davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

WAA RS. BIRDIE SPECKLEBREAST
~ sat on the limb of a tall tree,
n singing morning anthem.
Close beside her, In a firm net
work of limbs and covered by
soft green leaves, rested her three little
dedglings in a comfortable nest. The nedg
lings had not been Matched very long but
were a bright, energetic little trio, not
withstanding their tender age. There
was sharp-beak, the first Matched, aud
sprightly little chap, ruler Of the nest
by right of his superior age OF half
day. There was Bright-eye, second in
age, being two hours older than the third
and last Matched, by name Soft-feather.
The last two were girl birds, and about
the finest ever seen in nest. So thought
Mrs. Birdie Specklebreast on the morning
l am telling you about
And also there was Mr.. Papa Bird,
who was the provider Of the family, and
the real singer, for Mrs. Birdie Speckle-
breast only sang when her husband was
away from home in quest of food. Her
voice-like the voice of all female birds
was rather weak and of small range.
But it was a sweet voice. because 1t was
a mother-voice, and was employed only
to sing to the wee ones in the nest.
But on the instant that Mr. Papa Bird
returned to the tree Mrs. Birdie Speckle-
breast ceased to sing in her little low
MARBLE and allowed the head of the fam
fly TO almost burst his throat singing to
her and the children. And how he did
sing All his heart In his voice, for he
sang of genuine happiness, happiness in
the love of home, wife, little ones
So on this morning in question, while
Mrs. Birdie Specklebreast sang her tender
lullaby to the fedglings in the nest, Mr..
Papa Bird was away in the meadows
hunting worms for the family's breakfast.
He had been very successful in finding n
fine, fat fellow that would feed all three
the nestlings, when bing-bang went a
gun not very far away. And at the same
instant Mr.. Papa Bird dropped to the
ground, shot through the head He would
never carry food to his wife and children
again, nor would he ever again fill the
pure air of heaven with his song. There
he lay, hidden in the high grass, and
the wicked boy who took his life did not
even take the trouble to hunt him out.
The boy had merely been trying his
craftsmanship, and had proven his ability
at the expense of Mr.. Papa Birds life.
And so the morning wore away, and
Mrs. Birdie Specklebreast ceased her sing
ing, for after Mr.. Papa Bird had been
absent a certain length of time she be-
came anxious, and greatly feared some
harm had befallen him
why doesn't papa come home" she
chirruped to herself. Then little pee
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
BY MAUD WALKER.

sTT was not a very happy day for
Patrick On which he first saw little
Florence Day. Not that little Florence
Day was a naughty girl, or was ugly
toward Patrick No; she was a very
kind hearted little lady, and loved all
little animals, particularly Patrick, whom
she bought from farmer.
1t was during a drive with her man.
ma one evening that little Florence first
saw Patrick. They were passing farm
house, snd there, round and round the
yard ran the cutest woolly puppy,
stick In his mouth. "Oh, Mamma, see
himl Isn't he a darling?'' cried little
Florence, putting her hands on the reins.
and causing old Mag, the mare, to come
TO a stop right in front of the farm
house gate.
Eyes, he's dear little puppy" con-
fessed Mamma 81 wonder If he is for
sale? Would you like to own him,
Florence?"
"Oh. yes. yes. Mamma dear" said
little Florence. Lets 90 in and ask about
him. He's just too cute for anything.
The farmer was not averse to selling
the puppy, whose name was Patrick.
There were two others-a brother and a
sister-and they would suffice for the
farmers children. They were now asleep
in the barn beside their mother; but
this one-the largest of the three-was
such restless fellow, always run
ming about as though after snakes
or other dangerous beasts and bark
ing like a full-grown dog, hardly taking
time to sleep, he was so 'frisky.'
So bargain was struck, and Florence
had Patrick In the carriage, shut up In
an old egg-basket, where he whined,
snapped, scratched and barked to be
free ooh, this jail is something terri
BILE" he seemed to say. please, please,
strangers, let me out ] want to go
home to my mamma and sister and
brother, to my snakes and other wild
beasts and to my stick, which l love to
carry about in my mouth like bone.
But he was kept in the basket till
Florence and her mamma arrived safely
home. Then, while Mamma drove old
Mag to the stable yard Florence carried
the basket containing Patrick into the
house. See, see my new pet!' she
cried, letting Patrick out of the basket
while she called to the cook who was
just setting the table for supper. isn't
he a lover
Hes a dirty little scampl" declared
Ann, the cook, pausing In her work to take
a look at the newcomer, who walked on
four legs and wagged Tit of tail very
vigorously. HE needs bath before
eating supper While you folks are at
the supper table I'll give him scrub
bling he'll remember. My, how can pup
allow himself TO get so 6irty!" And Ann
turned up her nose In sheer disgust
And half an hour later poor Patrick
was tastlng-or suffering, rather-his
first soapsuds and scrubbing brush. But
he did not submit without some remon-
STRANGE. He kicked. scrttched. SNAPPED:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

