davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
T5e BLIZZARDS SURPRISE A Yule-Tide Story

ever, and they would catch breath for the next climb. But they realized that they were confronting a serious thing-a blizzardl It was bursting in full fury upon them, and no shelter of any kind in sight.
 We might push forward to old Jones shanty-beyond the creek, or return to our newly-found friends" suggested Jack, walking backwards to get his breath.
 Let's not turn back" said Charlie. well have to put in at Jones' hut"
 So on they went, making slow prog ress, for the wind, laden with snow, almost took them off their feet. And the snow and sleet were so thick in the heavy gusts coming from the north, that the boys could scarcely keep their eyes open to see their way, and 1t also shut off their view a hun dred yards ahead of them. Both felt fear that neither would voice.
 After much difficulty, the boys reached a path leading from the road to Jones' prairie shanty. and turned into 1t. When they came to the door of the house, and knocked with all their might, there came no answer. On endeavoring to open the door, they found it securely locked.
 Hes gone from home" exclaimed | Jack. "Now, what shall we do?" "Go in anyway" replied Charlie. "We can't stand on ceremony in the midst of a blizzard. Come, let's try the window. There's one on the other side the shack"
 Soon the boys had the window opened, and were inside the cold one- room shanty. They found some wood piled behind the stove, and box of coal just outside the door. They quickly built roaring fire in the lit- tie cooking stove, and filled the tea | kettle with water from a well just a fey feet from the back door.
 Now, if MT. Jonesey left anything in the house to cut a boys hunger, I'll think we're in luck. We'll be snowbound here for a day or two, take my word for it." And Jack be- gan searching the place for food. He found small bag of sugar, bag half-full of four, some tea, bacon and 1 salt.
 "We'll not starve," said Charlie, look l ing over the goodly pile of provisions Jack had brought to light. "Can you make bread, Charlie?"
 "I can make the finest fiapjacks a man ever put butter and syrup on," smiled Charlie. "But-we'll have to have some baking powder for the flapjacks."
 "Ha, ha, lla, hal" And Jack roared with laughter. "Look-ee. Here it is "a can of it! Guess we'll have a sample of those flapjacks, eh? Do you use butter-milk in 'em? Mother does"
 "Nixy, only cold water and baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Oh, yes, and an egg-beaten to a froth, as the cook book says. Can you find an accommodating hen anywhere about the house? If so, ask for an egg"
 Jack made believe to search for a hen, and crowed like a rooster. But no hen came into sight. "Oh, make the fapjacks without the egg, Cook" he said. "We'll forget about the "beaten-to-a-froth part of the reef pe."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

WT @ HEN Professor Smiths "Pri- E A z vate School for Boys" closed A# for the Christmas Holidays, w the pupils were a happy lot, and turned merrily towards their re- spective homes. Most of them lived in the city where the school was held; but a few came from distant towns and farms. Two of the latter were Charlie Perry and Jack Paine. Their homes were in an adjoining county, some fifteen miles distant from the city. Their fathers were rich farm- CTS, living on neighboring farms. Thus it was that Charlie and Jack had been friends and chums from babyhood, and the boys at the school whispered that Charlle,s pretty little sweetheart (whose picture Charlie kept so care fully put away in his trunk, and which he showed only to the boys he liked and honored") was none other than Jacks fourteen-year-o sister whom he talked about good deal. But Charlie never mentioned his sweet hearts name in public. He held her too dear to do that. But Jack-the "big" sixteen-year- old brother-talked of her whenever the opportunity came to do so. My sister Oracle is brick, boys" he would boast. She can skate, play tennis,e golf, ride horse back-do any old thing a boy can do. and lots of brave things besides. I tell you, boy doesn't understand girls worth unless he's got sister,"
 And Charlie would blush a bright red, and show his embarrassment, but at the same time would nod his head emphatically.
 And so it was that Charlie and Jack had more than the tie of chum-ship D to hold them together. They roomed together at school, wei of the same age and in the same classes. So when the Holidays came, they planned to make the trip to their homes on foot, "tramping it," as they expressed it.
 Looks pretty heavy in the north west" said Jack, &yeing the sky as they started out through the big gate which led to the school grounds. Its the time of year for good old blow and snow, if one can go on past weather records"
 
