davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

the woods, over toward Frog Hollow.
They had taken their clothes and some
cooking utensils and were living in a
tent. My. what a bully time they were
havingi Bill and / went over to the
camp every day or so, smuggling in all
the food they wanted But new prob
lem soon presented itself. When they
went away it was early in October and
all the fire they needed was for cooking
purposes. Now it was along in Novem-
ber. the nights were getting frosty.
and although they had piled branches
around the tent until it was like a
cabin they needed heat inside.
''it didn't take Bill Smith long to fix
them up. We found an old tin roof to
make the scover: this. with three
lengths of stove pipe. and a few bricks
for the hearth was all that was needed.
We set the bricks in clay. which Is
plenty good enough. OF course little
of the smoke escaped into the tent
but not enough to hurt anything. With
the new fireplace they were as snug
as a bug in rug, until the real cold
spell set in. when we all realized that
they hadn't taken their winter cloth
ing with them. Just then funny
thing happened; Bill Smith was pass
ing the Boggs farm one day when Mr..
Boggs hailed him.
Say. BILL he inquired. do you
know of any boys about the age OF
Louie and Jim that I can give their
winter clothes to? They went off with
out taking them so I'd just like to give
them to some poor boys that need
them
'sYou can wager that Bill didn't hes
itate long. Why. yes he said. There's
poor wood chopper over in the woods
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

him. And so they reached the plain
and found themselves among people
whose language they could not UNDER
stand and who were not so kind 10
them as their own people had been
along the Rhine on the other side OF
the mountains But they were warm.
at any rate. and they found food
enough to keep them from starving
BY dusty roads between green fields
they went until they reached the splen-
did city of Genoa. where a thousand
ships lay at anchor in the harbor.
From this place" Nicholas an
nOunced, I'VE shall set out for the holy
land. way Will be found to cross
the sea-.
They were ragged and sunburned
enough when they entered the city
and looked with surprise upon the
magnificent houses. in which lived the
rich merchants and the nobility. But
they unfurled their banners once more
and raised their song of victory. The
BOYS of the city. black eyed and dark
haired. looked enviOusly at them on
that August day. in the year 1872 when
they walked through the streets. The
inhabitants were kind hearted and
many of them received the wanderers
into their homes for the night.
Hans was invited by a merchant and
his wife. who happened To know the
German tongue. TO pass the night with
them. and he was glad enough TO ac-
cept. For the first time since he left
his own home in Cologne he slept m
a bed. But he was not allowed to en-
ioy il until he had told the story OF
his adventures. and great was the won
der and pity of Pietro and Maria. for so
the merchant and his wife were named.
at what he had to tell. They had no
children of their own and it was evil
dent that Maria was greatly pleased
with their visitor
suppose we adopt him.. she said to
her husband when Hans had gone to
his chamber. HE is a fine. strong boy.
and he can help YOU with your bust
ness IL he will stay with .us We
shall have some one 20 lean upon when
we grow Old
Il think it is a good idea, Pietro
replied u viii speak to the boy
about it tomorrow
SO in the morning he asked Hans TO
remain with them. At first the boy
would not think of it. but he soon
found that the promises made TO MN
bv Nicholas of finding a way across
the sea to the Holy Land were not
fulfilled and that IT would be neces-
sary for the army to march on. no
one knew exactly whittier. He also
found that some of his companions had
made up. their minds to remain in
Genoa. and so he finally decided to accept
the offer that had been made TO him.
He remained and never had reason to
regret it. for in the course Of time
he rose 10 be one Of the leading mer-
chants in the city. owning fleet or
ships which brought him wealth from
all parts of the world
As for the rest OF the army. II
marched on through Italy. going as
far as Rome. But it never found way
to get to the Holy Land. It's num-
bers were much reduced by sickness.
and only few of those who had set
out so proudly from Cologne at last
found their way back again.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
TENT FlRg PLACE

