davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

The few books he was able to get
made the keen-witted country boy
anxious to find people who could an
swer his questions for him. In those
days many men, clergymen, judges
and lawyers rode on circuit, stopping
overnight at any farmhouse they
might happen upon. When such a
man would ride up to the Lincoln
clearing he was usually met by a
small boy who would fire questions
at him before'he could dismount from
his horse. The visitor would be
amused, but Tom Lincoln thought
that a poor sort of hospitality. He
would come running out of the house
and say, stop that, Abe. What's
happened to your manners?" Then he
would turn to the traveller, You
must excuse him. Light, stranger,
and come in to supper" Then Abe
would go away whistling t. show that
he didn't care. When he found Dem
mis- he said, "Pa says it's not polite 10
ask questions, but l guess | wasn't
meant to be polite. There's such a
lot Of things to know, and how am |
going to know them If l don't ask
questions?" He imply stored them
away until a later time. and when
supper was over he usually found his
chance to make use of the visitor.
In that day Indiana was still part
of the wilderness. Primeval woods
stood close to Pidgeon Creek, and
not far away were rowing bands of
Sacs and Sioux, and also wild animals
bears, wildcats and lynx. The set
tiers fought the Indians and made use
of the wild creatures for clothing and
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
0AJSSA5SAM- LINCOLN
~ TrE-Bo1QF THEgS
YIN ArEI2IQAN WLDERNES9 %

into the road through the woods that
led to his home.
The house which he found at the
end of his trail was very primitive
affair. The first home Tom Lincoln
had built on the Creek when he
moved there from Kentucky had been
merely "pole-shack, four poles
driven into the ground with forked
ends at the top, other poles laid cross
wise in the forks, and roof of poles
built on this square. There had been
no chimney, only an open place for a
window, and another for door, and
strips of bark and patches Of clay to
keep the rain out. The new house
was a little better, it had an attic,
and the first floor was divided into
several rooms. 1t was very primitive,
however, in reality only big log
cabin.
The boy came out of the woods,
crossed tho clearing about the house,
and went in at the door. He held up
the volume for her to see. I've got
it," he cried. ITS the 'Lifc of Wash
ington, and now I'm going to learn
all about him." He had barely time
to put the book in the woman's hands
before his fathers voice was heard
calling him out of doors. There was
work to be done on the farm, and the
rest of that afternoon Abe was kept
busily employed, and as soon as sup
per was finished his father set him to
work mending harness.
At dawn the next day the boy was
up and out in the fields, the Life Of
Washington" in one pocket, the other
pocket filled with corn dodgers. He
could not read and run straight fur
row. When it was noontime he sat
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
Modern Road Construction.


An address was delivered by Cliff
ford Richardson, Member American
Society of Civil Engineers, before the
Oneida Historical Society at Utica,
N. Y, in which the subject of modern
road construction and the present
limitations of its effectiveness were
set forth.
"There are" says Mr.. Richardson,
several points in connection with the
road problem which have received too
little and demand the most careful
attention"
1--WE are, apparently, expendlng to-
day very large sums of money in
building large extent of macadam
and other improved forms of road
way. But England and Wales, with
a mileage Of 149,759 expended III the
year 1866 s6S,S16,S74 upon her
roads, principally in their mainte-
nance, or at the rate of S415 per
mile. The mileage is about twice as
great as in the State of New York,
but the area is only twenty-five and a
half per cent. greater. The amount
annually being expended in New
York is, y therefore, comparatively
small, although relatively larger than
in previous years"
In commenting on the outcome of
the international Good Roads Con-
gress at Paris, and the opportunities
afforded for examining continental
highways, Mr.. Richardson expresses
satisfaction in the knowledge that
American roads when opened to traf-
fic are in no sense inferior to those
of Europe; that it was the damage to
French roads caused by heavy motor
traffic, and the problem of how to
meet it. which caused the congress
to be called.
From this point OF view, 1t will
be of interest to determine whether
the macadam roads of the State of
New York that are now being con-
structed are of the highest type,
whether 1t is wise to construct such
roads where they are exposed to mo-
tor traffic, and whether they are being
economically constructed. The gen.
eral opinions expressed at Paris by
the abiest English and French engi-
neers was that the road to meet mod
ern motor traffic must be Constructed
with more resistant surface, which
is brought about by introducing into
the, wearing surface some bituminous
cementing material. Good Roads
/ Magazine.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

