davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Domestic Hints For Girls.

less of quality. Be sure to mix your eolors we'll getting In bits of blue. vel low, red and green at regular lengths of dull-colored cotton. After you have sewn about pound of the rags together, roll them into tight ball and put away. This is for convenience, as 1t would be rather difficult to handle a ball larger than that. When you have about 10 or 12 balls of about pound each, you may begin plating for the rug. Take three balls and plait from the loose ends, unroling as you plait. And so on and on you go till the entire 10 or 12 balls are plaited.
 After all the plating is done. take a coarse needle and heavy linen thread of a bright red and begin sewing a round mat of the plaited strips. You must be very careful not to ''cup'' your mat, and sew It as you would the straight round brim of a straw hat. Hold each outer strip very full so that t will lie fat upon a smooth surface
 Of course. you may use your own taste in regard to the size of your rag mat or rug. If you wish one to cover the center of your room, you must have very large quantity of rags before beginning to Dlait
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

them up, but for medium-sized rug, say, large enough to stretch in front of your writing desk or the grate, about the number of pounds named above will be sufficient
 For the girl who delights In having her room or ''den" furnished by the labor of her own hands the rag rug will lend itself most helpfully, as well as artistical- ly. And the time spent in making one or more of these pretty rugs is not like real york; for one may sit on the porch in the midst of company. chatting and laughing all the afternoon, and sew at least half pound of rags. Or one may take basket of the cut rags and go visiting, sewing on them the while in- stead of putting in the time at embroid- cry. Indeed, most girls find embroidery most tedious work for summer idling and declare 1t requires such close attention that 1t tires the eyes and nerves. So, I'm sure many girls will readily take to the rag-rug matter and find the making of pretty and useful rugs not only well worth while, but far from tedious and tiring as we'll
 MARY GRAHAM.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Something About the Hindu.

caste" for both describe a condition of bondage.
 As matter of fact, caste is hereditary. And So 1t has been for two thousand years, and unless something is done to bring about a great social revolution in that benighted country, 1t will continue to exist two thousand years more. The Hindu is a most conservative creature, and willingly walks in the grooves made by his ancestors. To give you a hint as to the meaning of the term "caste" I quote a well,known writer on the sub- ject:
 "Al1 these castes are hereditary. A priests son becomes a priest soldiers son a soldier: a carpenters son a carpen- ter: scavenger's son a scavenger. There is no question, What shall we do with our boys? in Hinduism. For a sire to start his son in any other calling but his own would be against his caste, and there all argument ends. For caste is both social and religious, and includes the call- ing as we'll as the creed.
 '"The requirements and restrictions of caste are innumerable. Many of them arbitrary, inconsistent, and even contra dictory. The principal laws direct that individuals shall marry only those of their own caste, eat with their own caste, and of food cooked by caste-fellow or Brahman; that no superior shall allow an inferior to touch his cooked food, or even enter the room in which 1t Is being cook ed; but articles of dry nature, such as grain and rice, are exempt from def1lement by touch so long as they remain dry. Water and other liquids are peculiarly sus- ceptibe to contamination, but rivers, res ervoirs and ponds are excepted. The higher and "clean" casres are not allowed to touch the lower or outcastes; even the brushing of garments in passing Is reck- oned defilement. and the shadow of an inferior is considered unclean."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
Tommy Turtle and His Airship. Story for the Wee Ones. By Helena Davis.

