davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

Of" Then as Ned and Speckles ate
most welcome breakfast-Ned wrapped
In an old tarred coat-the fisherman con-
tinued: IVY, bless my sould and Cap
tain Peck, / don't understand how you
ever managed It! wy, coming down that
bay ats as full of craft as a sailor on
shore Is full of liquor Is risky for old
dogs what's ust to It; but fer a kid-an'
him in the arms OF Morphus-with only a
dorg fer lookout-Gimeny 1t beats me.
Wonder is that you're not this mint In
the bottom of the bay, servin the fish
: fer breakfast instead of sittin' here safe
an sound a-eaten of fried fish and bis
cults. Well, boys do git through what
would be the finish Of men-an' sea-dogs
at that"
Ned and Speckles-with their little
boat towed behind were carried safe
to shore by the Captain Peck" They
landed several miles from home, and as
the owner of Captain Peck" would not
allow Ned to try rowing home land real
ly l don't think Ned wanted to try 1t,
though he pretended to think 1t safe
enough to do so) he was obliged to leave
the little boat In the care of the good
old fisherman, and borrowing a few dol
lars from him, took the first train for
home. But before starting he wired to
the station agent at the little railway
flag station near his own home TO say
to his father-should he be making in
quiry for him-that he was safe and
sound and en- route home.
That afternoon Ned and Speckles
reached home, walking from the railway
station. To Neds relief he found on
jumping from the train that his father
had not yet returned from town. The
friendly agent had been on the lookout
for both parent and son, and luckily the
son had turned up first. Thus the father
would be spared any anxiety.
well, Speckles, old chum, the folks
will be somewhat surprised when we tell
Of our expedition down to the sea in
rowboat with me asleep and you the
only lookout eh2 But, say, I'm glad it
happened that mother and dad were
away from home during our absence.
Otherwise we might arrive ON time for
our own funeral ceremony. OF course,
seeing boat, dog and boy gone they would
think us drowned. But 1t takes a good
deal to down old Speck and Ned, doesn't
it?"
And speckles smiled with his tail, say
ing with his eyes the while: We've
come out of danger into safety. Let us
profit by our experience. So far as I'm
concerned. I'd rather pass my nights in
the stable manger than In the open row.
boat out at sea-"
AS Ned and Speckles turned the cor
ner of hill and came in sight of their
own home they saw the hired man COM
Ing on the run to meet them. He had
been stationed on the roof with a pair
of field glasses, scanning the country
for Ned. To Neds amazement the stupid
fellow had never once thought of the
boat, and just supposed Ned had got
up early and gone off for a stroll before
breakfast. AS the forenoon passed and
Ned failed to put in his appearance he
became a bit uneasy, and at his wifes
suggestion he took the field glasses and
climbed upon the roof to make a search
Of the surrounding country. But when
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

Ned had a new rowboat. 1t was the
Joy of his heart. Every evening as soon
as his after-school chores were done and
supper over, he took Speckles-his dog
and chum-and went down to the little
cove in the river bend where he kept his
pride" moored With Speckles In the
stern of the boat Ned would take the oars
and pull off down the river for a mile;
then would return with so much addi-
tional muscle that his mother laughingly
called him the coming Samson" declar-
Ing that If Ned kept on rowing he would
soon become lone great bunch Of
muscles"
Ned's home was on the banks of big
river that poured into fine bay some 10
miles below the "bend" where Ned kept
his boat. Then 10 miles of bay took one
into the great sea. the dim blue of which
could be seen from Ned's own home.
And often as Ned and Speckles went
for their mile down the river (Ned's
father had forbidden his sons going any
further as the current was SO strong that
1t was dangerous to risk himself In so
small craft too far from home) Ned
would say to Speckles
Some day, my old cnum, you AMI shall
go into the bay. Then as 1 grow stronger
and older and you grow more accustomed
to rough water We'll push on through the
bay and take a taste of old ocean. But,
of course, Speckles, that time Is a long,
long way off. In all probability this boat
we now love so much will be worn out
lying a leaky old hull on dry land. Nam
ma will doubtless make a coop out of It
for young chickens. Who can tell? But
we-you and will then have a new
boat-15 feet long and with a sail and
rudder. Gee Then we'll be real seamen.
| hope you won't get seasick, old Speck
You know the water of the bay Is more
frolicsome than this of the river, and
the bay is a sleeping babe as compared
with that roaring and believing old
ocean. OF course, We'll catch fish In the
bay--a boat full, and sell them In town
for enough money to make US quite rich.
Maybe after several years of fishing we
may have enough cash to buy a ship to
sail around the world. Hully gee! That
would be going some, wouldn't 1t,
Speckles"
And Speckles would wag his tail In ac-
quiescence, for Speckles always agreed
with his master and chum in everything.
That was one reason-the principal one,
too-that kept Speckles and Ned such
close friends. Even when Ned hinted
that Speckles might become seasick the
old four-footer only smiled In his own
way (by wagging his taiD as II saying:
Eyes, Ned, l know l may, but I'll do my
best to not bark about It."
One evening when Ned came home from
school he found his mother ready to go
to town for weeks visit with an old
friend who was in very poor health, and
who had sent for her. Neds father
would go, too. returning the following
day. hired man and his wife would
be at the home to look after things dur
ing his parents absence.
After supper Ned and Speckles, as
usual, went for a row on the river. AS
Ned descended the bank he saw a man
skulk off into the woods "Aha," he said
to Speckles, that tramp is hanging round
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
QUEENS OF ENGLAND

