davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
A Cotton Cat and Her Strange Experiences

Papinta, Rachel and Major Andrew. Major Andrew was the only male doll in the house. and was considered quite a "swell'' in consequence.
 After the tea party had been in progress for sometime and all the play edibes had been eaten with relish Qeaves and little twigs representing the tables delicacles) Marie suddenly remembered that their aunt had promised to take them for q ride in her new auto that afternoon. "Oh, Sister!' she exclaimed "Auntie Is going to take mamma and us for an auto ride cat and run to see how soon we are to start"
 "Oh, yes; I'd most forgotp' cried Be- tina. And away they ran into the house as fast as ever they could. leaving the cotton cat and the dolls about the tea table.
 After Marie and Betlna had disappeared into the house the cotton cat slowly arose and began swinging her tail. 'MeowP she said as plainly as a real. enough cat could say. "I wish I had someone to play real, sure-enough with me- Then she turned round and rested her eyes on the group of dolls ranged about the tea table. Say, some of you rag and sawdust things, why don't you come to life? I would if I were you.'
 "Oh, hol How very funny, don't you know" laughed a squeaky voice. And to the cotton cats joy she discovered it was made by the vocal organs of Major Andrew. And more than that, the Major was stirring about. kicking one leg and stroking his long side whiskers. "Ha, ah! Queer idea, but l like 1t, don't you Know"
 Say, Major, you're the real article," said the cotton cat, going up to where the Major sat and tapping his shoulder with her paw. "You are d good fellow,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

tone, putting down the sofa she was carrying. Speckles and Whitie had rested themselves of their loads also, and all were intenty watching the barley be- tween Bunny Rabbit and Sneako Wolf. q. Say, my dear Master Rabbit, you'd better not try breaking into my house. You know I'm not averse to rabbit meat and might find you and your family very appetizing should you provoke me into tasting you. So be off and leave a tired wolf to his quiet home and his deserved rest"
 Bunny withdrew to the spot where his family were standing and In whispers conversed with them over the situation. "I don't know what Is to be done," he said. That old Sneako might kill one of us-or all of us, in fact, If we per sisted in gaining entrance to our own home. So we'll have to use stratagem. We can never use force with such as he."
 And how I do hate to have the old sneak think he has succeeded in busting us from our home," said Mamma Rabbit indignantly. I'm half inclined to run the danger of telling him just what l think of him, the old intruderl"
 No, no, Mamma, never do so unwise a thing" whispered Whitie. Let's do as papa suggests" And she resumed the burden she had been carrying, a pretty wicker chair.
 "Yes, let's use stratagem," whispered Speckles, liking the word immensely. And he took up his load-another pretty chair and made ready to descend to the old home again.
 So off they went, carrying away the furniture they had just brought there for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

to open the door. When he did so such smoke filled the apartment that he could neither see nor breathe. Out he leaped from the doorway, jumping right against Bunny Rabbit, who was watching the smoking brush to prevent It's blazing. "Ah, so it's you who are doing this. is it2" he howled, reaching out to grasp Bunny by the shoulder. ''Well, I'll finish you before l go away from here" And he made n vicious face as he showed his long and cruel fangs, leaping right at Bunny Rabbits throat.
 But Mamma Rabbit and Speckles and Whitie were grouped behind convenient tree, and, seeing the danger of the hus- band and father, they ran to his aid just as Sneako Wolf was about to bury his fangs into Bunny's white. furry neck. Without waiting to think of results, Speckles jerked up burning brand and thrust 1t into the very face of the enemy, causing him to fall away from Bunny Rabbit and to turn on his small antag onist. But Speckles was ready for him and again thrust the burning brush in his face, and as the stick had now caught into a bright blaze old Sneako Wolf was glad enough to turn from the scene and to go off down the hillside as fast as he could run.
 "Ah, now guess you'll let honest animals alone" called out Mamma Rab- bit, victoriously. "Yes, you mean old wolfr' called Whitie, seconding her mother. "Begone forever and don't come here again"
 Then Bunny Rabbit and his son Speckles ran down the hillside to see whether the wolf had gone on across the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