to guide the horse herself and Uncle
John let her have her way, although he
insisted on accompanying her about,
walking close to Swifty's head.
You're getting to be a fine horsewo-
man. laughed Uncle John. why, by this
time next week you'll be galloplng all
over the ranch. I may employ you to help
round up the cattle this fall.
'Oh. I'll soon show you that l can ride
like the Western girls" Dragged Clara.
Il feel very safe in the saddle already.
It's such fun to ride. isn't it?'
But jest as she spoke there was light
ning-like whrlwind coming across the
yard, and 1t caught at some laundry that
was hanging on clothesline to dry, tear
ing away thin. white garment and hurl-
ing It over Swifty's head. The moments
blindness, the tapping of the white thing
over her eyes, caused the animal sudden
fright, and she reared in the air, then
broke into a wild run. Down the yard
towards the COW sheds she flew, the white
garment still tapping about her face,
for it had caught on buckle of the
bride which held it. And there. holding
on for dear life, sat Clara, her face as
white as the piece of cloth which was
frightening poor Swiftly.
During the half minute that Clara sat
on the runaway Swlftys back she was
determined to hold fast and not be
thrown of With lips firmly drawn,
hands holding tightly to the saddles HON,
she was surprised to feel herself tossed
into the air and to see things floating
about her in a circle. And then she fell
upon something soft and sank deep into
that softness. For a moment she was
SO dizzy that she feared to open her eyes,
and wondered If she had been killed.
But finding that she was still conscious
of things material she opened her eyes.
There she lay, in the very nest of
small strawstack, only few feet from the
ground. As she raised her head from the
straw she saw her uncle coming on the
run towards her "Clara, Clara!'' he was
calling. Are you hurt, child?"
Then the humorous side of the whole
situation came to Clara, and. rising to
her feet as best she could, she called
back: Am / not aAregular circus rider
Uncle John? See how l can fall right
into a nice strawstack? Not one In
thousand could do that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

then this sort of fight having no effect
on Ann, he began to cry. His wh1nes
were really pitiful to hear, and touched
the heart of the scrupulously clean Ann,
who gave him what she called "a lick
and a PROMISE" and Patrick, homesick
and frightened wondered what he must
suffer when the promise should be fui-
filed.
That night was very miserable one
for Patrick. He could not sleep In the
snug basket in the corner of the big,
clean summer kitchen and whined nearly
all night, begging in his poor way to go
back to his mother and sister and broth
err. In his mind there f1oated scenes of
that barnyard home where his mother, so
kind and gentle, was ever to be found; and
OF his sister and brother. smaller than
himself, and, therefore. very obedient to
Patricks will If either of them had a
stick TO Patrfck's taste all ~he had to
do was to run up and take 1t away,
holding it in his own mouth as long
as he liked. And when the farmers
children put out pan of fresh milk
for the three puppies, Patrick ate much
faster than did the other two. thereby
getting more than they did, and thus
making himself bigger and bigger, strong
err and stronger, all the time
And then there were the Jolly times
when the three puppies chased the
chickens and the ducks. OF course. II
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
Patrick and Buffalo: A Story of TOo Little Puppies

