davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
INTERNATIONAL COURTESY.

The want of cordial feeling between
France and Germany makes itself appar-
ent on all occasions. A German periodical
describes little scene at the dinner-table
OF Swiss hotel, where Frenchman and
German sat opposite each other.
"You are a Frenchman, / suppose" !"
SAID the German, when the meal was half
over.
Yes" was the reply; "but how did
you find it out?''
Because you eat SO much bread" said
the German.
Then there was silence till dinner was
nearly done, when the Frenchman said:
s'You are German, presume?'
Il am; but what made you think so ?'
Because you eat so much of every
thing, was the amiable retort.
well, Johnnie said the visitor, s.I
suppose you'll begin going to school again
very soon."
'sYes. u
DO you like going to schooI?'
Yes; it's staying there after get there
that don't like" ."-Harper's Round Table.
A teacher said to little girl at school: /:
IF naughty girl should hurt you, like a
good girl you would forgive her, wouldn't
your"
eyes, ma'am. y she replied, elf couldn't
catch her."
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

day what we are planning. Now we are
making little holders to SELL"
II think" said mamma, "that the girls
are beginning well. and may be real
help to some one if they keep on"
I'VE shall try" Lillian answered, and
getting her goodnight kisses she went up
TO her room.
That same night another little girl took
her goodnight kiss much earlier, and by
this time was fast asleep. Her mamma
sat near her in their scantily furnished
room, ard looked sadly at the face of the
little sleeper.
"If could only get it," she was think
ing, ''but cannot afford it for year or
SO: then, perhaps, that little ankle will be
so weak that even good brace would not
help it," and she wiped away the tears
that would come as she thought of the
days when this room had been so differ
ent-the days before the death of Adde'S
father. Now they were so lonely. Aadie
was the only child, and the thought that
she might be lame added many a heart
che.
At school the little girl was a general
favorite, and Miss Fay, her teacher, who
noticed how the weak little ankle turned
at every step, talked kindly to her about
| it, and secretly wished that she might help
the child, yet saw no way to do it.
However, she told Mrs. Curtiss about ii
one day. 81 am sure she could be helped, -
Lillian's mother had answered. 81 am
going to the city this week, and shall
ascertain what can be DONE"
The following Wednesday the girls met
as usual, and were little surprised when
Mrs. Curtiss came in, and said il they
were willing, she would present little
plan to them.
She then told them of a recent visit with
Miss Fay to certain tiny home, and ex-
planned their intention of getting brace
for Addie. sob, Mrs. Curt1ssp' Myrtle
exclaimed, ''you mean that we may help.
How glad we shall all bep'
Mrs. Curtiss smiled. II am not mem
ber of the club" she said, $50 please ex-
euse me now"
Wasn't that club pleased with the ideal
OF course each one agreed with the presi-
den: thatit was splendid idea.
Nov your brother Bert and Ralph will
see that we are in earnest" Daisy cried to
Lillian.
1 need not tell you all the ways in
which the club raised the money, only
this: Mrs. Curtiss got the brace and the
girls paid for it, earning the whole
amount.
II is hard to tell who had the most
pleasure out of it. Addie and her mother
felt the deepest of gratitude, but the girls
all declared that they never enjoyed any,
thing quite so much as their work, in what
Bert called their Home Mission.''
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
CNElR CADB.
By Bessie v. Taylor.