 neighbors all along the line," re- minded Charlie. wen cover the dis tance before night-if we walk as fast as we should"
 The first seven miles was passed over without weariness, but at the end of that stretch, both boys began to flag just a wee bit. Jack was the first to acknowledge it, and Charlie "fessed up' to the same condition of legs and feet
 Let's stop at that farm house yon- der" proposed Jack, pointing to a group of farm buildings a mile distant. Its as hungry as a wolf I am, and it's a hearty meal I could consume were I asked to so indulge"
 Wouldn't mind tasting that thing called grub, myself" smiled Charlie, Especially such victuals as the far mer-women prepare. Say, we don't get such things to eat in the city as we get at our own homes"
 That's because the school hasn't any mother-nor sisters" exclaimed Jack. Gee. what would a home be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

But at that moment sound-like the human voice-came on the wind. Both boys stopped to listen, and Jack ran to the window and opened it. He thrust out his head, but drew 1t in again, saying that he guessed it was only imagination on their part. But Charlie declared it could not have been imagination. for he heard a woman's voice distinctly. '1'd swear to It," he vowed. Tt sounded like some one in distress"
 What would a woman be doing out in such storm-away off the main road. here close to Old Jones shanty?" asked Jack.
 Its not for us to ask why or where fore." said Charlie in a decided voice. Anyway, one might be cutting through the hills here, shortening the road from town. Mother used to come this way in summer. It may be some of our neighbors-cutting off half mile of main road by com ing across Jones' farm"
 Well let's listen at the door again." said Jack. But Charlie hurriedly got into his topcoat, muller and mittens. declaring that he meant to go out and look about.
 Why, boy alive, you'll not be able to stay ten minutes out in this stormi And if you could stay out in it. you'd not find anything. for anyone who had called once would repeat the call. And were some person near enough to the house to make us hear his or her voice, that person would come bit nearer and ask for shelter. Bah, it's foolish to run the risk of going out in this blizzard. You might wander too far from the house, and you know what that would mean getting lost!"
 I'll risk it," replied Charlie. And he went out into the storm. roinr over the hill towards the road which came from town. Hardly had he reached a little ravine which ran about hundred yards from the house when he again heard the cry. It came plainer, and. was, "Help!"
 "Ah, ha;" and Charlie hurried in the direction of the voice. He was soon rewarded by seeing a dark ob- Ject, seeming to struggle. On draw ing nearer, he found 1t to be a top buggy, and a tired old horse trying to drag the vehicle out of a snow drift into which he had unintention- ally pulled it.
 Charlie reached the buggy and there found a great surprise. Inside the little covered vehicle sat Oracle Paine Jacks sister--and her aunt whom she had been visiting in town. Soon Charlie had the old horse out of his difficulty, helping to lift the back wheels while Oracle clucked and urged the animal to work just little more. As they drew along up the hill, in the teeth of the worst blizzard they had ever known, Charlie explained his presence there, and Oracle and her aunt Kit told how they had start ed out from town. and had covered more than half the distance when the storm broke upon them.
 And so we decided to cut our long ride half mile or so by coming over old Jones' place. We intended, however, to stop at Jones' house and wait for the storm to break. for we
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

was in the good woman's voice. But Jack and Charlie declined the cordial invitation, and said they would be obliged to hasten on their way, as a storm was brewing in the northwest. The farmer came in at that moment and confirmed what they said. "It's a blizzard. mind me-" he declared. and shook his head. You young fellers would better stop over night with us."
 Charlie and Jack thanked their kind hostess and host, but set out again. About seven miles lay between them and Jacks home. They calculated that they could easily cover the dis tance within two and half hours, though fast walking was not really advisable as one gave out so quickly. and was obliged to rest often. They knew that a rather slow, swinging gait would carry them along better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

