davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
AN EXCITING THANKSGIVING DAY


farm. But she sent Thanksgiving greet
ings to Mrs. Grey and asked her to come
in to luncheon with us some day soon.'
Thus the children chatted as they
walked along. Then they turned a cor
ner in the road and came full upon a
lovely stream. foot bridge spanned It,
leading to the road on the opposite shore.
which began to climb long. timber-cov-
cred hill.
lat tho top Of that hill is the Greys'
house." explained Tom. You'll see II
after we get half way up the hill. The
trees hide 1t from us at this point In
the road
r'Help-help-help," rang out on the
morning air. Help! I'm drowning"
Tom and Sissy were just setting foot on
the bridge when the cry fell upon their
ears. Both looked In the direction from
which the voice came, and saw small
girl laundering In the creek hundred
yards up stream from the bridge. Evi-
IDENTIFY the child had just at that moment
fallen into the water, for she was close
TO the bank and was holding to some dry
bushes that grew in the muddy bank.
But even as Tom and Sissy looked at her
the bushes gave way, coming out OF the
soft earth, leaving the child without so
much as a twig to hold to.
I've got to save that KID, Tom ex-
claimed, and before Sissy could beg of
him TO think OF his own safety also. and
TO help the little one by throwing some
driftwood out for her to hold to until
they could call some one to come to their
assistance, he had Invested himself OF
coat and shoes and jumped headlong into
the water. He was not an expert swim
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

telling her to merely hold tightly to his
shoulder and he would .soon get her to
dry earth.
But of a sudden the little girl was so
exhausted that she let go of Toms wrist
and became manageable. Immediately
Tom caught hold of her firm cotton jacket
at the shoulders and swan with her to
the bank. Sissy was ready to lend two
strong hands in assisting the two up the
steep, slippery bank. Then the little girl
sat down and began to cry, wiping the
water from her poor face.
Never mind, little girl sympathized
Sissy. You are all right now. I know
you must be almost frozen, though, SO
put on this jacket and go with us to the
house at the top of the hill. Wen soon
get there"
Where do you i've. little girl?" asked
Tom. whose teeth were chattering from
the cold dip he had suffered.
Up at Mr.. Grey's place" explains ID the
child. "My ma works for Mrs Grey
and they are expecting city company for
dinner, and ma wants to have a very fine
dinner. She sent me TO the neighbors
down in the meadow. to get some chest
nuts to stuff the turkey. and when I got
almost home with the chestnuts | saw a
funny little animal running along the
creek. i started to run after il and
slipped on the bank and fell into the wa
ter oh, boo-hoo. I lost the bag o.,
chestnuts."
Tom and Sissy could not refrain from
smiling at the child's grief over the loss
of the chestnuts and thinking SO little
about her own narrow escape from death
Wen make the matter about the chest
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
Seed Travellers.

I'D you ever stop to think why It
is that so many tiny maple trees
II grow in your garden in the spring
when there are no large maple trees
near? Look at the bird. and then at
the maple tree. You will see that
both have wings. Such seeds as the
naples and elms fiutter from their
parent trees. and then with their little
wings fly with the winds to PARKWAY
homes There they await the coming
of spring. The nuts in the woods are
also seeds for new trees to journey
to their new homes by rolling from
place to place. Some seeds have little
airships to travel in. Perhaps you
have seen them. for the milk weed
babies and dandelion children sail very
high as they look down upon hills and
fields.
MANY seeds which must travel yet
have no wings nor sails steal their
rides, SO are called tramps. After a
walk through the fields. when you hnd
YOUR coat covered with tiny green
hooks. you may know that you have
been imposed upon to carry these little
yagabonds on their Journeys. The
birds often help the seeds. although
thew do not know it. Tho feathercd
creatures light upon the branches OF
the great oak or old apple tree, TO feed
upon the white berries of the mistl"-
toe. In getting this 1000 the st I,rSs
gum of the mistletoe gets on the oirds
feet. Some OF the seeds faSten them
selves to this gum, so are carried 10
another tree by a hungry little bird
that supposes he is only getting his
dinner.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

