davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-12-05

The following letter is from Horace
Cahoon, written from "Overthere" to
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Cahoon.
Somewhere in France, Nov. 3, 1918
Dear Dad and Mother:
Well, Dad I am still a-kicking and
on top of the ground for wonder.
/ can't see how I got by as we'll as I
have, the places / have been in.
took trip through Death Valley last
night about midnight with load of
ammunition, which, if she'll would
have hit, they would have found moth
ing but a big hole in the ground. We
don't have to haul ammunition very
often but forty-two men from the am
munition train were gassed in the val
ley the night before. So you see it
was up to us to go. Only one of our men
got gassed and he is in the hospital,
getting along fine. Say Dad, l wish
you could see where Dick and I sleep.
There is a gun in our back yard two
1C0L 1Ou6CI LudA Jul pQAh uhO IL
shoots shell that weighs as much as
Topsy, the white pony. 1t shakes the
buildings down when it gees Off but
it does the work. You can tell Grand
dad Cahoon that I think I will be
home soon and then ! will tell him
all about it, but m ynews are getting
worse every day. Whenever you hear
a shell whistle you have to drop down
on your stomach and do it quick for
you don't have much time after you
once hear it.
This town gets it about once minute
and about thirty minutes at time.
Well Dad, I have got callouses on my
stomach from diving on the ground
so much, but I think I will not be
here much longer I am sending you
some poetry and want you to have it
put in the papers.
Well Dad, we have been on four
different fronts now and only had two
weeks off, I think that is going some.
Well I must close for this time, with
love to you all and kiss for Mamma.
HORACE.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

Early one muggy summer morning
Grandpa Jabez Bunker and his wife.
dear old Ma Bunker. descended a flight
of stairs in a boarding house In West
F'ifty-eighth street. New York. and
tapped on the door of the apartment
known. in New York clearinghouse
parlance, as the second-floor front In
his hand Grandpa Bunker carried a
pocket map Of the city. unfolded. while
Grandma Bunker carried small
pamphlet with yellow paper cover on
which were the words:
THE COMPLETE CONFESSIONS OF
THE KING OF GRAFTERs. FULL Elk
POSITION OF THE METHODS OF THE
MOST FAMOUS CONFIDENCE MEN.
PRICE Is CENTS
81 doubt maybe they're up yet, Jabez,"
said Grandma Bunker in her gentle
voice. I've heard tell how these New
York folks don't start to work as early
as some"
TITS goin' onto five o'clock now" said
Mr.. Bunker placidly. IT reckon they're
UP by now. Time they was If. they Amt"
And he raped more violently. Inside
the room there was the sound of some
one getting out of bed rather hurriedly
Bare feet battered on the floor, and a
voice still husky with sleep said: Who's
thereT'
ITS me-" said Mr.. Bunker.
Whats the matter7 Is the house
aire?'' asked the voice. which was that
Of Special Officer Hess, one of the
uniformed guardians of one Of the great
railway stations OF New York.
"why, mol" said Mr.. Bunker. seq
wanted to ask you about a map I've got
here"
"Caius julius Augustus Caesar,
ghostI" cried Mr.. Hess. And you got
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

business. but don't know! Seems like
a powerful jump from here"
IT shouldn't want you to do nothin'
said the dear old lady.
MOI said Jabez mo! reckon you'd
feel more satisfied ana comfortable-like.
ma, If I started in nearer home and work
ed south sort of gradual. I got lots of
time, and I guess Wall street amt goin'
to run short of suckers awhile yet Mr..
Hess, whereabouts around here would
you say was a good place to start in
graftin'?'
Mr.. Hess, who had dressed In tenn
porary and sketchy manner. hitched one
suspender over shoulder and laid his
hand on Mr.. Bunkers shoulder firmly. He
fixed him with his eye and spoke In a
stern and authoritative tone.
"Nowherer' he said. "Just as soon as
get my clothes on and a bite of food
in me, 1t is going to be back to the
prairies for you! I told you yesterday.
told you when I sent you up here to my
sisters boarding house. that you'd go
back to Iowa today. and back you go!
1t was easy enough for you to take in
two or three danes here at the boarding
house when had sent you here and you
went and abused my confidence, but these
slick New, Workers are different propo-
sition. Honest. they'd eat an innocent
old guy like you alive and not know
they'd swallowed you. You wouldn't last
minute
| Mr.. Bunker was silent His face fell.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
WORKING SOUTH-By ELLIS PARKER BUTLER G
*ssss:ssss.ssI:::::;:';::::;:::':;:'.:':'::;';;ss

