davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

in the world to do but eat, md swim
about in the sunshine. By spring we
are as fat as so many butter balls.
and the call of the North gets in our
blood. and first thing you know, we
are on our way back to the land of
iceberss. with the same old leader
honktng along in front, and leading
the way, just as surely as If he was
getting his bearings from a compass
People wonder and wonder how we
can find our way, and If we took the
time to think about it. 1 suppose we
would wonder too. But we never
have any trouble, unles we strike a
heavy storm. which sometimes blows
US out of our course. but as soon as
It IS over, the leader. without knowing
how, points his bill in the right direc-
ton. and away we go, in a straight
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
Charlie Ander5on5R eseEuttiio11

~HE Baify family had gone up TO
their camp in the Berkshires for
tho mid-winter holidays. which
~sounds cold. but II wasn't because
there was plenty OF nrewood and
everybody was young and healthy.
Charlie Anderson. a chum of Tom
Baily was there too. and Il was his
first experience of winter In the coun-
try.
On New Years Day the boys awoke
to md the world like glass. every
twfg on the trees was coated and
glistening, and the ground was q huge
skating rink.
"Gee!" cried Tom. tumbiing out of
his blankets. What q day to go for
suckers!"
but / thought suckers were fish,"
said Charlie. Maybe you think I'm
one"
Get up ana I'll show you what I
mean" replied his host, as he cracked
the ice in the pitcher. mo use! Wen
have to build a fire and melt some
Ice or else go dirty"
I'll walt then" said Charlie with a
shiver. II want to think up a New
Years resolution"
"Oh. sayi" cried Tom. You can't
get away with that. You mean you've
made one-and that is. you're not GO
ing to get up till it's warmed up in
here"
Honest" replied Charlie. "I
haven't made any resolution but /
will. by Jove. before the day is gone"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

And he spoke the truth. as you shall
see.
Toms sister, Emily. was calling
them to breakfast before the boys
were dressed. and when she heard
they were going for suckers. she de-
clared she would go too
Soon the three started out with
their skates. Tom leading the way
and Charlie following verify half
suspecting a plot.
The camp was in some woods on the
top of a hill. half a mile from a lake.
Tom struck through the woods and
fell down twice before he got to the
road. as for Emily. a good stout club
saved her many a tumble. and she
proflted by her brothers. nis-steps.
Charlie was a good skater and man.
aged to keep his feet most of the
time. Down they sped. without a
thought of how to get back.
Tom led the way into the woods
again and they soon reached the
Housatonic River. here only a creek
in size. covered with clear glittering
ice. On the bank he stopped and
pulled a Ratchet out of his belt, hand
ing It to Charlie.
when I give the word, be ready!"
he said. his eyes fixed on the ice.
Ready for what?" Charlie wanted
to know. but the others were skating
on the river and he fastened to join
them.
How the ice doomed and squeaked!
The air was so cold 1t hurt, and the f,
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
line as If nothing had happened.

line as II nothing had happened
When we get back to our frozen
nesting ground. we men folks hustle
around in the crowd and find our
wives, and then comes the happiest
time of our lives. as a nest has to be
built and lined with down. and the
two eggs placed In it. and then kept
warm until the darling little fuzzy
babies hatch. Then their mother
takes them down to the water. and
teaches them TO dive and do other
water stunts. for they don't have TO
be taught to swim. as that comes
natural. and they can swim as soon
as they are out of the she'll. AS we
don't lose any time about nest build
ing. the children are full grown and
feathered. by the time we have to
start south for the Winter.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

mind to follow. when suddenly he
heard low growl behind him. His
eyes travelled up to the ledge of rock
above the cave and there rested on a
terrible sight-a huge tawny wild cat
crouched ready to spring. its ferocious
yellow eyes glaring and its fangs
barred. Charlie made a sudden dash
in the other direction, but he tripped
on a bit of firewood and fell down.
In moment ne felt a heavy form
drop on him. Sharp claws pierced his
heavy clothing. He grabbed a brand
from the fire and turned to fight his
enemy but the cat jumped off him,
seized the string of suckers and dis
appeared like magic.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

