davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
The ancient world, too, had its cap
tains of industry and finance" and
the story of their struggles for success
is every bit as inspiring as modern
business romances." Then, as now,
difficulties of humble birth and caste
meant nothing to the determined, able
man.
There was u slave in ancient Greece
who rose to be the greatest banker Of
his time. His name, Passion, Is con-
stantly mentioned in documents and
other records. While the extent of
his business was then considered cnOr-
nous, today we dismiss 1t as incense.
quential. Passion Is said to have held
S13,4 O5 on deposit from customers, to
have loaned $6O,935 and to have owned
land worth $24,375. His income was
$1,000 a year.
His deposits and loans appear small
in comparison with modern figures, but
the rate of interest customarily
charged does not-36 per cent.
Banking in Greece originally con-
sisted Of changing money for foreign
ers. Later, the Greeks commenced
allowing interest on deposits. Dem
Osthenes is said to have kept q bank
ing account.
Greek bankers were also notarles
end witnessed contracts between 9TH
ers. They were familiar with letters
Of credit and invented form of en-
dOrsement. AS an example Of this, we
read that one Iceratus drew, in Ath-
ems, bill on his father in Pontus,
which was guaranteed by Passion and
then purchased by Stratocles. In
Greece the banks were located in the
temples and the latter were often used
as national treasures.
They had an instrument correspond
ing to our check. They started the
practice of "discOunts"--t Is de-
Quoting the interest at the time Of
making the loan.
The Greeks appear to have intro
duced banking in Italy. The Roman
bankers soon became very important
and Roman comedies contain many al
lusiOns to them. These were not al
ways of complimentary nature, but
1t is a fact that banking in Rome stood
high as a profession. All money trans
actions among Romans were carried
on through bankers and account books
of customers were kept.
In 1852 B. G. the senate appointed
persons to lend portion of public
funds, on security, to the Plebians.
The Romans were even more prone
than the Greeks to charge high inter-
est rates. They sometimes reached so
per cent.
Later the rate was fixed by law and
in CicerO's time the legal amount was
~ per cent. In the law passed under
Emperor Justinian, 528 A. D., the rate
was fixed at 4 per cent for nOtables.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
WINTER TASKS FOR FARMER
Among Other Things to Do During
Cold Weather Season Is to Form
Cooperative Clubs.

Plant, prune and spray home or
chards.
Form cooperative clubs for pur.
chasing and selling oil farm supplies
and products.
Clear your pasture Of all rubbish,
ETC., repair the fences and make prep.
artion for sodding them to Der.
muda or other grasses next spring.
Purchase commercial fertilizers CO
operatively, and pay for them in cash
if possible.
Remove all stumps, terrace your
land and clean out all bitches.
Winter pillow your land when in
condition.
Make compost and top dress grain
with stable manure.
Repair and paint implements and
machinery.
Clean and spray poultry and hog
houses.
Mate poultry and set eggs for pro-
duction Of pullets for fall laying.
Use The split-log drag on your roads.
Get your neighbor to do the same.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

dwelling, but to many that come from
outside. Food supplies may always
be kept from rats and mice If placed
In inexpensive rat-prOof containers
covered with wire netting. Sometimes
all that is needed to prevent serious
waste is the application of defective
part of the building.
Produce in Transit.-Much loss of
fruits, vegetables, and other produce
occurs in transit by rail and on ships.
Most Of the damage is done at wharves
and IN railway stations, but there is
also considerable In ships holds, espe-
cialIy to perishable produce brought
from warm ATTITUDES. Much of this
may be prevented by the use of rat
proof cages at the docks, by the care
full fumigation of seagOing vessels at
the end Of each voyage, and by the fire.
quent fumigatiOn of vessels in coast
wise trade; but still more by replacing
old and decrepit wharves and station
platforms with modern ones built Of
concrete.
Where cargoes are being loaded or
uElOaded at wharves or depOts, food
liable to attack by rats may be tent
porarlly safeguarded by being placed
n rat-proof cages, or pounds, con-
structed of wire netting. Wooden
boxes containing reserve food held in
depots for considerable time or in
tended for shipment by sea may be
made rat-proof by light coverings Of
metal along the angles. This plan has
long been in use to protect naval stores
on ships and in warehouses. 1t is
based on the fact that rats do not
gnaw the plane surface of hard mate
rails, but attack doors, furniture and
boxes at the angles only.
Packing Houses.-Packing houses
and abattoirs are often sources from
which rats secure subsistence, eSpe-
cially where meats are prepared for
n,arkn.. In old buildings. In old-style
cooling rooms with double walls Of
wood and sawdust insulation, always
source Of annoyance because OF rat
infestatiOn, the utmost vigilance Is
required to prevent serious loss Of
meat products. On the other hand,
packing houses with modern cOnstruc-
ton and sanitary devices have no
trouble from rats or mice.
Garbage and Waste.-Since much Of
the food Of rats consists Of garbage
and other waste 'daterials, it Is not
enough TO bar the animals from mar
kers, grnnaries. warehouses and pri-
"ate fvca stores Garbage and Cfal
Of all kinds nuSt be so disposed of
HAT rats canrCt G"tain them.
In cite" and towns an Efficient sys-
fem Of garbage collection and disposal
should he established by ordinances.
Wnste froG' markets, hotels, cafes and
hoTschOlds should be collected In COW
red metal rcccpta:les and frequently
rnriied. Garhnge should atver he
'""ned In nv ncal towns, but should
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
DRY FEED INSTEAD OF SL0P
Doesn't Freeze Up to Insult Appetite
Of Hog In Winter-Germs and
Odors Are Avoided.

