davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

called away by a telegram. Jacks grand
mother was very Ill in an adjoining town
and his mother had gone to her.
and papa-where Is he?" asked Jack.
"Hns he come In from his office YETI
"Yes, but he left word that he had to at
tend business meeting this evening. and
would have supper down town. SO, he'll
not be home before late bedtime" Then
the cross-grained cook left Jack to his
own medltations.
After lonely supper Jack crept into
the pantry while the cook was busily en-
tertaining some of her company at supper
In the kitchen. There on the pantry shelf
stood a great cake. one, doubtless, just
baked that day. Jack took 1t in his arms
and hurried to his own room with It. a
little later he returned TO the pantry and
when he left he had another armful of
prepared food.
And something to take the place of
that muff, Jack said to himself after de-
posting the pantry supplies on his bed.
visit to his mothers room procured
just what he wanted. There, in an old
box, was set of furs which had done
service many, many years ago. Jack had
often heard his mother tell of how proud
she was on her twelfth birthday when
her mother had presented her with the
pretty mink boa and muff. And how she
had kept them, outgrowing them at last.
And how she had often thought of giving
them to some little girl, but had refralned
from doing SO because she feared the re-
cipient would not value them as she did.
And so they had lain in mothhnlls and
tobacco in an old box In the closet, of
use to no one.
They were made to wear" said Jack.
taking the box In his arms. They shall
be put to the use for which they were
intended"
About s o'clock the fair-haired little girl
sat beside the stove listening to her
granny reading a letter from the hospital
doctor. The sick one was improving rap
Idly after very serious attack. and
would soon-perhaps within a week-be
with his mother and daughter again. "0h,
such good news isn't 1t, little onei"l said
the aged. woman. But I'm wondering
how Wen manage to live till the dear
son and father returns to work.
"Oh, maybe the fair" But the little
one stopped in time. Her Granny had not
caught her meaning And just at that
moment she heard tap, tap tap on the
window. Resolutely she kept her lips
closed, rlveted her eyes on the stove and
counted ten. Then she arose and went to
the door, opening 1t.
To say that Granny was surprised at
what was found on the doorstep expresses
1t mildly. Being bit deaf she had not
heard the fairies signal, and was only
reused from her second reading OF the
letter bearing the good news by her little
granddaughter crying: "Oh, Granny,
here's a big basket and two boxes. the
fairies must have left them
And not only once did the tap, tap. tap,
come on the window that week, but three
different times. And each time the aged
woman and the beautiful child found food
and clothing, and once a nice rocking
chair.
And during the same week great ex-
element prevailed In the home Of Jack.
The cook was wild over the fact that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
lack, THE REAL CULPRIT MAUD yzAz4ER

an errand. We are much in need of some
food. and ! am going to ask you to take
this money and 80 TO The bakery in the
block below and buy for us a loaf of
bread. You see, here is dime, and
five cents of 1t viii get the bread. With
the other five cents please stop at the
little grocery beside the bakery and get
the amount in tea. If You can do this
for me, shall thank you "a thousand
times"
"Gertainiy. MAJ m," said Jack, bowling
and smiling as he took the dime Then
his legs became wings, and within
very few minutes he had returned to
the dingy old house with bread and tea.
And this time he got peep into the
miserable Grst-doQr room. where the aged
woman lived alone with her little grand.
daughter How cold and bare Of fur
nishing 1t was! An old stove showed
the barest gllmmer of FIRE, and sitting
on the floor on an old rug playing with
a rag doll was the beautiful little girl.
She glanced up from her play to smile
and nod to Jack
All that day Jacks mind kept revert
Ing to the Incident Of the morning, and
the more he thought of 1t the surer
he became of the need, the cruel pow
erty and helplessness of the poor old
woman and little girl. AS he ran home
from school that evening he made 1t
point to 90 by the old house in the
alley; and this time he saw the little
girl at the window. She nodded and
smiled in recognition, and Jacks face
became radiant. "Ah, now I'll just go
right up and knock at the door and ask
If there is anything l can do for them
he said to- himself. And he did. The
little girl opened the door and asked
him TO come in. Granny Is upstairs
to SEQ a sick woman what lives over
u.s. she explained. But l know Grand
ny likes you, for she said you had
fine, honest face"
Jack entered and sat down beside the
stove. Say, little GIRL" he asked do
you and your granny live alone all the
time? Where're your mother and father?
My mamma is-Hs-iu heaven whis-
pered the child, while n great tear
cleaned on her eyelash. And my papa
is sick in the big place they call "a
"Hospital2" asked Jack, supplying the
word that was TOO much for the little
one to articuate.
Yes, that's the place." she said. "He
was took sick long, long time ago and
was looked TO that place. We had some
nice things, then, but it took all the
money papa give Granny to pay the rent.
So we had to move into this place-for
| it's cheaper. Then papa got up too
soon and went to work. He was taken
| much sicker again, and went 10 the
| the-place again. Then we had no more
! money and Granny had to sell our best
| chairs and floor rugs Then she sold her
| nice Sunday dress and my best frock and
my little NUT what Santa Claus gived
| me Christmas
But why did she sell all those things?'
asked Jack, innocently.
| For money to pay our rent and to buy
coal and things for dinner and breakfas'
and supper" explained the little girl,
wondering at Jacks question.
| Jack made no reply TO this, but sat
thinking very hard. Then he turned sud-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

