"t. t1" ." -^'V 'V^-" .' ^-^-v i®:" r~ JT *"v "j1- '•ft '. INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS, JANUARY .2 1919 PAGE EIGHT street, and the house here, lopsided, paint all flaked oft and the lot littered DECIDES up with old wagon wheels and other rubbish, they shake their heads. You're behind the times—worse than that, you By KITTY PARSONS. delight in playing the 'don't-care old hayseed,' who doesn't appeal to an upto-date neighbor. I.should think, with »W3SSS3S3» (Copyright, 1918, by the McClure Newspaper Mary, the thrifty Mary, always neat Syndicate.) .. as a pin and living in this old wreck "Why won't you marry me, Nancy— when she could grace a palace, you is it on account of this soldier fellow would turn over a new, leaf. By the you are all the time writing to?" way, the good time to start it will soon "I don't know, Dick—I really and be here—January 1. Think it over. It truly don't know. I thought I did care means happiness for Mary, who deserves for you a few months ago, but now, it, and profit for you, who have I'm not so sure—I think perhaps we're let the golden chances slip by unheeded not suited to each other after all." all these years." "Then, it is this other fellow. I Robert Adams did not resent the knew it was and you've never even straightforward talk of his visitor. He seen him, either. Why, Nancy, he may was just in a frame of mind where the be entirely different from what yon suggestions implanted might take root. think him. He' might be almost anything He nodded a thoughtful adieu to his EING alone over Christmas relative and sat down alone to cogitate. a isn't so bad, but "But he Isn't Dick. No one could The postman appeared with a whole week after that,, be anything that wasn't wonderful and letter from Mary and a small bundle^ too! I'm lonely now write such beautiful letters—I never The former expressed the delight her what will it be for ten read such letters before. I just feel long-anticipated visit had brought to days, for Mary won't be Tye got to see him .before I can make her people. The package, opened, revealed home until New Year's up my mind about anyone else." Mary's Christmas gift to him— day?" "Well, if that's the way yon feel half a dozen handkerchiefs and two For the first time during about it, I guess we'd better call the neckties. All of them bore initials twenty years of mar­ whole thing off. I never could write or some ornamental needlework, and ried life Robert Adams' helpmeet had a decent letter myself. When does Sir his face softened as he realized how taken a vacation, or rather had gone Galahad return?" many plodding hours his wife had devoted on a visit to an invalid sister, and her ''He gets here some time next week to the task to give him pleasure. husband had begun to miss her woefully. —on sick leave. I'm to meet him the Then he smiled grimly. As he fixed So smoothly had life gone, so day after he arrives—we'll have tea his eyes on a framed portrait of his many burdens had Mary lifted from somewhere, I think. He may not look helpmeet his eyes grew tender. Then his shoulders in her patient, plodding the way I expect hiii to at all, but I they took to their depths a dreamy way, that he missed her guiding, helpful am sure he does." tinge. Before his mental vision passed presence dreadfully. She had left "Nancy, promise me you won't go to a series of pictures born of the vivid WHERE, everything in trim order. The house tea with him till you see what he looks suggestions of the day. ITALIAN was neat as a pin, everything provided like first." "Why, not?" he cried abruptly, coming LINE CROSSED for comfort to his hand, but the irksomeness "You're crazy, Dick—as if his looks WIGHTS briskly to his feet. "January first HOISTING of the intense solitude was could make any difference in my feelings is a good time to begin HEAVY beginning to get on his nerves. toward him! Its his mind I'm ARTILLERY UP THE "I reckon I never knew her value thinking of, not his face" OF A FACE till just now," he muttered. "She The week after Nancy's conversation MOUNTAIN shames me with the contrast between with Dick was a busy one for the CUMOOtWOO* IMINKMra«f the inside neatness and the outside girl. Before she knew It, the-day came disorder, and as he glanced from the when she was to meet her friend, and window he had to confess that he was Nancy was in a perfect turmoil of excitement. a careless, slovenly man: The front Again and again she went fence had two out of every five pickets over the picture of him she had formed broken or missing. The barn was in her mind—every detail of it. an antiquated ruin. The porch wobbled She and Harold Field had never and the clapboards of the' house were talked very much about themselves. bent and storm-blistered for the lack Their letters had been more about FIRST TRAIL CO VI NO'TON of paint. things and ideas and the great'fwar.m-i OVER GLACIAL HEIGHTS He glanced into mirror he Strange as it may seem, the man a as who met her In the lobby of the'hotel passed it, his neglected beard tousled and awry. He looked down the where they had planned to see each at grimed and threadbare