davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
Naughty Lena a11d Ho1u She Paid.

and trouble of doing it all over again Yes, that was the best plan. She would keep on her new frock, even keep on her hat and gloves. So decided. Lena sat down beside the window and watched the passersby. Pretty soon she saw Ma bel Adams coming down the pavement Oh, she must, just must, call Mabel in to show her her pretty new frock. But at the corner above Lena's house Mabel turned into a side street, and in vain did Lena call to her; she did not hear and was soon lost to Lena's view.
 "I'1l just run after her, for she can't be far down the street." said Lena to herself. So she hurried downstairs and out of doors, and on to the corner. She could see Mabel a block away and ran in pursuit of her. Mabel, Mabel, wait for mel'' she called. Mabel heard her and waited. "See my new frockf" she said, all out of breath from running Isn't 1t lovely7'
 Perfectly lovely, Lena," admitted Mabel. 'I shall have to wear my old frock, for mamma did not get my new one done in time for the party. But don't mind"
 "Oh, I'd hate to wear an old frock to such a swell party" said Lena. 'You know it's to be very grand affair. Ices. fruit, cake and all sorts of things. And there are to be thirty guests"
 'Yes, it's nice to have a new frock for the party" admitted Mabel. "But since haven't one shall go in my old one and try to have just as good time as though I were in a new frock. But your frock Is lovely, and I know every one will admire 1t. Where are you go- ing nowf"
 Mabels question brought Lena to her senses. She had not realized before that she was going on down the street and really turned into another street from the one in which she had overtaken Mabel, and was some three or four blocks from home. She had not meant to go farther than the corner. "Oh, l guess 1t won't matter now," she said to her self. Then aloud to Mabel: Where are you going?--I may go with you" She hated returning to the house to change her dress, and did not want to remain indoors all afternoon.
 ''im going to Grandmamma's," said Mabel. "I would like to have you go
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

MA ENA was invited to attend the
 birthday party of her iittie friend.
 Oracle The party was to take place at o'clock on Saturday aft
 ernoon, and was to be the great est party of its kind given by any little girl in the town. In view of this fact (for it must have been fact. as Oracle herself had said 1t was to be the grand est party ever given by little girD Lena had begged her mamma to make her new frock to wear on the occasion. And Lena's mamma had complied with her little girls request, and on Saturday morning she called Lena into the sewing room to show her the new frock, which was splendid with ribbon bows and lace frills It was ali blue and white-the frock and the trimmings. and reminded Lena of the sky on summer day when white clouds 1oated over It.
 Lena was so overjoyed with the new frock that she begged her mamma to al- low her to wear 1t uptown, when she went on an errand. But the mamma explained that she might get the pretty ''best dress" soiled while running tho errand, and told her she must not put 1t on till time to go to the party. Of course Lena was much disappointed, for she wanted to go by Lily Smiths house on her way, uptown and to show her new frock to Lily. She hated to wait till o'clock to have her little friends see the lovely blue and white dream So she went off pout- ing and performed the errand for her mamma indisYerently. On returning home the housemaid met her at the door. saying:
 Miss Lena. your mamma has gone to make some calls and said to tell you that she'd be home again before time for you to start to the party. She left luncheon on the table for you. She and your papa had their luncheon earlier than usual"
 Lena went to the dining-room and ate her luncheon. Then she ran upstairs to take another peep at the new frock. How lovely 1t was-so blue and white! Then Lena wondered If 1t would fit nicely. Her mamma had never made dress for her that did not fit nicely, but this one might prove tho exception. Perhaps shs would better slip 1t on to make sure. And If she found it too tight, or too loose, her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
U ~
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