bundles, boxes and great huge basket.
The latter caught Florence's eye, and
after kissing Grandpapa- on each cheek
she asked: whats In the basket, Grand
PAT"
"Ah, it's a present for you, Flossie,
said Grandpapa, putting the basket on the
floor. Open 1t, dearie, and see how you
like the flowers / have brought you"
But as he said flowers Grandpapa winked
at Mamma, who was smiling and watch
ing Florence.
Florence opened the basket, and the
instant she did SO out leaped the funniest
little woolly black animal, with an i'm
mense head that she had ever seen.
What Is 1t, Grandpa?" she cried. "Oh.
isn't 1t baby buffalo?'
Grandpapa and Mamma, and even Ann,
who had just come into the room, laughed
and laughed at little Florence for not
knowing funny fat puppy when she saw
1t, for the little animal was puppy,
sure enough.
We'll, he does look Hike a miniature
baby buffalo," admitted Grandpapa, catch
ing the frisking fellow in his arms Hes
as playful as q kitten, and l knew my
little grille would like to have him. All,
how do you like the sort of flowers Grand
pa brings to you, Missie?"
"Oh, Pm SO happy, Grandpapa," de-
cidreu Httle FLORENCE, Tor nave unOtner
puppy dog-out in the yard now-who's SO
lonely, and this fat little ball will be a jolly
companion for him. Oh, I'm so glad you
brought the"
Little buffalo," laughed Grandpapa.
well, and so you'll have a pair of bark
ers, Ell! That's all the better, for either
of them would be lonely without the
other. It's hard on dog to have to asso-
sociate entirely with children and grown
ups They must have their own kind to
be happy"
And when Patrick saw Buffalo (the
name given to the second puppy he
Jumped up and ran to greet him, saying
In his own dog tongue: I'm very pleased
to see you, black fellow, with such a
funny shape, for now l shall not miss my
family so much And after a while l
shall love you so well, and you will love
IN return, and we'll forget old times
in the pleasure of the new times. Wei
come, Buffalo,
And Buffalo, wagging his tail loose, said:
You're a fine dog, Mister Patrick, finer
than l, but not half SO funny. And Wen
be fast friends very soon, too, and fight
over bones and sticks. But Wen be very,
very happy"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

~LARA was paying a visit to her
Al uncle and aunt in the country.
" Clara was a little city girl. and
" kfound everything on the. great
Western rancho very interesting,
not to say exciting. Soon after Clara's
arrival at the rancho her Uncle John
said: well, grille. you must learn to
ride a broncho. How does that strike
you, eh?'
Clara ciapped her hands in glee. "Oh,
I'd lust love to learn to ride horse,
she declared wouldn't Mamma and
Papa be surprised to hear that l could
ride a broncho2 oh, what jolly funP'
well, we'll start tomorrow promised
Uncle John.
BE sure that you put Clara on a gen
tie animal" warned Auntie Dora. Uncle
Johns good wife. I'VE don't want any
accidents happening to our little city girl.
She's not as hardy as our country las
sizes, for they can ride like the wind, and
If thrown TO the ground, jump to their
feet, remount, and are off again like
wild-fre.
"And that's the way I'll ride some day
after I've learned" said Clara.
The following morning Uncle John
called Clara to the ranch house door.
Come. City Girl" he said, laughingly,
here is your mount. Come and have a
peep at him. Then make ready for your
first ride"
Clara ran into the yard. laughed gaily
to see a pretty little horse all saddled
and bridled for her. And what a tame
looking little fellow he was, too His
head hung lazily, his eyes were half
closed. Clara wondered why Uncle John
had not bought a livelier horse for her.
This one looked as though he would fall
asleep at any minute.
"All right. I'll get my hat and gloves
and be right here again IN a minute"
said Clara, running to her room to make
ready for her first ride And within five
minutes she was mounted on the pretty
little Texas pony, riding about the yard,
Uncle John leading Swiftly by the Bride
Swiftly was the name of the little Texas
pony the gentlest and safest of her kind
For half an hour Clara rode Swiftly
about the yard going no farther than
the COW sheds. which were a short dis
lance from the ranch house. After the
first ten minutes Of being on Swifty's
back, Clara begged that she be allowed
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

