davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

in this way by accident! Then she
thought of Nancy's having too readily
given consent to her going with Frankie
to play by the creek. She should have
made inquiry and found out just where
Frankie was going to take her. And then
she hit the water, splash!
As she floundered about in water the
depth of her own head. she strangled,
screamed and coughed in succession. bat
Ting all the time to reach the shore
only few feet away.
frankie, seeing the accident, was fright
ened into silence, but not into inactivity,
for he went down his tree like a cat,
rushing to the waters edge and extend
ing his hands towards Edith. But not
being able to reach the frantic little girl,
he waded out till the water reached his
arm pits. Then he caught Der hands and
dragged her ashore
Both children were more frightened than
hurt, and 1t took them some moments to
recover speech, although Edith still made
terrific vocal noises, such as sobs, short
shrieks and groans. But pretty soon she
realized that the danger was over, and
that she was sitting on dry land again,
her body whole and unhurt save for the
sudden ducking.
frankie was the first to speak. "You
aren't very good tree-clmber, are you,
Edith?' he asked in casual way, just
as though nothing of any consequence
had happened to prove his conclusion.
And Edith, her face flushing from en-
barrassment, replied, mot very, frankie.
But-maybe | might learn-if ony-only
Il had tree that didn't stick itself
over the water. / would not mind falling
in the grass, you know. But the water
1t spells my clothes. That's ALL" She
had grown very calm now, sitting SO
safely In the sweet-scented grass, bird
overhead singing to her.
'Well," and frankie shook his head, II
am not so sure that you could learn,
Edith OF course, If any CURL could climb
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
4 Peculiar Ceremony

issue sheets of fame and loud detona-
tons. Meanwhile, a mass Is being sung
composedly within the choir, as though
nothing was happening without. The
fireworks continue to explode for a quar-
ter of an hour, and then the great gar
landed oxen, white. with huge horns, are
revoked to the CAIRO and 1t Is drawn
away.
''The fight of the dove for Its course
Of about $50 feet Is watched by the
peasants with breathless attention, for
they take its easy or jerky fight as omi-
nous of the weather for the rest of the
year and of the prospects of harvest. II
the bird sails along without a hitch,
then the summer will be fine; but IL there
be sluggishness of movement, and one
halt, then another, the year is sure to
be one of storms and late frosts and hall.
NOW. what is the origin of this ex-
traordinary custom-a custom that is
childish. and yet is SO curious that one
would hardly wish to see It abolished?
Several stories are told to explain 1t,
none very satisfactory. According to
one, a Florentine knight was In the cru
sading host of Godfrey de Bouillon. and
was the first to climb the walls of Je-
rusalem ind plant thereon the banner of
the Cross He at once sent tidings or
the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre back
to his native town by carrier pigeon, and
thus the Florentines received the glad
tidings long before it reached any other
city in Europe. In token of their glad
ness at the news. they instituted the
ceremony of the White Pigeon and the
carro on Faster Even
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

