davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

The time for the match game be- tween the Peaksville Nine and the Jamestown Strong (the latter was the challenging team), vas almost at hand, and Art had the self-assurance that he would play better than he had ever played before. But on the very last Saturday before the great game was to come off, he showed himself to be in bad condition. Just what the trouble was, tEe young fel- low could not guess. At any rate, he saw his three enemies casting pleased sidewise glances toward him and overheard one or two cutting remarks about his bum" work.
 That evening Art took his mother into his confidence. q reckon it's my nerves" he said. You see, I've been studying pretty hard of late and these every-Saturday afternoon games have about done me up. But I think by next Saturday Arthur James Pear son will be himself again. Anyway, I've got to be myself again. There's to be no If or mayhap about it."
 Now, darling, don't work yourself all up," said Mrs. Pearson. You'll let today's bad play upset you if you don't dismiss it from your mind. Just make up your mind that you're going to win, and you will. You're not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

A
 Nellie Robin was attracted to a
 beautiful grove on the outskirts ~ of quiet village. There she built her nest in a full-topped maple tree, and there she matched out her dear little robins, her mate singing 10 her and bringing her food While sne sat on the nest. keeping the eggs warm till matching time.
 But soon after the little robins came, a nest full of them, an ugly, scolding, harsh voiced old bird, Wicked MT. Bluejay, entered the grove and began to make himself de- spised. He went right into the nests of dear little sparrows, killed thelr young and threw them out. though he had nothing to gain by so doing. But in his heart there lurlSed wickedness' and he enjoyed killing for the very reason that a wicked man enjoys do- Ing cruel things.
 1 Well, the summer wore away, ana still Mistress Nellie Robin remained safe from wicked Mir. Bluejay. Her little fedglings were beginning to fly from tree to tree, and to strengthen their wings, for when the late au- tumn should arrive they must be able to fly long, long way from their nest, for with the cold their parents, and their neighbor robins, would start southward in quest of gentle climate during the winter.
 You must be very careful not to be seen by wicked Mir. Bluejay, my darlings," warned Mistress Nellie Robin, speaking to her three little birdies one morning as they started to fly from the beautiful maple which was their home. You know it would be woe to any of you that should fall into his clutches and under his long. cruel, sharp bill"
 Yes, Mamma, we'll keep out of sight of that mean old bird" prom ised Pinky Robin, whose breast was deep pink instead of bright red. We'll keep our weather eyes open, and if we see him. we'll come flying home to you with all our wings"
 "Yes, indeed. we will" said Reddie Robin, he of the reddest breast you ever saw. Well keep our ears sharp. too, and If we hear old MT. Bluejay's horrid yelp, we'll fly homeward as fast as our wings will bring us."
 And I, like my sister and my brother, promise to return to our nest should old wicked MT. Bluejay come within sight or sound of us," added little Big Eyes Robin, the smallest of the three robins, and while the same age as her brother and sister Gall having been matched on the same lovely day), was called the baby of the family. This was owing to Big Eyes size.
 "All right, my little ones, you may go now. So off to the lake first. and take a dip. This is such lovely Sep tember weather that we must enjoy bathing every warm morning. Soon it will be too chilly. and then will come our long journey South. Good bye, my ownest little birdies."
 Goodbye. Mamma, dear" chirped the three young robins. taking wing and flying towards gleaming lake in the distance. Now, on the side of the lake farthest from the grove where lived the Robin family, nestled the pretty village. and at the very edge of the village towards the lake. lived family which consisted of fa- ther. mother and little daughter. The little girls name was Susie, and she was nine years old. Her constant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

