davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

tion promised to be serious.
That same evening. an hour after
the matinee. Gecko and Rudolph, two
of the greatest favorites of the
Brooks Brothers Mammoth Shows,
took an east-bound train for little
village in fertile, smiling land. and
during the two days journey the lit
tie circus rider lay In his berth in
the Pullman car, his big jovial friend
entertaining him and nursing him.
Gecko had called a doctor to see his
charge before setting out on the trip
and the professional man had said 1t
would be all right for the boy to
travel, and gave him some medicine
to break up the fever, which threat
ened to turn into an attack of typho-
malaria. but which with proper medi-
cal attention and careful nursing
could be warded off.
And a month later, Rudolph. who
was now known as Charlie, started to
the public school in the village near
to which was good Gecko's fathers
farm, and there was most happy
family-with him as a member.
Gecko's mother took the child to her
breast and told him to call her
Grandma. which Charlie willingly did
And he called the old man Grandpa,
and his good, faithful friend. he called
Brother.
And Brother" always called Char
lie 1.-The Kiddo"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

too. Say, 1t don't take the whole She
bang to look after one small kid"
We'll, 1t may not take the whole
shebang," replied the clown slowly
and coolly. "but it will take me. I'm
going to begin right now-as soon as
this performance Is over-to take full
charge of this kid. He's without fa-
Their or mother, an I've got to be both
to him. Granger can take my place
tonight and from that on. for I've de-
cided to quit the circus. I'm going
home tomorrow--to where my old
daddy and mother are. for they need
me. I'll take this kid with me-
The manager was very angry, but
his talking did no good, and he knew
he couldn't hold the orphan child
against his will so long as he had
such staunch champion as Gecko.
So he had to make the best of It. But
he refused to pay the clown for the
performing. But Gecko took roll of
bills from an inner pocket and held
them up. Here's more'n enough to
take the kiddo and me to the old
farm. and after we get there Wen
not need money" he said defiantly.
Then he ran put to the ring again and
began his monkey apers," and the
people roared with laughter. Little
did they know Of the sadness in the
funny fellows heart, for he was deeply
worried over the child. whose condi-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
THAT STRANGE
WORD "eRoWD"

Do you know how many words in
the English language mean "crowd?"
Well, few of them are given here:
A crowd of ships is termed fleet;
feet of sheep is called flock; a flock
Of girls is called a bevy: a bevy of
wolves is called a pack; pack of
thieves is called a gang; a gang of
angels is called host; host of por-
poises is called a shoal; a shoal of
buffaloes Is called herd; a herd Of
children is called troop: a troop of
cartridges Is called a covey; a covey
Of beauties is called a galaxy; a galaxy
Of ruffans is called horde; horde
Of rubbish is called heap; a heap of
oxen is called a drove: a drove Of
hoodlums is called a mob; a mob of
whales is called a school; a school of
worshipers is called a congregation:
a congregation of engineers is called
a corps: a corps of robbers IL called a
band: a band of bees Is called a
swarm; swarm Of people Is called a
crowd.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
Little Greg ines and Old Unee Glue 8ote Go Journe9ne

world. And In his grief he forgot the
coming darkness and the increasing
cold. until he could no longer see the
tree upon which little Grey Wings had
perched himself to die. "Ah. ah," he
sighed. at was a great mistake, this
coming off into a strange world! II
only flies with adventuresome spirits
knew that the world is all alike. they'd
be content to remain where they know
the heat nor the cold hurts them. All.
shall never. never see that dear old
back porch again. Little Grey Wings
and / had the wandering spirit and
left all that was dear and comforta BILE
to risk our lives in a strange land!"
And then the night came on and the
wind from the mountains blew very
hard. and in the morning Uncle Blue
Bottle sat frozen to the roof of the
little old woodshed; and no one saw
him. nor did any one see the dead lit
tie Grey Wings on the wind blown
tree limb. And they hung there. wait
ing for the severer storms of winter
to toss them into the drifting SHOWS
of the Far North, for they had trav-
elled very long way from their
home in a central state, reaching one
of the farthest civilizations of the
Northland, where white people live.
And at their old home many of their
friends sat on the top of the screen
door during the autumn months won
dering what had become of tho dis
contented pair. little Grey Wings and
Uncle Blue Bottle. But none ever
knew
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
The Circus Rider and the Good Clown Gecko

