davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
THE BOY MECHANIC
Building a Steam Engine

A boy who possesses natural me-
chanical and inventive genius can build
himself a steam engine even though he
does not have access to small ma
chine shop and though his materials be
crude, says Popular Mechanics. How
ard Burr of Leon, O.. built for himself
a one half horsepower engine which
will operate a sewing machine. He
cut his own patterns, then nodded the
various parts in sand. The castings
were made of babbitt metal. which he
heated in ladle in a cook stove. The
engine works perfectly.
In response to our inquiry the young
engine builder replies as follows: Il
have your letter asking for a descrip-
ton Of how 1 built my steam engine
The castings. are made of babbitt
metal; such parts as the connecting
rod, eccentric rod and slide bars were
sawed out of iron and brass. The
cylinder is brass The piston was
made by casting solid and then turning
deep groove in it and then made
steam tight by winding with packing.
The valve seat and valve was made
true and steam tight Thy grinding with
emery and ell / built the engine with
tools that may be found about any
house and worked at 1t mostly at night
One engine the cylinder is 2x2 inches
the smaller one has cylinder 1Ax1&
inches. Patience and keeping at it is
more than anything else"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

The wise hostess VIII set apart a
room for the children. giving them un-
limited privileges within its confines
If they can have the kitchen they will
enjoy popping earn. making molasses
candy or roasting chestnuts, but a
grown person should be on hand to
direct their sports and culinary en-
deavors. Games that they will delight
in are blind mans bun. stage coach:
brother. I'm robbed; hunt the slipper.
and needles eye or Copenhagen.
1t will not be surprising II some
OF the older members OF the family.
imbued with the spirit or the occasion.
take part in the merry making.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
Paper Balloons

Popular Mechanics gives the follow
ing direction for making paper ball
looms They may be of any size de-
sired and have as many cores as one
wishes in whatever colors one prefers
a very good size is feet in height
with 80 cores, each gore being inches
wide at the bottom, inches wide at
its widest point and 1 inch wide at
the top. To make the balloon pear
when added together 6 plus 5 plus /
equals 12) should be one-third of the
height of the balloon.
Procure close-textured tissue paper
in any contrasting colors you like; red
and white are good. Cut out paste
board pattern the shape and size the
cores are to be and cut the cores out
by it,
Varnish each gore with boiled oil and
hang it UP on line to dry, being care
full not to let 1t come In contact with
any other gore. When they are perfect
ly dry put them together by means of
gum water. or clear thin paste. To do
this gum about one-half inch of a gore
and lay one edge of another gore mid
way across the gummed space and dab
down very lightly by means of a clean
cloth. In this manner unite all the
cores in pairs until they are but is
parts. Continue to unite them until
you have two halves. Join these very
carefully. closing the balloon at the
top completely. Each time you paste a
gore hang the part up until perfectly
dry before using Ii further.
In the bottom of the balloon work a
circle of wire 6 inches in diameter and
fasten a wire with a piece of sponge
strung on it across the circle of WIRE
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
The Little Girls Dress
MANY mothers keep small gil
| | even when they have n1ltsrr

MANY mothers keep small girls
even when they have outgrown
babyhood-in white array and tubbable
frocks throughout the year. This can
not be done. however without the con-
sent of the laundress.
II she be ''willin'." then the piuues
and cotton reps, the heavy linens in
white and color galatea in solid white
or In Its familiar stripe combinations
Khaki and the stouter ginghams are
IN reqlisition for autumn as well as
spring clothes
Underneath these little frocks in cold
weather are warm undergarments-
woolly and soft-and on top for walks
abroad, is a snug little all enveloping
coat.
These tubbable frocks for winter
wear are high of neck and long of
sleeve, and very smart are the little
models in these heavy but washable
stuffs. Boomers to match complete
the dress.
,Bleomers are an important item in
the ehilds wardrobe, and those of the
new circular cut are the very incest
little garments made. They look ex-
aetly like circular skirt have not a
single gather at the waist line-stiIl
they are boomers.
Let bloomers to match accompany
frocks of wool-that is if the material
is appropriate for the purpose. Bloom
ers of soft, fine. black CLOTH flannel or
serge may be worn under a dress of
plaid or of any bright or dark color
One mother dresses her two little
daughters in a most originaIwa which
commends itself as being extremely
smart and at the same time very sens
ible. She provides little soft wool
tights of black over these, which
reach to the ankles, are drawn, with
out a wrinkle. long black stockings of
the variety which fasten to the little
waist in front, making unsightly hose
supporters unnecessary. Over these goes
a little petticoat of soft black flannel
and next little black silken petticoat.
The whole outfit is washable and at the
same time smart looking.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

