davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-07-28
By Kenneth c. Beaton---"K. c. B."
In July Hearst's Magazine

ITO begin with, then, I am a column
conductor on the Hearst news
= papers. | write under my initials
X. c. B." which are very good initials
for a column conductor-so good, in fact,
that many people give me credit for choos-
ing them. But didn't They came to me
in the ordinary way, long time ago, in
little bit of town in Canada. They stand
for Kenneth Carol Beaton. -.
That | became a column conductor, after
a quarter of century spent in the ordinary
grind of newspaper work, was entirely an
accident. I was engaged in an executive
capacity upon a Seattle newspaper at the
time of the accident and on an idle after
noon had given expression to some purely
personal views through the medium of q
piece Of copy paper and typewriter. !
had made these views known in a series of
lines of but few words each and so we'll
satisfed-was | with my efforts that pasted
the sheet Of paper upon which they were
written on the bulletin board
Some time before that had found In the
elevator one day the worlds smallest mes
sengeT boy. From underneath an A. D. T.
hat that was miles too large for him, and
llBul nave DetH uSeu db q bdmuiHE
device if twirled about on his head, he had
looked up at ne long enough to tell me that
his name was Freddy Henry.
And because Freddy was so very small
and so very polite l took him OF the street
and made him an office boy.
On the afternoon of the aforesaid acci-
dent, Freddy, very carefully and with many
wrinkles in his little forehead, read what
had posted on the bulletin board, And
then he laughed right heartily and asked
me if l had read it. When told him that
not only had read it but that had writ
The Washington times., 1918-07-28
in the July
Hedrst's S Magazine
, ITHOUT doubt the most humanity
interesting column" now being

AAA interesting IClh6
w published is that of the writer
who signs himself * c. b." with its short
dithyrsmbic lines, the first word of which
is always set in what the printing world
calls cans" But it is not the form in
which *. C. BIS" thoughts are cast that
gives this column its unique force and
charm, as imitstors have found to their
sorrow. Instead, it is curiously rare and
a correspondingly welcome observation,
point of view and expression that reach
dewn to and touch the real you" beneath
all the plates of prejudice, eyRicism and
Indifference which the world has ham,
mered on most of US.
1t is this quality human and irresistible,
that has enabled * c. B." through his
column to bring more actual happiness into
the lives of those who need happiness than
any other writer in his field. Countless
people who read him from the Atlantic to
the Pacific have wondered who and what
he is and how he found himself In the
July Hearst's Magazine * C. B." tells all
this in little autobiography that will take
its place in literature. By permission of
The editors of Hearst's Magazine excerpts
from the article are printed on this page.
The Washington times., 1918-07-28

She was eighteen years of age and for
sixteen years had sat in a chair in a
window of her home while her mother
went to work each day across the bay to
San Francisco. And there she was on
that glad Christmas time. a full mile from
her home, and the journey had been made
in wheel-chair, with her own strong
arms as the propelling power / went to
her when ! had left the platform and
feigned surprise that she had come so far
$50 far" she cried. I'D like to have
you show me place that | can't go with
my X. c. B. roadster"
And there was pay enough in that one
happy line of hers for all the hours and
all the worries that We had spent and
suffered for her and all the other children
on that Exposition day.
That | was the instrument through
which the things herein recorded were
accomplished reflects no particular credit
upon me. had my column with, which to
do what others would have liked to do. but
couldn't. The little child in the orphans
home who cried when | said good-by. the
woman who brought to me the family of
eight, and the little girl who wanted me
to write Of the California Building-they
lighted the lamp, and because / knew the
path / carried 1t.
The Washington times., 1918-07-28
eAaFoS 9
vUeR~ R~AT1e~A&

