davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
CHAPTER |
A Maiden's "Humph!"

Jim brought from his days work all
the fragrances of next years meadows.
He had been feeding the crops. All
things have opposite poles. and the
scents of the farm are no exception
to the rule. Just now. Jim Irwin pos
sessed in his clothes and person the
o%lfactory pole opposite to the new
mown hay, the fragrant butter and
the scented breath of the lowing kline
-perspiration and top-dressing.
He was not quite so keenly con-
scious Of this as was Jennie Woodruff.
Had he been so. the glimmer of her
white pique dress on the bench under
the Eastwood would not have drawn
him back from the gate. He had come
to the house to ask Colonel Woodruff
about the farm work, and having re-
celved instructions to take a team and
Join In the road work text day. he had
gone down the walk between the beds
of four o'clocks and petunlas to the lane.
Turning TO latch the gate. he saw
through the dusk the white dress I'M
der the tree and drawn by the greatest
attraction known in nature, had re-
entered the Woodruff grounds and
strolled back.
A brief hello betrayed old acquaint-
ance, and that social equality which
still persists in theory between the
work people on the American farm
and the family of the employer. A
desultory murmur of voices ensued.
Jim Irwin sat down on the bench
not too close, be 1t observed, to the
pique skirt. :. There came into
the voices a note of deeper earnest
ness, b~etokening something quite aside
from the ripping of the course of true
love running smoothly. In the mans
voice was a tone of protest and plead
Ing.
81 know you are" said she, "but
after all these years don't you think
you should be at least preparing to
be something more than that?"
"What can l do?" he pleaded. "I'm
tied hand and foot. l might
have
"You might have" said she, but,
Jim, you haven't and I don't
see any prospects. :"
81 have been writing for the farm
papers," said jim "but :"
But that doesn't get you anywhere,
you know. You're a great
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

Irwin pulled them up at the end of
the turnpike across Bronson's Slew-a
peat-marsh which annually offered
the men of the Woodruff district the
opportunity to hold the male equiva-
lent of a sewing circle while working
out their road taxes. Columbus
Brown, the patllmaster, prided him
self on the Bronson Slew turnpike as
his greatest triumph in road engineer
ing. The work consisted In hauling.
dragging and carrying gravel out on
the low I'LL which carried the road
across the marsh, and then watching
1t slowly settle until the next summer.
Haul gravel from the east gravel
bed, JIM" called Columbus Brown
from the lowest spot In the middle
of the turnpike. Take Newt here to
help load"
jim smiled his habitual slow, gentle
smile at Newton Bronson, seventeen,
understood, tobacco-stained, profane
and proud of the fact that he had once
beaten his way from Des Moines to
Faribault on freight trains. A source
of anxiety to his father, and the sub
ject Of many predictions that he
would come to no good end, Newton
was out on the road work because he
was likely to be of little use on the
farm. Clearly, Newton was on the
downward road in a double sense
and yet, Jim Irwin rather liked him.
tdTha fa1lprc houa mt +, - n inh -
you, jim" volunteered Newton, as
they began filling the wagon with
gravel.
"What sort of job" asked Jim.
They're nominating you for teach
err" replied Newton.
"Since when has the position of
teacher been an elective Officer" asked
Jim.
Sure, it amt elective" answered
Newton. But they say that with as
many brains as you've got sloshing
around loose in the neighborhood,
you're a candidate that can break the
deadlock in the school board"
Jim shoveled on silently for a while,
and by example urged Newton to earn
the money credited to his fathers as
sessment for the days work.
A slide of earth just then brought
down a sweet-cloyer plant growing
rankly beside the top of the pit. Jim
Irwin pulled it loose from its anchor
age, and after looking attentively at
the roots, laid the whole plant on the
bank for safety.
"What do you want of that weed?"
asked Newton.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

stitch is particularly the mode this
season.
Proof against wind and weather are
the cunning knitted suits which shield
little hye-year-olds, perhaps Older,
perhaps younger, from head TO foot,
just as this picture sets forth. The
lovable little Snow Sprite" of our IL
lustration is clad in a particularly
handsome white wool knitted infants
set.
The ~leginettes have a sIip-cord at
the waist. with tassels. The sweater
coat boasts belt and collar and. pride
of prides, two patch pockets. There
are plenteous pearl buttons, two Of
them finding their way to the cap,
posed ON each side flap.
One may take choice of double
breasted and single-breasted coats in
these sets, some with rundown col
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

