davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
The BaSSett
Will
q8P
BY ALICE E. IVES
~(copyright. 1917, by W. C. chapman.J

Copyright. 1917, by w. C. Chapman.)
The will had been read, and the dis
appointed nephew and niece, who had
received much smaller legacies than
they expected, rose to take their de-
parture, each trying to assume n de-
cent air of friendliness to Richard
and Esther Stone, the more fortunate
heirs, but inwardly raging at the in
justice of Uncle Charles, the testator.
Charles Bassett had not been pos
sessed of a large fortune to leave.
The home where he died had for sev-
eral years been occupied by his niece
Esther, and her husband Richard
Stone, his board being considered an
equivalent for rent. Richard earned n
small salary as n b~OOkkeeper, and
they had not been able to ave much.
lie was steady and reliable, but with
the small confidence in himself, and
the lack of initiative which keeps u
man travelling in q rut to the end of
his days. He, as we'll as Esther had
had high hopes once of getting on in
the world, but they We're now both over
forty, and their financial progress was
scarcely p%erceptible. They had set
tied down to the conviction that any
greater degree of prosperity was not
for them, their very attitude Of mind
helping to keep them there. But if
they were ignorant of this, they were
20 be pitied rather than blamed such
u large share of humanity are in the
same boat.
They had made q comfortable home
for Uncle Charles Bassett, and had
cared for him in his last illness, ant
certainly had some right to hope hC
might leave them the house. 1t was 9
two-story brick building, in good re
pair, and with pretty grounds in one
Of the best neighborhoods of the small
western town.
The will gave them this house anC
all furniture that had belonged t
Charles Bassett, the residue, after flu
neral expenses, to be divided equal!
between the other two heirs. Thi,
amounted to only about fifteen hun
dred dollars apiece, and was deposited
In a city bank.
All the heirs were surprised that 81
small an amount had comprised tn,
old mans fortune. The lawyer WHIT
had drawn up the will some five year!
before, when Mr.. Bassett had first gon,
to live with the Stones, also wondered
because he inferred the old gentleman
had considerably more; still it wa
known that he told nobody about hi
affairs, and was considered eccentric
But what was still stranger was tn
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
cHINKs "BATTLE-Ax" COINS
Small Models of Various Utensils
Used as Medium Of Exchange in
2255 3. c.

Haskell Oriental museum at Univer-
sented with n remarkable collection of
coins by Jacob Spelcher of Shanghai,
China. Chinese coins, medals and am
ulets to the number of S44, arranged
In historical sequence, are supplement-
ed by coins of AMMAN and Korea, with
a few from the old regime of Japan.
Altogether, LOGS specimens are in
cluded. The donor vas engaged in
their collection some twelve years in
China. After being on exhibition for
three or four years at the Boston Mu-
scum of Fine Arts, they are now per-
manently located in Chicago.
Our adjective "pecunlary' still bears
witness to the cattle which served
early Rome as measures of value. In
China likewise, but far earlier, actual
commodities had constituted the first
medium of exchange. The Chinese,
however, seem to have preferred metal
objects, especially battle axes and
knives. AS government credit became
established, it was found more con-
venient to coin snail models of these
utensils. The exhibit begins, then,
with "battle-aX" coins, some of which
date back additionally to the period
2255-1122 B. @. Even with the adop-
ton of a later date this would proba-
bly, give China first place in the study
of numismatics.
"Knife" coins form an interesting
group. Their round handles, with
holes in the center, two of which are
distinguished by a square perforation,
are supposed to have furnished the
pattern for the round cash with square
holes so regularly used later. Other
peculiar shapes are 'bridge" and the
pebblelike pellets called by the Chi
nese numismatists "ant" coins. All
these Oldest, most brittle copper speci-
mems are mounted in handsome trays
Of camphor wood. The largest object
in Mr.. Spelcher's collection is a mag
nifcent medal with dragon decoration,
bestowed as a reward for loyalty by
the ruler, WI Tsung (1525 A. D.).-
Boston Transcript.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

