davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24

tongue, she will never knowi You
ought to think of her happiness-and
of your own
Tom turned resolutely, but his face
was white.
"Betty's name must not be brought
into this" he said. II made up my
mind to go when I saw how it was be-
+, tween her and me. 1 was only wait
ing until the crops were harvested, or
Daddy Grimes had found a man to
| take my place. If L did not know
how useless it would be, I'd ask you to
spare me until then"
The young mans eyes were wistful.
Colonel Burton struck his fist into one
palm with sudden passion. 1t angered
him beyond all reason that Tom
should take this course with him.
Don't count on concessions from
me-" he growled. You'll get none"
Very well. SIR
And yet Colonel Burton did some
hard thinking that night when he
ways liked Tom. For a year and a
half the fellow had made good. He
had not even hidden his identity un-
der another name. 1t was hard to
| think ill of him. And yet an innocent
man would have turned overy stone
! to prove his innocence, instead of TAX
| ing to his heels.
, Suddenly, alone in the darkness, he
spoke aloud.
II did the boy some favors. He
seemed to regard me as an elder
| brother. 1t is very strange-incom-
| ehensible-that-'
! The words died in a gasp of pain
/ as a sudden thought struck him like
! a stunning blow.
| Next morning he went down to
/ breakfast with a rather tragic face.
You are needed here" he said.
when there was a chance for a word
with Tom alone. Better stay for the
present"
! city.
A month went by. One morning a
brief letter came from him. It read
/ as follows:
'Tom-Marry the girl as soon as
you like. You tried 10 screen the real
| thief. but I've found him out. Enough
of that. The subject is too painful ]
/ owe you something for what you have
suffered thru me and mine. Set the
wedding day and I'll come up and lift
the mortgage on the farm"
Toms eyes blurred as he read.
| Poor man. 1 am not sorry that ]
| did what 1 could to spare him."
| Copyright, 1920. bv the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
THE FARMER IN POLITICS.

Politicians and seekers Of public Of
flee this year, those especially friendly
to organized labor and those leaning
to the side of invested capital. will do
well to remember the balance of po-
litical power lies with the farmers, as
it always has gone
Nearly one-third of the people of
the United States or more than thirty
millions. live on farms. Nearly twenty
millions more live in communities
having a population of less than
$500. In other words. nearly one-half
of the population of this country is to
be found on farms or in country dis
tricts, according to a compilation of
agricultural statistics contained in d
booklet, "Our Basic Industry-Amer-
ica's Agricultural Prosperity" just is
sued by the Guaranty Trust company
of New York. The publication, which
deals with the ever-increasing impor-
lance of the business of farming from
the standpoint of the national welfare
continues, in part. as follows:
The farming interest is not COM
prised entirely, however, of those who
actually live on the farms. Something
like 40 per cent of our farms are rent
ed and a great many of the owners
live in cities and villages. This means
that among the merchants. lawyers.
doctors. real estate operators, bankers
and insurance men OF our cities. and
especially the cities and villages in ag-
ricultural. sections. there will be found
owners OF farms or men whose bust
ness is directly dependent on or con-
| nected with farming"
! ,he amount of capital invested in
farming is large and constantly in
creasing. In 1910 the value of all
farm property was approximately
SCI. 900. 900. 900, or more than the cap
| ital of all the manufacturing estab-
lishments, railways. mines and quar-
ries in the United States. The value
OF farm property in 1919 is estimated
at more than $4,000, 10000. From
| 1860 to 1890 this value increased
steadily. but during the decade be-
ginning with 1900 the increase in the
value OF farm property was greater
than the entire accumulation of farm
property in all the preceding years of
our history.
1t was the vote of the agricultural
states that elected the president in
-916 and upset the long established
belief that no man could reach the
White House without the vote of New
York.
The farmers always have shown a
1 disposition to hold the administration
responsible for conditions at the time
OF a quadrennial election. If they
were prosperous theyhave appeared
inclined to 'let well enough alone"
When their business has been in a
bad way, they have shown an inclina-
ticn to visit evidences of their dissat-
isfaction upon the party in power.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
A QUARREL OVER AUNT FELICIA.

