davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

TONY, the pony wished he could talH
but try as hard as he might Their"
We're only two words he could say. One
was "H-m-n1-m, H-m-m-m.' and tie
other was 'N-e-i-g-h!'
But the little boy who was Tony's mas
ter understood him very well and they
had good times together.
In the morning. as soon as the boy ap-
peared at the stable door. Tony. the pony
lifted up his head and shouted Neigh
h-h-h. and the boy knew it was a wei
come. Sometimes Tony would rub his
nose gently on the boys sleeve and say:
HIM, HIM. HIM ard the boy would
know he was coaXing for a carrot or some
sugar.
They often took long rides together, and
ut such times the boy did most of the
talking He would tell Tony all his plans
and all his troubles. and the little pony
would listen with both ears and some
times say quietly HIM, HIM! HIM"
just in sympathy.
One night. when all the family Were
asleep. a frightful thing happened-the
house caught fire.
Tony, who was not asleep. had a very
sensitive smell and knew the awful dan
ger that was at hand. so he kicked down
his stall bar and pushed open the sliding
door with his nose, and ran swiftly round
the house, crying Neigh. N-e-i-g-h.' at
the top of his voice.
The boy walked up and called the rest
OF the family and all were saved
After that the little pony did not wish
to learn any new words for he knew that
the two given him were the very best and
most useful ones he could have.
But the little boy was prouder than eyer
Of his pon!-Tony.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

to wait until the morrow. when he would
have a grand feast, to which he would
invite his friends. He hurried home, and,
Selling covered basket, went briskly
along the road to q certain farmhouse in
the distance. where he would be sure to
find eggs and young chickens and other
delicacies.
Suddenly he came face to face with lit
tie Bob. whom he Immediately recognized
from his resemblance to Mrs. Bunny. lie
was carrying n little brown stick under
his arm. and his left hand was closed
over a small. oblong box. L..
What have YOU there. my man.? ask
ed Mr.. Reynard. trying to look pleasant,
but something in his eye termed BOD
and he scuttled away as fast as ne couia.
He reached home painting and told ms
met on the road.
dear" said Mrs. Bunny: lessons Will pc
gin tomorrow. But what have you there?
I'm afraid you've been on the other slde
of the wall: there are some dreadiul
things over there called children, and l.
have told you to avoid them"
"Oh, I waited said Bob, till they
went to bed; then 1 picked up this stick
they'd been playing with; It's called
wood called matches. Binny and Buncc,
see here!" and they scampered up to him
He struck match and lighted the punk
while the others watched him IN quiverihS
excitement.
'It won't hurt" Bob assured them.
land it keeps lit for a long time. They
use 1t to set off firecrackers."
That's the name of the red things with
little tails" said Binny to Bunce. Did
you see any of them?'
"Oh, yes. but 1 couldn't bring them
very well. they were too big. 1t will be
the Fourth OF July tomorrow. and we
can hear the noise they make. and keep
out of the way
Early the next morning Mr.. Reynard
came with his covered basket. This he
hid behind a tree, for he meant to make
short work Of his little pupils: but while
Bob and Bunce stood at their desk trying
not to be afraid of the great mouth and
the pointed nose so dangerously near
their heads, Binny crept up to the tree
and poked his nose into the basket. There,
to his sorrow, he saw a little dead rab-
bit, whom he had known very well and
played with often, and there was an ugly
mark of big. cruel teeth on his throat
The rest of the space was crowded with
some great red things with tails. which
Mr.. Reynard must have stolen from those
queer animals called children.
Binny looked at the tutor bending over
his two little brothers. and he suddenly
knew their lives were in danger Deter
mined to save them. he scampered off to
the corner. where Bob had hidden the
punk and the matches. He lit the punk
as he had seen Bob do. and with all his
strength he tiptoed, with the basket. close
behind Mr.. Reynard. Then he touched
all the little tails in the basket with the
punk, as he had seen the children do.
He was terribly afraid; but he was none
too soon, for the ferocfous head was COM
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

be used in the final wind-up 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 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 ice Clipped into the pals and
pitchers to add GOODNESS to the sparkling
Adams ale," so fresh from the interior
Of the earth.
''Well, / call this 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
ton. At the moment Tom was assisting
Oracle and May Stearns in placing some
of the appetizing contents Of basket
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 chicken? 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. Gee! I like the
sample. and mean to get seat close to
the spot where that bowl is set. Ah-h-h."
And he assumed an injured look as MAY
boldly took the bowl and covered it with
a napkin. keeping it close by her side.
"Just one little tlandout. 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 Fourth?''
We'll, you must first do little wood
chopping. smiled Mary. Its the CUSTOM
! believe, for tramps to offer to work for
what they eat Am I not right, girls"
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, III tell you, girls, what to do"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27
BRAVERY OF BlNNY BUNNY


