davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20
REPENTANT TOMMY FILM.

which had reminded him of his wrong
doing would be silenced and whisper to
him no more. But once in his own room
the same old hurt to his conscience be-
gan agafn-the small voice again accused
him.
But, happily, the dinner bell rang, and
he hurried to his dinner There he enjoyed
the society of his parents, sister and two
congenial visitors. And for the time be-
ing his mind was at rest. After dinner
his father asked him: Are you going for
ride this afternoon, Tommy? It's a
glorious day, and you'd better have old
and you and Sally have a skim over the
snow, which, l daresay, will be the last
of the season. / was reading in the pa
per yesterday that our state is the only
one that is now enjoying sleigh-riding"
Tommy agreed that he and his sister
would better enjoy the last sleighing of
the season, and said that he would have
the pony hitched up to the cutter right
away. Then he asked Sally to be ready
In Is minutes for their ride.
"Oh, yes, brother, III be ready for the
sleigh ride. You know how much enjoy
skimming along over the soft, white car
pet Of snow. I'll run right up to my room
and get ready. But''-and she paused
at the door to warn Tommy-''you'd bet
ter see that old Josh hurries He's get.
ting rather Indifferent about his work LATE
ly. The other day / called to him to
hitch up Bonnie Bav for me, and he said
he would not have time: that he was 20.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20
Dear Little Bo-Peep. By Annie James.

for that made II more like the nursery
rhyme, you see.) Well, after she had
given the sheep good ride up and down
the park path which ran in front of her
her own house, Bo-Peep got tired and
sat down to rest on a bench. There she
rested quite long time, watching the
sparrows feeding from some crumbs a
very kind old lady had thrown on the
ground for them. As it was in the month
or March, Bo-Peep had chosen a seat
close to high hedge on one side and
hne sunshine on the other. There she
fet so protected, for the hedge kept of
the high wind and the sun gave her just
the loyeliest warmth.
But as she sat there, watching the
birds, the dear little sheep on the ground
beside her, a little gust of wind which
was passing by decided to play a naughty
Joke on her, and stopped long enough to
take hold of the little wheeled board on
which the toy sheep was fastened so Sc
eurely. Over into the hedge-out of peo-
pies sight = the naughty gust of wind
blew the board. for 1t was such an easy
task to do, 1t being on wheels, you know
And once 1t was rolled into the shadow
of the deep, thick hedge, 1T stopped short
for it could go no further. And as 1t was
held SO fast by the branches of the
hedge and the naughty gust of wind could
not blow it about any more, it decided to
blow itself along, leaving the little sheep
far from its happy little owner, who had
been SO intent on watching the sparrows
that she had not seen the ugly capers Of
the gust of wind.
But after n little while Bo-Peep re-
membered her sheep, and looking down
to the spot where it had been beside the
bench on which she sat, she was shocked
to see 1t gone. "Oh, dear little sheep.
,rb npu uI,n M
remembering the nursery rhyme, she
saids But I'll leave you alone and YOU
will come home. a-swinging your tail
behind you"
So she continued to watch the birds
eating crumbs. but her heart was bit
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20
PRIMAL ACRoSTIC.

This acrostic is composed of seven
words Of i've letters each. If the words
are rightly guessed and written one be-
low another their initial letters will spell
great virtue we should all possess. The
cross-words are: 1. A very important or
gan of the human body. 2. A large body
of water. g. That which gives us great
pain II exposed to the air. A. A large bird
which inhabits mountain peaks. 5. Some
thing belonging to n hog. 6. A certain
kind of fish. T. Something used In max
ing bread.
ZIGZAG PUZZLE.
This zigzag contains nine words of Eve
letters each. II the words are rightly
guessed and written one below another
their zigzag letters, beginning with the
upper lefthand letter, and ending with
the lower lefthand letter. will spell that
which we find on every continent on the
earth. The cross-words are: l. Currency.
.. A shady nook. 3. A small musical in
strument played upon by the breath. a.
Sightless. 5. A great opera by Gounod.
8. Cold and cheerless. Z. A. very hard
stone, 8. A rivor in India. 0. That which
comes from fire.
CoNUNDRUMs.
What is that which always goes with
its head downward?
nail IN your shoe.
What is that which Adam never pos
sessed. yet left two to each of his chill
dren?
PGrents.
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES.
LETTER ENIGMA-TaIentcd.
ZIGZAG PUZZLE = Melting. Gross
scords: /. Mist. 2. Leaf 3. Felt. 4. Fret.
s. Unit. 6. Ants. Z. GIo,c.
RIDDLE--V0Wels.
ILLUSTRATED PRIMAL ACROSTIC--
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