What times the girls had deciding what
kind OF a club to forml Lillian and Daisy.
who always shared their secrets, were puz-
zling their curly heads over it when q
merry-faced boy marched in.
We've just been having the iolIiest
time; why didn't you come when waved
to youP
"WelI. we did want to-" Lillian an
swered, "but we were thinking of some.
thing. Oh. Bert, do tell US what to do.
We girls want to get up little club"
Brother Bert could not fail them now,
so after looking serious for a moment he
said, why not try glee club? Just
meet at each others homes and make
candy or popcorn. We boys might JOIN
as honorary members and help dispose of
the refreshments"
Just then the doorbell rang and the next
moment their friend Myrtle came in.
Bert gave her his chair and after the
general greetings she exclaimed, 81 be-
lieve L have nit on plan, girls. Down at
Clare we had little society and made and
sold things for poor people"
ga capital idea r interrupted Bert, ''it
you don't have glee club l am sure a
home mission would be just the thing.
You could surely make some mittens by
next springr'
"Now, Bert Curtiss," exclaimed Lillian,
''if you are so bound to bother US we'll go
straight upstairs"
80 sorry to leave you, ladies'" Bert re-
piled with much gravity, 'but really 1
must CO. Here's success to the newly
formed Home Mission for the Needy p
and waving his hat he bowed and lett the
room.
The girls laughed, but were soon ear
nestly discussing their plans. Mrs. Cur
tiss came in unnoticed, but finding them
talking so earnestly she quietly closed the
door,
On the following Wednesday, when the
boys were out playing again, II say,
Bert" cried Ralph Fay, whats going on
at your house? Are the girls having a
party ?"
81 guess not. Why2"
"Well, I've seen six or eight go in since
school closed.''
"Ohl'' and Bert gave low whistle, 81
suppose that is the new club"
After supper that night Lillian told her
father all about the club and its officers.
"Oi course We had to have president, so
we all voted for Myrtle; then we chose
Cora for secretary and l am treasurer"
Lillian noticed twinkle in papa's eye,
so she added: "You see we have officers
like any society,""
81 suppose, father" Bert said, "that
they will want to keep their money in
your safe next"
NO" explained Lillian, 81 have place
for that. Each of US pays cents week.
and we have so cents already. know,
papa" Lillian continued, Bert doesn't
think We'll do anything, but he'll find
he's mistaken. I'll tell you next Wednes-
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
nAp}!|.:x Is: 81 =
PlcnA!Pps
{ |

plainly visible. 1t stood partly open, and
they saw dark passage beyond.
"Shall we have to go through there?"
asked Dotty, shuddering.
''Yes; now, girls, don't be afraid"
As they entered they all felt trifle
Creepy" for the place was gloomy and
the air damp.
At last they came to fight OF dark
winding stairs. Ascending these they
found themselves in spacious hall, with
doors opening on all sides, and to the left
again rose another flight of stairs.
Looking around they discovered four
large and two smaller rooms upon this
floor, connected by narrow doors and hav-
ing long windows.
After peering into all the corners they
visited the old and weather-beate cupola.
1t consisted OF large room, having eight
Sides each containing window.
"Oh! what splendid view," cried Bes-
sic, springing to one of the windows, and,
indeed, 1t was. On the right lay Wood
amid its many trees, with the smooth
waters of the bay dotted here and there by
the snowy sails of many boats and shining
like a great mirror of glass in the dis
tarce.
On the left Lynne loomed up, while
toward the back rose the lofty foothills,
with the smoke from many farm houses
rising and curling in graceful wreaths
through the air, and everything blue, green
and gold in the warm glow of the sunlight.
Far below a noisy little putting engine
ran by screeching and screaming, as if
with much satisfaction to itself. Its noise
mingled strangely with TIE glad songs Of
the merry birds that few in and out,
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
Il W.rnln&.

" No, nor said Uncle Silas
To puzzled little May,
Who brought her slate and asked for help
In her most winsome way.
"I know that long division
Is anything but fun,
But use your brains or lose 'em
Is the rule. my little one.
Come, see this little scale bug,
Right here beneath my glass,
Pll tell you, If you'll listen,
How it came to such pass.
"It had head once ana some legs,
And travelled to and fro,
In the gamiest sort of fashion,
Whereer it wished to go.
And within its little Uranium
1t thad ideas, too,
1t wanted this or that, and then
Looked hard for it, like you.
+" But it never made its living
In an honest sort of way,
1t sucked the juices from the tree
Stole its groceries, you might say.
" Let the peach-tree pump its water,
The lazy little mitel
In short, was good for nothing,
Like any parasi te.
Then it idler grew and sleeper,
Curled up each dumpy leg,
And, to use common figure,
Hung itself up on a peg.
" Gave up walking, gave up thinking,
Gave up eating, too, at last,
And then its dreadful, dreadful fate
Oertook it sure and fast.
" Its legs grew small am smaller
Till 1t hadn't any left,
And its head kept shrinking, shrinking
Till it was of that bereft.
/" Then it grew an ugly little lump,
Headless, footless, as you see,
A fearful, fearful warning,
Little one, to you and me.
" Oh, let us use our hands and heads
Lest we should ever come
To the most melancholy end
OF this Lecaniuml
Work out your own hard problems
And wait upon yourself,
And never while you live at all
Be laid upon the shelf!''
NJ. a. FIELD
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

