davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-30
i The House OF
/ Whispers
xge9eegNggsgSS9gNSSSgS NNNSSRSgS@gS&SgSSeSgSg

/, ''What did the last note say?'
Here 1t Is"
This was written and folded as the
others had been, on the most ordinary
kind OF writing paper. 1t read:
unless we get the money Wednes-
day, Thayer gets the papers Thursday.
No wedding then for yours Same
bench at six-thirty."
"What can do about it7'
''Ill 90 In your place." suggested.
"0h, no, couldn't permit that"
"Let me explain FASTENED to say.
"Tm In this mystery as deep as you
are, Only last night discovered that
all the CASTOR jewels which had been
left In my custody are gone"
Not stolen !" she cried. 1.-THE Gas
ton pearls"
Yes,' replied. "the pearls. too
"Why, they are worth two hundred
thousand dollars, at least. What have
you done about it2 Have you notified
the police?"
mo, as yet have told no one Of the
robbery but yourself"
"Why not? You must notify the POI
lice at once"
hesitated. II was hard to explain
my actions without telling her the
whole miserable story, without admit
ting to this girl on whom was most
eager to make the best OF Impressions
that ! was d young man out of po-
sitlon, discharged In disgrace. Yet
she had given me her confidence. 1t
was only fair to her and to myself
that there should be no secrets be-
tween us. began at the beginning.
| told her of my coming to New York
and how | had seen my great-uncle
Rufus only once or twice. / related
the departure OF Roller and Birge for
the war front and told her how eager
| had been to go with them. even
went into detail as to the reason / had
not gone with them, my debt to the
mother.
She did not seem greatly Interested
In the first part of my narrative but
when / began telling of the PROPOSE
ton the Gastons had made to me and
of the mysterious warnings each Of
them had separately given me, could
see her interest kindling.
"There is something wrong In that
apartment house." she explained. 1--WE
have had nothing but trouble ever
since we lived there. / wonder II
there Is anything In the theory that
eyil deeds make bad karma, which
spreads Its effects all about. / know
feel there Is sinister atmosphere
about the whole place"
"rm beginning to feel 1t. too" said
bitterly.
| / told her then OF my unexpected
and unwarranted discharge without
explanation the day before.
Elbow do you account for itr" she
asked perplexedly.
''You must have some enemy, some
malicious person, who has spread
some terrible tale about you"
II haven't any enemy in the world"
| / replied, yet even as spoke there
flashed across my mind the malevolent
glance the scar-faced man had given
me In the restaurant few evenings
before.
II wonder" said Miss Bradford
thoughtfully, "if the same people who
are trying to blackmail us are not try
Ing to, involve you with us In some
way?"
"Why should theyT
"They may have been watching and
have seen you enter the house with
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-30
IndustrlaI Italy AwakenlNlgE. ~.

One great stride toward 80. 100 10
dustrial Italy from its depehu IA stea
on its supplies of iron ore ap i ts
is announced. This consists Aus
acquisition of the rights OF VI snoss
trian mining company hltnet @s,,sehaH.
as the Alpine Montan Gess Il or
These rights comprise controi ,,stricts
of The largest steel-producihs j Err
in Europe. From its foundries ,at pts-
berg in Syria alone the an IN IONS q
war output exceeded 1.oooooV ,stinats
finest quality steel. Experts i'd al
that the mine there can be wor I,ssr, y
vantageously for at least ~
come,
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-30

Daily Thought.
never anger made good guard for
ITSELF Shakespeare.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
Give Us a Full Count.

