davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
THE HUT IN THE WOODS.

Once there was log hut In the middle
of thick wood. In this hut there lived
very poor family, consisting Of a mother
and father and their only child, a little
| girl, whose name was May, and she had
always lived there. In winter the wind
would come whistling through the roughly
| made house and it was as much as the poor
| father could do to keep them all warm.
He had cut quite a number of trees down
around the hut so as to have some ground
! to plant vegetables in, and they had plenty
| OF wood to use in winter. In the summer
the little girl would go out and dig wild
| flowers up by the roots, then she would go
and plant them in the little garden that
her father had given her. She would take
the flowers in to her mother, who would
and Mays flowers looked very pretty. 1t
was long walk to the ai&ys but Mr.. White
would go there every a. 70 sell some Of
m 1ns sa bsS a hsm easa little
| were good, honest peopleNAnd wanted to
work, but the city peopfs al had help. so 1t
| was very. seldom that Nj. White could get
every day and stayed II a1i aA dusk. III In the the
evening when he can5S home his little
daughter was always az the door to meet
him, and he would be 50 glad to see her.
Then they would sit deRnato a dinner Of
brown bread and coffees after which May
went to bed. and the 3hbfher and father
would sit down and talk 4bout their little
gu oiiu Wish tial lHey-CQHiu SEM uer 10
some school in the city. where the father
could take her in the np4ting and bring
her nome In the evening With him. Next
evening when Mr.. White ca1he home he had
good news to tell. He Twas fortunate
enough to procure a position which gave
him quite good salary.Y So next year
May could go to school and be with COM
panions Of her own age. So one bright
morning in September May. with a little
book under her arm. said goodbye" to
her mother and started for school AS it
was the first time she had ever been so far
from home there were many wonderful
sights that met her eye, as with her hand
in her fathers they passed through the
streets of the city toward a great brick
building which was now In sight.
oh" said May. II am afraid I will get
lost going around in such a big house"
No" said Mr.. White, 1.-THE teachers will
show you the way until you are used to it.
Do you think you will like 1t there without
mamma?''
We'll, I will miss mamma, but in the
evening shall see both of you again. won't
I?' said little May. looking up into her
fathers face.
Why. of course you WILL" said Mr..
White But you must wait until come
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

when some one asks him would you
rather be a Spaniard or a dead dos7" He
Immediately lies down and Stimulates death
as an answer to this question. If told that
the policeman is coming he quickly sits up
at attention. The things he can do are
numberless.
In the course of his teaching he has
never been forced and never punished, but
cheerfully does what is asked of him, and
prevail, and a little piece of sugar or
cookie. He Is the almost constant COM
panion Of DR.. Neff, Nancy's father, and
would never let the doctor out Of his
sight If he could help it. He is very in
tense in his affection for his own people,
but utterly Indifferent to strangers.
Every night after dinner, as soon as his
master lights his cigar, Rags comes in
and asks for his pipe and eyeglasses He
then expects to be put through all of his
tricks, and would feel very much sighted
If he were not. He catches many mice and
Is fond of chasing cats, but never hurts
them. He would enjoy an occasional fight
If permitted, but as he; never cares to
tackle dog of his size, but Is ambitious to
whip st. Bernard, Great Dane, mastiff or
other large breed, this spirit is discouraged
His master relates that as the two Of them
were passing the mouth, Of an alley few
days since an old rag man coming down
the passageway shouted. In his peculiar
way, with rising infection, Rag -s''
Rags the pet stopped short and looked
at the man, then apparently noting his I'M
kempt condition and deciding that he was
not Of his class, shifted contemptuously and
trotted along up the street. Nothing gives
him greater pleasure than to go through
his tricks for the amusement of children
and guests. Altogether, he Is a most intelli-
gent and lovable little fellow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
AN INTELLIGENT LITTLE DOG.
A Pet Who Has Many Tricks and
Takes Pleasure in Performing.

