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THE C AZT.TTE-TmES, ITKrrN'EU, ORE., TlU KSn VY. PEC. 11, 1919
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
:'hr Hi'r ",:jtte. K.taMishfJ
Mn.h Ju, is
Tt e HPi-Mifr Tares. KMabUshM
Or.t-.li-iatd Kelu uary 1911.
1'ul'liHhed eery Thursday morning by
a Irr Speacer Crawford
and en:ereii at the I'dotTW at Hepp
iiei, utegun, aa aK-oriii-ciasa matter.
AlUKHTIMMi RATKS 1TBN 0 91
AITLK A1ION
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M OK BOW COISTY OFFICIAL PAPKB
The End of the World
We wonder if there really is any
use of writing this. Will there be
anyone left on earth to read these
lines and will these lines be destroy'
ed before they have been circulated
in print ? If we are to take the
word of Prof. Albert F. Porta, the
noted American astronomer and
weather prognosticator, there won't
be much left of this old world after
Wednesday, December 17, so you
see there is really no need of us tell
ing you all this, for you won't be
here to read it.
According to Prof. Porta, the old
earth is due for a knock out wallop,
which will turn it icy cold and shaky,
followed by a white heat finish.
This prediction is based on certain
astronomical observations which
place certain planets in certain po
sitions, and the end of the world,
which has been predicted many times
before, will come to pass.
Says Professor Porta, "the world
is coming to an end about the middle
of this month. The most terriffic
weather cataclysm experienced since
human history began" he declares,
"will be caused by the hugest sun
spots on record a sun spot that will
be visible to the naked eye. It will
be a gigantic explosion of flaming
gases leaping hundreds of thousands
of miles in space. It will have a
crater large enough to engulf the
earth as Vesuvius might engulf a
foot ball.
"There will be hurricanes, lighten
ing, colossal rains. There will be
gigantic eruptions, great earth
quakes, to say nothing of flood and
fearful cold."
Other astronomers have refuted
Professor Porta's contentions. In
any event, Heppner people are going
right along with their Christmas
shopping as serenly as though noth
ing unusual is on the way. They
figure there is just about as much
chance of the world coming to an end
right now as there is for a settlement
of the peace treaty or a reduction
in the high cost of livin.g
There may have been winters just
as cold, but was the fuel bin as low?
The Gazette-Times comes to you
this week in somewhat an enlarged
form. It is not an industrial edit
ion, but we have striven to make it
reflect the Christmas spirit, and
have attempted to embody somewhat
the value of doing your Christmas
shopping at home. Hence the larg
er number of ads from local business
firms
Contained herein are a number of
articles from the pen of local resi
dents which we commend to your
perusal. They are well written and
ate from the brains of those most
closely attached to the subject treat
ed. That Tfuman H. Newberry, who
defeated Henry Ford in the race
for United States senator from
Michigan, has been indicted on a
charge of election fraud.
Quicker safe methods of cleaning
up old orchards in western Oregon
are being sought by the department
of plant pathology at the O.A.C. ex
periment station. Moss and lichens
that gather on neglected fruit trees
may be controlled by the usual spray
materials used in the spray program,
but growers coming into possession
of these old, run-down orchards
want something that will give quick
results. W. A. Smart, associate plant
pathologist, is investigatingthe best
materials and best methods of mix
ing and use to clean up the disease
quickly without injury to the bark
on different kinds of trees.
A woman in England declares the
kingdom of heaven is at hand. -She
avers she has been talking with her
husband in paradise. There are
smokers there and also a substitute
for beer. And one nice thing, in
view of the high cost of living here
on earth, the English woman says
that neither sleeping or eating is in
dulged in up there.
The Townsend Highway Bill
One of the most important mea
sures the first regular session of
'this Congress must act upon is the
Townsenj highway bill. Ever)- per
son ho uses the public highways,
, agon, truck or auiomobile. should
j he a booster for the proposed net-
j i.m vi -uu ivaud, Having uicu .
foundation upon a federal system,
and which are to be extended by
states and counties to the end that
good roads will be more frequently
met with, and bad roads the excep
tion. As explained by Senator Town
send, author of the bill, the purpose
of the measure is to care for inter- i
state traffic, to "serve the large cen-
ters of commerce in each state, to
meet the military needs of the coun
try, and to tie the country together
in a unit so that it will be possible
f. k . . . . , , , .
for the states to plan and connect
their system with the national sys
tem, and thus connect the important
commercial centers.
