davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

around questioningly when a note-stuek
In the edge of the mirror on The dresser,
and addressed to her-caught her eye.
She quickly tore open the envelope and
read the contents of the note: Dearest
Mamma 1t read, i've decided to go
AWAY from home for awhile. l want to
rough 1t a bit and see what sort of
metal I'm made of. You and Papa must
not worry about me, for I'll be o. K. I'm
going to hunt some sort of a job and
work like a Trojan all winter. When you
see me next summer I'll be so big, strong
and brown that you'll hardly know I'm
your son. Now, as soon as I get work I'll
write you. Then you'll hear from me
regularly every week. And I shall be
homesick to hear from you two dear
ones. With a kiss for each, and hope
that you'll not miss me much, your low
ing but independent son, Billy
Mrs. Simpkins sat on the side of the
bed, her hand pressed against her beating
heart. Billy gonel Billy her only child
her baby oh! 1t could not be true. He
was merely playing some trick on her.
She sprang to her feet and began search
ing every nook and corner of room and
closet. No, he was surely gone. His
best suit, his underwear, his sweater, leg
gings, mittens, overcoat, hat, cap, his
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

Billy, In a little white hospital bed,
opened his eyes YEARLY to welcome two
loving ones. He did not talk much, for
the doctor forbade any exertion or ex-
element on his part. But the nurse told
Mr.. and Mrs. Simpkins all about the
cause of Billy's sickness. He had been
employed cutting ice. For three days he
worked at the dangerous occupation.
Then he had beer taken sick with pneu-
monia and the woman from whom he had
rented a cold. barren little room, had
phoned to the city hospital doctor to
come and remove him from her house as
she had mo tins to nurse folks what
couldn't pay for their trouble" And SO
1t had come about that Billy was q
charge in a charity hospital.
A few days after Mr.. and Mrs. Simp-
kins' arrival at the sick bed OF their be-
loved child the doctor, to their great Joy,
told them that the boy was out of danger
and would now quickly recover. Its
the presence of his mother and father
that has done the work." said the nurse.
"oh. how he has been praying for them
ever since he was brought herel'
Eyes, and once l get home I'll stay
there said Billy family. i've learned
a lesson, Daddy and Mamma. that I'll
never forget. And now I see things
straight
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
The Riot in the Nursery.

you ashamed of yourselves, fighting and
quarreling like cat and dog? I'll punish
you both If you don't behave better.
But Rover kept on snaring at Lucre-
tia till 1t got on her nerves. (You know,
cats are very nervous animals and can't
stand to be leased or quarreled att SO
after enduring about as much as she
could she made a leap at Rover and
caught his face between her paws, hold
ing on like grim death, as the saying
goes. Well, Rover snarled, Bit snapped,
jumped about in the air like one bereft of
reason, and still Lucretia hung on to his
nose with firm and sharp claws. And
so noisy did the melee become that Teddy
bear became excited and chased the three
beautiful dolls up the bedpost, where
they perched in mortal fear, while Teddy
remained below looking up at them with
flaming eyes and mouth wide open, dis
playing his sharp teeth. The lion took
out after Sambo and Samanthy, roaring
with deafening loudness as he cornered
pair of frightened coon" dolls behind
dolls cradle. There he would have killed
and devoured them had 1t not been for
the Japanese doll, who, with drawn sword
in hand, came to their rescue. With true
aim the Japanese arm struck blow,
sending the lions head tumbling across
the room. Then. turning in defense OF
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

