davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22
TOO MUCH FOR. THE WHISTLE

when I was a child,' said Benja-
min Franklin, about seven years of
age, my friends one holiday filled my
pockets with halfpenee. I went directly
to a shop where toys were sold for
children, and, being charmed with the
sound of a whistle that I saw on my
way in the hands of another boy
voluntarily offered him all my money
for it. 1 then came home and went
whistling over the house. much pleased
with my whistle but disturbing all the
family. Ny brothers and sisters and
cousins. understanding the bargain
which I had made. told me that had
given four times as much for it as it
was worth This put me in mind of
what good things might have bought
with the rest of the money. and they
laughed at me 50 much for my folly
that I cried with vexation. My reflec-
lions on the subject gave me more
chagrin than the whistle gave me pleas
ure.
This little event, however. was after
ward of great use to me, the impress
sion continuing on my mind. so that
often, when I was tempted to buy some
unnecessary thing. said to myself. DO
not give too much for the whistle and
so /. saved my money
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22
RY OF A PROMISING MATRIMONIAL PLAN THAT FAILED

Betsey's head reeled. She caught the
edge of the table and spoke hoarsely.
1.-THE farm amt his until the weddin'
day. I've got the deed
Asa skinner interrupted sharply.
your family AFFAIRS are nothing to me.
madam. The deed of the meadow lots
to your son was entered at the ONCE Of
the registrar and recorder last week as
signed, sealed and delivered. The farm
is now mine. I called to get the keys Of
the house"
Ten minutes later two very pale and
angry women were looking at each.
other silently. Betsey was the drst to
speak.
sTo think" she moaned. ethat I was
fool enough to get that deed recorded"
Eliza wrung her hands. And there's
AtuIk run away without zed after peu-
term me nigh to DEATH
She ended her sentence with a sup
pressed scream and sprang to her feet
with the agility of youth She hurried
across the field and in at her back door.
closely followed by the GREATNESS and
Mrs. Willet. and with trembling hands
threw open the door of the guest cham
her. where the wedding hnery had been
laid
The room was empty. Silk. chiffon.
skirts. wells. gloves, hats. scarfs and all
the toilet accessories, which for weeks
had been draining Mrs. Wlllet's purse.
had all disappeared.
The two women gazed at. each other
and at the empty room by turns.
MY stars. Belts. how did she ever
manage 1t2 walled Eliza, Immediate
" adding, and she's of age todaxI''
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

The BoyhOOd Of
Benjamin Franklin


For centuries in England Ben's fore
fathers had been blacksmiths, handing
the trade down from father to SON
Perhaps it was generations of working
at the forge and anvil and lifting heavy
irons that made the race so strong and
healthy. James Parton, who wrote
the life of Franklin, thinks that the
excellent habit, for which the great
Benjamin was noted. of holding his
tongue unless he had something i'm
portant to say. was also acquired from
his blacksmith ancestors, because a
blacksmith cannot talk much at his
work. At any rate, Benjamin Frank
Inns ancestors were fine. thoroughly
honest working people. who could do
anything with their hands and use their
heads as well as their hands. That is
the best ancestry a boy or girl could
possibly have.
Ben took naturally to athletic exer-
cises- By the time he was twelve years
old he was probably the best swimmer
of his age in the civilized world. One
of his devices was to make a kite to
save him the labor of doing his own
swimming. He got kite with a long.
strong string to it. The end of the
string he tied to stick. Then he and
another boy went to a pond nearly a
mile wide and Ben prepared to make
the kite pull him across the pond.
Ben took his clothes off and engaged
the other boy to carry them around the
pond, which really was a small lake. to
the opposite side, where Ben wished to
land when he crossed. Then the boy
who was to be in after life one of the
worlds most famous men ran with the
kite till he started it soaring in the
air, over the edge of the lake Next he
waded into the water and began swim :
ming upon his back. With little
management, holding in his hands the
stick to which the kite was attached,
he made that kite serve as a sail and
pull him across the lake. All Ben had
to do was lie still and hold the stick
and glide through the water with the
greatest ease. It was a. delight, and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

