davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02
''Iasso Jim'', Boy of inc Plains.

- IS real name was James Richards
 ~ He was the son of a ranchman liv-
 Ing on @ the plains ain of of Texas, ls .-t He e
 horseman as any cowboy between the eastern borders of Oklahoma and the western borders of Arizona. He was an adept with the lasso. which gave him the name of "Lasso Jim" Every person liv- ing in the western part of Texas knew Lasso Jim by reputation if not in person. He had been a figure at the county fairs since be was 10 years of age, riding In the horse races and "busting" bronchos. Of course be had not taken part In the work of busting" bronchos till In his fourteenth year, for his weight would not have made 1t possible. But on reach ing his fourteenth year he found himself tall and muscular and strong, measuring and weighing equally with youths two and three years his senior. He was keen of observation. quick of movement. sure in action and as brave as an Indian chief
 All Lasso Jim's life had been spent on the plains. and he had the instincts of those brought up in the Great Silent West, the instincts of poet and animal combined Primitive and simple. strong and daring as well as temperamental was our Lasso Jim.
 Lasso Jim had no sisters or brothers His mother was a strong minded woman, just the sort to rear son on the plains His father was a typical frontiersman, barring the customary intemperance and profanity. Indeed, the Richards family had certain innate refinement which was admirable.
 One morning early in April, and while the Richards family were still seated at the table, Mir. Richards suddenly changed the subject from cattle and alfalfa to New York city, far. far away. The cause of his thoughts flying across the great continent was a letter which Jim had brought from the town 10 miles distant the previous evening. The epistle had come from the great American metropo- lis New York city, and was from MT. Richards sister. who had recently moved there from the Middle West. And she was describing the wonders of New York, adding at the end of the letter: "Why, can't you all come and pay me a visiti We have nice uptown apartment of Seven rooms, and can make you comfort able. And it would do Jamie (meaning Jim a world of good It would be liberal education for him."
 Say" spoke Mir. Richards. addressing his wife, who sat opposite him at table. why not send Jim east? He'd have great time in New York. We-you and I-ean't go this spring, but there's no reason why Jim shan't have the trip"
 Lasso Jims face flushed with anticipa- ton. How he had longed to see the east ern half of his ,world-that part of the United States east of the Mississippi Riv- CT. Jim's travels had never extended be- yond Kansas City to the East and the borders of his own state to the West
 '1 agree that it would do Jim a world of good in many ways" said Mrs. Rich- ards. And her sanction was all that was needed. It was decided that Jim should start the following week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

"Yes, mother. think you are right" said Dottie. And Tom agreed also. Yes, mother you and I can keep them off, even though they were four strong.'' But therell be no trouble, I hope" said Mrs. Heally.
 That night Mrs Heally and Dottie sat up until halfpast F. then they called Tom to relieve them of their vigil.
 Nothing had happened to cause any fear. The moon was shining brightly, and from a kitchen window Tom could look miles across unbroken prairie; and from a front-room window he could look down the public road to town, mile and half distant. From side window he could see across big corn field fin preparation for planting. The fourth di- rection was not visible from the house. but every few minutes Tom would sput his head out the front window and peer around the corner of the house iu that direction. $.
 Guess everything will so ofr safely Tom observed mentally after the clock had struck 2. But hardly had he said it when sound broke upon his ear. It was a cautious sound. as of some creep ing about the kitchen. Could it bc pos sible that some one had entered the rear room while he was engaged in look ing from the front window? Tom quickly put his nnger on me trlgger or HIS re- yolver and waited He felt it was -unwise to allow the possible housebreaker to know that he was up and waiting for him. He crept softly to the kitchen door and waited standing so that he would be behind the door when iL was pushed open from the other side. He wished that he might awake lis mother, but feared to try doing so.
 He had just taken his stand when the door creaked on it's hinges. Then a dark, tall form entered the living room, Tom being hidden behind the door. AS soon as the intruder was well in.o the room, which was dimly lighted byl noon light coming in at the window. Tom rushed upon him from behind. putting his revolver against his neck and crying out: aStir step and I'll shoot t"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

