davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

full and really grown man, he chooses
to return to you, We will consent to it. ;"
Elvy rose slowly. Her face was a
bit white. She passed one hand over
her forehead with an odd quick ges-
ture. Then without word, she went
into the next room. Mrs Fallows
waited. 1t had been, hard, but not as
tho Jerry himself had been there to
argue with. The girl was proud. She
would surely let him go. And then
behind her she heard Elvy's football.
and turned her head. Proud and silent
she stood there, a world of love in her
eyes, and in her arms Jerry's first
born.
He's only a month DID," she said
gently. But he's the reason why 1
couldn't ask Jerry to go away and
leave u.s."
1t was a little past 10 when Jerry
drove down the road with his load of
wood. When he came to the little
shack he let out his usual call, the
love greeting to his mate, but there
was no answer, and when he entered
the kitchen he stood amazed. With
one of Elvy's big aprons on her his
mother sat before the fire bathing
Jerry, Jr., her face radiant with con-
tentment. She laughed as she put up
her face for kiss.
"Oh, jerry" she said, isn't he WON
derful?"
Jerry knelt beside them both, his
eyes full of fun. Was this his conserv-
ative, worldly little mother from New
York? And he had not dared write
her the truth, not even when the
baby came.
Why, mumsie," he said, putting his
head on her shoulder, II didn't know
you liked babies. I thought you'd
rebel if you knew even that you were
a grandmother. How did you ever
find us?'
Il think I was sent, and Elvy won
me over. No, 1 want to tell him the
truth" as Elvy's eyes begged her not
to. Il came here deliberately, Jerry
to try and coax you back north with
me, and then the dear child laid this
laddie in my arms, and what could I
do but love "-(Copyright. 1917
by the Mcclure NeWspaper Syndicate \
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
CAUSES OF CAR SHORTAGE.

Some interesting information re-
garding the car shortage is furnished
by Ballard Dunn, special representa-
tive of the Western Association of
Railways, in a little pamphlet just is
sued entitled, Some Facts on Car
Shortage" Summarized the PAM
phlet shows:
The tremendous increase in exports
to foreign countries; the withdrawal
of ships from the Pacific coast trade;
the closing of the Panama canal, and
the increase in the price of farm prod
ucts is primarily the cause of the car
shortage On American railroads.
The export bushes of America is
more than twice what it was just prior
to the war. All the commodities rep
resented in these export figures, food,
clothing, horses, automobiles, ammu-
milton, and all the other many sup
plies purchased by the allies have
thrown a burden upon railroad equip
ment, which is unusually abnormal.
The withdrawal of the shipping
from tho Pacific coast has made it
necessary to ship many thousands of
ucts of the field and farm by rail
alone. which until the European war
were moved by both rail and boat.
These Pacific coast boats have been
withdrawn from this trade for partic-
ipation in the more lucrative Atlantic
trade carrying freight to the allied
countries.
The slides in the Panama canal,
which have closed that waterway.
have also resulted in the throwing of
an extra burden upon railroad equip
ment.
The high prices for farm products,
specially wheat and livestock, have
thrown a still further burden upon the
railroads, for the reason that every
farmer and stock grower has been
anxious to take advantage of these
high prices, and fearful that the prices
might later go down, there has been a
rush upon the part of every farmer
and stock grower to get his crop to
market One hundred per cent of the
crop was offered for movement this
year during the period in which ONLY
20 per cent of the same crop was Of
fered for movement last year
The Railway Age Gazette estimates
that up to December Is, 1915, 15O,376
new freight cars had been ordered,
and something like 10000 more were
added during the last two weeks of
December.
This it is thought will to very large
extent relieve the congestion, but the
greatest essential at this time is said
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
SIDE TALK S
The Best Purchase.
BY RUTH CAMERON.


