davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
Arthur among the Big Heads
or, In the Land of the Egotistical
by william wallace, Jr.

save himself and this unlimited Big
head"
The boy jerked Arthur along in no
gentle manner, leading him out through
n side door and down to the rear of the
back yard, where Arthur saw a small
cart hitched to a frisky little pony. Into
the cart the strange visitor showed Ar
thur, then sprang In himself, clucked to
the pony that darted off at breakneck
speed. To Arthurs dismay the animal
leaped right into the air and ran to-
ward the clouds, his hoofs and the
whirlng cart wheels resting their weight
on nothing! Arthur held on to the sides
After some time spent in this strange
travel-silence reigning. for Arthur's
companion was not inclined to talk
they rushed through a moist, thick.
cloud, the vapors of which almost
strangled Arthur. Then into the midst
cold, fierce wind All of a sudden the
horse and cart struck substance. Once
again they were on soil that looked
much like the mother earth. Arthur's
companion sprang out and motioned Ar
thur to do likewise. Arthur had moth
ing TO do but obey. He was led from
the cart along a muddy. ugly, unkept
and briars that tore their clothes and
flesh
At last they came to a huge, tumble
down old building, and Arthur read
this sign over the doors Asylum for Big
heads Arthur was led in. Ali about
him he saw boys and girls with enlarged
heads, heads peculiar in shape, some of
like great gourds. AS he glanced about
in mingled establishment and fear, his
companion departed. drawing the door
shut behind him and leaving Arthur
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

and evident delight in 1t with the ex-
ception of Arthur, who grew uneasy
fearing ing blows lows would come to pass; Why
questioned himself. If all these Big
heads We're TO dwell together. why not
do so peaeeably?
But when the time came for Arthur
to go to work, he refused. What, he
Arthur Grey, dig in the dirt? Starve
hrst! Then came the time for him to
show friendly disposition toward his
associates or an unfriendly one. At first
he felt inclined toward the former, and
approaching another boy he said: Lets
be friendly, and, If need be, do a little
work to. keep from starvation. I'm SO
hungry"
The boy addressed turned proudly
away and snapped in surly tones "a
common elod-hopper. | daresay. Deliver
me from associating with such trash.
Better be dead than work like the COM
mon herd for crust of bread!
Even as the Big-head spoke he fell
In fit and died-died from starvation
TOO proud to work, although broad
fields surrounded him. and plenty. would
asking, he preferred to perish rather
than harden his palms with toll.
In horror Arthur turned and looked
about him. Everywhere were shops
not running, schoolhonses without pu-
pills, for education was not compulsory
IN this land of the Egotisteal Big heads.
choose, or do neither. Arthur decided
he would enter one of the schools and
set to work. Better study than starve.
he thought. Boldly entering one of the
schoolmaster who slept at his desk told
him he wished to become pupil, and
passed the examination the master
wrote out for him. But Arthur's study
ing was only n pretense. There was no
mother to do his tasks for him no
father to urge him on with words of I'M
due praise, no poor Tommy Peters to
Haunt his learning before Lazily he
rose and left the schoolroom. AS he
passed down the filthy streets he saw
swarms of Big-heads sitting listlessy
about. starving, or In angry groups.
quarreling with each other. Everywhere
were. rags, dirt, laziness, foolish vanity.
"Oh! oh! If / could only go back to
the world where people work-and where
children go to school, | would never,
never look down upon the poor who toll
again. I'd even be willing to be a COM
mon laborer myself to get away from
this awful place, where envy and van
ity causes such misery. And Tommy
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

Betty had her playhouse
In the big woodpile;
Minnie had her playhouse
Over by the stile.
Betty's dishes were of chips.
Minnie's were of leaves:
Gut of course all of you know
These were make-belisves.)
Smooth white chips were chicken.
Kneaded mud was dough,
That was rolled and put IN pans
And shaped in loaves. just SO.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

