davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

is an inducement The Balloon Club pays me half the gate receipts, which Is & pretty neat sum for these hard times. But-pm going to give 1t up pretty soon--as soon as I have ten thousand to go Into a ground business on. The air business Is telling"
 But Mir. John ceased speaking, and quickly put his hand to his head. He was whiter than cloth, and his eyes closed inyoluntarily. Once twice, he gasped, then his hands, which had been busily engaged in throwing out ballast, dropped Imply to his sides and he fell forward, his head resting against Franks shoulder.
 It would be impossible for one who has never experienced a similar shock to un- derstand Franks feelings at the moment when his uncle fell forward in a faint. In vain did he call to him, shake him, rub his face with some water they had in a bottle, and chafe his hands. Would the man never regain consciousnessF Oh. how foolhardy he had been to come up in the balloon. There were nine chances of fatal landing to one of safe land ing And his poor uncle-Oh. how more than foolhardy he had been to make these ascensions! For the first time. Frank began to realize the calm, keen, good judgment of his father. Daddy is right in most matters" he declared, as he rubbed his uncle's face and endeavored to revive him. But the fainting spell last ed quite a long time, and Frank had much to think about and much to blame himself for before he saw signs of return ing consciousness h his uncle. During the fainting spell Frank had not thought to look below him, and after his uncle had come to his full senses. he asked In a weak voice what had happened When told that he had fainted he looked fright ened and tried to sit up. How long since I fell over?' be asked hurriedly.
 'Oh, some time," said Frank. Tt seems hours. but of course. it has only been minutes"
 Look down quickly. and tell me what Is beneath us," cried Mir. John. Frank did as told and said: ''Why, uncle, we're sailing over water" His uncle sank back helplessly in the basket That's what l feared. We've reached the bay and the wind Is carrying us out to sea. Oh, God forgive me for having allowed you to come with me. What will brother say when he learns of this?' And the suffer ing man groaned aloud in his agony of spirit and physical pain. Listen, Frank, If we get ont of this scrape alive, never. never shall I make another balloon ascen- sion An airship-well that's differ ent proposition, for you can guide your boat. But this" And the agonized man shook his head.
 Frank felt himself growing cold and colder, and feared he too would lose consciousness On and on they went, and darkness settled down on them. What After that. silence -elgned. For hours
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

@ r was a stern Christmas Eve. the B snow flying and the thermometer reg " sterlng far below zero. From the N pavement of the towns streets one
 might look through windows into lighted. warm and happy homes, occasion ally getting peep of an evergreen Christ mas tree in the parlor surrounded by laughing people whose hands were busy decorating the trees branches prepara- tory for the festiyity which was to be enjoyed few hours later. It was only o'clock, and all the town was In its gala Christmas Eve attire.
 But there beat one heavy little heart in the great out-of-doors, where the chill blasts of wind swept so cruelty round street corners and down long, narrow alleys. And the heart that ached from cold and loneliness was in the breast or tiny Bonnie, sparrow without home Poor Bonnie sat perched and shivering on the bare branch of n slender tree that stood bending in the wind just outside the gate of very cozy home. In the home dwelt the Greysons, family con sisting of father, mother, two sons ana one daughter. The childrens names were Harry Jack and May. Harry was IA years old. Jack was Il and May s. May was always called the baby of the fam fly, and her two "big' brothers were forever doing nice things for her. Shes the only sister we've got" they would say, laughingly. 'So, we must behave mighty nicely toward her." And so they did
 But that's another story. Let us to the dilemma of poor little Bonnie. as be sat shiverlng near to his death on the bare limb of the slender tree that waved and tossed in the wind near to the front gate of the Greysons' home. "I'n surely freeze to death,'' said Bonnie to himself as the shadows of night gathered rapidly about him. And l am so hungry; oh, So hungry! If l might find crumb-just q crumb-I would be grateful for 1t. How can ever pass through this night?'
 Then the warm, yellow light coming from the parlor windows of the Greyson house attracted Bonnie'sa attention, and he stopped his melancholy soliloquy to hop to a limb nearer to the house that he might get a closer peep into the bright, warm place. Then, seeing that the ledge of the parlor window afforded better view, he hopped there though his feet were so benumbed from cold that he could scarcely bestir them And his wings were quite stiff and his whole body shivering. 4
 Once on the window ledge Bonnie could look into the room very easily, for only q lace curtain hung between, and the glass pane of course. And when he pressed his body against the pane he could feel some warmth, for on the other side bright fire was glowing in the grate and the comfortable atmosphere of the room spread all about even to the windows. As Bonnie looked he saw three children come into the room, and the eldest who was Harry, turned up the gas which had been burning but dimly. Then the children began hanging pretty things on a tall evergreen tree that stood in one corner of the room | As they worked the little girl took from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

