davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
Excitement in the Sparrows' House.

as are the three RS"
"Wen. father, I'll show you fine pair
of horses after I've had them in hand for
n month They've got shabby-looking at
the liverystable And the Jersey COW
that You are going to buy shall receive
her share of my attention. I'm so fond
of good milk that | shall see to 1t that
the furnisher of 1t shall be kept quite
like n lady.
While this conversation had been going
on Mr.. Gray Sparrow had returned to his
home. but seeing the giant strangers on
the ground right under his window he
stopped-worm In mouth-at safe dis
lance away perched on the limb Of
young and leafiess sappling. ~ wonder
what that can mean?" he asked him
self And his heart iuttered for fear
that some harm might have befallen his
loved ones. But Mt that moment he espied
his little wife on the window ledge. busy
looking down on the intruders and no
doubt taking notes ms to their business
there. Mr.. Gray Sparrow chirped TO her,
causing her to look In his direction.
When he caught her eye he made known
his anxiety, to which she chirped back
the Information that all SO far was well.
But even while she was engaged In con-
versatlon with her spouse the boy had
entered the barn and was climbing by
the ladder to the very place that Mr.. and
Mrs. Gray Sparrow called their own. But
he came SO swiftly and so noiselessly
that Mrs. Sparrow did not hear him till
he had set foot on the floor of her do
main. Then she came In from the win
dow and flew about over her nest In n
most excited manner, fearing to go away
lest the huge stranger do some harm TO
her babies, so helpless In the nest; yet
fearing to remain lest he take her own
life. Thus. between love for her little
ones and the feeling of self-preservation
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
By Maud Walker.

(Which Is the strongest instinct OF bird
poor Mrs Sparrow flew out at the win
dow, then returned to fly out again. her
poor heart beating SO wildly In her little
feathered breast as to almost suffocate
her.
"Ha, ha, a birdie In the barnloft!
cried the boy joyously. 81 hope 1t has
nest somewhere and that my coming here
won't brighten 1t away"
But Mrs. Sparrow did not understand
the boys language and. therefore. did
not know thar he had no evil intentions
toward her and hers. SO. with painful
little frightened chirp, she flew out and
away to the limb where her spouse sat.
Danger. danger." was all she said In
their own bird language. And she sat
close beside Mr. Sparrow, as II to draw
from him some courage. But Mr.. Spar
row seemed to have too little for HIM
self, and. swallowing the worm TO get
rid OF 1t, he asked if the little ones had
yet been hurt.
Mrs Sparrow shook her head SORROW
fully saving: Not at the time when |
saw them last; but by now" she could
say no more, and began to hop about in
n frantic manner. But to the almost JOY
of the two they saw at this instant the
boy coming from the barn. Joining the
man who had gone to the place occupied
by the charred mass of debris. Then they
quickly flew into their home and found
their little ones safe. but scared almost
speechless. After one of the sons could
gain his voice he told of how the great
beast as large as a cloud. and twice as
large ms the moon had come and peered
into their nest, speaking to them In
voice that made rhe whole nest tremble
with its power. ''ir was like thunder,
said the young Master Sparrow. trembling
again at thought Of 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

