davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
CHAPTER II.

THE beginnings of the career of
Gregory Rasputin are shrOuded
with a veil of deep mystery. He
was a native of Siberia, of a small viii
lage in the government of Tobolsk,
called Pokrowskoie. Some people relate
that when quite a youth he was compro-
missed in a crime which attracted some
attention at the time-the murder Of a
rich merchant who was travelling from
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
RASPUTrN A DEVIL,
MOTHER TELLS B?-HOP.

Your Reverence, I absolutely fail to
understand how it is possible that you
continue TO this day to know and see
Gregory Rasputin. He is Satan in per-
son and the things which he does are
worthy of those that the antichrist
alone is supposed to performs and prove
that the latter's advent is at hand.
The writer then proceeded to explain
that Rasputin had completely subJugat-
ed the mind of her two daughters, one
of whom was aged twenty, whilst the
second had not vet attained her six
teenth year
One afternoon. writes this unfortun-
ate mother, I met in the street. COM
ing out of a bathhouse. Rasputin. to-
gether with my two girls. One must
be a mother to understand the feel
ings which overpowered me at this
sight. / could find no words to say.
but remained motionless and silent bel
fore them. The prophet turned to me-
and slowly said: Now YOU may feel
at peace, the day of salvation has dawn
ed for your daughters
Another woman, who had also fallenI
under the spell of Rasputin, wrote al
follows about him:
81 left my parents, 20 whom | was
teEderly attached, to follow the prophet
One day when We were travelling to !
gether in reserved first-class car
riage, talking about the salvation OF
souls and the means to become a truCI
child of God, he suddenly got up anjI
approached n,e. Toward evening
became anxious and asked hin.
Perhaps what we have been IL
ing today was a sin. Gregory Efmitsch?
No, my daughter he replied, 1T wa.
not a sin. Our affections are gift from,
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
Urges North to Eat cornmeal.

~----~
when our early pilgrim fathers set
t,ed in New England they found that
corn was staple article of diet among
the Indians. Cornmeal is now one o.
the staple articles of diet in Mexico ana
IN the other South American countries.
said DR.. w, H. Baker, of Natchez. Miss,
a. tho ST lanes 1T is strange that
co-nmeal has never come into general
use in the north. Corncakes, corn muir
fms and different species of cornbread,
notably the ash cake, are in universal
use i'm the south. and they are eNceed-
ingly palatable and very healthful. the
mixture of cornmeal and flour adds TO
the nutritive value of both. and 1t GER
tainlv is to be regretted that its use is
not more general in the north. Joha
Stuart Mill recommended that cornmeai
should be adopted into use by the Ia
boring classes of Europe but his ad-
vice was not needed. -
"A trial of cornbread by the citizens
of the east and north would, ! am sat
isfed, cause them to adopt it, The
southern peach. watermelon and canta-
loupe are in universal use in the north
and there is no reason why the products
of corn. especially cornmeal, should not
be availed of to increase our food sup
nly when there is certainly a great
necessity for it. \ singular thing is
that roasting ears are in common use IN
the north.
Travellers in Europe have never yet
been able to obtain in any restaurant
any cornbread or any articles or 1000
the constituent element of which Is
cornmeal DR. Johnson said that oats
in Scotland was an article of food for
men. but only for horses and asses In
England Then there was great preJu-
dice against oats in England and also
in all the American colonies, but now
the use of oats is MISUNDERSTANDING
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
Seven indictments Against
Gov. Ferguson Are QuaShed

AUSTIN, Texas. Nov. Indictments
I'm seven cases against former Governor
James Z. Ferguson, charging misappli-
cation of public funds. were quashed to-
day by District Judge Hamilton. Dis
missal was refused in two other cases,
charging embczzlement and diversion of
n special fund.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
CLIMBED STAIRS
ON her HANDS
Too iii to Walk Upright. Operation
Advised. Saved by Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

This woman now raises chickens and
does manual labor. Read her story:
Richmond. Ind.-''For two years
was SO sick and weak with troubles
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
TGi00lN4IeRSSf
w 7znety Topics
~ NsE SO S ssjssSSSfsJ FL
Bad News From Russia.