which he moved as lonely as a cloud,
and as untouched of the life about
him.
ny every test of common life, he
was a failure. His family history was
a badge of failure. People despised a
man who was so lncontestably smarter
than they, and yet could do no better
with himself than to work In the fields
alongside the tramps and transients
n hoboes Save for his mother and
their cow and garden and flock of
fowls and their wretched little rented
house, he was q tramp himself.
His duties, his mother, and his dead
fathers status as an outcast took
away his citizenship in Boyville, and
drove him in upon himself, and, at
first, upon his school books and later
upon Emerson, Thoreau, Ruskin and
the poets, and the agricultural reports
n bulletins.
All this degraded-or exalted-him
TO the position of an intellectual farm
hand, with q sense of superiority and
a feeling of degradation. 1t made
Jennie Woodruff's "Humph !" potent
to keep him awake that night, and
send him to the road work with Col.
onel Woodruff's team next morning
with hot eyes and a hotter heart.
Colonel Woodruf's gray ~percherons
seemed to feel the unrest of their
driver. for they fretted and actually
executed a clumsy prance as Jim
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

ers acquired the habit of planning
their little ones outfits along the lines
OF the myriads of pretty things Great
ed from supple yarns and zephyrs.
Fol babies wear, white naturally
holds sway with pink or blue trim
mings. An attractive yoke distin-
guished from the ordinary, the little
crochet sacque here pictured and the
fact that it is dainty pastel shade
with lower ripple flare in pure white.
adds to its lovellness. Contrary to
expectation this adorable little gar
ment fastens in the back with two
pearl buttons. white a little pink Cor
blue If occasion demands) bow adorns
the front. The cap is croeheted in
astrakhan stitch and. In the language
of baby fashion lore, this fooplike
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
"YOu MARRY! HUMPH!"

A noted book by a noted mar
is THE Brown Mouse" by Her
bert Quick. It's a story of the
fascination that lies both in
farming and teaching-if you
look for 1t the right way. It's
read everywhere because it's a
charming story. yet It's so
practical that it's come to be a
sort of text book. Its ideas
have been adopted far and wide
as a part of the legitimate adj
vancement of the. sciences of
farming and teaching.
A Scotch scientist crossed the
Japanese Waiting mouse on the
common white mouse and got a
brown house which was different
from any other mouse in the
world. Well, young Jim Irwin is
the brown He's a field
hand-and a latent genius. Jen-
ME Woodruff likes him. but can't
see a husband In him. A prac-
teal joke results in Jim becom-'
ing the village school teacher.
Thereupon Jim proceeds to rock
the boat so hard that the waves
scare the community and the
ripples run state wide.
Experience Is a great teacher.
Herbert Quick has been farmer,
schoolmaster. lawyer, editor. pub
lie servant. social worker. war
worker and several other things.
Now he's probably more novelist
than anything else. with a dozen
good books to his credit and the
output getting better and bet
ter. "Vandemark's Folly" was az
huge success and THE Hawkeye."
his latest. appears to be even more
successful. You see, Herbert
Quick knows what he's writing.
about. .
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

beginning of September. School hats,
OF course, should be severely plain
and the hats shown in this group DEM
onstrate that they may be designed
with this idea in mind and still have
a jaunty charm that is all their own.
For the high school girl the hat
shown at the top is made of braided
ribbon with a ribbon trimming In the
form of rosette and cascade at the
right side. Below at the left is shown
a little model of picot-edged ribbon
sewed row on row and trimmed with
a fat rosette Of the same ribbon in a
lighter rome.
The two hats shown at the right and
below reflect the popularity Of knitted
goods in junior outfits. These are of
knitted brushed wool In contrasting
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
Child Labor in China

