davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Ponlpeii, Yesterday
and To-day.

Nineteen hundred years ago the sur
roundlngs of Pompeii-then a city thrill
ing with life and business-dld not pres
ent the barren, forbidding aspect of to-
day. Nestled, as it was, in a smiling,
fertile valley, with Mount Vesuvius as
a green and Towering background. and
the sparkling Bay of Naples washing at
Its feet, 1t seemed to have chosen a
most perfect place for its building site.
But today that once beautiful and SEEM
Ingly friendly mountain, old Vesuvius Is
burned and bare, her sides scanned by
the rivers of fire which she has at diff
ferent times sent flowing to her base
The orchards vineyards and wild green
luxuriance which grew so abundantly on
the crust of that sleeping furnace have
disappeared, and in their place great
lava beds CLEAN dark and deathsome un-
der the soft italian sun.
And Pompeii-after her undlsturbed
slumber of 1900 years, securely wrapped
in her covering of lava, ashes and debris
is brought to light, a massive skeleton of
the city buried SO many centuries ago.
But the history told so mutely by the
uncovered relics-relics which bespeak the
life that once fourished THERE'S of deep
and absorbing interest Walking The
tomblike streets, which have been so sud-
denly brought from the far past for the
searching eyes Of the present to gaze
upon, makes one feel that 1t is almost a
desecration to thus disturb the dead.
Peeping into the crumbling and roo6ess
homes of the once proud Pompeians one
learns much of their mode of life, for
everywhere are signs that the people took
no warning from the low mutterings Of
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

pudding and chocolate sauce. Bricktop
remembering that men usually ate oys-
ters and chops at dinner on the train or
dered likewise, for he felt himself quite
-grown-up just now. And he took a
small coffee and some cheese to end his
rather hearty dinner.
Then they chatted for an hour before
going to bed. In the morning Bricktop
walked early and called across the Isle to
the twins to find they had beaten him by
half an hour, for they had already gone
to the dressing-room to make their
toilets
So the half day wore pleasantly away
for the little Perklnses, the train pulling
In on time at the New York railroad
station on the New Jersey side of the
Hudson River Eagerly the three chill
dren got out Of the train, Bricktop In
the lead carrying the bags. dense
noisy crowd filled the space within the
gates, and as they started through Brick
top whispered to his sisters to hold fast
to each other and keep at his heels.
Then they were a part of the crowd,
pressing this way and that, and In the
turmoil the twins got separated from
Bricktop.
''Mercyr gasped LettIe. where's
brother?"
In vain they searched the crowd for
him; he could not be found. On they
Wen find him on the boat" said Bet
tie. "'He would not stay on the other
side. He knows we would find our way
across"
But nowhere did they see Bricktop nor
Cousin Bert. And the little girls were
about to cry when a thought struck LIT
tie. We'll ask a policeman to take us
to Uncle wins. ] know the number. It's
l07 - street"
But Brick" gasped Bette. "He's lost,
l fear"
"Ah, you couldn't lose Brick" assured
Lettie. when he doesn't find us he'll
go right to uncle's. for he'll be sure that
we've gone directly there"
once on the street Hettie and Lettie
went TO a policeman who was standing
near the ferry house. After hearing the
little girls tale he put them In u hanson
cab and gave the driver the address,
Within very short time the twins were
within the house OF their relatives, ex-
planning how they came to be alone.
Their Cousin Bert had gone In time to
meet them, and must have found Brick
top all right. their auntie said. ''rhose
boys Will be all right" she assured the
little girls. $50 Just make yourselves
happy. I'm delighted that you got here
before your uncle and l go away"
Just then the telephone bell rang, and
Mrs. Thomas went to it, calling out:
What, is that you, Bertf Why yes,
the twins are here safe and sound. You
say you've got Bricktopf oh, yes. And
he's almost c y about the little onesG
Well, tell him they reached here i've min
utes ago In hanson. They were about
frightened out OF their wits about their
big brother. Wait hello therel That
you, Berti All, what's that you sayl
Oh. thata too badl Poor chan Left
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

