davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Letters to the Editor
The NagqIng Wife

To ihc Editor Of The Evening Public Ledger:
Sir-T have received much valuable in
formation from the discussions In your Peo-
pies Forum on domestic questions. and was
quito pirrsed with the letters on the subject
Of "Mothers-ln-Law." and the ultimate out
come OF the argument being that these
uch-ridiculed personaEes are not nearly so
bad ms they are painted.
Probably tho greatest trouble between
man and wife is the constant nagg'ng. and
this is Invariably on the part OF the wife.
Although 7 am woman and should defend
my sex. yet I believe that men are much
more evenly balanced than women and much
more prone to avoid disputes In the home,
until they ere actually driven to IL through
disgust.
Ny son ls married TO one OF these nag
ging women, and the vesult is that a very
fine young man has been turned into n
sour, grabbed and unhappy being. Before
my son was married and when he lived at
home nc had n most unusual disposition.
lle was always happy, and our friends used
TO comment on tho fact that they never saw
him angry never heard harsh or unkind
word for anybody. and in that respect he
took after my family, which was one OF the
most loving among themselves OF any l have
over known,
My son has been married only little more
than three years and he has turned com
pietely about and Is just the opposite from
what he was before he was married. II
would not be difficult for any ono who
knows ny s1n and his wife to ma tho rea-
SON. She uags Tim from the time he comes
home in the afternoon for supper until he
leaves after breakfaSt the next morning.
She nars him to sleep, and then complains
the next day that she cannot get up ana
get his breakfast because shc had wretch-
I'd night OF 1t. Her nagglng brought on
ca go OF nerves.
II my son is little late at tho office
and IL not home just at the moment his wire
expects him, he has mot some 'vamp, as
ghc puts IT, who held him up II she sehds
him TO the store after supper or VI no goes
out to buy a cignr and Ia gone more than
tho reasonable length OF time to go ana
unme, then he has been talking to some old
fam, when the "od flame" happens to be
probably tho cigar dealer with whom he
has stopped a few minutes to exchange
some plcasantries.
II he happens 20 go out OF an evening
even II he tells his wife Just where he IL
goirg. and she knows he is telling her the
truth, and IT, perchance. he happens TO De
q few minutes over the time she thinks he
should have arrived home. he IL due Tor
good nagsing upon arrival. She nags him
at the table: he does not love her: he Is q
boob because n mutual friend makes a
larger salary than he does; why don't he
buy her n new coat or hat. like another
mutual friend has purchased for his wife?
Finally in sheer desperation, the husband
rips out an oath and either rushes out OF
the house or goes off TO bed in a sutk. This
is daily occurrence, and then tho wife
wonders why she no lonser retains the love
Of my sou. Mrs. w. l.. T.
PHILADELPHIA Febr,,Uex g. 1921.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Asphalt VS.. Cement