her pocket a sweet cake and began to munch from it. But she was so ab- sorbed in her work of hanging box (which contained a pretty gift for one of her brothers) that she put the cake on a table near by and forgot It. As Bonnies eyes rested on the bit of sweet cake his tiny stomach gnawed afresh at sight of food. ..Ah, I wish the clear thing which covers this opening were not so hard, and that l might enter that beautiful place and take few bites from that good cakel' he whispered to him self But his attention was still held by the children who put ever so many pretty boxes and parcels on the tree Then. their work accomplished. the old est boy drew a curtain, which had been hung temporarily, across in front of the tree and they ran out of the room While Bonnie was wondering why they had gone from such a pleasant place, the door opened and In walked Mrs. Greyson, her arms laden with presents which sine proceeded to hang to the limbs of the tree.
 After Mrs Greyson had finished ar ranging hen gifts on the tree she turned out the gas, leaving the room lighted dimIy by the glow from the grate. And then, sniffing the air, she said aloud, so that Bonnie overheard her. "The room is too warm and needs fresh air. There will be about 12 persons in here tonight and the parlor must not be stuffy. I'll open one of the windows" So saying, sine went to the window that was direct ly beside the one on whose ledge perched freezing Bonnie, and opened the lower su ush some ten inches, leaving the cur tain drawn aside so that the fresh air might come in freely. Then the good lady left the room, calling out in the hall: Come. children, dinner Is waiting. And we must hurry a bit, for our com pany will arrive precisely at 8. and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

there, making loads of fun as he lifted the gifts from the tree. But Bonnie could not enter into the spirit of the oc- easion, for he felt that every minute would be his last. So he sat covering and shivering on the limb, too much afraid of what might happen to him should he fly away from It.
 And pretty soon pair of bright eyes rested on him. They were Santa's eyes. and he thought Bonnie stuffed or toy bird. "Ah. ha!' said Santa Claus, grin hing from ear to ear. i've have here dear little bird"
 But just as he was about to lay hands on Bonnie the poor fellow took heart to fly, and went across the room. landing on the top of a picture. Why, it's a real live birdl' cried Santa Claus Then everyone became excited, and MT. Grey son had to quiet them by saying: Be very still, for the little thing is frightened within an inch of his life. He doubtless got in while the window was open, and found what abe was look ing for, shelter from the terrible night. Ah, you dear, little sparrow" he said. addressing Bonnie, ''Ill make a house morrow. Till then, you shall remain in here.'
 And, sure enough, on the morrow, MT. Greyson, with the assistance of Harry, Jack and May, built snug little house and fastened 1t securely in a fork of the tree where winds could not blow 1t loose. And inside the little house May placed soft cotton and straw for Birdie to sleep in, and under the tree on top the gate-posts crumbs were put in plenty for Bonnie. And a deep bowl of pure water was also placed on one of the gate posts every day, so that Bonnie might drink and bathe whenever he desired to do so.
 It was not for several hours on Christ mas Day that Bonnie could be per suaded to enter his new and comfortable house fin the tree, for he was still frightened at the big people who were about him. As soon as the house had been completed and fixed in the tree. Mrs. Greyson had opened the windows in the parlor and allowed Bonnie to make his escape Once in the big, free world outside, however, Bonnie partly recovered himself, and felt that no harm could come to him now if he just kept his distance from the people. So he l waited on top of barn in the rear or neighbours house till the family had 1 gone indoors, then he syly flew to the Greyson's front gate and ate some of the l crumbs from the gate-post. Then he sought the tree beside the gate and. on exploring the bare branches. hunting no doubt for warm place. for the weather was still bitterly cold, he found the house with the open door. Into 1t he first put h.s head, and, seeing that the place contained no enemy, into 1t he stepped. And, finding 1t so cosy, he de cided to remain, which he dld.
 And ail that winter did Bonnie stay in the little house In the tree, and 1t was May Greyson who named him Bon nie, for she declared he was 'the bon niest birdie she had ever seen," and l all the family agreed with her. And not one day or night did Bonnie feel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