ARMoNA, Kings County.
Dear Editor: am boy IL years of age.
live on farm and go to school and / am in
the seventh grade. We take THE CALL and
like IL very much. I enjoy reading the chill
dren's page. 1 am a Republican. I wish 1
were man and good speaker. Then would
stump the State for William Mckinley. Your
friend, JOHNNY ELENA.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. z, 1896.
Dear Editor: have seen many letters in
THE CAL L. and i thought 1 would write one,
too. 1 am in the fifth grade. Ny
teachers name is Miss Crogan. We
have been taking The CALL for about two
years. like to read the children's page very
much. / am 10 years old. will close now.
l remain your friend.
CHRISTIAN VANDERvEEN.
BERKELEY, Cal, Oct. =, 1895.
Dear Editor Chitdren's Page: Ny father has
taken The CALL for twenty-one years and
although I am only IL years old have read
the paper ever since was old enough to read.
even learned the alphabet from your paper.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
CHE
nHDNCED
C-HSCLE.
PART |.
By !. NJ. Robbins.
By !. NJ. Robbins.
WHAT THEY SAW.

WHAT THEY SAW.
1t was built of granite, with numerous
windows, and broad marble steps leading
up to wide entrance. What had been a
fine cupola sat upon the top of the build
ing, keeping watch over the surrounding
country. Now, part of the walls were
falleE. some of the steps gone, and the
whole place was in state of decay.
How shall we get in" asked Alice
Burton, "those steps are not safe, and the
windows are too high for US TO reach,
besides"
''Never mind, Alice" broke in her
brother, 81 know how to get in. Follow
me. and off he trotted in such haste that
his companions were forced to run in or
der to keep up with him.
Around at the back of the house he
stopped beside small doc (which was
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

dressed lady passenger approached the
captain, who was pacing the deck, and.
pointing to the distant hills covered with
snow, asked, "What is that white stuff on
the hills, captainP''
''That is snow, madam" answered the
captain.
Now is it really?" remarked the lady.
~ thought SO, but gentleman just told
me it was Greece"
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
Two Good Recipes.
SIMPLE GINGERBREAD.

SIMPLE GINGERBREAD.
cup of molasses, u cup of butter (gen-
erous), III cups of -four (scant), 1 egg. Il
teaspoonful soda dissolved IN a little hot
water, II teaspoonfuI ginger. Hot water
with soda dissolved in it stirred into the
molasses.
For children allowed any form of sweets,
this gingerbread is the simplest the writer
has ever found.
QUICK MoLAssEs CANDY.
cup molasses, a cup sugar, 1 teaspoon
full vinegar, l piece of butter the size of a
nutmeg. Boil fifteen minutes. - Baby
hood.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
ONLY SNOW.

Not few well-authenticated anecdotes
go to show that even the people who en-
joy the advantages of travel are often
sadly uneniightened.
A lady who has recently returned from
a Mediterranean trip says that as the ship
was leaving the harbor of Athens we'll
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

Another week of vacation Happy
boys and girls Think of it! Time in
this lovely golden season to wander
through brilliant woods, to listen to the
sweet music of chipping cricket and rust
ling leaf and to watch the frisky, chatter
ing squirrel as he leaps from bough to
bough. busily gathering aeorns and nuts
for his winter food.
When your happy little time is over
come back to work again with your hearts
as well as your hands filled to overflow
ing with treasures rare from generous ma
ture's store.
Several letters and stories written on
both sides of the paper were received dur.
ing the past week. Please remember not
to do that. Write ONLY ON ONE SIDE OF
YOUR PAPER.
Marie Chesworth.-Yours stories are both
quite good, but too long. Try short
story.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
ETHEL BoNHAM.
SAN FRANCIsCo. CAL, Oct. 6, 1896.

:
Dear Editor: am a little girl, years old
and am going to try to write you as nice 8
letter as 1 can, because have never written te
THE CALL.
have two sisters and two brothers. com.
posed this little verse myself, and hope you
will like and publish it in your paper:
Two little hands, so soft and so white,
This the left and this is the right;
Five little chubby fingers on each,
With which can hold plum or peach,
And when I get as big as you
Lots of things my hands can do.
Your little friend, BESSIE KoNKLE.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

busily engaged in building their nests in
the old rooms. and not at all seeming to
mind the presence of the visitors, who
were awed and quieted by the sublimity
of the scene spread before them as they
stood in the old tower of the "haunted
oae+1a
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
TRYING TO WHISTLE.

