davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07

was transferred to foreign soil. This remnant of an army not only barred the way to Calais, but while so doing was reorganized and reinforced until now it counts three times the number of men that the battle of the Yser left valid. The front held by the Belgian army has gradually length ened from about 12 1-2 miles after the battle of the Yser to 19 miles in June, 1916. The Belgian army or ganized this front and held it alone until the middle of this year, when. as consequence of the operations of the allied offensive in Flanders, it was reduced. enabling the army to dispose of considerable reserves.
 ''The Belgian army prepared more than 25O miles of trenches and rebuilt more than 200 miles of road. Eighty different lines of normal gauge rail- roads were built Battery emplace- ments were constructed by hundreds, and thirteen thousand miles of tele- phone wires were put up or laid un- derground.
 'In August. 1917, the army had twelve times as many machine guns as in 1914, seven times as many field guns and heavy pieces, with five times as much ammunition as was on hand at the outset of hostilities. It has ten times as many airplanes.
 Belgian aviators during three months normal activity executed nearly 1000 flights, of which 1,020 were in pursuit of adversary planes. All the different arms of the service have progressed and been improved in the ratio indicated by these figures.
 ''The impression that has gone abroad that the Belgian army was re- organized and re-equipped entirely by our allies is an error,' the minister added. Belgium, exiled and deprived of all her resources, received gener- ous and powerful aid from her glor- fous allies. It was on French and British soil that all was to be done, but Belgians themselves took up the work of reconstruction. The Belgian army created by its own efforts the greater part of what was indispensa- ble for it to live and fight. It is build ing it's own cannon, making its owr powder and it's own projectiles. Oul valiant troops have held in front o | them continually a far greater nun, Der of German troops than the public 1 has supposed"
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
BATTALION KNOWN
 AS THE FERRETS'
Britishers Dub These Soldiers
 Because of Their Success

Behind British Lines in France, Nov. -(Correspondence of the As sociated Press) There is a certain brave battalion in the British army which is known throughout the length and breadth of the line as '"The Fer rets" The nickname was given to them first of all because of their sue cess in dealing with the rat nuisance in their section of the line, and the soldier who had most to do with com batting the rats is known from Dun kirk to St. Quentin as 70. c. Rats the initials being the regular British army abbreviation for ''otticer com manding.'
 The rats were probablN worse in this battalion's section of the line last
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
BATTLING bELGIANS
 READY FOR FRAY
Its Ten Divisions Of We'll Trained !, Men Will Do Duty

Hawre, Nov. 15.-<Corresponden -Tho Belgian army was composed of dl1. .o0O mon at the beginning of the kwar, increased by 10000 volunteers in Angust, 1914, and was reduced to kNN, ,0OO men after the battle of the kYeer. By measures applied to Belgian kronugeee and by the enlistment of Molunteers who braved the nve-wire ,nnrsers raised on the Holland Ser, it now has been brought up nI 10 dtViAopo of well-trained forces Y1''i.,l''s, 4p ko &hair parttn tho, ofren-
 S1n B1@nAor0 whenever the word as 11YNn by tho chief. HAa Associated Press is informed by tho Belgian minister of war.
 If our army has not undertaken NarDe," sa1d. the minister. '-it is because ht does not. deu0ave omit to decide tho boR1G1cions ,oe & wld9r scope up to thin nau11aent when these operations should
 Han. The army is only a part of kDO combined allied forces acting in
 Dpn and in accordance with care kna1y.deV0lopod plans. The army has Nwlf1ntly lllled.the r0le, more ungrate- ful than gI0r4ons, that has been as- UtEnOd to 1t. It has just proved by 1ts brilliant participation in the Last pnuna3ve in F1Hnders that ft+f1 ready Aa attack with fervor and awaits im- pahently the hour"
 Summarizing the work of the Bel gian army during tho war and refer, ring to its dif&culties and lack o1 equipment, the minister rec&ned tha in August, 1914, the army had onl, one machine gun for each 1.00O men was short of 3-inch guns and ha< j ammunition for only about 800 shot for each piece. It had no light nor nArs, no heavy artillery. TO grenades mo trench equipment, no aTnbulances Tho pontoon crews, and not a Singl snnnkorcycle. It Tad only 1000 bicy scA 3 captive balloons, 8 few super An1uaAed airpiancs and a few post of W1Holoss telegr0phy.
 '"1e had onlI :s.O0O infantry afte NhA boNa3O o6 the Y1er," ssaid tho rain haNM s1Nn0 G'A eQUipmont ~as in
 c02Aao SGe, nlrntttons were leckir hnA aA of the Gancrent organism nWNEu AOeAAE.,d when tho army bAs
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07

