davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
"Snick" The Runaway
A Thanksgiving Story for Boys

leave a trffe over. I'll ship before the mast on some outgoing steamer. so if yon don't hear from me for several months to come do not fret over 1t. I'll save up my earnings and come home In a year or two with a pocket full Of cash and head full of experiences.
 Assuring you that I'm perfectly ca- pablo of taking care of myself. and leav- ing lot of love and the best wishes. nm your son for adventure.
 "sNICK KNAPP After reading the letter, poor Mrs. Knapp looked at her husband question: ingiy, n sort of ,heiplessness in her eyes. "What can we do--what can we do2' she murmured in a tremulous voice.
 Mir. Knapp was also deeply affected, but calming himself he answered: There is nothing to do. dear. but walt snick's return"
 Tears filled Mrs. Knnpp's eyes as she put out her hands supplicatingly. "Oh, papa, we must bring our boy back-we musti' she said. Little Sally was weep ing gently, too, for she had come fin just ns her mother had finished reading the runaway's letter and had heard the par ticulars. "Yes, papa" the child pleaded. please bring brother home"
 Then Mir. Knapp sat down and reasoned with his grief wife and weeping daughter. Should they use means to force Snick home against his will 1t would only end by placing the waywari
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

also A dear little delft china luncheon set lent artistic effect to the table with its center bouquet of violets, bunch which Mipna's mamma had given the little girl for the purpose.
 And there can be no doubt that Flossle. Pearl and Isabel felt that Thanksgiving Day was a grand occasion. which, indeed, it truly was And they watched with si- lent interest the spreading of the Viands on the table by Minna. "Now, my dears, said that little girl, as she niled the plates with ssureenough" food, here's roast turkey with dressing And here's a bit of scaIloped oyster and some lamb Pii bring the desert after you've eaten this course, you know Hope you'll enjoy your din ner ]; if you wish anything please ring this bell" And Mnna placed on the corner of the table beside Isabel small. silver call bell. Then smiling indulgentiy on her pets, throwing kiss to each, she excused herself and ran down to the dining room where papa and mamma were already seating the company at table.
 After Mnna left her room the cushions on the sofa began to show signs of life. From their depths small, black nose thrust itself out, then a pair of bright eyes peeped around the room. and next the form of Smut-nose, a pug puppy be- longing to Minnh's brother Ned. crept out and jumped down to the floor. Minna had not been aware of his presence in the room, and supposed her three dollies were alone. But during the laying of the dinner Smut-nose had watched from his hiding-place the preparations for the lady dolls feast, and the smell of roast turkey had sharpened his always keen appetite But Smut-nose was no fool. and had enough gumption to remain in hiding till his young mistress had quilted the room He had had dealings with her before and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

Ills name was not -snick," but Sam uel; but when he was little fellow hls baby sister, not able to say Samuel, called him "snick;" so Snick he became at home and at school ever afterward. And that is the name by which he shall be called in this story which relates en- tirely to himself.
 When snick was IA years old-nnd 1e years tall-he became restless in his quiet home life. which was passed in n small New York town half a days travel from the metropolis. In this town lived an old man who had followed the life of seaman for many years, and he would tell of his many thrilling ndyen- lures 10 Snlck and snick's companions. After listening intently to the old sea dogs" stories one day snick decided to run away from home and become a sailor on the mighty deep. He had never been dlsobedient to his parents and teachers, and was what might have been called model boy in many respects. He was also kind-hearted md nffectionate. loving his parents and home dearly.
 But at this point in Snick's life feel ing to go forth in the world and see and learn came over him, and he began to lay his plan in secret. He knew that if he were to ask his parents permission to follow his desires they would emphati- cally refuse to grant it. Not wishing to disobey them and yet determined upon carrying out his plan he decided that the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
Before

