davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
Be Kind to Your
 Sick Pets.

If Kitty has fits, do not be afraid of her and do not have her thrown cruelty out of doors. She is suffering from acute indigestion, and needs kind reatment and medical aid, Just as would sick child under the same conditions. As soon as the fit has subsided speak gently to the poor little sufferer, stroke her fur sooth- ingly: then give her a dose of castor oil mixed with six or seven drops of pepsin. teaspoonful of oil will be sufficient. In administering the medicine be careful not to frighten her, for cats are very nervous animals. As soon as you have quieted her down, and she Is lying confid- ingly In your lap, open her mouth and so as to force her to swallow the oil. Sometimes 1t Is better for two persons to administer the dose, as Kitty will fight and scratch when forced to swallow 1t, md one may hold her paws while the other gives the medicine.
 Plenty of catnip should be mixed with Kitty's food, and some scattered about where she can find 1t to roll in. Also keep a dish of fresh water where she can get to 1t whenever thirsty. Never tease your cat nor handle her roughly. Cats, like children, can have their sweet dispo- sitions ruined by bad treatment Always be kind and affectionate toward your pets. for they are helpless in your hands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

sorrowing soul into forgetfulness. And a lovely dream, a dream of happiness. She dreamed that her papa and mamma had returned and that once more they were in their cozy city flat, the windows of which overlooked a beautiful park. And 1t was the very same park where Paula used to go of summer evenings with her parents to listen to the band. And how jolly they all were-papa, man. ma and Paula. And she was allowed to stay up till almost o'clock at night when there was company, and not forced to go to bed at 7:30, as was her habit at Aunt Agnes home.
 And then someone shook her shoulder, and warm lips pressed themselves against her check. while a dear and loving voice whispered in her ear: Come, darling little daughter, open your pretty blue eyes and see who has come back to you from away across the sea-
 And Paula opened her eyes to behold her own dear mother bending over her, while coming through the door was her papa, all eagerness and happy, smiles as he called out to her: Hello, darling girlie. Here's old Dad at home again. How's the world wagging with you. little daughter?'
 And such happiness as they all en- joyed that evening could not be described. Even Aunt Agnes warmed up a bit and laughed more than was her wont. And when half-past eight o'clock arrived she glanced uneasily at the clock. and then at Paula, but said never a word. If Paula's parents did not know enough to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

Jimmy on an errard to a farm mile distant fIoLl the mill. Jimmy, in making a 'short cut to the farm, was obliged to pass the town boys camp. situated. as l have said, just round the bend in the river from the mil. Az he was passing the camp he heard familiar voice calling out to him: Hello, there, Smart Alec! Want to get acquainted with us? We're the Caye-Diggers. and we know how to seek revenge on a chap like you"
 Then, before Jimmy had Q chance to say word, half I dozen boys surrounded him and began to torment him by calling him ugly names. and to strike him pretty sound blows. Jimmy, seeing that he had only the sixth part of a chance, decided not to fight, but to use calm reason. 'Now, will you tell me, boys, what this all means?" he asked, trying to dodge the slaps from the various hands that swung about him. ''I ask you to please allow me to go on my way. MT. Perkins has sent me on an errand, and I mustn't be delayed"
 Mustn't Is pretty strong word to use in your present condition" boldly laughed Hank, giving Jimmy a cuff on the ear which made it jingle and jingle. Now, take that and that for your kindness in lending us the spades the other day. And Hank gave Jimmy several other keen slaps across the cheek and ears. II guess you'll not refuse to lend spades to us again-if we ask for 'em, will you?'
 You bet I will" replied Jimmy with determination. When I'm in charge of another persons property I'll protect it. If you want anything from Mir. Perkins
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
BY HELENA DAVIS.

