davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
eByFRANCES BOYD CALHOUN
(Copyright, by Reilly & BrittOn Coz

"well, | reckon not. Git back; don't
you tech EN-; you amt OIL 'nough to
have EN-"
Billy's head was swathed in a huge,
white cloth; his usually lean little
cheeks were puffed out till he resem-
bled a young hippopotamus, and his
pretty gray eyes we're almost invisible.
You better git way f'om me an
don't tech 'em, like tells you" he re-
iterated. Aunt Minerva say you amt
never had 'em an she say fer me to
make you keep way f'om me cause
you amt oil chile like what is"
You amt but six" retorted angry
Jimmy, "and I'll be six next month:
you all time trying to suade little boys
to think you're bout q million years
old. You bout the funniest looking
kid they is."
Billy theatrically touched distend-
ed cheek. These here is mumps," he
said impressively; "an' when you got
'em you can make grown folks do per-
zactly what you want 'em to. Aunt
Minerva g in the kitchen right now
maxim me 1asses custard If I'll be
good an stay right in the house an
don't come out here in the yard an
don't give you the mumps. Course /
can't tech that custard now cause
done come out here an it amt homer
BILE; but she's maxim 1t jes' the same.
You better git way f'om me an not
tech 'em; you too little to have EN-"
Are they easy to ketch?" asked the
ether little boy eagerly; 'lemme jest
tech 'em one time, Billy"
cit way, I tell you," warned the
Jimmy's envy he continued: Grown
| folks tries to see how nice they can be
to chillens what's got the mumps. Aunt
Minerva amt been impedent to me to-
| day; she lemme do Jest bout like
| please; it sho' is one time you can
make grown folks step lively" He
looked at Jimmy medltatively. ut sho'
is a plumb pity you amt OIL chile
like what l is an can't have the
! mumps. Don't you come amp closter to
me-" he again warned. you too little
| to have EN-"
"I'll give you five pewees If you'll
lemme tech 'em SOS 1 can get EN-"
pleaded the younger boy.
Billy hesitated. You mighty lit
| tie" he began.
And my stoney," said the other
child eagerly.
'If you was a oil boy" said Billy
1T wouldn't make no diffunce; / don't
want to make yo' ma mad an Aunt
Minerva say for me to keep way f'om
you any how, though 1 didn't make her
no promises"
Jimmy grew angry.
You're the stingiest Peter they Is,
William Hill," he cried; won't let no.
body tech your old mups. My cousin
in Memphis s got the measles; you
| Just wait till git EN-"
Billy eyed him critically.
IF you was OIL" he was beginning
Jimmy thought he saw signs of his
yielding.
And I'll give you my china egg,
too," he quickly proposed.
We'll, jest one TECH" agreed Billy;
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
"Come, william" she called. Il am

"Come, William" she called. Il am
waiting for you"
Jimmy went back to his own porch
and the other boy joined his kinswo-
man.
Why wouldn't Jimmy conner" she
asked.
"He-he amt feeling very we'll"
was the considerate rejoinder.
"Once there was a little boy who
was born in Virginia" began Miss
Minerva.
Born in a manger," repeated the
inattentive little boy to himself, Il
knows who that was" So, this impor-
tant question settled in his mind, he
gave himself up to the full enjoyment
Of his chum and to the giving and re-
ceiving secret signals, the pleasure Of
which was decidedly enhanced by the
fear of imminent detection.
Father, l cannot tell lie, did 1t
with my little hatchet-" read the
thin, monotonous voice at his elbow.
Billy laughed aloud-at that minute
Jimmy was standing on his head wav-
ing two chubby feet in the air.
"William," said his aunt reprovingly,
peering at him over her spectacles, Il
don't see anything to laugh at,"-and
she did not, but then she was in ignor-
ance of the little conspiracy.
"He was a good and dutiful son and
he studied his lessons so well that
when he was only seventeen years old
he was employed to survey vast tracts
of land in Virginia"
Miss Minerva emphasized every
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Billy sullenly gave her the promise

