davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

By NAY c. RINGwALT.

Bob stood first on one foot, then on the
other. peering into the shop window with
Its marvellous display of every kind of val
entine His eyes twinkled with glee as he
gazed upon thrilling line OF comics
Gee whizi" excitedly murmured Bob.
thrusting his hands into his trousers
pockets. Then his eyes lifted to higher
things and his heartstrings frightened with
positive awe. In the center of the window.
suspended by gilt cord. swung creation
of pink celluloid. paper lace. blue forget
me-nots and green sparrows. If only he
could buy 1t for Mary Ann! His breath
came and went In little gasps On a scroll
miraculously issuing from the mouth of
one of the green sparrows were two lines
of gift lettering.
As thu vine grows round the stump
You my own dear sugar lump.
He gave an ecstatic whistle. Even the
hard heart OF Mary Ann--who scornfully
winked the tip of her nose at his most
adoring glances-could not possibly with
stand poetry like that! He entered the
shop.
He came out with a crestfallen air and
dropping spirits. The pink celluloid valen-
tine was 30 cents and poor Bob had only a
nickel. He glared in at the window and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
An Indian Girls Best Dress.

The little Indian girls best dress Is very
different from yours 1t is not trimmed
with lace or beading or ribbon, or any OF
the pretty materials you have. Her dress
ia made of chamois skin and trimmed with
beads and elk teeth. The elk teeth are the
most priced of ornaments, for they are be-
coming quite rare. Only two teeth from
each elk are used so when you learn tnat
one dress is sometimes trimmed with 3oo
teeth YOU can count how many deer must
have been killed to furnish the trimming.
These teeth are worth from ooc- 10 y
apiece. SO the little Indian girls dress Is
often very valuable
HOW did her mother ever get SO many
teeth? They have been saved for genera
lions. each mother boarding those she IN
herited. for her children. Each rather
ambition is to add to the family treasures
On great occasions when Little Bapy-Not-
Afraid-to-Cry'' goes to an Indian dance or
some great merry-making. her squaw moth
err gets out her best dress. OF course, sne
has only one. When the little girls hair Is
narted from the middle of her forehead
TO the back of her neck, and each strand
twisted stiff with worsted or ribbon, her
mother thinks her the sweetest chlid ID
the world Just as mothers have habit
of doing the world over, no matter what
chld's color may be.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
An Easily Prepared Valentine Party.

II any one is thinking of having party
Valentine day is fine time for entertain
ing.
his or her valentine in a large box placed
in the hall for that purpose. The girls
should write Ito my Cavalier the boys,
ITO my lady" on one corner of the valen-
tine, which must be addressed to no par
ticular person.
When all have assembled, st. Valentine
himself should enter the parlor. He should
wear his skull cap, long white beard, made
Of cotton, long cloak, and carry sack of
valentines. Standing in the center of the
room let him proceed to auction off each
valentine as he takes it from the pack All
sorts of funny bids can be made-promlse
of a Dance necktie, share of Ice cream,
a compliment, the first favor asked, etc
To make fun the bids should be as rldlcu-
lous as possible St. Valentine is at liberty
to accept whatever he wants me pay
ment of the debt must be exacted when the
identity of the person is revealed, when the
valentine is opened.
"A pretty way to distribute valentines at
a party is to suspend from the chandelier
a Cupid's bow and arrow. Use these Ior
delivering the valentines. Stick the mlss1ve
on the point of the arrow. which Is hurieo
toward the person to whom 1t is addressed.
Have all the valentines original, and use
them for pairing off your friends. The more
absurd the rhymes the better. Prose VIII
answer. but be sure to omit anything In
the least rude or liable to hurt any one $
feelings, for Valentine was the SAINT OF
love- and his day should be devoted 10
messages and acts of affection.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
Lincoln and the Children.

