davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Origin of Life Insurance

A game of cards is said to have sug-
gested the system of life insurance, now so
universal.
A Flemish nobleman m the 18th CEN
fury tried to divide equitably the cash
staked upon an interrupted game of
chance. He was helped in his attempt
by Pascal, a distinguished French mathe-
matician, who solved the problem.
The idea can be illustrated by the
throwing of a dice, the chance of turning
up an ace being one out of six. In a
large number of throws, the chances are
in the same proportion. From this Pas
cal laid down the proposition that re-
suits which have happened in a given
number of observed cases will again hap
pen in similar circumstances, provided the
numbers be sufficient for tthe proper work
ing of the law of average.
The life of person is one of the
greatest uncertainties, but the duration, or
rate of mortality, of large number of
persons may be predicted with the greatest
accuracy by comparison with the OBJ
served result among sufficiently large
number of persons of similar ages and
occupations and subject to similar china
tic nhuences.-Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
French Gains From the War

France has gained important additions
to her territory and producing power by
the return to her of the Alsace-Lorraine
area, and with it a permanent control of
the German coal mines of the adjacent
territory of the Saar valley. Alsace- Lor-
raine has an area of $500 square miles
and population, by the 1919 census, of
1,S75,000. The chief cities are Strassburg,
the capital, with a population of 10000;
Mulhausen, in Alsace, $4,000, and Metz,
in Lorraine, $4,000. The chief agricul-
tural products are wheat, rye, oats and
wine; the mineral products in 1913 were
100000 tons of iron ore and 100000
tons of coal. The cotton manufactures
were considered the most important in
Germany and the wooden manufactures
also of considerable importance. Ger
many, by the peace treaty, cedes to France
the full ownership of the coal mines of
the Saar Basin. The coal area is to be
governed by commission appointed by
the league of nations, and at the end of
IS years a plebiscite is to be taken to de-
termine the wishes of the people as to
union with France or Germany, or con-
tinued control by the league of nations.
France also gains in Africa about 100000
square miles of area and about 100000
people-Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Valley of Wonders

A ,veritable natural masterpiece is the
"Closed Cathedral" of Red Rock canyon,
in southern California, study in magni-
fcent coloring, so gorgeous and yet so
softly harmonious that no mortal artists
brush could hope to equal it. The edifce
is of tremendous size, with an entrance
IS feet high and IS feet wide, solidly
blocked at depth of IL feet. Pure white,
deep blue, red, yellow, green, and all the
intervening shades are blended in the de-
corative scheme. One of the results is
the suggestion of an immense stained-glass
window. The whole aspect is of vast
antiquity, enhanced by crack or fault
extending diagonally across the front, and
through the general formation-evidence
of an earth slide before or possibly soon
after the processes of erosion began. So
realistic is the cathedral effect that one
involuntarily listens for bells calling the
pious to prayers.-John L. Von Blon in
the Vide World Magazine.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Lamas Curse of Mongolia"

Mongolia is one of the most primitive
and most interesting countries in the
world today, the inhabitants in many
ways resembling the North American In
dams. The Mongols are very fanatical
and blindly devoted to the Buddhist reli-
gion, observes an exchange. Every third
man is a lama, Buddhist monk. The
lamas are the curse of the Mongolia, be-
ing parasites who live on the religious
credulity of their lay brethren.
The Chinese tael Gan ounce of silver)
is the medium of exshange. Small squares
or cubes of pressed silk are also used, but
brick tea will pass current for barter in
any part of Mongolia. Tobacco is also
used for trade exchange purposes. Trade
is in the hands of the Chinese, with the
exception of the Russian traders at Urga
which was formerly the residence of the
Chinese acknowledgements or ''Lamban,
as he was called.
Mongols throw the bodies of their dead
outside the town, where the dogs soor
make short work of them. The native:
believe that the soner the bodies are dis
posed of the better chance the spirit Of
the departed has in reaching paradise
Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
FAMOUS APRIL BIRTHDAYS

