davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Young Mr.. Benton.

Young Mr.. Benton contracted
syphilis. Or at least so his doctor |
told him. But, no, Mr.. Benton
knew the doctor must be wrong.
Well, after considerable risky de-
lay Benton reluctantly accepted
the doctor's diagnosis-he had to
when eventualities became too con-
vincing. But not the doctors treat
ment. Oh, no. Mr.. Benton knew
that mercury rots the. bones" The
doctor reasoned, argued, even
pleaded, but Mr.. Benton insisted
that, as he described it. natural
methods" would be better for his
syphilis than standard medical
treatment. The natural methods
were proper bathing" (whatever
that may bel, diet Of fruits.
grains, nuts, well anything but
meat, because physicians do not
object to meat, you know, plenty
of fresh air, and all that sort of
thing fine enough for everybody
all the time. The doctor warned
Bonton that sometimes want of
mercury rots the nerves or the
brain. Of course. the doctor could
not foresee what Bonton's syphilis
would lead to: he might as well
have said the aorta or the liver.
Syphilis is pretty versatile dis
ease. But in this case it happened
to vent itself on the nervous sys-
tenn. Less than four years later
Benton was insane and legally
committed to a state institution
for the insane. There he received
some belated mercury and other
good remedies, and in the course
of year or so he improved suffi-
GENTLY to obtain his discharge and
go back home-a charred, gaunt
frightful skeleton of his former
debonair self. The society of
the town sympathized sincerely
with Benton and considered his
case a warning against-well, now,
guess what they called it-over-
work!
Mr.. Dabbler. aged 80, finds him
self afflicted with locomotor ataXia.
He denies ever having syphilis. OF
course, his denial is taken by the
doctor cum grano sails. When the
inquiry is made in other language
in -ese-Dabbler re-
spends Yes, yes, yes, yes"-four
plus. When this is translated into
Dabbler's English, Dabbler tries
again, and at length memory re-
calls something of the kind, oh.
over twenty years ago. Yes, and
Dabbler now recollects that he had
! treatment for nearly three months.
After that he read up in doctor
| book" and undertook the treatment
of his own case. For nearly three
years he took. on and off, innumer-
able bottles of. let us say Oh-Oh-
Oh. concoction which purports to
drive impurities out of the blood
and there's fancy which always
appeals to some people.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Whats I'm a Name?
by MILDRED MARSHALL --
Copyright. 1919, by the Wheeler Syndicate. IneI

of the earl of Essex. Letitia was
evolved in Ireland and is still ia
yorite with Irish lasses, though
Lefty, the diminutive, is by far the
most popular form.
Letitia and Lefty are both in
vogue in this country. The touch
of propr;ety which has become as
ISOLATED with Letitia has somewhat
lessened her vogue. but Lefty -four
ishes after the manner of all con-
fractions in America.
The turquoise is Letitia's tails
! manic stone. If set in gold, it will
protect her from all danger. espe-
cially when travelling. According to
an old legend, the stone will break
at the approach of evil. The best
possible good luck is promised to
Lefty if she can see the new moon
reflected in her turquoise. Satur-
day is her lucky day and l her
lucky number.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Tomorrow's Demonstration.

