davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
What Would You DoP

Do you ever think. when studying your
history what you would have done had
you been this person or that? 1t is an
easy thing to see where certain persons
made serious mistakes, and we naturally
think we would have done differently. II
julius Caesar had stayed at home that day
instead of going up to the captol-if Ma
poleon had been content when he was ruler
of France, instead of trying to control all
Europe-if Benedict Arnold had remained
loyal to his country instead of trying to be-
tray it to the enemy.
The idea suggests good game. Let
each player write for ten minutes on the
subject, Some Things l Would Do If L
were President" or Some Things l Would
Do If l were Gar of Russia" In a similar
way it may be supposed that you a
school teacher, a policeman, a tramp, a
dog chasing rabbit. man with hundred
million dollars and no relatives, a boy in
a runaway balloon drifting away over the
ocean. a sailor shipwrecked on a very small
desert island etc.
When all have written about a charac ter
the fances are read and talked about.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
The Magic Penny.

Harold had splinter in his thumb. He
was only three and half and the sight
of a sharp needle which his father brought
to dig out the splinter terrified the little
fellow.
Coaxing was useless. Mothers promise
that 1t would not hurt did not stop the
tears. At last mother said cheerfully, III
you are a brave, good boy and let papa take
it out he will give you penny
AS if by magic the tears were dried.
With the valor of a soldier he held out his
thumb and the silver was out in a Jif1y.
When Harold got his reward he hrst
squeezed it hard in his little fat hand, then
looked at it lovingly, wrapped 1t In paper
nut it in his treasure box, took 1t out again
to see if it was really there, and finally de-
cided TO go to the candy store and spend it.
Sister Alice took him. He was embar-
raised by the variety of things he could
buy with his penny. Two barber-pole
sticks four round drops, chocolate mouse
or lemon candy pipe. What he chose
was one barber pole and two round drops.
These he generously divided with his sis
ter and went home feeling very happy.
When he kissed his mother good night, the
startling thought came to him that he had
not given her any OF his candy.
"You forgot both papa and me, Harold.
dear. What are you going to do about it,?
Harold looked very sober for minute;
then his face frightened up he said: Il
know I'll get a splinter in my other
thumb and let papa take it out. Then he
will give me another penny and all the
candy 1 buy will be for you and papa
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
The Woodpecker's Friend.

Just outside of the town. by the old Gem
etery, there stood the trunk of an old tree.
Most of it's branches were gone. and the
wood was not so solid it had once BEEN
A beautiful yellow shafted woodpecker, or
yellow ha MINER. some folks would call
it. had chosen this tree for its home The
boys watched the birds early in the spring
drilling the small hole to reach the hollow
inside.
Some of the boys who were making coll
lections Of birds nests and eggs were wish
ing that they could get at the nest of this
beautiful bird; for they did not hesitate to
lay desolate a bird home wherever they
found it. Rob Walton even went SO far
as to declare that he was going to capture
some of the eggs anyway.
Not if I know it, quickly replied Ben
Harris you fellows ought to be ashamed
of yourselves. Don't you suppose birds have
feelings just we'll as we have?
''Softy, softy." retorted Rob. But Ben
Harris was really kind hearted, and did not
care snap what thoughtless boys called
him. At the same time he resolved to keep
one eye on Bob and the other on the wood
pecker's home in the old tree. Another
thing about Ben was his fondness of finding
out as much as possible about wild animals
without disturbing or harming them.
One evening in May. as he was returning
from a tramp, he came by the old tree and
concluded to sit down behind a monument
a short distance away, where he could
watch the coming and going of the wood
peckers 1t was almost dusk when he heard
a quick step along the road, and very soon
saw that 1t was Rob Watson, armed with
a saw.
By standing on the top of the fence Rob
could reach the lowest dead spur of the old
tree and thus swing himself up into the
fork, from which he could reach the en-
trance to the nest.
He had just started to saw out a hole
when Ben uttered the widest whoop he
could muster.
Rob dropped the saw, half slid. half fell
to the ground and took to his heels. 1t was
two weeks after this that Ben met him one
afternoon, and called out: Il say Rob,
when you have time come up to my house
and get your saw"
Rob looked sheepsh and Ben added
There are four of those little woodpeck-
ers, and they have just learned to fly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