alone. He was Obliged to leave Louie
and Jim at home to take care of the
stock in his absence. However there
was to be a big time on the arrival of
the new BRIDE and all the people in
the neighborhood were invited to the
homecoming.
I'VE boys noticed great change in
Louie and Jim after Mr. Boggs went
away They didn't care about playing,
even when we would go over and help
them get their work done up. Indeed.
mysterious duties of their own. After
bit 1 noticed that Bill Smith was mixed
UP in the wonderful secret, whatever it
was. OF course I felt kind of miffed
then Anyhow, l didn't want to inter
fere with them, SO / just kept away
from them WelE the date of the
home coming arrived at last. Bill
Smiths mother took charge of the
house and got everything in readiness
The bride and bridegroom arrived on
time, the festivities were started and
then it dawned on everybody that Louie
and Jim were not there. Instead there
was note addressed to Mr.. Boggs
signed by the pair. It was a funny
little boyish note, saying that they
weren't coming home any more and
hopiug that their papa and his new
wife would be very happy. Poor Mr..
Boggs was awfully upset about 1t, but
tried not to show It. His new WIFE
however. was all broken up, and the
party came TO an end with everybody
feeling blue.
.Where the boys had gone nobody
knew That is. nobody but Bill Smith
About a week later he let me into
the secret. They We're camping out in
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
Royal Funeral in Hawaii

site and vivid tints of tropic plumage;
some all scarlet, some white, some Law
ender, some yellow. and some brown.
over the bier of the dead prince lay
a priceless great feather robe, soft and
glowing, of yellow, touched with scar
let. BY his side stood native Hawaii
ans. in deep black, with shoulder capes
of yellow feathers and black and white
kahilis; they were as motionless as
bronze statues. Beyond them were
more guards, then a line of mourning
women of royal blood. At the end of
the room were flowers, loved of Ha
waiians. and arranged with their nat
ural taste and skill.
In the deep recess of window were
grouped the chanters, reciting aloud
the deeds of the princes ancestors and
wailing for his death.
SO in the very dawn of history did
the bards and mourners of Greece. Of
Egypt, of the shadowy. half mythic
races of early England and Ireland be-
wall their chieftains and kings.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
The Age of the Earth

Professor Darwin declares his belief
that the age of the earth can not
be less than 1OOO00.OOO years. Mon
sieur Flammarion tells US that this
estimate is too low by at least
SO, 600 900 years. The late Lord kel-
vim corrected an estimate he had made
10, 600. 600 years-stating that it was
far too low. and that the more he
studied the question the more strongly
inclined he was to accept the estimate
of Professor Darwin.
The proof which has upset the COM
mon biblical affirmation of 5000 years
as being the age OF the earth is found,
declares some scientists. in the exam
ination of geological strata Lyall
was the first to apply the petric (stOne)
test. and his experiments demonstrated
that the time which must have elapsed
between the beginning of the cooling
process of the fragment of the sun
which we now iEhabit and the fOrma-
tion of the outer strata must have been
at least several millions of years.
AS to the length OF time the earth
is likely 70 last. the calculations are
that it will not cease TO be active for
a good many millions OF years.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

