davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
Belle

Belle.
Belle is one Of the many femin-
inc names which began existence
as contraction and gained sturdy
independence until it became a rec
ognized appellative and is bestow-
ed without reference to its pre-
fix.
Since Belle signifies oath of
Baal," it is easily discernible that
it is an offspring of Isabelle. In
the days when Elizabeth of Hal
nault married Philippe Auguste
and suffered her name to be chang
ed to Isabelle by the French. it is
hardly likely that Belle was used
either as an endearment or a
diminutive. But Isabelle became
very popular in royal circles and
the betrothed of Hughes de Lusig.
nan, who later married King John
brought Isabelle to England.
1t was there that Belle came into
existence and into consequen,
vogue. OF all the contractions OF
Isabelle-of which Nib, Ibbot and
Ib are a few examples-Belle prov.
ed the most popular and lasting.
Belle is a popular form in this
country and is bestowed without
reference. to Isabelle. France rec.
ognizes no such contraction blu,
Spain has an equivalent, Bella.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

he was rather quiet for a while,
and then he said:
Merriwell, you're a very lucky
man, do you know it"
Il asked why.
Your wife is a girl in 1 thou
sand. She's got the right idea. ]
only wish my own wife were more
like her. wanted to see your
home, Jim. l wanted to pop in
Unexpectedly, where there could be
no possible chance of preparation
and just get glimpse Of you1
home. l did, and I tell you you're
a wise man. You and your little
wife don't try to ape the rich and
consequently live beyond your
means. Your home is simply fur.
nished, and yet it is a home in
every sense Of the word.
Your wife knows how to cook
She doesn't feed you on French
pastry like so many women would
Look at your wife, SO dainty in he,
sensible house gown, and your bah,
IN common sense rompers! That's
the stun, boy, keep to it. and you'll
be a successful man. And by tn.
way, you can start on that Fair.
view contract next week. Hay,
your estimates ready by Monday"
Jim's voice quivered and he bur
led his head on Mans lap.
oh, Mamie. girl, you'll forxiv,
me, won't YOU"
And Nan. her heart pounding han
PLY, said only. "Oh, Jim"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
Today's Events

iwenty-two years ago today the
United States declared war against
Spain.
Texas keeps a holiday today in
celebration Of the anniversary of
the victory over the Mexicans ut
San Jacinto.
The board Of bishops of the
Mefhodist Episcopal church begins
It's spring meeting today at kan
sas City.
The annual convention of the
Central Oil Jobbers' association
opens 1t st. Louis today and con-
tinue in session until Friday.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

gether. are of great value. The
stray dog is one of the Sleeps
worst enemies.
@. How many Italians were
blinded during the world war,
A. NJ. P.
A. Italy has about fifteen hun
dred blind soldiers. All of these
are being trained for useful en-
plOyment. In addition to having
lost their sight. a number of these
unfortunate soldiers are without
arms or legs. Several ingenious
devices have been invented to as
sist the armless blind soldiers to
read. One of these consists of a
little pocket battery and a belt en-.
circling the breast and containing
small needles. The device plays a
record that causes a different nee.
die to prick for each letter and sc
the blind man Ids.
@. Was there an inaugural bal
in Washington when President Will.
son first took Office? A. G.
A. Mr.. Wilson omitted the in
augural ball, and discontinued The
custom Of dancing at White house
receptions. While the Tafts wer,
in the White house dancing was il
vogue at White house receptions.
Q. What is the total yearly cir
culation Of daily papers in thu
United States? IL. F.
| A. The last compilation of year
ly circulation figures were as fol
lows: Daily publications, 1907,
343,102; weekly, 2,617,522,076
monthly, 950.290,056.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

@. How much money has been
paid into Uncle Sans conscience
fund? H. ]. F.
A. During the last century it is
estimated that close to half mil
lion dollars has been paid into the
conscience fund of the United
States treasury by penitent people
from all parts Of the United States.
The first contribution of this ma
ture was received in 1911. during
the administration of Madison.
There is a great deal of variety in
the character of contributions made
to this fund. large number being
from people who struggled goods
into the country without paying i'm
port duty. also many who defraud-
ed the government in the payment
of their taxes.
@. Which one Of the cabinet
members has the largest family?
B. v.
A. Secretary of Labor Wilson
has the distinction Of having the
largest family of the cabinet men,
bers. He has nine children-si1
boys and three girls.
O. What kind of dog is most
useful in caring for sheep?
c. H. c.
A. The department of agricul'
ture says that the Scotch collies
are the favorite sheep dogs Of
Ameica. Their tireless watching
even at night, their barking at the
APPROACH of any prowier, and theil
instinct for keeping the flock to-
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

