davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
Debt ~ an Aid to Peace.

England's public debt, contracted during
the war, Is estimated by . British authority at
1877 pounds per person. That Is SITS, or q
persons. Plainly the United Kingdom will
have to produce abundantly. save carefully,
trade shrewdly and manage its finances ex-
pertly for many. many years to pay current
expen-es and interest and have enough left to
reduce It's debt to . pre-war status. The Sc
riousness Of the situation 10 the more apparent
when 1t is remembered that the country even
in 1914 was so heavily involved that it made
little or no effort to pay the principal.
The Same English authority estimates the
war debt of tho United States at s275 per
capita, or $l,375 for family Of five, and this
country Jared the best Of any Of the larger
ones involved in the war with the exception Of
Japan, which borrowed all told only few
millions. Between Great Britain, which heads
the list, in order are Germany. France, Aus
tria Hungary. Belgium and Italy.
That public debt is the best possible assur-
ance that no nation Of the first class will Sc
riousIy consider starting another general war,
during the present generation. at Least. What
ever hope there may now be Of paying out
would be wiped out before the first blow was
struck. and the people who hold 'the bonds
would have something to say about that.
After the tangles that the war caused are
Strengthened out there should be exceptional
harmony in the international family for a good
many years, League Of Nations or no league.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
GERTRUDE.

Gertrude, so charm,ngly feminine,
has an origin In war. It signifies
spear maid and comes originally
from Ghernot, second brother Of
Gunther, who though free Of the
guilt Of the murder OF Siegfried,
shared the fate Of his brothers BY
being killed early in the encounter
by the Markgraf Rudiger. Chief
among the feminine names derived
from this war-like source is VAL
kyr name Gerdrud or Gerthrud.
Many pretty maids OF northern
lands bore it and considered them
selves battle maids armed with the
spear of Ithufiel.
It was given popularity by. q
daughter of one of the great Pepins.
She founded the Abbey Of Nivelle
and was reversed by the Franks
and Germans for the performance
Of miracles. The royal Gertrude
was also . great favorite In Teu-
tonic lands and the drinking, of
toasts to Saint Gertrude at ban
quets was almost a proverb for
revelry. + There was another st.
Gertrude of royal blood, in Saxony,
who became the Abbess Of Hell
delfs.
In Norway the woodpecker with
black and white plumage and red
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
Restoring Foreign Exchange.

American traders have been thriving greatly
upon the misfortune Of Europe and the relative
prosperity Of this country>by buying abroad
in deprecated foreign currency and selling
over here for American money, the best on
cath. A few weeks ago a presidential order
wSs issued instructirg U. s. consuls to keep
tan on all big purchases and to wire the Gus
tops authorities the prices paid Then. by
figuring the rate Of exchange, the government
hefe can easily determine proper value to
set upon the goods for the collection Of import
duties. That at least, assures a fair appraisal
and the payment Of adequate rates.
SOf course European prices are high, but
they have not kept pace with the depreciation
OF exchange. Profits Of 100 per cent or more
ars commonly made in importing laces, silks,
tapestries. and other manufactured goods
which find great demand in this cuntry and
which Europe is beginning to produce in guam
titles. Consequently American buyers are e1-
ceedinsly active and the stream of goods to
this country is steadily growing.
On the other hand American manufacturers,
paying for their materials. labor and inciden-
tails. in sound American dollars. are Obliged to
charge prices that seem fabulous to Europeans
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
What's In a Name?
by MILDRED MARSHALL--
Copyright 1919. BY the Wheeler Syndicate Incl

head is called the Gertrude bird
and the legend goes that Gertrude
was the name Of the woman who
was baking bread when our Lord
passed by and asked for morsel.
She promised It and straightway
the dough began to grow under her
hands. In an access Of greed, she
reperted her promise and as . pun
ishment she was turned into
woodpecker and condemned to seek
her living between the bark and
the wood and never to go homo un-
til the red should fall from her
head. For that reason 1t Is said.
the woodpecker migrates from Nor
way when she begins to moult-
England uses the name Gertrude
without derivatives and employs
only one diminutive: Gatty She
is Gertrude in France; Gertrude in
Italy; Gertraud and Trudchen in
Germany, and Gertrudes in Portu-
gal
Her talismanic gem is the garnet,
which possesses many Of the same
qualities Of its relative, the ruby.
1t protects the bodily and mental
health of its wearer; to dream Of
it signifies the solution Of q mys-
terry. Thursday is Gertrude's lucky
day; S is her lucky number: and
the snowdrop is said to be her
flower.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
WHEN HORACE MAZE GOOD.
. BY Mabel E. Brightman.