For two whole long years Paula had lived with an aunt. And the aunt was maiden lady, which means she mad never been married, and was therefore without a family of her very own. And as Paula would say to herself sometimes "A lady without a husband and children of her very own doesn't know much about really and truly happiness; and not knowing about really and truly happiness makes one bit soured." At any rate, that was the way with Paulas aunt, a lady # fifty, who lived in a fine big house in the coun-. try during the whole year round, and whose friends were all like herself: very dignifed, very quiet, very particular about little matters of dress and etiquette; and especially very particular about the con duct of children.
 But the worst part of if was there were no children in Paula's aunt's household. There was only a child-that child being Paula. And fin the whole neishborhood there were few little folks, for nearly all the people living about Paula aunt were old folks, their children having grown up and married, going into the world on Their own account. There were a few grand children who visited with some of the grandmammas and grandpapas !n the neighborhood, but they seldom stayed very long at a time; so it happened that little Paula had few playmates, and some of the time she had only her toys and her Aunt Agnes for company. l was going to say for comrades but toys and aunts can not be comrades; at least, SO it was with Paula's aunt and toys. Surely, she loved her aunt as dearly as she could-under the circumstances; and she enjoyed her dollies and Teddy bear and all that sort of thing. But none of them were CHILL DREN real little COMRADES, such as Paula longed for
 But l must tell you before going any further that Paula 1ad a mother and father living. Her father was very learned mana physician, and had gone abroad to further his studies In the great universities Of Europe And Paula S mother, also very learned woman-being a fine musician had accompanied her hus- band in his travels in search of kuowl- edge, and was herself pursuing the study of music. And so 1t was that these stu dent-parents mad left their little daughter Pauln with the fathers elder sister, the maiden" lady referred to in this story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

you'll have to go to him for it."
 "Oh, thanks for the information, [" sneered Hank. But we got spades and picks all that we wanted. And if you'll turn round you'll see our cave-one as fine as you'd find anywhere. And if you'd have behaved in friendly way towards us Cave-Diggers we'd have invited you to go into it and explore it. But you're a little Smart Alec, and we don't want 10 have anything to do with you. So get along, and don't come back this way, either"
 So saying, Hank gave Jimmy a shove, by way of emphasizing his words. Then, With loud whoop, the boys ran to the mouth Of the cave and crawled in, one at time. But just as the last boy was half way into the cave Jimmy heard a smoth- cred scream and, turning round, beheld that the dirt was crumbling from the mouth of the recently dug cave He ran back with all possible speed and saw, to his horror, that the earth about the lit- tie caves entrance had fallen Into the cavity, and the feet and legs of the last boy entering were still protruding. a Without a moments delay Jimmy grabbed up a spade that lay near and began dig ging for dear life Soon he had the boy extricated, and when he pulled him from the debris the poor. half-smothered fellow could scarcely speak, so exhausted were his lungs for want of air. "All the breath 1 could get was from the cave inside,'' he gasped ''But-the other kids-Im afraid they'll smother" We've got to get lem out" declared Jimmy. "Here, get to work with me; there's no time for fool ing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

And so 1t was that Paula spent many, many long, almost endless months, in the country with her Aunt Agnes. And as the only school-a public school-wthin reach of Aunt Agnes home was two niles dis tant. Paula was denied the pleasure of at tending it. and was obliged to do her les sons under the supervision of Aunt Agnes
 Now, since knowing all this about little Paula's life In the home of her Aunt Agnes, can you wonder that the time dragged very slowly while her papa and mamma were absent in foreign lards2
 And each evening after her supper Paula was put to bed at half past seven. whether there was company or not. And when there was company she would beg her aunt to allow her to remain up to hear them talk and to watch the games of cribbage or chess usually indulged in by the old gentlemen, while the old ladies chatted over their light needle work. Not that Paula cared for the games or the chat about the needlework, but 1t meant remaining up bit longer in the evenings, a thing that Paula, like most little ones, loved to do.
 One evening Paula saw her Aunt Agnes making special preparation as II for company. The parlor was opened to admit the fresh evening air. Cook was set to making ice-cream In the cellar. great cake that had been baked during the morning was cooling for the even ing-a fine layer cake such as was baked for 'special' company. Usually little tea cakes were served to casual callers, so this great layer cake meant that there was to be special company.
 Eagerly Paula watched the prepara- tlons but said nothing, for when she had asked Aunt Agnes to allow her to re- main up for company she had been re- fused. ''Chlldren should be In bed and asleep before 8 o'clock Aunt Agnes would say. No. company Is of no in- terest to little ones. Besides, were you to be allowed to go into the parlor while company was present you would doubt less forget your place as a child and fn- slst on talking. Children should be seen and not heard, you know, my dear niece. So the happier place for you-and the healthier-is your little bed.'
 Once or twice during the first year of Paulas stay in her aunts home she had crept from bed on company nights" and had peeped over the banister into the hall below. And If she went a few
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
BEHEADINGS.