\ great deal was expected when eX-
United States Senator Elihu Root. of
New York. headed a mission to Russia
some months ago. 1t amounted to to-
tai failure Ii looRs now as If Russia
is so benighted that nothing can pre-
vent the accommodating horrors of civil
war for years to come. The last news
is anything but good news.
The German emperor is close klns-
man of the late czarina. who is Queen
Victoria's granddaughter and niece OF
the kaiser's mother.
II is also understood that 1t has
been German money and brains that
has been behind the progress and i'm
provement of Siberia Naturally the
sympathies of deposed Russian NOBILITY
are now with Germany. Russia is a
nation Of revolutionists like Mexico
First. one faction is on top, then the
next one gets in the lead.
To count on any assistance from Rus
STA to either France or England is SIM
plN out of the question. The money
which was loaned over there. we may
be quite sure, is gone. 1t was unior-
tuuate for the allies that this upheaval
in Russia came when 1t did, but ike
the loss Of the money, the only tnlng
to do is to learn wisdom by experience
and to sink no more money over there
and to build no more hopes on such
slim chance for success.
II is not impossible that some patriot
may eventually rise up in Russia who
can settle disputes among the CONTEND
inc masses. and hinder the throat-cut-
ting and massacres. and who can man
age a halt, giving time to think-but
il will be waste of time and men ana
American money to try to bring those
bloodthirsty serfs into an army in SYM
pathy with the entente allies at TINS
time
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
SCENE OF WILD ORGY
CONCLUDES CEREMONY.

The dance went on until people fell
exhausted to the ground and groans
and tears replaced the former singing.
The fire died out slowly and, when the
darkness had become complete, the
voice Of Rasputin was heard calling
upon his disciples to proceed to the
sacrifice which God required them to
perform. Then followed a scene OF gen.
era! orgy.
AS one can see by this tale, the
strange practices introduced by the
seer, about whom people were already
beginning to talk, differed in no way
from those generally in use among the
Khlysty, and, indeed, Rasputin made no
secret of his allegiance to this partic-
MAR form of heresy, in which. however,
he had introduced few alterations.
For instance, he did not admit that the
souls of his followers could be saved
by a general prayer, but only thanks
to one uttered in common with him,
and by a complete submission to his
will. Some persons have alleged that
during the early wanderings of Raspu-
tin he had gone as far as China and
Thibet, and there learned some Bud
dhist practices but this is hardly prob
able as in that case his instruction
would have been more developed than
If was 1t is far more likely that dur
ing his travels he had met with ex1led
sectarians belonging to the different
prosecuted religious Russian communi-
ties. of which there exist so many in
the whole Oural region, and that they
initiated him into some of their rites
and customs They also made him at
tentive to the hypnotic powers, which he
most undoubtedly possessed. teaching
him how to use them for his own BEN
eft and advantage.
Very soon Rasputin found that Po-
krowskie was not field wide enough
for his energies, and he took. to trav-
cling. together with crowd OF discl-
piles that followed him everywhere owe
the eastern and central Russian prov
inces There he contrived to win every
dav new adherents to the doctrines IN
which free love figured so prominently.
Among the towns where he obtained
the most success can be mentioned
those of Kazan. Saratoff, Kieff and
Samara,
Concerning his doings in Kazan, peo-
ple became informed through a letter
which one of his victims addressed to
the bishop of that diocese, Monsignor
Feofane. who had shown at the begin
ming of Rasputins career CONSTR
able interest and who had protected him
with great success In this letter, which
later on found it's way into the press,
the following was said among other
things:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia: As | haven't seen my letter
in print, | Will come with another cousin. We
are both fourteen. Ethel studies the fourth
grade. I study the seventh. We both weigh
l05 pounds. For pastime crochet, eat pea
nuts, chew and 90 car riding Will close
with riddle: As | went across London bridge,
/ met man riding, and vet he walking.
Now. Aunt Julia, please print these letters.
for we want TO surprise uncle and papa. We
will answer all letters and cards received.
Your neces,
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia and Cousins: viii you ad-
init another little Alabama girl into your hap
DIV band of cousins? l live a farm and like
farm life fine. l 20 to school and like It
fine, and | am in the fifth grade. l am eleven
years old. | have two brothers, and for pets
have a little kitty, and for pastlme l tn;
and play the organ and help mamma with the
hOuscwork. Well my letter is getting rather
lengthy / guess l had better ring off. YOU
new cousin, ETHEL MILLER.
m
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
'7)4e 81. P "a: -
49, 49, lHlEROOX 4 , } ~


these cool fall before big
Christmas last night when thinking OF IT,
ought
think of those less fortunate than ourselves and your
children will
Claus for the sake of the Christ child whose birth
maybe fruit flowers
much to tho light
to
that
OF
to
postag / hope can an o pleasure
NOe
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
A NEW PROPHET
MAKES HTS DEBUT.

