davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

on the ball and batted out six runs. After
that 1t was a walkover. The Dauntless
team got but two runs during the rest Of
the game, but the Perseverance team ham,
fnered the sphere all over the room, only
the wire netting preventing the breaking
of nearly every window in the place Sew
eral fouls and wild throws got in among
the closely packed spectators, but the ball
was so yielding that no harm was done,
and these in cidents merely added to the
fun. The final score was &c to 2 In favor
of Perseverance, and the boys felt that
their foo ball defeat had been in a meas
ure compensated COR.
After the game the tables were brought
Inside and arranged. The chocolate had
been in process Of making during the clos
ing innings of the game. so it was steam
ing hot and ready to be served with the
sandwiches, oyster pies. fruit, cakes, etc.
A royal good time followed. Good humor
and good appetite made excellent sauce.
and full justice was done the plain but
wholesome menu.
Everyone was praising the successful
manner in which the boys had arranged
the affair. and all would have gone we'll
had II not been for Jack" Higgins care
lessness of the morning and Alfred David
sons anxiety to show off before the girls.
Alfred lighted cigarette, just to show
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

ball was arranged for the occasion with
the Dauntless Club, of Park Heights. The
boys mothers and sisters made prepara-
tions for a spread, and the mayor OF the
town promised to make an address of ded
ication.
Thursday and Friday were spent in fn-
ishing up the details of the work. The
boys made tables and benches for the
spread from the wood left over, from
which they also constructed a coalbin
under the house, so arranged as TO be
reached through a trap-door at the side
of the stove. Steps were built at the rear
door and the front porch, and a neat
plank walk laid TO the street. The boys
hoped to get fagpole some time in the
future, and they meant to place float
in front of the house for boating and
swimming purposes.
Preparations for the housewarming oc-
cupied all day Saturday. After Jack Hig-
gins had swept the floor in the morning
he piled up the shavings, bits of paper,
etc, back Of the stove. where they would
not be seen. Reub Sayles advised him to
sweep the trash out of DOORS as it might
catch fire if left in the house. Jack
promised to sweep 1t cut, but another
matter diverted his attention and he for
got about it.
The benches were arranged in rows on
either side of the baseball diamond. A
couple of old mattresses were placed
against the wall at first and third bases,
to prevent accidents in sliding" and a
bucket of water was placed at first base
for the use of players who wished to pre-
vent slipping by moistening the rubber
soles of their shoes. These suggestions
were adopted from the rule book.
The improvised tables for the supper
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

| Always live up to it's legend-let Per-
| severance be your watchword, and sue
cess will be yours The mayors re-
marks were followed by prolonged ap-
piause. The banner handsomely en-
hroidered piece of silk about "a by 80
inches. was passed round for inspection,
and universally admired. Then two Of
the boys got ladder and hung it in a
conspicuous place at the end Of the hall
Amos Johnson thanked the fair donors
of the banner in behalf of the club, and
asked the mayor to toss the first ball
across the plate. This he did, and the
game began.
Very few of the spectators had ever
seen indoor baseball before, and the va
rious plays were novel and amusing. The
peculiar bat and ball the odd style Of
pitching, and the lightning rapidity of
the playing, were commented upon gen.
orally. The rules forbid granting a base
to batsman struck by pitched ball
The fairness of ball is Judged by where
1t strikes, regardless of where 1t rolls.
baserunner may not leave his base
while the pitcher holds the ball standing
in his box. nor upon a pitched ball not
struck, until it has reached or passed the
catcher. The baserunner may turn either
way in oyer-running first base, and the
bases are loose. allowing a runner to slide
along with one until he stops. No errors
are charged against any player attempt
ing TO complete double play, nor against
the catcher throwing wild to prevent 4
stolen base, unless the baserunner gets
an extra base on the throw. In other re-
spects the game is almost identical with
outdoor baseball.
For three innings neither side scored,
then the Perseverance boys got their eye
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
=: BUILDING TIME IN BIPDL AND. =:

