davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
BEATRICE'S EASTER
 TN THE COUNTRY.

brightly tinted tissue paper and the rolls of tiny wire and yellow centers.
 ''Oh, the material for paper flowers. :" said Beatrice. .I thought maybe you'd like to learn how to make flowers during my visit
 ''0h, I should love to-" cried Mamie. i've wanted so much to learn the art.
 T don't know that one should call 1t an art" laughed Beatrice. Although mamma says it requires certain artistic taste to make them so that they look real"
 That evening after supper the Moore family were gathered about the big cen ter table in the living-room when the doorbell rang. The young minister was calling, and was invited to join the fam fly circle, He had come to ask Mrs. Moore's assistance in decorating the little church, plain wooden building in which the country folk attended services each Sunday.
 You see, Mrs. Moore" said the young minister, who was doing his first pastoral work, II think we should have the church nicely decorated for Easter. I thought. that perhaps you might take charge, of cousin, Miss Thomas, whose ideas l am sure. will be valuable, since sshe is from the city"
 toned the fnct of Beatrice being city girl. And Beatrice, full of gay spirits. replied, laugpingly: Don't be too hard on me. Mir. James. really cant help ft-iny being from the city. And I promise to be very; very good when
 Then there was much happy social chat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

TIT was on December 8, 1755, that Gil bert Charles Stewart (since spelled . StuarD came Into being in the quaint little Rhode Island town of Middletown, near Newport. The childs father had been a follower of the Pretender in Scotland. and fed from his native hills after the battle of Culloden Moor, seek ing refuge in the New World. In the town of Middletown he built a snuff mill, which failed of financial success, although there was a great demand for snuff at that time, all the gentry" being addicted to the habit of dipping snuff."
 While still very young, Gilbert Stuart showed signs of unmistakable talent in drawing He made crude pencil DOT traits of his family and school friends. One day the Stuart's family doctor saw some of the little fellows artistic at tempts, and straightway provided him with an outfit of paints and brushes. This gave the boy encouragement to pur- sue his work with energy and determl- nation. He studied the effects of light and shade in every print or engraving which came under bis observation. He then began to see these values in the faces of his subjects who sat to him for q likeness. At 13 the youth was paint ing portraits of Mr. and Mrs John Ban mister and it is said that the resemblance he caught and placed in crude form on the canvas was most remarkable
 Gilbert Stuarts first teacher of draw ing and painting was Cosmo Alexander, n Scotchman. who came to Rhode Island when Gilbert was in his fifteenth year. After some study with the wandering Scotch artist" Gilbert accompanied him to South Carolina. the artist stopping long enough in the principal cities en route to paint portraits of the gentry and their families. Then the two middle aged Scotchman and youth of 16, held together by congenality of tastes, found they way across the sea to Scotland, the home of Gilbert's forefathers. At Glas- gow, Alexander placed his pupil in the University of Glasgow under the care of Sir George Chambers. But very soon thereafter both Sir George and Alexander died, passing away within a few months of each other. This left the American boy without friends or money in q strange and war-impoverished country.
 There was no work for him in Scot land, and he managed to work his way Dack 10 the COlonleS on board collier. He arrived at his fathers home in rags, but in good spirits, nevertheless. He had again reached home" which, after his hardships and wanderings seemed very dear place indeed.
 Study abroad in the university of learn ing had had its influence upon the young man, who was pow in his nineteenth year. He had learned many lessons dur ing his absence from home, and now he settled himself to make use of them. He drew and painted in dead earnest, using only living models. great mus cular blacksmith was his first model, and posed for him evenings after supper.
 About this time Gilbert's wealthy uncle, who lived in Philadelphia, became deep ly interested in the talented youth, and invited him to come to his city and paint the portraits of the members of his fami- fly. After executing these. Gilbert re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