Much later, in 1873, after the Russo
Turkish war, which, like the Japanese
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia: Will you let another Geor-
gia girl join your happy band of boys and
girls: / have been reading the letters publish
Ell In The Journal for quite awhile, but l have
tailed to get them for couple of weeks. IL
is raining here today and il sure is fine. As
my letter is getting rather long | will saw
off by giving a little description Of myself
have blue eyes light hair and fair COM
plexion. Guess what my age is-it Is between
eleven and fifteen years. l would love to cor
respond with any Of you cousins. Aunt Julia,
excuse me for stay.ng long. Love to all
Your new cousin. OPAL JEFFERSON.
AdcI Ga. Il. r. ID. /. Box 23.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia and Cousins: VIII you let
little Georgia girl join your happy circle
| live in the country. ! enjoy country lif,
fine. / 20 10 school at pnOte, Ga. | an
thirteen years obi and in the seventh grade
! VIII describe my self: I have black hair ant
black eyes. Lave cat for n pet. ! had
better rim before Mr. WaStebasket comes by
GCOd-hy to all. MARY SMITH
Conner Ga. Route ..
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia: Here I come again to join
your happy band. Papa takes the dear old
Journal. enjoy reading it. especially the
Letter Box.
Hello. there, Carl smith, you have my birth
day and age. I will try to answer Charlie
Bolich's riddle. II is n we'll Am I correct?
How many Of YOU cousins like to 60 to Sun
day school: ! for one ] 60 TO Sunday school
AT Mount Tabor. My teachers name is Miss
Kathleen RickersOn.
! would like 20 correspond with some of
the cousins near my age which is ten.
VIII try TO answer ali received. am send
Ing Aunt Julia NV picture and will soul you
"A birthday present next week A cousin
THELMA WIGLEY.
Dallas, Ca, X. F. d. /.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia: Will YOU admit a girl
from Georgia into your happy band Of cousins
| have Knocked at your door once but was not
printed, so thought | would try again. / read
every ono Of yOTr letters and think they art
fine. Papa takes The Semi Weekly Journat
and think il a grand paper. / like TO go to
school AMI am in the eighth grade. Hurrah for
Lillian Miner. Wishing YOU a long and happy
life. As I remember what Aunt Julia said
make you letters short as possible I will
close hoping to this in print Would like
to exchange letters and cards with the cousins
Your niece and cousin.
BERTHA MAE LACKEN
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Here comes another Georgia hov into your
fanny hani. I thinE 81 is nice 81 Aunt
Iuia TO spare n little corner each week IN
The Journal. ] am farmer hoy. ! think
TIE farmers have big lob 10 supply tho world
wide war with food. 7 will not describe nv
II. for do not want 90 scare nnv % the
cousins. A. this Is NV first will hurry
away. 7 hca- Mr.. Wastehasket coming. re-
main yours. GEO. Z. STINSON.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Anut julia and Cousins: Hero comes
nuother little north Georgia girl who wishes
70 Join your happy band ~ cousins Nv IA
tier takes the dear nld Journal ard 7 certainly
do enjoy the cousins letters What do Won
cou>inS readt Well. all the other cous5 rs
describe themhSelves 7 VIII do likewise I have
blue evHs. light hal and fair COMPLEXION
ap thirteen years cld and am five feet four
inch"s tall our school opened November L.
] have on'o-"d nv first of high school!
having finished the seventh grade last Nav
We'll. my letter is getting long, so ! had better
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