Zachary Taylor was the first
army man to be president, the sec
ond and only other being General
Grant A dozen presidents, from
Washington to Roosevelt, had seen
war service, but only as citizen SOL
diers.
By birth, Taylor is one of the
eight presidential sons of the
Mother of Presidents" More prop
erly he belongs not to the Virginia
group, but with the group of from
tier presidents. For in his infancy
he was taken by his family out to
Kentucky, where he grew up in a
log cabin, with no other schooling
than that received from a wander
ing Yankee schoolmaster.
At % he entered the army as a
lieutenant, and he remained in i,
40 years, until he was inaugurated
president. Yet he had seen only a
little fighting with the Indians be-
fore his campaign in Mexico, where
he commanded perhaps not many
more than 5000 men and fought
half a dozen engagements, ranging
from the opening skirmish at Pale
Alto to the battle of Buena Vista
In this last, his little army of raw
troops was outnumbered four Il
one. But he spurned Santa Anna.
demand for his surrender, and
with little more grape from Cap
tain Bragg's battery, he defeated
the Mexicans.
The commanders in the two Mex
! icsn campaigns, Zachary Taylor
and Winfield Scott, were as unlik,
as their popular nicknames would
indicate-"Old Rough and Ready
and "OA Fuss and Feathers" "Olt
Rough and Ready" remained
throughout his army service a sim
pie American soldier. capable of
f1cer in peace and resourceful on
! in war.
Obedient always to the civil au
thority, he retained a truly Amer
ican dislike of military ceremonial
and manners.
With an unmilitary figure, Tay
lor's short, dumpy body was place,
on legs so short that his orderl
had to lift one of them over tn
tanks Of "Old Whitney," wheneve
he mounted that war horse. H
rarely put on a uniform, and Gran
Copy isht, 1920 by James Morgan
with The Mcclure Ne,
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

room, Jim shot her q look of re-
proach az he viewed the table, but
Mr.. Charleson was very jovial, and
soon he and Nan we're chatting like
old friends. To Jim's disgust, the
topics were baby and cooking.
May l have more salad, Mrs.
Merriman?" asked the visitor. Its
a long time since I've tasted any
thing so good
He reached for another waffle.
Il remember when | was a boy,
down in Louisiana, every Wednes-
day was waffle day., and how
used to look forward to it. We ate
them by the dozens"
For desert, there we're big, sugary
doughnuts that Nan had made that
morning. Mr.. Charleson leaned
back and smiled at Nan.
You're a fine cook, Mrs. Merri-
well, and I'm going to send my
wife over to see you get your re-
cipe for doughnuts."
When they had gone, Nan drop
ped YEARLY into q chair, and cried
Jimmy. Jr., toddled over to her and
she caught him in her arms.
"Oh. baby, I'm afraid we've queer.
ed everything, Jim WAS 80 angry
An hour earlier than usual, jim
burst in, recklessly slammed thu
door, caught his wife and swung heI
clear off the floor. covering heI
face with kisses.
oh, Mamie. girl, you did it! Nv,
got IT," And he twirled her arouns
again.
Then he-set her down in . chat,
and dropped to his knees before her
his face suddenly sober.
"Oh, Nan. I've been a fool, bu
I've learned my lesson, and you1
never hear me speak again as
did this morning. Let me explain
dear
About 10 O'Clock Mr.. Charleso,
called me into his ONCE and sal,
he was going to Fairview an,
wanted me to 60 along. Well, "
went and he discussed the who'll
thing With me and l took notes
About II O'Clock he said:
"'You live near here, don't yov
Merriwell!'
Il said, Yes and then invite,
him to lunch. What else could
do? He accepted and I hoped an
prayed youd -haRe something In tn
house. Well, after We left the hoss
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

your husband the truth and ask him
to take you somewhere so that you
will have q chance to forget the
man whom life has not meant for
you. Forget yourself in this matter
and do what you consider most fair
to your husband.
Dear Mrs. Thompson: l am go
ing with young man of %. am
IL and have kept company with
him for two months. He is con-
sidered very good looking and is
popular with the younger set.
My father doesn't like him and
SO l cant entertain him on Sunday
nights. Every time he asks me for
a date l make some excuse. Shall
tell him why l cannot entertain
him., or what shall l do.
SWEET BUNCH OF DAISIES.
Tell the young man that your
father does not want him to come
Sunday nights. 1t will not be nee
essary to explain why.
Your fathers objections to the
young man may be well-grounded.
The fact that he is good looking
! and popular does not recommend
him. The qualities Of his charac-
ter are what count. Your father
may feel instinctively that he will
not amount to q great deal. Be toll
Grant Of your fathers view aad
cautious in the extent OF your
friendship with the young man.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

