davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

Yestidday 1 snapped Pubs Simkins
a roller skate for a pen nife, the roller
skate being all rite exsept one roller
was off and the other wouldent go
erround good, and. the pen knife be-
ing all rite exsept it ony had one blade
and that's more dull than wat it is
sharp, and last mite pop was smoak-
ing and thinking and l sed,. got a
new pen nife, pop, 1 mean it amt new
for pen nife, but its new for me,
have you got eny pencils you wunt
sharpened, pop?
Wy, yes, come to think of IT. / jest
bawt a new 10 sent pencil and all it
needs is point to make it a perfeck-
ly useful pencil, sed pop And he took
it out of his poclSit and handed it to
me, saying, Bizzy men have no use
for a pencil without point or a point
without a pencil, in union there is
strength.
Yes sir. 1 sed And I started to
sharpen it, being a long sidney yello
pencil with a red rubber on the other
end in case of mistakes. And 1 start
ed to sharpen it with the pen nife.
the blade being SO dull you had to
feel twice to find out which wasent
the sharp side, and after 1 had bin
sharpening it about 5 minnits the pen
Gil started to look changed, being jest
as .yello but only about half as long,
On account of me having to press
breaking off every time it got big
enuff to.
C, 1 thawt. And I sed to pop,
Wouldent you drather have a shoart
pencil than long one. pop?
o well, 1 don't keep them very long,
joak, sed pop. And 1 kepp on trying
to sharpen it, and pritty soon it was
SO small nobody wouldent of Eekon-
! lied it if it hadent of ben still yello
and all of suddin pop sed, Hah; Ill
make a memorandum of that, Benny
wares that pencil?
Heer it is, / sed. And 1 handed ii
to him. having a point on it at last
but not having hardly enything elsts
eXsept the rubber, pop saying Wares
| the one I gave you to sharpen?
That's it, I sed> and pop -sed, The
doose it is, and I sed, Yes sir, you can
tell by the rubber. WITCH pop jest
looked at it, saying, My noble long 10
sent pencil. how you have changed.
WITCH it had, and pop made me eileen
| up the shavings and told me the next
time L wunt to sharpen a pencil for
him to kindly don't.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
THE PROMOTERS WIFE
BARBARA HEARS GOSSIP OF
BLANCHE AND NEIL.
CHAPTER XII.

Naturally, 1 was immensely relieved
that Neil had not been with Blanche
-Orton, yet, 1 knew that in some way
Payne Orton's death had been the
cause of his excitement. also of his
remaining out all night. I wanted
to question him. but feared to anger
him and so waited until after he had
finished his. dinner and was smoking
his cigar in the library
Aren't you going to tell me where
you were last night. Neil? 1 was ter
ribly worried. l didn't sleep a wink.
You ran off without a word, you re-
member
81 was attending to business at the
club until late. Then 1 was so tired
1 turned in there. I had to see a
man there very early"
Business that Mr.. Orton's death
made neceSSary?''
YES" he frowned.
Cant you explain what it was to
me, dear? 1 have been SO anxious"
''No-you wouldn't understand
and talking does no good" The same
old excuse. and one with which
never could feel satisfied: that
wouldn't understand.
How did he know that I wouldn't ?
Never had he given me a chance to
try.
Payne Orton's funeral was to be
strictly private. But 1 knew Neil had
sent Blanche OrtOn orchids, because
the day after was the first of the
month and the bill for them came that
morning.
1 saw little of Neil in those. days
following the death of Payne orion.
I was not very well, and SO remained
more closely at home than usual.
Yet. in a way, did not think of him
as being with her. AS far as I knew,
Neil never had told me an untruth /;
and if he had not gone to her the
night of her trouble, what right had
L to think he was with her now But
that he was terribly anxious and wor-
ried. was plainly to be seen.
Then came the day when Lorraine
Morton disturbed what peace of mind
1 had. 1t was a, dismal, rainy after
noon, and she said tn. she knew 1
would be depressed, SO she had
dropped everything to run over and
cheer me up.
Lorraine meant well, but az 1 have
said she was inclined to gossip.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
SAEETY-VALVEs.

