davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
The Duchess and The Duke

II was indeed strange. The Ouch
ess was a little fish, about nnger
length pale Mile green with pearis
opaiescent bands and chechs tue saint
Rainbow coiors fiickered all over NJ
as she moved. and she was SO uei,
cate that when you held the niue
globe up against the light you couiu
see her slender little backbone ana al
the crooked little ribs like silk threads
reaching out into her fins. she was
a perfect little dream OF loneliness.
One af my little girls found her
one day left in boat to die by
horrid old fisherman. She carried her
home in pickle bottle ana gave her
"a nice globe TO live in. Then she was
quite happy and never seemed to miss
her old home in the creek. Her ap-
petite was good, and she took plenty
Fof exercise Fish food'--the kind
You buy at stores-suited her very
we'll. but her chief delight was wee
scraps Of meat. about pin-head size
She would stand on her head to pick
them up from the bottom, and then
stand on her tail to swallow them.
1t was very funny.
But school was over Vacation time
came. and while her mistress was
away the Duchess came to me to
board That Is how came to know
her go well, and how she came to ac~
quire the Duke. Notice that word ac-
quire It's good word to remember
and means q whole lot later on.
The Duke was found in the self
same boat and brought home in an
other pickle bottle, Pickle bottles are
fine to save little fish and such things
in. We keep them for that. The
Duchess at first paid little attention
f., ha 40 Ky
her size but sprightly little fellow.
and certainly began at once to pay
her very marked attentions. Soon
she began to reciprocate, and for days
at time they sailed about side by
side, | suspect they had fish we'd
ding in the presence Of La Belle and
d'Ore in the adjoining globe. In a
week there were four little punches
OF eggs In the bottom OF the globe.
Now here Is the sad part Of the
story. Naxt day the Duchess refused
to eat. shs Just stayed down below,
close to her eggs. and every time the
Duke came by she would rush at him.
decided TO give him globe to him
2el1 .naxt day. but la -the morning the
Duchess had bitten Off his fms and
tail. He was a mere living wreck
When I tried to lift him out with a
teaspoon she showed marked objec-
tons. ana ~ last, making a savage
dash Just a. I almost succeeded in
rescuing him. she seiSed him by the
head and swallowed him. That Ii how
she acquired him II last. 49,. Il.
But worse Was to follow. He only
lasted her two days. The third day
+ offered her some nice fish food, and
she only smelt Of It. Then. standing
on her head. she deliberately dsvour-
ed her own sGsa and contNnteAly sank
DOWN ana died. roor. pfstty. We1ka6
Httla Dnchsaa $50 I hsF q ~
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
PUZZLE DEPARTMENT


John was going fishing In a nearby
creek. His sister Whose name was
a city in italy, was going too. On
their way to the creek they met two
little boys who were going fishing.
too. So they decided they would all
go together. One OF the boys whose
name was "a city in northern Texas)
fell over q tcity In Arkansas) and
hurt his knee. The ether boys name
was "a city in louisiana They
were all fishing when John yelled IA
cape east of North CaroIina) and a
triver that runs through Idaho) was
laying near his hat. They were as
scared as they could he in Johns
sister was so scared that she walked
backwards, and stumbled down and
bumped her head till 1t was as
black (as a sea in southwestern Asia
could be. They were so frightened by
this time they decided 10 walk down
the side of the creek little way to
sea what they could find, They saw
a fcity of Oklahoma) sitting on a
log and 1t scared them for they had
never seen one before.
II was getting dark now and they
thought they had better start for
home. when John explained that he
had to stop by his aunts fwhos namel
was a city in Bulgaria. When they
got there she gave them some fresh
cookies and John gave her the note
which his mother had sent her and
when they had told Johns aunt ia
cape southeast OF Greenland) they
went home and got there just In time
for supper
Composed by
EMMA ELIZABETH SLATER.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Bride creek, Va
Dear Aunt Nancy,--I guess the
other members think ! have forgot
Ten our club. but haven't We have
been 20 busy! Two Of my sisters
hay~ gone of to teach this winter
and another one viii leave real soon
Our school will begin Monday ]
have TO walk about mile 20 the
academy. But on rainy days L r4de.
had rather walk when II Is pretty
We have a very large school most OF
the time. With good music and elo-
eution departments, During recess
and dinner we play lots of games. we
have good basketball and baseoaii
teams. Do many OF the other cousins
play baseball think 1t is gooa
rame. i pitch on our team, and In
basketball / play forward" I take
music, and like II very much. ] am
in the third grade. Aunt Nancy, do
YOU like reaches We have large
peach orchard, and last week / helped
rfck some TO can. / wish you had
some good ones to eat. We also have
lots Of good grapes and apples- ] am
sorry I could not enter the puzzle
contest but could not get up good
one. ] will enter the next contest
though.
I am sending a story hope the Old
Gray Goose won't get l think the
piecs In last weeks paper about MY
Trip to Ocean View was real good
I must stop or my letter will be
too ieng. enjoy reading the letters
sf the other members I wish they
would write oftener.
Your loving niece,
LENA FRANCES BRYANT.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

