davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

Hardly had he uttered these words when door was opened and a poor woman came in with a bucket. She scraped up some coal and filled 1t, and our hero found himself ascending many flight of stairs, hidden among the coal.
 The poor woman dwelled right at the top of the house. and the higher she went the harder she breathed, until at last she sank down upon a chair in her room and panted for breath. Presently she began to build the fire, so that it should be all ready to light the first thing in the morn Ing. She put the pieces of coal upon the sticks neatly and then she took up the bucket and scattered the fine dust over the top. turing this process our nero rolled out of the bucket and found him. self upon the floor, very grimy and black. but lying in such a position that ne couio see everything that occurred.
 Then the poor woman opened door and looked inside. There was a tiny bed there, and in 1t lay beautiful little boy asleep. At the head of the bed was pair of empty stockings. The poor woman looked at them and the tears came into her eyes, for she knew that the little boy expected to find them full of presents In the morning, and she had no money to buy toys with.
 Now, In case you have not heard, must tell you that there Is an old gentleman called Santa Claus who sometimes fills the stockings of good little boys on Christmas Eve with all sorts of presents. But this is only when boys have been very good and done well in school, and done all sorts of chores for their mothers without grumbling or making black faces, which is even worse than grumbllng. This little boy had been good, but once he had said ''Bother" when his mother told him to fetch a pail of water, and she did not know whether Santa Claus would remem- Der 1t or not.
 The penny knew all this by instinct, and he was so anxious about ile little boy that he quite forgot how dirty he was and he lay on the floor, prey to intense anxiety.
 In the middle of the night he heard a noise in the chimney.
 ''Now the soot is coming down." he thought.
 The noise increased.
 'I do believe 1t Is Santa Claus." he thought, and just then he heard rein deer snapping at his rein. He grew so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

nearer and louder and louder, and then sure enough the turkey strutted In with his comb in his hair. Everybody was silent when he entered the pantry.
 'Gobble, gobble." growled the turkey. 'Do you know that tomorrow Is Christ mas and you will all be ea,enr'
 The cabbage head swelled up with in- dignation and the pumpkin rolled un- easily upon his shelf.
 ''I am sure they will not presume to eat me-" said the red peppers. in fiery voice.
 "Or me-" said the pickles. sourly.
 The turkey Tapped his wings for si- ience.
 Listen, my vegetables" he said. Tt was only last Thanksgiving that they ate my uncle Arthur, and yesterday the chill dren came to my coop and began pokine me with sticks. am going to have his leg.' said one. And l his wing an- sWered another. And 1 his breast aaid third Now let us release the pig and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

He was round and red and his face vas clean and shiny. He was only three months old, but he was full grown. for he was a copper penny.
 He did not remember much about his .arly life, which was perhaps as well, for ,e had passed through quite a number of experiences for one so young. He had oeen formed out of a lump of metal which had been made whlte-hot in a terrible fur nacc and then he had been struck and han nered and dumped, in company with his brothers and sisters, until be had ac- quired his present shape. He must have suffered a heap before he attained his present beauty but 1t Is necessary to suffer if you want to be beautiful
 He could not see very well, for he was clenched tight in the grubby fist of n little boy named Ryan. but he was quite contented, for the little boy was holding him so tightly that he knew he loved him. He was right, for the little boy had found him only an hour before in the middle of the street, and was wondering what he should do with him. He did not want to part with him. but you can buy so many things with a penny, especially when you are little boy.
 Ryan lived with his mother in a crowded street in the middle of a big city. They had two rooms right up at the top of a crowded house. His father was dead, and his mother was 80 poor that she had to go out to work every day. Every week she brought back some money to buy things to eat, and all that was left over was put aside in an old stocking which they hid under the mattress. But once a month, just when the heel was full enough to Jingle, a man would come in and take It all away and write down something in book. Ryan and his mother hated this man.
 Today was Christmas Eve, and there was to be Christmas dinner on the next day. Ryan was looking forward to this day, not so much because of the dinner as because his mother would not have to go out to work, for she was very lick and tired from the hard work that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
Where the Christmas Dinner
 Went.
Went.

