davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
DOWN THE WATER SPOUT.
BY BELLE MOSES.

Time for your bath, Freddy" mamma's
voice travelled through a thick mist, for
Freddy was doing by the great open fire.
'Yesm," he stirred, uncrossed his
black-stockinged legs and changed his
position in the big chair.
Freddy" mammals voice was more
compelling, and it must have been louder.
for he sat up and rubbed his eyes. 1t
had been a cold day and he had played
hard, so that after his early tea the 7twi-
light and the freight together had made
him very sleepy. He got up, stretched
himself and came across to say good
night Bath nights were always early
to-bed nights, for he was somewhat of a
dreamer and mamma had to make allow
ances for slow work.
Tonight he was unusually SLOW but
at last he was ready in his blue and
white bath robe. with his bare feet
thrust into pair of warm slippers. and
already he could hear the tinkle and
en-. That was as far as Mary was al
lowed to go, for Freddy was eight now.
and had no need of nurse for those
things so he walked jauntily into the
bathroom and dismissed her with wave
of his hand.
He liked to plunge into the big porce-
lain tub while the water was running.
and he often made believe he was a whale
or a porpolse. and spouted anu snorted
and Topped about, for no one could hear
him above the sound of the water. Then
when the tub was full to its limit he
would lie there quite stiu and ina CINE
himself floating down a long endless
stream, and again he would soap the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
AN ADVENTUROUS CAT.

l only remember being a cat for about
six months. but in that time I've had a
great many adventures. I asked my
mother one day why she always stayed
with one family. and she only boxed my
ears. 1 love my mother, and when I
used to live with her l was always putting
my paws around her neck or turning
somersaults over her back, or patting her
cheeks. but she was absolutely no good
at answering my questions. She told
me lot of things l didn't ask her and
nobody could beat my mother on mouse
and bird and chicken stories My mother
was famous hunter. and once she nearly
almost lost her life because she was too
fond of the neighbours chickens Poor
mother. she wanted them for US and
when the family we lived with ordered
her tied up. just like plain, no account
dog. she was so mortified that she tried to
hang herself with the string they tied her
by. That was my first great adventure
trying to get mother not to hang herself
on that old string. 1 worried the knot
how she did love me after that? She lick
ed me all over. and let me have the night
saucer of cream all to myself.
Well, / didn't like staying with one
family all the time. I used to go round
and visit the neighbors. When they saw
me coming they used to say: oh. you
cunning little kitten. Aren't you pretty,
What a white breast you have" Then
I'd roll over on my back, and chase
around after my tau. and turn semer-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

others everything that goes on. SUP
pose all their heads will be chopped OF
before night"
Just then the old gander gave a terrific
scream, and all the others followed suit.
Every one laughed and looked to see what
the matter was. There, just in front of
the ferryboat, was an immense ocean
steamer, one of the very largest in the
world. No wonder the gander squawked
to call attention to it.
When the boat reached New York the
old gray horse pulled the wagon load of
poultry off the boat and up toward the
markets. and the feathered folk were very
sad indeed. But-the wagon passed by
the markets and on across the city and
over the great Brooklyn bridge to Long
Island-the old gander squawking his as
constituent at every step. and the others
following suit.
Then there was a long, long trip on the
nice fiat roads, during which the feath-
cred tribe got very hungry and very.
very thirsty.
Then the driver called out Whoa" to
the old gray horse. and the wagon
stopped in front of cheerful little house
way out in the country.
The door opened with bang, and out
pranced an excited boy.
Here they are" he shouted. Come,
mother, father Come, quick! Here are
the chickens and ducks Uncle Abe bought
for mei
land gander." squawked old Grand
father Gander irately, while all the other
feathered folk laughed at him.
Goodness. what a noise they make
said the mother. stopping her ears.
They're a fine lot" said the father.
And now you have a ready-made poultry
farm, Charles Get them out of those
dreadful coops at once"
So they were liberated. and the old gan
der. as he tried to unite the crick in his
neck, started a song of thanks, in which
all the others joined.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
A BLUE RIBBON new YEAR
PARTY.
BY BELLA POINT

