davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-11-15

"A T the time whAns the lana ne So
N penetration ut Shantunc was
Ia developing into 2 problem Of
travelling about this ancient
province in Chinese clothing by mule
litter. mule hack. or the plebeian wheel
barrow. eating native food. and sleep.
ing In native homes or inns. Squat
ting In the evenings on the brick
'kanf' among crowd of travellers
with only wick In dish Of baa n oil
10 light the smoky atmosphere. over.
heard many tales OF brisands
Some of these ] was bic 10 verify.
for outlaws persist In Shantune as In
Sicily. in spite Of an ancient civiliza.
ton. They are usually Of the Robin
Hood type In China ains Of one
generation and heroes Of the next.
Much Of the folklore. drama and
fiction of the Chinese literature Is
built nm around the 'Red-hea rds" ana
their exploits.
"A. few Of these romantic outlaws
often strong characters who have suf-
fered AT the hands of .1tortionate Of.
hcisls-always exist. and their mum.
hers are greatly augmented during
periods OF unsettled administra ton.
Up TO recent times these outla wa
have had special respect for foreign
ers. whose immunity has been source
n envy to the Chinese populsce With.
IN the last several Years the squa bibles
ot white men and what they felt TO he
the unrestrained actions Of the
Japanese have wiped ont much Of the
preferential respect Of the Chinese
for The stranger within their gates.
Most nottceahly waa this the ca. - In
the famous train hold-up of American
taurtsts In southern Shantune. And
~
Lao Ysng.ren. or the FOREIGNER" a.
he was dubbed. one of the brisa nd
chiefs concerned in that evil exploit Of
1923.
I was travelling from Chefoo. tn.
lovely old harhor on the Gulf of
Chihli, directly southward across the
pronnontory. I took 4 mule litter. tn.
PRIMITIVE form or Pullman travel.
On the third dav out emersed
from mountains. The mules sighed
town among the poplars below. and
eniiVened by the prospect of an early
midday rest and meal struck onr on
the trof. The muleteer. who had been
Gridins along behind. cracking his
long whip At every bush. gave chase
cursins the mules roundly for mud.
Turtles. They went like anything hut
nhd-turtles. however. ! crawled on,
OBJ the shafts not knowing whether |,
was safer TO jump or ride.
Suddenly we era shed through a traf-
tc jam on the road. upsettine an
othsr litter. several wheel lha rrows nd
aReart. The right shaft OF nv own
conveyance snapped and described an
ere above my head as the litter turned
bottom side up. With scramble |
managed 10 land upon the hack of
TIE front mule. and In This fashion
I've went into town. the lit1er.car still
hao IL,
Without slackenins speed my mule
swerved into the hrst inn doorway
which he saw. utterly diAreesrdins q
sentry who wildly wrved At ne n 20
On. In the narrow doorway. however.
with the wrecked litter janlmeh
Against the dborpost. we stopped The
sentry pounced upon the muitteer.
Evening star., 1925-11-15
Investigators Who Bore Under the
Surface in Effort to Solve Perpetual
Puzzle of Orient Meet With Thrilling
Experiences-Hobnobbing With Brig
.ands In Their Own Garb-Mule Pull
man and Chinese Flivver-An Outcast
lin the Salt Country.

Seldom have experiences in such
an unusual combination fallen TO
the lot of a single individual as
these recounted by. Josef Washing.
ton Hail. in q series NJ four
articles. Of which the following IL
Ahe frst For his adventures in
Journalism were quite ns unique as
those in travel and eventually led
Him. as an American neWspa per
man. into position of extra ordi-
nary influence in the affairs NJ
: China
= However grim the facts OF the
case. Mr. Halls irrepressihle humor
carried him into n succession Of
humorous situations-in truth. the
Nhole country revealed itself to
hlrn through humorous lens. Ap.
propriately, therefore. he entitled
bis recent hook upon China In the
Land of the Laughing Buddhs
{; How he acquired the quaint
norn-de- plume Of ;'Upton Close" is
explained by Mr.. HAN below As a
correspondent he Represented an
american news : service. 4 Sino.
american sEenrx, and English
la naua ee newspapers In China and
aspan -.
Evening star., 1925-11-15

