davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27


How many people realize that the
familiar mortgage of today has been
handed down to us from generation to
generation in practically unchanged
form since the time of ancient Baby
Ion?
Yet this is n fact. The mortgage is
one of those few things which has sur
vived through the long centuries
meeting the needs of Bel Bullitsu and
Sha Nabu Shu. Babylonian agricul-
turists, and John Jones, the modern
American farmer.
This interesting discovery was made
when the Archaeological expedition of
the University of Pennsylvania dug up,
in the ruins of the ancient city of Nip
pur, Babylon, a mortgage dated 430 b.
c., more than $500 years ago.
The following is an accurate trans
latiOn of the inscription on the brick
made by noted Assyriologist of Chi
cagO:
Thirty bushels of dates are due to
Bel Nadin, Shun, son of Marashu, by
Bel Bullitsu and Sha Nabu Shu, sons
of Kirebti, and their tenants. In the
month of Tashri (month of harvesD of
the 34th year of King ArtaXerxes l,
they shall pay the dates, thirty bushels,
according to the measure of Bel Nadin
Shun, in the town of Bit Balatsu.
Their field, cultivated and uncultivated
fief estate is held as Il pledge for the
dates, namely, thirty bushels, by Bel
Nadin Shun. Another creditor shall
not have power over it,"
The mortgage is the most ancient
form of investment, the first known
mortgage having been used by the
BabylOnians about 1000 years b. G.
1t will be noted that the document,
which is trust deed and note in one, is
a first mortgage, as shown by the final
sentence. Another creditor shall not
have power over it,"
1t will be noticed, also, that n specific
place, as well as time for payment
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

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 IL is considered that the law
gave every advantage to debtors.
Losses to bankers were frequent and
the high rate charged was more as a
measure of protection. Pompey, Bru-
tus and Cato all lent money at so per
cent.
1t is often assumed that the rate of
interest depends upon the abundance
of gold or silver. This lis not the
case, as in California and Australia
the rate of interest was extremely
high during the height of the gold ac-
uvity. 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
cent.
Several centuries before the Chris
tian era n bank of deposit existed in
Byzantium. In 900 A. ID. bank Of
deposit was established in China, al
though some form of banking existed
in that country many centuries be-
fore. About 1900 A. ID. bank of
deposit was established in Damascus !;
in 1345 one was founded in Geneva /;
in 1401 Barcelona started its first bank
ing depository; the bank of Amster-
dam was founded in 1868; bank of st.
George in 1407 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 its 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 Sennacherib,
about 700 b. G. Below is II 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 half, beginning in
Nissan.
18th day of Tebet, 34th year of
NebuchadneZZar."
Records of this kind were deposited
I'm the government office.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

of the debt is provided, just as our
modern mortgages or mortgage bouds
state that principal and interest are
payable at the Tenth Trust Co.," or
some other bank.
The amount of interest is not stated,
but on all documents of this sort
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 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
other records of the firm of Marashu
Sons, was discovered in 1898. 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 flourishing business in
Babylon, as these people were fond of
going to law and made all transfers
of property matter of record. Not
only did they invent mortgages, but
leases also.
One interesting lease demised field
and fish pond for the term of year.
The lessee made a 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 a 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 Il
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," a
wedge.
1 suppose If the Babylonians had
safety deposit vaults they would not
have considered it necessary TO insure
the preservation of their records thus.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Catarrhal Deafness Cannot Be Cured

by local applications as they cannot reach
the diseased portion of the ear. There is
only one way to cure Catarrhal Deafness,
and that is by a constitutional remedy.
HALLS CATARRH MEDICINE acts
through the Blood on the Mucous Surfaces
Of the System. Catarrhal Deafness Is
caused by an infamed condition of the
mucous lining OF the Eustachian Tube.
When this tube is infiamed you have a
rumbling sound or imperfect hearing, and
when II is entirely closed, Deafness is the
result. Unless the Inflammation can be re-
NAL condition, hearing may be destroyed
forever. Many cases of Deafness are
caused by Catarrh, which is an infiamed
condition OF the Mucous Surfaces.
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for any
case of Catarrhal Deafness that cannot
be cured by HALLS CATARRH
MEDICINE
All Druggists 75c. Circulars free.
+. J. Cheney & Co.. Toledo Ohio.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
A DAGGER
IN THE BACK