"Dear Mrs Harvey: 1 have been reading in the papers that you are
asking the women of the District to do their part 1 wish to say 1 would like
to do my part, be it ever so little. 1 have no money 1 cn give, and although
I have a little eleven-monthold baby to look after, still there may be some
thing L could do
81 am a seamSress using the power machine, also a very good nurse. II
1t was not for my baby, 1 would go tomorrow morning and enlist 1 have two
boys in the Third regiment who have been down IN the border; also l have
a third son, who, if the president demands, will go. Now, although with my
little baby 1 may do my little bit for my country and our president, wen if
it Is only to take my baby o shoulder and our flag o the other and march
down Pennsylvania avenue. If there is anything 1 car dc 1 hope you will
call on me"
Mrs. Harvey announced that this was only of many similar letters she
has received, and if possible she would find a place for the writer. Mrs.
Harvey said:
"Chndren are, of all sufferers through war, perhaps the most pathetic.
The work of minimizing their suffering is one of the most important that
tremendous sacrifice if they be not preserved to benefit by it. A great or
ganzahon will be required for this work, and the women who engage in it
will find themselves graphing with many of the most vital problems that war
brings.
"What we want saved out Of this cataclysm W e must work with all our
might to save. There is work in abundance for everyone of us-and will be.
for long time to come"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Was Just About to Hold a Paper to
the Flame.

lawyers statement that he had always
understood a later will had been made,
having been drawn up by another at
.torney who was shortly after killed in
II railway accident. The probating of
the will had been delayed some time
IN the effort to find the later one, but
as all search proved frultless, it was
thought Bassett had destroyed the
missing document, and wished the 9th
er to stand.
Melvin Bassett, the nephew, was for
contesting the will, but Jennie Marvin,
the cousin, opposed it.
''That properly wouldn't fetch five
thousand, if it had to be Sold" she
reasoned. "And the most of that
would go to the lawyers, so we
wouldn't be much better off, after ALL"
Bassett saw the logic of this state
ment, though neither of them were pos
sessed of much, they being poorer If
anything than the Stones, and the mon
ey looked large to them.
Esther Stone wondered also about
this other will. She had not had any
knowledge Of 1t, and she knew her
husband had not. She had never in
her life had cause to doubt the hon
esty of Richard. His fine integrity
had been the rock upon which her re-
spect for him was built. If that
should ever fall? b
NO" she said to herself, shat
would be impossible. Richard could
never do a dishonorable thing"
Then she thought of the saying that
there is some point Of temptation at
which every human soul will yield.
NO" she said to herself. "Noi
Richardi He would not Yield"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

model but ii is in a nice sense of
proportion that it is excellent. The
adroitness with which the designer
has used familiar modes to accom-
plish his results. proclaims the artist.
This is a simple dress, appropriate
TO midsummer wear at any time OF
day, and so well suited to the plump
figure that we must believe 1t was
made with that end in view.
Just the most chic and reliable of
all hats is the little black hat that
makes its appearance each season, to
be welcomed by a waiting world of
women. For styles may come and
styles may go, but the vogue of the lit
tie black hat goes on forever. Those
who create IT are confronted by the
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

companying picture includes represen-
tative shapes and trimmings. The GEN.
ter hat is the always sprightly and be-
coming t%ricorn, in which the popular
combination of silk and straw appears
to great advantage. Simplicity and
exquisite workmanship distinguish it.
It's only ornament Is a motif of en-
broidery in silk and beads. At the
left a hat with dropping brim takes
advantage of its opportunity to be-
come beloved by adding a double frlll
of lace hair braid to its brim-edge,
sure to be becoming. The hair braid
appears again at the top of the crown
held in place apparently by a collar OF
satin ribbon finished with a prim bow
at the front. Sprays of burnt ostrich
curl about the side crown.
At the right n round turban adds
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Corn Belt Pushed Northward.

