davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

hardy enough to get in my path, I'll fetch him home for supper. But I'm out today for big fellows-deer or bear"
 With his rife over his shoulder, drink ing cup and piece of bread in his hunt ing wallet, which was slung over his back, Johnny set forth, whistlIng merrily as he trudged along through the woods that covered miles and miles of hill land.
 Soon after Johnny had left his home his cousin Fred-w1o lived on an adjoining farm-came to visit him for the day. Johnny's mother explained to Fred that Johnny had gone to spend the day in the woods, hoping to return with trophies of great bag, for he had said that should he get anything too big to carry, he would bring a piece of the victim home-a foot, a paw or a horn-to prove his success, and would take the horses and wagon and go after the "big" game left In the wood.
 "Well, I'll just go after him, Aunt" said Fred. (Which road did he take7"
 ''The bottom road leading across the branch" said Mrs. Brown. If you will hurry you may overtake him before he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

ter crossed the branch and traversed the first hill, to find himself still alone "Pshaw," he calculated. when not over taking Johnny as soon as he had hoped to, I'm without a gun or a bite to eat. If I don't catch up with Johnny I'll have to return home with empty hands and an empty stomach. Wonder why Johnny Is in such hurry, anyway? He might have stopped to rest bit beside the rock spring. Gee! Guess I'll turn back"
 Fred was on the point of retracing his steps when he heard a rife shot from the depths of the woods. He felt quite sure the shot had been fired by Johnny, and the sound told him that he was not far from the spot where the hunter was. So he decided to continue his way, whist ling on his fingers to catch his cousins ear. But evidently Johnny was too far away to hear his cousins call. for Fred received no answering whistle.
 Fred was well acquainted with "the happy hunting ground" and took dim path that led through a deep and heay- ily-timbered rayine, going In the direc- tion whence came the sound of the rife
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
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heavens will never be emptied of their moisture And during these protracted summer rains the saucer-shaped basin In which sits the beautiful capital is filled like sponge. Moisture oozes out of the ground at every step. The soil is soaked to its uttermost and seems to fairly swim. It is during this time of rain and warmth that sickness seizes the people of Mexico, especially the stranger within her gates. Somehow, the Mexican has learned to live through these sieges of rain and at- tending sickness, and declares his to be the finest climate in the world.
 In all the City of Mexico there Is not a cellar. The reason for the absence of these conveniences is that the water lies just two feet below the surface.
 When, in 1519, Cortez landed In Mexico City ahe found 1t on small island In Lake Texcoco. But with the years the lake has receded, and now It Is nearly ten miles distant from the city. Of the many deep and terrible canals that nroyed of such disaster to Cortez there remain but waterless ditches, save when the rains of summer swell them into little streams.
 The city Itself is beautiful, having broad and picturesque bouleyards well shaded by cypress and eucalyptus trees Flowers abound everywhere, and fruits grow az all seasons of the year. The climate is mild. no extreme cold in winter and no intense heat In summer. And after the problem of drainage has been solved and the people of the city are putting forth every energy in that line-tnere is no place on the earth that can nolo greater inducements to the tourist ,ne whole year round than this interesting city of the Aztecs. .,v cpAuAM
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

coming on unaccompanied and unwarned. And she was coming at good speed. too, her curs flying behind her and her eyes dancing with pleasure.
 For only moment did Bertha remain hidden behind the evergreen bushes. Then, her eyes resting on the great yawning hole. she sprang to her feet her heart throbbing violently. She'll go right Into that hole unless-i"- and Bertha for- got her own ugly old garments, forgot that she was there. crouching like thief. stealing what pleasure she could by watching the party to which she was not invited. Right out upon the ice she ran. almost slipping down in her haste. And she wns not moment too soon. Like q bird on the wing the little girl Tn velvet and fur came round the curve, headed straight for the hole that looked black and awful in the moonlight. When she was almost upon 1t she saw her peril and her eyes became filled with terror. She opened Ter lips to cry out, but made no sound. She tried to stop her speed. but she was going so swiftly that to do so at once was impossible. sne clutched at her head, closing her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