They are only the house people. They
/ won't hurt It,"
| But though she would not say so, she
| was glad enough when they did go away.
| 1t was not many days before seven wee
eggs were lying upon the soft, feathery
+ lining. and the proud little madame set.
tied down to work.
Johnny sang all the time. even when he
was busy catching big. fat worms.
Such a lot of them as he had to catch.
too, for you known he had to think OF
Jenny.
He was certainly faithful little hus-
band and hunted diligently for the beetles
and nice fat grubs, which she particular
ly liked. Then. after she had eaten her
dinner, he would perch on a tree nearby
and sing his sweetest songs to cheer her.
For. you see. he knew that poor Jenny
had to sit still for days and days, and
that's no fun, as you will find If you try it.
But Jenny was not unhappy. She knew
what was going to happen. And one day
it did happen. Five babies pecked holes
in the egg shells and came out. My!
what excitement there was. The little
mother and father could hardly contain
their joy. Jenny warbled low and soft in
her happiness. but Johnny fairly bubbIed
over in an exurberance Of melody.
But, with their eyes. the babies mouths
opened. too. and can tell you Johnny
was kept busy filling them. It's hard
work. l know" said the fond mother. but
just suppose We had no babies to feedi"
There was a tiny tear in the bright brown
eyes. Johnny knew she was thinking OF
that dreadful day. long ago, when some
cruel boys had torn down their happy
little home and killed all their babies.
and he drew closer to her, with little
MARBLES of sympathy.
Well. | have had some troubles" said
Jenny. when Johnny was gone to hunt
worms, "but l certainly have the blessing
of good husband. 1 only hope my child
rem will ge. as good ones"
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

this part of the work was intrusted to a
local plumber.
The question of lighting was happily
settled. The president of the Riverview
Gas Company had witnessed the hockey
game on Friday, AID had become so in
terested in the club that he offered to put
in all the necessary gaspipes and burners
without charge, to help the boys along,
His offer was gladly accepted, and the
company's employees made connection
from the gas main in the street just back
OF the clubhouse.
Treasurer Charley picked up a bargain
by purchasing an old stove in really good
condition from a dealer in old iron. The
stove was placed close to the wall Just
outside the shower bathroom. Behind the
stove the plumber placed a small boiler
and made connections which enabled the
boys to use both hot and cold water,
thus securing any temperature desired.
The floor OF the room was cemented and
graded down to drain pipe in the CEN
tire. The dressing rooms and lockers,
specified in the plans. were not finished
at once as the clubhouse committee was
planning to give a "housewarming' when
the house was finished, and plenty of
fCoIn would be needed TO accommodate
the guests. especially if the plan of play
ing indoor baseball on that occasion
should be carried out.
The plumbers bill was $3.50. About S45
more had been expended in buying door
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
HOW TO WAKE a SALT POWER ENGINE
By MEREDITH NUGENr.

upright and fasten the head of 1t firmly to
the pasteboard with sealing wax. Also
stick pin through each end of the cross
beam and fasten the heads of these firm
ly in position. which should be horizontal.
with sealing wax.
With a hatpin make a hole In exactly
the center of your crossbeams and slide
1t onto the pin in the center of the up
right. Attach driving rod and piston to
: n r-c7sbeam in the same manner. After
this place little bits of paper over these
pin points to within hree-eights of an
inch Of the crossbeam. This will prevent
the machinery from coming apart.
Now, take your fiywheeI supports, and
fasten them to the box cover. one ON each
side, and just in line under the point
of the crossbeam. when latter is in a
horizontal position. Bore a fair sized
hole in each support and another in ex-
act centre OF wheel. then pass through
supports in wheel hat-pin axle-through
the wheel first and supports afterward.
Fasten the head of the hat pin which pro-
jects beyond the wheel firmly to the
pasteboard with sealing wax. Place a
large spool on the box for cylinder, and
drop loose end of the piston rod into it.
Now fasten the driving rod to one Of the
spokes OF the wheel, about an inch from
the axle. and exactly in position as shown
in the illustration. Greatest care must
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

and window frames. doors, window
sashes and glass, a clock. a supply of
GOAL, and other necessary items. During
the week the boys worked hard every
afternoon after school. The townspeople
were greatly interested in the work, and
many people visited the scene of activity,
all being greatly surprised at the work.
manlike manner in which the boys per-
formed their several tasks.
The gas was in by Monday evening. and
the house was in good enough shape to
admit of indoor baseball practice. The
floor was properly marked out. and a
team chosen. with WIN stratford as
captain and Tom" Barry, manager.
Upon studying the rules the boys noted
many differences from outdoor baseball,
principally regarding the bat and ball.
The bat is two and three-quarter feet long
and not moro than one and fve-eighths
inches in diameter at any point. The
bail is about II inches in circumference,
made OF yielding substance. large and
soft, and about eight and one-quarter
ounces In weight. The rules call for base
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

