Col. House, Who Speaks j
W;th a Straight Tongue I
__
Charles Willis Thompson In the Philadel
phia Ledger.
Why would It not be a good Idea to be
gin taking Col. Edward M. House at his
word? There Is this to be said In favor
of tho Idea, that, revolutionary os It Is,
persons who have tried It have never gone
wrong.
Some newspaper commentators, how •
ever, will by no means accept such an
Idiotically straightforward and simple
way out of their troubles; and whenever
Colonel House reappears on the surface
of affairs after a long dive under them
these commentators Insist on viewing his
Itatcments through a glass darkly.
Colonel House does not lie to newspaper
men, which Is a fact not universally true
»f persons In the public eye. He Is given
to withholding Information from them,
»ut on the rare occasions when he lets
t line or two dribble out the line Is cor
rect. He has uttered perhaps as many as
3 sentences for publication In the last
Ive years. It Is not a large number, but
ihere was not a lie In any of them.
mg Judgment of Value.
Colonel House has been visiting the men
it the helm of war. and he has re.ported
o President Wilson everything that he
thought the president needed to know.
That much Is certain, because when he
gas In Europe he said ao himself. The
issumptlon that he had gone there as a
ipeclal presidential envoy to “talk peace”
ras pure guesswork. Evidently he was
lot going to confine himself to conversa
tion about the weather whan be saw As
lulth, Lloyd-George, Kitchener, Pelncare,
pelcasse, Vivian!, Von Jagow, Betlimann
Jlollwlg and Zimmerman, all of whom he
lid see. Certainly he was going to talk
ibout the war and communicate with the
president about It; probably he was going
to tell those whom he visited things that
the president had told him, or ask them
juestlons, the answers to which he would
lend to the president. What phase of the
war was he going to talk to them about?
Why, peace; and on that stately guess the
Whole theory was erected, and has grown
Into such an article of faith that Colonel
House’s rather heated dentals can not dis
turb it. Yet there are several other sides
sf the war concerning which the president
might desire either to get or to give infor
mation.
His Words Are Golden.
Colonel House Is a man whose words
are few, and when he docs consent to
drop one It Is worth Its weight; In gold;
not only because he tells the truth, but
because his Judgment and Insight are very
great. It was the perception of this fact
that bound the president to him. The
president relies more on his Judgment than
on anyone else's, because he has found It
always right; and with this keen Judg
ment and Insight goes a wonderfully clari
fying power of statement and an lmper
Ths "Lady Cop” of Tonopah.
In the “Interesting People" depart
ment of tho American Magazine ap
pears an article about Mrs. John Mc
Namara. who Is known os tho “Lady
Cop” of Tonopah. Nev. Sho polices a
mining camp. Bi-offlclo, she Is the
wife of a lawyer and the mother of
three children. Following la an extract
from the article about her:
“Before Tonopah knew Mrs. McNam
ara it knew but two types of women;
one mentionable that stayed In homes
up on the hill, protected by some male
—a father, a brother, a husband—and
the other type, down in the gulch, un
mentionable and unprotected by any
one.
“For some time there had lanqulshed
In the camp a woman’s club, few In
numbers and Insignificant in Influence.
In fact, its existence was practically
unknown to tho politicians.
“The Woman's club appeared before
the county commissioners, told them
the conditions surrounding youth In
the camp, and asked for the appoint
ment of a woman police officer.
“ ‘Well, who 7’ snapped a male.
‘There ain't a real lady In the camp as
would take the Job.’
“The women looked at one another.
They had not thought that It would be
put up to them to choose. The poli
tician rubbed hls hands. ’There ain't
a Indy as would take it.’ he repeated.
“Up spoke Mrs. McNamara. ’I’ll
take It.’
"'Who are you?’ demanded the com
missioner.
“ Must Mrs. McNamara.’
“The politicians did not know her.
For years she had lived quietly up on
the hill with her husband and three
babies, keeping bouse by day and read
ing law by night. Only the grocery
man, the postoffice clerk and the
butcher knew her. among the men.
" ‘They tried me out.’ she said.
■When they saw I wasn't afraid snd
they couldn’t scare me out of my Job,
they decided to put up with me the
best they could, like a necessary evil.’
"I went around with her one night.
