davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

or the princess. had at least got as fine
residence as any prince in Europe.
Soon l entered the forest, and walked on
for an hour or more in it's cool, somber
shade. The great trees enlaced with one
another over my head and the sunshine
stole throngh in patches as bright as dia-
mcnds and hardly bigger. was enchanted
with the place. and finding felled tree
trunk. propped my back against it. and,
stretching my legs out, gave myself up to
undisturbed contemplation of the solemn
beauty of the woods and to the comfort Of
a good cigar. And when the cigar was fin
ished and 1 had q suppose) inhaled as
much beauty as l could, went off into the
most delightful sleep, regardless Of my
train to Strelsau and of the faSt-waning
afternoon. To remember a train in such a
spot would have been rank sacrilege. In
stead of that L fell to dreaming that I was
married to the Princess Flavia and dwelt
in the castle OF Zenda. and beguiled whole
days with my love in the glades of the for
est, which made a very pleasant dream:
In fact. / was just impressing fervent
kiss on the charming lips of the princess
when heard land the voice seemed at first
a part OF the dreamy some one exclaim in
rough. strident tones:
why. the devils In 1t! Shave him and
he'd be the king."
The idea seemed whimsical enough for a
dream: by the sacrifice of my heavy mus
tache and carefully pointed imperial IVES
to be transformed into monarch! / was
about to kiss the princess again when I ar
rived very reluctantly at the conclusion
that l was awake.
i opened my eyes and found two men re-
garding me with much curiosity. Both
wore shooting costume and carried guns.
One was rather short and very stoutly
built, with a big bullet-shaped head. a
bristly gray mustAche and small. pale blue
eyes. trifie. bloodshot. The other was a
slender young fellow. of middle height.
dark In complexion. and bearing himseas
with grace and distinction. 1 set the one
down as an old soldier; the other for gen.
tleman accustomed to move In good society.
but not unused to military life, either. It
turned out afterward that my guess was a
good one.
The elder man approached me. beckoning
tho younger to follow. He did so. cour-
tetusly raising his hat. l rose to my feet.
Hes the height. tool" heard the elder
murmur as he surveyed my six feet two
inches Of stature. Then, with a cavalier
touch of the cap he addressed me:
MAY ask your manner"
"As you have taken the first step In the
acquaintance. gentlemen" said /. with a
smile. suppose you give me lead In the
matter of names"
The young man stepped forward with
pleasant smile.
This" said he. SIS Col. Sapt, and I am
called Fritz Won Tarienheim; we are both
in the service of the King of Ruritania.''
bowed. and. barring my head. answered:
II am Rudolf Rassendyll. / am a trav-
eler from England; and once for year or
two held q commission from her majesty
the queen.
Then we are all brethren of the sword"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
will think they know best. 1t IL just as
well not to argue with them"

will think they know best 1t is just as
well not to argue with them"
Every summer suffer much from indig-
nation. love to watch the swallows build
ing. They. build beneath the caves outside
my study window. Such cheerful little
chatterboxes they are! Long after sunset
when all the other birds are sleeping, the
swallows still are chattering softly 1t
sounds as If they were telling one another
some pretty story, and often l am sure
there must be humor in 1t, for every now
and then one hears a little twittering laugh.
l delight in having them there. so close to
me- The fancy comes to me that one day
when my brain has grown more cunning, 1
too, listening in the twilight shall hear
the stories that they tell. One or two
phrases already have come to understand.
Once upon time::'' long, long ago." Sin
a strange far-ofr land" 1 hear these words
so constantly. am sure have them right.
l call 1t Swallow street." this row of six
or seven nests Two or three. like villas in
their own grounds. stand alone. and others
are semi-detached. 1t makes me angry that
the sparrows will come and steal them
The sparrows will hang about deliberately
waiting for pair of swallows to finish
their nest. then, with Brutal laugh that
makes my blood boil drive the swallows
away and take possession of it. And the
swallows are SO wonderfully patient.
Never mind, old GIRL" says Johnny Swal-
low, after the first big cry is over. to Jenny
hour later, full Of fresh plans, they are
choosing another likely site, chattering
cheerfully once more.
~
watched the building of particular nest
for nearly fortnight one year, and when,
after two or three days absence. 1 returned
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