~ LACK-AND-TAN was the name of
US. the dearest little dog one could
want to see. And Black-andTan
" belonged to the dearest little boy
one could wish to know. Indeed,
Black-and-Tan loved his young master.
Hughie Banks, as dearly as Hughie loved
him. But for all that. Black and Tan
sometimes yearned for adventure. He SO
often saw great common dogs running In
the alleys. uncollared and unowned, and
very probably unloyed. And sometimes
the foolish notion came into his canine
head that he would like to be just
common cur, owning the freedom of the
alleys and back streets.
One day while Hughie and Black and
Tan were walking through the park
they met one of those. stray ours that
Black-and-Tan envied SO much. AS the
common cur made a friendly advance
towards Black-and-Tan the latter paused
to speak In dog language to him. Hughie.
who had seen some of his school friends
on bench not far away, did not notice
the strange dog nor his salutaton Of
Black-and-Tan. who responded in such a
friendly fashion, but calling out to his
comrades, ran to where they sat In the
shade of great tree. And for the first
Few minutes he did not notice the alb
sence Of Black-and-Tan.
After his master had hurried to meet
MS friends Black -and-Tan thought his
opportunity had come at last. He would
run away with the strange dog and live
inc life of a free-and-easy tramp cur.
How fine to go foraging for his food every
day, hunting In garbage barrels at the
back doors. He had seen many strange
ours doing that way, and had always
lOnged for the experience
The stranger, dog was ready to move on
down the shaded path, and Black and
ian hurried along at his side, commun-
ing with him In their common tongue
Ihey were soon In u wild place in the
park, on the banks of deep stream
where trees and underbrush made them
secure from the eyes of people on tue
hillside just above. Down in this nook
were many squirrels and numerous In
sects. But few people came there owing
to the dampness of the low-lying hollow
The strange cur-whom we will call
Tramp for want of better name
chased the squirrels about till tired.
Then he started towards town, Black
and-Tan close at his side. Tramp did
not care to frisk about much for he had
reached the serious age. and his one
thought in life seemed to be hunting for
food, or the occasional chasing of SOUR
rels or cats. But he rather liked aris-
tocratic little Black-and-Tan, who had
warmed to him SO quickly, and he led
the little fellow on and on getting far
ther and farther from the spot in the
park where Hughie and his friends were
vainly hunting for Black-and-Tan.
1t was only few minutes after reach
ing his friends that Hushie discovered
Black-and-Tan was missing. And even
then he supposed that the little doggie
had merely stopped in the path to look
at some squirrel on a limb and that he
would soon put in an appearance. But
as the time went by, and no Black-and-
Tan came into sight. Hughie and his
friends began search for him. Failing
to find him, Hughie reported the case
to the park policeman who said he would
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
LITTLE F,DITH'S PF.RIL.

that accompanied n trip to the creek,
In the shallow water.
I'm so glad Nancy permitted me to
come" said Edith. She thought that If
any danger should befall her she would
In no way be responsible. The f.ult
would be Nancy's for having allowed her
to wander off on adventures
When they reached the banks of the
creek frankie picked out a nice big tree,
with limbs growing conveniently close to
the ground, for Edith to climb, and an
other tree, not so easy of ascent, for
himself. Beings you are CURL. I'll
give you the easy, tree" he explained,
Then he demonstrated to Edith the meth
cd of climbing a tree. After he was Sc
curely seated in a. top-most branch Of the
great tree he called out to Edith to Ego
up her tree" Edith did not make out
very we'll however for her apron caught
In twig and impeded her ascension.
After freeing her apron from the twig.
she succeeded In reaching n low, wide
swinging Dough which extended directly
over the waters of the creek. Once
there, she decided on going no higher.
''Ah, go up higher! called out Frankie,
seeing that Edith had halted in her climb
ing and was preparing to seat herself in
little saddle-like place on the limb.
go on to the limb above that one. It's
ensy as falling Off log
Whether Frankie's comparison had any
thing to do with 1t or not, the words
failing Off a log had scarcely left his
lips when Edith toppled and fell head
long into the water beneath. She screamed
as she descended so rapidly, and thought
her time had come to die. How many
things went through her child's mind dur
Ing that short moment could hardly be
told. First OF all, she thought OF her
dear papa and mamma. Then she thought
of death, oh, so horrible to be suffered
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

fore Edith could say word the little
chap, who felt bit responsible for the
accident TO his little neighbor. had run
away, getting well out of sight behind
a clump OF bushes before the automobile
bearing Ediths mother came up along
side the waiting child.
TO say that Mrs. Bowers was surprised
to find her little daughter on the public
road In such sad plight would be put
ting 1t mildly. She was more than shocked
and quite upset after Edith told hei
the whole circumstance. why, child,
you knew 1t was not right for you to go
to the creek to climb trees. even though
the thoughtless Nancy did give her con-
sent. And l shall have talk with Nancy
MS soon as l reach home. And-you must
never be willing to do naughty things
just because you have some one else on
whom you may throw the blame. You
might have met with a very serious acct
dent. and all through your doing that
which your better-self told you was
wrong. And that hiding frankie shall
hear from me, too He was equally %
blame with you and Nancy"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