OF course. the most important thing at
a party is good supply of guests But
perhaps that is also the easiest thing to
arrange, SO we will not tell you how. but
suggest that you put New Years Hunt
on your invitations.
All the games at this New Years party
are favorite old games. disguised as new
ones. so all the children will know how
to play and enjoy them.
The first is Hunt the New Year
Three or four times as many little gifts
as there are guests have been carefully
wrapped in tissue paper and hidden about
the room or house. These may be very
inexpensive tiny china dolls. rubber balls.
nuts from the Christmas tree. pictures of
animals. etc. pasted on red or gray card
board photographs. pencils. bead neck
taces or bracelets, etc. Among them must
be one calendar. and the one who finds
this and knows 1t as the New Year wins
the "blue ribbon which should decorate
his person for the rest of the evening, to
show that he is the prize winner
The next game is The Old Year and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
6@@IITT1EW6MEN

slanting head of the tub ana slide down
| with splash into a sitting posture.
Taken all in ALL bathing was great
frolic. and the launching OF the soap
| was a ceremony of some Importance. 1t
was always great white ship that glided
further and further down stream, and
then Freddy would STIR the water with
his hands itno ripples, waves and foam
bring a fatpin with which to fasten his
washcloth for sail and then there would
be christening.
But tonight. having forgotten the hat
pin. Freddy was content to lie in the
water and think. He lazily patted the
water with his hands and wondered how
1t would be If ecvery time he took a bath
he washed off some of his real self, he
thinner and thinner: perhaps it wasn't
right to wash so very much. He lifted
his foot out of the maternity, how
queer! 1t was surely smaller than when
were no bigger than Baby Phils-what
could 1t mean? Only today mamma had
said:
why. Freddy. your hands and feet
are getting almost too big
What would she think now? He could
actually feel himself shriveling as he lay
there, he was getting so tiny that the
soap was continually slipping off his
chest. In fact he didn't have any chest:
he really believed that the space was no
biSSCi lildii d tcll-CtII piSCS nc llicu "
call out. but his voice had grown so thin
and squeaky that scarcely sound came
from it.
'Oh dear, oh dear!' he cried in alarm.
what is going to become of me! I think
1 must get out, maybe I've washed too
much" So he got up, but he found that
the water came over his head; he had
not noticed this before. because he had
been clinging to the soap. which always
fioated. so he had kept his head above
water.
Now, there was only one thing to do-to
take out the stopper, so he dived to the
bottom and grabbed the chain. He pulled
it with mighty effort. which sent him
rible! The water went rushing out
through the opening, and he was carried
in the swift current at lightning speed.
He tried to grasp the soap, but his hands
were too small He tried to spring on
top of it, but his legs were too short to
make the leap. He tried to climb to the
edge of the tub, but he had soaped it so
we'll that 1t was as slippery as glass. So
with a cry and gurgle he gave it up; the
water went round and round as it went
down the spout and he was carried round
and round. and down, down. down. first
his feet and then the rest of his poor little
shrunken body was sucked quickly
through.
..Oh. dear. oh, dear, what shall I do?'
he walled. Il want to come out, 1 want
to come out!''
Come out. come OUT" echoed through
his narrow prison. and Freddy rubbed his
eyes and woke up to the sound of Mary
pounding at the door.
"All right, I'm coming!" he shouted.
jumping out on the bath mat. He looked
at the clock on the shelf; why it wasn't
half minute since he had looked at it.
from the tub, and SO much had hap
pened..
Then he pulled out the stopper and
saw the water rush down the spout, with
a satisfaction he had never felt before.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

they will keep during the year.
Next. large ball made of tissue paper
and filled with candies wrapped in oiled
paper is hung in the doorway. to be used
as target. Each guest, stationed short
distance from it, has chance to hit with
ping-pong ball-if he can do it when he
is blindfolded. The successful ones re-
ceive blue ribbons and try again to de-
eide which shall have the pleasure of
breaking the ball-after supper or lunch.
Partners are chosen to march into the
dining room, where refreshments are
served The table is decorated with blue
ribbons. and there should be big New
Year cake with one large candle in 1t or
covered with Japanese napkins, and each
course guessed. the fortunate guesses
winning blue ribbon.
Just after refreshments the ball may be
broken by hitting it sharply with a cane,
and the children scramble for the candies
as they fall to the floor. Each child
should be provided with a paper bag to
hold the candies.
Then a game played like London
Bridge has words as follows:
Little New Year.
Run away with months and days,
Months and days.
Months and days.
Ran away with months and days.
Little New Year.
When any one is caught be must choose
bet ween the "od year and the new
year" taking side accordingly. Then
the tug o war commences.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
APOULTRY FARMS JOURNEY

