davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

some work was done to the heated wheel.
The evening shadows were setting
about. and the lighted train held great
fascination for Billy. After all the GUS
toners had been served with their ''quick
lunch in the eating house he slipped out
to the platform and walked up and down
by the side of the train. He could see
the passengers sitting beside the win
dows. some of them eating the lunches
they had bought from him.
AS Billy paused in front of one of the
windows-which was open-a sweet-faced
woman put out her hand to him. Come
Billy stepped close to her window. look
ing up into her kind face, smiling. she
handed him great yellow orange.
DO you live here. little MANI she
asked, smiling down on him.
Yesm. l live here with the gentleman
and lady who keep the eating house, re-
piled Billy. But they're not my mother
and father he quickly explained. for he
feared she had seen Aunt Jane and
Uncle Tom. and he could not bear to
have her think he was their child. Then
he added, Il haven't any mother or
father. l am an orphan, an was shipped
west year ago. Since then I've lived
here ma am.'
child? And do you love the lady and
gentleman with whom you live?" There
was so much sympathy in her voice. so
much gratitude. that Billy's eyes glis-
tened with tears. He dared not try to
speak. SO he shook his head. Then, tn nix
ing he had done something wrong. ran
down the station platform toward the
engine.
Once outside the glare Of light of the
car windows Billy stood painting. tears
streaming down his cheeks How heavy
his heart was! The few kind words
spoken to him by the gentle-voiced lady
in the car had reused all the long ng in
him for some one to love and some one
to love him in return. All, how he could
love that dear lady who had spoken so
sweetly to him, and who had given him
the big orange! Oh. il he only dared
Then plan unfolded itself in his mind
But 1t was a plan he feared to follow out
But why should he? There was no hing
to lose and everything to gain. He would
be as we'll off anywhere as here. There
was no hope of anything better happen
ing to him while he remained a drudge
for the cold hearted, thankless man and
woman with whom he now lived. Yes,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

grateful? How could he have grown
tired of such a splendid home? To be
sure. Robbie was away much of the time
every day. but he always returned home
before supper and always nae iittie
romp with Shocks and merry Hello, old
Snookie! How have you been during my
ABSENCE But all this day no friendly
voice had greeted him. and now 1t was
getting we'll toward afternoon.
Hi. hi. hi! There goes pup! Let's
chase him. Gee! Ketch i'm an tie can
to his tail. Gee! Git inn! 1t was a
boys voice. coarse and heartless. that
Shocks heard. and in another moment
he was running with all his strength
every side with unkempt children. And
behind him came a troop of ragged, dirty
urchins. giving him close chase.
And then he was caught by huge
fellow-a boy with dirty face and hands
And he was handled very roughly. tor
other boys came trooping UP and dozen
hands held the poor, frightened and strug-
Cling Shocks, and to his short little tail
they tied great rusty tin can, in which
they put half a dozen nails and bits OF
glass to make a jingle as poor Shocks
ran. Then they let him CO. and down the
street they chased him, throwing sticks
and stones and often hitting his CULVER
ing body and causing him intense pain:
poor Shocks mentally. "Oh. for dear Rob
bic and the good, safe homer
:.
Soon he turned into a better-looking
street and his cruel tormentors dropped
away, for they knew they would be ap-
pretended by the police should they go
running after q dog down the principal
thoroughfare of the town. Then Shocks
went slower, constantly turning about as
he walked and biting at the terrible
thing that hung so tightly to his little
tail. But to no avail. The can was so
secure that only human hands could re-
move it.
And in all the crowds that thronged up
and down the busy street not one person
stopped to take notice Of Shocks. Every
body seemed bent on his own business and
let poor Shocks alone.
iii go home" said Shocks to himself
in a determined way. TN just bury my
pride as ia bury bone and go home.
Robbie will be glad to see me; so will
the others. l look terribly i'll with this
baggage tied to my tail. but I must go
home"
An hour later just as Robbie was about
to enter his own home. he heard a low
whine beside the gate outside the yard
And looking down into the shadow Of
leafless lilac bush he beheld poor mis-
cradle Shocks. Why, Snooksie!" cried
Robbie, what are You doing there?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
Why Shocks Returned to Bobbie