Arthur Grey had eaten a hearty sup
per-as was his wont-and as a full
stomach Is always conducive to sleep, he
rubbed his well-rounded palms together,
blinked bodybuilding one eye open long
enough to find his way from the table
to a couch that stood convenient in
corner of the ioom-threw himself down
contentedly and proceeded to fall asleep.
That evening Arthur had brought
home from school his monthly report
card. which was marked SO high that
the vain fellow had made himself quite
unbearable over his success. going about
the house putting on great airs and
He had been a bit overbearing, too, to-
wards Tommy Peters, an orphan boy,
who was one of his classmates. This
had occurred on their way home from
school. Tommy worked for This board
and keep in the home of a butcher,
on every little pretext, first to mind the
baby while she visited the neighbors,
again to work in the kitchen or gar
den. Thus Ii was that poor Tommy's
standard at school was very low while
Arthur was usually at the head of the
classes
But when one understood Arthur's
case exactly 1t assumed a different as
pect, and he was not to be so much COM
punctuality. He was Eever allowed to
be tardy at school minute for his par
ents were anxious he should have every
possible chance to become a scholar,
and no pains were spared by either of
them to help with his education. At
minding a crying baby or running err
rands, Arthur was seated in his arm
chair beside his mother, who went over
the morrows lessons with him. The
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

of supper this minute that you resem-
BILE a piece of newly upholstered furni-
ture. But come, Ounce. tell us why
you are here"
While the girl was speaking the others
in the room gathered close about Ar
thur sneering and jeering at him. One
boy went so far as to kick Arthur's
Sims, saying, Yes. idiot, break silence
and tell us how you became a Big
head"
Suddenly Arthur beheld n picture of
himself whhe on earth-his old world
him. lie was foolishly vain of hts good
standing at school Dust as though he
did not owe II to his Creator, his par
ents and himself to work diligently at
school and accomplish all that was In
his power to do, and he was very silly
over matters pertaining to dress, behay-
ing in an overbearing and arrogant way
toward boys less fortunate than him
self. As he viewed this picture he felt
like one in trance, and spoke out in
voluntarily:
Il guess 1 got the big-head over my
fine average at school this month and
because my papa owns the finest store
in town and we live in an elegant big
house and keep two servants, while lots
of other boys don't have half so much
as | do. ! dress better'n most of the
other kids my size. and l never have TO
work. | always made fun of the poor
boys who had to earn a few nickels do
ing odd Jobs after school. But [ am
awfully SMART am. / am often at tho
head of my classes. l shall be a great,
rich man some day and make, hundreds
head expanded another inch as he said
this.
'Ahl hal you dunce-you saphead.
SO YOU think!' cried another Big-head
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

mands.
Herewith is the sketch OF one OF the
old masters, Sandro Botticell. whose
real name was Alessandro di Mariana
Filipepi. You will say his parents were
not stingy when bestowing a name upon
the little Sandro. destined to become
very great.
Alessandro di Mariana Filipepi was
born in Florence. Italy, in the year 144I
Early in youth Sandro showed dis
taste for ordinary school learning, and
after much difficulty in trying to force
an education on his son the elder Fill
ipepi despaired. took the boy (whom he
called stupid TO a goldsmith iamed
Botticello. where he left him apprenticed
TO learn the good goldsmith's trade AL
though the little Sandro was destined
TO become more than a goldsmith, his
first lessons In the shop of Botticello
were well worth his while there for he
learned precision of line and earnest at
tention to detail that stood him in such
good stead In his life's great work.
Not many years did Sandro serve as
apprentice to the able Botticelli. for as
he grew older he became possessed by
one all-pervading passion--the passion
TO become an artist Understa nding his
son better now. the elder Filipepi came
to his assistance and placed the ambi-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

