Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1918 — Page 2

The Wide, Wide World

By S. B. HACKLEY

(Copyright, 1918, by McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) “Oh, Bobby, we can’t tell your mother that! How will we tell her?” Flora Nelson’s large eyes filled as she clung to Robert Greer, who had just cautiously enXeredthe back door of his Early that morning, in the courthouse at West Hard town, 100 miles from Burnham, Robert had seen his father, Charles Greer, sentenced for life to the state’s prison. In the big front bedroom, Jael. the young fellow’s mother, for six weeks close to death of fever, lay slowly recovering. Two weens before, the father, who worked aboard the river steamer Mary Ann, had quarreled with Cyrus Canter In West Hardtbwn. Cyrus and Ananias, brothers and surly, had provoked the quarrel that ended in a fight with chairs. Green had not meant to kill the man, but he forgot the power in his arm, and Cyrus’ neck was broken at the first blow. Robert had warned their friends and neighbors to keep his mother in ignorance of what, had happened, and hoped against hope that his father would go free. But the Canters were influential people in West* Hard town, and the trial had ended unhappily for Greer. The boy—he was scarcely twenty—took his sweefheart’s face between his trembling hands. “We won’t tell her, Flo,” he whispered, “we won’t ever tell mother —not even if she comes to die. Dad said for me to make her believe he’s dead!” “Dead!” gasped Flora, “make her believe that? Why, she’s looking for him today, as soon as the Mary Ann’s . unloaded. She came in about an hour ago.” , “I know it!” Robert’s lips trembled. “But we’ve just got to think of some way to make her believe dad’s dead. He says we must be dead to him —never write to him nor try to see him — he couldn’t bear that! The Mary Ann—” A roar that shook the panes in the windows drowned his words. The Mary Ann would never run up the river again! Before many days the bodies of the captain and the three deckhands who died when the explosion sent the boat to the bottom of the river cape to the muddy surface of the stream and were identified, but the bodies of the remainder of the crew were never recovered. It was easy to say that Charley Greer was one of the dead, b’ht Jael refused to believe it. “Charley was always the first man

off the boat when she docked!” she insisted. “He’d always come to the ' house to see me a moment, then he’d go hack and help unload. I tell you, Bobby, Charley isn’t dead. He’s alive and well somewhere! He’s always wanted adventure and he’s never got to have any. He begged me to go with him, when we were first married, to some wild country in South America, where he could hunt, but I was afraid. Then you and your three little sisters that died came along and he quit talking about it. And now, since you’ve been grown, Bobby, he’s hated to say anything about wantin’ to wander for fear you’d laugh at him. I just believe he's slipped off from us all to go somewhere and take his fun! And when he’s had it he’ll be coming back. Why, Bobby, what makes you cry? Don’t you know jiaddy’ll be coming back?” When six months passed with no letters from her husband, .Tael explained his silence to her son by the fact that he was in the wilds, where no mail could be sent out, but at the end of the year, at each, meal, she set a fancy plate that-Charles had always liked at his place at table. “He’ll be coming in at just any time now, Bobby.” she told him. “A year is generally all the time men stay on a hunting trip, isn’t it?” “Why, no, mother,” Robert explained, “I’ve read that Englishmen who hunt spend as much as six months or a year in one place, trying out the hunting In each place. Sometimes they put in five years or more at hunting big game, and if they take a notion to go on exploring trips there’s no telling how long—”

Jael’s face fell. “Stay away from their families all those years, Bobby?” Robert averted his eyes. “Of course they know they’re coming back to ’em, mother.” For an instant her lips quivered, then she smiled again. “Of course, and we want daddy to have all the fun the rest of ’em have. ' He knows You’ll look out for me and never leave me while he’s gone, Bobby. Charley worked awful hard all them twenty years'that’s past; he’s earned a long, long holiday. We oughtn’t to say a word, even if he’s taken a notion to tonr the wide world around, and wOl stay right here in this hotise and wait for him until he comes back I” Robert’s ruddy face paled. Flora’s mother had been ordered to Colorado to live, and Flora was her only child < and support Flora would have to go to Colorado with her;,her cousin had already secured a teacher’s place for her there and he he’d intended to take his mother and go out there, too. But now — He knew his mother's gentle obstinacy. Never would she leave he’’ home while she expected his father hack ! And he could not leave her alone. There was nothing to do but to release Flora from her promise