1t is almost impossible to tell anything
about Abraham Lincoln that has not been
told and retold many; times, Perhaps his
attitude toward children will be the part of
his character most attractive to boys and
girls now that another anniversary of his
birth has rolled around
Thomas W. Lloyd of Pennsylvania tells
the following stories about Lincoln and the
children: d
AT the beginning of the war | was a
mere lad. Like all other boys at that time
I was fired with patriotic spirit and went
about the village streets making speeches
and urging every man to enlist. | did not
then know what the war meant. but I knew
Our side was right simply because it was
Our side. My enthusiasm was so great
that my appearance on the street was a
signal to get me up on store goods box
to make a speech. My father related this
to Lincoln and asked permission to bring
me to the White House. This was granted
and one morning drove there and were
received by the President alone. AS he rose
to greet us l thought he was the longest,
ugliest and most ungainly man had ever
seen. When l was presented to him he
leaned down, and, taking me by the hand,
said: so this is the little patriot. Ah Mr.
Lloyd, in these times the boy is indeed
father to the man. I wish all the men in
the north had his spirit He took me on
his knee and talked to me about the war
and the ugiiness was forgotten. AS 1
looked into his deep-set, kindly eyes, the
firm mouth. around which q smile lowered,
and listened to his gentle voice, 1 began to
think he was positively handsome"
Mr.. Lloyd also tells the following Incl
dent, illustrating Lincons kindness or
heart:
"A young boy who had served with dis
tinction in a naval engagement on board
the gunboat Ottawa, and in another as cap
tain'S messenger, was recommended 10
cadetship at the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils. Lincoln was glad to make the ap-
pointment, and the lad was directed to re-
port for examination in July. Just before
starting from home 1t was discovered that
the boy could not be admitted, being under
fourteen, the required age-his birthday not
occurring until the September following.
The boy was bitterly disappointed and
feared he would not be able to go at all.
He was told he would be taken to see the
President, who would make 1t all right.
Some time afterWard he was taken TO the
White House. presented to the President,
to whom he made graceful bow. The dill
fculty was explained and the President
said
why, bless me- is that the boy who did
so calamity in those two battles? why, 1
feel as though l should take off my hat to
him and not he to me- The President took
the papers and issued an order that the
boy should report in September, instead OF
in July, then putting his hand on the lad
shoulder he said: Now, my boy, go nome
and have good fun during these two
you will get The little fellow bowed him
self out, feeling that the President, though
great man, was at the same time Kind
l,,o
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
The Old Lady's Valentine
BY MARGARET L. WALLACE.

There were four beings who lived in the
small brown house by the roadside-Mr All
son who worked in a lawyers office, cui-
tivated the small garden in the summer,
and in winter chopped wood. tended fires
and studied law in the long evenings. Then
there was his young wife, who did the
housework made most of the clothes for
the family, and in the intervals gave Ruth
her lessons Ruth was their blessed
baby" six and half years old; last, but
not least. there was the mortgagH--the
greedy mort ga ge-who prevented their nay
ing good things to eat, made Mrs. Allsoi
patch. darn and do wonderful feats or
making over" kept papa thin and pale
from overwork, and the house from having
the paint it so sorely needed.
Ruth had heard of the mortgage for most
of her little lifetime. and she thought OF 1t
as a very real something, not a all unlike
the dragon in her fairy book-the one with
an appetite for children.
So when her mother, the day before st
Valentines day, answered her request for
some pennies to buy a valentine. with a
hug and the oft-repeated answer that she
had no pennies to spare just then, wise
little Ruth laid it to the mortgage and said
no more.
Are written ones nice. mammal" she
asked.
Nicer than bought ones some all
swered mamma cheerfully. ITO whom do
you want to send valentine, Ducky?' she
asked a little later, seeing the child very
busy with her paint box and some bits OF
paper.
ITS for the old lady, mamma l don't
believe she will have very many. and L
think I'll have her for my valentine
wouldn't you? You said she suffers ter
ribly.' and 1 feel so sorry for her.
The old lady was very rich and bad
m old who lived great
house. with towers like a castle. not very
far from Alison's. The house stood in the
midst of a splendid park, surrounded by an
iron fence. of which the palings were sur
mounted by gilded spearheads. Its ex-
aCtly like the enchanted house., Ruth had
often told herself, as she peeked in.
The old lady was too i'll ever to walk. but
Ruth and her mother had sometimes seen
her driving in the carriage. or being wheel
ed about the garden in an invalids cha.:
in the summer, and she always looked cross
and sick.
Ruth held up a tiny sheet of Brownie
paper" on which there were two vermilion
hearts. transfiXed by a wobbly arrow, and
four lines of struggling writing. Mrs. ALI
son read it soberly. though her eyes twin
kled:
Il know old lady with silver hair,
Though she is old. / do not care;
III take her if she'll take me,
Ny own true valentine to be-
That's very nice, pet" she said, I'm
sure she'll like it,"
When Mrs Alison had put on Ruth's
warm outdoor garments that afternoon she
forgot all about her, and Ruth, quite f5r
getting to mention where she was going,
took her valentine, in its small envelope
and went directly to the gate of the old
ladys home and the lodgekeeper. suppos-
ing she had a message for some one, open
ed the gate directly.
1t was long, long way up to the house,
but she trudged along through the snow
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
At the Big House.
How Mr.. Hare Lost His Horns.