(1) Behead transparent substance and leave young girl.
 (2) Behead that which weak-eyed person does when looking toward strong light and leave a place where golf is played.
 s(8) Behead the tricks of a mischievous boy and leave that to which common soldier belongs.
 CURTAILINGs.
 q, Doubly curtail a small article which furnishes us with light and leave small foot-rug.
 t0 Curtail the form in which medicine is now prepared and leave piece or dining room furniture.
 (3) Doubly curtail hostelry and leave the condition of the tropics.
 LETTER ENIGMA. My first is in plume. but not in hat: My second h in burn, but not In pat: Nv third is in zero but not in snow: Nv fourth is the same as my third, you
 know: ~ My fifth Is in lily, but not in white: My sixth Is in darkness, but not In night;
 My whole holds mystery
 But solvable, too;
 And children can see
 The mystery through.
 HIDDEN NAME PUZZLE. The name of a famous inventor will be spelled by taking a letter or one syllable word from each of the following sentences, and writing them In the order in which they appear:
 Man is master of the worio. People must learn to grow mentally as well as physically. commended. n, Dsobey the laws of nature ana pc Ill.,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

store up town-the one by the postoffice, yon know.
 "Oh. yes" said Jimmy. putting dowf the spade to chat with the boys. "Yes, l know your pa. l often go there on er- rands fo: Mrs. Perkins,
 "Wel, us klds-a lot of us-are down here on he river camping" explained Hank. "And we've decided to do some eaye-digglng, if we can get the imple- monts to dig with. Now. we want to borrow tn SC spades you have there. If Mir Perkins was here he'd let us take em right off
 Jimmy looked undecided. "I don't know about that" he said, beginning to clean the spade "Mr. Perkins Is awful particular about his machinery and tools. He gives orders that nothin' in the tool shop be loaned.
 "Oh. he'd not refuse me, kid" declared Hank. determined now upon getting pos session of the desired spades. Come, that they'll both be returned to you early this evening.
 But I mustn't let anything go out of the mill while Mir. Perkins is away" in- sisted Jimmy And thereupon he took the spades and put them in the imple- ment shop which was attached to the mill.
 Hank and Bert turned away; but as they did so Hank called out to Jimmy: "Well get even with you yet, kid, for your smlrtness. So-long!"
 "That's all right. laughed back Jimmy. Then. whistling merrily, he went about his work.
 A few days later MT. Perkins sent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

During the vacation days several of the boys of Llnvile, a small country village. decided upon spending a week or 10 days on the banks of q beautiful river mile distant from their homes. The place chosen for their outing was within short walk of a big four mlll and was on rocky cliff overhanging the bank of the river. Piercing this cliff were numerous cavellke tunnels. scarcely large enough to admit of a small ground animal. But the boys who had come there to "camp out imagined that within the elif at certain distance from the small entrances they might find a large cave or Inner cavern where might be found relics of a past age.
 "I tell you. kids" declared Hank Jones. leader of the band, that we'll find some thing worth our work If we'll dig into this cliff. All we've get to do is to en- large one of these tunnels, and then we can walk right Into a cave that may outdo the Mammoth Cave of somewhere l don't just know the place."
 Pennsylvania, ain't itf' asked Bert Jackson, meaning the noted cave in ques- tion.
 "Ho-ho-ho!" laughed Andy Thomas at Bert's expense "Pennsylvania? Well-I guess not The Mammoth Cave Is In old Kantuck or so the geography says. You'd better find out something about caves be- fore you talk about them.
 Well, don't know as it's of any im- portance-the Mammoth Cave" said Hank Jones. "The question just now before the public is: Shall we organize a cave diggers union-and go to work at oncef'
 Yep" cried half dozen voices, and not one said mo-
 Well, we'll have to go up to the mill and borrow some digging implements, said Hank. Its too far to go home for 'em. I know old Mr. Perkins, the miller. and he'll lend us some spades and picks He fades at my fathers store, and hell remember me, all right, all right
 So 1t was agreed that Hank and Bert should go to the mill-just round the bend in the river-and ask to borrow some digging implements with which to gain an entrance to the imagined cave But upon reaching the mill the boys were told by the head miller that Mir. Perkins had gone to town, and that he would not take the liberty of lending anything from the machine shop of the mill. Filled with disappointment Hank and Bert started to return to their camp ground when they saw little chap busy about the mill. He was what is commonly called a small hand" and was performing small chores. At the moment that Hank and Bert be- held him he was cleaning dried dirt from large spade, while nearby lay another implement waiting for cleaning.
 Say. they're the very things we want" declared Hank, pointing to the spades. But I'll bet we'll have a time getting them from that kid. He's old Perkins favorite 'rousty,' and is an orphan that he got from somewheres-I forget where B1t, say, let's ask him for the spades, anyway. He can't do anything but re- fuse.'
 So saying, Hank approached the boy whose name was Jimmy Malone-and said: Say, Jim. don't you know me? I'm MT. Jones kid. Pa has the grocery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

