davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

it was some time before enough quiet was re-
stored 50 that Lincoln could so ahead with his
set speech.
DURING the early part Of the Civil War
= scandal arose in the War Department
and Lincoln was obliged to appoint new
secretary of war. Republican senators there
upon asked him to change his whole cabinet Of
seven men. Lincoln replied as follows:
Gentlemen. your request for change in
the whole cabinet. because | have made one
change. reminds me of story once heard
in Illinois Of farmer who was much troubled
by skunks.
They annoyed his household at night, and
his wife insisted that he take measures to get
rid Of them. So one moonlight night he 60,
his shotgun and went out to the yard to wait
for the intruders His wife. waiting in the
house. presently heard the shotgun go off, and
IN moment her husband came in. She asked
him what luck he had had.
hid behind the woodpile. lie said. with
the gun pointed toward the hen roost. but be.
fore long there appeared. not one skunk. but
seven. took aim and blazed away. killed
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

OF the best stories IN
his famous repertoire Of anecdotes.
One Of the best stories was told in one Of
the famous Lincoln Douglas debates This
particular debate was held at Galesburg. ILL.,.
on the night Of Oct 7. 1858. Judge Douglas
closed his part Of the debate with bitter attack
on Lincoln's career.
Lincoln. said Douglas. failed at every
thing he tried. He had tried farming
school teaching. liquor selling and law and had
failed at each: now he was trying politics. and
he was doomed to make his worst failure OF
his entire career.
Then Lincoln rose to reply. He said that
Judge Douglas had given them very accurate
picture Of himself
1T is true-every word Of il. he said. Il
have worked On a farm; have spill, rails; |
have worked on ! Aatboat: have tried 70 prac.
lice law. There Is just one other thing that
Judge Douglas forgot to mention. He says
that sold liquor over ! counter. He forgot
to tell you that while was on one side Of
the counter, the judge was always on the other
s;de."
This reference to Judge Douglas we'll
known in6rmity set the audience bowling. and
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

The scene got too pathetic for Brown. who
had to get out his handkerchief and wipe the
hears from his eyes. Pretty soon he melted. and
gave his hand to his neishbor. and they had
a regular love-feast Of forgiveness.
After parting that would have softened
the heart Of srindstonc. Brown got to the
Copyright 1884. by EveryWeek Magazine.)
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

Urged to dismiss all seocn cabinet members instead Of
Just one Lincoln told Of the farmer Who wcnt out
The bach yard BY moonlight 10 Hill skunk arhich had
been bohcrmg Ills poultry Instead Of one skunk, hon.
ever. seven appeared. The farmer shot ono and then
fled, explaining that the he killed had raised such
fearful smell concluded il mas best TO lei the other
six Co." Lncoin's hearers promptly sam the point
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

THERE is another story dating back to his
l days as lawyer which is worth ,etelng.
In one lawsuit. he was opposed by lawyer
who was glib courtroom orator but shallow
thinker given to reckless and irresponsible state
ments. Lincoln proceeded to let the wind gu,
ct his sails in the following manner:
My friend on the other side he said, Is
all right. or would be all right il it were net
Tor a physco-mental peculiarly whicl, | am
about TO explain.
His habit-of which you have witnessed
very painful specimen in his argument to you
in this casc-of reckless assertion without
grounds, need not be imputed to him as
moral fault or blemsh He can b help it. The
ofatory Of the gentleman completely suspends
all action Of his mind
never knew Of but one thing which com
pared with my friend in this particular. That
was steamboat Back in the days when |
performed my part as keel boatman. made
the acquaintance Of ,riAing little steamboat
which used to hustle and puff and whecze about
IN the Sangamon River. 1t had hve-foot
boiler and a seven-foot whistle, and every time
it whisted the boat stopped
nURlNG the Civil War Lincoln planned
- trip to New York, and ii was suggested
that Robert W. Garrett. then president Of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. might be pleased
to furnish special train for him. Someone
limited. however. that Garrett vas supposed
to entertain sympathies for the southern cause
and that he might refuse.
Lincoln expressed complete conf.
30 dence in his loyalty and predicted that
be would be glad to furnish train.
He added:
(NE 1T believed-which | don't
what they say about his 'sesech' sympa-
thles. ! might expect him to say what
- 20. another railroad superintendent said to
at. the son of one of my predecessors in thi.
Gil. office.
H., Some two years after the death Of
a.. President Harrison, the son Of his sue
So cessor wanted to take his father on an
ga: excursion to somewhere and went to the
So - railroad superintendent office to ask
tor special train.
~ he superintendent. Wing Of the
a. a. most uncompromisng type. who hated
Democrat more than anything else on
earth, bluntly refused. rcmarking that
!, his railroad was not running special
trains for the president.
The presidents son was annoyed.
He said. Why. you have run special
presidential trains. and know it. Didn't you
lees IL q. Al
ident Hanison9'
Certainly we did. replied the superin,end-
ent. and i you will only bring your father here
in the same shape as President Harrison was.
you shall have the best train on the road"
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

