davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20

though Dan a scOtfer at most other superstl-
tions he was a very slave to the rejudice against
red heads. The boys heartily enjoyed the warning,
nasmuch as they knew well that Dan was a scorn-
er of all women; was, in fact, the standing joke
of every camp wherein he sojourned because of
the fact. They knew, too his weakness with re-
gard to red heads, and laughed heartily, remem-
bering how he had not infrequently foregone his
DAVIS work. and maybe good luck, at times, when
he was so unfortunate to meet red head on
the road.
On the very first day that, having reached home,
he set out to prospect, striking Decline over
Carn CORN slope for the sphinx where he suspect
ed Johnny the Fool might have found the ores, he
was both COMPOUNDED and disguised when he be-
held, tripping between two pals to the well be-
hind Donal OFriel's, a red-headed calm (girl).
Yankee Dan didn't pause to note that she was a
graceful cdilin, and wnsome from her pretty
face down to her white, bare feet he only let an
expletve slip from hin-a rare sin for Yankee
Dan, and never committed except under extreme
provocaton-and sullenly turned his footsteps
home again. Like careful man, he took another
road, when, three days later, he picked up heart
to 90 prospecting again. But, behold you, he had
only gone mile of the way when, lifting his head,
he saw the same red vision coming down the road
toward him. She had basket on her arm, evil
IDENTIFY coming home from the shop. Dan hastily
left the road and, making a wide detour, came on
again far behind the danger point; and despite
all fates warning, grimly persevered in his prof.
ect
But though he spent days and weeks among the
hills Yankee Dan found no trace of the treasure
that he knew well was perversely hiding itself
somewhere there around. And the cause of it all,
he knew, in bitterness of heart, was that unlucky
red head.
He would shake the bog of Cain CORN FROM
his feet second time and walk the world again.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20

y
from Cairn CORN, if you had spent only three
years after, at home, you were Yankee till your
life's end.
In Connaught there are maybe more Yankees
than in Connecticut.
But we have to do only with Yankee Dan, how
ever.
He had come home in the fall-when most of
see him-as we are to see every home-drafted war
rior; but Yankee Dams delight, somehow, didn't
equal ours. We were sorry to that he
he left us He went abroad to seek content. And
home.
And he found it, thank God, when both he and
we least expected he would
Though before he first turned his back upon
Ireland, Dan hadn't any of his own to care for
Portable in his coy home in Cairn Corn. He
wasn't. though: he was disconnected and he
restless; no one knew why, and himself less than
any one else And there began Dams story.
Dan, poor fellow packed up one day and, wip-
out and didn't stay his feet till they had set him
IN the goldfeds of the Rockies. There he re-
manned seven years, working some and wandering
most But if he had been restless at home, Dan
so-called luck did not. he discovered, spell content
home again; but he could not bear to go back and
bide there. eating his heart away. 1t was surely
a godsend to him when word came, and spread
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20
h GppitaI Irisb christmas GaIf

among the home boys in the Rockies, that there
was gold in Cairn Gorm-Johnny the Fool having
picked up among the hills, couple of pieces of
rock that contained the coveted metal-though he
could not then guide any to the place where he
had found them.
A piece of the rock came out to the Far West
coldfelds, and Dan McGurk, seeing it, seized on
this excuse to go home and discover the long
sought-for content at the bottom of a Cairn CORN
gold mine.
1t was on the very second night before Dams
leaving that, fortuneteller having come into the
camp, the boys insisted on Dams getting his for
tune speyed; and, like all fOrtune-tellers, she
made sure to prophesy luck for Dan-only she
warned him to beware of red-headed woman
She had no need to tell him this, however, for,
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20
DECEMBER 20, 1908

