davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
With Other Editors
The Acid Test.

It is just two months today the president of
the United States with prescence of statesman ship
which must now strike every beholder as remark
able communicated to congress his view of the pro-
policy and attitude of the allies toward Russia
PROSTATE and nigh helpless before the Teuton ad-
vance We reprint again Mr. Wilson's almost pro-
phetic words Of Jan s. set down the sixth mum
Der in his program of the worlds peace" the
only possible program, as we see it:
The evacuation of all Russian territory and such
a settlement OF all questions affecting Russia as will
the best freest cooperation of the other
nations in the world in obtaining for her an unham
pered and unembarrassed opportunity for the indie
pendent determination of her own political develop
ment and national policy assure her OF sincere
welcome into the society free nations under inst
tltions OF her choosing: and more than a well
come assistance also OF every kind that she may
need and may herself desire
The treatment accorded Russia by her sister
nations in the months will be the acid test
Of their good will. of their comprehension Of her
needs distinguished from their own interests and
Of their intelligent and unselfsh sympathy"
In particular the foregoing paragraph will
Will be read with wonder and should be studied with
profounded admiration by every American who re-
views It now, You would almost say that even in
the Kaleidoscope confusion and swiftly changing
situations Of January President Wilson alone of
the worlds responsible statesmen foresaw the mex
pected turn OF event which so soon 10 test the
good will and unselfsh sympathy of Russia's sister
nations and their intelligent comprehension of her
needs.
The acid test has Not since the war he
gan has anything illustrated in a more striking wav
the length of Mr.. Wilson's vision and the accuracy
OF his insight than his omission to join ofhand in
the general approval by the allies. for the sake of
obnoxious and important military advantage of
the proposed Siberian venture with its unmeasured
possibilities Of harm to Russas future and to the
cause Of democracy throughout the world-New
York sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
Our Shipbuilding Program.

Chairman Hurley's report of government steel
shipbuildng work is heartening.
OF the 100000 tons of shipping the govern
ment program practically 100000 tons or 25 per
cent is done. Approximately 100000 tons have been
launched. the remainder representing ships partly
built. January 112500 tons were launched and in
February 1880 left the ways. The March estimate
is go 500 tons.
Considering the handicaps OF January and Febru-
airy this showing is encouraging. The call for ship
builders is being responded to literally and if ind
cations borne out estimates of shipping for
1918 will be reached. There be 1et-up.
The need of ships is known the world today where
it was known to only few farsighted men year ago
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.
In Which Giles Gets Stuck But Our
Heroine Doesn't

Giles actions around the store
for the next few days first amazed,
then alarmed. his employer.
At first he thought Giles was
drunk. So he Went. Up Close and
talked to him.
Then he thought he was crazy
And yet he Seemed Normal in Most
Things.
+ He watched Giles wait on an old
customer from Orange. New Jersey.
The customer wanted a nice cross
cut saw. Giles remarked that. she
had the most beautiful eyes in the
world, and that it was a darned
shame.
The proprietor waited on the Gus
toner himself; then getting Giles
into a corner behind the rakes, he
asked him what was the matter.
Giles said nothing was the mat,
ter: he was all right.
The proprietor then demanded as
to why, when customer wanted
to look at cross-cut saw he.
Giles, should start in TO tell the
customer about eyes and what a
darned shame it was.
Giles said he must have been
thinking about friend of his.
The proprietor asked him II it
was the friend whose fathers flu
eral he had attended.
Giles said ii was.
The proprietor grinned He want
ed TO know if she was really as
beautiful as that.
Giles said Gee, You'd oughter see
heri
That night the proprietor told
his wife about it. He said 1t re
minded him of the day he first met
her and how he sent four dozen
boat hooks to customer that
wanted TO go fishing and darn near
lost his job
All day Giles thought. alternating
with periods of banging his head
against Nine Dollars Week.
What could he do for our heroine?
He had boosted that he had
never been stuck vet. 1t sure look
ed as though that boast, at least.
would have TO be rubbed out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
More Spies.

-Four persons two men and two women, claiming
French citizenship, and suspected of being German
spies have been arrested in fashionable New York
hotels. They will be turned ever to immigration
authorities for deportation to France One Of the
mysteries OF the war is the extent Of the Teutonic
SPY system in the United States. When the depart
ment OF justice begins congratuIating itself upon
having rounded up the last of the outft
there will come fresh evidence. in
the New York discovery just announced that the spy
Is about numerous as he ever was. He may be
found anywhere from railroad shipyard to the
leading hotel Of the city where his business behalf
of his king carries him. AS The Argus so often has
said the one fault With tie United States has been
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