"I watched her after I bade her good
night—an energetic figure in Its long
blue coat and tight-fitting cap. I
watched her climb a steep trail till the
biff, loominff mountains seemingly
swallowed her up.
"} thought of what a gambler said
or her: ‘She's got the nerve of a gam
bler and the heart of a mother. You
got to go to hell and back to beat
that combination.’ ’’
exclusive Gowns Are Duplicates.
Washington—Society has had another Il
lustration of the fallacy of exclusive de
signs in gowns, even when buying direct
from the Parts designers and paying duty
through custom bouses. Not since the
Countess von Bermstorff, wife of the Ger
man ambassador, and Mrs. Stephen G
Elkins greeted each other in twin crea
tions of black satin and steel beads at
Dne of last year's most formal dinners has
there been such a surprise as confronted
Mrs, Samuel Hale Pearson, wife of one of
the leading bankers of the Argentina
when she met one of Washington's wide
ly known women at luncheon, each wear
ing an up-to-the-mlnote creation of black
chiffon and burnished silver.
Mrs. Pearson was the guest of honor at
a tea at the Argentine embassy. Miss
May Patten was one of the guests Invited
So meet the South American visitor, who
Is handsome and distinguished In the
Spanish type of her native land. Also be
ing a woman of much reserve, she’ ap
parently was unconscious of the fact that
: r Paris gown, right from the Rue de
La Palx to Buenos Aires, and worn for
the tlrst time during her Washington
visit, had a duplicate In the gown of Miss
Patten, which also was right from Parts
and worn for the first time at the Ar
lentlne embassy.
A similar Incident, for which the same
irm was responsible, happened a year or
two ago at a dinner party at the home
>f Mrs. Richard Townsend, where Mrs
Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., and Mrs. Perry
leimont walked Into the room within two
iitnutes of each other, each In an "ex
Suslve” creation of white satin, showing
ii-tlnctlve features of that season that
ltd not differ by so much as a pinpoint
>t silver, which was the embellishment
used.
In the last season Mrs. Peter Goelet
jerry and Mrs. Preston Gibson Inadver
tently ordered blue satin dinner gowns of
the name model, which led to sonto an
uuyance when both appeared at a smart
dance at the Play House.
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth, as Miss Alice
Roosevelt, Is said to have changed her
modiste from New York to Washington
Ly reason of finding herself with a be
coming, and supposed exclusive visiting
sonal and an objective way of looking at
a situation which makes his views on any
question things of golden value.
This being the case. Colonel House’s few
words on his return from Europe are
worth a ton of language from other re
turning tourists. Let us get them to
gether:
“There Is a general spirit of hopeless
ness, or at least no spirit of hopefulness,
for peace. Every one In England an4
on the continent Is tired of the war, but
there Is no lessening of popular support
among the masses of each warring na
tion. I cannot say that there Is any
feeling that peace Is near.
"I don’t think the United States ever
had the Job of peacemaker.
“I did not talk peace, and that was not
my mission abroad. That report was the
biggest piece of nonsense I have heard."
A Noiseless Personage
What he did while he was abroad will
come out when he and President Wilson
are ready. Hts statement that he did not
go there to talk peace la conclusive; what
he did we do net know, but It is pretty
certain that It was Important. Whenever
he goes anywhere It Is assumed that he
was sent by the president; It Is equally
possible that he goes at his own sugges
tion and for his own purposes, approved
by the president. Colonel House Is no
messenger boy; he la a man who plays a
part In events. Instead of assuming that
he Is merely a pair of legs for the presi
dent, It might bo as well to assume some
times that he suggests Ideas and plans
that commend themselves to the presi
dent.
He Is such a very noiseless personage
that perhaps he Is underestimated. It
seems Incredible that any man should be
In politics and not want anything. From
the time when It became known that he
wan the president’s next friend every
body has been trying to find out what
he wanted. He doesn’t want anything—
not In that sense. It is strange, but It
items to be true, that here Is a man of
great Influence and much strength of
character who wants simply to benefit the
country.
He does not seem to be a reformer or
a philanthropist; yet, as he once said In
one of hla rare lapses Into speech, It Is
"not men but measures” that enlist him.
Most surely he Is not a "reactionary.”