The farmer whose pigs have lost
their avidity for slop should try feed.
ing the slopstuff dry. Many a time
Pigs may be found fastidiously nosing
through thick slop, wher IL dry mid.
dllngs be placed in trough he ii by
they will dcvour 1t in fierce cowpeti.
tor. Some meI like milk toast, and
some men don't like milk toast that is
the way with pigs. Try raising a bunch
of pigs on dry miGd!ings instead of
slop of midclings, AMI the chances are
that the pigs vii. demonstrate the
success Of the experiment. Germs and
odors don't accumulate around o
trough in which dry feed is provided a;
dry feed doesn't freeze up to insult Tho
appetite of hog, ike clap 'uay DC T.
winter.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
GIVE FEED ANIMALS RELISH
While Preference for Certain Food u
Formed by Habit, It Is Better to
Cater to 1t.

Animals are much like human be-
ings in that they have their own indi-
vidual preference for certain foods.
While this preference is formed by
habit, to get the best returns with the
feeds, it is best generally to cater to
the animals appetite.
Some horses will not do we'll with.
out oats in the ration. Others do not
especially care for oats, but require
corn, some require more hay than
others, some must have ground feeds
TO get the best results such animals
should be humored.
Our problem in feeding Is to watch
the animals and see that they get the
feeds they require and no more. Feed
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

He was the uncle of Dudley North, by
marriage only, but as he opened his
eyes and recognized this unexpected
but longed-for visitor, his bloodless
face took on q quick flush and his dull
eye glOwed with pleasure.
"Uncle!" spoke Dudley fervently, as
he clasped the feeble trembling hand
extended, and then the doctor whis-
pered In his ear after critical glance
at his patient. "Haste is vital for the
execution Of his last wish," nodded to
the lawyer and left the room.
Dudley stepped aside and the lawyer
opened his portfolio and seated him
self at the bedside. He drew forth a
document that lie had just prepared
in the library. It was brief, simply
describing the holdings Of his client.
"You wish to leave your fortune
to q person whose name you have not
yet given, Mr.. Hardinge," he init
mated.
ITO make right what was wretch
ed, unmanly act, yes" uttered the in
valid with difficulty.
II will write In the name and have
the will witnessed"
Eyes, the name is"
"Ah. he has collapsed. Quick, the
DOCTOR" exclaimed Mr.. Vicle, but he
himself hurried in quest Of him. lie
did not find him in the library, 1t
seemed, for Dudley heard his heavy
tread cross the room, and then his
voice in the hall beyond insistently
calling for the only person who might
revive the dying man.
Dudley had sprung to the side OK the
couch. At q glance he discovered that
death had stru"k it's final blow. The
body of the dyirc man after quick
CONFUSION wa growing rigid the face
had become ristly. Barely able 10
move. Jc'n Eardinge expressed
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
Not Many Possessions.

