davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
CHINESE MINISTER AS CT 10
Testing Remark Made by Wv~xuzaA9a
Fang Led to the Union of rw.
Loving Hearts.

WI Ting Fang was, while minlstsR
at Washington, attending theSweddins
Of the daughter Of the chief justice
at that time. At the breakfast he
asked one of the bridesmaids when if
would be her turn to become a bride
She modestly said that she did nos
know, as she had not yet had an Of
fer. Turning to group Of young men,
Doctor WI jocularly remarked to one
of them. "This is a beautiful lady,
would you not like to marry hers
He replied. II should be most delight
ed to-" swirl you accept his offerY'
said Doctor WI to the bridesmaid.
She seemed slightly embarrassed and
said something to the effect that az
She did not know the gentleman she
could not give a definite answer
Meeting the Chinese minister at an
"at home few days later, she scold
ed him for his bluntness, and he ex-
cused himself by saying that he waa
actuated by the best Of motives.
few months afterward WI re-
ceived an invitation from the young
iady's parents to attend her marriage
The bridegroom was the young man
who had figured in the unconventional
Incident To Wu's agreeable surprise
the mother of the bride informed hin
that 1t was he who had first brought
the young couple together, and both
bride and bridegroom heartily thanked
him for his good offices.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
FEAST OF SAINT MICHAEL
Festival Was First Appointed BY
Pope Felix fii In the Asi
n Year 4eo.

Michaelmas, the Feast Of Saint
Michael and All Angels, occurs Sep
TENDER 20. The festival was first ap--
pointed by Pope Felix III In the year
$50. In the Greek church It did NOT
originate earlier than the Twelfth CEN
fury. 1t was an old custom in England
to mark the day by electing civil mag
istrates and that Of guardian angels
Of whom Saint Michael was reported
the prince.
A more famous custom Is that Of
eating roast goose, the origin Of which
has long exercised the wisdom Of anti
quaries. The traditional Michaelmas
goose has been traced at least as far
back as the tenth year Of Edward "
and It is said that one OF the strongest
objections Of the English eommonaity
to the reformation OF the calendar was
based on the confusion which would
follow IL Miehaelmas day was not
celebrated when stubble goose are IN
their perfection.
There Is an old proverb that IF you
eat goose on Miehaelmas day. you viii
never want money all the year round"
Detroit News.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
COUNTRIES FREE OF SNAKES
ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Tas-
mania and Patagonia Not Both
cred With Reptiles.

The Irish are fond of bcasting Of the
immunity of their island from snakes
It is true that Ireland does not pos
seas any snakes, but she Is by no
means the only country SO blessed
There are no snakes In New Zealand.
and few poisonous insects. New Zea-
land has spider which is rather pol
sonous, and, of course, It has Its mos
quitoes, but on the whole 1t is remark
ably free from venomous reptiles and
insects.
Canada for the greater part LIS free
from snakes, especially those of the
poisonous variety, and this Is more
strange because the rattIesnake Is
quite common in the northern part Of
the United States. Here and there In
the ranges of British Columbia a few
stray rattlers. may be found. but as q
rule the border line between the two
countries marks the northernmost limit
Of this reptile.
Patagonia is another snakeless coun-
try. There are no snakes in Iceland,
while Japan and Tasmania are also
places where these reptiles are rare.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04

