davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Children's Games.

Games that can be played at the tables
during meals not only have q Christening
effect on q large and healthy family OF
children, but furnish interest and instruc-
ton as WELL
Sources Is a game that can be played
where the children are of several different
ages. The scene of activity Is the dinner
or luncheon table, but the fun In the play
to have passed them. For when a boy OF
girl requests another to hand the bread
salt, etc, If he or she cannot satisfactorily
answer the question the latter asks about
the dish the food wanted is not passed, un-
less another child is appealed to and an
other question answered.
When one child asks for the salt. another
may say, Where does 1t come from?" I'm
less he or she can answer this, he must eat
his food unsalted, or appeal for another
question from a different youngster who Is
within polite reach of the salt. This boy
or girl may ask how II is made. If he or
she can answer this. the salt is passed.
When Grace wants some oatmeal Alfred
may have his chance at revenge by asking.
"How long do you have to cook it?''
Smaller children can well be included in
this game. little boy or girl may be
asked to spell sugar. or to tell one thing
about butter before he can have 1t on his
bread. He can say 1t is made In churn
or that 1t is yellow. The older children may
require elaborate answers as to source and
possibilities they will think up posers that
will be hard for grown-ups to keep pace
with. Some parent or older person should
be appointed as judge and must be consd-
cred the court Of last appeal In the case OF
any dispute.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
A Washington's Birthday Party

A patriotic party for the young folks may
be made very interesting. Decorate the
house and table with red. white and blue
and place prints Of George and Martha
washington where all can see them. To
each guest give little board and q ball OF
putty soft enough to be worked, with tho
instruction that busts Of George and Mar
tina Washington are to be modelled from
the putty in a given time When the time
is up the putty portraits are to be numbered
and placed on exhibition, and the guests
vote on the best one, the number receiv ing
the largest number Of votes to determine
the prize winner. The boys are then given
jackkniyes and sticks of wood from which
they whittle out hatchets. The girls are
given scissors and black paper from which
to cut silhouettes of Martha Washington.
Later the silhouettes of Martha Washington
are auctioned off to the boys, and each boy
takes to supper the girl who made ths
Martha Washington which he bid on. He
presents his wooden Ratchet to his supper
partner. The supper table fs to be dec.
GRATED with patriotic colors. and the menus
should be hatchet-shaped. After supper
George and Martha may appear in cos
tune and hold an old-fashioned White
House reception.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Facts in George Washingtons'
Life.

He was born February q, 1892 in West
moreland county, Va. His father, Angus
tine Washington, was planter George
Washington went to school until he was
sixteen years old. He became a surveyor.
At the age Of nineteen he was made adtu-
tant Of Virginia troops. Two years later
he was made commander Of a military dis
trict of Virginia. The following year he
was sent on a mission to the French be-
yond the Allegheny river. His first battle
was with the French. in 1874. He was
lieutenant colonel at that time, and de-
Tended Fort Necessity. He was in the bat
tie Of Monongahela in 1855, and commanded
on the frontier till 1857. In January, 1883,
ne married Martha Gusts. and set
tied as a planter at Mount Vernon. He
was appointed commander-in-chief Of the
Continental forces June Is. ITS. He
reached Cambridge June 2, and compelled
the evacuation Of Boston, March II, 1716.
In the war OF the revolution he was de-
feated at Long Island, at White Plains, at
Brandywine and Germantown. He won the
glorious victories at Trenton, Princeton.
Monmouth and Yorktown, where Cornwall
lis surrendered. He was inaugurated first
President OF the United States April 30,
l7SD. He was reelected in 1913 and served
until 1871. He died at Mount Vernon De-
cember IA, 1700.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

