davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
Potsdam, the Royal Playground

- NE writer has called Potsdam the
Prussian Versailles" and 1t is GER
~ tainly "the city Of blood and iron."
comprising, as it does, the stern. auto
cratic qualities Of the Hohenzollerns.
To enjoy Potsdam the better. one should
acquaint himself with the history of
quaint neighbor Of austere Berlin 1t is
better approached BIZ that delightful
series of narrow lakes known as the
River Havel. BY this route one passes
Peacock Island. made famous by the
rose garden planted there by Frederick
william III. voltaire on first beholding
Potsdam, exclaimed: "Potsdam is Sparta
and Athens in one!
It was in 1416 that the Hohenzollerns
planted themselves at the Mark of Bran
denburg. They seem to have had small
use for Potsdam, for they mortgaged 1t
again and again to abbots. knights and
financiers OF that day. During the thirty
years war Potsdam, the Insignificant,
suffered greatly, and save for her neigh
Dor, Berlin, that rose SO quickly to promi-
nence, she would doubtless have dropped
into oblivion. It was then that Potsdam
became the royal playground
1t was the Great Elector who began the
town castle, which reached its compile
ton under Frederick the Great.
One writer has called Berlin the Hohen-
zollerns' Office and Potsdam their garden.
The castle at Potsdam owes Its greatness
Frederick the Great. The former dis
covered its utility. while the latter de-
veloped its beauty.
Some curious relics are to be seen at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

"come over Sunday an fetch Pete an
stay to dinner. The wife is goin' to kill
a rooster an therell be some eatin."
But all this homely routine of Pete's
life has little or nothing to do with my
story of how he became a hero. 1t hap
pened in this way: During the spring.
and following the first rains. the dry
grass of the prairie becomes like finder
under the hot April and 4.ay suns. And
then it is that property and life are
nlenaced on the plains by the, fierce .prai-
RE fires that break out now and again,
sweeping IKE a .whfr1wind everything be.
fore them, 1t is. the custom. OF, the
frontier to prepare ''f1re-breaks," and it is
a lazy farmer who neglects to provide his
family and property with such protection.
On the farm adjoining that Of the Ander-
sons was a poor farmer who had been ill
during the spring. and who had not been
able to pillow his "fire-breaks." With him
lived his aged mother, who was very
frail, being unable to walk any great dis
lance. On a beautiful though windy
morning in early May the man. whose
name was Jones, started to town on a
matter of business. Just before hitching
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
Plain Pete Becomes Hero: Story Of Prairie Fire

more than ninety pounds, for as Pete
had said. she was spare to emaciation.
Now. is this to go along?" asked Pete,
grabbing up the bundle.
-
'Oh,- yes II you don't mind" said the
old lady. And she hung it over one arm.
Then OF set Pete, not stopping to close
the door Of the shanty. Its all the
same to the fire, whether the doors open
or not" he said philosophically. 1T
don't stop to knock anyway. An Mrs.
Jones, I reckon it's goodbye to that ole
house forever. That fires coming pell-
NELL down the valley. and this place is
in its path; the winds helping it, too
AS Pete talked he ran across the prai-
RE, not going out of his way to gain the
road. On and on he went, his strong,
large feet as sure as those of a deer.
And the sinewy arms held the trembling,
frail I'D form on his back. Otherwise
Off Off ''' 0'0 "'"A "'u'o nave 'a''en
The run between the farms of Ander-
son and Jones was one and half miles,
and Pete had the advantage of the fire,
as he was going east, the direction the
ilre was travelling. So he had that much
In his favor. But twice he was obliged
to slacken his pace, for the burden on
MS back became very heavy, and once
he feared he might be unable to get
through. But pulling all his young
reach his own home In safety, with the
dear old woman on his back. he man.
aged to gain the dooryard just as the
f1re behind him was entering the Jones
shanty, eating UP the furniture and
clothing therein.
A few hours after the fire had passed
over and had died from want of more
fuel. Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Anderson were
seated in the house of the latter, while
old Mrs. Jones lay half exhausted on the
PED. Pete was down about the horse
lot feeding the stock. He had gone to the
public road to meet Mr.. Jones, and to
tell him that his mother was safe at his
own house: But not a word did he tell
or his part In saving the dear old lady
and when the son got the story from his
mothers lips he broke down and wept
like child. Hes one of them fellers
you call a hero" he sobbed AN to
think folks call him Plain Pete Gosh,
He's the handsomest Teller in the world"
That he isl said Grandmother Jones
from the bed. Hes more'n a hero. He's
a saint on earth. He run the risk of
bein burned alive just to save an old
woman. May God bless him.
Amen" said Pete's father in a low
voice. Il always knowed my boy was
no common dirt An SO ali the folks
will find out now
And all the folks did find it out. too.
and Plain Pete became the hero of the
community. and even the young girls be-
gan to think him "the handsomest Teller
in the county"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
FLORA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