All ready for the sleigh ride.
boys and girls" piped Jones. as he
entered the school room. "All here
and eeady, but Sally Hicks. and
she is>always late" spoke a chorus
Ut voices, that surrounded the little
country school room stove.
Sally was . bright-eyed little girl
Of Is, with cheeks like roses and
hair that fell on he. shoulders in
golden curlA Her drive to school
each morning was far from short.
but Sally felt she wanted to 60 and
must 60 home and put on her new
brown coat and knitted red cap,
that her aunt Johanna had sent her
for her birthday the day before.
Papl Rice. the youngest trustee Of
the, school, was going and she must
look Ct her very best.
"What 10 the matter and the hur.
n, my dearr spoke saliy's moth
e, looking oyer her spectacles. ~
Hally rushed into the kitchen. "Oh,
nothing, mother, only Horace has
invited ne to ride in that horrN
lookins Dleigh. / lust hate old
fashioned sleighs and old-fashionsd
people. anyway" spluttefed Sally.
s'but thsn--I suppose ! VIII have
to 10, 90 he has bean 10 good to
40tler aimee his tIlHeaR."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
Hammering the High Cost.

Evidence 10 piling up that the people are
becoming in earnest in their efforts to curb
the high cost Of living. From many centers
come stories Of organization for the eliminat-
ing Of things which are not essential and to
conserve in food, clothing and household neces-
stiles. Much Of the effort is futile and some
Of it smacks Of hysteria. but there is an en-
couraging tendency to get at fundamentals ana
to keep hammering away where the ticks
count.
Most immediate and conspicuous results
have attended the war upon the high cost Of
fresh eggs. Fresh eggs are not absolutely
necessary and they do not long remain fresh:
Tho law Of supply and demand with refer
encs to them Works with a promptness which
10 almost startling.
Since fresh eggs do not constitute any con-
siderable part OF the menu OF the average
family In winter cut in price does not mean
very much for the great body Of the people.
Tho example. however is OF value. for it shows
the results that certainly will follow in other
commodities II a similar campaign is conduct
cd and persisted In for a sufficient length Of
time. The case Of fresh eggs may furnish
the needed inspiration to accomplish some
thing really worth while.
Dealers say that there has been more ex-
travagant buying this Christmas than ever
before. The people are still letting their pride
override their judgment when it comes to
things for adornment and for amusement.
They do not yet realize that when they buy
non-essentals they are diverting capital and
productive energy from necessary things and
80 eventually helping to keep the latter scarce
and expensive. That they are waking up ON
tho question Of things Of common, everyday
use. however. is an encouraging sign. It is
the beginning. And that they are awakening
stands proven beyond doubt. Forming Of "old
Clothes" and II won't pay It" and similar
clubs all over the country eloquently attests
the fact.
When q customer objects to the price of
given article and il told he had better buy
now because the line is going to take another
big Jump before spring it makes him mad and
he VOWS he'll be hanged II he ever will pay
any more. He has made that sort Of vow to
himself many times in the last few years, but
now he Is getting together with his fellows
and putting the pledges into formal declara-
lions, and chances are he will stick to them.
And so the tumble in the price Of eggs,
without significance Of ITSELF may be the fore
runner Of something really worth while in the
line Of more reasonable costs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

