davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

there stood the old astronomer who had been at the street corner with the little telescope
 Why, sir, you are the very person who told me there was no life on the moon, and no atmosphere or water either What do you mean now by saying some thing directly contradictory to what you told me this evening"" exclaimed Fred.
 "Ah, ha. my son." laughed the old man. And so you just believe the first thing you hear, do you? Well, that's like a boy who hates school. What can you ever know if you won't read and learn, eh?''
 And how do you know I hate school?' asked Fred. now sitting on the side of the bed. 'I never had any conversation with you regarding school"
 That doesn't matter" grinned the old man. Tn the first place, you were igno- rant of the condition of the moon-our own lunar body; you might say. a part of us. And when I told you there was so and so there-or not so and so there, you believed me. Now, how do you know I was telling you the truth this even ing? Maybe l am speaking the tru.n now-and maybe Pm not, eh?" And again the old man grinned.
 Fred's face burned with shame. He was a proud boy and hated to have any one lnlnk hlm ignorant. Ano ne Ielt not little surprised that this old stranger should have struck upon the truth He had never given the thought of education due consideration before But now he knew what 1t meant.
 Well. my boy, I was much like you as I grew up," said the old man, break ing in on Fred's reverie. T hated school. I hated work the same way. l just wanted to roam about and have a good time. And now I'm suffering the con- sequences. I'm old and ignorant and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

clear and fine in the deep blue of the night sky when Fred ran to the corner where the telescope was placed, and pay ing the owner the fee took q good look at the moon through the magnifying instru- ment. How grand it was-our lunar body! Shining like gold. and its sur face so plainly visible The range of mountains on its rlght-hand side stood out as though they were only hundred miles distant from where Fred stood in stead of so many. many thousands. "Oh it's greati' cried Fred. Gee, I'd like to go there In a balloonr'
 There is no life on the moon. lad, !" explained the old astronomer. ''The brown spots you see about it's surface are the dry sea-beds. No water is there on the moon; consequently, there Is no atmosphere. So. were 1t poss- ble for you to reach the moon. you would die there for want of breath
 "Oh!" said Fred. Then. his time be- ing up, the owner of the telescope asked him to step aside. that others might have their turn to look at the moon.
 But even then Fred hung about the telescope, listening to every word that the old astronomer said. And the more he heard. the more he longed to know of the moon and the other celestial bodies that foated through space.
 That night after going to bel he lay thinking of what he had seen and heard. ..No water. no atmosphere. no life on the moon," he rehected. Then a voice spoke to him from the depths of the darkest corner of the room "Of course there is life on the moon. boy it said. Just hustle into your clothes and come with me. and I'll show you if I'm not speaking the truth
 Fred arose on his elbow looked into the corner of the room whence the voice proceeded. and to his utter amazement
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
A Revolutionary Heroine.

On June 2s, IT'S a woman-the wife Of common soldier-became famous. Her maiden name was Mary Ludwig, and her birthplace was Carlisle, Pa. While in her teens she married a man by the name of John Hayes, who afterwards became ar- tillerist during the Revolutionary War. At the time of the breaking out of the war Mary Hayes was in her thirty third or thirty-fourth year. She accompanied her husband on his marches, assisting him with his worK of loading the cannon by carrying buckets of water to use In the swabbing out of the guns before reload Ing In this capacity she became known among the soldiers as "Pitcher Moll," and later as ''Moll Pitcher" for In those days the waterbuckets were called pitch CTS by the soldiers.
 It was during the hottest part of the conflict of the battle of Monmouth that John Hayes was shot and killed at his gun. At the time his wife MaryAnick- named "Moll"-was bringing water to him for the swabbing of the gun. As soon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