voice like thunder, came bounding on
the porch, broom N her hands held
with the handle forward as il to be Used
for club. There you are. you sneak
struck at Shocks with the broom handle.
But Shocks was too quick for her and
leaped from the porch, going like fash
toward the little opening IN tie hedge
through which he had entered III.
git out, you sneaking purp!" screamed
the thunderous voice behind him as he
quickly made his exit. ''' reckon it's
you as makes the dirty tracks on me
clean steps every day, you cur! And if l
find you in the yard again I'll scald you.
every hair off your measly body. Dirty
in UP me white steps as soon as l git
em scrubbed of mornin'! It's shame
such stray purps are allowed to wander
about the alleys. They ort to be killed
off, ---t .t-.--
Then Snooks went off down tie alley,
pausing at the rear of another ve:y pretty
house. Il wonder if I'll find warmer
welcome here?" he asked himself. Then
he ventured into the back ya-l. But to
his disappointment the house seemed
without tenants Blinds were drawn
down and everywhere there was look
of desolation. Nobody at home Snouas
said mentally. Then on he went, getting
very tired and lonely. Just as he was
about to leave the alley and enter street
he saw huge black cat sitting on the
back steps of cottage Now Shocks did
not know the disposition of the ordinary
cat. He had cat acquaintance woull
better say friend" for such was old
Tabby at the home of Robbie--wfth whom
he got Oh admirably They often slept
together on the same mat before the big
hall door. where Shocks liked to lie on
warm days So, thinking that this cat
would be as friendly to him rs was his
own home cat. Tabby, Shocks ran into
the yard. barking in a friendly way
How do you do?" he said in his most
cordial manner, wagging his tail merri-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
"Oh let me be one of them! I want t
go to-to-a home"

"Oh let me be one of them. I want to
go to-to-a home"
And Billy vas one of those chosen to
be sent to the farmers living in the far
west. and he dreamed of the time when
he would not wear clothes just like all
the other orphans. but would have a nice
Sunday suit, like the outside boys" And
for every day he would dress like the
grocer's delivery boy who came to the
asylum, and who was so red-cheeked ana
merry and who dressed in blue over
alls and Bingham shirt. and who whistled
such lively tunes as he drove up to the
grounds.
And with light heart Billy was car
ried far, far away toward the setting
sum- And with still lighter heart he
was told that he was going to d place
where a man and his wife kept little
railroad station eating house, away over
the mountains, near Salt Lake City. And
this man and woman were to be his
parents, for they had no children of their
own.
But after the first hour in his new
home Billy was sick for the loveless asy-
lum His new mother was a cold,
sharp-tongued woman, tireless in her
work and tireless in making Billy work
also. And the new father" was red
nosed man, given to drink. as Billy att
erward learned. So. this was the home"
Billy had not dreamed of. And his hopes
died during the first hour Of his exist
ence there.
And all day long he was alone with
this strange. unafectionate woman and
red -nosed man, save for ten minutes at
the noon hour, and ten minutes again at
s o'clock in the evening. when trains
stopped to allow their passengers to pro-
cure sandwiches. pie. doughnuts, and
coffee at the little station eatin- house.
And during the ten-minute rush twice
a day Billy was happy. for there were
people, laughing. chatting. bustling peo-
pie eating. drinking. as fast as they
could And Billy helped to wait on
them, work he much enjoyed. for though
tired out from constant toll in the gar
den and kitchen the excitement Of the
crowd made him forget his WEAKNESS.
And so life passed on and on In the
lonely place with the woman whom he
could not call mother, and the man
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