exceptionally large and heavy brick. He
put it down beside him on the fence and
called out something which could not un
derstand. I did not move. He got quite
excited and said some more 1t was I'M
doubtable he was addressing me-nobody
else was by-and I judged from his tone
that he was getting cross with me. At this
point my travelling companion. his toilet NM
finished. put his head out of the window
Just above me. 'Such an odd thing" he
called down to me; Il never noticed It last
night. A pair of swallows are building
their nest here in the hall. You've got to
be careful you don't mistake it for hat
peg. The old lady says they have built
there regularly for the last three years"
Then 1t came to me what it was the gen.
tleman had been saying to me. II say,
sir-you with a bit Of wood in your mouth
you have been and shut the door, and I
can't get in Now. with the key in my
possession: it was so clear and understand
able I really forgot for the moment he was
only a bird. Il beg your pardon" re-
piled. II had no idea. Such an extraor-
binary place to build nest" opened the
door for him. and. taking up his brick
again, he entered, and I followed him in.
There was a deal of talk. He shut the
door, l heard him say. "Chap. there,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
Numbers on Her Eve
cial Correspondents Of The Star.


PARIS, August 4. 1905.
In Tudy Island, at the point of Finisterre,
there dwell a couple who have q little girl,
four years Of age, who has an extraordi-
nary eye. For several months little Marie
lie Guen-this is the child's name-has been
visited by numerous people who have ex-
amined her left eye. in the corner of which,
little lower than the pupil, are to be seen
the figures 22.4
The figures are perfectly visible and well
formed. Doctors and specialists have ex-
amined the girl. but their opinion on the
subject of the figures varies. DR.. Guevel,
the well-known Paris oculist, offers three
explanations of the figures. He declares
that the child may have had relatives af-
ficted with nervous maladies, such as hys-
terra, and that a neurologist should be
asked to say II heredity does not explain
the phenomenon. A second explanation is
that it is q freak of nature and only a mark
similar to that found occasionally on fruits
ears of wheat, vegetables, etc. The third
suggestion is that the figures may have
been the result of an operation I'm which nj
trate of silver was used on the eyes. But
the girls parents say that she has never
had an operation.
A singular coincidence Is recorded A
fishing boat in the neighboring port of Dou-
arnenez bears the figures pa. With this
boat little Maries father had something to
do. 1t could be seen entering port from the
LIE Guens house. Old women neighbors de-
clare little Marie's numbers are only a
birthmark, just before her birth her
the fishing boat.
The child is to be brought to Paris and
will be examined by oculists and several
scientists.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
All Her Grandparents at Her Party.

rrOm the Denver Republican,.
Little Thelma Irene Mohler entertained
dozen or so of her little playmates at her
home yesterday to celebrate her second
birthday The childish gathering had all of
the dainty features that are usually attach
ed to such affairs. In addition there were
features that distinguish 1t from any other
birthday party ever held in Colorado. per-
haps in America.
For present to assist Thelma Irene in re-
ceiving the guests were not only her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Edwin f. Hohler but
also ]. w. Mohler and Catherine Mohler of
Washington, ILL.,. John S. Gaines and Fan
ME Gaines of Denver, grandparents and
William NJ Seaton and Martha A. Seaton
of Pasadena, Cal; Edwin NJ. Gaines and
Ann Liza Gaines of Boone county. KY, and
John Stephens and Medaline Stephens of
Buiiitsviile. KY. great-grandparents.
Mr.. and Mrs. G, w. Mohler the remain
ing two great grandparents, living in Can
ton. H., sent a short note telling how sorry
they were that they could not be present
Charles Seaton of Pasadena, Cal, son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. William Seaton, and Stephen
Gaines of Bullittsville. KY. son of Mrs.
and Mrs. Edwin M. Gaines. both great
uncles. were also at the party. Theima's
papa is 81. older than both her greatuncies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
CHAPTER III.
A Merry Evening With a Distant
Relative