only way to gain his own end without viloating their orders was to depart for lands unknown without giving word of warning to anyone. But he would leave a letter of explanation which-as he supposed--would rob his fond family of any anxiety regarding him.
 One evening while his father and mother were from home paying a visit to some neighbors Snick choose the time for his departure.
 The next morning ns snick did not come down to breakfast at the usual hour his father. thinking the boy had overslept, ran up stairs to call him. On tapping at the door and calling his sons name he received no response. Opening the door the good man was astonished to find the room tenantless and the bed un- mussed On the dressing stand was a let ter propped up In conspicuous place that 1t might attract immediate atten- ton. Snick's father hurridly read It's con tents, much to his surprise and woe. Then he went down stairs where he gently broke the news to his wife. The letter ran:
 "Dear Papa and Mama and Sister Sally: Knowing how much you would object to my going away from home on my own hook, and not wishing to be mls- understood by you, l shall try here to explain why I left without your knowl- edge. l am anxious to see something of the world and to knock about on the seas n bit. You dear ones srill think me a helpless kid-which l am not. Please have no anxiety about me. for I'm strong and able to work. I'll get on like thou sands of other fellows who get on with out aid from their folks l have the S5 that papa gave me for pocket money ; that will take me to N. Y. City and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

tales will have to give way, now, with you to relate to the admiring boys lot of new ones. But we must remember this Is Thanksgiving Day. Come, we must all dress and go to the hotel for dinner. Mir. Adams, the new proprietor, told me yesterday that he was going to set the finest holiday spread before his guests today that was ever seen on a table In this town before. He asked us to dine there and to bring as many guests as we cared to-"
 But to this Snick hung his head. What will the people think of me?" he asked "You know boys who run away-from" -
 ''Oh, that's all right" declared Mir. Knapp, taking from his pocket an old copy of "The Daily News" and pointing to a notice 1t contained. Snick took the pa- per and read the article pointed out to him. Then. without a word-for he could not find voice with which to speak--he grasped 6rmlye his fathers hand and looked the gratitude he could not other wise express. At that very minute Sally who had been listening on the stairs to all that was going on. thought 1t time TOT her to enter and greet her brother. on, isn't 1t lovely that your ship got ID on time for you to have Thanksgiving dinner with us?', she cried, merrtly. kissing the brown and sea-roughened face Of her DE brother.
 ..Yes, my ship came in." said sniek. and if I have my way itil never leave -"rbis is the happiest Thanksgiving Day i have ever experienced" said Mrs Knapp. But come, as papa has invited us to dine with him at the Grand Hotel we must be getting ready nnicky. dear. vou'll aud your linen all ready laid out i did that yesterday. for-somehow-I felt-hoped--prayed that you would be with us today"
 .Yes, and mama also had the creases pressed In your trousers, too." laughed eally. sahs sssmsd to have had vtre-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

then scanned the faces of her dolls. But there they sat as speeches. AS sphinxes, their smiles on their faces and their hands folded in their laps. On the floor beside Isabel lay the silver bell.
 Minna felt a little shiyer pass over her. What mystery was thsf No sign of living soul In the room, still--all the food gone and the bell had been rung as if for more. Suppose some spook had come in through the roof, or down the chimney She had heard of such things. Minna was beginning to step backward towards the door, almost afraid to breathe and not daring to call when her eyes were attracted by the cushions on the sofa. The cushions were moving-yes, certainly moving Mlnna's eyes started from her head and her poor heart thumped violently against her side Then from the midst of moving cushions came the wrinkled face of Smutnose, his eyes look ing very full of innocence.
 .'Oh, you--you---you l" stammered Min. na, shaking her fist at the naughty pug, who now came towards her wagging his stub of tail. Aren't you ashamed, you bad-bad felow2 Mercy, how was who ate up the dolls dinner and then rang the bell for more, But how on earth did you know to ring the bell2 Well, stop wagging your tail at me. I've half a notion to whip you, so l have" Then thinking better of the situation she said ; "Come, you must go down stairs with me. I'll take you to the kitchen and tell cook to give you something to eat. for I'm most thankful that 1t turned out to be you In stead of q ghost or spirit that ate up the food"
 And Smut-nose wagged his tail and blinked his eyes as if 10 say:
 My dear little Miss Minna, I'm very thankful also that lt was l who ate the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
After

