davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

I shall no longer be alive, my dear
godmother, when these lines reach you
For that reason I dare to write YOU
rs | do. | understand very we'll from
the tone of your correspondence that
my refusal to visit you again had
rutf1ed you and that you thought me
an ingrate- I loved you (pardon this
last confession) and my dearest wish
would have been some day to join your
life and mine. When | realized that
your social position made my hope
futile suffered greatly. And
lacked the courage to intensity that
suffering by seeing you again. You
had become everything to me, who had
never before known the tenderness Of
woman's affection. SO much so that
perhaps I should not have been able
to keep my secret if I had spent my
leave with you second time. You are
so infinitely generous that, no doubt,
the revelation of this suffering, Of
which you were the innocent cause.
would have troubled you. Now, how
ever, want you to know that you
have been my sole JOY, the only love OF
my whole life, and that if have been
able to DO my duty as a soldier it is
the thought of you that has sustained
me. Adieu. If my prayers go whore
every prayer is answered, you will be
happy always.
For long time Danielle remained
the letter opened on her
knees. She was seized with remorse.
And at the same time she was filled with
a real sorrow. How unjust she had been
to this man, whose double heroism had
led him to sacrifice both his life and
his love,
She saw clearly now into her own mind
and comprehended the secret attachment
which from the first had drawn her tow
ard her godson. The frank sympathy
which she had shown him was perhaps
something more than sympathy. He had
1elt that and, recognizing the impossi-
plilty OF any closer relation, had gone
away so as not to disturb her life. How
ennobled he appeared to her at that mo-
ment-this simple soldier who had known
how to practise, without shrinking,
courage the most difficult of all!
Danielle reread the letter. Yes, per-
haps the last wish of Pierre Mechain
would be realized. She might be always
happy; but never, she felt, would any one
love her as truly as the man from whom
she had just received this posthumous
declaration. She lifted the soiled and
crumpled paper solemnly to her lips and
imprinted over the signature long and
1ervent kiss--the sincerest and purest of
the kisses of love.
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
By William A. McGarry

nHILADELPHlA, Dec. 1a.-Hungry
- mice nibbling at priceless paint
ings at Independence Hall have
been the innocent cause of revela-
tions concerning every art collection of any
consequence In Philadelphia and, indirect
ly, of the first definite indication by the
owners that the famous Wdener collection
of old masters may be left to this city
OF more immediate Importance the public
has won q partial victory over what has
been called the "olgarchy of art; so much
of victory that, barring accidents or un-
foreseen delays, the people of Philadelphia
will be permitted to look at the portraits
they own within another year or two
Aside from the damage done to the early
American portraits at independence Hall,
the most startling fact brought to light
is that for good reason, in two cases,
the three great publicly owned collections
in this city have been under lock and key
for more than a year. The Independence
Hall collection has not been on view for
nearly three years. The collection left
by the late John G. Johnson, famous law
yer. is in a storage warehouse and will
ISIuhlu llelc 1OT auOtNeI year
The Wilstach collection in Memorial Hall,
Fairmount Park, also has been closed for
a year. And for an equal period many of
The best paintings at the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts have been stacked
out of sight.
These revelations have been followed, as
might be expected, by all sorts OF charges
and counter charges, and by some inter
esting "inside stories" of big deals in "old
masters" that often turned out to be very
new. For instance. it be stated on
he best of authority that in q period OF
(, little more than year, ending four
or five years ago, one clever foreigner who
opened an Office in New York sold 5000, 900
worth of fakes to American collectors.
John G.. Johnson got some of them. He
sent two-labelled reproductions" in his
own hand-to the Wilstach collection for
what they were. The others cannot be
found in his collection. Men who know him
say he put them into furnace. The late
Peter A. B. Widener was taken in for nearly
5000, ,000 but on discovery Of the swindle
managed to get half his money returned.
Collectors in all parts of the country were
among the victims, and most Of them are
still convinced that they got originals.
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