under tree, munching the cakes,
and plunged into the first chapter of
the book. For half an hour he read
and ate, then he had to go on with
his work until sundown. When he
got home he had his supper standing
up so that he could read the book by
the candle that stood on the shelf.
After supper he lay down in front of
the fire, still. reading, and oblivious
to everything about him.
Gradually the fire burned out, the
family went to bed, and young Abe
was obliged to go to his room in the
attic. He put the book on ledge
on the wall close to the head of his
bed in order that nothing might hap
pen it. During the night violent
storm arose, and the. rain came
through a chink in the log-walls.
When the boy woke he found that
the book was a mass of wet paper,
the type blurred, and the cover be-
yond repair. He was heartbroken at
the discovery. He could imagine how
angry the old Squire would be when
he saw the state of the book.
The next Sunday morning found a
small boy standing on the Squire's
porch with the remains of the book
in his hand. When the Squire learned
what had happened he spoke his mind
freely. He told Abe that he was as
worthless as his father, that he didn' t
know how to take care of valuable
property, and that he would never
loan him another book as long as he
lived. The boy faced the music, and
when the angry TRADE was over, said
that he would like to shuck corn for
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

the Squire, and in that way pay him
the value of the ruined volume. Mr..
Crawford accepted the offer and
named price far greater than any
possible value of the book, and Abe
set to work, spending all his spare
time in the next two weeks shucking
the corn and working as chore-boy.
So he finally succeeded in paying back
the full value OF the ruined Life OF
Washington.
This was only one of many adven-
lures that befell Abraham Lincoln
while he was trying to get an educa-
tion. His mother had taught him to
read and write, and ever since he had
learned he had longed for books to
read. He said to his cousin, Dennis
Hanks, one day, Denny, the things
want to know are in books. My best
friend Is the man who will get me
one." Dennis was very fond of his
younger cousin, and as soon as he
could save up the money he went to
town and bought a copy OF the
ARABIAN Nights" He gave this to
Abe, and the latter at once started to
read it aloud by the wood-fire in the
evenings. His mother, his sister
Sally and Dennis were his audience.
His father thought the reading only
waste of time and said, ABE, your
mother can't work with you pestering
her like that" but Mrs. Lincoln said
the stories helped her, and so the
reading went on. When he came
to the story of how Sindbad the Sailor
went too close to the magic rock and
lost all the nails out of the bottom of
his boat, Abe laughed until he cried
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09


The boy had pulled off his COON
skin cap, and stood holding it in his
hand while he eyed the old man.
They say down at the store, sir, ."
said the boy, that YOU have Life
of George Washington. I'd like very
much to read it."
The Squire peered closer at his
visitor, surprised out of his annoyance
at the words. He looked over the
boy, carefully examining his long,
lank figure, the tangled mass of black
hair, his deep-set eyes and large
mouth. He was evidently from some
poor country family, His clothes
were made of skins, and the trousers
were shrunk until they barely reached
below his knees.
What's your name, boy?" asked
the Squire.
Abraham Lincoln, son of Thomas
Lincoln, down on Pidgeon Creek"
The Squire said to himself at
must be that Tom Lincoln, who, folks
say, is neer-do-well and moves from
place to place every year because he
can't make his farm support him. :"
Then he said, aloud, to the boy:
What do you want with my Life of
Washington
i've been learning about him at
school, and I'd like to know more"
The old man studied the boy in
silence for some moments; something
about the lad seemed to attract him.
Finally he said: Can trust you to
take good care of the book ii l lend it
to you?"
"As good care" said the boy, "as If
1t was made of gold, if you'd only
please let me have it for week."
His eyes were so eager that the old
man could not withstand them. wait
here a minute" he said, and went
into the house. When he returned
he brought the coveted volume with
him and handed it to the boy. "There
1t is" said he, I'm going to let you
have it, but be sure it doesn't come to
harm down on Pidgeop Creek"
The boy, with the precious volume
tucked tightly under his arm, went
down the single street of Gentryville
with the joy of anticipation in his
face. He could hardly wait to open
the book and plunge into it. He
stopped for moment at the village
store to buy some calico his step
mother had ordered, and then struck
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
FINANCE AND TRADE REVIEW
BUSINESS IS EXPANDING
Jobbers Report Better Orders, Facto-
ries Busy, Collections Improv
ing, Says Bradstreet.

r. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly Review
of Trade" says:
Measured by such tests as bank
clearings and railroad earnings, there
is no visible diminution in the volume
of industrial and mercantile transac-
tions; and yet, with such happenings
as the English elections, the Paris
flood, the agitation over the high
prices and the rather violent break in
the New York market, it would be
strange If the trades did not in SOME
degree feel the effect Of these dis
turbances.
This irregularity was displayed to-
some extent in the iron and steel
trade, although an event of the week
was the declaration of an extra divl-
dend by the principal producer.
DRY goods jobbers report an i'm
provement in house trade. Fall cot
tons, such as flannelettes, have been
priced close by the largest producers
at advances of 1sc and &c per yard,
and business rendered is large. Print
cloth trading is light with some re-
cessions in the open market on wide
goods. Export trade continues light,
but shipments on old orders are sub
stantial. Business booked on mems
wear staples and semi-staples by the
largest producer for fall has been
large, and advances of 21sc per yard
on some numbers were announced.
'Dress goods trade is very moder-
ate, although the large corporations
have booked fall orders. Cotton
yarns are easy.
wholesale dealers in shoes are
placing initial fall contracts for later
delivery with New England footwear,
also with supplementary spring con-
tracts"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

Squire Josiah Crawford was seated
on the porch of his house in Gentry
vile, Indiana, one spring afternoon
when a small boy called to see him.
The Squire was a testy old man, not
very fond of boys, and he glanced up
over his book, impatient and annoyed
at the interruption.
What do you want here?" he de-
manded.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

I'VE all love great men-love, ven
crate and bow down submissive be-
fore great men; nay, can we honestly
bow down to anything else? All,
does not every true man feel that he
is himself made higher by doing rev.
erence to what is really above him?
No nobler or more blessed feeling
dwells in mans heart. Thomas
Carlyle.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
RS;;;;::1;:;iS;;::s::

GOOu ROADS movement bearS rru''
Frequent evidence is forthcoming
of the fruit of the Georgia good ROADS
automobile endurance contests inau-
gurated by The Constitution and held
just month ago.
Not only is it apparent along the
routes over which these contests were
held, but other counties are busy with
a view to securing improved and con-
nected roadways which lead some
where, and which bring them into
closer contact and communication
with other trade centres.
The routes themselves are now well
established avenues of travel between
Atlanta and Augusta, Savannah, Fitz-
gerald and Albany, as well as inter-
mediate points, and are coming into
daily and general use as such.
Realizing the Importance, not only
of maintaining these routes, but OF
improving them as rapidly as posi-
BILE, the counties through which they
pass have not been content simply
with putting them in shape for the
contests; they are still at work upon
them and will continue to better
them.
A word of assurance and apprecia-
ton in this connection comes from
Mayor P. H. Lovejoy, of Hawkins
vile, who, in acknowledging receipt
of the first prize of $500, awarded to
Pulaski County for the best roads be-
tween Fitzgerald and Macon, says:
"Our people are greatly pleased
with the result of the contest and
your courteous treatment in the mat
ter. We not only appreciate the fact
that Pulaski County won the prize,
but we feel gratified that our effort
in building good roads through the
county will bear fruit in the future.
For myself and in behalf of the citi-
zens of Pulaski County, wish to
thank The Constitution for its noble
effort in bringing about the good
roads movement in the South, and Sc
curing route through this section
of our State"
The good roads contests and their
attendant prizes were but second
ary, minor feature in the movement.
The real prize is what each county
has achieved in the direction of bet
ter roads.
Just to the extent that the compet-
ing counties have improved the roads
passing through them, and, more par
ticularly, those roads which give them
access to the world beyond their own
borders, in that measure are they en-
joying a prize of lasting value, the
fruits of their own effort.
That the contests, prizes and agita-
tions attendant upon them have, in
many instances, stimulated to greater
and more productive effort cannot be
questioned; it is because of this good
effect that The Constitution has de-
termined, as has been announced, to
arrange other State good roads con-
tests next year, with view to bring
ing every section of Georgia into the
movement.
We are, as yet, only upon the
threshold.
There is a monumental work to be
done and all Georgia should have a
shoulder at the wheel.-Atlanta Con-
stitutiOn
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

