davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
When Old Ben Franklin
 Scored

~ ONG after the victories of Wash
 ington over the French and the A English had made his name fla miliar to all Europe, Benjamin Frank lin was a guest at a dinner given in honor of the French and English Am bassadors. The Ambassador from England arose and drank toast to his native land: ITO England-the Sun, whose bright beams enlighten and fructify the remotest corners of the earth"
 The French Ambassador, filled with his own national pride, but too polite to dispute the previous toast, offered the following: "To France-the moon, whose mild, steady and cheer ing rays are the delight of all ma tions, consoling them in darkness and making their dreariness beautiful"
 Then arose "Old Ben Franklin and said in his slow but dignified way: ITO George Washington-Th Joshua who commanded the Sun and the Moon to stand still. and they obeyed him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

n OTIS are drawn to decide which of
 the company shall first play the kA part of grasshopper. After this important matter is settled. the se- lected 'grasshopper" stands up, the other players. representing the ants, remain seated in a circle which in- closes the ,grasshopper. The grass hopper writes on piece of paper the name of particular grain, one a grasshopper is fond of. This memo randum is kept hidden by the grass hopper for the present. He then ad- vances to the ants, making a low bow, and says in a dignified manner:
 My dear and hospitable friends, am very hungry. Wouad any among you lend me little provision of some kind to keep off starvation?" Then he turns to an individual ant and says: T know your good heart, my friend. I know you will help me with a trifie."
 The ant addressed. replies: -"I have nothing but grain of wheat" Cor some other grain according to fancy may be named). If by any chance the ant has mentioned the grain written on the paper by the grasshopper, then the two exchange places. and the game proceeds as before. --the ant having
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
9 0e9etoble Dooh's 9rk.

of "sculptors.''
 This little game of cutting ami mals from hard vegetables helps the boy and girl to become familiar with the exact proportions of the various wild creatures to whom he is related. for all are the work of God.
 After the vegetable animals have been fashioned. they should, be kept in cool place, and it is surprising how long they will stay nice. A po- tato pig, cut by an artistic little girl. kept in very good shape for several weeks. And to make Mister Iiggy look more natural the little sculptor painted spots on him with black ink.
 During an idle evening, just try cutting out vegetable Noah's Ark" You may enjoy the work so much that a little later you will begin modelling figures in clay or carving them from wood. In this way many a genius may be discovered and developed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
The Grosshopper and the 6nts
An Indoor Game For Children

to pay a forfeit at the end of the game. However, it fig a rare thing for the first ant to hit upon the. name of the grasshopper's chosen grain Cor food of some other sort) and the grasshopper continues to ply ques- tions to the other ants. forming the circle, in this manner:
 Pray. good ant. will you help starving grasshopper who has whiled the summer away. and with winters first roar, finds himself poor? If you will but lend him a morsel-"
 Then the second ant replies in this way: T have very little to offer you. Mir. Grasshopper, but am glad to share my last grain of rye Cor some other grain) with one so hungry as your self"
 Then the grasshopper goes on to the third, and to the fourth. and continues putting questions, asking for assist ance.l till some ant hits upon the grain he has written upon the bit of paper. At this point, the grasshopper pro- duces the bit of paper from his pocket, shows the name on il to the ant, and the two exchange places in the game. If the grasshopper con tinues all round the circle: without some ant having mentioned the grain he has on the slip of paper. he must pay forfeit. and begin all ovet again as grasshopper.
 It should be stated in the beginning of the game whether the food mem toned on the paper Is to be grain or some kind of green food. such as lettuce and cabbages, and the ants will have to reply by naming grain or vegetables, as the case may be. Some times fruit is used in playing the game. but most always grain1 are named s<sA s.ss4tlt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