she come in and says: Ma, If I marry
Zed you've got to st me a bow OF furs.
won't have him without EN- Just
hear that, Belts! And L give IN And
yesterday she says: Ma, I'm goin' to
have one of them long lace fishers.
Aunt Atully says they're all the rage
And. Belts. give in Now where am I
goin' to stop givin- in?" Mrs. Willet ap-
piled her handkerchief to her eyes and
wept.
Eyes. yes. Elizy I know it's hard"
responded Betsey. with the light of vic
tory in her eyes. but it's worth all that
to have our own way where people
think we can't Now I must hurry
along and hire the carpenters. By the
way" with her hand on the doorknob.
I'm goin' to send zed over Sunday
night to set up with Atulk."
Eliza groaned afresh. 'Of course it's
got to be DONE but it'll mean another
silk dress out. Of me, as likely as not,
before shen set mp
zed eset up Sunday night with his
prospective bride chat is. he sat IN
one corner Of the large parlor and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

every moment he could get reading and
studying. All printing was done on
hand presses in those days. and young
Ben had to pull back and forth the
heavy lever that pressed the paper
against the type.
Lately I was surprised in reading
about Ben Franklin's- boyhood to find
that there were 'vegetarians" or peo-
pie who did not believe in eating meat.
in America nearly two centuries ago
and that young Ben got hold of a book
written by one Of theln and it made
him a vegetarian. While he was an
apprentice to hts brother he used to
make a dinner from bread and raisins
and a glass of water. BY that means
his dinner cost him very little, and he
had nearly a whole hour to read. He
saved considerable money by doing
without meat and spent it for books.
So this eagerly learning, bright. merry
young Ben Franklin prepared for his
great career in after life, the career OF
a statesman scientist and Philosopher.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

form you-er-that your children win
not be home-er-tonight at least
Mrs. Willet sat down suddenly and
hard ''Atullzy!'' she cried. Where is
AtuIlxy?"
Mr.. Skinner bowed in Eliza's diree-
ton. "She has just-er-let me see"
He drew out his watch. yes her train
is just now pulling into Boston"
Eliza threw up both hands and turn
ed pale Into Boston" she repeated
in a weak voice. How'd she ever git
thereg'
by means of ticket" explained Mr..
Skinner gravely, and added as if in
afterthought to Betsey, purchased by
your SON.
Betsey suddenly advanced one step
nearer Mr.. Skinner. She spoke with
heavy emphasis. my son got it, did
hep Just wait till I git a holt of zed."
Mr.. Skinner smiled blandly. 'I fear,
Mrs. Agnew, that you will be obliged to
forego that pleasure, as he is on his
way to California"
california;" Betsey's Voice was shrill.
at can't be truel zed left this house
with just 81 in his pocket"
HE left Auburn replied Mr.. Skin
ner quickly, with $1,000, the price of
his new farm"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

Ben thought he had never had so much
fun in his life before.
Josiah Franklin was a soap and can
die maker. With his great troop of
children to feed and eIothe he had not
much money to pay for their schooling.
There were not the excellent public
schools Of the present in our country
200 years ago. At the age of ten Ben
had to leave school and go to work in
his fathers soap and candle factory.
At first he cut candle wicks. poured
melted tallow into the candle molds.
attended shop and ran errands- He
confessed long after that he did not like
the work He would much rather have
been tucked away in a corner reading.
for he just fairly devoured books of ali
kinds. though one of his favorftes was
Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress"
Ben worked in the soap and candle
factory till he was twelve, then his ia
Their apprenticed him to his older broth
er James. who was q printer. The boy
liked that better but still ne spent
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22
Ole Mothers Wooing
BY ALICE LOUISE LEE
opmbup POS b. 4b1 Lams1~
BY ALICE LOUISE LEE


shot a keen glance at her son. s'that he
can't git no other way"
HAS the molasses give out?'' was
zed's satisfying response as he glued
his eyes to the bottom Of the strip
pitcher.
Betsey continued. knowing that her
words were not falling on deaf ears.
mo. say. it amt every day that a
young man gifts such a farm. with a
new house on it. and" here she paused
and threw a big cake on her sons plate
by way of emphasis, "a deed fer the
whole thing on his weddin' day"
zed unlocked his feet and iaboriously
arose. He twisted his upper lip side
wise and looked over the table. "There
hain't nothin' more to eat in sight, he
remarked tersely. so I've got to quit
He reached the barn, his eyes rowing
over the rich fats. which stretched.
acre on acre, toward the river. These
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