 telephone to the police station. And with in a few minutes the dangerous footpad was in the custody, of an officer, while the gentleman went to the police sta tion to swear out a warrant against the ruffian and to prove his property and money. Of course. Jim was obliged to go, too and his uncle-who was very much excited over the happening-ac- companied his brave nephew of the plains
 Lassoing d footpad is something not heard of every day in New York. and Jim found himself hero in the papers on the following morning, and dozens Of newspaper reporters interviewed" him and asked for his picture to put in the papers. To saiis this fuss Jim laughed and said: Why dts nothing to lasso a man. Now, if 1t shad, been a wild Texas steer-weIl, that would have been differ ent. The fellow stood-2so still and the job was dead easy. wild steer gives you a run for your fun. That's the diff ference. But I'm glad the taste for T rope came upon me this evening; other wise bad fellow would have been at large"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

Feeling safer after having this assur- ance from his wife and son, Mir. Heally went away with the stranger. who gave his name as Brooks.
 The afternoon wore away and darkness was beginning to fall when Tom returned, horseback. from town. Mrs. Healy had been very busy in her garden, for the month was April and the spring had ad- vanced rapidly and gardening was taking tho attention of the settlers wives. Dot tie. was busily engaged In the kitchen baking bread and pies. But before going to her garden Mrs Heally had taken her daughter into her confidence concerning their fear of possible robber or robbers And as Dottie, aged 13, worked. singing merrily as she turned the pie crust or molded her loaves of bread, something came into her inventive mind. She de- cided to say nothing of it to anyone till she should see what the result might be. But she made one very large pie, and when 1t was baked-the crusts being pulled apart and. the filling put inside htter the crusts were cold-it was placed beside the other pies on a long shelf over the kitchen table. The large pie, however, was placed behind the other pies and one smaller one was set atop of it. And after the bread had cooled and ready for placing In the bread box one of the loaves was handled in a very different manner from the others and placed in the very bottom of the box
 At the supper table that evening Tom said: Now, I want you, mother. and Dot, to sit up till. 12 tonight. Then I'll get up and take the rest of the night You know a robber usually makes his raid between 3 and dnybrcak, as people sleep sounder then. We'll bury the cash box in the yard as soon as il is dark"
 Robbers always search the ground for signs of buried cash,' said Mrs. Heally. "I think it would be far safer to keep the money right here in the house with us. Nobody will try to force an en- trance under the fire we'd give with the revolver and the shotgun. So I think it best to let the box remain right under your fathers pillow"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02
The "oPie" Strong Box.

HeaIlys were sitting down to dinner, there drove into the yard stranger. But as strangers were not rare in a new country, Where people were coming every day from the East in quest of new homes. Mir Heally thought nothing of seeing a new lace and of hearing q strange voice call lng out to him: .'ls this where John Heally liyesY
 Mir. Healiy was at the door instantly and replied that he was John Heally. Then the stranger said: MT. Heally, come from Blank county. l have just. bought the farm that adjons your fathers farm. I have come to tell you that your mother is very sick dangerously so. She wants to see you at once. Can you re turn with me this afternoon?'
 Mir. Heally was much disturbed by the news His parents. as the stranger hnd said. lived in Blank county. and his mother had been ailing all the spring. He was very anxious to go to her at once. and asked the stranger to alight from his buggy and to join them at dinner. after which he would arrange to go to lis mothers. sharing the strangers buggy and lending his horse behind.
 Alter the stranger had enjoyed good dinner and his i,rse had been fed and rested. Alr. Heally. who was growing more anxious every minute about his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

der the theater seat But he did not mind that, so he bought his ticket and saun- tered into the theater, where celebrated star was playing. He enjoyed the per formance very mucn. and also enjoyed putting his foot back under the seat to touch the roll of rope every few min utes. That bit of twisted hemp was like a friend from home.
 After the theater Jim wandered up and down Broadway enjoying the sights of the Great White Way. He glanced into fashionable restaurants after theater snp- per crowds, and into various places of amusement. Then, hearing great clock somewhere in the neighborhood striking the hour. he decided 1t was time to re- turn home. It was 12 o'clock.
 After leaving the subway train at One Hundred and Forty fifth street, Jim turned his face towards the street In which his uncle and aunt lived. That whole end of the town seemed deserted. and as Jim walked leisurely along he said to himself. Why, it's as deserted and still up here as it is on tne prairies. Only down town on Broadway, is there
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

