davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
Children's Evening" Story

IT was very careful" Brownie said.
I'm sure it can't be that
Then your legs are too short Mr..
Frog told him glibly. "They look to
me to be much shorter than they were
when ! measured YOU
"My legs" Brownie Beaver ex-
claimed-'my legs are exactly the
same length they were three days
ago! You've made mistake, Mr..
Frog. That's what's the matter with
these trousers!'
But Mr.. Frog shook his head.
81 made them according to your
measurements" he insisted.
Let me see your figures!" Brownie
Beaver cried.
But Mr.. Frog shook his head again.
Il don't do business that way" he
explained. 'As soon as I've finished a
suit / throw away the stone on which
I've written the measurements. 1t
saves trouble, if there's any COM
plant afterwards"
"Well.' said Brownie. What can
we do about this? I can't wear the
trousers as they are.
you'll have to get your legs
stretched Mr.. Frog told him. Just
tie stone to each foot and wear the
trousers for few days. AS soon as
you see your feet, take off the stones.
It's simple enough" He helped tie
some heavy stones to Brownies feet.
And then Brownie swan away.
Now, swimming with your feet
weighted like that is no easy matter
But Brownie managed to reach home.
Il ofo M
the day, because it was hard for him
to move about. And since he had
nothing else to do, he went to sleep.
When he awoke, about an hour be-
fore sunset. he couldn't think at first
what made his feet SO heavy. He
thought that he must be ill-until he
remembered about the stones being
tied to his feet.
Then he looked down. And to his
great surprise and joy there were his
feet sticking out of his trousers, just
as they ought to stick out!
Brownie united the stones. He had
not supposed his legs would stretch
so quickly as that And he told him
self that Mr.. Frog was good tailor
He certainly knew his business.
Now, as a matter Of fact, Mr.. Frog
was very careless person. He had
thrown away Brownies measurements
before he made his clothes. instead OF
afterwards. And he had made the
new suit entirely by guesswork. 1t
was only natural that he would make
some mistake: and so he had cut the
| trousers entirely too long.
! When he discovered that, he wanted
to get Brownie out of his shop. And
what happened next was simply this
After Brownies trousers were wet in
the pond, they dried while he was
sleeping. And while they were drying
they were shrinking at the same time
Though Brownie Beaver didn't
know it, his legs had not stretched al
all. They were exactly the same
length they had always Oeen.
(The end)
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
THE TALE OF BROWNIE BEAVER.


Three days had passed. And as
soon as he had finished his breakfast
Brownie Beaver fastened to the tailor
shop Of Mr.. Frog, who had been max
ing him suit of clothes.
Much to Brownies disappointment
he found that Mr.. Frogs door was
locked. But he sat down on the door
step and waited long time. And at
last Mr. Frog appeared.
After bidding Brownie Beaver good
morning. Mr.. Frog yawned widely, re-
marking that he had been out late
the night before, lat singing party
he said. what can I do for you?"
he asked Brownie Beaver.
you can let me have my new suit
of clothes,'' Brownie told him.
"You must be mistaken" Mr.. Frog
replied. 81 don't remember you. I'm
not making any suit for you"
At that Brownie Beaver became
much excited.
why he exclaimed-"I was here
three days ago and you measured me.
Don't You know me now" he asked.
Sorry to say I DON'T was Mr..
Frogs answer.
Brownie Beaver became desperate.
He had looked forward eagerly to hav.
ing his new suit. And he wanted it
at once.
"Yau advised me to get new hat
and a collar" Brownie reminded him.
Mr.. Frog smiled.
"Ah. That's it," he cried. you're
wearing them now; and it's no won
der l didn't recognize you. You look
ten years younger"
Brownie Beaver was puzzled.
I'm not ten yet he said. so if
look ten years younger, l must ap-
pear very young indeed
"The new clothes will fix that" Mr..
Frog assured him.
"But you just told me you were not
making a suit for me- said Brownie.
Quite true, too" answered Mr..
Frog-"because it's all finished So,
of course, I'm not making it now
They had stepped inside the shop.
And Mr.. Frog carefully took some
garments off peg and spread them
before Brownie Beaver.
"There!" he said with an air of
pride. THE finest suit you ever saw"
"T'll slip it on" said Brownie.
ooh. wouldn't do that" Mr.. Frog
told him. you might stretch it."
But nothing could have kept
Brownie out of his new suit. He
scrambled into it quickly, while the
tailor stood by with worried look on
his face.
1.-The coat seems to be all right
Brownie remarked But there's
something wrong with the trousers.
can't see my feet" He bent over
and gazed down where his feet ought
to have been. But they had vanished
And an end of each trouser leg trailed
on the floor. These trousers are too
long!" Brownie declared.
"Then you stretched them, putting
them on Mr.. Frog said. Il warned
you, yon know"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
Others Editorials
SENATE is RESERVED.
Davenport Times.l