He appears to bo a new sort of collector;
in amateur of legislation and policies. He
has not been active In business for seme
years; some men collect pictures or found
libraries; here Is a millionaire who finds
another Interest In his more leisurely
years. In Imagining auch a man one
would think of him aa an energetlo busy
body, putting hla Anger Into every politi
cal pie; but Colonel House Is a discrimi
nating cannolaseur. If pictures were hla
hobby ha would not spend ail his time
rushing around art galleries.
watums of white broadcloth and Irish
lace, duplicated witheut so much as the
change of a button for another Wsshtng
ten belle In the person of Miss Alice Ward,
now tho wlfo of tho Spanish ambassador,
Senor Riano.
Show* Boys' City Life.
From Farm and Fireside.
‘If yeu want yeur boy to *tay with
you on the farm, then don’t keep him
there! Take him to the city. Don’t let
him grow up Imagining that city life is
a strange world of opportunity and
splendor from which he has been
barred. Don’t be discouraged if ho
wants to go to tho city to work. Find
him a desirable Job. Don’t expect him
to believe that the farm le the best
place for him to live until he flnds it
out for himself. Our boys are net
made that way. If It Is a fact, aa we
believe, that the farm Is the best
place, then you can trust the boy to
discover it Anally,
"But be sure that the boy takes with
him to the city a complete, un
prejudiced conception of what farm
life may mean to him. When ho la a
mere child, let him go with you about
the farm work. Make It pleasant for
him. Happy associations with the
farm at this time will stay with him
through life.
"Hire him as a child to help you do
the farm work. It will make him In
dustrious and also reveal to him that
farm life is a paying occupation.
“Ask for his advice until he Is able
to give It. This will make him self
reliant and prepare him to bear re
sponsibility.
“Let him have a calf to raise, or a
fleld to plant to potatoes or popcorn.
"Boys want something going on.”
“Swimming Girl” Dont'a.
From the Worrian'a Home Companion.
Don't use a bathing suit which la
more stylish than cpmfortable. Bath
ing suits should be loose, especially
about the waist and legs. Bathing cor
sets. if worn, should be supple and not
tight. Tights or woolen knee trousers
are better than baggy bloomers, be
cause holding less water and leaving
the legs freer. Don't wear a round gar
ter; It may lead to cramp. If a shoo
must be worn, let it be a simple loose
canvas slipper.
Don't enter the water an Inch at a
time. If It Is cool. Run Into surf and
plunge under, quickly. If a pool or
river, jump or dive in so as to got wet
all over at once. But don't Jump or
dive Into deep water unless you know
Its temperature. Unexpected cold some
times paralyzes.
Don’t swim or bathe when tired or
for a longer time than the body Is com
fortably warm. It lowers the vitality.
Don’t let anyone entice you to do
what you are afraid to do, whether it
be a dive, a long swim, or a contest
with heavy surf. Fear of the water Is
natural; conquer it by degrees and
quietly, never by the "sink or swim’
method.
A Legal Outrage.
From The Public.
Eighteen years ago a suit was begun
against the city of Chicago In behalf of
a girl of 9 years, who had been Injured
by a fall on a broken sidewalk. The facts
were known, the parties in Interest were
present, and there was no reason why the
claim should not have been disposed of
then and there. Whether the city or the
child were at fault should have been de
termined, and the matter dismissed. But
It was not. The case that began when
Bryan wus nominated the first time did
not end with his campaign. Nor did It
end with the next campaign. When Park
er went down to defeat the case was atilt
alive. And when Bryan suffered hts third
defeat It BtlU dragged its way through
the courts. Today, after two years of the
Wilson administration has been completed,
the case of the injured girl of 9—now a
crippled woman of 27—Is up for a third
trial. It would be a rash prophet who
I should undertake to say that she will live
to B.<e the end of her case.
If this were an exceptional case, or the
only one of Its kind, some excuse might
be offered; but It Is not. There are too
many cases of a similar nature; and the
reason there are not many times more is
because the contestants lack the means of
carrying on the suit. Such a system of
legal procedure Is a disgrace to civiliza
tion. It la a reflection upon the intelli
gence of every man connected with the
law. And those who stand aghast at the
Idea of recalling Judges may. If something
Is not speedily done to mend matters. Bee
such drastic action taken by the people
that^the judicial'recall will appear to be
a conservative measure.