"WAY up in the mountains there
 lived an old witch And she was
 as wicked an old witch as ever y dwelt on the earth And also in
 the same mountains there dwelt a band of fairies. and they were as good as any fairies that ever dwelt on the earth And at the foot of the mountains there nestled village. and in the vil- lage there dwelt family by the name of Brown.
 Now, Jacob Brown was a good man, and his wife, Mary, was good woman. And they had little son, David, who was a very fine, honest, kind-hearted lad. And dwelling a short way from them, in the same street. there lived an other family named links, And the Jinkses had a dear little daughter who had fallen quite i'll just before Easter. And one day when David Brown, the neighbor boy, came to fetch the little girl (whose name was Rose) some fruit from his mothers garden she asked of him: Are the Easter lilies in bloom yetT' And David replied: No. the frost came and killed the lilies. But you see, 1t did not hurt the early strawberries, for my father had them well covered over with straw so that the frost could not touch them.''
 An, ana VIII there pc no lilies thiS Easter?' asked little Rose
 "All that were set out In the village were killed by the frost" replied David. But when he saw the look of disappoint- ment on the little girls face he quickly added: But it may be possible that old Dame Higgens-up on the mountain side-will have some Easter lilies. You know she has a flower garden so well sheltered from the winds and the cold, and in sunny spot, that she has flowers very early in the season, earlier than any of the village folk. I shall ask mother to permit me to go to Dame Higgens' place this evening after my chores are done. And if she has any lilies she will gladly send some to you. She's a good old soul,
 "Yes, know Dame Higgens," replied Rose Then her mother came into the room and the subject was changed from Easter lilies to little family matters After short call, David returned home, and told his mother about his conversa- ton with Rose, and she agreed to his going to old Dame Higgens on the mountain side that evening, saying: If she has any Easter lilies she will gladly send nice bouquet to little Rose"
 That evening after his chores were done, David set out up the mountain side toward the home of old Dame Higgens. She dwelt in sheltered nook between two very high mountain peaks, in sort of sun-kissed valley, where winds and snow never came. And although she was far above the village folk in altitude, her place was much milder than theirs. for down at the base of the mountains the frost often bit the gardens in early spring, while in her sheltered garden it never came at all.
 David had been at Dame Higgens' !, uyitI, 1.,,A T been two years previous to this story, and as he went singing along the noun tain path he was not as watchful of his way as he should have been. True. his father had guided him by telling him to keep the right-hand path aft-r leaving a certain spot on the big roadway But as the evening shadows were darkening the earth. David did not look closely at the paths that led away from the road at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

that moment, she had been disguised, wearing a pretty face. But now she showed herself in her right appearance. David jumped aside, so frightened he had become at sight of her. And at once he knew he had fallen into the hands of the old witch.
 : .'Ah, you know me. son." And the old witch cackled wickedly. Well, you shall serve me from this night I am getting old. and need some one to carry on my work. I shall teach you all the mischief that I know, and you will become as dan gerous as I. An, how people hate me! And they will grow to hate you in the same way.'
 No, you wicked old witch" cried David, "I'll never be your accomplice in wrong doing. I'll go home to my people, and tell them of you, and they'll search the mountains till they find you, and they'll drive you forth from our beautiful country"
 "Ha, ha, ha!' shrieked the old witch. And she gave vent to such a loud screech that she brought about her own undoing. It so happened at that very moment a fairy was passing overhead, and caught the sound of the old witchs screech. And she knew from the sound that the wicked old creature had some one in her power. So the fairy dropped closer to earth and overheard the following conversation be- tween David and the old witch:
 Try to leave me, my son. and I'll turn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

the given point and took the plainest one, which was not the extreme right hand path. It lay next to the path which he should have taken, and which was so dim in the evening light that it would have required sharp eyes to have noticed it.
 So, on the wrong path, David climbed and climbed. And after a while he real ized he was going the wrong way. for great boulders soon loomed up before him and the path disappeared into a thicket which led to a very steep preci- pice. Here David paused and looked about him. As he did so, a form dark ened the path Just ahead of him, and a voice addressed him: "Ah, you are lost, my lad. Whither are you bound?'
 I'm going to Dame Higgens' home, informed David For he had no idea he was talking to the old witch
 "Ah, then follow me, my lad. I. too, am bound for the good Dame's farm. She is friend of mine.' So saying, the witch led David up a very steep in- cline, then into a dark path between high walls of rock. After long, long walk, David began to have grave sus- picions that his guide was not leading him alright. He paused and said: Are you quite sure that you are on the right path to Dame Higgens' farm?'
 "Ah, you doubt me?'' And the witch turned hideous face to David. Before
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