But why didn't you go after him with
the other end Of the pitchfork1' persisted the
farmer. And the man promptly retorted:
Well. why didn't he come at me with the
other end?'"
The courtroom was swept with gale OF
laughter, and Lincoln won his verdict.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

although the United States government apolog,zed huubly
England after the MasonSidu incident Lincoln remembered
the story Of the Hinoisan pho critically i'll and pho pas
parned 10 maize Nth his enemies. The ck called in
sentimental and touching scene Of reconciliation rh brought
Bopns eyes, But the end The sick man called out
See here. Brown. should happen gcl nell mind you
the old grudge sands!
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

one. and he raised such
a fearful smell that |
concluded i, was best
10 let the other six
go.
he senator's saw the
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

Along with everything else Abraham Lincoln managed
to become famous the greatest stoy-tee Of his day
one Of the greatest the nation has ever produced
Except the most formal occasions. Lincoln rarely
made speech without telling at least story In private
conversation he used almost mless store Of Them AT
cabinet meetings. in conferences with generals and states
in political discussions. in talks with friends-at all
times and places Lincoln could be depended upon to pull
out story, almost invariably funny one and always
which served illustrate some point which he was
trying to make.
This great asset in his spcech-making cam
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

In a Lincoin-D Douglas debate. Judge Douglas
called Lincoln failure. and dpelt on the fact
that he had at one time sold liquor ouer the
counter Of q store. Lincoln. uhcn It mas his turn
70 speak. said that Judge Douglas had told The
truth. but that he had left out one item. He
forgot 10 tell you. said Lincoln. that philc
alpays on the other side This reference to
Douglas Welt- known injhmity set The audience
bowling nth delighted nuirtH.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

paigns. by setting his
aud iences in good
humor. and then driv-
ing home his argument
with homely illustra-
tions which his hearers
could not miss. Lincoln
won both their liking
and their votes.
It was the same after
he got to Warrington
except that some Of
the generals. senators
and cabinet members
were a little too POM
pous and formal to APP
preciate the anecdote.
that Lincoln tossed at
them. More than once
he irritated some Of his
polished associates pro-
foundly. Probably he
knew It very we'll; at
any rate. he never
stopped telling his
stories. and the Amer
ican fund Of native
anecdotes is infinitely
richer in consequence.
And = pretty good
way to mark his l25th
birthday anniversary is
to have 4 look at some
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-07

HE l25th anniversary Of Abraham Encoln's
birth is due to be celebrated 1ionday And
that is going to remind lot Of people OF a 10,
Of stories
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
LAST OF RUM ROW

MOT least of the encouraging signs of the
times is the fact that rum row." the
famous lineup Of hquor-laden ships waiting to
transfer Illicit booze cargoes to fast launches
to be smuggled ashore, has given up the
struggle
Government officials reported the other
day that 1853 ships carrying 100000 gallons
of liquor had left their station off New York
and sailed to the Caribbean, TO sell their cal
goes to legitimate exporters for possible sale
to the United States in a legal manner.
Thus vanishes one of the least edifying
features of the prohibition era. And its dis
appearance can not be regarded as anything
but one of the choicest fruits of repeal
We can't tell yet how this repeal business
is going to work out and it may be that it
will bring us problems worse than those Of
the prohibition period; but at least this large
scale smuggling with its concomitant law
breaking. violence and bribery. is passing
from the picture.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
INDICTMENT OF PARENTS

