davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

AR, far away, in country none or
 US have ever seen, there happened
 once upon a time a very peculiar
 thing. And you will know what 1t
 was if you read this story.
 In the country of which l speak there lived small tribe of people who kept themselves apart from the other tribes about them. This especial tribe of which I am going to write were peace-loylng, simple folk, who wished to live in har- mony. The other tribes about them were warlike and cruel, robbing and killing each other ruthlessly And this peaceful tribe had been pushed farther and farther into the rugged mountains which formed a great chain across the entire country. These mountains abounded with wild ani- Inals of prey, and gave forth little in the shape of food for the poor human beings who were forced to seek shelter among them.
 The chieftain of the tribe was fine man of sympathetic nature. He had son who would some day take his place as head of his people. Every member or the tribe did his part to keep love and peace among them.
 One cold April day the tribe fled from a rather comfortable valley lying between two rugged mountains, for blood-thirsty tribe was in pursuit of them. The fleeing band of sufferers found a series of we'll hidden caves, and into them they took refuge The largest cave, In which man might stand to his height without strik- ing his head against the top was set aside for the chieftain's use. His wife, son and daughter were with him.
 When all were settled peacefully for the night, camp-fires having been lighted in the caves near to the openings where the smoke might escape, the weary chief whose name was Goodman-threw him. self before the fire and fell asleep. His son, Hannon by name, and his daughter, sadeth by name, were holding a whis- pered conversation further within the cave. Their good mother was preparing a fishnet that their father might go hunt ing for a stream in the mountains on the following morning, and that he might catch some fish therein with the net Not a morsel of food had any of tho tribe tasted since the early morning. and not a handful of food had they carried with them in their flight. Everything they owned had been left for the enemy, who, had they found nothing worth while in the valley, would have followed them even to the top of the barren mountains. So hunger was gnawing at the vitalS Of each member of the homeless tribe.
 As Hannon and Sadeth sat whispering, we may as well know what they were saying to each other.
 "Did you ever hear our Grandmother tell of the fairies and sprites?'' asked Sadeth.
 'Yes, and I have heard others tell of the fairies" whispered Hannon in reply. "Good old Arrand who used to tend our fathers goats told me many and many time of the fairies. He said they kept mostly to the top of the mountains"
 We are almost in the top of the noun tains," observed Sadeth. Do you think there are fairies about us-here?'
 Hannon shook his head T cannot tell. my sister. But-mayhap they are near to us. I have been thinking that We
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

voices: For sweet charity's sake, good woman, give us a piece of pie and a cup of coffee."
 Frank clapped his hands on his knees and roared ''Fine," he said. "We'll make splendid Weary Willies.' And Dads got several old pairs of trousers that he's worn while fixing his automobile. You know he's his own chauffeur. And there is an old coat in the attic that one of us can wear, and I'll find another about the garage. Dad spells enough clothes every year, so Mamma says, working about the garage and with our auto to furnish secondhand clothing shop. So I'll con tract to get you and myself up in good Weary Willie style."
 So till Friday evening at o'clock, Frank and Harry were full of eager an- ticipation for their well-planned April fool joke, poor old Aunt Hannah being their prospective victim. As soon as the signal for leaving the schoolroom came they hur- ried off to Franks home. where they took Mrs. Lincoln into their confidence. She gave her assistance, and soon the boys came forth from Franks room looking for all the world like two ragged, dirty tramps. Mrs Lincoln laughed and laughed at their appearance. Your own parents WOuIuuL kncW sou, coyo, SAC Hadn't I known about your disguise I'd have thought you two very doubtful char acters. Now, it's half past five, so run along and get some of Aunt Hannah's best pumpkin pie and a cup each of her fine French coffee. And then come back and tell me how the joke went"
 The boys. full of suppressed laughter, soon reached the back door of Harry's home and tapped gently on the kitchen door. Aunt Hannah was singing an old darkey hymn and stopped as if listening. "Ah do beliebes dat done heard some body knockin at de doah," she said in loud voice.
 'Tt's her way, talking to herself" whis- pered Harry. Then he tapped again Then Aunt Hannah opened the door half way, looking at them with some show Of apprehension. Bless my heart" she said, making a sign as if to close the door,
 Please my good woman," said Frank in guttural voice, wont you have pity for two half-starved men out of work? We want something to eat which will hold body and soul together till we can find employment.
 'Yes, we are willing to work, my good woman," added Harry in a shrill, trem- bling voice that his own mother would not have recognized as belonging to her son. I've are not real tramps, ycu know. Only unfortunates. And we near that you are kind to the down-a nd -outers."
 ''Show, Suh," admitted Aunt Hannah, opening the door a bit wider. "I divers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

