davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

burned independent that they natrully
expected a teller to turn out for EN-
when drivin' to town and they wuz sun
min themselves across the road. They
wur as tame as a Plymouth Rock
rooster. and folks around these parts
wouldn't have known it WIZ Stubble-
Vile if they didn't see half dozen. six
OF eight-footers, when workin' in the
field or goin' after the mail.
And that reminds me of one little in
cident back in the early hfties. when |
was hoein' taters in the clearin' in the
far side of the forty. was bendin' my
back and swelterin' in the sun, when
suddenly the cracIin' of fve-year-old
saplin' few steps away attracted my
attention. By gosh. by lookin' clos't |
discovered that / was face to face with
a certain breed of man-catin' snake
For quarter of a century the early
settlers of these parts had been losin'
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
The Broken En- gageme emf

Laura, with her beautiful eontralto
voice. was easily the leading woman in
the little company, and the concerts had
been a great Soccess at all the summer
resorts along the coast, but Lawton had
been left 70 his own devices.
Az first he had been disconsolate. and
then he had fallen into the habit Of tax
ing his younger sister Martha and hll-
ing his big car with her friends during
the lonely summer evenings.
He smiled ren1iniscently as he thought
of merry little Marguerite Sawyer who
usually sat in front with him. What a
dear. fluffy little thing she was Invol-
unfairly. he slowed up as he passed her
home. There she was on the porch, but
she was 50 busy talking to a tail young
fellow beside her in the swing that she
did not notice Lawton pass.
"Confound it-who is the ohap9- He
craned his neck to see, and drove so
slowly that his engine nearly went dead.
It's that youngest Stoner boy-impu-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

6tubbleville grocery store were all at
lention. for they knew Uncle Silas' abil-
ity TO spin yarns. In fact. snake stories
we're the old settlers speciality.
Clearing his throat. he repeated.
Speaking OF snakes / remember back
IN the early days of Illinois. when snakes
wuI jest about as common as Ford cars
Is now on the Stubbleville turnpike. They
had had this country all to themselves
for several hundred years or more. had
dug themselves in like the Germans in
France, and had got ia be 80 gosh
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
By Albert r. Fiske

That is. Ezry SnodgraSs, who lived
about three miles north of my fathers
farm had a mighty excitin' experience
with that thar same animal didn't
see him myself. bet Ezry he told me all
about his runnin' into him. AS EIry
told it to me, along towards noon on
that part'clar day we are a'talkin' about,
Ezry feelin tired and sleepy after long
mornin's work in the bilin' sun, set down
on what he thought was a hickory log
to ketch a mite of sleep and rest And
when Ezry woke up few minutes later
you can imagine his surprise when he
found himself astride that tssse reptile
some twenty miles from homer
We'll, I'll be gosh durnedl" exclaimed
Uncle Silas. And it was the same
snake, chr"
ut must a been, as Ezry he gave me
the same description as your'n, includ-
in the horse collar Come. fellers let's
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

dent beggar-I wonder how she stands
him 7"
Another block brought him to Larra
Merrill's home She. too. was sitting
on the porch in the warm Indian sum
n,er twilight Now. as always Lawton
admired the perfection of the almost
classic beauty. but was surprised to find
how slight was the thrill of romance.
and this was only the third time he had
seen her since her returnl
IL guess well have to wait BIT be-
fore we start for spin in the car" he
said as he dropped into an inviting arm
chair. While ago when I stopped in at
the postofice, / met Saunders, the chap
who was manager of your company this
summer He's in town on business and
said he was going to drop in to see you
| hadn't seen him since three years ago
when you first began TO study with him
at the conservatory. The old boy had
added a smart sprinkling of gray hairs
TO his raven locks since then" Lawton
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

Hle~ tn2t the young men IN town en-
v'ed him the exclusive privilege of call
ing rpon her. Stil. tonight as he was
on his vzy to see her. he wondered why
ne didn't feel happier.
Al the time they had first become en-
gagged some six months ago. Lawtoa had
considered himself the lucI<iest shap
alive But his happiness had been short
lived, for Laura, in a mood of patri-
otie fervor. had joined with a group
of friends from the musical conserva-
tory where she had studied. and formed
concert company TO give war relief
benefit concerts during the summer
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