 Martha's satin mantlc?" asked Mrs. Prince of Betty Ann. (Mrs. Washing ton was as often-or oftenet--called Lady Martha than given tho title of Mrs. Washington.)
 Yes. and the pretty greer gloves of her niece" observed Betty Ann. But, Mother" she added, [ think the most exciting thing whieh has happened today was my finding a Big Brave in the thicket behind the school house. And-that makes me think, Susan did not appear on the stene.'
 "Susan's father called herr this morning-just after you had departed for school-to say that his wife and daughter had gone over in to Alex andria to spend the week. So that is why Susan did not come to sclool." So explained Mrs. Prince.
 And through her visiting Mex andria, I found that poor suffering red man." observed Betty Ann. "I hope he will get well.''
 And the Big Brave did get strong and well, and many months after he had departed from the home of the Princes he came back again, cary ing huge bundle of fine fur with which to make Betty Ann 8 robe for her coach and rug for her bedroom hearth. And besides that, he came with peace and love in his heart for the "lil white papoose," who had sated his life. And being a favorite with his chief he used his influence to bring about peace between his tribe and the white men, for he never, un- til his dying day, forgot Betty Ann's great kindness to him when he was at the mercy of the enemy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

n ID you ever hear of a vegetable
 Noah's Ark? Well, the writer " of this has had the pleasure of seeing such an aggregation of ami mals. There was fine old elephant, cut out of a turnip there was a po- tato lion, and a bear cut from the same vegetable. A bright pink car rot had been turned into COW and a horse. And all the other animals that children are familiar with were modelled from such vegetables.
 It is very entertaining as we'll as instructive pastime for children to sit with penknife. in hand and good hard potatoes, turnips, beets and carrots as working material" A Natural History must be used as guide. Then each may make a choice of the ami nal he or she intends fashioning. and the competition begins. The mother may act as judge of this work, and even go so far as to lend a helping hand to the youngest of the group
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

all so still in and about the little cabin. She was half inclined to hasten home ward, leaving Susan to find out for been taken up" that morning. But her promise to the Smith children made her abandon the idea.
 A noise in the underbrush near to the school house caused Betty to jump to her feet in alarm. Then low vocal sound! Betty Ann stood fixed as stone, terror in her heart. Had some Indian stolen upon her there? :? She listened intently. Another vocal sound, as of some one in pain. Betty began thinking very hard. Suppose it was some poor white hunter who had fallen and broken leg, and could not go on hic way? Suppose it was some one of the neighborhood? {? It could hardly be an Indian, for an Indian would not make loud noise for fear of being overheard by the enemy. Betty Ann decided to go and see who was suffering in the thicket. So she boldly walked round the /cor- ner of the log shanty and peered into the underbrush which grew so thick ly under heavy, spreading trees. As her eyes fastened upon a dark form lying on the ground, she gave a startled cry and would have run away with all speed had not the form put out a hand in a supplicating gesture to her. Then voice, speaking very bad English, asked for assistance.
 It was a great Indian lying on the ground, an immense fellow, who, if ct f16inr mi six feet in height. His face was strong and fierce. He was dressed in skins and feathers, in the garb of his tribe, which Betty Ann knew very well. and which the colonists all feared
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
ihe A Skstfh Baxbood of of George Washington.

and this being near to the house, my mother ran out, and at last had a kind of hysteric turn. My father sat still on a big stallion and took no notice of her entreaties. At last I got the pony over, and he fell with me. I jumped up and was in the saddle in a moment. My father said that was ill-ridden, that l must try 1t again. and upon this my mother ran back to the house crying out that would be murdered. But my father was this manner of man; he hated de- feat, while my mother was ever de- sirous of keeping me out of danger.
 because it made her uncomfortable;
 and this was strange, for I have never been able to see that she was greatly pleased when I was successful. or was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

much moved by what the great Master allowed me to attain in. later years
 When George Washington was eight years of age his half brother, Lawrence, served with Admiral Yer non and General Wentworth in the disastrous attack on Cartagena. Law re nce's letters to his father at Mount Vernon arouse in little Georges breast a desire for the life of a soldier. One of the letters which colored Georges imagination ran as follows:
 Honoured and Dear Father: What with dissensions between the General Wentworth and Admiral Vernon. who was. as we think. not to blame. we
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