There was no word for her to report
nor was there until September. until
the house was finished and the wedding
day set; until zed's upper lip had been
permanently twisted sidewise in dis
gust. and Atulka had secured such a
trousseau as no one in the county had
ever had before. Then Mrs. WiiIet had
a report to make one Monday morning
It was not. much, but it excited and de-
lighted both mothers.
They talked" Mrs. Willet ex-
claimed.
Nov the Lord be praised" cried Bet
sey piously sinking into a rocking
chair. 'fWhat'd they say?"
Mrs. WilIet shook her head. 'I
couldn't make out a word; they talked
so low"
Il should like to know" said Betsey
regretfully. ''seein' it's only two weeks
to the weddin'."
"AGy. amt glad it's only two weeks
more. rnurmured Eliza pathetically-
''The clothes that Atullzy has got out Of
mel They make folks open their eyes,
though. 1 tell you!" Eliza found a
crumb of comfort there. ''But just
feel as if 7 was comm on to the town
Well returned Betsey calmly z
guess that deed I got recorded last week
up to Auburn will take trahe more out
Of me than Atullzs clothes have out of
you-ard the new house. You amt the
only loser
Il know it. Belts fretfully. but III
be all fired glad when it's over"
II can't help wonderin'." was Betseys
ambiguous response. what they said
Unexpectedly zed enlightened her
that very afternoon zed had been do
ing an unprecedented amount of think
ing for weeks. and little planning. He
was proving himself the worthy son of
his mother, but had his mother known
it she would have been far from pleas
ed On her movements Zed had kept q
wary eye until the previous week. The
day Mrs. Willet and Mrs. Agnew drove
to Auburn together, he, feeling secure,
had brought together pen. ink and pa
per, hooked his feet around the legs OF
his chair and. with perspiring face,
to1lsomely eindited a letter. It was the
longest he had ever written and proved
to be the most satisfactory
MA said zed, coming into the PAN
/ try. ma, me and Atullxy want to &c
to the circus Wednesday at Auburn
You know it's Atulk's birthday, and We
want to celebrate
Betsey was delighted. Mrs WilIei
was delighted. They beamed on the
world generally and on each particular
~ for two days. Eliza early decided
to 'set out Wednesday with Betsey II
order to finish their arrangements fol-
the wedding. She hurried. across ths
fields just after zed and Atulka had de-
parted, and the two women planned
cakes and creams, salads and cold
meats until sundown.
! The dusk of the shortening Septembei
day was fast approaching when the!
heard the sound of horses at the from
gate. Mrs. WilIet arose hastily. There
that means that Atulky IS to home, anC
must go right over"
'Why. wait, Elizy, and I'll have ZEE
carry you over Betsey was inter
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

The great DR. Johnson, with all his
philosophy, was not without supersti-
ton. He was very careful not to enter
no one ever knew him to break this rule.
If by any chance he did 50, .he would
Immediately step back and re-enter
with his right foot foremost. He was
terribly afraid of death, too. and would
not suffer It to be mentioned in his
presence.
Julius Caesar to whom the shouts of
thousands Of the enemy were but sweet
music, was MORALLY afraid OF the sound
Of thunder and always wanted to get
underground to escape the dreadful
noise.
Queen Elizabeth, despite her marvel
Gus self possession and strong viii.
trembIed at the sound of the word
death. and TalIeyrand shivered and
changed color at the same word.
Marshal SAKE, who loved to look up
on the ranks of opposing armies, fed
and screamed in terror at the sight OF
a cat.
Peter the Great could scarcely be per-
suaded to cross a bridge, and when
ever he placed his foot on one he would
be terribly alarmed. Like the great
man he was. he tried to overcome his
weakness. but he was never able to do
SO. And Byron would never help any
one TO salt at table. nor would he be
helped himself, and il any salt were
spilled he would Immediately get up
! and leave.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