was constantly open to men on fur
Tough, happy to enjoy again in this rich
bourgeois household some days Of COM
Portable home life.
All departed with sadness, their leaves
over, signing for the time when they
might have a chance to return. Mechain
was the only exception to the rule. And
he was the one among them all whom the
young girl really wished to see again.
Despite the faults in character result
ing from her deplorable education, Da-
nielle remained sound at heart If from
the beginning Pierre Mechain had been
her favorlte, it was because, as q pupil
from an orphan school, he had seemed
more unfortunate than the others, who
at least could evoke the memory of be-
ings dear to them from whom they had
been temporarily separated by the war.
Very intelligent, this little soldier had
revealed in his correspondence a nature
more refined than that of most of his
comrades. Adult courses, pursued with
interest, had supplemented his early
education. So he wrote charming letters
to his young godmother. He expressed
his gratitude with heartfelt eloquence,
dwelling on it with an ingenious and
simple frankness. Danielle answered
his letters with more pleasure than she
did those of her other correspondents.
And their exchange Of notes became more
and more frequent and intimate.
Mechain didn't know anything about
the social status of the Bordases Obey
ing an instinct which she never analyzed,
Danielle had been absolutely silent on
this point. When he came on leave the
soldier had been dumfounded and Da-
nielle liked to recall the attack of gayety
which had almost convulsed her when he
declared to her, in answer to her ques-
tioning, that he had believed his god
mother to be modiste, q dressmaker or
shop girl.
If she had been older and more OBJ
servant, instead of being amused she
would have been astonished at her god
sons bitterness Of tone when after
making this avowal he added, with a
laugh which concealed real suffering, at
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

after her first flush Of irritation "But
when | look back I can't recall how.
No; I probably guessed right. He must
have several godmothers. After all,
that is his affair. And 1 don't want him
to think that I was really eager to have
him come again"
In her most Indifferent style she wrote
her godson that she fully understood his
desire to visit the capital, and expressed
the hope that he would greatly enjoy his
furlough there.
Several months passed Pierre Me-
chain had become for Da-iele only a
protege to whom she owed material as
sistance. She continued to send him
packages regularly. But her letters be-
came rarer and rarer. The soldiers an
swers We're hopelessly formal and the
correspondence, once so attractive, be-
came more and more Of burden to the
young godmother.
One morning Danielle was going over
her mail from the front. Among the
many soldiers letters she noticed an
envelope addressed in strange hand.
She opened it. It contained another
sealed envelope and leaf torn from q
notebook on which these lines were
written:
Mademoiselle: Private Pierre Me-
chain was killed on July 18 last be-
fore Chateau Thierry. I picked up
his body and found in his pocketbook
an envelope bearing your address with
these instructions: "Please forward
this, in case anything happens to me-"
discharge sad duty and beg that
you will accept, etc.
The signature of hospital ORDERLY
was appended.
Danielle became very grave. So ne
was dead Poor fellowI She had q
real sense of grief. And what touched
her most was the thought Of his last let
ter, which he had sent her in the very
moment of death, and which no Doubt
contained supreme adieu. The Young
girls hand trembled as she opened the
envelope, stained with blood and mire.
She read very slowly:
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
HN A rage Danielle Bordas crumpled
4 between her delicate fingers the letter
-~- she had inst read

Nm A rage Danielle Bordas crumpled
between her delicate fingers the letter
she had just read,
That Mechain, what boor he was,
after ALT To refuse her invitation Ca
pressing invitation at that) after all the
attentions and favors which she, in her
role of a good godmother, had showered
on him during his last leave!
That was six months ago Since then
he had employed all sorts Of pretexts--
renewal Of the offensive, q transfer to
different sector, sickness, suspension Of
furloughs-to delay his return to the
Villa of Roses, the residence Of the
wealthy Bordases, rich bankers fam
lily! To-day, following her most urgent
solicitation, Danelle received this reply:
III prefer not to visit you at this time,
my dear godmother shall spend my
approaching ten days leave in Paris"
The only child in the Bordas house
hold, prodigiously spoiled, Danielle toler-
ated no opposition to her least desire. In
her eighteen years she had encountered
nothing but complete and joyful submis-
sion to her wishes. So the refusal of her
godson irritated her. 1t was a personal
insult and in her ill-hulnor she sought to
uncover it's motives.
Her mother approached and asked:
"Well, what day will Mechain arrive?"
Without deigning TO answer Daniellc
handed over the letter. Nine. Bordas
read it and was greatly astonished.
He was so anxious to come the first
time And now he backs out. Yet we
treated him very handsomely. ] don't
understand it,
a." said Danielle, angrily, II under
stand it only too we'll. This young man
must have godmother in every province
He wanted to visit Auvergne and we gave
him the opportunity. Now that his
curiosity is satisfied he goes somewhere
else. 1t is very simple"
"How can you think of such thing?"
~ think of it because it is the truth
am no longer astonished at his modesty
on the subject of presents or that he
always said I sent him too many. Now I
know why"
And without waiting to listen to her
mother, who was seeking to excuse the
young soldier for his lack of politeness,
Danielle fled to the garden, eager for
solitude and silence.
At the beginning Of the war Danielle
had adopted as godsons several soldiers
from the invaded regions. The large
fortune Of her parents permitted her to
discharge, like true Providence, her role
of little fairy dispensing gifts M. and
Nine. Bordas encouraged their daugh-
ter's generosity and the Villa of Roses
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

