davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

"Oh, Peter!" said Susan Mary
weakly. What are you doing here::'
Shopping" said the tall cus.
toner nonchalantly. and then . lit.
tie silence fell while each just look
ed at the other. Never had Peter
seemed so dear and big and ador-
able. Never had Susan Mary see-n-
ed so dear and little and wistful,
and. to keep from clutching her.
Peter grabbed q dainty salad bowl
and thrust 1t at her with the blunt
query:
How much IL it?'
Susan Mary started mistily at the
price mark.
1.-two ninety-eight, marked
down from three-'n'-a-quarter," she
faltered mechanically, do you
want it,"
YES" said Peter calmly. and
watched her wrap it up in five
pieces Of paper, and tie about seven
yards Of string around It. Then
she made out q perfectly unintellig-
ible slip and called waveringly:
"C-c-cash!"
whats the big. idea" asked
Peter, most aggravatingly imper-
sonal, and Susan Mary explained
lucidly:
IF you want anything, call
Cash and you'll get it,"
Before long the change from the
IS bill came, delivered by q curious
child in a smudsy dress. and Susan
Mary gave 1t to him quite silently
Thanks" said Peter, and liftins
his hat he sauntered down the aisle
pausing to look appraisingly at 9
choice collection Of gridirons, fry.
ing pans and copper kettles. while
Susan Mary sank down behind thu
counter on Q stool that Just hap,
pened to be there.
"Oh, Peter!" she walled, despair.
ingly, and at the sound Peto,
vhirled and came back,
"Whsf1s your coat and haAf" HI
demanded srunly. go get EN-
quick!'
They're IN tho coat room" shs
told him ehokily. Why. Petsr?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
KATHERINE,

Like Mary, the charming name of
Katherine has an almost illimitAble
history, and its derivations and
contractions are endless. It signi-
fies pure, since 1t was first borne
by q maiden martyr, whose name
was chosen as the center of an alle-
CORY or Intellectual religion. Kath-
crime in Greek became Catharina
in the Latin tongue. Going further
back, It can be found that this mar
tyred Katherine was 50 called for
another and earlier Katherine. =
virgin martyr Of Alexandra, whose
history IL unknown. Some histor-
ians credit her with being the
daughter of . king Of Egypt, but
this contention cannot DO substan-
tial. However It 10, Katherine's
purity and sanctity are unmistaka-
BILE.
Tho martyrdom Of the original
Katherine 10 recorded In literature
and art-the destruction OF the
wheels that were to have torn her
esunder: her martyrdom by the
sword, and the TRANSLATION of her
body by angels to Mount Sinai, at
whose foot stands q convent bear
ing her name. where she 10 adored
perpetually - are oil familiar
themes to the masters Of pan and
brush. Passing from the sublime
/! TO the practical. the fireworks call
ed Catherine-whesls are an allusion
! TO the Instruments Of torture which
were destroyed by lightning and
he tiny brown bird. known ~ the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
H&artt; @H0m0
31!5DrObrQmC y,
lMRC. ELIZABETH THOMPSON
RI. ELIZABETH THONPyON

Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am .
young lady 20 years old. seem to
be liked by my friends wherever /
am. I am strictly decent, have a
good reputation and I try to be
good and kind to everybody. But
why can I not gain the love and
friendship Of some young man?
can't find any Joy In reading.
have a lot Of girl friends and have
been considered fairly good look
ing. When anyone is in trouble
she comes to me for advice. I try
to put myself in her place aud
study what I should do in a like
circumstance. l try to be as cheer
full to them as know how, al
though l have all kinds Of troubles
Of my own.
have been patient for q long
time although my heart cries out
for some one to love. There aren't
many parties given any more aud
! don't know how to get acquainted
with new friends.
YOURS FOREVER.
Do you work? Since you do not
enjoy reading, it seems to me that
nothing but work will lift you out
OF yourself and help you to be
happy. In case/you do work, you
need q change Of position and
should take up some profession
which appeals to you more
strongly.
You cannot force love. A guild
Ing hands seems to draw ouI
friends and lovers to US. They
seem to come at exactly the right
time in our lives. Have faith that
what is yours will come to you.
Continue to be as lovable and
sympathetic as you know how
Reading will. benefit you and make
you more interesting to others
Perhaps you have not been chocs'
ing the right books. The field Of
reading is so far reaching that yov
ought to find something to your Xix
ing.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