send their child to bed it was not her place to remind them. So thought the very severe, but wellmeaning. old Aunt Agnes.
 And did you know that papa and mamma were coming todayY' asked Paula of her aunt as they all sat at the supper table, where an unusually fine repast was served in honor of the dear ones return.
 "Yes, my dear" answered Aunt Agnes But I didn't think it wise to tell you about 1t, for I don't believe in exciting children"
 Well I didn't have to be told" said Paula quickly, for a little fairy must have come to me in my sleep and made me dream they were here. And when Mamma awoke me I was not at all sur prised to see her standing In my room. But-one part of my dream has not come true. l dreamed that we were again In our little flat in the city overlooking the park"
 'And that's where we will be tomor- row." laughed Paula's papa. And if Aunt Agnes will go with us we shall be ever so happy to have her."
 "A city fiat in July?" And Aunt Agnes looked shocked at such a preposterous idea. T couldn't think of it. brother And, what is more. you'd better leave Paula with me till fall"
 And to Paula's happiness her papa put his arm about her and said:
 Thank you, sister, for your kindness; but we couldn't be parted from our little girl any longer. No, it's the city fiat for all of us."
 And Paula clapped her hands and cried out ''Goodie, goodie!' much to Aunt Agnes surprise, for the dear old lady's intentions were good and she sincerely thought her ways were the best ways.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

wrong when she ''peeped" and listened" over the banister, and that she had done so merely for the sake of company-that she had been so lonely, and the knowi- edge that company was in the parlor had prompted her to enjoy 1t from a safe dis tance. But the cold look in her aunt's eyes and the severity of her tones pre- vented her making any sort of excuses, and she went off to her studies with the sense that she had not been treated quite fairly.
 After supper Aunt Agnes said to her: Niece Paula, you may arrange the flow CTS in the parlor vases for me. And also put some in the bowl on the dining table,
 Paula felt pleased that she was to have that little part in the festivity of the evening, and went about arranging the flowers in very happy frame of mind. But as soon as she had finished with the flowers she glanced at the clock, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

for I mean for us boys to go in a body to the mill and report to MT. Perkins your heroic conduct. And, what's more, I mean to make clean breast of the way we treated you few minutes before the cavein of the tunnel. And Tn also tell how we wanted you to lend us the spades and picks belonging to the mill. Oh, | shan't keep back a thing, even if the truth and the whole truth does put me in a bad light"
 "And we're with you, Captain Hank,~ cried five voices, and the cave-diggers meant every word of what they said.
 That day on Jlmmy's return to the mill he found the 'cave-diggers" assembled in Mir. Perkins private office, on the top floor of the mill. And from the way Mir. Perkins greeted Jimmy he knew the ''cat was out of the bag" as he expressed it afterwards. And so 1t was, and Mir. Perkins was so pleased with his little ''rousty'' that he gave him the afternoon of to go merry-making with the .cave-diggers," and slipped a dollar bill Into his hands besides. That's to buy any little gim- cracks in town that you might want" he explained. "And now remember you ara to have a day or each week and a dollar bill with which to celebrate the holiday. When I get hold of an honest, brave and industrious boy I mean to make 1t worth his while to stay with me. And now get you of, young fellows, and put in the re- mainder of the day above ground. Let caves and cave-digging alone"
 'Yes, sir; thank you," said Hank, bow ing to Mir. Perkins. And we're going to make Jimmy our captain. resign in his favor. A captain should be brave, and to- day I proved my unworthiness to the ofice.'
 And amidst a cheer from the six throats Jimmy was led from the mill, and was called "Captain Jimmy the Brave"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
0be Bone of Con-
 tentiOn.

