davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
BY MAUD WALKER.

Bearville wns n delightful place situ- ated at the foot of lovely mountain. Right through the streets of Bearvile flowed a most beautiful mountain stream filled with trout which the inhabitants of Bearville caught with hook and line for their breakfasts.
 As the name would signify, Bearville was little city of bears. But were you to visit the town you would find 1t built of the cozlest little cottages your eyes ever fell upon The especial kind of bears that settled here and buided the town of Bearville does not wander over the face of the earth. and those of the read CTS who would see bears that know how to live like people must visit this loz cality-this peculiar and interesting viii lage-to do so.
 And the way the bears of Bearyille talked would astonlsh any one not accus toned to talking bears. Indeed, they had mastered the English language sufficient ly to carry on the most interesting con- versations and their business was con ducted just like that of twolegged folk.
 The mayor-or "Chief Bear as he was called in Bearville-was a very knowing old fellow, indeed, and his wife and daugh- ter and small son were courted by the best bears of the town, the daughter being the belle of the younger set in society. (Oh, yes, of course the bears of Bearville had their grades of society just as do the two-legged folk).
 Now, the name of the Mayor-or Chief Bear-was Sharpnose. He was always ad- dressed as Your honor, the Chief" And his wife was the honorable Mrs. Sharp nose; their daughter was Miss Floosy Sharpnose, and their son was Master Cute Sharpnose.
 Across the street from the Sharpness lived a lady bear by the name of Soft fur She was wealthy widow with an only son, young bear just reaching hls majority. It was the wish of the sharp noses and Mrs. Softfur to make a match between Mrs. Softfur's son-by name Bruno-and Miss Floosy sharpnose And the young bears were not averse to each other On many a moonlight night did the young and gallant Bruno Softfur take his guitar and station himself beneath Miss Floosy's window where he would play the most heart-rending airs In &C., compartment to some well-sung ditty composed by himself. And Miss Floosy would peep from her vine-covered window with a smile, tossing to her gallant ad- mlrer a rose which she had been wearing over her ear. And so did the friendship between the Sharpnoses and the Softfurs strengthen and knit stronger and stronger with each visit of the loye-lorn Bruno to the window of Miss Floosy.
 Now, in Bearville there were some very naughty little boy bears, for all the world like the naughty boys among the or dnary two-legged folk. These wayward cubs would resort to many unruly tricks to torment their neighbors and towns bears. One day, a couple of these mis- chievous cubs set out to have fun" And their fun consisted in ringing door bells and tapping on window panes. Then, before the dwelers of the houses could possibly reach the doors to respond to the ring the cubs would run away, hid ing behind some convenient shrub or the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

street corner, laughing softly as they watched the questioning faces of house. maids or lady bears that peered forth from the doors.
 And It so happened that they went on the steps of the house of Mrs. Softfur, Just as the honorable Mrs. Sharpnose set out from her own house to make some SO cial calls. The naughty cubs rang the bell of the Softfurs then scampered away, hiding behind a thick cump of shrub bery In the yard. Mrs. Softfur herself opened the door to find no one there. She knew instantly that some mlschlevous cubs had rung the bell. so she turned to her house maid. saying: Betty, please go to the laundry where Perkie is doing the family washing and bring q pitcher of warm suds up here. When those cubs ring again-which they are sure to do within a few minutes-you shall pour the suds down all over them You may sta ton yourself at my chamber window up- stairs, which oyerlooks the front-door steps, and as soon as you hear the bell ring throw the water down as quickly as you can"
 Betty, stupid sort of house e-maid bear, did as she was ordered: but had she pos seesed the slightest bit of good sense lot of trouble would have been avoided. She stationed herself by her mistress chamber window. which was open, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