Leon Trotzky, Bolshevih war minister, declares
that an agreement exists between Germany Japan
TO divide Russia the basis Of mutual interests"
Trozky further asserted that the allies greatest er
Tor has been in assisting Japan plan for occupation
OF Siberia. He stated that America would be first
TO regret the allies policy In interim President
Wilson is giving considerable time to close study
Of the Japanese-siberan question, but will take no
definite action until he has communicated to the
American people what may be his deductions on the
subject.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER TWENTY.
I'm Which We Start Ont To EX-
,Jaip Something and Can't,

If. of the goodness of your heart,
YOU have come this far with US,
doubtless you are wondering why
our hero and our heroine doh |
come together.
In which wonderment you nave,
in the crude vernacular of the hol
polloi. nothing on US. We are won
dering ourselves.
While wondering, may We be
permitted a word anent the friend
ship of life? . Thank you. :.
Life is fierce, full and 1neXor-
able. Much it gives to US. Much
it demands from US. 1t gives us
thinks to enjoy. 1t takes those
things away. But it always re
places them with others. 1t gives
us tops to spin and hoops to roll.
Later. il gives US books to read and
convoIutions to understand them;
work and play; health that we may
guard against sickness, and sick
ness that we may appreciate
health
II gives US friends. 1t takes those
friends away and gives us others.
For. in cycles are we Whlrled;
and SO are whirled our friends.
Time and circum stances and oc-
cupation make our orbits. II
then, for a time, our lives align
with the lives of those we care for
and who care for us, let US be
grateful for that that has been
given; let us not repine too much
when it be taken away. A precious
memory at least can be kept.
Let these few words explain our
Giles. our Gwendolyn and our Nah
rec. Nature holds them to their
orbits: as it holds our hero and
cur heroine TO theirs.
SpIaf1t
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
Rock Island and Its Namesake Arsenal

1t Is not pleasant TO have ones shortcomings cor
nauities publicly paraded by Of the family under
any circumstances. n is not refreshing to have
city's misdeeds, no matter how low the ebb of
puniic morals. drawn TO the attention Of
tae outside world IN such to threaten its
yilais II is not the custom Of the great American
family 10 place the black sheep IN the yard
that Inc public authorities MAJ view MIN. and If
need be in order TO get him. destroy the fence around
tie mouse.
without condoHing in the least the evils that nave
existed in Rock Island, ceasing to condemn the
Gins Of omission responsible for such deplorabe con-
dltions The Argus regrets II ii has come to pass that
any persons in RockIsland have means Of adding
force to an issue regarding liquor regulations gone
outside Of 4own and called the attention Of the
eminent United States jeopardy in which
the greatest industry the is placed be-
cause OF its proximity to Rock Island. That this
aspect OF the situation has been presented with such
emphasis to result in investigation OF the war
department with the result that the whole matter
been laid before the governor OF Illinois, who
lives in a governed city than Rock Island, with
the possible consequences that the great arsenal may
upon his recommendation. be removed from this
locality, was set forth in a review of the situation
given to The press yesterday.
No blame can be attached to the war department.
at the instance of Influences in the very city
which the arsenal is named, it discovers local en-
vironments so unhealthy that it may consider them
beyond longer endurance.
a has been said there can be excuse for motor
fously bad conditions in Rock Island, but they are
worse than they in other cities, than
they few years ago in Davenport-but they
have been bad enough, heaven knows. The people
should not be sensitive because the departmnt Of
mandate, the justification procedure having
already been amply shown Ii may be repeated,
furthermore that only the constant presence and
eternal vigilance Of the representatives of the govern
mentwill insure anything like respect for federal
ulations But the fact that the government is here
The Argus believes is here to stay permanently is
due primarily to the TACT that the nation at war
and that is enough to command approval and CO.
operation of all patriotic people. It is not question
Of local politics, policies OF theories 1t is war
measure, and war measures are not debatabIe
And while recognizing any policy the government
may take in time paramount 10 all else abid-
ing willingly by whatever 1t may see fit to do and
giving honest aid to all its proceedings the people
IF Rock Island ought be able settle their internal
affairs and bring them up to state of perfection
within and among themselves without being so dis
is not a safe place in which an ordnance Industry
and soldier making industry may be located
We ought to be ashamed of such thing
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

Demanding that German be classed as a dead
ing that its teaching in the public By
many this will be regarded as mistake. German
will continue to be spoken in this country after the
war. It will be needed in commercial relations
with the fatherland when the heat hatred the
conflict have died away. The sensible thing do
is to retain the language as part of our school
systems in this country. but charge the pupil fee
for getting the benefit of the same.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
In which Our Heroine Finds So
TO-Speak Solution.

