davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19

Good Lord That's the last thing I'm
the world I'd have but, say ]
You must have been a whirlwind
Why, man with presence like yours
would hardly have to open his mouth !
You've got sort Of I'll be
hanged If know what to call 1t /.
but kind OF feeling, II you know
what mean. Salesman! Why, all
you need is an introduction and dot
ted line!"
The young man laughed rather for
lornly and slipped his vichy.
"Just at present / haven't either"
Harmon's gaze was unfaltering, and
his interest and admiration bounded
higher. Mechanically, in accordance
with his habits, he was striving to dis
cover how this new acquaintance
might be put to practical use. was
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19

toward the rail, when suddenly the
slope was reversed, and he slipped
and slid to the barrier of safety,
clutched II, and found himself at arms
length from the lonely watcher, who
hadn't stirred, or even turned his
head.
"Helloi" said Harmon, his surprise
tinctured with easy familiarity. "Some
night"
"Yes, Il IS" The tone of the re
Spouse was curt, so curt that Harmon
instinctively leaned forward to dis
cover what expression of countenance
went with 1t. The night was so black
that he might as well have tried to
penetrate a curtain of solid fabric.
"Seen any U-boats yetr he asked
humorously.
mot yet" The taciturn one moved
trifie away; man less thin-skinned
and less dined and wined than Har-
mon would probably have taken the
hint and removed himself, but Har-
mons was an inquisltlve disposition,
and he never attempted to curb it
he was the sort of travelling compan-
ion who makes Christians reflect up
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19

I right, or was / wrong? Playing In
hard luck don't strengthen q mans
courage much, even II he tries to bluff
himself into thinking 1t does. Cut out
the regret stuff; that's my advice, and
you can take 1t or leave 1t. Forget
oil that tough luck you had over here,
and get busy figuring out how you're
going to cash In on all your expert
ence. Americas full Of chances
you'll land something big in no time.
Can't help 1t If you try. Salesman
Son, you're carrying your best recon-
mendation right on top Of your own
shouldersl"
The young man gave him back a wry
smile and finished his vichy.
II only hope 1t comes true" he said.
Harmon looked at him steadily, and
falling under the spell Of those radiant
features stared and stared until he
came to himself and all at once
brought his fist down on the table, SO
that the glasses rang again.
"Well, why shouldn't lit AS a mat
ter of fact, why shouldn't itT"
The younger mans expression hadn't
changed. Meaning what7"
Meaning" said Harmon deliberate
ly, "that the first thing I've got to do
when get home Is to hunt up couple
Of good statesmen myself. Are you
hunting for a good job, or aren't your
Aren't you little hastyT The
young mans information was sardonic
1--WE cleaned up most Of my money"
said Harmon very slowly to the cell.
Ing, "by making quick decisions.
make up my mind pretty fast. If you
can interest me on short notice you
can interest other people. Mind you
we're just discussing this--sort OF
thinking out loud. No obligation or
either side. Doesn't do any harm te
talk about 1t, does it?"
"Then suppose" said the young mar
placidly, "you define your idea Of Q
good job. I'm rather particular"
But you admit you're out Of luck
and"
But you admit I'm whirlwind.'
The young man smiled with faint
dmuScultul.
Il said you ought to be-with train
| ing"
The young mans mouth turned up
ward at the corners.
go ahead and describe the job"
swell, my idea of pretty sweet job
for a man of your age ls-to start, OF
course-about twenty a week and
commissions"
"Yes? What per cent commission 2
"oh, eight to ten per cent"
The young man glanced at Harmon
and laughed quietly.
you're broker, OF course. but that
doesn't sound much like conservative
investment securities to me. What
Is it-industrials2"
Harmon grimaced.
"Yes, I'm a broker" He set down
his glass and fumbled for a card
] There But l was thinking more
about stocks than bonds. Some new
Montana properties-copper and zinc
Metals are the big noise these days
guess you realize that, don't you
Munition work."
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19

hlOb hitOW Whab w dO.
My mother advised
me to take Lydia z.
Pinkham's Vege-
table Compound and
use the S a tive
Wash so ! took her
a dvice and used
these remedies and
cured myself. | feel
fine and do all my
housework which !
could not do before,
40 4 could hardly
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19
Brainy Man.

Got a cold, Ell! Are you suitably
dressed? DO you wear medium under
clothing?"
well, yes. That is l have very
light suit and very heavy one"
"Do you mean to tell me you've been
wearing one and then the other?"
"Yes. i thought they would average
up all right. Boston Transcript.
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19
DO ALL MY
HOUSEWORK
Before I took Lydia E. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound
| could hardly stand, says
Mrs. Kwarcinski.

