davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

4 e.. containing Mr. ana Mrs. Henry
."@.s. Miss Matte Josey Mr.. Shields
-.u.Her Mss Laura Clark and Mr..
.a... smith was driven to Tarboro
..- right and returned after the show.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

1Le, \. \ Rtldic.z and Miss Louise
Ja~sy drove over to Tarboro last even
Jig to take in the show, and returned
last night.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20

Ncssrs. J. ". Allsbrook, Willie Ais
brock. Charlie steptoe, Epp Brown and
II. {. Bel. went to Tarboro by ear last
.,sg7+
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
HOME GARDENING.

With the cost of living increasing almost every day in one direction or another, and the difficulty of secur- ing supplies from outside developing, 1t is not surprising that Great Britain is giving much more attention to the cultivation of all available land, even to parks, as means of protection.
 And what applies to England may well be of no little concern in this country, for even though this country is not at war as yet. 1t is being drawn upon for supplies to such an extent that food prices are constantly soaring higher and higher. Increased cultivation was of immense value last year in Great Britain and in this country. It did not produce a bumper crop because the season was not of the best but 1t served to counteract the unfavorable conditions.
 There is need of adequate prepar- edness in the way of providing food stuffs in this country as we'll as abroad. and the appeal in that direc- ton should meet with a widespread response during the present year. There are many sections where the preparations for cultivating increased areas have already been made. There are others where it will be recognized before it is too late. but there is a cnance TOT the 1nolV1Oudl 10 Oo much in the way of looking out for himself if he will but make the most of the vacant lots and unused backyard gar dens which abound in every neigh borhood. It can be expected during the coming season that produce of all kinds will be high and it cannot help being realized that those who have the opportunity of raising their vegetables, or a part of them for the summer, and a certain amount of those for the fall and winter, are not availing themselves of advantages which are within their grasp unless they make the most of their home gardens.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
HER NUMBER TOURS

couldn't understand 1t. Could it be that dub of a lawyer with the tan racing car
 s.Bay rum 7' repeated the barber in- sistently. It was the third time he had inquired And you need a haircut and a shampoo, MT. Taylor"
 Go to blazesl" MT. Taylor growled, tumbling out of the chair. At the a dentists chair as the barber's. He flung out of the shop, and the out ragged tonsorial artist approached his next customer in an aggrieved frame of mind not at all suitable for dealing with a cranky bank president. Still musing on the unaccountable disSsay of temper from his favorite customer, Lemuel Taylor. he cut the presidential series of disquieting events that had befallen the banker that day. He told the barber exactly what a butcher he was, and, still boiling with rage at his i'll use. he stalked out to the street with one hand still dabbing at the cut
 The shivering, hungry looking man who slunk up to him knew nothing about the cut. His mind was back in wife and his dirty. hungry little chil- dren.
 Please" he began. but the bank president shook his head. He had en- even his income could not stand the strain and this seemed a good time to quit. The man probably wanted it for saloon money. anyhow. Not a thing for you!" he snapped and passed on.
 The shabby man stood watching him a moment Then something happened to his face and jaws. They set in queer way. He turned and walked rapidly in a direction he had not ex- pected to go. That night the shabby man, with the help of another, jim mied the back window of the apart ment where it chanced that Miss Trixie Sopestone lived and when. she evoke the next morning her diamond engagement ring and a wad of mon ey she was saving toward her trous- seau had vanished, among the other things that were taken
 .Is was h-h-horrid to you yester- day morning, Lemmie," Miss Sope- stone confided tearfully after detailing her dreadful loss to his sympathetic ear. He had forgotten his grievances at her frantic phone mesUage. Seems as though 1t was just a sort Of fate punishment-losing my lovely ring this way:"
 '-Oh, shucksi" comforted Mr. Tay- Tor, it wasn't your fault at all, girlsi Say, but those are peachy shoes with the pearl gray tops that you wear!"
 They are sort of pretty" said Miss Sopestone, but they're miles too big for me!"-Chicago News.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
THE PENNSYLVANIA COAL TAX.

More than the coal producing com panies of the state Of Pennsylvania are interested in the bill before the legislature of that state which plans to place a tax of two and a half per cent. upon all the coal mined in that commonwealth. Legislation similar to this has been tried before except that the tax was imposed only upon the anthracite coal and upon resort to the courts it was held to be uncon- stitutional, but studied effort has been made this time to exclude such provisions as were taken exception to before.
 But try as they will those who have drafted the bill imposing this tax up- on the coal mining companies do not prevent those concerns from passing the tax along to the consumers. in side and outside of the state. or even from collecting much larger tax from the buyer than they are required to pay to the state. if we are to judge by the action which was taken fol- lowing the levying of the former tax. It is therefore the plan of Pennsylva- mia to impose special tax upon those throughout the country who by force of circumstances are obliged to use the natural resources which that state by good fortune possesses. That be- ing the case what Is to prevent those states which are blessed by iron mines, copper mines, lead and silver mines or even quarry and oil compan- ies from resorting to the same meth cd? Certainly if one is going to place such burdens on outsiders oth- CTS can be expected to follow the lead and such a practice furnishes an ad- mirable opportunity for every one who handles the product from the producer down through the midd1emen to the retailer to get his rake out Of the fellow who Is forced to pay.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

