davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

A feformer is a man who insists
on peddling recipes for the millen-
mum to people who are much more
interested in golf, automobiles, free
lunches and appeals 90 the Supreme
Court
Reformers are more pestiferous
and uncomfortable than mosquitoes,
because they work both day and
night, summer and winter, and can
not be demolished by mere slap Of
the hand A man who has amassed
million dollars by nice little ward
organization, or eoZy little rail-
road, or a comfortable corner in ice,
can keep mosquitoes and other null
sances out of his palace by means Of
screens and oil of wintergreen, but
the reformer creeps in with the
morning newspaper and the monthly
magazine, and stabs him in his easy
chair with ever-increasing vigor.
There is practically no antidote for,
or escape from them, except to flee
to Russia, where they use stern meas
ures with these pests, and keep them
from talking by means OF a stout
rope tied tightly around the
windpipe. Russia has almost no re-
formers left, and yet immigration to
this paradise is very small indeed.
Reformers are a nuisance, because
they are continually waking up hap
by people and calling their attention
to their sorrows. They have never
given US any rest When a few self
sacrificing patriots elected our Presi-
dents for us century ago, the re-
formers yelled until popular vote
with all its annoyances was intro
duced. When the country became
healthy and great, the reformers
were not content until we had gone
to war to free the slaves; and even
today, when prosperity is so incsn-
ceivable that the working man has
to carry his weeks salary down to
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
EASY TO WRITE WITH TOES
Assertion Made That Accomplish
ment" Can Be Acquired In Com
paratIvely Short Time.

When next you go to the zoo, watch
the monkeys use their hands, suggests
the Popular Science Monthly. Notice
how they seize things with their fists.
They do not use their f1nger-ends as
we do. While the higher monkeys,
such as gorillas and chimpanzees, may
be taught to use their fingers, they
never learn to use them as easily as
do human beings.
The monkey is primarily a tree
dweller. 1t lives in forests and swings
from tree to tree, using It's hands as
hooks with which it grasps the
branches. The thumb is not brought
keys have lost the thumb through dis
use; all that is left of it is Indicated
by little lump under the skin.
In the higher monkeys the wrist is
built like yours. 1t has the same num-
Der of bones. But the monkey has
never used his wrist, and so 1t has lost
the fexibility. The monkey can use
his fist to better advantage than his
hands.
Man, on the other hand, has used his
feet so long simply for the purpose of
walking, that he would experience con-
siderable difficulty in using them as
he uses his hands. Yet, 1t is amazing
how quickly a man can learn to use
his toes as he does his fingers. If you
don't believe this, just try to write
with vOl1r t0pS AT first fhQ letters
will be very large and awkward. But
with very little practice you will
find that you can write with your foot
more easily than with your left hand,
If you are naturally right-handed. 1t
Is an attractive exercise with which
to while away an hour. We know you
will try the experiment.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
RED MANS GOOD QUALITIES
AS a Race, and Individually, the
American Indian Has Proved
Capable Of Many Things.

It is very worth while to give the
Indian a square deal. He has proved
himself capable of great things. Two
presidents of Peru have been Indians.
One of Mexico's greatest presidents
was an Indian, and Bolivia has had
at least one great Indian president.
One expects them to excel in warfare.
The Araucanian Lantare was the great
est military chieftain South America
has produced except San Martin, and
we have had Gen. John A. Logan and
Gen. Eli s. Parker. Numbers of our
senators and congressman have been
proud of their Indian blood, and
Thomas @. Moffett, who knows the red
man well, says that 'in the profession
al world today, on farms among
leaders in business affairs, the
Indian, educated and Christianlzed, is
taking his place; clever Indian law
yers are looking out for the interests
of their tribes; capable Indian physi-
clans are ministering to the needs of
their own people; earnest Indian
preachers and teachers are spreading
among the reservations the seed of
the gospel message; aggressive Indian
agricultural experts are teaching the
younger. generation how to improve
land and crops; the new Indian ls
helping the forward movement activ-
tiles of his country"
The white mans diseases and
vices have burdened the Indian. but
his schools. medicine, Christian NOR
ais and faith can, If he Sc Wills 1t, lift
that burden and make his red brother
once again free man--Evengeline
Cole, in Worlds Outlook.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
GREAT BIRDS OF OTHER DAYS
Bones Discovered Prove That IN the
Miocene Period They Were Truly
of Enormous Size.

