davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
Curious and Interesting Customs.

stray Sale Day, or First Monday. |TN Texas the unique custom prevails H in each county of holding a sale of # stray ponies and cattle on the first M Monday of each month. The 'strays" are animals that have wandered away krom their own pastures, or "grazing' grounds. and have been taken up'' by |some rancher or farmer and driven to |the county capital on the first Monday |of the month, if the owner of the lost land found animal has not come to claim |his own.
 But not all the stock driven to the |stray sale are "strays." Many horse traders and "cowpunchers' go to market with ponies and cattle to swap or to sell. Every county capital has its public square, and there on first Monday the stray sale takes place. As early as 9 o'clock the place Is crowded by q motly throng of horsetraders, "cowpunchers," and owners of ''strayed or stolen' ponies or cattle. If man finds there some of his ponies or cattle, which have been taken up'' and posted by someone, he has only to prove his claim, pay the small charge which is held against him for the trouble of driving the animals to stray sale and his property is delivered into his own hands.
 At 10 o'clock the auction begins, and continues till the last pony or steer is disposed of. If the business cannot be finished in one day 1t is continued on the next day, but this rarely happens.
 There is great honor among the live stock raisers of Texas, each man consti- tuting committee in himself to report any stray animal that may come his way, and doing all he can toward returning the lost property to it's owner.
 Stone of Infamy.
 There may be seen to this day in many Italian cities a stone called Pietra d'In- famia (stone of infamy). One such stone stands near to St. Marks Church, Venice. And In the old markets of Verona and Florence the stones of infamy are still to be seen. Formerly this stone was used for the purpose of punishing bank rupts. On a certain day of the annual carnival all traders who had failed in their business were marched to this stone. vast mob Of hooting and ieer- ing people surrounded the poor unfortu- pates Even the schoolboys were advised by their parents to attend this cruel cere- mony, as it might prove a lesson in financial morality"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
played at her skirts.

played at her skirts.
 'Is your nose out of joint?' asked Tommy, addressing the little boy.
 "Yes, bis nose is out of 1oint," laughed the woman. And 1t has been so ever since his sister Katherine came to live with us. But to make the matter worse he fell last night and skinned the top of his nose. So now it has to be GOV cred by a plaster till new skin grows"
 ''Is that all that ails himf" asked Tom my, speaking to the woman, whom he knew to be the boys mother.
 'No. my dear boy has rheumatism In one of his legs" replied the mother sad ly. But he's getting better sitting on deck in the warm sun"
 Haven't you any playthingsf" Tommy asked the boy.
 The child shook his head. Tommy med itated a moment; then flew up the stairs, running to his own stateroom Present ly he returned to the lower deck. carry ing an armful of toys These he heaped in the sick boys lap. The other two chil- dren stood looking on with admiring, longing eyes while the mother patted his head with a warm. motherly hand, say ing: You are good-hearted boy. Thank you for bringing these playthings to my boy. He'll be very careful of them and when you want to take them back to your own stateroom they'll be just as good as they are now" Then in re- sponse to her sons request she removed the blankets from around him and al- lowed him to leave his chair and to play with Tommy. Pretty soon the deck of tho second cabin rang with the laughter and glee of the three children, and Tommy forgot his past loneliness and the sick boy forgot his weak leg, and his cheeks became flushed from healthful sport, and his eyes bright.
 And from the upper deck Tommy's father had watched the scene below. glad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

fore o'clock tomorrowi You know that's the city ordinance-no snow on the public walks after o'clock.
 ''I'n get up early and do it." said Harold. 'T can shovel It or as well as old Pete, and we'll save that much to- ward our cutter that we are so anxious to buy.''
 Brave boy" smiled Father. sitting down to supper, which was now on the table. Then he remarked as he carved the steak: Why, mother. this is as fine steak as I ever saw"
 .'Yes. that's what Mir Tom Cat thought this evening"" laughed Mother. And she repeated the incident relating to the cat and the steak, toiling how Harold had saved the latter from the former. 'And Harold has been such help to me this evening" she went on and recounted the many duties he had performed so well.
 'Yes, and he's going to shovel the snow from the walk and porches in the morD- Ing" replied Father proudly. "our son is a real little hero, that's what he is. -
 flush of pride mounted to Harold's cheek. He was at last a hero-without having planned 1t. And Mamie whis- pered softlyi '+There Is more than one way of becoming hero, Brother. Help fulness and courage make one a hero, and you have both. You have this evening proven yourself worthy the name Father gives you"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