her thOughtfulness and it no wonder
that the girls. little and big. loved her and
liked To please her.
So Miss Slocum suggested that every year
as a birthday treat should send her a
bOXful of SurpriSeS-not big, things which
would tax our slender purses. but little
things that could put our own handi-
o. work in, and SO prove our thought We
always began about month before to plan
for the surprise gift" and then We would
gather in the school room to see the pack
ing of the box. For l forgot to tell you,
didn't |. that Miss Evetson didn't live In
our town at all, but in the big city at least
100 miles away? The reason that she loved
the school so was because she used 10
teach In 1t years ago, until her spinal
trouble began. Now she is lame and has
To travel around upon Crutch, but she
never talks about it. and she is so pretty
and so cheerful that you really never think
that she is an invalid at all.
Well. year the girls made her an af-
CHAN. all of stripes and then Miss Slocum
put them together with a fancy crochet
stitch that she knows. That was one of
our best gifts of remembrance. And an
other year six of the big girls embroidered
q set of table doilies, and another time
they took kodak pictures OF the school, in
all sorts OF ways, the school room, the IL
rary. the playground. the dining room and
even the kitchen, where that Saturday att
ernOOn the girls were having a candy pull.
The pictures were all put in book to-
gether and tied with the school colors. and
thdt GIT was an appreciated one, Can le4i
you.
But this year, the special year that I
want to tell you about, was TO be the best
OF all. we thought. For Miss Evetson was
feeling stronger and she was planning to
come TO the school to spend the birthday.
We were to have a half holiday, and of
course a special birthday supper. with a
cake and candles And all the girls were
TO wear fancy costumes to represent some
especial character in history There was 10
be Joan of Arc and Martha Washington
and Florence Nightingale and Lady Jane
Gray and Queen Elizabeth and ever so
many more. Just before supper were TO
march into the dining room and gather
around our guest OF honor" and sing her
birthday song. a lovely one which we had
especially learned for the grand occasion.
Then. after supper were to do tab
ieaux. and those were to be the great eli
max.
But everything seemed spoiled. when the
very day OF the birthday. when we were all
gathered at the windows watching for the
carriage TO bring Miss Evetson up from the
station. who should we see instead but q
poor little district messenger Doyi And Of
course. you can easily guess the rest. The
telegram that ne was bringing to Miss Slo-
cum brought the dire disappointment-MisS
Evetson couldn't come. Some of the girls
crird-the little oncS-and everybody looked
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
you halter do dis-a-way ter git anyb'dy ter

come
Dat mex Fox maddern a halter, dough
he ain so mad but wat he kin laugh an
holler an slap his han on his knee Lawo.
lawd1 sezee, EFF dat ain one smart CONAN.
Well, sub. de on'ies party / wuz gw1neter
gin wuz a hidin'-party. an me an her an
dish yer cowhide wuz de onies folks cen
vfted, an now, suh sence you done let DE
chief mo'ner go. wy dish yer gwine be 20
chanel ter do de cryin.
Wild dat he whul de oil rawhide roun
thu de air 'twel she snap lax snappin
turkle. an bring her down on Mistah ar
back. zip! zip! zim! Bar he r'ared an ne
charged an he tore an he swore an ne
growled an he howled, but 'twant no use,
Mis- Molly she done tied him up good an
fas'. Fox he done whup him an whup
him 'twel de hide hung often him in plumb
ribands. Fox KEEP on 'twel he got him
right much skunt up, an all de time he
wuz jawin' him wild ev'y lick. I gwine
larn you some sense, you greet big lam
lubber Gwine farn you not ter be tucken
in by ev'y Ill OIL CONAN whar kin pump
de water outen her eyes in thee shakes
wv sleeps tall Gwine Earn you not ter
NEEDLE in urr folkes mixes. You is de ve'y
man whar coined yer an bringed me dat
order FUN my OF CONAN whar nuver come
FUN her t all, an 'twuZ you toted of de
meal an bacon ter OF Molly-Cotton-tatl.
Ain you know dat CONAN well huff by dis
time ter know dat you gwine git In trouble
eff you don keep way FUN her? You oil
nun ter know better, deed you Is; any
how I gwine larn you
"OP Bar he git ter cryin', an evy time
de whip come down he let out a big Boo
hoo! Mis- Molly she wuz settin' outside
lis'nin, an ev'y time he say 'Boo-hoOr she
ain year her t all. Wen Fox turnt Mistah
Bar a-loose, she wuZ off outcn dat in a
jiffy. an Bar ain see her fer one long
spell. He halter stay home an nuss his
dat he gwine frail Molly good mex time
he meet up wild her. 'Mis'able III fippen-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
BY DOROTHY SHELTERED