In so far as birds are concerned,
some of the oldest fossils, in the mat
ter of time (Miocene), which have
fallen into the hands of science, are
those representing the great, flight
less, fossil avian giants Of Patagonia in
South America. They belong to the
phororhacidae, r. W. Shufeldt writes
in the Scientific American.
Judging from such parts of their fos-
sill bones as have been found, they
were evidently great terrestrial birds
of prey. Some of the species were
small, but this is made up for by the
others; and in the case of one of them
(brontornis) it had thigh bone con-
siderably larger and longer than that
of an OK.
OF all the remarkable f1ightless birds
of this group, however, was the giant
phororhacos. 1t must have been over
eight feet in height, with skull big
ger than that of full grown horse,
and much deeper from above down.
ward. We know little or nothing of
these birds or what led to their ex-
tinction. With its great hooked beak
and powerful claws of great size,
phororhacos must have been a terror
to the animals upon which it preyed.
Skulls and some other bones of this
bird have been discovered.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
FIT TRIBUTE TO WASHINGTON
Shaft at National Capital Is One OF
the Most Remarkable Ever
Built by Man.

The foundation of the great shaft of
the Washington monument is 80 feet
square and is set in solid rock eight
feet below the surface of the earth.
The interior is only 25 feet in diameter,
while the exterior diameter is 50 feet.
This shows the tremendous thickness
of the walls, which are made Of per-
fectly fitted stones. No wonder that
this obelisk has been called "the best
piece of masonry in the world"
Many nations. as well as many cities
and states, wished to contribute to this
great cenotaph, and as the visitor en-
tiers the monument and takes his place
in the big elevator, he may see, as he
slowly mounts, various interesting
stones from all parts of the world. He
may catch a glimpse of stone from
''Braddock's field" one from the bat
tlefield Of Long Island" one from the
Alexandrian library in Egypt one
from the tomb of Napoleon at st. Hell
ena. a mosaic block from the ruins OF
Carthage. lava from Vesuvius ano
stones from Jerusalem and Mecca, be
| sides blocks contributed by 40 states
| 16 cities and towns and Al societies
| Ten foreign countries sent blocks Of
stone, suitably inscribed, to testify tt
their regard. Mary v. Worstell in st
Nicholas.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
LESSON WAS TOO REALISTIC
Glass in First-Aid Work Promptly
Proved That "Nerve" Was Thing
They Lacked.

A doctor of small town of central
Missouri was instructing a class of 80
enthusiastic young women in first
aid work.
The lesson for the evening was on
nerve, and he was endeavOring to en-
tighten them as to just what was
meant by ''nerve," and how it was es-
pecially necessary in the case of acct
dents. a
The instructor continued by saying
distinguished physician had said that
"Nerve means you must be cool, you
must be very cool, you must be --
cool"
Just as he finished this explanation,
a scream was heard outside, followed
by several pistol shots. The outer door
| into the basement of the town library,
where the class was being held, was
flung open. Two men, struggling to-
gether, their clothes drenched in blood,
rolled down the steps into the room.
There were means from the writing
forms on the floor, but the class did
not hear them. They had flown, not
only to the outer door. but to friend
Iy shelter across the street.
Nor, when the doctor went across to
them, and explained that the shooting
affray was only a sham one between
two college boys, which he was using
to illustrate his lecture, would they re
turn.
They had completely lost theil
nerve" they explained, and theil
nerves were so shaken they must e
home at once, and go they did.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
coino Back Some Years.