shelf and took down the three boxes Of
fine candy-still wrapped just as the con-
fectioner had wrapped them for her-and
hurried uptown with them tucked under
her arm. She went to the confectioner's
shop and asked the dealer IL he would
refund the money on the candy, explain
ing that she needed the money for some
thing very much more important than
bonbons. The confectioner, knowing
Flora very well. did not ask single
question, but took the boxes OF candy, re-
placed them on the shelf, and from the
money drawer took the amount they had
cost and handed 1t to Flora
Mrs. Dean and Agnes were still in the
library chatting when Flora came run
ming in. She went directly to her mother.
and fiinging her arms about her neck,
cried: you are the dearest and sweetest
mamma in the world, and have been q
very selfish girl But you shall not sacri-
flee youself for me any longer. Here
this is the money you gave me to buy
candy with I'd rather have taffy, after
all. And-now you can have your new
hat, and go with Mrs. Grey to the mat
inee.',
1t took a few words of explanation be-
fore Mrs Dean and Agnes quite under
stood what Flora was talking so excitedly
about, and how she happened to have
the money In her hands, since they had
both seen the three boxes Of candy on
the pantry shelf.
But soon everything was clear. and
Mrs. Dean stroked her little daughters
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

same crowd of girls, and i don't want
to give them plain molasses candy. Id
rather not have the party at all than to
have it cheap and common"
But taffy isn't cheap or common ex-
planned Agnes, patiently.
Yet, it is" protested Flora.
Just at that moment the girls mother
entered the room. She caught the last
few words of her daughters CONVERSE
ton, and asked what ii was about.
4
why, mamma explained Agnes,
''Flora says she doesn't want taffy at her
party tomorrow night. She thinks it
looks cheap and old-fashiOned. In vain
have tried to make her see that it will be
awfully nice to have taffy pulling. She
insists on having three One-pOund boxes
of fine candy. like Stella May had at her
party last week.
"Well, Flora, dear, IL the success of
your party depends on your having the
fine candy from the confectioner's you
shall have it." promised the little mother.
And she went to her room and got her
purse, from which she took some money
and gave it to Flora. There is the
amount, dearies," she said. "And per-
haps you'd better run along and get it
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

and feet and long, sinewy arms he would
laugh broadly and declare: But my fists
an arms an laigs air powerful stout.
boys I kin handle half a dozen of you
fellows at once. You all live on pie an
white bread. 1 live on corn dodger an
buttermilk. I'm not purity to look at.
but And Peter would double up his
fists and straighten out his muscular
arms, showing his strenG h. "Golly! l
could most lift a hoss.' he said one day. (.
~ y:o -
When the spring opened and the ground
was ready for tilling. the country school
was closed for the season. The boys
were needed on the farms. ard could not
spare the time to attend school. So Peter
or "Plain Pete as the women and
girls of the community called him-was
once more alone with his father on the.
farm, and rarely did they go to visit the
neighbors during the work-year. THE
bosses are too tired to go a-visiting of a
Sunday" old Mr.. Anderson would say
when invited by some of the neighJors to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

