davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11
The Elephants at Home.

WHEN we see company of great ele-
phants moving along with a circus
parade do We ever think how far from home
these huge creatures are? Perhaps thew
have Travelled all over the world sew
eral times. yet they would rather be
back in Asia or Africa where thew
were probably born. Best of all an
elephant likes to live on broad plains.
In forests or among gently rising
hills. He does not like severe weather
either hot or cold, SO usually lives. in
a temperate climate, where he spends
much time on the shady river banks.
How he enjoys filling his great trunk
with water and then sending the cool
ing streams over his big brown body.
The elephant is the largest creature
known. yet he is alert, and, it is said.
approaches the nearest of any animal
to man in prudence and reasoning. He
is said to possess a kind OF affection
for those who treat him kindly and is
docile enough to be trained for per
forming many tricks and working with
great strength. In some countries eIe-
plants move grea. trees or carry
large circus wagon sinks into a muddy
field it can only be moved by an ele-
plant, that lifts it where the circus
of hay, but when roaming in the wild
homes they eat much green food. The
tree branches, tree roots, leaves of
small plants. as well bulbs, are
considered very palatable by these hard
skinned animals. Sometimes a whole
acre of ground will be plowed up by
the great tusks of the elephant in his
search for food to which his fine sense
of smell has guided him. Did you ever
notice that the elephant can never get
his mouth to the ground? For this
reason Mother Nature has given this
great animal kind of hand, which we
call his trunk When you toss pea
nuts to the elephant see how quickly
he uses his trunk to throw the nuts
into his mouth.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

forbidding today, and II may pour ram
before noon. So, you could not enjoy
day in the country If it were raining"
oh yes / would declared Mary.
"Please let me 60"
And then her mamma had to tell her
that she must not insist on doing that
which she had told her was not for her
own good. Mamma knows better than
YOU dearie." she added. And when I
refuse to grant your requests | am doing
so in your own interest. So you must
rot insist.
But ! want to go to the country
pouted Mary.
IF YOU behave in a naughty manner.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

insects stung them on cheeks. ears. noses.
hands, arms and heads, till they began to
swell out of all proportion, and when, f1f-
teen minutes later, they entered their own
home they were sights to behold. And
their sufferings were acute, too. Unless
one has been so affected he cannot under
stand how very painful such stings can
be, and the boys groaned In their agony
Their mother came to dress their wounds
and on being told that they had received
their hurts while trying to catch butter
flies, she scolded them roundly.
Haven't told you that it is wicked to
capture wild creatures?' she asked Sc
verely. "And l babe you to destroy that
butterfly net which you found in the
woods last summer / ought to let Won
suffer from the stings without trying to
ease your pain, but 1 cannot be so heart
less. shail dress your wounds, but while
am DONG so you must promise not to
try to catch butterflies again.
ana while the two boys were suffering
the consequences of their contact with the
hornets Billy and Betty Butterfly were on
the wing, hurrying homeward as fast as
they could fly. And when they told their
mother of their narrow escape and Of how
the hornets had saved them, she said:
Why must these big creatures want to
capture and kill US? If all Gods crea-
lures could live in peace and good will,
how happy this world would be, Even
the hornets would cease to sting were they
safe from the tormenting hands of boys
But nature has endowed them with weap-
ons of self-defense, which they must use
in hours of danger. and while they were
only defending their nests, they saved nv
children life. Blessed be the hornets,
say L.
"And whenever we go to the meadow
to fly we shall remain close to the tree
where the hornets live" said Billy
well, l hope there will be plenty of
hornets there, anyway" laughed Betty
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