hacking the crust. In another minute
the fish, a regular buster. was dang
ling from a cord in Emily's mittened
hand.
Let me stun the next one!" cried
Charlie eagerly. But when he had
chance he struck too hard and icy
water splashed him and his fish got
away. His next try was a success
Emily soon had four good-sized suck
ers on her line.
TN build a fire. she said as they
neared bend in the stream. There's
dry moss and wood l know in that
little cave"
tom had the club. so Charlie felt
he ought to help Emily gather in the
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

and after circling over it a few times
TO make sure that no danger threatens
the leader plunges down and strikes
the water with a splash. and all the
others follow. and soon the flock Is
feeding on the lily roots and other
vegetable growth. If there is no con-
Fehlent wafer we spend the night in
wheat field, or corn field, eating
ana resting. until the first faint
streaHs of light show in the east. and
we know that another day is breaking
Then we all wake up. and the leader
maps his wings and pitches himself
IN the air. and soon We are trailing
along behind in two long lines. as he
monks his way towards a summer
land When we reach our destination
we scatter ii small fiocks. and have
the time of our lives. with nothing
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
Hall the HOnker

ep ROM my picture. II you are a
- good guesser, you may see that
"a am a wild goose, that goes
- honking high overhead from one
Part OF the country to another. Our
lo4ks are great travellers, and we
spend a good part of time on the road.
we think nothing of getting up some
morning. way up in the Arctic Circle,
"here there is nothing but snow and
Ice polar bears and white rabbits.
northern Lights and sun that mans
1or SIX months in the year, and start
ing out on a journey that is to end
on the salt marshes of Texas, or the
warm lakes of Florida There is no
getting ready. with us. we Just pick
up and leave, without making anv
fuss about it. The motors that drive
our bodies across a continent, never
get over-heated. never need gasoline
or Oil, and never miss a lick, but just
run themselves. We travel in COM
panies. OF f1ocks. and as soon as we
get good started, and get up to the
proper height, some old gander who
has made the trip many times before
gets in the lead. and two long lines
of tapping geese form themselves into |
big V. with the leader at the point
of the V. In this way each one can
keep its eye on the leader, and still |
not get in one anothers way. Every |
few seconds the old gander in front |
sends out a bugle-like honk. That |
serves to keep the flock together. You |
can talk about your air-planes. but |
when we catch up with one going our
way. we just honk on past. and soon
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

Charlie lost no time getting to his
feet and away. He found his friends
coming upstream with a sucker. They
whooped at his story.
You're kidding u.s." said Tom, and
showed that they didn't exactly be-
lieve him until they reached the fire.
Tom shifted the air near the cave
I'VE could come tomorrow and
clear 'em OUT he said, but I'm too
fond of wild critters for that"
Clear out who?" Charlie asked.
Don't you smell a strong, wild
smell?" Tom asked. That cave-you
were in it-didn't you notice a smell?
Sure"
We'll. 1 bet it's a wildcats den.
No wonder the cat attacked you. She
probably has kittens in there and she
was famished. so of course, she
snatched the fish. Lucky she wasn't
home when you went in after wood,
boy"
Let's go home!" said Emily, ner-
vously.
They had to take off their skates
and crawl up the hill as best they
could, and in spots the Ratchet came
into play to make notches for their
feet to grip.
Charlie" said Tom that night as
they turned in, did you make that
resolution today?"
Sure" was the reply.
What was it. If 1 may make so
bold?"
Resolved: Never to make camp in
a wildcats front yard. or to go into
caves with queer smells. Geel Those
certainly do smart"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

wood They put the fish down at the
cave entrance and Charlie crawled in.
1t was snug inside and smelt funny.
Charlie found dry materials for the
IRE right at hand and he and Emily
started the fire only a couple of feet
away. Suddenly Tom cried: Suck
err" and Emily jumped up with the
Ratchet saying: I'm going to get
this one!" GO ahead" Charlie
called. Il want to get warmed up"
And he spread out his hands before
the blaze.
The fish must had come to and
gone downstream for his friends were
soon out of sight. Charlie had half
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