fires of memory. Like the mirage of
the desert which reflects from the
beautifully tinted sky to ones eyes the
pomp and circumstance. of the caravan
gone beyond the line of vision, so
through the lens of his recollection the
scenes of those stirring times were
reviewed. And this is what the old
veteran told me:
Have YOU heard of Francis Keys
poem?" said one of our mess coming IN
from Baltimore one evening two days
after the battle, as we lay scattered
over the green hill near the coionePs
marquee He held in his hand copy
of Keys poem. written in style OF
penmanship almost infantile in its
scrawliness. He read 1t aloud one, two,
three times until the entire division
seemed electrified by it. Among his
auditors were two brothers from Penn
sylvania, Charles and Ferdinand
Durang, by profession travelling actors.
An idea seized Charles. Turning to me
he said, George. bring out your fife and
flute book / obeyed him. Seated upon
a cracker box and holding open the
book he bade me play snatches of tune
after tune just as they caught his quick
eve. Tie very last one in the book was
called "Anacreon in Heaven" Note sue
ceeded note until reaching the end with
a leap and a shout he exclaimed:
Boys. I've hit it. I'll sing the first
four lines and then you all join in the
chorus" Fitting the tune to the words
there rang out, for the first time the
song of the star Spangled Banner"
How the boys shouted and clapped
and Joined in the chorus with wild
good will. Never was there a wedding
of poetry to song under more inspiring
circumstances. Getting a brief fur
Tough, the two brothers sang it on the
stage of old Holiday street theater. 1t
was caught uA in the camps, sung
around our bivouac fires. whistled in
the streets and when, disbanded, we
scattered to our homes, carried to
thousands of firesides as the most pre-
cious of the relics Of the war of 1872
The Durang brothers lie in unknown
graves; the octogenarian fifer who
owned the flute book and told me the
story has also passed on. Francis
Keys dust reposes beneath a beautiful
monument I'm Mount Oltvet cemetery at
Frederick City. Nearly all the old de-
tenders are gone and forgotten, but
that song and tune will live as long
as our dear land deserves its bonny
flag or there remains an American boy
to sing its praises.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
November

November is the month when first
We're sure that winters here.
The flowers are gone, the trees are
bare.
The park looks cold and drear.
And yet inside. the house it seems
Much nicer than before.
We sit beside the glowing fire,
Curled up upon the floor.
Our books we like so very much,
And on a rainy day
We're perfectly contented
Without active kinds of play.
On clear days il is fresh and brisk
We play out in the park,
And come home gay and hungry
Just as it's getting dark.
The shadows fall across the road,
And from the house the light
Cleans out upon our pathway
With welcome warm and bright.
So. after all. November
Is not so very sad.
Although we love October when
November comes were glad.
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

Now began the most difficult part of
their travels. The road led them among
the mountains. along clear. cold lakes
and between rocky cliffs toward Gents.
over which they must climb. Gradu-
ally the way became more steep ana
stony, and the nights grew so cold
that Hans found il hard to sleep. The
sharp rocks cut their feet. for their
shoes had long ago been worn out and
many of the boys had thrown them
away. not knowing how much they
would need them in the mountains.
The streams came dashing down the
narrow valleys from the melting banks
of snow above. Here many more OF
the children found that they could go
no farther and turned back, saying
farewell to their companions. with tears
in their eyes. Among them was the
boy with the -freckled nose, whose
name was Gottlieb.
Take my cloak he said sadly to
Hans. Il shall not need it on my way
home. But when YOU come back from
the holy land bring me some relic,
since I can not go with you"
Yes. indeed j will" Hans replied
He was delighted to have the cloak.
not only for the fine appearance it
made. but still more for the warmth
But he was sorry to have little Gott-
lieb leave, for they had become great
friends.
Higher the road led them, through
black forests of pine in which they
could hear the wolves bowling at night.
They built great fires to keep them
selves warm as long as the woods
lasted, but soon they passed beyond
them and reached the high places
where there is always snow and where
trees can not grow. Hans could never
repember much afterward about this
part of the journey. Hungry, wet and
cold, he went on with the rest over
fields OF ice. so tired that sometimes
he fell asleep even while he was walk
ing. Many times he wished that he
had taken the advice of Godfrey and
remained at home. 1t seemed to him
that they Would never reach the top
of the dreadful mountain. But all
things have an end and at last they
found themselves at the top, where
there was a monastery in which lived
monks who were devoting their lives
to aiding travellers who passed that
way They took pity on the forlorn
children and gave them all the food
they had. They could not give shelter
to all. but they admitted as many as
the monastery would hold. sleeping
themselves outside amid the snow so
that there might be more room.
Gazing down from the mountain top
next morning the children saw the
wide plains of Italy spread beneath
them in the warm sunlight You may
be sure that the sight made them glad
to take up their Journey again, and
with all speed they descended the steep
sides of the mountains upon which they
had suffered, so much.
Hurry" said Hans to the boy with
the red hair. I'VE shall find plenty
to eat down there and no longer shall
we be in danger of freezing in the
snow
There was no need for Hans to give
this advice, for the red haired boy made
his long legs go soc fast that Hans
found it hard work to keep up with
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

