davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
Preparing for Genoa.

Premier Lloyd George with his usual genius
for getting out Of tight places. slipped deity
between the die-hard conservatives in parlia-
ment who would have excluded the bolshevih
from the Genoa conference as they would have
excluded lepers, and the radicals who wished
the reparation burdens on Germany lightened
After the premier's speech last Monday the
British house of commons gave him an over
whelming vote of confidence As a precedent
for inviting representatives of the Russian
government to share in the conference Mr..
George was able to point to the attempts of Pitt
in 1856 and 1897 to do business with the French
revolutionists, whose economic and political
schemes he abhorred but with whom he con-
sidered it better that England should be at
peace rather than at war. Mr. George could
also point to the fact that the bolsheviki, like
the French revolutionists, were finding their
,eeoa0rsir ss8smes unavoidable, aRa in the
present establishment are quite ready to dis
cuss economic settlements with capitalistic
countries.
AS to Preparations Mr.. George said that
France stood by the Versailles treaty and it
unfair to ask her to withdraw from it
through pressure exerted by her former al
les and by neutrals. If Germany did not pay
for the damage she wrought, Mr.. George said
France would have to. The premier however,
was wise to assert that Germany could pay
the total demanded. Most of the unbiased
economic opinion is that Germany can never
perform that task But the premier's speech
was satisfactory to France, and is we'll cal
culated to restore good feeling which was
threatened in the Boulogne conference Pre-
mier Poincare Of France, the same day, re-
oeived vote of confidence, but only after a
heated dispute with the impulsive Andre Tar
dieu, for whom Poincare is not irreconcilable
enough. Representatives of 80 nations will
assemble at Genoa to try to accomplish some
thing for the restoration of Europe. Those
who can see nothing save that Europe is rap
idly getting on her feet will find small comfort
in the description of conditions by Mr.. George
or any other responsible European statesman.
Things are about they we'll can be, and
the conference does not come any too soon
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
Parole a Delicate Service.

An interesting contribution to the discus
sion of the parole OF prisoners is made by the
probation department of a county in New York
state. 1t covers the first 200 cases taken under
supervision in 1917. The study occupied four
months and included inquiry among relations
employers and acquaintance as well as exami-
nation of the official records. 1t was found that
154 of the 200 had been discharged from proba-
ton with improvement and four without i'm
provement; that nine had absconded, five had
died, three had removed to other localities with
permission and one had been released to the
federal authorities. In many cases the i'm
provement OF those released from parole was
found to be marked. manifested by the holding
of positions OF responsibility, establishment
of homes, payment of debts, and accumulations
Of property.
The study was pursued beyond the parole
discharged with Improvement but were living
under conditions showing that relapse had
occurred a list Of So wke had failed to respond
to probation was obtained The reason for
failure most frequently found was feeble
mindedness, which accounted for eight indi-
viduals. Other reasons reported were insanity,
drug addiction. bad companionship moral de-
feet and indifference OF parents. The study itself
suggests the importance OF competent over
sight for paroled prisoners. theoretically they
are under much the same control as when they
are within prison walls. Perfunctory reports
periodically made to probation officers are,
however, insufficient the one hand and petty
and ill-adyised interference is inadvisabIe on
the other. Intelligence, tact and firmness are
desirable qualities in those representing the
public authority, and it would be well If ex-
perienced social workers should give more at
tsutien To tina possibilities in this delicate ser
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08