plush-upholstered seat and stuck ms
hands deep into his pockets. There was
something in the gesture that seemed 20
say he meant to put his hands IN MS
pockets while he had chance. oeiore
the bracelets were snapped on his Wrists.
That the bracelets would be the mex
thing he had not the slightest DOUBT
Rumors had spread through his stratum
of society that this very thing WAS 70
happen-that the Inspector meant 10
fight the 4grafters with detectives drawn
from the country districts. posing
hicks and boobs. No doubt the Innocent
looking Mr.. Hiram Thompson was from
the central ONCE. and the grandmotherly-
looking old lady in the car was some
shrewd elderly sleuth of the female sex
If. indeed. she were not q man n,ade up
| to look like woman.
There Is no one so credulous or 50 help
less as & New York CRATER. Oh his
| own particular beat. he Is lost Except
when he Is able to buy protection and
the right to operate his graft. he can
not do business for . year without land
| ing behind the bars. At heart he Is
chiIdlike. and he is the easiest man in
| the world to bunco. Mr.. Bailey looked
/ out Of the car window,
"How much money have you got in
your clothes. Jack7' he said suddenly.
1.-TWO hundred. guess Between that
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

me out of bed in the middle of The night
to-r Evidently words could not ex-
press what he thought ''All right! Now
that I'm up I might as well stay Up.
Wait till get something on
Mr.. Bunker turned his placid. babylike
face toward bis wife His complexion
was pinky-white, and his face as round
and plump as that of a well-fed infant.
and his general innocent infantile ap-
perance was increased by a head quite bald
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS not decreased by his
large steel-rimmed spectacles or by the
little white tuft of chin-whisker that
tapped up and down as he talked His
little blue eyes twinkled with innocent
merriment.
Mr.. and Mrs Bunker had been in New
York for just about eighteen hours, ten
OF which they had spent in sleep. and
already Mr. Bunker was eager to begin
the job of CRATER. bunco-steerer and con-
fidence man, to engage in which he left
Oroduna. iowa, but a few days before.
It need hardly be said that he was an
entirely new hand at the profession he had
chosen. For many years he had been
farmer, buying an occasional gold brick
or wad of green goods as opportunity Of
fered, but not until he had happened upon
the book Grandma Bunker now held in
her hand had 1t occurred to him to be-
come a bunco-steerer himself. Upon read
ing the book, however, he had become
convinced that bunco-steering was an
easy and respectable method of earning
a living. and-being told by the banker
of Oroduna that New York was the home
of the Easy Mark-he had come. Already
he had had some slight success in taking
money away from Mr.. and Mrs. Hess,
Mr.. Hess sister and the dining-room maid.
but these were mere fiedgling attempts
meant to test his wings. He was now
ready to try for bigger things.
1t was but few minutes until OFFICER
Hess opened the door.
well. what's the trouble7'' he asked.
ME an Ma sort o. got to thinkin
things over this mornin' after we got up. :"
said Mr.. Bunker with his cherubic smile.
"and both on US felt, SEEM as I'm goin'
to be in the bunco-steer business some
smart while, ia ought to know somethin'
about the layout of this town. don't
Know no" yOu AeSi doOoe H. 1AA- ~ASS0'
but seems like as If a confidence man in
New York ought to know enough about
the layout Of the town so he wouldn't
get lost in the streets. goin' to an comm
from his work"
Now. Jabez.' said Grandma Bunker
with gentle reproof. you amt tellin' the
whole truth. Remember. Jabez. you
. promised me when I agreed to let you
go into the bunco business that you
Wouldn't be deceitful or do nothin' to be
ashamed Of don't mind she said tc
OFFICER Hess. "havin' Jabez In a nice,
clean business like the bunco business
but don't want him to get no deceitful
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