i i erly as a professional magician
and with an equal effect on the
spectators.
Hollow out the end of a candle, and
then keep the candle out of sight until
you are ready to use 1t. Have a CANDLE
stick on the table before you. Hand a
pencil and half a sheet of note paper
to one of the spectators and ask him TO
write sentence on it, anything he
pieases.
While he Is writing get ready another
piece of paper, but only one-half the size
of the first. Crumple it up and hold it
in your left hand, between the lower
joints of the fingers
After the original paper has been writ
ten on. ask the writer 10 tear it in half
Taking one-half from him in your right
hand. crumple it up and pretend to pass
It into your left hand. but in reality you
must substitute for It the piece already
there. Then you will have the piece with
the writing on it concealed in your left
hand, and the piece that you had pre-
pared in your right hand but If you make
the substitution skillfully the spectators
will think that the latter Is the one given
to you by the man who did the writing.
Give the paper thaJ you have in your
right hand to one Of the spectators and
caution him to close his hand over it
tight. Then quickly insert the paper that
you still have in the followed end of the
candle, and put the candle in the CANDLE
stick and light It. Take from the specta-
tor the paper that you gave him and burn
it in the candle.
Then blow out the candle and hand it
to the one who did the writing on it. Of
course he will find it there. and recog-
nize his own work.
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

, so far down in the frozen earth that. 1
suppose, they never would come up II
he did not sing and let them know that
spring Is near. Why, even people have
way of waiting for his sweet voice to
tell them winter is gone. l like Mr.. Blue
bird. He is such good husband and
father, and he never uses bad language"
My dear Jenny" asked Johnny. swell
ing to twice his natural size, lis he bet
ter than l am?"
"Of course not. you silly dear. But
here l am talking and nearly forgetting
what I had to tell you. I've found a
splendid place for a home. Those nice
house people are here again this sum-
mer. They have opened all their win
dows, and l peeped in enc. There is
funny thing hanging against the wall
two, in fact, but one is enough. 1
wouldn't wish a better place to live in.
Do come and see it"
Not bad growled Mr.. Wren. hop
ping in and out and all round the odd
looking objects his wife pointed out to
him. Not half bad. l think we'd better
joyfully agreed. and away both flew.
Back they came in few minutes. with all
sorts of odd bits for building their home.
They made a great many trips and
worked very hard before the nest was
done. At last 1t needed only a soft
lining to make it warm for the babies to
come.
Il saw some fine feathers in the poultry
yard" said Johnny. and he and Jenny
were soon flying In that direction. When
they came back they saw two great
heads very close to their precious home
and heard a voice say:
"Oh, Ned, do peep in. will you? Some
dear little birds have made a nest in your
old overshoe. They are wrens. am sure.
No other bird is tame enough to come in
the house"
Il wish they'd go away" said Johnny.
fluttering about in fear and alarm. They
are so big"
How silly you arei' gcolded Jenny
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
THE PERSEVERANCE CLUB. :. JAMES ALBERT % WALES


lines % feet long. Owing to the limited
size of the clubhouse. it was necessary to
lay out bases only 20 feet apart, in the
form of diamond. The regulation
pitchers distance-22 feet from home
plate-was adhered to. The boys made
bases by filling canvas bags with sand.
The fellows who made" the team had
their mothers make them regular baseball
uniforms of light grey cloth, with per
severance in cloth letters sewn on the
shirt. Black stockings and gymnasium
shoes completed the uniform.
Second base went so far back that no
centerfielder was needed. as the rules al
low either eight nine players. as may
be desired. Wire netting was placed
across the windows to prevent damage
from batted balls and wild throws.
On Tuesday afternoon the boys finished
the inside walls with material similar to
that used for flooring. Baseball practice
continued every evening. By Wednesday
evening everything was so near compile
tion that the clubhouse committee was
empowered to issue invitations for
housewarmfng, to be held the following
Saturday evening. A game of indoor base
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