close for fear Mr.. Waste5asket might get II.
( would like 20 correspond with some of the
COUSINS. Love 10 all. NAOMI WOOD.
DowersyIle, Cat Route /.
Dear Aunt Julia and Cousins: Will you ad-
NIT another Nortu Carolina girl IEtU your hap
py band Of cousins? | have blue eyes, fair
complex ION. li;;nt nair AMI thirteen years
old. / in the sixth grade, and simply nHe
10 20 to school. : live in the country and
like country life fine. | live six miles from
tilt little town called Franklin. How many
Of you cousins like TO 20 horseback riding I?
I 10 for one. As this is my first letter will
close for this time. Hope Mr.. Wastebasket is
asleep. | am your niece and cousin,
latla, n. {. MARY LENA ROBN.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt julia and Cousins: | have decided
TO write yOu all again. Hoping 10 find Mr..
wastehaSket away. Well. as all the Other
cousins describe themselves, ! VIII describe
myself I have yellow hair blue eyes fair
complexion and am five feet high and eleven
years old. How mau- II you cousins like 10
go 70 SchOOls 7 DO for one. ! am In the
enth grade. What do YOU cousins do FOR pas
timcs I crochet, knit and tat. Wen. I will
close for this time. Your loving cousin.
IVA LANGFORD.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Hear Aunt Julia and cousins: VIII you please
T''nit Louisiana girl in your happy baniE
Come boys and girls, the other states are
heating us had. ! Ia went seen many letters
iHua- I live farm and like country life
inc live two miles from Palmetto and
To- school every day. and Ike q very much.
in the ninth grade seventeen
vears - age. and five feet two inches tail,
weigh iS1 pounds. and am a brunei Who has
Uv birthday. October 10: Would Ike to CORE
S;.nud with any 81 the cousins Of my age.
rrarl stately. the answer 10 ycGr riddle is
jitcl. Would Ike 10 this in print Your
loving niere and cousin. NATALIE SOiLEAU.
I.aIrnnfrn
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Conyers. Ga. II. +. u. l.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

npaT Aunt Julia ] have written he
rrT-. hUt Alr. Waste Basket hungry AMI
p" ~; that time: thought I would come
,Isre more.
] am going 10 school now. our school started
October Is. and I sure was glad OF 1t. i sure
,ln like TO 90 to school. I in the fifth
~-slr. AMI twelve Years old. think
lave sweet little teacher, her name is Miss
Mira Dixon. and she is good to us. Well.
.'uUtic sail Cnr not 20 write much. SO ! will
Hose with riddle: Which the
hest. a man with one eye a with two
eyes, I will close love to all.
EMMA ROLES
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20
AUNT JULIA.

49,. - a,., NAL, b.,, ,,o tra.Is y,,,-
No. anu ''' NtaPIF FREFzi.
tbip, :rov. y q. + r n. /. ROY 20
nosr .unt JrIis an, C,,,sirs- Please admit
a ETorid, bor info ,cr- han harI am
-oir- ., s.t,ct 80 .rt,, .,,i,r- 20 s.Toot va-r
--r-b a.. -, , -, =, ,-,5I,s er,,, Nfy,,o1
81. -. 60, i;fo -. = III 7 -, ne
r.yxo I b.r, ,-;c5 bo,b I;,,ls ~ ne country
.r1 civ Iife ana tbi,t ali the rousins will
s--sa yritb me on chat subisct
7 s,,,roxc bsd better Eescribe uvsaIf be-
g.. 7 =, 80 fa- on, 81 ~ i,cbo. in
-. -, &c Tl-L, .o-,,,ox;o, t-o,.7
-, -. - - 49, 80, 80 :
~; -, 80 - =. =, 80 :. &, ~.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

Dear Aunt Julia: May 4 Vermont girl 10
your happy hand: : will first describe mysel
have blue eyes. brown IA aEi have lg
ocmr icyinE. Ny mother takes The Journal al
enjoy reading the cousins letters. As my 10
ter is getting rather long. aud for fesr II
Mas5ebaSEet will get il, ! will close. hopiI
70 this In print. Your new cousin.
StarzSbOrO, VT. Lucy TATRO.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
gineers Pool Their Genius Evolving the Liberty Motor

cuss in detail the performances and meehan'
les of the new motor, il may be said thss
Standardization Is a chief factor in the de-
velopment of the governments motor. Cylm'
ders, pstons and every other part Of the
motor have been standardized They may Do
produced rapidly and economically by great
many factories operating under governments
contractr They may be as rapidly assem-.
bled, either by these plants or at central
assembly plant"
Colonel Roosevelt few in the plane on
its first trip. This took place at Garden
City, Long Island, with II. j. Blakeley,
student officer, as the pilot, and was en-
tirely successful.
The press is practically a unit in ac-
claiming the new achievement, as few
editorial headlines picked at random viii
indicate: "A Yankee Triumph" C'The New
York SUM- "The Miracle Motor" 1.-THE
Detroit NewsD "a Triumph Of Standard.
zation" ("The Philadelphia Public Ledg-
cry; "Mastery OF the Air" ("The ln-
Gianapolis News") and so forth; although
most papers confne themselves to heading
their comment, simply, "The Liberty
Motor"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Lumber in War