oh, such a strange something! A wee, fan
tastic thing 1t was, and John Dreams
thought it must be a hobgoblin. Whether
a he hobgoblin or a she hobgoblin he could
not tell, but hobgob1in It certainly was,
and coming right after him. He tried to
run, but was unable to move. Nearer and
nearer came the hobgoblin. John "a Dreams
screamed wildly and hit 1t in the head with
the watering pot.
Then the minister stopped preaching, the
girls in the choir giggled, and the whole
congregation stared in amazement at the
Carleton pew, for John-a-Dreams hao
knocked off the little old lady's bonnet!
Then the cross old sexton came hurry
ing down the aisle, and carried him, still
half asleep, out of the church.
''Oh, John-a-dreams! John-a-dreams!
sighed mamma, when she heard the dread
full story.
Papa said sleeping dreams were SAFE
but they aren't" sobbed John.
Then to every ones surprise. there came
a note from the little old lady inviting John
to tea. -,
II don't want to go! I don't want to co."
cried John in dismay.
But you must said mamma, "and you
must apologize just as nicely as ever you
can
So at 5 o'clock a very dejected-looking
boy knocked at the old ladys door. And, oh.
what q jolly little old lady she was! And
what q merry merry time they hadi They
sat down 10 a little round tea table COW
cred with all sorts Of goodies. There were
tiny sweet biscuits. and delicious little
cakes, and star-shaped cookies! There was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Iohn-a-Dreans.
BL LOUISE OCTARIAN.

Little John Carleton was so absent mind
ed that no one ever knew what he was go
ing to do next. "A regular John a-Dreams.
declared papa And the schoolboys were
tired of shouting after him:
Diddle, diddle dumpng, my son John,
Went to bed with his stocking on,
shoe OF. shoe
Diddle diddle dumping, my son john.
But. oh, dear me, This dreaming John
did far worse things than going to bed with
his stockings on. He was always thinking
so very hard about something else that he
never had had any thoughts left for the
thing he was doing, and thus many and
varied were his mishaps.
One Sunday morning papa and mamma
had company, and the children we're going
to church alone.
Now, Bert said mamma, don t wiggle.
And Edith and Dottie, remember and not
to whisper. And. oh, John-a- Dreams. please,
please try just this once not to do anything
dreadful
Yes, ma" said John-a-DreaTs.
Better take a nap, Johnnie, said papa
Sleeping dreams are safer than waking
ones"
Yes. pa" said John-a-Dreams.
The church was warm and the sermon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Care Of the Voice.
From the Home Magazine.

From the Home Magazine.
Children should be taught to shut their
mouths. Tie Indian mother never allows
her shabyeto sleep with its mouth open.
She presses its lips together, and very soon
the infant learns to use Its nostrdls, 4
current oesceld sir dries the saliva. parches
the throat and chifls the whole body.
To practice deep breathing. draw in the
air, slowly, easily and fully. When you
have filed all your lungs. without strain
ing hold your breath in for a few seconds.
then slowly and steadily breathe out
through the nose, and keep your lungs
empty for a few seconds before another In
spiration. The muscles OF the body which
the will does not directly control, like the
heart and respiratory organs. work rhyth-
mically. Therefore. In breathing. do not
gasp and hurry and change your pace every
minute To practice the right method hold
yourself, sitting or standing, In a natural.
erect fashion, with your head raised, throat
free and arms hanging loosely. Do not
practice within an hour after meals. and
II you get dizzy 1t is sign that you should
stop. Mouth breathing causes the nose to
become eventually blocked up through dis
USE This has its effect on the voice. Reso-
nance and intensity are lost because the
sound which should ordinarily pass through
the nose Is deadened.
Culture and character are indicated more
clearly In the human voice than In the fea-
lures or the bearing. The ideas expressed
naturally affect our impression. but the
pitch, information and strength of every ut
terance conveys in subtle way the innate
spiritual tone and depth of the speaker.
Many children destroy the sweeter tones
OF their voices by screaming and shouting
too much. It Is perfectly natural for child
to wish to make itself heard and to have 1t
use its lungs Is excellent. But the vocal
cords are delicately adjusted and any
straining Injuries them seriously. Nothing
improves a childs voice as much as sing
ing easily, quietly and sweetly. An i'm
perfect ear can be trained by persistent eff
fort and even IL the child's singing voice
is not perfect the benefit of Its trying to
vocalize pleasantly will be felt in the speak
ing voice Neither children nor adults
should sing higher or lower than nature
intended them to. When a boys or girls
voice is changing in pitch they should be
advised not to sing.
The voice should be used sparingly when
one is suffering cold in the head, sore
throat, or weakness after illness. In such
cases muscular action has to make up for
lack of lung power and energy. The re-
suit Is thickening of the vocal cords and
an added huskiness and harshness which
may not pass away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