dolph rode only the ring master and
Gecko the clown came. and the latter
was seen to watch the little performer
with closest attention. But he never
left off his antics. and kept the people
laughing. This was a new piece of
work on his part, for usually he let
Rudolph have the peoples undivided
attention. But today there was a mo-
tive in his sharing 1t with the rider.
He had seen the pale cheek and had
noticed the droop in the little body.
So he spared the child any extra ex-
ertion in his work by keeping the au-
dience's attention to himself part of
tho time. During such moments Ru-
dolph would sit on his horses back
and rest.
Then came the .'supers" with the
paper-covered hoops, and entered the
ring. Rudolph whipped his horse into
run, and as he went dashing round
and round, standing on the horses
, back, he went beneath the hoops sew
eral times till the ring master Won
dered what could be the matter and
spoke sharply to him so that the
people might not hear. Then the
child, his lips firm and his chest heav-
20 1000 Ntt~ 0<Ati u III tsith llo hlGW al
Tor the effort, motioned to the first
man with the hoop to hold 1t in posi-
ton as he came dashing round the
ring, and as he neared the hoop he
raised himself, thrust his body for
ward and went through the paper
covering on the hoop. But he did not
land with his feet on the running
horses back, for he became so dizzy
that he had IA close his eyes, and
his come-down was little outside OF
the horse. His feet just grazed the
animals sleek back, and in another
instant the child would have fallen
headlong on the hard ground. But
Gecko was there, kind. anxious old
Gecko. his arms outstretched at the
exact moment. and he caught the boy
in such a way as to make it appear
that this was part of the act Quick.
~ he whispered in Rudolph's ear:
'Sit up and smile and kiss your
hands to the people. They don't know
you FELL
Rudolph half raised himself in tho
clowns arms and bowed and kissed hi
! hands to the crowd. and then the APP
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
Puzz1ecorner
PUZZLE sENTENCEs.

Reconstruct the following sentences
so as to form questions: /. An old
man did come to fix the bridge. 2.
When school opens we shall all be-
gin to attend 1t. 3. A wise merchant
does sell his goods at a big profit to
the people.
BEHEADINGS AND CURTAILINGs.
l. Behead and curtail an avenue
and get an elm.
2. Behead and curtail a painful
sensation excited by guilt and leave
meat.
8. Behead and curtail to be up
right upon the feet and get to convert
into leather.
4. Behead and curtail dull heavy
blow and get to make buzzing noise.
CHARADE.
harm:
1t also gives comfort and Joy:
IT'S safe when used with caution, you
know,
BY the smart little girl or boy.
My second is that which is done in air,
Like bird on the wing you see;
Or It's done near the ground by crea-
lures small.
AS they fit from tree TO three.
My two Joined together an insect is.
One we see on midsummer night:
And some children try to catch the
poor thing
But to capture 1t is not right!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

0HE circus tents were in place;
the menagerie wagons open and
everything ready for the after
- noon performance of the Brooks
Brothers. Mammoth Shows. In the
lressing-room tents the performers
iders, trapeze athletes, jugglers,
Towns, and other entertainers-were
eady for the opening. Gecko, the
head" clown. and big-hearted,
.ood-natured fellow, was standing
eady to rush forth with laughable
mites to herald the Grand March"
When the Ring Master should give
he signal. He was engaged In shop
ak" with Harry Danials. a trapeze
nan, when some one touched his
lrm and, turning, Gecko (whose real
name was Patrick o'Brien) saw Mas
er Rudolph advertised as the
Smallest and Youngest Bareback
Rider in the Worldly standing at his
.lbow. The child's face was pale and
lis eyes looked unusually large. He
imiled wanly and said in a low tone
o Gecko:
III feeling about all in, Geek. and
want you to keep an eye on me when
Jump through the hoops. I some
lines feel a bit dizzy as l come, head
foremost, through the bursting paper.
so-please keep an eye out for me,
md if you think 1 need it--give me
4 hand"
Gecko put his big hand gently on
he childs shoulder. Sure, Kiddo,'
he declared kindly. And If you feel
90 much out of fix. why don't you
speak to the boss about it and lay off
:oday %
But Master Rudolph (whose real
aame was Charlie Downs) shook his
head. Nope" he said. I'D rather do
my work. I'd feel like I was sure
enough sick If failed to perform. I'll
make it all right, 1 reckon"
Then the signal to the clown was
given and with whoop and a SOM
srsaut. he was in the Big Tent, the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