Joey puckered his little mouth to whistle,
His mouth so sweet ana rosy and small,
but smile crept out from q sunny dimple,
Strengthened the pucker and spoiled it all.
= Youths Companion.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
CORRECT ANSWERS,

Webster.
II. William Bryan.
III. William Mckinley
". Pirate-rat-pie.
v. Poaehed-ache-pod.
vi. Partly-art-ply.
VII. Liverpool.
VIII. Germany.
TX. Nothing venture nothing have.
X. Deal, lead, dale, ale.
XI. Etching.
NAMES OF PUZZLE soLvERs.
Ella R. Hartnell, Clelia Leah Berri, Antoine
cite Crawford, Mazda Cluff, Beulah Masterson,
Eva Thomas, Alice Bell. William Sea, Ruth A,
Peterson.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
CLEO DUNBAR.
PpIrNEnA1r Sent I 1908

IhUN EUALE, Sept + 1850.
Dear Editor: This is my first letter to THE
CALL, but / have written before to the Exam
iner. lam little girl 13 years of age and am
in the seventh grade. live in the country
and have pony to ride, which is very nice. 1
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
L1NcoLN. Cal. September rs. 1886.

Dear Editor: am the only little girl in Lin
coin who writes to THE CALL, and 1 think the
children's page is very nice. The Examiner
has boys and girls page too, but think it
is not half so good as THE CALLS.
School commenced September z, and 1 am in
the fourth grade. My teachers name is Miss L.
Gladdinall. like her for a teacher; she is so
kind to her pupils.
My smallest brother has little black kitten
and he calls it Tommy. I and my little friend
Nellie Cook have great times playing with our
dolls l shall close now, and remain, your
friend, MINNIE WYATT.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
SAN Francisco, oct. A, 1896.

Dear Editor: thought would write letter
to you. This is my first letter. My papa takes
THE CALL and likes it very much. 1 have a
little dog and his name is Coma. 1 like the
story of ga Strong Hint" My friend Ethel is
going to write, and so we shall send it to-
gether. 1 am nine years old. l shall close
now, hoping te see this in print
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
SAN FRANCISCO, oct. 4, 1856.

i
Dear Editor: am years old. l go to the
Moulder School. My teachers name is Miss
Franks Ny papa takes THE CALL and likes it
very much. Hoping to see this in next SUM-
days paper remain your little friend,
ETHEL BONHAM,
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
WATsoNvILLE. cal. Oct.

Dear Editor: l have been reading the chill
dren's page and enjoy it very much. go to a
country school, but should like to go to city
school. 1 live about eight miles from town,
where my papa goes to town very often. but
go only during vacation. l am Is years old.
1 have not missed nor been tardy this term,
which opened in August. think our school
will close in November. have pet kitten
and pet chicken. On Sundays do not stay
at home very much Ny papa's health is very
poor. He owns farm of twenty-one acres.
have one brother and one sister. Ny brother
is 81 and is not married, but my sister is. She
lives about four miles from our farm, and
enjoy spending few weeks with her during
vacation. From your friend. May RALPH.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
EVA THOMAS.
san FRANc1sco, oetober 2, 1s.

go to the Spring Valley Grammar School.
visited the fair twice, and am sorry it can't
be held during the whole year.
wonder why Ii Hung Chang did not come
to San Francisco Is it true he was afraid OF
the highbindersf
think your paper is the best in the City.
am your little reader, HAZEL ABRAHAMsoN.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
MILL VALLEY. CAL. Oct. 6, 1ss

Dear Editor: This is my first letter to THE
CALL read the Childrens Page and like to
read the letters and try to get the puzzles
do not get the answers right sometimes, but
guessed four to-day and hope they are correct.
go to the Mill Valley School and am in the
sixth grade. My teachers name is Mr.. Coun-
tryman. like Mill Valley very much. Next
week is vacation. hope 10 see my letter pub
lished in Childhoods Realm.
Eva TuonFAs
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

BY addlng nVe otner lines you Will nave q
number. C. L. BERRI.
XII. Name of a great writer of fiction, now
dead.
My 8, 9, 2, z, 10, where land and sea meet.
My 8, 3, 5, 2, 6, transparent.
My IL, 6. 8, 1, 3, 3, garden tool.
Ny L, 5, z, 4, direction, or point OF the
compass.
Ny A. 9, % IL, often seen on your break
fast table
XIII. Formed long ago,
Yet made to-day,
And most employed while others sleep.
What few would like to give away,
And fewer still would wish to keep.
Selected.
XIV. We are little airy creatures;
All of different voice and features.
One of US in glass is set
Aud second found in jet.
One of us is eased in tin,
And the fourth box within.
If the fifth you would pursue
1t can never fly from you.
-Chatterbox.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11

