davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

The next day Bert got the teacher to
excuse him from school half an hour be
fore closing time. AS this was nothing
unusuaa pupil being excused from
school on some good excuse-none of the
other pupils attached any Importance to
Bert's going In fact, Gertie Smith did
not notice his absence at ALL she was so
occupied In getting her last lesson of the
day.
At last O'Clock came and Ethel full
of anticipation. took Gertie's arm and hur-
ried homewards. She knew there was
surprise waiting for them on the road
side somewhere between the schoolhouse
and Gerties home At Il little ravine-so
deep that in going down into it one lost
view of the surrounding country and
could not be seen from any of the farm
houses-Ethel' alert eyes caught the dark
form of what appeared TO be big
animal crouching in the high, dry grass.
The creature was some two hundred feet
from the roadside and was crouching as
if to hide itself from the view of pedes-
TRANS Ethel knew at once that it was
Bert disguised in an old buffalo skin
which had been in their family ever since
she could remember. AS Gertie had not
yet caught sight of the animal" Ethel
directed her attention towards it. See
that great dark thing moving in the
grass she whispered. Can it be
bear?'' And she drew back as II afraid
hiding herself behind Gertie
AS Gertie's eyes took In the creature
in the grass she trembled with fear and
said to Ethel: 'Oh, don't push me In
front of you. Ethel, oh, is it a--bear?
Oh. let's run--let's run for our lives."
But You arent afraid of anything ex-
cept snakes and cyclones, declared Ethel,
struggling TO keep Gertie between herself
and the lear. ''Oh. please stand here
and keep the bear from running after
me. | shall run away if you but stay
here to hold the beasts attention. Will
you stand right here till am safe out
of the ravineT
'Oh, goodness no." hoarsely whispered
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
Gertie and the Bear.


bravery. And Bert and Ethel Brown were
her companions. "Say, Gertie," said
Ethel, wouldn't you be afraid of a big
black bear?"
NO, indeed" declared Gertie. Just
you show me a big black bear and I'll
show you that ! am not afraid of him."
OF course, Ethel was powerless to pro-
duce the bear, so there was no way of
proving Gertie's courage at the moment.
But as the three children wendell their
way homewards. Bert began evolving Il
plan in his mind. He meant to test Ger
ties bravery somehow, for he was tired
of her boasting. Besides. he really be-
leved the little girl had sincere faith
IN her own courage and he wanted her
to know that She like other human beings
was tlmid at times and afraid of things.
After leaving Gertie at her own home
a fine old farmhouse on the public road
Bert and Ethel continued on their way
to their own abode. another farm half a
mile further on. II say. Ethel" said
Bert, Il have plan to test Gerties great
and boasted courage Tomorrow is the
first of April-our day for jokes. Won
know Well. I'm going to get good
April fool on Gertie So. no matter what
happens, you needn't he afraid. for a GER
tain animal you encounter on your way
homewards will not be as dangerous as it
appears"
Ethel laughed ana asked to be taken
into the secret. But Bert said he had
told her enough to prepare her and that
she'd enjoy the joke more If she knew
nothing OF the particulars.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
cAndy~s april Fool Surprise.

and also peeping without But not iv-
ing being did they see. Guess the kids
are hiding behind the hedge, waiting to
see us open the door so they can cali
out April Fool. - said Andy. wish
had a squirt-gun full of water. and I'd
raise the window just enough to shoot
out through, and when they creep up
again to ring the bell-as they will sure
ly do-Fd give them an April Fool plump
i'll the face"
Yes, but one never has the weapons
of war when they are most needed con
soled Mary. "But--theres something on
the doorstep-it looks like a pocket-b
a great fat one. Very likely ii is nailed
to the step and is filled with cotton
or sand"
Andy peeped towards the doorstep and
saw the pocket-book. Yes. it's some
joker who is green enough to think we'd
pick up purse on this day. Why If
| saw greenbacks sticking from the cor
ners OF the purse on the first day of
April, l wouldn't touch the purse. for
there'd be joke connected with 1t some
how, and I'd not get the bills
Just then Mrs. Graham came into the
hall. She had waited for Mary Or Andy
to open the door. but as they seemed
ayerse to doing SO. she decided to do il
herself. Possibly some of the neighbor
children were trying to play an April
Fool joke on Andy or the girls, and it
seemed pity to spoil their sport by the
absence of the Intended victims from the
door.
When Mrs. Graham was about to open
the door Andy crept on tiptoe TO her
side. wait mamma, he whispered.
Some wise guy has put fat pocket
book on the doorstep and is, of course,
watching to see one of us open the door.
So, let's make him wait so long that
he'll he glad to come here and ring the
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