be stood upon end as indicated at A,
Make the slaves of parallel width
and point their ends to the form de-
sired; place the kettle upon the stove.
NIL 1t half or two-thirds full of water.
place the steam box upright in the
Kettle and put the skis in the box.
pointed end down. Stuff the upper
end of the box with old burIaps or
rags to prevent the escape of steam.
keep the water in the kettle at boil
ing point, and at about the original
level or water. Allow the slaves 70
stay In the box for two or three hours
when they may be bent to any form
necessary to make the skis or the
sled or similar device, or to straighten
the rounding form of the slaves to
make the straight back pieces of the
skis. To do this efficiently some sort
OF form is necessary; the one shown
In the sketch will be satisfactory or
any convenient device which will per-
NIT the stave to be held in its proper
shape until 1t has dried SO it will hold
rs form, say after twenty-four hours
n warm dry room. The pieces b
should be nailed upon the under side
IF the form.
Two forms Will be necessary II both |
Kills are to be bent at once, or a |
orm made which will be wide enough |
o hold both at once instead OF the
ne shown, which will hold but one
o bend the wood, remove the stave
rom the steam box, place It pointed
nd IN the space under block a
ound side up. bend the stave down
yer the FORM. place pieces across
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
9 S9:RDT1E2
ENIGMA

ENIGMA
am composed of seven letters.
My 3-7-5-1 form a bird.
My 42-6 form an affirmative ex-
clamation.
My whole is Just beginning.
WHAT AMI
l am in fright, but also in brave.
L am in life. but also in death.
L am in silver. but also in brass.
am in gold. but also in copper.
l am in large. but also in small.
l am in use, but also in futile.
am in nothing, but also in
eternity.
1 am in business. but also in idle
ness.
1 am in possession. but also in loss
l am in nothing, but also in every
hing.
1 am what you will make on Now
Years Day.
ANSWERS
ENIGMA
NEW YEAR
(iCren, yeG)
WHAT AMI
RESOLUTION
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

" HAT boy in the northern belt
or states has not tried to con-
~ struct pair of skis, sled
w or other device for sliding on
snow by the use OF barrel slaves :?
Their partially bent form and the
ease with which they can be obtained
suggest possibilities and offer tempta-
lions to the ingenious boy which re-
suit IN several hours OF enjoyable la
Dor. and finally some device which Is
so unsatisfactory for the purpose for
which IL is intended that 1t is soon
discarded. This article is intended to
suggest a method by which the ever
present barrel stave may be utilized.
1t Is necessary to bend wood in
making a pair of skis; usually this
process is considered beyond the abil-
lily Of the average boy, but it is pos
sible for one who has patience and
enough good barrel slaves to make a
really serviceable pair of skis or q
sled similar TO those illustrated A
steam box or some device for confin-
Ing the steam is Indispensable for the
steaming Of the wood; this may con- |
sfst OF a box six or eight inches |
square and about three feet long, In |
side dimensions, which will accom-
nodate several slaves at a time. The /
box should be nailed together strong
y and made tight enough to insure
hat no considerable amount OF steam
will escape through the Joints: anv
mall Job OF wood bending may be
accomplished by using this box for
teaming.
Secure a kettle large enough in
iarle'er 10 permit the steam box to
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

ice-covered branches above went clat-
ter-clatter when the wind stirred
them.
Keep your eye peeled" said Emily.
and Charlie noticed that they were
looking down.
The new ice was so clear they could
see old leaves and twlgs and bits OF
moss floating downstream under
meath. Suddenly Tom gave a cry and
blop! The club which he had taken
from his sister went down on the ice.
Charlie fastened to the spot, and
there as plain as day. lay a large
fish belly-up under the ice. Before
Tom issued the order. the Ratchet was
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

We just Pick Up and Leave.
1t Is lost in the distance. Sometimes
airplanes suddenly quit purring. and
drop down to the earth. but who ever
heard OF a wild goose falling. unless
1t got In the path of a load of shot?
When the sun begins to sink in the
west, the leader keeps his eye out for
a good feeding ground for the night,
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

Wash and core one large apple for
each person to be served at the New
Year dinner.
Shell times as many large chest
nuts as you have apples
Cut each nut meat into three or
four pieces
Set the apples in a fat baking pan
or dish.
Half fill each core hole with sugar.
Stun the core full using the nut
meats and putting the equivalent of
three nuts in each apple.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

Sprinkle l heaping tablespoonful
sugar over each apple.
If liked sprinkle a little ground
cinnamon over the apples Some do
not care for this.
Pour water in the pan allowing /
cupful for each four or FIVE apples.
Bake in a moderate oven for about
1 hour.
Some apples bake very fast others
slowly; watch the apples and IL they
seem to be getting done too quickly.
take from the oven for a few minutes.
Serve hot with the goose.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31
THE JUNIOR COOK

BAKED APPLES STUFFED
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
State of Maine.