troubled with cramps and feel like different woman. l cannot. praise Lydia E. Pinkhan's Vegetable Con pound too highly and 1 anrrecommend.. inr it to my friends who suffer as did. Mn. GEORGE R. NAYLoR, Box 72 HarySviRe, Pa. .,
 Young women who arc troubled with painful or irregular periods, backache, faintinR spells or indigestion should take Lydia E, Pinkhano's Vegetable Compound. Thousands have been re- stored to health by this root and herb remedy.
 Write for free and helpful advice to Lydia F. Pinkham Medicine Co. (con- fdeatiaD, Lynn, Mas. Only women open md read xE:a letters.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07

ing was learned by the whole bat
 talion. Men became wise in ferret lore, cunning in interpreting the noises of an underground struggle be- tween the antagonists. The rats have ever since given that section Of the battle zone a wide berth, and the fame of the winters successful anti rat offensive is known to all the army.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07

somewhere below the barbed wire and was reported steering for the German trenches. One day Merryf1eld won the censure of the authorities and the enthusiastic approval and praise of his comrades by retrieving a lost ferret from No Mans Land in daylight and under fire.
 Little by little the art of rat-hunt-
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Toy Furniture

Doll Beds in mahogany and white enamel, 1 posters and canOpieS.
 Bureaus, white enamel and oak with floral decorations. Dressers, ChiffonierS. Chairs, Tables, Rockers in white. reed and oak.
 One special toy Folding Table for soc.
 Other Toy Furniture up to 5000.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Friction Toys

The best made with extra large fly wheel, bright colored Locomotives, Automobiles, Fire Engines, etc. A special friction Locomotive with tender, price 69c.
 $2.OO.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Blocks

Stone Building Blocks, Cir GUS Blocks, Alphabet Blocks, Burnt Wood Blocks, Fortress Blocks. Blocks in Wheel Carts; special set of Instructo Blocks in alphabet form, soc.
 Other Blocks from 25c to $2.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Mechanical Toys

\ superb assortment of me- chanical toys, both instructive, amusing and comical. Charlie somersaults; Dancing Darky, Automobiles, French Soldiers, Submarines, Passenger Motor Boats. Dredges and Mechanical sand Toys.
 One Special Mechanical Auto mobile with extra good stock work for 25C.
 Other Mechanical Toys up to ,$G.0O.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07

"OUlO nave " SS0y in bed several days
 every month. 1
 tried all kinds of
 remedies and was
 treated by doctors,
 but my trouble con-
 tinued until one day l read about Lydia FE. Pinkham's Vege- table Compound and what it had done for others. 1 tried 1t
 and now I am never
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
The Dolls

American made Dolls have made a decided hit-they're so pretty, so different and so dur able.
 Some are dressed in the latest Paris fashions; some are jointed in both legs and arms.
 The famous Wood Dolls will assume any position; have nice blond and brunette curls.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Tea Sets

Toy Tea Sets in china. ena- mel and aluminium; some with plates, and some hand-painted. X special China Tea Set with good size cups, for soc.
 Other Sets up to 5000.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Toy Trains

Electric and mechanical, one special winding train with track for 59c.
 Other Trains, winding and electric, with and without sta tions, some with electric en- engines in newest model. Prices up to $37.5O.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Character Dolls

With real bisQue heads with anu without wigs, strung with strong elastic; very natural baby faces and moving eyes.
 Dolls tOc up to $12.5O.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
SledS

Self steering Sleds, the gen. uine Flexible Flyers, Racers and semi-steering Sleds.
 One special Semi-steering Sled for only 59c.
 Other Sleds up to $15.OO.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Musical Toys