Every one who loves dogs. and there
would seem to be something wrong in the
makeup Of one who does not. will be in
terested in hearing of "Rsgs" the fascinat-
ing little fellow whose picture is herewith
given. rags" Is golden skye terrier,
four years old. the pet of little Nancy Neff.
who lives on X street. Opposite Franklin
square. His long fieecy hair lis of golden
color, and his eyes-large and brown-are
mild and full of expression. He Is remark
able not only for his good looks, but for
his intelligence. He can, do, almost any
thing but talk, and though lacking that en-
dowment still is able to make himself I'M
derstood to those who know and love him,
by means OF certain sounds and signs. He
is very quick to learn and has a lot of
tricks, which he has acquired with great
facility. He not only performs the ordi-
nary feats of shaking hands, saying his
prayers. leaping hurdles, opening and shut
ting the doors, but does many others.
such standing erect on his hind legs and
marching and countermarching at the word
of command, or singing, and then taking a
basket in his mouth and passing round for
a collection. He will hold lump of sugar
on his nose, and at the words, Ready.
aim. firer' toss it up and catch 1t in his
mouth rags is also clever at finding
articles hidden while he Is blindfolded, and
delights in playing the game with Nancy.
An interesting instance Of his intelligence
which shows that he is patriotic as WELL is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
Aunt Dorothy's Letter
Dear Children:

Dear Children:
1 ain sitting by the window watching
an unusually heavy surf on Long Island
sound, caused by a severe storm which Is
just passing away. The sound is generally
very still and bright, but today 1t Is ike
the ocean. and everything seems dark ana
gloomy. The sunshine of your letters has
helped materially to brighten this day; and
/ wish very much that you would all re-
member constantly how gladly your little
letters and kind words are welcomed am
glad to know that Susie D., age eleven,
has persuaded her mother to let her join
the league, as 1T is pleasant for the very
young children, well as for the older
ones. Perhaps you will be surprised TO
learn that We have some members VINO are
quite old, who write that they are not in
their second childhood, but still want to
join our band and be children with us.
Can any of you send me verse from
the Bible that the league brings to mind?
1t is about little child. l very sorry
to learn that Beulah S. has been ill, and
Aunt Dorothy can heartily sympathize with
her. as she, too. is recovering very slowly
from a serious illness. Drop the puzzles,
dear. for a few weeks, until you feel
stronger. I shall not forget you, even if
you do not write every week. l am glad
Mary W. Is pleased with her badge The
initials stand for The Evening Star Sun
shine Children's Club. VIII Pearl P. please
write and tell us whether she heard from
other members? Marie r. must send draw
ingS in black and white If she wants to
have them used in The Star when they are
good enough The colored pictures she
sent will give pleasure to some of the fresh
air children at Darien, where they will be
sent.
George Lee Watts sends US pretty story,
which we will use very soon. Bessie Win
chester and Beulah Smallwood send puz-
Zles that will also be used. Thanks to both
Thanks also to Charles Schmestner, age
eight, for his drawing. He must keep
a
letter about the birds in her neighborhood
and We pass it on" for your pleasure.
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
The birds in the neighborhood are get
ting quite used to coming to our grass plot
for food, and they expect their usual three
meals a day. If We neglect them they will
sit on the fence and chirrup until some one
throws them some crumbs, and then they
eat them very greedily. They are very in
teresting and am fond of watching them.
One day while was crumbling some bread
Tor them they perched on the fence. watch
ing me, and as soon as went In they came
down l noticed two birds fly down, large
and small one, and a.. though they both
stayed near each other the small bird did
not pick up any crumbs at al After a
ana put some crumbs in it's BILL which 1t
stretched open very wide. This 1t continued
10 do great many times, and every time
The mamma bird gave the young one a
crumb 1t gave little chirrup, as if to say,
Thank YOU r r +,
DO You not feel that we owe Eleanor a
vote OF thanks for her pleasant little let
stories are very interesting and well told
With best wishes until next week
Yours cordially,
AUNT DOROTHY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
STAR CIRCLE REPORTS.