WHAT'S . Home without . Babyi
l get far too many letters that
run something like this:
I'VE are . young couple only re-
Gently married. OF course, We ex-
pect to raise . family when We are
in better circumstances, but just at
present we have to do with a limit
ed income and a. We are trying to
nay for q small home
Well, II the home is more i'm
portant than the baby this mar
rage business 10 all wrong. Why
marry!
To all writer's or prospective
writer's along the lines of the le.-
ter quoted let me say that the gov
eminent has nicely furnished cells
in its various penal institutions for
any one who gives information ON
the subject of birth control"
A home is strictly q secondary
consideration il you've got . baby.
A home without any baby is a
weary place. No matter how much
you fuss with 1t or how beautifully
you furnish it nor how nearly paid
for it is. II there is no baby to hal
low or consecrate the place 1t
scarcely deserves the name Of
home. It is just q house.
For the first 10 years or so Of
married life too many misguided
people try to postpone the arrival
of the baby while struggling to
eliminate the mortgage. For the
second 10 years of mortgaged life
these same misguided people fran-
tically but unhappily seek the aid
of physicians because no baby
comes to reign in the little home.
This is one Of the saddest tragedies
of modern life. The loneliness that
pervades the home" once the
place has been secured against loss
and furnished as luxuriousiy as the
next one, is bitter to contemplate
and must be heart-breaking to en-
dure.
The young people are not CONTEXT
to begin housekeeping on the mod
est scale their parents found sui
ficient. Nowadays the young ones
imagine they must have everything
at the beginning, they think they
must start housekeeping with al
least as much and as good equip
ment as families that have been
accommodating for years. In order
to enter married life on this ad-
vanced status they are even willing
to sacrifice the very aim and end d
marriage itself. For the same rea.
son that the moron type of animal
ed collar advertisement in higf
school decorates his too sophisti
Gated face with cigaret, the young
couple starting housekeeping wan
to make a noise like and establish
ed family 1t is precocity. TIT
high school smart Aleck has to bel
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

the price of his cigarets from over
indulaent parents-not being man
enough to earn it himself. The ex-
travagant young couple raise the
wind by cheating the baby out Of
the right to be born.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Curability Of Syphilis.
Have salvarsan and mercury any
bad after-effects, and if SO are they
destructive? After = positive cure
Of . case Of three plus syphilis is \
person in as good condition Is be-
fore contracting It? g. X. d.
Answer-Salvaesan-or COS - or
nsosalvarsan-or Sl4-or arsphena-
mine or OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
much arsenic, and sometimes unan-
ticipated poisonous effects are pro-
duced. As l have often said. l
would be content with the older
mode of treatment which was in
vogue prior to the Introduction OF
these arsenic-compounds. if had
syphilis. In my opinion. = person
who once contracts syphilis must
be considered always syphilitic,
though treatment will arrest the
diseases, just as treatment arrests
tuberculosis. I agree with those
physicians who teach, and practice,
an annual brief course OF anti
syphilitie treatment in every case
Of syphilis which has been arrest
ed. TO all appearances and pur-
poses an individual whose syphilis
has been arrested is in as good con-
dition as before. just Is an individ-
ual whose tuberculosis has been ar
rested is Many physicians OF wide
experience and the best judgment
do believe, think, that by a certain
amount Of vigorous treatment, with
the newer arsenic1 compounds and
with the older mercury compounds,
will completely cure syphilis. l am
sorry l cannot believe that
would advise every syphilitic to
undergo a short course OF anti
syphilitic treatment, whatever his
physician may deem advisable
every year throughout life. as
kind Of insurance against relapse
| Contrary Mary.
Please tell me what remedy one
can use for corns and callouses.
do not wear very high-heeled shoes
but Just pointed. That is all one
can buy these days. :. MARY L.
Answer-It is scarcely worth
while to treat corns and callouse:
and go on wearing pointed shoes
You can get q hygienic, and good
looking shoe if you insist on 1t
Corns and callouses may be gradu
ally softened and removed byapaint
ing them every night, preferabi!
after soaking the foot in hot water
with a solution of 80 grains o
salicylic acid in half an ounce o
y collodion flexible.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
LEAVE IT TO WIFE.
BY Grace 0. Woatherby.

