davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Andy. 6be Hero of Old Solitaire

sheriff had declared. They'd be for get ting to level ground, and to the railway, for another state, but never to Old Soli- taire."
 Andy's parents gave their consent for him to visit at his aunt's home, down the gorge. So he set out one morning bright and early his knapsack over his back and a determined look in his face. He told his mother that he might be gone week or 10 days. Don't look for me till you see me- he had said at parting. Then, calling out to his father, who was still confined to his room on account Of the wound In his hand, said: Say, daddy, get well fast, for you may have to ap- pear in court against those thugs that shot you. l have faith that they'll be caught yet"
 Andy's father smiled indulgently, but said, with regret in his voice: "I m afraid. son, that those outlaws will never be captured
 After Andy had spent an hour visiting with his aunt, he explained that her house was but his headquarters, and that he was off to Old Solitaire, where he meant to 'explore and prospect" His aunt, knowing him to be a perfectly trust worthy boy, made no objection to his plan and prepared q plentiful amount of cold food for him to carry in his knap- 
 inside three or four days" Andy told her as he departed, heading for Old Solitaire.
 All that afternoon Andy climbed and climbed, and just as the darkness began to fall he reached a most melancholy spot away up on the side of Old Solitaire. A few stunted pine trees afforded shel- ter for the night, If indeed, Andy wanted shelter from the star-studded heavens.
 After refreshing himself from his knap- IL ba had 10 a r ground to take nap. Once he decided to remain in that spot for the night, but later--after his bodily fatigue gave way he concluded to go on up the mountain, turning towards the south, where he knew a deep canyon to be. He carried his gun over his shoulder, for It was said that few mountain lions and a number of wildcats still survived the trappers raids and were roaming at sweet free dom about Old Solitaire.
 .I may wander about this lonesome old
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

creek, yonder-as he can get. l guess he doesn't relish Fourth of July fireworks. :"
 The horseman laughed, and told Tom that he and his companion were off in search of the bull. But go on with your celebration" he added, flor we'll drive the old fellow Into his pen shortly. He'll not molest you again.
 And you may have all the fried chick en you can eat, Sir Hero," cried May, coming down out of the wagon and giving Tom her hand. "Yes, you surely deserve the best the board affords" cried Lily Graham. sYou have performed the heroic act which entities you to"
 "Sh-sh-sh!" And Tom put up a warning finger. 'If you say too much I'll get the big head. Truth Is, l never once thought of the fried chicken when I was playing with the firecrackers and-the bull''
 You're brick, old chap" And Bert Graham, coming down from hls perch in tree, seized Tom by the hand. ''The others Of us boys-'
 ''Sh-sh-shi'' cried Tom, putting up warning finger. Not another word about the little bull episode. Let 1t be forgot In the merry-making Say Mrs. Graham, isn't it luncheon timer
 ''You dear, brave boy" began Mrs. Graham, tears in her eyes and emotion in her voice. But seeing a determined look
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