the door when he thought he was at the open window. Then he went to the win dow to look out, for if there had been anyone in that room and he had gone through the window he could still be seen going eff down the street toward the center of the town. Fred looked and looked in vain for the tall, bent form of q man going of through the moonlight The street was entirely deserted. Then the dream-if dream 1t was-held him so in it's grip that he couldn't get to sleep for ever and ever so long.
 "Ah, the old man said rightly" he so- liloquiZed. What do I know of the moon or any other heavenly bodyf In fact, what do I know of anything except play ing and eating and sleeping, for I never get a lesson that I can slip out of. Well, l reckon 1t doesn't pay. Gee! I'd love co be an astronomer-a REAL one-not just a poor old make-believe, like the old man with the little telescope in the street. I'd love to know about the moon, the stars, the sun. And how easy it is to learn 1t all, too, if I'll just buckle down to school. Why, dad told me the other day that he'd send me to college as soon as l was advanced enough to go Well. if I play all the term I'll never be any further advanced than I am now. And anyone can tell me what they want to about the moon and stars and sun and I'll have no better sense than to believe them. l reckon I'd better get to work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
Real Babes in the Wood.
A Story for the Wee Ones, by Annie James.

by him. But no bears will boyer US for l won't let 'em," went on Bulger.
 And then they reached a few of the outside, struggling trees. ''Oh. it isn't so very big an dark, is it?" asked Bulger.
 No, it's just bufi-ful," said Sissy. But still she cung tightly to Bulger's hand.
 And so they walked about and about, going a little deeper and a little deeper Into the woods. And then it became little darker and they could not see so far about them, and Bulger decided they would better return to their home. ''I dess we'd better do home. Bulver," said Sissy, seeing the uncertainty in her brothers face.
 ''Yes, it's mos dinner time" said Bull ger. not wishing Sissy to know that he was getting a bit afraid of the lonely woods
 And so they started out to go home, but, having forgotten just which way they had come, they went in the wrong direction. And so they walked and walked, growing so tired at last that Bulger said they would have to sit down and rest bit.
 And all the while they had been walk ing both Bulger and Sissy had been afraid but neither owned 1t to the other.
 While they sat on the messy bank of little brooklet Sissy fell asleep. her head in Buger's lap. Then Bulgers blue eyes grew heavy, and he, too. fell into slum- Der, forgetting where he was and that there might be bears in the woods.
 And there is no knowing how long the two little Browns might have slept in the woods or whether or not they might have come to harm, or have been forever lost or whether at night the birds might have felt pity for them and covered them with leaves; but Nabout half an hour after they had fallen asleep their own dear mother found them, and, lifting Sissy in her arms and calling gently to Bulger to wake, she kissed each and said: Thank God, I found my dear little babes safe in the wood" And Bulger and Sissy were thankful to be found, too, and promised never to go away from home again without theif mammals con sent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

and girls like herself. Some were bit taller and a bit older, perhaps, and some were even younger than Marie. But not one was so small, so Marie was to be the ''baby'' of the grade. So said the pretty fair-haired teacher who came down the aisle to greet Marie's mamma and make Maries acquaintance.
 What little dear!" exclaimed Teach CT, stooping to put her arm about the little stranger. And we'll become the greatest friends. won't we, dear7" And Marie, so happy, smiled and said ''Yes'm, we'll be very good frien's, indeed" (Al- though Marie was six years old there were a few words she could not pro- nounce very easily. And friends" was one of them).
 Then the teacher and the mamma had a little private talk while Marie arranged her books and slate and pencils and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