We are at our house. We've got big
turkey
No replied the woman, with falnt
smile. 'Our thanksgiving will be passed
as all our days are passed; -,ut Wen De
thankful that we are all together-motn-
er. my two little ones and j.
Joe stood irresolute for q moment. tne1
Whirled about and said Goodnight, and
was down the stairs and off toward his
own home. But so busy was he thinking
that he did not whistle as he ran along.
Another plan was now forming in his
mind and IL kept his thoughts all evening.
even after he had c-awled into his war n
little bed beside his chubby brother
Jimmy.
The next evening after school Joe was
again busly selling papers, and as soon
as he had disposed of the pack he ran To
a French market and bought "A dressed
chicken, some potatoes. a pint of cram
berries, some fruit and nuts. 1t took
nearly all the money he had, but he was
glad to be able to buy so many good
things to eat. When all were put into a
basket the salesman asked where ne
should sent the provisions. Joe gave the
number of the house where the woman
who had called to him ON the second
story window lived. and take the bas-
ket to the front room OH the second land
ing and ask for Mrs Baker" Joe had
learned the woman's name in some way.
for she had been a customer of his for
many months.
Then out of the market Joe flew, stop
ping at the florists shop long enough TO
buy one big red rose. for he had 10 cents
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

And how she longed to set eyes once
more OH the strip of rag carpet-so warm
to her feet in winter-that stretched ia
front of her little bed. And the four
patch quilt that spread her bed SO beauti-
fully. Oh. would she never see any OF
these dear things again? But the pain
in her foot and ank was so terrib e that
she forgot the city. forgot her home viii
lage, forgot Nanny Jane, even forgot
that she had run away from the place
where she had spent the ten years Of
her poor life. Then she began to sob, to
sob as she had done one day when they
led her to black box to look for the
last time on the face Of her mother. In
side that black box the one dearest to her
on earth had been shut from sight, and
she had then gone to Nanny Jane. and
on Nanny James warm bosom she had
wept out the grief of a broken little
heart And now she wept in that same
way, only this time 1t came from agony
Of pain instead Of agony OF grief.
But Of a sudden something cool and
gentle stroked her cheek. She opened
her eyes. To her wonder she looked into
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

-. but the hest the town afforded. The
1lace seemed utterly ssleep-toWn and
iotei-save for busy little black child
who stood close to the wood fire. over
the fire swung a huge black soap pot,
and the little negro girl. dressed In frock
,f faded calico, was Stirring the boiling
.ontents Of the vessel with a long, crook
ID stick AS she slowly dipped the end
o. the stick into the steaming liquid. she
crooned IN a childish way: How ole
Is the stick? How ole is the house?
How ole is Nanny Jane? How ole is
the pot? How ole ISIS and her sof:
velvety eyes of black sought an old cot
compress nearby-"how ole Is the cot
yon?'
Then the little worker YEARLY paused
g.. her stirring and glanced about. Her
cyes fell on the form of an old negro
woman. a bent form Ii was, the form OF
one whose life had been passed in doing
heavy work. The old woman had come
10 the kitchen door for moment, but
immediately disappeared into the house
again, returning to her washtub.
How ole is Nanny Jane?' again
crooned the child at the soap pot, turning
the stick SLOWLY; How ole Is NANNY
thousan' yeahs ole-a thousan' yeahs ole
Then she suddenly became silent, her
hands idle. light came into her soft
sleepy eyes. IF it wasn't foh ole Nanny
Jane" she unused, Il wouldn't be stirrin
dis heah soap, an I'd be done playin'
benin the ole sawmill dis minute
\ bee humned near to the black child's
car, slow, sleepy hum. The sun was
so warm and bright. there In the back
white steam. The little worker sat down
beside the fire. pushing into the Goals
hit of dry stick. AS the fuel famed up
the child again unused: II hates to stir
hp I hat tn
I'll run away from ole NANNY Jane. an
then I'll nevah work no moan. I'll go
20 big city where dar amt no soft soap
bein' made; an I'll nevah have to stir
her eyes sleepily-''oh. how ole is-the
observation-disclosures -pot-How-oie-is
-Mammy-Jane-"
The child's eyes remained closed now.
and she leaned against a convenient
stump. The bee returned TO hum close to
her ear. Its song seemed to say: How
Observation-Disclosures Observation-Disclosures
Observation-Disclosures And then
IL seemed to say: "Run-ayay-little-ga
Run-away-little-gal. Don't ever come
hack TO old-Mammy-Jane. Then
some flies added their song to that OF the
bees, saying over and over in droning
way: "Run-awdy-Iittle-ga Don't-ever
-come-back-to-ole- Mammy-Jane.'
A whirlwind came flying round the cor
uer Of the house and famed the slum-
herring fire. A little red fame crept out
ou the dry bit of stick. soon reaching
the end fartlIest from the bed of Goals.
II lifted its hot tongue and tasted the
frayed hem of the faded calico frock
which lay so temptingly near. The wfirl-
wind gave IL another little tanning; then
disappeared across the unkept yard. rush
ing wildly down hillside to try its
strength the tender saplings which
grew beside creek.
In the meanwhile the little sleeper be-
eide the fire forgot to wake and stir the
soap.
Away away toward the Great Won
drous City ran the little black girl. Away,
away from the soap pot: away. away
from old Nanny Jane! All, how beauti-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
PUZZLES.
Letter Enigma.