ing closer and closer to the poor little
pupils. Rinny jumped on one side ana
crouched close to the ground. his long ears
rigid with terror. for he knew there would
soon be an awful sound. and he wondered
what would be the end OF it all.
Suddenly. Mr.. Reynard raised his head
and began to sniff about him.
81 smell smoke he said. There's no
smoke without fire. and I never go near
a fire because Of my tail. Who is play
ing with smoker" he Numbered.
'Pl-please. SIR began Bunce: It's the
Fourth of July. and those children-over
there
Well: you'll never see another r. Fourth yara1
jaws, he was about to bring them down
on Bunce's head. when the giant IRE
crackers went off, making a most terri
BILE noise.
Bunce and Bob dropped everything and
ran. but Mr.. Reynard's bushy tail had
caught fire and he danced and howled ike
a mad thing. The flames crept closer and
closer about him. till at last. with fear
full yell. he disappeared in the woods
Then the Bunny family celebrated in good
earnest. making brave little Binny the
hero of the day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

n n RS. BUNNY decided to advertise
|" for a tutor for her three little
49, boys, Bob and Binny and Bunce,
and as there were no newspapers in Bur-
rOwtown, she. watched for one at the
door of her little house. Presently she
noticed a red-haired individual. with a
long. bushy tail. who had passed by sew
eral times. glancing toward where she
sat. with eager. hungry eyes.
Please. please. Mr. she began
timidly. her nostrils auivering. her pink
eyes wild with fright. her long ears wag-
ging helplessly.
Were you calling me?'' he asked.
Yes. il YOU please. I am looking for
Il tutor for my three sons. and ] think
at this age. when they are specially
Young and TENDER
Indeed. yes." cried he of the red hair
licking his chops in All alarming way,
the tenderer. the better
II would like YOU to take them in
hand" said Mrs Bunny, very much en-
baTassed by his manner.
With the greatest of pleasure, mad
am he answered. bowling low, land
once ! have them in hand. 1t will not be
long
Il quite understand said Mrs. Bunny,
much delighted. Now If you will kind
~ tell me your name. and state your
terms" she was very fidgety; she had
never talked business with any stranger
before
oh my name is Mr. F. Reynard, and
live in Dingle Ditch, at the end of
the wood. AS to payments a smile
spread from corner to corner Of his large
mouth. Il think the installment plan
would be good. Il slice at a time
THAT suits me very WE'LL said inno
cent Mrs Bunny, and she ran with the
good news to Binny and Bunce. who were
swinging in the garden. Bob was out
taking walk.
They were not delighted over the pros
pect. and Binnys face was sad and
thoughtful, as Bunce swung him high in
air.
Don't you want to learn things?" ask
cd Mrs. Bunny.
"Yes'm,'' said Bunce, but not tOmor-
row. It's the Fourth of July. a dreadful
day. The place swarms with some queer
animals called boys and girls They
have red paper things with little tails.
and they put them on the ground and
light them with fire, and they go off with
a bang, and-and-
But Mr.. Reynard doesn't mind it. he's
coming early in the morning, so be ready
for him, like good children" Mrs Bunny
spoke decidedly and hurried away. She
never discussed what she did not under
stand. and the Fourth of July and girls
and boys we're quite unknown to her.
Meanwhile the new tutor went his way
delighted; he was desperately hungry,
and had longed to make q meal of Mrs.
Bunny. who had looked so plump and
toothsome. Being wise, he had decided
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27
The Battle of ChaI0nS.

-HE siege is raised, Orleans is saved.
The scourge Of God retreats,
And in the plain Chalons sur
Marine
His foeman he awaits.
Aetius and his Romans and
Theod'ric's Visigoths
Are marching forth to war
'Gainst Attila. King of the Huns.
The war-horns blarc and twang and
snarl
Tho forces charge and clash;
The Roman lines begin to break.
The Visigoths to quail.
Theod'ric's head is fallen low,
His men are sinking fast.
When Thorimond. his son.
Comes laundering down on the right
Again, again. second time.
The scourge Of God retreats.
He can withstand the visigotns
But not Theodrics son.
The Hun retreats, Chalons is lost,
And darkness covers all
Careerins through the night.
rlces Attila, King of the Hun.
ROBERT $. McCARTEE
Seventeen Years Old.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

ask mamma or some groWn-up to help
you prepare paper caps of red and gold
These are for the British to ar while
the Americans. of cOurs , must have
three-cornered ones with red, willie and
blue cockades on the sides
When all is ready. with the merry music
OF fife and drum, off march the English
and st--tion themselves around a large
tree one end of the lawn This is their
tort. and here they must shut their eyes
While the Americans hide quietly behind
shrubbery. trees or in any nook or corner
When all the ContiEentals are sally
hidden their sentinel shouts toward the
enemy, Ready and the Red Coats run
from the fort and try to find them. Whi'e
the Red Coats are searching comes the
real run OF the came, for now and then a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27
TRUMPET PREFERRED.