man and pnrtook of the food offered him.
Just as he had finished the milkman took
him up into the wagon beside him, and.
strange asi it may seem. Black-and-Tan
was happy to be there. Somehow he felt
that he was to see his home once more.
And he did see it, too. within the next
hour, for Hughes house was just
few blocks away from the spot where
Black-andTan was found. And as
Hughes mother gave the milkman the
reward-ten dollars as advertised ughie
took the doggy In his arms and Rugged
him lovingly. And had Black-and-Tan
been able to tell of his adventures he
would have done so, most certainly, and
would have finished his narrative by say
ing: '.Ah. that thing called alley-free-
dom, where stray dogs and cats prowl
and fight. is not all 1t is thought to be.
Happy am l to be back in home where
food, drink and shelter are provided me,
and not foraged from sour old garbage
barrels. / am not made for a tramp.
after all. And ! love n quiet. respectable
life. No more adventures for me-"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

n HE following interesting description
of a most peculiar ceremony which
- takes place In Florence on Easter
eve is quoted from Barring Gould's book
entitled, "In Troubadour Land"
81 was at Florence on Easter eve. A
ceremony of a very peculiar character
takes place there on that day at noon.
In the morning a monstrous black struc-
ture on wheels, some twenty-five feet
high, is brought into the square before
the cathedral by oxen, garlanded with
flowers. This erection, the CARO-, Is also
decorated with flowers, but is likewise
covered with fireworks. A rope Is then
extended from the caro- to pole when
is set up in the choir Of the Duomo, be-
fore the high, altar For this purpose
the great west doors are thrown open,
and the rope extends the whore length
of the nave. Upon It, close to the pole,
is perched white dove of plaster.
"Crowds assemble both in the square
and in the nave of the cathedral Peas
ants from the countryside come In in
bands. and before the hour Of noon every
vantage place is occupied. and the square
and the streets commanding 1t are filled
with a sea of heads.
"At II 80 the archbishop, the canons
and the choir go down the nave In pro-
cession, and make the circuit OF the
Duomo, then re-enter the cathedral, take
their places In the choir and the mass
for Easter Eve is begun. At the Gospel
at the stroke of PA match is ap-
piled to a fusee, and instantly the white
dove flies along the rope, pouring forth
a tail of fire, down the nave, out at the
west gates, over the heads Of the crowd,
reaches the CARO-, ignites fusee there,
turns, and. still propelled by its fiery
tail, whizzes along the cord again, till
1t has reached its perch on the pole In
the choir, when the fire goes out and 1t
remains stationary. But in the mean
time, the match ignited by the dove has
communicated with the squibs and crack
ers attached to the CAIRO, and the whole
mass of painted wood and flowers Is en-
veloped il fire and smoke. from which
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

the fence into the alley, the great black
cat In hot pursuit. another stray cur
got taste of Blackie's claws" said the
masculine voice at the window. II tell
you that cat is fighter"
Eyes, she keeps the dogs away" as
scented feminine voice. How do
hate stray cats and dogs about"
And little Black and Tan not knowing
which way to turn. crept into n nook be-
hind some bushes and lay there till morn
ing As the milkmen were going their
rounds one of them saw Black-and-Tan
standing disconsolately In the alley, look
ing so fororn. "Ah, ha, answers the
very description" chuckled the milkman,
looking over. an advertisement in a paper
he drew from his pocket Then he got
down from his wagon, held out cup Of
milk to the starving dog and said: Huh
huh, doggie. Come, you're worth $40 to
me, for that's the reward they offer for
your return
Black-and-Tan knew a friendly voice
when he heard it, and liking the looks of
the fresh milk. he went up to the milk
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
The Adventures of BlaCk-and-Tan