bench seat, some two feet apart. These tho children sat upon, placing their feet on the bench-seet. They sat, Jack in the front seat, Katie in the second seat, was In readiness Jack gave long whls- tie to initiate n buge-calD, and the tally-ho started. Jack, with an impro- vised whip made by tying a twine about the end of a short stick, lashed up the imaginary horses and the merry party, laughing and cheering, were off.
 "The horses nre so hard in the mouth that I can hardly hold 'em.' exclaimed Jack, leaning backward, his arms held straight in front of him, moving back. ward and forward as though tugging hard at pair of lines
 And my hat Is almost blowing off. cried out Katie. holding tightly to a make believe hat which was, after all, but n big bow of blue ribbon that held her pretty faxen hair from her face said Marie. 'Otherwise I should get dust in my eyes and my hair would be blown all about my face. Ton should have got ten an automobile veil like mine. Mrs. Gay"
 q forgot to tell you that when playing Mrs Brooks, and Jack was Captain Kid1
 Well, I have one in my travelling bag right here beside me-" explained Mrs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

to ruin him in the coming election; want ed to have her own son, Bruno, made Chief Bear of the cityl She had thought to place the honorable wife of the Chief Bear In most ludicrous and humllatlng light. Who might not have been passing at the moment when the water was poured over the head of the honorable Mrs. Sharpnose? Suppose some of their en- yious enemies had been in the street at the moment Horrible The honorable Mrs. Sharpnose could never have held her head up after being seen in such plight But, thanks 10 her lucky stars, there had been no witnesses to behold the wretched lady bears pitlable condition.
 That evening the Chief Bear called Into consultation several of his warmest friends and lay the matter before them A committee was appointed to call upon Mrs. Softfur and demand public apology from her. or In the event of her refusing to grant if. to be told that sine and her son should be fought by the Sharpnoses and their kin so long as Bearyille should last
 Mrs. Softfur was dumbfounded when told that her friend had met with such treatment at the hands of her stupid servant. But in vain did Mrs. Softfur protest that 1t had been an accident; and In vain did she tell the committee that she had been annoyed by some mischlev- ous cubs, and that she thought 1t was they who were ringing at her bell And she explained Just how the water came to be poured over the head of her friend, the honorable Mrs. sharpnose. To all of which the committee shook their heads, saying: You must make public state ment that you did this thlng-or had your servant to do it-and also make an humble apology"
 Then 1t was Mrs. Softfur's turn to get angry. She declared she would do no such thing as plead guilty to an offense which she did not commit. She further more declared that since the committee at the instgaton of the Sharpnoses- had seen fit to insult her by refusing to accept her word as truth, and to allow her to explain, and to express her sin cerest regrets that so grave an accident should have happened to a friend, and that on her own doorstep, she would herself demand of the Sharpnoses an ex- planation of their strange resentment towards her, and m apology from them for having sent to her a committee 80 wanting In courtesy and good breeding,
 Well. and so the war between the sharpnoses and the Softfurs waged. regular bear feud was on, and the VII. lage became divided Into factions. In- deed, so strong ran the feelings between the two factions that blood was shed several times. But no one was seriously hurt, though threats against life were made. And the matter was really assum- ing il grave aspect.
 But the two who suffered tho most were Miss Floosy and her loyer the gal lant Bruno. They were forbidden by their irate parents to see each other, and the two sadly pined away.
 Just how much more serious the mat ter might have become is not known, had 1t not been stopped just when 1t was. Little Cute sharpnose was playing about In hls big play ground, back of his own home, when one day he overheard two cubs talking. He listened to their con
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
BY HELENA DAVIS.