>HE Prince family lived on the edge of the great green wilder
 ness-green fin summer and grey - in winter-but always thought of as t't1re green wilderness" To be sure, there were many evergreen trees in the forest but even they did not look so green after as before the frost
 About the Princes plantation - which grew tobacco mostly--were the homes of other colonial planters. and all dweit in neighborly friendship and sympathy. They all had a common enemY-the savage Indian. Many WAITS had been waged between the red men and the early colonists and even though peace treaties had been made there remained in the red mems hearts hatred for their white brothers, and in the hearts of the civilized men was fear of the savage whose word in peace could never be fully relied upon.
 There were two children in the Prince household. Betty Ann and her younger brother, Henry Wilke. Betty was thirteen and Henry ten years of age. They attended school in a lit- tie log cabin on the edge of their fathers plantation, where all the chill dren of the neighborhood assembled each morning during the school sea- son. which was mostly in warm weather.
 During their recreation hours the children would play at fighting h. dians, some of them representing the savage red man. They as often car ried away the children who played at being the colonists as did the colonists take them captives or slay them. It was rude. savage way of playing, but they were living in a rude. savage world, with little of civilization about them.
 One morning when Betty Ann start ed out for school she was alone. Henry was i'll and confined to his bed. But Betty had pleaded with her mother to allow her to go to school as usual though alone.
 "I'll call Jackson to follow behind you all the way said Mrs. Prince, stepping to the back door of the one great living room and calling to negro servant who was chopping wood in the yard. Jackson came and fol- lowed behind Betty all the way to the school house. On arriving there Betty found only two pupils who told her they were waiting for her and Henry, to explain to them that the teacher had fallen from his horse on the pre- vious evening and had been badly hurt, and that there would be no school until he had recovered from his injuries.
 And now there is just one more scholar to come. and that is Susan Brady" said Betty Ann's informant, Gertrude Smith. She and William Smith, her brother, had been request ed by the teacher (who lived at their home) to remain at the school house till the last pupil had arrived, and to tell each the news of his injuries and the postponement of school till the following week.
 'I do wish she'd come" put in Will liam. restless little fellow who was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

more than any other tribe.
 T much hurt, ii white papoose,' said the Indian. ''Lil white papoose give Big Brave water or he die.
 Betty's heart was touched. Here was an enemy asking succor of her "a little white girl Should she get the water at the spring near by and fetch to him, or leave him to die as doubtless he deserved-in the thicket where he had fallen? She quickly decided. She remembered a recent Sunday school lesson. and the words. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" She ran to the school house, got a drinking gourd and hurried to the spring where
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

~ HILDREN, when reading of A/ George Washington, the "Fath- CT of his Country" rarely ~ think of him as having once been simply boy. But he was boy and genuine boy at that. He loved sports of every kind. was big. strong and brave, and showed his braN cry in many ways long before he was grown to mans estate.
 His first home was the plantation known as Wakefield, where he was born, but the family moving away when little George was but three. he never knew much of the old place, although he visited it often during the days of his youth and "conjured up fond recollections, of the place. The new home was fifty miles higher up the Potomac River and was in its earlier days known as Epsewassan or Hunting Creek. It was later named Mount Vernon---a name which it bears to this day.
 When George was a little fellow his father, Augustine Washington, made many voyages to England where he gathered ship loads of ex-convicts and indentured servants to carry with him to Virginia. One of these un- fortunates an ex-convict = was Georges first school master, teaching the children of the planters in, little log school house which was built for the purpose in cne of Augustine Wash field school" The school-master, oh coi to l, Ay- x-t,t brought from England, must have been guilty of some very small of- fence, for he was kind. good -humored and gentle as compared with school masters of that day when the hapless scholars were ruled by "rods of iron" so to speak. and the stout hickory gad was much in evidence during the hours of study. It seems that Georges first master, however,-who was called Hobby and who had but one eye with which to watch his mischievous charges-was never harsh with them. On the other hand. it is said that he twas too timid to be good teacher" which meant that he did not flourish the whip as frequently as was the custom with schoolmasters
 The little George rode to school, a distance of two miles, on big farm horse in front of an old colored serv- ant (slave) named Peter. But later, 3when he had grown somewhat, and was considered old enough to have his own saddle-hor his father supplied him with a pony. This pony-and Georges first riding of it-is described by s. Weir Mitchell in his book en- titled The Youth of Washington"
 ''I remember that. when later my father was teaching me to leap my pony. the pony refused over and over,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