Churchill and later the Duchess of Marl
borough.
Anne was born In the year 1854, sue
ceeded to the throne in 1902 and died in
1714. During her reign there was almost
continuous warfare raging, a fact which
Anne deplored deeply. 1t was in the
third year of her reign that the famous
battle of Benheim was fought, the Brit
ish soldiers winning such proud vic
tory.
Till she became queen little could be
said of her In commendation, for she had
been selfish, self-indulgent woman and
most unnatural daughter to her fond
old father, James H., whose dethrone-
ment she intrigued for. And when that
father who had been generosity itself to
her, begged for her assistance and love
she turned deaf ear to his pleadings
Also, she pretended to believe the story
circulated at the time of James sad down
fall that her brother-James' son by his
second wife-was an impostor and not
the son of the queen consort. This ab-
surd and dangerous story was put afloat
to rob the young Prince of Wales of his
birthright and throw the succession to
Mary.
But after becoming queen Anne seemed
to have undergone a change of heart,
and she always manifested the deepest
love for her subjects. Almost her last
words were to the Duke OF Shrewsbury
as she, on her deathbed, made him lord
treasurer, placing in his hands the staff
Of office and saying: For Gods sake,
use it for the good of my people," And
during the last hours of her agony, and
while in dellrium she kept crying out as
If in real anguish Of soul: my father,
my fAther" And again. "Oh, brother,
brother!' BY brother" she meant the
young Prince of Wales, whose birth she
had helped to besmirch and whose right
full place on the throne Of Great Britain
she had helped to usurp.
She was in her fftieth year when she
succumbed to a complication of diseases,
after many years of continual suffering.
MARY GRAHAM.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
BY MAUD WALKER.

There is a pretty little park in the
heart of the city of New York called
Washington Square. In the spring time
the grass comes out green and restful TO
the eye; the flowers that border the
walks and encircle the cool fountain
burst into bud and prepare to bloom. And
on the first warm days the children pour
from the great, dark, unhealthy tene-
ment-houses that form the back streets
south and west of the square, Into this
breathing space where they may run and
romp and feel the genial rays of the sun.
One day in the early spring came little
John and Mary into Washington Square
to play. They lived in n street leading
into the park, and their house faced the
west. Also their father had a good posi-
ton in a big store and their mother had
nothing to do except to look after her
children and their home. Thus you will
see that Mary and John were not "tene-
ment children" but of the comfortable"
class. So in playing in the park they
rarely Joined with the hundreds Of other
children that came there, but held them
selves aloof.
On this day 1 am telling you about
Mary was sitting on the soft green grass
watching her brother as, he went up and
down the broad walks on his roller
skates. But her attention was called
from John to q little figure that came
and sat near her. 1t was a tiny boy, in
ragged overcoat and muddy stockings
and Shoes A rusty brown cap partly cov-
cred his faxen hair, which struggled in
an uncombed condition, hanging over his
eyes, that were as blue as the sky when
1t is unveiled by clouds. His face was
pinched and pale, and two of the front
teeth were missing On the whole, this
child was one to be stunned by Mary
and John, themselves so clean and we'll
dressed. But something ia the lonely lit
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
LITTLE HOLLAND.

