davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

Santa Claus down to Little Nellie, be required
to punch the time clock and be paid only on
what the card shows Let Santa get down to
the desk an time in the mornSng or be docked
accordingly. Ifse wants to take an afternoon
off wisn the bcys, let him BE- docked again.
''It is great boom for the executives"
said we'll known captain of industry who has
installed the time clock system in all Of his
hfty-seven bootlegging branches
Having assured ourselves that Santa is OH
the job, let us get back to first principles and
make out Christmas budget. BY all means
let US have q Christmas budget!
And when / say Christmas budget do not
mean the ordinary scrap Of paper, listing al
alphabetically names, gifts and approximate
prices. This does we'll enough for the un-
businesslike soul who is content with q mere
apportionment of funds so that no remote
cousin or maiden aunt will be overlooked or
undergiven. For our own purposes it is worth
less.
When ! say Christmas budget I mean a
3UDGET--a sane, workable chart showing
the source and resource of every nickel that
goes into the Christmas celebration.
Let every man think and count ten before
setting in circulation single Christmas
penny. Let him know to the decimal point
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

lected. Undoubtedly this villa had been ne
elected by the experts. who. before the war,
had prepared lists Of the furniture pictures
and antiques which it would be advisable to
transport across the Rhine M
Only once an officer cut out of its frame a
canvas Of mediocre value and gave it to his
orderly to carry off. The silyerware, the wear
ing apparel abandoned by the owners and the
house linen were the special prey of these he'll
meted robbers. Yet they overlooked nearly all
the laces which Nine. Berquier had left in the
closets. On the other hand, the servants
rooms had been emptied clean. Here the SOL
diers recognized what they were used to seeing
and admiring. They could steal what they
appreciated most.
Pere Didat shrugged his shoulders.
How many are there?" he asked his wife.
II saw only one," she answered. "The others
will follow, no doubt"
They went back to the house This time the
bell didn't ring. The gate yielded to a blow
from the butt of nusket. Nine. Didat ex-
claimed, astonished, almost scandalized:
Why there is only one, this time!'
There was in fact, only one German at the
gate And down the whole length of the lin
den avenue as far as the main road no other
could be seen. The arrival was tall Pome-
ranian, in a frightfully soiled gray uniform.
carrying on his back, besides his own knap-
SACK another kit bag of French origin, picked
up no doubt on some battlefield. II was
cramrned to the bursting point with things they
couldn't see.
Didat didn't notice at the time that the SOL
dier had stripped off his regimental number,
His cheeks We're hidden by two weeks growth
Of beard. reddish and stiff as wild boar's
pelt. His hands were covered with dirt. SO
thick that. whitish streaks showed whore his
fangernails had touched the coating. He had
an air of,mischief and defiance, He looked like
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

d. Will it increase the good will Of myself
and family?
g. Wouldn't an oral merry Christmas" do
just as we'll?
If there are any names left on the list
after this inquistion, go ahead and pick out
Christmas card. Do not overlook the fact
that the United States government provides
an excellent device in the 1-ccnt postal card
Not snowy, to be sure, nor ornate, but sound
and sensible and ever so reliable as
veyer of glad tidings To keep the cards in
harmony with the Christmas atmosphere they
may be dyed red or green If this seems too
cxtravagant, dip them in Monday mornings
tub Of blucng.
In recent years great many persons who
have postponed thinking Of Christmas until the
last twenty-five minutes Of Christmas Eve rush
madly to the nearest telegraph Office and file
one to dozen messages that are supposed to
carry Christmas cheer. This is not only bad
business, but it clogs the wires and delays I'M
portant dispatches.
Eliminate the waste from your Christmas
hearthstone and be assured that your holi-
days will be guaranteed 100 per cent merry
AS q starter, let us consider that moss-cov-
cred relic of antiquity, the branch Of nistle
toe. What good is it? It's usage is archaic
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
The Christmas budget, of course
should be double entry affair

