davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

and the dark OF the evening spread fit
fully over the great dismal stretches Of
the Everglades
The blue heron was not so restless and
feverish as on the previous night. but
it's stupid quietness carried dismay to
the old famingo. He crowded closer 10
the silent bird. half supporting him and
giving cheer and comfort by his pres
cree. The dawn OF morning found them
close drawn together, wing touching
wing and feathers interviewer With
feathers. but the blue heron was leaning
heavily against the side Of the cypress
trees. The cid famingo. moving I'M
easily in his slumber. stepped to enc
side. Instantly. with the brace Of his
body removed. the stiffened form OF the
blue heron reeled. tottered. and fell
With a splash into the water
In silence the hamingo studied the
strange phenomenon. Death was not
new 20 him. IN many forms and sur
roundings he had witnessed il IN the ST.
lent Businesses of the Everglades. The
sight Of the stiEened legs and body. the
CLASSY eyes half sheathed from view. the
dropping feathers hanging dejectedly
from tail and wings. and The whitened
bill and neck brought no sound from the
old veteran Of the swamp lagoon. But
he stood in his cid position all the fore
tron. Sill disdainfuIly ignoring the
food at his feet. When the hour OF noon
came and passed his head was cooked Z.
little on ono side. but otherwise he ap-
ptared natural and life-like no food
had passed into his stomach for more
than twenty four hours. but even at his
age he could starve longer than a day
and night without harm.
In the silence OF the next night the
aamingo moved uneasily several times.
He raised his head TO glance around.
taking. as Il were, a last look at his Ia
vcrite haunts- TIE loneliness OF his
position had suddenly grown deeper and
more depressing. The dead blue heron
at his feet was the last link in the chain
which held him 10 a life of solitude.
Several times during the night he preezed
his feathers and dashed his head into
the cleansing waters at his feet These
we're habits that he could not resist.
~ hNNp Ms pluUldBt CT scar
let bright and shining frequent preen-
ings and washtngs had been necessary
all his life. Now. on the eve OF de-
parture from his solitary huntins
grounds he could not abandon weIl-in-
formed habits
1t was an hour before sunise wher
he last moved his head He turned n
sideways so that with his haIf-cIosee
eyes he could see the dead blue heror
at his feet; then he nestled his head
deeper in his breast feathers and fell
asleep.
A hungry alligator crawling forth from
his muddy bath for an early breakfast
shifted the air near the silent aamingo
but he turned away in disgust. There
was no fresh meat. Standing in his ac-
eustomed place. The old famingo-ths
last OF his tribe-had died as he -ha5
lived His stiffened legs were rigid il
death. but the body. half leaning against
the cypress tree. was erect and firm
From distance the scarlet feathers
were like some orchid blossom adornins
the top of the cypress tree-a rare com.
bination OF beauty and oddly that the
Everglades sometimes produce.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04
IN THE GARDEN
OF FORGIVENESS.

There is garden, far. far away,
Kept for the souls who sinned and suf-
fered most
The sword OF God forever guards the
way.
Ard, round it's borders. camps a heav-
enl.- host.
gentle wind brsathes through the
tufted grass.
Rich with the scent of roses in theiI
bloom;
And. with the wind, all sins and sorrow,
pass.
Leaving a sweet eontentnment in thein
room.
Here are no troubles; here are none tina.
vice.:
Here come no thoughts of sadness OF
desoair:
But fairest flowers. in fullest beauty
slee-;
And softest sunlight fills the dreaming
air.
The murmurings of fountains. low anc
sweet.
Forever All the ear and never cease.
Soothing the silence with gentle beat
Like kindly voices. speaking words OF
peace.
And here. forever and forever, rest
The weary souls. unburdened of theiI
sin;
And cursed things are here forgiven anc
blessed:
And wicked hearts are made ali clear
within.
Bertrand ShadwelL
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