Securing a gain of a week or ten
days In the ripening of corn near a
great gain for farmers located near
the northern limit of the corn-growing
districts of this country. A new va
riety of corn which has been bred for
early maturity by the Wisconsin ex-
pertinent station is thought to be about
ten days earlier In maturing than any
other strain of corn that has been pro-
duced by this state.-Farm and Fire
side.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

night The capitol building is bathed lin wonderful illumination that makes It'll
an object of general admiration and instlls patriotism in all who have thei
privilege of seeing the giant dome In q flood of light that makes it visible for
many miles.
Powerful searchnghts were installed OF the roofs of the senate and house
wings of the capitol and at night these are trained on the dome, with cry
Inspiring effect
wild stories and a day seldom passes when someone does not hear, Or dream,
ofa plot ito blow u p the capitol These reports travel with sevenleague boots.
gathering momentum as they travel AS a result the police department is kept
constantly o n the qi vve.
Secret service operatives and police in plain clothes are stationed at the
various important department ana Other buildings throughout the city, while a
detachment of soldiers remains constantly on guard at the White residence
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Correctino an Abuse.

Mrs. Homebody-rve noticed that a
pound of your bulk coffee doesn't any
where near fill n of u pound can
The Grocer-Youll not find that
trouble again, madam. I'm just get
ting in some new-sized pound cans.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
No Excuse for BEING Late.

81 see a Chicago woman is the in
ventor of a dressing table with detach-
able legs, the whole affair folding SO
that it can be carried like a suitcase"
mo use for her being late at the
opera now She can take along the
dressing table and finish when she gets
there"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

regiment, N. G. ID. c., whO saw service
on the border, a third "who, If the
president demands, will 60" and an
eleven-months old baby.
Yet she has written to Mrs. Har1
vey offering to work for the committee,
and to do her 'little bit" for the
try and the president, "even il it is
only to take my baby on one shoulder
and our flag on the other and march
down Pennsylvania avenue"
The name of this woman is with
held, but this is her letter to Mrs.
Harvey:
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

Hokus-Well, 1 admit I made a mis-.
take.
Pckus-YOu made two.
Hokus-What vas the second7
Pokus-Owning up to the first
Judge.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

they are always on the job.
Most of the members of the cabi-
net are steady church goers, but Sun
days now find them in their offices in
stead of in their church pews. A deep
ly religious man is Josephus Daniels.
secretary of the navy, but he fractures
the Sabbath regularly nowadays and
congratulates himself that he is doing
so in a good cause.
Visitors at the capital are struck
by the transformation of the city at
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
GA 2mmA1

Wool 6alIs Trim Jersey suIts-
White and purple wool balls help
to adorn a sports suit of wool jersey.
A white wool jersey coat has deep pur-
pie collar. cuffs and belt. The skirt ID
also made Of purple.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

to its height by an edge Of lace hair
braid which helps out the ambitions
of the brlm in this direction. A brush
aigrette and lustrous black ribbon con-
tribute much style to this stunning
little model.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
War Now Holds Center of Stage at Washington

TRMVISAGED war has the nations capital in its grasp. The evolution
VI of the United States from a peace to a war basis is manifested in many
ways. Cabinet officials and responsible bureau chiefs no longer adhere ito any
certain hours Of work Theoretically.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

called central could not understand why a feminine voice answered. With
the mystery cleared, however, 10 trouble is being experienced, al the girls
have come from various telephone exchanges throughout the city and are
capable of filling the positions held sc long by men.
use 1t is thought probable that the change will become permanent a IS excel
lent service is being given by the young women. Two are IN duty at al. times.
These young women, who re enlisted in the Naval Reserve corps. will be
uniformed. The uniforms are expected to arrive in the near future.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Speaker Clark Might Have Become a Millionaire