the controversy this past Summer
over the furnishings of our White
Honse. an American artist pronounc.
ing the present arrangements ms ar.
tisticslly Impossible" the plan of co
lonial furnishing throughout suggest
ed In lieu of the present one Of
various styles and periods.
What In your idAs of that" was
asked Of Vitetti.
II Ia All in the way yon DO H.
he made reply. There ma. he har-
mony in variety. If ynu know. how
hut. sta nda rdizing is, on. 20 mon eto-
nous Struggling his shoulders. 1t
destroys srtistic+ effsct" :
They know how at the Italia q
embassy; In all this gorgeous Inter
mixture, as described. there il not a
jsrring note; different periods OF Italy
and France, rugs and hsnRings from
the Orient. all harmonize brouk ht
together by ma aster hand. the ha ndi-
work OF masters. A table OF dull
brownish gold. painted with red
roses and conventional design OF
brown. and curved and carved legs:
circular painting OF the Holy Fam
lily. in rich. heavy. golden frame.
bronze and ebony candelabra. all rich.
duh hues-nowhere is glitter OF hig
polish. nor note of the starin e
white. termed "sa nitary" by our New
England consciences. What a pity
that our excellent Pilgrim forefa hers
brought with them the notion that
neauty belongs TO the devii-while
me brilliant hues OF the sunset and
the Mowers glowed before their ewes
at every turn, even on the Sa bba h
Gay.
II is@ impossible To put into words
tins atmosphere OF Italy in the villa
that has arisen on boulevard Of the
National Capital. IN their portion Of
italian soil bought from our Govern
ment: one must understand the
Italian tempera ment and understa nd
art to find JOY therein. The Prince
Caetani. Amha ssa dor preceding Ba ron
Martino. engineer, architect and sol
dier. was chief creator of this new
habitation. selecting the site. design.
Evening star., 1925-11-15

with his animals. and I consoled him
by paying him for the entire trip.
* 4
I THREW my bedding bag over the
back OF the little kitten.donkey
and got sstride. We sci out, the
coolies behind me and two ragged
be ndit guards toting carbines, slouch-
ing along In the. rear.
The Chinese at kao-mi We're stirred
by rumors that Twap's government
in Peking was agreeing to legitima.
tie .Iapan's position in Sha ntunH.
headed tor TsingtAo to discover what
i could.
On the train. riding toward kiao.
Evening star., 1925-11-15

ing the edifice and supervising splec.
ton OF the decorations and furnish
infA. As engineer. he laid ont the
mines In the mountains of Italy dur
ing the war. showing how the Italian
temperament may combine artist. sol
dier and diplomat. 1t seems. in q
way. matter OF regret that he left
his post before completion OF his mas
terpiece: but we all remember the
farewell ball last February in the un-
finished building.
italy must take pride In her Amer
ican post. erecting a palace for its
habitation. 1t is far cry from the
day Of Baron Favs. former Minister
from Italy, then represented by le-
Evening star., 1925-11-15

who was hot on the trail. and began
slappins him. about the padded shoul
ders.
a yOC1FEROUS mob of rufians
crowded out Of the en- ting hall
next the gate, and surrounded us
They were dressed in six or seven
species of uniform. military. police
train conductors, students. and even
Boy Scouts--no one Of them. however.
possessing a complete OUTFIT Of any one
kind They All wore lonE wooden
.scabbards centslnipe rough knives
and some Of them carried six shooters
and ancient carbtnes
Evening star., 1925-11-15
nd Serious Adventures Are Found Among the Chinese