They had not lived in the country long, the Browns had not They had just moved Into the pretty farmhouse few days before the things told of in this story happened. There were Papa Brown, Mamma Brown, Bulger Brown Ca little boy) and Sissy Brown Ca little girl.
 Now, before l go any further, I must tell you that Bulger's real sure-enough name was NOT Bulger; 1t was Franklyn James, And Sissy Browns real sure enough name was NOT Sissy, but was Stella May. But as Papa and Mamma Brown always called them Bulger and Sissy it is better for me to do the same So, let them be known in this story which is a very short one-as Bulger and Sissy.
 We'll, on the third day after the Browns had moved into their new country home Bulger and Sissy went out into the big yard to play. And after they had ex- plored every inch of the yard they de- cided to investigate the barnyard. Aud it was such loads of fun to chase the big rooster about the barnyard, and to hear the hens cackle as if they were quar- reling with them for their mischief. Then they visited the pig pen. And such q funny lot of little piggies there were in 1t, too, trotting about-ta1ls twisted into knots over their backs-after a very fat mother who grunted, grunted. grunted every minute, and who looked towards Bulger and Sissy with dlstrustful glance.
 Then there was nothing new for Bulgor and Sissy about the house, yard and barn yard. And they stood looking at each other, wondering where they should go.
 Buiger, being five years old. spoke first Let's go down yonder." And he pointed to line of timber about quarter of a mile from the house.
 Sissy. being four years old, trusted to her big brothers judgment and said: "All wight, buver."
 Then away the two totlings went, hand in hand, toward the dark woods.
 Its very big an dangerous" ex- plained Bulger, pointing to the line of timber. Maybe bears are there"
 Sissy held tighter to Bulger's hand, not fearing even bears while safely guarded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

sponge and writing pens In the dearest little desk that had been assigned her by Teacher Oh. what joy to have a desk for her very own-to remain hers till she should learn so much that she would be promoted to another room, where the desks were bigger! Marie was very proud that morning, too. and extremely happy.
 Then mamma kissed Marie good-by and went home, telling Marie that she must not stop to play when school was dis missed for the noon hour, but to hurry home for her luncheon. And again Marie felt very proud to think that her mamma was going to allow her to go to and from the big schoolhouse alone. She was, indeed, becoming a big girl to be allowed so much liberty.
 Then the school was called to order and Teacher talked so sweetly to the lit- tie ones assembled about her. And what a lovely lot of girls and boys they were, Marie thought as she looked all about the room When Teacher said they'd sing a song Marie wes glad, for she loved to sing. and her clear voice Tsag out louder
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

a happy, dear, good-natured little baby. if she was six years old.
 well. you'll soon get accustomed to school, dear, and then you'll not mind studying and keeping quiet" said Teacher.
 And that noon, when Marie went home, she ran to her mamma with: "Oh. Nam ma, I was very noisy and disobedient this morning, though I didn't mean to be. I just forgot And Teacher says I'll learn how to behave after while. Won't that be nices But. Mamma, I'm sure I'll always laugh whenever l look back of me and see that boy with the red head and freckles. He's as funny as the clown in the circus"
 Then you mustn't look behind you," explained the mamma. And perhaps after you get acquainted with the little boy you'll not think him 50 comical."
 "Oh, yes, 1 shall, for he winks at me. And 1t makes his face go all into a bunch like this." And Marie winked one pretty blue eye and screwed her face all up as funny as could be, and her mamma laughed, caressing her dear little girl who had had such a new experience that morning at school-her first day at school, though she was six years old
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

Teacher, who came quickly to her side, saying: "Oh, my dear little girl, you must not talk in time of books. Now, turn around in your seat and write the words I gave you"
 "Oh, please, Teacher, I'm tired and woold rather play" said Marie, not thinking for a moment that 1t was any thing out of the way for her to do just as she liked anywhere and at any time. You see, I'm sleepy when I look in my books, and I'd rather play for a while" |"
 By this time all the pupils were laugh ing at Marie, for every one there save herself had been in school before. And Teacher was smiling in spite of herself, although she tried to prevent the chill dren seeing her amusement She led Marie into an empty classroom across the hall and explained the rules of the school to her. When she had finished she asked: .Now, my dear little Marie, don't you think you can sit quietly in your desk for just seven minutes? It will then be recreation time and you may go out of doors and play"
 "Oh, I'll try ever so hard" smiled Ma rie, her blue eyes looking up into Teach er's. but there was not a gleam of mis- chief In them. Marie was but baby
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
Little Marie's First Day. at School