HERE is nothing like contest to
] make young people easy and merry
together.
These contests may be purely literary
or simply tests of skill. For the former
give each one a pad with a certain
number of words written on It, The
contest will be to have each one write
short story or poem containing all
the words, and to give a prize to the
one whose product is voted best.
PRONUNCIATION GAME
Interesting and instructive is a pro-
nunciation game. selecting words in
common use and commonly mispro-
nounced. The leader for this win have
to post up beforehand. getting the latest
authorities on pronunciation. Here is
the way to play this game: Let all
gather around a large table or in
circle and let the leader give out the
words in turn by spelling them. OTer
a prize for the one who stands. I'D
longest or makes the fewest errors.
Here is list of 20 words. given lately
at a contest of this sort:
Address. adult, apparatus, acoustic
automobile. bicycle. caffein, cicatrix.
clematis, cocaine, cornet, eczema, exem-
plary, gladiolus, obligatory. orthoepist.
paresis, program, pyramidal, chauffeur.
ETC. If preferred. take geographical
names In common use. such as SYRIA
cuse. Worcester, Schenectady, Athens.
Coxsackfe, Leicestershire, ella, Los An
geles.
POTPOURRI OF CONTESTS
Other contests that make plenty of
fun are to see who can hold the most
beans in one hand, or the most peanuts
who can count the longest without TAX
Ing breath; who can pick up an orange
from the floor upon common
pin and make a complete circuit of the
room holding it poised and using but
one hand A rice eating contest with
chopsticks is sure to make a laugh. as
also the old feat of drawing a pig with
the eyes closed. Somewhat in line with
this is a game suggested recently In
one of the good home magazines and
called building a home
white sheet is to be stretched
across the archway between two rooms
to serve as a canvas for the painter.
The guests are seated in front, each
being provided with one or more
pictures cut from magazines or flower
catalogues. Those who can draw we'll
are given crayons. Now the companv
discuss in general the ideal home and
its surroundings anc accessories. in
Guiding an automobile or horses. chick
ems, dog and cat. Now let one Of the
company sketch a house, blocking out
the shrubbery. the walks and flower
beds. The leader next calls for certain
pictures. an auto In waiting. a saddle
horse 10 be tied at the front gate. a cat
on the porch. hen and chickens in the
back yard, the lady Of the house in
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
The Oldest Piano

Americas oldest piano is now owned
by Charles w. Gray OF Portsmouth.
New Hampshire. 1t was built IN Lon
don by Johann Zampe, IN 1853. and Il
years later was taken to the United
States for John Jacob Aston. 1t was
with difficulty that the strings were
kept from rusting during the long
passage across the ocean. and after its
arrival in New Yark the much drier
atmosphere caused the woodwork to
crack. For nearly 40 years the piano
remained In the Astor family: then It
went into the possession of the father
OF the late G. Alex Emery OF Boston
On the death OF Mr. Emery senior. the
piano passed to his son. and on his re-
moval from Boston to Portsmouth he
took the highly treasured Instrument
with him. Up to the time OF his death.
some few years ago. he could not BE-
persuaded TO part with the valuable
old relic. and at his death it passed into
the hands Of Mr.. Gray.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
A COY CORNER CHAT WITH THE GIRLS A MORNING WITH