I'VE are going to have a new car"
a friend of mine said to me one day
She spoke in such a delightful tone
be buying something wonderful, for
their former car had been a very
comfortable affair.
But to my surprise, she named a
machine that cost several hundred
dollars less than her old one.
That's fine" I said, trying to keep
the surprise out of my voice, and
evidently failing.
You don't think so,'' she laughed,
but 1 do. It's this way. We could
just barely afford to run that large
car. 1t was always running over the
allowance We put aside for it, and 1
was always adding up bills, and feel
ing we ought not to use it so much.
OF course, it was nice to have a
luxurious car, but one day after a
ride had been spoiled for me by some
little accident 1 knew would cost a
lot to repair, and a friend we had
with us had told US how little that
me that I would be happier on the
whole with less luxury and less
worry"
Did John see it that way?" I
asked.
mot at first" she confessed.
well, 1 haven't wholly. 1t took
a good deal of tact and our last bill
of repairs even half to persuade him
He says, It's only an experiment. -
I met this woman again the other
day and at once inquired about the
experiment. She said it had become
permanent, and I congratulated her.
For it seems to me they have set
their feet on the road to happiness.
Another young couple whom
know had big raise once. The first
day or two they talked much of what
they would buy-a piano, a new set
of living room furniture. even, by
economizing an auto 1 asked her
later what they had decided upon.
"Oh, a few little things we need"
she said. land after that, just peace
of mind
you mean
THAT I'd rather have a comfort
able margin for extras than anything
else I could buy
When standards rise faster than
incomes you get misery; when stand
ards keep constant pace with income
you get discomfort and uneasiness;
when standards are rigidly kept (they
don't do it of themselves) a little be-
low income. you get peace of mind
and contentment.
And what in all the world is there
better?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
HOUSEHOLD HINTS
Puddings.
BY BRINK RHOFF.

Steamed Pudding (will serve eighO
One cup sour milk, one teaspoon
soda, one-half cup molasses, one tea
spoon salt, one cup dried fruit or rails
juice saved for dressing); flour, with
one teaspoon baking powder in it
(enough flour to make a stiff batter).
Steam two and one-half hours in dou-
BILE boiler. Serve with white sauce
made of one cup sugar, chunk butter,
two tablespoons flour, one cup hot
water, one cup fruit juice RASPBERRY
preferred), one teaspoon lemon or
vanilla; boil until smooth. Cut pud-
ding like cake and pour sauce over
each dish.
Prune Pudding (to serve six)-Cook
half pound prunes till soft. put thru
sieve (be sure to have a nice lot of
juice), then thicken with cornstarch.
Beat whites of two eggs until stiff
fold them into prunes after you take
them from fire. Fine served with
whipped cream; very good served
plain.
Carrot Pudding-One cup brown
sugar, one cup suet (chopped), one
cup carrots (grated), one cup Irish
potatoes, one cup seeded raisins, one
cup currantS, one cup orange, lemon
and citron peel ground together, one
cup flour, one teaspoon each CHINA
mon, cloves and nutmeg mixed; one
half teaspoon salt. Mix all together
thoroly. Steam three hours in pail
with cover on tight inside of another
vessel with water in; or, put in bag
and boil AS water boils away add
more, SO the same quantity remains
This is healthier than plum pudding
and requires no eggs. Make a sauce
and flavor with lemon or vanilla.
Plum Pudding-One pound bread
crumbs, one pound flour, one pound
seeded raisins, three-fourth pound
chopped currants, one ounce lemon
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
BED Time TALES
A SUMMER CHRISTMAS TREE.
BY CLARA INGRAM JUDSON

Once upon a time band of fairies
lived in a currant bush close by a high
thick hedge.
Every evening in the twilight, a lit
tie sparrow came and sat in the hedge
and talked and visited with the fairies
very pleasantly. He was such a hap
Ply little sparrow that the fairies en-
Joyed him, until he made friends with
some big squawky black birds. After
that he became such a braggart that
the fairies thought he was very queer
One evening as he sat on the hedge
he said:
How can you stand it to be Just
fairies-its so much grander to be a
bird. | am sorry for you poor little
things"
Now, as it happened, the fairies had
always been happy and proud that
they were fairies, and it hadn't occur
red to them to feel sorry for them
couldn't forget what the sparrow said
they thought of it all night and all
day.
The next evening when the sparrow
came he said:
How can you stand to live in such
a common thing as a currant bush? If
I had to be a fairy, I'd at least live in
a pretty tree You ought to be a bird
so you could fly around and see lovely
things as 1 do.
Last winter l saw tree just the
kind you SHOULD live in | sat on d
window sill of the house over there
and when L peeped in. 1 saw the most
curious tree-all shining with golden
and red balls and glittering stars
"Oh, dear signed the fairies. chow
fine it would be to live in a place like
that
81 tell you what let's do" whispered
one fairy. lets leave this old currant
bush for good
So they all scampered off to search
for the shining tree.
Left all alone, the old currant bush
was very sad for a while aid mourned
and grieved for the fairies that had
gone But when the morning sun
shine came. she shook herself real
hard and said:
How silly for etc NOPE like this;
maybe if ! work I could grow some
red balls of my own"
So she set to work her very hardest
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