up the chandelier. Whose bread did the ho1s
berries ever butter, anyway? What purDoss
does it serve other than to provide another op-
portunity for group of rube farmers to ex-
ploit Mother Nature and make a firetrap fo,
the Christmas revelers2 Away with all the
evergreens!
Which brings US round to that last sv1nbo
Of decadent st. Nicholas, the Christmas traa
It isn't the tree itself that brings frown f.
the best business minds. Many earnest work
ers who have saved and scraped for years prO
vide trees for their family circles to rotate
about on Christmas morn. They consider II in
the light Of a good investment
No, it isn't the tree itself that is in DISGRACE
1t is the trappings that come with 1.-THE cold
and tinsel, the tawdy ornaments. the candy
canes, the popcorn balls, the presents heaped
up under the tree and the thousand and one
odd trifes without which no regular Christina
tree could be considered complete.
As the association of ideas between the tree
and the trappings is SO indeibly impressed or
the minds Of young America, the safest plan is
to eliminate the Christmas tree altogether. lei
the fir trees fall where they may.
And while we are in this eliminating nooS
1t appears the appropriate moment to scrap
the Christmas dinner. What purpose does the
Christmas orgy serve other than to give flock
OF underfed turkeys the cue to hop on the
market and grab prominent place on the
days menu? In the excitement and confusion
of the main festivities, a Christmas dinner
more or less, would never be missed
Just one final word to all ye Yuletide fans
and then you are all set to check off anothel
holiday season:
If you wish to spend the unmerriest Christ
mas of your entire career, if you wish 10 &c,
in disgrace with your family, lose all youl
friends and have the finger of scorn pointed
your way, go ahead and put your Christmas
on business basis.
1T CAN BE DONE.
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

where he stands every hour, every minute OF
the holiday season. Let him never o X the
requisition Of dime where a nickel would do
just as we'll.
In getting at the budget there are several
methods Of procedure. It should, of course
be double-entry affair. If man has the
time and patience he can even make it q
treble-entry. If his wife has an artistic lean
ing, neat design can be worked out on the
chart, using red, white and blue inks. Other
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
~ ERE DIDAT, the gardener, was busy
- preparing, at the bottom of the vege-
n table garden, secret storage place

II table garden, secret storage place
for his potatoes. He made bed of
chalky rock against the garden wall, laid the
potatoes on it and topped it off with another
layer Of stone.
"lt looks like pile Of waste material left
by the masons," thought Didat "It is inno-
cent and respectable"
He rubbed his hands with satisfaction. At
that moment his wife called to him from the
other end of the incosure. Presently she ap-
neared. She had her hands in the pockets of
her blue apron. But she was hurrying along
on her massive legs as fast as her weight and
thirty years Of rheumatism permitted.
"Didat," she cried, hurry upl They are
conling again"
The gardener showed moro Ill humor than
fear. In the eight days since the Germans
had been marching toward Paris he had be-
come used to their visits. M. Berquier's villa
which he had charge of, stands alone in the
open country, on rocky spur overlooking the
Slo|Acs EIoiu tie lrouJ Oh tne mouse an ave"
nue. Of lindens leads to the main highway
The rear services Of the German army had
made no use Of the property. The few men
who could be lodged in the villa would be too
far away from the villages in which the bulk
Of the troops were quartered. But each time
3 detachment passed by and saw across the
trees the tiled roof. the lightning rod sur
mounted by weather cock, the rose-colored
brick chimneys, trimmed with white stone
all suggesting a well-to-do home--it stopped
xrsA camo to pay call.
uidat had been afflicted half dozen times
With such undesirable guests. The Germans
rang the bell at the grilled gate with tranquil
assurance Then they asked where the wine
cellar was. -Four or five bottles per man was
not too much for them, and they drank brandy
out of champagne glasses. Afterward they
began their perquisitions. What always aston
ishad Psre. Didat was their almost total ig-
aorshpe of the value Of the objects they Sc
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