"Get into your best frock for you shall
not be denied pleasure on Ethel's ac-
count said Mrs. Tolivar. 81 am so
sorry the child was so lazy about her task,
but she'll have to learn the lesson some
time; and now is a very good opportunity
for her TO have 1t. Ill so up stairs and
explain to her just what she is missing
on account of her own ugly conduct re-
garding her work. She will be sorry and
the lesson will have its good effect. Mark
my words, on next Saturday she'll be
through with her work as quickly as pos
sibIe and ready for any little innocent
pleasure that may be offered her. And
il she shows a repentant disposition and
wants to do better, why, she shall have
a fine afternoon next Saturday. ! shall
give you three girls little treat of some
sort"
"Oh, Mamma, you are so goodl''. cried
Dot "And | know Ethel will realize her
own shortcoming and be sorry. And she'll
be glad to behave better next Saturday.
l do hate going off without her, though"
Eyes, deare, but she needs just this
little punishment" said Mrs. Tolivar. $50
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

ing to do some work for Mrs. Thompson.
He didn't seem to remember that it was
you who gave him his present good job
and pay him so literally. You'd best re-
mind him of it,
Tommys face flushed, but he merely
said 'all right and went to the stables In
the rear of the house yard. There he
called to old JOSH" an old man-of-all-
work whom Tommy had employed early
in the winter to do chores about the
place. The old man had come one cold
morning, and seeing Tommy cleaning off
the snow from the back porch had offered
to perform the work for him IL he might
have bite to eat and be allowed to sleep
in the stable till he could find employ
rment Tommy knew he was no common
''old tramp" and felt pity for him. He
ran into the house and told his mother
about the old mans need. OF course she
was glad to have Tommy eager to help
one In distress and told him to find work
for the old man and to fix a good warm
place in the hayloft for him to sleep.
Comfortable blankets and pillows and a
cot were placed in the coy loft for the
new man of all work, and the old fellow
was very proud of his quarters He was
family, and was given the other half day
to do odd chores for any of the neighbors
that might need him. For his work at
the Films place he was to receive what
ever Tommy thought right. Tommy
talked the matter over with his father,
who said: "Give the poor oil fellow his
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

"Ah! knew you would come
backv
ed. A big gust of wind came along and
It happened to be the mother of the
little gust OF wind which had played
the naughty joke on little Bo-Peep. And
this mother-gust could always tell just
where her naughty child had done any
mischief, and following in his path. she
soon found out what he had done. "Ah.
he has hidden the little girls toy sheep"
she said to herself. ''Well, III take it
back to her. And when l find my son,
I'll chastise him by making him blow
all day over the cold lake."
So saying, the mother-gust caught hold
of the toy sheep and blew 1t right back
beside Bo-Peep. And the dear little girl.
seeing 1t return, said: "Ah, l knew you
would come backl Just leave you alone
and you'll come home. a-swinging your
tail behind you"
Just then Marie Bellies mamma called
to her to come into the house. "Papa's
coming" called Mamma, ''and he'll want
to play bear with little Bo-peep. So,
come running, dearie, and don't forget
your little sheep"
"Oh, il l should forget him." called
back Bo-Peep gaily. he'd come home,
a-swinging his tail behind him. But
we're both coming, Mamma dear. and we
want a great big slice OF bread with jam
OH it. And then we'll play bear with
Papa"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