feed hungry folks. I'm show you alls look hungry. What'll you have, gem men?'
 Harry's eyes had roamed to the Kitchen table, plainly visible through the open door, and there beheld two fine steaming pies set there to cool. Evidently they had just come from the oven. On the stove a coffee pot steamed and sent cut fragrance
 "Just a piece of pie, if you please, my good woman," said Harry. My friend and I are fond of pie."
 And a cup of your coffee to wash 1t down." added Frank. My pal and I get so little coffee on our travels"
 ''Show," nodded Aunt Hannah. "But doan you think bread an buttah would be bettah fur workin' men7 Pies Jest trimmin's, you all know"
 But we're fond of trimmin's." pro- tested Harry. "So, if you don't mind, my good woman, we'll have pie and coffee."
 ''show," again nodded Aunt Hannah. But my mastah says pussens askin' fur yictuals must work fur lem. Win you alls carry in the evenin's coal. an take out the ashes an pour 'em in dat ash barrel back in de alley?"
 Your master is right, my good woman, and as soon as we have partaken of the pie and coffee wen feel stronger, and then we'll do the chores Tor you gladly. My pal and love work" So said Frank, still assuming his guttural voice.
 But my mastRh says work fust and eat arter," said Aunt Hannah, preparing to close the door in their faces.
 All right. if 1t must be so," said Harry, weakly, almost dropping to the ground from fatigue. 'I.et us work, pal. If it kills us"
 So they set to work, carrying in two bushels of coal and out a bushel of ashes. The work done, Aunt Hannah invited them into the kitchen, where she had two
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

table, She poured out two cups of cof- fee and set the pie, uncut, between them, knife handy with which they might cut for themselves. Its apple pie, Gem men," Aunt Hannah explained. Hopes you all likes it.''
 Sure" declared Harry and Frank in two very peculiar voices. Then, before cutting into the pie. Harry raised the cup to his mouth and slipped. Then he made a wry face and ran to the door to eject the liquid. "It's sour," he cried. But Harry had likewise tasted of the coffee, and his pals" warning came too late. He strangled and coughed. Then asked Aunt Hannah what she meant by giving them coffee with vinegar in it.
 'Bless my soul, is 1t sour?" cried Aunt Hannah, apparently distressed over tho accident. "Ah remember now, de vinegar bottle done fell offen de top shelf-right over de coffee pot, an split some vinegar. But 1 neber knowed it went into de cof. fee pot. Laws-dat's too bad What would my young mastah, Harry. a-said If he'd tasted it2 But. gemmen, please eat dat pie. I'm show it's ine as molasses candy"
 Harry took up the knife and tried to cut through the pie. but the knife stuck into the filling and when he endeavored to push it through 1t caught and held something soft and stringy. Then par tices of the crust broke away and dis closed m inside of cotton-batting. Harry and Frank sat, eyes bulging, as they slowly took in the situation. Then both involuntarily looked up at Aunt Hannah. The old negress was holding her sides in silent laughter. But when the ''tramps' looked at her she burst out: "I'm show done ashamed O myself, Mastah Harry an Mastah Frank, foh spoilin' youh April fool trick. But I done had to do it.
 The boys jumped from the table. Did you know us--did you know what we in-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26
76e Charmed Iron Pot