cellar, as all the others did. But in his turn
Pere Didat put finger to his lips
The movement he made was purely in
stinctive. The scoundrel who had browbeat
en- him and robbed him didn't seem to want
to have his presence revealed. Therefore he
felt he ought to reveal it. The one upstairs
didn't count any more or any less than the
others. But that wasn't reason Why he
shouldn't pay for the misdeeds of the Others.
Dldat led the lieutenant and some men, sgith
fixed bayonets, up to the door Of the dressing
room.
"a German" he pointed; "a German is In
there"
The lieutenant hurled an order to nhoeyec
was behind the door. No answer came. So
they broke into the ROOM The Pomeranian
was there. on his knees, with his hands folded
Pere Didat cannot explain clearly what hap
pened, since he understands so little German.
He knows only that they opened the soldier
kit bag, that they took out of it the cope
HA@SACto, tie SlfFcT soup idC!e ana tnc DilllaAN
balls, and that the lieutenant, with look Of
disgust, took whifT of the Pomeranian's
scented locks and pointed with his finger at the
bottle of Lubins's, now empty, deporably
empty.
The officer struck the soldier twice and gaze
him kick. Then he issued command. The
soldiers seized the culprit and cuffed anc
kicked him down the stairs. Pere Didat fol
lowed to see what would happen. He saw
Two minutes later the Pomeranian was stood
up against rail and shot.
This scene shook Pere Didat's nerves little
He re-entersd the house, much excited, ant
found the lieutenant in the salon.
*See.' said the latter ~ao had oh Pr
sheathed sword in his hand (Pere Didat didn't
know at first just why), mo individual pillag
ing, no pillaging without orders. II you pl-
lage on your own account you are shot"
Whereupon he inserted the point of his sworo
in the drawer Of little cabinet which had beer
left locked, pried it open and took out two O.
three miniatures. which were not without value
ss-~s ss----s-r ~ Il ss--ssss ~
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
BY PIERRE MILE.
Translated by William l.. Mcpherson
Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Inc

tramp armed with a rife. And that was Just
what he was, after ALL
THE wine celar!' he said. Something to
drink
Pere Didau shrugged his shoulders once
more. He expected That.
Then he took the German down into the
cellar.
"Champagne!' the man shouted
There isn't any more" the gardener ex
pialned. "The other Germans drank it all up"
The armed tramp looked disappointed.
"Beaujoas?" Didat suggested.
The soldier broke the neck of bottle and
found the wine too weak
'Burgundy!" he ordered.
Pere Ddat finally discovered some bur
gundy. The soldier selected three bottles, to
which he added flask of benedictine
Garry them upstairs" he said.
Coming out of the cellar the two men met
Nine. Didat.
Dinner" the German called out. as he
handed the bottles over to her. "a good din
ner-soup, om-lette, mutton veal, beef. ham.
sweets-plenty Of sweets. II don't get a
good dinner III shoot you'
Then he laid his hand on the gardeners
shoulder.
"11l go through the house. Show me every
thing!"
He seemed genuinely annoyed that the sill
verware had disappeared In the dining room
he pried loose two copper brackets which hie
predecessors had left behind because they
We're screwed tight to the wall. He opened his
kit bag to put them inside and the gardener
caught glimpse of silver soup ladle, some
silver cups, gold bracelet, and even three
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
In day Of excitement Christmas
dinner could be dispensed with

its presence is unnecessary, it's appearance is
unbeautifu. Find the demure fapper who
conceals her desire for oscuation beneath the
blushing branches Of the mistletoe. Bring
forth the young man in these modern days who
dares not kiss whom he will and when he will.
Away with the mistletoe!
While we are saying good riddance to bad
shrubbish cast out the holly in all its forms,
from the elaborate wreath that oblterates the
front door to the single branch that cutters
New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

billiard balls-booty from previous expedi
tions.
Shirts" he said; drawers, flannel waist
Coats"
But all these had been taken. He became
furious and seized Pere Didat by the throat
Nine. Didat, hearing the fracas, ran and got
one OF her husbands shirts. In order to put
it on the soldier entered M. Berquier's dress
ing room and discovered there bath tub and
a heating apparatus.
"a bath" he cried "Heat the water
quick!"
Pere Dldat had to heat the water for him
and rub him down when he came out of the
tub. Naked, gigantic, he prowled about the
room. He discovered bottle Of perfume and
cosmetic stick. He rubbed the cosmetic into
his hideous beard and poured the perfumery
bottle on his head
Then he dined.
He drank the three bottles Of burgundy. He
drank the flask Of benedctine, and when he
had finished it he asked for something more.
They produced bottle of brandy and he
drank it. But the more he drank the more
melancholy he became. His depression in
creased in proportion to his drunkenness. He
selected M. Berquiers bedroom to sleep in.
But he Insisted that Didat should put a mat
tress across the doorway and sleep there The
gardener did sentry duty until he heard the
soldier snore. Then he left his post and went
down into the garden,
His heart was filled with rage and sense
of humiliation. Before, whole detaehments,
fifteen to twenty men, had invaded the house
and pillaged 1t. that could he do against so
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

