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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (May 14, 1925)
Bhe IHOJW HOUSE NOVELIZED BY EDWIN C. HILL FROM WILLIAM FOX’S GREAT PICTURE ROMANCE OF THE EAST AND THE WEST BY CHARLES KENYON AND JOHN RUSSELL •- i Until recently Brandon himself had almost invariably been one of the interested, gossiping throng that greeted the fussy little train and stared with rounded eyes at the strangers from the East, homeseekers man} of them, with occasional commer cial travelers, “drummers,” bringing the new-fangled manu factured wares of the Atlantic seaboard and the older, settled States of the South or the Ohio Valley. Of late he had given up the habit of going to the station. His presence was sure to provoke the old argument. Talk always got around, somehow, to “Bran don’s crazy idees” about running t railreid clear across the In dian country to join the Missouri River with the Pacific Ocean. He didn’t mind arguing. Argument cleared the brain, helped a man to forge his ideas. It was the ridicule, the jeering, he flinched fromj the “being made a fool of.” The strain of Irish in him resented it. There had been a fight or two in which Brandon soundly thrashed two or three of the “smart Alecs,” but fights didn’t help. If I thought 1 could make ’em see what’s cornin’ by fight • tin’ ’em, I’d lick the whole town,” he said. ‘‘But that’s no way. A man’s wastin’ his time trvin ’ to hammer ideas into thick beads. Here’s this little railroad right under their noses, their own railroad, that’s making the town bigger and richer every year; a road runnin’ and makin’ money where folks said only a few years ago rails never could be laid down—and they can’t see that these rails have got to go on and on, west and farther west, until \hey reach the Pacific! I can’t rtand much more of it. If I don’t get out of this place I’ll go crazy for sure.” Ihown the street a man appear ed upon the veranda of a com fort.i|)le, neatly-painted two story coP-age, and glanced across the vvi£e yard. Ho was short, as mea sured in a community of tall me S; square- shouldered, stock tly, solidly put together. One look at him was quite enough to shew that he was somebody—a person of importance., of sub stance. His clothes were ‘‘East ern cut,” garments beyond the gefWus of frontier tailors. A beav er hat, black, wide-brimmed, crefiised in the middle of the crown, topped his large, square, graying head. His coat was black, double-breasted, short-skirted with wide lapels. Over a waist coat of dark blue velvet swung a massive watch chain of gold nug gets. His trousers, enormously wide, were broad-striped in mo dest gray. This consequential cit izen glimpsed Brandon at the door of the new shack, put his hands in his coat pockets and came down the steps of the ver anda, approaching with a short, firm stride. .Brandon saw him and grinned. “There’s Tom Marsh all ready to give me Hail Columbia, Happy Land for being a fog-brained fool,” he thought. Well, it seems to do Tom. good and it don’t really hurt me, so I s’pose I oughtn’t kick. But of all the men in Springfield, Marsh ought to be the first to realize that I’m right. He’s used to goin’ East and meet in’ big men. He knows there’s al ready been talk of the road in New York and Washington. He’s the biggest contractor in Illinois, and ha still thinks it’s a crazy dream.” Thomas Marsh, already one of Springfield’s most important citizens, proud of his success as a selfmade man, but, with all of his falrmindedness and good nature, intolerant of ideas and men that offended his direct, practical habits of mind, crossed the lawn. The smile with which he greeted his “shiftless “neighbor reflect ed something of liking,, some thing of pity, a trace of disap proval. “Howdy, Dave,” he said. “Isn’t it about time our little folks were homo from school?” “Why, yes, Tom,” said Bran don, in his pleasant drawl, “I’ve been kind of waitin’ for ’em hero in the doorway—kind of waitin’ to see their bright little faces flash around the corner there, by the old elm. Always does me good, ’specially when I’m low in mind. But they’re all right. Don’t worry a mite. Davy’s as good as a grown man.” “No, I’m not worrying,” said Marsh. “I’d trust Miriam almost anywhere with Davy. For a boy of 10 he’s got a lot ot sense, Brandon.” He