davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
If the soul be happily disposed, everything
becomes capable of affording entertainment,
and distress will almost want a name.-Gold-
smith.
TRADITION MUST BE MAINTAINED.
C. A Compton.

1--WE all know" declared the British anbas-
sador, Geddes, that it was your tradition to
keep clear of European entanglements. Here
is a European Acknowledgement that Is already
piling on your social beaches, Acknowledgement
Of the complicated Intervening of man and
man in the social fabric.' The ambassador re-
forred to the spread to this country of the social
unrest in Europe and left the inference that had
we consented to the abandonment of "Europ-
can cntan glcmcnts'' we would not now be sub
jccted to that menace. Does anybody believe
for moment that if the senate had ratified the
league Of nations domestic conditions in this
country would have been improved? Quite the
contrary With the certainty Of more wars IN
the immediate future If the nation were subject
to the obligations Of the league covenant it IS
not likely that our citizens would resume their
customary serenity. The prospect Of further
sacrifices, of higher taxes and of more of our
boys slaughtered on foreign fields would raise
such storm Of revolt as to bring about the
overthrow of an administration that committed
the people to such undertakings.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

whole alphabet. Those books
don't count--they were all pub
lished long ago. Father and
even grandfather has read most
of them. like something up-to-
date--the latest"
What bore would have been
to have argued the question. Yet
what a picturesquely pathetic con-
trast--that mind so young and
fresh lamenting a delay in deliv-r
cry Of the latest magazine,
though surrounded by all the
beauties of the best of literature.
But she was pretty--so pretty
that to be perfectly honest she
was life In far more interest
ing form than the most fascinat-
ing letters.
We changed the subject. Then
father came in. mentioned
the incident in playful way
Nothing to read?" he repeated.
There is something worse than
that--she is always lamenting that
she has nothing to wear, though
I'm sure her wardrobe is better
stocked than my library, know
it costs more to keep up"
Wonder if there is any connec-
ton?
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
BANKS DO GOOD WORK.

Santa Ana, Cal, Register: The
banks of the country deserve great
credit for the educational work they
are doing to guide the public along
conservative and constructive lines.
Leading financial institutions are en-
couraging industrial development and
preaching the work and save" doc
trine as the logical remedy to bring
about normal conditions.
Some of the best reading matter of
today is found in bank publications
dealing with current problems This
is free to the public and has great
educational effect from the standpoint
OF showing the reasons for abnormally
high prices and the remedy.
The truth the banks are teaching is
that our national prosperity rests on
la sound Industrial system and the
ability of our people to create new
wealth through production and saving.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
Keep It In Mind.

Dies Moines Tribune: The Evenine
Tribune is surprised that in so few OF
the financial reports of business con
ditions is any reference made to the
diversion of liquor money to the gen.
eral trade.
According to conservative esti-
mates fully $1,000, 100000 that for.
merly went for liquor is now being
spent in the stores. Surely that must
explain part of the "frenzied buying
we hear so much about
Even the federal reserve bank
speaks about the buying mania as
though all of the money was being
diverted from legitimate investment
or. from savings banks, or from
needed supplies to indulge wild
taste for luxury.
AS matter of fact much of the
seeming craze for luxuries is merely
liquor money being put to better
uses.
II this were not so, if the money
being spent now were really savings
account money. the bottom of the
bin would have been reached before
now.
Let everybody in his figuring on
the extravaganza OF the times keep
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
A MAID AND THE MAGAZINES

had called to see her father,
but there was no great disappoint-
ment in being told that he would
be a few minutes late for the lit
tie bookfest. She was quite the
prettiest pass-the-time and in no
need of her pleasant apologies.
Having smiled them, she lapsed
back into comfortable arm chair
and into a somewhat tired, not to
say, bored, expression.
1t seemed to be my turn to apol-
ogize for lack Of entertaining con-
yersation, but there was no neces-
sity. not even an opportunity.
Isn't it bore, perfect NUS
ance-the magazines all late this
month-nothing to read" she said
in her charmingly languid way.
@What?" l exclaimed, with the
rudeness Of an appropriately SUI
perior person, nothing to read?
Volumes, volumes everywhere
around you, yet not a book to
read. Just let us look at those
densely packed shelves. Why,
here is Addison, Byron. Burns,
Carlyle. Dumas. Emerson, Fabre,
Goethe, Homer, Heine, 1hanez,
Johnson, Kipling, Lever, Milton"
Stop. stop! Spare me the
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
THE FLOOR OF DEATH VALLEY.