Billy sullenly gave her the promise
and she went back to her baking.
That 8 always the way now," he
said, meeting his little neighbor at the
fence, ever since Aunt Minerva got
onto this-here promisin' business, I
dom have no freedom t all. It s Will
liam, promise me this an 1t 3 VIII
liam, don't ferget yo' promise now
tell g jes' plumb sick n tired Of it..
She know l amt goin' back on my
word an she jes' nachelly gifts the
vantage of me; she bout the hardest
oman to manage ever seen sence
s born"
Il can nearly all time make my
mama do anything most if l JUS
keep on trying and keep on a-begging," /"
Dragged the other boy; II just say
May /, mama" and she II all time
say, No, go way from me and lemme
lone, and l just keep on, May l
mama? May l, mama? May I, mama?'
and toreckly she II say, Yes, go on
and lemme read in peace"
Aunt Minerva won't give in much" !"
said Billy. When she say No, VIII
liam,' t amt no use t all to beg her;
you jest wastin' yo' breath. When she
put her foot down 1t got to go just like
she say; she sho' do like to have her
own way better n any oman / ever
see."
"She bout the mannishest woman
they is" agreed Jimmy. "She got
you under her thumb, Billy. l dom
see what womans re made fo' If you
can't beg 'em into things. would MT
let no old spunky Miss Minerva get
the best of me that way. Come on,
anyhow"
Nav, can't come" was the
gloomy reply; 'ff she d jest toll me
not to, couldn'er went, but she made
me promise, an l amt never goin'
back on my word. You come over to
see me-"
Il can't" came the answer across
the fence; II m earning me baseball
mask. / done already earnt me mitt.
My mama don't never make me prom
ise her nothing, she just pays me to
be good. That g huccome m bout
to get ligion and go to the mourner's
bench. She's gone up town now and
if don't go outside the yard while
she s gone, she s going to gimme a
baseball mask. You got ball what
you bringed from the plantation, and
II have a bat and mitt and mask
and we can play ball some. Come on
over just little while; you amt earn
ing you nothing like what I'm do
ing"
Nav; promis' her not to an
amt ever goin' to break my promise. "
"Well, then, Mr.. Promiser," said
Jimmy, "go get your ball and We'll
thow cross the fence. can't find
mine"
Billy kept his few toys and play
things in a closet, which was full of
old plunder. AS he reached for his
ball something fell at his feet from a
shelf above. He picked 1t up, and ran
excitedly into the yard.
Look, Jimmy" he yelled, here g a
baseball mask found in the closet"
Jimmy, forgetful of the fact that he
was to be paid for staying at home,
Immediately rolled over the fence and
ran eagerly toward his friend. They
examined the article in question with
great care.
1T looks perzactly like a mask" "
announced Jimmy after thorough in
spection, "and yet it don't" He tried
it on. "It don't seem to fit your face
right" he said.
Sarah Jane was bearing down upon
them. Come back home dis minute,
JIMMY" she shrieked, want to ketch
some mo- contiguous 'seases, don't
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER XIV.
Education and Its PcriIs.

1t was a warm day in early August
and the four children were sitting con-
tentedly in the swing. They met al
most every afternoon now, but were
generally kept under strict surveil-
lance by Miss Minerva.
"'T won't be long fore we II all
hafto go to school," remarked Frances,
and l II be mighty sorry; l wish we
did mt ever hafto' go to any old
school"
Il wisht we knowed how to read
an write when we s born" said Bill
ly IF was God d make all my
babies so s they is already eddicated
when they gifts born. Reckon If We
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER XIII.
The Infant Mind Shoots.