tie fellows face excited the pity of Mary.
She watched him for a few minutes, then
said to him:
"Hello, little boyl Haven't you anyone
to play with?'
The little boy only looked at her, drop
ping his head in a bashful way. Then he
walked down the path, stopping at an
unoccupied bench. But Mary kept watch
ing him, feeling sorry that he had no
companion. After little while John
came skating up and stopped to rest be-
side his sister.
Look at that little boy said Mary
pointing toward the child who had So
lcited her sympathy. Doesn't he look
awfully solemn2 l guess he's a for
eigner, too, for he doesn't look bit
American"
"oh, he's Holland" said John. "only
Holland children have such white hair
and stoggy legs. And see his eyes:
they're blue like your dolls eyes are.
Yes. he must be Dutch
We'll, I'm awfully sorry for him."
said Mary. Lets call him to us and
play with him. He is all alone.''
YES and you might catch something,
too,' declared John. 'Those foreigners
always have some disease-maybe the
itch-whO can tell? And he's dirty
enough for that. No, thank you, | don't
want to mix up with little Holland.
Excuse me from the Dutch"
Then away went John, skating round
and round the square. But hardly had
he gone when the little boy came slowly
toward Mary. smiling in a bashful though
friendly way. Mary smiled back at him
and motioned him to a seat on the grass
beside her. But the child would not
come quite so close, preferring to stand
some distance away. However, he kept
smiling at Mary, showing her that he
understood and appreciated her invitation
to come and sit beside her.
Thus half nm hour passed, and Mary
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

as it was growing late and her mother
would be expecting her at home Mary
decided to turn Little Holland over TO the
park policeman, telling him, of course,
of her fears that the little fellow was
lost.
Little Holland trotted along beside her
as she ran after the big blue-coated Off
GER "Oh, Mr.. Policeman" Mary called
out, heres a little child lost-a little
Hollander, l guess, sir viii you take
him homer
The policeman stopped and interro-
gated Mary, Little Holland shrinking be-
hind her as If in fear. "well, how do
you know the child is lost?" the police
man asked. "Dld he say so?"
oh, he doesn't say word, sir" Mary
explained. Then she told the officer how
Little Holland had followed her home
and how she had tried in vain to have
him go away from her-tried to make him
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

Queen Anne succeeded to the throne of
Great Britain and Ireland at the death
of her royal brother-in-law, William III.
of Orange, who had reigned jointly with
Mary during her sovereignty. At the
time of her accession Anne was in most
wretched health. caused from self-indul-
gence at the table and habits of ease.
Owing to gout and rheumatism-and al
most unslghtly corpulence-her corona
tion ceremonial was gone through with in
q low armchair.
Much of her early life was clouded by
the differences between herself and her
royal sister. Queen Mary. AS wife she
was devotion and fidelity. AS mother
she was fond to alteration, but only one
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

against her mothers breast and was
weeping and laughing over him by turns.
Him lose he," she said In her best
English to Mary, who was looking at her
interrogatively. Him playing went. an
lose he.I Myself all day look. Now he
gotten an keep" And the little mother
elasped her baby boy to her breast, her
blue eyes shining with love and thank
fulness.
Mary turned homeward, going at run,
for she knew her own dear mother would
soon be out looking for her. AS she went
along she felt glad that she had not
turned her Little Holland over to the
'aThe hearts of the poor are as full of
love and anxiety as are the hearts of
the well-to-do." said Mary to herself.
,iClothes and education only affect the
exterior-not the interior. After this l
shall always keep my eyes open in the
park for lonely little ones, especially for
my Little Holland"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

water carried him further and further out
towards the ocean. lighthouse looming
through the darkness told him of his To-
cation. He was at the bays entrance
into the sea!
In vain he rowed with all mis- won
drous muscle; he kept right on towards
the mighty waters that would make
quick work of him, Speckles and the toy
craft. Poor Ned fully realized his dan
ger. He put the oars in the bottom of the
boat for now rowing was impossible,
the boat was tossing so. With one arm
about Speckles, who seemed trying so
hard to console his frightened young mas
ter, and with the other hand holding
tightly to the edge of the boat. Ned set
tied himself to suffer the inevitable.
Though he was terror struck he was no
"booby" and no tear dimmed the brave
young eyes that looked out across the
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

