davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
PEACE OFFER COMING.

n ERMANY. it is announced, will make another
VI Christmas peace offer. There will, however. be
little interest in this outside of the Central powers
unless the gesture itself contains matter which will create
that interest.
Coming when the German military Chiefs released from
the necessity of maintaining force on the East 'front.' feel
that the situation is more favorable than it has been at any
time since the battle of the Mane it is not likely to be
couchcd in language calculated impression that
Germany is disposed to be reasonable regarding peace
terms.
Nevertheless this peace offensive will be highly import
ant because of its probable effect upon the people inside
the Iron Ring. They will be told that the is being
continued because the enemies of The German and Austro
Hungary empires will So What important they
will believe this. and they w go suffering for another
winter because they think that it is the patriotic and the
right thing to do
Some day these deluded people will find out how out
rageousy they being betrayed by their military masters
We wonder what they will do and think about it when the
veil is lifted; especially do we wonder what they will think
about it for upon that depends their claim to be civilized
and cultured.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Mr.. and Mrs. Guy Davis were called
TO Boothsyille Sunday by the serious
illness OF Mr.. Davis mother. Mrs.
owen Davis. Mrs. Davis is suffering
from an affection of the heart.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
Here from Spencer.

Mrs. Laban White and children, OF
Spencer, arrived here yesterday and
win spend some time with her par.
ents. Mr.. and Mrs. George Cox. in Guf.
~ street.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
RUFF STUFF

Bolshevilsi were very careful not to
boost the game Of. the Prussian mill
tarists.
Oh, very.
They insisted in the armistice that
no German troops should be shifted
rom the East to the West fronts.
7 And then considerably refrained
from pressing for signatures until Ger.
many had taken away ell the troops
Hhe needed.
i Regularity is great thing. =.
With soal costing local consumers
s$4,75 in Noee instances it,wopld Eoem
that the Asa,e coal administrator had
~
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Austro-German assaults have won some slight gains
In norhc Italy, but the morale OF the Italian defend
ers is mistaken and their position is strongly held
so if the Kaiser thinks that into Italy going
to win his proposed peace proposal cordial re-
ception he is much mistaken
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
EAST SIDE
= NEWS =
funera! Of Eleanor virginia shrIver.

funeral Of Eleanor Virginia ShrIVer.
The funeral of Eleanor Virginia. the
little daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Fl. 6.
Shriver, was held yesterday afternoon
at two o'clock at the home, 7O5 Mary
and avenue. Services were conducted
by Rev. j. E. Wells. of the Diamond
Street NJ. f. church and the music was
furnished by the choir of the Diamond
street church. Interment was made in
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
Iodae Meets.

All members of the order of Modern
Woodmen are requested to be present
at the meeting tonight at 1850. I'm
portant business.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Every school was below the ava.
age. Plans are on now for q religious
census OF the city to be taken probat.
~ on Sunday afternoon. the S0th d
this month. There must be an awken
ing in the schools of this city.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
i alapIs Grove Cemetery IS uadsTsalIer

Maple Grove Gem tery bS upd ertnlser
MusEraye.
Funeral sstllce. 70
The funeral serrice for Carter. the
six months, old son OF Or. and MIS-.
ii. L. criss was held Sunday afternoon
at three O'Clock from the family resi-.
dence. SOC East Park avenue. Rev.
]. E. Wells officiated. The choir OF the
Diamond street church rendered sew
eral appropriate selections at the ser
vice. Interment In Maple Grove ceme-
terry by Undertaken R. L. Cunningham.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Today the House will vote on the prohibition amend
men resolution but it is now thought that the equal
suffrage be reached before the holiday recess,
and it will be defeated when 1t does come Mill
fancy has been a great card-for the Ants
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

General Pershing has decided to give the American
army in France holidays on Christmas and New Years.
But 1t will be just like the Germans to start something
on one or both o. those days they hear about this
plan.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
an auto construction.

an auto construction.
II we could build ships as fast the
Kaiser would have to haul his subs out
Of the water and send them inland to
keep them out of our hands.
Weather man promises that this
week will be warmer.
Hope he can make good.
Little warm weather right now will
Just about give the coal administrators
over the country chance to pull out Of
The hole they are in.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
For Florida.