Giles slept not that night; MOI
did our heroine.
Giles wakefulness came from
Nine Dollars a Week. That lasted
until | O'Clock. From then on, was
responsible What Was the Use Any
way? =. He felt that he wasn't
and never could be good enough
for her. Gee, but she was
pretty Why, a girl like that could
! marry anybody! What would she
be doing with a poor slob who
worked in a hardware store for
nine dollars a week? Of course
she might be waiting on the table
now. But what of that. The solu-
ton that he'd find would put her
where she belonged, you bet. And
she didn't belong to a nine-dollara-
week hardware clerk. That was a
cinch.
So thought Giles. of his great un-
selfishness. So 1t kept him
awake.
AS for our heroine:
Wrapped. but not concealed. in
the still beautiful negligee, that
she had slipped on over the even
more beautiful robe de mutt, she
sat at one window of her hall bed
room. Her hands stung and
burned washing dishes is
hard when you aren't used TO it.
And her feet ached For
waiting on the table is similar I'M
der the same conditions.
We shall let her slip off her
shoes, and her stocking She
is quite alone; so why not?
Soft little hands ease soft little
feet of their aching. And our hero
inc thinks.
She went over in her mind the
talks that she had had with her ia
Their, of evenings, when. his head in
his hands, she sat beside him, try
ing to give him of the loye-comfort
that filled her soul for him-but
which the burned-out tilament
could not take.
That which he had told her
meant but little then But
since that time, she had learned
much,
These men, Barrabas < Co. Who
were they?
She remembered: Big Business
Men, of the Street
It had been a case of robbery,
pure and simple, hadn't it?
Yes.
+. Then couldn't the police arrest
the robbers and make them give up
their plumber?
Not in this case. You see, This
was Different.
But how?
Everything Barabbas & Co. had
done was quite within the law.
But she'd always thought the law
punished robbers.
Only little ones. Big ones it pro-
tected.
But couldn't his lawyers do any
thing?
No.
Why
Because Barabbas K Co. had
lawyers working first They had
shown how the law could be evad-
ed.
But weren't lawyers honest?
No. They were lawyers Big
lawyers received big fees for show
ing rich men how they could plum
der poor people without danger TO
themselves,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

William Barnes, former Republican boss of New
York found yesterday he is no bigger than
any ordinary individual when it comes to question
of disloyalty. Mr.. Barnes accused of having
made sedtious utterances and his arrest was ordered
by agents of the federal government At a police
station. however Barnes was released when he pro-
tested that he patriot and that his words were
not intended to reflect on the nation
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

Mary Lincoln Beckwith, great granddaughter of
Abraham Lincoln. is to put aside her knitting needle
pillow. She has been in Cuba, but has returned
from there. and is the family farm in Yer
mont. Miss Beckwth will take short course at
Cornell as preparation for her field work, and hopes
to organize unit of young women who will aid
farmers lacking male labor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

, 1t was the longest morning he had
ever put in; and the shortest aft
ernoon. For, as fast came the time
for him to make good. he stood as
empty of solution as a jug.
He took long walk before going
home But it was productive
of nothing. &.
When, solutionless, sore of head
and sick of heart, he slung into the
dining-room and slumped into a
chair, he found our heroine had
sovied it for him
She was waiting on the table.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

The people of Illinois have contributed but 6S
cents each toward the buying of thrift stamps the
campaign committee announces. The total sales in
this state amount to s5271,54791. New York leads
with 100000. The war savings loan campaign is
to be pushed more vigorously in Illinois from
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

that dealt severely with the German spy
as it should have. If the first detected in plot
against the United States government had been taken
out ana shot his associates would have been more
of their operations for the remainder of the
time while America engaged in war with Ger
many. Throwing a spy in Jail will never have the
effect of curbing his activities.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

moving picture theatre in London accepts eggs
for admission During the past winter many of the
houses in this country would been glad to have
done the same thing, only a patron would not run
chances of carrying egg or two from his home to
the theatre through fear of bandits
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

MEMBERS of the British parlia-
ment have been criticising the
government for placing newspaper
men in public places of great re-
sponsibiIity. Premier Lloyd George
defends his choices and lauds the
work Of the editors in the places
TO which they have been assigned.
It's different in this country. An
editor occasionally lands politi-
cal plum, but when it comes to
making selections for high govern
mental posts they usually are doled
cut to commercial leaders or law
EeTs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