Copyright. 1904, by the Bobbs Merrill Company
Well, 1 say!" said Ned, when Aunt
'Phrony had finished telling of Mr.. Hare
failure to get wife, who'd think such a
little old thing as hare could make so
much mischief"
LII OF thing! him? not in dem days.
chill" said the old woman. Ain l toll
you, tu'rr night, dat de creeturs want
lax dey is now? Wy, Hyar' he wuz big
man, tell you, an he had hawns; vas
hawns sho' huff hawns, jes lax de deers
has. Deed. de deer-hawns useter b1ong
on his haid, 'twel turr creeturs done
tucken em way FUN i'm. I gwine tell
you bout dat eff you promuss not ter
poster me bout no mo- tales fer one
VILE"
OF course the children promised. and
the old woman, with head thrown back
against the tree and dreamy look in her
eyes, as if she were contemplating those
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

her arms about her neck and kissed her
warmly.
I've had lovely time" she cried.
Don't forget am your valentine"
And the old lady who probably had not
kissed any one in a great many years,
surprised herself by returning the caress
and asking Ruth to come again. Then
she sent her home in the carriage with
the two prancing horses, to Ruth's in
tense delight Her mothers astonish-
ment when she saw her small daughter
being solemnly assisted to alight by the
grand footman was intense
Ruth never saw her valentine again for
when she went, as she had promised the
old lady was too Ill to see her.
While the old lady lay sick things went
from bad to worse In the small house The
mortgage was greedier than ever; Mrs
Alison was sick for month, and when she
got well her husband got a cold, which he
could not seem to get rid Of. He consulted
the doctor. who looked grave and advised a
change or air. "A few weeks In the south,
now-I can do very little if you stay here y
He might as well prescribe a change of
mead SAID papa, cheerfully. I'm get well
without that honey he told his wife,
But he did not get well, and at last had to
take two weeks vacation Ito get well in, -
and at the end of the two weeks he coughed
worse than ever and was almost discour-
aged.
Guess III hire myself out to cough into
monographs for advertisement for some
cough medicine ffrm-a horrible example OF
| neglected cold. l don't seem to be good for
anything else. If it wasn't for that mort
gage, we could"
Could what was never said, for something
In his voice made Ruth and her mother both
hug him tight, and just then the postman
rang
Its a big letter for you," cried Ruth
dancing in, very glad to have something to
take his thoughts off the mortgage.
Papa opened it. and as he read the ter
rible mortgage shriveled up into nothing but
piece of paper. and never again had IL
any terrors for them.
Look here, honey he cried. excitedly. to
his wife. who ran to read over his shoulder
why. Ruth, you are an heiress, The old
lady has died and left you In her will. be-
cause you were her valentine. S5.000!'
Five thousand dollars That will pay of
the mortgage and send you south to get
well!' exclaimed Mrs. Alison.
viii you lend me some of your money,
Miss Heiress, IL l make over the house to
your asked papa. laughing.
But Ruth was crying because the old lady
was dead
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

