davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
Tim's Brave and Exciting Ride $.

A AY, Uncle Tim, tell us of the time that Papa was snake bit-
 Y ten and you rode ten miles for - a doctor"
 It was Freddie Jarvis who spoke. and he was addressing his jolly old bachelor uncle. There was quite a group of half-grown boys standing beside a haystack, and with them, pitchfork in hand, was Uncle Tim Jarvis. It was noon, and Uncle Tim had come to the haystack to drag from 1t some hay for the cows brows- ing about in the nearby pasture. His nephews Freddie, Jack and little Tommy had come over to their un- cle's farm for a noon-day call, bring ing with them Richard and David Wright, friends from town.
 We've promised Rich and Dave the story, and have come over to have you tell it now," went on Fred die.
 "Ah, ha," laughed Uncle Tim, put ting aside the pitchfork for the time. "And so you knew you'd have me cornered-if you came at noontime We'll I guess I may as well tell the story right off, for your old Granny is cooking 8 spring chick for din- ner-and she'll call us the minute the meals spread. You know your Granny won't wait. Says everybody must be prompt at the table,"
 Say, Uncle Tim, Is Granny cook iing only one spring chick?" It was little Tom, who asked the question with show of apprehension.
 Now, there you are," roared Un- .cle Tim. You want to have the en- tire brood of spring chicks fried, do ,you? Well, I heard Granny tell the hired man to fetch her six chicks-as she saw her grandsons coming along the road a mile away And she did say that of all the boys for appetites in the world-well, that her grand sons stood at the head of the list. So don't worry yourself, Tom. There'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

out. He didn't call In his ordinary voice, but in a sort of wild, frightened way, and leaped to my feet and ran out into the yard to see what was the matter. saw Paul, holding one foot up. and rubbing 1t and crying out: I've been snake-bitten. Come quick, Tim. The critter Is here In the wood pile Well, ran to him, more fright ened than he was I didn't stop to look at his feet till after I had found the snake, for I wanted to know the extent of the danger. As had feared, it was a rattler, and I got the ax and chopped off it's vicious head. Then I ran to Paul. He had become very pale and his eyes had strange look in them. l examined his foot and saw it was badly swollen already. My mother had often told me what to do in such an emergency, and I didn't wait. half carried, half dragged Paul to the house. got him on our bed, then I tore up clean white cloth and bound his ankle and leg above the bite as tightly as I could. After that ran into the yard, killed a little chick, opened it's warm body and bound it over the bitten place on Paul's feet. Paul was losing con sciousness and was raving like one in 0 fever. I knew there was not moment to lose and never once did I waste count. ran down the road as fast as I could, going towards the town, five miles away. did not dare to take the time to go after our par ents, for they had gone in an oppo- site direction, and my only help lay in the town. I must get a doctor at once for Paul. I could go after our parents later.
 "I went on and on, running like a deer, never once feeling fatigued. Then I came to settlers place, sit uated about a mile from our house and on the roadside. ran to the door, but saw it closed, and supposed the people were away. I next ran to the stable to see whether they had taken their horses. One fine Say horse was standing inside the stable, enjoy ing the cool of the shade, no doubt. His team-mate was missing. It flashed through my mind that his owner the settler - had ridden him off to town. But while these surmises were going through my mind I was busy putting a bridle on the bay horse. IHtllJ III d Jlllyb 1 iOu htll lIOun lIe stable-simply shed made of rough poles and covered with straw-and jumped on his back. With wild whoop and vigorous kicks I urged the animal into a run, and gained the road within a few seconds. But as I turned the corner of the house the door suddenly flew open and a man, half dressed, appeared in the open ing, a gun in hand. He yelled out after me: Stop, horse thief. or I'll shootr But I had no time for ex- plantations, for my dear brother Paul was perhaps near to his death, and I must get doctor as quickly as pos sible. So I urged the bay horse on and on, down the dusty road leading to town. And just as I rose little hill, two hundred yards from the set tiers house, bang! went his gun. Then again and soon a third time. IT glanced back and beheld the man coming down the road in pursuit of me. I waved one arm back at him, calling out at the top of my lungs:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