Gertie IF it is a bear he will eat me
up if ] stay here. | don't believe he's
seen us yet. Let s stOop low down i'll the
grass and creep to the top of the banl.
Once there wen call for help and run
as fast as we can towards my house.
Papa may he about the barn. and will
see as and come to our rescue. On, |
am so frightened can hardly stand up.
Come. let's creep away before the bear
sees uS!''
As she said this Gertie stopped to her
kEeeS and hands and began crawling to-
wards the opposite side of the ravlne,
keeping we'll hidden in the, tall grass,
which stood rank and dry on either side
of the country road. Her cheeks were
pale, here eyes startled and her knees
trembling Ethel crept along beside her
for few PAGES. then said: But, Ger
tie, you aren't afraid of anything but
snakes and cyclones, and that wild beast
there is neither of them. What are you
creeping away for in this manner? Are
you really afraid:"
"Oh. yes. we may be eaten alive"
h,arsely whispered Gertie. ''Oh, I'm so
faint ! can hardly mOve / wonder If the
bear Is still III the same spot where he
WAS when we turned our backs toward
him. Are y9u afraid to look back, Ethel,
and see what he's doing? cantor I'm
SO frishtened,''
YES, I'll look back" agreed Ethel in
a calm and loud tone. ''Oh. the bear Is
coming-on his hind legs! See, he's walk
ing upright" But as she said this. Ger
tie became so pale with fright that Ethel
felt she must keep her in suspense no
longer and laughiGgly said; Look back
ward. Gertie. and you'll see the bear Is
none other than brother Bert He's been
playing an April Fool trick on YOU
Gertie dropped to II sitting posture in
the grass and wiped the perspiration from
her face Then. seeing the tall form OF
Bert advancing, great dark buffalo
robe over his back, she turned a deep
crimson color, shame and cnbarra ssment
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
e&S
BY HELENA DAVIS.

- TITLE ANDEVA stood in the big
stone kitchen of the old Dame Gre
gon mixing huge cake. AS she
u worked she longed and longed to
he, as happy and free as other lit
tie girls. for she was an orphan, working
for her "board and bed at the old Dame
Gregons castle. And the old Dame Gre
gon was hard mistress. domineering and
cruel, and she had no mercy on the little
Andeva.
When little Andeva first went to old
Dame Gregon's castle in the mountains
she was taught to make very fine light,
sweet cake, Il certain kind which the old
Dame was very fond Of And every day
little Andeva was obliged to bake half
dozen cakes for the old mistress of the
castle and her household of grown daugh-
tiers and sons and daughters-in law and
sons-in-law. And the little girl often be-
came very tired and longed and longed
to be free to go down the mOuntainside
to play with the happy peasant children
from the surrounding gardens and viii
lagos. But never had she the time to
play. even if she had had little comrades
to join in her pastme. She was kept very
busy all day long baking fine, sweet cakes
for the Dame and her household.
And on the day Of which | speak she
was very busy. and also very lonely and
unhappy. She was mixing In huge bowl
the ingredients for Il cake, and as she
stirred and sifted and beat the things
together the dough began suddenly to
rise from the bowl into Il white frOthy
mountain. Little Andeva was greatly sur
prised. for always before 1t had taken
the heat from the great oven to cause
the dough to rise. and even then 1t had
never risen TO such Il height.
What can he the matter with my
dough-" she asked herself. Have put
in too much yeast? But even had | done
so, it would not rise SO quickly and go so
high in the air.
No. little girl you have mixed your
cake dough after the right recipe" said
a voice near to A,.devas elbow. You
are not to blame for the action of the
dough: am responsible for it..
Andeya turned ahoat to see a fairy
standing beside her. She was so much
astOnished that she could not speak for
a minute and stood staring at the beauti-
full creature beside her.
Il know how unhappy you are. little
Andeva' said the fairy. land | have
come TO take you to happy home where
other children viii welcome you. And
this cake dough. which you will observe Is
JuiHiiS very VIII llll IIS way
through the roof of this stone kitchen,
ard by it We will ascend to the clouds.
From there way is safe-once out of
reach of this castle"
oh good fairy, are you speaking truly.
or am | but dreaming?" cried little
Andeva.
The moment Is real, and not dream"
said the fairy. And now we will ascend
to the roof, and from there to the clouds,
and then we will go on and on till we
reach land far from here; and there you
will find happy home
AS the fairy said this. she took Andevas
hand. and together they climbed to the
roof of the stone kitchen by the great pile
of dough which had turned to substance
as hard as rock. And as there were little
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