The senate has endorsed so much
of the presidents peace note as may
induce the warning nations to state
their terms for possible peace. It was
evident, after the debate of the last
few days that the senate could not be
induced to endorse the whole peace
note.
And there was very good reason for
the upper house taking that position.
It is the body that must approve any
treaty that the country may enter In
to. The proposal for a league to en-
force peace, which was contained in
the presidents note, as a second sug-
gestion for the consideration of the
nations would have to be approved by
the senate in the final form of treaties
if it were accepted by the world The
original resolution of endorsement Of
the presidents note amounted to
committing the senate in advance to
the principle of the league of peace.
The senate is very jealous of it's
treaty making authority. 1t doesn't
care to do anything that may commit
it in advance to something it knows
nought Of
However, approval of the president S
effort to bring the present war to a
close is quite another matter. Sena-
tors Cummins and Kenyon voted with
the democrats for approval. Senator
Sherman voted with the opposing re-
publicans. Ten republicans voted for
the resolution and sixteen against.
Only MARITIME of New Jersey, among
the democrats, voted not to approve
the presidents action.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

others have probably never been re-
sponsible for expending sums greater
than several hundred dollars a year
Some of them will show competence;
others may not.
In view of the world movement to-
wards efficiency in government, 1t is
appropriate for all Iowans to ask at
this time: What will the legislature
do at the present session and what
measure of business ability will 1t
show"
No one knows just what the 1egisla-
tors will do. No one can positively
say that the states business will be
conducted on sound business prin-
ciples or that it will not We may all
join in hoping, however, that there will
be departure from the practices of
past years. Evidence is piling up,
year by year, showing that there is an
enormous waste Of money under pres
ent methods of state government and
that there is much room for improve
ment and reform.
Glance over the record Of the past
and see if it is the way you want the
present assembly and those that fol-
low it. to conduct the business of the
state of Iowa-your business and your
neighbours.
In former years, the business Of the
the legislature--mostlya matter of ap-
prupriating money, has been conduct
ed in this wise:
Committees are appointed and from
time to time they report bills calling
for an expenditure of money. Those
of these lois which meet the approval
Of party leaders are passed. Then in
dividual members of the legislature
introduce their pet measure or
measures which they feel called upon
to champion and from time to time the
influential members, by negotiation
and diplomacy, get their bills adopted.
Those that are held up for considera-
, ton and the new ones constantly be-
| ing added make up long list and as
I the session nears a close there is a
+. grand rush and by trading votes or by
other political deals many of the bills
are rushed through and made into
laws. Thousands Of dollars are APP
, propriated in a very few minutes dur
, ing some of these last minute rushes.
Next the members rush home and not
, unIll lne governor finishes tue DlS JOD
,, of going over the mass of bills and af-
fixing his veto to some Of them does
!! the state at large know which bills
are valid laws.
=, Sometimes the appropriations do not
equal the amount in the treasury. but
because the state has the power to
levy taxes. it can make it's treasury
fit it's appropriations and so, eventu-
ally all, or nearly all, of the money
that is appropriated is paid out
Any private business run along such
lines would be bankrupt in few
months. Such methods would ruin the
best paying industrial proposition in
the world But because it is the
states business, nobody seems to
have made it his business and while
private business efficiency increases
year by year, the business of running
the state readily becomes more in
efficient, wasteful and expensive
Ii is pertinent to ask, will our pres
ent legislature continue along the
same line?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
THE STATES BUSINESS.

