davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

BY WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.
~ OF was a dear little girl of nine
years. Tot was her brother Of
seven. They were seated In the
sunshine that flooded the big,
green-carpeted lawn which stretched
about their home. Everywhere lovely
towers blossomed: roses, lilacs, flags, and
svery kind of yard flower that one sees
In the spring.
Il was the twenty-ninth day of May
and people were getting ready for Deco
ration Day. Dot and Tot had heard
their mother and father talking of the
coming event for a week, and they had
promised Dot and Tot all the flowers that
they wanted to carry to the cemetery.
"You must decorate those graves which
hfe uncared for" said their mother.
"There are so many that will have no
bowers unless we take Them
And now, as they sat there. Dot weav-
Ing a wreath of IAnsies, their conversa-
Hon turned upon Decoration Day. We'll
have such a lot of lovely wreaths." Tot
remarked I'VE can put EN- on mos a
hundred graves. can't we?'
"Yes, on the poor forgotten graves"
explained Dot You see, there are some
very old people buried there, an all their
children have moved far, far away to
some other place. So there Is no one
to put flowers on their grayes,-'less
little boys an girls, like you an me, do
L for EN-"
Just then Tots attention was attracted
By little girl who was just outside
The hedge which bordered the lawn. She
was reaching her arm over the low hedge
Ind pulling occasional roses from some
bushes which grew there. Tot, knowing
that the roses belonged to his own yard,
called out: stop pullin' our roses!'
Dot looked up from her work and saw
HE little girl WAS she gathering roses
from our bushes?" she asked Of Tot.
'Yes, an she mustn't take any more,
Tot declared. Its stealin'."
"Oh. you mustn't say that, Brother"
laid Dot. Maybe she doesn't know they
selong to any person in particular. I'll
rail- to her to come in And Dot called
,ut 10 the little girl, who was looking
It her and Tot most intently. Come in,
little girlr'
The little girl, thus invited, did not
wait for a second invitation. She bur-
He'd in through the gate and advanced
10 the sunny spot on the soft grass where
Dot and Tot awaited her.
"Howdy do" said Dot. won't You
please sit DOWN. And she designated
/ place on the ground beside herself.
The little girl, half a dozen roses in
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

1t honest and deserving. And hope
never to envy those who think themselves
above me, though l may hold an opinion
which differs from theirs. really have
not been trying for the valedictory. 1t
seemed inevitable that II would fall to
me, until you began to catch up with me.
Now, | hope I have made myself clear,
and that there will be no hard feelings
between u.s."
As she finished speaking, Beatrice
smiled and bowed to Harriet, then passed
on down the street. She had been deeply
wounded, but was too sensible a girl to
let the matter weigh heavily on her heart.
Indeed, she did not allude to her CONVEX
sation with Harriet when she talked with
her parepts that evening at supper.
The same evening found Harriet sitting
in her room alone, and a little pucker
between her eyes pronounced the fact that
she was Ill pleased with something or
somebody. And the somebody was none
other than herself. After parting from
Beatrice on the street that evening her
conscience had kept calling out to her In
spite of herself why should you have
insulted that poor, honest, deserving
young classmate?" 1t kept asking. And
Harriet could not answer.
At last, after having sat in her room
iof uh houi pohuciinS SIG DIOhc OUT WIFI.
Harriet Gray, you're snob Why should
you be SO stuck up over your fathers po-
sition and wealth? 1t Is not yours. You
did not make a cent of the money you
spend. Your father made 1t with his own
perseverance and good Judgment. If he
had been like poor Mr.. Finch, what would
you have been? Only the daughter of a
poor carpenter; and you could not have
been placed in the same rank with Bea-
trice Finch. for she Is an unusual girl.
First, she Is lady; second. she Is above
the petty things which you-Harriet-- al
low to govern you In life. Yes, you have
been a snob, an overbearing egotist!
How the poor girls face flushed when
so vulgarly limited at the difference be-
tween her station in life and mine. And
how mean l felt, too. Butt shall make
amends to her If she will allow me to
do so.'
The last week of school rolled by, and
two days before the great Commencement
day Beatrice Finch was surprised one
evening to have call from Harriet
Beatrice had gone to her own room to put
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