be bit more than a wing for you"
 All the boys sat down, grouping themselves about Uncle Tim, who sat on-an upturned wooden bucket. And so Dave and Rich want the story of your daddy's snake-bite eh? Well, here goes: You see, we-my father, mother, brother Paul and myself lived on this very farm-only 1t wasn't a farm then. It was called a claim for my father had just 'squatted' on it, and had to stay the proper time to get homestead deed to it."
 "One day Daddy and Mother went to pay a visit to some new settlers who had located five miles distant from us. We had only one team of horses and a farm wagon. Daddy and Mother took the team and wagon, of course, as five miles each way was a bit too much of a walk.
 Your father - my brother Paul." and Uncle Tim addressed himself to his nephews, "and I stayed at home to look after things. There were oc- casional robbers coming through the country, stealing anything they could lay hands on-such as farm imple- ments, calves, pigs, corn and house. hold goods. So some one always re- mained at home to keep guard over our worldly possessions.
 "An hour after Daddy and Mother had departed Paul said he'd go and give fresh water to the pigs. He took two pails and set off towards the well, which was at the foot of this very rise of ground-down where Granny now has her milk house. l was busy mending a saddle and was in the house. It was warm weather and Paul and I were barefooted. We al- ways went that way in ths summer time. It was cheaper and more com fortable than wearing boots. Paul was eleven years old and I was four teen.
 Soon after Paul went to carry fresh water to the pigs l heard him call
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

I'll bring your horse home as soon as I've got through with him. I'm not a thief' But the man heard as little of what I said as I heard of what he was yelling at the top of his voice. But I had now outdistanced the reach of his gun and felt safe. The bullets had gone wild, for-as I later learned-the poor man was i'll from ague, and was in bed when he saw me pass his window, riding his horse. And his wife had ridden the other horse to town on the very er- quest of the doctor.
 ''Well, I reached the town and sought out the doctor. The settlers wife was there ahead of me, and was just coming out of the doctors of- flee, the doctor medicine case In hand. accompanying her. His buggy stood in front of the office. I told my story briefly, ending with, You've got to go to my brother first. And you can't ride in that buggy, either. Get on that woman's horse. He's a good traveller"
 While the doctor was preparing to do as I requested, the woman glanced at the horse I rode. crying out: Why, that horse belongs to us"
 q explained that matter in a few hurried words, saying to the. woman: When boys brother is rattle-snake bitten, he can't stop for good man ners. I rode the horse off without waiting to explain to your husband who fired three shots after me-
 "'You're all right, my boy de- clared the woman, coming forward
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
.e Autobiography of ToodleS- Noodles ss

TIM just little white puppy dog. belong to Freddie and Jessie
 ' Bryant. Freddie and Jessie are twins, and are just of an age. But I suppose you would have known they were just of an age by my telling you they are twins. I have heard it said that all twin sets are exactly of an age-the sets of two, you know. Well, the very first thing I can remember is this: One day I found myself lap ping sweet milk from a dish on the floor and saw two children standing watching me. And a very tall lady sat in a chair close by, watching me also. But I didn't know at first that she was so tall-not while she sat in the chair. It was after she arose to hes feet that her head was so far above the twins heads and mine. had to hold my neck very much bent to look up into her eyes, which were very kind eyes.
 Well, after a while I got to loving Freddie, the boy twin. But I never did care so much for Jessie, the girl twin. And this is the reason why. In the first place boy dogs love ordi- nary boys very dearly; but they never love ordinary girls at all. They ad- mire and respect them-when they are good and kind. But very few ordinary girls are good and kind to puppy dog. Jessie has never treat ed me as I should like her to. She makes a baby of me-. She puts rib bons on my collar, little lace-frilled thing about my waist and calls me "Darlin' Baby" Now I cant stand such grille nonsense. And that Is why I don't care particularly about the girl-twin.
 But with Freddie 1t is quite the re- verse. He takes me out romping and as soon as we are well out of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