board and lodging and two-nfty per week"
The first week Tommys father gave
him the sum they had agreed to pay old
Josh Adams. As Tommy went toward
the stable TO give It to him thought
came into his head. For a long time
Tommy had wanted a certain set of books
and had often tried to save from his
spending money enough to buy them. But
something would occur to take his saw
ings just before having the right sum with
which to possess the desired volumes. And
now, with the two dollars and fifty cents
i'll his hands, longing for those books
again took hold of him. Suppose he
should keep one dollar of this amount
each week! There could be no possible
dishonesty about doing SO. The old man.
of-all-work had agreed to stay and do
their chores for anything that Tommy
saw fit to give him over and above his
board and lodging. And his food was of
the best and nice comfortable room had
been fixed up in the hayloft for his ac-
commodation besides allowing him to sit
in the kitchen whenever he wished to do
so, where he might enjoy the bright fire
and read by good light. besides having
the chance of conversation with the jolly
Irish cook. So Tommy thought the old
man very well taken care of and decided
he did not deserve so much az two and
half dollars week. as his father had
suggested.
TN just give him one dollar aud half
each week for the first seven weeks. That
will giye me 81 toward my books. The
set Is $40, but have So on hand which
will lay away for the purpose"
And SO it happened that old Josh
Adams received for his work each week
one dollar less than the master of the
house thought he was getting. But Tom
my tried to make himself believe that
his conduct was entirely honorable and
that IL he could get the old man for less
than his father had suggested giving him
it showed business tact on his part. And
so the weeks glided by aud five dollars
was accumulated by Tommy towards his
book fund.
On the Sunday morning of which
write, however, Tommy's conscience
smote him. The advance Easter sermon
preached so feelingly by the minister
touched him deeply, and for the first
time since the coming OF old Josh, Tommy
felt he had been guilty of double-dea1ing.
He had not been honest with his father,
he had not been honest with old Josh;
he had not been honest with himself! He
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

pairs Of stockings, all darned SO neatly,
she bad not quite finished one pair. Then
Dot mended the rent In her petticoat.
Now. I'm DONE" she said.
And I'm only just begun" complained
Ethel. "oh, 1t Is so hard to be obliged
to do such work when one wants to go
out"
But you should have worked with will.
as l did," advised Dot. 81 didn't mind
mine, and have 1t all done. And | really
feel so glad that 1 can be of help to
mamma. Just think what 1t meant to
her before we got old enough to do It
for ourselves!"
well, guess 1t was pretty hard on
mamma" admitted Ethel. but that
doesn't make 1t any the easier on u.s.
Say, sister. I'll sew ON your buttons,
II you'll get them for me-" said Dot,
taking up Ethels apron, which had five
buttons missing.
But just at the moment their mother
came into the room. Have you almost
finished your work, dearies?" she asked
I've got mine DONE" said Dot. "And
now I'm going to sew the buttons on
Ethel's apron SO that she'll get through
sooner"
''But why hasn't Ethel got her own
work done?" asked Mrs. Toliyar. She
had no more to do than you had, and she
is as expert with the needle
But she couldn't make up her mind to
go to work for sometime after we came
up stairs" explained Dot. "And / set to-
work at once"
mo, Mamma, 1 just hated to 60 to
work today. SO just sat here idle for
little while. And that's why I'm behind
Dot in my work.
well. dearie, you must do your own
work" said Mrs. Tolivar. sit is sweet
and sisterly of Dot to wish to help you,
but 1t is not just to either of you for
me to allow her to do so. She has done
her own work and shall not help with
yours. You must finish your own tasks.
If you were ill-that would be a different
matter. Then Dot might do it all for
you. But If through idleness and laziness
you have delayed your work-why, my
dear child, l cannot allow your sister to
do it for you. So go right to work and
hurry through 1t. But do it well, mind. !"
Ethels face flushed. She knew her
mother was right. What right had Dot
to do her buttons for her-since she was
able to do them for herself? No, she
had been lazy and ill-tempered. So she
must go ahead and do her own work
and alone, for now Dot might go down
stairs and read or go for a stroll.
/ Just as Mrs. Tolivar and Dot were leay-
ing the room the hall-door bell rang. And
minute later Dot was happily greeting
her cousin Agnes, who was calling for her
and Ethel to go to the matinee as her
\ guests Come, Dot, you and Ethel, and
go to the mat with me. 1t is love of a
play, they say. Mamma has given me
the money to buy three tickets. And
after the mat l may come home with you
girls for supper. And mamma will call
for me In the evening. Won't we have
a glorious afternoon? And just think of
It'll did all my Saturday mending and
cleaning before luncheon! Wasn't
quick?" And Agnes ran into the sitting
room to greet her auntie, Mrs. ToIivar.
"But Ethel isn't done with her work."
explained Dot 'She was out of sorts
about having 1t on hand on such fine
day and didn't work with a will, as you
and l doubtless did. And what shall we
do about 1t, MammaY' Dot asked of her
mother.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