70 all pereops Interested In either OF the esta.
hereinafter named:
At Probasc Court held at Rumford. in and
for the County of Oxford, on tho fourth TUESDAY
OF Nay, In the year OF our LORD one
thoussud nine hundred and twenty-0ne. The
following matters having been presented for the
action thereupon hereinsfter indicated,
IT Is HEREBY ORDERED:
That notice thereof be given 70 AL persons In
terested by causing copy OF this order TO be
published three weeks 81 cessively In the OK.
ford Democrat 3 newspaper published Ut South
Paris In said County, that they may appear At n
Probate Court to be held at Paris on the
third Tuesday OF June, A. d. 1921, at nine o.
the clock In the forenoon, and be heard thereon
II they see cause.
Maria Clay late Of Stow. deceased; will and
petition for pfobate thereof and the appointmrnt
OF Fred Eaton as executor Of the sarne to act
without bond as expressed In said will. pre-
sented BY said Fred Eaton. the executor therein
named.
Clarence l.. Heath late Of Woodstock, de-
ceased; petition for the appointment OF Lillian
d Swfft or some ether suitabIe person a. ad-
ministratrix Of the estate Of said deceased pre-
sented by said Lillian M. Swim, sister.
Iaforest n. waits late of Dixheld, de.
ceased; petition that Willis W. Waite or some
other suitable person Re appointed - adminis-
trator of the estate of said deceased 70 act with
out bond presented by Walter Waite. an heir.
Hsppy l.. Moultsn late Of Sweden. de.
ceased; frat and hnal account presented for
allowance BY louisa Mouiton, execusrix.
witness, ARETAs 3. srEARNS. Judge of
said Couft st Rumford. this fourth Tuesday
sand nine hundred and tWenty-one.
Attest .-ALRERT D.. PARK. Regis er.
9s2
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
WILL LONG REMEMBER VISIT
Inhabitants Of Old Providence Island
Astounded by the Appearances Of
American Seapianea.

One wonders what the inhabitants
Of Old Providence island thought
when seven American seaplanes, with
that rending clamor Of motor that
marks these powerful devices, swoOped
down on her tiny harbor. The report
Of the seven liers Is epic In Its slim
plicity.
"Some Of them seemed scared" said
they. "They had never seen an air
plane before"
Life in Old Providence, as It ap-
peared to the marooned sea fiers, Is
primitive In Its simplicity. The Is
land itself is four miles long, lying
In the midst of the Caribbean sea
at distance of 2S0 miles from Colon.
In Its center a wooded eminence rises
to what seemed the majestic height
Of LOO feet.
The harbor Is too tiny and too shall
low to permit the entrance Of big
ships, and so the islands only con-
nection with the outside world Is
through the semi-occasional visits OF
a little yawl, which carries freight
and passengers each way. Sometimes
the yawl gets to Old Providence once
In three weeks. Sometimes II doesn't.
Its schedule depends on freights. the
whim Of its master, the winds, the
conveniences Of the day.
Usually It brings the mails" said
the Old Providentials. Sometimes 1t
doesn't"
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
How Many Presidential

Percentages intrigue our fancy. So
when we read that "55 per cent Of
our presidents have been college men,
we wonder how many that was Twen-
ty-seven men have held the Office, and
on that basis 14.85 were college men.
But Mr.. Harding may be included and
that would indicate that 1914 were col
lege men. The fractions grow worse ;
II looks as though someone were be-
Ing insulted- There Is q further pos
sibility; some folks reckon Grover
Cleveland as the twenty-second and
the twenty-fourth president This
duality Of Mr. Cleveland would make
Mr.. Harding the twenty.ninth Presi-
dent. It's strange thing that In SO
important matter. men cannot agree
on how many presidents the country
has had. And when one comes to frac,
tional Presidents, the task of the per-
centage gatherer proves hopeless.-Alil-
waukee Journal.
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
FINDS SECRET OF HIS ORIGIN
Natives OF Guam EnIIghten Marine;
Disagree With the Theories Put
Forward by Darwin.