of the road. There they were lost in
medley of other tracks, some of rabbits
and others of men and boys.
'You Riddles stay here till l come
back said Big Brother. 81 want to
drop off over the bank and see If there
are any fresher tracks than these. I'll
call to you after few minutes, or re-
turn" Then Big Brother went out of
sight under the high bank bordering the
river.
Suppose we hunt for a rabbit now"
said Bobby. big Brother has left US to
ourselves
but how can we kill 1t If we find it,"
asked May. Then, the full meaning of
her words dawning upon her, she quickly
added. but wouldn't want to Kill a
dear little rabbit; would you. Bobby?''
Bobby thought seriously for a minute.
The picture of a dear little bunny that
he had once owned, a cunning little pet
which had been given to him by his
grandpapa came to his mind. He shud-
dered at the thought of any one killing
his dear little bunny. And were not all
rabbits alike? And might not any chance
rabbit that came In their path be his lit
tie bunny that had run away one night
when the cage had accidentally been left
open? All, yes, SO 1t might. 'No-o-o.
May" Bobby answered slowly, II
wouldn't want to kill a rabbit. 1t might
be Bunny what run away last summer"
"Oh-h-h. so 1t might" And May opened
her brown eyes very wide. And just at
this minute Bobbys eyes caught sight of
something which made them open very
wide too. He was looking inside a fall
len hollow tree He stopped over. that he
might the better see the object which
had so suddenly caught his attention.
"A rabbit" he whispered to May. "See
him sitting all huddled up inside that
rotten log? Oh, isn't he a pretty one.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Colby, May and the Rabbit
BY ANNIE JAMES.

Bobby and May were twin brother and
sister. Bobby was seven years old. And
May-but, of course. II they were twins,
May was seven years of age also. They
lived in the country on a big, big farm.
and all about them were great spreadin
valleys, sloping hills and deep. woods; and
there was a fine river running close by
their house-a river on which they went
skating with Big Brother in the winter
and In which they went bathing with
Big Brother in the summer.
One very cold day in January = soon
after the festive New Year-Big Brother
was preparing to go rabbit-hunting Bobby
and May watched him with deep interest,
a longing in their hearts to accompany
him. They had never gone rabbit-hunting
In their lives, and they fancied 1t would
be great sport. Big Brother, seeing the
desire In the faces Of the dear little twins.
laughed and said: 'Ah. do you kiddies
want to go hunting with me? Come, hustle
round and get into your toys. I'll be
ready to start before a dead dog can
wag his tall
How jolly Big Brother always wasl
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

though? Just see his eyes, how big they
are. And what fine earsi Doesn't he
look for all the world like Bunny?"
May went closer to the fallen, hollow
log. peering within its cavity. "Ah, you
sweet little darling" she said In caress-
ing tones. "Oh, how | wish had some
bread and sugar for you. Come, you
dear bunny; don't be afraid. We wouldn't
burt you for the world
We'll, kiddies, no rabbits In sight SO
far!' 1t was Big Brothers voice, and
his head and shoulders were in sight as
he climbed the bank, returning to the
spot where he had left them. Bobby and
May looked at each other quickly, know
ingly. Each knew the others determine.
ton. Big Brother was almost there. II
he got peep into that log! Bobby
and May both shuddered at the thought
of the cruel gun Again their eyes met,
such innocent loving, brown, baby eyes,
eyes so full of sympathy, and Bobby
said: Lets run to meet him. Then he'll
go round another way"
OF they ran to meet Big Brother on
the edge of the steep bank, crying out.
Lets so home, Brother, it's so cold There
are no rabbits out this sort of weather.
anyway. They are all in their little
houses under the ground, and the snow
hides their doors so you can't find them"
well, l guess you're right, Kiddies,"
laughed Big Brother. II find plenty of
tracks, but the fellows that made them
somehow dodge me on every hand. Guess
we'd better make tracks for home"
"And who'll be running after our
tracks to shoot us?'' asked May, inno-
Gently.
laughed Big Brother. But now we are
to-"
II wish rhe Dummies were as safe as we
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

l know how mamma and papa will OBJ
Ject to my going out to root for myself,
so mean to go without telling them. OF
course, I'll leave a note explaining what
l am about; but I'll not tell them where
I'm bound for. l must get work first.
Then III write the news home. You
see, I've got little money-some of the
pocket money papa allows me every
month. I've had this scheme in mind
for long time, and I've been saving
for it. | guess I've got about SIS in
ALL"
Tom saw there was no use arguing the
matter with his determined friend, and,
with a hearty slap on Billy's back, said
In as hopeful a voice as he could muster:
well, Billy, old chum, l don't approve
of what you are about to do; but since
your mind is made up I'll wish you good
luck and success. Also, that things will
so shape themselves that you'll return
home soon again, and that you'll resume
your place In the class"
The next morning when Mrs. Simpkins
went into her sons room to call him
from sleep she was astonished to find the
bed unoccupied and no sign of Its having
been slept in during the previous night.
And there we're no signs of Billy any
where about. Mrs. Slmpkins was looking
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