WHENEVER all other topics fail, you al
ways can get ar audience by declaring
that the younger generation is going to the
dogs
This has been unexpectedly popular game
since the war Books have been written
sermons have been preached. and editorials
have been inscribed telling how youth has
ignored the wisdom Of age and set of down
the primrose path But once in a while it
pays to look at the argument critically and
see just what there is in it.
Here's a sample Pupils at a large high
school in middlewestern city not long ago
prepared to give big dance. The dean of
girls at the high school then laid down a
set Of rules to be followed at the dance. which
was to be held in the school gymnasium.
These rules provided that pupils attending
the dance must not smoke on the school
campus, must not chew gum on the dance
floor, must assume proper dancing positions,
must not leave the gymnasium until after
the dance was over. and must not go to any
public dance or eating place afterward
Those rules are simple enough. Properly
enforced. they would preserve the outward
appearance at the dance. prevent the
youngsters from sneaking out to parked autos
for necking and gin-swigging and get all of
them home promptly after. the affair ended
Now it might be argued that, if sucn rules
are necessary, youth Inherently must be pretty
wild and boisterous. But when you stop to
think about it. you begin to see that the whole
business actually is a reflection on the parents
rather than on the young people
After all, a youngster who has had the
kind of home training that every parent
ought to be competent to give isn't going to
lounge around the school building with
cigaret in his mouth, or 60 to a formal dance
with face full of chewing gum, or intro
duce Barbary Coast cuddle to public
dance floor.
II his parents have the right kind of I'M
derstanding with him, he's going to get home
promptly after it's over. It's even possible
that his parents viii have shown him that
necking and drinking in a parked car is messy
rather than exhilarating
The fact that nigh school authorities have
to make rules to cover those points simply
shows that the parents have been falling
down on THEN Jobs. And right there is the
answer to most Of this talk about the Wild
ness of youth It's largely the fault of the
older generation, not of the younger one.
When We complain that young people are
doing this that, and the other thing these
days we're really leveling an indictment at
ourselves.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
OBTUSE DIPLOMACY

THERE has been so much foul financial
Il operation in the United States. perhaps
it is not our cue to register righteous indig-
nation over the latest attempt of Germany
to cheat American bondholders.
Herr Schacht. who runs the Reichsbank for
Dictator Hitler. cut the interest rate on these
holdings so per cent and then 10 per cent. the
remainder TO be paid in paper for use only in
Germany. Now that American and other rep
resentatives Of foreign security holders have
arrived in Berlin to protest. Herr Schacht
seems to have run out on characterization
unknown.
Not content with this form of fiching
Germany has Disseminated against the
United States by giving preferential treat
nent to certain other countries. Protests by
our ambassador in Berlin, DR.. Dodd, being
ignored. President Roosevelt has taken the IN
usual course of summoning Hitler's ambassa-
dor to the White House
1t is to be hoped that this will convince the
Nazi government that the President means
what he says.
While an attitude Of self-ughteousness may
be out Of place. one can at least be shocked by
Germany's dumbness. Hitler is destroying the
world friendship for Germany built up by the
republic after the war. Certainly the physical
attacks in this country. and this new diplo-
matte dispute between the two governments.
intensify Americas natural distrust of the
,destroyers Of democracy.
Hitler's Germany apparently has forgotten
what the kaiser's Germany learned at such
rost. that il does not profit q nation to earn
the suspicion OF the rest of the world.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
THE OIL AGREEMENT