Los Angeles is said to be counting winter
tourists OF. which there is an abundant crop,
in order to swell the census returns. Mime
apolis, which has hopes of ranking above the
California city in the totals, has filed the com
plant
Here are two communities which are thor
oughly awake to the significance Of the popula-
ton returns. Each is determined to get all for
itself that the census bureau will let 1t get by
with and at the same time is watching other
towns Of its class to force compliance with
the rules. There ought to be more Of that
kind Of zeal in Rock Island.
In many places local organizations are &C
lively cooperating with the census officers to
secure complete count Nothing SO far has
been done along that line here. 1t is left to
the enumerators who are bound, under the
best OF conditions, to miss great many per-
sons. To make matters worse not few in
stances have arisen where people have tried
to escape being counted. Such disposition is
to be discouraged by every possible means.
Everybody ought to feel personal pride in
adding one more American to the total There
Is nothing painful or difficult in giving the
enumerator a moment OF your time and an
swering all the questions 1t ought to be con-
sidered a great privilege to do so. Evasion
is really mark of want Of fidelity to city,
state and nation. The law contemplates a
complete count and anyone who binders the
process violates both the letter and the spirit
OF the statute.
Responsibility does not end when the indi-
vidual accounts for himself. 1t is his duty
to report also others who have been missed.
Rock Island never has been credited with
all 1t had coming to it in federal census.
Let's get together and see that the old town
gets full measure this time
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
Political Rights of Socialists.

8 II the New York legislature did not go too
far In barring FIVE Socialists from membership
Without a more full investigation of the case
skatsleast set dangerous precedent. Denial
Of political rights to these men and their con-
stituents is something not to be lightly in
dulged, An.
The sooner 1t is generally recognized that
there is more than one kind Of Socialist the
better. Distinctions have got to be made, even
II members Of the party themselves are unable
or unwilling to determine their own classif-
. cation.
Some Socialists believe in setting up the
new altruistic order Immediately. by violence,
II impossible otherwise Others believe in
gradually preparing people for the change by
education and the institution Of the new regime
ID an orderly manner through the ballot Re-
gardless Of ones views as to how far socialism
would get. however inaugurated, It must be
conceded that a distinction is necessary in
dealing with the two extreme branches Of the
party.
For the open advocate OF revolution, con-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

paid to anonymous letters.
@. How many violins did Stradi-
varius make? E. J.
A. 1t is believed that he made
about two Thousand violins, but of
these only about five hundred forty
are known to be in existence.
@. Why was the word butter
nut" applied to the confederate SOL
diers during the Civil war?
D. S. B.
A. This term was applied to SOL
diers of the south in ILLUSTRATION to
the coarse brown homespun cloth
dyed with butternut dye, often worn
by them.
@. II 4 child were born to an
American couple travelling in Eu-
rope would the child be a citizen
Of the United States? K. N.
A. A child born outside the lin
Its Of the United States under such
conditions would be a citizen Of
this country. The law on this
point is very explicit. 1t reads:
All children heretofore born or
hereafter born out Of the limits
and jurisdictions of the United
States. whose fathers were or may
be at the time of their birth citi-
zens thereof, are declared to be
eitissns Of the United States: but
the rtghts Of citisenship shall not
descend to children whose fathers
nsver reaid1d in the unitsd States. =
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

1scokioa md he csea1isa q pfolstasiaa
dictat1rshiD there y but one answer. He must
~ suppressed. = gently - may b. but -
fectfvely. ID Ill events Most any method In
dealing With him Il justified II he persists.
especially II hs indulsss IN ovsrt acts Or In
spires them IN others
with the Socialist who II content to bfde his
time and work for results By education and
through the ballot We are bound to b more
patient He has political rights that must be
respected. II denied his chance to promote
evolution in peaceable manner nobody need
be surprised II he turns radical and becomes
. recruit to the really dangerous faction Of his
party.
z Perhaps the worst fault of the milder So
cialists lies in their want Of discrimination a.
to the kind Of company they keep. They freely
associate with the reddest Of the reds and ap-
parently do not understand the inevitable con-
clusion that others draw a. q result They
are blind As to political colors and without q
nose to distinguish political odors. That IL .
very serious fault, but It seems they can't help
It, It is one OF the misfortunes that Socialists
are heir to. There are others. II immune from
all of them they wouldn't be Socialists.
But the mild Socialist we have with US and
a place must be made for him In the political
scheme. He must have chance to vote. and
if numerous enough he must be given repre-
sentation in the legislatures. congress, or
wherever he is able to honestly elect his can
didates. Above ALL he must be given chance
to talk and write what Is most on his mind.
That is his best safety valve. Given free vent
his views will escape gradually and harmlessly,
Confine them and beware Of the explosion.
That always has been good American doc
trine and it's good American doctrine now.
Use of the ballot and of peaceful persuasion is
an honest game. II Socialists play 1t squarely
and capture the country it's theirs as long as
they have a majority. That's fair to Socialists
and to the rest Of US, and nothing that isn't
fair will stand the test under free govern
ment.
For the time being it isn't safe to declare
all Socialists guilty because we know some of
them are. Each case must be judged upon its
merits.
And remember that the radical So
cialist Of today will be the moderate Socialist
Of tomorrow:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
Whats In, a Name?
-BY MILDRED MARSHALL -
Copyright. 1919. by the Wheeler Syndicate. Incl