Bobby and May laughed till their little
sides shook at the idea of dead dog
wagging his tail. Then they ran to
mammals room, got into their warm
cloaks, leggings, mittens and overshoes.
May wore warm hood and Bobby had
an ''earcap." Do you know what an "ear-
cap ISL Well 1t is a cap with a deep
warm band, which draws down over the
ears.
AS soon as Bobby and May were ready
to go with Big Brother the three set out
over the frozen road toward the wooded
hills half a mile distant. But after going
a little distance Big Brother said: "Ah!
here's a rabbit trail. See the fresh tracks
In the snow?" And he pointed to some
wee prints that made a regular path
across n snow-covered meadow field.
Wen just follow this trail and soon
we'll come to Mr. Rabbit" And Big
Brother shouldered his gun-he had set
1t down when examining the tracks-and
away the three hunters went, running to
earth poor little rabbit who had been
so thoughtless as to ieaYe his tracks be-
hind him.
The tracks led them down to the edge
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

every day suit, were gone from the
closet. Also the big telescope valise TINT
he used on camping expeditions was miss
ing. He had carefully packed his things
and crept from the house while they-his
unsuspecting parcnts-sleptl
Mrs. Simpkins ran TO her room and
placed the note In her husbands hands.
He read 1t with growing surprise and
horror. BILLY gone away" he gasped.
Then he stood up like great child, look
ing about him in a dazed sort of way.
Mrs. Simpkins was weeping softly in her
handkerchief. She could not speak. Her
husband watched her for a moment, then
put his arm about her, saying tenderly:
Don't worry, little mother. Our boy is
a good boy and will soon see things
straight. Then he'll come home again.
It's just the wild notion of a growing
boy--he has so suddenly grown out of
little childhood that he can't quite get
himself adjusted to the new physical con-
dition. He thinks himself stronger, older
than he really is. But, thank goodness,
he has a good home to return to when
ever he finds it advisable to do So
ooh, but how can we live without our
boy?" cried Mrs. Simpkins, her grief pitt
full to behold. We've mad such hopes
for him. We've made such plans for his
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Spanish Suggestions.

You must not count the stars lest you
come to have as many wrinkles of face
as the number of stars In the armament
If one rocks an empty cradle the next
babe that lies In 1t will die before it
learns to talk.
Just as often as you mention the devil
In life just so often will he appear to
you at the hour of death.
1t will bring evil to one to dance alone
casting ones shadow on the wall. for
by so doing one is dancing with the devil.
If you would not be haunted by your
dead, kiss the shoes they are to wear
at burial. !.
Do not slam the door. nor shut a win
dow roughly, nor kick a stone our Of
your path, for in the door, in the win
dow and in the stone may be suffering
soul doing penance.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
By Helena Davis.

Peggy Pepper, five years old, was queen
of the nursery. She had a great domain,
too, over which to rule. There were three
nice dolls with natural hair, and eyes
that would open and shut. There were two
coon dolls-Sambo and Samanthy, by
name-and a Japanese doll with a conf
cal face Then there was the animal
kingdom And how funny 1t was, too, to
see the four-leggers living in peace with
the two-leggers You'd have thought that
the lion would have eaten Sambo and
Samanthy. and that the Teddy bear would
have Rugged the beautiful dolls to death,
and that the watchdog would have
chased the Japanese doll out of the
nursery. But no, there was never a bit
of trouble in the nursery till one day
Peggy came in with a toy kitten. AS
soon as the kitten-a white, woolly mite,
with pink nose-was placed on a rug
near to Rover, the watchdog, things be-
came a bit unsettled. Rover snarled, and
the kitten-by name Lucretia-spat and
struck out with her pretty paw. This
excited the lion, and he gave vent to u
roar that frightened everyone, the two
legged as well as the four-legged crea-
lures. Peggy tried TO reason with Lu-
cretia and Rover, saying: Now, amt
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