Mr.. and Mrs. James Fl. Leonard
leave this evening for st. Petersburg,
Florida. to spend the remainder of the
winter
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Today at noon an armistice between the Boshevki
and Germany went into effect That takes Russia out
OF the war provides national day of shame for the
new democracy.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

At SO cents a dozen for eggs few good laying hens
beats gas well-Buzzardtown Corr. Weston Independ
emit.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
SHORT AND sNAPPY.

Rumor has caused more Shortages than has lack OF
supply. Rumors, matter how ridiculous. will cause
shortage of almost any Observation-Disclosures Jour
nal.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Miss Lethia coffman. of Boothsville,
spent the week end with her parents
in Columbia street.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17
REsoRTs S. S. UNION

Ay. At. ATTEND. Per
year tosDec. 16. ceni
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-17

Unfortunately many of the Marion
county women do not get the idea OF
Hooverizing. Listen how one of them
went on yesterday in the hearing OF
a rnnnrt or.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
WORDS FROM HOME
Statements That May Be Investi.
gated. Testimony of Lady
smith Citizens

When a Ladysmith citizen comes
to the front, telling his friends and
neighbors of his experience, you can
rely on his sincerity. The statements
of people residing in far away places
do not command your confidence.
Home endorsement is the kind that
backs Doan's Kidney Pills. Such tes-
timony is convincing. Investigation
proves it true. Below is a state
ment Of a Ladysmith resident. No
stronger proof Of merit can be had.
H. F. Davis, flour and feed dealer,
300 Worden Ave., Ladysmith, says:
81 had attacks of sharp pains in my
kidneys and I attributed it to my
kidneys being weak. Doan's Kidney
Pills relieved the pain and strength
ened my kidneys. 1t is close to a
year since I last used Doan's Kid
ney Pills and I haven't had to
take any kidney medicine since"
Price soc at all dealers Don't
simply ask for kidney remedy-get
Doan's Kidney Pills-the same that
Mr.. Davis had. Foster Milburn Co.,
Props, Buffalo, N. Y.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER TX.

"Good old town." said Peter Trait.
Removing his hat, he saluted Town
with grave and affectionate respect.
"Graft and all, it's one human young
ethyl"
Intuition enabled Lydia to interpret
this utterance as the invocation to the
Iitany of your tried but true Manhat-
tanite.
The Alsatia was trudging sedately
up the hay from the Narrows, Quaran-
tine ten minutes astern, New York
looming over the port bow through a
tenderly irisated haze in whose illu-
sion it became a city of mother-Of-
pearl suspended between the blue of
haze-veiled sky and the blue of confiu-
ent waters.
arthur Rackham must have colored
it," Lydia unused aloud.
"Wait-this is only the overture
wait till you see 1t as mean to show
1t to you-bridlepaths in Central park
of a sunny morning Broadway at night
with q full head Of steam on, South
street at noon with the old sailing
ships asleep in the sun and their fore
| feet up On the sidewalk, Fifth avenue
at evening, lights like big pearls pop
ping out through the purple dusk"
| Ostentatiously drawing handker-
chief from his cuff. Peter mopped his
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER x.

The silence was short-lived; but
while it lasted a power of scorn
played like lightning round the de-
voted head of the appraiser.
AS for Lydia and Peter (who had
just joined the group, they gaped in
open amazement; while the inspector
looked sorry for Charlie.
After lightning, thunder, remote,
maestoso, "Are-you-mad?
'Me? No, ma'am, not a bit. It's
nothing to me, you know"
Don't bubble, If you please.
want to know whether or not you're
daft. You know perfectly we'll that
necklace is worth ninety-sixty thou
sand dollars. Look at the bill. In
spector, be good enough to show this
person Cottier's bill"
Continued Next week.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
INSURING OUR FIGHTING MEN