1000 s.za z1cs.urnl Coondge M
nounced he approved of unofficial
American participation through the
selection of Americans as members
of those committees.
TURKEYS dipl attic victory at Lau-
same Was not easily won. While the
conference there was deadloci;ed in
January Mustapha Renal mobilizes.
armies to move against CONSTANT
nople, Mosul and other points and
called three classes to the colors to
combat the Greeks in Thrace, The
quarreling in the peace conference
was incessant. On January 81 the
allies submitted treaty to the Turks.
demanding its acceptance within four
lays. The Turks agreed to sign 1t If
the economic clauses were reserved
sor future settlement Lord Curzon
.eparted in rage, and on February
the. conference broke up. Diplomatic
conversations continued, however; tie
British indicated they would m:.se
Qncessions. and the conference WAS
esumed on April %, Russia being ex-
.luded. On July "a treaty was
'igned which gave to Turkey nearly
Ill she had demanded, the question of
,il concessions being left for later
consideration. A few days later the
United States and Turkey signed
treaties of amity and commerce and
N extradition. BY October the al
led military forces had evacuated
onstantinople and the Turks soon
.fter took formal possession of their
I'd capital.
Warfare between Italy and Greece
n the autumn was narrowly averted.
An Italian military commissioner and
afs aids were murdered in Albania
ind ON August % Italy demanded that
Greece apologize abjectly and pay
separations. The Greek reply being
unsatisfactory. the Italians promptly
oombarded and occupied the island OF
'orfu. Greece appealed 20 the League
( Nations, which was disposed to
AXE up the affair; but Premier Mus
,lini declared Italy would withdraw
rom the league and ignore its deci-
sion If it insisted on arbitrating the
dispute. The situation was most en-
'arrassing for the league, but the
lllied council of ambassadors rescued
it by assuming jurisdiction and order
ing Greece to comply with Italy's de-
hands almost in their entirety. Greece
ave in, apologized and paid 10000, 600
ire indemnity, and on September q
italy evacuated Corfu.
Mussolini achieved another triumph
" an agreement with .Iugo-Slav;a
Whereby Italy obtained possession i
fiume.
In January American and Eritis'
commissions met in Washington to !
,otiate the refunding of the Britisi.
war debt to America, and their task
was soon completed to the apparent
satisfaction of both nations. The
Washington treaties ON reduction of
armament and concerning the Pacific
were ratified by Italy in February and
by France in July. Through the eff
forts of an American commission sent
to Mexico, the government of our
neighbor was finally brought to ami
cable terms and the long-withheld rec
ignition was accorded by Washington
on August 81.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
,s.vsrnmrur. anssr qursnons prougnI

| ,svvurumrur. 1ursc. questions brought
to the fore the old question of free
trade or protection, and since the gov
eminent had promised there should
be no change In the tariff policy during
the life OF the existing parliament
Prime Minister Baldwin dissolved par
lament on November 10 and an cleo
ton was called Tor December 6. For
mer Premier Lloyd George, who had
been on a speaking tour of the United
States, arrived home just in time to
make up his old quarrel with the other
wing of the liberal party, and went
INTO the campaign with vigor. When
the votes were counted it was found
that while the Liberals and Laborites
both had won many seats from the
Conservatives, no one of the three
parties had majority. The Laborites,
however, announced that their leader,
Ramsay Macdonald, would undertake
to form government as soon as called
upon, whereupon Prime Minister Bald
win declared he and his cabinet would
retain office at least until the new
parliament had met in January.
During the early months of the year
the Irish republicans continued their
guerrilla warfare on the Free State,
but on April 10. their chief of staff,
Liam Lynch, was killed in a fight and
on April q cannon de Valera ordered
his followers to cease hostilities and
negotiate peace. The Dublin govern
ment refused to treat with him and
on August 10 he was placed under ar
rest.
Chinese factions fought bitterly
throughout the entire year, and in Oc-
tober President Ii Yuan-hung was sue
ceeded by Marshal Tsao-ku4- Con
siderable excitement was sused in
May by the capture of a Fiumber OF
foreigners by Chinese bandits, who de
manded large ransom and immunity
The prisoners included several
Americans and English, and for time
armed Intervention by their govern
ments seemed likely. However, the
Pekin government bought off the out
laws after long negotiations.
In Russia, as the soviet rulers grad
ually modified their Communistic poll
cies. there seemed to. be steady prog
ress toward stability. Most other ma
tions still withheld recognition Of the
Moscow government, but number OF
them made commercial arrangements
with the soviet regime The Russian
S,lnrcme court condemned Ar.ASsshor
Zepliak and Vicar General Butehka-
vich of the Roman Catholic church to
death for revolutionary activities. The
latter>was executed, but Zepliak's SEN
tence was committed to ten years i'm
prisonment.
Early in December another revolu-
ton was attempted in Mexico, the
leader being Adolfo de la Huerta who
was offended because President Obre-
gon would not support his candidacy
| for the presidency The revolt spread
rapidly, but before the month closed
Obregon seemed to have the situa-
ton well In hand.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR

Only one really bic strike marred
the record of the year in the United
States, and that did not last long. The
miners in the anthracite fields and
their employers tried in vain to fix a
new wage scale and working condi-
tons, and on August n they broke off
negotiations. With the approval of
President Coolidge, Governor Pinchot
Of Pennsylvania undertook to handle
the problem, and proposed compro-
mise on August 20. The strike began
officially two days later. but the nego-
tiations were continued. Pinehot's
plan was accepted September and
the miners resumed work on Septem-
Der 20.
AT various times during the year the
railway labor board adjusted the
wages of certain classes of rail work
ers, usually raising them. Some of
the roads made separate agreements
with their employees, giving them in
creased pay. April the steel indus
try raised the wages of common labor
IL per cent and adjusted the pay of
other classes, and on April Ii the Chi
cago packing house employees and
building trade workers were given an
increase. The steel makers had been
attacked bitterly for maintaining the
twelve-hour day. and on August FL
bert II. Gary of the q. S. Steel corpo-
ration announced its elimination.
The American Federation OF Labor
met in annual convention in Portland.
Ore, and, among other acts, voted
against the formation of a political
labor party and also against the rec
ignition of the Russian Soviet govern
ment. The advocates of these meas
ures and indeed all the more radical
factions in the federation were routed
by President Gompers, who was re-
elected.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
Japan's Expert Top-spInnera

The pastime Of top-spinning Is car
ried by the Japanese to point OF
great perfection. The tops used by
them are Of delightful variety. both In
size and construction. The largest OF
all tops is more than foot In dia-
ameter. and proportionately heavy.
Some are solid; others contain q flock
Of little ones. which fiy out when the
top Is lifted. and spin away by them
selves. Others pull Into spiral OF
ladder Of successive tqss 2as- akx.z
up into a lantern. and spins chserify IN
that form.
The spinners balance their tops on
any kind of surface, round or nat, On
the edge o. fan, the sharpest Japa-
nese sword. along thin cord. and AZ
ter some moments Of unconcerned
spinning there it Is tossed on the table.
with apparent carelessness. where Il
goes on whirling. +
One Of the most delicate perform
ances consists Of spinning a top In thu
left hand up the left arm. round the
back Of the neck, ana down int the
palm Of the right hand
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
DISASTERS

Unequaled In modern times was the
disaster that befell Japan on Septem-
Der 1 when violent earthquake shocks
and resultant fires destroyed Yoke
hama entirely and about two-thirds of
Tokyo and ruined many smaller towns.
The number of killed was estimated
at 225,O00, and the injured at more
than half that number. Though many
of the houses were flimsy, the prop
erty loss was enormous. The hun
dreds of thousands of refugees suf-
fered severely. but the American gov
eminent and the AmericanaRe Cross
were swift with ressef sne,1ares, and
other nations Joined in The work.
Shiploads of food and millions of dol
lars were rushed to the stricken land,
and the japanese government was ma
terially aided in its task of rebuilding
the ruined cities.
Among other serious disasters of
the year were: January 8. twenty per-
sons killed by collapse of a bridge at
Kelso. Wash; February s, mine ex-
plosion at Dawson killed 100. and one
at Cumberland, B. c., killed 80; Feb
ruary is, twenty-five patients and
three attendants were killed in insane
asylum fire on Wards island, New
York; March 10, Greek transport sank
with $50 soldiers; April 8, tidal waves
in Corea and Japan killed 600; May
IA, Hot Springs, Ark. partly de-
stroyed by food and FIRE: May II,
seventy-three killed in burning of a
schoolhouse at Cleveland. s. G.; June
10. disastrous floods in Kansas, Okla
homa and Colorado; lime Is, thou
sands Of Persians killed by earth
quakes; June IS. several towns de-
stroyed by eruption of Mt. Etna; Au-
gust IA, coal mine explosion at KEN
merer, Wyo. killed 9S: August IS.
Hongkone badly damaged by typhoon;
August p, million-doIlar flood in Ar
kansas valley, Colorado; September s,
nine .. s. iestroyers wrecked on Cab
fornia coast, % lives being lost; Sep
tenher 10, typhoon and floods killed
5000 In Japan: september II. large
part OF Berkeley. Cal. destroyed by
flames; September q. forty killed in
burlington train wreck At Lockett,
Wyo.; November IL. earthquake in
Shansi province. China. killed 1900:
December |, nearly 800 killed BIZ burst
Ing Of dam near Bergamo, Italy; De-
cemDer 3. nine killed and sss.s r.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
BY EDWARD W. plckARp