Tommy Turtle had been i'll for long, long time. When I say a long, long time, I mean as Tommy thought. Indeed, Tommy had been Ill just two days. Now, one day of illness was a long time for Tommy, and two days meant long, long time.
 But now Tommy Turtle was well again. Gle had not been sick enough to call the doctor, but had to be very careful about what he ate. His sickness had come from eating little green melon that had made an awful fuss in his stomach.) And so Tommy Turtle was well again, and his mamma told him he could go out and play in the big shady yard. But you must not go near to the melon patch" cautioned mamma. for you might get Into trouble again If you did.
 But where shall I go?" asked Tommy Turtle. bit peevish from having been i'll so very, very long. 'I don't have any fun in the yard. And don't like chasing about with Rover" tRover was the big dog, and Tommy Turtles play mate.)
 Just as Tommy Turtle said this in came his Uncle Thomas (Tommy was named for this uncle and therefore had a good deal of influence over him, although Tommy was just six and the uncle was 26.)
 An, I'll tell you what we'll do," cried big Uncle Thomas. Well take you out in an airship and visit the clouds An ha! How'll that suit you, Buster Tom?"
 Bully! Uncle Thomas" declared Tom my Turtle. And then he ran and got his hat and sandals. His head and feet had both been bare when big Uncle
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
LALLA AND PEARL AT THE WISHING WELL
 4 STORY FOR CHILDREN BY MAUD WALKER

have been as kind to us as their means would allow They took us at our moth CTS death and gave us as good as they themselves had"
 Did you work for them?" asked the voice.
 "Oh, willingly we worked all that they would allow us; and were we older and stronger we'd go out to service. But we are too young for that yet. But If the good folk who want daughters will only allow us to give half our food to the dear old man and woman who have been so good to us and whom we love so devoted ly and allow us to sleep in the outshed and give our bed to these dear old ones, we shall be most glad to go to them. But, on the other hand. if we are forbid den to have these dear old friends and cannot assist them in their distress, well--we'll go to the penthouse with them and comfort them as best we can in their unhappy lot"
 Let us make our choicel" cried the good wife, springlng from her hiding place. I've want these two dear little girls who have hearts of gold in their breasts, and their old friends shall not go to the poorhouse, either.
 And so 1t happened that Lalla and Pearl were chosen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

well the mysterious voice from the wells depths would give her instructions some thing like this: "Give me your name, little maid and do as I bid you" Then. upon receiving her name. the voice would send her to a lonely spot half way up the steep, wooded hill, there to await summons to return.
 After nine little girls had arrived the voice from the well declared that no others were expected and that business proceedings should begin at once. As the girls had been sent quite out of hear ing of the voice from the we'll there was no danger of their knowing what took place between the voice and the hidden couple
 Now, my good people," said the voice, "I am going to begin the cross-examina- ton, so to speak, of each girl who this evening has come to find home with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Thomas proposed going on an airship journey. But respectable boy, so though Tommy Turtle, would never go up in an airship barefooted and bare headed. So he quickly put on his hat wrong end in front-and jumped into his sandals. Then, with his little hand fair ly melting inside Uncle Thomas big palm, he set forth for the arship jour ney.
 Where's the airship, Uncle Thomas?" he asked as he trotted besides the tall uncle toward the barnyard.
 Here she is. sonny" said Uncle Thomas. And he lifted Tommy Turtle up very high and put him down on top a great hay rack that had four wheels under 1t and two big horses hitched to it. "Now we're off to the clouds" cried Uncle Thomas, cracking a whip and call Ing out to the horses to ''step lively"
 But this Is only the hay rackr' ex- claimed Tommy Turtle And we're going straight toward the hayfeld."
 "Ali, but we can play it's an airship, can't wer' asked Uncle Thomas gaily, cracking the whip so loudly that the big horses sprang into ever and ever so brisk q trot "Oh, yes, it'l ae lots and lots of fun to play it's an airship" de- cared Tommy. And the hayfeld is- is-"
 'Is the moon, if you say so," promised Uncle Thomas. ''Ah, now we're in the clouds!' And the jolly big uncle waved his whip round toward the tall grass that was as yet uncut. And now we're passing beside the stars. Just see them sail through the heavens!' And again he waved his whip, this time toward
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
How An Energetic Boy Made Pocket Money
 During the Summer