NOOhS was his ndIle. Anu oHooho
was a little dog, not very old, but
too old to do as he once did. And
~ that is what am going to tell you
about. But before / start my
story / must tell you that Shocks did
just whatever so many bad little boys do.
and. like the bad little boys. he was pun
ished for his wrongdoing.
Now, here is the story: Shocks belong
ed to Robbie Turner. a fine boy of ten
years of age. During the summer and
early fall Shocks had enjoyed life to the
fullest with his dear indulgent master,
but when school began Shocks found him
self much alone. And then he began to
wish he lived somewhere else, for being
just a dog he had no way of knowing
why Robbie left him every day, returning
late in the afternoon. And often Of
evenings Robbie left Shocks much alone
also, for he had his lessons to prepare,
you know.
One day just after Robbie had gone of
TO school Shocks sat in the front yard
thinking. Did you know that dogs really
think? Well, they do; and in Shocks case
plans came after the thinking. And
Snooks' plan was to run away. Just
think of ito run away! And yet he
had as happy home as any dog ever
had There was but one child in the
Turner family. and that one child-Rob-
bie-was a real chum TO Shocks, for no
brother nor sister came in for a share
of his time. So, when Robbie was not
busy with his school or his chores he
was devoting his attention to dear old
Snookie.' But in the first days of Rob-
bie's going to school Shocks was so lonely
that he became fretful Then he became
ill-tempered, and when Robbie's mamma
would call to him to come to his plate
l. T.
len stare and II she tried coaxing him
he would sometimes snarl at her. Thus
you will see how pet can sometimes be
most ungrateful. Shocks had had So
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

Then as Shocks came creeping forward
in the most shamed way Robbie saw the
dilemma the poor fellow was in why.
what does all this mean, doggie?' he
asked, on his knees in a minute and UNI
doing the can. "Ah, I see, some ugly
fellows have enticed you into the street
and tied this to your tail. Poor doggie.
you should have used your teeth in self
defense. Pshaw, but it's heavy can,
and tied on with a sharp wire. Why,
your poor tail Is bleeding where the wire
has cut into 1t. Poor. dear old Snooksie!
you must never wander into the street
again. Wish could find the culprits who
used you this way. I'd make 1t warm
for them. But come. chappie, and have
some supper You look about played out
And at that moment Snooksie was the
happiest dog in all the world. and as he
ate his warm supper on the clean back
steps and from a nice clean platter he
vowed that from henceforth he would
never leave the yard around that house
unless at the heels of his beloved master
Robbie,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

TT was twilight, and the eve of Thanks
giving A gray. ashy sky sealed the
days departure. The country around
the small farmhouse where the Sommers
lived was covered with small. feathery
flakes, showing the advent Of the snow
kings reign.
Outside all was gloom and cold. but in
side the cottage was warm and comforta-
BILE. Gathered around the cheerful hearth
in the dining room was family of six.
From the kitchen in the rear came a
pleasant odor of good things for the fes-
tivities of the next day.
The mother. seated in a rocking chair,
was knitting stockings for the little fam
lily; the father was reading a newspaper;
the three boys were playing checkers,
and little girl, a tiny miss of eight or
nine years, was amusing herself with a
kitten.
Presently Mary-for that was her name
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

mers had fallen asleep. he dreamed that
his three boys had gone to the city, and
only little Mary was left to them. and
she had been pinng for her brothers for
the last few days. Her throat was worse
and the doctor said: Typhoid Mr..
Sommers had not realized that his little
daughter was SO ill. but when he went In
to see her he found that she was dying.
Her eyes were bright as stars and her
flushed face was burning with fever.
Poor little darling. he thought; but too
latei how much she was to him. Oh! to
recall his cross words to her. especially
that Thanksgiving eve. He went down
the stairs, and there in chair by the
fire, with her face buried in her hands.
sat his wife. How her hair had silvered
with gray. and those lines on her face;
they had never been so plain before! He
went to her; touching her on the Shout
der, she looked up. and in her eyes was a
great reproach. for she, too. had been
thinking of that last Thanksgiving eve.
He went outside. and a kitten-Mary's
kitten--rubbed against his knee; he turn
ed, and Good morning, papa; you prom
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