Mary's friend, Violet Forbes. Ger
tainly, the name spread in popular
ity in England and Scotland, where
Violets were almost as numerous
as the Marys of the Catholic COM
munities Of today.
Perhaps the most famous Violet
of history was La Violetta. the
young dancer, so-called by Maria
Theresa, who became the wife OF
David Garrick. the brillian English
tragedian. Viola was the form pre-
served by Italy and it still reigns
in undisputed popularity there. II
gradually penetrated England and
was elevated to favoritism through
Shakespeare's lovely heroine Of "A
Winters Tale"
Violet's flower is Of course her
fragrant and modest namesake, the
violet. 1t signifies modesty. Her
talismanic gem is the bloodstons
which promises her bodily health,
guards her from deception and dis
tressing news. and preserves her
faculties. If the stone is given to
her by a lover, 1t will insure last
ing and sincere devotion THURSDAY
is her lucky day and 5 her lucky
number.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

In the weeks that followed, willis
he was convalescing, shewent down
often. Sometimes she read to him,
sometimes they played cribbage, o.
roasted chestnuts or popped corn in
the fireplace, sometimes they tust
talked. When he grew stronger,
and there was no longer any excuse
for her to visit him, he began t,
call often at Aunt Jessica's house.
Later, when he was quite we'll
again, they snowshoed and skated
together, and he took her sleighlng
behind his new and favorite horse,
whose name he changed from Dolly
to. Betty. because it sounded so
much better. Betty soon forgot that
she wasn't happy, but she was too
busy to notice the way her aunt's
eyes twinkled at times, when she
looked at her.
1t was some time later that Betty
answered the doorbell one after
n. on to find Tom Rollinsford stand
ing on the doorstep.
What forsaken hole of a. place
to hide away in," were his first
words. Il couldn't get anyone to
bring me up from the station and
hao to walk all the way" His
voice was somewhat irritable, for
he was very cold.
What . shame!" Betty sympa-
thi7ed m ShelA6 him into fh> ,ivf,.-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
The High Cost Of Sickness-
Lady BOuntiful Insists.

1kG4Wy A1V04 - "a A1S40tu8
Some thirty-f1ve years ago there
was established in Germany q So
cialistic scheme which purported to
insure medical care and other ne
cessities to working people in time
of sickness. In Germany under
this paternalistic plan the working
people received perhaps the most
inconsiderate care and treatment
the sick in any civilized country
have ever given. Every doctor who
has ever visited Germany knows
how Insignificant the patient is in
the estimation Of the medical man
under this socialistic plan.
In England q similar scheme was
adopted a few years ago, and far
from improving public health, as its
sponsors had predicted, the So
called health insurance law rather
lowered the health standard OF Eng
land. 1t was inevitable that the
scheme should do SO, for in prac-
tice it placed premium on COM
mercialism and dishonesty in the
medical profession. Doctors, be-
ing human. have their weaknesses,
their cupidity and their underhand-
ed tactics, which the so-called
health insurance scheme too fire.
quently called into play. When a
doctor, under such a scheme, is paid
so much a head, rather than the
actual value Of his service in a
given case, he is likely to rush
matters, If he happens to be a man
of easy conscience, and merely
string along those under his care,
precisely as the lodge doctor, the
prison doctor, the contract Indus
trial doctor does in America.
Who wants compulsory health in
surance in this country? Why, ev-
e<y one wants it, Of course, if there
is really such a thing. But there
is no such thing. What is called
compulsory health insurance is ac-
tually compulsory sickness insur-
ance, and a disappointing kind of
insurance at that. The representa-
tives of organized labor are on rec
ord against this socialistic plan !;
the medical profession everywhere
is almost unanimously against the
plan-I mean the real practition-
ers, not those la-de-da boys whose
interest in medicine or healing is
merely academic.
Lady Bountiful seems to be the
chief supporter Of the plan. She is
just wild about it. 1t seems to her
the loveliest thing. 1t will give the
workingmen's pay envelope over to
her control, to a certain extent, for
out of each pay, under compulsory
sickness insurance, a certain
amount will be deducted by Lady
Bountiful to help defray the cost
Of the insurance. Better than a
drive" my dear!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