food, and to sell at the country stores.
The children spent practically all OF
their time out of doors, and young
Abe Lincoln learned the habits of the
wild creatures, and explored the far
recesses of the woods. He was fond
of animals. One day at school some
of the boys put lighted coal ON
turtles back in sport. Abe rescued
the turtle, and when he got a chance
wrote composition in school about
cruel jokes on animals. 1t was
good paper, and the teacher had the
boy read 1t before the class. All the
boys liked Abe, and they took to heart
what he had to say in the matter.
1t was rough sort of life that the
children of the early settlers led, and
the chances were all in favor of the
Lincoln boy growing up to be like his
father, kind-hearted, ignorant and
ne'er-do-well type of man. His moth
er, however, who came of good Vlr-
ginia family, had done her best to
give him some ambition. Once she
had said to him, "Abe, learn all you
can, and grow up to be of some ac-
count. You've got just as good Vir-
ginia blood In you as George wash
ington had" Abe did not forget that.
Soon after the family moved to
Pidgeon Creek his mother died, and
little later q stepmother took her
place This woman soon learned that
the boy was not the ordinary type,
and kept encouraging him to make
something of himself. She was al
ways ready to listen when he read,
to help him with his lessons, to en-
courage him. When he got too old
to wear his bearskin suit she told him
that if he would earn enough money
to get some muslin, she would make
him some white shirts, so that he
would not be ashamed to go to peo-
ples houses. Abe earned the money,
| and Mrs Lincoln purchased the cloth
and, made the shirts. After that Abe
cut quite a figure in Gentryville, be-
cause he liked people, and knew SO
many good stories that he.was always
popular with crowd.
The time came when the boy could
no longer stay in the small surround
ings of Pidgeon Creek. He tried life
on one of the river steamboats,, then
served as a clerk in store, at New
| Salem, where he began, in odd mo-
ments. to study law. A little later he
knew enough law to become an at
torney, and went to Springfield, and
after that 1t was only short time
before he had won his clients. His
cousin Denny came to hear him try
one of his first cases. He watched
the tall, lank young fellow, still as
ungainly as in his early boyhood, and
heard him tell the jury some of those
same stories he had read aloud before
| the fire. When Abe had finished, his
cousin said to him, "Why did you
tell those people SO many stories?"
"Why, Denny" said Abe, "a story
teaches. lesson. God tells truth in
parallels, they are easier for common
folks to remember and recollect.
Such was the simple boyhood of
Abraham Lincoln, but its very SIM
plicity and the hardships he had to
overcome to get an education, made
him a strong man. He knew people,
and when he came later to be Presi-
dent and to guide the country through
the greatest trial in its history it was
those same qualities of perseverance
and courage and trust in the people
that made the simple-minded man the
great helmsman of the Republic.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
Training the Servant.

"Is your new girl getting so that
she can understand English?" asked
the caller.
NO." replied young Mrs. Keep
ouse, "but l am learning Hungarian
rapidly."-Newark Evening News.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

Potatoes-Fancy white per bu....
Cabbage-per ton. ........... -. IL
onions-per barrel. =.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09

Dennis, however, couldn't see the
hrmor. why, Abe" said he, that
yarns just lie
"P'raps so," answered the small
boy, "but if it is, it's a mighty good
lie."
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-09
pITTssURC.
Poultry, Etc.
Fruits and Vegetable

Hens-per lb. .....................6
Chickens-dressed. ed................. .
Eggs-Pa. and Ohio, fresh. h.........
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-08-13
TALLY MEETING
ON FRIDAY night
Hattesburg Congressional Candidate
a viii be Given Big ovation On
Night of 10th Inst.