glanced keenly into the face of Davy’* father. Brandon smiled. Guess you er wonderin where he got all his sense, ain’t you, Tom? Well, maybe he got it from his mother—most of it, anyway.” Marsh’s expreession softened, In his life and Brandon’s was a coincidence of sadness which* more than anything else, recon ciled the well-to-do contractor with the ways of the moneyless, unlucky civil engineer. His wife and Brandon’s got through with life in the same year, dying with, in a few weeks of each other. The death of Mrs. Marsh had left to Marsh’s care Miriam, a little girl of two, while Mrs. Brandon ’g death had left Davy motherless at the age of four. The circum stances made it natural for the children to become playmates, constant companions, unhappy without each other. Davy Bran don, although a normal young oy animal, fond of romping and rollicking with other boys, felt from the first that he was little Miriam’s protector, her big brother. He felt vast pride in the trust reposed in him by Miriam’s father. Davy was a good boy. Marsh knew there was good blood in the Brandons, the strain of an old and cultured family of Virginia, Cavalier stock. He frowned as he looked down the street toward the river, from which direction the children should soon appear. Why was it Brandon could not get on in the world? That boy ought to have a chance. His face hard ened again. Brandon noted it, bracing himself against a new attack. J‘Dave,” said Marsh, “I’ve talked to you before and it’s been just like arguing with the side of a house. I’ll try once more. Your’re a square man. You’re decent. You pay your debts. You’re smart. Pretty much sverybody like you. To put it straight, they think you’re a damned fool. They believe you’ve let your mind go to seed over a foolish dream. Give up this dreaming over a transconti nental railroad. Wipe it out of your mind, clear out of your head. Quit wasting your time writing to big men back East, who only think you’re mad and throw your letters in waste baskets. There’s nothing to it, Dave. You’re still young. You’re only thirty-five or so. Plenty of time to make money for your old age, enough to live well and to educate the boy. Get back to sur veying. If that don’t go well, I’ll help you. You know that I’ve got some pretty good connections What about it?” (TO BH CONTINUED) Crime and the Press. From the Kalamazoo Gazette. The church federation at Chicago has reopened an old question, or, perhaps given emphasis to a question which is open at all times and In all cities where newspapers exist. It is conducting a movement to discour age the publication of crime news. The theory, presumably, Is that giv ing publicity to lawless deeds tends to break down public confidence in the goodness of mankind and to en courago criminal activities. The argument is an old one, but does not seem to apply to the pres ent situation. If the newspapers of today treated their accounts of crime in such a fashion as to glorify it, the church federation's point would bo well taken. But they do not. Their function, in disseminating news of crime, is the same as in the case of political news or in chronicling tlu developments of science and inven tion. They tell the public what in happening in the world, allowing their readers to draw what morals they will. In the case of crime news espe cially, there Is invariably but ons moral to draw. It is the illustration of that ancient platitude that "mur der will out.” We cannot overcoms villainy by Ignoring Us existence. Nor can we hope to suppress lawless ness by hiding our heads, ostrich like, in the sands of optimism. Puzzling, Too. The Boy—Papa, why did you marry mama? '1 he Father—Hello, my boy, Is it be [ glaring to puzzle you also? f Pungent Paragraphs | Wi have legal equality of the sexes, and all that, but we notice still that a woman who Is a good bridge player merely Inspires admiration, while a woman who Is a good poker player Inspires awe.—Kansas City Star. Henry Ford having achieved quan tity production of cars should now try his hand on quantity production of parking space.—Greenville Pied mont. Without going Into the merits of the case one would naturally suppose a girl In her teens who would mur der her mother must be Insane.