to marry him. But somehow Flora did not .understand. “I’ll keep mother out tliere where she can live, Bobby,” she told him, “abd I’ll wait for you.” . “But for how long?” Robert’s voice was hoarse. “Mother’ll never quit hoping, and I—l can’t ever tell her about father. Flora!” “I know,” she answered. “I wouldn’t want to walk to happiness over her broken heart. We —we won’t be the first people that fate>kept apart, Bobby. and It isn’t as if one of us were dead. We “can keep on loving each other across that thousand miles, and —Til wait for yon, Bobby—l’ll wait, if it’s the rest of my life!” Five governors had served in the twenty years before Claudius Bassett was elected. In the second month after his election, Bassett paid a visit to the state prison farm, and the Impression made on him by the .yearning eyes of the forgotten bits of humanity whose names years before had been laid away in the state’s files, as numbers, and forgotten, kept the young governor awake night and for many nights afterward. It stirred him to Investigate the records of convicts who had served long terms, to see that mercy was extended where mercy was due, and to permit the rewards of good conduct provided by law. Governor Bassett’s first visit to the prison farm was six weeks past, when one day Robert. Greer sat in his mother’s garden, while Jael for the twice ten-thousandth time hopefully set the evening table for three, and put the lldfe vase of grass pinks that “Charley” loved, in the center of the white doth. The young man held an open letter In his hand —Flora’s last letter. “Dear Bobby.” It read, “I’m In trouble. Mother has taken a notion to go back home to live. I don’t know what I’m to do. She has not been sick one day in all the years we’ve been in these glorious mountains, but one winter back there, Bobby, would mean her death! And, ofi, Bobby,” the letter went on, “Col. Oscar McClean, that rich old rancher I told you about, has again taken it into his head to marry me! He worries me so, I’m afraid I’m getting more wrinkles than a woman Of my age ought to hav?!” Robert drbpped the letter on the grass with a groan.-

■“l’ve let her wait for me twenty years,” he said aloud; “I can’t stand it! I don’t believe I can stand it any longer!” The man who had come up slleiitly behind him, touched his shoulder. “What’s that you can’t stand, son?” Robert turned his head. “My.pod, daddy! Where*dld you come from?” he cried. Greer drew his parole papers from his pocket. “I’m free, Robert! I’ve been here since yesterday, and I’ve found out what Jael thinks. I’ve spent a heap of„ time since I’ve been down there study in’ over maps and readin’ about foreign countries I’d always wanted to see.- I can tell her a lot about ’em and she can keep on thinkin’ I’ve been travelin’. Maybe we can go to some of them places together!” “Go in and tell her !” Robert pointed to the house. ‘Tve got to send a telegram.” v An hour later Flora received his message. “Don’t worry any more. I*m coming tomorrow!”

How Josh Billings Arrived.

Josh Billings, the humorist, was not appreciated when he offered his first contribution to a paper in his home town, according to a correspondent of Christian Register, who was personally acquainted with him. He then concluded to follow Artemus Ward’s example and misspell his articles so as to attract attention. “In this ansurd shape,” he said, “I sent one of my unfortunate productions to the New York Weekly. I soon got a letter accepting my manuscript and asking me for more. In time I was under a big salary not to write for any other paper.” One of Josh Billings’ eccentricities described was his “Lecture Milk.” In this lecture lie never saSd a word about milk, but a glassful of that liquid stood on his desk while he talked and was occasionally sipped by him as he spoke. As milk was his support while he talked, rather than water or something stronger, his lecture was in truth given “on milk.” - • .

Great Facts Hard to Win.

The highest truths are hard to put into entertaining forms. You expect to teach children through stories, games and the exhibition of the concrete. Grown-ups are expected to learn from the facts presented, arguments and the abstract. Empty heads and near-empty heads have to be constantly amused. Abstract facts are too elusive for their truant observation and perception. , They need spoon-fed products. With men of brains it’s different. They love problems hard to solve. They grcfiv. by responding to life’s challengesJ So when you think things tame begin to find why they are so. The chances are .you will .find the fault in yourself. You haven’t given all the attention you should. The greatest facts have to be sought to be won. Only the ordinary and fleeting courts you.—Exchange. ,

Barbarity.