We all know, of course, that We indvid-
sually, are good Americans and that We believe
IN organized government. 1t has been the rule
to take that for granted. but lately there has
been 80 much talk of bolshevism, communism,
and other isms that imply varying degrees of
disaffection that the time has come for show
down We. individually, may be loyal to the
core, but does the other fellow know it?
That, briefly. is the purpose Of Amercaniza-
tion day which will be observed all over the
country tomorrow. People who are hostile to
government and wish to advertise the fact have
formed the habit Of making demonstrations on
Nay /. The idea occurred to someone that it
would not be out Of place for those allied with
no ism that hasn't the word American in front
OF it to do a little demonstrating on their own
hook. That is what tomorrows parade is for
It will give Everybody a chance to show his
colors. Those who neglect the opportunity
must not resent the differences that may be
drawn.
It will be decidedly bad form to stand on
the sidewalk and scott when the parade passes.
II for some good reason you cannot be in line
Ut least show that you are in sympathy with
wherever you are don't be afraid of showing
3 your colors or of njuring your vocal organs.
The most conservative among us can afford to
cut loose for JUS this once, anyhow.
- This.is pretty good country after all At
feast most Of the people who come here from
al over the world decide to stay. Even those
who do their best to tear down our govern
mental structure and interfere with our laws
invariably fight to the last ditch all efforts to
send them back whence they came. To date
no real improvement upon the old u s. A. has
been offered and anyone who gives the matter
serious thought will realize that this is true
h~has faults, but none that we the people have
Act in our own hands the implements to cor
rect which is all that any government can of
ler
Tomorrow's demonstration has not beer
deliberately planned because to serve its DUR.
pose it must be largely spontaneous. 1t was
not necessary to organize for the armistics
day celebration and it should not be neces
sary on this occasion. All that is asked Of
each individual is little time, effort and shoe
leather.
That is little enough to give to chow tina,
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

and before he could speak she con-
tinued:
do let US go over in the old part
OF town. for l feel so dreadfully
out of place here. There are some
pretty places on Willow street near
the river, and the moon looks won
derful over there"
A pink color flushed her cheeks.
and her eyes were bright with hap
Ply sparkles. She walked lightly as
If she had dropped a burden.
From the old street they saun-
tered past little white cottages and
big gardens, past green fields and
woody spaces until they saw the
moon smiling over the river in the
distance.
oh, here is the old Dean place,
and it's for SALE" exclaimed Mary
in apparent surprise. DO you
know, l think that is a great bar
gain for some lucky person."
I don't know" said John, doubt
fully, yet looking with interest at
the little gray house with its big
piazza, its many windows and tiny
orchard in the rear.
See how it nestles in the
ground" smiled Mary. Isn't it "a
dear little house,"
Its quite old and needs repair.
ing" said John pessimistieally, but
his eyes eagerly took in the COW
look of the place and his intent
face showed he sensed its possibili-
ties.
"Oh, yes, of course, agreed Mary
practically, but a handy man with
little spare time would easily re.
pair it. l can just see it with ruff.
fed curtains at the windows AND
flower beds along the walk. with a
hammock swinging on the piazza
and big chair nearby. 1t woult
be profitable, too. for there's plent,
Of fruit and nice place for hens
Well. l suppose some lucky couple
will buy it," she ended with a sigi
as she turned away and studied tn,
moon.
Johns face was alight Is h.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

stood and studied the little gray
house. and his eyes were bright
and eager. He squared his shout
ders and drew Mary up to the
steps as he said quickly: Have
you seen the roomse Is it liyable
inside?"
Yes, | went over it with nv
cousin a while ago." said Mary. in
differently, after a glance at his
face. 1T needs only some paper
and paint, and the rooms are small
and sunny, and do not need much
furniture. It faces the river,
doesn't it," she said, dreamlly.
How pretty it must look On a
summer night when the moon is
shining and the water all gold and
silver and the roses in bloom and
the place like a little gray nest OF
a home"
"Oh, Mary, Mary, do you really
think so?" asked John as he grasp-
ed her hands. 81 love you so, dear
but l wanted to offer you more
only it seemed so long to wait. ]
| can't stand 1T now, dear, any
longer. Since you made such a
home picture of this place. Could
| you love me and be happy here
Nary"
Yes, john" answered Mary. as
1 she exchanged wise look with the
moon. and with happy sigh of re.
lief snuggled down into the safe
haven Of Johns broad shoulder.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

Italian dispatches say that the blockade
now being enforced at Fiume is most severe
In fact, supplies have been cut off by land
and sea and all lines of communication closed.
In the same column We read Of one of Dan
runzio's batteries firing 20 shots at an Italian
torpedo boat destroyer and missing every time
by 1000 yards. If matters are as critical as
they are said to be it would seem that the gun
ners would be cutting down the margin of safe
ty to something less than 5000 feet.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