ingless cotton, cat and never let on that l am alive. I may not like this place al- ways, and may wish to hunt for another home. Truth Is. I don't believe I'm going to like these little girls very much, Tor they're too quiet and stay-at-home for me. I want excitement" Then the cotton cat sat down under a shrub that grew about ten feet away from the tree where her owners, Marie and Betina, had left her.
 "Why, where in the world is our kitty? ?' cried Betina, looking all about the spot where the cat had been left. We left her sitting right here, didn't wei"
 "Of course, we did, and I wonder who has come and carried her off. Oh, lookie there!' And little Marie pointed towards the cotton cat under the shrub. Nov, isn't that the strangest thing you ever saw Sister? Why, who could have moved herY
 Rover must have come slipping round from the barnyard and carried her there." explained Betina. But you'd have thought he would be afraid of cat even a cotton stuffed one." she added.
 Then the little girls decided to play at having a tea party, and Marie ran into the house to get their dolls, Annabelle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

woods while he went on alone to ask the intruder to leave his house.
 But in numbers there Is strength and security" quoth Mamma Bunny, not will ing to allow her husband to go to the house alone, for she knew the character of old Sneako Wolf. His reputation throughout the country was anything but good. No, my dear, allow us all to go together. He would not dare to harm one of us with the others near He is just what his name implies-a sneak
 "All right, then, we'll all go together. But be cautious in your language. Like the fox, the wolf is sly and deceitful."
 Then together the four rabbits went on to their house, and as they entered the his head out of the window again. "Ah, friends,'' he called to them as they ad- vanced to the door, "what do you think of my new quarters7 I've just completed my new house, you'll observe"
 Bunny Rabbit put down the folding bed he carried on his back and looked up into the face of Sneako Wolf. "Why, and here you have called during our absence. you were in the country. How do you like our new house, anyway, Master sneako2 My wife, my children and my self have been busy these two days build ing 1t, and now we're bringing our fur , niture from our old house to put into our new one.'
 "Ah, possession is ownership, friends" smiled the sly wolf. "I have the fort, if you please, and mean to hold it. As for the furniture, well, you'd better take 1t back to your old quarters again. There's no room for it in here. hate furniture. I sleep on the floor, sit on the floor and eat anywhere that happen to find good food.'
 Bunny Rabbit walked boldly to the door of his house to open it, when, to his astonishment, he found 1t fastened from the inside. In vain he endeavored to force 1t open, it was a good strong door and held like a stone.
 Mamma Bunny was losing her temper at this moment but Speckles whispered her to keep quiet and allow his father to do the treating with the old thief. Sneako Wolf
 But the filthy old thing is solling our pretty clean house by being in It," said Mamma Rabbit in a low and exasperated
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

beasts to devour us."
 Well, if you are such a coward, Major, I'll take you to your home again. But I'll promise you I'll not be there with you long, for l mean to run away for good <do." said the cotton cat. Then he turned about and carried Major An drew home again. As they neared the gate they saw a great red automobile coming out of the yard with Marie. Betina, their mother and aunt, all in it. 'Ah, there comes our home folks" whis- pered Andrew. Slip behind a tree till they pass us by, for should they see us here 1t might mean an explanation from us. And 1 hate explanations"
 Especially when you haven't any to give" laughed the cotton cat. But 1t may save questions If I hide a minute be- hind this shrub" And she quickly with drew into the shadow of shrub.
 "Oh, Mamma, l saw a black cat with something on its back running behind that rose bush beside the gatel" cried Marie as the auto passed out of the grounds. And as sure as I'm telling you 1t looked like our big black cotton cat with Major Andrew. Wasn't that funny?
 Then they were gone down the road at full speed md the cotton cat and
 
 leisurely. Gee, that was a close calll" said the Major, dismounting and taking his place beside the lady dolls at the tea table under the tree. Yes, rather exclt- ing" said the cotton cat Then she lay down in the shade and fell into a deep sleep from which she never more woke, but remained simply a stuffed cotton cat. and mere toy for Marie and Betina to play with. And when Major Andrew saw tbat the life had departed from the cot ton cat and that he alone of all the toys had feeling and breath, began to wish himself back in his former lifeless state And that same hour he fell asleep, and like the cotton cat. never awoke again. So he got his wish and was simply a toy for children to play with.
 And to thls day none knows of the strange experience of the cotton cat and Major Andrew, for the dolls. Annabelle. Papinta and Rachel had no voices with which to tell. And so the toys lived-or remained, rather-in the same old way, making Marie and Betina very happy. And they called the cotton cat Comfort" !" for she was always so quiet and good na- tured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
Bunny Rabbit and Sneako Wolf.
BY MAUD WALKER.

