davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
f s ); ;([!:? Sc m1535.;;;
oy 4 MRC. ELIZABETH THOMPSON
!. EL1ZABETH THONPSUN

Dear Mrs. Thompson: I am
young married woman. My mother
and my husband do not get along
we'll together and she tells things
on both of us that are not true As
she cannot get along with her
neighbors, We do not think it is our
fault.
When l go to see my family
mother sits and bites her finger
nails and will not say a pleasant
word to me. She keeps my sister
in the room with her all the time.
l do not know what that is for I'M
| less she is afraid sister will tell
me something she has said about
me.
She tells my sister things that |
have said about her, which are not
true, for l think too much of sister
to talk about her. She will not let
| the children or my father come to
see US and tells them that if they
do come they will have to leave
home.
Father knows she is tosblame for
all, as she is mean to him. He
does not dare to say his life is his
own. l get SO homesick to see the
children at times that l do not
know what to DO but hate to go
home when mother treats me so.
What would you advise me to do?
My husband is as good to me as he
can be and most mothers would
think such son-in-iaw great.
l~Perhaps you think mAther could
not treat her own daughter this way
but nevertheless it is all true and I
will be glad if you can help me. /
have no children to take the worry
of my mind. worry all the time.
A DAUGHTER.
y Your mother cannot be in a nor
mai mental condition and act the
way she does. Extreme nervous
ness or extreme selfishness seem
to be the cause OF her trouble. Sell
, fishness when INDUCED too long be-
comes a sort of insanity.
1t seems TO me that the whole
family should regard her as ire
sponsible. but at the same time not
let her know. Your father should
act independently and not fear her
threat to put him out OF the home.
tine children should do as their IA
ther says and not have their home
life ruined By IN uareasenabls
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
The High Cost Of Sickness-IX.
The Sanitary Home.


Some men are SO ohseesed with
microbiophobia that they have even
their shaving soap impregnated
with antlseptics. Soap Itself IS
antiseptic. A lather is a very good
protection in shaving. But we do
love to paint the lily.
According to an old supersti-
ton anything giving of a noisome
odor was injurious to health. This
idea happened to be correct in a
very few instances. 1t led to a
sort of homeopathic notion that
disease might be driven of by some
malodorous substance. or course,
we know now that unpleasant
odors neither cause disease nor
dispel disease-all Of US except
Mrs. Tim Idity, who still imagines
she wards off disease by wearing
camphorfi asa:etida or some other
odoriferous charm about her neck.
1t is curious how people can har-
Dor the fancy that germs, which
they believe 'lurk" in malodorous
places, are frightened off by COM
| paratively mild odors.
Speaking Of disease germs Turk
ing" here and there it may bear
mention that disease germs never
! travel of their own accord. They
60 only where they are carried.
They do not exist or float about in
the air, as some exploiters of san
itary" flapdoodle would have folks
believe. Disease germs are con-
siderably less capable OF seeking
victims than are bedbugs or head
lice-and everyone knows that
these visible parasites have to be
carried to fresh fields, having no
wings at all. Disease germs Turk
with all the malice aforethought
of grains of wheat lurking any
where.
Soap and water and elbow
grease are the most reliable SAM
tary agencies for the protection ,ol
the home Sprinkiing. spraying,
smearing or exposing chemical
disinfectants about the house, in
the bathroom, or in the cellar, is
OF no advantage as compared with
cleanliness.
The popular faith in anything
labeled ''antiseptic' is too great fol
safety. Take an ordinary l to 5000
solution or l to 1000 solution Of
bichloride of mercury corrosive
sublimate). If this solution is tt
destroy any germs the hands oil
materials must be immersed in il
at least five minutes. A mere diI
is quite inocuous to most germs.
| There is no actual evidence thai
disinfectants offer any protection
to health when applied to floors
walls or furniture. The only rea
purpose disinfectalt solution
can serve is for the destruction
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
THE DAILY SHORT STORY