the children and the grownups, not to
mention the bugs, the worms and small
animals. And what do we ask In re-
turn? Nothing but soil, atmosphere and
rain. OF these man gives us nothing
But often he takes away when he should
not. Boys come and hack at our bodies
cutting the bark from our bleeding sides
for naught but what they call pleasure
But is 1t not a wicked pleasure to rob US
of SO much life when by so doing they
gain nothing? And yet they love to gath.
er the fruits we bear. Then, why should
not they hold our lives as sacred? And
did you ever know tree or bird or
a squirrel to retaliate In any way when
much abused and injured. All, you chill
dren have much to learn of the things
of the forest, the brook the lake and
the prairies, for all hold their mysteries,
and secrets which they cannot tell. but
which your hearts can teach you II you
but listen to their promptings."
The tr1ee ceased to speak. low plain.
tive chirp came from the little wounded
bird In the tree. and as Lena and Harry
looked up they saw 1t try to lift itself
on Its wings. For a moment 1t fut-
tered, then to the earth-right at their
feet-it fell, dead! 1t had struck heavily
against the edge Of the boulder and sue
cumbed. Lena stopped and picked up
the little body, which was still warm.
"Ah." she said, pityingly, II never
knew till now how precious your
little lives are. Neyer-n-e-y-e-r shall
harm a bird or an animal again."
Nor poor helpless tree" added Harry,
his face deeply serious for the first time
In his young life. II never-never--
thought about such things, you know, till
now. So many boys and men kill birds,
just to be killing something, l guess, for
they never eat them; they don't even go
to the trouble of carrying them home.
But from this day mend my ways. But
Lena, do you really think the tree spoke7
or was it-it-our-hearts?'
whichever 1t was, brother, spoke the
truth, and we must not forget what 1t
said, be 1t tree or heart that spoke.''
"Well, as there aren't any nuts let's
go home. l want to tell Joe and Ned of
what we heard here-what the tree told
u.s.
Wont they laugh at your asked Lc-".
Let them answered Harry. "If
fellow knows he Is right and all the
others wrong-then let the others laugh.
The turn will come to him at last, and 'he
who laughs last laughs best you know.
sister,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11


trembling from fear and exhaustion. But
when he told them as best he could in
Sparrow tongue that his cnptor had been
very tender with him, they all fell to
marveling much.
Master Sparrow No. 2, having come in
from the cowshed roof. was much
amazed when his brother related to Einh
his late thrilling experience. Then the
family sat ip council and argued the ad-
visibility of remaining In their present
home till the little ones were strong
enough in wing to travel safely to the
creek. quarter OF a mile distant Il
really think We are safe since this be-
hayior ON the part of that great crea-
ture,' said Mr. Sparrow, to which the
others agreed. So Mr.. Sparrow set out to
get breakfast for the children, while Mrs.
Sparrow, sitting beside them In the win
dow 70 sun. sang the merriest tune she
had sung since her days of counting.
The next day the boy came again.
bringing two horses, which he turned
into pasture. Then he climbed the ladder
to the loft, scattering a handful Of crumbs
about on the floor. For moment the
Sparrows sat on the window ledge watch
ing this transaction. Then Master Spar
row, who had been returned TO his nest
the day previous by the boy. decided to
try moisel OF the misunderstanding food
so lavishly thrown about. Flying, to the
hoor. he picked up big crumb. 1t
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

Mr.. and Mrs Gray Sparrow lived In n
cozy nest that they built In the attic of
an old empty stable that stood in the
rear of ruined house which had been
burned almost to the ground early In the
spring. In fact the house to. which the
stable belonged was simply a blackened
mass on the day that Mr.. and Mrs. Spar
row took up their abode In the stable
and they supposed that 1t had always
been In this form just as the trees. the
creek the rocks and the sky had been
the same since the earliest recolections
Of birds. So they gave the place no
thought other than that 1t afforded nne
place to scratch In old mortar and black
ened ashes.
And so Mr. and Mrs. Gray Sparrow
built their nest in which Mrs. Gray Spar
row laid three tiny eggs on which she
proceeded to sit, till one beautiful day
the three tiny eggs became three tiny
and hungry sparrows, two sons and one
daughter, for Mr. Gray Sparrow 20 reed,
as Mrs. Gray Sparrow did not leave the
nest as soon as the little brides were
hatched, but remained either on the nest
to keep her dedglngs warm or sat on
the edge OF the window sill near by that
she might keep an eye on them.
One day soon after the little brides
Ind come out of their shells. and while
their papa was out In quest OF food for
them. their mama. who was summing
her feathers in the high barn window,
made quick little chirp of surprise; then
she turned her head round ana rounu,
casting her eyes below as II making In
ouirv as to whit the unusual sounds aud
sights there might mean.
What Mrs. Gray Sparrow saw was
man and a boy who were looking over the
premises. "Oh, yes, this will do TO put
the horses in" said the man, motioning
his hand towards the barn. 1T Is some
little distance to come to attend to them,
but we'll have TO do that at present, Tor
the house cannot be rebuilt Tor sometime:
| had a contractor give me his figures and
time. and as he has placed the price rea-
sonable enough, and said he would turn
the house over to me the list OF November
ready for occupancy, | gave him the job.
"Ah. then our new home will be ready
to live In this fall" said the boy. I'll
climb up in the haymow and see how 1t
looks up there" he went on "lsexpect
TO have great fun on Saturdays up In the
hayloft when the weather is too bad to be
out. I'll be the only boy of my crowd
that has a stable to play In"
That comes Of our living Mt the out
skirts of town." remarked the man. Its
the only place to raise n boy, too; for
boy should have romping room and plenty
of outdoor exercise and work. l mean
to turn the horses and COW over to you
to attend to. ! had more than that to do
when | was a youngster yonr age, and
I'm glad my father knew that work-a
liberal amount Of twas the finest In
gredent In the world to mix with going
to school. Study during the day made
the work at evening all the more enjoy
able. And the work in turn made me
relish my resting spells inside the warm
schoolroom with my books. It's a mis-
taken idea that children going to school
should not have their chores about the
home to perform. Work is as necessary
. part Of the education Of boys and girls
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
Little Biographies of Big Men.