NEARLY everyone can tell a story of how ear he o She came once upon
IN a time, to stepping o the high road to great wealth. Some will tell IF
being offered stock N the ground floor Of some infant industry which has
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

since become one of the financial
rocks of the country; some will tell Of
oil leases selling for a song and de-
veloping a veritable sea of the oozy
fluid; while others will tell you how
they sold a horse Of the "Dobbin"
class at a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
price, which developed into a famous
racer and captured all the big purses
and blue ribbons in the country; all
will tell of some bonanza which lay
inviting but unopened at their feet.
Speaker Champ Clark of Missouri
is no exception. When he was twent,
Bethany college of West Virginia-the
he was urged by a friend to invest his
neighborhood at 80 cents an acre. Eve
West Virginia panhandle are now wol
young Clark had heard about Missoul
Io-f 80, $1,000 khA -IAn1f-rr af hfy snN
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Woman Makes Patriotic Offer to Serve Red Cross

most
w by Mrs. W.. E. Harvey, chairman
mittee. She has two sons in the Third
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12
Girls Replace Marines as Telephone Operators

THE Washington navy yard has the distinction of being the first service
I station in the United States to employ cir. telephone operators. This
change took effect only a few days ago, and now six young women are
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-12

Occupying the pOsltlOnS IOrInerly heIu
by marines.
The change was a surprise to the
many persons calling through the
switchboard at the navy yard, and 1t
was with difficulty at first that the
operators explained to those who did
not know of the change that girls are
now operating the board. Familiar
with a masculine voice answering their
calls, a number of callers desiring con-
nections with various lines operated
through the switchboard, not having
The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-06

Y. Nj. c. A., with baseball. billiards and baths, gymnasiums. reading rooms and restaurants.
 "Nothing has, perhaps, endcdred the United States 90 much to the Frenrh pcopie as the heroic seH sacrifice of the Americon ambulance service. The Red Cross has 0ssumed the entire fnoncsai
 .pons,Lilitv fos that splendid rork and appropriated SIOO.OO0 c month fo' 'ts upkeep. We also hGve taken ocer the mognificcnt hospitai tchich Dr. Blake has made famous throxghost the Uorid.
 "ln addition to the wc k of the Red Cross in the soldie- camps at the front we are cooperating with the Y. M. c. A. in providing recreation centres for sol diers on icave-places that will as tar as possible be . substitute for home. You see, the French government compels Its men on furloush to 60 home. the Enslfsb government encourages the same thing. b our American boys over there will be in the ,ame fix as the Canadians and Australians. They will have nc homes to 90 to. The Red Cross at least intends to see to it that when on leave or off duty for few days they shall have real American place to % to, . i'iaes where they will be surrounded bJ conditions h
The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-06

are making a noise for purely political purposes People who really interested in these Judicial pro ceedngs will read the decisions of the Court of Alp peals As pointed out at the time they in no way indicate the higher court believed that there had been any attempt at "raroading On the oth CT hand they seem indicate that the rulings on which the judgments of the lower court reversed were on close points.
 These are matters that only those who have made a particular study of the facts and the law of the particular cases involved qualified to speak Senator Sutherland showed what who knew neither could make of himself
The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-06
WHEN AMERICA MOBILIZES