solos, these being interspersed with reel tations and declamations.
 And such m enjoyable time was had during the patriotic exercises that young America forgot for time that there were great baskets full of luncheon, great jugs of fruit lemonade (tucked into bags of ice) and swings and hammocks, and yes, above all else-a huge box of fire works to be used in the final windup of the days celebration.
 But as soon as the last song was sung all these other pleasant things came to mind. and the staid and proper company broke up into 8 gay, laughing excited crowd Baskets were opened: cloths were spread on the grass beneath the trees: water was brought from the spring. and pieces of lee clipped into the palls and pitchers to add coldness to the sparkling Adams ale,' so fresh from the interior of the earth.
 Well, I call thls the most enjoyable event of my life. so far" spoke up Tom Peterson, his mouth crammed too full of fried chicken to permit of good articula- tion. At the moment Tom was assisting Oracle and May Stearns in placing some of the appetizing contents of a basket on the picnic cloth.
 There! Caught, sir!" cried May turn Ing on Tom with a threatening shake of the finger. How dare you to sneak into that bowl of fried chickenl I'll have to keep an eye on you, sir.'
 Just sampled it," muttered Tom, try ing to swallow the tasty bit of chicken wing he had purloined. 'Geel l like the sample, and mean to get seat close to fhA r,rI.- And he assumed an injured look as May boldly took the bowl and covered 1t with a napkin, keeping it close by her side.
 Jusr one little handout, please, kind lady, begged Tom, to the great amuse- ment of half dozen girls and boys who | had heard the banter between him and May. You wouldn't refuse hungry man bite to eat-and on this the great and glorious Fourthi''
 Well, you must first do little wood- chopping, smiled May. Its the custom, l believe, for tramps to offer to work for what they eat. Am I not right. girlsf" And May turned an appealing look on the girls grouped about the picnic cloth. some assisting at the opening of baskets, while others cut bread and cake.
 ITO be sure," declared several girls voices In unison. If that tramp wants dinner at this tavern he must do some thing worth while to pay for it."
 Say, I'll tell you, girls, what to do,' said Bert Graham, host of the party. Tn sist upon Tom performing some heroic act-not wood-chopping. mind you. but heroic act-before he be allowed to par take of that chicken
 "Agreedi Agreed!' acquesced several of the girls. Then, Lily Graham said, teas ingly: Poor old Tom won't he get a bite of chicken till he performs some genuinely heroic actl An, then l fear he is doomed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Bert and Lily Graham's mother was giving them a Fourth of July picnic in the woods No adults, save Mrs. Gra- ham, was of the party, for, as she had said, 1t was to be young America's party, and all the speeches, the songs and reel tations were to be of the youth, by the youth and for the youth.
 The place chosen for the picnic was in a lovely dell some two or three miles from town. and the party chaperoned by Mrs. Graham, made an early start so as to reach the place of destination before the heat of the day should become too intense. In the woods the air was cool and refreshing. A great shaded spring afforded water to the picnickers. and a fine board platform and benches had been arranged for the mornings patriotic ex- ercises Also, an organ had been taken to the picnic grounds that morning very early and was on the platform when the picnic crowd arrived. An old serving man, belonging to Mrs. Graham's house. hold, had prepared the grounds for the occasion, and was in attendance on the young folks, putting up swings, hanging hammocks and making himself generally useful.
 The morning exercises opened with the Lords prayer, Mrs. Graham leading and the boys and girls following. Then patriotic song was sung with spirit, each boy and girl seeming to vie with the other in rendering the words of the song with true American feeling. Following this, extracts from the Declaration of Independence were read by the orator of the day, Charlie Stephens. And a fine. in- telligent reading he gave, too. being cheered heartily by his young listeners
 Then other songs were sung. some in chorus and others In quartettes, duets and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

Andy Simpson lived in village that was tucked away In q Rocky Mountain gorge. His fathers house set against the side of one of the highest mountains of the range which walled in the village. All about them was the widest scenery and, as the mountains at this point were almost impregnable, there were few tra yeers or tourists to be found explor- ing the region. Only some old grizzled trappers and an occasional mining pros pector'' were to be seen wandering about the mountains in search of wild animals, or the precious metals, gold ana silver. But as the mountains in this particular locality had proven unproductive, the prospectors had begun to give the vicln- ity wide berth, and had betaken them selves to more promising fields. Thus It was that all about the little gorge town, in which the hero of our story lived, na- ture in her widest form reigned supreme.
 About two weeks before the opening of this story there had occurred in the town a most daring bank robbery, and the robbers had succeeded in getting away, hiding themselves in the mountains For two weeks the sheriff and his posse had searched for them In vain among the mountains, not only hoping to apprehend the outlaws, but to cover themselves with glory, and receive the liberal re- ward offered for the capture of the crim- inals. But at the expiration of two weeks constant riding-where such means of locomotion was posslble-and climbing on foot when obliged to do so, the sheriff had given up the search, and had re- turned to the town to await news from other counties and states where he had hopes that the robbers might yet be oyertaken.
 But gradually the excitement attending the robbery and wounding of the banks cashier had died out and the little noun tain town had recovered from its brief terror and was sleeping as peacefully in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