ment. and the great rumbling gleaming city was plotted out!
 Jim stepped into the hardware shop and asked the salesman to please measure off so many yards of the rope displayed in the window. The longing for lasso in his hands once more was irresistible. The rope being measured and cut off, the salesman rolled it into as small a coil as possible and wrapped it in paper. Lasso Jim, the bundle held affectionately under his arm, paid the price and went on his way
 When he reached the theater district. which is in Forty second street. and up and down Broadway, Jim realized that he had big bundle to be slowed away un-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

Er was during the days before the tele.
 phone and ia a new part of the Unlted
 states Only a few white people had
 Jared to push beyond the border,
 meaning the line of safety from the red men. In the county of Dash in. n Western state adjoining the Rocky Mountains there was q small settlement of people from the Middle West town of perhaps 'Ha' souls was the county seat and round it lay the few dozens of titled farms On one of these new farms lived a family consisting of four persons, father. mother and two children The father was one of the prominent men of the county and had been elected county treasurer. The coun- ty having no courthouse yet. the treas urers office was in the rear of harness dealer's shop
 After the county. taxes lad been paid there was duitc sum of money h me treasury. and the treasurer. Mir Heaiiy' thought 1t wise to carry the funds home with him to his farm adjoining the town siie There was q small safe in the harness denIer's shop, but MT. Heaily klew that t thieves desired to break open the safe tliey wonll lind it Il very ensy matter to do. So lie kept the county $ cash under his pillow; beside it q good revolyer.
 One day at noon. and just as the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

mother declared his readiness to start. But before going he had private con- yersation with his wife and son in the little kitchen. His daughter, Dottie, had remained In the living room-which an- swered as bedroom and dining room as well-chatting with the stranger, who seemed a very kindly man. He told her the best kinds of flowers to plant in that windy, dry climate, and also told her many things about his own daughter, just Dottie's age.
 While they were thus chatting MT. lIeally was saying in low tones to his wife and son: I'm uncertain about leav- ing all the county's money here in your charge Suppose It should get out that I'm away! Some thief might try to rob you"
 I'm pretty good at the gum" said Tom Heally, a 15-year-old youth full of cour- age and brawn. I'll sit up half the night and mother and Dot can sit up the other half. We'll not keep a light so that no one on the road would suspect US of not being in bed and asleep"
 Aud we'll say not word about your icing absent," said Mrs. Heally. 'Of course, you're supposed to go to your office this afternoon, but Tom can ride in and make some excuse-say we have sickness in the family. They'll naturally suppose we mean that you are held here qt home on account of 1t. Tom can at tend to any work in your office during your two or three days absence
 Yes. I'm glad I've made Tom my clerk. for he can manage the usual busl- ness as well as I can. But its not the office that Is bothering me-it's all that rnoney-there MT. Heally dropped to a whisper) that's in the house.
 ''I feel quite sure well be safe," said Mrs. Heally, reassurngly. "As Tom sug- gests we'll take turns sitting up nights keeping watch. And in order to be well prepared for defense Tom shall load the shotgun; then hc with the revolver and myself with the gun, we'll be two against any number of robbers that may come to make us trouble. We'll be inside the house, they'll he. outside. So the safety will be OurS.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

noise and life and" But he broke of his soliloquy at this point, for gentle man had come from the opposite side of the street, and was going in the same di- rection that Jim was going, only he was half block in advance of Jim. And just few seconds after the gentleman mad passed a vacant lot which lay dark and narrow between two tall apartment houses, Jim saw a dark form dart from the place. and creep quickly and stealthily up behind him. He saw the gleam of Il revolver in the night light as the follow Ing form lept to the side of the pedes- trian. And then Jim saw the gentleman throw up his hands in quick response to some muttered words, which Jim was not close enough to hear.
 Jim had been in the shadow of a shop doorway when he observed the suspicious movements of the second man, for his bundle of rope was becoming united, and he had stopped to refasten 1t. Thus the footpad had not seen him on looking up and down the block before attacking his victim.
 Jim's mind worked quickly. He pulled the rope from the paper noise lessly, and had a slipknot tied quicker than you could count three. He was at familiar work now, tying lasso loop. And in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