(Any reader can ges the answer to q
don bureau. Frederic J. Haskin. Director.
sdoress ami enclose twosent stamp. for 10,
confidential. the replies being sent direct
paid 70 ANONYMOUS letteTsl.
@. Has the new railway labor
board begun to operate? D. H. N.
A. Upon confirmation of the
members by the senate. Judge Bar
ton of Tennessee was elected chair >
man, hearings were Immediately
begun, and the case is before them
concerning the wage demands OF
all railroad employees.
@. Is color blindness durable?
/. NJ. c.
A. This condition is not cura-
BILE and sometimes exists in eyes
that are otherwise normal. 1t is
found in 5 to per cent Of men and
less than per cent of women. 1t
is particularly important that rail-
way and marine employees do not
have this defect, since the safety
Of the travelling public depends in
large measure upon the accur-
acy with which red and green sig
mails are observed.
] @. What is the meaning of Bryn
Mawr? c. P. G.
A. Bryn Mawr. Pa. was named
after the town of the same name in
Becon county, Wales. The Welsh
word Bryn means hill. and Mawr
means big.
i @. Who is the author Of the quo
tation. ITO the victors belong the
spoils?"
A. William L. Marcy (17S6-1S57)
is credited with its origin. While in
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Paid Up Insurance for Soldiers.

Giving American veterans OF the World Wal
paid up insurance policies may provide sat-
isfactory solution Of the mooted bonus qdes-
ton. By this means it will be possible to al,
low larger per diem than II had been planned
to give without placing any great strain upon
present finances, and in most cases to make
payment Ut a time when the need Of the recip-
tents will be greater than now By holding up
payment for 20 years and allowing compound
interest the total sum will be two or three
times as great as the men had been promised.
and needs in the meantime will be provided for
by the loan feature and payment Of the full
amohnt to dependents in case Of death
The loan value of the insurance will not
accrue until the end of the third year the plan
has been in force, and at that time an ex-ser-
vice man with record OF 400 days service
will be entitled to loan of 1851. This will be
the cash value of his certificate at that time
at per cent interest compounded annually.
Similarly. the veteran of 100 days will be
entitled to paid up 20-year endowment in
surance of s464, with cash surrender or loan
value Of $137 in three years; the 200-day vet
eran to Insurance of 1925. with loan value Of
s275; the 300day veteran to insurance of
1892, with loan value of $413, and the 500
day veteran to insurance of 1891, with a loan
value of $3.50.
OF course the cost to the government will
be much greater than under the cash bonus
plan, but that feature is offset by the greater
length of time permitted for payments
If it is made optional with the men to &C
cept either the insurance or one of several
ether methods of aid, with the common fea-
ture of substantial premium for deferred pay
ments everybody should be satisfied.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

the aged ex-president had left in
a bank vault, they found among
them little packet of treasured
love letters from his sweetheart Of
long ago. But in accordance with
the request written on the outside,
those faded mementoes of his only
love were burned without breaking
the seal on them.
That old wound was torn open
by most cruel campaign lie when
Buchanan was candidate for pres.
ident. In this atrocious attack. be
was accused by the editor of the
New York Herald. the elder James
Gordon Bennett, of having gone out
and hanged himself to escape the
vengeance of a brother of his be-
trothed. Although he was cut
down, according to the malicious
yarn, in time to save him from
suicidal death, it was only neces-
sary for Bennett to point the
credulous reader to the way in
which the candidate always carried
his head tilted to one side as proof
that his neck had been permanently
twisted in his attempt at suicide.
Every one could not know that this
familiar habit was due to an imper-
feet vision.
Buchanan was by no means a
Grabbed old bachelor. He remained
always most courteously attentive
to women, though with perfect
impartiaiity. Nor did he keep
bachelors hall. At Wheatland, his
country place near Lancaster
| Penn, he brought up, from early
| childhood, the orphaned son of one
of his sisters and the orphaned
daughter of another, who became
as Miss Harriet Lane, one of the
most admired mistresses OF the
/ White house. A monument, which
will shortly rise in Washington to
the memory of Buchanan, will stand
also as a memorial of the grateful
loyalty of this niece. who left $780,
900 for its erection to a president
! who would otherwise go unhonored
in stone.
After Buchanan had risen to top
rank at the Pennsylvania bar, with
practice that brought him as
much as $4,000 in year, he en-
tered politics. Starting as a FED
eralist, he became Democrat only
at the death of the party OF DIE
iirst choice. He was elected to Inc
legislature and to congress; was
thrice elected to the senate; served
as minister to Russia and Gred'
Britain and was secretary OF stae
in Folks cabinet.
For 90 years an unsuccessful
candidate for the presidential nomi,
nation, the veteran politician hsa
all but given up hope when at las'
it came to him unsought in 1886 On
his return from long absence a.
American minister in London. p
. he accepted it he sighed that tne
honor had been denied him until ne
was too old to enjoy it, "When all
the friends | loved and wanted 70
: reward are dead and all the enc
mics | hated and had marked 10.
punishment are turned my friends
/: published by special arrangement
yspaper Syndicate.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Argus Information Bureau