tiers of crimson balls hung from the
dainty green stems. And the currant
bush was so happy, she invited a fam
ily of fireflies to live with her to en-
joy the beauty.
In the meantime the fairies had
hunted and hunted and found no tree
Ike the sparrow had seen. At last
Ih.y were SO tired they decided to go
back home to the old currant bush,
even if it was common.
When they reached there in the
evening they could hardly believe
their eyes. The bush was covered with
crimson balls and the lights of the
fireflies glowed and sparkled among
the leaves.
Here is the very tee the sparrow
told Of they all shouted and ran to
climb the familiar brancEts s.
AS they cnuggled down to rest from
their long journey enc little fairy
whispered:
"Just to think. all this prettiness
was right here at home and we never
knewl"-(Copy by Clara Ingram
Judson-)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

found his 81 re fixed upon an interest
ing sign. HUrrying to the side of the
conductor, he eagerly inquired: do
you think will have time to get a
soda before the train starts?" "Oh,
yes, answered the conductor. But
suppose, suggested the thirsty passen-
ger, that the train should go on with
out me?' 1--WE can easily fix that ;,
promptly replied the conductor. II
will go along and have one with Won -
The late Lord Mimic used to tell A
story about famous art connoisseur
who once sat next to a rather Hitter
ate alderman at public banquet. In
the course of conversation the alder
man mentioned that his grandfather
had known the great Napoleon In
interesting" Yes" the alderman
went on And I still have the fine
snuffbox that Napoleon gave him 1t
has a hen in diamonds on the lid.
"A hen," exclaimed the other oh
1 seei You probably mean an eagle
the imperial eagle?' NO" insisted
the alderman. Its hen plain
enough. I've got it with me. Look.'
and he pulled from his pocket a
splendid gold box with an M in bril-
hants on the lid.
A small girl CHANGED to sit near a
plate containing apple parings- After
a long wait, during which no offer was
made of hospitality, she finally blurted
out:
Il smell apples"
Yes" said the lady of the house,
you smell those parings."
"Parings, nothing exclaimed the
little girl. Il smell whole apples"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
NOTHING LIKE 1T.

A year ago some of the most impor
tant British statistical manuals placed
New York first among the cities of the
earth in population. They made the
necessary comparison with London by
taking the usual legal limits of both
cities as the measure of their extent
and so found the American metropolis
the greater of the two. In the last
twelve months that margin on the side
of New York has been greatly widened
by more rapid growth.
1t is not easy to agree upon the
boundaries when an attempt is made
to compare the real extent of the two
greatest urban centers of the world
but it is evident that however far the
circle may be drawn "Grea-er New
York. is as big as Greater London"
1t is also growing much faster.
Other comparisons are increasingly
in favor of New York. 1t has become
the foremost international financial
center. 1t is the market where neu-
trail nations sell their bonds and Dor
row their funds. Its banking transact
tons are far in excess of those of any
other city.
And now New York has established
a new record for the world in foreign
commerce. Last year its traffic with
other countries exceeded $4,000, 000,-
600. a sum never reached by the for
eign trade of any other city. Nor did
any other great seaport ever carry on
so vast an internal commerce by land
in 1916.
Add to these facts the position
which New York has gained as the
richest city in the world, the first in
manufactures, the greatest in growth,
the foremost in civic revenues and mu-
nicipal spending. and its true place
among the worlds centers of popula-
ton is at once apparent. There is
nothing like New York in the world
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

