davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

somehow TO learn to ride bicycle, but who, of
course. never had owned one, had fallen to dream
ing dream so splendid that at times it startled
him. This dream was based the great number
Of old, battered, rusty wheels that were piled up
IN the back yard-wheels of all sorts, but among
them many of the same kind, some lacking tires,
others pedals, others sprockets, and on, and
one that could be ridden in the whole assortment;
but, as Tommy soon proved, there were so many
that, If he took part from this one and part from
that 1t would be possible to make an entire wheel
that would be quite good as new one.
At first he merely dreamed of this, but by and by
he began to sort these wheels and then to take
them apart. Pretty soon he found himself building
q Wheel and before long there it stood He scarcely
realized that he had accomplished the feat until
he saw 1t done. It really looked like a new wheel
for he had selected the best parts of each old bat
tered wreck. and as be admiring it Mr.. Cruger
entered and said:
@Hellol Who sold you thatG III bet it's stolen
WHEEL"
eSurei I stole it," replied Tommy, grinning. "I
stole il out of that bunch of old cripplesw
When Mr.. Cruger understood that Tommy had
made this splendid new Wheel all by his own efforts
he was amazed and very much pleased
you've got a fine WHEEL" said he. SIt's really
better than one for all the parts you've used
are proved ones that have been tested by hard wear
and so can be depended upon"
"You don't mean that it's mine!" demanded
Tommy.
"Surel Why not? None of them are any good.
and you certainly earned it." replied tCruger,
laughing.
Iommy's eyes filed with joyful tears, for he had
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

Eganius was indeed the King, but really he had
little power. The people of Ghamma worshlped
great ugly idol called the God of Fire, named Bhug
gus, and his temple, which stood on a bill. was
filed with thousands and thousands of his priests,
who swarmed all over the land listening to what
the people said and watching what they did. Every
month each man and woman compelled to offer
as sacrifice to the idol something of value, and
King Eganus told Tom that this custom had at
last reduced all the land to extreme poverty for
this monthly sacrifice had endured for a thousand
wears. SO that now the poor people had nothing to
burn but what they raised on their farms.
Once, he said, gold diamonds, silken robes and
splendid furniture used to be taken to the temple,
but handful of carrots some corn, or, at be IT,
a chicken, was all most of the natives could bring.
The King had very little left, although there were
still few things in the palace but the arrival of
the ship had caused the priests to be very joyful
indeed, for they now that there would be plenty
for the sacrifices
Tommy told the King that this was a dreadful
state of affairs and said it ought to be stopped be-
fore the people burned all the valuable cargo, for
that was sure to happen in time. The King trembled
he told of the power of the idol and his priests,
but Tommy laughed and said:
"I'd like to see this burning"
"Youll see it in three days" said the King; ''but
it will be bigger affair than we've had for many
years, for the people now have many valuabes to
offer to the godp
So, in three days. Tommy went to the temple,
following an immense crowd, and saw. hundreds OF
priests standing wide porch before the sacred
building with torches in hand, and before them, in
rows countless baskets into which the people were
throwing all sorts of precious things! When bas-
ket was almost full priest covered it with cloth.
When each native had thrown In some valuable
thing and all the baskets were covered the priests
set fire to them row after row; and just the last
row was ablaze rat ran the porch with Pete
in pursuit! Into one of the baskets dashed the
frightened rat, and in after him went Pete. There
wild shout from the people, for they thought
it bad sign, but Tommy was not alarmed.
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

hundred thousand dollars a year-I forget how
much it really was-beside which he had share IN
the great treasure.
After several years, when ne had placed every
thing on business basis, Tommy and the King took
vacation and sailed to America When he arrived
Mr.. Cruger was the first to welcome hirn--for, of
course, he was famous now and his coming was
known long before he reached his native city--and
he said:
"Welcome home my boyi I've always told people
that you'd turn up again, and come back with for
tune, too, for boy that does things as earnestly as
you do can't failln
But when Tommy had related his wonderful ad-
ventures Mr.. Cruger gasped and said:
"Jerusaleml You started life in a junkshop and
finished with finding the greatest everi Nv cats
but would have liked to look that pile Of goods
overl'
lit would have given you heart diseasew replied
Tommy. And then he showed Mr. Cruger the two
big erneralds- The junk dealers eyes bulged out.
and after he had examined them he said:
That settles it, I'll close up nv business and 90
back with you when you returnl could die hapny
IN land where they have emeralds as big as
applesp
And so he did. Tommy is still Prime Minister of
Ghamma, and Mr.. Cruger already has two back
yards piled up with marvels, for to the people of
that rich island everything is Junk that isn't brand
new and imported from America Everybody is rid
ing In automobiles or sailing in motor boats and
all the old-fashioned things go to him Still he says
he never Will return home until Tommy resigns
and as that Is a long way of. expect to find him
there when visit the island next autumn as fully
intend to do before all the antique ivory carvings.
rare furniture, marvellous tapestries and carved
gems get into Crugers back yard
WALT McDoUGALL
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