the three beautiful dolls that were
''treed' up the bedpost, the japanese
doll put the Teddy bear to fight.
And all the time Rover and Lucretia
fought, Lucretia holding on to the howl
ing and fighting dogs nose. About the
room they tumDed and rolled, the other
occupants giving them a wide berth. for
SO terrible was the claw-to-nose conflict
that none dared to interfere.
And Peggy, the queen of the nursery.
sat on her chair, with feet drawn up for
safety, and watched the battle She saw
that there was no use her interfering
Rover and Lucretia must fight 1t out, one
OF them becoming the victor.
After about half an hour Rover became
exhausted and dropped on rug as limp
as rag. Lucretia slowly loosened her
sharp claws and withdrew them from
Rovers nose. Then, purring V. tororsly,
she walked to the other end of the rug
and sat down, washing her face The
fight was over, and Lucretia's supremacy
established. From that day on Rover
nor any of the others of the four-leggers-
would not dare to wink an eye at her
And Peggy, queen of the nursery, picked
up the MANNED lion to carry to the toys
hospital, saying as she did so: Even
weentsy- teentsy kitten can make an aw-
full riot when it tries
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
The Argument.

BOY:
Little spider long-legs,
Sitting up so high,
Why are you 30 cunningly
Watching that poor 6yT'
SPIDER:
"Just because, my dear boy,
l should like some meat.
IT'S my dinner hour now
And time for me to eat"
BOY:
"Ldttle spider long-legs,
You're wicked thus to kill
An unoffending tiny fly
That you may eat your ILL.,"
SPIDER:
"And what about yourself. sir,
Who dined a bit ago.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

On chicken. nice and tender?
All, hal my friend, how so?"
BOY:
"Now. Mr.. Spider Long-legs,
You'd best take care, or l
VIII get a stick and knock you
And your fine web sky-high."
SPIDER:
II see, l see, my young chap.
While you will kill to eat,
You cry out loud in horror
II another asks for meat.
But Live and let live sonny,
Is motto good and true.
If eating fly is wrong for me,
Eating chick is wrong for you"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Fun.
AN EMBARRASSMENT

AN EMBARRASSMENT
What do you mean by the embarrass-
ment of riches, dad?"
We'll, my boy, once heard of q
woman who had a $4,000 set of dishes,
and she was SO afraid of the servants
breaking them that she washed them
herself"
Tommy (aged $50 you're going to
marry sister?
Mr.. Jonson-Yes. What does your
papa say about It?
Tommy-Oh, he said It was better
than nothing at all.
A DEEP-SEA LULLABY.
The sun-fish now has gone to rests
'Tis time you went to sleep.
The moon-fish and the star fish SO ON
Their watch o er you shall keep.
->% <>--
OUR BOY.
Two little feet, two little hands;
head, with two eyes blue;
gentle voice, happy mind;
heart that's good and true.
little boy. whose name ! know,
And 30 does every one,
For he is found In many homes,
And his name is Dearest Son.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
CONUNDRUMs.

When is a fish like a drunkardl
When 1t is bloater.
When are trees like seams In fine linen?
When felled.
When is ship like an aching heart?
When overwhelmed.
When is a shoe like a beer barrett
When tapped.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

are" sighed May. YES so do l." de-
clared Bobby, as they followed the Big
Brother homeward. But they were glad
they went, for they felt that they had
saved the life of one little rabbit at
lenst
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
The SNOWFALL Battle.

