davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
Chance for Men Of Al to Enlist.

Captain Peter Courtney, In charge OF
the Maine and New Hampshire recruit
ing district for the United States Army,
announced yesterday that this is the last
opportunity Of young men who have
reached the age of 81 years since June 8,
1917 to enlist voluntarily. Last June
young men who had not attained that
age were not required to register for the
Selective Draft Law, but bill has
recently been passed In the House OF
Representatives requiring all young
men who have reached the age OF II
years since Registration Day to register
for the draft.
Men who are registered for the draft
cannot enlist voluntarily at the present
time and cannot choose their branch OF
the service, but must wait until their
Local Exemption Board calls them
under the provisions of the draft law.
The bill requiring them to register
will become q law within few days,
after which they will be deprived OF
their chance to enlist voluntarily and
choose their branch, and young men
who have not yet registered, but will be
required to do 80 within Q short time,
should take early steps to enlist right
away. :. :,
At present they have practically all
branches Of the Army to choose from,
such 20 Qusrtermaster Corps. Medioa!
Department, Ambulance Corps, Field
Artillery, Cavalry. Infantry, Signal
Corps, Veterinary Corps, Ordnance
Corps, Coast Artillery Corps, seth
Pioneer Infantry (Milliken Regiment },
Maine Coast Artillery, New Hampshire
Coast Artillery, and about 90 different
kinds of Engineer Companies.
This is an excellent season OF the
year to 90 into training, and men be.
tween the ages OF 1S to 81 years and
from 81 to Al years who have not yet
been required to register for the Se-
lective Draft Law should lose no time
In getting into the Army before 1t 10 toe
late.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

side him. I muttered, "You are my
meat" and when he came abreast Of
me I stepped directly In his path and
stopped him with my swagger stick,
saying:
"You would look fine in khaki; why
not change that top hat for q steel
helmet? Aren't you ashamed Of your
self, a husky young chap like you In
multi when men are needed In the
trenches? Here I am, an American,
came four thousand miles from Ogden,
Utah, Just outside Of New York, to
fight for your king and country. Don't
be Stacker, buck up and get into uni
form; come over to the recruiting Of
fee and I'll have you enlisted"
He yawned and answered, II don't
care II you came forty thousand miles.
no one asked you to-" and he walked
on. The girl gave me sneering look
was speechless.
recruited for three weeks and near
ly got one recruit.
This perhaps was not the greatest
stunt in the world, but it got back at
the officer who had told me, "Yes, we
take anything over here" I had been
spending a good lot Of my recruiting
time in the saloon bar Of the Wheat
Sheaf pub (there was very attractive
blonde barmaid, who helped kill time
was not as serious in those days as
was little later when reached
the front)-well, it was the sixth day
and my recruiting report was blank.
I was getting low in the pocket-bar-
maids haven't much use for anyone
who cannot buy drinks-so looked
around for recruiting material. You
know q man on recruiting service gets
"bob'' or shilling for every recruit
he entices into joining the army, the
recruit is supposed to get this, but he
would rot be a recruit If he were wise
to this fact, would he?
Down at the end Of the bar was a
young fellow in mufti who was very
patriotic-he had about four "Old
Six" ales aboard. He asked me II he
could Join, showed me his left hand,
two fingers were missing, but I said
that did not matter as 1--WE take any
thing over here" The left hand Is
the rifle hand as the piece is carried
at the slope on the left shoulder. Near
Iy everything In England is "by the
left" even general traffic keeps to the
port side.
I took the applicant over to head
quarters, where he was hurriedly e1-
amined. Recruiting surgeons were
busy in those days and did not have
much time for thorough physical exam.
nations. My recruit was passed as
"1t" by the doctor and turned over to
corporal to make note Of his scars.
was mystifed. Suddenly the corpo-
raj burst out with, "Blime me, two Of
his fingers are gone" Turning to me
be said, "You certainly have your
nerve with you, not 'alf you amt, to
bring this beggar in"
The doctor came over and exploded,
"What do you mean by bringing IN q
man in this condition."
Looking out Of the corner Of my eye
noticed that the officer who had re-
crulted me had Joined the group, and
[ could not help answering, "Well, sir,
was told that you took anything over
here"
/ think they called it yankee i'm.
pudence," anyhow 1t ended my recruit
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
, NV nassnort and said:

up my passport and said:
Before going further wish to state
that I am an American, not too proud
to fight, and want to join your army"
He looked at me in q nonchalant
manner, and answered, "That's all
right; we take anything over here"
looked at him kind Of hard and re-
piled, $50 I notice." but 1t went over
his head.
He got out an enlistment blank, and
placing his finger on q blank line said,
"Sign here"
answered, "Not on your tintype."
"I beg your pardonf
Then explained to him that would
not sign 1t without first reading 1t. I
read it over and signed for duration Of
war. Some of the recruits were lucky.
They signed for seven years onlyl
Then he asked me my birthplace. I
answered, "Ogden, Utah."
He said, "Oh, yes, just outside OF
New York;
With smile, replied. "Well, it's up
the state q little"
Then was taken before the doctor
and passed as physically fit, and was
issued a Uniform. When I reported
back to the lieutenant, he suggested
that, being an American, I 60 on re-
cruiting service and try to shame some
Of the slackers into Joining the army"
"All you have to do,", he said. "fs to
20 out on the street, and when you see
young fellow in mufti who looks
physically fit, just stop him and give
him this kind Of talk: Aren't you
ashamed Of yourself, Britisher, phys
lcally fit, and in mufti when your king
and country need you? Don't you
know that your country is at war and
that the place for every young Briton
Is on the firing linef Here I am, an
American. In khaki, who came four
thousand miles to fight for your king
and country, and you. as yet. have not
enlisted. Why don't you join? Now
lis the time
"This argument ought to get many
recruits, Empey, 80 60 out and see
What you can do"
He then gave me a small rosette OF
red, white and blue ribbon, with three
little streamers hanging down. This
was the recruiting insignia and was
% be worn on the left side Of the cap.
Armed with swagger stick and my
patriotic rosette, I went out into Tot
I.enham Court road In quest OF cannon
todder.
Two or three poorly dressed civil
|lans passed me, and although they an.
eeared physically at, said to myself,
AFhey don't want to Join the. army
perhaps they have someone dependent
on them for support" !" 80 did not &C
Icost them.
| Coming down the street ! saw Q
young dandy, top hat and all. with q
lashionably dressed GIRL walking be'
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
Bows and Girls Sweet Corn Clubs.

Boys ana uiriS' SWeet SoTu SAuos'
The food production quota for the
boys and girls in the sweet corn counties
is large this year, and they are urged to
fall In line In larger numbers, than ever
before. When this seasons closes the
club workers are expecting the largest
amount of corn reported that the boys
and girls OF Maine have ever raised.
Here are two big reasons Why the
boys and girls, who can, should grow
sweet corn. First, our government is
urging an increased production oi
canned goods, 90 the raising OF sweet
corn 10 q really big patriotic act:
Second, sweet corn growing is gooo
business enterprise. Records show thai
it has been profitable In the past. Last
wear cut corn was four cents per pound
and William Russell OF Gray made
profit of $4S.17 on ono quarter OF an
acre. This year corn is five cents pei
pound. An exceptional opportunity fol
big proflt-and remember that tne
quarter OF an acre Of corn produces io'
of food.
The Maine Gamers Association hal
again offered $2525 for prizes to sweet
corn club members who complete tht
project. To complete the project, each
member must do these three things:
~ Keep an account.
(2j Write story Of the season.
work.
(S) Exhibit at the contest.
It's big job ahead to uphold ant
better the previous records OF club worl
| in Maine and produce food to help vii
the war. Write the State Leader o
Bows and Girls Clubs, Orono, Maine, o
your County Agent for further informa
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
CHAPTER !.
From Muftl to KhakI.

From Muftl to Khaki.
It was in an Office in Jersey City.
I was sitting at my desk talking to
lieutenant Of the Jersey National
Guard. On the wall was big war
map decorated with variously colored
little flags showing the position Of the
opposing armies on the western front
In France. In front Of me on the desk
lay New York paper with big flaring
headlines:
LUsITANiA sUNKl AMERICAN
LIVES LosTI
The windows were open and feel
ing Of spring pervaded the air.
Through the open windows came the
strains of hurdy-gurdy playing in the
street-"I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be
Soldier"
"Lusitania Sunk! American Lives
Lost !"-"I Didn't Raise My Boy to
Be Soldier" To US these did not
seem to jibe.
The lieutenant in silence opened one
Of the lower drawers of his desk and
took from it an American flag which
he solemnly draped over the war map
on the wall. Then, turning to me with
grim face, said:
"How about 1t, sergeant? You had
better get out the muster roll Of the
Mounted Scouts, as I think they will
be needed in the course Of few days" !"
We busted ourselves till late In the
evening writing out emergency tele-
grams for the men to report when the
call should come from Washington.
Then we went home.
crossed over to New York, and as
I went up Fulton street to take the
subway to Brooklyn, the lights in the
tall buildings Of New York seemed to
be burning brighter than usual, as II
they, too, had read "Lusitania Sunk
American Lives Lost!" They seemed
to be glowing with anger and righteous
indignation, and their rays wigwagged
the message, Repay"
Months passed, the kilograms lying
handy, but covered with dust. Then,
one momentous morning the Lieutenant
with a sigh Of disgust removed the
flag from the war map and returned
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