would call you traitors He would never
have done IT.; you never should have done
It. You think you are everything because
you are American. Does being an Amerfcan
give you q right to be mean? You have
been mean to me. and you know It. Won
say it Is only play. but play Is no fun un-
less 1t Is real" The school bell rang and
Beatrice turned and fed.
When the others came in she was in the
far corner Of the entry, leaning on her run.
and vigorously shaping the tears from her
face with her handkerchief It was the
first time any one Of them had seen Beatrice
cry. No one dared to go near her. They
looked at her obviously, as they straecled
into the school room one by one
Beatrice did not recite with her usual
enthusiasm that afternoon. and as 1t neared
o'clock she sat at her desk. q detected lit
tie figure, with her face hidden In her arms
She knew she should never. never love the
children In that school In all her life, and
that she should always be homesick for her
dear home land.
When school was over she was the first
one to leave, and she started down the road
on the run. She wanted to get to mother
quickly. She heard steps behind her, but
she did not turn. Then she heard Fred
Hallocks voice. Fred was proud-spirited
boy, but as Beatrice turned he did not look
bit proud.
Beatrice. Il was all my fault: win you
forgive me? I'm Just as mad at myself as
can be. I thought 1t was being patriotic,
and that 1t was only play. and that II
would be q good joke ON you because You
were % uppish about your own country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

old Nova Scotia school books. and was told
that not one Of them would do.
The next day the teacher brought her
She glanced at them scornfully. then with
a proud toss of her head she marched up
with them to the teachers desk.
why, what is the natter" said the
teacher in surprise.
well, Just look at this geography! The
United States is put first; now it isn't first
it is last! Canada is farthest north. SO 1t
ought to come first. instead of being away
over in the back of the book. Then, more
than half of the book Is about the United
States. That isn't fair, for it is only half
as big as North America and there are
lots of other countries. The map of Nova
Scotia isn't any longer than my little finger
It's no wonder the boys and girls ask me
IL Nova Scotia is up in Maine!" Sine paused
for breath.
You must remember that you are in
America now began the teacher.
Il was in America before" retorted
Beatrice: Canada is just as much America
as The States is
All the children were listening and Won
dering II Beatrice would be kept after
teacher only said: II can understand how
you feel. but don't you think it would be
nice to know about other countries even If
you do love Nova Scotia best?
Beatrice grew very thoughtful. Yes. I
suppose so. / want to know just every
thing when l grow up, but shall always
love Nova Scotia best
She gathered up the hateful books re-
! luctantly and started to her desk. She felt
lonely and wretched Adventures weren t
all they were written up to be; she would
give anything to be back In the little Nova
Scotia village.
The boys in the school had military
company. Each member was provided with
q wooden gun and they were drilled by a
veteran of the civil war. They had chosen
two captains, and the captains in turn had
chosen their men. Every noon they played
over and over again the scenes of the revo-
lutionary war. The captains had drawn
lots to see who would be British and who
would be American. The American cap
tain. Fred Hallock. was a bold and skillful
warrior. and he had succeeded in capturing
some of Roy Everett's best men, SO the
British army WAS much depleted when
Beatrice became interested in the struggle
Her martial spirit was strong. Many a
time In the Nova Scotia capital she had
cheered the gay companies Of red coats.
and beat time to their stirring music. Now
she disdained the amusements of the girls
and spent her long noon hour following
with breathless interest the skirmishings
of the boys. In her heart of hearts she
pinned for q wooden gun and permission to
join the ranks.
One day the British were about to retreat
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

very long. Just In front Of John sat little
old lady, who looked as though she might
be a very nice grandma
81 wish had a grandma" thought John.
sleepily counting the buttons on the back
Of her cape.
Pretty soon the old lady began to nod
gently. John yawned and tried to count the
beads on her bonnet. Ten, twenty. thirty,
forty, forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven-
,John-a Dreams and the little old lady were
both asleep.
For little while they slumbered peace
fully. then John-a-Dreams began to dream
in earnest. 1t was twilight in his dream,
lovely and cool and still. He was out in
the garden watering the nasturtiums. The
new moon was shining over his right Shout
der.
az will WISH" said John-a-Dreams.
Suddenly 1t grew darker, and a cold
breeze ~ through the bushes. John-a-
Dreams felt queer and shivery. Then some
thing came round the corner Of the wall
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
A Question of Fairness.
TRUE STORY. By PEARL SMITH.