that he didn't care whether his parents
saw him. He tossed the match behind
the stove: it struck the pile of shavings
and ignited them. Before anyone could
realize what had happened a streak of
flame shot upward. The wall was burn
ing and the flames had caught the Frame
work before the blaze was noticed at all.
Several women screamed and many
rushed panic-stricken to the door, Walter
Gladwin and Joe" Stein we're as cool
headed as any. Walter seized the pail
used in the baseball game and dashed its
contents over the flames. Joe told Will
bur and Rex to fill the chocolate pals at
the shower bath faucets, directed Reub
and Charley to smother the blaze with
mattresses, and himself dashed off to the
nearest fire-alarm boy. The fight against
the impending conflagration was started
as quickly as the flames themselves.
At first the fire. fighters could do little
to check the blaze. The flames increased
their rapidity, and soon their greedy
tongues licked the cracking shingles.
Tears came to the boys eyes as they saw
the proud result of their labor apparently
being demolished in a moments time.
htuD CIOpptu loIt III the iCt at lhc
river bank, and the bucket brigade found
this a nearer and quicker accessory to
their work than the shower bathroom,
which was fast becoming too hot for COM
fort. Everything in which water could
be carried was pressed into service, and
the mayor himself was foremost in the
ranks of the fire-fghters.
Continued work resulted in a checking
of the flames advance, and in five min
uies more the fire was under control In
fifteen minutes, just as the Riverview
Hose Company appeared ON the scene. the
fire was practically extinguished. Nearly
half of one side wall and a good part of
the roof had become a charred skeleton.
Upon looking over the result of the fire
il was seen that the damage was not such
as could not easily be repaired. The boys
were thankful indeed that the whole OF
their splendid clubhouse had not been
burned to mass of shapeless ruins.
With this philosophical thought they left
for home, resolved TO retrieve their loss
as quickly as possible. It was a comfort,
too, to learn that the banner had not
been damaged in any way.
In the next story shall read of the
boys return basketball game with their
old rivals. the Golden Knights played in
the rebuilt clubhouse.
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

Chairman Johnson, OF the clubhouse com
mittee.
Ladies and gentlemen and members of
the Perseverance Club" began the mayor,
bowling to the audience. 81 can truly say
that this occasion is one of great inter
est to us all. That club of sixteen
manly young fellows, believers in a
healthful enjoyment of athletic sports,
should build unaided q clubhouse of this
kind-and build it we'll. tools fact of
which our town of Riverview may well
be proud. tGreat applause / will not
weary you with a lengthy discourse, as
see you are all anxious for the game to
begin Glaughterl. so / shall conclude my
remarks by extending to the enterpris-
ing members of the Perseverance Club
the hearty congratulations and best
wishes of the citizens of Riverview-and
in a most practical form"
While saying these words he had drawn
from his coat a piece of cloth, which
when unfolded bore the letters "Perse-
verance" in white upon the background
of royal purple. the clubs cclors. This
banner" his Honor continued. was made
by number Of young ladies who wished
to get up pleasant surprise for you.
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

were piled outside for later use, and
shortly after supper the boys brought
great baskets of goodies" from home.
leaving them in the shower bathroom
Two large water pals were brought, TO
make hot chocolate in, as the stove could
be used for cooking as well as for heating
Cups, spoons, forks. knives. plates, nap
kins and tablecloths were loaned by the
boys families.
Not long after seven the guests began
to arrive. The boys families and friends
made up the invited list. Among the
guests were the mayor, two couucilmen,
a justice of the peace. and the president
OF the gas company. The little house
was so crowded that there was hardly
room for the baseball diamond. Many
were obliged to stand behind the benches.
The members of the ball team had dom
ned their uniforms at home. They were
heartily applauded as they took the floor
fer preliminary practice. the Dauntless
Club having practiced first. This was
the Perseverance batting order: Glad
win, left field; Baumbach, third base
Ticknor. short stop; Sayles, second base;
Graham, right field; Davidson, first base;
Barry. catcher. and Stratford. pitcher.
After the practice Mayor Barclay was
escorted to the centre of the diamond by
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

