Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1917 — Page 3

SIMPLE LIFE RECOMMENDED BY JOHN L.

ONCE MIGHTY WORLD’S CHAMPION PUGILIST.

Can one imagine John L. Sullivan, the once mighty world’s champion, pattering about his comfortable farm at North Abington, Mass., building pig pens, nailing up and repairing fences, painting his barn, putting electric wires In his house, milking cows, grooming and feeding his horses and being an allaround handy man on his snug, homeliKe estate? But that’s just the way John L. amuses himself nowadays, and has been doing for the past two years, since he quit going on the road in the show business. ‘•These little jobs about the farm,” said the old warhorse, “is the-best exercise in the world. I never felt in better health in my life, and would be as happy as a clam at high tide if my good wife was only in as good condition as I am. Good, honest, outdoor work is the best medicine in the world and keeps a man in fine form all the year round.”

MAY BAR MOLLA BJURSTEDT

Proposed Rule to Prohibit Clubs From Paying Traveling Expenses Will Keep Her Out. The tennis officials have become so' badly affected by the “amateur mania” that they probably will adopt a rule at their coming meeting which may bar Miss Molla Bjurstedt, the Scandinavian star and champion, from appearing in exhibition matches throughout the country. The girl net wizard is comparatively poor. By profession she is a nurse.

Molla Bjurstedt.

Her income from that source is sufficient to meet her ordinary expenses of.llving,'but not much morg. Certainly it does not j?rove enough money to enable her to pa/ traveling expenses wherever she is asked to appear in an exhibition gaipe. But that is just what the officials alm to force her to do. Since she became a tennis sensation In America, Miss Bjurstedt has appeared in many cities in exhibition matches. In all such instances her expenses were paid. Being an amateur, she never received pay for her playing. She was glad to do that for the good of the sport, and there is no questiorjbut that the publicity gained for lawn tennis through) her wonderful playing, ability has brought a large increase in the number of women devotees of the game.

LARGE REVENUE FROM RACES

In Ten Years Charity.. Received $23,000,000 From Operations of PariMutuel System. Figures of the . Jockey Club bf France show, the earnings of the parimutuel system of betting for ten years prior to the European war were sl,197,117,688. Of this sum $#,000,000 was devbted to breeding interests, $23,000,000 to charity and $6,000,000 to the payment of water taxes. .

INTERESTING SPORT PARAGRAPHS

But all golfers are not fibbers. Some of them can't talk. ♦ ♦ ♦ Apparently being an amateur is a profitable profession. Boxers might show more speed if they wore spiked shoes. * ♦ • Boxers are good insurance risks. They never take any chances. • • • Johnny Evers’ cofffract with the Boston Nationals expires this year. • * • Man who insists boxing is a brutal sport evidently never saw a bout. * * * Almost any golfer could dig a_ trench If permitted to use a mashle. • * « Most walkers seem to realize that they ean make better time by running. Ball players do so much fighting in the winter they’re all tired out when summer comes. • * * “X hard-hitting fighter is always popular,” writes a critic. But not with other fighters.

* * *• If ball players were fighters they’d probably kick about the referee’s decisions just the same. ♦ •' • If the Poughkeepsie rowing race is shortened the last crew won’t be so far away at the finish. * • • When it comes to the salary checks the ball player has no scruples about being called a professional. $ • • There's no truth in the report that professional Ball players will support the daylight saving movement. * * • Calling one a cheese champion these days is an honor .when you consider the price of cheese at the grocery. ♦ * • The maximum length of a soccer field Is 130 ytn-ds, minimum 100 yards; maximum breadth 100 yards, minimum 50 yards. • • • Springfield, Mass;, may secure dual races between eastern college eightoared shell crews if plans now under consideration are successful/ Gilmore Doble, former football coach of the University of Washington eleven, Mas not lost a game in the'twelve years he has been developing teams. - *** * / ’xlt 18 estimated that approximately 6,000,000 tennis were used during 1916 in the various lawn tennis matches played throughout this country. “ Best way to distinguish between an amateur and professional in golf is to listen to ’em In their moments of excitement. An amateur may use the same words as a pro, but they lack the snap and finish which the professional gives ’em. '

■-t . . - . THE EVENING RENSSELAER, IND.