My first IL in tune. but not In song;
My second is In short, but not in long;
MY third Is in ant, but not in bee:
My fourth is in drunk. but not in spree:
My fifth is in king. but not In crown;
My sixth is in smile, but not In frown.
Ny seventh Is In gold. but not In ore:
Nv eighth is I'm animal but not In boar;
My ninth Is in vote. but not in debate;
My tenth you will find the same as my eighth;
Ny eleventh you had just after my three:
Ny twelfth is the same my seventh. you see
NV whole spells a word that means something
most dear
To all grateful people. and IL comes every year.
This diagonal contains Eve words OF hve let.
tiers each. II the words are rightly guessed and
written one below another their diagonal let
ters beginning with the upper left hand letter
and ending with the lower right hand letter, viii
Cross-words are: C) A serpent. -, nut.
% A sign of winter. CA term often applied
to dirty little street urchins. (o) The cry or
ami
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

ing than usual and as his rough little
hand jingled the dimes in his pocket his
face beamed with a delighted smile as
certain plans formed themselves in his
mind
Joes mother was making great prepa-
rations for their Thanksgiving dinner. an
event which would take place In two days,
and Joe had planned a little surprise for
her. He knew that the turkey-a fine. fat
fellow-was plucked and dressed for the
roasting. He knew that all the toothsome
Accomplishments to complete turkey din
ner were supplied and In the kitchen cup
board. He knew there was plenty of coal
in the cellar and that the house would be
coy and full Of good cheer. He knew
that his mother had her best dress-a
black silk that had done such splen-
did service for SO many years-brightened
up by a bit OF white lace at throat and
wrists. He knew his little sisters and
brother were provided with good, warm
shoes and clothes for the winter and that
the family were fairly we'll off in the mat
ter of simple home comforts. But one
thing he remembered having heard his
mother say on the previous Thanksgiving
day. "Oh. that we might afford a pretty
bouquet for the dinner. table, But can
not buy flowers. SO We shall have to do
without them. Maybe We can get some
for next Thanksgiving day"
And here was next Thanksgiving day"
already. and everything save tho flowers
had been provided for the table. And
that was the reason Joe smiled and plan
ned, and planned and smiled. He int ended
purchasing fine bouquet with which to
adorn the table on the festive occasion.
AMI besides the flowers Joe meant to get q
fine basket of fruit. Would not his moth
er be pleased when he should walk into
the snug dining room carrying a tissue
paper parcel containing dollhouse flow
ers) and basket of fragrant fruit?
Just as Joe was thus meditating he
heard voice calling to him from the win
dow of an old house nearby. Looking
round he saw a woman leaning (. ON
second-story window reckoning to him.
Have you a paper for me tonight. little
boy?"
"Yes'm.'' replied Joe, holding I'D the
only paper he had left.
'Will you please bring II up to me-"
came the request from the woman.
She usually came to the door Of an
evening and bought paper from Joe as
he passed on his rounds down the street.
But Joe was most obliging. and went to
the hail doo-. pushed it open and ran up
the rickety stairs. He entered a dingy
in" The woman was fixing a window
shade which had fallen, but stopped her
work to say Good evening, little man.
You are good to come up here for the sale
OF one paper" Then she went into an
adjoining room to get a penny for Joe
This short delay gave him an opportunity
to study the room and it's occupants. The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