bIinked at the lamp. He held himself
down by means of his toes hooked
around the hind legs Of the straight
backed hair on which he sat. Mrs. Viii
let, with a face full of anxiety. had re-
ceived him and Immediately retired and
closed the door behind her. A commo-
tion began at once up stairs and down.
zed grinned appreciatively until the
door flew open and Atulka projected
herself into the room, and, without SO
much as casting her scornfuI eyes on
zed. hounced into chair in the farther
corner. pressed her nose against the
window pane stared fixedly out into
the darkness and chewed gum
zed sat patiently until the hands Of
the clock designated The hour specified
by I3etsey, and then took his silent de-
parture. He nearly fell over Mrs. Will
let, whose ear had been applied to the
keyhole in order that she might report
progress. to Mrs, aAghew tho following
day.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

says she viii run away to Boston to her
Aunt Atulk's. and just bet she. WIZ
Atulka possessed a pretty face. an i'm
perceptible hump in her shoulders and
g. very perceptible hump in her temper.
Mrs. Agnew rocked and looked calm
" at her emotional friend. How old
is Atulk2"
''Twenty~one. come next September"
Yes remarked Betsey meditatively.
under age. Now. you know that AtuIk
hain't a thing to carry her to Boston
on except her two feet.
A relieved expression stole over
Eliza's face. She was not one to deal
out money. freely.
"And what's more continued Bet
sey. she knows her aunt is dreadful
dressy. and shed cut pretty figure in
Boston without decent dud to her
back Betsey finished impressively.
aand you see TO it that she don't have
unless she'll marry zed."
Mrs. Wiliet sat bolt upright why.
Belts. do you mean
yes. I do interrupted Betsey. eItH
fetch her if anything will and the
friends were eloseted. together in close
conversation. for an nour longer
The farsfghted Betsey gave Zed q
full month in which 10 think over his
prospects concerning the meadow lands.
Then she forced him to Il decision.
THAT man Skinner was here yester-
day" she remarked casually, Ito see
about buyin' the medder lots. / told
him I'd let him know in ten days what
would he done xuf4t ff,a-, ,,,.l4.4o... 7
told him I was thinl6in' of givin' 'em to
my son. but if he didn't want EN- sig
nifieantly. I'D sell EN- to him"
zed's upper lip twitched. and he took
a frIner hold Of the nape of his neck
but he made no reply until nine and
one-half days later. Then he stopped
swin pail in hand. and asked gruffiy
Ma when YOU goin' to begin that there
house on the medders %
"Just as soon as the frost is out OF
the ground replied Betsey swiftly
''fer it's got to be used BY the last OF
September"
Eliza. The latter was pleased. but she
looked actually pale.
sAin't my plan with Atulky worlxin 2
asked Betsey anxiously.
Mrs. Willet groaned. "Worl1in'l" she
calculated. ITS workin' me to death
Why, that girl keeps me all of treni-
bic. I don't know where We're comm
out. Last Monday. she says, says she
Ma, if I marry zed I'll have Aunt
Atullky git me black silk coat, linee
with white satin. Listen TO that. Bet
lsey Agnew! And l give in. Tuesda,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

To play the game Of haste the bear
one of the players IS chosen bear. He
sits on a stool. with rope about four
yards long tied around lis waist the
other end being held by the bears mas
ter. The other players run around
them. Ticking at the bear with their
the master trying to
catch them without letting sc the END
of the rope or pullflg the bear over.
Should he do SO he must give his place
to the player he fast touched. Each
player captured takes the bears place.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

The minute he sees a toe or foot emerge
from the covers he pounces upon it
quickly-then woe to the toe
Another funny trick of this intelligent
cat is to answer the roll call made by
the sergeant. When his name is called,
Meow comes the feline reply. As
soon as his duties are over Bouncer
makes a bee line to the cellar, for with
all his intelligence he is only a cat with
a keen appetite for mice.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

with a we'll ann
ed spring he
catches the pole
and follows the
crowd to the
ground floor.
Bouncer sleeps
a good deal dur
ing the day and
prowls through
the station house
at night.
He is as play
full as a kitten,
and when the
FIR en- are
asleep he makes
a practice of
strolling down
the aisle Of
white iron cots
looking for toes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

rupted by a rap at the door. 1T amt
Zed. Eiizy.s Set down again.''
Betsey. opened the door and Asa Skin
ner entered. He was skinner by name
and by nature both, the people of Au-
burn said. but. outwardly. he was pleas
ant to look at as he stood inside the
door smiling blandly at the two women
He coughed slightly against the rim Of
his tall silk hat, which he held in one
gloved hand.
Ladies" he began. with some hesita-
ton, 'I-ahem-feel 1t my duty to in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

