davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

just come to Bulger.
 So they waded down stream short distance and came out at a very high steep bank, as high as Dotties head and so steep that Bulger had to go first and drag Dottie up by the hand Dottie, being a girl, could not climb like Bulger. He was very, very strong. Almost as strong as his papa, so he imagined.
 Then Bulger and Dottie went to the stables to hunt for lumber. They knew that every sort of board and stick could be picked up round the stables and cow sheds, not to speak of the broken bits of fence boards round the pig pens. So they began collecting their material for bridge building. Of course, they could not carry very heavy boards, nor wide, long ones, so they scratched about for short ones-boards that would just reach nicely across the great river"
 Bulger found one fine board-about four and a half feet long and one foot wide. That would be a bridge in itself. So he dragged it to the place where the "river" was narrow est while Dottie brought up behind him with two long sticks.
 Bulger had some difficulty In get ting the bridge in place to his taste and had to call on Dottie for assist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

of the foxes? That would mean de- struction to all.
 Some were in favor of hiding out for the remainder of the day, while the others advised creeping close to their home and reconnoitering. Mrs. Red Fox declared that she must go directly home and see if her unruly son had returned there-and whether or not he had been injured.
 It did not take the foxes long to cover the distance to their village, and soon Mrs. Red Fox had crossed the threshold of her own pretty cottage. And there she found her son awaiting her. But in what plight! One paw "a front one-was swollen to three times its normal size, and he was all but exhausted beyond the power of speech.
 Mrs. Red Fox dismissed her friends, saying 1t were better that she be alone with Naughtie for the present. When she had the suffering fellow in his own bed. and his foot dressed she asked for his story.
 When I ran off this morning." said Naughtie, speaking with effort, T went directly to the lake. I had no place in particular to go, so just ram bled about. Oh, Mamma, how wicked was." And the suffering Naughtie began to cry in his pillow. Well, I soon decided it was no fun being by myself, and thought I'd come home the best place on earth-and play with Swiftie and Spottie.
 T was really and truly sorry I had disobeyed you, Mamma, and meant to hurry to you and tell you so, and to promise you that I would be naughty no more. But just as I was crossing that ridge-where the big rocks are I heard a strange noise, then a very much stranger one which went 'pop! and felt stinging in my paw. Then
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

~HE incidents related in this story happened in a Southern State,
 and some distance from city
 - or town. In the county of Dash were very few white people living out side the cities and towns, the farms being tenanted and worked by the colored people.
 In beautiful valley, nestling at the foot of range of low, wooded hills. there was an old "wohn-out" planta- ton. to quote the people of that dis % trict. And on the plantation, sur rounded by great moss draped trees, was an old-time colonial mansion, long dropping to decay. Not "sence de wah' had 1t been occupied by white people, for it's master lost his life for "the lost cause" and his children, and their children, scattered to the far ends of the earth, and had sold off the property for a mere song. An old man had bought it and in turn had cut it into small parcels, renting them out to the colored farmers of the vi- cinity.
 But for ten years the place had gone to weeds, for somehow the story had got in circulation that the place was ''hanted." And not colored man in all the county could have been hired at any sum to go to that old place to till its worn-out soil.
 Many were the strange stories told about the doings of the "hants" in "tha' ole mansion what done belonged to Marse Dudley befo' de wah." And every one in the community feared to pass the place at night, and even gave it a wide berth by day. Its wose den grave ya'd," one old neighbor- ing darky had declared. And he thought he spoke the truth. Indeed, those living within a few miles of the place lived in constant dread of a stray "spook" coming to do them harm. And doors and windows were sc, urely fastened at night to keep the evil spirits out.
 One evening towards dusk a couple of boys from an adjoining county might have been seen walking briskly along the country road, following the borders of a fine river. They carried shot guns and game bags, and were dressed in the huntsman's garb. One was Bert Jones, sixteen years of age. The other was Arthur Spellman, aged fifteen. They were cousins, and were fine, sturdy, bronzed chaps. faces full 1, of health and happiness.
 As they trudged along, Bert re- marked: Sure as we're alive, we're on the wrong road. We should have taken that right-hand road at the forks-below yonder."
 "Im afraid you're right" agreed Arthur. But nights about to fall, and if we retrace our steps we'll not come to a habitation of any kind for miles. We're now some seven miles from town-any way we take it."
 Just then curl of blue smoke rose above the hedge and scattered timber
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