Miss Talking Shin, a welfare work
er of Hongkong. who is o in Eu-
0 . studying conditions, says that
women and children are especially
cheap in China.
In that country there II 400,00o.00o
people. with only / per cent literate-
and they die Of by thousands, she
asserts. When a child is a week Or
two old she is taken by her mother
to the factory. laid in a corner, and
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
GLYCERIN CEMENT

A powerful cement can be made by
mixing glycerln and litharge. A half
liter of concentrated glycerin, which
does not, however, have to be chem
ically pure, is mixed with five kio-
grams of well-drled and finely levi
gated litharge. One liter is approx
mately 1.75 pints, and a kilogram
equals 2.205 pounds. The mixture
solidifies into a solid mass within
twenty to thirty minutes. The cement
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

lars, others with storm collar which
can be worn down or up. Both ribbed
and brushed effects continue In favor.
while plain with brushed trim
mings are greatly featured.
Combining utility with good looks,
the new styles in school hats have
made their appearance and it should
be a simple matter. considering their
variety. to choose a smart and becom-
Ing model for every little miss who
must return to the classroom with the
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

colors and provide the Ideal headwear
for use with the sweater and skirt
combinations that are at present so
popular, or they may be aad in hat
and scarf sets to be worn with school
frocks or suits. The hat shown below
combines the knitted crown with a
brim of angOra.
Materials used in making hats ;or
very little girls include carnels hair
fabric. ~beauvette, b%roadcloth and fine
c~hlnchilla. II is quite the last word
to have the hat match the coat in ma
terial. color and trimming.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
Knitted logs for Riddles;
School Hats Are Jaunty

ONCE comfort first" is baby's plea.
y small wonder is it that the softest
and daintiest OF knitted garments oc-
cup the place of honor in c~hildhood's
realm. II is generally conceded that
for baby's tender skin there Is moth
ing so comfy" as knitted wool. lack
ing, as it does, the irritating qualities
of the harder woven fabrics. Then,
too, with knitted art responding so
generously to %childhood's needs, one
readily appreciates why dotlng moth
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
CITY of Byzantium.

The city is also known as Byzan-
tium, which is the older name. Con
stantinople was founded, according to
tradition, by a band of settlers from
Megara under the leadership of Byzas
in 659 B. C. and received its name
from him. 1t was nearly a thousand
years before the Roman emperor Con-
stantlne rebuilt the city, called 1t by
his own name and made it the capt.
tai of the empire. 1t was also called
"Roma Nova" or "New Rome on ac-
count of this latter fact.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

street and morning wear. There is no
dissension about this, all the coutu-
riers being agreed. even Paul Polret.
whose creations differ so strikingly
from all others. The light Havana
brown claims a certain popularity.
Gray and beige are very good for the
t%ailleurs and dresses designed to be
worn in the summer. These are the
leading colors, black having very little
place in this class of garment. Dark
blue in combination with widely vary
ing detail differs according to the
house which shows IL
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

deal more able and intelligent than
Ed, and see what a fine position he
has in Chicago. :"
"There's mother, you know" said
Jim gently.
You can't do anything here" said
Jennie. you've been a Farmland for
fifteen years and you always
vii be unless you pull yourself loose.
Even a girl can make a place for her.
self If she doesn't marry and leaves
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
Plastercd Walls Are soiIed.

White %plastered walls are almost
impossible to clean, as they seem to
absorb any smoke or dust. If you de-
eide TO paint the walls, apply paint
direct. and give three coats. If you
paper, give a coat of glue size first.
made by dissolying q quarter pound
OF glue in one gallon Of water. Well
gnished walls are a great satisfaction.
Housewife.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

is so hard that it can be removed only
by being chopped out with a chisel. II
is resistant t water, acids, mild and
even caustic alkalies, chlorine, alco.
hol vapors and ethereal oils. 1t can
be employed on wood, stone, glass, por-
eelain, metals and other similar mate
rails, as well as In eementing glass TO
metal. Before the cement is applied,
the surface of the materials should be
smeared with a little viscous crude
glycerin.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

fed at intervals. II she survives. in
a year or two she toddles about among
the machines. At four or five she
learns the rudiments of the work. and
at six or eight is an adept. taking her
place in the ranks of regular workers.
They work from twelve to sixteen
hours a day.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
"He thinks we're bullheaded
mules and that all the schools
are bad"
(To BE coNTINUED.)
Observation of oldtimer,

UbstTVdtIon OF OIutlmer.
Some people have as much trouble
backing the car out of the garage as
their parents used TO In backing the
old horse into the shafts.-Cincinnatl
Enquirer.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12
Always Happens Thsrs.