—Hay City Tlmes-Tributie. Pedestrians have the right In Loa Angeles to stop traffic by raising a hand. But—so the poker players tell us, raising a hand does not always avert disaster.—Saginaw News-Cour ier. Some folks have no sense of humor, and others have a sense of bad humor. Newark Ledger. People who live In spring suits should not open milk bottles with their thumbs.—Harrisburg Patriot. Perhaps tho reason some persons deny having any liquor Is because they are ashamed to admit that the stuff they had was rotten.—Oklahoma City Dally, Oklahoman. A French premier Is of few days and great are the troubles thereof.— Des Moines Tribune-News. The Norse Centennial. From the Minneapolis Journal. The government of Norway has shown lively appreciation of the im portance and significance of the American Norse Centennial celebra tion in the Twin Cities June 6-9, by designating as delegates its two lead ing men—the premier and the presi dent of its parliament. The premier is J. L. Mowlnckel of Trondhjem and the Storthlngs presldent Is Ivan Lykker of Bergen. Appropriately enough the one Is a member of the Left or radical par ties, while the other is from the Right or conservative parties. There is also a fair chance that the Storthing will authorize Crown Prince Olaf, who has recently attain ed his majority, to visit America and be the guest of Minnesota at the Norse Centennial. The only obstacle is said to be economy, an Issue as paramount in Norway as in the United States. The crcwn prince i« described as a charming young man, democratic In his ways and tastes, a patron and participant in outdoor sports, and very popular with the Norwegian poople. The signal recognition of the Norse Centennial by Norway Bhows that the ancient kingdom, however much it may miss at home the many eons and daughters it has given to America, appreciates the historical significance of the centenary. Nor way in fact has had all through the lenturles an intensive Influence over ihe outer world out of all proportion to its size and population. In the old Viking days this influence was mar tially exerted, and its stirring story is written into the History of Eng land, Ireland, France and other coun tries of Europe. The Norwegian in vasion of the United States, begun a century ago, has on tha other hand been peaceful, but none the less has it proved a vital Influence In Amer ican development. South Maligned. | ()xtract From Address at New Or leans by James A. Emery of New York. No well Informed American can be blind to extraordinary difficulties met and overcome by southern busi ness transforming an agricultural section Into an Industrial region. Tho devastation of war, the ensuing per iod of demoralizing mis-government, the lack of trained industrial opera tives, the absence of capital, all these were handicaps which might have fatally discouraged a less de termined people. Today the . Indus trial South holds Its own In com parison with any section of the coun try in the quality of Its products, the character of its management or In the living standards of Its operatives. It may challenge any section to pro duce its superior. Yop should en dure no longer the campaign of slan der of which you have been constant victims. Who knows better than you the overwhelming difficulties which you have met and overcome to en large the opportunities of your people? Who knows better than you that the growth of the cotton In dustry has made the new South? Who knows better than you that It is the generosity of southern mill owners that have constantly rein forced the meagre revenues of poorer counties and made the door way of the factory the gateway, to the school. THE TREE (Inspired by Joyce Kilmer's poem) I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a treo. A tree whose hungry mouth Is pressed Against the earth's sweet flowing breast. A tree that looks at God all day A tree that may in summer wear And lifts her leafy arms to prayt A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain, Who Intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me. But only God can make a tree. —Joyce Kilmer. No sight more mournful is to see Than blackened stump of ruined tree, A tiee that stood the north wind's stress And basked in xephyr's June caress. Who's crown a song-bird’s shrine, to pray In tuneful lyrlo. nature’s way. Stark at its feet a crackling sound Curling tho cruel smoke around! Bight as the wind Its ashen breath, In agony of flames comes death! 