davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
WATER FED FIRE
Case Where Liquid Was of No
Use to Quench Flames.
Metallic Sodium in Vessels Hold
Merely Biazed More FierceIy as
Streams From Fire Hose
Reached 1t.

1t is said that. for the most part,
water if applied in sufficient quantities
will eventually quench any fire. In
some cases, however. water not only
proves Intellectual but actually kindleS
and nouriSheS the fire.
When a freighter, the Hardy,
steamed out of LIE Treport, France.
some years ago she carried. besides
the mineral water in her hold. a num-
ber of small wooden cases marked
metallic sodium"
Now. the channel was rough. The
vessel rolled and pitched violently.
The captain saw that the ship was list
ing to port, and suspecting that the
cargo was shifting, sent boatswain
below to investigate. AS the boat
swain entered the hold he saw that
several cases of mineral water had
broken and that the water was swish
ing about in the hold. Then suddenly
he saw one of the wooden cases
marked sodium" burst into flame.
Immediately he gave the alarm, and
the crew rushed to their fire stations.
The captain directed the men to turn
the hose into the hold. AS the first
stream of water struck the burning
case there were several explosions as
package after package within the case
caught fire. By this time two other
cases of sodium had broken open, and
their contents, as they came in con-
tact with the water from the hose,
burst into flame.
The crew could not believe their
eyes. The more water they poured on
the fire. the more intense grew the
confagratiOn. Then suddenly two
cases flew into the air. crashed against
the overhead beams and spread out in
sheets of fire, the smaller pieces drop
ping back only to bounce and dance
about, huge balls of flame in the half
swamped hold.
The superstitiOuS crew was fast be-
coming unmanageable and the captain
saw that in any case he must abandon
the ship. He ordered the crew to the
boats not a moment too soon, for as
the boats rowed away from the blazing
hulk several loud explosions came from
the hold. Then there was one mighty
detonatiOn; the freighter broke in two
and plunged out of sight.
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
|CutiCura Soap
is Ideal for
! The Complexion
Soap 25c, Ointment Is and Soc, Taleum 25c. \
He Wasn't So Much.

Giles grandmother, with whom he
lived, was i'll and the little fellow was
left uncared for except for his own
childish efforts. One day he came
home very dirty and shabby in APP
pearance and with his stockings down.
His grandmother bewailed the fact
that she was unable to take proper
care of him.
Gee, grandmother" said Giles, "yOu
don't know the world. You ought to
see the other guys"
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
Cautiously Stated.

The American officers who came to
the courts at Cannes to compete for
the army tennis championship were re-
quired on their arrival to report to
Colonel Johnson, the organizer. When
one competitor came in, Colonel john
son, according to American Lawn Ten
mis-, looked up and said:
Are you tennis player"
The lieutenant looked little BASH
full and replied:
"Well, think / am-at least, have
orders to prove it."
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
BAD BREATH
Often Caused by
Cid-Stomach

How can anyone with sour gassy
stomach. who is constantly belching. has
heartburn and suffers from indigestion have
anything but bad breath? All of these
stomach disorders mean just one thing
Acid-StOmach.
EATONIC, the wonderful new stomach
remedy in pleasant tasting tablet form that
you eat like a bit OF candy. brings quick
relief from these stomach miseries. EATON
&c sweetens the breath because It makes the
stomach sweet. cool and comfortable. Try il
for that nasty taste. congested throat and
"heady feeling" after too much smoking.
If neglected. Acid-StOmach may cause you
a lot of serious trouble. 1t leads to ner-
vousness. headaches. insomnia. melancholia,
rheumatism. sciatica. heart trouble. ulcer
and cancer of the stomach. 1t makes its
millions of victims weak and miserable.
listless. lacking In energy. all tired out. It
often brings about chronic invalidism. pre-
mature old age. a shortening Of ones days.
You need the help that EATONIC can give
you II you are not feeling as strong and
we'll as you should. You will be surprised
to see how much better you will feel just as
soon you begin taking this wonderful
stomach remedy. Get a big 80 cent box
from your druggist today. He will return
your money II you are not satisfied -
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
Something Missing.

"This catalogue is no good" said a
man visiting the art museum, accord
ing to a story that has reached us.
There amt any prices on it,"
"What." said his wife. "You weren't
thinking of buying any?"
Certainly not" replied the CON-
palmer. "But how can you be ex-
pected to appreciate pictures if you
don't know the price of them ?"-Bos-
ton Transcript.
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
Parental Diffidence.