“Oh; the awful thing that’s happened to Cutie Smith, over in France!” gasped Heloise of the rapid-fire restaurant. “He was in a front line trench, and them Hun devils attacked with flame throwers and burnt poor. Cutie nearly all over!” “Aw, a good kid like Cutler’ wailed Claudine of the same establishment. “Why couldn't they be decent enough to serve him rare instead of well done?” —Kansas City Star.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER? IND.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Some time ago the Red Cross called 'attention to the need of very simple and substantial layettes. They are given to .mothers who are destitute ; those whom war has driven from their homes or left without support. The attention of women Is called to this work again. Many women .know.how to do the plain sewing required and are so situated that they can work at home more conveniently than In the Red Cross rooms,' ’Making layettes win appeal to most of them. Information fj® to materials and number of garments required, must be got from the Red Cross chapters, and also the patterns, since all are made according to the standard fixed by the Red Cross. The layettes needed for these little ones must be most practical. It is a beauUfnl work and ought to bless the woman who gives her time and loving thought to it as much as it benefits the little unpre- - pared-for nplte that arrives in a chilly world. The Stage Woman’s War Relief is still asking for cast off kid and chamois skin gloves, bits of soft leather — as old sofa covers—and any other pli-2 able leather that can be used for making jackets for aviators. Women are asked to send in the leather and if possible to have gloves cleaned before sending them. Those of chamois skin can be washed, but kid gloves must be cleaned in gasoline. The cleaning is not Imperative, but it is greatly desired. Soon we shall have a greater

Criterions of Elegance in Suits

If women ever wavered In their allegiance to the tailor-made suit for street wear they have repented—not In sackcloth and ashes, but by returning with-more devotlog than ever to the favorite garb of Americans. Now that fur capes and scarfs provide so much casual grace, along with extra warmth the women of our land are appareled according to their hearts’ desire and no one can study them on the streets without appreciating how well the combination suits them. The luxurious note introduced by. the.se fur pieces is just the addition needed by the plain, tailored suit. In the depth of winter we shall see muffs and hats to match these neckpieces. In such an outfit beauty will go beautifully dressed for some months. In suits as in tailored hats, the line’s the thing that is to be emphasized. Decorations are to be sparingly used and are best when they enhance the tailored finish which is the crowning gloryof suits. An illustration of this appears in the picture above. These suits are) made of wool velours or broadcloth with plain skirts. In one of them the skirt Is shoe top length and In the other it is two inches longer. Both coats are three-quarter length; one of them double-breasted with collar of gray squirrel. This coat has a narrow belt of the , material, that terminates at each side in a button. and plain coat sleeves with turned back cuffs of squirrel fur. But the finishing torches that will cause the tailor-made admirer to dote upon this, suit lie in the small slit pockets, joined to flap pockets by six pin tucks lartl in the material with perfect precision. There is a similar bit of clever fln-

number of aviators than ever, and the more aviators the more leather jackets must be made for them. Send gloves or other suitable leather by parcel post to tire Stage Woman’s War Relief, 366 Fifth avenue, New York City.

Amber Blouses.

Flesh-pink chiffon and georgette blouses are being worn so universally now** that women of exclusive taste have turned to another tint, and that tint seems to be amber, not yellow, and not tan, but the indescrlble golden shade produced by. sunlight shining through clear timber. A simple tucked batiste blouse becomes, touched by the magic wand of amber, an exclusive model worth several dollars. Amber chiffon blouses cost still more, and amber organdie trimmed with filet lace is exceedingly distinguished in price.

Modish Lines.

Some of the new frocks are made with bodices somewhat on the lines of a sweater. The weight of the skirt is not supported by the bodice; instead, th skirt is carried to the waistline apd the blouse is adjusted outside of itr with the merest hint of draping to indicate the position of the jjmistline without defining it, A frock buift upon these lines is of white satin, with the neck cut square at the back and sides. A narrow collar of old blue crepe and cuffs of old blue were the trimming.

ishing in the other suit where tabs, with parellel rows’of stitching, are extended above the large, flat pockets. The sleeves -have a small stitched panel set In. and rows of buttons with simulated buttonholes. t

Hats of White Beaver.