The theory that he had sprung from
some remote protoplasmic organism
that his twenty-times- s-great- grandfather
was a wire-haired baboon In the wilds
Of Abyssinia and other r-Darwinian
monstrosities, were all regarded by
Sergeant John Burrows Of the marine
corps as so much bunk" Still, his
mind was never at rest.
The sergeant re-enlisted after the
war and was ordered TO Guam.
The other day letter was received
at the marine corps recruiting head
quarters. It came from Sergeant Bur
rows In Guam.
"At last" he stated, Il have discov-
cred where my ancestors have come
from"
The sergeant explained that natives
Of the island had enlightened him. In
accounting for the origin Of man, they
said that everything In the world was
derived from a certain rock on the
island Of Guam, which first became
human, then a stone, and gave birth to
all men. From this island men were
scattered all over the world. They
forgot their language and talked like
fools without understanding one an
other nor knowing what was said"-
Portland Oregonian.
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
Wealth and Happiness.

Much Of the anxiety and care OF
these days Is needless and springs
from an overemphasis Of the amount
Of property needed for happiness. Ev-
erything In our country tends to stim-
ulate men toward excessive ambition.
Our climate Is rich In oxygen. and is
an irritant to work. The undeveloped
resources OF our land appeal to Gu.
pidity-eyen at time when we begin
to realize that these treasures should
be conserved for our descendants. The
stories Of successful men are exploited
with endless variations In magazines
that teach the art Of getting on In
stead Of getting up. Little by little
young men feel that 1t is a disgrace
to live m0destly. Avarice is q virus
In the blood. Undue ambition is pois-
0ning the springs Of contentment.
Youth has forgotten Cervantes' warn
ings not ito fly too high toward the
sun lest the flame consume the wings" !"
Newell Dwight Hills
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
A Pair Of
Gray Eyes
By JESSIE DOUGLAS

Pauline Grayson was too tired to
go out for her dinner. She crept up
the stairs and felt her way across
the hall. which was unlighted. She
fumbled at Q knob and pushed the
door open.
The familiar bulk Of her couch stood
beneath the window and she crumpled
down on It, wondering for moment
At the roughness Of the cover and the
hardness OF the pillow.
She had thought how delicious II
would be to slip down with the pill
lows about her and sleepl But now
as she lay there she found she was
too tired to sleep. Too tired to do
anything but think.
This everlasting thinking-where
was 1t leadingf Loneliness and wear
mess and daily round OF duties In
this cold. hard city.
How gayly she had started out from
homsi She could remember the bright
crisp morning when she bad said
good-by to her mother. blowing last
kisses as she turned down the village
street, Now she could never return
to the village again and the white
house that stood at the cross roads.
Her sister Margaret was married
and her mother had gone to live with
her In California.
She did not know how long she
slept, but when at last she opened
her eyes she stretched out luxurious
ly and then lay shifting the air.
What was IT. Enthusiastically the
odor Of tobacco came to her nostrils
she thought she could almost see the
blue cloud and she straightened up on
the couch and gave q faint "oh!" Of
fear. For there across the room In
her chair sat someone-and spark
showed where his pipe must be.
"what are you doing herer she
asked, and her voice sounded very
queer, because she tried to make 1t
sound even
The man stumbled to his feet and
struck q match and hsld It to the
Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-07
nl,r,seHer Rslle 70 Arnsrlca.

Jordan hostel. an old Friends meet
ing house near Chalfont. st. Giles, IN
Buckinghamshire. England, In the
yard Of which Is the grave Of William
Penn and his family. was the scene Of
the presentation to two Americans
OF q piece Of timber OF the Pilgrim
ship Mayhower. The timber was dis
covered In the barn Of the house last
year.
Samuel Hill and Frank Terris Of
Seattle. acting IN behalf Of the Ameri-
can Society Of Friends received the
timber from A. Cotterell, representing
the British Society Of Friends. and win
take II to the United States where II
win be placed IN the peace portal TO
be dedicated at Blaine. Wash. next
October.-London Times