Above all things. don't recognize
me-
In one second Bob's head went
a-bobbing yes" At which Betty
settled back with a blissful sigh.
When nearing Joyville, Metals
summer home, Betty started for
the door. Then she. audaciously
innocent, remained there facing
the aisle.
1t was no avail, the stranger
gave not one fleeting glance. which
slight to her charms Ieeved the
fair girl.
Not so Bob, who gave a sigh of
relief that he need fear no rival in
his friend.
1t was later that evening when
Betty met the stranger. who gave
no sign that he had ever seen The
girl. lovely vision though she was
at the tea table. He grew absorbed
in his partner of the hour.
When Betty Cloyton once made
up her mind to accomplish a thing,
it was sure to come to pass. There
fore every day she played some
prank.
II she slyly overheard Paul
Brent bewailing girls nonsensical,
indecent fashions. Betty appeared
in an extremely abbreviated skirt.
and in the most diaphanous quail
ity OF waists. In such garb she
would waylay the enemy of her
sex, and begin flirting outrageous
ly, talking frivously, and inter-
spersing her words with bits of
slang, until the indifference and
scorn of her victim drove her near
~ to shame.
Another time she would appear
In her bathing sultan unheard of
crime to Paul .Brent-and he limo
Gently rowing her boat, which
would always pass him on the
river. She imagined his look OF
vexation.
Overhearing one evening his ex-
ploejve Views OF jazz, the audacious
beaGty suggested the forbidden
dancing; even enticing one of the
girls to help her pay Paul Brent
;oe his denouncing their sex"
Il was remarkably singular that
after every escapade, Betty's emo
tons changed at bed time to .
fearful condition. more especially
last@ = lsn1pach from Bob.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

A jealous flush crept to the verv
,ools OF her hair. She jumped to
ner ieet. A rustic in the grass. and
faui Brents handsome figure stood
before her He remained with ont
stretched hands.
Miss Cloyton-Betty-is,.+ II
Tune TO show our real selves"'
Real selves? What do Won
mean. Mr.. Brent" she aueried ma
iestically. ''
why, end this farce. It's cruel
OF me. Forgive me, dear girl"
Forgive you-what?" she slow
ly emphasized.
Betty, you know you love me y
and the dark eyes twinkled
Your conceit far surpasses vour
iciness," she scorned. "
And you must know how deen,v
l return your love, dear" tor.
mented the man.
"Oh. yes, deeply, BY scornInr
every girls presence, and denounc,
ing them sarcastically retorred
Betty. Then she added. NV Chief
aim was to" e'
Betty, dear. your aim was true
Tor you hit me-" beamed the ire.
pressible Paul.
Down Topped Betty on the
grass, disguised and speeches..
You're such catch. wbv
shouldn't II" she snapped.
Why not, indeed-it's MT en-
hard" he goaded. "
And you thought II would do
that! It's right the cpposite--I
hate you, you iceberg, There"
Bettys eyes filled with misty indis,
nation.
Don't mind my foolish tests
I'll confess | saw it all from the
first-the note to Bob. your inten-
tons, all; and I vowed to"
TO what??" half screamed the
girl.
"To win you!"
And have you." Betty sneered.
Il think / have" answered the
iceberg. clasping her closely. u
should indeed be an iceberg to re.
stst the vision OF the girl on the
train," he laughed-"the adorable
Betty"
And that deceitful little. min,
didn't even try to struggle ont Of
those: fond AIMS!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

/ Petroleum products prices may have seemed
4 triie slow III getting started in the high cost
race, but that was because those in the business
had thoughtfully advanced them long ago far
enough to meet any but most extraordinary
contingencies. They are moving up now, how
ever, and, having started, there is no telling
where they will stop. For adroit approach in
the matter Of boosting prices petroleum men
take the palm. Tacking on few cents now
and then they climb by almost imperceptible
degrees toward their objective which is the
limit that the traffic will carry without
ALTERING
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
Lanes Diagnosis.