the creek where a lot of water was piled up, for thought I'd never touch earth again. just held my head up and padded and padded, trying to get somewhere that I could walk And all of a sudden Freddie saw me and ran right out and caught me by the neck and dragged me to the shore. Freddie pulls off his coat and trousers and hat and shoes and all his clothes when he goes into the water. It saves his having to shake and shake to get the water off when he comes out. I'd remove my coat. too, if it did not grow on me so tight ly. But there's one good thing about having your coat grow on you tight ly. Nobody can steal 1t, and it never needs buttons.
 When we got home, though, instead of having rest and supper that girl twin, Jessie, grabbed me up and dressed me all in lace and ribbon, and said I had come home just in time to go to Ediths birthday party. Oh, I felt like biting her-only didn't dare. as she was one of the wonderful twins that the whole family looked up to and worshiped.
 And that party of Ediths. Oh, It was too dreadful! Another little girl had a puppy-dog with her and he. like me. was dressed up for the oeca- sion. He was as mad and tired as was and hated girls parties as 1 did. Well, to make things lively, and to show our bad tempers, we got into fight with each other. And we fair ly riddled the ribbons on each others necl1s. And glad we were of the ruin. We both detested ribbons-except for ordinary girls.
 Well, we were slapped and taken home, which was better than stay ing at the party.
 But lands alivel We have such things happening to us all the time we puppy-dogs do. Our life is one of excitement and change, and some un- pleasantness. But one can't be a puppy-dog and choose his friends, can he? Still after all is said, I'd rather be a dog than a girl-twin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

house he takes the hideous lace thing and ribbons off me, even the collar he removes at times. Then shake my head and jump and frisk about. as free as a dog could be. And we chase it is to chase a cat! Of course, only dogs know this. There is one funny old cat lives at the house next door, and sometimes she comes into our yard to catch grasshoppers. She crouches beside the rosebush by the window and pretty soon she leaps and gets fine big grasshopper. Then l jump at her and bark and switch my tail as if to say: Those hoppers belong in this yard-and to the cats of these premises. So take a good licking for your thieving." And l rush at her as if to catch her be- tween my paws. Then she straight ems up, goes "Spat!" and lifts her
 back as round as bow. And then she swells up her long tail. Then,
 just as I jump close to her she makes a long bound and reaches the tree and up it she goes like bird flying from the ground to a limb. Then she sits up there and looks down on me as IT to say: Not so smart as you thought yourself, Master Puppy dog And I keep on barking till she gets very tired and wishes I were away off somewhere.
 Another thing I love to do Is to go with Freddie when he flies a kite. Oh, how we do run! Away off over the hills that grow In long, steep row at the edge of town. And some- times we run right into the creek that goes tripping beside the foot of the hills. It is a very wet creek, ar1 after I come out of it I have to shake and shake to get the water off my nice soft coat. And once I got into
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

~ ERTRUDE JAMES was twelve TT mA years of age. She had two brothers, King and Grant, - aged respectively ten and four teen. The James lived In a large country town which was located in the midst of a fertile. wooded coun- try. It often afforded the children great pleasure to go to the woods for an outing, and sometimes they would invite many of their young friends to accompany them on these rustic 5aunts," as Gertrude called their ex- cursions into the country.
 One day. however, Grant and King set out towards the woods without their sister. They had seen a robins nest in a tree on the last trip there. and very much wished to rob the nest of it's little fledgelings. Grant was especially fond of birds, but not fond enough of them to resist taking them Into captivity. He admired the dear little songsters, and wanted to study them close-hand." Whenever he sug- gested this, however, his sister would very strenuously object, and would de- clare: If you endeavor to catch wild bird, Grant, I shall have to go to Mamma and Papa about It. You know 1t is their strict orders that you never molest wild creature, or rob 1t of its freedom"
 So on this occasion of which I am about to tell you, Grant suggested to King that they steal off to the woods without Gertrude, and try to catch a robin red-breast. T don't want Co keep the bird long in captivity" ex- plained Grant, but just long enough to make a study of 1t. A week, and I shall set it free again.
 And so the two boys set off without their sister, for Grant knew that she would not hear of his catching a bird, either the old mother bird or fiedge- ling. They reached the woods early In the forenoon, and had no difficulty in locating the tree in which the rob in's nest was hidden away underneath leafy boughs. AS snug as one could imagine rested the little birds home in the great protecting tree. /
 King soon climbed to the place where the nest was located, and found three fedgelings, about half-grown. The mother bird had gone out in search of food for her young, and her three little birdies were without protection. Grant soon had the fin est one of the trio in his hat, and climbed down to earth again.
 "1s it big enough to eat?" asked King, looking admiringly into his brothers hat.
 They're big enough to eat as soon as they come from the she'll" eX- plained Grant. All they want is the worm or fly. and they can devour a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