built by the rivers or bays,
the birch canoes or the dugout boats
were most used for journeys for any
great distance. The canoes mace OF
birch bark were very light, so could be
quickly cared and easily carried over
land when necessary. but they were not
very safe for the white man In WINDY
weather. To keep the balance In them
was quite difficult. The other KIND OF
boat copied from the Indians was the
duRoyt or followed. tree trunk.
AS fine went on q kind or sioop was
made so that more people might ride AT
once and more freight might be carried;
The traveller who had to journey py laiio
could only follow the example or the IN
dian and walk AS the natives had mace
footnaths through the forests, the set
tiers were glad to follow their guidance.
When new paths were cut through tiiS
woods the white men "blazed the trees.
That is, they chopped on pieces OF 'rs
ha rk' of the trees, growing by the sioe oi
the nsths. In Maryland the roads lead
jnp from the main paths to churches
were marked by 'blazes" cut down nesr
the roots of the trees. In Virginia roaos
known as rolling roads were MADE. Ihese
nare made for the plantation owners
rather than for the travellers. for they
,'ars 1uide so that hogsheads of tobacco
co,,ld he rolled down them from the
,,iontafions to the rivers. The carry
colonfst who owned O. horse was consio-
cred fortunate. So that more than one
night ride on horse padded cusnioi
aIied a, .piiiion' was strapped TO the
horse S back. and a platform stirrup was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
The Jamaica FREELY.

~r-HE Jamaica freely. species OF in
j sect over an inch in length, emits
very brilliant light which comes from
the sides Of the head and beneath the
thorax. The light Is a huctuating one and
not the steady glow Of the glow worm: A
very remarkable fact is that this nuctuat-
ing or pulsating light may continue after
the death Of the insect. If 1t is supposed
that the light of the living insect is due
to oxygen supplied under its control to
the luminous matter, a conclusion may
be reached to the effect that after death
the oxygen Of the air might obtain access
to il and produce a like effect. 1t is diff
f1cuit. however, to account for. the pulsa-
tons in the light Of the dead FREELY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

dollars would be paid for one book.
About 1925 Laurence Coster. a Holiander.
invented a way by which types were set
and pages placed upon them were printed.
True. the type was wooden. but the great
value of the discovery was that now the
letters or characters Of the alphabet
could be formed separately and could be
rearranged for different pages. About
the same time that Coster was working
out his ideas German named Johann
Gansfieish was working along the. same
line. AS the work went on metal type
cast from dies took the place of the wood
EN- kind The first printing press In Eng
land was set up by WAIiam Caxton In
1476. For fifteen years in Westminster
opposite the great abbey. at shop known
by a red pole instead of q number Cax-
ton printed books of all kinds. Other
printers followed his example and books
soon became much cheaper than they had
been. Many people learned to read, so
this invention was the means OF giving
pleasure and knowledge sto thousands
Stories Of travel were SO new to the
people that many. filled with a desire to
see strange lands, ventured to far-away
countries.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

elder sister. don't you know that man.
ma hasn't the spare money just now to
give you for so much candy? There has
been such an outlay already on our spring
clothes, and mamma hasn't yet gotten
half the things she needs. And when we
talked over having the little party for
you on your birthday mamma said you
should have taffy-that you girls should
make 1t yourselves; and that would be
just heaps of fun, you know
But Flora still pouted and looked dis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

