davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

child Is ungrateful, doesn't like to go to school What If he had to undergo the hardships attending the getting of meager education that his forefathers suffered? Then he might pout and want to stay at home. Why, my children, ouf schoolhouse down there In Kentucky when I was a youngster was built of un- hewn logs and we sat on slab benches. We started before the sun was up, aud we suffered intense cold. We had but three months of school during the year; our parents could not afford more. Ah those are Q few of the differences be- tween then and now"
 Jack looked at Junie, and Junie looked at Jack. Then both felt ashamed of hav ing disliked their fine school. They looked at their old grandfather and un- derstood why he was sometimes a bit old-fashioned and used queer language. He had never had their opportunity. And both decided then and there to make the most of the grand chance given them. And never again would they bout be- cause of having to go to school, for the modern school meant so much
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
Little Li1y's Visit to the Days Of Tore.

had resounded through the quiet house. Inc bustling about in the kitchen down stairs and the songs of birds in the trees were the only sounds to break the peace full country quiet
 Now, lay off your hat and sack, dear" said grandmamma. "Then we'll have our company"
 Lily went into another room and put her hat and jacket on a bed She brushed up her hair a bit, for If callers were coming she must be tidy to meet them. But all the while she was quite mystited over grandmother's words.
 On returning 10 the livingroom Lily drew her chair close beside her grand mother and prepared for the surprise Then 1t WIS that grandmother took from the table near her a large, beautiful inlaid box. She turned the key in the lock and opened the lid. Before Lily lay q mass of yellowed envelopes of old-fashioned design. And the inscriptions on the let ters were in quaint, od-fashioned form.
 Now, before we chat with these dear girls and boys, said srandmamma, taking up a packet of letters, well be intro duced to them in person, so 10 speak And she removed from little drawer in the box a number of old photographs ana still older tintypes.
 Here is Belinda Davis, one of my very best friends when I was about your age" explained grandmother, selecting the pic ture of a smiling g-faced girl in the oldest attire Lily had ever seen. And this Is James Wright. my first school sweetheart. He Is a grandfather now, and his son Is one of the finest lawyers in the West. And here Is Mary Ann Purvis Oh, we have had so many good times together in the days that are gone. And here are the Barton girls-taken on the same card l; and this is dear. jolly old Thomas Grant who fought with the great Grant and who became war hero And he, too. was a little beau of mine-in the old days"
 "Oh, and so you had beaus and sweet hearts then-the same as now?" exclaimed Lily.
 Bless you, child" smiled grandmamma, i've but repeat ourselves in our children and our grandchildren. But let's have chat with these jolly little comrades of my youth" And the old lady began opening the time-yellowed envelopes. "Ah, here is an invitation to barn dance at the farm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
Facts About the Child hood of the Great
 Lafayette.

HT his birth Lafayettes name was
 T entered on the rolls of ''rhe Black Musketeers," for his great uncle, who had in his younger days been a Black Musketeer-and who possessed no male issue-desired that the family should be represented in the regiment In the person of his great nephew.
 When only 12 years old Lafayette be came 8 well-known cadet in France. for he was the heir to his late titled fath- ers estate, and had also fallen into pos session of his rich great uncle's fortune, for the aged kinsman had died soon after Lafayette's arrival in Paris, in his elev- enth year. Lafayette's father had been killed in battle a few months prior to Lafayette's birth, and while the child was still in infancy his mother died. Thus he was nurtured and educated by ser wants and tutors.
 At the age of IA Lafayette was be- trothed to Marie Adrlenne de Noailles, the 12-year-old daughter of wealthy duke who resided in Paris. and who was a member of the court. Two years after the engagement of the children-the boy then being 16 and the girl 1.-the mar riage took place and the couple opened an establishment in the 'gayest city in the world" becoming great social fa- vorites.
 A year prior to his marriage the hand some young musketeer had attracted the attention of no less a person than the beautiful and pleasure-loving Marie An toinette, Queen to Louis XVI, and for a short time he became one of the gayest of that gay court; but soon tired of the idle, worthless life at court. He withdrew himself to his old home In the Auvergne Mountains of Southern France. quiet place, where he might study and think. And there he remained till time to take his bride, when he re-entered the gay social life of Paris.
 But he was no longer the pleasure lover, and he became a hard worker in his regiment, and when the great oppor- tunity came for him to unsheathe his sword in the cause of liberty he did not hesitate, but came forward eagerly. It was during the Revolution in the United States that Lafayette first saw nc- tive service. and we all know the hs. tory of those trying times with which he became so closely identified.
 MARY GRAHAM.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
The Difference Bet,Ueen Then" and "NolO"