they sailed through cold air and moon light. For the latter they were thankful. About o'clock in the morning Mir. John gave a CIT of joy. There's Goodland Is- landl' he said "Now, we'll land rlght in the center of it. And there is life saving station there. Thank God for bringing us to safety
 ''Yes, uncle. God has answered my prayer, for I've been praying ever since you fainted," confessed Frank, tears roll ing over his cold cheeks.
 They had no difficulty in dropping to earth, and of awaking the keeper of the life station. He invited them in and had their story. "Waal. fellers." he drawled. you've had a fine Christmas in the air, ain't you? Will I have my men take you to shore? Waal, 1 reckon I will pards. An when this young feller tells his folks about his ride across the bay, gee, guess he'll feel his mammy's sliDper!" ''I ought to feel it. good and hard," said Frank vehemen1y.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

left on the shop steps. Lily in tears and Doggie looking at her sympathetically. The big policeman came to Lily and asked what was the cause of trouble. Lily told him all and gave the number of her house in Chester avenue. "Ah, then you are about 10 blocks from home, little one." explained the officer Come, I'll take you to the street that will lead you directly into your own avenue, and about three doors from your own home"
 Once within a few blocks of her home. Lily thanked the officer for the service he had rendered her and said she could go on alone now, as she was in familiar surroundings So, with Doggie at her side. and the skates over her arm (she had removed them before setting out for home) she went on in a happy frame of mind, for she was very grateful to have escaped that terrible boy. But you, you naughty skates" she said, shaking the skates emphatically, you behaved very badly towards me for you carried me into a very wicked place. Ah. shall never trust you off my own home pavement again. But---p and she turned to Dog gie, 'T have found a new friend, and un- less some one comes to claim you l shnll give you good home with us." And then she ran into her mothers arms and told of her very terrible experience.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

A FEB. darling. grandpa has sent you a S new mir of roller skates" And Mrs. Jackson held up to her little ~dauehter LiIy's view a fine pair of
 ro1let skates, such as would please the heart of any child
 ..Oh. Mamma, pair of new skates Is just what I wanted most of all, cried Lily in great glee. And now l shall roll to school every morning, for the pavements are fine all the way. on, how good of dear grandpa to know just what I most wanted and to send these lovely skates to mel!
 Then Lily put them on to see II they ftted. which they did exactly.
 Now, dearie. you may run out and try them on the pavement In the block. But don't go too far away from the house You know the skates will roll very rapidly, and you'll have to keep them under strict control" said Mrs. Jackson.
 All right Mamma" promised Lily. Then she was out and fying-or rolling, rather@oyer the pavement down the street. Oh, now perIecriy lovely the skates did roll! They carried her as though she were sailing on wings.
 After Lily had been skating for half an hour a little dog came running after her He was a bright-eyed, jolly fellow, and seemed anxious for froltc with Lily. Lily loved dogs, particularly live ly, friendly little ones like the one now endeavoring to make her acquaintance, so she right merrily agreed with Doggie to race down the street with him. So away they went, and Doggie parked loud ly, showing his enjoyment of the sport, and Lily laughed so gaily that passersby stopped to look after the racing pair and to smile. Lily was so excited that she did not notice the direction in which Doggie led her, for he was no sooner In one street than he turned corner into another and went on wildly, barking In high glee.
 Well. I'm tired Doggie," laughed Lily, stopping to get breath. Then she whis- tied to Doggie, who came back reluctant ily. He loved racing, evidently. Then Lily sat on some steps leading to small shop, Doggie close beside her. She mo- ticed the street thronged with dirty, ragged children, and began wondering where she was "Why. Doggie I don't recognize my surroundings" she said. Just then an impudent boy came saun- tering towards her, grinning. Hello, Miss. he smirked. "Where did youse git them skates? They belongs to me, If ain't badly off my trolley. Come, git out of 'em and hand 'em to their rightful owner"
 Lily trembled and stood ups looking about her, hoping to find some friendly face. But a group of dirty children had surrounded her by this time. and the boy continued: Come me purity miss. git
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