all escape"
 .'Perhaps the pig will squeal." said the sweet potatoes.
 'I should certainly like to know where we are going" said the sour pickles
 Why, to Turkey. of course." said the sweet potatoes.
 'Yes. do let us," said the young lettuce, her rival.
 'Then we must lose no time." the tur- key said. Spring from your shelves and follow me-
 This advice was at once acted upon. The pumpkin rolled down with a dump and a thump and a bump in a great lump; the sweet potstoes and the young lettuce ripped down airily, the pickles followed soury, the cabbage head burst with the effort as he dropped to the ground and the cranberries ran saucily after the turkey In a mushy heap. Only the mince pie was left behind, and he could nor move. for he had been already chopped
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
A Few Don'ts for the Holi-
 days.

Don't forget that Christmas time is . time of praise giving and charity, as well as season of feasting and pleasure.
 Don't forget your old and trusted fam- fly servants on Christmas. They have faithfully ministered to your bodily needs and comforts and deserve your consider- ation and a share of your generosity.
 Don't forget that there are many poor children In your midst whose holiday sea- son will not be as bright as yours unless you lend heart and hand to make 1t SO. Select some of your last years well-kept toys and send to these little ones whose Christmas might otherwise be cheeriess one.
 Don't forget to make many good reso- lutions on New Years Day, and don't neglect to live up to them during the 36d days which follow before another New Year rolls round.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

said, ''but you will do to buy a present for my little Gretchen" So he went to another pushcart man that was standing near and bought a top. The other push cart man let him have a big top because he was in the same business. and push- cart men are always kind to one another.
 Just then an old lady came along and saw some shining apples. They were red on one side and green on the other. but the pushcart man had turned them round so that the red side was upper. most, and the old lady was so pleased with them that she bought two and laid down a nickel. The pushcart man gave her three pennies in exchange. one of whom was our young hero.
 Now l have found a good home,' he thought. But he was wrong. for just then the old lady saw a poor man in the street, sitting with his hat in his hand and pair of crutches beside him.
 Poor man," said the old lady, stopping. would you like penny for a Christmas presentT
 "Yes, please" said the poor man. The old lady was so pleased at his politeness that she gave him not only the penny. but also the apple, which was quite hard and green except on the side where 1t had ripened.
 By this time it was evening, and the poor beggar's work was done. So he un- screwed his wooden leg, let down his real leg and started home toward his house on Fifth avenue, taking bite at his apple.
 Now, the apple was SO sour that 1t made the beggar's teeth feel sharp, and he got so angry that he threw 1t away toward a grating on the sidewalk. At least. he meant to throw 1t away, but he made mistake and threw away the penny in- stead. As soon as he found what he had done he went down on his hands and knees and began hunting for 1t, but he never found him, for the subject of our tale had fallen through the grating into a coal cellar, where he was almost suffo- cated by the dust.
 ''Now I see my finish." sighed the pen ny. "I shall never come out of this alive. Oh how dirty I ami"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
6be Adventures of a Penny
A Christmas Story. By V. Emanuel.

she had had to Io. So he had resolved to buy her a nice present with his new penny. But he also wanted to buy some candy, and every time he passed candy store he would clench the penny tightly in his little fist and run as hard as he could until he was out of danger of temptation
 lie looked in wistfuly at the shop win dows, all filled with presents suitable for Christmas, but he knew that penny would not go far enough to buy q pres- ent Tor his mother. So he went along quickly until he came to the street where ne hYed Then he went slowly. It was true that he had not bought present yet, but he had resisted the temptation to buy candy.
 Buy, buy, buy" sang the pushcart men as he went past There were quite a nun ler of pushcart men In the street where Ryan dwelled and he could not help 'opping to look at the beautiful things which were on their carts He dld not know where the pushcart men had got so many beautiful things, but he knew that they must be very rich, for their carts were heaped up with things, and many of them could be pur- chased for a penny.
 To begin with, you could have a large, shiny apple, which had been rubbed and polished until 1t shone almost as brightly as looking glass. or, If you did not like apples-a thing which was very improb- able-you could buy a penny orange or some figs, or little bunch of grapes, or a haAdful of nuts. You could buy pair or shoestrings, either brown or black, or a sheet ol writing paper and an envelope, or enough matches to last for whole week, and heaps of other things suitable for a present for your mother.
 Buy, buyl" cried the pushcart men again, and this time Ryan stopped to catch his breath right In front of push cart man. He was little old man, with long, shaggy eyebrows and beard that divided Into two parts as If 1t did not know which way to grow. Ills cart was heaped up with things suitable for pres
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