That's the woman's dread when she
gets up in the morning to start the days
work. "Oh! how my back aches" GOLD
MEDAL Haarlem OH Capsules taken to-
day eases the backache of tomorrow
taken every day ends the backache for
all time. Don't delay. What's the usa
of suffering? Begin taking GOLD
MEDAL HARLEM Oil Capsules today sad
be relieved tomorrow. Take three - four
every day and be permanently free from
wrenching. distressing back pain. But be
sure to get GOLD MEDAL. Since 1896
GOLD MEDAL Haariem Oil has been the
National Remedy of Holland, the Govern
ment of the Netherlands having granted
a special charter authorizing its prepa-
ration and sale. The housewife of Hol-
land would almost as soon be without
bread as she would without her Real
Dutch Drops" as she quantity calls GOLD
MEDAL Harlem Oil Capsules. This is
the one reason why you will find the
women and children of Holland so sturdy
and robust.
GOLD MEDAL are the pure. original
HARLEM oil Capsules imported direct
from the laboratories In Harlem, Hol-
land. But he sure to get GOLD MEDAL.
Look for the name on every box. Sold
by reliable druggists in sealed packages,
three sizes. Money refunded IL they do
not help you. Accept only the GOLD
MEDAL. All others are limitations. Adv.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
copyright. 1910. Western Newspaper ONION

copyright, lyI1, Western Newspaper UnIOnJ
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 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 enor-
nous, today we dismiss il as inconse-
quential. Passion is said to have held
S13,405 on deposit from customers, to
have loaned $60,935 and TO have owned
land worth $24,375. His income was
$1,000 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 bank
Ing account.
Greek bankers were also notaries
end witnessed contracts between 9TH
ers. They were familiar with letters
of credit and invented IL form of en-
dorsement. AS an example of this, we
read that one Iceratus drew, in Ath-
ems, a 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"-that, 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 a complimentary nature, but
1t is a fact that banking in Rome stood
high as 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 a 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
IL per cent. In the law passed under
Emperor Justinian, 528 A. d.. the rate
was fixed at per cent for notables,
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
KNITTING NEEDLE FOR FLIRT
New York Woman Jabs Washer in the
Neck and He Takes to
His Heels.

New York.-A knitting needle that
Mrs. G. Bostwick of Whaley Lake, near
Cold Spring, carried with her proved
handy, she reported, in routing a
masher who attacked her near War
wick.
While she was returning from a
visit to the home of her sister, Miss
Anna Hayner, man about forty
years old stopped her as she was
hurrying to get train. She tried
to brush him aside, but he grabbed
her arm and began squeezing 1t.
Slaps she gave him had little eff
feet, but finally she got long needle
ont of her knitting bag and gave him
jab in the neck. The fiirt capitu-
lated and fed.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

spinal meningitis. You had been using
a step-ladder at the office and it was
only backache."
Mr.. Bowser knew that she spoke
truly and he chewed on ii for ten min
utes before he said:
pat. 1 have been thinking all day
of how we had made fools of our
selves. In the old days all the fam
lies doctored themselves with a con-
coction made of herbs, roots and
banks. OF course, there were cases
of sickness the simple remedies could
not cure, but a doctor was not called
once where he is now called ten times.
/ am going back to the simple rene
dies. l am going TO make sum-
mer drink which will keep our sys-
TENS above par, and If we take a
glass Of it every morning the doc
tors may starve before they make
any bills against us"
Mrs. Bowser did not prolong the
conversation. She thought Mr.. Bow
ser would have forgotten all about 1t
by morning. Morning came, but he
had not forgotten 1t. He tramped
around the market until he found a
farmer and told him what he wanted
"You are on the right track, old
man." was replied. "My family re-
turned to the simple remedies of forty
years ago some five years since, and
none of us have had an allment since
that time. There are three country
ioctors within three miles o: US and
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

crawled into your ear, and you were
going insane. 1t was only wax, and
l could have syringed it out as well
as he, but you were bound and de-
termined TO have the doctor over.
"And you had a pimple come on
your cheek, and you were sure it was
going to be a cancer. / told you it
was only a pimple, and l could drive
it away with a little alcohol or ar
MICA, but you must have the advice of
doctor"
"And he averted what might have
been an awful cancer, and cost me
my life."
perhaps so. You came home here
one evening and said you were in for
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

remedy keep right on going out of
fashion"
Mr.. Bowser retied the package and
was going down the hall for his hat,
when Mrs. Bowser asked where he
was going.
81 am going to the drug store to see
If you have told me the truth" he
warned, shaking his finger at her as
warning of what would happen If she
had prevaricated. But she had not.
The druggist corroborated with her
in every particular, and as Mr.. BOwser
left the store he scattered his samples
all over the sidewalk. He had nothing
TO say when he got home, but next
morning he left the house n quarter
of an hour ahead of time. He left his
car at the market and began to look
for his farmer friend. They got sight
of each other, when yet a few yards
apart. Mr.. Bowser started for the
farmer and the farmer started for
home. The farmer was the best rum
ner of the two, and he made good his
escape. Just as Mr.. Bowser had halt
ed to turn back he encountered the
family doctor.
'Bowser, think my secretary sent
you a little bill yesterday"
"Yes-ah-um Yes, / got your lit
tie bill. 1t was "A very moderate bill.
l expected IL would be double what IL
was. will send you a check before
tomorrow. Yes-ah-um 1 got your
little bill, and l hope you will come
often this year."
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
The Broader Thrift.

