davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

banish all human emotions and sense of pain.
 At close of day the fairy slipped from the palace and ran with all possible speed to where she had left Nita in the morning. There Nita lay sound asleep, gathering strength after her long term Of slavery. When the fairy touched her on the brow she awoke, and remem- bering the incident of the morning recog- nized In her own likeness the good little fairy who had come to her aid.
 "Oh, how beautifully l have spent the day, dear fairy" said Nita. 'I drank from a spring hard by and ate of wild berries. Then between feastlng on Na- lures own delicacies I mapped and rest ed and dreamed. Oh, how much I am indebted to you, dear little fairy. But tell me of yourself, please. How have you passed the day of toil?"
 'Oh, nothing is toll to a fairy" ex- plained the fairy. You see, I just waved my little wand when no one was looking and the work they set me to do was performed without my touching 1t. Oh, Eve been putting In my time, though, and now we must be off to your country and there raise an army to come and de- liver your kinsfolk and friends from un-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Billy Bltmann was an orphan. He lived with an aged great-unele, a cross grained old man. who had no regard for the r., ,nts of youth. All day long Billy was liged to work, waiting on the old man, who was forever finding fault with all that he did and never having one word of praise for the orphan child who was little more than his slave.
 On the death of Bllly's mother. which occurred when Billy was an infant, his father had taken him to the home of this aged uncle, and there they had lived In comparative peace and comfort till the death of Bnlys father, which had taken place a year before this story opens. md up to that time Billy had attended school, his father being a man of some means and able to give his only child all the comforts of life and many advantages of education.
 But as soon as Billys father was taken away from him, and he left without q single sympathetic soul to look after his welfare. the il-tempered old uncle be- gan bis tyrannical rule. Billy was kept from school on one pretext and another. He was pulled and scolded If he dared to express a wish to continue his life as he had lived it during hls dear fa- thers time. His days were spent in wait ing on the old man. whose seltishness had so warped his life that there was nothing ovable or inviting about his personality.
 Thus D. -sed a year of misery for Billy Bitmann. And then he passed bis twelfth birthday. And soon after that he began to realize the enormity of the wrongs done him.
 What right nas Great-uncle Jim to keep me as his body servant?" he asked himself one night as tired out be lay in his bed. My father left plenty of money to educate me and keep me till I am of age And Great-uncle Jim was appointed my guardian. What is he do- ing with my money since he hns with drawn me from school and keeps me as a slave to wait upon him? l shall investi- gate this matter. But how am l to do it?"
 e Thus Billy lay thinking and planning till far into the night. Then. suddenly, he recalled to mind that he had an aunt living somewhere in state joining the one where he now lived. He couldn't quite remember her last nanle-it was Thompson or Johnston; but her first name he knew very well; it was Aunt Maggie And she was his own dear mothers sis ter. Several times during his fathers life Billy had received nice, loving letters and little gifts from this aunt, but he had taken little notice of them. not having felt the need of her then as he did now But If he could find those letters any where about the house he would write his aunt of his condition and beg her to look into his aff.-rs for him.
 The next morning he began search for the letters before his aged uncle was out of bed, and to his joy he found a pack
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

 people that never again did they try in- yading their weaker neighbors. Indeed
 so many of their own departed from them that they grew weaker and more defense less, until at last they begged to be an- nexed to the very country they had robbed and pilaged so often in the mast
 And Princess Nita became the great princess of her country, for all knew that It was through her that their dear country was saved. And Nita always held converse once each year with the fairies of lake and dell, for through inc goodness of one of them she had been able to rescue her beloved peopie and land from foreign oppression. Ana eoch year there came to her beside the bean tiful lake-whither Nita jourpeved for the purpose-the one dear fairy who had found the little princess slave-girl one morning half dead from the abuses beaned upon her by wicked mistress of low degree. And during these meetings Nita and the fairy feasted upon lake water and wild berries. playing they were young again. 's
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