<A AY boys. have you been reading of IN the appearance in the heavens of N Halley's comet?" asked Tommy Grey <& of several of his school fellows one
 evening after school as they wended their way homeward You know the comet can't be seen with the naked eye, for it is something like 100000 GOO miles distant from us,'' he went on to explain. But there is a photographic instrument in use by the astronomers that can take the pictures of bodies in the heavens which no telescope can bring close enough to be seen by the human eye.'
 "Say, Tom, you ought to be an astron- omer," suggested Fred Davis. ''You'rs always reading everything about planets and moons and comets. As for me. l pre- fer to keep both feet on the ground and let the heavenly bodies take care of them- selves. I hope the comet won't come so close to earth that it can be seen with the naked eye. for in that case this globe might go through MT. Comets tail. And that would be the last of us.'
 .Bah, ignorant kidr" sneered Tommy "If you'd read along these lines you'd know that no comet can ever hurt us. We each have our place in the great system, and one planet recognizes the rights of his neighbor."
 All the boys laughed at this, and Art Wilson said: Well, seriously, Tom, do you have a keen desire to have per sonal introduction to this comet which you tell us has appeared so far away2 don't doubt but that you'll be able to go to Mars or the moon at some future day. And maybe the comet won't be inaccess- ible, for in this age of wonders some genius will suddenly invent an airship that will not only travel like the Tighten ing, but have store of good breathing air in tanks to supply the lungs of the navigator"
 "All right, kids, laugh at the greatest science If you will" returned Tommy. But the study of our neighbor planets and those tramps, the comets. Is of deep interest to me, and I mean to be an as- tronomer some day. And if 1t is ever possible to reach distant planet-which sounds foolish to me now-I shall be one of the first to engage a stateroom In the airship making the journey"
 As the boys had reached tho gate to Tommy's home by this time the subject of conversation changed from comets to Bingo, Tommy's fine old dog, who was wagging his tail in welcome to his mas ter. And after few minutes of general conversation, the boys took themselves off toward their respective homes, while Tom- my went into the house. kissed his moth- CT, answered few anxious inquiries from her as to his day in school. and then
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

with me. But am not coming back di- rect1y. I'll stay for an hour out there"
 Mabels grandmother lived fully half mile from Lena's home, but Lena did not mind the walk and decided to ac- company Mabel to her grandmother's gate from where she would turn back, for she felt that she must not remain away from home too long.
 But neither of the little girls noticed that clouds were gathering thickly over head, and when Lena said goodbye to Mabel at the gate of the latter's grand mother she turned homewards without hearing the low thunder which rumbled in the darkening sky. She was so in- ton 1t would make at the party, that she had no ear nor eye for her surround ings till she had gone long way from Mabel's grandmother's home. Then sud- denly some big drops of rain splashed in her face, cold, november rain. The day had been delightfully."- warm for that time of year and In her vanity Lena had come out without a wrap. She had felt the chill of the air on the way to Mabel's grandmother's, but was deter thought that on getting home she would run to the big grate fire and get warmed through and through. But when the drops of rain splashed in her face she stopped for an instant and looked about her. Then she looked overhead. The clouds were so heavy that Lena knew the rain would continue for some hours, and 1t would not be wise for her to ston at any. of the cottages on the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
R ROuPuZZle Corner {
HIDDEN PRovERB PUZZLE.

A well-known proverb is hidden in the following seven sentences. Each sentence contains one word of the proverb If the words are rightly guessed and written together. the proverb will stand before you complete.
 It is never too late to mend.
 Do not waste your youth in idleness. It is not always possible to find words to express your meaning.
 It is better to live on the roof than in the cellar.
 Wanton extravagance is a deplorable thing
 It is pitiful to be deaf and dumb.
 Every man must be master of his own life.
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE.
 This zigzag contains seven words of four letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another in correct order. their zigzag letters, be- ginning with the upper left-hand letter and ending with the lower left-hand let ter. will spell the name applied to work man who is very necessary In the build ing of modern house. The cross-words are 1. A luscious fruit. 9 A farm im- plement. 8. To bestow great praise. 4 That which menaces us everywhere. g. The slang name applied to a tramp. 6. Something to be found in every book '. part of a residence.
 BEHEADIN0s.
 CD Triply behead a place where sol diers stay and leave place where mems hats are kept. (2) Doubly behead that which every honest man wants to be good and leave a heavy, strong twine. (3) Doubly behead a builder of brick houses and leave a boy.
 CURTAILINGs.
 CD Triply curtail hundred years and leave money. (2) Curtail a thick liquid used for covering houses and leave that which we all suffer more or less. (3) Curtail piece of tree and leave to make love-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
The Boys and the Tramp.
BY MAUD WALKER.