OdAE 1 T. X SO.
Robert Meredith, haven't you any
backbone at all?" 1 asked Indignantly
as we walked down the street together.
Not much, 1 am afraid"
We'll, you have got to tell your
aunt to go, I would do it mighty
quick If 1t was my aunt, and you were
paying for her. I am willing to di-
vide with you. but there my gener-
osity ceases. Why are you so afraid
to tell her to go?"
81 hate to have her know you are
paying her expenses. If 1 tell her
she will surely ask me who has been
doing it. and then shall feel humili-
ated."
Il didn't know you were so small
You'd rather I'd work and go without,
SO she could stay living on me, than
to have your pride hurt. I'm ashamed
of your
II know you are" his tone was
spiritless.
We'll, I am, I'll tell her the mo-
already done So"
bade him goodby at the shop
door and wished him luck. He made
no remark, and 1 noticed his shout
ders sagged as he went slowly down
the street
"Oh, Gerry Meredith, you should
see the cunning little place have
found" Mary greeted me as I entered
the shop. Il have rented it and want
you to go with me this noon to buy
some furniture. You don't know
where I can get mahogany dining
room and bedroom furniture for
cents do you? 1t will be mostly draped
packing boxes I shall have. l reckon,
but 1 must have a few things, like a
stove and some groceries. Then I
heard of a nice secondhand place
where 1 can sbuy some chairs, a bed
and maybe one or two other things.
It's a secret, Gerry, but I've got $25
in the First National bank. and my
rents paid for a month" When she
spoke of the bank" she threw out
her foot in a comical way-so telling
me where the bank was located.
How in the world did you save all
that?" Mary was a known spend
thrift. She was so generous she never
was known to have any money when
payday came.
"I haven't spent a penny for ages
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
INFORMATION FOR ALL READERS OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL.

Each reader OF The State journal is
offered the unlimited use Of the largest In
formation bureau In the world.
This Service Bureau Is located In the ma
tioual capital, where It is in immediate
touch with all the great resources Of the
United States government.
1t can answer practically any question
you want to ask butt can't give ad-
vice, nor make exhaustive research.
THE war forced many changes in the
daily life Of the American people that the
services Of this Information bureau will be
Invaluable 10 all who use II.
Keep In touch with your government ut
all times. 1t can help You in thousand
ways II your wants are only made known.
The Stnte Journal pays for this splendid
service In order that every one OF Its read-
crs may take free advantage OF 1t. You are
welcome to use It often you Ike.
Write your request briefly, sign your
name and address plainly. enclose 2-cent
stamp for return postage and address, the
TOPEKA SITE JOURNAL, INFORMA-
TON BUREAU.
ton, y. G.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
The Woman Who Loved and
Earned a Modem story Of Home and Business
By JANE PHELPS
A Modern Story OF Ho

Then: You look mighty solemn this
morning, Gerry. That old aunt been
getting on your nerves again ??
NO. and yes. Mary. Rooert mas
lost his position, and I can't afford
to keep his aunt, and he won't tell her
to 60" ,.r. o,,.rrs,sa oss,
Aunt Felicia" she asked after emit
ting sharp whistle of surprise.
No, Robert and 1 haven't quar-
relied over anything
TT is too bad he has lost his posi-
tion," she was now serious, what
happened?"
ousy. Someone else wanted MS place.
They showed favoritism you know in
that promotion a while ago. Carson
and Frank both thought So l had
volunteered this explanation trying to
save Robert But 1 saw by the
shrewd glance Mary gave me that
had not imposed upon her In the least
I'm awfully sorry for him and
you too. 1t was too bad 20 ask you
to go joy hunting for second hand
furniture with me when you had all
this trouble on your mind
I'D like to go. Perhaps 1t Will hell
me to forget Aunt Felicia and-otheI
things"
At noon we hurriedly ate sand
wich, then Jared forth to visit sec
ond- hand stores. 1 had not dreamed
1 would become so interested, so al
most excited over secondhand fur
nishings for Mary,s flat. 1t was al
most as il it were for myself. She
made all sorts of fun of me because
/ wanted to buy everything 1 saw.
| you'll bankrupt me. Gerry! sh'
! declared with a laugh.
But look at this chair. 1t is Jus
what you need, and that drop lea
table over there is a bargain"
/ "I'll take the table, but TIL SIT or
box the grocer sent the groceries
| over in until / can save some NOR
cash. No debt in little MaTy's home
! thank you kindly. We pay as we CO.
I had forgotten Robert Aunt Fe
licia all my troubles while helping
Mary select her furniture. But all thu
afternoon II worried over Robert. ant
! dreaded to go home because of Aun
! Felicia.
Could I get up the courage to tel
| her to go? Had Robert found any
\ thing?
! (Tomorrow-They tell Aunt Felicia.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24

