davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

ment he uttered a shrill shout/of surprise,
which caused US to hasten our footsteps.
what's the matter?' we asked, upon
reaching his side.
He was gazing across the pond toward a
thick grove of trees upon the opposite bank.
II thought I'd struck the tropics and ex-
pccted to see a whole herd of alligators swim
ming about in the water and was looking if |
could see any monkeys in the trees" he
replied, in rather puzzled tone.
What's the matter with YOU" cried Percy.
Il don't know replied Lew, rubbing his
head, as though he were trying 10 get his
wits Strengthened out.
But when ! struck .hc bank here /
thought l saw an elephant just going out OF
sight among those trees on the other side
Percy grinned, and felt disgusteL. J felt
as though that elephant business had been
carried quite far enough.
That's II pretty good joke, lew ! said.
commencing to unrccl my line Its all worn
out
"Oh, you fellows think I'm fooling!" he re.
srordcd. excitedly. But I'm not. did sec
something over there, and it looked Ike an
elephant. ii | ever saw one
Then Percy AMI saw that he was in earn.
cst, and We both commenced laughing.
hat what comes ot making fun of nc. y
SAID. "lll tell you, you've got elephant on
the BRAIN
',We think must have" admitted Lew,
still with perfect gravity, 'f"r il ever saw
""S '"'hS, a'W an ciephanl pNtr IN the
shore OF this pond. 1t may have been Il 'crea
turc OF the imagination,' as the professor says,
but 1t was there just the same"
IL didn't have tho least idea that yonr i'm.
agiinat on was capable OF handling such heavy
subjets,' remarked Percy.
1T was COW he saw | laughed She'd
been down TO drink, and that, pf course, in
creased her size
Keep right on, you fellows" interrupted
lew. Maybe I'm not responsible for What
] see this morning, but think | am. I've a
great mind to so over there and see what
that COWS tracks look like
But Percy and were opposed 10 this, and,
aitcr, switching the water a few times with
his line, Lew reelcd it up and started of
alone ''
I'm going over to :he other side, fellows -
he id, rather lamely. Il don't have any
luck here. | won't be gone long"
Hes the greatest .hap!" remarked Percy
to me, rs Lew Disappeared. Once let him
get him an idea into his head. and there's no
getting it out till it's proved wrong without
doubt. He's gone 10 look for elephant
tracks
Although the agreement had been that we
should keep together during this days out,
ing, had not the hear. to call lew back, for
] knew that, AZ Percy said, he wouI never
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

be satisfied until he assured himself that the
elephant was freak of his imagination.
Neither were Percy and ] willing to follow
him, for we were having excellent luck, and
had already hauled in several fine perch.
At different points along the lake shore,
through openings in the fringing bushes, we
saw Lew plodding along, apd within twenty
directly opposite our position. 1t was but a
few yards distant from the Quicksands which
had been completely fenced in by some hu-
namely disposed persons.
As Lew arrived at this point saw him
halt suddenly and throw up his hands with
n shout of startled amazemcnt that family
reached our ears across the water. Then he
commenced bcckoning frantically to Percy
and me.
"Boys,rercy, Frank, come over here" he
shores of the pond
could see that Lew was greatly excited,
and began to reel in my line at once. But
Percy expressed his opinion that he was fool
ing us, and shouted across the LiIc to know
what was wanted. But lev didn't hear him,
for he was already out oi sight in. the
bushes.
Come along Percy" urged. "Hc would
Mt get ns away over there for nothing
And, greatly puzzled by our friends ac-
tons, we started off along the shore Of the
pond at our best pace.
We had covered but little over half the
distance when we were startled hy terrific
crashing in the bushes across the pond, and
beard LEW Bridgham's voice crying loudly for
help.
There was no iooling about the matter now,
tor the next instant Lew appeared at the
edge OF the water, as though he was being
pursued
Utterly at ii loss to understand Lewis ter
ror, we ran on The tumult in the under
brush con, lnued, and, with another shout,
Lew started along the waters edge in the di-
rection OF the fenced in quicksands.
Evidently he intended putting the rail fence
between himself and whatever was pursuing
him, Tor the fence extended some distance
back into the wood.
In II moment his pursuer came into full
>lew, and both Percy and stopped with
cry Of horror and SURPRISE Crashing through
the tmckets of brush and sapings. his great
trunk curled high in the air, and his white
tisks cleaning against the dark background
OF green. appeared the huge body of an clc-
phant the largest specimen Of an African
giant | had ever seen.
Iercy and ] were within a dozen rods ot
the place where the animal burst forth, but
lie VAS so intent on Lew that he never no
ticed u.s.
CONTlNI ED ON PAGE FIVE
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