Labor held down and feeling little III
terest in the business except as wage get
ter viii, IS 4 has done, stand for limits
ton OF output. which means reactionism
and not progress. Ar eight -horr dar. high
wages, sanitary surroundings, placing labor
st every advantage, Will ROW be tried, and
will succeed il its effec. is 20 bring labor
TO feel AZ interest IN the business. which
means maximum output instead Of limited
output. Giving labor the advantages men
toned viii mean high prices. unless IS
result OF better treatment of laaor the OUT
put increases per man"
The Spokesman-Review." of spo.
kane, Wash, finds that two great truths
We're voiced at the congress. The first
was that Of Secretary Redfeld. when he
said:
Il am more ana more impressed With
the truth that readjustment is very
largely state of mind"
The second truth was the declaration
Of Mr.. Schwab that.
The real development Of any great
enterprise depends upon the individual
enterprise of the American business
man"
Often, says The Spokesman-Re-
view,' eve speak of labor and capital
"as though in themselves they could cary
forward great undertakings and give nation
prosperity. The truth Is that another vital
principle IS essental-initiative When in
rative disappears, capital and labor are pos.
erIess. The years Immediately following
every great panic in this country are re-
minder of the truth OF that observation
In 1894, FOR example, labor walked tie
streets in search of employment, willing %
accept wages that would afford only the
barest necessities OF existence At the sane
time capital was abundant and even re-
dundant, but IL bought bonds at low rates
OF interest, or hid itself in safety deposit
vaults
Initiative had disappeared and confidence
vas lacking. It all goes back. in fact, to
confidence, to what Secretary Redield terms
a state of mind When confidence exists
initiatives thrives and with initiative stir
ring capital and labor fall into ready ser
vice.
The only note of discord IS that
sounded by THE Brooklyn Eagle which
sees portent of trouble in the an
announcement of NJ. Clementel, Frenen
Minister Of Commerce, that his govern
ment had denounced all commercai
conventions containing the most fa'
vored nation clause. The Eagle sees
in this notice that France is going "
go rough-shod after trade, and that othe'
European nations will do the same. lie
statement of Secretary Redheld befosS
the Congress that the American business
man should go after business like gen
tleman was ridiculed
"Vaporings of that kind" says "Ihs
Eagle, will butter no parsnips-
The sooner they are dispensed VITA fns
sooner we are likely to get down TO busF
ness One obstacle was removed when lI'
substitution of cooperation for compe~'
tion was legalized for foreign trade pu''
poses. And to that cooperation the govern,
ment of the United States Will have TO "
party through its authorities duly cons'''
tuted Otherwise, futility of search o'as''
wise, the certainty that shall be CO
tanced in the race by countries the govern
ments of which take into account not ..
stractions, but necessitates, more or 'ss
] stern. and principally more"
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
The Visitors Come,
l. But Find Nothing

Ihe casual reader will say this is typical
Of Philadelphia sloth. But the question
goes deeper than a mere joke. Records Of
the American Museum Association will
show that 100000 persons visit Inde-
pendence Hall every year. In the last year
and half more than 100000 soldiers or
their way to France went through the his
toric pile. And nearly every visitor,
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
sness Asks Labor to Extend Its Hand in Fellowship

been presented to labor leaders. Now and
then there has been discussion Of more or
less similar plans, but not much beyond
discussion has ever been attained There
will be critics who will declare chat all this
discussion at Atlantic City has been merely
talk. 1t will remain as talk if the employee
partners elect TO keep it as such, for the
mployer-partner cannot do everything
alone or, for that matter. DO much Of any
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