The South African reptiles Of the
Permian era, about 100000 years
ago, the first fouF-legged animals,
started the mammalian movement.
They took to walking on their feet with
bodies off the ground, and by increas-
ing their speed developed into warm
blooded animals. They exchanged
scales for hair, developed freely NOV
able paws and a perfect four-cham-
bered heart.
However, some of these reptiles, in
stead Of turning into mammals, took to
climbing trees, and while leaping
through the dir in quest of insects. they
changed their forelimbs into wings.
Thus they became the ancestors Of the
birds, and in this, case the scales were
turned into eathers.-Chicago Exam
iner
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
How Hydrophobia is Transmitted

Rabies or hydrophobia is an acute
infectious disease, transmitted from
animal to animal, or from animal to
man by the bite of the rabid individ-
ual or by direct incubation. 1t is not
known to be transmitted or contract
ed In any other manner. The dog is
the animal affected most commonly,
although all the canine and feline
races suffer from it more than other
species, and cattle, sheep, dogs and
horses are often attacked.
Because of the tendency Of dogs to,
bite each other, the disease occurs
with greater frequency with them.
The cause Of the rabies exists in the
rabies, spinal cord and saliva of the
infected animal. The popular opinion
that hydrophobia cases are found
more frequently In the summer days
is not founded on facts. Authorities
say that rabid dogs are nearly, If
not quite, as numerous in winter and
early spring as in summer.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
Why She Didn't Come Back.

The employment manager of a GER
tain store passed another store and
saw one of his former help coming
from the employees entrance. She
had left the first store to get married,
and had left a good record behind her.
The employment man was surprised TO
see her working for another store, and
told her so; also that she could go
back to her old position whenever she
liked. 81 know it," the girl replied,
'but If 1 went back to IS now, all
the girls 1 know there would tear me
to pieces with their tongues. They
would say all kinds of mean things
about me and knock my husband Ia
the bargain. am only filling in here.
and came here because /, didn't know
anybody and nobody knew me.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

1t was midday at the orphans home.
An italian woman had just said good
by to her little three-year-old Marie.
An attendant took the child to the
dining room and placed her in high
chair at table. Three hundred pairs
of strange little eyes looked her up
and down. Verify this was new and
strange world to her and she had to
remark about it. A teacher told her
she must not talk out loud, and she
muttered "No talk?" The teacher as
scented. Well, she must have reasoned,
she couldn't talk, but she could eat,
for there was a plate of food set be
fore her. She began at once to eat
The teacher reproved her, explaining
she must wait until all the others were
served and the gong sounded. mo
eat?" she questioned. Shortly the gong
banged (as the children referred
TO it), at which Marie cried out with
delight:
LET Ter go!"
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

Courtney had told her. I've been a
pet all my life, while you, bless you,
have been a worker. If my father had
lived perhaps it would have been DIFF
ferent, but, you know, love can weak
en- where it is misdirected. The mater
loves me to death, but she's always
given me my way. And she hasn't be-
lieved in me, Anne That's what
love about you. You do believe in me.
When I'd start telling mother some Of
my ideas and what would like to do
to be of some use in the world and get
grip on life, she'd tell me not to
worry her; to rua along and be a good
boy; that everything was provided for.
But just wait until she knows you,
Anne. am going to write and tell
her all about everything one of these
days"
maybe she won't like me, Cort,"
Anne said wistfully.
"She'd better had" There was a
logged look on Courtney's face.
That had been several weeks ago.
Now, as Anne looked at the face of his
mother she felt a curious, almost
amused, sense of helplessness. She
had all of Courtney's charm and good
looks, feminized, all of his appeal to
ones sympathy. She did not wait for
Anne's answer, but went on, without
seeing Courtney's figure in the dis
lance, walking briskly up from the
board walk.
You see, if you were different
kind Of girl 1 never could make you
understand, but you have been in bust
ness and earned your own money.
Courtney has never earned a cent in
his life. He always runs over his In
come, and have to make it up every
year. His father left money in trust.
If he marries, well-how could one say
it?-injudiciously-the principal re
verts to me and to his sister,"
Courtney entered the door behind
her, and only Anne saw his quick, hap
by grin of recognition before his arms
closed around his mother.
HAS she told your he asked hap
PLY. 1--WE were married four weeks
ago, and Anne has taken me into part
nership with her. I am a regular sal
aried man, mother-general sales man.
ager for this end of Florida with her
Boston firm. l never knew how good
check looked before that you had
earned yourself. 1 suppose Anne told
you, though"
Mrs. Rigsby met Anne's brown eyes
with long, startled look of approval
an appeal to her tact and womanli-
ness not to betray her real mission
south, and Anne smiled.
"We understand each other perfect
ly, Cort," she said gently, "and know
your mother is glad, for your sake
that everything was settled before she
came"
Mrs. Rigsby gave a quick little sigh
Of relief and took off her glasses to
give her daughter-in-law her first kiss
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