had taken money from his father to paw
the man-of-all-work and had apprppri-
ated part of 1t for purpose of his own.
The thought of business tact was all
wrong. The amount given him for the
old man was so small that he should
not have begrudged him a penny of it.
And his father thought he was using the
money as 1t had been intended
After calling out to old Josh to hitch
up Bonnie Bay to the cutter, Tommy
turned about and ran back to the house
and up to his room. There he took from
little safe five dollars-the sum he
mad subtracted from old Joshs weekly
wage. Hurrying to the barn, he handed
1t to the old man, saying: Father gave
me two and a half dollars each week
TO. pay to you, but l wanted to buy
something for myself and kept back some
OF the money which was justly yours
Here Is the amount. Take 1t, Josh, and
forgive me for having done as | did. |
did not mean to be dishonest, but sud
denly this morning while in church the
meanness of my conduct came to me.
and | am heartily ashamed of what /
have DONE Then, thrusting the money
into the old mans hand Tommy turned
and ran TO the house. On entering he
sought out his father and asked 10 have
a few private words with him. In the
library ne mace run confession and asked
for no pardon. But his father clasped
his hands warmly. Tommy, you are Il
brave boy. AS soon as you discovered
your conduct to be dishonorable YOU caine
TO me like mar aud confessed It, You
were making grave mistake but the
wrong you have done has been wiped out
by your paying the old man In full all
that was his by right, and by coming
to me so heroically and making II confess
sion. And what is the price of the
books you desire to own?' And Mr.
Finn took his purse from his pocket.
mo, Daddy, don't deserve the books
declared Tommy.
''Yes, you do insisted Mr. Finn, ..and
you shall have them as an Easter gift So
here is the money-ten dollars. And now
run along and get the cutter ready to
take Sally for her sleighride. After your
return mamma and | will take spin
round the block"
And Mr.. Film slapped Tommy on the
shoulder, rs one comrade slaps another
comrade. And, son. always feel free
to come to me in such matters--as you
have today. We shall always be the
best of friends helping each other over
the stumbling places In life"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

~ EET is the holiest time Of the year,
a time when our thoughts should
Il rise above worldly things. and allow
us to commune with the Christ Spirit.
Boys and girls too often forget the higher
things of life for the material, and the
pleasure-giving. OF course, we must not
belittle life. for our great Creator gave
this world to us to live in, but we must
bear in mind that 1t is but preparatory
school, so to speak, and that the spirit
ual life is far greater and yaster than
the physical life. So while we are pass
ing through this phase of existence. let
us be building and developing ~for that
higher one to come. And to do this we
must forget self 10 our sympathy and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

IA OW, my dear children said Mrs.
Toliyar to her two little daughters,
VT want you to finish your tasks be-
u fore stopping. Last Saturday you
sighted your darning and mending
in order to go out to play. But today
you must finish your work first. And as
soon as it is done you shall go to VISIT
Cousin Agnes for an hour"
'But we have SO much to do" said Dot,
the elder of the two girls. Eyes, Mamma.
we have each three pairs of stockings to
darn, and I have buttons to sew on one
apron, and Dot has to mend rent in
petticoat,'' said Ethel.
But you have only today In which to
do your mending, my dears,' explained
Mrs ToliYar. And If you will work
very fast and take an interest in doing
1t we'll, you'll soon be through. And then
will come your reward; nothing more to
90 today, but to go TO visit cousin Agnes,
and run round to papa's office in the even
ing and come home with him."
"All right, Mamma said Dot, her face
clearing as she thought of the pleasure
in store for her. AL right, Mamma, I'll
work with a will"
But Ethel said nothing. She was dlS-
pleased to think she had to do any work.
and when she and Dot were seated in
their own room, work basket between
them, she sat pouting over a pair of stock
ings that lay on her lap. Dot, working
away with smiling face. said: well.
Ethel, why do you waste precious time?
Hurry up with your work. We want to
get through as quickly as possible. Don't
you remember mammals promise?''
But what's the use of hurryingT' asked
Ethel. ut will be SO late by the time
we are through with our work that we
can't have any time to Uay | don't see
why we should always have to work on
Saturdays, anyway. Ever since last sum-
mer mamma has had us mend our own
clothes, and it's terribly hard task
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

carried along the little toy lamb. Oh,
yes, it was placed on little board, so
that it would not fall over, and the board
was on four tiny wheels. And on the end
of the board toward which the lambs
nose pointed was a long string, and by
this string Marie Belle could draw the
lamb about much easier than she could
carry it In her arms, for 1t was a fine big
lamb.
One day Marie Belle Tor we should call
her Bo-Peep) went out to play In the park
which was near to her own home As her
mamma could see her from the window,
she was allowed to go alone, for she al
ways promised to stay within sight of the
window by which her mamma sat to sew.
OF course, she took the little sheep with
her. (She always called the lamb a sheep,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

