davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Brad's Bit O. Verse
MALE ATTIRE.

At sundry times l hear men rail
and raise a most luPubrious vail
and rant and roar and snort and
wheeZe at female fashions vain de-
crees. But why should man indulge
in sneers at hats absurd, or other
gears; or why should woman's fool
attire disturb his calm and rouse
his ire? If he could look at his own
clothes his life would be so full of
woes he'd have no time 10 grieve
and vex at fashions of the geutler
sex. Man wears a big stiff bosomed
shirt that makes him sigh and grOan
and hurt; his shoes turn inward al
the toe, his necktie is of noisy glow,
be wears long pants and turns them
up, his vest would bluff a speckled
pup. his collar is so high and tight
it gives TO nervous folks a fright
With jingling bangles on his wrist
and belt that gives his form twist,
what right has he to say a word
'gainst any style grotesque, alb
surd? Oh man. your own eye has a
mote; for when you don a spike
tail coat and tog yourself in even
ing dress, you've reached the limit
Of distress. GLEN BRADSHAW.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
CURRENT COM lent

, districts where life can hardly be
guaranteed. Chihuahu has a Villa
committing outrages upon Amer
leans. In Sonora the Yaqui Indians
are endangering property and lives.
In the Tampico district the great
oil properties are threatened daily
and General Palaces is opposing
CarranZa There is a Zapata strong
hold not far south of Mexico City.
Notwithstanding great efforts Car
rama has failed 70 paclfy the peo-
pie in Caxaca.
The state department appears TO
have awakened TO the fact that
since the armistice terms were
signed by Germany, the Mexicans
are treating Britons, French, Ital-
ians, Belgians. Australians and
even some Germans with more con-
sideration and with more courtesy
! than they are treating Americans
Business men from our states have
not been given sufficient protection
in Mexico while Britain finds little
difficulty in guaranteeing safe pas
sage for her business men even
through some of the districts which
are infested with insurrectionists.
The extraordinary session of our
congress, when it comes, is expect
ed to make some definite decisions
which will inform Mexico that she
must straighten our her troubles in
SO far as they are interfering with
the safety of American lives and
the security of American posses
SiOnS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Eyesrain.
NOTED Pay

Eyesrain.
Perfect eyesight is practically
unknown to occulists- Nearly ev-
cry human eye, at least in the civ
ilized world, is in one way or an
other defective. One may have
very defective vision, yet expert
ence no symptoms from it, provid-
ed ones general hygiene is good
and one happens to be in good
physical condition. But when the
condition is impaired from any
cause, say a seige of illness, then
the defective vision is likely to
tell on one, and for this reason it
is unwise for convaIescents to read
in bed.
Many individuals have displace-
mentsFof organs without suffering
any symptoms or ill consequences.
Sagging of the stomach or a float
ing kidney or a displaced womb
usually causes no symptoms, pro-
vided the patient is not informed of
the displacement. But let such an
individual get run down by bad
hygiene or by Ford or something,
and then the displacement may be-
gin to give trouble.
Specialists see life through
glasses of their own. The surgeon
sees things red, the neurologist
sees blue, and so on An occuIist
conceived eyestrain as a possible
cause OF epilepsy, and he was Civ
en- carte blanch in great colony
for epileptics. He spent much
time accurately measuring vision
and fitting glasses to a large num-
Der of patients. Something like
ninety-nine of them continued with
their epilepsy unchanged after
proper glasses had been fitted. and
one patient Immediately ceased
having seizures and had no more
for many months. One day he
broke his glasses and shortly aft
erward had his first seizure. New
glasses were obtained and he had
no more seizures. In his case, OBJ
viousIy the epilepsy-one out of a
hundred.
That eyestrain often causes
headaches everybody knows, but
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
~OUT WEST"
(By RALPH HAMILTON)
tCopyright, 1919, by Western News