Peter held out his hand. That's
why" he said, and, looking, Susan
Mary beheld four little objects-a
little circle Of gold, with a bright
stone twinkling at her, another lit
tie golden band, quite plain, and yet
quite beautiful; and two bits of
pasteboard, Enthusiastically railroad
tickets. and unmistakably marked
"Hinsville.
"Oh, Peter" said Susan Mary
breathlessly, her eyes shining like
twin stars. "What-why-how-"
Never mind" said Peter, tender,
stern and gentle all at once. only
after you get your hat and coat,
you're going to put on this-and
then this-and Chen we're going to
use these-and we're going back to
Hinsville this very day."
Susan Mary clasped her hands
together, and then, unmindful OF the
girl across the aisle, she looked up
at him with all the love in the
world in her eyes. -
what for" she asked. and then
added, Peter, dear!"
Peter stuffed the four objects In
his pocket in q careless fashion and
then, taking her hands In his, he
answered. quite lovingly, but most
automatically:
Why dear-to learn to make
crullers!"
About six weeks later Susan
Mary, enveloped In q huge apron,
with 4 smudge Of -four on her nose,
lifted the first golden brown twist
from the kettle and gave 1t to Peter,
who. heroically unmindful Of burn
ed fingers, gravely sampled Susan
Mary's virgin cruller.
TITS. bully" he said. In answer to
her anxious look. II don't think
mother ever made q better one"
Susan Mary smiled happily.
What will you pay mo for It. Peter,
dear?"
"Pay?" echoed Peter. with his
lips against her hair. PAY? Why
cash Of oourse!"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

We like those picture advertisements. The
ones where hubby" and wife" are framed in
the doorway Christmas morning exuding tooth
powder smiles over the bullying stockings. A
kitchen cabinet from "wffe-to-hubby." 'It
saves SO many steps, my dear" From hubby
to-wife," fur-lined driving gloves. ITO keep
my tootsie-wootsie's hands warm" :. A
clear case of where it is more blessed to give
than to receive.
How about Powder and Paint? Have you
figured out "Who killed Kock Robin, l mean
Kendrick?" Why not try, you might win that
$500 prize. And wouldn't it come. in handy
when you get that statement rendered" for
the furs you gave (. W. (should that be lower
case'D for Christmas.
II you think the spirit Of Christmas is on
the decline, it's an indication you haven't been
on Second avenue lately.
Take an old mans advice Pansy and don't
snub Leo because his finger nails are in mourn.
ing. Buy him a pocket manicure case fol
Christmas, and teach him the science oil
palmistry.
Now If our old stand-by-put -me-in- print
| contribs. will rummage through their rejected
manuscripts and send US some Of those good
old PONIES" wen have a poetry "colyum" once
| week Come on, G. NJ. F., S., T. S., x. Y. q.
P. D. O., Pansy, Esmerelda, and any of the
new ones whose names we do not know We
are interested in rhyme, rhythm, rheumatism
realism, riddles and robberies. Tell us about
yours in vers libre, polyphonic prose- sonnets
or vers de societe. On account of the scarcity
Of paper we've abandoned rejection slips.
Tomorrow would be good time to- brush
the dust from that copy of Dickens Christmas
Carol and renew acquaintance with Scrooge
Bob Cratchit Mrs. Cratchit, and all the littl'
Cratchits. OF course you remember how Mrs
Cratchit dressed out but poorly in a twice
turned gown" laid the cloth assisted by Be
| linda, and how you wanted to box the ears Of
Master Peter for "plunging a fork into thu
saucepan of potatoes" and chewing the end.
Of his "monstrous shirt-collar." And you've
not forgotten the goose! There never wa.
such a goose"-didn't Bob say there never
was. However, though your memory is per
fectly clear on all these points" the Sag,
thinks it wouldn't hurt to read 1t again-sinc,
| it is Christmas! Anyway, he wishes you all Z
Merry Christmas" and begs to observe as di(
Tiny Tim,
| God blesstus, every one"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