Franklin X. Lane is big man-of presi-
Dental caliber, though not eligible because OF
hsving been born in Canada. The things he
said in his farewell letter on retiring from the
secretaryship Of the interior. no less than the
things he did while occupying that position,
proclaim his stature
Enemies will choose to consider his state
rrent a criticism of the administration, but it
was not aimed at the present regime more d.
rectly than it was at those which preceded it.
In fact, it was not the shortcomings of men
or parties to which he meant to call attention,
but to the weakness of system. He was par
ticular to absove those in official life from
the charge of dishonesty, their standards in
that respect, he said being far in advance
of those of the commercial world. The trouble
is politics-not full of graft and corruption with
which it is too freely associated in the public
mind-but super-sensitive, cautious to the point
of cowa-dice and So closely tied to form and
precedent as to be totally unfit to meet new
situations
No one knows the situation better than Mr..
Lane, for he has been through 20 years of it
under both parties No one is in better posi-
ZION 10 speak ms mlHu, ne Is leaving IHc
public service permanently after enjoying the
highest honors to which he was eligible, he
has no political ambitions for himself and is
not tied to those of others. Nobody has a thing
en- him. What he has to say should be given
greater weight at the present moment than
the preachings and exhortations of all the can
didates and all their friends, which includes
| pretty much everybody in the national capital.
| If anyone is in position to give us the gospel
about Washington it is he.
Private business may not be as honest as
| public business, the way it is done in Wash
| ington, but it is vastly more efficient. The
| public is to blame to certain extent for put
| ting good intentions above the capacity for
| getting things done. Whenever man in pri-
waite life has developed genius for getting
results we have become suspicious Of him.
| Imagine electing a Jim Hill, Hartman, Nor
dent of these United States. A long haired
poet could beat any one of the bunch hands
down. We wanted our government to get as
far away as possible from business and i,
has gone a long way, if you'll believe Mr. Lane
National business has got to be revised and
some private business standards introduced
even at the risk of communicating our ideal
istic state. The time to start is now, in the
coming presidential campaign. There lies the
real issue.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
Wires and the New Aerial Truck.

Wires and the New Aerlal lruCA.
Protests against indiscriminate stretching o.
wires across Second avenue In violation OF or
dinances. are said to be receiving the serious
consideration Of the city commission These
wires are not only dangerous and unsightly.
resembling cobwets strung over the business
streets, but there is another objection which
carries even moro force at this particular time
The city 10 about TO receive an aerial ladder
truck which 10 needed especially in the bust
ness district where the buildings are taller and
which must have plenty of room to be success
fully operated. The usefulness Of this essen
tial device will be seriously impaired unless
existing wires are taken down and placing OF
others prevented. in strict compliance with
the ordinance.
Telephone and power companies may be put
to little extra expense, but that Is no reason
for tolerating the nuisance any longer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

Betty, I don't want to see you
doing these outrageous things. It's
not like you. l don't want Paul
to judge my future wife by her
present actions"
"Your-futUTe- gasped
Betty. How many more times am
! to tell you never! Never! Never!
l do believe this is the goth time
Then in a meek repentant voice
she softened:
Dear old Bob, I'm awfully fond
of you, but not in that way. Do
try for Meta. l don't think you'd
have to work very hard. As for
me-who-I-I don't know what
ails me-but-"
And bursting into tears, Betty
flew off, again astonishing the per-
seryering Bob. who stupidity muir
INJURED:
"It-can't be-she's-she's-and
with that iceberg, PAUL."
Thus things went on, until one
day a. change came over Betty
she appeared in a meek, sanity
role, clad in sombre colors OF mod
est make, her sweet face taken on
deeper beauty.
But still the iceberg ignored her
charms. He strolled off alone,
rowed alone. and thereby earned
the name OF hermit" from the
girls.
One glorious day when the soft
foliage OF the trees barely moved
Betty rowed mp the river to a Sc
cluded spot where she hid in The
thick of the woods. She longed
to be alone. with her strange, dis
turbing thought - unutterably
wild thoughts.
Sounding clear on the breeze
less air a musical voice reached
her ears. a voice repeating poetry
his voice, Paul Brent's. Hel
enemy! Oh, no-never that
The girls face went scarlet In
her eagerness to punish and annoy
she had become entangled in the
tolls. He had won, not she.
But he shall never know it.
she vowed.
So, he-he had already beer
made the willing victim ofZol
some girl. HIM. What foolish
girl would ever care for an ice.
berg."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
Whats I'm a Name?
by MILDRED MARSHALL --
Copyright 1919. by the Wheeler Syndicate. Inc,