"Does your boy mind when you
speak to him?"
"Yes." said Farmer COrntOssel,
doubtfully. But he's got us so i'm
pressed with his superior knowledge
that we don't often venture to speak
to him."
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
As to AlimonY.

"Is there any way man can avoid
paying alimony" asked the friend
who was seeking free advice.
Sure" replied the lawyer. "He can
stay single or stay married"
The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
,n,nortan+ 70 Mothe-a
Natural Action

Put your business before pleasure
or by and by you won't have either.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20

Tor the entire community to sit back
and watch, 1t was. case of the sur
vival of the fittest If the boys
weren't praised for beating up the
new teacher they at least were not
reproved by their parents.
MY first day was a battle from
start to finish. There was one big
fellow that started things. He was
bigger than | was but it was case
of do or go back to the farm with
me. When l finished with him ]
had only started. During the next
few weeks l had to knock the stuff
fms out of half a dozen of 'en. But
at the end of three months my con-
tract was renewed.
"The boys weren't vicious. They
weren't even bad boys. They were
simply playing a game the result Of
which was to decide whether there
was to be another new teacher. I'm
doing business with some of those
boys now, and they are splendid
men,
Kept Muscles in Shape.
1t may now better be understood
why young John did not throw up
the sponge during the first round i'll
Eagle. In reality he was learning 4
generous amount of practical bank
ing and although the janitor work
raised an occasional blister it kept
his muscles IN shape. he SAYS.
At the end of the first school year
at Eagle he asked for raise and
was refused. So he took the school
at the same old pay, janitor work
included, and continued his work i'll
the bank. In the middle of the sec
ond term he was offered another
job teaching at SIS a month. but re-
fused the offer when the Eagle board
refused to release him from his con-
tract
1T was certainly an effort to re-
fuse the Offer" said Mr.. Gamble.
with SIS a month at my disposal l
would have classed myself with idle
rich. | would have been compara-
lively idle, too, for there was no
ianitor work on the new job and |
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20

when | wished | had decided dill
ferently. The only work | could
get was milking COWS and feeding
pigs, but | had to have the money
to keep on going. and | had de-
termined to do that"
Graduated at l6.
Mr.. Gamble is no, boastful, but
he takes great pride in mentioning
that he was the youngest person in
Nebraska to receive a first grade
certificate for teaching. He was just
10 years old when he completed
high school and passed the examina-
ton which entitled him to the Ger
tifcate.
His first job after graduating from
high school was cutting down an
Usage hedge. A little later he Sc
cured a job as a hired man on a
farm at $l8 month.
Even in those days when the well
known high cost OF existing was un-
heard of SlS month was not a
princely sum, Mr.. Gamble says. But
Wpat C0uld a young man VINO ran
up a debt of $40 during the gradua-
ton period do but accept?
Anyway it was good training for
my next job, especially when my
boss made me saw wood" mused
Mr.. Gamble, as he tapped the afore-
mentioned /glass-topped mahogany
desk with his pencil
Job for Three Months.
81 was offered job a few months
later in a country school between
Springfield and Gretna. 1t was sup
posed to be one of the worst schools
in Nebraska, and | was given only
tfree-mont hcontract. 1t was
through kind-heartedness on the
part of the board that the contract
was for only three months. | sup
pose, because they thought there
were several boys at that school
that would eventually do away with
me.
81 began to think so myself before
| got started, but l needed tie Job.
''In those days the arrival of a
new school teacher was the signal
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20

In 1917 he became principal
owner OF the company. He also be-
came vice president of the First Ma
tlonal bank, and has inaugurated a
number of new ideas in the manage
ment of that great financial institu-
ton.
Like most successful business men
Mr.. Gamble has a secret ambition.
: 1t is to write something that will
have a place among the master
pieces of English literature, some
thing delightfully."- unstable and true
to lite.
Believes He Has Talent.
He, does make use of his talent
for writing in composing brief cir
cular letters to customers of the
bank which are enclosed with
monthly statements and give con-
densed resume of financial condi-
tions. and is still firmly convinced
that if he only had the time he really
turn out masterpiece.
But what modern business man of
Mr.. CANDLES caliber-h has time to
write blank verse or fiction, even in
the springtime?
After rising at 7 each morning
and putting in from 10 to II hours
at prosaic business Mr.. Gamble has
social obligations, and he may usual
ly be found at the Omaha, Univer-
sity, Athletic. Field or Seymour
Lake clubs after business hours.
1t is with keen anticipation that
he looks forward to his return to
Eagle, for he really considers Eagle
his home town.
81 have many old friends in
Eagle" said Mr.. Gamble, "and I'll
always think of the town as the place
where | really got my start. 1t will
be like casting off score of years
to return"
As for Eagle, we'll Eagle also
awaits with keen anticipation the re-
turn of its ex-schoolmaster. The
new school will not be completed
for several weeks, but a delegation
has already been in Omaha to re-
quest Mr.. CANDLES presence.
For the town plans to outdo it
self i'll welcoming its most successful
son on his return
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Youth Must Obey
Peculiar Sentence
Or Serve Out Fine