set horizontally instead of perpendicu-
larly wAh the earth. the sail arms
standing up at right angles from the
wheel. This is great economy Of
construction over the Dutch windmill
requiring no high tower to allow the
sail to clea~ the ground.
On the higher ground were heaps Of
the crude dried salt row upon row
protected by woven mats or a layer
of mud. looking for slI the world like
the tents OF a bivouacked army.
Nowhere IL there more upsta nd
ing. almost fiercely independent lot of
people than these salt makers OF
Shantung. Far back in Chinese his
tory, the throne got possession Of the
salt industry as it's special source OF
revenue. About the time Columbus
discovered America a minister Of state
who had risen from poverty in Shs n
tlinF through the civil service saved
the career OF Ming emperor. Asked
what he would have as reward. he
requested tariff immunity on the out
put OF the Shantuns salt ma kers. so
that The people OF his native province
might have cheap salt.
This arrangement continued through
the Ming dynasty and was respected
by the alien Manchu dynasty which
followed. Then came. Yuan Shih-kai.
and his foreign loa secured upon the
Imperial salt revenue. Az a. result.
foreigners were put in charge OF the
revenue collections. These men had
no respect for the old Ming emperors
concession. They were determined to
enforce the impost equally upon a II
salt tproducins regions Feeling over
the matter WAS coming 10 head
when We arrived in the salt district.
A last touch Of Winter in the form
of binding wet snow caught MS as
We set out for the barrowman's native
village. Fighting our way over dry
stream beds often losing the trail. we
we're overjoyed when about sundown
We reached the shelter of the mud
walls -
OUR qualification subaided. how
ever, when the only inn OF the
town refused us shelter. Big Wang
found that We were suspected of being
spiAs for ths revenue collectors. A
village commune meAting to discuss
our arrival wac called in the thatchad-
roof schoohouse We attended the
gathering without invitation and en-
deavnred IN convince th. elders thai,
We were their friends. hut only half
succeeded.
They would take us at our word
they said. hut insisted that We pa as
on to the next village for the night
They were likewise unwilling that
Wang, their feilow.townsman n. should
escort us further. az 1t would appea +
tn neighhoring communes that they
were not keeping faith In a pact which
had been made against the foreigner.
They forced us ont by seeing To II
that we could get no food or lodgings.
There happened 10 he TWO strange ha r
rowmen with a donkey in the villa sc
that night who agreed TO take MS on
to the next town. some eight miles
Evening star., 1925-11-15

Roman warrior or aristocrat. gather
Ell unto his gods and gone to the un-
known. Z the tomb to serve as recep-
tacle for palms.
An italian greyhound came dash.
ing upon the scene. hut. AT sight
OF n stranger. stopped still ana
statuesaue as the marble forms about.
"Heile.' called Vitetti. but the
princely beast. disdaining the Amer.
ican lingo, held his pose until we
pa ssed on.
g.
THIS magnificent intermixture of
periods and ns tionalities dascribed
in the furnishings is reminder Of
Evening star., 1925-11-15

mules out OF your sight. Go and
get him a kitten.donkey to ride on
two or three coolies to carry his
iugga ge." And to me. You won't
need to pay for them so 1t will he
all the same to you"
was a hit disconcerted Al the
way the cha anee in my mode of travel
was thought about although At the
same time rather glad to he rid of
the mules. Ny mule chaser was in
teare, however. He elected 10 stav
Evening star., 1925-11-15

famamoto came back to the original
subject of controversy
IT he announced. won DO not
show passport, you cannot 60 In
Tsingtao."
Undoubtedly. he planned To deal
with me SO soon AS we crossed the
border OF the former lea sed territory.
But | stepped off the trsin one station
too soon. Going across country fve
miles. | reached the village OF III
Tswen. just inside the Japanese juris-
diction.
a f'TER a hasty meal OF ducks eggs
and bean curd. left al dawn in
rickshaw fer Tsingtao.
Evening star., 1925-11-15
O.ohl Give 1t Back.