Laying aside few dollars each
week does not necessarily make one a
thrifty person. Thrift means so much
more than merely saving money-it
means personal efiiciency-lt means
plans-it means self-control-it means
foresight means prudence-it
means sane and legitimate self-confi-
dence-it means all that makes for
character. 1t Is as much removed
from miserliness on the one hand as
It is from extravaganza on the other.
AS we build the ideals of thrift, we
build character.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
BOSCHEE'S GERMAN SYRUP

Why use ordinary cough remedies,
when Boschee's German Syrup has
been used so successfully for fifty-one
years in all parts of the United
States for coughs, bronchitis, colds
settled in the throat, especially lung
troubles. 1t gives the patient q good
nights rest, free from coughing, with
easy expectoration in the morning,
gives nature a chance to soothe the
infiamed parts, throw off the disease,
helping the patient TO regain his
health. Sold in all civilized countries.
30 and 30 cent botties.-Adv.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

all of them are in a starving con-
dition."
"And how much money do you want
to gather these things and bring them
in TO my house?" asked Mr.. Bowser.
"Well," replied the son of toll,
whose face wore the look of an in
nocent child, "you want the best, Of
course. l shall have TO spend two
days at least TO get what you want,
and 1 think five dollars will make
things about right"
Mr.. Bowser handed him the money
and his address, and inside of three
days he drove up TO the Bowser resi-
dence and handed in a big bun
die. Mrs. BoWser knew what the
contents were, and she did not med
die with 1t. When Mr.. Bowser came
up to dinner and found that his sim
pie remedies had arrived, he was in
great hurry to have his meal over
with and make an examination. The
bundle was opened, as soon as they
reached the sitting room, and he re-
piled to Mrs. Bowser:
"You may help me with these
things, If you will. AS a boy, living
in the country, knew all about herbs,
roots and banks, but am afraid / am
little rusty now"
81 think you can tell every one"
replied Mrs. Bowser. "Thls bark is
from a hemlock tree. 1t is used by
tanners to tan their skins and hides.
The farmer evidently thought your
hide needed tanning a beautiful
brown"
"The blamed fool" growled Mr..
BOwser.
"And this root 1 am holding up is
an old burdock root. Sect is about
three feet long. 1 never yet heard
that burdock root had a medicinal
quality. Perhaps, however, a drink
made of it will cure a frost bite"
"That farmer had an honest face,
but, if he has put burdock in here,
he is either q fool or scoundrelp
"And here is some slippery ELM"
continued Mrs. Bowser. "Some folk
chew it instead of gum, but you can
10 us you ike dDOuI IL. Anu llclc 10
bunch of smart weed. You could
have gathered it yourself on any vacant
lot If you crush it up and rub the
Juice into your eyes, you will have a
fine time of it. 1 don't think it ever
cured anybody. And now we come
to bunch of catnip. IF baby has
collie, catnip tea will ease It. Did
you lead the doctor TO think, Mr.. Bow
ser, that you were subjected to colic?"
"rll subject him to collie and more
too when get sight of him ~ was the
awful threat, as Mr.. Bowser clenched
his teeth and doubled up his fists.
"There are two or three things left"
said Mrs. Bowser. 1--WE have some
mandrake root, which is almost
deadly poison, and we have bunch of
swamp grass. 1t was pulled from
some frog pond, and you can almost
smell the frogs as you touch 1t to
your nose. There is what seems to be
wild onion. 1t will probably make
you go wild with JOY when mixed with
your summer drink. That's all, Mr..
BOwser, and 1 advise you to pay that
doctor bill and let the simple old
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
STOLEN WATCH SAVES
R0BBER FROM DEATH

Kansas City, Kama watch
stolen a few minutes before,
probably saved the life of
George Strickley, who was ar
rested charged with the theft.
Strickley was found by a passer-
by hiding behind the counter of
a store.
The police were notified and
two detectives hurried to the
scene. The robber pulled a gun
and ordered the detectives not
to come any closer. They fired
at him, and the bullet from the
gun of one of the detectives
struck the stolen watch. It's
course was DETECTED and only
scared the body of the r0bber.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
eoystrous and oirlstrous.