AupuitSas ~ tttdN"--T
them We piled the children. And
in them we made the circuit Of the
city.s boulevard system-and II you
know Seattle you win know the
wonders OF that dFive-and W
stopped finally at q great big res
taurant where the proprietor had
turned everybody out at one O'Clock
so that he might be ready for US.
And we didn't eat wholesome food.
We ate the things that children like
the mest and set the least.
And afterweFd We went TO q mo-
tion-picture theatre. where all Of
the best seats had been reserved
for us. And the film exchanges Of
the city had sent to the theatFe all
of the films they could find that
they thought the children might
most enjoy,
And nobody charged anything for
anything, And . candy man sent
In a box Of candy for each child,
Three months lataF took my
column down to San Francisco to
The Examiner, After ' had been
there q little while. Dent Robert,
the publisher Of The Examiner
dead now, and in his life q splendid
man aud loyal friend-sent for me
one day and asked me II ! didn't
think 1t would be Q good plan to
do some charitable work Through
my column. As nearly as can re-
members, ] answered him like this;
II would like to, Mr.. Robert, but
I must wait until the prompting
comes from within. aeoneF OF
later II viii come, and when Il does
whatever We do viii be great
success for both of u.s."
Aud Mr.. Robert understood 80
we'll that when left him after fur,
ther conversation he clapped me
on the back and said:
You're all right. boy. You've
got the real idea"
1t wasn't long in coming. A
week cor two, ] think 1t was, and a
letter came from a little girl.
Dear X. G. b." It read. II am q
little girl twelve years old and
crippled. have been to the ex-
position once and can't go any
more because papa can't AFFORD TO
hire a wheeled chair. and ! am too
big to be carried. liked the Cali
f0rnia Building best and | wish. you
wsuld write something about # In
the paper so I can put II In my
serapbook.
(signedD YOUR LITTLE
FRIEND"
And because she was little
girl and crippled. put a sheet
OF paper In my typewriter, copied
her letter thereon and tried to
of something to say about the
fOrnia Building. But somehow
little girl stood out so that my '
failed to see beyond her. And Il
wrote and said that II she would wri
me and tell me who she was aud '
ahe lived that ! would go and get
and the two of Us, and maybe Mrs.
b., would spend q day at the Expo!
grounds. And I told her / knew a
who would lend us his automobile,
another man would be glad to Civ
So, or whatever we needed for ref
ment, and was sure the wheel-chair
would let us have the wheel-chair.
the next morning her letter and m.
swer occupied my space in The Z
iner.
At ten o'clock that morning, VIII
arrived at the office, l found two le
On my desk, each Of them containin
One was from a telegraph operator
told me he had read about the little
IN the early edition of the paper at
night and he wanted me to use tn
enclosed on the party we were to
And there was no name signed to
etter. The other briefly said: "Hav,
eats on me. Here's three dollars"
again there was no name.
Great Britain Rights Reserved.
The Washington times., 1918-07-28

tBTEM, FoLki
" Yov'Rt uaAsps,
AND plseosiunTsp, .
90 oui .. tis .,s,.ts
ANN Elsp, :o,al..
Asa Jsv',s iss On.
FROM Nus ,ga
MANY hIiss s.h
Asp nLt hlA :.
yoS wAsr y ssus. .i..
Foa A h.ti, villa
AND TaSt VAN. he's viii yss
HE nUsT' r.asass.
TuAr o. ;A.',-s Of ysu
nr's ras better uaa.
AND rtltsHoss Asa.
AND rsLL youF viie
THAI ~ {. little vAfla
Vou'lL .! bone vita = 'slaisE
AND YOU van, a dinner
WITH 4 10, Of srsvy,
AND nisaEo. .po,.,o..
AND HdHin.es pl..
Asu a 'sr:sa, sls o.l.
AND riki Aia su.
AEe 60 Into the titsA.a
AND riki hin vi,s ,sa
AND ScaeEf he, ssasaa.,
AND wAgs sia..r.,s.ss,
FoRssI yovR n.uAsr.
AND coMsltIN .AOu, ,Oa..Aias.
LIKE YOU slvay' do.
AND s!FoRi your, tArsusA.
EAT GONE bread and s-.v.
AND ot+ him started.
AND Airis stnru
60 ON out in The lI,eAsp,
AsO TAX. hin with yVu
AND HILs with The disAss.
The Washington times., 1918-07-28

AND WHEN yuuH through.
~ YOU A.,s he nousJ,
GO oui to some show.
AND ysss t.A. hin hon.
AND avs Ain . uiSAs d'saA
OR A sui, oi PsiAAaa
AND IN tn. aorplns.
GET OUT Of II. vsy.
AND Let him knew.
THERE'S Lors of Asi water,
AND THEN eat breakfast
WITH 4 lot Of fruit.
AND sitsTi of eggs.
AND Eslep sot.'ee.
Aso AFTER sreaEisaL
NELL HAyE to 60
'Vv 'sFSH: h. doe.
ssT His aO.AsFs address,
AMI wsriEit.r . letter,
ANp LiT he, lasv,
Al Tss .AI.'. he ate
ana .! sure % tell her,
HEs soAs :.r.as hoy,
AND wS!S 81. set. IL
'HE'lt esy.a Hi'ls
svT on aaai
sHS'lC 81 50 AaDpy.
THAT Soo win ,..l it.
AWAY sksk; her.
The Washington times., 1918-07-28