81 did want to see the elephants ! ad-
mitted. IL understand they've got quite a
herd-one perfect monster. I'd rather miss
Greek lecture than this same circus
Step right this way, ladies and gentlemen,
and see the live lion stuffed with straw! 1t
won't hurt you!" supplemented Lew. who
tried occasionally to be eXcruciating'y funny,
with but Indifferent success.
:. Here, I'll 60; say no more!' | said, set
Ting the argument at once to Lew and Per
Pond Saturday, and you can get me some
shrimp Friday night when you get your own,
Lew. The circus will have to get along with
ont my presence
1T will be teetotally bankrupted, then" re-
marked Percy, in feigned distress.
No-Bottom Pond, over which we had held
our discussion, was body OF water lying
some six or seven miles from the academy we
three boys attended.
1t was almost circular, nearly mile in di.
ameter, and bore very bad ndme, in that
people had been frequently drowned in its
black depths.
Its reputation for having "no bottom" was
probably flight OF fancy on the part of the
original settlers Of the ncyhborhood. hut it
was certain that in some parts the depth had
never been ascertained.
The pond was full Of ioccold springs, and
various unfortunate swimmers had been seiz-
ed with cramrs and had exceedingly nan ow
escapes.
y,
All Peabody by name. had come very near
drowning, and though naturally no more
careful than the majority OF boys OF my age,
] had been one Of those who workcl over
All to bring him back to life, and the occur
renee was vividly impressed upon my mem,
ory.
In addition to this, on the eastern shore of
the pond there was a strip of very dangerous
qucksand, at least ten yards in length, and
it was reported by the old settlers OF the
vicinity that more than one traveller had lost
his life in this spot.
But the fishing, rs Lew BRIGHAM had said
was admitted to be the best in the county.
White perch mainly inhabited its waters, and
aimed with rods, bait and II generous lunch
we set forth on our excursion before light on
the following Saturday.
The circus, about which Lew and Percy bad
chatfed me SO numerically, had not reached
the little town, con the edge Of which the
academy was situated, when we started so
wa. denied the privilege OF seeing it come
in"
We made rapid progress across country and
shortly after six o'clock approached No Bot
tom Pond from westerly direction.
lew caught sight Of the CLINT of water
through the trees first and dashed through
the bushes to the ponds edge. The next NO
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07
d, COPYRIGHT ny JAMES ELvERsoy