streets filled with men, women and children. They
counted from hundred down to one, so that II,
for instance, there were fifteen articles, they never
could tell how many there were until they had
counted from one hundred down to one, and then
they knew that there were fifteen
They ate the stems and leaves of plants, but not
the fruits They had no carriages, but the younger
men and women carried the elder on their backs.
They shaved off their hair and wigs made of
straw, rings their toes and in their noses.
They slept their cellars, but their meals and
found in the ship were utterly unknown to them,
so that Tommy managed to obtain lots of articles
for himself, and it was music box and graph
ophone that brought him into very intimate rela-
tions with the King, who, having heard the music
sought him out and begged him to come and live
in the royal palace.
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

MANY parts, unexplored island of Ghamma, over
which rules young and capable monarch named
Eganius the Ninth, who at that time had been King
only two years.
When the ship went ashore in the dark the natives
crowded the beach, and although they seemed as
tonished they also appeared bent on sezlng every
thing on board. The captain demanded that moth
ing should be taken until the King had been noti-
fed, and when the King appeared he told him that
the United States would hold him responsible 1T
the cargo was disturbed.
"But we probably need just the things you have
on board" replied the young monarch. I'VE are SO
poor that scarcely have enough to eat, and L
have never heard of the United States, so do not
fear what they'll do to me. You need fear no evil
yourselves, for we do not harm strangers in our
land, rarely have visitors will be pleased
to have you come to my CITY,"
So captain, crew and passengers went to the city
of Ghamma, where certain unoccupied houses were
given them to dwell in and at first, all happy
in exploring this strange land and its people, while
the natives removed the cargo of the stranded ship
all we're very glad when another ship appeared in
tain, who bound to stay until he had obtained
and Tommy who had decided to write book
about Ghamma and its people.
Tommy had soon discovered that the natives were
far different from any race known. They had little
knowledge of machinery or arts, and his bicycle,
which he had managed to save, excited the utmost
interest. not to say alarm, in many places, as he
rode along tie roads. The people slept In the day
time, but at night all the stores opened and the
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

Yet as minute after minute passed and Pete
did not appear he began to worry, and when thst
very basket began to blaze he wanted to rush up
he was afraid that the priests would kill him. The
basket soon crumbled to cinders, and poor Tommy
wept bitterly as he thought of his friend whom ne
loved SO dearly, falling victim to that awful re-
lgion. He went back to the palace full OF bitter
thoughts, resolving to revenge himself on these
PRIESTS but hardly had he reached the great marble
hall when in Pete wagging his tail with gleel
"For goodness sake, here's Petel" he cried, as ne
hugged the little dog. who licked his face eagerly
and seemed overjoyed as he.
but how did he escapea" asked the King. Eve
saw him burn |"
"Haw cried Tommy. IT see the whole trick. and
I can show you how it's donel You have all been
bamboozled since this religion startedl Those bas-
kets have false bottoms and there holes in the
porch: that's ALP
'sWhat do you mean2" asked Eganius.
apon't you see it2 When the priests cover the
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

Sucn q WOuueTIu III hllOWiCuSC
of gasoline engines that the
man, whose name was Fort
ner, said:
"You seem to know all
about these things. Now, /
am going to New Zealand to
build a big factory to make
these engines, and | need a
good engineer. Will you go
with me?"
Mr.. Cruger was loath to
part with Tommy, yet still
he loved him too well to pre-
vent his advancement, and
he advised him to go with
General Fortner to New
Zealand for a few years and
learn all about manufactur-
ing machinery. So Tommy
and Pete sailed with the
General a few weeks later.
The voyage to that remote
island on the other side of
the world was long, but very
interesting; yet this story
would never have been writ
ten had the ship arrived at
New Zealand. The vessel was
wrecked on the coast of an
unknown country, which had
been visited only in secret
by either Europeans or
"a ,,narinana. the raet and IN
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

not expected this. 1t was very happy moment,
for the wheel was the only thing except Pete that
he had ever owned, and he resolved to repay Mr.
Cruger by making even greater efforts to please
him. Soon the junkman found that his business
was growing, because Tommy managed to select
and lay aside in especially appointed places such
articles as the public might want SO that when
customer who needed certain bit Of old iron such
bolt nut, spike certain kind of bottle, de-
manded it, there it ready for him among lot
of others TO choose from.
Everything in its place. was Tomny's motto;
and, for once, persons saw junkshop where things
could be found when wanted.
And Tommy soon developed quite business in
bicycle parts" also, for he had taken the old
wheels all apart and selecting those things which
were salable he had polished them up and placed
them in the window This drew many customers
who rode wheels, for he sold these parts at lower
prices than the bicycle stores could afford to do
All this time he was reading old books and study
ing about machinery, until at last Cruger sent him
to look at gasoline launch which he thought of
buying. Tommy looked it over and was quite satls-
fed with it; but in talking with its owner he showed
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