The conference report on the rail-
road bill has passed both house and
senate. Chief among its features are
the maintenance of the present basis
of remuneration and wages for the
next six months. the recognition of a
standard rate of Il to per cent as
the basis to be aimed at by the inter-
state commerce commission in the es-
adjustment of it's rates for transpor-
tation, the creation of a tribunal whose
function IL shall be to settle labor dis
putes, and the adjustment of financial
relationships left over from the period
of federal administration and manage
ment. The bad side of the bill, says
Henry Clews is seen in the enormous
powers it bestows upon the interstate
commerce commission and its appar-
ent distrust of private enterprise or
management in anything except a mar
row field relating to the administra-
ton of executive detail. Still the
measure keeps faith by returning the
roads to their owners and is much
better than some Of the plans that
have been suggested.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
FARMERS AND MIppLEMEN.

The new secretary Of agriculture.
who, before entering the cabinet. was
editor of farm paper in one of the
greatest agricultural states of the
Union, says. with apparent sympathy.
that the farmer, the milk producer,
and the stock raiser are not encour-
aged to produce when they observe
that they are receiving hut half of
what the consumer is paying for their
products.
When the farmer complains be-
cause half the price paid by the con-
sumner is absorbed by the middleman.
legitimate cost of the middleman's
service. A producer can not expect
to be paid the same price for a dozen
eggs on his farm that is paid for them
at the door of home in the city. The
consumer can't go out to the farmer.
The farmer does not come in with his
product to the consumer. A cOmpli-
Gated and expensive machinery does
the service of bringing the farmers
product to the consumer, and it is
service that is not only necessary but
profitable to both producer and con-
sumner.
People cannot live in the heart of
cities miles away from the producer
and expect to have produce prepared
for them and delivered in their out
stretched hand at the convenient mo-
ment without paying the men and wo-
men who do this for them. The mid
dleman may not be a producer but he
makes modern cities possible, and he
serves the producer as truly as he does
the consumer.
The farmer is, of course, rightly in
terested in the price to the consumer.
because IL it is Unfortunately high it
creates conditions which react indi-
rectly upon him in the form of higher
costs of the commodities he buys. But
the viewpoint of the complaints cited
by Secretary Meredith does not look
toward a reduction of prices to the
consumer, but toward a larger share
of the high prices to the producer.
But if middle costs were greatly cut it
does not follow that the producer
would get more. The decrease might
be absorbed by the consumer, and per-
haps ought to be. That is a question
of adjustment of economic forces. and
the Farmer might discover if his COM
plant were heard and the middle serv-
ice cut that he was worse off than
now.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
Dorothy Dix Talks
BY DOROTHY DIX
worlds Highest Paid Woman write7.
Don't Give Up the Ship, old pears