Zane Grey, in Harper's Magazine:
Rather overpowering, indeed, it was
to sit on the floor of Death Valley,
miles from the slopes That appeared
so far away. 1t was fiat, salty, al
kali. or borax ground, crusted and
cracked. The glare hurt my eyes.
II felt moist, hot, oppressed. in spite
of rather stiff wind. A dry odor
pervaded the air, slightly like salty
dust Thin dust whirled on the bare
flats. A valley-wide mirage shone
clear as mirror along the desert
floor to the west, strange, deceiving,
thing both unreal and beautiful.
The Panamints lowered wrinklcd,
red, gl'isly mass, broken by rough
canons, with long declines Of talus
like brown glaciers. Scanned and
Scared Indestructible by past ages.
yet surely wearing to ruin! From this
point I could NOT see the snow on the
peaks. The whole mountain range
seemed an immense red barrier OF
beetling rock. The Funeral range
was farther away and therefore more
impressive. It's effect was stupen-
dous. Leagues of brown, chocolate
slopes, SCARED by slashes of yellow
and cream, and Swallowed black by
sailing clouds, led up to the magnih-
Gently peaked and jutted submits.
Splendid as this was and reluctant
as felt to leave, I soon joined Mel
son and we proceeded onward. At
last we reached the white. winding
plain that had resembled frozen riv-
er, and which from afar had looked
so CHASTITY and stark. We found it
to be a perfectly smooth stratum OF
salt glistening as if powdered 1t
was not solid, not stable; at pressure
of boot it shook like jelly. Under
the white crust lay yellow substance
that was wet. Here appeared an OBJ
stacAe we had not calculated upon.
Nelson ventured out on 1t and his feet
sank in several inches. l did not
like the wave of the crust, 1t re-
sembled thin ice under weight.
Presently / ventured to take few
steps, and did not sink in SO deeply
OF make such depression in the crust
as Nelson. We returned to the sol
id edge and deliberated Nelson
said that by stepping quickly we could
cross without any great risk, though
it appeared reasonable that by stand
ing still person would sink into the
substance.
We'll, Nelson, you go ahead
said, with an attempt at lightness-
you weigh one hundred and ninety
If you go through I'll turn back!"
Nelson started with laugh. The
man courted peril, The bright face
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
WHAT MOVING PICTURES DO.

Yale Review: Last year it is said,
more than enough picture film to
encirc1e the earth at the equator left
the United States of America for for
eign countries. Nine-tenths of all the
cinema celluloid which is shown in
Great Britain is made at Los An
geles, Cal, and Fort Lee, N. j., or
adjacent places. Charlie Chaplin and
Mary Pickford and Theda Bara and
Bill Hart speak a universal tongue.
They carry the blessings of Ameri-
can civilization to the uttermost ends
of the earth. Time was when we all
felt that the world at large knew too
little about the United States. 1t
can be SO no longer Our life is
transcribed verbatim by the film pro
ducers for Turk, Senegambian or
Chinaman, and is set before him in
terms suited to his intelligence Each
and every one can see the vivid pic
tnre of our dress and manners.
America is exported body and soul
for all to study and enjoy
The lady whose honor is safe only
because she carries a revolver in her
blouse, and the lover who in the
fifth reel must wrestle in dress suit
on the parlor floor that the villain
may not defeat him in love, stalk
over the earth as the eloquent types
OF our manhood and womanhood. The
cowboy and the train robber (who.
am told, are to all intents and pur-
poses extinct live on in motion pic.
ture film and are proofs to the world
of the virility OF American culture.
The clown projects q custard pie into
the face of girl in an evening
gown, or is himself in turn struck
upon the head with a mallet. and the
most benighted black and yellow man
in Africa or Asia knows that our
sense of humor is quick and delight
full. Were it my design to produce a
moral disquisition might deplore
such traffic in the intimacies of
our national life. but this is farthest
from my purpose and l do not
merely state the obvious fact
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
TODAY'S BIT OF VERSE
If YOU'LL SMILE

IF YOU'LL SMILE.
When the rough old world has mauied you piue'
And the fogs OF failure envelop you;
When you think that life is naught but gule'
Stick our your chin and force smile
Then your raven of doubt will fly away
And you'll think of life as game TO pray;
Instead of seeing but tears and strife,
You'll be glimpsing sunshine on the screen OF NE
Just because you haven't knocked home run
Don't think that the game of life is done;
If Destny's curves have caused you falls,
Smile he may give you your base on baiis;
Don't sail in the game OF games to pout,
Be a sport till the umpire calls you out;
The permanent of happiness is yours by a mile
II you'll stick out your chin and force smile
You can get out the bogs Of discomfort,
By forgetting the life that's been misspen1-
Ii in the you've come in late,
Forget the old alib the failure calls Fate.
You can knock old des pondency cold with your blows
If you'll square your shoulders and stay on your toes
You'll not take the count if you remember the Whle
To stick your chin and force smile.
- A.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
A STRIKE BY "THRuLERS. -