have come away. leaving the Span
 iards to crow, and our Colonel Gooch
 i'll at Jamaica. When l am to have another dose of glory I pray to have better doctors. We were to storm Fort Lazaro which must mean
 Lazarus-at night. But we were too long getting there. or the guides treacherous, and the ladders too short and no sufficient breach. This Laza- rus fort was too much alive, but we were actually on the rampant when Colonel Grant was killed, and we were driven back in confusion, and half of us, good thousand, killed or wound ed for want of forethought. I came off with no more hurt than to be so spent that I had no breath to curse the folly for which so many brave
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

she filled 1t with water and hastened with 1t to the injured red man. He lifted his head and drank deeply. Then his eyes, so fierce few moments ago. looked into Betty Ann's face with gratitude. Big Brave much hurt. Big Brave got leg broke" And he pointed to his left leg which he had endeavored to bind about with some bits of strong thong. Betty Ann could see that the poor creature was suffering agony.
 What you doing about here?" asked Betty Ann. Your chief has promised the white men to stay far away-to never leave their own hunt ing grounds. Why are you here alone?"
 The Indian only groaned for an- swer and reached out for the gourd from which he drank again.
 "I'll go for help" said Betty Ann. And she turned to leave the Indian. He called out in a husky voice: White papoose go wicked white man to kill Big Brave like wolf kill eagle with hurt wing?"
 "No, I shall bring a good white man to look after you" promised Betty Ann. Then she ran every step of the mile and a half home. and rushed into the living room, all excited. At first she did not notice that there was company quality folks''-in her mothers best room. And she cried out to her parents, who were both seated there: There's a poor dying Indian in the thicket behind the school house! Come, Father. and fetch Jackson with you. The red man must be cared for.' Then, noticing the company of two gentlemen and two ladies, little Betty Ann was cover ed with confusion. She began to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

ed in the little George was never again quiet. and he became one of the brav- est and most daring men when fight ing the Indians. and later doing the great service to his country during the Revolution.
 Some writer has said that George Washington. like all the Washing tons. was "born old" meaning, of course. that he was ever of serious and penetrating mind, and full of . great purpose even n his youth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

men died. The climate was worse than the d0ns. and we took ship with our tails between our legs and some two thousand shaking with ague and tracked with fever"
 After his father had finished read ing this letter little George, full of excitement sprang to his feet. crying out: T wish I'd been therel" upon which his parents are said to have laughed at him, his father telling him he was far better off in his own safe home and his mother warning him it was time to say his prayers and go to bed.
 But the soldier-spirit then awaken
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
Betty Ann Prince. 4 Maid of Colonial Times

that Susan's father went to mill early of mornings, and the mill-road ran about half mile west of the school house, but in a thicket which cut off all view of it. On such occasions Susan would ride in her fathers wagon, and would get out at the point nearest the school house and run across fields to 1t.
 After some minutes had passed Bet ty grew bit more nervous. It was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

The Washingtons departed, and the Prince family gathered together round the dinner table an hour later to dis cuss the exciting events of the day. Well, I haven't seen General Wash ington since I fought beside him in the Indian War" said MT. Prince. And that was when he and I were both youths. so to speak,"
 "Oh, and did you notice Lady
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

anxious 10 get home where he might run and play to. his hearts content.
 Why. If you don't wish to remain here till Susan comes. I will do it for you" said Betty Ann. Susan goes right past my house, and we'll go away together. Did you say that all the others have been here and gone away again" she asked of Gertrude.
 Yes, the Goodman, children. the Holoombs, the Davises, and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