could and explained to his mother that
he had a telescope offered him for a GER
tain amount. Its three times as much
money as l have, mamma" he explained.
Butt thought maybe l might borrow
some from papa. l have a plan for pay
ing papa back very soon."
"Well, l know papa will want to help
you out, dear" said Archie's mother.
Ing at supper"
Archie acted on his mothers advice and
opened negotiations with his father for
small loan. His father shook his head
at first, asking: But, my son, how do
you expect to make the instrument pay
for itself? Don't you think we are quite
too poor to invest In telescope just
now? You know am pretty much In
debt-got some bills to meet next month,
and am short of funds to do 1t with.
I'd like for you to have the instrument,
son, but And Archie's good father
shook his head again.
Archie was serious for a moment, then
said: Papa, / have plan by which I'll
make back the price Of the telescope
during Halley's comets visit In May.
And l think IN double the price l paid
for 1t, for l have made the lowest esti-
mate on my income from the telescope
that can be possible. Now, just try me,
Dad. know my scheme is a dandy
one"
"All right, son." smiled the father In
diligently. And he felt confidence In
Arches plan, though the boy had not
yet explained 1t to him. ''All right. I'll
give you the money tomorrow and you
can close the bargain with the old man."
TIE next day Archie was the happiest
boy In the city. He owned the telescope.
and 1t was In his room. That evening
after school he had talk with the su-
perintendent of the big apartment house
where he lived. And within an hour after
this talk, his telescope was placed on the
roof of the seven-story apartment house,
pointing right into the face OF the Man
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

strument Of steel and glass, 1t was true
friend to me. But the other day
received a letter from my oldest daugh-
ter telling me that her husband had
fallen heir, through the death of an aged
uncle, to a great cattle ranch, and that
now there will be place for me in their
new home on the great plains. -, there
] shall go next week, and my dear old
friend the telescope, is for sale"
A thrill of joyous hope entered Archie's
heart. For sale-the street telescope!
Oh, maybe he might possess 1t. Then he
ventured a question:
What price do you ask for your tele-
scope sir?"
''Well you see, 1t has a fine glass;"
explained the old gentleman. II paid a
good price for 1t when 1t was new. And
1t Is as good today as 1t was then. for l
have used 1t like a baby
Maybe you would rather not part from
it, said Archie, alphabetically. "Why
don't you carry it with you. sir?"
The old man smiled what use would
I have for telescope on the plains
living in a ranch house? Why, there Is
only the unobstructed heaven overhead,
and l can sit out of evenings and look
at the great system of stars with my old
eyes unaided by a glass. know how
they look without tie telesceo pes assist
ance And it would be only a bother to
have 1t out there-among lot of little
youngsters and--and-catte." Another
grim smile went over the aged face.
But he FASTENED to say, IL much pre-
fer to be with my daughter and her little
ones than to remain In this cold. lonely
city with my old friend. the telescope"
''Well, | should like to buy the instru-
ment" said Archie. And IL the figure
you name is not too great, why I'll take
it off your hands"
The old astronomer named the price
he wanted for the telescope, and Archie
promised to let him know on the follow
ing day whether he could make the pur-
chpse. Then be ran home as fast as be
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
Archie Lang, Astronomer.

mores l am going to my married daugh-
ter's home-away out West-where l
shall be on big ranch with only a small
family about me. oh, yes, and there'll
be hundreds of cattle on the ranch, but
they wouldn't care to look through the
instrument at the heavens. And the old
man smiled grimly.
''But-won't you feel lonely without
your telescope?" asked Archie.
"Perhaps--for time the old man
sighed. But, We get used to parting
from old friends he went on. ''Once
thought l could not live apart from my
children, but-their homes were small
and far from my abiding place So,
with my little telescope l made a living,
and soon ] became used to the separa-
tion and grew SO fond of my new COM
panion that, although it was a mere in
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

only four weeks more remained for prep
aration she realized that unless someone
of the class awakened to energetic work
the valedictory would be read by Beatrice
Finch. And this fact alone was quite
enough to rouse Harriet. In the first
place, -Harriet-moyed grade
higher In the social life than did Beatrice,
for the formers parents were rich, while
the latter was of a very poor family In
the second place. it would cast discredit
on her-Harriet-to allow the daughter
of poor carpenter (Mr. Finch was
such) to surpass her on the day of
graduation. Until then she had not
minded Beatrice's being at the head of
the class; but now that the fact would
be made public--that the class would all
be ION view" so to speak-it would
never do to allow carpenters daughter
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
BeafriCe's Commencement Frock

