davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
WHEN JOHNNY CAME MARCHING HOMIE

to his obligng companion, whose face in the moonlight displayed a pleased ex- pression at the word 'sausages.''
 There being no dog to object to their plans Johpny and the tramp were soon in the loft of the barn, and the former sound asleep as soon as be touched the straw.
 How long he had slept be did not know, but after time he was awakened from a happy dream of home by voices below him. Quickly realizing his position he sat up in the straw and looked for his companion of the previous night. But he had given Johnny the slip, and to the poor boys dismay had taken the freight" along with him. My best suit and ~ll my doughnuts and sausages." moaned Johnny to himself
 But he had little time for thought, for just at this minute up the ladder came man. Right into the hay loft he climbed. and then he saw Johnny sitting there, looking frightened.
 Wy, son, where'd you drop from 7' he asked, looking the second time to make sure he was not dreaming.
 "I-I-I-came from Birdtown," said Johnny, confused and bushing. ''1 dropped in here to get little sleep, for I was cold and tired. I hope, sir, that I haven't done any harm"
 And then the man questioned Johnny closely. learning by bits all about the surveying party-which he assured him had not passed that way--and all about the tramp who had stolen Johnny's va lise containing food and clothing
 Johnny was invited to come from the loft and to go to the house for break fast. As he sat in the big cheerful kitch- en, very much ashamed and very home sick. and wishing from the bottom of his heart that he had not undertaken to run away to Central America. the man had q whispered conversation with his young wife, who had sucn q sweet face and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

to peep from their door. As the night fell they could look from their windows with out being seen. as they made no fire in their cot, knowing that light might lead interested persons to come to question them regarding Beppo's fate for through out the city the sad story of the young lamplighter had been told, and many were against the lord-ruler should he sentence the poor lad to death, for legend had 1t that in the long, long ago the ancestors of Beppo had been the rightful rulers of the city, and that by right Beppo should now be the governor, being his mothers eldest son. The line of descent came through his mother's family. And 1t was also whispered that hidden away In vault i'll the palace were documentary proofs of Beppos claim, and that it was this fact which had caused the lord-rulers to treat so cruelty the lamplighters for so many generations.
 As the night fell Beppo and his parents crept to their window to see who would light the lamps. One by one the lights about the palace flashed out, but no hand was visible in the process. Then about the city flashed thousands of other lights saw the strange proceeding from his pal ace window and fear made him tremble. He called to his guards to secure the gates, and to the jailor to carry his little prisoner to n yet deeper and more secret dungeon cell. Upon the jailor's returning with the word that the prisoner had es-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

In tae self-sarne meadow, wide and fair, Not knowing. of course, that March Lion
 was there. But gimpsing Lion, he said. .'l declarel That clustering animal raises my hair" Old Lion also caught peep Of the 1eecy, frolicsome baby-sheep: And said to himself, ''I'll gently creep Up the meadow slope, 'tisn't very steep, "And together we'll wander about and
 play And start this month in a friendly way; So that people will look at the sky and
 say What a splendid, promising First Spring
 Dayl" And the lamb, who knew there could be
 no harm, Leaped forward to meet him, and took
 his arm. And together they wandered through city. < cross farm: And the people looked on without any
 alarm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