looking at her brothers whose faces flushed when they saw they were dis covered. Then she came in and stood quite close to them. Give the little thing to me-" she said, holding out her hand for it. And King obeyed. Now. give me the bit of food" she ordered. The bird. as if understand ing it was in friendly hands, opened it's mouth and ate more readily than it was doing in Kings hands.
 After the meal was finished, Ger trude turned about and started to- wards the house with the bird in her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

She hovered over the two, mourning the absence df the third just as a hu- man mother would mourn the absence of one of her beloved children-were it missing in like manner.
 And while she grieved and could not eat, sitting in sadness on the tree limb, her poor head dropping, she had a friend far, far away. In the town. where the third fiedgeling was held prisoner, there was Gertrude James, and she had discovered the presence of the baby robin. It happened this way: While the boys were busily feeding the little captive, that was beginning to lose it's appetite through the new and fearsome order of things, Gertrude came to join them at the garage. They did not hear her foot fall till she was quite inside the door, and had seen the little birdie in Kings hands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

felt by him.
 That's what you say" replied Ger trude. But you have no means of proving that they are different where affection for their young is concerned. So, we'll just carry little birdie home again. Either of you boys can accompany me to show me the nest you stole it from"
 There was no use the boys say- ing anything more about the matter, for at this point their mother ap- peared on the scene and Gertrude ex- plained the whole affair to her. Mrs. James was amazed that her sons should be guilty of robbing birds s nest, and said so in no mild tones. "Have Perkins get the auto right out, and you two robbers take your pris- oner back to its home:"
 Grant and King now began to real ize the extent of their bad conduct It had not occurred to them before that there would be any unhappiness or misery attending the taking of a little bird from its nest. But evidently they had much to learn regarding the rights of all living creatures.
 It did not take them long to reach the spot where poor Mrs, Robin led Breast sat on limb, grieving over the loss of her little one. And as the three children advanced to the tree, and Grant began to ascend the limb where the nest vas half hidden, she futtered about, wild with excitement. Up and down she flew, giving vent to short chirps of distress, as if pleading with the giant intruders to spare her the two little birdies in the nest.
 Grant soon reached the nest and placed the baby robin in it beside his brother and sister robins. Then after Grant had descended to the ground, the three children stole off to safe distance where they concealed them selves behind some shrubbery and from where they could watch the mother robin. For some minutes she kept circling above the tree, chirp- ing mournfully and excitedly. After a while she seemed to become more calm. and slowly descended to the limb on which her nest rested. Then, turning her head sideways. she looked down with apprehension into her nest. Somehow, one felt that she feared to look there, thinking to find the other two little ones gone. But her happi- ness was plainly to be seen when she discovered all three little birdies sit ting huddled together, their mouths open, begging for food.
 With swift wing she reached the nest. lowering over it tenderly. Then she raised her head, her throat swelled and poured forth her song of thanksgiving. Never had she sung like that before, for it is fact that the female bird sings very little-if at all. She is satisfied to leave the music making to her mate. But on this occasion she sang and sang, and even the hearts of King and Grant responded to her song of happiness. .N Gee, I'm glad we brought the little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
yeezer back" declared Grant, hon.