Sally lay helpless by the side Of
the road.
Hasn't Sally come yetr Horace
exclaimed as he walked into. the
cozy sitting room Of Mrs. Hicks
home. Jack and all the rest have
arrived"
1T is . bad night and l think It
right for me to follow the broken
road to Nancy Blake's." Horace
said. in q deep voice.
In q short time Mrs. Hicks had
Horace well supplied with coats
and shawls and started over the
road to Nancy Blake's.
Cit up, Dobbin. We must meet
Sally" Horace exclaimed to his
faithful old white horse The sleigh
glided over the hesce-liks snow,
and had only gone six miles when
My! what q terrible sight con-
fronted Horace - he came to the
turn In the road: there lay the girl
Of his dreams unconscious In the
snow.
sally. Sally. can't you speak :"
And picking her up In his arms he
placed her gently beside him in
the old-fashinned sleigh.
The cold sharp wind Of the win
ter's night brought Sally to con-
SciousnesS. and % she looked up
into Horace's honest blue eyes she
placed her tiny white arms around
his neck and exclaimed, you are
the true hero Of my dreams"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
/ THE DAILY SHORT STORY

Two o'clock came and Horace
drew up in front Of Sally's door.
well protected from the winters
cold by his red scarf securely
wrapped around his head. and his
fine looking sleigh. as he supposed.
Ready. Sally" shouted Horace
in = hoarse voice. from the sleigh.
The drive to'the little red school
seemed long to Sally. as her
thoughts were oil on seeing Paul
Rice, the sleigh ride. the lovely
supper ut Nancy Blake's and not
on the question that Horace had
asked.
Well-and Just then Sally. Jump
ing from the sleigh. forgot to even
thank Horace. but he was soon
tucked In and on his way home.
Where have you been the last
hour. Sally Hicks?" shouted . voics
from tho corner, I'VE want to get
starred"
Sally was cold after her long
drive, and stood BY the stove
warming hsr little white hands.
first looking ct Paul. who stood
nearby polishing his finger uaiia,
and thinking d the hey WHO had
brnaghk her Gotsly thsre and gone,
We'll, ] don't care, anyway" sAe
thought TO herself, r never did
liks old-fashion people or never
viii"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

to mako up for the difference In currency
values and they are doing much less foreign
business than they had hoped to do.
Thus an economic law has been set in op-
GRAFTON which in time will restore tho trade
balance between this country and Europe and
perhaps throw 1t the other way Az this pro.
cess goes on foreign exchange will automati
eally rise till It goes to or beyond par assum-
Ing. Of course, that other nations maintain their
financial integrity
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

ject Of her thoughts, and offender
in comparison with Paul, the high
ly polished gentleman, who stood
by the stove.
I'VE must get started now. boy s
and girls"
Paul helped Sally on with her
coat and assisted her to the sleigh
and they were soon cuddled togeth-
er In the corner Of the hay bottom
sleigh talking and chatting.
After the toasts at Nancy's class
supper the boys one by one told
Of some great adventure in their
lives and Paul's tale Of his life Of
adventures held little Sally awe
struck. while the others were
amused.
THE storm Is growing worse;
We must get started"
Paul. calling Sally to one side,
whispered in her ear In . Seatle
voice: We will 20 back In Mr..
Blake's now red sleigh: Il will be
much safer and, besides. Sally, It
looks o lot nicer"
They had only gone . short dis
taaoe and they came TO the turn IN
the road when the horse jumped.
and Paul became angry and dashed
the horse, the binding drift Of the
new fallen snow and the angry
lashes Of Paul frightened the horse.
the sletgh oveQeurned. and poor
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
We Minor EDfeptics.