Kansas City, Mo, June 19.-Here-
after James Foley, ja., 10, must
abide by the rules laid down by
Judge Fleming or go to Jail and
serve out $500 fine. The rules are:
Must give up driving his fathers
car.
Must>not visit his girl later than
$50 o'clock at night. y
Must be in bed by 10 o'clock every
night.
Must &C, TO work.
The court laid down the rules to
young, Foley after his father had ap-
peared to prosecute him for disturb
ing the family peace by forcibly try
isg to appropriate the family auto
mobile.
When asked for his side of the
story, young Foley said:
Judge, I've been spoiled and PAM
pered by my father, and now he's
having me sent to jailw
well, I'll 'unspoir you" roarct
the court. 1.-TWO hundred dollars
fine"
Then father inte.vened, the rules
were laid down and parole ar
ranged.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20

would not have had to work at any
other job.
But | didn't want to break con-
tract. Im/glad | didn't. it's bad
business principal. And besides il
| had left EagleN~then | would not
have met Mrs. Gamble
Romance Enters.
Indeed young Johns Spartan lii.
in Eagle was not tinged with ro-
nance until his second year there
1t all happened at a concert in the
opera house, or the town hall or
where concerts were perpetrated ir
Eagle at that time.
He should have been balancing
the books in the Bank of Eagle. But
instead he went to the concert.
He was seated we'll in the back Of
the house, doing little, perhaps,
when he suddenly glanced at the
platform and sat up with renewed
interest. An adorable young woman
in a flmy gown had risen and was
about to sing. y
John strained his ears to catch the
first note. 1t was clear, soothing
voice which he heard. She sang
something appealing. the name OF
which John can't recall.
Cupid Scores Victory.
What she sang didn't matter, any
way, it was the way she sang 1t.
John requested an introduction at
the close of the concert. They were
married shortly before young John
LETT Eagle. .
John taught in other schools will,
much success. He attended the Uni
versity of Nebraska and a year
after graduating he made trip
through the west, looking over
mining camps, lumber camps and
"studying human nature"
He moved to Omaha from Platts-
mouth, Neb., on January |. 1911. He
was Superintendent of schools there
Shortly after his arrival be became
secretary of the Standard Chemical
Manufacturing company at 13lO-lZ
Harney street.
The plant was then doing q
modest business. Under Mr.
Candles management its expansion
was rapid. In 1913 he became presi-
dent and treasurer,
The plant was then doing a $780,
600 a year business. A short time
after Mr.. Candles arrival the busi-
ness had been increased to $4,000
year, and in 1913 Mr.. Gamble be-
came president and treasurer. The
growth and success of the business
is largely due to- Mr.. CANDLES ef-
forts, according to his associates.
Takes Road Himself.
The expansion really started when
Mr.. Gamble took charge of the sales
department. and went out on the
road himself, interviewing customers
and statesmen. He then inaugurated
a system of sending a letter to each
member of the company's sales force
each morning. He still dictates one
Of these letters each morning. copy
of which is sent to each OF the Is
men. telling thea: Of mar ct condi-
tions and giving them other helpful
information,
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20