And you who read these lines
can never know the Joy that
marked the face of every one Of
them. They came in plaster casts
and strapped to boards . and no
matter that their little bodies
were mis-shaped and that. the day
before they may have suffered
pain, 1t seemed that on this day
a Power unseen had bade their
sufferings begone that they might
see and hear and be a part of all
the wonders that the day would
bring.
And all of the time forty thou
sand men and women were trailing
along behind US and most of the
time they were crying. And all
the time they we're out of their
minds and shaking hands with me
or with each other. l don't think
there ever was such a day any
where in the world. And then it
came to an end.
And the little girl who wrote
me the letter that started it all
wasn't there! And l never learned
her name. She wrote me again
and said her papa wouldn't let her
go, and signed, as she did the first
time. Your Little Friend" / don't
think she realizes that after all 1t
was she who was responsible.
And in all that day, Of 5000 that
had been sent to me to pay the
cost of the party, had not spent
a cent. ! couldn't find any one
who would take any money for SER
vices rendered. Most of them told
me that to have taken money would
have spoiled the day for them, and
those who didn't tell me that meant
it,but didn't know just how to give
expression to their feelings.
And what to do with the 5000?
That was the. question. And it was
very quickly solved by Mrs. K. c.
b. Why not wheel-chairs, she said,
for some of those who could use
them? And with some kind wo-
man who owned a limousine the
search began and in a little while
the money had been spent.
And on the Saturday before
Christmas l stood upon a platform
on a common over in Berkeley.
above which stood a municipal
Christmas tree. and while ! talked
to a thousand children gathered
there my attention was attracted
to a girl who waved her hand and
smiled. | recognized her as a Grip
pied girl who had come from
Berkeley to our party.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

appearances in this city. for then the
people of this community will be of
the few in this country to hear the
distinguished musical organization, be-
cause OF the restricted time possible
for its historic visit.
The patriotic symphony concert"
as II Is flttingly designated. is to be
given as one of series Of events hav-
ing an international significance, It
il designed ia stimulate tA-a- "eaAteHte
cordiale'' between America and
France.
For that reason alone the French
high commission negotiated for the
approval of the United States govern
ment in n brief tournee that might
permit further cementing of the re-
latons between the peoples of these
countries, who are now fighting Shout
der to shoulder against their common
enemy on the western front.
Encouraging news Is brought here
by Chevalier Otto II. Kahn, chairman
of the executive committee of the
French American Musical association.
which is supervising the orehestra's
tour. The Oldest and most famous
symphony orchestra in France is in
the United States, where its perform
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
JOSEF H0FMAhA
FAMOUS AT TEN
\ sturdy Yonngster In Appearance.
lie Moved His Hearers
To Tears.

II was thirty-one years ago this
.SoVem Der that Josef Hermann, the
famous Polish pianist, who Is ap-
pearLng At concerts of early dates in
America this season, was first heard
in this country hoffman, had his
forts first birthday on the twentieth
Of last June Born at Craeow, Poland,
he came 10 this country when a very
young boy and straightway proceeded
10 astonish his audiences wherever he
4. lssYt;s :ssy, his tine. pianistic, perform
ance as also by his extraordinary
power for eKtemporizng upon themes
given him AT random from those
among his hearers who had an in
SEPARATION ne was all in all pronounced
a boy prodigy OF great gifts.
II Was now that Mr. Gerry. Ae
mead of the Society for the Proven
lion Of Cruelty To Children, came for
ward and succeeded in the face ot
bubble opposition in having him with
drawn from the concert field. -, After
This Time by means of the patronage
Of certain wealthy man, Hoffman,
went hack to Europe and engaged in
further musical study. which listed for
some ten years or more
The hoy artist made his first APP
pearanee III this country at New York
an November %, 1887, in an orchestral
..uncert with Adolf Neuendorff. con
dueior He played .Eeethoven's con-
cert0 NO, ! and the Weber Liszt po-
lacea. and AS solos. Rameau's Vafia-
lions his own Berceuse and waltz and
a Chopin noeturne After this con-
cert a aeiI-known music critic wrote
Of him rs follows
Josef Hoffman, Is a little over ten
years of age. He appeared on the
stage last evening in "A blue and gray
striped sailor shirt. knee breeches and
stockings, and looked. II anything.
Younger than he is, The audience
was plainly surprised at his appear
anee and general exclamation re-
suited The little fellow surprised
many in another way. He had none
OF the attenuated physical appearance
which often accompanies early devel-
opment OF the brain He was in looks
q bright healthy, strong, normal boy,
with sturdy legs and arms.
When he played the Beethoven
concerto a thunder Of applause swept
through the house. Many people
leaned 10 their feet. Men shouted
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
CROWDED HOUSE WILL
HONOR FREhCHMEh
Oldest and Most Famous Orchestra in
France VIII Play tn City AUD
ttorium November II.