We healthy people feel . kind of
wicked delight in comparing our
selves with our less healthy
friends. I have been sharply taken
to task by readers for betrayins
some such feeling in remarks in
this column. Yet 2 fellow is en-
titled to gloat over His health some.
People with wealth always con-
graduate themselves for It, don't
they? They do, only they do not
like to admit 1t. Health il q great
er prize than wealth.
The stigma attached to epilepsy
in the popular mind il an instance.
So few Of US epileptics realize that
We belondg. Let's take inventory
and see how many OF Us are cpl
leptics unbeknown. OF course one
with major epilepsy, attacks Of coz
vulsions and loss Of consciousness,
realize there must be something
the matter. But hundreds of andi-
viduals have minor epilepsy (petit
mali without realizing that there
il anything much tho matter. >Here
IL a list Of the various manifesta-
tons of minor epilepsy a. described
by Covers:
Sudden momentAEy uncon-
sciousness. or ''fainting." or ~s1eepi
ness" without warning.
2Giddiness.
eJerks or starts Of tho nmbs
trunk or head.
+Visual sensations Of varioul
kinds, or momentary loss OF vision
with no apparent cause
Sudden sense Of fear Withou.
reason; other sudden unreasonable
mental states.
6-One-sidsd sensations Of . %.
culiar character recurring irregu
larly in arm or leg or trunk.
Strange periodical sensations
in the region Of the stomach.
8-Sudden unexplained tremor.
'1Peculiar periodical sensations
in both hands.
10-Sudden unexplained pain o.
peculiar sensation about tho head
at irregular intervals through the
Year,.
CHOKING sensation in ths
throat.
1z-Sudden scream for no appar.
ent reason.
13-Strange sensation In smell.
14-Strange feeling about thu
heart. recurring at long irregular
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

@. Is it compulsory that a soldier
make an allotment for his depend
ent mother or wife? T. w.
A. A man in service is not COM
PEELED to make an allotment for his
parents, but II married, he must
allot part Of his pay to his wife:
@. Have I the right to open the
mail of my daughter, who is not
of age? ID. V. II.
A. The postofnce department
says that parents have authority to
open or otherwise direct the dis
position of mail addressed to their
minor children, as long as the
minor children remain dependent
upon them.
@. What was the religious be-
lief Of the Indian concerning ami
mails and planets? w. E.
A. Many Indian tribes held that
animals and planets were animated
by spirits. They regarded certain
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

Scientists have been long time trying to
Eliminate small spots on the surface Of the
earth as we'll as the sun Eliminates the entire
solar system, and for the first time they are
claiming some degree Of success. Man may
eventually find something equal to sunlight,
but he never will be able to improve upon it.
The reason Is the human eye has been too many
hundreds of thousands of years adapting itself
toaw what old sol sends US to be likely ever to
acquire a preference for any substitute.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

Dear Mrs. Thompson: am an
other girl somewhat similar to
High Flutin' Sallie." as l have
shamefully become acquainted with
a boy on the streets and let MIN
take me home.
On the way home he stopped his
car by the roadside and began to
talk in a way l did not like. Thee
he started to act rather tough and
l let him do few things then OF
which I am ashamed now. l walk
around the house at times and just
think Of that and 1t makes me fees
terribly.
l wonder if you understand. He
did nothing to hurt me, but no
doubt my reputation has a stain
now. and, oh. how l repent doing
as did.
lived two miles from town then,
but live in town now. II it had
not been so far would have walk
ed home.
Can 1 regain my good reputation
If l have hurt 1t? E. {. n. .
You can regain your self-respect
and when you respect yourself peo-
pie will have respect for you. Dc
not permit yourself to grieve over
your mistake. Consider it a bless
ing and profit by it.
You have formed an ideal Of
right and wrong now and need new
er make the same mistake again
When tempted, hold tightly to your
ideals and you will build a splen'
did character.
This little experience will make
you more tolerant Of others who
backslide. Everyone makes mis-.
takes only 1t takes a broad nature
to admit it. do not mean that
everyone has experienced what you
have. There are various ways Of
falling down; one Of the most 50.
rious think IL to lose sympathy
and understanding of others who
are repentant.
1t is far more important that you
should begin now to do tho righ'
thing than to spend your TINT
thinking of the wrong you hav'
done.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am II
years old and in love with q young
fellow who does not live IN N,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
|HE:!&b%Fo 5b X m2eI
/ " MIRO. ELIZABETH THONPSONH