equivalent for Claudia and as such
was reverenced, but her name new
er achieved the popularity Of it
equivalent because OF its harsh
sound. Though recognized a;
Gladys it was more often given in
baptism as Claudia or Claude, as
the French call it.
France rejected Gladys com
pletely, preferrirg the softer Clau-
dine and Claudio. while Italy and
Spain chose Claudia, leaving GLADYS
completely to English use, whence
it was brought to America and az
lowed to flourish unmolested and
non-confused by Claudia.
Agate is the talismanic gem a.
Signed to Gladys. 1t is said to avert
peril from its wearer. to give her
courage and a large degree Of
charm. One old legend contends
that her every wish will come true
when she wears this gem. TUESDAY
is her lucky day and Z her LUCKY
number.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

become secretary of the treasury,
bonap2rte resigned as secretary of
the navy to become attorney gen
erai. Root afterwards resigned
from the cabinet to become United
States senator from New York, The
other changes were designations
from the cabinet.
@. Is Niagara Falls harnessed
for its water power to make cleo
tricity? NJ. n. c.
A Niagara Falls is now being
used to a considerable extent to
generate electric power. The larg-
est plant generates electricity by
leading the water through a canal
above the falls to a we'll pit in
which are turbines. the water dis
charging through a tunnel into the
river below the falls. About 300
600 horse power is generated al
the present time.
z. Where is the famous Gretna
Green, and for what is it cele-
brated! AN r
A The original Gretna Green is
a small village in Scotland, less
than a mile from the border
which separates England and Scot.
land. 1t was famous as a marry.
ing place for clipping couples. There
was formerly a Gretna Green in
Kentucky where couples were
united in matrimony in defiance o,
parental wishes.
q. How many -four mills are
there in the United States? p
a 1t is estimated that there are
about 1000 wheat -four mills If
this country which. during the last
three years, have produced on ar
average OF 11s.o00,000 barrels o.
nour annually, or more than IN,
barrel for every man, woman ans
child in the country. This outnu,
OF flour has required the grindins
OF about 550.o00o, 900 bushels %
wheat per year.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

@. Have any countries that had
food rationing during the war, in
vestigated its effects upon the
health of their people? A. NJ. d.
A. Denmark estimates that as a
result of system of compulsory
rationing during the World war
the death rate was reduced "a per
cent. This decided reduction is at
tributed to the elimination of an
over-consumption of fats by the
population. DR.. Hindhede. the
Danish food expert, says that as a
general rule, people consume an
excessive amount Of fats and other
food, and that the continuance OF
system of compulsory rationing
would prevent many persons from
eating themselves to death.
@. What is the origin of the ex-
preston "good-bye?" o. L.
A. This term is a corruption OF
the phrase "God-hy with ye," used
in Elizebethan times as q valedic-
ton.
@. What are the Books Of
Buddha? f. r. T.
A. Sacred Books Of Buddhism
are: The Pitaka. containing the
discourses of Buddha; the Dharr,a
setting forth the doctrines or ethics
of the people; the Vinaya, contain.
ing the rules for the priests, and
the various ceremonies. These
books contain 1000 pages and
nearly 100000 Chinese charac,
tiers. The market price of the Kan.
jur edition. printed in Chinese, il
1000 oxen.
Q. How many changes were there
in Roosevelt's cabinet during tht
seven years that he was president.
T. NJ. c.
A. There were 13 changes II
Roosevelt's cabinet. Root re-
signed as secretary of war to be
come secretary Of state. Cortelyot
resigned - POSTMASTER general Il
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Husbands. Take Warning.

have recently been married and
after our marriage l found that nv
husband snores dreadfully a,
night. 1t makes me feel so bad
that cry myself to sleep. Is there
not something that will prevent
this awful condition. How can |
go on loving him? Mrs. S. PAUL.
Gently guide him around to the
nose and throat specialist for few
treatments to tone up has atomic
Schneiderian membrane.
The Two Weaklings.
Two young men who are mem.
bers of my class are victims Of the
cfgaret habit, and since the class
has gone in for basketball these
two find themselves very much
handicapped for hard game BY
being short OF breath They both
think the cigarets arc responsible
and want to quit. | thought your
monograph might help Them
(Teacher)
Answer-The minor who finds il
necessary to use tobacco is usually
defective in one way or another,
physically. mentally, or morally, to
begin with. The tobacco adds to
the defect. If the young men will
! send stamped self addressed en-
velopes the monograph will be
promptly mailed. 1t is foolish for
a young man to attempt TO succeed
in athletic work Of any kind if he
uses tobacco:
Basketball.
| am a girl Is years old
/. cannot sleep. especially
| if I have been TO basketball prac-
tice in the evening or merely at a
game all night think
about the game aid it is impcs.
| sible to get to sleep
| Answer-Basketbail is hse
game for girls, but the time for
basketball or other wholesome
game or athletic work is in the
day, and not in the evening.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