ing ms head. military fashion. as an old
veteran soldier, to be sure that he still
possessed his courage and strength. But
one day was much like another Few
OF the inhabitants of the woods or lagoon
took notice Of him. He was relic OF
a past race, and his age and peaceful
intentions assured to him safety and lib
crty. Even the surviving alligators
seemed to pity him in his lonely old
age, and he could stand by the hour
nea- their basking place without excit
ing attention.
The delightful hour of MONDAY, warm
with the southern sun. and aromatic with
ten thousand air plants and blooming
vines, was brooding peacefully over the
scene of the lagoon when a distant cry
startled the old fiamingo from his midday
slumber. He raised his head in sleepy
expectancy. A gentle breeze stirred the
new foliage of the cypress tree nearby
but this gave no indication of the mean
ing of the alarming note of discord.
A moment of perfect forest calm and
hush followed. The very air seemed to
hesitate in its breathing. and the leaves
ceased to rustic in their silken dress OF
green. Clear and sharp came the cry OF
distress again. this time prolonged into
wall of agony which made the warlike
blood of the old hamingo stir in its
sluggish channels. He stretched his
wings and held aloft the elegant head OF
scarlet. The small eyes partook OF the
vibrant heat color around and flashed
apprehensively In their intensity.
Out of the clear blue sky, as It were,
there was hurled thunderbolt stranger
than any the old bird had ever before
seen. II shot through the opening in
the cypress trees and fell with a sick
feet. Close behind rushed another OBJ
ject, pursuing with the speed of an ar
row, and never ceaslng It's impetuous
flight until It bounced upon its prey in
the now noisy lagoon.
There was a wild effort at a struggle.
The small, frightened blue heron was
no match for the fierce eagle, which
ripped and tore the feathers of it's prey
to shreds. With a despairing cry of
pain the helpless blue heron plunged be-
meath the water. hoping to drown of
its enemy, but when It came to the sur
face again the eagle had not abandoned
it's purpose 1t renewed its attack with
more vehemence than ever.
But while it struck forth with beak
and talon the old fiamingo suddenly
started UP into life. and with few long
strides reached the scene OF the con-
lict. The old warrior had been trans
formed in the twinkling of an eye. The
scarlet of his coat appeared blood rcd,
the feathers of his wings and tail stood
upright in bristling bayOnet form, and
the beak was wide open, emitting hissrs
and cries which echoed through the for
est glade without thought of the con-
sequences the old fighter bounced upon
the eagle and began to claw and dig With
besk and feet. But its heaviest bat
teries were as nothing TO the highest
of the eagle. Turning upon the fla
mingo, the bird of prey nearly disabled
him with one savage thrust OF his claws
Bleeding and torn by this blow, the
famingo rose from the water and with
an old challenge of defiance plunged fer
ward to death as recklessly as any SOL
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

two or three half-grown alligators on
the marsh crawling from nest to nest
to feed on the young birds. There was
wild dissertation and sacrifice scattered
around!-nests hattened out by the
weight of the heavy reptiles. bones and
feathers of dead birds crushed into the
soft, oozy mud. and the whole village
of the colony broken up and destroyed.
The flamingoes stared in horror at the
scene, while the marauding alligators
seemed to look up and leer at them.
The birds screeches and 1utterings only
added to the grim enjoyment of the big
saurians. But the warlike leader OF the
colony was stung TO anger and revenge
By the sight. He did not add his cries
to those of his companions. Flapping his
great wings heavily in circle. he slow
ly drew near to the foremost of the big
saurians, and without asking permits
sion from that creature lighted easily
on his back. An alligator can strike an
enemy in any part of a circle within
reach Of his tail or huge Jaws, but there
is a portion of his back, midway be-
tween the head and tail. which he can
not touch. The old flamingo. perched
on this identical spot, calmly watched
the irate saurian struggle to disledge
his. When the futile efforts had ceased
the old bird deliberately leaned forward
and gave a vicious peck with his bill
at the snaky eyes of the reptile.
The alligator gave start of pain. bel
lowed forth roar of mingled anger and
fear. and thrashed the marsh violently
with his huge tail, but with each con-
vulsion of the body the old fiamingo de-
iivered a sharp. singing blow at one
of the small eyes. The saurian in his
efforts to free himself from his perse-
cutor, rolled clean over on his side and
back; but he was no sooner on his
feet again than the famingo pounced on
him to renew the attack.
During the startling exhibition the
rest of the alligators and fiamingoes
acre quiet and astonished spectators,
but when the big bull alligator started
for the water. with violent swishes OF
his tail and mournful cries of pain, the
rest of his companions took fright and
also made a precipitate retreat 1t was
only when their tails were turned toward
then. that the whole colony OF hamin-
goes Joined their leader in the attack.
Will loud cries they gyrated around in
the air, and singly and in pairs jumped
on the backs OF the retreating sauFians,
pecSing viciously at the one vulnerable
point of the reptiles. Such an attack
could not be without its mishaps. Some
in their eagerness to strike a fatal blow
crowded too close TO the swishing tail
and swinging jaws, and there was a
crunch of bones and feathers which
sounded the doom of some scarIet-dress-
ed creature. But the attack and the
retreat we're successful. The saurians
never again invaded the nesting place Of
the famingoes.
The membranes Of these deeds OF
the past often warmed the heart of the
old solitary fiamingo as he stood by the
eide of his lagoon, and he lived again in
attic and scenes of homely love and
happiness. 1t was when he opened his
eyes from one of the dreamy reveries
that a sharp pang of sorrow shot
through him. He would stalk forth in
the water to gather more food. cock
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