Copyright, 1920. by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Incl
1t was unusually silent at the
Msrriwell breakfast table that sun
ny morning. Jimmy, ST., neglected
the golden brown pancakes and
gave his undivided attention to the
morning paper. Mother Merriwell
sat motionless. her eyes fixed on
Jimmy, Sis face. while Jimmy, Jr.,
dabbled unheeded in his oameal.
Suddenly baby broke the oppres-
Bive silence by voicinS his disap-
prevail. 1t seemed to have some
effect. for Daddy folded his paper
and made . prstence Of eating the
now cold pancakes. After = mo-
ment he pushed aside his plate with
some force and rose.
what 10 the matter with you this
morning, JIM" asked his wife.
you haven't eaten 4 thing! Any
] thing wrong with the breakfast
''No-Yes! Everything 10 wrong!"
snapped her husband. Jim never
had spoken to his wife in that tone
before.
Jim! What on earth are you
talking about"
Standing beside her chair, his
fAce white, his hands shaking, he
pointed an accusing finger at her.
you're the reason! How can
get anywhere in this world when
instead OF helping, you deliberately
hinderr
Nan sat very still. her eyes big
with wonder. He went on.
Here / am, . young man. with q
reasonable amount Of brains, try.
Ing 10 get along in my work. ID
make . success Of myself and how
ean when my wife insists on wear.
lng house aprons from morning till
night! Other mems wives weal
trim, stylish clothes. and look nice,
bet you" He broke OF and paced
the floor.
why don't yoa get yourself some
clothss? Why don't you Get . maid
70 do the housework. and not make
yourself ugly b. constant work."
He went out into the hall and
struggled into his overcoat, and
then eams back.
3 YM know about that PROPOSE
~. & ! ct that chance It will
y ssbstantial raise. but ! can
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
THE DAILY SHORT STORY

do it alone. A nice wife you are!"
He strobe out and slammed the
door. He hadn't kissed her. The
first time in their two years of mar
ried life. Nan tried to reason it
out. He was simply overweight
by worrying about this Fairview
chance. She did not blame him
for wanting it, it meant a long step
toward success, but she could not
do as he wished.
They had barely enough to live
on and If she followed his advice
they would soon be in q mire of
debt. And. supposing after all this
had been done, he failed to get the
coveted position! They could hard
ly 60 back to their old way OF liv-
ing. He would just have to get
over it.
All that morning, Nan was quiet,
trying to think Of some way to ap-
pease her husband. Lunch time
near, she prepared some waffle bat
ter. Then the bell rang, and to her
establishment her husband and a
stout, elderly man stood at the door
This is Mr. Charleston, Nan.
Mr.. Charleson, meet my wife" Mr..
Charleson was the president of
Jim's company, and it was he who
would determine who would get the
Faifview contract. She led them
into the CHEEKY living room, where
Jimmy, Jr., sat on the floor in the
sun, playing.
Mr.. Charleeon and l were over
to FAirview, and as It was lunch
time We thought we'd come here.
Jim avoided his Wife's eyes, but
Nan rose to the occasion.
I'm sure ! an very glad to have
YOU, Mr.. Charieson. II you will ex.
cuse me, I'll GET lunch"
Out in the kitchen, Mans hear
sank. So much depended on thi,
luncheon, and she had almost moth.
ing in the house Her lips tighten.
d. He would get Just what baby
and she were going TO have, and
that would BE- all! Shed have &
chicken salAd, for there Was quit
4 little left from yesterdays dinner
Then she HoAe the wa2les. WhaE
she went to announce lunch shs
discovered baby sitting eontentedly
on the visitors knee.
Fine boy, Mrs. Aerriwell" no 70
marked. :.
/ wAsa they entered the dining
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