ground. "The rain makes the corn big" said Dottie.
 You mustn't call this corn-it's our big woods,'' corrected Bulger. Now we'll explore and find an elephant" But before the elephant was found (which would have been a bit of dry cornstalk plowed up from last year) the children heard their mothers voice calling to them.
 "Bul-ger! Dot-tie! Come to the house at once. Aunt Hetty and away!"
 But Bulger and Dottie did not have to be urged to hurry since they were informed of Cousin Nellle's visit. They went across the bridge at a bound, almost forgetting the pleasure of crossing on 1t. and went up the soft dirt steps to the top of the bank and on to the house. There they met Nellie coming out to greet them. She had on a new pink frock and white apron. And she wore shoes and stock ings. But she was not dressed up that way long, for Dotties mamma got one of Dottie's old dresses for her and she put it on. And she left off her shoes and stockings too. How could sho play-all decked up in her Sun- day best?
 Then Bulger very proudly led Nellie to the bridge, and she declared 1t was jus fine.'' And they had fine day playing on it. too.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

they looked, under weed and vine-cov- cred fallen trees, beneath the edees of overhanging rocks, in heavy era ss and piled-up dead leaves; but in vain Naughtie (who had indeed proved himself to be very naughty could not be found, hair or hide.
 Just as the searching party, led on by old Singer Fox-who was dressed in his Sunday best-was about to re- turn to their village, their ears caught the sound of voices-human voices. Then they heard a gun-crack! An, how they were frightened!
 Hide, every fox-young and old!" cried out old Singer Fox. And every fo--. young and old, did his bidding. Some crept into deep holes in the earth which were so hidden beneath last years dead branches and leaves as to be invisible to man. Others crept beneath loose edged rocks and into hollow tree-trunks. And by the time that the persons whose voices had been heard in the distance had drawn near not the tiniest bit of fox could be seen anywhere.
 Where do you suppose that little red fox went?" asked a man coming through the thicket, a gun on his shoulder.
 "He ran off this way,' replied an- other man who was following the first
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

opened without effort. They stepped into a large room with a fireplace in one end. And-strangest thing of all "a pile of freshly-cut wood lay be- side the fireplace. The moon shed a light through the open door, and en- abled the boys to examine their sur roundings. Some one living here, sure." they both said. Then an idea came to Bert. Suppose we hide away some place-out in the bushes beside the garden--and watch. Whoever comes, must enter by this kitchen door. And there's no one at home now-at least, no one comes to re- ceive us with true Southern hospi- tality."
 Soon the boys had closed the door behind them and were hidden in the bushes near to the garden. They found plenty of dry grass and leaves on which to sit, and decided to eat their corn pone and roasted spare-ribs while waiting.
 Strange 'hants' one finds" smiled Bert He spoke in a whisper.
 We must keep as still as mice," warned Arthur, also in whisper.
 
 strained to catch any sound of ap- preaching 'hants."
 Presently, about eight o'clock, to the best of the boys idea of time, a sound of rustling dead grass and scattering leaves was heard coming from the timber line back of the stables. The boys crouched low. and became part of the shadows of the trees and 
 view tall man, a gun over his shoul- der and strings of squirrels and birds in his hands. He walked assuringly, as though fearing nothing, and ap- preached the house. He entered the kitchen and left the door open be- hind him. After lighting a candle, he closed the door, but Bert and Ar thur could see him assing to and fro across the window. Doesn't look very spooky," whispered Bert.
 Quite human," replied Arthur. Shall we creep up and peep in through the window?" But before his cousin could reply, the door opened and the old fellow came out, walking towards the very spot where they crouched. For moment both boys felt that they were discovered, and were wee bit shaky over the out come. But the man strode past them, entered his garden, squatted down and began pulling pea-pods from the vines. He placed them in his battered old felt hat.
 After having gathered as many peas as he wanted. the old 'spook" pulled up some onions, and gathered other vegetables. Then he returned to the house. After half an hour, the boys decided to come out and take a peep. "He lives by night and sleeps by day" whispered Arthur. They stole to the window and looked within. There was now blazing fire in the fireplace,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