:: s: :; :: ! &: T.: : s.
of the Rockies. But, granting you were
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

from this parlor in double-quick time"
 "Oh, but you wouldn't dare to run away from this house, even though you had feet to go on,' declared Bessie. flor my papa bought you-pald $700 for you-and you belong to our family. So, you needn't be bragging about what you can do.'
 "Oh, you're getting impudent," said the voice in deep and angry tone. Well, Just hold your breath a moment, little Miss. for I'm going to surprise you some what. So you think I belong to this house-to your family, do you? Well, I belong to no one but myself" Hereupon Bessie was pushed forcibly off the piano stool to the floor, where she lay, unable to arise. And from the room the piano went, flying along as though on the fleet est of feet.
 But Bessie did not long remain quiet. As soon as she could recover her wits she got to her feet and ran for the piano. It was just going out through the open gate when Bessie opened the hall door. Bessie dashed out after it, crying "Stop. Stop!'
 But only a motking laugh came back to her, and on and on the piano went down the street. But Bessie continued in pursuit.
 At the first corner the piano stopped, for little boy, by name, Roy Adams, was coming round the corner at the mo- ment. The piano said something to him and he stopped also. Then he opened
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

what a glorious thing to be able to create such music as thatl Then pang of regret passed through Bessies breast. Why had not she studied with energy and love? Why had not she practiced for the sake of learning and becoming capable like Roy Adams? Why had she blessed with. wellto-do parents, who gave her every opportunity-missed do- ing what this little comrade, Roy Adams, had done in the very face of diversity? She was grieved now to think of parting with her wonderful piano, for suddenly she had been made to understand what 1t contained, if only one with a soul would bring 1t out. Yes, if she might keep the plano she would begin to study 1t for the very love of the music it con tained. She would glory and rejoice in the power of playing like Roy Adams.
 "Why, my dear child Asleep with your head on the piano keys? And Bessies mother shook her till she was thoroughly reused. Then she went on: 'Now, dear child, I fancy you ate too much Thanksgiving dinner to feel In the spirit for piano practice. Come, get up, dear There is company coming this evening, and I want to tidy up the par Tor. You have your music scattered about everywhere. Come, gather it up, dear"
 Bessie now understood that she had been asleep and dreaming. But she could still hear the strains of the music made
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

the yboard-which had closed of itself gan to finger the keys lovingly. Bessie paused, stepping behind a lamp-post to watch thefstrange proceeding. She knew Roy Adams to be a very fine musician for his age, one that the people said would some day astonish the world. But being the child of poor parents Roy had had little opportunity to study his loved music, and Bessie knew that for some time he had not been able to continue his piano lessons. And as Roy had no piano of his own his mother had been do- ing family sewing that she might earn enough to pay the rent on a miserable old instrument, all out of tune, and without melody in its keys.
 "Oh, what glorious tones!" exclaimed Roy, caressing the keys. What joy un' sraakable I would have if I might prac- tce few hours each day on such a piano. Oh, it is wonderful How the mel ody rolls!" And he brought out the strains of a fine composition that Bessie had heard her teacher play at a recital. But Roy played 1t with so much more feel ing than her teacher had. And as Bessie listened tears came into her eyes and she decided to go to the plano and tell it to accompany Roy home, that he--not she deserved so fine an instrument
 But she would wait till Roy had stopped his playing, Then she would go and tell him the piano was his for Keeps. Oh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.

Tom and Blanche were brother and sister, and were aged IA and 12, re spectively. They had gone to visit some relatives living in Arkansas, in the very heart of the wooded mountain region. And there they were to spend their Thanksgiving Day. The aunt and uncle they were visiting lived in the country several miles from town, and as Tom and Blanche were city children they found much enjoyment indeed in roam ing the mountains and hunting for wild beasts" as Tom declared they were doing whenever they went for a stroll half a mile from their relatives home.
 Two days before Thanksgiving an invt- tation came to the children's uncle and aunt, requesting them to bring their .'city kin" and feat Thanksgiving tur- key and pumpkin pie' with old noun tain friends. The family extending the invitation lived about five miles distant from the farm where Blanche and Tom were visiting.
 Well, how do you like the idea of going away from home to eat Fhansgiving din- ner7'' asked MT. Thompson, the chill dren's uncle.
 ''Finer'n siIk. Uncle Gus" declared Tom.
 T think t would bo delightful" agreed Blanche.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