, question by Writing The Arris Iniormsa
Washington. d. c. Give full namh ~
urn postage E.. brief All inquiries
to each Individual. No attention VIII
the senate he gained distinction lo'
his defense of President Van buieH
against the attacks Of Henry Gay,
In the course of a speech on tp'
question of appointment TO oln.s
he upheld the right Of the presr
dent to bestow Offices upon ms ~
litical supporters, saying, 10 lns
victors belong the spoils. he Wv. .s
associated his name in hiS'or! VIE
the spoils system.
@. Who was Blennerhasset!
y. F.
A. Hartman Blennerhassel W.
born in England the Sth OF o.r
Der, 1764. He married MS VI
niece and was socially ostfac,alid
He came to America ana set.. sl
near the Ohio river, where he de's,
oped a princely estate. He was ~
VOWED in the scheme OF All.
Burr to form Southwestern IN
pire and was arrested and trieu "
. the charge of conspiracy
@. How many Jews are tle'.
the United States?
A. According to the Amei's =.
Jewish Year Book. there d.. .,ss
3eO,572 Jews in the United s.a Ser
$500, 900 of whom are IN "
New York.
@. What Is neat leather: "a
A. This is term appha
bark-tanned cowhide, oil nnlsae
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
We Declare for Ye Old Hot Air.

We DcCAMIC lVI 1C VIU 1AVS hAs
| am contemplating building Z
good 10-room two-story frame
house in the country on my farm.
where there is plenty of air, drain
age, and timber for fuel. Which in
your opinion is the best method Of
heating such house, hot air fur
mace, steam, or hot water. old
fashioned stoves, or fire-places!
The house will be in Virginia.
P. 81 am not considering the
cost, but the hygienic preference.
P. s. T.
Answer think l should prefer
the old-fashioned hot air furnace.
with air intakes from the outdoors
and suitable provision for air out
let near the roof, if it were my
house. l do not believe in heating
living rooms over IS degrees, and
at that temperature the warmed
air may be kept fairly moist il
there is a water reservoir in the
furnace holding at least 20 gallons
of water and the reservoir is filled
at least twice a day. In order to
keep the air of 10-room dwelling
fairly moist when comfortably
warmed, il is necessary to evap-
crate at least 40 gallons OF water
day, and better, so gallons. II
the air is heated above IS degrees
it is impossible to maintain suff1-
Gent humidity even though you
evaporate 100 gallons. The more
water you evaporate in a heated at
mosphere the more comfortable
YOU feel with temperature below
65 degrees. A temperature of 90
degrees proves delightful most OF
the time if the humidity is reason
ably high. That is the tempera-
ture of an ideal September day out
of doors.
Bed Wetting.
Our boy, 5 years old. seems
healthy in every way, but he vets
the bed nearly every night. Can
you prescribe something for such
trouble? A. L. j.
Answer never prescribe for a
correspondent. Nor do l attempt
to diagnose, that is. tell what is the
matter. In order to determine what
is the matter with an individual, it
is absolutely necessary for the ply
stefan to- examine the patient in
person. Without such a diagnosis
no doctor can prescribe effectively.
If YOU will send a stamped envel-
ope addressed to yourself, | will
send you suggestions as to the
management Of bedwetting-
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

Well have to hand it to the weather man
for calling the turn lately. especially. since
having done so, we will be in position to also
hand it to him when his batting average falls
off later in the season. Accuracy of prognosti-
cations this spring has been most remarkable
When rain is predicted one might as well reach
for his rubbers and umbrella. And the manner
in which Yesterdays shower was synchronized
with the opening Of the baseball season was
positively uncanny.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
LEFTY.