 Just as the meal was over,. and the three little ones ready to run out into the woods to play, as was their cus- tom after breakfast. their mother turned to them, and said:
 My dears, don't wander ten feet from our own dooryard this morning for I heard bad news last evening while was calling on Mrs. Blue Fox. Her oldest son came in while I was there and told us that hunters were securing the forest in quest of us Now, none have ever come this far into the forest, and we have always been safe to live our lives happily But now danger is stalking near our door. So we must be cautious and watchfuL"
 "Yes. Mamma" said Spots, the daughter Yes, Mamma" said Swiftie, the baby son. "Well stay within call. We'll go no farther than that huge oak tree-and it shades our very house."
 But all the while that his sister and brother were talking, Naughtie said not word. Indeed, he was thinking: fI shall go a long way from the huge Loak tree."
 When the three of them were out playing in the yard which surrounded their own pretty little house-built of dry sticks and leaves, with vine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

half as high as their heads grew
 everywhere. Presently Bert, who had
 wandered off little way to the left of the house-following an old car- riage road which led to the dilapidated stables-made a strange discovery. There, hidden away in it's encircling patch of weeds and ragged bushes, was a small clean patch from which came the strong scent of mint. The moon was rising, and shed a bright light on the spot where Bert stood, spellbound. His eyes tool. in one of the incest well-kept little gardens one could wish to see. A bed of mint
 another of onions, another of peas, another of beans. another of radishes, and still others of more vegetables! And little way from this garden and still hidden by untrlmmed hedges, wae a patch of corn. And there was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
\ Story for the Wee Ones.

TT had rained very, very hard the
 night before and the little gully
 which formed brook after a rain
 was filled with water. The gully ran along beside the corn field, and the children, Bulger and Dottie, played it was a great river and that the corn field was a great woods. And when ever they crossed the gully to go to the corn field to hunt for imaginary wild creatures, they said they were Crossing the Delaware
 We'll, one fine morning, after the heavy rain we just told about, Busger and Dottie ran out to make an ex- cursion into the play forest. But what a surprise-a joy-to see their usually dry little gully full of fast-fowing water! "Oh, it's sure enough river!' cried Bulger. Jus look at it, Sister,"
 "Oh, so it isl" cried little Dottie. "Is it sure-enough wet?" she asked, fearing the water might not be water after all.
 Jus put your foot in it." sug- gested Bulger, himself getting ready as fast as he could to put both his bare, brown feet into the new made stream. He was rolling his short lit- tie trousers.
 Dottie followed Bulger's example and drew up her own little frock so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

half a mile abead of the boys. There's somebody living down yonder," said Arthur, pointing towards the sign of life. Suppose some old darky has a patch of corn and watermelons, and a stray pig or two wandering in these woods. Shall we find him and ask our way?"
 Its the only thing to do," acqui- esced Bert. Then the boys hastened their steps, for the evening shadows were deepening, and they knew the twilight of their land lasted but a few minutes. Indeed, it seemed that the sun had hardly sunk before the darkness of night fell.
 Pretty soon the two young hunters came to the cabin in the clearing. set among blackened and aged stumps, and there saw an old darky cutting wood. In the doorway of the cabin
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

