davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26
BY JOHN S. STEELE.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

PARIS, January 8, 1919
~ NE OF the most urgent prob
lens left by the war IS the re-
~ Mobilization, from an agTtCul-
tural point of view, of the
devastated lands Of France | do not
know exactly how many million acres
of this land there are, and / doubt If
any exact survey has been made. but,
roughly speaking, there exists from
the sea to the Swiss frontier a belt
about twenty miles wide which the
war has made desert To bring that
desert back to its former fertility is
the problem which must be faced.
The problem Is smaller than was
anticipated at the beginning of the
war, when the effect on the fertility of
land of the tremendous blowing and
battering by shells and explosives
which 1t has received was less under
stood than 1t is now. year ago agri-
cultural experts gravely declared
that for years to come nothing would
grow in this desert belt. The soil,
they declared, had been destroyed
away. 1t had been buried under tons
and tons of upturned hard pan. 1t
had been poisoned by gas and high
explosive. And the layman who look
ed on this picture Of desolation year
ago was inclined to agree without
question that they were right.
Recently. however. I have been over
the ground again, and while much of
it-that part which has been the
scene of the more recent fighting
still conveys the old impression of
hopeless sterility, much more, which
has had year or more of rest is a
tribute TO the all-powerful repairing
do SO Nature has tried to heal the
scars of battle. and. at least. she has
succeeded in covering them up.
Grasses and wild flowers, some of spe-
cies which previously were unknown
in this part of the world, have sprung
up in profusion. and where they can
grow there Is every hope that useful
Of tho soil has not been destroyed.
In fact, there are many experts now
who hope that it has been increased
and that when the land is once more
returned to cultivation it will be more
prolific than ever.
The great problem, how ever. Is the
preparation of the land for cultiva-
ton. Before it can be plowed 1t
must be leveled. No words can con-
vey the condition of this formerly
rich and smiling country. There is
not yard in the tWenty-mile strip
that does not contain shell hole.
Some OF these holes are ten or twelve
feet deep and as wide across. Others
are only foot or two deep. Then
there are mine craters by the dozen
and the score. / have seen a mine
crater eighty feet deep and couple
of hundred feed across. No plow
that was ever made VIII be any use
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26
DeVaStatedLandS of France

in this country. and there is no culti-
waiting machine that was ever thought
OF that VIII serve. The hand labor
OF hundreds of thousands of men
alone VIII be needed to bring this
land into such condition that a plow
can be used on 1t. Every hole must
be filed individually, and the mine
craters must be leveled up before the
land can be OF any use TO the farmer
again,
There is still another bit of work
which can only be done by hand la Dor.
Even If the land were leveled TODAY
few plowmen could be found who
would take the risk of driving
furrow through it, for the land con-
talhs ten Of thousands, perhaps even
hfllions, or "dud" or unexpioded
shells. Now, dud shell does not
necessarily mean a shell that never
VIII explode. There are dozens of
reasons why a shell may not have
exploded when it was fired. The fus-
ing may have been wrong or the
gunner may have made one of MANY
possible mistakes in the excitement
of battle. Practically every she'll
W i'Ii - ~ ii6 idli DuTlCu or WnOllV
covered in the soil of France is
source Of potential danger to the
husbandman. A blow from the plow
share or the pickaxe or the shade on
the business end of one OF these shells
may mean death to. the man who ia
trying to restore the land to its old
productiveness.
1T remains. therefore that hand
labor is needed to level the land and
to garner In Its present crop Of DEATH
dealing shells. Where is this hand
labor to come from? France is short
of men and needs all her available
labor for more immediate purposes.
Shipping by which labor might be !.
brought from China or Africa is ur-
gently needed for other uses. There
remains one solution. 1t would be
poetic Justice to compel the thou
sands of German prisoners now in
France to restore the land they dew
astated before they are allowed to
return to cultivate the soil of Ger
many. Already there Is an insistent
demand in France that this be made
ment. They could probably complete
the work in not less than a year and
leave behind them instead of a desert.
not indeed a smiling AGRICULTURAL
country, but q land which under the
hands of the thrifty and Industrious
french farmers soon would smile
again.
At present many thousands of Ger
man prisoners are at work repairing
the roads of France. This, I BELIEVE
is regarded as work Of immediate
military Importance, but 1t Is work
which will leave the ruined roads in
good repair and a peace asset to
France. why not compel them to re-.
store the ruined lands as well?
Copyright. 1912
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26
Jack Pumpkinhead's Great Ride