Percy Bysshe Shelly was born August
4. 1892, at Field Place, the splendid coun-
try seat of bis father, at Sussex, Eng
land. He was the first child Of his pa-
rents, and when nine years old was the
brother OF four bright, gay sisters, to
whom the world Is greatly Indebted for
their many "reminiscences of the subject
of this sketch, for so little else is known
of the boy Percy Shelly. save that which
his proud sisters have told u.s.
To these sisters Percy was n most af
fectionate brother and playmate, and they
looked with pride and indulgence upon the
beautiful and high-sprited brother who
was to them a hero. There was another
brother. but being IA years younger than
Percy. be was never a companion to him
who was destined to become SO great.
While the younger son-John by name
was still an infant. Percy was away at
school most of the time. returning to the
parental rooftree only during the school
vacations.
But In their advanced years II was with
the greatest delight that Percy's sisters
would recall those home-comings of their
elder brother. He would accompany them
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

the tree that is speaking to you, and
hope that what l am about to say Will
nger in your minds and that a lesson
may be learned from me. The pretty
bird that you have been trying to kill has
been wounded already by greater sinner
than either of you. for he is grown man
and should know better than to take the
life of such innocent creatures as birds.
Well, he had a gun and he shot at the
little helpless thing, hitting 1t In the
wing. 1t was at the time In the air just
over me, and, when hit, fell into my
upper branches. where 1t lodged in a
close, protecting fork out of the wicked
hunters sight. There the dear helpless
thing lay for several days; then. feeling
SO hungry, it came out upon the limb
where it now sits to get a worm that was
crawling up that way. This just hap
pened today, and, after eating that worm.
the poor thing felt stronger and tried to
fly. But the injured wing would not hold
Its share of the weight of the body, and
the bird had to give up and return weak
and exhausted to Its present place.
But, what l most want to say Is this:
Suppose all the birds were killed! Would
the woods and groves and parks be nearly
so delightful now? Isn't 1t a sweet
pleasure to hear their songs filing the
forests and echoing over the hills and
through the meadows? And Is 1t not
pretty sight to watch the feathered song
sters build their nests, and to see their
pretty little fedgings come from the
nests and try their wings. and then their
throats? Why, 1t is one of the sweetest
joys of my life to give shelter to the
birds and squirrels. While I'm not proud
of decayed places In my sides, which pro-
duce deep holes--for they are a sign of
coming destruction to mel am some
times almost glad to have the affection,
for In them little sparrows and squirrels
hide away from the winters blast and
find snug house. Now, IL withhold
complaint over these hurts to myself. that
others might find succor, might not you
without hurt to yourselves-be at least
humane toward these poor helpless crea-
lures that add so much to our pleasure?
"And now l must speak of myself.
which may sound selfish, perhaps. But
even trees have their love of life. In
deed, trees have so much to live for.
They give so much and ask for so lit
tie. In the first place we render fine
cool shade to travellers in the summer
and shelter pedestrians from the show
ers. Under our protecting boughs the,
cattle love to lie when the sun shines
hot in the pasture. And all this time
We that bear fruit are busy preparing
the harvest Of nuts and fruits for both
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