A(Oh oItC Up tIAC oAkAPs fOA1 OCdES--1s
Not long ago I made inquiries con-
corning an old friend of mine
Dead" was the reply, up to a
year ago he was as hale and hearty
an old man as you could find any
where. Head clear as a bell. Judg-
ment sound. Body vigorous. but his
wife nagged at him about working too
hard until she made him sell out his
business and retire.
"She asked why he should be a
slave to his business any longer when
they had more money than they could
use. and no children to leave it to.
and she had an idea that he could be
perfectly happy loafing around home,
or raising Belgian hares or roses for
an exciting diversion. Fancy a man
who has been geared up to high speed
, for fifty years coming, down to Bel
pitting his wits against the sharpest
brains in the financial world getting
any thrill out of developing a new
shade in a rose!
life. His office was his world. and
when he gave them up he simply
slapped the cords that bound him to
existence. He literally pinned away
and died of sheer boredom, and for
Hack of any vital interest in life. He
WINGED that he would have been good
for twenty years more If he had only
kept on at his job
The same day met a woman whom
had always known as strong and
healthy, and capable in body. and
looked suddenly old. and grey. and
shrunken, and feeble, and she was
gloomy and peevish in temper.
How are your flowers doing?"
asked.
CHI ronI{ad ssTfIya prfVan
old home, and 1 am living with Mary.
The children didn't think that should
live by myself. So live around with
the different ones. They are very
kind, but I miss my own house and my
own things, but perhaps it is best. l
don't seem very we'll these days"
OF course she didn't seem very well.
She had signed her death sentence
when she gave up the thing in life
that made life worth while. when she
ceased to have any objective in living;
and became one of those who fold
their hands and wait for death.
The tonic she needed. and without
which she would surely die. was work.
the interest of work. and the knowl-
edge that she was still accomplishing
something in the world.
Not one oFyou who read these lines
but can duplicate these cases hun
dred times over out Of your own ex-
perience. 1t is a matter of common
knowledge how soon a mans FUNERAL
follows his retirement from business
or else how childish and senile he be-
comes. You have noticed how surely
mother begins to fail as soon DIS she
goes to live with Mary or John.
And everybody says that old sMr
Smith and old Mrs. Jones must have
been much feebler than they seemed
and how good, and kind, and wise II
was in their =cihldren to make them
give up their work and take 1ifeaea s,
| Ter and nobody dreams. least CT all
| their children, that the old. PEOPLE
have been literally slain by their sons
and daughters devotion.
! Copyright. 1910. by the Wheeler Syndicate
| Incl
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
LITTLE BENNY'S NOTE BOOK
By LIEF PAPE.

We was having joggrlffy in skool
today and [ was rolling marbles
down my joggriffy book and catch
ing them when they got to the bottom.
and SUDDENLY all of a suddin they
slipped out of my hand and bounced
on the floor and kepp on bountcins
and rolling, making sutch fearse
noise yol wouldent of thawt marbles
could do it.
o boy, G, gosh, thawt. and Miss
Kitty stopped tawking about Joggriffy
and sed, Who did that, who dropped
marbles? Proving she knew the diff
trent sounds of different things and
everybody started to look at me and
I quick raised my hand to get the
credit for telling on myself before she
asked me, and she sed, Benny Potts
stand up.
Wich I did, and Miss Kitty sed
How do you exer Expect to learn eny-
thing wen you drop marbles insted OF
paying attention? and ] sed, / dident
drop them. L jest rolled them, they
dropped themselves, and she sed. You
will RENAME hour after skool.
Heck. gosh. G. 1 thawt. And I sat
down agen and had a good ideer,
thinking G, 1 know wat, maybe II
give her a present or sumthing she
will change her mind and leeve me
go. And l felt in all my pockets with
out feeling enything but string and
empty pill boxes and different things
ladies wouldent consider very good
presents and I thawt, G, I know wat,
Ill promise her sumthing, Ill promise
her my egg frum Atlantic City.
Wich I did. going up to her desk
after the class was dismissed and
saying, Miss Kitty, 1 got artificial
egg home and enybody looks in It can
see a pickture of the ocean, if you
wunt it Ill bring it to you tomorro
morning.
wy Benny. how perfeckly sweet of
you to offer me a bewtifill present
jest wen I'm Furnishing you. I ap-
preciate It and I hope your kind
acktion will make your punishment
seem easier for you, now go and take
your sect, sed Miss Kitty.
Wich I did. thinking Darn it. hoiey
sinoaks, that's a heck of a trick. And
after a fearse long vile seeming about
hours it was a hour, and Miss Kitty
sed, You may go now Benny.
Wich / started to do, going up to
her desk ferst and saying. Miss kitty,
I don't know if I'm sure know il 1 re-
member ware that egg is.
o well, that's all rite, IL you cant
find it Ill know you'll be as sorry as ]
am. sed Miss Kitty.
WITCH she ony thawt she did
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E. HOUSE.
tFrom Philadelphia Public Ledgero

