davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
% &

"Gus, don't you think that great big watermelon is ripe?" asked Gus Rogers Aunt Mary With whom he made his home. Tt thumped pretty deep yester- day when tried 1t with my thumb"
 "I don't think-I-why, Aunt Mary, there are some other melons in the patch that are ripe, know" And Gus, who had begun to speak fin m evasiye way frightened up with the information about the "other melons, In the patch. Shall l run down and fetch a basket of ripe ones. up and put them In the cellar to coolP'
 Why, we're to have company tomor- row for dinner" explained Aunt Mary, "and I thought that a good time to pull that giant melon. l don't think l ever saw so large a melon, and it's perfect In shape and color. I dare say 1t will be as sweet as sugar. It's of the black seed variety, isn't it, Gus?"
 "Yes'm, and so are all the melons in the patch. I'll run down and thump the bug melon; but 1 guess there're others that ought to be pulled first And Gus started off on the run towards the melon patch that was still hourIshing with It's ''last crop" and would continue to do so till the frost.
 ''No, want the big one-if it's ripe, Gus" cried out Aunt Mary after her nephew, who answered back: "I'l thump it, Aunt, and see how it sounds"
 Tntn, as he entered the patch of melons he went directly to a huge green one, as much as a boy could carry. Gee, stroking the bright green rind of the melon. And 1t seems shame that Aunt wants to feed you to those Smiths flor that's about who the company will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

Every day during the fall months little Molly Donivan walked to the country school two miles distant from her home, And she took charge of and protected two little nelghbor children, who were somewhat younger than herself seeing that they were not run over" by the older pupils, for, you know, there are boys-and girls, too, I'm sorry to say that delight in teasing and annoying their juniors in age and interiors in size. So Molly threw her protecting little arm about Peggy and sammy Stone. twin sis- ter and brother, and neighbors of Moily's.
 During the severe winter weather Molly. and, of course, Peggy and Sammy (seeing that the twins never went to school with out Molly) were obliged to miss many. many days of schooling, for they could not breast the severe weather such long distance. But during the pleasant months they never missed a day.
 Going to and from school was very pleasant, indeed, for their road was over beautiful prairie. with great fields stretching on every side. It was in the Middle West, where very little timber obstructed tho prairies, which rolled gent ly sloping for miles and miles. Also, it
 
 did great damage to property and life, for no mountains or forests were there to break its fury.
 One very hot day in the latter part of September-for September Is ono of the hottest months in that part of the coun- try-the heat was most oppressive; no wind-which is so usual during the au tumn-blew to give relief. and the sky was full of small. heavy thundercaps xr-oa fprlf @ sf of some sort
 Late in the afternoon the schoolteaeher decided it was best to dismiss school for the day, as every atmospheric symptom pointed toward a cyclonlc disturbance, if not a genuine cyclone. She told the pu- pills to make all possible haste to their re- spective homes, saying that the sky was very threatening, indeed. for great black-hrowed cloud was rising over the northwestern horizon.
 Molly, with little book satchel in one hand and dinner pail in the other, and with Peggy and Sammy running close to her heels, went flying over the dusty country road toward her home, which was not to. be seen from the schoohouse q long hill intervening.
 Hope 1t won't be cyclone" gasped out sammy. And even while he was speaking gust of hot wind blew fiercely from the northwest. "Oh, that blew the dust in my eyes'' the little chap cried stopping to wipe his face on his sleeve Say, Sister an Molly. wait for mel he called out to the running girls, who were leaving him behind.
 Well, Brother don't he foolin' along,' called out Peggy, padsing in her speed and waiting for sammy to come up.
 'Oh, got dust in your eyes?" asked Molly, pausing also and looking around toward Sammy who was still trying to clear his eyes. Then she returned to the little hoy's assistance, taking her handker- chief from her book satchel and wiping the lids of Sammys eyes, Now, guess the dust is all out" said Molly, preparing to replace her kerchief In its resting place.
 ''No 'tain't" declared sammy. batting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