her best cakes, tarts. bread. iellies and
cold meats were daily missing. In vain
they watched for the burglar. AT FIRST
Jacks father thought the cook and her
company were responsible for the shortage
of food but when he voiced his suspicion
TO Jack. that young man declared that
cook was entirely innocent OF the thefts.
and that he could not for an instant al
low his father TO think her the culprit.
Then Jack's mother returned home to
be told OF the skilful food thief She ar
rived at an hour when Jack was In school.
AS soon as he came home and found his
mother there he threw his arms about
her, crying: Have they told you of the
culprit, mammal"
Yes, and to think that my cherished
old furs are missing, and my favorite
rocker, In which | sit to sew. is gone
What bold thu
Don't say that word. mother, ninei''
cried Jack. 1.-The real culprit isis
herei" And Jack put this hand on his own
forehead, then touched his heart.
1t didn't take Jack long to explain the
strange matter. and 1t didn't take his
mother long to understand him.
but yon might have taken papa into
your confidence" his mother said
Then / would have been at cooks
mercy" declared Jack. For you know.
mamma, that a man has no rights in his
own house when the cook is left in
charge. And that would have meant that
cook would have locked things away from
me, knowing who 1t was that was raiding
her pantry so often
And then Jack and his mother paid a
visit to the old lady and the beautiful
child in the dingy house in the alley. And
after that there was no more suffering
in that room. which was made comfort.
able enough for them to live In till the
convalescent one should return, well aud
strong. 10 take up his work again and to
make them another aud a better home.
And Jack and the little girl Of the blue
eyes and yellow cnrls became the best of
friends, the little girl declaring that
fairies are red headed and frecked-faced.
for that she had seen one
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

denly to the little girl and asked, do
you believe In fairies?"
Not much" confessed the chud. III
there were really and truly fairies they'd
bring things for us to eat when we get SO
hungry. You see. Granny looked sick
the other day and she hasn't been out to
sell any more furniture or clothes. So
we get very hungry on just tea and bread.
You know most of the people living
round us here In this alley are very
wicked people. and Granny wouldn't dare
to give them piece of furniture to sell
for her. They'd run off with the money.
And Granny's afraid to let me go out.
too. because there're so many wicked boys
and Girls about here playing in the
gutter
We'll, your Granny is right" declared
Jack, And you just always mind her.
But I am going to tell you secret.
There are fairies, really and truly fairies.
And, what is more, one will bring you
something tonight. You just keep listen
ing and listening. and when you hear n
little tap, tap, tap on the window pane
you sit just as still as you can and don't
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
MAUD WALKER.

