympathize with
him. Let me assure him that no SYM
pathy will be needed, as it is only the
truth that hurts. Mr.. Cochran heads
his letter with the question, What
Should This Nation Dor" suppose
with the object of getting an answer
to it, which Is all Q. K, as ] take 1T
to be the object of The Bees letter
DOA W Stl tl6 ulilClGhI 0plhlOh9 vi
questions of Importance.
Now take the stand that the ques-
ton asked Is one that concerns Amer
lea and Americans only; so to arrive
at decision we must think as Ameri-
cans only. First forget the kaiser
and John Bull. We owe nothing to
either one of them. When our fore
fathers went to war for independence,
for freedom from monarchial govern
ment, the Germans as soldiers crossed
the ocean and fought side by side with
the British.
George Washington didn't stop to
debate whether 1t would be in the In
terest of this or that foreign nation
to fight for our rights and for Justice.
George Washington didn't stand idle
and ask what should We do or would
war hurt or was war an awful thing.
He asserted the right of himself and
fellow men and backed it up with
fighting for it. II he had not done 80,
would we have a country today? We
all know that we wouldn't. We all
profess to revere the memory Of
George Warrington; we call him the
Father of our Country; the world ap-
plauds and pays tribute to George
Washington as the greatest American.
Are we worthy Of our fathers Of our
country? If we are, I say fight for
them II need be without the aid or con-
sent of any foreign nation. That's what
this nation should do.
p. @. LEWIS.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
United States and the War Trade.

President Wilson has just dispatched note
to President Carranza of Mexico which really
is intended for the whole outside world, 1t is in
response to the proposal made by Carranza some
weeks ago that all neutral nations withhold COM
mercial relations from the belligerents. Obvi-
ousy Mexico's share in such movement would
be slight for beyond the sale Of fuel oil and saso-
line at Tampico very little has gone from Mexico
to the war zone. As the greatest single cause Of
the present strife in Mexico found its origin in
the rivalry for control Of these oil fields, with
the British corporation securing tho favor OF
Porfirio Diaz il must follow that any action on
part Of the Mexican government to withdraw
from commercial relations with the begerents
would put it into decidedly unneutral atti-
tude 50 far as Great Britain is concerned. How
ever, this point is not debated by President Will
son, other than infcrentiaily, as he points out
that the United States had tried to maintain its
friendly attitude toward ALL even at time when
the central powers were abusing our hospitality
by carrying on an intrigue, the object Of which
Japan. Such conduct, of which the Mexican
president could not be entirely ignorant, rem
ders his request under the circumstances one
Of doubtful propriety, This is aside from the
Obligation as well as rights OF this and other
neutral countries under established principles of
international law, and by which the United States
government feels bound. Carranza yet has some
thing TO learn Of international comfy as well as
responsibility Of governments
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21
Nicholas Not to Command.

Late reports from Russia are to the eject that
Grand Duke Nicholas is not to be given full
command of the Russian army. The provisional
government already Is facing one Of the most Sc
rious phases of its problem. Difficulties in the
way Of separating the Romanofs entirely from
the activities of administration are such as are
not easily overcome, and for the time at least
the Duma directors must move with great caution
in the development Of their plans. The enthu-
siasm Of the revolution is giving way before the
steps Of actual government and frmness as we'll
as prudence is very necessary just now. The
men who directed the coup may easily be credited
with proper conception Of the magnitude of the
work undertaken, and if their wisdom is equal
to their daring they may carry it out to full
success. 1t is regrettable that they cannot for
the moment avail the country Of the services Of
Ito greatest soldier, as well as its most competent
men In every way, but the preservation OF the
liberty they have seized will require the sacri-
fee Of some. Prudence as well as patriotism must
have Ito part In the experiment they are trying,
and this seems for the time at least to preclude
the Romanotfs in all branches Of service.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-21

Solemn assurances of the pulsing loyalty of
New Workers have been as regular as daily war
bulletins. Still some doubters persisted in being
shown. The task is under way by means Of sign
pledges of support of the governments policy,
Over half million pledges are in, but there is
great scramble for advanced places at the recruit
ing Offices