To the Editor OF the Evening Public Led0er;
Sr~-ln his address before the Society Of
Auomotive Engineers in New York recently
according 10 the report published in the
EVENING PuRIIC LEDGER of January 10.
William Il. Williams overlooked many fac
tors which must be included in a fair
minded consideration Of road types best
adapted for motor traffic
Wo believe that the policy OF fairness
which alwRys has been pursued by the
ENEHING PUBrIC LEDGER stl Is OF para
mount importance in your mind, and we
therefore are taking the liberty Of address
ing YOU
Tests extending over long periods az wei!
as tho consistent performance OF asphalt
surfaces on many Of the country's heaviest
traffic streets and roads refute the deClurR-
tion OF Mr. Williams that The concrete
slab surface Is tho only ono worthy of cons,d-
erat!on for such traffic automobile traf.
nc)." Among the statements OF Mr.. WILL
lisms which are open TO serious criticism is
the following;
"E1pericnce kas proved that an aspha II
surface will not stand up under heavy truck
traffic. Whether an asphalt surface will
stand up or not depends on the support that
II receives from tho subsoil and the fomda-
ton The only superiority OF cement CON
crete surfaces over other forms OF construo-
tion rests in their ability to bridge over
weak points in the subgradc. In other dl-
rsctions they present undesirable features
which are evident.
Cement highways possess no residence or
elasticity. which makes them uncomfortable
to travel over. ann at the same time Is in
furious TO tho structure of the vehicle and
to the motor itself. In travelling over re-
silient asphalt surfaces the wear and tear on
the car and on its driving machinery is
much less and tho comfort of the passenEers
IL considerably greater.
That an absolutely rigid surfa co IN undc-
sirabe has bcen demonstrated In attempts
OF the railroads to maintain their tracks
on q rigid roadway, such as cement ties or
cement foundation. Tho rolling stock was
impaired and tho vibrations transmitted TO
tho train proved 70 be a serious matter. Tho
assertion OF Mr.. Williams that "the road
surface should he as nearly rigid as Il is
possible to mako IT, iB not justified He
Is right when he says. 1T Ia a mistake to
make road surface which Is expected to
bend under the movement OF traffic" The
surface should not bend, but II should Weld
and recover and not transmit vibrations
which are set up by the vehicle ItRelf
Mr. williams asserts: The asphalt SIR.
faced road must have a concrete baFe f"
This IL far from true; in fact. "A couorore
base in many cases Is undesirable Many
Of tho most suCc2ssful asphalt highways
have been built upon old broken stone
msdacam foundations, rs exempllhed by the
Victoria embankment IN London, which has
carried heavy travel including omuibuges
for fifteen years and with only modern 10
ma intenancs charges.
Whether II costs more to lay abphalt than
| concrete for the same depth Is dependent on
local conditions However, the cost OF A
road surfses depends not upon its initial
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
TODAY'S MYSTERY STORY
BY PHILIP FRANCIS NOWLAN

Jaunty wave OF the hand he saun-
tered on down the street.
Hunt expected to hear further from
him. and he did.
That evening Anton telephoncd to
MN Anton's room, it seemed, had
pecn robbed, and if Mr.. Hunts scry-
ices did not cost too much he would
like to engage him to solve the mvstery
n" had "hunch," that was all that
the same thief who had robbed him
would be found with tho Calderdon
pearl necklace In his possession.
Here's the layout" said Anton n
half hour later, after ushcring the Grim.
lnoIogist into his comfortable quarters
Somebody picked the lock on the door
and then picked the lock on that desk
over there. There's some yaluohlcs
gone from the desk. ] don't want 'cm
returned, you understand. All I'm in.
tcrestcd in is seeing the guilty Marty
brought to justice. I've 0uizzed tho
!andlady, but she don't know of any.
body that's been up here while 7 WINS
away this morning. Looks like pro-
leSsional job to me, and | don't think
you'll find any finger prints. But lool,
at these here bent pieces of wire. These
was all left on top Of the desk"
~, Hunt examined them with interest.
'"'N oli VI VI hSS wire, ana of Y
aGtIy the same length, about four inches
Tho ends of each piece had been neatly
smoothed off, as by machinery. Each
showed signs of having been bent in the
middle originally. At present they wore
( Dent INTO different shapes. as though thc
lhlet had tried out several shane com
1 hinations before finally getting one that
would open the lock on the desk and
after each attempt had taken new
| piece Of wire.
Hunt examined the desk by light re
1ection from several angles, but could
see no finger prints.
The desk has been wiped off" he
remarked. You're right about it's
being professional job; But tell me
Anton, did you ever tell any Of your
lady friends that you had the-er---
that you had valuables in your posses .
! sion?"
| Who, me? No, Mr.. Hunt. aim,
got no lady friends. Take it from me,
! don't trust the skirts
Hunt grunted. 1t looked like a bia.
ger proposition than he had supposed
Have any of-er-your friends been
robbed lately by lady friends?" ho
asked.
Isaac Anton nodded slowly in afirma
tion. Yep, l could name nine Of the
| poSs tHdl HhNt DttH TODDPu within a
couple a weeks, but there wasn't any
skirts mixed Up in 1t, and there must
been more than one guy that done
it. for three OF 'em was robbed tbe
same night. And Mr.. Hunt, ther,
WASH none of those boys that men
toned to anybody that he had any swo
Il mean yaluables-around."
Isaac" said the criminologist. al
think you've put me on the track OF
something mighty interesting. What
an idea! A smooth organization to
rob only those who won't complain tc
the police. However, so far as youI
case is concerned, 1t was woman
who picked this lock. She was a blond
too. :"
"How do you know" demanded An.
ton.
Cas you tsN ho,o Harvey Hunt knetci
The dnsoer bciH appear Monday.
tcopyright 1921. By Public Ledger Co.,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
the blind spot is most likely to show