methods used in attack and defense,
wiring parties, mass formation, and
the procedure for poison-gas attacks.
On the tenth day we again met our
friends "Hommes 40, Cheveaux g."
Thlrty-six hours more of misery, and
we arrived at the town Of F..
After unloading our rations and
equipment, we lined up on the road In
columns Of fours waiting for the order
to march.
A dull rumbllng could be heard. The
sun was shining. ! turned to the man
ON my left and asked, "What's the
noise, BiIf" He did not know, but his
face was Of q pea-green color. Jim.
on my right, also did not know, but
suggested that I "awsk" the sergeant.
Coming towards us was an old griz-
zled sergeant, properly fed up with
the war, 80 I "awsked" him.
.aThink It's going to rain, sergeantr'
He looked at me In contempt and
prunted, "'Ow's 1t a-goin' ter rain with
the bloomin, sun a-shinin'r' ! looked
guilty. ~
"Then,'s the guns up the line, me
lad, and you'll get enough Of 'em be-
fore you gets back to Blighty."
Ny knees seemed to wilt and
suueaked out q weak "Ohi"
Then We started our march up to the
line In ten-kilo treks. After the first
days march we arrived at our rest
blllets. In France they call them rest
billets, because while In them Tommy
works seven days q week and on the
eighth day Of the week he 10 given
twenty-four hours ION his own
Our billet was a spacious affair, .
large barn on the left side Of the road
which had one hundred entrances
ninety-nine for shells, rats, wind ant
rain, and the hundredth one for Tom
| my. i was tired out. and using N,
shrapnel-proof helmet (shrapnel proof
until q piece Of shrapnel hits IT., ol
tin hat, for a pillow. lay down In u.
straw, and was soon fast asleep.
] Wn& heye llspt eRoqt two hogsA W.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

One Weeks Paper. as per Inventory
Did you ever make the remark (some
have) that you can read the Democrat
through in ten minutesp Well, It isn't
much work to read the Democrat
through-and but little work to get 1t
together aud print 1t. But then .
If you never happened to think OF 1t
In that way, here are some of the things
which the editor, correspondents and
assistants succeeded In assembling In
one number of the Democrat, the issue
of April 80:
Forty eight paragraphs of news and
comment localized In South Paris.
Ten paragraphs OF news matters .re-
lating to the Paris schools.
Twenty-sight paragraphs of the most
important news matters from Norway.
Ten special articles OF direct local in-
terest and news, ranging 10 length from
a stickful to half column.
One hundred and sixty-three para
graphs (not 80 many as there ought to
have been) of local news from other
TWINS 10 the county.
Fourteen paragraphs of state news.
Twenty three paragraphs of news from
over New England.
Five bright editorial paragraphs!
Two columns of matter Of more or
less interest to the farmer, from profess
-ors of the University OF Maine and
other sources.
Sixteen timely recipes, hometried
by local housewives, and other matter of
interest to home-makers.
nho nR from
Bates College.
A column description of a trip In
Alaska, from the department OF national
parks.
Four very interesting letters from our
boys at the front in France.
Reports of four base ball games, with
b x scores of two of them.
Announcements of IL births; 4 mar
riages; ID deaths.
More or less extended obituaries OF
seven persons.
A column OF information relating to
the work of the Food Administration In
Maine.
A list of coming public events of local
interest.
A few short articles of miscellaneous
matter, good reading even though they
are what is known in printing offices
as "boiler plate"
Several paragraphs commendatory Of
certain proprietary remedies, published
for a consideration, and interspersed
with the most amusing squios We oan
steal from our exchanges.
And last but not least, sixteen columns
of advertisements, constituting substan.
TALLY directory of enterprising local
business concerns, bringing buyers aud
sellers, wants and the wanted, together,
and of general interest.
Now the next time you think how
short a time It takes to read the Demo
crat, see how long 1t will take YOU to
make an inventory of It like the above.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