blouse. He bowed TO the cheering
audience and kissed his hand to the
ladies and girls in the reserved-seat
section. who waved their kerchiefs to
him. Under the stage paint" his pal
Tor did not show. but his head hurt
and his body felt weak. He longed
to go some place and lie down for
very, very long time. Master Rudolph
was an orphan, his parents both hav-
ing been circus people. His mother
had died of hurt sustained through
a fall from trapeze. His father had
fallen into a decline through grief
over the loss of his cherished wife,
and during their stay at Winter Quar-
tiers, he had caught a severe cold and
pneumonia soon laid him beside his
wife. Then little Charles-known to
the public already as the Child Won
der-was left alone with only good
Gecko, the clown, to help him to Tor
get his grief.
After the Grand March, Master Ru-
dolph had half an hour to rest before
the time for his appearance. So he
stretched himself on a blanket spread
upon the ground in the. dressing room
and fell into a light doze. Gecko was
too busy in the ring to look after his
small charge, but occasionally would
rush into the dressing-room to see If
the child was resting.
AT last came Rudolph's turn to en-
terrain the great audience. He got
up and mounted his white horse. for
he did not walk into the ring as is
usual with riders. He liked to make
grander entrance. So he rode into
the Big Tent, his horse stepping high
and his eyes flaming. Rudolph loved
his horse. He had been his fathers
animal prior to his death and had
fallen to Rudolph after that sad event
The people ali turned their atten-
ton to the one ring where Rudolph
was riding, though another ring held
many performers. Japanese jugglers
and clowns. In the ring where Ru-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
yo of the strange deep

down into the sea depth of twelve
thousand feet. When it was drawn
IN again. It was found that the copper
wall ~ ~ t,ha had been fiattened
..,as -. "a 49, a,.s. tuba
~ $3.50 c.
was ieuu.eu " e p"
t@piu anu Vioiene n ~. -,
oeen ina. .he water hau no. ~ -
rush .nrousn .ne i'i1s a. S0.. 49,
Oh tne copper 'upe nau -.
siiasneu me COOPER 'upe a.
sr,mulhs lne grass 10 po~ue
INC pressure On eaoh m eo
oooy VI an aiii.nai iiVNis q, 'ne Do.o. =.
'ne oeepess PAL, u VIC o.au .
aooue eweh's -nNe ,i'iles So r,o.a
ene pomer vi ,ai'was ensine. us
was asoei 'a,neo W 'ne soe VIZ
ihauo 'he oeOp SEQ oNpe.i
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

plause filled the great canvas. No one
knew how near to very dangerous
fall the little bare back rider had
saved not only the poor sick little
rider, but had saved his act
In another minute Gecko led Ru-
dolph off, himself cutting UP capers to
make 1t appear that his conduct was
right and proper and a part of the
program. But the ring master knew,
and the manager. who stood at the
end of the tent. watching everything
as cat watches mouse, knew, and
little Rudolph and Gecko knew. AS
the two went into the dressing-room
tent, passing couple of trapeze per-
formers who were to occupy the ring,
deserted before Rudolph's time was
up the manager fastened after them.
Here, what's this?" he demanded
roughly of tho clown. What right
had you to take part in that riding
turn, and to leave the ring? And
what's up with the kid 2"
He's sick enough to be in bed" re-
piled the clown, not caring whether
the boss" liked it or not. He was
an independent fellow and had
: lIlOuSnt SOOu uedl ldleiy VI icaFihe
the circus business and of returning
to his old home. fine big farm In
one of the central states, where his
aged mother and father lived, and
where they wanted him to come te
i live with them and look after tht
property. So he was more indie
+ pendent than his performers
and would take nothing unpleasant
from the manager.
"Guess he's playin' off," growled the
manager, going to Rudolph, who was
hastily undressing beside his own
trunk. He felt of the child's pulse
and his face became grave. the harsh
ness leaving 1t.
Say, Kid" he remarked. "rll leave
you behind here in the hospital.
guess you'll want a weeks doctorInp
and rest. You've got a pretty high
fever"
shall I stay with him?" asked
Gecko eagerly, forgetting he should al
that momemnt be playing monkey
shines out In the Big Tent.
Nav, of course not" snapped the
manager. And you get at your work
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