MOT Capital or Labor" but "Capi-
tai and Labor" was the keynote
of the great reconstruction con-
gress of the United States Chamber Of
Commerce held week ago at Atlantic
City. Summing up the results of this
meeting. which was attended by four
thousand American business men repre-
senting 420 industries and approximate
ly forty billions OF capital, The Trib-
une's correspondent, Mr.. Knappen, said:
"If revolutions are Of the spirit rather
chan of the club and these leaders Of in
dustrial America assembled in serious con-
ference at Atlantic City are barometers of
the American spirit-then it may be said
that America has passed through & revolu~
ton without the firing of q single shot In
civil tuYnult, Remains only the embodiment
of the regenerated spirit in definite form
and it's gradual supersession in practice OF
the old concepts and ways"
The congress was called to discuss the
problems of business following the war,
and of what was accomplished by this
greatest of all meetings of business men
Samuel H. Barker, writing in "The
Philadelphia North American said:
"The path forward has been blazed and
cleared by the sharp-cut declarations and
propositions which the congress gave to the
country. They reach in all drections they
apply generally and specifically; they ring
with the bgness of American spirit; they
press confidently into new regions OF
thought, Of ideals and Of action; they recog-
nize the rights and interests of all, wheth-
er the laborer the capitalist, the indi-
vdual concern the entire industry, the
community as represented by the American
public or the community Of nations and OF
peoples"
More specifically the work of the con-
Vention may be summed up as follows:
Industrial enterprises should he CON
Quoted with view to the greatest op-
portunity for all concerned
Regularity of employment must be
striven for.
The right of workers to organize to
be admitted and collective bargaining
to be conceded
Impartia agencies must be set up 70
interpret and apply agreements and to
make prompt and authoritative settle
tnents of difference.
The right of all workers to mini
mum living wage is declared.
High wages and national prosperity
20 hand in hand. Therefore, whenever
the volume of business declines the last
item Of expense to be reduced should
be wages.
A standardized and established wage
should represent q standardized meas
ure of performance.
In all plants where the number Of
workers is large q responsible execu-
tive should be charged with the super
intendence of relations between the
workers and the management.
This was programme that has found
almost universal approval among the
press of the country. Says "The Buffalo
Express:
ave don't know what attitude the leaders
of organized labor will take toward the
proposition which has been recommended
to the Chamber of Commerce of the United
States, but we do know that if they are
wise they will make instant use of it. 1t.
with the principles as summarized, forms a
basis for action sucla as has never before
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

ton; the second sounded the urgent need Of
the widest possible freedom of trade con-
sistent with public welfare during the tran
sition period. Not q doubt was expressed as
to the ability of the nation to swing itself
away from the shoal vuter through which
it has been threading its course since 1919,
and out upon the open, peaceful sea; not =
doubt was expreesed as to the ability of The
nation to steam full speed ahead upon I
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

proof that, after the turmoil Of war
work, there is to be no breathing spell
That does not alarm 1.-THE Monitor"
however, which says:
Two distinct notes peryaded the grent
gathering at Atlantic City. The first Of
these sounded the universally recognized
need OF preventing u slacllening of indus
trial activity in the presence Of denloOliza-
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

thing alone. The outstanding fact is that
the men who were at Atlantic City have
the spirit and the wish to DO all that they
can dc and that tfis attitude should be uti-
lized now TO the limit. 1t Will be so utilized
if the leaders Of labor-nany 81 them
shrewd nen-are alive to their obligations."
The Christian Science Monitor" sees
in the deliberations Of the congress
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

prosperous commercial course, if only con
tidence and freedom shall inspire and sup
port enterprise
"rhe Topeka Capital of which Ar
thur Capper, newly elected Senator
from Kansas, is the owner, likes the
pronouncement in regard to a bigger
share of The profits TO the laborer. say
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
Translated by William L. Mcpherson

Copyrights ~ or Tb
u NJ h l pr rvqtOy umAs~ ~
Wn h gumohahu rardN
enc m in hash o
uyyau uhoulc
is &a autsu osbe
an more otto bb IL UF
| andt tpraem Aa ytv -byovAe
New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