geezer back" declared Grant, hon estly.
 ''So am l." admitted King. And say, let's make a VOW to do all we can to prevent other boys from talk ing birds from their nests. It's noth- ing more than-than-- What do you call 1t when child is stolen from it's parepts?"
 Abduction" said Gertrude. "Yes, taking bird from its nest Is the same thing as taking a baby from it's cradle-criminal."
 Yes, abduction Is very wicked thing" said Grant, slowly. Say. I'm glad the mother bird was still here. She might have moved the other two to a safer spot. That would have been-awful."
 Worse than awful" agreed Ger trude. And then they climbed into the automobile and hurried home ward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

ton. which was to, be used in lining the nest. A handful of dry grass. which had been cut from the lawn a few days before, should answer as a foundation for the nest.
 And while the boys were planning a new and strange house for the little fiedgeling, the mother bird had re- turned to the nest in the woods, car rying in her beak a fine fat worm for her little one's dinner. The mother robin flew. to the nest and looked within. There were only two little ones where there had been three!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

If the words pictured above are rightly guessed and written one 5c- low another in the order of their numbers, their initial letters will spell the name of a fowl.
 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES.
 LETTER ENIGMA-Shoper.
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE-Curtain Cross ,cords: l. Club. 2. Burn. 8. Pork. 4. Trot. D. Tram. 6. Fire. T. Noun BEHEADINGS AND CURTAIL- INGS-1. Shame-hona. 2. Shru6bery- rubber. 3. White-hit. 4. Staple-tap. PUZZLE PICTURE - Picnic First syllable is spelt in tree. -.1 syL lable is spelt in boy's face.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
x OurPuZZle Corner A
LETTER ENIGMA.

LETTER ENIGMA. My first Is in bullet, but not in gun: My second is in amble, but not in run: My third is in circus, but not in clown:
 My fourth is in king. but not in
 crown:
 My fifth is in eat, but not in food: My sixth is in turkeys, but not in
 brood:
 My whole's a receptacle Made both large and small:
 It may stand on the floor
 Or hang up gainst the wall. DIAGONAL.
 This diagonal contains five words of five letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one be- low another their diagonal letters, beginning with the upper left-hand letter and ending with the lower right-hand letter, will spell that which denotes great size and strength. The cross-words are: 1. To be serious. 2. Ornaments worn on the hand. 8. Something caused by fire. 4. Names of people and places. 5. A kind of fish
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

hands, stroking it tenderly the while. Where are you taking that bird ?' asked Grant, losing his patience. It's mine to study for a week. Then l mean to carry it back to its mothers nest"
 "Oh, we'll not wait a week. Broth er," assured Gertrude, calmly. Well take it today. Just as soon as l can get my hat and jacket, and can tell Perkins to get the auto out, we'll start With it."
 Now, Sis. don't be silly" began Grant.
 "No, Gertie, we'll not harm the lit- tie bird,' declared King. We've meant all along to return it to its mothers nest"
 "Oh, how kind" smiled Gertrude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
RIDDLE.

RIDDLE. Pm a singular creature, pray tell me my name: I partake of my countrymen's glory and fame: I daily am old, and I daily am new: I am praised, I am blamed. I am false, I am true: I'm the talk of the nation, while I'm in my prime: I'm forgotten when once I've outlasted my time: In the morning no Miss is more court ed than I: In the evening you see me thrown carelessly' by. Take warning, ye fair-I like you have my day: But alasl you like me must grow old and decaV
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18
Gertrude and the Robin.
How Little Girl Set Free Prisoner

2 T TISOHCT' | meal as readily as can their mother"
 After going about the woods for another hour, the boys set out towards home. On entering their street they turned into the alley back of their house, and went into the garage. There they began devising some way of preparing a safe and comfortable nest for the little birdie that was quite old enough to realize something was wrong. and that 1t was no longer in its own safe nest.
 "I'll gather the stuff for the nest" said King. And he ran to the house where he knew most everything was to be found. He soon had an old cast-off straw hat of his sisters which he pulled apart to get the loose straw.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

"But suppose some one had come and carried you Grant, out of the house when you were a helpless baby. and told Mamma nothing about it? Sup pose you had been kept a week by monsters who knew nothing of your manner of living, and who did so just to study you? Don't you think Mann ma would have suffered terrible anxiety? And don't you suppose you would have been frightened almost to death?"
 But birds and people are differ- ent." explained Grant. his face cast down, for shame was beginning to be