Il must take him to His Majesty the
Scarecrow."
But what win His Majesty the
Scarecrow do with him?" asked the
Guardian of the Gates.
That Is His Ma jesty's business" re-
turned the soldier. II have troubles
enough of my own. All outside
troubles must be turned over to His
Majesty. So put the spectacles on this
fellow, and I'll take him to the royal
palace"
So the Guardian opened a big box
of spectacles and tried to fit a pair
to Jacks great round eyes.
L haven't pair in stock that will
really cover those eyes up" said the
little man. with a sigh; "and your
head is so big that I shall be obliged
to tie the spectacles on"
But why need 1 wear spectacles?"
asked Jack.
IT'S the fashion here" said the
Soldier, land they will keep you from
being blinded by the glitter and glare
of the gorgeous Emerald City"
"Oh! exclaimed Jack. Tie them on.
by all means. I don't wish 10 be
blinded"
Nor IT, broke in the Saw Horse; so
a pair of green spectacles was quickly
fastened over the bullying knots that
served it for eyes.
Then the Soldier with the Green
Whiskers led them through the inner
gate and they at once found them
selves in the main street of the mag
nificent Emerald City.
Sparkling green gems ornamented
the fronts of the beautiful houses and
the towers and turrets were all faced
with emeralda. Even the green marble
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

The Pumpkinhead wanted to ride up
the green marble steps and straight
into the Scarecrow's presence; but the
soldier would not permit that. So
Jack dsmounted, with much difficulty,
and q servant led the Saw-Horse
around to the rear while the Soldier
with the Green Whiskers escorted the
Pumplinhead into the palace, by the
front entrance.
The stranger was left I'm a hand
somely furnished waiting room while
the soldier went to announce him. 1t
so happened that at this hour HIS
Majesty was at leisure and greatly
bored for want of omething to do. so
he ordered his visitor to be shown at
once into his throne room.
Jack felt no fear or embarrassment
at meeting the ruler of this magnif-
cent city, for he was entirely ignorant
of all worldly customs. But when he
entered the room and saw for the
first time His Majesty the Scarecrow
seated upon his glittering throne he
stopped short in amazement.
Copyright 1919, by L. Frank Baum for the
George Mathew Adams Seryice)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

pavement glittered with precious
stones, and 1t was indeed grand and
marvellous sight to one who heheld II
for the first time.
However, the Pumpkinhead and tho
saw-Horse, knowing nothing of wealth
and beauty, paid little attention to the
wonderful sights they saw through
their green spectacles. They calmly
followed after the green soldier and
scarcely noticed the crowds of green
people who stared at them in sur
prise. When green dog ran out and
parked at them the Saw-Horse
promptly kicked at it with it's wooden
leg and sent the little animal howl
ing into one of the houses: but moth
ing more serious than this happened
to interrupt their progress to the royal
palace,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