Axf After he had finished the eplstle ne
 turned to his wife. remarking:
 well, John always was venturesome chap. But I don't quite like his new fad. Balloons are never to be trusted They fly wildly here and there. alighting a any old place. preferably in some deep body of water or in a marsh. No, wish John would put his talents and energy to some better cause than that of aviation"
 "Why, Papa, think Uncle John the bravest man I know. He's not afraid to try things If all people sat back and feared to risk new inventions, we'd never make any advancement in the world. Wed all be riding Shank's mare. so to speak. There'd be no ships Or steam cars, or-or-hying machines. believe in all sorts of improvement" So spoke Frank Smith, 1s years old
 That's all right, my boy" smiled Mfr. Smith. And the day is near at hand when people will be crossing the country in airships at the rate of a hundred miles an hour. But I'm speaking of the old-fashioned, manageable balloon. No one Is foolish enough to have hopes for the success of the balloon. And all that my brother John is doing is flying about over park in the city giving exhibitions of his foolhardiness. I'm always afraid that some serious accident will happen to him. You know when be was boy he suffered from severe headaches. and often the attack would be so serious that he would fall into a fainting spell. Now, suppose something like that should over come him when in his balloon? Well. shudder to think of the consequences.
 "But he always has some one in the basket with him. observed Mrs Smith. And I suppose his companion knows h0 nf loon to manage it in case anything should happen to John. So don't cross the bridge till you come to 1t, Papa, dear"
 NO, If Uncle John will persist in risk ing his life giving balloon ascensions he alone should have to worry over the re- suit" remarked Katie Smith. Papa has quite enough on his shoulders to carry
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

 
LETTER ENIGMA.

LETTER ENIGMA. My first is in cape. but not In bay; My second Is in leave but not In stay My third is in orphan. but not in child;
 My fourth is in turbulent, but not In wild.
 My fifth is in donkey, but not in bray; My sixth is in sun, but not in ray;
 My whole fly above us
 Throughout the long year.
 Sometimes they are brilliant;
 Sometimes they are drear.
 zIGZAG PUZZLE. This zigzag contains nine words of five letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another their zigzag letters, beginning with the upper left-hand letter and ending with the lower left-hand letter, will spell the name of a certain day that we celebrate each year The crosswords are: 1. The favorite style for little girls hair. ?. The iand adjacent to a river. 3. Two score 4 That without which we could not reason. 5. Something we entertain for the future. &. soft substance much used by glaziers. '. A lay figure. 6. Parts of our anatomy. Q. man who works in a shop. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES
 CC0re
 WORD SQUARE: Rsss Rsss
 Ends
 LETTER ENIGMA: Guitar PRIMAL ACROSTIC: ADidtor. Cross scords, 1. Arch. 2. Vine. 8. Inch. 4 Aunt. D. Tune. 6. OUen. T. Rule. PICTURED WORD PUZZLE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

the cold, and when other sparrows chanced to pay him visit-which was quite freauent--he had delightful par Tor in which to entertain them. And seeing these little visitors coming there caused Mir. Greyson and his sons to build several more sparrow houses in the tree beside the gate. and there were plenty of sparrows to take possession as soon as the tree-apartments were ready for them.
 .'l wonder If Bonnie ever tells his friends of his Christmas Evey' asked May one morning. as she and Jack were feeding the birds.
 "Sure he does," declared Jack. And his story is interesting. too.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
Christmas Tree Chat.

r AM a little Christmas Tree, ! And one day soon you will
 see me In gala fnery, boughs all hung With gifts SO nice, and candy
 strung From limb to limb, with ribbons
 gay! Yes, some day soon I'll look that
 way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