first fault is that it takes me SO
long TO catch him every day. 1 so
out into the pasture to catch him
and 1t takes me sometimes a half
hour or three-quarters or "a whole
hour TO catch him and bride him.
1t wastes a lot of my time" "Oh.
we'll" the purchaser said, lis that
all? Here is your money. Now,
what IS the other fault ?" We'll" ne
says, THE other fault is that after
YOU do catch him he isn't worth a
damn"
Now. l want to say in all warning
10 those gentlemen who think they
have a political issue in this great
world question for the benefit of hu-
manity they are likely to find that
that is the kind Of horse they have
caught.
Japanese immigration.
We have been told that if we went
into this League OF Nations we
would be in danger from japanese
/ immigration, that Japan would in
sist upon making the immigration
question a dispute with the United
States and bring il before the Lea
que OF Nations. Well. it is not an
/ international question. II is a do
nestle question. We provide our
/ immigration laws. and our marriage
| law and our real estate laws. and
our election laws for the good of our
own people and it is not concern Of
any nation in the world whom we
admit or whom we refuse.
But suppose now, just for the sake
/ of argument. Japan should bring
| that questiOn-suppose the impossi-
\ bic should happen and il came be
fore the Executive Council. Great
! Britain. with Canada and Australia,
as her particular offspring. both as
violently opposed TO Japanese immi-
grafton as the United States is op-
/ posed to IT, suppose Great Britain
should decide 10 vote in the Execu-
tive Council with Japan, that Japa-
nesc should be admitted TO the
| United States. I say ii is impos-
sible. but suppose il. and you have
got TO have Great Britain because
you have got 10 have a unanimous
decision. Suppose the decision
should be rendered. what then? Can
the Japanese come in here if our
laws are not changed? All we have
agreed 10 do when we joined this
League Of Nations is not 10 make
war; on the contrary it requires a
unanimous decision. We wouldn't
make any war on Japan. We would
just simply refuse to admit them.
What then? You can't force such a
thing as that: there is no danger
OF IL, but l can say to quiet the fears
| OF any who have any such alarms
as that. that It has never been con-
templated that immigration or any
other domestic question should
come within the Jurisdiction OF the
League of Nations. Not only that.
but when that constitution comes
out OF its final drafting. 1 am not
much OF a prophet, but am willing
70 predict that Il will have a speci-
iic provision in there excluding do
nestle questions, and that will have
that objection.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

eign fashion. But as he was going. he
asked permission TO call in the morning
before he went to his train Laura con-
sented in a passive way as If the words
were wrung from her BY the force OF
his magnetic personality.
After he had gone they sat a few
moments in silence Then Laura looked
up with pleading oontrite look in her
dark eyes.
"You-saw2" she questioned miser-
ably. Il didn't realize how much I
cared-until just before ! came home
I'd studied with him for three years
but I-never knew him very we'll per
sonaliy until this summer when we were
naturally thrown together a good deal
And then we found we both cared ire
rendously. But / told him l had al
ready promised to marry you" She
stopped to steady her voice
Lawton leaned forward and took one
Of the slender inert hands in a strong
firm grasp. Never mind about ex-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

enough to me so / could strike, / lifted
that hoe of mine, and l brought it
down with all my strength right across
that snakes head / thought it would
finish him, ali right; but it didn't. it jest
bounced off from his hide like a rubber
ball. Do yer know, that animal jest gid
ed past me, leaped over the fence, and
in less time than it takes TO tell II,
made way with a suckin' calf that was
layin' over in the pasturei
Just then tall lank fellow who was
standing near by. spoke up. and volun-
teered the information: 81 can corrob-
crate every word of that story. This
happened back in the spring of the early
hfties. did you say?"
Exactly" replied Silas, with empha-
sis. I'm the spring of the early fifties."
We'll" continued the lean, lank man.
Il encountered that same reptile, al
though in somewhat different manner
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
The Big Snake of Stubbleville

famous reptile There was no doubtin
IT. / can't give him an acc'rate descrip-
ton. and if wuz to tell you how long
he looked to me he wuz, and how big
round, you fellers jest wouldn't believe
my story, that's all. One things sure,
he had ring around his neck that look
ed as if it had been made by his get
tin his head fast in horse collar.
which was one of the plain markins that
Bill Green and Heck Wilson had no
ticed
Well, l decided right then and thar,
that it was a case of life and death both
for me and the snake i raised my hoe,
and the reptile he glided right straight
in my direction, his eyes glistenin' and
lookin' deadly Rememberin' old Andy
JacksOn's command at New Orleans.
jest stood there like a monument, stiff
and stark, waitin until l could see the
whites o. his eyes. When he got clo'st
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

considerable stock, particularly calves
and pigs and lambs, and sometimes
beasts as big as a pretty good size shoat
or a steer From the marlins on the
ground hereabouts the neighbors con-
Guided that it was snake that was re-
sponsible for the disappearance of their
live stock AS a matter of fact the var
mint had been connected up with the
thefts by Bill Green and Heck Wilson
who had seen it maxim away with prey
of the description mentioned.
But as | was sayin', wuz hoein' per
taters, and when looked up after hear
in that saplin crack and seein the
splinters fly. my feet suddenly froze to
the earth, my knees knocked together till
they sounded like fun'ral procession
crossin' covered bridge, and my back
bone shot up through my shirt collar
and raised my hat in the air.
There | wuz. face TO face with the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