up and cooked.
 Just then the pig began to grunt out side. The turkey had already released him.
 '.Oh dearl Oh dear!" the mince pie began again; 'I shall be left behind. What shall I do?'
 His cries attracted the attention of the pig. who came In the pantry and looked at him sadly.
 Shall l take you with mer he asked. politely.
 "Oh. please do." answered the mince pie.
 Thereupon the pig immediately swal- lowed him whole, unnotIced by the oth- CTS, and trotted or to lead the process sion, who were marshalled in the yard.
 Let us go to the old owl in the wood" said the turkey. He Is very learned and will inform us which Is the way to go."
 ''I want to 90 tc turkey" simpered the cranberries. nudgins up to him In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

ents, but most of them cost far more than a penny, and some were as much as a nickel.
 All at once Ryan saw pretty little dog, just the thing. he thought. which would please his mother. It was a clean looking little dog, with a white body and blue eyes, and its tail, which was red and green. was curled round and round so tightly that he could sit down on 1t. He looked Just as if he wanted to bark bark of welcome and no doubt he would have done so if he had not been made of china.
 Ryan looked and looked at the little dog. and as he did so his little fist slowly unclenched. Then the penny felt sad, for he knew that he was going to lose q friend And surely enough in another minute he was thrust down Into the pocket of the pushcart man and Ryan ran away carrying the little dog.
 There were lot of other pennies in the pocket of the pushcart man, and when they saw how clean and shiny the new penny was they began to scotr at him.
 You think you are very fine. no doubt." said an old brown penny. That is be- cause you are 80 young. Walt until you grow old like us and your fine coat will become shabby like ours"
 Don't mind them, my dear" whispered htue uiihe. Lucy hre enFious oI you because you are superior to them. have been here for three years and have seen hundreds of them come and go." He meant three days, but each day counts as a year among pennies and dimes.
 "Yes, and you will stay here for the rest of your llfe," sneered a young nickel You cannot go away like us and travel because you are a Canadian dlme.''
 At his cruel speech the little dime was silent Presently they all began to Jolt and Jostle one another, for the pushcart man had been moved along by police man. But they did not know this, and imagined that he was taking them out for exercise.
 Now the pushcart man was richer than the little boy, but he was not really rich at all, and he had a little girl at home whom he knew wanted a Christmas pres
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
,ith indignation at the rudeness of the


 owl.
 'Piease, MT. Owl, can you show us the way to Turkey?" asked the pig.
 ''I can," said the old owl.
 "How do we get theref"
 ''Why. you must follow the ring in your nose until you find it." snapped the owl. Then he rolled himself in his feathers and booted himself to sleep. The pig bristled with indignation, for 1t is not polite to mention the ring in a pigs nose.
 Why. where are all our friends?' asked the turkey. suddenly.
 The pig smiled, lazily.
 Have you eaten themr" the turkey demanded. You are regular pig Well, you need not talk" answered the pig. "You are a perfect gobbler." All at once steps were heard. and the guilty confederates started asunder In dlsmay as they saw a black circle ap- proach through the darkness It was negro.
 .'Um-um," muttered the negro. Does I smell chickenr'
 The turkey, with a wild gobble. started to run. but, with delft sweep. the negro captured him and secured him in a bag. Then he started after the pig. The pig tried to esca pc, but he had eaten so much that he could not run. and, besides. the mince pie had given him indigestion. He felt himself seized by the tall, and the blood rushed to his head. All hope was at an end. when suddenly
 "Hoot. hoot." called the owl.
 The cruel negro started backward in dismay.
 ''Hoot. hoot," the owl called again. ''Oh. goIly." cried the negro. ''l didn't do nothing" Next moment he was flying
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
BY GRACE HARTMAN.

