davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
!" sICU AGE APRETTY NICE Doe MTRR All ~

proved somewhat of a failure on ac-
count of the lack of Teddy's co-opera-
tion.
An hour or two afterward, when
Teddy had been let out of the room and
had found his way down stairs, 'the
cross old man" heard little rustic
and saw a tiny paper thrust under the
door, He unfolded 1t and read:
Dear Cross Old Man-'Scuse me. I
don't know your rele name. Plese
don't mind the boys; they don't mean
anything, only fun, and papa says
Boys will be boys That's why I am
riting this-'cause I'm girl. I am
sorry the boys played a April Fool
joke on you and / feel sorry for you,
cause you are sick and your only little
boy, when he got big, was naughty
and made you feel bad. Mamma said
so. Your friend,
ALICE BURNETT"
As Alice crept down the hall she met
the boys and told them what she had
done. Although they laughed at her
and said she was "a silly kid her
example and Teddy's friendliness pro-
duced such good effect that, after
awhile one little boy crept out into
the garden. He picked q great bunch
of gorgeous yellow daffodils and. tying
them neatly together, hung them softly
OH the KNOB OIL MI. NTTdIldin QOOT.
Here he encountered, another little
boy, who was quietly depositing at the
same door his most entertaining and
most treasured game.
Evening came and Mr.. Graham was
sitting in his big easy chair before a
cheerful fire. The room was warm
and pleasant. The daffodils were In a
great bowl on the table, and near them
lay the game, looking as if it had been
used.
But the old man was sad and lonely.
Memories of the time when his son was
a little lad like these children. when
he, too. had a merry yet tender heart
when the flowers he had picked were
on the table, his games at his father s
elbow-trooped through his brain.
Where was he now. his dear son? And
what was he doing; poor, wayward
boy?
There was a timid knock at the door
and three merry faces were thrust in.
May we come in, sir? We thought
p'r'aps you were lonesome. Well be
very quiet, sir
Mr.. Graham was glad to see them.
The rosy cheeks and bright eyes were
a pleasant sight to the lonely old man,
and the merry childish voices, which
at another time might have annoyed
him, tonight had for him pleasant
ring.
They clustered around his chair,
showed him how to play the game
and played it with him, brought fresh
water for the daffodils and popped
corn over the glowing Goals in the
CRATE
Mrs Burnett came after awhile to
ask If the children were disturbing
him, but on his saying that he liked to
have them there went away again, for
she wisely saw that the lonely old man
and the merry children could be a
great help and great pleasure to
each other.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

substitute it for American ice water.
The accordian. too, may be seen (and
heard) in almost any group of peasant
merrymakers. 1t is one of the many
things to which distance lends en-
chantment, for when its plaintive notes
sound from some boat on the river or
canal, one forgets, to wonder at the
Russians preference for it.
Another favorite is the balalaika, a
triangular stringed instrument of such
limited possibilities as to justify the
remark of a little girl, HE kept play
ing on it as hard as he could, but it
didn't seem to do much good. How
ever, it served to beat time for the
favorite dance of the peasants, which
the boys learn almost as soon as they
can walk.
Our ignorance OF the Russian Ian
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
A Coy Corner Chat With the Girls
How to Treat fhe Aged

We do not know anything that re-
quires more taet and more tenderness
than the treatment OF old people by
those who are younger than themselves
Treat them as those whose day is past
and those from whon nothing may be
expected in the way or labor and YOU
touch them where they ara peculiarly
tender and sensitive Treat Cnem as
though you expected fun work out OF
them, and make 10 allowance for the
inhrmfties OF age. and you wind Chenr
up again
II is worth the trial ID minister to
those who have borne the burden and
heat OF the day and who have sown
for others to reap Show q kind and
thoughtful regard for their feelings
give them something to do that they
can do; be respectful, deferentlal. rev
ereutiaI even. and you viii reap rich
harvest OF hope in hearts in which,
perhaps, it was almost dead and o1
gratitude and affection for yourself
the more so as the old are beginning
20 disrust their own powers and some
times to ask themselves the question
if their day OF usefulness is not past
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
Some Variations in the Game of Tae