With the on OF Germany,
ruinea b. As acts, and Japan,
sIaGe ii b. tAe FORCES Of nature, all
the v srid was Letter off at the close
OF 1879 than al its beginning. This
is especially true OF the United States,
italy, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Tur-
key. and probably Russia, though the
information coming from the land OF
tLs soviets has been SO colored that
/; vas difficult to determine true con-
ditions there.
Economic recovery Of the world was
retarded, as it was during the preyi-
GUS twelve months. by failure to
settle the matter of the German repa-
rations and by the steady decline OF
Germany toward the point Of absolute
collapse. The occupation of the Ruhr
by France and the resulting disputes
with Greg. p-.tain brought on re-
-Ieated crises each OF which seemed
to threaten the final disruption of the
entente cordiale.
Several proposals for commissions
to determine Germany's capacity to
pay were made, but each of them re-
quired the participation of the United
States and each time the American
government found unacceptable the
restrictions insisted upon by Premier
Poincare Of France. As the year
drew toward its close, however, the
reparations commission was preparing
to appoint two committees of experts
to help work out the problem. and
President Coolidge approved of the ap
pointment of Americans on these coIn-
mittees.
Turkey gained power and prestige
through the Lausanne peace confer
ence and the resulting treaties with
the allies and with the United States
Late in the year she added herself to
the list of republics with Mustapha
ke,nal Pasha as her first president.
Under the leadership of General
Primo Rivera and other army officers
and aristocrats, there was a house
cleaning in Spain that resulted in the
turning out of the crowd of politicians
that had for years been battening on
the spoils of disagreement. The so
called democratic government was
overthrow and a dictatorial council
substituted.
President Harding's death in San
Francisco threw all the United States
and indeed all the civilized world
into heartfelt mourning. Vice Presi-
dent Calvin Coolidge. succeeding to
the chief magistracy, carried on in
general the policies of his predecessor
Mr. Harding had been considered the
certain nominee of the Republican
party in 1924, and his demise threw
open the lists and made the political
contest intensely interesting.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04

.suetion or taxes ana opposed the sol
liers' bonus.
Two governors got into serious
trouble Walton of Oklahoma. who
said he was lighting the Ku Klux
Khan, came into conflict with the state
legislature and assumed virtually dc
tatorial powers. Despite his efforts to
prevent it, the legislature met in spe-
cial session. the house impeached him
on numerous charges and the senate,
sitting as trial court, found him
guilty and removed him from his Of
fee. Walton was then indicted by a
grand jury. lie other state executive
in trouble was Gov. w. I. McCray of
Indiana, who got into deep financial en-
tanglements and also was indicted.
The Supreme court ON April 30 de-
cided that foreign vessels could not
bring liquor into American ports. even
though sealed. and later the liquor
stores of several liners were seized at
New York. Foreign nations protested
but could not well take any action.
However. late In the year the govern
inent negotiated an agreement with
Great Britain whereby the right of
search was extended to about twelve
miles from shore, and in return it was
expected the ship liquor regulation
would be modified. The extension of
the search limit was made necessary
by the activities of the smuggling
fleets which kept the country well sup
piled with wretched liquor. On May 4
the New York legislature repealeG
the state prohibition law In October
a conference of governors on lar en-
forcement was held in washington,
and President Coolidge pledged the
full aid of the government machinery,
but insisted each safe must assume
its own share of the burden.
President Coolidge had the appoint
ment of one ambassador last year.
Col. George Harvey resigned his post
at the court of st. James on October
and Frank B. kellogg was selected
for the place.
Immediately after its summer vaca-
ton the Supreme court rendered an
important decision unfolding the laws
of the Pacific coast states which pro-
hibit aliens from owning land. These
laws. of course, are ~directed against
the Japanese especially.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
Up to the Widow,

Speaking on the marriage laws at a
meeting presided over by an archdea-
con. curate remarked that 1t was
not generally known that man could
not Marry his widows cousin.
Widows sister, you mean." cor
rected the president.
NO" replied the youthful cleric,
II mean widows cousin"
The archdeacon was on his feet Ia
an instant. His law must not be chal-
ienged By q curate.
x tell you." he said, "a man may
marry his widows cousin, but not his
widows sister. You must really allow
me 10 know
hut" persisted the curate, ahow
can Z man do anything II the way of
maxxy1ns when HIS wffe q 4 sl3doR5s'
= 1>z
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
AUSTRALIAN HOME PICTURED
Really Fine Word Painting That
Brings the Scene Perfectly
Before the Readers Eyes