CEcRETARY OF INTERIOR HAROLD
- ICKEs. the oil administration, took the
typical Roosveltian approach when he said
that in approving the oil agreement he was
frankly experimenting.
After refusing to approve complete oil price
fixing from well to filling station pump he has
now sanctioned another scheme for guaran-
teeing wholesalers, jobbers' and retailers
gross margains. This, in practical operation.
is a form Of price-fxing. The agreement also
sets up machinery intended to take surplus
gasoline of the market.
The consumers advisory board of MIRA, and
others. properly fear price-f1xing But We be-
liere it can be justified under certain condi-
tons in the case of an irreplaceable basic com
modify such as OIL
Even 50, 1t is comforting to know that
Administrator Ickes is going to keep a watch
full eye on the operation Of this agreement.
He will concern himself not only with the
effect Of the guarantee Of margins. but with
the operation of the sterilization pool in
surplus gasoline. He promises to modify or
cancel it "at the first evidence of abuse
In this connection, the Presidents new
order to protect little businesses under NRA
by giving them the right to appeal complaints
to the department Of justice and the federal
trade commission, should apply to the oil in
dustry. This right of appeal should
strengthen Mr.. Ickes' expressed intention of
opening wide the oil administrative board to
hear such complaints first
The secretary hopes the agreement will end
destructive price-wars. 1t is also to be hoped
that in permitting this new sort of price
fixing, the secretary will continue his firm
hold on production, without which the old
abuses and wastes will return
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26

FRInAY- IAv. %. la,t
MUDDYING THE WATERS

MO one is surprised at the indianapolis
Light and Power Company's flight into
technioality when asked for a frank explana-
ton Of its rates When the Public Service
Commission handed the company an order to
show cause why power costs should not be re-
duoed the utility Indignantly refused to dis
-cuss the matter at all.
It claims that under Indiana law the COM
mission has no right to place the burden Of
proof upon the company Il charges that the
whole proceedings is in violation Of its con-
stitutonal rights. that it is likely 70 have its
property taken from it without due process
Of law.
Obviously, the power and light company is
building the groundwork for long battle in
the federal courts by invoking the Constitu-
ton. That is an old utility trick whereby
litigation may be drawn ont for years and
months until everybody has forgotten what it
is all about
At the same time that the local company
made known IT'S intentions The Times learned
of some odd conduct on the part of the La
tclede Gas Light Company of st. Louis, which
lis controlled by the same holding company
that owns Indianapolis Power and Light
The Laclede company recently filed infor-
nation with the Federal Trade Commission
regarding the refmding Of 100000 worth of
its bonds. Under the Roosevelt Securities Act,
this procedure is required before new Securi-
ties may be issued or old ones refunded.
In answering the governments questions
the Laclede company forgot" to mention that
there was a rate action pending against it.
The concern was asked to withdraw its appli-
cation and refle new and franker one.
This the concern failed to do but instead
is said to be trying to make arrangements for
its refunding scheme in the European money
market. where there is no securities act to ask
utilities impertinent questions.
Certainly the company could not be moving
its financing to Europe because 1t does not feel
that it can answer the Federal Trade Com
missions questonsl
There is entirely too much lack of frank
ness on the part Of the Indianapolis Power and
Light Company, the Laclede Gas Light Com
panv and the parent organization. the Utilities
Power and Light Company OF Chicago.
II the indianapolis concern is innocent of
any wrongdoing. it need not resort to techni-
.cahties. All it has to do is to go before the
Public Service Commission and make full,
frank and public explanation.
An honest man, wrongfury accused. viii
,tear down the door Of a courtroom to prove
mis- innocence.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
A FRIEND OF ROBINSON
GIVES HIS SIDE.

By o. J. Drummer. Indianapolis.
Through the medium Of the Mes
sage Center of The Indianapolis
Times We read the outburstS of its
readers. Now and then Senator
Arthur r. Robinson is razzed to the
limit. Playing politics for re-elec-
ton and the friend of the veteran
is the finishing touch.
What of it? So will many others
want to be reelected, Roosevelt,
Ludlow, Larrabee, Van Mugs. Is it
a crime to desire reelection and be
friend of the veterans, the ma
tons defenders?
Well, thank God, Robinson did
not become the enemy of the vet
eran as did Byrd, Sims. Archie
Roosevelt. Pershing and Harbord.
Each and every one receives heavy
subsidy from the U. S. government,
either as salary, contracts or retired
pay.
Not one is compelled to exist on
SIS a month. Robinson saw honor
able service in the army. He knows
the horrors of war. He is a friend
of the veterans and proud of it..
And the veterans are his friends.
Editors Note: Archibald RooSe-
welt. disabled veteran, never re-
ceived a cent of pension or subsidy
from the goyernmentl,
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
THE LABOR BOARD SLIPS