The recent death of Prince David.
heir presumptive of the old line of
Hawaiian kings, was an event of great
interest in Hawaii. The curious and
picturesque pageantry Of his opsequies
appeals alike to the historic and to the
esthetic sense.
The body of Prince David lay in state
in Honolulu. At midnight, with no
lights, the coffin. with all the royal
regalia, was borne to the throne room
The approaches to the capital were
guarded by militia. and all day long
a continuous procession of all nation
alities poured in at one door and out
at another.
The beautiful room was filled with
wondrous kahilis-the feather trees"
permitted only TO royalty-g graceful,
fountainlike masses of feathers. thou
sands in each kahili, and in all exqui-
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28

with a couple Of boys just their size.
I know they'd like to have them.
so Mr.. Boggs went into the house
and came back with big bundle con-
tanning Loufe's and Jims winter
clothes. Bill said afterward there was
a queer little twinkle in his eve when
he handed him the bundle.
You just tell them they're well
come to these because my boys will
probably outgrow them before they.
come back.
"A few days later a big snowstorm
set in, and Mr. Boggs called Bill again
Say. Bill he said. I'm afraid those
boys over in the woods don't sleep very
warm these nights. Here's a pair OF
blankets OF my boys bed that we've
got no use for. BY the way. you might
take these boots along too.
When Bill saw two brand new pairs
of rubber boots he had to laugh. and
Mr. Boggs laughed too Just then Mrs.
Boggs came to the door with two big
pumpkin pies and lot OF jam and
things for Bill to pack on the sled. and
that settled it. OF course Mr. Boggs
knew where they were all the time.
He acted as il nothing had happened
when the boys came for their thanks
giving dinner. and they soon came TO
think their new mamma was the next
best woman that ever lived.
If any OF your friends are going TO
keep their tents up during the winter
this drawing will show you Just how
to make the fireplace You can get the
rivets in any hardware store and can
probably find some iron rods for the
CRATE bars If you can't heavy tele-
graph wire will do if you put 1t close
enough
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
Origin Of the Star S SpansIed Banner

yond the reach of its guns Having
failed to take the beautiful city or
Baltimore by land they hoped an at
tack by water would prove successful.
AS soon as night came their work
began. There was a continuous shower
of shells, which the garrison at the
fort received in silence. Several vessels
with l.4OO British troops. supplied with
scaling ladders. entered Patapsco river
and passed by the fort, never dreaming
of resistance from ii. Already, In
imagination, they had entered the cap
tured city and were plundering II,
when suddenly, as they drew opposite
the six gun battery. its commander,
Lieutenant Webster, opened upon them
with terrific effect The forts poured
in their fire, and for two hours furi-
Gus cannonading was kept up. one OF
the barges was sunk and the rest re-
treated in the utmost confusion
Francis Scott Key. then in his thirty
fourth year, stood with his imprisoned
friends on the deck watching with
fndescribable interest the fate of the
flag which at twilight he had seen
floating from the ramparts of Fort
AIcHenry AS the gray dawn rem
dered objects visible how eagerly their
strained gaze sought the tower OF the
fort. flag was there. but what were
of the sun, they discovered upon it's
gorgeous folds the stars and stripes.
Then. with a spasm Of joy so intense
that it was almost pain, were born the
lines:
'Tis the star spanged banner,
Oh. long may it wave
O'er the land Of the free
And the home Of the brave.
Fifty-six years passed and the song
had begun TO put on Immortality" Our
civil war ended and the now national
anthem had become nearer and dearer
to each loyal American heart But how
or where had it found it's tune2 The
inquiry had suddenly come, and if an
swered the world knew it not. And
here is the story:
One July day of the long ago ] was
surprised by a visit from a stately old
gentleman of 81 years. who introduced
himself as having been one. of. the
hfers in my grandfather's regiment.
AS we spoke of the first war in our
century the blue black eyes beneath
his shaggy gray brows glowcd with the
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
low Hans Went 10 Italy

