davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
TOMMY AND THE DONKEY.
Story Which Helped a Little Boy to
Make a Choice. ..,.

II don't know which to do,'' pouted
Tommy. Il have been invited to sail
and to ride, and can't decide"
(Which do you like the best?" asked
Uncle Jack.
why, like both alike. It is a jolly
day for sailing, but the driving party
Is going through new country, and
I'd like to go with them" $
"Then go, by all means" said his
uncle. =
But 1 like sailing too much to miss
it,"
>"You remind me of a donkey" said
Uncle Jack, solemnly. = ID:
:'Of little, shaggy, lazy, undecided
donkey heard about" went on Uncle
Jack. "He was we'll fed-too we'll fed,
I suspect, or he wouldn't have been
such donkey. One day his master
turned him into field in which there
were two large stacks of hay, one at
either end. Plenty of dinner either
way he turned. In fact, he turned first
one way and then the other, trying to
decide which haystack looked the more
luscious and inviting. There did not
seem to be pin to choose between
them, however, and the poor donkey
despaired of being able to decide which
would make the better dinner, and
which he ought to tackle first.
when he got tired Of standing up.
to think about it, he lay down and
wagged his head. I like BOTH he said
to himself. If I choose one, feel sure
l shall be sorry I haven't chosen the
other'''
II don't think there ever was such a
donkey" cried Tom, getting red.
"Oh yes, there was," replied Uncle
Jack. There are lots of just such
donkeys."
"Well, what did this one do?" asked
the boy.
He went first one way and then
the other, turning round and round
and back and forth, until he dropped
from sheer exhaustion.
And then he lay down because he
had to, still trying to think which hay
stack he had better try to crawl to-
ward first. By this time, of course, he
was very hungry, but yet it seemed to
him very foolish to take the haystack
which might, after all, be not so good
as the other one.
And finally this donkey of donkeys
actually lay there and starved to death
for no other reason on earth than be-
cause he could not decide what to eat
first. It was hard fate, indeed, to be
unable to choose between them. Ter
rible, indeed"
1T must have been pretty rough on
the donkey, Uncle Jack" commented
Tom, with a terrible look in his eyes.
But if you'll excuse me, uncle, won't
stop to talk about it now. 1 must run
down to the river. The fellows will
be gone, and 1 want dreadfully to go
sailing this morning!"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

"CharIie DormichaeI Wouldn't Marry
the Queen Of Sehba II She Were
waiting at the Church,"
fool like all the rest" explained Dor
michael contemptuously and to
think it had to be that Thompson
girl! I never could stand for her
and to think Lark saw anything in her
is beyond me. If I ever did lose my
head, I'd want an excuse for doing it
But not any in mine, thank YOU"
Il guess you are hopeless case.
CHARLIE admired the other man. 81
couldn't imagine you settling down.
And If l were in your position-I
wouldn't"
when does it come off," inquired
,Dormichael, patronizingly.
Next month-18th," admitted the
other man shamefacedly Il want you
TO meet Louise-of course if she
hadn't been an exceptional girl never
would"
Don't apologize, old man." inter.
rupted Dormichael. II don't doubt
but that it's the best thing for you.
But l suppose we wont see much of
you-after." =
"Oh, you must come and see us
lot" entreated the other man. you'll
like Louise And, of course. IN drop
in here Just the same"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
JUDGING FROM OWN CASE.
Deacon Recognizes tho Wants Of Eel
low Sufferer.

General Booth, the head Of the Sal.
walton Army, was discussing the anti.
suicide bureaus that his church has
opened.
Kindness and charity" he said,
ARE factors of these bureaus. The
charity will be of the right kind;
trust. There are, you know. two
kinds of charity. and too much Of it
Is like the BARRIERS.
There was a poor deacon in War.
wick who had no money and needed
to be shaved, and he went from barber
to barber, but none of them, despite
his holy Office, was willing to shave
him for nothing.
In the end, though, he found q
barber who, on hearing his tale, said
grufly:
"Sit down there in that chair"
And this barber shaved him. But
the razor he used! Dear me! It's dull
edge and the hicks in It! Under the
operation the tears flowed in rivulets
down the poor deacon's cheeks.
"Suddenly the BARRIERS dog in the
adjoining room set up terrific howl
ing.
"'Be still,there!' cried the barber.
And he muttered anxiously: What
can they be doing to him?'
'Alas!' said the deacon, I shouldn't
wonder if some one was shaving him
out Of charity"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