the gorge as before But one little rest less spirit still thought constantly of the robbery and of the cruel gunshot wound of the cashier. He was Andy Simpson, the bank cashiers only son. 'fhose bandits must be caught and punished, he would whisper to himself. Ihey didn't only steal the peoples money, but they wounded my father. and from that wound he may lose the use of his rlgnt hand. So, I'm going to find the gang II they're in these mountains. The sheriH is in too much of a hurry. He wants to get 'em on the spot: an if be don't ne gives 1t up as a bad job
 Thus soliloquized Andy every day, be- coming more and more determined that the law should claim its own.
 One morning Andy begged his parents permission to visit an aunt living several miles down the gorge In another little town more isolated than his own, and one with readier access to the fastness of the higher mountains He did not tell his parents of his intentions to visit the unexplored part of q mountain called "Old Solitaire," so named on account of its inaecessibleness. He had 1t in his mind that there, hidden away in some canyon of Old Solitaire. he would come upon the robbers. He had once suggest ed to his father that, doubtless, the rob Der gang had gone straight to Old Soli- taire, but the idea was only laughed at; for while Old Solitaire was big and bold and steep, there was little timber to shel- ter or hide a gang of men, and few deep crevices or gorges by which they might make their escape to the opposite side. Of all the chain of mountains Old Soll- taire promised less to the culprlt in hid ing. And for that reason the sheriff and his men had not thought 1t worth while to go over it thoroughly. They had climbed over the parts of it that were most accessible, but the summit and the southern side had not claimed their at tention
 ''Men wouldn't come here to hide" the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

to eliminate chicken from his dietary from this day.
 Say, Lily Graham, just because this is grand occasion there is no call for such Jawbreakers as you just now perpetrate on us declared Tom. Speak under standa ble American, please"
 Everybody laughed at LIly's expense; but that young miss was not in the least diseoncerted, Looking defiance at Tom. she smiled.
 ''Do you understand the meaning of the word e-h-Ie-k-e-n?" And she spelled the word with emphasis on each letter Well If you do that fowl-especially when fried and served at a picnic dinner on the Fourth-is to be found missing on your plate. Do you understand that, Sir Tramp?"
 But just at this instant a boy of the party who had gone to the spring for more water came rushing madly up the hill, calling out at the top of his lungs "A mad bull Is coming through the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

 xpIoded in the bull ace

ing it to shoot over the running bulls back.
 The bull needed nothing more to scare him away. Indeed, it was really funny to see him darting down the bank, into the water of the creek and through the brush and briars on the opposite bank, never stopping an instant to look behind him.
 Just as the picnic crowd was wonder ing whether or not they would better re- main there for luncheon or pack up hur- riedly and betake themselves of, in an- ticipation of the bulls return, two horse men came dashing through the meadow which bordered the grove. One of them seeing the picnic crowd drew rein and asked if they had seen an ill-natured bull thereabouts. ..Yes. he has been celebrat- ing" replied Tom, laughingly. 'He had the honor of having two punches of giant frecrackers and one huge skyrocket. Now he's running just as far away-across the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

look straight at him. You know 1t Is said that animals understand our emotions to a certain degree. Let's all be determined to feel no fear, and if he comes toward our wagons we must show fight by threatening him with our parasols."
 After taking in the view to his content the bull put his head to the earth, paved few times in rage, snorted again asd made a charge right toward the wag- on containing Mrs. Graham and the group of smaller girls. Each little miss screamed in fright and hid her face in her hands. Even Mrs Graham's breath stopped and her face became deathly white. The wagon was frail affair, and the bed of 1t was so close to the ground that should the charging bull care to try his horns on its occupants there was nothing to prevent his doing so.
 But hardly had the mad bull started charging toward the picnic wagon filled
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