uncertainty OF the future. She was successful.
making good money. and was beloved by the
patrons OF the theatre. Her place In the mimic
world had been won, and she couldn't conveiye
Of day when she might be in need.
Yet today Miss Coghlan is selling the fur
nishings of her apartment and the treasures
she accumulated during her years on the stage
70 raise funds with which TO pay her living ex-
penses Friends come 10 her bedside. bring
her flowers, and bestow messages Of love, but
II Is not related that anyone has come forward
to provide for her in financial way. II those
Miss Coghlan helped in their dark days were
TO band together now probably IL would be
easy for them to assemble fund that would
comfortably provide for her the remainder OF
her days
While New York PUSHES madiy by and ac-
claims the latest sensational dancer OF daring
napper. q woman who gave her life TO the bet
ter things Of the American stage lies helpless
and in poverty. Miss Coghlan does not need
applause now. She needs help and loving care,
and 1t is likely she will receive it There is an
actors home to which she might be sent, but
It doesn't seem right that she should be COM
PEELED to spend the last years Of her life in
such an institution She deserves to be cheered
as she cheered others In her happier days. And
maybe she will be thus comforted. But while
Miss Coghlan waits for such response from
New York across the continent comes an offer
from the wife of California garage owner
who has been moved by Miss Coghlan's sad
story. The California woman says that she
is ones who cares; that she has a large beau
tiful home and that Miss Coghlan will be well
coined there as a member Of the family. She
urges her to come to the west, and there re-
main as long as she chooses surrounded by
every comfort that love and money will pro-
vide. Rose Coghlan is not forgotten after all.
Many tri-city people will recall Miss Cogh-
Ian, she having appeared here many times
during her half century on the stage. One of
her most successful tours years ago, during
which she appeared here, was in Diplomacy"
in which she co-starred with her brother,
Charles Coghlan.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
Real Life and Fiction.

In annual output fiction leads all other
literature in the United States. More books
OF fiction written and read than books of
any other description That is to say, the fav-
orite and preferred reading of Americans is of
the doings and sayings and thoughts of people
who do not exist, but who are supposed to re-
fleet life better, and to be more entertaining,
than real people. Is this reflection on life in
America or on the taste of readers? OF hand,
one would say that fiction reading is the refuge
of the bored or the idle, and if this is in
any wide sense it seems to show that the Amer
lean people have exhausted their capacity for
action, for achievement. and have to have their
emotions artifcially stimulated. But such a
conclusion probably could not be maintained.
The every day chronicle Of business and indus
try. of big things done in building. in invention.
in engineering. plainly disproves any charge
that Americans are effete- Perhaps it is more
rational explanation TO say that it is because
Americans are SO full of action and energy they
turn to fiction for mental rest and relaxation.
They do not prefer the artificial to the real, but
find the artificial relief from the real
A man whose business is building bridges
across mountain chasms probably takes more
horse shoes. but the latter might conceivably
be a very soothing diversion for him after he
had finished his big job. A good deal of fiction
Is advertised as suitable for reading in a train
or hammock. This seems to be an admission
that large class of fiction readers do that
class OF reading between jobs. They are
not idle-they read because they can't be idle.
Real life is more interesting; business. achieve
ment. action are more absorbing. but fiction
ellis in the gaps between the greater sensations.
We must believe this or argue from the annual
output of fiction that America is a mere sum-
mer boarding house full OF yawning people
killing time and boredom And America is
not that.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
Sad Fate of Rose Coghlan.

Memories Of the golden days OF the drama
are revived by the sad news concerning Rose
Coghlan, one Of the finest actresses OF her day
on the American stage Past her three score
and ten. she has collapsed in her New York
apartment and she has been constantly in
tears since her physicians have advised her that
she can never again appear on the stage. She
Is living in the past. she fondles the cos
Tunes and trinkets that she wore in her fav-
orite roles such as Peg Wellington" Lady
Teasle" and. Nell Gwynn-" Miss Coghlan
made a tour last year and was looking forward
TO another season in her professional work
when the physical break came. The fortune
she amassed In her theatrical labors is gone,
The most of it. so it is asserted by her friends,
having been doied out among those of the pro-
fession who were In need Of financial assist
ance. Miss Coghlan never turned down q re-
guest for aid, il - szid even II she were To zee
% her last DOLLAR She "a not Tee4s9swfhe
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
The Daily Short Story

