Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 287, Decatur, Adams County, 30 November 1915 — Page 3

From My Narrow Little Window ■ By THE HOOSIER OBSERVER Md| L' “SIGHT UNSEEN” Udi

K “SIGHT UNSEEN." When I K was a little girl I spent much time wondering “why" the boys were|«<> keen about trading knives and niiiiMs "sight, unseen.” And they nevejlseemed to care if they did get skinned! I alwu'S was given to “wondering." Goaded to desperation by my being ta living interrogation point, my eld•re long ago referred me to a remarkable (compendium in my uncle’s library, entitled “The Reason Why.” But it never quite solved all my problems. I am still “wondering” about that “sight, unseen” propensity. “The Reason Why” seems to be stalled on that question, too. But the fact remain* that the propensity to get something, “sight, unseen,” remains witli us *Oll, and is not confined to small boys trading knives. n may be a good thing when one can turn propensities into power or capital. And that is what the various social organizations are doing. They are making capital out of that “sight, unseen" propensity. And such a golden harvest it is reaping. • * • * So my mind ran the other day when I attended a parcels post sale. Os course there is no one so out-of-date that he doesn’t know what a “parcels post” sale is. The members of the clubs and aids and other societies beg their friends to send them a parcelcontaining something, of course—and these are sold, unopened, for ten cents. Now the parcel may be ad large as a boy’s first gift package to his best girl, and beautifully tied with a two-inch-wide pale blue ribbon and contain nothing more than a five-cent glass vase, that anybody would be ashamed to take home in daylight; or it may be a small package tied with a string, containing a beautiful, handcrocheted doily, worth much more than ten cents, but all the packages sell like hot cakes. People scramble tor them, they quarrel over them, they seize them from both ends and pull at them like three days old chickens pulling at one worm; they lose their dignity and their hair switches at the same time and emerge, disheveled, but triumphant with the parcel. There are usually not enough parcels to go around. If those tilings had been set out in plain view on a counter and tagged at their real value, a few cents, maybe, no one would have taken them home as a gift “free gratis for nothing," as Uncle Hezekiah says. Or they may have given an ice cream social and set out great dishes of cream and rich hunks of cake and not have made enough to pay expenses because everybody could see just what they were getting for their money and not buy. It is the gambling spirit that sells. It seems a queer sort of gambling, though. In regular gambling, one usually has the hope of getting something for nothing, or at least, of getting more than he gave. In the “sight, unseen” parcels post sale, one seems to be well satisfied in getting little, as in getting much. It seems that the real pleasure lies in wondering just what one is going to get, anyhow. It seems to be a sort of pleasurable chance-intoxication. » » » » That spirit may not be best in some things, but in many cases it seems to be the elixir of life. What would life be anyhow, if we knew just what we would meet at every turn? If we could glimpse each future event in our life, would we have the courage to meet its terrors; or the desire to experience its doubtful or insipid pleasures? When 1 get right down to the rock-bottom little desire that I have to live, 1 find it all hinges upon my desire to stay to see “What is going to happen, next, anyhow." Isn’t even the desire one has of an eternal home, sharpened by our not knowing just exactly how it will be and where and what? It we knew, beyond a doubt, would we all be so anxious to go? Isn’t it that lack of definite knowledge that keeps us on tip toe with pleasurable anticipation? When we children were kids, we didn’t want our gifts hung on a Phristmas tree. We wanted to hang >up our stockings, and then we wanted our gifts wrapped in yards of paper and tied with strings hidden in stockings. There was lots more fun feeling the knobs and wondering what was in the papers and then opening them up to see. A cook usually finds