The plan of Secretary of the
Treasury McAdoo for life and in
demnity insurance for the soldiers
and sailors of the United States, af-
ter discussions by representative in
surance men and report on by advis-
DRY committees, has been put in
definite form and submitted to Pres
ident Wilson.
The Presidents comment was as
follows:
81 have examined the enclosed pa
pers very carefully and take pleasure
in returning them with my entire
approval"
A bill has been introduced in Con-
gress along the lines suggested by
the Secretary of the Treasury and
approved by the President.
In essentials it is proposed that
the government furnish at cost to
the soldiers and sailors of the United
States life and indemnity insurance.
The main features Of the Secre-
tary's plan are that the government
shall bear all the cost of the admin
istration of the insurance plan and
that no expense of any kind shall be
charge on the funds created by the
payment of premiums by the soldiers
and sailors. Relieved of overhead
charges eight dollars a year for
every thousand dollars insurance will
be an adequate charge Of ten
thousand dollars within the reach of
practically every private soldier or
sailor. Insurance in private COM
panies would cost many times this
sum for men actually engaged in
warfare.
After the war the insurance may
be converted into other forms. The
insurance is to be payable in in
stallments. is non-assignable and free
from the claims of creditors of the
insured or Of the beneficiary, and
is uLulCeu 10 Iue WIG, cAIiuiSii, oiio
other specified kindred.
If total disability results or disease
| is contracted in the course Of SER
vice, the compensation is to be based
On percentage of pay, with a mini
mum, however, of from forty to sew
enty-five dollars a month according
| to the size of the family. partial
disabilities are to be computed on
| a basis of percentages of total dis
| ability.
Medical, surgical and hospital
treatments, supplies and appliances
are to be given. Rehabilitation and
re-education of the injured soldiers
Or sailors, fitting them for lives OF
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14

every right you ought to assess the
duty on not more than forty thousand
dollars"
"Well," the inspector suggested in.
diligently, well just see what the ap-
praiser says. There he is now. Hey,
Charlie, step over here minute, will
your
In response to this hail, slender,
bespectacled young man in o section
nodded assent, picked his way through
the barrier Of trunks, and, recognizing
Mrs. Merrilees, touched the vizor of a
cap bearing the word Appraiser"
"Mrs. Merrilees has declared her
necklace, Charlie" said the inspector,
handing over the case. "And here's
the bill; but she wants you to take a
slant at it for value"
Nodding again, the appraiser mar
rowed his eyes and surveyed the neck
lace with an expression Of some mys-
tification. Then he pursed his lips In
noiseless whistle, looked bewilder-
ment at Mrs. Merrilees, and stepped
aside with the jewel case to a spot
where sunlight, through wide open
ing, threw brilliant splash Of gold
athwart the tempered gloom Of the
pier-shed. Here he subjected the
necklace to minute inspection with a
magnifying glass. Finally, wearing
an illegible expression, he turned
back.
"It's a corking good thing" he an
nounced In an odd tone. eve don't
get many like it; but the workman
ship on this is immense! Call it three
hundred at the outside"
"Whatw Mrs. Merrilees blazed in
dignantly. "Three hundred thousand
dollars Ridiculous! Look at the
bill"
"No, ma'am," the appraiser inter-
rupted with mOurnful decision, mot
three hundred thousand, but just
three hundred dollars; duty hun
dred and eighty (sixty per cent ad
val), and if you like I'll get someone
else to size it up and see If maybe
we can't shade that a bit.'
"Wha-atv Mrs. Merrilees almost
shrieked.
eff it was real stuff I'd be sure,
ma'am,' the appraiser apologized /;
shut you can't always tell about these
limitations like you can regular
stones"
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14