share In other than watching 1t from q distance.
 Suddenly from the crowd of skaters there dashed little figure, a figure gay in red velvet and brown fur. Straight to- wards the bend in the river-towards the very place where Bertha crouched in hid ing-it came. And Bertha's heart stop ped beating, for she saw it was the lit tie girl whom she had so much admired that evening. She drew herself deeper into the shadow, not wishing to be seen. It was evident that the little girl meant to come round the curve, leaving the confines of the skating ground behind her. No one had ever thought of coming down to that point in the river for the ice there was never smooth, the water flowing so swiftly round the curve that in freezing it became rough.
 But the little miss in velvet and fur was wholly ignorant of the condition of the river below the curve. and as none of the merry makers had noticed her withdrawal from their midst she was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

inc gay children on the river, but fearing that she might be seen by them should she go directly down the bank in front Of the house lat that spot a big bonfire burned, throwing out light, she crept or through the darkness to a point below bend In the river, where, unobserved, she might look around the point of bank and watch and listen to her hearts content
 She found sheltered spot behind a clump of evergreen bushes. And there, right on the river few feet from where she sat, yawned great hole In the ice. one of those spots which in some rivers never seem to freeze.
 From where she crouched she could see the merry skaters and hear their gay voices much better than from the win dow of her home on the bank. Here she almost felt part of the happy throng. She even smiled as she heard the laugh ter floating to her on the icy wind. Be- ing used to the cold, she did not mind the snow about her feet nor the cutting wind which went right through her cloak as though 1t were mere paper. Her eyes were. feasting on youthful happiness happiness that she might not have a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

l ran through the underbrush. getting out of his sight. l thought I'd lost him, when, fully 15 minutes after I'd fired at him, he loomed up right In front of me. I let him have my aim again. But some thing had got the matter with tiny aim, I mean-for the bullet went wide of the mark again. It was all up with me then, for I had to reload before l could take another pull at him. He was pretty close to me, but this tree was closer, so I came up Into its inviting limbs, where I decided to wait till someone chanced to come along, or till the old brute be- low should tire of walking about at the foot of my tower and looking up savagely at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

the little girl. for Bertha had. in answer to her inquiry, told her where she lived.
 The next morning. bright and early, a fine sleigh drew up in front of the home of Bertha Lewis. and little girl in red velvet and brown fur sprang to the ground. She was accompanied by lady and gentleman who proved to be her parents. They admitted to the house by Bertha's mother. They stayed a long time; In fact, the clock was strik- ing 12 when at last they took their de-
 parture. And they left behind them three happy people. Bertha. her mother and fat-er During their visit to thank Bertha for her heroic act of the previous night-when she had saved the life of their little daughter-the lady and gen. tleman had learned of the poverty of the Lewises and had arranged to succor them. The gentleman had a position In his great warehouse in town that he of fered to Mir. Lewis Mrs. Lewis was en- gagged by the lady to act as housekeeper in her elegant home. And Bertha was to be sent to a fine school-the very school
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