The exceedingly neat, exceptionally natty pearl gray topped shoes adorn- ing the feet of Miss Trixie Sopestone were too small
 Not that she, or any other woman, ever would be caught dead admitting
 the fact. Shoes may be cut wrong, or
 the last may be oddly defective. but
 the shoes themselves are always ex- actly all right and the size she always has worn. Miss Sopestone's shoes had with increasing violence hurt her from home. There were lines on her fair white forehead and ragged edges on her disposition when she met Lemuel Taylor rounding corner.
 MT. Taylor beamed with delight. Not only was he engaged to Trixie and entitled to&beam, but he had not expected to meet her when he had dashed into this particular neighbor. he cried. Where are you going? Come on and walk couple of blocks with me!''
 At the moment a particularly sharp twtnge went through Miss Soapstone's left foot It was all she could do to restrain an exclamation of anguish which would have led to questions and masculine comments on women's fool ish vanity; and pain had made her too nervous to desire argument.
 MT. Taylor was knocked sideways. therefore, by the glance he was given. Not only was it cool. but is was ex- aSperated and indignant, the kind or a look that said: For heavens sake, what are you doing up here at this timer" He was appalled, by the fact that she seemed far from glad to see him, and the horrible suspicion that possibly she was going to meet some one else overwhelmed him, which sus- piciop was confirmed by her hasty ex- planation that she couldn't possibly.
 e'No, I'm going the other way!" she almost snapped. I'll walk some other time, Lem. Er-come on over this evening, won't you?" And she vanished round the corner.
 MT. Taylor walked on, plunged in startled gloom. This awful thing. then, had ccTne to him. And he had trusted Trixie sol He would have sworn she loved him devotedly! . Completing his business, MT. Taylor departed for downtown and at noon dropped into his barberS. Not that he cared any more whether his face was a robbers cave of bristles or not! What was there to live for if women played you false and all your pros poets were upset? Only the night be- fore he and Trixie had covered ten sheets of paper with estimates on their household furniture and had even de- cided wheA the photograph was to stand and that the kitchen should have aluminium throughout. He simply
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
STORIES OF THE WAR
The Army Mule.


 Two years and a half of the grim- nest war in history have wrought the triumph of at least one American inst1tution-the army mule. He has been weighed anew in the scales of of Trace and Flanders, and not found wanting. In warm winter coat and with long. inquisitive ears Hopping back and forth in the breeze, he marches up among the roaring guns with a steady nonchalance that leands confidence and faith to the fighting men who depend so much upon him.
 From Missouri. Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and other stock farms in the south. he has journeyed to the war and come into his own The much maligned, supposedly stubborn, balky and generally pestiferous mule has won a place in the heart of the British army from which he can never be dislodged- He was ce1ite an asset in the South African campaigns, but now is real aristocrat of the trans port service.
 "A most magnificent creature" re- piled a British brtdadier when asked for an opinion of the lowly American mule. And he has a much better character than generally is given to him. He is something like camel in that respect Most people cry down and berats the poor old camel, but once you get to know him he is much to be admired. It Is just the same with the mule. He has some ways with him which the British Tommy didn't quite appreciate at first. but now that
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

they are better acquainted and have formed a sort of entente cordiale, the two have utmost respect for each oth- CT and carry on' at the front with complete understanding and effective ness"
 The mule had his supreme test on this front in the battles of the Somme There were days and nights of un- ceasing labor, short rations and little or no attention. The strain was con- stant and terrific. In exact ratio to the number employed, six horses suc- combed where a single mule gave way.
 The horse, of course, is an animal of finer fibre and is far more sensi- tive. If he stumbles into a shell hole filled with water he will strive and struggle to get out until he actually dies of a broken heart. No so the mule. He has no imagination and not much of an outlook on life. He calmly and philosophically lies in the shell hole until some one comes along and digs him out
 The mule, some suppositions to the contrary notwithstanding, Is vulnera- : ble at times to shot and shell. Many of them have been killed &1 action along with the horses, and others have died of wouds. But modsrn veterinary skill is working wonders for the anil mals of war and one must be badly hurt indeed to be abandoned. The thick skin of the mule saves him from many of the troubles that beset the horse. It wards off mud blisters and the af- fections that come from the wet and damp and long exposure.
 As to working values, the horse be- ing far more anxious to please will ordinarily accomplish as much as one and one-third mules. Some horses do the work of a mule and a half. But they cannot "stick it. so long.
 Visiting 8 veterinary hospital, where therc were hundreds of horses under medical repair, it was striking to mo- tice but a solitary mule among them. Someone suggested this was strange, because the army had found the mule such a fine animal he had been im- ported by the tens of thousands.
 That's precisely it. sai dthe doctor in charge: tits because he is such q fine animal that you see so little of him here"
 Because he Is generally civil and sometimes goes to sleep just abaft a bowling nine-inch gun, it must not be supposed the American mule has lost all his old craft and mulish cunning. At one of the hospitals there is sul- phur dip" or barn, like the cattle dips on western ranches. Most of heads and swim through, getting the mule Is rather too suspicious to take such chances. He is drawn in with great reluctance and holds his head high above the yellow liok1id. One old fellow went through six times one day but not once did he get his head wet until the sponges were resorted to.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
DAMAGING THE cEcrLlE.