Then lawyers didn't care about
the right and wrong of a case
Not in the least. All they want
ed was to win.
But that was Wrong, wasn't it!
OF course. But what are You go
ing to do about it?e
But what were courts and judges
and things for?
Merely to sit there and when the
lawyers found holes in the laws ad-
nit that the holes were there.
Wasn't there any justice in the
world anywhere?
Not much.
And there was nothing nothing
at aIl-that they could do?
He had had good lawyers?
And there was nothing to be
done?
Nothing. Absolutely moth
ing.
SO our heroine had talked with
her father. The thought of her
father. Her eyes filled. d.
She went TO the bureau to get a
handkerchief.
The bureau drawer, as in places
frugal, was bottomed- with a news
paper, folded to fit. AS our hero
ines eyes fell upon it, they noticed
a great red headline. At first
it registered nothing ON her brain.
But then, as the words sank
in. she started and, reaching in.
took the paper quickly from the
drawer to hold it before her ex-
cited eyes. For the headline spread
now before her, was the same that
had caused our hero to rest his eI-
bow in a segment of prune pie and
try to carve a glass of buttermilk
with fork. 1t was
PROMINENT FINANCIERS DEAD
B. A. and r. A. Bass Killed in Mo
tor Accident.
Our heroine head swiftly, the
beautiful negligee clinging close
against her in the breath of spring
that came through the one win
dow.
There was some justice in the
world after all!
She looked at the date Of the pa
per.
II was six weeks old
Forgetting the handkerchief. she
sat down and thought some more
Barabbas d Co. had stolen her
money. And now they were dead.
Who had the money now?
Our heroine slipped on her stock
ings; then her shoes. Then, wrap
ping the beautiful negligee about
her, she descended TO the telephone.
For. while Poverty slept. she well
knew that Wealth was still awake.
and that her fathers lawyer would
be at the club playing bridge
She called him up. She asked
him who had inherited the stolen
fortune of Barabbas & Co,
1t wasn't that it made any differ
ence. She just wanted 10 know.
He told her il was young man.
a nephew. he thought His name
was Walsingham Van Dorm.
She asked him where the young
man lived
He said az the Splendide, he had
heard.
TO be sure, she asked him ii
there was anything that could be
done to get her fathers money
back.
He said there wasn't. That at
the time he had devoted his best
energies 10 the case and that the
entire transaction had been due TO
the misplaced confidence of her ia
Their.
She thanked him.
He said don't mention H. And
asked her how her father was.
She said he was dead
He said he was so sorry: he
hadn't heard.
She thanked him
He said If there was anything lie
could do for her 10 let him know.
Again she thanked him.
Then he hung up; because he
had been interrupted in the middle
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

TWO brothers who control the coat-cheeking
privilege in the principal New York hotels have
cleared s750,oOo in eight years They control the
rheckroom Of % hotels
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

YOU can't judge the age of a
woman moving ahead of you in d
short skirt and wearing one OF
those saucy bonnets that rests on
the back of the head She may be
II and she may be a grandmother.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

Of four no-trump bid that lo0A'
like a big slam. ,fcs 70
Still. ne wanted 10 be as ~ 4
the Lanes as possible; thous~ IN
was Lanes own fault. A man . S',s
no more business eapaeils ,,rst
that should put his money ~ - hes
our heroine went back 10
room Tan hsf
So the money that had Pless4,e1l'f
fathers that was row right a.,a
hers. belonged to q lo p-, VIC
named Walslugham Van po'"'
lived at the Splendid
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
IN THE GROCERY.

What kind of cheese you got
here?'
Different kinds"
For instance"
We have limbUrger and brick"
Say, wrap me up some Of that
brick. ] have a neighbOr who al
ways CritiCises me for buying
cheese Give me the brick and il
l hear a squawk out of him I'll let
him have it over the bean Lin
burger may be strong, but I don I
imagine it has the wallop in 1t
like the brick. What you say?''
Camp Hancock. Augusta. Ca
]. NJ c.: Do you remember that
shoe shine place on Twentieth
street that used to have a sign
Shoes Shined On the Inside? i
have found its twin down in Dixie,
hat paTlor, which adyertises,
Hats cleaned and blocked inside"
Moreover, / know that you will
welcome the glad news that the
Baby King Wood Yard. on FenWic5I
street, is doing tiourishing bust
ness SMEDLEY.
WISCONSIN'S Bolsheviki candi
date for senator might use Trotzky
and Lenine. now that both are out
of work. to whoop it up for him
in the final days OF his campaign.
HINDENBURG promises Ger
many's big drive in the west will
start shortly Well. he will have
to hn
quick if he expects to make good
his promise TO be in Paris April l.
CATCHING.
To sterilize lady's signs
Or kisses is outrageous,
We'd much prefer to humor her
. And let her be agious
Judge.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19
OIT CORRECT

There is a rUmor of organizing
a ladies' band in Inman. We are
in hopes this move will be carried
out.-Inman tKan.l Review.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

GENERAL Ludendorf promises
tnat the offensive against the allies
VIII be very severe. Oh, mercy.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-19

REV. Billy Sunday has figured
that it costs $500 in Indianapolis TO
get a soul to Christ, while in Chi
cago the expense is only S445. In
New York the rate is $500. We
wonder what it would be in Rock
Island?