davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
A Word About Julia Ward Howe.

Julia Ward Howe, author and reform
er, was born May 27. 1919. in a hand
some home in Bowling Green, New York
city. At the time of her birth that part
of the city was the most desirable resi-
dence quarter, being both arstocratic and
fashionable. Her father, Samuel Ward,
was a merchant and banker of New York
Four of her ancestors were governors of
Rhode Island, two of them being WARDS
and two of them Greens. On both pa
ternal and maternal sides Mrs. Howe
sprung from fine old blood.
When in her fifth year Julia Ward lost
her mother, beautiful and accomplished
woman of %. Six little ones-of whom
Julia was the fourth-were left without
a mothers love and care. OF her father
Mrs. Ward has this to say: He was a
majestic person, of somewhat severe
aspect and reserved manners, but with a
vein of true geniality and benevolence of
heart. His great gravity and the absence
of mother naturally subdued the tone
of the household; and, though a greatly
cherished set of children. we were not a
merry one"
Although as child Julia Ward showed
remarkable aptitude in her studies, be-
ing advanced to classes comprised of
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

80 you have come to learn of me-
Dame Wisdom-the lessons you should
learn from your books. But. child, no one
head-though 1t be that Of Dame Wisdom
can hold all the knowledge Of the world;
30 we must have recourse to books. Now,
i shall unfold my books and let you en-
joy them for an hour. Let me see what
lesson must you have first on tomorrow
My geography lesson said Harry, sit
ting beside the wonderful Dame and feel
ing quite proud to be allowed the honor
Of doing So
"Ah, my lad, fetch us the geography"
said the Dame, and the rosy-cheeked boy
whom she addressed quickly brought from
a vined arbor a great, huge geography
which he placed on stone table in front
of Harry and his strange teacher. Deity
the Dame turned the leaves, stopping at
the lesson about Northern Africa. "Ah,
here we have your lesson for tomorrow.
And she pointed to the pictured page.
Then Harry began reading over the les
son, and, strange to say, he enjoyed every
word he read. oh" he cried, isn't this
a most interesting book? How l wish my
geography was like this. Why, it isn't
hard to study in this book at all, for It's
so full of splendid things. And how l do
love to learn about that strange land
Africa"
Pretty soon he had learned his geogra-
ply lesson perfectly; then Dame Wisdom
took up another book and opened it.
shall we 80 over your grammar lesson
now, my childT'
Yes, yes, for II the grammar book Is
as Interesting and easy to learn as the
geography book was l shall enjoy 1t very
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

"snowing?" asked Dado. rising and GO
ing close to the fairy.
Yes my little one, 1t is showing heav-
lily, and l, being a cloud fairy, and al
ways keeping close to the warmer zones,
cannot breast this storm. And here |
am, as helpless as a human being, But
while | cannot change myself nor my
climatic temperament, | have the power
to change others. / can wave my little
wand and make or mar fortunes. And
/ came here to help you, my little ones.
Now, while l warm me by your cheerful
fire, tell me your dearest wish and
shall grant 1t"
The fairy sat down beside the fire and
Dado and Pinto drew close beside her.
They told of the sad death of their pa
rents, the particulars of which the fairy
did not know
Then they discussed many things, one
of them being the weather, and the fairy
said with feeling: DO you know, my
little ones, that the fairies would come
to the mountainfolk oftener if we could
brave the cold weather? But we feel the
ice and snow keenly, and have to remain
where the temperature is more congenial.
But there are so many little folk in
need of the fairy's aid in the icebound
mountains that it seems pity there are
no fairies that can brave the elements
and stay near to those who need Them
All, If only we had some hardy fairies
among us-fairies who loved the ice and
snow.'' Hereupon the good little fairy
sighed and stretched out her hands to
the fire.
For a few minutes not a word was
said, and Dado, who had been intently
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
BY MAUD WALKER.