Marie was ten, her brother Jack was eight and little Katie was seven. They were n jolly trio of sisters and brother and played all day together without spats or ugly temper, for they loved ench other as sisters and brothers should.
 One of their favorite games was play Ing Going to the moon." And they al ways went in an airshlp, sailing through the clouds, past the stars where they sometimes stopped off to visit with the Starites, the 'Starites' being the n- habitants of the stars
 Shall we play going to the moon this morning2' asked Jack, as the three fin- ished their breakfast and ran out into the big back yard-the childrens own dominion.
 "Oh, yes, let's go to the moon. cried Katie, clapping her hands. It had been quite awhile since they had visited the moon, and Katie loved the excitement of such a journey.
 "Al right, let's fix the stars,' ac- quiesced Marie. Then they all three ran to the big porch and brought to the yard three big porch chairs. These they placed about beneath the trees Here's Mars" said Jack, placing his chair in grassy, shady spot. And here's Venus, !" said Katie naming her chair. And heres Jupiter" laughed Marie. t"You see. I've got the greatest star of all" (Their mama had taught them the names and sizes of the heavenly bodies, and at each game of going to the moon they visited different planets.)
 Now the airship!" cried Jack. "Yes, the airship." seconded Katie. But Marie stood in deep meditation. Why not play that we first cross the continent on a taly-ho?' she asked
 Jack and Katie both laughed and clapped their hands. "Yes, I just love n tally-ho,' exclaimed Katie. Then, her face becoming serious, she asked: But what's-what's a continent, slster7 Is it like anything l ever saw?"
 It's big body of land," informed Marie. Its surrounded-or nearly SO by water. North America is conti- nent."
 And shall we cross North American asked Jack, his eyes full of happy an- ticipation. What a journey, indeed! And then to cap it by trip to the moon!
 "Yes, we can either cross North Ameri- cn, or South America, whichever we choose" said Marie. She was bit proud-and justly so-of her knowledge of geography
 Which Is the nicer of the two?" asked Jack who was always intensely in- terested in the scenery they were travel ing through.
 Well, since we live in North Ameri. ca-and know how 1t looks-suppose we on
 "Yes. I'd like that very much." de- clared Katie. And let's hurry, or we'll be too late for the tally-ho."
 There was a long and heavy lawn bench In the yard. This was choeen for the tally-ho. Three footstools, brought from the house, were placed on the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

Gay. And she pretended to take from an invisible bag a veil which Mrs. Brooks very kindly assisted her to tie about her hat.
 "Ah. now I can ride In comfort" said Mrs. Gay.
 Are you noticing the scenery, Mrs. Gay and Captain Kid?' asked Mrs. Brooks, leaning forward and calling out loudly. so as to be heard above the wind and noise of horses hoofs and rattle of vehicle wheels.
 Yes this Is grand scenery" said Cap tain Kid waving one arm about him. "Ah!" he cried. "I almost lost control of my horses just then. If I tnke my eyes or them they seem to know It.
 "Well, we are now crossing the highest range of the Andes Mountains" explained Marie. See there is a band of Indians coming towards us. They are the only people who can live so high, you know"
 Mrs. Gay looked at the Indians, ex- pressing some surprise and fear at their presence. Wonder If they'll try to scalp us?' she asked, addressing Mrs Brooks
 "Oh, see. Wonder is the end of the con u nent.' cried Captain Kid. We are about at the lands end' he continued. And see our airship In the distance?"
 I've have crossed the mountains. from end to end" said Mrs. Brooks And n most delightful experience 1t has been Don't you think so. Mrs. Gay?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
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 K,.nsoV1PGINIAI

Powhatnn s ruler over thirty Indian tribes. and his dominion covered the vast region now known the yirginias. He was one of the wisest. craftiest and most tactfu chiefs that ever lived He lived in what might have been called regal style for an Indian. He had two homes in different parts of nis conn try and hunting cabins-where he might rest while hunting far from home-scat- tered about through the forest. e Aen- ever he went on long expeditions he was intended by fifty picked and fierce braves.
 Of all Powhatan's numerous children his daughter Pocahontas was said to have been his fayorite. (The story of Pocahontas' brave deed is familiar to all who have read the history of the settling of this country by the English.)
 When Powhatan received visitors he was dressed In gorgeous garment of raccoon skins, and his face, arms and shoulders were painted in most strik ing manner. About his neck and wrists he wore strings of ornaments made from fish bone. glistening pebbles. shells and elks' teeth. On his head was a crown, or head-dress, made of birds feathers and claws
 It was during Powhatans reign that tAe Englishmea sailed up the James ltiver and settled In the great chiefs country On their first coming the red men were very friendly to them, giving them of corn to eat and of skins to dress themselves in Then, leaving many men, women and children in the New Coun- try" the ships of the "pale-faces" went , away, their captain and crew feeling that those left behind on strange shores would be safe till their return from Eng lsrrid with supplies of food and clothing.
 But the following year, when agaln the ships of the Englishmen came sailing up the James River. the captain, to hls horror, found not one white person liv- ing to tell the tale of their conflict with hunger, cold and savage Indians In vain did John Smith endeavor to find some trace of the colony that had been plant ed the shore of the beautiful river. Some held Powhatan responsible for the Lost Colony" but in no manner was he ever made to give sign of knowledge of the little band of people whose homes were found in ruins and whose ''bones were scattered far and wide"
 But soon Powhatan became hostile to the white men that threatened his terri tory. And he caused the settlers no little anxiety and trouble by his treat ment of them. Had 1t not been for fear of those wonderful firearms in the pos stssion of the pale-faces, which remained n fearful mystery to Powhatan, and for the fact that his fayorite child. Poca- hontas, fell In love with and married the young Engishman, John Rolfe, there is no reason to doubt but chat he would have waged n relentless war on the col onlsts. But under the circumstances he made treaty with the pale-facss and kept peace with them
 Eleven years after Captain John Smith landed at Jamestown. Powhatan, old and gray, died natural death, and was deeply mourned by his many wives and thirty tribes
 His beloved child Pocahontcs, went to England with her "pale-faced" husband, where she spent her life and was buried there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Why Marie, Jack and Katie Did Not Reach the Moon.