q don't care about the reward" de- clared Andy warmly; 'I'm only thinking of getting the money back for the people and making that wicked gang suffer for having shot my ratner's hand nearly of. I'm not thinking of the reward"
 "All the samey, it'll be yours, kid, If we git the rascals on your information" said the sheriff. And then, without fur ther barley, he and his men were off, creeping like wolves among the boulders and pine trees near the base of Old Solitaire. They'll have to come this way" said the deputy sheriff, placing his men. This is the only place where they can come down from the mountain"
 And they hadn't long to wait. Soon one man fell into their hands, Then an- other and another. The last two showed fight, for they had heard some barley going on between their confederates and strangers; but soon they were overcome at the points of guns and surrendered themselves. And when, an hour later, they were searched in the deputy's house before being taken to jail, the money stolen from the bank two weeks before was found on their persons.
 When the news spread like wildfire the next day that Andy Simpson, the A. year-old boy, had discovered the robbers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
HE CHIDRENS EXCITING FOURTH

with It's frightened humanity, when Tom Peterson darted forth from beneath the wagon, whither he had crept all unno- tlced by anyone, and made right at the bull. From the wagons and surrounding trees came cries of horror as the girls and boys saw Tom risk his very life. But before one could have counted five, Sizzl Splutterl Flash! Bangl Tom had thrust out both hands and thrown something right in the charging animals face. Two handfuls of giant firecrackers exploded in the bulls face. Then as the frightened and half-blinded animal turned in re- treat Tom touched off skyrocket, point
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

was left for change of position. Up the steep bank came a powerful bull, snort ing and believing furlously. On gaining the top he stopped short for a minute, staring with blood shot eyes at the little party stationed close upon the bank. Then he shook his head, snorted, paved the earth and gave forth such a below that the very ground seemed to shake be heath the frightened picnickers. Mrs. Graham had climbed into a wagon, hold ing her motherly arms about the smaller girls, while she endeavored to calm them.
 Maybe the animal will go past without harmng us if we just keep very calm and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

in Toms eyes she paused; then added: s'Yes, girls, let's spread the table and do honor to our hero, Tom Peterson. Come. bring out that fried chicken"
 And then the merriest luncheon was en- joyed and the afternoon of that Fourth of July will always live in the memories of those present. And when the night came down Chinese lanterns were lighted and swung from the trees. and several of the boys took charge of the fireworks. And it Is quite sure that the old bull, in his pen on an adjoining farm, could see the skyrockets and hear the snapping and cracking and roaring of the fireworks, and If he did he must have been glad to have been overtaken by his owner and driven home into safety,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
A BRILLIANT PUPIL.

One of the board of education, going his rounds, put the following question to a scholar in country school:
 How do you parse the sentence. Mary milked the cowT
 Pupil-"Cow is a noun, feminine gen. der, singular number. third person and stands for Mary"
 He of the Board-Stands for Maryi Now, how do you make that out7
 Pupil-Because, if the COW didn't stand for Mary. how on earth could Mary milk her?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
BEHEADINGs AND cuRTAILINGs.

 CD Behead an amused expression on the human face and leave a measurement of distance.
 (2) Behead a large, mountain animal and leave part of the human head.
 (3) Behead a small, flexible whipping rod and leave a sorceress.
 (4) Behead a term used for boastng and leave piece of wornout cloth.
 CD Doubly curtail the condition of a slightly intoxicated man and leave the sum given by guest to the waiter.
 (2) Curtail place where many people are assembled to live and leave the coarse, broken part of flax or hemp.
 (3) Curtail a dark color and leave a part of the human face.
 Answers to Last Weeks Puzzles. LETTER ENIGMA--Hockey.
 HIDDEN PROVERB-Those soho ddnco must pcy the fiddler.
 BEHEADINGS--H Depot-pot. (2l Breast-east. (3) Bodts-odts.
 CURTAILINGS- (1( Pattesn-pdtter. (2) Plume-plum. (3) Ton0s-ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

mountain for week and not get track of the robbers," unused Andy as he went along, making his own path over very rocky surface. But I'll act just as though I mean to come upon the band at any minute. l must keep an Indian s eye in my head, an Indians nose on my face and an Indians foot as soft as cats paw"
 But just as Andy finished this mental sentence he stopped quickly ana snined the air. "As sure e fate' that's smoke
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Don't use firearms or toy pistols on the Fourth; they often prove very danger ous in the reckless hands of youth
 Don't set off fireworks in close prox- imity to horses; sometimes the gentlest old nag will take fright at such a sudden and unusual noise and will run away, doing mischief to life and limb.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Don't handle fireworks recklessly; many boys have been maimed for life-indeed. many have lost their lives-by so doing.
 Don't think 1t smart to frighten chil- dren, and startle old people, by snapping caps or firing crackers under their very feet. A gentlemanly boy never forgets his good manners, even on an occasion of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Fourth of July Don'ts for Boys