very hot bath should be followed by cold salt-dash, after which a good rubbing with a coarse towel will be found valuable.
 Physical exercise should be indulged in on rising, just before the bath. Not strenuous ones, of course. Those should follow the bath-say an hour or more later. School girls usually have access to good gymnasium. and there they should play basket ball and jump and run and leap. But too strenuous exercise in the gym is not advisable. It is better to depend good deal on out-of-d doors, walking, skating, riding horseback. if the lat ter is possible. But in everything, keep the shoulders well back, the head up and the chin and chest ex- tended. The result will be almost miraculous in the case of stoop-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

shouldered, thin-chested girls. And the exercise does wonders for the complexion and the eyes, to say noth- ing about the general good health.
 On returning home from school, half an hour should be spent lying down, relaxing and giving oneself up to real rest. Close the eyes and nap if you can. But whether or not you nap, relax and rest, with eyes closed. After this, take little exercise be- fore dinner.
 There is nothing more important than sleeping with a low head. If a pillow is used. it should be very small and thin. Lie with straight limbs and chin well-out. It is prefer able to lie upon the right side, but some prefer lying upon the back, their arms stretched-but relaxed at their sides.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
eassoeeeeesS'S 'SM ANomeNdqe,aA GzrHRnds @p ese48 Tree HH

aN NCE upon a time the writer was M M visiting some relatives in the Far West. It was country M where evergreen trees were very, very scarce, in fact, where-at that time-any kind of trees were scarce. The household consisted of parents. grandparents and five chill dren, a host in themselves, you see. So they very much wished to have Christmas tree, and enjoy the festive holiday at home.
 But where could they get the tree? The father made inquiry in the little flve-hundred-in inhabitants town, but was told that Christmas trees had to be sent from city one hundred miles distant, and in order to get one. it should be ordered some three weeks prior to the day on which 1t was to be used. As this would have involved a good deal of expense (the family was in rather cramped financial cir cumstances at the time), the gentle man went home with heavy heart. "No Christmas tree this year, Mother" he said. "We'll have to do with just the dinner and the stockings"
 But Mother" was woman of re- souFGes,s as. were most of the moth CTS of that new land, and she put on her thinking cap and "got busy" as we-=say nowadays. The upshot of her thinking was that she sent her two sons-aged fifteen and seventeen Ito the woods for good-sized sap ling cottonwood. Then she made trip to town herself. When she re- turned, the boys had brought the tree, and it was a fine, straight, full-limbed specimen, too. All the topbranches were cut off, and this gave the tree the desired buslny appear ence.
 Then the mother, the grandmother and the girls went to work. Mother brought out the bundles she had fetched from town. They were un- wrapped and there tumbled out sev- eral yards of green mosquito netting and dozens of sheets of green tissue paper, The trunk and lower large limbssof the tree were wrapped loosely in the. netting, which was tackled in place. The bark helped to hold it se- curely. too. The paper was then cut into long strips and slashed to form fringe and then wrapped and pasted about the smaller limbs. When the tree was completed, it gave the ap- pearancei of an evergreen. cheerful and of holiday aspect. .4s.. ss.
 That is fine.'' Such was the ex- clanation the~ father made When he was invited into the front room" Ca room reserved for company through the day and occupied as a bedroom at night) to view the Christmas tree in all it's glory.
 And the writer ventures to say that a merrier and a happier family never gathered about a sure-enough ever green Christmas tree than the family that gathered about that cottonwood, green-netting and green-paper draped. Festoons of white popcorn, fancy pa per 'pretties" adorned the tree, hang ing from limb to limb. And the chill dren's stockings and grandmother's and grandfather's stockings, too hung from the lower branches where Santa could not possibly miss seeing them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
4N.ZVZyS 70
 EZR.ZS

F s there a girl in the world who
 really and truly does NOT care
 about her personal appearance :? And doesn't every wholesome, sensible girl desire to be as attractive as she can? We'll, attractiveness does not depend wholly on the complexion and the shape of one's nose. No, indeed, the area comprising the face has less than half to do with ones good looks. Of course, one should have a clear, clean and healthy skin to be beauti- ful. And much depends on ones healthful diet to obtain such. But there is the girls figure! An, now we have struck the keynote. A girl possessing "the prettiest face in the world' would be decidedly unattrac- tive had she stooping shoulders, thin chest and ungraceful manners. But 1t is almost criminal for a girl to be stopped and thin-chested nowadays, or for her to have a thick, muddy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