T TITLE possum in the wood
l. Little darby with gun;
Little postum keeps SO still,
For he's not prepared to run
He is hanging to a limb,
Just pretending he's asleep;
But when darby comes along
He will slyly take a peep.
Then if darby points the gun
Possum from the limb will fall {;
Not that he'll get hit, you know;
He's pretending, that is all.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

figuring scowl on his little girls face, he
inquired the cause.
Il want to go to visit Cousin Adah to-
day." explained Mary. "And mamma
won't give her permission
But mamma knows best said Mary's
father. Perhaps it is on account of the
gathering clouds that mamma wants to
keep our grille at home. But come into
luncheon"
Il don't want any luncheon, said Mary,
still pouting. But her father sternly bade
her come to the table. and she was
obliged to obey. Once seated at the table,
however. Mary's mood grew uglier, and
she pouted and pouted refusing to smile
at the funny stories her father related to
her. And when her mamma helped her
plate to one of her favorite dishes, she
made a wry face and said it was not
good.
Mamma calmly rose from the table and
took Mary by the arm, saying: go to
your own room. daughter, and remain
there till you are in better temper And
if you persist in behaving in such a
naughty manner all afternoon l shall be
forced to punish YOU
Mary stalked off to her own room up
stairs and threw herself on the bed. cry
ing in her anger. "Oh, l just can't ever
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11
Billy and Betty Butterfly

they got among the branches. They car
ried butterfly net, and ran toward poor
Billy and Betty. swinging the net about,
hoping to catch them. But Billy and Bet
ty, realizing their danger, succeeded in
hiding themselves snugly in the thick
foliage of the trees, and in vain did the
boys looks for them.
''They are two pretty white butterflies -
cried out the larger of the two boys. land
1 want a white one for my collection. so
we must get one or both of them
Yes" replied the smaller boy. ''Pll
get into the tree and brighten them out,
and you stay below and get one in the
net"
Then the smaller boy proceeded to climb
into the tree, but in doing SO he came in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11
The Stomach Hold.

COLONEL Fl. N. RENOUF, at the "Old
~ Guard" banquet at Delmonico's, en-
phaszed the Importance to an army Of
good commissariat
You have perhaps heard" he said. of
the company of privates that patriotic
lady entertained one Memorial day at
dinner.
1T was a good dinner, and at it's end
a pretty maid servant entered with a
superb dessert.
Dessert, sergeant?' she said to the
stalwart young soldier at the head of the
table.
'Desert?' the sergeant answered.
When 1 can get eats like this for moth
in? NiXiei Not mel!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

lily. and make room in his coach for
Danoto
But. good SIR said Danoto, remaining
still, II cannot go with you unless my
parents accompany me. They are all !
have in the world, and 1 am all they
have. sir
"Ah, to be sure, lad said the lord OF
the village good-naturedy. They as
we'll as the fairy shall go with you Wei.
have the entire company" And he mads
room for Pietro and Lucia In the rear
end of the coach, but took Danoto up
beside him in the front. Then they ali
rode to the beautiful palace, where a suit:
of comfortable and beautiful rooms wer!
And to say that they were the happiest
three in all that land that night would
only be telling the truth. No longer 10
ramble about like tramps, poor and hun
CRY. but to live in peace and plenty was
TO be their future lot.
That night, as Danoto was saying his
prayers, the fairy came to him to say
goodbye 'You will never need me again.
lad" she said. Il only brought out of
you that which lay within your power,
but which you had not been aware of
possessing. 1t was not / who moved
your bow, but your own genius, that hal
hitherto been stranger to you be cause
of your timidity and youth. But il was
Danoto who played the fiddle to the lord
of the village, and so he will continue to
play the remainder of his life, and in
happiness and greatness shall he con-
tinue to pass his time making the most
beautiful music in the world
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11
A Squirrel Barometer.
A MERCHANT in a western city h
a queer barometer II is a domes

A MERCHANT in western city has
queer barometer. 1t is a domesti-
Gated fox squirrel. He keeps the little
pet in a large paint barrel, all inclosed
with the exception OF a small round hole
in one end Inside the barrel is a good
supply of straw, old paper and leaves.
During run of weather of any kind, hot,
cold, wet or dry, the little animal Is I'm
and out of the house, keeping an open
door.
But should there be change coming,
say ten or twelve hours off, the squirrel
plugs up his hole with the matter from
his bed and keeps 1t closed until the
change comes. 1t is claimed the squirrel
never makes mistake, and that he gives
no false alarms to his keeper.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

contact with something fastened on a
limb. something he was not aware of, as
the leaves of the branches covered 1t.
But hardly had he struck the thing
with his shoulder when he was made &C
quainted with its proximity. 1t was a
hornets nest, and out flew a swarm of the
ferceSt hornets one ever came in contact
with. A number of them attacked the
climbing boy, and the others made to-
ward the larger boy, who tried to fight
them off with the butterfly net. But in
vain did both boys fight to free them
selves of the army of hornets. The fierce
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11
THE FAIRY AND THE FIDDLER