when he saw Drakesbill swimming
about SO cooIly, while he had to
stand on the table to keep his feet
dry, he could hardly hold himself.
Bring the fellow here, and-fii
flush him with the carving knife!
bring him here quick" he cried.
Two servants rushed out and seiz-
ed Drakesbill very rudely. They
dragged him toward the king, VINO
was standing with drawn carving
knife. The kings brave men with
swords In their hands were all
around him. lit Is all over with
me now" said Drakesbill. Il don't
see how I can live through this!'
But lust then he thought of his
neighbor Wasp-nest and he cried
out:
"Wasp-nest, Wasp-nest, hither ny,
Or Drakesbill soon will have to die"
Then Wasp-nest, who had been
waiting for these words, began 10
wake up hts wasps, and things chang
ed very quickly.
Buzz. buzz, buzz! Charge" cried
Wasp-nest. And the wasps rushed
| out and threw themselves upon the
! king and his brave men, and stung
them so badly that they ran ana
/ Jumped right out from the windows
and nobody in the palace ever saw
them again.
As for DrakesbiIl, he could only
sit still and wonder what was goins
to happen next, But after wniie
he remembered his money, ana pc
gan to sing as before. Then, an the
house was very still, he thought that
he might as well look around iittle
while. perhaps he would find MS
hundred yellow pieces of gold.
It was OF no use. however he
peeped into all the corners ana open.
ed all the drawers. There was no'
a dollar in the house. the King
had spent everything.
BY and by Drakesbill found mis-
way into the room where the king
throne stood. and as he was very
tired he sat down to rest among the
cushions of velvet and gold.
When the people saw the King and
4 his brave men running away from
the wasps they felt sure that they
would never come back. SO they
crowded into the palace TO see what
was the matter. And the only per
son they found there was Atife
lDrakesbill sitting by himself on the
throne. Then they all shouted;
THE king is dead long live the
king!
How glad we'll be to be ruled by
this thing"
And one of them ran and fetched
the golden crown; and they put II
on Brakesbili's head and hailed hin
as King. And Drakesbill, who hae
made up his mind not TO be sur
prised at anything, sat very still ane
took 1t all as a matter of course.
He doesn't look much like
king" whispered few idle fellows:
but they we're soon driven out of the
hall and made to understand that il
was wrong even to think such words
"He will be the best king we have
ever had" said others And SONS
who had known him before said
"A Drakesbill is better any day thar
king who does nothing but Spend
our money"
And that is the way in which little
Drakesbill became king. When hs
had been crowned, and the people
had finished shouting. he made
speech from the throne. Ladies ant
gentlemen. he said. ''I am very hun
CRY. Let us all go to supper"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Chase City, Va
Dear Aunt Nancy / am send
ing you puzzle and some drawings
which hope will be in the paper next
Sunday Our school has now begun,
and ] cannot send anything every
week, but I will send some OF my
drawing. puzzles and other things as
often RI ] can.
Your niece,
MARION GE4GHY.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Anch0F, va.
Dear Aunt NsneY--I have been
interested in the r. v, J. c. for some
time and would like 10 become a
member. Please send me q badge
am sending in some riddles. Hope
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Charade.
Ny first is in cat. but not in rat
MY second in hat. but not in mat
NV third Is in array, but not in obey
My fourth la in say but not in bay.
My fifth is in errace, but not In waist.
Ny sixth Is In cat, but not in rat.
Nv, seventh In in ellis but not In fly
My. eighth Is in top, but not in hop,
My ninth is In yet. but not in bet
Ny whole ia a town,
MARIAN GEORGEGAN
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
Pamplin, Va.