there all his life, he decided to attend the theater alone. His aunt and uncle had a social engagement for the evening, and Jim could not think of staying at home with a book or a magazine. He wanted to do the things while in the city that he could not do at home. So after an early supper he set out toward the sub way station, on his way downtown. As he passed little hardware shop in the block in which his relatives lived. he no- ticed coll of rope lying displayed In the show window. A pang shot through Lasso Jims heart. Instantly he was on the plains, riding old Abe after the cattle, bis lasso swung across his saddle. The wind was sweeping across the short grass
 causing it to wave gently. Old Abe was going at a swift galop. An. the feeling of home was full upon the boy at the mo-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02
R OurPuZZle Corner <
CHARADE..

My first is thing
 With some red and much green; At the gay Christmas seascn
 It is everywhere seen. My seconds a hind-joint
 Of the four-footed beast
 That inhabits the South
 The North, West and East My two make a flower
 That's stately and tall;
 It's especially beautiful
 When against grey wall.
 INITIAL PUZZLE. This puzzle contains seven words of four letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another. their initial letters will spell that which causes much misery and want, and which we should all struggle against The cross-words are 1. A delightful fruit. 2 Meaning oblong. 3. Something which en- twines. 4. Wickedness. 5. Obnoxious small animals. 6. Playthings. z. Some thing from which hosiery is made
 HIDDEN PROvERB. well-known Spanish proverb is hidden in the following seven sentences, each sentence containing but one word of tKe proverb: If the right words are chosen and written together in the order in which the sentences are numbered, the proverb will be complete. 1. A man should always remember his brother.
 2. No secret remains with three. 8. There is no end to time 4. Make the best of bad matters. 5. Let horses be kept in locked barns. 6. Stand by your friends z. One God prevails over all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

Gee I'd like to see Nanny Daddy and old Abe tonight!" So unused Lasso Jim of the Plains.
 But all homesickness wore away as the days fled by, for each hour was filled with new sights and great lessons. Art gall ieries, museums and shops were visited during the day, and concerts, lectures and theaters were enjoyed at night. Indeed the boy of the plains was being fully ini- tiated Into the round of city life. And he was learning.
 One evening after Jim had been visiting his relatives for two weeks. and had learned the ins and outs of the big city as thoroughly as though he had lived
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

At last the happy day of departure ar- rived. Jim was in his seventh heaven of happiness. He had but two regrets First. that his parents could not find It possible to accompany him; second. that he could not take his broneho. Abe Lin coin, with him.
 In due time, Lasso Jim arrived In New York. His uncle and aunt and little girl cousin met him at the station. All was so wonderful to Jim that he could scarce ly find his tongue to talk. The noises, the crowds, the immense buildngs-all held him spellbound. At last, when he was in his own room he sat down and whis- tied a tune that was little Abe Lncoln's favorite. Whenever Jim whistled 1t, Abe would trot to him, stoop for the bridle and never object when the heavy Mexican saddle was thrown across his strong back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

Find the other boy who Is going in swimming. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS PUZZLES. WORD SQUARE
 PLUM
 LORE
 URNS
 MESS
 CURTAILTNGS-1. CnpoId-c1p. ?. Curl cur 8. Hemp-hem.
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE: Furniture. Cross ,cords, 1. Fools. 2. Suits. 8. Ldrks. 4. Rdins 5. Patti. 6. Putty. 2. Tdunt. g. TrdiJ. O. Eagle
 PICTURED WORD PUZZLE! Spring: 1. S.cimnsing. 2. Pig. B. Rug. 4. Ink. s. Negroes. 6. Grand.
 REBUE-Once upon time three sdSl- ers br0pe soent to seo in q snlaU boet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02
.s.* Turning fhe Trick.