paper Union.)
Gan insufferable old bore!"
yes, and looks and acts like a
beggar. Thought from his talk when
ne went out west a year ago, he
was going to come back with for
tune. Looks to me as if he has about
blown in all he has on that wild
Flower fad of his"
ayes. and he wants to find some
place to store his rubbishy stuff. He
wont turn this place into ware
house. l can tell you!
Thus Abel Dallas, Dan Porter and
Nat Wells They were discussing
their old bachelor relative, John
Bristow. an odd, generous old rel-
low who had sold out quite extern
sive property holdings in Evenden
and had gone to the Pacific coast
10 speculate. They had built high
hopes upon his return, for Bristow
was a natural born trader and had
uuite some capital. Naturally some
one of them would inherit his for
tune. Blasted anticipations changed
10 sullen disappointment after Bris-
tow had made the rounds of their
various homes, at the first q well
come guest. Following him came
lot of cases which he had temper
ariiy stored in a local warehouse
Their contents were soon revealed.
II suppose" announced BrfstoW,
that | have brought back with me
The finest and most complete col
lection of the floral of the Rockies
over gathered bought it. from a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Federal Home Loan Banks.

The next congress will be asked to enact
legislation necessary to the establishment of a
system of federal home loan banks. tenta-
I'VE bill has been prepared and has been mailed
10 all officers and committees of the U. S
League of Building associations
In its campaign to stimulate building activ-
tiles the U. s. department of labor, in January,
invited representatives of the L. S. League of
Building associations to a conference in Wash
ington for a discussion of ways and means OF
increasing the usefulness of the building and
loan associations. 1t was realized that these
associations played an important part in the
home building activities of the nation and it
the hope of the department of labor that
their field of usefulness might be enlarged.
Out of this conference came the movement in
favor of a national system of home loan banks
through which these associations might redis-
count their securities and make available for
further loans greater portion of their assets.
The chief work of the building and loan
associations is lending money to home builders
Association representatives in the Washington
conference. suggested that congress enact a
law, permitting these associations to organize
regional banks, capitalized by the associations
and operated by them under government super
vision. The purpose of this was to provide a
regional bank which would perform for build
ing associations service similar to that per-
formed by the federal reserve bank for the
commercial banks, and by the federal land
bank for the National Farm Loan association.
Owing to the congestion in important legs-
lative matters in the last congress it was i'm
possible to obtain consideration for the fed
eral home loan bank project The building and
loan associations, working in harmony with
the aims of the department Of labor in its
campaigns for the revival OF building and con-
struction activities, no& have drafted tenta-
tive bill which. with such revisions may be
considered prudent will be introduced in the
next congress with the influence of the ma
tional and state organizations of building and
loan associations behind it.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
1T CAME NEAR BEING TOTAL
LOSS
dearborn independently

! dearborn independently
( The supreme horror of the war
the world has escaped. All that has
happened would not have been so
terrible as to have had the war
simply finish itself and nothing
more.
The war. when will she finish
herself?" was the anxious question
in France during the last two years
| of the struggle, as if it were great
conflagration which must burn it
self out sooner or later, leaving
only ashes and ruins.
! THE Europe of the second and
third years of the war was sinking
to sort of stubborn desperation.
They did not see any great thing to
be achieved even when the war
should be won. They hoped there
would be some salvage; they hoped
that they could clear their terri
tories of invading armies; they
J hoped they could set up their homes
and start their industries afresh,
but they thought it would simply
| be the resumption of the old life
that Europe had led. They
never dreamed that it would be a
Europe of settled peace and JUST
fed hope"
In these iIlumined words Presi-
dent Wilson has pictured the ex-
IRENE point OF futility to which the
| war sank in the minds of both con-
| testants.
Suppose it had gone on that way.
Suppose the war had simply ex-
hausted itself and stopped. Sup
pose the race had been like men
after a terrible tornado or earth
quake had passed-able to snatch
no fruits from the experience,
pathetically reduced to helpless
ness. victims of the same tragedy
the next time it should pass over.
| Could anything have been more ter
rible than that?
But when the nations had given
| up glowing visions of victory and
were fighting with their heads
down. a new force entered. The
Americans came in vowing that this
should be the last war.
The worn out allies lifted their
heads-a new war was beginning
the war against war.
The old war was fast losing: the
war of Germany against the world
was lost-the war of the world
against Germany was petering out
when the new war began.
A new spirit ran along the lines.
The war against war began to
move. It began to press the war-be-
lieving enemy back. 1t began to gain
battles. 1t began to break the
enemy. In the end it won.
What won? Not the old war, but
the new faith that. after all. some
thing Of eternal benefit could be
gained from this struggle.
Some people wish the world
to go back to it's 1915 and 1916 hope
lessness. But it is too late. Our
president, our armies and our peo-
pie went out to win world peace.
They won it They are now consol-
idating what they have gained for
humanity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
}7FIIFIl5 DAILY SHORT STORY