Fierce and long the conflict ragged;
Strong foes were In the fight
Each warrior bold, with steady aim,
Did battle with his might.
Stern breastworks stood of beaten snow.
With ammunition near;
And as the battle fiercer grew
Wild shouts did rend the air.
New-York tribune., 1908-08-30

ably. One of these arstocrats is the Marquis
Raggi's bird of paradise" splendid fellow. with a
vevety dark breast spot of vivid green under his
beak yellow head and brown outspread wings.
From behind these wings springs his great glory
two wide sweeping clusters OF soft. light amber
colored feathers. Another magnificent fellow wears
plurnage of the palest cream. which a woman who
didn't mind having birds killed for her adornment
might well covet-
wouldn't he,' murnured one woman visitor at
the museum looking at this bird, wouldn't he
make a lovely hat, all by himself: just that brown
body resting on ones head, and that wonderful
sweep of plumage either side
That plurnage must have been tremendous re-
sponsibiiity to the owner in his lifetime. How
did he manage keep 1t intact, flying through
the tropical forests? One can imagine him crying
despairingly: There, 1 almost lost three of my
finest feathers caught In that branch. What
would my sweetheart say?-and the invitations out
for that dance in the play tree tomorrow"
For il is just to charm their sweethearts that
birds of paradise have this gorgeous pluinage. II
is only the males who wear 1t: the females dress
New-York tribune., 1908-08-30
PARADISE BIRDS
Lorely Specimens Giren by Mrs.
.Sturgis to Wuseum.

Two men were standng before the case contain
ing the wonderful collection OF birds OF paradise,
lust put or, exhibition at the American Museum Oh
Natural History
These birds fast becoming extinct sara one
of the men a member of the museum staff The
British Pf,rliament is considering a to prevent
thei: slaughter. but something will have to be
done soon it will be too late
IF women want to wear them. and are willing
to pay a big price for them laws won't stop the
slaughter" said the other man. a visitor Ihlt
the way look at -.
But Mrs. Frank ~. Sturgis, who is member of
the museum and also a member of the Audubon
Society is not so pessimstic. 1t was she who
gave the collection the museum. or, rather. the
money which enabled t. museum authorities 10
get the birds end of he -noti-'' was the nope
that the exhibition might cause few bird wear
ers to see the evil of their ways. BY the side OF
the case containing the beautiful creatures is
postef a map showing how small is the area in
which they found, and few plain facts con-
cerning their rapid disappearance at the hands of
relentless fashion.
At the end of q long hall in the museum they
have been placed quite by themselves, as befts
their loveness Enter the north hail the second
floor and follow the skeleton of the great nnpack
whale suspended from the ceiling and you Will fnd
his tail pointing toward the birds of paradise The
specimens were collected by Frank NJ Chapman
the ornithoogist who is on the museum staff, ana
we're mounted by c. r. Denslow. Very lifeike their
attitudes are they mounted after sketches
made of the few living birds of paradise IN
| the gardens of the Geological Society in London
The pper row contains the of the collection
! the true birds of paradise-for not all of the
eirhty-fve varieties known now are true birds OIL
] nsradise One family is called bower birds, ano
one the sickle-billed birds. There some hand
some specimens of these in this collection but ths
aristocrats in the top row dwarf them consider
New-York tribune., 1908-08-30
WELLESLEY WOMAN IN INDIA

Miss Helen F. Chandler. a graduate or we'e..s' .s
College, 81 now a missionary in India- anu =, -
ant principal of the Girls Boarding oeno -.
Madras sends the following description u 80
Indian variation OF the bull fight;
while taking my afternoon tea to-uas a..
startled to see a gayly adorned bun rush NJ
school ward III was racing bull. finely Ioi
and well fed. The Hindus nave no nauon" 80.
but they all do love the excitement OF one ,..t
bull batting festivals. when wen feo anu - AZ
bu,,s and oxen are brought together at the emu -
some good road These animals usually nav
expensive cloth tied about their horns' anu 49,
of the cloths contain money The pulls 80.
loose and excited by the noise OF the oss'e os' ,o,
and by tho drumming of those VINO are e"e r,,o~
the sport. of course run hither and 'hi'ne .n.ir
men chase them and try to get the co.ns 80 % .,,A.
horns The young men are seldom hurt' D...na Du'
times a bull viii charge into the crowd OF o,s -.
ers. and then there are fatal injuries ne -sn
that surprised US to-day jumped the scnoo' -. "a
which had been put up to keep out thieve,. -.sS
fortunately did no harm. though the UTis -.
greatly frightened