] did not play to you tonight. 1t was a
fairy who moved my bow
The lord of the village laughed heartily.
You are not only a genius. lad. hut the
most modest boy | have ever seen.
Doubly great are you. and since you wish
me to think fairy wields your bow
why. fetch along the fairy That will he
most unusual and entertaining" And
again did the good old man laugh heart
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

then came Danoto's turn to play a violin
solo. and such music as he brought forth
had never been heard before i'm that
square. The listeners stood spellbound.
hardly believing the truth of their eyes
and ears, for they thought there must
be some magic about the child's fiddle.
How could a little strolling minstrel play
so wondrously All, he touched the fid-
die strings with a magic bow, Even
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

TITS fun to go fishing
1 (Fun for the Boy y;
It's fun to catch fnnies;
Oh, yes, It's great JOY!
It's nice to eat fnnies
(Nice for the Boy y;
But for the poor fnnies
lis not such great joy!
It's fun to spear frogs
(Fun for the Boy y;
Have you e'er heard frogs say
That spearing was joy?
It's fun to catch mice
(Fun for the Cat y;
But woe it's for mousie :
We all know that.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

MY! - my. L 10 WlSIl 81
$$A much to see the world
said the little bean as 1t
lay in it's soft earthly bed
one morning. Il have had
such a long sleep that l am strong
enough to start on real journey. When
Mother Nature gave me these two large
sacks of food she said that l would need
them on my travels. / have kept them
good and dry under my raincoat, but now
the coat is getting so wrinkled L am
afraid if l don't start the coat Will be
all worn out and the food spoiled. 0
dear! dear!
Here comes a Sunbeam. Perhaps he'll
stop to talk Good morning, Beany.
How YOU are wrapped UP for such a
beautiful spring day. Why don't you lay
aside that coat. which has certainly
grown too small for your
Before a week had passed the proud
little bean had thrown aside her cloak
She lifted one little sack of food out to
her right and one to her left. She was
ready now to see the world. The Sun
beam had really asked to be her guide
and the rain had promised her friendship
in giving refreshment through the warm
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

AS they went along. Danoto feared that
he would fall asleep on his feet, so
weary he was. But just as they were
about to enter the public square a soft
voice filled his ear. You shall play to-
night for the lord of the village it said.
And you shall bring forth such music
as was never heard in this country be-
fore. l shall be beside you to inspire
you, for you have touched my heart with
pity and I shall give you assistance.
and it will lead you to happier lot
who are you that SO speaks to me?"
asked Danoto in awed whispers.
IA fairy. my lad replied the soft
voice. And you shall have cause to
thank me for being fairy. too"
Il thank you now said DanotO ear
nestly. "But-while you are helping me,
will you not do something for my par
ents also? Without their happiness
could not be content. even though you
gave me the riches of the world
ut shall rest with you to give to your
within your power to make them and
yourself comfortable, for you are all de-
serving"
Then the fairy voice became silent, and
Danoto found himself in the midst of
hustling throng. His father found an
open space in the square where they
might begin their entertainment. First,
much to the amusement of the gather
ing crowd. Then Danoto played an &C
compartment to his mothers songs. And
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

enter the public square dressed in their
concert costumes"
The host gave his consent for the three
strollers to go into a stable in the rear
of the inn. and soon they emerged dress
ed as became their calling. And Danoto
carried his violn-or fiddle, as the in
strument was commonly called. Then
they proceeded toward the busy center
of the town, Danoto behind his parents.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

said her mamma, II shall have to punish
YOU.
So Mary, her lips pursed up and an
ugly frown on her forehead, went to the
front steps and sat down, her mood any
Thing but plea SAINT And there she re-
manned till luncheon time when her papa
came home When he beheld the dis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

AIRY sat on the
steps, pouting. She
had a s k e d her
mother to allow her
to go to the coun-
try to visit her
cousin Adah that
day, and had been
refused. You may
go next Saturday,
dear, her mother
had promised her.
But the sky looks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