STAR CIRCLE REPORTS.
From the Willing Workers Evening Star
Circle, No. 8; Miss Alice ". Parker, presi-
dent
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
We are sorry not to have reported before
The Willing Workers held a meeting June
%, which was of much interest to all pres
emit AS 1t was our first formal meeting
the rules and regulations of the circle were
read by the president, together with numer-
Gus incidents and sunshine notes Five
new members were taken in. An appeal
published in The Star some time ago for
aid to send mother and child for out
ing In the country struck sympathetic
chord and our circle is deeply interested
in the matter. We now have in the treas
ury 81 for that purpose. The question is,
Shall we send a child only, or shall we
wait until We can raise 81 for both mother
and child? VIII you kindly suggest what
you think best for us to do? We are be-
ginners and would gladly avail ourselves
OF any suggestions you Will make. Our
circle was organized with only three mem
berS, and In our quiet way we tried to
spread all the sunshine possible but really
thought our little acts of kindness too
trivial to be reported. We exerted our eff
forts to brighten and cheer one member of
our band whose young he has been shad-
owed by Ill health since a small child She
has responded and is hopeful and bright; is
our secretary and one of our most untirng
workers, trying to add sunshine and happi-
ness TO all with whom e comes in contact.
we nave aided others less fortunate than
ourselves by giving them food and clothes
and try by little acts OIL love and kind
words to win all to u.s. Our circle meets
again July 80. and We hope a more interest
ing report can be sent in. Please help us
by telling US how we may scatter the most
sunshine as we pass by the way. Our cir
Gle now has fourteen members a mixed cir
Gle OF adults and children. all trying in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
Mothers Boys.

The children sat in the fading light,
Building their castles with keen delight1
Said fearless Fred, II mean to be
sailor brave on the deep blue sea."
Said roguish PHIL with a twinkling eye.
'.I'l be a soldier bye and bye"
"And I'll be a lawyer" said noisy Joe.
'And I'll climb to the Judges bench, Know
Said thoughtful John, in q timid voice.
ITO preach I think. would Be my CHOICE
But never a word said the family pet,
As he sat in the midst Of the noisy set.
"And what will my Charley bef' said.
He lifted his bonny curly head.
And looked at me with his bright blno eyeA
''Tn be my mothers boy" he cries.
And I pray that as each may take his place,
On land or sea, in Hfe's great race.
That their loyal hearts may still rejoice,
Though near or far to be mothers boys.
EDITH VIRGINIA BRk4s
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
90 (nine-ninths equals u
100

Dear Aunt Dorothy:
1 received my badge and was very much
pleased with it. 1 wrote to you in April
acknowledging the same, but have not seen
my letter in The Star. My little sister is
thinking of joining the club. We both en-
joyed the story 'Topsy on the Top Floor"
School closed June II. 1903, and we started
our holiday with a trip to Chevy Chase
lake to hear the Marine Band We enjoyed
the music very much. Last Saturday our
sunday school gave its annual excursion
and had glorious time. I will expect to
see this letter in The Star very SOON
will close. With love from your little
friend, FRANCES G. II
I'VE are glad you had a good time We
will welcome your sister as member1
On July the 4th. 1776, the Declaration Of
Independence was signed by Thomas JEFF
ferson and great many other men from
Congress, which declared the United States
free from the laws Of Great Britain. The
Fourth Of July IS now celebrated as the
birthday of the nation
The Fourth Of July is looked forth to as
a great day of celebration, such as picnics
excursions and displays of fireworks We
had large parade up the avenue and at
night there were beautiful fireworks at the
monument grounds. Yours truly JH.
Washington D. c.. July IL, 1909.
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
In this letter I will tell you my story
about the Fourth of July, hoping 1t will win
a prize.
While I was having great fun the Fourth.
I, and I guess, a great many American
children never at once thought why we
were celebrating this great day About 1913
years ago. before the revolutionary war
was fought. England, our mother coun-
| try had made many unjust laws against
US. Some OF these were the stamp act"
the tea taxi and the -four tntolerabI
acts"
When England heard Of the Declaration
of independence" being signed and the col
onieS declaring themselves free and indie
pendent. she sent over soldiers to conquer
| this country, but finally, after five years Of
| hard fighting, the Americans, led by our
| hero, George Washington, won the indie
pendence claimed by them. This is why we
celebrate the great day. July f. Yours sin
| cerely, GEORGE w.
''Marwelton Cottage"
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
I have enjoyed reading the Children's
Page of The Saturday Evening Star very
much. Here are two little jingles which, If
you think good enough. 1 would like to
see in print. This Is the first time l have
ever sent anything away and hope it will
meet with success. Your loving friend,
CHARLOTTE D. L., Age a.
Falls Church, Fairfax County, Va.
Interesting letters, Stories ETC., are hereby
acknowledged received from Raymond
ShQpe, Inez Jenkins, Laura Vessels, Ger
trude Rinehart. Elsie Mae Jost, Eleanor F.,
Ruth B. Hutson and Dorothy Donnally
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
zff HHT :
~