signed contract to teach a. year
for $50 a month, and to do his own
Janltor work.
The Eagle school house was a
frame building through which winter
winds were wont to whistle mer-
rily.
School began at $50 in the morn
ing and closed at 4 in the afternoon.
The lowly janitor work was per-
formed after school had closed.
Expert With Broom.
Mr. Gamble admits he became
quite expert with a broom and when
it came to carrying ashes and max
ing fire in stove quick he was
without equal, he says.
"The building was so cold in the
mornings that had to make fire
quick or freeze" he explained.
Hence I wasted no time, having no
ambition to freeze"
Financial difficulties also beset the
embryonic tinancier At last he
found it necessary to do bookkeep-
ing work in the Bank of Eagle,
after school hours. On Saturdays
he worked as teller in the bank.
He was receiving his primary educa-
ton in matters financial.
1t was drugery, this combination
of school teaching, banking and
janitor work. but young John did
not despair. What mattered it if he
could not find time to Join merry
bobsled parties. and attend other
eve..s indulged in by Eagles
younger set? Did he not have his
future to look forward to?
Besides, young Johns early life
was of the sort that prepared him
for hardships.
Born in Log House.
He was born in log house on a
farm eight miles west Of Spring
field, Neb, His father was from Vir-
ginia, his mother from Ireland.
They were early settlers in the
state, hardy pioneer people who
feared no hardships. ~
Young John received his early
education at country school. often
floundering through snowdrifts as
high as his head to reach the tiny
school house
His first real crisis in life came
when he completed the course Of
fered by the country school.
1t was for him to decide whether
to go to high school or go to work
on the farm. There was little in
centive for him to continue his edu-
cation. He was needed at home. To
continue in school meant that he
must, find employment after school
hours. But he went to Gretna and
entered the high school.
"I hold my breath even now as I
think of the moment when | made
that decision" declared Mr.. Gamble,
as he leaned thoughtfullv over his
glass-topped, mahogany desk in the
First National. at would have
been SO much easier to stay at
home. II
Intact there were many times
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
in Chicago, Omahan
Is Mistaken for "C0hen'
Robert Smith Wondered if Stranger Had Confused
Him With George M. Cohen Commissioner Ure
Says "Cohen" Was Dusky Delegate From
louisiana

the humor of the situation fbegin-
ming to rise to the surface.
Il was expecting to meet man
named Cohen, and he said he would
be here" the stranger replied. 81
have never met him before, but he
said he looked like YOU"
"You mean that the description
he gave of himself to you CORE
sponded in some respects to my
characteristics" Mr.. Smith con-
tinued.
The stranger asked to be excused,
&hercupon Mr.. Smith told him of
Omaha. with it's Ak -Sar-Ben. pack
ing houses, electric lights and home
brews.
"That's nothing" remarked Mr..
Ure, when he heard Mr.. Smiths
story. "The man seated across the
aisle from me in the convention was
named Cohen: he was a negro
from Louisiana"
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Teacher Who Got Better
Job Nav Lose License

Mount Vernon, N. Y, June l9.--
The Board of Educationa adopted a
resolution directing w. II. Holmes,
superintendent, at once to begin pro-
ceedings before the state commits
sioner of education to revoke the
teaching license of Miss Gertrude
+. Morris. 4 former teacher at Pub
lie School No. =.
The latter part of April Miss Nor
ris handed in her resignation. to take
effect May |. The board refused to
accept it because Miss Morris had
not given 30 days notice. Miss Nor
ris went to New York and accepted
a teachers position at a higher
salary.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Creighton Law School
Holding Summer Term
To Make Up Lost Time

Beginniirg> next Monday morning,
a II weeks course IN law will be
given at the Creighton university
law school, 2l0 South Eighteenth
street. The course will include
work usually covered in the fresh
man year and part of the sopho-
more year.
The purpose of the srSlmcr ses-
sion is to enable students to make
up work missed by war service.
The course will be conducted by
members of the regular faculty The
branches that will be taught are
agency, common law pleading, con-
tracts, criminal law, introduction,
legal photography. persons, proper
~, torts, evidence, trial practice and
wills.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Boys Commitment Cut
From 8 Years to 13 Days

White Plains. N. Y, June 10
County Judge Young reduced to IS
days the commitment OF Francis
O'Connor, Is years old, who on
May 27 was committed by City
Judge Holden to eight years in the
State Agricultural and Industrial
School OF Industry, Monroe county.
New York. =
The boy was committed on de-
linquency charge, and the commit
ment was reduced on the promise Of
the lads father, Thomas O'Connor,
OF White Plains. TO see that he was
more faithful in attending school
in the future.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Truth is stranger than fiction.

Truth is stranger than fiction.
w. G. Ure, city commissioner, and
Robert Smith, clerk of the district
court, tell the truth, according to re-
ports among the village folk.
Bob and Bill attended the repub-
lican national convention last week.
While Mr.. Smith was sitting un-
attended at a table in a Chicago
caravansary, gleefully anticipating
the fulhllment of an order which he
had given, a stranger accosted him,
exclaiming, why, how do you do,
Mr.. Cohen"
Never Happened Before.
The Omaha>man had been the VIC
tim of mistaken identity on previous
occasions, but this was the first time
that he had been mistaken for Mr..
Cohen.
rs it George NJ. Cohan that you
are looking for?" Mr.. Smith asked,
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
- By ]. T. ARMSTRONG.