The counties would then connect
with the state system, and build out
from the centers of population into
the farming communities like the
spokes of a wheel, forming a road
plan that would do the largest num
ber of people the greatest good.
Each unit, according to Senator
Townsend, would be made more ef
fective and efficient and the farmer
would be" given a number of mar
kets, instead of one, for his produce,
This road plan would greatly reduce
the cost of transportation, and lower
the cost of living to the consumer.
But Congress is going to be busy
this session. Many other impor
tant bills $nd resolutions will come
up for consideration, and the road
problems, like the poor, we always
have had with us. That is of course,
no good reason for putting it off any
longer, but it will do that very thing
unless the people most interested
in having good roads keep everlast
ingly after their representatives in
Congress. A fine idea would be for
every voter to write to the member
from his district, asking for a copy
of the Townsend bill, study it care
fully, talk it over at neighborhood
and comunity meetings, and then let
the men who you sent to Washington
hear from you on the subject.
The open season for political
gunning is upon us. Every aspirant
should watch his tongue and keep
it bridled. If he ever wishes to say
that somebody has purloined his
pet phrases, let him count ten and
a hundred tens if necessary in order
to keep it unut(ered.
John Dennis, a critic and author
of London, failed to count ten. Ver
ily he is not remembered now for
what he wrote but for the remark he
made a hundred years ago while an
gered. He wanted fame, but he
achieved a cheap notoriety.
The only successful feature of his
play, "Appius and Virginia," was a
particularly able imitation of the
sound of thunder. Dennis himself
had invented the mechanism.
A few nights after the discontin
uance of the tragedy the same actors
appeared in Shakespeare's "Mac
beth" in which they used the thun
der-making device. Immediately
upon hearing the noise, Dennis arose
from his seat in the pit of the theater
and angrily accused:
"They will not let my play run,
but they steal my thunder."
The author's rash deed spelled his
doom. Even today "Dennis" is lust
another way of saying "The End."
Did You Know
That the women of New York
have started a boycott on butter,
eggs and coffee, on account of high
prices.
That a rice farmer near Poplar
Bluff, Mo., estimates his profits fromJ
this year's rice crop on 500 acres at
$70,000.
That Leland Stanford Chumley,
editor of an I. W. W. paper which
advocated abolition of the wage sys
tem, admitted in court that he him
self receives a salary.
That Nordman, the noted French
astronomer, says recent discoveries
show the existence of worlds so far
distant that traveling 189,000 mlieb
a second would take seventy mill
ion years to reach them.
That Warsaw reports 40,00 Po
lish Jews have asked for permission
to emigrate to America.
That George Shima, the Japan
ese potato king of California had
bought 13,000 acres of land in Cen
tral Oregon which he will devote
to potato growing, and that resi
dents of that section are fearing a
heavy influx of Japanese.
if
One
Olljristutaxi
RALPH HAMILTON
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Jii2i4i5(5 Jill
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HE shades of the pretty
-Mi-T-v home werA rmllMl dn
. vy unu me KIUUIU Ul UUSK
was alleviated by one
r liirht onlv in the room
fSiO&Si&i where the mourning
denizens, Harold Bruce
and his wife, Laura, sat They were
iting tfee arrival of a taxicab or-
aeruu in time to cateh an evening train
for the South. Both were soiuber-
, "acel nl wearied of mien. They had
not spoken for some time, for It was a
situation where words meant nothing.
The wife never lifted her tear-stained
yes ,he husband wore a set expres-
i otuu u jvii uia m.n as uiuugo exerting
jthe mmost w, t0 epresg
poiguant emotion which consuiuehlm.
Without, joyous shouts echoed, the
sound of merry sleigh bells tinctured
the air with Christmas eve fervor, and
the contrast of this long-anticipated
holiday presentation with what they
had hoped and planned for, wrenched
their souls to the point of anguish.
Their lives desolated beyond repair,
poignant memories ever present, they
scarce dared to rest their glance upon
the portraits of two smiling, happy
faces looking. down from a heavily
framed picture, for only that morning
they had received the terrible news
that the originals, their only chil
dren, Don, aged bIx, and Etta, two
years bis junior, had been victims,
with many others, of a disaster by
cyclone and flood that had devastated
the district where they had their win
ter home in Florida.