Old Grandfather Gander, who had
anartments on the top floor. had the best
-, it, His neck was long and slim,
and he could force it through the sllts III
III. roof and see what was going on
Than he would report in loud voice 10
the others. and every one of them would
comment upon 1t in his own way
what had happened was this: One
dav Farmer Sloane said to his wife as
thew walked about their New Jersey
farm: My dear, am going to sell all
the poultry You are not strong enough
m take care of so many duties, and the
chickens and ducks and geese must 60.
The farmers pretty wife cried little.
% can't bear to part with them. l can't
bAr TO think of selling them to be killed.
fWst, my dear" answered the farmer,
anGQhat is ally the white bantam rooster
hear& He fairly flew to the chicken
yard 10 tell the news. which made a fear
III c5tnmotioh 1 can tell you. for they
were all very content and fond of the
fafmer's wife.
That Is how they happened an 10 De
packed in shallow boxes placed one on
top of ting other in wagon on a Terry
boat crossing the Hudson river from New
JerseSto New York.
? Old Grandfather Gander. as have said.
was in the top row, and he had good
view Of every thing. People poured on the
b>at in CROWDS, and he kindly told all the
oher feathered creatures about them.
Presently the boat started. Such large
sheet of water astonished Grandfather
Gander and he didn't hesitate to say SO.
He said 1t compared very favorably with
sthe duck pond back in Jersey. He
squawked so very loud upon first seeing
the boat move through the water that all
the passengers on the forward deck roar
ed Nth laughter.
Father Gander and all the ducks and
geese, ROSTERS and chickens forgot for
a few moments their uncomfortable
cramped positions and the fate they eX-
pected in their enjoyment of seeing the
world.
"Ouavk-auawk-how good the water
looks Oh, for swim. shouted he
"Oh, for SWIM" echoed the ducks
and geese. "Oh, for a good farm worm,
cackled the ROSTERS. "Cut, cut, cut dar
cutr' agreed the hens.
Poor things! SAID a lady standing
near See how cruelty tight they are
packed. and look at that inquisitive old
gander on top. He seems to report to the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
z&zIITTLEMEN d

the ''Old Year Make a circle about him.
give him two tablespoons and tell him to
choose the New Year from the circle.
touching him only with the spoons and
trying to guess who it is. II he guesses
correctly he wins a blue ribbon. He has
only one guess, and if he fails. his right
hand neighbor takes his place. This
game may be played until every one has
had a chance.
Next comes sitting-down game. All
sit in circle and a handkerchief is
twisted into a soft ball. Each child is
given the name of a month. If there are
more than twelve children the seasons
are also added, and, if necessary, the
days of the week.
The holder of the ball says:
The old years gone,
The new is here.
And every month
VIII bring good cheer.
The ball is then thrown to some one.
Suppose September catches it, he or she
must reply quickly:
Il am September and l bring shad and
suspenders." COR any eatables or other
articles spelled with the initial of the
month repreSented)
Then the ball Is thrown quickly to some
one else: suppose it goes to January. He
replies quickly:
II am January and l bring jumbles and
junk
The funnier the replies are the better.
Those who forget their month, or are not
ready with their replies, must pay for
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
A QUEER GRAMMAR LESSON.

A consul of the United States in one of
the French seaports was asked to preside
at an examination in English at a mu-
nicipal school.
JEAN asked the teacher of the head
pupil anxious to show him off before the
American-"Jean. you will conjugate the
verb L have a gold mine
Jean arose. tioundered mentally for
moment. then plunged in:
II have a gold mine; thou hast a gold
thine; he has a gold hisn: we have gold
ourn; they have a gold theirn!"
The consul was speeches. with aston
ishment at the progress the French chill
dren had made in the English language
a it Is never spoken at homei
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
A NEW YEAR GAME. WHICH
MONTH AM /?