tie leaf butterfly that we see at the eX
hibition of butterflies, which when it
lights on a branch becomes so exactly
like a withered leaf and stem that even
when you know it is there you can
hardly believe your eyes, is only follow
ing the protective instinct which has
been learned by long ages of expert
ment. The law of the creatures is.
adapt yourselves or die. The httest
only survive. What can not adapt itself
perishes.
Bnt man. by reason of his superior
intelligence. is immune from the law
that holds the creatures. lie alone of
them all may make his surroundings
serve him instead of becoming their
victim. We all of us make ourselves
out Of the surroundings that we make
for ourselves. We fulfill ourselves.
It has been freshly presented. il we
would but read Alright, in the lives Of
nearly all Of the successful men Of his
tory, especially of American men. They
have dug out their education for them-
selves. built their own fortunes con-
quered fate and so made their own his
tory.
Lincoln, building up a strong physique
in hard outdoor work. reading, study
ing, thinking, made his quiet, unevent-
full youth q preparation for the burdens
and responsibilities that his later life
demanded Many lawyer. minister,
teacher, has used the freedom from dis
traction that country life with its few
advantages gave for earnest thoughtful
study, for preparation for hard duties
IN later life.
The creatures are made by their en-
vironment. but man makes his environ
ment and so makes himself.
IT is as true of the girl who works
for her living as 1t is Of any OF the men
whose achievements have made history.
She can make her career, modify her
surroundings. build her own environ
ment. True. it may be hard; 1t may
mean the jibes of those who like to
ridicule anything that they can not I'M
derstand; it may mean effort and con-
centration TO read or study or improve,
when everything about her calls her TO
easy pleasures and trifling waste of
precious leisure. But It can be done.
Correspondence schools. night classes at
business college or in the grammar
school grades. the classes of the Young
Women's Christian association and the
public Libraries all offer opportunities
for advancement to the girl who works
and advancement means better wages.
better standing. easier hours and so
more opportunities for improvement
We talk gIibly of the opportunities
that america, the land of freedom. Of
fers 10 men. They are not less open 10
women. and therein lies one great rea-
son for our pride in them
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
Lettering a Clock Dial

Painting Roman characters on a
clock dial is not such diff1cult task as
might at first be imagined. In fact. If
one has set of drawing instruments
and properly proportions the letters it
is really very simple.
The letters should be proportioned as
follows: The breadth OF an Il" and a
space should equal one-half the
breadth of an *" that is, if the x is
one-half inch broad the "Iv will be
three-sixteenths inch broad and the
space between letters one sixteenth
inch, thus making the "I'' plus one
space equal to one-quarter inch or half
the breadth of an tx" The sV's'
should be the same breadth as the
KS" After the letters have been laid
off in pencil outline them with ruling
pen and fiji in with a small cameI's
hair brush. using gloss black paint
thinned to the proper consistency to
work well in the ruling pen. Using the
ruling pen to outline the letters gives
sharp, straight edges which would be
Impossible with the brush in the hands
OF an inexperienced person.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

ment than the ones in which men are
busy trying to learn the very nature of
the elements and the causes of the dis
turbances by which they interfere with
the peace, happiness and progress OF
human kind. 1t seems like waste of
energy to invent airshlps that will be
destroyed by the first storm as long as
we do not know the causes or under
stand the warnings fully of impending
disasters of the elements which hold the
power Immediately below and above the
surface of the earth. Man can never
aspire to become the master of the ele-
ments so that he could still the storm,
hem the flood or prevent the earth
quake, but with the ingenuity that is
his character mark and with which he
has been able to invent so many highly
sensitive and useful instruments, he
ought TO be able to foretell and give
fair warning of every elementary dis
aster that threatens us, thus to save us
from catastrophes like the one that has
now sunk the world in sorrow
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

dominant thought that comes from
reading the Shakespeare plays. partic-
uIarlv that OF Macbeth is the inev-
;tsbleness Of a mans destiny the dis
oovery that mans career Is himself
worked out II is his predominating
Characteristic. translated into flesh and
HOOD. And it Is not only true Of the
large characters Of fiction. not only the
thought OF a poet, but because the
poets read humanity and write what
they see. fl is a large truth, applicable
TO all OF Us.
II is a thought that young people
and because they mean so much to the
race. Young girls especially, should
take m heart. There is no situation in
which pure. good girl can be placed
IRON, which she can not come out with
honor. There is no position in which
she NAV not stand stanchly for the
things that she knows are right II
she viii but stand by her principles
she viii be true to herself and a light
10 others
stevenson wrote Of Robert Burns
that he dieQ-Weil, cleQ u DStHs DoD
bic Burns" and so he did, and so do
All Of US fulfill ourselves.
Because ali our habits are formed in
youth. because what we DO or think.
dav bv day while we are young. crys-
+aIIizes into character. it is imperative
Tor the young woman, for every girl.
70 nut herself in the way Of becoming
What she would like to be. If the COM
nanions one is thrown with are not the
right kind. il a girl knows that they
helm her to become what is poor and
sordid and unlovely in life. she should
take herself out Of their company. IL
IS far better to be alone than 10 be
with companions who make one see
only the silly or wicked things.
Thcre.is an awe compelling force in
the nrfnciple OF evolution, that law
which forces the creatures 10 become
what The environment demands or per
ISL No chance for choice here. no OPP
portunity to build ones own surround
ines
The ptarInigan's changing its coat from
earth color in the sumner 10 snow color
IN the winter. fulfilling the hard and
fast law Of adaptability 10 surround
fnzs. becomes. through long ages Of eX-
pertinent. characteristic trait The lit
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