playing games children learn les
sons OF fair play, Of mutual for
Dearance and patience and Of let
ting playfellow have a chance,
which they learn IL no other way
Apart from the Important bodily exer-
cises and development gained in the
active physical games. the demand upon
mental and moral qualities is of i'm
measurable value.
A child should never cheat at a game.
even IN fun. A game loses Significance
as game when one person does not
play fair. The child to whom even
the thought Of so doing is impossible
begins the race OF life with an immense
advantage, for the foundation for all
real life is character.
TAG GAMES
Circle TaE-One person stands in the
center Of ring OF children and each
one in the ring holds out his right hand
The one in The middle tags one OF the
hands and the owner Immediately gives
chase till he catches the pursued.
The game may be varied by having
both tagged and tagger skip and hop
instead OF run
RACING TAG
Slayers form circle. One goes out
siYe the ring and runs or walks around,
sddcenly quietly touching another
player. who Immediately races with
him. going around the ring in opposite
direction.
Vary by having contestants bow
three times as they pass each other
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

TN enterprising school teacher in
IN celebrating the birthdays OF her
the west conceived the idea OF
pupils in a novel manner. One day
each month was set aside for the pur-
pose and the date selected was the
keynote of the entertainment, says
Elizabeth G. Lonergan in New Idea
Woman's Magazine.
Paul Revere's ride and the battle OF
Lexington on April Is bring revOlu-
tionary days down TO today. From
this the subject turned TO the city OF
Boston itself, and Views of all kinds
were shown Postcard albums were
brought out and the pictures greatly
enjoyed.
Dewey day. was celebrated with
fitting ceremony on May I. and June's
children chose as their birthday
Flag day
1t did not seem fair to omit Inde-
pendenee day, and so the boys and
girls who claimed that month decided
to move it forward few days, and
on the last day of school the liberty
oelP' and the declaration OF lndepeno-
ence" were the central figures.
For instance, the 18th of September.
the anniversary of the first conti-
mental congress, was the birthday" OF
September's children
Tableaux were given of scenes in
Evolutionary days, and appropriate
recitations and songs comprised the
program.
October 81 was Discovery day." and
a trip was taken back to 1892 One
feature of this party was prizes for
the best drawing of the Santa Maria
November's celebration came the
day before Thanksgiving and was that
of the Harvest Home" Vegetables
and fruit of all kinds were brought
and boxes packed for the poor. Stories
or the Pilgrim fathers and the first
Thanksgiving were told. and the presi-
dents proclamation read.
The Boston tea party came Decem-
Der 10, and those children born in this
month considered themselves especially
fortunate. The historic incident was
dramatized and realistically acted
Prophecy day came early in January.
with predictions for the new year and
a little calendar for each one in the
class.
Emancipation day brought out pa
triotism in February and gave the boys
orations. Small pictures OF Lincoln
were distributed, and stirring songs OF
wartime days completed the program.
Inauguration day on March gave
a review of history, and took the form
of a "spelldown" with the questions
about the various presidents. American
flags and pictures of the White House
were the prizes in this contest
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
Sights and Experiences in St. Petersburg

s1age proved no barrier to our enjoy
ment of our first months in st. Peters,
burg. French. German or English, and
sometimes all three of them, are spoken
in most of the shops. But if the lin
guistic clerk is absent, you need not
despair; the others viii somehow man
age to comprehend your wants.
Best of all. they seem to find nothing
funny in ones gesticulating, pointing
and making signs. Not once during
our long stay in Russia did we find our
ignorance or misuse OF the language
regarded as cause for amusement Our
most ludicrous blunders were laughed
at only by ourselves.
There are no big department stores
in ST. Petersburg. The shops are very
small, but each carries an excellent
assortment of its particular line of
goods AS samples of its wares are
displayed in the windows one has no
trouble in finding what one wants.
Comparatively few shops have the
ore sprice system-you are expected to
beat down" on almost everything
When, after several minutes lively
discussion. you make your purchase
and rake your departure you leave the
shop elated at the bargain you have
secured, or regretful that you did not
offer a rouble less, according to your
temperament and previous experience.
Inc meat nldIh0lS are perhaps more
like our own than any other Russian
shops. Beef and mutton are of about
the same quality with US, but veal
is incomparably better, and pork i'm
measurably worse.
Game is plentiful, of excellent quail
ity and reasonable in price. During
the long season hardly week passed
without woodcock and partridge be-
ing offered for sale at our door, while
venison was as common in the mar
ket as lamb.
Lake Ladoga keeps the fish mar
kets well supplied, especially during
the four fasts of the year. The Volga
too, yields its tribute of fish, most of
which is sold at a price within reach
of the poor.
Nearly all our vegetables are to be
found in the markets, with the notable
exception of sweet corn, for which the
season is too short I saw some corn
growing, however, as a decorative
plant, in an urn by one of the imperial
palaces.
Berries of all kinds are both abun-
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
Birthdays in the Public Schools