Mr.. H. J. Henneman, Oakland, Neb.,
writes: Il waited before writing to you
about my sickness, catarrh of the stom-
ach, which I had over year ago.
"There were people who told me it
would not stay cured, but 1 am sure
that>I am cured, for do not feel any
more i'll effects, have good appetite and
am getting fat So am, and will say
to all, am cured for good.
81 thank you for your kindness.
"Peruna will be our house medicine
hereaffer.''
Catarrh of the stomach is also known
in common parlance as dyspepsia, gas
tritis and indigestion. No medicine will
be of any permanent benefit except it
removes the catarrhal condition..
Gained Strength and Flesh.
Miss Julia Butler, R. R. 4, Appleton,
Wis, writes she had catarrh of the
stomach, causing loss of sleep and appe-
tite, with frequent severe pains after
eating. She took Pernua, her appetite
returned, she gained strength, flesh and
perfect health.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Useful Oklahoma

For the novelties which it had the
courage to put into it's new constitu.
ton Oklahoma deserves better treat.
ment than the ridicule Of those who
cry "Populism."
Soon We shall know how works in
practice the often-advocated plan of let
ting a three-fourths vote of a jury
constitute verdict. England just now
is well convinced that the initiative
and referendum is wise, but hesitates
to adopt it because the whole of the
country, or none, must undergo the
experiment. For the United States
the experience of Oklahoma will soon
furnish guide as to just how the gen.
eral principle must be altered and
adapted to be made practical.-Col.
lier's Weekly,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

with those loud, frivolous people I
don't know what you wanted to marry
me fOr!"
Collected comments on Charles
fatal step:
You could haye knocked me over
with feather when 1 heard of it,"
"What did Charlie ever see in her?
He could have had his pick!''
"Oh, she must have a barrel OF
money!
"Well-there's no accounting for
fastest"
He seems happy but"
II don't envy her any-why, /
wouldn't trust Charlie around the cor.
| ner!"
She looks like sensible woman"
What if he should meet that beau
tiful Miss Morgan again."
Love is blind"
II thought if he took anybody he'd
| take that friend of his mother's-Mfss
| Whats-her-name"
/ "They say at one time he was in
love with Mile Dean, but that her
father didn't approve of Charlie"
Guess Charlie wanted an excuse to
spend more time at the club
"Sh-sh-sh! They say she's ever so
much older than Charlie. And what's
| mOre-she looks it,
II wonder how Maize is taking
| Charles marriage?"
II always thought Charlie was a big
blow-hard."
THAT loveliest Miss Hildreth would
have been so much more appropriate
| for Charlie-they looked so we'll to-
| gether.''
"He seems devotion itself-yet he
has that manner with all women"
"And to think Charlie went through
| the woods only to pick up a broken
stick"
Etc, etc.
The Cherry: Charles friends never
got over talking about it-but her
friends were rendered speeches..
copyright, 1907, by w. G. Chapman)
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
TWAS IN 'TATER TIME.
One Thing, at Least, the Mother Was
Positive About.

The late Senator Plat of Connec-
ticut enjoyed funny stories and could
tell a good many himself. Notwith-
standing his long public life, he al
ways remembered yarn that he car
eied from his school days.
One year when the district schools
opened in his town one of the teach
ers. in making a record of the ages
Of her pupils, as required by law,
found that one little girl, who came
from a family not noted for being
especially bright, was unable to say
when her birthday came.
So in order to complete her records.
the teacher walked two miles to see
the girls mother one afternoon after
school. Asked if she could remem-
Der just when her daughter was born,
the woman thought for some little
time, and then with sort of puz-
zled look, said:
well, the gal was born in 'tater
time. that's sure, but can't member
whether they was a-plantin' on 'em
| or a-diggin' on EN-"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
JUST A GENTLE HINT.
One Remedy Appearances Indicated
Nobleman Had Never Tried.