who sat with book in hand beside you in
your convalescent days and helped you
to cover the ground lost during your
sickness"
''You remember rightly, papa" said
Bricktop. And I'm sure mamma is ready
to repeat the work with US If we need
her"
Then followed several days of busy
preparation, Mrs. Perkins replenishing
the wardrobes of her "three treasures"
as she was wont to call her boy and
twin girls. The twins must have new
travelling costumes Of pretty blue serge,
and Bricktop was made resplendent in
natty new Norfolk suit and up-to-date top
coat And little accessories to their dress
were abundant, Brlcktop revelling in
more fancy neckties than he had ever
possessed at one time before, while the
twins went into ecstacies over tleir nu-
merous pretty hair ribbons and fresh
lace collars
At last the day for their departure ar
rived, and 1t was with great importance
that Bricktop counted over the money
his father put into his hands. "You are
to take the entire management of this
trip, Brick" Eaid his father proudly.
"You are a boy to be trusted in every
way. There'll be nothing forgotten, |
feel quite safe in saying. You have your
tickets to procure and your sleeper to
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

have found a home in the museum at
Naples.
There are streets and streets Of shops
where the bakers, BARRIERS, apotheca ries
goldsmlths, blacksmiths and merchants
held sway. There are the ateliers of the
scuptors, where the tools of their crafts
menship were lying about as IL dropped
from hands that trembled with sudden
fear. There also were numerous unfin-
ished pieces of marble showing different
stages toward completion.
In the shops of the bakers we see the
primitive -four mill in the form of two
huge grinding stones that were turned by
a mule or Christian slaves. In one of
these shops was uncovered an immense
oven in which were found many loaves of
bread which the baker had evidently just
placed there to bake a few minutes be-
fore the fatal eruption. No bones Of the
bakers were found, but the loaves were
ms perfect as when placed In that oven
on November %, of the year 20. Even
the stamp on each loaf Is plainly discern
ible. They read "sligo grant, wheat
flour) and "e cicera" (bean four.).
MARY GRAHAM.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

One morning while at the breakfast
table Bricktop received letter from his
counsin Albert, who lived in New York
city. 1t ran as follows;
Dear Cousin Percy (Bricktop's real
name):
Papa and mamma are going away
from home for two weeks, and l want
you and the twins to come and pay me a
visit during their absence, remaining, of
course, after they have returned as long
as you can. We will have the house all
to ourselves, for Aunt Lulu is so good
and quiet that you'd never know she
was about the place, and the cook
stays In her own quarters; so Wen be
lords and ladies' OF the manor In reality.
Owing to a cold on my lungs papa and
mamma have decided | shall not go to
school while they are away, fearing
might take sick during their absence
And they want me TO go out every day
that the sun shines TO have the fresh air
and exercise.
Now, can't you and the twins conner
You have no idea how much fun weu
have. Beg Aunt Minnie and Uncle ALI
to allow you to come-and right away.
with much love to aunt and uncle
and the twins. your loving cousin,
BERT THOMAS"
P. S.-Mamma and papa wish to be In
they very much wish to have the three
little Perkinses come for a nice visit,
which they are TO make as long as pos
sible. They suggest that you three kids
study at nights and during the Christ
mas holidays TO make up for lost time
at school. AS B-4, B. t."
BrlcktOp read the letter aloud to his
parents and sisters, the latter showing
radiant faces full of happy anticipa-
tion as he proceeded. Folding the letter
Briektop looked first at his mother. then
at his father, questioningly.
Mr.. Perkins said: "Well, son." and,
turning, bowed graYely to his daughters.
'and the twins. | would be very san
guine regarding your visiting Bert did It
not necesstate your being absent from
school. Let's see-when does the holiday
season begin with our town schoolsI"
"fhe week before Christmas and con-
tinues the New Year week." Informed
Bricktop. That's two whole weeks"
But you don't want to be away from
home during the Christmas festivities" ("
said the mother quickly.
mo, Indeed" cried the twins and
Bricktop In a voice. But" went on
Bricktop, "we would have that time In
which to study and make up for lost
time. as Aunt agnes and Uncle WIN sug-
gest"
The twins smiled at one another, feel
Ing that Bricktop had made a telling
stroke. And so he had YES" said their
father. slowly, II don't doubt for a min
ute that you and the twins would study
diligently and make good for lost time.
You have never been behind 10 your
classes, even though the measles, mumps
and whooping-eough have laid you each
out for rather long periods. But / think
/ you have your mother to thank for some
thin~ remember rightly 1t was she
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