In connection with the investiga- tion surrounding the damage to the Kronprizessin Cecilie which has been in two New England ports since soon after the opening of the European war, 1t has been brought out that Captain Polack ordered the destruc- tion of the ships machinery in ac- cordance with instructions received from the German embassy, which was in fulf1linent of a plan which had been decided upon soon after the Sus- sex affair.
 It is claimed that this destruction was for the purpose of preventing this country from using the German vessels tied up in United States har- bors in case war should be declared between Germany and this country, and that inasmuch as the vessels were German property they had the right to do as they pleased with them.
 Such an argument of course holds good as far as those vessels are con- cerned, which were not interned in accordance with the rules of war, and those which have sought a haven here while the war lasted. but it is an en- tirely different case when suits are pending against any of the vessels and they are in the custody of the United States courts as is the Cecilie. While such 8 vessel is of course Ger man property. the fact that suit is pending against 1t by bank in this country for heavy damages, destroyed the right which the owners had to wreck it. Such a situation must have been fully understood by the German embassy, and the action of the federal court in requiring a bond of $200 ,O09 to replace the damaged parts Is but a slight penalty for the act that was committed.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
TWO LESSONS.

The announcement from Berlin to the effect that the American mem bers of the Yarrowdale crew have been released, is accompanied by the statement that they have been held prisoners because of the false stories which had reached Berlin regarding the treatment which had been accord ed to Germans in the United States
 Throughout the war Germany has been claiming that 1t had suffered from the false reports which had been sent out by it's enemies. but regard less of the fact that Germany had suf- fered from such a cause 1t did not hesitate to put full reliance in the news which it received through the same channels when it had a chance to first find out whether the stories coming to it were based on facts. In other words Germany criticized because credit was given stories which were told about it, but regardless of that 1t trusted the same source when reports were handed to it about conditions in this country, instead of first finding out whether there was any truth in them. It was another case of anything that Is done for Germany Is right.
 This has happened in two instances. The first was when former Ambassa- dor Gerard was subjected to disre- spectful treatment following the sev- ering Of diplomatic relations, treat ment which in fact was an insult to this country. and secondly when the Yarrowdale crew were made prisoners for a second time after this country had been notified Of their release. These acts were committed without Justification and Germany has had a couple of lessons in leaping without looking which ought to make it insist upon getting the facts before mis- Judging the United States.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

bile traffic here, that the hotels would do more business and indirectly all the communities in the state would benefit if the innkeepers were allowed to sell liquid refreshments to guests with their meals.
 A good argument for this proposed measure is that there would be less violation of the law if this Sunday selling was IeeaIzed. Many other states permit this to '.otel keepers, and they find that the law works advant- ageously. It would probably be good thing for Conencticut.
 That bill to oblige members of the state police to wear a distinctive u1i- form is a product of geuius. It's originator. however, stopped short of perfection. He should have added details requiring state policemen to carry automobile horns to be sounded within ten rods of a suspect, and com polling the superintendent to notify in writing the proprietors of all places under suspicion, ten days before mak- ing raid. It is great pity that such a measure was not made complete and symmetrical before introduction Bristol Press.
 If Meriden acquires the right com munity spirit all worth while things will be added unto her. It the spirit of community. like the spirit of an individual, that attracts or repels. To ths the Meriden Chamber of Com merce is committed. How can this be done2 To answer that question let us first ask: What is spirit2 Spirit is that animating and insprng force winch pervades and tempers the con- duct and thought of men and com munities and characterizes them and their work" How can this spirit be measured? The yard-stick of the community spirit is service. This yard-stick never fails to line up the small sprted citizens and small spirit ed communities in contrast with the big spirited cItzens and bg spirited ommunities-Meriden Record.
 Bristol just now is worrying about muzzIing dogs, no doubt getting the fever from the Meriden cat muzzling measure in the legislature, but ac- cording to the Hartford Courants correspondent this morning dog own CTS are also to be harshly treated, for the article anent the new law says, Dog owners on both sides must have muzZles the same as persons north of the line" This refers to North street and evidently the ruling effects all dogs and their owners. Folks who own dogs can skirt the boundary in safety but as soon as they get into the restricted zone the muzzles must go on or a legal submarine will at- tack them. If you seriously consider the matter Bristol is right about 1t, owners and other so-called human beings who ought to wear muzzles. They are much more a menace to the peace of the community than all the unmuzZled dogs on earth. The only objection we should have to the Bris- tol law is in confining the ordinance to dog owners.-Meriden Journal.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