the blind spot is most likely to show
itself
E'OR thIrty-three years Clarence
Handysde has been working in the
theatre and during that long period he
has been associated with the most noted
OF producers. He is now an important
member of the cast which william Har-
ris, Jr., has assembled to support Fay
Banter In East Is West" the diverting
comedy OF Chino-American life, now
playing at tho Chestnut.
Mr. Handyside was with A. T. Nc
Dowell In repertoire of old and modern
plays, with the original production OF
"Romany Rye" with Robson and Crane
when they played the old English COM
during nine years in the Charles Froh.
man organization he supported Julia
Marlowe. Viola Allen, Francis Wilson
and other stars Then he played with
during her entire run in New York and
was ,or four years IN Richard Walton
Tully's production, THE Masquerader.'
and at the present time It looks rs
though he would be at least that long
with East Is West"
We hear about the good old days in
the theatre" said Mr.. Handyslde just
before the performance of East Is
West" some nights since. but there
never NJ .Ir we're any such days for, the player
went on the stage theatrical life was a
precarious one. We lived n good deal
from hand to mouth. lTen the we'll
established companies sometimes found
II necessary TO defer payment OF sal
aries Putting out a troupe on Shoe
SlrIng was the usual way of embarkng
in the theatrical business
Then there were the hotels, which
IN many places were abominable and the
food was worse than the hotels, and the
theatres We're dark and the dressing
rooms uncomfortable, and the discomfort
was enhanced by the use of gas which
exhausted all the oxygen In the dressing
room and the auditorium. And the trav-
eling-well let's not speak of that-such
things are best forgotten"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
mCamac Street

TO tic F.Htor OF tho Ercnirg PHJlc LGd0MW..
Sir--Perhaps you will find room Tor W'
intlused There are many OF US VINO h'
I'm full sympL,hy with Mr.. BloOminSdas'
plans for the beautfyng and doreIopmsn'
CURTIS WAGER SMITH
zone OF the fifteen founders of tho HSa'
Club
Philadelphia. February o, 1921.
CAMAC STREET
The protest OF "a, S. makes me ts"a
foe my pen
TO counter protest, why again and aG|u
Must the true Philadelphia tons to De hG,
BE content Just to do as his ancestors O"'
Poor Richard was not one who shrank from
mems view ...
ure was New England born) and bstN"n
mo and you. -..,
The limellSht near irked NM po"VsOV"''
he
Alto his bread, few his Kite, where all men
could see
That genial old scout Just went sraT'
ahead, .,
That crowds looked at him never 6othHA
Big things to be done had Ors, place 10
his mind, ..,
Nor was appetite spoiled Il they Ws'ca'
whllc he dined
It IL certain that shrewdost and aOe'' ="
men 49,,
Had many n smile to himself now ana 'S, 'wn
When he thought OF the times that MS 'u'''
surprising, a.
Had brought him, unsousht, very good az
vertislng.
The angle worms hidden, the mole 'o'' y
shy , ,r.
Head In sand hides the ostrich while ru"
folks pass by. ,., I'M,
Tho sensitive plant ever shrlnhs from Wv
touch. lar,
But "rubber-neclss" fret not the OAK O"'
much.
Camac street philosophers C0 why 80 "
turbed. ,a
In violet" poets. pray don't be dlTu' w.. Wv.
Hist, historians. artists, at your 'aSe' "'
ease, 4, yoa
Your faces are not the chief thjns, II '''
pleaLe.
Why not make Camac street place '"'
to seo7 0,.,
Though tender skinned critics vince "'
their tea? ,,,vs,
Suppose you stop thinking we re
at you ,-,..,0ocl,
And assume we're admirlns tho p'c'uV"'
CURTIS WAGER.SMITh
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Philadelphia. February :, 1891
Verses Supplied