cabin, taking an. interest in everything there And Blanche insisted on helping the host with the supper, which con sisted of corn cake, brolled bacon, sweet potatoes rousted in the ashes of the fire place, black, strong coffee and moasses. And the visitors enjoyed the strange sup per more than they could express, after which the three sat round the open ire and the host told of thrilling adventures with bears, mountain lions and cata- mounts. Then when bedtime came they lay down on their beds without removing their clothes, only two pairs of shoes Toms and Banche's-and one pair of great heavy boots were taken off and placed In a row in front of the fire
 On the following morning it was pour ing rain, torrents of raln and Tom was much perplexed. for he had intended to press on afoot to the Browns place, and getting couple of horses there to return for his sister, who was not adequate 10 the Journey on foot. But to go through this deluge was not to be thought of.
 ''Oh, don't worry, Tom,' said Blanche, flor you know uncle and aunt won't at tempt to go to the Browns through this rain, and as they think we are already there they are easy In their minds. So, let's make the best of the situation right here-if our host will extend his hospi- tality q little further"
 Wont I?" roared the good-natured host, grinning from ear to ear Well, I'm the happiest In the world to have you nlls with me over Thanksgivin'. Truth is. was goin down to old man Browns rrr dinner today. Rut If this rain kee- . we'll have the dinner right here
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

tainside"
 Within a few minutes they were at the edge of a small clearing, and saw q few feet from them rude log cabin about whose door two lank yellow dogs were swinging, occasionally lifting their muz- zles to bark at the approaching strangers.
 "Hello!" called Tom. Do your dogs blte?"
 While awaiting an answer Blanche said: Say, this can't be the Browns place. Uncle said they had a fine big brick farmhouse. This is woodsman's cabin"
 appeared in the doorway and spoke to the dogs, ordering them to lie down and 'shut up." Then he addressed himself to Tom and Blanche: "Howdy-do, strangers. Be youths here on some errant? Come right in an make yersclves to home. ain't got much to offer, but yer welcome to what the house affords. An what's yer name, if may ask?'
 Tom told their object in coming to the house, mistaking 1t for the home of MT. Brown.
 "Wa-a-l," grinned the man. leading Tom and Blanche Into the cabin, you've struck the wrong trail. You all's about six mile from Mistnh Browns. He's done crost the mounting t'other way. You turned to your right at the boulder, most likely. An you should "a turned t'other way. But come right in an set down an have a bite to eat. I'm baking some cohn cakes this mint, an I've got some fine bacon-cohn-fed pig 1t Is.
 Just then a roar of thunder filled their ears, and to Toms and Blanche's dis may they saw a great black cloud com
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

And suppose I send you youngsters over to the Browns to tell them we'll eat their Thanksgiving turkey and pump kin pie-all they can spare," said MT. Thompson.
 Sure, uncle," said Tom. Ut strikes me all right, all right. I'd enjoy the walk. Five miles, I believe you said"
 Yes, five miles by the road, but you can cut off pretty near mile by going across the hills. You can't very well lose your way. The trees are bare of leaves and you can see about you with out any difficulty"
 Blanche and Tom were much pleased at the prospect of visit over night with so fine family as the Browns were represented to be, and were impatient till the next afternoon arrived. At 4 o'clock they set out for the Browns farm, "across the hills, and far away"
 The first mile was passed with great pleasure, for at every turn in their wind ing mountain path there was a new pie ture to view. And from nearly every tree little squirrels peeped, running hither and thither on the limbs or leaping about in the drying leaves on the ground.
 "Oh, isn't it lovely in the woods dur ing the autumn" cried Blanche, full of admiration for the scenes about her.
 ''Greatl" calculated Tom, his one word expressing quite as much, or more, than did Blanche's entire sentence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