to know it is on the shelf in the pantry,
all ready for my party" And Flora ran
off to get her hat and jacket.
The next morning all was hustle in the
kitchen. for Mrs. Dean agnes and
F1ora's mother) was anxious to have the
party pass off in a most happy manner.
She and the maid-of-all-work were busy
preparing a delicious salad, baking a fine
chocolate cake, making sandwiches and
preparing the lemon juice and sugar
strip for nectar. And Flora was fitting
hither and thither. as happy as could be.
Agnes was also busily employed about
the rooms, decorating the mantels and
tables with great clusters of lovely flow
ers. picked from their own gardens. The
party was to be q small one, including
only nine little girls: but the preparations
were as carefully carried out as though
there were to be three times that num-
Der of guests.
In the evening Flora and Agnes went
up town on an errand. AS they were
hurrying along, Mrs. Grey. warm friend
of their mother, called to them from
her porch: Say, girls, tell your mother
j have ticket for her to attend the mat
inee with me Saturday afternoon this
week. Tell her to keep that afternoon
for me, sure. She will enjoy the play
immensely. for it is an Ibsen drama"
Agnes and Flora thanked Mrs. Grey
heartily, and assured her that their
mother would be most happy to avail
herself Of the opportunity to attend the
matinee, and that she would doubtless
phone her that evening of her acceptance.
Then, as they hurried on to perform their
errand, Agnes said: I'm SO glad mamma
is going to the matinee this week. She
goes out so seldom and is always so
eager to give as pleasure at any cost to
herself" -e = s-.H '+-
.s
Eyes, so am 1 glad.'' said Flora. And
she remembered her little mothers quick
consent for her to have the three boxes
of candy, which cost seventy-five cents
a box.
When the girls reached home they told
their mother about Mrs Grey's invita-
ton for the matinee, but to their surprise
and disappointment their mother declared
that ii would be impossible for her to
accept it. A little later. and when Flora
had left the room. Mrs. Dean explained
to Agnes the reason why she could not
accompany Mrs. Grey to the matinee that
week. You see dearie, she said. II had
just enough money out of my months
allowance to get myself new hat. but
gave Flora two dollars and a quarter to
buy the three boxes of candy for her
party. / shall now have to wait till my
next months allowance comes in, for
papa's business expenses are very large
this month. and l cannot ask him to In
crease my allowance"
Now. when Mrs. Dean confided this to
her elder daughter she did not know that
her younger daughter was just about to
enter the room, and that her words had
caused her to stop and listen. Then
overhearing what the little mother said,
Flora ran to the pantry, reached to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

low line of blue-black haze. to the from
tier people sign of the fire which is
coming.
Fear seized the aged woman, for she
had no place of safety. There was one
field broken. but it was only five-acre
patch. with grass and stubble fields all
about it. To try to live on that spot in
the midst of the smoke and fire would
not walk to the nefghbors; her frail
strength would not endure it. Her son
had been gone over an hour, and as he
was travelling from the source of the
fire. doubtless would not become con-
scious of it till he had reached town.
And he could not drive home in time to
save her. for Il the fire were on its way
down the valley toward her home it
would reach there before another hour.
ooh. what shall 1 do?" she asked her.
got together few valuables, wrapped
them in an old shawl, preparatory to
leaving the house. II the worst came
she would attempt the five-acre field OF
plowed ground. And by all hazards she
must preserve her sons valuable papers,
his tax receipts and note for $50. Be-
sides, there was his Sunday suit Of black
and her own black silk dress with the
white lace collar, one she had worn for
ten years. All these things she made
into a bundle with the intention of bury
ing them in the plowed field.
= =
While she was thus busying herself
and trembling in every limb (but praying
to her God. ip whom she trusted). a
voice spoke to her suddenly from the
doorway Mrs Jones, a fires comm
Here, get ready quick an come with me. u
Mrs. Jones turned to see plain Pete
standing at the door. his freckled face
serious, but brave. Come. don't waste
a moment he urged.
But where am I to go?" asked the old
woman. Have you wagon here? YOU
see. my son John went to town this
II know saw him drivin' over the
long hill" interrupted Pete. Dad has
gone to town, too. so we're without
hosses or wagon. I'll have to be both
for you, Mrs Jones. Here-don't STOP
to talk Smell that smoke? Goily! We've
got no time to fool away! Come, git on
my back. I'll hold my arms behind me
to make q saddle. You'll set safe enough
You're not bigger'n a gal Of twelve. You're
so spare. Come-Or we'll be too late
Golly! can smell the smoke and see
cinders flynn
For a. few moments the old woman was
uncertain about trying to ride into safe
ty on Plain Pete's broad. strong back
but fear of the coming fire. and trusting
the strength of the big boy, she soon
complied with his orders and was on MS
back, hanging about his neck with her
trembling old arms. She, did not weigh
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