sinking deep into the soft carpet FROM
under her scarlet hood few placK curis
escaped in little tendrils her cheeks Were
deep pink from the cold, and dlmpleo
charmingiy when she smiled. while her sort
black eyes looked up affectionately INTO the
old lady's sharp ones, as the child saio:
I'm St Valentine and I've brought TINS
for you
Perhaps the cross old lady hao peeh
black-eyed little girl herself once. a.
any rate she made no protest as the
brownie envelope was laid on ner piacN
satin knee, and ST. Valentine TOOK on ne.
mittens to warm her cold pink myers a.
the fire. -.
The old lady's trembling fingers TOOK
up the little missive, where, all unknown
to it's bearer. the thumb or one reo iiiI
ten had printed rosy seal, ana opeheu
She stared so long at the verse that RUN
offered TO read it to her, and did So lean
ing coniidingly against the old iaoy
arm. When she finished she looked up TOT
the answer -,
Now that certainly is sweet of you,
said the old lady, all the peevlshn'ess gon1
from her voice. DO you really ""''
me to be your valentine? !.
yes. l do" said Ruth, and so 1t was
settled.
Won't you take off your coat and stay
. whiIe?'' asked the old lady, In tones
that would have astonlsheo her iohs
suffering attendants.
So presently Ruth was slttlnS on d mas
sock in front of the fire, her copper-toeo
sboes hurled in a white bear rug, WINE
the andirons. in the shape of solemn
looking owls, blinked their round yelioW
glass eyes at her. And they all hao
beautiful time together. 1t really was
surprising how entertaining the ola i'oy
could he. She told exciting tales of when
she was a little girl and had WHITE
pony. which she rode, down In VIZ,
ginny" She exhibited wonderful carved
temples and idols from Japan, ana pails
which held still smaller balls, until the
last one was no larger than pea she
gave Ruth queer Chinese sweetmeats
from a red lacquered box, and, Ito keep
for her very own a fan EDGED win lace
and adorned with painted peacocks-
In return Ruth told all her childish MIS-
tory. even about the greedy mortgage
which was, she said:
so hungry we have to FEED 1t an the
time and it will eat anything. If we
didn't it would take our house. Don't you
suppose mortgage looks like the
dragon in the fairy book?'
The old lady said she supposed 1T was
something like that. She was enjoying
Ruth's visit immensely, and twice she
laughed aloud at something the child
said. so that the tall footman, entering
with the tea tray, jumped SO that he
nearly dropped it in surprise at the I'M
usual sound
They had tea together, and when Ruth
said she was not allowed real tea the old
lady made the footman make cambria
tea for her, which he did, under Ruth's
directions. with an air of condescension.
They had plum cake, too, but when tall
clock in the corner chimed Ruth hastily
swallowed the last crurnb of hers and
jumped up
"Oh, 1 have to be in by a quarter past
4. promptly, and your front yard Is so
long I must hurry"
A pleasant faced nurse came forward
from the next room, where she had been
sitting, to- help Ruth with her coat and
rubbers, so Ruth kissed her for thank
you"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

reaching almost from ear to ear. Got an
idesr' he exultantly cried. waving his cap
in the air. I'm dizzy, Kit-I'll divyi Spend
part of the nickel on you; part on Mary
Ann-hurrahI
a mornent later Bob breathlessly entered
a corner grocery.
Give me two cents worth of milk no
demanded in his most impressive manner,
as he wriggled on TO q stool and spun his
nickel on the counter.
Where's your pail. sonny?"
Bob regarded the clerk in opening.
mouthed CONSERVATION. In his fash OF In.
spiration this small detail had escaped him
What could he do? Freckles and Theodore
were both in the Grotto. so that he could
not go there now. and there was no time
to be lost, for in half an hour he would
have to start down town after his papers
Perhaps said the clerk. chuckling over
his own wit, you'd like me to pour the
milk straight into your pockets?
"Couldnt-couldnt you loan me some
thing?' stammered the embarrassed BOD
I'D bring II back in ten minutes-honest
A peal of laughter filed the little shop.
You don't catch old dogs WITH puppy
tricks. I've loaned things to Kids before
No, sir. you won't get drop of mix from
this establishment until you run home ana
fetch your pail
Bob slowly descended from his STOOL
Then it's off, he sighed. Il can't -
Say" interrupted the clerk, actuated
partly by his business keenness for trade.
partly by the disappointed expression on
the youngsters face, I've got one OF the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

finest tin pans You ever see. Your ma can
have 1t for milk. fry her meat In IT and
use 1t for wash basin between times.
It's worth every bit of ten cents. but folks
have their notions about a pan being
smooth and sleek and because of this here
little bump in its back that don't amount to
a hill of beans, I'll let you have 1t long
with the milk for your nickel Is 1t go,
kid?'
Bob hesitated. vision of Mary Ann in
all the beauty of her red pigtals tied with
pink tape and her dear freckled face. with
it's laughing brown eyes and Scoruful lit
tie nose seemed to shine before him In a
sort of golden haze Then suddenly
piaintlve cry rang in his ears, and he for
got Mary Ann; forgot his own prosperous
condition a member of the gang living
like a swell in fine cellar; remembered
only a starved little alley cat and starved
street urchin who, none too long ago, so
often went without food for days.
Bob wriggled on to the stool again. ITS
a go!" he announced emphatlcaly.
Bob stood grinning down at the happy
alley cat tapping the last drop of milk.
Been having the time of your life. kit?"
he asked. with a chuckle.
Before the kitten could answer a shrill
Hello, Bob" fioated over his shoulder.
He turned with a start and gazed at
Mary Ann.
Where did you get the milk?" she asked.
Grocery" concisely replied the boy.
Buy it with your own money!"
Bob nodded.
Il like--cats.' murmured Mary Ann. for
some strange reason bashfully hanging her
head.
The crimson leaped from Bobs chin to his
dirty little forehead. Then perhaps-per-
haps," he excitedly faltered, you'll let me
give you the kitten for-for-a valentine?"
You mean it-honest?"
For his answer Bob gently lifted up the
little alley cat and lovingly placed il In
Mary AIMS eager, outstretched arms.
wait q minute-that amt all" said Bob,
his voice uuivering with pride. I'm a-going
to give you the pan, too, Mary Ann"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
Lincoln and the "sweat-Box.o