Miss Minerva had bought book for
Billy entitled Stories of Great and
Good Men," which she frequently read
to him for his education and improve
ment. These stories related the prin-
cipal events in the lives of the heroes
but never mentioned any names, al
ways asking at the end, Can you tell
me who this man was?'
Her nephew heard the stories so
often that he had some expression or
incident by which he could identify
each, without paying much attention
while she was reading
He and his aunt had just settled
themselves on the porch for reading.
Jimmy was on his own porch cutting
up funny capers, and making faces for
the other child's amusement.
"Lemme go over to Jimmys, Aunt
Minerva" pleaded her nephew, IAN
you can read to me tonight I'd
heap ruther not hear you read right
now. 1t II make my belly ache"
Miss Minerva looked at him severe
ly.
William" she enjoined, don't you
want to be a smart man when you
grow up?"
Yes, m" he replied, without much
enthusiasm. well. jes' lemme ask
Jimmy to come over here an set on
the other slider you willis you read. He
amt never hear bout them tales, an
| spec he d like to come"
Very WELL" replied his tiattered and
gratified relative, call him over"
Billy went to the fence, where he
signaled Jimmy to meet him.
Aunt Minerva say you come over
an listen to her read some er the pret-
ties tales you ever hear" he said, as
if comforting great favor.
Nav, sirree-bob!" was the impolite
response across the fence, them bout
the measliest tales they Is. I'll come
if she IL read my Uncle Remus book"
please come on" begged Billy, drop
ping the patronizing manner that he
had assumed, in hope Of inducing his
chum to share his martyrdom. You
know Aunt Minerva d die in her
tracks fore she d read Uncle Remus.
You II like these-here tales mother
sight better anyway. II give you
my stoney If you'll come"
Nav; you amt going to get me in
no such box as that. II she d just
read seven or eight hours would MT
mind; but she II get you where she
wants you and read bout million
hours. know Miss Minerva"
Billy's aunt was growing impatient.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

d pray ev'y night an ask God, he'd
learn them babies what he 8 maxim
on now how to read an writer"
II don care nothing at all bout
them babies," put in Jimmy, 1T amt
going to do us no good If all the new
babies what Doctor Sanford finds can
read and write; 1t d jes' make 'em
the sassiest things ever was. Sides.
got plenty things to ask God for
'thout fooling long other folks brats,
and / amt going to meddle with
Gods business nohow."
(To BE CoNTINUED.)
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

"well, II tell her l Just coined
over o minute to see bout Miss Mi
nerva's bustle," he agreed as he again
tumbled over the fence.
A little negro boy, followed by a
tiny, white dog, was passing by Miss
Minerva's gate.
Billy promptly few to the gate and
hailed him. Jimmy, looking around to
see that Sarah Jane had gone back to
the kitchen, as promptly rolled over
the fence and Joined him.
'Lemme see yo' dog" said the for
mer.
Amt he cute?" said the latter.
The little darkey picked up the dog
and passed 1t across the gate.
Il wish he was mine," said the
smaller child, as he took the soft, fluffy
little ball in his arms; what II you
take for him?"
Tho negro boy had never seen the
dog before, but he Immediately accept
ed the ownership thrust upon him and
answered without hesitation, "I1l take
dollar for her,"
81 amt got but nickel. Billy, amt
you got 'nough money to put with my
nickel to make a dollar?"
Nav; / amt got red cent"
81 II tell you what we'll do" sug-
gested Jimmy; well trade you base
ball mask for him. My mama's going
to gimme a new mask cause | all
time stay at home, so we'll trade you
our cid one. Go get it, Billy"
Thus commanded Billy ran and
picked up the hustle where it lay neg
lected on the grass, and handed 1t to
the quasi-owner of the puppy. The deal
was promptly closed and black little
negro went grinning down the street
with Miss Minerva's ancient hustle
tied across his face, leaving behind
him curly-haired dog.
"Ain't he sweet?" said Jimmy, hug.
ging the fluffy white ball close to his
breast, I'VE got to name him, Billy"
Les name her Perjury Pearline,
was the suggestion Of the other joint
owner.
HE amt going to be name nothing
at all like that" declared Jimmy; you
all time got to name our dogs the
scalawaggest name they is. He s 60
ing to be name Sam Lamb cause
he g my partner"
"Shes a girl dog" argued Billy, "an'
she can't be nam no mans name. II
she could d call her Major"
II don't care what sort O. dog he is,
girl or boy, he s going to be name
Sam Lamb Pretty Sam! Pretty
Sam!" and he fondly stroked the little
animals soft head.
Here, Perjury! Here, Peruny!"
and Billy tried to snatch her away.
The boys heard whistle; the dog
heard it, too. Springing from the little
boys arms Sam Lamb Perjury Pearline
ran under the gate and flew to meet
her master, who was looking for her.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER xxI.-continued.