bank-who was the little girls brother went round the curve to a bridge where he was joined by Billy and his sister. Once the three were together conversa- tion flowed easily, for Billy accepted the boys invitation to accompany them home, where he might get dried out' md have something to eat the while. But when Billy came to that part of his story re- lating to an Aunt Maggie, whose address was Dashville, the boy and girl both stopped short and looked at him. Whats your name?" asked the boy eagerly.
 ''William Bitmann," said Billy. And may 1 ask yoursT'
 Sure" cried the boy, grasping Billy's hand. For as sure as we're alive, you are our cousin Our mothers name IS Maggie Thompson. and her postoffice ad- dress was till within the past six months Dashville. But now we've moved on to a farm five miles this side of Dashville. If you'd gone on there you'd have missed us, sure. Geei but it's luck that Bee fell into the creek-since 1t didn't hurt her any. For in that way we found you.' And the boy laughed heartily as he shook Billy's hand almost of.
 And our names are Bee Thompson and Fred Thompson" explained the little girl And guess Fred is right-for you must be our cousin Billy"
 And, sure enough, Billy had found his relatives in most miraculous way, saw ing the life of his dear little cousin in doing so. And he found a most cordial welcome at his aunts house, and ready friends who declared that his interests should be attended to at once and that the old uncle should be forced to give an accounting of his cruel conduct.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.

too near to the edge of the very steep and crumbling bank, and the loose clay soil had crumbled away, allowing her to fall half way to the waters edge. There, apparently suspended In air, but hang ing on to twig which projected from the perpendicular bank, the little girl hung, crying for help. Below her the water spread, and Billy's eye, educated In such matters, told him that it was quite deep, probably oyer the little miss head.
 Instantly Billy was on his feet. Then in another minute he had divested him. self of coat, hat and shoes and was wading Into the creek, going toward the opposite shore. Yes, 1t was as he had feared; the water was too deep for wad- ing, and he had to swim. But he called out to the girl in peril to keep up cour- age and hold to the twig for dear life; that help was very near. Then with a few good strokes he was at the opposite bank, but there was no place to land At this place in the stream the water had cut into the bank, making 1t rise perpendicular from the bed of the stream. There was not even a foot hold. Billy looked over the ground as he termed 1t to himself and decided there was nothing for the little girl to do but allow herself to drop as gently as possible into the water beside him, But just as he was about to give her this suggestion he heard her give a frightened cry, heard a snapping of timber, and To! down the crumblng clay bank came the little figure holding tight ly to a broken bit of twig.
 Billy was ready to receive her, and the moment she struck the stream he had caught her arm and was holding her above water. Then cautioning her not to struggle, he bade her hold tightly to his shoulder and he would take her upon terra frma at the opposite bank, where there was splendid landing place. The little girl. much frightened, but cool-head- ed, did as her strange rescuer bade her do, and within two minutes they were standing on dry land, themselves drip ping.
 Then the little girl looked at Billy in- quiringly, wiping the water from her eyes. "Oh, thank you. boy, whoever you pened along just as you did I would have been drowned, for I can't swim a stroke. But l wonder where my brother is? He and I were out hunting for wild flowers. l ran away and hid among the trees. When I thought he was about to find me I crept closer to the bank and-wel you saw the rest. Dut-I wonder what Pm to do-all dripping and a mile from home?'
 ''Ill go with you," said Billy, much at- tracted by the pretty little girl who was in such distress. And we'll find your brother, too"
 Hello, there, sis!'' It was a boys voice from the opposite bank. Then the little girl, assisted by Billy, made some explanations, and the boy on the opposite
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
just captivity and slavery.

just captivity and slavery.
 Nita rose quickly, and to her wonder she found herself flying through the air like bird, holding to the hand of the fairy, who had again assumed her own fairy form. And before an hour had passed Nita found herself in the midst of her country people explaining to them that they must arm themselves and fol- low her; that by so doing they would re- lease their own people from bondage and recover their stolen treasure.
 The thing was so unusual that not one man in that great city thought to refuse to obey Nita's bidding, and within an- other hour mighty army of over thousand men was marching silently on their neighbor country, a neighbor that had used them so badly for so many gen. erations. But now their revenge was close at hand. for was not the little Prin- cess Nita, her fathers only heir. lead ing them to victory? And was not Prin- cess Nita herself led by a fairy who possessed powers superhuman?
 And before the dawn the palaces and castles and treasury of that wicked and domlneering people. who had only used their strength to rob and enslave their weaker neighbors, were stormed and their slaves taken from them. and their stolen treasures returned to the rightful own CTS.
 And so badly beaten were these wicked
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
z OurPuZZle Corner $
BEHEADINGS.