was not so unreasonable as to be preju-
diced against the dukes keeper because he
disliked my complexion; and IL had been.
his most civil and obliging conduct Gas it
seemed to me to be- next morning would
have disarmed me. Hearing that 1 was
bound for Strelsau. he came to see me
while I was breakfasting and told me that
a sister OF his, who had married weil-to
do tradesman and lived in the capital, had
invited him to occupy room In her house.
He had gladly accepted but now found
that his duties would not permit of his alb
sence He begged. therefore, that If such
humble (though. as he added. clean and
comfortably lodgings would satisfy me
would take his place. He pledged his SIS
ter's acquiescence. and urged the incon-
venience and crowding to which l should
be subject In my journeys TO and from
Strelsau the next day. | accepted his offer
without a moments hesitation. and he
went off to telegraph to his sister, while
packed up and prepared 10 take the next
train. But I still hankered after the for
est and the shooting lodge. and when my
little maid told me that l could by walk
ing ten miles or so through the forest, hit
the railway at a roadside station decided
10 send my luggage direct to the address
which Johann had given. take my walk
and follow to Strelsau myself. Johann had
gone OFF and was not aware OF the change
fR my plans; but as It's only effect was to
delay my arrival at his sisters for few
hours. there was no reason for troubling to
inform him of 1t. Doubtless the good lady
would waste no anxiety on my account
1 took an early luncheon. and having
hidden my kind entertainers farewell,
promising TO return TO them on my way
home. set out to climb the hill that led
20 the castle. and thence TO the forest Of
Zerda. Half an hours leisurely walking
brought me to the castle. 1t had been
fortress In old days. and the ancient keep
was still in good preservation and very i'm
posing. Behind II stood another portion of
the original castle, and behind that again
and separated from II by a deep and broad
moat. which ran all round the old build
tngs. was a handsome modern chateau,
erected by the last king. and now forming
the country residence of the Duke of Strei-
sau The old and the new portions were
connected by drawbridge. and this indi-
rect mode of access formed the only pass
age between the old building and the outer
world; but leading to the modern chateau
there was a broad and handsome avenue.
II was an ideal residence: when BLACK MI
chael' desired company he could dwell in
his chateau; IL Mt OF misanthropy seized
him he had merely to cross the bridge and
draw 1t UP after him Ut ran on rollers).
and nothing short OF a regiment and a
train Of artillery could fetch HIM out.
went on my way. glad that poor Black Mi
phael though h. could not have the throne
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

answered Tarlenheim, holding out his
hand, which I took readily.
"Rassendyll, Rassendylli' muttered Col.
Sapt; then a CLEAN of intelligence fitted
across his face.
by heaven!" he cried. you're Of the
Burlesdons?'
my brother is now Lord Burlesdon."
said +.
Thy head betrayeth thee" he chuckled.
pointing to my uncovered poll why,
Fritz, you know the story?'
The young man glanced apologetically at
me. He felt a delicacy which my sster-in-
law would have admired. To put him at
his ease I remarked. with a smile:
"Ah! the story Is known here as well as
among us, 1t seems.
p'Known!" cried Sapt. ''If- YOU stay here
the deuce a man in all Ruritania will doubt
of it-or a woman, either"
began to feel uncomfortable. Had 1 re-
allied what a very plainly written pedigree
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
Winners. of Prizes.

sucking the bit Of wood. Thought I was
never going to get in" II know" was the
answer, SIT has been SO dark in here. If
you'll believe me- I've hardly been able to
isn't it? Where will you have TT" Obsery-
ing me sitting there they lowered their
voices. Evidently she wanted him to put
the brick down and leave her to think She
was not quite sure where she would have
it. He, on the other hand. was sure he
had found the right place for 1t. He point
ed 1t out to her and explained his views.
Other birds quarrel good deal during
nest building but swallows are the gen
tlest of little people. She let him put it
where he wanted to. and he kissed her and
ran OUT She cooked her eye after him,
watched till he was out of sight, then deity
and quickly slipped 1t out and fixed it on
the other side of the door. Poor dear" 1
could see it in the toss Of her head. They
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

us AS looked on him I uttered an as
tonished cry; and he, seeing me, drew back
in sudden wonder. Saving the hair on my
face and a manner Of conscious dignity
which his position gave him. saving also
that he lacked perhaps half an inch-nay
less than that, but still son9ething-of my
height. the King Of Ruritania might have
been Rudolf Rassendyll, and I Rudolf the
King.
For an instant we stood motioniess. look
ing at one another. Then l barred my head
again and bowed respectfully. The king
found his voice, and asked in bewilderment:
"Colonel-Fritz-who is this gentleman?'
I was about to answer when Col. Sapt
gan to talk to his majesty in low growl
The king lowered over Sapt, and as he lis
tened his eyes now and again sought mine.
I looked at him long and carefully. The
1 saw the points of difference also The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