her pleasure in the dinner spoiled by the smell of the food and knowing just what will appear on her plate. It is much more appetizing to sit down to a dinner when you don’t know just what is coming, provided, of course you are SURE that there Irf SOMETHING coming. ♦ ♦ • w At boarding school we learned to know on what days to expect this and that —pudding, or pie or ice cream for dessert —and we didn’t appreciate it nearly as much as we did before we became so dinner-wise and prophetic. There was one redeeming feature — the spirit of anticipation. The chef was a little, blustering German, hotheaded and with a tongue that could sting like an adder. Or we supposed it did, although we couldn’t understand what he said. But, oh. the tone, when he was in a “mood” and let loose! The tones penetrated the dining room from the kitchen beyond; we heard the crashing of dishes as he threw whatever he had in his hand; and we could hear the quick pattering and scurrying of the feet of his assistant —his wife—we supposed. It was rather a pleasurable excitement wondering what mood he would be in next. * * * * There are people, you know who are calm and placid, and forever the same. They are very comfortable people to have around, I will admit. But I sometimes think they may be a little too calm and placid and too much the same, for human interest. There is a little spice in not knowing just how and when someone will break out and do some unconventional thing —and maybe even claw and scratch and bite. * » • « That dreadful monotony! Long ago when farms were isolated, many women went insane from simple monotony. Now, there are many little things—chance, in many cases, that add interest. There is pleasurable anticipation of what is coming, if anything, in the daily mail; the anticipation of who it is that will speak when they answer the telephone call; wonderng whose horse it is coming down the road—who is in the rig or auto, and where, and why they are going. Do you know it is even a matter of interest as to who is going to sit next to you in the opera chair at the show! All a matter of chance and change! I read the other day of a girl who grew so tired framing mottoes in a factory that she stole an automobile for a joy ride. I have heard a woman say that she believed some girls who were confined so closely to home got married just because they wanted to break an unbearable monotony, even if it was a break only for a little time. I believe some people get drunk for the same reason; and that some run away and tramp or steal or beg for the same reason. It would be fun to examine the hand out, wouldn’t it? ♦ » » ♦ Yes, “sight, unseen” adds spice to life, but it also has its drawbacks. We are prone to not appreciate the good, wholesome things we know so intimately day by day. How many, are there, who take their earnings and invest them in la|nd afar off in the hopes of finding a gold mine that proves out to be only bad dirt; when they might have had good land at home that would have proven a gold mine if planted in golden corn; how many take their earnings from a solid investment in which they are well versed and put it into a business that seems alluring but about which they know nothing, but soon learn, much to their sorrow. Then again, in other ways, “sight, unseen” proves disastrous.. Saturday I wrote a divorce case. It was that of an Adams county man who married a woman on the day he met her after corresponding with her only a month through a matrimonial agency. He no doubt despised the good, plain, wholesome, strong girls; of his neighborhood, those he had known all his life; or they no doubt, despised him for the same reason, just because they knew all about his good points, as well as the bad —and they are pretty well evened up. So he took the pleasurable "chance” of a matrimonial agency widow. She skinned his pocketbook and left, and told him to get a divorce. He paid a big price for a two-cent glass vase, wrapped in a pretty parcel, when he might have had a priceless vase of rare porcelain. A similar idea was illustrated in a Fort Wayne cartoon j