Friends of Hon. Jno. R. Tally have
arranged for a big demonstration to
be held next FL iday night, August
10, when Mr.. Tally will deliver his
last address to the people of this city
before the primary on Tuesday, the
22nd.
Mr.. Tally's friends here have been
DESTROYS of having him appear again
before the citizens of Hattiesburg be-
fore the first primary election, and
the gathering next Friday night prom
ises to be big and enthusiastic affair.
There will be addresses by several
local orators, and everybody is invited
to hear what Mr.. Tally proposes to
do for Hattiesburg and the sixth dis
trict in the event he should be elected
to congress.
The meeting will be well advertised
and it is expected that many out-of-
town residents of Forrest county will
be present.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-08-13

Results Yesterday.
Chicago 4; Boston 8.
Philadelphia z; Detroit 4.
st. Louis 8; New York 4.
Washington 8; Cleveland 0.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-08-13
EXTENSION OF
GREAT NORTHERN
Work of Building Tracks From hogan
Into jackson to be Commenced
On September 1.
Special to The NeaoS.

Special to The Neaos.
Jackson, Miss, Aug. 19.-According
to officials of the New Orleans Great
Northern road, the work of extending
the tracks of that system from hogan
up Commerce street to the site of the
new passenger station, will be COM
menced on the list of September.
The work will not be let out by con-
tract, but will be under the personal
direction of officials of the company,
as will also the construction of the
freight and passenger depots. Work
ing forces are now being organized
to start with the beginning of the
new month.
Deeds for the right-of-way from the
corporate limits to the passenger de-
pot site on Commerce street, just
south of the old state house, were
fed for record several weeks ago and
the purchase money paid over.
The New Orleans Great Northern
at the same time purchased right-of-
way for an outlet from Commerce
street to the northeastern suburbs of
the city passing through the old CAPT.
toll grounds, across Jefferson street,
and thence to Belhaven Heights. The
officials of the company decline to
give out any information, however, as
to whether the ultimate destination
of the road is Chattanooga or Birm.
ingham, and rumor connects both OF
these cities as being the objective
point.
1t is also currently believed in rail
road circles that the New Orleans
| Great Northern has been acquired, OF
has formed traffic arrangements, with
either the Burlington or the Frisco
systems, and that one of these road:
will be behind the extension project
building the road up the Pearl rive
valley, and thence through the prairi,
section of Mississippi either to Chat
ktanooga or Birmingham.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-08-13
MUST TAKE OUT
Another LICENSE
Privilege Tax Paid In One County
Does Not Permit Business to be
Conducted in Another.
Special to The Neacs.


Jackson, Miss, Aug. 13.-The De-
partment of Justice has recently had
rather an odd question put before it
for an opinion. The request for an
opinion came from State Auditor E. ].
Smith, and was whether a man con-
Quoting a livery business in one coun-
ty could continue business under the
license purchased for another county.
1t is the first time this point has
been raised and it came up for a rul-
ing, so as to establish a precedent.
The man in question had moved from
Yalobusha into another county and
opened business after paying the
privilege tax in the former county.
He wanted to do business on the old
license, and the tax collector took
the matter up with Auditor Smith for
an opinion.
The ruling was handed down by
Assistant Attorney General James R.
Mcdowell who holds that the license
would not be available in any other
county, as that was business license,
not personal, as in the case of law
yer, doctor or dentist; that the livery
business was in the same class with
store or restaurant, making it nee
essary for a license for each place of
business, regardless of whether the
business in Yalobusha had been aban-
doned. In the case of livery stable,
it is the business, not the individual
that is taxed
If this were permissible partners
in business might run restaurant,
store and stable all under one privi-
lege license, yet in a law firm, each
member is compelled to pay the priv
ilege tax in order to be. able to prac-
tice.
Mr.. Mcdowell refers to the case Of
Carter VS.. the State 60 Miss, 456,
which, though not decisive of the
point here presented, contains dis
cussion of the statutes on privilege
taxes generally.