morrow night y
But the second night he did not
come, nor the third On the fourth
night she dragged her tired body
homeward and there was a great
fear in her heart. Her mother petted
! her and comforted her as best she
could
Don't be foolish, girl. What is
four days?"
But q week-ten days passed, and
she was frantic. So on the eleventh
day she arose determinedly, tucked the
magazine under her arm, the magazine
that held the story of Gretchen be
tween It's covers, and sought out
great editor, man to whom in the
whole world there remained no more
mystery.
"Just why do you want Mr.. Blair's
address?" he asked keenly.
She spread the magazine before his
eyes and pointed to the story of her
heart. Because / am Gretchen" she
said. Ell didn't even know his name
till read it-and 1 haven't seen him
for two weeks Fm-Tm afraid he's
sick and needs me-"
On a slip of paper he penciled
Blair's address and handed it to her
gravely. "Sick or WELL" he said, his
eyes twinkling, che needs you. Now
l know why the story of Gretchen was
such a good one" he added calamity,
as he bowed her out.
A few minutes later she stole up the
rickety stairs Of an old studio build
ing and knocked timidly on a stained
white door.
"Come inl" called a voice CURLY.
She stood there in the open door
with the magazine clutched to her
breast. The room was small and the
floor was Uttered with cigarette stubs,
burned matches, and papers. Papers
were everywhere Chairs, table, couch,
and the typewriter on the small table
in the corner was half buried with
| them.
"Why-why Gretchen, dear" he
said, rising weakly. Then he sat down
dizzily, his head in his hands. 1--WE
been sort of under the weather, you
see," he apologized, "but I'm better,
now" He glanced at the magazine
she held. 81 hoped you'd see It," he
said with faint smile.
Then with a decisive gesture, she
flung off her hat and knelt before him.
"What you need, Billy Boy" she
murmured, his hot face between her
cool hands, SIS a housekeeper, and
rest, and"
"And love-" he said, softly, holding
| her close to his heart.
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

AQuTG55S
times she was so busy that it was
impossible for them to exchange more
than a sentence of greeting. Now and
then they had as much as five min
utes and sometimes there was nothing
but an understanding smile. But al
ways he bought something.
"You must be starting drug store"
once she said with a dangerous glance
as she wrapped up the fifth tooth
brush he had bought in as many
weeks. But he only redeemed under
his tan, and smiled good-by as she
turned to wait on someone else.
And then one night he seemed a
little more confident, for he stayed
longer than usual-almost ten min
utes. And when she gave him back
his change his hand caressed hers.
For the first time In her life she lost
her poise and she could feel the flush
steal up from her throat. 1t made her
wonder If he could read anything in
her eyes, and her lids dropped to cover
their frankness.
For some reason or other when
II O'Clock came that night, she
was more buoyant than ever before,
after the long hours on her feet. She
almost danced toward the subway en-
trance. and, as she waited for her
train. a magazine at the news stand
caught her eye. She tripped over and
| l.
and went home to her mother.
Her mother was asleep, but she
awakened and prepared their usual
midnight lunch while Gretchen, hum
ming gayly under her breath, slipped
out Of her clothes and braided her
hair In a pigtail. Clad in her kimono
she sat at the little table in the kitch-
enette and looked through her maya
zine between bites of a cold meat
sandwich. Then suddenly she bunch
ed up her knee and spread the maya
zine open In her lap, for the title OF a
story smiled up at her out OF the mys-
tic page. Gretchen" by William
Dean Blair" she read.
"How queerl" she exclaimed aloud
"What's queer, dear2" asked her
mother interestedly.
"Oh, nothing" And she slipped
around the table, kissed her mother
lightly, and skipped out of the room
and tumbled into her bed, where she
eagerly read the story Of Gretchen
While her mother cleared the table
and smiled softly.
After she came to the end, Gretchen
lay staring up at the ceiling and
dreamed. Her story it was-his story
Of. them. He had written their story
and she had read It'll She saw herself
walking and laughing through it,
pages right into his arms. She jump
ed up and looked into the mirror. Sh'
smoothed the dark arch of her brow
with the tip of her finger. How vel
he had read her thoughtsl How
strange that he should have noticed
the half droop of her lips and the wa.
she lifted her chin when she laughed
She did 1t unconsciously now, waved
at her mirrored image, turned out tn
light and went to bed to dream tn
eternal dream of youth and happiness
The next morning her mother wen
to awaken her and found her breath
ing softly with a magazine cuddled t
her breast. Then she opened her eye
happily, and. with flushing cheeks an
half shamed glance, she showed he
mother the story of Gretchen.
"You see," she explained, that
what he's always called me. RICH
from the very first !"
And that night she watched for hi
coming with shining eyes and famin
heart. But he did not comet
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

