davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
ESCAPE FROM THE INDIANS

help father to follow after me. But run
into no danger yourself" OF course the
Indians did not know that the poor wom-
an was speaking to her little son some
two hundred yards distant. They sup
posed she was making some plea for
mercy. One Of the Indians rode round
and round her, making some talk with
the others who stood still. Then stoop-
ing down he pointed towards bright
colored ribbon she wore In bow at her
throat. Quickly the anxious woman tore
1t off and presented 1t to the Indian,
who evidently was a chief. He took
the bit of color and fastened 1t to his
head dress which was composed of wild
birds feathers. Then, seeming well
pleased with his new adornment he
opened his mouth and pointed down his
throat, afterward turning his eyes on
the farm house and making motion OF
drinking. Sammy's mother nodded her
head and spoke few words in an In
dian tongue which meant: Come. friends,
you shall have to eat and drink" 1t
proved that the words she spoke be-
longed to these Indians language, for the
leader replied to her, though she could
not quite understand what he said, only
knowing the meaning Of a few words
that he spoke. But the Indians drew
their horses apart and motioned her to
go to the house, they accompanying her.
At the door she was let In and Immediate
ly the door was closed In the Indians
faces But from the window she, In
company with Mrs. Friends, handed out
milk and bread and other food, such as
they had on hand. The Indians ate and
drank greedily, after which they sgnifed
their desire to enter the house. But
Mrs. Green and her hostess quickly
barred the small window, motioning to
the Indians as they did SO to depart.
But the redskins doubtless wanted to
frighten the lonely women and dis
mounted and tried to break down the
door, And then 1t was that the shot
gun, In Mrs. Friends hands. was brought
into use. Pushing a small chink from
between the logs of the walls she thrust
out the muzzle of the gun and fired.
She did not aim at an Indian, not wish
ing to wound one, for in that case a
terrible onslaught from outside might be
expected. She merely fred into open
space to let the enemy know that fire.
arms were in the house and people there
who knew how to use them.
Well, the report of that gun was suf-
fcient- The way those Indians rode
away from that farm house was sight.
But to Sammy's dismay they came
straight to the river and stopped not
twenty feet from his cave. In fact, one
Indian dismopnted and came right to
the caves entrance, Jabbering in his
strange tongue as he thrust his head In
side TO look about. Sammy, round a
little curve in the cave, and lying prone
on his face, held his breath. He was
cold with fear, for he was afraid that
his feet might still be In sight But
after few minutes he had the satisfac-
tion Of hearing the savage band ride
away, fording the river at a point a
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
How Pussy Earned Her Board and Keep

clear. But owing to the frost in the air
Pussy had been given a snug place in the
cellar to Sleep And when frankie and
May put her bed there they thought 1t O
fine place for her as the mouse trap had
been down there so long that the mice
had grown to know it held great peril for
them, and in consequence they had stop
ped noslng at the nice sweet cheese
placed in the trap SO temptingly, but
satisfied themselves with nibbling at the
edibles that were put on the numerous
shelves in the cellar.
After being left alone for time Pussy
decided to go about on an exploring ex-
pedition. She did not rummage about
very long, however, for queer, smoth-
ering odor filled her nostrils. In the cor
ner where frankie and May had fixed her
bed there was a stream OF something
black rearing itself toward the ceiling.
And shortly afterward little tongue of
red glowing and giving light to the eel
lar, leaped after the vaporous cloud that
was growing and filling the entire room.
Now, Pussy knew that something was
wrong, and radically wrong too. She
found 1t hard to breathe and something
made her eyes sting. She went up the
cellar steps at bound and began new
ing Justify and scratching at the door
which held her a prisoner. How long
she scratched and mewed she had no way
Of knowing. Of course, but it probably
seemed long time to her In that densely
suffocating atmosphere.
Now, Mays room was right at the head
of the stairs on the second floor, and ihe
door which Pussy fought so hard against
was directly beneath the stairs and opened
into the first-foor hail. AS May slept she
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