Frankfort, Ind, June %, 1908.
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
I received the nice prize you sent me and
am delighted with it. 1t is even nicer than
I expected, and thank you very much. I
also received the pretty Sunshine League
badge. and am trying to keep my edge.
1 now going to enter another contest,
the redstart. Yours truly,
MIRIAM E.
THANK you, Miriam. Keep on trying.l
Dear Aunt Dorothy:
Our school closed Wednesday and I am
transferred. mamma and papa were pleased
with my report because 1 got excellent in
all my studies all the year. I am going to
tell you about a trip I took to the woods
We spent couple of hours and enjoyed it.
On our way home we found a little bird
we picked 1t up and brought it home it
chirped SO we had to take 1t back where
we found it. Soon the mother bird came
and we left it with her.
Your little friend. DOLORES B.
Write to me, my dear little friend, and
tell me what mistakes you think you have
made in this letter. We expect to have
summer prize for correct spelling and pune
tuation. Watch our offers and join the
cOnteSt.1
Here are the answers to Inisen BIS puz-
zles In Letter Box Of las week:
When 1t Is IL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

SONG: A DAY
Slowly, slowly rose the sun,
Quickly. quickly the brooklet runs.
Singing. singing is the bird;
Every Of all is heard.
Chorus:
Busy, busy works begun
As slowly, slowly rose the sun.
Gently, gently sinks the sun.
Quietly, quietly the brooklet runs.
Sleeping, sleeping is the bird;
Not twitter can be heard.
Chorus:
Quiet, quiet, work is done,
AS gently, gently sinks the sun.
LAURA GOLDIN VESSELS,
Gaithersburg, Nd. az years old).
Jufy q 1903
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
Iucifer,

The first box of matches ever sold is said
to have been bought by an old coach driver
for shilling. Sir Isaac Holden did not in
vent the lucifer match Though he discov-
cred it himself, he had been anticipated by
two years by John Walker of Stockton-on-
Tees. The inventor refused to patent his
discovery, and made present of 1t to the
nation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
Children's Sunshine League
MEMBERSHIP COUPON.
international President and Director, Mrs.
Louise E. Hogan.

MEMbfRSHlP COUPON.
International President and Director, Mrs
Louise E. Hogan.
International Headquarters,
SO 9Th Avenue. New York, N. Y.
international Secretary, Miss Hortense Nc
kee, Box 20o, Washington, d. C.
National Weekly Organ, the Saturday Edi-
tion Of The Washington Star.
PLEDGE.
] promise TO try every day to add happi-
ness to some ones life by being kind or
passing on some kindness given me.
promise TO try to earn each month a
penny postage stamp, nickel or dime
ana Keep IL ready to send to any one our
president may tell us is in need OF such help.
| promise to write TO my president a
month and tell her what l am doing to help
others and what can do to help her help
others.
l promise TO help the Children's League
give TO children who cannot otherwise get
them such books selected by my
president and printed on our list.
Please enroll my name and send my badge
in inclosed stamped and self addressed en-
velope.
Town or City NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
State and County. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Age of Applicant. II under 2o..............
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

Individual workers may Join the league
or any circle by writing to box 2O5, Wash
fngton, d. c., for information.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

CHARADE
My first Is verb of command.
My second utensil to cook in.
My third Is letter which is sometimes
a vowel
My whole Is a number of men called a
firm.
BIOGRAPHICAL ACROSTIC.
The largest peninsular in the world.
1. A range of mountains In the south Of
Europe.
2. A beautiful city In Italy.
3. One Of the rivers of Europe noted for
its scenery.
4. The largest county Of Scotland
5. A country of America belonging to
England.
9. The ancient name for England.
HOUR GLASS
A wizard. sssssss
A plant. sssss
An aertform fluid. 80
A consonant.
A melody. 49,
To dye. sssss
To the letter. sssssss
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

cape unframed from a hundred dangers.
He shows us the little learners at work
and at play. and the book is well worth
reading and re-reading.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
TRANSPOSITIONS.