A SHOP GIRL

By GEORGE HASKELL

(Copyright, 1917, by W. G. Chapman.) “She’s pretty,” observed Mrs. Berke-ley-Holmes scanning the newcomer critically through her lorgnette. “I wonder who she is,” responded Mrs; Waddel." “She didn’t come- down with the house party. -Oh well, maybe she’s one of the- colony.” The very rich and very fashionable Mrs. Bagden was giving a small musicale and dance for Jier, week-end guests, and as usual any new face had to be “sized up” and classified by some of “those present.” “Oh, you mean that Miss Manning,” eaid Mrs. Clay joining the group. “Well, did you know she is a'shop girl?” “A shop girl!” almost shrieked the other two tn horrified chorus. “Yes, she’s down in that little fancy store ‘near- the station.” “Of all things!” exclaimed Mrs. Barkeley-Holmes. “I always did know Mrs. Bagden was democratic, but—” “Oh, I don’t believe it’s all democracy in this case. Mrs. Bagden has to pay one expensive professional to sing for us, and I suppose this girl will recite for nothing.” “Heavens, have we got to hear her ‘elocute’?” asked Mrs. Waddel in despair.

- “I heard she was" gotngto,”said Mrs. Clay. “But really she speaks in an educated way, and talks well.” “Good gracious 1 Will you look at Blake Wendell?” cried Mrs. BerkeieyHolmes. “Why, he acts as though he were smitten with Miss Manning!” “Yes, doesn’t he? Well, the managing<mammas won’t let that go on. One of the best ‘catches’ mustn’t go to a shop girl.” _— “No danger,” sniffed Mrs. Waddel. “He’s engaged to May Summers.” “Oh no,” protested Mrs. Clay. “I don’t think—” Here the conversation was cut short by the hostess calling for silence. Violet Manning »ecited a simple little experience out of real life In such a natural, convincing way she fascinated her audience, and they clamored for more. She did not attempt

“Of All Things!”

the strong emotional—it was not the audience for such things —but she gave them pathetic or humorous bits out of every-day life. And what is so rare with the average reciter, Jt seemed like “real life.” To the credit of the hostess be it said Violet was treated with as much consideration as any other guest, and not with the patronage and neglect which often falls to the lot of the hired entertainer. She had a decidedly good time, and went home thinking of no one in particular but Blake Wendell. The-next morning vqpen after her few hours of sleep she had to hurry off to the shop, she hearing over and over the Words he. had said, and seeing the humorous Sparkle in his eyes. Blake Wendell had asked,her if he might call, aqd in * the intoxicating dream of the nifliit before* she had told him he might. It did fceem now like a dream, as she stood behind the syitionery and paper flowers, and she felt she must never let him dome to the cheap boarding house in,'the poor street where she lived. She could only see him in the “parlor” which was tawdry and vulgar, and it was liable to he filled with young men and girls quite in keeping with the surroundings who talked slang, laughed loudly, or played ragtime on a strident piano, and-sang with a more strident voice. This, was not Blake Wendell’s world. And'lest he should think It was hers, -she could not let him see her there. The death of her parents and poverty had put her there. She felt no shame In honestly earning herJlving the only way that had offered, but her natural Instincts’, mind, apd training gave her 11 trie real enjoyment in, the company In which it brought her lu contact There were kind hearts aryl honest souls among these 'young people; she did not hold herself aloof, and was well liked by them; but when she

found herself among the refinement and culture of many of those at Mrs. Bugden’s It seemed CoSiej that she had come into her own. Violet felt she could not stand the humiliation of Wendell’s surprise or covert amusement at the boardinghouse parlor or the boarders. It Was such a long way from his world. He must see - that it was, and doubtless he would- feel that she could never get there. No, it was all very hopeless. What was she to do? She remembered : now that someone had come up and Interrupted, and she. had not given; him her address. Oii, well, perhaps he would not take the. trouble to find