little above where he lay. Then he could
near them going on southwark, and knew
they must be bound for the Indian Ter
ritory. But though Sammy knew the
INDIANS were now far away and could
not see him should he come from his
n'dins place, he was so frightened that
ne remained in the black, close little
cave till a dearly-loved voice called at
the entrances Come out, darling. It's
only motherl" And then, stiffened In
every joint. Sammy crept, feet foremost,
from his hiding place.
That's what l call a hairbreadth ca.
cape" he painted to his mother as she
kissed him greedily.
And now We'll go to the house and
enjoy the good dinner Mrs Friends IN
preparing for u.s." said Mrs. Green. ..I
fancy Wen all eat with good appetite.
now that the excitement and danger
are passed."
"I'll not eat with an appetite till papa
comes with his gun," said Sammy. ''But.
by cracky, mama, it's too bad you had
to give that old Indian your pretty rib
bon bow. Well have to get you another
one when we go to the trading post
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

or the chicken coops. So. what use can
we have of cat?''
"Well, mama, we may not need the kit
ten, but-the kitten surely has great need
of u.s." said May. You see, we found
it mewing in the road this morning, and
we couldn't leave 1t to starve or get
killed 1t has no home SO we've got to
give it one"
Mays mother kissed her and replied In
diligently: "You are a dear good hearted
little daughter. And my boy is just as
good,"N she added, turning to frankie.
$50, since the kitten must needs have a
home, and ours is good one, let it be
welcome. But you must not neglect it,
my dear children. shall leave Its care
to you. 1t must be fed and kept clean of
ieas, you know"
"Oh, Wen watch 1t all right" declared
frankie. Besides, 1t may prove to be
of great value to us, for Miss Clark says
It's fine specimen of cat, and will prove
worth its board and keep"
The mother laughed as she went on
with her preparations for supper, and
the children took the kitten into the back
yard to Introduce 1t to Sport, the dog.
HE must be taught to understand that
his realm is shared by newcomer, and
that he must be friendly with the joint
ruler" declared frankie.
And so the spring had worn away, and
the summer had followed 1t, early fall
setting in. But the kitten was no longer
at the home of frankie and May. A
great cat--by name "Pussy''-was there.
And, as you may have guessed, this same
Pussy had once been that little kitten
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

den. and picking wild grapes and goose
berries, while Sammy's father worked in
the fields, preparing provender for the
family and the horses and COW for the
coming winter And throughout the en-
tire spring, summer, and first fall month,
there was not the sign of an Indian. In
deed, the settlers now supposed themselves
safe from the red men, for the govern
ment had taken strong stand in regard
to the Indian, his territory and his an
nuity, and amicable relations were sup
posed to exist between the pale-face and
his red brother
One day late In September Mr.. Green
decided to go to the TRADING post" for
some necessary farming implements AS
the town was some distance away he
could not possibly return before evening
He made an early start, being well ON
the way before the sun was UP. Sammy
and his mother got through with their
small household duties, picketed the COW
In fresh grass, placing trough of water
near her; gave feed and water to the
chickens and pigs for the day, dressed
themselves In their Sunday best and
started for a neighbor's farm some three
hihOS utStdht- II WIS lAciE AulcutlOu IO
visit there for the day, Mr. Green com
Ing for them with the wagon as soon as
he should return home.
The forenoon passed pleasantly enough,
Mrs. Green and the neighbor taking
while they sewed and the boys playing
Indian" in the yard. But they found
the confines of the yard too small for
their exciting game and wandered off
toward the river, which was about half a
mile distant.
They had played for some time when
suddenly George Friends, one of Sam
my's young hosts, stopped in the midst
of the game, and shading his eyes with
his hands. looked towards the West ''As
sure as I'm foot high he exclaimed,
there are Indians! See 'em coming over
that rise yonder? And I do believe they've
got war paint on, too"
Sammy and Fred. the latter being
Georges brother, looked In the direction
of Georges pointing finger. And there,
sure enough, coming over & slight rise
of ground were dozen or more Indians
riding single file. But at that distance
1t was quite impossible to ascertain about
their paint. George had a vivid imagina-
liOh anu uc COuiu see Tue Signs
of war on the faces and half-naked bod
les of the red men even at a distance.
I'VE must run for our livesl cried
George. We've got to 60 like creased
lightning, too. for If they see us they'll
whip up their ponies and come like a
pralrie-fire."
There was nothing more said, George
making the start for home with Sammy
and Fred following. They ran, half-bent,
through the rank grass and tall suniow-
ers, holding their forms low that the
grass and flowers might hide them from
the view Of the Indians. But the In
dams eye is a nightly trained one, and
1t is said he can see ground squirrel
running through the grass mile away.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