All they knew was that the pretty
bungalow and many others, with their
occupants, had been swept away, and
hundreds were said to have perished,
and no word had been received as to
the fate of their two little ones, nor of
Rhoda Marsh, who had thein in charge.
Itlioda Marsh bad come into their
thoughts almost as frequently as little
Etta and her brother. Each recalled
that It was a Christmas eve four years
Both Were Somber-Faced and Wearied
of Mien.
back when Harold Bruce had come
home from the funeral of his mother,
bringing with him a wlstful-eyedKsad-faced
mite of a girl.
"Laura," he said to his wife, "this Is
Rhoda Marsh, a poor orphan child
whom my mother adopted, who has
given her the tenderest care to the last
honr of her life and was a blessing to
her old age. She Is left without a
home. Should we give her one?"
"We should, and we shall," came the
quick reply, as Mrs. Bruce gazed Into
the earnest, longing eyes of the girl of
fourteen, and read there truth and in
nocence and a soulful appeal to all
that was maternal and sympathizing
in her nature.
It proved to be a wise and fortuitous
choice. As the children came along
Rhoda proved to them a true and lov
ing sister, nurse and friend.
Then came a test of the fidelity and
self-sacrifice of the girl just merging
Into young womanhood. Both of the
children were taken down with a dan
gerous contagious malady. The house
was quarantined. Rhoda braved the
perils of infection. Day and night she
was the constant attendant of Don
and Etta. She found so sure a loving
place in the hearts of those she hart
benefited, that her eyes beamed with
joy and happiness whenever she was
In their presence.
The physician who attended the
children was Albion Merrltt. He had
entered the profession the protege of a
wealthy man, and had acquired a
clientele of prominence and a large
Income. It was when the little ones
were convalescent that he had come to
Mr. Bruce, who was a close personal
friend.
"Bruce," he eald, "I cannot find
words to express my admiration and
respect, yes, and something deeper, for
that sweet little heroine, Ithoda, whose
studious care of the children, Tar more
than my ministrations, Is responsible
for their recovery."
"Yes," answered Mr. Bruce with
genuine fervor In his tones, "she la a
jewel of worth and constancy. Both
my wife and myself realize what we
owe to this poor waif who has en
deared herself to us as though she
were our own daughter."
Doctor Merrilt proved his expressed
sentiments by very often visiting the
Bruce home after that The children
loved him and he would drop In for an
hour or two and play with, them and
talk with Rhoda and listen to her sing
ing at the piano, for music with Rhoda
was her one great passion. There
never was a visit on his part that
Rhoda did not greet him wllh a beauti
ful, tender flush upon her fair expres
sive face, aaa one niRht her kindly
benefactors Indulged in playful t:idl
nage when she accompanied Poctor
Merrltt to the door.
"Doctor Morrltt has become quite a
beau eh, Rhodal" intimated Mr.
Bruce.
'Three times In a week," spoke Mrs.
Bruce. "Rhoda dear, he is a loyal
chevalier."
"Please don't," pleaded Rhoda, look
ing serious, shy and embarrassed. "He
is only a great good friend to all of us,
and he has so encouraged my sincinc
that it has made me more anxious than
ever to please him."
Early In November Mrs. Bruce, the
children and Rhoda went to the
Florida winter home where the family
spent four months of the year. There
were anticipated happy days in the
pretty buugalow when Mr. Bruce
should Join them later on. It whs Just
two weeks before Christmas when Mrs.
Bruce decided to take a trip North and
remain with her husband until the
holidays, when he would be ready to
accompany her to Fair Villa. It was
a few days after her coming that her
husband said to herf "Laura. Doctor
Merrltt has fairly haunted the house
evenings since you went away. I met
him today and told him of our plans,
and he was especially pressing In his
inquiries about Rhoda. I presume he
will be here this evening to ask you
about Rhoda," but the young physician
did not materialize as expected, and
the next day the Braces understood
that he had left the city.
It was two days before Christmas
when the dreadful news came of the
disaster in the South. Fair v!a had
been practically swept off t map;
their winter home had been carried
aw ay by the raging waters. Telegrams
contained vague and distracting de
tails. They had no reason to hope
that their loved ones had escaped the
general fate of those who were miss
ing among the former residents of the
little inland town. They were now
ready to go South and seek a trace of
their two little children and of Rhoda.
in whom they had so trustingly left
them In charge.