HFe course, N go, boys" ! ! said; but
N We'll, I'd like to know why not?"
O demanded my chum, Percy Hart.
- What's come over you, anyway
y''Oh, nothing, only l don't fancy
No,Bottom Pond. It's a, dangerous place"
ITS no more dangerous than any other pond,
and it's lots better fishing ...
"You know very we'll" | began, a little
warmly, but Percy interrupted me. ="
Yes, we know just what you are going
to say, Frank" he said. "There have been
half dozen people drowned there within the
last five years, and there's q big bed Of quick
heart, and that's just why there will be no
danger in our going. We shall know enough
to keep out OF harms way
II don't know" l rejoined, slowly. Ever
since All Peabody had such close call there,
Eve been a little scary OF it. But if you fel.
lows will promise not to go in swimming and
all keep together" ..
"Of course We will,' agreed Percy. who
had an oxasperating way of breaking in upon
a fellows remarks sWhen he was only half
swimming. anyway / want to catch the he
handsomest string OF white perch ever seen in
the academy, and ! mean TO if can. As for
the quicksand, there has been raifence
built around 1t, so we cant miss it to save
US. 1ome, now, you've no other excuse |
Yes, one" l admitted. hesitatingly.
"Out with it" urged Lew We're pre-.
pared to floor any number Of them.''
Well, there's the circus" began.
But | got no further, for the boys fairly
howled.
Just hear him!" cried Percy red in the
face from his exertions "Does the little how
want to see the circus come in? TOO bad,
he SHALL" Wv"
While Lew sang, in a squeaky voice, the
following ditty.
1T was the animal fair,
The beasts and the birds were there
The big balloon,
BY the light Of the moon,
Was combing his auburn hair"
=. took their chaff pretty good naturedIy,
for ! was used to it. circus wasn't yery
much of q novelty, of course but from a
very small shaver, | had always been ox.
tremey interested in such shows and had us-
ually attended every travelling menageric that
came within twenty miles Of my home.
'He wants to see the elephant" suggested
Percy. dryly. Since the professor stopped
our going to town evenings, Frank hasn't had
an atom Of excitement. Such a steady old
chap, too!'
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE
The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

= course, IN go, boys" ! said; but
We'll, I'd like to know why not?'
demanded my chum, Percy Hart.
What's come over you, anyway"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
DIR. ROBERT NELSON
 BACK FROM HAVANA
Attended Meeting of City Health Off, ficials and Received Much Val
 uable Information

pr Robert Nelson, city health officer, returned yesterday from Havata, Cuba, where he attended u convention of city health officials. The meeting lasted sev- eral days, interspersed with great leal of entertaining accorded the visiting phy- sicians. The medical men looked over the physical condition of Havana and seemed pr. Nelson Said, to be deeply impressed with what was shown them.
 "The trip to that meeting was very profitable to every city health officer attending it. said Dr. Nelson. ''We learned a great deal about protecting cit ies at such meetings, this one being among the best that I have ever at tended. The general sentiment seemed to be that municipal medical betterment was going ahead with great strides and that almost every American city was giving closer attention to medical protection now than in the past
 Dr. John Watts who has been acting city health officer retired from his work yesterday upon Dr. Nelson visiting head quarters in the city hall and announcing his return.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13

killed my father. I stated then and there that I was only going to see that he got fair and just trial as that was fathers dying wishes. Since then I have had all kinds of propositions made me to drop the prosecution against Parker l have also had threats made against me if did not, but I have stood like l said l would at first and as my dying father requested me to. At times since father has been killed I did not really know where my next meal was coming from, but I have always man. aged to get them without going to any one who was assisting Parker in his de- fense for Killing my father. It Is a fact, do owe che of my brothers about $50, and because I was a few months behind with my rent at the time l was out of a position and my wife i'll, he threatened to have me put out of his house l was living in. l have been told that the public opinion was against me, but l feel that have only done what any boy ought to have done toward a father who ever cared for him.
 Thanking the friends who have sympa- thized with me in this sorrow, and hoping those who condemned me unheard will read this, I am respectfully,
 DAVE H. BROWN.
 Birmingham, December 12 19i1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
AT THE HOTELS

L. c. Elliott of Montevallo is stopping at the Morris.
 W. T. Wallis of Montgomery Is guest at the Norris
 James J. Hudson of Eufaula is among the Alabama people stopping at the Morris.
 R. S. Rand of Annston was registered at the Hillman last night.
 .. w. Jones of Cullman is stopping at the Hillman.
 J. Hawkins of Sylacauga is a guest at the Hillman.
 J. c. Britton of Sayre is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 J. H. Landman of Huntsville is a guest at the Metropolitan.
 J. E. Gordon of Deatsville is at the Metropolitan.
 H. R. Vaughn of Nashville is a guest at the Birmingham.
 j. C. OBryan of Owensboro, Ky is a guest at the Birmingham.
 John Lyons of New York is at the Bir- mingham.
 H. F. Shackelford of Brewton is a guest at the Florence.
 A. P. IIowison of Randolph is stopping at the Florence
 w. T. Hand of Jemison was registered at the Florence last night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Punishment of Crime