Bessie and Billie were awfully lonely
Their mamma had gone from home the
day before and left them in the charge
of a very aged aunt And this aged aunt
by name. Aunt Martha-would not allow
Bessie and Billie to make any noise while
at play. for she said "children's noises,
cats fighting and dogs barking drove her
clean distracted" So, you will readily
understand that Bessie and Billie could
not enjoy their play very much while
their mamma was absent.
I'VE can play in the attic, whispered
Bessie TO Billie as they sat very quietly
in the sitting after breakfast. Aunt
Martha was sitting there also, darning
very long and very heavy wooden stock
ing. IF we want to play ghost or fairy
up there Aunt Martha can't hear US"
What are you whispering about7''
asked Aunt Martha, turning her sharp
eyes toward the corner where her six
year-old niece and eight-year-old nephew
sat like tortured little mice. fearing to
move lest the old cat might gobble them
up. what are you whispering aboutf
Can't you speak aloud? Nobody Is going
to eat youl Come. VINO was doing the
whispering? l dislike to hear whispers;
they tickle my ears like feather wig
Cling about in them. One only hears
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

the night came down the little ones
crept close together in corner by the
great fireplace, where the huge logs
placed there the day before by their
father still burned brightly, and gave out
light and warmth
II am so hungry" whispered Pinto,
thinking of food for the first time that
day. II am so hungry that my head
spins round and round"
You must eat something Sister," said
Dado. rising and going to the cupboard
to find some food for his sister. But
only a bit of dry bread was there, and
Dado remembered that that day was to
have been his mothers baking day, and
that his father had gone out hunting for
meat when he met with the fatal acct
dent.
He gave Pinto the bread, but her sor-
row choked her till she could not swa-
low food, and she put the bread on the
table, declaring her hunger had vanished.
Its mother and father | want-not
food, she whispered -brokenly,
burying her face in her apron.
At that moment the door opened ever
so gently, then closed again. But dur
ing the moments interval between open
ing and shutting a white-robed figure
had entered the room. Dado, who was
looking intently into the fire, wondering
what he should do on the morrow for
food and fuel for his sister and himself,
did not hear the slight noise made by
the opening and closing of the massive
wooden door, nor the gentle football of
the intruder. But Pinto. her little ears
eagerly listening for anything that might
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

thinking, spoke: Good fairy cannot you
change my sister and me into fairies
SNOW FAIRIES? II you can we will
remain here in the mountains and be OF
help to the poor children who need
fairies help
the fairy. 81 shall try to perform the
miracle you suggest. But"-and she turned
to Pinto. who was listening eagerly to all
that was being perhaps the little
maid does not wish TO become n fairy
Eyes, yes, l wish TO be a fairy, n
SNOW FAIRY as brother says. I would
not be anything else-if brother is one, ="
Pinto declared enthusiastically.
The good fairy smiled and raised her
tiny wand Passing 1t slowly over the
heads of the little orphans she murmured
some strange words; then with a quick
turn of the wand she cried Change
lad and maid, from human to superhu-
man; from boy and girl to Snow Fairies
A sudden darkness fell In the room,
and when again the light of the fire de-
fined the objects there Dado and Pinto had
disappeared and in their place were two
beautiful Snow Fairies. with happiness
before them. "Ah, now we shall carry
you. dear Cloud Fairy, TO your own
warm Cline" said the Snow Fairy (who
had been Dadol speaking to the little
fairy whose charm had worked so mar
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

iost In the forest, and can't ind INV
mamma. And the bears are about and :,
big snake Is under the boulder. and 7
dont know where to go. Oh, please. good
Fairy, help me-
On, that will be such fun" cried Bes.
sic, ciapplng her hands. And now let's
begin"
Bessie walked along beside the how
dropped down upon the floor, and began
her pretense of crying. "Ah. little girl.
what Is the matterT' asked Billie. "Can
l do anything for your"
Yes. good Fairy, I'm lost in the for
est and big bear wants to eat me and
big snake wants to bite nv big foe
And ! can't find my mamma. viii Won
help me good Fairy?'
Yes, make a wish. and l shall grant
it, replied Billie.
well, good Fairy, want nv deor
mamma" replied Bessie, and her voice
trembled a bit as she said this. for sbe
voiced her dearest wish in very truth
as well as in play.
Billie waved his wand, saying: "Waye
wand, for luck. Wave, wand, to helm
those In distress. Wave, wand, and keen
the bear from eating her. Wave, wand.
and strangle the snake before 1t bites
her big toe, Wave, wand, and find her
mother for her, for that is her dearest
wish"
.Ah. bless my babies what are thew
doing in this cold attic?' And to the SUI
preme delight of Bessie and Billie their
mother came into the attic and had them
in her arms, kissing them and hugging
them till they could scarcely get their
breath. And when at last they could
sneak, Bessie said: Mamma brother
made the bestest fairy in the world He
brought you to me, my dearest WISH"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

