davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18
James Stncky Says, "Rat Cost
Me- $I25 For Plumbing Bills"

1--WE couldn't tell what was
clogging up our toilet and drains.
We had to tear up floor, pipes,
etc, found a rats nest in base
nent. They had choked the pipes
with refuse. The plumbers bill
was S125. RAT-SNAP cleaned
1.-The rodent OUT Three sizes,
Csc, SOC, $1.0O. Sold and gnar-
anteed BY Everett Hardware Co,
|Watson-King Co., and Dox Drug
Store.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Please bring me teaset and a watch
bracelet and some candy and big doll.
| am going to be good little girl.
Nettie Gordon, Roberdel.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

| am little girl S years old. Please
bring me doll stove, an iron, a poodle
dog, little piano and comb and brush.
also little willow doll carriage if YOU
can find one. That is oil want.
Virginia Mae Flowers
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Please bring me pistol and some caps.
bring me some sparklers. bring me a
juvenile. bring me little safe and some
grapes.
Charlie Baldwin, Hoffman.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

doll bed and little stove and a
fowl and a set of dishes.
lila Adcock, Rt 2.
| want a doll and / want car
riage to ride my doll on. | want a
little stove and that is all, SO good
bye. | am little girl 10 years old.
Louise Bryant, Rt. 3.
My dear old Santa Claus:-l want
you to bring me a tricycle., apples,
oranges, nuts and candy.-James
Dockery.
Please bring ME baby doll end
little cart to ride him in and a
cradle to rock him to sleep ill.,
Della Dockery, Rt. 4.
I want you to bring me rifle and
train. | will close this time. Your
son, Adgus Bridges, Hamlet.
| want you to bring me doll and
| want you to bring me a stove and
some dishes and lot of good things
to eat. Brittle Thompson, Rt. 5.
am a little boy 7 years old and
want you to bring me an automobile
and q shooter and a football and o
cap pistol and some candy and nuts.
Don't forget my little sister Jennie
Wall. Your little boy,
Wilburn McRae.
| want you to bring me a baby doll
about Is inches high and d carriage
to roll it in and some fruit and
candy. ! am only II years old. I
know little girl you never come
to see. Thank you for being 50 nice
to me and the other children.
Dora Latham, Hoffman.
| want you to bring me a gun and
d box Of nuts and d bicycIe. Lots Of
love. Walter McRae, Hamlet
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Please bring me a scooter, wagon,
knife, pair of wool gloves and plenty of
fireworks and candy and frnits.
Archie McNair
P. S. forgot to tell you am 2 years
old.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Please bring me some candy ant
apples and oranges and doll ant
doll bed and a little stove and {
fowl and a set of dishes.
lila Adcock, Rt. 2.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

l want you to bring me'a watch brace
let and some CONTEMPORARIES
Ada Kelly, aged IL.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Please send me a little train, and |
want little gun, little tricycle., little
wagon, and just little fruit. But the
worst thing of all want some firecrack-
ers. My name is limbo Dockery Williams
and Tn 5 years old in June bug time.
limbo.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

want doll, and doll carriage anc
some confectionaries. am 10 yeors ole
and in 3rd grad.
Elsie Graham Nichols
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

push ROCKINGHAM FOR.
WARD.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

My dear old Santa Claus:-I want
you to bring me tricycle., apples,
oranges, nuts and candy.-James
Dockery.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-12-18

Dora Latham, Hoffman.
| want you to bring me q gun and
q box Of nuts and d bicycle Lots Of
love Walter McRae, Hanlei
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Let the Mayor Know.

If Mayor SchriVer could hear half the COM
mandatory remarks that are being made re-
garding his announced determination to put
an end to bootlegging and kindred evils in
Rock Island his hand would be greatly
strengthened
1t is a common human trait to find fault
when things do not go as we think they should.
credit and encouragement where it is due.
Fault finding in connection with municipal
matters usually is brought to the attention Of
the official who is the target OF criticism
Praise travels slowly and has poor terminal
facilities.
During his former administration Mayor
Schriver frequently protested against the hesi-
fancy Of the people to confer with him and
give him the benefit of their wishes and opn-
ions in city affairs. AS a matter of fact the
public is responsible, 10 greater extent than
il ever has been willing to admit for the failure
or success of local government. 1t has been
q habit to depend too implicitly upon the ad-
ministration's ability to divine tha popular
mind. City officers are human. AS a rule they
welcome honest advice and frank and friendly
criticism and most OF all they like to be told
Of the fact when they strike a popular chord.
I The mayor and the associated commission
ers have started out to give Rock Island a
cleaning. If you believe in decency and law
enforcement let them know that you approve
and are giving them at least your moral sup
port
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Making Use of Agricultural
Prosperity. =