The army of Xerxes son of Darius and grandson of Cyrus believed to number 100000 when he planned the conquest of Greece Historians tell us that the Persans not counted otherwise than by being driven into pens each of which believed to hold 100 men. Modern historians say that there were not above 500,00O fighting under the Per sian banners. The army swelled to greater proportions by camp followers including women and slaves. Nevertheless "the army of Xerxes" stands and will stand for all time figure of speech describing mutitudeof of warriors
 When the first draft has been made under the law passed by Congress last spring the United States will have under in the various branches of it's military and naval service two three times many men Xerxes led. The resources of the Unit ed States in then will have been tapped merely. The 10.O00,0O0 listed eligible by age for rolment under the draft law be made 2o,OOo,OOO, or forty times the size of the army of Xerxes if it becomes to increase the age limit to expand tn unit strength of this country.
 The financial resources of the army of Xerxes by comparison with the financial strength of the American army like the of a travel ing three-ring circus compared with those of Ma tiona treasury. The morale of the army of Xerxes de pended upon the attitude of the Persian soldiers to ward a single leader who to by gv- ing himself up to gross debauchery, and paid the penalty when he murdered in bed by dsgusted captain of the guard. The morale of the American troops reflects, and will reflect, the sentiment for liDerty that annateS l0O,000000 sub1ectS or flag whose subjects boast their sovereignty. The naval fleet of Xerxes at Saams which early Greek his torians pictured vast amanda, like the swarm of Chinese junks which can be seen at sun set returning from fishing at any port between Hong Konk and Shanghai In the present America will. the advocates of air service prevail, employ ten aeroplanes for each ship in Xerxes' army, to say nothing of the fleet upon and under the
 Before the is the world will have wit messed the unique spectacle of the war-waging of 100000000 inhabitants possessing unmatched mineral and timber and agricultural and unequaled transportation facilities and greater circulating wealth that other country has possessed in the history of mankind Before the is Germany will have been made to realize what results when by persistent injury, country of unsurpassed potential military strength is stirred to wrath and action. Be fore the is the United Kingdom and France and their allies will have had demonstration of the weight of America in the affairs of world in which, long it possible to do without surrendering the right to life liberty and pursuit o happiness" America refrained from taking part. Ali ter the country will look with the patronizing interest of compacent superiority upon the worlds first republic whose ideal is peace
The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-06

keeping with the standards of protection which Secretary Baker and Secretary Daniels are insistin. upon l. this country
 "In our work on .he resfern fr0nf Tt expect to distribute enormous Qadnf'f'cs of Hospital eqmpmem and snpphes of all kinds to French an' British and Hei0in" miiitary hosp,to,s. the some as @e 'hah so our oscn 4 merican hospifais. Ho0 g'0o"' tic the scaie On rhich this must be done oan best be iadoed by the fact that rhc' piannino the sprin0 offe' rre the Frencs prepared for nine Hundred Mohson' io0xnded.
 "l firmly beliere that through fae Red Cross we caa not only render scrrics to the people of osv Gll'es. to those Hhs are to. day fiehfin0 fos ss. but sos a" Lr,no forcibiy to oxS orn people senss both of theis obhoation and of theis op- portunify, and { CT. opfimisfic enoseh to bet,ere that the men and Eomes ot this country rin in not tar disfant day re- joscs h sacvifics-in real sac'ifice-and demond tAut the Rrd Crosa shah cory se the peoples then iiring of all 0ss sii,es fAs heortfeit spprec'atior xhas fheS Aars dons fos ss. ans espress sscA spprecis- sios by sverv posabls aid sHd sspport scifhis tAeir pescm to send"
The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-06
STOP IT

There gloomy. though not necessarily unpatriotc, souls who blessed with the idea that every selected for the army is already con demned to death. In giving utterance to such an idea they are not only giving currency to absolute untruh but are rendering their country very pad service
 Official figures for the Allies, adduced Tn dls cussing the plan for nsuring American soldiers snow that seventy-five out of thousand are Killed fifty out of thousand totally disabled and sev enty-five are only partially disabled in year. ln brief deaths and serious casualties will not exceed 20 per cent of the effective forces Eighty out o' every hundred men should return home as good as now And those who return disabled will be rightly taken care of Effective preparation o alrcratt ana other means of offense may reduce this total TOT American troops.
 War is terribly grim and serious business' put there is no reason to make it worse than IL ls Patriots careIessly giving to entirely wrong impressions should stop at once. Others should oe made to stop it.