The thirty-seventh general assembly
of the state of Iowa meets this week.
After few days spent in organizing
and in making up committees. the as
semblymen will begin consideration of
the business of running the state. In
their hands is left decision as to what
shall be done in the way Of education,
safeguarding of life and property, pro-
viding for new buildings and new pro-
jects. caring for the wards Of the state,
improving roads and the multitude Of
other matters that are delegated to the
state legislature. They will provide
for the outlay of thousands upon thou
sands of dollars. Their acts will be a
big factor in determining the future
of Iowa, at least the immediate future.
The members of the legislature
come from every section of the state.
They represent varied walks in life.
Some of them are men of big business,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
A SLASH At THE CABLE.

From time to time attacks have been
made upon the judiciary system OF the
United States by men who claimed
that the courts were intended merely
to interpret laws and not to decide
which laws were constitutional and
which not. A senator yesterday actu-
ally introduced bill which would in
effect make it impossible for Judge
to declare a law unconstitutional.
Such proceedings and such propa-
ganda are Just instances of the present
day movement toward the throwing
off Of an restraint; toward securing
unbridled license under the guise or
personal liberty. 1t would mean sub
stitution of the whim of congress for
the Judgment of the ages; it would
cut the cable which holds the nation
to solid and substantial anchorage.
Congress is prone to presume that
il is the ruling body in this nation and
that it is trespass upon its rights and
functions for the courts to invalidate
any of its acts. Congress is wrong.
The people are the rulers and the con-
stitution is their very best assurance
that the right to rule will not be taken
awav from them. The constitution
delegates certain duties to congress,
among which is the passage of laws.
It must be apparent at a glance that
congress has not the right to pass laws
that are not in accordance with the
constitution. Probably congress win
never knowingly pass bill that is I'M
constitutional but it may do so un-
knowingly. Congress has a way OF
giving lots of consideration to some
bills and little consideration to lots Of
bills. It is not past belief that one of
those busy closing days that we read
so often about, may not see the pas
sage of bills that really are not in &C
cord with the constitution.
The makers of the constitution evi-
IDENTIFY foresaw such possibility be-
cause they made provision for judi
ciary and directed it to interpret the
law. If it could not interpret the or
ganic law. then certainly it could not
interpret the statutes of congress- or
any other laws. And if il its inter
probation Of the constitution it finis
certain acts of congress are invalid
| then surely it is right that the acts be
declared null and void.
The country will rue the day thai
sees congress accorded sole power tG
determine whether its acts are consti
tutional or not.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
Dl n n r
s toria%

A young American who returned
from London recently correspondent
with Bernard Shaw, and happening to
meet him at Fabian gathering he
shyly made himself known to the
great man. The latter invited him to
lunch. Overwhelmed with pleasure
and the diffidence OF youth, the Amer
lean hesitated a moment to phrase a
suitable reply. and Mr.. Shaw pretend
ed to believe it was because Of his
reputation as a vegetarian. you need
not be afraid" he said: 1--WE always
have plenty of dead bodies for my wife
to eat'-Life.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
GOOD WORK FOR orTuMwA.

That the people of the city appreci-
ated the action of the Commercial
club in getting Roger w. Babson
world famous statistician, to come
here for an address, was evidenced IN
the large crowd that heard him Sat
urday night at the club. Mr.. Babson
fulfilled expectations by giving MS
hearers much to ponder over.
His subject dealt with the causes OF
depression and prosperity and his OBJ
servations were based on statistics
drawn from every section OF the
world and upon every conceivable SUBJ
ject
His information convinces him That
prosperity and progress are the fruits
of enterprise, initiative. perseverance
and faith, not only on the part OF the
Individual but on the parts OF whole
communities and whole nations. tie
commended that I'VE are all in the same
boat in broad sense and that the
group must contain the prerequisites
of success and prosperity else there
can be no prosperity; in other words
that a few cannot make the many
prosperous. And likewise, he stated.
few cannot stave off depression, II
the group as whole is headed that
way.
Cooperation. therefore, is reckoned
by Mr., Babson as the solution OF all
difficulties. He gives the word the
place of most importance in language.
And it is not amiss, in passing, to
note that his being here, is the result
of the growing spirit of cooperation
among the merchants and manufacture
ers and citizens of Ottumwa. Meet
ings such S were held Saturday night.
! provide fertile ground on which the
seeds of wisdom dropped by the speak
ers. soon take root. Different opinions
are developed and with discussion.
definite policies are worked out. The
opinion of the majority should rule,
| but it must not be forgotten that the
| opinion of an honest minority often
brings out essential details that would
otherwise be overlooked.
Saturday nights meeting furnished
much food for thought and for that
reason it was particularly good meet
! ing for the city as a whole. More
such meetings will develop more
thought and more united effort toward
doing those things best calculated to
advance the interests of the city.
The Commercial club is doing a
| good work for Ottumwa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
DRY MEASURE is
REFERRED TO HOUSE