Then, becoming calmer, she knelt beside the bed and prayed-prayed that her boy would return to her soon. Even while she poured out her application a quick step was heard on the back stairs and, before Mrs. Knapp could rise from her knees, tall form had dashed into the room and a pair of strong young arms were thrown about her shoulders.
 "oh, my boy, my own childi" cried the good woman, for she looked Into the eyes of her runaway snick-Snick who had come with the holiday. 'Oh, praise and thanksgiving for this"
 Hearing the commotion' and mingling of voices upstairs, Mir. Knapp put aside his paper and ran up two steps at bound. At the door leading into Snick's room the happy man saw mother and son locked in each others embrace. Here. let me have a share In this," he cried, with the enthusiasm and joy of a boy, as he ran and grasped his sons two hands. "Ah, welcome home, son, welcome homew And, for all the world like woman, the good man wept for very Joy.
 Then Snick stood up, dropping his head slightly through confusion and shame. "Can you forgive me, pap and mamaT he asked, his voice full of penetance. "For truly did not realize what 1t meant my going off like that. But 1t all came to me after I'd got too far away to help it-after I'd got on the ocean. And what I've sufferedl homesickness, sensickness, hardship and misusage. Oh, If boys could only know what 1t means to ship as sailor before the mast! Just look at my hands"i And the poor fellow, who had lost about IS pounds of his flesh, held up for inspec- ton pair of bruised and bleeding hands. I'm almost that bad all over," he nd- mitted. In a low voice. "Oh. I've had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
TheDollies' I hanksgivingDinn
By Maud alker.

about for something more. Seeing the bell at the side of Isabel he ran round to it and grasped its handle between his teeth, giving 1t quick turn. Doubtless he thought 1t something to eat.
 ''Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle," went the little bell, ringing so loudly that its voice was distinctly heard in the dining-room be- low. Minnas mamma stopped speaking and bent her ears to listen
 Why, who can be ringing that bell up stairs9' she asked looking towards Minna. The little girl sprang quickly from her chair to run up stairs then bethinking herself of her company manners" she bowed gracefully to her papa and mamma and said very politely: Please. may be excused momenti l wish to go up to my room and see who is there" Then as her mamma bowed her permission Minna hurried to her room, half-expecting to find one of her chums--who might have crept In for joke and slipped up stairs there in company with her dollies But when she entered the room all was just as she had left 1t, save the food-which had disappeared Minna looked about her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

boy in a most embarrassing position in town and cause him to become more de- termined than ever to abandon his home and loved ones. As the matter now stood they had their sons confidence. They must place their faith In him and pray for his speedy return When he should find the world cold and cruel then he would gladly turn his face homeward again, where he now felt there was al ways a Tight fin the window" for him.
 But no breakfast was partaken of by the Knapps that morning, and as soon as Mir Knapp had gone up town to his office the poor. heart-broken mother went softly to her absent boys room and knelt beside the bed.
 En route to his office MT. Knapp stopped at the office of the Daily News, the only daily paper of the town. He had inserted In It's columns the following notice: Samuel Knapp. son of D. H. Knapp, left home yesterday on knock about trip, expecting to be gone sometime, as 1t Is his Intention to sail to foreign parts be- fore returning home He left for New York city last evening. Mir. Knapp gives us the information"
 That evening. after Mrs. Knapp had read the Item, she went to her husbands side, and, putting her arms about his neck, said: "You did right. dear, to be so thoughtful of our boy. Had 1t not been for this notice the town gosslps would have set their tongues to wagging and called Snlck runaway, besides saying q lot of ugly untruths about him: for only you and 1 understand the dear ehild's motive in going of the way he did He was thoughtless and visionary. perhaps, but not wilful"
 "Yes," answered Mir. Knapp. i've know our boy at heart; others do not and they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
By William Wallace, Jr.