Demands for tickets 10 the concert
10 be given in the City Auditorium
November n by the Partisan SYM
phony orchestra are coming from
many adjoining cities and towns and
the, noted musicians will be greeted
in Richmond by a great audience. The
advance sale of tickets is indicative
Of a crowded house, the people here
being anxious to honor the visiting
Frenchmen.
FRANCE and the United States will
join hands in patriotic demonstra-
ton when Frances premier symphony
Societe des Concerts
du Conservative de Paris"--makes its
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

out yesterday. The, fund 10 payahIe
semi-annually. the next payment De-
ing due February /.
The amount received by schools this
year from the l0-eent tax is about
100000 in excess OF the amount last
year Schools also will receive about
$500, 900 from the special Accent tax
provided by the last general assemS
bly,.
This apPortion ment is In addition
to the high-schnpl funds and other
special funds. including the literary
fund for grammar grades.
Apportionment was made os = per
capita basis Of school population, be-
ing $3.04s1. Richmond's school pop
ulation Is s4,944, and Henrtco coun-
ty's, 4,742.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
ances will be noteworthy achievements

ances will be noteworthy achievements
in those cities fortunate enough to
have been asked to cooperate in this
International enterprise.
They are eighty-six musicians, in
cludng personalities known the world
over There will be symphonies by
great composers on the program to
be given, but nothing which will not
have its appeal to the general pub
II Fin 4f..sfs fftt tt4raifs t6--be
placed upon the composition of
French creation--works of melody
and color in which the rich erehes-
tration OF masters wilt be brilliantly
reflected through the strings. wood
winds, and brasses of tfsss orchestra.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

Relief distributed by The American
Red Cross to nearly 100000 needy
families of soldiers, Al kitchens CON
tributing 10 ,0ee families, 81 work
rooms employing 3,000 women, So
nurseries caring for 1900 children,
"a healh Centers containing 5000
children, colony for refugees at
Pisa, cautoon and hospital and ambu
lance work--these are the reasons
for This years Italian budget of
$4,000. 900
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

More than 20 Gee Czecho -Slovak
refugees, 1000 OF Them children. are
being cared for by the Red Cross al
Vladivostok. AS the allies and Czecho-
Sfovaks move westward The Rkd
Cross follows with two sanitary trains,
Il first-aid Unit, xtlisinfecting train.
rolling cauteen and "a 2o0-bed base
hospital. Ten thousand refugees
must be provided for in the Trans
Baikal region.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
CITY GETS Sf06.5f2,
SCHOOI-TAX RETURN

More than s2,oo0,ooo, representing
the return of the special 1o-cent tax
on all school properties, was appro
priated by the state auditor yesterday
to the grammar and primary schools
of the state. OF this sum, the city
OF Richmond receives s108,5l2 so, and
Henrico county sf4,454.0a. One-haf
Of the state apportionment was paid
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

Bravo and women waved their
handkerchiefs Pianists of rePute
were moved almost to tears. Some
wiped the moisture from their eyes.
The child had astonished the assem-
bly,. He was a marvel
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
Much Corn IL Ruined.

Knoxville. Tenn. Nov. e.-Thousandr
Of acres OF uncut corn have been
ruined in the river bottoms OF the Ten
nessee water shed ms result Of the
heavy rains, the heaviest on record for
October. Clearing skies today have
banished fears of serious foods, al
though the waters still are rising.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

!3fthA m bvy, n j., Nov One ms n
bkilied and three men were wound
sNAre today u aen mob attacked
ifa =. Csinl d steamship agent. Rev
ISBEa tsraSE. Of IRE Catholic church.
arrested ON a charge Of inciting
Is The riot is said 10 have been the
M pf religious differences extend
ever IA period Of several weeks
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03

Hncepyer.r u G., Nov. 3 In deal
3NtvS millions. rae General Motors
TSeny, Of Detroit has purchased the
ri and carriage business Of the Nc
Ihlia Carriage company, il was
Sanced to-day The company is one
Inc largest Ia Canada aud has
5s1aex In the Emitted States
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
AT THE ORPHEUM.