So successful was this plan that this
year a new series OF birthdays has
been planned the children OF each
month selecting their own particular
day and keeping the nature az the
party a secret
Below are outlined 2 number of sug-
gestfons along this line
Many days noted IS the Birthdays OF
great musicians, artists. scientists and
statesmen can be prepared as the occa-
sion arises for their need
These birthday parties IN school are
attractive because of'thelr novelty, and
the cakes" and candles" are purely
intellectual, with more lasting effects
than the digestible kind
A year Of great women. January g.
Joan OF Arc; February 7. a series OF
girls from Charles Dickens works.
March %, Rosa Bonheur; April e.
Charlotte Bronte; May 24. Queen Vic
'torta; June IA. Harriet Beecber Stoves
September 4. Phoebe Cary. or Septem-
Der 25, Mrs. Hemans; October s, Jenny
Lind; November "A. Grace Darling, De-
eember 16. Jane Austen
With the exception OF March this LIST
is complete. A miscellaneous program
might be given on a selected day this
month
The personal touch will sharpen tho
cht1dren'S memories marvelously. -On
my birthday Martha Washington was
born" arouses -unwitringlt thoughts
that at last evolve into a definite idea
with the ambitious child. The result
often is: Il Will be = great woman.
the mother OF a great man"
This is true OF the girl even as It IS
equally true Of the boy. who is always
open to the influence & great men.
Napoleon was born "a my birthday
is an announcement OF which any boy
may be justly proud.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

1t is amusing 70 hear a group os
American visitors discussing the dainty
they most crave. One pretty girl want
ed chocolate cake with chOcoIats bo-
tween the layers (the Russians use a
eustard filing. reserving the chocolate
for icing). her escort was hungry for
pumpkin pie. another youn@ man want
ed mlnce pie. whHe his sister craved
real ice cream-not the sickish1y sweet
Russian kind. OF which one could eat
only an egg shaped mold
Every spring We tried TO stfu or-
longing for maple sugar with some %
the delicious Russian sweets, Just 20
at Christmas time we -0aded the free
with tinsel to make up Tor the lack
OF popcorn
The celebration OF Christmas. which
because Of the Russians use Of ths
Julian calender. falls IS days later
than ours. Is continued FOR II days
reaching it's climax New years day
Then all the servants expect 10 be
remembered: and not they alone
every man who has served you from
the chimney sweep 20 the polfshsr OF
the hardwood floors, the pOstnan TO
the policeman who stands on the near
est corner. comes to con gratulate you.
and expects to receive a gratutty~
Nv brother vas unable to recall any
service that one calsr had rendered
but was reminded that he had made
him a pair OF shoes some four or ENFe
months before. As the long string OF
applicants reappears at Easter. the
greatest OF all the Russian festivals. !.
there is little danger that a resident
of St. Petersburg viii become over
Durdened with change
The streetcar system IS very poor
but since cabmen are 70 be found on
every corner. and their prices are quite
low (unless you neglect TO bargain
with them beforehand), one seldom
regrets the comparative absence OF
cars The vehicles are very quaint.
low droskies in summer and sledges
in winter, each with a high seat IN
front for the driver.
The cabmen pad themselves but IT.
tie. and usually present quite a SLOW
en1y appearance. but the cOachman OF
q Russian aristOcrat IS nothing less
than an animated neal bag
1t is said by the Russians that no
one who has spent a year IN St Peters
burg VIII ever be contented anyWheTe
else While loyal Americans VII
hesitate TO subscribe unreserved1y TO
this statement, they are ready TO adj
nit that few cities possess greater
charms than the capital OF Peter the
Great-8Iay Gilbert in The Boston
Cooking School AIagazine-
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
oD. IRON OR PAPER TAG