altogether we'll Your color has been bit too pale for several weeks. I shall have to go to doctoring you vigorously. In the first place, you're not to play again this week-not a single evening. I know what you'll say-that you need coaching a few times before the big game. But you'll stand a far better chance if you'll let your nerves get quiet''
 guess you're about right, moth- CT mine." admitted Art. And I guess little abstinence in the matter of ball-playing Is the best nerve-tonic l can take. I'll obey you, mother. No more playing this week for me-"
 But the others of the Peaksville Nine met of evenings after school and played, substituting another boy as pitcher, one who had wanted the posi- ton at the beginning of the school year, but who was beaten by a ma 1ority vote for Art. This fellow. in company with three of the team, had long wished to oust Art, because he was their superior in many ways. Art was the kind of boy who insisted on correct conduct among the play CTS, and who would not play where profanity was used. He'd throw aside the ball and quit the field if any of his companions began to use ugly or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
Something About the Wind

m o YOU know what the science of
 the weather is called? It Is 2O known as meteorology. The name comes from two Creek words mean ing "to rise beyond" At the present time the word meteor means a frag- ment of stone which comes flying through space into our atmosphere, but formerly 1t held a much wider meaning. Anything connected with the atmosphere was called meteor, and so it was that the science of the weather became known as meteorol- ogy.
 And now we hear some one ask us, What makes the wind blow?" And we reply For the same reason that the smoke comes out of the chimney" But that may not be very clear, for the young questioner doubtless would like to know why the smoke comes out of the chimney
 We'll, the real cause of the wind Is this: As the air expands and rises it becomes hotter and hotter. If you will take an empty bottle (empty of everything save air) and set it. tightly corked, before a hot grate fire, what will happen? Why, either the cork will be forced out by the expanding air or the bottle will burst. The air needs more room. The sun shining upon the earth heats the air in cer- tain places. The warm air. being lighter than cold air, rises; and the cold air Is forced to the earth's sur face, rushing rapidly there to fill up the space which was occupied by the warm air
 Of course, this Is very simple ex- planation of why the wind blows, but to give fuller, scientific explanation would require much space and very long. scientific names and terms.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

right towards the three robins. His cry attracted them first, and they started to fly homewards, but he got between them and the grove, circling and circling about. preventing their getting past him. They became greatly excited through fear. and flew off towards the village. stopping on a tree near to the spot where the spar rows were bathing. And as they hid there, out came Pussy-Pat. followed by Susie. Pussy-Pat was .trotting along at quick pace. for she seemed to scent something wrong in the air near to the lake.
 "Oh, Pussy Pat!" cried Susie, seeing the wicked old MT. Bluejay chasing the robins. whom he had found in the tree, see that mean, fighting jaybird. You'll have to help me to rescue the three dear little robins!" And Susie started to run towards the bluejay. shaking her fists and crying out at him, "Begone. you mean. ugly old thing! Trying to kill some young robins, are you? We'll. if you don't get out of sight this minute. I'll have Pussy Pat get yor!"
 Old MT. Bluejay went of. but he did not feel afraid of Susie nor Pussy Pat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
.&.&

erected grandstand. Suddenly tS pairs of anxious eyes and two ten faces caught his glance. One pair eyes belonged to his mother; the oth pair to Daisy Langdon. Arts lit sweetheart. He understood both pal of eyes and the reason for both ten faces. They were anxious on his a count-not on the account of Il Peaksville Nine. sf
 'I'll win out for their sakes!" sa Art with a determined air. And grasped the ball and prepared swing it in his old accustomed maj ner. It went home-just where meant for 1t to go. And again al again did he repeat his splendid won The field rang with the applause received. But he would not alld himself to think of it. He kept u fore him those two pairs of cyl the mother eyes and the little swed heart-eyesl For them he was pitc| ing now! And after the game was over, q Peaksville Nine winning by a Il score, Art was carried off the i'd where he had fainted after pitchi his last winning ball. The boy hI worked too hard, and had been ho1 ing ups under a great load of physi1 weakness. For a week he was cd fined to his bed, and when admir- friends came to see him they foul him happy.
 "I lasted long enough to show
 enemies what I could do for tl team," he said. And in his mind ! added: And what I could do
 mother and Daisy"
 And never another word did
 enemies dare to say against him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