plan whereby he might relieve his cousins uncomfortable position more quickly than by returning to the farm, some two or three miles away. And now he was about to act upon this quickly conceived plan. He very cautiously gathered handful of dry bark and dead sticks from the ground at his feet, cut n long branch from a growing bush nearby and on its smaller end tied the dried bark and sticks into thick mass, using his handkerchief in lieu of q string. When this was fixed lo his satisfaction he took from his vest pocket a match, struck 1t and applied the flame to the broomlike end of the stick. It ignited quickly, blaze leaping upward. Like a flash of lightning Fred made a dash toward the bear, whirling the blazing stick round and round, its tongue of fire forming a huge circle of flame in the revolution. The old bears eyes wldened with fear as he beheld the awful sight, and he went off through the woods as fast as he could. But in his excitement he did not select his path and found himself entangled in a massive grapevine through whose meshes he could not go. And as he feared to turn back and face that dreadful thing of fire he kept on trying to thrust his huge body through the trap which held him fast
 "Quick, your gunl Load and frei" cried Fred, still brandishing the blazing mass. Hurry, the fires most out!'
 Johnny came down the tree at leap, and never before in his life had he load ed his rife so quickly as now. Then, taking careful aim, he fired. And this time he did not miss his mark. The old bear plunged forward. lifted himself in the air and fell In the tangle of vine that had imprisoned him. Again the rife was raised to Johnny's shoulder and aim taken, and again he hit his mark. The second ball caused the bear to lie quiet, for 1t had entered his brain.
 Now, 1 guess we'll go home and get Uncle John 10 come and help us get our
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

gets beyond the first hill. And now that you are to assist him in the hunt, I'll look for something big-a deer at least And If you go Into the woods far enough you may find couple of bears," Mrs Brown laughed. having spoken in jest. She was always interested in the boys pleasures, and was a most sympathetic companion to Johnny.
 Fred set out on the road Johnny had taken half an hour before. He went at a good gait, hoping to oyertake his cousin before he entered that part of the land called by the farmers of the neighborhood "The happy hunting ground" But Johnny must have outwalked Fred, for the lat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

me. As for my gun, it's below there on the ground. The old bear took snih of 1t little bit ago.
 Fred had withdrawn from the path into a clump of shrubbery, where he was out of the bears line of vision. He kept one eye on old Mir. Bruin, however. fearing that his nose might tell him there was another enemy near. And he took pains to be pretty close 10 fine, strong sap ling with plenty of limbs close to the ground. ''Where's your ammunition?' he called out to Johnny, regardless of the latter's warning about his talking.
 Its on the ground in my wallet" said Johnny. Then he added: Don't do that again, I tell you. Now. go as fast and as quietly as you can for home and fetch daddy here. I don't rest well astride this limb. I'd find home and dinner more to my taste"
 But Fred had been thinking over some
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

Bertha Lewis was the child of very poor parents. Her home was in the country. about mile from a large and prosperous town. During the summer months Bertha's father earned a nveli- hood by selling fish in the town-fsh caught from a beautiful river, on whose banks his small farm extended. And Bertha's mother made a garden in the spring. and during the summer she and Bertha peddled fresh vegetables about the village, thus adding a trifle to the small income of the husband and father But when the winter set In the Lewis family of three found themselves in dire need of the small necessities of life. Mir Lewis cut wood from the timber on his land and sold 1t to the dealers of fuel in the town, but the proceeds from this source were very meager, and sometimes the cupboard was empty at meal time and Bertha went to bed crying for food.
 The beautiful river, near to which stood the little cot of the Lewises, was the scene of many a gay festiyity during the winter time, for crowds Of young people from town came there to skate on its smooth-frozen surface. Sometimes these skating parties would have night carnival, and then the river would present a gorgeous sight with Its hun dreds of Chinese lanterns festooned from the hare branches of the trees bordering the banks. And all along the line of skating would gleam merry bonfires, built for the purpose of warming the participants in the carnival.
 From the window of their little cot Bertha Lewis could see the merry ma kers on the river, and for hours at a time she would sit there shivering, watching the happy throngs that made the cold air ring with their laughter and song. And often tears of disappointment were in Bertha's eyes, disappointment that she had not been invited by some of the merry makers to Join them in their sport And at times a longing wou come over her to change places with one of the many girls who were luckier than herself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