Q. How much did 1t cost to pro.
duce the photoplay "The Birth OF
a Nation!" q. F. c.
A. Press agents have creditei
this picture with costing $1,000 oo.
but the actual figure Is $4,000. It
made for it, producer. D. W: Gri'-
nth. a net profit Of $2.7o0,o0o. Tie
film Is still considered to be worth
| 81 ,000, 900.
@. How much money has been
loaned to farmers through the Fed
eral Land Banks? H. v. s.
A, Since the establishment OF
the IL Federal Land banks. a little
more than two years ago. there has
been loaned to 1863 farmers the
| sum Of $282, 0o7.7S1. During the
month Of November, 1919, an aggre-
gate of $10.66o.0 65 was loaned 10
$3.50 farmers by these banks, Oh
longtime first mortgages.
@. What are the salaries OF the
chief Justice Of the United States
supreme court and his associates
I'M. M. P.
A. The chief justice OF the su-
preme court IN paid an annual sal
airy of $4,000, and each of his eight
associates recs1ve $14,500 per an
mum.
@. When was the potato famine
ifn Ireland? r. NJ
A. From 1S45 to lS47 Ireland
Wffered from = terrible famine, due
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
What's In a Name?
, kittywren is 80 called from assoc
by MILDRED MARSHALL
(Copyrisht. 1919. by the Wheeler Syndicate, Incl

ton as her sacred bird.
The Crusaders brought home the
story OF Katherine's martyrdom
and her name spread In fame
throughout the west. The Italians
had . Santa Catsrina Of Sienna,
whose influence was potent during
the middle ages, thus adding an
other link to the chain Of sanctity
which surrounds the name Of Kath-
erine.-
Another famous Katherine was
the countess Of Salisbury, heroine
OF the garter. John of Gaunt had
a daughter. who. a. queen of Cas-
tile. made Caterina q favorite in
Spain, whence 1t was returned to
England with Katherine Of Aragon,
Catherine de Valo!s. queen of Hem
~ v. brought 1t to France. Several
Of the queens Of the much-married
Henry VIII bore the name of Cath
crime.
The *" in Katherine is the Teu-
tonic rendition. and the shrewish
Katherine Of Germany, a. we'll a.
the far-famed Russian empress, are
examples of the bad reputs Of that
spelling. but the faithful Spanish
Catalina. ~ English queen. wrote
herself Katherine and 10 redeemed
the namo, while the "shrew" was
really Caterina, and the Russian
emDross was sometimes called Eka-
terina.
Kathleen. Kitty. Kate and other
derivatives of Katherine will be
discussed tomorrow,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

The-Dutch minister of war resigned when
the states general trimmed his item in the
budget providing for the maintenance Of an
army Of 100000. Probably the people will lose
little sleep over the loss of the cabinet men,
Der. A standing army Of 100000 for Holland
is out Of all reason. Self governed countries
are not going to carry such heavy war bur-
dens in future nor are they going to permit
their military leaders to dictate their policies.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
The Danger Of Being Alive (1s).
Are Folks at IS Worth Ssyingi

1t seems that most intelligent
communities nowadays back with
good money the theory that It ID
worth while trying to save the
babies. Most intelligent communi-
ties also seem willing to gamble
little something on the belief
that the lives Of youths and ado
lescents are worth saving from the
great destroyer of youth, tubercu-
losis. Although q negligible per
centum of the population consists
OF queer folk who imagine 1t Is not
worth while trying to modify the
ways Of Providence in matters Of
health, the substantial bulk Of the
civilized population today is COM
posed Of hard-headed people. who
know that it pays to spend q rea-
sonable amount of money annually
for the protection of health, as
surely Is 1t pays to spend money
for the protection Of life by the po-
lice and Of property by the fire de-
partment.
But the shrewd taxpaying part Of
the public apparently does not feel
that 1t is good business policy to
spend money in prolonging the use
fulness and the life Of citizens Of
As years or older. DR.. Osler's ia
cetious quotation of the novelist
who thought chloroform "indicat-
ed" for elderly members of the
! family is taken In real earnest by
the taxpayers, 1t would seem.
Many Of our public health de-
partments are now furnishing with
out charge not only Wassermann
blood tests but also treatment for
syphilis in persons who can not or
will not buy medical service for
themselves. In half Of these cases,
at any rate, the disease is the indi-
viduals own fault and the individ!
uals are not the type we should
select to save. Yet we try to save
them Unfortunately, and at con-
siderable expense.
An annual physical examination
Of painstaking kind made by a ply
stefan whose ability is unquestion-
ed is SO much worth while that a
constantly increasing number OF
shrewd people are Of their own vo-
lition availing themselves Of it,
appropriating the fee and the time
| required as an investment in health
assurance. A stitch in time, an
ounce Of prevention, and all that
sort of thing.
We, the people, pay for special
health assurance for the babies
because this is mere economy. We
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
CRULLERS, CASH AND CROCK
FRY.
By Elizabeth N. Lee.