upon themselves to taunt the defenseless man with his calling. Say, did you ever do lick of work in your life?' cried Harry. "Yes, and did you ever have a bath?" cried Jim. And did you ever eat any sort of a meal besides a hand out7' laughed Gus.
 The old man waved his feeble hands in a helpless way, and as he did so Harry, the leader of the tormentors, saw a Masonic pin gleaming from the ragged lapel of his coat. Immediately the boys face flushed from shame and he called off his companions. Wait, kids; let him alone. See that pin on his coat? It's like papa wears-a Masonic pin."
 The boys stood back with ave- and needed their leader who had become 50 serious Charlie went close to the old man and stopping over him asked:
 Are you really n Mason, sir?''
 "Yes, lad; l have been good Mason for years. And this pin has served me well before today. But-there are poor old men who are in sad distress like my self who are not of the order, and 1t is very wicked to use them as you have this day used me. am not q tramp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

roadside. She must get home ss quickly as possible. So she set off at run, the rain coming down faster and faster. And as there were no sidewalks at the outskirts of town Lena was going in the open road which was becoming very muddy. Her hat and hair were drip ping when she ran into her own home, confronting her mother who opened the door to her.
 Why, Lena!" was<all her mother said then. But there was a volume of re- proach in her voice and a look of dis appointment in her dear mother eyes Lena's heart smote her, but repentance cannot wipe out the wrong done. To- gether mother and child went up to Lena's room where the new frock, drip ping and spoiled for wearing till 1t should go through the process of clean ing and pressing, was taken off her Then, the little girl, suffering from a severe chill, was put to bed and a doe tor called. He said: "She must remain quietly in bed till Monday, and must take this medicine three times a day. She has taken a very bad cold through this wetting, and must be nursed carefully for a while.'
 And that afternoon while the party was in progress at Gracie's home one of the invited guests-owing to her own naughti- ness ana vanity-was lying i'll In bed at home, her heart too heavy for her to talk over her disappointment to the pa- tient mother who nursed her and talked so lovely to her that her conscience stalked forth and upbraided her unmerct- fully,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

the old man smiled.
 Tommy was all interest now. A man from a comet? And the comet within reach of the earth? Oh, how perfectly spIendidt Where do you want me to go?" he asked in breathless anticipation.
 with me-on the comets tail, son. It's the finest place from which to study the heavens you could want. And we're continually running into new territory. change Why, we get new view every million miles,"
 I'm ready to go with you, sir. at any minute" said Tommy. 'I'm deeply in- terested in the study of astronomy"
 .@rhen let's be off, son." said the queer old man. But before we depart I would better tell you that we shan't be back this way for sometime. Can you remain away for long periodf'
 "When will the comet return this way again?' asked Tommy, hoping the man would say Not for 10 years." Tha. would give him plenty of time In which to study the heavens undisturbed.
 "Oh, she'll be due here again in about 10 years," said the queer old man. You don't mind short time like that, do voro op
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

ono who follows the profession of beg gfng for food from door to door, I have been a hard-working man until six months ago. Then I was taken i'll. lost my job. used up my little savings, and today find myself without cent in the world. without work, i'll and friendless. l was on my way to the Masonic Hos pftal to ask for medical aid when over taken by you boys. have tried to get on without going to my lodge for help, for I have always felt q pride in doing for myself. But in my old age 1t Is very different. can no longer battle against poverty and sickness as could twenty odd years ago."
 The boys exchanged glances of sym pathy, and each young face wore blush of shame. kids, we must help this poor old man to the hospital" declared Charlie. And every day we must go there and see him and carry some fruit and. flowers to him, for we must-if we can-make amends to him for our shame full conduct toward him today. 1 for one beg his forgiveness." "And 70 do we," said the other boys in earnest tVAe1s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