town. I have been going with him
and corresponding for about two
months.
love hin very much and l don't
know whether he loves me. When
he is with me he acts as though he
cares great deal.
How can l win his lover He
talks about another girl once in a
while. What shall l do?
HELEN H.
Love goes where it will Accept
the young man as a friend and do
not think about love. If he has
another girl friend you have no
right to object since you are SO
young and not engaged. Wait two
or three years before you permit
yourself to have love affairs. You
will be thankful later If you wait
Love making becomes promiscuous
IL it starts too early.
In reply to II. 2. s.: You should
not phone the young man. II he
cares for you as much as you think
he does he will phone you again.
1t was q trifling matter that you
refused to see him one time and
such a thing would not stand in
the course of true love. Do not
take the initiative in your romance
or you will surely lose the man.
He is competent to do his own
counting.
Drs. Mrs. thompson: I am a
young man of %, with common
school education In Italian and also
in English. Because Of my position
ip the day time / have q lot of time
to myself and have ambition to
study.
would like to take up some
thing that would lead to . good
position and better future. What
would you advise me to study?
1TALIAN-AMERICAN.
After sufficient preparation you
might secure a position In an sx-
port sales department. I would
suggest that you talk to the prin-
cipal Of some night school and ask
his advice. After taking courses in
English composition and salesman
ship you ought to be able to secure
Ia position Of this nature
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
Today's Events

Today is boxing day, one Of the
most popular Of the English holi-
days. /
Centenary Of the birth Of Mrs. f
D. e. n. Southworth. popular Amer
lean novelist and. according to her
claim. inventor Of the manila boz
envelope.
The advance guard of great
army OF scientists will arrive in
St. Louis today to attend the an-
Eual convention Of the American
Association for the Advancement of
Science.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

hoof adown the frozen lanes. It
bowls across the barren slope
from gloomy midnight caves, it
chants the dirge Of many hope, It
sings OF lonely graves, it makes the
cherries woodlands wall. it sweeps
thed reary hill, 1t piles the snow in
winrows pale, its voice, is never
still. But here beside the ruddy
blaze, secure and snug and warm,
! cit and dream Of summer DAYS.
and laugh at stress and storm.
GLEN BRADSHAW.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
brad'sbit0'- Verse
THE NORTH WIND.

The North Wind seeks my cot
tageA door. 1t shrieks with findish
glee, It tries each crevice in the
moor and thinks to brighten me. It
howls around my chimney place, It
crouches Ut my gate;i IN every spot
and every space, its lesions lie in
wait. But In my cosy ingle nook
beside the cheerful fre. With wife
and Riddles and . book, with
dreams that never tire, ut no
down contented here and watch
the embers glow. without q care.
without . fear of wailing blasts
that blow. The North Wind clst-
tors on my roof and shakes my win
dow Daaes; ! hear IT. cold and icy
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

OF these spirits as powerful and
active. Among their elemental
gods We're the sun, fire and water.
The buffalo, eagle and rattlesnake
were worshiped. Among plants,
cedar, cottonwood. corn and tobac-
co were vsnerated.
@. Does Russia still have the
Julian or old style calendar in
reckoning time? It's.
A. Until recently Russia was one
OF the few remaining countries
that still adhered to the Julian cal
endar, which now differs from the
Gregorian calendar by IL days. In
May. 1919, the bolshevik govern
ment abandoned the old system Of
chronology. The Gregorian calen-
dar is now used to reckon time.
@. What is the meaning of the
words "Auld lang syne~ Blk.
A. The words are Scottish and
mean "old long since"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 20, 1919.

I President Wilson gave away 1So Christmas
turkeys. That and a twenty thousand dollar
income tax will make quite hole even in .
ssventy-five thousand dollar income
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

Bill Hohenzollern saws wood for a regular
business and for mental recreation follows the
csnpaigns in Russia by means of maps marked
with flags! And yet some people think he
ought to be tried, convicted and sentenced to
something or other What, in the name Of
common sense. could he worse than his pres
ent fate?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-26

Kansas produced billion dollars worth
of farm crops. Half a million freight cars are
needed at once to move the nations corn. We
Americans are getting almost as reckless in
tho use OF figures as we are in the giving Of
Christmas presents