The leading farm question, in the opinion
of Secretary Houston, resolves itself into one
of keeping the farmer contented. Mere pros
perity for him is not enough. He must be
made to like the life so well that he will
tinue to follow it The farm must be made
comfortable, attractive and healthful
The farmer never before has been really
prosperous. In the long, lean years he used to
think that if he could make fair return on his
capital and get a decent reward for his efforts
he would be supremely happy. He is much
surprised now to find that mere money means
little. At least he is wanting in conception of
its use to bring him happiness so long as he
remains the farm. Therefore he hastens,
as soon as<he is able, to sell out and move to
town where methods of spending more readily
suggest themselves.
1t is the idea Of the secretary of agriculture
to teach the farmer how to use his money 9th
erwise than in ever buying more land to make
more work for himself and members of his
family. He needs to be shown that there are
ways to secure the things he really wants with
out going to the cities to live in order to get
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09

In connection with the 'own your own
home" campaign the U. S. department of labor
is urging tree planting to improve the appear
ances of cities and promote the comfort of
dwellers therein. The case of Bedford. Mass.
which has planted 1000 trees in the last seven
years is cited to prove that it is possible to
do the planting in crowded districts and even
among the mills and to get good results. There
are parts of Rock Island which would be much
improved from every standpoint by an intelli-
gent tree planting campaign. Owners of prop
erty in such sections should be interested in
this movement, because it will tend to make
their holdings more valuable, but it is matter
which also should appeal to everyone inter
ested in social and civic betterment.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
In the Days News

Twenty-seven years ago today, in
the Italian province of Lucca, was
born a little princess who was des-
tined to play in later years a
unique role in the great European
war drama The little princess
was Zita of Parma, who later was
to become the empress of Zita OF
Austria What a strange fate has
been hers. From the quiet OF a
convent school at Zangbert to the
brilliant salons of Vienna, to the
imperial throne and to the retreat
in Switzerland. spans the career OF
this young woman of 81 who began
life as a member OF family long
deprived of all semblance OF royal
" except the name, attained one
os The most exalted positions in
Europe, and who is likely to spend
the remainder OF her life in exile.
Those who are inclined toward su-
pGrstition may see some connection
between the i'll fate that has over
t3ken~the beautiful young empress
and the fact that she is the thir-
teenth child OF the late Duke OF
Parma.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Micawbering Bad Colds.

Mr.. Micawber would have made
a successful physician AS a doc
tor he could have called anything
the patient complained of a "heavy
cold and then enjoyed himself
while waiting for something to
turn up.
DR.. Osler wrote, some II years
ago, that cold has been for years
regarded as an important causative
factor of pneumonia. The. fire.
quent occurrence of an initial chill
has been one reason for this wide
spread belief"
The frequent occurrence of an
initial chill in cases of septicemia
(blood poisoning) from>infected
wounds has caused a similar belief
regarding septic infection, by ig-
norant people.
The frequent occurrence of an
initial chill in malaria has been
likewise misinterpretsd by doctors
IN times past, when low. damp
ground was held responsible for
the infection which everybody now
knows is carried only by the
anopholes breed of mosquito.
The frequent occurrence of an
initial chill in erysipelas, and in
other infectious diseases, has led to
the same absurd belief regarding
exposure to cold" The septi-
cemia or fever (blood poisoning)
following childbirth is usually
ascribed to taking cold" if the vic
l.. 20 l.,
der the care of Sairey Camp.
Dr. Osler also wrote II years
ago, that there can be no question
as to the close. association of pneu-
monia with exposure"-and he
mes@t exposure to cold or in
clement weather. But that was IL
years ago. There seems to be con-
siderable doubt about it now, be-
cause our laboratory investigators
are carrying on various expert
ments with view to determining
whether exposure really has any
causative relation with the respira-
tory infections. Thus far their, eff
forts have proved disappointing to
the venerable adherents of the
catching cold theory. Pneumonia
was seldom treated in the open air
in the coldest winter weather at
the time DR.. OsIer wrote, as it is
today.
Pneumonia is infectious like
diphtheria- 1t is contracted in pre-
cisely the same way. Its seasonal
occurrence and geographic distri-
button are identical with those of
diphtheria. Nobody thinks of lex
posure" or inclement weather as
important factors of diphtheria. By
the time the laboratory investiga-
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09