mother. Surely much can be done
without mentioning it to your noln'
err. In most cases | believe deceit
fulness a great evil, but here II u
justiiable.
Try to be as charitable toward
your mother as you can be. W
home to see the children II yeu
visits bring them pleasures loui
father and the children need you
all the more, since your motneI
makes them so unhappy Worl!
does not help in the least. W.
plenty of sleep and fresh ar ~
that you will be in normal coDu'
| ton to face your problem.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: am io'.
ing interest in school and DO hu'
get my lessons and do not ever
study them. | am getting penin'
and il l don't get my lessons l caa
not finish the eighth grade 'iii'
year. Ii
There is one boy whom J Vouu
like to have as a friend, but nc .
not going to school.
Please tell me what to 60 apos.
my school work. ! wish TO De WIZ
my class as | used to be.
! ANXIOUS ABOUT SCHOOL.
You are throwing away iu'ul.
happiness when you neglect !o.
school work. A girl who mas y, -.
tie schooling is not wanted In :,
business world for positions 'n.
| pay a living wage. Such a girl e., ,s
not choose her friends: she IS w
tied to people who, like nefsL s,
lack ambition. Many girls W.
are forced by necessity to ie. "a
school at an early age, STUDY o.
improve their minds in leisure ~ :.
ments. and of course they adVap.,
You must decide now whether
not you want to be ignorant N
Set aside a time every nlsn'
tstudy and then concentrate
your school work. Will power "a
all that is needed. You can =.
back to your former position ~
class and graduate il you Will
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03
Gladys.

Gladys
Though popular in the chorus
and frequently in use as the heroine
of popular fiction, where Gladys de
Montmorency was considered the
heighth of feminine elegance.
Gladys comes from a dignified old
Roman family. the Claudian gems
The Claudii gave much fame in
early Rome and figure in most OF
the tragedies of the city and the
Emperor Claudius, through his
conquests in Britain. spread his
name throughout Europe
The first feminine Claudia, was
the daughter of a British prince
who sent her greetings to St. Tim
othy in st. Paul's epistle. The mas
culine form, Cladus or Gladus. as
it was sometimes spelled, became
popular in England and was taken
over by the Welsh. who are respon-
sible for the feminine Gladys.
Gladys came TO be considered TIE
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

Senator Poindexter wanted General Wood to
rrolong the debate In South Dakota for week.
but the latter wisely declined. 1t must take
lot Of nerve for An army man to tackle
United States senator even for one-night
stand. The former would ordinarily have
about Is much OF a chance as a barnyard
fowl swimming against duck
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

LOT disease germs in dischar,.,
from the body Of the invalid a.
germs on articles soilad BY sueA
discharge. Soap and water, fresb
air and sunshine will serve ever
other purpose in the sanitation q,
the home. For disinfecting d;,.
charges and articles soiled or con.
taminated by such discharges, pe,.
haps the cheapest and most efhe.
lent disinfectant is that known a,
Hygienic Laboratory Pine OIL Dis.
infectant which any pharmacist q,
chemist can prepare after direc.
lions given in Reprint No. s0l q,
the U. S. Public Health Reports
obtainable free on application IA
the U. S. Public Health Service
Washington, D. c., Is cents to non.
resident of the United States).
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-03

sfusn n 70 the fund part q the small change
they formerly sxpsaded for street caf fArs.
Baseball means somsthing for nearly every
body. Each person should figure out what It
IL actually worth to him and make his contr-
button on that basis. Then Rock island can
return TO its former placs - supporter OF the
national game, . contamination which certainly
win be impossible otherwise.