nicer everything would have been. You must not think me selfish when I tell you of the good time we have had, and expect to continue having up to New Year. Even though Mamma and I are just enjoying every moment-when we're awake-we long and long for you with every hour. (Mamma says Grandmamma will take good care of you during our ab- sence. And-don't forget to tell us how you liked the things Santa brought you. Mamma and I shopped for two whole days getting that dress ing gown and the gold-headed caneD
 Well, we arrived here safely on Christmas Eve. Uncle Frank (the same jolly good uncle as of old!) met us In town and brought us out to the farm in his sleigh And oh. Daddy! A sleigh drawn by real live horses beats an automobile all to pieces. And where are the nice city streets when compared with smooth, snow-covered country roads and lanes? We simply glided over the white land. all bundled up in blankets, and hot stone at our feet. Oh, Uncle Frank knows how to make one comfy!
 When we reached the farm house
 which is even more attractive in winter than in summer, for one can see so much farther about, the trees having lost their dresses--we were met at the gate by Aunt Stella, little cousins Neddie and Iatsey. How Patsey has grownl She's up to my shoulder. And Neddie is as mis- chievous as he was last summer forever getting joke on some one.
 We soon had our wraps off in the big front room upstairs-the room you and Mamma occupied last sum- mer-and were down in the dining room. And the table was already spread for Christmas Eve supper, for Aunt Stella insists on beginning the feast the day before Christmas. I started to run into the living room, but Neddie stopped me and whispered a secret. The Christmas tree was the Guest of Honor in the living room, and would not be receiving till after supper
 But after supper soon came, and then we had the time of our life,' so to speak. But of this later.
 'On the following day (which is to- day) we had dinner. And the house was full of company. And we went for long sleigh ride in the morning, and after the great dinner we played games till just half an hour ago. And | Mamma is now in bed, and is calling to me to give you kiss from each of | us and to close my letter. How we do wish you were here, Daddy dear | And we must arrange for all of us to come next Christmas. for there is no | place like the country in the winter. |
 Your sleepy little girl, who's en- toying every minute of the holidays, | Bessie.
 "P. s. My stockings were too full! The tree held the overfiow!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

like without the women and girls in it?"
 "Id hate to contemplate what 1t would be like without mother,' said Charlie, and his tone held reverence in it. "But--look back of you, old chap!"
 Jack turned to look in the direc- tion his chum had indicated, and he gave an exclamation of surprise and anxiety. Gee, whizl" he exclaimed. Its a blizzard coming-or I'm no judge of weather-signs."
 We can make the journey before 1t breaks-unless we find the hospi- tality wonder too inviting to allow of our continuing today" And Charlie pointed towards the nearing farm house in the distance.
 Well stop for just a bite of bread and drink of hot coffee" said Jack. When that mortimer comes. it will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

It was late on Christmas Eve when Mrs. Peters and Bessie arrived at the farm where they were to spend their Christmas. MT. Peters had not been able to leave his business in the city to accompany his wife and daughter. and he would spend Christmas Day with his own relatives in the city, Bessie felt that great pleasure was in store for her father, and when her mother had said: "Oh, Daddy, I do so wish you could have the little visit with us." she wondered how her mamma could feel that way. How strange that she should anticipate pleasure out on a lonely farm. But after having spent Christmas Eve at her uncle's lonely farm" Bessie be- gan to change her mind. And after -'stmas Day. she could not go to
 she had written a long, long
 nr daddy in the city.
 Darling, let the letter wait" her mother had urged. You will have oceans of time tomorrow to write all our doings to Daddy. It is nearly eleven o'clock. And never before have you been out of bed at so late an hour.'
 Please, Mamma, let me write now" begged Bessie. "I couldn't sleep right away were I to go to bed, for I'd lie awake planning all I was to write on tomorrow
 And so Mrs. Peters was obliged to consent. and Bessie sat up very, very late, writing the following letter to her father:
 Darling Old Daddy: Well, how can tell you what joyous time we have had-and are still having. Mamma was right in choosing the country in which to spend our Yule- Tide. But, oh, Daddy! If only you might have been here! How much
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