activity and usefulness is part of
the plan.
The plan also contemplates free
allowances to the families of soldiers
and sailors the government supple
menting the sums set aside by the
soldiers and sailors out Of their
wages.
The insurance is not to be a gift
of the government but is to be paid
for out of the pay of the insured
men. The government, however, is
to take upon itself the cost of col
lecting and administering the funds
and also the extra hazard caused by
the war, the rate of eight, dollars
per thousand being a normal rate
in peace time and an entirely made
quate rate for war risk.
The workmen's compensation laws
and the experiences of insurance
companies in this country and the
laws and experiences of other coun-
tries have been studied and used in
the preparation of this bill.
Secretary McAdoo emphasizes the
justice and rightfulness Of such a
function of the government by citing
the fact that in this war we are
not relying upon the volunteer sys-
tenn but are drafting American men
and compelling them to undergo dan
Ger and, if necessary, make the SUI
preme sacrifice for their country. A
higher obligation, he says, therefore
rests upon the government not only
towards the fighting men but
towards those dependent on them
and a just, generous and humane
government should see to it that so
far as is practicable they should be
given this protection, not as a mat
ter of mercy or charity but as a mat
ter of right. And that they should
enter into the service of their coun-
try with the certain knowledge that
if death or misfortune comes to them
they and their dependents are pro-
tected by insurance afforded them
by their government as part Of the
service they are rendering their
country
In conclusion Secretary McAdoo
points out that while this plan may
call for considerable expenditures at
present, yet the eventual cost to the
government of this plan will be very
much less than that which would
result from the adherence to the
present pension program of the coun-
try, and, further, that the pension
system will not provide the same
benefits nor cover the subject in the
same comprehensive, humane and
equitable way
There is no use to which the funds
derived from the sale of Liberty
Loan Bonds can be put which, will
be more cordially approved by the
people Of the country than to pro-
vide this just and deserved protec-
ton to the men who are Drawing all
the dangers of this war on land and
sea in the service of their country.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14

"Then you don't mean to let the
matter drop? But can you accomplish
anything unaided? I don't want to
seem intrusive, but I'm really a bit
experienced in such matters, you
know And of the many who have
trusted me, none has ever regretted
It,"
ooh, l know, I know, Mr.. QuOin!
But what can tell you? That | don't
know what it is I've lOst?"
His brows lifted at this. us that
possible, Miss Craven?"
ITS the TRUTH" she protested. 'Jl -
something was given me to take care
Of, something don't know What-in
a little wooden Chinese puzzle box, and
that has been stolen from me-"
QuOin nodded. 'TheSe men who at
tackled yOu-do you know them?"
81 haven't the slightest suspicion
who they were"
There was honesty in her accents;
QuOin believed her. 81 think-pOssi-
bly, can find them for you, with your
permission"
you saw themY
mo. But among our fellow passen-
gers are two card sharps, one OF whom
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
SIl[1P0
QOTI ING
AUTHOR Of THE LONE
WOLF. THE BRASS
BOWL, ETC.
COPYRIGHT BY LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

In-eed it was hardly more than ter
minutes when the doorway was again
iarkened, and QuOin came to Lydia's
side.
"Was I long? I'm sorry. had to be
rather severe before they gave in
and up"
"You succeededw He laughed qui
city. ''Here it is"
Mute in establishment, SPECIFICS
with gratitude, she took the puzzle box
from his extended hand.
"a crook known as SOuthpaw Smith
he deals Northumberland it, togeth.
err with the father and mother of all
black eyes. l was almost sorry fol
him. George Traymore' is his alias
on the passenger list. A tall, slender
scoundrel-very, very smooth. Not
that you're likely to see him before we
land, if then. He'll lay very low and
make the quietest getaway from the
dock he can manage"
"Mr. Quoin!" the girl interrupted in
a tremulOus voice.
"YeS?"
Her embarrassment was painful
s'What can I say to you? Mere thanks
aren't adequate"
"Please say no more. To know I've
been of some use is enough. Besides,
he laughed boyishly, "rve had good
time bullyragging Southpaw. l like
that sort Of thing, you know"
81 shall be always grateful"
"Then do something to oblige me
I sha'n't be easy in my mind until
you're safe in your ROOM"
Transition from the gloom Of the
deck to the brilliantly lighted compan
Quoin and Lydia paused. The girl
smiled wistfully as she offered hel
hand.
observation-disclosures thank you with al
my heart, Mr. Quoin!'
Miss Crayen,"-he retained hel
hand for a moment-"will you tell me
one thing?"
eff may-anything-"
His eyes searched hers jealousy
''Do you know what's in that b0x"
mo, Mr.. Quoin! Upon Gly word OF
honor, no."
Her eyes were limpid pools Of In
genuCus candOr. Quoin could nC
longer doubt. He nodded, releasing
her hand.
"Thank you"
But" she fingered, "do your
81 do" he admitted reluctantly
mot through any wish of mine. But
S0uthpaw had only succeeded in puz
zling the coordination out when I in
terrupted. 1 made him put back-wha1
he'd taken from the box. Don't worry
I've already forgotten what it was
And Southpaw won't bother you again
I promise you that"
Her eyes questioned anXiously, his
smiled reinsurance. With yet another
goodnight, Lydia turned away.
lie watched her down the alleyEay
to the door of Bio, then turned to seek
his own berth, shaking his head to rio
it Of tOrmenting doubts.
Softly closing the door, Lydia as
gently shot the bolt, hoping to gain
her bed unquestiOned. But as she
moved toward it in darkness the Dow
ager Dragon suddenly switched on the
lights and lifted from her pillow an
indignant head framed in a nightcap
the most coquettishly beribboned mag
Unable.
"Well? she demanded tartly. "Where
have you been, If you please?'
Lydia showed her q countenance In
nOcent of any trace of guile. ION
deck" she said quietly, removing he1
cloak with it's sprinkling Of moisture
that glittered like diamond dust. '"The
fOghorn, you know-and I wasn't
sleepy, anyway. It's wonderful out
there so still and dark and uncanny
You'd think almost anything could hap
pen, and no one be the WISER"
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
There! I've Done Nothing-Just
Happened Along at the Right Time!"