was playing with the kitten that had
jumped into his lap while he talked
Professor Saunders-here in town.
Laura's voice sounded sharp Did she
really look pale-or was it the effect of
the fading twilight as she sat silhouetted
against the dark vines9
"Sure thing-but he probably won't
stay long" Then he added bit suflcily:
Nov don't YOU let him coax you into
another concert tour I want you to
stay here" II he had expected this bit
of pathos would bring forth some sent
inent, he was doomed TO disappoint-
ment. For Laura was looking down the
street with a strained tense expression,
and did not even seem to hear his last
remark
Mentally he oontrasted her seeming
indifference with the childlike fear in
Marguerite's blue eyes. and the invol-
untary clasp of her slim little hand
whenever he mentioned the possibility
Of his going away on a long business
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
A Few Simple Facts
ABOUT THE PROPOSED LEAGUE OF NATIONS
BY VI. HITCHCOCK
from ebraska
Unite tn

The plan for a league Of nations
starts out as an agreement among
"a nations. They form the league
and they form a great body that has
been known as the body of dele
gates the name OF which may be
changed to some other more signi-
cant name. In this body of dele
gates each nation has one vote. al
though il may have two or three
representatives. But this body OF
delegates is not the important organ
OF the league The important organ
OF the league IS the executive coun-
Gil. which is composed OF nine ma
tons. We may say that the body
OF delegates occupies a position
similar TO the body OF stockholders
IN a corporation, and the executive
council OF nine nations constitutes
the board OF directors, exercising all
the powers that could be exercised
by the stockholders. meeting much
more frequently and functioning
much more easily. and even having
some power that the body Of dele
gates has not.
This executive council is the back
bone or the league. and the back
bone OF the executive council is
composed Of the FIVE great nations
which fought and won this war
the United States. Great Britain.
France, italy and Japan. In the
constitution they are made the five
permanent members OF the eXecu-
tive council. The other four mem
bers are changeable and are elected
by the body of delegates; in fact, the
chief duty Of the body of delegates
is from time TO time TO elect these
four additional members OF the ex-
ecutive council
Now. the powers OF this execu-
tive council are very much like the
powers OF the supreme council that
has been meeting in Paris and con-
Quoting the affairs OF these nations
and a significant fact which we
must remember carefully Is that no
great decision OF this executive coun-
ell and no great decision OF the body
OF delegates has weight as binding
any nation unless il is unanimous.
InlS enGS one OpJeCllon WhlCn mas
been made against this league. We
have been told that America with
100. 900. 900 people only had one rep
reSentative on the executive council
and in the body OF delegates. but
that the British empire not only had
"a representative on the executive
council but il might have all OF its
self-governing colonies members OF
the lea gue-Canada and Australia.
South Africa and New Zealand. and
we have been told that these Eve
votes OF the British empire woulS
have a tremendous advantage over
the United States.
Unanimous Agreement Necessary.
Upon the old theory that a mai
ority should control that might be
so. but II is not so in this league.
The decision 10 bind any nation
must be unanimous must be by
agreement. and that puts an end %
The idea OF any member. any nation
being at a disadvantage. But even
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29


At that moment Frank Saunders tall,
erect figure came in sight.
Distinguished looking old boy, isn't
he1 Shows he's lived abroad and hob
nobbed with royalty"
Then he stopped, arrested by the pal
Tor of Laura's face. Yet she gathered
herself together with an effort, and IL
was with her usual finished composure
that she greeted Professor Saunders as
he came up the steps; but as the two
shook hands. Lawton had the feeling
that he was in the presence of man
who wa. every inch a man and of diff
ferent temperament than himself
and I've always considered her
coldl" he thought confusedly trying to
adjust the conflicting impressions he had
received during that one eliminating
moment
They talked of commonplace subj
and Saunders stayed only a short time,
then took leave in his conventional. for
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
By Abner Anthony

planning. Laura. Any one could see
with half an eye that he's the one for
you-the chap you really care about
so you-yor're free TO tell him 50 when
he calls In the morning" In spite OF
himself he ohoked little over the last
Yet a little later when he drove home
through the soft summer night Lswton
composed a note 10 60 with big bunch
Of roses he intended to send Marguerite
Sawyer in the morning
I'll give that squint-eyed Stouer boy
a merry chase-believe me-" he declared
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