ing home after her mother. She had not
long to wait, for while she was trying to
get a fire of old papers and handful Of
dust coal In the tiny stove the shop door
opened and in hurried Doctor Dash, med
icine case in hand.
He shook hands with Agnes, heard her
brief story Of how she came to be there,
then went to the sick mans side. After
a short examination he pronounced the
man in a very serious condition. "Pneu-
monia," he told Agnes. He must be
taken at once to a hospital"
ITO your private sanitarium, Doctor"
said Agnes, quietly but firmly HE is
all that this little girl has left-she has
been telling me that her mama and little
brother died last year-and he must have
the best of attention. At free hospitals
so I've heard my papa say-the patients
cannot receive all the attention and nurs-
ing they should have. Papa shall pay
for
The doctor put his hand over Agnes
quivering mouth. and looked into her
deep blue eyes, eyes so full of tender
ness that they brought moisture to his
own grey orbs. You are q real little
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

to the station platform, as proud and i'm
portant a young fellow as you could find
in dozen states. In another 10 minutes
they were in the Pullman car speeding
from town at the rate of 40 miles an
hour.
We'll, l guess we're all here" laughed
Bricktop, settling himself comfortably In
his seat facing his sisters.
Eyes, you brought both bags and the
umbrella" said Lettie.
Gee, whiz! l forgot that umbrella" I"
exclaimed Bricktop. "Now, wasn't that
great? Well" he went on cousin Bert
will have an umbrella at the ferry If it's
raining, and you two kiddies can get un-
der 1t. l shan't need one you know"
where's that box Mamma had to send
to Auntie?' asked Bette all of a sudden,
looking up In the rack overhead.
''In my trunk" said Bricktop. 'I
thought 1t better to put 1t there than to
have to carry it. l hate to be loaded
down like a packmule"
Then dinner in the dining-car was an
nounced, and the little Perkinses were
the first TO be seated at a table. Their
appetites were sharpened by the thought
of having full privilege to order what
ever they wanted from the bill OF fare
Lettie saved up for ice-cream and cake.
Bette ate sparlngly of meat and vege.
tables that she might have her hll Of
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

their trunks at the station IN their own
town-forgot to check them! Well that
is awfully unfortunate. What's that?
Yes, he can wire to his father to see that
they are sent right on. Come home as
soon as you attend to that. Say howdy
to Brick for me, and tell him to never
mind worrying about the trunks. Grown
ups forget things sometimes, too. Good
by"
"Oh, Auntiew exclaimed Lettie mourn
fully. Poor Bricktop forgot our trunks.
And he was so anxious to show Papa
that he could do everything all right, too.
Dear brotherP'
'Wen, we'll never tell living soul
about it," declared Bette. "Really,
Bricktop had too much on his mind, any
way. And to think that he has been
worrying over US, too. It's all our fault
We should have stayed there till the
crowd cleared out, and he would have
seen us. You see plainly that Bricktop
never deserts his post, don't your"
And there were tears in the voice of
Bette as she so warmly excused her
brother. and praised him-the hero of
their hearts.
Twenty minutes later Bricktop and
Bert came rushing in, and once more hap
piness reigned, and they all fell to plan
ming for the morrow.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

tried to sell something so could get the
money to buy some bread and tea, but
the snow keeps people away"
''You eat this now, little GIRL" said
Agnes, placing in her hands basket of
dainty luncheon that she was carrying to
school for her noon refreshment. And
sit yonder under the blanket till return
I'll bring something more for you to eat,
and a doctor will come to attend your
papa"
With the delirious mans rawlings In her
ears, Agnes hurried from the room and
passed out through the shop, glancing
round the latter as she went, to see what
they had there for sale. There were a
few shop-worn toys, a case of lead pen
ellis, rubber erasers, cheap writing tablets
and n cord stretched above the counter
holding a few unpopular monthly maga-
zines and weeklies. all of a month-old
date.
Poor souls" was what Agnes whis-
pered to herself as she ran to the nearest
drug store, where she knew there would
be a telephone. A real little woman-and
most capable-was Agness. In time of
stress she never waited to ask advice Of
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Agnes, the Little GOOD Samaritan -
BY MAUD WALKER.