''Weii, here's the finest place to build a house I ever saw" declared Bunny Rabbit, speaking to his wife and two children and waving his paw about over a pretty open space in the woods There's fine big hollow stump which will serve for e house-the greater part of one. All shall have to do will be to build porch, a kitchen and a fence."
 "And a roof over the stump, Papa," put in Speckles, the little son rabbit.
 'And gate to the fence." said Whitie, the little daughter rabbit.
 Certainly, certainly, my dears," laughed Bunny Rabbit, very proud of his precocious children.
 "Ah, Epeckles and Whitie will see to 1t that everything is properly done." said Mamma Rabbit, also proud of her chill dren.
 So they all set to work building addi- hons to the huge hollow stump which was to serve so nicely for a two-story house. Being animals and used to per forming all sorts of domestic duties for themselves 1t never once occurred to them that they should engage a carpenter Bunny Rabbit had a fine tool chest, and from it he took saws, hammers, planes, nails, etc. And he, with Mamma Rab- bits assistance, soon had fine rainproof roof over the stump and smooth floor half way up, forming a second story, and a smooth floor in the bottom of the stump. All the while that Bunny and his wife worked at the roof Speckles and whitie were busy bringing fine, strong sticks, with the bark peeled off. to be used in building the fence. And as soon as they had a great pile of the fence sticks together they set to work digging little deep holes into which to set the fence sticks so that they might be secure
 And two days after locating in the beautiful open space Bunny Rabbit and his family were happy as could be, for the new house was all ready to live in. Then they all went to their former home down by high cliff on Q river bank, and brought their household furniture to their new dwelling. As they neared the house they saw a strange head thrust Itself from the window of the upper story.
 Upon my life, if there isn't old Sneako Wolf," whispered Bunny to his wife. Then, being rather afraid to advance fur ther with his family he told them to eau tiousIy withdraw into the depth of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

no less than 22,619 have been killed or taken into captivity. With few excepI tions all these animals have been found in their haunts In the mountain fast nesses, not on the plains and deserts.
 But on the plains and deserts the SCOT plon and horned viper abound. They are everywhere; but, aside from their not being the most pleasant fellows to find in ones shoes or bed, they are harmless. The flea is the greatest enemy to man. kind on the African deserts. Then there Is the sauterelle, sort of grasshopper, and of 1t the Arab says: Tt Is the won der of all living creatures" A writer who is an authority on the subject says of 1t: "It has the face of horse, the eyes of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

They help me in everything Yes, we'll smoke him out as you say. But be sure to dip the brush into the spring to cause 1t to smoke instead of blaze. Were 1t dry 1t might blaze up and catch the house aire. Besides we don't want to injure old Sneako Wolf-only wish to drive him from our possession
 That night the plan of smoking the old wolf from their house was carried out by the Rabbits, and before the old thief and intruder knew what was hap pening he smelt thick smoke in his snug quarters Then he began to stran- gle and his eyes to hurt so from the smoke that he could not remain in the house any longer. Up he got and ran
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
HIDDEN NAME PUZZLE.