If it were not so, I wouldn't be
afraid of trusting Canada and also
Australia. great f-governing col
onies like that. that are practically
today republics. wouldn't be
afraid even with the majority sys-
tenn OF voting. l wouldn't be afraid
OF the results.
This league of nations is based on
good will and cooperation and
common purpose and it can only
succeed as the nations succeed, TO
continue as they have begun. work
ing TO a common end and foE the
common good, so that ends his
story about being outvoted in the
body Of delegates or in the execu-
tive council.
don't want TO speak harshly of
opposition. because opposition has
it's rights 1t is inevitable: II is
beneficial. and it has probably been
beneficial in this case. Some OF the
opposition has come from Great
Britain. some Of the opposition has
come from France. Some Of the
criticism that came from Australia
has no doubt been beneficial. 1t was
intended that should come. That Is
the reason they made the constitu-
ton public: that is the reason for
the world TO consider this great
document, and when il comes out
we will find that IL has stood the
open test. II is coming out in very
much the same form that IL went
in. clarified, strengthened, harmon
lied and made more than ever a
compromise between the nations OF
the world to achieve a common pur-
pose.
Not n Partisan Question.
am aware that there has been a
little attempt 10 make politics out
OF this. I deplore It. I would de-
plOre IL among Democrats as
quickly as among republicans. This
is the greatest question that human
ity has ever faced. We cannot af-
ford 10 drag Il down into politics I
honor the former president Of the
United States. William Howard
Taft, for his stand. He has shown
no mean spirit He has brushed
aside any possible political advan-
tage that might be gained against
the opposite party and he has come
/ forward with strong arms 10 help
sustain the president OF the United
States and 10 give him good coun-
/ sci. and he IS wiser in his day and
generation than those smaller minds
who think they ind some political
advantage in opposition.
] am reminded a little OF story
/ OF the man who went out 20 buy a
horse and he found an animal that
/ seemed 10 satisfy him and he agreed
with the owner on the price but he
said: Has this horse any faults ??
Well" the owner said: Yes. II
has two faults" Well. what are
| they" Well the first-Iet US be
I fair" the seller said. 4 Will tell you
one OF the faults before you pay me
I the money and I will tell you the
/ other fault after you pay me the
money" Well" the purchaser
says. that is fair. Now what is the
! first fault7" Well" he says. The
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

'EAKING Of snakes.
/ remember back in
the early days of IL
linois-"
Uncle Silas crossed
his legs and took
a fresh chew of to-
bacco. while the 9TH
er loafers in the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
Obeying Mother.

Mother Why did you let him hIs
your
Daisy-Well, ne was so nice about IL
He asked
Mother-The ideal Haven't told you
that you must learn TO say Nor"
Daisy-Thats what / did say. He
asked me if I'd be very angry If be
kissed me-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
EoOO AND palNs<,tCRy DEATH TRAIN
SUFFERERS

The Red Cross, the acme OF mercy
and sanitation, has lost all track OF
the Death Train, which seems to be
the essence of cru city and infection.
The Death Train. with its hundreds
OF furnishing prisoners. was last
seen by American Red cross work
ers in December at Vladivostok
Since then it had been reported In
Eastern Siberia and in Western 81
IBERIA But the Red Cross Siberian
Commission has not been able TO
locate It
The prison train was made up OF
ordinary box cars at the time the
prisons were emptied In one OF the
revolutions in Samara- Several
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

thousand men and women, and even
children were placed In the box
cars In charge Of a small guard of
Russian soldiers. Then the train
began its endless journey over the
Siberian railroad. shunted here and
there. always moving or about TO
move.
Other prison trains have been run
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
Grandma's View,

I'm glad Billy had the sense to MIR
~ an old maid" said grandma at tbs
wedding.
Why. grandmar asked the SON
We'll. gals is hity-tity. and widders Il
kinder overrulin' and upsettin' But ole
maids is thankful and willin' to please
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
How He Found Ont.

First He-I can't afford an automo
bile.
Second He-But l thought you hat
one.
First Ditto-I have. That's how l dis
covered that l can't afford one
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

.VID LAYTON was
on his way IN his
car 70 make his
usual call upon the
girl whom he in
tended 10 marry.
Laura Merrill was
certainly a beautiful
girl, and Lawton
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

have bottle of pop
And / guess its up ter me to bu
the seegars," said Uncle Silas. rising
and leading the way to the cigar count.
er
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29
OUR COAL MAKES WARM
FRIENDS.

shrimp coal yards. Knoblock and
Martin. Telephones: Bell 1ss. Home
$40 14S67-tf
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-29

Warmers seed store. 22s s Mich
igan ST l2042-2S
Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-06-13
A4erage Term IN Hospital

Wounded soldiers from overseas re-.
main In general hospitals In this eoun-
Try On an average az 32.IS days. sc-
eording TO i canvass which has Just
been made. General hospital No. IS,
At West Baden, Ind reported the
average length Of treatment IS six
teen DAYS. the lowest average of any
.of The general hospitals General hos
pital NO 1. at Roland Park, Md nav
ing 296.sI days as an average, was
considered rs falling outside q 4 fair
Estimate, us that hospital treats and
teaches the blind and is In class en-
srely hy itself The average for the
Walter Reed General Hospital wash
ington. is given as 2640 DAYS.