Old Mar---I.ady. could you give me
a quar- rter to get where me family is?
! IAdv-rertainly my poor man:
here's quarter. Where is your fam
lily?
Old Man-At the movies
Evening star., 1925-11-15
Glad to Obey.

Teacher Ito tardy pupil-Why are
you late?
Tardy Pupil saw a. sigh.
Teacher-Wen. what has the sign
got to do with It?
slow"
Evening star., 1925-11-15
BY UPTON CLOSE.

"A T the time whhn the .Tapanese
N penetration NJ Shantunc was
Ia developing into problem Of
~ j International moment was
Evening star., 1925-11-15
RN HINDA RI RiiE.

. HE centuries era shed together.
When the noon whistle
blew the force of American
workmen parked themselves
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
JOIN THE EXCURSION ON SUNDAY

We cannot too strongly urge upon every resident
of this city its envrons that they attend the
sion being planned by the Imperial Irrigation District
next Sunday Andrade and the levee system of
the irrigation system. 1t is appalling when con-
siders how ignorant most of as to the how,
why and wherefore of this wonderful irrigation sys
tenn of ours 1t difficult to understand why such ut
ter indifference should be shown toward the engineer
ing and technical features of system that has made
possible the peopng of this valley with $4,000 inhabi
tants and has transformed this entire section from
barren blown desert to .the most productive spot
earth.
Another thing: lot of US pay taxes to the Irrga-
ton District and we are as grossly ignorant of what
that tax money is used if were six year olds
The Irrigation District the main spring of the valley
1t is the axle about which everything else rotates-
In view of the latest storm that has broken out
around its head it certainly behooves lot OF US TO
know irrigation system better The trip next Sun
day is particularly timely although planned long be-
fore the grand jury brought in its accusations. If we
are to talk integently this whole matter, 1t is ne
cessary to this gigantic system with our own eyes
and know its features that have made of it, In many re-
spects the most unique irrigation system in all the
world. The hazards that have been met and overcome,
the we'll nigh impossible engineering problems that
have been mastered all make romantic chapter In the
reclamation of the arid west that knows comparison
The district directors wise in their effort to
have as large number of valley residents possible
become familiar with the workings of this great pro-
ject It is only by education that come to in
telgent decisions in the various crises which are de-
velopng thick and fast irrigation affairs.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
THIS is BOYS WEEK

International Boys Week is being observed all
the country and whether fortunate enough
to be parents of boys not, should all pause and
take cognizance of the event. Time was not so long
ago either when growing boys regarded as more
less of pest Until they got past their mlscheV-
and awkward age, they seemed to be regarded by
all but their mothers-and sometimes their dads-as
young heathen who should be, but were kept in
the background. Nowaday, boys are handled differ
emily. Splendid organizations have been built up look
ing specifically toward the boys welfare and inculcat-
ing every principle that makes for bigger and better
citizenship. Special provision has been made for con-
sructive outlets for their unbounded energy for we
all beginning to realize that upon the proper guild
ance and training of the boy in midst depends en-
tirely the welfare of religious, intellectual and
political life of tomorrow.
In our own section. the Boy Scout movement is in
the vanguard constructive means of developing
boy life In comparatively short time, the work has
increased such point that it has taken its place
the pre-emnent movement for boys in and around
Ell Centro, and has done to bring this community
to think in terms of boys than any other influence
We here in Imperial Valley, have every right to be
justly proud of crop of boys. Like all our other
crops, they excel. Physically, they are far ahead of
boys of similar age raised in other sections Maybe
valley sunshine and Colorado river water do that Be
that may, crop of young folks Is by far our
most important product and we'll worth every thought
and dollar eXpend that will revert to their well
fare.
Special events have been named for boys week
and Ell Centro probably will join, insofar possible,
in observing these occasions. School and Home Day,
Boys Day in Citizenship, Boys Day in Industry and
other issues to be emphasized. Last Sunday sew
era of the local churches observed boys week in their
sermon themes and at enterprising church. the
boys put on practically the entire program much to the
delight and benefit of their elders.
So we say, hats off to boys. They represent
the savors of the valley for to many of them will be
handed the knotty problems battle with and
with them will lie the final solution of many of those
same problems.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29