Chicago, Ill.--"I suffered with dis
placement and irregularities and / did
The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-02-19

Cold cash makes an excellent het
weather comfort.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-12-24
Dear Santa Claus.

Dear Santa Claus:-
/ am little girl 10 years old.
go to school at Community Pride. I
want you to bring me big Ndoll,, a
doll buggy, and all the good, nice
things 10 eat. Please bring my teach
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-12-24
SANTA CLAUS IN HIS AEROPLANE ON THE WAY

Dear Santa Claus:-
1 am little boy years old, and
want you to bring me some fire
works, knife, a ball, some fruits,
nuts and candy, and don't forget my
little baby brother. am,
Your little boy,
Howard Owen.
Troy, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
am little boy years old, and
I want you to bring me a train, a
ball. some nuts, fruits, candy and
fire works.
Your little boy,
Waymon Owen.
Troy, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
1 anna little girl 7years old. l go
to school every day. and like my
teacher. Please bring me a little
table, set of dishes, little dresser,
a doll that goes to sleep, and all
kinds of fruits and nuts.
Your little girl,
venita Kersey.
Dear Santa ClGus:-
/ am a little girl five years old
have been very good, so please bring
me curly headed doll, some little
dishes, little urn, and bank to
put my money in, some nice fruits
and candies. Don't forget my little
brother, James, daddy and mother.
Your little girl,
Evelyn Mccain.
Dear Santa ClGus:-
l am a little boy ~ years old
l live close to Old Fremont. l go to
school at Community Pride. l want
you to bring me a tay pistol, stick
of candy, and everything nice to eat
Don't forget to bring ma a box of
Bruton's snuff.
Your little boy,
Harry Norrid.
Union City, Route z.
Dear Santa Claus:-
/ am little boy just years old.
I want you to bring me some A, B, G
blocks, little red wagon, so l can
haul in lots of stove wood, also bring
pa some homemade tobacco so he
can puff"
Wilburn Ferrell.
Union City, Route Z.
Dear Santa Claus
/ am little boy about ten years |
old and l want you to Dr~ng me a
littlo train and some fire crackers
and all good things to eat. Don't |
forget dad and mama. I will go
to bed early. Don't forget little Ruth
Hagan. Bring aor sonzs chewing
wax.
Your little boy,
Paul Norrid.
Union City, Route Z.
Dtdi OdnCd SlGuo' -
l am good little boy : yearS old.
I want you to bring me a little red
wheelbarrow, spade and all the
nice things to eat. will be in bed
early and have my stocking up.
Your little friend,
Joe Kersey.
Union City, Route 2.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l am little girl three years old.
/ want you to bring me baby rat
tier, and a little set of dishes. Don't
forget little Edwin. Think of daddy
Bring him a plug of tobacco, and
mama a box of snuff.
Your little girl,
Polly G.
Dear Santa Claus:-
/ am little girl 10 years old.
go to school at Community Pride. I
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-12-24

am little boy years old
Please bring me a. little wagon, hoe
and spade, lots of fire works, nuts,
fruits and candy. Please bring my
little brother, Calvin, new rubber
ball.
Yours truly,
Fate Edward Owen.
Troy, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
I am little girl eleven years old.
Please bring me doll, story book,
some apples, oranges. candy. and
nuts. Don't forget little Edwin
Rinehart and my teacher, Mrs. Leila
Killion.
Your little girl,
Cornelia Cole.
Dear Santa Claus:-
am a little girl four years old.
Please bring me doll and doll bug
gy, doll bed, doll tea set, lit
tie washboard and tub, some apples,
oranges, and candy. I will be good.
Don't forget papa and mama Killion.
Bring them something nice too.
Florena Vinson.
Union City, Route Z.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l am little girl five years old. 1
am looking for you, and want you to
bring me doll and a buggy, some
apples, oranges, and all kinds of
nuts.
Your little friend,
Beulah Zell Chappell.
/ am a little girl two years old, and
want you to bring me doll and lots
of nice things for little girls like me.
Lottie May Chappell.
Dear Santa Claus:--
am little boy years old, and
want you to please bring me a wag-
on, oranges, apples, raisins, candy,
and all kinds of nuts. Don't forget
to bring me some fire crackers, Ro-
man candles, etc. will go to bed
early. Clyde H. Prather.
Your little boy,
Rives, Tenn, Route 2.
Dear Santa ClGus:-
/ am little boy 9 years old. / go
to school every day. have been a
good boy and 1 want you to bring
me a gun, some fireworks and little
train, and lots of good things to eat.
Don't forget Aunt Edith.
Martin Lippard.
Rives, Route 2.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l en- a baby boy three months old.
l want you to bring me blanket,
pink and white, and anything else a
baby needs.
Your baby boy,
Dewitt Roberts.
Union City, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
Please bring me an air rifle, a fur
cap, train on a track, some bedroom
slippers, circus wagon, clown and
some six inch fire crackers,
some torpedoes, and lots of nuts.
Roberts Ashton Everett.
Union City, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l am little girl four years old.
am not old enough to go to school,
but my Aunt Leila gave me primer
and / am learning fast. 1 want you
to please bring me a pretty sleeping
1oll, doll buggy to roll her in, can
1y, apples, oranges, and all good
.hings to eat 1 will be good until
you get here.
Your little girl,
Ruth Virginia Howard.
Union City, Route z.
Dear Santa Claus:--
This is my first letter to you. I'm
| little girl of two summers. Please
,ring me a little doll, linen book,
little rocking chair, a piano, and
Ill kinds Of good things to eat Be
iure to come.
Your little girl,
Martha Sue Caldwell
Union City, Route 3.
Dear Santa Claus:
have been good little girl, SO /
yant you to please bring me large
Ioll that will go to sleep, doll piano.,
ct CT little dishes. doll bed, and lots
f things to eat. AS want you to
ring r. c. and Vernon some toys.
andy and nuts, will not ask for
my more. Will continue to be a
.ood girl. So bye bye. lam,
Your little girl,
Margaret Elizabeth Blanton.
Union City, Tenn.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-12-24