Judge Gary told his directors that the
United States Steel corporation is not getting
the prices for its products that could easily be
exacted because it's officers feel that it is
making a reasonable profit and that it is
their duty to help hold costs down for the
good OF everybody. That's real altruism for
you, but the directors didn't seem to be crazy
about it and the public will think it's bunk
Virtue, as usual, is it's own reward.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

says that he saw him In Il onl,
once in the Mexican war, where be
fought generally in the same clothes
that he wore on his Louisiana farm.
He was as plain in his private
life and with a wife as unaffected
as himself. This devoted compan.
ion made her home with him u
military stockades and tents, send,
ing her children as they came alona
back to the care of relatives, but
refusing to be parted from her hus:
band.
When the second. daughter vas
taken a willing captive by another
kentuckian, Lieutenant Jefferson
Davis, Taylor was furious with the
clipping girl and scornful Of her
husband, whom he vowed he would
not touch with a pair of tonss'
In a few months the young wife
died unforgiyen. After years Of
estrangement, the disowned son.in.
law found himself a colonel in Mex.
leo under his implacable father-in-
law. There he prudently kept out
of the old mans way, until bis
reckless daring and brilliant sue.
cess at Buena Vista melted the gen.
eral to tears, and they elapsed
hands on the battlefield.
Taylor's reverence for the high
Office and for the great statesman
who had adorned it seemed posi-.
lively shocked at the first proposal
that he should be president. He
frankly declared himself unified
for its duties and unworthy Of its
honors. Stop your nonsense and
drink your whisky" he is said &c
have exclaimed with impotence
when an oratoTical visitor to bis
tent ventured to toast him as thu
next president. Mrs. Taylor agree{
with her husband, prefering the art
less pleasures of their own firesid'
! Including her corncob pipe) to tn
formalities OF the White house.
Like every man who has hear
the seductive suggestion OF BIZ
name for the presidency, Taylo
was not long in yielding TO II. Re
vising his own good opinion Of hi
qualifications in the light of thel
higher appraisal by others, b
came to regard himself as the peO
} pies candidate and he announce
] that he would run as such even
. no party should nominate him.
The party preference. of the Oh
soldier was in doubt, with no otbe
clue to it except his brothers II
. Illuminating remark that Zachar
liked Henry Clay and American
made clothes. The Wings nomin
ated him without knowing wher
he stood on any question and the
made no platform for him to stan
on. 1t was a merry game with IN
: great problems that confronted II
= nation.
After they had nominated Taylo
the Wings became fearful for
time that the joke was on tnen
: While they waited and no wor
| came from their nominee at bato
Rouge, they took alarm lest .
would not accept the honor frol
/ their party But he had not n
Y ceived their letter of notification
e For they had neglected to prepa
r the postage on it, and odd Roug
e and Ready" was refusing to y
I ! aaira oil
I; published by specia! arrangemei
vspaper Syndi. ate.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
What's In a Name?
by MILDRED MARSHALL
Copyright. 1919. By tho Wheeler Syndicate. Incl

The opal is the gem assigned "
Belle. 1t will prove a talisman
against evil. danger and disease
when worn by her. The evil DE-
signs of the pixie which superS.i-
ton claims, is imprisoned IN Tue
stone, will be powerless against
her. To dream of an opal means
success. Friday is Bellies lucky
day and four her lucky NUMBER
The chrXsanthemum is her lucky
flour.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21
Today's Anniversaries

1I83-Samuel j. Mills, who organ
lied the first foreign mission
airy society in America DOLL
at Torringford, Conn. Dieu
June Is. 1918.
Bronte. the famous
novelist. born near Bradiolu'
England. Died at Ha"or'n'
March 81, 1855.
1S70-David c. Montgomery, notsu
comedian. born at st. Joseph,
Mo. Died in Chicago, Apfh
90, 1917.
1917-Nebraska legislature pass
ed a measure granting par
tial suffrage to women !.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

17S4HNov. "a, Zachary Taylor born
in Orange county, Va
1855 to Kentucky.
1905 Lieutenant in the regular
army.
1S10-Married Margaret Smith.
1Sl2-Fighting Indians in Indiana.
1S32-In the Black Hawk war in
Illinois.
1S3s-37-In the Seminole war in
Florida.
lS4O-46-In command Of the depart
ment Of the southwest.
1s46-May s. opening engagement
with Mexico ut PalO Alto.
May 3, Battle Of Resaca de la
Palma.
Sept "a, capture Of Monterey.
1S47-Feh. %, q, "a, Battle Of
Buena Vista.
November, Taylor returned
home.
1S4S-NOminated for president for
the Wings.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-21

Sears Roebuck stock which in 1907 was
kicked around at $40 per, is now quoted at $3.50
and is hard to get at the price. And still some
people think that mail order houses practically
give their goods away