1t before we perpetrated Ii, though
had some doubts regarding the alto
gether truth of his statement" And
Sissy looked at Andy knowingly Now.
'fess up. Brother" she went on, address
ing her brother, didn't Mary and
really fool you last April Fools Day?"
Not a bit of it declared Andy. Il
smelt the mouse before he even peeped
from the hole, so to speak. But since
you girls had gone to much trouble
preparing the joke-why, l didn't want
to disappoint you, So | bit like
greeney''
Both Mr.. and Mrs Graham laughed.
and Mary and Sissy looked their doubts
at Andy. And so the morning meal was
finished accompanied hy happy CONVEX
sation and laughter. Then Mr.. Graham
went to his Office the children to their
chores and Mrs. Graham about her house
hold duties
About o o'clock Andy and Mary were
in the dining room. looking over some
new books. Mrs. Graham and Sissy were
in the sewing room completing !. frock
for Sissy TO wear on the morrow. SO
absorbed were the four that no one
heard soft footsteps approaching the front
door. And not one Of them saw n tai
dark form fit past the parlor window.
stop at the doorsteps and place pocket
book on the top one. Then he gave the
doorbell Il peal and quickly withdrew to
a hiding place behind thick bunch of
Shrubbery.
Each of the four Grahams In the house
heard the doorbell. but each waited for
the other to attend the door. Its some
one trying to fool us said Andy, going
on tiptoe to the parlor window and peep
ing from behind the lace curtain But
he'll not catch me. I'll promise you"
Il suspect it's the Andrews children"
said Mary, following Andy to the window,
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

bell again. Then well catch him In
the act.
Mrs. Graham looked from the parlor
window screened by the lace curtain SO
that no one on the outside could see her.
and beheld the fat pocketbook on the
doorstep. She smiled, saying: well,
I'll just go back to my sewing and let
you keep watch for the April Fool per-
petrator of jokes. When you catch him,
please be mild in your treatment of him.
He's always an inoffensive offender"
Andy and Mary laughed under their
breath at their mothers merry advice,
and took their stand beside the window.
Mrs Graham returned to the sewing
room and was soon lost in work.
But for five minutes-which seemed
quite an hour to the watchers-Andy and
Mary stood beside the window, peering
from behind the lace curtain. And moth
ing happened. The dark figure seemed
to have grown fast TO the spot behind
the shrubbery close to the side of the
house. After another minute of vain
waiting. Mary whispered to Andy:
Watched water never boils, brother
We'd get better results if we returned
to the sitting ROOM
.All right sister,, said Andy. Wen
leave the pot long enough for 1t to begin
to boil" SO saying, Andy led the way
to the sitting-room And just as they
had seated themselves to wait patiently
the doorbell gave long, loud peal, re-
sounding throughout the house
With quick leap, Andy was at the
door, jerking 1t open. But no one was
there. He looked up and down the
street, but not soul was in sight. Mary
was soon beside him. and even Sissy,
whose deepest interest lay in finishing
her new frock to wear on the morrow.
came running to the hall door to see
what the joke was.
Its some kid, declared Andy land
he's hidden somewhere nearby. But he
may watch in vain to catch me pick up
that purse. 1t may stay there till to-
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
BY WILLIAM WALLACE. JR.