the motors on the big speed wagons
will hum, and the journey will be be
gun. Oh. Boy! Oh, Joy! Wish it were
tomorrow.
The boys can hardly wait. All
ready they are taking short camp.
ing trips, getting used to sleeping
out beneath The stars. Monday
evening, troop No. 2, under Bide
Penninton were out to the blowout
east of town to cook their suppers
and spend the night, coming back
to town early the next morning. Fri
day evening Troop 8, under the d.
rection of Rev. Pennington and Chas.
Buchanan are to take a short hike
to try out their new pup tents which
they have purchased.
Monday evening Mr.. Baughman,
the Commissioner, Scout Masters and
assistants, held an important bust
uess meeting. Definite plans for the
trip were made, and special officers
appointed, as follows: Transporta-
ton officer and manager of the trip
Mr.. Baughman; Commissary officer,
E. A. Pennington. Health and sani-
tation, Bernard Meyers. Equipment
officer, Rev. Pennington.
Each boy will have some task to
perform, working in special details
under the direction Of the officers
and assistants. On arriving in camp
this procedure will be followed. An
officer with detail will lay out the
camp, pitching tents in systematic
and orderly manner. The health Of
ficer with detail will investigate wa
ter supply, drainage build latrines
and in every possible manner safe
guard the health of the members of
tn party Another detail of six scouts
will bring up wood, water, bedding.
Ithers will assist in cooking and pre-
paration Of the evening meal. While
still others will be placed on guard,
the guards to be on two hour shifts
throughout the night. While in camp
about the following program will be
followed:
First call.
Revielle Roll Call
Break;
Assembly. Inspection of Scouts,
Tents etc.
Orders of the day
Games, Hikes, Drills, Fishing etc
Dinner
Rest
Mountain Climbing, exploring,
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12
owe Of the wheat growers was

move Of the wheat growers was
started.
hope that this will give you some
knowledge of the situation as it is
today l hope to see you in Hutchin-
SON the 10th accompanied by all the
good men of your section of the
state.
Be sure to bring all the farmers
Of your state who will help the Asso-
citation in this fight for their. plan.
Yours respectfully,
w F McMICHAEL
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

times. We hope to bring them all
back heavier, heartier, happier and
wiser than when they left home.
A farewell meeting is being plan
ned to give the boys a proper send
off.
Parents if you are in doubt about
anything pertaining to this trip 80
Scout Commissioner Eli Walker.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

Sight seeing.
Supper
Evening camp fire. Talks, stunts
etc
Taps-Lights out. Everybody
sleeping soundly except the ever
trusty and watchful guards.
The scouts will be under the su-
pervision of their officers at all
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

that the farmers Of the wheat statei
were going to solve their marketing
problems themselves. II there was ne
opposition to such move the farm
ers of these wheat states would in 9
short time arrive at a solution fol
their problem Of marketing and
would have the necessary plans
drawn and adopted whereby they
could fulfill their wishes.
So they (the interests) at once got
busy and after a study Of the condi-
tons decided that if they were able
to maintain their hold on the mar
keting of wheat, some plans would
have to be laid for the defeat of the
farmers plans.
After little study on their part
there was called meeting of all
farm organizations to sit in conven-
ton and the purpose Of the call and
convention was to arrive at some
plan Of action for relief in regards
to the formulation Of a plan for mar
keting of all farm prducts
This is the purpose as they led the
public to believe
But why should such step be Ia
ken so suddenly, when there had
been no activity along those lines
prior to the farmers meeting at
Hutchinson?
Now. after all these months, of
study and expense, the committee
has reported the result Of their delib-
erations Believing that the farmers
interests were to be protected by
this committee, there have been
many men interested in their report
The wheat farmers were led to be-
lieye that they were being consider
ed just the same as any other pro-
Queer Of farm products Now, after a
study of their selections made, in the
elections Of directors. we see that
there is no one on the board Of d.
rectors representing the wheat grow
er
Neither of the men from Kansas
is a representative wheat farmer and
we can not see where the man who
raiss wheat can receive any support
from this board, when he is not rep
resented
There was decided stand taken
at the Chicago meeting to defeat any
pool that would be strong enough to
stabilize the market There was a de-
termined stand taken to defeat all
efforts of the wheat farmers to get
representations
And furthermore, we believe that
plan as adopted has never been pre-
sented for the actual relief of the
wheat farmer but more for the bene-
fit of other interests where there is
not so much of a chance for the
Spectator to get in
Mr. Farmer who. raises his wheat
is in position now where he can see
who is working for his interests and
we feel sure that the Kansas farmer
will be found looking in the right d.
rection
After knowing the sentiment of
the men in Chicago. who md lie up
the committee. and also the methods
used at this same meeting when any
of their interests were up for dis
cussion. we cannot help thinking that
we are correct in our decision as to
their attitude towards the wheat far
mer.
Wheat marketing is the source of
the grain spectators income. Wheat
marketing carries along with it the
largest number of nonproducers car
ried by any farm product. Therefore
why should the interests not provide
for the protection of their interests
rather than the interess of the grow
err?
We are for our plan today strong
er than. at any other time since the
llllnIIlIIllNllllIINlIlIlIHIlIlIIlHnHNllI
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