They were new neighbors, and Vir.
ginia Lou, aged five, put her wits to
work to find out about item. She &C.
cordlngly appeared in the yard Of the
nc.ghbor accompanied by her three
year-Old sister.
"Where do you live?" she asked.
"Right here" explained the neigh.
Dor.
swell, you didn't used to live here"
mo"
"Well. do you have q grandfather?
mo"
"Or a grandmother
NO"
Cor a HadderT'
"No."
swell. what do you gotT'
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

6 per cent on commercial loans and 8
per cent for loans not under the first
two classificatiOns.
Perhaps the high rate OF interest
mentioned previously was justified
when it Is considered THAT the law
gave every advantage to debtors.
Losses to bankers were frequent and
the high rate charged was more rs a
measure of protection, POmpey, Bru-
tuS and Cato all lent money ut SO per
cent.
1t is often assumed that the rate Of
interest depends upon the abundance
of gold or silver. This is not the
case, as in California and Australia
the rate of interest was extremely
high during the height of the gold nc
tivity. In MOhammedan countries in
terest Is forbidden in the Koran. But
this has not succeeded in keeping down
rates, as in these countries interest Is
three or four times greater than in
Europe. In some parts of the Orient
rates have gone as far as 100 per
cent.
Several centuries before the Chris
tlan era bank Of deposit existed in
Byzantlum. In 900 A. d. bank Of
deposit was established in China, al
though some form of banking existed
in that country many centuries be-
fore. About 1900 A. D. q bank Of
deposit was established in Damascus;
in 1916 one was founded in Geneva
in 14O1 Barcelona started its first bank
ing depository; the bank of Amster-
dam was founded in 1868; bank of st.
George in 14O7 and the bank of Stock
holm in 1868.
One of the earliest banking firms of
which we have any account Is said to
be Egibi & Co. 1t was in ancient
Babylon. Evidences Of it's existence
were discovered in an earthenware Jar,
in the neighbOrhOOd of Hillah, few
miles from Babylon. These documents,
recorded on tablets, are now in the
British museum. Egibi & Co. are be-
lieved to have acted as the national
bank of Babylon, and the founder prob
ably lived in the reign Of Sennachcrib.
about 700 b. G. Below is a transla-
ton of one of the tablets:
Loan of five mana of silver of
Nabu-zer-iddin, chief of the dagger
bearers (rab-nas-patrutu), to Belnas:r.
The money to be repaid in installments
of shekel and a half, beginning in
Nissan.
18th day of Tebet, 34th year Of
Northumberland"
Records of this kind were deposited
In the government Office.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
be utilized or promptly destroyed BY

be utilized or promptly destroyed BY
fire.
Rats find abundant food in country
slaughterhOuses; reform in the man.
agement Of these is badly needed.
Such places are centers Of rat propa-
cation. 1t is common practice to
leave offal Of slaughtered animals to
be eaten by rats and swine, and this
Is the chief means Of perpetuating
trichinae In pork. The law should re-
quire that offal be promptly cremated
or otherwise disposed of. Country
slaughter-houses should be as clearly
and as constantly inspected as abba
toirs.
Another important source of rat
food is found IN remnants Of lunches
left by employees in factories, stores
and public buildings. This food, which
alone is sufficient to attract and sus-
tain small army Of rats, is commonly
left in waste baskets or other open
receptacles. Strictly enforced rules
requiring all remnants of food to be
deposited in covered metal vessels
would make trapping far more effec-
tive. p.
Military training camps, unless sub
jected tc rigid discipline in the mat
ter of disposal Of garbage and waste,
soon becoiae centers of rat infestation.
Waste from camps, deposited in COW
cred metai cans and collected daily,
should be removed far from the camp
itself and either burned or utilized In
approved modern ways.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