Boys and girls. you have heard of the
Snow Fairies; but perhaps none of you
know of their origin. But why should
! say perhaps" for l am very positive
the story of the Snow Fairies origin has
never been told. And that is why l
am going to tell it now, that you may
hear something strictly new.
In the very, very long, long ago there
dwelt in the Alps family consisting of
the parents and two children, a little
boy and little girl. They were very
happy together till one day the father.
going out on the Icy mountain side.
slipped and fell into a deep gorge that
was filed with snow. OF course, he
was instantly killed. and the good wife,
endeRvoring to reach him, hoping that
she might find him still alive. lost her
footing in the snow and ice and was pre-
cipitated to the bottom, dying beside the
already cold body of her husband.
Now, can anything be sadder than the
. fate of those dear little children. Dado,
the boy. aged o. and Pinto, the girl. aged
Z? There they were. away up in the
mountains, walled In by snow and ice.
and surrounded by as wild a country as
ever mortal man heard of. There they
were alone. both parents lying dead
in the great canyon down the mountain
side. And lurking about in the mountain
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

of Dame Wisdom? Why, boy Dame Wis
dom is the best and the greatest power
In existence. It's In the realm Of old
Witch Ignorance that you would have
cause for fear. But in going TO the
realm of Dame Wisdom we do not pass
near to the read leading to the realm Of
old Witch Ignorance. But come, we must
not delay. Are you going with me?'
Yes, yes replied Harry eagerly.
"Shall we start at once?'
This minute declared the rosy
checked boy. And together they left the
room. And soon they were in the street,
which was almost deserted. for the night
was both dark and cold. and few pedes-
TRANS were about.
'Well take the country road said the
boy, and he turned into long, tree-bor-
dered lane which led into the country.
through snow-covered valleys and over
snow-covered hills.
As they went along Harry noticed that
the landscape had changed from It's usual
aspect, and the snow was disappearing
and green grass and flowers were coming
into view. And the stars and brilliant
moon soon came iuto the sky, shedding
such glorious light on their path.
How pleasant 1t is becoming, SAID
Harry, enjoying the beauty Of the night
and the coming balmy atmosphere, for
the chill winter wind had given place to
a soft, warm breeze. why, this seems a
different country altogether. ] never saw
this place before"
I'VE are in the realm e Dame Wis
DOM. explained the boy, and all is
pleasant and joyous In her domain. But.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

stair. And up the steps they went like
little culprits, fearing lest their tiny feet
might make a noise to disturb the aged
aunt below stairs, who was communing
thus to her stocking: Children are a
dreadful bother. I am thankful l don t
have to put up with 'em very much long
er. Their mother ought to be home some
time tomorrow. And she, silly woman,
thinks those two noisy, hammered
little brats are angels. If they run and
scream like wild Indians she laughs and
says: Bless my babiesl Just see how
happy they are Babies Ugh, six and
eight Ought to be put at books and
work every hour of the day. They fool
away valuable time playing with toys and
reading foolish fairy tales. So few peo-
pie know how to raise children. Hard
as it would be, I'd like to take those two
children In hand and show their parents
what might be made of them
Meanwhile, Bessie and Billie had
reached the attic, closed the door to keep
inside all their noise and opened their
mouths and cried; "Goody. goody! It's
so nice to get away from Aunt Martha"
"sb Wha Te shall nsn ghost we Play'' asked Billie
ugh, mol It's too scarey, Brother
The attic is so dark and I'd get 80
frightened I'd hide and cry. Let's play
Fairy
"All right. Sister. let's play Fairy.
Who'll be the fairy-you or II"
You be the fairy, Brother. and play
at I'm a little girl what's lost In the
big forest, and, and at I'm crying for
my mamma"
''All right" said Billie. 'I'lI play that
I'm in a tree and wnen you come along
under it / look down and see you crying.
And I'll ask you. What's the matter, lit
tie girl? And you must say: oh. I'm
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