WOOD, IRON OR PAPER TAG
One child chases another who
touches for goal anything made Of
wood or iron or paper, etc, as has
been decided upon beforehand. If the
pursued is caught before he succeeds
in touching such object he becomes
"it." The goal may be a wooden stick
or tree, or an iron rake or paper
book.
JAPANESE TAG
Form a long line of children, one
following closely behind another in a
march or run. One child outside the
line is 1T" He tries to tag some one
In the line. The leader endeavors to
prevent this by twisting his file rap
idly in and out in a curving line.
and by so throwing out his arms as
to protect the threatened one, as the
line twists and turns with him. If one
is tagged the leader becomes 'it."
The leader and his train of children
must, of course, be alert in mind and
active in body.
CROSS TAG
OF a group Of children the one who
is 'it" chases any one he chooses to
begin with, but If another child runs
in between the chased and the chaser
the chaser must follow the one who
has thus run in between. If he shows
signs of fatigue a third child may
run across between the two. he then
being chased until the tagger sue
ceeds in catching some one, who in
turn becomes it
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
In Regard to Dress

EVERY girl with the normal tastes
Iof youth wishes TO have pretty
clothes, and it is quite proper that she
should But it would be q very good
thing if she could learn speedily that
pretty frocks are by no means neces-
sarily elaborate, and that sometimes
the simplest may have style and at
traction. entirely lacking TO another
overturned
Grace of cat and harmony OF coIorinS
are the two essentials OF all clothes. no
matter for what occasion they may be
intended II these are attained the
chances are more than even that the
costume Will be charming, for the sense
of the eye is thoroughly satisfied and
IS not Jared A soft material that
will hang well does not need orna-
mentation to improve it That is not
to say that the proper kind or trim
ming wf1I not be desirable addition
but there is nothing more vulgar and
in worse taste than cheap trimmings
A simple calico frock may be made TO
look charming if pretense is kept from
its fashioning. 1t Will be infinitely
prettier than a silk decorated with
coarse lace, and the reason is not Tar
to seek To cover oneself is necessary.
and if nothing better than calico can
be afforded the material takes on a
dignity because il is serving a real
end. But decoration is not necessary.
though it may be desirable, and there
fore coarse and cheap lace becomes
tawdry and common. It IS not orna-
mental; it is merely an attempt at
being So
1t is not by the extreme which a
girl wears that she may be called mod
ish. 1t is rather by the way she
adapts fashions to her own particular
requirements, to obtain distinction, and
still have the reigning fashions
It is the notifications OF what is IN
vogue that a girl should strive for who
dresses on a limited income II she
does this, and has any eye for color.
she will always be well dressed. and.
while never conspicuous, will be known
among her friends as well put up
1t means trigness, neatness, well hung
petticoats and correctly fitting BELTS
1t means also trimmings when they
can be the real things. and frills and
furbeIows at the proper times. But it
does not mean cotton lace, imitation
jeweIry and pompadoUrs which suggest
cataracts. and puffs indicative OF a
bargain in false hair
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

After while they grew quiet. Alice
was sitting on little stool at the
old mans feet and the boys on each
side of his chair. The children had
been talking about school and studies
and the Old man began to .el1 Of his
own childhood, the books he had
studied and the games he had played
when he was a boy.
From that he drifted into talking
of his boy, his little lad, Of the things
he had said and the things he had
done in those happy days so long ago.
He laid his hand on Bob's curly head
and told him to be sure whatever he
did, to always love his father and
never to leave him. His touch was
very soft, his voice very tender. He
did not seem much like "a cross old
man. now.
The door was opened very softly
and Mrs. Burnett came in. She went
over to his chair and said, Mr.. Gra-
ham, here is a letter that was over
looked this afternoon. Would you like
it now?'
He stretched out his hand and took
it. Then his eyes filed with tears.
'Sit down. Mrs. Burnett he said.
You have been very kind to me, and
L was just talking to these little lads
here, and to Alice about my boy. The
letter is from him. You won't mind,
will you. if 1 read it now? 1t iS a
long time-a long, long time-since 1
heard from him."
This was the letter:
Dear Father-When you receive this
l shall be almost honle-for / am COM
ing home, at last. to try to make up TO
you for all the sorrow 1 have caused you
that is, If you can forgive me. 1 have
learned many things knocking around
the world and one of them is that there
is no place like your own home and
no people like your own people. Since
mother died I have thought a great
deal about you, all alone, and though
pride has held me back a long time,
l am coming, at last, to ask your for
giveness. I can not forgive myself
that l did not do so before mother died.
Your affectionate son,
WALTER GRAHAM"
So the lonely old man was not going
to be lonely any more. Perhaps, in
time he would not even be sick; and
he had stopped being "a cross old man"
quite a while ago!
By and by Bob slipped softly away
and when he came back he brought
Teddy with him. He made the dog go
through all his tricks and finally sit
up and beg until he was out of
breath
On his neck was a big sign, which
read:
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
0EMzaH SaAo0oUEN NAT 81 Ear@sRURe