ways or do anything a member OF the
First Church of Oroduna oughtn't to do"
Now. Ma" said Jabez Bunker. his love
for the dear old lady showing in bis
tone. you know as well as do I aim
and nothin. else Don't you fret yourself.
Fact is" he said turning to OFFICER Hess.
"I can't make head nor tail out of this
map. I been Iookin' at If for an hour.
and can't make out where Wall street
ISIS
You've got It upside down. for one
thing said Officer Hess.
Mr. Bunker turned the map the other
side up. His eyes twinkled with de-
light
There, MAJ" he exclaimed. t told
you somethin' was wrong. I been look
to oficer Hess
That's the Bronx" said oficer Hess
Now. do you know where, on this map
you are right now?'
ct haven't the slightest mite of ar
idear said Mr. Bunker placidly.
You're here" said onieer Hess. ,plac
ing his finger on the map. And here is
the financial district-away down here
It's a long way. Here's Forty-secont
street: here's Thirty-feurth; here
Twenty third; here's Fourteenth; here!
Canal street. here's the City Hall; anc
here's Wall street.
Mr.. Bunker sighed. He shook his head
ITS a long way, Ma, like he says,
he said. Seems like It was most TOT
much Of a jump for me to make RICH
at once. don't 1t? I did sort OF feel
from what Banker Higgins out to ORC
duna told me. that down there in Wal
street where so many suckers was wouIt
be about the best place to work at m.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

sample Of their goods Mighty good
bad money. I tell you'll I don't hardly
like to throw 'srn down, SEEM they've
been to so much trouble. Got q sample
Of the kind you're selIin'f''
Mr.. Bunker opened his wallet again
and handed Mr.. Thompson q crisp. new
ten-dollar bill. It was perfectly good
BILL, Mr.. Thompson examined It caro-
fully. both sides.
Don't seem to me quite up to the
sample them fellers showed me-" hs
said. with the natural inclination Of the
human being to prefer being detraudee
by stranger rather than BY . nsishbor
Might be q ieetls moro risky tryin' Il
pssS It II you was to sell It twenty fos
one. stead Of ten for one. SAY"
MrzL Bunker put her hand ca Mt
Bunker-s arm.
I Don't do ncthin' rash. Jahex" sh'
said. There amt nothin' to b nnad<
sellin' too low. II your counterfeit money
il n good a. the other mans. they ain"
no reason why you should sell It q nait'
cheaper. Il Hiram dou't want It. thsrei
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
EVEN ROB CHILDREN
Teutonic ServiIity Is Shown by Action
At Essen,

Amsterdam, July 2O.-An extraer-
binary instance of Teutonic servility
where uniforms are concerned has oc-
CURED at Essen. A party of three
armed individuals, two in soldiers and
and one in a policemans uniform.
made a round of all the schools of the
town, representing themselves to be
authorized to collect the children's
satchels. They paid a trif1e in each
case for the leather straps attached to
them, and carried away their booty.
After few days, the whole affair was
discovered to be a swinC e.
How it is possible that this could
have been CO rried on for DAYS without
anyone having the courage to chal-
lenge their authority remains one Of
the mysteries of this war" says the
Rhenish Westphalian Gazette
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

early awakening, led them from the
house and entered with them the car that
would carry them to the railway station
where his duties lay. In person he saw
them aboard the westward-bound train
and watched until It pulled out Of the
station. Then he went back to his duties
In the huge waitins-roon. protecting tn
nocent farmer folk against the wfles of
wicked New York.
At the first stop after the train left
the station, Jabez Bunker, his face
cherubical1y sweet and happy. assisted
Grandma Bunker from the train and
seated himself on . bench to await the
next train back to New York. With
glance that was but little short Of adora-
ton, Grandma Bunker seated herself be-
side him and patted his hand.
that p'liceman sees US back again.
reckon he'll think he's stang to death
wun't he?"
You see that Grandma Bunker was al.
ready picking up odd scraps of the
United States language IS spoken In New
York.
at reckon he'll be a lsetie mite sur
prised.", agreed Jabez. IT do hope HI
wun't be offended. He seemed sortSof sol
on havin. US 60 Sack to oroduna- Come
on, Mother; here comes a train for New
York"
car they entered. Mr.. Bunker stood ant
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