Pianos in all sizes, white and mahogany finish, upright and grand; \ylophones; Organ Chimes: Roller Chimes: Horns; Trumpets. ee the Xylophone. white painted, that teaches children the scale.
 Our Special Mahogany Finish Piano for soc.
 Other Musical Toys up to $1O.OO.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
AWFUL
 CRAMPS
Suggestions that may save
 Much Suffering

Marvsville, Pa.-'tFor twelve years [ euffered with terrible cramps.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
The Games

Pollyanna, Ring My Nose, Ping Pong. Crokonole. Post Of flee, Sunny Monday, Magic Dots, Toy Town Conductors. Telegraph, Soldier Games of many kinds, Fish Pond, Lotto, Parchesi, Checks, Authors, Dominoes and numerous others.
 One special game of India for 25C.
 Other Games from SC to $7.25.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Plush Animals

Camels, real ships of the des- ert that live without drinking; ranting, lamb devouring kind; Dogs; Rabbits; Horses; Squir- rels: Bears, muzzled and on wheels; Cats; Cows; Lambs; Poodles. and others.
 One special 12-inch Dog, cor duroy covered, for $1.OO.
 Other animals from 25c up to &14.OO.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
The Drums

S-inch at 25c. Others larger, beautifully Autographed, and Snare Drums for real soldier boys, up to $3.5O.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
Picture Puzzles

Sunnybrook Farm. Assorted Animals, Fire Engines. Loco- motives, Maps of the World, 25c and up.
New Britain herald., 1917-12-07
DANDY TOYS FOR THE BOYS

LADS LONG FOR. the makin Chemical Outfts-new teaching chemistry 
 Icadm modes for
 Work
 TooC in a Radio fol showing other views Picture from a sho nl ulm Daisy Q r.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
DESTROYING SUBMARINES.
Germans Officially Admit the Loss of a
"Certain Number"

Washington May l2.-The increasing
efficiency of the allies in submarine de-
struction was recognized in speech by
the German secretary of the navy In the
Reichstag on May 10. Official accounts
OF the speech reaching here report the
German secretary rs saying that while
the submarine warfare had achieved lar
greater results than was expected GER
tain number of submarines had been lost
as the result of improved means OF de-
struction devised by the allies.
Another official telegram says the Ber-
liner Tageblatt of May 0 complained bit
terly of the Instructions being placed by
the government on the progress of the
committee for discussing the system OF
government.
The situation of the committee so far
as is known from the very meager re-
ports, the account says, ''make on those
outside the committee highly peculiar
and painful impression. The bureaucrat-
ic spirit of our government officials and
their complete. .strangerhood to the pres
ent task cannot hinder forever the abso-
lutely necessary changes in the govern
ment, The government, however, need
not conceal from itself the fact that
public disappointment after the message
of the kaiser will lead to very serious
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
overspeeding the Patriotic Plough.

Well-known Boston seedmen, over.
whelmed by orders and unwilling to en-
trust them to inexperienced men, have
been compelled to close their stores this
week at times when usually they receive
the public, in order to meet intelligentlv
the demands upon them.
Probably nothing just like that has
ever happened before in the history of
Boston, and it is all the more remark
able when we take into consideration the
fact that the weather of the present
spring has been etherdiscouraging for
the professional planter, as well as for
the judicious amateur. Undoubtedly
there are thousands of dollars worth OF
seeds in the soil of New England to-
day that viii not germinate because of
rain and cold, to say nothing of other
causes, among them inexperience and
bad advice.
However, the planting fever has been
aroused, and, naturally, once
under way, the work Is being overdone.
For example, there is no reason to be-
lieve that there was the slightest neces-
sity for destroying the golf links in
Franklin park. except as a manifestation
OF exalted municipal patriotism. But
60 whisper il ssvors Of treason, and thus
public lawns and parks are being de-
while thousands % tillable acres
within twenty-five miles Of Boston lie un-
touched by plough and harrow-Boston
Traveller.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
CENSUS OF GROCERY STORES.
And of Their Means of Delivery of Goods
Being Taken.