was much surprised at the number of peo-
Pile he saw and the noises of street traf-
fic he heard.
But he was not afraid. Indeed. he was
much interested and entertained, and
trotted along. looking about him at every
new scene. After an hours travel about
the principal streets Shocks became Ia
tigued. Then he felt pangs of hunger and
thirst The latter was quenched at a
public fountain where a horses drinking
trough stood.
We'll, / found water. and now | must
find food said Shocks to himself. And
he trotted off toward an alley in the
rear of several stores. But in vain he
searched for a morsel of food. Then his
sense of smell ID him down the alley
for several blocks. and he found gar
bage barrel containing a few spoiled pitS
of meat and moulded bread. These he
minced over, but without RELISH Tor
Shocks had been used to the best food,
which was eaten from nice, deep, white
china platter. And to eat spoiled, foul
smelling scraps from an old dirty par
rel was not inviting to a dog of his re-
finement.
well, this will have to suffice me till
T find another nice home like the one
left" he unused, as he left the barrel and
wandered off into the alley again. All
I like the looks of that house with the
green blinds" he said mentally, looking
In the direction of very pretentious
place that had long, back porch and
clean white steps leading down to
well kept back yard. And combining the
yard was nicely trimmed hedge. still
green, though the fall had dried the
leaves on the trees that stood about the
house.
Yes. ] like the looks of that place"
And Shocks stopped in the alley and
peered through thin place in the hedge
at the house which had SO attracted him.
at looks bit like Robbie's home. Their
house is gray and has green blinds. And
they have hedge at the c.i and white
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

ly. But the cat he approached did not
greet him as he had expected. She wait
ed till he came on the step beside her,
then she suddenly raised her back. BUSH
ed her long tail and said, spit, spit,
scratching Shocks across the eye with
sharp set of claws before the poor
dogsie knew she was going to strike.
"Bow-wow-wow!' walled poor runaway
Shocks. leaping down the steps as fast as
he could go, his poor little stub tail
tucked between his trembling legs. How
unhappy he was. Never before had he
known what it meant to be SO cruelty
treated. Robbie, Robbie's parents, cook,
Dave. the man servant. and even Tabby
he had run away from all these good
people. How could he have been SO un-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

dropped the kitten and. running to her
father, put her arms around his neck and
said Come, papa, play blind mans
bluff with me-" But to her establishment
he shook off the soft. white arm and an
swered sternly: Don't you think, child,
that l am tired after my work, and want
to rest? Run off to bed. all of you" The
boys rose obediently to put their game
away, when the mothers soft voice broke
in: ''Is your throat better. Nary Yes,
mamma" and after kissing her mother
good night she went slowly to bed, fol-
lowed by her brothers.
After the children had retired the moth
er rose and. putting away her knitting.
said: How did your investment turn
out. Henry?" Her husband answered
GROSSLY: II was unlucky. as usual, and
feel as if I'd like to go to bed" and, suit
ing the action to the word. he arose and
walked silently out Of the room.
After tidying the room his wife follow
ed. but her usually pleasant face wore a
sad expression. Her husband mad often
been cross lately and she did not know
what had come over him. After Mr.. Som
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

4 YEAR before this story opens
~ carload OF orphan children were
sent from a great eastern city
L y to the far west These little
homeless, and for the most part
aameless. waits were distributed about
among farmers in various states west of
the Mississippi river Some of them
found good homes. others were not SO
fortunate Among the latter was Billy,
the subject of this story. He was nine
years old at the time of his being ship
ped west" and he had no other name
Than Billy This little pet name had
been found pinned to his dress on the
morning when policeman picked him up
in one of the public city parks And on
the paper that gave his name as Billy
was written these words: Somebody be
good to my little boy. Billie. and God in
heaven will bless you But SO far that
somebody had not been found. and
BilIy's lot had been a pretty hard one.
In the asylum where he had lived prior
TO his being shipped west" he had
known only severity and work. The lit
tie time that he and other orphans were
allowed to play was after work and study
hours, and then they were too tired to
make joyful use or their leisure ana pre-
ferred to lie about on the hard soil of
the uninviting playground, with it's jail
like high fence. and rest their tired
limbs. And lying there they would won
der if in some other world they would
have papas and mammas. like other chill
dren-children of the great big outside
world. So often these little orphans
would watch with wonder the other
children going past the asylum. and
cry would sometimes burst from their
lips and tears spring to their eyes as
they compared their own desolate life
with those care-free and happy children
on the outside.
And Billy had been one of the little
mourners, for these heavy-hearted Or
phans could hardly be called anything
else. And when one day the news spread
throughout the asylum that about fifty
of it's inmates were to be shipped west
Billy was one of the first to cry out:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