This IS a true story and one which hap
peucd right in our own town and right on
"a local telephone. And when l tell you so
much by way of introduction of course
have told you part Of the secret of the
story but l don't mind. and l hope that
you don't.
Il happened In this way. Miss Evetson
was the fairy godmother'' of Miss Slo-
Gums school. and all the pupils loved her
dearly. l am one. and so 1 ought to know
she was always doing the dearest things
things which almost any one else could
have done. If they thought of them-oniy
they didn't. For instance. on ST. Valen-
tines day she always sent every one of the
twenty girls a valentine. Not big. ex-
pensIye ones. but the daintiest. prettiest
things that she made herself. One year
they were tiny sachet bags made of ribbon
ends or bits of silk. and filled with violet
doors which seemed very breath in prom
Use of the coming of spring. And another
year the valentines We're big gingerbread
hearts, with every girls monogram done
on the top of her own in cOiored sugar
icing.
She had list of the girls birthdays, too.
and a card or a little letter always arrived
on time. oh. she just wonderful in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

friends who had assembled to witness
Tags triumph. proved that Tags was all he
had hoped for
Whats this on his neck?" asked the
blacksmith. pointing to a collar which had
been completely hidden by Tags shaggy
coat 1t was a collar. but one vastly diff
ferent from any seen in that neighborhood
Taking ii to the light. the collar shone like
gold. and several stones of different colors
spelled out the name "Fortunatus"
The blacksmith vas a wary man At tho
remarks of several bystanders who said
the collar was gold he laughed. Not
withstandi1g. he invited Toby TO stay
at his house until something better offered
and thither the little procession wended its
way. 1t was a question which looked the
happier, Toby or Tags, he trotted along
by the side of his new-found friend
The rescue of Tags was the beginning OF
new life for Toby. The collar turned out
to be of gold and of great value. Toby
took 1t to the police station. but no owner
ever appeared for IL or for Tags The only
explanation for Tags appearance was that
he had belonged to some circus. and in
some mysterious way had either strayed
from his owner or had been stolen for
large reward
Toby started in the show business. travel
ing through several states and deliehting
the children everywhere by the antics of
the clever Tags. He made more money
than he had ever dreamed of I'm the old
rag-picking days. Later. when Tags be-
gan to show signs of age and rheumatism
1oDy invested his savings with the black
, smith, who had always remained his friend
W men Tags was too old to sit on his hind
Kegs much less to walk them he was
gwen line couch near the blazing forge
OF his two friends. There he was always
sure of a pat on the head or a dainty
morsel from the boy, to whom in exchange
Tor mercy and pity. he had been q For
tunatus' indeed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

selves in a row away up to the very top, and
we leaned over a little our voices could
carry well. Miss Slocum called up New
York, and after she had brought Miss Evet
son to the wire and sent our love and good
wishes, she said: And the girls are all
here to sing you your birthday song
"Where?" asked Miss Evetson, who
seemed too surprised to say more. And then
Miss Slocum told her all about the party we
had planned and the box We're going to
send which we hoped she would receive in
the morning, and then we began to sing.
Miss Slocum had adapted the words from a
Christmas poem by Ellen Gates, which we
had all liked, and our music teacher had set
the words to music. We sang it with will,
and there was only one interruption. at the
end of the first verse, when Miss Slocum
stopped to ask Miss Evetson if she could
really hear US. And Miss Slocum told us
that Miss Evetsons voice sounded full Of
happiness and a little "choky' with emo
ton when she answered; Yes. indeed; every
word And it is almost as good as being in
the midst of the dear singers"
So we went to the end of the song.
These were the words:
What can NV, We give you on this day7
Your love, steatfast the sun,
Along daily life has run
Nor failed once. nor made delay,
Nor laughed to scorn our hopes and fears,
When we are weary still your hand
Is stretched to help us in this place;
Whatever comes we smile serene
10 think souls yours can lean,
For you to understand.
And peGce and strength are in your face
And love you. love you. dear
And love dea thless thing must he.
Ours shall enfold you when your face
Makes happier still heavenly place;
So No revolving earthly year
Brings tears or fears eternaly.
We sang every word with all our hearts
as we leaned over the banisters. and tried
to imagine Miss Evetson sitting right be-
fore US, hidden in the telephone SUSIE
Conklin later described it.
And the party was a great success. for in
some way all through the evening we tried
to behave and feel as though our fairy
godmother' We're really present with US.
as she certainly was in thought So the
song stretched along the magic wire, and
our box. packed with much care. followed
, quickly as the express could carry it.
That Is the story, but 1t isn't quite all.
for the discovery helped at later times,
too. We sang an Easter carol to Shut
, in who lived in our town. on Easter
morning. and we hope every year. when
ever have any especially good music 20
pass II on over the wonderful wire to
some one who cannot come out, or to whom
we cannot go to sing. And | have written
a story about 1t because one voice will
carry quite well chorus and per-
haps others will like to try the process, too
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