to oyershadow the fondled daughter of
a banker.
One evening after school Harriet talked
it all over with Grace and Harry Lewis,
both of the graduating class. And they
agreed with her that someone worth
while ought to be valedictorian. But
the pupil having the best average will
have the honors of the class" said
Harry. II can't make up now for lost
time. I'm about fifth In rank, I guess.
That was my standing last exam"
"And / just can't catch up with Ben
trice 4inch,'' confessed Grace. II
haven't the faculty for learning that she
has. Or maybe it's plain sticktoitiveness,
/ just hate to apply myself so rigor-
ously."
II haven't liked to study more than
just enough to pass my exams" said
Harriet. But l have decided to throw
myself body and mind into my work and
win the race against Beatrice Finch. 1t
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
* The Cherry Tree.

FROM my own home | never
stray;
| never want to run away;
| am content to quiet be,
For I am just a little tree.
l grow beside my mother, tall,
And not far offs a garden wall;
And children come to play with
me,
For I'm their favorite cherry tree.
And in my mothers branches
green
Ripe cherries red will soon be
seen.
Then how the boys and girls will
eat,
Indeed, twill give them quite
treat.
And after I have grown SO tall
AS high in air as the garden
wall
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

will cost me much hardship, I'll confess
.But-someone in our set must carry off
the honors of the Glass; - s17@
We'll, you have my best good wishes, :"
said Harry heartily.
"And mine too, dear" said Grace.
I'D hate to see Beatrice Finch read the
valedictory. And there's another matter
to consider-her dress! You know she
Is so poor that she'll disgrace us all by
wearing some cheap old thing which will
bear the indisputable signs of being
home made
Thus did the plan develop and grow.
And the class and the teachers were sur
prised at the strides made in her studies
by Harriet Gray. Never before had the
girl shown such liking for her books.
But she was making up for lost time
now, ana the race between her and
Beatrice Finch grew closer and closer
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
0ROW, crow, crow,

0ROW, crow, crow,
~ In the early morning bright.
Grow, crow, crow,
Before it is quite light!
Grow, crow, crow,
Till the evening shadows, when
/ go to roost DER night.
Then I wake to crow again.
Grow, crow, crow!
IT'S my way to sing and talk;
Crow, crow, crow!
g For I am Cock O. tn walk.
Cora-Wouldn't 1t be lovely If dreams
came true?
Charles-Well, I'd hate to think that
dream had last night, after eating
that .elsh rarebit, would come true.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

each day, and the class watched with
anxiety. All were hoping that Harriet
would come out the victor.
And strange to say, Beatrice Finch did
not seem to know that anything unusual
was happening. To be sure, she could
not help but notice the change In Har-
riet's school work. But she did not think
she was in any way responsible for the
change. And she was glad that another
girl in the class was making such progress.
She was not working for honor alone.
She was eager to learn, to make progress
In school and to be able to graduate as
soon as possible
One evening, a week before Commence
ment Day, Beatrice was hurrying along
the street on her way home from school.
She heard a quick step behind her, and
looking back, saw Harriet Gray. Harriet
was about to pass, nodding coolly to her,
when Beatrice smilingly spoke: "Oh, Har-
riet, please let me congratulate you on
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

ject of conversation naturally. turned to
Halley's comet "She's a wonder, isn't
she?" asked Archie, abiding to Halley's
comet. ''Apd to think that we are to
shake her hands, so to, speak! Why, /
can hardly wait till we come into the
limelight of that strange body
Eyes, it is an interesting comet" de-
clared the aged street astronomer, but
shall not make much Of study of her
now"
"But you'll have your telescope turned
on the comet every morning during her
visit to us--till she makes her calls In
the evening-wont your" asked Archie,
'And then you'll search her out after sun
down as she changes her hour of appear
ing In the sky"
The old man shook his head. No." he
said, II shall not use my telescope any
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

your rapid advancement In school.
thought would be the valedictorian Of
the class, but now l do believe you will
outstrip me and carry off the honors. l
shall be glad of your"
Harriet coolly interrupted with: "Oh,
thanks awfully. But l am not trying to
outrun you, Miss Finch. 1t Is the duty
of someone of-of-of high standing to
have the honors of the graduating class.
l am only doing my duty"
Beatrice's face flushed crimson and q
lump came In her throat. She felt the in
suit but was too well-bred to resent it
as many other girls, would have done.
She merelA said: II beg your pardon for
having preached the subject. l am sorry
If you do not believe l was sincere in
what said just now. As far as my sta
ton in life is concerned-well. / have
my life before me, aud shall try to make
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
MISTAKES PUZZLE.