'TIs God gives life to every tree; Their death is laid to fools like me. —Alvin T. jSteinel. How Many Would Use It? From the West Palm Beach Post. One thing the world needs Is an amplifier for the still, small voice. One On Himself. From the Pittsburgh Chronicle-Tel egraphs Said a hunter to a farmer who rde beside him: " I wouldn't ride over those seedlings i If I were you. They belong to a dls. agreeable fellow, who might make a fuss." "Well," said the farmer, ‘‘as hlm's me, he won't say nothin’ about it to day." Physical education is a required sub ject in all public elementary and high schools of Virginia. To stimulate Inter est In the matter, especially In rural sections, tho state board of education offers special financial aid to counties and cities employing physical directors conducting satisfactory courses In health education. ■■■■.. ,■ ■• ■—... ■ — ■■■ Diamond Bracelet Mystery When diamond and emerald bracelet*, valued at $1,200 each, were delivered to Miss Louis* Haskell, daughter of County Judge Reuben L. Haskell, of Brooklyn, N. V . and her cousin. Miss Grace Haskell, daugb ter of Robert H. Haskell, attorney and prominent politician, there was no Card to identify the donor. The judge called In the police, wht?SiU covered that the bracelets had been purchased by Harry Moffett, who had been a client of Mr Haskett and a friend of Judge Haskell. Mof fett, who recently Inherited $10,000, evidently thought tbte was a goed Way of showing his friendship, hut be blandly denied that he had ever seen the bracelets, or knew anything about sending them. Like wise, he refused to lake them back. Actress Bride FRANCES HOWARD « Samuel Goldwyn, film producer, Who has pe'slstently declined to confirm repor*s of his engagement to Prance* Howard, pretty and talented actreas, obtained a license to wed In Jersey City, N. J.f “SheM my boss, I’ve known hor only four weeks and think she’s the most wonderful gird In the world,** said Mr. Goldwyn- Their honeymoon will be spent In California working on the ’Tots,”' as the movie director expressed It Miss Howard, who lives with her mother In New York, said "I’m superbly happy,” when the license was granted. Murder Trial [OP-Y^PiA _MAC.wC Olympia Maori, twenty years old, has faced a Jury In New Haven, Conn., on the charge of murdering Joseph Bagnano, opera Binger, after, she says, he refused 10 marry her to protect their baby s name. | Jewish University Dedicated ^A-gOH KOOK. DEDICATED PALESTINE V/NlVKfegl^ Mm| The first Jewish University In Palestine was dedicated recently with Impressive ceremonies. Leaders of tiie Zionist movement through out the world attended the dedication. The photo shows a general view of the ceremonies at Mount Scopush. Palestine, the Grand Rabbi of Palestine, Dr. Abraham Isaac Kook, delivering the principal address^ Infantry Chief Col. Robert H. Allen has been given the rank of major general, and Is now chief of Infantry, suc ceeding the re tired Maj. Gen. C. S. Farnsworth, Colonel Allen la novl on duty at Vh e Leaven worth general staff school. Superintendent Luther C. White of Massachusetts, has been ap pointed superin tendent of feder al prisons, suc ceeding H. H. Votaw, a broth erlnlaw of the late President Harding, who re signed. White has assumed his duties in the de partment of Jus tice. Strangest Family in the World I BARHyARP QUEEM jn^HER, PUPPIES ~_- *' /Wt. ., | Her* U a Braramer hen with her brood of eight puppies, over which this queen of the barnyard stands guard at all times. Bess, the hen. la mothering her strange family. The puppies. qxlte young, seem t« know that the hen Is tbeir guardian. Boss and her adopted children ai« owned by George M. Bossier, of Dallas, Texas. Noted Visitors Up^i MARCH IQHES5 oMRERDEEN] feckU?RP APERP&EN Lord Aberdeen, former Governor General of Canada and Governor of Ireland, and the Marchioness of Aberdeen, are in this country for an extended visit. Lord Aberdeen came to America to attend the In ternational Architectural Expost tion in New York. The Marchionesa is president of the International Council of Women, comprising thirty-six nations and having a membership of 31.000.000 She will attend the sixth quinquennial con vention of the society, tp be haM la Washington.