hurried to his "den,' at the top of the house. There he drew forth some old books and papers of very heavy and serious aspect and began looking over them. They dealt with the science of as- tronomy and Tommy was soon deeply buried in them.
 As the evening advanced Tommy con- tinued to read by the dying light that came through the one window, for he meant to read as much as he could be- fore his mother should call him to sup per, which would be at half-past six.
 As the dim daylight faded altogether Tommy was on the point of rising to light the gas jet when he heard n soft tapping at his window. Then of a sudden great flash of light entered his room and made it more radiant than the sun. He turned to the window to see who night be there-three stories above ground-tapping at the easement, and also to ascertain where such a brilliant light came from. His eyes fell on the queer figure of little old man, half wiz ard and half human, standing on the win dow ledge outside. And around him glowed and burned the brightest yellow light Tommy had ever seen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

please do not annoy me in this way"
 But the boys heard little of what the old man said, and kept on tossing clods and sticks at him. The old fellow hur- ried on as fast as he could go. but his tornentors kept at his heels. crying out: Hello, old trampl How long have you been out of the workhouse7 Say, who's your tailorl Who's your barberT
 Then derisive laughter would fall on the poor old mans ears. Pretty soon, too much overcome to withstand the taunts and missiles longer, the old man sank down on an embankment. There were no residences nearby and the boys could tantalizs their victim without in- terference from some outraged citizen who might behold them from a window or porch. Even the one policeman who patrolsd that part of the town was ab- sent from duty, and the old sufferer was at the mercy of the four boys.
 When he sank upon the embankment- which reached about two feet above tho oidewalk-ths boys surrounded him. They had supposed that the old man was tramp, and to be . tramp meant to be criminal an outcast. So they took '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
BottonalesS Lake.

D OTTOMLESS lakes are a tradition.
 n as the greatest depths of water, salt 01 or fresh, have some kind of ground formation under them. Roosevelt Lake, in New Mexico, is so small that a stone can easily be hurled over it. yet it has depth of over 500 feet. The water looks a deep green, but it is so clear that ob- jects dropped into it can be seen for yards and yards as they go deeper Into the water. It is supposed that this lake and others in the same chain tap the subterranean waters of the Pecos Val ley, the plains waters having in the course of time dissolved the gypsum un- til the deepest bedrock has been reached.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

-s EIGH-Hoi Sec the old trnmpl' .A "Yep, let's give him something to H NJ liyen bis steps!'
 # "Oh, see his nice new coatv'
 "And his shavei Guess he never met a razorT'
 Such were the rude cries of four boys, Harry, Jim, Gus and Charlie, as they spied a poorly-clad old man passing the schoolhouse from which they had just issued. It was o'clock and the school children were free from study for the rest of the day.
 Say, let's run him down. said one of the boys. "Yes. let's make him do bit of travelling" said another. And they took to their heels, chasing after the old man who dodged the clods of dirt his young tormentors were throwing after him.
 But the four were too much for the old man, and he paused and looked back at them, trying in his feeble voice to beg them to desist. 1T am an honest man, but i'll and out of work" he said. .I am trying to get to the hospital. my children. I have done you no harm, so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
A New Game.

I'll GAME called Thought Transference
 is one of the latest fads and 1t sup S plies a great deal of amusement. In playing the game the person who is se- lected to be the 'suhjest" Is sent out of the room and two Of the players are se- lected to "transfer the thought" These two decide on what simple test the player will be required to perform. She may he required to touch the keys of the piano, to arrange a cushion or any simple thing, and the remainder of the people in the room are informed what the test is to be.
 Then the Subject" is allowed to enter the room again, with the persons who are to guide him on each side, each holding one of his hands. All of the company are required to think of the test to be made, and 1t is claimed that in nearly all cases the subject makes his way, still clasp ing the hands of the "transferers," to- ward the object selected and then does what is required of him. In nearly all cases the audience will demand several subjects" and experiments before their curiosity Is fully satisfied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
~y TOMMY RIDES THE COMET vs
Ap Af