She-ln this book I'm reading ro-
nance follows matrimony.
He (cynicaD-Nhat is Il, the dc.
tionary?
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

A Season q rlavy Blue.
Dark blue is Tire leading color for
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

Letters marked Private are apt
to contain something unpleasant.
The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-09-12

Gold cannot rust.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
B. P. O. E. ALWAYS ON
HAND TO ASSIST THOSE
IN NEED OF HELP
Wherever Charity Is Writ
ten There You Will
Find This Order.

Has 1t been your part, in any time
Of difficulty or affliction. in humility
and gratcfulueSs. to have given ol
your plenty 10 less favored men
Has ever the uncpmmunicativo
night seen you, shame-faccd and fur
tive under the sense Of your own
sympathy. bearing your offerings IA
those in need
Has the dollar. the dime. the cent,
the handclasp or consolation you nave
impaired. 50 touched you as IN have
made the profit of il seem all your
own?
Good friend. though your lapel may
never know our emblem. nor your llpS
the sounding phrases Of our ritual
YOU are one ot us, il you have done
these things.
For il is unpretcntious bercfaction
Of this character that has been tue
inrpclling motive Of this order through
out the more than half century OF IT'S
existence.
In every time and on every occa-
sion If want. peril or disaster. since
its inception, This organization has
been privileged 10 assist with It's tuil
share.
Behcllpu neither to jew nor ten
tile. to Protestant nor Catholic. rs
more than thirteen hundred and mtg
lodge rooms arc localized ccnterS oi
general community benefit.
Porn Of and animated by The prin
ciples of the American Constitution.
its avowed purpose is 10 assist hF|
rrecept. example and contribution mi
the hc,tcrment of our national lte.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
MUCH CIVIC
GOOD WROUGHT
BY ELkDOM
Holds High Place in Gen.
eral Good of Each
Community.
POWER in WAR DAYS
Name of This Society En-
craven on Pages of
American History.
POWER in WAR DAYS
ELKDOM HOLDS FIRST RANK
AS CIVIC FORCE

The tremendous strides Elkdom has
made during the past few years, both
from standpoint of membership and
of a great national and civic force,
have been without precedent in fra
ternaliSm.
Not only is our splendid brother
hood rapidly approaching the million
member mark, but, thanks tn the
dynamic energy displayed by the far
sighted members in its ranks. II has
become an institution that both the
state and the nation recognize as q
valuable asset.
Elkdsm sprang to the front at the
outset of the great war and pointed
the way whereby organizations with
lofty ideals might be of assistance 10
the nation in the hour Of peril. Our
accomplishment during those bloody
days are TOO deeply engraven upon
the pages of history and upon the
minds Of everyone TO warrant more
than a passing reference at this time
Strong in Peace.
But after four years of peace and
with rhc period of reconstruction now
happily almost completed, it becomes
necessary for us To concentrate all of
our energy upon new lines Of endeayOr
in order that we may hold our proud
position Of fraternal leadership. for
the standing of organiZa tions. like in
dividuals. is largely gagged by the
deeds of the present rather than OF
the remote past.
At the meeting at Atlantic City the
grand lodge combined two Of its most
important committees. transferring to
the committee on community and So
cial welfare the functions OF the com
mittee on new membership, which Tor
the past four years has generally di-
rectrd the Selective membership cam
paignS which have increased the num-
Der OF names on the rosters of sub
ordinate lodges from 10000 to
S23. 900.
Doing Social Service.
4 large per cent Of our lodges have
been for years carrying on community
and social welfare work under the di-
rectiOn of grand lodge committees that
have been composed Of some OF the
best minds in the order. Cur grand
exalted ruler, J. Edgar Masters, was
one al the pioneers of this feature OF
grand lndge cndeavor, and none knows
better than he the splendid results
that are sure to follow if Elkdom'S
characteristic punch is behind the So
cial and community welfare move
ment.
What glorious results will he at.
tanned il all tho dynamic energy md
enthusiasm used in former years in
increasing the membership Of our
lodges, in assisting the salvation
Army. in Red Cross work. in bring
ing sunlight into the lives of the I'M
fortunate. in ministering 10 the poor,
in helping the Boy Scout organi2a-
tion to carry on. and in many other
noble causes, are welded into one
great force to carry out a carefully
planned community progress in each
Of the 14O0 cities of Elkdom.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01