Betty said, I'm afraid you've come
too late" She pulled the curtain
aside and pointed down the road
See that white house down there
the one with the big barn? Well.
next month l am going to marry
the man who lives there. Yes. he is
a farmer. but he isn't cad"
Betty. you're joking."
"Oh. no, I'm not. See nv rin~
He is coming to supper toniehr
Won't you wait and meet him -
The look Of unbelief on his face
changed to one of injured pridr
locking at his watch, he said
stiffly:
mo thank you. I've got to cate,
that $50 train back-an important
engagement. you know-so m tear
along" "'
With a little smile in her ewes
Betty watched him laborionslv
make his way down the driftaa
road, then her gaze became ,rsd
upon the little white house. and
with the smile still playing sround
her mouth, she returned ia her
work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
VIOLET.

VIOLET.
The origin of the fragrant and
poetic name Of Violet Is shouded in
mystery. The name Violante ap-
peared in the south of France and
north of Spain and Italy early in
history, bat there was no clue to its
origin and apparently, like Topsy,
1t Just crew." Etymologists with
fanciful turn of mind have identi-
fled it with the lovely golden violet
which was the prize Of troubadours
of old in the courts of love; other
authorities believe that it may have
been a form Of some old Latin name
such as Valentine. The Latin name
for the little purple flower that lifts
its modest head in the spring is
viola"
Violante was popular as femi-
nine name in Spain, but France
changed her to Yolands or Yolette.
An old English form was Joletta.
Scotland. however, reached out and
appropriated the name. changing it
to Violet. 1t is thought that this
latest version came through con-
nection of the Archers OF the Royal
Guard, or perhaps through Queen
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

.turn postage. Be brief. All inquiries are
10 each individual. No attention will be
@. What is the fastest shorthand
record: c. D.
A. The worlds official speed rec
ord was recently established by
Nathan Behrin, an Official stenog-
rapher of the supreme court of
New York who wrote 1924 words in
a minute with but two errors.
Q. Does the pension law take
care OF an invalid son of a de-
ceased Civil war veteran? L. s.
A. The pension bureau SAYS that
the law does not grant a pension
to a soldiers child which is over
Is years Of age at the time of the
death OF the soldier.
Q. At what age do most bows and
girls leave school? F q
A. The greatest percentage ut
boys and girls drop out of school
when they are between 16 and ~
years Of age. The bureau OF edu-
cation says that, according to the
last census, 81 per cent of the chill
dren IA years of age were in
school; SIS per cent Of those Is
years OF age; 81 per cent 16 wears !:
IS per cent. II years; and % per
cent, Is years.
T. How many men have held the
rank OF admiral IN the United
States navy? A. Xix
A. This rank has been held by
only Farragut. Porter. Dewey and
SimA
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
FORGETTING.
Nv Mariory f, Webster.

Copyright. 1920, by The Wheeler
Syndicate, Inc)
sn6etyss heart WAS broken-never,
nevefsto be mended. She had quar-
relied with Tom, broken her engage
I1ent. and come up to visit her aunt
ID this little village among the
hills, In order to forget him. She
soon realized that Brookville was
q; mighty poor place to forget any,
body. for there was nothing to do
INT think. and nothing to think
about except Tom.
s"If you weren't quite so selfish.
and could forget yourself for FIVE
minutes ct q time. you would be
lAtle bit happier. Betty" her aurt
aid one day. her voice softening
hkr words.
Betty didn't even turn from the
Window, where she was gloomily
looking down the road. Everything
looked even more dismal than usual
II the grayness of1 drizzling rain.
There was no use arguing with
Aunt Jessica; she had never been
married, and Betty was quite sure
hat she didn't know how 1t felt to
- so bitterly disappointed In some
Que that she cared SO much for.
Now that she had cooled down,
Netty felt more certain than ever
! HAT II had been Toms fault but
that didn't help the ache.
Il IA little later her aunt called her
ut into the kitchen. where she was
p1cking some jelly In . basket
Betty, ! Wish you would taxi
n ~ 3elly down to Mrs. Emery-she
- IN that white house near the
earoAds. you know. vas going
1ols but my rheumatism is
Aellng - and I'm afraid il
nake Il worse 70 % ont ii
~ 3slly's especially Tor
- neasly I'D M Inep-
ss --ue-e.>-a s>.ap.- -.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
CONVENTIONS