III AMI JAIN NLIl
will help to dry your clothing ] will
hold on to the horses tail ana run
after you. In this way we all will
become dry In very short time
Then the horse must step lively
said Jack.
I'm do my best" returned the Saw
Horse, cheerfully
Tip grasped the end of the branch
that served as tail to the Horse,
and called loudly: "Get-up"
The horse started at a good pace,
and Tip followed behind. Then he de-
cided they could 60 faster. so he
shouted: "Trot!"
X X
Now, the Saw-Horse remembered
that this word was the command to
go as fast as he could; so he began
rocking along the road at a tremend-
Gus pace, and Tip had hard work.
running faster than he ever had be-
fore in his life-to keep his feet.
Soon he was out of breath. and
although he wanted to call "Whoa"
to the horse, he found he could not
get the word out Of his throat. Then
the end Of the tail he was clutching,
being nothing more than dead
branch, suddenly broke away, and the
next minute the boy was rolling in
the dust of the road, while the horse
and its pumpkinheaded rider dashed
on and quickly disappeared in the
distance.
By the time Tip lad picked himself
up and cleared the dust from his
throat so he could say "Whoa! there
was no further need Of saying 1t, for
the horse was long since out of sight.
So he did the only sensible thing he
could do. He sat down and took a
good rest, and afterward began walk
ing along the road.
Some time l will surely overtake
them" he reflected; for the road will
end at the gates of the Emerald City,
and they can go no further than that"
Meantime Jack was holding fast to
the post and the Saw Horse was tear
ing along the road like a racer.
Neither of them knew Tip was left
behind, for the Pumpkinhead did not
look around and the Saw Horse
couldn't.
). Il
AS he rode, Jack noticed that the
grass and trees had become bright
emerald green in color, 80 he guessed
they were nearing the Emerald City
even before the tall spires and domes
came into sight.
At length high wall of green stone,
studded thick with emeralds, doomed
uo before them; and fearing the Saw
Horse would not know enough to stop
and so might smash them both against
this wall, Jack ventured to cry.
"Whoa!" as loud as he could.
So suddenly did the horse obey THAI
had 1t not been for his post Jack
would have been pitched off head fore
most, and his beautiful face ruined.
THAT was a fast ride. dear father
he exclaimed; and then, hearing no
reply. he turned around and discover
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

"And this wooden horse--is it alive?"
questioned the Guardian.
The horse rolled one knotty eye up
ward and winked at Jack. Then 1t
gave a prance and brought one leg
down on the Guardians toes.
"Ouch!" cried the man; Tn sorry
I asked that question. But the
answer is most convincing. Have you
any errand, sir in the Emerald City,"
1T seems to me that I have" replied
the Pumpkinhead, seriously; "but ]
cannot think what it is. Ny father
knows all about it, but he is not here"
"This Is strange affair-very
stranger declared the Guardian. But
you seem harmless. Folks do not
smile so delightfully."- when they mean
mischief
-As for that" said Jack, Il cannot
help my smile, for 1t is carved with
a jack-knife."
well, come with me into my room"
resumed the Guardian, and | will see
what can be done for you"
So Jack rode the Saw Horse through
the gateway into little room built
into the wall. The Guardian pulled
o. bell-cord, and presently a very tall
soldier clothed in a green uniform
entered from the opposite door. This
soldier carried long green gun over
his shoulder and had lovely green
whiskers that fell quite to his knees.
The Guardian at once addressed him,
saying:
Here is a strange gentleman who
doesn't know why he has come to the
Emerald City, or what he wants. Tell
me, what shall we do with him?"
The Soldier with the Green Whiskers
looked at Jack with much care and
curiosity. Finally he shook his head
SO positively that little waves rippled
down his whiskers, and then he said
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

pathCu Al o litllc pIOOfs aho
then ate a. portion Of his bread and
cheese. Having thus prepared for a
new day the boy said:
Let us start at once. Nine miles is
quite distance, but we ought to
reach the Emerald City by noon If no
Accidents happen"
SO the Pumpkinhead was again
perched upon the back of the Saw
Horse and the Journey was resumed.
Tip noticed that the purple tint Of
the grass and trees had now faded to
dull lavender, and before long this
lavender appeared to take on green.
tsh tinge that gradually frightened
70 they drew nearer to the great city
Where the Scarecrow ruled.
i y.
The little party had Travelled but
1hort two miles upon their way when
the road of yellow brick was parted
BY broad and swift river. Tip was
puzzled how to cross over: but after
j time he discovered a man in a ferry.
boat approaching from the other side
q the stream.
When the man reached the bank Tip
esked:
"Will you row us to the other slde?"
Eyes, IL You have money" returned
=.
&he ferryman, whose face looked cross
IND disagrecable.
But have no money" said Tip.
''None at aH?" inquired the man.
None at all" answered the boy.
J "Then Til not break my back rowing
you over" said the ferryman, de-
kidedly.
what a nice man. remarked the
eumpkinhead smilingly.
The ferryman stared at him. but
made no reply. Tip was trying to
think, for 1t was a great disappoint-
haent to him to find his journey so
suddenly brought to an end.
II must certainly get to the Emerald
City" he said TO the boatman; "but
BOW can I cross the river II you do
hot take me?'
The man laughed. and 1t was not a
Dlce laugh.
"That wooden horse will float" said
~; land you can ride him across AS
for the pumpkinheaded loon who ac-
companies you. let him sink or swim
e1t won't matter greatly which"
Don't worry about me-" said Jack,
4miling pleasantly upon the grabbed
ferryman; II am sure l ought to float
beautifully
Tip thought the experiment was
worth making, and the Saw Horse,
who did not know what danger meant,
offered no objections whatever. So
the boy led it down into the water
tnd climbed upon it's back. Jack also
Taded in up to his knees and grasped
the tail of the horse SO that he might
keep his pumpkin head above the
water.
Now" said Tip. instructing the
SawHorse. III you wiggle your legs
you will probably swim; and If you
1wim we shall probably reach the
bther side.''
The Saw Horse at once began to
Higgle Its legs, which acted as oars
Ind moved the adventures slowly
tcross the river to the opposite side.
So successful was the trip that pres
Hntly they We're climbing, wet and
dripping. up the grassy bank.
Tips trouser-icgs and shoes were
thoroughly soaked: but the Saw-Horse
bad floated SO perfectly that from his
knees UP the boy was entirely dry,
IS for the Pumplfinhead, every stitch
his gorgeous clothing dripped
Water.
-.
"The sun will soon dry u.s." said
Zip; land, anyhow, we are now safely
ecross, in spite OF the ferryman, and
Ban continue our Journey"
81 didn't mind swimming, at all" re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