what it is they arc, knocking at.
He crept nearer and listened.
Again came that tapping sound.
Then the boy rabbit said:
81 tapped on the funny door with
stone but it doesn t open. Suppose
you try. Jingla'
IAN right, Toote-,' was the
answer.
"Why, these are some of mv own
l;stle rabbit children!' laughed Tn
cle Wiggily to himself. Il must
see what they are doing"
Once more he heard the tapping
sound Then came silence and Il
moment later Jingle 5 voice said:
Its of no use. The door won I
open for our knocking. But / see
Mr.. Woodpeckcr up in the tree.
Let S ask him to tap with his strong
bill"
"All right" said Tooter, and he
called: please come down and
tap on the funny door for Us, Mr..
" oodpecker,
Down flew the bird, but when he
lookqd at the door he began to
laugh. Ha. Hal he whistled.
That door viii never open. Oh, if
Uncle Niggilv could see this, 1t
would be good joke! Ha. H:l! Ho!
Hoi"
''What is it?' asked the bunny,
hopping from behind the rock, and
when he saw what Jingle and Too
tor had been tapping at he cried:
NO wonder it wouldn I .opcn!
Look." And just then, as if at
the edges of the door, appeared
four legs, head and tail. THAT
is mud turtles sholl you have
been tapping on" said Uncle Wig
gily. Thu turtle went to sleep
here in the grass and drew his legs
head and tail in between his two
shells. Ha! Ha.'
"Well, it looked Ike door-a
door to Fairyland," said Jingle, a
little disappointed. But the bunny
gentleman said not to mind for the
next day he would take thmn ad-
vcnturing and he did. And if the
ricu pudding doesn't try to jump
rope with the roller skate and lose
all its raisins III tell you next
about Uncle Wiggily helping scoot-
ter out.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29

cried Uncle Niggily, holding up
both paws and laughing. THAT 8
Just what | don t want-anv of
my new little rabbits Just now.
am going advcnturing and the last
time | startM off two of the little
bunnies filled by tail silk hat with
water and gave me a shower bath.
So now ] thought L d slip off alone,
quietly, and have an adventure.
Then II come back ana tell them
bedtime story about il. -
"Oh, how lovely!' exclaimed
Mrs. Wiggily, while Nurse Jane
sort of shifted as if she had cold.
Run along, Wi1gic, - said his new
wife. "None of the children will
see YOU.
Carefully and quietly Uncle Wig,
gily slipped out of his hollow
stump bungalow. Over the hedge
he could hear the little bunny chill
drcn laughing and shouting,
They arc having a good time, -
thought NJ. Longcars. "Whcn next
| 60 advcnturiag will take some
of them with nae"
Then Mr.. Longears twinklcd his
pink nose and thought how jolly it
WAS TO be a family rabbit-for he
had married wife and family af
ter living alone with just Nurse
Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy for a muskrat
lady housckcepcr many years.
But suddenly, as Uncle WiggAv
hoped along he heard voices com.
ing from behind large stone. The
voices were those Of rabbit chill
dren.
ats a door" said a little boy
rabbit. "It's funny door!" /
know it is! Maybe is the door
TO Fairyland and il we knock it will
open and wc can 20 in"
"All right-go ahead knockn'
said the voice Of little girl rab-
BIZ. Then Uncle Wiggily heard u
tapping sound, as though some one
were knocking on door.
But there is no door around
here" thought Mr.. Longears TO
himself, for he knew the woods and
fields from one cud to the other.
There is no door here to Fairy.
land, OF any oth1E place. | wonder
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
Ten Years Ago
April %, 1915