TO the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 !. Much has been said. written and pub lished about the epidemic of crime per meatng Jefferson county, an increase of which has caused the ministers of our various religious denominations to sit up and take notice. After studying. investi- gating and digesting the why and where flores of the prevailing asstude, that breeds such conditions, the writer is thoroughly convinced that the only avail able remedy that can be successfully ap- piled, is a reformation in our present form of jury trial and a reform in the present manner of securing a verdict
 In lieu of, as now, let us have a ma jority of the jury render the verdict; that would settle the matter, now and forever. No longer any fear would exist as to one juryman controlling the verdict of a jury, nor would there be any possi- bility or probability of a bought jury, no fear of six being bought, when, as now, the purchase of one does the work. Why in our day and generation should we be wiser than He, the Redeemer of fallen humanity, eXemplfied in his acts and teachings, that He was unable to select F men without securing one that could be and was bought? Can we not from this lesson learn that it is mpos- sible for us in our frailty to do what He, us our Savior, failed to accomplish? Let us be up and doing, such as He, by His teachings, bid us do, which, if done, we would never have cause to complain of the increase of crime and lawlessness now defiantly pervading our community.
 If, as is now, the common saying, that our juries are corrupt, with the remedy applied as suggested, would it be pos sible to secure, upon any one jury, as many as six corrupt or salable men? cannot believe it, nor will stand for it. So let us ,ct and apply the remedy that conditions may change for the bet ter and stop be put to a continuation of the worse as now existing and in- dicated. GEORGE c. KELLEY
 Birmingham, December 12 1911
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
- URGE CLOSING OF POSTOFFICE SUNDAYS
Dr. George Grannis Will Make Speech Tonight at First Methodist
 Church

Dr. George Grannis, Methodist nlin- ister, touring the country in the inter- est of the Lords Day Closing league. which is composed of postoffice clerks and their ministerial friends, will de- liver an address on Early Postoffice Closing on Sunday" in the auditorium of the First Methodist church this evening at o'clock. This hour is used so that those who attend the prayer services throughout the city may go later to hear Dr. Grannis, and the min isters of the various churches have promised to invite their congregations.
 Dr. Grannis comes here under tho auspices of the local postoffice clerks association and committee appointed from this organization and from the Pastors union of this city arranged the time and place for his Birmingham speech. He is visiting the large cities of the country endeavorng to create public sentiment in favor of shorter hours for the Sunday postoffice service.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
ONE YEARS HARD LABOR AND
 A $500 FINE FOR PARKER
Jury Out 22 Hours and Fixes Punishment for Mansaughtel in Second Degree-Dave H Brown Son of Deceased
 Man, Issues Statement.

After deliberations of 22 hours, the jury with which the case of Eldridge P. Par ker rested, returned a verdict yesterday afternoon al 4:10 o'clock, fixing the pun ishment of the prisoner at one year of hard labor for the state and the payment of $500 fine for manslaugbter in the sec ond degree. Attorneys for the defense inl- mediately gave notice of an appeal from the lower court.
 The case is one of the most striking coming uhder the notice Of Birmingham people for some time and has created widespread interest. Parker was charged with killing his father-in-law, D. ?. Brown
 The verdict, it is understood, was reached after much wrangling among the jury, some of the jurors holding out for one penalty and others for another.
 Dave H. Brown, a son of the decease1 man, has made the following statement regarding hls attitude toward the case: To the Editor Of The Age-Herald.
 To make myself clear to the public, l would like to make the following state ment: A few moments after my father David P. Brown) died I was asked not to make any statement or do anything against the defendant, E. P. Parker, who
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
PARK SITES MAY BE PURCHASED TODAY. City Commissioners to Hold Meeting Principally for
 That Purpose