u
Beatrice lived in Evangeline land-that is
what the poets call it; the Biographies call
IL Nova Scotia.
Her home was i'm a beautiful valley all
pink and white with apple blossoms in
June. and like a snowy fairyland in jan
uary.
One June day. when Beatrice was eleven
years old, she was skipping home from
school. cross lots, through the meadows.
Il suppose" she said to herself-'I sup
pose l shall always live right here on this
farm till 1 grow up and get married, and
that nothing exciting will ever happen to
me; but do wish cou.4 have real story
book adventure"
Not many days after that her wish came
true. father and mother decided to move to
: he States"-the big United States. Beat
rice was so excitedswhen they told her that
she jumped right up and down. She could
see herself. in fancy, sailing into Boston
harbOr on board the big steamer
She told the wonderful news next day at
school, AMI Immediately became the center
of attraction. Games were forgotten and
girls and boys alike gathered around her
while she pictured wildly the scenes and
incidents through which she expected to
pass.
Anu some Gay, she concIQded, when
am grown up and rich. I'll come back and
bring you all present"
You'll forget Us" said one boy sourly.
Yes and you'll get white washed" said
another. You'll come back talking just
like those Yanwees; you'll say, Deah, pass
me the buttah.'"
Beatrice flashed up at this. II will not.
III always be a Nova Scotiani I'll always
pronounce my rs IN always be true to
the king. Her eyes grew very black and
her cheeks very red, SO the boy took IT all
back: and the children crowded close around
her and told her they knew she would be
true.
So Beatrice sailed away in the big steam
err She stayed at a hotel in Boston for one
whole day and night: and there she had
her first drink of soda and the second
peach she had ever eaten in her life; SO
she thought THE States were delightful.
Then they went to live in tiny New
Hampshire village and early in September
Beatrice started for school.
She felt very strange and lonely in the
little school house where every one stared
at her So She showed the teacher her dear
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Jakey and Joey.
BIZ FRANK BELL

The knothole in the high board fence be-
tween the back yard Of Jakey's house and
Joey's back yard was the scene Of untold
fun for both. boys. Almost every fair day
after Jakey had made the hole by driving
out the knot and they had become acquaint-
ed by looking at each other through the
hole they met there to talk about things
that only two boys who are just good
friends know how to enjoy.
Perhaps 1t Is more nearly true to say thai
Jakey came to talk to Joey and Joey tt
listen. Joey would say Yes or NO II
answer to Jakey's questions. and some
tines he e,S would s, exslaim oh! on whe1
the story happened to be SO very sad a.
to touch his tender feelings or 30 dreadful
as to brighten him he would cry out. 'Oh
dear!' Then Jakey would grin at joey:
wondering big blue eyes looking at hin
through the knothole.
They had never seen each other excep
in this way. but Jakey appeared to JOEY
like hero who knew all kinds Of marvel
Gus things. At the same time Jakey lovet
Joey. because Joey knew nothing wonderful
and let Jakey do all the talking.
Now 1t must be said that Jakey had lot,
of story books In his house. and. better thar
that he had a mamma who enjoyed reading
them to him. But he did not remember al
the stories word for word, just as he heard
them. It can hardly be expected that h
would. However that may be, when thu
story was told over again through the knot
hole it was for Joey's particular delight
So any little change likely to please hin
was freely added Jakey meant to be truth
full, as he had been taught, and even II III
had stopped to think about 1t at all M
would have said that telling stories through
the knothole just to please little joey and
hear him say ''Oh!' could not possibly b
wrong.
1t was more fun for Jakey to tell Joes
=
spend hours in the house alone, playing
with them. Somehow the good folks WHIT
love to buy toys and things had not beer
as generous to joey, but what Of that3 1
only Jakey had the beautiful things joel
would hear about them, and to hear O
things through the knothole, from Jakey's
own lips, was quite as good as having then
for hts very own.
Joey was nearly always at the hole first
his big blue eyes looking through at Jake,
as he ran out crying. ''oh. joey. I've go
more piaythings-blocks and tin soldiers
and q hammer and a drum and
"Oh!" interrupted Joey.
Yes. and monkey on pole going W
and down and standing on his head an&
going both ways and"
"Oh! Alive?' Joey interrupted again.
Yes, and Noaf's ark and camels and
potymuses and COWS and horses and lions
little bears-and sheppard the ark an6
taggers and
"Oh, OH" cried Joey. "Alive?"
Eyes. and wocometer and a twain and
a twack and a tunnel, and bwidse and i,
wuns, too and
Alive! Oh, Jakey!'
It was a triumph that Jakey had scored
Never before had he heard Joey speak his
name. He stepped back pace or two sc
that the wide wondering blue eyes could see
and admire as much of his face as possible
So they stood for full minute. Then Joey
could stand 1t no longer. Without another
word he ran his best into the house to tel
his mother about Jakey's wonderful live
playthings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