An energetic boy of 14 years of age decided to try his luck at making some pocket money during the summer vaca- ton, and this was his plan, which, I must add, proved to be a very good one, for during the first weeks trial he cleared about S3:
 At the junction of two popular street car lines, where the travel was extensive and constant all day long, the boy took up his stand. A large umbrella formed his establishment and a little empty goods box, turned bottom side up, was his counter. On this counter stood his stock in trade. namely, large wooden pail full of ice water, neatly covered by a towel, several tightly -corked large mouthed bottles. and half a dozen drink ing glasses Also, behind the counter, resting on the ground, was another large pail of water from which he kept the drinking glasses cleansed.
 Now, 1t was the contents of the bottles that furnished the most appetizing and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

each give her reason for looking for a home other than she now possesses you will be able to judge of her character, and consequently make your selection"
 Then. after a few directions as to find ing the wishing well, the old traveller thanked his host and hostess and depart ed. wishing them success in their strange enterprise of finding two daughters.
 That evening after their days chores were done the good couple set out to find the wishing well. They had no diff fculty in discovering its whereabouts and soon had the great rock that covered 1t from view rolled partly away. Then, looking into its depths, they both made wish for all the little girls in the coun- tryside, who desired to find a new home, to come there to the well
 As they arose from their kneeling pos ture they heard q voice from the depths
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Just the mere word carpet rag" strikes terror to the heart of the ordinary young girl, who immediately connects the word with tedious tearings and servings, and in the end nothing gained but ''an ugly rag carpet" But if girls would only over come their dislike to 'carpet- raging and save all the pretty bright bits of rib bon. silk, wool and cotton-for all may be used together-that happens to fall to hand. they would soon have fine as- sortment of rags, enough to make pret- ty rug for their floor.
 "RugT most of the girls will ask. Why, we thought only ugly carpets were woven of rags!' Well, just read the rest of this little article and then try following the suggestion regarding the msking of a rug.
 After you have enough rags to pay for the trouble take your scissors and bas- ket and sit under tree or on the porch and begin your rug. Cut the woolen and velvet rags into halflr ch wide strips. Cut the cotton and silk ,rags twice that width After all have Aeen cut. which will take more than one kfternoon. mind you, begin sewing them together regard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

In the long, long ago there dwelt in land across the seas a man and his wife who had no children of their own. And they both were very anxious to find two little girls to adopt as their daughters. One day, as they were discussing the problem of finding two good little girls to i'll their childless home they heard knock at their outer gate, and hastening to open 1t they found there a strange looking old man leaning upon staff.
 Good day, kind folk said the aged stranger, entering the gate in response to the cordial invitation from the hosplta- ble man and woman.
 'I am a traveller in there parts and would be obliged for a little rest in your garden and a cup of milk.
 The good wife hastened to serve her strange guest while the husband provided a seat for him beneath a cherry tree where he might rest at his ease. And as the two good folk chatted with the old man they expressed their wish for two little girls to come Into their home where they would be treated as their very own daughters.
 ''Ah," said the old traveller, 'I shall attend to this matter for you-if you de- sire me to do so. I am a man of wealth. and possess strange notions. One of my notions is to go about the world at my leisure, asking for accommodations of those who dwell by the wayside. For those who are kind to me-thinkng me a poor wayfarer-I perform some deed of kindness to show my gratitude. Now, my good folk, I shall tell you how you may find the two little girls you so much desire. You did not hesitate to open your gate to me-though l appear feeble and poor-and to invite me to partake of your kind hospitality. For your kindness to me I shall put you in the way of finding two lovable and loving little daughters that are in the need of a home such as you can give them. But you must make a journey to accomplish this wish.''
 "Oh. good sir, we shall not hesitate to go on this journey of which you speak if by so doing we may find two such little maids as you describe. But tell us, pray, where they are to be found, that we may Y make ready to start at once.'
 "Ah. good friends, the distance is not so great as to demand such haste. You have but to go beyond wonder hill''-and the aged man pointed with his staff to- wards a hill a few miles distant-''and you will find small well hidden beneath a great rock. Roll that rock away and wish into that we'll"
 "Ah, so simple a thing as thati-and we never before knew about it!" exclaimed the good wife. Shall we just wish for the little girls to have them appear?"
 The old man shook his head saying de- liberately: If wishes were so easily granted as that, good friends. you'd have high heaven itself for the mere wishing for It. No, hearken to me: Go you to that wishing well and ask the spirit hid den there to bring to that well all the little girls in the countryside-those de- sirous of finding a new home. Then you must hide behind the trees and listen to the reasons these little maidens give for wishing to come to you. It may not be so easy after all to find the children you desire. Even youth is often full of decep- tion and selfshness. But upon hearing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