stand too ready to misrepresent and con- demn him.
 So the days passed by and formed themselves Into weeks, and the Knapp household lay under a gloom that was scarcely penetrable. Each day the lonely and anxious parents looked hopefully for a letter from their absent son, but each day brought only disappointment. Thus the time dragged by and ushered in Thanksgiving Day. Almost every home in the town boasted it's turkey dinner and accompanying merrymaking. Those who did not entertain friends at dinner were being entertained by friends, and all was festivity and good cheer.
 But in one house there was no prepara- ton for the usual Thanksgiving feast, the home made desolate by the absence and continued silence of Snisk, the thought less runaway. In the morning MT. and Mrs. Knapp had not the heart to go to church. Sally also begged to remain at home with her parents. saying that she could not enjoy the service without the entire family was with her. After break fast Mir. Knapp went into the sitting room and tried to read the morning pa- per. Sally busied herself about the house assisting the maid of all work, while Mrs. Knapp went above stairs to tidy up the bedrooms. But the poor woman did not get past her boys vacant room. Go Ing In, she threw herself on the bed aud gave utterance to her pent-up grief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

been cooking for week, he's 50 big-is done and you are called to dinner, ten to one you are seated beside a girl you can't endure. If 50 you don't care whether you have any dinner or not. But if your best girl Is there and you are seated next to her-well that's different, you know. Then you forget to eat your dinner for helping her all the time, and before you know 1t here pops the servant behind you and lifts your plate from under your very nose be- fore you've hardly tasted the turkey.
 But what can you do? You are com pany and can't dare her to do 1t again.
 But nobody can afford to miss . Thanksgiving dinner If he can afford 1t. First. there's the turkey -a whopper stuffed to bursting. Then comes the cran- berry jelly that Is so clear you can see yourself in 1t; and how 1t shakes as they pass 1t round It makes your mouth water to just see 1t. And there are the yege- tables, every kind that grows inside and outside the dirt. I just love sweet pota-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
Sammy's Idea of Thanksgiving
Day.

"Hurrayl Thanksgiving Day is a hoii- dayi Hurray againl A fellow doesn't have to go to school on that day. Double hurray Nor a fellow doesn't have to do any work, either. Everything is done up the day before. though; so. after all, kid has double work to make up for the time spent in fun.
 ''In the morning your ma comes in and wakes you and tells you to jump up quick and take a bath and get dressed for break fast, after which you must go to Thapks- giving Praise Meeting and hear what a lot of nice things you have to be thankful for It's surprising how few boys remember their many blessings. We are a bad, un- grateful lot, guess. After the praise service you go with your ma and pa and sister to somebody's house for dinner. It's always at the home of some friend of your mas who ate last Thanksgiving dinner at your house. They know enough to under stand that turn about is fair play
 "When the turkey-what has probably
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
On Thanksgiving Day.

There are many things throughout the year That go wrong with the most of us. And cause us to ivory, fret and bout And make q terrible fuss.
 For dolls get broken.
 And noses too
 Cross words are spoken
 By me-aDd by you. We dnd long lessons so hard 10 learn That sometimes we feel despair: We think our friends more bIest than we; And often we do declare
 That life is too full
 Of troubles that vex;
 And the problem we'd solve
 Is sadly complex. But once year 6 time rolls round. It Is called Thanksgiving Day, When tie blessings we've had bestowed oD Us Roll back along the wsy.
 Ger memory's roac
 And show us quite plain
 That we've bad much pleasure,
 But sc httle pain Iris then we know that the days Of rain Make clearer the days that are brlEnti Aud the glorious morn Is loseiisr stlH By following th' gloom Of night Thus the many blessings
 We receive long the way 4 mountain make
 Or Thanksgiving Day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