Three park tracts will in all proba. bilities be purchased by the city com missioners at a meeting to be held to- morrow. principally for that purpose. and for the consideration of the tax provisions of the revenue bill.
 The parks to be bought are in Ems ley, adjoining North Birmingham park and the other adjoining Idlewild park.
 Commissioner Weatherly, Tn whose department is apportioned the parks, said last night that the probable pur- chases would be considered and per- haps consummated at once.
 The city promised the citizens of Ensley a park sometime ago and offers have been made that are said to be very attractive. The other two parks fit in with property owned by the city and these will be considered along with the other tracts.
 The park commission, in whose charge has been placed the city parks, will be represented at the meeting. The city commissioners of Birmingham are well aware that the park commis- sion desires to work out d park system for Birmingham before any new park sites are acquired. However. 1t was explained last night as coming from the city commissioners that the lands now offered may be purchased very cheaply, and while the park commis- sion plan for a general scheme of parks is desirable and wholly lauditory, yet the commissioners believe that the loss of time in acquiring the contemplated lands would result in inflations in value and perhaps in eliminating the city in the final purchase. For that reason haste is to be used in the matter.
 The commissioners said yesterday that at some later time the financial consideration for the three proposed parks would be announced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
WILL HELP RESCUE ENT0MbEO MINERS Local Men Summoned to BriceyilIe-TO Use Oxy-
 gen Helmets

At the request of Dr. J. A. Holmes, director of the federal bureau of mines, inc Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company yesterday dispatched 10 rescue corps trained men to Briceville, Tenr., to assist in rescue work there The tenor of the information received here was to the effect that several men entombed in the Cross mountain mine, which exploded last Saturday, are yet alive and proper rescue work might save their lives The rescue corps mon of the Tennessee company left on the fast Queen and Crescent train last night equipped with oxygen helmets and under the direction of J. w. Groves of the Tennessee company, trained rescue expert.
 The appeal for aid came from Dr. Holmes because of the fact that tho federal corps men and A. R. Brown of the Birmingham rescue station had worked until they were well nigh eX- Lausted and more men trained in the work were needed. President George Gordan Crawford did not hesitate q moment in granting the request of pr. Holmes. Ille IeuHeSsee coHlpdhy h's car equipped with Is helmets for rescue work Of this number eight were allowed to be removed from the local rescue car of the Tennessee con- pany. The others were retained in Br mingham
 The Birmingham crew, all grizzled heroes of underground work, have taken many prizes in the Tennessee con- Eany offers and are the heroes of the corporation. The men have felt the black damp's awful sting and have faced death scores of times in the Bir- mingham field. Their fellows in the local coal region and the officials of the company for whom they work are turning eyes toward the stricken mine village in east Tennessee, confident that the local men will render valiant serv-' ice.
 The rescue men who left, including Mir. Groves, were: J. F. Brown, A. J. Winfield Francis Brawley, Uric Brandt, 0. H. Verchat, William Docherty, George Blankenhorn, Mike Dugan, John Wayne, Tom Wayne, Arthur Wayne,
 The men carried, in addition to res cue helmets, the regulation mine safety lamps and other equipment belonging to the Tennessee company
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-13
SUFFRAGETTES ARE
 UNDER INDICTMENT

London, December 12.-Twenty-two of the suffragettes arrested with POO com panions in connection with the demonstra- tion at the house of commons November 21 were indicted today. Nearly 200 had been summariy sentenced by the police magistrate on minor charges. The ac- cused who appeared today had on their first appearance been committed for trial at the London sessions and now had to answer more serious charges of malicious ly damag ging property.
 All the prisoners pleaded not guilty. They were brought up in patches of four. The first group were found guilty, te- fused to undertake to refrain from sini- lar lawlessness in the future and wero sentenced to two months in jail.
 The women entered the enclosure by twos and threes throughout the day. The evidence against them was monotonously identical and sentences of two months m prison were awarded to all the suf- fragettes with the exception of two who were discharged.