Mafy's mother objected to her asso-
ciating with little girl in the neigh
borhood and thought that she ought to
be contented in playing with Tommy,
her small brother.
She once said to Mary, 81 don't like
you TO play with that little girl, she is
too bOiSterOus."
Mary replied. You won't let me
play with her because she is too boy
strous and l won't play with Tommy
because he is sissy--he is too girl.
strOus."
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
LUGS TIES ACROSS
CANYON ON LOG
Edward Martin Says the Element
of Danger of Death APP
psaIed to Him.

Seward, misunderstanding railroad
ties on one shoulder over an
eight-inch foOtlog across a canyon 80
feet wide, with $50 feet of vacant
space between the log and n rock-torn
mountain torrent at the dark bottom
sounds like the spectacular stunt Of
circus performer, but in point of
fact it is the daily practice of Edward
Martin, tie-chopper who lives at
Crow Creek Pass on the Governments
new railroad.
Martin has permit from the forest
service to use timber on the north side
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
An Ultimatum.

"Henry, we must raise the salary OF
our house girl"
"Why, she's the worst we've ever
had"
THAT doesn't make any difference
The Glithersbys next door pay their
girl 80 cents a week more than we pay
ours, and I'm not going TO have my so.
cial standing in this community jeo'
pardlzed for a paltry half dollar"
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
CUTICURA HEALS SORE HANDS
That Itch, Burn, Crack, Chap and
Bleed--Trial Free.

In a wonderfully short time In most
cases these fragrant, super-creamy
emollients succeed. Soak hands on re-
firing in the hot suds of Cuticura Soap,
dry and rub Cuticura Ointment into
the hands for some time. Remove sur
plus Ointment with soft tissue paper.
Free sample each by mail with Book.
Address postcard, Cuticura, Dept. l.
Boston. Sold everywhere.-Adv.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
BOWSer'S
Remedies
He Goes Back TO the
Old-FaShiOned
Ones
Ss0s . 0eeosesss
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

Mr.. Bowser was pacing the sitting
room and smoking his after-dinner
cigar, when Mrs. Bowser, who was up
stairs, heard him shout out"
"By thunder, but how dare he'll
how dare he"
'What is the matter?" she asked, as
she came running down.
"Why l found this bill on the man.
tel" he replied, as he waved it
around,
"Oh, the doctors bill, Ell? Yes,
1t came in the mail today, and, if
you will draw check for it, / will
get it off the first thing in the morn
Ing.
Let me see," said Mrs. Bowser,
as she sat down. "You had him
once, when you thought a bug had
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Canary Girls in ENGLAND.

They have n new kind OF "canaries"
In England. These are girls who work
In the munition plants and whose hair
and skin are yellowed by the fumes of
the explosives. Many of them have
died from the effects, but if treatment
is given in time recovery is possible.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Grace at Table Led TO Divorce.

Syracuse, N. Y.-"Cussing" his wife
because she said grace at the table is
one of the allegations that resulted in
a report being filed by a master recon-
mending a divorce for Mrs. Esther
Irene Fegley. of this city, from How
ard ]. Fegley, of Kutztown. Pa.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Some Pictures.

Bill-YOu know motion picture
films showing the entire process of
honey-making by bees have been made
by United States government expert.
Jill-Is that right?
"Sure, and they are said to be so
lifelike that the day after they were
first produced an epidemic Of hives
broke out among the population"
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Not Making a Cent.

The father, i'm this moral little tale,
is a local manufactures. Things hadn't
been going well at the works, and he
came home tired the other evening.
But the father is never too tired to
help Willie with his arithmetic. SO
when Willie looked up from his book
and asked:
"Father, how many cents make a
dime?"
"Ten," replied father.
"And how many mills make a centT
pursued Willie.
"Not darn one of 'em, till this coal
situation loosens up" answered IA
gher, emphatically.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Uncertain About Tibet.

We are glad that Tibet is ready to
join the allies, even though we never
can remember whether the llama is
the ruler of that country or the sheep
which are herded by the Lassa, as
shown in the geography.-Kansas CITY
Times.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
A Cruel Hint.

81 wish l knew what to do to kill
time"
"Why don't you take singing les
sons?"
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

II the American people cannot learn
TO be thrifty, they cannot remain a
great nation.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

One person out of every ten who dies
today in our large cities is buried In q
Potter's field.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27
Important 10 Mothers

The person who wastes food during
war time is helping the enemy.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

They have rights who dare main
tain them.-Lowell.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

To Cure q Cold In One Day
Take LAXATIVE BROMO QUININH Tablets
Druggists refund money IL IL falls 70 cure. n. w.
GROVE ; slgnaturei 10 on each boz. SOC.
The Yale expositor., 1917-12-27

The only thing that beats paying
debts is not making them.