But you surely wouldn't want mamma
to do all the mending would your" asked
Dot, threading her needle. "She always
did 1t for US till we grew old enough to
do 1t for ourselves. And now we should
be willing to help her all that we can"
But Mamie and Della don't have to
mend their clothes" persisted Ethel, still
sitting with idle hands. ''They play every
Saturday at home or 60 to visit some
friends or attend the matinee"
But their father is very rich man,"
said Dot, plying needle and thread indus
triously. "And our dear papa is in very
moderate circumstances, you know. But
mamma says that If we all work and are
economical, we'll some day have every
comfort and many great advantages. So
she has begun to instruct us in sewing
and cooking that we may help her and
papa to make a nice home for us and
have plenty to live on as we grow up.
Sometimes feel out of sorts when have
to remain indoors Of a Saturday forenoon,
sewing or cooking, but ! always feel
ashamed of myself afterward. And if
mamma and papa have to work, why
shouldn't we-you and lido our share?
/ am ashamed Of having grumbled a
while ago when mamma told us our work
for the day. But-you'd better hurry up
and start your darning or you'll be late
getting 1t done. See, have one stocking
almost finished. and nicely, too" And Dot
held up for her sisters inspection a stock
ing very neatly darned at the toe.
"Oh just hate darning and mending,"
retorted Ethel. II don't mind baking
paka and making salad. Int dnrninp-oh
it's such a task'
That's because you make it so by de-
laying your work. You think too much
about it, said Dot. Come. work with
me-
Ethel reluctantly took up her needle
and darning cotton. But she worked
slowly, and when Dot laid aside her three
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20
Helpful Hints for" Our Young cArtists
LESSON NO. DIAN INDIAN CANOE.
you two run along and don't be late at
LESSON NO. o.

you two run along and don't be late at
the Matinee
Then Mrs. Toivar went up stairs to
Ethel. The child had already repented
of her ugly behavior, and when her mother
entered the room she jumped up and
kissed her affectionately. "Forgive me,
Mamma" she said. 1--WE behaved In
very naughty manner. But l promise to
be better in future. Yes, l mean to work
just as Dot has worked today. And
overheard everything you all said down
stairs just now, for l went to the land
ing to see who was calling. And l know
l deserve the punishment l am having
measured out to. me. If had done my
work willingly and quickly / would now
be going to the matinee with Agnes and
Dot. But-Ill go another time"
Since you show such spirit, dearle,
/ shall help you this time said Mrs.
Tolivar, seating herself beside Ethel and
beginning to darn stocking. And
after all, we'll not pass such a bad hour,
for We'll have so much to say to each
other, won't we, dear?"
And Ethel, tears in her eyes, declared
her mother to be the best and most for
giving mother in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

EASTER, THOUGHTS.
tevsnysey q. eeskexse,.eys ee:ov.e 30

love for others. do unto others as you
would have others do unto you,r is the
one thought which we should carry al
ways In mind And there is no time so
fitting for such thoughts as the season
OF Lent. closed by the holy day of Eas-
ter. 1t seems to me that all hearts
should throb in unity on that Divine
Day, throb with the love of our Christ.
We may let ourselves slip away from the
Divine Laws occasionally during the year.
and Easter seems to be given us to re-
call us to the Good. Everywhere the
world is dominated by Love, holy Love,
and the love of men for men, and the
love of all for Christ Children should
strive to make the coming Easter SUM-
day one of Great Good to All.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

heavy, for she was anxious about her
little sheep. Suppose 1t would not come
home, a-swinging its tail behind I'll
Suppose some wicked boy or girl had
stolen it while she-Bo-Peep-was watch
ing the sparrows instead OF watching her
pet
But she did not want to give up hope,
and kept repeating to herself: leave 1t
alone and 1t viii come home, a-swinging
its tail behind 1T
nj - LIZ.