and found a pair of sparrows comfortably
ensconced therein. Just felt mad I saw
was working upon my imagination. but It
seemed to me that she nodded to me. 'Nice
little house. amt III What I call well
built built M. Mr.; sparrow s then few up with a
me. i recognized It. 1t had come out OF
the brush with which the girl breaks the
china ornaments in our drawing room. At
any other time l should have been glad
to see him flying OF with the whole thing
handle included. but now ! felt the theft
OF that one feather as an added injury.
Mrs. Sparrow chirped with delight at the
sight Of the gaudy monstrosity. Having got
the house cheap. they were going to spend
their small amount OF energy upon internal
decoration. That was their idea clearly. a
liberty Interior" She looked more like a
Cockney sparrow than country one-had
been born and bred in Regent street no
doubt. There is not much justice In this
world" said 1 to myself, but there's going
to be some introduced Into this business
that Is. IL 1 can find ladder" l did find
a ladder, and fortunately 1t was long
enough. Mr.. and Mrs. Sparrow were out
when l arrived; possibly on the hunt for
cheap photo frames and japanese fans 1
did not want to make a mess / removed
the house neatly into q dust pan and wiped
the Street clear of every trace of it. had
just put back the ladder when Mrs. Spar
row returned with a piece of pink cotton
wool in her mouth
That was her idea of a color scheme-ap-
pie blossom pink and Reckitts blue side
by side. She dropped her wool and sat
on the waterspout and tried to understand
things. No 1, No. 2. No 4. where the
blaze'-sparrows are essentially common
and the women are as bad as the men
| lis No. 3?' Mr.. Sparrow came up from be-
hind over the roof He was carrying a
i piece of yellow fun. part OF a lamp shade,
| as far as / could judge. Move yourself"
| he said, whats the use OF sitting there in
| the rain II went out just for a moment"
1 been gone, no. not a couple OF minutes.
When / came back "Oh get indoors"
| said Mr.. Sparrow, talk about there" ITS
| what I'm telling YOU" continued Mrs Spar
| row, .'H you would only listen. There isn't
1 any door. there isn't any house isn't
| any Mr.. Sparrow, holding on to the rim
| of the spout, turned himself topsy turvy and
| surveyed the street. From where l was
| standing behind the laurel bushes could
! see nothing but his back He stood up
| again, looking angry and flushed. "Wnat
| have you done with the house? Can't /
| turn my back 81 amt done nothing with
| 1t. AS 1 keep on telling you, l had only
| just gone "Oh bother where you had
gone. Where's the darned house gone?
4 That's what l want to know" They looked
| at one another. II ever establishment was
l expressed in the attitude of bird Il was
| told by the tails of those two sparrows
| They whispered wickedly together. The
| Idea occurred to them that by force or cum
| ming they might perhaps obtain possession
| of one of the other nests But all the
other nests were occupied. and even when
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
Birds and Babies,
According to an Authority

Copyright, 1906 by Jerome X. Jerome.)
- AM chary nowadays of Offering counsel
in connection with subjects concern
ing which l am not and cannot be an
authority Long ago 1 once took upon
myself to write a paper about babies.
1t did not aim to be textbook upon the
subject. II did not even claim to exhaust
the topic. / was willing that others. coming
after me, should continue the argument
that is, If upon reflection they were still
of opinion there was anything more to be
said | was pleased with the article. went
out of my way to obtain an early copy and
the magazine in which it appeared on pur-
pose to show it to lady friend of mine.
She was the possessor of one or two babies
of her own-specimens in no way remarka-
BILE though she herself, as was natural
enough did her best to boom them.
thought it might be helpful to her; the
views and observations, not of rival fan
cier, who would be prejudiced, but OF an
intelligent amateur. 1t put the magazine
into her hands, opened at the proper place.
Read it through carefully and quietly l
said Don't let anything distract you
Have a pencil and bit of paper ready at
your side and note down any points upon
which you would like further Information.
If there is anything you think have
missed out let me know. 1t may be that
here and there you will be disagreelng with
me, If so, do not hesitate to mention. l
shall not be angry. If demand arise,
shall very likely issue an enlarged and i'm
proved edition of this paper in the form of
pamphlet, in which case. hints and sug-
gestons that to you may appear almost i'm
pertinent will be of distinct help to me.
81 haven't got a pencil" she said. What's
II all about?" Its about babies l ex-
planned.
1 lent her a pencil. Chat is another
thing I've learnt. Never lend a pencil to a
woman if you ever want to see it back
ngain. She has three answers to your re-
quest for it's return. The first, that she
gave it back to you and that you put it in
your pocket and that it's there now, that if
1T isn't it ought to be; second that you
never lent it to her; the third, that she
wishes people would not lend her pencils
and then clamor for them back again. just
when she has something else far more I'M
portant to think about)
what do you know about babies?' she
demanded. IF you will read the paper" 1
replied. you will see for yourself. It's all
there" She ficked over the pages con-
temptuously. There doesn't seem much to
st." she retorted. 1T is condensed" point
ed out to her. II am glad it is short. All
right. I'll read IT" she agreed. l thought
my presence might disturb her. so / went
nut into the garden. / wanted her to get
the full benefit of it. crept back now and
then to peep through the open window. She
did not seem to be making many notes. But
I heard her making little noises to herself.
When 1 saw she had reached the last page
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