Dear Mrs. Thompson: / am q girl
about twenty-five years old and
have kept company with a very fine
fellow for two years. We are engag-
ed to be married. want to get mar
ried next June and l am willing 10
put up with all kinds of inconven-
fences ip order TO get married. We
both have money and so that VIII
make no difference.
He wants to start business first
or else get a homo and settle down.
Kindly advise me.
SUBSCRIBER.
/ should judge from your letter
that you want advice about marry
ing in June. Personally / do not be-
lieve in long engagements. The late
hours which usually accompany en-
gagements are bad for both parties.
From the standpoint of the two
drifting apart, however. a long en-
gagement is a good thing because
time is great test of love. If love
before marriage.
AS long as you have enough
money to live comfortably, I see no
reason why you should not marry IN
June. Perhaps you do not realize
what a great deal of money It
takes to live comfortably and your
fiance does. In this case he should
not be persuaded to assume respon-
sibilities which will be too heavy.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: am going
to have a suit made. Would you ad-
wise me to have one with a vest?
Some Of them are so pretty /
thought / would like to have one.
have to wear my things more than
one season and so / want an ad-
vanced style.
VOGUE
Vests are very good this season,
as you have probably noticed. They
will also be worn next year because
most people do not discard their
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Today's Anniversaries

i775-JacobS Brown, Quaker
farmer who became com
mander of the United States
army, born in Bucks county,
Pennsylvania, died in Wash
ington. D. c., Feb. "a, 1928
1s1o-John Brougham, celebrated
actor, manager and author,
born in Dublin. Died in New
York City, Jan. 7. $780,
1S53-The first ocean steamer ar
rived at Quebec.
1S65-Edwin J. DeHaven, WAC
commanded the first expedi-
ton sent in search of Sir
John Franklin. died in PhIr-
adelphia. Born there in 1918.
1S7S-Serious disturbances in Lam
cashire in connection with
the co.ton-milI strike.
fS94-Earthquake in Venezuela
destroyed several towns ana
killed about II 900 persons.
ISI5-Italians assembled army of
100000 on the = Austrian
frontier.
1916-French repelled heavy Ger
man assaults and made gam
at Verdun.
1917-Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing
summoned to Washington 20
be given command OF the
American expeditionary force
to France.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Economy in Highway Construction

Some may take exception to the report of
the special egislative-eoHmittee which has just
decided that there is no such thing as a paw
ing brick trust. It's statement that cement
prices are fixed by agreement is more plausible
What will appeal with special force to the
average reader, however, is the recommends
ton that the state be given power to manu-
facture road material and that used in other
improvements in order to protect the public
from. extortion. The suggestion that sources
of raw material be taken over IS also good
sense.
1t may be that the state would not be much
of a success in the manufacturing business in
ordinary competition with private concerns It
depends upon the men who are put in charge
Of the undertaking. State competition, how
ever, is better than none. Then there is the
possibility of working the inmates of penal in
stitutions to better advantage than can now be
done. II state manufacture of road materials
does nothing more it will at least furnish some
thing tangible upon which to judge whether the
state is being geuged by private firms and to
what extent.
AS to securing control of sources Of raw
materials the state has had one lesson in try
ing to buy gravel. One firm tried to hold up
the highway commission for s1.25 per yard.
The cost, from state owned pits, should be
only few cents per yard.
Illinois is about to spend $4,000, 900 upon
its highways and that will be only beginning
Every means should be taken from the start,
to get maximum results with a minimum OF
waste and graft
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Brad's sBit O. Verse
THE DERBY HAT.