This game is played as a sort of dumb
crambo" There is an audience and thir-
teen actors. o. a few months can be sug-
gested, taking months containing notable
holidays.
First comes before the audience the lit
tie New Year. She announces that her
children are coming. and to him who
guesses the most names correctly will be
given a prize
Then comes January, with her hand full
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

of slips of papers. on which are written
good resolutions" These she scatters to
the audience and goes off Of course, the
months must not come in succession.
Next may come July. tanning himself,
and perhaps swapping firecracker. or In
some other way not so plain suggesting
the day that gives prominence to the
month.
Then September, working hard for La
Dor day, or bearing September flower or
fruit
November, with suggestion of Thanks
giving, and so on. Birthdays of noted
men may mark the month the actor say
ing OF doing something to recall the man.
The audience must write down who
number one is, two and SO on to the end.
Then comes the year, listens to the read
ing of the slips and gives the prize.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
THEY RECOGNIZED HIM.

II have heard" said Mr. Brown, that
bees and such like insects are very intel
ligent and quite readily make acquaint-
ance; that if one person visits them daily
they soon learn to recognize. him, but 1
have never tested this
Neither have t. said Mr.. Smith. but
I have seen it done. and it Is perfectly
true Last summer there was a nest full
of hornets in. our orchard. and my boy
Bill thought he'd test that theory him.
self. so he used to go out there every day
to get acquainted with them.
well, sir, whether you believe 1t or
not. it's fact they did at last get so
they recognized him, and when he came
to the house afterward his head was as
big as a bushel basket and he couldn't
open his eyes for a week. Oh, yes. they
will get to recognize you, all right
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
CT. T II T. :
H II E T
RE L IE V o
IDI o I c
Sc A l. A r X
TE II NJ n
A v I X
A y q l. G
Sc NJ ONS
Primals spell Christmas, finals spell stockibgs
HIDDEN BIRDS.
1. Kinglet. a. Junco. 3. Dove. 4. Tanagex.
PIE. -
"Chll December brings the sleer.
Blazing fire and Christmas treat"
---, q
WORD SQUARE.
n A r
A T.
f. A l.
h l.
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
James Russell Lowell.
DIAMOND.
G
OLD
OCE IAN
CLEAv
vIp
NED
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
THE DEAREST GIRL.
BY MAY LEWIS.

BY MAY LEWIS.
Ny gran'ma Is the dearest girl!
II you should see her once
I'm sure you could agree with me,
An not he called a Ounce.
She has the softest. smiliest eyes
An wayy, Iron gray" hair.
"She has n lady's gentle ways
Tim QuOtin' Dinah Fair.
But don't you think she's silly soft,
And spoils me half to death;
For when she thinks my ways are wrong
fairly bold my breath
Till gran'ma's thro' her talk with me;
1t almost makes me Ill
To know the wicked boy I am
An yet she loves me still!
She makes me dogs an cats an men
Right out Of cookie dough;
An says when pa is scoldin' me.
Now he'll be good know"
An l get 'shamed, an think l will.
I'll try, an try, an try.
For it would he an awful thing
To make my granma lie!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

All through the new year, nineteen-eight,
Some things I'll do, some leave undone;
Some virtues l will cultivate,
Though suppose I'll miss some fun!
My toothbrush daily I will use
I'll not forget to say my prayers
I'll gladly clean the familys shoes
CCept when the girls all put on airs y
I'll never get into fight
Unless some boy bothers me-
Of The were wrong and were right,
'Twould be my duty, don't you see?)
I'll never be kept in, unless
The words are awful hard to spell;
If l don't know it, l will guess,
Which sometimes answers just as we'll.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

If there are servant boys about
(The case is plain as plain can be)
And they are always scooting out
And leaving half their work for me,
| will not do it, that is all;
| will not fetch their coal and wood;
But should there be no one to call
Perhaps I'd do the best could.
When things do hard with me, I'll laugh,
And do as if | didn't care
When have something good, the half
Shall 60 to sister as her share
Through all this coming year I'll strive
To do all this as best | can
And in the end, if survive, =.
Behold the, perfect gentleman!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

felt. Those who do not fail get blue
ribbon.
Those who have to redeem forfeits can
be made to tell what good resolutions
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

the New" A mask with the eyes COW
cred and a wig may be worn by the one
chosen to represent the "Old Year," but
IL that is not convenient simply blindfold
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

After this the old-fashioned "Oats, peas,
beans" ends up a very enjoyable party,
and prizes are awarded to the blue-ribbon
winners.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