soon saw that we could not make the rest of the way in this snow and wind" So explained Oracle.
 While Charlie introduced Mrs Paine and Oracle in mock fashion to Jack, the latter stood with open mouth and eyes. Surely" he said slowly. looking and wondering, "Pm having a dream"
 INK on that, Jack" laughed Charlie. Its just the blizzard's sur prise party for us. And now we'll have to make little extra prepara- tion, since we have ladies to dinner. But-while I mix the fiapjacks. you take the horse to the stable. old Jones has his horses with him. and there's plenty of room in the stable for our guests beast and the buggy"
 "All right, mine host" replied Jack with pretended dignity. And he hastened to put the horse up and to give him water and corn, which he found in plenty at the stable.
 And that evening and night were spent in a jolly way by the four prisoners of the blizzard, and when on the following evening. the storm broke enough for them to venture on to the home of Jack and Oracle, they declared they had enjoyed the visit with Mir. Jones during his absence. The boys had given the one bed to Mrs. Paine and Oracle, ard they had hung a sheet and blanket across the room to form two apartments, and had stretched themselves on the floor beside the stove, their bed being a buffalo robe and a blanket.
 And when "old Jones" arrived at home two days later he found cor dial letter awaiting him which bora four signatures. and in it he was graciously invited to spend Christ mas day with the Paines, and hear all about his visitors during the blizzard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

They felt the fall of temperature soon after they left the farmhouse, but their lunch had given them re- newed strength and vigor. They went along, talking very little, know ing that pedestrians need all their strength, and that talking in a heavy wind soon exhausts one. They kept tight lips. and breathed deeply through their noses. They were ath- letic boys, and knew all about the best methods of walking. riding, row ing. skating and wrestling.
 After having left their kind host and hostess two miles behind, Jack and Charlie came to a stretch of high, barren land, used in summer as grazing ground for cattle and sheep by the nearby farmers. There was no sort of habitation for three miles of the road, and the winds swept the hills with fury.
 The boys shivered as they mounted to the top of the first range. The narrow valleys gave some relief. how
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25

last for days. We can't stay housed up among strangers-wearing out our welcome-for that length of time."
 Then they hastened their footsteps and soon turned in at the lane lead ing to the farmhouse. and the farm er's wife invited them into the big warm kitchen. and said she would fix them some dinner at once. "Its nearly one o'clock" she said, land our dinner Is over; but there's plenty left for two fine young fellows like yourselves"
 As the boys ate the appetizing meal set for them, they told the farmers wife who they were, and she knew all about their fathers and mothers. why, the Perrys and the Painesl" she exclaimed. Well, their boys are indeed welcome to all that I have to offer them. Say, my own boys will arrive from town pretty soon. Can't you stay and meet them? They are as fine as are on top the earth-if I do say so." And the mother-pride
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
Bessie's Christmas.

WN ESSIE stood with serious face, IA listening to what her mother
 was saying. It was this: Now, SA% dearest, we shall start away on the day after tomorrow. That will take us to your uncle's on Christ mas Eve. And we'll get there in time for the old-fashioned Christmas tree"
 But, Mamma. it will be so dull in the country. Just think of spending our Christmas on a farml Oh, it's dreadful. Pm afraid even Santa will forget us-if we're stuck away off in a hidden valley between ranges of hills.''
 Mrs. Peters looked at Bessie ten- derly and sympathizingly. Dear" she said, explaining. since you have never spent Christmas in the coun- try you are not able to judge of whether or not it will be dull. I re- member that last summer 1t was a great disappointment to you that your stay at your Uncle Franks could not be longer. You were in love with the country them
 -"Oh, that was summer" replied Bessie. "I could run about in the garden, fields and woods, and might stay out all day long if I wished to do so. But now-Ugh. it will be so cold"
 Well, I have promised Brother Frank that we would come" said Mrs. Peters. And I'm sure you are not willing for me to break my prom ise to him and his family. It would make them unhappy were we not to pay them the Christmas visit-since they are making preparations for us.
 "Oh, certainly, Mamma, we'll go to uncle's farm. and we'll try to have a good time making them happy. But it will be so lonely!"