It was Christmas Eve. Everybody had retired to sleep. the stockings had been hung up, and the house was quite silent, when all at once strange sounds were heard from the pantry.
 ''0h, deari Oh. dearr' someone was sobbing. "Oh, dearl Oh. dearl What shall 1 do? What shall l doY'
 "It's that mince pie." growled the cran- berries. Hes got indigestion again. knew he would"
 Keep quiet" growled the pumpkin. angrily. you have awakened the tur- key."
 And sure enough they heard the gobble. gobble of the turkey coming from the yard.
 ''l hope he will not see the salad dress ing." simpered young lettuce. ogline the cabbage head.
 But the gobble, gobble came nearer and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

swallowed her. Meanwhile the pig had eaten the sweet potatoes and the young lettuce. When they reached the wood where the owl dwelled only the pumpkin and the cabbage head remained, with the exception of the pickles. who were so sour that nobody would eat them.
 ''I wonder why we are so silent." said the cabbage head.
 ''Hoot. hoot." called the owl from a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

ent. So he took out his money and spread ir all upon his cart and stood counting 1t.
 "Ah," he said angrily to the Canadian dime. "I thought I had got rid of you. shall have to send you on your travels again"
 At this unkind speech the little penny felt so indignant that he got fiery red and sparkled so brightly that the push cart man picked him up.
 Tt would be a pity to lose you," he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

for his life, leaving the pig and the turkey confronting one another with shaking knees.
 Reconciled by their misfortunes. they started off, hand in hand. They ran all night, hardly stopping to recover breath. until, when morning dawned, they found themselves, far from the haunts of mau. in a wild, lonely forest. There the turkey beca me king Of wild turkeys, and he now roams the plains, accompanied everywhere by his faithful pig.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

tree.
 "Oh. Mir. Owl" said the turkey. 'Is that yourselfT
 ''No. 1t is myself" said the owl.
 ''I mean Is 1t yourself" said the turkey. 'I tell you It Is myself" said the owl. angrily.
 During this conversation the pig had, absent -mlndedy, swallowed the pumpkin. As for the cabbage head. he had burst
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

the darkness.
 Do you mean that. my dear7' the turkey asked.
 ''Oh. yes." said the cranberries. bush- Ing.
 Then just put your stems to my mouth while I whisper something." said the turkey.
 But no sooner had the cranberries obeyed than gobble. gobble. the turkey
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
coNUNDRUMs.

When are hunters and stars aliksI When shooting. When are cattle like nns lquorsS When branded.
 Whose tongue is t that never spaaks5 The wagop'a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

For not cloud was In the sky, That stretched o'erhead so very high. And no place could old Santa Claus Hide himself from girls and boys, As no hiding place was nigh. They walked and walked a long, long
 while,
 It seemed to them they'd gone mile, When weary of their search so vain. They hurried to their home again, Where mamma met 'em with a smile..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
How Santa Plays a Joke.

Dear little Tom and little May went a-strolling Christmas day; They watched with all their pretty eyes To see if Santa from the skies Was coming down that way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17

She led them to the chimney deep, And bade them there to take peep At two great stockings hanging up Filled from the toe clean to the top
The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-09-21