CHARADE.
My first Is what mothers do 4.
When they sit down TO sew:
Ny second is myself. you know, =
And my third is twice my whole
DIAMOND.
1. A consonant in maple" .. Past tense or
bite. g. Packs of goods. t. 4 traveller TO holy
places. :. Names 6. Short for sister. Z. A
consonant in maple"
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
composed of fifteen letters and form what
boys and girls are making AT this time of the
year. My 4. :. .. ) is entrance. Ny 2. s.
Z. q is to suffer loss. My IL, Is, IA, | is
poem set to music. My Is, 10. IL, IL is to fit
or be fitted.
PRIMAL ACROSTIC.
Ny primals spell the name Of the year TO come.
/. Not far. . Always. j. Space of seven days.
4. measure of length. >. A feminine name.
6. Your fathers sister l. The queen Of flowers.
WORD SQUARE.
1. A fish, 2. Inner part 3. Space. 4. Few.
DOUBLE BEHEADINGs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

l. Doubly behead 10 display and leave a father
or mothers sister .. Doubly behead the roof
OF the mouth and leave tardy. 3. Doubly behead
a county and leave anger. 4. Douby behead 10
register and leave line. ;. Doubly behead 10
discourse on a religious subject and leave every.
The initials of the remaining words spell a grrs
nun
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28
PRIMAL, ACROSTIC
WORD SQUARE
DOUBLE BEHEADINGs.

NofNb SSI ahE.
1. A fish. 2. Inner part. ). Space. 4. &c
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-30
Looking Things Over

Architect u. M. Lazarus, Of Portland,
who designed the Clatsop county court
house, came down from the metropolis
on the noon train yesterday. en- route
70 senside, and stopped Of long enough
10 closely scrutinize The work that has
been done on that structure, and he very
frankly pronounced every bit of II to
be exceptionally well done, and declares
there " not better built building Of
the kind III all Oregon. He does not like
the white marble pllastres at the main
entrpnce. and said that In the original
plans Of the house they had been quoted
as Of Tennessee red marble, which, had
II been iscd would have made very
different and far more pleasing appear.
ancc. Contractor Montgomery yesterday
finished the installation of the big heat.
ing plant for the building and during
the afternoon the furnaces were started
up and the first heat Of the new system
transmitted 10 the Last and uttefnost
corner Of the edidce with prime sue.
cess at all points.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-30
Died Of Consumption

Jacob J. Jackson, widower, Of Upper
Astoria. died at his home yesterday. o.
consumption. iis was 10 years Of age,
widower, and the father Of five chill
drcn, three eirls and two boys. whose
ages range from to 10 years. His
remains were taken TO the undertaking
parlors Of Coroner Pohl and will be pre-.
pared for burial. the funeral taking
place from therc tomorrow. lie was q
member Of the Scandinavian Benevolent
Society Of this city. and has one brother
living In san Francisco, with whom tcle'
graphic communication Is being sought
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-30

A workman al the Tongue Point Mills
had the misfortune yesterday afternoon
to have big pile Of lumber topple over
onto him. smashing his right leg just
above the ankle and otherwise bruising
him. lie was taken instantly TO 81.
Mary's hospital, where DR.. J. A. Fulton
set the injured member, and the man.
whose name IL y. Olsen, was doing fairly
well yesterday evening. lie Is the second
person to make use Of the new ambu-
lance OF Mr, Pohl. Fred Peek, the man
who was hurt on the Costa Rica, Thurs.
dayI being the first.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-30
Narrow Escape

While on the way down Twelfth street
near Commercial, Thursday morning. DR..
John Holt. federal quarantine officer al
this port, had narrow escape from be-
Ing electrocuted. live electric light wire
carrying 23O0 volts breaking and falling
at his feet. The wire in falling brushed
the officer on the shoulder ami had the
exposed end touched him. there would
have been a vacancy in the quarantine
service. The break was repaired before
any serious damage resulted.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-30
Florence Lundquist Dead.

The sad news was conveyed TO the
many friends Of Mr.. and Mrs. J. p
Lundquist, formerly Of this city, Of the
death Of their daughter, Florence. who
succumbed to an attack Of spinal fever
at the family home in Portland on Mon.
day last. The young lady was III only a
few days. Many friends in this city
deeply sympathize with the bereaved
parents and join in expressing their con.
dolences.