rough language. So these few fellows had never liked him for his Straight laced" ways, as they called them. But inwardly they knew him to be a gentleman and their superior. And they disliked him accordingly.
 "I guess Arts going to leave us in the lurch," said the substitute after the game one evening. "If he does I'll drop in at the last minute and play with you, boys."
 Cut Base First shook his head Art Pearson's not the chap to leave us In the lurch," he declared stoutly He was fond of Art. and his ever ready champion.
 "'Deed he won't" agreed Base Sec ond. '.There's fellow we can count on. Why, the victory of our team Is dearer to Art than most anything else. He never thinks of his own victory. It's the Nine he works for
 linen why's he not here-practic- ing?" asked the substitute. That's his business" quietly remarked one of the batters, coming up in time to hear the controversy.
 So the time flew by and the Satur- day afternoon for the Big Contest came. Art had not improved in phys ical feelings. His head ached bii as he started toward the field. and his legs seemed tired. Something was wrong, but he hated to admit il to himself. And he did nos admit il to another living being.
 The game began and waxed fast and furious. Once Art failed in his hall pitching if SO ag to give a cer- tain victory to the opposing side. He grew dizzy for just a moment. then he glanced around toward the newly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
ADDITIONS.

l. Add the letter c to one who entertains strangers at his house and get disembodied spirit.
 2. Add the letter r to stone and get lady's gown. 8. Add the letter P to beauti- full flower and get a common style of writing.
 4. Add the letter P to long, flow ing garment and get surgical instru- ment.
 CONUNDRUMs.
 What kind of cap is it that will not fit any head?
 knee-cdp.
 What kind of lock is 1t that no key can be made to fit?
 4 lock of hair.
 What kind of crown is it In which we cannot set gems?
 The croicn ot the hedd.
 When did Moses sleep five in a bed ? When he slept toith his forefdthers.
 DIAGONAL.
 This diagonal contains seven words of seven letters each. If the words are right. guessed and written one below another their diagonal letters, beginning with the upper left-hand letter and ending with the lower right-hand letter. will spell time of the year. The cross-words are: l. A place where fruit is grown. 2. A reckoning. 3. Men who make head gear. 1. One who does work which requires little skill. 5. To walk with an awkward gait. 6. To be speckled. 2. High wave at sea.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

But in all her three years of life. Pussy-Pat had never Caught bird. Susie had taught her this when she was very young-had gently but firm ly reprimanded her by switching her and locking her up whenever she crouched and sprang at feathered creature. So gradually Pussy-Pat had learned that birds are not objectiona- ble, but very desirable and lovely to have in the trees and hedges. So af- ter she had got to a sensible and wise age, she became the greatest friend to birds. But this friendship did not extend to bluejays, for they were SO cross to her and would dash towards her. trying to peck out her eyes. She was quick enough to keep out of their way, but they kept pursuing her just the same, and she disliked them &C., cordingly.
 On the morning of this story, the three little robins reached the lake and began dipping into the shining water. fluttering their wings and mak- ing great splash. A great many sparrows were there bathing, and while they were not on real friendly terms with robins. they did not act in an unlSind manner towards them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
lie Rohin, Pussy Pat and Wicked Mr. Blueia