peel, one-haf pound chopped English
walnuts, six chopped apples, two tea
spoons mixed spices, one-half tea
spoon salt, three eggs. one cup milk.
one pound brown sugar. Mix all in
gradients Beat eggs, add milk and
pour upon other ingredients. Mix and
press mixture into weu-greaSed mold.
Cover with a scalded and Toured cloth
and boil steadily four hours. Serve
with lemon or hard sauce.
The Table.
Cheese Soup-Three onions, one large
tablespoon butter, one quart water.
salt and pepper to taste; also pinch of
thyme and one cup grated Swiss
cheese. Take three large onions, cut
fine and fry to a dark brown in the
butter. Remove all burnt pieces of
onion to prevent bitter taste in soup.
Put onions in a sauce pan and add
quart of water, salt and pepper to
taste and pinch of thyme. Boil half an
hour; pass thru a fine strainer; place
on fire and bring to a boil, adding one
cup grated Swiss cheese and boiling a
few seconds. Serve with fried cubes
of bread. Note: Using milk instead
of water in this soup adds much to its
food value.
Mock Turkey-One-half dozen pork
chops prepared by the butcher by
splitting the chop and making pockets
in the lean part. Prepare dressing
of two cups bread crumbs, one table
spoon of melted butter, one small
onion andl a stalk of celery chopped
fine, also small pinch of sage. Moisten
with milk and season with salt and
pepper to taste. Fill each chop with
dressing and put in oven for one hour.
When half done remove cover and
brown.
Salmon Loaf--One can salmon. two
small slices salt pork Chopped fine),
two eggs (beaten), one tablespoon
flour, one cup cracker crumbs, salt
pepper; mix well and bake in loaf,
serve cold.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
GLOBE SIGHTS
[From the Atchison Globe.l

From the Atchison Globe
However, death invoices all the year
round.
A fossil may be a good citizens, but
is a bad things for a town.
If it puzzles you that may not be a
sign that it is a hard problem.
A lot of married men have felt the
way Patrick Henry talked about lib
erty.
The most difficult performances is
that of Tight Wad trying to appear
generous.
1t is the youngsters who talk most
of the merit and Importance of young
blood in the firms affairs.
Dogs are just like men in one re-
spect A good dog is fairly good, and
a bad dog is awfully bad.
If we could all forget where the
Ratchet was buried this would be a
much better world in which to live.
A man who can't organize his fam
lily isn't fit to organize a nation, and
should quit shouting national reform.
When a man tells the story of his
life the chances are he omits a number
of interesting chapters while elaborat-
ing on others.
Woman, who is difficult for mere
man to understand, is anxious to get
the invitation, even if there is no
chance for her to accept it.
If you do nothing but wish for what
you want. the chances are you won't
get it; there is a shortage of fairy god
mothers this season.
An average man thinks he could
cut big figure working in a lum-
Der camp, altho following his wife on
an hours shopping expedition wears
him completely out.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
.JOuR#tHfRIF5.

Only the man who is sure of himself
can be absolutely Independent.
X x x
There is more good in human ma
ture than one receives credit for.
4 X x
The child may be nodded by it's en-
vironment, but it is only when the
test comes that its metal is proved.
x
The suggestive line of argument
often gets results where the dictatorial
method would be an utter failure
Y <
Youth can afford to take chances
when opportunity offers, because
there is time to Try again if success be
not met with at first.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
Brave American Women.

The unwilling in Carlisle, Pa, of a
bronze statue of Molly Pitcher, heroine
of the battle of Monmouth, June %.
1878, coupled with the preparations
thruout the country by women to en-
list as Red Cross nurses in the event
of war with Mexico, furnishes occa-
sion for reflecting anew on the bravery
of American women. In all of our
wars women have been distinguished
not only on the field, but in the
patient struggle to maintain the
homes while the men were at the
front. Pennsylvania is particularly
distinguished in this respect. In ad-
dition to Molly Pitcher, who, on the
scene carrying water for the soldiers
or serving as a nurse, fired the part
ing shot at the British when they were
scaling the walls of Fort Clinton, and
who, when her husband, an artillerist.
fell at Monmouth, took his place at
the gun and fired several rounds,
there were many women in the state
who performed heroic acts in the
early days and during the war for. in
dependence.
Among those whose names are
frequently mentioned were Lydia OAR
rah, who carried the news to WASH
ington that prevented his capture by
Howe; Mrs. Bozarth, who, with an AK
killed three Indians who tried to lin
wade her home; Margaret Corbin, who,
like Molly Pitcher, had followed her
husband, an artillerist, to the war as
a nurse and who, when he was killed,
took his place at the gun at the battle
of Fort Washington, falling herself
eventually with a serious wound; and
then there was Betsy Ross of Phil
adelphia, who made the first Ameri-
can flag. Everywhere during our stir
ring days woman has shown her ira
ditionaI patriotism and bravery
Pittsburg Post.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