say n word. Count 10. and then go to the
door and see what there Is on the step.
A fairy always leaves goodies on the
step, you know. And, now, | must go.
Tell your Granny that | was here and
that Ill stop tomorrow to see If there's
anything she wants me to do for her.
But I'd advise you to say nothing-mlnd
you, nothlng-to Granny about the fairies
till you see whether they come or not.
Sometimes IL too many people talk about
them it frightens them away. So. 1t
would be better for you and me to keep
it secret-that is, secret for
while
ooh, I'll never say a word about the
fairies coming" cried the little girl, hap
py In anticipation. Il do hope they'll
come, though, and bring some goodies to
eat. We are very hungry Granny and
me-
That evening Jack ran into the sitting
room In quest of his mother. He had
something to say to her very privately.
But to his sorrow he was met by the
cook--a cross-grained German woman
with the news that his mother had been
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
DISOBEDIENT GRACIE. BY zEzENA DAVIS

It was Gracie's birthday. She was just
eight years old She had been promised
a party, with big cake ION which were
to stand eight lighted candles), all the
ice-cream she and her little friends want
ed and hours and hours In which to play
and play. And at the very last moment
Gracie's mamma had been taken very Ill
and the little party had to be postponed.
Grandmamma explained It all to Oracle,
telling her that just as soon as mamma
became well agcin the party should be
given, but that for the present there
must be no unnecessary excitement or
noise In the house, as the doctor insisted
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

sleep and dreamed thae her own dear
mamma had died; that she tGracie, had
insisted upon having the birthday party
and that her mamma had SO exerted her
self-being really so Ill that she should
not have left her bed-that during the
very most exciting time of the party she
had swooned away to never open her dear
eyes again. And then Oracle, in fit OF
weeping, had Weakened from her terrible
nightmare to find grandmamma bending
over her, trying to soothe her fears.
~ want my mammal cried Oracle,
still believing that her dream had been
a reality. Il have killed my mamma
by having the party. oh, ! want my
mammal ! don't care about parties-nor
birthdays just want my dear mamma"
"Why, my dear little child, mamma
has been beside you all the morning and
has just now gone to lie down to rest
bit. She's not very strong yet, You
know. She was very III when you were
taken sick SO suddenly. And now do
be very quiet and sleep some. You have
been very, very i'll, dearie; but the doc
tor said last night that you would be-
gin getting well today; so be Granny's
own little girl and lie very quiet"
But my mamma-my mammals she
really and truly alive?" walled Oracle.
tears flowing down her cheeks.
Eyes, my darling; mamma is well and
here to see her own Graz And in
another moment Oracle felt her mothers
dear lips pressing her forehead. her dear
hands strokfng her hair, which was so
funnily plated in two little side pigtais.
A. few days later Oracle was allowed
TO sit up, and 10 chat chummily with her
Mama.
"As soon as little daughter is well
enough we must have the party" said
Mama indulgently 81 was so, SO sorry
to be obliged to disappoint her on her
birthday. But she knew how Ill mamma
was, and that the postponement was un-
avoidable, doesn't she?'
Gracie's lips trembled and she sat silent
for a minute. deeply thinking. Then,
taking her mammals hands in her own she
said Mama. don't give me q party
said: Mamma, don't give me party
don't. was very naughty on my birth
day-the day you were taken so Ill
and l isobeyed-Granny. Yes. | did.
j went out on the cold porch and sat
In the snow, just TO be naughty. Then,
just before papa came home | felt as
though ! were frozen, and | slipped into
the house and lay down by the fire. 1t
was my disobedience to Granny, and
my--what you call itf-my-oh. my self
ishness that made me SO naughty. And
that's how l got-sick. mamma"
well. well. don't cry now. darling.
mamma understands. And she knows that
her little Oracle Will never. never be so
naughty again. She has driven selfish
ness out of her heart. now"
do you really and truly think so.
inamma?'' asked Oracle, drying her eyes.
Yes. at the very moment when you
decided to confess the whole thing to
mamma, to make a clean breast of your
naughtlness, you banished selfishness
from your heart" And her mamma kissed
her gently. ..And now we must call dear
old Granny In and tell her all about 1t.
She told me the other day that you
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

phatically, said TO herself: "I'll just do
what | please. so WILL" And 1t pleased
the naughty miss to go out Of doors and
sit sullenly on the big porch that was
cold and windswept And there she sat,
stubbornly refusing to obey the warning
of the biting wind and the occasional
fakes of snow that were waited In on
her.
Half an hour later Gracie's papa found
his little girl shlvering before the great
fire In the library. her face flushed and
her eyes unusually bright. And In the
afternoon she was put 10 bed, SO Ill that
she forgot all about the postponement of
the party which was to have taken place
that night.
And all the next day and the next, and
still days to follow, Oracle lay burning
with fever. her mind wandering from
the scenes about her. One day she
open her eyes to see her grandmamma
beside her: then she fell into a troubled
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02