full the world was! She entered the city,
butt was not so delightful. SO Won
drous, as she had dreamed il would be-
There were crowds of hurrying people,
and they dsdained TO notice her. She
was very tired. but nowhere could she
find ii place to rest. She cried out TO
several people who crowded and jost'ed
her, but did not heed her. She fell to
the hard pavement, for a terrible pain
was cutting through her foot and ankle.
And, oh, how the sun burned her flesh!
And how the fumes from somewhere
smothered her. All. she would return to
Nanny Jane-good Nanny Jane. Yes
she was sorry now that she had fled from
her own old home. so poor and simple,
but n home for all that, and one where
A child could rest when tired and SICK
If she might go again TO her little bed 10
Nanny James funny old room. where
the brass candlesticks cleaned on the
mantelpiece-a gift to Nanny Jane from
some great lady many. many years ago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

mer, but he knew enough about keeping
afioat while carrying a burden TO attempt
TO save the little girl.
Here, hold 10 my shoulder. but don't
pull on me.' cried Tom. as he swan to
the girls side She was rising from the
water into which she had gone over her
head after the bushes gave way, and was
coughing and strangling. Her eyes. too,
were so full OF water that she could not
see anything distinctly. But she real
lied that some one was there to save her,
and she caught at the form OF the little
swimmer. SO vigorously did she hold on
and so wildly did she founder. that for "a
moment il seemed both must be drowned.
Sissy had rushed to spot Oh the bank
near to the place where Tom and the
little girl were making such wild scene.
Tom was crying out. warning the girl
against behaving in such a manner. and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

and good health. She was tapping at the
door Of Toms room to hurry him bit,
for they-Sissy and Tom-were to spend
the day IN the country. And as 1t was
Thanksgiving day. II meant much more
than II IL were just an ordinary day.
I'll he with you in jiffy," answered
Tom. And before Sissy had reached the
lower landing on the stairs Tom was run
ming down behind her. Shall we take
the street car or walk?' asked Sissy.
I'VE have TO do both-ride first, then
finish up BY walking a mile." replied Tom.
But you'll enjoy every step of the walk.
Sis. It's through the loveliest meadow.
across a corking fine creek and up long
Hill. You'll have an appetite when din
ner time comes"
Now. my dears. 1 want you TO have a
perfect day" said Mrs. Hall. as she
kissed her son and daughter goodbye.
But be sure TO return home before dusk -
Then away went Sissy and Tom. They
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

that she was all right again and In safe
hands, left the room, she whispered:
"Oh. Nanny Jane, lubs you, | do, an
l am glad II was jes the fire an not
the Great City dat got me. L wanted to
run away from you. Nanny Jane. But
now / know dat l tubs you as l use to
Tub my own nanny. You Is my grand
nanny. an II stay with you forevah
an forevah. an III do all youah work,
Nanny Jane, as soon as / get well, for
you burned youah pore hans savin me
from dat fire"
Tears streamed down old Nanny Jane
face as she bent over tho child. You
is all ole nanny has got, honey-chile.
an I'm thankin' the good Lord he sent
mo to cotch you out'n the fire in time.
Well both be well soon. honeY. and well
be happy. too"
Yes, Nanny. an We'll have some
fried chicken an gravy for supper, won
WEI" asked the child, smiling.
"Trus' ole Nanny Jane fob dat. honey.
You shall eat chicken an gravy and
dumplins while these ole hans can cook
'em fob you"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

boarded q street car at the corner and
rode to the end of the line. From that
point they set out to walk over a coun-
try road that led through meadow. 1T
is a lovely walk" declared Sissy. II love
this meadow.
Yes, and you'll enjoy every minute of
the day at George Grey's home. You've
never met Georges mother and father.
have you
No; but ] think George dear boy,
said Sissy. II shall toe delighted 10 know
mis- parents and TO visit them In their
home Ever since you and George be-
came such fast friends AT school mamma
and have intended To- pay his mother a
visit But school claims all my attention.
Won know and mamma has been so busy
all fall with her numerous duties at home
and her church work that she has found
- Inaccessible 10 get out TO the GreyS'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

nuts all right" promised Sissy. You see
We are the city company expected to
dinner at the farmhouse. And it's lucky
for you, little girl, that we came along
just as We did. My dear brother saved
your life-if he did not save the chest
nuts"
And that day there was much rejoicing
in Kitchen and hall" over the saving
from drowning OF little Minnie Bacon, the
good cooks small daughter, and also
there was much laughing at Toms eX-
pense AS he appeared at the table In an
old suit of Mr.. Grey's, for Tom was too
large To wear Georges clothes. You are
the hero of the day" declared Mrs. Grey.
And the laughing stock of the crowd
laughed Tom. But j shall always re-
gret not saving those chestnuts."
And then he had to respond TO toast
drunk III fine old cider.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