(Copyright. 1919. by The Wheeler
Syndicate, Incl
Susan Mary Smith had sold
crockery and fancy china in the
basement of Brownley-Hill's de-
partment store until 1t seemed. that
the very look Of q salt cellar would
make her scream. She hated every
fragile bit Of china. every sturdy
mixing bowl. and she hated making
out cash slips and crying CASH"
at the top of her lungs every day.
And most Of all she hated the girl
across the aisle because the girl
across the aisle had frizzy hair,
and Susan Mary's hair. like her
name. was very straight and quite
sensible, not given the frizzes at ALL
! It wouldn't have taken much to in
duce Susan Mary to walk out of the
basement and never come in again;
but there was Peter to be consid-
ered.~
Yes. Peter was very much to be
considered, because Peter was 10
blame for the whole thing. Susan
Mary and Peter had played together
in Hinsville, and had gone 70
school together, and done each
others sums and competitions, AID
everyone supposed It was quite in
the course OF human events that
some cay Susan Mary would be-
Gene Mrs. Peter. and Susan Mary
herself, supposed so. too. But
Peter. four years after high school
graduation, had developed BASH
y full streak. and Susan Mary found
herself quite loverless. with her
dreams Of the farm next to hsr
fathers all gone into nothingness.
simply because Peter hadn't pro-
posed. Susan Mary was 20 and de-
fermined. and when she saw the
advertisement in the city paper s,,r
salesgiris she promptly answerey!
4. and followed her snswe- three
davs later. She told Peter rather
cruelty that she was tired Of Hins'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

o ssca isdivsdul. 10 :ss..ass n, =
to the failure Of the potato crop.
Great numbers emigrated, chiefly
to America. Many also died, and
1t IL said that the population Of Ire
land had decreased q million and
half by 1S4s.
Q. What is the national wealth
Of France? S. S. I
A. The national wealth Of France
before the war was estimated at
about $67 700 ZOO, 900. Even during
the war, Frances wealth showed a
gain. and It Is estimated today to
be about 100000. 100000 This is
less than one-half of the national
wealth Of the United States.
@. Has there ever .been Q tiiEe
in the history of the world WHEN
silver had q greater commerc al
value than gold?' H. H. S.
A. In the 18th century, B. G.,
one ounce Of silver was worth ID
ounces Of gold In Arabia. 1t is also
known that in India in the latte,
part Of the sixth century B. c.. til.
relative value Of silver and 60.
was one to four. in favor Of sill =.
q. How does the number of Ital-
fans employed IN the various indus
tries in Italy compare with THO SO
engaged in agriculture? d. X.
A. According to the census cs
1911. there were 100000 Italians
iemployed In manufacturing indus
tries, and 100000 In agriculture. 9
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
THE DAILY SHORT STORY

Vile and she wanted to see life and
have a good time while she was
young. and poor, shy Peter, his pro-
posal trembling on his lips, watch
ed the train out Of the station and
trampled dejectedly back to the
farm to ruin a perfectly good fur
row by absent-minded blowing.
Susan Mary hung on quite bit
longer than anyone had ever
thought she would, but no one in
Hinsville had counted on her deter
mination. She had reached The
point finally when she longed for
the dusty country roads and the
soft stars, for asphalt streets were
horrid to walk on. and somehow or
other the city stars we're hard and
unsympathetic. On the day whom
she INDUCED in her Hun-like hymn
of hate against everything citrified
big box was delivered at the store
addressed to her, and 1t proved to
be from Peters mother-a box full
Of country goodies, which Susan
Mary promptly shared with he
frizzy-haired girl. But 1t was when
she came to the bottom layer that
the climax was reached.
"Crullers!" said Susan Mary, OF
the verge of tears. "Oh. aren't they
wonderful" And she sat down be.
hind the counter in an adoring at.
titude before the crisp brown twists
Of deliciousness.
"Ot course" said Susan Mary
quite emphatically. 1T was very
nice OF Peters mother. but I know
perfectly we'll Peter had nothing te
do with 1t. OF course not. And q
he didn't want me, I don't want
him. No. I don't! Oh, my, no! And
don't care either. I Just simply
don'tGars. At least" she amended
a tribe wistfully; Il don't think
do; but-oh, dear mel"
"P-s-s-s-t!" Kissed the girl across
the aisle. aud Susan Mary scram'
bled guiltily 70 her fest to behold
a customer towering above her.
! customer at sight Of whom sha
nearly fell dnwn again behind ths
countef
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