ations. cheaper cost of transportation and more satisfactory results in gen. eral. Such changes of course are bound to mean large expenditures or money but economy and efficient stand out prominently as the impeH- ing features to be secured in the long run.
 New England has limited amount of electrified railroads. The lines of the middle west and the northwest have been giving the matter serious consideration and the latest which has definitely announced it's intentions of changing from steam to electricity is the Lehigh Valley road which plans to electrify the main line from Jersey City to Wi1kesbarre. a distance of 176 miles. as well as one of its divisions in Pennsylvania over 50 miles in length. Such would be an excellent beginning. the road considering that the lowered expense of the long freight hauls. and the attraction which the improved service would be to passengers would compensate for the cost of making the change.
 In connection with such electriica- tion there are many roads which can take advantage of the vast amount of waterpower which exists along their lines. This means a cheaper cost of operation, even though the roads in some. instances run through the coal fields. and that is matter which cannot be overlooked in present day railroading. and the next decade ought to see much greater progress made in the way of running railroads by electricity.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
OTHER VIEW POINTS

The offer of a valuable site in the town of Bolton for a state prison, by a publis spirited citizen of that town, has excited in the breasts of Wethers- field people the hope that their town Is to be relieved of the prison which has prison town, like a lunatic asylum town, is always a butt for joxers It isn't hard for the right kind of conn munity, however, to live above its Some of the best towns and cities in the country with this handicap are beautiful and delightful beyond most of those which presume to laugh. A state prison need not be located among the stores and churches and homes of able part of the town it may be noth- ing else than a proper object of human interest which draws to the town q great deal of business of a not un- doubt be glad to get this institution. while Waterbury may be sorry to lose it in the end.-Waterburyl American.
 The legislature at this session. with liberal treatment of the Sunday ques- tion, is considering a measure which would give more leeway to the hotels of this state. It is urged. with consid- erable reason. that the licensed inns of to serve liquor to bona fide guests of the hotels on Sunday. The hotel men and others have made a strong appeal for this change in the laws. They as- sert, with a good deal Of truth. that there Is a large amount of automobile business driven away from the state on Sunday because of the law as It stands now
 The hotel men declare that there would be considerable more automo-
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

From the effective manner in which the German submarines are holding up American shipping from a dis tance, what can we expect when they set out to cross the ocean like the U-53?
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

Now that the Germans have re- stored control of the relief work in Belgium to the Americans. they should follow 1t up by insuring a safe passage to the ships which will carry the relief.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
EEEcTRfFYiNo RAILROADS.

Each year additional attention is being given by the railroads of the country to the adyisability of cleo trifying certain sections of their lines, for the purpose of more efficient oper-.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

If, as claimed. Great Britain has 400 of the. German submarines already tied up in its harbors, it will be plen- tifully supplied with underwater boats by the time the war ends.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

It begins to look as if the print pa per manufacturers didn't relish the idea of an investigation into the man ner in which they have been pushing up the price of paper.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

From the way in which all Europe has gone in for the daylight saving plan there is a chance that the nov ing of the clocks ahead will advance the day of peace.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

There appears to be as much of mystery. about the location of the Deutschland as there does about the chap who hit Billy Patterson. but it is not likely to be kept a secret as long.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20

The man on the corner says: It is a little too much to ask peoHe to love the devil for the enemies he has made.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The weak spots in the backbone of winter serve to remind us of what can be expected in the not distant future.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-20
of Current Events.

Misrepresentations of Current Events.
 MT. Editor: have no desire or time for controversy, but I firmly believe that it is an immortality for ministers of the gospel to remain silent in the face of positive misrepresentations of current events. When in the face of absolute knowledge-of indisputable ment is made that the German people and the German government are not in accord; and that the German em- peror is another Caesar, it is certainly time for those who value the truth to tuee the statement that Emperor Will liam is as much of Christian as King George, or the tzar of Russia
 Emperor William and his dynasty are blamed because the German peo- pie are unitedly fighting in defense of their homes; it is said that Prussia