your books really are. for you thought
they were books you could not possess.
All, my lad, take your dear books home
with -ou, and never forget this lesson
learned on the Mount of Wisdom"
As she spoke Dame Wisdom rose and
withdrew. leaving Harry and the little
Iage alone. Harry, bit confused at
discovering that he had been falling in
love with his own old school books,
turned to his companion and said: II
have had lesson l shall never forget,
and you don't know how happy l am,
for now / shall always see the beauty in
my school books that / once thought
horrid and tlresome.''
Come, son. have you finished your
lessons? 1t was Harry's fathers voice,
and Harry reused himself to discover he
had been asleep in his chair, and there
on the floor at his feet lay his books in
disorder.
''Oh, Papa, l have had such a funny
dreani-but, let me look at my
geography. Yes, it's the very one ! had
up on the Mount Wisdom, and shall
love to study from it hereafter"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

sounds and can't make out the words"
81 whispered to brother that we might
play in the attic" confessed Bessie. I'VE
won't bother you, Aunt Martha, II were
up there"
but it's as cold as the North Pole up
there. child" said Aunt Martha. However,
a smile of agreeableness played about the
sharp corners of her mouth as she said
this, for the truth is she thought 1t
good idea for 1.-THE vexatious youngsters"
to play somewhere a long way from her.
She had not been a child for 80 years and
had forgotten all about their needs and de-
sires. But, if you want to play there
for half an hour, why, go up and do so.
But mind, no tumbling down on the floor,
or shrieking, or laughing too loudly.
I'D like to stay till mamma comes
home,'' whispered Billie to Bessie, as
they crept along the hall towards the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

much. And usually l hate language les
sons-they are so dull" So answered our
Harry.
But before he hardly knew it he had
conquered the pronoun and was eager to
go still further "Oh, how l love these
books of yours, Dame WISDOM" he ex-
claimed. II wouldn't mind studying If
had such books as these. They are not
common old school books, that are such a
task to learn from. I'd love study II
owned these books"
Take them home with you, child" said
Dame Wisdom. "They are yours See
there is your name on the fly leaf of each
book. My page knew that you hated
your books simply because you had made
up your mind they were dull, SO he SNUG
gled them under his coat and brought
them here that you might see them I'M
der different conditions. The school
room, the teacher, your classmates, all
should have made your books the dearer,
but the idea grew that to study Is
weary task, and the books cold, cruel
things with difficult lessons to fret the
minds of the children. Blu. up here you
have seen Row beautiful and Interesting
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

girls twice her own age, she was still a
merry, playful child at heart, and when,
on her ninth birthday, her dolls were
taken away from her and she was told
In serious tone by her aunt that Miss
Ward was too old to play with dolls any
longer" the separation from her play
things almost broke her heart, and many
nights she wept herself to sleep ON her
pillow, mourning for the pretty toys that
had been so ruthlessly denied her.
Her father provided the finest tutors
for his children, and the Ward home be-
came the center of distinguished class
of people, artists, writers and musicians
gathering there at regular intervals to
enjoy the gracious hospitality of their
host and the society of his brilliant sons
and daughters, Of whom Julia was the
most gifted. MARY GRAHAM.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
~ Harry and Old Dame Wisdom.
N6O

see, there is the mountain where we'll
find the great and good Dame herself"
And the boy pointed to a gently sloping
mountain which seemed to rise suddenly
on their right. Harry gasped, for the
scene was so splendid. And, with his
hand In that of his young companion, he
began to make rapid ascent.
Here we are, Dame WISDOM cried
the boy, turning round the side of mas
sive boulder and leading Harry to cozy
seat on some moss where a cloaked wom-
an sat Harry thought he had never seen
so fine a face-eyes, deep and penetrat-
ing, reading Harry's innermost thoughts.
"Ah, little friend, come sit down." she
said, making room for Harry beside her.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