you into toad. And you may hop home to find your mother will sweep you out of the yard with broom. An, with one move of my arm I can make you creep ing thing
 But what have I done to make you wish to wrong me?" cried poor little David. "I'm good boy, and my parents love me, and love them very, very dear ly. We are happy, and why should you wish to destroy our happiness2">
 ''Ah, I want you for my son." shrieked the old witch. "I guess I'll turn you Into an owl-just to hear you tootl toot! tootl for night" As the wicked creature said this, she started to strike David blow on the head with Ter long -elawed fingers. But as the arm descended some thing struck 1t. and it fell withered thing at her side. As she rolled over and over on the ground in agony of pain and fright-for she knew fairy had struck her-David turned and looked above him. There was the most beautiful form he had ever beheld The fairy was seated on top huge boulder. just above the old witch. For moment David could not speak, he was so overcome by emotion. But presently he found voice and said:
 "Oh. good fairy, lead me away from this wicked witch. She was about to turn me into an owl, just to hear me toot.''
 "Yes my child" replied the fairy. We will go as soon as this old witch Is dead. She's dying now. of fright, not of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

Mrs. Moore promising to do her part towards decorating the church for Easter services. T have so few blooming plants. she explained. But they'll make some show. And I'll have our man take them to the church on Saturday with him and see to placing them about the altar And. l believe, Mrs. Davis has some blooming plants that she'll be glad to lend. We'll stop on the way and gather them up"
 So MT. James, young and earnest and enthusiastic, went away feeling assured that his little church would look bright ana pretty for the holy Easter Day. He looked to Mrs. Moore to do all these things for him, for she took a great deal of interest in church work
 Early on Saturday morning John Handy the man of all work on the Moore's farm, hitched up the driving horses to the fam fly carriage and carried Mrs. Moore Mamie and Beatrice to the church, one mile away. And in the back of the car riage were the potted plants about n dozen in all-that Mrs. Moore was taking to the church. Several of the plants were blooming. Others were just in .bud
 En route they stopped at the Davises Yes, Mrs. Davis woult gladly lend her house plants for Easter. But while her housemaid was washing them of, and getting the unsighty earthen pots wrap ped in tissue paper she begged Mrs. Thomas and the girls to come in and have cup of tea and some hot ginger bread she had just taken from the oven. AS the group of women and girls sat about the dining table enjoying the re- freshment a cry was heard in the front yard. They ran to see what was the cause of the cry. which had been repeated in a very exciting voice. To their horror, they saw the Thomas horses running down the road at furious gait. John Handy was running after them, crying out !: Whoa! Stop!' The carriage was tip ping from one side to the other. threat ening at any moment to go over. At a deep ravine the horses and carriage dis appeared from sight for moment, then they were seen going up the opposite bank. And spillihg from the rear of the low bedded carriage were the potted plants those belonging to both Mrs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
* Tke Witch, The Fairy and The Easter Lily *
GS6

hurt to her arm. Do you know, my child, that it is wickedness that makes us fear2 And her wickedness has made her so afraid of us fairies that my very presence is killing her. Her arm would have healed had she succeeded in getting out of my sight. Once before a fairy wthered her entire body. but she managed to hide in a cave, dark and hidden, where the fairy could not go. For it Is very difficult for us fairies to go into dark places. We love the light of sun or moon or stars. But let's see how the old witch Is progress ing" And the fairy stopped to earth and touched the hideous creature that was rolling and screaming on the ground. As she did this the witch looked up and saw her bending above. With one last yell of terror the wicked old thing buried her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