THERE was once a savage who
dressed in shell necklaces and
palmleaf petticoats. He was u
nice savage. and all day long he played
With drum as big as trunk and beat
on il loudly with two wooden spoons for
drumsticks. The reason he used the
spoons for drumsticks was because his
wife had accidentally used the real drum
sticks Ia kindle the fire with TO make his
morning coffee
Did I toll YOU he made the drum him
self" Well he did and hc was so proud
81 il that he used to sit all day long
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

of chicken till he performs some genuinely
heroic act? All. then l fear he Is doomed
to eliminate chicken from his dietary from
this day"
Say, Lily Graham, just because this is
a grand occasion there Is no call for such
jawbreakers as you just now perpetrated
upon US declared Tom. Speak UNDER
standable American. please
Everybody laughed at Lily's expense:
but that young miss was not in the least
disconnected. Looking defiance at Tom,
she smiled.
DO you understand the meaning of the
word chicken" And she spelled the
word with emphasis on each letter. well.
If you do that fowl-especially when fried
and served at picnic dinner on the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27
Exploded.

that the girls We're inside the wagons.
Its no good getting in q wagon" cried
Tom. endeavoring to persuade the girls
to try climbing the trees. But no time
was left for change Of position. Up the
steep bank came a powerful bull snort
ing and believing furiously. On gaining
the top he stopped short for a minute.
staring with bloodstot eyes at, the little
party stationed close upon the bank. Then
he shook his head, snorted. paved the
earth. and gave forth such i below that
the very ground seemed to shake be-
meath the frightened picnickers. Mrs.
Graham had climbed into wagon. hold
ing her motherly arms about the smaller
girls, while she endeavored to calm them.
Maybe the animal will go past without
harming us If we just keep very calm and
look straight at him. You know it 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
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

LERE is a new patriotic game that can
l be made very merry one if there
are plenty of boys and girls to take part
it. II is exactly suited to Fourth Of
July lawn party, especially if the lawn is
a large one. with much shrubbery and 4
few big trees
In the first place select two generals.
who should choose their soldiers alter
nately. the one side calling themselves
Red Coats and the other Continentals.
There is to be battle. and OF the best
kind, too-the kind all good British,
American and other people are lighting
every day. the peaceable kind that makes
for respect and good will.
Before the day OF battle arrives then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

under cocoanut palm tree and drum one,
two one. two. three. till the fowls Of the
air and the beasts of the field and fish of
the sea simply couldn't stand 1t one
minute longer. So they sent delegation
to the mans grandmother to say would she
please do something about it. The saw
ages grandmother was a nice Old savage
lady who lived under Il banana tree and
Knitted socks for the civilized people OF
the world. And when the delegates
came TO her and told her all their trou-
bles she put down her knitting and said.
Well. we'll. thought | heard some
thing" she was such very deaf oil.
savage lady.
+, And SO xhe ecu. tor; her grandson and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27


charging toward the picnic wagon filled
with it's frightened humanity. when Tom
Peterson darted forth from beneath the
wagon. whittier he had crept all I'M
noticed by any one. and made right at
the bull From the wagons and surround
ing trees came cries of horror as the
girls and boys saw Tom risk his very life.
But before one could have counted five.
Sizz: Splitter. Flash! Bang. Tom had
thrust out both hands and thrown some
thing right in the charging animals face.
Two handfuls of giant tirecrackers ex-
ploded in the bulls face. Then. the
frightened and half-blinded animal turned
In retreat Tom touched off a skyrocket.
pointing 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 dartins down the bank. into
brush and briars on the opposite bank.
never stopping an instant TO look behind
him.
Just as the picnickers were wondering
whether not they had better remain
there for luncheon or pack up hurriedly
and betake themselves off, in anticipation
of the bulls return, two horsemen came
dashing through the meadow which bor-
dered the grove. One of them, seeing the
picnic crowd, drew rein and asked if they
had seen an ill-natured bull Whereabouts
Yes, he has been celebrating, replied
Tom. laughingy. He had the honor of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