yE n ELL, this is April Fools Day"
A n said Mr.. Graham as the family
u II gathered about the breakfast
N~ table II wonder what pranks
you youngsters will be playing
on each other today. Why, when I was
q hoy the first day OF April was more ex-
citing than the Fourth OF July, and we
were up early and at our harmless
pranks."
Il wish it were that way now" said
Andy. the second son of the household
I'd Just love to play some FRANKS on
the Kids ut school, but the other boys
don't seem to care about such sport.
When they play jokes they must be Of
a practical sort, and | don't approve OF
that form OF fun"
You are right. Son" said Mr.. Ora
ham. LET the young folks enjoy them
selves all that they can so long as they
refrain from playing practical jokes. Fun
should be. as you say, in an innocent
form"
I'D Just love to play some sort of
Apr,' fool on Andy" laughed Mary, the
ten ear-old daughter of the household.
But he's always so cautious that TO fool
him is Impossible
Yes. we played a little April fool joke
an him last year" said Sissy, the four
tcen- year-old daughter. And he de-
ciared afterwards that he knew all about
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

on her face. oh she gasped. Ion.
Bert. how could you he so mean: You
frightened Ethel and l. and i me almost
to death
mo. | wasn't frightened a bit, cX-
planned Ethel truthfully. Il knew it was
Bert all the time. but felt that yon
deserved to he tested -youl courage, you
know. SO just pretended to believe the
dark, crouchng figure To be a bear
And | wanted To teach You lesson.
Gertie,'' said Bert. joining them and as-
sisting Gertie to rise to her feet. Come,
Gertie, TESS up. You are easily
frightened rs aly other girl-if the right
thing comes along to do the work. al
ways knew you'd turn white at sight OF
real danger. so decided to let you have
the opportunity to know yourself. Nov,
You have gotten acquainted with the real
Gertie Smith, ard know she is as much
Of Il coward as anyone. in the presence
of bear Savey, Gertie:" And Bert
laughed good naturally. But | promise
you one thing, Gertie: Ethel and 1 will
never give this joke away Mum is the
word And think you'll thank me for
having shown you to yourself in ii truth
full light"
Gertie's face was serious. "Yes. | am
really ashamed OF myself, Bert She de
clared. Il have been boastful of a cour
age | did not possess. At heart | guess
/ am a coward
mo, one Is not coward to be afraid
of dangerous wild animals, for the pres
ervation Of life is the first law of ma
ture. But one Is either Il fool or a brag
CART TO pretend to be not afraid. 1t shows
good sense to keep safe distance from
danger or harm And 1T Is admirable to
always tell the truth" said Bert.
'les, yon AMI Ethel have taught Inc
n lesson today which | shall never for
get said Gertie. And after this | shall
make no foolish pretenses. Thank you.
Pert, for playing bear and for fooling
me on the 1st of April. ~
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
A Fairy and A Cake.

Steps formed In the sides or e.
dough, the effort OF going I'M u,s 'u I
very diflcult, and soon Andeva four5 ny
sell out or the kitchen and In fresh ~.
Ihen strange thing happened ond
most happy thing. Andeva was led ~
oear nttie wicket gate which led int
Deautlful yard full of flowers and ton
trees. And there, In the midst ~ ~
beauty, STOOD white stone cottage with
gay windows full of flowers. Go In a.
tap at the door. little Andeva and vo,'
VIII ma your journey at an end o,so
fairy. Sam the
Little Andeva did ms instructed On,
her tap ut the door was answered hv
sWeet-faced lady who was smiling verr
cordially. How do you do. lirtIe ,,rl
she said will you come in Will;
And-where did you come from. for Won
seem stranger to me?"
Andeva turned to let the fairy Snaop
but she had disappeared. Then soma
what startled to find herself alone and
among entire strangers. she told her story
But before she began her narrative Tho
lady invited her into the pretty LIVING
room and babe her to be seated Altar
she had completed the story of her IttIs
life, ending with her journey hither m n
cloud with the fairy. the lady took her
hands tenderly and said:
The good fairy knew that | had lost
dear little girl just your age, and she
led you to me To take my own dear daneh
ter's place. Here you shall remain rs NV
own child, and be sister to my little how
and little girl. They are playing in the
yard now-down by the brook. I'll lead
you TO them, and from this hour you shall
be happy"
And SO it happened that Andeva was
happy ever afterwards. and the mystery
Of the hard cake-dOugh was never ex-
planned in the castle of old Dame Oregon.
who became so frightened over It. and
at the sudden disappearance of her little
cake-baker that she died in great agony
and her sons and daughters and their
wives and husbands became wanderers ON
the face of the earth, fate they de
served rs punishment OF their wicked
treatment Of little AndeVa.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
BY MAUD WALKER.