Some men are destined to be
great by right of noble birth; and
some, by subjugating fate win
greatness on this earth; and some
there be who can't achieve, whose
domes are full of bats, yet mighty
names behind them leave by wear
ing derby hats The derby hat,
the derby hat, so naughty and Sc
rene: it lays all styles upon the
mat, it fits the proudest bean; no
rube can wear a derby tile and
feel less than a king; it beats the
coronet a mile. it's good for fall or
spring. Oh, corn-fed monarch or
your throne, go toss away your
crown; for you can buy for thrice
one bone the smartest lid IN town;
60 get a derby with your plunk
and let your circlet slide; earth's
diadems will all look punks when
down the walk you stride. The
derby cage, the derby cage, it is
lordly thing; but I'll not my tin
harp engage it's royal praise tQ
sing: for though it makes the
humblest man look like a ducal
sport. here's one old gay and fes-
tive fan who wears the woolly
sort GLEN BRADSHAW.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
TllEEIrIE5 DAILY SHORT STORY

the situation and make the best of
it. The depot was only a few
squares distant and Ethel soon
reached it. She remained outside
on the platform, walking up and
down It's length, and rousing to
vigilance and interest as the train.
comprised OF three coaches, came
to a stop.
Ethel centered her attention on
the two rear cars. She was some
what disappointed as, watching the
car platform and scanning the in
terror of the coaches through the
windows, she made out nothing Of
her expected friend.
She will come on the morning
train" decided Ethel. and was
about to, start away when the last
passenger of the smoker swung
off. caught a side view OF the wrap
that enveioped Ethel. FASTENED to-
ward her, threw one arm about
her and imprinted a warm, re-
sounding kiss on one cheek.
Ethel uttered suppressed
scream. II someone had fired p
cannon ball at her she could not
have been more astounded. With
vim she tore herself free from the
embrace of the new arrIval. Her.
eyes glowed with poorly suppress
ed Indignation. her lovely face as
sumed an angry flush.
How dare you'll" she quavered,
and her dainty fists clenched tight
". She had swung quite within
the radius of the platform light.
The stranger receded two steps as
though he had been driven back
by a blow. Her face was q void of
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Spares
Heart 90 1oHOfn0
41,9IDHODIOf1lcC :
VtI mrs. ELIZABETH THOMPSON.
by TEMPLE

garments after one season. II 1
were you, however, / would not
have the suit made with ? vest
When a style becomes so very pop
ular, fashion takes another turn II
your suit is of more conventional
design you will be suEer OF Its
style for another year.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: (1) We are
two girls eighteen years OF age and
have been going with two fellows.
One is twenty-one and the other
twenty y-eight Are these fellows TOO
old for us?
t2) We are deeply in love with
these boys. How can we find, out II
they return our affections? If they
return our affections. why don't
they call US pet names?
AUBURN TWINS.
G) The young man Of tWenty-one
Is not too old, but the other young
man is too old for girls Of your
age.
(2) If the young men return your
affections they will make it evident
by their actions and their speech.
All men do not show their affection
by the use of pet" names.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am very
forgetful and do not have lessons at
all we'll What can / do to remem-
ber better? l try to get my mind on
it, but can't Please give me a little
advice SLEEPYHEAD. q,
There are various books on the
subject of concentration and mem
ory training If l were you I would
read on this subject. You viii get
many helpful suggestions. Your
trouble is lack Of will power Go off
by yourself and study for definite
length OF time. If you decide upon
an hour, remain an hour. Your
whole life will be so much more
worth while if you learn to concen-
trate now.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Buy, or Don't Cheer.

/ Reilly's Bucks came back to Chicago yes
terday "If you haven't bought Victory bonds
don't cheer" was the admonition banners
which caught the eyes of the welcoming
crowds.
4 Rock Island also has war heroes coming
home. 1t has citizens able to buy bonds who
have not done SO. It has others who have not
bought their share. Both classes should real
ize before it is too late that the boys of the
One Hundred Twenty-third and other units who
will soon be home will want no plaudits from
financial slackers.
+ Tomorrow is the last day to buy Victory
bonds and Rock Island is not yet over the top.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09