aglow. II made him pay me five
dollars for that apron, and If any
one can pry old Conroy loose from
five dollar bill l say do it,
Cora Whipple. you come here"
Mrs. Symmes felt herself dismissed
as rosy checked girl came at
Aunt Molly's bidding. Cora, don't
you ever make fudge for Erwin
You needn't blush. but next time
you just wear this pink fudge
apron and see what happens. No,
a dollars enough. 1 guess.
Elsie, 1 bet your mad be just
tickled to death with one of these
little sewing aprons for her birth
day. This white one with the ruffles,
mighty cute, too. You want EN-
both? Good
| Here. Miss Sykes. you buy this
oilcloth jigger and you won't
drown your self when you wash
dishes, like you always do
| Aunt Molly knew her Zine" and
her customers At $3.50 she was
, sold out. Complacently she began
counting her spoils.
"Oh, Mrs. Magee," walled pretty
Mile Blake, hurrying across from
the fancy work booth, would you
help US with those vanity bags
We girls made just loads of them I;
we thought they'd sell SO we'll
And to make sure, we put the
| cutest samples of cosmetics in
every one. We've sold just two"
Sure I'll help you, but you ought
| to've known better than to make
s,n Mo 10
girls may not have Bingham aprons,
but you sh'd know that all those
as would use 'em has vanity bags
already Here" she thrust the box
of money toward Milly, you finish
counting that. Here comes DR.
Arnister," as the young doctors
1.-the, dark figure appeared in the
doorway. Bet you 10 cents 1 sell
him that old rose bag for 81. just
suits his complexion" With a
| chuckle she was away.
We'll, whot do you think" An
hour later Mile Burke burst into
| the kitchen, weak from laughter,
Aunt Molly has sold every one OF
those bags; we haven't thing left
| but canned fruit. And DR.. Arnister
and Judge Peterson-oh. just come
and see." She drew Mrs. Symmes
| outside. Uproar and feminine
shrieks greeted them
| Mrs. Symmes stared-every male
| face in the crowd was a work OF
art Roughe and eyebrow pencil
lipstick and powder had all been
applied with a lavish hand. Con-
roy's rosy-hued countenance was d
| CHASTITY white; someone had used
an eyebrow pencil with great dill
gence on the judges bald spot
Dandy Smithson's erstwhile blond
mustache had turned a brilliant
carmine.
How much? How much?" Aunt
Molly had turned auctioneer. HsI
strident voice was heard above the
hubbub. How. much am l offered
for this can of peaches? You
| Judge. how much? Remember, MOI
one bite TO eat for anybody till thu
/ last things sold. How
| Great guns" groaned the Judge
pack up the whole business. wo-
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
AUNT MOLLY-SALESLADY.
BY Ethel A. Lyons.
Copyright, 1922. by Wheeler

Syndicate, Inc)
MY, but I'm tired" Mrs. Sym
mes sank down YEARLY in the pat
ent rocker in Aunt Molly Magee's
parlor. 81 mustn't stop a minute.
I've been going night and day try
ing to make this fair success.
The church needs the money so
badly. You'll wash dishes for US, of
course, Mrs. Magee?"
"Of course, / will-not!"
Mrs. Symmes jumped.
For 20 years now"-Aunt Mol
ly grasped the arms of her chair
with two plump hands and bent
forward-"I've washed dishes at
every banquet and supper and Sun
day school picnic in this town.
Folks have got so used to my bein'
a dish-washin' machine that no
body ever stops to think that !
might enjoy it out front like the
rest once in a while. If you want
me to help in sellin' things I'll go
but 1 won't wash dishes"
"Oh, I'm SO sorry" Mrs. Symmes
was all sympathetic CONSERVATION.
81 never knew you felt like that
But about the booths-why-er-
don't know. There's nothing left
but the aprons, and Mrs. Lucas has
always had them. They go slow,
anyway. I'm afraid"
why, land sakes, Mis- Symmes,
you needn't get fiustered. That's all
right. OF course, I couldn't sell 'em
| if Mary Lucas couldn't
Mrs. Symmes rose, in evident re-
lief. you see, it's this way: Folks
are all willing enough to donate
things. but when it comes to buying
them it's different. Well, I'll call
you up and let you know what we
| decide"
"B-r-r, b-r-r." The telephone
tangled its summons a half hour
| later.
Hello. is that you, Mrs. Magee.
I've seen Mrs. Lucas and she says
she'll be glad to turn the apron
booth over to you. So we1l be de-
pending on you. Goodby."
Aunt Molly hung up. the light OF
conquest was already in her. eye.
The night of the fair found her
respondent in her best black silk
and rhinestone brooch, presiding
over the aprons.
! mrs. SymmeS IN the cramped
little church kitchen. nervously en-
deavoring to keep hot a half dozen
chicken pies on the little two-by-
four sto~>s and hoping that Aunt
Molly wouldn't bungle things too
badly, was startled into leaving her
post by hilarious shout from the
outer room She glanced out the
door to see Mr.. Conroy, proprietor
of the village market. strutting
about, his bulky form swathed in
a checked bingham apron of large
proportions.
"Oh, dear" she hustled over to
Aunt Molly. MRS. Magee, why ever
did You sell that apron to Conroy!
make one like that every year Sc
that old Mrs. Lane will buy IT, She
never can get things big enough.
There, now. don't you worry
soothed Aunt Molly, her face
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
MY FayOrite Nightmare.