Of the debt Is provided. Just as our
modern mortgages or mortgage bonds
state that principal and interest are
payable ut the Tenth Trust Co.." q
some other bank.
The amount Of interest is not stated.
but on all documents of this sort q
legal rate Of interest was customary.
which ranged in times of peace from
IL to 20 per cent and in times Of war
to almost any amount.
The note matured in the month Of
harvest, exactly as American farmers,
getting loans from their banks, have
their notes mature In October and No
vember.
Notice the words "son of Marashu"
in the above document. Marashu Sons
were a great firm of bankers in the
Babylonian city Of Nippur. They made
loans of all kinds and often were called
upon to help the King of Babylon with
money.
This mortgage, together with many
Sons, was discovered in 1893. The
story Of its discovery is one of great
interest.
The Babylonians were the Ameri-
cans of antiquity. They were ma
| ton of business men. Their mort
cages, notes, deeds, Wills and other
documents were drawn with great care
and along the same principles as the
| similar instruments we use today.
Lawyers did fiourishing business in
Babylon as these people were fond Of
| going to law and made oil transfers
! of property a matter Of record. Not
only did they invent mortgages, but
| leases also.
One interesting lease demised field
and fish pond for the term of a year.
The lessee made first payment Of one
talent of silver and in addition. as
| ground rent, agreed to furnish the
lessor with mess of fish for his fam
lily table every day.
| Another lease transferred n piece Of
improved property for sixty days, the
ground rent being paid in advance and
the tenant being guaranteed against all
claims of whatever nature.
All these documents were inscribed
on bricks made of clay by means Of a
wedge shaped instrument, the various
combinations of wedges making up the
alphabet. These wedges have given
the name TO this particular style Of
writing, which is called "cuneiform,"
from the Latin word "cuneus," q
wedge.
l suppose If the BabylOnians had
safety deposit vaults they would not
have considered it necessary to insure
the preservation of their records thus.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
The Broader Thrift.

Laying aside few dollars each
week does not necessarily make one u
thrifty person. Thrift means so much
more than merely saving mOney--it
means personal ef1ic.ency--it means
plans-it means self-control-it means
fOresight-it means prudeDce-it
means sane and legitimate sclr-conf,-
>dence-it means all that makes for
character. 1t Is as much removed
from miserllness on the one hand as
it Is from extravaganza Oh the other.
AS we build the ideals of thrift, we
build character.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29
IheUnspoken
Word
By Jessie Ethel Sherwin

Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union :
"Am I too later"
Dudley North had travelled nearly a
thousand miles by land and water. He
was Wearied and heavy-eyed, but he
propounded the query with mingled
solicitude and eagerness in his tones.
Once the house he had just entered
had been his home and the servants
mad admitted this old favorite without
delay. Dudley had hurried to the IL
brary, where Mr.. Veile, the family law
yer, and Doctor Parish stood engaged
In serious consultation. Both welcom-
ed him with friendly handshake.
"Your relative has rallied" spoke
the latter, "but he will not last long"
He may see his uncle?' asked Mr..
Veile.
81 see no objection. Mr.. Hardinge
has asked for him repeatedly"
NORTH" added the lawyer, close to
the ear of the young man, ''your uncle
Is about to make his will. In the alb
sence of that, as his nearest living rel
alive, you are the natural heir, but he
has expressed the desire and intention
of choosing another legatee."
II understand perfectly" spoke Dud-
ley with clear, open promptness and
candor. my uncle has been a true
friend to me. He gave me home for
years and the backing which has en-
abled me to form a business connec-
ton that is permanent and full Of
promise. I ask no more, expect no
MORE"
HE is very weak" said the lawyer.
do you know the prospective heir?'
II do not" answered Dudley. "Just
before went away on my last trip we
had heart-to-heart talk. My uncle
revealed to me that I would not be his
heir, that he intended to leave his for
tune to another. He simply told me
that he felt it his duty to make up for
great wrong. I tried to express my
deep gratitude for all he had done for
me. I told him truthfully that I ex-
pected nothing further from his kindly
generosity"
They were in the sick room, adjein-
ing, the next moment. Upon a couch
lay John Hardinge, the dying man.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

left in the trough or scattered on the
ground out Of reach of animals does
not produce.
Even in feeding cattle skillful
feeder will soon learn the different ami
mails peculiarities and meet their re-
Quirements in such way as to get
economical gains. If he docs not
watch closely he is likely to waste
feed while some Of the animals are
not getting enough.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

One person out of every ten who dies
today in our large cities is buried in
POtter's field.
The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-12-29

If the American people cannot learn
to be thrifty, they cannot remain Q
great nation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-10-31
STATE DIRECTOR
ON FOOD TO TALK
ROBUSTNESS MEN
II. A. wheeler win address Local
Meat Market Owners and
GreeeFs Tuesday.
10 CLEAR CP QUESTIONS Law
VIII Eudeavor .o Inform Them Upon
Provisions of Enactment Not
Understood