/ CAb- MI. ShAA AdoACyy AVS WOAth VI
cheese and fire crackers.
Your little, girl,
Pauline Baker.
Union City, Route 2.
Dear Santa Cleus:@
Bring me a doll brush, doll comb,
doll dishes, powder puff and book.
Martha Kelly
Dear Santa Claus:-
Please bring me an aluminium set
of dishes, story book, and some can
dy, fruit and nuts.
TheIma Wilson.
P. S.-Please bring me pair of
gloves. too.
Union City, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus
How are you getting along this
cold day? Santa Claus, please bring
me a great big doll, set of dishes, a
story book, and some nice fruit and
candy and nuts.
Your little girl,
Hazel Porter Wilson.
Union City, Route 5.
Dear Santa ClGus:-
l am little girl two and one-half
years old, but l want a red wagon,
doll, some candy, fruit and nuts.
Ruby Nell Wilson.
Union City, Route 5.
Dear Santa Claus:-
/ want you to bring me some fire
crackers, Roman candles, "devils on
the WALL" torpedoes, sky rockets,
sled, football, some marbles and
good game.
Walker Cunningham.
Dear Santa Claus:-
am little boy>two years old, and
l want you to bring me little car,
some apples, oranges and candy, and
say, Santa, don't forget daddy and
mother.
Your little boy,
Will D. Prather
9 Riyes, Tenn, Route 2.
Dear Santa Claus:-
Please bring me a doll and doll
bed, bracelet, many toys, oranges,
and candy.
Your little girl,
Martin, Tenn.
Dear Santa Claus:-
We are two little boys, and 8
years old. Please bring, us a gun
each, and other toys and lots of
fruits, candy and fire works. We
have a new baby brother that
you've never seen. Bring something
for him, too.
Your little boys,
Leslie and Lewis McClanahan.
Union City, Tenn.
Dear Santa Clcus:-
Please bring me table, dishes,
bed, chairs, and dolls kodak for
Christmas. l am little girl and go
to school every day. am in the first
reader. Don't forget all the other
little boys and girls.
Your little girl,
Nellie Myers.
Troy, Route 8.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l am a little boy 5 years old.
go to school. am in the first grade.
want you to bring me q little train
hat will run on a track, Kiddie
Kar, wagon, and lots of fire works
and fruits.
Your little boy,
Van Glover.
Dear Santa Claus:-
l am little girl eight years old.
go to school and am in the first
grade l want you to bring me the
A doll that can shut her
,yes, doll buggy, doll cradle lots of
luts, candies and fruits.
Your little friend,
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18
sTlf1E DAILY SHORT STORY