Whlte, furry beaver, In the season’s newest shapes, is expected to find favor in millinery circles. High-class manufacturers who are showing them have only the best to say regarding their sale. One attractive hat of this type was a turban with the effect of a tam. It was trimmed Avlth large, flat flowers of white velvet with an edge of white crochet wool. This combinatlon is said to give support to the assertion made in the trade that ’the popularity of beaver Is going to make for the popularity of flowers this season.

The Apron Front.

When making-aprons save a piece of the goods about 16 Inches square. Hem all sides. Make two buttonholes, one on each .comer of the‘tpp. Sew two buttons on belt of apron about 16 ' Inches apart. When you are doing dirty ! «ork button the square on belts. Saves apron and washing. Can be made of siyelf oilcloth, then all you do is to gut buttonholes. 1 '

Square Jet Buttons.

Square jet buttpns are used front the top of the collar Io the waistline in one of the new frocks. The collar, which is high and flaring, Is held up by wires, for otherwise the heavy, square jet buttons would pull it down.

BIT OLD-FASHIONED

By A. C. LEONARD.

Syndicate.) Hazel Defrey.was seated in a quiet, secluded nook on the border of a tiny lake. She was thinkfng. "Oh!” she said, half to herself and half aloud, “If I was only like other girls. If I wasn’t so old-fashioned. But what’s the of wishing. Mother has brought me up this way and I wouldn’t changeno not for the world. Mother is a dear, and she Mbs been such a pal to me.” Notwithstanding whgt she had said, there wa’s a very faraway look in Ha.zel’s eyes as she watched the brightcolored canoes glide gracefully across the lake, which could have been trwnslatedinto this: “No, I’m not satisfied with this life, for I like to have a good time once in a while like the other girls.” Ever since Hazel could remember, she had been carefully protected by a oving mother who had been very strict with her—but any little fairy could have told you that it had not spoiled her in the least.

She was very sweet to look upon—even if her dresses were not made according to the fashion plates in the latest, magazines—even if her hair was dressed so very, very plainly. She had heavenly blue eyes and a very delicate profile. This was the first time that she had really been dissatisfied with her lot. “Why, just think,” she mused, "there is Ethel Thorne. “She always has plenty of attention from young men—they take her to every entertainment and dante; and, me —why, I was never even asked to go anywhere by a man —no, not once in all my nineteen years—perhaps they know that mother wouldn’t let me, anyway/’ Then to console herself she said: “Well, I wouldn’t want to go with the ciass of men that she does, anyhow.” She had been so busy turning over the question in her mind —looking at it from every point of ’view —that she had not noticed the passage of time. The sun had set, and the evening shadows were gathering fast. She jumped to her. feet bewildered. “Oh!” she said aloud, “what would mother ever say if she knew I had .to walK,home alone at this time of evening? K I only had/ a canoe. It’s so much nearer to the cottage that way.” As if in answer to?

her wish a canoe glided up to the bank, and a very nice looking young man said politely: “Pardon me; miss, but didn’t I just overhear you say that you would like to go across the lake in a canoe? I’d be delighted to take you over.’ 4 Hazel was very confused, but managed to stammer: “Oh! If you-u only would I c-could n-n-evyr thank y-you enough.” It seemed to the girl seated in the bottom of the canoe bolstered by numberless pillows,-to be the most wonderful trip she had ever taken. She glanced up at her silent companion quite often. She could not help admiring his wonderful physique and open, manly face. He was so from the young men she had known.

The ride was over all too soon. As he helped her to alight he said {—“l forgot to introduce myself before. Somehow I didn’t think it necessary. I am Bruce Benton, and I am stopping Tor the summer at the ‘Owaissa’ cottage. I hope you do not consider me bold to take the liberty of seeing you libme. May I have permission to call some 1 evening?”