You published a formula for
corns, 80 grains of salicylic acid to
be dissolved in flexible collodion
but you did not say how much col
lodion CA NJ RI
Answer tried earnestly to say
how much, but you know these dear
printers have me at their mercy
My favorite nightmare, these nights
is that 1 have advised some admir-
ing reader to take little citrie
acid, about as much as one gets in
a lemon, and the demon printer
had a few day mares about as ter
rible as that since I entered the
precarious field of newspaper writ
ing. Consequently / am growing
exceedingly chary about printing
formulas. I'll chance it this time
If you will. The amount of flex-
ibIe collodion is half an ounce-30
grains of salicylic acid dissolved in
one-half ounce of flexible collodion
This must be kept tightly corked
else the ether will evaporate from
the coIIodion and leave a thick
mass. Paint a coating on the corn
every night for a week or longer
and the corn will soften and come
away.
This Won't Hit Your Case.
1 have been following your an
swers for some time and I think
it is fine for you to give free med
icaI advice and prescribe for
peoples diseases in the paper, but
I have never seen anything yet
that hits my case, and so thought
would give you my symptoms
Answer do not prescribe for
peoples diseases in the paper or by
mail. l do not pretend to diagnose
individual cases by correspondence
that is, am unable to tell CORES
pondents what ails them. This is
not a department of free medical
advice, nor a symptom symposium
nor a newspaper clinic, nor any
thing like that. This is a depart
ment of health and hygiene, and
strive to answer queries relating
to health and hygiene. Any cases
happen to hit here are struck purely
accidentally and unintentionally, ]
assure you.
Administration.
I have been told l am suffering
from standardization. What does
that mean, and what should be
done about it?-(E. L. HI
Answer-It is a very accommo-
dating and elastic term. Often it
means that your health habits are
wrong and need regulation. Some
times it means that the doctor isn't
committing himself. To take the
most liberal view let us say you de-
vote too much of your time and
energy to table cleaning and maybe
absorbing tobacco, carbon dioxide
and divers other poisons, and not
enough to absorbing oxygen on the
hoof.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08

@. When a foreigner applies for
a United States patent, can ne use
his own language? F. R T.
A. When an application is made
for a United States patent, all data
must be submitted in the English
language.
8. How long will champagne
keep? A. M. T.
A. Champagne, when well made
and properly stored in cool cellars,
will retain its good qualities from
10 to 20 years.
@. Where is the first statue
erected to George Washington. J.R.
A. The first monument erected
to George Washington is on Charles
street, Baltimore, Md.
@. Does the flavor of grapefruit
deteriorate when the fruit is kept
in cold storage? s. L. T.
A. The department Of agricul-
ture says that grapefruit will de-
velop a superior eating quality
after a period OF one to three
months in cold storage If suitably
cured before storing. One reason
for this is that, while the sugar
content remains about the same
the acid content decreases marked
ly during storage, and apparently
the bitter principle is broken down
which also enhances the sweetness
Of the fruit. The fruit stores better
when picked about midseason.
@. Where is the Mesabe range
of mountains? j. A W.
A. Mesabe range is in northern
Minnesota Strictly speaking, it is
not composed of mountains, the ex-
treme elevation being 1900 feet
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08
Clean Teeth.