Never was pig so pampered- Never
grew pig so fat. so altogether hog
.gish. Week in, week out, back and
forth, went his pigship. pink skinned.
with curling piggish tail, first to one
small boys home, then to the others
Even Glen Bronson, in politics, who
had something more important to do
than KILN hogs" took occasion to
comment on piggie's growing proper
lions.
Days drifted into weeks, then
months; came summer and the autumn
tints made known the approaching
winter.
Jimmse's father was busy storing
away his winters supply Of potatoes
in the cellar.
Peewee, standing in front of the San
ders pig pen. laboriously and stutter-
ingly read the market quotations on
hogs. Jimmie, regretting his own In
ability to figure fractions. was an al
most admiring listener.
Jimmies mother was buxom look
ing woman. Just coming out of the
doorway of the house she smiled cheer
fully at her companion as she noted
the two boys. Land. Miss Peffiecorn.
them young uns certainly take a sight
of comfort in that pig" Mrs. PefHecOrn
laughed gayly and waved a goodby to
PeeWee, as Jimmie mother continued.
II reckon it's all right to leave 'em
alone for while this evenin'. Jim
mics real brave like, Well be home
in good season and he promised me
they'd go to bed by 8 o'clock 1 told
my husban', seem he hadn't been to a
social for so long, he must get to go
this time. but he had TO go to Bedford
tonight TO see bout some store things
II
The sound of their voices. character
istic of the tone Of the little town.
was of pleasurable comfort and home
life. As 1 was sayin I made
fresh butter this afternoon; you can
have all the buttermilk you want
passing carriage cut Off their con-
versation.
Jimmie and Pee-wee had assembled
the narrow stairway to their bedroom.
Chores were finished. their pig and
themselves comfortably fed and housed.
Ten minutes later they were both in
the land of Nod.
Some strange sound awakened them
suddenly.
''W-w-w-h- h-a-a-t-s" Pee-wee gave
a peculiar little whistle. "W-ha -at-ts
that?"
Weird, the wall went forth I'm the
still night air. a shrek of agony.
the click of a latch. Another terrible
groan.
Jimmie all but inarticulate. his head
half hidden beneath the bed clothes.
answered, 'It-must-t be Sam An
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

just as the year OF 1903 was DRAWN g
70 its close and *he records Of its hap
penings Tor good and evil We're being
computed 10 mark It's character as con-
trasted 10 those gone before and those
to follow. the news Of a terrible dis
aster ia italy comes to spread sorrow
throughout the world and to brand
the dying year as one that brought
the greatest catastrophe that ever has
befauen the people OF the Christian
world and era.
At first 81 was made known in gen
eraI terms that out Of a population
Of I.T5O.O00 in the devastated area Of
the province Of Calalbria and the island
Of sicily at least ] 25 600 had persisted.
II Is now estimated that in the city Of
.afessfna alone 80. 900 people lost their
lives. A score OF other towns have
been devastated and thousands Of vic
films In these places must be added TO
the roll In the face Of these awful
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23
The Outcome Of a Junior Pork Deal