Soon the night began to fall and Black
and-Tan, very tired and hungry, wished
that he were In Hughes big and happy
home. There he would have had de-
licious supper of milk and dog biscuit.
And so often Hughie brought him bits OF
meat or a nice bone, which he delighted
In hiding. And, sometimes Hughes
mother gave him a bit of cake or n lump
of sugar. which he relished exceedingly.
But tonight he was not only without
shelter, but supperless. And, perhaps, he
would not be able to find even fresh
drink of water!
Up and down the alleys trotted tired
little Black and-Tan, peerirg into every
back yard and shifting at the scent of
cooking food that came from open back
doors. But he dared not enter one Of
those yards, for in many of them he
saw other dogs-big fellows and fierce
looking or terrible cats perched on back
fences. And so he suffered the pangs of
hunger and thirst.
But at last about q o'clock he became
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

must hurry home and get on dry clothes,
she went on, rising and shaking the wa
ter from her frock. "And l must show
Nancy just what happened through her
carelessness In allowing me to come off
here She should not have permitted 1t.
should she?''
mo, the best place for gurls Is In the
yard-with fence round it, acquiesced
frankie seriously. They aren't mt for
adventures. Come along, III take you
home"
Hardly had they reached the big road
when they heard the conk, conk, conk Of
an automobile horn behind them, and,
turning about. the dripping Edith cried:
''Oh, it's mammal She's coming home
from town. She'll pick us up. Oh won't
she be surprised to see me in this condi-
ton? And-won't she scold Nancy for
permitting me to Gomez
Yes, and she'll scold both me and you
for asking Nancy to let you come,' said
Frankie. Then thought entering his
mind he quickly said: "Oh, since your
mammals here to take you home. I'll 60
back to the creek for a WHILE" And be-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

let him know II dog Of Black -andTan's
description were found in the park. Then
Hughie hurried home to tell his mother
about the missing Black-and-Tan and to
get her advice. She told him to insert
an advertisement In the evening paper,
and to offer n reward.
In the meantime Black-and-Tan was
frisking about in alleys and by-streets,
foraging for his supper. He was stick
Ing as close to Tramp as though they
had been brothers, and Tramp, a good
natured old cur, seemed to have grown
quite fond of his new youthful compan-
ion. But when, after some hunting about
In a garbage barrel which stood in a
very dirty alley, Black-and-Tan found
fine bone with quantity of meat on 1t.
old Tramp began to show different side
to his character. He growled and snap
ped at Black-and-Tan, causing the little
fellow to become so frightened that he
dropped the bone. That was just what
old Tramp wished him to do. and no
sooner had the bone fallen from Black
and-Tan's mouth than old Tramp had II
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

so thirsty that he decided to brave any
danger to hunt for water. In a back
yard he saw a pan filled with the delicious
liquid, which sparkled invitingly in the
moonlight. Evidently 1t has been placed
there for the use of two cats that Black
and-Tan saw on porch, and that
seemed to be asleep. So into the yard
he crept, going under a fence. Just as he
was tapping from the pan. the water re-
lieying his parched tongue, one of the
cats leapt upon him from the porch. She
scratched and bit furiously, while poor
Blackand- Tan tried to free himself of
her. He barked Justify and the other
cat began to yawl. This created quite
n din in the back yard of the residence
and from an upper window head was
thrust out and masculine voice called:
cit out, you pesky stray cur. Git out!
An take that as you go, to remember
this place by" And through the air
came flying an old shoe, which hit poor
Black-and-Tan square on the head. Wild
ly, crying, the little dog fed. going under
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

between his own jaws. And poor. hungry
little Black-and-Tan crouched behind the
barrel. fearing to come out lest his new
found companion should bite him.
Well, this was Black and-Tan's first
lesson in dog-cnaracter. And he decided
to profit by the knowledge, for he would
never again love or trust old Tramp.
When n big old dog could stoop SC low
rs to rob his younger brother of a bone
he had found by dint of scrambling
about in a garbage barrel, and without
so much as a beg your pardon, friend.
but I'd like to sample that bone,' he
was not worthy of Black-and -Tans
friendship. So, as soon as the old dog
bad lain himself down to crunch at the
bone, and to enjoy every moment of the
crunching, little Black-and Tan slipped
from behind the barrel and scooted off
down the alley as fast as he could go,
his poor tail tucked in a shamed manner.
He felt that he had been made a fool of.
And so he had.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
sTATE-LETTER PUZZLE.