THE National Labor Board has not ad-
vanced the recovery program by its strad-
ding decision on the dispute between captive
mine owners and the United Mine Workers.
The mine owners-in most cases the United
states Steel Corporation-fatIy refuse to re-
cognize the labor union. The workers demand
recognition. The labor board Supervised an
election at the mines for worker representa-
tives TO carry on collective bargaining and Of
fcials Of the United Mine Workers won. The
companies refused to sign contracts with these
officials as officials or recognize the right Of
their workers to Join with workers in other
mines in bargaining.
: The labor board has ruled that mine own
ers must sign contracts with the individuals
elected. and must permit them to write after
their names their official titles. But it stops
short Of saying that the employers must re-
cognize the union chosen by the workers.
This country is committed TO the principle
that workers have right to Join together to
bargain for wages and working conditions. 1t
is only when workers OF q whole trade or a
whole industry join together that their bar
gaining power approaches in any fair degree
thar Of their employers.
Congress recognized this fact in half a
dozen acts which are now the Law OF the land.
II reiterated the principle last summer and
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
SIGN. OF RECOVERY

IT is worth remembering that not all the
vast amount of money spent by the fed
eral government in the last year is going to
prove a complete loss. Some of it is coming
back; lately, indeed, it has been coming back
at pretty lively rate.
Thus Harvey Couch of the board of direc-
tors of the Reconstruction Finance Corpora
ton reveals that the RFC now is collecting
fully $1.OO00OO day from its borrowers. The
corporation has lent something more than
three billions in its career; more than third
Of that already has been paid back.
Not only does this indicate that a severe
strain on the treasury is being lessened; it is
an excellent sign of reviving business. And
when Mr.. Couch adds that applications for
loans totaling 1888 100000 recently have been
Cancelled, it becomes apparent that prosperity,
in truth, is on the way back at a fairly
rapid gait.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
A Woman'S Viewpoint
By MRS. WALTER FERGUSON -

adrift before they are able to
stand on their feet.
A MEXICAN adults, especially
IN those who are avid for no.
tice and have been bred in the
"go-getting" theory, are like
spoiled children themselves. Some
display not the least sign Of ma
ture intelligence in their atti-
tudes toward life. They are scarce
" more sensible in their emo
tional reactions than the babies
they so thoughtlessly neglect.
No wonder psychologists are
worried about us. We're enough
to try the patience of saintlier
individuals than they. The num-
Der Of mental sufferers is increas-
ing annually. Speaking with the
authority of statistics, We have
right now more mental than ply
steal sickness III the country.
And such sickness. which au-
gurs so i'll for the future Of Amer
lea, is due to the fact that We
are all trying to be bigger and
better" everything else but par
entS.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-26
EXPERIMENTAL PROMISE

DERCHED on the edge of the piano bench,
Il with her short legs stretched toward the
pedals and playing on and on six or eight
encores without stopping, while the conductor
helplessly swore at her in Itahan-Ruth
Slenczynsd at that concert in San Francisco
lived a moment which We are sorry to have
missed
Il like to play for people explained the
s-year-old prodigy when she arrived back in
New York from her tour, and it is no wonder
her audience kept applauding. The manage
ment had to send for her father to make her
stop.
The scene has the ring of history. 1t is
a picture TO hang beside the juvenile tempera-
mental storms of Mozart.
Ruth has an authentic great talent for
the piano. and this proved she has the tenn
peramental fire to take the bit in her teeth
and have her own big time when her moment
came. Selecting ones prodigies at g. to be
sure. is a venture only for the rash. But incl
dents such as this are very tempting to
prophecy.