PRIMAL ACROSTIC.
This acrostic contains seven words of
FIVE letters each. II the words are rightly
guessed and written one below another
their initial letters wlff-spell moisture
which is very beneficial to flowers The
cross-words are /. beverage; 3 bird
Of prey; 3. strong breezes 4, a lady's
gown; 5. large stream of water 6.
musical instrument Z, something COM
monty used on the breakfast table
CURTAILINGS.
u Triply curtal something which
grows IN very warm climates and leave
a small, plain bed. (2) Triply curtail
water pals and leave a wild male animal.
go Curtail something of very good quality
and leave part Of fish
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
BY HELENA DAVIS.

TT had been n race between Harriet
Gray and Beatrice Finch for the
honors of commencement day. Bea-
trice Finch had always stood first in
her class, and while the other girls
and boys were spending their leisure
hours of evenings and on Saturdays in
visiting friends, attending the matinee or
going to parties she had employed her
time porting over her lessons for the
next day or solving some difficult prob
lem which had confused the class during
recitation.
And it had not occurred to any of the
high school class to bestir themselves till
a short time before the closing day of
school. Then, suddenly one day, Harriet
Gray decided that she would love to be
valedictorian of the graduating class.
She had played much of the time during
the eight months of school, and when
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29
eOrPuZZle Corner &
CHARADE.

CHARADE.
My first is the name of vegetable, sweet !;
1t goes with a dinner of bread and meat !:
'Tis good when picked, and otherwise, too !;
You like it when old, but better when new
My seconds grain that is good to eat;
IT'S neither sour, bitter nor sweet
IT'S better boiled than baked, you see;
If you ever eat it, you'll agree with me.
My two Joined together a girls name will
make:
name that is pretty--and no mistake
1t begins with a letter common to see.
And daintily ends with the letter Sc"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

ANSWERS, TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES.
Green.
CLARA DE--Haircloth thdir-cl0th).
zIGZ1G PUZZLE - Horse, Cross
words: Hat, Cot, Far, Ash, Eel.
REBUS-A barking dog neUer bites. so
the prorerb runs.
CURTAILINGS = l. Naple-map. 2.
PdntS-pan. 3. Sedl-sc0
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

- HAT Archie Lang had a business
head on his fourteen-year-old shout
ders cannot be denied by those who
rood this cforv ft1pfhorm0rp.
Evening journal., 1910-03-07
ODIVA, THE DIVER
AT THE GARRICK

Odiva, the Samoan pearl diver, is a top
line feature Of the bill which opens at the
.GarriclS to-day Here is what an exchange
has to say about here and her work.
Wrestling the pearl from the treasure
chests of Neptune is a peri'ous and try
ing feat indeed. It is said that the
Samoans, unlike the Cingalese pearl div
ers, thrust themselves into the seas with
no artificial means of sinking. And it Is
reported as no uncommon feat that the
pearl divers fetch bottom from a depth
Of twenty fathoms. Three minutes Is the
limit Of submergence Of most pearl divers,
yet there are said to be a few of the most
expert who are abe to remain without air
supply even longer.
In such school as this did Odiva be-
come proficient in the natatorial arts. In
such a physical culture course did she
develop the marvellous symmetry Of her
physique, and in such a healthful. care
free, peace loving country did she acquire
the womanly qualities that the so-called
civilized world too often forgets are TO be
found in Samoa as wen as in the Ameri-
Evening journal., 1910-03-07
SPIRITUAL TRAINING
IN SCHOOLS