looked up and down the aisle with gentle
pleasure showing in his twinkling eyes
Il dare say" he said eheerfully, "I
dare say. Ma. there's right smart lot
o people on this train all ripe an ready
to pick. A man that means business
hadn't ought to waste no opportunity. I
take 1t. II you'll just reach over and
open up that suit case and hand me one
Of them two gold bricks I nxed up, 1
reckon III walk through this train and
see how business is."
Mrs. Bunker bent over the SUIT casa.
Her face turned red with the exertion.
Lands O. Eoodness!" she exclaimed.
I'm settin' that fat It most kills me
to bend down. II you could heft the
case onto the seat. Jabez-"
Well. maybe you might as well not
bother" said Mr.. Bunker. '.I don't know
as I'd ought to sell them gold bricks
before I touch EN- I'D q bit with gold
| paint I sort O. feel like it would be
cheatfh' man to sell him gold brick
| as shop-worn-loolzin' as them are I'll
| just nosey through the train and take q
look around Maybe I might get some
Teller interested in that three-card monte
game or get him bettin' on q shell-game
+, or suthin'. Yep! I got my walnut-shelis
here In my pocket You wun't mind bssn.
left alone awhile. MAJ"
mo. Jabex." she said, ira favor a
leetle nap II could manage one" And
Mr.. Bunker. FIRST taking a\poker deck
from his wife's reticule. strolled down
the car and into the next, looking from,
face to face with his little blue eyes
oearning good will to every one.
Five minutes later he was seated in
an otherwise vacant seat, threa cars n
the rear Of Grandma Bunker. On the arm,
| OF the seat he had placed two hair wal
/ nut-shells, and he held q third half in
his hand and q small rubber BAN the
size Of pea between HIS right thumb
and right forennger. His spectacles ysere
pushed back on his forehead. From time
to time he made pass at the two wal
nut shells with the shell and ball in HIS
right hand. changing the location Of the
shells and leaving the third on the seat
arm with the other two. Almost without
exception the little rubber pea fell to the
! floor Of the car. Once it rolled under tn.
seat opposite, in which two fne lookine
New Workers were seated, and Mr.. Bunk
er got down on his hands and knees and
paved under the seat until he found the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
PLACE. BAN ON DICE
Red Cross VIII Not Allow Distribution
of Craps Now,

New Orleans, July 2O-A Red Cross
ban has. been placed on dice so far
as their distribution in the four army
environments in the Gulf division of
the Red Cross is concerned.
A call fr games, issued thruout the
division recently, brought to Red Cross
headquarters here not only cards,
dominoes, checker and chess boards
but a complete assortment of dice.
Now there has gone forth from Red
Cross headquarters a request to the
public not to contribute dice as the
Red Cross does not favor the playing
of games to which they usually are
devoted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

plenty wfIl Taiut as Il you was In the
buneo business for one day only"
Mr.. Bunker took the ten-dollsr bf1 and
fngly.
well. Hiram" hs said. II never yet
went far wrong takin' Mas advice. I
warn - It's always dangerous doln'
Ereen-soods business with strangsrs."
AZ he said the words, he saw Mr..
Thompson move guilty. and looking up
Jabez saw Broadway Jack and Dude
Bailey. They passed without . word or
sign Of recognition For all any one
might have seen. they had never heard
or thought OF Hiram Thompson or
Thompscn's Corners. Mr.. Bunker. how
| ever, pushed his spectaoies UP on his
forehead and besrned upon the backs OF
Broadway Jack and Dude Bailey. With
the instinct that reveals one bunco-stserer
! to another. he guessed that It was from
his green-goods He was equally sure
the two men were New Workers.. ana
feeling sure Of that. he had no doubt
! that he had nothing to fear from them
Just as this pleasant thought came to
| him. he saw Dude Bailey beckon to him
| with one finger and than disappear be-
,,,a ~. .,,ox,r~.ro,,, .uvt.,n Ex.u..
NNN -. ,.,N -.
ING ninsei paeasantiy' Mf. ounkef too-
died down the car and entered the snaok-
inx-roorn.
~. z.u.- ~. r.S- 49,
were standing IN the snaonns-roonn' ana
| they were alone. They were deep In q
vvh,.n~r~d eenverssticn which stopned
~
nao'' .He l',.o.
Sroa"e5 'seA 'neo 70 'at'
well. what's the idea r he asked alb
ruptIy.
| ..wh.x ~s..4. ..k.S n, 1,,,<s~ to-
noeenuy'
| Dude Bailey threw the remnants Of Q
CIGAR into the nickei.olatsd euspidor.
.I. -.
Nu.' al 1aA' Non 80
with ux- We're wise TO YOU what 10 IT.
pinch or Q spIit7"
T. IL ,....r+ o,s+ NJ pu>L ~
Al n'e pA3' n-N
never heard Of pineh or Spit It did
not occur to him That Mr. DUDE Bailey
was asking him whether he meant to ar
rest them or accept portion Of their
letting them their
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
SHORT OR LONG 'UNS?
England Will Wear Standard Under
clothes in eptember.