OMETIMES you girls and boys who
read this page see little stories about
- strange people. wonderful inventions
or discoveries of faraway lands. Some
times you might want to have such sto-
ries to use at school when studying GER
tain subjects. Why not begin now to
cut out these little articles? Save them
in a large manila envelope. which can
be made at home. On the outside paste
a pretty picture or fancy postcard. In
side a sheet of paper should be kept so
that the names of the articles added
each week might be recorded. In this
way a little library with an index is
made
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
A Queer Superstition.

EVERY year thousands OF Calaoriahs
e and Sicilians make pilgrimage 10
Assist to take part in the religious les
tival held on the anniversary of the birth
of ST. Francis. They believe that every
time they run around the tomb OF the
saint they save the soul Of one OF the
family from the torments OF purgatory.
When the iron gates in the crypt OF
the church are thrown open they rush
i'm with cries of viva, San Francesca.
There is always struggle to get in first.
The crowd is so great that progress soon
becomes impossible. pilgrims often being
crushed to death while they are running
about the tomb.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
Good Recommendations.

THE. lad was not much to look at
just the average errand boy in the
average office But he wanted "A job.
The boss was talking.
You want a job In my store, hey?
Have YOU any recommendations from
YOUR last employer, my boy?'
"Nuthin' in writin'.' answered the boy
hut he said he was very glad To part
with me-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
JOE'S THANKSGIVING SURPRISE


apartment was poorly furnished and cold.
the meager fire in the cooking stove being
almost burned out. Beside the dying fire
sat an old woman wrapped in a thread
bare shawl. sewing on some bit of cloth.
In the middle OF the room two little girls
played on the floor with paper dolls. They
stopped their play Joe entered and
looked at him questioningly. After a few
moments the woman returned and handed
Joe the penny he was waiting for. AS he
pocketed the coin he said. by way of be
ing friendly: 81 reckon Won are making
big preparations for Thanksgiving day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

left for that. And there he fingered a
few minutes waiting till he should see the
basket Of Thanksgiving goodies delivered
AT Mrs. Bakers door. And he did not
have TO wait long. for presently a boy
carrying the basket hur led to the nous"
Joe was watching and disappeared mp tie
stairway. And Joe. running ~ the open
hall door. heard Mrs. Bakers voice say
ing: Yes. | am Mrs. Baker" And then
he saw the boy place the basket at the
door and run down the stairs.
With a beating heat and the sense OF
having made others happy, Joe ran on to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20
Nanny Jane,
: A STORY FOR DISCONTINUED LITTLE ONES


the loving face of old Nanny Jane. And,
strangest of all she was on her own lit
tie bed. But what were the strangers
doing in the room? Why, there were the
white doctor and Mrs Jones, the land
lady of the hotel where Nanny Jane
worked for their living. And then she
saw that one of her feet was all wrapped
in Mhis1 bandages. and both NANNY,
James slands and arms were bandaged
the sarge way. 1t was one of Nanny
James oandaged hands that was stroking
her facI "DOan cry, honey Sugar-lump.
said olv Nanny Jane. You'll be peart
again IN a few days, chile. You done
fallen lsleep by the soap pot an the fire
done Ditch yer dress. An old nanny
jes seen you in time, and run an smoth-
cred out the flame fore it cotch You
above the knees. So, go to sleep, II !
chile. an mammy'll sing you song Go
to sleep, honey-ch!le.'
The black child smiled, and as the
white doctor and the landlady, seeing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

DE had just sold his
last paper and was
urryin s home
through the sting
ing cold with the
pleasant anticipa-
ton OF a warm Arc
side, a good supper
and the welcoming
smile OF his fond
mother. He had
SOLIDS many more
papers that morn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

his home to relate TO his proud mother
all that he had done. And you may be
sure that the absence of flowers and
fruit from the Thanksgiving table the
next day was not regretted. and Joe's
mother gave thanks not only for the good
dinner. the happy little ones about her.
but for the kind. generous son who had
shown to her by his own acts of charity
that he was better than gold"