When Lincoln visited Fortress Monroe, in
1863 his attention, was called to narrow
door, bound with iron, the use Of which he
was anxious to learn.
What is this?' he asked.
"Oh, that is the sweat-box, was the
reply. ut is used for refractory sailors. A
man in there is treated to big dose of
steam heat and has very little ventilation.
1t brings him around pretty quickly
Lincoln, ever merciful demanded that he
be allowed to try the treatment to which
thousands of American sailors were SUBJ
jected yearly. en-
Taking off his hat-for he was several
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

inches over six feet In height-he entered
the Enclosure, which he found to be little
more than three feet in length or width. At
a signal from him the door was to be
opened 1t was then closed and the steam
turned on. He had been inside hardly three
minutes before the signal was given. Presi-
dent Lincoln had experienced something he
had never known had existed before. Turn
ing to Secretary Welles of the Navy De-
partment he ordered that no such Enclosure
as the sweat-box should ever after he al
lowed on any vessel flying the American
flag.
Lincolns adjustment of this means Of
torture was followed by The navies of other
countries. Great Britain. France, Germany
and other Europeans heard that the sweat
box had been abolished as inhuman. One
and all of these nations fell into line. and
today the sweat-box is not to be found on
any vessel flying the flag OF civilized ma
ton throughout the world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
Bringing You a Valentine.

Give me Fourth July in summer,
Thanksgiving in the fall,
And Christmas long bout Christmas time
1 love them one and all.
And April Fool and New Years
Are good enough, | guess,
For any one that likes them,
And so of all the rest.
But along in February,
When the winters nearly through
There comes a wish for dainty cards
With ribbons pink and blue.
For it's then you see the postman
In his uniform so fine.
With his mail bag and his whistle,
Bringing you valentine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

until she came to the pillared stone porch.
Some careless servant had left the heavy
front door ajar. and after several timid
knocks. Ruth pushed 1t open.
I'm play I'm st. Valentine and walk
straight upstairs
When she reached the first landing chance
led her TO the right one of several doors.
and a peevish voice answered her knock.
Come in
So Ruth opened the door, and there, sit
ting close to a blazing wood fire, was the
old lady herself.
She was fierce-loOking old lady, with a
pointed nose and chin that nearly met;
from under her mass of white hair a pair
of sharp black eyes peered out.
Ruth came ill., as she was bid. and stump
ed across the room, her shiny new rubbers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
/ am composed of fourteen letters and spell the
name Of the saint of love.
My 5, Z, !, 1, 8, is an ornament
Ny 4. IL. 10. IA is number.
My G, 2 8, IA, IL is a servant.
My 3, 10, is tavern.
DROP CONSoNANT PROVERBS.
l.
2 vi -
RuYMING ENIGMA
My first is in sew but in tare;
Ny seconds in ten, but never In fare
My third is in go, but never in went;
My fourth Is in borrow, but never IN lent;
And in my whole many pleasant times are spent
PRIMAL ACROSTIC.
The primal letters of the words defined below
spell something find hanging trees in winter.
l. An image. 2. A waterway. 3. A short artb
Gle. A. Freight. O. Idle. g. Going out OF. I.
Scarcely enough.
CHARADE.
My first is number. my second is TO bore ana
my whole is spiral shoot of plant.
WORD SQUARES.
Al. Pleasant. 2. metal. 3. Chilly. 4. Ter
minals.
B-1. A bell. 2 A jewel. 3. A title. 4. A
ravine.