To ne Editor Of the Ercniag pub,ic I,.,.,
Sir-ln the Peoples Forum or ,,y,,,
days ago writer asks for tho poer IN,
PARSONS Sociable." which I inc,osa h,,.
with. NI\-, r pI,,,,' 1T
ihiIadelphia. February 7, 1921,
THE PARSONS sOCIABI,E
ANONYMOUS
Inc! carried the pie to the parsons han.
And scattered the floor with crumbs.
And marked the leaves OF his choc,
books
With the print Of their greasy thumbs
They piled his dishes high and thick
With a lot OF unhealthful cake,
While thoy gobbled the buttercd toast am
rolls
Which the parsons wife did make.
They hung around Clytie's classic neck
Their apple parings. for sport,
And every ore laughed when n clumSy lou,
Split his tea In the pianOtorte.
Next day the parson went down on n
knees
With his wife--but not to pray.
Oh. no. twas to scrape the grease and an,
From tho carpet and stairs away.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
BACK WITH BElASC0
Janet seecher Feminine Lead" In
Call the Doctor"

r Will always treasure the mem,orE Ls1,,o.;
ra,... a[,r kn0vr." said Janet BeaCher.
who DAYS tho leading. feminine role, IN
"CG. liz noo,or.". Jean ArGhloaid Ar, 9, rs s
recent frst night OF that production.
"Not altogA;her because Of n"
splendid role have IN this new I com. M.
cdy." snr explained, but principally
hecaus. this enlargement IS in the nature
Of a homecoming for me, J.; was In
MIR. Bclasco's production Of THE Con,
cert" several years ago, that | achieved
one Of my earliest successes. During
the long run O. mat c9meaX, e9th .5a, here here
jnln,uahl. for II is almost impossible
~ be With Hr. Belasoo and not progress
Ia IN ones art. Then, too, the Hngage-
,ye% that when Il Terminated felt gem
uine regret
From that time I cherished the hope
that Mr.. Beasco would soon again ind
a role for me. but somehow ! did not
.h,afn my desire until now"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12

Letters to the Edrtor should be ~
brief and 70 the point as possible,
voidng anything that would open
UNCONVENTIONAL or sectarlan discus
sion.
No attention will be paid TO anon
ymous letters. Names and ad-
dresses must be signed as an evil
dence OF good faith. although names
that they bo omitted.
The publication of letter is not
TO be taken as an Endorsement OF It's
views by this paper.
Communications will not be re-
turned unless accompanied by post
age. nor will manuscript be saved.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Guide to Photoplays
F0 the Week to Come
New Photoplays