Grandmamma took the little girls arm
and led her into the kitchen. thus get
ting her just as far away from the sick
room as it was possible to do in the
house. And there she gave the little
miss quite severe reprimand for her
ugly behavior,-to which Oracle only pout-
ed and looked defiant. Il want my party
today" she kept saying In most ex-
asperating way.
'.Well, when papa comes home he shall
be told Of your conduct, my child" prom
ised dear old grandmamma. And doubt
less he'll say you shall be deprived of the
party this year. You shall have to be
punished for being SO naughty. you know.
But papa shall determine just how to de-
eide in your case. In the meanwhile.
don't you return to the sitting room till
you can do 1t in spirit of consideration
for your poor. sick mamma"
''Then III run out In the snow an
catch cold" said Oracle. 81 don't want
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

to stay here In the pokey old kitchen,
where only Bridge Is cooking luncheon
mo; you must not go one step out of
DOORS" said ggrandmamma. "You re-
main in the Kitchen till you can behave
nicely. Then go into the sitting-room and
play till Papa comes home. Now. see
that you obey Granny, my little girl"
And in another moment grandmamma
was out of the room and on the stairs
leading to her sick daughters apart
ment.
The minute that Bridget went into the
pantry for something, Oracle, her lips
pouting and her little head nodding EN-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
Game for Children Party.

The game called Autograph" Is very
amusing and jolly, and, requires only
few minutes to play. GIVE to each boy
and girl present a small pencil pad. with
pencil attached. Let the hostess of the
party call time. When the signal Zone.
two, three, write" is given the guests
mingle, all laughing and talking at once
in their eagerness to obtain the greatest
number Of autographs on their pads.
When the five or seven minutes that have
been allowed for the game have expired
the hostess-who has held her watch in
hand-calls 'Tlme!'' Then the guests
seat themselves and pass up their pads
for the counting of autographs. Either a
committee may be appointed for this pur-
pose or the hostess, with the volunteered
assistance of two or more OF the guests,
may attend to the counting. The boy
or girl procuring the greatest number OF
autographs In the given time is present
ed with little prizes-something very slim,
pie of course. TO the girl may be given
a bouquet of flowers or a dainty pin
cushion. The prize for the boy may be
a pocket pencilholder or pocket match
case. The prizes should never be expen-
siYe or large.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

stamp her feet and to cry very loudly.
Grandmamma came hurrying down stairs,
and she shook her head threateningly at
the naughty little girl who was making
such disturbance. Don't you love your
mamma?'' asked grandmamma of naughty
Oracle. ''If you do love her you'll be-
have like dear little girl. If you don't
love her you'll do all you can to make
her suffer, and perhaps cause her to be-
come more ILL.,"
81 do love mamma" declared Oracle,
stamping her feet. But l want my
party, so do. | want my party today
I don't want 1t mex week"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
upon perfect quiet.

upon perfect quiet.
Now, of course, Oracle loved her mamma
very, very dearly; but the party had been
uppermost In her mind for so many days
that it was a great disappointment to her
when grandmamma told her 1t must be
put off for a few days. She pouted and
began to cry, or, as grandmamma put 1t.
she ''whimpered aud acted very ugly
Then, after grandmamma had returned
to the room of the poor, sick mamma
Oracle ran off into a corner and began
to think herself the most injured little
girl alive. And 1t was all because her
party had to be postponed. She sat down
on the floor and continued to pout and
fret.
tits my birthday" she said, talking to
herself. AN l want my party, SO I dol
/ want my lovely cake and the eight
lighted candles, SO dol" Then. think
ing she was behaving just bit too nicely
about 1t she jumped ND and began to
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

