davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
Dorothy Dix Talks
BY DOROTHY DIX
Worlds Highest Paid Woman Writer.
Tact.


Tact is the magic that enables US to
do even unpleasant things in pleas-
ant way. 1t sugar coats its lectures.
It takes the sting out of its reproof.
1t does not dwell upon our weaknesses
so much as it insists upon our good
qualities until it inspires US to develop
what is best in US.
Tact makes US remember. It keeps
us from talking about wash tubs, and
picks, and shovels to the new-rich
who have just purchased an expensive
family tree whose roots go back to
William the Conqueror. 1t keeps us
from calling a lame man Limpy, or
asking blind man if he sees.
Tact laughs with people, never at
them. 1t jokes the owner of a ten
thousand dollar car about his old bus,
but it never derides a poor mans tin
Lizzie. Tact never tells funny stories
about fat women to lady who weighs
over one hundred and twenty five
pounds, or celebrates the birthday of
one past twenty.
Tact is the press agent that singles
out the one thing the individual can
do, and turns the spotlight on him or
her while he or she gives a star per-
formance. 1t is what makes you put
the soft pedal on your own favorite
topics. and give others the cue for
their own monoIOgues. It is what
makes you ask a mother about her
children, or a business man how the
grocery trade is getting along or an
actor what he did last season, or an
author about mis- new book.
Tact is the kindness that notices
your new frock, that is interested in
your new house, that remembers the
dishes you like and the things you
said.
Tact never says:
I What in the world made you get
that hat? 1t makes you look like a
figure of fun It never reminds you
that it has heard your favorite story a
hundred times. 1t never informs you
that the cherished antique on which
you have bankrupted yourself is bogus,
and that you have been cheated in
your purchase. 1t never jumps rough
footed on your most cherished ideals,
or rends your heroes limb from limb
Tact is the blessed oil of human
kindness that lubricates the wheels of
life. and it makes US ready to forgive
the faults of those who are lucky
enough to possess it.
Some are born tactful. but any one
may acquire tact by the simple expedi-
ent of treating others as they would
like to be treated themselves. You
know the things that please, and
soothe you, and you may be very sure
that the very same things will please
and soothe others. You like to have
what you do appreciated. You like to
have people gracious and kind to you.
You like to have your little talents
exploited. You dread ridicule You
cover under ill-timed jests about your
personal appearance and belongings.
So does everyone else. Just remember
to bring out peoples good points, and
help them camouflage their bad ones.
That's tact.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

ready and willing but competent in
many cases to step in and keep things
going.
} There seems little ground for fear
that congress, influenced by the prcsi-
Gent. will lose it's head and surrender
the government to these men, nor that
the government will allow sucn a
strike to interfere seriously with the
t-ar sportation of the mails.
If the railroad men are being un.
justly treated they have recognized
avenues for redress. If they refuse
to employ them they will learn a sad
lesson. They are not the government
which is the whole people of the coun-
try, nor are they greater than the
government.
If learning that be miracle, con-
cludes the Courant, there is little
question that the miracle will take
place.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
LITTLE BENNY'S NOTE BOOK
BY LElR PAPE.