I once heard a woman friend OF
mine, of large affairs. state that at
times she would like to go out into the
middle of the street and just scream
advised her to go ahead and do
it-that it would do her no harm and
do lots of people good-for the simple
reason that so many people feel exact
~ the way she felt.
The saving power of humanity
seems to be its safety valves If they
are used properly.
But our civilization is so mixed up
and runs so cross-wise that it really
becomes a discouraging thing just to
live-at times
1 have never been a believer in
"pent-up" emotions / have always
noticed that the person who gave away
to tears or even to temper, cleared
the atmosphere and made themselves
a better and more livable person. after
wards
It's the bad things in us. tL@t we
throw off and eliminate. and leave and
drop and walk over. that make US
more capable along the lines most
worth while
If you feel like crying-go ahead
and cry. There's nothing disgraceful
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
HEART AND BEAUTY
PROBLEMS
BIZ MRS. ELIzABEFH THOMPSON.

Dear Mrs. Thompson: am a
young man 20 years old, of a good
family. go to church and keep good
company
Last winter I worked in a mine and
boarded with a family which had a
girl. We were greatly attached to
each ctLsr and were engaged to be
married. But she wouldn't go any
place with me. She refused to go
when 1 asked her, but in little while
she would put on her hat and coat
ard slip out with other fellows. And
so 1 told her if she did not quit it 1
would leave. She didn't quit, and SO I
left. Did do the right thing or not ?
greatly love this girl and now she
won't even answer my letters.
Can you suggest anything for a
man in my predicament? E. r.
1t is evident that the girl does not
love you. She seems lacking IN {
sense of honor since she went with
other men against your wishes when
you forget her the happier you will
be.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am a man
of % and am engaged to a girl of
Is. Do YOU think that 1 am too old
for her?
She is a gay butterfly and 1 get
rather tired taking her places she
wants to go. Do you think I ought
to marry her?
I do not think you should marry
the girl. If you loved her you would
not be so much in doubt. She is a
mere child and if you do not marry
her she will get over caring for you
and at the right time love some one
else. 1 fF7s ~
There is too much difference in
your ages for you to be congenial,
and congeniality is the most import
ant factor in a happy marriage.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

The Huns have resumed their old
game of bluff. They are bowling
loudly over the terms of the peace
treaty and declare that it will not be
signed. But it will not be necessary to
renew the war in order to induce Ger
many to sign. The allies possess a
weapon far more powerful than guns
with which to enforce their decree.
sit consists in the power to withhold
food and other needed supplies from
the Teutons. They not only can re-
fuse to furnish necessaries Of life and
industry to Germany. but they can
prevent anybody else from furnishing
them. Hunger is a great pacifier.
The Huns allege that the terms of the
treaty are not in accord with Presi-
dent Wilson'S fourteen points. That is
no fault of the presidents. He has
stood by them nobly. When the de-
feated Teutons appealed fer an armi-
stice they appealed to Marshal Foch
and not to President Wilson and the
armistice terms took precedence over
all others. 1t might have been better
had they surrendered Internationally
They might have been saved from
much delay and vexation of spirit.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
Is YEARS AGO In TOPEKA.
From the columns OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL

April IL. 1895.
Judge Haven has appointed Guflford
Dudley receiver Of the Kansas State Fair
association TO succeed the late Col Alien
Sells. The new receivers bondsrncu ana
II. ii. Foster and Howell Jones'
VIM. Pope Of the Topeka Call aud II. r.
Jeitz OF the Topeka Ledger. two local negro
papers. have formed a combination for tire
purpose of publishing daily paper. tire
issue of which appear May l..
IL ~ understood that the combination will
pc ID the Interest Of John Brown FOR state
auditor
Tho Nalhalla club will meet his evening
with G. Il. aud G. 81. Merriam Ia rpira re
their play. THE Lean Of n Lover" which
they expect to produce In about two weeks.
Mrs. Edwin Hi1Iyer entertained this af-
ternoon Ia honor Of her daughter. Mrs II.
l.. Il. Hillyer Of Iowa. The guests were
Mrs. Edwin SBowirs. Mrs. r. IT. Mayo. NrS.
ieorRe Penfield- Mrs. J. 81. Wood. Mrs. n.
Eosworth. Mrs.. q. c. Frost. Mrs IsurnIarn.
Mrs J. r. Daniels. Mrs. Il. T.. Britt and
Mrs stiles: Misses FIara Mayo Mabel
Knowles, Louise Burnham and StoddarsI.
Miss Margaret MHlvane viii GO 20 Enn>
sas city tomorrow TO remain fhA week ana
attend the grand opera.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
.INFoRMATION FOR ALL CEADERs OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL.