understand that it was time for him
to go home.
''Well, leave the kid T. me-" said the
officer. "Pll turn him into the station
If he can't tell me where he lives"
Mary hesitated a moment, then said:
Suppose he cries, Mr.. Policeman! I'd
hate to have him carried to the station
II 1t frightened him. Indeed, I'd rather
go along, sir, than to have the little
Dutch thing afraid" ,
"Ah, Dutch Is her" asked the officer.
''Then l think can direct you to the
place where he lives. There's a family
of Dutch lives at Number II street.
You can trot around there with him, and
II he don't belong there just bring him
back TO me and I'll turn him in at the
station. His folks will hnd him in the
course Of day or two, for he'll be ad-
verttsed In the papers,"
Mary resented the cool. Indifferent
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

manner of the officer and decided to find
the home Of Little Holland without his
aid. Taking the little child's hand she
went to the place where the policeman
had said Dutch family lived. But, to
Mary's disappointment the woman of the
house shook her head on surveying
Little Holland and said: mo, don't
t'ink him TO me belong. In de house NIT
pepper is my childer."
Just as Mary was on the point Of going
to her own home and asking her parents
advice as to the disposal of Little Hol-
land she heard cry Of pleasure behind
her and turning round, saw a little
blonde woman-Little Holland on
larger cale-coming at a run after her.
She was crying out something in for
eign tongue, and at the first sound Of her
voice Little Holland turned toward her,
clapping his chubby hands and laughing
haDpily. In anothar instant the woman
had the tousled head of Little Holland
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

here to steal our boat-I'll bet nine to
FIVE! Well. we'll Just lay for him after
we've returned from our rowing.
And good as his word Ned, after tying
up the boat, stretched himself in 1t to
watch for the return of the man whom
he had seen prowllng about the bend.
Speckles, of course, kept him company,
lying down against his master, his head
thrust beneath the broad seat.
The night settled down. the moon rose
and the stars twinkled, but the tramp"
did not return TO the boat But visi-
tor did come and enter 1t, visitor whose
name was Sleep. An hour had hardly
passed after Ned and Speckles stretched
themselves IN the boat when both dog
and boy fell into deep slumber, being
soothed by the rocking Of their bed on
the restless water and the soft signing
of the wind in the trees and long border
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

kind OF sea craft. Neds heart gave
futter. Hugging Speckles to his
breast, he broke the long silence;
"Oh dear old chum, there's boat,
boatl We must attract the attention
Of her sailors as soon as they come
close enough to see u.s."
Ned then removed his coat and shirt,
veplacing the former, and fastening the
latter to one end Of an oar. Then he
waited patiently till the boat came
within signal distance. After few
minutes the craft-which evolved Into
n fishing smack-came dancing towards
them full sail. Evidently the fishermen
had spied, through their glasses, the
little boat that was drifting at the
mercy Of the pillows. Ned held the
oar with its futtering white flag as high
as his poor. cold hands would allow
Ah, the muscles that he had boasted
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

and Little Holland'-as she mentally
called the child-became friends, though
no word passed between them. Presently
John came back to Mary and asked her
to put on the skates and have n little
spin around the park. Mary declined,
saying that she preferred to sit there
and talk" with Little Holland"
But he hasn't spoken a solitary word
has he?" laughed John.
mo. not words" confessed Mary;
"but he has conversed with me in the
cutest little smiles you ever saw. Really,
brother, I've taken a great fancy to Lit.
tie Holland. l wonder where he livesr'
"Oh, in some basement, or over some
Chink laundry" answered John. 'See
how unkempt and unwashed he is. I
can't see how you can be so interested
in him. He looks real little vagabond."
You should not talk so about a help
less little child" chided Mary. 81 pity
him from my heart. l wish he could talk
American, and I'd learn all about him
Then it came time to go home, and as
Mary and John turned into their own
street Mary heard a footstep close to
her side, and, looking down, she saw
the little stranger following her. "Why,
it's Little Holland!" she exclaimed to
John. "See, he has followed US home.
I'm afraid he's lost
"Well, he certainly knew how to get
to the park and will know how to get
home from there" said John. "Sup-
pose you take him back there. I'd Of
fer to do so, but he seems TO have taken
a liking to you"
Mary returned to the park, leading
Little Holland with her. And to her
surprise the child did not draw away
from her when she took hold of his
chubby hand. In fact, he seemed to
feel safe in her care. On reaching the
spot in the park where she had first
seen him Mary sat down and motioned
to him to go. But the child only smiled
and remained beside her. In vain Mary
talked to him, he did not seem to un-
derstand single word she said. Then
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