How much is it worth to be a ''1novie'' COW
boy? Probably the general public is Ill equip
ped to judge because it does not know the Sc
crets Of the camera mechanics by which pic
lures are taken. SO much Is shown on the
screen that could not be done by humans with
out loss Of life or limb that it is plain the cam
era supplies some Of the thrills. The men who
get off their horses in Oreeakneck falls probably
are aideed by the camera man; if they are not,
they seem quite justified in striking for pay in
lieu of insurance.
But at best the picture cowboy is an active
worker for public amusement. He is not the
ordinary ''super' who carries spear or atti-
tudinizes while the stars do the work; he is gen
orally on the go and arrives just in time for a
fight The report that six great western studios
are tied up in production Of pictures by a strike
of the cow-punchers is proof of the growth of
this industry-that Of '<movie'' cow-punching
ITO important proportions. It is a question
whether it should be cIassed as a trade or q
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
cHURcHLEss CHRISTIANITY.

Cedar Rapids Republican,: The
Methodists in their Notable address
referred to the fact that in all
churches there is a vague, wide
spread idea OF christianity without
a church" There probably iss but it
is not something peculiar to these
later days. There has often, II not
always, been such feeling among
some folks-and, probably, half OF
the people of the United States are
today leading very like christian
lives without being members of
churches. There are some good
christians who never pray even, and
some who never stop to think Of
things religious-but they are relig-
ious nonetheless, and they may be
good christians, too, for all men who
do even measureably as they would
that others should do unto them par
take OF the spirit of christianity.
When Zaccheus said he wanted to
undo the wrongs he had done to 9TH
ers and to go. in modern parlance,
straight thereafter, Christ pro-
nounced salvation had come to him
and to all his house. 1t vast hard
then to get into Christ's own church.
But while men may be christians
without churches, churchless world
would not serve the ends aimed at.
1t Is still the organized forces that
count most in the world. The same
issue occurs in politics-politic with
out parties is often an alluring ideal.
But it is the ideal OF dreamers. With
out parties no effective political ac-
ton would be possible. Every man
voting his own way, for what might
please him to call the best man.
would get no one anywhere. Such
system would end in chaos at first
and mere personal leadership in the
end. It is far better, nay it Is neces-
sary, for those who think alike. or
almost alike, to act together, to form
an organization to do so. The Amerf
can theory is and has been not per-
sonal, but party government And
party means responsible body OF
citizens back Of the men elected to
serve,
The same processes have operated
in the christian world. The churches
soon came into being. The leading
apostles wrote letters to the congre-
cations which still serve as text.
books. Splits and schisms and even
heresies followed. Groups gathered
around interpreters where there was
so much to interpret. There was no
end and there is still no end of such
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

things. All men are never going ia
be able to do their thinking in the
same way, or to accept the thinking
OF any one man. The hope to unite
the whole christian world under one
leadership is forever to be futile, nor
would it be desirable from many
standpoints. Differences may grow
less and they may seem to reason.
able men less and less vital for the
purposes of either life or death, but
still men and women will not think
alike on matters of either life or
death.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.

Davenport Democrat: When Henry
]. Allen, the hard hitting governor Of
Kansas, makes the speech in Chicago
nominating General Wood, lot OF
| delegates will be thinking, Why
don't you speak for yourself. Henry
Stranger things have happened than
that the convention would see a
winner in Allen, as one convention
lonce did in Garfield and another
thought it did in Bryan
Cedar Rapids Republican: The PR
mary means that candidates must &C
before the people and present them
selves. But how can candidates do
that without spending money? But
If they spend money to advertise
their desires TO get an office they
are rebuked for that, are they not?
They are told to do something and
when they do 1t they are denounced
for it.
Council Bluffs Nonpareil: This
talk of getting the goats of the pro.
fiteers isn't getting us anywhere. The
facts are that it is working in the
other direction. Most of the rascaIs
expect to be fined later on and they
are collecting the funds to meet any
sort of contingency nf that Kind
which may arise.
Waverly Independent-Repub !.
And once in while we have to stop
and laugh when we recall how Presi-
dent Wilson was elected In 1912 oa
a solemn pledge to reduce the cost
of living. Gee. wouldn't 1912 prices
sound good today!
Iowa City Citizen: The president
is counting his. chickens before they
are Matched when he tmagines that
the voters are going to endorse hts
administration at the pol's next fali.
The sugar situation, the high tax
situation, the war waste situation,
and a half dozen other situations are
enough in themselves to defeat the
administration party. no matter VIII
the nominee or what the platform
may be.
Charter Oak Times: About all this
campaign expenditures investigation
is doing is demonstrating that this is
a big country, and presidential aspir-
ants must have their barrel well filed
before they start out. So far as we
can see, the investigation has not
shown that any of the candidates has
done anything he had not perfec-
right to do.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