Bessie had enjoyed most glorious Thanksgiving Day. There had been great dinner at her home and many guests had participated in the enjoyment of 1t. There had been grandpapa, grand mamma, uncles, aunts and ever and ever so many little cousins, just the chum miest cousins in the world. And after dinner Bessie and the chummy little cous- ins had played till evening, and then the guests all departed. Then Bessies mamma told her she must practice her music les son, for on the following day her music teacher would come to give her a lesson.
 "Oh, mamma, must I practice on Thanksgiving Day?" asked Bessie In anx- ious tones. 'I thought I'd have no lessons nor practicing to do today. Why can't practice an extra hour tomorrow?"
 Now, daughter, you know you missed your regular half-hour's practice this morning, and you have to have your scales better than now before your teacher comes. So, don't use up time and energy talking about 1t, but get to work. Don't you know, child, that our work is not nearly so hard to. do if we go about it gladly and earnestly? It's the trying to eyade 1.-the endless worry in our minds concerning it-that turns our work-our duties-into tasks
 Bessie felt ashamed of herself and said: ''Yes, mamma; I am a lazy little girl at times, and deserve your reprimands. But l shall go and practice a whole hour to make amends for my wishing to put off till tomorrow that which should be done today" And Bessie hurried to the par Tor, where she seated herself cheerfully at the plano. T must have these scales before my lesson time tomorrow" she said And then she began running her fat little fingers over the piano keys, but without the alertness that was usual with her. The truth of the matter was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
SOME THOUGHTS ,ssszzSsI Is2a.lle )0~9 T48s 4s<S GIVING DAY Gz E=zb5-N~~l>

that day of all days when plenty is sup posed to be in every home. If the chil' dren of every well-to-do family would take it upon themselves to ask their mother for n basket of well-prepared and wholesome food to carry to some poor family-where otherwise there might be no Thanksgiving cheer-the day would in- deed be one deserving of the name given 1t. And on the same day they might carry to some poor sick person bouquet of flowers and q nice warm garment or pair of slippers. Any little deed of kind. ness to the unfortunate will enrich your own pleasures for the day and make you feel more deserving of the plenty that has fallen 10 your lot.
 Remember the poor, the unhappy, the sick, Is q good motto for every child to pin over his dresser mirror a few days before Thanksgiving. And when the day arrives he'll find such joy In the knowl- edge that he Is making some one soul the happier by his kindness. Just try 1t, boys and girls. l mean each child that reads this.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

Not long ago a little girl was asked by another little girl what she usually did on Thanksgiving Day. "I eat all I can hold of good things" was her quick reply. That's q pity" remarked her-auestioner, flor 1t doubtless makes you i'll, and does nobody good Now, l enjoy a good din ner, too, but I eat in moderation. And carry basket of nice things to some poor sick person who otherwise might not get any Thanksgiving dinner"
 If every child who has a good home and plenty to eat on Thanksgiving Day would remember the words of the thoughtful and kind-hearted little girl quoted above there would be cause for much rejoicing and thankfulness on the day that we all look forward to with so much anticipa- ton. But it is a fact, sad to relate, that too many persons-not merely children, but grown-ups as well-think of Thanks giving merely as a day of feastlng-I might say of gorging. Parents often make the mistake in not reminding their children of the needy poor whose tables are without the good things to eat on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

ing up from the opposite side of the mountain on whose crest they now ap- peared to be. Then within q few min utes the rain came pattering down, and the few struggling stars which had come out in the clear part of sky were cur tained by clouds "Oh, we're in for It now," said Tom, feeling bit ashamed to have made such a mistake in regard to his uncle's directions. Then turning to their host he asked
 'Can you accommodate us for the night? You see, we cant travel on foot through the mountain at night, especially when it's raining"
 The host was only too glad to make bed on the floor of the cabin for Tom and himself and to give his own rude bunk in the corner to Blanche. And as the children enjoyed the novelty of the situation they began 10 stir about the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