you and might steal out after the full darkness has fallen upon the earth and go seeking for the fairies Should we find one, all our troubles would cease"
 Sadeth smiled She had always wished to sec fairy. And now that the thing seemed possible, she forgot her hunger and weariness and whispered eagerly: 'Yes, my brother, we will go out in quest of fairy.'
 Soon the chieftnin's wife had finished mending the fish net and had gone to sleep in one corner of the cave. She lay on a bed of skins. Beside her was left room for her daughter, and in the farther corner stretched another animal skin on which Ter son should repose. The chieftaln would remain on the hard floor by the caves mouth. He never cared for the comfort of a skin or of soft, dead leaves. They were for women and children.
 "Now is our time to go" whispered Hannon, taking his sisters hand in his own. Come"
 Together the two children crept out of the cave and walked few paces away from the caves mouth. But there they paused, for a little curl of steam was rising just In front of them. It came from among clump of bushes. The chll- dren stood alright, for since they could remember they mad been running from enemies and feared every thing they saw which was not at the instant explainable.
 But of sudden q voice from the bushes spoke: Fear not my children Only fairy has come to help you.'
 Hannon and Sadeth grasped each others hands and laughed softly for very joy. "oh, how could n fairy have known we wanted herr" whispered Sadeth.
 q know everything that happens in the mountain tops" said the voice. Come here and partake of food. for you are weak and hungry''
 Hannon and Sadeth went into tho bushes and there found a small iron rot full of boiling vegetables and fresh fish.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

their uses. One day Benjamin showed an old red man a crude drawing he had made on his slate. It was of A bird among some flowers. The Indian showed signs of great pleasure, and gave the little artist some bits of yellow and red pig ment which he used to color his body with. Benjamin ran home with beating heart and beaming face. On showing the colors to his mother they gave her an idea, and from her laundry supplies she brought to him a piece of indigo And thus he was possessed of the three prime colors-red. yellow and blue.
 But when attempting to lay on the colors by wetting them he discovered an- other need-the necessity of brush Just as he was figuring in his mind some way of providing the brush the pet cat entered the room. Immediately n thought flashed through Benjamin's mind. And almost as suddenly he had clipped the hair from poor Tabby's tail, tied the soft stuff to the end of tiny stick and, presto, pass! be had a brush.
 It was sometime later that a relative of the Vests came from Philadelphia to pay them visit, and was shown Benja- mins attempts at painting pictures on scraps of paper with the aid of crude colors and a cat-hair brush. He was quick to note the boys genius, and on his re- turn to Philadelphia sent full outfit of paints, brushes and canvas to the strug gling little artist.
 On account of the lack of space the de- tails of Benjamin Vests rapid advance ment In his art cannot be fully written of. He first studied in Philadelphia, not only his drawing and painting, but took a thorough course in college as well. He became cultured man as well as a great genius. When about 22 he had the good fortune to go to Rome. There he reveled fin the old masters making great strides where he was counted one of the greatest of painters.
 Benjamin West died in London in 1920, and was buried in St. Paurs by the side of Sir Joshua Reynolds. England and America joined in mourning for the man who had honored both.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

tended to doi" asked Harry, himself so amused that he could scarcely keep straight face.
 "Show. I done knowed you,' said Aunt Hannah. "An' I wus prepared foh you. too. heared you all plannin' to fool ole Aunt Hannah. It was dat ebenin l come to youh doah, Mastah Harry, and den, as I wus wipin up dc fooh of he hall in front of youh doah you done fixed dis whole fooljoke on me. an done heared 1t without listenin'. But-say, Mastah Harry, since I've turned dat joke. here's some good coffee, and here's de best pie you eber set teeth in." And Aunt Hannah cut into the other pie and put large pieces upon the 'tramps' plates, and from the pot she poured good coffee. And as the boys laughed and ate and told her she was the greatest old Aunt Hannah in the world to turn the table this way on them, the old woman, still laughing, said: I'm done glad to hab dem ashes toted out, and dot coal toteI in.. It show was mighty kin of you rlls."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

and the wild vines hanging over the caves became loaded with juicy grapes. And honey was found stored in every hollow tree, and the tribe became rich and happy.
 And not till plenty smiled upon them plenty brought about by their own thrift did the little iron pot cease to boil. And In the chieftain's cave-which was made more comfortable as the tribe grew in riches-was that little enchanted pot kept. ever hanging from the ceiling as re- hinder of the time when from 1t an entire people had been kept from starva- tion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

The flavor of the food filled their nostrils and whetted their appetites. They soon ate their fill and turned to thank the fairy who remained invisible to them.
 "Come again in the morning, my chil- dren, and bring with you all your tribe. There will be food for each and every one here in this iron pot"
 Hannon and Sadeth dropped to their knees and thanked the good fairy for her merciful kindness, promising to bring the members of the tribe with them at the break of day. Then they ran into the cave and soon fell asleep on their beds of animal skins.
 When dawn threw her soft light over
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26
ZIGZAG PUZZLE.