Each reader OF The State Journal is
Offered tile unlimited use Of the largest in
formation bureau in the world.
This Service Bureau Is located IN the ma
tiOnat caT al. where II Is In tmmediate
touch with all the great resources OF the
United States government.
IL can answer practically any question
you want TO ask, but-it can't give ad-
vice, nor make exhaustive research
The war forced 50 many changes In the
daily life OF the American people that the
services OF this Information bureau will be
Invaluable to all who use II.
Keep in touch with your government at
all times. 1t can help you In thousand
ways n your wants are only made known.
The State journal pays for this splendid
service In order that every one OF It's read
ers may take free advantage Of it You are
welcome to use II as often as you Ike.
Write your request briefly; sign your
name and address plainly. enclose S.cent
stamp for return postage and address the
Topeka STATE JOURNAL INTORMA-
TON BUREAU.
ton. ID. e.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
Q1RBeaE
lE6lHkS
zD
E23arIG us5t
THE BIG PROBLEM.

He's a >Hunkie or a wop, he's Dago
a Greek.
And the language of our country is a
tongue he cannot speak,
He has sought the land of freedom for
the dream is in his breast.
And he's groping rather blindly for the
things he knows are best,
He's a power for good or evil, he will
hate us or revere
And become friend or traitor from the
way we treat him here.
He has heard about our country in a
vague and hGzy way.
It's the land where men are happy and
where little children play,
But he's strange to all the customs that
surround him now he $ here
And he misses much that's spoken, but
he understands sneer.
He would like to do as we do, but he
doesn't quite know how.
And he'll never grow to like US, If we all
neglect him now.
There's a mighty force within him il
we only understood,
We can spurn it to our danger, or can
mold it to our good;
We can turn our backs upon him. or
can make of him a friend,
Who will come to speak our language and
the flag we love defend
labor of his hand
We must teach him all our customs till
he learns to love our land.
He's a Hunkie or wop. he's Dago
But he's very busy thinking. tho his
thoughts he cannot speak.
In the future he'll be something-tlIat
is true of every man
And the blame may be upon US If he's
So let's make of him Yankee and let's
treat him as a friend.
And let's teach him love of freedom
it will pay US in the end.
Copyright 1919 by Edgar A. Guest.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

Despite the failure of the last con-
Eress to pass important appropriate ton
measures. the federal government, it
isreported, is getting under way a vast
amount of building and construction
work. Congress passed the appropri-
alton for $9.O5O.OOO for new hospitals
and improvements to old ones needed
BY the public health service and this
building activity is being rushed and
will be under way by the end of the
year. Some of these projects will be
under construction by midsummer.
More than sac. 900, 600 are involved in
the maintenance and construction
work set out in the rivers and harbors
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
DECLINE OLE EFFIC1ENcY.