that Gus called the melon's tail-in pretty fantastic bow.
 Saturday evening, at the close of the Fair Gus loaded his fine melon, with the blue decoration still on it, into the buggy and started for home. How proud he would be to show the melon with the blue ribbon, and to show five dollars be- sides, for there had been a cash premium as well as the knot of blue for the prize melon, and Gus had been lucky enough to capture It. A broad smile of happi- ness and pride covered his honest, freckled face us he drove homewards. When about a mile from home he overlook q man on foot. As he drew rein In pass ing he asked the pedestrian If he would like n seat beside him in the buggy, say ing he was going q mile further on.
 ''I should be glad of the rest, for I've walked this distance from town since 4 o'clock. I tried to get a livery rig from one of the stables, but owing to the Fair every conveyance was already In use. The Fnr seems to be doing a big business this year. So spoke the traveller as he climbed into the buggy beside Gus. Then, as they started on he asked if he-Gus- could tell him just how far it was to the farm of MT. George Rogers,
 Sure, sir, I'm going there now. I'm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

at least 20 miles away from the spot where the children were. Moly's face turned deadly pale, and her little hands trembled as she tried to fix her book 7satchel and dinner pail together in order that she might have one hand free to hold to Peggy with, for the wind was al- most taking that little girl from her feet. Come hold to me, Peggy" said Molly. And you, Sammy, take hold of my other arm. Therel Now we must reach that little draw down yonder--the place where the bank is all washed out on the north side"
 But that ain't going homer' cried Peggy, her breath almost gone in the gale and her little sunbonnet flying away.
 Never mind your bonnet-neyer mind anything but what I tell you!" Molly screamed in the children's ears. for now
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
melons, And there's lot of money in Col.

melons. And there's lot of money in Col oradc melons, my lad. so--"
 Say, and so you're my good Uncle Tom I've heard mamma talk so much about said Gus, pulling the horse to dead stop. And speaking of melons well, just get out of the buggy, please. Uncle, and take a peep in behind" And Gus pointed out the melon and told the story of the prize. And now, Uncle. I've drawn my second prize today. I've drawn you. And it's the best prize in the world to know that I've drawn the happy chance to go to my dear mother and to have a little place where We may work and be together. As for raising melons-well, l reckon I can learn"
 Gus and his Uncle Tom both laughed as they climbed into the buggy and pro- ceeded on their way. And when ut last they reached the house and the newly arrived uncle was introduced and warmly welcomed, the story of the prize" melon was told. And Aunt Mary threw her arms about Gus, saying: You're a fine boy, Gussie, and Pm not afraid but what you'll succeed in. anything you under take. And although we'll be lonely with out you-and have no more prize melons grown In our garden-we rejoice to know that you are to Join your dear mother"
 And as the family gathered about the table to eat the prize melon Gus was the center of conyersa tion, and he was the happiest boy in the world just then.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
Molly returned to the little boys assistance

the storm was nearing them so rapidly that its roaring drowned their voices
 And the rain was coming faster and faster. Its a very dangerous storm" shrieked Molly, dragging the two little ones by main force, and against their will, towards the draw" where one of the banks had been cut out by heavy rains Into deep cave-iike ledge. Come, we can't get home now. We've got to crawl under the bank in the drawl The distance was short to the draw. being only few paces from the roadside and within few minutes Molly had the twins safely tucked far under the overhanging bank. little cavevlike nook secure from wind and weather. and had herself crawed In after them. And there the three little ones remained for long, long hour, for the wind swept above them in a perfect hurricane, tearing out by the roots the few stray trees that grew along the banks of the ''draw."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

BY HELENA DAVIS.