Londo -uly 2o.-A plan for the
production of standard underclothes,
at fixed prices, has been approved by
the government wool textile produc-
ton department, and is to go into ef-
feet early in September.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20

Mr. Bailey made gesture of despair
Jack. it's e pinch, ..ure!- he said
Mr.. Bunker smiled his most cherubic
smile He boar-ed and good fellow
ship. Broadway Jack dropped into q
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
'ewspaper Syndicate-l:


He
the Workers. Jabe Bur
sratng is than the described last week
The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-15
Dispatch Says That Rus. sians Are Shipping at
 Japanese Soldiers
 at Wadivostok.
FEELING IS GROWING
BoIsheviki Leaders Claim Japan Is About to Be- gin Her Long Cher
 ished Ambition.

TOXIC, April 15.-A dispatch re- ceived here tells of Russians sniping against Japanese patrols in the streets of Vladivostok. One Russian was arrested.
 The dispatch says the local coun- cil of workmen's and soldiers dele gates has telegraphed to the Bolshev iki headquarters urging the sending of armed German and Austrian pris- oners as achievements to be hurled against the Japanese.
 Bolsheviki leaders are quoted as declaring the Japanese action in land ing forces at Vladivostok marks the beginning of the carrying out by Ja pan of her long cherished ambition for a free hand in Siberia.
The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-15
Coast 6 Geodetic Survey Issues An Interesting Bulletin About the
 NOrthIand.
POINTS OUT ITS NEEDS
Tells About Its Imports and Exports During the Past Fifty
 Years.

WASHINGTON, April 13. The Coast and Geodetic Survey has is sued an official bulletin urging the protection of Alaskas gateways by adequate coast and harbor charting. It says the survey has had less than $4,0000O0 to spend in Alaska during the past 50 years.
 It says Alaska has many fine un- developed harbors and that the war should not delay preparation for the work. It points out that PA Ameri can vessels have been lost in Alaska during the past 20 years The bull letin says Alaska's greatest present needs are better aids to navigation.
 Continuing, it says Alaska, with over 26,000 miles of detailed coast lines. cannot be approached with out plying the waters surrounding it, because of the gigantic mountains that may never be surmounted by railways, barring it from attack from an enemy.
 The bulletin says the exports from AldShd dHlOuiltu lo Ptoo,oOV,ooo III 30 years, reaching the greatest an nual sum last year. when $94 793,- 059 worth of goods were sent out of the Territory. Imports totaled $412,' 000,000 in 50 years, showing vast volume of trade carried on with the Territory solely by means of ships and water transportation. The bull letin says 70 per cent. of the losses of vessels are due to strandings. which might have been prevented by accurate markings of waterways.
 The bulletin was prepared under the personal direction of It. Col. E. Lester Jones, head of the Coast and Goedetic Survey Bureau.
The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-15
He Is Being Made "Goat" for the Austrian Peace Terms Given to
 France.
IS PROMINENT OFFICIAL
Considered One of Leading Public Officials and Dip- IOmatS of Central
 Powers.

AMSTERDAM, April 15.-A vien- na dispatch says Count Czernin, the Austrian foreign minister, has resign ed and that Emperor Charles has accepted his resignation. Czernin will have the conduct of foreiQn af. fairs until his successor Is appointed
 The receipt and publication in France of the futile peace proposal by Emperor Charles and the efforts of Austria to satisfactorily explain the peace letter to Germany, are probably the most potent influences bringing about the resignation of the well-known foreign minister.
 czernin made attempts to bring about peace. Afterwards he claimed that the initiation was taken by France. This was proved to be un- true by a letter sent by. cxernir to Prince who forwarded the com municaton to the French govern nlent.
 More recently Emperor Charles was forced to assure Germany that Austria was willing ally and thor oushly in accord with, the Central Powers. and stated as proof of the assertion that Austria's troops were battling on the Western front against the Entente Allies.
 Reports are current that internal affairs in Austria and Germany were reaching such point that it was deemed unwise to put off the great Western offensive any longer.
 Count czernin was one of the prin- cipal delegates who met the Russian delegates at Brest Litovsk and se- cured from them the signing of the German peace terms" He was ranked as one of the leading offic- als and diplomats of the Central Powers and the belief prevails here that his enforced resignation will ,ause an unusual stir throughout the Central Powers