Heart Broken: The young
man you love has grown away from
you evidently. Bad roads prevented
his calling and new interests have
taken up his time, and so grad
ually he has stopped thinking of
you. 1t may be that springtime
will reawaken his thoughts of you
and that you will hear from him
again.
You must not grieve so much.
Think Of the many men and women
who have suffered in the way you
are now suffering. To outward ap-
pearance they are happy and at
peace mentally. Surely you want
to be as brave.
Everything depends upon your
will. II you really enjoy grief, you
will permit yourself to think and
suffer. But II you want to be brave
and accept the beauty and happi-
ness which life constantly offers,
you can do so. Turn your thoughts
from the past and live in the pres
emit with hope for the future.
Do not write by any means. Since
you mentioned the pin in your last
letter and have not had a reply
keep 1t until It is called for. It is
merely superstition to think that
accepting the pin broke your
friendship.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: My lit.
tie girl, who is years old, has
thin hair and it falls out in guam
titles. Do you think it would grow
any faster If l have it bobbed? She
wants it bodied, but think the
hair is so ugly when 1t starts to
grow long. What would you ad.
wise? MRS, C.
II you have your child's hail
bobbed and treat the scalp with g
, good hair tonic, the hair will stor
falling and the growth will in.
crease. Have the hair bobbed for 9
year or two and you will see mark
ed improvement.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

Holiday greetings will not be transmitted
by wire in six Of the leading European nations
this year. They have other things to think
about over there this Christmas and the gov
ernments, which own the wires, refuse to be
bothered with on-essentials.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

Reporters did not have much trouble finding
the mysterious woman who shot the proprietor
of a Chicago shooting gallery. There are no
strings on your newspaper sleuth.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1919.
Merry Christmas!

Armed with German guns and each pro-
tected by photograph OF Carranza, worn over
the heart, those Mexican soldiers should be
well nigh invincible.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

No less than 10000 applications have been
made recently for permission to use alcohol
in the'manufacture Of hair tonics, and yet the
ball headed row is getting longer every day.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

This is the kind Of Christmas you used tt
have, in the good old days" you like to tel
about The Christmas Of say-a quarter OF {
century ago, don't you recall how tho treel
looked in their tinsel as you coasted down the
old hill while mother got breakfast? And ths
hot cakes and maple syrup! Do they TASTE
like that these days? Well say they do-NOT
And why not?
Some OF the streets are mighty slippery
We hope and strongly advise Santa to put OF
his chains. Safety first.
The Night Before Christmas.
"'Tfs the night before Christmas
And all over town,
Are the tire-tracks of Santa Claus
Up hill and down.
The reindeer and sleigh
Are too pokey and slow.
., To take the good saint
=. Where he's promised to 90.
If
So he travels by auto,
And never is bored
When the roads are SO bad,
He must ride in Ford.
Some presents he brings,
Are decidedly strange.
They are marked Chg, .,0-
And subject to change
u
There are some labeled, Father
And others for Jim;
1t was surely some chore,
Buying presents for him.
=.
On. the bundles and packets
OF jewels and fur,
That Santa is dropping
On door-steps for her.
A.
IT'S the night before Christmas,
And all over town,
Old Santa is busy
In reaping renown.'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24

England is we'll pleased with the price quot
ed for American bacon, fact which is bound
to create an uncomfortable suspicion in the
mind of the average American.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-24
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,
Left.Handed Children,

!. Should a child who is naturally
left-handed be made to use the
right hand for writing? 1t is easy
for the child to write left-handed,
but very difficult with the right
hand. A. M. II.
Answer-By no means should a
child who seems to prefer the left
hand be required to train only the
right hand. Either follow natures
obvious intent or train both hands
for fine work. A two-handed indi-
vidual has a better developed
brain than a one-handed individ-
ual. When natural left-handedness
is forcibly repressed, Just because
the teacher likes to see the right
hand used, there is reason to be-
lieve that the child's nervous sys-
tenn is injured. For instance. good
evidence has been presented to sup
port the belief that this forced
change may produce suffering;
and the suffering may be relieved
by resuming the left-handedness
BY no means should the mere within
of q teacher be the criterion in this
important question.
Pimples.
Please inform, mo what causes
pimples and how to get rid Of them.
r. G.
Answer think the cause Is
Wise Mother Nature, who produces
the pimples Just to act as q sort OF
balance against vanity which spoils
80 many otherwise fine young folks
Pimples. so far as anybody but the
gossip knows, are physiological in
youth. II you care to risk a stamp
ed addressed envelope on the ven
ture, I'll be glad to send you some
detailed suggestions about Kidding
your face Of pimples.