stepping inside the shop and closing the
outer door against the in-rush of wind
and snow.
Back there" and the little girl pointed
to a rear room, through whose connecting
door Agnes could see a gloomy, dark and
bare interior. She went in without dues-
tion Of fear, for her heart was swelling
with pity for this child in distress, and
she wanted to do what she could to allie
vlate the troubled little ane's woe.
In the small bare room stood n bed in
one corner. On this was tossing a man
in delirlum. He wore his ragged, dirty
clothes, even to his shoes. The bedding
was scant and ragged. and an old garment
folded up served as a pillow. Agnes
eyes wandered from the sick man about
the room. In an opposite corner was a
pallet-bed of rags covered with an old
gray blanket. This Agnes knew must be
the chid's bed. Against the wall near
the one window stood a pine table, and
near to 1t was a rusty, freless stove, not
much larger than a toy. A few cooking
utensils and broken dishes were on the
stove and table. Two backless wooden
chairs completed the furniture of this
NNlhs ulistAdDle apartment where
even rats must have dreaded to come.
''IIow long has your papa been lllT'
asked Agnes, drawing the child to her
and covering her shoulders with her own
pretty fur boa.
'All night and this morning he would do
nothing but lie in bed and groan. Yester-
day he had a pain here" and the child
touched her own breast.
''I'll run out and telephone for a doc
tor" said Agnes. And then I'll hurry
home and get mamma to come with me.
Have you had breakfast?"
Tears filed the chllds eyes afresh as
she shook her head sadly.
"We haven't anything to eat" she re-
piled. Yesterday they took all my pas
money for rent and he had to pay a fne
for not getting new license when his ole
one was out"
A terrible condition of hunger, cold.
sickness, misery was summed up In the
few sentences the shlverlng child spoke.
AS Agnes paused a moment to adjust
her boa before Drawing the storm, The
child went on: ~ opened the shop and
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

engage, so you'd better attend to that
this morning. You go on the evening
train, don't your"
''Yes, SIR" replied Bricktop, carefully
folding the bills into his fat pocketbook,
which he cautiously placed within the
breast pocket of his coat. Everything is
ready-our trunks packed and waiting for
the transfer wagon"
Bricktop acted upon his fathers sug-
gestion, and went at once to the little
railroad station, where he procured the
tickets and sleeping-car berths through
to New York. The time required to mako
the journey was one night and half a
day. A telegram had been sent to Albert
telling him to meet them at a certain
ferry. Bricktop and the twins had accom-
panied their parents to New York two
years before, and the trip held no terrors
for them, though they were alone. They
had paid close attention to everything
during that visit, and each felt that he
or she could go straight to their uncle's
house with their eyes blindfolded, once
they were set down on Broadway.
Wishing to let the children learn to
rely upon themselves, the parents decided
to say good-by at home. and not accom-
pany them to the station. So, when at
last the hour arrived Bricktop, a travelling
bag in each hand and sister on either
side of him, stepped from the town bus
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

others; she quickly acted upon her own
Judgment which was always good. She
did not have to consult the phone direc-
tory, for she knew her family physicians
number. In a moment she heard his en-
phatic "HelIo!'
"Hello" called back Agnes. doctor
Dash, this is Agnes Turner. Yes, want
you, and right away, please. Come as
quickly as you can to the corner of
Bleak and Narrow streets; I've found
very bad case there. No, you've made
no mistake-that Is the corner 1 said.
It's in little shop on the corner where
you are to come. This is not in your
practice district, you say? Oh, dear doc
tor-don't disappoint me. There's a lit
tie girl in great distress-her papa's raw
ing and out Of his head. For my sake
doctor, come-please. oh, thank you,
doctor. 1t is so good of you to come, for
the man is so poor that he can never,
never pay you; but you may add 1t to
papa's bill. You say that's all right2
Well-so you'll be here directly? Good
bye"
Agnes decided to run back to the shop
and await the Doctors coming before 60
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