The earl of Surrey, afterward elev-
enth duke of Norfolk, who was a no.
torious gourmand and hard drinker
and leading member of the Beef
steak club, was so far from clearly in
his person that his servants used to
avail themselves of his fits of drunken
ness-which were pretty frequent, by
the way-for the purpose of wash
ing him. On these occasions they
stripped him as they would corpse
and performed the needful additions.
He was equally notorious for his
horror of clean linen. One day, on
his complaining to Dudley North at
his club that he had become a per-
feet martyr to rheumatism and tried
every possible remedy without sue
cess the latter wittily replied:
pray, my lord, did you ever try
q clean shirt"
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

MISUNDERSTANDING, incredulously.
'Impossible!"
Charles marriage had come as a
sensation out of the west. This was
''the brides" first appearance upon
the Dormichaels return from 1.-THE
coast" several weeks later.
Those blessed with long necks told
others and the others frankly stood
| up and looked over the intervening
rows of heads. Yes-there was
Charlie, natural as life, debonaire,
handsome, Immediately groomed-a
trifle more arrogant if anything, but
his cOmpanion-(the illustrator will
show you just what those who looked,
| saw
The play became of secondary in
terest tothose-who-knew-Charlie.
Probably Charlie was the only one
who gave his undivided attention to
the stage happenings. Those-who-
knew-Charlie were busy taking in
Charles wife, while Charles wife
was perfectly satisfied to just look at
Charlie.
Mr.. Dormichael's friend Larkins sat
three rows back on the left and he
was one of the first to get a good look
at Mrs. Dormichael
II say, Louise" he said, nudging the
charming little woman at his side,
there's old Charlie over there with
his wife. She dosent look good to
me-but maybe she's better than she
looks. It'll be hard lines for Charlie
if he's married shrew, and if I'm
any judge of human nature-'
II may not be judge of human ma
ture, shifted Louise, "but 1 am a
judge of gowns and superficial de-
tails-and my opinion is that Charlie
married her during a brain STORM"
II can't figure out what he ever
saw in her," remarked Larkins, "un-
less maybe she has money"
A party in the right hand stage box
was also discussing the Dormichaels.
Il told you he'd marry somebody"
said the woman in the baby-blue
waist, "but that evening at the whist
club you kept saying he wasn't mar.
rying man." (The woman, on the &C.
casion referred to, was in pink
"Well-wonders IL never cease"
hedged the man-who-had- been
Neutrality-suspicious. meekly. "Charlie
surprised everybody. But" he added
maliciously, 'he didn't get the para
gon you thought he would"
LAS if that had anything to do with
the argument" snapped the woman.
But of course, she must have loads
of money"
mot cent" put in another men,
Der OF the box party That's the
funny part of it,"
The much discussed couple were
| trying to act unconscious of the eyes,
reinforced by opera glasses, turned in
| their direction.
Enjoying the play, Flora?' asked
Charlie solicitously.
Eyes, very much,'' replied Flora.
What do you think of Mansfield?
!! Isn't that one of the most wonder
! full
(which one is hep" queried Flora
with the vivacity of a. rice pudd ding.
Il never can bother keeping track of
| the different ones" =
| Dorraichael restrained several re-
marks that rose to- his lips, and gazed
across the tfeater. His eye alighted
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Around North America.

A model of the little ship Gjoa (pro.
nounced '"Youa,' by the way), in
which Capt. Road Amundsen, as told
by him recently in Harper's Magazine
sailed through the northwest passage
and located the north magnetic pole
he being the first man to perform eth
er Of these achievements recent
ly exhibited in New York, and will be
preserved permanently by the Smith.
sonian institution. The ship itself is
at the navy yard in San Francisco,
and it has been suggested that 1t be
the first ship to pass through the Pan
anna canal, SO that it may thus become
the first to circumnavigate the North
} American continent. .sY47s.4A .~t !
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Tom Ochiltree's Moon.

After Tom Ochiltree, that able con-
gress raconteur and laugh generator
for the afflicted rich, settled in New
York as the amuser of the John w.
Mackay family, he effervesced in a
thousand different directions, and was
as good in some ways as Sam Ward.
One night he escorted John Mackay's
friend, the Count de Biscuit, down to
the Battery to show the sight of New
York. The moon was grand, and the
count went into raptures as cher
maiden, reflection rippled over the
pearly waters" He cried: "Eet ISIS
grand! Eet is grand! Dair iss no
such moon in all italy," Count"
said Ochiltree, solemnly, as befitted
the occasion, you just ought to see
the moon in Texas!" j
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
THAT HANDSOME CHARLIE D0RMICHAEL