school IS natural enemies. And 1t was T lucky boy who managed to escape a gad. ding at least twice a week"
 "Oh, how horriblel" exclaimed Junie. T would not have gone to such q school
 'T think it worse about the funny kinds of books they used" laughed Jack. "Gee, what If we had to study from such booksl Milton's Paradise Lost Ughl''
 That's just the point my children said the grandfather T want you to realize what the present Is as compared with the past-the then and the now Here are my grandchildren, living in A fine, up-to-date town with finely equipped school and all the necessary books for a liberal education. The school is free. The finest of teachers are em- ployed, and there are no hickory gads The most comfortable schoolhouse is fur nished with proper heating and lighting. Everything conducive to the good of the pupil is thought of. And yet the school
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

capped wave stretching across 1t near the yellow sandy shore, and above was grayblue sky without speck of cloud to mar its serenity Here's a masterful composition" he said, holding the sketch up to his companions for inspection. "l want this little sketch, and shall frame it nicely. It comes from a hand that will some day paint great pictures
 Marie could not sell one of her sketches without first consulting her mother, so she invited the strangers, who proved to be tourists from an Eastern city, to ac- company her to her home. After she had explained to her mother the object of the strangers call the joy and surprise of the good parent was most touching. To have such able critics as these cultured ladies and gentlemen praise her little daughters work was most encouraging. She offered to give sketches to the callers, but they refused to accept them as gifts and ended by buying half dozen of Marie's best
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

of Belinda Davis father. Read 1t. and you'll enjoy knowing Belinda"
 Dear Lillian" began the letter. I've are to have Barn Dance next Thursday Night, the Lord willing Father and Mother give their Consent and we have procured the Fiddler from Town. We will have all the Young Folks here. You must come, Dear Lily. I have asked James Wright and he said he would call for you with his cutter He has such a fine new cutter. But you know More about It than I do. Come early, for the dance will begin at Early Candle Light. Your Devoted Friend. Belinda Davis.''
 From that letter Lily went to another, and another finding In them the news of the daily social life of fifty and sixty years ago. And how perfectly fascinating did Lily find those boys and girls of olden days. for their letters pronounced them to be little gentlemen and ladies in the fullest sense
 So deeply interested were Lily and Granny" that the cook had to call them twice 10 luncheon before they realized it was 1 o'clock. Then, reluctantly laying aside the company of yore' till after luncheon, they went down to enjoy just such meal as would have been set before them fifty years ago. And how Lily did enjoy it. too And all during the meal grandmamma talked of the young friends of her youth, describing just what each girl wore at the barn dance 10 which Belinda Davis had invited her. And then she told of the "husking beesa and the ''taffy-pullings' and the "barn-raisings, and the simple and happy country we'd dings, and the Unfair dinners' following. Oh, what world of news of those days grandmother hadl And it was told so vividly that Lily felt that she knew the people and loved them and that all these happenings had taken place but a few months ago instead of half a hundred years ago.
 And when at last evening came, and Lily had to go home, she kissed grand mother on each cheek and said from her heart: ''Oh, Granny, I have had the best time today I ever had. I am so glad came here. I can go to Ethels any time, but l can't go back into those old days, and meet all those lovely boys and girls any time. Oh, 1t has been such happy day p
 And grandmother smiled sweetly as she said q live those days over so much, darling that I have double their joy The farther they recede the more precious becomes the memory of them. And am glad you like my girl and boy comrades. l loved them dearly.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
9OURpUZZLE 
ZIGZAG PUZZLE.