One by one the bankrupts were placed on the stone to hear the reading of their balance sheets and to endure as many reproaches as their creditors could cram into the limited time. When time was up, the presiding official touched bell, and the storm of interjection was hushed. Then the bankrupt was solemnly diyested of a necessary portion of his dress. after which three stout men laid hold of his shoulders and three others of his knees, and raising him every time as high as they could bumped him deliberately 12 times, fin honor of the 12 apostles" against the cold stone. An old writer states that the creditors crowed like cocks during the pumping, but that when 1t was over few of them entertained any animosity against the bumpee. In proof of which he ayers that not one of them could look at the victim with dry eyes as he sneaked through the crowd to hide himself from sight.
 The Housing Stan.
 Formerly in the churches of England most curious and Imaginable custom was that of using the Housing Staff" This was long stick or pole in the hands of the beadle who walked softly up and down the aisles of the church during the religious service of q Sunday, his eyes scanning the members of the congregation. If perchance a worshiper wns discovered mapping, out went the Housing Stan, the farthest end of which "bobbed' the offender in the ribs or on the shoulder. The sleepy one would not close his eyes in church again that day. An amusing story is told of woman who acted as "Sluggish-waker'' in Holy Trinity Church, Warrington, about the year 1920. It is given here:
 ''In the early years of the nineteenth century, at Holy Trinity Church. War rington. a masculine bit of womanhood named Betty Finch held the office of siuggish-waker, which was there known as the "bobber." She is described as walking majestically along the aises dur ing the service, armed with a long stick like fishing rod, which had .'bob" fastened to the end of 1t, and when she caught anyone speaking or mapping she gave him nudge with the stick. Her son was engaged in the belfry, and often truthfully sung:
 My fathers clerk,
 My sisters a singer;
 My mothers the bobber,
 And l am the ringer. '"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

Harold ran the errand for his mother, then went to the meat shop and got steak for supper. His mother placed the steak on the kitchen window-ledge, where 1t would keep cold till time to bron 1t. As Harold went out the back door to get the broom, which hung on the porch, he saw a great stray cat ready to siege the steak which lay 30 temptingly within reach of his claws Harold saved the steak and chased the cat down the alley. Then he carried the steak into the kit chen and told his mother how nearly 1t had been confscated by MT. Tom Cat Mother laughed and said: How lucky for us that you happened to be getting the broom at that moment. Otherwise, we'd have had light supper"
 'It's beginning to snowl' cried out Mamie from the nving-room. 'Just see what splendid fiakesr'
 At that moment Father arrived home from his office. He was a bit earlier than usual, and explained to his wife that he had just received business wire from a lawyer in another city relative to a piece of property he was negotiating for, which would necessitate his making a trip out of town. He would take the evening train-leaying home immediately after supper.
 Its beginning to snow heavily" the father said, as Harold helped him off with his coat. ''The porches will be filled with snow by tomorrow morning, and our old Pete Is laid up with the rheu- matism. Wonder whom we can get to shovel the snow from the sidewalk be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.
 = OR long time they had been trav- cling through Europe-the father,
 the mother and Little Tommy.
 They had spent many happy days
 in sunny Italy, visiting the quaint, age-worn villages. And Tommy had been his mothers only thought for ever and ever so many months. and she had always rocked him to sleep on her lap at night, though Tommy was Big Boy, being about i've years old. But he did not mind Mamma rocking him to sleep at Sleepy time. Indeed, he liked 1t, and when at last time came when Nurse had to per form this duty for him he resented 1t bitterly and cried himself to sleep on the first night.
 But all this happened in Paris--long after the winter spent in "doing" lovely and sleepy Italy. In Paris the stork brought to Tommy little sister. And Nurse-who was a snub-nosed German girl and who loved to tease Tommy said to him on the evening of Baby Sis- ter's arrival: "Now. my young man, your nose is out of joint" Tommy quickly put his chubby hand to his funny, fat nose, but could notice nothing wrong with its feeling. Maybe he could see the misplaced joint, however, when he looked in the glass. But he was too much occu- pied with thoughts of his dear mother to think long about his nose being out of joint. He missed her goodnight story. He missed more her goodnight hug and kiss, as he, nearly lost to the world, lay cuddled in her lap, being put to sleep by her sweet song.
 Tommy had been allowed to look at the little sister. but he had not made up his mind that he cared particularly about her. Since 1t was absolutely necessary
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