suit he wore other for the first time was remarkably like her mental picture of* him, and flushed. He had just, come from the sleeping room upstairs, and, rummaging except that he was some years older. "I had an idea my godmother was a bureau for some papers, had happened across a stored-away memento much older," he began, when they were cherished by Mary, photograph seated at a little table together. a of himself in his early courting Nancy did not like to tell him she thought he would be younger, so. she days. It showed a neatly dressed, only smiled and made some perfunctory arrow-straight young man, scarcely BARRACKS ON THE FACE comparing with the careless, shabbylooking remark about how deceptive, letters OF A PRECIPICE 'cw. 0i»orp individual he presented now. can be. For some time they talked from of commonplaces, then he said}: The front gate gave out a rasping By DR. FELICE FERRERO, "You've been so kind, so .very kind sound. It did not click, for one shattered Director Italian bureau of Public to me, my dear Miss Day. I can't hinge alone supported it. The Information. .1 tell you how much we fellows pver crack-toned house bell issued a hollow, there appreciate the wonderful letters The blood and treasure of Italy were growling sound, and Robert went to .Stared Fixedly at a Feminine Form. some of you women write us. Why, the door to greet his brother-in-law, freely spent in the successful effort to TRENCH Robert Adams visited a carpenter DIGGING many of us don't hear from home for local real estate agent, who held the put Austria-Hungary out of the war. AFTER A shop, the town paint store and other weeks at a time. And those boxes and bell knob in his hand, as it had come While Italy's efforts were not confined MOUNTAIN places early the next morning. He knitted things, too—I felt I must see trailing half a foot of rusted SNOW STORM loose, to the Austrian front, her contribution MltA* went to the hardware store arid examined you just'to let you know what we. really wire with it. to allied success was greater here than the latest in house trimmings. do think of you all. Letters can't "I nearly broke my neck stumbling lenged the admiration of the engineering off Italy from one of the sources of In the other places where her troops He spent two hours going over wallpaper say half of what we mean." over that sidewalk of yours," he observed. world. supply of manufactured products. It fought the battle for civilization. Her stock. He asked each artisan he "It wasn't anything but a pleasure "Not much like Mary's domain Over .2,500,miles of roads have been is not necessary here to enlarge upon financial ajid industrial efforts have consulted one uniform question: "Can to me»Il returned Nancy promptly, here, eh?" and he bestowed an approv- constructed on the mountains of Italy the well known fact that Italian markets you get the work all finished by New been equal to her military effort, and blushing slightly at his earnestness. kfi&dSo** and of Albania, and 1,000 miles of were largely tinder the domination Year's eve?" in all these directions Italy has not "Ah, but it was to me. Whether aerial cable railroads (Teleferiche) of Germany and Austria. That Is a He amazed the village tailor by ordering you were nineteen or ninety, the kindness lagged behind her allies. That the have been built to carry food, ammunition situation that is as well known to He his first suit in five years. was there just the same—J! felt it nature and extent of these efforts may and guns over deep ravines. Americans as it is and was distasteful was a profitable customer for the barber, all the time. And I've told someone 'be better understood by the American to- Italians. And it might be said in Economic Difficulties. who not only worked in a shave else about it—-*ny wife. She asked, me public, I wish to review them briefly. passing that it is a situation that must and a hair trim, but a shampoo and The magnitude of this military effort to give you this letter from her today, be guarded against by allied co-operation In considering Italy's military contributions, half a dozen special unguents. can be fully appreciated only when one to let you know how much she thinks and sympathetic economic relationship let me emphasize the fact The renovated husband of Mary Adams takes into consideration the economic of anyone-who Is kind to me. There's when peace comes. that her soldiers have not confined their dallied long at the mirror ere he structure of the nation and the nature even a scribbled postscript on the bottom Mr. Francis H. Sisson, vice president fightiag to their own soil. Like those went out and took Dobbin out of the and number of its population pne from ong of the children. You of the Guaranty Trust Company, of her allies, they have gone far afield. stable. The train was due at ten must /emember that out of 38.000,000 mustn't mind the addition." in a recent article on the economic They contributed largely to the glorious o'clock, but It was New Year's eve, inhabitants in Italy at the beginning "Oh, thank you," Nancy cried hastily, situation of Italy points out that while victory on the Balkan front. A travel was heavy and all trains delayed, of the war only 17,000,000 were male. Germany before the war dominated "I'm.to be married myself soon. I large contingent in France first gave and it was well on toward midnight This seeming disproportion is caused the foreign trade of Italy so far as thought I'd tell you this afternoon powerful aid in the defense of Rheims, by emigration, which was largely composed when he craned his neck from manufactures were concerned, that before I announce it to everyone." then took part in the advance of the of male adults. Out of those country was one of the best customers the sleigh and eagerly watched the Soon they parted with a feeling of allied forces. passengers alight. 