This zigzag contains nine words of five letters each. If the right words are guessed and written one below another, their zigzag letters, beginning with the upper left hand letter and ending with the lower left-hand letter, will spell that which every dwelling g-house must contain when tenanted. The crosswords are: l. Persons who are stupid or simple-minded 2. Something which boys like to have new in the spring. 8. Song birds that live in the meadows. 4. Something the spring garden needs. D. The name of celebrated opera singer. 6. A substance used by glaziers. z. To jeer at or to tease. g. A path followed by the Indians in the early days. 9. A bird that lives in the crags or mountain tops.
 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES.
 PRIMAL AORoSTICS-AIgsbra. Cross acords: l. Ancher. 2. Ldchen. 3. Globes. 4. Edglet. 5. Bakers. G. Riches. z. Ankles.
 LETTER ENIGMA-JVaInut.
 BEHEADINGS AND CURTAILINGs- 1. Photo-hot. 2. sGleam-lea. B. Etaos-tdg
 BEHEADINGS 1. Plate-lGfe. 2, Olimb- Hn,L. 8. Broad-road
 REBUS-Circus. Words pictured: 1. coio. 7. Ireland. 8. Rtng. 4. Crop. D. Unicorn. C. Song.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

the mountain tops the next morning Han non and Sadeth were wide awake before their parents were astir They Jumped up and called to their father, then to their mother: "Come, wake, our father and mother! There Is a surprise await ing you in the bushes.'
 Then to their surprised parents they told the story of the fairy and the sup per in the little iron pot. Their father. the chieftain. said: "You have been dreaming, my son and daughter" But, nevertheless, he followed them to tha clump of bushes, and there beheld the steaming iron pot. ''Food enough for the smallest children" said the chieftain ''The older folks must wait till the men can catch some fish and find some honey Then he called for the children of the tribe to come. and they were brough. by their parents to where the pot was boil ing. And after the little earthen bowls which they carried were filled, the pot was found to remain as full as before. So the larger children and the mothers were called to eat. and after their bowls had been filled, the little iron pot re- mained just as full as before, refilling as fast as a bowl of the rich broth was dipped out.
 "A magic pot" declared the chieftain. "A good fairy has taken pity on us-in our hour of need--and has furnished us with food to hush our hunger, and to keep us well and strong"
 ' And every day, till you have enriched the mountain soil, will there be a boiling pot in these bushes'' So spoke the voice from the trees just over their heads.
 And that day the men of the tribe set to work to dig into the soil to enrich 1t, and they planted the seeds of vegetables which they found growing on tho noun. tain and that were good for man to eat, and when the summer came the mountain side bloomed with garden which fur nished the tribe with food. And the lakes and streams held an abundance of fish,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

and certain happening. His father did not relish 1okes-when he was the victim. And Harry found it out.
 Nope, we mustn't play jokes on our parents" agreed Frank. Nor must we play one on our teacher. She'd prob ably get even with us before the week was out. Gee, Miss Jackson is clever!''
 "As clever as she Is fine,'- said Harry. She's one teacher in thousand. think lots of her, too much to play an April-frst joke on her."
 Just then there came a tap on the door. To Harry's call. Come in," the door was pushed gently open, and m old negro womans grinning face peeped in. Laws, Marser Harry, youh ma done wants to know if you're goin' to go ridin' this evenin' Your poney's suah dat restless 'at he jes paws an'paws in his balm"
 Sure. Aunt Hannah" replied Harry, smiling at his mothers old and trusted servant. She had been in the household since Harry's advent into this life, and she loved ''dat mischievous chile' very dearly. And Harry returned deep and trustful friendship.
 ''All right, young Marser," said Aunt Hannah. And she drew the door shut.
 Say" cried Harry as soon as her black head had disappeared from the doorway, let's get a joke on old Aunt Hannah"
 Capital idea," said Frank. 'She's a mighty shrewd old auntie, and we'll have to make our plans to work carefully. What shall we do?"
 Let me think" unused Harry. Then, head bent in hands, he began hunting about in his mind for a "scheme." q have it," he said a few minutes later. "Mamma's going away on April first. She's going for visit to Uncle Peters family. She'll be away several days. Papa never comes from his office till half-past six in the evening We have supper at that hour precisely. So Papa and I will be supping alone on April first. Aunt Hannah will be busy with the household, and will not miss me if l don't come home from school"
 'Dvulge the mighty plan," laughed Frank. I'm in suspense"
 Sure, here it is," replied Harry; "We'll go to your house after school-letss see, what day does it fall On?'
 "Yes, on next Friday. We'll, we'll go direct from school to your house, and you must fish out some old clothes. We'll dress up like poor. half-starved tramps. Then to our back door we will go and Aunt Hannah, busily engaged in preparing fine hot supper for Papa and me, will come to the door. She's a good-hearted soul, and will at once feel the keenest sympathy for us-when we say in weak
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26
Watch Boys of Norway.