Nav, l amt neither" objected the
male member of the chain-gang, Il
done cut my woman with a razor
cause l see her racking down the
street like a proud coon with another
gent, like what Sarah James brother
telled me he done at the picnic"
The children played happily together
for half an hour, Billy and Lima COM
manding, and the prisoners, entering
thoroughly into the spirit of the game,
according prompt obedience to their
bosses. At last the captives wearied
of their role and clamoTed for an ex-
change of parts.
"All right" agreed Lima. Get the
key, Billy, and We II be the chain
gang"
Billy put his right hand in his pocket
but found no key there; he tried the
other pocket with the same success;
he felt in his blouse, he looked in his
cap, he jumped up and down, he near
ly shook himself to pieces all without
avail; the key had disappeared as If
by magic.
81 berlieve y all done los that
key" concluded ne.
Maybe it dropped on the ground"
said Frances.
They searched the yard over, but
the key was not to be found.
We'll, If that amt just like you,
Billy" cried Jimmy. you all time per-
posing to play chain-gang and you all
time lose the key"
Lima grew indignant.
you proposed this yourself. Jimmy
Garner" she said; I'VE never would
have thought of playing chain-gang
but for you"
1T looks like we can't never do any
thing at all" moaned Frances,
"thout grown folks We got to know
bout It,"
Yes. and laugh fit to pop theirselfs
open," said her fellow-prisoner. 81
can't never pass by Owen Gibbs and
Len Hammer now 'thout they laugh
just like idjets and grin just like pole
cats"
Il amt never hear tell of pole-cat
grinnin'," corrected Billy, "he jes smell
worser n what billy goat do"
"It is Chessy cats that grim" ex-
planned Lima.
Look like folks would get 'em lot
Of pole-cats stead O. chillens always
hafto be wearing assfetty bags round
their makes, so g they can keep of
whooping cough" said Frances.
you can't wear a pole-cat roun' yo'
nake," grinned Billy.
And Len Hammer all time now ask
ing me-" Jimmy continued, when I'm
going to wear Sarah James co'set to
Sunday school, Grown folks bout the
lunatickest things they is. Amt you
going to unlock this chain, Billy?" he
demanded.
What got to unlock it with?''
asked Billy
AS Jimmy's father was taking the
crestfallen chain-gang to the black
smith shop to have their fetters re-
moved, they had to pass by the livery
stable; and Sam Lamb, bent double
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

for the wits are very difficult. There
is nothing to do 100 times, or 80 times.
It is not something to which one can
give 20 minutes the first thing in the
morning and then go the rest of the
day. Socrates, who was the Sandow
of mental exercise, kept his pupils at
it pretty much OF the time. There is
one phase of it which is especially
hard. This is. the exercise Of ones
rights. Unexercised rights ara much
worse than unexercised muscles.
Thus, after voting, we are ordinarily
mentally stift and sore for several
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

Aunt Beulah's besetting sin was
housecleaning. She cleaned In season
and out of season, causing the fam
lily much worry when sweeping
brought On an attack Of lumbago or
carrying out ashes gave her the grip.
One day her patient sister protested.
why don't you let the maid do
those things?" she asked.
She's so careless" groaned Aunt
Beulah; 'Td rather have the pain
than the dust. I'd rather have the
pain"
Then the Smart Little Boy jumped
into the conversation. well, you've
got the pain" he remarked, what ore
you kicking about?"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER XXI.
A Transaction in Mumps.

p Transaction IN munpS'
Don't come near me-" screamed
Billy, sauntering slowly and deliberate
ly toward the dividing fence; keep
way f'om me; they's ketchin'."
Jimmy was sitting on his front steps
and the proverbial red flag could not
have excited bull to quicker action
He hoped down the steps and ran
across his own yard toward Billy as
fast as his short, fat legs could carry
him.
Cit way f'om me; you II ketch EN-
If you teches me-" warned Billy; "an'
you too little to have EN-" and he
waved an authoritative hand at the
other child. But Jimmy's curiosity was
aroused to the highest pitch. He
promptly jumped the fence and gazed
at his chum with critical admiration.
Whats the matter" he inquired,
''you got the toothache?"
"Toothache!" was the scornful echo,
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

horse was galloping by; Jimmy hailed
and halted him.
You better go fast" he shrieked.
me and Billy and Frances and Lina's
got the mumps and you amt got no
business to have 'em cause you re a
niger, and you better take your horse
to the Iib'ry stable cause he might
ketch 'em, too"
The negro boy dismounted and
hitched the horse to the fence. Il
gotter little tarrapim-" he began in
sinuatingly.
And thus it came to pass that there
was an epidemic of mumps in the lit
tie town of Covington, and William
Green Hill grew rich in marbles, in
tops, in strings, in toads, in chewing
gum, and in many other things which
comprise the pocket treasures OF little
boys.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER XIV.