very nicely. Her old-fashioned
mother had seen to that. Dawn's
small head under the crinkly. baby
gold curls held . clever little brain.
But Dawnie had to have romance.
When lie offered none. she could
create 1t. She had known and 10y
Cd Jim always, a. she would naive
" tell you. But abe would have
preferred her parents to disapprove
OF the clever young architect, for
then their courtship would have
had many thrills. II would have
been 20 Jolly to have had to meet
Jim on the sly! But alas! Jim was
rs welcome In the Cricklin homo q
Dawn herself.
So Dawn made mp Ill manner Of
stunts for Jim to 80 through with
Jim agreed to -elandostine" meet
tngs and hurried partings With toll.
Grant good nature.
"It amnses Dawnie and Il doe
no HARM" he would nay.
Jim had baked ct Dawnie's lasl
scheme, though In the end be gayl
In - usual.
Let's elope!~ she had ooaxed IN
her prettiest way. Weddings IN
70 dull and commonplace What Z
lark It would BE-"
~But We can havs The wedding a
home Jim protested.
'Silly!~ Dawn rsbaked. kisslna
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18
Are Teeth Luxuries?

France has prohibited the importation Of
artificial teeth upon the ground that they arc
luxuries.
This seriously hits an infant American in
dustry, for since the war began the making Of
artificial teeth has grown BY leaps and bounds
In the United States. Before the war Germany
was the largest manufacturer.
Naturally France, debt-ridden ~ she is.
should resort to desperate economy to regain
her credit standing. But when she plans upon
getting along without "store teeth" in mouths
unoccupied by the homegrown variety, France
errs. Teeth are necessary to the proper eat
ing Of food. to the welfare OF the physical body
and to health.
The best teeth, Of course, are those that
grow in ones own gums; the next best are
store teeth" Neither variety may be classed
as a luxury. But If either are to be labeled
"luxuries," surely it cannot be that step
Of nature, the artificial tooth; ask anybody
Just learning to grind food between what
France calls '1uxuries.'
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

The United States department Of agricul-
ture has been seriously handicapped in its
work by refusal Of congress to give It money
enough to meet ito estimates for the coming
year. That IL the kind Of economy which will
hit the people right where they live, for 1t is
hound TO result in decreased production Of
Spcd and materials for clothing, II not this
ssar. certainly next and for some time there
aster.
Congress gave the department 100000
les than 1t asked for. &2.1s6.ooo less than it
has for the current year. Not only will it be
ampcssible to make any extensions to I'LL
9rowing needs. but work already started will
have to DO discontinued in many directions. all
Of them having to do with means Of increasing
livestock. agricultural and forest products.
Among the branches that will have to be
reduced or eliminated altogether are those
dealing with plant and animal dis
eases. forest conservation, crop reporting,
marketing. inspection Of foods. grain super
vision. enforcement Of food and drugs act and
experimental work generally. The list sub
mttted by the department Of detailed under
Akinss affected covers six typewriter pages.
No department d conducted with greater
NneAt to the public and with less waste and
4 s1smeisncy than that Of agricultuye Natur-
4 AM II hnds 1t impossible to make dollar 20
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

ish. gave In. They agreed that
about 2 O'Clock Sunday morning
was the best time. Jim was to
leave his roadster q block from the
Cricklin home, and Dawn would
wait TOR him in her room. Her
room was on the second floor over
looking the. garden. so she could
have all the romance she craved,
even to the proverbial ladder.
And at the last moment Jim had
failed her for the most prosaic of
reasons. He had worked hard all
week on some important plans.
Saturday afternoon he took Dawn
to . matinee. That evening he
worked with his partner on an i'm
portant hurry plan. About 10 he
bad gone to his room, packed his
suitcase and laid down to rest.
Tho next thing be remembered was
awakening Ia broad daylight.
Small wonder then that Jim's
test hsged - he came within sight
OF Dawn's home. He had nothing
to say but the truth, and he could
not say that.
With . grim smile he climbed the
steps OF the Cricklina' front porch.
what the" he stammsred d
Eths front door dew open and Z
lovely vision IN pink silk and lacea
threw herself into his arms.
s1Nr w. y L.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

49, 80. ,..-..s.N.-. ~.
- :, .IS.sS 49,. :. .nes
esred Z dsnserons complication In
tha form az +. sudden change Of
Ncr.ora ensineared hv roaains of
the neighborhood- But the physi-
clan ousted had 90 skiilfully man
aged the case that Mary WAS able
to endure the complication ana IN
Z week or 20 she was on the mend.
The new doctor thereupon won
great applause from the Safrey-
gamps-you see. he had agreed
with their Ideas about the treat
ment eno nuIsins oI mAy: ~ 10
genera custom 70 p!aise inc neaier
VINO nappens 70 De IN at the Iecov-
eLy en0 u.n ING oo.lo wno nas
0ut yos'eloAy oeen oiscuaI seu'
Il tried seven different doctors, "
writes the credulous layman, "and
mono Of them helped me. Then l
heard Of your remedy, purchased
eight bottles, and today am = we'll
man" In this case 1t happens to
be some ridiculous nostrum that is
tn at the recovery.
Is mystery in the healing art los
ing caste?
Not at all
No.. .rr ,..-- 49,
~. ssma ao,eSan 49,. e q. - t.ace
sstar the for-n,,,H ~ 49, az nu W.
- h,,a that =. sai nA 49,. 1n eseaiso
The ahaur,,itv ~ tha $1,000 1T NJ"
paon,a ~. 80 ~.
h.a,,n e...s ns .na. noo. u
mvstar;ors III s aas,e nuu .ne
1870. SUPERFICIAL oo
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