Peggy and Sammy huddled down like two little mice, keeping their eyes shut tightly while with their hands they clung to the very soil beneath them, digging their fingers into 1t. But so secure were they that the winds swept above them, never touching them with Its ferceness. And the ground being so dry the rain was swallowed up as soon as 1t fell. thus preventing the little run. or "draw" as the ditch was commonly called. from fill ing up at once. But as the rain fell in torrents quite little river was formed in the bed of the ravine, and the children
 had some difficulty in keeping their feet out of it. If the water rises much more we'll get good soaking" said Molly, speaking to herself. But we're not afraid of water. If the storm goes over without tearing our cave away we're In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

his eyelids. There's dust-chunks and chunks of it-in my left eye, Uh. 1t hurts, 1t does" And the suffering Sammy grabbed at Mollys kerchief to aid In removing the "chunks and chunks' of dust from his eye. Again Molly came to his assistance, this time turning the lid back as far as she could so that she might wipe the dust from under 1t. She had seen her mother remove dust from the herdboys' eyes many and many time, and she knew just how to go about 1t. But the process took time, and be- fore sammy proclaimed his peppers all right the minutes had flown, and so had the great back-browed cloud, which now covered half the western sky. Then the day grew suddenly darker, and a furious wind came of sudden. bringing dust, sand and occasional drops of rain The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04


 is the "Obeah." In all probability the term Obeah is derived from the word Obi" which is used by the natives of the East Coast of Africa to signify witch craft and fetichism. The Obi has been traced back Into Egyptian mythology.
 The belief in Obeah Is not infrequently fatal to life, the believer pining away till death claims him. On every estate and in every village there Is at least one Obeah man or woman-more often the latter. This person is believed to possess the evil eye or the powers of the devil. A negro who wishes to be rid of an enemy goes to the Obeah woman and se- cures her aid by paying her sum of money or giving her presents. The wo- man has her reputation to maintain, and if her influence over the victim falls she resorts to slow poisoning. but this is rarely needed, as the Obeahed man or woman immediately falls into the clutches of the sorceress or Obeah. The Obeah woman's method is this. As soon as en- gagged to use her supernatural powers she seeks out the victim and tells him he is to be Obeahed. He becomes a prey to fear and pines away. His fa lily and friends notice the change In his condi- ton and declare he is "Obeahed," and fall away from him in terror Thus the deadly work, once begun, finds an end in his miserable death, though 1t was tho workings of his mind that killed him, the Obeah woman is held responsible and feared by all in the community accord ingly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is fin sin, but not in goodi My second is in hearth, but not In woodi My third is in eel. but not in nsn: My fourth is in tureen, but not in dishi My fifth is in lake, but not in riveri My sixth is in arrow, but not in culver; My seventh is in nail but not in tack; My eighth Is in doctor, but not In quack: My ninth is in pearl, but not in gem: My tenth Is in flower but not in stem: My eleventh is the same as my seventh, you know:
 \ My twelfth is in yacht. but not in row. My whole spells an animals name. you see,
 And if you can guess 1t. please tell me
 HIDDEN BIRD PUZZLE. If you will take the first letter of a one-syllable word from each of the fol. lowing sentences and write them in the order in which they come, you will have the name of great bird:
 Be most respectful towards old are. The sum of some mems happiness con- sists of money.
 If there be sin in your heart, tear 1t out by the roots.
 Never read for mere pastima- Iron is a most necessary metal Never cry over split milk. Hear with open ears all words of wisdom.
 BEHEADINGs.
 (i) Behead a narrow string and leave an animal of the monkey family. t2)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

storm was coming at the rate of 50 miles an hour, and the outer rim of it was upon the three little ones on the wild prairie.
 Molly, versed in all the things of the plains, looked at the cloud, saw the under clouds whirling round and round; also noted that there seemed to be two strong upper currents of air battling with each other. Although the atmosphere was h. sufferably hot just before the wind struck 1t, it had now turned very cold. and Sammy and Peggy shivered 'Uh. let's hurry home,' gasped Peggy, hardly able to speak in the ferceness of the gale.
 But Mollys observant eye had seen something that neither sammy nor Peggy had noticed. In fact. not one child in a hundred under 15 would have noticed 1t.
 It was a funnel-shaped cloud as black as ink that kept dipping down toward the earth and swinging backward and forward as 1t swept across the prairie
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