Minna asked her mamma If she might have a little ''sure-enough" dinner for her dollies bn Thanksgiving Day. or course her mamma said yes, for no mamma would refuse such a request. So, before the dinner was placed on the big table in the nower-bedecked dining-room - where company was to assembe-Minna ran into the kitchen and begged cook to put some bits of the many good things on plate for her to carry to her room where her dollies were to be served.
 Flossie, Pearl and Isabel were tho names of her three dollies, and in honor of the occasion they were dressed in their Sun day best Flossie being resplendent in blue silk, trimmed in white lace; Pearl in brown yelveteen, adorned with swansdown and gold buttons. while Isabel looked quite dignined and elegant attired in gray cloth stitched with scarlet silk.
 About little table covered with great-sized white napkin sat the three dollies. smiles of contentment and antici- patton on their pretty faces. On the table a dainty tea set was displayed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

toesi My best girl, Maggie - tbut never mind her last namel, says she adores stuffed peppers She says they burn so that your tongue is all blistered the next day. And there's celery. and soup. and ice-cream. and pudding, and cake. and pumpkin pie. and pickles. and preserves. and oysters, and nuts, and fruit, etc. The etc. means a lot of fancy dishes got out Of a cook book-very nice, perfumed dishes made out of nothing like anything else in the world Floating island is etc. for nobody ever saw a floating island.
 Well, after dinner the grown folks al- ways go to the parlor and Invite the young ladies to sing. 1t must be very difficult to raise your voice in melody after eating Thanksgiving dinner. But maybe the singers nibble instead of eat like us boys always do. We couldn't sing If our lives depended on 1t; we couldn't even squeak.
 Well. to get rid of the kidlets they ara permitted to take a walk And we always
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

turkey, lamb and oysters. and I'd thank you for some more If you please, After all. am dog and enjoy food more than a stupid doll, who simply sits and smiles and never tastes a bite
 And Flossle. Pearl and Isabel looked at each other and smiled as the door closed behind Minna and Smut-nose. They probably thought It a great Thanksgiving dinner, this dining with pug puppy. However, they never said word about it to living soul. and Minna let the mntter dron. :.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

go either to the railroad station or to a cemetery. There we seat ourselves and tell appropriate stories. If we go to the sta- ton we tell stories of travel ; but if we go to the cemetery we tell ghost stories and scare ourselves nearly to death. Some times we've all run out shaking till our teeth chattered. We enjoyed 1t very much at such times, for we really knew there were no real. live spooks-only make believe. But no kid likes to meet even that kind in a cemetery.
 ''Then, when evening comes. you arc supposed to go home That's the only fault I have to find with Thanksgiving Day. It isn't long enough. Whoever invented 1t should have made 1t longer - made 1t Thanksgiving Week instead of Thinks giving Day.
 But it's all right. though, and I'm not going to complain. There's not another day in the year like it. Only-it would be nice if 1t had a twin"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

knew that her dolls were always consd- cred first; then he-if there were any fayors worth while left to bestow-was remembered
 his little black muzzle over to the plate containing the turkey, and in a most un- ceremonious manner gobbled 1t down with out much time spent in mastication- Then he winked at Pearl and straightway took hold of the scalloped oysters in his sharp teeth. Presto-pass Out of sight were the shellfish. gone to keep the turkey company. Then casting his eye on Flossie the saucy Smut-nose took the bit of lamb at a bite, licking his chops and glancing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

all the experience I want on the sea--as a sailor."
 Tonderly his mother put her arms about him and whispered: There's no place like home, Is there. dearw and his father. assuming jovial manner, said: Well, well, Snick, you've been a brick, anyway. You've had experiences enough to lay your old seaman In the shade. His sea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

less that you would need them today. Oh your fine duds are all ready for you.'
 "My.i Oh, how little did understand my own heart and the hearts of those who love me till I tried thls awful sep aration," murmured Snick, half an hour later, as he dressed himself in irfs Sum- day best to go to the Thanksgiving din- ner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26
cONUNDRUMs.

CONUNDRUMS. ..Whv ia A washerwoman like a sailorf" .Because she keeps crossing the line and going from pole to pole. Why IS an active volcano like taika- Because both keep "spopting." When do boys resemble the windf "A1 When are bad boys like grainf When getting thrashed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

Thanksgiving Dsy, hurrsh, hurrahl
 We're of to the football game! whoe'er wigs ws'u shout tiii hosrsss For Be love boIh sides the kamA-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-26

Both football teams nave well-pick,
 cbaps,
 With muscle, nerve and brain; And may both sides much glory wis And live to dght aRsin.