explain that at the time of his writing the note he really had it in mind to join a surveying party, for he had seen one camped at the outskirts of town, and had. with several school comrades. made them call one evening after school and had asked that he be taken along with them. One of the men had laughingly said that johnuy might go along to drive stakes" but his word had been given Ia jest.
 1sat his parents might not know which party of surveyors he meant to accompany Johnny had mlsed them purposely as to hls destination, naming Canada as the place of thelr travels. But, in fact, the men of the surveying party had told him that they were bound for Central Amer lea, talking for effect and jest, and jo- vially watching the eagerness of the boys when they heard the wondrous tale Central Americal' And Johnny's eyes widened and his mouth went open in amazement. Central America! The word had a charm for him, and In his minds eye he saw deep mountain gorges, filled with reptiles of enormous size; great Jun gles teeming with monkeys. leopards and other animal monsters, while all about and overhead burned the intense heat of the tropics and the millions of insects and gay plunged birds filled the stifing air. Central Americal The very place where there were no schools and an ab- sence of chores Central Americal The very place for Johnny, in company with the surveying party of jolly men and boys. So he made compact with one of the men of the party, saying that he within a week.
 All right, sonny" laughed the man. But come when the moon Is at its full. Otherwise you might not find us.''
 And. ah, good luck! The moon was at its full on the night that Johnny stole from his home-roof into the deserted and March blown street. With legs of swift ness he ran, travelling bag in hand,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

towards the camp ground of the sur veyors. As he neared the spot. which was at the edge of deep wood, he stopped short and looked about him. Could he have made mistake and come to the wrong bend in the river? No, he was ia the right place; but the camp the tent-the' men-where were they? There was the bare spot where the wagons, the tents and the fires had ban ished the old grass and weeds of last year. There also, were the ashes of a recent fire, still in a pile, showing that 1t had not been many hours since the campers had cooked their meal there.
 But the party was gone, and Johnny's heart fell for a minute, disappointment making it heavy.
 Well" he said resignedly, "they must have started this morning. I guess they expected me last night. But I'll over take them. for they must have gone South, since they are bound for Central America"
 Then, with the courage of a lion and the hopes of an enthusiast, Johnny start ed off full speed southward, following dim road, which led through farm meadows and fields.
 But the March winds were strong and biting. and Johnny had not gone very far before he felt cold to the marrow and was so tired that he thought seriously of stopping at some farmhouse and asking shelter for the remainder Of the night. But the paying of dogs determined him to keep afoot and pursue his way. He had read many and many times of boys travelling afoot all night, and boys who were lost and followed by hostile Indians and threatened by wild beasts. Why should he give up when going along a peaceful highway, where the only men were friendly palefaces and the only animals were domestic and harmless? Bah, he must learn to rough 1t and not to think of a soft, warm bed and hot breakfast on waking.
 Thus he argued with himself. and trudged on and on.
 But Johnny was only 12 years old, as we have said, and he didn't know as much then as he afterwards learned.
 About midnight he was so cold and weary that to go another foot was i'm possible. He was about to lie down under an old straw stack, which was convenient to the highway, when he saw by the waning moon the form of a man coming towards him. hope filled his breast. Alone at midnight on a lonely country road was not quite to his taste, and he was not only cold and weary but lonely as well. The thought of meet ing with another night wanderer was pleasing to him and, just as he came up to the pedestrian. he paused and said Good evening, sir"
 "Aw, hello yerself, young feller." came the response. "Be you of the roadT'
 ''I'm going to join surveying party explained Johnny. Have you come any great distance on this road today, sir?'',
 'Waal, I've stretched me laigs over about 10 mile," drawled the man.
 Did you meet a surveying party
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
@1e Fairy Lanplighter": BY MAUD WALKER:

city lamps had been confined to the mem bers of one family. And at the time of this story the lamplighter was a mere boy of twelve summers. Being delicate little fellow he was often made sick by exposure in the cold damp evenings as he went-torch in hand-about the streets lighting the lamps one evening, being quite overcome with cold and fatigue, he fell in a faint before he had finished
 lighting the lamps tbout the palace. On the lord-ruler's hearing of this he became very angry and declared that if the lamp lighter failed to complete his task at the given time, the trust should be taken from his family and he himsef executed as an unworthy servant to his ruler.
 Of course this threat on the part of the lord-governor came like a blow to the little -lamplighter and his poor parents. The father of the lamplighter had per formed the same task until III health had come upon him and forced him to hand the work over to his son, and as the wage was extremely small the family were in very deplorable circumstances indeed. The father was too i'll to work, the mother was kept busy, waiting upon him and attending to the work of house and garden, therefore the living depended upon the son, Beppo, by name.
 On the day following the sad circum- stances just related, namely, the faint ing of Beppo, his mother urged him to re- main at home, as he was so III, and allow her to attend to the lighting of the lamps. ,'1'll creep about In your poor fathers coat and cap," she said, ''and no one will take notice that woman is lighting the lamps"
 No, no, mother" said Beppo, "for the lord-ruler looks from his palace windows every evening as I ascend the steps to light the lamps about the gate entrance. He would see that I had failed in my
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