"It must be the taxi," spoke Mr.
Bruce, arousing with a sigh from his
painful reverie as the doorbell raug.
but he crossed the outer threshold to
come face to face with Doctor Merrltt.
The manner and words of the latter
were jarring to the bruised sensibili
ties of the bereaved father, for the
young physician was radiant of face.
His eyes suggested a fervent exhilara
tion as he greeted Mr. Bruce with riot
ous embrace and waved his hand gay
ly to Mrs. Bruce, who had followed her
husband Into the hallway.
"A glad and merry Christmas to
both of you!" hailed Doctor Merrltt
jubilantly.
"You haven't heard?" spoke Mr.
Bruce in a low, reproachful tone.
"Why, what do you mean?" ques
tioned Doctor Merrltt
"The disaster at Fair Villa the chil
dren." "Why, bless you!" fairly shouted
the doctor "they are right here I"
Harold Bruce wavered against the
wall for support Mrs. Bruce uttered
a wild scream. Across the threshold
from toe porch there rushed little
Etta and her brother. Joy, delight,
ecstasy mitigated the shock of what at
first stunned the frantic parents as an
appearance from the dead.
"And last, but not least, she whose
mission In life seems ever to be to
bring healing and happiness, and love,
and peace to all those who are dear to
her!" in a gently reverent tone con
tinued Doctor Merrltt and with su
preme satisfaction the young physician
viewed the five reunited ones In a
maze of embraces, kisses and tears.
Rhoda, clinging to Mrs. Bruce, hid her
face in modest confusion, as Doctor
Merrltt recited her brave battle
against the elements In a great storm
upon a battered raft until she had
brought the children to safety.
"But you, Doctor Merrltt?" pro
pounded Mrs. Bruce wonderingly
"how came you to be at Fair Villa?"
"I arrived there after the disaster,"
was the reply, "I had gone there on a
specific mission, Inter executed, to ask
our peerless Rhoda, queen of all worn-
He Covered It With Kisses.
anklnd, to become my wife," and as
Rhoda extended her hand he covered
It with kisses and pressed It to his
happy, happy heart.
"If there was a mistletoe here I
would march you two promptly under
It!" threatened Mrs. Bruce, immersed
in thrilling Joy and gratitude.
"There shall be one before Christ,
mas morning arrives!" cried Doctor
Merrltt In tones that rang out like a
cheer. "Come, Bruce, you and I on a
hunt for Santa Claus and the choicest
gifts he can bestow, Oh I nowhere In
the world, and never to any others,
has there come a happier, merrier
Christmas than the one we shall cele
brate I"
Changed His Mind.
Doris I thought you and George
were going skating? ,
Mnrjorle So we were, but when he
saw I had my hat trimmed with mis
tletoe he asked me to go for walk,
Gift Choosing at this Store
The early Christmas shoppers will find this store especially ready to
serve them well. We ordered all of our stocks in early so that those
who wished to avoid the rush of Christmas shopping might come here
now and choose at their leisure.
Symphony Lawn
Holiday
Papeteries
Hand Painted Boxes
Assorted Sizes
At Popular Prices
There isjthe joy of getting a
KODAK
for Christmas
-and the fun of using it that day-and all the
days to come.
Kodaks All Prices and Sizes
Liggett's Chocolates
and
Fennaway Chocolates
In Holiday Packages
1-2 pound, 1 pound,
2 pound and 3 pound
sizes
SThe:
Store
te
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10 BEAUTIFUL DOLLS
to be given away Xmas Eve.
Shop at our store and help your favorite
little girl get a doll.
Special Values for Riker's Perox
zone Cream for week of
December 7 to 13
PATTERSON &
To 'cMy Friends and Matrons:
T EXTEND TO YOU THE
A Greetings of this Christmas
Season and the best wishes for
a Happy New Year. May 1920
find you with Abundant Pros
perity and Good Health.
During the next five months I
will be absent from Heppner,
while on a visit to my old home
in Holland. Upon my return I
will again be ready to serve you
as Contractor and Builder.
Cordially yours,
T. G. DENISEE
Riviera linen
in
Holiday Packages
Fine, Attractive Boxes,
in Dainty Tints.
Just the Gift for Young
Misses.
LYON'S CALIFORNIA
GLAZED FRUITS
1- and 2-pound packages
Hoefler's Celebrated
Centeniai Chocolates
in assorted sizes
SON
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