Take the letters composing the name Of
one of the states nine letters and from
them compose the following words. 1.
A place from which valuable matter Is
taken. 2. drunkard. 8. The home Of
birds. 4. An adult. 8. cheap metal
g. Part of a flower. I. Te Idevour. g.
That by which we are known. 8. A
life-companion. 10. door rug H. To
point at anything. y. hard substance
10. To commit a wrong. IA. A feature Of
the face. 10. Something worn over ladies'
hair. 49, very industrious insect II.
A weight of large quantity. IL. pair
of horses. 10. A light color.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

This diagonal contains eight words Of
eight letters each. II the words are
rightly guessed and written one below
another their diagonal letters, beginning
with the upper left-hand letter and end
ing with the lower right-hand letter, will
spell the name Of month. The cross
words are: !. Something we see at night
2. To make longer. g. One without
luck. f. Transient. 8. sweet-scented
shrub. 6. A receptacle for holding money.
7. small instrument Of ivory or wood
used by the Spaniards to accompany song
and dance. 8. A transverse bar used In
many forms of structure.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
NEWSPAPER AS TEXTBOOK.

m experiment is being tried In the
public schools Of Danzlg Of teaching
y : the children by making the daily
paper the textbook. The teachers ex-
clude all politics and crime, and the
reading is confined to scientific and lit
erary news and weather reports, and even
stock exchange information Is discussed.
This new mode of allowing the children
to know what Is going on about them is
very popular. and has been SO far found
to give good results.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
A POWERFUL WIND MILL.

~ HE largest and most powerful wind
mill in the world has just been COM
~ pleted at Willesden, England. 1t
will be used to generate electricity, sup
ply power to run crushing machinery and
work the pumps. 1t is claimed the wind
mill is able to generate enough electricity
to run three hundred lights, to crush
oats and grind maize, work an electric
lift, heat room and cook food for very
little cost.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

TENDING the pretty BIOS
4 SONS
That in the garden grow
Are little Grace Amelia
And her young brother, Joe.
With sprinklers full of water
They feed the thirsty flowers
They weed and Irvine the ivy
To form sweet shady bowers.
Each morning in the garden
With their mamma there to
show
Them where to weed and prune
and clip
To make the blossoms grow.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

we'll. you would be that gurl. But gurls
aren't intended to climb-same as boys.
But they're awfully good ut falling off, :"
he added. MY big sister always falls
off high places. She fell off her horse
once, and again she fell off Il foot bridge
right into the water. Gurls seem to like
falling into water. don't they?"
'0h, they don't mind" said Edith, evil
IDENTIFY forgetting the way she had
screamed from fright during the few sec
onds she was battling in the brook ut
spells their clothes. you know. And
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
CONUNDRUMs.

why is a school-boy being logged like
your eye?
Because he Is pupil under the lash.
What is the difference between wom-
an and a parasol?
You can shut the pardsoI up.
Why is Sunday the strongest day In
the week?
Because the remaining stu days are
geek days.
Why does an empty purse suggest con-
sthncy?
Because yos can ind no change IN 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

For as sure as Fate his face will
become
Sour and ugly as the meanest
Glun-Glum.
And soon no loneliness can he
see;
And his heart will shrink as small
as a pea;
And his smile will vanish on the
very day
That he with the Glun-Glums
goes to stay.
So avoid those People who al
ways frown,
Be they in village, city or town;
Who Hate and Envy and never
Smile,
And who live in Idlencss all the
while.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24

on the Glum 9'., h,r Land is
There every one wears a scowl on
his face.
The Boys and Girls, and the
Grownups, too,
Just scold and fret and are al
ways blue.
No laughter echoes in that
strange land,
Where Grouehes and Cranks
make up the band;
No games are played, no lessons
learned,
For Joy and knowledge by all
are spurned.
Oh, woe to the Child who joins
their band,
And goes to live in their awful
land
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-24
q OwPuZZle Corner s
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first Is in war, but not In peace;
My second is in aunt. but not in niece;
My third is in snake, but not in toad;
My fourth is in heavy, but not in load;
My fifth is in ink, but not in blot;
My sixth is in drunkard, but not In sot;
My seventh is in glass; but not In clear;
My eighth is in terror, but not in fear;
My ninth is In stone, but not in bricks;
My tenth Is the same as you found in
my sixth.
My whole spells the name
OF man who was great;
And of him our histories
Have much to relate.