A section of iron culvert valued at go
has started litigation ct Sangervills
which. after police court and Supreme
Court trials and one civil suit has re-
suited in two $4,000 libel suits. The
oulyert was used By Lemuel ]. Coburn,
agent Of the Glencoe yoolen mills, undes
rranolithic driveway at his new resi-
dence. Il belonged to the town, and
Was taken In tho absence OF the select
mon BY Arthur Stanley, Mr.. Coburn's
foreman. Mr.. Coburn says the matter
was arranged between him and the
selectmen. On complaint Of the select
men. Stanley Was arrested for larceny.
bound over, and at the trial In the
Supreme Court, Justice Dunn ordered .
verdict Of not guilty. In the meantime
the selectmen had printed In the annual
town report, In their list of assets. an
lsem Of go for "Arthur Stanley. larceny,
culvert." Stanley has now brought
libel suits against the seleotmen and the
inhabitants Of the town.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
Praying Soldier Rewarded.

Saying ones prayers at night huftS
no one, but It makes a person Of strong
character to perform that act Of piety
on some OCCASIONS, relates writer IN
the Pathfinder. OF such stun % ons
Of the young soldiers ct Camp Meade.
Maryland. Every night he kneat am
prayed and every night did other sol
diers In nearby cots openly ridiculs and
jesr him. TIE eaptain of the company
overheard the scolfers one night ana
administered 20 them . lecture that
they aren't llkely to forget 4 few
days later the young man who was ~
afraid to stand % for his convietieoa
Ne nads soesoant of ths company.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
Farmers Should Keep Books.

fRw. Bird, Boston Chamber Of Commerce)
There is q new era opening for agri-
culture in New England II the New Eng
land farmers are progressive enough to
seize the opportunity.
In the production Of milk, the New
England farmers are handicapped IN an
industry which represents an aggregate
in the United States Of something like
$9O0, 900, 900 year.
Under ordinary conditions, this prod
not would be made In large, vel. equip
ned factories, under experts In etnclency,
management and production. Every
factory would know exactly what 1t cost
TO produce and would be selling their
product on the basis Of their cost. The
fact of the case, howeves, 10 that milk IA
m manufactured By thousands and thou.
sands of small units oil over the United
States. and it 10 most regrettable that on
most of the farms In New England where
milk is produced, absolutely no books OF
apy description are kept. How, there
fore. can the farmer properly or reason
ably represent his goods to the pubic,
and AK for . price which will give him
back his cost plus . reasonable return
Il for bis oUOIto, uuloso uo o'osce'e
| What his products costf No manufaotur-
ar or business man could exist for .
moment without knowing the facts,
vhioh be can obtain only from bis books
The farmers plea 10 that he hasn't time.
This ID . fallacy, and It would DO far
hettsr for the farmer to leave something
undone on the farm and devote half an
hour each day TO entering up hia records,
20 st the end OF the month or the year
he would know reasonably where De
stood, and something about what hia
product cost.
When banks seek mortgages or when
ONE approaches the bank for loan, the
first thing the bank asks for 10 . state
ment. and one reason Why the New Eng
land banks have not sought 20 one'
credit 10 New England farmers - tne
fact that the farmers themselves 90 no,
usually kssp any books. which would
enable them to give to the oank
reasonable statsment OF their anairs.
An sxpset knowledge OF book keeping
| 4 not necessary for the average fatmel
4 "a keep the accounts which he wooie
lnesd on the farm, ard for this rea:oa sne
| Agricultural committee OF the boceo1
| c6ambsr OF commerce IN co-operauo,
| With sxpeets tom the different aGrsoa
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