LEFTY.
One of the glad" names is Lett
tia. It comes from the Latin adjec-
tive lactus, meaning glad, from
which the substantive, ''laetitia'
was formed. Whether ancient
Rene underwent glad period.
etymologists do not record, but the
fact remains that Laetitia as a
proper name was adopted by the
fashionable maids and matrons OF
that bogone empire.
Lae.itia first made her appear
ance as Letizia, a name favored by
the Italians during the fashion for
extreme novelty that prevailed in
the Cinaue-Cento. Spain adopted
Letizia. but the name reached Eng
land in the form of Lettuce.
In Ireland Le.tice was extremely
popular. One famous bearer OF the
name was Lettuce knollys, the wife
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30

Dear Mrs. Thompson: l have
been keeping company with young
man for over a year. | am a very
successful business. woman. l love
this man dearly, but up to the pres
ent time he has never approached
the subject of marriage, although
when we are together he says MS
thoughts are with no one else.
In case he should propose would
YOU advise me to accept his pro-
posal or should continue my
work. l aunacquainted with his
financial standing. | think the
world and all of this gentleman
and since he is considered very
handsome and stylish dresser, l
often wonder NJ he would tire Of me
since 1 do not believe in elaborate
clothes.
BROWN EYED SUSAN.
The young mans financial stand
ing should settle your problem.
Perhaps he does not make enough
money to support a wife, in which
case it would not be wise for you
to marry him. 1t is a great pity
that the high cost of living makes
it utterly impossible for many hun
dreds Of young people to marry. If
he is in a position to marry. and if
you love him, l would advise you to
give up your business career for
home life.
Dear MRS. Thompson: I am in
love with a boy vino works at the
same factory l do. He is keeping
company with another girl. but I
don't think he loves her. He acts
at times as if he really cared for
me. How can l make sure?
DOLLY BLUE.
If he really cared for you he
would relieve your mind Of doubt
by asking to call or to take you
! somewhere. There is nothing you
should do 20 make him show more
interest in YOU.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: There is a
| girl in this town who prides herself
on taking other girls fellows.
go with this girl. but would like to
drop her without making her angry,
as she is my pastors daughter.
She is very pretty and has a way
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-30
Heart. oHOmQ
|41,44(1DrODrQlncC y
~ \ MRC. ELIZABETH THOMPSON

that the boys can't resist. She told
me herself that she had promised
to marry three boys this summer,
but she is just fooling them and
they don't know 1t.
l Introduced her to my friend and
she just talked until l couldn't get
in a word. 1t was annoying and
my friend liked her very much.
Yesterday my friend and l went to
see this girl and she pointed out
another girl and told how she was
fooling young man and said that
she would not do such a thing. My
friend did not know any better and
he liked her just that much more.
He asked her about having a date
with her. He is only in town once
a month and l want him myself.
try not to be jealous, but l can't
help it. | don't see why she can't
let my friend alone when she has
SO many more She laughs and
makes fun OF him after he leaves.
Should I tell my friend how she
does? She is very deceitful.
BROWN EYES.
You will lose the young man if
you warn him against the other
, girl. Let him find out her faults
himself. She cannot deceive people
indefinitely. Perhaps you will lose
his friendship, but there will be
less danger if you keep your si-
lence.
1t looks as II Jealousy has made
you Judge the girl too harshly
! Above all things be honest with
yourself and do not deceive your
self into thinking she is unworthy
in ways which she really is not.
! A popular girl is often misjudged.
| II you want to drop her, be
! friendly when you meet, but do not
seek her company You will be ac-
cused OF Jealousy if you do drop
her.