Each word of this zigzag contains four letters. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another in correct order their zigzag letters, beginning with the upper left-hand letter and ending with the lower left-hand letter, will spell the name of certain species of bird The cross-words are: 1. kind of ammuni- ton. 2. A precious stone. 8. That which all children enjoy. 4. To apprehend dan ger. g. A small wild animal. 6. large wild animal. '. A small bird
 PRIMAL ACROSTIC.
 All the words contain the same num- Der of letters. If the words are correctly guessed and written one below another their initial letters will spell the name of an American animal now almost ex- tinct. The cross-words are: 1. A newly married woman. 2. A dark color used by artists. 3. Congealed moisture 1. Some thing from which bread is made. B. A book in which photographs are kept. 6. An important organ of the human body. z. A very large body of water.
 BEHEADINGs.
 u) Doubly behead to come Into view and leave luscious fruit from tree. (2) Doubly behead that which a musical conductor always uses and leave weight. tS) Behead an insect that stings and leave small Egyptian poisonous snake.
 CURTAILINGs.
 O Doubly curtail one who makes mems clothing and leave the most noticeable part Of serpent @ Doubly curtail small, swampy inlet to be found con nected with large bodies of water in the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

extensive library, but do know 1t was the admiration of those living in the neighborhood, and the good preacher used to come to our house Saturday nights to study, as he put 1t.
 Well, by s o'clock school was in ses- sion. There were about twelve boys and girls, ranging in ages from five years to twenty. Not one of them could read well enough to go through sentence without assistance from the 'marster.' Some read from the Bible, some from old books of history some from regular text books, but the latter were scarce. There was but one grammar in the school, and it was used by the entire class that was considered advanced enough to learn their own language.
 Tn the corner, seasoning beside the fireplace, were several hickory 'gads.' Such long, heavy switches were brought in each morning by the teacher to use in fogging the pupils, for the old Idea pre- vailed that unless the rod was used, and plentifully, the child would be spoiled. The teacher and pupils went Into the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

''You make me quite well, dear" said granny. And I have planned little party for you today-I have decided to invite in the children of my childhood my best girl and boy friends, you know. Would you like to know them, dear?'
 "Oh. granny, how funny to speak of inviting those who were children during your childhood"' exclaimed Lily. Why. they must all be like you now, dear old gra andmothers-and grandfathers."
 No, I mean to let you know them Just as they were in the days of yore" de clared grandmother And we shall pro- ceed to receive them now. before lunch con. And by the way, the luncheon is to be prepared and served just like 1t would have been 90 or 60 years ago. which will help to make the days of yore more complete"
 Lily was all eager anticipation and wondered what grandmamma had planned flor her There was no sign of prepara- tion for company, yet the old lady had said they would receive their visitors at once. But not one person had come to call; not single ring at the door bell
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

Lily got off the street car right at her grandmother's gate, and could see the old lady sitting beside window overlook ing the roadway. On seeing Lily the grandmother waved a feeble hand. and sent such sweet smile that Lily's heart melted, and she could not bring herself to go up to the old lady with an un- pleased countenance.
 "oh, so my little girlie has come to pass the time with me-" said grand mother as Lily entered her room. How glad l am to see you, child. And how like your father you are today-the same blue eyes, the same color coming and going in your pretty cheeks, just at 1t used to do in his face when he was n little chap
 Lily kissed the wrinkled cheek, and felt a glow of pride pass through her us the old lady complimented her on her pretty eyes and bright complexion. She loved to be told that she resembled her father.
 ''How are you, granny?' she asked, sympathy in her voice, for somehow. just coming into her grandmothers pres ence had driven out the hard feelings she had entertained against the dear old lady. "1 hope you are better. row"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