grasses.
1t must have been long after midnight
when Ned awoke. He was reused by
Speckles licking his face md whining
Opening his eyes he first looked into the
sky, wondering for a moment Just where
he was. Then the rough rocking of the
boat and the chill night air reused him
to the reality of his situation. Quickly
sitting up he was surprised and fright
ened to find deep, dark water all about
him, no sight of land on any eide. He
caught hold of Speckles in his terror,
hugging the old doggie as he cried: Land
of love, Speck the boats broke from its
mooring and we're drifting into the bay.
Here, sit still old boy, while 1 get the
oars out and row back homewards."
But rowing against such current was
like walking up a mountain of slipping
sand. He made no progress; In fact, the
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

great expanse of waters that seemed to
cover the earth.
How long he sat there waiting for the
morning he never knew. but after what
seemed to be, an eternity of time the
dawn broke ahd the sun slowly came
into view through the morning mists
that always hang over the ocean. Ned
and Speckles found themselves alone on
the waves that were to them noun
tainous, but In reality very calm for the
sea. Ned did not talk to Speckles, nor
did the latter wag his tail in communi-
cation to his master, though his eyes,
that were almost human, looked with
a sort of helpless despair on his strange
and terrible surroundings.
At last a speck appeared in the dis
tance. Ned watched it with some feel
ing of hope. The speck grew larger and
larger, then took on the shape of some
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

of were weak things after all when tried
against the mighty strength of the ocean
The fishing smack veered in its course,
setting straight for the little boat, which
must have looked no larger to the sea-
men than a thimble. Soon it came with
in hailing distance of Ned. who still
frantically waved his shirt-fiag fastened
to an oar-pole. Ali the time Speckles
kept cool head. never moving from his
place, close beside his excited little mas
ter.
Well to shorten a long story, Ned and
Speckles were taken on board the fish
ing smack, whose name was Captain
Peck" And Captain Peck was a right
merry little boat, too, with her five fish
ermen and big haul of deap-sea fish.
After learning Neds story, the owner OF
Captain Peck" declared that it was ''the
dimdest, norry escape he had ever heard
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

of her numerous children lived beyond a
few months or year; he was the young
Duke of Gloucester, and he died while In
his early teens and before his mother be-
came queen. AS he had been the one
great joy of her life Anne grieved deep
ly for him, never really recovering from
her loss.
From the time she was eight years old
till within a few years of her death Anne
was very susceptible to the influences of
the wicked and designing Sarah Jen-
nings, who afterwards became Lady
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

A picnic party Mary gave
To all the girls and boys;
They came. dressed in their Sunday best,
And brought their incest toys.
Among the guests was chubby Bob,
Dressed up in linen white.
And all the other boys declared
That Bob was out of sight"
Well, little Bob mischievous was,
And he was sure fright
To keep himself from SIGHT
For when the dinner all was spread
Bob rose with wild cry,
OF pass that jelly roll aroundV'
Then fell he In pie!
The pie was made of pumpkin brown,
And Bobby's suit was white.
All, how his mother lathered him
When he went to bed that night
HELENA DAVIS.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
THE REAL GRIP.

Pat had been very Ill all winter. An
old friend meeting him on the street one
day asked what had been the matter with
him.
1--WE had the grip" answered Pat in a
weak voice.
1.-THE grip? Begorry, and phwat's that?"
asked his friend.
''It's disease that makes you sick six
months after you've got WELL" explained
Pat.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
CURIOSITY.

An Irishman saw IN anchor lying on
the ground in a ship yard. He hung
about the place all day, and when night
came a watchman at the yard asked him
what he was there for, "Begory, I'm
waitin' to see the man what can use that
pick" answered Pat.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02

Ned told him of his late experience you
could have knocked him down with
feather" to use his own words. ''Waal.
waal an SO you've bin down to the
ocean-the OCEAN. CORY, whatll yer
pap do?"
"He'H be thankful that I'm here In.
stead of funeral crowd" said Ned.
And speckles agreed with him by wag.
ging his tail.