D w, m y dears,
said Mrs. Butterfly,
speaking to her son
and daughter, Billy
and Betty, you
may go to the
meadow for a frolic
if YOU promise not
to go near to that
farmhouse on the
hill. There are two
very bad boys liv-
ing there, and they
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

other father and mother. l wish 1 be-
ionged to-to-old Mr.. and Mrs. Jackson"
TX
Now, "old Mr.. and Mrs. Jackson" were
nice old couple living at the outskirts
of town, and when Mary went to the
country to visit her Cousin Adah she
passed the Jacksons' house. And the
dear old couple would call to her to come
in and have a glass of fresh buttermik,
which Mary invariably did. And now in
her fit of temper, she wished she belonged
to the Jacksons instead of to her own
parents.
Now, after seeing Mary in her own room
MaryS mamma stood beside the door
listening for a minute and overheard her
naughty daughters wish. She went be-
low and held consultation with her hus-
band after which she went to the phone
in the hall and called up "old Mr. and
Mrs. Jackson" After short converse
ton. in which Mrs. Jackson could be
heard saying: Yes. my dear Mrs. Drew
certainly, fetch the naughty little girl
right along. Well look after her for a
few days-aS long as she can he persuaded
to stay. Yes as you say, it will be a
good lesson to her. She'll come to realize
how much nicer her own home and par
entS are than any other home and peo-
pie. So, We'll be ready for her within an
hour.
y
Mary's mother hurried upstairs and en-
tered Marys room. Come, dearie. get
your clothes packed in your little trunk.
I'm going to take you to Mr.. and Mrs.
Jackson. They will be glad to have you
for their own. 1 overheard your wish
that you belonged to old Mr.. and Mrs.
Jackson. SO, I don't want to keep my
little daughter against her will. Come,
be ready Immediately. 1 have ordered
John to hitch up the horse to the phae-
ton. Your trunk can go in front. I'll
drive you out myself. I have already
asked Mr. and Mrs. Jackson to take you.
and they have gladly consented. So,
hurry, my dear. It's going to rain, and
we must get there before the downpour.
of her room after her mother went out.
What did it all mean? She really did
not want to go to live with other people.
She loved her papa and mamma, and had
the happiest home in the world. What
did it all mean? Yes, of course, she had
made that naughty wish, and mamma
had overheard her! And now-must she
really go away from her own homeland
become the child of the Jacksons?
Come, hurry up, Nary came her
mothers voice from below stairs. THE
phaeton is at the gate
Mary, not knowing just what to do, set
to tossing her clothes into her trunk. She
did not take the trouble to fold them.
Even her best Sunday frock and hat
were tumbled in all in a muss. When
most of her things were inside the trunk
she shut the lid with bang, turned the
key and called out: I'm ready"'
John, the can servant, ran upstairs and
carried her trunk on his shoulder down
to the phaeton When Mary reached the
gate her mother was already inside the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

go anywhere that I want to- she sob
bed The truth was, Mary was an only
child and had always had things pretty
much her own way, and now that she
was denied something that she wanted
she at once began to lament her condition
in life. Il just can't go when l please.
she repeated. Il wish / belonged to some
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

LII day long Da-
noto had trudged
over heavy roads.
following his par
ents. They were
strolling musicians
that is, Danoto
and his mother
were; but the
father was what is
called a clown or
comedian. T h e
three suffered the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