My cu8zin Artie was GROUND today
and him and me played Uncle Toms
Cabin, him being Uncle Tom by
blackening his face with a cork and
me being Simon Legree by getting
pops pipe out of the setting room
and wawking erreUnd pretending to
smoak it with wicked Expression,
and L put the pipe in my pockit and
forgot alVabout it and tonite vile we
was eating suppir ma sed, Pew, for
goodniss sake pew WilIyum, watts your
pipe during in the dining room?
Not a thing. because it happins to
be in the setting room ware it be-
longs, the pipe may be strong but your
Imagination is stronger if I may be
permitted to indulge in a little joak,
sed pop
Me thinking, Heck. G, and we kepp
on eating suppir and pritty soon ma
sed, Willyum. pew, tell you the pipe
must be in this room somewares, nuth-
pipe, thank goodniss. Don't you smell
something, Gladdis? she sed, and
Gladdis sed, I certeny do, pew.
Its ware It belongs, I tell you, sed
pop, altho as a matter Of fact the rich
aroma of that pipe would grace eny
room in the house.
You meen disgrace it, hee hee, pew,
sed ma. And she got up and started
TO look GROUND the room going pew,
pop saying, You can look yourself def
dunn and blind but you'll never find 1t
in heer. do you smell enthing. Benny?
No sir, I sed. WITCH I dident, prob
erly on account of being use to it by
that time, and ma sed. Its in heer
somewares, I know that smell, to my
sorro.
Me thinking. Gosh. holey smoaks,
and pop sed, Benny, go up in the set
ting room and bring down my pipe
with the smell attached, we'll soon
prove that US men are more intelligent
as a seeks than you wimin-
Yes sir, sed. And I ran up to the
setting room and took pops pipe out
Of my pockft and brawt it down, pop
saying. Well, was it up there? and me
saying. Yes sir Wich it was on &C
count of me having took it up, and
mad sed. Well I declare. I'm not con-
WINGED yet. the smell is EXACTLY the
same, izzent it, Giaddis-
It certeny is, sed G1addis. and pop
sed. o watts the use, you cant prove
enything to a woman, can you Benny?
and I sed. No sir.
Wich maybe you cant.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

had such a dismal time. she thoHght.
Fancy screaming all the time, to rise
above the noise of the engine! She
hoped Aunt Lucy would not find the
noe-it would upset them so, and
they had been so kind. and Aunt Lucy
would have loved to make a wedding
for her!
Il want to go homer she shrieked
at her love.
I'm taking you there. amt I?' he
beloved inelegantly-
There was a terrible moment OF
suspense as they neared the old house.
The engine died suddenly and the
plane teetered, wavered in the top
most branches of the tallest, widest
spread maple near the house, and one
wing ofthe biplane scraped a window
shutter off. and brought the whole
family to the guest chamber where
the judge tossed mp the sash and
looked out at them-two very young,
conscious-stricken birds in a lofty
nesti
MARRIED." he wanted to know.
sternly.
They explained sheepishly.
We wound your note" he said
transfixing his niece with a judicial
eye. You are both guilty-and this
scare served you right; but young
man you took a long chance iE this
wind, and you've shown that you
have great deal to learn. I'll talk
TO you DOlH dDOul, IAS mural sue Oh IL
- and the ingratitude It -
there" for Eva was crying and Aunt
Lucy was holding out her hands to
the girl. Ronald, 1 sentence you to
one year at hard labor-and Eva the
same Sentence-making your own
wedding clothes-and then we shall
see-about the wedding"
"A real one in the house." protested
Aunt Lucy.
And seven or eight bridesmaids. +"
added Ronald anxiously.
Thanks, your honor" smiled Eva
thru her happy tears.
| (Copyright. 1921, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
Ouestions-AnstDers
Who founded the French Academy =?

Q. Who founded the French Academy ?
A. The French Academy. which is the
highest of the five Academies which con-
stitute the French Institute, was founded
by Cardinal RieheIieu in 1885. 1t was
reorganized in 1916. The other academies
are the Academy of Inscriptions and
Bellies Letters; Academy Of Sciences
Of Moral and Political Science.
Q. Just what is an ambergris? E. G.
A. Ambergris is a substance of the con-
sistency of way found floating in the In
dian Ocean and parts of the triples and
also as a morbid secretion in the alimen-
tary canal of the sperm whale, which is
believed to be in all cases its origin. 1t
is white, ash gray, yellow or black. and
often variegated-I light marble. The float
ing masses are sometimes from 60 to 225
pounds in weight. 1t is wholly volatilized
as a white vapor at 100 degrees c.; is
readily in hot alcohol. 1t is highly valued
in perfumery:
Q. When did the first Christian mis-
sionaries appear in China? H. E. J.
A. HISTORIAN Christian missionaries
were received by the Emperor Tai-tsung
in 631. He listened to an exposition Of
their creed and ordered the Christian
scriptures translated into Chinese for his
perusal. In 63s he announced that he
found the new religion satisfactory and that
it might be preached within the empire.
Q. What is the food value Of mush-
A when fresh. mushrooms have the
following composition: water. SS1: pro-
tein. 35; fat. o.; nitrogen-free extract, 6;
crude fiber, 0.S; ash, IL. Mushrooms have
about the same protein content as potatoes
but contain less carbohydrates and the
nitrogen present is largely in the form Of
non-albumeneids, which have little food
value.
(Any reader can get the answer to any
question by writing The Topeka State
Journal Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Haskln, Director, Washington, D. c. This
offer applies strictly to information. The
Bureau cannot give advice on legal med
ical and financial matters. It does cot at
tempt to settle domestic troubles. nor to
undertake exhaustive research on any sub
ject. Write your question plainly and
briefly. Give full name and address and
enclose two cents in stamps for return
postage. All replies are sent direct to the
fnduiYer.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