HNHlS lS the story OF a boy who USED MS eyes
and his mind whenever he had a chance
although he never went to school more than
q few months and had but little opportunity to
learn. His name was Thomas Taggs, and be was
born in narrow, dirty little alley in a great
smoky city. He never a blade of grass until
he was years old, although parks were all about
the town Carrots and cutters were his playground
until he was old enough to explore the city and
discover new ones. Then, when he was 10, he began
to live.
I don't suppose there was ever boy who had
so inouisitive mind as Tommy. Nothing escaped
him. He wanted to know the reason for everything
be saw. and never stopped asking questions until
he had learned al he could about thing that in
terested him And what's more important by far,
he never forgot what he had learned.
So many children lived In that poor and dirty
city that only few OF them managed 10 go 10
school, simply because there was room IN the
schools for only half of them; but Tommy went
long enough TO learn TO read and write, and after
that It would have been impossible to keep such
smart boy from learning more.
He had found little dog who turned out to be
as clever as any dog ever known. His name was
Pete and when he was washed and conbed he was
also a very handsome dog; but as he hated to be
washed, he rarely looked like "a dog, but more like
mon or a mat Only his clear, bright eyes showed
how smart be was, but IN them was revealed depth
of wisdom that surprising.
The two explored al of the city, Tommy looking
for any sort of job that would earn him few pen
ries and Pete for bones that had escaped the eyes
Of other dogs. Thus they TO know all the
secret places of the great, smoky town, and not
few persons came TO know them, also. clever boy
who is eager to work does not long escape the at
tenton Of men who want just such boys, let tell
you; and pretty soon man who bought old iron,
tin. bottles and other junk hired Tommy to watch
his shop and attend to his customers while he went
about with a wagon collecting the stuff.
To say that Tommy was pleased would be to put
If very mildly for in that old shed there piled
all sorts Of wonderful things machinery, imple
raents of science old books hardware, bicycles and
odds and ends without number-and among them
dwelt rats of size that filed Pete with delight.
for he liked to catch rats beyond all things! So
with rat-catching, the study of the strange OBJ
jects, and the customers, Tonunys time filed
from daylight until dark, and then he went to bed
In the loft with Pete to dream of making many
of the old, wornout things and shaping them into
new usefulness. Old Cruger, the junkman discoy-
cred IN a few days that the boy was treasure fo2
never had many customers come to his store
and never had the junk been sorted and
ranged so neatly before; he left everything
TO Tommy and attended solely to his outside bust
ness.
Now, Tommy, who like every boy had managed
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

into long tunnel, or passage, that wound like
snake in and out for some distance until they cama
to great fight of stairs. All about them they saw
immense quantities of goods stored-bags of grain,
old and musty, bales OF cloth, boxes OF precious
things and barrels of foodstuffs.
The King trembled with rage. It was plain that
during many years nothing at all had been burned
by the priests of Bhuggus, but each offering had
been carefully preserved for the of the priests
1t took Tommy but an hour to learn that the
priests while the people slept in the daytime. were
carting goods to the ships that visited the place
constantly for the purpose of dealing with Them
The King furious, and yet ne knew that ne
must be cautious therefore they waited until the
next day of sacrifice, when he went before the high
priest and, before all the people, cried out:
II have no more to give, o priest of Bhuggus, but
myself / will sacrifice my body the atari"
Before the high priest could stop him he leaped
into one of the larger baskets that was already
ablaze, and Tommy sprang into another. Of course,
both of them fell through the false bottoms into the
room below, landing pile of vegetables and
other stuff, and were Immediately surrounded by a
crowd of astonished priests who were collecting the
offerings that fell to the floor.
Intense silence fell upon the great crowd before
the temple when the King and Tommy vanished
among the flames, but the high priest instantly
darted below to seize them and conceal tho fraud
practiced on the people. When he arrived the King
and Tommy encircled by angry priests, and
he ordered them to take the two and place them IN
the deepest prison of the temple
Tommy had prepared for this state of affairs by
conccaing several large roman candles IN his shirt
front, and now be instantly lighted the
priests rushed at him, and then the fun began!
Scared into fits the priests ran hither and thther,
trying to dodge the magic balls that darted here
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