LENGTH OF LIFE
IS INCREASING
_
United State* I* Shown to Lead
the World in Cen
tenarian*.
--—
EFFECTS OF OCCUPATION
" . '
Wore Women Than Men Live to Ex« j
treme Age—Proportion of Centen
arians Does Not Vary From
One Census to Another.
.
New York World: The United States,
according to the last census, has 3,636 per
I ons who are 100 years of age or over,
j This, In a population of 76,000,000, Is more
than twice as many centenarians as are
in Germany, France, England, Scotland
and Servla, with a combined population
of 133.260.000.
Germany, with a population of 65,000,000,
has 77!; France, with 40,000,000, has 213;
England, with 32,00*,HO, ha3 143; Scotland,
with a population of 4,000,000, has 46, while
Bervla, with only 2,266,people, naa 576
persons who have reached ths age of 100
years.
Of the 3,536 centenarians In the United
States 1,2*9 are men and 2,247 are women.
The native-born number 3,117. Of these
1,096 are males and 2,019 are females.
The foreign-born number 419. Of these
191 are males and 228 females.
The native white number 1*4 males and
■104 females.
Ths native white with native parents
• lumber 142 males and 274 females.
The native white with foreign parents
comprise 24 males and 30 femalss.
The fsreign whits number 179 males and
213 femalea.
The total colored, which Include Chi
nese, Japanese and Indians, number 144
males and 1,730 females.
Tn# negroes alone number !88 males and
1,067 females.
There are 113 Indian centenarians in ths
United States, two Chinese and one Jap
anese.
These figures In the census are sched
uled as "for the mainland of ths United
States."
The negroes comprise 72.8 per cent of
our human century-plant population. The
census bureau, however, says that the re
turns of ths colored people are subject to
considerable discount, for It Is notable
that the old negroes do not report their
ages correctly, especially when they think
they axe In the neighborhood of 100.
Ratio Does Not Vary.
The proportion of male and female cen
tenarians does not vary with the cen
suses. More than three-fifths of the to
tal are women and more than one-half
the entire number come under the head
of colored. T. ese proportions have held
good for four censuses.
Of the foreign born centenarians In the
United States 40 per cent are Irish, 16.4
per cent German, 6.4 per cent Canadians,
6.6 per cent English, 2 per cent Japanese
and I per cent Chinese. The following
labl», compiled by the Hundred-Tsar club,
I Prates the number of centenarians In
t: !'tilted States and the ages they have
.lned;
Age. Number.
100 years old.1,566
101 years old. 264
102 years old. 261
103 years old. 365
104 years old. 211
106 years old. 246
106 years old. 114
107 years old....,. 72
108 years old. 90
109 years old. 50
110 years old. 218
111 to 119 years old. 193
120 to 130 years old. 86
136 years old. 6
132 years old. 2
135 years old. 1
136 years old. 1
137 years old. g
145 years old. I
146 years old. I
150 years old. 1
The World recently Interviewed twenty
of these centenarians, ranging in years
from 100 to 131. Twelve were women and
eight men. They were asked to tell "how
to live to be a hundred."
How to Live 100 Years.
Each gave his or her rule for attaining a
great age. All agreed;
That excesses of all kinds should be
avoided.
That worry should be absolutely ban
ished and cheerfulness promoted.
That hard work In the open air was an
essential rule.
That regularity of habit was necessary.
Ten, Including four of the women, used
liquor and tobacco and approved their
moderate use.
All Insisted that the chief requisite for
long life was hard work. Each of the cen
tenarians had worked hard, IB of them
In the open air most of the time, from
youth to old age.
All save one declared that marriage pro
moted longevity.
The latter statement Is borne out by re
cent American statistics relating to 120
centenarians. To !9 women centenarians
367 children were born, or an average of
7.5 children each. To 29 men centenarians
225 children were born, an average of 7.7
children each.
Twenty women centenarians hsd four
children each. Twenty-one men centenar
ians had three children each. Only one
centenarian of either sex had but one
child.
Only one centenarian, a woman, of the
120, was unmarried.
Of f.S0 centenarians Interviewed by
American newspapers in the last two years
practically all have given the same rules
for long life. These are:
Regular habits; hard work; plenty of ex
ercise; simple food; marriage, and avoid
ance of worry.