stitutionaI convention. That was the
year he thought a new constitution
would lift the state out of the ruck
into which it had fallen and relieve the
oppressed of all their burdens. He
wrote to a friend in Topeka who was
aligned with the opposition: Don't be
too sure you are against this constitu-
tion-thing and don't get tied up until
we can talk it over. I don't want any
thing radical. You and me and Shelf
Ingalls, and Charlie Scott and one or
two others could get together and
agree on a constitution in ten min
utes" you are right" the friend
wrote in reply. I'VE could get to-
gether and agree on a constitution in
ten minutes. We agree on everything
when we talk it over across a table.
You are the fairest, sanest man ever
knew-in conversation. But you go
crazy when you sit down to a type
writer We'd agree on a constitution
and then you'd go away to write 1t.
And you'd put into it everything in the
pharmacopeia of governmental inter-
ference and nobody could get it out.
I'm against your old constitution and
you can't coddle me into accepting it,
That's Bill White, and everybody loves
him.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
JUST FOLKS
A WATCH.
By EDGAR A. GUEST.

A WATCH.
Oh. whether the watch be a costly thing
Or one of the dollar kind,
1t matters not if its clicking spring
Is one that child may wind.
There are just two tasks for a watch to
do:
Keep time thru the busy year
And then when the work of the day is thru
To tick at a youngsters ear.
Some crave the watch with the costly case
And with n rare design
But give me the watch [ may freely place
In timer hands than mine.
Yes give he the watch that little boy
May climb on my knee to see,
And claim from its ticking the thrill of
joy
I knew at my fathers knee.
Thick and heavy the silver case
Which closed with a hearty snap.
But never watch could take its place
As / clambered to his lap,
And never n watch shall mean so much,
Tho it he of the costliest kind.
As that which father let me touch
And taught me how to wind.
SO hold that n watch has a two-fold plan
And a double task to do;
1t must mark the minutes which pass for
man
And then when the day is thru
1t muNF swing on its chain for the girl or
boy
And give to the youngster the golden JOY
OF its glorious mystery.
Copyright, 1921, by Edgar A. Guest)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
George Matthew Adams
Daily Talk
THE ROCKY WAY.

There is no more important task in
this world for you than the education
of your will
And there is no method better or
sounder than to realize early in life
that the easy way is the most destruc-
tive way-always.
A muscle must have opposition if 1T
would be strong and fit. The prize
fighter engages other prize fighters to
give him hard knocks in training so
that he will be prepared to face what
play be no soft job in the ring.
We must all face the distasteful and
the painful quite often if we would
be ready for the emergency that may
try our very souls.
He who treads the soft snaps
himself is sure to snap very early in
the game-for the game won't last
but little while for him.
Roosevelt preached-and practiced
the strenuous life" 1t is the only
life that wraps happiness within its
arms.
The trouble with the present day
educational systems is largely due to
the ease in which they turn out stu
dents. The laboring man wants easy
hours and the ordinary employe wants
to know first what he is going to get
out of the job in money.
But the exceptional man is inter-
ested primarily in doing the thing at
hand better than it has ever been done
before.
The rocky way is the way over
which the god of success leads the
conquerer!
The living of the simple life, with
plain nourishing food. and the VIII
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
Dinner Stories