DE-
 CD Behead a covering for the hand and leave a term applied to deep affec- tion. t2.) Doubly behead something used 10 fasten packages and leave an adorn- ment for the finger. (3) Behead the act of turning wheat Into flour and leave a part of a melon.
 CURTAILINGS.
 1) Curtall a steady gaze and leave a celestial body @ Doubly curtail slight rain and leave the term usually applied to circus. (3) Doubly curtail feather cushion and leave dose of medicine.
 HIDDEN NAME PUZZLE. The name of a famous French general Is hidden in the following nine sen tences and may be spelled by taking the first letter of a one-syllable word out of each sentence. writing the letters in the order in which they appear:
 A dog lay in the manager.
 Go to the ant, thou sluggard. France is a country of geniuses. All is well that ends we'll
 Do not yearn for things unobtainable. Lend an ear to good advice.
 Truth Is stranger than fiction. Always turn q deaf ear to slander. Earn your money before you spend it.
 TINY TIM's SCARE PUZZLE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

of them addressed to his father, all tied up and stuck from sight in q box on closet shelf. Billy united the packet and opened the first letter that came to hand. It bore the postmark of a little town in an adjoining state, and the letter began: Dear Brother and Nephew" but Billy did not get beyond the first sentence. for a heavy hand was laid on hls shoulder and his old uncle seized the letter from hIm. How dare you to sneak Into my private affairs?" he exclaimed angrily. Don't you ever dare to touch papers or letters in this house without my orders.
 Those letters were written to my father,' declared Billy, his face proud and his eyes defiant. "I wouldn't touch any of your letters or papers, sir; but what belonged to my father belongs now
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

cried Nita. Pm almost dead from the abuses heaped upon me, and you, fairy, are not so strong as I. Please, dear lit tie fairy, do not go In my place. for in. deed, they may kill you with their blows and cruel words of blame and fault-fnd. ing"
 "Oh, you do not know my power." laughed the fairy. ''i could change all those wicked people into toads were Inclined to do so. But they shall keep their own forms and minds and I'll see to it that you and yours shall win q glori- ous victory over them for their wicked treatment of you. So, rest and sleep"
 So saying. the fairy took the water tugs up and carried them to the palace of the Prince where Nita wns held in slavery. The princess of the castle was in her worst mood on this morning. and abused the fairy. whom she thought to be Nlta, in her severest tones.
 But the fairy went about her duties With an unruftied mind, for she, unlike Nita, felt no physical or mental hurt. Being fairy, she possessed the power to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

the mighty Prince, had been slain In de- lending his palace against the treacher- ous neighbor. Now. there was none to rescue her from the life of slavery. Her princess mother died when she was very young, and her klnsmen and kinswomen were all like herself. slaves to their mighty foe.
 Soon after Nita became slave in the household of one of the princes of the country to which she had been carried captive She was bidden to go each morn ing to a nearby lake and fetch water from 1t to the bath of her mistress. The water of this lake was said to possess the elixir ot youth, and the ladies living near to- it bathed in 1t every morning upon rising from their couches. So 1t was that Nita, the delicate princess slave girl, was obliged 10 bear great jugs of the lake water on her head to the palace. . distance of half d mile.
 One morning while resting by the lake shore, for the day was warm and Nita was vesy tired, ripple in the lakes sur tace attracted her notice. As she sat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

get to Dashvile, and there find my Aunt Maggie"
 At the station he saw the trainmen making up freight train to take out. Going to the man who seemed to be In charge, he told a part of his story, say ing, In conclusion: Now, I'm not run ming awey, sir; I'm just going to visit an aunt of mine without my guardian's leave for, as I have told you. he'd never give his consent. He's abused every right of an uncle and guardian, and I must see my aunt to ge. matters straightened out"
 You're an honest youngster," said the man to whom Billy had confded hls story, "and l know old Moneybags Bit mann by reputation, which corroborates all that yoa say of him. We're taking
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
BY MAUD WALKER.