But Harold sat buried in deep thought Presently he said: "Oh, how I should love to be a hero! I just think and think about it all the time. When l go to circus I always sit and think that l would not care to be a reckless trapeze performer nor a daring bareback rider, but would much prefer being the ring master; then, if anyone was thrown, or should fall, I'd be there to catch him before he was hurt. I'd be hero, and save the performer who was in danger of being killed"
 Mamie smiled, but it was evident that Harold did not hold half her attention. But the eager boy continued, not notic- ing his sisters lack of attention: 'Pd like to be a soldier, too. And after the war was over I'd come marching bravely home, in uniform. keeping step to the martial music of the band. And all the people would look at me and say; Hes a herol
 Mamie now looked fully into the wist- full eyes of her brother. Well, Harold, if 1t is ever necessary for you to go to war for your country's sake, l hope you will be brave, and give all that soldier should give. But I sincerely hope, dear; that when you are grown to manhood, cruel war will no longer exist among the civilized nations of the earth. Men will then be wise enough to settle their diff ferences without bloodshed. Think of the thousands of happy homes that are made desolate through war - nearly always brought about by the wicked ambitions of few rulers. It is to be hoped that there will be no more killing of brave, hopeful, life-loving boys and men. Great generals have planned war in the past. Greater generals will plan peace in the future. They will run the affairs of the nations without strife. And then we will have a world full of happy heroes"
 But at this point in the conversation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

that his Big Boy had found other chill dren to play with. And when at last the little i'll boys mother insisted that he rest and sleep for a while. Tommy re- turned to his own deck, happy as could be.
 To his father he told of the little boy's s1ckness-"He's got rutomaism," he ex- piained. not quite getting the name of the malady his new friend was suffering with And his folks arc very poor, D he added, flor the children haven't any toys. And they arc travelling second class. And-the little girls shoes are all out at the toes. If Emmy were big ger-and wore leather shoes--Pd give 6 pair of them to Katherine"
 Tommy's fathers face wore 6 smile, but q serious, sympathetic one. Dear Tommy" he said, well have to look into the matter of the little boy who has rheumatism. and into the little girls shoes"
 And the boys nose is out of joint, too, Papa," confded Tommy. And then he whispered: And Nurse told me my nose was out of joint-on the day Emmy came to our house. Is it true, Papa, Is my nose out of jointT'
 Papa laughed long and heartily, then explained that Nurse had meant that he, Tommy, was' no longer the one child, and that now he must relinquish the baby place to another. "And that's hay ing ones nose put out of joint. Son." he added
 Tommy thought the matter all over, then declared heartily: "Well, I don't mind if my nose Is out of joint-since It's for Emmy, for she's very nice in- deed. and I'm glad we've got her. I'm not lonely now. for I have found such nice playmates."
 Bless my boy" said . sweet, loving voice from behind Tommy; and he was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
ZIGZAG PUZZLE.