His little sentry box Is made of wood and perched high on posts. Here the lad sits, gazing across the sea, using his keen eyes for the benefit Of the fishermen, who are depending upon him to give the alarm when a school of tsh appear. When the signal Is given the fishermen, who usually work on their farms when there are no schools of fish about, throw the huge nets over theft shoulders and hurry on to their boats
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

E& the town of Springfield. Chester E W county, Pa. on the 10th of October, H W 1T3e The house in which he first
 saw the light still stands on what is now the campus of Swarthmore Col lege. Swarthmore, Pa.
 The Vests were Quakers, or Friends, sect that thought the drawing of pictures Il frivolous pastime, If not wicked. Know Ing this, the little Benjamin made his first pictures in secret. It was only by chance that his mother happened to dis' cover the talent of her son. The follow ing story is quoted from a reliable biog rapher:
 What is thee doing, Benjamin." A small boy turned in evident confusion and tried to conceal some object on the far side of the chair from his mother, who had suddenly entered the room. Benlnu her came a younger woman, ana ooth stood looking quietly, but not unkinoly' down upon the child
 Answer me. What Is thee doing, Ben jamin?' said the mother a second time
 ''N-nothing," stammered the boy. color ing vivid red
 "Show me what is fin thy hand" she commanded. The lad obeyed. He expect ed punishment no less, for the awful thing he had done. His mother took the square of paper and eyed 1t closely It contained notnius more tndh Il N drawing done in red and black ink. She handed it over to the younger woman with the exclamation: Look, daughter, l declare he has made a likeness of little Sally" The young woman looked at the picture and then at the baby as 1t lny asleep. q believe that is whom 1t Is in- tended for,' she assented, smilingly.
 "Of course, 1t is. See the mouth and eyes, and even the dlmple! Who showed thee how to draw, Beniamini
 The boy, seeing no immediate punish ment, plucked up courage to reply; No body. I just made it up." His mother shook her head and smiled quietly at her daughter. II don't know what the Friends would say to such like," was all she said.
 When Benjamin was in his seventh year he was sent to school in the nearby town of Springfield. On his way to and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26
How fhe Boys April-Fooed Old Aunt Hannah

FIT WAS nearing the first day of @ April. Harry Mcclure and Frank
 Lincoln were sitting in the formers
 den They had just come from school
 and Frank was spending half an hour with his chum before going on to his own home. The subject turned upon April Fools Day. Say" cried Harry, let's play joke on some one. It's great sport Whom shall it be? Not our parents, for they-' and Harry gave a knowing shrug of the shoulders. He re membered previous April Fools Day,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26

TT Is quite a common sight to see
 boys watching cattle to keep them U from straying, but watch boy whose duty 1t Is to keep lookout for school of ish would indeed be an oddity in this country. In Norway small boys sit in sentry boxes built on stilts and watch for fish, custom prevailing in nearly all of the towns along the coast, especiai- ly where fishing is depended upon as . means of livelihood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26
.OUPpUZZLE
 OR
WORD SQUARE.

This square contains four words of four letters each. The words are spelled both from left to right, and from top to bot tom, each word appearing twice. The first word is the name of a fruit; the second, knowledge gained from tradition or legend. The third, garden vases used for holding vines and flowers. The fourth, meal partaken of by army ofIi- cers and soldiers.