Hazel told him (pll-fhp while blushing’prettily) that she had enjoyed the ride Immensely and would be delighted to have him call. Her mother, on meeting Mr. Benton next day, was satisfied that he was a fft Hazel—just the kind of young man she should have liked to hhve for a son. The canoe ride that evening was followed by many, many more, and before the summer was over. Hazel wore a beautiful ring on the third finger of her left hand. “Do you know, dear,” said, Mr. Benton one day as they flew swiftly along the "blue, rippling water, “why I cared for you frdTn the very first? It was because you were so different?—because you were just a bit old-faslj-ioned.” And Hazel, the happiest girl in the whole world, was glad that her mother'had ‘brought her up as she had. . * ' • '

First Recorded Eclipse.

Th»-earllest eclftise certainly tden- ■ titled by means of contemporary records is believed to be that which occurred Babylon 1.070 years before the Christian era. The next notable cne was recorded at Nhieveh on Assyrian tablets 763 years B. C. Modem computations show that the path of the shadow* on that occasion ran at least 100 miles north of the city of Nlneyeh. Then comes the jnost celebrated of all, the “Eclipse of Thales,” so-called because that famous Greek philosopher predicted Its occurrence, and when it did occur, on_ the 28th of May, B. C., it put nn end to a great battle that was being fought bf the Medes and the Lydians, and permanently terminated, the war between them. ’ •

She is Suspicious.

“Isn’t tliat clerk of yours an Indian?” asked the girt. “He Is,”/ repl led the druggist. •1 am reluctant about having him wni r on me.” ; - ' “Oh. he’s not savage,” “I know. But it seems to me he Swears a lurking grin when I order Pqlqj.’-— Louisville Courier-Journal.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

> Thought Him Safe. Little Tobias had been told, with sundry sound slaps, that be was oh no account to fight. So when ha came in frcyn school one day with, metaphorically speaking, “torn sails and shattered deck,” his fond mother, was riled. "Tobias,” she said, “where, did you get that black eye? Didn’t I tell you gobß little boys never fight?” - “Yes, an’ I believed you, ma,” said Tobias. “I was sure he was a good little boy till I hit him, then I found ha wasn’t.”

NO DOCTOR NEEDED.

"Did the doctor put you on a ■ diet?” - “He didn’t have to—Hoover did * it” True I. W. W.’s. , Moth (triumphantly)—Our family has just finished destroying a SSOO set of furs! Spider—Why the sabotage? Moth—We found the house lighted by electricity. There wasn’t a single unguarded gas-light . wnere we\%lghf singe ourselves to our heart’s content!” —Buffalo Express. ■ ; —i.■— An Aspersion. “Is your college friend a,polyglot?” “Nothing of the sort. He nevertouches a drop of anything but water.” . . V Careless. “Darling,” he said, “I have lost all my money.” “How careless of you,” she replied. "The next thing you know you’ll be losing me.” s - Alas! She —Some people don’t know what’s good for -them In this world. He —And some people do know but 5 haven’t the price to get It. —— ' r Good Excuse. “Why didn’t you answer my. telephone cgll this morning?” “Because while you were calling me up, m& wife was calling me down.” ' * , A Matter of Necessity. “Don’t worry so about the cook’s inipudence. Marla. Don’t fake any notice of her.” . "I have to; she’s-just givfin It-” • *' Wrong Party. Cholly (butting in on a busy day)— ; Old chap, I owe you an apology. Busy Friendt—Pay the cashier, please. I’m too busy to listen. '

Making-JJp. Wise —Nice excuse! Stayed making up the books! ’ . * Hubby—-Well, I don’t kick when you stay late making up your face.—Sydney Bulletin. How Could He Tell? "What was Mrs. Van Zook wearing X” she asked her hpsband* on hie return from the reception. “My dear, that's what was puzzling 'me all evening.”—Life. Liable to Start Any Time. - Professor’s Wise —My husband is, ns usual, In his laboratory conducting chemical experiments. The professor expects to go down to posterity. {From laboratory) Br-r-r! Bang! Caller (startled) —I hope the professor hasn’t gone. - . The Trouble. “I see they have a circus glass eater at the hospital. What is the matter with him?” ' c. “I think he has a pane in his stomach.” «