17,000,000 only 9,000,000 were adults of the United States In raw materials mutual respect and admiration but Italy Had 5,500,000 Under Arms. economically productive. Consequently and foodstuffs. That writer also points An utterance of disappointment with no desire to know each other fr\ Since the beginning of the war Italy the subtraction of the mobilized out that it was the adjustment of her escaped his lips as passenger after better. has called to the colors little less than industrial and commercial life to the forces has had an acute reaction on passenger left the platform. Then he "I'm an idiot," thought Nancy, "I 5,500,000 men and has suffered a loss burdensome new conditions that has the economic life of the nation. It is stared fixedly at a feminine form arrayed never thought for a minute tliht he was of almost 1'.500,000 of them. Of that loss created an" entirely new economic, fabric estimated that on an average only 100 in a neat velvetrhat and a pretty married. And the children, too Her in Italy. nearly 350.000 died in battle, and 100,000 adults remained in each town or village ^plush coat. She had turned her face sense of humor overcame her at this from disease. Over 550,000 are "Italy's devotion of her resources to to provide in each, case, for some toward the station light. point and she laughed till she was totally incapacitated, either by blindness, war purposes has been complete," says 320 children below the age of fifteen. "Mary!" he cried, but unbelievingly, weak. loss of limb or tuberculosis. At Mr. Sisson. "Her pre-eminence in the Furthermore, the trad|tkhs of Italian as he viewed her strange attire. Aside from the fact that he was production of certain articles of commerce the present moment the strength of family life render the work of their "Oh, Robert!" she replied, and hastened married, he had not been half so nice marked her as" the chief source the Italian army is 4.025,000, including women an econonUc factor of less importance eagerly toward him, but halted as Dick, anyway. From the first moment of supply for similar products of a the class of men., born in 1900, who than in sfftne other countries, with a quick shock. Old Dobbin she had known that. She had warlike nature. Her ordinary production have been called to the colors recent-, though it has been utilized to the utmost looked ten years younger than when almost been afraid that he would—she of automobiles, aeroplanes, turbines ly. It may be said, then, that the nation's and Is becoming more available she had la'st seen him. The sleigh glistened had only wanted to make sure. And and heavy oil engines has merely man-power- has suffered a permanent as old traditions give-way to war's necessity. like a newly burnished chariot. she had. r. been intensified and modified in the loss of nearly a million. And Robert!—she feasted her eyes on The first thing Nancy did when she direction of such a standardization as But. serious, as is, this loss, Italy has No Troops From Colonies. this apparent subject of. the fountain got back from her tea party was to would permit Quantity production." Inflicted an even greater punishment of youth. Italy fiot no help from colonial contingents. rush to the telephone. His Face Softened. upOn the foe. In\Austrian prisoners Financially Italy Responded Well. "I—I didn't know .you," she stammered. On the contrary, the scarcity "Is that you, Dick?", she asked. alone she has taken approximately a Financially Italy also has responded Jng look around the neat, clean little of native troops in Italy's colonies 'Yes—are you going to tell me the million.... The Austrian JosS in. killed •sitting room. "I say, Robert, I had a to the demands of war with an openhandedness compelled the government to reinforce "Nor 1 you," safd Robert—"all dolled worst?" and wounded Is, of course, unknown" bid today on some Of your property that has surprised even her up in new togs." theni\ with troops from the mother .. "The worst thing possible for yon-—•. to us, but even the. most conservative •here." country. Nor has help come to Italy self. From the first of August, 1914, to "Oh, Uncle Ephraim made sister and I'll: marry you the minute you'll have estimates make, it far greater than "That's good," responded Robert, through the co-operatlou. Of workmen me a famous Christmas present and the end of 1917 the total expenditures me!" ours. In the June offensive