had behaved very naughtily toward her
on your birthday. and after you were
taken so Ill she attributed your fretful
ness to your being so unwell. But you
must tell her the truth of the matter.
and how 1T happened that you brought
your own sickness on yourself"
'And l shall ask her to forgive me for
disobeying her," said Oracle And how
happy we shall all be then, mamma,
dear"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

mains standing relies OF 1t IN the form
of the little chapel and burial ground
which belonged to the palace. The church
is of quaint architecture, having low,
square belfry. A damaging fire lin 1860
caused much of the interior of the edi-
fee to be rebuilt, but in general appear
ance the chapel remains much the same
as 1t WAS during the time of the first
Savoy residents, who worshlped within
its walls.
1t was during the residence, Of John Of
Gaunt at the Savoy palace that the poet
Chauccr was married there to Philippa
de Ruet.
picture of the churchyard Of the sa-
voy d reproduced here.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
Peeps into Places of In
tefest IN Foreign
Lands.
IN A CORNER IN LONDON.

Many are the interesting stories of the
past that cluster round the ancient pal
ace of Savoy, a palace that has not one
stone standing now to tell a tale of its
former magnincence. After Its destruc-
tion 1t was never restored as resi-
dence, but Henry VII. had it rebuilt In
the form of hospital, in honor Of John
the Baptist. and so endowed 1t In his
will. But with the accession of Edward
VI. to the throne the hospital was sup
pressed. But again 1t was refounded by
Mary, to be finally dissolved by Eliza
beth while she was In power. In 1905
the following inscription might be read
over its gate:
"Hespitium hoe inopi turbe \
Savoia vaca tum,
Septlmus Henricus fundavit
alb limo SOLE"
During the building of Waterloo Bridge
the last remaining fragments of the pal
ace walls were demolished. but there re-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
| 81 OUR,PUZZLEI

WORD BEliEADiNGS.

G) Behead a word TINT is used to de-
scribe lightning and leave whip.
(2 Behead the name of heavenly body
and leave that which is used both as a
medicine and machine lubricant.
80 Behead an article worn on the hand
and leave a feeling of deep affection.
~ Behead the value placed upon ar
ticles for sale and leave a well-known
food,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
PRoyERB PUZZLE.

A weli-known proverb Is hidden In the
following six sentences. one word of the
proverb being contained in each of the
sentences and appearing In their rightful
order:
We are prone to Judge others by our
selves:
Do not put of till tomorrow that which
should be done today.
Think not evil of others lest you be
thought evil.
In We olden time people had n greater
reverence for the truth than they have
today.
Be wise as serpent, but meek as
dove.
Let all men be charltably judged
LETTER ENIGMA
My first is iE star, but not in moon;
My second is in sun. but not in noon;
My third is in candy, but not in eat;
My fourth is In shoes. but not In feet:
Ny fifth is In heart. but not In futter;
My sixth is In milk, but not In butter;
Ny seventh is In knot, but not In bow;
My eighth is in fire. but not In glow:
My whole spells a blessing
To all the world, dearA
And tbs Specially loved
At this time of year.
CONuNDRUMs.
When are mems countenances like fruit
in the autumn
When falling.
When is fence IKE farmers daugh-
ter?
When rustic.
Why is stocking on the foot Ike
carpenters apron?
II has nails in 1t.
When are hunters and card-players
alike2
When counting their game.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
~
5 posen.

Isn't 1t the greatest fun
To slide, like lightning greasy,
Down the slippery banister?
Gre, Eut the ride is easy
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

The smallest inhabited island In the
world is that on which Eddyston light
house stands. At high water the light
house. whose diameter at the base Is 2s%
feet, completely covers it. 1t Is inhabited
by three persons.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02

Answer to last weeks Proverb
PuxzIei All is well that ends well.
Answers to last weeks behead-
ingsi "a Sash-ash. CD Stable
table. 90 Brick-rick. (4) Trili-
ri1l.
Answer to last weeks Letter
Enigma, Puzzle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
RIDDLE AND ANSw Err.

Come read me this riddle without any
bother,
Five legs on one side. and three on the
other:
Two eyes in my forehead. and four on my
back,
One tongue that is silent. and two that
can clack.
a horse carrying man and a woman
on his back.)