who will give me toys and fine clothes. I hate to work, but l love a good time And l wish to be my own mistress"
 Does your aunt beat your asked the voice Then added quickly: Do not dare to tell me falsehood, for l shall know it the moment it is uttered"
 NO, she never mistreats me. but l do not like to work" reiterated the girl. ''l love to be idle all day; and l don't like poor people"
 But suppose these people to whom you wish to go are also poorT' asked the voice.
 "Then l shouldn't consider going to them" declared the little miss.
 Then the voice excused her and called another. Her answers were very much the same as the first girls, and she was soon excused. And then were called five soon excused And then was called five
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

of the well saying: Good people, your wish shall be granted, for I have already been instructed as to your case. The old man who rested and supped with you this morning was a fairy in disguise, and he has been here to tell me about this matter. An that remains for you to do is to secret yourselves behind that clump of hawthorn bush and listen to the con- versations that pass between me and the little maidens who will soon assemble here. They are coming even now, and the sooner you hide yourselves the better it will be for your case. These little maidens must not know that they are being overheard by the man and wife de siring to adopt two of them"
 The good couple hurriedly concealed themselves behind the hawthorn bush and awaited the coming of the little girls. Soon they began to arrive. There were girls ranging from to F years of age, and seemed to come from various ranks in life. As each little miss arrived at the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

refreshing, as well as wholesome drink to passengers transferring from one street car line to the other In these bottles was the following mixture; To one pound of granulated sugar had been added 30 drops of essence of lemon; two and a half ounces of tartaric acid had been sifted through fine piece Of cheese cloth and thoroughly mixed with the same quantity of carbonate of soda. Then this mixture had been stirred well into the sugar, and then put into the bottles. To one glass of ice water would be added two teaspoonfuls of the bottles in- gradients and. most delicious drink was ready for a thirsty customer. And the boy made quite a neat profit selling this "effervescing lemonade" at three cents glass.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
' OWPuzZle Corner $
CONUNDRUMs.

Why is it almost certain that Shake speare was a broker?
 Because no other man has furnished SO many stock quotations.
 Why is a professional thief very com fortable?
 Because he usually takes things easy. Why is young man growing his first moustache like a goose?
 Because he grotos dopn. Why Is hen immortal? Because her son neper sets. When is a man obliged to keep his word?
 When nobody toH1 take it. What is the longest sentence known in history?
 The life sentence.
 Why was the elephant lats In entef:ng the ark?
 Because he stopped to pack Ms trunk. When is a piece of beef like a new dressf
 When 0ettiM bdsted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

and two of them disposed to tell false hoods. They were in turn excused, and as they went off down the hillside the good woman and man sighed, fearing they would not find two good, unselfsh little girls to fill their lonely hearts. "Only two others to come.' whispered the wife. I'm getting discouraged"
 To their surprise, the other two were called together. They proved to be twins and were named Lalla and Pearl. As they approached the wishing well both sighed and seemed unhappy
 Why do you sigh?' asked the voice from the well.
 We are so unhappy because we must leave the home where we now reside, spoke one of them. "The dear old couple who have given us a home are obliged to go to the poorhouse and have told us we must go elsewhere. We'll willingly work for the good man and woman who desire daughters if they will in turn give shel- ter and food to the dear old people who
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

you. You will make no selection till the questioning is over and then you shall come forth and make known your choice. No girl shall hear what is said to any of the others, and as soon as questioned each in turn shall be sent down the hill to await your choice.
 Then the name of the first applicant was called. She came tripping in in re- sponse, a bright-faced girl of Il, with sparkling brown eyes and waving curls. "Ah, want her for one of them,' whis- pered the good wife Be still," admoD- ished the less demonstrative husband. Do not choose before choosing time"
 Now, my pretty maid" began the voice from the well, why do you wish to change your abode? Speak up and make your object plain.'
 T live with an aunt" replied the little girl, and she obliges me to assist with the household work. I wish to run away from her and to find home with people who will allow me to play all day and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