maid a simple straw hat, but she
promptly traded it to an old clothes
man for a kerchief that had taken her
fancy.
When we gave her cast off gowns,
which were always accepted with
gratitude so fervent as to be discon-
certing, she invariably wore the waist
with one of her other skirts, the skirt
with one OF her waists, with effects
that may be imagined
The samovar is an indispensable
adjunct TO a Russian picnic, and may
be seen in the park any summer holi-
day The Russians drink tea in un-
limited quantities. but, as they make
ii quite weak, it benefits rather than
Injuries them. 1t certainly is to be pre-
ferred to the insipid, germ laden waters
Of the Neva. and we soon learned to
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

dant and delicious. The marshy soil
and bright sunshine make them attain
an enormous size, but not at the ex-
pense of flavor.
Cherries, plums and apples are also
plentiful, but tropical fruits are scarce
and high priced. The cost of pineap-
pies is almost prohibitive. while only
the tiniest bananas are seen, and these
at cents each.
Most Russian housewives still pre-
serve fruit after the manner of our
grandmothers, pound for pound, and
know little or nothing of our present
methods of canning and jelly making
But, though ignorant of American
cookery and very, very slow at learn
ing new methods, the Russian cook
never minds your practicing them in
her presence. Whenever our familys
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27
By Francis Kent

70 CH-SH-SH-Bob Don't make
so much noise Walk softly.
Now. you Alice. you hush. We
amt going to hurt anybody.
We're just going to have little fun.
Now you knock, Bob. I'll hold Teddy.
Now, then. in you go. Ted! Te-he-he!
Growl now, Tedl In you go!"
But Teddy had no intention of
growing He was far too well bred
dog to growl at visitor or boarder
in his own mistress house. Besides. he
was, above all things. a friendly dog;
he liked everybody and he was almost
sure that everybody liked him. The
great, brown, beseeching eyes gazed
anxiously into each new face in search
of new friend, and the fluffy white
tail,'which wagged a friendly greeting,
only awaited one kind little word to
say tDe-Iighted" as plainly as if it
were spoken by the president of the
United States!
So, when Teddy found himself thrust
into the room of the cross old man he
had nothing but the kind1iest feelings
in his warm doggie heart. When the
old man started up from his easy
dog, get out O. herer' he thought the
trouble was that he had not been suf-
fciently entertaining, and he forthwith
proceeded to go through his entire list
of accomplishments First he sat up
and begged" with his white paws wav-
ing up and down in accompaniment to
the painting of the hanging, red tongue
Then he spoke; then he rolled over
and over on the floor, and finally he
1n|ry hi 1,sao1 IL IL
paws before his breast. All this time
the sign, April Fool!" which the boys
had hung around his neck, had waved
ridiculously around in every direction
and finally remained poised over one
ear.
The old man, who was not as cross
as the children thought, was compelled
to laugh, and said kindly, We'll. well
old boy, you are a pretty nice dog
after all. Come here-down, down. sir,
Don't eat me up, There, lie down at
my feet. That's good dog, now.'
Teddy was most happy to do so, you
may be sure. He had found a new
friend.
Meanwhile the boys outside the door
had crowded each other away from the
keyhole, where they were stationed to
see the fun, and had finally moved aside
to let little Alice have a look.
oh, boys, he's made friends with
Teddy! Oh he amt cross at all. He's
patting Teddy and Teddy's laid down
at his feet. He looks real kind now
Poor old mani
So the boys slipped away. a little
ashamed of themselves.
Mr.. Graham had come to board with
Mrs. Burnett only a few days before
He was said to be very rich, and he
certainly was sick and lonely. April
FOOLS day the boys, in search of fun,
had hit upon the plan which had