Through some paddocks and a beli
Of trees you come first to the wool
shed. quiet now, for the time Of shear.
Ing is past. You pass through Q
white gate and as you descend the
steep drive you see the house at the
bottom Of the hill-a long low bunga-
low, gayly painted in two shades OF
apple green. with duh red roof. Ry
1t runs little creek, which wfdens
into dam at he foot OF the garden.
The hill above the house Is golden
with waffle. the scent, too heavy In
doors but delicious In the open. flls
The air. In the garden beside tall
clump Of bamboo. black waffle with
reathery leaves and pale yellow bios.
SONS hangs over the water. There are
great punches of freesias, antirhin.
ans tall as bushes. double pink peach
blossoms and scarlet carnations.
4 black swan swiras M and down
the wNter; he stretches out his long
neck and utters his queer cultural
cry. From the veranda you can see
on the skyline a long low hin, bare
OF trees, but green In the distance.
There are no mists; all the outlines
are sharply defined against the blue
sky. The frogs keep up continuous
drowsy murmur not much louder than
cricket, but with an occasional deep
note as though Z harp string had
been struck.
Later the moon win rise and tha
magpies delight your ear with their
harmonious MARBLE all the night long,
and the trunks Of the great gum trees
stand out white In the moonlight
lending dignity to the scene. A calm
Is on the place. deep quiet, broken
only By the sounds OF nature.e-ohrie
ban Scianca lsAnftA-
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

German reparationS and complica-
tions.resulting from the failure to pay
them occupied much of the attention
of European diplomats. Early in jan
uary the allied premiers held a futile
conference in Paris, and France pre-
pared for separate action to collect
from Germany. About the same time
Secretary Hughes announced the Unit
ed States would not consider Berlin's
proposal for four-power European
peace pact and also informally adj
vised France not to occupy the Ruhr.
France, however, was determined, and
the reparations commission gave her
the opening by declaring Germany in
willful default In coal deliveries. Ger
many formally protesting and Great
Britain not approving. the French on
January Ii began the occupation Of
the Ruhr, seizing its most important
cities one after another. President
Harding expressed his disapproval by
recalling the American troops from
Germany. Chancellor Cuno. with the
support Of the reichstag, declared a
moral war" of passive resistance and
ordered all state employees not to obey
the French. The mine owners and
later the industrial magnates fell in
with this program and for months the
French were baked In their efforts
10 get any considerable revenue from
the region. They seized customs, bank
funds and railways, and arrested many
Industrial leaders and officials, but the
passive resistance was not broken IN
CIT Int IN September The occupa-
ton was assisted actively By Belgium
and passively by Italy. Great Brit
ain. though she did not actually ham,
per the French. gave them no help.
On May 2 Germany made a new
reparations offer of 1880. O00,O 900,
with many conditions, and II was i'm
mediafely rejected by France. Eng
lapd also declared the offer insufficient
Berlin then asked new Preparations
conference on the total sum and Of
fered annuIties Of l,500.0O0,OOU gold
marks. Great Britain invited France
and Italy to join her in reply to
this. and submitted draft of her
proposed answer, but this also fell
through. The British government
thereupon sent n note to France anf
Belgium declaring the Ruhr occur.
ton Illegal and failure. insisting
on an impartial PREPARATIONS inquiry
after the plan suggested by Secretary
~ Cfo<o uu~hoo end ro vfrsx Irra,,aa
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04

Humor and self-criticism, Il haa
often been pointed out, 90 together; 4
sense Of hunor il an antidots for con-
celt- Victor Hugo had no sense Of
humor, and the complacency WITH
which he hooked back upon his career
arose from conceit thar was even
more colossal than his genius
Late In life some Of his friends were
talking with him and, OF course. about
him. One said. Streets ought 10 be.
named after him. "
Another remarked. sStreets7 parss
ought to change its name and be called
Victor Hugo
Another added scornfully. ~Parisf
Paris. after such great manf No. m
deed France ought to change If name
and the whole country be called vlcter
Hugo
The great writer then lifted his.
head and, with Jogian dignity. spoke
p tones of quiet, solenn consfc<ion&
SHAT WIN come - klmeN
xzz@snm.ez -,snt.. -