The announcement that state Food
Administrator Harry A. Wheeler
would BE- ia Rock island ON Nov
and speak al the Masonic temple al a
MONDAY luncheon mas focused an uR-
usual amount Of interest in the food
conservation program being advanced
lv the various organizations in the
city iu more economical eating pro
gram IN the homes throughout the
city
Mrs g. II Cleavelaud local chair
man If he council eli national defense,
is appointing committee ia whose
bands viii De placed the luncheon ar
engagements Indications are that G
e.. stephenson VIII handle the meat
less and Vaaatless dinner menu. The
waiting service VIII IN all probability
be contributed 10y one OF the women
organizations Of the ciJE
Late Yesterday afternoon local Food
Commissioner NJ O Griswold received
"a telegram from AIr Wheeler con
Grmins his engagement here and ask
ing that meat market owners aud gro
GERS 8E .ae city be brought together at
meeting Immediately following the
luncheon Mr. Wheeler announces
special message to the feed purveyors
OF the eltv AZ this time ne expects
t1 make clear TO the grocers ana mar
keT praprieloT5 just what the food adj
miBIstration attitude viii be in deal
ing Win those responsible for fur
HjshiRg supplies to the consumers
At this time the food adminfstr ration
makes clear That r. has mo set rule
BIS which, ii expects To- govern tine ac-
lions 0t the retailer but SIS evidenced
By recent action Tire retailer VINO i'm
sists oB being unfair bE cHaTging eE-
HUTbltauE prices ON f1Ddsfu1fs viii be
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-10-31
LUTHERAN FUNDS
FOR WAR SERVICE
Church Preparing 10 spend s3.500. 000
fer Work Among Soldiers and
sailors.
NUNBER CHAPLAISs ARE ASKED
General council Requests Appoint.
ment OF One for EYery ,200 OF
fCers and Men.
By REV. e. L. RYnEN.

i5Az=t-stA toLisSp 0AQG1Gs or argus
Philadelphia. Pa. Oct. 28-The I.uth-
eran church in America is preparing
IL spend 81 1000 for work among the
soldiers and sailors OF the nation AT
. to-day session Of the general council
OF the Lutheran church ID North
America steps We're taken 10 bring
about cooperation Of all the Lutheran
bodies in the country IN the plans of
tue Lutheran war commission. which
IS working in conjunction with the
United States government.
Conditions in some Of the army
camps were described bg DIR. H. a. Vel
ter. president OF the Pennsylvania min
lsteTiuIa. as deplOrabIe Many of the
young men are TN q state Of great des-
p0ndancy and mental depression The
result of this mental state he asserted,
IS that many seek the compau5ouship
81 ua immoral parasites around the
camps He sharply raped the city OF
Philadelphia for the moral laXity Of
the city. and demanded that steps be
taken TO improve conditions so that
our boys may come back nome as clean
and as manly ais they We're when they
went away The city is filed con-
tinaallN with men from Camp Dix and
from the Mare Island navy ward.
Dir. g. y. Jacobs. reporting ON the
work OF the Lutheran war commission.
declared that Che church has a great
field in working among the soldiers
and sailors, not only IN safeguarding
their morals, but also in alternating
lhe mental and spiritual depression
The government is willing To cooper
ate with all religious bodies, ana is
giving every assistance to fhe work
There is an immediate need. he de-
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-04-15
NOTICE TO LEvEE CONTRACTORS

The Farrelly Lake Levee Board will receive bids on Monday, May 7th, 1917, at 200 p. m., at the office of Humphreys & Tovey, in the Citizens Bank building, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for the construction of approximately 5OO,OOO cubic yards of new levee and 100000 yards of enlargement work on old levees.
 Bids will be received separately on new work and enlargements.
 Bidders required to deposit check or bidders bond for $5,000.00 on new work and $2,000.00 on enlargement, to guarantee that, if awarded contract, they will enter into satisfactory bond for completion of work, in some sur- ety company authorized to do business in the state. sa
 New work suitable for drag line; old work teams or drag line. Work must be commenced immediately. Con- structors required to accept certifi- cates of indebtedness in payment of his work until such time as money be available from bond sale.
 Usual rights to reject any or all bids reserved
 FARRELLY LAKE LEVEEE
 DISTRICT,
 John M. Oracle, Chairman.
 J. M. Henderson, IT,, Sec'y. Humphrey & Tovey, Engineers, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. U. w. Moncrief, Attorney, Dewitt, Arkansas. Asa Oracle, Assistant Attorney, Little Rock, Arkansas. 4-15-22-29