TN the long, long ago,
 When this country was wild.
 There lived in Virginia
 A dear little child Who loved the forests That bout him grew Who loved all things In this great land, new. He oft watched the men Of endurance and brawn With stout axes sharp Great trees cutting down. And he thought 1t fun To see the chips fly; So to cut tree down He decided to try.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
WORD SQUARE.
My first is a birds house. My second Is to reverberate. My third is a part of the huma

body.
 My fourth Is sound.
 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES. ADDITIONS: Il. Rdke-drdke. 2. Ldke-Sldke. 8. Hovel-shopel 4. Lute- Flute.
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE: - Emper Crossroads, l. East. g. Emma g. Rope. 4. Lake. 5. Lark. G. Boar. 2. Rake.
 CHARADE.-Sn -Snotp-bdH ILLUSTRATED PRIMAL ACROS- TIC:-Cold Pictured toords, 1. Can. 2. Ocean. 8. Land. 4. Ddrkey.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
Our Puzzle Corner x
zIGzAG PUZZLE.

This zigzag contains seven words of four letters each. If the words are rightly guessed and written one below another their zigzag letters. beginning with the first left-hand letter and end ing with the last left-hand letter, will spell a musical instrument. The cross-words are. 1. A fruit. 2. Part of a chain. 8. A long, narrow strip of wood. 4. A part of speech. 5. An ink spot 6. A banner. T. A mans name appearing in the Old Bible.
 CHARADE.
 My first Is oft seen
 In the farmers back yard: Iris something that's done
 For both peasant and bard. My second we get
 By large scales which weigh. It may just be potatoes,
 Or big load of hay.
 My two join together
 And a name will appear: 'Tfs one that all people
 In this land hold dear.
 BEHEADINGS.
 1. Behead part of the foot and get fish.
 g. Behead shelter for domestic animals and get advanced age. 8. Behead vapor and get a base ball nine.
 4. Behead a shin bone and get skeins of yarn.
 ADDITIONS.
 1. Add the letter to the name of character in the old Bible, and get a conspiracy. 2. Add the letter to that which is supposed to be the de- cree of fortune and get to pick d blossom. B. Add the letter S to some thing we like in our coffee and get a loud, shrill cry. 4. Add the letter s to drinking cup and get to be spruce and prin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

His father a hatchet
 Had given this boy It had a sharp blade.
 For mere little toy. So out to the orchard
 The boy went one day. Selected cherry tree
 And gan hacking away! That evening at supper
 His stern father said; Some ones cut my cherry tree, And now it is dead" The boy quickly rose
 And said, Father Cut the tree with my hatchet-- And just cannot lie!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

> HE Prince family lived on the edge of the great green wilder
 ness-green fin summer and grey N in 1vi nit er--hilt alxra fhnlerht
The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-04-19
DECORATIVE VALUE
OF STREET LIGHTING.
The Various Systems and Thoir Adapt.
ability to Certain Conditions.

One of the practical advantages of
ate equally well in both upright and
pendent positions, says writer in
the American City. The cluster sys-
TEN, which consists of suitable posts
supporting number OF lamps. has
acquired great popularity. and justly
so, the multiple light sources giving Il
distinctlvely decorative appearance. A
very common arrangement and one to
be particularly recommended in small
er cities is the use of four lamps sup
ported on arms, with n lamp In the
center, the latter being arranged on n
separate circuit so that it can be used
for service after midnight or whatever
hour the other lamps may be consider
ed unnecessary. The central lamp
necessarily must be placed in the up-
right position. and the globe should
he Of larger diameter than those on
the arms. Whether the lamps on the
arms should be pendent or upright is
principally a matter of taste, although
there is some slight gain in illumina-
tion on the sidewalk by placing the
lamps pendent and thus avoiding the
shadow Of the arms.
The capacity or size of the lamps
will depend on the distance apart Of
the standards. In all cuses, however,
the conduits should have an ample
margin Of safety so that in case larger
lamps are desired at any time they
may be safely used.
The width Of the street must also he
taken into account. The lower post is
more suitable for the narrow street.
and vice versa. The usual heights are
from twelve to fourteen feet for clus-
ter posts, the exact height being deter.