recently. One picture showed a young man applying at a back door. He said he had learned a trade but was unable to get work at It temporarily; that he was hungry and wanted any kind of an odd job in exchange for a dinner. The woman of the house called hint a fraud and told him to skin out. The companion picture showed a “swell” young man (how I do hate that term “swell" but there seems no other suitable in this instance) who rode up in a taxi to thi> door and told the landlady he was a millionaire. She invited him in, gave him the best she had and finally married him to her daughter. They soon found out that he was a bogus millionaire, an escaped convict and a bigamist. This also has local interest and is a fair example. * » » » No, 1 have found out, as years pass, that it is not only the little boy who has delight in trading knives “sight, unseen." I wonder even, if there would be the great interest that some find in the simple sport of fishing, if the water were as clear as crystal and the fisher could watch every move made by the finny tribe. I doubt it. Yet, some spend hours and hours at the sport, without even a bite for reward, content on taking “chances.” And so on. and so on. 1 was once silly enough to wish that some one would write an appendix to that book. “The Reason Why,” to include everything 1 wanted to know and can’t and never will. But if they did, where would be my little pleasure in living? There would be no “sight, unseen” for me. PUBLIC SALE OF OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS. The undersigned will offer at public sale at his residence, 111 West Rugg street in the city of Decatur, Ind., on Saturday, December 4, 1915 beginning at 1 o’clock p. m , the following property, to-wit: One dresser, one 4 foot bed and springs, iron bed, spring and mattress, folding child’s bed, dining table, 6 dining chairs, davenport, Moore air-tight stove, library table, 2 rockers, Morris chair, 2 large rugs, a number of small rugs, carpet sweeper, kitchen table, 3-burner coal oil stove, 1-Minute washing machine, gasoline iron, wash stand, clock shelf, sideboard, mission clock, high chair, book rack, combination game board, Liberty lamp, lawn mower and various other articles too numerous to mention. Terms: —$5.00 and under, cash; over $5.00 a credit of 6 months will be given, purchaser giving bankable note, with approved security; 5 per cent off for cash. No goods removed until settled for. L. D. SMITH.' Jeff Liechty, Auct. M. J. Scherer, Clerk. OBITUARY. The death of Vestaliua Gross, wife of Otto Gross, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. 11. Dibble, of Ashland, 0.. occurred at Ashland, on November 24, and the remains reached this city on the 12:40 p. m. train Saturday, November 27, ovfer the Chicago and Erie railroad. The remains were taken to the United Brethren church, where the funeral was held at 1 o’clock p. m. by the Rev. Harman. The interment was at the Decatur cemetery. Mrs. Gross had formerly made her home in this city. Deceased was 31 years, 5 months and 24 days old. A husband, a daughter, two sons, a seven weeks’ old infant, and a father and mother are left to mourn the loss of the loved one. Four sisters and'three brothers and a host of friends also survive her. The deceased was born in Ohio City. At the age of thirteen she, with her parents, moved to Decatur, where she continued to reside until four years ago, when she moved to Ashland, Ohio, where she lived at the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Otto Gross at the ago of twenty years at the United Brethren parsonage in this city. Mrs. Gross comes from a good family. Her parents live on a farm near Ashland, Ohio. o THE SLIM PRINCESS. Ruth Stonehouse, who takes the leading part in “The Slim Princess,” a George Ade photoplay filmed by Essanay, takes issue with George Bernard Shaw, who in a London address said motion pictures made the people discontented with their lot. "I don’t know what kind of photoplays Mr. Shaw has seen," said Mii Stonehouse, “but ‘The Slim Princess’ is a beautiful, cheery picture that would delight any audience. It makes one forget the cares of the day, rests the tired man and puts him in a frame of mind to fit him better for his work next day. If any discontent is stirred by motion pictures it is to make peo-ple-Yong for better and higher things, than which I can imagine nothing having a greater effect for good.” “The Slim Princess,” featuring Ruth Stonehouse in the title role, will be seen at the Crystal theater on Thursday. I Ten cents. i

Fort Wayne & ..Springfield Railway Company. TIME TABLE Northbound. Cars leave Decatur at 5:50, 8:30, 11:30, 2:30, 5:45. 9:80; arrive at Fort Wayne at 6:53, 9:40, 12:40, 3:40 6:40 and 10:40. Southbound. Leave Ft. Wayne at 7:00, 10:00, 1:00, 4:00, 7:30, 11:00; arrive in Decatur at 8:10; 11:10; 2:10; 5:10, 8:40; 12:10. Connections are made at Fort Wayne with the Ft. Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction Co., The Toledo & Chicago Interurban Railway Company, The Ohio Electric, and Indiana Union Traction Company; also with the Pennsylvania, Wabash, Nickle Plate, L. S. & M. S., C. H. & D. and G. R. & I. railroads. Freight Service. Freight service consists of one train each way daily: Leaving Decatur at 8:00 a. m. and returning, leaving Fort Wayna at 12:00 m. This enables shippers to telephone orders and receive shipments promptly. W. H. FLEUDERJOHANN, General Manager, - Decatur, Ind. —■ • • O—- 1 ■ " — • ' Your Santa Claus checks will be mailed to you about the middle of December. Pay up your dues by December 4 and get a check with interest. Old Adams County Bank. If you have failed to keep up your Christmas Savings card at the Old Adams County bank pay it up in full before Saturday, December 4, and about the middle oi December receive a check in full with interest.