the gravel walk. But. see. there comes polite to him"
 Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Gay and Captain Kid bent their knees before an imaginary king whom they cnlled Your Magisty, King Hoo poo" The king must have been very cordial to the trio from Earth, for Captain Kid. still lowing, said; You honor us. Your Magesty, with an invi- tatlon to partake of q banquet in your palnce, but we must beg to decline since we are due on Venus within an hour Then we must travel on to Jupiter be- fore sunset, for we spend the night on tho moon."
 ''Yes, Your Magesty," added Mrs. Brooks, also making low obesance, If we had the time to spare we'd enjoy nothing so much as to partake of a ban quet In your palace. But as Captain Kid has told you, we must be going" Then Mrs. Gay added her thanks and regrets" to Ills Majesty, King Hoo-poo," and the trio of travellers and air nayigators departed from Mars, the chair which had been called by that name.
 Then followed stop at Venus, but the travellers found there strange and hos tile people with eyes where their ears ought to be and with fins instead of arms and hands. So they hastily got their air ship Amounted the see-saw AgalnJ and were off for Jupiter.
 And what Il planet old Jupiter wasl Rather dark and cool, but covered by giant trees whose tops the travellers could not see, though they lay on their pl uD Epd frxyf fN do pH such caves, and lakes of purple water! The grass was blue Instead of green, and water ran up hill The people of Jupiter were giants, and walked with terrible tread. Their heads were so high in the mir that they did not see Mrs. Brooks. Captain Kid and Mrs. Gay. for compara- lively speaking, these visitors were no larger than ants. And on earth boys and girs run about over ants without seeing them.
 The travellers soon saw that 1t was not safe place for them to be. they crept between giants feet-one had just stepped over them-and made off towards their alrship.
 Thus the three chairs texcuse me, should say the three planetsD were vis- ited and left behind, the airshlp going on towards the moon. But just as Mrs. Brooks was pointing out the man in the moon to her companions they heard familiar voice calling to them:
 Children, come and go with me for ride in the pnrk''
 It was the voice of their mother, and the airsn.p was forgotten, the big faml- ly carriage taking its place in their
 
 compared with the park? And the man In the moon could not hold his own be- side their jolly, chumny mama who al- ways told them such entertaining stories when they went riding. So Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Gay and Captain Kid leapt from the "alrship' and ran to the house. be- coming once more the plain Marie. Jack and Ks.ie- two sisters and one brother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