that he could reach there and be secure,
for the Indians would turn their atten-
tion to his running comrades and doubt
less forget that there had been a third
boy. But in the event of their remember
ing him, and trying to pursue him, they
would just search about in the weeds and
grass, never thinking to look for him
down about the river.
Sammy succeeded in reaching the ledge
of rock. but before creeping into the cave
which had always been a source of
mystery and menace to him till now
he turned about and peered through the
underbrush that skirted the river bank
he could see the house of the Friends
very plainly, and knew that his mother
and Mrs. Friends had seen the approach
ing Indians, for the door and the win
dows on the side of the house that he
could see were closed And pretty soon
he caught a glimpse of his own mother
he knew her by the color of her dress
running out to meet George and Fred,
doubtless wondering what had become of
her own little son. He saw her stop to
speak to the boys, then on she came to-
wards the sunfiowers where George had
evidently told her Sammy was hiding.
George and Fred went on homeward, but
the Indians were gaining on them and
threatened to cut them of from safety.
Seeing his poor distracted mother run
ming right into danger brought Sammy
to his senses, and he quickly came out to
point where she might see him. With
a loud whistle he called her attention to
his location, and waved his arm for her
to go back to the house. But this the
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

mother did not do. She came on and on
towards the spot where her precious boy
was hiding, although she must have
known that she would be overtaken with
in few minutes-even before she could
reach him-by the rapidly riding Indians.
George and Fred in some miraculous way,
reached their house and Sammy could see
the door open to receive them after which
it closed quickly.
So now there was sammy's poor mother
alone exposed to- the real danger, for
Sammy was so near to the cave chat he
could slip from sight instantly and crawl
back around the caves curve and be safe
from prying eyes. And George and Fred
were safe within four walls with their
mother who had good shot gun which
she knew how to use If called upon to do
so to protect her children, herself and her
home.
Sammy now regretted from the very
depths of his heart that he had not gone
on with his companions, for he could
out-run Fred any time; therefore, he
must have gained the house and safety
and have prevented his dear mother run
ming such risks as she was now doing
for his sake.
The Indians did Just what Sammy
feared they would do they came rush
ing up to his mother and surrounded
her. She paused and looked from one
red-skin to another, making imploring
gestures with hands and eyes. Then,
turning her face towards Sammy-but
not looking in his direction, she called
out: Hide yourself, Sammy, in the
cave. Make no outcry. If I'm carried off
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

that was found one morning on the road
side crying: New, NEW, m-e-w-w?' How
she had grown one could hardly guess.
When Pussy was three months old she
was 30 fine and big that frankie and May
had given her birthday party, inviting
Miss Clark, several of the neighbor chill
dren, old Sport, and the canary. Pussy
had been taught to recognize the rights
of the canary just as Sport had been
taught to recognize the rights of Pussy.
But now, In her seventh month, Pussy
had done nothing to show that she was
earning her board and keep, as Miss
Clark had predicted she would do. To be
sure, she was a great pet and afforded
the children a lot of pleasure. And Sport
had found her very companionable after
the first few days of antagonistic splitting
and claw showing. But she had never
been seen with a mouse, nor had she
shown any disposition to guard the chick
ems from the hawks that came down to
menace them, although both frankie and
May had repeatedly tried to train her to
do SO.
And so she had arrived at pretty
good age without having done anything
to cover herself with glory. She was
nice, sleek, good-natured and affectionate
cat And that was about all one could say
of her. Nevertheless, she was decided
favorite, and no one thought her in the
way or begrudged her theSsweet milk she
drank or the bits of meat she ate.
However. there came a time when
Pussy proved herself we'll worthy the
splendid home she had been made mem
Der Of.
1t was September night. cool and
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
-An22Z1H 90
HIzZZ2lL yR
I-L7NE vi