lI M Y dear" warbled little Mrs.
M Wren, "can you stop singing
IXl a few minutes? 1 want to
talk to YOU" Johnny Wren,
perched on a lilac bush and singing as
though his tiny throat would split, left
of his sweet trills and hoped to the
twig beside his small brown wife.
We'll. my dear?" he asked.
81 have Just been househunting" she
replied. at really is time for US to set
tie. Mrs. Catbird and Mrs. Woodpecker
have both decided on a site. and you know
they are never very early"
True" answered Johnny. at is get
ting late. What do you think of the
places l saw yesterday? That one the
Blue Martins had last year seems coZy
and comfortable. With a little fixing up
the nest even could be used again.
Mrs. Wren shook her head, while her
bill went up ever so slightly in the air
Il don't like second hand furniture"
she said: above all, beds
I'D rather not have it myself" agreed
Johnny. We'll, after all, I've seen moth
ing more coy than the little house we
had last season, but Mr.. Bluebird has
moved into it. Really I think it very
impudent Of him. 1 have half mind to
make him give it up"
"Oh, pray. don't, my dear. Your are
very good tempered on the whole. but
you can be just a little pugnacious some
times you know. Mr.. Bluebird is such
peaceable fellow. Besides, Mrs. Bluebird
is setting"
Johnny's little brown face changed.
THAT certainly makes a difference" he
said Mrs Bluebird is early. isn't she?"
We'll, you know, that's her custom.
It's a good plan, in one way, but it's
risk too. as she herself says.
"Mr. Bluebird came unusually early this
year There was a little snOwstorm the
morning after he got here, he told me,
and he felt very shivery in his thin coat
But then he has TO think about the violets
and daffodils and crocuses. They are all
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

be taken to have driving rod arranged
properly.
| Now that your little engine is all set
up. cut out four pieces of stiff writing
paper two inches by one and a quarter
inches. and crease over one side of each
about a quarter of an inch. as shown In
| diagram. Attach these papers to hat
pin circle with sealing wax. See dia-
gram.
Now take a pasteboard box, bore
hole in the bottom of It and set it in
position on some books in such manner
that when the salt falls through the hole
at the bottom of the box 1t will fall
directly onto the paddles of the writing
paper wheel.
Be careful to place your fiywheel sup
ports perfectly level with each other.
and also see to it that holes in sup
ports. piston, and driving rod are such
that there will be no friction.
If arranged properly this little engine
will run splendidly. You may use as
large a box as you please for holding the
salt, and. too. by tipping one end up.
as shown in the illustration, the salt will
run out for much longer period without
replenishing. Make all fastenings with
sealing wax.
A pasteboard shoe box will furnish you
with just the material you need for the
manufacture OF this little engine.
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
T ERE is an engine which works just
. like a real engine. The card
i board wheel goes flying around.

i i board wheel goes flying around.
the piston rod works up and down
in its spool cylinder. and the cross-beam,
surmounted by two American flags. see
saws fully as perfectly as those run by
steam.
The power used in this little engs1s t>
not steam, though but salt, yes. common
salt, such as you use at table. The en-
gine itself is made of cardboard or paste
board, and as follows:
First cut out a wheel of pasteboard or
cardboard six inches in diameter. Make
it with spokes and just like wheel in pic
ture. Then cut out pasteboard driving
rod five inches in length, a crossbeam
eight inches in length and piston rod in
shape of that shown in picture, six inches
in length. Also cut out a pasteboard sup
port for crossbeam eight inches in length,
and two supports for flywheel. to rest in
each, three inches in length.
Now take box cover and fasten the
upright for the crossbeam in position. as
here shown. Then stick a pin through this
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

yond which he could not be traced. The
reason why he was traced to this point is
that the ground was covered with very
light fall of snow, enough to show foot
prints and wheel tracks. but not enough
to prevent his using any vehicle he chose.
The Washington times., 1902-03-16

HIS diagram illustrates the flight OF
kidnapper who stole child from
the house marked l and went
around the head OF a long. mar
ow lake to a railway station at Z. be-
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
A CASE FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES

The question Is. what means of locomo-
tion did he and the child employ, and
what happened to them on the different
stages of the route? The story is writ
ten clearly in the snow? Can you read
The Washington times., 1902-03-16
WHAT WILLIE SAW.

al always thought that
Indians inhabited the
West,
Where things are wild
and woolly," sal d
Willie, but I'm blest
If here Is not a brawny
brave a-standing by
the door
To drive away the Gus
toners from that to-
bacco store