This story is told by a Southern gen. tleman:
 "In my boyhood days-and during the Civil War-I knew an old colored man who was deeply interested in the conflict between the North and the South, but who never once thought of going to war himself One day I put this question to him Say, Uncle Sam, here are men of the North and men of the South killing each other over you. Why don't you pitch in and help them? :?
 Uncle Sam looked at me for moment {; then replied: Nah frien', has you evah seen two dawgs a-fghtin oyah a bone?'
 Of course I have,' I replied.
 Well, massa, did you evah see dat bone fght?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

steps down she could get a glimpse of the company In the parlor, some playing cribbage and others chatting and drink ing tea. Although 1t did not seem bit jolly to Paula-the party" being given to 'old folks''-it smacked of a certain
 excitement and break in the monotony of the usual quiet and uneventful life at the home of Aunt Agnes And for that reason Paula had dared to creep from her bed and to steal a peep into the for bidden realm of social life. "Oh, if only Mamie and Frank Smith were there?' she would sigh on such occasions. "If they were I'd give a little whistle and they'd see me, and then they'd steal away and creep up to my room and we'd have lots and lots of fun like we used to have before mamma and papa went away" (Nannie and Frank Smith were little chums of Paula's living in the city
 where Paula's home was. And Paula
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

seeing that it was getting near to her retiring hour, hurried up stairs and into her own room. Once there, however, a great loneliness came over her, and fall ing on her little bed she began weeping softly, wishing, oh! wishing so deeply that her own dear mamma and papa were with her again. "Oh," she wept, twill they never, never come back to their Paula? I want my papa and mamma so, so much! l want my home-our pretty, cozy fiat in the city; my school-where so many boys and girls go also! Oh, l want all my happy times back again. I want mamma and papa and children. Aunt Agnes is good enough-in her way, but she isn't mamma and papa. Oh, when will my papa and mamma return to meT
 Then, sobbing heart-breakingly, Paula fell asleep, for the evening was 50 quiet and warm and cricket somewhere chir- ruped to her. soothing the poor little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19

thought of them and of their jolly good times every day of her lonely life at Aunt AgnesD.
 But on one of those occasions Paulas aunt mad caught her peeping over the oahlster and had been shocked almost beyond speech to think her niece would dare to be so bold. And Paula had been scoioed the next morning, and not 1n very gentle manner, either, and nad been forbidden to ever repeat the ofense or the previous night. Never, never, uhder any circumstances, must you ieave your bed and go into tbe hall to peep and listen,' commanded Aunt Agnes. in harsn tones. I'm positively ashamed or you,my brothers only child. Wnat would he-your father-think if he knew of your conduct?''
 Paula had felt very much culprit.. thinking that she had deeply offended ner aunt. At first she had felt anxious to explain that she had not meant to do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
' ROWPuzZle Corner $
CONUNDRUM.

Why Is a watch dog larger at night than in the morning?
 Becdtse he is let out at night aud taken tn In the Dioraing.
 Why is a guide-book like pair Of handcuffs?
 Because it is made for tourIsts (tsoo aorists).
 Answers to Last Weeks Puzzles. BEHEADINGS- - (1) GloVe-lope. @ String-ring (3) Grind-rtnd.
 CURTAILINGS = CD Stare-stGr. (2) Ehoioer-sho1c. (3) Pilioto-pill
 HIDDEN NAME-Lafdyette
 LETTER ENIGMA-SaoimminD.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
Piggie's Duty.

A little piggie in a pen
 Was near a corncrib high; Little piggie sniffed, and sniffed, Then broke out from his sty. Little piggie ate so much
 Of corn, both sweet and yellow, That 1t is wonder 1t
 Did not kill the fellow. But he was pig, you know, And eating didn't matter, For it was his duty to
 Grow fatter. fatter, fatter.