out, and she was worrying for-nothing. Even Mrs. Bagden, an old friend-of her mother’s, did not know where she lived, but addressed her at the store. As the days and weeks went on and she saw no more of Blake Wendell, Violet wondered if Cinderella kept on thinking about the prince after that last bail, or whether she had the strength of mind to forget him. She took;"herself severely to task for not being-able to forget, when clearly she ought to. One day there came a letter to Violet at the store. She knew the instant she saw the envelope it was from Mrs. Bagden. Yes, it was an invitation to a Christmas eve party. Her heart gave a great bound. Would she see him again? Oh, who that has been just where this girl was can know that meant? He lived in New York, where there were so many places to go on Christmas eve, perhaps he would not come, Besides, there loomed up the awful problem of what to wear. Her simple little summer gown had done for the warm evening of the musicale, but for this affair she had nothing. However, with small expense, and sewing evenings, she decided she might make over an old froci? to.be.presentable. Before she had finished the dress, Mabel Hard, the girl next at Violet’s counter was taken ill and had to go home. Violet knew the condition of things at Mabel’s home. Her mother was out working during the day and only a younger sister of about ten years of age was able to be of any service. As soon as she could get away she went around to see her. Mabel was so ill that she had to get a physician. He declared she must remain quiet for several days, and not think of going to work. This worried the poor girl into a heightened fever. It lacked only a few days of Christmas, and the holiday trade made the loss of one hand a serious matter. Besides she. had promised to work Christmas eve, and the night before that as Miss Manning had arranged to have those evenings off. Violet agreed to work in her stead. It meant a big sacrifice,but she could see no other way.

As the hustling, jostling crowd Jm* portuned Jier to be waited on, and she glanced up at the clock which pointed to nine, she thought how at this time she had meant to be starting for the Christmas party, something like tears was very near her eyes, Just then Mabel’s mother came up to her. “Mabel has made me come to take your place,” she said. “She has just heard how you gave up a party for her sake, and she’s feeling terribly.” “Who told her?” asked Violet with some vexation. “Now, I don’t mind a bit. I can’t go, because I couldn’t finish my dress. Just tell her not to worry.” A young man buying something at the opposite counter, overhearing the conversation, listened. He came up quickly to Violet. “Miss Manning!” he cried In gen* uine amazement. 1 ' “Mr. Wendelll” exclaimed Violet, in equal surprise. “Come right along!” he laughed. ‘Tm not going to be cheated out of a dance!” “But I haven't any dress,” she protested. “There are dresses enough there.” Somehow he whirled her out of the store and into his car, and when he had stowed her among the furs told her how he had tried to find her address, and no one seemed to know, and how he had blessed his lucky stars that something for the Christmas tree had brought him to that store. Mrs. Bagden, of course, could not resist his demand for a party gown, and Violet looked so perfectly stunning that, being a young man who did things rapidly, he proposed -to her before the evening was over. : : '■: ' “What you did for that girl,” he said. “That was splendid.” So Violet found after all his world was her’s. ' -7

The Immigrant.

Once these was a Swiss named Jake Sneezeki who became dissatisfied with conditions in his native country and came to the United States, which he had heard was' a land flowing with milk and money. —Jake had been told one couldlive in the United States without working, but though he saw others doing it he did not learn the secret until he met a fellow countryman, Izzy Itch. “Mr., Itch,” he said, “I’m starving to death. Tm afraid I’ll have to go ti work.” < * , “Oh, don’t • give up I” replied Mi Itch. “I? you will answer my que.*» tions, perhaps I can help you. How much money have you?” “None at all.” “How much property?” "“None.” “Haye you ever had money or property 7’ ■ “U" .■ — “Why, then, it’s simple.” and Mr. Itch whispe'red in Jake’s ear. So Jake went into business as a bondsman. —Ring W. Lardner in Chicago Tribune;