remaining In the livingroom with the fam ily Don't forget your Sunday school Iesson'' warned Mrs Moore as the girls started up stairs after supper. "Shall Harry join you. and all three study 1t together?'
 "Yes, Mamma, replied Mamie. And when Harry joined them in Beatrice's room he was let into secret. And he had to sit and con the lesson aloud that the girls might learn it from him, for they were too busy with a piece of work to look inside lesson leaf
 It was 10 o'clock at night when Harry, Beatrice and Mamie crept stealthily from the house and. met John Handy at the gate John had the old work horses hitched to the big wagon. As the three children, ladened with great loads of things, climbed into the wagon, John said: ''These horses couldn't run if their lives depended on it. To the church they drove, and John. who was janitor of the church, unlocked the door and helped to carry fin load of soft rattling things For over an hour the four worked, for John had been added to the army He had provided a step-ladder, and did all the "high work" himself.
 On Easter Sunday morning it was sur prised and happy congregation that sat In a beautifully adorned church. Over the win dows were festoons of real leaves with pink and red paper flowers caught in with them. John had furnished the leaves from rose bushes and peach trees. On the altar stood vases of tall Easter lilies, done so perfectly that even MT. James thought them real till his arm hap pened to touch one. And on top the little organ were other vases of lilies, and in each window blossomed more flowers, some sweet peas and some roses. And everywhere were leaves. green and fresh, to give 10 the paper works of art all the appearance of being genuine.
 After the services Mir. James, smiling, came to Mrs. Moore. and holding her hand began to thank her for the beauti- ful way in which she had fulfilled his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

face in the dust and died.
 'Now, my son, that wicked cowardly old witch Is no more. We fairies have been trying for centuries to get at her so as to Tighten her out of the world. She will harm no one any more. She was Sin, and now she has passed away"
 .Ah, good fairy, and now that you have saved me, will you be so good as to guide me to Dame Higgens' farm? I lost my way"
 The fairy called to a white pony in the bushes and told David to mount upon his back. The lad did as bidden and the fairy said: Now, Wild-Wind, fly with your little burden. Let him of at the gate to Dame IIiggens yard Then. be- fore David could thank her the fairy was gone. So, seated astrde the white ponys back. David was carried quickly to the old dame's gate. There he sprang from the pony and went inside the house. He found the good dame preparing many beautiful wreaths and bouquets of lilies for the holy day of Easter, and when he told her the object of his call and also of the death of the witch, of the good fairy and how he had ridden there on the fairy's white pony, the good dame was much excited. "Ah, l am so glad lad, to know that the old witch is at last
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

0 H, yes, Mamma, please put 1t all In
 the tissue paper-wire and every
 thing which I use in making flow CTS, for l may want to. use them
 while in the country"
 So spoke Beatrice Thomas to her mother Both Mrs. Thomas aud Beatrice were packing n trunk and travelling bag preparatory to Beatrices trip to the country. where she would spend Easter vaek with her cousins. Harry and Mamie Moore Mrs Thomas had come across a box of paper flower materials in drawer ano had asked whether or no. Beatrice would want them in her trunk.
 You know, Mamie might want to learn how to make paper towers,' Beatrice went on, packing her best winter frock in the trunk tray. "She has always admired my paper flowers so much-declared my roses were so natural that orc .night be led into thinking them req, were they perfumed with White Rose. So l shall teach her how to make flowers while am there.",
 II think you make most wonderful sweet peas" observed Mrs. Thomas. And the Easter lilies you made last week for that little sick boy down in that tene- nient house were just fine, as natural as If they had been grown in real garden. Then. the packing being done, the sub ! 1ect of paper flowers was changed to lotlier things.
 Beatrice arrived at the home of her relatives two days before Easter Sunday. As she unpacked her trunk In the pretty spare bedroom her cousin Mamie lent her assistance. Whats all this?" asked Mamie, picking up tue huge box of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