He had chased Pussy-Pat many time and made her hide beneath hedge. So he decided after few n utes to go after the robins again. had kept an eye on them and kr they were again hiding In the tr near to where the sparrows | played in the water. So off he " after them. s &
 Susie's mother had called to and the little girl, thinking that MT. Bluejay was gone for good, home, leaving Pussy-Pat crouchint the grass. She knew Pussy-Pat wc come homo when she got tired stay away.
 We'll, when old MT. Bluejay mi the second attack on the little roll he frightened them so much that Il wings got nervous and they coull fly. They just dropped to the gro near to where Pussy-Pat crouch and began fiuttering and crying for their. mamma.s Old Pussy-F mouth twitched and her nose md up and down, and her eyes got ger and bigger, and she crouched swift. long spring. But it was the little baby robins she was pairing to take unawares. It was MT. Bluejay who was coming hopII along over a hedge. making his l rible and cruel yell.
 When old MT. Bluejay was alr | ready to swoop down upon one of robins, little baby-robin, Pussy decided 1t was time to leap. And did so, and you never heard loy or a more wicked yell than old Bluejay gave as Pussy-Pat cal him right between her sharp I, and put her teeth into his featl But she did not try to kill old wi, MT. Bluejay. She just wanted frighten him till he would be al of her in future, and also to him afraid to try to catch rc again. So she just bit him. p hard twice, and held him down her, sharp claws. And while ahe doing this. Pinky, Reddie and Eyes got up courage to fly hoMew They met their mamma on theA for she was becoming fright about them, and had started ,in of them. To her they told the (. but not till all were safe on a I limb. And there Mistress Nellie in's heart beat with fear, for sht that old Bluejay would come fher her little ones some day during absence.
 But on the following day, and next, and the next, a week wenf did Mistress Nellie Robin look in for old wicked Mir. Bluejay. and her heart began to quiet down, she felt that something must happened to the enemy of almoz the bird kingdom. And somei had happened to him And It wass Old Pussy-Pat had given him s,i good scare that he had gone di home-when Pussy-Pat had let him!-and told all his family friends of what had occurred, they all held a counsel and de 1t was best to leave that part q world before that terrible cat got of one or more of them And flew away that very night, going slowly, for old Bluejay1 was shr badly by Pussy Pats claws. tn was not as sprightly as usual. Al did not get over those scratchek that bite for weeks, and he nev9 get over the scare 'ood old Puss3 gave him on the day he woulds killed the dear little robins x grove.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

TT his wonderfully interesting book.
 "The Confessions of a Beach, comber," B. J. Banfield has this to say of the stone fish or warty ghoul.
 Apart from the rarity and beauty of some of the denizens of the reefs, there are others that are singular and interesting, and some whose inti- mate acquaintance is most undesir- able.
 Beware of the stone fish. the death adder of the sea. Loathsome, secretive, inert, rough and jagged in outline wearing tufts and sprays of sea-weed on it's back, scarcely to be distin- guished from the rocks among which it turks, 1t is armed with spines steeped with the cruellest venom. Many fish are capable of inf1icting painful and even dangerous wounds. but none are to be more dreaded than the ugly and repulsive stone fish. Haply, 1t is rare. Conceal itself as it may among the swaying sea-weed as it lies in ambush ready to seize its prey, or partially bury itself in the mud, it seldom eludes the shrewd observation of the blacks (natives). With grunt of satisfaction, the black ifnpales it with fish-spear and places it 3ouirming on rock to be battered to pulp with its proto type--a stone. Utter destruction is the inyariable fate of any stone fish detected in these waters (Brammo Bay, on the coast of an island lying near to Australia). the belief of the blacks being that in default, fatal effects would follow a wound. But the black who suffers the rare chance of contact with this hide ous enemy fortifies his theoretical cure of pulVerizing the offending fish by immersing the injured foot or hand in running water for whole day, the popular treatment for all venomous wounds. As to the effect of the wound they say: Suppose that fella' nail go along your foot, you sing out all same bullocky all night. Leg belonga you all swell up and jump about. Bin gie (belly) belonga you. sore fella. Might you die.'
 "One boy fescribed the detested creature: That fella like stone. Head belonga him no good-all hole.' A graphic way of detailing rugged depression in the fish'e head, which conveys the idea that the bones have been staved in by blow with ham mer.
 with it's upturned cavernous mouth, its spines, it's cones, its erup- tlons, it's ejecta, it's great fan-shaped pectoral fins. and its deforlnities gen
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