One time 1 grew quite wild, you
 see;
 But came man who looked at Said he: You are the exact size. A tree like you we'll surely prize. My children want an evergreen, And you're the incest one I've
 seen."
 So I was lifted from the dirt, And, strange to say, it did not
 hurt;
 Then carried to the city, where So many folks at me did stare. And in a parlor fine I'll stay Till one week after Christmas Day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

Mzs HE Smith family sat about the
 breakfast table, MT. Smith reading aloud a letter from his brother Anxs After he had finished the epistle he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

PICTURED WORD PUZZLE,
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-19
ACTIVITY
!. SHOWN IN
4TH WARD

This promises to be a banner
year for the Fourth ward in the
matter Of building and public i'm
provements. Immense sewer prop
ositions are under contemplation, a
great amount of paving Is talked Of,
the North Coast and Spokane, Port
land G. Seattle railroads are coming
In along the river, the Monroe
street concrete bridge and a steel
bridge at NettIeton street will
start, there will! be improvement in
the water service in the vast dis
trict above the Monroe street hill,
including the completion of a
standpipe in Grene's addition-aII
of which gives promise Of a very
active year in the northwest Sec
ton of the city.
A petition has just been placed
in the hands of Councilman Charles
w. Mohr for the renewal of the
plan to build the Fourth ward sew
err, district No. 4, which was shelved
on the occasion of It's former con-
sideration. This district will have
trunk sewer beginning at Boone
and Adams and running in a north
westernly direction to the rver,
where it will empty back of the Pet
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-19

dral. The appointment will be
made by the Bishop Lemuel Fl.
Wells, subject to the approval Of
the chapter or official board of the
church.
The Spokane Title company has
resolved to set aside 100000 as an
indemnity fund for the protection
of holders of policies of title insur-
ance. The fund will be started
with surplus of 100000 ordered
set aside at the meeting of the di-
rectors. held yesterday.
Frank w. Guilbert, who has re-
turned from an extended visit in
California joins in the chorus Of
protest over Spokane's lack of paw
ing.
w. G. Muiligan is the president
of the Citizens Investment COM
pany, new corporation recently
organized with a capitalization Of
$4,000. II. l.. McWilliams is treas
urer and Charles ID. Robinson Sec
rotary.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-19
WEEDS DIVORCED
WIFE AND RUNS
Chicago Man Commits Indis-
Cretion While Drunk.
When Charles E. kirkwood Awak-
ems and Discovers What He Has
Done He Rushes From the
House, Hurries Homo and imme-
diately Petitions the Court to
AnnuI the Marriage.

CHICAGO, Jan. 19.-When Chas.
e. Kirkwood awoke at ManistiQue,
Mich, after two days spree and
discovered that he had remarked
his divorced wife, he made a mad
dash from the house where they
were staying, ran for train and
returned to Chicago Today Kirk
wood filed bill in the circuit court
asking an annulment of the mar
riage on the ground that he was too
dazed at the time of the ceremony
to know what he was doing.
Kirkwood. who is a salesman,
was first married October 10, 1905,
at Superior, Wis. His wife OBJ
tanned decree of divorce from
Judge Charles M. Walker, October
4, 1909, on the ground of cruelty.
Mrs. Kirkwood was paid $1,000 as
a settlement.
Kirkwood became lonesome for
his two boys, Charles and Edward,
after his divorce, and on the day
before Christmas telephoned to his
wife at Manistique for permission
" StS Ills SOHS. Arrangements
were made and he was to have met
his wife and two boys at Escanaba,
Mich. When he arrived there De-
cember % he found his wife had
brought the eldest boy, Charles
Kirkwood She said he could see
the younger at the home of her
parents at Manistique.
Kirkwood says that he met his
wife's father and brother and that
all of that day and night was spent
in visiting saloons and in drinking.
His sense. he declared, became
dulled. and he went to Manistique
the next day, where he saw his
other son. Then followed more
drinking. That night, he says, to
his best knowledge, he engaged a
cutter. and. accompanied by his
divorced wife, went to the county
clerks home, obtained a license
and they were married.