EF n HEN we look across the
n N mighty ocean. go bathing in
AA its shore-surf, and ride on
Wv top its waves, we have no.
conception of the wonderful life at the
bottom of 1t. We know fishes of many
varieties live at a certain distance
from the top, but until quite recently
we did not know that there was any
life at the very bottom of the ocean.
And there are places where the water
is six miles deep, yet no diver has
found 1t possible to drop into the
ocean to a depth of over two hundred
and ten feet-seventy yards! And even
at this depth, death turks for the
diver. and he descends at his own
peril. To quote from an English
writer on the subject:
zone of the gunnery instructors of
our Navy carried IL out six years ago,
at the end of a series of experiments
in diving. His name is Mr.. Cato,
and he was the first man who saw
what the sea is like at depth of
seventy yards, and who lived to tell
us about it. And to go down this
short distance he had to be protected
with a metal helmet and metal
breastplate, to keep his lungs free. to
breathe. Air was pumped down to
him by six sailors, and 1t was forced
through a tube that was stretched
down the waves and entered the
divers helmet. A dress OF thick rub
Der and leather kept out the heavy
sea water.
Mr.. Cato had terrible struggle
to get back alive. The under-current
at the bottom of the sea swung his
lifeline about and entangled 1t. The
lifeline Is a rope by means of which
diver is let down into the sea, and
then lifted up. and when Mr.. Gatto's
line got entangled 1t was impossible
for the men in the ship to raise him.
For twenty minutes Mr.. Cato fought
for his life in the ooze and darkness.
Though he was choking to death, he
continued the struggle, and at last
he succeeded in getting his line clear
of the thing around which 1t had be-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

- AY, I do get so tired staying in
this back porch. Uncle Blue Bot
~ tle." 1t was little Grey Wings
~ who said this as he sat perched
on the top of a screen door which
shut him out of great, good-smelling
kitchen and r-smelling pantry
which always had many kinds of APP
petizing foods on its shelves. Il want
to see something of the world, do"
WELL" said Uncle Blue Bottle, who
sat on the same screen door, shifting
his nose at the inside. Il have had
some such longings myself. And since
1t seems we are forever to be shut
out of the paradise inside this door,
we might as we'll pull stakes, as Big
Folks say, and fly to lands anew. l,
too, would like to see something of
this big world"
Suppose we start today. them" said
little Grey Wings. flying over to ia
BILE on the porch where stood bas-
ket of fresh peaches, and taking a sip
from soft spot in one of them.
I'm agreeable" replied old Blue
Bottle. (which way shall We start ?"
Down that avenue of trees" re-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
A Strange Country at the Bottom of the Sea

column of water two and a kali
miles high would instantly prodtce
curious kind of explosive effect on the
human body Some time ago man
of science conducted some deep-sea
experiments to ascertain the pressure
of water at the different depths of
the ocean. He filled a glass tube
with compressed air, sealed 1t down.
wrapped 1t in thick flannel and put it
in thick copper tube. Tiny holes
were made at the top and the bottom
of the tube so that the water might
enter; aud then the tube was sent
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18
A TREE WHICH HEALS

weak that when the tribe went some
distance away for drinking water. the
two sick men could not go. Their
thirst. however, was SO intense that
they determined TO crawl down to the
pool and drink of its bitter waters.
They did SO. and. to their astonish-
ment. they soon felt better. Then
they drank more. and gradually the
fever left them. until at last they were
quite well again. The wise men Of
the tribe knew that It must be the
fallen cinchona trees that had given
the water Of the pool its healing prop
critics, and ever since that time Peru
Wan bark and quinine, which come
from the cinchona tree. have been
used as valuable medicine In cases
Of malaria and other fsvers."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