DECATUR’S CHIROPRACTOR PIONEER Office Over Vance & Hite’s llniwe 1:30 to 5:00 nOlllS 6:30 to 8:00 PHONE 650. 0. L Burgener, D. C. No Drugs No Surgery No Osteopathy Dr. L. K. Magley VETERINARIAN Corner Third and Monroe Streets. Phones R office 11 DECATUR, IND. LIVE STOCK and General Auctioneering 1 thank you for your past favors I am still on the job. Telephone at my expense. J. N. Burkhead Monroe, Ind. WngolF & BAKER Corner Monroe and 7th Sts. PHONE 215. Oak Leaf Raisins 13c, 2 for 25c Buster Brand Currants, ,13c, 2 for 25c Citron, tb 25c Pound of Goal Seal Coffee in glass jar 25c All brands of Evaporated Milk, cans, 10c; 3 for 25c; and sc, or 6 for 25c. Pound C of Peanut Butter 25c Fresh Crackers Bc, 2 tbs. 15c Graham Wafers .'. 10c I Cranberries, qt 10c, 3 for 25c 25 tbs. of Sugar $1.60 A frssh line of New Groceries has I been added to our stock. We pay cash fcr Butter and Eggs. I Eggs, 33c; Butter, 18c to 25c. Give Us That Order. i Mangold J Baker |

A BIG SUIT SALE We are making closing prices on all Suits I Our stock is complete with extra values I of this seasons choice styles. I Every suit must go regardless of its Manufactured cost. Fine Saits That were $39.00 This Sale $17.75 I jr X x * ra F* ne s u ‘ ,s va ' !ie a ' $25.00 1 • This Sale < 515.00 I IV j, v ■ Fine Quality Suits that were cheap at | r MW? $16.50 Uiis Sale j j /# $9.75 I Make your selections early while the ‘ stock is complete. NEW COATS ARRIVING DAILY Iniblick & co. ; ' I I - ’ »., -J ; J S»A i’SSSESBK

STOCK SALE. Having rented his farm the undersigned will-offer for sale at his residence, 3% miles northeast of Decatur and one half mile north of j Union Chapel church, beginning at 12 o'clock on Wednesday, December 1, the following property: Five head of horses, consisting of one Belgian mare, three years old, 1 gelding, two years old, driving mare colt, 2 years old; 2 spring colts. Twelve Head of Cattle —Three good milch cows, giving milk, good Holstein bull, good Holstein heifer, will be fresh soon; 2 Durham heifers, will be fresh soon; yearling heifer, bull calf, coming yearling; 3 spring calves; 27 sheep, consisting of good breeding ewes; 50 head of hogs: 4 brood sows, with pigs by side; good Duroc male hog, 37 shoats weighing from 50 to 140 pounds. Terms: —$5.00 and under, cash; over that amount a credit of one year wil:

I XMAS ’ls. JEWELRY I ■ I I XMAS 1915. I I QUR EXPOSITION I of Diamonds, Watches, Jewelry, Silverware, i Cut Glass, Clocks, Han Painted China, Etc., j m is now open for your inspection. Goods se- jS ■ lected now will be laid away until wanted without extra charge. Respectfully Yours, PUMPHREY’S JEWELRY STORE I | “If It’s New, We Have It”. I jXMAS ’ls. JEWELRY)

| be given, purchaser giving note with approved security; 4 per cent off for cash. No goods removed until settled for. E. H. NIDLINGER. J. J. Baumgartner, Auet. 284t4 CALENDAR FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 4.! Tuesday, November 30, 7:30 p. m. Decatur Lodge, No. 517, F. & A. M.; Called meeting. The Entered Appren ■ tice degree wil! be cotii'crreil on a ( class of five petitioners. Friday, December 3, 7:37 p. m. Decatur Chapter, To. 127, O. E. S. Special called meeting. The degree:: will be conferred. o Democrat Wants Ads Pay

✓ *► , ■ * .. ,■' 1 7 zX . Y k \ J I-.- i — Scene from “Don't Lie to Your Wife” at Bosse Opera House, Dec. 2.