and before 1t, roasting on a piece of smoked plank, were two squirrels and two birds. And over the fire boiled coarse corn meal with water and salt, and soon he had it patted into cakes and placed beside the roasting meat on the board in front of the fire.
 Hes the sort of spoolS that likes to eat" whispered Bert.
 Then the boys, having determined to find out whether the creature they beheld were really human or ghost, made bold to step right up to the door and without knocking, entered. At hrst, the old man was so astonished at tfeir appearance that he could not rise or speak, but sat staring at them.
 We're hunters from Blank county" informed Bert, advancing towards the old man, and we've got lost in these woods. Seeing your house. we have made bold to enter and ask for a nights lodging"
 Are you telling me the truth ?" asked the old man, now recovering himself. "If so, stop and rest But if you've come here to get a ghost story" But the old man did not con- tinue. He merely picked up his gun and cooked it and held 1t ready.
 Never till this very night have we heard of this place-this haunted house." declared Arthur Then the boys told in a straightforward man ner of their talk with the old darkey.
 The old man, seeming to believe them, put down his gun. I'm going to put you two young gents on your honor," he said. And here's the story 4 which is never to go any further. I came here one night to seek shelter. Like you. was told the place was haunted But hunger and want of a home were greater dangers to me than spooks. So I said I'd keep the spooks company. I came in, found room for all and stayed on and o... By day I go to the woods for game keeping well out of the way of other huntsmen. I fish in the river, too. grow my own corn and grind 1t in an old hand-mill I found rusting away in the cellar here. In fact, this place Is my hidden world. I have plenty and sweet peace. I do my cooking at night so as to prevent folks seeing the smoke. An, no one about here goes out after dark. And every one living within ten miles of this place believes 1t to be haunted. Were they to see me wandering about here, they'd run for their lives. Still, find such a comfortable home here that I can't afford to run the chance of losing it. So I keep under cover.' so to speak,"
 The old man told them he had no family and had lost what little property he had owned through sick ness and bad management. And that this deserted plantation, whose last heirs dwelt far away in the North, af-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

another of sweet potatoes. Pretty thrifty spook," smiled Bert, hasten ing to lead his cousin to the spot.
 He found Arthur at the old stables, and as he approached him, the latter said. Say, here're garden imple- ments, fresh ones, too, without rust. And look at that bin of corn. Do you suppose the hants till the place ?"
 When Bert had told him of the garden, and led him to it, Arthur's astonishment grew. Say there's some one lives hidden away here, sure. Sup pose we look through the house."
 wed better tap on the door first, fo the working spook may be there to admit us," laughed Arthur.
 With guns over shoulders, the boys approached the kitchen door and bravely knocked three times. But re- ceiving no response, they tried it. It
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
A RACF FOR LIFE.

growing over its door-Swiftie saw his brother edging away from the huge oak tree. He called to him, remind ing him of their mothers warning. But Naughtie (whose real name was not Naughtie, but Tutty, and whom we call Naughtie owing to his con- duct) ran on down the slope towards the lake. In vain did his sister and brother call out to him. He kept go- ing and going. Then, after he had dis appeared among the trees and under brush Swiftie and Spottie ran to tell their mother. When Mamma Fox heard that her unruly son had gone long way off, she became very anx- ious and hurried out to see if she might find him before danger befell him.
 The neighbors joined her, and the crowd went running off towards the lake, swift as deer. Everywhere about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
"We're hunters from the Blank
 County" said Bert.

stood "Auntie," her smile welcoming the two young "gemmen."
 On inquiry the boys found they were just two miles from de ole plantation de one what's hanted." It was the first time they had ever heard of the old place, and their curiosity was aroused You all won't fin a place to stay at but dat ole hanted place" declared Auntie. looking anxious for the two fine fellows. Its done too fah foh you all to go on to town dis night. De spooks would git you, shoah."
 Then, in answer to an invitation to have some freshly-cooked "pone and spare-ribs," the boys accepted, and carried away in their game bags a good, simple and wholesome supper. They paid the old Auntie for the food, thanked her besides, and in spite of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