Miss Mary Hahn, % Keota, who has
been Visiting with friends IN Oska.
loosa returned thls morning TO her
home,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Chfistle are
home from California where they
have been enjoying q number OF
weeks,
Art Baidauf and Art R%osenblRtt left
last evening over the "Qn for Chi.
cago where they will enter school for
the fall.
Milton Young who has been spend
Ing the past two weeks with friends
In Denver, has returned TO his home
in this city.
Miss Iie4en McCurdy left last even
ing by way Of the Burlington for
Chambersburg, Pa, where abe will
spend the year in school.
l.. II. Mccall ia home from a hunt
ing and fishing expedition to Colo
RADIO, and no enjoyed every minnie OF
the time spent In the west.
Mrs. Jennie slocum, of Rose Hill,
was a visitor in oskaloosa Sunday
with Mrs. II. l.. Coke and with her
daughter, Miss velma slocum.
Mrs. Cornie westfall who has been
visiting In Oskaloosa for several days
at the home OF Mrs. Anna r. Cowan,
left this morning for her home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ben Douglas, of Har'
vey and brother VIII, OF West Branch,
were visitors In oskaloosa Sunday
with Mr.. and Mrs. Will Goscbee.
Miss Eta Garretson who has been
yisitin q for several days at the I. d.
Garretson home In this city, left this
morning for her home In r.'Dodge.
Mrs. Nancy Mentzer, of Chicago,
who has been visiting in oskaloosa
at the home OF her friend, Mrs. Sam
The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-09-21

Ing, passing through The city on be
way 10 hin home, after 4 business "trip
Into the northern part of the state.
Mr.. Davis IL meeting with good suo.
cess In HE practice In Missouri, and
IL enjoying the best Of health.
Mise Louise Lindner left this morn.
ting for Obeflln, ohio, where she will
spend the year In the oberlln Con.
seryatory % Music. Miss Lindner
has been for some time past a pupil
of Mrs. Belle Ray, and has under Mrs.
Rays direction shown promise OF
great ability IN music Mr., O. o.
Lindner accompanied his daughter TO
Chicago from which city he will re-
turn tomorrow after a brief business
visit.
Miss Alice n. Burnside departed
this morning for Champaign, Illinois
TO enter the state Library school fol-
a two years course Of study, having
chosen this line OF work for an avo
cation.
Miss LYDIA Heckenlively has return
ed TO her home In Oskaloosa after =
pleasant trip in Missouri, VISITING
among friends at various points in Tho
nelghboring state. She was absent FOL
several weeks upon her vacation.
Miss Pidgeon Boyer delightfully."- en
tertained Saturday afternoon heI
friends Of the Ki Mu Ki club in honpl
Of Miss Cornetla Vale, Of Wichita, Kas.
who is visiting her friend, Mrs. james
A. Dewitt. The affair was a rathej
informal one but most enjoyable, afteI
the fashion Of Ki Mu Ki gatherings.
Mrs. George Prime was a passenger
this morning to Des Molnes where sh'
will visit for a few days with relatives
accompanying 10 that city her daugh
| ter, Miss Marie Prime, who leaves De-
| Moines for Denver, and after a brle
visit goes on TO California points, OK
The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-09-21

Green, left Saturday for her home In
that city.
Harry o'Neill President Of the o..
kaIoosa. Buxton Interurban, goes 70
st. Louis this evening 20 care for
business In connection with the Os-
kaloosa road.
Miss Pearl Brown who has been In
Oskaloosa for several weeks past in
stituting the Diamond Garment Gut
ting School, left this morning for her
home In Akron, Mo.
Miss Ida Updegran was q visitor
in oskaIoosa Sunday ut the home OF
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. A, Upde-
graf returning this morning 10 her
school work in slgourney.
DR.. and Mrs. y. A. Adrian, OF Sig
Quincy, were visitors in oskaloosa
yesterday the guests OF their friend,
Miss Frances Burke. They returned
this morning 10 their home.
Mr.. and Mrs. George r. Bertsch and
son, Tracey, and Mrs. Newbrand we're
passengers Saturday evening TO Sig
Quincy where they visited Sunday
with Mr.. Bertsch's parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. I. r. Flint, OF Eldon,
were visitors In oskalooga with friends
yesterday on their way home from
New sharon where they have been
attending the Baptist conference.
Prof. Charles Burnside, wife and
children who have been spending tho
summer atthe parental William Burn
side home left this morning for Madi-
SON, Wis, where he viii enter upon
bis work In the university during the
coming year.
ID an Davis, formerly Of this city,
but now located at Springfield, Mo-,
was . visitor in oskaloosa this morn