1t was remarkable Godfrey said
with a smile. 4 wonder who the lad
can be?7
They asked some of the bystanders.
who said:
We do not know who he is. He says
that his name is Nicholas. and that he
lives in village not far from the
city
He is very silly to think that chill
dren could capture the holy land when
so many brave men have failed God
frey said.
Now Hans was very sorry to hear
his friend talk in that way,
for he already felt sure in his
own mind that all he had heard
Nicholas say was true and that the
holy land was to be regained by chill
dren. He thought it best not to reply
however, for he did not wish to give
Godfrey pain But he came the next
day and the next to hear the young
preacher, and a great many other boys
and even a few girls lcame too. The
result of this was that the children
became convinced that they would win
success where the armies of their
elders had failed. and before long they
began to talk about setting out for the
holy land.
Good Father Godfrey was much
vexed when he found that Hans had
made up his mind to join the eXpe-
dition.
You will be very sorry for it, my
boy" he said with sigh. The place
you wish 10 seek is many, many miles
away. over sea and land, and you can
not hope to reach it alive. You would
do better TO be guided by those who
know more than you, and remain at
home with us
But Hans would not listen, and
Father Godfrey at last told his
father. the smith. what was in his
mind. The result of this was that Hans
received a good beating with a leather
strap that his father wore with his
great apron when he was at the. forge,
but the beating did not change his
purpose. Hans was not a bad boy, but
the truth was he could not help
wanting TO go. sorry as he was
TO grieve his father and his
friend Godfrey. He could not sleep
for thinking of the wonderful things
he was to see on the journey to the
holy land and he never doubted that
when the army of children arrived
there the infidels would at once lay
aside their arms. as Nicholas predicted,
and fall upon their knees. There would
be no fighting, he was certain Of that
There were a great many more chill
dren who felt as he did In fact, there
were SO many of them that when they
gathered outside the city of Cologne
the fields were covered with them far
and near. There were no less than 90
600 OF them in all. and they made an
army indeed. Most of them wore long
gray coats, with red cross sewn on
The San Francisco call., 1908-11-28
icoF;YsicHT;.- z -. ~ -1ii3g Nsw rs

kf-E-OMMY, I'm going to- show you
how TO make something that
won't be of any particular use
to you as you have such comfortable
quarters here, but know that whole
lot of your friends will be interested
in it."
Uncle Dick had removed his topcoat
on entering the woodshed, and stood
with his back to the stove, gazing out
of the window at the little furry of
snow-the first intimation that old
Boreas was on the job, practicing up
a little for some of the big stunts he
had in view later on.
Il called over at the automobile
factory last week to see Mr.. Smith,
and we went for spin in one of his
machines. We were on a. suburban
road when something went wrong and
we had to STOP As Mr. Smith was
tinkering with the machine | hap
pened to notice couple of boys carry
ing a stove into a tent pitched in their
back yard The incident reminded me
of a winter camp the Boggs boys es-
heated the tent. When Louie and Jim
were about IA and IL respectively,
their mother died. About two wears
later old MIR. Boggs married a second
wife. Now, Louie and Jim just wor-
shiped their mother, and the idea of
a stepmother taking her place was un-
bearable. They had never seen the
lady. as she lived up state, where Mr..
Boggs moved from when q young man.
The wedding took place at the lady's
home. Mr.. Boggs making the trip