HdppeneO Along at the HISnL ! iHlet
at least is quite capable of more felo-
NOUS work. l know bOth," he smiled
gravely, EN- business way"
"But surely you couldn't have rec
Dgnized either"
mo. The fog was too thick. But
[ marked one of the brutes for future
Identification"
"Marked?"
'"The sign of my fist on his face-a
heavy blow, so heavy it bruised my
own knuckles. Give me permission to
do what I can, and I'll look up the
quarters of my acquaintanceS, the card
Sharps, make them let me in-I know
q way to cOerce 'em-and see If either
wears my brand. If so, you'll have the
puzzle within fifteen minutes-and no
questions aSkedw
"YOu are very kind" the girl MUIR
mured in confusion.
"Then let me see you back to your
stateroOm, and I'll"
mo, I'D rather wait here. / must
KNOW COnlSnC-1 can't Steep WITHOUT
knowing"
Admiration kindled in Quoin's re-
gard. He liked that spirit. She had
been quick to recover, quicker than the
average woman would have been.
Very WE'LL" he assented.
They moved forward. Opposite the
,Ompanionway Lydia paused.
"Will you be 1ong?"
"Not ten minutes" Quoin promised.
His figure momentarily eclipsed the
blur of light that stood for the door.
way.
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-14
d.
LOUlSJOSEpE1
VANCE
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER Lucy Carteret boards the
steamer A1satia at Liverpool for New
York. Her staterOom companion, Mrs.
Amelia Beggarstaff, widow, discovers that
the younger woman is running away from
something or somebody.
CHAPTER II-Lucy is seasick Mrs.
BeggarStaff sees a valuable brooch that
Lucy explains was a present from her
father on her fifteenth birthday The
widow shows the brooch to QuOin, an ex-
secret service man, who Identifies 1t as
part OF the stolen Joachim collection, and
on comparing notes they find that Lucy
is Lydia, daughter of Tad Craven, now
aboard the Alsatia.
CHAPTER III-Lydia discovers that
her father is aboard and, telling Mrs.
Beggarstaff that she has run away to go
to him, starts out to find him.
CHAPTER IV-she finds her father
with Mrs. Merrilees, to whom he is en-
gagged, and cOnf1des to Peter Trait that
she fears she is in the way.
CHAPTER V-Craven explains to Ly-
dia his apparent neglect of her and tells
her that he is in the British secret diplo-
matte service.
CHAPTER VI-Mrs Merrilees sends
Craven to the purser for a 100000 pearl
necklace, which she shows to Quoin and
other friends, saying that she intends to
give it to her stepdaughter-if she ever
has one.
CHAPTER VII-Craven makes Lydia
secret keeper of box containing diplo-
matte papers and two men assault her
and take it from her in the fog.
CHAPTER VIII-Quoin routs the
thieves and RECEIVERS the box, telling Ly-
dia that he had made the thief. South
she does not know the contents of the
box.