Boston-National Shoe Retailers
association.
New York-Jobbers' Association
OF Dress Goods Buyers.
decentralization Hardvooa
Lumbermen's association.
Des Moines-Iowa yetarinarv :.
sociation. -
Milwaukee II Wisconsin Master
Plumhers' association.
Fort Dodge. Iowa-Iova Master
Plumber association.
Harrisburg. Pa = Pennsvlv.n,.
state Master faintsfs' and Decn-
Iatofs' association.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13
THE DAILY SHORT STORY

monia this fall. and is just begin
ming to sit up now. l thought per-
haps you could cheer him up q lit
tie. You don't mind. do you?"
II don't mind taking the jelly
down." Betty replied, "but I'm not
going In, because l don't want to
see him. I don't feel like trying to
cheer up anyone, anyway, espe-
cially when they're men,"
Betty rudged down the road
modify. At the Emery place Mrs.
Emery herself opened the door, and
greeted her in such warm, friend
ly way, that she was ashamed OF
her own crossness.
Il made some pumpkin pies this
morning, and l want to send one IN
to your aunt. Come in and wait IN
the sitting room, while l wrap il
up" Mrs. Emery said, drawing
Betty in. In spite Of herself, and
pushing her into the cosy. old-fash-
iored living room. Here's some
one to talk to. Don-Jessica's little
niece. Miss 'Southall. You must en-
terrain her until get that pie
wrapped up"
My, but it seems good to see
someone from outside" he said.
You're all wet; sit down near the
fireplace"
Betty obeyed. He didn't look
anything like Tom-she was glad
Of that. He was sitting in an arm
chair, all bundled up in . red and
white crazy quilt His face was
ve,y thin and dravn-until hi
smiled. and then he looked sur
pfisingly bright He asked her
about her trip up and about her
self-not . bit like Tom. whose
conversation WA always mostly
about himself and b1 the time
Mrs. Emery came back. Betty had
promised to come down the follow
Ing afternoon and play cribbage
WITH him,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

p II Is not generally known that Italy has a
A00o-horsepower plant operated by high pres
ture steam from a volcano. For years steam
ind been issuing from assures in the rocks.
finally scientist hit upon the plan Of tapping
lie mountain and began experimenting, with
deaf success. Time may come when property
u the earthquake belt will sell at premium,
Instead OF discount, as 1t does now.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-13

Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am a
young divorced woman and have
been keeping company with a fell
low for two months. He seemed
to think the world of me and /
thought a lot Of him. He has a
very jealous disposition and when
we attended dances together he
would always tell me not to dance
with any one but him. went
against his wishes and he deserted
me at the dance, and let me go
home alone. ! felt very blue at
the time. Since then he has called
me on the phone.
have another friend now, but
do not care much for him. When
see my first friend think as much
Of him as before, but he never
speaks to me Of date.
Do you think he intends seeing
me again? He has a girl with
whom he has been going, but he
doesn't seem to care for her.
Is it my place to ask him back ?
have given him many chances to
think l am not angry at him and
would be willing to be sthe same
friend as before. l know he thinks
lot Of me, but he seems to hate to
come between my second friend and
me. Should l stop going with the
second young man so he will see It?
BLONDY.
Any one who has such uncontrol-
able jealousy makes an unsatisfac-
tory friend. 1t is Just as we'll that
you learned OF this failing before
you became deeper in love. Forget
about the young man as soon as
possible.
l believe you have mistaken
idea in regard to his hating to come
between you and your other friend.
Probably he is stubborn and would
rather give you up entirely than to
show that he is In the wrong. He
was decidedly ungentlemanly when
he left you at the dance and did not
see you home.
noar Mrs Thcnoson. T.- . 10,