God what she had done to deserve all
this. Then that she felt that, even as
the sins of the fathers were visited
upon the children. so must their vir-
tues be. for she knew that nothing in
her own life warranted the happiness
that had been crowded into these past
four years. She remembered now but
vaguely that which had once meant so
much to her. she felt no need of IT. for
could not Philip sing? PhiIip-her life
and soul. And was not little Philip,
flesh of her flesh and bone of her bone,
already giving promise OF what he, too
would one day do?
Stepping quickly across the room she
caught him passionately to her breast.
covering his face with kisses.
All How warm his little body felti
The days that followed were days OF
dumb agony. days in which neither
father nor mother dared look into the
others eyes. fearing that each might
read there what both were trying not to
think. and one day Eleanor's husband
did not go down to his office.
What a weary, weary day IL was.
Back and forth he wandered through the
lonely rooms, up and down the stairs
he tramped. Never before had he real
lied how small and cramped the house
was. He wondered why architects did
not make longer flights OF stairs, so that
one need not reach the bottom ere he
had started out. and then at the top
again. before he had had time to turn
around. He asked himself impatiently
why men wasted good years studying
medicine when they were so impotent
to help when most you needed them.
He felt an irresistible desire to shake
the trained nurse, who looked so tanta-
lizingly dainty in her white and blue
gown, forgetting that he had seen her,
just within the bathroom door. sobbing
as il her heart would break, her face
hid in one of Philips little coats.
The only thing that seemed natural in
all the house was the white figure. with
whittier face, sitting so patiently beside
the little bed
AS afternoon wore on the little boy,
who had lain so still all day. grew rest
less, the little arms raised weakly, and
the mother, who had been craving the
feeling OF his little body against her
breast, gathered him up in her arms.
and seating herself in the low chair,
rocked slowly back and forth.
Sing, mamma, p'ease. Sing about the
Pine'er."
They were the first words he had
spoken that day, and Eleanor could
scarcely hear them.
'Fatherll sing she said. raising sor-
rowful, appealing eyes to her husband.
dry eyes that had not shed a tear for
days.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

maid" he said You have not said a
word for half an hour"
1T is wonderful evening. Philip
and something in her face made his
heart leap as he leaned nearer. Turn
ing. she reached up. and slipped her
arms about his neck. drawing his head
down so that he might hear what she
had TO tell him.
A few days later a music teacher
came. The best that could be had. One
who, under other circumstances; would
not have wasted even one lesson on this
pupil. He knew. though. that he was
not teaching this woman. but her child
the child of his favorite pupil. Nor
would Eleanor, in other days. have sub
jected herself TO this painful betrayal OF
her inability TO strike even the simplest
note, and she knew that the woman who
strove so hard was not the Eleanor of
bygone days, but a better woman than
she who had been sorrowful because she
could not sing. So, In great patience,
they labored on. he with determination
born of love for his ex-pupn, she with
the perseverance born OF maternal cour-
age.
In less than two years time their
work began TO bear its fruit, and in one
OF the pretty tricks that Eleanor had
taught her son, the good, old professor
had his reward. Some one would go to
piano and a set OF pictures would be
laid before the little bright-faced boy
AS the strains OF Dixie" sounded he
was taught to touch the picture of a
marching soldier. or, when Eleanor
would ask that they play that favorite
hymn of her childhood-favorite. al
though it marked that bitter day of her
awakening.the baby fingers would
clasp picture Of the Christ. with lit
tie children gathered round Him.
And il was then that the staid old
professor so far forgot himself as to
clap his hands in glee and cry Bravo
Time. passing on. gave fuller promise
OF the answer to Eleanor's deepest
prayer. for the baby voice grew sweeter
day by day. and his delight in music al
most phenomenally strong.
One day Eleanor. looking I'D from her
sewing, missed her little son from her
side. Going in search OF him she paused
in the hallway at the sound of the notes
that came from the parlor. weak and
singly. Reaching the doorway, she
pushed aside the heavy portiere. and
stood a moment looking in. There. at
the piano. stood little Philip. his head
just reaching above the keyboard. his
little fingers lovingly touching the keys.
pausing. as each note sounded, to lis
ten, mouthed. TO it's vibrating
echoes.
And IL was then that Eleanor felt that
her cup OF Joy was full, and asked OF
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