versation as he had heard his fathers name mentioned. The cubs were ac. quaintances of Cute's. md were sitting outside the hedge that surrounded Cute's play ground. They were not aware of cute's nearness to them. One was say ing; Don't 1t make n bear laugh to hear of all this feud between two of the best families of the town, and all through such a silly mlstake1 And to think that 1t was you mn me, cub, that set the whole thing going. Wed been ringing Miss softfurs bell till she got tired of 1t. So she had her maid pour water down on what she supposed to be our heads And to think that we saw 1t all By the holy bear oil of my grandfather. but It's funny what fools smart people will make of themselves. isn't itf'
 And Cute heard the other cub say: You bet. But 1t would never do for us to tell 1t. We'd be skinned alive"
 Cute made tracks to the house and ran to his parents and told all that he had heard.
 The Chief and his honorable wife lis- tened dumbfounded They now under stood it all. Quickly dressing in their best they went across to the home of Mrs. Softfur and politely begged her forgiveness.
 Nltnih m hour tne joyous news Whs spread that the Sharpnoses and the Soft furs had made up." And you'd better believe there were gay times the follow ing week. The boftfurs and the friends of the sharpnoses presented Cute with fine new set of silver mounted roller skates in token of their appreciation of his having brought the feud to an end.
 And that same night Bruno played and sang beneath the window of Miss Floosy, she smiling down and tossing him a rose from her ear.
 There are two morals to this story. Do you understand themf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

pretty soon there came long, loud peal of the bell. Even while 1t was ringing Mrs Softfur, in her library, called out so loudly that her voice could be heard by the person ringing: Betty. toss out the suds, quicklyi" And without first looking down to see whom she might be drenching Betty poured the contents of the pitcher out of the window,1f it going all oyer the honorable Mrs. Sharpnose who was stand Ing on the steps ringing the bell. She had come 10 pay her respects to her friend. Mrs. Softfur. With an exclamation of sur prise and horror the honorable Mrs. sharp nose shook the studs from her spoiled hat and beautiful gown. She was dripping from head to foot; and looking up towards the window from which the deluge came she rang again, peal upon peal, intending to bring some one to the door of whom she might ask-indeed, demand-an ex- planation. But a voice from downstalrs- which she knew to be that of her friend, Mrs. Softfur--came to her ears. It crled Betty, pour more water down there and tell that pest to get away or I'll call for the policel'
 But before Betty. the stupid, could pro- cure more water the outraged honorable Mrs. Sharpnose was hurrylng across the street towards her own magnificent home. She was so angry that at first she could not find voice to explain her predieament
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
HIS WORD NOT GOOD.

John and Jim agreed to settle differ ence by fighting 1t out It was under. stood that whoever wanted to quit should cry "'noughv' John got Jim down and was hammering him soundly when Jim cried 'nough!" But John paid no atten- tion to his cry and kept on pounding him. Again and again Jim called out l" 'nough!" But John paid no heed and kept busy with his fists. boy stand Ing near asked:
 Why don't you let the feller up' He's yelled 'nough?
 But he's such liar you can't believe him"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

Did you eaver, over, ever. On q simmer, summer day, See fly stick In the honey Till 1t couldn't fly away Did you eaver, over. ever. Fall Into flowing stream, And fill your mouth with water Till you couldn't scream, scream! Did you eaver. over, ever, See kit, cot, cat, Catch a teentsy- -weentsy mousle. Not as big as thot. that!
 JIM JUGLETS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
RIDDLES WITH ANSWERS.

In marble halls as white as milk, Lined with skin as soft as silk, Within fountain crystal clear, A golden apple does appear. No doors are there In this stronghold; Yet thieves break In and steal the gold
 (An egg.1 Although we are but twenty-six We change to millions, too. And though we cannot speak a word. We tell what others do.
 CThe Alphabet)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
CONUNDRUMS.

When is the step of man like lead? When heavy. When Is newborn babe like rubber ball7
 When bouncing one. When Is a man covered by debt7 When he owes for his hat When are men like sheep? When getting feeced.
 When are boys like oatsf
 When thrashed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
LETTER ENIGMA.

My frst is In arbor, but not In bower: My second is In urn, but not in flower: My third Is in tide, but not In sea: My fourth Is In you, but not in me: My fifth Is in mean, but not in good: My sixth is in chicken, but not in brood.
 My whole spells a word
 That to children is dear:
 And it comes once In twelve months,
 At .his tima of year
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15
Nonsensical.

Did you eaver, over. ever. In your leaf, loaf, life,
 See a butcher Kill n spidpi With a kneof, knoaf. knife:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

Make your conscience law to your self-but don't innict 1t on other per. sons.