UP the Ancient Tigris

Transportation for the Tigris corps was arranged and we were told to embark on a paddle steamer. We were advised to draw rations, as we would have to feed ourselves during the trip, writes a correspondent ofthe Chicago Daily News in descrlbing a trfp up the ancient Tigris river with the British forces. The captain of our steamer was a Persian. He was mentioned in dispatches for gallant conduct preceding the investiture of Kut. His ship was the last to escape before the Turks surrounded General Townshend. Because of many years’ experience in navigating the Tigris between Basra and Bagdad, he IS one of the most valued captains on the river. He navigates his ship from a bridge incased with steel armor which is bullet-spattered in several places. In the old days sandbags were piled four deep along the rails of the ships to protect crafts against Arab snipers. It has been some months since there w’as serious sniptUg along the river. The Arabs found that it paid better to sell eggs and fresh chickens. Six officers and myself shared the forward bridge deek. The after deck was packed with stores, mails and

white troops returning from hospitals to their units at the front. The bags of rice and flour comprising the cargoes of the barges fastened on either side of our steamer formed couches for several hundred native troops. We spread our camp beds, camp tables and collapsible chairs', hung porous water jugs on the ship’s rail, so that the hot wind would cool the water in the jug by evaporating the moisture which seeped through, and settled down for. our term of agony. l Sleeping Amid Money Chests. The senior combatant officer-passen-ger is always, chosen as officer commanding troops. The “O. C.” in our case was a major who had been in America. When I first saw him he was swearing roundly at a native ser"geantandTsix men wBoTBaiT Just deposited at his feet something like $50,000 in Indian money and informed him that he, as “O. was responsible for its safe arrival at Amara. He counted the boxes, examined the seals and signed I a receipt for the treasure. We moved the of money between our beds so that they formed a table for meals and a dressing stand i for shaving in the morning. He then ; ordered all the Indians of fighting strength to> fall in on the after deck and “told, off” men for the guards. The first reaches of the Tigris were beautiful. The river was broad and swent along in zracefulcnrves. Its. banks were deeply lined with luxuriant date ’ palms, each with a necklace of glistening, golden fruit. But barren wastes lie 300 yards behind them. ,i Tigris sunsets are wonderful. Old -T i’

BARTERING WITH THE ARABS

1 campaigners say that they are second 1 only to those of Egypt. An admirer I of a Tigris landscape and sunset would * think of spice winds and balmy » breezes. The native Arab says, “God made hell and found it was not bad enough, so he made Mesopotamia —and added flies.” By 10 a. m. we cordially hated the Tigris and its palm-treed bank. A blistering hot wind blew out of the north. If one touched bare metal —the skin of one’s fingers stayed on the metal. I had a dozen candles. When I looked for them at night I found only twelve limp strings—every particle of tallow had melted and dribbled away. Arabs Fish on Banks. The Arabs who live along the Tigris in summer are called “fish eaters.” They migrate to the hills in winter to escape the floods, but- return to their bits of river lands in the spring. We saw scores of families standing waistdeep in the river * hauling out bony, wiggly fish as fast as they could bait their hooks with bits of dough. The children seem to live in a perpetual state of bathing. They have a strong aversion to clothes of any description and are less dirty than their parents because they have not lived as long. It is now date-picking time, and those

CETTING TRESH FISH

natives who are not fishing may be found at the top of date trees suspended by rope slings similar to those used by coconut pickers. Late in the afternoon we passed the new mouth of the Euphrates. A few years ago this river got tired of its mouth at Kurna and cut a new one a few miles north of Basra. It is said that in a few years the mouth at Kurna will become hardly more than a cabal. The Euphrates water is a sulphuric white, while the Tigris water is now comparatively clear.. For miles after joining the Waters of the two rivers. keep to their own sides of the Stream. Each officer’s servant prepared his master’s dinner toward dark. Our dessert, established by rigid medical regulation, was ten grainsofqutnlne—ten grains every night means 300 grains every month.

'-t; Learning to sleep well Is learning to live well! But it does not follow that the good sleepers are necessarily good people or that they know how to live; Good sleepers are to be found among those who break the Isws of - morals and of health. They have the gift. Whether they will tie able to keep it through their lives is a question. The effects of their lawbreaking may suddenly overtake them and the ravages may. .weaken their sleeping capacity. In the depths of consciousness there is often a rebellion of the mind that is none the less persistent because it, is silent and that may suddenly break out into a revolution. __ . . - T-r-

Good Sleepers.