pass much of their time chasing butter
flies, and when they catch the poor crea-
lures they pierce their bodies with long,
sharp pins. and stick them on wall to
die. Oh. how cruel these boys are. So
YOU must stay in the meadow. far from
that farmhouse.
I'VE shall not go near the fearful
place." promised Billy. mo, indeed,
mamma" added Betty, I'VE shall remain
in the lower end of the meadow. flying
about from leaf to leaf in the tall grass"
Then away few Billy and Betty Butter
fly, and their mother went to work tidying
up their pretty little house. 1t was early
morning and dew was on the grass and
the sun was shining gloriously every
where '.Ah. isn't it lovely out of doors
this morning." asked Billy of his sister
as the two few along over the sweet
scented meadow grass.
II like the appearance of that clump of
trees yonder," said Billy. Shall we fly
thither?"
Yes. for there are lot of wild flow
ers growing about them," replied Betty,
who delighted in the fragrance of wild
flowers.
They had not been in the meadow long
before Betty. who was resting on the pet
al of wild flower, saw something which
caused her TO cry out to her brother. who
was a few feet from her He was summing
his wings tall weed.
Say. brother. what do you call these
great creatures yonder? They seem to
keep their wings on the ground. for they
stir the long grass as they come along?
Can they mean harm to us?'
Billy looked in the direction his sister
designated by the tip of one OF her wings
why | do believe they are the boys our
mother warned us against. They seem to
be coming our way. Let's fly into the
trees and they will not be able to catch
US"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

pangS of poverty and often when they went
to bed at night in some old barn loft or
under hedge they felt that life was, in
deed. hard to live, and that were they
never to open their eyes again they
would be better off.
Danoto's father. Pietro Banna, had
been a strolling actor from his infancy
and had known nothing but hard lines,
and Lucia Banna, Danoto's mother, had
lived the same rough life of privation
and hardship. So they were to be par
doned for continuing in such life since
they had known nothing else and were
untaught in any other profession or call
ing. And SO they were bringing up
their little Danoto in the profession,
and before the child was old enough to
speak plainly he could play on a tiny
violin. And now, in his tenth year. he
was quite an artistic and had fine violin
which had been bought by his father
for quite reasonable sum, though its
purchase had cost the family of Banna
considerable sacrifice in the way of COM
fort. Lucia sang to her little sons violin
accompaniment. and they gave street con-
certs in the villages and towns whittier
they travelled on foot. Their income was
in the form of small COINS dropped into
a tambourine carried in the hands of
Lucia.
But the contributions were .neager. and
sometimes altogether insufficient for the
Bannas to have both shelter and food.
In such instances they bought some food
and slept anywhere that they might find
undisputed shelter. such as beneath a
hedge or in some old barn loft.
On the evening of which I am writing
Danoto was footsore and weary. The
travel that day had been over rough
roads and the heat had been very in
tense, for a hot June sun had poured its
rays on their heads all day. without SO
much as an occasional cloud to shade
them for moment.
"How much farther have we yet to
go?" asked Danoto of his father, who
was trudging along beneath a heavy load.
for it was he who carried the family's
wardrobe and Danoto's violin, as well as
his own clowns "make-up. ,
1--WE shall see the church spire of the
village as soon as we mount yonder hill,
son." replied Pietro. And the village
lies just in the valley beyond. Have
courage my son, for we may get nice
lot of coins tonight. We shall perform
in the public square. 4nd as this is
Saturday eve wen see many of the fine
folks out for the air, going visiting or
returning home from places of amuse-
ment.'
The three uuickened their footsteps and |
soon had crossed the hill and were enter |
ing the village But just at the out
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

Pietro and Lucia were wonderstruck
Never had they heard their son play like
that before. That he had wonderful
talent for a child they admitted. but
such genius he had never shown before
And as Danoto played his face took on
truly angelic expression, the great dark
eyes looking heavenward and ssle lips
smiling sadly, sweetly What had come
over the child? So every one asked
every one else. and no one could reply.
But the most interested listener was the
lord of the village. He sat in his splen-
did coach drawn close TO the spot where
Danoto played. He was an aged man
with snow-white beard and hair and
kindly blue eyes. He loved music as an
art, and recognized in Danoto wonder
full genius. After the solo had been fin
ished and Lucia was holding the tam
BOURNE for the showering coins the lord
of the village beckoned to a bystander
and babe him call the little fiddler" to
his coach. Danoto obeyed the great
mans command. and presented himself,
bowling low.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-11

Lad, your gift surpasses that of any
musician l have ever heard. 1t is not
fitting that such genius as yours should
perish on the road and in stable yards
Come to my palace and be my official
fiddler. You shall have whatever you
ask in return.
"Oh, my lord, how can 1 thank you
enough for your proffered kindness? But
after l have told you the truth, you may
not wish for me to come to your castle.