fact Is. Arthur's mother did more of
Arthur's work than the boy did him
self. for she would din the lessons into
his mind by repetition till only sheer
stupidity could have made him forget
them. And Arthur was not stupid.
So one will not wonder that Arthur
was frequently at the head of his
classes. for few other pupils had such
attention and assistance as he did.
1t was as the children ran from school
that evening that Arthur,s vanity and
selfshness were vented onTommy. Just
see," he cried, in Dragging way, hold
ing out his report card. Wouldn't you
like to be as smart as l am? I've got 80
that you won't pass. I'm going to col
lege when I'm through school. | am. Bet
you never get to go to colleger
Tommy hung his head In shame and
hid his own report card-full of tardy
and absent marks-under. his coat front
wish l had mother an father, too, so
l could go to school regular. 1 can't
keep up when I'm. KEEP. away SO much.
'Tain't my fault, though" he pleaded.
But Arthur was too much preoccupied
with his own greatness to notice Tom
Arthur, let 1t be told that he was not
a bad fellow at heart; he was an only
child, pampered and spoiled and made
to think that he was few grades bet
his vanity and selfshness.
AS 1t was Friday evening. and there
was to be no studying that night, Ar
thur-as has been told-ate a hearty
supper and lay down on the couch.
where he was on the point of dropping
into a sound sleep when the door opened
and in walked the queerest little boy
with an immense head on his shoulders
He came without ceremony to where
Arthur lay, took hold of Arthur's hand
roughly and said: Come; you are elect
ed a member of our society,""
Arthur rubbed his eyes, sat up, and
marveled at the strange Individual.
What do you want?" he questioned.
trying to draw his hand free.
II want you.' the boy said, shaking
his immense head emphaticaliy. Come
along; don't keep me waiting" Then
he gave a pull at Arthur's hand.
But l don't wish to CO." persisted
Arthur.
THAT doesn't matter" returned the
boy. THE Big-heads have you down on
the list. You see. you have become a
Big-head, now" AS he made this state
men. the boy held a small mirror before
Arthur's eyes. Arthur looked. 10. he
was a sight to behold His head wa
twice its wonted size, and his nose
turned up in a most sarcastic and self
satisfied manner. Come" again com,
manded the visitor. imperatively. half
dragging Arthur from the couch
Arthur obeyed. not knowing what else
to do and being half dead with sleen
AS he rose to pass out with this stranre
child-no larger than himself-he hoped
his parents would interfere and liberia e
him. But they. had evidently finished
for no one was In the dining-room now
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

That was the way / felt when l first
came here. But this place takes the
starch out of you. 1t is work or starve-
like the common poor. AS / won't work
like a miserable laborer. here l am so
nearly starved that I'm as thin as a
lace. curtain and as hungry as a Siberian
wolf. Look at my clothes-in shreds
And my shoes, not been polished in
months But | won't blacken them IL
they are never blaekened otherwise.
Why. my parents are rich and go in the
SWEETEST society, they do. My standing
in school was fne-my father paid
enough to insure that, and had private
tutors, who got my lessons for me:
oh my own mother got my lessons
for me" Dragged Arthur, his great head
tossing In an egotistical way. THAT
Is, she always went over them 10 me
till | couldn't possibly miss. And what
a world of work and trouble she saved
me-"
shut your mouths, snobs!' cried the
girl who had first spoken. What are
either Of you compared to me? ! came
of nobility she said, with heavy
stress on the last word. Il never 50
much as unlaced a shoe or combed my
own hair TIL came to this place. / had
nurses, maids and goyernesses to wait
upon me night and day. When / went
down the avenue in our splendid car
riage turned my nose up at the poor,
mserably dressed children who walked
on the payements and who stopped to
admire and envy me"
What are you doing here?" asked
Arthur.
Just what you are doing" she retort-
ed. tossing her huge head, that seemed
in danger of coming off her thin, ill-fed
body. Can you tell what you are doing
here?"
Arthur was perplexed for a moment
and shook his heavy head that ached
so owing to It's awful swelling. No.
he answered: but j did not come here
of my own will | do not know why |
am here or what / am to do"
We'll. let me tell you why you are
here" sneered a boy about Arthur's
size. you are here to be made humble
to bite the dust. You will work or
starve. If you eat you mus. so into the
fields and pillow and sow and reap. The
girls-lf they eat-must cook. sew and
place is kept. don't your" he asked.
sarcastically well, If you are like the
rest of these smart alecs you'll refuse
to do anything but grnmble and starve."
oh you needn't brag," retorted an
other girl. making a threatening gesture
as IL to strike the speaker. You are
nothing but a smarty, boasting always
of your own intellect and superiority
And like the others that you condemn
you are a pack of lazy bones. The
quicker you starve the better for this
community Wen be rid OF mass OF
vanity and egotism."
And who are you, Miss Spouter that
you should air your opinions?" loudly
shrieked another girl who till now had
kept proudly aloof from the rest. look
ing on them scornfully-
Thus the quarrel grew. all taking voice
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
Little Biographies of Big Masters