/ Pamplin, Va,
Dear Aunt Nancy saw the dog
In the paper the other Sunday, and
s~e there ia puzzle contest In the
paper. I am sending a puzzle this
week. mean that 1t gives boys
names in fgures and then 5umbled
hope the Old Gray Goose will not
eat II up. School has started now
ana am In the sixth grade
From your nephew,
GLENNAIRE LONGSWORTH.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22


/. Boston-Cty.
,. Wind r4ver--Moantain
4. IlIlnois--State-
s. Beaver Dam-CatN
s. Cedar Keys-Cav.
Observation-Disclosures
s. Frapkfort-city.
10. woodstock-CIty.
IL Deadwood--City.
IL. Jamestowo-City.
ID. Greenbush-Cfty.
II. Bridgeport-City.
Flower Puxnle.
!. Bluebell.
2. Four O'C1ocks.
3. Sunnowers.
4. Walihcver. 1
s. Pansies
6. Moonflower.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
Con,lndruInA

ConundrumA
L. When he presses nls suit.
Z. Nons VI your Jaw. ..4
s, Because she would be he az
then
.. Advice.
6. one Is happy and careless. ths
other cappy anu hairless.
.. No otie nose.
I. Night dresses.
!. In a kaEre4
y. Wet
10. When IL has nols IA H..
II. because 40 gets ucAeu and qua
in the corner.
IL. Halt. because the full morn ~
as light again.
is. When he cannot help II.
IA. on the outside.
l5. When Ii goes from montn 10
month,
IL. With a ring. bat not without -
zap wrap.
II. because they can't go OF with
out a eeaux. ana are in QulveT IN
tai get them.
-. Because they are always long
er in bed than others.
~. Water.
~. Ceiling whacks SAILING wax.
IL The winds brew lbiue) and
M. VIRGINIA BUNDICk.
Find One OF the United States In
zach of the following Sentences.
/. Maryland.
.. Indiana
:. Texas.
1, Florida
). Georgia.
6. Iowa.
Z. delaware.
=. Maine.
y, Rhode Island.
TO- LOUISIANA.
EMMA ELIZABETH SLATER
Riddles.
l. To cover his head.
:. Because II is in the middle Of
day.
.. To get on the other sida
4. Come to corn.
Oracle WALKER
A Horse shoe Nail PuxAia.
$42.s2s.ss2.ss.
CLARENCE n. BAuGHAN.
What In II?
EDITH RAWLINGS.
Conundrum.
vIR0LE RALMEN.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Once upon q time there was big
old windmill. IT belonged TO the
farmer. II haa worked hard for
many years. and the farmer. when
speaking of II. used TO call IL "Old
Faithful" But one day the windmill
had stopped working. Tho wheel
stood perfectly stili. A strong wind
passed by IT said to the windmill;
Come. come! Why are you not at
work. Let me help you turn your
wheel"
mo, no." said the windmill: Il do
not wish for your heip. | shall rest
all day today. I am so tired
40. but we must always work be
fore we rest" said the wind, Come,
/ shall be glad TO help you
The wind blew upon the wheel The
whesi would not turn.
'I will try again" said the wind
so IL blew long and hard.
Il do not have 10 mind you, said
the windmill. Il tell you I am tired.
and | shall rest today. Go away. old
wind"
The wind sighed and went away.
30, how fine II la TO rest, SAID
the windmill.
All day IL remained still. II grew
late and the tired horses came home.
They had worked hard all day in the
hot sun. They were so thirsty. When
they saw the windmill, they started
into little trot in their haste to
reach the water tank. Poor. tired
horses. II was empty.
rs the windmill broIsen?" asked
the farmer.
no; 1t Is all right
why hasn't 1t worked today" The
wind blew hard, too. can't under
stand this" he said,
The COWS came for a drink. The
sheep came for drink. The chick ems
came for drink. The Dig came for
a drink. The birds came for drink.
There WAS no water
70, why didn't 7 work" said the
windmill There is no water for the
horses and cows. There is no water
for the sheep and chickens. There IS
no water for the dog and birds. ..
arm so sorry ! didn't work" And
The windmill began to creak and groan
m sorrow. %, | wish the wind would
blow, | would work so hard tsat the
Ink ould soon he fun
gentle wind came. 1t tried to turn
the wheel. but 1t WAS too weak, SO
IL called it's friends. The friends
came They all pushed ana pushed
Suddenly the wheel stopped -eFeak-
ing and grooming. and rs II whirIed
merrtly around It sang shtx song:
with the wind 70 help me.
.- Roupd aud rnund,I II. GO; 90, ,,.-u
Then the sparkling water
To my tank win now"
Soon the tank was full OF clear,
! sparkling water. and as the animals
eagerly drank their MI the wheel
| husily turned round ana round, hum
| ming TO itself,
,.s,gt
Robbits a. Swimmers
While not fond Of water, rabbits can
swim II they are forced 10. They have
IA swimming position AL their own.
lind look queer enough IN the water
They keep their hsaAs auA tails high
and Ary. whils thu fs1nt part e. she
bod SINKS DIR n the Na1esy u
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
VIRGINIA ToLr2