New Photoplays
STANLEY - '"The Frontier OF the
Stars" with Thomas Meishan and
Faire, .,B'nney., story tells of q
Henri Scott, operate baritone. will
sing an aria from Don Carlos and
musical settling Of Kipling's, On the
Road to Mandalay." The new Buh-
Ter prologue will show New York
roofs at night,
STANToN--""The Love Light viii have
Mary Picktord In a story of Italy IN
pre-war times. Frances Marion
wrote and directed It. In her sup.
port are Jean De Briac. Edwards
Phillips and Evelyn Dunno.
ARCADIA-"Paying the Piper" will tn
,roduCe Dorothy Dickson, dancing
star 10 the movies. George Fitzmau.
rice directed it. The story tells OF
the regeneration of the idle rich when
Impoverished.
REG%NT-"so Long Lefty" s that dc.
lichtful Morosco farce which tells OF
fun In a California bungalow colony.
r Rov Barnes Is the principal come
dian,
C.lPITOL-"Body and Soul" will have
Alice Lake keeping Il together. The
story shows her as an American art
student in Parts Stuart Holmes and
William Lawrence are in the sup
port Hayden Talbot wrote IT.
Reviewed Heretofore
PALACE -- Forbidden Fruit" with
Agnes Ayrcs.
TICTORTA-"Idolso Of Clay" with Mae
Murray.
GREAT NoRTHERN-"The Furnace"
with Milton Sills, first half Of the
week, "Forty::fve Minutes From
lBrS2sadway'" with Charles Ray last
IuPERIAT-"TheF Furnace" first half.
"Tolly Of the Storm Country" with
Mildred Harris latter half OF week.
COLONIAL - The Bait" with Hone
Hampton. first half. The Juck-
Inns" with Monte Blue last half.
MARKET ST.-"The Daughter Pays,
with Elaine Hammerstein, first half.
The Jucklins." last half.
AtMAMRF4 $ict5, rs, haf MA'l' polly Nsw of f96 9hs
storm Country" last half.
sTFAXD The The, 5s,t Eat" .Tsa TI,n J5SI,s MSRIe
lIns." last half.
LOCUST AND BELMONT-"NIidsum-
mer Madness" by Cosmo Hamilton.
Pjv0Jr when We We're Twenty
one" with X. 3. Warner, fret half.
"rne love Flower" by d. w. Grif.
9Th, last half
COLTSEUM-"The Testing Block with
". s. Hart Mon; I,-5,oI and " TTes weG 'The TRe
boys oo of Ps9S"Es psss REV M"iST %Tth TSf eric stree
ESim, EJiTI, Thurs. and Fri; The Hun
dredth Chance" Sat.
CEDAR - "ro Please One woman,
Nor md Tues. The resting
Block" with W. s Hart, Wed. and
Thurs; Scratch My Back" with T.
ROY Barnes Fri. and sat
JE4DER-"The Testing Block" with
". S Hart, Mon, Tues. and wee; ;
"'rhe SIN That Was Hts. latter hait
of week.
Special
lIETPOPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.
THE County Fair" delightful nln
play made from Neil Burgess stage
success Maurice Tourneur directed.
with little Weslic Larry, Helen Jerome
EDDY. David Burler and Edythe
Chapman in the cast.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12

10 hc Editor Of the ETenhO Pubic L"dorr:
Sir-Who ever started this bonus business
anyway I think II Is something that should
Dc frowncd down by the American Legion
ana have spoken to this enecJ in some OF
our meetings and while I'have been crit
c'2ed. have found q lot OF supporters. GIVE
all tho cN-scrvCe men a stipulated sum
a bonus--is putting price on patriotism
to which | most seriously object. ] nave
a right TO object. for I am an eI-serNice
man. have seen service In France. have fuf-
fered many Of the horrors OF the war. was
In n hospital for n considerable time as tho
result of being gassed and I have lett
purt OF my body in France.
/ don't want n price put upon my sac
rlnce. I was in France more than a year
dent want couple of hundred dollars
for my services and have the feeling OF nav
Ing been paid Off and my country Is no
longer in any way Indebted to me. ] reel
that | would rather not have cent. but
want 10 say that ] made the sacrinces
that did out or loyalty to home and couh-
try; that 1 don't begrudgc my nation any
thing II got out Of me- for IL was but
small part payment that I have been able
to make 10 Il for having allowed mo the
honor of being an American-the greatest
honor in the world.
am proudcr OF being an American to-
day than ever was in my life. and what
little l have given to preserve our nation
was freely given. and | want no corupen-
sat!on. IL do a good deed, don't want
10 be paid Tor ". IT can extend n helping
hand 10 some one in distress, | don't want
them TO feel that have done so seeking q
reward.
What I am in favor OF, however, is that
where there Is an ex-serviCe man who has
become incapacitated for work or who is
suffering in any way due to the cause for
which hc fought. feel the government or the
state ought TO take good care OF him; but
otherwise tho hundreds OF thousands who
came back able bodied men should not asN
for bonus TO reward them for their pa
triousm. That IL setting a price on pa
triotsru. and my patriotism 7 have always
held above price. and hope ever TO hold II
a = such.
Instead OF making an equal division OF
bonus fund. the healthy man who Is today
as capable he was before the war should
want TO sec the man without an arm or
arms or without a leg or legs and unable
to work bounteously provided for. unless he
either through his family or having All in
come that makes him Independent. Think
Il over brother eX-ServiCe men, and ask
yourselves whether you will be more happy
and contented II YOU can get the government
t. pay you a fow hundred dollars and then
feel that they had settled the debt they
owed you. or to refuse the bonus and al
ways feel that Uncle Sam is where he 10 be-
cause you kept him there through your
selfish patriotism W. j.. GRANT.
Philadelphia. February 3, 1921
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Qualifications of a Reporter