"Life's skies are soft and clear and blue,
Lies fields with treasures teeming;
Ger fruits and flowers of varied hue
Lies golden sun is streaming"
Professor A. n. Barret
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
WATsoNvILLE, Cal, Sept. 30, 1882


Dear Editor: l never wrote letter to any
newspaper, although am Is years old. Ny
father has never taken THE CALL, but l have
read it at different places and was much
pleased with 1t. I live in Monterey County
and am going to the Lake District School.
There are thirty-six pupils and we have good
teacher too. Well, 1 guess l will have to close
as can't think of anything else to write
Your new friend, MORT HAMBLEY.
The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
1 am Berkeley girl and always wish to live

We have beautiful beach, and yesterday
being holiday my friend Fannie and l en-
Joy ed bath in the salt water. People say the
water is warmer here than at Monterey or
Santa Cruz. for the bay is sheltered; and then,
too, the warm waters of the San Joaquin and
Sacramento rivers flow into it.
This is the first letter ever sent to paper.
1 trust it will not meet its fate in the waste
basket Your constant reader,
RUTH A. PETERSON.
CAsTRovIILE, CAL, Aug 1, 1896.
Dear Editor: 1 have read great many let
ters in THE CALL, but have never seen any
from Castroville, so 1 shall try and write lew
lines to you.
like the Children's Realm very much ana
read the letters and stories. l go to the Lake
School and am in the class or sixth graue.
live in the country FIVE miles from castro
vile and have three brothers and one sister.
Our farm consists of 140 acres, most OF whlcn
is covered with apple trees. About twenty
acres of it is waste land.
Salinas is our county seat and the Salnas
Riveris the longest one in Monterey County.
Our schoolhouse is on the road Leading from
Salinas to Watsonville. I have dog ana
cat for pets and am II years old. nope my
letter is not too long. Your true reader,
IDA WINCHELL.
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1896-11-20
Chinese Mail serxioe.

The mails In China are different from
the postal arrangements Of any other
country In the world. In China the mall
service L. not In the hands Of the Gov
ernment, but is left to private persons
to establish postal connection. how and
wherever they please. Anybody may
open store and hang out sign adver-
tising that he Is ready to accept letters
to be forwarded to certain places or
countries.
The result Of this arrangement 70 that
In popuious towns there are great
number Of persons accepting letters to
be forwarded to all parts Of the coun-
try: at Shanghai, for instance, there
are not less than thirty-fve hundred
stores competing with each other and
carrying on a war to the knife as far
as rates are concerned.
This system, although having great
faults, has some good qualities. There
are several parties accepting letters in
enc certain town. The Chinese mer-
chant who writes letters two or three
times viii patronize several Of the con-
Germs, and asks his correspondent to
Inform him which he got quickest. Hav-
ing experimental for a while, he will
select the firm giving the best service,
but he always has the choice Of several
mailing agencies for his correspond.
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1896-11-20
is AASSNG HER TROOPS
Russia Collecting a Large
Force at Vladivostock.
a MENAoE ro AslA's PEAce

Many Naval vessels and over One
Hundred Thousand AIen At the
Port Her warliks Preparations.
San Francisco. Nov. l6.-The Bulle.
tin says:
"A letter containing duplicate Of
mail advices sent by the regular CORE.
spondent Of the Hong Kong Press, at
vladivostock, was received by the last
China steamer, and was turned over
to the Bulletin today. The oommuni.
cation shows that the GEAR is massing
troops in the vladivostock district, and
has large number of naval vessels
in northern waters. The principal de.
tails of the situation are contained in
the following paragraphs:
Although the Russian govern.
ment explains that the massing Of
troops in the Primorsk and Eastern
Siberia ia due TO exchange Of army
divisions" it is learned that in all the
divisions of vladivostook there are not
less than $4,000 men of arms. which
monster army Is looked upon as a men,
ace to the peace of Asia.
THE correspondent commenting on
the situation, says:
While il is confessed that Rus
sia is entitled to some outlet to the
Pacific. the continuous and warlike
preparations are anything but reassur'
ing. The frequent presence Of Russia's
engineers at Port Arthur, and theiI
operations in Manchuria. with the
tacit consent of China, are highly sig
nificant indications Of the relations be.
tween Russia and China, and point
unmist, kably to the common object Of
Russia's warlike preparations.
" 1t behooves the British govern
ment to thoroughly investigate thil
very important matter. "