II is interesting to note the various
devices for giving to the children some
substitute for religion in their daily
school work. Patriotism is taught:
flags are flung tJ the breeze one day
a week. morality is inculcated one
hall hour week. now and then. and
there are commands from the school
board that crusade OF anti-cruelty
shall be inaugurated and physiology
is an auxiliary TO the w. c. r. II.
propaganda.
eMantime. in the playground. gross
and bitter dramas OF child life are
enacted; and our "young barharlans
all at play" torment the child VINO is
in any way different" and debase the
ears of the younger children with Of
fensive and disgusting words. IL may
well be questioned II playmaster.
whose business Il would be to super
intend the Fairgrounds, would not be
an excellent thing. Certainly II is not
IN the school-room that children de-
vies their pernicious conspiracies con-
tract their loathsome diseases. or rend
the sensibilities Of the difident and
, innocent among them IL is in the
playground. ON the street, in the un-
cared-for hours between the close Of
school and the gathering Of the family
for the vening meal, that the unsuper-
vised association among children works
mischief.-Elia w. Peattie in Good
Housekeeping Magazine.
Evening journal., 1910-03-07

the best musicians in popular vaude-
Vile, playing upon number OF in
struments with the skill and ability of
cultured musicians and Offering re-
pertoire Of selections well calculated to
please all who love music.
ST Jinks will make his first appear
ance before a Wilmington audience on
this bill 81 is a quaint original come
dian with wealth of funny stories and
a manner which counts for much.
Walter & West have a polite vaude-
vile act i'm which there is considerable
singing, dancing and comedy.
The Three Grant Brothers are clown
dude and rube acrobats. In addition
to performing a considerable number
of rare acrobatic moves they offer pam
tomimic comedy which is just as enter
tanning as the acrobatics.
The Harrisograph with new selec-
tions of moving pictures viii complete
bill which certainly contains a bis
assortment OF entertainment and is ;
rare offering at ten cents for any seat
Evening journal., 1910-03-07
LAPLANDERS
ADYING RACE

A commencement has been made In a
'most remarkable and long talked OF enter
prise This ~ nothing less than the trans
planting OF the Lapps from Laptend.
where they are a dying race. 10 Labra-
dor, whore 1t Is hoped thew win flourish
and increase.
Whether these hopes will be justified
or not remains TO be seen. Similar ex-
periments In the past have seldom been
wholly successful. and some have re-
suited disastrously.
The Doukhobors. for instance. who In
1899 were transplanted to the number OF
5000 or 1900 from their homes IN South
ern Russia 20 the Canadian Northwest,
were for a time In dire straits. They also
behaved erratlcaly. marching naked
through the snow and abandoning their
nocks and herds to the wolves. They
are now. however, reported TO be set
tied down and doing better.
on the other hand, the attef0nt made
some eighty years ago 10 transplant the
Roskolnilis OF the Don country TO a new
home that was supposed 10 have been
found for them in Eastern rurkestan
resulted In one OF the most ghasly trag-
edies,
The huge caravan lost It's way in Tho
Rdesert and was never heard OF again, Tho
probability being that hunger and thirst
with the attacks OF nomad robbers. wer'
responsible for the deaths Of the entri
party.
Equally dreadful was the fate that BE
fell the 10000 Jutlanders transplanted e
the east coast OF Greenland by Queer
Margaret Of Sweden. AT first they -four
ished exceedingly. villages were found
cd, churches and schools were built AM
a bishop was appointed.
Then one year the Ice pack broke ioos
from the remote northern seas and cam
to standstlil along the coast opposit
the settlement in a belt nifty miles broad
An communication with the open SCI
was thus cut on. Tho settlers were un
able to obtain supplies. and IN the en'
they punished down TO the very last man
STRAY Stories
Evening journal., 1910-03-07
AVENUE PLAYERS
In MANY PLAYS
Brown Of Harvard, Then
SalOmy Jane and Then a
Rest for Holy Week

Brown of Harvard" will open at
the Avenue Theatre tonight for a
weeks run. Mr.. Miller will appear as
Tom Brown and Miss Pitt will be seen
as Evelyn Kenyon.
During the week beginning with
March IA the CONFESS & Edwards co.
viii present Eleanor Robson's famous
success "Salomy Jane" This play is
being looked forward to with more in
terest than any. yet announced.
During Holy Week. from March p to
March 26. the Avenue players will lay
off and the theatre will be closed. They
will resume on Easter Monday, March
2S, presenting for that week Dorothy
Vernon Of Haddon Hall"
For subsequent productions the Con-
ness & Edwards Co. have in prepara-
tion "The Melting Pot" Little Brother
Of the Rich" and "Byewster's Mil
lions"