the farmers wife or children saw them
thus engaged they punished them by
switching their little hind legs and by
scolding them In very loud tones, cry
ing: "Ah you mischieyous pups! If
you dare to chase another chicken or
duck you'll get shut up in the barn till
a tramp comes along, and then we will
give you to him."
And as he cried and cried, suffering
the separation from all he loved, Patrick
wondered If he had chased the chickens
and ducks once too often, and as punish
ment bad been given to these people who
might be real sure-enough tramps in the
disguise of a lady and little girl I'm
very, very sorry / chased that old rooster
and those FIVE young short-legged. big
footed ducks he unused to himself, as
he recalled his past short and happy life
on the farm. II saw the farmers wife
watching me while / frightened the life
nearly out Of that old rooster, and sent
the ducks into the pond, where they al
most swan away forever. And all the
time l wondered what would be done to
me. oh, oh, it's very sad to be cap
tive In the home of strange beings!"
But the following morning Patrick for
got for a little while all about his sad
lot for his hunger got the better of him,
and little Florence fixed for him such a
splendid breakfast Really, after all.
things might have been worse. so he
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

wee, pee-wee came from the nest, and
Mrs Birdie Specklebreast knew her ba-
bies were calling for food. The break
fast hour had long since passed and they
had not tasted a bite yet.
81 really must go and look for papa"
said Mrs. Birdie Specklebreast at last.
growing so uneasy about her spouse that
she could wait no longer for him, and
decided to go to meet him, for she
hoped that she would see him coming
over the meadow with great, fine
worm in his mouth. So, cautioning her
little ones not to stir from the nest
Ohey had been coming out the past three
or four days for lessons in flying, she
few away toward the meadow where she
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

SO desolate. Oh, the cruelty OF the
monster who had robbed her of her loved
mattel
She did her best to keep up her spirits
for the sake of her young ones, and fed
them tenderly, telling them in her own
way that never again would they see
their father, or hear his love songs. And
somehow the little ones understood and
were very quiet for long, long time,
fear and grief possessing them.
Then on fine day Mrs. Birdie
Specklebreast decided that she must
teach her little ones to fly as quickly as
possible, for she had seen other birds
lying dead in the grass, just as she had
seen her own beloved mate on that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

knew her husband always went in quest
of food. And there, after little while,
she found his cold, stiff body lying in
the grass. In his beak was the break
fast for the children. Mrs. Birdie
Specklebreast's heart almost broke at
that moment, and had 1t not been for
her little nestlings waiting for her she
would have dropped into the grass be-
side her mate and died there, so deep
was her grief. She could see the ugly
wound In the poor lifeless head, and I'M
derstood that some great powerful enc
my had done this cruel thing. oh, how
her heart bledl 1t seemed for the time
that there was naught in the bright
world to live for, her beloved and loving
mate taken from her. But recollection
of her little helpless ones came to her
and, taking the worm from the mouth of
her dead mate, she said a sweet sad,
heart breaking farewell to him and flew
away, going to her nest, which was now
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16

N EAR little May in the gar
l. den stood
And spoke to rosebud, near;
Il think you just the loveliest
thing,
A perfectly sweet little dear.
you're only wee tiny bit of a
bud,
But you'll be big rose some
day,
And I'll come to see you quite
often then,
Whenever I'm out to play.
But no one shall pluck you from
off TIL stem,
You shall live your whole life,
you see,
To its very end and enjoy your
self,
For this garden belongs to me.
And the rosebud smiled and
nodded low
And said, You're a rosebud,
too,
And l shall enjoy long, long life
If it gives any pleasure to you"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
AcoNuNDRUMs.

When are young folks like grasshoppers?
When hGrtn0 hop on the green.
Why are tipplers and lawyers alike?
Both are dIsoays to be found at the bar.
Why Is train like clock?
Both run, but reper soGlk
When Is a rope like a school child?
When taught (tdut)
What Is the difference between an auc-
ton and sea sickness?
Ono 70 the sale Of effects. tho othar the
effects of q saJk
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
81 OUR,PUZZLE
Ka@,CoRHER,
LETTER ENIGMA.