A Flaw in the Title.
"Come on over!" invited Jimmy.
"All right; believe WILL" respond
ed Billy, running to the fence. His
aunt's peremptory voice arrested his
footsteps.
William, come here!" she called
from the porch.
He reluctantly retraced his steps.
81 am going back to the kitchen to
bake a cake and l want you to prom
ise me not to leave the yard"
"Lemme jes' go over to Jimmy's a
little WHILE" he begged.
mo; you and Jimmy can not be
trusted together; you are sure to get
into mischief, and his mother and
have decided to keep the fence be-
tween you for while. Now, promise
me that you will stay right in my
yard"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

guests into the parlor, while he made
hasty tracks for the gas range neigh
borhood and kissed the cook again,
privately.
well, how about everything, little
woman. Got all the stuff together?"
"Ye-yes. dear" replied small Mrs.
B. with just shade of reservation in
her voice. i've got the crown Of chops
and the peas and salad-oh, a beeee-
autiful salad--and I've baked some
little biscuits! There's only one thing
| simply couldn't get Il do hope you
aren't too disappointed), for I went
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

days. This is because, unaccustomed
to exercising our rights, we strain
them.
The secret Of II all is to exercise
your muscles little. your wits lit
tie and your rights a little. AS the
Greeks said, Nothing too much"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Exercise.

Exercise.
Exercise in its general significance
is glorious thing. 1t is not, how
ever, anything much in its purely
physical sense. Thus, a person with
large muscles and not very big wits
is of almost no value to society.
whereas person who has exercised
both is often indispensable. Exercises
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Brand Not in the Market

for dinner and good old Dick and nice
old Harry. Want 'em to see you and
taste your cookery. I've told them all
about your dishes. There's just one
special thing l don't want you to for
get It's the black coffee to wind up
with. Toms particularly fond of
good black coffee. and for that matter
so am l."
Promptly at 6 came Mr. Benedict
and cronies three. Mr.. B. showed his
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Mrs. NewIywed Had Done Her Best
but Black Coffee Was Thing
Unattainable.

After the honeymoon came the cozy
fiat, Young Mr.. Benedict was mighty
proud of his wife, even if she was
from the country. and eager to show
her to his cronies.
"Dulcinia. dear, he said one morn
ing, II want to bring dear old Tom up
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

to every store in the neighborhood
It's black coffee, dear. l hunted and
hunted, truly. Not single shop has
anything but browni"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Causn Of thn Row.

Mrs. Brown had a dreadful quar-
rel with her husband last night"
THAT so?"
"Ye9. She bid eight on hand that
was good for ten, not thinking Mr..
Brown would overbid her, but he did.
It almost broke up the party"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

We measure success by accumula-
tion. The measure is false. The
true measure is appreciation. He who
loves most has most.-Henry van
Dyke.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

misunderstanding in this house
is out of place. Been having an
earthquake?
Wife-rVe been putting things in
order.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
Heard In School.

why did Atlas have to support
the earth?"
"He didn't have to; he was just
practicing his physical culture les.
son."
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

"V AT Sho' Is de Outlandishest Kid
with Intoxicating mirth at their predic-
ament, yelled:
"Lordee, Lordee! Y all sho' is de
outIandishest kids 'twixt de Bad Place
an de moon"
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02
FREE ADVICE
TO SICK WOMEN
Thousands Have Been Helped
By Common Sense
Suggestions.

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Out Of the vast volume Of experience
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dress Lydia E. Pink (M \a>-Hy III
ham Medicine Co., M\EES>NNSSLW
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Mass. 'lHOh : pINkEtHM
Every woman ought to have
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The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

Garfield Tea, the Incompatible laxative.
Pleasant to take. pure, mild in action and
wonderfully health-giVing.
The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-05-02

Sweethearts are always dear, but
wives are far more expensive.