The present bill OF vaudeville at
the Orpheum theater is toplined by
an exceptionally good Menlo Moore
act entitled A Fireside Reverie."
Jack Princeton in his impersona-
ton OF an old lady chaperon, keeps
the audience in an uproar Of laugh
ter. Del Sherrard contributes a
pleasing personality and an excel
lent singing voice, while four young
ladies and beauty and color 10 the
production. Smith and Kaufman
comedy sketch artists IN their re-
spective characters of policeman and
midnight serenader, amuse this sea-
son with a new act. Fern, Richie
lieu and Fern. who term their Of
fering an athletic skit. juggle Indian
clubs in a dexterous manner Adolf
pho, an accordionist that is different,
introduced a number OF new and
catchy patriotic melodies. OF these
a Little Bit OF Sunshine" is de-
serving Of special mention. Violet
and Charles, in athletic comedy,
make up the bill.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
WILL TRY TO SECURE
EQUAL SUFFRAGE VOTE

INDIANAPOLIS. May 21.-The
congressional committee Of the Ma
tional American Suffrage associa-
ton will try 10 secure a vote In the
United states senate on the Susan
b. Anthony suffrage amendment on
or about May %. according 10 a
messase just received by officers Of
the WOman's Franchise league OF
Indiana. and the women of this and
other states are in turn asked 10 aid
securing the vote needed 10 pass the
measure Mrs Richard =. Edwards
of Peru. president of the Indiana or
ganization. and her aides now are
planning 10 ask all local or sectional
suffrage organizations in the state to
adopt resolutions faVoring prompt
passage of the amendment The
resolutions then will be sent TO SEN
atOrs New and Watson.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
AT THE OLIVER.

over the Top" the screen pro-
duction Of Sergt. Employs famous
book Of the same name, opens a 10
days engagement at the Oliver
theater today.
Empey. who appears in the pic
ture. is "one of the greatest natural
actors ever to come under my su-
pervision," states Albert z. Smith,
president of the Vitagraph company
and producer of "Over the Top"
This is a significant tribute to the
fighting hero of the Somme. for Mr..
Smith is noted as a maker Of screen
stars. Empey, however, merely
smiles at this statement and says,
Tine trenches do funny things to a
man. A puppy dog might go into
them and come out a poet. l don't
know what acting is. When l go
before the camera. 1 forget the di-
rector. the camera man and the
studio. AS practically all the scenes
OF the play are actual episodes
have experienced, the thing is easy
for me. I simply live them over
again. and get almost the same
thrills l originally did. Sometimes
1 get too realistic, as when 1 knock
ed down two German guards
That's what fellow would natural
" do If he could" During the ron
Of "Over the Top" here, two per-
formances will be given each day,
one at 2:30 and one at $50.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
Az THE AUDITORIUM.

The Honor System" which was
shown at the Auditorium yesterday,
has all the breath-taking, dare
deviltry and heroism Of the drama
the Mexican border raid picture
and films of intrigue and love rolled
into one A few of the hair-raisers
are a Mexican raid, staged right in
the real raid zone, while bands of
Mexicans were crossing into this
country; several western barroom
fights and a plot 10 kill a young in
ventor, resulting in melee in
which one of the several villains is
killed The most moving scene IS
when the cowpunchers and rangers
Of one town dash madly on their
mustangs and cayuses 10 the rescue
Of their pals in another border
town. In a whirlwind of passion,
they ride across the desert, the
American Flag at the head. and save
the town. In the presenting cast
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
GOODWIN CORsETs.

1t is very appropriate that a place
which is dedicated to beautifying
the figure should itself be beautiful.
And the Mabel Hawkins style Shop
at sos J. NJ. S Bldg. is beautiful
so much so that one with a mode
rate purse might hesitate 10 enter,
but the prices are reassuring. as you
may purchase a wonderful corset
in pink and brocade fabrics from
So 10 S25 either back or front lace.
Regardless of price Mabel Hawkins
will give 10 you the individual ser
vice by which she has won such a
coterie of fashionable women. Adv
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-21
AT THE CASTLE.

Charming but extravagant; pretty
but unsls.lled at money matters
this is the character which beautiful
Alice Brady depicts in today's Cas-
tie picture The Divorce Game. q"
The story tells Of a young Ameri-
can heiress, married TO a French
nobleman. and who under the terms
OF her marriage settlement can
only spend the income OF her mon
ey. As both are extravagant. they
are forced TO desperate measures 10
secure the balance OF the money
which they need. This situation
leads 10 one of the cleverest come
dies and gives Miss Brady one Of
the most facinating roles she has
ever portrayed.
'"The Two-SOul Woman" featur-
ing Priscilla Dean. is a story OF dual
personality. II is the Castles at
traction for two days beginning to-
morrow.