Washington. D. c.. Jan. 10. The
fight for a dry" national capital was
transferred to the house today from
the senate where the Sheppard prohi.
bition bill for thy District of Columbia
was passed laI yesterday by vote
of SIS to 80. Advocates of the meas
ure apparently are confident Of favor
able action in the house.
AS it goes to the house, the bill
would abolish saloons in the district
and prevents the manufacture or sale
of liquors within its limits. but would
not prohibit their import for personal
use, The measure would take effect
November | next.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
COMING TO IT.
burlington Hawk-Eye.


The folly OF the present democratic
low tariff is now in the limelight of
national publicity. Every intelligent
citizen ought to be able to see and re-
alize the utter futility of the free trade
policy.
This administration has found it
necessary, as result of it's annulment
of the protective policy, to impose all
sorts of direct taxes on the people, in.
ternal income, corporation and stamp
taxes, and still is in hole. Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo forecasts a
deficit next June Of about 5000 ,O0O,0 900.
This, in spite of new tax laws that
went into effect January 1, 1917.
To meet this shortage the admins
tration viii urge congress to enact
more tax laws. Under democratic
financing it is tax upon tax, and more
taxes. Not only this, but the secre-
tary also thinks of resorting to bond
sales.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
HAVE WINNERS
FOR TOWNSHIP
CORN CONTEST
Successful Participants in
Grain and Pork Clubs
Announced By Ames.
YOUNGSTERS WILL
GO TO SHORT COURSE

The full list of county and town
baby pork contests, conducted here
during the past summer and tail by
the extension department of Iowa
state college at Ames, have been re-
ceived by County Superintendent
Gardner.
As announced sometime ago Edgar
HoIlenback, Eldon Route 2, was de-
clared the county winner in the corn
contest and had his trip to the Inter
national livestock show in Chicago in
December as his prize.
Township Winners.
The corn club for each township
represented are: Wilbur Thomas, Fl
don Route 2, Washington; Lester
Glover, Blakesburg, Route 1, Ad&n@:
Gerald Warner, Ottumva Route :.
Center; Oien Dimmitt, Ottumwa
Route 1, Dahlonega; Emerson Rupe.
Ottumwa Route z, Keokuk; Ernest
Jones, Chlncodhe Route /, Cass;
Oliver Larson. Abba Route 3, Polk;
Delbert Merrett, Chillicothe Route I,
Columbia; Samuel Sauer, HEIDI hex
Route I, Cumpetine.
Winners on Pigs.
The standing of the contestants tn
the baby pork work for The 66eren&
townships follows. Each entry is CIV
en-, the highest frgt, which Is the WIN
ner.
Adams ortRe Smith. s2.s; Wh.
liam Scboech, e9.5.
Cass+ Donald Riley, S8.4; Dorothea
Griffieon, 1913.
coaumbia-Lesiie Nye, So; Ethe,
Nye. 70.
Keokuk-Maurice Buchanan, SIS;
John White, GAL; Albert Jenecke 54A.
Pleasant Mcdowell, S41.
Polk-Heene Larson, ~.
Richland- Andrews, S5.2;
Nina GroDewold. SOC.
Center-Barl Mccoy, ia: Clarence
Hockersmith, 612; Harold Grant, IS.
Dahlonega-IiYlie Peck, "a.
Highland-Earl Robertson, TO-.
Washington Edgar Hollenbeck.
Ss.s: Wilbur Thomas, s6S:s Josie- Hol:,
lenbeck. S5.1; Leota Spiman, sos.
All of the winners will be given a
free trip to the winter short course
to be held at Ames, January % to
February 3.
A special prize Of $3.50 was offered
by Senator J. n. Allen OF Pocahontas
county. He divided this into four prizes
for each congressional district in the
state making about SIS for each boy
and girl Vaughn Mcdowell Of Pleasant
township, having received the fourth
highest score in the sixth congress
sional district, Is entitled to the free
trip known IS the Alien Prize.
cooaty Raised Money.
The money for the other prizes ~D
raised by WapeAo county.
E. C. Bfshop, head Of the Ames e1-
tension department, was here dunE
the past summer and number Ct
meeting were held in connection VIM
the work The OttnnWa ComeEcA1
club took hold of the proposition and
aided County Superintendent Gard.
ner and his ASSISTANTS in theth ednElS
to promote better corn and puk In
this vicinity.
L. o. Wise, county ag!Scuizt fof
Clinton county. IS awxdfRg . GlRvR
trophy valued ut SO to tho county
team OF five which scores The highest
IN stock and corn Judging. The tro.
ply is to be competed for annually
and after three years successive VIM
ming 1t becomes the property Of soaDe
county. This Is held in connection
with the regular short course at Ansss
this winter.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
HOPE IS TO
UNITY THEIR RACE