From the executive committee of the
state committee of public safety, the
chairman of the Barre district, compris-
ing this city and the towns of Orange,
Williamstown, Washington, Barre Town
and Grsniteville, has received request
for information concerning the number
of retail grocery stores and the number
of delivery wagons and auto trucks op-
Grated by these concerns. 1t is stated
specifically that this information is
wanted, not for the sake of ascertaining
what equipment can be requisitioned by
the government, but for use in the COM
mittee's study of retail delivery condi-
tions. 1t is the purpose of the commit
tee TO learn approximately how much
equipment, either horse-drawn or motor,
is used in the delivery service of retail
grocery stores and how many stores
have no such equipment.
BY retail grocery store" the commit
tee means stores primarily engaged in
selling groceries, or meats, groceries and
provisions. Push carts or confectionery
stores that sell few crackers, cookies
and the like, are not included, nor are
country stores in which groceries and
provisions form only small part of the
general trade.
Already the chairman of the Barre dis
trict committee has set about TO obtain
the information desired and in complet-
ing the census, he is to be assisted by
the committee members from the other
towns. The information will be forward
ed TO the committee at once, as it is de-
sired that the census throughout the
state be completed by May Is.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
CENTURY OLD
ONLY IN YyslRS
Mrs. Maria V.D' : Of Plain
field Has the ! gor Of a
Woman Mv Younger
SHE DOES FANCY
WORK AND READS
Observed Her Tooth Birth
day Friday by Enter
tanning Callers

Plainfeld, May l2.-Mrs. Maria V.
Duke laid aside her fancy work long
enough yesterday to entertain her friends
on the occasion of her Tooth birthday,
and she received the congratulations of
many people with all the zest and en-
thusiasm of youth No formal reception
was held but her daily duties were sus-
pended in order that she might enjoy
conversation with her callers. Many of
the guests brought presents and the la
dies aid society of the Methodist church
and the w. c. T. u. sent their tokens of
love.
Those who called marvelled at the won
derful physical and mental vigor of the
hostess as she talked on matters of the
day or about events long since gone into
history and as she gave evidence of her
handiwork. Mrs. Duke makes fancy ar
ticles of various sorts and they reveal
excellent workmanship, too. Her needle
is piled vigorously and dexterously for
long stretches of time and she delights in
her work.
Mrs. Duke is proud of her family his
tory and she takes pleasure in the serv-
ica which her grandson is performing
in fighting on the battlefelds of France
with Canadian contingent, even as she
felt pride in the service of her son, E. V.
Duke of Plainfield, who served the Union
cause in the Civil war She received a
letter from the grandson Somewhere in
France" within the past week.
A native of Woodbury., Mrs. Duke has
lived most of her life in this vicinity.
At the age of Is years she was teaching
schools in that town, earning ST week
and boarding round" On Jan. %, 1914,
she married Levi Duke in Montpelier and
they lived in that community for time,
moving then to Woodbury.. Mrs. Duke
has also resided in Marshtield and Woods
vile, n. H., but for many years has
been in the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Michael Kelly of School street in this
village. She has two other children, they
being Z. V Duke OF Plainfeld and anoth-
er son residing in Lennoxville. P. @. 1t
is the latter's son who is serving with
the allies in France.
The aged woman takes great interest
in her home life and does many little
acts to assist about the house, besides
in her beloved fancy work. She
also busies herself in reading, and yes
terday she took down the Bible and read
the 23d Psalm to one of her visitors.
She is looking forward to many more
years of activity, and her state of health
1T the present time would seem to give
good foundation for that anticipation.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
MORE MEN GO TO NAVY.
williamstown and Waterbury Represent
ed in the New Batch.

Burlington, May l2.-Six men enlist
ed in the United States navy yesterday
through the local recruiting office, one,
Frank A. Brockway of Williamstown,
being an ex-service man and re-enlisting
as a chief electrician. He was sent last
night to the receiving ship at New York.
George NJ. Bailey of 0gdensburg, n. Y,
enlisted in the hospital corps and was
sent to the Newport training station.
Harold r. Mower of Hartland and Leon
F. Griffin of Waterbury enlisted as ap-
prentice seamen and were ordered home
to await further orders. George H. Patch
of Jeffersonyille enlisted rs a fireman
and was sent last night 20 the receiving
ship at New York. Robert +. Camden
of Chazy, y. Y, enlisted in the yeomsn
branch and was sent to the training sta
ton at Newport.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
BLooDHoUNDS ON TRAIL
Of Frank Thompson of White River juno
tion Who Went Away Tuesday.