Over three hundred years ago one of
the many kings of the North American
continent ruled over that part of the coun-
try now known as California. His name
given to him by the Engllshmen who
found him tliere-was Hioh. Now, a great
many would call Hioh Chief, but in the
land where he regned he was indeed a
king, as were all the other great chiefs of
t. numerous Indian tribes.
When Sir Francis Drake landed in Cali
fornia he found there very friendly
tribe of red men governed by Hioh. So
pleased were these simple people with the
coming of Drake and his men that they
gave over their beautiful land to them
They thought the blue-eyed and fair
skinned men to be gods from the other
world, the world that they called the
Happy Hunting Ground
But after a few weeks visit In this
strange land Drake and his men sailed
away to bear the tidings of their great
discovery to Queen Elizabeth In England.
And the red men were left to mourn for
the gods whom they had hoped would re-
main with them forever and govern them
and heal all their sick. as only gods could
do.
And Hloh. that trusting, friendly king,
or chief, did not live to see his people
conquered by h heartless white race that
seemed to forget that this great country
belonged to the red men. He doubtless
thought that the gods who had SO hon
ored him by their presence for a few
weeks were too good to exist on common
soil, and had therefore betalSen them
selves again to that mystic realm some
whafo Ii the clouds
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
TWO Old Proverbs:

dreamed she heard some one knocking at
her door. Then she dreamed Pussy was
at her side mewing. She awoke with a
start and sat up In bed to make out what
the noise was that seemed to come from
the hall down stairs. Yes, she could hear
1t plainly. It was Pussy mewing with all
her might and scratching and throwing
her body against the frail wooden door
of the cellar stair. May bounded out of
bed and ran into her mothers room, say
Ing; Pussy is fighting to get out. I'm
afraid big rat has got into the cellar
and has had a fight with her, injuring
her badly, maybe. Come, mama, and go
with me to let Pussy OUT
"Oh, It's just Pussy's dislike to her new
quarters" laughed Mays mama "But
since you will be worried all night un-
less we let her out But, what's that7
1t smells like smokel' And In another
instant both Of Mays parents were hurry
Ing down the stairs with May and Frankie
In the rear. frankie, whose room ad-
Joined his parents, was awakened by
their excited voices and had sprung out
OF bed 10 ascertain what was the matter
It's coming from the cellar! exclaimed
the children's father, and he opened the
cellar door to be met by Pussy, half suf.
located, and volume of smoke. And
then 1t was found that quite a FIRE was
burning In the corner close to the stove
ashes that the servant had carelessly
dumped there. The ashes had evidently
contained some live Goals that had gnited
pile of old lumber and papers,
1t required the combined efforts of both
parents and children to extinguish the
flames, and to restore order once more
In the cellar.
II that fire had got another ten min
utes start of u.s." said the father, s'it
would have been impossible for us to
have saved the house. 1t had almost
reached the well-seasoned fre-wood few
feet away. Once that had got started
the entire house must have burned to The
ground" -
And 1t might have cost the lives of
some of US, had we been sound asleep
shuddered the mother, resting from her
labors, her face covered with CRIME and
perspiration. you see, 1t would have
cut us of from the stairs and the smoke
would have suffocated us. Ny. what a
narrow escaped"
And did you stop to think to whom we
owe our escape?" asked May None
other than dear old Pussy. She awoke
me by her scratching so furiously on the
door and mewing 80 loudly. So we owe
our lives, maybe, to her. And surely,
we owe to her our nice and comfortable
Which all goes to show that Miss
Clark knew what she was talking about
when she said Pussy would yet make her
self well worth her board and keep
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