''They call her a drudge of housewife For she sits and sews all day, Mending toes and knees of stockings We children kick out at play. "They call her a drudge of housewlfe' But she is my mother, you see; When I'm grown I'll build grand man sion,
 And she shall share 1t with me. "Then no longer drudge of housewire Will be my mother, so dear; And she'll live like a queen in a palace Doing nothing from year to year.
 FLORENCE DAVIS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

allow the men to load it with hay. And as soon as that was done Uncle Thomas put him up on the very top of the load and climbed up beside him, and together they went to new haystack which was being built and Tommy Turtle declared 1t was Mars. ''Oh, it's jolly fun riding In an airship with you, Uncle Thomas" he cried. Then they went home to din- ner and Tommy told his mamma all about his ride to the moon and stars, and what hne fellow his uncle was.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
HIDDEN-NAME PUZZLE.

By taking the initial letter of one syllable word from each of the following six sentences and writing them in the order In which they come the name of a famous composer will be spelled:
 Never cry over spilled milk.
 Live In hope if you die in despair.
 Never owe a debt you cannot pay.
 The pen Is mightier than the sword. If you give some persons an inch, they will take a mie
 Dark is the night before the dawn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
BEHEA EADINGS.

Q) Behead a china dish and leave the kind of hour when all people should be in bed. @ Behead that which comes on the plum bush early in the spring and leave a weaving machine. (3) Behead the condition of a stout person and leave piece of sugar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is in pin but not In bend; My second is in dollar, but not in spend My third is in hate, but not In love: My fourth is in pigeon. but not in dove; My fifth Is in king, but not in rule; My sixth is in student. but not in fool.
 My whole spells word
 With a meaning quite clear
 To children who play at
 The game all the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
A THREAT.

Nav, kin I go to the ball gamer '.No, you kin not, William Eugene. don't want no soE of mine runnin all over this town alone.'
 .Oh come on, mawl Let me go
 ''You kin not go William Eugene.
 'T'll run away an go. That's what I'll do. I'm gettin' old enough to paddle my own canoe, I guess."
 civilian Eugene. ef you go to that ball game it won't be pny canoe that'll get padded. Mind that now William Flu gene"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
three big new hay stacks.

three DE new nay stack8.
 "Gee-whiz! They're big stars, aren't they, Uncle Thomasf" cried Tommy, now having the best time you could imagine And lookie, Uncle, there's the Milky Way" And Tommy pointed a chubby finger toward newly cut swath of hay.
 "Ha. ha. hal" And Uncle Thomas de. clared that Tommy Turtle was ''the cley- crest little Buster Tom alive" which, doubtless, he was. And pretty soon Tom my Turtle had to get off the hayrack to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
CURTAILINGS.

CD Curtail an ornament worn by a king and leave q noise made by a barn. yard fowl. (2) Curtail a dark color and leave a part of the human face. (3) Cur tail condition of temperature and leave a series of bloody battles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

Boys and girls of America-this great land where all are born free and equal before the law-cannot well imagine the condition of their poor little brothers and sisters of India, victims of the ''caste" condition. Indeed, the word slavery" might well be substituted for the word
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09
RIDDLE.

went into the woods and got 1t: sat down to look for 1t the more l looked for 1t the less I liked 1t: and not being able to find 1t, came away with 1t.
 "A thorn in the foof.j
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES. Letter Enigmd: Tennis.
 Beheadings: CD Brain-rain. (2) Drug- rug. (3) Clash-ldsh.
 CurtdfHn0s: (1) Shorelshope (2) Cab- in-cdb. (3) Studios
 Hidden Nome PuszIe Fulton