than any of the others when a song was sung that she liked.
 Well, Marie, you have a fine voice and sing very we'll" said Teacher.
 And I can sing lots of songs," de- clared Marie. If you'd like for me to sing old Saint Nick I'll do so.'
 Mot now, dear,' smiled Teacher. wen have our lessons now. But some Friday afternoon you may sing old Saint Nick for us if you like"
 "Then I'll sing Little Bo-Peep' this morning if you'd rather have it than old Saint Nick said Marie, anxious to show what she could do with a little song all by herself. And when I'm tome I can play it on the piano.
 Not this morning. dear," said Teacher. And now you know we all must be very quiet. It's study hour now, my dear, and you mustn't move about in your seat nor whisper to any of the pupils. After a while we'll have recess; then you may run out and play for 10 minutes and have fine sport"
 Then Teacher called a class and began giving them their lesson, marking off a whole page to be learned. much to Ma ries astonshment.
 But as the day wore on Marie became very tired of the quiet of the schooroom and of the monotony of the little ones voices in recitation. As her mamma had taught her all her letters and to read through the first reader, and to write ever so many words, Marie was put into a class of boys and girls that formed the "A class.''
 At first Marie enjoyed reading, spelling and writing Then her mind grew tired of books and she began looking about at her little schoolmates. First her eye caught red, curly head sitting back of her. The head belonged to very funny little chap, Johnny Rogers by name. He saw Marie looking him over and winked mischevously at her. This show of friendliness so pleased Marie that she called out to him: Say, boy. what's your name? You're awfully ny-looking. What dreadful big" But Marie's remarks were cut short by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

old. But she was a very little Miss for her years, and as there were no other children in her home she was still her mammals baby and her papa's sonly pet.
 And so they had moved from the coun- try into town. where Marie might have the advantages of schooling due little Miss of six. And such lovely books she had, too, and a slate and long, sharp pencil. Oh, Marie had gone into ecstacy the Saturday before, when her mamma had brought to her the fine book and slate-satchel so filled with all necessary school things. There was a sponge, too, with which to wash her slate. And dear little box which held her slate pencil and lead pencil, and another to hold her two writing pens. Marie was to become great scholar, so papa de- cIared And Marie was determined not to disappoint him.
 As soon as breakfast was over Marie's mamma took her to the schoolhouse, which was several blocks away. And when mamma led her into the room where the ..primary grade" wal kept Marie was so glad to see 1t was He'd with little boys
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
BY HELENA DAVIS.

Come. dearie, jump up as quickly as you can. This is to be your first day at school, and it's almost o'clock now Come, open your blue eyes wide and don't let that old monster, Laziness. get nip at you.'
 It was little Marie's mamma who was calling her from her mornings sleep And Marie, rubbing her eyes, remembered that the day just begun was to be one full of interest for her, for she was to start to school that morning. And Marie had never been in any sort of school before. Her parents had thought it best to keep her out of the kindergarten, as she was not very rugged, and they wished her to be out of doors as much as possf- ble, where she'd grow strong and healthy.
 But during the summer Marie had had a birthday, and she was now six years
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

A pretty and serviceable shoe box may be made in the following way: Procure a small wooden goods box, say two feet long, two feet deep and one and half feet wide. Fasten the lid on with small hinges. Paint the inside of the box and lid a rich dark red or blue. Cover the outside with cretonne or burlap in rich color, tacking the covering on with bright headed brass tacks. The lid may be slightly padded so as to form a seat when closed Four red wool tassels may be tackled to the corners of the box by way of decoration. A red tape loop to draw over brass hook may be used as a fast ening. Such box is very handy to hold the boys or girls shoes and is ornamen- tai in the room as well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
r OwPuZZle Corner $
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is in small, but not in big; My second is in cat, but not in pig: My third is in harp, but not in string: My fourth is in owl, but not in wing: My fifth is the same as you find in my four: My sixth is in lock, but not in door:
 My whole spells a word
 With meaning most clear
 To studious children
 At this time of year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
But when the days of fall do come,