luck" And so 1t did. Soon the wind had blown over, the rain had followed 1t, still rushing on across the prairies like wildfire. And the great battlefield of the storm lay soaked and wind-swept, every tree, every haystack that had dotted the prairie was gone.
 Slowly Molly crept from the little cave under the bank and looked about her. Some rain was falling yet, but not enough for apprehension. and toward the north west the sky was clear and serene. But all about them the plains lay as bare as though it had been swept by q huge broom. Even the wild grass had been torn out by the roots. Molly looked to- ward the schoolhouse-or the place where it had once been. But the ground was smooth and not one board of the white frame building was to be seen. A great fear came over her. Suppose her own home-her dear parents!
 But at that moment she saw . sturdy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

of such a storm. But" and for the first time he saw, to his surprise and dismay, that there was no schoolhouse. Then Molly told him how they-she and the twins-had crouched in the cut-out bank of the draw during the storm. And when she had finished. her father took her in his arms and kissed her.
 You are the bravest little girl I ever saw or heard of" he said. ''You saved the lives of your little charges and of yourself by being cool-headed and brave. And now let's hurry home. Mamma and the father and mother of Peggy and Sam my are so anxious to know if you are safe. God bless you all. What joy they will feel when they see us all coming home together, safe and sound"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

figure ascending the long hill. and into view came her own father. He was com ing very rapidly. looking all about him. When he saw Molly he raised his hands as if in thankfulness.
 Molly and the twins ran to meet him.
 Why, Papa, where did you come from 2" asked Molly in cheerful tones. Are mamma and the house safe2''
 ''Yes. dear, child. But how came you here? We supposed the teacher would keep you in the schoolhouse in the face
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

In the damp, deep forest,
 And close to water. clear; "I don't see why they call 1t A toad-stool. Do you, dear7 It's not a stool I'm certain, For I'd be hardly able To sit upon the thing at all; It's more like high table," "A table, Sir!" said Mrs. Frog; And out she came and sat Upon the log to view the thing, Well, surely, its not that. It's one of those strange things you
 know
 That's called an umbrella, And it's intended to keep rain From pouring on a fellow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
2 0ITPuZZle Corner 41

Doubly behead | dan -erous Ash and leave the name of the first great ship. (3) Be head another name for sorceress and leave the effect of q mosquito bite
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
CONUNDRUMs.

Why is life the greatest of all conun. drums7
 Because soe must all oire # up. Which is the swifter, heat or coldl Hcdt, for you can easily catch cold. What flowers can be found between the nose and chin?
 Tulips (ttoo Hps).
 Why Is a kiss like gossip? Because it DOCS from mouth to mouth. What is that which Is put on the table and cut, yet never eaten? 4 pack of cards.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
A Fatal Superstition
 Among Caribbees.

The inhabitants of the Cnribbee Islands are a most superstitious people. and to great extent their life Is guided by signs and omens. They believe strongly in the evil influence of ghosts and devils, be- lief which in the past led them Into the most frlghtful practices.
 One of their most potent superstitions
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
CURTAILINGS.

(1) Doubly curtail a coin and leave the favorlts toy of a little girl. (2) Curtail small animal and leave a decoration worn by lodges and societies. (3) Curtan
 the name of one of Shakespeare's charac- ters and leave an old and historical city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

Willie got so frightened That he was stiff and stark. In the middle of the night, When it was still and dark. He thought he saw a goblin A-standing white and tall Over in the closet Up against the walli Yes, there it stood a-leaning. As though 1t meant to stay Till the night should wearily Go and give place to day. And Willie, crouched heath covers, Let out his voice and cried, A-calling to his mother, Who came to his bedside. "What is 1t? Son ?' asked mamma. Seeing Willie all alright; And then she got the matches And quickly made light. An, the closet door was open, And there against the wall Was one of Willie's nlght-gowns A-hanging!-Tha was all.
 MAUD WALKER.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
WHAT GIRLS AND BOYS SHOULD

Be neat. Be orderly. Bs proud. Be studious Be loving Be truthful. Be faithful. Be industrious Be helpful. Be sympathetic. Be charitable. Be forgiv- ing. Be grateful. Be ambitious. Be un- selnsh. Be unenvious. Be cheerful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