"Well, we must hurry and get away
from here said Papa Sparrow. You
children must practice flying more today.
Yesterday you contented yourselves with
flying to the window and back to the
nest. Today you must go further. II
we don't go somewhere safer than this
place We'll meet with grief; I'm quite
sure of that
All that day the little sparrows prac.
ticed flying, and once, being very am5i.
tious, they tryed going to the sapllng on
which their parents had sat the day be-
fore during the boys visit to the loft
But, alas not one of them reached there
One dropped to the ground. 10 feet from
the window. and couldn't get TO the nest
place One hoped onto the roof of the
cowshed at the side of the barn, while
the third-the little daughter-circled
about just outside the window for a mo-
ment and gladly got back again on tae
ledge before her wings gave ou;
Then, while the poor Master Sparrow
was trying to fly from the ground, only
to fall back again, there came the great
monster who had SO frightened them the
day before. To the terror Of the Sparrow
family. he ran after the little fellow on
the ground, grabbed him in his hands and
held him close within his great warm
palms. Mama Sparrow, fighting and full
of terror, few at the head of the in
truder, screaming and crying. But the
boy did not seem to mind her and walked
quietly to the ladder, putting the fright
ened birdie ia the bosom OF his shirt
while he climbed up. Once In the loft,
and to the astonishment of Mr., Mrs. and
Miss Sparrow. he deposited his captive In
the nest and walked away, saying: Now.
you little chaps shouldn't try to fly till
your wings have grown. And you needn't
fear me, for I'm your friend and want to
keep you here all winter"
As soop as he had disappeared down the
ladder Mama and Papa Sparrow flew
quickly to their son, who was still
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

on their rambles through fields and woods.
leading them to unfrequented spots where
they would not have dared to venture
without his protection. Even to the nur-
sery would the fond brother make his
way. Joining In their games and leading
in sports Invented by him for their amuse-
ment.
And sometimes their youthful sport was
more fantastic and uncanny than that
usually engaged In by other children. 1t
was the Shelly children's wont to deck
themselves In strange garb. the girls rep
resenting formidable monsters-such rs
had never inhabited the earth while
Percy would impersonate the great devil.
To add realism to his favorite role Percy
would carry In front of him n small
frestove flaming with Internal liquids
and one day when he set fire to stack
of fagots his excuse for such conduct was
that he wanted little hell of his own"
In his young mind the Fairyland. teem-
Ing with fairies. demons and the EVIL
One bordered that land of romance into
which his maturer Imagination would
wander in later years.
While still In his early teens Shelly
could quote long passages of Latin ut his
fathers bidding. much to the admiration
md surprise of his mother and sisters.
for he would embellsh his speech by
strong dramatic intonations and excited
gestures.
From his extreme youth Shelly was
| proud-not to say valn--in matters per-
| tanning to dress: though being something
| of young dandy did not deter him from
| being mischieyous at times In school He
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
When the Tree Talked to Harry and Lena.

Harry and Lena, brother and sister,
went to the woods one beautiful Noyem-
Der day to see If any nuts yet remained
on the ground that they might pick and
carry home. AS they wandered thru the
bypaths. rustllng with dead leaves, they
came to n great walnut tree whose strong
branches spread themselves out above
every other tree in Its immediate vicln-
ity.
"Ah, we ought to find plenty of nuts
here cried Harry, beginning to kick
thru the leaves with the hope of uncoy-
ering ripe walnuts. This old tree ought
to have cast off many, many bushels of
nuts, and some of them ought to be here
in the leaves yet"
Lena also set to work to clear away
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

tasted so good that he tried another and
another His parents, seeing there was
no danger and evident pleasure. Joined
him on the floor and began to hill their
little craws. And little Miss Sparrow fol-
lowed, finding the breadcrumbs much
better than worms. Then came the other
Master Sparrow-all eating as fast as
they could till every crumb had disap-
peared.
After the boy had gone, Mr.. Sparrow,
his breast protruding from the hearty
meal. declared: We'll stay here. my
dears. This Is the best layout ] ever
came across. shelter of the best Plenty
of room and food fit for an eagle brought
to us. Yes, we'll just stay here
And there they are to this day, happy
IN their security.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. Jn.