Many, many years ago, before the Con- tinent of America was discovered. there dwelt a strange people in land south of the Equator. They practiced the slave system and wouh make raids upon tho smaller countries about them and take into bondage the poor victims that fell into their hands. Among the slaves thus acquired was a young girl called Nita, the Golden Hair. She was the daughter of a wealthy prince, but one night during n great carnival tn the Princes palace the mighty enemy of the large domain adjoining (the one just alluded to aboveJ stormed and sacked the Princes palace, and many of its lords and ladies, not mentioning the soldiers and servants, were taken Into cAptivity.
 Nita was a most beautiful maiden and was a princess of the blood royal, there fore it was a terrible blow to her to be carried of to a strange country and there made to perform the menial service of a slave. And her grief was most sad to behold when she learned that her father,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Nita, the Slave Girl, or, The Fairy of the Lake,

watching the ripple spread and. sparkle! there appeared in its very center q white light which grew brighter and brighter, at last taking the form of a fairy. Nita was alarmed at the unusual sight and hastily rose to depart, but as she did so the fairy flew to her side, saying ir the gentlest voice Nita had ever heard: Do not be afraid dear, captive princess l know your story and have come to help you. Now I shall change myself into your form and take the water to the palace in your stead. Meanwhile you shall sleep here on the soft grass and rest for you are sadly In need of it. At the palace l shall assume your duties till I have learned all the 'ins' and outs of the place. Once l am familiar with the secret passages of the castle and grounds l shall bring an army from your own land of your own people, and they shall overcome their enemy and take from captivity their own flesh and blood and worldly goods. of which they were so ruthlessly robbed"
 But they will kill you with work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

this freight traln to B-vile, about 10 miles from Dashville, the place of your destination. Now, if you want to ride in the caboose with the men, all right. I'll take the responsibility"
 But I'll pay my way all right as soon as my aunt attends to my business for me-" declared Billy in a manly way. 'I'l see that the railroad company Is paid in full for carrying me to B-ville, sir, and thank you very much for your trusting me and your extreme kindness to an orphan boy who needs friend just now"
 There was real emotion In Billy's voice and his eyes were dim as he expressed his gratitude to the good-hearted man who was so ready to help him in an hour of need.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

side. He had a bit of lunch that the trainmen had given him when he left them. This he ate about monday. Then he pressed on toward the place of his destination.
 But becoming very tired, he decided to turn into a road which led to wooded creek about a quarter of a mile dis tant. There he would get a drink-if the water looked clear and wholesome and lie beside the stream for half an hour.
 Just as Billy was closing his eyes to take a few minutes nap he heard a scream coming from the opposite bank of the creek, and looking In the direction from which the cry came he was horri- fled to see little girl in a terrible pre- dicament. Evidently she had stepped
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

If I could do just what like,
 Said little Mike one day, 'I'd eat sweet popcorn and ice-cream,
 And then run out and play. 'Id have a dog. a kite, drum.
 And would a-swimming go; And then I'd fish sometimes between,
 For it's great fun. you know. '1'd never go to bed at night;
 I'd stay up late and play; But I would sleep. and sleep. and sleep Each morning every day. And for my breakfast l would have An apple pie and cheese, Some pickels and a ralsin cake
 And anything I'd please. "Oh, 1t would he so jolly fine
 To do just what l like: And then the folks could all call me That happy-hearted Mike" "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