about ready to. But Miss Slocum rose to
the occasion almost Immediately after the
blow fell! / can remember just the way she
looked when she stood up and said with Il
little catch In her voice:
Now. girls, we must not be selfish in our
disappointment Wen have the party juse
the same, for l am sure that Miss Evetson
would like us to do so. Then will write
people to tell her all about it. We will send
her big piece of the birthday cake, and
the flowers from the table. and the gift. of
course" q forgot to tell you that we had
made her a kinono of dull red silk, with a
pieced silk border. and every girl had
worked her initials upon one of the pieces.
1t was very japanese and uniqueD
But she won't get anything today,
walled Susie Conkln, one of the little girls
who had been crying.
"Oh, Miss Slocum. please let us telephone
TO her and say that the package will come. y
said Florence Benson who was practical
and never lost opportunities
"a very good idea" said Miss Slocum,
land we can wish her many happy returns
of the day at the same time.
Then Florence had a very brilliant thought
which brings me back to the real story
which 1 limited at In the beginning.
why couldn't we sing her the birthday
song right over the telephone?' she asked.
IF spoken words will travel, don't see
why song wouldn't, too"'
That was such splendid suggestion that
Miss Slocum let us carry it right out. The
telephone instrument was in the hall. right
near the staircase, we girls ranged our
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
A Neighborhood Newspaper.

A great deal of pleasure, and perhaps
some profit may be gotten by group of
boys and girls in a neighborhood if they
will undertake the publishing of a paper.
Commence it by taking it up and suggest
ing name. The choice of suitable name
is very important. and not nearly SO easy
as it may seem. A very bright little paper
that was actually printed for several months
In Springfield. Ohio. was called THE Bird"
II possible use the name of the town as
part of the title, 1.-The Baltimore Cracker"
or "The Poseyville Pinwheel." or THE Fort
Wayne Firecracker," would be very attrac-
tive, and ought to snap and sparkle with
crisp. witty paragraphs. THE Tarrytown
Turtle might be less boastful than the
"Raritan Rabbit" but quite as certain to
get there.
Elect an editor for each issue, so as to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

ny-bit, sezee. her ter git greet big man
lax me th'ashin fun dat oil Slickry Sly
foxi 1 knock EN- bofe inter de middle er
mex week mex time L ketch EN-, dog me
eff I dom.
Las, one day, Molly seed him comm
down de road, an she turnt off inter de
bresh an scooted thu a shawl cut 'twel
she got way beyont him. Den she hop
inter de middle err de road an sing out.
Heyo Mistah Bar. how you enjy yose'f
at Mistah Fox's party? I done yearn dat
you sing mo- louder an jump mo- higher
dan any urr man at de don's. No pusson
I'D think dat jes' ter look at you gwine
long so sollum an Study. You KANT tell,
fer us 20 wimmins ter place ow' 'pennance
on yo looks Wild dat she gin her behime
laigs a flirt in de air an went splungin'
inter de bresh agin, lax OF Harry hisse'f
WIZ after her, witch mebbe he wuz, an
putin her up ter all her mischief"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