II making the short cut TO school OF
mornings Agnes was obliged to pass
through the tenement quarter of the big
busting town in which she lived. As
this particular section Of the town was
not pleasant in aspect, Agnes never went
that way unless the weather was severe
or she in danger Of being tardy. Then
she took the "short cut" The signs OF
filth and poverty, Of disease and vice
that hung about the narrow, ill-paved
streets we're shocking to little Agnes, the
18-year-old daughter Of wellto-do mer.
chant Of the town. So, whenever she
took this route to school she kept her
eyes straight in front Of her, avoiding
the unpleasant sights to be met with at
every turn In that poverty stricken dis
trict.
One morning early in December Agnes
was hurrying to school by way Of the
'short CUT on account Of the fast-falllng
snow. As she turned a corner near
miserable little shop-where the keeper
always looked half frozen and half starv-
ed as he stood in the doorway looking
for customers-she heard the low, heart
breaking sob of a child.
Agnes nad very sympatheJlc neart,
and turning quickly to see from what
source the wall came, she was shocked
to see standing just within the shop door
a little girl clad In thin and ragged gar
ments, her feet almost bare, for the huge
shoes-a .woman's in size-were In tat
ters, and the stockings thin and full of
holes. The child seemed in the deepest
Distress and turned her eyes imploringly
towards Agnes.
Forgetting that she would be late at
school should she waste minute, Agnes
stopped, then went back to the shop door,
and STOPPING over the chlld-who ap-
peared to be about eight years old--she
asked in gentle tones:
what is the matter, little girl? Why
are you crying?"
The child's face cleared an instant, see
ing that she was about to be befriended;
then between sobs she replied: Papa is
sick back there, and don't know what
to do for him. He just talks queer like,
and don't know me at ALL" The last
words broke Off in a pitiful sob, and the
child shivered with the cold and her own
emotions.
Where is your papaT" asked Agnes.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

the mountain, and we're at the time Of de-
struction busted with the common routine
OF their daily existence at the temples
worshlping, at the baths, the theater and
visiting at the homes Of one another. The
slaves and servants we're overcome while
performing their menlal tasks, and their
skeletons remained to tell the dreadful
tale 1880 years later.
Many paintings when FIRST exposed to
the light were as fresh and brilliant in
color as II painted the day before. Thus
bad the destroyer proven also a preserva.
tive. Most of these recovered paintings
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Chuv1as.

Where ere l go my chum goes, too;
For he's Sc fond of me.
And l am Just as fond Of him,
Being bosom friends, you see.
The very minute school is out
My chum, a-frisking gay,
Comes Joyously to meet me,
And join him half way.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

So, playfully he grabbed him
And sat him In the chair;
And Tommy, bowling fercely,
Leaped right in the air.
Then coming down, not gently.
Sill feeling that pin-prick,
He said in mournful language;
"Gran'pa, twas a mean trick"
Then dear old loving Gran'pa
Said, II only wished to test
That very ancient saying
He that laughs last laughs best. "
MAUD WALKER.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

If get punished for misdeeds
My chum sits sadly byi
His heart 80 full OF sympathyi
In fact, he'll almost cry.
And every pleasure that have
My chum shares, good and true.
What is his manner Why, Rover;
He's my dog--I thought you knew.
ANNIE JAMES
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-04-17
ACCUSE STANDARD
OF TAX D0DG|NG
CHARGED WITH CoNCEALING
NINETY PER CENT OF VALUES
An Indiana Assessor and Deputy and
the Courty Court Have Begun Ac-
tion 10 Compel the Standard to
Fay Taxes on Just Valuation. Al
lesinS Many Years of Systematic
FRAUDS.

Chicago. April ,7.-Thc tax COM
missioner an1 county board Of Lake
county, Indiana. have instigated an
action against the Standard Oil COM
pany of Whiting as result Of in
vest!gatiOns In charge of County As
SCISSOR William F.. Black and his as
sistant, Towns Assessor Bert Escher.
Of Hqmnond.
They have discovered, they say.
that the company for four years has
sequestered millions of dollars worth
Of valuable property from tax du-
plicaics. 1t is estimated by the Off
Gals that the Standard OIL company
should he paying taxes on 100000
600 worth of property when It Is as.
sessed on the tax duplicates for only
s3,000,00o worth. :
The Standard. they say, has cvad-
ed payment Of taxes on eighty-one
houses, built four years ago which
1t rents to employees. Millions of
barrels of oil are stored in great steel
tanks and there is improved property
along the Pennsylvania tracks
amounting to $1,000. The Standard
has been paying $4,000 a year when
1t should have paid ten times that
amount, the tax officers claim.