White River Junction, May l2-The
use of bloodhounds in the search for
Frank Thompson, who disappeared from
his farm home in this town last Tuesday
morning, proved unavailing but a hew
clue was discovered and the search will
be renewed near Quechee.
Two dogs, one from Ludlow and one
from Springfield, Mass, were used. One
hound took the trail near the Daley farm
in Evarts and followed it across plowed
field, losing it on entering the woods.
The other dog followed the scent for two
or three miles only to lose it.
Late yesterday afternoon report was
received here that Thompson had come
out of the woods near Quechee, five miles
from Evarts and had secured food at
farmhouse, those who saw him stating
that he appeared to be rational.
Thompson left his home Tuesday morn
ing, stating that he was going to repair
a fence. When he did not return for
dinner search for him was started. He
had been i'll during the greater part of
the winter and it is believed that his
mind is unbalanced.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-12
WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.
Montpelier's Patriotic Demonstration
Brought Out Large Crowd.

| With more than 5000 men, women ant
| children in line, and as many more brav
| ing the cold, wet weather to witness the
demonstration, Montpelier's patriotic pa
rade and mass meeting yesterday after
noon was great success. No reviewing
stand was erected but it took the parade
nearly 80 minutes to pass a given point
ii being almost an hour from the time
the head of the parade started until the
first division of marchers reached the
city hall.
Gov. Horace F. Graham Patrick Mel
don of Rutland and Rev Fraser Metzger
Of Randolph member of the state COM
mittee on public safety, were the speak
ers in the city hall auditorium, being
introduced by Mayor Frank M. Mitchell
who presided. Seated on the speaking
platform were state officials, justices OF
the supreme court and city officials.
The parade was formed at the corner
of Main and Barre streets at o'clock
and soon after, headed by Marshal w. A.
Pattee, the long line started down Main
street, crossed to Loomis, where hundreds
of public school children joined in line,
and then went to Elm street, past the
State House, turned around and came
back to the city hall.
Assisting the chief marshal were dep
uties Michael Mcmahon, Henry Lawson,
John G.. Norton and Raymond Allen.
The police came Immediately after and
were followed by Uncle Sam, a soldier
and sailor. The spirit of 1915 was
represented and a squad of Norwich uni
versity cadets, mounted, followed.
Thirty veterans of the Civil war in au
tomobiles bedecked with flags brought
forth many cheers along the line OF march
and they were followed by the Woman's
Relief corps, members of Marquis de La
fayette chapter, D. A. R., also in ma
chimes. The city council preceded Gov.
Graham and Adit Gen. L. S. Tillotson
and other state officials and employees at
the State House. The supreme court
justices, committee on public safety,
clerks, Board of Trade, Co H reserves, Is
strong, Knights of Columbus, Eagles and
Red Cross followed. Then came a huge
fat with the Goddess of Liberty, the
band and National Life Insurance Co.
employees carrying three huge flags.
Capital City grange was represented
With q iOhl pcdAliiS LAit itStIds NbiutH
will do their bit" The Womans club
had a sign, willing to Serve" The
school children, marching by grades, and
st. Michaels' school children, the girls at
tired in red and white, made pretty
spectacle.
Remember the Lusitania. l42 Amer
cans gone but not forgotten" attracted
attention to the float having high school
boys representing the army and navy.
The Tenney company employees automo
bile float representing a submarine. the
y. S. S. vi, with periscope and all, at
traeted much attention and favorable
The fife and drum corps followed by
he boy scouts, the high school faculty, |
'ampfre girls, a float by the telephone
company representing an army field corps |
md all the phone girls in white com
,rised the next division
The Arab patrol, Mount Sinai temple, |
odd Fellows and Masons were followed |
~ the granite cutters union, Jumpers, |
chool children and Montpelier seminary
tudents.