They just remained to themselves. Sparrows are clannish birds, as you doubtless know, and 1t is a rare thing to see them make the acquaintance of other birds. But they are not very great fighters, although they have that name. It is the bluejay family that quarrels and makes sad havoc among other birds, destroying their nests and killing their young.
 Well, the sparrows dipped and f1ut- tered in one end of the lake while the robins occupied the other end of it. And there was no sign of trouble; indeed, all was peace and quiet, till of sudden, out from the grove came a bluejay, the real. wicked old MT. Blue jay who had been wrecking so many nests that summer. And he came
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
Island Salmon Catching

S7HE Sakhalin Island people have
 an original method of catching
 salmon in the waters about their little world, which lies north of Japan They do their fishing by means or dogs that have been trained for the purpose. Although these animals are only half domesticated they work with a right good will, for they have learned that their reward is some of the fresh fish which they bring in to their masters Thesdogs are sent out into the water, swimming single-file, till a word of command is given them from the shore, when they quickly turn their faces landward. form them selves into semi-circle and begin swimming very rapidly, beating the fish toward the land. When the sal mon have reached shallow water they become excited and are easily caught by the dogs. each bringing ashore d fino fish in his mouth. The natives. who are waiting on the land for the fisher dogs. grab the fish from them, instantly cut off the fishes heads and throw them to the dogs. The remain der of the fish belong to the men. As the dogs are very fond of the fresh fish. heads, they will make re- peated visits into the water for them. working till really too exhausted to swim another stroke. Some dogs have been known to work till they drop of continued exertion, drown ing while too far out at sea to be rescued by their owners. However, these cases of drowning are rare, for as we all know, dog is very in telligent animal and understands when he has reached the limit to his endurance, when he gets to terra firma and rests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

companion was a pretty cat whom she called PussyPat, and Pussy-Pat was the smartest cat in all that coun- try roundabout. She could catch a mouse where other cats failed. She could even catch and kill rat, which was saying good deal for Pussy Pat. And not only was she fine and strong and brave, but she was very kind hearted. She never played with mouse when she caught it, but killed it at once. She would never have molested mouse had not she known that mice ate holes in Susie's clothes and got into the sugar and the flour. So. being a perfectly splendid cat, Pussy-Pat kept the house clean of ob- jectionable mice and horrid rats.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
The Stone Fish, or Warty Ghoul
A Strange Creature That Lives In The Coral Reefs

orally, it well deserves the specific title of 'horrida.' Moreover, has 1t not a gift which would have brought 1t to the stake a few years ago, as a sinful. presumptuous and sacrilegious witch that of living for an hour or two out of it's natural element! It deserves the bad eminence to which 1t has been raised by the blacks on account of looks alone, and if the poisonous qual- ities are in line with its hideousness, one can but pause and ponder why and wherefore such a creature has existence in this best of all possible worlds But 1t is known that to the Chinese it is dainty and they pay for 1t with good grace as much as two shillings and sixpence pound.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
V OurPuZZle Corner A
IssING NOUNS PUZZLE.

MISSING NOUNS PUZZLE. If the vacancies left in the follow ing sentences are filled with the right nouns and pronouns, four weli-known proverbs will be completed.
 l. will get no - if drown the -.
 2. Never kill the - that lays the golden -.
 8. should make - while the shines
 4. Never whistle before are out of the -.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS
 PUZZLES.
 BEHEADINGS: l. Spitch- Witch. 2. Wrdp-Rdp. 3. Whip-Hip. 4. Span Pdn.
 POET PRIMAL ACROSTIC: Homer. Described acords: l. Home 2. Ocean 8. Moon. 4. EUil. 5. Rubies.
 ZIGZAG PUZZLE: Culture. Cross uords: l. Cdin 2. Burn. 8. Ball. 4. Shot. 5. Haul. 6. BrotC. z. Ears. PICTURED ALPHABETICAL PUZ- ZLES: l. Dashboard minus Board plus Hound equals Ddshhound. 2. Seat minus Edt plus Ink equals Sink.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22

~ URING the early spring Mistress
 Nellie Robin was attracted to
 beautiful grove on the outskirts - of a quiet village. There she