Continental will suddenly spring from a
lurking place AMI try to tag one Or more
of the enemy before they can retire to
their fort.
If on the other ha.ld any Of the search
ing party finds the foe in hiding he i'm
mediately calls out An enemy, an
enemy" and his comrades running from
all quarters. try to tag the one found
befr-, he can retire to the tree tnat has
been previously selected by the Continent
ais as their place of SAFETY.
Every boy or girl tagged counts five.
and the side which has the highest score
at the end Of the game is, Of course, the
winner.
The game may be played Mt any time
but it Is especially interesting for In
dependence Day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

she said TO him: Now, Edward"-his
name was Edward-"you make SO much
noise with that drum that the birds OF
the air and the beasts of the field and
the Ash of the sea can't stand 1t minute
longer. Here is trumpet for YOU
Then the savage was glad at heart, and
he blew the trumpet loud and long, and
the rest of his life he spent sitting under
the cocoanut tree beating the drum and
blowing the trumpet one after another.
And it was such a relief TO all
every time he left off beating the drum
that they didn't mind the trumpet and
1t was such an extremely great relief
every time he left off blowing the trumpet
that the people We're quite glad To hear
the drum again. So everything Was ali
right.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

ERT and Lily Grahams mother
was giving them a Fourth of
July picnic in the woods. No
IL adults. save Mrs. Graham. were
of the party, for. as she had said,
IL was to be young Americas party, and
all the speeches, the songs and recita-
lions 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 pcnickers. and a
tine board platform and benches had been
arranged for the mornings patriotic ex-
ercises. Also, an organ had been taken
10 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 a
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 fine. in
telligent reading lie gave. too. being
cheered heartily by his young listeners.
Then other songs were sung. some In
chorus and others in quartets. duets and
solos, these being interspersed with reci-
tationS and declarations.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

See the great procession.
Hear the big brass band.
Just barker to the awful roar
Throughout this mighty land.
It's the glorious. glorious Fourth.
And loyal hearts are gay
As out they so 10 celebrate
Our well-loved National Day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

said Bert Graham. host of the party. I'm
sist upon Tom performing some heroic
act-not wood-chopping. mind you, but a
heroic act-before he be allowed to par
take of that chicken"
Agreed! Agreed acquiesced several
of the girls. Then Lily Graham said teas
ingly: Poor old Tom, won't he get bite
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

>
ming just as far away--across the creek
yonder-as he can get. ! guess he doesn {
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 for wen
drive the old fellow into his pen shortly.
He'll not modest you again.
And you may have all the fried chicken
you can eat. Sir Hero" cried May. coning.
down out Of the wagon and giving Tom
her hand. Yes. you surely deserve the
best the board Affords cried Lily Gra-
ham. You have performed the heroic
act which entitled you to
"Sh-sh-sh.' And Tom put I'D a yarniu..
finger. IF You say too much I'll get tn,
big head. Truth is. 1 never once thoughr
of the fried chicken when I was playing
with the firecrackers and-the BULL
You're a brick. old chap And Bert
Graham. coming down from his perch in
a tree. seized Tom by the hand. The
others of us boys
"Sh-sh-sh:' cried Tom. putting UP a
Warming IlnSef. Not another word aDOlc
the little bull episode. Let 1t be forgot
in the merrymaking. Say, Mrs. Graham,
isn't it luncheon time?"
You dear. brave boy" began Mrs.
Graham, tears in her eyes and emotion iu
her voice. But seeing u determined look
in Toms eyes, she paused; then added:
Yes, girls, let's spread the able and do
honor to our hero. Tom Peterson Come.
bring out that fried chicken"
And then the merriest luncheon was en-
Ioyed, 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 os
the boys took charge Of the fireworks.
And it is quite sure that the old bull. in
his pen on an adjoining farm. could sea
the skyrockets and hear the swapping and
and roaring of the fireworks. and
If he did he must have been glad TO have
been oyertaken by his owner and driven
LONE into safety.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

Fourth-is to be found missing on your
plate. Do you understand that, Sir
Tramp
But just at this instant boy of the
party who had gone to the spring for
more water came rushing madly mp the
hill, calling out at the top of his lungs:
"A mad bull is coming through the
meadow. Get into wagons and up trees
for the good Lords sake. or he'll gore
some of us to death, Hurry-hes close
behind me-
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
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

leave a sorceress.
"a Behead a term used for bossting and leave
a piece OF worn -out cloth.
~ Doubly curtail the condition OF slightly
intoxicated man and leave the sum given by A
guest TO the waiter.
~ CurtaiI a place where many people are ss-
semblei to live and leave the coarse. broken
part of fax hemp.
l3l Curtail a dark color and leave q part OF
the human face.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

And such an enjoyable time they had
during the patriotic exercises that young
America forgot for a time that there were
great baskets full of luncheon. great jugs
81 fruit lemonade tucked into bags of ice)
and swings and hammocks. and y yes
tbovc all ciSc-a huge box OF fireworks TO
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-27

Old folks. and young ones.
Big folks and small:
Go ont on the glorious Fourth
To respond TO the call.
ar love they bear their country.
Where all are blest and free.
In this. the land that's truly called
The home OF liberty