The Dominion of Canada contains nearly 8,746,000 square miles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
ANswEr TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES

LETTER ENTGMA--BdsebdH
 HIDDEN NAME PUzzLE-Etna. BEHEADINGS - (1l Sndfl-naiL t2l Tarts-drts. (3) Yegst-edst.
 CURTAILINGS-Tiok (2) Wrap per-tordp. (3) Tippet-tp
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18

WAHTED-Live and reliable men in
this city; combination health. acct
dent and life insurance; monthly pian
splendid inducements and great oppor-
tunity. Address A D. Miller, 2lo Royal
Insurance Bldg, Chicago, III. l1-3
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18
------------------------- ---------------------
R0oMERs WANTED.

WANTED-Man and wire or teachers
to occupy light housekeeping rooms
with lady who is alone. Address K.
Y, Lake County Times. 17-2
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18

WANTED-Roomers; gentlemen prefer
red; one single and one double
room; electric light, bath. IS RIM
bach avenue. 1875
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18
EANLY SENDS
HIS MESSAGE
tcontinuea fresn page u.

liquor traffic is owned and controlled
by a few men. The independent sa-
loonkeeper is passing away, he said.
Thirty-five per- cent OF the saloons, he
said, are owned or controlled by brew
cry corporations The sentiment
against saloons was then depicted as
revealed by the fact that $50 Of the
1,o16 townships of the state have gone
dry. This sentiment. the governor
said. is still growing.
The two kinds of local option offered
were then compared and contrasted for
the purpose of showing that the kind
designating the township and city as
the unit is Intellectual, American and in
harmony with the spirit of our insti-
tutions. Reaching a climax in his con-
demnation of the traffic the governor
exclaimed:
THE brewery, the distillery. the sa
loon, the brothel on the one side. The
church, the school, the home on the
other"
The governor said that if it was
right to enact county option next jan
uary it is right to enact it in September.
He added:
IF your enactment shall voice the
thought OF the people ana express tilelI
purpose, you may justly claim their APP
| prevail. You thereby place the state
where the intelligence, the conscience
and character of its citizens entitle il
| to stand. If you fair, you will have
to account to them. for soon or late
! they will have their way upon this
great question. In this responsibility
is the same, whether you are of the
majority or of the minority, Right is
right and he who opposes it cannot
| long find refuge behind the barricade:
of party"
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18
BEWARE OF OINTMENTS FOR Ca
TARRH THAT CONTAIN MERCURY

as mercury will surely destroy the
sense of smell and completely derange
the whole system when entering IT
through the mucous surfaces. Such
articles should never be used except on
prescriptions from reputable physf-
Clans as the damage they do is ten
fold TO the good you can possibly de-
rive from them. Halls Catarrh Cure,
manufactured by F. J. Cheney & Co..
Toledo, O., contains no mercury, and
is taken internally, acting directly upon
the blood and mucous surfaces of the
system. In buying Halls Catarrh Cure
be sure you get the genuine. 1t is
taken internally and made in Toledo
Ohio. by F. ]. Cheney & Co. Testi-
monials frte.
Sold by Druggists. Price 75c per
bottle.
Take Halls Family Pills for ~eonstt-
patton.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-18
LIVE STOCK MARKET

Union Stock Yards, Sept. 1S.-Hogs
II 900 head; left over, $3.50 head; mar
ket slow, barely steady Light $3.50
@7.45; rough, $3.50 GB.S5.
Cattle receipts, 5000; market slow
and weak. Sheep receipts, 10000
market strong.
Union Stock Yards, a. m.-Hoe
market steady, weak; estimated tomor-
row, 1900 head. Light, $6.60@7 .30
mixed. 1856 07.20; bulk, S6.90Q715
heavy, $500 @7.45; rough. $3.50 @6.S0
Cattle market slow, steady; beeves
So 600 $50; Texas steers, $3.50 a 6. 90
western. $3.20Q5.80 stockers, $4,000
4.35: cows, 1880 $50.
western s225@425; lambs, native
sS.25 a $50; western, $3.25@5s0.