Thomas and Mrs Davis. Mrs, Davis maid had just finished fixing her mis- tress' plants, and John had arranged them in the back of the carriage when the horses had taken sudden fright at a paper which blew across the road in front of them.
 . After the horses had gone about half mile they suddenly decided to stop, and drew mp in front of the little wooden church. They were so accustomed to stopping at the church that 1t is possible they did so now through force of habit. When John at last came up to them they had quieted down. and allowed him to arrange the harness. which had become bit out of fix, and In response. to his guiding hand they trotted back to the Davis farmhouse.
 It proved that no harm had been done to either horses or carriage; but the pot ted plants were strung along the road in dead, mangled mass. Mrs. Moore thought 1t all over,f then said: 'I do hate to tell dear young MT. James that we'll have no floral decorations for Easter He is so earnest and is so anxious to have everything pass off in a lovely way on Easter. H. is doing so fnuch to build up the church. to arouse the interest of the young folks"
 Yes, it is a pity we had to have this stroke of bad luck to our plants" agreed Mrs Davis. And it will be impossible to get any other flowers for tomorrow. The Kings--fve miles away--have some house-plants, but not enough to make any show. I guess we'll have to do without floral decoration this Easter"
 During the whole time of excitement Beatrice had not said a word. First. she had thought of young MT. James disap- pointment of the morrow when he should walk into the church and find it un-
 n else But she took no one save Mamie Into her confidence.
 All that day Beatrice and Mamie kept close to the formers room, only issuing forth for meals. In the evening after supper they made some excuse for not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
S OurpuZZle Corner K
CHARADE.

CHAHADE.
 My first is something
 We all like to hear
 Each day in the week,
 Each week in the year.
 My second is frail
 And will easily tear,
 But if made firm and strong
 For long time will wear.
 My two joined together
 The world travels round;
 In England and China
 It Is sure to be found.
 CURTAILINGs. 1. Triply curtail a hundred years and get penny. 2. Triply curtail to make an offer of marriage and get a support. 8. Triply curtail that which parent has over his children and get a writer of books
 4. Doubly curtaiI the name of holy day and get one of the four points of the compass. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES. ADDITIONS-1. B added to opl makes botol 2. c added to lock makes clock. 8 c added to limb makes climb. 4. add cd to table makes stable. CHARADE-Butter-fy ZIGZAG PUZZLE = Girane. Cross fcords 1. Gold. ?. File 8. Fort 4. Flea. 5. Soft. 6. Atar. T. Euil REBUS-Cherry l. Can. 2. Hat. 3. Eat. 4. Rocks. 5. Run. 6. Ydcht.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
OutchHouseDom

TN few of the affairs of life does the H American display such lack of orig ' ira alty es in the choice of q name for his house, Often enough 1t would seem thatN he does not choose a name at all, but meekly accepts the designation au unimaginative representative of the city government places above his door-a number.
 In Holland they do this thing much better. Many of the Dutch bestow names on their homes. Here are few of the examples stranslated Our conten tment," Joy and Peace" "Leisure and Happi- ness," My Desire Is Satisfied" Friends and Quiet" My Wife And I' and Not So Bad" To say the least any one of these would seem to indicate the genuine sentiment of the householder more than can possibly be expressed by the numbers given American homes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16

dead. She's been doing so much harm to the mountain folk and has blighted so many of the gardens. And-bless the little fairy, I say Oh, yes, the Easter liliesl Here is a hasketful of stheln for the dear little Rose. And here is hou- quet for your good mother. Run along, for they'll be waiting anxiously for you. Keep in the down-grade path to the left till you reach the main road"
 And David, basket and bouquet in arms. ran home as fast as he could. and on Easter eve, when he took the lilies to Rose he told her about his experiences with the witch and the fairy. And after he had quite finished Rose, laughing tor she was recovering from her illness very rapidly and would be up on Easter Sun day, said:
 ''Oh wouldn't you have looked funny hopping about like n toad? And to think that your own dear mother might have swept you from the yardi'
 "Or. wouldn't l have sounded funnier hooting from n tree as an owll' laughed David "But-bless the good fairy-I am neither an owl nor q toad, but plain David Brown
 And the best boy in the village, say I' spoke up Roses mother, who had been Il listener to David's story.