capped through bolts and bars the lord ruler became wild with rage. He swore that he had been undone by one in his midst.
 But at this point he heard a thousand shouts ringing against his castle walls. and the palace was besieged by a won. drous army. The soldiers had gathered in the night, secreting themselves inside the hollow pedestals of the lamps, and at a signal from the fairy who led them they had lighted the lamps from within; then, torches in hand had marched against the ruler, who was hated by them for his cruelty.
 Before the morning had dawned the pal ace was In the hands of the besieging army, and the lord-ruler, seeing that he was doomed, leaped from his tower win dow into the moat and was killed in- stantly.
 Search brought to light the documentary proofs of Beppo's right to the governor ship of the city, and amidst wild cheering of the soldiers, still under command of the beautiful fairy, and the happy accla- nation of the populace. Beppo was in- stalled in his high office as boy governor of the city And the fairy helped him to frame new laws by which the people were given justice and allowed all the prfyi- leges of grateful and happy people.
 And throughout his life did Beppo reign and was beloved. And during his life the Fairy Lamplighter. as the little fairy was called, came regularly every week to give him council. And no man nor child hated the name of Beppo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

work and would have his threat put into execution. And what would become of you and my father should be taken from you? No. I must get into my great cloak and gauntlets, to keep me from the wind, and go to my work at the frat ringing of the evening bell"
 But hardly had Beppo started on his rounds of lighting the lamps when an ill., ness seized him, and he fell in a faint, as on tue night before The lord-ruler, watching from his palace window, cried out to his guards to fetch the lamp lighter to him at once, for he suspicioned some mischief was brewing, and that the lamplighter's faint-which he de- clared was only pretense-was but sig nal of some kind to the rulers enemies.
 Beppo was carried into the presence of the ruler, and by the time he had been placed on the floor at hls feet he had gained consciousness But so frightened was he when he came to his senses and found himself in the terrible presence of his monarch that he could not say word in his own defense. So he was taken to a dungeon prison cell to await the rulers sentence, which would be passed upon him within a few days. And Beppo's heart was very heavy and sad, for he knew the anguish suffered by his parents was heartbreaking.
 The chill of the cell caused his frail body to suffer intensely, and that with the agony of his mind was almost too much for him to bear.
 The first night of his wrongful impris- onment was but half spent when Beppo was aroused from an unhappy sleep by a sudden light in his cell On opening his eyes fully to ascertain who had come to punish him he behed the most beau- tiful little maiden he had ever seen in all bis life.
 An, fear me not. brave Beppo," spoke
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
Places of Interest in Foreign Lands.

Kloto. Japan. is most interesting place, inasmuch as 1t is about the most Japanese of Japanese cities. The touch of the foreigner has not been felt there, as 1t has in many of the other places of the land of the Mikado.
 On approaching the hotels you are met by Japanese servants, who bow to the ground upon receiving you, and you are conducted to your apartment with a hun dred other bows. as the servants in charge do all in their power to make you feel that your least word Is to them a command to be joyously obeyed.
 There are no glass windows in the Jap anese houses, and when the weather is too chilly to admit of your being out on the veranda you feel sadly imprisoned, indeed. not being able to look from your apartments unless you break out a paper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