T was In deep English forest that
 Mrs. Red Fox lived with her three
 little ones, Spotty Swiftie and - Naughtie. Naughtie was son, and you would infer from his name that he was sometimes a bit selfish or disobedient. Well, he was both And he paid dearly, too, for his short comings.
 i. But every lesson learned in life Is worth while, for we profit by our past experiences, and when we have sui fered through evil doing and have learned how wrong 1t is, we have prof. ited by the lesson.
 ? But Naughties story shall tell itself.
 One fine June morning Mrs. Red Fox sat at the breakfast table in a si- lent and serious mood. She had hardly spoken dozen words to her little ones during the meal. so preoccupied was she with some weighty thought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

speaker. He also carried a gun over his shoulder.
 "Pity we haven't the dogs" said the first speaker.
 Sure, they'd get a fox within twen- ty miles of us," laughed the second speaker. Their power of scent is so great"
 through the wood walking within three feet of several foxes hidden there. And after they had disappeared and their voices could no longer be heard. poor Mrs. Red Fox crept from hiding. They spoke of a red fox running this way" she said. T fear it is poor Naughtie being pursued. Oh that dis obedient one! He may pay for his wrongdoing with his life. I know not whic,, way to turn in quest of him" :"
 Indeed, the poor mother fox was at her wits end, and was so anxious that she was nearly ready to faint. But thought of her wayward son kept her up and doing.
 "The hunters must have sighted him down by the lake," suggested old Singer Fox, coming to Mrs. Red Fox's side to advise her. "He ran, they said, in this direction. Now it may be that he is in safe hiding somewhere here abouts. Maybe we'd best go right home and wait there for him. Should he return and find the place deserted he might run away again."
 "Yes, you are right, my friend" acquiesced Mrs. Red Fox. Then the party of foxes turned about towards their village which was mile dis tant. But pretty soon they heard sev- eral gun-cracks in the direction of their homes, and apprehension again took hold of them. What if the hunt CTS had followed Naughtie to his very home and disc covered the habitations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

ored to push 1t open they found 1t se- curely fastened from the inner side.
 Let's go round to the rear and pry open a kitchen window" suggested Bert. They acted upon this and fol- lowed a weed-grown path round the house. But just as they were about to approach the kitchen window their noses were filled with the fragrance of mint. Must come from an old gar den somewhere" said Bert. Gee, 1t smells good"
 Suppose we make an examination of the grounds before entering the Hants' domain," he said, laughingly.
 Good idea, and then we'll know our avenues of exit-if the spooks get too much for us." replied his com panion.
 They went about the yard eau tiously for they feared snakes. Weeds
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
R OurpuZZle Corner x
LETTER ENIGMA.

My first is in meat, but not In fish: My second is in bowl, but not In dish: My third is in noun, but not in verb; My fourth is in bark, but not in herb: My fifth is in water, but not in flow: My sixth is in yeast, but not in dough:
 My whole is the name
 Of an animal, queer,
 That we see in the circus
 At this time of year.
 ADDITIONS.
 1. Add the letter c to something uncooked and get a part of chicken. 2. Add the letter B to a kind of moisture and get very important function of the human being.
 B. Add the letter S to relatives and get the covering of the body.
 4. Add the letter to a body of water surrounded by land and get to quench ones thirst.
 WORD SQUARE. The first is a level surface. The second is a strong cord or rope. The third is a girls name. The fourth is a pair of work horses. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES. DIAGONAL-Giant Cross-,cords, 1. Grave. 9. Rings. 3. Flame. 4 Nouns. 5. Trout
 RIDDLE-A Newspaper. LETTER ENIGMA-BdSket. PRIMAL ACROS1IC-Pigeon. PUZZLE PICTURE-Knife in boJs shoulder. Top in clouds at right. Marbles, one in right boys shoulder, one in background line and one in left boy's cap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25

the old couples warning, declared their intention of going to the "hanted" place and remaining over night.
 ''Lawse, gemmen," said old un- cle, shaking his head, T do feah we'll neber heah of you alls agin."
 Down the road the two boys has, tened. They found it long two miles to the gate leading into the weed grown garden surrounding the "hant- ed house." And night had fallen soon after their leaving the old darky's cabin.
 They turned in at the gate, followed l, the signs of a gravel path to the tumble down old porch which in its youth must have been a splendid Co., rinthian- -pillared affair. And the. mas sive door was hanging by one broken hinge. But when the boys endeav-