! The furious storm of protest and
condemnation by some of the dem
/ fists. which was excited by blow
AT. the popular rite. of brushing the
teeth. that was dealt by the difndent
conductor of this department, mas
now subsidized and in the calm super
vening I take stock and ma myseii
wavering bit in my position. FER
sonally, still keep a toothbrush.
one lasts me long. long time. l
keen it as one keeps a belt, lest
some fine day catch me with all
suspender buttons OF all my pants
What some of the dentists have
SAID to me and about me since
abolished the toothbrush from the
sanitary armament of the adult
makes me feel that may yet want
| to brush my teeth some day. But
what other dentists have said on
the subject makes me feel that l did
right in repudiating this invention
of sick race.
Now take Albert Westlake, D. D.
s.. of New York. He tells the
world, through one of the worlds
finest newspapers, that "Dr. VIII
| liam Brady has a host OF believers
wit him in the nonpracticability of
the toothbrush" / want to applaud
DR.. Westlake, not because he agrees
with me, but because he has the
courage to take his stand against
the toothbrush, and 1t certainly
takes courage for a dentist to do
that at this early stage of the move
ment to save the teeth of the civ
ilized race.
Toothbrushes and toothbrushing
drills, according to DR.. Westlake,
will not save the teeth, because un-
clean mouths and unclean or I'M
sound teeth are fundamentally due
to nutritional defects. He tells us
that chewing of the vegetables. nuts
and fruits containing the mineral
salts, such as calcium of which the
teeth are largely composed, is Wit
ally necessary. And he offers this
| inside information" to those who
wish to have a clean mouth and are
tired of toothbrushing and tooth
pastes:
The research scientists of the
great profession of dentistry have
decided in favor of fruit acid for the
mouth-it being as good for the
teeth as it is for the body.
After one has eaten an orange,
lemon or grapefruit, cut the skin
+, into strips and put them in clean
mason or screw cap fruit jar with
a piece of clean cotton or cloth wet
with salt water to keep the strips
moist.
On arising in the morning and
retiring at night, rinse the mouth
we'll with dilute pure wine vinegar
or cider vinegar. Then take one of
the moist strips of fruit skin and
massage the teeth and gums.
Prepare the vinegar dilution by
adding four teaspoonfuls of vinegar
to each glassful of water This may
be prepared in quantity and kept in
bottle for use as desired"
l have S me four or five COM
munications from dentists in vari-
GUS parts CT the country who de-
fend the rite OF brushing the teeth
and I shall try to quote tl7efr strong
points in another, article. / present
DR.. Westlake's excellent suggestion
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08

70 each individual. 30 alt4AlloH w u
The Mesabe, the VermilliOn and
Guyana ranges, all in Minnesota
produce more iron ore than any
other district in the world.
Q. Has the United States per
fected gun that outranges the
Big Bertha which shelled Paris
during the war? c. Z. X.
A. The National Rife associa-
ton says that to date the United
States has not perfected a gun that
will outrange the German long
range gun, which shelled Paris.
incidentally, this weapon is not
known as Big Bertha" this title
being given TO the AZ centimeter
howitzers which destroyed the
Liege forts.
Q. What city in the United
States has the largest negro Popu-
lation? W. c. NJ
A. New York City has the larg-
est negro population of any city IL
the United States. It's negro popu-
lation for 1920 was 152 467.
Q. How far above sea level IS
the highest point in Florida! l.
W. NJ.
A The highest point in Florida
is Iron mountain, which is 325 IeeI
above sea level.
@. When was the first glee CLUB
formed? L. T.
A. In 1887 a "gIee club" was
formed in London. which fOurlsneu
until 1857. Since this style Of muse
which was peculiar to England
not written until the middle OF -
eighteenth century, this glee cluo
was probably the first Of any III
| portance.
| @. When was the lightning rol
| first used? d. Y. II.
| A. The first lightning rcd in w M
world was set up by BENJAMIN
I Franklin in September of 1852.
@. Where is the largest concIe'
span in the world? D > 4,
/ A. The largest concrete span .
/ which we find a record is a brllss
arch or span in Gruenwald, Munlcl,,
Bavaria This span is $50 Is''
long
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08

man, and send it to the old ladies'
home. I'll pay the BILL"
With a mighty cheer the crowd
made a rush for the supper room.
Land sakes!" Aunt Molly gave
Ia feeble chuckle as she wiped the
perspiration from her face and
lowered her weary body into a con-
venient chair, Il never in my life
see folkx have such a good time As
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-08

1t is explained by the Harding administra-
ton that the wholesale dismissal of executives
in the bureau of engraving at Washington was
for the good of the service. But the public
knows that it was done for the good of the Re-
publican party