N u MEHICAL ENlGMA,
The public school.
HOUR GLASS.
c n A r L ID
L o U I 8
SO P H Y
R c H A r D
WORD SQUARE.
8 T A R
T M e
A M o 8
R e 8 T
DOUBLE ACRosTIo.
P A r 8
l. Y o N 8
p E D E 8 T A L
A r 1 8 T o c r A O Z
r o NJ e o
T A L A n
ENIGMA.
NUMERICAL 4.1NIGMA-
The Star building.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
CEOCR ACROSTJC

RIDDLE.
My first Is like a fairy thing
All clad in shimmering green,
With blossoms scattered everywhere,
Fit jewels for queen.
My second charms, though quite mature,
Are something passing fair;
A matron with happy heart
And calm, benignant air.
My third it's dying radiance sheds,
Like western afterglow;
Robs age and death Of half Its dread,
Nor makes It hard to go.
My fourth is life that's raised from death,
And still the lessons here,
And comforts strong the human heart
That shakes with CHASTITY fear.
TRANSPOSITIONS.
Transpose Chinese plant, twill give
what must do If you would live.
Transpose what we do in harvest time and
get fruit.
CONUNDRUMS.
I daily breathe, say what you will,
And yet 1 have no life;
kdndle fires. but never kill.
Nor cause the smallest strife.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

There at turn in the road, not ten yards
ahead, stood a huge bear
From Wood Folk at School,
cinating animal studies. Mr.. Long tells
how the little ones of the wood must also
learn from their wise, patient mothers how
to hold their place in their world and es-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
for you. or you might get lost among
these strange streets"

for you. or you might get lost among
these strange streets"
YES" said May, IT will wait for you."
and by this time they had reached the
school, and Mr.. White, leaving May In her
teachers care, kissed sher, left the building
and went to his work. which was not far
from the school. May was rather timid
as she sat in her seat before such lot OF
children. as May said when she was home
again that evening. She had never seen
so many before May liked going to school
very much. and when her father came to
get her that evening she had quite lot to
say. May was bright child, learned very
quickly and went to school until she was
eighteen years old, and then she taught
school herself BY and by they had enough
money to buy a nice house in the city, with
all sorts of comforts and near to May 8
school. Soon after they were settled in the
city home May had little baby brother.
whom she dearly loved. She had the honor
of naming him. so they called him Herbert,
after his father, and, as May said. there
could not be a nicer name. and she hoped
he would grow up to be as good a man as
their father. They all lived very happily.
and you could never believe that they were
the same people that lived so poorly In
THE Hut in the Woods"
ELEANOR F.
A MOUSE STORY
One morning as I was lying on the
couch on my chest reading a book thought
| I heard little squeak, and looking up
| saw the head of a tiny mouse. I was some
what startled, and the mouse, who had
| climbed up the side of the couch, was peep
| Ing at me over my book, and my sudden
movements frightened 1t and 1t dropped to
the moor l got up and went down after
! our cat, who came running after me as
| called Mice, mice" After searching some
| time and finding that the mouse had dis
| appeared the cat sat down and waited for
| Its temperance. In the course of the
| afternoon she was aroused from her nap
| and, hearing the little mouse again rustling
| around, she searched once more and was
| rewarded by finding 1t behind the couch
Pouncing upon 1t, she brought 1t out and
proudly showed it to her spectator.
ELEANOR 9.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

Interesting letters, stories, ETC., are hereby
acknowledged as received from Raymond
Slope, IneZ Jenkins, Laura Vessels, Ger
trude Rinehart. Elsie Mae Jost, Eleanor F.,
Ruth B. Hutson and Dorothy Donnally.