The railways CT the United States
are being operated at tremendous
loss, and the deficit must be made up
by taxes or increased rates. The pub
lie has a right to demand that the men
to whose payrofls they are forced to
contribute shall give fair service in
return for big wages. 1t will be better
for the country at large, for it will
reduce the cost of transportation to
the travelling public and to shippers
and consumers, as well as lessening
the burden of taxation. It will be
better for the men themselves, for
there is no finer moral stimulus than
the impulse to give a full days work
for full days pay.
Early in 1917 we had about $780,
600 railroad employees. In January of
this year the number had been swol-
len to 100000. 1t is only fair to
state that this number has been some
what reduced since the first of the
year.
I Wages have risen tremendously In
1918 the average per capita wage on
the railroads was 1925 per annum. 1t
is now an average of $3.50. The
brotherhoods have made a much big
ger relative jump in pay.
All this time the efficiency of the
railroad employees appears to have
been declining. This is true of train
men. engineers and the whole operat-
ing force. but it has been especially
marked, it is reported, in the shops
In the hauling of passengers and
| freight the falling off in efficiency is
estimated at from to 10 per cent.
In the shops the lessened output per
man ranges from 25 to SO per cent.
with the average about 40 per cent
The taxpayer can figure what this
means when he realizes that about
| 100000 men are employed in the rail-
road shops of the United States
At least a million dollars a day can
and should be saved by the railroads,
says the wollman Review. This vast
economy can be effected, it holds
without reducing wages, Increasing the
length of the working day or impair
ing the service. AS a matter of fact
it would result in improving the serv-
ice. This saving of more than three
hundred million dollars a year can be
brought about merely by increased
efficiency on the part of railroad en-
ployes and a return to the morale that
prevailed before the United States
government took over the operation OF
the roads.
The question is no longer an issue
between railroad employees and the
corporations on whose lines they work
The people are vitality interested
The annual payroll of our railroads
two years ago was at the rate OF
$500. 100000 per year. 1t is now al
the rate of s2.700.O0O.00O per year
with further raises promised. An in
crease Of 10 per cent in efficiency
would result in a saving of 100000,
600 year.. and a return to the pre-
war standard could easily save a mil.
lion day and release thousands oi
men 20 other lines of productive ef-
fort.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
SMALL SAVINGS.

Never despise small savings no mat
ter how youNare situated, writes S. w.
Straus in The Thrift Magazine.
Arrange to put aside at least a small
sum of money regularly.
Never allow yourself to believe that
your circumstances will not permit
you to practice thrift. If you do not
show the ability to save at least some
thing today, you will have even a
harder fight on your hands in the fu-
ture. Remember above all things that
the smallest amounts Systematically
laid by will become big. bounteous
welcome sums in the years to come.
If you are able to put away only
$3.50 a month you will have 1865 in
ten years, If your savings are deposited
lat per cent compound interest; SO a
month will amount to sac; 81 a
month will become $3.50; $3.50 a
month will grow to s663; So a month
will total s7a7; IS a month will be-
come 1856; $3.50 a month will sum
up $1,106; and $40 a month or less
than $2.50 a week will yield the COM
Portable total of STATS in one decade.
Any sum of money deposited at 4 per
cent compound interest will more than
double itself in fifteen years. Save SIS
a month. deposit it at 4 per cent COM
pound interest. and in fifteen years
you will have s1,241, and s1,S4S Sn
twenty years.
Bear in mind that careless spend
ing will pull you down Just as rapidly
as systematic saving will build you up.
If you waste 50 week for a year you
have rendered useless at least $4,000
of capital, figuring the interest at the
small rate of 4 per cent Multiply
these figures by millions and you will
have an appreciation of the tremen-
dous amount of capital rendered i'm
potent each year-capital which
should be doing its share in building
, up the nation, developing our re-
sources and contributing to the happi-
ness and well-being of all our people.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

David Lloyd George has the correc.
idea about Russia. That country has
always been like the hot end of a
poker to every army that has at
tempted to get hold of it. The British
Premier reminded parliament that
Russia is an easy country to get into
but difficult one to get out Of. He
minated that the allies had wisely
decided to let It alone. When starva-
ZION has brought the Russians to their
senses perhaps they will overthrow the
benine and TrOtzky rule and resume
4 semblance at least of orderly gov
ernment. When this takes place. and
not before. Russia can be received into
Che family of nations. For the pres
ent she must remain an outcast.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

shoe manufacturing concern in
the east has hit upon a novel profit
sharing plan. After per cent from
net earnings has been deducted for
the preferred stock and o per cent for
the common. all of the balance of
Earnings will be split. $3.50. between
all employees and owners of the COM
mon stock. Employees will share and
share alike, so that the office boy will
receive as much bonus as the presi-
dent. The only stipulation Is that to
share in the distribution. to be made
on the first of every January. the en-
pioye must have been on the payroll
at'least year The plan goes into eff
feet as Of January !. 1919. and the
first distribution will be made on jan
uary 1, 1920.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

il has been charged that President
Wilson and his party seek to make po-
Hsical capital out of the formation OF
Gieague Of nations. If the covenant
be not such as will meet the approval
OF the American people. the Demo-
Gratis cannot hope for much return on
that capital.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