By taking the initial letter of one-syl- lable word from each of the following sentences, and writing them in the order in which they come the name of we'll known politician will appear
 Study the industry of the tlreless bee.
 Do what Is right regardless of public opinion.
 Let not a year of life pass without help ing some unfortunate brother.
 Never ask of another that which you should learn for yourself.
 Note well the advancement of the times and keep abreast it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

and know we are to have some lively times together"
 But you're just a plain ,Tabby Cat, declared the Major, winking jokingly. But a cat Is better than no company at all, and these ladies here-motioning to- wards the other dolls-are very dull com panions. They do nothing but look pretty. I don't mind making a night of it, Cot ton Cat, if you have any plans that suit me-"
 Suppose we go to the woods wonder" said the cotton cat. 'I am sure we'll find much of interest there. It's very wild there, I fancy, and we'll have to be bold and brave."
 That's just in my line, as you might suppose from my title" said the Major. And I'm willing to go any place to get away from the dullness of my present surroundings" Then turning gallantly towards the lady dolls, he hwed and said: "Of course, cast no reflections on present company. But l do find these barracks very monotonous."
 Well, we'd better be moving, my
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

friend" warned the cotton cat. Come, play I'm your steed, and you mount upon my back"
 'Ah. that suits me to a dot" And the Major climbed upon the cotton cats back, and away they went, the cotton cat run ming as if for dear life and the Major holding on In the same manner.
 Pretty soon they came to river which flowed between steep banks. And all about them were giant trees and under brush covered by grape vines. "Ah," said the cotton cat, There we have things as wild as we could possibly desire.
 ''Yes. bit too wild for me-" declared the Major. And if you don't mind, my friend, I'll go home again."
 What, go to those lfeless doll ladies and those two quiet little girlsf' asked the cotton cat In amazement.
 ''Yes, for It's home, and I'm sure of safety. Here don't know what I'm sure of-maybe something awful. Look at the tall trees. Maybe they're full of wild
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

leaving the cotton-stunfed kitty sitting calmly under . tree.
 What have you named your kitty, uears?' asked mamma, as her twin daughters took their seats beside Auntie at the table.
 "0h, we haven't named her yet" said Marie. "We1l wait till she shows what sort of disposition she has before giv- ing her a name. We want one that fits, you know"
 ''Yes, if she's spunky and inclined to scratch dogs and bite other cats we'll call her Spitfre; but if she remains gentle and kind, never showing bit of temper, we'll call her Sunshine" said Betina.
 And meanwhile the stuffed toy cat sat calmly under a leafess tree In the warm sunshine. And as she sat there the warmth seemed to cause her to move, and pretty soon she began to purr softly. Why" she thought to herself, 'I do be- lieve I'm coming to life. At least. I can feel. And yet I'm not supposed to have any sensations, for I'm. just a rag cat stuffed with cotton. But-what's that! Why, it's my tail wagging back and forth, as sure as I'm cotton cat! Now, wouldn't that make a real, sure-enough
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

cat smile, though? And, bless me, If I'm not hungry, too. I believe I'll catch a grasshopper for luncheon"
 So saying, the cotton cat raised up on her four legs and began to walk for the first time in her short life. Of course she was not so nlmble as she hoped to be- come, for she was like any little creature just beginning to walk. But after few minutes she went off towards another big tree with a pretty good gait.
 But just as she was looking about for q grasshopper she heard a familiar voice coming from the house: Now, Marie. let's go and play with our new kitty" And the cotton cat recognized Betina's voice. "Ah!' she purred to herself. 'I must not let these little girls know I've come to life, for they'd keep such a close watch over me that I'd never have any fun. No; I'll just pretend to be the feel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

It has been the generally accepted be- lief that the lion is a great menace to the traveller in North African countries. Such Is not true. The African lion does not wander far from his haunts in the forest-grown mountains, and Is not eapa- drinking air and eating sand," as so many imaginative writers would have us believe. During the last 10 years only iS0 Hons have been killed in Algeria. This number also includes lionesses and cubs. More numerous have been the partners, and of them 9SS have been killed within the past 10 years. More numerous still though harmless-are the jackals, and during the period of time mentioned above
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

use In their snug new home. And as they went old Sneako called from the window: "Good-by, friends, enjoyed your call very much. Now that we are neighbors, l hope you will come often say once in a hundred years"
 "Oh, we'll not wait so long as that, old Sneako!" called out Mamma Rabbit, her anger forcing her to retaliate to q degree Well come sooner than you think, and when we do we'll trouble you to move into some cave or hole in the ground-the sort of habitation you've always been accustomed to-"
 ''I would not say anything more to warn him, wife," said Bunny Rabbit. ''For our own future success. allow him to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
BY HELENA DAVIS.