steps leading to the yard. l believe I'll
just step in there and see how things
are
But stepping in was not SO easily done
as planned. The gate was high, the
hedge was higher, and neither could be
jumped over by short-legged Shocks. And
for long time he searched for an open
ing in the hedge large enough 10 admit of
his passing through. But after finding
an opening he was not slow in gaining
admittance to the yard AMI once inside
he boldly walked upon the white steps
leading to the porch, leaving muddy
tracks behind him. Just as he was
about to bark at the door. his way of
letting those inside know he was there
and wishing to enter. the door was thrust
open and large, red-haired woman, with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

love me for my own sake. and not just
feed and clothe me for the work l 90.
Oh. how l want to be loved IKE the
ceased speaking of children who were not
orphans as outside childreno.
The people who had given Billy home
expressed their intention of adopting him
according to the law, thus giving him a
child's claim on them and their property,
but they had put this matter off from
month to month, and after a years So
journ with them Billy was still the I'M
named orphan boy, having no lawful
claim on anybody or anything. But be-
ing so young he did not realize the wrong
these people were doing him. He did not
know that they were to adopt him as
their own son-some time. He had been
told this by the asylum officials. But as
they did not seem In any great hurry
to carry out that part Of their contract
Billy did not bother himself about it.
Indeed, sometime he hoped they would
never adopt him by law, for then he
would not belong to them entirely. ana
so long the adoption had not taken
place he felt a sort OF freedom-iel tnae
if the opportunity presented itself ne
might leave the station eating house ana
the unlikable Aunt Jane and Uncle Tom,
and hunt for a home elsewhere.
At last. however, there came q Gay
which Billy would never forget in all his
life to come. even though he lived to De
a hundred years old. 1t was cold NO
vember day. and the wind swept across
the sandy desert, carrying breath IRON,
the snow-capped mountains that hemmed
them in. Except for the little five acre
irrigated garden which belonged to the
eating house proprietors. there was not a
spear of grass nor sprig Of weed to De
seen for ten miles in any direction. And
the desolaton of the fall and winter time
was much harder for Billy to bear than II
had been during the summer When II
was garden time he could find plenty to
do out of doors; but with the cold weather
his aunt Jane kept him busy In the
kitchen under her cold eyes. But or
train was obliged to stop for half an
hour at the station, for there was no,
box and the train could not pull out TIL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
From Shadow to Sunshine-A Thanksgiving Story

ised us a sleigh ride the first snow fall.
Let us go before breakfast" broke on his
dreamful slumbers.
It was little Mary bending over him.
Sitting up, he caught her in his arms and
kissed her again and again.
True to his promise, Mr.. Sommers has
tily dressed and ordered the boys to hitch
up the old bob and they started on
their jaunt.
After long. pleasant ride over the hard
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07

snow in the crisp morning air they re.
turned. and while breakfast was getting
ready they all knelt and thanked God for
their unusually fine crops that year.
But Mr.. Sommers' prayer was the truest
and deepest as he thanked the Giver of
all Gifts for allowing the sunshine to fol-
low the shadow that pervaded his house
the night previous, also for showing him
the error Of his ways, even through a
dream. MARGARET SLATTERY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
Beheadings.

III Behead that which q wise man makes be-
fore he dies and leave abnormal condition OF
health. t9 Douhly behead very 6ne and ex-
pensive fur and leave place from which rich
minerals are taken. (3) Doubly behead . hard
substance used by dentists for cleaning teeth
ana leave small animate