today, for many will buy just because the sketches are made by so little and pretty and hopeful an artist. And now that the tourists season has Just, opened l have tine greatest hopes that you will not only make rapid advancement in your art, but will sell enough of 1t to enable you to do the thing you so much desire to do-- to go to Frisco to study
 And it happened that Marie's fondest hopes were realized the very next yenr. and most of her school expenses were defrayed by the money she received for her pictures sold to tourists who bought from her on the beach, often giving the order for some certain view they liked lnost
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

drawings and one water-color sketch of the ocean. And after they were gone, carrying away the little artists work, Marie and her mother sat down to count over the money that they had put into Marfe's hands for her sketches. You can well imagine how happy they were when they counted over $25. Oh, what for tune for such bits of paper Marie was in the widest of spirits and her good mother was so rejoiced at her little ar- lists first success that tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
 Mamma, l shall paint and paint, and after this l shall put my pictures on ex- hibition some place in town and sell them to tourists, and with the money I re- ceive for them I will soon be able to go to Frisco to study. Oh. isn't that splen- did to think about?'
 ''Yes, darling" agreed the mother. But l think you will have better success sell ing vour work on the coast-as you did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

early in November when our first school set Long before daybreak my father hustled my brothers and sisters and my self out of our beds in the attic. It's fust day of school, youngsters he called at the foot of our ladder-like stairs. Come be stirring. Can't waste dollar a month on each of you less you git the wuth of it.
 We pulled ourselves from bed, dragged on our clothes in the cold, dim dawn for we were not allowed candles to dress by-and went down stairs to the kitchen, where we washed hands and faces in a tin basin of cold water. Hurriedly we ate our breakfast-by candle light-and got together all the books that had been ac- cumulated by the family during their life. There were 'Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress, the Bible, the New Testament, q badly damaged copy of Milton's Paradise Lost a copy each of McGuffy's Reader andS Speller. l have no idea where or how my parents had ever gotten together such an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

full with the Saturdays baking and clean ing, and l cannot leave the preserves to her. hope you can make up your mind 10 go to grandmamma for this one day You must remember she is papas dear old mother, and her little granddaughter will not refuse to go to her when she is feeling in need of companionship.'
 "Oh, I'll go, mamma said Lily In a half-hearted way. But l shall be mak- ing great sacrifice. I have planned so much on this day with Ethel And Ethel has made such arrangements to have a fine all-day party, too. But I shall phone her at once that l cannot come-that I must go and stay with grandmamma in- stead. Oh, 1t is so hard to have either n grandparent a baby sister or brother to mind. There's Pearl Graves, who has to remain at home so much to care for her baby brother. l think 1t real hard ship, so l do."
 Then, in very unhappy mood, Lily phoned her regrets to Ethel and hur- riedly made ready to go to her grand mothers cottage, which was in the coun- try. about mile from the city limits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
4 sCHoOLDAY STORY.
 BY ANNIE JAMES.

WSA oTH Jack and Junie were pouting KAA They hated starting to school The W E very loyeliest fall weather was in M H progress and they wanted to 20
 gathering nuts and autumn leaves In fact, they didn't want to be shut up in a stuffy sehoolhouse, boring over old books That was Just what they both said mentally.
 Their aged grandfather, sitting on the porch in the sun. understood something of what went through their minds, and as it wanted quarter of an hour till time for them to start to school--it was the first school day of the fall term-he called them to him.
 "I know you feel reluctant about going to school,'' he said. But I don't be- lieye you realize how much you have to be thankful for in these fine days of the present time. I will tell you of the first day of school in the woods of Ken lucky when I was q youngster of some F or IA years of age-if you care to hear about It.
 "Oh, yes; tell us about 1t, grandpapa," said Junie, eager to have anything occur which might take from her mind the thought of school for the time being. And Jack added his voice to hers: Yep, Gram-pap, let's hear about it."
 Well when I was youngster we lived in the hills of Kentucky and the hills were covered with heavy timber. The neighborhood was sparsely settled and there was no thought of public school in those days. But as there were a num- Der of growing boys and girls in that es pecial part of the country, the fathers got together and decided to send to a town in Indiana for a schoolmaster. One was found who would keep school for a dollar per month per head. That is, he would come and teach the young idea how to shoot for the price of one dollar for each pupil at the end of each month.
 Well 1t was a cold, frosty morning
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
BY MAUD WALKER.