"Observe the postage stamp! Its use
fulhess depends upon its ability to stick to
one thing until it gets there" This is one
of the droll sayings of Henry w. Shaw,
famous American humorist, perhaps more
Familiarity known by his pen name, "Josh
Billings" He was born April Fl, 1918,
at Lanesborough, Mass. After attending
Hamilton College for year, he engaged
in various occupations. In 1883 he be-
came newspaper writer, but received
little attention. When, however, he be-
gan to use his queer "backwoods" diction,
his articles became, exceedingly popular.
In 1868 he went on the public platform.
His books are widely known, among them
being, "Josh Billings Farmers Allminax."
He died in 1885.
Samuel F. B. Morse, whose invention of
the electric telegraph places his name high
in the list of the worlds benefactors, was
born in April, 1871. 1t was he who laid
the first submarine telegraph line in New
York Harbor; he took the first daguerreo-
type made in the United States, and was
one of the founders and the first president
of the National Academy of Design.
When his telegraph instruments were
first perfected he applied to his own
government for financial aid to put them
to test, but the invention was ridiculed
In vain he tried to interest foreign govern
ments. Finally, in 1S43, Congress appro-
priated $4,000 for constructing tele-
graph line from Washington to Baltimore
and year later, the now historic words
"What hath God wrought" were sent
over the line as the first public message
Morse died in 1872.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
The Twilight Hour

When the brightness of the day has won
till somber threads show through
Let us linger in the twilight hour
And talk of joys the sun shone on and
plan Our rest when work is done
While the weary heart renews its faith
and power.
It's the time when recollection and antici-
patton meet.
For the past and future mingle, and the
draught is very sweet.
Oh, we cannot then feel lonely, there's
a glamour over all
If friend sits where the shadows fall.
When the glow of life has dimmed away
before the dark creeps on,
Let us linger in the twilight years
And talk of joys the sun shone on and
plan our rest when work is done
Without the chill of doubt or hint Of
tears.
It's the time when recollection and antici.
patton meet,
For the past and future mingle, and the
draught is very sweet.
Oh, we cannot then feel logely, though
alone we must embark
For we know we have Friend beyond
the Dark.
y. Breckenridge Ellis.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Zuyder Zee Being Reclaimed

The Dutch have actually begun to re-
claim the Zuyder Zee, which, when COM
plete, in thirty-six years, will add S27
square miles to the Kingdom of Holland.
Not only will the original land be re-
stored, but many thousands of acres,
which always have been beneath the sea,
will be ready for cultivation. According
to pre-war estimates the entire work Of
retaining the Zuyder Zee would have
cost approximately $ss,OOO,oOO, but, with
the increased cost of labor and materials
in the past six years, it is now believed
the cost will be we'll in excess of $12s, 000,-
coo. The work will be done and paid fol
by the state, through special loans, and the
state, through rental of the land reclaimed
expects the scheme to pay for itself within
few years, and thereafter yield hand,
some revenue.-Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Gateway for the Holy Land

A battle royal is being fought between
Joppa, where lived St. Peter in the house
still standing of Simon the tanner, and
Haifa, further north on the same coast,
for the privilege and profit of being the
chief seaport of Palestine under the new
regime. Jaffa, as Joppa is now called,
has an up-to-date Chamber of Commerce,
which is trying to make it great harbor,
for handling the traffic that is bound to
come with the development of the re-
sources, mineral and agricultural of the
Jordan valley. Besides, 100000 tourists
are confidently expected to pass through
Jaffa every year, has combative Chamber
of Commerce, and is the terminus of the
Hedjaz Railway, the natural gateway for
Damascus, the grain-growing Hauran
and Mesopotamia, not to mention fertile
Eadraelon close at hand. Besides, it has
good natural harbor from the start. The
Anglo-Persian Oil Company, London re-
port says, will use Haifa as the terminus
of pipe line, bringing its liquid product
$50 or 400 miles from the interior. Close
by, Baron James de Rothschild has estab-
lished a water farm and school, which
should make Haifa the headquarters of
Palestines fishing industry. But Zionists
propose to spend $4,250,O00 in developing
a great harbor in the Holy Land, and
have already bought ships for coastwise
trade, with Jafa as temporary headquar-
tiers. Palestine must have, according to
one of its leading Jewish residents, ma
tional economic centre in the south, to be
created by the construction of CONNER
cial city with a harbor.-Exchange
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
New Diamond Field to be
Thrown Open