OF danger must have been beautiful
and ailuring to him. l started after
him, caught up with him, and stayed
beside him. | could not have walked
behind him over that strip of treach-
erous sinkhole. If l could have done
SO the whole adventure would have
been meaningless to me. Neverthe-
less. l was frightened I felt the
prickle of my skin, the stiffening of
my hair, as well as the cold tingling
thrills through my veins.
We crossed 1t in safety.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
Sounded Well, but Wasn't True

Golfers Weekly: The late Colon1
Roosevelt once paid magnifcgI
tribute to Governor Peter Norbec1
of South Dakota, present republcI
nominee for United States senate
but his tribute was nothing com
pared to one given on the occasi1l
of the welcome to the Dakota boy.
returning from the war. The COVER
nor stood ION the Hoboken pier /,
viewing with pride the men in kha-
assembled before him. Before b,
could speak a friend stepped forl
and detained: Forty odd yeaa
ago there vas born on the coast
Norway a stalwart son. Vas
George Washington? No. Vas 1t Al
raham Lincoln? No. 1t vas Pets
Norbeck. who you see before 20
now" The governor did not sei1
the opportunity to state that he va
born. raised and seasoned in Soul
Dakota.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

What life series Of products to that unknown
song whose initial solemn note is toied by DEATH inc
dawn Of every life is love; but where IS the
destiny whose first delicious joys some storm does NOT
brek-a whose deadly blast disperses youths hu
sions, bolt its altar? And what soul
cruelty bruised when the tempest rolls away seeks
its memories in the calm OF rura iifeE rex
man allows himself long taste the kindly quiee
attracted him to Natures lap; but when fhe
trumpet gives signal hastens to dangers post what
fight which draws him to its lists; that IN 1ne
strife he may regain full knowledge OF himself
strength-Larnartne.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
WILKINSON & CO., KEoKUK, IOWA
Ten Years
Younger
His Years

Doesn't it make you feel
good-cause you to straight.
en- up and feel "chesty"-
when someone guesses your
age at ten years or 50
younger than you really
are? You look into your
mirror, smile with satisfac-
ton and say to yourself:
We'll, he didn't make such
a bad guess, at thai"
The point is: You're no
older than your vitality.
If a man is strong, vigor-
Gus, mentally alert, fine and
fit at SO he has a better
chance Of living up to 80
than a man of 80 who is
weak and rundown has of
living up to 60. While none
of us can stay the years nor
stop time, we should all
make an heroic effort to sue
cessfully resist the effects
of time by ever keeping our
vitality at par.
When you sense a feeling
of slowing down of your
physical forces when your
stomach, liver, kidneys and
other organs show signs of
weakness-when you notice
a lack of your old time pep"
and punch" - in other
words, when you feel your vitality
is on the wane, you should com
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

This plank in the program of activities put
out by the National Security League ought to
be endorsed by every good citizen: ''To promote
a countrywide movement to prevail upon per-
cheney and judgment, to serve their country in
national and local public Office First create
a sentiment that will call best people to rep
resent all the people and then elect them to Of
fee irrespective of party affiliations and purely
on their merits We could well stop debating
and quarrelng over details if this were our po-
litical practice.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

in mind that much of It ia M,
that what used to be liquor oss'
vagance is now much more lass
mately used. 90
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

Why worry about something 70
can't help? Even dog knows b
must lead a dogs life.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

The high cost of running for Office has been
demonstrated.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

Remembering the extremities in which he
was placed in France because of the lack Of
equipment and Of trained men, General Perish
ing uttered word of warning at the Memorial
day exercises at Arlington cemetery that should
sink into the mind Of everyone who recalls the
horrible cost to the nation of our unprepared-
ness in the spring of 1917 when we entered the
conflict ''In this solemn presence, my country
men," said General Pershing, II pray you to
take such reasonable measures in times of peace
that never again shall it fall to the lot of a
commander to suffer the anguish of soul that
comes when of necessity our gallant young man
hood must unjustly bear the burden of our
thoughtlessness and be sent to battle without
adequate PREPARATION
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08
The Great General Tonic

This master body builder will help
You keep young in spirit and mental
and physical action, because it VIII
assist Nature in intaining your vitality at par.
1t enriches the blood. restores worn-out tissues
soothes jangling and over-wrought nerves. M
duces sound refreshing sleep. sharpens the apps.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

life, new vigor
and new vim in
every fibre Of
your body.
You will be
surprised how
much better
you'll feel after
taking a treat
rncnt of LYKO,
If you are tired
and worn out,
nervously and
physically ex-
hausted. tt q
mildly laxative
TX eeps h Q
bowels in fine
condition. Get
q bottle from
your druggist
to-day.