man who had devoted twenty years
toward assembling them. Thinks |,
there isn't much l have done for my
native town and here's the oppor-
tunity to make a ten strike. What
I'm going to do is to get at the col
lection, classify it, put it in per-
manent exhibition cases and present
it to the public library for the en-
tertainment and enlightenment of
the community.
At which Abel secretly snickered.
Dan anathemized the donation un-
der his breath and Nat covertly
sneered. The idea! The public
library was a struggling PROPOSE
ton, poorly supported and housed
in small. gloomy quarters in the
half attic of a rickety old store
building.
The inevitable resulted. The Dali
las, the Porter and the Wells fami-
lies, finding that there was no OPP
portunity of getting anything out of
"the old fellow" began to turn the
cold shoulder upon him. One by one
the three families ceased their cod
ding tactics. He was no longer the
AOAOTeu, "elCOAAe guest anu, OAC
day when Bristow stated that he
must find permanent living quarters
and place TO keep his floral treas
ures, not a voice gainsaid his de-
cision. 1t was while seeking his new
refuge that one day Bristow met
Nellie Tracy. Her sincere greeting
warmed his lonely heart. She was
his half niece, had recently mar
ried, and invited Bristow to her
home There he met her husband,
about as fine young man as he
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

had ever known. Both Arnold Tracy
and his wife were nature lovers.
The second visit resulted in Bristow
taking up his quarters at their
home. They apportioned to him two
rooms, so he could have his collec-
ton ready at hand to arrange and
catalogue, making a minimum
charge for the accommodation be-
cause they were really interested in
his specimens and liked him, and
nearly every evening took an hon
est delight in helping him in CLASH
flying the floral collections.
John Bristow was certainly an ar
dent devotee of his engrossing fad.
He talked flowers to everybody, an
nouncing that when Judge Pearsons
returned from visit to some rela-
tives in the east, they would begin
TO plan as to getting the collection
in charge of the public library. This
Mr.. Pearsons was an ex-judge, a
great friend of Bristow, and had
been the main mover in establishing
the Evenden library.
Meantime the Dallas and the Por-
ter and the Wells families barely
recognized the old man when they
passed him on the street Bristow
went about in shabby attire and
they attributed this to a lack Of
money. They sneered at the kindly
cooperation of the Tracys. They
derided the philanthropic impulses
of Bristow. There being no evil
dences that he had not exhausted
his former means, they regarded
him as unworthy of any considera-
ton.
And one evening Judge Pearsons
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

walked into the Tracy home and
there was a great confab. He COM
mended the worthy motives of the
old man, and dilated upon the
pleasure and the education the
floral collection would give to
students and nature lovers.
1T seems shame to place such
treasures in the poor, common quar-
tiers we now occupy" he remarked.
"Oh. | wanted to see you about
that" exclaimed the enthusiast in a
lively tone. You see I've been
waiting to have you help me plan
out a new building for the library"
"A new building!" repeated the
judge vaguely.
That's what | am going to do"
But the cost-the money!"
ooh, I've got plenty for that"
quite craftily chuckled the old man.
And then he directed a queer, af-
fectionate smile at Nellie and Arm
old. Judge" he said, soon as we
can get together for a good talk, l
want you to make out the papers
for ten thousand dollar donation
to the new library, and as much
more for these two loyal friends.
who have stood by me like Trojans.
never caring if had only a dollar
or one hundred thousand of them,
which about represents what /
made out west"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
HEAlsTFI TALKS
BY WILLIAM /: J.! BRADY RAD ND.