The time for the start on that
fascinating and wonderful expedi-
ton into the land of mountains, red
men, mines and mystery, is fast draw
ing near. Some quiet morning a
picked band Of about fifty tested
scouts will give three rousing cheers
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12
CAL BOROUGHS
AN OPEN LETTER ON THE MAR
KETING PLAN

Cunningham, Kas., April Is, 1921
Mr.. J.. E. Handy,
Hugoton, Kansas.
Dear Sir:-
have at hand your letter and am
very glad to see you taking an inter-
est in the work Of signing the con-
tracts Of the wheat growers.
I see that you are interested just
little in the result of that ALL I'M
PORTANT COMMITTEE, yourself.
/ am surprised that so many good
men have fallen for the stuff that
has been fed out by this committee
as developments have proven beyond
all doubt that there is no benefit to
the grower of wheat from this plan,
as they have adopted it.
We made every effort that we
possibly could to get together and at
the same time get some relief for our
wheat growers but we could not Sc
cure anything from them under any
condition.
Now here is the way that the sit
uation sums up. At the meeting Of
the meeting Of the wheat farmers of
the middle states, May 10, 1920.
there was such spirit shown that
the big interests saw beyond doubt
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12
WHEAT GROWERS CRITICIZED

In last weeks issue Of the Liber.
al News were some pointed criticisms
Of the Wheat Growers compulsory
pooling plan, which has very unfair
feature as there was no name signed
to it.
l wish to ask this citizen whoever
ne Or she may be, why they approve
Of the plan the Committee Of Seven
teen has adopted when everyone
knows that the wheat farmer is not
very well represented, that their plan
is the present system with few lin
itations. We are quoting a letter
from the National President and II
will give the public an idea of what
the Committee Of Seventeen is try
Ing to do.
Financial conditions forced the
Fruit Growers to a compulsory pool
and that and the spectators are fore
ing the wheat growers into a compul-
pOIy pun.
Our finance need not worry our
prominent citizen when 500 Of the
wealth Of the U. s. is in agriculture
and 85 per cent of the bank stock in
Kansas is owned by farmers.
Perhaps our prominent citizen has
an idea that the farmer is at the
mercy Of the banker. Perhaps our
prominent citizen don't, realize how
many bankers are boosting for this
kind Of marketing.
And, furthermore, take the farm
ers patronage away from the country
bank and seee how long that insti-
tuition will last.
We want to impress on everyone
this one fact, make the farmer pros
porous and see how happy and con-
tented he is.
Signed By
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

WANTED to buy for cash a few
good town lots. Familiar with town.
Must be cheap. Box 144. City. Att
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12

Fresh Milk, clean and pure. try it
Fone 1174. Sunny Slope Place. Attic
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-05-12
NORMAL TRAINING ExAMAMIN-
ALTON

The examination for normal train
ing certificates and high school cred
its will be held at the county super
intendent's office Friday and Satur-
day, May 20-21, beginning at 8
o'clock.
attic Emma Thompson,