After a bit, no doubt said Dor
michael grimly. well, wish YOU
joy, my boy"
Hope you'll find nice girl some
time, Charlie" said the other man
cordially.
"Oh, I'm not marrying man." pro-
tested Charlie.
rs THAT her?' gasped the INGRAM
NAUTICAL, while those more fastidious in
speech but equally astonished eiacu-
lated: us that SHE?" as Charlie
Dormlchael and "a strange-faced lady"
came down the aisle of the theater.
Can she be handsome Charlie Dor
michaers bride?" marveled those
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Jewish Boy a Wonder,

Among the graduates from the
grammar schools in Boston in June
was a 15-year'old Jewish boy, Saul
Hornstein, who has been in this coun-
try less than IL months. He was born
in Kishineff, Russia, and could not
speak a word of English when he be-
gan school last year. But he tackled
the new language with such deter
mination that he was soon promoted
from one school to another, and will
enter the high school in the fall.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Saw Chance to Economize.

After weeks of waiting and longing
for the sport, rods, reels, gaff, creel-
everything was in readiness for a
weeks trout fishing.
The young wife, smiling joyously.
hurried into the room, extending TO-
wards her husband some sticky, speck-
led papers. =,
For goodness sake he exclaimed,
what on earth are you doing with
those old fly papers?"
II saved them fol-, you last summer,
dear" she answered a''You know you
said you always had to buy flies when
you went fishing" -
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

my! He's the handsomest man I
ever saw in my life!" declared the
woman in the pink waist. "Wouldn' t
he be gorgeous on the stage?"
"Charlie is rather good looking" as
serted her partner, glancing across to
the table where Charles T. Dormichael
was trumping aces.
is he married?" asked the pink
WASTED woman, who was a guest of
the whist club for the first time.
Il should rather say mott" volun-
teered the other man at the table,
Charlie isn't marrying man."
He is probably waiting to meet his
sdeal," said the woman sentimentally,
throwing down card without the for
mality of glancing at it.
Did YOU intend to play the jack of
clubs?" demanded her partner sternly.
"Oh-did I play that? Why the
idea! l don't see how l ever made
such stupid blunder!"
Her mind was on the king of
hearts, laughed the other woman at
the table. Really my dear, it won't
do you a bit of good, because ever
and ever so many stunning girls have
tried to get him-but he's too cute
for all of EN-"
you are sweet to give me the ben
eft of your own experience" said the
pink-waist woman gently. II would
love to see the girl that finally gets
him. she added to the man next to
her.
But no one ever will get the hooks
on Charlie,' protested the man. why,
he wouldn't marry the queen of Sheba
If she were waiting at the church,
We'll, l never saw grander eyes in
a mans head" sighed the pink waists
wearer. ''The woman that gets him
will be lucky"
She'll be lucky if she does,' retort-
ed the man opposite. But Charles
having too good time and you bet
he knows when he's we'll off,"
Il hope she'll be worthy of him."
persisted the woman. "Of course,
she'll be beauty and an heiress-
clever. A man like that wouldn't look
at anything less!"
You don't know Charlie. He
wouldn't consider anyone seriously
] don't care who she u.s." argued the
man. Il tell you Charlie isn't mar
rying man."
"The woman doesn't live who can
get that hard-shelled bachelor" agreed
the other man stoutly.
is it my play again? Oh, dear"
frowned the woman in the pink waist.
"Oh-look! Look! Isn't he grand
when he smiles?"
you've trumped my trick" re-
preached her partner YEARLY.
Charlie Dormichaels handsome face
and the newspaper in his hand seemed
to be responsible for it.
Hello, Charlie" greeted club
friend, dropping into the vacant chair
beside him. 'Wha'cher looking so
disguised about?"
Charlie motiOned to a waiter and
gave an order before he explained and
then he merely passed over the paper
with his thumb marking the obnoxi-
GUS paragraph.
The other man whistled.
your old friend Larkins, isn't it?'
he sympathized. You'll miss having
him about"
"Yes-Lark and have hit it off to-
gether for good many years." sighed
Charlie. But it's all Overt"
No, casual listener good old Lar
klns hadn't passed away-they were
merely referring to his marriage.
HE kept it mighty quiet" comment.
ed the other man. "He might have let
his friends know he was going to do
it,"
"A man dosent like to admit until
hes obliged to that he's a demned
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
How Rabbits Swim.