honey! There was jam! There was fra
grant black-currant tea! Before he knew
it John was telling his dream about the
hobsoblin.
Then how the old lady laughed. "Now
let me tell you my dream" said she. for
I was asleep, too, and surely l am old
enough to behave better. dreamed was
taking tea with nice little old man. we
were telling each other story after story OF
long ago times. and having such coy.
comfortable meal! Then I got UP to fill
the tea kettle, and the little old man hit
me in the head with a pink-frosted cake!
That was when l hit the hobgoblin!
cried John.
Yes" laughed the old lady, that was
you hitting the hobgoblin." >,
I'm SO very, very sorry. ma am" said
John. remembering his apology.
"Oh 1t didn't hurt the bonnet bit sait
the nice old lady, land next Sunday I'll try
to keep awake.
$50 will l." said John-a-Dreams.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
Concerning Pantomimes.

from HarperS weekly.
Children's tales belong to all the world.
In this respect, as England 10 the home Of
pantomime which keeps alive such tales
selections from them for performance In
Great Britain this last Christmas season
are of interest OF the I'D pantomimes
thus chosen. "The Babes In the Woods"
scored the most representations, with
twenty-four productions to its credit at DIFF
ferent theaters. cinderella always popu-
lar, came next. with seventeen. Fourteen
houses gave Aladdin" ten Fred Riding
Hood" eight each. Dick Wilmington
and ''Sinbad the Sailor filled the bin In
seven theaters apiece: the Forty Thieves
and 'Bluebeard"' each in five; "Jack and
the Beanstalk," ''Goody Twoshoes," each
In three. 'Puss IN Boots'' and tho "Sleep-
ing Beauty had. respectively. two houses
set apart for them. But the Fair One with
the Golden Locks ''The House that Jack
Built" "Bo-Peep." Jack the Giant-Kilier'
and Little Hans Andersen could boast
but only one apiece for their performance.
This list. 1t win be seen, ignores q number
OF old nursery tales AZ Beauty and the
Beast" Jack and jill" 1.-The Queen Of
Hearts," "simpie Simon" ''Goosey Gam
der" and Robin Hood" Children fond Of
these omitted pantomlmes, however. may
take heart, for they are sure to be re-
vived.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16
The Strangling Fig Tree.
rom st. Nicholas.

Visitors to Mexico and other tropical
countries often have their attention called
to "the strangifng fig"-a tree that COM
mences its growth as an epiphyte chat is,
one form of plant life that grows perched
on another) far up on the trunk or among
the branches of another tree, usually on a
palmetto or some of the kinds OF palms
The roots OF the strangling tree extend
downward around the host tree to the
ground, gradually Joining together, making
a tube-like mass of roots sometimes as
much as six feet or more In diameter. -.
When the attacked tree is a palm, death
to 1t Is caused not SO much by the biuding
around the trunk as by shading out its
branches by the attacking tree. 'l.rs, I,- f,-
When the attacked tree is an exogen chat
Is, one with wood and barh) the attacking
roots bind SO tightly as to cause a stoppage
Of the flow of the sap. As the sap OF a tree
Is really Its food Changed by the leaves SO
that 1t can be used and the flow OF food Is
thus stopped, the attacked tree 10 really
starved" to death. So death to the attacked
tree Is caused either by smothering OF by
starvation or by both.
The peculiar manner in which the dat
tened roots extend down and around tho
tree give them the appearance OF some
thick, slow-nowtng material running down
the tree.