MA ILY. dear, have just had a phone that grandmamma Is not very well
 and that her companion has been EM called away on a matter of busi-
 ness, leaving the dear old lady alone except for the cook, Jane. And grandmamma wants either you or me to come and spend the day with her. As you know, l must attend to my preserves which l have just started-and shall have to ask you to give up your day with Ethel and go to grandmamma's in- stead. Next Saturday you may go to visit Ethel.'
 But. mamma" remonstrated Lily. 'I have planned for a whole week to visit Ethel at her new home in the country. And she will be expecting me. And some other girls are to be there, too. I shall be so dreadfully disappointed if l have to give up my day with Ethel"
 Mrs. Parker meditated q bit then said: Well, I do not see any other course open, dear. As you know, my preserves has reached that stage where I must either let the fruit spoil or remain home and attend to it. Mary has her hands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

exceptional talent" declared one of the gentlemen. Then all fell to praising Marie's work. Marie, elated at their en- couragement, showed a pile of drawings she had made in pencil and which she intended coloring Why, the child Is real artist" declared the gentleman who had spoken. ''One sees poorer stuff than this exhibited at the galleries at home, and from the hands of artists, too. Say. little maid, will you sell one of those drawings to me?''
 Marie was never so surprised in her life Sell one of her poor efforts! Why, 1t seemed absurd. She almost feared she was dreaming. But the gentleman had picked up drawing of the lonely ocean, blue and peaceful, with one long, white
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
PLAN OF THE BEARS.
.As
sAss

For when mapping for six month All together One can't be awake to
 Watch out for the weather" "Ah, yes, ah, yes," said
 His jolly fat wife; We must always watch out
 For limb and for life. Well find nice cave
 Meath a spreading tree, The ideas good one,
 And much pleases me- And the three little cubs,
 So happy and gay, Said, Wont it be fun
 To sleep winter away?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

South and leave a place where ships anchor (3) Triply curtai an equestrian s riding glove and leave to be lank and thin.
 CONUNDRUMS. When is a kitten like a teapot? When you're tedsin' tt (ted's iR iD. What men frequently lose their pa tience (patients)
 Doctors
 What Is the nearest tie on earth to man?
 His necktie
 What can pass before the sun without making a shadow?
 The tcind ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK PUZZLES. Letter Enigmd--Bdvnydrd. Primal Aor0stfo Bacon Crosstcords, 1, Bear. ?, Aunt. 3, Colt. 4, Ouen 5, Noon. Hidden Proverb PuS=le-The pot should not cdU the kettle black.
 Zfgxag PuSsie-Pr0phet. 1, Pcdr ?, Proto. 3, Frog. 4. Stop. 5. Ache. 6. Beet. z, Time.
 Re1us--Im the faH the girls and boys 20 to school.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
c7Narie, T1e Little cArtist.

m 4: x: ::::: <; ;: E: : $:
 always standing at the head of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

her class in school, and calling forth the highest praise from her drawing teacher. Indeed, 1t was in her drawing that Marie was most proficient. She was what her mother called "born artist" And any one looking over Marie's folio of drawings would agree with her teacher and parents that the child was unusually gifted in that line.
 But Marie's parents were too poor to give her the advantage of study in a city where the best training was to be had. Their home was in a small town on the Pacific Coast and the one teacher of draw ing there was lady who was herself only an amateur, but who gladly lmparted what knowledge she had of art to Marie Adams.
 One day while looking out over the great blue ocean Marie wished she might try her hand at painting a bit in water
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10

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