The man who can get into the bath
tub without knocking off the wire
soap-holder.
The man who. when the lower draw
or Of the bureau gets stuck, does not
give it a kick.
The man who doesn't think that he
stands in with the garage mechanic.
The man who can see a frosty pane,
while waiting for a tram, and not
-cratch his initials on IL.
The wife who. when there are fresh
peaches for dinner. does not remind
lcr husband that peach stains won't
come ont.
The man who does not tell how far
ne can hear over his homemade radio
SET.
The wife who does not remind her
husband how attentive he was before
they were married.
The husband who took down tho
awnings the first time his wife asked
him to.-By Chas. ) Baxter.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01

Gus other pieces. In one Of the wings
rs 4 sun parlor and part Of the other
wing is arranged as a rest room for
the wives, mothers and sisters Of mem
bers.
In the basement is a tilc-lined bath
ing pool and lockers. showers and
dressing rooms for both men aud NO.
men. The comfortable Patrol den
is also located in the basement, and
there are lockers for use of members
of both the patrol and band.
Members who enjoy billiards and
pool can find such recreation on the
second floor. They can also find files
Of current magazines and newspapers,
set in nest Of easy chairs.
DormitorieS for members Of ;he
lodge and visiting Elks occupy the
third, fourth. fifth and sixth floors.
these rooms being equal to those in the
best hotels
The seventh floor is used as n Lodge
room. Ii GlSo' serves a. the scene If
balls. dances and other social activi-
ties. Above is a roof garden. which is
available most of the year for dances
and like events.
With So complete an establishment.
IT, is possible for the Elks TO Offer
much i'm the way Of social entertain
meut Dances are held at least twice
week and once 2 month the lodge
arrauEcs big stag smoker for the
general membership. AZ these affairs
snapnr boxing bouts are staged. van
devillo acts given and variety %
like entertainment provided.
4 big factor in The social life Of ;ho
c,uh is the Ladies' Auxiliary. which
is composed Of women in the immr-
diate families Of members Of the Lodge.
The monthly card parties given by the
auxiliary ore exceedingly popular. The
attendance is seldom less than 30
and often runs as high as 400
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01

The Elks' Club on Pecan street. al
ready one Of the largest and most
complete club buildings in the South
will he more than doubled in size nv
the early construction of Il seven-Stury
annex. When this improvement haS
been completed, the quarters oil Lodge
No. 2I6 will occupy almost half o. a
city block and will rank high among
the finest clubs in the country.
A feature of the new structure vii.
be n large thcater with seating
capacity Of 1000. One entire tlo9F
will be transformed into spaciou ,
lodge room. so beautifully decorated
and furnished that it will rival any
in Elkdom. On several of tho floors
will be dormitories for club members
and transient Elks. The roof Of ;hc
new building will join that Of IN"
present structure and form n dane
floor unequalcd for size in San An
tonic. 4 series Of bowling alleys Wall
he installed in the basement.
II is estimated that the annex. To-
getber with the valuable property on
which it will he built, will represent
an investment OF approximately N31o,-
600.
Even without the addition, The Elks'
Club offers every comfort and con-
ycnienca which makes for the enjoy
ment of club life 1t is the rccrrationa!
center for. approximately 5000 busy
men who belong to tho 8; n Antonio
lodge. and also extend u hospitality
TO the hundreds Of mem erS Of lodges
in ether cities who visit this city n
the course of year. Throughout
Elkdom the San Antonio club is re-
earded rs mecca by travelling Bills. -
On the ground floor are The lodge
offices. thanked on either side by large.
airy lounges fitted out with the most
comfortable Of furniture-dcer lcath-
or chairs, settces, tables and numcr-