is only temporary relief, for he
soon figures out announcer reform and
begins to shout for it.
Reformers have made US a civil
lied and unhappy people, whereas
without them we would still be liv-
ing contentedly under the protection
Of a fatherly old baron who would do
our thinking for US and would hang
us tenderly from his castle walls il
we presumed 90 bother yourselves
about it. 262
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23

By INES MACDONALD

por oynulCale.I
Behind the particular counter where
shaving soap was to be obtained stood
the girl. She was taking some change
out of little nickel box, and, as she
gave the change and small parcel to
| the waiting customer, her bright glance
shifted to Blair.
You cannot ignore the undeniable.
Eyes look into eyes-hand touch-and
the world is different. The world was
different to William Dean Blair from
that moment The white flash of her
smile-the red of her full straight
mouth-the little upward thrust Of her
chin when she laughed and the heavy
black hair with its few threads Of
premature silver, and her eyes-frank
responsive hazel gray eyes, quick to
register a laughing understanding to
his little sallies, for Bill Blair was not
the man to be struck dumb just be-
cause the world was different.
The next night he came for toilet
soap-the third tooth paste-the
| fourth, he missed because he had to go
to stupid studio party where tire
some girl with sophisticated eyes as
sured him that he was a genius and
told him about her soul. The fifth
night he bought razor blades, and for
tunately there was hull in the trade
at that counter for five minutes.
you're not a New York girl" he
asserted, as she dropped the change in
his hand.
"Oh, yes, am" she assured him.
"But you're so different ~ he said.
$50 are you, but then you're from
the West" she leased.
"f you call Goshen, Indiana,
West" he admitted.
And she flashed him q smile over
her shoulder as she turned to wait on
another customer.
The sixth night he was late. 1t was
after II, and she found herself wonder
ing If he was coming. Finally she saw
him approaching, hat In hand, for 1t
was warm, and the wearines Of the
last hour slipped away from her as she
laughed into his eyes.
"Hello, Mani"
"Hello, yourself, Irish maidi"
"Tm not Irish, Pm Deutsch girl p
saucily.
"All right, Gretchen. I'm awfully
pro-Deutsch when look at you" And
there was a depth to his blue eyes be-
hind the raillery in his voice that made
her wonderland watch for his COM
ing. And he camel His average was
five nights week for six weeks Some
The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-04-23
United States Weather Proverbs

How many proverbs there are in ex-
istence no man could say. To Solomon
alone are attributed no fewer than l.
900 proverbs, and though 1t is noted
that Americans have few proverbs of
their own, owing to the newness of the
country and the fact that people from
every land enter into the national life,
their weather proverbs alone, collect
ed by the United States government
some years ago, made book of no
fewer than 14S pages.