A visitor to Kentucky came across
that rare specimen, an unmarried col
ored man.
The negro was a quiet, elderly per-
son, not shiftless but quite industri-
Gus, so the northern man felt curious
and felt determined to find out why he
had remained single.
Uncle Jim, how does it happen
that you are so opposed to matri-
mony?"
The old fellow looked up with a
grave face, but there was a twinkle in
his eye as he replied: Me. sub?
amt exposed to matrinony-"
well. why is it you have never
married?" his inquisitor continued.
Haven't you seen any one you liked -
"Lawdy. yessah-but you see it's
thisaway: I couldn't resk my judg-
ment"
Brander Mathews said at a Column
bia tea:
Suggestion rather than detail
makes the most vivid picture. Detail.
indeed, may spoil a picture COM
pletely.
"A preacher was describing heaven
to a widow whose husband had just
died. He said the separation of dear
ones was not for long, and then with
elaborate detail he pointed the happi-
ness of those whom death reunites in
paradise.
When the preacher stopped for
breath the widow observed thought
fully:
well. 7 suppose his first wife has
got him again, them
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
IErs HAVE THE MIRACLE.

Only a miracle can avert the pro
posed nationwide strike of railroad
employees, according to the president
oC the Brotherhood of Railway Train
men.
In the opinion of the Hartford Cou-
rant. if only a miracle will answer the
purpose we will have the miracle ana
TIE strike will not take place.
Failing that, says the Courant. if
the railroad brotherhoods persist in
their mad purpose and try to carry
cut their threat to stop the business of
the entire country they will find they
have made the most CHASTITY mistake
III their history.
The public does not look upon the
railroad employe as a poorly paid in
dividual. He may not get as much as
he wants, which, OF course, is the con-
dition in which most of us are placed,
but he gets more than a great many
other persons who are engaged in
honest toll of one sort or another.
There is no widespread feeling among
the people that his face is being
ground beneath the heel of a wealthy
and unreasonable taskmaster. Unless
all signs are contrary to the actual
conditions there is an entire lack of
sympathy for the proposed strike on
the part of the general public.
Perhaps the activity which has al
ready marked the news that there is
to be a strike will cause the railroad
men to pause. It is apparent that ad-
vance precautions are to be taken cv-
erywhere On a gigantic scale to see
that the business of the country is no.
paralyzed by such action or the health
Of the citizens endangered. From ey-
e'ywhere come reports of arrange
me nts already under way. Where it
is thought that the strike may tie up
the railroads for at least a brief
period. plans are well under way to
make use of great numbers OF moor
trucks. That is but one evidence.
It is hardly necessary to add that
n ere must be a great manyymen who
would view the prospect of such a
strike with a certain amount OF hope.
Millions of men, able bodied and eff
Cient, are out of jobs. They want
work and if there be a walkout on the
part of hundreds of thousands of rail-
road employees these men are not only
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

From the office of the Association
of Railway Executives has been sent
out a statement, showing long list of
voluntary reductions in freights that
have been made. The list is supple
mented by the following statement;
''Figures are not available to show
the actual loss in revenue resulting
from these reductions, but it can be
readily appreciated that all of these
reduced rates mean a great sacrifice
of revenue by the carriers" In view
of the fact that net earnings have been
increasing ever since the roads began
reducing rates. the foregoing state
ment seems open to doubt. If the
roads have lost any money as a result
of rate reductions it is not improbable
that they could approximate the
amount of the loss. If these reduc-
tions have entailed a loss of revenue
the consequences of the cut just or
dered by the interstate commerce
commission promise to be appalling.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24
INFORMATION FOR ALL READERS OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL

Each reader of The State Journal ia Of
fered the unlimited use OF me largest a.
This Service Bureau Is located IN the
national capital, where 1t is in Immediate
touch with all the great resources OF the
United States government.
II can answer practically any question
you want to ask, butt can't give ADVICE,
or make exhaustive research.
The war forced so many changes In the
daily life If the American people that the
aeFvice of this information bureau Will be
Invaluable to all who use 1t.
Keep in touch with your government at
all times. 1t can help yOu in thousand
ways II your wants are only made known:
The State Journal pays for this splendid
service in order that every one OF its read
ers may take advantage of 1t. You are
welcome to use it as often as you. like.
Write your request briefly, sign your
name and address plainly, enclose 2-cent
stamp for return postage and address. the
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL INFORMA-
TION BUREAU.
Frederic ] Haskin. Director, Washing
ton, d. c.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