Betina and Marie had such lots and lots of playthings, but when Aunt Grace came out from the city and brought to them a big cloth cat-a real-looking one, too-they forgot all about dolls and other kinds of toys.
 "oh, isn't 1t just lovely kitty?' ex- claimed Betina to Marie as she fondled the huge black cotton-stuffed Tabby. "oh, she's a lot better than a sure-enough kitty, for she'll never scratch, and we can just hug her as tightly as we please.'
 ''Yes, and she'll never upset our dishes when we have tea, as our old sure-enough kitty did last summer" laughed Marie. 'I'm so glad Auntie brought her to us."
 Then Betina and Marie took the big make-belieye cat out into the yard to play, and after while they were called to luncheon and ran into the house,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is In see, but not In feel; My second is in orange, but not in peel; My third is in oval, but not in square; My fourth is in wig, but not in hair; My fifth is in bee, but not in honey; My sixth is in dollar, but not in money; My seventh is in finger, but not in go; My eighth is the same as my seven. also.
 My whole spells game
 To children most dear,
 And it's played In midwinter
 By them every year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

valley or had turned to come back to cause tLem more annoyance and mischief. As they caught glimpse of him by the light of the newly risen moon he was running on and on, faster and faster.
 Then something most exciting happened. From one side of the valley came loud barking of dogs, then several horsemen appeared at the edge of the wood. There he goes-that wolf that has been catch ing our chickens!" called one of the riders. And soon the whole pack were in pursuit of Sneako Wolf.
 Bunny Rabbit and his son Speckles re- turned to their home, not wishing to see the wolf caught and killed by the dogs and men. Even though he was bad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
Animals and Insects of North Africa.

an elephant. the neck of q bull. the horns of deer, the breast of q lion. the stomach of Q scorpion, the legs of an os- trich, the tail of q snake and is to be more feared than all Afrlca's menagerie put together" About 40 or 50 years ago this strangely formed Insect-from one to four inches in length-almost devas- tated the wheat fields of Agerin and Com stantlne. MARY GRAHAM.
 Fireworks were originated In the thlr- teenth century by the Florentines, and later were popularlzed In Rome.
 The conditions of the Arctic atmosphere are so favorable for the transmission of sound that 1t is possible for two persons to converse through mile of space.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
King of the Barnyard.

In the barnyard, strutting, Old Gobbler goes about, And if he doesn't like a fowl He chases him right out. He is lordly fellow, And cen children fear To go into the barnyard When they his gobble hear. They perch themselves in safety Upon the fence, so high, With legs a-dangling outside So that they may jump and fly If old Gobbler comes too near them, With his threatening wings wide spread; For gobbler can whip children! (At least, so 1t is said). And there they sit and watch him. And gaily laugh and talk; But if he "gobbles, gobbles," They quickly take a walk.
 M. W.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
\ OurpuZZle Corner ST
BEHEADINGS.

u) Trlply behead the introductory to book and leave the open side of watch. @ Doubly behead condition of good health and leave that which a sculptor makes from marble. t3) Doubly behead form of greeting and leave an old-time musical instrument.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
CURTAILINGs.

u Triply curtall a certain kind of cloth and leave a simple bed. t2) Triply curtnil man without courage and leave very necessary domestic animal. (0 Triply eur tail that which n star in the sky does at night and leave one of a pair of children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

fellow-doing nothing but harm in the word-Bunny could not find 1t fin his heart to wish him i'll. So he turned his back on the scene in the valley, not wish ing to behold the death of his enemy, Sneako Wolf.
 When the news was told to Mamma Rabbit and Whitie they sat very silent for while. Then Mamma sighed and said: "I suppose it's only what the wicked must expect-capture and death at the hands of those whom they wrong but, all the same, 1 feel sorry for that mean old wolf"
 'No need of sympathy now, Mamma, dear," said Speckles, flor ere this he has ceased to live. and never more will he try to take possession of our home."