the leaves from certain spots under the
tree where nuts might be hidden; but.
tho they worked for quite awhile, they
found not a single nut.
''Pshaw! said Harry, impatiently.
1.-THE boys and squirrels have taken
them all-plgs!'
Yes, that's Just what they are" said
Lena, sitting down on a great fiat boul-
der to rest. "Only pigs would take
everything In sight"
Just then Harry saw a bird In the
branches Of the tree. and, running down
the bank to the edge of the stream, he
gathered a handful of stones. which be
proceeded to throw at 1t.
''I'll bet you can't hit him." laughed
Lena. But see how stupid the thing
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11

sits there, letting you toss stones at him
any one of which would kill him should
1t hit him on the head. I'd think he'd
fly away"
Having thrown all the stones. and feel
Ing too tired-or lazy-to go to the creek
for more, Harry threw himself down on
the boulder beside his sister and began
to bemoan their i'll luck.
As he finished speaking there was
queer, soft, muffied voice spoke to them
voice that startled both and caused
Lena to draw closer to her brother as II
for protection.
$50 you would Kill the poor bird that
has found a hospital In my arms, would
your asked the voice. well, | must
tell you that you are little sinners. am
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
What Happened Then.

Little Bill had tried so hard
To play all day In school;
To miss his lessons, one and all.
And break each sacred rule
That bound him to his duties.
And made him kind and good.
And taught him uppermost of all
That his dear teacher should
Come first within his little heart
10 honor and obey:
And If the Tempter whispered him.
To say that Tempter nay.
But little Bill was not the KIND.
I'm sorry now to tell,
Who needed rules or lessons.
Or loved his teacher WELL
All day he had as sentmate
Young Mischlef-bad, bad boy
Whose only object in the school
Was to tease and % annoy.
So, when the teachers back was turneo
He whispered little Bill
To chew wad of paper up
Into Il big, hard pill,
And throw it with all vengeance
Right at the teachers back.
And little Bill obeyed him.
The wad hit, and went--whack
And teacher. turning. caught 1t
Right on her pointed nose;
But before | tell what happened then
| guess I'd better close.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
LETTER ENIGMA.

MY first is in sun. but not IN light:
My second Is In knaye, but not in fight:
My third Is In on. but not in under;
My fourth is In wind. but not in thunder;
My fifth is in bee. but not In honey;
My sixth is In dollar, but not In money:
My seventh is In eel. but not In fish:
Ny eighth is In table. but not In dish.
My whole spells the name
or game loved dear
By all of the children
This time of year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-11
CONUNDRUMS.

When is lady like watch chainf
When she has many charms.
When are dogs like hens.
When settlers.
When are men like grain2
When bearded.
Why are Scotch girls sweeter than
pthersf
Because they sfs lnssea
Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-01-03
Mansfield Resigns.

Logansport, Ind, January 2.-The
resignation Of Ado Mansfield, of the
Logansport polo team, which was an
nounced yesterday, is said to be the
result of series of differences be-
tween players and management.
When he signed for the season, he
says, he accepted a cut of 500 in sal
airy, which he alleges, was a larger
cut than any of the other players
were compelled to stand. He agreed
to it, he sayEs>th the understand
ing that if other players should not
submit to an equal reduction he
would receive an. increase. When
Bone was brought here Mansfield
says, the salary limit was violate =,
and his contention is that for months
no attention has been paid to the
salary limit by any of the managers.
He says an increase was refused him,
and even the extra sum that was
paid him as captain of the team was
taken from him when Bone arrived
and was made captain.
Mansfield made his final proposal
for an increase to Manager D. A.
Gillespie Saturday night and gave
him until Monday afternoon to de-
eide. Monday noon Mansfield went
to Gillespie and offered to go with
the team to Fit. Wayne in the after
noon gratis rather than permit the
team to 60 in crippled condition,
but Gillespie refused any offer from
him, and Mansfield packed his be-
longings and with his wife departed
for his home in Richmond where he
has standing offer for position as
demonstration for an automobile COM
pany.