In the center of a saucer-shaped basin 60 by 20 miles In size. that lies in the heart of an Andes plateau, Is the capital of Mexico. It has been said of Mexico particularly that part of 1t about Mexico City-that it has a heavenly climate. And true this Is If one chooses the right time of year to find the heavenly climate' The months when Mexico City is at her best = when skies smile ana
 flowers bloom in profuslon, when the um- brella and overshoes are left forgotten in hall corners, when one day of beauty Is followed by a train of days still more perfect-are the months of spring. But during the summer the traveller from for eign lands would better strap on his knap-sack. take his staff in hand, and seek higher places. Not that the City of Mexico Is situated at low altitude; it has fine and healtbful elevation. ana were the city well drained-or drained Tt all, one might say-there would be littie to fear from the summer rains. which pour and pour and pour till 1t seems the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

eyes, for she felt that in another second she would be inside that hole which yawned to swallow her.
 Then there was q sudden stop, and two little girls lay rolling on the ice not five feet from the very verge of the hole. Bertha had leaped forward and caught the little girl as she was flying to her death. The sudGenness of the contact brought them both to the ground, and the severity of the fall stunned them for several seconds. As soon, however. as they reganed their senses and got on their feet Bertha told how she came to be there and how she had run out on the ice to save the little skater in peril. And in vain did the little girl beg of her to go to the place of merry making, where she should be crowned a heroine. Bertha excused herself on the plea of her ragged garments and the fact that she was a stranger.
 "Then l shall bring my parents and come to see you tomorrow" declared
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

Johnny Brown was very fond of hunt ing. He lived in Arkansas. where game was plentiful, and big game at that. His father had taught him the use of the shotgun and the rife. and Johnny was as fine a shot as you could find In all the country round about his home. While he had never yet bagged big game, he had shown his craftsmanship with squirrels, rabbits, ducks, quail and other edible game. Indeed. Johnny's mother often de- clared that her table fared better after Johnny had been a day in the woods with rife or gun than following a hunting ex- petition by his father. 'Son Is satisfied with small game when big game doesn't happen this way" she would say, while Daddy must have A deer or bear, or come home empty-handed."
 One fine day in early winter-while the weather was mild and bears still roam ing the wooded .hills-Johnny took ais rife and set out to find ''big' game. But he would not let small game Ego to waste" as he said to his mother. If a squirrel or a nice, fat possum is fool
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
Bertha and the River Fairy.
BY MAUD WALKER.

in the matter of pleasures.
 Bertha was only 12 years old, but she had known all the hardships attending poverty, all the heartaches that accom- pany unsatisned longing, all the miseries of the poor. Her mother was kind and loving, and her father gave to her the very best he could manage to possess; but poverty seemed to be the poor mans lot, and he could not rise above 1t. Often in his despair he would cry out: "Oh, If I could but give comforts to my dear wife and innocent child!" And at such times Bertha's little heart would respond with deepest sympathy, and, putting her arms about her fathers neck, she would whisper gently. encouragingly: Maybe the good fairies will come some day and bring to us wealth. Then we'll have everything we need"
 One evening there was a great skating carnival on the river. A gay throng of boys and girls filled 1t from bank to bank. Their skates gleamed like silver in the light from the lanterns and bon fires. Their faces were radiant with health and happiness Their voices rang out like music, and their warm attire was most beautiful and elegant to be- hold. There was one little girl-about Bertha's own size-who caught and held Bertha's attention. She was a dainty miss with brown curls blowing from be- meath her pretty toboggan cap, which was worn well over her pink ears to keep Jack Frost from nipping them. Her little jacket and skirt were of soft red velvet, trimmed |, about with bands of brown fur. She wore soft, warm, we'll fitting leggingss of brown broadcloth, which matched in tint the fur on her garments and the leather of her shoes. Her hands were slipped Into cosy nun of brown fur. She skated easily. laugh. ing and chatting with her comrades. Bertha singled her out, watching her with glowing eyes and whispering to her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
Conctndrttrns.