Long, long ago. In land far beyond the seas, there was quaint old city nestling at the feet Of great mountain. This city was governed by a lord of high degree, man as cruel as he was great and powerful. His subjects feared and hated him, but he kept them so oppressed that they could not rise against their despised ruler.
 Now, in this city were hundreds of small street lamps, not like those of the present day, but of unique make. When burning they resembled torches. and made a striking light at night when they all blazed about the castle grounds. These lamps were set on tall pedestals, each pedestal being about four feet by four feet at the base and tapering gradually toward the top which reached a height of six feet. And all these pedestals were hollow, having little doors at their backs which opened. Inside were kept the oil and tinder for lighting, and the lamp lighter kept the key that opened the doors.
 For centuries the work of lighting the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

window pane, which, of course, would not be permissible.
 One of the most interesting Japanese temples In Kioto is Gion Chiosiu, for it was the temple assigned to the foreign envoys when they made their first visit to the Mikado in the year 1868. It is a fine building, surrounded by splendidly kept grounds, upon which are many smaller temples and houses for the priests. It was here that the Dutch en- voys were kept when they were brought through the country to pay their annual tribute tofthe Mikado for the privilege of trading with Japan. They were literally kept as prisoners and suffered all sorts of indignlties. Before the Mikado and his court--the Empress and her ladies being secreted behind great screens-these poor Dutchmen were forced to dance and sing and .'cut up capers," so to speak, by way of entertainment.
 One rides through the narrow and pie turesque streets of Koto in a jinrikishas drawn by heet-footed Japanese. These well-built, athletic fellows can run 10 hours on the stretch, and at the termina- tion of the journey feel quite as unfatigued as the occupant (be he foreigner) of the jlnrikishas.
 The Japanese are not fond of rain, and during shower the streets are deserted by all who may put off going out under cloudy skies. Those who are obliged to wander forth in the rain so on high clogs, wear large paper hats and carry over them paper umbrellas.
 Kioto boasts of the finest jugglers and theaters In the land. From here many of the greatest Japanese entertainers are procured for other Japanese cities, as well as for European countries and America.
 The cooking at the hotels was found to be very well done and appetizing, and after one has become accustomed to the absence of highly seasoned and rich foods, such as one finds in England, France and America, the Japanese dinner is quite a relishable thing and always a nutritious one. MARY GRAHAM,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

the maiden, coming close to the old pallet upon which Beppo lay in the corner "l am the fairy Good Deeds, and l have come to rescue you from the vengeance of that cruel ruler who seeks your life. He is a monster, and you shall not fall victim to his wrath. Come, go with me.
 But, how dare I leave this pace?" asked Beppo. anxiously, rising trembingly to his feet.
 q need no keys to pass through doors of steel and oak" said the fairy.
 But my parents,' explained Beppo. "They would fall under the cruel rulers anger. Were I to make my escape my parents would have to suffer the conse- quences."
 You and your parents will be safe." said the fairy. Trust me and be not afraid
 Beppo followed the fairy from the cell, and to his astonishment saw the barred and locked doors and gates open before her as she waved her wand. Then he soon found himself in his own home, his parents greeting him with embraces and words of love and sympathy.
 But the lamps?" they asked. Who Is to light them?''
 q shall attend to that, my friend :" said the fairy. Watch the work of the lamplighter tonight. And be ready for a great and good surprise"
 But the lord-ruler will kill us if he finds our son has escaped from prison," cried the mother. And he will have our dear sons innocent life"
 ''The ruler will know nothing about your sons absence today. Tomorrow will be too late I heard his orders to the jailer to leave the prisoner alone for two days, not to take him food nor drink, and not to go near the cell door. You are safe today from his vengeance. Tomorrow we'll wait and see the work of the lamp lighter tonight
 And then the fairy was gone, leaving the three sitting in wonder at all that had happened, and wondering what would be their fate on the morrow.
 All the next day Beppo and his parents kept hidden in their own house. fearing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