SOLUTION TO A love DTTTY.
BY Louis Dahl.
Whene'er l see your handsome face,
My heart no longer can forbear:
Within my breast it beats apace.
Enraptured by your features fair.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
Around the Circle

the Old Gray Goose won't eat this
up.
Your new niece,
MARJORIE VIRGINIA SAvEDGE-
Jacksonville, Va
Dear Aunt Nancy.--I have been
thinking for some time Of Joining your
r. Y. j. G., but / would keep putting
1t of until 1t was too late every
week / am going to try TO be a
faithful member. I think Louis Dahfs
Love Ditty" was fine. II will soon
be time for me to start TO school. |
cannot say ] am glad. neither can
say I am sorry. / hope the Old
Gray Goose will not gobble this up.
Please send me a badge. Best wishes
to the r. V. J. G.
Your new niece.
RUBY RAWLINGS.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Your loving niece,
EMMA ELIZABETH SLATER.
r. S.-Fiease excuse blot. ! was
drawing on it, T. f. y
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
PetArsllurg. VI

petersburg, va
Dear Aunt Nancy wish To CON
Rratuiate Louis Dahl on being the
prize winner. One of the members
said she would like to know what our
prizes were Mine was a book called
iwhen Patty Went 10 College,. !
read II the very next day got II. The
town schools have already opened,
but the country schools viii not open
till the FIRST of October. Alma Kemp
sent me a post card and ! answered
IT,, but ! have not heard from her
since That has been some time ago
i would like ia know whether she got
I. or not. ! think | will try for
the story puzzle contest, but I don't
guess I will get a prize. | hope
will. / think John James and leila
Towsey deserve q prize. They work
hard enough for one. We went chin
auapin hunting Sunday. | got 2l5
Papa and my two little brothers got
400, and come Well, I guess l Will
close now, as / have told you all the
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Riddles.
J. What is II that gentleman has
not, never can have, and yet can
give TO a LADY,
2 Why are teeth like verbs
g. What is the largest room in the
world
4, In what toe does corn never
grow?
S. why Is Trelans likely 10 become
the richest country In the world
MARJORIE VIRGINIA SAVEDGE.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Soon the tank was full OF clear,
sparkling water, and as the animals
eagerly drank their MI the wheel
busly turned round ana round, hum
ming to itself
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

Robbits a. Swimmers.
While not fond Of water, rabbits can
swim II they are forced 10. They have
La swimming position Al their own.
Ind look queer enough IN the water
They kerr their heads anA tails high
aad Ary. while. thu front part e tbs
bod. sfnlss deep n tlss Natess Il
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22
EIigmas.

EniEmas. .a.s,.- I
No vegetable, mineral, or animal
am T.
I'm neither male or female. but
between the two.
I'm given. strange TO say, from two
to six feet high
Am named In the old Testament,
commanded in the New.
NY second has two legs my whole
no more,
And yet my first alone has always
four,
Use me well, and I'm everybody:
Scratch my back and I'm nobody.
A title common both 10 eaeen and
dame alike from left or right I read
the same.
IF I from YOU A kiss receive.
And you that kiss return.
You by that act the word do give
7 now demand 70 learn.
I'm, praised, I'm condemned. I'm
abused:
My virtues the poet will sing;
Abroad and at home I'm used
by Sultan, the beggar, the king.
NJ VIRGINIA BUNpICK.
Boys Names In humble Figures
!. s-10-15.
2 s-14-10-15
3. 1-15-4-S-1s-12,
4. 14-1S-1-1i-s.
3. I5-a-2l-12-1a
6. al -4-s~1s-l6
GLEMAIRE L0NGSWO RTH.
DSx4Hta~
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

A Horse shoe Nail Puxala.
$42,s2s,ss2.S5.
CLARENCE n. BAuGHAN.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-22

title common both 10 eaeen and
dame alike from left or right read
the same.
The Southern herald., 1912-11-01
sto-y Of the Man Who Always Tried
to Be Funny, Especially Be-
fore Guests.