Why Is bread like the sunf It sets at night, rises in the morning and rolls up for breakfast. Why is a man looking for a plano Ike a man looking for wealth. Both are hunting fortune. Why are clocks Nike laborersi They work with their hands. When are stolen jewels like pleasuresl When searched for.
 Why are cannons and cigar-holders alike7
 Both have uth-pieces.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

where their own little daughter went.
 And just think. mamma said Bertha that day as she and her mother were packing up their things to move to town (where they would be so happy in their new employmenD. 'I was just wishing that fairy would come and change things for us when round the curve came the beautiful little girl. She proved to be real river fairy. didn't she?'
 .'Yes. my dear child" answered Bertba's mother. But you were better than a river fairy. fe- you saved a hu- man life"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

squirrel home," laughed Fred. Gee. he's a big one!'
 ''Yes, but you shall have all the glory of the game," declared Johnny. .'Till you came he had me just where you got him-in a tight place."
 No. I couldn't have got him alone," said Fred, going over and examining the bear. 1T simply chased him into a trap and you did the rest But it's about eat ing time. Let's go back to the house and report for dinner. Then, with Uncle John, we'll return here and get the trophy of our skill as they say in books"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

self: "Ah, If only I could be like her. What beautiful clothes! How red her cheeks are; and she Is so happy that I'm quite sure she never suffers from hunger and cold"
 Berthas mother and father had gone to visit a sick neighbor that evening. telling Bertha to go to bed when she grew sleepy and not to wait up for them, as they might be called upon to sit till mid night with the sick woman. So Bertha sat as long as she wished to by the win dow, watching the gay carnival crowd at their sport. But when the clock struck she rose and put on her cloak-a threadbear garment that could barely hang together-and, wrapping her head in an old shoulder shawl, passed out into the night She wanted to get closer to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
A Real Bears Soliloquy.

"For soon as winters snows como oo"ns And chill Is in the sir, I hunt a nice, snug hole and creep Right In and just stay there .Till spring comes smiling round again And calls me forth to eat And let me tell you, little friends. Spring breakfasts are treat"
 MAUD WALKER.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
Riddle.

I am found in jail, I belong to fire. I am seen in a gutter abounding in mire; Put my last letter third and 1t will be
 found I belong to a king without changing my
 sound.
 tGrate-Great)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

Besides just sleepin in my cave.
 As comfy as l please. With nothin' there to do but dream. Or scratch my nose and sneeze. .T'd have to be dragged all about
 By chilfren, great and small; Up all day long, with ne'er a napl 'TWould not suit me at all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

Everywhere about the house,
 Ringing from floor to rafter, Is the merry, happy sound
 Of little Polly's laughter. She is the dearest little girl,
 Her life is bright and glad. When she's ssaround no one can be The least bit cross or sad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12

"I'm glad I'm not a Teddy bear"
 Said little Master Bruin; ..For then all through the winter long There would be somethin' doin'.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-05-14

Special TO The WegOS
To all of my friends in Sequachee
valley, who are too numerous for me
to write personal letters to, take this
method of writing you:
Lenoir City is thriving little town
of about A, 900 inhabitants, with the
Southern carshops, foundry, knitting
mill, and other industries, which make
this desirable place. Lenoir City is
blessed with good churches, and noble
christians. There, have been some
good revivals here in the past few
months. More than $50 have been
converted. Many of this number have
united with the different churches. A
revival meeting is IN progress now at
the First Baptist church, our pastor,
W. E, McGregor, who is assisted by
Rev. j. M. Lewis, of Jefferson City,
Tenn, has been doing some faithful
preaching
| have not been able to work any
since the 11th day of December. For
the last few weeks | have been confin-
ed to my room with stomach trouble
and rheumatism. | hope to be able to
get out soon. If | never get out, | am
ready to meet my Lord who has
bought me and redeemed me by his
own Blood
To all who may read these lines II
the Lord has not redeemed you, will
you let him2 The Lord has said
'Seek ye first the Kingdom of Goo
and his righteousness, and all these
things will be added unto you.
NJ. D. MOSS.