Length of Life Increasing.
According to the bureau of vital sta
tistics the average length of life in the
United States Is Increasing. The most
marked increase has been In the last ten
years.
In 1S90 the average length of life In the
United States was 31 years. Now It Is 32
years. This Increase can be better real
Ixed when It Is remembered that from
1838 until 1890 the average child -had just
three and a half years added to his life.
There Is a close connection between
longevity and occupation. The census bu
reau has now in preparation a bulletin
which will show In a general way what
the occupations of many of these centen
arians have been and what has conduced
to their longevity, but as yet the informa
tion from this source has not been tubu
lated.
Life Insurance statistics, however, give
the ratio between occupation and mor
tality. These statistics favor those who
work in the open air.
The Noble Character.
Aristotle; He does not recollect In
juries; for accurate recollection, es
pecially of Injuries, Is not character
istic of the magnanimous man, but he
rather overlooks them. He Is not
fond of talking of people, for he will
neither speak of himself, nor of any
body else, for he does not care that he
himself should be praised, uor UuU
others should be blamed.
SHUNNED BY THE MEXICANS
Caves Supposed to Be “Possessed bj
the Devil,” Into Which None
Willingly Enter.
“Ancient caves in different parts o
Mexico often contain the skulls ane
bones of former inhabitants, whethei
prehistoric or of later times, some
times containing fine fashioned Aim
implements.
“The natives, as a rule, fear to g(
into these places. ‘Do not enter, se
nor,’ they will say, as, with Anglo
Saxon lack of superstition you deter
mine to explore them; ‘some evil be
falls those who meddle with the re
mains of the dead.’
“And if they are prevailed upon tc
assist they cross themselves devoutlj
before descending or offering. Weirt
tales they unfold afterward of mer
who have gone into si^ch places ant
found their exit barred by some evil
spirit, they themselves having beer
encountered dead and cold upon the
cavern floor when discovered by theii
relatives, who had searched for the
mleeipg one!
Auvuiuiug . j uie peons, me scenes
of Boarder or wickedness which may
have taken place in such situations are
enacted again to tke terrified vision
of the unhappy witness who had the
temerity to venture int® those places
possessed of the devil, for the king
of darkness is an ever-present and
active element of the poor Mexican’s
superstitious world."
The Last Straw,
Mary Jane’s master is a slightly
eccentric bachelor. He has one most
irritating habit. Instead of telling her
what he wants done by word of mouth
he leaves on his desk, or on the kitch
en table, or anywhere else where she
is likely to see it, a note curtly direct
ing her to "Dust the dining room” or
"Turn out my cupboard," and so on.
The other day he bought some note
paper, with the usual die-sunk ad
dress imprinted upon it, from the sta
tioner, and ordered it to be sent home.
Mary Jane took it in, and the first
thing that caught her eye was a note
attached to the package. She read it
open-eyed.
“Well," she said, "he’s asked me to
do a few things in his blessed notes,
but this is the limit. I won’t stand it
no lenger!"
Fer the note read:
“Die Inside This Package.”—London
Mail.
What He Might Do.
A man dropped into a cafe one aft
ernoon and saw his Scotch friend
Sandy standing at the bar indulging in
“a lone one.” He walked up to the
bar and greeted Sandy.
“Will you have another one with
me?”
“No, thank you,” said Sandy, "but
you can pay for this one if you will.”
Becoming Bald.
“Mamma, I want a new hairbrush.”
“Why. Tommie?”
“Because my old one is getting
bald.”
There Are Others.
“Mars has high aims these hot
times.”
“Yes, and so has Mercury.”
Russia has forbidden the export oi
poultry, dead or alive.
r"-"~ ~~ ..