But when tne days of fall do come, And summer playtime's o'er. They're just as happy as can be To go to school once more. With books and slates tucked meath thei
 arms
 They hurry off together; And every day finds them In school In every sort of weather. For what care they, the boys and girls. If rains come pouring fast? For just little later on
 They'll breast the winters blast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

but to be obliged to stay-''
 But Fred broke off in his soliloquy, for just as he turned q corner he saw an old man with a small street telescope. He was placing it in position near to the curb to be in readiness when the early moon should appear in the sky. Fred walked up to him and asked If he'd be there after dark.
 ''Yes indeed. my son." replied the old man. "Ill have this instrument directed on the moon, and for 10 cents you may have good look at our beautiful daugh- ter-for the moon is the earth's daugh- ter, you know
 ''All right. I'll be around after supper to take a trip to the moon," laughed Fred. Then, forgetting his school trou- bles, he hurried home to tell his mother about the telescope and to ask her for the required sum to look at the moon.
 And hardly had the moon come out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
HIDDEN-NAME PUZZLE.

By taking che initial letter of one syllable word from each of the following five sentences, and writing the letters in the order in which they come, the name of a world-famous American gen. eral will be spelt:
 It Is better to be good than famous One rat can undermine the foundation of house.
 A man may learn industry from the ant
 Do not think only of your own pleas ure.
 Turn not deaf ear to the needy.
 coNUNDRUMs. .otNlGy, tWhy, should architects make excellent Because they are so good at drasoino houses.
 Why is a watch dog larger at night than in the day?
 Because he Is let out at night and taken Sn during the day.
 What Is the difference between a pastry cook and a bill-sticker?
 One pufs ap paste and the other pdstes up pnfs
 When Is a young lady not young When she is s,oeet tart (ssoeethearD.
 ANSWERS TO PUZZLE CORNER. LETTER ENIGMA: Painting.
 HIDDEN PROVERB PUZZLE: Look before yoa leap.
 BEHBADINGS: CD Boron. (2) Grind ,ind. (3) tber-lumber.
 CURTAILINGS: CD Pink-pfn. (2) Prime-p -priml. (3) Turkey-turk. ALPHABETICAL PUZZLE Boar. Goat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
BEHEAD DINGS.

CD Behead certain small animals and leave a small grain. (2) Doubly behead a manufactured metal and leave hsh. (3) Behead an article of clothing worn by boys and leave small insects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
RIDDLE AND ANSWER.

I'm slain to save me7-with much care and pain, Scattered, dispersed and gathered up again; Withered, though young-most sweet, though unperfumed; And carefully stacked up to be consumed.
 (HdU.l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
RTAILlNGS.

f1) Triply curtaii a wise man and leave a clothee-line support. (2) Doubly curtail comical little animal and leave a man of a religious order. (3) Curtail to crush grain and leave the smile of mischieyous boy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

as he fell she stepped into his place and helped with the loading of the cannon till the battle was ended in the evening.
 After the close of the war Moll Pitcher married man by the name of McCauley, n sort of worthless. never-do-well, with whom she suffered hardship and poverty. She lived to the ripe age of 80, and died and was buried at her old home, Car llsle, Pa. And there to mark her grave Is a monument of some pretensions. An other monument to commemorate her brave deed is to be seen on the old bat tleield of Monmouth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
School Days.

In the spring the children all
 Are glad when school Is out. They love to play through summer hours To sing. to laugh. to shout.
The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-12-09
'UNMASKED MEN ROB
BIG PORTLAND BANK
IN EARLY EVENING
MAkt WAY With SIG. 500 CASH
Hold Bank President and Son at Re.
volyer's Point--tliinaxt TO Three
Months Reign of Crime.

PORTLAND. Ore, Dec. The
East Side bank located on East
Washington street and Grand ave-
nue.. was held up and robbed at c
o'clock tonight by three unmasked
men. Ii is understood that they Sc
cured about $1G,500. the president
of the bank Henry II. Newhall and
his son. Roger Newhall. were just
closing the days business when two
men armed with reyolvers entered.
President Newhall and his son were
commanded to hold up their hands
and while under the cover of the rob
beers revolyers one man crawled
through the teller's window and pass
ed out the gold, currency and silver
to his confederates and then crawled
back into the foyer through the Win
dow The three then made their es-
cape before the alarm could be sound