by Roy Adams-in her dream. And she made up her mind that she would study her piano as she had never studied 1t before And Roy-yes, she would speak to her mother concerning him.
 "Say, Mamma," she said, turning about on the piano stool and facing her mother. "I had such a strange dream. And It made me feel such an interest in Roy Adams. You have heard him play the piano, haven't you?"
 ''Yes, indeed, and he plays like one In. spired. He Is a prodigy and will do won ders yet-if he can have the opportunity.
 And that is Just what we must give him, Mamma," said Bessie, her eyes ser ous. 'I want you and Papa to arrange with my music teacher to give him les sons, and allow him to come here every day to practice on our fine piano."
 You blessed little philanthropist!" cried Bessies mamma, throwing her arms about the little girls shoulders. "Of course, Papa and Mamma will be glad to assist Roy in any way. But isn't he taking lessons nowT'
 No, l heard him tell a boy the other day that he had been obliged to stop owing to the fact that his father cannot afford to pay for his lessons and the piano he has to practice on Is nothing more than an old tin pan. should love to help him, Mamma. '
 We will all help him, dearest" nam. ma promised, feeling doubly proud of her little daughter at that splendid moment. But what has reused you to such sud den interest in Roy-haye you seen him today?"
 "Only in a dream-and heard him play, answered Bessie. But that dream is one more thing I have to be thankful for this glorious day. Mamma, for 1t has opened my eyes to some things that will surprise you. I'll tell you tonight Nam
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

the wagon for Tom to sit upon. Then away they went, not so very fast. to be sure, toward the home of the Browns. And to the childrcn's surprise and amusement their uncle and aunt had just arrived a few minutes before and were making anxious Inquiry concerning their little ''city kin" But all was soon explained, and a good laugh enjoyed by all. Then MT. and Mrs. Brown declared that since they had been cheated out of their company for dinner they would have a supper in It's stead. And after the sup per the young folks from all about the mountains would assemble and a dance be given.
 And so ended n most enjoyable Thanks giving Day for Blanche and Tom, day they will never forget, and of which they will talk long after they are grown to womanhood and manhood, and will doubt
 less relate the experience to their chil- dren and their children's children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
Bessie's Thanksgiving Experience.
BY MAUD WALKER.

that Bessie had eaten too much dinner that day. and was drowsy and dull in spirit
 But half an hour went by with Bessie still doing the scales. though sometimes her fingers dragged terribly. "Ah, you lazy thing" cried Bessie, addressing the little finger of her left hand. Why don't you keep up there with your sisters and brothers and stop holding yourself so-stiff and slow? You're q naughty finger, you are'
 And you're a naughty girl, lazy and eyerfull of Thanksgiving dinner" said a voice right in front of Bessie. For mo- ment the little girls hand dropped list less beside her, and she looked about for the person who had spoken so near to her. yet could not be seen. Then she be- gan to grow a bit frightened. She had heard that walls had ears. Could the walls also talk? Sure that voice had come from some place right in front of her seemingly from the piano itself.
 ''Yes, you're lazy, oyerfull little miss. and you are torturing me cruelty by the discords you make my keys give voice to. 1 love to have my keys played upon when the perIorner brings forth good music. And l don't mind little girls practicing when they follow the notes written in the instruction book. But for one to simply fool about as you are do- ing-striking the wrong note oftener than the right one-puts me all out of sorts. And what l mean to do is to run away from this house where such a careless little girl Is allowed to take such liberties with so fine an instrument as l."
 ''But-but-you can't run away!" re- monstrated Bessie. You haven't any feet to run on."
 "Ob, that's all you know about my powers,'' sneered the piano. "You just keep an eye open and you'll see my exit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

Then they came to a steep climb up the mountain, during which their path seemed to suddenly disappear, for one moment they were following quite n plain one and the next moment there was no path visible.
 Well, where Is our path?" asked Blanche. Tt was here and of a sudden it is not here"
 "Well, we surely could not have taken the wrong path, for there was but one from that big boulder at the foot of the mountain. Up to that point there were several, but the one we took led us right into the boulder which Uncle Gus described. The other paths seemed to lead round the mountain, and Uncle told US to take the path over the mountain if we wanted to have scenery fit to please the eye of the most artistic taste. And so we did as we were told. But