eyestrain certainly does not cause
more than one in one hundred
headaches.
1t might seem at first blush, RI
diculous to ascribe TO eyestrain
such symptoms as spastic or OBJ
stinate constipation, hyperchlorhy-
dria excessive acid secretion in
stomach), underweight, cold hands
and cold feet, excessive secretion
of saliva in the mouth. pollakiuria
(so-called irritable bladder, too
frequent evacuation of bladder
collie, and many other symptoms.
Yet it is not unusual to see such
symptoms disappear permanently
after the patient puts on glasses,
especially in persons under the age
OF 40. In order to obtain such
happy effects from glasses, how
ever, it is indispensable that the
eye examination be made with the
aid of a cycloplegic-while the eye
is under the complete physiological
rest produced by drops" Any
measurement of vision in such
cases without drops cannot be ex-
pected to detect and eliminate the
latent eyeStrain.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

Dear Mrs. Thompson: When
was attending school, four years
ago, had one girl friend whom l
liked better than all the rest. We re-
manned friends after graduating
from school and l thought nothing
could come between us.
At the beginning OF the war a
young man lived at our house. One
evening when he was at home my
girl friend came over to see me and
they met. He liked her at first sight
and that night made a date with
her. They went together until he
was drafted and went to camp.
There was no engagement between
them.
A short time ago he returned
from France and invited me to his
wedding. The news that he was to
marry was entirely unexpected.
went to the wedding Now my girl
friend says that out of loyalty to
her I should have refused the invi-
tation. l have told her l am sorry
that l did something to displease
her, but she will not forgive me.
What can do? | will do anything
TO regain her friendship.
SADIE.
The girls disappointment in los
ing the man has made her I'M
reasonable for the time being. Stand
in readiness TO meet her half way
when she shows signs of being
friendly again, but do nothing
further to bring about a reconcilia-
ton. She would have gone to the
wedding if she had been in your
place. You have already done more
than was necessary in telling her
that you were sorry to displease
her.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am a
young girl and am engaged to a
young man two years my senior.
When we were engaged l thought
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
ABOUT MEXICO-AGAIN.


Mexico, the peculiar question
mark in international affairs, is to
get a little more definite considera-
ton from the United States in the
near future, unless all signs are
misleading.
This country TO our south has
been one of the open sores for
years. Unable to maintain a salts
factory government itself it has
been trying to instigate trouble for
other nations. Unable to protect its
out citizens it has been unable, or
unwilling, to protect citizens of
other countries. The country which
boasted of considerable progress IN
the early days, which was operating
printing presses and printing
books one hundred years before
printing presses were in use in the
United States. which boosted of an
early civilization which existed
while savages were still roaming
over our acres-this country has
deteriorated and has failed to ad-
vance with the progress character
istic of other nations and other peo-
pies
Mexico is partially pacified at the
present time. However, there are
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Chicago's Shame.
quotations

Chicago should be ashamed to return to the
Office of mayor man with such record and
such poor conception Of obligation to his
country as has made William Hale Thompson
notorious. His only qualification to be
that of leadership of political machine which
is able to put him over, regardless. How he
does it is mystery. His methods would hard
ly be expected to appeal to a sensible con-
stituency. for they are crude and even border
on the grotesque at times And yet Chicago
seems to like them.
Indifference toward duty to the country
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Household Hints

one can of I've and six quarts Of
water. Add enough water to make
five gallons. Remove from fire and
add one-half pint of equal parts OF
coal oil, gasoline, turpentine ann
ammonia and one-half pint of bon
AK. Stir we'll with a wooden paddle.
Let dry, then cut in bars.
To prevent grease odor in home
made soap:
So many housewives object Ia
making soap, on account of stTOng
grease odor. When making soap
add 10 cents worth of oil Of sassl-
fras just before it hardens. Stir
well, then pour out on pan.
This gives the soap a pleasant
smell.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
H0drt @oE4On10
17,91(DPODCOf11cC "
V Z MRC. ELIZABETH THOMPSON
by TEMPLE