New York, Jan. 10. The unfffcation
OF the Serbian race will be the princi-
pal demand of Serbia at the chose Of
the war, says Loubombire NJ. Mihail-
ovitch, newly appointed Serbian min
lister to the United States, who Is here
today on his way to Washington
"Serbia's ambition" he declared, els
to see consolidation Of the Slavs Of
the south"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
STEEL SETS NEW RECORD.

New York. Jan. 10.-UnfilIed orders
of the United States Steel corporation
for the month ending December 81
reached II SAT ,2S6 tons: an increase OF
4SS.744 over the previous month, again
breaking all records.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
CANTONESE DIES.

Chicago, Jan. 10.-Luther D. Brad
ley. for many years cartoonist for the
Chicago Daily News, died suddenly at
his home last night. Mr.. Bradley was
born in New Haven. Conn, in 1858.
His political cartoons placed him in
the front rank in his profession and
made his name familiar throughout
the country
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
BUFFALO BILL DIES

Denver. Colo. Jan. 10.-Col William
Frederick Cody. Buffalo Bid soldier
hunter and scout. the idol of juvenile
America, died at 1905 p. m. here to
day at the home of his sister.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

If the men you are associated with
are not doing their duty, what are you
doing? Are you shielding them?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

The Russians and Rumanians appear
to be trying to run the Germans to
death. So far the Germans haven't
caught them, however.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

The city's limits should be extended.
Ottumwa must be in the ''over $4,000
population class before the next cen.
sus is taken.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

Don't swallow bug and then take
poison to kill the bug. Get right at
the start.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

One way to get out OF a scrape is
to let your beard grow.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12
SWORN TO SERVE.

The legislature is now in session 1t
is already advertising a very COM
|mendable desire to make the session
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

Constant pursuit of pleasure is far
more firing than real work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

Debts pile up rapidly il you give
them a start. Savings accounts grow
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

Pessimism is always DESTROYER,
never a producer.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

constituents and to the people OF the
entire state.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

just as rapidly when given as much
attention.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-12

The place is one of our most expen-
sive and therefore popular restau-
rants.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-12-22
Home GUARD
IS PLANNED
Adj. Gen. Ellis Says Military
Unit viii Be Formed In
1918.

Lexington, KY, Dec. 19.-Adit.
Gen. Taady Ellis SAID that a Kentucky
home guard to protect the State
against any outbreak of outlawry
would be formed at the beginning OF
1918. The Kentucky Home Guard
would be separate from the United
States Guards, which the Govern
ment recently announced would be-
formed, but its organization will fol-
low the same lines. Men above and
below draft ages will be Differed by
Spanish War veterans and officers de-
eIared ineligible for foreign service.
Formation awaits passing of law by
the Legislature to supplement the old
National Guard law.