Tlaring, waterless, treeless and vir-
tually a gameless desert near Taungs, in
Bechuana land, promises to be the scene
of the biggest diamond claim-staking rush
in South African history.
Amazing stories are aAoat concerning
the wonderful richness of the district, and
prospective diggers from the Cape, and
Mozambique, and even the Congo, are
preparing to try their luck in the new
field. Despite warnings of possible fail
ure, men are abandoning good jobs in var
ious parts of the country in order to be
free to stake out claims when the pro-
clamation is issued. Hundreds of women
also are arranging to go to the new dig
gings,
The Government is preparing to cope
with the anticipated rush to Tlaring, and
a township to receive the new community
is being laid out.
Taungs Is situated about forty mile:
south of Vryburg and about one hundred
miles north of Kimberley, the last-nameo
place being famous for its great diamond
mines-Eehange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
The Coming of Spring

The birds are coming home soon;
I look for them every day;
listen to catch the first wild strain,
For they must be singing by May.
The bluebird, he'll come first, you know
Like violet that has taken wings;
And the redbreast trills while his nest he
builds
l can hum the song that he sings.
And the crocus and wind-ower are COM
ing, too,
They're already upon the way;
When the sun warns the brown earth
through and through,
1 shall look for them any day.
Then be patient, and wait little, my
dear;
They're coming" the winds repeat;
"We're coming! we're coming!" I'm sure
l hear
From the grass blades that grow at my
feet.
Selected.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Busiest Town

The city of Johnstown, N. Y, has come
in for some unexpected praise by the fact
that it contains so great percentage Of
busy, happy citizens.
The Labor Department in Washington,
after survey of the cities of the country,
discovered that Is per cent of the women
of Johnston are contributors to the family
income. This is the record for the coun-
try.
Mayor Chamberlain furnishes addi-
tional particulars.
"The wives in Johnston make gloves at
home. More working people own their
homes in Johnstown than in nearly any
other city. They are holders of large
amount of Liberty bonds. Also more
children of working people in Johnston
get college educations than in many other
cities.
"Wives, whose husbands own their own
homes and automobiles, work because they
like it.
"The wages of men in this city vary
from SIS to 500 week. Chore men,
without any experience, are being paid
81 day, and boys leaving school get
$3.50 per day.
Living conditions in Johnstown are
such that you cannot tell the working
mans wife from business mans wife.
The women are taking an active interest
in all civic enterprises. Our poor fund
is the lowest of any city of its size in the
state" -Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Shortage of Teachers

Representatives of the schools of nine
states in session in New York city de-
clared unusual exertions must be made to
remedy the scarcity of the teachers. Hun
dreds of schools are closed because they
could not get teachers, while other schools
are employing teachers that have not pro-
per qualifications. More than $4,000
teachers throughout the country have re-
signed their positions for more lucrative
work, said Secretary of the Interior Lane
the great bulwark against bolshevism-
public schools-is in danger because tea
chers' salaries have not kept pace with the
cost of living. Unless salaries are great
ly increased, declared Mr.. Lane, the COM
petent will soon be replaced by the incom.
petent.-Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