To thc Editor Of thc ErcHin0 Publtc LCdDer:
Sir--Please toll me what qualifications
are necessary to become reporter on a big
metropolitan daily newspaper
GEORGE T. GEARY.
Phllade.phia. February T. 1921.
TO become n reporter It IN necessary 10
BE- able 10 "rtc In clear. forcible English
on aIy topic which may properly appear In
a newspaper. reporter must be able to see
the unusual, tho pathetic. tho ludlcrous
or s"nsatIonaI side of any item Of news that
presents tteclf to his observation. He must
have imagination. insight into human ma
turc, ready dsccrnmGnt Of news values and
r good al-round education, for thero Ia
nothing in the whole realm of knowledge
which ho cannot bring 10 bear upon his work
And, above MI, q reporter must have tho
capabi!lty and inclination for hard work
extending over many hours.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
SARAH PADDEN IN VARIETY
Legitimate Actress to Play at
kelth's In 1.-THE Cheap Woman"

Sarah Padden, the legitimate player
who recently came under the manage
ment of Mrs. Henry b. Harris, Is not to
the present. but is to enter vaudeville.
Miss Fadden is either a dramatic actress
or comedienne as the role my require.
a short time ago she gave the stage a
dramatic racterization, a washed
out oolorless drudge in 1.-The Clod." and
later turned around to the opposite in
Betty Behave" playing a little frivol-
Gus girl.
The Cheap Woman" the latest work
of Ann Irish, was secured for Miss
Padden. who will show It at Keith's next
week.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
Poems and Songs Desired
Short Poem Deslr.a

To the Editor Of the Evening pubro =,
Sir am anxious 10 secure 'u0''
icnr verses one verse OF which ia. ''Vm ''
WHO knows not fear IL mast.
fate; ot NJ
SO that he is "''
But swift to act. no. promo - ,...-.
Not swayed by doubts thai sh, %Iysat;
men: Whks
All his desires may see fulnIln,or, a..
- Mrs w. l.. BAIstlW,
Philadelphia. February 7, 1891
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-12
"The Purple Cow"

To ne EDITOR OF the Eucnir0 Ppbitc Lrdor
Sr-The four lines OF Tho Purple Cow,
as requested by &C. i. o." presumably b,
Gcett BURGESS. OF February q, l"gl, are:
~ never saw r. purple COW;
Never hope to see one.
But | can tell you. anyhow,
Ia rather see than be one,
Perhaps the following will also Interest
"L L. o." with apologies 10 W, Wort'
worth:
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside tho springs of Dee;
A COW whom there were few 10 praise
And very few TO see.
A violet by a messy stone.
Greeting the smiling Fast,
IL not 50 purple, I must own.
AZ that erratio beast.
She lived unknown, that COW. and 80
never chenced TO soc;
But II had TO be one, oh,
Tho difference to mo. II. n
Haverford, Pa. February !, 1921,
THE Purple Cow was also conrIolId
by Miss Dorothy Gilbert. Srahord, "a
and Adam" Philadelphia.