In story by Mary Stewart Cut
ting in the Woman's Home Compan-
ion appears the following characteriz-
alton Of man who made himself a
nuisance by always trying to be
funny:
'Mr Brentwood was well born, well
educated and successful in affairs. He
had, in the eyes Of his family, one
fault--he had a masculine sense Of
humor Of homely, almost rural type,
at which his family WINGED uncon-
trollably. Mrs. Brentwood, even from
the earliest days of their marriage,
had been wont to implore> her Theo.
dore when they were expecting com
pany, not to be funny"
Certain jokes or mannerisms OF
his at the table were Of daily occur
renee. Hardly noticed any more when
they we're alone, they sprang into
startling prominence when there were
guests He always said, People come
from miles around to hear US drink
soup. He jovially inquired II he might
borrow the butter, or If Ellen, the
waitress could spare him another
The Southern herald., 1912-11-01
NARROW ESCAPE
OF SACRED LION
Sailors Graphic Recital Of His
Starting Experience N q
West African Jungle.
AIDS MEDICINE NAN
fakes the Part Of ths kIas q Bsasta.
bot When a Seal Leo Appears He
Takes to the Tali Timbsrs Whss
He spent a slesplsss Night


New York.-Nevsr did q sailor On
the seven seas have such an expert
enee as that which befen the first
mate Of a British tramp steamer that
lies in her dock in South Brooklyn.
The 1rst mate Of the steamer Com
eric. Alexander Hedworth, to wit re-
lates a plain, unadorned tale Of being
a sacred lion in the wilds Of Africa.
I was first officer OF the dutch trad
ing ship Wool that was wrecked on
the West African coast about a year
age" said Hedworth. 4 wandered in
land for two days.
shortly after dawn on the third
day Of my wanderings | awoke from
my dreams Of beefy banquets, in the
crotch Of tree. where had climbed
to. escape the prowling jungle beasts,
to hear loud sobs Of anguish. After
each outburst Of sobs came q loud
humping.
"A short distance from my tree,
sitting on q huge lion skin on the
ground, was a weird specimen Of q
native. He was bawlng as though
his heart would break and ever and
anon he would hit a nearby tree a
wallop with a huge club.
After a lot Of greetings l sat doWn
on the ground near the Jungle weepef
and he told me his tale Of woe. He
was an outcast medicine man, and he
sobbed as though his heart would
break.
And then like a fash a great idea
occurred to me and with many signs
and bad native lingo told my plan to
the ex-medicine man. Briefly, l made
him a proposition. | was to restore
his old job Of medicine man and in
return he was to feed me.
Under my plan l was to become
lion, q sacred lion. The lion skin
on which my medicine man friend sat
had given me the idea. / got into the
The Southern herald., 1912-11-01
Danger In "shuttIe KIssIno.r y

Shuttle kissing" as a vehicle for
the transmission of diseases from one
person to another employed in Eng.
lish weaving sheds. is the subject Of
a recent report which has been issued
as a parliamentary paper The "kiss.
ing" referred to takes place when the
operator puts the thread through an
eye in the shuttle This is done by
placing the shuttle in the mouth and
sucking the thread through the little
opening. The report says that while
the investigation has shown the pres.
ent method to be uncleanly "and may
even be a possible means of spreading
Infection" the committee does not
think the time is yet ripe for insisting
either BY act of parliament or by reg.
ulations on the abolition Of the exist.
ing form of shuttle.
The Southern herald., 1912-11-01
Nuisance at the Table

slice OF bread He made puns on the
vegetables and he had a habit of Iook.
ing with sudden suspicion at any dIsh
handed to him, no matter how famil.
lar, and asking disgustedly, What Il
this, anyway? Strangers always IN.
spired him particularly to their enter.
tainment. Certain ancient, inherited
anecdotes could be endured by h,a
wife and children, even II with acb-
ing strain, but there was a bathtub
story (Mr. Brentwood had In his early
boyhood migrated with his parents to
what was then the edge Of the prai.
ries) beginning mendaciously. sYou
know, we never took baths when /
was a boy that, though it was amus.
ing. nearly went beyond the pale Of
refinement, and an awful toothbrush
story which positively did. If people
laughed at his stories, Mr. Brent.
wood became practically untram.
meled.
Another common table remark bv
Mr.. Brentwood was that he never
had any use for potato salad, because
cold potatoes always reminded him
Of cold feet 1t was also fis hahit u
admonish people to eat slowly ana
distinctly, He got this from the Old
| saying, Read slowly and distinctly "