hat: gently as she said: Thank you.
dc arie; thank you SO sincerely. Mother
knows just how you feel in the matter.
and shall take the money and get the new
JOY than the candy could have done. But
darling, neither you nor mother nave
made sacrifice. l gave to you because
1t afforded me more pleasure to make you
happy at your party than TO nave the new
hat, and you. in turn, gave to me through
your deep love. You want mother TO
enjoy the matinee. and mother wanted
YOU to enjoy your party Ne have won
together. haven't we?
Eyes. mamma, for you are to have the
hat and the matinee, and I am to nave
the party And as for the candy-well.
1t will be just as nice to have taffy, after
all. And it will be something new. TOO,
for none of the girls have had a taffy-
pulling yet.
And the party did go on beautifully,
and each little guest declared she had
never before enjoyed a party so much,
for the taffy-making and taffy-pulling
gave just the finishing TOUCH" as they
declared, to the evening. And after the
guests had departed, Agnes. Flora and
the little mother sat talking it over. on,
wasn't it great fun?" asked Flora, And
just to think-the molasses cost only
twenty cents, and the candy In the boxes
would have cost two dollars and a quar-
ter. And the taffy was such fun in max
ing and pulling. and the box-candy could
onIr have made us bit i'll eating it, for
it was so rich and heavy"
Eyes, and there would have been no
jolly exercise on the back porch pulling
taffy had you INDUCED in the box candy.
said Agnes.
And mamma, DEAR would have had to
wait for her new hat said Flora.
Whereupon tears came into Mrs. Deans
eyes and she declared fervently that two
such girls as her daughters never lived
before.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
How Colonists Travelled.

hung on one side. So scarce were these
beasts of burden that four people would
often start on a journey with only one
horse.
Two rode on the pillion for he first mile
and then tied the horse and walked on. The
two who started walking would walk
until the tied horse was reached and
then ride. At the next mile stone the
couples would again change places. In
1872 there were only six stage coaches in
England. In Boston at that time there
was only one private coach.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
Printing.

Until the early part of the fifteenth
- century the art of printing books
was unknown. The few books which had
been made UP to this time had been
copied by hand by the monks and their
pupils, or by the men who made such
work their regular trade. As the task Of
copying book was long and tedious, the
work was very expensive. Only the very
wealthy could afford to own even a few
books. sometimes two or three hundred
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

however, reached Europe through India.
At first these aids to warfare were on
the order of cannon. In the fourteenth
century fire tube with small bore was
invented. Until 1915 gunpowder was not
readily explosive, since the materials
were only roughly cleared of impurities
and then mixed together on a slab In
1920 Bertholders Swatz discovered a
process of granulating powder which
made it effective as an explosive. From
that time on warfare was changed. Graf
ually improvements in making both pow
der and firearms were made under in the
fifteenth century the first form OF hand
gun which could be compared with the
modern musket made its appearance. At
first these guns were fired by applying a
match at the touch hole. but later trig-
gers were invented. With the protection
offered by these new weapons, it is not
strange that the conquest of savage peo-
pie and wild lands was looked upon as
having lost many Of its dangers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

his horses to the big farm wagon he re-
marked to his mother: Next week I
must plow some 'ire-breaks' Dickinson
county was swept by a terrible fire a few
days ago. Anderson told me about it as
he passed here this morning on his way to
town. He offered to come over and pillow
mine for me, but as I'm on the mend
now / will be able to do it myself in few
days"
Yes. 1t is dangerous to have no fire
breaks" replied the aged Mrs. Jones.
You must attend to the matter as soon
as you can, son"
After Mr.. Jones had departed for town
his mother returned to the little sod
shanty to wash up the breakfast things.
She was in the midst of her morning S
work when suddenly a strange odor came
to her on the wind. She dropped the
work and went to the door, smiling the
atmosphere. A shudder went through her
old body. for 1t was burning grass that
she smelt. And far to the west hung q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
Charade.

My first is seat as all people know:
You see 1T almost every place that you go;
sometimes IL is large, sometimes il f. small:
II Is made in all sizes that il may suit all.
My seconds a creature all often see:
He's friend to you. he's q friend TO me:
And he helps TO make this world a success.
But III tell You do more you'll surely guess
Ny two joined together make officer grand.
Aud he calls you to order with gavel In hand;
He holds forth in public all over the land.