LEVI IEh ENIOMA.
My first is In sit, but not in walk:
My second is In wrangle. but not in talk
My third is in Ill. but not In bed:
My fourth is In marriage, but not in wed:
Ny fifth Is the same as my four, you see
My sixth is the same as you find In my
three
My seventh is in new, but not In old:
My eighth Is In great, but not In bold:
My whole spells a word
To children most dear,
And all will enjoy it
That can this year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
zIGZAG PUZZLE.

The words of this puzzle contain the
same number of letters. II the words
are rightly guessed. and written one be-
low another In their 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 a
famous poet The cross-words are l. An
infant rose 2, That which ladies wear
in winter. 8, A personal pronoun of the
feminine gender. 4, Something used by
writers 8, That which we could not live
without.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
SURE THING.

Spriggins- What did Uncle Sam do In
the Panama matter?
Squiggins-He took his pick, as usual.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
REHEADINGs

(D Triply behead small, nowerless
plant which clings to rocks, and leave a
barnyard fowl. (2) Triply behead song
a human being and leave descendant
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
LABYRINTH PUZZLE.

boy started from New York to visit
St Petersburg Tin upper Ieft-hand cor
ner). Paris Tin upper righthand comer),
Picking Clover right-hand corner) and
Egypt Clover left hand corner). Can you
follow his travels and find where he
stopped7 The black line indicates the
road he followed
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS. PUZZLES.
LETTER ENIGMA--Play.
ZIGZAG PUZZLE-Brdin The cros,sse
soords are. 1. Bud. 2. ORD. 3. Yea ~
Pin. 5. Nut. N9
HIDDEN PROVERB PUzzLE-EysXS|
cloud has siI0er lining.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-16
BY HELENA DAVIS.

! RS. BIRDIE sPEcKLEBREAsT
a sat on the limb of tall tree,
II singing morning anthem.
y Close beside her, In a firm net
=. ,..nrIr nf Iirnhu and nnrarnd hv
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-05-21
INSTANT RELIEF FROM
DREAD CATARRH

Why don't you get rid of that nasty
humiliating disease catarrh?
You can do it if you really want to.
But you can't cure catarrh in a few
days, that's an utter impossibility, be-
cause there is no remedy known that
will kill the catarrh germs in that
short time.
But you can cure catarrh if you will
have a little patience and breathe in
Hyomei pronounced High-o-me) three
or four times a day.
Hlomei cures catarrh by killing the
germs and it kills the germs because ii
gets where the germs are.
Hyomei is a powerful antiseptic and
germ killer air; it is made from the
fluid extracted from the eucalyptus
trees of inland Australia, where
catarrh has never existed.
1t gives relief instantly, stops hawk
ing in a few days and is guaranteed TO
cure catarrh, asthma, Group and bron-
chitis or money back. A complete out
fit, including inhaler costs $100 and
extra bottles of Hyomei if afterward
needed, cost but 80 cents. Sold by all
leading druggists everywhere.
"Hyomei certainly saved my life and
I accord it the credit which it de-
serves and merits. There is nothing
too strong for me to say regarding
Hyomei, "-Mrs. Ada Napkins, s Cut
ter avenue, Coldwater, Mich, August
%, 1908.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-05-21
MIoouUnI uuvLnNORS
BATTLE With RAILROADS

JEFFERSON, CITY, Mo-, May 21.-
The so-called war between the Federal
courts and the state of Missouri is
really a war between two Federal
judges on one side and Governor Had
ley on the other. Other state officials
are not involved. The point at issue
can be briefly stated. 1t is this: Has
the state authority to regulate railroad
passenger and freight rates.
Pust now passenger rates occupy the
center of the stage. In 1907 the leg
1slature passed a law reducing passen-
ger rates from three to two cents per
mile. The law went into effect June
20, 1907. The eighteen main lines of
road doing business in this state were
ready for the law with an injunction
they obtained from the Federal court
at Kansas City, Judge Smith McPher-
son, of Iowa, who was holding court
for Judge John F. Philips, granting the
same. This was a temporary injunc-
ton, Meantime, Governor Hadley, |
who was then attorney general, an
ticipating such a move on the part of |
the railroads, filed suits against each !
one of them in the state courts at St
Louis and Kansas City, citing them to
show cause why they were disobeying
the state law, and even threatening