to me, bis only child
 .Ah. you are inclined to show your teeth, are you, you young piece of impu- dence?' and the uncle shook a threaten ing finger in Billys face. Well. get you to the kitchen and tell the cook to send up my breakfast, and, mind you, fetch 1t at once, too. Now begone. you young sneak"
 Billy gave the old man just one look a look of scorn; then he withdrew, going down stairs and out at the front door, in- stead of to the kitchen, as his uncle had ordered him to do.
 It's my last day of slavery and abuse" said Billy as he hurried out of the grounds of his uncle's house and made off toward the railroad station. I'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Soon Billy was speeding away from the place where he had spent such an un- happy year. And the following day about noon he found himself a stranger in strange land. The train drew into the freight station at B-ville and after heartily thanking all the trainmen with whom he had travelled Billy said good-by and started of down one of the principal streets of the town, heading westward. He had instructions as to how he should reach Dashvile. He had determined to set out afoot, and If by chance wagoner should come along now and again he might beg ride for a few miles.
 And so he passed the forenoon of that day, walking through a fine country, where hedgerows gave him shade when he felt tired enough to rest by the road
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
BY ANNIE JAMES.

Sadie's auntie said to her one morning: Do you want to have a picnic on the lawn, grille? If so, we'll spread the cloth on the grass and have some goodies to eat. And we'll invite Grace and Tom Moore over to enjoy the picnic with von. -
 "Oh. that'll be heaps of fun. rrd Sadie gaily, tossing dollie ;is ,nd clapping her hands. Sadie love:l Ic better than any other sort of lunc.., o., or tea. To have her food spread on q rloth on the grass, beneath a great shade tree, was such genuine pleasure.
 Well, while I spread the cloth and prepare the sandwiches and deviled eggs you run over and invite Grace and Tom to come to the picnic, said auntie And after the picnic we'll all have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
CONCERNING CHARADEs.

Young folks take great pleasure In act ing charades or pantomime. and no game Is more appropriate for parlor entertain ment than the old-fashIoned charade. A list of words, which lend themselves nice ly to the eharade, Is given here:
 Air-gun, clumb-cloth, horse chest nut, horse-man-ship, I-doll QdoD. foot-man. farmhouse. breakfast, bull-rush, hard ware, game-keeper, cross-bow, cross-patch. bride-cake, ballground, eye-glass. plum pudding, drawbridge, band-box, court ship, foot-pad, leap-frog. antelope, blue iaY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
NEARLY WON THE BET.

Pat bet Mike that he could carry a hod of bricks to the top of a 50-foot building with Mike sitting on top of the bod. When near to the top Pat made a mlsstep and nearly dropped the bod with its hu- man burden to the stone pavement below But arriving at the top safely he said "Begorrie, Mike, I've won the bet"
 You have that" confessed Mike But whin ye slipped l thought for sure l had ye."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

stories, Tom and Grace and Sadie each telling one. Won't that be fun?''
 ''Oh, yes, yes," declared Sadie, Jumping up and running to her room for her hat "Ill go at once and invite Grace and Tom to my picnic. I'm so glad that Grace and Tom live so close to us. They are the only neighbors within mile; and l couldn't go mile any day to i'm vite friends to a morning picnic on the lawn. could l Auntie?'
 No, indeed" agreed auntie. Its very nice to have Grace and Tom for such close neighbors."
 But 15 minutes later Sadie came leisure ly homeward from Graces and Tom s house, her face full of disappointment. They're gone to town with their mamma"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12


 LETTER ENIGMA. My first Is in singing, but not in tune; My second is in winter, but not in June; My third is in inch, but not in measure; My fourth is in merry. but not in pleas ure; My fifth Is the same as my four. you see; My sixth is also the same as my three; My seventh is in near, but not in far; My eighth is in gold, but not in bar;
 My whole Is word
 With meaning most dear
 To boys who love sports
 At this time of year. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES. Letter Enigma-Picnic Htdden ProUerb-Vhere there fs smoEe there Is ire. Beheddin0s = CD Brdfn rdfr. (2) ChtHEH. t3) Brfde-ride. Curtathn0s,1(I Fire-fr. @ 0oT' Oet-cdro. l3l Bucket -baoE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Hey. sdiddle-de-dumpling, Young Charlie Grey Got miffed at something And then ran away. His ma got switch,
 Ills pa got shingle, And Charlie ran home
 With his back all a-tingle.