April is one Of the loveliest months of
the year, and its name is especially fitting,
coming from Latin word meaning Ito
open," for it is the time of opening buds.
1t is the fourth month in the year. Origi-
nally, in the time of the Romans, April
had but twenty-nine days, but in the
calendar revision, in the time of Caesar,
it received one of ten extra days which
were distributed among the months.
The anniversary of the famous night
ride of Paul Revere, that hero of Revolu-
tionary times, whose name has been i'm
mortalized in one of the most stirring
poems in American literature, "Paul Re-
vere's Ride" by Henry w. Longfellow.
Paul Revere was born in Boston in 1875.
To him belonged the honor of engraving
and printing the first paper currency of
Massachusetts,. He was "among those
present. at the Boston Tea Party, and
later became member of the Boston Lea
que, an organization which pledged itself
to watch every move of the British.
In April, ITS, General Gage, the Bri-
fish commander, sent force of eight hun
dred troops with orders to destroy the
American military stores at Concord,
about twenty miles from Boston, and also
at Lexington to arrest Samuel Adams and
John Hancock. However, General Cages
plan was suspected by General Joseph
Warren, and it was decided that Revere
should ride ahead of the advancing enemy
to Lexington and warn the country folk.
You will remember in the lines of the
famous poem, he says to his friend:
eff the British march
By land or by sea from the town tonight,
Hang lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North church tower as a signal
light
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and
farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm"
Upon the appearance of the signal, Re
we're was up and away, the country side
was aroused and Cages purpose was, de-
feated. The poem declares:
"It was two by the village clock
When he came to the bridge in Concord
town"
but, as matter of fact, Revere didnot
ride to Concord, but went by another
route.
It is a curious coincidence that nearly
every war in which the United States
has been involved has begun in April
the Revolution, the Mexican War, the
War of Secession, the Spanish-American
war, the offense in 1912 against the Amer
lean flag which in 1914 so nearly brought
on war with Mexico, and the entrance
of this country into the last great War of
the Nations.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
N | R R 0 R { 7 ES
out! This is all fools day.

Look out! This is all fools day.
The sparrows are busy constructing
nests for the new broods.
Christian Science services were held
in the chapel Sunday morning.
Tomorrow, the End, is Good Friday.
This is sixteen days earlier than last year.
Two army trucks have been pro-
cured by the management for this insti-
tuition.
Spring has come" and so have the
blue birds, robins, thunder storms, angle
worms, an everything.
The tailoring department is in re-
ceipt of large shipment of khaki cloth.
Now for our Easter suits.
Our truck garden is under way. On
ions, radish, celery, etc. having been
planted by our farm crew.
"A large body of pupils from the
North High school of Minneapolis, were
conducted through this institution on the
oath inst.
"A. c. Stevenson of the Farm Ma
chinery Office was noticed passing out
smiles and cigars Monday. 1t was seven
and one-half pound girl. Congratula-
tons Andy.
The first yard band concert for 1919
was March Is, the first yard outing for
the inmates was on Monday, May 5th
and the first ball game was on May 18th.
The first ball game for 1920 =.
"A pleasant feature of the Sunday
Chapel services was the singing of Mrs.
H. Aunsworth who has been residing in
Saltwater for some time. We certainly
would appreciate listening to her again
but understand that she will soon sail for
England.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Easter Hymn

The Light along the ages
Shines higher as it goes;
From age to age more glorious
Its radiant splendor glows.
Mans life, begun so slowly
Now scars in life eternal
To share in life eternal
The joys of endless love!
We thank thee, o our Father,
For every gift of thine;
All speak alike the bounty
Of tenderness divine;
But every gift surprising,
This wonderous gift we own
The Son of Man is risen
To dwell before thy throne!
Wherever goodness reigneth
The soul of Christ lives on,
And every Christ-like spirit
Shall rise where he hath gone:
Earth's dust hath served its mission;
Henceforth the soul is free,
And through the nights of being
Ascends, o God, to thee!
-William George Tarrant.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
"A Messenger of Peace

1t came to my cottage window
A joyous visitant
And the song it gave
Did me enslave,
1t was holy, sacrosanct.
This bird at my cottage window
Was a messenger of peace;
And this was the song it gave
"There's only peace on earth
When we joy in what we have"
A bird thrilled in at the window
Sang new, joyous refrain;
And it's song was sweet and holy,
1t was our visitant again.
1t spoke of peace and comfort,
Of joy in its lowly gifts,
These, are the things that bring happiness
Are the things that the soul uplifts.
When we start each morn with singinl
A psalm for the things we have;
And for these sweet incense bringing
To the God who all this gave.
1t makes the day more CHEEKY,
It puts more strength in our arm,
Drives away all things cerie,
And all eur fears disarm.
ID. Stephenson.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
OverCroWded Warsaw