Yes, waiting for every farmer or farmer’s
son — any industrious American who is
anxious to establish for himself a happy
home and prosperity. Canada’s hearty in
vitation this year is more attractive than
ever. Wheat is higher but her farm land
and in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
160 Acre Homesteads are Actually Free to Settlers and
Oilier Land at From $15 te $20 per Acre
The people of European countries as well as the American continent
must be fed—thus an even greater demand for Canadian Wheat will keep
up the price. Any farmer who can buy land at $15.00 to $30.00 per acre
—get a dollar for wheat and raise 20 to 45 bushels to the acre is bound to
make money—that’s what you can expect in Western Canada. Wonder
ful yields also of Oats, Barley and Flax. Mixed Farming is fully as prof
itable an industry as grain raising. The excellent grasses, full of nutsition,
are the only food required either for beef or dairy purposes. Good schools,
markets convenient, climate excellent
Military service is not compulsory in Canada. There is no conscription and no war tax
on lands. Write for literature and particulars as to reduced railway rates to
Superintendent Immigration, Ottawa, Canada; or to
J. M. MacLachlan, Drawer 197, Watertown, S. 0.;
W.V.Bennett,220-17th St, Room 4,lee Bldg., Omaha,
Neb., and R. A. Garrett, 3 H Jackson St.,St. Paul, Minn.
Some Refreshment.
An admiral, during the maneuvers
at Newport, told a story at a gar
den party.
“The navy is as abstemious from
ethical reasons,” he began, “as old
Stingee was from miserliness.
“Old Stingee was entertaining a boy
hood friend one evening at his shore
cottage. After a couple of hours oi
dry talk the old fellow said, genially:
“ ‘Would you like some refreshment
—a cooling draft, say—George?’
“ ‘Why, yes, I don't care if I do,
said George, and he passed his hand
across his mouth and brightened up
wonderfully.
“‘Good!’ said Old Stingee. ‘I’ll just
open this window. There’s a fine sea
breeze blowing.’ ”
Divided Ownership.
A gentleman while, taking a morn
ing walk down a country lane met a
boy driving some pigs to market.
“Who do these fine pigs belong to?”
asked the gentleman.
“Well,” said the boy, “they belong
to thad theer big sow.”
“No, my boy,” said the old gentle
man; “I mean who is the master ol
them?”
“Well,” replied the boy, "thad theei
little un; ’es a beggar fer fighting.”
Logical.
“Why are you so violently opposed
to woman suffrage?”
“Women haven’t got the intellect to
grapple with problems of state. Why,
even we men don’t know what we’s
talking about half the time when we’s
discussing politics.”
Counter Irritation.
“Does that man wake you up at six
o'clock in the morning, running the
lawn mower?”
“Not any more. I get up at five and
ask him to lend it to me for an hour.”
Would Hurt Business.
“Are you still selling those illumina
ted signs reading, ‘Nix on war talk?”'
“No. I got discouraged and quit.”
“What happened?”
“I tried to sell one to a saloon
keeper.”
Used Force.
Lady—Have you good reference?
Bridget—Foine! Oi held the poker
over her till I got it!
Drink Denison's Coffee,
For your health’s sake.
Railways in Spain total 9,377 miles
It’s useless to be good unless you’re
good for something.
Uncle Sam is in duty bound to take
care of his trade relations.
It isn’t always the loser in a pugilis
tic contest that gets the swelled head.
Guineas were last issued in England
in 1813.
British yeomanry forces were first
instituted by Lord Chatham in 1761. ^
It is easy to pick out the man from
the small town. He is the man who
wears rubbers.
Oxen and sheep are believed to fat
ten better in company than when kept
alone.
Your objection to special privilege
probably is based on the fact that
you are not permitted to enjoy it.
Some men climb up in the world,
and a lot more remain at the bottom
because the elevator isn’t running.
When things fail to come our way
we can turn about and follow the line
of least resistance.
Love’s Dilemma.
“They are both in love with you,
Fantine. WTiich one do you prefer?’’
“I can’t decide to save my life,” said
the summer girl. “One has a gorgeous
roadster and the other has a stunning
motorboat.”
His Aim.
"What are you doing down there
at the clock in the hall at this time
of morning?”
“Arbitration, m’dear; tryin’ to stop
a disastrous strike.”
—nr"« i
Lunch Prepared in a Jiffy
Now for a rest while waiting for John.
Post Toasties
are always ready to eat right from the package—sweet, crisp and tempting.
And what a relief from fussing around in a stuffy kitchen on hot days.
The lunch is a good one—and John likes to find the wife cool and comfortable.
Post Toasties are thin bits of white Indian corn toasted to a golden brown. Eat
with cream and sugar—and some fresh berries—They are delicious.