Railroad brotherhood chiefs declare
no arrangements have been made by
which the threatened strike can be
averted. It might be remarked that
no arrangement is necessary, All that
is required is for the members of the
brotherhoods to keep on working.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

The public service commission of
Oklahoma has ordered an advance in
freight and passenger rates in that
state. Some power always is chang
ing transportation rates. No sooner do
the railroads get out one set of tariff
sheets than they find it necessary to is
sue another. These are great days
for the printers, but the shipper and
the traveller continue to pay the bill.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

to go the route necessary to win, is
what assures the winner-all in ad-
vance.
wonder how many Lincoln and
Webster boys there are today who
would walk ten miles to get a book to
read!
Builders Of nations know the rocky
way.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

Italian reds appear to have de-
clared an open season for American
diplomatic representative all over the
world 1t might be well for the~gov-
eminent to inaugurate an open season
for the reds in this country. It is a
game at which two can play and leave
nu room for doubt regarding who
would be the winner.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-24

The chief of the trainmen's brother
hood sets forth three reasons for the
proposed strike. But since two of
these reasons are at present in abey-
ance. there remains but one and that
is the reduction in wages ordered by
the railway labor board effective July
I. This makes the issue one between
the brotherhoods and the board
Evening star., 1921-01-09
FURTHER PROGRESS IS MADE
: m MATERIAL RECOVERIES
Expected Business Casualties Have Not
Materialized-Wall Street Encouraged.
Liberty Bonds Move Sharply for Gains.

to higher prices. It is probable that
they have seen their low record and
that the low record will never return
again. The great corporations have
parted with tens of millions of their
bonds acquired at the time of the flo
tation at par. and held as a good in
vestment in flush times, to be thrown
over in the eXigencies of the closing
tai, and for the further purpose of
making records, in order to take their
losses in making their income tax re-
turns for 1920.
. The chances for a refund of nearby
maturities are practically certain, as
there is no probability of any material
increase in government revenues in
the near future. If refunded, the
holders of the bonds will have the
choice of cash or the new bonds.
The high cost of living has dropped
more than one-third and the decline
has not been stopped.
Gov. Harding Satisfied.
Gov. Harding, at the head of the
Federal Reserve Board, the first to
credits to the entire country, says that
the worst is over, that Improvement is
here and that there is small need to
worry in the future.
There are few familiar with busi-
ness methods that will question the
SG1y poSitiSc Improvement dS lHoa-
Gated by the pulse of Wall street
Election of republican President
did not stay the enforced liquidation
of stocks, and the decline continued
up to near the tap of the closing bell
of 1920.
Wall Street Receivers.
, The past week has witnessed a most
pronounced change in market condi-
tions and views on Wall street. The
~ r. f1niv fpo n
and, recognizing the better conditions.
have ceased to press for the advan-
tage on that side. being just as will
ing to go up with the list as down
with it.
This change has been brought about
by investment buying, by the rein
vestment Of the big interests. dividend
and interest on deposit payments in
cident to January l.
Glance at the two tables on this
page. one showing the record OF the
week on the New York Stock Ex
change, and the other the record Of
liberty bonds for the week. and in
these you will find encouragement.
The big payments of interest on de-
posits on bank deposits and the heavy
disbursements on dividend and inter-
est account locally should be reflected
in some way. but as yet it has not
been shown in the local market, nor
in relief to the mortgage money
market.
Local Securities.
Local securities are just as dull as
they can be. The weeks record is in
consequential. and but demonstrates
over and over again the fact that the
enormous sales of bonds and stocks
in December were for loss-taking pur-
poses.
During the coming week some Of the
problems that have interested local
bankers will be solved. The bank
elections are not likely to develop
many surprises. If the reserve board
erases its established dividing line in
the enforcement of the Clayton act.
so that there can be no dual director
ships in banks east of 18th street
northwest, there will be many vacan-
cies to fill.