a great deal OF this boy. But Ian r
he started going with other girls
and 1 have turned against him and
want to break the engagement l
have not seen him privately TO tell
him.
When we are together he treats
me fine, but when in a crowd he
acts as though he doesn't know me.
What shall / do in this case?
BROWN EYES.
Write to the young man and tell
him that you no longer consider
yourself engaged to him. A girl
should not even consent to be a
friend to a man unless he is proud
of her in a crowd as well as alone.
I think you were fortunate TO learn
the young mans true character be-
fore it was too late and you were
married to him.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: What ma
terial is suitable for a wedding
dress for a girl whose wedding is in
August? / would like something not
too expensive and yet not too cheap.
AUBURN HAIR.
White marquisette is very
pretty wash material. 1t would be
more practical, however for a
spring wedding. Your dress will be
worn, probably, during the follow
ing fall and winter. If you can af7
ford it, get georgette crepe, pussy
willow taffeta or charmeuse. =
Dear Mrs. Thompson: I have n
pair of gray shoes. After wearing
them once when l had on rubbers,
from rubbing, the bottom Of the
shoes seem to have turned lighter.
What can put on them to make
them the same color? ANNA R
Get a gray cleaner at the shoe
store where you bought the shoes.
They will probably restore the color
but if it does not, you will have TO
have the shoes dyed
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

An order has been issued forbidding naval
yeowomen to brighten up their uniforms with
fancy trimmings, etc That will take a good
deal of the glamor out of the navy for the
women Most men look better in uniforms,
however plain, but there is not enough per-
sonal adjournment about the ordinary army or
navy garb for the other sex.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

The summer girl will favor the
cape and dolman. These two styles
of wraps are particularly suited for
ear with crushable spring and sum-
mer frocks. 1t seems strange that
fashion dictators must renew such
perfectly comfortable and becoming
fashions. One would think that
once introduced they would never
need renewal. They are without a
doubt the only correct wrap for the
coming season.
This graceful coat with dolman
sleeves is fashioned of sand col
cred tricot which resembles trico-
lette but has a finer weave. 1t is
trimmed with bands of old blue and
has u shoestring belt which ties in
the front. Pleats from the Shout
ders give a bit of fullness in the
front and the convertible collar is
as becoming when worn low as it is
when fastened snugiy at the neck.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
Questions and Answers.

The Neighborly Camps took
six treatments (hypodermic injec-
tions) from the doctor for anemia
and chlorosis. ! gained so rapidly
that / discontinued the treatments
although he advised u. Some
neighbors tell me that if l do not
take IL each year for three years
I am likely to go insane when l get
older. Please tell me if this IS
true, as l am worried.
MISS Fl. A. S.
Answer-Your neighbors' advice
is pure nonsense.
Doubtful Sterilization-Is it suf-
ficient to put instruments to be
used for a minor operation in a
lysoI solution? +. 7. M.
Answer 1t is questionable
whether the instruments would be
sterilized. They should be boiled
five minues at least.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

It remained for the German bourgeoise to
try counter strike against the proletariat
It's a game that two can play, but the prole-
tariat, having nothing to ante with, are pretty
certain to come out ahead.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02
SERVICE OF MONEY

Statistics at the University of
Illinois show that 70 women were
enlisted in the various branches of
war work and that 10 of them saw
overseas service
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

Control OF the packing industry having been
relinquished by the government we shall now
see whether the food administration has been
pushing up or holding down the price Of meat
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

The report that peace had been signed was
only an April fool joke, but suckers who bit
on the armistice hoax last November were wary
this time.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-02

A little girl, roundabout
With face as sweet as saur kraut
A character who is always such
That thinks too little. talks too much,
In an empty-headed giddy way
Talks OF her friends the live-long day,
1t matters not who these may be
1t may be you and it may be me,
She's a real domestic, cooks and sews
And who she may be, God only knows
Il, p