This zigzag contains seven words of four letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another, their zigzag letters, beginning with the upper left-hand letter and end ing with the lower left-hand letter. will spell a word which treats of the princi- pies of language. The cross-words are: l. An animal from whose milk the Swiss people make cheese. 9 A salver or wait CT. 8. A perfectly level surface. 4. That which is a menace to ones safety. g. place where water is procured. 6. A musical instrument. '. That which is over us when Indoors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
More Ways Than One. z= By Florence Davis

their mothers voice was heard calling from the kitchen: Harold, dear, has sis- ter finished reading the evening paper to you7'
 "Yes, mother" replied Mamie, not wait ing for dreamy Harold to answer. But the air castles In which heroes dweit crum- bled and fell to earth when Harold heard his mothers voice. ''Nother wants me to do some chores" he said in a grum- bling tone. And I wanted to talk some more about war-about things that make one a hero."
 Viewer mind, now, dear" said Nan nie in her persuasive voice. "You must run along and help mother. She needs you"
 Harold reluctantly went to the kitchen in response to his sisters request Say, sonny, please fetch some dry wood from the shed. This wood in the box is green, and the cake in the oven will spoil un- less l quicken the fire. Cook was so careless in supplying the box with wood before she went away this afternoon. She brought in mostly green sticks" So spoke Harold's mother, who was very busy at work.
 Harold ran to the shed and fetched the dry wood, and himself fixed up the fre But he was quite miserable, for house. work was not making of him a hero. ''Now, dear" said his mother, after he had replenished the fire, please run to the grocery and get some butter. I find none for supper. When Cook got the message that her sister had arrived from tho old country she seemed to forget everything and went off in the greatest hurry to vel come the new arrival from the old home across the seas. So we-you and I-must attend to the baking and the supper"
 But why doesn't Mamie help you in- stead of mer' asked Harold complain ingly.
 ''Sister is doing the alarming for me, dear," explained Mother. ''We each have our work to do."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

 yDau the track as though petrided, not
 knowing which way to turn. It was only for an instant-the shortest time possible-but long enough for the crowd to stop and gasp, for women to faint and bystanders to turn pale as ghosts. It seemed fruitless for anyone of them to try to save the childLthe car was so nearly upon her. But Just as 1t was about to run the terror-strlcReh little one down a boy sprang from the crowd, caught the child's dress and drag- ged her from the tracks-at the r1sk or his own life, for the sliding wheels ot the car grazed his arm. which had been thrown out so fearlessly to rescue one in the very jaws of death. The crowd was speeches. for a moment, then all murmured their deep admiration for the boy who had appeared so miraculously at the critical moment. The mother or the little one, who had come up Just Ill time to see her child rescued from so horrible a fate, grasped the brave boys hands, crying out: 'Thank God for send Ing this little hero!"
 Mamie folded the paper she had been reading. and turned to her young brother, who had been listening to the thrilling account just given above. 'Is that all 1t says about the hero?" asked Harold in q tense voice.
 'Yes brother,' answered Mamie, talk ing some work from her sewing basket. Now, Harold, l must finish my alarming before reading further. You'll want fresh pair of stockings in the morning. Mercy-me How boys do wear out the knees of their stockings, not to mention the holes at heels and toes that come through so suddenly And Mamie laughed indulgently, leaving off alarming to stroke the soft hair of her dearly-be loved brother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
|a OurPuZZle Corner $
SINGLE BEHEADINGs.

CD Behead that which a fowl could not live without possessing. and leave the con dition of uncooked food. (2) Behead that which attaches to a person commit ing an ofrense and leave one crippled in the leg. (3) Behead a necessary part of a wagon and leave part of the human foot (4) Behead to touch anything and leave a fish. (5) Behead that which Is left by wound and leave railroad coach. (6) Behead a square piece of wood or marble and leave e strand of hair
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
ANATOMICAL LETTER ENIGMA

My first is in foot, but not in hand; My second Is in music, but not in band; My third Is In nut, but not in shell; My fourth is in ring. but not In bell; My fifth is in sheep, but not in fold; My sixth Is in dollar. but not In gold:
 My whole spells a part
 Of child, woman and man;
 'Tis spelled with six letters:
 Find 1t out If you can.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
CONUNDRUMS. M