"a Scrap of Paper" will be
given at the opera house tonight
by home talent cast, is sure to
be the great amusement event of
the year. Those taking part are
Phil Brooks, Henry a. Hunter,
James r. Ford, A. X. Atkinson,
nellie McGlynn, Ruth Browne, Leila
Jane Kelsey, Mrs. Phil Brooks,
Katie Mae Cook, Lille Lasey and
Fred Nuttall.
At the meeting of the board of
city trustees last night, Frank II.
Olmstead, Sewer engineer of Los
Angeles, submitted his estimate of
the cost of sewer main and out
fall planned by the city. The es-
timated cost of the system WAS
given as $292 900.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
File Suit Today
To Protect The
Calf. Forests s
ny United Press Leased Wire

AMENTO. April 2o.-- The
first of what may be series of
nationwide suits to protect virgin
forests and timber lands. from care
less fires, has been filed in federal
courts here.
United States District Attorney
Gerald r, Johnson, on behalf of the
government is asking damages
amounting to $4,000 of the Feath-
er River Lumber Company of Por.
tola, Plumas county.
The petition alleges that due to
carelessness on the part of employees
of the Feather river company fires
were set in government timber lands
which burned over many hundreds
of acres.
The suit is the first of it's kind,
it is believed, and may be used in
other instances where earelessncss
results in damage to government
forests.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
Pioneer Truck
Company Moves
Their Office

After many years Of business at
ia North Fifth street, the Phone
or Truck Company has moved their
office to their warehouse building
at Third and State streets.
Pereic Thacker, one of. the pro
prietors, stated today that they had
felt for some time if their offices
were consolidated, they could give
much better service to the public
and are finding this to be very
true. ia.
Ihe telephone of the company Will
be the same as when they were In
the former location Number !.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
Texans Inquire
About Hatfield,
The 'Rainmaker'

COALTNGA, Calf, April Ca
long drought i'll Texas and reports
that Charles NJ. Hatfield, the " rain
maker" has produced two inches of
rain in this district brought a ttelc-
gram today from c. II. Alvord, pres
ident of the San Antonio, Texas,
Chamber of Commerce which read:
Reported here that Hatfield has
produced two inches of rain in your
county on different occasions. Our
people interested. Wire reply.
In reply X. w. Dallas, president
of the local chamber of commerce,
tclcgraphcd; "Hatficld here when
it raincd. God knows who produced
it,
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29

women visitors sachet bags. !,
The Ladies Auxiliary of the State
Street Christian Church held an all
day meeting at the home of Mrs.
Ira Aten, north of FL Centre the
first of this week. The subject of
the meeting was Woman S Work ,.
Mrs. W. 6. Conley read the scrip
ture lesson and commented on it
and an article on "The Ministry of
Jesus for Women was presented by
by Mrs. I, Robnrt Kampbel. Mrs.
Violette S. Campbell read and dis
cussed an article on "The Zenana
Work in India and Mrs. Conley
gave talk on "The Condition of
Women in India.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
More Red Ties
Rooster Reds" From Grayco Sold Here Only

COME ON RED"he for red ties is spreading like wldfre
celebrate 18TH a Union. Bow
a at to
Imperial Valley press., 1925-04-29
Looking Backward
What the Press Files Tell of
Imperial Valley for This Date
in Past Years
Nineteen Years Ago
April 30, 1906

The w. c. T. Z. will meet Tues
day at o clock with Mrs. Hill and
it is desired that there be present
not only all the members, but
everybody who is interested in the
establishment of Il reading room.
From kilograms and ether mes
sages being received, there is gem
uine qualification throught South
esn California over the good news
that comes from the valley. The
long struggle against the Colorado
river is drawing to close. A large
part of the volume of that mighty
and treacaerous stream has been
turned back to its old channel and
the complete mastery of flood
that has cost an enormous sum of
money is now in sight.