Turning, he stopped by a board on
which was a leather strap. "Whet-ti
- Whet-tt - Whet'ty whack-ta-
whet." went the shining blade in his
skiliful hands. He glanced up with
curious expression. Jimmie required
little Imagination to feel the keen
blade between his ribs He shifted his
seat ia an uncomfortable manner. Sam
Andrews wet his thumb, drew ii care
fully along the edge of the knife and
resumed its sharpening.
Jimmie, what time you got?" II
was old Pop Sturges who spoke.
Jimmie responded with alacrity. Pop
Sturges shook his head.
Glen Bronson was late
Jimmie. you run down to the City
livery and find out why he amt here,
reckon he's got some case on-he's
turrible busy O. late.
Jimmie, already started, was nearly
out of ear shot.
Pop Sturges gave way to an ex-
elamation. Here you he called; Il
amt through 'talkin yet"
Imbued with the idea that Pop Stur-
ges desired quicker action, Jimmie only
moved the faster
He returned with the cheering in
formation that as a delegate at large
to the county central committee. Squire
Bronson was too busy to bother his
head about hog KILN.
Bronson was in politics.
Did he say that?" Pop Sturges
focused his one good eye on Jimmie in
a manner that. had he been telling
falsehood. would have proved It imme-
diately.
Yes. slr,-he did," reiterated Jim
ME He said: You tell ole Pop
Sturges that I've got something more
'portant TO do than KILN hogsi A man
in politics amt got no4time to waste
on hogs!-thats what he said"
Well, I'll be jiggered," said Pop
Sturges. "In bet most cents he'll
think some different! got something
TO say bout that county central com
mittee."
His lips compressed into a thin line
that almost. not quite, hid the smile on
his face. Pop Sturges was never with
out that smile.
Jimmie, if you'll get another boy
an work real good here today. TIL give
you one of them little pigs out'en that
prize litter"
Jimmie gasped. Had Pop Sturges said
10 cents. or 20. yes; even two bits-bus
a pig. Yet Pop Sturges had the repu-
tation Of never saying anything that
he did not mean. For the space of 10
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-23

drews. / always knew he was an old
pirate or something's" They c0nversed
in faintest whispers. Their bodies
grew cold. Their scalps tingled with
the horror
Land sakes! What's that9 I want
to know" Mrs. Sanders grabbed Mrs
Pefiecorn by the arm as they were
about to ascend the porch steps Mrs.
Pefiecorn promptly tainted
Again the wall.
Glen Bronson. crossing TO the other
side of the street. was suddenly faced
by terrified yet resolute woman. She
told her story in wonderfully graphic
manner. You be an officer OF the law.
Glen Bronson. an It's your sworn duty
to investigate" Mrs. Sanders voice
was emphatic. Only the timely arrival
of Pop Sturges. also bound for home.
saved the day for Bronson Pop Stur-
ges lived across the street. He re-
turned a moment later with a weapon
of surprising appearance. Blunder
buses are ordinarily found only In
musuems today
Cautiously the line proceeded. Glen
Bronson. armed with an antiquated
horse pistol. went ahead of Pop
Sturges, who. followed by Mrs. San
ders. supported the partially revived
Mrs. PefiecOrn- They sought to peer
through the encircling gloom. Trem-
bling hands lighted a coal oil lamp.
Upstairs two small boys sought pro-
lection in the depths of a feather bed
'Shucks. I don't hear nOthin'." Pop
Sturges bit Off his words much as he
was wont 10 take chew of his IA
vorite tobacco. He Strengthened up
like jack in the box as Mrs. Sanders
grasped his arm. From below their
very feet sounded a long drawn out
terrible grOan.
Unnoticed Glen Bronson changed
places with Pop Sturges. who. heading
the procession. fearsomely led the way
down the cellar stairs. blunderbuss
aeock. From the farthermOst recesses
a pair of cleaning eyes shOne with
appalling intensity.
Pop Sturges. startled. dropped his
bIunderbuss, 1t exploded with ter
rife bang.
Here's your-here's your pig" he
yelled.
An empty butter hrkin was close by.
Land sakesi that pesky pigs gone
an ct that eight pounds OF my new
butter" exclaimed Mrs. Sanders. She
turned to Pee-wce's mother. who a
moment before, giancing apprehensive-
ly behind. had seen two small figures
so closely resembling "h'ants' that she
had promptly tainted again.
She turned to her own small boy
Jimmie. you young uns must get rid
or that hog tomorrow. ] amt goin'
to have no such goin Ons IN my
house"
"Yesm." they answered.