With a woman's strength she repeat
ed. scarcely hesitating. the foolish lines
not daring to look at her husband Will,
she did so:
Oh isn't it a pity
such pretty girl as
should be sent TO the nunnery
To pine away and die?
The man swallowed hard.
'oh, isn't it" but his voice wa,
broke with a sob. and he rose and lef
the room
Sing. mamma. p'ease." again tn,
pleading voice.
"oh. isn't a pity. such a pretty
how bravely her voice went on.
The baby moved impatientIy.
Don't do that. mamma. Sing"
Eleanor's heart rose in a mighty CT,
to God-the bitter "why?" OF her child.
hood mingling with an agonized appeal
that she might not be found wanting in
this-the last hour OF her baby's life.
As II in answer to her prayer a vision
rose before her. rose so clearly as il
flashed upon the blank wall opposite.
She saw a broad expanse OF water
and a long boat filled with boys and
girls. The moon seemed 10 shine with
especial brightness on the girl who sat
astern. banjo across her knee.
Let's sing" Eleanor had said-she
always included herself in these re-
quests-'iets sing 'Mammy's Little Ala
bama Coon" And after few pre-
liminary tuning notes Of the banjo the
chorus OF voices rose above the water.
II seemed 10 Eleanor. that night, as
II she had never felt so keenly her in
ability to sing. Everything was so mar
velously beautiful. she longed to be in
tune with 1t all, and was shut out from
the part she loved the best. The soft
cadence Of the song mingled with the
dipping splash OF the oars, and II seem
ed to Eleanor that each note impressed
itself upon her mind with intenser pain.
She could hear the banjo now, as she
sat rocking her baby. and she could
hear the voices as they had sounded on
the still air that evening.
'Mamma1l sing" she whispered.
bending low over the little face
Mamma knows such a pretty song"
Then, with her whole being strung to
a pitch of acute listening. her voice
rose slowly and timidly, as IL she were
trying to follow some rather uncertain
accompaniment.
The little boy lay quiet; the fretful
lines psssed from his face
petty, mamma, petty. Sing again. "
How weak the little voice was grow
ing; how strong Eleanor's had become.
She recommended her song.
The little hand reached up, with a
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04