basket with cloth the bottom is opened from be-
ow all the things taken out and then the basket IS
burnedl It's plain as dayt / see where all your
valuables, all your jewels, furniture, books and
everything else have gone! I bet the cellar of that
old palace is as full as storage warehouse with
things! That's how the dog got away before they
caught himp'
Can it be possible!" cried the dazed monarch.
"Sure All such tricks are easy to play such
sinpletons as your peoplel Those priests fat
from laughing at you'll / wonder that they left you
even beds to sleep in food to eat My, but you
easyi"
As Eganius thought it over he began to see it,
plain as day, and then he grew very angry. He
cried:
"By my throne, / would expose them could I
find way But / must be able to prove every
thngin
'Well, I've an idea that Pete show
thing. He can lead us to the door from which he
escaped, and perhaps may be able to learn few
things"
Sosbidding Pete to return and show them the way.
the two followed the dog, who, with wagging tail
and wise grin, led them through many streets
The San Francisco call., 1905-06-04

<tio tliSii LII OuSA a ctSiOhOl0
garden to a little door in a
wall of the great temple-a
door well-hidden by shrub
berry, but not locked or
guarded. T he n said the
King:
''Hal 1t is thus they fool
me W he II / have them
watched, and their priests
slip out here and pry into my
actions when / am sure
none is abroad. Now let us
spy upon thernl We will re-
turn and obtain some priest
ly robes for a disguise, and
then we will enter here and
see what is within"
"That's a peachy idea,
but you bet I'll carry my re-
volvers !" said Tommy. "I'll
have to plug one of those
fat priests, maybe, before we
get out"
That evening, just at twi-
light, they returned to the
temple, but. left Pete home,
much to his regret. They saw
two priests enter the little
door before them, and, hur-
rying, they followed them
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-04
LENGTH OF FIGHT
FAvORS NELSON.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, September A.
With the battle only one week on local pu-
giiistic followers are displaying the great
est interest in the meeting between Jim
my Britt and Battling Nelson here next
Saturday night. Everywhere the probable
outcome of the match Is being discussed.
and opinion is about equally divided as to
the result.
Those who favor Nelson believe that the
length OF the battle. which has been ex-
tended to forty-five rounds. will favor the
Dane. They argue that as Britt failed to
accomplish knockout in their two former
battles of twenty rounds each 1t is rea-
sonable to suppose that he Will not execute
the feat in the additional TWENTY-FIVE
rounds. Strength, they claim, is not MS
forte, hence the greater the number OF
rounds fought the smaller his chances OF
success.
The same authorities argue that Nelson,
who is much stronger than the champion,
will be greatly aided by the increased num-
Der Of rounds and eventually will wear
Britt down to a state of exhaustion
Britt's admirers are firm in the convic-
ton that the Californian's cleverness VIII.
as usual, prevent Knockout by Nelson
and enable him to gain the victory on
points.
Notwithstanding the opinion held by many
good judges that the added number OF
rounds will handicap Britt the Californian
is the betting choice. odds Of ten to nine
being offered that he viii win. Many wag-
ers have been made at those figures. Both
men are in fine condition for the battle.
Weeks Of careful and systematic work has
hardened their muscles and fitted them
physically for their best boxing efforts.
In discussing the battle with friends at
his training quarters yesterday Britt said:
Nelson Is a sturdy, hard-hitting fighter,
but he has his weak points and 1 am thor
oughly familiar with them. My two VIC
tories over him prove that conclusively.
The extra rounds Will not initiate against
my chances Of success. may not be IS
rugged as Nelson, but know enough about
boxing to protect myself for any length Of
time I may be In the ring with an Oppo-
nent.',
Nelson Is equally sanguine of victory and
believes that he will tire the champion in
time and score knockout
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-04
COMMISSIONERS WON,
Defeated Augustus Boys in Pitchers
Battle.

There was some warm base ball at Amer
lean League park this morning between the
Commissioners and Aboysius. the former
getting the verdict by the score Of to O.
The game was practically a battle between
the two Handiboe boys. Sir William get
ting the best of the argument by just one
hit. Both boys pitched fine ball, the hits
being scattered in such a way that runs
were very slow and far between, the two
tallies chalked up for the Commissioners
being the result Of errors.
The game went along smoothly for five
innings. the lone tally Of the Commission
ers being the only one to be scored. but in
the sixth Umpire Tharpe declared bunt
fair that was pushed into foul territory by
Third Baseman Mccarthy, and then the
fun started. The Aloysius boys left the
field, and for forty minutes the crowd
waited until Umpire Belts put in an ap-
pearance. when the battle was resumed.
The Commissioners first run resulted
from Hoffmans safe bunt. the batter TAX
ing second on McCarthy's high throw to
first and then home on Fitzpatrick's single
to right The second run came in the
sixth inning, when Venable rushed home
from third on the squeeze play. the bat
ter laying down a bunt toward first.
Nearly 500 spectators were present and
the followers of the Aloysius team rooted
persistently and loudly, but without avail.
The score.