HHILADELPHIA, Dec. 14.-Hungry
- mice nbhling at priceless paint
ings at Independence Hall have
heeo +he ;opocert rauSo of reve1a-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-16
EAST SIDE NOTES

Notes and personals from East SIDE
by Frances Jones' Ieiepnone o''
ITO Madison street, spent the week ena AZ
the Leuenberger ranch near Auburn.
The Loyal baughters Glass s Of the u ansg
EVENING At the home OF Miss Hazel Evans,
5i3 Leland street. The girls will organize
Camp FiTe ,. W1iam Patterson have
turned to their home at Richmond. Calif.'
after. spending short vacation here visit
Harry Titus has returned to his home,
mer at Great Bend, Kan.
CaIif., is visiting her brother, MIS-. a.
Thompson and Mr.. Thompson, i2l1 Monroe
Mrs. Louis Trester of Great Bend. Kan,
is visiting in Atchison- She has been the
guest of Mrs. b. Titus. Branner street;
before her return nome Mrs. Trestor VIII
arthur Doyle, Fourth avenue and LAKE
streets. is recovering after being quite III
with an attack of blood poisoning. MI.
Doyle's hand became infected while cutting
weeds in the alley at the rear OF his home.
He was at Stormont hospital for some
The Mizpah society of the Third Presby-
terrain church will meet all day at the
Charles Losh has returned to Riehland.
Kan, after spending the week with his
brother Andrew Losh and family, Lake
street.
Mr.. and MRS Harvey Mitchell and Mrs:
Albert Mitchell of Edna Kan, motored
to Richiand Sunday spending the day with
Mr.. and Mrs. II. Grice.
Miss Venice Adamson has returned to
her home, Klein street, from a visit to >er
aunt and uncle at Springfield. Mo.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Stewart of Canad-
| ian, Texas, are visiting Mrs. Stewards par
ents Mr.. and Mrs George Maxwell Of East
Hill. En- route they will spend some time
| at Berlin. N. Mex.
Mrs Maggie Hupp Of Union. Kan. Mrs.
Albert Stevens, Mr. Ben Rabie. Mr.. A.
Hymer Of Melvern. Kan, Mrs Peter Losh
and daughter. Miss Fearl Losh of Rich
I land. Mr. Minor Hupp of White City,
Kan, were recent guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
| Andrew Losh, Lake street.
The L. s. C.. club will be entertained
Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. L
| A. McKibben. 125 Ohio avenue.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-16
OAKLAND NOTES
Notes and personals from Oakland by
Frances Jones' Telephone $3.50.

Notes and personals from Oakland by
Frances Jones' Telephone $780,
Barney Stitt, Chester avenue. has return
ed from Kansas City where he spent last
week.
Mr.. and Mrs Albert Shut and family,
Mr. Oliver Shut and daughter Miss Sylvia
motored to the city and spent last week as
guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. H. H. Marker and
other relatives. En- route to their hole
at Wilburton, Kan, they will spend few
days Of this week attending the fair at
Hutchinson. Kan.
Miss Pansy Douthitt has been the guest
Of Miss Hazel SwoggeF, Winfield avenue.
She returned to her home at Oiathe Monday
evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harrison Hutson of Wichita
were Sunday guests of Mr.. and Mrs. George
Hutson, Summer street. Mr.. Hutson has re-
turned but Mrs. Hutscn win remain for a
longer VISIT
The new officers Of the women's For
eign Missionary society of the Oakland
Methodist church who were recently elected
are: Mrs. c. H. Buck. president: Mrs. Wal
ter Hamill, vice president: Mrs. Bert Ed
wards, recording secretnry; Mrs. Rifle Me-
Caslin, corresponding secretary, and Mrs
The Oakland w. c. T. U. will meet Tues
day afternoon with Mrs. C. w. Donaldson
kellam avenue.
Mr. and Mrs H. H Marker had as dinner
guests Sunday. Mr. aud Mrs. Albert shut
and family, Mr.. and Mrs. Milton Shut
Mr.. Oliver Shut. Miss Sylvia Shut AMI
Miss Bessie Rice.
The sunflower Art club viii not meet
this week but will be entertained next
Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. o.
NJ Anderson.