Why Is a prudent man like a pin? Because hts head prevents him from 0o- ing too far.
 What city is drawn more frequently than any otherf
 Cork.
 Why are printers liable to catch cold7 Because they dltoays Hse damp sheets. Why are a ropemaker and a poet alikei alike7
 Both make lines. I'm longer and longer the lower fall. And when am highest I'm shortest of all. plummet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

gathered into his mothers arms. "Your nose Is not out of joint. dearie, and never was You simply became a Big Boy after Emmy came, and gave your little nest to her. Isn't that sor
 Yes, Mamma." said Tommy, feeling very. very happy. Then he and papa went to the deck below to see what could be done for the little sick boy. And papa found the child was not in a seri. ous condition, and knew that on their arrival in New York q good doctor could cure him. So 1t was all arranged that papa should look after the poor woman and her children till the boy was well, and the mother provided with plenty of work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES.

LETTER ENIGMA: Thanks0trfn0.
 4 DIAGONAL: Scott Cross-ioords arc, 1, Snake; 2. Acorn; 8, Frost; {. Brdts; 5. Bleat.
 man keeps his oton council
 PICTURED LETTER PUZZLE: Turkey Words pictured 1, Tiger; 2, Urn; 8, Pitches; 4, Key; 5, Ear; g. Year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

Fifty thousand tons of soot are taken from the ohimneys in London, England. each year.
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-12-17
NEGRO RUFFIAN CAUGHT
Man Under Arrest Is Charged With
Mistreating White Women
Had Lucky Escape.

Charged with having assaulted white
women in the ueighbOrhOod Of Third
South and Fourth East streets. Clarence
Hale, colOred. was arrested yesterday aft
ern0on by Detectives +. NJ Wheeler and
E. 81. Janney. At police headquarters
Hale said that it was all a mistake. How
ever, complaints coming into police head
quarters during the past weeks have been
accompanied by threats against Hale.
ShOl Ly after noon yesterday COM
plant came into police headquarters that
Hale had pushed white women from the
sidewalk into the street and that he had
tugged at their sleeves and made re-
marks which had nearly caused q riot.
Hale is said to have been caught in the
act when Detectives Wheeler and Jan
nay arrested him. Refusing to accom-
pany the detectives to police he2dquar-
tiers. he was severely dealt with.
When residents in the neighbOrhOOd Of
Fourth East and Third South streets had
learned of the arrest of Hale yesterday
afternoon they called up police headquar-
ters and said that he had made a lucky
escape from summary justice.
The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-12-17
TO COMPEL CLEANLINESS
State Pure Food Bureau Seeks to En-
force Sanitary Regulations on
Gamers.

Tho matter Of more sanitary methods
and cleanliness IN the canning factories
Of the state formed the subject Of a dis
cussion at a meeting yesterday Of the
pure food bureau, held in the office of
Willard Hansen, state food and dairy
commissioner Those attending the meet
ing We're. j. s. Carver chairman, and 4.
A. Williams, secretary and treasurer OF
the bureau; Mr.. Hansen, and Herman
Harms state chemist
As the Gamers usually make their con-
tracts with the farmers and producers
during the month OF January for the COM
ing seasons crops, the matters in which
up at this time with the object Of secur-
ing the cooperation Of both the Gamers
and farmers in the endeaVOr to bring the
factory products up 10 higher stand
ard
While some Of the canneries have main
tanned a good standard. and the farmers
have usually been careful I'm the delivery
of their crops, yet Ia number OF IN
stances, according TO the bureau there
Is room for Improvement. one Of The
things which the bureau VIII insist upon
is greater cleanliness IN the canning OF
tomatoes. Ia some factories Ii has been
found in the past that the washing Vats
were refilled with clean water only two
or three times a day, although they were
iu constant use. AS, especially in the case
Of tomatoes. there is a constant accumu-
latiOn of dirt, sediment and the mushy
portion of the over-ripe, the water IS
easily muddied. ana the bureau viii en-
deaVOr to enforce a rule that the Fege-
tables must Dc washed in TunnAg ana
constantly clean water
There is a marked disposition on the
part of some Of the Gamers to cooperate
with and follow out the suggestions Of
the bureau. and the suggestions viii be
handed on to the farmers through the
Gamers