Mot at aIl," said Tommy. determined to be as brave as any one could be. "rm ready to go, sir."
 "Yes, there'll be some change in things on your little, slow-going globe, son, !" smiled the old man. And as life is so short on the earth-as compared with life on conet-you'll find the grandchildren of your school friends quite old and worn. But you'll be in the vigor of your prime. Ah. hal Nothing so fine as riding on comets tai1i'
 Then Tommy followed the old man out through the window. and soon found himself sailing through soft, radiant light. in a sort of airship. one very diff ferent in construction from those in vented by our worlds people. Up, up up they went at a terrific speed, and before Tommy hardly realized that he had left his own earth he found himself sitting comfortably on q shaft of light. Behind him and before him stretched light, light, light. For a million miles he might have seen nothing but light, light. had his vision been powerful enough to reach that far. He was on the very cen ter of the tall of Halley's cometi His  he would see Mars, Venus, Saturn, Ju- piter, the moonl Oh, he would visit them each as the old man had visited Earth only be would remain longer on each of the planets than his queer companion had stopped on Earth.
 Just as Tommy was holding his eye to a telescope to get good look at the small planet-Earth-which they were leaving very rapidly, he felt some one tugging at his shoulder. What did the meddler want, anyway? Maybe some at him, thinking him a curiosity. "Stop bothering mel" he exclaimed. Cant you see 1 am occupied with the telescope7 Go away"
 But it's supper time. son, and the food is on the table, getting cold. I called and called, but you did not come down. Then l came up to find you fast asleep over this great book you love so well. Come, wake up, child, and come to your supper. You are tired out from so much study. You must rest, my dear Tommy. I"
 Tommy stirred moved a benumbed arm which had lain beneath his head Then he opened his eyes to see his mother standing beside him, shaking him by the shoulder.
 "Ohl" sighed Tommy, in disappointed tones. My ride on the comets tail was only a far-fetched dream. How disap- pointed I am. Why, I should not have returned to this place for many years. And here am in time for supper"
 Miss winifred S. Gibbs, of New York, has taken up the work of teaching the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

mamma could remedy the error on her return home.
 So Lena quickly slipped out of her everyday frock and into the pretty new one. Surely, 1t must be bit wrong somewhere. But no, 1t was a perfect flt and felt so comfy. Lena had learned how to button her own frocks, and wns not obliged to call to the maid to assist at her toilet when her mother was absent. Within a few minutes after determining
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

to "try on' the frock Lem stood before the mirror resplendent. Then, to see just how she would look at the party, she got from the closet her big Sunday hat and put 1t on. Oh, how very nicely tho new frock and hat harmonized! Then Lena got her Sunday gloves-little white kid ones-and put them on. Yes, the whole was perfect! Mamma had certain ly made a love of q frock, and 1t fitted to perfection.
 Lena looked at the clock. It was half past l. How foolish for her to undress now, for 1t would not be very long till time to start to the party. Why should not she remain dressed and save the time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES. LETTER ENIGMA-Cookey
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE = Microbes. Cross soords: 1. Meat. 2. Half. 8. Hare. 4. Herb s. Toll. 6. Nedt '. Sham.
 BEHEADINGS - CD Trdin -rain CD Broad-rodd (3) Cdsh-dsh
 CURTAILINGS- - CD Baker-bake (2) Brandy- brond. (3) BafIoon-baM
 ANIMAL PICTURE PUZZLE - Zebra Pictured Words 1. Zany. 2. Elk. g. Baker. 4. Riper. 5. Arbor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07

Miss winifred s. Gibbs, of New York, has taken up the work of teaching the orphans of that city how to cook She also teaches them economy and how eat ables can be purchased for the least money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
BY HELENA DAVIS.

N ENA was invited to attend the birthday party of her iittis friend. Oracle. The party was to take
 place at o'clock on Saturday aft
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-07
A Chi1d's Wish.

I'd visit caves in oceans bed, Where man can never go.