" DUNG ugly Tom Tick, 1 Loved playing trick On any child who might pass by i; And when he had done, He thought it great fun To laugh when another did cry. One day Bunkie Binn- Who thought it sin
 The way Tom Tick acted, you
 see, Decided to wait Beside the front gate,
 Well hidden behind a big tree, And keep a keen eye For Tom Tick to pass by,
 And give him a taste of the
 "fun," That he did so enjoy At the expense of some boy
 Who happened that way to run. Then came Danny Day, Who lived cross the way;
 Behind him crept ugly Tom
 Tick, Planning we'll in his mind, As he crept up behind,
 An exceedingly harmful trick. Toms plan was to throw A strong cord lasso
 About the feet of young Dan, Jerk him hard to the earth, Then laugh with great mirth, And cry, "Get up, kid, if you
 can!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02
.*4

If he did not agree Much better to be,
 Said, T guess you are right,
 Bunlie Binn; So today I'll declare To behave on the square, For see I've been acting like
 sim" And from that day to this Tom has not gone amiss: But has played with his friends,
 kind and good; For the trick had been turned, And lesson he'd learned, And in future he behaved as he
 should.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

But Bunkie did see His plan, and so he
 Jumped forth and caught Tom
 by the hair; Saying, "Now, my young friend, Your ways you'd best mend Or you I will certainly not
 spare. "So promise, l say, That beginning this day, You'll play no mean tricks, any
 where" And ugly Tom Tick, Who had loved mean trick, And who was likely to lose his
 top hair,
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-09-21
GIRLS

While we have made arrangements for
plenty of tickets, yet you had better clip your
blank and start to work today. We expect
hundreds of young folks will take advantage
of this great offer to get real Big Show ticket
for nothing, and some boy girl might get an
order by early work that otherwise might
been yours Get your chum to clip out a
blank and commence with you, both will get
tickets and go the show together.
Isn't it great:
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-09-21
INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO
OBTAIN FREE TICKETS

Clip out the Wild West Subscription Blank
printed in the right-hand corner OF this page.
Then call on all your friends and nelghbors and
those who are not now subscribers to The Ard
moreite to order the paper After YOU have filled
your blank bring it at once to the Circulation De
partmcnt and you will be given a coupon, which
you can exchange at the office on Wednesday,
September p (show day. for ticket to this
great Wild West Show.
The only condition is that the subscribers
bona fde new orders. They will be checked by
oar circulation corps.
Boys and girls, this is surely the opportunity
YOU have been wishing for
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-06
MATCH HOGAN AVID
BURNS FOR FIGHT
Contest Will Be Held at San
Francisco on Night of
January q.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan Sack Ho
gan, the San Fancisco light weight. and
frankie Burns of Oakland are matched
10 box twenty rounds on Friday night.
January q, at Dreamland rink, under the
auspices OF Jim Griffn's Broadway club
The men are to make 1873 pounds at 6
O'Clock on the night OF the bout, and the
referee win be selected ten days prior to
January 81,
Walter Franey representing Hogan,
finally agreed TO accept 90 per cent OF
the house for the boxers end, and this
money will be cut GO per cent to tho
winner and 40 per cent to the loser. In
addition there will be $1,000 side bet
at even money. Jack Perkins. who han
dies Burns, already has deposited his
$1,000 with Tom Corbett. and Franey has
promised to cover this at once,
The articles OF agreement have not been
drawn up. hut that will be attended to at
once, nnd the articles VIII be signed and
forfeits posted. John Il. Clark has been
agreed upon as the stakeholder for the
forfeit money.
=, While 1t is local match, 1t is a bout
that should draw well, as both boys are
we'll known and have large folIowings OF
their own In VIII be the second match
in the professional ranks for Hogan, who
started his career by earning a decision
over Johnny Frayne recently in an open
air contest. Burns has had one battle
with Hogan, four round affair. In which
Hogan gained a lead in the first round
and was given the decision.
Hogan will locate once more at Shan
on's. In san Rafael, while Burns will do
his training OF DID, at AL Whites place
at Freemans park.