From San Francisco the United States
weather bureau sends out advice to the heat
ridden east that delegates to the Democratic
convention had better come provided with
warm underwear and outer clothing and light
overcoats. This same weather bureau. by the
way. has = habit Of casually emitting in the
daily table distributed over the United States
the highest yesterday" temperature in reports
from Fresno Sacramento San Francisco and
Los Angeles on the ground, probably. that 1t
would be misleading" II those Californians
could put 1t over in politics a. .handily as they
do in climate Senator Johnson would have been
nominated on the first ballot
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

81 Are the eighth grade pupils In the rural
schools Of Rock Island county below the aver
/ 80 II iRtsliigencs?
|lSAs Haggerty system, introduced BY County
Enuperintendent Justin Washburn, indicate that
3hey are But 50 out Of 200 students examined
hads the average grade Of 100 points. while
II two townships, Andalusia and South Moline.
{ ~ highest mark given Is below thft figure.
Rural schools probably have fallen OF
Sscmswhat in the quality Of work done. IN this
h sQunty - elsewhere. Numbers Of teachers
sbAye been employed during the last two or
three years who were unable to meet the
standard test to get certificates. This had to
Is done or some OF the schools could not have
been kept open. 1t is too much to expect the
I ut Of results under such circumstances.
The question is. however. whether the de-
teriofaton Of the schools has been sufficiently
marked to cause such showing Failure in
an intelligence test implies more than q re-
/. Election upon the schools. 1t involves also
mental capacity. home training. moral sur
1oundings, inherited tendencies and other fac
tors outside Of the domain OF public education.
Chances are the tests are misleading.
Eighth grade pupils in rural Rock Island
county certainly are not below the average in
general intelligence and capacity to learn.
Rather. they should be above II. Either the
original standards have been set too high or
slse the application in this locality was At
{ fanlt.
We move to quash the indictment 10 far
I at least, as It applies to general mental c.
y achoolroom
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

me. won't you, dear. when ex-
plain?'
Yes. dear. Of course" Jim as
sured her dazedly.
"0h, I'm SO relieved. You zee. at
the last moment I thought It would
be more romantic II / pretended
We had been discovered. NV cruel
parents Tim smiled at this. even
In his bswilderment) forced me to
stay . prisoner in Aunt James
room. pretended l had a tooth
ache, 20 wanted to stay with
auntie. 1t was great fun. but lem
sorry for you, Jimmy. Say Won
don't mind" Dawnie paused to
catch her breath. her eyes dark
with pleading.
Young Jim breathed 4 fervent
prayer Of Thanksgiving and said
aloud. with Tn air of gracious PEN.
crosby:
Yes. ] forgive you, but you mus,
never give me another such scare. -
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-18

@. What is the record for run
ming broad jump and standing
broad jump? S. r.
A. P. O'Connor holds the world
record for running broad jump, "A
feet l1N inches, Aug. s, 1901, while
r. G. Fury has the standing broad
jump record, II feet AZ. inches,
Aug. 20, 1904.
@. How many people will the
new amphitheatre at Arlington
seat! A. c..
A. The seating capacity, exclu-
sive OF boxes, is 5000. There are
~ boxes, which will seat 10 each.
The Memorial day services were
held in this amthitheatre for the
first time on May 81.
@. Where is the deepest oil well
in the world? M. o. G.
A The deepest oil well is locat-
ed near Fairmont, W. Va. It was
drilled by the Hope Natural Gas
company and is 1887 feet deep. II
was abandoned in June, 1918, or
account Of a broken cable.
Q. In grading manuscript OF
spelling lists is the failure to dot a
y or 81 or cross q It" considered
a mistake. G. w. s.
A. Various state boards may
have rulings on this. The United
States civil service commission
states that they do not charge fol
an undotted ''i' unless it is looped
like an e." nor for failure to cross
. T" unless 1t II looped like an IL
nor for failure to dot : y" n It 4
otherwise perfect.