While not fond of the water, rabbits
can swim if they are forced to. They
have swimming position all their
own and look queer enough in the
water. They keep their heads and
tails high and dry, while the front
part of the body sinks deep in the
water. N.ALIE- 49,: i
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
! i. A Pardonahia Fault.

Dr. Edward Everett Hale, discuss
Ing. rather finicky attack that had
been made on certain recent state
ments, smiled and said: -
But who or what is blamelesss?s It
Is like the case of the, Scottish hen.
An old Scottish woman wished tossell
hen to a neighbor.
"But tell me- the neighbor said,
Is she a'thegither a guild bird? Has
she got nae faults, nae faults at ali!
!. - 'sAWell. Margot,' the other sold
woman admitted 'she has GOT one
fault She will lay on the Lords day. =
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
A NEAT ILLUSION.
What Can Be Done with a Pin, Bit o.
Rubber and a Sunbeam.

With a bright pin and a bit of elias.
tic cord, aided by the focusing of a
few rays of light, you may produce a
very pretty illusion. Stick the pin
through the elastic and twirl the lat
ter vertically between the thumb and
the foretinger of each hand, separating
the hands so as to tighten the elastic,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
CREOLE BUZZEE KITE.
How to Make 1t and What 1t Will Do
When Made.

The New Orleans creole kite is
made of three slim sticks, fastened to-
gether in the center with a pin driven
through and bent over, or tied with
heavy thread. Cover the kite with It's
sue paper Gall one color or by fasten-
ing two or more colors together).
The buZzer is fastened by turning
over it's edge and pasting over tho
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
The Female NhippoorwilI.

Though, the whippoorwills two
cream-speekled white eggs are laid
with seeming 4carelessness on the
ground, she is not careless with her
young. picking them up as a.cat does
a kitten if danger threatens.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Ready IF Needed.

A Chicago Office boy, looking for q
Job. was asked whether he used pro
fame language. He replied:
II kin If necessary"
ae got the placo,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
Naturally.

- ~ 'I.,eM tHNeos a11ys- = - = - - :
Ethel (reciting)-"Oh, tell me,
where is fancy bred?' - - - ~ . ; ]
Ton,my-At the bakery, 1 suppose.
---Har7sfs Weekly. -
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
e. An Exclamation

A Buffalo man recently cons as::zd a
youthful physician in that city, and
when the diagnosis had been Asgde
and the prescription written out. he
asked what fee was expected
Three dollars said the youaS
medico. } sS&fE<@. 5fss~x ~
T. Whereupon the caller produced q
ten-dollar gold piece, which. he prefer
ed the doctor in payment of his fee.
The physician looked annoyed.
Haven't you anything smaller?"5 he
asked plaintively. .,.s.g.; .tF,.tt
Nothing smaller, except a two,dol.
lar bill,'' said the patient 49, ~ . u
Then give me that, said the DOC.
tor. IF take the te1l-dollar gold
piece 1 shall be out seven dollars. I
have promised my wife that all gold
shall be hers that take In the NAY
Of fees $3.50. ... S
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

Miss Mary O'Brien, 3O6 Myrtle
Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y, writes:
"Peruna cured me in five weeks
Of catarrh of the stomach, after
suffering for four years and DOCTOR
ing without effect. In common with
other grateful ones who have been
benefited by your discovery, I say.
All hail to Peruna.'
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

string. A slim, fiat pie:e of wood is
sharpened at both ends, the latter
being inserted in Sits made in the two
upright sticks; to paste the, paper on.
The wings can be cut the length of
the sides and pasted on their edges.
+. T The wings can be " ~ two inches
wide; these may be left whole or cut
into fringes after being pasted on.
If properly made, says tie Phila-
delphia Ledger, this kite wheI raised,
will make loud buzzing noise. which
can be heard at great distausa.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18
MOTHER HEN SAYS.

"Lack-Lack! Lack-Lack! Lack-Lock!
That's all, my chicks-lack-lack!
And Mollie has gone with the empty pan
But at bedtime she'll come back"
Augusta Kortrecht, in Youths Com
paniOn
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-10-18

The Cherry: Charles friends never
got over talking about it-but her
friends were rendered speeches..
Copyright, 1907, by w. G. Chapman)