There is to be great celebration
in Eagle, Neb.
The main street will be decked
with flags, the town band will turn
out in full uniform to~furnish jazz
and patriotic numbers, and the P.
C.'s-meaning prominent citizens
will burst forth with long pent up
supply of oratory.
1t will be gala day for Eagle
a day to be remembered and Oft re-
counted in years to come. For the
little town, in a single day, is to well
come home a son who has gone
out in the world and become great
and to dedicate a new and quite
magnificent school house
All of which brings us to John w.
Gamble of Omaha.
Mr.. Gamble is OF no particular
Importance in Omaha, OF course.
aside from being vice president Of
the First National bank, president
and treasurer of the Standard Chem
ical Manufacturing company, a
member of the Ak -Sar-Ben board
of governors, OF the executive COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce
and of practically every business and
social club in the city
Pastime Becomes Memory.
Naturally Mr. Gamble guards his
time carefully, for his numerous in
terests are of the sort which cannot
be neglected. His calendar pad has
disconcerting way of becoming
covered with engagements which
make an eight-hour day absurd. And
his favorite game, golf, has become
pleasant memory.
Within the next few weeks, how
ever, Mr.. Gamble will cast aside his
pressing duties and depart from
Omaha on mysterious mission.
He will be gone but a single day,
but in that day he expects to expert
ence every thrill that makes life
worth while.
For after an absence of 10 years
he is about to return to his own
home town.
The~connection between the gala
day in Eagle and Mr.. Gamble and
his mysterious mission should now
be clear, for Mr.. Gamble is going
back to Eagle, his old home town,
to dedicate the new schoolhouse.
Eighteen Years Ago.
Eighteen years ago young John
Gamble-the middle initial wasn't
so important then-arrived in Eagle
His chief worldly possessions were
one carpet bag,--a normal school
education and an ambition which
knew no limits.
His ambition received somewhat
of setback when he interviewed
the Eagle school board. or rather
when the Eagle board Interviewed
him.
Like most school boards this one
was very exacting and was inclined
to be somewhat "crusty," Mr..
Gamble says. There was one-saem-
ber who was especially set in his
ways, according to Nj. Gamble.
Delivers Stern Ukase.
"Ye cain't bring none OF your
highfalutin' idees here to Eagle" /"
this member informed the aspiring
young pedagogue "If yer goin' tu
teach our sons and daughters We
got to use reg'lar methods and yu
got TO do yer own janitor work.
besides
The idea of doing janitor work is
rot particularly enticing to anyone
with large ambitions, but when the
interview ended young John had
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Business AriJn,s of
John W. Gamble

1..Stick to the Job.
2. Save part of income, regard
less of its size.
8. Success is a relative term.
No man is justified in becoming
self satisfied. Big men are always
easy to approach.
, 4. At the age of 40 I believe
that the man who is able to do
the most for others is the most
successful.
Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-20
Biq- Events in Life
Of John ". Gamble

When I decided to 60 to high
school.
When I signed a contract to
teach at Eagle in spite of the
clause which provided that I do
janitor work myself
When / met Mrs. Gamble.
When I came to Omaha.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-04-17

Today, the foremost thought In the
tt~ai~r's mind IL In rendering assist
ance and .-rvico 20 motor car own
eru and prosI~ctiv. purchasers. The
rapid development OF the motor car
industry and sales demands have
been very beneficial In the develop
mont and expansion Of the sutono-
bile dealers policies and business.
Prom the blacksmith shop. livery
barn and machine shed. the dealer
has Transferred his business Into a
modern aie~roosn. with complete
equipment for garage and service sta
ton attached. His interest no long
" rests merely in the sale OF cars.
but largely Ia the rrrvice and salts
faction no can render and give to
each owner. by increasing tho eff.
cent USE Of his sales product in the
hands Of his trade.
hay and night vrvice has bccn
largely adopted. Supplies Of every
character. as well as large repair
stock. arc carried In wcIi-equipped
stock rooxns. and his organization Of
efficient service men are ready. upon
short notice. TO render aid 10 any
owner. Service cars have become
an essential part OF each service sta.
ton. and their promptness In an.
s~oring calls have been OF value and
benefit to all concerned.