wagons, tents, horses and half dozen men7' asked Johnny.
 Yep" said the man. "They're down the road a piece a-campln'. Want me to take. you thar. young feller? I haln't nothin' to do but travel, an goin' in one direction suits as well as anuther. Say the word, pal, an I'll take you to the party you're after"
 Although Johnny knew from the mans speech and general appearance that he was tramp he wanted so much to reach the surveying party that he concluded to ask him to conduct him to them. Once in the safe company of the party he could dismiss his fellow-traveler of the night. ''Yes, sir, if you please" he said. ''I am anxious to catch them up before they have broken camp in the morning.
 The tramp turned about willingly, and together the two continued their walk ip the direction from which the tramp had come.
 But Johnny's legs were quite unequal to the task, and after they had gone about mile he gave out. sitting down by the roadside and declaring that he was freezing and falling asleep.
 Now, lookee here. kid." said the tramp. "Sposen we turn into that farmhouse wonder. At this time o'nlght there ain't nothin' doin', for every mothers son of lem Is poundin' the piller to beat the band. Even the dawg Is sound an snor- ing. We'll slip roun' to the barn an git a nap before mornin'. What say yo,. pal"
 Johnny was in no condition to say any thing just then, and at thought of snug place in the warm straw where he might sleep for bit he nodded his consent and followed the tramp through the gate and round the house to the barn. '1'll take that freight" said the man. relieving Johnny of his valise. "It's just my clothes and some bread and doughnuts and cold sausages," explained Johnny sleepily. Then he turned the valise over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01
BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.

Johnny hated school. Johnny disllked anything that did not come under the head of "Game" or Play" Johnny was only I2 years old. but he felt much older, and thought himself very capable of get ting through the world without education or work.
 In vain did Johnnys best frlends--his parents and teacher-reason with him earnestly and point out the errors of his way. And after all argurhent had been used to no avail his father became stern and determined. He told Johnny that hd would insist upon hls being regular at school, and that he would deal with him according to the teachers reports of his work.
 And then 1t was that Johnny decided npon doing something most dlshonorable, an act most unworthy a boy who had a good home and deeply sympathetic par ents, whose dearest object In life was to see their son become a good. and perhaps a great, man, and whose every energy was directed toward giving him the best advantages of schooling and home train ing. Johnny determined that since he could not devote his days to pleasures he would run away from home. He planned well his going, so that his movements should mislead his parents. One evening while his parents were attending a social function of some magnitude, and which would keep them from home till the hour of midnight. Johnny decided to take French leave of home and all that the dear word meant. He packed little va lise with a few necessary garments, put on his overcoat and hat and slipped from the front door while the housemaid was chatting with company In the Kitchen. He left a note for his parents. saying that he was going to 1oIn a surveying party that was on Its way to Canada.
 Now, that the reader may not think Johnny wholly bad. 1t Is necessary to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-01

was so kind to Johnny that the tears filled the little fellows eyes. and be wished he were at home with his own loving mother.
 And then after breakfast Johnny's host and hostess had long conversation with him, and Johnny listened very. attentive ly to all that they said, seeing for the first time in his young life all his faults, aud realizing what a thankless boy he had been.
 T want to go home at once." he said impulsively. Then he burst into tears.
 Well, you shall be there for dinner today" promised the good farmer "I'n hitch up the horse to the buggy and take you spinning. I reckon therell be a happy mother and daddy when they see their little Johnny come marching home. eh7' and he laughed good-naturedly.
 .I'n get a good lecture from mamma. after she's cried and laughed over get ting me back" admitted Johnny And maybe daddy wlil-will-get to work with whip. but I don't care. All want is to get home again"
 And Johnny "got home again" that day, and he was taken to the hearts of his parents, who had spent the most anxious night anu half day In their lives over the abses>Se of their naughty son. But the lecture Sud the whip were for gotten when Johnny, penitent. plead guilty to having been a bad boy. and promised to mend his ways and become a good son at home and a dutiful pupil at school.
 And to this day Johnny has kept his word, and to this day he shlvers wheG ever he hears a surveying party spoken of or sees a tramp.