on the -pricking up his ears, ever keen for of neutfal or allied countries/ Italy, insisted on-seeing it spent on our own -"Nancy Piave alone over 200,000 Austrian dead of the state were 895,G00,00$ Calculating V. business. on the other hand, sent a. large contingent selves," explained Mary. v.','. •were left on the field. "I mean it—I'll even get Uncle Will on tile basis of a monthly average of'sk il led workmen "to France, ""The town's growing and getting "I've invested a trifle in tlje same to perform the ceremony at short notice—I expenditure-for rtievar ot$240,000,000. Fighting Under Extreme Difficulties. thus, allowing her to release valued crowded, and a client is thinking of line/myself," vaunted Robert, with a told him I'd do something like the total cost of the war to Italy Aside from their' achievements In elements,for war. -Furtherinore, near-, buying some street frontage and building spice of pride. "Get in, Mary. Yes, that some day." would be more than $12,QOO,006,000. other theatres of the war," Italy's soldiers ly 500,0(H) of Our male adults residing -a a half dozen bungalows as new robes. Don't think me reckless— "Then, I'll be up with the license infive A further proof of the financial effort have fought through fifteen .furious in Ameriea,,gave to this great nation 'speculation. 1. wondered if your vacant I did it all for you." minutes.", "V Italy made for .'the war,. notwithstanding offensives on the Isonzo and the direct contribution to her economic corner beyond here mightn't suit Again—"Oh, Robert!" in rapt tones, "When did you get the license?*' her small -means, are the five Piave, inflicting terrible losses on' the: and military, effort^. him. What are you asking for it an as they came in sight of home, looming Sr- national loans. The first one yielded "I've had it for a month—I wanted foe in each. These' campaigns were To meelf tlielr military obligations, acre?" up like a mansion in a new robe about $200,000,000, and it seemed a carried orrin mountainous regions and to be prepared." therefore, the Italian people have been "An acre!" fairly shouted Robert. iof white trimmed with dark green. great struggle, yet still others were tnder rigorous weather conditions that "All right, if you'll promise me not compelled to cut into the most urgent "Humph! that's cool! Why, the land "Wait till you see the rooms—new papered launched,. all giving greater returns, & taxed to the utmost the genius of the, needs of agriculture and industry. Her to speak to Sir Galahad for another is fully a quarter of a mile nearer from top to bottom," and Mary and the last one, after the disaster military engineers and the endurance continuous lack of labor has made the month-Vl'll have to^jjet used to not Jifc town than the .'neyy subdivision of Jem was. in a daze as she was ushered of October, 1917, yielded about $1,300,000,000. •f the troops. "The foe, when hostilities task of feeding the army and-providing thinking about him." T!' Lane. He charges lot prices, and so into the house. Their she put her arms opened, were entrenched in carefully it with munitions a most difficult "You bet, I will. I never want. to shall I." -i/"/ -I around his neck and kissed him. It must be remembered, too, that one. prepared and seemingly impregnable "lear of him again, ,you may be suite." The brother-in-law hunched his "What does this wonderful magic labor shortage has meant a food shortage. positions, backed by, a network And yet'-Italy/ lacking labor and industrial "Then, I'll be waiting, at the church it shoulders and looked dubious. "See mean?" she fluttered. It has established a vicious circle. of military roads and railroads. On development lacking almost er wherever. you want me to—that's here, Robert," he said. "I'm going to "It means—hark there go the bells Our fighters and Industrial workers the.-Italian'side-were deep gorges, unscalable entirely coal and raw materials, has my only condition." be plain with you. I've brought half a chiming out the old year. It means have accomplished their work" cliffs, almost impassable glaciers, by a mirafcle of energy been able to "Goocl-by, darling—I'ir.be uif* in half dozen customers here who want to Happy New Year!" and he placed his while forced to endure a regime of passes filled, with snow and commanded create almost froiti nothing a powerful. a second." build, and lost all of them. The location restricted diet that has meant real and arm abbut her waist—"the newest by Austrian guns. There were organization of war industries. -'lilts continuous suffering such as probably isn't so bud it's a direct street NeW Year of our lives, for we are going -v Miss-Nancy dropped the recelv^i QJ&d no suitable roads or bridges. The surmounting Difficult to Obtain Goods. and world for this is not to be found anywhere among, the widest in town, but the minute tp begin to enjoy the_ best the ran off to "prepare her mother of these difficulties has chal­ Of -Tlr i" The very a^t entering the war cut can audden of 'her the other belligerent peoples. facing give all over agpinl" "change plans &e€ those rickety sheds the 5 1 ^Vive* I £. •J?-