to scafrolding pole. I know the feminine
biped, and you take 1t from me that 1t Is
not her notion Of honeymoon. In April or
May; the sun shining. the air balmy-when:
after carrying up to her a load or two Of
bricks and a hod or two of mortar, we
could knock of work for few minutes
without fear Of the whole house being
swept away into the next street-could sit
side by side on the top of wall. our legs
dangling down and peck a morsel together.
after which I could whistle bit to her
then housebuilding might be pleasure
The swallows are wisest June Is their Idea,
and very good idea. too
In a mountain village in the Tyrol early
one summer I had the opportunity of
watching very closely the building Of a
swallows nest. After coffee the first morn
ing 1 stepped out Of the great cool. dark
passage of the inn into the blazing sunlight
and for no particular reason pulled to the
massive door behind me. While filing my
pipe a swallow almost brushed by me, then
wheeled around again. He took up a
position on the fence only a few yards from
me- He was carrying what to him was an
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
Gods and Men.
From Pack.

From fuck
The gods were at some pains to construct
a wonderful cataract.
"It is well worth our WHILE" quoth they.
because 1t viii work strongly upon the
imaginations of men. and In that way move
mind. and at last accomplish truly great
things"
But men could not see It
what a pity that such power should be
going to waste" they exclaimed, and har-
messed the cataract. and made a drudge Of
II. to turn their mills.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

N h SP4RROW WERE OOT
WHEN 1 ARRIVED.
Jenny Swallow. in her own home with the
children round about her. is not to be trified
with. Mr.. Sparrow called at No. 2, put
his head in at the door. then returned to
the waterspout. Lady says we don't live
there" he, explained to Mrs. Sparrow.
There was silence for a while. mot what
call classy street." commented Mrs
Sparrow. IF It were not for this terrible
tired feeling of mine,'' said Mr. Sparrow.
Blame me If 1 wouldn't build house OF
my own" Perhaps" said Mrs. Sparrow,
Il have heard it said that little bit of
work now and then does you good" "Au
said Mr.. Sparrow: cit don't do to listen to
everybody" And it don't do to sit still
and do nothing neither" snapped Mrs.
Sparrow. II don't want to forget I'm a
lady, but-well, any man who was q man
could see things for himself why did
ever marry your" retorted Mr.. Sparrow.
They flew away together Quarrelng.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
A Subtle Hint.
From Puck.

From tuck
Mr.. Whihletree with weekly paper)-
wall, by gumi A Pennsylvany farmer
found six thousand dollars tibet his wife
had placed under the carpet before she
died"
! Mrs whifletree--fwell, can't blame her
fer bein' bound he wouldn't git 1t till he
undertook tew beat the carpet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

kings face was slightly more feshy than
mine, TIE oval of its contour the least trifie
more pronounced, and, as I fancied. his
mouth lacked something of the firmness Tor
obstinacy) which was to be gathered from
my close-shutting lips. But for all that,
and above all minor distinctions, the like
ness rose striking. salient. wonderful.
Sapt ceased speaking. and the king still
frowned. Then. gradually. the corners Of
his mouth began to witch, his nose came