~ HE following story is told OF
tree which grows In South Amer
- lea, tree whose value has be-
come very great even in lands far
removed from its own soil. I'm the
depths of the Peruvian forest lived
a tribe that fed largely upon fruit and
nuts. and drew its water from Q pool
that never ran dry. But one night
a great and strong wind blew down
a number of cinchona trees. throwing
them into the pool making the water
hard and bitter. so that the tribe had
to seek for water from another
source. 1855,
"A little later two of the men OF tho
tribet fell very III of fever. and the
native doctor gave up all hope that
they would recover. They became 70
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

come fixed. Then an hour and a half
had to pass as they gradually lifted
him through only seventy yards of
sea water; but as he was we'll supplied
with air by means of the pumps, he
got back to the warship without any
danger to his health"
The above described diving at the
depth of seventy yards occurred in
1906 off the shores of Scotland, and
since then no other diver has been
able to repeat the experiment. Which
goes to prove that most of the great
ocean is a sealed mystery to us. And
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

so 1t must continue to remain. for
other experiments have proved to our
scientists that the weight of the water
below certain depth will crush to
fiatness any body not created there.
But that life does exist-and at the
very bottom of the deepest part of
the ocean--these Same experimenters
have proved. To quote from our Eng
fish writer still further:
Now we shall understand the i'm
possibility of explorers going down to
great depths IL we remember that a
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

his wings. They were as stiff az
starch. and as cold as the snow-laden
winds which had made them so stiff.
And pretty soon little Grey Wings
buzzing ceased and a little later Uncle
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

applause and laughter of the audience
filing his ears. Then came the band,
followed by trained elephants, two by
two, till four pairs had passed into
the vast arena, Gecko hanging upon
the ears ana the trunk of one of the
leaders to the amusement of the boys
and girls. Following the elephants
came the horses, mounted by their
glittering riders; and after them, the
ponies, ridden by monkeys. Then
came the chariots, and a troop of
clowns bringing up the rear.
On his snow-white horse rode Mas
ter Rudolph. sitting like a young
prince in his spangled trunks and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

Blue Bottle called out to him and he
did not reply. Then Blue Bottle knew
his friend had died of cold and ex-
-posure. And he began to weep and
to mourn. for now he was alone In the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

The lightning's flash none under
stands;
Nor raging tidal wave:
In fact, this life mystery is
From the cradle to the grave.
The more we try these things to solve
The deeper mysteries grow:
For God in Heaven does not will
That We should know below.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-18

IA vERYwHERE are mysteries.
On ground and In the sky:
Beneath the waters Of the sea,
In the winds which sweep us by.
The shells which on the beach do lie
= .eir story strange do hold;
i iie clouds that float above our heads
Have secrets yet untold.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-12-14
Che Ideal VIRGIN

HHVG seen my own ideal once, and only once,
i attained. there where Rapbael-tnspfred, IF ever
painter was tn~spired-projected on the space
before BIN that wonderful creation which we style
the Madonna dl'San Slsto, for there ebe stands, the
transfisured woman, at once completely human and
completely divine, an abstraction Of power, purity and
love, poised on the empurpled afr and requiring no
other support; looking out, With Der melancholy, low
ins mouth. Der sllsbtly dflated, s~ibylltne eyes, quite
through The universe. to the end and contamination Of
all tbfnss-sad. as IF she bebeId afar of the vision
airy sword that was to reach Der beart through Dim,
now resting as entbroned on that beart, yet already
efalted through The homage Of the redeemed genera.
tons who were to salute Der as bleesed.
-Mrs. 7ameeon.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-12-14
THE SIX PICTURES.

-. vp 10 ~Madonna OF ,hs Dasv- s,-neb. u,s.-..
W.e 1"1"". nspnaeE" Madonna by Crosse. ~M4. "ae""a OF
" Bshh<tm. R,oht-M.o.n,. -. puo'o'
Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-12-14
Che Madonna, In Word and Dlcture. FOR Cbristmastde
Il POETS Crlbute to the Madonna

Il poet's Crlbute to the Madonna
NHOCHGR, wbose virgin bosom wac uncrost
Wftb The least ebade OF thought to sin
allied
Woman, above all women glorfed:
Our tainted NATURES solitary boast,
purer than foam on central ocean tost,
Brighter than eastern skies at ~daybreak strewn
Wttb fancled roses, than the unble1nfsbed moon
Before Der wane begfns on beaven's blue coast,
Cby image falls to earth! Vet some. l ween,
Not unforgiven, the %eupplfant knee might bend
Hs to a vfstble Power, In which did blend
Hill that was mlFed and reconctled In thee
Of motber's love With maiden purity.
Of bIsb With low, celestial With terrene.
-Wordswortb.