from being managed
by herl" Those were also her son
zed's sentiments. but Providence had
SO far turned a deaf ear to zed- Indeed
it seemed to deliver him still further
into her hands. after she and Eliza
Winet laid their heads together for the
fourth time.
Mrs Winet was apprehensive as to
the successful outcome of this fourth
interfanily campaign. Mrs. Agnew
was hopeful with the hope of one who
has unlimited confidence in herself.
but, Belts. argued Eliza Willet,
s'the others want so contrary. I can't
do notnin' with Atulky. She won't hear
ito reason. ana zed amt no better, is
hep
Mrs. Agnew clicked her teeth and her
knitting needles simultaneously. Her
tone was decisive "Elizy Willet,
hain't reached my time of life to set
down in peace and have folks say: This
time Mis- Willet and Mis- Agnew has
got their hands moren full zed and
Atulk wiz be too much for EN-. Them's
the words that Mis- Lansin' used to
Asy Clark When I have said my little
say to Zed things will look different to
hint"
1t was one morning in the late win
ter that Mrs. Agnew said her little
say" to her son. 1t was breakfast time,
and Betsey stood beside the stove
twirling a pancake turner over a smok-
ing griddle
zed still sat at the table, boiling grid
dlecakes and listening without appear
ing to hear He sat well back in his
chair, with his feet gripped around the
rear legs His left elbow rested on the
table. his hand clutching the back OF
his neck firmly. His forehead was low
and his chin short. The nose turned
up suddenly at the end and drew with
it the middle of his upper lip. exposing
q cavity which two front teeth would
have become. When Zed spoke. which
VAS seldom. his words arrived by way
of his rose ana were not intended To
give satisfaction on any subject.
The only response ne made to his
mothers uIfimatum was. Fork me over
q few of them cakes, win YEP
Mrs. Agnew. paying no attention
bent over the griddle. ct amt every
day that young man can git a farm
Of medder land he's been hankerin
after fer years and" here Mrs. AgneM
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22
Nh. PokER's FATE.

Said young Poker: Dear Miss Kettle
'Scuse me naming such a thing,
But your voice is rather husky:
Let me show you how to sing.
I'll be with you in a moment
And he slowly scrambled higher
Just to slip, alas, and tumble
Right across a red hot firei
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

fertile flats might be his provided he
followed the example of his three older
brothers and took a WnIet to wife. He
kicked the barn door viudictively. eff
one of the others had only took Atulk
I'd be willin',7 he muttered.
Later Betsey and Eliza reported to
each other.
Eliza was agitated. "Oh. Atulxy acts
somethin' awful" she moaned. "She
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

Bouncer is the mascot of fire patro.
station in New York city. He is a fun
hedged member of the patrol and does
almost everything the hremen do. The
ears stand erect and his tail becomes
bushy with excitement If the alarm
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

comes at night the hremen leap from
their beds, put on their rubber suits
and scramble down the poles. Bouncer,
who is a very polite cat, never slides
down until all the men are out, then
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

When they found him. red ana glowing.
Battered. bent beyond belief,
Said Miss Kettle (VEho was copper:
sAh. I knew he'd come TO grief
Simply spent his days in poking
Into other folks affairs
But these common iron people
Always give themselves such airs5''
Evelyn Glover.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

why is a lady in full dress like a To-
conceive? Because she carries a train
behind her
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22
b. ALBERTA FIAT
: all the great men of America
whose childhood is more en-

f all the great men of America
there is not one the story of
q whose childhood is more en-
tertaining to young people
han that of Benjamin Franklin. He
was such strong handsome, daring
boy. and he could do so many things
and do them well.
All the Franklins We're well grown,
healthy people and they all had very
large families. Benjamin himself was
The fifteenth Of family of seventeen
children He was the son of his fa-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

When are thieves ike leopards3
When spotted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-22

IERE amt q better
manager IN the coun-
" than Betsey Ag-
new. said her neigh
bors. and Immediately
added. but may the
good Lord deliver me
from being managed