Rice growers of California are
alarmed over the increasing importa-
tons of Asiatic rice. and demand a
restoration OF the protective tariff.
The consumers who are buying rice at
present prices probably are not great
N worried Owe the situation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

"Pa." said Tommv Twaddles. this
hook says that Orpheus was such a
fine musician that he made trees and
stones move"
your sister Teresa can beat Or
pheus any day" grumbled Pa Twad-
dies. Her piano playing has made
twenty families move out of this block
in the last two months
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
DINNER STORIES

One of our good housekeepers
knows she has no ear for music. but
when she is hustling around her pots
and pans and scrubbing and wash
ing out tea towels she cannot restrain
hImming a bit lust out of her clean
ing UP joy. Now there is also little
neighbor boy who plays under her
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

A returned soldier is declared by q
local paper to have had his leg
broken" while in France. What queer
things some persons do!
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

The cables carry the news that the
signing of the peace treaty is close at
hand. Considering that it required
about four months to conclude a
treaty with Spain after our little brush
with that country, the men in the
Paris conference have made good
time.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

An enterprising Pennsylvania auc-
tioneer combines bereavement and
business in the Danville Morning
News" of February IS:
Beautiful location -Valuab Die
meadow and creek and spring-(100)
peach trees-Three acres woodland
new home and balrn-Two acres win
ter grain, adapted for poultry-Honey
bees Fruit-Greenhouses and choice
gardens-(3) fine cows 90 hogs (40)
chickens (16) bushel oats (4OD corn
(1OD potatoes-hay, straw-(2O) acres
$1@O0) everything ($1600). Husband
dead (her1 loss (your gainl.
According to report. a street car
conductor has been discharged for
conduct unbecoming a street car con-
ductor. 1t is not stated Just what the
man did, butt if it was conduct unbe-
coming a street car conductor, it must
have been pretty serious.
Chicago city directory estimate
causes Chicago to claim that she will
outstrip Paris in population next year.
and it is an interesting question as
to how Paris will look when she is out
stripped.
Fleeing Fame.
Laid back Mt ease upon cushioned chair,
Aside her desk, with stacks Of paper there,
Her pen safe perched upon her hair-hld ear.
IT'S then Friend Wife's most brilliant
thoughts appear.
Each seemingly some fair reality.
Her raptured and admiring eyes before,
She views-her thoughts come crowding
more and more:
TIL seized with aspiring vanity,
With frenzy bordering on insanity,
Painting for fame and immortality.
She clutches in her tightenQl grasp the
quill
But ah. alas, as her SO eager pom
Touches the waiting sheet before her
spread
No quicker does tile fleSting lightning dread
Flash thru tile bodinE sky TO startle men
Than all her brilliant thoughts do vanish
then. Live.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17
ON THE SPUR
OF THE MOMENT
By ROY X. MoULToN

Love.
II somebody loves you.
You cannot be sad.
You've cause for rejoicing,
You've cause to be glad.
You've a subject for some
As you journey your way,
II somebody loves you
You ought to be gay.
II somebody loves you.
You're bound TO get gay
And blow ia the cash
In a wild, reckless way.
If somebody loves you
You'll part from your pelf
And make quite an aIl-around
Fool of yourself.
II somebody loves you
You'll write foolish notes
In lOvey dove language
Upon which she dotes.
She'll save them and sue you
And wed you by force.
The jury will find for
The plaintiff. of course
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-17

mother with children. Yet there Is
some one particular child so well oreo.
so courteous and sweet. whose CO nine
we hail with joy and delight.
So it's up to the mothers to lift the
ban on children and make them once
more desirable citizens