We wish to trespass upon the pre-
negatives of the gentlemen Soulh ny
east long enough to take an opserFa
ton and post a forecas-. and we ask
nermission to do so. WHAT we desire
to say is that the presidential boom
of Governor Edwards, of New Jersey
is the Invest, most vital tning on tne
political horizon, and that 1t is llkeiy
to cause both the Democrats ana tne
Republicans more trouble tnan any
other issue. real or assumed, now con-
fronting the two parties.
We make no argument for or
against prohibition. We are perfectly
willing to concede that prohibition is
a good thing, if that will stay the con-
troversy about 1t. But there is TO-DAY
only one issue that stirs the pulse ana
communicates u thrill to the spinal
columns of the proletariat and the
bor-zhwo-ze. That issue is "hooch. II
is the only public question of the day
that carries a wallop to the MASSES
or excites them to bitter contro-
versy and violent expression of opin-
ion.
In expressing this opinion we are
not misled by the shrieks of agony
emanating from New York and other
urban centers. Less than thirty days
! ago we made a long trip into the him
terland, visiting here and there along
the way. and getting in touch with
sentiment in a considerable section OF
the "bone-dry' area. There. as else
where, the talk was of booze" and
| the possibility that some miracle,
/ which would permit them to replenish
their diminishing stocks. might even
| tuate. Their concern was not for the
fate Of the peace treaty. The remote
| possibility of communism or soviet
rule did not disturb them. The clamor
was for and about 'hooch" and it did
not come from the brewing and dis
| tilling gentlemen. 1t came from the
people.
We make no prediction that a gem
I tleman avowedly wet" in his pro-
pensities can be nominated for presi-
dent by either political party. We
could be elected il he were nominated.
But -'hooch" is the one live issue in
this country and the row has just
started.
"Sneeze correctly" says a learned
member OF the medical profession.
DO not say. 'a-choo.' Let the sneezer
| learn to say, ada or AIDE We
knew it would be only a question OF
time until some reformer attempted to
place his own method of interpreta-
ton upon the sneeZe. The reason
We knew it is that the sneeze and
sitting cross-legged are the only ex-
pressions of personal liberty in which
the masses now are permitted to in
dulge. There is a prescribed form Uf
everything else. enforceable at the
point of a jail sentence.
4 While We don't know how you feel
about 1t, the man who attempts to
interfere in any way with our per-
sonal Interpretation of the sneeze
spoils the day for us.
J
We don't know what, II anything.
is the matter with the president We
merely express the opinion that his
letter addressed to the conference of
Democratic senators will not be in
cluded IN the permanent list OF his
state papers.
How tempus does fugit! 1t is al
most time for one who makes a prac-
tice OF eading "Huckleberry Finn"
in April each year to do it again.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
JUST FOLKS
AWAY FROM THE WORLD
By EDGAR A. GUEST


It's good for n fellow to walk away
From the busy world and the busy day:
It's good for him now and then to turn
From the crowded streets, where there's
gold to earn.
And spend some time in n quiet zone
And be for a little while alone.
It's good for a man 10 take his ease
In the shade of the wise and ancient trees
To lie by stream that has danced along
Since the world began with its right and
wrong.
And spend some time with the constant
things
That have outlived empires and crowns and
kings
1t is good for n man when the spring
comes back.
To get away from the beaten track,
To quit the hurry aud fret and grind
OF the daily tasks. and rest his mind
In the fields and woods, where the air Is
clean.
And ponder awhile on what has been.
So when spring returns md the trees awake
And the streams tile shncklcs of winter
break.
1t is good for n man to leave the crowd
And turn from the e0ger and rich and
proud.
To walk alone where the skies are fair
For he shall strengthen his faith out
there.
Copyright 1920 by Edgar A Guest