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is pro-
badly one of the most densely populated
cities in the world. Its growth in area
has been retarded by the fact that undel
the Russian regime certain fixed city
limits were drawn many years ago, and
for military reasons no houses were to b,
built outside of these limits. In a recen
census it was found that the number o.
inhabitants in building in Warsaw wa
about seventy, as compared with onl,
seven or eight in MISUNDERSTANDING.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
:. P o ct r =
Selected


Make me over, mother April,
When the sap begins to stir
When thy fowery hand delivers
All the moutain-prisoned rivers,
And thy great heart beats and quivers
To revive the days that were,
Make me over, mother April,
When the sap begins to stirl
Bits Carman.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

The latest problem now confronting the
food controller in London is rationing bees
to prevent them from starving. Orders
have been issued allowing 10 pounds OF
sugar to each hive.-Exchange.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

Chinese students are not permitted to
work for pay in the United States. To do
so would violate the law prohibiting the
immigration of Chinese workmen.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

All the hotels for workers operated by
the United States government are run by
women.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

Just when we have things worked
around so we can make both ends meet,
somebody moves the ends.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

Over 80 missionary physicians from the
United States are now treating patients in
China.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
CHAPEL PROGRAM
Sunday, March 18th, 1920

The following is the program rendered
in the auditorium last Sunday morning,
Rev. c. E. Benson, officiating.
March-Monitor ------------- Orchestra
Selection Woodland Dreams Orchestra
Holy, Holy, Congregation
Invocation ------------------ Chaplain
Gloria Congregation
Scripture Reading Chaplain
Vocal Solo----------Mrs. H. Aunsworth
Hymn-Blessed Acknowledgements
Vocal Solo-----------Mrs. H. Aunsworth
Prayer ------------------- Chaplain
Standardization Orchestra
Sermon ------------------- Chaplain
Hymn-Calvary ------------ongreg
Benediction -------------------ChaPlain
March-Our Country---------Orchestra
r. ]. REIcHKITZER,
Musical Director.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

The highest prices in history are being
paid for choice teas in London.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
Motion Picture Show

Jack Pickford carried the leading role
in "Freckles," fve-reel Paramont re-
lease, at our weekly motion picture show
last Sunday.
The musical program is given below:
March-Manoeuvers of the Corps
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
k0 MI C kL FPS

Painter lat art exhibition) They have
hung my picture wrong side up.
Attendant-Sorry, sir, but the committee
thought that was the way it was intended.
Painter (eyeing the picture critically
On the whole, don't know but l like it
better that way.
A traveller left his umbrella in hotel,
after. attaching to it a card bearing in
bold letters the warning: "This umbrella
belongs to a man who can deal with his
fist blow of $50 pounds. Coming back
in five minutes"
He returned to find the umbrella gone,
and in its place the message: "This card
belongs to man who can run 20 miles an
hour. Isn't coming back"
"Why are you SO pensive?" he asked.
"Tm not pensive," she replied.
"But you haven't said word for 20
minutes"
swell, didn't have anything to say"
Don't you ever say anything when you
have nothing to say?"
"No."
"Will you be my wife?"
Among the applicants for domestic en-
ployment in the service of Brooklyn,
household there once came big, husky
Irish girl named Annabel. "What was
your reason for leaving your last place,
Annabel?" asked the mistress during the
course of examination.
~ couldn't stand the way the master
an mistress used to quarrel, num-" was
the reply of Annabel.
Dear, DEAR" exclaimed the lady. odd
they quarrel all the timer"
GAIL the time, num-" repeated Annabel;
can, mum, whin it wasn't me an him, it
was me an her."
The traffic was at its height. In the
usual way the porters were banging the
baggage about, while the owners mourn
fully looked on. Suddenly the station
master appeared.
"Herel What do you mean by throw
ing those trunks about like that?"
"Cant you see you're making dents in
the concrete PLATFORM" said the station
master.
Young Mani should like to ask your
advice, sir, as to whether you think your
daughter would make me suitable wife.
Lawyer-No; 1 don't think she would.
Ten dollars, please.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
POPULATION

CELL CHANGES
Corrected March %, 1920
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01

Young Mani should like to ask your
advice, sir, as to whether you think your
daughter would make me suitable wife.
Lawyer-No; 1 don't think she would.
Ten dollars, please.