jolly good cheer like the Fourth of July.
 Don't forget that first grand Indepen- dence Day, so long ago, and celebrate it's anniversary by rejoicings rather than by noisy, coarse demonstrations.
 Don't forget to be a patriotic young American always, and make yourself . worthy citizen of this great nation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
LETTER ENIGMA.
A PATRIOTIC PUZZLE.

My first Is in fun but not in play: My second is in oats, but not in hay: My third is in up, but not in down: My fourth Is in country, but not in town |: My fifth Is in time, but not in clock: My sixth is In latch, but not in lock: My seventh is in journey, but not in train :: My eighth Is in music, but not in refrain :: My ninth is in love, but not in hate: My tenth is in New York, but not in state.
 My whole of two words
 Name a time most dear
 To American children
 At this time of year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

meadow, Get into wagons and up trees, for the good Lords sake, or he'll gore some of us to death! Hurry-he's close behind mel''
 Immediately all was confusion. Mrs. Graham tried giving orders, but few of the frightened children heard her. Some scrambled for the picnic wagons, but knew at the same time that they would not be safe In them. Most of the boys started for trees. climbing out of the bulls reach. But, of course, they did not look after their own safety till they saw that the girls were inside the wagons.
 Its no good getting in wagonl" cried Tom, endeav voring to persuade the girls to try climbing the trees. But no time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

See the great procession!
 Hear the big brass band! Just harken to the awful roar
 Throughout this mighty land! Iris the glorious glorious Fourth, And loyal hearts are gay As out they go to celebrate
 Our well-loved National Day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Old folks, and young ones.
 Big folks, and small; Go out on the glorious Fourth To respond to the call. Of love they bear their country, Where all are blest and free, In this, the land that's truly called, "The home of nberty.'
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-20
FARMER AND
The SALOON
PERCENTAGE OF CORN CROP
USED IN MANUFACTURE OF
LIQUOR VERY SMALL.

Several inquiries have been made
recently concerning the amount OF
corn used for the manufacture Of beer
and whisky. 1t appears that the Ii
quor dealers associations are trying
10 persuade the farmers of the coun-
try against prohibition by warning
them that the market for corn will be
ruined if the breweTies and distilleries
are closed.
The secretary Of agriculture and the
commissioner Of internal revnue have
received frequent letters On this sub
iect and their replies have always
been that the proportion Of the corn
crop used for the manufacture Of Ii
uuor is almost infnitesimal. Secre-
tary Wilson says that it was about 2
per cent. The corn crop harvested
last fall amounted to 2,533,732,O0O
bushels. Of this not more than &c.
100000 bushels was used for the
manufacture of distilled and malt Ii
quors.
The value of the corn crop last fall,
according to Secretary Wilson'S esti-
mate, was $1,35O0O0,O0O, while the
value Of the corn used by the dis
tiIIers and the brewers during the
year is estimated to have been from
$20,0OO,O00 to $21 100000.
Mr.. Giovannoli chief clerk of the in
ternaI revenue bureau, says that 3d.
474,5O9 bushels Of corn was used last
year for the manufacture Of distilled
spirits. That includes not only
whisky and other beverages, but the
larger proportion was for alcohol and
other spirits used in the trades and
arts
Mr.. Giovannoli explains that the bu-
reau does not compile the re Surns con-
corning the amount of corn consumed
in the manufacture of malt liquors,
but it is much less than for distilled IL
quors because hops, barley, rice and
other grains are used for beer rather
than corn.
The internal revenue bureau, there
fore, confirms the estimate OF the de-
partment OF agriculture that only an
infnitesimal percentage of the corn
crop is used for whisky or beer and
even if all the distilleries and all the
breweries were closed the farmers
would never suspect it, so far as their
market for corn is concerned.