However true or untrue this assertion
may be tits fact that no human being
Of any size-can hide himself from the
keen and watchful eye of red man un-
less he be covered by something more
than prairie grass and sunfowers. So
1t was that the three boys had scarcely
gone a dozen steps, dodging from clump
to clump of sunfowers and half-crawl-
ing in the grass, when the eyes of the
Indians caught them.
And the boys. now thoroughly fright
ened, saw that they had been discovered.
What can we do?" hoarsely whispered
Sammy, lying fiat on his belly and begin
ming to crawl towards bunch Of pro-
tecting suntowers.
cit for the house as fast as we can"
answered George. We've been seen. so
there's no use wasting precious time try
ing to hide ourselves. Come, let's run as
fast as we can right In the OPEN"
Sammy, to his horror, saw George
straighten up and start afresh towards
the house, and Fred followed his example.
But not so with Sammy. He could see
that the Indians were urging their ponies
to swifter speed and were making a d.
rect line towards the boys, aiming to
cut in between them and the house.
Sammy remained on his belly. crawling
from bunch to bunch of sunhowers, but
instead of going after his fleeing comrades
he wended his way towards the river
about an eighth of mile distant. Hts
one thought now was to hide inside a
little cave that led into atledge of rock
which overhung one bank Of the river.
The place was not rar away and he felt
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

Long life and much good milk to old
Pussy, ! saye' And the parents and May
Joined grankie's enthusiastic praise Of old
Pussy who had that night, all unwit-
tingly, been the means of saving the
lovely home, and human life, perhaps.
And from that night to the present day
old Pussy has been the favorite four
footer about the farm where she lives
SO happily, and it is safe to say that she
cannot understand why she is made so
much of by the family and the family
friends, especially old Miss Clark who
will insist on saying. II told you So"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

At home she pouts and stubborn is
And her mother she annoys.
Not one thing does she do to please,
She spoils and breaks her toys.
She cries for sweet cake every day;
And ffowns on bread and milk.
She says she hates her cotton frocks,
And wishes they were silk.
oh, she Is a most trying childi
As naughty as can be.
'Tis hoped the girls who read this tale
Are not 80 bad as she.
MAUD WALKER.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

o'Rourke's employer became talkatiye
about his ancestry one day, telling the
jolly Irishman that his forefathers came
over In the Mayfiower.
''Whin was thot, pIase, soir" asked
O'Rourke, much. interested.
The Mayfower descendant gave the
date, to which O'Rourke replied with a
poor disguise of contempt:
why. soir, beggIn' ov yer pardon, yer
family was a mere mushroom OF yeste'-
day. lately seen inside. Of a family
pedigree thot fllled hundreds of pages,
and near the middle of 1t It says: About
here the Lord created Adam (" *
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
Sammy Tankee.

He was a queer little Chin-ee.
He wore long cueue down his back.
His name was Sammy Tan-kee;
And his shirt hung loose like sack.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

His papa did wash-ee wash, wash
ALI day at very big tub.
The suds would splutter and foam,
As the elder Tan-kee would rub-rub.
And little Tan-kee said each day;
IT shall grow up as fast as can.
And soon be big like papa,
Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15
Naughty Little Silly.

Little Silly plays IN school,
And never learns a lesson.
She whispers, too, against the rule.
oh, it is most distressin'!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-08
New Library Movement

Birmingham must have a free public library, and 1t should build it without calling in any outside millionaire or millionaire. These are the two basic facts of the movement that will be fully inaugurated at the Majestic the atre tomorrow night.
 This is not city-an equipped mod ern city-while It has no public library It is the only city in the land of 100000 population that has no public library the only one. This is discreditable, and it must be changed.
 2. And the change should come through our own efforts. When the city is fully organized and canvassed, library of goodly dimensions will begin to be- come possible. It will begin to appear. Dr. Parke and Mir. De Ovies are work ing on the proper line, They need but one thing, namely, stout and general public sentiment Give them that, and a public library will soon be added to Birmingham equipment. Every good citizen should assist in creating the needful public sentiment.
 The Age-Herald declines to discuss the value of books within the reach of all Life is too short for such argu- ments, and the twentieth century Is no time in which to raise such question. Assume the value of public library, and go ahead to build up a public senti- ment that will build one here.
 And above all else, attend the meet ing tomorrow night at the Majestic theatre, at o'clock.