NV SmI II
ii she was not afraid Of anything ex-
|" cept snakes and cyclones. This
u was n boast she was in the habit
of making when in the company
some OF her young friends who were in
,lined to doubt this statement.
''Gertie is safe In saying she fears only
snakes and cyclones said Bert Brown
one day, "for snakes and cyclones are
about the only things we have to fear In
our country. But / daresay shed change
her story--or add some other names TO
her list Of things to be feared-if we
had Wild animals In our part of the
world"
And In a way, Bert was probably right.
for Ia the state where Gertie lived there
we're few wild animals. The prairie wolf,
the rabbit, the prairie dog and the snake
comprised the sum total OF creatures to
he feared. Aud where is the prairie child
who fears the little coyote? And as he
WAS the most dangerous OF the creatures
named except the snake, Gertie was safe
in making such statement. But OF
course Gertie meant for her young
friends to believe that she was not afraid
OF creatures other than those that In
hahited her state She might even have
included such animals as tigers aud lions.
for she had no idea OF them other than
what she had picked up from reading.
One day while going home from school
Gertlc was again hoaSring about her
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

morrow before | touch it."
ooh, that's unfair to the kid" said
Sissy. Il say, let one of us pick up
the pocketbook just to give him his sport.
It's terribly disappointing to lay a plan
to catch someone on April FOOLS Day,
and have it prove failure. Let one Of
lis pick up the pocketbook and give the
joker his fun
Not me-" persisted Andy. "I'H not
fall so easy. If you girls want to do it
go ahead. And when some kid from be-
hind the hedge yells out April fool"
don't get mad"
Not IL bit of it," laughed Sissy. Come
on, Mary let's pick it up together. What
do you say?''
"All right. Sissy, III help to- give the
joker his triumph" consented Mary. So
together they opened the door and stopped
down, their right hands graspng the big
pOcketbOok together. They held it q mo-
ment, expecting to hear II voice from
some hidden spot calling out april
fool! But not vocal sound disturbed
the quiet around them. They were some
what surprised at the result of their
picking up the book, and decided to look
inSioe Vi IT, Inc! fe'urheu To tue par
ior' where Amy sun remained ana there
opened t1e mysterious pocketoook 10
the surprise OF AL they peheld great
ioid OF piiis-amouhtlng TO hVe hundred
aoilars' ANA around the biils was
wrapped II paper on which these words
were written: 10 the Gfaham boid
enough TO open TINS on the hrst day OF
April.
Why, what can 1t mean? gaSped
Sissy, almost afraid to keep the money
in her hands. 1T looks like sure-enOugh
money"
"It certainly il sura-enorcb monar :.
aooIoo, ,,,.''.1.;a1 -
~" A"oi' 'u' ''eu '"'A
A.' s"'e IAN iii'' ma mere. mary.
she IL know what 10 DO with TINS April
Fool joke.
Mrs. Graham came to see what the joke
WIS all about and on looking at the
money nronouncaa il capuipa ..ws.u
turn it over 70 the nolice !" sb. said
Someone must have lost it near
Rut sba did NOT finish bar santenca for
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

The largest drydock In the world will
be constructed by the United States at
Pearl Harbor. Hawaii.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09

- TITLE ANDEVA stood in the big
stone kitchen of the old Dame Gre
gon mixing huge cake. AS she
worked she longed and longed to
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
CITY ADDITIONS.

1. Add a weight to a tin vessel ana
get a Chinese city.
2. Add a vital part of the human ahat-
omy to reservoir of water and get an
English city.
3. Add a smoked meat to a village ana
get German city.
4. Add cruel conflict to ca"l'h'
ter's implement and get a Polish c.'t
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PLZ/LES-
CHARADE-BOb-O-
TR4NSPOSITION - 1. Reed-'tecr. :.
Tide-edft. 8. Lidr-rGH 4. HddeS-hedds
HIDDEN POET PUZZLE - Byron.
Words containing the iHitial letters l.
Bee. 2. Year 3. Road. 4. Old. .. amS;
REBUS = The children hunt c'I"'e"
Easter eggs.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-09
How the Joke Was Turned.

That we're planning joke,
So twill be a surprise
Then softly they cr""t
To grandpapas room; .
And in 'twixt his sheets
They lay an old broom.
And into the fireplace
They piled coal so wet
That should grandpa want it
No fire could he get.
But just as they'd finished,
Their ma called to say:
"Grandpa's off to the depot;
He's leaving today.
$50 come and say farewell
To your grandpapa, dear,
For we'll not get to see him
Again for a year"