ed for the first time that Tip was not
there.
This apparent desertion puzzled the
pumpkinhead, and made him uneasy.
And while he was wondering what
had become of the boy, and what he
ought to do next under such trying
circumstances, the gateway in the
green wall opened and man came
out.
This man was short and round, with
a fat face that seemed remarkably
good -natured. He was clothed all IN
green and wore high, peaked green
hat upon his head and green
spectacles over his eyes. Bowling be-
fore the Pumpkinhead he said:
II am the Guardian of the Gates or
the Emerald City. May inquire who
you are, and what is your buslness?"
my name is Jack Pumpkinhead,'
returned the other smilingly; but as
to my business, l haven't the least
idea in the world what it is"
The Guardian of the Gates looked
surprised, and shook his head as II
dissatisfied with the reply.
What are you. man or a pump
kim" he asked, politely.
Both. If you please" answered Jack
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

"The sun will soon dry u.s." said
Zip; land, anyhow, we are now safely
&cross, in spite OF the ferryman, and
Dan continue our Journey"
IL didn't mind swimming. at ALL" re-
marked the horse.
Nor did r. added Jack.
They soon regained the road Of
yellow brick, which proved to be a
Continuation OF the road they had left
IN the other side, and then Tip once
@ore mounted the Pumpbinhead upon
Ne back OF the Saw-Horse.
III you ride fast" said he, "the wind
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

A T daybreak Tip was awakened
~ by the Pumpkinhead. He rub
bed the sleep from his eyes,
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31
Rev. Taylor In
Trouble Again,

With the Rev. H. B. Taylor, Bap-
fist pastor at Murray. Kentucky,
life seems to be just "one darn thing
after another, "-and, as he has the
name Of being q belligerent charac-
ter. the thicker and faster the darn
things come, the better 1t may suit
him Not many months ago Tay-
lor's name was linked with pro-Ger.
man and anti-draft agitation, but,
n our memory Is correct. he was
eiven local hearing and the citi-
zens who were most opposed to him.
failed and refused to testify against
him and be was cleared Of the
charges against him. Last Sunday,
however, Taylor took a course not
at all to his credit. Notice was
served at his church Sunday morn
Ing that public gatherings were un-
der the ban placed by the State
Board Of Health, but when the off,
Ger. the Chief Of Police, retired, the
service was resumed and completed.
Then when the evening service
came on and the preacher seems to
have deliberately refused to obey
the quarantine regulations, an officer
was in waiting and arrested the
preacher when he began delivering
his sarmon and the promise was
male that all who had attended
the morning or night service would
be arrested Monday morning. Tay-
lor seems to be attempting the role
Of martyr 70 religious conviction,
as was done once In Tennessee. by
Adventists, who cot themselves into
jail by working on the Sunday rec
osnized by the law.
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31