tious youth with a Carmelite monk, Fra
Fllppo. who at that time was one OF
the first masters In Florence. And here
1t was that Sandro found his sphere.
Diligently he pursued his studies .lder
the monk, and at the age of % ne had
the proud distinction of being called the
first painter of Florence.
AS his art grew Sandro found his
great need of that education which In
boyhood he had so wilfully neglected.
and with q will he set to work to possess
himself of the very things he had
thrown away. His art shows us that
he accomplished the task, and became
one Of the best read men of his time
and familiar with the classics.
Besides being painter of beautiful
Madonnas, Sandro Botticelll executed
some wonderful frescoes and many por-
traits OF Popes.
In the morning and monday of his
genius he was a great favorite of Lo-
renzo the Magnificent, but after that
ilustrlous parsonage died, Sandro fell
under the Influence of SaYonarola, which
was so hurtful to his art. In his old
age he was eclipsed by Leonardo.
Mlchelangelo and the wonderful colorist,
Raphael. In deep melancholy, poverty
and neglect the once proud favorite of
the court and patrons of art passed
away.
1t was John Ruskin and the English
Raphaeites who restored to their
rightful place the works of Sandro Bot
ticelli, for they had sunk into oblivion.
Now the masterpieces of this great
Italian are priced beyond price by the
greatest galleries of the world.
MARY GRAHAM.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
Candy Making at Home by the Children

All gfrls-and boys, too. for that mat
ter-love homemade candies. from the
old-fashioned boiled molasses taffy to
the soft white creams that melt in ones
mouth
AS these CONNECTIONS are much more
wholesome as well as toothsome (and
very much more reasonably than the
candy bought ready made 1t is not
amiss to give a few recipes here for the
making of bon-bons at home.
COOKED FONDANT TO BE USED IN
MAKING CREAMS.
Into an enameled stewpan put one
pound of graduated sugar. Pour over 1t
half a pint of water. Place the stew
pan over the fire-not next to the blaze
and stir constantly with a clean silver
spoon till the sugar Is dissolved Then
remove the spoon and let the syrup boil
for from five to six minutes, trying
few drops of 1t in glass of ice-cold
water. When it forms soft balls In your
fingers, remove the pan from the fire
and pour the syrup into large platter
that has been cooled in. cold water;
When the syrup becomes thick and cool
beat 1t rapidly with a wooden spoon.
Any fiavoring desired must be added be-
fore beating. After having beaten the
mixture till white use the fingers to
knead it as you would knead dough.
This will cause the fondant to become
smooth and of good CONSISTENCY which
may be easily shaped to sui ones
fancy.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

OF course you chiIdren-all of you
love pictures, for they represent the
things of nature dear, 10 ali. On bits OF
oanves or wood Natures owc wondrous
landscapes, sea views and the white
clouded heavens are shown us with
splendid effect : And all things that
live-plant life, sea life, animal life, bird
life and human life are the properties of
the studio, to be used at will by he
artist, master Of pencil and brush, form
and color
But not only are the works of the
masters dear to you, for the men and
women of the palette claim your at
tentl0n and admiration ne well. We love
the picture and we reverence the hand
that executed 1.-THE brain that con-
ceived 1t.
one of the features Of this children's
department for a few weeks will be very
brief biographical sketches of masters
of art, past and present. with portraits
of the artists accompanying when they
can be obtained. Cut out these little
biographical sketches and paste in a
scrap book. They will prove very con-
venient to refer to when occasion de-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
CHOCOLATE CREAMS.

To make delicious chocolate creams
take pound of the cooked fondant and
roll one-half of 1t into small balls and
place on an oiled paper to harden. Put
the remaining half pound of fondant
into the stewpan, with two and~a half
ounces of grated chocolate (the unsweet-
ened) and add few drops of some
favorite flavor. Put this stewpan into
another vessel of boiling water, allow
ing the fondant and chocolate to melt
together to a thick cream. Then re-
move from the fire. take the hardened.
fondant balls on silver fork or sharp-'
ened stick and dip into the chocolate
fondant, placing them Immediately on a
smooth, white oiled paper in cold place
to harden.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

with the strange assembly. All these
boys and girls looked pale and thin. as
If i'll.
For q few minutes Arthur stood awk-
wardy in the middle of the room, look
ing at those about him. The stare was
returned, all eyng him critically. Pres
entity girl of some II years of age
stepped close to Arthur and said, wag-
ging her enormous head Pray, fool
what did you ever accomplish to get
such case of big-head? You look vain
and stupid. and know you are lazy. for
all | have to do is to look at your I'M
kept finger nails and tousled hair to be
informed Of. that fact. Another thing
you are glutton. too. You are so full
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
CHOCOLATE cARAMELs.