to his desk. I Immediately followed
this action by throwing the kilograms
into the wastebasket. Then we looked
at each other in silence. He was
squirming in his chair-and ] felt de.
pressed and uneasy.
The telephone rang and I answered
1t. It was business call for me, re.
questing my services for an out-of.
town assignment. Business was not
very good. so this was very welcome
After listening to the proposition ]
seemed to be swayed by a peculiarly
strong force within me, and answered
II am sorry that I cannot accept your
offer, but I am leaving for England
next week." and hung up the receiver
The lieutenant swung around In his
chair. and stared at me In blank aston.
ishment. A sinking sensation came
over me, but I defiantly answered his
look with. swell, It's so. I'm going
And went.
The trip across was uneventful.
landed at Tilbury, England, then got
irto a string Of matchbox cars and
proceeded to London, arriving there
about 10 p. m. took room In hotel
near st. Pancras station for ~flve and
six-fire extra" The room was minus
the fire, but the extra" seemed tC
keep me warm. That night there wat
a Zeppelin raid, but / didn't see much
of It, because the slit in the curtains
was too small and had no desire tt
make 1t larger. Next morning the tel
ephone bell rang, and someone asked
"Are you thereT / was, hardly. Any
way, learned that the Zeps had re
turned to their fatherland, 20 wen
ont into the street expecting to SCI
Genes Of awful devastation and a COW
ering populace, but everything wal
normal People were calmly proceed
Ing to their work. Crossing thu
street, accosted Bobbie with:
"Can you direct me to the place o.
damagef"
He asked me, "What damager
In surprise, I answered, 'Why, th'
damage caused by the Zeps."
With q wink he replied:
s.There was no damage; we misset
them again."
After several fruitlesss inquiries o
| the passersby, decided to 90 on m!
own In search Of ruined buildings ant
scenes of destruction. ! boarded Q Du
which carried me through Tottenhan
Court road. Recruiting posters wer
everywhere. The one that impressed
me most was Q life-sise picture Q
Lord Kitchener with his finger point
ing directly at me, under the captiol
Of sYour King and Country Need You.
No matter which way ! turned. tn
accusing finger followed me. ] wa
an American. In mufu, end had . httl
American nag In the lapel Of my coa1
Ii ha4 70 hak ae4 ny eQqn5zz Aa
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07
Clean Mllk Easy 70 Produce.

Mix with q low bacterial count can
be produced in practically any COW barn;
Apy dairy farmer with . healthy herd
can produce such milk with An invest
ment OF only $40 or go aHd . little extra
care.
The United States Departments oil
A Agriculture in an experiment produced
low bacterial count milk In poor dairy
barn.
The only changes made were:
Simple steam stsrilizer for utensils.
Clean cows, especially clean udders'
Small-top milking pals.
Proper manure removal and good
bedding. :, /,
The bacterial count fell from - high
a. /. .2OO. 600 90 an average OF 2,154.
Any farmer can produce clean milk.
Low bacterial count ID the beginning
Of good milk, but milk must also be safe
susrded from other contamination likely
10 : dirty barn. There 10 no legitimate
excuse for the production OF milk rom
dirty csttle or in . filthy stable. In ad
dition milk must be properly cooled te
| prevent the multiplication OF bacteria.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

Il seems strange 10 suggest to farmers
the sdvisability Of using butter on the
homo table instead Of substitutes; YET
on many farms whole milk or cream .,
sold and some of the various substitutes
purchased for uss as home. Tnis u
doubtful economy, particularly where
there are growing children 20 % foa;
Good butter and milk and cream VII
mt supshins into The chiid's faces and
&, thsm khere is no substitute.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

tural colleges in New England, have
compiled simple book, in which ac-
counts may be kept by farmers, and
these books can be obtained at cost by
the farmers from their local farm bureau
or by writing to the state agricultural
college, the cost of the same being not
over 10 or IL cents.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

During the next few years the manure
sprssder viii justify its existence more
So sr.r before. All stable waats
shoold b spread over the land before
any of ~ fertility = loss
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

Maine was announced Mondsy night
e having exceeded bee quota % sub
scriptions 10 the third Liberty Loan.
The apporlionmsnt was 912, ~, 200.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07

Fhe day Of the Group scare In over
for those parents who wisely Keep
Yolsy's Honey and Tar COMPOUND IN
ne home reaa- for instant use.
Mrs. Chas. Reitz, Aliens Mills. Pa,
writes: II have used Foley's Honey ana
Tar COMPOUND for the past eleven years
and would not be without IT,. IL mas
saved me many a Doctors bill Tor coids
and Group"
II toward nIghtfall the little ones
grow hoarse and croupy. II their Dream
inE becomes wheeZy and stuny. gave
them Foleys Honey and Tar Compound.
Many a careful mother has been able 70
ward of an attack or spasmodic Group
by its timely use.
II you are awakened by the hoarse
brassy cough that means Group, give
Foley's Honey and Tar Compound az
once Il will ease the little sunerers
Quickly, cut the thick choking phiegm.
and soon they will have easy breathing
and peaceful quiet sleep.
sStEYsry User II . Friend.
Sold Everywhere