CONSERVATION and embarrassment.
"Thunderi" he exclaimed, and
the genuineness of his emotion
was evidenced by the fact that he
bl&nkly dropped the satchel he
carried, and stood rooted, staring
at Ethel like a person turned to
stone.
>Ethel was tingling all over,
trembling. on fire with a resent
fulness she was too ladylike to
express in words.
Then, strange vicisSitude Of girl
ish emotion, she felt the smarting
tears come to her eyes. AngriIy
striving to suppress them she
briskly rubbed the tell-tale pink
spot on her cheek with her hand
kerchief. She shot another wrath
full glance at the stranger. Was
he audacious OF simply a clown? ?
His eyes were riveted upon her.
His face was a vast blank. He
stood like a statue, unmindful of
the fallen satchel. like a person
fairly hypnotiZed. Still. there was
nothing of defiance. ridicule or
rudeness in his eyes. He tried to
speak.
Regret = mistake - pardon"
were parts OF disconnected SEN
tences that floated to Ethel's hear
ing, but, with a pettish. spiteful
air, Ethel hurried across the
street. What should she tell her
friends? Should she tell them any
thing at all?
She entered the house. flushed.
trembling and excited. The girls
had not yet returned. Somehow
she could not get her mind AWAY
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
AN OLD TIME SAYING.
BY Ray Arlington.

tCOpyrlghI, 1918, Dy western
Newspaper UnionD
It was the most delicate and
melodious respiration possible. but
three pairs of smiling eyes turned
involuntarily toward Ethel Briggs,
and the spriRhtliest Of the trio,
Lsora Vance. familiarly quoted:
"Sneeze on Tuesday and kiss a
stranger"
IN pretty, exaggerated indigna
ton Ethel directed mock resent
ment at the speaker.
Improbable and impossible"
she declared with confidence. and
the incident drifted into 2bscurity
amid the casual chatter OF the
hour.
Ethel was a heart-free. winsome
being on a weeks visit to Aida
Prescott. There were two other
girl guests and LOra was one Of
them. A fourth was expected that
evening or on the train next morn
fag. Ethel had aHlouncrG her in
tention OF meeting her at the de-
not. Lora, AIda and Dora Wayne
RtoIe of to a movie show about z
O'Clock. Ethel waited half an hour
and went out into the hall to put
on a wrap and hat to find Lora
had assumed the fancy OF using
those parts of her wardrobe, leav-
ing her own picture hat and auda-
iciously loud checked wrap in their
place. Friendly exchange of this
character was a COMMON feature
with the group, and there was
nothing better to do than 10 accept
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09

from the incident OF the evening.
Ethel roamed about the house. dis
turbed and restless. When there
came a ring at the door bell she
fastened to respond to it, hoping
1t was Lora and the others return
ed from their mild evening dissi-
patton. Ethel opened the door. II
was her turn now to pose stune-
fed. There stood the man of the
depot, the owner OF the lips that
had swept her dainty cheek
Thunder" he again uttered
and before he could speak further.
and before EtheHcpuld arouse her
self, gay voices and lively, trip
ping footsteps announced the COM
ing of Lora and her companions.
Why, Bartley!" exclaimed Lora,
rushing up to the stranger and
kissing him rspturously.
Girls, my brother-M:ss Pres
colt, BARLEY, and Miss Vernon
and our dearest, cleverest OF all.
Ethel Briggs" introduced Lora,
and Ethel understood. but in the
face of calamity. for-she sneez-
ed,
bright-eyed Lora mischievously,
and BARLEY Vance heard as well.
and his face reflected the damask
hue Of Lora's, and in her forgiving
smile he fancied he read a pres
tige of closer friendship in the fu-
ture-
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09

them. Better houses. sanitary improvements,
electric power and light, good roads and more
attractive surroundings, improved schools and
closer social relations with his neighbors are
some of the advantages that the farmer could
have at home and at less cost than in the city
If he knew how to get them.
Having helped to put the farm on a pay
ing basis it is entirely proper for the depart
ment of agriculture to now give some atten-
ton to helping the farmer spend his money
wisely.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Today's Birthdays

Sir James NJ. Barrie, famous
Scottish novelist and playwright,
born at Kirrimuis, n. B., SO years
ago today.
John L. McLaurin, former United
States senator from South Caro-
lima. born in Marlboro county, S.
c, SO years ago today.
John r. Mohler, chief OF the
bureau of animal industry Of the
L. s. department CT agriculture.
born in Philadelphia, A years ago
today.
Rock Island Argus., 1919-05-09
Today's Events

Final drive in the Victory Liber-
ty loan campaign.
Postwar Industrial problems Will
be considered by the New Jersey
Manufacturers' association. meeting
in annual session today at Atlantic
City.
Several matters of Importance to
the future work of the Southern
Methodist church are to be acted
upon at the annual meeting of the
college of bishops, which is to be
gin it's sessions today in St Louis.