der on the field of battle The eagle
still facing the new foe, waited con-
temptuously for the old birds harmless
charge. The blue heron. taking advan-
tage OF the sudden lull in the struggle
tried to escape. but the eagle chung 10
the helpless bird with one claw while
it faced the lamingo with the other.
1t was easily capable of handling the
two 10 this way. for neither had any
weapon with which to infiict any serious
wound. Nature had been blind in pro-
viding them with means OF offense and
defense. Il was clearly to be one ol
those forest tragedies which we so sell
dom witness, but find unmistakable To-
kens long after they have been enacted
Yet at this juncture. when the foolish
old bird was ready to sacrifice his life
for principle. nature stepped in to make
good its deficit in the hamingo's case.
From out OF the muddy water a lorg
snout was raised, and a pair of 5naky
eyes watched eagerly the commotion
near by. A moment later there was a
sharp click. a snap like the clising OF
steel lock. and a scream of pain and
anger.
The famingo drew back iust in time
to avoid the jaws OF the alligator and
the blue heron plunged and swan away
as the eagle, loosening its grasp in its
death agony. was drawn beneath the
sluggish waters of the lagoon. \ few
bubbles and a reddish tinge OF the water
followed by some floating feathers. told
the story of the strange termination OF
the fight.
More accustomed to the ways Of the
big saurians and less inundated by
their sudden appearance. the old fiamin-
go half waded and half few across tho
lagoon 70 the frightened blue heron.
crouching in the shade OF a cypress tree
The two birds looked at each other in
silence. Both we're wounded. but not
seriously. The blue heron had been torn
open in places by the cruel talons of thl
eagle. and the blood was freely flowing.
The flamingo had merely lost few OF
his scarlet feathers. His skin and body
wore toughened and hardened by years
Ct toll in the swamps. and they had re-
sisted the blows Of the eagle
Standing side By side in the shadow
of the cypress tree they cleaned their
feathers and smoothed rufled plumage.
There were no words exchanged between
them-scarcely noise of any kind: but
in some mysterious way they understood
that they were two unfortunates in
danger. When they had preened their
feathers to their satisfaction they stood
in the water and gazed soIemnIy and
silently across its wide expanse. Occa-
sionally they cooked a head sideways
and watched the narrowing circles OF
bubbles in the lagoon made by some
FESTIVE alligator. At such times the
fiamingo, as host. showed his contempt
for the saurians by stepping between
them and the blue heron.
Thus they stood until the sun went
down and the shadows OF night spread
over the place. The famingo tapped his
wings as il TO fly UP among the branches
Of the trees. but the blue heron. after
valnly trying to stretch stiffening mus
cles, abandoned it with a moan of pain
The fiamingo understood. and once more
took his silent position near his friend
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-04
Che Last Of Ills Urtbe- Craeeop Of the Everglades

protect the birds! Against the somber
background of green and deep brown
the scarlet feathers drew the attention
of the hunters. They swarmed down to
the lagoons and muddy streams to shoot
their prey. They slaughtered them BY
the dozens and then by the scores. The
old lamingo saw his friends and rela-
tiyes killed all around him. but some
charm held the shot from his own
breast. He had been in battles OF
slaughter when all but himself were
pierced by the darts of death.
Why had he not been killed with the
others of his kind? Sometimes in his
solitary loneliness he wished that he
had been among the fallen. His bright
Dlumage would then adorn some hat OF
fashion far away in a Northern city.
The old flamingo was now in peaceful
solitary possession of his lagoon home.
The plumage hunter no longer threat
ened him. There were not enough of his
kind to tempt the gunners to penetrate
to such unfathomable depths of the
woods. He was powerless TO rear more
of his kind, and the race would die out
with him. The thought of the wilder
ness rendered him voiceless and soil
| tary by the disappearance of his people
made his heart heavy. He stood by the
lagoon which had so often responded to
the splash of his kind. Up and down its
banks the flowers and plants grew, and
the countless insects crawled and waded
in the depths OF Iuxuriant grass and
moss; but nowhere did one move which
could bring consolation and happiness to
the last famingo.
In his younger days, when he was the
head of his tribe. the bird had been a
strong winged and alert warrior. brave
ly pointing out the way to the paths of
safety. He had stemmed the tide of
battle when a colony of bitterns had
threatened to invade the quiet lagoon
and pre-empt It Of it's score of inhabi-
tants BY strategic flank movement
be had put the bitterns to flight and
taught them a lesson long remembered.
There had been season, too-when the
shallow edges OF the lagoon were dotted
Win muu D6dpeQ USSlS-Jndl an invasion
90 reptiles from the depths of the
swamps threatened to bring misery and
sorrow to many of the families of the
colony. With his accustomed strategy,
the old famingo had routed the crawl
ing creatures by destroying the bridge
which crossed from the bank to the
marsh. With their bridge burned behind
them and half a hundred angry parent
birds facing them with determination.
the reptiles turned and swan back TO
the safe refuge of the swamp without de-
stroying the contents of single nest.
Then there had been the alligators,
They had basked in the warm sunlight
of the lagoon for generations, passing
the winters in a semi alternating state
and crawling forth in summer active
and hungry. In the queer mud nests Of
the colony Of hamingoes the alligators
one season found numerous young birds
waiting for the strong feathers TO grow
that would enable them to fly skyward
Every day the whole colony would fly
away TO the great lake in Indian file
to FISH, returning at dusk to feed and
care for their young. When they re-
turned one warm spring day they found