Estimates prepared by the lumber com-
mittee of the advisory commission of the
Council Of National Defence snow that
2 ,00O,O0O 900 feet of lumber may be used
for purposes directly connected with the
war in the next twelve months. This
sounds colossal, but is actually about per
cent of one years lumber production Of
this country. Construction of the sixteen
environments to house the new army viii
require about 50O,00O,O00 feet. Second in
quantity required comes the wooden ship
building programme, now estimated at
40O,OOO,0OO feet-Engineering and MintG
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Pleasantries

1--WE called, Mrs. Jones, to learn why
Tommy has not attended his class lately"
began the sweet young Sunday school
teacher.
"Well, Miss Goodleigh," answered Mrs.
Jones, "the reason why I've kept Tommy
away from Sunday school is because the
knowledge he received there was making
him a wicked boy"
"A wicked boy" gasped the amazed
teacher Really, cannot imagine to
what you refer!'
"You see, it's this way, Miss Goodleigh,"
explained Mrs. Jones, determinedly. "The
last time Tommy went to Sunday school
you taught him that people are made of
dust Well, when he came home he nearly
frightened me to death by trying to draw
his little baby sister into the vacuum
cleaner."-Tit-Bit
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

~ vITH establishment the nation read
~ the news not long ago that this
w government had appropriated
ss.o 1000 900 to build, equip and man air
.,.r.s for service in the war. On top Of
hs announcement of this colossal pro.
~romme comes the statement by Secretary
:, War Baker that the engineers selected
~ the War Department have perfected
standardized aviation engine which in
~sreed. power, serviceability and minimum
weight invites comparison win
no hest the European war has produced"
That this engine-designated by the Sig
nal Corps as the Liberty Motor"-will be
. considerable factor in achieving that
..ral supremacy, recognized as essential
Cor military success on large scale, is
a fair inference from the rather modestly
uorded report of the secretary.
But motors, no matter how ably de-
signed, will not, it is generally felt, win
the fight alone. 1t is necessary to have
nen-trained men and plenty of them;
and 10 develop aviators is the second step
IN Americas aerial programme.
On the western front, according to "The
Worlds Work" it is calculated that there
are $500 airplanes actively employed by
the Allies; while the Germans have at least
as many more. AS large increase in this
number is contemplated on both sides, it
will be necessary to insure the required
prepondersnce, that America maintain at
least 10000 avistors on this front next
YEAR, So far as is known this is about
the number which has been contemplated
in the plan.
However, as there is no limit to the
quantity which could be used effectively,
the more aviators there are placed in ser
vice the more quickly will the enemy be
brought to terms. America, at the present
time. has twenty-five flying school units,
built by the money appropriated prior to
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

DFRHAPS the most startling episode
Of the war is that performed by
Major (now Lieutenant ColoneD
ices. Of the Royal Flying Corps, who,
when patrolling his lines, suddenly found
himself in nest of ten German airplanes.
The Germans much prefer to fly in squad
rons and take particular JOY in over
whelming an enemy by sheer force of num-
lers. 1t is the old German land tactics
once more applied to the air. In this case
they certainly had their enemy at a dis
advantage-ten to one, The net result
was that seven German planes went
home" and that three were downed by the
intrepid Englishman, who received the
Victoria Cross for his exploit. Why so
many Germans fed, instead of giving bat
lie to their solitary antagonist, is the as
pect that puzzles most observers. We must
remember that these contests last only
lew minutes, that the machines are going
at an incredible speed, that the fighters do
not always clearly see what is going on,
and are themselves sometimes unable to
recall all the details. Whether the Ger
mans magnifed their solitary antagonist
into a dozen, whether they were appalled,
at the CELEBRITY with which he brought down
three Of their fellows and were seized with
panic, is not clear. But the outcome of
the melee was as stated. Colonel Rees is
row in this country cooperating with our
government in the development of our air
feet.