A movement has been set on
foot to remove the disabilities Of
former Judge Jesse Edginton Of the
Criminal Court Of Shelby county.
who was impeached few years
ago. On the Duke Bowers idea that
Jesse Edgineton HAS GOT WELL
of the ailment with which he was
afflicted, it might be well enough to
remove the disability debarring him
from holding Office. When saloons
were put out Of Lexington by legis-
lative enactive, Senate committee,
OF which Jesse Edeington was chair
man, gave the anti-liquor side Of
the question such a patient, fair
square hearing that we have ever
since had a soft place in our heart
for him.
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31
Prominent Physician
Underg0es Operation

Dr. W. F. Huntsmann. local sur
eeon for the Nashville. Chattanooga
G St Louis Railway and prominent
in the countyi as q practitioner OF
medicine and surgery, was stricken
with appendicitis last Saturday and
on Sunday evening at $40 o'clock
left for Memphis. accompanied by
Mrs. Huntmann. her brother, Mr. R
|. DifIee. Of White Fern and Dr. G.
A. Brandon. Arrangements had
been made In advance for DR.. Hunts
mann's admission in the Baptist
Hospital. where he was successfully
operated upon Sunday night soon
after bis arrival In the city.
He stood well the operation and the
first telephone MESSAGE sent by Mrs.
Huntsmann Monday morning was
encouraging. The much regretted
misfortune befell DR.. Huntsmann at
q time when he was sorely needed
by many In whose homes he is the
family physician. We are earnestly
hoping for his early recovery and
return to his practice. for there are
hardly doctors to 60 round in these
days Of influenza, pneumonia and
other diseases.
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31

To the everlasting honor and glory
of President Wilson, in bis request
that Congress appropriate ONE
HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS,
for temporary relief Of the friendly
nations Of Europe and the Near
East" the request was opposed by
Vardaman, Of Mississippi, Myers. Of
Montana, and Hardwick. Of Georgia,
In the United States Senate. Ward
aman gave it out that he was ten
porarily absent" but If he were pres
ent he would oppose the appro-
priation and that brings to mind
that among the many things the
South has for which to thank the
Good Lord, not the least is the
knowledge that it will not be so long
until Vardaman's absence from the
Senate will be PERMANENT. Some
men are two conscientious" ever
to do a good act--and we guess
Hardwick. Vardaman and Gore
(the latter Of Oklahoma) would put
themselves in that class
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31
Legislature Down
To Hard Work.

The present General Assembly
is getting to be called a Working
Legislature" and the new Governor
does not seem disposed to confine
the habit Of working to the law
makers clone, Gov. Roberts has
evea gone so far as to see that his
own private secretary shall WORK
yes. actually work, for the jobs Of
parole and pardon clerks and fund
ind board secretary have been abol-
ished and their duties to be per-
formed by the Governors secretary.
The idea Of the private secretary to
the Chief Executive of the State
having some thing to do beside en-
terteinine waiting callers on the
Governor. and sending out notices
to the various small and great cogs,
wheels, pulleys. pins. ETC.. Of the
Governors machine. Is such an in
novation In Tennessee. that it should
be copyrighted at least The Hon.
Albert Houston Roberts must have
been a working Chancellor" while
be was on the bench over in the
Eastern part of Middle Tennessee.
The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-01-31
Allegation Of the High Cost Of Liv

Allegation Of the High Cost Of Liv
ing in the cities, as compared with
any sort Of living in country towns
might at some time have had some.
thing substantial in the general in.
dictment brought againts the urban
communities. but is a myth so far
as the present is concerned. OF
course the most stylish goods are
marked high for first and earliest
seasons sales in the cities, which is
done. to some extent. for the bene-
fit of that class which happens to
have more money than brains but
later. and in ample time these prices
drop-and drop nightly as mat.
ter Of fact and in spite Of the lying
advertisements on fictitious valua-
tons and present sale prices. In
the city. as elsewhere. the buyer,
who has no judgement Of his or her
own is ever at the mercy Of the un
scrupulous seller. In the staples,
both Of items to eat and wear, the
cities often offer inducements not
to be found in the counuy-and
that fact holds notwlthsta 1ding
some edibles. butter and, FIR in
stance. are always higher in the
cities. Taking one thing with an
other. the family which has a good
lookout" for bargains can now live
just about as cheaply In the city as
in the country town