heard this verdict. but was not discour-
aged. Perhaps some day Mrs. Reeds heart
would relent, or his business might become
so prosperous he could move into another
lodging. where the landlady had more toll
Grafton for the feelings of a ragman.
One night on coming home from work
Toby had on turning into the alley in
which he lived, heard a pitiful whining. In
an instant the bundle of rags and papers
was thrown down and Toby was searching
sounded. this time more pleadingly than at
first. The sound proceeded from under the
grating in a cellar. Peering within Toby
saw two brightly shining eyes, and the
shivering body of what he supposed to be
a dog. although he had never seen a dog
that looked in the least like the one be-
fore him. Toby pred off the grating and
in a few minutes had the misera ble-look-
ing dog in his arms. He nestled up TO him.
affectionately licking his preserver's face
dirt and all. Toby decided to adopt him
whether Mrs. Reed liked it not.
Mrs. Reed did not like it, and hurled such
storm of abuse at the boy and dog that
the dog howed as if he had been struck.
and she told Toby that he could get out
right away.
I'm tired of having you. anyway! The
neighbors ali look down on me for Iodg-
ing the likes of you-a ragman! Take your
rags and don't come around here again.
Before Toby realized what had happened
ne was out in the street homeless and with
but a few pennies in his pockets. Some
way he did not feel as friendless he did
before. because nestled close to him was
the cause of all his trouble-the forlorn.
friendles IS dog.
Never mind. old fellow.' Toby said. pat
ting his head. ''two's lots more company
than one. few more rags more less A
day will take care of you, and come what
| may, mean to attach you to me. I'll name
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

you Tags. for that goes better with rags
than any name / know of. Wen go out
into the world together, and perhaps you
may bring me good luck. I need IL all
right"
Here Tags was placed on the ground
while Tobc made n better arrangement for
carrying his bundle To Tobys surprise.
Tags stood up on his hind legs and waved
his paws as IL he were trying to thank
Toby for befriending him. Toby was so
pleased he danced up and down for Joy, at
which Tags began to walk on his forefeet-
Then he made a flying leap and turned
round and round like a wheel. Seeing
clothesline in an adjoining inclosure. what
did Mr.. Tags do but jump upon that. and
walk upon II exactly the performing
dogs in the circus did, Toby was so ex-
cited he did not know what to do. He re-
allied that he had found his fortune I'm the
little animal he had befriended. He has
tened to the house OF a blacksmith who had
been kird to him on various occasions and
soon the story OF Tags and his cleverness
was told. Toby was almost afraid that
the tricks might have been dream. but
the shouts of the blacksmith and several
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
Curious Things Found in Flowers.

The most wonderful of all are the SYM
bols found in the passion flower. If stalk
of brake fern is cut low down in September.
a spreading oak tree will be found. In the
midst of the periwinkle is a neat little
brush. The pansy contains the picture of
a man in a pulpit The poppy can easily be
turned into an old woman in a red gown;
the snap-dragon can be made to yawn in
the funniest way If its sides are pinched;
the mallow contains the most attractive
little cheeses just the thing to serve with
your poached eggs (heads of daisies) when
you are playing tea party with flowers for
provisions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

let the honors pass around. The editors
assistants may be elected also or ap-
pointed by the editor. Besides editorials. all
the little items of home news should be
written up in the most attractive manner.
There will be the various entertainments
and social events. base ball. tennis. basket
ball and other sports; personals. verses, one
or two very short stories, and much else
as you like. If one of the assistants can
draw well the paper should be given to that
person for marginal sketches after it has
been edited and written. Don't forget the
advertisements.
When the paper is made invite all friends
on a certain afternoon or evening to have
it read. The copy may then be sold to the
highest bidder.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13
Why Splitting Salt is Considered I'm
lucky

The original superstition OF salt dates from
the overturned salt cellar which is found
IN the painting called La Sainte-Sene. Ia
front of the figure of Judas Iscariot, who
wears the leather bag in which he carries
the thirty pieces OF silver received for be-
traying Christ, is the overturned salt cell
lar. But why did the artist, Da Vinci. put
the spilled salt before Judas? Because tho
anclents always attached to salt an idea
or ruin and desOlation. When they burned
down a town they sprinkled salt over it
TO show that it was never to be rebuilt
Da Vinci in his picture wished to demon
strate that ill-gotten gains never could ba
profitable.