Take one pound brown sugar, four
ounces grated, unsweetened chocolate,
a teaspoonful thick molasses, two ounces
butter (unsalted If you have it,, and one
third cup sweet milk. Put all together
in porcelain stewpan and stir con-
Try dropping a little in a cup OF ice
water, and as soon as it forms a ball
and does not discolor the water remove
the pan from the fire. Add 20 drops va
nilla and beat with wooden spoon till
cool. then pour into a shallow tin pan
that has been creased with butter, and
allow to harden. Before 1t Is quite hard
cut into blocks with sharp knife
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21

Sand was sweetest sugar,
Potatoes brown and round
Were pretty little pebbles
Picked up from the ground.
Water in tin can
Was coffee in an urn;
Bits of bark was beefsteak
Broiled quite to a turn.
OH the fun these little ones
Had through the livelong day!
BY stile and in the woodpile,
With naught to do but play.
Helena Davis
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-21
coNUNDRUM

look like you.
My face is the same
Have eyes, mouth, hair,
But have no brain.
Answer: Your photograph.
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-05-25
Randolph Continued.

IS. Chase returned Monday from trip
to Boston.
A. II. Powers was in Sharon Monday
and Tuesday.
Mrs. w. II. Gladding is visiting in
Montpelier and Barre this week.
Miss June Fassett is spending q little
time with relatives in Rochester.
Mrs. John Hubert is in Hanover, n. H.,
for short time, going yesterday.
Robert Abbott spent Sunday in Bur-
lington with his sister, Mrs. T.. ID. Segar.
G. l.. Parker of Woodstock has entered
the employ Of j. II. Lamson as a plum Der.
Miss Estella Blanchard of Goddard
seminary, Barre, was at home over sun
day,
Miss Charlotte Tarbell OF South Royal
ton has been staying with Mrs. V. /. Spear
this week.
L. P. Thayer came down from Essex
junction Saturday to be with his family
,ver Sunday.
MIR. and Mrs. Lawrence Brainard Of
Chelsea, Mass, are at Allen Flint, Sr.'s,
arriving last night.
The interior of the postoffice has re-
ceived a spring renovation in the repaint-
ing Of the walls and ceiling.
Mrs Hale L. Flint and three children
have Joined Mr.. Flint and Miss Mary at
the farm, coming from Milton yesterday.
Mrs. H. II. Mcintyre came back from
Burlington Saturday, accompanied by
her daughter, Mrs. Guy Loudon, and
baby.
Claude Bruce has gone to Brattleboro to
work with his brother, Clarence, in the
factory Of the Brattleboro Cabinet COM
pany.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. II. Powers have been
entertaining Mrs. Louise Newell of Somer-
VILE, Mass, who came Monday and went
away yesterday.
The flag presented to the school by the
Woman's Relief Corps was flung to the
breeze from the G. A. r. flag staff in the
high school yard this morning.
Charles Jerd and family are to come
from Montpelier Saturday to pass week
with his mother, Mrs. Malina Jerd, and
his brothers, F. n, j. +. and Lewis Jerd.
Miss Edna McCord, who had been
staying with her cousin, Mrs. Leroy
Thayer, for three weeks, went to Lynn,
Mass, Wednesday to work in telephone
office.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. NJ. Atwood went TO
Barnard Monday to stay week on the
adjoining iarms of Charles Stimets and
their son-in-law, Edwin Amsden of
Sharon.
DIR. E. o. Blanchard and William Mann
are to represent the Christian church at
the New England conferences Of the Chris
tian denomination in Portsmouth, n. H.,
June 6 toS.
Mrs. II. f. Sharpe returned Friday
from Newport, n, A., leaving her step
mother, Mrs. Micah Mann, more COM
Portable, though still weak from the eff
fects Of the grip.
Mrs. David Bruce and three children.
who had been in Randolph three weeks
with Mrs. Bruce's parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Jerry Goodhsrt, went 10 their home in
Barre Wednesday.
II. II. Chamberlain, who made a study
Of the automobile through the winter at
the large works in Bridgeport. Conn, has
gone to Brooklyn, y. Y, to take a posi-
EIon as skilled operator.
Rev. W. 7. Sparhawk. E. w. Tewks-
bury, A. H. Powers and +. A. Thomas
have been chosen delegates to the Orange
county conference Of Cong'l churches IN
STAFFORD May 81 and June j.