happen-and hoping against hope that all
this calamity which had befallen her
home might prove to be a dream-caught
the sounds. and she looked up from the
folds of her apron Then she quickly
touched the hand of her brother and
pointed toward the newcomer, directing
Dados eyes thither See" she whis-
pered; '9it must be a fairy"
Yes. my little ones, I'm a fairy, and
l came to earth to see what l might do
for you. But how cold it has grown /
Ugh, | cannot endure the snow. and 1t
is falling very rapidly outside"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

books she invites them to visit her and
she shows them some most interesting
books from which they may learn their
lessons. Oh, Dame Wisdom is a very
fine person. Should you like to pay her
a visit this EVENING"
Eyes, indeed" exclaimed Harry, who
was glad Of an excuse to get away from
those horrid books, especially the great
huge geography from which he was sup
posed to be studying that very minute.
YES indeed, | should love to go to the
place you speak Of But-will be safer
"Ha, ha, ha. That is a funny question,
and l can't help laughing" declared the
little stranger, his merry laugh ringing
through the room ''Safe In the realm
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
The Origin Of the Snow Fairies

forests were wild beasts whose roars
growls and bowls made the night some
thing to be feared by those little or
phans. When father and mother were
with them they feared nothing. But now
that they were alone, and so helpless
their hearts were very, very heavy, and
Fear stallled about with them at every
step.
All day long the little Pinto wept and
called for the mother she knew could
not come to her. and all day long little
Dado sat with downcast eyes. his heart
too sad to allow of speech. Then as
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

velous a miracle. Eyes, we will protect
you from the snow-which we love-and
see that you reach your own dominion
soon," declared the Snow Fairy, who had
been little Pinto a few minutes before.
And away few the three fairies. happy
as could be.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
I OwpuZZle Corner" 4
HIDDEN NAME PUZZLE.

By taking the initial letter of a one
syllable word from each of the following
sentences, and writing them in the order
in which they appear, the name of a
famous singer will appear:
When the cat is away the mice will
play.
No one knows how many animals were
In the ark
Two wrongs never make a right.
1t is of small avail to urge a lazy
man to work.
The industrious man rises before the
sun.
old.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
Rhinocerou. Blood A. Medicine.

The blood of the rhinoceros is very
highly esteemed by Burmese and Chinese
as a medicine for all kinds Of ailments.
Whenever a party of hunters are success
full in shooting a rhinoceros-they are less
numerous than they used to be-the ma
tive heaters carefully draw off the blood
and bring it to Rangoon stored in hol
low bamboos. The precious liquid is
worth it's weight In silver
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

The humming-bird In Australia, no less
than man, protects its habitation with
lightning rod. The humming bird be-
fore devastating thunderstorm bursts
prud entity covers the outside of its little
nest with cobweb. Silk is a nonconduc-
tor of electricity, and since the cobweb
is silk the humming- birds nest is there
by rendered lightning proof
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
LETTER ENIGMA.

NV first is In heat, but not In cold;
Ny second is in bread, but not In moIl;
NY third Is In butter, but not In milk
NV fourth is in robe but not in silk
NV fifth Is the same as my second, you see !;
NY sixth is In wood. but not in tree,
MY whole spells the name
OF a most ancient race:
And In this great country
IT'S growing apace.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
BEHEADINGs.

"a Behead to swinde and leave kind
of temperature ~ Behend spook and
leave the gentleman at whose house you
are a guest. (3) Behead part Of the
earth and leave circle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
CURTAILINGS.

"a Curtail mark often put upon
cattle and leave food Tor animals !
(2) Doubly curtail to wed ana iease
Disagreement. (3) Doubly curtail gem
and leave a Hebrew.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
CONUNDRUMs.

CONUNDRUMS.
When are shoes like city streets1
when cobbled.
Why are sugar and guns alike1
Roth are barreIled.
When are convicts and gas alike?
When escaping.
When Is man like i.nelf
When he Is Jes0 III.
ANSWERS TO PUZZLE CORNER.
Letter Enigma-Wfnter.
Hidden Name Puzsle-Shermdn.
Beheadin0s--(D Heel-eeL GU Block
lock. (3) Grom-roic.
lock. (3) Grotc-roto,
80 Popc-pop.