Much is being written and published
in the eastern press regarding the al
legged stinginess of the west. 1t is
charged that the people of the west
refuse to share their war gains with
the suffering peoples of the eastern
hemisphere. The injustice of the ac-
cusation will be realized when it is re-
membered that the class of persons in
the west who have profited by the
war is the farmer alone. The big
rakeoff has been made from Chicago
on eastward where the steel and mu-
milton plants and the big factories are
located. The west holds none of these.
After the many lean years that the
western farmers experienced before
the war they may well be excused if
they do not yet feel ready to divide.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
THE "IOAN sHARKs. :.

a desire to curb the activities of the
loan shark" has led to the introduce
ton of bills in the legislature for that
purpose. Laws on the statute books
already apparently are sufficient but
for some reason they don't work.
The money lender covers his tracks
SO carefully that it is hard to catch
him. He rarely seeks business. He
merely lets it be known that he has
money on hand for the needy. His
method of doing business is usually
about as follows:
A man is in dire need of say, 500.
He goes to the loan agent and makes
his wants known. 1t is a last resort
He has no standing at the bank and
dislikes to appeal to his friends. He
signs note payable in thirty days
bearing interest at the rate of 10 per
cent per annum after maturity.
The lender charges him commits
sion" of anywhere from 8 per cent to
10 per cent which nc takes out of the
loan, handing over, if the rate be per
cent, sos. at the expiration of thirty
days the borrower comes in and an
well; the note will be extended. He
pays another So and is granted an
other thirty days. This is continued
indefinitely and no record of the
transaction is given him. The written
contract calls for the legal rate of in
terest; no lnore. To mako the trans
action more difficult for the courts
ba 10 2
appear that he is not harding his
own money.
A favorite basis of loans of this
character by some operators is mort
gage on the salary of the applicant
This type of borrower rarely makes
complaint because he doesn't want the
boss to know.
Probably not one borrower in a
hundred makes any fuss regarding his
bargain. Most of them look upon the
loan shark as a real friend in need.
They can always get money from him
when all other sources have failed.
So it is doubtful that any law can
be framed that will stop the business
unless it be one which will cause the
lenders to shut up shop. This would
work a real hardship on many unless
some way be provided to take care of
them.
The system is undoubtedly bad but
conditions must be dealt with as they
are found. What seems to be needed
is place provided by the municipal
ity or by some philanthropic organiza-
ton where the needy can be accom-
modated at a nominal rate of interest,
one that will merely cover the expense
of operation. The thing has been done
elsewhere. Why not here?
Let some of those who are so great
ly interested in the victims of the
loan sharks set about helping them
in a substantial way instead of trying
to do it thru the uncertain channels
of the law and the courts
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20

The decision of the United States
supreme court which sustains the
right of city to abolish billboards on
residence streets will bring a feeling of
satisfaction to a large number of per-
sons who do not own vacant lots. But
is it wholly fair? Should not an owner
of real estate be permitted to derive
such revenue as he can from his hold
ings so long as he does not menace the
health or morals of the public?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-20
TO JAMES wHITCOMB RILEY.
After the InurneY

When he went home, who went the other
day,
There was an eager scamper of wee feet
To welcome him, and faces small and
Uplifted, and bright eyes, blue, brown, and
gray,
Danced with delight as only child-eyes may
When joy is overlooking and complete:
And he was crowded on some shady seat,
Both knees, both arms, filled in the old
time way.
"Tell us a tory ''Say a rhyme again ~
"Oh, Little Orphant Annie, please, once
morel'
mo. Old John Henryr' mo, The Rag
gedy Man,
Was it not so, o best-beloved of men?
You cannot answer from the fartner
shore,
But Sc, 1 know, your first day home
began.
Robert Emmett Ward, In the Christmas,
December, Scribner.